“Just to the next block.” He glances at his watch and picks up the pace. “Come on, we have to hurry.”

Atlas mercifully slows down after we cross the next street. He reaches into his bag and pulls out a red-and-orange-colored Chicago Transit Card. “You’re going to need this.”

“I have my own,” I say, digging into my back pocket for one of the few things I always have with me. I mean, I live in Chicago.

“Personal cards are never to be used for Steward business. Not unless you want them to track all your movements back to you.”

I stare at the piece of plastic in my hand. I hadn’t considered that anyone could use it to monitor me. “They couldn’t possibly care where I take the bus or the L. I’m just a normal high school student.”

“You are definitely not normal. And they’ll care when you’re suddenly going to locations you’ve never visited before. They’ve designed programs to flag that kind of thing. Someone is always watching. Someone is always looking for you. You’re on the train, Meri, and there’s no turning back.” His eyes are fierce. They shift from side to side, scanning everyone as we duck through the wide silver archway doors that I’ve passed through hundreds of times before and enter the L station. “Always be on your guard. You have to remember that you are seeing a world they don’t want you to see. That makes you dangerous.”

The idea that I could be dangerous is laughable. Only, Atlas isn’t laughing as he runs his card through the gateway. The red light darkens and the one beside it shines green. He passes through the turnstile, then waits for me before heading toward the stairs that lead up to the tracks. “The Marshals are out there to protect the government’s version of the world—crafted by their words and their truths. They’ll destroy anything that contradicts their version. That’s why they went after your mom and my dad. If they realize you’re questioning them, they’ll be after you. So you can’t take any more risks. If they recognize you, you’ll never be safe again and neither will your dad.”

My head whips around to stare at Atlas. “My father doesn’t know anything.”

“They’ll never believe he didn’t know what his wife and daughter were doing. They’ll take him. Just like they took my father.”

My mind clouds gray. I’m here because I wanted answers. I never intended to put my father in danger.

“You just need to be careful and he’ll be fine.” Atlas gently places his hand on my shoulder. I focus on its steadiness and warmth to help push away the budding panic.

“How do you live with it?” I ask, and look up into his dark, clear eyes. “Knowing what could happen if you do something wrong?”

“I’ve lived in the Lyceum my whole life. My friends and family are all used to being hunted. It doesn’t make me any less scared, but in some ways it makes it easier. At least, I thought it did until this week.”