Snippet of a conversation

Short, sandy-blonde hair drooped into her gray eyes, which were expressionless as they gazed down at me. Her frame was narrow, yet long, and draped with bric-a-brac of punk band pins, denim, leather, and large, clanking buckles. I almost envied her style.

“You are Jasper, right?” she reiterated. I could tell her eyebrows were slightly raised despite hiding behind the curtain of her bangs.

“Oh, yes,” I said. “My apologies, I was lost in thought.”

“All good,” she responded, waving a noncommittal hand as she joined me in the booth.

“I’m Jill. Jill Nightly.”

She shook my hand. Her grip was surprisingly firm.

“Jill, it’s a pleasure. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

She shrugged, looking away.

“Are you finally gonna tell me why we’re meeting?” she asked.

I leaned forward so I could keep my voice low. Her gaze intensified slightly.

“I have a way to infiltrate The Meadows,” I whispered.

At first, she didn’t respond, but again I could tell her eyebrows were raised in incredulity as the intensity in her expression shifted to nonplussed.

“The Meadows.” Her voice was a dubious quack.

“Shh! Yes. I and a few others have been trying for months, but now we’ve finally found a way.”

“But…” she prodded.

“But we don’t have a way to get in,” I said. My heart began to beat faster.

“And you think I can help?” she asked.