Chapter 24: Pills and Passageways Part 1

I'm not sure what to say.

Is she joking? But why jest about this? About something that was so clear to us all the other night. It doesn't make any sense. But Raj doesn't look like she's kidding. In fact, she looks serious. Confused. Worried, if anything.

"Fallon?"

I can only manage one word. "Hinson."

"Yeah, but who is she?"

"Hinson," I repeat, as if she'll get it by the stress of the sound, "Hinson."

"You keep saying that," she exhales, frustrated, "but who is she?"

It's important how I phrase my next few statements. She knows something's wrong. Already. She can see it in my hesitation, my aversion to look her in the eye and tell her it's lost. Whatever it is she's supposed to have.

"Let's keep going," I inch forward, along the East Wall's entrance, "we'll get it straightened out."

"No!" She snatches my hands in hers, stopping us. A tremble quivers in her voice, "Don't keep me in the dark. Tell me, please..."