A five-meter square space, with all six sides covered in shock-absorbing cushioning material, contained nothing but a squat toilet—no living facilities, not even a faucet. There was only a light source overhead and a ventilated opening barred by a grille in the upper right corner. Multiple observation devices watched a small figure crouched in the corner from different angles and using different methods.
Swallowing a breath at the face that looked even younger than imagined. Never had Roland thought that face could be associated with words like "delicate," "fragile," or "naïve." Witnessing an unprecedented scene—numbering in the thousands—Roland felt neither excitement nor curiosity, merely walking silently through the rooms, occasionally glancing at the "subjects" inside.
In front of one room, the Memory Manager leading the way stopped, and Roland leaned forward, pressing against the observation hole.
—Being watched.
