If Cole were still a spirit, he might be able to understand. He would reach into her mind and pick apart the pain, would realize why she didn't speak. But he isn't, and he can't do that any more. Which doesn't mean that he isn't curious, but he's also learning these days - and what is and is not appropriate to ask or bring up to people in public is one of the lessons he's beginning to learn.

So he gives her a tentative look and ducks his head to read the note she gives him. He isn't used to reading, and his handwriting is more of a messy scrawl and barely legible.

"I...don't know," he says, thoughtfully. "I've never had to eat before. I thought I did, but it wasn't real."

I wasn't real.