“Michael?” Jude addressed the preoccupied Michael.
Michael was startled by the sudden call, and he jolted. He faced them with a light smile and asked, “What… When did you all arrive here? What are you guys talking about?” he hadn't heard their arrival at all, nor had he heard all they were talking about until David called him.
“Are you okay?” David inquired worriedly. They all knew how much work everyone had put in over the last three months, and they knew how exhausted and stressed everyone was. For that reason, they assumed Michael's inactivity was also due to the accumulated stress, not knowing it was totally unrelated to it.
Michael nodded and feigned nonchalance. “Yeah, sure I am. What are you all talking about?” He sat up and feigned interest, even though he wasn't, as he found himself unable to.
“We are traveling to Grail State.”
