"I'm so pleased you liked your classroom," Ayala said the next evening. "If you finish reading the law books I sent over, I'd say you could start teaching on Monday."

"I've already read them," Archie said, and he had. The books were full of rules and regulations set up by the Hawk Kin and enforced by the Cougars. Archie noticed there wasn't much room for individual choice, and punishments were swift and cruel.

"Will three days be enough for you to prepare?" Ayala asked.

"More than enough." Archie couldn't imagine standing in front of a group of hopeful young minds and teaching them there was no hope at all. If his and Koko's escape plan worked out, he wouldn't have to.

"Good, then I assume I can trust you to behave if I leave your door unlocked tonight?"

"Absolutely."

Ayala looked at Achie a moment, seeming to juggle trust and suspicion. While he appeared happy and docile, there was always an underlying edge to him she just couldn't define.

Earlier, they had toured the University where she showed Archie her classroom and the one prepared for his law class. He showed interest in both, and even asked if he could arrange for a prisoner from the mines to come talk to his classes about following all the prescribed laws.

Of course, she had to explain that no one sent to the penal colony was allowed to return. He seemed genuinely disappointed and asked if he could take his students there on a field trip instead.

Once more, she denied this request also due to the distances involved and the inherent risks. She suggested shorter trips to the desert, accompanied by the Cougar Clan, may be more appropriate This time he had smiled. He seemed content and well adjusted. Maybe it was just her concern over Koko that had her so suspicious.

She looked at Archie again, and he graced her with a warm smile. Yeah, it was just her insecurities.

"Good night," she said, closing the door to his room and leaving it unlocked.

"Good night."

Ayala climbed down the ladder to the second floor, and walked over to Koko's room. She heard rustling sounds inside, so tapped on the door.

"Come in," Koko sang out.

Ayala opened the door and stepped inside.

"Oh," Koko said, leaving an unspoken, "it's just you", hanging in the air.

"Sorry I'm not Todd," Ayala said, misinterpreting Koko's response. "No research tonight?"

"There's always research, but I took your advice and came home early."

"Good, good. Have you heard anything from Todd?"

"No, and at this point, I'm going to assume he's in the mines."

"We don't know that." Ayala walked over and sat on a high-backed chair. "He might be back at the hospital having another sleep study. If they can correct the animal dreams with medication, they'll send him home."

"They've already tried that."

"I know, but Todd's a good professor, and I'm sure he's better fit to teach than dig for gold."

Koko just shrugged.

Ayala leaned over and looked at a burlap bag Koko had laying on the floor. She reached out a hand to touch it. "What's in there?"

"Just some samples the Ant folk collected for me," Koko lied.

"Oh." Ayala pulled her hand back in disgust. "Well, I guess it's necessary for your research."

"It is."

"Good, well, I'm glad to see you're home early."

"Yes, and very tired."

"I'll let you get some rest, then."

Koko nodded and leaned back on a stack of pillows, her eyes half closed in feigned sleep. She listened to Ayala walk out of her room and close the door.

She waited a few more minutes, then jumped to her feet and began shoving collected items into her bag.
Moments later, she heard another knock.

"Yes?" Koko kept her voice quiet as though rousing from sleep ... just in case...

"It's Archie, are you ready?"

Koko cracked the door open and let Archie slip inside.