"It'll help you escape," he said, raising the small vial. Cassia's thin fingers wrapped around the glass, shaky and uncertain. "I heard them talking about it last night," the boy pressed her. "I took it for you." Cassia gave the boy a shy smile; she liked him. It was the rest of them she didn't trust. Her eyes slid to the door. Ahna would be back soon, their time together was always short. The vial gleamed, although there was barely any light in the room. Cassia closed her eyes. She needed this. It was risky, but she needed it. Needed it like the birds needed the sky. This vial was freedom itself. She put the glass to her lips.