**Chapter 12: Fighting**
“What took you so long?” asks June when I get off the elevator and step into the lobby.
“Long?” I ask. My voice sounds funny and far away.
“Yeah,” says June as she steps forward and grabs my upper arms. “You were up there for like 10 minutes. What did she want?”
I sigh and carefully remove June’s hand from my arm. “Nothing. She wants an answer to her question. That’s all.”
“Slut or goddess?” asks June.
“Yeah. Apparently ‘I don’t know’ is not an acceptable answer.” I look over at Sandra and Maria. They’re both sitting on a bench, looking out the large glass walls of the building. Sandra is holding Maria’s hand, her brow furrowed and concern painted on her face. Her other hand is stroking Maria’s hair, but Maria is non-responsive. She stares out at the street with no expression on her face and no life in her body. “How’s she doing?” I ask, nodding towards Maria.
“Silent,” says June.
“Is that … is that how it was for you?”