There was a small part of Mono, the part that had been growing since he’d been left behind, that felt a certain satisfaction that the illusion seemed to wince under the force of the static signal that was thickening the air. Serves the thing right for trying to trick him, for showing him someone he missed just to tease him or lull him into a false hope that could be snatched away again as easily as Six had let go of his hand all those months ago.

“No ‘cause you're not real.” He mumbled again, a small quiver in his voice. “Adults can’t be in the tower unless they’re part of that thing.” Which meant they weren’t really human anymore, just part of the amalgamation. “You’re just a trick.” He flickered again, bordering on another skip away in his uncertainty. There was some truth to the other’s words, though, if he were thinking clearly. The harbor wasn’t where Nida usually worked, and he sounded terribly real…