Excerpts from Chapter XI of "Levels" - Compromise

Even though it had been very dark when we had returned to the homeplace, Alfred's pallet was still empty. (Page 333)

...I swore that I would no longer take my life or that of my friends for granted, but as time passed, I gradually resumed doing just that. (Page 334)

"He told us that friendship should always be valued and reciprocated but must never be valued above personal responsibility." (Page 335)

"Our activities have been controlled and restricted throughout most of our lives. It would be a terrible waste to voluntarily restrict our opportunities now." (Page 337)

"You know full well that it is strictly forbidden to share personal knowledge of any level not yet attained by the listener." (Page 339)

"From experience we know that it is almost impossible to backtrack once we have traveled a significant distance." (Page 341)

The door sprang closed as soon as the last of us passed through. It was dark, very dark. (Page 342)

"One thousand four hundred and twelve." (Page 344)

"More than likely, a Slow One opened it from the other side." (Page 346)

Without warning, the entrance suddenly closed. No one spoke a word for what seemed, at least to me, a very long time. (Page 347)

"It can't be. Not after all we've gone through to achieve the ultimate goal." (Page 349)