Katherine

“Move along,” Hines said. “Last room down.”

I spotted a fish tank halfway down the aisle. Dug into my pocket.

“Hi,” I whispered. “Distraction in five. Four. Three...”

I broke off as we neared the tank.

Hi spun. “Yo, warden. When do we eat around here? I'm hypoglycemic, plus I've got a hernia. And rabies simplex D. Basically, I need a ton of pills or my arms will fall off.”

“Boy, you're on my last nerve.”

As Hines glared at Hiram, I palmed the flash drive and dumped it into the fish tank. The yellow-and-black rectangle tumbled to the bottom.

So long, friend. Let's hope Shelton's email went through.

“It's a cultural thing,” Hi was saying. “I think you're being very insensitive.”

Hines snorted. “Do you want me to cuff you?”

“Kinda.”

“Hi.” I nodded.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Have you ever played chess, Kitty?”
I eyed her. What did a board game have to do with this? “Not really.”
“You and I should play sometime. I think you would like it,” she said. “It’s a game of strategy, mostly. The strong pieces are in the back row, while the weak pieces—the pawns—are all in the front, ready to take the brunt of the attack. Because of their limited movement and vulnerability, most people underestimate them and only use them to protect the more powerful pieces. But when I play, I protect my pawns.”
“Why?” I said, not entirely sure where this conversation was going. “If they’re weak, then what’s the point?”
“They may be weak when the game begins, but their potential is remarkable. Most of the time, they’ll be taken by the other side and held captive until the end of the game. But if you’re careful—if you keep your eyes open and pay attention to what your opponent is doing, if you protect your pawns and they reach the other side of the board, do you know what happens then?”
I shook my head, and she smiled.
“Your pawn becomes a queen.” She touched my cheek, her fingers cold as ice. “Because they kept moving forward and triumphed against impossible odds, they become the most powerful piece in the game. Never forget that, all right? Never forget the potential one solitary pawn has to change the entire game.”
― Aimee Carter, Pawn

“Ella finished her burger and dug into a side of fries. Hi watched, enraptured.
She couldn't help but notice. “Would you like one?”
“What? Sure.” Hi smiled, made no move.
After a moment, Ella nudged the bowl his way. “Careful, they're still hot.”
“Oh, no problem.” Hi fumbled for a fry. “I like food that's hot.”
I caught Shelton slowly shaking his head.
“Oh, shoot!” Ella winced. “I forgot to stop by the office. My mother had to drop off my shin guards.” She slid her fries over to Hi. “Enjoy. They're hot, which apparently you like.”
“Got that right. Hot hot hot!” Hi awkwardly shoved another fry into his mouth.
“Okay, wow.” Ella gathered her things, then brushed my cheek with a kiss. “Later, Tor.” Shouldering her bag, she hurried from the cafeteria.
A loud thunk drew my attention back to the table.
Hi's forehead was resting on his tray. “Tell me that wasn't as bad as I think.”
“Worse,” Shelton said. “So, so much worse.”
Then head rose, then thunked back down. “I don't remember parts. I think I lost time.”
I patted his shoulder. “That's probably for the best.”
“Such.” Thunk. “A.” Thunk. “Dumbass.” Thunk.
Shelton laughed nervously. “See? That's why I don't talk.”
Hi's face shot up. “Tell her I have brain seizures. A serious medical condition. Or that I have an evil twin who sometimes takes my place, but can't talk for crap.”
“Got it," I promised. His head dropped once more.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Someday we will be more than words in the dark.”
― Sara Raasch, Snow Like Ashes