Melanie watches Sara's reaction, looking for recognition, but she doesn't see any. Sara doesn't know what Hungries are. Granted, Melanie doesn't really look like one. She's seen herself in reflections, and she's seen photographs of children from before the breakdown. Someone from a different world wouldn't guess what she is.

This is the second time Sara's had to ask her name, Melanie realizes with a little jolt of guilt and embarrassment. But that's all swept aside by a warm rush of surprise at being called sweetheart. Melanie has been called a lot of things besides her name: frigging abortion and animal and Cujo, things that weren't nice. Sweetheart is a new one, and a bashful smile flickers across her face.

"It's Melanie, miss."