Freedom.
That's what everyone wanted most of Kinerik. The freedom ran fast than the rushing wind, to feel the heat in your heart and lungs with each stride. That was the dream ever Kinerikan, anyone would anything see that dream come true. So why would she choose to turn it down.
Rushina looked at her with hurt eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
"What? What in Yaseki's name is wrong with you Zoomie," She held her shoulders and shook roughly.
"Do you realize what this means. The ability to run as far as you wish, with restrictions and limits. To go anyone without eyes staring and judging calling slugha all day," yelled Rushina. "A chance to be…"
Rushina bowed her head.
"Free," she whispered softly.
"Freedom? Is that what this is about is why you're willing risk it all," said Zoomie.
Rushina placed her hands on wrist. Glancing down at her limiter with sunken eyes.
"There's a reason why it's illegal to hack limiters. It's dangerous. Yaseki, you're lucky you haven't blown up yet" yelled Zoomie.
"It's safe," said Rushina softly.
"You don't know that," retorted Zoomie.
"Yes I do," said Rushina.
"Why?" question Zoomie.
"BECAUSE I CAN'T GO BACK!!!" Rushina.
Zoomie paused at her words.
"I…I can't go back," Rushina spoke softly with her head bowed low with slow tears dripping down her face
"Rushina," Zoomie, seeing her head fall, and the tears slowly making their way, she couldn't help but feel her heart ache.
"Today I was late. And it wasn't because I could get to work in time," Rushina with soft chuckle. "I woke up for the very first time in my entire life lighter and filled with energy"
"I dart through the city's streets. Ran past streaks of people that used to bolt past me before. I met a kind man running a food stall and he didn't mock, insult or call me slugha. He even offered me something to eat,"
Rushina then turned away Zoomie.
"You may have gotten used to and accept life a slugha but I haven't. I can't," Her words quaked as the left her lips.
"Rushina please. If the authorizes find out about what you did then…" Zoomie was cut off my Rushina saying, "They won't. Breaker reassured that no one would be able to trace the hack on my limiter".
Rushina then turned to face Zoomie once more.
"I'm free Zoomie," She spoke with teary eyes and smile on her face. "And you can be too,"
"All you have to do is trust me and take my hand," said Rushina as stretched out a hand once more to her.
"Rushina I…" Zoomie paused for a moment. Seeing Rushina out stretched her and watery begging her to just take her hand, to join her and be free like her. But…
"I'm sorry," Zoomie bowed her head. "I can't"
…she just could take the risk.
Rushina upon hearing her words froze a moment before her eyes began contorting and she gritted her teeth.
"Fine," she spoke her grew cold. "I tried saving, to free you this agonizing painfully existence. But you'd rather remain trapped here, in this chains".
She wiped away her tears.
"Fine, slugha,"
Zoomie's eyes shook upon hearing those words.
That word coming from her it…
Zoomie lowered her head. Trying her best to fight the tears but she stop them from falling.
…hurt far more than any pain she had ever endured.
Rushina seeing Zoomie in tears by her words, felt a ping of guilt strike her chest and was tempted to reach out a hand to console her but…
'No, that was her choice'
She turned away from Zoomie.
"Good-goodbye Zooms," Rushina spoke softly before darting away, leaving as blurred streak moving to way too fast for Zoomie to chase after.
And Zoomie just watched her leave with tears still streaming down her eyes.
Freedom.
It's what's everyone wants.
It why run towards a path, unclear and dart.
Hope and trust blindly.
For freedom is the truest form of life.
That is why a person is willing do anything just to grasp in their hands and feel it in their feet as they run.
Including leave behind those they cherish most.
But nothing can be truly free and everything has a cost.
And sometimes who you gave may be far greater than what you gained.