Verso turned around, his mind spinning for an excuse as to why he was digging through someone else’s locker, then he froze.

  It was Sciel. The flaming red hair, the fierce eyes, and those features that were somehow both sharp and soft. Most tellingly, she had that exact look of pure annoyance. This was one hundred percent, vintage Sciel, only she was wearing a nurse’s uniform instead of her usual gear.

  "I heard you were the hot commodity in this wing," she said, her voice dripping with skepticism. "But now I see you’re just a common thief."

  That was her signature way of talking, too. Direct, a bit provocative, and more than a little intimidating. How had she survived the end of the world as well?

  "Sciel?"

  Hearing the name, she tilted her head slightly.

  "How do you know my name, mister? I’ve never seen you before in my life."

  "Sciel, you don't remember me?" Verso nearly reached out to touch her face before checking himself. "You really don't remember?"

  "Remember what? Look, don't try anything stupid," Sciel said, crossing her arms with her usual stern expression. "You’re good looking, but you’re not that good looking. You think you can pull that TV trope where the amnesiac hero seduces the nurse with a frail voice? Give me a break. Either you were planning to steal those scrubs, or you’re lost. Which is it, mister?"

  In his world, Sciel had been friendly, almost warm. But perhaps this was her true self: less social, more level-headed, and absolutely no-nonsense. Under any other circumstance, Verso would have admired the fire in her, but right now, her personality shift was the least of his problems.

  Why was she here?

  "I... I think you look like someone I knew." Verso hung his head slowly. He could still see it in his mind: Sciel’s body disintegrating into rose petals. She hadn't resented him at the end; she had simply left, looking as if she welcomed the death. Lune had seemed to disagree with that observation, but Lune was a topic for another day.

  Now Sciel was standing right in front of him, looking at him like he was a sore thumb in an already boring hospital. "Now you’re pulling the 'I’ve seen you somewhere' card? Not interested, mister. If you don't go back to your bed, I’m calling security."

  Verso knew she meant it. She had been friendly enough with the team, but when she was angry, she never hesitated to show her temper to the world. Still, he had to know.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  "When did you come to this world?"

  "What? When? What world?" Sciel was actually taken aback now. Most creeps who thought they could get a woman by playing the lost hero didn't say things like that. This man actually had some strange, heavy context in his voice.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Were you born here? Like, for all thirty-two years of your life, have you lived here?" Verso asked. He didn't care if security came and dragged him away for it. He needed the answer.

  "Of course I was born here. In America. Not Canada, not France, if that’s what you’re asking." Sciel was now officially infuriated. "What is this? Are you taunting me because I’m a third-generation French immigrant? You seem French yourself. What is this, some weird reunion? I told you, I’m not interested!"

  So, people from Lumiere lived here too. Verso had to assume that much before he truly went insane. They were born here, unlike him. Perhaps a real version of himself was living here right now, or had already died. He had no way of knowing.

  This was some kind of counterfeit world, just much larger, colder, and confusing, with a gravity that felt significantly heavier. It wasn't one of his family's paintings; he could feel that much. His family members were brilliant geniuses, but this world was far too complicated for a painter’s abilities.

  This was another reality entirely, one where the universe had decided that giving Verso a second chance was necessary for some inscrutable reason.

  As Verso processed this realization, Sciel’s expression softened. His face had gone clearly ashen, and the fury in her eyes was replaced by a flickering concern.

  "Hey, mister, let’s just get you back to your bed, alright? I’ll find something from the donation box if you’re that desperate for clothes." Sciel placed a hand on Verso’s arm, gently pulling him toward his room.

  Her kinder side was starting to surface, and Verso felt a sudden, sharp heat behind his eyes. "Thanks," he managed to say.

  He followed her quietly, suppressing the crushing guilt of having erased the Sciel he knew. He had taken away her chance to live simply because he had wanted to die. For now, the least he could do was offer this version of her a favor by being docile and staying out of her way.

  As Verso climbed under the thin blanket, Sciel spoke in a much gentler tone. "Do you need another blanket? You look cold."

  "I'm fine," Verso said. He was cold, but the sensation barely registered. He was being crushed by the weight of what he had done. If she was here, living a life he hadn't managed to ruin yet, maybe she had found her way back to her husband.

  Wait a minute. Was she actually living a happy life here?

  "Is Pierre alive?"

  "What?" The gentle flicker in Sciel’s eyes vanished the moment she heard the name. "What did you just say?"

  "Your husband. Is he still alive? Is he living with you?"

  Sciel stepped back, looking ready to either bolt for the door or scream for security. "How do you know my husband? Who are you?"

  "I’m not going to do anything. I just need to know. I won't ask another thing after this, I promise. Is he alive? Is he with you?" Verso used his most sincere, haunting gaze, the one he always pulled out when he needed the truth from someone.

  It worked, mostly because Sciel was too stunned to do anything else. She exhaled sharply as her brain tried to process the situation. "Yes. Yes, he is. Now, how on earth do you know my husband?"

  "I see." Verso nodded, a relief finally found him. Pierre was alive. They were together. But he had to know the rest. "Are you living with your child?"

  Five minutes later, Sciel had called security, male nurses were swarming the room, and the guards were busy cuffing Verso to the bed frame. They actually brought in a professional counselor this time.

  The situation wasn't going well, but at least Sciel was happy with her family, that was good, Verso thought.