Fallon did not say anything or move an inch as Leonette left. Leonette was a good person, and a good friend. A lesser, more annoying student might have prodded Fallon, sending her deeper into her OCD stupor -- but not Leonette. When the door shut behind her, Fallon took a moment to breathe, to make it even. Then she lifted the puzzle box, scooped all of the pieces inside, and fitted the back cover on.

Grabbing a brown pea coat from her closet, she slipped it on and then grabbed a small white pencil case from her desk. She tucked it into her pocket and grabbed the puzzle from her bed. After waiting 6 and a half minutes, Fallon left her room and headed for the courtyard.

It took her three minutes to start the fire, and it took the puzzle eight minutes to be reduced completely to ash. Fallon stared wide-eyed at the lapping flames, searching for those that burned the most evenly, those that did what she wanted them to do. She remained outside until the fire died, the embers smoldering in hot orange flares.

Then she grabbed her white pencil case and disappeared back to her room.