Motif · Book 6, The Eye of the Bedlam Bride

The bone key

A benefit of the Scavenger's Daughter patch that Carl keeps as a last resort: a key that would open a stairwell door for one, at the cost of a bone and the jacket. 'They're all important, Carl.' Tipid's last entries hint what it does; Tipid, in orbit, knows — he chose himself once. An unattributed voice as Carl weighs the doors: 'If you make this decision. Be sure… It's the end of everything.'

Segment appearances

• Chapter 3 — The Scavenger's Daughter
• Chapter 27 — Phase two rules
• Chapter 53 — Flee rules
• Chapter 57 — Samantha's secret
• Chapter 61 — Three out of four
• Epilogue — Homecoming Queen

Progression

A benefit Carl does not want to use (ch. 27); 'It will only take one' (ch. 53); Tipid's entries (ch. 57); an unattributed voice's 'It's the end of everything' as Carl weighs the doors (ch. 59); refused on Carl's behalf (ch. 63); Tipid in orbit: it lets one through (epilogue).