Years slipped by, and the two children grew into restless teenagers. Their secret escapes became routine. Every three nights, no matter the risk, they scaled the wall together and wandered the bright chaos of the night market, tasting freedom one stolen moment at a time.
It was during one of those nights, when the air smelled of spiced bread and roasted meat, that Carlos's life began to change.
"Rex! Over here!" Carlos's voice rang out above the crowd. He waved with his free hand, his other arm wrapped tightly around the shoulders of a girl. His grin was wider than Rex had ever seen it, and his eyes glimmered with something new, something Rex could not yet name.
"Hey, meet your sister-in-law!" Carlos shouted the moment Rex came close enough to hear him.
Rex froze with his mouth open, as if the words had landed wrong. "Sister-in-law? What is going on?" he asked, still dazed.
