Years ago, there were countries full of buildings, people, and a civilization without slaves.
But after the war, those countries turned into ruins. No humans lived there anymore because of the high radiation, and because inside the ruins there was only chaos.
Everyone knew—even the slaves—that if someone passed through there, they would die.
Everyone looked at Mike in shock. Even the man with the scars on his head was surprised by what he had just heard.
"Are you crazy, kid? Do you know what exists in the ruins?"
"Yes, I know."
"Guys, the kid is crazy. Don't listen to him.
Let's find another plan."
"What plan? Wherever we go, they'll realize we're slaves."
The man turned back and looked at Mike.
"Listen, kid. I don't know what's going on in your head or what 088 told you, but if you don't want to follow us, go to the ruins alone."
"But we don't have another choice,"
Mike said.
"Outside Elxis City, there are smaller countries that also have slavery. And to reach a country without slaves, you would have to cross the sea or travel by airplane—and we don't have the means to do that."
"But people out there don't know we're slaves."
"Look at us. I have a burn on my face, and you have those scars on your head. And besides that, we're a strange group of people who attract attention very easily…"
Mike lifted his sleeve and showed his left arm. On it was a burned mark with his number, and a horizontal line split the number in the middle.
"…and we have this mark that everyone knows only slaves have."
The man didn't know what to say, because Mike was right.
098 stepped forward and said.
"Then where do you suggest we go? What is beyond the ruins?"
Mike didn't know what was beyond the ruins. But when he had promised James that he would live free, James had whispered in his ear to go beyond the ruins with the others.
Mike simply wanted to keep the promise he had made to the friend who saved his life. So he decided to tell a lie.
"Green."
"What?"
"Beyond the ruins, there are forests… lakes… rivers. A place without people and without technology. A place where no one will come looking for us."
Another slave who was there spoke up.
"But all of that disappeared after the war. Only Elxis creates artificial landscapes that look like the old stories."
The slave was right, but Mike continued.
"Elxis has told many lies. And that is one of them. Elxis simply hides the truth so they can control everyone… just like they controlled us."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Everyone knew Mike might be right—but going beyond the ruins was crazy.
"I'm going there anyway,"
Mike said. "Whether you come with me or not."
What Mike said was impulsive, but he knew that if he said it, maybe some of them would follow him.
"That's insane. Do you understand how dangerous that is?"
The man said, raising his voice so everyone could hear him.
"And how do we know he's telling the truth? Someone like him, who barely helped us escape, and 088 died because of him."
Mike felt a knot in his throat.
"088 really did die because of me because he came to save me..."
Mike said quietly.
"But if you want, we can vote. Whoever wants to come with me can come. Whoever wants to go with you can go. Let's let everyone make their own choice."