Rhett’s team and I arrived at the hydro-glider to travel across the bay. I entered at the rear, far from the brightly lit first class seats. The lights in our cheaper, more crowded and less legroom section stayed dim and occasionally flickered. The long, fiberglass bullet traveled surprisingly smooth and fast, shooting across the surface of the water.

Some passengers passed the time reading, some slept, while others watched the water slide by the narrow window that spanned the length of the transporter. As for me, I held my breath, wondering whether anyone would recognize me.

Approximately twenty of us went out to the city with our backpacks. We’d split into groups of five. Each group had an electronic map and a specific sector to cover. One went to the west, others went to the north and south, and we went to the east.

Shifting my black hat to hide more of my eyes, I studied Rhett’s big, calloused hands in his lap. I closed my eyes and remembered the gentleness of his touch when he’d wiped my tears and the way his hands moved under my shirt. Yet those same hands had killed. Distracted by Rhett shifting in his seat, I let go of my thoughts.

Rhett pressed his shoulder to mine. “You’re not nervous, are you?”

I gazed at the people sitting beside us, wondering if they were listening. A woman held her fidgety baby in her lap, her husband by her side. The baby’s arm flapped like a bird, and I spotted her bar-code tattoo. Infants were not chipped due to their growing hands. The tattoo would be erased by her physician and she would be chipped at sixteen.

A tinge of jealousy pricked me. The baby laughed in her mother’s arms. She would grow up knowing her parents and live a normal life. I turned away.

“I’m fine. I’ve been through worse,” I said curtly, rubbing the sting on my forearm.

Ozzie had activated my chip with fake identification this morning before we’d left. When I’d asked him how he had learned to implant fake IDs, he’d kept his lips sealed and eyes away from mine.

“At least I didn’t make you jump. Ms. Afraid of Heights doesn’t have motion sickness, does she? You can handle the speed, right?”

I lightly jabbed an elbow into his rib. “If I can’t, you’ll be the first to find out. I’ll leave you a colorful present on your lap.”

He gave me a sexy crooked grin that sent wanton tingles down to places it shouldn’t have.

“You look good in my hat, by the way. Kind of sexy, if you ask me. I think I should take you on a date.”

I scoffed but secretly liked the idea. Briefly, I considered punching him in jest for awakening such inconvenient, but delicious, emotions, but forgot my thought when I saw fire and desire in his eyes. Heat rising in my cheeks, I casually turned my body toward the window.

The hydro-glider came to a halt. The people in first class exited first, and then the next row moved along. Ozzie and Reyna got up and followed the line to exit. When my straps finally unbuckled, I prepared to do the same.

Rhett placed his hand on my lower back and guided me out. It seemed as though he needed to always touch me. I assumed to be protective and, at other times, as if he wanted to confirm I was really there. No one since my mom regarded me with such care.

Ozzie and Reyna were already out, heading in different directions. We pretended not to know each other.

Bright lights shone from the station like the first break of dawn after the dim cabin lights.

“Avoid the cameras and stay with me,” Rhett said.

It didn’t matter if I avoided the cameras. As soon as I stepped off the hydro-glider and onto a platform, two seven-foot poles on either side of me scanned my chip automatically. My heart raced, thinking an alert sound would blast through the air, but nothing happened. I should trust Rhett’s team since they had done this before. Then a hologram of a woman appeared and greeted me.

Holograms of women and men’s voices echoed all around, disorienting me. Some were assisting with directions behind a counter. Others helped citizens purchase tickets, appearing next to the ticket machine.

When I stepped onto the walkway, cold wind pushed me forward, and the cool air stung my nose. Ocean water crashed along the road, spraying mist onto my face. Shivering, I zipped up the jacket Rhett had insisted I wear and readjusted my cap.

Salt drops sprinkled my tongue when I opened my mouth to yawn and I cringed at the awful taste. Rhett’s lips twitched, no doubt suppressing a laugh when he saw my expression. A soft animalistic growl escaped my throat, catching Rhett’s attention. Rhett halted and ever so slowly turned to me.

My stomach lurched when he grabbed my hand for the first time, leading me forward. I was just about to yank my hand back when drones, size of a tennis ball, hoovered too close for comfort, and security guards roamed about. Head down, I sped past them.

My heart collided against my ribcage, and I was afraid I would get caught. But when Rhett’s fingers intertwined with mine—the feel of his hands so natural, so familiar—distracted me.

As I continued along, gliders whizzed by, flying in an organized manner. Pedestrians strode through a tinted tunnel walkway mounted above me to get from one building to the next. In the daytime, the city illuminated like a mirage, or a collection of sparkling crystals clumped together.

In the heart of the city, Leviathan Hotel towered to the sky surrounded by skyscrapers, each with unique architecture. A Saturn-like ring encompassed every building—a monstrous solar panel—also used as landing gear for the gliders. Then my eyes were drawn to larger-than-life flat screens displayed throughout the streets—flashing advertisements and commercials for cosmetics, clothes, electronics, and much more.

I wanted to observe everything and enjoy the moment. After that day, I’d never get another chance to pretend to be a normal girl, living in a city like everyone else, strolling down the street, holding my boyfriend’s hand. I felt so alive, thrilled to be out and free.

Rhett released me and shoved his hands inside the pockets of his sweatshirt. “We’ve got ground to cover. Link your arm through mine and keep up.”

Rhett’s stride was long and swift, and he took off as if the concrete scorched his feet. I sprinted until my legs ached and my throat burned. He stopped somewhere less crowded, and reminded me I had a water container, a pack of crackers, and an apple in my backpack. He’d told me it was going to be a long day and the snacks would be our only meal. After I took a few sips of water, I was back on my feet.

“We’re almost there,” Rhett said. “When we get there, you can’t be seen. I’ll point to the truck you need to get in. Don’t come out to help. This group of people thinks I’m working for an organization that feeds the hungry, which is kind of true.”

“I thought the councils had a program that makes sure everyone is fed?”

“It’s true, but it’s not enough. And it’s complicated.”

Rhett withheld information from me. I understood why he would, but that made me more curious.

“And this person, you trust him?”

“I trust her. Her name is Cleo.” He pointed to my backpack. “I put a Taser in there just in case.”

A small neighborhood peppered with quaint shops and paved with gray, beige, and red cobblestones came into view. My mouth dropped when I saw buildings untouched by tsunami, built with wood and plaster, but the cracks and uneven painting of the structure showed their age. I wanted to explore, shop, and pretend I lived there.

I approached the back of a fragrant bakery and the aroma of fresh baked bread made me pause. When five big, black trucks—more like SUVs—drove up, Rhett pointed to the last one.

I climbed in quickly. Though the dark tinted window made the day seem like night, and no one could see me inside, I hunched low to shroud myself.

“Hello, Ava.”

Ozzie’s greeting startled me. His cute smile reflected from the driver’s seat in the rearview mirror. I hadn’t recognized him in his shaggy blond wig.

“Did you enjoy your walk?”

“I did.” I smiled, studying him. “You look good with blond hair, but I like your dark hair much better.”

“Thanks.” His cheeks colored pink.

“What’s going on?”

“Didn’t Rhett explain?”

“Not much. If we’re just getting food, why are we worried we’ll get caught? Why split up to go to the same place?”

“ISAN alerted the council guards about us. No doubt they did with you. The last time we were here, security almost took Rhett, but his contact Cleo basically bribed the guards. Who knows what will happen this time? They’ve come around several times. We also need gas. We’re lucky we have some at home, and Cleo finds a way to get it for us. We’re fortunate to have her help. She’s our unexpected angel. Some people are good that way. Stay here. I’m going to help load.”

Ozzie adjusted his wig, got out of the car, and slammed the door behind him. Rhett, Ozzie, Reyna, and others exchanged words with a pretty, young, red-haired woman who came out the back door.

Jealousy pricked sharply when she hugged Rhett and kissed his cheek. She must be Cleo. Her flirty smile and the way she caressed his arm made me cringe. I’d assumed he was trying to hide me from ISAN guards, but was he trying to hide me from her?

Ugh! I had to stop having these ridiculous petty thoughts.

Everyone got out of the trucks and loaded crates. Rhett began at the first truck, checking and inspecting, and stopped when he reached the third. He reached inside his bag, took out a pair of glasses and a hat. He put them on, but he flipped his hat backward—nerdy hot, but what was he doing?

Then five men, wearing all black with gold badges on their shoulders, headed straight for Rhett. They had come from the adjacent shop. My heart and stomach collided. Rhett and his friends took out their fake identification cards and showed them to the guards. One of the guards even scanned their chips.

Cleo and another girl brought out some pastries and paper mugs and flirted with the guards. Three guards followed Cleo and her friends inside the shop, but two remained behind to interrogate Rhett. They exchanged conversation, and then ...

One guard swung Rhett around and spread him flat against the truck. Ozzie and Reyna flinched, but they remained calm. I told myself to do the same, but it didn’t last long once the second guard opened the truck doors. Rhett waved his hand, alerting me to get out, I assumed. I had no identification on me and I certainly didn’t have a wig handy.

I dug my Taser out of my bag, opened the back door quietly, and slipped out. I sank into the tall grass behind the truck and watched the guard from there. When he’d checked every vehicle, he joined his friends inside. Rhett and his team loaded into the trucks, including me. I thought Ozzie would speed out of there, but he drove like nothing had happened.

“That was close.” Reyna took off her short, blonde wig and shifted to face Rhett, who sat in the back next to me. “What happened back there? What did you say to the guard to earn a pat down?”

“I told him he’s seen me for the past couple of months, so he didn’t need to see my card unless he had dementia or had a thing for me.”

“Rhett. What the hell? Don’t you ever do that again. You gave me a heart attack. I thought he was going to take you in.” Reyna shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Sometimes I want to sit on your head and crush that ego of yours.” She reached over to smack him but missed when Rhett jerked to the side.

Rhett leaned back comfortably and split his lips into a smug grin. “I had it handled. You worry too much.” Then he focused on me with an impish grin. “That was smart thinking back there.”

I shrugged and gave him the evil eye. “Well, I had no choice. Maybe if you didn’t let your fat ego get in the way, the guard wouldn’t have checked inside all the trucks, and I wouldn’t have had to get out. I had to do what I had to do. Whatever it takes.”

I flinched at the last words. Silence filled the truck for a heartbeat until ...

Reyna swung around and offered me a high-five hand. “Touché.”

From the corner of my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Rhett’s smile, and he leaned closer to me. His knee and elbow brushed up against mine. My heart raced from his innocent touch.

I cursed under my breath for liking it way more than I should. Ever so slowly, I broke away from him and pretended to adjust my hat.