Lee’s face became grim. Making a decision, he flung the black goo he’d made for Pierce at Brooke. My focus blurred, but I heard her scream. It ceased with a frightening suddenness as a purple-tinged sheet covered her. She convulsed, then was still.

I didn’t feel so good. Eyes crossing, I started to collapse. A warm hand caught me, and everything shifted as I slumped into Pierce. I couldn’t open my eyes, but I knew it was him because I could smell coal dust and shoe polish. “I thought you were a ruffian,” I heard him say, then I groaned as he stood and the world spun.

“I am,” Lee said, amused, “but Rachel is the better bet this spin of the wheel. Do you have a car?”

“There are cars at the curb,” he said guardedly. “Can you drive? Rachel is of a mind that I’m no good at it.”

“Like a pixy drunk on h-honey,” I stammered.

There was a whimper from the huddled pile by the cart, and Lee’s eyes narrowed. “Next time, ask for my help!” he said loudly. “You won’t get it, but at least you won’t piss me off!”

Oh good. Brooke was still alive. My fingers searched blindly, finding Pierce’s neck. ” ‘Bout time you got here,” I slurred, lost again in the haze of whatever drug I was on. My eyes opened, and I tried to slap his face, but it barely touched him, and I giggled. “Gun. Where’s my gun? We have to take Lee with us.”

“You have my apology, sir,” Pierce said, his voice stiff as he hoisted me higher.

“Gun,” I murmured. “I want my gun, damn it!” There was a soft breath of air, and it dropped in my lap. “Thanks, Bis,” I slurred. “Toot, toot! Train leaving!”

The arms around me stiffened. “Rachel?”

“Brooke drugged her,” Lee said. “I suggest the stairs.” There was a slight hesitation, and then we started to move. The smell of burnt carpet intruded, then vanished.

“That was a devilishly fine ward,” Pierce said, and I looked up at the ceiling as the lights passed over me, seeing Bis in flashes as he crawled along the ceiling as fast as we could walk. Smiling, I patted Pierce’s stubbled cheek, amazed by how I couldn’t feel his face no matter how hard I smacked it.

“I like your hat, Pierce,” I said, trying to focus.

The sound of people in the hallway started to become obvious the higher we went. The fire alarm was still hooting, and the building was clearing out. I giggled as I jostled in Pierce’s arms. Damn it, there was nothing funny, but I couldn’t stop.

Above me, Pierce looked worriedly at Lee. “Are you sure she’s all right?”

“She’s absolutely fine,” Lee said, and I snorted as we followed the excited students up the last stairway.