Theo was silent for a long time. He leaned back on his elbows, his blue eyes reflecting the flickering orange of a distant cook-fire.
"A place like that doesn't exist, Alias. It's just stories the elderly tell to keep us from burning the losing hope for a better tomorrow."
"But if it did?" Alias pressed, his voice urgent. "If there was a better life, would you go?"
Theo looked at Alias. Truly looked at him. He saw the intensity in those pale eyes and felt a strange pang in his chest.
"If I could take Maya... if I could be sure we wouldn't have to look over our shoulders every time we bite into a piece of bread... yeah. I'd go in a heartbeat."
Alias stood up abruptly. The movement was sudden, and it startled Theo a bit.
"I have to go," Alias said.
Theo frowned, standing up to meet him. "Wait, what?! It's the middle of the night. Where are you going to go? The guards are still on high alert. Do you want to get caught?"
