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  The man who put the iron colr on me was staring at me weirdly. He really does look like a robot, even though I’ve never seen one. I waited for Zane in the other line, gncing at Mom’s row—I saw her getting colred too. She looked just as uncomfortable as us. I feel sad for her.

  It’s cold but shiny, this little thing around my neck. Zane turned and clung to my waist. I pulled him toward the ship with me before the soldiers got angry. They stood on either side of the small steel stairs we had to climb. I yanked my brother up—he’s so limp, so I lifted him.

  Inside, it was stuffy, already packed with people. I sat on the floor and pulled Zane down with me. He sucked his thumb as he sat. I frowned. How can he be so childish? We’re almost teenagers!

  — Stop that. You have to pretend to be grown now.

  — Why…? — He whined in a tearful voice. I can’t stand hearing him like this for long. He’s so immature for his age! I’m twelve, and he’s almost ten! I was never this whiny at ten.

  — Because I said so. — I grunted, frowning as I gred at him seriously. His eyes welled up, turning glossy and red. — Okay, fine… stop crying. — Mom said I should be patient with Zane, that he’s different from other kids our age.

  But I don’t know why he’s different—he looks the same as everyone else. He stuck his dirty thumb back in his mouth. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and stared outside as the ship door sealed with a hiss. What about Mom? Where are we going? My stomach turned icy. I stood up fast.

  — "Sir! Where are we going? My mom isn’t here—"

  I wanted to ask the same thing and even tried, but others beat me to it. The soldier inside with us raised that shiny bck gun—I could see my dirt-streaked face and others’ distorted in its polished reflection. It’s the cleanest thing I’ve ever seen, I’m sure.

  The sound after he pulled the trigger was muffled. That steel bullet shattered against the little girl’s head—she was younger than Zane. I’d seen her before when fetching water from the well. Nanni. She was always sweet, and her mom had left for the city to marry a rich soldier... That’s what she told me once.

  Nanni colpsed. The thud of her body wasn’t as loud as the gunshot. I grabbed Zane and shoved his face against my chest. My heart felt like it would leap out of my mouth. I squeezed my eyes shut and ducked my head, looking anywhere but at the blood. The metallic smell filled my nose. I didn’t want to look—not at all.

  Good thing I didn’t ask, I thought in relief—then immediately felt guilty.

  Zane whimpered in my ear, and I held him tighter, running my fingers through his curls.

  — Don’t cry… Shh… Stay quiet.

  The click of the soldier’s gun reached my ears, and I curled up tighter against the cold floor.

  — "Learn your pce. No questions. Questioning a soldier is like questioning the king—unforgivable."

  My heart filled with a feeling I couldn’t name. I want to cry. I want Mom. I’m scared—I don’t want to go to this unknown pce. But I have no choice.

  I swallowed my tears and stroked Zane’s hair. He probably didn’t see Nanni. Poor thing… she wanted so badly to be a rich girl... I thought when her mom came back, she’d bring gifts like she promised.

  I comforted Zane for a while and rexed when I heard the soldier’s footsteps fade as he opened the door and left. I sighed—finally, I could breathe.

  Zane looked at me with hazy eyes, and I wiped his tears, keeping him close. I don’t know why he’s so childish. I took a deep breath. I want to cry too, but there’s no one to protect me except Mom.

  I got irritated but breathed again, sitting with him beside me. I peered out the small window, still seated. The sun even looks clean when it’s far from home... But I prefer the smoke of my own house... The light blue sky churns my stomach.

  — Thea… where are we going? — His breath was quick against my ear, even if it wasn’t the only thing distracting me from my thoughts.

  — I don’t know. — I scowled, squeezing my eyes shut and giving up on guessing.

  — How don’t you? I don’t wanna go… I want Mom. — His voice shrank, quiet and small. He tucked his chin in—he wanted to scream and throw a tantrum, even if it wouldn’t change anything.

  — Quiet. I want Mom too. But we have to be strong. If we’re strong, we’ll see her again. Okay?

  He nodded slightly, but he didn’t really agree—I knew he wanted to throw a fit. But even clueless Zane understood now wasn’t the time. I don’t want to end up like Aunt Liora or Nanni.

  Where are we going? I wanted to know...