If Carol had a choice, she'd have gone back to kitchen duty. The aspect of being around people is discomfiting at times but there's work enough to avoid much socializing without seeming conspicuous about avoiding it. There's a rhythm to the day, satisfaction of achievement at the end. Easy access to knives. Chances to bake in her off-time.

Fishing is useful, at times a grateful break from the bustle of the city which is new enough, still, to be jarring. Other than that, it's too easy to get lost in the quiet. Immerse herself in dark corners and have to fight her way back out. The occasional distraction of a tug on her line isn't nearly enough to keep her preoccupied and so she finds herself sinking into the dark again. Fortunate that there's enough reason to claw free and more or less shake it off.

Still, being alone is not the conducive to ridding herself of the lingering alienation she's feeling. She'll have to fight harder.