Chapter 14: The Cannery

At nine that night I stood in the corridor outside Heath's room and told his parents the truth.

I told them I came from another world.

I told them a System had brought me, and that the number over their son's head was his remaining life.

I told them Summer was a second host, and that she needed four more points.

His father listened to the end with his jaw set.

"Security," he said.

"Mr. Gresham, your son's blood is a sixty-year-old's. Ask the doctor."

"My son is sick because you broke his heart in front of my guests."

"Then explain the nosebleeds."

His mother's hand was over her mouth.

She did not look angry now.

She looked frightened of me.

"Take her out," his father said to the guard.

"Wait."

The voice came through the open door, hoarse and flat.

"Dad. Let her say it to me."

Heath sat up against the pillows.

Summer stood from her chair at once.

"Heath, honey, you need rest."

"I need ice chips." He did not look at her. "Go and find some. Please."

She hesitated one second too long.

Then she smiled, touched his shoulder, and went.

His parents stayed in the doorway until he said, "Out. Both of you."

Frankie leaned against the wall in the corridor, and I shut the door.

I stood at the foot of his bed with my hands knotted together.

"I'm going to tell you something I couldn't say," I told him. "You don't have to believe it."

"Try me."

"Last time, you left me three years in. I had no papers and no money, and I took a shift scrubbing a cannery floor."

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