zori

He had to get free and make sure Zori was safe.

She still wasn't sure what she'd said that helped Zori.

The gate's set for only two, and Zori doesn't have the right to let anyone else in.

No one spoke; Zori tried to use the time to sort her thoughts.

The uneasy feeling he'd had in the study with Zori's father returned.

"My parents like you," Zori said before math the next day.

She did not fully understand the belief system Zori's family followed.

The little girl leaned into Zori and grabbed for her hand.

Toby felt worse the closer they got to Zori's parents.

"Something helped, or they wouldn't have invited you to meet them," Zori said.

Tears were flowing now, but Zori's voice shook only a little.

He and Zori just talked slang; they never wrote it down.

Well, Zori's father's been executed already, and her mother is still in custody.

"Zori has always been headstrong," her father said, looking away.

He turned to look at her, facing Zori away from her mother.

She put on straw zori and lent me an extra pair.

"I'll be glad to," Zori said, though she was beginning to feel very shaky indeed.

He refused to think about the alternative, but he could not help thinking of Zori.

"Commercial code, my father says," Zori said, as the gate slid aside and she led him through.

Zori's father stirred, on his chair; it squeaked a little.

You will not tell Zori about this message.

"Of course not," Zori said, in concert with the peacekeeper.

"Toby, I need to speak to you about your friendship with Zori."

"It is our pleasure to welcome our daughter's school friend," Zori's mother said.

"These are all from our estates downplanet," Zori's father said.