“Our father sent Eli to all kinds of reform schools. Up until he disappeared for almost a year. Father was furious. If my math adds up, that’s when he met your mom and had you. They sure shacked up quick.” He stops and looks up at Lynell.

“I think I only ever saw Eli cry twice,” Eric continues. “Once when our father ordered him to never see his whore again.” Eric smiles. “That’s what he called your mom: whore. And the second time right before I killed him. I wonder if he was thinking about you in those last moments.”

A spark of pain flashes in the palm of Lynell’s hand. She opens the fist to find two tiny cuts where her nails had dug into her skin.

“You know, he never even told me he had a daughter. It took me years to find you. Then I learned of this letter, and you can imagine my disappointment now that I’ve read it and found nothing of use. He didn’t explain how our father regretted the Registration in the end. Or that he begged me not to kill him. He said, and I quote, ‘Please, don’t kill me. Just let me go and I’ll disappear. Please,’” Eric says, voice high and whiny. He lets out a bark of a laugh that makes Lynell jump. “Think he wanted to return to you and Mommy? Save you from mean old Alan? I bet your mom only stayed with that drunk shit to keep you invisible from us. Maybe that was my brother’s idea. Well, it didn’t work. Mom, dead. Dad, dead. Husband, dead. Child, we’ll see. You?” Eric stops in front of one of the guards, who doesn’t move an inch while Eric reaches into the guard’s belt. Eric pulls a knife away and twirls it in his hand before pointing it in Lynell’s direction. “As good as dead.”

Lynell watches him with burning eyes and quivering lips, wanting to launch and scratch and bite and scream. She holds the anger down like trying to restrain a vicious dog.

“Tell me the code, Lynell, and I promise to kill you faster.” She doesn’t reply and Eric leans closer and she can feel his hot breath slam into her face. “Tell me the code and I’ll make sure Anna is comfortable and happy before she goes.”

Lynell spits in his face.

Lynell meets two new guards before Ramsey and Kenneth return. Ramsey is asking her how she found out she’s an Elysian when the door opens. Steven’s hand instantly goes to his gun, and Lynell would laugh if it weren’t for their guest and her shiny array of knives she’s carrying. She’s a short woman with bright red hair and tattoos covering her hands.

“You’re awake. Good.” The woman grins. “Reggie has the day off, so I have the pleasure of persuading you to answer our questions. Want to get right to it, or are you ready to be helpful?”