She sat still as Doctor Kinney read the story, having heard it so many times before that she would have been able to recite it, were she asked. Doctor Kinney read it with some sort of urgency, and while X-23 -- Laura -- spent most of the time looking at the wall in front of her, she caught Doctor Kinney making hand gestures, or glancing her way. It was peculiar, but she turned her head towards her regardless, and waited for her to finish.

When she did, she smiled - not for the first time that day. The more she smiled, the more confusing the situation seemed, and the unfamiliarity of it closed down around her. She let herself sag against Doctor Kinney's side, even though she knew she was not allowed to. She felt tired.