The scientists left, carrying their bags, engrossed in discussions with each other and an air of excitement. Their unofficial chief, Professor Atkinso..., paused long enough to shake hands with Scott. As she left, she smiled at me – the first time I’d seen an expression anything like it on her face. Come to think of it, I’d never seen anything other than a neutral expression on her face.I went to Scott. Gladys was standing just behind and to the side of him.“I gather it went well,” I asserted.“No. "Daddy, what's wrong?" I whispered.Dad shrugged me away from him and started pacing round the room. He looked panicked, and it startled me to see my usually calm dad act like this. Whatever was bothering him, it was something big.After a few moments of walking in circles around my small room, Dad flopped on to my bed. Worried about him now, I crossed the room, and lay down on the bed beside him. He was shirtless, and a pair of tight black boxers was all that covered his nakedness from me. I was. "Monica tilted her head slightly as she stood, then shrugged."Okay," she said.I led her back out to my car that I'd only stepped out of a few minutes ago and started driving, not entirely sure where I was going. She mostly stared out the window and didn't say anything without prodding."So anywhere you want to go?" I asked."I'unno," she said. "Doesn't really matter." Exactly, it doesn't matter. So we may as well go somewhere you want to."She turned toward me for a moment with her vaguely sad. "Elena!" Her mother's voice is shrill, on the edge of hysteria.As though cut by a knife, the link in-between them is severed.Elena coughs, spits up some water, and then struggles to sit up. Gavin is transfixed, staring at her uncomprehendingly for a second, before finally scrambling off his knees to sit beside her.Was I dreaming? I have to have been.Cautiously, he slides a supportive arm around her shoulders. She's still for a moment, and then changes position. At first, Gavin wonders whether.