“We’re going with Helga. You, me, Walter, and a couple others.” Bryson tipped his cup toward Walter, who was speaking to the woman named Amy. “I guess they want to try and meet with someone from the VNS.”

“What? No,” Michael said, wide-awake in an instant. “They’re the last people we want to talk to right now. We can’t trust them.”

“Yeah, well, I won’t argue with you there. Though Helga said we’d stay away from Agent Weber. Anyway, she said once you woke up, we’d Sink into the Sleep and she’d try to catch us up on what we’ve missed. She wants to head out around noon.”

Michael didn’t like it. He’d do what Helga wanted—except for agreeing to see Weber or visit the VNS.

“And get this,” Bryson continued. “Sarah’s parents are refusing to let her go. They said their adventuring days are over. Sarah’s been fighting with them all morning. I think they took it outside.”

Helga came through the front door before Michael could respond. Her eyes lit up when she spotted them, and she came over.

“Morning, sunshine,” she said, without a hint of teasing. “I hope you got some good rest. Why don’t you eat breakfast and then I want to show you some things in the Sleep. Bring you up to speed before we make any final decisions on our next move.”

“I’m not hungry,” Michael said. “Let’s do it now.”

Helga nodded. “Fine by me. Grab Sarah. Her parents already know most of it. And I’m sure she could use a break from them.” Her eyes said it all. They must’ve been having a tussle for the ages outside.

“I’ll find her,” Michael said. “Get the Coffins ready.”

2

Sarah was alone, with no sign of her parents, leaning against a tree behind the barracks when Michael found her, and she’d obviously been crying. She deflated a little when she saw him approaching—almost as if she was ashamed to be caught in such a state.

“Hey,” he said, flashing her an understanding smile. “Are you being a rotten child again? Didn’t anyone ever teach you to honor and obey your parents at all times?”

“You know I love them, Michael.” She sounded tired. “But it’s hard to deal with this stuff with them around. I’m still their little girl, and there’s no way they can just sit back and let me do what I need to.”

“It’s like they don’t want you to run off and get killed or something,” Michael said.

“Hey, whose side are you on?”