The Chapters

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ivo leans back against the metal cabinet. "And?"

"And that's it. I didn't remember anything." I line up the newly-prepared capsules on the flat surface. "It was just having someone else's life story told to me, with some connections to stuff I'm supposed to know, but I don't."

"Mission failure, then." He stares at the ceiling, slightly put off. "This whole thing is fucked up."

What thing?

Hello, Fangirl. Ivo and I are talking about this. The Author, you, the book, the Hand, everything.

Wait, wait. You told Ivo?

After ten minutes of arguing with Alexien about it. It's okay, he hasn't exploded about it. Yet.

What the fuck, Mica?

Hey, hey, this makes things a lot easier. Now I have someone on my side.

What if he tell someone else?

Ivo doesn't even believe me fully. If he does spill it to someone else, the chances of them believing him are slim to none.

This is Ivo, Mica.

Yes, and who do you think knows more about how he reacts to things? You or me?

"Did your friend come back?" Ivo asks from the other side of the lab. The emphasis isn't venomous, but slightly cautionary. I don't know why, it's not like there are cameras in here.

"Yeah, they're back." I look at your hovering pencil. "Doesn't seem too happy about the situation, though."

"Why's that?"

I look up at the pencil again.

You don't expect me to talk to him, do you? You scribble frantically. I can't do that.

Why not?

We've talked about this. Too much effect is lost through a medium.

Oh, so you're saying I'm not good enough to pass the message on.

Yes.

Wow. I was mostly kidding.

You pause before writing a few words between parentheses. (You should've said moose.)

Ivo interrupts by waving a hand in front of my face. "Wake up, idiot."

"I'm still awake," I snap back at him, pushing his hand away. "The Reader says they can't talk to you like they'd like to."

"Not everyone can see floating words all the time." He backs off again, bracing his arms behind him. "So what is it, the fact that I'm not supposed to know? It complicates things that much?"

"More like they're afraid you'll tell someone else."

"What's the problem with that?"

I give him my most deadpan look. "I really need to explain?"

"Obviously."

"Like if the others found out. Don't you think they'd kill me for not telling them earlier? Especially Karla."

"Mad, sure, but not ready for murder."

Think of all the questions and all the times things will have to be explained. I mean, half the time I don't even understand the story.

"That too," I agree out loud. "Lots of questions and hard explaining."

"Just get everyone together and tell them," Ivo suggests. "Then you only have to do it once."