Page 66 of Confessions of the Dead

“We’re not breaking into the school,” Riley told them. “No way.”

“Bawk, bawk, bawk, bawk …”Mason clucked, this time from a safe distance, where nobody could hit him.

“We don’t have to break in,” Evelyn said. “I stole one of the microscopes last month.” She gave Robby a half grin. “It was supposed to be your birthday present.”

“You did?” Robby smiled.

“I hid it out at the Hawk.”

“Well, we can’t takeherthere,” Mason said, eyeing Riley again. “No way.”

Riley had no idea what they were talking about. “What’s the Hawk?”

49

LOG 10/16/2023 21:26 GMT-4

TRANSCRIPT: AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING

Analysis Note: The subject has been staring at the water bottle for nearly two minutes without a sound. Sordello has made no attempt to break him from this reverie. Although his vitals have not changed in any way, I would like to point out the stillness of him; it’s like he’s catatonic or sleeping with his eyes open. When this moment appeared in the video, I had to consult the time stamp to confirm the image hadn’t frozen—he is that still. When she finally spoke, he blinked. Seemed to snap out of it.

Sordello:

What do you think she saw back at her house?

Maro:

She’s just a kid. Could be anything.

Sordello:

At some point, you must have suspected the water.

Maro:

Hollows Bend has some of the purest water in the world.

Sordello:

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