I looked around the room. All of the others were sleeping. “How are you feeling?” I said, turning back to Rueben. Would he be able to communicate if he’d already resorted to gibberish? “I’m fine,” he whispered in a hoarse voice. He reached for my hand. “Are you sure?” I turned his hand over. “No shaking?” “No.” “That’s good, right?” I asked. He blinked and looked away. “Rueben?” Releasing me, he scrubbed his hand through his hair, still avoiding me. “Do you think it will still take effect?” I asked, sitting up. “Or maybe the altering doesn’t work on you?” Rueben stood and walked a few paces away from me. I didn’t understand why he seemed so worried. This was good—he wasn’t in overload. I climbed off my bed and moved in front of him so he had to face me.
