The silence stretched on until it became unbearable.
Mina finally broke it.
"What do you think he's planning?" she asked quietly. "The World Master."
Clyde did not answer right away. He kept his eyes forward, watching the empty street beyond the ruined wall. He saw nothing moved, nothing breathed.
"He won't add anything excessive or dangerous," Clyde said at last.
Mina looked at him.
"You sound sure."
"I am," Clyde replied. "We already made a deal."
That made her stiffen.
"A deal?" she repeated. "What kind of deal?"
Clyde exhaled slowly. He rubbed his thumb against the edge of his food packet, then lowered it.
"Basically," he said, "I'll be working under him."
Mina's eyes widened slightly.
"Working under the World Master?"
"Yes."
Silence fell again. This one felt heavier than before.
"And in return?" Mina asked.
