Neo snuck through the halls, trying his best not to giggle. He couldn't wait to find Delta! He had so many questions. Neo had never met anyone like him before. Sure, he had read stories about kids, but he had only ever seen adults before. But Delta even looked like Neo! So much to do, so little time!

Neo stalked the halls, mostly empty because of the time it was. But Neo was excited, all the less. He had never been out after hours before! And yet, he was compelled to find and befriend Delta. He had never really had a friend before. Ever since waking up in The Tube, he had only ever seen stern adults in long white coats. He had never met anyone with a similar mask as his own. It was a simple, white paper mask, with the phrase 'P. 14' printed on it. He changed it out every week, and took it off when being bathed, eating or sleeping. But he had never seen anyone else with it on.

Except, of course, the blind and mute Delta.

Granted, his had one key difference. Instead of 'P. 14' printed on the front, his said 'P. 4'. But that just made everything more intriguing! Neo almost giggled from excitement, but stopped himself when he heard a shuffle nearby. The only animals he had ever seen had been in cages, so that couldn't be it. And it wasn't a doctor at the lab, because you could normally hear their wide, purposeful footsteps when they neared. So could it be...?

Neo carefully poked his head around the corner, a smiling mess. Yes! It was! There, shambling along the ground with his hand on the wall, was Delta. Neo moved forward cautiously, but let himself be heard so he wouldn't spook Delta. Upon hearing Neo's footsteps, Delta looked up.

Neo felt the warmth return to his cheeks. That clueless look was too adorable. But he held a bit of hostility in his sightless eyes, so Neo tried to reassure him.

"Don't worry! It's just me, Neo!" he said aloud, getting closer. Delta inched backwards a little, but eventually let Neo sit next to him. Neo smiled so wide. His logic was, even if Delta can't see, it's always good to smile!

"Um, so, you're Delta, right?" Neo asked cheerfully. Delta nodded, barely moving his head at all. Neo could tell this was going to take some work.

"Um, how old are you? Were you born from The Tube like me?" he asked. But what happened next confused him.

'I can't speak, asshat.'

Neo blinked, surprised. Somehow, without moving his lips, even though he was mute, he had heard Delta speak! He was sure of it. There was no one else here! He paused, hesitating.

"What, did you um, call me?" He asked. Delta tuned his head to look towards Neo's direction.

'If you're somehow listening to my thoughts or some shit, get the fuck out.'

There it was again! No mistaking it now, it was definitely Delta. But how was he reading Delta's mind? He had never done anything like that before!