They came in one at a time.
Dr. Bassett had suggested this. Not a rule — a suggestion, delivered with the calm authority of someone who understood that the room had limits and the people in the waiting room did not, and that managing the intersection of those two facts required gentle structure.
Juno had already been in.
He had stood in the room for ten minutes, looking at Eli and Cara with the expression of someone whose emotional infrastructure was being significantly tested, and had said very little and communicated a great deal, and had eventually been gently redirected to the corridor by Damien, who had appeared in the doorway with the composed efficiency of someone executing a plan.
"He needs a minute," Damien said.
"He needs several," Seren said.
"I'll provide them," Damien said.
He went back to the corridor.
Seren heard Juno's voice outside, muffled, saying something.
Then Damien's voice, quieter.
Then quiet.
Helena came next.
