"My former boss really hated us rat hybrids," she continued. "Said we were thieves."
Her mouth tightened.
"But he still hired us," she said flatly. "Because we were cheap. And there were many of us."
Around them, the canteen seemed to grow quieter.
No one interrupted. No one needed to.
They were survivors.
They understood.
---
After lunch—food that tasted far better than Sylene had expected—Zephyr brought him back to his house. The warmth of the meal still lingered in Sylene's stomach as they walked. Mavis, however, remained behind in the resistance canteen, busy catching up with other hybrids and lost in animated conversation.
By the time they reached the door, the scene waiting for them made Sylene slow his steps.
