China opens his eyes.

"You're outside."

He says it.

Gets up.

Looks at the window.

"Da,"

…is what he hears.

"Da, little sunflower.

won't you

come out and play?"

He walks to the window.

"No."

"Why not."

Not a question.

Get out here

right

now

"Because you'll kill me."

"Why would I want to kill you,

sunflower?"

China stares down at him.

and he says it aloud.

"Because I watched you

die."