It was a long walk back to the Compound. It felt like a death march, or at least, that's what he told himself. In truth, he felt more exhilarated than he had in months. He didn't feel at all like himself, and maybe that was the best thing of all.

Still, he didn't speak to her. He didn't look at her. He put one foot in front of the other until the Compound came into view.