He glanced at Seema, and then up at Ashley on the staircase. He saluted her, and then walked out through the front door into the gathering dusk.

I don’t know how you stand him, I said to Seema, as the door shut.

She shrugged—He’s the only person willing to help me figure out what this actually is.

I downed the last of my whisky like a movie mobster and dropped my cup into Tom’s empty one. I know you think I’m a lunatic too, I said.

She smiled and shook her head. I told her I was sorry that I couldn’t help her, and she said she was too.

So you really don’t think the Resonance exists, I said.

Claire. I know that’s maybe the more exciting or poetic explanation, but honestly? Our hum? It’s just some industrial white noise. And I’m going to find it and I’m going to deal with it. On top of all the other shit I have to do in my life.

She made a little doleful laugh to herself.

Like I’m—I’m pulling eighteen-hour shifts at the General, she continued. Tom’s retired, so he can, you know—I can’t spend all my free time on this. But I just know if I don’t, it’s not going to happen. Like can you imagine Tom doing this on his own? He’d get into an argument while handing out flyers and punch someone in the face. You laugh but he almost did.

I wished her luck. She rose, thanked me, and wished me the same. She then told me to be careful. Thanks, I replied, but I think you’re the one who has to be careful.

She considered this for a moment, and made to say something, but smiled instead. She turned, wished Ashley a happy prom, and walked out the door.

I looked over at Ashley on the staircase, slumped in her dress.

Let me fix your hair, I said. She ignored me, picking some lint off the carpeted step. C’mon. I motioned to her to come down and join me in the dining room, but she didn’t move. I walked over to the staircase, climbed halfway up, and sat down beside her.

I’m completely alone, she mumbled.

I’m right here.

No, you’re not. You’ve been taken from me. This thing has taken you and now it’s taken Dad, and everything is fucked forever. And you can’t see it because you’re inside of it, and so are they, with their stupid petition and flyers. It’s like a mass delusion, she said, swirling her hand in the air.

Just because you can’t hear it, doesn’t—

I can’t because it’s not there. You’re all caught in this—this hysteria and you don’t even—

Hey Miss Feminist—