The Collector frowned, but pulled the disc from the recorder without responding. Before he left he turned back and said, “He has earned three days rest. Use them well.”

Cassy curled her lip, but didn’t look up until she heard the lock on their door click. Once she was sure they were alone, she began to coax her beloved into the bed tucked into the corner of their room. He clung to her, unwilling to lose physical contact, even for a moment, while his sanity was so fragile.

Once she had them curled together under the covers, she kissed him softly and whispered, “Yes, my love, it was beautiful, as always.”

He relaxed finally, his eyes drooping closed. “Tell me?”

Tears stung her eyes again as she thought of this beautiful man, trapped in this room, forced to delve into madness to create things he would never see or hear. He was considered too dangerous for the populace…and now so was she.

“Of course,” she said, wondering how he could stand her voice, thin and lifeless. She hummed.

He smiled in his sleep.