The metro ride took a few hours, but by the time Carson got to Upper Denver, he was no more prepared than the day before. Well, it wasn't really possible to be prepared for something like this. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBDn0aWIE
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As soon as he stepped out of the metro station, the bright afternoon sun blinded his eyes, as if the sanguine atmosphere was eternally mocking him. The most stupid excuse to go somewhere beautiful, Carson chided himself. The first time as an adult to see above ground because you're a fugitive from the law? So low. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktuGxaWsT
Children played in the park across the street from the metro, something that would never happen in the industrial town of Ithaca. Upper Denver seemed to be a completely new world. Under Denver was the same as Ithaca. What makes above ground cities so different? copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAvm6ENQo5
After the short and sweet sightseeing, Carson punched in the Terrence Ephemera into the GPS on his handheld and then followed the route. The world of above ground astounded him. His handheld led him to a quaint street with a large supermarket. The Terrence Ephemera was just across the street. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡG948jezeCq
The building itself was covered in smooth salmon marble with white marble highlights. A beautiful terrace sat on the top floor with live plants hanging off the side. It all looked even better than anything he remembered as a child. The world aboveground was amazing, almost amazing enough to lift Carson's spirits. Almost. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMLigrPrni
The lobby of the building was as impressive as the outside, an expansive circle with a receptionist in the center of the floor mosaic. A woman with a ponytail sat behind the granite counter in front of four computer screens. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNSRaYvXPU
"Hello, how may I help you?" Her silver tag read, "Retired TKC Trainer, New York City." copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v37EnleBY
"Um, I'm here to check this place out," Carson said. "Is this the Terrence Ephemera?" copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqKpI1Rysf
"This is the place. Are you meeting someone?" she asked, pausing her furious typing. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN3IFdGabw
"I actually want to join," Carson clarified. "I heard this is the place for…"copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e28mGvIU7
"You a TKC?" the receptionist asked. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzxrZgsROV
"Yes."copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EJanon4yz
"Badge, please." copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡADOCMajiSd
Carson gave her his badge and she typed something on the keyboard, humming while she worked. She looked twenty, but Carson felt like she was much older, perhaps an unfortunate accident like his. He almost wanted to ask, but it didn't seem appropriate. She hadn't asked him. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzNX0NesE2
"Well, Mr. David Carson, looks like someone from your zone is staying here right now," the woman said, looking up from her nest of screens. "Would you like me to call them down and give you the tour?" copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLH7W4vk84
Carson frowned. Someone from my zone? I know everyone in my zone… that means someone was a murderer the whole time and I didn't even know it? "Um…" copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIIHluSENL
"I know this is a jarring experience, Mr. Carson, but you made the right decision coming here," the receptionist said. "Sometimes, seeing a familiar face helps. I'll call her down." She clicked something on her mess of screens and smiled. "All set. Here's your tag, and you can wait here in the lobby." copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡSekGcltqO8
"Thanks." Carson took a seat on one of the couches and put on his pink colored plastic tag. It read, "TKC, Ithaca-Babylon Area." Carson stared forlornly at the polished bronze elevators, watching the way the sunlight from the window played with the bronze. The whole place felt like a fancy hotel, even though Harrison made it sound like a support group. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcUajQfOan
A message rang on his handheld. "You on break, David?" It was his coworker, Theodor. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡS46AMr5E6T
"Yeah, Armistice," he texted back.copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY7KEj58JT
"Happy Armistice, bud," Theodor replied. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc5amo1Bcc
"You too," Carson typed back perfunctorily. He sighed. Happy? This break is anything but happy. This "break" is full of s– copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5g6F2yLGE
The elevator dinged and the last person Carson expected stepped out.copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6DLQi4VqO
"David, are you the greenie?" Allison asked. "They told me he was from Ithaca-Babylon, but I didn't know it was you." On top of her casual clothes, a rose gold badge read, "TKCM, Ithaca-Babylon Area." copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH0USniTZv
"Sir, what are you doing here?" Carson blurted, shocked frozen.copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZAm5goE15
"Drop the formalities, David," Allison chuckled. "Though I do want to hear your story." copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGbWr1ewXF
"I'm sorry… I didn't know–" copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMmlGeIY8I
"Come on, let's talk about it at the café," Allison offered. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡudH5zNlYrn
"Café?" copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K3fHvhW1e
"There's one upstairs. There is so much I have to show you, now that you're here!" Allison said. She turned and pushed the up button for the marble elevator. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm0YHGdqFl
They went into the elevator as a young couple exited. They were grinning ear to ear about something private. Their rose gold tags said Chorus City. More Time Killer Catchers went awry, it seemed. copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ayQf8DB65
"Where are all these people from?" Carson asked. "Are there really that many like… this?"copyright protection160ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaQ3pxyHtA
Allison's smile faded a bit. "There's a lot of secrets in this world. TKC accidents are much more common than we let on. We only lock up the ones who go overboard." 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDJuAN8d3d
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Carson sighed. He wasn't sure whether he was more surprised about his boss being here or the sheer number of people here. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFq0QuK9b5
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