Then he realized that he meant darling, not Darlene. His new friend, Swallow, landed on his isolation cell window again. At least this time he wouldn't have to play with the dust balls collecting in the corner. She flew to his leg.

"How are you, Darling?" he asked.

Of course the Swallow didn't answer, but flapped it's tiny wings, flitted about the cell walls, and landed on his head, which he allowed it for several minutes before delicately removing it from what must have seemed like a bird nest. He looked at her now, perched on his finger, and it was then that he noticed her ever-changing eyes, blue one minute, green the next, and then reddish orange, then back to blue.