He let out a slow breath."The seam you walked through won't open for me to leave."
She raised her head."But I can leave."
"Yeah."
She studied him, the shadows on his face, the weight in his voice."Why are there only men here?"
Finn's jaw worked."Because this place pulls in people who aren't worth anything to society.None of us has any ties to the other side."
"Because you said you're dangerous.I remember."She yawned then, surprising herself.
Finn's eyes softened just a fraction."Go to sleep," he whispered.
She sank deeper under the blanket.But before she closed her eyes, she asked, "How old are you?"
He thought of all the marks on the boards.The counted days told him nothing.
"I was thirty-eight when I walked out of prison."He inhaled deeply."It was a long time ago."
"And you're how old now?"
He hesitated."I don't know."
She frowned."How can you not know?"
"Time doesn't work right here," he said."Days blur.Weeks disappear.I stopped counting."
"That's not good," she murmured, half-asleep."You should know how old you are.I'll help you figure it out."
He huffed, and she glanced at him again, thinking he laughed, but his expression held the same seriousness as earlier.
She yawned again, eyes drifting shut."If I go back, I'll have to stay in foster care for two more years.But if I stay here—"
"No."His voice was firm, cutting through the quiet."You can't stay here, Kallie.We had a deal.You stay the night, but you're leaving in the morning."
Her eyes opened, heavy and unfocused."But, what if I could stay?"
"You can't because this place isn't meant for you."
She blinked slowly."Feels like it is."
Finn looked away, jaw tight, hands clenched on his knees.
"Sleep," he said, softer this time.
"Don't leave."She slipped her hand out from under the blanket and placed it on his forearm."Stay with me."
She relaxed, touching him, knowing he was still sitting there.Between now and the morning, she was going to figure out a way for her to stay with Finn.
