Jioni sat there motionless. She stared blankly at Tracey’s attempt to wipe as if it’d change the situation. As if scrubbing would erase the consequences of tonight.
The urge to sleep was strong. Jioni hoped that maybe when she woke up tomorrow, Tracey would pay for her on payment day, and the secret of her damage would remain hidden, and that everything would be okay. Life would go on without event.
But Jioni felt sick, and it wasn’t from her injuries this time. Being an Agent was out of the question. The Trial demonstrated that. There was no going back there, and in her jumbled disorientation, her inner thought formed into a verbal question.
“If City Two can’t secede from Geogen. Can I?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Like leaving City Two.”
“That’s illegal,” Tracey whispered. “I understand you’re stressed out right now. I am too, but you can’t run from your responsibilities.”
“This trial was illegal. And you suggesting I be an Agent with a damaged face is too,” Jioni said calmly. “How is leaving any less illegal?”
Tracey gave a piercing glare. “It just is,” she said. “You need to think of me, your friends, your parents. And everyone who sacrificed for your success. Leaving will leave your debt to everyone unpaid.”
Jioni’s eyes were vacant. She had heard this spiel before, and though it weighed on her mind substantially, so did her reluctance.
