“It’s not as potent as burning the scent,” Nurse Aurora explained. “But the school found it too much of a fire hazard.” She glanced my way, gesturing me forward. “You are unharmed, yes?”

I blinked, not even realizing that was a possibility. “I, uh… I don’t know.”

Nurse Aurora’s strangely serene smile persisted. “They’re quite frightening, yes? And they get into such a frenzy, no awareness at all of others around them.” She held out her hand as if to gesture me ...