they came to a broad pool of water that had gathered at the center of a shallow valley . `` i 'm sorry , '' i said gently , surprised at the small ache in my heart . maybe his parents are dead or in the hospital somewhere . there was a massive hatch and a moving glass platform , used for loading students or goods . `` parker , it was great meeting you . let 's go do that now while the building wo n't be in a shadow . '' `` i think we have the lot rounded up now . 