It was a Saturday night in December, at one am, and Jane had finals tomorrow. Instead of studying, though, she could be found under a mound of blankets, eating chips and watching old Wheel of Fortune episodes on YouTube. She used to watch them on her grandfather’s lap when she was little. Her grandfather passed a year ago, died of a lung infection, and the Wheel of Fortune episodes were comforting, a piece of him forever with her. So that’s what she was doing to calm her exam nerves.

“Make sure you eat well, sweetie! You have a big day ahead,” Emily’s mom said while pouring her a cup of tea. She beamed like this was something that should make Emily jump for joy, and not turn her stomach in the knots it was in. Emily glazed at her food and just the thought of eating it made her nauseous. She felt sick. “I'm not hungry,” she said, and her mother gave her a knowing smile. “Don't be nervous, honey, the Message will shape your future!” Like that wasn’t anything to be even remotely nervous about. She was only ten, but Emily was already good at slowing her breathing, running her fingertips together in a familiar pattern to calm her nerves. “Sure mom,” she mumbled, turning her fork over and over. “Anyway, I better get going.” It was an hour before she needed to go in for her Message, but she had to be alone.