possibly make it past the thick curtains, but the room was lit bright by lamps.
I rose stiffly and staggered to the window, pulling back the drapes.
It was dark outside. Three in the morning, then. My room looked out on a deserted section of the freeway and the new long-term parking garage for the airport. I hadn't been back to this airport since my journey began, and now here I was: now and here.
I looked down at myself. I was still wearing Esme's clothes, but the vomit had disappeared, leaving behind only brown stains. I was on my way to find new clothes when a light tap on the door made me jump.
"Can I come in?" Alice asked.
I took a breath and I took it deep. "Sure."
She walked in, and looked over at me cautiously. "You look like you could sleep longer," she said, chuckling.
I just shook my head, refusing to give her the satisfaction.
She drifted silently to the curtains and closed them securely before walking back to sit next to me on the bed.
"We'll need to stay inside," she told me.
"For how long?"
She shrugged. "Forever."
I shrugged. "I mean, I have a Biology IV test on Friday, but..." She didn't seem to be paying attention to me, so I trailed off. She didn't say anything for a minute or so, and I gave a little cough to remind her that I even exist. "Thirsty?" she asked.
I shrugged. "I'm okay. How about you?" I'd read that if someone was trying to get you to admit weakness, you should try to find a way to highlight their own frailty. I scanned her face for any sign of confusion, stress or feebleness.
"Nothing unmanageable." She smiled, no doubt aware of the game we were playing. "I ordered some food for you, it's in the front room. Fredward reminded me that you have to eat a lot more frequently than we do."
I chuckled. "And different stuff, too."
Alice exploded into laughter, a sound that was similar to a flock squalling over a fish carcass. "You're a sharp one," she said.
"Fredward called?"

409

Chapter 20

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