"(Y/n)!"

(Y/n) turned around to see Lupita waving at her with a smile, she was at the bar surrounded by other customers that didn't seem to care much for her presence, each engrossed in their own conversation. (Y/n) returned the smile with a shy wave of her own and closed the distance between herself and the bar.

"Hey. Glad you made it." Lupita greeted with a smile, she was casually leaning back against a wall opposite to the bar, sporting a black tank top and a long skirt that reached her ankles and complimented her black boots. She had put her plaits up in a high ponytail and had put on small silver hoop earrings.

In other words, Lupita looked effortlessly gorgeous.

Shame warmed (Y/n)'s cheeks, as she looked seriously underdressed next to Lupita. Still, (Y/n) managed a shy smile and a nod. "Thanks for waiting for me. Sorry I got a bit lost and had to take a double take at the map Tobias had drawn for me."

"It's fine. It's a big city." Lupita said with a chuckle, "Are you alright, though? You seemed a bit anxious there. Something wrong?"

Images of (Y/n)'s last traumatic experience at the bar flashed through (Y/n)'s mind yet again and a cold shiver licked its way up her spine. She really hadn't had a good experience with this place and honestly would have rather gone anywhere else. But Lupita looked at ease and (Y/n) didn't feel like talking about what she had witnessed last time.

So she nodded her head with a smile she hoped was convincing.

"Yeah! Sorry, I just don't like crowded places." This wasn't entirely a lie, as much as (Y/n) enjoyed the thrill of meeting new people and seeing new things, crowds kind of made her anxious. Even more so when people around her were most likely Infected.

Lupita inclined her head to the side with a reassuring smile, her hand finding (Y/n)'s and giving it a squeeze.

(Y/n) swore her heart lept in her chest at the simple gesture.

"I get it. This must all be new to you, it's only fair you'd be nervous. No worries though, for tonight I thought we might order drinks to go and then walk around the streets. It's quieter there."

And less dangerous. (Y/n) silently thought. If Lupita and her were to be themselves in all their Uninfected glory, it was probably best if no one was around to hear them.

"Works for me." (Y/n) nodded enthusiastically, excitement bubbling up in her chest at the prospect of finally having a real conversation with Lupita and getting away from the place that gave her the most anxiety in the whole city.

Lupita smiled and the two of them ordered their drinks, a mojito for Lupita and a Darling for (Y/n), plus a side of french fries to go with it. And (Y/n) wondered if this was what going out with friends was supposed to look like, casual and simple. She followed Lupita out of the bar with their drink and food and the two of them walked away from the crowded streets to quieter areas in the city.

Until finally they stopped in front of a deserted park.

"Hold this for me." Lupita said, handing out her drink to (Y/n). "I'm gonna climb the fence and then hold your drink so you can climb too."

"What?" (Y/n) took the drink in her hands and looked at Lupita with wide eyes. "But won't we get in trouble for getting in past closing hours?"

Lupita landed on the other side of the fence on her two feet, offering (Y/n) a reassuring smile as she took the drinks and fries from the (h/c) girl's hands.

"We won't, people don't usually come here this late at night. It's safe, trust me."

(Y/n) nodded hesitantly, climbing the fence to the best of her ability and falling on the other side clumsily. It was clear that she had never done this before in her life. Except for that one time she had climbed out of her room through the window to go search for Grey.

Lupita then led (Y/n) into the park, the both of them shrouded in darkness, until they made it to a clearing amongst tall trees with a single wooden bench waiting for them.

"That's the perfect spot." Lupita said with a smile as she plopped down on the bench. (Y/n) sat beside her, not quite sure this was a good idea. But Lupita had assured her it was safe, so she decided to trust her. After all, Lupita would be in as much trouble as (Y/n) if the two of them got caught.

Yeah, Lupita was probably right.

(Y/n) heaved a quiet sigh and leaned back in the bench, embracing the cold night air and the gentle breeze that blew through the leaves of the trees surrounding them.

It was quiet, peaceful. And for a moment it reminded (Y/n) of her garden in the Uninfected community.

"So (Y/n), tell me about yourself." Lupita said with a glittering gaze, bringing her cup to her lips and taking a sip.

It was strange seeing her like this, so social and friendly. During their previous encounters Lupita had been cold and borderline aggressive with her. This change of character was... nice. It made (Y/n) feel at ease.

Maybe it was because Lupita knew (Y/n) was Uninfected just like her, knew that she didn't have to be on her guard around her and could just be herself. Being kind and friendly towards (Y/n) wasn't a threat to Lupita's safety as there was no risk of triggering a potential Infection.

(Y/n) scratched the back of her head and let out an awkward chuckle. She wasn't used to people asking her about herself and she didn't know what to say. What was there to say about herself? She had no idea what Lupita wanted to know or what was relevant to say.

"I don't know what to say, really."

"Well, what brought you to the city?" Lupita asked as she munched on fries. "I think that's a good starting point."

"Well," (Y/n) gazed up at the sky and took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. It's not like she hadn't talked about this before, she had already told this part of her story to both Marcus and Tobias. But something seemed to have changed since that time.

(Y/n)'s reasons for coming and staying in the city weren't as simple anymore.

"My older sister went missing after one of her night escapades around the city. And I came here in the hopes of finding or saving her." (Y/n) explained with a sigh and a humourless chuckle. Back then (Y/n) had been so convinced that she'd be able to find Grey and save her that she hadn't ever really thought about what she'd do if she failed.

Now though, it had been weeks of her staying in the city and she had to admit that what used to be her prime reason for coming to the city was slowly starting to recede in her mind.

Guilt swelled in (Y/n)'s heart at this realization.

When was the last time she had thought about Grey? When was the last time she had gone out of her way to find her sister?

(Y/n) had been so caught up with life in the city and all the new discoveries that came with it, that she had started to forget the very reason of her coming here in the first place. She had been putting more energy in finding herself than in finding her sister who needed her.

I'm the worst.

Still, even in spite of the guilt plaguing her at this realization, (Y/n) couldn't help the part of her that wished things would continue like this. The part of her that wanted to keep on focusing on herself and finding who she was now that she finally had the freedom to do it.

"I'm so sorry." Lupita offered her a compassionate smile, "You must love her a lot to risk your life for her."

Yeah, (Y/n) indeed loved Grey 'a lot', the two of them made of the same blood and flesh. And (Y/n) was convinced that she'd never know a bond as deep as the one she shared with her sister. Nothing could beat this.

Which is why she felt even worse for almost forgetting about her duty to find Grey.

"I do." (Y/n) answered with a tight throat and a newfound determination. "She's everything to me."

Lupita nodded her head with a pensive expression and looked up at the stars, and (Y/n) swore she caught something akin to loneliness flickering in her gaze.

"I never had a sibling. It must be nice." Lupita paused, pondering over her next words before turning back to (Y/n). "And once you find her, what happens? You're from the Uninfected Community, right? Do you think you'll go home?"

A few weeks ago (Y/n)'s answer would have been evident. She had been well intent on going home with Grey once the two of them were reunited.

But now that she had tasted what life in the city was like, now that she had had a glimpse at freedom by herself... She wasn't so sure anymore. Or rather she was growing more and more sure of one thing; she didn't want to go home.

Part of (Y/n) missed her mother and her home, but she didn't think she could go back to her old life. Not now that she knew what the world had to offer, not now that she had finally created a path for herself. Not now that she had seen that living in the city as an undercover Uninfected was possible. Risky, but possible still, as long as she socialized with the right people. Such as Lupita and Marcus.

So after finding Grey and making sure she was okay... (Y/n) would probably stay in the city.

Which made finding a job for herself even more important.

"I want to stay here." (Y/n) finally answered with a pinched smile. "I want to make a life for myself, find a job and a place of my own... I want to be free."

Lupita's lips curved in a sympathetic smile. "Because you weren't at home? Free, I mean."

(Y/n) took a quiet sip of her own cocktail, going through her memories back in the Uninfected Community, with her mother and Grey.

"No, not really." She said, a lump forming in her throat. "My relationship with my mother has always been... complicated. She's a bit on the overprotective and controlling side, I guess. Just with me though, she wasn't like that with Grey. But yeah, my mother didn't care about Grey going out or doing whatever she wanted, but as soon as I tried to tag in it was out of the question. And with Grey being my only friend, I just stayed home on my own."

"I'm really sorry, (Y/n)." Lupita said, placing a gentle hand on (Y/n)'s arm.

(Y/n) shrugged with a timid chuckle that didn't quite sound as humorous as she would have liked.

"It's fine. Some have it way worse."

"Like... 'Uninfected Camp' kinda worse?" Lupita asked, amusement flickering in her eyes.

(Y/n) laughed, for real this time, and scratched the back of her neck. "Yeah, 'Uninfected Camp' kinda worse." She couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips.

So far, she really liked Lupita, and was really glad the two of them had stumbled upon one another.

"Yeah, I get what you mean. Still though, having a controlling family sucks and kinda feels like its own kind of prison." Lupita continued, "Thank god, my mom is super chill."

Silence fell between the two of them, before Lupita breathed in deeply and continued with a determined expression.

"For a job, I might have what you need. I'm working as a barista in a small coffee shop downtown. The owner's pretty chill and doesn't really care about who you are. He doesn't ask questions and doesn't want answers either, as long as you do your job." Lupita said, "I know he's been looking for another barista, so maybe I could try and sneak you in for a try."

"Really?!" (Y/n) gaped, wild excitement dancing in her eyes as she expectantly waited Lupita's confirmation.

"Yes, really." Lupita chuckled in amusement, "I can't guarantee you'll be hired though. But I'll make sure to put in a good word for you."

(Y/n) couldn't believe it. She was on her way to get her first ever job and earn her first ever big girl money. If this didn't taste like freedom, she didn't know what did. She was so excited and thankful for Lupita's help that she didn't even register her own actions when she jumped in to hug her new friend.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Lupita froze in (Y/n)'s embrace, wide eyed as she processed what was happening. She couldn't remember the last time someone other than her mother had given her a hug or had smiled at her.

Probably back when she was a child and still hadn't put up her guards around others in fear they might turn on her.

Her arms slowly and awkwardly came around (Y/n), giving the other girl a gentle squeeze.

"No need to thank me. It's my pleasure." Lupita said with a gentle smile, before her features dropped. "I did have something else I wanted to ask you though."

(Y/n) stared at her, patiently waiting for Lupita to say what had been on her mind. And for a moment Lupita wondered whether she should share her thoughts with (Y/n) and possibly risk years of self preservation, or drop it and let (Y/n) delve in a dangerous situation for herself.

No, living with an Infected isn't safe for her.

And if Lupita was in (Y/n)'s situation, she'd want someone to help her out and give her a way out. Lupita knew there was a risk, she had seen Tobias interacting with (Y/n) and seen some concerning signs of overprotectiveness. She knew that if she asked (Y/n) to come live with her there could be repercussions. But she wanted to believe that, for once, the world would let her have something nice.

An ally. A partner. A friend.

And maybe something more.

She wanted to believe that maybe what she had witnessed wasn't as serious as she made it out to be, that maybe it was still possible to save (Y/n) from a potential Infected.

Which is why Lupita finally said the words that would be the start of her demise.

"Do you want to come live with me? Us, I mean. It's me and my mother, and our place isn't big. But there's enough room for another person."