The narrow hallway is empty. I follow the berth numbers in descending order until I find mine and enter the room. It’s cozy—just a chair, table and bed—but it’ll do. I fling my backpack on the worn chair and flop on the bed. It’s a little too firm for my liking, but since I only have one night in it, I can’t complain.
It’s too hot in the little room, so I shed my extra layers and lay them neatly on the chair.
My head throbs, a dull ache just behind my eyebrows. With my fingertips, I apply pressure to my forehead. It doesn’t do much good and I wish I had Dr. Hanson’s pills.
The ticket agent recognized me, but how? He couldn’t see my face, not with the scarf wrapping most of it. My eyes? My voice? What?
I need to do better than this. But to be honest, I have no fear of him contacting my mother. Who is he but a Singleton—and not even one with a decent placement. He won’t get through to Mother. I’m sure of it.
But if Bethina finds out…then she’ll be on the next train after me.
I stare at the smooth, blank surface of the ceiling and begin formulating a plan. So far, I’ve only really thought about getting to the train. But now that I’m here, it’s time to figure out my next move.
Finding Beck and hearing his side of the story is my first priority. I’m not convinced he’s Sensitive, but if he is, I have to know.
Bethina doesn’t think he’s in jail, so perhaps his parents know where he is. But what will I find there? Security? What if his whole family is Sensitive? What then?
The train picks up speed and I don’t fight sleep when it comes for me.