24

You consider your months alone on the streets of this city. For some time now, raging, destructive loneliness has crept ever more deeply into your thoughts. The promise of friendship—of being able to merely speak to somebody, of effectively touching somebody—is tempting.

"Come with me," Marly repeats. "Please say yes."

But now all becomes clear. You did say yes. This is all merely a memory dragged forth by the curious black door, out at the compound held by the No State Separatists. You said yes. Marly was delighted.

It was only on the journey back to SENTINEL's headquarters that you realized the truth of why you'd agreed.