1. Verbal betrayal by Haiza Tyri
2. A father's pride by Haiza Tyri
Verbal betrayal
Sydney worries about Jarod, wandering around in a world he has only known through the violence of simulations. Jarod doesn’t know how to drive, has never used money, has never crossed a city street or walked down a dark alley. Which would be worse, the dangers of the Centre, or the dangers of the outside world? There is no Sydney to protect him out there. He’s like a child, and the world is dangerous to children. Maybe…after all…it’s better here. So he says it.
“Your home’s here, Jarod. You were never meant to be outside in the world.”
A father's pride
Sydney worries about Jarod, wandering around in the world out there. But every time he escapes, Sydney can’t restrain his flash of pride. He knows Jarod thinks he betrayed him, a hurt he tries to suppress, but as Miss Parker bolts to the car, shoving him toward the other door, and the car fails to start, Sydney puts his hand up to hide his involuntary chuckle. Jarod had anticipated the Centre. Oh, yes, he gave Sydney his coordinates, but he had everything planned out in case the Centre did exactly what it did. Maybe he’ll survive out there after all.