Disclaimer: I do not own the portal series or anything pertaining to it. I only own my ideas.

I stared at the open expanse before me and gaped. My knees hit the dirt for the first time in an unimaginable eternity. I was free. I was finally completely, and totally free. The evils of the past were far behind me. The only thing left of the closed chapter of my life was the small shed. No one knew what that thing really was; they never would.

Then a thought hit me. I was not only free, but I was alone with no knowledge about the world I was now faced with. What had changed? Was there even a world to go to anymore? Had what GLaDOS told me been true?

The wind rustled the grass forcing the amber waves to bend and sway. I made up my mind and stood. There was nowhere to go but forward. I scooped the cube that had somehow found its way back into my grasp and started off in no particular direction. The metal object that I had long ago assumed to be the only gift I would be allowed somehow seemed heavier to me now. It seemed more a burden than the companion it was meant to be.

I traveled on long into the night, my white boots leaving strange prints in the soil. The portal gun weighed just as heavily to me as the cube. I felt a strange sense of elation fill me as I looked into the horizon and saw lights. There was something off in the distance, and by morning I would know what.

Tall buildings reached toward the sky. All I could do was marvel at this. I was seeing the world as I had longed to those many sleepless years in the lab. I placed my hand gently upon the stone building before me. It was cold to the touch and rough in texture. The air was crisp and smelled clean. I reached up and slid my fingers into a crack between bricks and, leaving my only two possessions behind, pulled myself hand over hand up the wall. I reached about ten feet off the ground when my fingers began to ache. I looked around desperately for something to grab on to when I spotted a ledge near the courner of the building. I shimmied my way over to the ledge and breathed a sigh of relief. My eyes wandered as I looked for another way up. My attention was drawn to a ladder about five or so feet above my head.

Once I reached the ladder, it was easy to make my way to the roof. The flat space before me was littered with small cans. My feet took me to the edge and I looked out over the town… or maybe it was a city. Small dots were moving beneath me. They were people! I wasn't the only one left after all.

"Whatever you're thinking right now, I'm sure that what you're about to do will not help any of it. I'll help you, just step away from the ledge." I spun around at the sound of the voice. A woman with blond hair stood before me with what I assumed was worry etched into her features.

It was then that I realized that my lack of voice could become a problem. I felt a pang of sadness strike through me at the thought of not being able to communicate. I had nearly opened my mouth to attempt to reply when I remembered that fact.

"Please, come over here." I was confused as to why this woman was so anxious due to my nearness to the edge of the building, but considering her demeanor, she did not like it at all. I nodded and walked toward her studying her features intently. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue and her pale skin had a shade of pink to it.

She took my hand and looked into my eyes. "What's your name?" I remained silent. "You know what? It doesn't matter… Is there someone I should call? I'm sure your parents are very worried." I shook my head.

"Well… are you staying somewhere?" I shook my head again. "Uh… then... well I can't very well just leave you here. You could stay with my family and I until I figure out where you belong." I desperately wanted to tell her that it was a waste of time and that I should be on my way, but I couldn't. "Do you have anything you want to bring with you?" I nodded.

Seeing no better alternative way down, I ran to the edge of the building and leapt off. I heard a scream behind me and the air rushed past me as I sailed towards the ground.

My landing was less than smooth and I slid on my back when I hit the ground. The impact was nothing compared to using the portals, but the people around me all stared in astonishment. The blond woman emerged from the building moments later, running. She looked positively dumbfounded when she found I was unharmed…

-Portal-Portal-

I stared at the teen before me and felt my mouth fall open. That drop would have killed anyone, and yet there she was standing like nothing had happened. She raised one black eyebrow at me and picked up a large metallic cube along with a white gun-type object. Perhaps she wasn't suicidal after all… "You're not from here are you?" I asked as if it wasn't already obvious.

She simply shook her head and shrugged. I was puzzled by her silence, but chalked it up to the idea that she most likely didn't speak English. I reconsidered that thought when logic said that she must at least understand it to be able to respond to me. "Uh…" It was a lot harder not being awkward around someone who said nothing. "Well follow me, I guess…" She fell in step behind me.