Hello!

Hello, Hector! How are you?

I've been better. If you by chance have a bottle of imported wine, I'll feel MUCH better soon!

Oh, no, no, no! The Ministry has banned imported wine. We don't break any laws!

Sorry, that's not my best joke. Believe me, I'm on your side. I hardly drink at all.

I'm glad to hear that.

Do you live alone?

No, I live with my brilliant husband and wonderful son! My husband is a chemical biologist... At least he used to be when worked at the chemical plant.

After the Ministry closed the plant, he started teaching chemistry.

What about your son?

Marcus? No, of course not! He's too small to work!

No, I'm not talking about that. Does he go to school?

No, not yet. He'll be seven soon. We're waiting to find out where he's going to go to school. Marcus is very smart. I think he has the potential to become a Minister!

Does anyone else live with you? I'm sorry for prying, but my duty is to know as much as possible about the tenants of the house.

You have to maintain order - I understand. No, it's just the three of us. Although I gave birth to twins.

Unfortunately, the other child, Marcus' sister, died during childbirth... That's what they told me in the maternity ward.

I'm so sorry! The last thing I wanted to do was open old wounds.

It happened a long time ago. There's no need to apologize.

This question is merely routine: Where do you work?

I don't work. I'm on a leave of absence due to my health. I stay home and take care of our son.

It's too bad the kindergartens are closed. Marcus gets bored from time to time.

Doesn't he play with the neighbor girl?

With Zlata? Yes. They get along well, like two peas in a pod. I like her. She's well-bread and always polite.

It's a pity Marcus doesn't have a sister. They'd have fun together... I'd have more fun, too.

Do you have a ball?

Yes, my son always plays with it. Why do you need it?

Your neighbor from apartment 1 asked me to get a ball for her daughter. Zlata's birthday is coming up.

Maria? It's strange she didn't ask me in person. We've been celebrating our kids' birthdays together for years.

I'm sorry, Hector, but I can't take my son's favorite toy from him, even for a reason as good as this. Toys are rare nowadays.

That's why we don't allow him to take them outside.

I understand. I was hoping you had two balls.

I have an idea! Why don't they play together? I'll tell Marcus he and Zlata can play with any of his toys.

That sounds great! I think both kids will love that. Thank you, Louisa!

Did you hear about what happened to your neighbors? Their daughter was in a terrible accident; she's in critical condition at that hospital. They're looking for a donor.

Yes, Maria told me. How horrible! I was already scared to let Marcus go outside and play, but now...

Marcus thinks he did something wrong and is being punished, but I can't make myself let him out. It's too dangerous!

I feel sorry for our neighbors and wish we could help...

You could visit them more often...

You're right! I will.

Louisa, I have something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it...

Well... Zlata is your daughter.

WHAT? Hector, are you joking? How is that possible? I was told she died!

Are you confused? That's impossible! I don't believe you!

I checked twice! She's definitely your daughter. I don't know how that could happen.

Someone made a mistake. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that you can save her!

How did she end up with the Schimmers? They went to Valverde for reproductive assistance...

I think they made that up so people wouldn't ask if they adopted Zlata.

So, Zlata is my daughter... Are you sure?

Absolutely!

I don't understand how, but I do want to help. Tell me what to do!

She's in bad shape; she needs a bone marrow donor.

Say no more, Hector. I'll be her donor!

Thank you! I'll tell everything to my husband! He'll be thrilled!

Louisa, what did Jacob say? Will you be a donor for Zlata?

I'm in despair, Hector. At first, Jacob was thrilled about the news. But when he found out that one of us had to be a donor, he became angry!

He said he wouldn't allow me to become a donor because the doctors would send Zlata and me to our graves.

He spent all night trying to talk me out of it, telling me about the awful conditions in our hospitals. He wants us to help, but he doesn't want us to risk our lives to do so...

He loves me and is afraid to lose me! My health is poor, and we do have to think of Marcus!

I'm sorry, but I can't do this against his will.

Is there really no way to persuade him? She's his daughter!

I couldn't persuade him. We need to find another way out, even if its illegal.

What do you mean?

What if my husband had to leave for several days? He used to travel as part of his work for the chemical plant.

Professors don't travel on business much...

I don't know what to do, Hector. I want to help my daughter, but I can't while Jacob is here.

Once he makes up his mind, that's it.

Louisa, do you want to talk?

Hector, Jacob was arrested, and I don't know why! I hope they release him since he teaches at the school for the children of the Ministers.

Louisa, that's awful, but it also gives you an opportunity to save Zlata! Go to the hospital and tell them you'll be the donor.

Oh! You're right!

Tell my husband I'm doing this for the sake of our kids.

Louisa, why didn't you have your blood tested? You know it's required.

Plus, the Ministry could hold me responsible for not making sure you showed up for the procedure.

Hector, Marcus and I can't have our blood tested. They'll check for the so-called Traitor's Gene.

And Marcus and I both have it.

If they test us, they'll arrest us immediately and send us to a reform facility from which no one has returned.

Help me!

I talked to Nathan Kehler. You've probably seen him near the building.

Yes. I've bought lollipops for Marcus from him.

He gave me a phone number. If you have something to offer, the people on the other end will offer you asylum.

But he warned me that those people are very dangerous. I can't make such an important decision for you, so I'm going to give you this phone number and let you decide for yourself: 379-974.

Make up your mind.

What could be more dangerous than our police?

You'd be surprised. I'm begging you to be careful! Those people are no walk in the park.

OK...

Did you want something?

I called that number and talked to a very nice man. We made a deal! He even didn't tell me the price!

That sounds suspicious...

Oh, no! When I told him Jacob is a talented chemist, he became very excited!

He said it would be his honor to help the wife of the man who made the first cough syrup that both stopped a cough and tasted good!

I didn't know that about your husband...

He doesn't like to brag about his success. He had his own laboratory before he became a professor.

An underhanded colleague took the credit for some of Jacob's work and was promoted to supervisor. He then made work hell for my husband. That was a sad situation. Jacob was forced to quit and start working at the plant. Then the plant closed, too.

Now Jacob teaches gifted children, but I'm sure he misses his lab and the freedom of conducting experiments and breaking new ground!

I'm packing my things, Hector.

I left a note for Jacob. Please tell him everything if he doesn't find it.

Thank you for your help!

Be careful, Louisa.

You're not good at judging people, Hector. But that's what makes you such a nice man!

You worry about us. That's touching. Thank you for everything!

Hello, Louisa! It seems the surgery was successful!

Yes, we did it, thanks to you! Zlata is still in recovery, but she'll be released from the hospital soon.

Thanks for everything... I met someone in the hospital. They offered to help me...

I... I want to leave... Before Jacob returns...

What are you talking about?

I don't know why I'm telling you this... Perhaps I'm hoping you'll validate my decision...

Hector, when Jacob worked in the laboratory, he checked our blood just in case.

And he found the Traitor's Gene in my blood and the blood of our son... That means Zlata has it, too.

It's a miracle nobody checked her blood after the accident. As soon as our blood is checked...

...my kids and I will be sent to a labor camp.

I want to take both kids as far away from here as I can.

But Zlata is not your daughter officially!

Do you think I don't know that? I'm aware that the state will consider me to be a criminal!

But I must rescue them. They're mine...

What about your husband?

He refused to help Zlata when she needed us.

My gut says he won't like this idea, either, but I don't have the energy or the desire to persuade him otherwise.

Tell Jacob not to look for us.

Louisa, what happened? Why were you deprived of custody of Marcus?

He said Marcus ran away from home. But he rushed to rescue his sister... He's my little hero! How did he know? I didn't say a word to him.

What are you going to do now?

Let's go! I need information! Bring it to me! I must know where he is! I won't abandon my son!

I beg you, Hector! I know you can help.

I'll see what I can do.

Louisa, I know where Marcus was sent. He's in Orphanage 9.

Thank you, Hector! You've been a tremendous help! My gratitude knows no bounds.

What's next, Louisa?

I become a criminal who kidnaps her own child and runs.

My God! What about your husband?

He refused to help Zlata when she needed us.

My gut says he won't like this idea, either, but I don't have the energy or the desire to persuade him otherwise.

Tell Jacob not to look for us.

Did you want something?

I found bed bugs. I bet Marcus brought them in one of his bags, even though he won't admit to it.

Can you exterminate them?

Don't worry, I'll take care of this as soon as I can.

Can you exterminate them?