Snippet #2760842

Marshall winced slightly, shaking his head. "SWATS are pretty terrible, huh?" He sighed, swinging his bag back onto his shoulders. "Akma, Theoretical question: How many friends do you have that you don't trust? See, I know better. I know you guys can be trusted. If you couldn't, then almost every business on the other side of that thing would be belly up, by now."

The boy turned and stared up at the wall. It seemed so much bigger from this side. As he listened to Akma, his eyes dimmed more and more. Was that really how Dims were being told things were? Where basic medical care was akin to magic, but they were protected? Dims weren't even allowed to work in hospitals, he remembered. Humans didn't trust them not to steal medicine, or supplies. In some cases, mothers even feared the loss of children.

He remembered, though, before the wall was built. It had only been for a few days, but he remembered the young cat he'd befriended. Who only wanted food. Who thought it was amazing that a little Human boy had been willing to share a tunafish sandwich.

"I crossed the wall because I want to change things. I want to make things better for Dims. The humans all seem to forget about our own history. Segregation doesn't protect anyone. It stirs up trouble. Eventually, someone over here is going to decide enough is enough. To be honest, I'd rather be on your side."