I have been in and out of sleep, on one hand, my tired eyes keep on closing but on the other and my mind won't let me sleep. These late-night meetings have destroyed my sleep pattern, I don't know how Zane or Oreana manage it.

I stretched my hands out, yawning loudly in the empty room. Thankfully Nanu's had a spare room with two single beds or we would have had to crash on the sofa.

The slowly forming headache acts as a good reminder of the thoughts that won't let me sleep in peace.

Oreana's plan, it is good, smart even but the stakes are too high for my family. It will require direct involvement of Dad, Kayden and Skye; they are the ones who are directly associated with the government. Dad works as a chartered accountant in the main office, Kayden's firm works in close association with the government and Skye is almost done with his internship. All of that can come crashing down. And there is no saying how much time it will take, no guarantee that we are going to be successful.

My phone ringed, echoing loudly in the empty room and breaking me from my thoughts. I pulled my phone from under my pillow. Kayden's photo flashed on the screen. With a sigh, I clicked the phone to silent. 3 Missed calls from Kayden, 4 from mom, 2 from Dad and 34 private messages from friends.

I dismissed it, pushing the phone away from me and turned away, pressing my face into the pillow. Every time, my mind contradicts every time we plan on taking a step against the government. First I was so mortified by their line of thought that I had immediately dismissed them, not wanting to hear anything. Then after I knew my Nanu was alive I couldn't stop for a minute, I wanted to take some action against them but now..

Now I don't even know what I want, it is risque, more dangerous but effective and the stakes are higher. But I can't just go around the fact that everything can go horribly wrong. If only there was an easier way, something that won't endanger the country if we managed to succeed.

It was as if a lightbulb turned on in my head with an awesome idea. I jumped up in a sitting position, suddenly energised at the plan that was slowly starting to materialize in my head. I pulled out my phone and swiped to Kayden's contact, dialling his number.

I watched the phone screen as it ringed, he was dressed in his favourite blue suit, legs crossed, leaning on his mahogany desk in his office. I smiled at the photo, there is no one more experienced to guide me with this plan.

"Hello Ariel."

"Hey, Kayden did Skye tell you about the plan?"

"Yes"

"Well I was thinking about something, Judiciary is an independent body in our country, right? That means it doesn't follow the government. What if-, what if we can find proof against-" I hesitated, losing the speed, I am unsure with this, but Kayden can guide me through.

Kayden didn't say anything for a minute, indicating that he was either thinking what to tell me or that the thought never occurred to him.

"I had searched Urydale's records, nothing suspicious came up. But the records were limited and inconsistent. Video or audio proof will be the most effective. How did you find those documents you screenshotted me?" He asked, probably running a thousand ideas in his head.

"I- I found them through someone" I gulped at his question and looked down as I lied again, silently hoping that he hadn't caught anything.

"That means you might even find some legal documents that might have a loophole I can exploit," Kayden explained, slipping into his lawyer mode.

But I doubted that I can find that type of documents in Nanu's old computer, no way are they dumb enough to lend the computer with sensitive information for public use.

"Any specific documents?" I inquired, the plan falling together in my head.

"No, but citizen record, ration records will be the most helpful."

I hmmed in reply, twisting the bedsheet between my fingers. We have government offices in Athesy, like the one where Ash got identified but I didn't see any offices here, just that station. And so I wonder if I will find those documents there.

"This might actually work," I said, my eyes shining. "Okay bye, I gotta go. And take care" I spoke on the phone, rushed to put the plan into motion.

'Ariel what are you planing with this?" Kayden questioned sternly in his big brother voice. I was going to tell him everything in my excitement but I held my tongue at the last minute, "I am going to inform Oreana about this, see if we can come up with a better plan" I spoke faking calm as if I am not jumping to get out of the house and approach the only person I know, who can help me with this.

"Okay. Take care and stay out of trouble," I can almost see him reaching out to ruffle my hairs, he always does that and it is not hard to detect from the change in his tone and I smiled sadly.

I jumped out of the bed and quickly threw on a crop top and shorts. I stepped into my shoes and skipped out of the room and to the main door.

"Where are you going Ariel" Skye's voice stopped me in my tracks, the door a few steps away. I turned on my heels to face him.

"Nowhere just for a walk," I replied with a casual shrug.

"A walk under the hot sun?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"I am going to meet Kera, she said she needed some help with the shopping," I said the next thing that came to my mind and then I mentally facepalmed myself. I could have just said that I am going to get some ice-cream, that would have been more believable.

"You didn't get much sleep, you should rest instead," He said in a voice laced with concern.

"I will be fine." I waved him off, turning back to open the door and stepping out.

"I am hoping you are going to meet Kera," Skye called out behind me and I winced inaudible.

Just keep walking, just keep walking and maybe Skye will not sense that I am going to meet Zane.

_____

Zane was sitting on his front porch tinkering with his bike when I reached his house. I speed walked to him, "What if I tell you there is another way?" I called out and Zane raised his head, acknowledging my presence. He wiped his hands on a greasy cloth and dropped it aside, standing up at my question.

He swept his eyes across me and he brought them back, "like what?" He asked casually, lowering his voice, clearly understanding where I was going with this. I stepped closer to him, the bike acting as a barrier between us.

I lowered my voice, speaking in a whisper."Kayden, my older brother, said that there might be a way we can do this at the court. We just need some proof; documents and audio clips and that should be enough." I explained to him with wide eyes, expecting him to be as happy as I am at the prospect of doing this the easier way that doesn't involve the participation of 200 people.

"No way in hell we are going there" Zane whispered sternly and I stepped recoiled at his words.

"What? Why? Zane this is a golden opportunity, we can save months of work and the chaos" I waved my hand to get my point across, but he just folded his arms.

"Ariel we are not going in there and do you really think we haven't tried that? We barely made it alive the last time we went snooping for documents." He said, putting pressure on each word as if that should be enough to keep me from going.

"This time it will be different, Zane we have to try at least. We don't know what will happen when we execute Oreana's plan, we might get caught." I softened my voice and looked down, yes I am afraid of what might happen if we actually get caught. It is easy to get away with anything if you have 200 people backing you but I will have to do the deed alone and it might jeopardise everything for me.

A silence passed between us before Zane spoke anything, "The stakes are even higher in this Ariel, if we get caught you will be the one questioned first. I am just a local colourless, my reason is simple but what is your reason Ariel? Why do you want to do this?

He asked me with guarded eyes. I opened and closed my mouth at loss of words at his straightforward question. I don't know what to say to him so I just stared back at him, keeping our eyes locked. I hoped that he can't see the clear conflict in my eyes.

Zane waited for my answer, he was asking me to trust him enough to tell him. 'Tell me Ariel, why are you in Urydale in the first place?' his eyes screaming the question at me.

But I didn't say anything, I just stared back, 'You will have to take the first step Zane, trust me enough...' I blinked at him with the unsaid words.

The chirping of the birds seems to be louder in that silence that stretched between us. No, I don't trust him enough to place my brother's life in his hands. I might sound like a hypocrite, I am placing my life in his hands but refusing to do the same for my brother.

"I am not asking you to help me, I am asking if you would like to accompany me?" I asked, my voice as strong as my resolve. He didn't say anything, he searched my eyes, dough brown against translucent blue.

"If I say no, you will go alone?" H asked, but he sounded like he has already made up his mind.

"Yes," I answered back, folding my hands as I stared up at him.

"Then I guess we are going together, do you have a plan?" Zane spoke in a calm tone, resuming his place on the steps. I blinked in confusion, unfolding my arms. He agreed? A small smile crept up my lips and I stepped around his bike to take a seat next to him on the porch steps.

"Yes I do, call Jerek, I think he will be able to help us."