It’s a short episode today, sorry – I’m wiped, and Molly’s too worried to do much. But tomorrow, we will have more! I promise!<\/p>\n
December 23<\/p>\n
Molly? Why are you still up?<\/i><\/p>\n
Schrodinger came padding out into the living room. Molly was curled up on the sofa under a throw her aunt had crocheted, looking out at the snow falling softly outside. The only light came from the Christmas tree glowing in the corner. <\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t answer him, and he came further into the room. Molly?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cHave you ever been to Caledon?\u201d The question was so quiet that he almost missed it.<\/p>\n
No.<\/i> He jumped up onto the couch and curled up in her lap. I haven\u2019t actually traveled that far, but my sire has. Why?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where they sent Drew,\u201d she said, stroking him almost absently. \u201cI\u2019ve never been there. Did your sire tell you anything about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was warm when he went,<\/i> Schrodinger said, after thinking for a few moments. Very green. He said it smelled alive there.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cDrew said they were having issues there, with the Middenfolk.\u201d Molly looked out at the snow again. \u201cI\u2019ve never been to the Midden, either, but I\u2019ve met Middenfolk. They come in to the teashop once in a great while, with lovely tea. I can\u2019t imagine them being trouble \u2013 they seem so gentle.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s probably not everyone,<\/i> Schrodinger said. It\u2019s never a whole people that makes trouble, after all, just certain parts of the population. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so.\u201d They sat and watched the snow fall for a while. Schrodinger knew she\u2019d received an envelope earlier in the day, but he hadn\u2019t seen her open it. For all he knew, it still sat on the table in the dining room.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she said, responding to his unasked question. \u201cThe CD is already in the player.\u201d<\/p>\n
What did he send you?<\/i><\/p>\n
In response, she lifted the remote to the CD player and pressed a button. As the song filled the room, Schrodinger listened to the words and wondered again at how prescient SA was. Then again, if she was right and it was Drew, of course he\u2019d known.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll be back,<\/i> Schrodinger said, when the song ended. Just like he promised. And he\u2019ll be fine. No one will hurt a Gate tech.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so.\u201d And she went back to watching the falling snow.<\/p>\n