The Blonde

Zero a.m.

Pennsylvania Hospital

Movement now, in the real world. Doctors trying to hook her to machines, trying to figure out why she wasn’t responding. Sterile needles plunged into her flesh. Maybe they’d hook her up to a smart machine. A machine that would see the Mary Kates in her blood. Probably not, though.

Then her eyes, forced open by fingers. Cold fingers, rough skin. The brightness was an assault, but when her vision cleared, she saw his face.

The Operator, looming over her.

“Oh. You dyed your hair.”