When I got back, Callie and Athimi were playing cards in the Main. I could hear the clatter of dishes coming from the kitchen. Callie waved as I slipped into our bunk room. Morri was sitting on the bunk below mine, her back to me. Her shoulders were shaking. Was she crying? Laughing? Should I leave? What should I say? “Um, are you okay?” I asked. Morri whipped around to look at me. Her eyes were puffy and red. Okay, definitely crying. “Ugh, I’m sorry. Just… forget you ever saw this, Elias. I’m sorry.”
“Okay. Um, is there anything I can do to help?” Morri shook her head. “No. Just don’t mention this to anyone. Please. I’m their friend, and I need to be strong.”
“Okay, yeah. You got it.” I climbed up into my bunk, then looked over the edge at Morri. “What were you crying about?” She glared at me, and I laid back. “Okay, then. Sorry I asked.” A few minutes later, she went into the Main. What was up with her? Just then, there was a knock on the door. I sat up. “Uh, come in?” I said. The door opened, and I saw Grayson. “Hey,” I said, swinging my legs over the edge of my bed. “What’s up?” He sat gingerly on the edge of the couch, picking at something under his nail. “I feel like I need to come clean to you, before either of us gets to know the other. I don't want our relationship to be built on lies. I try my best to not lie to my friends. Friends don't lie. So, the truth is, I’m not from Salef.” I jumped down from the bed. “What do you mean? How can you not be from Salef?” I asked, sitting on one of the armchairs. “Look, no one else knows about this, so can you not make it into a big deal?” he said, looking back to the door. “How is this not a big deal?” I whisper-shouted. “How is that even possible?” Grayson jumped up, locked the door, and started to explain.
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“Salef is not the only place that exists. Outside of the fence, there is a whole world. With countries and oceans, cars and planes. Everything. And I’m from out there. From this one country called the NSUUSA. When we escape Salef, that is where we will be. Salef is one massive experiment the leaders of the NSUUSA started, to protect some of their population. There was a massive civil war a few hundred years ago. That was when Salef was started. The war ended a long time ago, but the government decided to keep Salef running, just to see what could happen. They decided that when the people of Slaef had the ability and resources to get out, it would be the proper time for them to be reintroduced to society. I was sent here to keep an eye on everything. We’re almost out, Elias. And trust me, the world is so much better than just Salef.” I took a moment to absorb everything. It was impossible. “You’re lying,” I said. “It’s not true. You’re just trying to get into my head, to mess with me. If it was true, someone would have figured it out. I… the Elite would know!” Grayson shook his head. “No, they wouldn’t. Because the Elite, they have no real power. They are pieces in a game much larger than them. It’s true, Elias. All of it. Just think, there’s a whole new world out there, and soon, we’re all going to be able to see it.” Grayson stood and walked to the door. “Let’s keep this between us, yeah?” I nodded slowly, still in shock. Salef wasn’t the only thing in the universe. There was something else. And I was going to be able to see it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPh06nUJeY
