Greg's eyes widen in dawning realization. Slowly, he turns the mirror over to look at the back.

It was right there. This whole time, the gem had been right there, and he'd never even thought about it.

He gets up, stepping out of the van and moving clear. After a few breaths, and then a few more, Greg steels himself, and begins to pull. He's put on a little muscle over the last few years, but the gem is stuck in there fast. He grunts, digs his fingers in, and redoubles his efforts. Something have to give, and it's not going to be him. Not this time.

With a wordless yell of effort, Greg finally breaks the gem out of its bonds.