There was a series of knocks on the door. Tyler unlocked it, and Tina poked her head in. “The Axis is checking all the holes. We must move. Why did you risk yourself?” Her voice was filled with disdain as her gaze settled on Olivia.“You should have let them take her.”

“I told him the same thing,” Olivia said.

Tina’s eyes widened in shock. “You weren’t trying to play savior?”

“No, she wasn’t,” Tyler replied, throwing stuff into a backpack. “She decided to go on a suicide mission before the Humies start making her pump out kids.”

Tina’s head whipped around to look at Olivia again. “You’ve got balls girl,” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry, I assumed.” She straightened up. “Anyway, I gotta run. We’re meeting up at 3-B.”

“Ready,” Tyler said, hefting the huge pack onto his broad back, but Tina was already gone. “Come on, let’s get out of here before they find us.”

Tyler and Olivia walked down the corridor to what looked to be a maintenance hole. “Last time I had to do this, it took a week to get the stench out of my hair.” He muttered, moving the manhole cover so they could enter.

To say that the sewer stank would have been redundant, so Olivia didn’t mention it. She just tried not to breathe. She wasn’t sure how long they had walked because all the dimly lit corridors looked the same. Olivia wasn’t sure what to say anyway. What do you say to a man who sold his family jewels and then offered to marry someone he barely knew? I’m sorry? So glad that your sacrifice helped me?

“So, what do you do for fun?” Tyler asked, breaking the silence.

“I like making furniture,” Olivia said.

“So that’s why you were so interested when I was tearing apart the box,” he said, smiling at her.

“Guilty as charged,” Olivia replied. “I like seeing what other people can come up with.”

“We’re almost there,” Tyler said, pointing to what looked to be a door.

“Thank goodness,” Olivia said. She had become used to the smell, but it wasn’t something she wanted to be accustomed to.

Once out of the sewer, Olivia took a few deep breaths. She looked around curiously. They were on the outside of the city, a place she had never been. It was barren and desolate compared to the little bit of greenery they had in Dastank Town. Humies had it better, of course, greenery everywhere. Olivia had only seen it once.

She sneaked off with Alex one night hiding in a smuggler’s transport. Alex, she sighed. He would probably wonder what happened to her but then chalk it up to her plan. Perhaps one day, she could let him know she was alive. Her heart lightened at the thought.

“You thinking about your boyfriend?” Tyler asked as they set forth again.

“Not like that. Alex is a boy and my friend, but we’ve been friends since I was seven and he was eight.” Olivia said, surprised. “How did you know?”

“I’ve smuggled people out of the city before,” Tyler said, shrugging, “I’ve learned the look.”

“I was thinking that I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell him goodbye,” She said. “He wasn’t home earlier tonight, and I thought the Axis might have picked him up.”

“He has a penchant for trouble?” He asked.

“Totally,” Olivia smiled. “He even managed to talk me into sneaking into Lassakrind.”

Tyler chuckled, “Sounds like a fun person.”

“Yes, I’ll miss him. He disagreed with my way of wanting to deal with things, though. He would have stopped me, so I had to take the opportunity when I had it,” Olivia said.

“We’re here,” Tyler said, knocking on what looked to be a solid wall. The wall slid, and they walked into a large room. “Welcome to B-3.”

“What is this place?” Olivia asked.

“It’s a safe house,” Tyler explained. The others were already there. Sam looked over at Olivia angrily. “I can’t believe you saved her.”

“I didn’t ask anyone to save me,” Olivia retorted.

“Easy, Sam,” Tina interrupted. “She’s not what you think she is.”

“No, she’s not,” Tyler said. “In fact, I’m asking you to marry us.”

“What? Why?” Sam asked, “Did your circuits get fried?”

“It’s the best way,” Tyler said. “I get what I want, and she doesn’t have to martyr herself.”

Tina nodded, “It’s not the worst way to go about it.”

Sam looked unconvinced, as did the others. “Look, it’s a win-win. We get married and leave the city. Things are hot now. They didn’t have time to get my numbers. But they have hers.” Tyler said.

“All the more reason to leave her,” Sam said.

“Look, by going back, I fucked up her plan,” Tyler explained, “They will use her chip to find me.”

Olivia felt five pairs of eyes on her. “Seriously?” Sam asked, bewildered.

Olivia glanced at him. “It doesn’t matter if I go back or marry Tyler. It would be nice to be alive, but I already made peace with the idea of dying to the Axis.”

The others, curious but not wanting to get involved, watched as if the situation was an old television drama.

Sam looked over at Tyler, “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes,” Tyler said.

Sam shrugged, “OK then. Both of you come here. Going to make this quick because I know you need to get moving. He pulled some papers from his backpack. “Olivia sign here and Tyler right here.” He pointed to two lines on the paper titled marriage license as he handed Olivia a pen. She signed and then handed it to Tyler, who signed it as well. “Tyler and Olivia, you are now married. You may kiss the bride.” He said, giving them a smirk.

Tyler leaned over and only intended to give Olivia a quick peck to satisfy Sam. Olivia chuckled and pulled Tyler closer giving him a real kiss before letting him go.

Sam smiled, “At least you get along well enough.”

Tina walked over to them. “Congrats, I guess.” The others followed Tina’s lead, and that was the end of the impromptu wedding.”

“Tyler, do you have paper and pen?” Olivia asked.

“Sure,” Tyler said, reaching into his bag and pulling out the items.

Olivia wrote something down and handed it to Tina. “I have a request. Would you take this note to my parents? They are in the red house on Ecxiss St.”

“I know Ecxiss St,” Tina gave her a compassionate look. “I’ll get this to them and answer any questions they have.”

Olivia smiled wistfully, “Thank you. In reality, the Alliance Daily would have told them of my death. I hope this gives them some comfort.”

Tina nodded as Tyler walked over to her. “We should get going, but I wanted to do one thing.”

Olivia looked at him curiously, “What‘s that?”

“Hold out your hand,” He said. Olivia did, and he clasped what looked like a hinge in the shape of a ring around her finger. It was steel and delicate. The hinge was fixed in place so it couldn’t get lost, but somehow, it fit her perfectly. “What do you think?”

Olivia smiled, “seems like something you would make. It’s cool.”

Tyler beamed. “I did. I’m glad you like it. I made it a few years ago. I would take scrap and make it into jewelry, but the Axis found out and took my supplies.”

Olivia nodded. Of course, no bionic or chippie was allowed to own a business. Even the bars in Dastank Town were owned by humies.

“You really should get going if you want to get to C-5,” Sam said.

“You’re right,” Tyler sighed. “Alright, guys, until next time.”

Everyone walked over to Tyler to say their goodbyes. Olivia stepped back, not wanting to intrude, but Tyler took her hand and squeezed it. He must have realized she was feeling out of place. She was leaving everything she’d ever known. His hand in hers bolstered her. Olivia was no longer in the dark. She had… hope. Hope for a future. She shook her head, momentarily dazed that the idea. Looking up at Tyler, she whispered. “Thank you.”