Walking through the White City, Nulla felt anxiety grow in her stomach. With every step, she turned around, as if fearing something was following her. Every sound, every rustle in the air seemed too loud, as if the whole world was closing in on her, and she had become its target. She watched the people passing by, their cold and indifferent gazes seemed to pierce through her. She felt as if each of them saw something she didn't want to reveal, as if a hidden secret was now unstoppable. The look of every passerby felt like a weight pressing down on her, almost crushing her. The panorama of the White City, bathed in the afternoon sun, only intensified her unease.
The air was thick with oppressive fog that stole her breath, as if it didn't want to let her be free. She stopped for a moment, trying to catch her breath, but still couldn't calm the rising panic. What if they find us? What if it's my fault we get into trouble? Can I trust them? Where is the point?! – thoughts swirled in her head like a trap she couldn't escape. Her white hair, with beads of sweat dripping down, stuck to her neck, and the burning sun only made the feeling of anxiety worse. Each step became more difficult, as if her legs were bound by invisible chains, and her heart beat harder, shaking her body. She glanced at Emi, walking beside her. His posture was completely different – slow, composed, as if he were in another world.
His face was calm, cold, and he seemed completely detached from what was going on around him. He didn't notice her panic, as if he didn't see the fear rising in her eyes. "Does he even see how scared I am?" – she thought, but didn't have the strength for another protest. Her mind was filled with questions that had no answers.
- We need to get to the station. Quickly. Discreetly. – she repeated in her mind, trying to match the rhythm of his steps. Fear still pushed her forward, but each subsequent step weighed her down more. - And what about my brothers? How are they doing? Teodor... Blue... Will anyone take care of them?
Thoughts crowded in her mind, offering no respite. The red shoes she wore suddenly felt like lead, as if under their weight, all her strength was falling apart. Even though she had fallen asleep almost immediately the night before, as if she had collapsed from exhaustion, now every minute of walking became a fight for survival. Suddenly, she felt a strong push in her back. Surprised, she turned around in panic, and reality hit her back immediately. Before her stood a tall, scruffy man with hollow cheeks and a worn-out coat, who wasn't paying any attention to her, shoving his way through the crowd. She felt herself trip and fall directly into Emi, who was walking ahead of her. A wave of shame struck her like a whip. "What if he thinks I can't walk?" – she thought, trying to suppress her blush.
Ashamed, she gritted her teeth and tried to collect her thoughts, but when she saw Emi turning towards her, she reacted unexpectedly sharply.
- You're walking like a klutz! – she exclaimed, turning towards him accusingly. – Didn't you see I was walking?! – Her words sounded harsh, as if suddenly everything she had been holding inside had to come out.
Emi, completely taken aback by her reaction, scratched his head, trying to make sense of the sudden change in her mood.
- Sorry. – Emi said apologetically, pausing for a moment to look at her with concern. – Are you okay?
Nulla, however, couldn't hide her growing frustration. She crouched down, trying to manage the situation, but it only deepened her irritation. She looked at her red shoes, which now seemed like a symbol of her failure. One of the heels got stuck in a crack in the pavement.
- Got it! – she exclaimed accusingly, almost in panic. – My heel's stuck! – She tugged at her foot, but it was no use. She felt her patience, already slowly cracking, beginning to shatter.
Emi approached her slowly, crouching beside her, his posture still calm, as if he didn't see anything dramatic in the situation.
- Wait, not like that. – he said calmly. – If you keep pulling, you'll only make it worse. The heel is already broken. Even if you pull it out, it won't stay on.
Nulla looked at her shoes with a mixture of frustration and despair. In that moment, they felt like a symbol of everything that had gone wrong. Even though she tried not to show weakness, she couldn't stop the outburst.
- Do you want me to go barefoot?! – she shouted, tugging at the shoe. – How is it possible that this hole showed up now?! It's absurd! It's... it's the White City! – her voice sounded like a cry of helplessness.
After a moment of thought, Emi replied, looking at her seriously, as if the situation were just another challenge to be solved.
- I'll carry you.
- No! – she protested firmly, turning toward him with an anger that made no sense.
Emi sighed, as if her sudden refusal didn't surprise him, then slowly stood up.
- You'd rather go barefoot? – he asked calmly, as if not noticing her anger.
Nulla stood in silence, not knowing how to respond. She was furious, but proud, unwilling to show weakness. Her mind still couldn't escape the chaos this situation had caused. She looked at him with a mixture of frustration and despair, then just clenched her teeth.
- Listen, my ex lives around here. – Emi said, still calm, as if nothing could unsettle him. – We can go there, maybe she'll lend you some shoes. It's half an hour from here.
Nulla looked at him, not believing what she was hearing. Shock quickly turned into disbelief.
- I have to go to your ex?! - she asked, her voice filled with shock, as if she couldn't understand that such an option even existed.
- Yes, otherwise I don't know how to help you, - he answered calmly. - Going back home is a waste of time.
- No! - she screamed again, clenching her fists as if it might help suppress the growing sense of shame. - I don't want to!
Emi looked at her carefully, his gaze seeming to analyze every movement, every thought in her mind. It was as if he wanted her to make a decision.
- So what do you want to do? We can't stand here forever, - his voice was calm, but there was an inevitable pressure in his tone. - I can carry you, but you have to trust me.
Nulla felt her heart start to beat faster. She watched him as he crouched, ready to lift her onto his back. Something inside her resisted, but she already knew she didn't have many options.
- I don't want to, - she said softly, less certain now, as if her resistance was starting to wane under his persistence.
She looked at him with doubts, and before she realized it, Emi had lifted her onto his back, surprising her so much that she didn't have time to protest.
- Hold on tight, - he said, adjusting her, glancing over his shoulder at her. - I can't carry you forever.
- I don't want to go to your ex, - Nulla whispered, burying her face in his shoulder, as if she wanted to disappear from the whole world, to escape the reality that was starting to overwhelm her.
Emi, sensing her unease, answered gently, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
- She's just my ex, - he said calmly. - I'll help you because I can't leave you in this situation.
Nulla remained silent, feeling a wave of anxiety and resistance grow within her chest. She wanted to scream that it was absurd, that she didn't need all of this, but deep down she knew she couldn't resist.
- I promised Ignacy, - Emi added, adjusting her on his back. - He'll take care of Mine, and I'll take care of you.
- And what's that supposed to mean? - she asked, her voice sounding like an explosion of frustration. - I'm not him, - she replied with a grimace, trying to hide the mix of irritation and confusion.
Emi looked at her over his shoulder, considering for a moment, then asked a question that seemed utterly sincere, though perhaps a little provoking.
- Are you afraid of her?
Nulla fell silent, feeling something inside her freeze. The answer she wanted to give got stuck somewhere between anger and fear.
- I... - she started, but couldn't finish.
Emi interrupted her, as if he perfectly understood the feeling of unease that was now shaking her.
- It'll be okay, - he said softly, trying to calm her, though even he wasn't sure if that was true. - I don't know... - he added, pausing briefly, as though considering his words. - I don't know if I should introduce you as my sister or Ignacy's sister. We're not really family, but she doesn't know Ignacy. - he spoke aloud, as if it was part of his inner dilemma.
Nulla felt a wave of anger rise unexpectedly within her. It was more of a reaction to the whole situation than to his words, but she couldn't explain it. Before she could think, she slapped him on the back of the head, causing her to almost slip off his back.
The boy, surprised but quick to react, grabbed her tightly to prevent her from falling.
- You want to fall? - he asked in a serious tone, adjusting her on his back.
Nulla was silent, feeling her anger and uncertainty turn into a heavy silence.
- Come on, - Emi calmed her gently, walking forward, his voice full of patient calm. When he noticed that the girl had hidden her face in his shirt again, he added quietly: - It'll be okay.
Nulla lifted her face slightly, trying not to think about the weight she was to Emi. She felt as though she weighed as much as a stone that couldn't be shaken off, but she knew she had no choice. She had to do this, even though her body stiffened with tension, every muscle protesting. She tried her best to lessen her weight, pulling in her stomach, lifting herself slightly, but quickly realized it was futile.
The White City stretched out before them like a precise machine that Nulla knew by heart. Every street, every traffic light worked with unerring precision. People wandered the sidewalks like living cogs in this vast, turquoise neon-lit machine. Passersby glanced at Nulla and Emi, but only for a brief moment, before returning to their mechanical tasks, like bees working in a hive. At that moment, the city seemed empty and cold to Nulla, and every fragment of their surroundings seemed to exist solely within the framework of a predetermined scheme. For her, it was a daily routine she had accepted, as if there were no other option. Emi, however, carrying her on his back, felt like a bird that once flew but had now lost its wings and had to give up its freedom. His body was tense, each step growing harder, as if the city was crushing him more and more, draining the last remnants of energy. His face showed pain, and every cyborg they passed reminded him that there was no room for individuality, emotions, or desires in this place.
To Emi, this city was a prison that with each step tore away a piece of his soul. In his eyes, Nulla was like someone who had stopped dreaming, who had made peace with fate, and he couldn't understand that. He carried her, trying not to show his exhaustion, pretending everything was fine, just so she wouldn't get worried. But inside him, rebellion was growing, even though he tried to hide it. A glance at her wrists, surrounded by blue rings, reminded him why he couldn't give up. Nulla, on the other hand, though she felt his tension, had grown used to this world. The city no longer evoked any feelings in her; it had become just another tool she had to survive in. She knew, however, that Emi saw everything differently. In his eyes, the White City was a trap, and every step was like walking on thin ice, ready to crack under its weight. The cyborgs they passed were like ghosts, heralds of what might happen to him if he gave in to the system. Their identical faces and lifeless eyes reminded him of the loss that haunted him. To Nulla, it was daily life, but to Emi – a fight. Every step he took was an act of rebellion against a place that took away his freedom, and he felt he couldn't bear it. But for her, the battle was on a different level – she feared not so much the city, but what she might lose if she broke away from it. In her memories, the red still lingered, darting by like an ominous omen. Eventually, she too could lose her wings.
As they walked through the city, Nulla was overtaken by growing helplessness. Time seemed to stop for her – she had no idea how many minutes had passed since she sat on Emi's back. Every move he made gently lifted her, but with every step, she felt herself moving further away from her former life. Throughout the journey, she wondered if everything would ever return to normal.
- How much longer? - Nulla asked, trying to hide the trembling in her voice.
Emi stopped for a moment, as if considering his answer, then moved forward again.
- About ten more minutes, - he replied in a calm, almost indifferent tone, which only deepened Nulla's frustration.
Nulla clenched her hands on his shoulders, trying to hold steady, but in her heart, resistance grew.
- Really... you couldn't come up with something better? - she threw out sharply. - Your ex? That's the best idea you've got?
Emi turned his head slightly, as if he wanted to respond, but ultimately just sighed.
- Nulla, this isn't about choices. We're in an emergency situation. Don't think too much, - he added, trying to calm her down.
- "Don't think too much?" - she repeated to herself, feeling her heart race. It felt like a slap in the face. - You... you always know everything, right? - she snarled, more and more irritated. - How can I not think when everything is falling apart?
Emi didn't answer immediately. He knew her anger was more of a response to stress than to him personally. He didn't want to add fuel to the fire.
- You don't have to think about what comes next right now, - he said calmly. - Right now, it's about surviving. And I won't let anything happen to you.
Nulla squinted, looking at his back. She felt helpless and... inferior next to him. His calmness at that moment seemed cold, and that only deepened her frustration.
- You never seem to be scared, do you? - she said bitterly. - Always so... cold.
Emi suddenly stopped, causing Nulla to almost slide off his back. He turned his head slightly, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
- My ex has a car. - he said, rolling his eyes. - And she knows who we are. She'll help us.
Nulla fell silent, surprised by his response.
- She has a car... - she repeated quietly, feeling a sudden surge of hope, though her heart was racing faster.
- Don't get too excited. - Emi replied, adjusting her on his back. - First, we have to find her.
- She might not be there?! - she asked in disbelief, feeling anger rise within her.
- She might not be. - Emi admitted calmly. - But I know how to get in. That apartment is different from what you've probably seen. She's a clerk, and this place is only used under certain circumstances.
Nulla furrowed her brow, starting to feel like something was wrong. Red flags lit up in her mind.
- A trio! - she suddenly exclaimed, so loudly that a group of passersby stopped, creating a tunnel they had to squeeze through. Embarrassed, the blonde girl hid her face in Emi's back.
- Yes. - Emi nodded after a moment. - It's a trio. - he confirmed, his gaze drifting to Nulla's wrists, where blue circles gleamed, their number was five.
- I... I... - she stammered, trying to find the right words. - How do you know we'll find her?
- I'm telling you, I know how to get in. - Emi replied calmly.
- You want to break in?! - she exclaimed, recalling Jaśmin's desperate ideas.
- No. - Emi replied, confused by her reaction.
- Then how do you plan to get past the cyborgs? - she asked, moving closer to his face.
- It's different there. - he answered evasively.
- What does that mean? - the curious Nulla pressed, sensing Emi was hiding something.
Emi looked at her, knowing that if he said too much, it might only make things worse. Nulla was painfully similar to Blue – clumsy, yet direct.
- Talking drains me too much energy. - Emi muttered, lowering Nulla a bit on his back.
- What are you doing?! - the scared blonde girl exclaimed.
- I told you. - Emi repeated, adjusting her. - Talking weakens me.
- Then don't talk! - Nulla yelled in irritation.
Emi smiled slightly, feeling the weight on his back lighten a bit. It wasn't about Nulla, but just the act of talking to her.
- Is your name really Emi? - she asked after a moment of silence, looking at him as though intrigued, despite the growing tension.
- Yes. - he replied, tired.
- That's a pretty weird name. - Nulla replied. - Even for an activist. - she added, pondering something.
- We weren't supposed to talk. - the brunette reminded her.
- It's just a question. - she replied softly, looking ahead, trying to gather her thoughts.
The boy fell silent, and the quiet between them was almost tangible.
- I'm not hating on you, just so you know. - the blonde girl said calmly, trying to ease the tension.
The brunette smiled lightly, feeling a bit more at ease, though somewhat sarcastically.
- Really? - he added with slight amusement. - I thought that's exactly what you were doing.
Without hesitation, the girl hit him on the back of the head.
- Are you trying to flirt again? - he asked, turning to the blonde.
- So, what's your name? - she repeated the question.
- Your name. - he answered, trying to change the subject. - Nulla, isn't that a bit of an unusual name? - he asked, pushing ahead.
The girl fell silent, turning her face toward the city's metropolis.
- My dad was really dying about that name. - Nulla replied, a note of nostalgia in her voice. - At least, that's what Teodor told me.
- You didn't seem very close to him. - Emi said kindly, looking at her with mild surprise.
- My dad or my brother? - she asked, not understanding.
- I didn't know your dad. - the brunette answered.
- Are you talking about my brother? - she replied, and Emi nodded affirmatively.
- Why do you immediately assume we're not close? - she asked, her tone rising.
- You only spent a few hours with us...
- I know, I know. - Emi nodded, seeing her agitation. - I'm sorry, really sorry, - he added, ending the conversation.
Nulla was silent for a moment, trying to extract any information from him about his name, but he was reluctant to respond. Eventually, the conversation faded, and they continued walking through the city in silence, turning into winding, narrow streets, passing neglected buildings.
Nulla felt tired, but she didn't want to show weakness. After a long and exhausting journey – at least for Nulla – they arrived at a place completely different from what she had imagined. As a resident of the White City, Nulla was used to futuristic buildings characterized by perfect lines and harmony, resembling idealized visions of the future. For her, the White City was perfect – full of symmetry, purity of form, and technology, with impressive structures that seemed to reach the stars. However, what she saw in front of her was drastically different from these expectations.
The building that stood before them looked like a chaotic construction, as if it had been pieced together from many mismatched elements. Instead of wonderful harmony and sophistication, it resembled slums – materials stuck together, seemingly haphazardly layered. What was surprising was that, although the construction was modern, it lacked the order and perfection Nulla was used to. The dominant part of the structure was a huge diamond with flawlessly white, gleaming walls, reflecting the sunlight, much like the bold lines of the Burj Khalifa. In this section, the building resembled something Nulla recognized and could accept. But from behind the diamond emerged a monumental rectangle, its facade rough yet perfectly smooth – so polished that it reflected the sky like a mirror. The strangest and most incomprehensible element for Nulla was the triangle at the base of the construction. Made from a chaos of glass, digital screens, and winding 4D plants, it created a tangle of forms and textures that didn't match the idealized image she had in her mind. The plants seemed to grow in random directions, and the terraces hidden beneath them were teeming with life. This combination of organic elements with technology made it look more like a creation from another world – a living, pulsating structure rather than a building. Nulla was equally surprised that there were no cyborgs or patrolling guards around, as she had expected. They were always so numerous that their presence sent cold shivers down her spine. She was relieved, but also uneasy. Being alone with a strange boy, she started to wonder if she should be afraid.
She looked around. The only guards were silent drones hovering above the structure, monitoring the surroundings, invisible but present. The most unusual feature, however, were the gigantic balconies, seemingly levitating above the ground. Each balcony had glass doors, but there were no traditional entrances at ground level.
- How do we get in? - Nulla asked, staring at Emi's brown hair, which gently swayed in the wind. Her tone sounded a bit unsure, her eyes still full of distrust.
- Ladders. - Emi replied indifferently, walking confidently towards the metal structures, as if the matter were clear and unquestionable.
Nulla furrowed her brow. Her voice trembled, and the question still lingered in the air.
- Are you sure? - she asked, eyeing the ladders skeptically, which looked too flimsy to support both of them. Her eyes showed astonishment and mild concern.
- What would I not be sure about? - Emi responded, as though it were the most obvious question in the world. His tone was a bit patronizing, as if she were the one who didn't understand what was going on.
Nulla looked at him, and her fingers tightened around the edge of his clothing, trying to jump off his back, where she had been sitting moments before.
- I should get down. - She declared, trying to break free from his firm grip, which, although uncomfortable, gave her a sense of security that she no longer wanted.
- Wait. - Emi reacted quickly, grabbing her arm before she could make a sudden move. His voice sounded warning. - Do you want to fall? - he asked, looking at her seriously, as if she were unaware of the risk.
Nulla snorted lightly, and her voice held a touch of irony, as though trying to dismiss his concerns.
- Do you want to carry me all the way up? - she replied with a sarcastic tone, giving him a clear challenge in her eyes. - You can't. We have to climb the ladders ourselves.
Emi looked at her, and his eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. Though surprised by her response, he wasn't ready to give up easily.
- But... - he started, but Nulla interrupted him firmly.
- I can manage. - She insisted, though her voice sounded a bit weaker than before. - It's just a few steps.
Emi sighed, as if deep down he knew her stubbornness was insurmountable. But he wasn't about to give up that easily.
- What if you hurt your feet? - he asked, clearly concerned.
- Ignacy would never let Jaśmin walk barefoot.
Nulla stopped for a moment, as if considering his words, but then shook her head, dismissing his concern.
- Stop it. - She said with determination that could not be ignored. - I'll manage.
Emi sighed heavily, then crouched down, allowing her to slide down to the ground. Nulla gently sank onto the cool pavement, surprised at how easily he had yielded. A flash of astonishment appeared in her eyes, as if she hadn't expected such a gesture to be offered to her.
When she was about to take the first step, she felt his hand on her wrist, cold and strong, as if he wanted to stop her in her tracks.
- What's wrong? - she asked, turning around in surprise. Her white hair brushed the air slightly, as if dispersing the space around her.
Emi knelt, tying the laces of his shoes.
- Put mine on. - He said calmly, handing her his shoes. - You're not going barefoot.
Nulla looked at him, shocked, her mouth opening, but for a moment, she couldn't get a word out.
- No... no... - she stammered, her voice betraying surprise and resistance. - Come on, I can walk.
Emi, taking off the second shoe, looked at her with determination, as if there were no other option.
- You're a girl. - He said, as though that explained everything, as if there were no more doubts.
Nulla furrowed her brow, clearly irritated. Her voice rose as she replied.
- And so what? - she asked, with a sarcastic tone, as if she didn't understand why it would change anything. - You think girls are worse?
Emi looked at her, and a shadow of amusement appeared in his eyes, as if he had just realized how much her reaction surprised him.
- I've been walking barefoot for twenty-two years. - He replied, as if it were something completely normal. - You think something will happen to me from one time? And you? - He looked at her small feet. - You've probably never walked barefoot.
Nulla's eyes widened, and her surprise was genuine.
- You're twenty-two?! - She exclaimed, shocked. - You're older than Ignacy and Teo!
Emi looked down, as if the topic made him uncomfortable, and his face briefly betrayed a hint of embarrassment.
- I thought you were eighteen... maybe twenty. - She added, studying him with curiosity, as if trying to catch something she hadn't noticed before. - You don't look that old.
- Never mind. - He cut off the topic, as if he didn't want to return to the conversation. - Put on the shoes. We can't waste time.
Nulla nodded, crouching down next to him. As she slid her feet into Emi's shoes, she felt how big they were, but she had no intention of protesting. She was surprised at how easily she accepted his gesture, forgetting that he would be walking barefoot.
She felt a strange, but warm, transience in that moment, as if for a moment she felt less alone.
- I think they're a bit too big. - Emi noticed, looking at her feet, which barely fit into his shoes.
- About seven sizes too big. - She replied sarcastically. - Are you sure you'll be okay?
- For sure. - He reassured her calmly, moving forward as if there was no problem.
- Oh, by the way... - Nulla began, biting her lip. She stopped for a moment, a little embarrassed by what she was about to say.
Emi nodded, signaling that he was listening.
- Should I call you "sir"? - She suddenly asked, raising an eyebrow, pulling all doubts from him. It was a suggestion she threw out more out of curiosity than actual need.
Emi stopped and turned around, surprised.
- What?! - He asked, not believing what he had heard.
- Don't look at me like that! - She retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. - I'm just asking... Well, I'm about to turn eighteen, and that's a four-year difference. Maybe I should show more respect?
Emi looked at her with mild irritation, but then a shadow of a smile appeared on his face.
- If you'd said that from the beginning, it would have been great. - He replied sarcastically. - I'm not that old. Do you have older friends? I bet you don't call them "sir/ma'am"?
Nulla shrugged, a bit reduced by his sarcasm but still convinced she didn't want to back down.
- I don't have friends. - She replied coldly, then looked at the tall, tangled ladders ahead of them, which seemed to challenge them to fight the height together. - Kardio... lives on the third floor?
- Yes. - Emi confirmed.
- I should exercise more... - The white-haired girl muttered to herself, reflecting on her fitness.
When Nulla placed her foot on the first rung of the ladder, it began to move like an escalator, slowly lifting her up. Looking at the view from this height, she took a deep breath, feeling relieved that they didn't have to climb by hand. For a moment, she felt as if all this technological precision had become an unexpected ally.
- It won't take long. - Emi said with a slight, almost imperceptible smile, as if his words were a reassuring promise.
Nulla intended to say something, but he interrupted her:
- I'll explain everything when we get upstairs. - He added, raising his gaze toward the terrace that was the destination of their journey.
The view of the city from that height made her feel calmer. Her eyes wandered over the futuristic shapes, following geometric lines and reflections on glass surfaces. When they finally reached the levitating balcony under the white door, the sunlight reflected off its surface, illuminating the welcome mat with the words "Sweet Home."
Nulla glanced at Emi with slight surprise, as though she had just noticed that this place wasn't so "sweet" after all.
- Should I ring the bell? - She asked, pointing to the doorbell, but her tone was full of uncertainty, as if she didn't want to do anything forcefully.
- You know... - Emi started, looking away as though reluctantly sharing his thoughts. - I don't think she's home.
Nulla looked at him with suspicion, unable to hide her doubtful expression.
- How do you know? - She asked, as if putting him on the spot.
- Because... - He pointed at the welcome mat. - She left the key under it.
Nulla froze for a moment, processing what she had heard, and a question without an answer appeared in her eyes.
- What about the scanner? - She asked, looking at him as though expecting some technological answer. - What about it? Even if we get inside, it will detect that it's not us.
- That's why she left the code on the key. - Emi replied with a mysterious, slightly cheeky smile, as if there was nothing extraordinary about it.
- And what's that supposed to mean? - Nulla responded skeptically, seeing that things were becoming more complicated than they should be.
- Sorry. - Emi said, crouching in front of the welcome mat. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of frustration in his eyes, as if this small gesture was something he would rather not do.
- What? - Nulla looked at him from above, surprised, slightly furrowing her brow. This was the moment when she felt like she was starting to lose control over the situation.
- You need to step off. - The brunette replied, a bit impatient. - You're standing on the mat. How am I supposed to get the key out?
- Oh, right. - The girl quickly stepped off the mat, giving him space, but her gaze was still full of surprise, as if she had just felt a little confused. She stood to the left, right next to the nearly invisible monitor embedded in the building's wall. Its smooth, futuristic surface barely stood out from the background.
- Got it. - Emi said, rummaging under the mat. - Got it! - He repeated triumphantly, pulling out a small metal key.
Nulla looked at the key Emi was holding in his hand. It was small, cold to the touch, and its matte surface gleamed faintly in the setting sun's rays. It seemed to fit perfectly into the lock on the white door, which subtly reflected the light, creating a soft glow. She felt that this situation was becoming increasingly surreal.
Emi stood up from the ground, brushing dirt and a few dark fibers off his knees, giving him a less formal, more human character.
- Great. - Nulla said, grabbing the key from his hand with a bit of cheek, as if ready to take control of the situation. - So, what are we going to do with it? - She asked with irritation, as though wanting to end this guessing game.
- What do you mean, what? - Emi replied with slight sarcasm, raising an eyebrow, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. - We're going to open the door.
- How? Can't you see? - Nulla approached him, pointing to the delicate blue particles flowing through the metal of the key.
They looked like miniature lightning bolts, mixing with the metal, pulsating with an unsettling but fascinating light.
- I'll sort this out in a second. - Emi responded, taking the key from her, ignoring her comments, and then gently pushing her aside.
As he passed by the white-haired girl, he approached the monitor, which was beginning to shine in the light, as if the whole situation was gaining technological tension.
- If you bring cyborgs here, I'll say you kidnapped me illegally. - Nulla said confidently, as if there was no problem for her in making such a threat. Her voice pierced the air, and her posture seemed full of readiness.
- Sure, sure. - Emi replied with a slight smile, clearly amused. - Whatever you want.
- What are you doing? - Nulla asked, trying to lean around his shoulder to get a better look, as if hoping to finally uncover what this whole process was about.
- Me? - Emi began, holding something in one hand that looked like a futuristic power bank, while in the other, he gripped the key, as if all this technology was his natural environment. - It's nothing.
- You're hacking. - She stated in surprise, her eyes widening as she struggled to accept this information. - I didn't think you could do that too. - She paused for a moment, studying him more closely. - Although, I guess... I should have predicted that.
- Has anyone ever told you you're like Ignacy? - Emi suddenly asked, glancing at her over his shoulder but not taking his hands off the monitor, which was now shimmering in shades of blue.
Nulla blinked, surprised by the comparison. She usually heard she was like Teodor, but Ignacy? That was something new. Her thoughts began to wander toward this unexpected observation.
- Like Ignacy? - She repeated silently, still staring at the brunette. Her thoughts wandered, trying to grasp this unusual comparison. - No... that's impossible. - She answered herself mentally, rubbing her eyes as though unsure if she had heard correctly.
- Done! - Emi suddenly shouted, interrupting her thoughts. The monitor's screen lit up green, and the door opened automatically, quietly inviting them inside. Emi quickly disconnected the power bank and swung the door open wider, creating a passage.
- Nulla. - He said, turning to her with a slightly amused smile, as if the situation had become less tense.
The girl shook her head, as if waking up from her own thoughts. Surprised and a bit confused, she looked at him, still somewhat distracted.
- What? - She asked, trying to understand what had just happened, as if she couldn't fully grasp what had just taken place.
- Aren't you going in? - The brunette asked, looking at her with a slight hint of amusement, as though he had caught her off guard with his suggestion. - What, are you scared?
- Should I go in first? - She asked hesitantly, feeling that everything was becoming more complicated than she had initially expected.
- Ladies first. - Emi replied, waving his hand towards the door as if inviting them to step into an entirely ordinary space.
Without arguing, Nulla took the first step, crossing the threshold. She could feel the air in the room growing heavy, as if every speck of dust in the air was an enemy to her sense of order.
- Be careful. - Emi remarked, entering behind her, clearly not too concerned about the state of the apartment.
- Sure. - Nulla responded, stepping further inside, still stunned but trying to remain calm, though a slight tension could be heard in her voice.