Everlost

When Allie, Nick, and Lief reach the Twin Towers, they see numerous Afterlights playing in the marble plaza at their base. Nick learns that Mary Hightower is the leader, and a girl named Meadow steps forward and offers to take them to Mary. She leads them to Tower One, and Lief is fascinated with how tall the towers are. Allie disapproves of the Afterlights’ willingness to play in such a sad place where so many have died, but Meadow says they are honoring this place by bringing happiness back to it. Nick then asks about Mary, and Meadow describes her as being a spiritual leader to the Afterlights in this area.

The group takes the elevator to the tower’s observation deck and sees more children, some of whom are eating the birthday cake that Speedo traded to Mary. Lief is confused because he didn’t know Afterlights could eat. Meadow introduces the trio to Vari, who then takes them to Mary. Allie asks about Mary’s clothes, but Mary says it’s rude to ask about an Afterlight’s appearance. She tells the three that they can choose any apartment in the tower to live in, but Allie says they’re not staying because they’re on their way back home.