Chapter 33

• This journey felt like a rare gift for Gala—one he hadn’t tasted in what felt like years. To breathe freely, to walk without being screamed at or scolded for moving too slowly... it was liberating. And for once, the judgmental stares that usually trailed him felt less sharp. Especially Luke’s. Gala didn’t miss a single inch of scenery as the bus carried him toward the underground station.
• He knew once he boarded the subway, there would be nothing to see but endless dark tunnels. But right now, the music Dice had quietly turned on in his earpiece continued to play, easing the tension in his chest. There was no more conversation between them. And even if Dice couldn’t be seen by others, she obeyed her master’s unspoken command—no interruptions.
• As soon as they reached the station, Gala picked up his pace. The next train was departing soon. Sure, he could just wait for the following one, but time wasn’t a luxury he wanted to waste. His Code Person passed inspection—thankfully. That single card, filled with identification and personal data, was now essential for traveling anywhere in the city.