Chapter 7

Have I ever been in here without him? Kristie checked down both halls before entering Elias' apartment. AI will totally see me in the hall, but there's nothing I can do about that. At least they don't have them at home... for most people. Or does the dumbwaiter count?

She walked up to his dumbwaiter to input her clothing order. Two outfits should be fine. He won't miss the credits. Or I could transfer a bit since it's small enough for them to allow. Maybe only if he asks; I don't want to increase the chance of him finding out. I'll pay him back one way or another.

Kristie tapped her foot and stared at her watch as she waited for her order. "What's taking so long? I swear this doesn't usually take long." She took a deep breath and looked around his apartment, making sure to check for any wandering drones in the windows.

Bing.

"Oh, thank goodness." She grabbed the clothes, stuffed them in her bag, and rushed to leave.

As soon as she stood in front of the door, it opened.

Elias stared at her for a moment, then at the number to the apartment, to make sure he didn't go to the wrong one. "Kristie?"

"Oops, I went into the wrong apartment." She laughed awkwardly, hiding the bag behind her back, and tried to walk by him.

Thud. His hand slammed against the wall, blocking the doorway with his arm. "You went into my apartment by accident?" He raised an eyebrow. "Even though you have to use the keycard?"

"Yup." She tapped on his arm with her free hand. "Can you let me out so I can go home?"

"You went home a long while ago, Kris; there's no way you came here by accident."

"What are you doing home, anyway? Shouldn't you still be at work?"

"Actually, I was taken away to the police department to talk to the detective about the incident and about you."

"About me? Why?" She stepped back.

"You're a person of interest in the missing person's case, since you've been flagged for hanging out near the cryo room."

"Oh... That can't be good. But I thought it was just a power outage that let him out?"

"Let him out? Kristie, I never told you what happened. You said you had a stomachache and needed to find a bathroom and then hung up on me."

Oh, crap. "What are you talking about? Didn't you mention it?" I'm totally trapped.

"No, I didn't. You have him in your apartment right now, don't you?"

"What?! How could you even suggest something like that? I don't let strange people into my apartment." Her voice hitched.

"How long have we known each other?" Elias cringed, shaking his head. "Do you really think you can fool me like this? I already figured out what might've happened, especially with your little run away because of stomach troubles thing you pulled. Dammit, Kristie; what the hell were you thinking?!"

Kristie flinched back. While they had argued a lot throughout the years, he rarely ever yelled.

Seeing her reaction, he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but you've never done anything this stupid before."

Kristie clenched her teeth and glared up at him with tears in her eyes. "It's not stupid to help someone in need."

"It's stupid to invite someone you don't know into your apartment while AI is looking for him." Elias looked over at the panel by the dumbwaiter. "We don't know how much they listen to at home; they could know everything already."

"I thought they weren't put inside homes unless the people were deemed a risk? Something about without some privacy, it would be too mentally taxing on people."

"That's what they tell us, but who knows?"

Kristie gasped. "What's going on? You sound even more like me! The world must be ending!"

"Don't be so dramatic." Elias rolled his eyes. "I've always questioned it, but if I went along with every conspiracy theory you had, I'd go crazy, and they'd take me in for training or therapy. I'll pass on any of that."

"Oh? So we've been on the same side this entire time?"

"Not exactly. I'm skeptical, and think it overreaches, but you're a full blow conspiracy theorist who thinks everything is AI's fault, or by design, so to speak."

"It does control everything."

"If that were the case, I think you would've already been taken in for kidnapping or harbouring a felon."

Her jaw hung open. "I didn't kidnap him, and he's not a felon! He was in the military and got injured. I'm not certain, but I think he was an early adaptor to the cryo pods because it helped save him."

"Then why did they leave him in there? Why are any of them?"

"If they were dangerous, I don't think they would've tried to save them. They're probably war heroes."

"Hadn't thought of that... You might be right, or at least, I hope you are."

"Anyway, I should probably..." She pointed at the door.

"Nope; I'm not leaving you alone with him."

"What do you expect me to do, then? I'm not turning him in. They might re-freeze him, or put him through that horrible training, or... or... Who knows?!"

"Now who's being loud?"

"Right. Sorry."

Elias took another deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "I can't believe I'm even going suggest this, since they've been questioning me and all, but he should stay here instead."

"With you?"

"Yes; it's better than letting him stay with you. At least I'll have a better chance at defending myself if he snaps—"

"He's not going to do that."

"Stop talking like you didn't meet him today."

"I've talked to him multiple times."

"It doesn't count when he's frozen. And it's either that, or I'm telling them where he is."

"You wouldn't."

He crossed his arms, his jaw set. "You might be in danger, so yes, I would."

Damn, he's serious. "I don't know if he'll agree to coming over here with you; he doesn't know you."

"One way to solve that."