...color is blue... Alex! ...should stay close to me, right? I love you... computer and watching... is forbidden, remember? ...bad things out there. My boyfriend... nice... you would like him! Here's his picture... lose it! Haha! Pretty... my beautiful sister... don't talk to boys... interesting adventure, here in boarding school... everybody likes... play Pokémon... if they were real? Imagine! ...would try to catch all of them and... gym badges... collect all of them, something happens... why would you need...?

"Alexandra?"

I shifted through the layers of sleep and dreams until I was floating near the top.

"Alexandra, are you awake?"

It was hard to open my eyes, and I was aware of the effort it took for each breath.

Please open. Breathe. Stop hurting. Keep it simple.

I was in a gym.

No, too fast. Too fast.

My name is Alexandra Oak.

Okay. Okay.

There are Pieces here.

My teammates are Torrent, Skyra, Briar, Eris, Foxglove, and Cobalt.

Brendan is Professor Birch's son.

Steven is the adopted son of President Stone.

Okay, now. I was in a gym. There was water, and it was hard to breathe. Skyra was fighting, when—

My eyes jerked open.

"Skyra!" Steven came into view. "Steven, where's Skyra?!"

"Skyra's fine."

"She's alive?!"

"She's alive."

I collapsed backwards into the pillow, not remembering when I had sat up. A white hospital room stared back at me with all its accessories, including an IV in my arm and Steven. He wasn't part of the hospital, but had the hospital visitor look.

Quiet. Sympathetic.

I hated it.

He removed himself from my vision.

"Nurse, she's awake." Another extension of the hospital walked in: a nurse with pink hair. 'Dewford Piece Center' was embroidered over her pocket, along with her name, 'Joanne'. She bustled around, checking my heartbeat and blood pressure and a number of other useless things. Without a word, she took my clipboard and walked out, leaving Steven in my vision again.

"Steven," I said, "sit down and remove that expression from your face."

"What expression?" He perched himself on the side of my bed, like dainty crane.

"Pity."

"It's not pity. Don't you watch hospital shows? It's never pity."

"What?"

"Hospital shows. I visited your world a couple of times, for Champion duties. The TV dramas were one of the best parts. House and Grey's Anatomy is a couple."

"I don't know. My brother wouldn't let me watch TV."

"At all? What about the computer?"

"At all. I also wasn't allowed on the computer. He said there was inappropriate stuff on the Internet, so he wouldn't let me on it." My head ached. I wished he would stop talking.

"What about homework?"

"I was pulled up into my brother's classes, even though he was three years ahead of me, seventeen, when I was fourteen. He helped me study, so it wasn't too hard. But if we required the Internet for homework, he would just do the assignment for me and give it to me. I didn't mind; it was less work. And if I needed to type up something, he disconnected the Internet in the entire house."

"So you've never been on the Internet?"

"Later. After he died, I had to do assignments. But just for assignments."

"What about friends? Did you have friends?"

"I didn't have friends. My brother said all the girls hated me and that all the boys wanted to do bad things to me." I shrugged. "It didn't matter. My brother protected me from them. We had a lot of fun together. I learned what sex and rape and pedophilia were from my brother, because he told me to stay away from things like that."

Steven rubbed his face with his hands and took a deep breath. He held it, and then released it slowly, closing his eyes.

I tugged the covers over my head and turned on my side, my back to Steven.

"Arceus, you're like a little kid."

I didn't bother to respond. My head hurt too much to make sense of what he was saying.

"So, you don't have any qualms of being in a room with a twenty-three year old man?"

"I do. Because that's pedophilia."

"And what do you think I might do?"

"Force me to have sex."

"So why aren't you worried now?"

"You haven't forced me to have sex."

"And what do you think forced is?"

"If it hurts."

There was a pause.

"Alexandra," he asked hesitantly, "why didn't you have friends?"

"I told you. They didn't like me. That's why my brother always stayed by me. Boys tried to approach me in the beginning, but eventually, they got scared of my brother and stopped. They would have just hurt my feelings anyway."

Another stillness.

"Steven?"

"Yeah?"

"Who saved me?"

I felt him move and sit back down in the plastic chair, dragging it closer to me.

"I did."

"So you did mouth-to-mouth?" When I looked over my shoulder, he was staring at me with a pleased expression on his face, his chin propped on his fist.

"I did. Does that bother you?"

I buried my face into the blanket just as I felt all the blood rush to my face. I tried my best to hide my ears, but I must have been a second too late, because Steven grabbed my wrist and turned me around.

"Why are you embarrassed?"

I didn't answer.

"It wasn't a kiss. Don't think of it as one."

"No, well, um." I felt my face get even redder. "Well, that was the first time anyone beside family did that. It's fine! Um, I-I don't know."

He blinked, surprised, then his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, no good. That face is too cute," he said, lounging back into his seat, legs crossed.

Quickly, I covered my head with the sheet.

There was a pause and cool fingers ran through my hair. I thought they would stop immediately, but they continued, gently working out the knots and tangles. Occasionally, they rubbed behind a ear and brushed my neck.

I plunged into my dreams again.

...Torchic... Don't let him touch you... No, we couldn't have... you... ignore me forever. So you remember... your first death... You'll see much more... for now... Did I ask? GET OUT! ...GET BACK HERE! I AM THE TRAINER! LISTEN TO ME!

It was the rocking that woke me up. Wood creaked against wood, while waves pushed the hull of the boat.

"What were you dreaming about?" Rich blue eyes bobbed under a helmet in the dark. I reached for her, and she climbed onto my cot, avoiding Eris, who was curled up in a ball.

"I think it was something important... but I can't seem to remember..." I cleared my throat, wincing when it sent an arrow of pain into my lungs. "Something said a long time ago. Where am I?"

"In Mr. Briney's boat. Steven carried you in here. He also gave you a Steel Wing Disc and put his number into your phone. He said to call as soon as you woke up," Cobalt gave a mischievous grin, "but maybe you should wait for him to call you first."

"I'll call him first."

"Not the best way to flirt with that guy."

I looked up from my phone, which had been in my pocket, and back at her, confused.

"What do you mean flirt?"

"Well, you were on his lap, so I figured..."

"Was that flirting?" I shrugged and looked down at my phone again, checking the contacts section. She smacked a palm to her face.

"Friend-zoned. Oh, Arceus, Steven. Your hotness has been friend-zoned and you don't even know it."

"Okay, look. I'm a normal girl in all aspects, except the romantic aspect. And the social-hierarchy construct aspect."

"Which is half of being a girl."

"Ah, fuck you."

"Wish I could. I'm pretty enough."

"Wish you could what?"

Another hand to her face.

"You know what? Never mind. What about Brendan?"

"What about Brendan?"

"It is unbelievably frustrating to talk to you. Why do you flirt with him?"

"I'm not flirting! I honestly have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Then why did he kiss you on the forehead?"

"Who's telling you all these things? And I don't know! I thought that was normal. My brother did that all the time."

"But I doubt your brother pulled you on his lap or slept in the same room as you."

"What? Of course he did." By this time, all my Pieces were awake.

"What?"

"He did do those things. He was really affectionate. That's why I don't understand when you say I'm flirting!"

"And you," Torrent spoke disbelievingly, "let him do these things?"

"Let him? You're making it sound like it was something terrible."

He shook his head slowly, his headphones around his neck.

"There's something screwed up with you."

"Torrent, that's-" Briar warned.

"There's something screwed up with your family."

"That's really mean! Don't—"

"And your brother was a fucking mental case," he hissed.

My fist swung automatically and would have smashed into his nose if he hadn't dodged. When I stood up, he backed away.

"My brother took care of me." My voice was quiet. "When my dad went to work overseas, my brother was the one who made sure I ate and slept and did my homework. He was the one that got me my books to read and he was my only friend. He was the only one that didn't hate me. Even when my mom tried to scold me, he was the one that stood up for me. He never lost a fight with her. I miss him and I love him and I wish he weren't dead, but he is. And I will not stand here and let you call him a mental case, understand?"

"He kept you inside, you brain-dead idiot," Torrent spat back. "He locked you inside his cage and twisted you until you weren't normal. If he asked you to jump off a building, you would have gladly done so, and you would have done flips and cartwheels on the way down! He harassed you. I don't know if it was up to a sexual point, but he did things brothers should never do! He controlled you like a marionette! You were like those Pieces trapped in PALs! And he made it seem like it was normal! You didn't have friends! You just had him! Doesn't that seem weird to you?!"

"Just because-!" My words caught in my throat. "Well-!"

"Well, what?! What reasons can you possibly have for this?! Enlighten me!"

I couldn't respond.

Because, even when I was younger, it had been weird. Especially watching the girls in my class plan birthday parties and go to sleepovers. In the beginning, when they would ask me to join, my brother would respond for me. Tell them I couldn't go for one reason or another. Eventually, I started saying no, knowing that my brother would have done so, and even more eventually, they just stopped asking. It was the same with the boys in my class. They would ask me for my cellphone number, but I shared a cellphone with my brother, so I told them I couldn't give them the number. Some asked for my email, but before I could give it to them, my brother would interrupt me. Later, at home, he would hug me close and tell me that the boys only wanted my email so they could take advantage of me. The next day, the boys would come to class with terrified expressions on their faces.

People stopped approaching me. They just stopped. I always thought it had to do with the expression on my brother's pale, calm face. He was always smiling, but it never reached his eyes unless he looked at me. Incest, people whispered, but I didn't believe them. Yeah, my brother touched so much it made me uncomfortable sometimes, but he always stopped when I asked him.

And he always apologized.

The phone started to vibrate in my hands, signaling a text, and we broke eye contact. Torrent put on his headphones and went onto the deck, his back stiff from frustration. Briar muttered something to Skyra and went after him.

Brendan: Hey, it's Brendan.

Cobalt rearranged herself so that she was looking over my shoulder, as limp as a scarf.

Alex: Hey.

Brendan: Are you doing okay? You haven't texted or called at all :(

Alex: I've been busy. I almost died at the Dewford Gym.

Brendan: What?! Are you okay?!

Alex: I'm fine ^^;; Swallowed seawater, but that's it

"Tell him he's cute," Cobalt said. I chose to ignore her.

Brendan: Are you going to Route 110 any time soon?

Alex: Probably, why?

Brendan: I'm on my way there. :P Let's catch up, yeah?

Alex: Yay!

"Alexandra! We're near Slateport now!" Mr. Briney's voice floated down the stairs. "Come up!"

"Coming, sir!" I slung my bag over my shoulders and slipped my phone in my pocket. Bright light shone in my eyes as I climbed the stairs onto the deck.

Miles and miles of cyan water filled my vision, swaying like a living entity. I could see schools of actual fish moving to avoid the larger, faster form of the blurred Pieces that lived in the ocean. Directly in front of the boat stretched a beach as white as those in the Caribbean. Looking carefully, I could see that the docking site was more of a small peninsula than anything. Slowly, the boat pulled to the wooden boardwalk and Peeko, who had been flying above us, landed on the beach with a thump. There was a blur next to me as Skyra rocketed after her.

"Thank you for the ride, Mr. Briney!"

"No problem. You come see me if you need me, you hear?"

"Yes, sir. Skyra! Let's go!"

People were tanning on the beach and playing in the vibrant water. Shouts of laughter and squeals rose into a sky that was a deeper blue than the ocean. I saw Pieces, set apart by their empty stare, accompanying children on their adventures while carrying supplies. My stomach didn't convulse in horror anymore.

But just because I wasn't nauseated didn't mean I was any less disgusted.

Instead of entering the city right away, I decided to rest for a little while on the beach. The pitch-blackness of the Dewford gym seemed so removed from this place. Nevertheless, I had no desire to swim or even approach the water at all.

"Alexandra, we're going to that building over there. There's a commotion. Watch Eris, okay?" My phone vibrated when I nodded. I pulled it out of my pocket and smoothed Eris's hair when she curled up next to me.

Steven: I told you to call me when you woke up. Are you okay? You had a bit of a fever when I put you on the boat.

Alex: I'm fine. I'm just outside of Slateport now. And I forgot to thank you for saving me, so thank you.

Steven: It was an honor. And ah, it's pretty, isn't it?

Alex: Spectacular.

Steven: (´Д' )

Alex: What?

Steven: You seem angry. Annoyed? Flipping a table angry (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Alex: ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ) Don't throw tables.

Steven: Haha. You know, you can talk to me if you want to.

A bottle of soda landed in front of me, and Torrent kneeled. He reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"I didn't mean to say those things," he said.

"I know you didn't."

He stroked my cheek with his rough thumb for a minute.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine." Briar kicked Torrent hard in the ribs.

"And I'm sorry," he gasped. I looked up and smiled at Torrent, squinting my eyes against the sun.

"It's okay. I know you were just worried."

Alex: I'll keep that in mind, Steven. Thank you.

Steven: (^_^;;) (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ

"Where did you even get these sodas?" I asked, offering it to Eris, who bit the cap off with a quick snap. She then proceeded to bite off the cap of her own soda.

"The building we went to was a battle house or something. Skyra, Foxglove, Torrent, and I won all the battles and the owner of the building got scared. So he gave us seven sodas and told us to scram."

"It was fun. Their flying types are weak." Skyra offered one of her rare smiles. Her white teeth flashed against her olive skin. "I feel strong."

"Is it a good feeling?"

"Yeah. It's good." She hurtled into the sky again, tracing patterns that only she understood in the dazzling sky. The sand stopped at a flight of stairs as we walked towards Slateport, and was replaced by paved roads, shimmering in the heat waves that rose from the ground. To my right was a lone lighthouse, so white that it looked like an extension of the sand. On my left was a crowded outdoor market, bursting with stalls, performers, people, and Pieces. The noise was confusing and loud, and the bustle reminded me of New York City.

My Pieces reactions were interesting. Torrent stood aloof, but I could see him taking peeks at the movement. Briar's frown became deeper the longer he looked, and so did Foxglove's. Cobalt looked exuberant, ready to take on any challenge. But Eris's eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped.

"SHINY THINGS!" she squealed and dived into the crowd, making Foxglove shout and chase her. We all lunged after her, except Skyra, who was still wheeling in the sky, but we were no match for her small frame and quick feet. It seemed like she was everywhere at once, nosing into soft scarves, pawing through fruit, wrapping herself in sticky taffy. All of a sudden, Skyra dove in from the air, plucking her from the middle of a basin of copper nuggets. As soon as the Taillow set her down, Briar pried open her hands, and shiny jewels and berries tumbled out. I thought that was all she had, but the Shroomish, ever doubtful, swung her up by her feet, held her upside down, and shook her. Coins spilled out of her, along with wooden carvings and other trinkets.

Tediously, we returned the items to their owners, apologizing in a cyclone of curses and shouts.

"You know, Alexandra, this might look good on you." Cobalt held up a light-blue messenger bag. "It's light, and the strap has a place to put the PENs. There are individual pockets for different stuff." She rifled through it. "It has disc slots for TMs and USB pockets. There's even a berry pocket."

"What's wrong with my backpack?"

"It's old. And black. And doesn't match your eye color."

"And it's going to be hot for a long time, at least until Route 118 or Route 119 or something like that, according to the map." Skyra handed the map to Briar and turned around, searching the clothing racks. "So this might be good." It was a pair of simple peach-colored shorts.

Briar reached past her, his frown lessening, and pulled out a yellow sundress.

"This, too. It matches the rings in your eyes."

Cobalt dragged me to a dressing room, snatching the clothes out of their hands, not listening to my complaints. She shoved me into an empty stall, and blocked the door so that I couldn't come out.

"Cobalt!" I slammed my head against the door, "If you don't let me out right now, I'm going to give myself a concussion."

"There's a Piece Center nearby."

"I'll die and I won't be there to level you up so you can evolve."

"Oh, well. I can live with this form."

"Drama will never progress between me and anyone."

"Alex, drama will never progress at this rate anyway."

"Damnit," I grumbled, "thought I got you with that one." Sighing loudly and dramatically, I peeled off my dirty sweatpants and ragged shirt. Quickly, I changed so that I could leave the close confines of the stall.

Cobalt whistled when I stepped out.

"It definitely suits you."

I felt myself redden and pulled at the hem of my dress.

"Isn't this a little too short?"

"It just makes you look so freaking cute. And you have shorts under so you're fine."

"Can I please change out n-"

I heard a click and looked up just in time to see Cobalt send the picture she had taken of me.

"Wait! Who are you sending that to?!"

"The only people on your contact list except President Creep." The phone dinged twice. "That was fast." She handed the phone over to me. There was a picture of me, just as I suspected, looking uncomfortable.

Brendan: Lol, you jacked her phone? Well, tell her it's looks okay. (And by okay, I mean, holy mother of Arceus)

Steven: Give her back her phone, Cobalt (；´Д｀) But give her a hug for me ヽ(´∀｀)ノ

"You're staying in your PEN next time," I grumbled, stuffing the phone into my pocket and following the signs to the Shipyard.

It was sweltering inside the Shipyard. The hot screeching of metal on metal filled the air, making Eris cover her sensitive ears. The beginnings of a hull of a boat showed through an opening to the right, next to the dismantled remains of a rusty dingy. A single man with a blowtorch swayed from a pulley system from the rafters, mechanically welding bolts together.

Cobalt took a deep, happy breath.

"Smells like metal."

"It's iron." We all jumped, whirling around to face the voice behind us, except Torrent, who was leaning against a wall with his eyes closed. The speaker was a broad man with heavy arms and shoulders. His thick handlebar mustache made up for the thinning brown hair on top of his head. "We have eighteen tons of iron stacked in this place, for what?!" the man mumbled, elbowing past Skyra, "For nothing! Too heavy... lighter, more flexible..."

"Excuse me, sir. Are you Captain Giman?"

"Steel... no good. What? Oh. No. I'm Dock. Captain's at the Museum. Anything I can do for you?"

"I have the Devon Goods."

"Captain handles all the Devon stuff." He sat in front of an empty desk, his brow crinkled with thought. "Need something lighter... wind is harsh..."

"Are you building a boat, sir?"

There was the smallest flicker of a pause.

"Yes." He waved me away with a hand.

Eris scampered out the door first. Briar tapped Torrent on the shoulder and yawning, clicked the button of his PEN on my shoulder strap, disappearing in red light. Torrent sighed and pushed himself off the wall.

More and more clusters of whispering people appeared the closer we got to the Museum.

"Everything..." I heard.

"Yang is here." The murmurs blended into the voice of the sea.

"Death has come."

There was a note or quality to their voices. I couldn't pinpoint the emotion exactly, but it certainly wasn't panic or hate. Reverence? Only the police officers took any action, calling in for reinforcements.

Pale, limestone walls connected to form the outer court of an old mansion. A sign secured at the gate informed pedestrians that this was, indeed, the Oceanic Museum and not a home.

"Dirty pirates," I muttered when I walked through the front doors after paying the admission fee into the machine. There were five of them in total, all dressed in striped shirts and baggy pants with blue bandanas over their heads. "Hey!" All five of them turned to look at me.

"Hey, kiddo!" said a grunt with long brown hair. The rest of them turned back to examining the cases. "Are you looking for someone?"

"...Captain Giman..." I replied, slightly unnerved by her bubbly personality.

"Do you have something to give to him?"

"Yes..." She held out her hand and pouted.

"Do you think you could give it to big sister?"

"...No."

"Aw, all right then." She pointed to the stairs. "He's right up those stairs. Give him the package and come right back down, okay? Or you might see something you don't want to." I didn't answer, but bolted to the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time. Halfway up, I pressed Briar's PEN, unleashing him.

"Get ready for a battle."

"I'm always ready."

We ran into the room, alert, scanning for a threat. Instead, a man in a lab coat with short black hair and narrow eyes greeted us.

"Oh. Hello." He looked startled.

"Are... you... Captain Giman?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath. I cursed myself silently for being so out of shape.

"Yes. Would you happen to have a package for me?" Briar rummaged in my bag and gave the small, circular Devon Goods to Captain Giman while I tried to control my breathing. "Excellent! Now I can start assembling the pieces together."

"Are you making a boat? Dock said you needed lighter material, or something."

"Why, yes!" His eyes became slits when he smiled, accentuating his thin, pale face. "And thanks to you, we can finally build it. Of course, if Dock never figures out which metal to use..." He gave a light laugh.

"How can such a small item be so important on a boat?"

"Oh, it goes right at the top. It's very crucial, actually. Thank you so much for bringing it. You must be a good friend of President Stone if you brought it for him."

"Not really. I know his sons, though, if that counts for anything."

"Both his sons. Very interesting." His pale red eyes glittered. "What's your name again?"

"Alexandra."

"Ah, I see." A giggling sound fluttered from the back of his throat. He took a curious glance at Briar, walking around him with a snake-like grace. "What a wonderful specimen of a Piece you have. What's his name?"

"This specimen happens to talk," Briar commented, drily, "and would like if you could ask him directly." Captain Giman stopped walking and frowned.

"You mean to say that you have been traveling with a Piece that was caught with a PEN?"

"Six, actually."

"How incredibly dangerous!"

Just then, two Team Aqua grunts burst into the room; one was the woman I had been talking to before.

"Hey, kiddo! You should leave the room now. We have to talk to the Captain."

"Oh, dear. It looks like you're trying to steal the Devon Goods from me. I'm frightened." He certainly didn't look frightened. In one swift motion, he moved behind me. "You'll take care of these terrorists for me, right?"

"Stop manipulating kids, Giman and hand over the Goods."

I sighed.

"Leave him alone, guys."

"Whatever! Let's just fight!" The grunt who spoke seemed to be slightly younger than me.

"Gavin, you know we're not supposed to use our Pieces unless we're in danger."

"Whatever! Cutter and I can take these fools!" His arm whipped forward and in the next second, a small boy crouched on the ground. His spiky blond hair matched the yellow diamond pattern on the back of his dark blue shirt. He had on red shorts and deep orange eyes. His fierce expression was offset by his young, chubby face.

"Gavin! Don-"

"Cutter! Water Gun!" But Briar was too fast and strong for him, not to mention he had a type advantage. He drew back his slingshot and Cutter collapsed, gold blood pooling on the floor. I stood, waiting for Gavin to curse and bring back his Carvahna, but he just stood there. Quinn gasped. "Cutter?" Gavin kneeled by Cutter's still form. "Cutter? Wake up, buddy!" Footsteps sounded in the stairwell. "Cutter! Wake up!

"I hope both of-" the man that had appeared in the doorway stood still, his eyes on Gavin, who was shaking the Carvahna's shoulder. "Quinn, what happened?" he asked quietly.

There was silence in the room. Then, the man walked over to the ball where Cutter had been held.

It was a PEN.

"Here." He gave it to Gavin, who smacked it out of the man's hand. Weeping silently, Gavin lifted Cutter's broken body in his arms. "I think you understand why we don't use our Pieces recklessly." With his unbearable burden, Gavin stood up and ran out of the room, Quinn close on his heels.

Light blue eyes with gold rings locked with mine. The man had tanned skin, which made his eyes jump out. His broad shoulders were shifted in a sailor's stance, and curly black hair stood out from underneath his blue bandana. The blue shirt he was wearing was tousled, tucked into his black slacks.

"My name is Archie. What's your name?"

"Alexandra."

He took a deep breath and released it, rubbing a hand over his light beard. His eyes never left mine.

"How... how are you doing?"

"Pretty well until you guys showed up."

"...I see."

"Please leave Captain Giman alone."

"It's not a good for a kid to play in the grown-up world."

"I know, but unfortunately, I'm being forced to by your idiotic plan to flood the world."

Archie chuckled, his eyes sparkling.

"Feisty. Good." He cleared his throat and his expression became stern. "But the water runs deeper than you can hear." Finally, he looked at Captain Giman, his expression cold. "She has protected you this time, Giman. But you know the cost." Captain Giman simply waved goodbye, a sly smile plastered on his face. Archie turned to walk out the door, but stopped, his hand on the doorframe. "Alexandra, it's not a good idea to get involved with this. Finish your experiment, and then get out."

"Wait a second!"

He was already gone.

"Hey!" I leapt down the stairs, Briar following me, until I reached the first landing. "Archie! Wait!" There were nobody to be seen.

"Hey, kid!" I turned to meet a chubby man in a Hawaiian print shirt and white shorts. "I think I've seen you before!" His glasses were so dark, that I couldn't see his eyes.

"No, sir, I'm sure we haven't met." I looked around again, looking for any sign of Archie. "But sir, I really have to g-"

"Yeah I did! I saw you at Petalsburg." He also pulled out his phone and tapped my phone gently with it. "There! You have my contact information. Now I'm off to find more strong trainers! I'll be keeping an eye on you!" With a grin, he shambled off, keeping his sunglasses on. I looked at my phone.

Scott's smiling headshot looked back at me, still in sunglasses.