“Lyon might have mentioned it once,” she says, looking down at the floor. “Let’s go,” she says with a pained smile. “Don’t want to keep Doug waiting.”

I close the case and slip it into my pocket. I’m not about to thank Kai for anything, but for the first time since I boarded the plane last night, I feel almost ready for the impossible task in front of me.

I thank Auggie and start up the steps, giving Kai a moment to settle up. Behind me, I hear their murmured goodbyes, the slap of hands on shoulders as they embrace, and a sniffle that must be Auggie’s.

Kai runs to catch up as I push through the door into the foggy blackness of the alley. “There’s a park a few blocks north,” she says. “We can catch a taxi there.”

The rain has slowed to an icy drizzle, and I jam my hands deep in my pockets for warmth, keeping my pace brisk to put as much distance as possible between us and Auggie’s place, hoping it wasn’t a mistake to stop. Ahead, the trees bordering the park rustle, their branches stirred by a wind that seems to whip and change direction too often, too quickly. Lightning flickers in the distance, and a handful of scattered snowflakes swirl on the breeze. Kai’s feet splash in the puddles behind me.

“How do you and Auggie know each other?” I ask Kai over my shoulder, not entirely sure I trust him.

“He was a Handler when I first came to the Observatory,” she explains, trotting to catch up. “He and his Summer lived in the room next to mine. I had a difficult transition. He and Daisy helped me adjust.”

“The fly?”

Kai nods, confirming my suspicion. “Daisy was like a sister to him. He adored her. But she was outspoken. Reckless. She had strong opinions and refused to keep her head down. Michael made an example of her and had her Culled.” Kai winces, as if the memory still stings. “Auggie was allowed to stay in the Observatory. He worked in maintenance for a while, laid low and kept an eye on Daisy’s fly for a decade or so, until a faculty member helped them escape.”

“Who?” I ask eagerly. “If this staff member’s still down there, maybe they can help us.”

“He’s not there anymore,” Kai says, her expression shuttering, the grief in her eyes telling me everything I need to know. Whoever helped Auggie was probably Terminated for it. We’re on our own. “What now?” she asks, scrambling to keep up with me.

“We get to the north portal and find a way down to the Observatory.”

“How?”

“I’ll know it when I see it.”

“So you’re just going to wing it?”