The narrator’s voice seemed low and far away, although maybe that was just the blood roaring in Madeleine’s ears. Hæra smelled like the outdoors, all wind and earth. Her thigh felt firm, even through the layers of their jeans. It’d be even firmer without the jeans, probably. If their legs were bare, then Hæra’s muscles would⁠—

Without warning, Hæra turned and leaned in until her mouth was almost brushing Madeleine’s ear.

Madeleine’s heart stopped. What on earth? Was Hæra about to kiss Madeleine’s cheek? Or—if Madeleine just turned her head a little bit, their mouths would⁠—

“I didn’t know it was uncovered by a storm!” Hæra whispered.

Madeleine looked dumbly at the screen. It showed black-and-white photos of the site’s excavation, images of both men and women standing in the newly uncovered pits. The narrator’s voice was saying something about how female archaeologists had been there too. “What?” she said. “I didn’t catch that part.”

“How’d you miss it? They said nobody knew the site was even here until a great storm stripped off the earth in 1850. I’ve never heard that before.”

At least one of them had been paying attention. In fact, even in the low light, Hæra’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Madeleine managed.

“Let’s go. You don’t want to finish the movie, do you? You don’t seem interested in it.” Hæra rose and turned to stand in front of Madeleine. Her tall form blocked the light of the screen, sending her into silhouette, her face no longer visible.

For a moment, Madeleine’s head spun for a different reason. Hæra above her…in silhouette, her face invisible…why did it seem so familiar?

Hæra held out her hand.

Maybe Madeleine was dreaming. Maybe that was why she took Hæra’s hand and let herself be pulled up instead of rising on her own. Maybe that was why she let Hæra keep her hand, tugging her toward the rest of the exhibit that would eventually lead them outside.

The strange feeling of déjà vu faded. Their hands fit so well together. As if they were meant to curl in one warm grip wherever Madeleine and Hæra should go.

Madeleine had been looking forward to seeing the display: ancient tools, pottery behind glass, preserved articles of clothing. Now, instead of admiring human ingenuity, her entire consciousness was in her palm.

After an eternity that wasn’t long enough, they emerged from the exhibit into the open air that would lead to the actual site. But first, there was a replica to explore: some anthropologist’s best guess as to what one of the huts might have looked like.