Page 125 of Alien Burn

She lifted a hand toward the pins.

“Nothing wrong with it,” he said. “I was looking.”

Her hand stopped. Then she lowered it, smiling in a way that made the corridor seem much too public.

“I noticed.”

He took her bag when she offered it. It weighed almost nothing.

Too many of their lives had been reduced to what the residence could give them after the platform. He looked at the little bag and thought of Graecey, who had come here to help them begin those lives.

“Dhomhes.”

Sereya had stepped closer.

“You went somewhere.”

“I was thinking about the ship.”

“So was I.”

Down the corridor a staff member called for the next group. Sereya looked toward the voice, then back at him.

“I don't much want to go up another ramp.”

He couldn't tell her it would be easy. The first ramp was still under his feet whenever he let himself remember it.

“We can take our time on it.”

“You'll be busy.”

“Sereya.”

She looked up.

“You can ask me for a hand.”

Her throat moved. Then she held out hers.

“I'm asking now.”

He took it.

They walked to the waiting transport together. At the residence doors, Roemary turned from an animated conversation with a staff member and saw them.

Her glance touched their hands. Her smile thinned before she restored it.

“There you are. I was beginning to think we'd lost you.”

“I'm with my group,” Sereya said.

Roemary looked at Dhomhes. “Perhaps you can explain why we have so little warning. Some of us have been trying to help.”

“Your driver has the instructions. Staff will take your bag.”

“I meant help you.”

“Then please board.”