Greta exhales, the taste of iron sharp on her tongue. This is right, she thinks. I will die here, and Marcus will continue. Her heart pounds, a muted staccato to the distant melody of Marcus' sobs. The poison is like fire in her blood, agonizingly slow to work, burning her up from the inside.

"You will move on to a new chapter."

Marcus grasps at her coat. "No! Don't turn the page! Stop here, stop now! Please!"

Greta closes her eyes. She can feel herself fading. With her death, she has given Marcus the key. Hopefully, Marcus and Kakania will...

It hurts. She's afraid. She doesn't want to die, but she's so tired. Greta is a sleeping corpse, bleeding and poisoned. It's a miracle that she's lasted this long so far.

Footsteps are approaching. Who is it?

She cracks an eye open.

...You. Her thoughts are faint, clouded with pain, but she can still rationalize. What are you doing here?

The Foundation did not send backup, so what...?

"You..." she tapers off, swallowing in agony, "shouldn't be here."