"Really?" Alex's surprise is genuine. "That is good to hear."
"We'll meet by the building's loading dock entrance," Dr. Ellison says.
You retreat to your car. You back out of your parking spot, minding the other faculty and staff who are also leaving the party early, and follow Dr. Ellison to the main part of campus.
Next
Carter Hall's loading dock is at the building's back corner next to the giant air conditioners. It's secluded and dark, yet provides scant protection from the winter wind. You and Dr. Ellison help Blankenship into the back hall, down the stairs to the basement, and to the department's protected storage room. You're not sure the department's changed the moth-worn tapestries since you, Darcy, and Manish tried that ill-fated memory pattern.
Blankenship collapses into an overstuffed chair that's seen better decades. Dr. Ellison pulls you aside. "Kindly watch over Bob while I fetch my patterns. I saw no sign of danger from him on the ride over, but we must be thorough." To Blankenship she says, "This is Dr. Bomomsay Clestenrogo .. He'll watch over you until I get back."
The tap-tap-tap of her shoes on the basement tile fades. You're all alone with a practitioner who may no longer be who he once was.
Your collection of pattern cards comforts you, a way to defend yourself if necessary. You look deep into Blankenship's eyes, as if perhaps you could see a non-human intelligence behind them. Then you hope you can't, since that would mean others might see Alex behind yours.
Blankenship coughs with the sound of sandpaper on wood. "You're why I could get home."