Chapter 8

"Where is he?" Elias asked as he looked around her apartment.

"He was here when I went to get this." Kristie held up the bag of clothes.

"You owe me for that, by the way."

"I know. Where could he be? Jae!" she called out to him. "Where are you?"

"Do you think he left?" Elias asked.

"And went where?"

"Jae, it's safe to come out." She went into her bedroom to find him peeking around the curtain out the window at her school.

"You told him?" Jae asked, hearing Elias' voice.

"He caught me in his apartment and figured it out. Might not want to look out the window too much; there are drones that fly by."

"I've noticed and avoided being seen so far. The world is so different now. I already knew, but I think this view solidifies it." None of the buildings looked the same; he couldn't tell where in the world he was.

"I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't freeze me, wake me up, or send AI after me." He finally moved away from the window, and she held up the bag.

"Two outfits, and Elias wants you to live with him instead of me; says it's not safe for you to stay with me."

"Thanks for this." He accepted the bag and stared into her eyes. "And I wouldn't hurt you, but I can understand his worry. Some strange man staying with a woman he hardly knows; who wouldn't worry? I have to ask, though, what's going between you two?"

"Best friends."

"And that's it?"

"Yes, why?" Why do people always ask that?

Jae shook his head. "Just curious; I like knowing about everything around me. And I don't mind switching places; it's not like I have anywhere else to go, nor do I know what I should be doing right now. I need a plan."

"A plan to what?"

"For everything. My life. My future. I have to figure out what to do with myself."

"I think the first thing you should be figuring out is how to live without AI finding out who you are."

"Is that even possible?"

"I... I honestly don't know. I wish I could help more."

Jae shook his head. "You're doing more than enough."

"Are you coming or not?" Elias opened the bedroom door. "What are you two whispering about in here?"

"You must be Elias." Jae nodded to Kristie and approached him, holding his hand out. "I'm Jae."

"So I've heard." Elias shook his hand.

"We should leave so he can change. Don't want to chance someone seeing that uniform; we know they're looking for someone in one." Kristie rushed past Jae to grab Elias and closed the door behind them.

"Wasn't that rude? It's almost like you don't want the two of us will talk," Elias said as she shoved him onto the couch.

She rolled her eyes. "I know you two are going to talk; can't be avoided if you're going to let him live with you."

"For now."

"Yes, for now. And thank you for this."

"You owe me."

"Actually, I think I owe you," Jae said from the doorway, already changed.

"Geez, that was fast..." Kristie's eyes widened and jaw dropped. Damn; he looks even better in a suit.

Elias pushed her jaw up. "Quit gawking," he grumbled and turned to Jae. "Surprised you two went with a suit. What's his story? Hey, where'd you get the watch?"

"My old, broken one."

"Oh. I forgot you messed up that one enough that I couldn't fix it."

"Might've worked out for us in the end."

"Sure..."

"Would I be better off in the sweater outfit?" Jae asked, looking down at himself. He hadn't worn a suit in a long time, but it felt as awkward as he remembered. "This isn't the best to run in."

Nope; definitely better off in this outfit. "Not good to run in? Did you guys not have stretch in your materials back then?"

"In some things, but not suits."

"Might want to test it out. It should be fine to run in."

"Is that so?" Jae couldn't help himself; he did a few squats and stretched out his legs and arms. "You're right. This fabric is amazing. So, should I stick with this or go with the other outfit?"

"The other one is better for lounging. This means business."

Elias leaned in close to Kristie. "Quit drooling."

She swatted him away and smiled at Jae. "Let's stick with this."

"But you can clearly see his face. It'll take AI a few seconds to realize he's the runaway," Elias said.

"But hiding his face would make him look suspicious." And it'd be a shame.

"Which means we need to change his face."

Jae raised an eyebrow. "I don't like the sound of that; I'm quite attached to my face."

"So am I." Kristie frowned at him.

Elias threw his hands into the air. "It's not like I can hack into their system and change your face in there. We have to do something. Even if I managed to do that, I don't think I can do it without leaving traces. We can at least start with a haircut, though."

Jae ran a hand through his hair. "But it's not that long."

"Styling and makeup?"

"You want me to wear makeup?"

"It can help change you into a completely different person without surgery."

"But how do we get any?" Kristie asked. "Most of it was banned from regular use because of chemicals, bullies, and because it can be used to fool AI."

"What isn't banned now?" Jae shook his head. "Geez, this is ridiculous."

"There are still some live productions that use people, and they're allowed to use makeup."

Elias' eyes lit up. "Actually, there are masks that work for it, but getting one isn't easy," Elias said.

"Oh! I've heard about those masks, but do they work for long term? And can AI see through them?"

"Not as long as it's working properly. And it's better than trying to use a scrambler. Problem is, getting one. It's more of a black-market item, since it can be used to evade AI, but it's the best for changing facial features. I should be able to set you up with a new identity with it, too."

"Is there any way to just make a new identity with my face as it is? That way, if it scans me, it'll show up as the created person?" Jae asked.

"That would be harder to do, since it'd still flag you as Jae, the missing guy. And the identity I can give you is just one of the outsiders."

"Outsiders? Wouldn't that cause trouble, too?"

"Outsiders are welcome to cities, so long as they follow the rules. They're outsiders because they don't want to, but once in a blue moon, there's one that changes their mind. It's easier here than out there, despite all the restrictions."

"I see." Jae took a deep breath. "Do you mind if I rest for today? I have a lot to think about."

"Sure thing." Elias pointed over his shoulder. "I'll show you to... our apartment."

"Thank you." Jae turned to Kristie. "Thank you as well for all that you've done. I'll see you soon."

Kristie fiddled with her thumbs. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Jae followed Elias to his apartment.

"I can request a keycard for you, too; I don't want you feeling like you're trapped here. I think you've had enough of that."

"I was asleep most of that time, but yes; I hate feeling trapped."

"Larger items like mattresses can't be sent through the dumbwaiter, so you'll have to use the couch for now."

"That's fine. I can sleep anywhere." Jae sat on the couch. "At least it's comfortable."

"I'll be in there if you need me." Elias pointed at his bedroom, and Jae nodded.