Mr. Forkle walked over and sat on the cot next to Valerie's. He sighed, as his weight made the bed creak.

Valerie turned to sit facing him. "What's wrong?"

Forkle took a deep breath. "I think I know what the Neverseen was planning when they struck you with that Shadowflux."

Valerie almost leapt off of her cot. "Really?"

He nodded sadly. "After all the effort they put into kidnapping you, twice, it made no sense for them to try and kill you with Shadowflux." He shifted uncomfortably on the cot. "Unless... that wasn't their goal."

Valerie stared at him curiously, urging him to continue.

He heaved a heavy breath. "Shadowflux changes everything it touches." He said it flatly, as if that explained everything.

"And?" Valerie pressed.

"And... you said you felt the Shadowflux spread through your entire body."

Valerie blanched. "They we're trying to change me."

Forkle nodded. "From what you described, they were trying to take away everything that makes you Valerie Endal."

She stared at the wall over Forkle's shoulder. "Then, I'd be just a husk. They'd have another chance to make their weapon."

Forkle examined the floor intently.

The silence stretched on uncomfortably, until Valerie spoke up. "Forkle, what did I do?"

He finally tore his gaze from the floor. "Your echo... is worse than Miss Foster's and Mr. Vacker's combined." He paused, knowing that wasn't what she wanted to hear. "You didn't really DO anything. You were convulsing and flailing. You put yourself in more harm than anyone else. We had to hold you down while Elwin tried to stop you. Eventually, when nothing else worked, Mr. Ruewen started calling your name and... you woke up."

Valerie sat motionless, gaze transfixed on the door. "How did Wylie react?" She couldn't imagine Wylie having to stand their helplessly and watch her suffer.

Forkle sighed. "Not exceptionally well. He refused to leave the corner and wouldn't say or do anything. He just stared at you."

Valerie laid back, running her fingers through her now messy hair. She took a deep breath. That's what the Neverseen wanted. "Forkle, what if I hurt someone?"

He hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "I feel confident that you won't."

She met his gaze, her eyes wet with desperate tears. "But what if I do?"

"We'll cross that bridge IF we get there." He assured.

Valerie turned on her side, facing away from him. "If I hurt someone, promise me you'll end it."

"What?"

"I couldn't live with myself if I hurt one of them. So please, promise me."

"It won't come to that." Forkle stuttered.

"You don't know that." Her voice was quiet and hoarse. "Promise me. Please." She turned to meet his gaze. Her eyes had teared up.

Mr. Forkle opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. Finally, he gave in. "I promise."

Valerie flopped back onto her pillow clutching it tightly. "I need some rest."

Forkle stood, nodding solemnly. "I'll inform the others." He walked to the door, giving her one last look before exiting the room.

Valerie squeezed her eyes shut and a single tear ran down her cheek.