"You don’t belong," she said. "If I knew you were coming, I would have straightened up. I guess I can open the curtains."

She rubbed her forehead. "I feel dirty."

She imagined the old security guard from her job knocking on the door.

"Excuse me miss, not that we are accusing you," he’d say, she thought. "But some items have recently become missing at the hospital. It is my job to personally ask all employees if they know anything about it."

Then he’d lean on her book shelf, she thought. How he does after he’s been standing for more than a sentence or two, waiting for her response. Le’al knew he would catch her.