I could hardly sleep that night, my mind swimming with what I'd seen in the lab and what Bondrewd had said. How could someone hope to avoid the curse without essentially giving up what made them human? Well, it's not that dramatic since we're not the only ones with the organs we have, but it's the principle of it all. We would have to be machines with no organs to our consciousnesses or vice versa. Either way, something integral would have to be given up. Yet more sacrifices...

   Even with Bondrewd's rambling about things I wasn't interested in, I still managed to learn some about the creatures of this layer that can be found on the Sixth Layer as well. There are the Ursafelle along with the ever-present Demonfish, which amaze me at their hardiness. Hammerbeaks aren't present, so we would have to find a new avian to take eggs from.

Then there are bugs known as Amaranthine Deceptors, green insects the size of my palm that disguise themselves as the leaves of Eternal Fortunes before laying parasitic larvae in their hosts. Those who aren't invaded are fortunate enough to get away with a painful sting, and hearing that made me shudder as I recalled what I encountered in the field of Eternal Fortunes. But they couldn't have been the same since they've never been spotted elsewhere. It has to be a different variant, or my mind is messing with me again.

   When morning comes, I feel more wrung-out than before, and Melva quickly takes notice. But before she can ask, I say, "It wasn't a nightmare. My mind just couldn't stop thinking about everything we learned. Even though I wrote it down, I couldn't stop mulling over it in my head..."

   "I know, it sucks we can't get more Hammerbeak eggs!" Her slight smile fades when I don't return it, and she passes me a ration bar. "Hey, we gotta learn all we can, even the scary shit. We can't be dyin' before we get to the bottom, yeah?"

   "Right. I overthink things far too much now. B-but I'm sure there has to be some kind of bird we can look out for, though I honestly think we shouldn't be taking any chances with climbing up to nests." That strikes Melva, and she nods with a sigh.

   "Then maybe we can find some kinda wild bean or nut? I dunno, I only say that since we need more than plants, but huntin' don't seem smart either. If we almost killed just walkin' 'round 'ere, then we shouldn't be goin' up to anythin' willingly an' tryin' to stick a knife in it."

   "Well, we'll learn about plants soon enough, at least what little we can learn. If there really is a city awaiting us right where we'll be getting off, we need to count more on the creatures we can go after, unless the city is overgrown..." A sigh escapes me. "I'm trying to account for everything that could happen, and my mind's spinning."

   Melva squints a little. "Then try to step back from it all! Even just a little so the stress don't kill ya first. We still have time to think an' decide." I give her a confused look, and her lips purse as she stays quiet for a minute.

   "Is something wrong?" I ask. Melva then gives me a somber look before shaking her head and making her expression go blank.

   "It's nothin'. Might talk 'bout it later, but it's too early for shit like that." I'm confused, but I leave it be as I start eating. "So ya think you're gonna talk with that kid today? He seemed pretty damn excited when he told me 'bout what ya promised 'im. Didn't expect that, really. I thought ya didn't like kids."

   "It's not that I don't like them, it's because I can't exactly see myself with them. Taking an apprentice would mean exposing them to the Abyss. After everything I've seen and been though, I'd rather mentor someone older who can decide whether they want to delve than basically train a kid to like delving. And Llyr..." He could feasibly have children, but with him seeing himself as male instead of what he was born as, I'm sure he would have never been comfortable with having children.

   Melva's quiet for a moment before faintly smiling. "That's really considerate, kid. I probably should've had the same foresight as ya back when I offered to mentor ya, but things were different back then."

   I nod in agreement. "They truly were... But I wouldn't have you in my life if I hadn't run into you that day." Melva's smile widens.

   Once I finish eating, I take a minute to stretch as I strap on my prosthetic and stand up. My leg wobbles, and I steady myself, taking a breath to find my center of focus. Since we've left, I've neglected the new exercise routine I'd crafted for myself and amplified it from the descent, so I feel more unstable than usual. Melva arches a brow as I get up. "Headin' out?"

   "Yes, but would you like to come with me? I can wait until you're finished."

   Melva shrugs and shakes her head. "Ya can go on without me. If I wanna track ya down, I'll find a way, even in this place. Or ya can come get me in an hour or two if ya really want me to come along an' I don't find ya." I'm reluctant, but she waves me on with a hand. "I know you're antsy, kid. Go on!" My face flushes as I head out into the hall and close the door.

   The hall is again uncomfortably quiet, save for the hissing steam and deep chug of the building's rotation. A bulb flickers in the near distance, as if signaling the direction I need to walk. It takes some time, but I navigate my way to the center courtyard where I first met Iann. I left the map with Melva so I can commit the directions to my mind myself, and thankfully it more or less entails following the hallway.

   When I arrive at the courtyard, I do a quick scan around me, spotting a familiar short figure a little ways to my right. "Iann?" I wave my hands as I call his name, and his head snaps to face mine. Even from where I am, I can see him smile before he hurries over to me.

   "You actually came!" His face falls a little. "I... really didn't think ya would. I'd wanna learn right from Uncle Bon over doing other things."

   I can't help but smile back at his genuine enthusiasm. "It's not like that was my only chance to learn since he seemed to be open to me investigating at my own pace. If I didn't come today, I would have tomorrow. It's a small promise, but I didn't want to break it." Iann brightens up again.

   "Yeah, that's good! Not even Uncle Bon keeps all the promises he makes to me, like how he said he'd give me a hint about my birthday present but wouldn't. Only Uncle Sciro has kept his promises."

   I hesitate but still try to maintain my smile. "I'm sure they don't mean to break them. People make mistakes."

   "I don't know that. Adults lie all the time," Iann says simply, and I don't know how to counter that. Before the silence can linger for long, Iann speaks up again. "So what're ya gonna tell me about? If there's so much to becoming strong, there has to be a place to start."

   I have to think for a moment, looking out at the waterfall before looking back at him. "W-well... The place I first started was exercise. Somebody your age can only just start to gain muscle and not merely tone since you're likely going into puberty now, but this doesn't mean to go wild since that can hurt you more than help. This means light exercise until your body becomes used to it, and then you start to add more on so it's a continuous strain, but not one that hurts more than helps. Does that make sense?"

   Iann nods excitedly. "So what? Like running or lifting heavy stuff?"

   "That's part of it, though of course it's all in the details. Running may be suitable, but lifting or other activities like swimming can work just as well. Things like this are flexible so long as it's exercise that will increase your heart rate for a constant amount of time. I personally like to exercise for about two hours every day, though I didn't need to back when I delved more regularly."

   "You know a lot about health stuff." Iann then pauses, frowning. "Wait, no, that was dumb to say since you've probably been doing this for years."

   "I have, but I'm sure not as many people have knowledge of the impacted muscles and joints. I do because both of my parents were doctors, and they wanted me to continue with the family business. The Abyss interested me more than medicine, however..."

   When Iann stays silent, I look up to see him with a somber look. "Were they mad that you didn't wanna become a doctor too?"

   I shrug, sighing. "They were more upset than mad, but they still let me pursue what I wanted to do. I'm still shocked they let a twelve year-old make such a big decision whether I sounded grown-up saying it or not, but that's what happened. At least my sister was able to become the doctor I didn't want to be."

   "You have a sister?"

   A faint smile creeps onto my face. "My little sister Aedia, yes. But I always called her Addy. You remind me of her a little, with how curious and excitable she was when she was little. I was always reading to her until she could read herself."

   Iann's brows raise. "Really? I hope that's a good thing? Aunt Enri gets upset when I ask her too many things, so I know I'm annoying..."

   "I can see why she might say that, but as someone who used to ask so many questions like you, I believe it's normal. After all, everyone needs to learn about the world sooner or later. I liked to believe I knew and was learning more than Addy, but it was like she snuck up on me with how much she really knew. She always tried to make sure I kept my head on straight, even when I thought I was the one who was helping her." I then take note of Iann's silence, and my face warms when I realize I'd been rambling. "M-my apologies. I'm supposed to be teaching you about fitness, not carrying on about myself."

   "You say that after I told ya nobody ever comes down here! Knowing there's just other people that are around is... i-it's nice. I didn't think you'd have a sister since..." He hesitates. "Does she know you're down here?"

   I stiffen, suppressing a shiver. I'm not about to possibly horrify Iann with the truth of Aedia's fate, so I simply say, "She has passed on as well... along with almost everyone else in my life." I force a smile. "B-but that's too depressing to talk about, so I can say my mentor is one of the remaining people who helped me."

   "Ya don't gotta lie with your smiles, Mr. Len," Iann mutters. "I hate it when people do that. My grandparents did it all the time, so only smile when you're actually happy."

   I'm taken aback by his words, momentarily shell shocked. Even if my surprise is clear on my face, Iann doesn't say or do anything else. He stares, waiting for my response. "I-I understand, and I apologize. It's easy enough to fake a smile when you're used to doing it for so long, but this isn't anything you should be hearing."

   Iann's eyes narrow. "I wanna learn instead of being left in the dark. You just said we halfta learn, and I'm sick of being in the dark, even if it's 'scary' or whatever. That's what a Delver has to be, know all he can, even if it's scary since the scary's usually what gets you killed."

   "I... can agree with that." I purse my lips as a memory bubbles up. "My mentor neglected to tell me about the First Layer's Silkfangs, and I was nearly killed by one as a result. And that was during one of my first few delves as a Red Whistle."

   "So that's why I wanna know," Iann says matter-of-factly. "Because of that, I want you to teach me all ya can about getting strong. No more being in the dark. I don't wanna be left behind again like before."

   And I have the gall to act like I'm the only one with a troubled past... "I'll teach you as much as I'm able to," I say firmly. Iann's smile returns.

   "So then what's first for exercise?"

   I struggle to chase my negative thoughts away, ignoring just how oddly warm Aedia feels against my chest. "Running and lifting, like you said. Always stretch before you exercise so you don't pull a muscle. I'm not sure what you have here to use, but a ten-minute jog or a half-hour walk can suit leg exercises, sit-ups can strengthen your core, and lifting something that equates to a five-pound weight can work your arms and shoulders. I can make a list of everything you can do, but you don't have to do all of it. If you want to, don't do it every day for the reason I said before."

   "'This means light exercise until your body becomes used to it, and then you start to add more on so it's a continuous strain, but not one that hurts more than helps,'" Iann parrots in an imitation of my voice. "I memorize things quick!" He seems proud as he says that.

   "And that's great," I say with a nod before further elaborating on what I said.

   I'm not sure how long exactly I speak, but Iann never stops listening, nodding every so often to urge me to continue with the occasional question or comment. I never thought a lack of a response could spur me on so much, but I try to pull every last related memory I have to the forefront. I find myself reciting what Melva had told me nearly word for word, the advice having stuck with me so strongly. And the less said about the rocks I used to lift, the better.

   "She would make me stand in streams and rivers for hours on end pulling up rocks, resisting the currents as I did so. My back and neck would be killing me after those days since I was awful at lifting things properly." I wince at the memory, but it had been so satisfying once I had finally figured it out.

   "You can actually go in the water on the First Layer?" Iann's eyes are wide as he asks this, and I nod.

   "The currents can still run fast and deep, but the only real threat is the Demonfish if you go out of your way to go after them." I show off the bite-shaped scar on my hand from one of my first encounters with the fish. "It's more than worth it for the meat alone." Wait, does fish count as meat?

   Iann looks wistful. "Uncle Bon lets me choose a special meal on my birthday, and last year it was Demonfish. I wish I'd chosen them sooner since they're so good. At least I can have it again this year." He then frowns. "Didn't ya say something about food before? Food matters with getting strong, yeah?"

   "It does when you start to put on muscle and need to sustain it. From what my parents taught me, hunger burns the energy from muscle before fat since fat is considered last-resort energy in the event of starvation. Because of that, you need to consume more food of various kinds to keep things balanced."

   "Balance... Ya said that before too."

   I nod. "Exactly! I used to eat like a bird when I was younger since I was rather thin for how tall I was, but I swear my appetite has increased at least fourfold since I started training myself." My face warms again. "It doesn't help that the Abyss has so much good food to offer. And with delving providing exercise, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If only I could cook it all for myself, but I'm not as good a cook as my father was."

   "Hey, ya don't burn everythin' ya touch like the shrimp did!" I startle and whirl around, relaxing when I see Melva crutching her way down the hallway. Beside her, fretting over her, is Sciro. "An' ya actually know when somethin' needs more flavor since ya haven't burned away your taste like me."

   "Oh... tall lady's here!" Iann says with awe, and Melva arches a brow.

   "Tall lady? I mean, I guess I am?" She gently pushes Sciro's hand away from her shoulder. "You're gonna make me fall if ya keep tryin' to keep me up!" Sciro mutters out a stuttered apology, shuffling away from Melva.

   "I expected Melva to find us eventually, but not you, Sciro," I say, and Sciro's shoulders slouch. Meanwhile, I notice Iann starting to slip away from the situation, clearly not expecting his caretaker to make an appearance.

   "It was a coincidence, really. I wish I could say it was intent," Sciro says dejectedly. "I ran into her while she was leaving your room, and she refuses my help when she can easily injure herself further."

   Melva smirks. "Then let me tell ya how I went downstairs yesterday!"

   Sciro seems to stare blankly at Melva, and I have a feeling his jaw has dropped when he next exclaims, "You did what?" Iann tries to take this moment to sneak away, only for Sciro to turn on him. "A-and I'm not about to let you run off again, not if Enri, Lord Dawn, or anyone else sees this! Stay here please!" Iann pauses, and Sciro deflates. "Th-thank you... But he found you again, Len?"

   I shake my head. "I came looking for him. He wants to learn some things from me, and I didn't want to turn him down when he wanted to learn."

   "That sounds familiar," Melva says with a slight smile, and I smile sheepishly in return.

   "I wanted to learn how Mr. Len got so strong, and we were just talking about food and how much that matters." Iann looks disappointed. "But we only have ration bars here, so does that mean I'm screwed, Mr. Len?"

   A wince comes to my face before I can stop it, though I quickly shake my head before it can be taken in a wrong way. "I-I wouldn't say 'screwed,' but the purpose of a ration bar is that it provides all the basic nutrition somebody could need. Having more variety in your diet is typically better, though in a place like this, you have to take what you can get."

   "I've never even had the opportunity to try a Demonfish, much less anything else," Sciro says wistfully. "I've always wanted to, though. I know there's so much food out there, and it all has to taste amazing."

   "Well, everyone has their tastes, so who knows if you'll like anythin' if ya tried it? Lots o' people hate spicy food since it makes their mouths burn."

   Sciro tenses a little, as if surprised. "R-really? I didn't think flavors could be so intense! But then why would anyone try it if it burned their mouth?"

   Melva shakes her head. "Nah, it's just a metaphorical burn. It's really intense seasonin's like pepper or chili."

   "The red, pointy plants?" Melva and I exchange confused looks. "They look that way, at least. Everything I know about food that isn't ration bars comes from..." He pauses. "I can trust you two to not tell Lord Dawn about this, yes?"

   "Of course?" I say with some hesitance, and Sciro seems instantly relieved as he continues.

   "Every time new people are brought down here to become Praying or Umbra Hands, I sneak into the room where all of their belongings are held. They're all stripped away either to be repurposed or thrown away, so I try to see if I can find things about the surface world. I've found some books about the world, but it's difficult to place where 'the southern archipelago' is when I don't even know what that is."

   Iann looks confused. "I thought I told you, Uncle Sciro? I asked Uncle Bon about it, and he said an archipelago's a bunch of small islands close together."

   Sciro turns away a little, seeming sheepish. "I-I must have not committed it to my memory fully... My apologies for that, though what I do comprehend a little better are the cooking books I sometimes find. I assume that's what they're called, at least? Handwritten lists of food that seem to go together to create an even better food. I saw the 'pepper' being combined with bread, onions, and some kind of cheese. But the peppers were roasted before being combined with the other foods."

   I can't help but be shocked, trying to process what he said because otherwise I wouldn't have believed it. Does he not know what a sandwich is? I'm not about to say it aloud for politeness, but like usual, that's just me.

  "You've never had a sandwich before?" Melva asks incredulously. "An' what kinda sandwich doesn't have meat?"

   "If I had, I don't remember it, but it sounds incredible!" Sciro says, sounding equal parts ashamed and excited. "Especially that dish with the noodles, I believe they're called? Fettuccine alfredo! It has some kind of sauce made with cream, and there's 'chicken' in it. I'm guessing it's like Hammerbeak? Though I don't know what that tastes like either. Still, it's the best-sounding food I've read about, and I want to try it more than anything else someday."

   "If Uncle Bon lets me go to the surface when I start delving, I can try and find some for you, Uncle Sciro," Iann says, and Sciro's shoulders slouch.

   "I know it needs to be fresh. All food needs to be fresh," he laments. "I-I suppose I'll have to keep dreaming unless I can somehow find a way to the surface myself." He turns to look out at the shimmering waterfall. "Still, I also can't imagine leaving here. I don't know anything besides Idofront, and if the surface is as dangerous as Enri says..."

   Iann tries to give Sciro a hopeful smile. "If you go to the surface, you can maybe finally see your face."

   "You... don't know what your face looks like?" I can only imagine Sciro wincing as he speaks next.

   "S-sadly not. I don't have any mirrors in my room, nor are there any in Idofront except for the laboratories. I'm curious, of course, but Lord Dawn has told me I wouldn't like what I would see if I were to see my face."

   "I've told him he can take his mask off around me, an' then I can tell him what he looks like after," Iann says, exasperated. "We always see each other in places where there aren't a lot of people around, so nobody else will know!"

   Sciro flings out his arms, metaphorically and physically grasping at straws as he seems as exasperated as Iann. "B-because you keep going places you shouldn't! So many rooms here either require multiple people entering at once or only Lord Dawn entering himself, so of course you would be the only one in those rooms!"

   This whole time, Melva's been wearing an amused little smirk. "I'm sure ya don't look bad at all, even if your face might be busted up. I mean, ya don't see Len 'ere wearin' a mask." She gives me a quick reassuring look, and I don't take offense.

   Sciro tilts his head. "Oh? I don't know why you'd say that since he's quite handsome in spite of the scars."

   I stiffen, blinking in confusion. "E-excuse me?"

   "I-if that was overstepping something, I apologize, but it's what I believe." He shakes his head, raising his hands up to hold the sides of his mask. "Still, I don't wish to upset Lord Dawn. He's given me so much, and I don't want to betray my word to him, even if he isn't around to see it. And I certainly don't want to risk Iann getting in trouble, that would tear me up inside if something I did caused him harm or issue at all. For that reason, I'm keeping this on."

   Melva smiles and nods, her expression soft. I can only imagine what she's thinking, or recalling. "Nice to know ya care 'bout 'im so much. Takin' kids under your wing ain't somethin' anyone can do, but ya got my respect if ya do." I swear I can hear the smile in Sciro's voice when he replies.

   "Thank you. But you two seem to have known each other for a long while." He looks up at Melva. "I-I can actually recall Lord Dawn saying you were Len's mentor? You mentored him when he was a Red Whistle, yes?"

   "Yep! Met the klutz 'ere when he was just a couple weeks fresh off the boat from his home country. We literally ran into each other 'cause he was chasin' after a Hammerbeak he saw from the street. I never wanted to take an apprentice since I'm shit with kids, not to mention I always worked alone, but his enthusiasm won me over. Hasn't even felt like fifteen years have passed since then."

   Sciro chuckles. "Fifteen years? Iann wasn't even born yet at that time! You two are essentially mother and son at this point."

   Melva scoffs and shakes her head. "Nah, consider me the estranged aunt that had the kid dumped on me when the parents were workin'... If the kid dumped 'imself on me. Havin' kids of my own was never my style. Even then, I got to see Len grow up, an' in more ways than one."

   "Iann knows this, but Melva inspired me to become stronger. My parents were doctors, and my father theorized that I would have likely gained my height and broad shoulders no matter what since they're common in the men in his family. But I definitely helped that along and emphasized it by following Melva's training."

   "That's puttin' it too lightly, kid." She looks back at Sciro, jabbing a thumb in my direction. "When I first met him, he was up to my chest, an' then just five years later he was lookin' down at me. I remember he grew four inches in just a year!" I also remember that and mourn my parents' funds since they bought me a whole new wardrobe twice that year. After that, I was set on buying my own clothing since I felt so bad for making them spend so much.

   While Iann's staring at me in awe from that revelation, Sciro seems shocked by the slight waver in his voice. "Th-that is... frightening, yet very impressive."

   "I wish I had pictures. He used to look like a twig, but now his chest is bigger than mine!" My face inadvertently warms as Melva laughs, and I cross my arms over my chest. I haven't realized that until now, and I can't help but feel self-conscious, even if it's only muscle. "The day I couldn't pick ya up anymore hit me like a train, kid... Ya had to carry yourself then." Her eyes grow glassy, her smile becoming more wistful. "Damn, I'm old. Thank the Abyss we've lasted this long."

   "Souls seem to grow old in the Abyss much more quickly, even if time slows," Sciro muses. "Yet I still feel like a child when I'm far from it. Even Iann knows more than me with how little he tells me actually sticks."

   "Yeah, an' I'll find somethin' to help your memory," Iann says with determination. "If it can't be that alfredo stuff, I'll find a Relic that'll make it so you'll never forget anything again! I'll also find somethin' that'll help Aunt Enri smile too." Melva snorts at that.

   "All I ask is that you discover it yourself," Sciro says softly. "Don't take it from someone else just for me. I'd rather have you here than a Relic."

   Iann's brow furrows, and Sciro maintains his stare. Finally, Iann relents. "I-I'll try, but it's so hard to not do that!" Sciro pats him on the head, and Iann looks both embarrassed and happy. I can't help but smile seeing this.

   "So long as you try, Iann, that'll make me happy." Sciro says reassuringly before he turns back to me and Melva. "But I feel we've been here for long enough, and I need to take Iann back to his room. Though... I wish we could continue talking like this."

   Melva arches a brow. "Who says we can't? Ya had a gap of time today, an' if your main job's to watch Iann, then we can do it again."

   "It's not necessarily watching soley Iann, but I suppose you're right." Sciro sounds hopefully excited. "My tasks don't take all day to complete, so I could find a way to spare time. And if Iann wants to continue learning from Len, I'd rather be with him when he does so in case Lord Dawn or anybody else finds us while we're talking." Melva glances at me, and I nod.

   "I don't mind since I can't keep you cooped up all day while I read Bondrewd's research." Melva sneers while elbowing me, and I snicker a little. "I'll be sure to write you that list before we talk next, Iann."

   "Yes!" Iann cheers with a grin before heading off down the balcony walkway with Sciro. "Do ya think I could grow as much as Mr. Len did in a year?"

   "I'd be quite surprised if you did," Sciro replies.

   Melva watches them go, her smile slowly fading into something softer, but she looks more pensive. "I feel like they shouldn't be down 'ere..." I give her a confused look, and she shakes her head. "They don't fit in with this place. I feel like they should be on the surface."

   I purse my lips and shrug. "Well, there isn't much we can do about that fact. At least they seem to be happy here." Melva's quiet, giving me a blank look. I can't hope to read what she's thinking. She sighs and nods, crutching back the way we came.

   "Guess so."

   As the day winds down, I lay in bed, my fingers drumming on my chest as I stare at the ceiling. I don't want to read any more of one of the books I've brought, not wanting to finish it before we reach the bottom of the Abyss. Admittedly, I've had food on my mind since Sciro spoke about his interest, and I yearn for another meal like the one I had when I spoke with Bondrewd.

   "Here, kid."

   I look in Melva's direction, propping myself up on my elbows as I do so. She pulled our food supplies from her pack and is holding out a strip of dried Bovphyta meat to me.

   "Don't refuse, we have the whole flank still we dried. There's thirty more strips 'sides this one."  I hesitate but take it from her, unable to help myself. "I could see ya practically droolin' over there, an' I have a hunch why?"

   "You may? I-I'm not hungry, I just can't stop thinking about food that actually has flavor to it after Sciro talked about it. I can't imagine not knowing anything besides ration bars, even if they're guaranteed nutrients." I take a small bite of the meat strip, and the gamey, seasoning-sprinkled taste fills my mouth. This is what I need, even more so than alcohol. I sigh, smiling as I take another small bite.

   Melva's quiet as I eat, but she speaks up again as I finish. "I haven't seen ya that happy in a while, kid."

   I wish I could say I'm not caught off-guard by her usual bluntness, but it strikes harder than usual this time. "I suppose so?" My gaze falls to the side. "I didn't notice it; I was too busy with the conversation. But... I noticed you seemed more upbeat as well."

   "That Iann reminds me a lot of the shrimp when he was younger, so that definitely helped. But the fact ya seemed so happy was the main reason. It was nice."

   I'm not sure what to say to that, then again, what could anyone say? All I can think to do is apologize, but I don't. Instead, I finish eating and debate whether I want to attempt sleeping or not. But then Melva says something that makes my stomach turn.

   "Are ya still sure ya wanna do this, Len?" I look at her, and her expression is solemn. "It's been almost three weeks since ya first said it, an' now we're right at the edge. We don't halfta jump if ya don't wanna."

   I try to figure out what could have prompted this, and I can only reason it's because of our talk with Sciro and Iann. But by her saying that at all... "Do you not want to go? I-is that what I'm hearing?"

   "I don't care what happens to me, it's you who matters in this," she says bluntly, and I shake my head.

   "You matter as much as I do, and don't believe otherwise." There's silence as Melva frowns.

   "So then ya actually think ya matter, but before ya said ya didn't?"

   I'm for once confused by what she says, not understanding it through her accent. "E-excuse me?"

   She now looks irritated as she flings her hand out in a gesture to nobody. "Pick one, kid. 'Cause if we both matter, why do we? We halfta matter to somethin' or someone." Now I understand, and I shake my head.

   "You matter to me as much as I matter to you! N-nothing else, nothing else matters anymore! It's just you and me..."

   "An' Iann? Ya were gonna teach 'im some things 'bout fitness, right? For now, it ain't just us."

   I purse my lips, shrugging. "You're right about that, so I'll put that fact aside. But I'm teaching him until we leave. It's temporary, just like everything else is in life."

   Melva's brow furrows a little. "It don't halfta be. Even then the temporary shit can be happy, an' that's sayin' somethin' considerin' it's me sayin' it." I start to clam up, looking away, but Melva isn't finished. "I don't wanna believe ya gave up on him. I just don't believe ya can put 'im aside with how happy ya two were before."

   And that's when I begin to grow angry as well. "Even though you said he doesn't want to see me anymore? I'll ask you which is it, Melva? I was the one who terrified him, hurt him, and you believe that can be amended?"

   "It's whichever ya wanna take a chance on!" Melva yells. "Does another chance matter? 'Cause ya have one last chance 'ere, kid! I'll follow ya to the depths of hell, but I wanna make sure ya have someone to grab your hand if you're 'bout to fall!"

   My last chance... Another chance means another opportunity for me to be hurt. I'm tired of being hurt, I just want to be myself, but who I saw myself as has been dead for so long now. My voice breaks as I reply. "One upbeat conversation won't change my thoughts on that... I-I'm sorry, Melva."

   Melva stares me in the eye before looking away. "I hate how stubborn ya are sometimes, but I get it." She turns onto her side, facing away from me. "'Night, Len."

   With not much else to say, I lay down as well. "G-goodnight..."