The Weight of Scales (Ch.2): Welcome (Pages 1-7)

We open this chapter with Iris anxiously tapping on her steering wheel. Her car is now parked in the carport for her apartment complex. She is hesitating to wake Drake from his slumber in her back seat. Iris knows that she can't wait forever, so she heads over to the back seat and gently rouses Drake.

In his groggy state he has difficulty unlatching his seatbelt. Luckily a certain magic thread sneaks in to help him out.

Iris asks Drake to follow her up to her place just across the way. At first, Drake follows willingly. But he quickly realizes that Iris' home was not the destination that was agreed upon and he becomes suspicious of Iris' intentions fort him.

He questions Iris about what led to this outcome. Iris hesitates and his tone grows agitated. Drake accuses Iris of trickery and commands her to explain herself. So, Iris shouts and flails about as she tells the story of the many road closures that led them to end up at her house.

Iris promises to take Drake to the doctor like she intended to as soon as the weather clears up. Drake is skeptical, but satisfied enough with her answer to calm down.

Iris suggests they hurry to get out of the rain. Both of them are soaked in rain again and Iris complains about not wanting to get sick. At this point she is shivering and her lips have grown pale.

Drake was also starting to shiver, so he agrees to follow her up to her apartment.
One of Iris' neighbors stares at him from the window as they walk past. Drake complains to himself that he usually tries to avoid new people to avoid mean looking stares.

They arrive at Iris' door and she unlocks it with her keys.