Inner London

I run for a while, and once we are both certain that the guards have lost us, I let Nemo down.

"Whew. That was close." Nemo says.

"You should have told me you were going to use a give me a fake name, and don't start with the 'ad-libbing'. There was no reason for you not to warn me. It completely threw me off." I say.

"You're very fast." I didn't even know I could move at that speed. I might perhaps be even faster than the automobile that we rode in here. "Heh heh. I'm the sort of girl who can get things done when it's called for. What do you think?Are you deeper in love with me?"

"No. I wasn't in love with you to begin with."

"Don't be shy now!"

"I'm not being shy."

"Well... We ran for quite a while. We've not reached the second wall, so we've got to in Inner London."

I look around us.

The buildings are smaller than near the entrance, and seem less well maintained. Still, the people here look cheerful, and they greet each other happily as they pass.

I hear laughter and shouting from all around us.

"Remember when Lupin explained the city? This is Inner London, the more impoverished half." Nemo says. "It was originally temporary housing for workers involved in the reconstruction."

"It's very lively." I say.

"Hmm... It is, and fun, too, but you need to stay alert. There are a lot of dirty, rotten scumbags here." Nemo says. "And if they saw a guy like you walking around by himself... You look like a girl even with the masculine clothes, you'd soon attract a lot of attention from troublemakers."

"Troublemakers. Like you, Nemo?"

"Yeah, sure, like me... You wound me! Why would you think so low of me? At least get to know me better!"

"Lupin said I had to watch out for you, that you were trouble. I'm sorry if I was mistaken."

"Dammit, Lupin! Telling lies about me!"

We continued talking this way as we made our way toward the mansion that Lupin had made her hideout here in London. I thought we would make it there without any further problems but as I stood, admiring the street performances, I turned to see I was alone in the crowd.

Nemo's not here.

I look for her, but I can't find her. If I take too long, the sun will set. What should I do? There isn't much that I can do. I need to make my own way to the mansion.

She might be waiting for me there.

"Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" Someone calls out to me. "Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

"That would be very kind of you?" I bow to the helpful man.

"Who are you looking for?"

"A short girl with long hair, calling herself an engineer."

"An engineer?"