Levels (Wattpad Preview)

I

I

A cool breeze blew against his sweat-drenched body as he stretched his arm through the small portal acting as his access the mechanics behind the fan. His body crouched under the metal of the air duct. The smooth sounds of jazz sounded in his ears as he slowly worked his hands to find the mechanism to release the battery he was searching for. Finally, his fingers gripped the handle. He twisted and methodically pulled the battery from its housing, the fan slowing and coming to a stop. The 25 year old slowly backed his way out of the duct, crawling down onto an elevated service platform above the dark streets below.

It was hard to imagine he had grown up only a few levels above this one. Level 36 had once served as a hub to the middle class citizens of the Block, but now the criminals and cutthroats of the lower levels had begun to move up. Once, the streets of Level 36 had been well lit and well-traveled. Now, lights had faded, and no one dared travel the streets in the early morning hours. He made his way along the catwalk, walking until he met the place where it intersected with the monorail that stretched across Level 37. Each level had a monorail from one end of the level to the other to save time getting across the large area. The monorails were not as active at night as they were during the day, so he climbed onto the rail and walked it till another catwalk stretched above him. He pulled himself up onto it and made his way onto the Level 38 monorail. He repeated this process until he found himself on Level 41 where he went street level.

Level 41 sat only a few levels below the Division at Level 45. Below Level 45 was dangerous territory, more and more dangerous the farther down you descended. Police forces were slower, if they came at all. He had grown up on Level 41 and knew it like the back of his hand. He made his way past the early morning travelers, those attempting to reach the elevators before the line got too long. He had learned to avoid the elevators at an early age. They were both a faulty and a long way to make your way around the Block. The elevators often broke down, causing an even longer wait time.

He brushed his dark, sandy hair from his green eyes as he entered Samuel Greenhorn's shop.

"Finnigan Franklin!" came a loud voice from his childhood friend. The lanky, stubble-faced man smiled as he polished some of his goods. "What brings you to the 41st Trader?"

"Well, Sam, turns out you're the best place to sell black market goods north of Level 29," he laughed. "And I told you not to call me Finnigan. It's Finn."

"Sure," the trader said sarcastically. "You finally get what I was asking for?"

Finn held his prize in the air and placed it down on the desk. "One battery

straight out of Level 36."

"All the way to 36? Impressive," Sam said. He pulled a small, velvet box from his desk and slid it to Finn. "You sure she's gonna say yes?"

Finn opened the box and examined the diamond-set engagement ring. "Positive," he responded.

"Gettin' a girl above the Division is hard enough," Sam commented. "Especially when he looks like my backside."

Finn rolled his eyes as his friend laughed.

"Goodbye Sam," he said. "Remind me to use Nigel on 29 next time."

He left Sam still laughing.

Finn dropped down onto the street of Level 43 only a minute's walk from his home. He made his way passed the awaking inhabitants of his home level and to the door of his small, modest home. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Immediately, the smell of food hit him. Finn laid down his keys and music player and turned the corner into his kitchen. The brunette cooking must have not heard him as she continued to cook, humming a tune to herself. Finn quietly snuck behind her and grabbed her around the waist. She jumped, screaming as he turned her around into a kiss. She reeled back.