Chapter seventeen
Kaylyn
I dig through my bag for my sneakers while we wait for Dr. Pierce. “Is this what it’s always like? Aicil—the politics, power struggles, bureaucracy.”
“Sometimes,” he says, staring down at his phone.
“Is that why you were sent here?” I can’t help the curiosity. Obviously he didn’t choose us, and concentrating on his story, even for a few minutes, takes my mind off my long list of issues.
“Something like that,” he says in a clipped voice.
I drop my shoes to the floor, and the sound echoes through the room. “Sorry, I forgot that you’re the only one who gets to ask questions.”
Three knocks sound before Dr. Pierce steps in. “Mr. Troyer, I didn’t expect you to accompany her.”
“I thought it’d be best to keep a close eye on things, given current circumstances.”
“W
