Meanwhile, Hazel stared at her dead phone.
"I forgot to charge it," she muttered. Ben was driving with intense focus, choosing a quiet route to Alfred's aChapterment. For some reason, Hazel had agreed to stop by Alfred's place, even though she didn't really want to.
That aChapterment brought back so many memories.
"Why are we taking this route?" Hazel asked, puzzled. The road seemed to lead through the middle of nowhere. Something felt off.
"We're avoiding the press, Hazel! Your face is everywhere," Ben replied. Alfred squeezed Hazel's hand, trying to offer reassurance, or maybe the opposite.
"Ow, that hurts," Hazel winced. Alfred's nails were long and her skin was sensitive.
"Sorry, Hazzy ... I'm just nervous too," Alfred muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. It seemed both of them were on edge.
"Where's your aChapterment?" Ben asked, glancing in the rearview mirror. As the driver, he could only see them through its reflection.