"Yeah, I get it." He couldn't blame Joe for disliking the idea. He wasn't a fan of telling falsehoods about their lives himself, even though it was necessary sometimes. It was so much better when they could just be who they were, without pretense or omissions. The people here he treasured the most were the ones who let them do that.

"Just like they're cooped up in this world, huh? At least the city is more exciting than school."

Sometimes he wondered if he should feel guilty for hoping the people he cared about didn't leave, when they probably chafed at the restrictions of the Pull. Maybe, maybe not. Either way, his wishes didn't actually make a difference.