I climbed out of my crib and walked to the door. I put my ear against it to hear if anyone was in the hall but heard silence. Slowly, I pulled the door open, grateful mom and dad didn't lock it. Maybe they had grown to trust me since I hadn't gotten out since we moved in.

I almost hated to disappoint them by sneaking out. Almost.

I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I didn't turn any of the lights on in case anyone woke up while I was outside. It was weird to see the house so dark.

I went to the back door and turned the lock slowly, trying not to make any noise. I pushed the door open and stepped out into the cool air, nearly forgetting that it was September and starting to get cold at night.

I wrapped my arms around my torso, silently cursing mom for putting me in a long t-shirt for bed.

Standing against the house, within the shadows, was Alex. I could barely make him out but he was there. I went to him and stood facing him, not sure where to start. I had so many questions to ask him.

"Follow me."

I followed him through the yard and up the playset. He sat down near the slides and waited for me to join him.

"Why here?" I asked, pulling my feet under me so they wouldn't be as cold.

"No one will see us."

I glanced over at him and noticed he was wearing a pajama set that covered his feet. It zipped up the front, from his waist to his neck. It was a baby blue with yellow chicks all over. "Nice pajamas."

He rolled his eyes. "Screw you. I'm trying to help you and this is the thanks I get?"

"Just tell me."

He sighed. "So, this place is really messed up. I'm sure you've picked up on that. Most of the people here are alright and don't have anything to do with what's been going on. For instance, your parents. You guys follow the rules because they're the rules and that's what you've been told to do your whole life. Anyway, there are a select few that run this place. Everyone calls the head guy the mayor, which sounds more official than a cult leader."

"That's not so bad."

"It gets worse. From what I know, which isn't much, there was a revolt like twenty-plus years ago from a bunch of teens over curfew and rules that honestly didn't even sound that bad. Regardless of that, the people running the town got fed up and mandated that anyone under 18 had to follow a set of rules. Or, at least, their parents had to. None of us have any rights until we're 18 and then it's a whole new world around here."

"How do you know any of this?"

"There's a girl in my old class who's brother is older and told her about some of it. She's always been suspicious and she told me since I'm not known for being the best kid in town."

"How were you able to get out tonight?"

"I know where my parents keep the keys."

"So what... how do I tell my parents this?"

He laughed. "You don't. My parents don't give a shit and Megan's parents didn't believe her when she told them. Your parents might care a little since you're an outsider but don't expect your life to go back to being normal."

I should have expected that. I tried telling my parents how unhappy I was but they wouldn't listen to me. They wouldn't believe that I hated it there and wanted to leave.

"Why did you move here?"

"My parents weren't making enough money. They got better jobs here."

He nodded once. "The promise of a better, easier life. That's how they get all the outsiders."

"How could it be if they had to buy all this stupid baby stuff and continually buy diapers?" It didn't seem logical and, honestly, I would have made sacrifices to stay in my old town.

"All of that's provided for them for free. One of the 'perks' of conforming and believing the lies they're being fed."

"This is so messed up."

"You have to act like you don't know about it."

"What? Why?" He couldn't be serious.

"Megan got sent away after she told her parents. No one would tell me why. Then I got moved to a new class. I don't know what they would do to you."

"So I have to just... buy into all of this?"

"Basically."

I shook my head. "I can't do it."

"You either go along with it or you get sent away and who knows what'll happen to you."

"Alex-"

"You have to trust me, Lyla. You only have what, two, three years left? Then you'll be an adult and you can leave this place."

"That's a long time to wait." I mumbled.

He nodded. "Imagine waiting seventeen years."

"How do you do it?"

He shrugged and got to his feet. "I get by. Just try to live with it as best as you can."

I watched as he walked down to the ground, my mind a jumbled mess.

He looked back at me. "You should probably go back to bed before your parents notice."

I walked down and went to the door, grateful the lights were all still off inside.

"Lyla? I'm sorry about your bunny. I needed to get your attention somehow. If you want to tell on me and get me in trouble, go for it."

I stopped, my hand on the door. "It was a shitty thing to do."

He chuckled and disappeared out of the yard.

I sighed and went back into the house. I was at the bottom of the step when I heard mom's voice coming from my room.

"She never wakes up in the middle of the night."

My heart froze and I panicked. I needed a good excuse for being out of bed. One that wouldn't be suspicious. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my baby doll sitting on the arm of the couch. I grabbed it and tucked it in the crook of my arm.

Then I headed up the steps.

Dad appeared in the hallway and turned the light on. "Lyla, what are you doing out of bed?"

"I couldn't sleep. I wanted to get my baby doll to see if it would help."

He waited until I was past him before he followed me into my room. "We don't want you leaving your room at night. Especially in the dark."

"Am I in trouble?" I asked, looking between the two of them.

Mom glanced at dad before sighing. "No, you're not in trouble. Now get into bed so you can get some sleep."

I sat on the edge of the mattress and swung my legs onto the other end, tucking them under the blanket. I forgot to put on any shoes as I went outside and realized my feet would probably be dirty. I just hoped mom didn't notice in the morning. Otherwise, I'd be busted.

She tucked the blanket around me and kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, Lyla."

"Good night."