The clock on the dash said ten p.m. when they crossed yet another state border. Verchiel's eyes flicked to the white "Welcome to Iowa" sign. "We're almost there."

Katelina broke her two hour silence to ask sarcastically, "Iowa? You're not serious?"

"Ah!" Verchiel cried in fake surprise. "It can talk! Are you done sulking over Santa Claus?"

"No." She looked back out the window and tried to ignore him again.

When she said nothing else, he piped up ...