“But as I see it,” Dice said, “the man in the plane about to drop the atomic bomb has two ways to protest.” Dice took Isaac’s hand and palpated it. “He can either refuse to drop the bomb, in which case the officer can move him out of the way and seat a new bombardier who is willing”—Isaac’s large guppy eyes were focused on Dice—“or, he can sabotage.”

“Yes,” Isaac said.

“He can drop the bomb over the sea, over the forest.”

“Sabotage.”

“Exactly,” Dice said. “See if you can’t stretch your mind a little. What is freedom, do you think? Is it moving aside or making something new? Don’t you see why we have to be so careful with our processes, our structures? You can stay three days, or the rest of your life.”

I wanted Dice to stop touching Isaac.

“In just a few days,” Dice said, “we’re going out to an action. We need trustworthy people to stay at the farm. So you will decide tomorrow.” He set down Isaac’s hand. I remembered how Dice had treated Rainer so cruelly in the forest. For all of us he had a different way. My first night, Dice had let me tell stories and cry, all alone in the garden.

Dice glanced over at me. “Anything to add, Harmony?”

“Am I coming on the action?” I said.

“No,” he said. “Remember, the people who stay behind are just as important.” My face warmed. This kindness from him was everything to me. I’d try asking again later.

I was about to say get relativity when Dice noticed something. “On your face,” Dice said to Isaac. “Turn your head.” Dice pushed back the hair at Isaac’s temple. “A talon,” he said. “How funny. Harmony has two just like that, on her back.”

I wondered when it was that Dice had seen me naked.

“I noticed that too,” I said. “So funny.” I felt queasy with fear.

Dice whistled, and all three dogs came crashing out of the forest.

“Why don’t you two talk about your talons,” he said, standing. “And what odd luck that is.” He looked us both up and down. “Come back soon, boy,” he said. “Osha needs you.”

He headed into the forest. The three dogs examined us, then turned to follow. I waited until I couldn’t hear their feet on the leaves.

“Come on,” I said, standing over Isaac. I took his hands, warmer now, and heaved him up.

“What would you do,” he said, “if I wanted to stay?” He began to walk so slowly my legs ached to keep pace.

“You can’t stay,” I said. “Dice knows we know each other now. The claws.”

“Why does that matter?”

I didn’t answer. To calm myself I pressed my hands together the way Dice had pressed on Isaac’s.