“If you want answers, I know where you can get them.” He walked just behind Hess as if they were heading the same direction by coincidence.

“Answers? Or vague words that only lead to more questions?” She was irritable and exhausted from walking all night. She didn’t want to hear more of Michael’s sardonic quips.

“Actual answers,” he said. She glimpsed the smirk on his face from the corner of her eye. “You know, for a psychic, you sure don’t seem to know what the hell you’re doing. No offense, of course.”

Hess balled her fists in frustration and stopped. He swerved out of the way as if he had predicted her movement and continued to walk. His long legs made great strides, and she now had to jog to catch up. She grabbed his arm from behind, jerking him around. I want him to see me. “I didn’t ask for this, Michael. Any of it. My son has been missing for almost two fucking months now, and I can’t see where he is. I have never not been able to see him until now, and it is all I can do to not go mad. I wouldn’t expect you to know, since you don’t have children. So please help me, or go the fuck back to where I found you when all this first started.” She was fighting back tears and the urge to scream. He stepped in close. Looked Hess in the eyes, which mirrored her pain.

“I did have a son once, you know.” He turned away and began to walk again. “Come on, I’ll take you to the Benevolent. I think they may be able to help.”

She started after him, bewildered and embarrassed and angry. “The Benevolent?”

He didn’t answer, but kept walking. Hess was afraid she had just ruined the tenuous friendship they had struck up again. She couldn’t afford to lose him as a guide or companion. Whoever these Benevolent were, if Michael said they could help, then they would. She sensed without needing to use her powers that he didn’t want to talk about his first statement. She didn’t pry, but she definitely wanted to know more. Things were becoming more complicated each step of the way, and secrets were building up.

Hess didn't know how much more she could take.