Chapter Fifteen

Shadows at Twilight

The urge to twirl hair around my finger, bite my nails, or chew my lip was smothered by the incomprehensible weight upon my limbs. Any attempt to so much as curl my pinkie toe failed.

Lazar scanned the crisp paper in his gloved hand. My heartbeat accelerated with each line his eyes rolled down. His pinched hold on the paper intensified, and his nose crinkled.

The knots in my stomach loosened.

"Support her," he commanded the guards. "She cannot walk."

The pair carried me by my shoulders back through the basement, up the stairs, and into Godwin's office. My sagging head could only watch my feet drag along the plush carpet. I swallowed hard. "Um. D'you think- may I have some water?"

"If the Director so allows it," Lazar stated.

"Oh," I murmured. My tongue felt too big for my mouth. I curled it, dreaming of the fountain outside. "Is it really that big of a deal? I thought I was supposed to be a guest."

A stupid thing to say after being forcefully dragged to painful experimentation, but hey, I was thirsty. Sayer taught me to really appreciate access to hydration.

Lazar scoffed and turned on his heel. "Guest? You think vermin such as yourself deserves to be a guest anywhere? Quite frankly, a Satellite who performed acts of terrorism against Sector Security is lucky to be alive. You are marked for a reason, and that means you will never be a guest anywhere; your existence trespasses on the world."

Wow. My new want to shrivel up and disappear outweighed my thirst. I cleared my throat and murmured, "I didn't actually- the bombs weren't me. I tried to stop him, I mean."

"What do you think associating with a terrorist makes you?" he accused. "Trying and failing to prevent the hospitalization of so many makes you equivalent to the perpetrator. That is, your failed attempt and your successful act of aiding his escape."

My gaze unfocused, blurring the boots of the Securities carrying me. Maybe he was right. Maybe, all that happened in the Facility and on the run – maybe it was what I deserved.

"We're here." I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, "Stand up straight for the good Director!"

The hinges whined. The Securities released me so I fell flat on my face. His snicker left my snarl wanting to show if not for my numbed muscles. Lazar said, "Results blank, sir. Truly sorry."

"My, my," Godwin muttered. "Either the Dragon is good at hide and seek, or you truly don't possess its power."

A strong arm looped around my waist and pulled me up. I slumped against someone wearing plush leather. They bellowed, "What the hell did you do to Rain?"

I almost didn't recognize the familiar, accented voice. I wanted to say something to Jack. Realizing he was the one holding me up left me too shocked. Kinda weird. I couldn't imagine Jack so much as touching me.

Gee, I must've looked pitiful.

Rex Godwin said, "I had to search her for readings of the Crimson Dragon. If we could find his chosen vessel and bring them to our side this early, we could be unstoppable to the Dark Signers.

"We checked everyone else from the Facility, which is the last place the Crimson Dragon appeared on our sensors. That means there is one person left unchecked. Rain, where is Kalin Kessler?"

Hearing his name uttered so ordinarily, so weightlessly, stole the wind from my lungs. My breathing labored and eyes shut. They must've thought me locked in an invisible stockade with the way my head hung.

"Dead," I croaked. "He's dead."

"That can't be possible. His body was never found. He must have escaped."

My chest compressed. Words struggled to find air from my flattened lungs. A tear traced down my criminal mark. "I felt his heart stop. I watched the light leave his eyes. His body disappeared after he was already dead. I saw it, I swear. Kalin is dead. Kalin's- My Kalin is-!"

Never coming back.

I sank out of Jack's grip. My knees hit the floor. My sobs halted for silent streams of tears. Godwin said, "It appears as though an interrogation is in order."

Jack stepped between me and the Director. "Leave it! She's obviously telling the truth!"

"This could be a tremendous asset to aid us in saving the world. One broken person is worth it."

"Listen to yourself." Yusei's voice shook. "I'd rather do it on our own than have to hurt anyone!"

"The same goes for me," Aki stated. Luna and Leo added their agreement.

"If you all refuse, I suppose I must escort the young lady out."

Sneakers scuffed against the carpet. Luna landed on her knees beside me. She said, "No way. Rain is supporting us. That's the whole reason why she's here in the first place. You're not kicking her out!"

"This is a gathering of Signers."

Leo joined us. "I'm no Signer, and you can't get rid of me, either!"

Godwin steeped his fingers. "So you think."

"If Leo and Rain aren't allowed," Luna said, "I'm staying wherever they are."

"Not only that." Yusei's words remained shaky. "Godwin, you've done enough to Rain. I won't take another step unless you drop her charges and search."

The Director's head dipped by the smallest of movements. "Excuse me?"

"You heard him," Jack added, his bellow a harsh command. "You'll let Rain go if you want our compliance."

"And me!" Leo said.

My teammates were… standing up for me. There was a kindling within the nihility, but it was so impossibly far away from where I was falling.

"Very well," Godwin agreed. "She is of no interest to us anymore. She will be wiped from the records, the news reports will stop, and the posters will be taken down. I'm afraid the criminal mark cannot be taken back."

At least I could keep that tie to my partner. But, after what Lazar said, I wondered.

Agitation lay the groundwork for Godwin's command: "Now, if the six of you will follow me."

I remained statue still. Luna's face filled my vision. "Yoohoo, Rain. Think about the good things that happened, okay? You're with us. It's important for you to be here, because you're one of us."

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't. Seeing all the heroic and brave things they managed, I had no place there.

I was a sinner among saints. I belonged with the dead.

Dead. The word rang in a dirge drowning my thoughts.

"You're correct, Luna. Let us depart."

Confusion snapped me into clarity for a few seconds. That was my voice for sure, but I hadn't spoken. I was rising to my feet. Tears no longer streamed down my cheeks.

But that couldn't have been me.

I apologize for taking over without consent, the Crimson Dragon said. It is necessary to be with the Signers despite the pain consuming us.

I… I thought you couldn't control me.

I cannot control you when you are your normal self. At the moment, there is an emptiness I can fill.

…Okay. You don't need to apologize. I think I need you.

He hid my eyes in the shadow my thick bangs created. Hopefully no one would notice the changing of my eye color. Yusei waited by the steel doors marking our exit. The tilt in his brows pained me. He said, "It's okay if you need to stay. We can fill you in later – I promise."

"I assure you I am in acceptable condition," the Dragon answered.

I didn't talk like that. Sure hoped no one caught on. From within the elevator, Director Godwin said, "Time is of the essence."

I hastened to the elevator. The testing must not have fully worn off; I stumbled on the way. Jack caught me. He offered an arm to help me walk. "Thanks."

"It's what teammates do." The way his gaze lingered on me said he had a plethora of questions to ask. He let it go, though. "You're clearly not fine, Rain."

Through me, the Crimson Dragon said, "We all make promises we cannot keep."

Something in Jack deflated. I wondered if the Dragon enjoyed punishing his subjects. I took a second to look over my old teammate. He wore a long, white trenchcoat lined by lavender. His ivory pants and boots matched well. Large earrings bearing the letter "A" dangled from his earlobes. He looked nice, I thought.

"You look nice, Jack."

Dumb dragon wasn't supposed to admit that out loud. The compliment gave Jack the same smug smile he had every time he won a duel. The seven of us had been packed into a large elevator, which rumbled and descended.

A foreign intrusion bothered my lower lip. What's that odd feeling?

Fangs.

What? Why do I have fangs?

They pair with the crimson spark now that I am in your heart. Another small side effect. I will be cautious in disguising their presence.

Because he was doing such a great job of resembling me already. The Crimson Dragon harrumphed. I had more of a feeling of losing my sense of self. Outside sorrow washed over me. I realized it was the reverse of what the Dragon said. His emotions reached me, too.

I would rather you retain your personality, young dragon. I do not desire for you to become my slave. I do not wish to control you eternally. Though we clash at times, I appreciate who you are.

Th-thank you.

The elevator doors opened to a huge underground cavern. Scarlet emitted from the earth, highlighting an etching of the Crimson Dragon glyph around a gargantuan staircase. Each Signer noticed their marks on the symbol: Yusei the tail, Jack the wings, Aki the back claw, and Luna the front claw.

"Surrounding the Stairway to the Dragon Star is indeed the symbol of the Signers. It has been passed down as a legend of the People of the Stars, an ancient civilization from thousands of years before our time," Godwin explained. The Signer's birthmarks glowed in correspondence to the glyph. The Dragon was tempted to fly above them but stayed with me considering the circumstances.

"Jack, Yusei, do you remember your first encounter with the Dragon?" The scene surrounding us shifted according to their memories, showing us a duel between the two. The clashing of their ace cards, Stardust Dragon and Red Dragon Archfiend, brought forth the Crimson Dragon. His fiery red hide lit up the arena. "The Dragon guided both of you here so that you may reunite."

"Not true," Jack and Yusei rejected in unison.

"We had a grudge to settle is all," Jack told him.

"That's not right, either," Yusei said. "It was Godwin's scheming!"

"I did nothing of the sort. Your meeting was fate. I merely followed the Dragon's guidance in my actions."

Yusei scowled. "You really expect us to believe that?"

"It's up to you whether you believe or not, but know this: None of you can escape your destiny. You have been chosen and brought together for a fate that must be followed through."

"A mark that makes for shitty luck must also make for a shitty destiny, right?" Aki deadpanned.

"If it weren't for the powers the sign granted you, you never would have met the other Signers. The mark is given to duelists deemed worthy by the Dragon itself. Your fate not only includes the Signer War coming up but may link to other affairs as well. Isn't that correct, Luna?"

"Yes," she answered. "Now I know I have to save Ancient Fairy Dragon and the Spirit World, no matter what!"

How did Godwin know about the Spirit World's conflict?

The Crimson Dragon said, Here is what we are sure of, young dragon. This Rex Godwin is too involved to be an ordinary human.

Godwin said, "You share the same birthmarks as the original chosen Signers of the People of the Stars. As reincarnations of these warriors, it is your duty to stop the evil attempting to envelop this world."

"Wait a second," Yusei interrupted. "Aren't there supposed to be five Signers? Where's the last one?"

"The fifth Signer awakened long ago. They and the Dragon's real vessel will surely come to your aid when they are needed."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It will be long before any of us truly know. Now, on to the next topic." As Godwin spoke, the scene around us shimmered and shifted to a desert-like region. Large grooves formed designs in the earth. Jack said, "Those are the Nazca Lines. It said on the news they disappeared a few days ago."

"Correct, Jack. These lines are ancient seals on dark incarnations beneath the earth. The Crimson Dragon trapped them five thousand years ago. The Nazca Lines disintegrated due to the work of the Dark Signers."

A glyph resembling a spider glowed and gradually disappeared. The symbol matched the Shadow Drone's mark. I noticed the lizard I saw on Misty's arm in the distance as well as the bird from Carly.

"Dark Signers possess dark marks similar to the signs you bear. Their duels are Shadow Duels, where the damage is entirely real and your very lives are at stake. When a Dark Signer appears, their glyphs follow as a Shadow Duel begins. They are similar to the Nazca Lines, but they burn with a purple flame. Their arrival spells destruction for New Domino City and the Satellite. You may also have seen their most powerful monsters, the Earthbound Immortals."

The scene shifted again to show the outside of the Arcadia Movement the night of the attack. Two large beasts were situated there: the giant lizard I saw and a massive hummingbird beast with orange veins like Carly's robes.

"The two before you are Earthbound Immortals. They are summoned by absorbing the souls of people around them. Your marks will protect you from this, but ordinary citizens are not so fortunate. Hundreds are already unaccounted for."

"And what happens to those who are sacrificed?"

Jack's voice lost its apathetic edge for a split second. Godwin's did not: "Their fate is unknown. As you can see, this phenomenon calls for immediate action. If we stand aside now, the people of New Domino and the Satellite will surely fall prey to the Dark Signers.

"The Signer War is and always has been unavoidable. You can try to run from destiny, but it will always find you. The Signers are the sole heroes capable of defeating the Dark Signers and saving the world from destruction. If they are not stopped, their ritual will summon the King of the Underworld, whose arrival will raze civilization as we know it."

The weight of the Signer's purpose left them silent and pondering. Something was bothering me, though. I couldn't help but remember how Carly protected me and how Misty told me to stay safe.

I managed to speak up with my own voice. "The Dark Signers are actually people, though. People who had lives. Does a Shadow Duel mean death for both parties or only the Signers? Because I was thinking, if they lose, we could help-"

"No." Godwin's stark tone left me flinching. "The Dark Signers are the souls of the dead, whose fleeting existence is attached to their obsessive purpose. If their purpose is lost, they do not regain life. Life cannot be restored."

Aki spoke up. "But the Dark Signer after me is the Misty Tredwell. Are you saying she can never be brought back? I'm sure she gave up her life to take revenge on me for something I didn't even do!"

"Her poor choice isn't your responsibility," Godwin answered. "This was her destiny just as fighting her is yours."

Luna shouted, "But that's not right!"

"He is right," the Dragon agreed through me. "Reasons right or wrong, their choices landed them where they are. We cannot waste time waiting for undiscoverable answers."

I thought, Why would you say that, Dragon? Winning these Shadow Duels means killing people! I thought you were supposed to be a symbol of hope or whatever!

Young dragon, it is imperative you understand the nature of a Dark Signer. They are evil humans dedicated to the purpose of razing civilization as we know it. Recall that the fate of the world rests on our Signers' shoulders. The Dark Signers are their antithesis; they would place their entire beings towards the cause of murdering our Signers and destroying the world.

Maybe it was true, but I couldn't outright say that meant they deserved to die. No one had the right to extinguish a life of another person. The Dragon said, They have set us up so we have no other option. You must listen, young dragon. The Dark Signers are evil.

Okay, okay, I understand.

Are you certain? Because as I said, it is of the upmost importance you keep this resolve in mind. He placed deadly emphasis on the next words: Every. Dark. Signer. Is. Evil.

Yes, I get it! Stars above. Why are you beating it into my head?

No response. The surroundings shimmered. A holographic display shut off, restoring our view of the Stairway to the Dragon Star. Director Rex Godwin said, "Destiny is in motion. There is no turning back. Decide now whether you want to fight the Dark Signers or not. Time is running out."

Godwin took the elevator alone, leaving us to our conflicts.

It was a pretty tense moment until Jack snorted. "I don't follow anything, even fate… but if you're all begging for my help, I suppose I could spare a few duels."

Yusei sighed. "You should be thinking about the people in danger, not the dueling. That's why I'm agreeing to fight."

"I think it's time for a change," Aki muttered. "I'll go for the same reason as you. If Misty's right – if all I've caused is hurt – I want to work towards the opposite, and this is where it begins."

"I have to go," Luna announced. "Ancient Fairy Dragon and the Spirit World need me. It's my job to save them."

The Dragon spoke through me. "Being connected to the Spirit World like Luna is ample reason to join your battle."

Leo hadn't spoken. His focus was squarely on his sneakers. He followed us back to the elevator. The ride up was quiet. Yusei broke the silence. "Rain?"

"Yes?"

"Kalin's… He's really dead?"

The emptiness threatened but the Crimson Dragon fought it off. His voice resounded in my mind: It will be all right, young dragon. Feel the bond you share with our Signers. Hold onto it with everything you have.

"Of course he is," Jack answered for me. "Rain wouldn't lie. Not about him."

"Um, who's Kalin?" Luna asked.

The Crimson Dragon dismissed the question with a simple, "Unimportant."

The elevator dinged. I rushed outside. Godwin's estate sported extensive, well-kept gardens. I escaped from the Signers' presence and hurriedly lost myself in a maze of rose bushes.

Deep within the garden, the Dragon relinquished full control. I collapsed back onto a bench. Pink streaked the clouds in the orange sky. The Dragon's words about bonds had helped me to find myself. I could feel my friends' concern for me through the crimson threads uniting us.

Are you glad to finally have purpose, young dragon?

"It's a purpose, but it's not my purpose. I didn't choose it. You sort of forced me into it."

You chose to help me. The circumstances said you were the only one who could.

The only one? No way. He had the incredible Signers at his disposal but needed me?

I am still listening.

"Shut up!"

A rustle of leaves caught my attention. Aki peeked at me from behind a rose bush. "Rain? You okay?"

"I think I will be."

She sat down next to me. "What he did to you in there was awful. Sayer talked about Godwin sometimes. He called the Director a lying snake and worse. Now, I understand why."

"I'm sorry about what happened to him," I whispered. "I know it's hard on you."

"Not as hard as what people are saying about him." Her brow set with her anger. "That security woman, Mina, showed me their info on the Arcadia Movement. Misty – she's the Dark Signer you saw – is targeting me because she believes I killed her brother. Mina said Sayer killed him, though. She talked about the Movement holding horrific experiments. I don't believe it for a second. Sayer would never."

My lips pursed. I wound a strand of white hair around my finger so tightly the skin swelled. Aki glanced from my hand to me. "You look like you have something to say. You were a part of the Movement, too. You know Sayer wasn't like that, right?"

"H-he…" I couldn't do it. I was a horrible liar incapable of secrets. "Sayer would dehydrate me until all I could do was beg for water, and he would only give it to me if I told him what he wanted to know. Afterwards, he brainwashed me so I wouldn't remember what he did. I'm lucky I ran into Yusei. He jarred me back into myself."

"Brainwashing? Are you serious?"

"That wasn't even the worst part." I showed her the nasty scar on my inner left arm. "He tried to kill me, Aki. It was only by some miracle I survived and landed next to you."

"He wouldn't do something like that. Tell me it isn't true. Tell me."

I covered my scar, and my mouth twitched down. "I'm sorry. He used me and then decided I wasn't worth the trouble. The same could have happened to you."

"No, he never would! He treated me differently. I'm different. Stop looking at me like I'm crazy. What if I told you Kalin tried to kill me?"

The venom in her tone stole the air from my lungs. "I'm n-not demanding you believe me, or anything… I'm just telling you what happened. Please don't say his name like that."

Her fury drained. "I'm sorry. Everyone acts like I'm supposed to suddenly believe the only person who gave me a home is evil. I haven't even had a chance to mourn."

"Take your time. I won't talk about him anymore if you'd like." The silence between us was too awkward, so I asked, "Has Yusei been helping you? I mean, you two seem close, and I know how much that can help when it feels like your world's falling apart."

Pink touched her cheeks. "N-No! He… He's nice, sure, but he can't help me. You know how it is. Being a psychic means he can't possibly understand. We're too different."

I stared at my bare feet. "My partner wasn't a psychic. He never acted like my powers were bad, though. Actually, he called them superpowers and said I would be a hero. He showed me I can belong anywhere, and I'm betting Yusei makes you feel the same way."

Her eyes widened, and the heat in her face intensified. "Absolutely not!"

"Huh. Luna seemed sure you were."

"Luna- ugh. Fine, I'll tell you. It sounds crazy to say out loud, but there's something about his voice. It's just so… soothing. To be honest, I've always had a bit of a temper problem. Him speaking is a special kind of magic that calms me down. Whenever I hear him, I feel like I'm not so alone."

I pressed my fingertips together. "Aw, that's adorable!"

Her glare was fiery. "What?"

"N-nothing! Uh, thanks for the talk! I'm gonna go see what everyone else is up to!" I backed away as I spoke, turned on my heel, and dashed away from Aki. I skirted around sharp-leaved hedges. A wide bush left a rude cut on my knee. I frowned as I escaped the rose bush maze.

Searching for my two old teammates proved fruitless. I wandered about the lawn and kept hoping. Luna's voice stopped me. "Leo, wait! Stop him, Rain!"

His sprint left tears flying behind him. I grabbed him by the arm before he could pass. "Hey! Let- me- go!"

He lashed his arm wildly, but I managed to keep my grip. Luna ran up from behind him, and her wet cheeks sparkled. "Leo, you can't stay here! I need your help!"

"What help am I?" I released Leo as he faced his sister. "You're the Signer, a legendary hero who needs to save the world! Before, I thought you were just dead weight to me. I always wanted to go play outside and duel, but you were getting sick all the time. Now I'm the dead weight. I'm not a Signer. I'm not even a good duelist! I'm no help at all."

"That's not true" Her tightened throat constricted the words. "You're my brother, my hero! I need you, Leo! I can't do anything without you. I'm still glad you stayed with me all of those times, too, but… I'm sorry for holding you back."

"Whatever!" Leo grumbled. "Being 'brother to a Signer' isn't anything. I'm not special. I don't belong with the 'chosen ones.'"

I cleared my throat. "Um, actually, you've already done something very heroic to help the Signers."

"Oh yeah? And what's that?" he challenged.

I pointed to myself and kept my voice to the quietest of whispers. "This is a big secret, but Godwin's search failed. The Crimson Dragon's with me. He's why I can go to the Spirit World with Luna. The Crimson Dragon and I would both be dead if it wasn't for you saving us from the Shadow Drone."

Leo's jaw dropped. He looked to Luna for confirmation. She offered a small nod. Leo puffed his chest and smacked his heart with his fist. "Yeah. Yeah, 'course I did that. I'll go fight some Dark Signers and make 'em chumps like that Shadow Drone! I'm Leo, savior of the Crimson Dragon!"

"Shush!" Luna urged. "Nobody's supposed to know! You're lucky Rain said anything!"

Rustling from a row of hydrangeas had our jaws snapping shut. Jack emerged and rubbed at his cheek. His eyes flicked to meet mine for less than a second. He walked past me and muttered, "Let's talk."

He kept walking without looking back. I gulped and looked to Luna. Her smile was sheepish as she nudged me in his direction. I rubbed my hands as I followed in Jack's footsteps. His long-legged gait was difficult to match.

Guess not much had changed after all.

My old teammate ascended a piece of architecture odd for the garden, I thought. The upward curve of the bridge was all-white and reminded me too much of a spine.

At the apex, the protective bars cut away for a full view of the garden. I spotted Aki in the roses, Yusei among the hydrangeas, and Luna and Leo chasing each other through the hedge maze. The sunset on the waving leaves resembled a sea of shimmering gold.

"Awe-inspiring, I know," Jack said. He was watching my reaction instead of the view. "I had this put in."

I touched the smooth, white material of the bridge and said, "Did you?"

"Godwin bent to my every whim." He folded his arms over his chest. "At least, that's how it appeared. In reality, he bent over backwards to keep me in his control. He used me to bring Yusei to the City."

"Yusei said you-" I bit my lip. "I heard you, um, were very mean to him."

"Mean?" He chuckled. "What I did was unforgivable, Rain. Here I thought your time alone would change you."

Alone.

I whispered, "I still hear his voice sometimes. Have I gone crazy?"

"Anyone would tell you they hear the echoes of those they admire. I still have dreams of Martha scolding me as a child for stealing toys from others," he said. "You are not crazy."

The ease his words gave me shifted to anxiety. This was Jack. Jack, of all people, just offered words of comfort.

"Why-" A stone formed in my throat. I tried to swallow. No luck. "Why'd you hurt Yusei? We were supposed to be a team."

"Supposed to be," he agreed. "I was offered what I valued above all else: glory. No teammate could've held me back – not even Yusei."

"Glory."

The spoken word left a lingering sensation in my mouth like a dusting of gold upon my tongue. Jack peered at me. The sharpness of his stare never failed to unnerve me. "I suppose you're clueless on this, too. Glory is-"

"When you are lauded by the crowd upon entering a room," I said, "and their heads bow in mourning upon your exit. Glory is being treated like royalty no matter the blood running through your veins. Glory is the best kind of attention."

There was a buried memory nagging me.

I'd given up on digging. Jack harrumphed. "All true. It wasn't as fulfilling as I hoped. As time went on, I-"

"H-hold on!" My fingers curled into fists, and I shut my eyes. "This can't be some, um, heart-to-heart! I mean, I know I said earlier you look nice, and it might be true, but I didn't mean it in that way, and I didn't mean to say it out loud anyway-"

A muscle above his lip jumped. "You think I'm confessing to you?"

"Well," I mumbled, "I did until you said 'confessing' in that tone. When we spent time together, our interactions were me talking and you grunting or telling me not to talk. This is sorta shocking, I guess."

Jack scanned the pruned hedges. Silence settled. The corner of his mouth lifted. He busted out in hearty laughter. The tension in my muscles loosened, and I smiled. He said, "Me and you? Honest. You? Preposterous."

"H-hey!" My lower lip poked out. "I mean, er, yeah. Ha-haa."

"I understand we haven't spoken much in the past, but I hope that can change moving ahead. Unlike before, you can rely on me. I've told Yusei the same."

I clasped my hands together and rested my cheek on them. "Wow! I thought being reunited with you guys was a blessing in and of itself, but here you are being nice to me! I think my luck's changing!"

He didn't share my enthusiasm. His mouth was a thin line when he said, "Being alone must have been unimaginably difficult."

"I sure felt alone, but I never was in reality. I've made a few friends! But…" The corners of my mouth curled down. "It was tough making decisions for myself and figuring out my own right from wrong. Now, it'll be simpler. I can go back to helping you guys in whatever you need."

Jack Atlas stepped past me so he faced away from the sunset and garden.

"What if," he said, "it's not so simple?"

"Eh?"

"You heard Godwin's explanation." His arms were stick-straight by his sides, made apparent by the wind tossing his coattails. The last of the sun cast blood-red upon his back, and the nature of shadows darkened his front. The way his hand lingered on the white bars of the bridge reminded me all too much of a Facility inmate. "You're quick to be happy despite the oncoming night."

I pressed my lips together, tucked a lock of white hair behind my ear, and faced the spread of flowers. The angle of the sunset traced the silhouettes of the blossoms upon the grass. "There's plenty of light left in the day, don't you think?"

His chin tilted back towards me.

In the dark, his mouth twitched up.

Jack clapped my shoulder and squeezed. "I don't doubt you, Rain."

"Why would-"

"Oi, everyone!" he bellowed. "Gather at the back doors!"