If cornered or pressured, I could and would take down most of the entire guild if I needed to, to make sure that I could sleep soundly at night withou... Koch guarding over my bed. I'd regret it ... genuinely, but I'd do it in a heartbeat to save my life, if needful.After whispering a few mental instructions, I released Thumb's mind and gently smudge the last few minutes or so of his memories. He'd remember us politely speaking but nothing of any particular significance.Now I had to deal with the. The "suspension of an individual's rights", was one of them.Tom said that ultimately, he had had a very good time with the President, and with some of his cabinet. Still, I am not sure what the final outcome was, because the President was very adamant. Despite his predicament, he was still blustering. I could not tell from viewing the tapes, which way he would go when he was returned to his point of abduction.Tom really screwed up their worldview, though. Instead of AF-1, he returned everyone. The house was quiet. He popped his head into the kitchen and living room. No sign of a living soul.He climbed the stairs, knocked on Emily’s door and popped his head round. Emily was lying atop her bed on her front. She was still dressed in her school skirt and blouse, and was busily doing something on her phone as her ankles circled in the air as she kicked her calves back and forth.“Where’s your mum?”“Where do you think? Over at the club, says she’ll be there till about seven and will pick up. “Oh my god, that’s fantastic, Rachel!”“Thanks, Al.”When you said my name, it sends a shiver down my spine. I placed a hand on your shoulder, knowing I could pass it off as trying to be reassuring and physically affectionate but knew you would easily call bullshit because of how introverted I typically was. You didn’t though. You let me leave it there, even those few seconds past when it was appropriate.“So, what are your plans after…” and before I could finish saying art school you turned.