Riya raised her hand suddenly. Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?
Permission was granted, and she slipped out, walking quickly at first—but the moment the hallway closed around her, she broke into a run. Her lungs burned. Each breath was shallow, panting, as if the walls themselves were chasing her.
She didn't know where she was going. Not at first.
Then the words came back to her—the words from Merlin's letter.
I'm leaving at sunset. I'm tired of living in this slave society we're forced to call home. Not because I don't want to be a slave, but because I don't want others to be mine. My father wants me to inherit his garbage, wants me to become him. I'd rather take a bullet to the head than turn into someone like that.
Her feet carried her faster.
I'll follow out back, where the garbage ends up—the cleaner part, close to the lake. Remember that strange doorway we noticed one day, coming back from class? I confirmed it. It's a way out. Our way out.
Her chest heaved. Sweat ran down her temples.
I want you to come with me. You're my only friend, and I don't want you ending up a slave. You need to know—they have no intention of freeing you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If I leave, defenses will tighten, and you'll never escape. The flowers were only a diversion—to pull eyes away from this letter. I got the idea from something I saw online.
Riya stumbled to a stop beside an old tree, her palm pressing flat against the bark. She leaned forward, gasping, her head low. "At least I know where he's going," she whispered.
---
Minutes later, she arrived.
The lake glimmered faintly in the distance, its edge marked by mounds of discarded waste. Among the piles was a tent, poorly built, leaning into the garbage around it. It blended in almost too well, but she knew—it was his.
Her steps slowed. She walked toward it, hand trembling as she reached for the flap.
Then a memory struck like lightning—the crack of her palm against Merlin's cheek, his stunned expression. Her hand recoiled instantly, snapping back as though her body itself rejected the act of intrusion.
And then—
"What are you doing here?"
The voice was sharp. Familiar. Too familiar.
Merlin stood behind her, eyes narrowed, his tone laced with displeasure. "I bet you've already told everyone about the plan."
Riya spun toward him. "No, I didn't—"
"Leave." His interruption cut her short, cold and final.
Her lips trembled. "Wait… please don't go." The words came out almost as a whisper.
Merlin's jaw tightened. He stepped closer, eyes fixed on her. "Now I know you've lost it. Everyone's noticed you spacing out in class lately. You're not the same. You used to pay attention, ask a thousand annoying questions. Now? You're just dull."
She winced, but he wasn't finished.
"And don't get me started on the slap you gave me. What did I do to deserve that? I only offered you freedom."
His voice wavered. He turned his face away, refusing to let her see the storm of emotions fighting in his eyes.
When he finally spoke again, it was softer, almost broken. "Now you expect me to stay back?" A humorless chuckle escaped him. "I can't blame you, though. That's what happens when you put too much pressure on a slave."
The word cut her deeper than she expected. Slave.
Her throat tightened, but she forced out a shaky reply. "It wasn't my fault. I didn't want to do it."
That stopped him. He snapped back around, his eyes wide, filled with both anger and disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about? You're saying that slap wasn't on purpose? And the second one—you were about to hit me again!"
His voice rose, but not enough to echo outside. Controlled, contained.
"Get out," he said sharply.
Riya shook her head, her words tumbling out. "He didn't want me near you. I had to… I had to do something to make you stop talking to me."
"He?" Merlin's face twisted. "You're talking about my uncle, aren't you?"
She nodded, almost imperceptibly.
"Then why?" His voice cracked. "Why don't you want me to leave? Why don't you want to come with me?"
Her chest ached. "I'm just trying to say… we don't have to do this today. You could come back another day."
"No." His reply was plain, sharp, final. "I have to do this."
"Fine, then." Her voice quivered but held firm. "I'm coming with you."
Merlin's expression hardened. "No, you're not. I no longer have use for you."
Her heart sank.
Just then, heavy footsteps crunched on the path nearby. A guard, making his routine patrol.
Merlin's body moved before his thoughts caught up. He grabbed Riya's wrist, yanked her toward the tent, and pulled her inside with him. The flap fell shut, shadows cloaking them.
His voice dropped low, edged with warning. "Jus
t because I let you in doesn't mean you're coming with me. Think of this as a favor."