"That's why I brought books. You know what they say about books and being able to transport you to exotic locations." She gestures to the neat stack of books by her cot. "I have some beauties in there. I think there might still be a book of poetry I have to return to you, when the libraries are done trying to eat people alive."

She matches his stare with her own, the usual way she looks at him when he's trying to dissemble her with his mind: challenging, a little defiant. But unlike the last time she matched curiosity with boldness, some of the confidence is gone, and her eyes dart over his face for a moment before meeting and keeping his gaze.

"Oh, you probably can. Just rest assured that it wasn't pretty."