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.”