I Am Mustafin
“About self-defense… guns.”
“Ah.” The single syllable carries volumes of understanding. Way more than Efrem seems to give me these days.
“I’ve read about it, you know,” I continue, the words spilling out now that I’ve started. “In the old world, before Serenity. Women could do everything men could. They fought in wars, led countries…” I trail off, remembering the books we had underground, the histories that gave me hope. “It wasn’t always like this.”
Tavin is quiet for a moment, and when I glance up, I find him watching me with an expression I can’t read. “Those books,” he says carefully, “they’re considered dangerous here. Taboo. They teach people about rebellion—self-destruction.”