No," says Ariana. "It was a dream. Reality got in the way, that's all.

The good thing about being explosive is that no one can beat you.

In this world, there is a fine line between enlightenment and brain damage.

Then she offers him a slim but sincere smile, and he reluctantly returns it. It doesn't bridge the gap between them, but at least it marks the spot where the bridge might be built.

Already Roland feels his limbs starting to go numb. He swallows hard. "I hate this. I hate you. I hate all of you." "I understand.

She smiles at them as they go by and continues to play, making it clear that this furnace of a place, full of planes that cannot fly, is more than it seems. It is a womb of redemption for every Unwind, and fora ll those who fought the Heartland War and lost - which was everybody.

She plays music to heal herself, but nothing can heal her brokenness.