Chapter 9

Loki could see Stacey also had a book in her hand. It was a red and black book.

"I didn't mean to scare you," she said.

"Oh, don't worry. You didn't," said Loki.

He took note of her pajamas. They were black with white stripes. They looked more like a suit than pajamas.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Stacey asked.

"Not at all," replied Loki.

Stacey took a seat on the opposite side of the couch and started to read. Loki looked up from his book and tried to read the title of hers: Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe.

"Um, I was wondering…could I read something out of our book, Stacey?" Loki asked.

Stacey handed it to him. Loki opened it to a poem called "Alone."

"Sounds just like me," he said.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about myself," Stacey said. "I used to read this stuff when I was a teenager. Most people thought it was weird because it was too hard for them to understand," she said.

"Is that why you were crying earlier?" Loki asked.

"You heard that?" Stacey said.

"Yes, I did."

"Well, that was part of it," Stacey admitted.

"If you don't want to talk about it, we can change the subject," said Loki.

"Okay. Well, I need to get back to bed. Feel free to keep reading the book," Stacey walked back to her room.

Loki picked up the Edgar Allen Poe book, but then Stacey returned.

"Since we can't meet in private during the day, how about we meet back here tomorrow night," she suggested.

"I think that can be arranged," said Loki.

"Okay, great. I'll see you back here tomorrow night," she said before she went back toward her room again.