mona leads us downstairs and out the back door of the dorm as i button up my coat . for now it would begin all over again , but worse : to the compound 's commander , the escape of a prisoner meant a loss of face . he lived in this building from the time he was about three until he was adopted at age eight or nine . her hands gripped his head , desperate for release . things were changing fast around here . `` his life is of such value to you ? '' 