Atlas silently stares at Scarlett, his hands balled into fists at his side.

She straightens her shoulders and asks in a steely voice, “Does everyone understand?”

A chorus of murmured assents tumbles in the air. Several sets of eyes shift to Atlas and then dart away.

Atlas looks down and shoves his hands in his pockets.

Scarlett gives a satisfied nod. Her tone turns warm as she says, “It’s late. Anyone not on the night shift should get some sleep. We need everyone working at full power to prepare to close the doors and wait out this storm. And, Atlas . . .” She glances at me and back at him. “I hold you responsible for this new rider. You broke the rules. You brought her in without clearance. Now that she’s here, it’s up to you to make sure her ride does not put the Stewards in deeper jeopardy. If you fail, I will have no qualms about ripping the ticket you gave this girl right out of her hands.”

The flat, calm tone streaks an icy finger down my spine as Scarlett slowly turns and strolls back to where the tall blond Engineer and several other Stewards are waiting for her. They begin to speak in low voices as Atlas snatches his shirt from the middle of the table and snaps, “Let’s go.”

I wait until we wind our way through the bookshelves to a small sitting area filled with fuzzy throw rugs, faded overstuffed armchairs, and worn couches before I speak. “What’s happening?” I ask. “What did Scarlett mean when she said the Engineers would remove the ticket from my hands?”

My head is ringing. My eyes burn. Every muscle begs me to fall into one of the chairs and to stay there for days. I must look as tired as I feel because Atlas answers, “Why don’t we talk about that after you get some sleep?”

“I can show her to the women’s sleeper car,” Renu volunteers. I jump because I hadn’t realized she’d followed us. “There’s a bed next to mine that’s free.”

“Thanks, but I’m awake enough to get home as long as someone shows me how to get out.”

Renu points to two poles of stacked lights. They’re flanking the entrance of the Lyceum we originally came through. All the lights are glowing a brilliant shade of yellow. “You heard what they said, Atlas. You’re responsible for whatever she does if she leaves.”

“I’m not staying here.” I take a step back. I don’t know these people. I don’t know what to think about everything that they’ve said and what they claim to want to do. I don’t understand half of it, and I haven’t had time to really think about the half I do understand.

Renu turns to Atlas and crosses her arms in front of her chest. The light catches her forearm, illuminating the black-inked design. “There are more Marshals on the street this week than last. Stewards are failing to report in. People are being careful and they’re still disappearing. Who knows how many will be left by the time the lockdown is initiated.”