Extracted

  ***

  They wait outside my door while I run into my room, and, thanks to Kara’s cover, throw on a new shirt and brown leather vest. My fingers run over the board where my keys dangle, making them sing like wind chimes. I close my hand around the smallest of them. It’s newer than most of the others, its brass not yet showing signs of patina. The end is oval with intricate spiral insets. It’s the first key Flynn ever gave me, only days after I arrived at the Institute. I had finally been released from the hospital and Mistress Catherine had just showed me to my room for the first time. Flynn stopped by to check on me, something he did frequently while I had been in the hospital, and gave me the key.

  I hope my other self knew what she was doing, telling me to bring it. If I lose it, I’ll never forgive myself. Carefully, I tuck it into the pocket of my vest and allow myself a glance around my room. If things go badly tonight, I’ll never see it again.