"I need to talk to you," Le'al said, wanting to stroke Pearl's hand.

Le'al glanced around the room.

"I wish I knew your room was so bare. Nobody brought any of your pretty things for you. I would have, if I knew."

Le'al leaned back in the chair, resting her head against the wall.

She thought, If I can just talk to you once. I can explain. I can ask you if you'd want me to bring your stuff. I can make some sense of what I'm going through. I can tell you as much about me as I know, or think I know about you.

"Please don't die."