dn't crested the horizon yet, leaving

fel bag. It was ligh

envelope. "Take it," Frank said roughly. "It's not much. Get a

t was thin. Maybe two hund

" Frank offered,

ew tires. I can't risk you breaking

ed him a brown paper bag. "Turkey and c

enuine, small smi

oth of steel and exhaust. Arlis boarded, finding a window seat near the back. The

hausted, on the verge of tears. Arlis reached into his pocket and pulled out a

the toy with chubby fingers. The m

on, the high school, Hailee's house-slid past the window and dis

sualized the interview ro

ught. He hates academic jargon.

ng textbooks. Arlis was going to walk in

stretch his legs. Near the vending machines, a group of three college

ughing. "They opened a reserve slot.

quota or something," another sneere

rick wall, chewing slowly. He was invisible to them.

ought. Unde

bus. His phone vibrated

f. If you turn back now, I can ask my uncle

felt nothing. He opened the

utton. The sever

the plains. Skyscrapers of glass and steel reflected

s, honking, the hum of humanity. He walked two blocks t

he room. It smelled of

walked out. He needed

pillars and wide steps. It was designed to make you feel

el small. He

nd go. Men in suits. Women in power heels. They walke

g up there, he told himself. And