Unplugged: The New World (#1, Unplugged Trilogy)

Chapter Four

"Grandma?" The person calls from outside the hallway. I freeze. Stranger than the call is the voice of the caller. This is no weathered government official, or my mother. Instead, I hear the clear voice of a young, timid, scared female, not unlike myself.

"Grandma? I'm here! It's Le--Whoa!" I hear quick footsteps that gradually sound louder and closer, then an awed whisper. "A trapdoor!" Judging by the nearness of the person's voice, she is just outside of the room that I hide in.

Horror momentarily freezes my mind. Why didn't I close the trapdoor? What if this girl follows the steps, finds my mother, and does something terrible to her? For the second time today, I decide to do something both very brave and exceptionally stupid: I call out.

"Hello?" The girl screams from the hall, and I scream back.

"Who are you?" She demands.

"I'm not going to hurt you!" I assure her from my hiding spot behind the bed.

"I have a... I have a fist and I'm not afraid to use it!"

This is ridiculous, I think. I slowly stand with my hands raised in the air and I can see the girl standing in the doorway, her dark, round eyes wide. Her tan face is flushed, but I still notice how perfect each of her features are on her face, like they were delicately placed in their respectful positions. The curly black hair not constrained by a ponytail sticks to her sweaty face, and I notice that we wear identical red and beige uniforms. Uniforms from the Academy of Global Doctrines. After a moment of staring at each other, the girl slowly lowers her fist, her face lighting up in recognition.

"No way! You're the runner!" She exclaims.

"Excuse me?" I don't move from my spot in the bedroom, still wondering if the girl is a friend or an enemy.

"You know, you're the chick who took off during the graduation ceremony. I heard people talking about you in the street!" She narrows her eyes suspiciously. "It is you, isn't it?" Deciding that it wouldn't hurt me now to tell the truth, I nod.

"If you mean I'm the one who ran, then yes. I am." She squeals in delight.

"Then I'm not alone!"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think I mean? I escaped too!" My mouth falls open and I forget any thoughts of being careful around this girl. I walk towards her and she leans against the wall, grinning cockily.

"I didn't see you, though..." I mutter.

"Well I did my job, then, didn't I?" She says with a satisfied smile. "I was smarter than you. I actually planned it all out. When everyone was gathered in the lobby and everything was chaotic, I slipped out of the front door then hid in an alley for a while."

"What about the cameras? Wouldn't they have seen you?"

"That explains the whole 'hiding in an alley' part, doesn't it?" She rolls her eyes. I tilt my head and stare blankly at the wall. Now that I'm calm I can think clearly. I know I definitely must be sane if I'm not the only one who tried to avoid being plugged in, but what can account for us both being here, in this expensive apartment with a hidden staircase?

"You were calling for someone when you walked in..." I say, hoping the girl would expand on my observation by revealing her purpose for being here.