He woke and sat up, floated up from the pallet in the unaccustomed support of the black water, settled back slowly while he strove to winnow true memories from the remnants of nightmare. The girl woke and spoke questioningly. It required great concentration on Barry's part to understand and answer, for he had forgotten much of what he had learned from those Mexican laborers.
"Yes, I feel better," he said hesitantly. "But—."
In the blackness their bodies touched accidentally. Her skin was warm and smooth, soft but with the firmness of underlying muscle. After a long moment she drew away.
Barry blinked as she spun the light into brilliance. Her dressing was a simple and brief process, and then she turned to him with an intent look on her face.
"You come here from the Above." It was more statement than question.
Barry nodded.
"But from what yort? And how did your people change to live in the Above?"
"I come from Earth."
"Earth?" she repeated with a puzzled frown. "There is no yort beneath the seas called Earth."