Tessa looked up at the great, monstrous wheel of cogs and gears - the newest and most popular invention of the age - tentatively, then at the boy beside her. The clouds above were rather gray, and little drops of rain began to fall from the sky, causing the blackness of Will's hair to glisten. "Will," she said, reaching for his hand, her voice a little shaky, "are you sure about this?"

And there it was, that smirk that brightened his face and caused her heart and stomach to switch places. "Of course." He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her damp forehead - the rain was coming down harder now - before giving her hand a squeeze. "I'll keep you safe." She smiled shyly, then let him usher her into the strange metal cage, squealing with both fright and delight as it rose above the ground.