With the video games and the control over when we did our jobs, for the first time since this whole thing started, we felt comfortable, truly comfortable, in ourselves, in the facility, in general.

  And in the coming weeks, our actions began to reflect that.

  We spent less of our nights seeking out comfort in each other, more in just standard relationship intimacy, no more boredom sex, no more frenzied nightly scrambling for that one blessed sensation just so we all could go to sleep without feeling like death, no more hoarding food, no more scuffles born of minor disagreements.

  We truly felt at peace.

  Between chores we sat in the building's Lobby, eating our lunch while we lounged in the puffy cushioned chairs that lined the walls near the front door.

  This was peace we shared with the mermaid, she enjoyed our pressence now more than ever as we were light on our feet while we performed our daily chores.

  humming to myself happily one of the many weeks into this job, I swept the area around the Mermaid's tank. she was propped up on her elbows on the rim watching me, I could see her massive expressive eyes trained on me with a genuine smile playing across her lips as I cleaned, all was peaceful and right.

  I looked over at her and her eyes met mine, "Can I help you, miss?" I joked. A question she responded to with a nod of her head.

  I tilted my head and her smile grew wider, looking me up and down before whispering, "Briodadh mi"

  My eyes widened, she had spoken to me without blowing my brain out the back of my head, she had whispered it and the noise carried like she was speaking plainly, I didnt understand the language though, "...excuse me?"

  What came out of her mouth next was a series of hushed squeaks that could have been laughter, then all of a sudden she flipped backwards into her tank with a slight squeal.

  I looked around but I smelled the cinnamon before I saw Doctor Sharp standing behind me, "Aah!" I gasped, jumping slightly as his wizened eyes met mine, the fact I knew he was there somehow stopping me from really registering his pressence until I was facing him, "Hey kid."

  I smile and set the broom down, "Doctor Sharp, how can I help you?"

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  He smiles under his wide-brimmed hat, "You four have done so well...adapted so well to this peaceful setting...I want you guys to take a break."

  I squint at him in disbelief as he hands me a car key, "Go into town, there's a square full of shops and restaurants and places I'm sure kids your age love to experience...take my car and go."

  I look at the key, blinking, "We're allowed to leave to do stuff?"

  He chuckles, "Yes, provided you bring the car back before tomorrow....and that you know how to drive."

  I hadn't taken driving lessons, but I knew Edge had, so I clutched the key, "Thank you, sir!"

  He patted my head, "You guys are good people...and don't worry about finding the car it's the only one in the parking lot."

  I ran from the room and into our bunk area where Wolf was reading, after a while of me bouncing back and forth on the spot, she looked up from her book, "Green? What's got you so excited?"

  I hold up the key, still bouncing "So Doctor Sharp gave me the key to his car, he says we're free and clear to go into town for some fun!!"

  She blinked at the key, "This...feels too good to be true."

  I shrug, "Where's Edge and Love I need to let them know!!"

  She gestured towards the door, "They went somewhere, I'm assuming to the game room."

  I immediately ran out the door and towards the game room, I was stopped by the sounds I heard.

  Edge and Love were doing the horizontal Tango, knowing this usually didn't take long, I waited until the noise died down and then barged in. The door swung wide and hit the opposite wall as I shouted, "GUYS!!" They both jumped in response, Edge falling off of Love and rolling onto his back on the floor, "Green for FUCKS sake." Edge laughed as he sat up, pulling up his pants, "Did you not see the sock?"

  Love peaked out from behind the couch with a giggle, "Hi, Green!"

  I shrugged as I sat down in the armchair next to the couch, "I didn't need to see the sock, I heard all about it before I was even here....you two won't believe the news."

  They both looked up as I held up the key, Green hijacking my mouth as he was just as excited as I was, "We've been given leave to go paint the town red!"

  Edge grabbed the key from me as if to keep me from leaving, "The fuck are you saying?"

  I sigh, "Doctor Sharp gave me his car keys and said that as long as it's back by tomorrow, we're free and clear to go have fun in town!"

  Edge looked at the keys, then back at me, a look of concern on his face, "You're right I don't believe it."

  "Oh believe it, Agent Edge " sharp's voice came from the doorway behind me along with a slight miasma of cinnamon flavored smoke, Love's eyes widened and she ducked back down behind the couch, "I've made allowances and written this down in the books as paid leave...get dressed in the civilian clothes, which I have left in your bunk, take the cash I left you and go have fun."

  Edge stood up, pulling on his dress pants, "This isn't some sort of trick?"

  Sharp smiled and left the doorway, heading further into the facility.

  With him out of the way we hurried to get dressed in the clothes that had been laid on our bunks, Wolf who had been waiting for us and was already dressed in her civilian clothes, a t-shirt and jeans, hopped to her feet with a grin, "I almost feel normal." She pulled me into a hug that ended with a kiss, then turned me loose so we could all follow her example and get ready.