I let go of the capsule I was holding since the loud ring of my phone coincided with what Ava said. When Ava saw I would not pick up the phone, she took it from the table and answered it herself.

She slid his finger onto the green button, returned it to its original spot, and activated the loudspeaker.

“Where are you?” Randall’s first question to me.

I said nothing. What’s going on is making my brain hurt. Is it because of this pill that I don’t remember even a single memory lapse?

“Please communicate, Winter.” His voice was tense, and I could tell.

“Why?” I stated it hesitantly. As...