"What can I do then?" Penelope said, frowning.
"I don't know," Vol said. "You're the only thing out here that I'm sure I don't have a single chance of understanding, but I would rather keep it that way."
"Why?" Penelope said. "When I am so weak, and you are always covered in blood? Why should I alone be spared?"
"You're not being spared," Vol said, putting a hand atop her head. "We are."
Penelope was pinned in place. Not by the force of Vol's grip, or the weight of his arm, for he was being as gentle as he possibly could be – but by the gentlest light of kindness that shone ever so briefly past Vol's eyes. It seemed as if it was the most he could summon up, but Penelope clung to it as though it was the rarest treasure. A brief glimpse, and just for her. It was not a gift that she would waste.
