he always said you were the brains behind the entire operation . '' she chose her most worn pair of jeans-her most comfortable-and a cotton t-shirt that had been washed until it was faded and soft . and you promise to write back . '' locked from the outside , he said to himself . the tower sways , and dust and rocks drop from the ceiling and walls . she did n't stop running until she had reached the next house down . hank 's forehead dropped to mine and his body started shaking harder . 