They made it far enough down the stairs for Rain to see that the living room was empty, now, but for the meek women who acted as servants in the white cabin, cleaning up bottles and glasses,.

“I fixed it myself, after getting powers,” Elijah said. “Looked myself in the eye, mirror right in front of me, and I told myself to enjoy it. To like it, my own mother a mere thought away. To be loyal.”

When Rain heard the word ‘mother’, Mama Mathers appeared in the living room. They were fleeting images, each lasting for seconds, five or ten at a time. Her head would turn, and she would look around herself, or she would stare at him.

“I’m sorry,” Rain said. He wasn’t sure why he’d said it. Dangerous words. “I’m sorry you had to go that far to find loyalty.”

Not better words, but he wasn’t thinking straight.

Elijah’s fingers dug into Rain’s arm.

“I can’t see anymore, Rain. My eyes have no power.”

Rain nodded. They were at the door now. Elijah didn’t let him go.

“But what I say? My words have more power than before. All I have to do is tell you to, and you’d want it. I could tell you to be gleeful to have the worst punishment we can offer, and you would be, because it would be in service of the Fallen and Mama.”

Again, the image, standing outside, wearing her nightgown, hair blowing in the wind.

“Like I did for Lachlan,” Elijah said.

Rain nodded. “I know. But I don’t need that. I don’t want it.”

“Whether you want it or not has nothing to do with it, Rain, and never did. Don’t disappoint mama.”

He let go of Rain’s arm. Rain stumbled on his way down the stairs.

“Be careful walking home,” Elijah said, his tone light. “It must be dark out.”

Rain pushed past the gate, passed Nell and Jay, who were still standing guard.

They started to approach him, and for the briefest moment, as he felt panic flare, his power appeared at his hands. They stopped, and Rain stumbled back more steps.

“Sorry, Rain Man,” Jay said. “I know it sucks.”

Nell sounded less sympathetic. “Don’t do anything reckless now. Never goes well.”

Rain shook his head, turned and jogged away, down the dark dirt road, with scarce lighting.

When he couldn’t see anyone or anything around, he leaned over the ditch and emptied his stomach’s contents. It tasted like all of the preservatives in the candies he’d taken, so he could stay awake and keep Erin company. That reminded him of Seir, of Tim, and that only made his stomach churn more.

Mama Mathers crossed his mind and was standing on the road above, watching him, as he straightened.

He staggered past her.

He couldn’t go home. Too far away.