I nod, trying to remember which door I came through. It's already lost in the tangle of my memories; maybe I'll recognize it when I see it next? "Guess I'll just have to look both ways before going anywhere," I conclude with a shrug.

A glass gets set in front of me, two big ice cubes floating in dark amber with little bubbles fizzing to the surface, and I take a gulp, ready to protest that I'd said to make it strong when the afterburn hits like fire down my throat. Swallowing, shaking my head, I put the glass back down, my eyes watering. "That's the good stuff," I say, grinning.

A second later I get serious again, looking at her sidelong around a hank of my hair that's fallen into my eyes. "You seen anyone else from home since you came here?" I'm almost afraid of the answer.