Chapter 290
While technically the same park Iris and I visited during the necromancer attack, the winding cement path circled a large enough area that both the hospital and tainted playground were entirely out of sight. In truth, I wasn't sure how else to do this. There were no books to reference, no studies or data to consult, forcing me to make do with forethought and common sense.
The car slowed to a halt, not-Prius's tires perfectly aligned with the fading white lines of one of the south parking lot's countless open spaces, and Sae immediately hopped out, fishing a still groggy Kinsley out of the trunk in a flurry of bickering and excitement. In the back seat, Iris didn't move, eyes glued to the window.
I undid my belt and twisted in the driver's seat, tapping gently on her shoulder to get my sister's attention. She started, wide-eyed, panic hidden as quickly as it appeared. But Iris's curls always bounced with the slightest motion, and she couldn't quite hide the shaking.
"Talk to me," I prompted.
"Haven't... been outside in a while."
"And?"
"It scares me. In a way it always did, but it's different now."
I waited, giving myself a moment to parse. Iris hated complaining almost as much as she disliked keeping other people waiting, to the point it drove her crazy every time Ellison went on one of his stonewalling crusades. For her to be doing both? My sister wasn't just afraid. She was terrified.
"Well, I had a reason for taking us out here, but if it's too much, we can go home."