"What?!"
The boy took the vial with both hands as if it were made of fragile glass that might shatter at the smallest amount of pressure. His eyes sparkled as Mira had never seen before. He hugged the man's armored leg with all his strength while keeping the elixir guarded in his little hands.
"I don't really understand," he said, voice muffled, "but thank you! I'll work hard!"
The man smirked faintly and nodded. "Run along now."
"Yes!"
The boy ran through the gate.
With his departure, all fifty children were gone.
Only Mira remained.
She bowed, deep and proper, then turned toward the portal. Her hand trembled as she stepped forward. The surface parted around her face, cool and strange. Her eyes found a different sky, a different ground.
Then something yanked her back.
"Kya!"
Pain flared at her scalp. She stumbled, dragged backward onto the roof. She twisted around, breath sharp in her chest.
The man's armored hand held her hair, firm and unyielding.
