i just want to know '' -he trailed off , hesitating- '' how my brother is doing , '' he finally finished . `` let us hasten to the forest so we can return quickly . '' `` do you want me to head out ? then he turned to meet my curious gaze . it had never once occurred to me , i realized , to refuse it . i snuck my arm around his neck . she stared past me and when i turned i saw a thick grey wall swelling overhead . 