After I finish an enormous meal, Jess says, “By the way, Claire called about five times during the night and earlier today.”

I still have some time before sundown. I go up to the computer in my room and IM Claire.

i’m fine, I type when she finally signs on.

it’s the middle of the day, she types. u couldn’t wait? u had to wake me up?

Nice try. I’d bet a million bucks that she wasn’t sleeping.

I type, u do need your beauty sleep—desperately—but i thought i’d check in

so. anything new?

not much, I type. just the usual

There’s a lag of almost a minute before she types again: u ok?

That’s a really good question, and I don’t know how to answer it fully. The best I can do for now is type, more or less, yeah…a lot happened, a lot going on

wait—it’s still the full moon…how can you be chatting?

I type, long story. can’t put it all down right now

u’ll have to tell me all about it

promise i’ll give you every detail

u better. hey. so where are things between u and miss juliet?

not sure. up in the air, i guess

There’s a rap on the door, and Kevin pokes his head in. “Sorry, chief. It’s getting to be that time. You need to go downstairs.”

I give him an okay sign. He nods and leaves.

gtg, I type.

take care. i’ll see you soon, right?

definitely

and you better not im and wake me up again!

or what???

or you’ll see. Claire signs off. I get up from my chair to go down to the chamber.

They’re all waiting for me downstairs. Kevin stands by the door that leads down to the basement.

“If all goes right,” he says, “we’ll be able to bring you back out tomorrow when the sun is up. But for now…”

I hold up one finger, like I need a minute.

“We’re already cutting it pretty close,” Kevin says.

“Go ahead,” Mom says to me. “But hurry.”

I go to the back door so I can do something I’ve never done before.

Coming out of the Sol-Blok doors, I step out onto the back deck.

I come outside into the light of the sun, and for the first time in my life, I have nothing to fear. I don’t have to cover up, run, or hide. I’m perfectly safe out here.

I look directly into the sunset, then close my eyes and let the last rays of sunlight bathe my face.

It feels warm.

It feels good.