The stairway doesn't even creak as 9S ascends--it must be well taken care of, or either somewhat new despite the dated style. As 9S gets closer and closer to the top landing, he can begin to tell the warm glow is actually lamplight. 9S's head breaches the small opening, and the very last step squeaks gently underfoot.

On one side of the platform are two children, the oldest no more than seven or eight. They startle at 9S's sudden appearance, dropping a handful of what looks like small metal dominoes. The younger child, a boy, gives a soft squeal, and the oldest, a girl, moves in front of him protectively. She may be young, but she brandishes a little knife at 9S. Between them they have only a lantern, the game pieces, and a tin lunchbox. Their clothes look like the exquisitely tailored material of Westside, but it's all roughed up and a bit dirty.

"Who are you?" the girl demands. "What do you want?"