As they reach the airport, Price pulls a hat over Lynell’s head, tucking all the hair underneath.

“You’re not going to run away from me this time, are you?” he asks while he tugs the hat down.

“No point, is there?”

His lips press together, as if the statement offends him.

The security line is shorter this time, but it still takes half an hour to get through.

“Don’t know why they allow weapons during Registration season,” Lynell mutters as the security guard inspects Price’s gun.

“To limit hindrances for completing Registrations,” Price says, after thanking the man and sliding his gun back into the bag.

“Then why allow everyone? Why not just people who have Registered that quarter?”

Price grabs her right hand after they pass through the metal detectors and leads her in the direction of their gate. “Simplicity’s sake?”

“Yeah,” Lynell fills her voice with sarcasm, practically feeling it drip from each word. “Because everything about the Registration is so simple.”

To Lynell’s surprise, Price laughs.

When they reach their gate, Lynell sits in the corner and rests her head against the wall. Price pulls two protein bars from his bag, handing one to Lynell. Her stomach rumbles painfully at the sight and she takes it without comment.

A loudspeaker crackles on and then a woman’s crisp, clear voice begins to speak. “Good morning, passengers.”

Leaning forward and glancing to her right, Lynell can see a tall, curvy woman with unblemished brown skin and pink hair braided in an intricate crown on top of her head speaking into a microphone.

“This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Dallas. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to board at this time. Have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes’ time. Please remember that the use of weapons is prohibited on the aircraft. No Registrations may be completed on this or any flight for health and sanitation reasons. Noncompliance with this will result in prosecution despite any Registration immunities. Thank you.”

The speaker clicks off and Lynell leans back, closing her eyes. When the woman calls for group five to board, Price nudges her calf with his foot.

“That’s us,” he says.

Lynell nods and follows Price to join the queue.

The flight attendant smiles at her, and to her own surprise, Lynell manages to smile back. Lynell sees the woman look at the bruise forming around Lynell’s eye and cheek, but she doesn’t say anything other than, “Have a good flight.”

Price nods and ushers them both into the tube leading them to the plane. The air is stuffy and Lynell feels herself getting light-headed. She grasps Price’s hand to steady herself.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

They finally reach their row and she sinks into the window seat. Price sits next to her and places his hand over her forehead.

“You’re burning up,” he says, concern lacing his voice. “Here,” he rummages in his bag before pulling out two pills.