CHAPTER 3
As the days passed, Zephyr continued to dream of the surface of Mars. He thought of the ancient cities that lay buried in the dust, and the secrets they might hold. He longed to uncover those secrets, to learn more about his people and their past. But he knew that the Elders would never allow it. They would never allow him to risk his life on such a dangerous journey. And so, Zephyr began to plan in secret. He knew that he would have to leave without the Elders' permission. But he also knew that it would be difficult.
The first step, Zephyr knew, would be to find a way out of the city. He studied the maps of the tunnels that connected the city to the outside world. He studied the security systems that guarded those tunnels. He learned about the patrols that were sent out to monitor the city's perimeter. And he began to plan his escape. He would need to find a way to disable the security systems, and to evade the patrols. But he knew that if he was caught, he would be punished. And so, he began to prepare for the worst.
Zephyr gathered supplies for his journey. He collected food and water, and he fashioned a breathing apparatus out of scraps of metal and plastic. He made a pack to carry his supplies, and he even constructed a makeshift weapon, just in case. As the days passed, he became more and more obsessed with his plan. He slept little, and he ate even less. His friends and family noticed the change in him, but they thought it was just a phase. They had no idea what Zephyr was planning.
Zephyr knew that he would have to leave at night, when the patrols were less frequent and the city was quieter. He chose a night when the moon was new, so that he would have the cover of darkness. He chose a path that would take him away from the city, towards the forbidden desert beyond. As the appointed night approached, Zephyr's anxiety grew. He began to doubt himself, and to question whether he was doing the right thing. But he could not turn back now. He had to see what was out there.
As the appointed hour arrived, Zephyr made his way to the edge of the city. He took one last look at the world he knew, and then he stepped into the darkness. The tunnels were long and winding, and Zephyr had to move slowly and carefully. He knew that one false step could lead to his discovery. But he pressed on, determined to reach his goal. And then, after what seemed like an eternity, he came to the end of the tunnel. There, before him, lay the desert. The forbidden desert. And beyond it, the unknown.