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“Cryptic much?” Nell walked up the flight of stairs to her room greeting other residents and leaving small treats in front of their rooms from her trip. Her room remained the same as before she left for the resort. She placed her stuffedcatonin his place of honor in the center of her bed. “We had a good run, didn’t we?” she said to the stuffed cat. She talked to the plush as she unpacked her clothes and put them in the refresher, the Klagan equivalent of a laundry machine. Then she lay back on the bed,cuddling it to her chest. “I love you and all, but you’re not Maklr.” She sighed.

“Coming down for dinner?” Charlie called later. She knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure, and no, not feeling hungry right now.”

“Are you alright? Do you want to talk? We can have a therapy session now?”

Nell shook her head. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“What were you up to?”

“Writing. Documenting my vacation. Your suggestion helps me get my feelings out.”

Charlie nodded. “I’ll make sure there’s a plate of leftovers for you for later.”

“Thank you.”

Charlotte closed the door behind her. Nell turned her attention back to the tablet.

“Open when you’re lonely.” She smirked. “Damn it.”

“I miss Maklr,” she said to thecaton. “I got used to having him around.” Nell’s finger hovered over the button. The cat’s face remained impassive, but Nell nevertheless pretended it did. “Exactly. I should press it.”

Inside the file was a code of mixed numbers and letters. “Should I?” Nell asked the ever-silent plush. “Do it? Why not?” she said, pressing the button.

A video screen popped up. “Nell?” Maklr’s voice came through. “Is everything okay?”

“I swear, I didn’t know this was your communication code.”

Maklr shook his head, his shoulders rising and falling with laughter. “Damn it, Charlie. She’s meddling again, isn’t she?”

“She is.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“I know your ‘nothing.’ What is it?” Maklr’s voice filled with concern.

“I can’t sleep. I’ve tried for hours, but all I’ve done is toss and turn. I even hugged the plush.” Nell waved the caton in front of the camera. “But it’s not the same. I got used to sleeping with you, and how safe I felt.”

“Do you want me over there?” he asked. “I can be there in ten minutes.”

“I’ll wait by the door.”

They hung up. Nell raced downstairs, punched in the alarm code for the center, and opened it so Maklr could slip inside when he arrived. “Come in.” She headed toward the stairs.

“No, I shouldn’t,” he said.

“Fine.” She walked over to the couch in the communal living room and sat. “Sit next to me. I think we get that show we watched on Ashuk here.” She handed Maklr the control.

He experimented with the control, searching for the show. Nell leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her. Nell bent her knees, putting her feet on the other cushion. She sighed contentedly and fell asleep.

Chapter 17

Nell

Nellwalkedaroundtherehabilitation center, her senses on high alert. She jumped at every shadow and every sudden sound. Her heart thudded at every bit of movement out she believed she saw out of the corner of her eye.