and despite everything

"What's your name, young man?"

'Once they have your name they’ll be able to steal you away forever, make you into something else,' Gary hears his mother warn. In a split second he makes a choice. He doesn’t want to be taken away, not like his dad.

“Eggsy,” he lies, staring the man right in the eyes, defiant even though he can barely hear his own voice over how loudly his heart is beating, rabbit fast in his chest.

For a moment, they stare at each other, and he’s certain that he’s been caught in his lie. But then the man smiles at him.

“Hello, Eggsy,” the man says, handing over a favour in return for the lie.