glider

But you haven't seen your boyfriend yet.

(Smiles meekly)

I saw him. I did.

But...

He heard you scold everyone, and he stayed here in opposition to his family's wishes... The important thing is that I saw him, and he saw me.

I know he loves me. He just can't... I don't blame him. How can I?

It's enough, Zoey. I'm happy enough.

I don't want to make his life difficult, even if I'm not Infected.

We...

We—

(Sobs)

Let's go...

Carl?! Are you out of your mind? Where are you going?

Carl hugs the weakened Lydia in his arms.

I swear I won't ever leave you again, Lydia.

Am... am I dreaming, Carl? It's a dream, right?

No, it's not a dream!

I almost lost you once. No one will ever keep us apart again!

(Rubs eyes)

You see, Gus? Just like I said.

Carl...

Honeyberry casts her gaze at the crowd and feels her heart sink.

Campbell is wiping tears from her eyes, but not many others are rejoicing for the young lovers.

More prevalent are expressions of hesitation, doubt, and fear.

Excuse me...

Honeyberry feels a chill run down her back at the cold reaction of the crowd.

Will you accept Lydia back into the village?

She said 'Lydia' rather than 'the Infected,' without even realizing it.

A moment of silence passes.

Finally, someone opens his mouth.

Think about it carefully, Carl.

Go with her, and you can never come back.

What?!

It can't be helped.

Honeyberry feels a daze come over her.

Wh-What are you talking about? So many years have passed. Haven't we proven ourselves healthy by now?

People are afraid, Zoey.

What are they afraid of?

They forced dad out! He's not around anymore! Mum and I have lived in the forest for so many years! What makes them so afraid that we can't even set foot in the village?

It can't be helped.

It can't be helped? Is that your final answer?

Better safe than sorry, after all.

How about this: I won't try to get Gus to pay for all the stuff he broke and all the lost business. We'll just leave each other alone going forward.

That way, he won't come and cause any more trouble, right?

Just have them go back. Once they're gone, the village will owe you a feast. Everyone appreciates how you took care of the problem.

But I've already said that Oripathy patients in stable condition aren't—

Just let it go, okay? Who knows who's Infected or not when they're not growing any rocks?

Rhodes Island is sending over equipment for Oripathy screening and testing, and our staff will be teaching people how to use it. Isn't that enough to dispel your fear?

That... that's in the future. What if there's a delay? What if there's an equipment error?

Just let it go, and let them go. I'll make you my special—

Mille-feuille.

Mrs. Samantha, I...

I'm Zoey Perris.

A commotion spreads through the crowd.

Perris... You're Perris's girl, Zoey? You're not Infected?

Like I said, Oripathy is not transmissible the way the flu is. Plus, Dad—

Get out! The children of the Infected are not welcome here!

What are you talking about, Martenson?

Perris was the first Infected in the village! How could we let his daughter in here?

Didn't she just say that Oripathy isn't transmitted like that?

Can she say for sure? Is she the one who'll have to pay the price if we have new Infected?

Yeah, yeah!

I—

Honeyberry feels a lump in her throat and could say no more.

Martenson's attitude is harsh and stern, but Honeyberry sees only fear in his eyes.

The same fear that they had cast towards her family.

She looks around at Samantha, at the others, and sees the same in their eyes.

Honeyberry.

...Sandwheel?

Don't forget what we're here for.

We're not here to promote proper Oripathy prevention and treatment, nor are we here to dispel their prejudices.

We're just here to resolve the Infected problem.

You've done what you could. Leave the rest to the operators delivering the equipment.

Our job now is to worry about Gus's group, and that pair of lovers.

Feeling better?

(Blows nose)

Think about happier things.

Happier things?

Like about how Rhodes Island is opening an office in the nearest Rim Billiton nomadic city, and how they'll need new staff to run it.

...Yes, we're lucky that Gus and the other two Infected have somewhere to go.

Lydia is recovering quickly, and she and Carl are applying to a mining company branch in the city. Isn't that something to be happy about?

Yeah...

Now I'm realizing that the village never changed.

Not once, from the day they ran out our family, to the day Dad passed away, to the day I came to Rhodes Island with Mum, and all the way till today.

Most villages that small never change. That one just happens to lie on the supply route for a new Originium mine.

But this event... could it be the catalyst for change in the future?

Mind if I said something that you might not like to hear?

Go ahead.

Change was inevitable the moment ore deposits were found in the area.

The village has to either change, or perish.

You were still willing to come back and help them. That alone ought to push them to set aside old prejudices and fears.

I'm jumping, Mint!

Alright, I'm down here for you—

Phew.

I was really worried when you came back from that field mission looking like a different person.

Just had a little bit of a shock. Got over it real quick, though.

By the way, there was a letter for you yesterday. The Messenger left it with me when they couldn't find you.

From where?

Rim Billiton. Here.

I'm off for training. Feel free to join me after you read it.