As the coin spun away, she limped after it until a grass-stained shoe to stop its escape. She looked up and sighed. “Thanks.”“Yeah.” Mallory r...trieved the quarters and pushed it in the slot. “How’re you feeling?”“Better. Thanks.” Daphne deposited the rest of her coins and mashed the button. Then she turned. “Mallory, did I do something wrong this morning?”“Um..” Mallory bit her lip. “Yes and no.” She fidgeted with the machine’s coin return as she searched for words. “See Daphne, the thing. I need to cut it out, before it rips its mother in half.’ Celina nodded and immediately stood at the head of the bed, holding the woman’s hands both comfortingly and firmly. She shopkeeper’s wife was wailing in pain and fear. Her eyes rolled back in her head, but before they did, she noticed the dilated pupils. Her mother had chanced giving her some herbs to dull the pain. In spite of that, she was obviously still in a lot of pain. Celina now realized why the shopkeeper had allowed her to come. She didn't try to check the stream of tears, beating herself up again. Behind her the skyway car door opened."Miss?"Antje stumbled in surprise, tripping over the base of the rapid-ride pole used by standing passengers. Her hand caught the pole, swinging her around to face the man. Off-balance in her high-heels, she fell to the floor. Her dress flipped up above her knees. Her heart pounding in her chest, she scowled at the attractive man."Oh, it is my neighbor," she thought. They usually waved. So I obliged his request, first standing upstraight in front of him, and then turning around so that he could seewhat was written on the back. Both he and his wife laughed, and he cameover and pinched my cheek. I could sense a funny smell on his fingers, sobefore he took his hand away I quickly turned my head and licked hisfinger. The man laughed. From his taste, though, I knew that he was verysick, dying. I was scared by that realization and immediately thought,'how can I heal him?' And then I.