,,URBAN ,,%AMAN

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
     ,LUNA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
   ,COPY"R ^C #BJJE 0,C4 ,E4 ,MURPHY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CGC-HJBBC-D

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
   ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]1 ,MIKE ,CAVANAU<1
    ,RUSSELL ,MILL]1 & ,NAD9E ,BU/ON
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #BBE-CBD

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
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         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

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            ,,*APT] ,,?IRTE5        #BBE

  ,I %D H EXPECT$ ! WALL ( FLA%-
PHOTOGRAPHY T HIT :5 ,BILLY L$ ME \ (!
CLASSROOM4 ,%D H3 T ,I DIDN'T 0 A FLAG T
,I 0 A -PLETE NOVICE1 J 9 CASE ,I _HN'T
FIGUR$ X \ ON MY [N4 ,"S"O ACTU,Y %OV$ A
GRAY PA4$ MICROPH"O "U MY NOSE1 : ,I ?"\
ONLY HAPP5$ 9 MOVIES4 ,I SQU9T$ 96!
FLA%BULBS & RECOGNIZ$ "O (! LOCAL ,,TV
AN*ORS1 ,LAURA "S?+4 ,CORVALIS4 ,LAURA
,CORVALIS4 ,%E 0 "S K9D ( EXOTIC BL5D (
E?NIC BACKGR.DS1 ,FILIP9O & BLACK & "S?+
ELSE1 PROBABLY :ITE4 ,H] EYES1 J A LL
TILT$1 7 BLUE 9 A CAF@E LATTE FACE4
  ,& %E 0 YELL+ AT ME4
  ,9 FACT1 A LOT ( P W]E4
  ,(FIC] ,WALK]1 C Y TELL U--LOCAL PO-
LICE (FIC] ,JOANNE ,WALK]--:O DID ?1 ,(-
FIC]8-->E Y R1DY 6MAKE A /ATE;T1 ,(FI--
?REE-YE> VET]AN (! ,,SPD--! WAVE ( MUR-
D]S T HAS ,S1TTLE TALK+ AB ! ,*RI/MAS
,KILL]-->RIVAL ON ! SC5E--
  ,I RETR1T$ "O 2WILD]$ /EP4 ,BILLY'S
VOICE BROKE OV] !M ALL L A TIDAL WAVE4
8,! POLICE DE"P;T HAS MADE ALL !    #BBF
/ATE;TS X'S A# 6AT ? "T1 LADIES & G5TLE-
M5 (! PRESS10 HE ALL B BELL[$4 ,I ADMIR$
H[ HE DIDN'T EV5 SNE] AT ! LA/ SIX ^WS4
,! HU2UB DI$ D[N SU45LY4
  ,LAURA ,CORVALIS /EPP$ =W>D 96! SIL;E1
! MIKE BACK AT H] [N M\?4 8,DETECTIVE
,HOLLI"D1 C Y AT L1/ TELL U "S DETAILS
AB ! S]IAL MURD]S ,S1TTLE'S BE5 2SIEG$ )
! PA/ TWO WEEKS8 ,D ! D1?S TD MAT* !
PATT]N8 ,>E Y ANY CLOS] 6F9D+ ! KILL]8
,H[ AB Y1 ,DETECTIVE ,WALK]80
  8,I C'T10 ,BILLY SD AT ! SAME "T T ,I
SD1 8,I'M N40 ,"EY"O LOOK$ A LL %OCK$1
9CLUD+ ME4 ,BILLY'S %OCK TURN$ 6AL>M &
HE %OOK 8 H1D M9UTELY AT ME4 ,LAURA
,CORVALIS'S %OCK TURN$ 6DELI<T & %E MOV$
9 =! KILL4
  8,Y'RE N :AT1 ,DETECTIVE ,WALK]80 ,%E
%OV$ ! MICROPH"O "U MY NOSE L;G 5 = ME
69HALE1 !N PULL$ X BACK 6DEM&1 8,:AT D Y
H 6SAY AB T1 ,DETECTIVE ,HOLLI"D80 & TO
PU% X AT ,BILLY4
  8,MS4 ,CORVALIS10 ,BILLY SD )! PATI;E
(A MAN :O'D BE5 "? ! EXACT SAME R\T9E
DOZ5S ( "TS1 8,I'VE GIV5 Y ALL !    #BBG
9=M,N ,I C--0
  8,I'M N A DETECTIVE10 ,I SD "U HM4 ,HE
KEPT 8 EXPRES.N S*OOL$1 B EXASP],N FLA%$
9 8 EYES4 ,I %D H KEPT MY M\? %UT4 ,LAU-
RA ?RU/ ! MICROPH"O BACK 9 MY FACE4
  8,DON'T TELL ME Y'RE A CIVILIAN1 ,MS4
,WALK]4 ,DETECTIVE ,HOLLI"D1 HAS ! ,S1T-
TLE ,POLICE ,DE"P;T FALL5 S F> T Y'RE
ALL[+ CIVILIANS ON ! SC5E8 ,9 : CASE--0
%E PRODUC$ A DELI<T;L1 FLIRTATI\S SMILE4
8,H[ AB LETT+ ME IN80 ,LAU<T] S.D$ F !
PRESS CORPS1 & ,MS4 ,CORVALIS LOOK$
PL1S$ ) H]F4
  8,I'M A POLICE (FIC]10 ,I SD1 / QUIET-
LY4 8,J N A DETECTIVE4 ,I J WANT$ 6BE
SURE Y GOT YR /ORY "R40 ,BILLY'S BIG H&
CLOS$ >.D MY BICEPS4
  8,I'M AFRAID ? IS ! 5D ( ? 9T]VIEW1
,MS4 ,CORVALIS1 HE SD V FIRMLY4 ,HE PRO-
PELL$ ME 9 FRONT ( HM1 US+ ME 6%\LD] \R
WAY "? ! PHOTOGRAPH]S & CAM]AM54
  8,WAIT6 ,C Y TELL U :Y Y'RE "H1 ,(FIC]
,WALK]8 ,C Y GIVE U ANY 9=M,N AB TD'S
KILL+S8 ,DAMN10 ,LAURA ,CORVALIS SD Z WE
MADE \R ESCAPE4 8,CUT ! TAPE4       #BBH
,MAYBE WE C GET "S?+ \ ( ?40

  ,BILLY ?REW ME 9 8 C> 2F HE />T$ YELL-
+4 8,WD Y C>E 6TELL ME :AT ! HELL T
WAS80
  ,I RU2$ MY =EH1D ": ,I'D CRACK$ X AG/
! DOOR FRAME & LOOK$ AT HM SULL5LY4
8,I'M .N A DETECTIVE4 ,I C J SEE ,MOR-
RISON -+ D[N ON ME L A LOAD ( BRICKS =
GIV+ MYF AN ON-SCRE5 PROMO;N4 ,ANYWAY1
,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ DAMN+40 ,I DIDN'T
?9K ,I'D SD ANY?+ DAMN+4 ,PL1SE ,GOD1
LET ME N H SD ANY?+ DAMN+4 8,X PROBABLY
WON'T EV5 2 ON ! NEWS40
  8,Y %DN'T H SD ANY?+4 ,Y'VE BE5 SUS-
P5D$1 = ,GOD'S SAKE1 ,JOANNE4 ,Y'VE BE5
SUSP5D$ & Y J %[$ UP AT A MURD] SC5E &
DON'T ?9K =A .M9UTE T ,LAURA ,CORVALIS
ISN'T GO+ 6D H] HOME"W ON Y4 ,X'LL 2 ON
! NEWS4 ,8,SUSP5D$ (FIC]1 SUSPECT$ (
MURD]1 VISITS CRIME SC5E0'4 ,GOD1 :Y
DIDN'T Y KEEP YR M\? %UT80
  ,I %RANK D[N 9 MY S1T4 8,I'M SORRY40
  ,BILLY GL>$ M1 !N SI<$4 8,I DIDN'T
TELL Y N 6SAY ANY?+4 ,X'S Z M* MY   #BBI
FAULT Z YRS40 ,HE W5T SIL5T1 !N SI<$ AG1
M EXPLOSIVELY4 8,DID Y GET ANY?+ 9 "!80
  ,I SI<$ TOO1 %R9K+ F>!R D[N 96! S1T4
8,Y1H4 ,K9D (A GD NEWS_/BAD NEWS SC5>-
IO40
  8,GIVE ME ! GD NEWS F/40
  8,X'S N ,C]NUNNOS40
  ,BILLY HIT ! /E]+ :EEL )! HEEL ( 8 H&4
8,:AT'S ! .BAD NEWS80
  8,X'S N ,C]NUNNOS40
  8,%IT40 ,BILLY DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ =A C\-
PLE ( BLOCKS4 8,ALL "R1 WELL1 X'S "S?+4
,WE'RE N D1L+ )A ,CELTIC GOD "H4 ,GD4
,GRT4 ,FANTA/IC40 ,! S>CASM DRIPP$4 8,Y
"K1 ,JOANIE1 ,I'M GLAD Y DON'T ?9K ,I'M
CRAZY ANYMORE1 B--0
  8,B N[ Y ?9K .,I'M CRAZY40
  ,HE GL.ED AT ME4 8,Y CD'VE PICK$ A
SMALL] WAY 6BR1K 96! WOND];L WEIRD _W (!
P>ANORMAL1 Y1H40
  8,I GUESS ,I DIDN'T GET ! MEMO ON T
"O40 ,I SLID MY F+]S OV] ! ?9 SC> ON MY
*EEK4 8,D WE H A PHYSICAL DESCRIP;N ( ?
GUY80
  8,AB SIX-"O1 MID-?IRTIES1 ,CAU-   #BCJ
CASIAN1 L;G LI<T BR[N HAIR1 GRE5 EYES1
BIG %\LD]S B OV]ALL A SL5D] BUILD1 C>-
RIES A V %>P KNIFE40
  8,A TE5AG] TOLD Y HE 0 9 8 MID-
?IRTIES80 ,I REMEMB]$ 4T9CTLY :5 TW5TY-
SIX 0 OLD4 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ,I WDN'T H
RECOGNIZ$ MID-?IRTIES Z S*1 :5 ,I 0 FIF-
TE54
  8,NO1 ! T1*]1 ,MRS4 ,POTT]1 DID4 ,%E
GAVE U MO/ (! DESCRIP;N40
  8,": IS %E80
  8,HOSPITAL4 ,Y SD !Y GOT LUCKY1 ! CIR-
CLE WASN'T CLOS$8 ,T'S PROBABLY ?ANKS TO
H]4 ,%E TACKL$ ! GUY4 ,GOT CUT UP PRETTY
GD H]F1 TWO /AB W.DS 6! ABDOM5 &A LOT (
M9OR CUTS40
  8,BRAVE LADY40 ,I SUCK$ MY L[] LIP 9TO
MY M\?1 />+ \ ! W9D%IELD4 8,I ?9K ,I NE$
6G SEE H]40
  8,!Y WON'T LET Y 9 )\T A POLICE ES-
CORT40
  ,I LOOK$ AT HM4 8,WELL1 Y'RE 9 TR\#
ANYWAY40

                                    #BCA
  ,HOSPITAL ANTISEPTIC IS *EMIC,Y BAL.ED
6CUT "? ! SMELLS ( BLOOD & VOMIT & UR9E
& D1?4 ,X AL MAKES ME SNEEZE S H>D ,I
CRY4
  ,G>Y >RIV$ 9 "T 6/& NEXT 6,BILLY &
WAT* ! 5D (! SNEEZ+ FIT4 ,!Y 7 BO? GR9N+
& N TRY+ 6HIDE X :5 ,I UNFOLD$ F A FETAL
POSI;N & LOOK$ UP ) WAT]Y EYES4 8,OH1
%U4UP10 ,I SD ?ICKLY4 ,G>Y (F]$ ME AN
ENORM\S R$ H&K]*IEF T LOOK$ L X _HN'T
BE5 US$4 ,I WIP$ MY NOSE & /U6$ X 9 MY
[N POCKET1 ON ! ASSUMP;N T HE DIDN'T
WANT MY SNOT 9 8 POCKET4 ,HE DIDN'T OB-
JECT1 S ,I FIGUR$ ,I 0 "R4 8,?ANKS10 ,I
SD Z POLITELY Z ,I CD4 8,:AT'RE Y DO+
"H1 ANYWAY80
  8,HE CALL$ ME UP :ILE Y 7 ON YR WAY
OV]40 ,G>Y TIPP$ 8 H1D AT ,BILLY4 8,SD Y
7 GONNA NE$ A RIDE BACK 6YR C> & HE _H
6G D[N 6! /,N 6GET 8 ASS *EW$40
  8,OH40 ,! M9UTE ,BILLY _H AGRE$ 6TAKE
ME 6! HOSPITAL ,I'D FALL5 ASLEEP4 ,HE CD
H RUN A BRASS B& OV] MY H1D & ,I WDN'T H
NOTIC$1 N )! -=T+ ?RUM ( :EELS AG/
3CRETE SOO?+ ME4                    #BCB

  ,MRS4 ,POTT] 0 9 A PRIVATE W+ D[N A
RAT'S MAZE ( GAT$ HALLWAYS4 ,BILLY /OPP$
& TALK$ 6! GU>D1 :O OP5$ ! GATES & U%]$
U "? 96A CORRIDOR T LOOK$ L XS SOLE PUR-
POSE 0 KEEP+ IMPORTANT P SAFE4 ,"! 7 NO
W9D[S1 ! WALLS 7 PRISON GRAY &! LI<TS
DID NO?+ 6*E] X4 ,MY BOOTS E*O$ ON ! LI-
NOLEUM4 8,:AT D !Y D1 BR+ P D[N "H 6EN-
C\RAGE !M 6DIE80
  8,X'S A LL MORBID1 ISN'T X8 ,SUPPOS$
64C\RAGE P F EXPLOR+ D[N ? WAY40 ,BILLY
WAV$ A H& AT ! NE>LY EMPTY HALL4
  8,L !Y C GET PA/ ! GU>DS10 ,G>Y MUT-
T]$4 8,:AT'S ! PO9T80
  8,US$ 6BE A PSY*IATRIC W+40
  8,SURE10 ,I SD4 8,L CRAZY P NE$ .ANO!R
R1SON 6BE DEPRESS$40
  ,BILLY SC[L$ AT ME4 8,!Y 3V]T$ X AB T5
YE>S AGO1 &! PRIM] COLOR PA9T GOT DONAT-
$4 ,^! "DS X'S US$ = CELEBRITIES1 CRIMI-
NALS & EM]G5CIES4 ,! ISOL,N HELPS KEEP
SI<TSE]S & AMBUL.E *AS]S AWAY40
  8,& VISITORS10 ,I OP9$4 8,I'D H GOTT5
4C\RAG$ ?REE CORRIDORS BACK4 ,:AT   #BCC
HAPP5S IF SA9T$ ,AUNT ,S,Y WANTS 6VISIT
H] PRECI\S MOVIE /> NEPHEW :O GOT HURT
FILM+ ON LOC,N80
  8,F/ SA9T$ ,AUNT ,S,Y GETS A BACKGR.D
*ECK1 !N %E GETS BR"\ D[N "H )A POLICE
ESCORT1 J L Y DID40 ,TWO M GU>DS /OOD AT
ATT5;N Z WE CAME >.D A CORN] & UP !
HALL4 ,I WOND]$ IF !Y'D BE5 L T ! :OLE
"T1 OR IF "! 0 A POK] GAME HI45 >.D !
NEXT CORN]4
  8,DOES T M1N Y DID A BACKGR.D *ECK ON
ME80 ,G>Y ASK$4 ,BILLY IGNOR$ ! "Q1
WALK+ UP 6! GU>DS4 ,G>Y GR9N$4 8,BET T
M1NS NO40 ,BILLY GAVE HM A DIRTY LOOK &
PU%$ ! DOOR OP51 GE/UR+ ME IN4
  ,I _H AN IMAGE ( ,MRS4 ,POTT] BUILT UP
9 MY M9D4 ,%E 0 "Y1 9 H] E>LY ?IRTIES AT
! MO/1 ) H1VY BLOND HAIR %E USU,Y WORE
UP4 ,X WD 2 D[N N[1 & %E WD 2 PALE "U H]
LI<T TAN4 ,%E'D 2 TALL1 AL? N Z TALL Z
ME1 & MUSCUL> L A SWIMM]4 ,%E'D H BLUE
EYES & N NE$ M* MAKEUP4
  ,A WOMAN :O 0 AT L1/ 9 H] MID-SIXTIES
LAY ON ! B$1 ! OXYG5 MASK !Y'D GIV5 H]
SET ASKEW ON H] FACE4 ,AN ORD]LY    #BCD
TRI$ /1DILY & )\T ! SLI<TE/ SU3ESS 6GET
H] 6PUT X BACK ON4
  ,%E _H GOBS ( :ITE HAIR T /OOD \ 9
R&OM DIREC;NS1 A /ATE T SEEM$ NATURAL R
?AN CAUS$ 0A TRAUMATIZ+ "D4 ,%E WAS1 9
FACT1 BO? TALL & MUSCUL>1 & %E _H AN
AMAZ+LY SOLID FEEL+ 6H]1 L ,MRS4 ,CLAUS
ON /]OIDS4 8,MY LUNGS1 "Y MAN1 >E P]-
FECTLY FUNC;NAL10 %E 0 SAY+ Z ,I WALK$
IN4 8,I D N NE$ ? RIDICUL\S 3TRAP;N & ,I
W N WE> X4 ,! DOCTOR HAS V]IFI$ T MY
BRA9 IS OP]AT+ Q )9 NORMAL P>AMET]S4 ,IF
Y 9SI/1 ,I W SIGN PAP]"W ABSOLV+ ! HOS-
PITAL ( ALL RESPONSIBIL;Y %D MY LUNGS
SU45LY COLLAPSE1 L1D+ 6MY DEMISE "? SUF-
FOC,N1 B ,I H _H Q 5 ( T SILLY MASK40
  8,Y L .,/> .,TREK80 ,I ASK$1 SURPRIS$4
,MRS4 ,POTT] REMOV$ H] GAZE F ! ORD]LY1
:O SA7$ 9 EI RELIEF OR RESIGN,N1 & FIX$
X ON ME4
  8,I D10 %E SD CRISPLY4 8,H[ "E DID Y
DEDUCE T80
  ,I GR9N$ & WALK$ =W>D4 8,I DON'T ?9K
ANYBODY :O WASN'T A .,TREK FAN WD SAY
,8OP]AT+ )9 NORMAL P>AMET]S40'      #BCE
,HI1 ,I'M ,JOANNE ,WALK]40 ,I /EPP$ UP
6! SIDE ( H] B$ & (F]$ MY H&4 ,%E _H A
/R;G GRIP4
  8,GD EV5+1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]4 ,MY "N IS
,H5RIETTA ,POTT]4 ,6:AT D ,I [E ! PL1S-
URE ( YR ACQUA9T.E8 ,& :O >E ^! TWO RUF-
FIANS80 ,%>P BLUE EYES GL.ED OV] ,BILLY
& ,G>Y1 & %E WAV$ A H&4 8,:O IS ! "O
RU6IAN10 %E CORRECT$ H]F4 8,I SEE \R DE-
TECTIVE )! UN=TUNATE "N HAS RETURN$4 ,Y
>E A V POLITE 9T]ROGATOR1 "Y MAN40
  ,BILLY GR9N$ & HALF B[$1 ALL *>M+ MOD-
E/Y4 8,I TRY1 MA'AM4 ,? IS ,G>Y ,MUL-
DOON40 ,G>Y HUNG BACK 9 ! DOOR1 TRY+ TO
LOOK SMALL4 ,X DIDN'T "W4
  8,WELL1 ,G>Y ,MULDOON4 ,I NORM,Y PREF]
6BE A LL M ATTRACTIVELY ATTIR$ 2F 5T]-
TA9+ G5TLEM5 CALL]S1 B Y MAY Z WELL -E
IN40 ,H5RIETTA RETURN$ H] GAZE 6ME4 8,Y
7 AB 6LAUN* 96A DETAIL$ EXPLAN,N ( :Y Y
7 "H10 %E REM9D$ ME4 8,Z ,I H N"E SE5 Y
2F1 ,I C ONLY GA!R T EI Y >E 9VOLV$ 9 !
POLICE 9VE/IG,N ( ? MORN+'S EV5TS1 OR Y
>E A %Y/] HOP+ 6TRICK ! LA/ FEW P5NIES \
(A DY+ OLD LADY40 ,! PRECI.N ( H]   #BCF
T"O N"E FAIL$1 B ,I SAW TREM5D\S PA9
FLICK] 9 H] EYES Z %E REF]R$ 6! MORN+4
  8,I DON'T ?9K Y'RE DY+10 ,I SD SL[LY4
,I CD ALL B FEEL DET]M9,N P\R+ (F H]1 A
REFUSAL 6BE B1T5 0! 9JURIES %E'D SU/A9$4
,I WOND]$ H[ M* (! /R5G? %E 0 %[+ 0 A
FACADE1 & H[ M* %E 0 BUY+ 96X H]F4 .,I 0
BUY+ X1 ANYWAY4 8,Y MAY 2 AG$1 B ,I'M N
SURE OLD IS EXACTLY A ^W T APPLIES 6Y1
,MRS4 ,POTT]4 ,IF ,I'M A %Y/]1 ,I'M 9
TR\#40
  ,%E GRAC$ ME )A SMALL SMILE4 8,X IS !
MORN+'S TRAGIC BUSI;S T BR+S Y "H1 !N4
,SIT D[N1 *1 & TELL ME :O Y >E4 ,G FET*
U "S C(FEE10 %E A4$ IMP]I\SLY4 ,BILLY1 !
ORD]LY & ,G>Y ALL FL9*$ & />T$ =! DOOR4
,! ORD]LY RECOV]$ F/4
  8,MA'AM1 Y'RE N 6H ANY CA6E9E = AT L1/
=TY-EI<T H\--0
  8,!N MAKE X DECA6E9AT$10 %E SU7E/$1 &
? "T ALL ?REE ( !M BOLT$ =! DOOR4 ,"! 0
A MO;T'S /RU7LE :ILE !Y /UCK "!1 2F !
ORD]LY SQUIRM$ \ & ,G>Y & ,BILLY _H ROOM
6FOLL[4 ,AF A FEW SECONDS1 ! DOOR SWUNG
%UT4                                #BCG
  8,W[10 ,I SD1 IMPRESS$4 8,H[ DID Y D
T80
  8,YE>S ( PRACTICE10 %E SD MODE/LY4 8,I
_H SIX SUITORS1 AT "O "T4 ,I _H 6F9D "S
WAY 6D1L ) !M4 ,N[1 :AT C ,I D = Y1 ,JO-
ANNE ,WALK]80
  ,I /UDI$ H] CURI\SLY =A MO;T1 TRY+ TO
SEE ! "Y WOMAN :O _H _H S _M SUITORS4 ,X
WASN'T H>D3 %E / _H MAGNIFIC5T *EEKB"OS
&A FIRM *91 & ,I R1LIZ$ SU45LY T %E BORE
A /RIK+ RESEMBL.E TO--
  8--,KA?>9E ,HEPBURN1 YES1 ,I "K10 %E
SD PATI5TLY4 8,& NO10 %E 3T9U$ Z MY JAW
FELL OP51 8,I DON'T R1D M9DS4 ,I'VE HE>D
T F NE>LY "EY"O ,I'VE MET S9CE ,I 0 FIF-
TE51 & "EY"O GETS ! SAME EXPRES.N J 2F
!Y SAY X4 ,I N"E10 %E A4$1 = EMPHASIS1
8MET ,SP;ER ,TRACEY4 ,N[10 %E SD AG1 &
PU%$ H]F UP C>E;LLY1 A FA9T W9CE CROSS+
H] F1TURES1 8TELL ME :Y Y'RE "H40
  ,I DIDN'T "K ": 6/>T4 8,A FR ( M9E 0
MURD]$ YE/]"D EV5+10 ,I F9,Y SD4 ,_H X
RE,Y ONLY BE5 LA/ NI<T8 8,I ?9K 0! SAME
MAN :O CAME 96YR CLASSROOM ? MORN+40
  ,H5RIETTA'S EXPRES.N TI<T5$4      #BCH
8,I'M V SORRY40
  8,ME TOO40 ,I />$ AT MY H&S4 8,I'M
'''0 ,I TRAIL$ (F4 ,H5RIETTA WAIT$ PA-
TI5TLY4
  8,"Y LADY10 %E SD EV5TU,Y1 :5 ,I
DIDN'T SP1K1 8! CR1TURE T KILL$ MY /U-
D5TS WALK$ 96MY CLASSROOM )\T ANY"O SEE+
HM4 ,M>K 0 D1D 2F WE SAW 8 KILL]4 ,:AT"E
Y >E TRY+ 6"W YRF UP 6TELL+ ME1 ,I DON'T
2LIEVE X C POSSIBLY MAKE MY "D ANY M UN-
PL1SANT40
  8,SORRY40 ,I LOOK$ UP4 8,I NE$ 6F9D
HM4 ,I H 6TRY 6HELP HM40
  ,H] EYEBR[S1 :ITE Z H] HAIR1 %OT UP4
8,HELP HM80
  8,HE'S V SICK40 ,I REMEMB]$ ! BL1K
FALL "? BLACK;S & F.D MYF /&+ UP1 TAK+ A
FEW /EPS Z IF ,I CD GET AWAY F ! MEMORY4
8,HELP HM4 ,/OP HM4 ,I ?9K !Y'RE ALM !
SAME ?+4 ,C Y TELL ME "EY?+ Y REMEMB] AB
HM80
  8,! POLICE H ALR TAK5 MY /ATE;T40 ,%E
PU%$ H]F UP A LL F>!R1 W9C+ AG4 8,I PRE-
SUME Y'VE RCVD ! PHYSICAL DESCRIP;N4 ,Z
TALL Z Y1 BR[N HAIR1 GRE5 EYES80    #BCI
  ,I NO4$4 8,V WELL10 %E SD4 8,! CLASS-
ROOM DOOR 0 CLOS$4 ,I N"E HE>D X OP54 ,I
H NO IDEA H[ HE 5T]$4 ,I 0 WRIT+ ON !
*ALKBO>D--:ITEBO>D10 %E CORRECT$ H]F1 8&
=A MO;T ,I ?"\ ! S.D ,I'D HE>D 0 ! M>K]
AG/ ! BO>D4 ,X 0 T K9D ( S.D1 A HI<-
PIT*$ SQU1K1 5 6RAISE HAIRS ON ! NECK )-
\T CAUS+ R1L AL>M4 ,B !N ! *N />T$
SCR1M+40 ,H] VOICE %OOK4
  ,I CD FEEL ! UNLOCK$ 5]GY 9SIDE ME
BU2L+ )! IMPULSE 6HELP H] "SH[1 6EASE H]
PA94 ,I CAME BACK 6! B$ & SAT D[N1 TAK+
H] H&4
  ,! T\* OP5$ A L9K1 UNEXPECT$LY VIVID4
,MEMORY BLUDGEON$ 96ME1 RELEGAT+ ,H5RI-
ETTA'S ^WS 6! 4T.E3 8,I TURN$ >.D40
  ,I_/,H5RIETTA TURN$ >.D 6UNFOLD+ HOR-
ROR4 ,M>K1 A S&Y-HAIR$ BASKETBALL PLAY]
:O GOT POOR GRADES 2C HE 0 LAZY1 LAY
SPRAWL$ ON ! FLOOR1 D>K BLOOD SPILL+ F A
GA% T OP5$ 8 *E/4 ,J5NIF]1 VOICE *OK$ (F
0A H& >.D H] ?ROAT1 0 DANGL+ 9 ! AIR1
/RU7L+ AG/ ! MAN :O HELD H] UP4 ,H]
KILL] CA/ H] ASIDE & H] BODY CAU<T ON "O
(! *AIRS4 ,BLOOD DRA9$ D[N H]       #BDJ
%IRT Z %E SL[LY TILT$ OV]4 ,O!R *N
SCR1M$1 KNOCK+ DESKS OV] & PU%+ !M \ (!
WAY Z !Y TRI$ 6GET AWAY4 ,! MEMORY RESO-
NAT$ PECULI>LY 2F ,I R1LIZ$ :AT 0 WR;G )
X3 HI< S*OOL KIDS W]5'T *N1 6ME4 ,!Y
W]E1 WELL1 KIDS4 ,H5RIETTA'S ?"\S DEF9$
!M DI6]5TLY4 ,I FELT A WAVE ( DIZZI;S T
_H NO?+ 6D ) :AT 0 GO+ ON 9 FRONT ( ME &
A LOT 6D ) BR1K+ D[N ! WALLS ( MY [N P]-
CEP;NS4 ,I %IV]$1 WOND]+ IF X 0 ,H5RIET-
TA OR ME DO+ X1 & BR"\ MY ATT5;N BACK TO
:AT 0 GO+ ON4
  ,! MAN 9 ! *N'S MID/ 0 N L>GE2 HE M]E-
LY SEEM$ T WAY1 WIDE %\LD]S & GORE-COV]$
H&S A4+ A T]RIFY+ DEP? 6HM4 ,L;G LI<T
BR[N HAIR SPLA%$ OV] 8 %\LD]S1 DROPS (
BLOOD COLOR+ X4 ,HE R1*$ \ ) 9HUMAN SPE$
6CLOSE A MASSIVE H& >.D ANO!R BOY'S >M4
8,AN?ONY10 ,MRS4 ,POTT] SD1 V FA9TLY4
8,OH1 NO4 ,N ,AN?ONY40 ,I WASN'T SURE IF
! ^WS 7 SPOK5 \ L\D1 OR IF ,I 0 HE>+ H]
?"\S AT ! "T ! MEMORIES CAME F4
  ,) "O SAVAGE J]K ! KILL] %OV$ A KNIFE
96,AN?ONY'S *E/ & YANK$ X UP4 ,! BOY
FELL 6! FLOOR4 ,J5NIF]'S BODY       #BDA
COLLAPS$ OV] HIS1 H] HAIR SPILL+ OV] 8
LEGS & ONTO ! FLOOR4 ,P]H FIVE SECONDS
_H PASS$ S9CE ! F/ 2WILD]$1 T]RIFI$
SQU1K4
  ,I CD SEE M1 N[1 "? ,H5RIETTA'S MEMO-
RY4 ,! BLOND GIRL ,I'D SE5 9 ! !AT] /OOD
PRESS$ UP AG/ A F> WALL1 SCR1M+4 ,O!R *N
SCRAM#D 0H]4 ,A BOY GRA2$ H] >M & PULL$
H] D[N 6! FLOOR4 ,%E 4APPE>$ 9 A FLA% (
PALE HAIR Z ! KILL] SWELL$4 ,BLOOD &
I*OR SEEM$ 6FILL HM1 MAK+ HM APPE> TOO
L>GE 6FIT 96! ROOM4 ,:AT ,AD9A SD AB P[]
SPILL+ OV] F ! 9SIDE SU45LY MADE S5SE4
  ,OH1 ,GOD1 ,I 0 S F> \ ( MY L1GUE4
  ,P>ALYSIS LEFT MY--,H5RIETTA'S-- MUS-
CLES1 & ,I L1P$ =W>D1 CRA%+ 96! KILL]'S
BACK AN 9/ANT TOO LATE1 ANO!R * ALR D1D
9 8 H&S4 ,HE /UM#D =W>D1 DROPP+ ! BOY4
,A T9Y S.D CUT "? ! KILL]'S RO>S ( FRUS-
TR,N & MY [N 9COH]5T SCR1MS3 ! CL9K (
DOG TAGS4 ,! LA/ D1D BOY 0 8 "M'S ONLY
*1 ,ADRIAN1 & HE WORE ! TAGS F A "F :O'D
DI$ 9 A W> FIFTE5 YE>S E>LI]4
  ,I LOOK$ UP 96! KILL]'S EYES4 ,8
VOICE1 ?ICK & 4TORT$ ) RAGE1        #BDB
FILL$ MY M9D4 .,FOOL6 HE SCR1M$4 ..,!
CIRCLE IS .BROK56 ,8 EYES 7 GRE51 BRIL-
LIANTLY GRE51 9HUMAN1 L ,C]NUNNOS4 ,!
SN>L HE GAVE ME %[$ EYETEE? T CURV$ 9TO
UNNATUR,Y VICI\S PO9TS4
  ,!N "! 0 PA91 :ITE FIRE PLUNG+ 96MY
BELLY4 ,I SCR1M$1 MY MEMORIES SEP>AT+ F
,H5RIETTA'S & L1V+ ME )A F9AL 3SCI\S
?"\3 ..,OH NO4 ,N .AG4















            ,,*APT] ,,F\RTE5        #BDC

  ,OAK TREES SURR.D$ ME1 S L>GE & N1TLY
SPAC$ ,I 2GAN C.T+ !M4 ,I R1*$ ?IRTY-
FIVE 2F R1LIZ+ ,I WASN'T SEE+ ! =E/ =!
TREES4 ,I %OOK MYF & TOOK A BETT] LOOK
>.D4
  ,! OAKS W]5'T ! ONLY FOLIAGE2 !Y J
DOM9AT$ X4 ,SLI<T] TREES GREW 2T !M1
/RET*+ UP T[>D SLATE-GRAY LI<T4 ,X 0
DRIZZL+1 MO/ (! RA9 FILT]$ \ 0! ENORM\S
TREES4 ,! =E/ FLOOR 0 V GRE51 S(T MOSS
ROLL+ UP OV] G5TLE HILLS4 ,"EY?+ 0 MUT$1
CL\DS & MOSS -B9+ 6QUIET ! S.DS (! =E/4
,I TOOK A DEEP BR1? ( DAMP COOL AIR4
,ONLY !N DID X O3UR 6ME 6WOND] ": ! HELL
,I WAS4 ,I 0 GETT+ JAD$4
  ,I LOOK$ >.D AG4 ,9 MY LIMIT$ EXP]I;E1
WOND]+ ": ! HELL ,I 0 MADE "SBODY %[ UP
& TELL ME4
  ,NO "O %[$ UP4 ,I /OOD "! =A M9UTE4
8,I'D L 6G HOME N[10 ,I ANN\NC$ HOPE;L-
LY4 ,W9D RU6L$ MY HAIR1 B ,I DIDN'T ?9K
X 0 RESPOND+ 6ME4 ,I %RU7$ & /UCK MY H&S
9 MY POCKETS & W5T =A WALK4 ,I _HN'T BE5
9 A =E/ S9CE ,I LEFT ,NOR? ,C>O-    #BDD
L9A4 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ AT H[ M* ,I'D MISS$ !
S.D ( W9D & RA9 ON ! L1VES4 ,9 T5 YE>S
,I _HN'T EV5 ?"\ AB X4
  ,"! 0 A LOT ,I _HN'T ?"\ AB4 ,I 0
PRETTY SURE X 0 ALL GO+ 6-E HOME V SOON
N[4 ,I PU%$ ! IDEA AWAY & KEPT WALK+4
  ,A /AG WALK$ \ (! =E/ 9 FRONT ( ME1 S
CALM ,I EXPECT$ HM 6SAY "S?+ 6ME4 ,HE
DIDN'T4 ,WE GAZ$ AT EA* O!R ACR S"EAL
Y>DS ( EMPTY SPACE1 & !N HE TOSS$ 8 H1D
& B.D$ (F 96! WOODS Z SIL5TLY Z HE'D >-
RIV$4 ,I GR9N$ AF HM4 ,I WASN'T J GETT+
JAD$4 ,I 0 TURN+ 96A _W-CLASS FR1K4
,TALK+ /AGS4 ,:AT NEXT8
  ,Z IF 9 ANSW]1 A BRAN* SNAPP$ 2H ME4
,I TURN$ CURI\SLY4
  ,A MON/]1 M ?AN HALF MY HEI<T & TWICE
Z WIDE1 *>G$ \ (! TREES ON F\R %ORT1
?ICK LEGS4 ,B1DY1 VICI\S EYES SI<T$ ME &
X SW]V$ T[>D ME1 BRI/LY H1D L[]$ 9 A
*>GE T WD 5D ) ME IMPAL$ ON YELL[+ IVORY
TUSKS4
  ,I %RIEK$ & FLUNG MYF 6! SIDE1 SU45LY
-PREH5D+ :Y WILD BO> HUNT+ _H BE5 3SID]$
S* A DANG]\S SPORT4 ,! BO> SW]V$    #BDE
AG1 B>ELY MISS$ TRAMPL+ ME & MADE A
PASS+ NOD AT GOR+ ME4 ,!N1 J L ! /AG1 X
4APPE>$ 96P]FECT SIL;E4
  ,I LAY PROPP$ ON MY ELB[S1 GASP+ AF !
ANIMAL4 8,NOTE 6SELF10 ,I :ISP]$ :5 X
APPE>$ X WASN'T -+ BACK1 8D N ASK ,8:AT
NEXT80' 9 R1LMS UN"KN40
  ,A HORSE L1P$ OV] MY H1D & ,I %RIEK$
AG1 CURL+ UP 9 A LL BALL4 ,) MY H1D
PRESS$ AG/ ! GR.D ,I CD FEEL ! VIBR,N (
:AT SEEM$ L A H]D ( HORSES P.D+ ! E>?4
,!N R\<-VOIC$ M5 %\T$ *E];LLY OV] ! RAT-
TLE ( TACK1 & ,I LIFT$ MY H1D CAUTI\SLY4
,SIX GR9N+ M5 ON HORSEBACK MADE A HALF
CIRCLE 9 ! WOODS1 ALL ( !M FAC+ ME1 "R 9
! C5T] ( _! CIRCLE4 ,I FROZE4 ,!Y JO/L$
BACK & =?1 *ANG+ POSI;N 96"S PREF]R$
LAY\T T ,I CDN'T APPRECIATE4
  ,:AT ,I CD APPRECIATE 0 T N"O ( !M
SEEM$ 6BE PAY+ ATT5;N 6ME4 ,I LET \ A
SI< ( RELIEF & UNCURL$4
  8,/& R1DY1 MY LIEGE10 "S"O SD4 8,! BO>
-ES40
  ,T 0 .N :AT ,I WANT$ 6HE>4 ,I JUMP$ UP
& SPR9T$ =! SAFETY (A TREE J Z !    #BDF
BO> BUR/ \ (! WOODS AG1 ? "T ) HALF A
DOZ5 M5 9 FULL & GLORI\S PURSUIT4 ,9 !
BO>'S POSI;N1 ,I WD H BE5 T]RIFI$4 ,HE J
LOOK$ FURI\S1 L HE KNEW HE 0 GO+ 6DIE &
HE 0 GO+ 6TAKE Z _M (! GRE5-CLAD BA/>DS
) HM Z HE CD4 ,! GRE5-CLAD BA/>DS 9 "Q
ALL LET =? H[LS ( DELI<T1 & *>G$ =? TO
MEET ! ANGRY BO>4 ,SPE>S FLEW1 HORSES
L1P$1 & "SH[ ALL ! W1PONRY MISS$ ! GIANT
PIG4 ,X DUCK$ 2N A HORSE1 TWI/+ XS SQUAT
NECK UP & >.D4 ,XS IVORY TUSKS RIPP$ !
HORSE'S BELLY \4 ,RID] & B1/ FELL TGR4
  ,ANO!R RID] FLUNG HMF (F 8 HORSE1 L&+
ON TOP (! FALL5 MAN1 & 2N ! BO>'S
HOOVES4 ,! BO> SQU1L$ & SLAMM$ XS H1D =-
W>D1 TE>+ A BLOODY L9E ACR ! SECOND
MAN'S /OMA*4
  ,! =E/ FAD$ AWAY >.D ME1 ?9N+ 6"Y]
TREES4 ,! SECOND MAN1 )A CALM & BITT]
SMILE1 SAT ATOP A HORSE1 A KNOTT$ ROPE
>.D 8 NECK4 8,IS ? H[ Y REPAY ME = YR
LIFE1 MY LIEGE80 HE ASK$1 ! LA/ ^WS HE
"E SPOKE4 ,A MAN SLAPP$ ! HORSE'S H9D-
QU>T]S & X BOLT$4
  ,AT MY ELB[1 ! SECOND MAN WAT*$   #BDG
HMF HANG1 & SD 6ME1 8,D Y 5JOY A GD
HANG+1 MY LADY80
  ,I'D L 6SAY ,I DIDN'T S M* Z FL9*1 B
,I ALM JUMP$ \ ( MY SK94 8,NO40 ,I WAT*$
! DANGL+ MAN ) SICK FASC9,N4 8,:AT IS ?8
,:5 DID ? HAPP58 ,:O >E Y80
  8,SIX HUNDR$ YE>S AGO10 ! MAN 2S ME
SD4 ,HE 0 GRE5-EY$ & BROAD-%\LD]$1 LI<T
BR[N HAIR WORN LOOSE OV] 8 %\LD]S4 ,MA-
LEVOL;E FL[$ (F HM 9 S* =CE T ,I %IV]$1
J /&+ 0HM4 8,I 0 CALL$ ,H]NE1 !N4 ,H]NE
! ,HUNT]4 ,! MAN ,I SAV$1 :O _H ME
HANG$1 0 ,RI*>D1 MY "L K+ & LIEGE4 ,WD Y
C>E 6WALK80 ,HE (F]$ ME 8 ELB[1 A FLUID
ELEGANT GE/URE4
  ,I TOOK X AG/ MY [N VOLI;N1 !N FL9*$
AG1 TRY+ 6PULL AWAY4 ,H]NE SMIL$1 KEEP+
8 LIPS CLOS$4 8,?10 HE HISS$1 8IS .MY
G>D51 & Y >E "H ( .MY W1 N YRS4 ,Y W
WALK ) ME40
  ,& ,I DID4 ,WE WALK$ AWAY F 8 TWIT*+
BODY & 96OP5 FIELDS1 FOLL[+ A FOOTPA?
WORN 96! GRASS4 ,MY SK9 FELT SOIL$ &
GRIMY ": X BRU%$ AG/ HIS1 B ,I CDN'T
BR1K AWAY4 8,:AT AM ,I DO+ "H8      #BDH
,:AT D Y WANT ) ME80
  ,H]NE SMIRK$4 8,Y'RE 9T]F]+4 ,I 9T5D
6D1L ) Y N[1 ONCE &= ALL4 ,"H1 ": ,I H
ABSOLUTE P[]40
  8,"H40 ,I %IV]$ AG4 8,? IS YR G>D51 &
X M/ 2 ,5GL&1 B ": '''80
  8,^! 7 MY L&S40
  8,HE HANG$ Y ON YR [N L&S80 ,I BLURT$4
,H]NE LOOK$ D[N AT ME4
  8,OH1 YES1 MY LADY4 ,S* IS ! K9D;S (A
K+40
  8,H[ DID Y 5D UP 9 ,S1TTLE80 ,X 0 A
/UPID "Q1 B ,I _H AN IDEA AT ! BACK ( MY
M9D & ,I WANT$ 6KEEP HM TALK+ UNTIL X
G]M9AT$4
  8,ON A BOAT1 H&-BUILT ( WOOD1 & !N )
_M YE>S ( TRAVEL+ WE/ ON FOOT40
  8,:5 DID Y L1VE ,5GL&80
  8,TWO C5TURIES80 ,HE %RU7$4 8,I HAV5'T
C.T$ ! YE>S4 ,I G BACK40 ,8 EYES FLA%$
DEEP] GRE54 8,I W N L1VE MY L&S UNPRO-
TECT$40
  8,B H[80 ,! FOOTPA? WE FOLL[$ 5D$
ABRUPTLY & 2GAN AG A FEW FEET LAT]1 A
FLAW 9 ,H]NE'S G>D54 ,X REORD]$     #BDI
XF Z WE WALK$ OV] X4 ,I FR[N$1 PU%+ MY W
=W>D1 AT ANO!R SEC;N ( PA?4 ,! UNLOCK$
5]GY 2N MY BR1/B"O T+L$ "? MY BLOOD1 L X
APPROV$ ( :AT ,I 0 TRY+ 6D4 8,H[ C Y / 2
ALIVE80
  ,H]NE LOOK$ POSITIVELY 4APPO9T$4 8,C'T
Y GUESS8 ,AH1 B Y SEE ONLY ! ORD9>Y MAN
,I WAS4 ,WD X HELP '''0 ,HE REL1S$ MY
H&1 TOOK TWO /EPS =W>D & /OPP$ 9 FRONT (
ME )A LL FL\RI%4 ,! PA? "U 8 FEET 4AP-
PE>$ BRIEFLY4 ,I FR[N$ AG1 "PLY 6HIDE A
GR9 AT ! PA?'S REAC;N 6MY PU% & "PLY 2C
,I DIDN'T "U/& :AT ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6SEE4
  ,!N ! SUBTLETIES ( H[ HE _H *ANG$ HIT
ME4 ,8 *EEKB"OS _H %>P5$1 *9 L5G!N$ A
LL1 &! VIVIDLY GRE5 EYES TILT$ M NOTICE-
ABLY4 ,A PATT]N ( B"O 4TORT$ 8 TEMPLES J
SLI<TLY4 ,HE LOOK$ "E S SLI<TLY M FEY1
NO M SL5D] "? ! %\LD]1 B )A DEGREE (
TRANSLUC;E 6HIS SK91 A H9T ( F9] B"OS 9
8 H&S & FACE4 ,HE SMIL$1 & ,I TOOK A /EP
=W>D1 -PELL$4
  8,OH1 MY ,GOD10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,Y'RE 8
SON4 ,C]NUNNOS IS YR "F40
  8,N YR GOD10 ,H]NE 4AGRE$1 8B A   #BEJ
GOD1 AT L1/4 ,N[ Y "U/&1 ( C\RSE1 T Y H
6DIE40
  ,I DIDN'T "U/& T AT ALL4 8,WAIT6
,%DN'T Y 2 SP1K+ ,FR5*80 ,EV5 Z ,I SD X1
,I WOND]$ :AT K9D ( /UPID "Q .T WAS4
,EV5 Z A GAMBIT = "T1 X _H 6BE "O (!
DUMB] ?+S ,I CD H SD4 ,B X "W$3 ,H]NE
/>$ AT ME :ILE ,I FRANTIC,Y SE>*$ =!
FLAW 9 8 G>D5 T _H LET ME RE%APE ! PA?4
,HE'D SD "S?+1 "S?+ IMPORTANT1 IF ,I CD
J "U/& :AT 6D ) X4
  8,I 0 BORN A L&[N]1 N NOBIL;Y4 ,5GLI%
IS MY NATIVE T;GUE4 ,& D Y N IMAG9E1
.GWYLD1 T 9 SIX HUNDR$ YE>S ,I MI<T LE>N
ANO!R LANGUAGE IF ,I NE$$80
  8,OH40 ,I 0 G5U9ELY EMB>RASS$4 8,T 0 A
DUMB "Q40
  8,YES10 ,H]NE AGRE$1 8X WAS40 ,!N 8 W
ROLL$ OV] ME L ?"U1 TRANSMUT+1 =C+ ME 6!
%APE HE *OSE = ME4 ,I ?ICK5$1 >MS & LEGS
%ORT5+ Z ,I DROPP$ 6ALL F\RS & TOSS$ MY
H1D 9 PANIC4 ,MY H1D 0 TOO H1VY1 ATTA*$
6MY NECK WR;G1 & MY VI.N 0 4MAL4 ,ON
NO?+ B 9/9CT1 ,I *>G$ =W>D4 ,H]NE LAU<$
& /EPP$ 6! SIDE1 & ,I F.D MYF       #BEA
BOLT+ "? =E/ )A H&;L ( HORSEM5 ON MY
CURL+ TAIL4 ,I SQU1L$ 9 RAGE & FE> & LET
! WEI<T ( MY BODY DRIVE ME =W>D Z ,I
RAN4
  ,I BUR/ 96A CLE>+1 T[>D A L9E ( M5
S1T$ ON HORSEBACK4 ,"O MOV$ =W>D1 & ,I
RECOGNIZ$ ! SC5E )A JOLT ( FE>4 ,RI*>D'S
HUNT1 ! "O T ULTIMATELY CO/ ,H]NE 8
LIFE4
  ,ONLY ? "T ,I 0 ! BO>4
  ,MY CL>;Y ( VI.N RETURN$ ABRUPTLY1 5
6LET ME SEE ,H]NE'S ?9 SMILE4 ,EV5 Z ,I
*>G$ =W>D1 DESP]ATE1 A PLAN CRY/ALLIZ$ 9
MY M9D4 ,X 0 EASY 6GORE ,RI*>D'S HORSE1
6BR+ ! ANIMAL D[N &! K+ ) HM4 ,H]NE
FLUNG HMF (F 8 HORSE 6PROTECT ! K+4 ,I
BR"\ MY H1D UP1 RIPP+ A GLANC+ BL[ ACR
,H]NE'S BELLY2 X _H LOOK$ M* M IMPRES-
SIVE :5 ,I 0 HI45 2H ! TREE1 WAT*+4
,H]NE FLUNG A FI/ UPW>D1 CAT*+ ME 2H !
RIBS )A KNIFE4 ,I SQU1L$ 9 PA9 & /A7]$ A
/EP4 ,TRIUMPH LIT ,H]NE'S EYES & HE
ROLL$ \ F "U ME1 ROLL$ (F ,RI*>D1 & DREW
8 SWORD Z HE CAME 6HIS FEET4
  ,I /UM#D AG1 MY BR1? -+ 9 UGLY    #BEB
LL :EEZES4 ,! GR.D GAVE "U MY FOOT1 & ,I
COLLAPS$ 6MY KNEES1 ON TOP ( ,RI*>D4 ,HE
GRUNT$ & ,I FELT ! ABSURD DESIRE 6APOLO-
GIZE4 ,B ,H]NE 0 DRIV+ 8 SWORD D[N1 & "!
WASN'T ANY M "T4
  ,I CRU%$ MY EYES %UT & .*OSE4
  ,I .*OSE 6BE "!1 9 ,H]NE'S G>D54 ,T 0
! ?+ HE'D SD1 ! WI7LE ROOM ,I NE$$4 ,)
MY *OICE1 ! %APE 8 W HELD ME 9 %ATT]$4
,I SNAPP$ BACK 6MY [N =M1 ROLL+ 6! SIDE
)A GASP4 ,! KNIFE W.D ,H]NE _H PUT 9 MY
BELLY 0 / "!1 ?RO2+ ) AGONY4
  ,H]NE SLAMM$ 8 BLADE D[N 96! PLACE
,I'D BE5 AN 9/ANT 2F4 ,96,RI*>D'S ABDO-
M54 ,RI*>D'S EYES W5T V WIDE & B"R4 ,I
:ISP]$1 8,SORRY10 :ILE MY BLOOD SPILL$
"? MY F+]S 6MIX ) HIS4 ,WE />$ AT EA*
O!R = ANO!R 9/ANT1 2F ,H]NE'S SCR1M R5-
D]$ ! AIR & ,I /A7]$ ONCE M1 =C+ MY H1D
UP 6MEET 8 EYES4
  8,X IS N POSSI#10 HE RASP$4 8,MY PLACE
--MY P[]--0
  ,I CLUT*$ ! HOLE 9 MY BELLY ": HE'D
/A2$ ME & /RAI<T5$ UP Z F> Z ,I CD4 ,X
WASN'T V F>3 6BR1! "? ! PA9 ,I _H   #BEC
6/AY A LL HUN*$1 B AT L1/ ,I CD MEET 8
EYES4 8,YR W'0 ,I :ISP]$ BACK4 8,I'M N
"H4 ,( YR W4 ,ANYMORE40 ,I CDN'T BR1!4
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PA9 /1DY ) MY HE>TB1T4 8,*OSE4 ,6BE "H40
,I _HN'T BE5 SURE X WD "W4 8,*OOS+4 ,TO
L1VE N[4 ,TOO40
  ,I COLLAPS$ OV] ! SIL5T1 BROK5 =M (
,RI*>D1 K+ ( ,5GL&4 ,H]NE'S SCR1M ( FURY
E*O$ 9 MY MEMORY =A L;G "T4

  ,:5 ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG ,I 0 ON MY
KNEES 9 MY G>D51 D\#D OV] ) "O =E>M AG/
! GR.D &! O!R WRAPP$ >.D MY BELLY4
  8,? "O'S A LL M -PLICAT$10 ,COYOTE SD4
8,C Y FEEL !M80
  ,I LIFT$ MY H1D UP1 B1DS ( SW1T DRA9+
96MY EYES4 ,I CDN'T FEEL A GODDAMN$ ?+
EXCEPT ! SPIK+ PA9 9 MY GUT1 &! BLOOD
SLIPP+ "? MY F+]S4
  8,TRY H>D]10 ,COYOTE SD4 ,HE LAY ON 8
BELLY ) 8 H1D ON 8 PAWS1 GOLD EYES 9T5SE
ON M9E4 ,I :IMP]$ )\T ANY DIGN;Y & TRI$
6FEEL "S?+ 2Y MYF4 ,J ON ! O!R SIDE (
PA9 0 A S\RCE ( AMUSE;T1 SMUG;S &   #BED
3C]N4
  8,N ME40 ,COYOTE S.D$ PATI5T4 8,PA/
ME40 ,I GRUNT$ & TRI$ 6R1* PA/ HM1 MY
F+]S CREEP+ =W>D 9 ! GRASS L ! PHYSICAL
MO;N WD HELP ! M5TAL4 ,=A MO;T "! 0 A
SCATT]+ ( S5S,N1 ! FEEL+ ( "S"O WAIT+4
,I RECOGNIZ$ X F MY DR1M-WALK & R1*$ =
X4 ,COYOTE SNAPP$ AT MY CRAWL+ F+]S4
8,F>!R \40
  ,I DREW A DEEP BR1? 6TRY AG1 !N CDN'T
D .ANY?+ =A FEW SECONDS4 ,BLOOD DRA9$ "?
MY F+]S ) M 5?USIASM4 8,FUCK40 ,NAUSEA
MADE A /AB AT SETTL+ 96MY SY/EM1 B ,I 0
TOO HURT 6HOLD ON 6EV5 T4
  ,I /RET*$ "O M "T1 PA/ ,COYOTE1 PA/ !
"O :O WAIT$ = ME1 & F9,Y F.D :AT ,COYOTE
0 AF4 ,TWO ?9 SILV] L9ES RAN "? ME1 AT-
TA*$ 6"O ANO!R1 US+ ME Z A 3DUIT4 ,!Y
FLICK]$1 UNEV5LY1 UNSYN*RONIZ$ & Z W1KLY
Z MY [N PULSE4 ,"O 4APPE>$ 96D>K;S1 XS
F> 5D S 4TANT ,I WASN'T SURE ": X L$4 ,!
O!R _H NO VISI# 5D1 EI1 B X .FELT CLOS]1
L ,I CD R1* \ A H& & GRASP ! >M (! BODY
^: LIFE X SU/A9$4
  8,!Y'RE TI$ TGR "? Y10 ,COYOTE    #BEE
SD S(TLY1 Z IF HE 0 AFRAID A FULL VOICE
WD %ATT] MY FRAGILE GRASP ON ! CORDS4
8,DON'T Y SEE80
  8,MEM'RY10 ,I :ISP]$4 ,BLOOD DROOL$ 6!
GRASS4 8,H5RIETTA'S4 ,MEM'RY4 ,H]NE'S4
,W4 ,TI$ ME TO4 ,RI*>D'S LIFE40 ,I "U-
/OOD4 ,! 5]GY COIL 9SIDE ME BUB#D EAG]-
LY1 S5D+ \ PULSES ( P[] AL;G ) MY BLOOD4
8,M 5G9E "W10 ,I MUM#D1 & FELL "? SIX
HUNDR$ YE>S ( "T1 H1L+ ! S*OOLT1*] &!
K+4

  ,I OP5$ MY EYES & SAT D[N H>D 9 !
*AIR4 8,Y SAV$ !M10 ,I SD4
  ,H5RIETTA ,POTT] />$ AT ME4 8,AN?ONY &
,M>K10 ,I SD4 8,J5NIF] & ,ADRIAN4 ,Y
BROKE ,H]NE'S CIRCLE4 ,HE TOOK ALM "EY?+
B Y BROKE ! CIRCLE T WD B9D _! S\LS4
,!Y'LL GET ANO!R *.E40 ,MY :OLE BODY
HURT1 & ,I 0 EXHAU/$ 2Y 2LIEF4 ,MY ?"\S
7 TOO ?ICK & SL[ 6BE *AOTIC1 B !Y FELT T
WAY ANYWAY4 ,I NE$$ 6G SIT "S":1 QUIET-
LY1 & FIGURE \ :AT _H HAPP5$4 ,:AT X
.M1NT4 ,I PU%$ 6MY FEET & WOVE MY WAY 6!
DOOR4                               #BEF
  ,I B\NC$ (F ,G>Y Z HE & ,BILLY RETURN$
) C(FEE4 ,G>Y DROPP$ BO? ! CUPS HE C>-
RI$1 SWORE1 & GRA2$ MY %\LD]S Z MY KNEES
GAVE \ & ,I TRI$ 6FOLL[ ! C(FEE 6!
FLOOR4 8,:AT 9 HELL HAPP5$ 6Y8 ,Y LOOK L
Y SAW A <O/40
  8,BAD "D AT ! (FICE40 ,I GI7L$4 ,BILLY
& ,G>Y EX*ANG$ GL.ES4 ,BILLY PU%$ ! DOOR
6,H5RIETTA'S ROOM OP5 & W5T IN4
8,C'MON10 ,I SD 6,G>Y4 8,I WANNA G HOME4
,TIR$40
  8,Y 7 F9E TWO M9UTES AGO1 LADY40
  ,I SMIL$ UP AT HM & PATT$ 8 *EEK4
8,AW4 ,G>Y4 ,DIDN'T "K Y C>$40 ,MY KNEES
W5T \ F "U ME AG & ? "T ,I DID DROP1
FLOPP+ 6! FLOOR L A RAG DOLL4
  ,96! SPILL$ C(FEE4 ,I /UCK A F+]TIP 9
X4 8,AW1 MAN4 ,N[ MY PANTIES >E GONNA
SMELL L C(FEE40 ,I PUT BO? MY H&S 96!
AIR & LET ,G>Y PULL ME 6MY FEET Z ,BILLY
CAME BACK \ (! HOSPITAL ROOM1 LOOK+
PALE4
  8,:AT 9 HELL DID Y D80 HE DEM&$4 ,I
/>$ AT HM )\T -PREH5.N4
  8,AW1 %IT4 ,%E'S N D1D OR ANY-    #BEG
?+1 IS %E80
  8,N Q10 ,H5RIETTA ,POTT] SD F 2H ,BIL-
LY'S %\LD]4 ,HE MOV$ \ (! WAY & %E /EPP$
\1 LOOK+ SURPRIS+LY DIGNIFI$ 9 J A HOS-
PITAL G[N & B>E FEET4
  8,Y "\A 2 LY+ D[N10 ,G>Y SD /]NLY4 ,HE
KEPT A FIRM H& >.D MY WAI/1 : ,I ?"\ 0
SWEET ( HM4
  8,I 2LIEVE1 ACTU,Y1 T ,I'LL 2 *ECK+ \
Z SOON Z "S"O IS K9D 5 6FET* ME "S
CLO!S40
  8,Y CD BORR[ M9E10 ,I SD TOO L\DLY1 8B
!Y ALL SMELL L C(FEE N[40 ,I 0 V TIR$4
,IF ,G>Y DIDN'T KEEP 8 >M >.D MY WAI/1
,I ?"\ ,I MI<T J COLLAPSE AG & N WAKE UP
=A WEEK OR TWO4 ,NO1 ,I CDN'T D T4 ,I _H
6?9K4 ,I NO4$ S"EAL "TS 6MYF1 BIG MO;NS
T TOOK ON A LIFE ( _! [N Z ,I =GOT :Y ,I
0 NO4+4
  ,MRS4 ,POTT] LOOK$ UP AT ME1 AMUS$4
8,I'M TALL = MY G5],N1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]1 B
,I WD TRIP ON YR SLEEVES40
  ,I /OPP$ NO4+1 A/ONI%$4 8,B !Y'RE
%ORT10 ,I PROTE/$4 ,H5RIETTA QUIRK$ A
SMILE4                              #BEH
  8,S !Y >E10 %E AGRE$4
  8,:AT DID Y .D80 ,BILLY ASK$ AG4 ,I
WAV$ A H& AT HM4
  8,J A LIL' FIX]-UPP]4 ,NOOOO BIG D1L4
,D X ANY"T4 ,NO PRO#M4 ,LIL' HOLE 9 !
TUMMY 6KILL A K+8 ,SURE4 ,HEY4 ,6KILL A
K+40 ,I SNICK]$ AG/ ,G>Y'S >M4 8,T'S
FUNNY40
  8,DETECTIVE10 ,G>Y SD1 8,JO NE$S 6G
HOME & SLEEP40
  8,OOOH1 .GD IDEA40 ,I TILT$ OV]1 !N
FR[N$ & />T$ %AK+ MY H1D4 ,BIG SW++
%AKES ( MY H1D4 8,NOOO4 ,C'T SLEEP4 ,H
6.?9K40 ,N[ ,I 0 NO4+ AG4 ,X 0 ALL V
3FUS+1 & ,I 0 LOS+ MY BAL.E4 ,G>Y TI<T5$
8 >M >.D ME4 ,I GI7L$ & PATT$ 8 %\LD]4
8,NICE ,G>Y40
  ,? 0 />T+ 6GET EMB>RASS+4 ,I PEEL$ \ (
,G>Y'S GRASP & C>E;LLY 2GAN MANEUV]+ MY
WAY D[N ! WIDE1 EMPTY HALLWAY4 ,AF S"EAL
/EPS1 )A G5TLE ?UMP1 ,I MANEUV]$ MY %\L-
D] "R 96! WALL OPPOSITE ,H5RIETTA'S
ROOM4 ,T WASN'T AT ALL :AT ,I'D BE5 AIM+
=1 B X /RUCK ME T ! WALL WD HELP ME WALK
9 A /RAI<T L9E4 ,I L1N$ ON X &      #BEI
3C5TRAT$ ON PUTT+ "O FOOT 9 FRONT ( AN-
O!R4 ,LEFT4 ,"R4 ,LEFT4 ,X WASN'T ALL T
H>D1 Z L;G Z ,I KEPT MY H1D D[N & WAT*$
MY FEET4 ,FEEL+ R PR\D ( MYF "? ! HAZE (
EXHAUS;N1 ,I PICK$ UP A LL SPE$4
  8,JOANIE '''0 ,BILLY'S VOICE B\NC$ (F
! GRAY WALLS1 A W>N+4 ,ANO!R PAIR ( %OES
9TRUD$ !MVS ON MY L9E ( VI.N4 ,I DIDN'T
EXACTLY H MO;TUM 9 MY FAVOR1 B ,I /
DIDN'T MANAGE 6/OP UNTIL ! TOP ( MY H1D
RAN 96! *E/ 2L;G+ 6! 9TRUSIVE %OES4
  ,I DIDN'T EV5 B\NCE1 J LIFT$ MY H1D &
F.D MYF TOE 6TOE & NOSE 6NOSE ) ,CAPTA9
,MI*AEL ,MORRISON4










                                    #BFJ
























            ,,*APT] ,,FIFTE5        #BFA

  ,MORRISON 0 CLOSE 5 6KISS4 ,HE _H TIR$
%AD[S "U 8 EYES1 & 8 HAIR _H SILV] ?R1DS
9 X1 NEI ( : ,I'D "E NOTIC$ 2F4 ,WE />$
AT EA* O!R1 ALM CROSS-EY$1 \R NOSES NE>-
LY T\*+4 ,HE DREW 9 A MAGNIFIC5TLY DEEP
BR1? "? 8 NO/RILS 9 PREP>,N 6LAUN* A TI-
RADE4 ,I LIFT$ MY H& & PUT MY F+]TIPS
OV] 8 M\?1 CLUMSILY4 ,8 EYEBR[S %OT UP1
Z M* SURPRISE Z ,I'D "E SE5 ON ,MORRIS-
ON'S FACE4
  8,%H10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,"!'S LOTS ( SICK P
"H4 ,YELL+ MAKES BAD JUJU4 ,Y DON'T WANT
6MAKE ANYBODY DIE1 D Y8 ,%H40
  ,9 A V MODULAT$ T"O T DID NO?+ 6HIDE 8
ANG]1 ,MORRISON DEM&$1 8,>E Y \ ( YR
FUCK+ M9D80
  ,X SEEM$ 9CR1S+LY LIKELY T ,I WAS4 ,I
ROCK$ BACK ON MY HEELS1 LO/ MY BAL.E &
/A7]$ HALF A /EP BACKW>D1 : TOOK ME WELL
\ ( KISS+ 4T.E1 IF N \ ( ,MORRISON'S P]-
SONAL SPACE4 ,"O ( 8 H&S FLA%$ \ &
CLAMP$ >.D MY BICEPS1 /1DY+ ME4 ,I 0 TOO
/>TL$ 6ANSW] HM4
  ,HE DIDN'T RE,Y WANT ME 6ANSW]    #BFB
HM ANYWAY4 8,:AT ! HELL >E Y DO+ "H8 ,I
H ? DR1M10 HE *>G$ ON Z ,I TRI$ 6=MULATE
AN ANSW]4 8,I H ? DR1M T ,I'LL GET UP "O
"D &! :OLE DAMN$ _W W MAKE S5SE4 ,2+ A
PRACTICAL MAN1 ,I "K T'S N GO+ 6HAPP540
,MORRISON'S VOLUME 0 BUILD+4 8,B X SEEMS
L ,I %D AT L1/ 2 A# 6/OP 0=A VISIT )A
KEY WIT;S )\T F9D+ ! ME*ANIC ,I SUSP5D$
YE/]"D HANG+ >.D A POLICE-PROTECT$ W+ (!
HOSPITAL60
  ,I F.D ! WALL ) "O H& & L1N$ ON X1
LETT+ ,MORRISON'S CRESC5DO BR1K & WA%
OV] ME4 ,X TOOK A GRT D1L ( C>E;L ?"\ TO
MANAGE1 8,I ?"\ ,I CD HELP40 ,MY VOICE
S.D$ ?ICK & FUZZY1 L ,I'D BE5 SNACK+ ON
POL> FLEECE4
  8,HELP8 ,:AT ! HELL D Y "K AB HELP+ 9
A MURD] 9VE/IG,N8 ,Y WANT 6BE A ME*ANIC4
,& EV5 IF Y .WANT$ 6BE A POLICE (FIC]--0
  ,I L1N$ AG/ ! WALL A LL H>D]1 CLOS+ MY
EYES4 ,IF HE'D ONLY *OOSE "O PIT* & /AY
AT X1 ,I CD PROBABLY G 6SLEEP /&+ "H1 B
! FLUCTU,NS 9 VOLUME =C$ ME 6LI/5 6HM4
  8--,I DON'T WANT .ANY"O ,I'VE SUSP5D$
TO ,8HELP0' ) CRIM9AL CASES !Y'RE   #BFC
9VOLV$ IN4 ,IF Y H 9=M,N T W HELP1 GIVE
X 6! POLICE & WE'LL TAKE X F "!4 ,Y ."K
T'S H[ X "WS1 ,WALK]4 ,"!'S NO?+ Y C D T
WE C'T40
  8,ON ! 3TR>Y40
  ,I PEEL$ MY EYES OP5 64COV] ,MRS4
,POTT] _H -E UP ! HALLWAY & 0 /&+ AT
,MORRISON'S ELB[1 WAIT+ = HM 6AC"KL$GE
H] 9T]RUP;N4 ,HE GL>$ AT H]4
  8,?ANK Y1 MA'AM1 B ,I DON'T NE$ YR
OP9ION "R N[4 ,Y--0 ,! LA/ ^W 0 DIRECT$
AT ME1 & !N ,MORRISON'S H1D SNAPP$ BACK
>.D Z HE RECOGNIZ$ ! S*OOLT1*]4 8,Y
%DN'T 2 ON YR FEET40
  8,Z ,I 0 SAY+10 ,H5RIETTA SD EQUITA-
BLY1 8,I 2LIEVE ,MISS ,WALK] MAY 2 A# 6D
A NUMB] ( ?+S Y C'T40

  ,! NEXT FEW H\RS GOT V BLURRY :ILE P
ASK$ ME ! SAME "QS OV] & OV]1 "S"TS S"E-
AL AT ONCE & FREQU5TLY 9 A /A3ATO S]IES4
,I KEPT LOOK+ UP 6SEE IF "! 0 A S+LE H>D
:ITE LI<T BULB DANGL+ OV] MY H1D4 ,ALL
,I WANT$ 6D 0 L1VE4 ,"! 0 "S?+ IMPORTANT
,I _H 6G ?9K AB1 B ,I CDN'T ?9K )   #BFD
ALL ! NOISE &! YELL+ &! "QS4 ,I NE$$
SLEEP4 ,! _W WD MAKE M S5SE ONCE ,I'D _H
"S SLEEP4
  ,:AT ,I GOT 9/1D 0 ,MORRISON'S SC[L &
DOCTORS :O WANT$ DESP]ATELY 6"K H[ ,I'D
D"O :AT ,I'D D"O4 ,I REMEMB]$ %\T+1
8,I'M N A GODDAMN$ FAI? H1L]6 ,I DON'T
TALK 6,GOD6 ,I'M A ME*ANIC & H] GODDAMN$
5G9E 0 BROK560
  ,!Y LEFT ME AL"O = Q A :ILE AF T4
  ,I WAIT$ =! NICE "Y M5 9 _! CL1N :ITE
COATS 6>RIVE4 ,:5 !Y DIDN'T1 ! B$ ,H5RI-
ETTA _H AB&ON$ 0 TOO TEMPT+ 6IGNORE4 ,!
NICE "Y M5 CD WAKE ME UP4
  ,G>Y WOKE ME UP 9/1D1 G5TLY %AK+ MY
%\LD]4 8,WAKE UP1 LADY4 ,JO80
  8,LADY ,JO10 ,I MUM#D 96! PILL[4
8,K9DA L T4 ,S.DS L A ROM.E H]O9E40
  ,G>Y PAUS$1 4TRACT$4 8,Y R1D ROM.ES80
  8,S'MY DEEP D>K SECRET4 ,G 'WAY40
  8,C'T4 ,! T5 O'C NEWS J CAME ON4 ,Y
MI<T WANT 6GET \ ( "H 2F ,MORRISON GETS
BACK40
  ,I TRI$ 6PEEL "O EYE OP51 B MY 3TACTS
7 GLU$ 6MY EYES AG4 8,:U80          #BFE
  8,Y'RE ALL OV] X4 ,C'MON1 LET'S G40
  8,OH1 ,GOD40 ,I TURN$ MY FACE & BURI$
X 9 ! PILL[4 8,I DON'T C>E4 ,LET HM KILL
ME4 ,Z L;G Z ,I GET "S RE/40
  8,Y'VE _H FIVE H\RS ( SLEEP10 ,G>Y SD
)\T SYMPA?Y4 8,Y'VE ONLY GOT ANO!R "D TO
SOLVE ? CASE1 Y'"K40
  ,I PULL$ "O EYE OP5 L;G 5 6LOOK AT HM4
,X TE>$ UP & %UT AG ( XS [N VOLI;N4
8,:AT'RE Y TALK+ AB80
  8,MO/ MURD]S G UNSOLV$ IF ! MURD]]
ISN'T CAU<T 9 =TY-EI<T H\RS40 ,G>Y SPOKE
) AN AIR ( GRT AU?OR;Y4
  8,S]IAL MURD]S >E DI6]5T4 ,G AW--0 ,AN
AL>M+ ?"\ DRA9$ "? MY SLEEP-H1VY BRA94
8,:AT'S ! DATE80
  8,FIF? ( ,JANU>Y40
  ,I ROLL$ ONTO MY BACK1 BL9K+ TE>S AWAY
Z ,I FR[N$ AT ! CEIL+4 8,TM'S ! SIX?80
  8,"!'S A B"R GIRL10 ,G>Y SD APPROV+LY4
  8,HIS P[] P1KS TM NI<T40
  8,^: DOES80
  8,C]NUNNOS4 ,YULETIDE4 ,T'S :AT ,M>IE
SD4 ,8 P[] P1KS & !N 2G9S 6FADE UNTIL !
SUMM] SOL/ICE1 & !N HE'S BANI%$     #BFF
BACK TO '''0
  8,:]"E ,CELTIC GODS >E BANI%$ TO10
,G>Y SUPPLI$4
  8,UNTIL ,SA-- ,HALL[E540
  8,SAMHA910 ,G>Y SD4 .,SOW-EHN1 HE PRO-
N\NC$ X4 ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,I SAW T ^W ON ! -PUT]4 ,:5 ,I LOOK
AT X ,I SEE ,8,SAMHANE40' ,H[ D Y REMEM-
B] H[ 6SAY X80
  ,G>Y %RU7$4 8,OLD DOG4 ,S :AT'S ! BIG
D1L8 ,AF TM1 Y GET ! UPP] H&4 ,S.DS L A
GD WAY 6PLAY ! GAME 6ME40
  8,IF ,I LIVE "? X40 ,! ^WS MADE A LL
PIT ( SICK;S 9 MY /OMA*4 ,"! 0 A V R1L
POSSIBIL;Y T ,I 0 GO+ 65D UP D1D TM4
,I'D C]TA9LY -E CLOSE 5 9 ! PA/ C\PLE
"DS4 ,G>Y FR[N$ & J]K$ 8 *9 AT ! DOOR4
  8,-E ON4 ,Y WON'T LIVE "? TN IF YR FR
! POLICE CAPTA9 GETS 8 H&S ON Y40
  ,I GROAN$ & ROLL$ (F ! B$4 8,"!'S A
REASSUR+ ?"\40
  8,I D MY BE/10 ,G>Y SD MODE/LY4 ,I
*UCKL$ "? EXHAUS;N4 ,AN AL>M+ NUMB] (
?+S 7 /RIK+ ME Z FUNNY4 ,I WOND]$ IF
,I'D "E GET 5 SLEEP 6GET OV] T4     #BFG
  8,ALL "R4 ,ALL "R4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 .SAY
ANY?+ 6T /UPID REPORT]4 ,H[ C HE KILL
ME80 ,I OPT$ AG/ LOOK+ 9 ! MIRROR1 DRA7$
! DOOR OP5 & WALK$ 96,MORRISON =! SECOND
"T T EV5+4 ,? "T ,I B\NC$ BACK A /EP
:ILE HE /OOD "! L A WALL4 8,WE'VE GOT TO
/OP MEET+ L ?40
  8,I "\A H Y >RE/$40 ,MORRISON 0 NOSE
6NOSE ) ME AG4 ,I LOOK$ D[N AT 8 %OES1
TILT+ MY H1D 6! SIDE A LL4 ,! SOLES ( 8
%OES 7 ! SAME ?ICK;S Z M9E4 ,IF ,I ?"\
HE CD H1 ,I WD H GUESS$ HE'D D"O T ON
PURPOSE4
  8,= :AT80 ,I LOOK$ BACK UP AT HM4 ,I
CD FEEL ,G>Y LOOM+ 2H ME4 ,X OBVI\SLY
DIDN'T BO!R ,MORRISON AT ALL1 B X MADE
ME FELL A LL BETT]4
  8,9T]F]+ )A POLICE 9VE/IG,N40
  8,H ,I 9T]F]$80
  8,Y'VE WA/$ MY "T & T ( "O ( MY (FIC]S
=! PA/ SEV5 H\RS 0KEEP+ U "H AT ? HOSPI-
TAL40
  ,MY EYEBR[S CRAWL$ UP MY =EH1D4 8,I'VE
BE5 ASLEEP =! LA/ FIVE H\RS4 ,H['D ,I
KEEP Y "H8 ,HELL1 ,MORRISON1 Y      #BFH
DIDN'T EV5 "K ,I .0 "H :5 Y %[$ UP4 ,Y
C'T BLAME ME = Y / 2+ "H40
  8,Y A6ECT$ A PR9CIPAL WIT;S 9 ! CASE1
,WALK]40
  8,8,A6ECT$40'0 ,I />$ AT HM4 8,H['S %E
DO+1 ANYWAY80
  8,! DOCTORS C'T EV5 F9D ANY SC> TIS-
SUE4 ,:AT ! HELL DID Y D80
  8,I H1L$ H] & ,RI*>D ! ,SECOND ( ,5GL&
"? A PSY*IC L9K )A ,CELTIC DEMIGOD DRAWN
\ ( H] MEMORY (! MURD]S ? MORN+10 ,I SD
FLIPPANTLY1 "K+ ,MORRISON WDN'T 2LIEVE
X1 EV5 IF X 0 ,GOD'S [N TRU?4 ,OR POSSI-
BLY .2C X 0 ,GOD'S [N TRU?4 ,8 H& BUN*$
96A FI/ & LOOS5$ AG4 ,I ALM WI%$ HE'D
HIT ME4 ,A GD OLD-FA%ION$ H&S-ON ASS-
KICK+ MI<T D ME "S GD "R N[4 ,I DIDN'T
EV5 M* C>E ^: ASS GOT KICK$4
  8,I ALW LIK$ Y1 ,WALK]10 ,MORRISON SD
\ (! BLUE4 ,MY JAW DROPP$4
  8,Y DID N40
  ,MORRISON SNORT$1 A SORT ( LAU<1 & AD-
MITT$1 8,NO4 ,B Y ALW SEEM$ 6H A H1D ON
YR %\LD]S4 ,NO TACT1 B A H1D ON YR
%\LD]S4 ,B N[ Y'RE TALK+ L ,HOL-    #BFI
LI"D4 ,:AT ! HELL HAPP5$ 6Y80
  ,I FELT OLD & TIR$ SU45LY4 8,I'D LOVE
6SIT D[N OV] C(FEE & TELL Y1 B Y WDN'T
2LIEVE ME4 ,X'S BE5 A R\< C\PLE "DS1
,MORRISON4 ,I ?9K "S?+ BAD IS GO+ 6HAPP5
TM NI<T & ,I H 6F9D \ :AT & /OP X40
  8.,I H TO1 DAMMIT6 ,X'S N YR--0
  8,MY JOB10 ,I AGRE$ WE>ILY4 8,I "K4
,X'S YR JOB4 ,I J DON'T ?9K Y C F9D
:AT'S DO+ ?1 ,MORRISON4 ,I'M N SURE .,I
C1 & !Y'RE TALK+ 6ME40
  8,:O >E80
  8,! OLD GODS40 ,I HALF LAU<$4 8,D1D P4
,? IS N :AT ,I SIGN$ UP =1 DAMMIT60
  8,:AT DID Y SIGN UP =80
  8,LIV+ ANO!R "D1 ,I GUESS4 ,I DIDN'T
"K X 0 GO+ 6GET S -PLICAT$40 ,I P9*$ !
BRIDGE ( MY NOSE1 SQU9*+ MY EYES CLOS$4
,! 3TACTS F9,Y LOOS5$ UP A BIT & ,I CD
FEEL MOI/URE 9 MY EYES AG4 8,MORRISON1
>E Y GONNA *>GE ME ) ANY?+1 OR C ,I G
HOME N[80
  8,>E Y GO+ 6.G HOME80 ,HE S.D$ L A
BELLIG]5T BULL4
  8,YES10 ,I PROMIS$4               #BGJ
  8,>E Y GO+ 6/AY "!80
  8,:AT >E Y1 MY "M8 ,TELL Y :AT4 ,I'LL
/AY HOME =! RE/ ( MY LIFE IF E TWO WEEKS
Y'LL CUT ME A PAY*ECK ,I C LIVE ON40 ,I
/EPP$ =W>D 6SEE IF X WD MAKE ,MORRISON
MOVE \ (! DOORWAY4 ,X DID4 ,I 0 V IM-
PRESS$ ) MYF4 8,I'M GO+ HOME1 ,MORRISON4
,GD NI<T40 ,G>Y FOLL[$ "R ON MY HEELS1 L
AN OV]SIZ$ PROTECTIVE %AD[4 ,I 0 HALFWAY
D[N ! HALL :5 ,MORRISON'S VOICE FOLL[$
ME4
  8,WALK]40
  ,I TURN$ >.D RELUCTANTLY4 ,MORRISON
FR[N$ D[N ! HALL AT ME4 8,/AY HOME4 ,?
GUY'S DANG]\S40
  8,Y'RE MAK+ ME ALL S5TI;TAL1 ,MORRIS-
ON4 ,KNOCK X (F 2F ,I GET WEEPY40 ,I GOT
ALL ! WAY 6! GATE & \ X ? "T4
  8,I ?9K HE LIKES Y10 ,G>Y SD Z ! GATE
CLANG$ %UT4 ,I LAU<$1 A %>P B>K ( S.D4
  8,MORRISON WDN'T L ME IF ,I 7 K9D 5 TO
N"E D>K5 8 DOOR/EP AG4 ,HE'D F9D ME EAS-
I] 6TOL]ATE1 T'S ALL40
  8,HE LIKES Y10 ,G>Y SD AG1 ) AN AIR (
C]TA9TY4 8,HE'S J AFRAID ( Y40      #BGA
,HE SL[$ & LET ME G "? ! OP5 HALF (A D\#
DOOR 9 FRONT ( HM1 :ILE ,I GL>$ OV] MY
%\LD] AT HM4
  8,AFRAID ( ME8 ,:Y WD HE 2 AFRAID (
ME8 ,I'M N SC>Y4 ,Y'RE N SC>$ ( ME40
  ,G>Y PURS$ 8 LIPS4 ,I /OPP$ & LOOK$ AT
HM1 >MS FOLD$1 WAIT+4
  8,Y'VE D"O "S SC>Y ?+S S9CE ,I MET Y10
HE VOLUNTE]$ AF A MO;T4 ,I SNORT$4
  8,Y1H1 WELL1 ,I DIDN'T />T RIS+ F !
D1D UNTIL .AF ,I MET Y4 ,MAYBE Y H T EF-
FECT ON P4 ,"!'S NO R1SON = Y OR ANY-
BODY1 ESPECI,Y ,MORRISON1 6BE SC>$ ( ME4
,HE'S HAT$ ME = AGES1 ANYWAY4 ,HE'S N
AFRAID ( ME40 ,SC[L+1 ,I />T$ BACK D[N !
HALLWAY4 8,": >E Y P>K$1 ANYWAY80
  8,VISITOR P>K+4 ,GOTTA L1VE "? ! MA9
LO2Y4 ,Y DON'T GOTTA GET S HU6Y1 ,JO4
,"!'S LOTS ( "W = SC>Y P4 ,BODYGU>D+1 =
EXAMPLE40
  8,BODYGU>DS LOOK L PROFES.NAL WRES-
TL]S40 ,I EY$ ,G>Y4 8,DON'T Y D>E SAY ,I
D40
  ,G>Y HELD UP 8 H&S & WISELY DIDN'T SAY
A ?+4 ,I WAIT$1 !N NO4$1 SATIS-     #BGB
FI$4 8,OKAY4 ,C ,I G HOME N[80

  ,G>Y N ONLY BR"\ ME BACK 6MY C>1 B
FOLL[$ ME HOME AFW4 ,I CDN'T DECIDE IF
HE 0 OV]PROTECTIVE 0NATURE1 OR IF HE 0
"O ( ^? /RAYS T MOVES 9 & TAKES OV] YR
LIFE4 ,I MADE C(FEE & LO7$ ON 6! -PUT]4
,"! 7 ?REE M SPAMS1 "S?+ F "O (! ONL9E
POLITICAL ORGANIZ,NS ,I 2L;G$ TO1 &A
NOTE F ,KEV9 ,SADL] SAY+1 ..,X 0 NICE TO
MEET Y4 ,AD9A WD WANT ME 6HELP Y LE>N
ANY?+ Y C4 ,IF ,I C EV5 2 A S.D+ BO>D =
Y1 LET ME ."K4
  8,HE LIKES Y10 ,G>Y SD *E];LLY4
  8,PL1SE4 ,8 WIFE 0 J MURD]$4 ,I DON'T
?9K HE'S HITT+ ON ME4 ,& ,I DON'T NE$ Y
SETT+ ME UP ) E GUY ,I -E ACR1 JEEZ40
  8,Y SURE80
  8,YES1 ,G>Y1 ,I'M SURE40 ,I FR[N$ AT
HM1 !N AT ! SCRE5 & HIT ,REPLY4
..,?ANKS1 ,KEV94 ,I APPRECIATE ! (F]4
,"S BIZ>RE /UFF HAPP5$ TD4 ,WANT 6GET
TGR = LUN* & HE> AB X8 ,I C PROBABLY
SP>E AN H\R TM4--.,JOANNE4
  8,:AT AM ,I80 ,G>Y DEM&$4         #BGC
8,*OPP$ LIV]80
  ,I GRUNT$ & S5T ! MESSAGE1 !N FIDGET$
IMPATI5TLY = S"EAL M9UTES1 HOP+ =A RE-
PLY4 8,X'S ELEV5 AT NI<T10 ,G>Y F9,Y SD4
8,HE'S PROBABLY 9 B$40
  8,Y1H1 Y1H40 ,I YAWN$ MYF1 EYES TE>+1
: REM9D$ ME 6G TAKE MY 3TACTS \4 ,I CAME
BACK 96! LIV+ ROOM WE>+ MY GLASSES & /
YAWN+4 8,I HATE N 2+ A# 6SEE40
  8,L1/ Y'VE _H "T 6GET US$ 6X10 ,G>Y
SD4 8,I HIT AB FIFTY-FIVE & ALL (A SU45
MY >MS 7 TOO %ORT 6R1D40
  8,MAYBE Y %D /OP WRIT+ ON YR >MS40 ,I
GR9N$ AT 8 EXPRES.N4 8,Y DID OKAY ) MY
MAGAZ9ES &! -PUT] SCRE540
  8,TAKES A :ILE =A H1DA*E 6SET IN10
,G>Y SD4 8,H[ L;G'VE Y WORN GLASSES80
  8,S9CE ,I 0 N9E4 ,Y WANT 6"K ! HORRI#
?+8 ,I FELT L X 0 A BIG SECRET1 T ,I
CDN'T SEE1 & ,I FIGUR$ "EYBODY'D PO9T &
/>E :5 ,I CAME 6S*OOL ) GLASSES4 ,NOBODY
EV5 NOTIC$4 ,I'D SP5T ALL T "T PSY*+ MYF
UP =! TRAUMA ( 2+ T1S$4 ,! TRAUMA ( N 2+
NOTIC$ 0 WORSE40
  8,KIDS >E SELF-C5T]$40            #BGD
  8,HUMANS >E SELF-C5T]$10 ,I CORRECT$4
8,DON'T LET KIDS H ALL ! CR$IT40
  8,H['D Y GET 6BE S CYNICAL S "Y80
  ,I SNORT$4 8,I'LL 9TRODUCE Y 6MY DAD
"S"T40
  8,T WD 2 9T]E/+10 ,G>Y SD S NEUTR,Y ,I
?"\ ,I %D 2 (F5D$4 ,I FR[N$ AT HM =A M9-
UTE :ILE HE MA9TA9$ ! C>E;L NEUTRAL;Y4
,I F9,Y LOOK$ AWAY4
  8,DON'T Y H 6BE AT "W 9 FIVE H\RS80
  ,G>Y LOOK$ AT 8 WAT*4 8,SIX &A HALF4
,I'LL 2 F9E40
  ,I GR9N$4 8,:AT MAKES Y ?9K ,I'M WOR-
RI$ AB Y8 ,I'M WORRI$ AB YR PASS5G]S4
,Y'RE T]RIFY+ 6RIDE ) EV5 :5 Y'RE
AWAKE40
  8,HEY1 Y'RE ALIVE1 >5'T Y80
  8,NO ?ANKS 6Y10 ,I SD HAPPILY1 & ,G>Y
LAU<$4
  8,I DIDN'T GET Y /A2$10 HE PO9T$ \4
  8,DETAILS1 DETAILS4 ,":'S T SWORD1
ANYWAY80
  8,AT MY A"P;T4 ,CDN'T KEEP X 9 ! BACK
(! CAB :ILE ,I 0 "W+4 ,Y WANT X80
  ,I ?"\ AB T =A M9UTE4 8,Y1H1 ,I   #BGE
?9K S4 ,C Y BR+ X 0TM80
  8,2F OR AF "W80
  8,UM40 ,I SUCK$ ON MY TEE?4 8,2F40
  8,OKAY40 ,G>Y /OOD UP4 8,I'LL 2 0>.D
FIVE-FIFTE540
  8,GAH4 ,I'LL TRY 6BE AWAKE40
  8,Y'RE "Y4 ,Y C SURVIVE ON A FEW NI<TS
( N M* SLEEP40
  8,EASY = Y 6SAY4 ,Y HAV5'T BE5 FAT,Y
W.D$ TWICE 9 TWO "DS40
  ,G>Y'S BU%Y GRAY EYEBR[S %OT UP4
8,TWICE80
  8,UM40 ,I RU2$ MY H& OV] MY /OMA*4 8,!
SECOND "T 0 AT ! HOSPITAL4 ,X DIDN'T EX-
ACTLY HAPP5 ON ? PLANE ( R1L;Y40 ,I W9C$
Z ,I SD X4 ,G>Y'S EYEBR[S REMA9$ ELEVAT-
$1 B HE DIDN'T SAY ANY (! S>CA/IC ?+S
,MORRISON WD H SD4
  8,I GOT MYF KNOTT$ 96A C\PLE ( O!R P'S
LIVES10 ,I MUM#D4 8,IF ,I _HN'T BE5 A#
6FIX !M1 ,I ?9K ,I'D H BE5 D1D :5 Y CAME
BACK )! C(FEE40
  8,RI*>D ! ,SECOND10 ,G>Y SD1 9 T C>E-
;LLY NEUTRAL VOICE AG4
  8,Y1H40 ,I SC[L$ DEF5SIVELY4      #BGF
8,HE PUT ,H]NE ! ,HUNT] 6D1?40
  8,H]NE ! ,HUNT]40
  8.,YES40
  8,! "O WE R1D AB ON ! -PUT]40
  ,I NO4$4 ,G>Y SPR1D 8 BIG H&S & %OOK 8
H1D4 8,:AT'S HE GOT 6D ) ANY?+80
  8,X 0 ,H]NE AT ! S*OOL TD10 ,I SD IM-
PATI5TLY4 8,I BORR[$ ,MRS4 ,POTT]'S MEM-
ORIES & ,H]NE DRA7$ ME 96HIS PLAY+
FIELD40 ,I 0 SURE ,I'D TOLD HM AB ? ALR4
,F 8 EXPRES.N1 MY M9D 0 PLAY+ TRICKS ON
ME4
  8,BORR[$80
  ,I SAT D[N4 8,%E 0 TELL+ ME AB :AT
HAPP5$ AT ! S*OOL & ,I WANT$ 6HELP H]
GET "? ! BAD MEMORIES4 ,"S?+ HAPP5$4 ,I
%>$ H] MEMORIES1 L WE _H "S K9D ( HIVE
M9D ?+ GO+4 ,& !N ,H]NE DRA7$ ME \ ( H]
MEMORIES 96HIS [N4 ,& ,I GOT ALL CAU<T
UP 9 "S ?+ T HAPP5$ HUNDR$S ( YE>S AGO4
,X 0 L ,I 0 RE,Y "!40
  8,H[80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,G>Y 0 V QUIET4 ,I LOOK$ UP 6F9D HM
FR[N+ AT ME4 8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL     #BGG
YR CAPTA9 ANY ( T80
  8,I--0 ,I BROKE (F1 MY =EH1D WR9KL+4
8,DIDN'T ,I80
  8,NO10 ,G>Y SD4 8,Y DIDN'T40
  8,OH40 ,I 3SID]$ ! "Q =A M9UTE4 8,2C
HE'S A SANCTIMONI\S ASSHOLE80
  8,I GET X10 ,G>Y SD SAGELY4 8,Y L HM1
TOO40
  8,= ,GOD'S SAKE4 ,G HOME1 ,G>Y1 Y'RE
GETT+ DELU.NAL F LACK ( SLEEP40 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ ?9K+ ,MORRISON 0 CLOSE 5 6KISS1 &
GROAN$4 8,G HOME10 ,I SD AG4 ,G>Y F9I%$
8 C(FEE & PUT ! CUP 9 ! S9K1 LOOK+ AT ME
) :AT ,I 0 2G9N+ 6RECOGNIZE Z 8 EXPRES.N
( 3C]N4 ,X LOOK$ A BIT L A POL> BE> )
9DIGES;N4
  8,Y GONNA 2 ALL "R "H1 ,JO80
  8,I'LL 2 F9E10 ,I PROMIS$1 ABSURDLY
T\*$ 0HIS WORRY4 8,I'M J GO+ 6R1D =A
:ILE & !N G 6B$4 ,NO CRAZY ANTICS4 ,I
PROMIS$ ,MORRISON40 ,I MADE A FACE4
  8,NO1 Y DIDN'T40
  ,DAMN4 8,I DON'T ?9K HE NOTIC$ T40
  8,DON'T C.T ON X4 ,I'LL 2 0>.D A QU>T]
AF FIVE10 HE REM9D$ ME4 8,LOCK !    #BGH
DOOR40 ,I NO4$ & FOLL[$ HM 6! DOOR 6LOCK
X 2H HM1 !N /OOD "! =A FULL M9UTE1 WAIT+
= ANO!R %OE 6DROP4





















            ,,*APT] ,,SIXTE5        #BGI

  ,NO?+ HAPP5$4
  ,NO?+ KEPT "R ON HAPP5+ :ILE ,I FELL
ASLEEP L1N+ ON ! DOOR4 ,MY KNEES BUCKL$1
JOLT+ ME AWAKE1 & ,I /A7]$ 6! -PUT]
*AIR4 ,"! _H 6BE "S?+ ,I CD F9D AB
,H]NE1 "S?+ T WD TELL ME :AT 0 GO+ ON4
,IF X WASN'T ON ! ,9T]NET1 X DIDN'T EX-
I/1 "R8 ,S X _H 6BE1 "S K9D ( 9=M,N AB
,C]NUNNOS'S SULL5 SON4 ,I CLICK$ "? 6A
NEW SITE1 SLUMP$ 9 MY *AIR & WOND]$ H[
_M %OES _H ALR DROPP$4
  8,%OES10 ,I SD \ L\D1 & LOOK$ AT MY
FEET4 ,MY LU7AGE4 ,I _HN'T ACTU,Y PROM-
IS$ ,MORRISON ,I'D /AY HOME1 & ,I 0 \ (
"UWE>4 ,I GL.ED AT ! -PUT] SCRE51 ": !
PAGE LOAD$ ) EXCRUCIAT+ SL[;S4 ,/IFL+ A
YAWN1 ,I W5T 96! B$ROOM & KICK$ OV] MY
C>RY-ON1 DI7+ "? X UNTIL ,I F.D MY BAG-
GAGE TICKET4 ,! PAGE / _HN'T LOAD$ :5 ,I
CAME BACK \1 S ,I SWIT*$ ! SCRE5 (F &
LEFT X 6LOAD1 GRA2+ MY KEYS ON MY WAY \
! DOOR4 ,AIRPORTS SEEM$ NICE & SAFE4 ,!Y
_H ALL ^? METAL DETECTORS T WD KEEP P )
SWORDS F -+ AF ME1 & LOTS ( SECU-   #BHJ
R;Y ) NO S5SE ( HUMOR 64C\RAGE "S"O IF
HE EVAD$ ! METAL DETECTORS4
  ,N T X SEEM$ EV5 SLI<TLY PLAUSI# T
AIRPORT SECUR;Y CD H&LE ,C]NUNNOS4 ,OR
,H]NE1 = T MATT]1 S9CE HE SEEM$ 6BE ! "O
GO+ >.D ACTU,Y KILL+ ,S1TTLEITES4 ,I
SWIT*$ LANES & LI/5$ 6! UNEV5 PATT]N (
*ANG+ ASPHALT TEXTURES "U ! :EELS (! C>4
,H1DLI<TS FLA%$ BY1 GO+ ! O!R DIREC;N1
RHY?MIC :ISKS ( LI<T & S.D 9 ! D>K4 ,:5
? 0 OV]1 ,I PROMIS$ MYF1 ,I 0 GO+ 6G
TAKE A NICE L;G DRIVE 6"S": V QUIET &
TRY 6GET A GRIP ON MY %9Y1 WEIRD NEW
LIFE4
  ,: TASK ,I WD OBVI\SLY A3OMPLI% )! CO-
PI\S SP>E CA% HANG+ >.D 9 MY SAV+S A3.T1
DUR+ ! L;G P]IODS ( FREE "T ,I'D H 2T
WRIT+ P>K+ TICKETS4
  ,AN OLD ,CADILLAC1 BIG Z A BOAT1 FLA%$
BY4 ,I REMEMB]$ ! *UR* & R1*$ ACR ! C>
6OP5 ! GLOVE BOX1 LETT+ ! BUTT]FLY KNIFE
TUM# =W>D )! V>I\S PAP]S /U6$ 96! BOX4
,X MADE A SOLID ?UD1 CU%ION$ 0PAP]1 & ,I
GL.ED AT X :ILE ,I DROVE4
  ,M>IE SWORE X _HN'T BE5 ,C]NUN-   #BHA
NOS WAIT+ = H] \TSIDE ! *UR*4 ,I 2LIEV$
H]3 ,C]NUNNOS 0 N "S"O ,I WD "E MISTAKE
= "SBODY ELSE4 ,T SU7E/$ X 0 ,H]NE2 C]-
TA9LY HE APPE>$ 6BE ! "O :O'D MURD]$ H]4
,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 TRY+ 6REMEMB] ! %APE (
! MAN ,I'D SE5 F ! AIR1 WOND]+ IF HE FIT
,H]NE'S %APE4 ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ ,I 0
DRIV+4 ,MAYBE ,I %D /OP ?9K+ UNTIL ,I
WASN'T ON A FREEWAY4
  ,I LEFT ! KNIFE 9 ! C> :5 ,I GOT 6!
AIRPORT4 ,SECUR;Y MI<T N 2 A# 6/OP
,H]NE1 B !Y CD C]TA9LY /OP ME4 ,"! 0 A
,BACK 9 ,FIFTE5 ,M9UTES SIGN ON ! BA7AGE
CLAIM DESK1 S ,I W&]$ UP/AIRS 6"O (!
CAF@ES 6F9D "S FOOD1 HALF-EXPECT+ 6SEE
"S"O ,I KNEW4 ,I ALW EXPECT$ TO1 AT AIR-
PORTS4
  ,I GOT AN OV]PRIC$ B SURPRIS+LY GD
HAMBURG]1 &A CUP ( TOO-HOT C(FEE4 ,I
TOOK MY B.TY & F.D A TA# 0A W9D[1 ": ,I
CD WAT* ! MIDNI<T 9T]N,NAL FLI<TS TAKE
(F 9 ! 4T.E :ILE ,I GNO%$ ON MY BURG]4
  8,WAIT+ = "S"O80
  ,I FOCUS$ ON ! REFLEC;N 9 ! W9D[1 A
BROAD-%\LD]$ MAN 9 A SW1T%IRT1      #BHB
WE>+ 8 L;G BR[N HAIR TI$ 9 A PONYTAIL4
8,Y1H10 ,I MUM#D4 8,MY BOYFR40
  ,HE GR9N$4 8,YR L>GE1 BAD-TEMP]$1 J1L-
\S BOYFR80
  8,Y1H10 ,I REP1T$4 8,BIG4 ,BI7] ?AN Y4
,SAMOAN10 ,I A4$ 9 A FIT ( 9SPIR,N4
  8,M9D IF ,I JO9 Y80
  ,I LOOK$ OV] AT HM4 8,I'M N A PRO/I-
TUTE OR \ LOOK+ =A GD "T1 & ,I'VE _H A
BAD "D10 ,I W>N$ HM4 8,IF Y MAKE "O PASS
AT ME1 ,I'LL KICK YR ASS "R BACK 6! ,C>-
OL9AS40
  8,X'S GD 6SEE Y1 TOO1 ,JOANNE40
  8,:AT ! HELL >E Y DO+ "H1 ,CASEY80 ,I
/OOD UP & HU7$ HM1 LETT+ \ AN .O( Z 8
HUG POPP$ MY SP9E4
  8,LOOK+ = LO/ S\LS10 HE SD 0MY E>1 &
PUT ME BACK D[N4 8,DID ,I F9D "O80
  8,FUNNY Y %D SAY T4 ,Y LOOK GD4 ,Y
BULK$ UP40
  8,X'S BE5 A C\PLE YE>S4 ,P *ANGE40
  8,X'S BE5 ?REE &A HALF4 ,& Y ALW LOOK$
GD40 ,R.D-FAC$ & QUIET1 ,CASEY ,O',BRI5
DIDN'T -E ANY": NE> :AT ,I 3SID]$ MY
TYPE1 B HE _H GRACE;L H&S T ,I'D    #BHC
LU/$ AF 9 COLLEGE4 ,HE N"E /OOD UP
/RAI<T1 : DROVE ME CRAZY1 2C HE 0 ?REE
9*ES TALL] ?AN ME B CAME ACR Z %ORT]4
  8,Y'RE LY+40 ,CASEY SAT D[N ACR F ME1
WRAPP+ 8 H&S >.D M9E4 ,I 4COV]$ ,I _HN'T
/OPP$ LU/+4 8,:AT .>E Y DO+ "H80
  8,:AT80 ,I LOOK$ UP F 8 H&S4 8,UM4
,TRY+ 6LOCATE MY LU7AGE4 ,X GOT LEFT "H
A C\PLE "DS AGO4 ,:AT'RE Y DO+ "H80
  8,ON MY WAY BACK UP 6,ALASKA4 ,NEW JOB
UP "!40
  8,3GRATUL,NS4 ,HEY10 ,I SD SU45LY4 8,D
Y "K A ,DOCTOR ,M>IE ,D',AMBRA80
  8,N P]SON,Y4 ,I'VE HE>D ( H]4 ,%E'S
K9D (A KOOK4 ,CLAIMS 6"K :5 P >E GO+ TO
DIE4 ,I ?9K %E'S BE5 R1D+ TOO _M FAIRY
TALES40 ,CASEY TURN$ MY H& OV] & TRAC$ 8
?UMB OV] MY LIFEL9E4 8,:Y1 DID Y MEET
H]80
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD4 8,%E'S D1D40
  ,CASEY LOOK$ UP1 PALE BLUE EYES %OCK$4
8,Y'RE KI4+40
  8,NO4 ,I MET H] YE/]"D MORN+4 ,%E 0
MURD]$ LA/ NI<T40
  8,JEEZ1 ,JOANNE1 ,I "K Y G ON     #BHD
F/ IMPRES.NS1 B Y RE,Y ?9K Y %D />T
KILL+ P Y DON'T L80
  ,DESPITE MYF1 ,I LAU<$4 8,IS T MY MIS-
TAKE8 ,I'LL "W ON T40 ,I %OOK MY H1D1
SOB]+4 8,%E ?"\ "S"O 0 AF H]4 ,LOOK1
Y'RE AN AN?ROPOLOGI/4 ,D Y ?9K '''0 ,I
TRAIL$ (F1 UNC]TA9 ( :AT 6SAY4 8,D Y ?9K
/UDY+ OLD CIVILIZ,NS C MAKE Y SUSCEPTI#
6_! 2LIEFS80
  8,Y'RE ASK+ ! WR;G P]SON4 ,I'M AN >-
*AEOLOGI/1 N A CULTURAL AN?ROPOLOGI/40
,CASEY PRESS$ 8 LIPS TGR4 8,I DON'T ?9K
AN AN?ROPOLOGI/ %D 4MISS ! R1L;Y ( :AT
%E /UDIES4 ,B CLAIM+ Y C TELL :5 "S"O'S
GO+ 6DIE8 ,IF %E CD D T1 H[ -E %E'S D1D8
,%DN'T %E H "KN 6RUN AWAY80
  8,%E ?"\ %E 0 GO+ 6DIE10 ,I ADMITT$4
8,%E ?"\ '''0 ,I RE,Y DIDN'T WANT 6TELL
,CASEY T ,M>IE _H ?"\ AN OLD ,CELTIC GOD
0 AF H]4 ,N EV5 IF X 0 TRUE4 ,! ONLY
R1SON ,I 2LIEV$ 0 2C ,I'D -E FACE-TO-
FACE & BLADE 6BLADE ) "S?+ T PRETTY DEF-
9ITELY WASN'T HUMAN4 8,%E ?"\ ,I 0 GO+
6DIE10 ,I SD 9/1D4
  8,Y'RE LOOK+ PRETTY P]KY =A D1D   #BHE
GIRL40 ,CASEY /UDI$ ME1 !N R1*$ \ &
TURN$ MY FACE1 FR[N+4 8,H['D Y GET T
SC>8 ,I J NOTIC$ X40
  ,I RU2$ X4 8,GUESS X'S N WILDLY 4FIG-
UR+1 !N4 ,M>IE ,D',AMBRA CUT ME )A
KNIFE40
  ,CASEY'S EYEBR[S CR9KL$4 8,:AT'D %E D
T =8 ,I ?"\ Y SD Y MET H] YE/]"D40
  8,Y1H40
  8,B X'S ALL H1L$ UP40
  8,I "K4 ,H Y "E _H A WEEK S /RANGE X 0
9EXPLICA#80
  8,UM40 ,CASEY /UDI$ ME AG4 8,I DON'T
?9K S40
  ,I PICK$ UP MY C(FEE CUP4 8,I'M HAV+
"O4 ,IF ,I LIVE "? X & MANAGE 6GET "S
P]SPECTIVE1 ,I'LL TELL Y AB X40 ,! C(FEE
0 COOL 5 6DR9K1 & ,I TOOK A GRATE;L
SLURP4 8,TELL ME "S?+4 ,D Y ?9K ! _W
NE$S SAV+80
  8,NE$S8 ,SURE4 ,DES]VES8 ,DUNNO AB T40
,CASEY R1*$ ACR ! TA# & /OLE "O ( MY
FRIES4 ,!Y 7 COLD1 S ,I DIDN'T /OP HM4
8,P BASIC,Y SUCK4 ,MAYBE WE %D KILL 'EM
ALL & LET ,GOD SORT 'EM \4 ,LET !   #BHF
PLANET />T OV]40
  8,D Y RE,Y ?9K T80 ,I PU%$ ! PLATE TO-
W>D ,CASEY Z HE TOOK ANO!R FRY4 ,HE *EW$
SL[LY1 ?9K+ AB 8 ANSW]4
  8,"S"TS10 HE SD AF A M9UTE4 8,:AT D Y
?9K80
  ,I TOOK ANO!R SIP ( C(FEE & />$ AT !
DW9DL+ PILE ( FRIES :ILE ,I ?"\ AB X4 ,A
FEW "DS AGO ,I WD H LAU<$ & AGRE$4 ,KILL
'EM ALL1 LET ,GOD SORT 'EM \4
  ,B ,I'D TOLD ,BILLY ,I FELT L ,I CD
SAVE ! _W--OR ,S1TTLE1 ANYWAY4 ,I'D
PROMIS$ ! PRIE/ ,I'D /OP ! NUTCASE :O 0
MURD]+ *N4 ,I'D TOLD ,KEV9 ,I'D F9D !
GUY :O'D KILL$ 8 WIFE4 8,I GUESS ,I
DON'T ?9K P BASIC,Y SUCK4 ,I ?9K ''' ,I
DON'T "K :AT ,I ?9K40 ,I PUT ! C(FEE CUP
D[N & MY H1D 9 MY H&S1 TRY+ 6"W MY WAY
"? A ?"\4 8,I ?9K WE LO/ \R S5SE ( DI-
REC;N10 ,I F9,Y SD4 8,I ?9K WE NE$ TO
'''0 ,I LOOK$ UP4 ,CASEY'S EYES FLA%$
EM]ALD-GRE5 AT ME1 L A REFLECT$ LI<T 0
"S": 2H MY H1D4
  ,A ?9 TRICKLE ( COLD FOLL[$ ! W>M? (!
C(FEE D[N ! 9SIDE ( MY ?ROAT1       #BHG
SPR1D+ \ "? MY /OMA*4 8,I ?9K WE NE$ TO
H1L ! P :O >E HURT40 ,I PICK$ UP MY C(-
FEE AG & TWI/$ >.D 6LOOK 2H ME4 ,"! 0
NO?+ GRE51 N EV5 Z M* Z AN EXIT SIGN4
8,H1L ! "OS :O C D ! MO/ H>M1 F/1 & !N
"W \R WAY D[N "? ! RANKS40 ,I TURN$ BACK
6HM4 8,I ?9K WE %D />T ) Y40
  ,CASEY'S EYES %IFT$4 8,ME8 ,S9CE :5
DID ,I 2COME "O (! BAD GUYS80
  8,I ?9K Y ALW W]E10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,H]NE1
SON ( ,C]NUNNOS40 ,"NS _H P[]1 ,I'D R1D
T4 ,CASEY 2GAN 6/& UP & ,I R1*$ ACR !
TA# 6KNOT MY FI/ 9 8 %IRT1 LOCK+ EYES )
HM4
  8,GIVE ME MY FR BACK4 ,N[40
  ,COLOR BL$ \ ( ,CASEY'S EYES1 PALE
BLUE GIV+ WAY 6VIRUL5T GRE54 ,A SMALL
NUMB "P ( ME WAT*$ X & KNEW ,I %D 2
SC>$1 B AF WAT*+ ALL ! COLOR DRA9 F ,MA-
RIE'S EYES1 AF RELIV+ ! MEMORY (! TE5AG-
]S' D1?S1 ALL T ,I CD FEEL 0 RAGE RE-
PLAC+ ! FE> T _H *ILL$ MY BELLY4 ,I SAW
SURPRISE DEEP5 ! COLOR ( 8 EYES3 HE EX-
PECT$ ME 6BE AFRAID4 ,I HAUL$ HM =W>D A
FEW 9*ES1 & SN>L$1 8,GIVE ME BACK   #BHH
MY FR40
  8,:AT IF HE 0 N"E "H80 ,CASEY'S VOICE
T+$ )A NASAL1 >ROGANT A35T4 ,H]NE'S
VOICE 9 8 G>D5 _H BE5 RI*]1 FULL] & F> M
H1VILY A35T$1 B ! 9TON,NS 7 ! SAME4
  8,ALL ! BETT]10 ,I GR[L$4 8,!N Y'RE !
ONLY CASUALTY ,I'LL H 6WORRY AB40
  8,Y C'T10 HE MURMUR$ ) ABSOLUTE 3FI-
D;E4 8,H1L]40 ,! ^W 0 AN EPI!T4 ,I TI<T-
5$ MY F+]S 9 8 %IRT & MOV$ >.D ! TA#1
UNTIL ,I 0 FACE-TO-FACE ) HM4 ,I CD FEEL
P[] AG1 ! WAY ,I'D FELT X E>LI]1 ROIL+
"? ME4 ,X 0 FREE N[1 UNLOCK$ & R1DY 6BE
US$4 ,"! 7 O!R PATRONS 9 ! RE/AURANT1 "S
( !M WAT*+ U OP5LY1 A FEW ( !M PRET5D+ V
H>D N 6SEE U4 ,I DIDN'T .WANT !M 6SEE U4
  ,ALL ,I'D US$ ! P[] 9SIDE ME = 0 H1L+1
S F>1 B MY SK9 FELT ABUS$ 0! PRESSURE (
LI<T ON X4 ,9VISIBIL;Y 0 J A MATT] (
B5D+ LI<T WAVES >.D "S?+4 ,I PU%$ ! BUB#
( 5]GY 9SIDE ME \1 EXP&+ XS SURFACE S T
X SWALL[$ ,H]NE & ME :OLE4 ,X FELT
SILV]-CLE> 6ME1 TICKLI%1 Z IF ! RULES (!
UNIV]SE _H *ANG$ 9 ! SPACE ,I 0 /&+ IN4
,I GUESS$ !Y _H3 ,I CD SEE1 F !     #BHI
CORN]S ( MY EYES1 T ! WAT*]S 7 FR[N+
FA9TLY1 !N 4MISS+ :AT !Y'D SE5--OR N SE5
--Z IMPOSSI#4 ,9 A FEW SECONDS NO "O 0
LOOK+ \R WAY AT ALL4 ,MY F+]S T+L$ )!
\TP\R+ ( 5]GY4
  ,2Y ! RE/AURANT1 ! AIRPORT HUMM$ ) P[-
]1 ! 5]GY ( P L1V+ & RETURN+ HOME4 ,I
ONLY _H 6REDIRECT ALL T 5]GY1 & ,I CD
FRY ,H]NE "R "H ": HE /OOD1 )\T ANY WIT-
;SES4 ,I 2GAN PULL+ X IN1 Z NATURAL Z
BR1?+1 EV5 Z ! IDEA MADE ME %U4]4
  ,H]NE SMIL$1 ?9-LIPP$4 8,H1L]10 HE
SPAT AG4 ,HE LOOK$ NO?+ L ,CASEY ANY
L;G]1 CAN9ES DANG]\SLY CURV$ & BUILD RE-
SUM+ XS NATURAL N>R[-HIPP$ %APE4 8,Y C D
NO?+ "H4 ,:AT W HAPP5 6^! P IF Y DRAW ON
! 5]GY \TPUT "H8 ,H[ _M PLANES W -E D[N
:5 ! AIRPORT FALLS (F ! RAD>8 ,H[ _M *N
W Y F"R5 ) BLACK\TS8 ,LET ME G1 LL H1L]4
,I "K H[ 6*OOSE MY BATTLEGR.DS40
  ,L A HE>TB1T1 ! TRU? ( 8 ^WS P.D$ 9TO
ME4 ,CAUSE & E6ECT4 ,I CD DE/ROY HM "H1
ON ! PHYSICAL PLANE1 & X WD CO/ HUNDR$S
( LIVES4 ,I WD 2 Z BAD1 WORSE1 ?AN HE4
,I LOOS5$ MY HOLD ON ! 9VISIBIL;Y   #BIJ
T WRAPP$ >.D U1 UNSURE IF MA9TA9+ X MI<T
CAUSE DAMAGE1 TOO4
  8,:Y DIDN'T ,I RECOGNIZE Y80 ,I DIDN'T
REL1SE MY GRIP ON 8 %IRT4 8,I 0 SURE ,I
WD4 ,AF TD4 ,AF ! S*OOL4 ,Y DON'T FEEL L
,C]NUNNOS4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D "K Y40
  ,HE PUT 8 H&S OV] M9E1 SURPRIS+LY COOL
& V L>GE4 ,8 NAILS 7 ?ICK & H1VY1 H9T+ (
CLAWS4 8,2C ,I C MASK MYF DEEP] ?AN Y "K
H[ 6G1 LL H1L]4 ,& Y H NO "T 6LE>N40
  8,B ,I DID BETT] ?AN Y EXPECT$40 ,I
_HN'T TAK5 MY EYES (F HIS1 DEP?.S &
GRE54 ,8 GAZE _H N"O (! DR[N+ P[] T ,C]-
NUNNOS'S DID1 B L ,C]NUNNOS1 X 2TRAY$
HM4 ,"U 8 3FID;E 0 A LAY] ( 3C]N4 ,I
WORRI$ HM4 ,ONCE ,I TA/$ T FE>1 ! TOTAL-
;Y ( 8 P[] SWEPT OV] ME1 ?"U+1 M1NT TO
DR[N ME4 ,I TI<T5$ MY F+]S 9 8 %IRT A LL
& LIFT$ MY *91 LETT+ X WA% ALL >.D ME L
,MOSES &! ,R$ ,SEA4
  ,H]NE'S MEMORIES WEI<$ H1VILY1 A MAN
CAU<T 9 A POSI;N ( "S?+ LESS ?AN A GOD1
B GRANT$ HUNDR$S ( YE>S 2Y A MAN'S LIFE-
SPAN4 ,8 MORTAL LIFE _H AT L1/ _H
PURPOSE3 HE GU>D$ 8 L&S1 & FA9T     #BIA
RECOLLEC;N TOLD ME ! L& _H ONCE RESPOND$
6HM4 ,HE'D BE5 ! ,GRE5 ,MAN1 N A GOD1
NO1 B AT L1/ A PROTECTIVE _S4 ,B HE 0
TOO M* 2T TWO _WS3 A TA9T RAN DEEP 9 HM1
ALL ! WAY BACK 6! HALF-%>$ MO;T ": HE'D
LIFT$ 8 SWORD & DRIV5 X 96HIS K+'S BODY
9/1D ( M9E4
  .,R1L6 ,X SLAMM$ "? ME L A %OCK4 ,T
MO;T _H BE5 .R1L4 ,8 P[] _H DRA7$ ME
BACK "? "T1 4PLAC+ ME4 ,IF ,I _H DI$ "!1
,I WD H DI$ "H1 TOO4 ,H5RIETTA WD H DI$4
  ,& ,RI*>D ! ,SECOND WD N"E H HANG$ !
,HUNT]4 ,F ! V 2G9N+ ( 8 IMMORTAL LIFE1
,H]NE _H BE5 "S?+ LESS ?AN HE CD H BE54
,T K POISON$ HM Z M* Z--
  ,HE WR5*$ BACK F ME1 BR1K+ EYE 3TACT &
TE>+ LOOSE F MY GRIP ON 8 %IRT4 ,! MEMO-
RIES ,I'D DELV$ 9 6%ATT]$1 LOS+ ME ANY
FUR!R 9SI<T 6! HALF GOD /&+ 2F ME4 8,I'M
/R;G] ?AN Y ?9K ,I AM10 ,I SD4
  8,N /R;G 5\<40 ,H]NE'S EYES 7 GLASSY1
) NO M OP5+S 6HIS P[] OR 8 S\L4 8,N /R;G
5\<10 HE REP1T$4 8,Y DON'T H 5 "T40
  8,I H A "D10 ,I SD CALMLY1 & SMIL$ Z
%OCK ROSE 9 8 EYES4 8,SEE8 ,I "K    #BIB
M ?AN Y ?9K ,I D1 TOO40 ,X O3URR$ 6ME T
,I'D J PLAY$ MY TRUMP C>D 0TELL+ HM T4
,I DIDN'T "K HALF Z M* Z ,I NE$$ TO4
,%OCK FAD$ F 8 GAZE1 REPLAC$ 0W>I;S4
,HELL4 ,IF HE ?"\ ,I KNEW :AT HE 0 DO+1
HE'D 2 ALL ! M CAUTI\S1 & ALL ! H>D] TO
TRACK4 ,OH1 Y1H4 ,I'D BL[N X4 ,GD =M1
,JOANNE4 ,I NE$$ A NEON P9K %IRT T R1D
,,NOVICE 9 BIG FAT LRS4 ,J 9 CASE ANY-
BODY _H ANY D\BTS ON ! MATT]4 ,H]NE & ,I
/>$ AT EA* O!R ANO!R L;G MO;T4 ,!N A
RANGY SECUR;Y GU>D MAT]IALIZ$ AT MY EL-
B[4
  8,"EY?+ ALL "R "H1 FOLKS80 HE ASK$ CA-
SU,Y4 ,Z IF 0MUTUAL AGREE;T1 ,H]NE & ,I
BROKE (F F LOOK+ AT "O ANO!R 6FIX ! GU>D
) EQU,Y GRIM EXPRES.NS4
  8,F9E10 ,I SD %ORTLY1 !N MUTT]$1 8WAS
,I SPE$+1 (FIC]80 ,! GU>D FR[N$ AT ME4
8,N"EM9D10 ,I SD \ L\D4 8,WE'RE F9E40
  8,MAYBE X'S "T = Y 6G ON & CAT* YR
PLANE1 OR H1D HOME1 MA'AM1 SIR4 ,X'S
LATE1 & NOBODY WANTS ANY TR\#40 ,! GU>D
ACTU,Y LOOK$ Z IF A LL TR\# MI<T 2
WELCOME4                            #BIC
  ,H]NE & ,I LOOK$ AT "O ANO!R AG4
8,TW5TY-?REE H\RS1 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+-
/ICK10 ,H]NE SD1 & ,I FL9*$4 ,I DIDN'T L
? ?+ ": P 7 R1D+ MY BIR? "N \ ( MY M9D4
,HE _HN'T US$ X 2F4 ,_H ,I GIV5 AWAY Z
M* 9 T MEMORY L9K Z HE _H8 ,I 0 GO+ 6H
6D "S?+ AB ?1 AB ALL ( X4 ,ASSUM+ ,I
SURVIV$ ! NEXT "D4 ,FUNNY H[ MAK+ X "?
AN H\R OR A "D AT A "T _H N"E BE5 AN IS-
SUE 2F4
  8,TW5TY-?REE H\RS1 ,HUNT]4 ,SORRY =!
FUSS1 (FIC]40 ,I /EPP$ PA/ !M BO? & W5T
6PICK UP MY LU7AGE4











                                    #BID
























           ,,*APT] ,,SEV5TE5        #BIE

  ,! DESK ATT5DANT H&$ OV] MY LU7AGE )A
P]FUNCTORY GL.E AT MY TICKETS & ,I 0 \ (
! AIRPORT & ON ! WAY HOME )9 T5 M9UTES4
,X FELT L A BAD OM51 T ACTU,Y GETT+ !
LU7AGE _H G"O S SMOO?LY4 ,X WASN'T GD :5
?+S GO+ EASILY SEEM$ L A SURE SIGN (
DOOM4 ,I 0 GO+ 6NE$ "S EXT5SIVE !RAPY :5
? 0 ALL OV]4
  ,HALFWAY HOME ,I PASS$ A BAD WRECK1
TWO C>S &! FREEWAY WALL4 ,P>AM$ICS LOAD$
A BODY BAG 96! BACK ( AN AMBUL.E Z ,I
W5T BY1 & ,H]NE'S PO9T] AB ! E6ECTS (
US+ MY NEW P[] /OOD \ VIVIDLY 9 MY M9D4
,I SL[$ Z ,I R.D$ A CORN]1 !N PULL$ OV]1
%IV]+ Z ,I UNPEEL$ MY D1? GRIP F ! /E]+
:EEL & %OOK MY H&S UNTIL BLOOD />T$ FL[+
AG4
  ,:5 MY F+]S />T$ T+L+ F RETURN+ BLOOD1
,I WRAPP$ MY >MS >.D MYF & FOLD$ OV]1 MY
=EH1D AG/ ! :EEL Z ,I TRI$ 6TAKE DEEP
BR1?S )\T HYP]V5TILAT+4 ,I'D BE5 S SURE
,I WD RECOGNIZE ,H]NE1 &! ONLY R1SON ,I
_H AT ALL 0 A %E] *.E ( LI<T4 ,X _H TAK5
HM1 A KILL]1 6W>N ME (! 3SEQU;ES    #BIF
( MY AC;NS4 ,I 0 S F> \ ( MY L1GUE X
WASN'T FUNNY1 & X 0 GO+ 6GET ME KILL$4
  ,I DIDN'T .WANT 6DIE4
  ,LI<T COLOR$ 9 MY EYELIDS1 R$ & BLUE4
,I SAT UP 6SQU9T AT ! COP C> T 0 PULL+
OV] 9 FRONT ( ME4 ,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE !
COP :O GOT \1 B ,I H>DLY KNEW E COP 9 !
GRT] ,S1TTLE >EA4 ,I ROLL$ D[N ! W9D[ &
L1N$ MY H1D AG/ ! /E]+ :EEL1 WAIT+ =!
RITUAL4
  8,"EY?+ OKAY1 MA'AM80
  ,I SI<$1 /RAI<T5$ UP1 & LOOK$ AT H]4
,%E 0 PRETTY4 ,BLUE EYES1 & BLOND HAIR
TUCK$ N1TLY "U H] HAT4
  8,"EY?+'S F9E10 ,I CDN'T ?9K (A GD EX-
PLAN,N Z 6:AT ,I 0 DO+ PULL$ (F ON !
SIDE (! FREEWAY1 S ,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+
ELSE4
  8,C> TR\#S80
  8,NO1 MA'AM40
  8,BE5 DR9K+80
  ,WD ,I 2 DUMB 5 6ANSW] T 9 ! A6IRMA-
TIVE IF ,I _H8 8,NO1 MA'AM10 ,I REP1T$4
8,J -+ BACK F ! AIRPORT40
  8,LATE FLI<T1 HUH8 ,TIR$80 ,%E    #BIG
SMIL$4 ,X 0 A NICE SMILE T DIDN'T H ANY-
?+ 6D ) ,CELTIC GODS OR %AMANS4 ,I SMIL$
BACK4
  8,Y1H4 ,I J NE$$ A BR1!R4 ,I'LL 2 ON
MY WAY 9 A SECOND "H40
  ,! COP NO4$4 8,DRIVE C>E;LLY1 OKAY8 ,&
H A GD NI<T1 ALL "R80
  8,I W4 ,?ANKS40 ,I WAT*$ H] WALK BACK
6H] C>1 !N SMIL$ & /UCK MY H1D \ ! W9D[1
8,HEY1 (FIC]80
  ,%E TURN$ BACK1 EYEBR[S LIFT$ "U H]
CAP4 8,YES80
  8,Y'D 2 GD AT PLAY+ ,"QS1 Y "K T80
  ,%E LAU<$1 A S.D Z PL1SANT Z H] SMILE4
8,:AT MAKES Y SAY T80 ,%E CLIMB$ 9 H] C>
& DROVE AWAY1 L1V+ ME FEEL+ L ! _W 0 A
BETT] PLACE4 ,I SI<$ & SLUMP$ BACK 9 MY
S1T )A YAWN1 EYES CLOS$ =A MO;T 2F ,I
R1*$ =! GE> /ICK4
  ,LI<T FILL$ MY EYELIDS AG4 ,%IMM]+1
PE>LY SILV] LI<T T 0 AB Z M* L H1DLI<TS
Z P1COCK F1!RS W]E4 ,=A L;G MO;T ,I RE-
FUS$ 6OP5 MY EYES AG1 "U ! DUBI\S LOGIC
T IF ,I CDN'T SEE :AT"E 0 MAK+ ! LI<T1 X
CDN'T SEE ME4                       #BIH
  8,X DOESN'T "W T WAY10 A SIBILANT
VOICE MURMUR$4 ,I WASN'T AT ALL SURE IF
,I'D HE>D X 9 MY E>S OR MY H1D4 ,X
DIDN'T MATT]4 ,I KNEW ! VOICE4 ,S9CE X
DIDN'T "W T WAY1 ,I GRITT$ MY TEE? &
OP5$ MY EYES4
  ,C]NUNNOS'S HO/ SW>M$ >.D MY C>1
FLICK]+ ) Q LIT],Y UNE>?LY LI<T1 Z IF !Y
7 NO M ?AN FIGURES ON AN OLD SIL5T MOVIE
SCRE54 ,! HORSES SKITT]$1 N Q T\*+ ! C>4
,R$-E>$ HELLH.DS SLUNK "U ! HORSES' BEL-
LIES1 B>+ GL1M+ :ITE FANGS AT ME "? !
W9D[4 ,"O RID] GL>$ D[N "? ! W9D%IELD AT
ME1 CRA7Y FACE BE>D$ & /]N4 ,IF HE W]5'T
UND1D1 ,I MI<T H 3SID]$ HM H&"S4
  8,N UND1D10 ,C]NUNNOS CORRECT$4 ,A FEW
(! HO/ MELT$ AWAY Z HE APPROA*$ ON 8
ENORM\S /ALLION4 8,! UND1D D N .BLE$40
,HATR$ SEEP$ 96HIS VOICE )! LA/ ^W4 ,HE
/RAI<T5$ 9 ! SA4LE & ,I SAW T HE HELD AN
>M WRAPP$ >.D 8 RIBS4 ,HE SAT TI<T Z A
B[/R+1 ! ELEGANT L9E ( 8 JAW CL5*$4 ,HE
0 PALE1 EV5 9 -P>ISON 6! O!RS1 EV5 BE>+
9 M9D ! COLOR-L1*+ LI<TS AL;G ! FREEWAY4
  8,I ?"\ Y'D H H1L$40 ,"O (!       #BII
H.DS MADE A LUNGE AT ! OP5 W9D[1 8 TEE?
SNAPP+ %UT C5TIMET]S F MY >M4 ,I FL9*$
BACK1 &! H.D DROPP$ A FEW 9*ES1 SMACK+ 8
*9 ON ! W9D[ FRAME4 ,HE LET \ A HI<-
PIT*$ YELP ( PA9 & BACK$ (F1 SN>L+ AT !
C>4
  8,WE D N H1L WELL F IRON10 ,C]NUNNOS
SD1 W>M LIQUID VOICE / 4TORT$ ) FURY4 ,!
DOG SLUNK T[>D 8 MA/] & LAY D[N 2T !
/ALLION'S =ELEGS1 LIPS PULL$ BACK F 8
TEE? Z HE LOOK$ AT ME4
  8,S ,I RE,Y HURT Y10 ,I :ISP]$1 WAT*+
! H.D4 ,C]NUNNOS LET \ A B>K ( LAU<T]4
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LION'S RE/.S %U6L+ KEPT 8 EYES F HAV+ !
DR[N+ P[] ,I REMEMB]$ F ! D9]1 B EV5 "?
! AMB] LI<TS1 !Y 7 -PELL+1 VIOL5T GRE51
FILL$ ) RAGE4
  8,OH1 YES40 ,HE $G$ 8 /ALLION CLOS]4
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BACK HEELS1 8 H1D L[]$1 CRIMSON EYES Z
DANG]\S-LOOK+ Z ! IVORY CAN9ES4 ,I WAT*$
!M1 & %RANK BACK A LL F>!R 96MY C>4
  8,AM ,I SAFE 9 "H80 ,I WOND]$ \ LAUD4
8,! /EEL80 ,I 0 SU45LY V GLAD ,I    #CJJ
DIDN'T L %[ C>S L ,CORVETTES1 ALL FIB]-
GLASS & NO SUB/.E4 ,PETITE 0 SOLID /EEL
"? & "?4 ,%E FELT SAFE4
  ,AT L1/1 %E FELT SAFE UNTIL ,C]NUNNOS
LAU<$1 A S.D T CD SCRAT* GLASS4 8,SAF]
?AN Y WD 2 \TSIDE ( X4 ,N SAFE 5\<4
,GLASS HOLDS NO P[] 6HURT1 & YR W9D[ IS
OP540 ,HE LIFT$ A H&1 GRACE;L1 ?\< 8
NO/RILS FL>$ Z HE PULL$ AT ! 9JUR$ TIS-
SUE 9 8 SIDE4 ,"O ( 8 HO/ RAIS$ A B[ Z
TALL Z ,I WAS1 & SI<T$ ME D[N ! L;G N>R[
%AFT ( AN >R[4
  ,I SAW A SPECIAL ON ,,PBS ONCE1 )A
,WEL%MAN DEMON/RAT+ ! P[] (A L;GB[4 ,/&+
M* F>!R AWAY F 8 T>GET ?AN ,C]NUNNOS'S
MAN 0 F ME1 HE PUT AN >R[ "? PLATEMAIL
>MOR1 "? ! DUMMY BODY1 & \ AG "? ! BACK
(! PLATEMAIL4
  ,ALL (A SU45 ,PETITE DIDN'T SEEM NE>LY
S SAFE4 ,C]NUNNOS $G$ 8 /ALLION 6! SIDE1
6GIVE 8 MAN A CLE> %OT4 ,! >*] 0 TALL &
SL5D] & V BLOND1 8 EXPRES.N ALM SYMPA!T-
IC & CLE>LY BOR$4 ,%OOT+ AT MORTALS 9 T9
CANS APP>5TLY WASN'T M* SPORT4 ,I
C]TA9LY DIDN'T ?9K X 0 V SPORT+4    #CJA
  ,I FLUNG ,PETITE 96,DRIVE4 ,%E RO>$ &
L1P$ =W>D4 ,FIRE BURN$ OV] ! BACK ( MY
%\LD]S Z ! >R[ SLIC$ "? %IRT & SK9 )\T
HITT+ ANY?+ VITAL4 ,X EMB$D$ 9 ! PASS5G]
DOOR )A %RIEK & ,I W9C$1 ! 9JURY 6MY C>
M (F5SIVE ?AN ! 9JURY 6MYF4
  ,TWO (! <O/LY HELLH.DS 4APPE>$ 2N
,PETITE'S :EELS1 MAK+ HORRIBLY SOLID
?UNKS Z ! ,MU/ANG HIT !M4 ,= "O MO;T1 "O
(! HO/ /OOD 9 MY WAY1 ! BE>D$ MAN ON A
WA%$-\ ROAN4 ,WE MET EYES1 & ,I BRAC$
MYF =! IMPACT1 "K+ N"O ( U1 N HORSE &
RID] NOR C> & DRIV]1 7 GO+ 6SURVIVE4
  ,! ROAN GA!R$ HMF1 CATLIKE1 & SPRANG
=W>D1 9 S LL "T ,I B>ELY SAW X HAPP54
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METAL FAIRY HORSES 7 %OD )1 & 9 ! RE>-
VIEW MIRROR SAW ! ROAN -E D[N LI<TLY1
BACK FEET TUCK$ UP 6MISS ,PETITE'S TAIL
5D Z %E C>E5$ =W>D4 ,! RID] PUT A H&
SOLIDLY AG/ ! ROAN'S NECK1 & TURN$ 6WAT*
ME G )\T ! SLI<TE/ EXPRES.N ON 8 FACE4
  ,I CAU<T "O GLIMPSE ( MYF1 WIDE-EY$ )
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EYES BACK 6! ROAD1 TWIT*+ ! /E]+ :EEL Z
,I TRI$ 6AVOID A HELLH.D /UPID 5 6FL+
HMF AT ! ,MU/ANG4 ,I HE>D ,PETITE D5T1 B
! DOG B\NC$ (F )A PA9;L YELP4 ,X ROLL$
AWAY & DIDN'T GET UP AG4
  ,ANO!R %>P .*9K S.D$ Z ,PETITE'S :EELS
SQU1L$ & WE TORE (F D[N ! FREEWAY1 Z]O
6SIXTY 9 AB SEV5 SECONDS4 ,I PU%$ H] UP
6N9ETY = MAYBE TWO M9UTES1 !N REMEMB]$ !
COP :O'D /OPP$ 6TALK 6ME1 & SL[$ D[N TO
"S": >.D ! SPE$ LIMIT4 ,"! 0 NO POSSI#
WAY A H]D ( RID]S 7 GO+ 6CAT* ME4
  ,PETITE C\<$1 A SICK LL S.D1 & LO/ P[]
=A SECOND4
  8,OH1 NO40 ,I BR1!D ! ^WS OV] ! /E]+
:EEL4 8,BE GD1 GIRL40 ,! GAS GAUGE 0 L[]
?AN ,I REMEMB]$ X 2+1 B X _H BE5 A L;G
DRIVE \ 6! AIRPORT4 ,PETITE C\<$ ONCE M1
!N RUM#D 3T5T$LY4 ,I SANK D[N 9 MY S1T4
8,GD GIRL10 ,I :ISP]$ AG4 8,T'S MY BA-
BY40 ,DON'T .TELL ME TALK+ 6YR C>
DOESN'T HELP4
  ,%E C\<$ AG1 LUR*+ Z H] P[] DRA9$4
8,:AT8 ,:AT'D ,I D8 ,I'M SORRY ,I LEFT Y
9 A G>AGE = F\R MON?S4 ,? IS FUN1   #CJC
?\<1 "R8 ,\ ON ! FREEWAY1 DRIV+ FA/8 ,?
IS FUN4 ,-E ON1 BABY4 ,:AT'S WR;G80
  ,WE DRIFT$ 6! SIDE (! ROAD1 ": %E GAVE
"O M PA!TIC LL C\< & SETTL$ 96A H1P ) AN
APOLOGETIC SI<4 ,I L1N$ MY =EH1D AG/ !
/E]+ :EEL =A MO;T1 EYES CLOS$4 8,OKAY1
NICE COP LADY10 ,I MUM#D4 8,-E *ECK ON
ME AG40 ,I OP5$ MY EYES & PE]$ "U ! TOP
CURVE (! :EEL AT ! DA%BO>D4 ,! OIL 0
F9E1 B ! GAS REGI/]$ 2L EMPTY4 8,Y GOT
?IR/Y AW;LLY FA/1 BABY40 ,I FLIPP$ !
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  ,! SMELL ( GAS 0 S /R;G ,I WOND]$ :Y
,I _HN'T NOTIC$ X 2F4 .,OH1 .ADR5AL9E1
.MAYBE8 A S>CA/IC LL VOICE 9 MY H1D SD4
,I HOP$ ,I'D ALW TALK$ 6MYF T WAY1 & X
WASN'T ANO!R %9Y NEW IMPROVE;T T CAME
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TRUNK1 MY TEE? SET TGR1 & SURE 5\<1 "! 0
ANO!R N1T R.D HOLE JAMM$ AT AN ANGLE D[N
"? ! BOTTOM ( MY TRUNK4 ,! GAS TANK 0
DIRECTLY 2L ! TRUNK4 ,I H>DLY NE$$ 6GET
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GAS TANK1 TOO4 ,AN >R[ 0 CAU<T 9 X1
SCANT C5TIMET]S F ! ASPHALT4 ,IF ! >R['D
BE5 ANO!R TWO 9*ES L;G]1 SP>KS F ! METAL
RU2+ ! FREEWAY Z WE SP$ AL;G WD'VE BL[N
ME & ,PETITE 6,K+DOM ,-E4
  ,I LAY ON MY BACK1 ME?ODIC,Y GO+ "?
ALL ! SWE> ^WS ,I KNEW4 ,:5 ,I RAN \1 ,I
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CLIMB$ 6MY FEET1 />+ AT X4
  ,!N ,I BROKE X 96Z _M PIECES Z ,I CD )
MY H&S1 DROPP$ !M1 JUMP$ UP & D[N ON !M
& SWORE "S M4 ,A FEW C>S :ISK$ BY4 ,"O
SL[$ WAY D[N S ! GUY 9 ! PASS5G] S1T CD
TAKE A PHOTO4 ,! FLA% MADE A %>P %AD[ ON
! FREEWAY WALL1 & ,I />T$ LAU<+ ) FURI\S
HY/]IA Z ,I KICK$ ! >R[ BITS >.D &
CRUN*$ !M "U MY BOOTS4 ,X TOOK AB A M9-
UTE =! NOVELTY 6WE> (F4 ,:5 X DID1 ,I
KICK$ ! RE/ (! WOOD %>DS \ ( MY WAY1 GOT
MY JACK & EM]G5CY DUCT TAPE \ (! TRUNK1
& JACK$ ! C> UP S ,I CD R1* ! GAS TANK4
  ,DUCT TAPE MAY N 2 ! ULTIMATE ANSW] TO
"EY?+1 B X'S ! BE/ TEMPOR>Y ULTIMATE
ANSW] ,I "K4 ,I SLAPP$ TWO /RIPS    #CJE
TGR & TAP$ !M OV] ! HOLE ) F\R M /RIPS1
!N CRAWL$ \ F "U ! C> 6WAT* ,C]NUNNOS'S
HO/1 L$ 0! GOD &A RID].S HORSE1 GALLOP
D[N F ! SKY T[>D ME4
  ,=A MO;T ,I J /OOD "!1 4BELIEV+4 ,?
CDN'T 2 HAPP5+4
  ,! RID]S =G$ ON4 ,APP>5TLY X 0 HAPP5+4
,I KICK$ ! JACK \ F "U ,PETITE1 :O CRA%$
D[N )A REPROA*;L SMA%4 8,SORRY1 BABY40
,I FLUNG ! JACK BACK 96! TRUNK & YANK$ !
F\R-MON?-OLD FIVE-GALLON EM]G5CY GAS
3TA9] \ ALL 9 ! SAME MOVE;T4 ,I UNTWI/$
! TOP & P\R$ A GD-SIZ$ SPLA% ( GASOL9E \
ONTO ! 3CRETE1 & 2C ,I 0 MOV+ TOO FA/ TO
2 C>E;L1 AL ALL OV] MY %OES & %9S4
8,%IT6 ,DAMMIT1 DAMMIT1 DAMMIT1 %IT60
,AT L1/ ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ,I'D GOTT5 RID
( ANY WAT] T MI<T H BUILT UP4 ,I P\R$ !
RE/ 96! TANK1 ?REW ! OP5 3TA9] 96,PET-
ITE'S TRUNK ) ANO!R APOLOGY1 SLAMM$ !
TRUNK CLOS$ & RAN >.D 6! DRIV]'S SIDE J
9 "T 6ALM IMPALE MYF ON ,C]NUNNOS'S
SWORD4
  8,OH1 LOOK10 ,I SD4 8,Y GOT A NEW "O4
,& ME )\T MY KNIFE40 ,I FLUNG MYF   #CJF
SIDEWAYS 96! OP5 DOOR1 ACR ,PETITE'S
FRONT S1TS1 Z ! /ALLION LUNG$ =W>D1 BA%+
96! DOOR4
  ,I SCRAM#D =! GAS P$AL &! IGNI;N ALL
AT ONCE4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 MY H1D 0 9 ! PAS-
S5G] FOOTWELL1 &! P$AL & IGNI;N W]5'T4
,I TWI/$ >.D & SAT UP Z A BATTLE-AX
SMA%$ 96,PETITE'S W9D%IELD4 ,! GLASS
%ATT]$ & CAV$ 9W>D1 BR1K+ ! AX'S MO;TUM
ONLY 5 T X DIDN'T FOLL[ "? 6SPLIT OP5 MY
BR1/B"O4 ,=A C\PLE ( SECONDS ,I />$ AT !
GL1M+ METAL $GE T _H BROK5 "? ! W9D-
%IELD1 !N CRANK$ ! IGNI;N4 ,PETITE1 ,GOD
B.S H] LL /EEL S\L1 />T$ )A RO>4
  ,! AX TORE AL;G ! W9D%IELD 9 AN AGO-
NIZ$ SQU1L ( GLASS & METAL Z ,I GUNN$ H]
& %OT =W>D4 ,! ?ICK-%\LD]$ RID] ON !
ROAN REFLECT$ 9 ! SIDE-VIEW MIRROR =A
MO;T1 />TL$ & %AK+ 8 H& ": ,PETITE'S
SU45 A3EL],N _H YANK$ ! AX AWAY4 ,!N HE
CAU<T UP 8 RE9S & :IRL$ ! ROAN >.D Z
,C]NUNNOS'S HO/ 2GAN 6GIVE *ASE4
  ,A LL 2LAT$LY1 X O3URR$ 6ME T RUNN+ F
A HUNT 0 PROBABLY ! V LA/ ?+ ,I WANT$ TO
D4                                  #CJG
  ,"SH[1 ,I DIDN'T F9D ANY -=T 9 ! ?"\ T
X 0 PROBABLY .GO+ 6BE ! V LA/ ?+ ,I DID1
EI4
  ,I KNEW FOXES W5T 6GR.D :5 !Y 7 HUNT$4
,I CDN'T ?9K (A S+LE DAMN$ PLACE T ,I CD
G 6GR.D4 ,I DIDN'T "K H[1 B ,C]NUNNOS _H
F.D ME TOODL+ D[N ! FREEWAY4 ,T DIDN'T
BODE WELL = LOS+ MYF 9 A CR[D1 & 2SS1 X
0 ALR CLE> ! ,HUNT DIDN'T M9D A LL PROP-
]TY DAMAGE4 ,I H>DLY WANT$ 6GIVE !M !
OPPORTUN;Y 6/>T KILL+ P4 ,O!R P1 AT L1/4
,!Y ALR SEEM$ PRETTY FIX$ ON ! IDEA (
MAK+ ME D1D4
  ,PETITE'S SPE$OMET] CLIMB$ PA/ N9ETY
2F ! ,HUNT %[$ ANY SIGN ( LOS+ GR.D4
,C]NUNNOS FELL BACK1 4TANTLY REFLECT$
EXPRES.N FURI\S1 & ALL ! HO/ B "O SL[$ )
HM4
  ,! RID].S HORSE CAME ON1 EAT+ GRT
L5G?S ( 4T.E ) EA* /RIDE4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI-
BLY FA/1 & S CLE> 9 XS MO;NS T EV5 WAT*+
9 ! MIRROR ,I CD SEE ! PLAY ( MUSCLE "U
PALE GOLD5 FUR1 BUN*+ & REL1S+ Z X CLOS$
! 4T.E 2T U4 ,I GL.ED AT ! SPE$OMET]2 ,I
0 / A4+ SPE$1 H1D+ T[>D A HUNDR$    #CJH
N[4
  ,&! RID].S HORSE 0 GA9+ ON ME4
  ,A KNOT ( C]TA9TY TI$ XF 9 MY /OMA*4
,IF ,C]NUNNOS 7 UN9JUR$1 ALL ! ,HUNT WD
2 GA9+ ON ME N[4 ,I PRESS$ ON ! GAS P$AL
& ,PETITE RESPOND$ ) AN URG5T HUM ( P[]
Z %E A3EL]AT$4 ,I WASN'T SURPRIS$ T !
RID].S HORSE / GA9$ ON ME4 ,I TOPP$ \ AT
"O-FIFTE51 M \ ( RESPECT = MY POOR ABUS$
C> ?AN 2+ UNA# 6PU% H] FA/]1 & WAT*$ !
PALE HORSE PUT ON A SURGE ( SPE$ T BR"\
X 6MY SIDE4
  ,X--%E--WAS HUGE1 Z TALL Z ,C]NUNNOS'S
/ALLION1 & "! 0 NO?+ WA/$ 9 H]4 ,ADMIR,N
& 5VY /UNG "? ME4 ,SP>KS FLEW ": ! M>E'S
FEET MADE SOLID 3NEC;N )! GR.D %E RAN
ON1 ?\< ,I'D SE5 ! ,HUNT RIDE & ,I KNEW
%E WASN'T 3/RA9$ 0HAV+ 6RUN ON ! UN-
WIELDY 3CRETE4 ,%E RAN EF=T.SLY1 /RET*$
\ L;G & L1N1 S L[ T H] H1D 0 NE>LY ON A
LEVEL ) M9E4
  ,%E TURN$ H] H1D 6LOOK AT ME1 ! ALM-
FULL-ON GAZE T HORSES D1 &! WEI<T ( H]
BODY FOLL[$ ! L1D ( H] H1D4 ,=! SECOND
"T 9 "U AN H\R ,I BRAC$ =! IM-      #CJI
PACT1 &=! SECOND "T ! HORSE AVOID$ X1 ?
"T )A T9Y BUR/ ( SPE$4 ,%E L1P$ AH1D (
ME1 "O HO( D5T+ ,PETITE'S HOOD Z %E
SPRANG 96! SKY & :EEL$1 GALLOP+ BACK 6!
,HUNT1 L1V+ ME C>E5+ D[N ! FREEWAY AL"O4



















                                    #CAJ
























            ,,*APT] ,,EI<TE5        #CAA

    ,?URS"D1 ,JANU>Y #F?1 #E3AC A4M4
  ,I WOKE UP ON MY FEET1 MY HE>T P.D+
WILDLY 9 RESPONSE 6A MY/]I\S S.D T ,I
CDN'T HE> ANYMORE4 ,! LI<TS 7 V B"R & MY
GLASSES 7 SMA%$ AG/ MY FACE 9 A TELL-
TALE FA%ION T SU7E/$ ,I'D G"O 6SLEEP ON
MY FACE :ILE WE>+ !M4 ,X TOOK A FEW SEC-
ONDS 6RECOGNIZE MY [N LIV+ ROOM &! 9D5-
T,N 9 ! C\* PILL[S Z ": ,I'D BE5 SLEEP+4
,! DETAILS ( GETT+ HOME 7 SKET*Y1 B S9CE
,I 0 "H1 APP>5TLY ,I'D MADE X4 ,! DIS-
TRESS+ NOISE S.D$ AG4 ,AF ANO!R S"EAL
SECONDS ,I RECOGNIZ$ X Z ! DOORBELL4 ,I
/A7]$ 6! DOOR1 ADJU/+ MY GLASSES Z ,I
PULL$ X OP54 ,G>Y /OOD "!1 LOOK+ UNFAIR-
LY AWAKE4 ,HE LAU<$ AT ME4
  8,MORN+1 SWEETHE>T4 ,?"\ Y SD Y'D 2
AWAKE40
  8,DID ,I SAY T80 ,MY VOICE 0 HO>SE4 ,I
WAV$ HM 9 & /A7]$ 6! KIT*5 6GET A GLASS
( WAT]1 ,G>Y FOLL[$1 BR&I%+ ,C]NUNNOS'S
SWORD1 & DROPP$ 96:AT LOOK$ 6ME L A
PRETTY GD EN GU>DE POSI;N4 ,( C\RSE1 :AT
,I DIDN'T "K AB F5C+ WD FILL A      #CAB
LIBR>Y4
  8,Y DID40 ,HE MADE A LL FE9T AT ME4 ,I
BATT$ AT ! SWORD 2F ,I REMEMB]$ X 0 %>P1
& 0 GLAD ,I _HN'T MADE 3TACT ) X4 ,G>Y
/RAI<T5$ UP4 ,OLD GUYS W]5'T SUPPOS$ TO
LOOK T SOLID4 ,I EXAM9$ T IDEA :ILE ,I
DRANK MY WAT]4 ,X WASN'T L ,I KNEW T _M
OLD P1 B ! "OS ,I SAW USU,Y SEEM$ 6LOOK
FRAGILE4
  8,I WANT 6LOOK L Y :5 ,I GR[ UP10 ,I
TOLD ,G>Y BLE>ILY4 ,HE LAU<$ AG4
  8,:5 Y'RE OLD1 Y M1N4 ,I TELL Y :AT1
LADY1 ,IF Y DON'T QUIT DO+ :AT"E X IS Y
DID 6YR C>1 Y'RE N GONNA GET OLD4 ,:AT
HAPP5$80
  8,C]NUNNOS & ,I _H A RACE D[N ! FREE-
WAY1 ,I GOT AWAY1 B !Y *OPP$ UP ,PETITE4
,I ?9K X 0 A DRAW4 ,D'Y\ WANT "S WAT]80
,I ADMIR$ H[ MATT]-(-FACT ,I S.D$4 ,I 0
TRY+ H>D N 6LET MYF ?9K AB ! DAMAGE 6MY
B1UTI;L C>4 ,IF ,I />T$ CRY+1 ,I DIDN'T
?9K ,I 0 "E GO+ 6/OP4
  ,G>Y WR9KL$ 8 EYEBR[S & LOOK$ AT ME =A
:ILE4 ,:5 ,I DIDN'T F9D ANY?+ ELSE 6SAY1
HE ASK$1 8,Y GONNA 2 ALL "R "H      #CAC
AL"O1 ,JO80
  8,OH1 SURE4 ,I 0 "R4 ,TD'S ! "D4 ,S ,I
J GOTTA LIVE "? X40 ,MY ^WS 7 SLURR$4 ,I
TURN$ >.D & P\R$ ! RE/ ( MY WAT] 96! C(-
FEEMAK] & DUG >.D = FRE% GR.DS &A FILT]4
,MY C(FEE CUP 0 ALR SITT+ "U ! DRIP4 ,I
DIDN'T REMEMB] PUTT+ X "!4
  8,Y'RE SURE TD'S X80
  8,H]NE SD S4 ,NO40 ,I %OOK MY H1D1
FR[N+ Z ,I TRI$ 6=M 5 COH]5T ?"\S 6ELAB-
ORATE4 ,G>Y SC[L$ AT ME EXPECTANTLY4
8,V]IFI$ X4 ,M>IE TOLD ME4 ,U4 ,%E 0 "R4
,H]NE 0 ALL UPSET ,I KNEW1 S %E _H 6H
BE5 "R40 ,G>Y DIDN'T LOOK L ,I 0 CLE>+
MATT]S UP ANY4 ,I GROAN$4
  8,I'LL TELL Y ON '''0 ,I LOOK$ AT MY
F+]S VACANTLY1 L ,I _H ! DATE WRITT5 ON
!M4 8,X'S ,W$NES"D8 ,I'LL TELL Y ,SATUR-
"D40 ,T S.D$ L 5 "T = ME 6CAT* UP ON MY
SLEEP4
  8,X'S ,?URS"D10 ,G>Y SD4
  8,SATUR"D10 ,I SD FIRMLY4 ,G>Y GR9N$4
  8,NO1 ,?URS"D40
  ,I GL>$ WE>ILY AT HM4 ,HE LAU<$ & HELD
UP 8 H&S1 ,C]NUNNOS'S SWORD DAN-    #CAD
GL+ F 8 F+]TIPS4 8,ALL "R1 ,I'LL /OP
GIV+ Y GRIEF4 ,KIDS ^! "DS4 ,NO S5SE (
HUMOR40 ,HE WA7L$ ! SWORD AT ME4 8,:AT
%D ,I D ) ?80
  ,I 4C>D$ ! F/ TWO SU7ES;NS T L1P$ 6M9D
Z 2+ UNNECESS>ILY RUDE4 ,G>Y GR9N$ L HE
KNEW :AT ,I 0 ?9K+1 & PUT ! SWORD ON !
KIT*5 TA#4 8,I'LL J L1VE X "!10 HE SUG-
GE/$4
  ,I NO4$4 8,GD IDEA40 ,G>Y /OOD 0! TA#
A MO;T1 / LOOK+ EXPECTANT1 & ,I DR$G$ UP
A SLEEPY SC[L4 8,I HATE MORN+ P10 ,I
TOLD HM4 ,HE LAU<$ & HELD UP 8 H&S AG4
  8,OKAY1 OKAY1 ,I "K A H9T :5 ,I HE>
"O4 ,/AY ALIVE1 :Y DON*A80
  8,I'M TRY+10 ,I PROMIS$1 & LET HM F9D
8 [N WAY 6! DOOR4 ,X 0 ONLY T5 FEET4 ,I
FIGUR$ HE CD MAKE X4 ,! WAT] TURN$ SL[LY
96C(FEE1 DRIPP+ /1DILY 96! C(FEE CUP4 ,X
0 A P9K CUP4 ,I DIDN'T 3SID] MYF A V P9K
P]SON1 B X _H MY "N ON X1 S ,I'D B"\ X4
,:5 X 0 ?REE QU>T]S FULL ,I /UCK ! USUAL
POT "U ! DRIP1 FILL$ :AT 0 LEFT (! CUP )
MILK & SUG>1 & W5T 6TURN ON ! -PUT]
SCRE54                              #CAE
  ,! ,WILD ,HUNT RODE \ (! SCRE5 AT ME1
9 S* F9E DETAIL MY F/ ?"\ 0 T ,I WDN'T
PUT >T"W T GD UP ON ! ,NET )\T DEGRAD+ X
"S1 6MAKE X H>D] 6COPY4 ,!N MY H&S 2GAN
6%AKE & ,I _H 6PUT ! C(FEE CUP D[N Z ,I
/>$ AT ! PA9T+4
  ,X 0 GD1 MAYBE ( PROFES.NAL CALIB]1 B
X 0 AL T]RIFY+LY A3URATE4 ,C]NUNNOS'S
EYES 7 FILL$ )! UNHOLY GRE5 LI<T T WD
HAUNT MY NI<TM>ES IF ,I "E AG GOT 5
SLEEP 6DR1M4 ,! ELEGANT B"O HORNS SWEPT
BACK AL;G 8 SKULL & HE SMIL$ Z HE URG$ 8
/ALLION ONW>D4 ,! SILV] ANIMAL'S BROAD
*E/ S WELL R5D]$ ,I HALF EXPECT$ X 6PULL
9 XS NEXT DEEP BR1? Z ,I WAT*$4
  ,2S ,C]NUNNOS1 ALM 9 FRONT ( HM1 RAN !
PALE GOLD M>E :O'D KEPT PACE ) ME ONLY
AN H\R OR TWO E>LI]4 ,%E WASN'T RID].S1
?\<3 A F]AL-EY$ * ) HAIR Z :1T-PALE Z
,C]NUNNOS'S RODE HI< 9 ! SA4LE1 M\? OP5
9 A %\T ( JOY AT ! SPE$ 8 HORSE RAN AT4
  ,O!RS (! ,HUNT P\R$ D[N \ (! FOG1 RID+
D[N F ! SKY1 ! D>K %AD[S ( ROOKS >.D _!
H1DS &! SLEEK :ITE BODIES (! HELLH.DS
RUNN+ AT _! HEELS4 ,EV5 R5D]$ IN-   #CAF
4T9CT 0FOG1 ,I CD PICK \ ! %APE (! ?ICK-
%\LD]$ MAN1 &! >*]4 ,I L1N$ BACK & PICK$
UP MY C(FEE CUP J 6GIVE MY %AK+ H&S "S?+
6D1 & TOOK A SIP4 ,N 5 SUG>4 ,I TOOK AN-
O!R SIP1 />+ AT ! PA9T+4 ,X 0 TITL$ ..,&
,A ,* ,% ,L1D .,!M4 ,:O"E _H PA9T$ X _H
SE5 ! ,HUNT4
  ,9 FACT1 HE'D SE5 M ?AN ,I _H4 ,"!
WASN'T ANY * RID+ ) ,C]NUNNOS N[4 ,I F.D
! >TI/'S ;E-MAIL A4RESS & SCRIB#D \ A
NOTE4 ,IS X SCRI2L+ IF X'S TYP+ ON A
KEYBO>D8 ,X SEEM$ L SCRI2L+4
  ..,HEY4 ,I J CAME ACR YR PA9T+ (!
,WILD ,HUNT1 & X'S 9CR$I#4 ,SC>$ ! HELL
\ ( ME1 9 FACT4 ,X'S S R1L ,I'M GONNA
GUESS Y'RE N GO+ 6?9K ,I'M CRAZY :5 ,I
TELL Y ,I'VE _H A RUN-IN ) ,C]NUNNOS
MYF1 T HE ALM KILL$ ME4 ,B "! 0 NO KID
RID+ ) HM4 ,C Y FILL ME 9 ON :O ! * IS8
,X'S IMPORTANT4 ,PL1SE WRITE BACK4--
.,JOANNE4
  ,I S5T X & IMMLY REGRETT$ X4 ,=A C\PLE
( FRUIT.S SECONDS ,I P.D$ ! REPLY BUT-
TON1 L X WD "SH[ RETRIEVE ! MESSAGE F !
E!R ( CYB]SPACE1 !N GROAN$ &        #CAG
DRANK HALF MY C(FEE4 ,"O M P]SON WD ?9K
,I 0 NUTS4 ,OH WELL4 ,I WASN'T SURE HE'D
2 WR;G4
  ,I W5T "? TWO M CUPS ( C(FEE WAIT+ =
AN ANSW]1 2F SL[LY CLU+ 9 6! FACT T X 0
GO+ ON SIX 9 ! MORN+ & NO "O 9 8 "R M9D
WD 2 UP1 M* LESS *ECK+ ;E-MAIL4 ,UN.S HE
0 ON ! ,EA/ ,COA/1 9 : CASE X 0 A P]-
FECTLY R1SONA# "T 6BE UP4 ,! M T ,I ?"\
AB X1 ! M LOGICAL X SEEM$ T ! >TI/ 0 N
ONLY F>!R EA/ ?AN ,I WAS1 B 0 9 FACT
PROBABLY 9 ,IREL& XF1 : M1NT X 0 NE>LY
TWO 9 ! AFN & :Y ! HELL _HN'T HE ANSW]$
MY ;E-MAIL YET8 ,DID HE .WANT ME 6DIE8
  ,I DECID$ MAYBE ,I'D BETT] TAKE A %[]
& RE9TRODUCE R1SON 6MY BRA94
  ,/&+ "U ! HOT WAT] & BR1?+ 9 /1M AT
L1/ HELP$ %UT D[N ! CA6E9E-9SPIR$ P>A-
NOIA4 ,I SLID D[N 6SIT ON ! FLOOR (!
TUB1 TRY+ 6F9D A PLACE 6/>T MAK+ S5SE (!
MESS MY LIFE _H 2COME4 ,:5 ,I LIFT$ MY
H1D A MO;T LAT]1 ,COYOTE SAT "U ! /R1M (
WAT] 9 FRONT ( ME1 8 E>S TWIT*+ 9 AN UN-
DIGNIFI$ MANN] E "T A DROP SPLA%$ ONTO
!M4                                 #CAH
  8,Y H T]RI# 3TROL40 ,8 E>S TWIT*$1
FLATT5$ \ & W5T UP"R AG4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ 9 MY %[]80 ,I REMEMB]$
?9K+ ,I NE$$ 6GET A DOG4 ,MAYBE HE WD D4
  8,I'M N A DOG10 HE REP1T$1 8& ,I'M 9
YR %[] 2C Y ?9K Y'RE AWAKE & Y'RE HOLD+
! PATT]N T 0 >.D Y4 ,I WI% Y'D /OP40
  8,I L %[]S40 ,I /U2ORNLY CLUNG 6! IDEA
T ,I 0 AWAKE & SITT+ ON ! FLOOR ( MY %[-
]4 ,)A DOG4 ,I GR9N$ AG1 ALM A GI7LE4
,COYOTE SI<$1 DEEPLY PUT-^U4 8,Y CD TURN
96A GUY10 ,I SU7E/$1 SORT ( HOPE;LLY4
8,AT L1/ T WAY Y CD WA% YR METAPHYSICAL
HAIR40 ,X WASN'T T ,I WANT$ A GORGE\S
MAN 9 MY %[]4 ,H"O/4
  ,I _HN'T NOTIC$ 2F T ,COYOTE _H 4C]NI#
EYEBR[S1 B !Y W5T UP AT T4 8,METAPHYSI-
CAL80 HE ASK$4 ,I %RU7$ ELABORATELY4
  8,? IS ALL V METAPHYSICAL4 ,:Y >E Y 9
MY %[]1 ANYWAY80
  8,Y CALL$ ME40
  ,I BL9K$ AT HM UNC]TA9LY Z WAT] /R1M$
D[N MY FACE4 8,I DID80
  ,=A MO;T ,I _H ! 4T9CT IMPRES.N HE
WI%$ HE _H H&S1 S HE CD P9* !       #CAI
BRIDGE ( 8 NOSE4 8,LOOK10 ,I SD1 (F5D$1
8Y'RE ! "O :O DRA7$ ME 96ALL ?4 ,LEFT TO
MY [N DEVICES ,I J WD H DI$40
  ,COYOTE LIFT$ 8 H1D 6LOOK AT ME )
A/ONI%;T4 8,IS T RE,Y :AT Y ?9K80
  8,WELL1 ( C\RSE4 ,ORD9>Y P DON'T G >.D
HAV+ NE>-D1? \-(-BODY-EXP]I;ES ( _! [N
FREE W40
  8,W[10 ,COYOTE SD1 8H Y GOT A LOT TO
LE>N40
  ,I SQU9T$ AT HM4 8,>E _S GUIDES SUP-
POS$ 6SAY ,8W[0'80
  8,LOOK10 HE SD IMPATI5TLY1 8_S GUIDES
C SAY :AT"E ! HELL !Y FEEL L40 ,A DROP (
WAT] HIT HM 9 ! EYE & HE %OOK 8 5TIRE
BODY4 ,:5 HE /OPP$1 HE 0 -PLETELY DRY1 &
! WAT] ROLL$ (F ! AIR ABV HM L X 0 HITT+
AN 9VISI# UMBRELLA4 ,I LIFT$ MY F+] &
POK$ AT ! UMBRELLA1 5C.T]+ RESI/.E4 ,I
J]K$ MY H& BACK & %OOK X1 BL9K+4 8,I
CAME ( MY [N FREE W10 HE EXPLA9$ 2F ,I
ASK$4 8,X GIVES ME ! ABIL;Y 6A6ECT YR
_W-=M4 ,J L Y DID 9 ,H]NE'S G>D540
  8,Y "K AB T80
  ,HE SMIL$ AN 9FURIAT+LY SUP]IOR   #CBJ
LL SMILE4 8,"! >E ."S ADVANTAGES 62+ A
_S GUIDE40
  ,I SU45LY FELT V AL"O & V1 V UN"KL$GE-
A#4 8,S :AT >E ! ADVANTAGES 62+ ! NEW
KID ON ! BLOCK80 ,I :ISP]$4 8,P >E DY+1
,COYOTE1 & ,I DON'T "K H[ 6/OP X4 ,I ?"\
,I 0 DO+ OKAY & !N ,I F.D \ ,I WASN'T
NE>LY Z COOL Z ,I ?"\ ,I WAS40
  8,Y \TGUNN$ ,H]NE ONCE10 ,COYOTE SD
REASSUR+LY4 8,Y'RE GO+ 6MAKE X "? ?40
  8,I TRICK$ HM40
  ,COYOTE SMIL$4 ,H[ A DOG SMILES1 ,I
DON'T "K1 B HE SMIL$4 8,T'S :AT WE D1
,JOANNE4 ,! F/ ?+ A H1L] HAS 6D 6H1L IS
6%AKE UP P]CEP;NS4 ,6MAKE ! IMPOSSI#1
POSSI#40
  8,AM ,I RE,Y GO+ 6LIVE "? ?80
  ,COYOTE /UCK 8 NOSE "U MY H& & WRAPP$
A L;G T;GUE >.D MY WRI/4 8,Y1H10 HE SD1
8Y >E4 ,I SD S40
  ,I SMIL$ A LL4 8,B ,COYOTE'S A TRICK-
/]40
  8,A TRICK/]4 ,N A KILL]4 ,Y'LL MAKE X1
,JO4 ,LI/5 TO--0
  8,DON'T10 ,I 9T]RUPT$4 8,DON'T    #CBA
EV5 ?9K AB SAY+ ,8LI/5 6YR HE>T0' OR
,8YR S\L0'4 ,I C'T H&LE T TN40
  ,8 T;GUE LOLL$ \ AG1 A COYOTE GR94
8,LI/5 6! RHY?MS (! C;Y10 HE SD1 L X 0
:AT HE'D PLANN$ 6SAY ALL AL;G4 8,LI/5 6!
HE>TB1TS (! P4 ,FOLL[ !M & Y'LL F9D :AT
YR LOOK+ =40
  8,:AT .AM ,I LOOK+ =80 ,I ASK$ PLA9-
TIVELY1 & ,COYOTE %OOK 8 H1D & %RU7$1 A
V MANLIKE MOVE;T =! RANGY CAN9E4 ,!N !
WAT] TURN$ 6ICE & ,I SCRAM#D 6MY FEET1
GASP+4 ,I WA%$ MY HAIR 9 COLD WAT]1 %IV-
]+1 & JUMP$ \ (! %[] 6WRAP UP 9 AN EX-
CESSIVE NUMB] ( T[ELS4 ,I FELT L ! ,/AY-
,PUFT ,M>%MALL[ ,MAN1 B AT L1/ ,I 0 W>M4
  ,I 0 WEIRDLY AWAKE4 ,I MADE A NOTE TO
MYF 6TRY A COLD %[] &A *AT )A _S GUIDE
NEXT "T ,I 0 TOO TIR$ 6?9K4 ,RU2+ MY
HAIR DRY1 ,I W5T 6*ECK MY ;E-MAIL AG4
,"! >E ^? :O WD SAY ,I'M A4ICT$4 ,I'M
SURE ,I CD F9D A PI?Y REBUTTAL 6! A3US,N
"S": ON ! ,NET4
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,I _H MAIL4
  ..! * L1DS !M 6! S\LS !Y C H>VE/ &
L1DS !M BACK 6! ,O!R_W :5 ! RIDE    #CBB
IS OV]4 )\T ! * "!S NO?+ 6/OP !M F RID+
="E4 I DON'T ?9K YR CRAZY4 I J ?9K YR
GO+ 6.DIE4
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