"It''s really hard to say," Calliope replied quietly. "It all depends on her will to live- and how much she wants to stay in this world."


    “But there''s still hope. Even people who''ve been in aa for years sometimes wake up. So let''s not lose patience just yet. The way we''re feeling our anxiety— could easily affect her, too."


    Uriah nodded right away, regret carved into his face. He leaned in close to Mavis, his voice low and shaky with emotion. "Mavis, please wake up. Please?"


    "This is all my fault. I never should''ve let you get mixed up in something so dangerous, not even once."


    "I know you''re angry. I won''t bother you anymore, I swear. Just wake up—if you do, I''ll do whatever you want. Anything."


    “Mavis, don''t leave me like this. If you don''t wake up, I... I don''t know what I''ll do. I don''t want to lose you." He gripped her hand tightly, eyes locked onto her still face.


    Around them, a few doctors silently shook their heads. Everyone knew—recovering from this kind of state was incredibly difficult.


    Calliope didn''t say a word. She watched Uriah, and part of her wanted to ask: What ce did Mavis really hold in his heart? Did he love her, or was it just the shock of seeing her like this? But now wasn''t the time, and besides, Uriah lookedpletely wrecked-more so than anyone else here.


    She slipped out of the hospital room and sat for a while in the living room.


    Damien found her and approached hesitantly. "Calliope, are we still going after Nigel?"


    Guilt had gnawed at him for three days. He had no clue if Nigel and the others were alive or dead; he was the only one to make it out. The rest must think he''dpletely abandoned them-he was certain they hated him.


    Honestly, he couldn''t even me them. He''d been holed up here, safe for days, and hadn''t lifted a finger to help.


    "Give me a minute," Calliope said softly.


    Damien nodded, not fully


    understanding her meaning, but he didn''t dare ask for more rification. He felt ridiculous: they''de here to protect her and she was back


    safe, while he''d done b


    hide.


    Not long after, Uriah came out of Mavis''s room. He sank onto the sofa, lit a cigarette, and took a long, desperate drag. The man who was


    usually so put


    ogether now


    looked


    worn and disheveled, dark stubble


    shadowing his jaw.


    "I want to get her back to Capitalton right away," Uriah said, exhaling smoke as he looked up.


    “That''s fine,” Calliope replied, “Just make sure the trip''s smooth. Her condition is stable now-she should be okay."


    Uriah studied her face. "Aren''t youing back with us?" He''d counted on having her there, in case anything went wrong.


    "I still need to visit ck Spider,” Calliope replied. “I''m not sure how soon I''ll be back."


    "Don''t worry. Mavis is stable—she''s not in any danger. You''ve got a good medical team; they''ll be able to help."


    "But none of them are as reliable as


    you,"


    riah pushed back. "And a


    Spider isn''t it dangeros for


    ck The


    guy''s not exactly normal.


    "That''s exactly why I have to go," Calliope said, her tone firm. "Nigel''s in his hands. I


    can''t just abandon him."


    "Why bother?" Uriah didn''t see the point-Nigel was hardly a friend.


    "He came here for me. It''s my responsibility to help him," Calliope said quietly.


    "Besides, Damien owes him, too."