"Anything can be a weapon if you try hard enough." Re-l said it without thinking, and then bit down on the ball of her thumb. It was true, but it said too much about her, and too much that she didn't like.

She shifted a little to make room for the man, wondering if he was going to act like he had last time. It didn't seem to be on his mind, which could only be a relief. There were things to find out, after all.

She set the torch down, burying it half in the sand so that it gave a general light without blinding either of them.

His words made her want to scream, and then she had to laugh. It was an odd sensation, laughing without Vincent, but the whole situation was ridiculous.

"Fine," she said. "Keep your story. I'll get it some other time." She couldn't have said whether that was a threat or a promise.

The air was cold without the sun, and Re-l rubbed her arms for warmth. The storm showed no signs of stopping.