Brian had a point. But before Adam was eleven, he had no idea what he could do, and afterward nothing terribly important was happening. He liked the world. He still did, and that was why he was doing all of this. It was harder now, more political than brute force, but his motivations hadn't changed, only the method.

Blushing furiously, he looked up at Brian, probably the only person he could speak to on this particular subject, and asked a question in return. "Bri, what d'you think would happen if I jus'... let go... like that?"

He downed the rest of his drink like he wanted to drown in it, glorified apple juice or no. "Besides, I am happy - least if you are. An' it matters more'n you think that you are."