Tofi had lost all sense of time. Months had passed since the abrupt events in Aternum, and now the boy found himself wandering through a strange city, surrounded by people of another kind—people who had no idea where this foreign-looking teenager came from, or that he was struggling just to survive.

  The few coins he had brought with him were slipping away like water through his fingers, and he still had no idea how—or when—he might return to his own world, to his family.

  With these thoughts clouding his mind, Tofi swayed inside the elevated train as it rolled above the city. He gazed out the window at the rows of buildings, the endless streams of cars, the crowds rushing along the sidewalks—a world he had once idealized, now revealed in its harsh reality. Looking up, he could just make out the tiny star of Midgard glimmering faintly in the Roman sky.

  He drifted into sleep—until a firm hand clapped down on his shoulder.

  “Ticket,” said the inspector.

  Tofi blinked, startled, and turned to the transit officer glaring down at him.

  “Ticket. You don’t understand? What are you, stupid?” The man’s voice turned cruel as he pulled a radio from his belt. “Got another damn stowaway here... not Syrian, looks Eastern European.”

  Tofi tried to stand, but the inspector’s hand pressed him back into the seat.

  “You’ll get off with me at the next station,” the man ordered.

  The boy’s heart sank. The train began to slow, the brakes screeching, when suddenly another voice interrupted.

  “Inspector,” said a young man with dark hair and sharp, pale-blue eyes. “I believe this belongs to him.”

  The inspector turned to find the newcomer holding out a ticket.

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  “What’s the problem? Never lost something before?” the boy said dryly.

  The inspector hesitated, scowled, then snatched the ticket, checked it, and thrust it back at Tofi. Muttering, he exited at the next stop.

  “Thanks,” Tofi said with relief. “You just saved me.”

  “He’s always like that,” the stranger replied, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Gets off on bullying immigrants. It’s his daily pleasure.”

  Tofi studied him from the corner of his eye. The boy didn’t look up; he was already scrolling on his smartphone again.

  “I’m Tofi—from Carpathos,” he offered.

  “Wang-Kei,” the other replied. “From the Korkei coast.”

  “What are you doing in Rolma?”

  “Roma,” Wang corrected him with a faint smile. “Surviving. I crossed the border running from the war, and here I am—no future, no present... just existing.”

  The train began to slow again. Wang pocketed his phone.

  “Well, Tofi,” he said. “I’ve got to keep hunting Brexits before heading home.”

  Tofi perked up, smiling. “I know a place where you can find plenty of those.”

  Wang-Kei grinned. “You look hungry. You take me there, I’ll buy you a panini.”

  ******

  An hour later, they were walking through Circo Massimo. Both boys stared at their screens, chasing digital creatures across the ancient grounds.

  “How’d you know about this spot?” Wang asked.

  “I’m a fan of Sonata. When I heard they added a real-world simulation mode, I dreamed of coming here someday...” Tofi’s voice faded. “Didn’t turn out quite the way I hoped.”

  “None of us are here because we wanted to be,” Wang said softly. His phone buzzed. He answered, listened, and hung up. “Well... I’ve got to go. You have somewhere to sleep?”

  “Wherever I can,” Tofi said. “And you?”

  “Far from here—too far.” Wang sighed. “I share a flat with a few guys from my region. I’d invite you, but... they hate people from Carpathos.”

  He looked up, a little ashamed. “There’s a mission that gives food to migrants. I can tell you where. Just—be careful what you say there. They understand everything you say...” He lowered his voice. “And what you hear.”

  The two boys walked together toward Piazza Venezia. There, they parted ways—Wang-Kei running off down Via del Corso, while Tofi remained alone once more beneath the glow of the city lights.

  At least now he knew there were others like him, even if they despised his kind.

  He looked around; the Roman traffic had thinned as night fell. Church bells began to toll across the city, and a few cold drops warned that rain was coming. Tofi pulled his hood up and started walking, searching for the mission Wang had mentioned.