“Addendum to that thought,” I said. “Fuck her, and no, it’s not working like she wants it to. She’s poking at obvious weak spots I’ve been dealing with for years. I can take it.”

“K—Lookout,” Rain said. “I remember she talked once about a thing she had on her fridge once. You got home from work or school and you put a smiley face up on the fridge. Or a frowny face. Or a stormy face.”

“That is the lamest fucking thing,” Sidepiece said. “You know what I got when I got home from school?”

“I think this is a trick question, and you’re going to pull something out of your middle,” Finale said.

“I got a boot to the ass.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Fuck off with your apologies.”

“Your point, Precipice?” I asked, my voice tenser and my tone terser than I’d meant it to be. “Sorry, just… before they derail us.”

We were passing beneath a set of massive industrial tubes that churned with fluids passing through them. Water for the facility, I imagined.

“Reality check,” Rain said. “Scale of one to ten, who’s above a seven or below a three?”

“Below a five,” Byron said. “Below a five is a slippery slope.”

“Sure,” Rain said. “No judgment.”

“I’m fine,” Damsel said, annoyed.

“Is it even possible to be above a seven?”

“I—” I started. “I’m fucking annoyed with this. I’m spooked about what comes next, and if we can even beat her. But I don’t feel like she’s getting to me. It’s distracting and there’s probably a point to it. Put me down as a seven.”

“I’m freaking,” Caryatid said, from the very rear of the group. “I keep hearing the screeches and squeals, and I think of the needle woman who almost got me, the last time I was here. I dunno… four?”

“Six?” Finale sounded unsure. “I really don’t know.”

“Below a five or above a seven,” Trophy Wife said, sounding annoyed that Finale was contributing unnecessary information.

“I’ll admit I’m thinking of my brother a lot,” Byron said. “Four.”

“I’m an eight or a nine,” Cryptid said. He gave his sash a pat. “I have vials, including one for dealing with mind control. Doesn’t scare me.”

“The bird one. You could have used it already,” I noted.

“Maybe someone else will need it,” Cryptid said, narrowing his eyes at me. He looked away. “Works better if I have a mission in mind.”

“Nice to have in the back pocket,” I told him.

“It is,” he replied, before his ear twitched and he looked away.

“Anyone else?” Rain asked, hopeful.

Torso put out both hands, all fingers extended.

“Ten,” Hookline said, unnecessarily.

“Good for you!” Finale said.

“Even with the crotch shot?” Win asked.