Your reply was better than anything else anyone’s told me thus far. Everyone else I’ve spoken with seems to glaze over the fact that we’re on an island against our free will and has simply accepted this as the norm. [She sighs audibly, but still musters up a weak smile.] I appreciate the honesty though. Maybe in due time, I’ll figure out why I was brought here and how to get home. Especially if this isn’t the afterlife.

[The hesitation in his voice is not missed, but she chalks it up to being in a heavily distorted maze while looked easy on paper. She’s not going to wound Connor’s pride any further by calling out his overconfident attitude from before, simply listening to his words carefully and with empathy.]

Not quite a therapist, but I did have to take a lot of psychology courses in college. My line of work requires being attentive to details and empathetic towards others. I…

[She pauses to stare at her reflection in one of the mirrors, unfamiliar especially seeing her provided wardrobe for the island. Eyes narrow at Connor’s bold statement, which causes her tone of voice to become serious and cold.]

I would not do well in the criminal justice field. Personal reasons.

[The sticky note now has her attention, eyebrows furrowing.] Well, that’s cryptic and kind of personal. Could it be a metaphor of sorts?

[She gives Connor a curious look.] What do you think?