The New Ancestors

Bobby’s gone to get the drinks and some more weed, so I’ve got a little time to gather my thoughts. A prophecy about the Ascended and her sixteenth birthday. What’s that all about, and how come I’ve never heard about it before? I mean, I know I’m not the most devout person in the world, but I paid attention during my religious education. Of course, Dina did say that the Prophecy is in the Commentaries and that they’re rarely read by anyone, other than the Religious Caste, but still, you’d think I’d have heard something, especially after my Ascension.  

All of these coincidences! I start having these feelings — premonitions — and at exactly the same time, Farmer Ted is doing forecasts on our future that cause him to have the same sense of foreboding that I have. Then it turns out that all along, we’ve been operating under a prophecy which says that something is going to happen when one of the Ascended hits her sixteenth birthday, and lo and behold, it’s my sixteenth birthday. I mean, even if you believe in coincidences, this has to be the mother of them all.

Sloan: Hi Claire.

Claire: Oh boy, you have got to be kidding me.

Sloan: A simple “Hey, it’s great to see you” would have been fine.

Claire: I try to be honest at all times, Sloan.

Sloan: Really? I didn’t know that.

Claire: There’s a lot you don’t know, Sloan, and especially about me.

Sloan: Mind if I join you for a minute?

Claire: No, not at all. Only, Bobby will be back soon, and I suspect he won’t be as happy to see you as I am.

Sloan: Biting wit, as usual.

Claire: I try. What do you want?

Sloan: Would you believe me if I said I wanted to wish you a happy birthday?

Claire: No.

Sloan: Well, it’s true. Even I get sentimental sometimes.

Claire: Hah! I’m supposed to believe that you’re sentimental about me?

Sloan: Is it so hard to believe? We dated for two years. I think we loved each other, didn’t we?

Claire: I loved. You left.

Sloan: That doesn’t mean I didn’t love you, though.

Claire: People don’t usually ditch people they love.

Sloan: You have a point.

Claire: But that’s what you Drifters are all about, isn’t it? Leaving the people who love you.

Sloan: We prefer Iyrin. ‘Drifter’ is so…pejorative.

Claire: Humph!

Sloan: I didn’t realize you hated us so much. I thought you were always so tolerant, even of “Drifters.”

Claire: I don’t hate Drifters. I hate one particular Drifter…you.

Sloan: Whoa!

Claire: Sorry… So, why are you here?

Sloan: Well, I heard through the grapevine that you’d be out tonight.

Claire: Since when do you follow the grapevine?

Sloan: I like to know what’s going on.

Claire: And…?

Sloan: And…I just wanted to check things out; make sure you were OK.

Claire: Why wouldn’t I be OK?

Sloan: Well, you do have a pretty dangerous job.

Claire: Sloan, I’ve been Leader for two years, now. And I was First Advisor two years before that. You just figured out that these are dangerous jobs?

Sloan: No.

Claire: So, why the sudden concern?

Sloan: Well, I… Hey, there he is! The man of the hour! Bobby Richstone! What’s shaking? Long time no see.

Bobby: Sloan, you have ten seconds to get the fuck out of here, before I throw you out myself.

Sloan: I’ve been known to be able to take care of myself. 

Bobby: All I need to do is say a word to Danny-Boy. Think you can take him?

Sloan: Hey, no one’s talking about “taking” anyone. Why all the hostility, brother?

Bobby: Hmm, why do you think? (A) You treated Claire like shit. (B) You treated Claire like shit. (C) You treated Claire like shit.

Sloan: (C)?

Bobby: You win a prize. Now, get lost.

Claire: Bobby, hold on.

Bobby: You don’t actually want to talk to this asshole, do you?

Claire: Yes, I do. Really, I’m over it. Sloan and I are just catching up.

Bobby: I don’t know…

Claire: Trust me, okay? Just hang out at the bar for a few more minutes. It looks like Jason and Ariel have a little party going. Why don’t you join in? I’ll come over when we’re done.

Bobby: Alright. I’ll hang out for a little while. Sloan, I’m watching you.

Sloan: Bobby’s not happy with me.

Claire: He’s my boyfriend, Sloan. What do you expect?

Sloan: I was your boyfriend once, Claire.

Claire: Yeah, when we were thirteen. A lot of time’s passed, you know? Things have changed.

Sloan: Yes, they have.

Claire: No riddles, Sloan. I don’t have the patience for them. You gonna’ tell me why you’ve suddenly decided to check up on me, after all these years?

Sloan: I didn’t just ditch you, you know.

Claire: Felt like a ditch to me.

Sloan: I’ve been away.

Claire: I know. You’re a Drifter or whatever you guys call yourselves, now. That’s what you do, wander from cell to cell.

Sloan: No, I’ve been away from the Underground, Claire.  

Claire: You mean, in the Overground?!

Sloan: Yes.

Claire: Why, for God’s sake?! Are you crazy?

Sloan: Maybe. Look, Claire, do you remember what I just said a minute ago…about what we call ourselves?

Claire: Yeah…um… “Iyrin” wasn’t it?

Sloan: That’s right. Know what it means?

Claire: No idea.

Sloan: Of course you do. You said it when you first came in. “They’re just there, neither helping nor hurting, almost like Watchers.”

Claire: How do you know I said that?  

Sloan: I hear things.

Claire: You shouldn’t stalk people, Sloan, it’s creepy.

Sloan: Who’s stalking? I just got here.

Claire: Whatever. What’s the point?

Sloan: That’s what we are — Watchers.

Claire: Okkkkayy…

Sloan: No, really. You were literally correct, even though you didn’t know it. Our job is to watch. We’re Sentinels.

Claire: Job? Who gave you this job? I certainly didn’t.  

Sloan: Let’s just say, it’s on authority.

Claire: What authority? There’s nothing about Drifters or “Iyrin” in the Diary, Sloan.

Sloan: Well, there’s nothing about the Geeks either, is there? Where do they get their authority from? They’re the most powerful faction in the Rebellion.

Claire: That’s different.

Sloan: Is it? There’s a lot about the Geeks that you don’t know Claire; stuff that goes back before the Rebellion. They’ve got their own thing going on, entirely separate from the Cult. You think Farmer Ted’s just some teen business mogul?

Claire: Whoa.

Sloan: It’s the same with us. We predate the Rebellion too. And we have our own principles, separate from the Cult’s.

Claire: I’m starting to realize that I really don’t know how big the Underground is or how many centers of power there are.  

Sloan: It’s the universe, Claire. The Underground is the universe in microcosm.

Claire: I don’t get what this has to do with you spending time in the Overground, though.

Sloan: Everything. Our primary duty is to stand watch, and that means in the Overground as well as the Underground. I’ve been up there for two years.

Claire: I’m not even going to try to wrap my head around that. Or tell you what a fucking dumbass you are, seeing as you could have gotten us all swept.  

Sloan: You just did tell me that.

Claire: You and Bobby should be friends. You have an equal talent for missing the point.

Sloan: Sorry.

Claire: So, bracketing all that, why come back now?

Sloan: To see you.

Claire: Yeah, you said that already. Doesn’t tell me much.

Sloan: Let’s just say, I’ve been concerned lately.

Claire: Lately?

Sloan: Well, the past few months.

Claire: The past few months? Tell me you’re not fucking around, Sloan. I’m serious.

Sloan: So am I.

Claire: Okay, so why have you been concerned?

Sloan: Things I’ve seen up there — and considering certain things that come from our own tradition — certain combinations of events; calculations…

Claire: I can’t believe this.

Sloan: What?

Claire: You see this tape recorder?

Sloan: Yes.

Claire: Didn’t you wonder what it was for?

Sloan: I figured you’d tell me eventually.

Claire: I’m recording an extended account of life in the Cult — in the Rebellion — and I’m interviewing as many people as possible.

Sloan: I see.

Claire: ‘Cause I’ve been feeling something these past few months, too; a sense of something coming; something big.

Sloan: So, you thought you should make a permanent record, just in case.

Claire: Yeah.

Sloan: Interesting.

Claire: And it’s the same with Farmer Ted. He’s had the same feeling; the same sense of foreboding. Although his…er…methods were a bit more colorful.

Sloan: Weed and Wu-Tang Clan.

Claire: Jesus, Sloan, you’re freaking me out, now. How do you know all this shit?

Sloan: I get around.

Claire: So, there are three of us, now, who’ve seen this.

Sloan: Convergence.

Claire: Convergence?

Sloan: Let’s just say that I don’t believe in coincidences any more than you do, Claire.

Claire: You remember that about me?

Sloan: I remember everything about you and about our time together.

Claire: So what are you going to do now? Go to another cell? Return to the Overground?

Sloan: No. I’ve seen everything I needed to see up there. I’m back now, for good. And no other cells either. I’m staying with the Cult.

Claire: If you’d told me that an hour ago, I would have hated the thought of it. Now, It’s strangely comforting.

Sloan: I like the thought of being back too, and I’m glad you’re OK and happy with Bobby. He’s a good guy.

Claire: Oh, Sloan…

Sloan: I really did just want to see you, Claire — to tell you I was back — and to wish you a happy birthday. I’m not here to interfere.

Claire: I’m glad you came out, Sloan. I feel like something that was weighing on me is gone. I don’t know if I understand why you left, but I do know that it wasn’t to hurt me.

Sloan: Never, Claire.

Claire: Hug?

Sloan: Hug. I’ll be around — got a few more people to talk to — but I won’t bother you guys anymore tonight.

Claire: Okay, bye.

Sloan: Bye.

I did love Sloan. He was my first love, after countless crushes, and I fell for him hard. You can see why — he’s brilliant, and beautiful, and has a kind of quiet command. I was new to the Underground, and he just appeared one day and swept me off my feet. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. I was looking for an anchor, for someone who wouldn’t move — who was rock solid — and Sloan was all of those things. That’s why it was so hard when he left. I would have been devastated regardless, but it made me question everything I thought I knew about him. And it made me question myself too — made me wonder how I could have made such a fundamental mistake. And for all these years, I’ve hated him and doubted myself for having loved him.

And now, suddenly, I don’t have to, because I believe everything he said. Sloan may be vague and cryptic, but he isn’t a liar. And if this night has taught me anything, it’s that even with everything I know — with all the information I’m privy to, all the spies I have out there and all the electronic snoopers and counter-surveillance we control — it’s only the tip of the iceberg. The Underground is vast and contains things I could never have imagined — shadowy, but benevolent factions; powers who act out in the open, but who manage to hide everything nonetheless — and Sloan knows them all. But there’s something else about him that I can’t put my finger on — something that makes me think he can see the forces that are moving us around the board in this game of rapture and death.

Bobby: Claire.

Claire: Whoa, Bobby, you startled me. I was lost in my thoughts.

Bobby: Are you OK? Did he upset you?

Claire: No. In fact, he made me feel wonderful.

Bobby: Wonderful? Hmm. I’m thinking Peter’s herbalist is even better than Farmer Ted’s. I’ve found myself staring at girls’ ears.

Claire: No, I’m serious, Bobby. Talking to him was probably the most important thing I’ve done tonight.

Bobby: I thought you hated the guy.

Claire: I did, but I don’t now. Quite the opposite. I love him, and more importantly, he loves us. But not like Ariel or the Religious Caste…

Bobby: You’re half making sense.

Claire: He didn’t abandon me. He had to go, and he couldn’t tell me at the time.

Bobby: And?

Claire: And now he’s back. And I’m glad he’s watching us. We’ll be the safer for it; I’m convinced of that. Although…

Bobby: What?

Claire: I don’t know how to explain it. He cares about us, but he’s also independent. It’s like his heart is here with us, in the world, but his mind is out roaming, in the vastness of space. It’s a little unsettling, but it’s also the reason that I know I can trust what he says, and especially when it’s bad news. The people who love you in the other way never want to tell you bad news.

Bobby: If you’re OK with him, I’m OK with him. I only played tough, because I thought you didn’t want him bothering you. You told me that he’d been mean to you, back in the day. I have no problem with the guy otherwise. If you trust him, I trust him.

Claire: I appreciate it. And he’s not upset about what happened. He totally understands. He even said he could see that you and I are happy together and that he’s glad.

Bobby: Now I feel like a dick.

Claire: Don’t, really, he’s fine. I’d even say he’s grateful that you came along after he left. I think he feels like I’m in good hands.

Bobby: Funny, a half hour ago, I was ready to punch the guy, and now I’m feeling honored that he thinks I’m a worthy successor. Weirder things, right?

Claire: Right!

Peter [over the PA system]: Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention for a moment.

Claire: What the…?

Bobby: Wait for it.

Peter: As I’m sure you all know, tonight is a very special night here in the Land of Turquoise and Pink.

Crowd: Woo Hoo!

Peter: Because tonight is the night we celebrate the sixteenth birthday of our Leader, Claire Standish!

Girls: We love you Claire!

Guys: Claire! Claire! Claire!

Peter: And in honor of this important occasion, we have some special entertainment lined up for you tonight. The Scene’s own Wire tribute band: Blessed State!

Claire: Holy fucking shit! They’re gonna’ play Wire!

Bobby: All night, baby.

Claire: Okay, I’ve just died and gone to heaven.

Bobby: Funny, I thought we were already there.

Claire: Oh, Bobby…

Bobby: There are some people here to see you. I told them to hang out at the bar, so I could make sure everything was OK — you know, because of Sloan. Here they are.

Gwen: Woo Hoo Girlfriend! Happy Birthday!

Claire: Gwen! Sybelle! What are you doing here? I thought you were out working.

Sybelle: Mr. Pervo didn’t show, and the Eager Director was a little too eager. He drank two bottles of Beaujolais at dinner and passed out in his underwear and socks on the floor, after we’d gone back to his apartment. So we went home, got changed, and came over.

Gwen: We would have been here sooner, but we made a pit-stop at the G-Zone on the way.

Sybelle: Yes, Gwen got very festive with the G-Girls.

Gwen: I love the G-Girls.

Sybelle: I had to drag her off.

Gwen: Fuck you did. I just wanted to have a couple of pre-party drinks.

Sybelle: You were trying to pull that girl’s thong off with your teeth.

Gwen: I’ll admit, I got a little excited.  

Sybelle: Excited? You were completely deranged. As I was pushing you out the door, you yelled, “Just let me have a little coochie and we’ll call it even!”

Gwen: Did I?

Sybelle: You did.

Bobby: Wow. I was obviously there at the wrong time.

Claire: We left a little bit of a trail in the G-Zone ourselves. I got totally ripped with Farmer Ted and bumped and grinded with a girl up on the Third Floor.  

Bobby: Did I fucking miss everything tonight?

Claire: Ooh, guess what? Raps hooked up with Nina!

Gwen: You’re shitting me!

Sybelle: Good for him!

Claire: I’m really happy about it. Raps needs this. He’s been so sad and lonely.

Bobby: I have the feeling he’s gotten over it.

Claire: She jumped on him from the riser and made out with him in front of everyone. They’re probably getting pretty hot and heavy about now.

Gwen:Hello ego-boost. The guy should get an award.

Claire: This whole night’s been heavenly. Cloud Nine stuff.

Sybelle: Well, I’m really glad we could spend some of it with you. The stars must be in alignment or something.

Danny-Boy: Hey peeps.

Bobby: Yo’ yo’ yo’!

Ariel: Happy Birthday! Kiss kiss!

Claire: Thanks!

Gwen: My god, Ariel…you are fucking gorgeous! Scrumptulicious!

Sybelle: Gwen!

Bobby: I don’t think that’s a word.

Ariel: Thank you! It’s my first night out on the Scene and I wanted to look nice.

Gwen: First night out?! And Claire’s birthday too?! Why aren’t there shots here?! Barkeep! Shots!

Peter: Barkeep?

Gwen: Proprietor?

Peter: Better. What’ll it be?

Gwen: Shots for everyone! Stolichnaya! Chilled!

Peter: You got it.

Bobby: What is it with you people? Doesn’t anyone drink Budweiser anymore?

Danny-Boy: So, did Claire tell you about my little freak out?

Ariel: It’s OK, Danny, don’t have to tell everyone.

Danny-Boy: Yes I do. It’s part of the penance.

Gwen: Tell! Tell!

Sybelle: You’re impossible, Gwen!  

Gwen: I must know everything. Everyone must tell me everything.

Claire: Well, Danny-Boy got a little hot.

Gwen: Boner?

Danny-Boy: Not that kind of hot.

Gwen: Kick someone’s ass?

Danny-Boy: You’re getting closer.

Claire: When Ariel first came in, the response was…spirited.

Bobby: Spirited? She hypnotized thirty people.

Gwen: Well, ya! Hello! She’s fucking hot!

Sybelle: I’m going to muzzle you, I swear.

Claire: Anyway, Jason came over and touched Ariel’s cheek, and, well, Danny-Boy…

Danny-Boy: I went apeshit and almost tore his head off.

Gwen: Fight! Fight! Fight!

Sybelle: Gwen! Claire, I am so sorry about this. I can’t take her anywhere.  

Claire: Hee hee. No fight, Gwen. Peter intervened.

Gwen: Booooo….

Danny-Boy: Yeah, he straightened my ass out. And Jason’s a class act, so everything’s cool.

Claire: Where is he? Jason, I mean.

Ariel: He went back to his place. He’s got an early shift tomorrow and wanted to make sure he got enough sleep.

Raps: Who kicked someone’s ass?

Claire: Raps! Nina!

Nina: Hey sweetums! Happy Birthday!

Claire: Everyone’s wishing me Happy Birthday!!!

Bobby: Hey guys! Raps, I think you lost some weight.

Gwen: Heh, special exercise.

Sybelle: Oh, God, here we go again.

Gwen: I want to hear all of it. Every juicy second. Especially the juicy parts…oh, I said ‘juicy’ already.

Raps: Not a chance. Dweebs don’t kiss and tell.

Nina: I don’t know what you’re talking about, Gwen. We were just hanging out and reading poetry to each other.

Gwen: Dirty poetry?

Sybelle: Just ignore her. Her brain is swimming in a bottle of vodka back in the G-Zone.

Raps: So what’s this about someone getting his ass kicked?

Claire: No ass-kicking. Danny-Boy had a little tiff with Jason, but everything’s alright. It was just a misunderstanding.

Raps: Well, thank god for that.

Gwen: Who’s got the spliff?

Sybelle: Good idea, Gwen. Maybe it’ll mellow you out.

Bobby: I do…just lit it. Here. 

Gwen: Thanky thanky. Damn, that’s good!

Nina: Well, Raps and I have an announcement to make.

Claire: I love announcements!

Gwen: You guys have decided to fuck constantly? Oww! Sybelle, that hurt!

Bobby: Now that would be an announcement.

Sybelle: Jesus, people, let them speak.

Raps: Thank you, Sybelle.  

Nina: Raps asked me to go steady and I said ‘yes’. We’re moving in together.

Danny-Boy: Wow! That’s awesome!

Claire: Oh, I’m so glad! Congratulations! 

Ariel: That’s wonderful news! 

Nina: I’ve had my eye on this boy for some time, now.

Raps: I had no idea. How big of a loser am I?

Claire: So, who’s place is it gonna’ be?

Nina: It has to be Raps’. I’ve been sharing with Margaret, remember?

Claire: Oh, shit, I forgot about Margaret. Is she going to be upset?

Nina: A little. She still thinks of me as her kid sister. I don’t know what’ll be worse for her, the fact that I’m moving out or shacking up. Either way, It’ll take some getting used to.

Danny-Boy: I just went through the same thing. Maybe I’ll have a chat with her about it.

Nina: That would be really great. She has a lot of respect for you.

Danny-Boy: Well, I know how hard it is. I almost beat up Jason, tonight, because I was so jealous and scared.

Nina: So, that’s what it was about.

Danny-Boy: Yeah, so, I know exactly how Margaret’s gonna’ be feeling.

Claire: Well, since everyone’s here and we’re making announcements, I’ve got one of my own.

Bobby: You do?

Claire: Yes, and would you please bring Peter over? I want him to hear this.

Gwen: Oh, shit. Something big’s going down…

Sybelle: Shush, Gwen.

Bobby: What’s up, Claire?

Claire: In a minute. Just get Peter.

Bobby: Okay, back in a ‘sec.

Nina: Ooh, I’m not good with waiting. Give me a cigarette, Claire. Thanks.

Peter: So, what’s this big announcement?  

Claire: As I’m sure you all know, Bobby’s a year older than I am. He’ll be turning eighteen, so this’ll be his last year in the Scene.

Danny-Boy: Of course we know. I’m in charge of organizing his going-away party.

Nina: Yeah, I knew that too. Margaret’s been working on the menu.

Claire: Well, I’m going with him.

Bobby: What?!

Raps: But, you can’t!

Peter: He’s right, Claire. You can’t lead the Army from the Executive Council, and that’s where you’ll be, if you go with Bobby.

Claire: I know, which is why I won’t just be leaving. I’ll be resigning as Leader too. This’ll be my last year.

Sybelle: Oh my god.

Gwen: I told you something big was going down.  

Bobby: Claire, you can’t do this; not now. And especially given everything you’ve been worrying about.

Claire: Especially because of it. I’ve brought us this far, but what’s coming…it’s a different game that will require a different kind of leader. Someone stronger.

Danny-Boy: You’ve picked a successor.

Claire: Yes, Danny, I have, and you aren’t going to like it.

Danny-Boy: It’s Ariel, isn’t it?

Claire: Yes.

Gwen: Ho-lee-shit.

Danny-Boy: I thought so the moment you said you’d be stepping down. 

Claire: She’s powerful, Danny; more than capable of taking care of herself. And us too, if she’s as strong as I suspect she is.

Danny-Boy: I’ve begun to realize that it’s been her taking care of me all these years, not the other way around.  

Ariel: Oh, Danny…

Danny-Boy: Did you know?

Ariel: Yes. Claire and I have been talking about it for the last few months. I was reluctant at first, but she was very persuasive. Her Sight is strong, and I trust her judgment.

Sybelle: It’s an inspired choice, Claire. And congratulations, Ariel, soon-to-be Claire!

Ariel: Thanks! I guess I’ll have to dye my hair and eyebrows red. It’s gonna’ be a little weird.

Bobby: I’m still wrapping my mind around this whole thing. I can’t believe it.

Claire: I’m not done yet.

Bobby: Oh, boy…

Claire: Bobby, I’m resigning as Leader and leaving the Scene a year early because I love you, and because I want to be with you.

Bobby: I know, and I guess I’m feeling a little bad about it; like you’re getting ripped off, because of me.

Claire: Maybe that’d be true, if we were just dating.

Bobby: Uh, we are just dating.

Claire: Were just dating. I want to marry you, Bobby.  

Bobby: You do?

Claire: Yes. And I want to have children. We have to start having children — all of us — and you and I should be the first. What do you say?

Bobby: I can’t think of anything better than marrying you and having children together, Claire.

Claire: I’m so glad. And I’m ready to go.

Bobby: Me too. More than ready. I’ve had enough of the mad energy, the violence, even the adventure. I guess we’re just old souls, aren’t we?

Claire: Older than time, Bobby.

Ariel: And there will come a line of New Ancestors…

Peter: Ladies and gentlemen, please, put your arms around one another, hold each other tight, raise your glasses, and remember this night! To Claire and Bobby, the New Ancestors!

All: The New Ancestors!

Bobby: Well, I’ll be damned.

Claire: What is it?

Bobby: The door…look.

The Righteous Adults are coming into the bar, one after another, and lining up along the walls. I’ve never seen so many of them at one time — there must be dozens — and they range from the young — nineteen and twenty — to the old — twenty-four, twenty-five. At twenty-six, Peter is one of the oldest. He was eighteen when the Rebellion started eight years ago. They seem to come from every possible stratum of the Underground, and there are so many now that they encircle the entire room.

Someone has started a slow clap; a steady, rhythmic applause. Others are joining in and upping the pace — some have even started stamping their feet — and the sound is fantastic, a low, rising roar, like the never-ending rush of waves on the beach. Peter has joined them and added his piercing whistle to the noise, and now they’re gathering around, reaching out, touching and kissing and embracing us. They’re singing Happy Birthday! and Peter’s throwing me a wink, as he cracks open the first bottle of Champagne, and suddenly the club lights come on and everyone is washed in smoky swathes of turquoise and pink…

It’s as if the room is spinning away; like we’ve all been propelled, together, into space. Bobby is laughing and tears are streaming down his face. Gwen’s got her bare feet up on the table and is wiggling her toes and blowing smoke rings. Ariel and Sybelle are in intense conversation and the air around them shimmers and shifts like water. Peter and Danny-Boy have their arms around each other and are shouting at the top of their lungs. Raps and Nina are holding hands, lost in each other’s eyes.

And then, for some reason, my attention is drawn across the room to Sloan, who’s sitting alone, in a dark corner, sipping his drink and watching me. I look back at him, waiting for him to give some sign, some indication, but he looks down and his face is lost in the shadows. I wait, staring intently, and it’s hardly a moment before his head comes up again, and the light is illuminating his face, and I see that his right eyebrow is raised.

And I don’t know whether to feel comforted or afraid.