[ he bobs his head after a moment, swallowing back words. what if they can't find her? what then?

he appreciates rachel's conviction, but he's still feeling the fluttery edges of panic. ]

Yeah, I mean, there's only like a gazillion levels she could hide on, right? [ it's slightly bitter, that laugh. ] Or hide a body, anyway.

[ then he huffs, rubbing a hand over his head. ]

I didn't mean that. I'm just - she's important to me, and I wanna know she's okay.