You were just there, [ Matt protested softly, which pulled a sharp inhale from Flora. It was so strange. It felt almost like two people were inhabiting his body, only neither of them were him: One seethed with guilt, piling useless objections on top of each other, should should shouldn't, how could you; the other thrilled to see Flora's reaction, to feel himself crossing a line he couldn't uncross. His left hand plucked at inaudible notes, straining to hear what came next. What would happen if ...? Meanwhile Matt, the actual Matt, floated somewhere up above himself, watching it all unfold. ]

You can't, [ Flora said weakly. ] You can't do this.

This is bigger than either of us, [ Matt's mouth said. ] I can't stop them from taking you in. But I think that if you're calm, and you cooperate, maybe they won't think you're so dangerous. And they won't think it's worth it to start chasing down the people you spend time with.

I can come with you and vouch for you, and maybe we can keep anybody else from getting hurt.