now I'm laughing at my boredom

They arrive at the psychiatric hospital just after seven in the morning. Langdon is starting to feel apprehensive. Getting so close to something was more daunting than he had expected – but maybe it was just the all-nighter starting to catch up with him. Dr Mohan isn’t available, but they find their way back to the ward easily enough. Langdon introduces himself and Mel to the nurse on duty. “We spoke with Dr Mohan yesterday.” The nurse – her badge says her name is Perlah – looks them both up and down. He can imagine they’re not an especially convincing sight. They were both muddy and damp from their trip to cemetery – he knows he needs a shave and Mel’s usually neat braid is starting to unravel and frizz from the wind and rain. “Mm. She mentioned you two.”

Langdon smiles at her, his blue eyes bright with excitement. “It all fits.” He murmurs intensely, as if he can’t quite believe it himself. “It all fits the profile.” “The profile?” She echoes, not sure if she’s following. “For alien abduction.” A choked laugh of surprise bursts out of her. It was crazy, it was fantastical, it was scientifically impossible – but somehow, she thinks she might just believe it.