Pheres's voice is shaking, and his hand is clammy. His face looks wet, this close up, and ze feels a little better about crying, because his eyes are a rheumy, bloodshot red.

"Make eye contact," Castor says. He's clutching his pendant, and he doesn't let go when Hinnom looks at him, just jerks a hand dismissively. "Not with me," he snaps, "with him! That might help."

Talking with ghosts is one thing, but Hinnom's never tried it with proper people. But it's the same thing, isn't it? Just one's got meat on their bones and the other doesn't.

Ze really, really hopes it's the same thing.

Pheres is kneeling, right at eye-level. Ze takes in a deep breath, and leans forward, until zir forehead is pressed against his, and ze can count the veins in his eyes.

And then Hinnom thinks of zir hive.