They had barely caught their breath when footsteps came strolling down the alley behind them, unhurried, and Barnaby stepped out of the shadows as though he had known exactly where they would stop. He turned an empty bucket upside down, sat on it and crossed his legs. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. The flick of his lighter threw an orange glow across his face. He drew deeply and let out a thick cloud of smoke. Then he turned his eyes on Youri.
"Listen, kid," he said, his voice steady but harsh. "Nothing in this life comes easy. Especially not for someone like you, with no family and no one looking out for you. That's why you shouldn't trust anyone." He drew on the cigarette again. "Take it from somebody who's been in the same position. You learn quick, or you don't last."
"Why did you do that?" Youri snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "I thought you wanted to help us, but you just lied!"
Barnaby cut him off with a bitter laugh. "There's no such thing as help in this world, kid. Not really. Just interest."
"So now you've made us criminals!?" Youri's voice was louder now, and desperate.
Barnaby stood, flicked his cigarette away, and straightened his jacket with easy grace. "Like it or not, you're wanted now — by the police and by the Terrian Order. If I were you, I'd stay clear of crowds and public places. I did you a favor. Working for a measly twenty-eight hundred zells a month? That's the real crime. But now you work for me, and I'll make you rich."
Youri's face twisted with fury. "I'll turn myself in. I'll tell them everything — how you lied to us, how you tricked us."
Barnaby started laughing again, low and menacing. "I'd stay away from them, kid, if you want to live a little longer. They'll just put you out of your misery."
Youri was struck silent, and Barnaby walked off without a second glance, his footsteps echoing down the alley. Just before he disappeared, he turned his head one last time. "We start work tomorrow. And don't bother playing the victim. I can see it in both your eyes — you've been through worse than this." His voice softened, just a touch. "And don't stay out late."
His footsteps faded. Youri and Six were left standing there in stunned silence. The hope they had clung to for so long seemed to be slipping through their fingers. Their whole world was spinning off in a new and darker direction.
They moved silently through the night district after that, weaving in and out of shadowed alleys and staying clear of the sirens of the patrolling police and Order troops, until they found themselves at an old abandoned factory on the east side of the district — a place where they had slept a few times during their first weeks in Talion. Its mold-covered walls whispered of neglect, and plants grew wild inside it, as if nature were slowly taking it back.
Youri sat down on an old metal machine with his thoughts churning. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were back at the very beginning, running for their lives all over again. Six sat down beside him, leaning against the rusted metal, and let out a low, comforting hum.
"I'm sorry, Six," Youri said softly, with guilt creeping into his voice. "I keep dragging you into things."
Six's large, weathered hand patted his leg, offering what comfort it could.
"I don't know how we're going to get out of this," Youri muttered. "It feels like we're always running."
Suddenly Six lifted his head and fixed his eyes on the starry sky. He let out a deep, confident roar.
Youri blinked. "You want to go up on the roof?"
Six shook his head and stood. He roared again with his massive arm stretched out, pointing straight up at the sky.
Youri frowned. "You want to go to space?"
Six nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with determination.
Youri laughed nervously. "I don't know, Six. That's a lot of money. How would we even get there? And where would we go?"
Six pulled out the little bit of money Barnaby had given him and held it up with a proud roar.
"That's not enough, buddy," Youri said, shaking his head. "We'd need a lot more than that. For even one ticket, we'd have to work at the warehouse for months, save every single zell and never spend a thing, and it would barely cover it." Then he paused, as an idea began to take shape. "Wait. Do you mean… we work for Barnaby, save it all up, and then leave Volar?"
Six nodded, and a huge grin spread across his face.
Youri's expression softened. "Six, I think you just found our way out of this mess."
Six stood proudly beside him, nodding with purpose.
"Alright, then," Youri said, and a small, determined smile crept onto his face. "Let's do it. We're getting out of here. For good."
The next day they went back to the Skylark. Before Youri could even knock, the door swung open and Barnaby was standing there with a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Ah, so you found your way back. Well done. I need you both at nine tonight. Same alley as last night. And don't let anyone follow you."
He shut the door again without waiting for an answer, leaving them standing in the walkway, and Youri turned to Six. "Let's go to the warehouse. We need to tell Casey we're leaving. It's better this way."
Outside the warehouse, Liam was tinkering with one of the doors with his tool belt slung loosely around his waist, and he looked up as they came closer. "Morning, guys!" he called.
They waved back and went on into the first warehouse, where Casey's office was. Casey was at his desk, frowning over a stack of papers, and he stood up when he saw them. "Hey, boys."
Youri spoke first. "We came to let you know — we're leaving at last. Our father's made all the arrangements. We'll probably head out next week."
Casey's face softened. He came around the desk and hugged them both. "So it's time, then?" he said, his voice thick. "Emma and Liam are going to miss you, you know."
Youri hugged him tightly. "Could you… could you not tell Emma? I don't want her to be upset."
"Don't worry. I won't," Casey said. "Just be safe out there. The world's full of all kinds of people. Don't let anyone take advantage of you."
"Thanks, Casey," Youri said quietly, and the words hurt more than Casey could have known.
Just then Liam came in, confused. "What's going on? Why are you two crying?"
Casey wiped his eyes. "I'll be in my office," he said, and left quickly.
Youri turned to Liam with a sad smile. "Hey. We're leaving. For space. Next week."
Liam froze. "What!? But we only just found each other again! And now you're leaving? For space?"
"I know, big bro," Youri said gently. "But we promised Dad. We have to go."
Liam's shoulders slumped, and he sank down onto the floor with his hands in his hair. "I'm sorry, Youri," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm probably making this harder on you."
Youri crouched down beside him and hugged him. "No, Liam. You're not. It's just the way it is."
The three of them ended up sharing a quiet laugh, the moment heavy and yet somehow comforting in its familiarity. And outside, behind the warehouse doors, Barnaby stood listening with a cigarette in his hand. A grin spread across his face. He flicked the cigarette away and walked off into the distance.