Read The Maze: Three tales of the future for Free Online Page A

the social chatter, the notices for Slam Tonight ! and the spa offering a “me” day, and dug into the educational programs. Yes! Design and Drafting, architecture, everything to teach her how to build virtual houses, cities, even stations that could be used anywhere in the galaxy, from research centers, like on Mars, to ones like they sat in now—a spa facility meant for rest and relaxation.
    Lexia tore her gaze from all the potential plans and speared Amie with a look. “Did you know about this?”
    Amie grinned and gave her a shrug.
    “Do you need help with something, on the outside? Is that why you’re here?”
    Amie leaned forward and pressed the keypad. On the screen, images of makeshift dwellings appeared. Amie pointed to one and then to herself.
    “You live ... there?” Lexia shook her head in disbelief. The wooden structure was little more than a lean-to. Sure, Lexia had done her time in Adventure Girls. Once, she had even slept outside, with nothing but canvas stretched over her. But at the end of the trip, the entire group had returned to a spa facility, where every pore was sucked clean, hair and nails made to shine.
    Amie tapped Lexia’s wrist. The girl pointed to the screen, and then to Lexia. With her hands, she mimicked building.
    “Do you want my help? Want me to show you how to make it better?”
    Amie gave an emphatic nod.
    “Okay.” Lexia pulled her hair into a loose bun at the base of her neck. “Let’s see what I can do.”
     
    * * *
     
    It took a week of designing, of visualizing, not just on the screen, but in her head, and when she could, in real time. Lexia took to collecting odd bits the spa guests left lying around. Old-fashioned books, empty containers from box lunches. These she fashioned into a small village. She learned, by watching Amie move stick figures around the structures, about life on the outside.
    She knew that—somewhere—her console time was being logged. Keeping up appearances meant venturing from her quarters. She’d loved school, but a girl destined to be a third-generation decorative spent most of her time experimenting with foundations rather than building them.
    But leaving her room meant leaving Amie behind. Unless ... Her fingertips lighted on Amie’s bald head. Even when the look was in fashion (and it currently wasn’t), it attracted too much attention.
    “Want to go somewhere?” she asked, feeling sly.
    Amie’s eyes went wide, but her lips curled into a smile.
    “I’ll get you a wig,” Lexia said. “And then we can really have some fun.”
     
    * * *
     
    In the gift shop, Lexia ran her fingers through the strands of a pink wig, one with spring-green highlights. A presence shadowed her steps, tall and broad. Paulo stood behind her. Paulo, who keyed in codes on the register so sloppily, Lexia often wondered if it were on purpose.
    “You going to wear that to the slam tonight?” he asked.
    “I might.”
    “Haven’t seen you at one.”
    “My mother’s been giving me fits.” Actually, she hadn’t seen her mother in nearly two weeks, at least not up close, but it was a handy excuse.
    “Sneak out tonight.” With the suggestion, Paulo winked.
    “I might,” she said again. Always keep them guessing . This was her mother’s advice when it came to men. When Paulo grinned, Lexia saw that it did, indeed, work. But it was an empty sort of victory. Why build castles in the air when she could construct real places to live? Who needed boys when she had a friend—a sister—waiting for her, one who needed her help?
     
    * * *
     
    From her vantage point in the hallway, Lexia could see the wide-open door of her quarters. When her mother’s voice barked commands, Lexia almost ran away. One thought kept her locked in place.
    Amie.
    Lexia swiped the sweat from her upper lip and considered the wig, tissue-wrapped and snug in a spa bag. Another command echoed from the room and a guard stepped out. He blinked, surprise washing across his features before