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Marnie jogged up the wide metal stairs to the thick metal door leading outside.
It was just dawn. No one saw her leave. Not because of the flight suit that made her invisible when she flew—it was hidden right now beneath a puffy charcoal-colored down coat and navy blue sweatpants—but because she knew how to be silent and smooth whenever she slipped away. She had been practicing for over eleven years.
Normally Alice came with her whenever Marnie wanted to go topside. Alice claimed to love the cold crisp air and the spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains surrounding them on every side, but Marnie knew it was for protection. Marnie wasn’t strong even at her best, and she was still recovering from her concussion and the bruising to her ribs.
Dr. Caroline Baird had fixed Marnie’s a
