[Lenka slows with him, instinctively; he does hesitate too in response, uncharacteristically, is almost really tempted to call the whole thing off even now (the dreams, and sometimes daytime visions, started off bad and got worse; he doesn't remember a lot afterwards, which is just as well). But the thing is, they're both too stubborn for their own good.

And that's why they're here -- already nearing the gates to the school, with the moon rising and night deepening, and the familiar campus somehow doesn't look familiar at all. Lenka stops by the gates, which are too high to climb and shut too tight to jimmy.]

No. [his voice is calm, but he's just as perfectly serious; he's not hiding anything -- you can't hide what you don't understand yourself -- and he takes a deep breath to go on] You're not dragging me into anything. It's okay.

[No matter how things turn out, there's two of them. That's at least a little reassuring.]

There's an easier way in by the orchard.

[--how does he know this? Shhh.]