The next morning, Robert stands next to me in the line for food dispense.
I don't think I remember him ever standing next to me, he usually stands with the important people, but today he stands next to me.

Though I think we both know, just why he would lower himself to stand here.
He knows.

"Hello, Mr. Loctor," he suddenly addresses me.

Never knew that he actually knew I existed...well, of course he knew that I existed, after all he gave me that evil eye the other day, but I never would have guessed that he actually knew who I am.

"Robert?" I reply, trying to keep my cool and not let him know just how flustered I am right now. Though I still can't stop shaking.

"Mr. Loctor, I believe we should speak...you see, a good friend of mine saw you last night. You were heading towards the sanitary district."

My mind flashes back to the man I had seen while heading towards the pisspot. I was too tired to take notice of who it was, but apparently he remembered me.

But still, I try to come off as calm and collected.
Not sure how well it is working, but God knows I'm trying.

"What of it? Is there a new rule that forbids going to the pisspot at night? If so, my deepest apologies, I simply wasn't aware."

Robert groans and says quietly and just loud enough for me to hear, "Speak of what you have heard last night and I will personally see to it, that a bed in the gardens will soon be yours. Did I make myself clear?

My fingers cramp.

This is our chance. Our big, once in a century, chance to break free.
And he wants to just...dismiss it?

I reply, my fist shaking and quivering, "With all due respect, Sir, but..."
"No, 'but', Sirus!" Robert suddenly shouts, making quite a few heads turn.

He clears his throat and continues a lot more quietly, "Sirus, I will only say this once more. Keep your mouth shut. The situation is fragile as it were, if word about this spreads, there's no telling what would happen!"

I've had enough.

I turn around and get straight into his face, "Oh, really?! Cause the way I see it, there's exactly three ways for this to play out! One, the doors open, we break free and Asmodean blood flows through these halls! Two, the doors open, we stay put and they slaughter us for being humans as soon as they have the control back, because they are not  going to risk losing control ever again! Three, the doors stay shut and we go to work tomorrow as if nothing happened!"

Now all heads are turned towards us and Robert buries his face in his left hand, muttering something like, "Of course...you never were one to listen to reason..."

He then looks up, straight at me and says, "You seem to be forgetting number 4."

"Oh? What would that be, Sir?"

Robert looks straight into my face and says, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Four, the doors open, we step even just one foot outside and run straight into the trap the Asmodei are setting up! Did that ever cross your mind, you stupid imbecile?!"

"Wh..." I stutter, completely caught off guard.

"Thought so. Sirus, listen...this is the Asmodei we are talking about. They don't particularly like us. Surely, you've noticed at least that much."
"...yes, I've had the pleasure a few times."

"Good...now, mankind and the Asmodei have an...arrangement. They give us shelter and food and we work for them. Surely you've learned that in school?"
"Yes, I've heard about this 'arrangement' a few times."

"Now, because of this 'arrangement', they cannot hurt us, unless we give them reason to. An attempted prison break is just the excuse they need to get rid of us once and for all!"

I close my eyes for a moment and finally reply, "Then let us ask the people."
"...what...are you suggesting...?"
I widen my arms and say loud and clear, "This decision is too big for just the two of us. This is about the fate of our people! And I will be damned, if we pass up this chance, just because you are too big a coward!"

Robert looks at me with indifference in his eyes.
Or is it pity? Fear? I really can't tell.

Eventually however he looks around at the gathered people and also leers over to the automated food dispenser, which continues its work as if nothing ever happened and says aloud, "Fine then, Sirus Loctor, son of Amy and Adam Loctor, I accept your challenge. Let the people decide...at the trial. I will make the preparations."

At the mention of 'the trial', cold sweat appears on my forehead.

But it's too late to back down now.

Hopefully I won't choke on my words this time around.