what threat was there to be found in this stranger, anyway? maybe she was being paranoid, but the itch at the back of her mind never ceased. this woman had unbalanced things. that's what she does, natasha thought, whoever she is: she is a disruptive element.

now how could she get rid of her?

hours.

there had never been time to doubt before, when it was just her & the sand. you could predict weather patterns, even if you got it wrong half the time, but people? people had their own agendas. people could lie & cheat. people didn't have to follow the rules.

then i'll just have to make it even harder.

what, like a good boy?

i just walked in.

i don't know.

i don't know.

who is this woman? why are we taking her in? why didn't you *ask* first?

not *now*.

there's a woman outside.

wait a second.