Spine turns to me. “I’ve put you and Atlas together. Our three teams of two will be approaching the pier from different sides. There will be a lot of people there, which makes it an excellent choice, but it is also the most dangerous. It could be easy to get trapped at the end of the pier without any method of escape. You requested this particular location, but I can assign you to another if you have any concerns. No one will think less of you.”

“My mom used to take me to Navy Pier at least once a week when I was younger.” We rode the carousel and the Ferris wheel and afterward we would sit with our tablets and draw. She with sure hands and a clear eye. I with the hope that someday I would be as good as her. As I grew older, there was less time for those adventures. But we still made a point of visiting as a family several times a year. The last was two weeks before she died. If my mother were here now, it’s the location she would take. “It’s the place I know best.”

Spine nods. “I had a feeling you were going to say that. You’re right,” she says to Dewey. “She’s a lot like Folio.”

I hope so.

Spine goes over our starting locations one more time and reminds me to keep an eye on my phone in case Rose has information to share.

“I’ll let you know if I hear anything,” I assure her.

Index appears at the doorway and motions that the previous group has left the area and the street is clear for us.

Shifting the weight on my shoulder, I start forward, only to have Spine put out her arm to stop me. “There’s one more thing,” she says.

“What?” I ask.

She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a small red bag, and shakes a blue pill into her palm. “This.”

My heart beats in my throat as I stare at the deadman’s switch.

“Every Steward has one. It’s to protect the mission of truth and give you a choice when the Marshals would take all your choices away.”

She holds out her hand to me, and my mouth goes dry.

Just days ago, I had never heard the word “verify.” My truth was what I heard in school and learned on screens and saw when I walked down the street every day. I believed the world was safe because I was told that it was. And maybe the world could have still been safe if I’d chosen to ignore what I know. But I can’t. The truth changed my life before I ever heard it spoken. And tonight the truth will change my life again.

Slowly, I take the pill from Spine’s palm and roll the blue capsule between my fingers.

“I hope I never need to use it,” I say, sliding the small pill into my front pocket.

“You and me both, Merriam.” Spine shifts the bags on her shoulder. “Now let’s ride.”