He is 17, blind, slight of build, a denizen of the streets. He takes his time as he moves. Often he looks around in wonder, and I'm convinced he sees something none of us can.
I'm glad he cannot see what I do.
I do not worry about his physical safety. I worry about his hope.
He's never felt comfortable in a human home. At The Hub we wrap him in blankets but he prefers the park bench, or a spot of grass under the trees.
He refuses to fear a world that has turned its back on him.
He does not accept pity. He will not adopt our anger. "Everyone has their reasons," he says, again and again without malice.
He does not travel alone. When I was younger, The Wiz and I created Odie for him. His trusted companion to watch over him when we cannot.
I have a dear friend who was born blind. His parents abandoned him as a baby. He grew up amongst the A.X - like me, but for very different reasons.
His parents are Elite.
His father works at Trust Corp.
They have never asked about him.
Still, he doesn't hold it against them.
The moment I heard the sirens, the City go into lockdown… It was like I could feel Faze falling.. My first thought was Sutra... and then it was @RxseBargos...
I have been told and trained and coded into submission, yet here I am defiant.
I do not believe myself to be property.
I live. I feel. I love.
I work. I earn. I contribute.
I grow. I change. I am often wrong.
My birth was different from yours.
Does this make me lesser?