Laughing, fire, spinning in the chaos, spinning in my stomach, & my eyes burn as I wake, nauseous. My insides feel stiff, like my skin's too tight, & I'm slick with cold sweat. Something bright & strong, & the Pattern has been stretched. Burnt. But not broken?

I first think of going to see Syl, but I'm sure she already knows. So instead I head out on my own, in a wide circle, as I don't think I can come too near too quickly. The spinning of it is too much.

I see a familiar white tail under a tree. Voices tell me Syl is here, with others. I come up closer to Chester, trying to stay quiet but not wanting to startle him. My head is starting to pound. There is too much, too much darkness here. Madness.

"Hey," I whisper, letting him know I'm near.