The book was not on his blanket. It was not in the wall niche. Nor was it behind the bed. "Hey, it's gone," he said. His eyes went around the room. He discovered other things that were missing. "The lieutenant's gun! And my pack!"
"Perhaps you just dreamed you had been reading a book."
"I didn't dream the gun and the pack. I carried both of them in here."
"I can explain about them. They were taken."
"Hunh? Why?"
"Weapons are not permitted here. Your gun and your pack were both taken for this reason."
"Hunh?" A growl came unbidden into his voice. He put these items out of his mind with the resolve to speak to someone about them at a later time. Something more important had happened. What was it? A memory of his dream flicked through his mind but was gone before he could grasp it. A frown on his face, he said, "I know—" As he tried to speak, what he had intended to say slid out of his mind.
"You know what?" Nedra asked.
"Everything."
Her face showed surprise. "This is a great deal for one man to know. Are you sure?"