“Dialing it down is faster than turning the simulation off,” Tracey said, wiping Jioni’s face. “Where else are you bleeding?”
Jioni blinked slowly. “Were the Tenebris simulated?”
“The sky, trees, and ground were,” Tracey replied. She lifted Jioni’s dreads.
Instantly, Jioni’s heart dropped to her stomach. Her feet shuffled back, but it was too late. Tracey saw.
The mayor’s eyes were unmistakable terror. Tracey touched Jioni’s face and rubbed it again and again. Harder and then with her hand.
Tracey mouthed something inaudible and stumbled back, she covered her face.
“You’re damaged,” Tracey said. “Did the trial cause this?”
Jioni stumbled back into a chair and said nothing. She spaced out in fear.
