,,URBAN ,,%AMAN

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

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     ,LUNA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
   ,COPY"R ^C #BJJE 0,C4 ,E4 ,MURPHY
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  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CGC-HJBBC-D

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
    ,C>OLE ,MOORE1 ,RUSSELL ,MILL]1
     ,BE? ,MC,GU691 & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
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          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-FIVE      #DBE

  ,WE 5D$ UP D[N 9 ! G>AGE BR1K ROOM1 !
PLACE ,I 0 MO/ -=TA# 9 ! /,N4 ,A SUR-
PRIS+ NUMB] ( P FOLL[$ U D[N1 EVID5TLY
ALL /RUCK )! NE$ 6TAKE A BR1K AT EXACTLY
! SAME "T4 ,MORRISON 0 3SPICU\S 0HIS AB-
S;E1 = : ,I 0 BO? GRATE;L & RES5T;L4
,HE1 AF ALL1 _H SE5 ! D9]'S SECUR;Y
TAPES & _H -E >.D F> 5 6RE9/ATE ME 6"W
ON ! CASE4 ,X SEEM$ L HE %D -E KEEP AN
EYE ON ME :ILE ,I DID ! WEIRD /UFF T
HE'D RE9/AT$ ME 6D4
  ,MAYBE ,I DIDN'T NE$ 6"W ON T DAMSEL 9
4TRESS R\T9E AF ALL4 ,! IDEA ( ,MORRISON
KEEP+ 8 EYE ON ME IMPLI$ ,I MI<T NE$ HM
6RESCUE ME1 : SEEM$ BO? UNLIKELY & AN-
NOY+4 ,=TUNATELY1 MY REPLACE;T1 ,?OR !
,?"U ,GOD1 CAME 9 F ! G>AGE )! RE/ (!
ME*ANICS4 ,8 >RIVAL KNOCK$ ME \ ( SULK+
OV] ! CAPTA94
  8,? RE,Y ISN'T GO+ 6BE T EXCIT+10 ,I
SD 6,G>Y4 ,HE _H A DU6EL BAG OV] 8 %\LD]
& 0 C>RY+ X C>E;LLY4 ,I ASSUM$ MY DRUM 0
9 "!1 PROTECT$ AG/ ! W1!R4
  8,WANT ME 6GET 'EM \ ( "H80 ,HE   #DBF
LOOK$ M HULK+ ?AN USUAL1 L A ROO/] ) 8
F1!RS FLU6$ \4 ,I ALM LAU<$4
  8,NO1 ,I ?9K X'S OKAY4 ,I J1 AH40 ,I
/OPP$ >RANG+ AN EMPTY SPACE ON ! FLOOR &
LOOK$ >.D AT ! TWO DOZ5 M5 & WOM5 CR[D+
! BR1K ROOM4 8,NO4 ,NO1 9 FACT1 ,I ?9K
,I H AN IDEA4 ,ALL "R1 LOOK1 "EYBODY40
,I LIFT$ MY VOICE & /RAI<T5$1 >MS AKIM-
BO4 ,NE>LY "EY"O CAME 6ATT5;N1 L ,I 0 _!
WOR/ DRILL S]G1NT RETURN$ 6HAUNT !M4 ,I
F"\ (F LAU<T] AG4
  8,? ISN'T10 ,I REP1T$1 8GO+ 6BE V EX-
CIT+4 ,I'M GO+ 6SIT "H 9 A TR.E :ILE
,G>Y BANGS A DRUM4 ,I TAKE X PRETTY M*
"EYBODY'S GOTT5 ! L[D[N 0N[40
  ,NOBODY WD Q LOOK AT ME1 OR AT EA* O?-
]4 ,ESPECI,Y AT ME4 ,I CDN'T HELP WOND]+
IF !Y 7 "H 6SEE IF MY FR1KY NEW LIFE 0
R1L1 OR IF ,I'D J LO/ MY M9D4 ,EI WAY1
,I CDN'T HELP LAU<+4 ,NO?+ TRAVEL$ FA/]
?AN GOSSIP1 & GETT+ ! L[D[N _H BR"\ MO/
( !M "H4 8,"R10 ,I SD4 ,BRUCE1 AT L1/1
MET MY EYE ) AN UNAPOLOGETIC LL %RUG4
8,S9CE Y'RE ALL "H ANYWAY1 ,I'M GONNA
ASK A FAVOR ( Y40                   #DBG
  ,MAYBE A DOZ5 P 7 LEFT :5 ,I 0 D"O EX-
PLA9+ :AT ,I WANT$ 6TRY4 ,6MY SURPRISE1
,?OR /AY$4 ,HE GL[]$ & FOLD$ 8 >MS OV] 8
*E/ :5 ,I >*$ AN EYEBR[ AT HM1 B HE
DIDN'T MOVE4 ,I WOND]$ :AT 8 R1L "N 0 Z
,I WAIT$ ANO!R MO;T 2F 2G9N+4 ,NO "O
ELSE LEFT1 S ,I SAT D[N ,9DIAN-/YLE 9 !
MI4LE (! CR[D4 ,G>Y SAT D[N ACR F ME &
TOOK MY DRUM \ F ! DU6EL BAG4
  8,I BR"\ ?1 TOO40 ,HE )DREW ,C]NUN-
NOS'S RAPI]1 %1!D 9 L1!R1 F ! BAG4 ,MY
EYES WID5$4
  8,DON'T TELL ME Y _H A SCA2>D J LY+
>.D40
  ,G>Y %RU7$ A BIT4 8,OKAY1 ,I WON'T
TELL Y4 ,TAKE X40 ,HE (F]$ ! %1!D BLADE
6ME1 & ,I PLAC$ X ACR MY LAP4 ,CURI\S
MURMURS ROSE & FELL1 B NO "O ASK$ \T"R4
,T WD -E LAT]1 ,I IMAG9$4 ,A LOT ( "QS 7
GO+ 6-E LAT]4 ,EI T OR A LOT ( P 7 GO+
6/>T F9D+ EXCUSES N 6TALK 6ME "E AG4 ,I
WOND]$ : R\TE ,I'D H TAK51 IF "S"O ELSE
_H BE5 TRY+ 6PULL ? (F4
  8,N GONNA LIE D[N ? "T80 ,G>Y ASK$4
  8,I ?9K ,I'LL 2 OKAY4 ,IF ,I      #DBH
FALL OV]1 "SBODY C PROP ME UP40 ,I IN-
HAL$1 A L;G SL[ BR1? "? MY NO/RILS1 &
LET MY EYES DRIFT CLOS$4 ,! F/ B1T (!
DRUM 0 DEEP & C]TA9 & S5T *ILLS OV] MY
>MS4 ,I /RAI<T5$ MY SP9E 9VOLUNT>ILY4
  ,I KNEW ,I CD D :AT ,I WANT$ 6D4 ,I
DIDN'T "K IF ,I CD D X ON PURPOSE4 ,I
REMEMB]$ ! ELECTRIC AW>E;S (! AIRPORT1 !
*>GE 9 ! AIR T 0 ! LIFE =CE ( HUNDR$S (
P -+ & GO+ AB _! BUSI;S4 ,X _H BE5 S
AVAILA#1 ! URGE 6TAP X OBVI\S & NE>LY
IRRESI/I#4
  ,"!1 ON ! SCALE ,I'D R1*$ = P[] ON1 X
WD H BE5 D1DLY4 ,"H ,I WANT$ ONLY A
FRAC;N ( T P[]1 & ,I 0 ASK+ = X 6BE VOL-
UNTE]$4 ,! DRUM SETTL$ 96A RHY?M T MAT*$
MY HE>TB1T4 ,I EXHAL$1 &)! EXHAL,N /OOD1
L1V+ MY BODY SITT+ EMPTY ON ! FLOOR1 MO-
TOR FUNC;NS OP]AT+ :ILE MY 3SCI\S;S
/EPP$ \ =A BR1!R4
  ,! ROOM'S 9HABITANTS GL[$ )! SAME PE-
CULI> NEON LIFE =CE ,I'D SE5 \TSIDE MY
A"P;T :5 ,I'D G"O =! 9ADV]T5T VISIT 6!
D1D %AMANS4 ,X 0 ! SAME =CE T _H UNLOCK$
9SIDE ME1 AL? LESS POT5T2 ! SAME    #DBI
A/ONI%+ SK9.S;S ,I'D EXP]I;ED 9 ! C(FEE
%OP :ILE TALK+ ) ,MORRISON4 ,!Y 7 FULL (
LIFE1 BR1?+ & PULS+ ) X4 ,CURIOS;Y CAU<T
ME =A MO;T & ,I LOOK$ PA/ !M1 "? ! WALLS
(! G>AGE1 6/UDY ! LOOK ( LIV+ E>? F 2L
9/1D ( ABV4
  ,I %DN'T H2 X 0 DEPRESS+4 ,BISECT$ &
9T]SECT$ ) 3CRETE1 "! WASN'T M* LIV+ AT
ALL4 ,! SUNK5 BUILD+ WALLS _H _! [N S5SE
( PURPOSE1 _! [N 5]GY1 B X WASN'T :AT ,I
0 LOOK+ =& ,I DIDN'T H ! "T 6EXAM9E X M
C>E;LLY4
  ,I )DREW BACK 96! BR1K ROOM1 3C5TRAT+
9/1D ON ! BRILLIANT AURAS ( MY CO-"W]S &
FRS4 ,& ,?OR4 ,BILLY _H %[N UP1 A /OLID
WALL ( FU*SIAS & ORANGES4 ,UNLIKE ALM
"EY"O ELSE1 HE HELD 8 H&S 9 FRONT ( HM1
A COIL+ BALL ( COLOR WRI?+ 2T 8 PALMS4
,J51 NE>BY1 HELD ! SAME K9D ( BALL1 9
BOIL+ YELL[ & BR[N4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 "K
BR[N CAME 9 NEON4
  ,A FEW (! O!RS /OOD T WAY Z WELL4 ,!
O!RS SIMPLY /OOD ": !Y W]E1 CA/+ CURI\S1
SIL5T GL.ES AT ! BODY ,I'D TEMPOR>ILY
AB&ON$--N T X 0 APP>5T ,I'D D"O S   #DCJ
--& AT ! P >.D !M4 ,_! 5]GY ROLL$ (F !M
9 WAVES1 FLICK]+ AWAY L FLAME4 ,"S 7
CLE>LY 3C5TRAT+ ON EXT5D+ GDWILL T[>D
ME1 VISI# 9 %EETS T 4SIPAT$ )\T FOCUS4
,! RE/ _H LESS ABIL;Y 6FOCUS1 (F]+ N M*
M ?AN _! SIMPLE ESS;E4
  ,I R1*$ =! %EETS ( GDWILL F/1 WOND]+
H[ 6TEMP] ! P[]4 ,0 A WI% ( GD ?"\S AN
9F9ITE GIFT1 OR DID X EXHAU/ ! GIV]8 ,IF
X DID1 ,I _H 6MAKE ? V FA/1 OR F9D A WAY
6SL[ D[N ! \TPUT4 ,"! 0 TOO M* ,I DIDN'T
."K4
  ,ON ! O!R H&1 "! WASN'T A LOT ( "T TO
SIT >.D AGONIZ+ OV] T FACT1 EI4 ,I CUPP$
MY H&S1 SIPHON+ ! UNFOCUS$ P[] 96A BALL
2T MY [N PALMS1 WAT*+ ! />TL+ COLORS SP9
& D.E >.D "O ANO!R )\T Q MELD+4 ,": !Y
T\*$1 FLA%ES ( GRAY & BLACK & :ITE
BLURR$ !M TGR1 MAK+ !M COHESIVE )\T TAK+
AWAY ANY (! 9DIVIDUAL;Y4 ,MESM]IZ+ PAT-
T]NS =M$ )9 ! BALL1 ALL ( !M UNIQUE &
YET / S.D+ A -MON !ME4 ,I WAT*$ A MO;T1
!N %OOK MYF4 ,IF ,I 0 LUCKY1 "!'D 2 "T
LAT] 6/UDY ! UNIV]SAL SIMIL>ITIES 9 MAN4
,IF ,I WASN'T1 ,I'D 2 D1D & X       #DCA
WDN'T 2 M* (A WORRY = ME ANYWAY4
  ,CALL+ ! ALR-FOCUS$ P[] T ,BILLY & ,J5
(F]$ 0 EASI]4 ,_! 5]GY FL[$ 6ME :5 ,I
CALL$ !M1 DANC+ >.D ! BALL ,I HELD L
ELECTRONS >.D AN ATOM1 ALM TOO FA/ 6SEE4
,ALL (! P[] ,I HELD TRAC$ ?9 L9ES BACK
6XS CR1TORS1 B"R SNAPS ( COLOR T W.D >.D
EA* O!R 9 9TRICATE BRAIDS )\T "E TANGL+
TGR4
  ,I WASN'T TAK+ ANY?+ AT ALL F AT L1/ A
QU>T] (! P 9 ! ROOM1 ! "OS :O W]5'T A#
6(F] X UP Z EASILY Z ! O!RS4 ,I CD TAKE
X \T"R1 BORR[ "S ( _! LIFE =CE1 J Z ,I'D
9T5D$ 6IN ! AIRPORT1 B = N[ ,I LEFT !M4
  .,BABYLON4 ,H[ DID ,I GET BACK8 ..,BY
C&LELI<T1 & BACK .AG4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES &
FELL 9W>D ON MYF1 R1*+ BACKW>D & )9 =!
/>RY VOID4 ,MY H&S & FEET & H1D SUCK$
9W>D1 COLLAPS+ 96MY BELLY BUTTON4 ,MY
5TIRE SELF %RIVEL$ & %RUNK UNTIL ) AN
AUDI# POP ,I IMPLOD$ 5TIRELY & EXPLOD$
BACK \ ( MY BELLY BUTTON AG1 EXACTLY Z
,I'D BE51 ONLY FAC+ ! OPPOSITE DIREC;N &
LOOK+ 96! RAC+ />SCAPE 9/1D (! G>AGE
BR1K ROOM4                          #DCB
  8,HEY10 ,I SD \ L\D4 8,T 0 COOL40 ,!
5]GY ,I'D BORR[$ 0 NO L;G] VISI# 9 A
BALL 2T MY PALMS4 ,9/1D ,I CD FEEL X
SETTL$ 9 MY ABDOM51 A LIFE =CE "! T WAS1
& 0 N1 "P ( MYF4 ,I %U4]$ & TRI$ 6%UT
MYF AWAY F RECOGNIZ+ ! FEEL+4 ,)A J>R+
%OCK1 SPID]WEB CRACKS %OT "? ME1 DEEP] &
%>P] ?AN ANY?+ 2F4
  8,GIVE ME A BR1K10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,?
ISN'T ! "T40 ,I SUP]IMPOS$ CL>;Y OV] !
CRACKS1 & !Y FAD$ \ RELUCTANTLY4 ,X OC-
CURR$ 6ME T ALL ?REE "TS ,I'D F.D MY WAY
6! />SCAPE1 ! PA/ ,I'D TRI$ S H>D 6L1VE
2H _H RESURFAC$4 ,I WOND]$1 V BRIEFLY1
:AT EXACTLY ? PLACE 2T ! _WS WAS4 ,!N !
C&LE APPE>$ & ,I WRAPP$ MY H&S >.D X &
:ISP]$1 8,BABYLON40
  ,A NOISE L ! 5D (! _W HIT ME1 S5D+ ME
/A7]+ BACK A FEW /EPS4 ,A HUGE KNO2Y
ROOT CAU<T ME 9 ! BACK (! KNEES4 ,I SAT
D[N H>D AT ! FOOT (A ,JO%UA ,SPIRE1 TRY+
6MAKE S5SE (! *AOS T _H 2COME ,BABYLON4
  ,! SKY _H LO/ XS BLUE-GRAY COLOR1 T+$
N[ ) DEEP1 SICK5+ R$4 ,! SILV] ,JO%UA
,SPIRES TWI/$ UP 96! BLOODY SKY1    #DCC
HANG+ G>D5S TORN & FALL+ D[N ! SIDES (!
TREES4 ,!Y %IFT$ RE/.SLY1 N PU%$ 0! W9D1
B L DY+ CR1TURES MAK+ A LA/ DESP]ATE
SNAT* AT LIFE 2F GIV+ AWAY 6! 9EVITA#
5D4
  ,! RE/.S1 *E];L BAB# T _H FILL$ ! AIR
0 G"O1 TOO1 L1V+ L"OLY W9D & CRIES ( FE>
& PA9 9 XS PLACE4 ,= "O CRY/ALL9E MO;T1
,I SAW A L;G VIEW ( HUMAN HI/ORY1 R1*+
F> BACK 6! F/ "DS ( MANK9D4 ,I SAW A
SMALL WOMAN ) ?ICK CURVES & D>K EYES1
RECOGNIZA# Z HUMAN1 YET ALI5 ALL ! SAME4
,%E MET MY EYES & P]=M$ A %RUG1 SMALL1
WRY1 FULLY "U/&A#4
  ..,WE CAME "H .ONCE1 %E SD1 ..:5 WE 7
.FEW4
  .,? .0 .,BABEL1 ,I SD BACK4 ..,? IS ":
WE CAME 6ALL SP1K TGR4 ,6%>E & "U/& EA*
O!R4 ,:5 WE BR$ TOO _M ''' ,BABEL 0
.LO/8
  ,%E NO4$ & SMIL$1 W>M & APPROV+4
  .,Y'RE .,EVE1 ,I SD4 ,%E ?REW H] H1D
BACK & LAU<$1 A V HUMAN S.D4
  ..,!Y CALL$ ME ,"M1 :5 ,I 0 "!4 ,I 0 N
! F/ 9 ! WAY Y ?9K ( ,EVE Z 2+4     #DCD
,X 0 N S EASY Z T4 ,B--YES4 ,EVE MI<T D
Z A "N4 ,B .G1 %E SD1 .OR ALL ..MY *N W
LOSE ! PLACE WE ONCE _H1 .="E4
  .,GDBYE1 .,"M1 ,I :ISP]$4 ,! RO> ( AN-
GRY W9D FILL$ MY E>S4 ,I _H N"E LEFT
,BABEL1 B ,I CD SEE X AG4 ,! /REET COB#S
7 TORN1 *UNKS ( /"O FLUNG AT WILD ANGLES
T SU7E/$ AN E>?QUAKE ( DEVA/AT+ MAGNI-
TUDE4 ,": !Y'D BE5 ! W>M COLOR ( RU/ 2F1
!Y 7 SPLATT]$ ) R$1 ! DANG]\S CRIMSONS &
D>K %ADES T M1NT VITAL BLOOD _H BE5
SPILL$4 ,I RU2$ MY BR1/B"O1 FEEL+ SICK4
,"! 0 TOO M* 6?9K AB1 TOO M* 6ASSIMILATE
& F> TOO LL "T4
  ,P HID 2H E COCKEY$ PIECE ( /REET1 "S
D1D1 "S DY+1 O!RS M\RN+ & / O!RS SCR1M+
\ _! DEFI.E AG/ ! ,HUNT T RODE "? !M4 ,Z
,I WAT*$1 A L9E ( SOLDI]S1 >M 9 >M1 /OOD
UP TGR & WALK$ =W>D4 ,2F !M1 ! /REET
%IV]$ & RE=M$1 COB#S LY+ BACK D[N "U !
=CE ( _! W4 ,2H !M1 X LAY SMOO?1 A
GAUNTLET ?R[N 9 ! FACE (! *AOS T 0 !
,WILD ,HUNT4
  ,& D[N ! NEWLY RELAID ROAD !Y CAME1 A
DOZ5 TOO-SOLID RID]S &! L"OLY       #DCE
PALE M>E4 ,C]NUNNOS RODE AT _! L1D1 8
ELEGANT ANTL]S SWEEP+ BACK 6TANGLE ) 8
A%Y HAIR4 ,HE C>RI$ ! NEW D\#-$G$ SWORD4
,2N ! BLOOD1 X GL1M$ Z B"R A SILV] Z !
RAPI] ,I'D TAK5 F HM4 ,Z ,I WAT*$1 8
/ALLION L1P$ A /-BROK5 SEC;N ( ROAD1 &
,C]NUNNOS SMIL$ BRILLIANTLY AT A "Y WOM-
AN SCRAMBL+ 6GET \ (! WAY4 ,H] LIPS "P$
& %E W5T /1 FE> REPLAC$ 0! -PUL.N (!
GOD'S GRE5 EYES4 ,HE LAU<$1 L ! MUSIC (
BR1K+ GLASS4 ,8 D1DLY B"R BLADE SWEPT
D[N 9 A GL1M+ >*1 &! GIRL /I65$1 WAIT+
=! BL[4
  ,I :ISP]$1 8,NO40
  ,! GOD'S SWORD SMA%$ 96MY SPOK5 ^W L X
0 A %IELD1 & REB.D$4 ,C]NUNNOS JOLT$
BACK1 &=A MO;T ! 5TIRE ,HUNT HESITAT$4
,! GIRL1 FRE$ F ,C]NUNNOS'S EYES1 TURN$
& RAN4 ,) PRECISE SL[;S1 ,C]NUNNOS
TRANSF]R$ 8 SWORD F 8 LEFT H& 6HIS "R4
,HE CURV$ ! F+]S ( 8 LEFT H& D[N1 RU2+
!M AG/ 8 PALM1 & /RET*$ !M WIDE AG4 ,!N
HE LIFT$ 8 H&1 PALM UP1 & LOOK$ SL[LY
>.D )! 9T5T (A D1DLY1 3FID5T PR$ATOR4
  ,X 0 SU45LY IMPORTANT T ,I FACE   #DCF
HM 2F HE CALL$ ME \4 ,I PU%$ AWAY F MY
TREE ROOT & WALK$ =W>D1 -+ 96! /REET
AH1D (! L9E ( SOLDI]S1 :O /OOD / N[1 RE-
MA9+ >M 9 >M1 WAIT+ & WAT*+4 ,_! H1L+
P[] / ROLL$ (F !M1 SPR1D+ \ "? ! RU9$
C;Y ( ,BABYLON4 ,A WAVE ( FI]CE PROTEC;N
WRAPP$ >.D MY HE>T4 .,I WD DIE 2F ,I LET
ANY"O ELSE "H DIE4 ,LET HM SEE NO?+ B
ME1 ,I WILL$4 ,LET HM =GET !M4
  ,C]NUNNOS WAT*$ ME SIL5TLY1 FASC9,N
VISI# EV5 9 F1TURES ONLY HALF-HUMAN4 ,2H
HM1 ! >*] &! ?ICK-%\LD]$ RID] EX*ANG$
GL.ES4 ,! ?ICK-%\LD]$ MAN SMIL$ 2F RE-
TURN+ 8 ATT5;N 6ME2 ! >*] NOCK$ AN >R[1
B DIDN'T DRAW4 ,I ?"\ X 0 R UNSPORT+ (
HM ANYWAY4 ,I'D SE5 H[ FA/ HE CD NOCK AN
>R[1 E>LI]4 ,X WASN'T L HE NE$$ ! EXTRA
"T AF=D$ 0DO+ X N[4
  8,LL %AMAN10 ,C]NUNNOS SD4 ,! B1UTI;L
VOICE 0 H>%] N[1 4TORT$ 0! ?ICK5$ NECK &
*ANG$ VOCAL CORDS4
  8,MY "L MA/] (! ,HUNT10 ,I REPLI$4 ,!
?ICK-%\LD]$ MAN DID SMILE AT T4 ,C]NUN-
NOS DID TOO1 A TWI/ (A M\? T _H ! FULL;S
(! MAN'S LIPS PULL$ 96A /UNT$       #DCG
MUZZLE1 NEI HUMAN NOR ANIMAL4 ,HE B[$ F
! WAI/1 A SMALL GE/URE Z IMPOSSIBLY ELE-
GANT Z ANY?+ ,I'D "E SE5 HM D4 ,X WASN'T
5\<1 ?\<1 6WIPE ! BLOOD F ! BLADE HE C>-
RI$4 ,! P[] ,I'D BORR[$ BOIL$ 9 MY BEL-
LY1 ASK+ 6BE US$4
  8,I H>DLY EXPECT$ 6SEE Y AG1 LL %A-
MAN40
  8,I H>DLY 9T5D$ 6L1VE Y "H4 ,? ISN'T
YR PLACE ,C]NUNNOS40
  8,OH1 B X IS10 HE MURMUR$1 & LIFT$ 8
H&S1 BLOODY SWORD 9 "O1 65COMPASS ! BL1K
R$ SKY &! D1? 9 ! /REETS4 8,LOOK :AT ,I
H WR"\40
  8,Y M>K$ X4 ,T DOESN'T MAKE X YRS4 ,-E
ON1 MY "L MA/] (! ,HUNT40 ,! ^WS S.D$ L
!Y WD IF ,I'D SD !M 6,MORRISON1 FULL (
S>CASM4 8,MANO A MANO1 EH8 ,Y & ME4 ,IF
Y W91 ,I TAKE ! *'S PLACE 9 ! ,HUNT & Y
RIDE UNB.D4 ,IF ,I W91 Y L1VE ? PLACE N[
& ="E & RETURN 6,E>? ) ME40
  8,N[ & ="E80 ! GOD ASK$1 A GL1M 9 8
BRILLIANT EYES4
  8,T REMA9S 6BE SE510 ,I SD /1DILY4 ,HE
L[]$ 8 H1D1 IVORY HORNS CAT*+ !     #DCH
BLOODY LI<T1 & 3SID]$ ME4
  8,H[ DID Y SAY X8 ,MANO A MANO4 ,S X %
BE4 ,I SWE> X 0MY "N & 0MY P[] & ONCE M
0MY IMMORTAL LIFE4 ,%D ,I LOSE "H 6Y1
N"EMORE % ! ,HUNT RETURN 6,BABYLON1 &) Y
WE W G1 6! PLACE Y CALL ,E>?40
  ,I WOND]$1 BRIEFLY1 :AT T "N HE SWORE
0WAS4 ,X 0 N1 ,I 0SURE1 ,C]NUNNOS4 ,"! 0
"S?+ DEEP]1 M PRIVATE1 T HE ANSW]$ 6IN !
MO/ SECRET "P ( 8 S\L1 & NO "O ELSE WD
"E "K T "N4 ..,EXCEPT MAYBE ! .CAMEL1 ,I
?"\ 9 A FIT ( PURE IRR"E;E4 ,I HOP$ HE
_HN'T HE>D T1 & SPOKE \ L\D 6COV] ! ?"\4
8,I H NO IMMORTAL LIFE 6SWE> BY4 ,%D ,I
SWE> 0YRS80
  ,SCA?+ 4DA9 FILL$ ,C]NUNNOS'S VIVID
EYES4 ,MY M\? TWI/$ 9 A SMIRK4 8,DON'T H
M* S5SE ( HUMOR1 D Y80 ,I /RAI<T5$ MY
%\LD]S4 ,2+ A SM>T-ASS MI<T HELP KEEP MY
C\RAGE UP1 B ? 0 IMPORTANT4 ,MY HE>TB1T1
/1DY Z ! DRUM1 S.D$ L\D 9 MY E>S Z ,I
SPOKE4 8,Z Y SWE> X1 S % ,I1 0MY "N & MY
P[] & MY ALL-TOO MORTAL LIFE4 ,IF ,I
LOSE 6Y "H1 ,I'LL RIDE 9 YR MISS+ *'S
PLACE1 & TRY NO M 6B9D Y40 ,A       #DCI
3/RIC;N CAME OV] ME Z ,I SPOKE1 A V R1L
-PUL.N1 & X O3URR$ 6ME ONCE M T ,I'D
GOTT5 9 WAY OV] MY H1D4 ,"! 0 A PROV]B
AB T4 ,LOOK+ & L1P+4 ,MAYBE "S"D ,I'D
REMEMB] X 2F ,I L1P$4
  ,GOD "KS :AT ,I 0 EXPECT+4 ,X WASN'T !
=CE ( ,C]NUNNOS'S W SMA%+ D[N ON ME L A
HAMM]1 ?\<4 ,MY ^WS 7 / L+]+ 9 ! AIR :5
HE HIT ME1 GRE5 /R5G? L A M.TA9 -+ D[N4
,I DROPP$ 6MY KNEES1 ! AIR CRU%$ F MY
BODY1 & HELD ONTO ! 3T5TS ( MY /OMA* "?
CL5*$ TEE?4
  ,C]NUNNOS 4M.T$ ) PR$ATORY GRACE1
/ALK+ T[>D ME ACR ! NEW COB#/"OS4 ,I
SWAY$1 WAT*+ HM & 4TANTLY REMEMB]+ !
HELP.S FE> 9 ! WOMAN'S FACE A FEW M9UTES
AGO4 ,I _H BE5 "H 2F1 WEI<$ D[N "U 8 P[-
]4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,G>Y WASN'T "H ? "T TO
HAUL MY ASS \ (! FIRE4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6D X
MYF4 ,I R1*$ =! 9T]NALIZ$ /R5G? ,I'D
BORR[$ F MY FRS1 & HESITAT$4
  ,N YET4 ,C]NUNNOS /OPP$ A FEW FEET
AWAY F ME1 EASILY )9 ! R1* ( 8 SWORD4
8,?\ >T BOLD1 LL %AMAN10 HE MURMUR$4
8,FOOLI%1 B BOLD40 ,HE DREW !       #DDJ
BLADE BACK1 PREP>+ =A DEEPLY 4ABL+
/RIKE4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K HE 0 GO+ 6KILL ME4
,N UN.S HE KNEW A WAY 6CAPTURE A NEWLY
REL1S$ S\L1 :1 N[ T ,I ?"\ AB X1 ,I
WDN'T PUT PA/ HM4 ,T DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL
ANY BETT]4
  ,HE LUNG$ =W>D1 & ,I FELL OV]4
  ,X C]TA9LY DIDN'T H ANY (! GRACE ! GOD
P]SI/$ 9 %[+1 B X DID GET ME \ ( 8 PA?
)\T ME HAV+ 6FI<T (F ! WEI<T ( 8 P[] TO
GET UP4 ,HE /UM#D1 TAK5 (F GU>D1 & ,I
ROLL$ =W>D1 96HIS LEGS4 ,GRATIFY+LY1 HE
LO/ 8 BAL.E =A MO;T4 ,I TWI/$ ON MY BACK
& DROVE A BOOT$ FOOT UP 96HIS GRO94
  ,= "O HORRI# MO;T ,C]NUNNOS />$ D[N AT
ME & ,I 0 AFRAID ,I MI<T Z WELL H KICK$
"O (! ,JO%UA ,SPIRES4
  ,!N HE SCR1M$1 S DEEP & ANGRY X TWI/$
MY B"OS4 ,! GRAY VEIL T ,I _H WILL$
,BABYLON 2H %IV]$ & FAD$4 ,C]NUNNOS
FLUNG BO? H&S UP1 8 SWORD KNOTT$ 9 8
FI/S1 & DROVE X D[N T[>D ME4
  ,! WEI<T ( 8 P[] 0 G"O1 ?\<1 %ATT]$ BY
PA9 Z ?OR\<LY Z CRY/AL 0 0S.D4 ,I CAME
6MY FEET Z ! SWORD SLAMM$ D[N 9TO   #DDA
COB#/"O4 ,Z HE 2GAN 6DRAW X BACK \ ,I
KICK$ HM 9 ! JAW4 ,HE SPUN >.D1 TORSO
MOV+ FA/] ?AN 8 LEGS1 "O FULL TURN & AN
ABORT$ HALF1 J L ,*>LIE ,*APL94
  ,AG/ ALL ! RULES ( GD SPORTSMAN%IP1 ,I
KICK$ HM :ILE HE 0 D[N4 ,I CAU<T HM "O
SOLID BL[ 9 ! RIBS1 MOV+ 8 :OLE BODY A
FEW 9*ES1 B ! SECOND "T HE CAU<T MY FOOT
& TWI/$ X H>D 6! SIDE4 ,"S?+ T %DN'T H
POPP$ 9 MY KNEE & ,I SCR1M$1 COLLAPS+
ALM ON TOP (! GOD4 ,=A FEW SECONDS WE
LAY "!1 PANT+ AT EA* O!R4 ,I SAW A FLA%
( ANG] 9 8 EYES4
  ,X 0 J 5 W>N+ 6?R[ UP A %IELD Z 8 P[]
SLAMM$ D[N ON ME AG4 ,? "T ,I CD SEE X1
! DEEP SN>L+ GRE5 ( 8 /R5G? PU%+ AT !
SILV]-GRAY B>RI] ,I'D FLUNG UP1 TE/+ X =
W1K;SES4
  ,& F9D+ !M4 ,UNC]TA9TY1 LACK ( K1 SIM-
PLE FE>1 !Y 7 HOLES ,I DIDN'T "K H[ TO
PLUG UP4 ,L ! ,LILLIPUTIANS ) ,GULLIV]1
,C]NUNNOS P9N$ ME D[N "? ^? HOLES1 ?R1D+
GRE5 P[] 96! /"O >.D ME4 ,HE GR9N$1 F]AL
& /RANGE ON ! HALF-ANIMAL FACE1 & ROLL$
6HIS FEET1 DRA7+ 8 SWORD \ (!       #DDB
/"O4
  ,AN 9CONGRU\S ?"\ MADE ME LOOK AWAY F
HM1 6! ?ICK-%\LD]$ RID] 9 ! HO/4 ,HE
LIFT$ 8 BE>D$ *91 A TRACE ( AMUSE;T 9 8
FACE1 & !N HE NO4$1 A S+LE DROP ( 8 *94
,"S?+ FAMILI> GLITT]$ 9 8 EYES Z ,C]NUN-
NOS'S SWORD CAME FREE (! /"O )A SCRAPE4
,!N "! 0 NO M "T 63TEMPLATE ! RID]S :ILE
,I LOOK$ =A WAY 6GET FREE ( ,C]NUNNOS'S
BONDS4
  ,! GOD ROSE UP & DROVE 8 SWORD 96MY
BELLY1 & ,I /OPP$ ?9K+ AT ALL4












          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-SIX       #DDC

  ,"O ?+ ,I'D LE>N$ 9 ! LA/ FEW "DS 0 T
A BODY GETS US$ 6DI6]5T DEGREES ( PA94
,= EXAMPLE1 MY H1D / ?RO2$1 B ,I'D M OR
LESS =GOTT5 AB X :ILE 3C5TRAT+ ON ! RE-
TURN 6,BABYLON4 ,! V BAD POPP+ 9 MY KNEE
0 EXCRUCIAT+1 B LETT+ X 4TRACT ME F !
MATT] AT H& 0 SUICIDAL1 S ,I DIDN'T4
  ,GETT+ A SWORD 9 ! GUT =! SECOND OR
?IRD "T 9 A WEEK 0 N "S?+ Y CD GET US$
TO4 ,I 0 TOO SURPRIS$ 6SCR1M2 9/1D ,I
OP5$ MY M\? &A PA!TIC LL BLOODY C\< CAME
\4 ,ABV ME1 SMIL+ BRILLIANTLY1 ,C]NUNNOS
ASK$1 8,D Y YIELD80
  ,9T]E/+ "Q 6ASK A %I%-KABOB4 ,HE L1N$
ON ! SWORD A LL M1 TURN+ X SLI<TLY4 ,I
OP5$ MY M\? 6SCR1M AG & DIDN'T EV5 MAN-
AGE ! PA!TIC C\< T "T4 8,D Y YIELD80
,C]NUNNOS ASK$ AG4 ,PL1SANTLY1 EV54
  ,MY VI.N FAD$ \1 96BLOOD1 & BACK 9 AG
)! P]IPH]IES /A9$ R$4 ,! RE/ (! ,HUNT 0
GA!R$ >.D U :5 ,I CD SEE AG4 ,I FELT L A
"PICUL>LY NOVEL & NEWLY 4COV]$ BUG1
SKEW]$ ON AN EXAM9+ TA#4
  8,I '''0 ,I CROAK$4 ,C]NUNNOS1    #DDD
/ SMIL+ BRILLIANTLY1 L1N$ CLOS] 6HE> ME4
  8,I'LL SEE Y 9 HELL F/10 ,I :ISP]$1 &
DID ! MO/ AMAZ+LY /UPID ?+ ,I CD ?9K (4
,I REL1S$ ! COIL ( 5]GY 9SIDE ME4
  ,X BLA/$ \ 9 E DIREC;N1 MO/ ( XS =CE
SCR1M+ 9 A MULTICOLOR$ BALL UP ! SWORD
6SMA% 96,C]NUNNOS4 ,"! 0 "O DELI<T;L MO-
;T ( -PLETE SURPRISE ON 8 FACE 2F HE
FLEW BACK1 ASS OV] T1KETTLE4 ,I HE>D A
DULL ?UD Z HE CRA%$ 96"O (! ,JO%UA
,SPIRES1 & ANO!R "O Z HE HIT ! E>? A MO-
;T LAT]4 ,8 SWORD MADE A DULL T9K AG/ !
/"OS Z X L&$ "S": 2T U4
  ,UNEXPECT$LY1 ALL MY PA9 W5T AWAY4 ,I
/OOD UP SL[LY1 MY VI.N TURN+ 6SWIRLS (
R$ & BLUE3 9FRAR$ & ULTRAVIOLET4 ,DETAIL
FAD$ 6IMPRES.NS1 SPLOT*ES ( H1T & COOL4
,5]GY / BOIL$ \ ( ME4 ,X FELT EXHIL>AT+1
UTT] FREEDOM F 3/RA9T1 SELF-IMPOS$ OR
O!RWISE4 ,I FELT Z IF NO?+ CD POSSIBLY
/OP ME4 ,A T9Y "P ( ME KNEW X 0 A FALSE
HI<1 B =! MO;T ,I HUNG ON & LOOK$ >.D4
  ,BABYLON1 2H ! MI/ ( OBSCUR;Y ,I'D PUT
UP >.D X1 0 H1L+4 ,I CD SEE )9 ! ,JO%UA
,SPIRES1 L ,I'D BE5 A# 6SEE "? !    #DDE
C;Y BUILD+S4 ,M5 & WOM5 =M$ CIRCLES >.D
& 9SIDE ! SPIRES4 ,I CD SEE P[] RIS+ F
!M1 FL[+ \ OV] ! MY?ICAL C;Y4 ,": _! P[]
T\*$ DAMAGE1 X H1L$4 ,ONLY ! BODIES !
,HUNT _H LEFT 2H REMA9$ / & UNLIV+ Z !
%AMANS "W$ TGR 6H1L _! GA!R+ PLACE4
  ,!Y D>$ FOCUS ON ! H1L+ 2C !Y TRU/$ ME
6D1L )! ,HUNT4 ,I CD FEEL T1 TOO4 ,N SU-
PREME 3FID;E1 B QUIET EXPECT,N1 ! 2LIEF
T X 0 SAFE 6PAY ATT5;N 6O!R TASKS4 ,ONLY
! L9E ( SOLDI]S :OM ,I'D SE5 F/ / /OOD
L9K$ ACR ! /REET1 WAT*+ ME4 ,I LIFT$ A
H& T[>D !M1 M1N+ 6SMILE1 B ! SI<T ( MY
[N H& DROVE ALL O!R ?"\ F MY M9D4
  ,"! 0 NO H&1 NOR WRI/ OR ELB[ OR1 Z ,I
LOOK$ D[N AT MYF1 ANY (! O!R USUAL FLE%
& BLOOD EXTREMITIES T CAME ) 2+ HUMAN4
,I 0 HUMAN-.%AP$1 ) F+]S & BR1/S & HIPS
& FEET1 B X 0 L "S"O _H TAK5 ALL ! COV-
]+S (F & LEFT ME ) NO?+ M ?AN ! _S T
FILL$ ^? "PS4 ,NO WOND] ,I'D /OPP$ HURT-
+4 ,"! WASN'T ANY?+ PHYSICAL LEFT 6HURT4
  ,COLOR SWAM OV] :AT WASN'T MY SK91 L
OIL HELD 9 0SURFACE T5.N4 ,RA9B[S GL1M$
& SWIRL$ & MIX$ & 7 REBORN4 ,X 0    #DDF
RIDICUL\SLY B1UTI;L4 ,=A SECOND OR TWO
,I J />$ D[N AT MYF1 LO/ 9 ! R&OM PAT-
T]NS ( _S UNB.D 0FLE%4
  ,A SMALL S.D R\S$ ME1 & ,I LOOK$ UP1
T[>D ,C]NUNNOS4 ,O!R ?AN ! GROAN1 HE
_HN'T MOV$ S9CE ,I ?REW HM 96! SPIRE4 ,I
4COV]$ ,I 0 HOLD+ HM D[N1 J Z HE'D HELD
ME E>LI]1 )! =CE ( MY P[]4 ,! GRE5 ( 8
/R5G? MET ! SILV] RA9B[ ( M9E1 PU%+ AG/
X 5 6PREV5T HM F 2+ CRU%$1 B N 5 6LET HM
ESCAPE4 ,I COCK$ MY H1D & WALK$ =W>D4
  ,! HO/ MOV$ BACK F ME1 N PRECISELY A
RETR1T1 B C]TA9LY A RESPECT;L & CAUTI\S
4T.E4 ,_! F1TURES 7 LO/ 9 ! R$DI% HAZE Z
!Y LOOK$ AWAY F ME 6_! CAPTUR$ L1D]4 ,I
CR\*$ 2S ,C]NUNNOS1 WAT*+ 8 P[] PU% AG/
M9E4 ,X WASN'T1 MAYBE1 FAIR4 ,I / FELT !
GD W ( MY FRS R1*+ \ 6ME1 P\R+ 9 6ME1 &
HE _H ONLY 8 [N P[]4
  ,!N AG1 HE 0 A GOD4 8,D Y YIELD80 ,I
ASK$1 NE>LY Z POLITELY Z HE _H4 ,X SEEM$
L A GD PROTOCOL1 AL? ,I KNEW HE'D SAY
NO1 J L ,I _H4
  ,! PRO#M WAS1 NEI ( U WD "E YIELD4 ,WE
CD KEEP FI<T+ UNTIL TGR WE DE-      #DDG
/ROY$ ,BABYLON4 ,AT "S 4TANT PO9T "O ( U
WD DE/ROY ! O!R4 ,! ONLY ?+ ,I _H ON MY
SIDE 0 T IF ,C]NUNNOS ACTU,Y KILL$ ME1
HE'D H NO "O 6TAKE ! ,RID]'S PLACE4 ,SU-
ZANNE ,QU9LEY'S PLACE4 ,( C\RSE1 X WD
L1VE HM FREE 6T]RORIZE ,BABYLON4 ,I _H
FEW] 3/RA9TS1 EXCEPT ,I DIDN'T "K IF !
,HUNT CD 2 L$ BACK 96MY _W1 OR _! [N1 IF
,C]NUNNOS HMF 0 D1D4 ,I PREF]R$ N 6F9D
\4
  ,C]NUNNOS GR[L$1 F]AL EYES FULL (
RAGE4 8,I D N YIELD10 HE SN>L$4
  8,NO10 ,I SD1 8,I DIDN'T ?9K Y WD40
  ,I TE/$ ! DEP? (! P[] ,I 0 TAPP$ 9 TO1
N TAK+ MY EYES (F ! GOD4 ,! P[] RAN
DEEP1 B N DEEP 5\<3 ,I CD FEEL ! BOTTOM
( X1 L ,I 0 R1*+ "? A /R1M-B$ :5 ,I NE$$
A RIV]4 ,I MUM#D A PRAY] & R1*$ =! RE/ (
! P SURR.D+ MY PHYSICAL BODY1 ! "OS :O
DIDN'T "K H[ 6(F]1 B :O _HN'T LEFT !
ROOM :5 ,I'D EXPLA9$ :AT ,I NE$$4
  ,& MY HOLD ON ,C]NUNNOS SLIPP$4 ,HE
RO>$ & SPRANG =W>D1 KNOCK+ ME D[N4 ,MY
DAMAG$ & TOO-SOLID FLE% CAME BACK Z ,I
CRA%$ 96! COB#/"OS1 ! GOD'S TAL-    #DDH
ON$ NAILS AT MY ?ROAT4 ,MY H1D HIT !
/"OS1 &= ANO!R MO;T ! GRAY VEIL >.D U
WAV]$ AG1 ,BABYLON VISI# DUR+ T BR1?4
,PA9 DID BAD ?+S 6MY VI.N1 N>R[+ X D[N
6P9PRICKS4 ,C]NUNNOS LIFT$ "O H& F MY
?ROAT1 EXT5D+ X 2Y ": ,I CD SEE4 ,!N
SILV] GLITT]$1 Z HE DREW ! BROADSWORD
96MY L9E ( VI.N4 ,= "O EXCIT+ MO;T ,I
-PREH5D$ J H[ V L;G ,I 0 GO+ 6BE D1D4 ,I
BR"\ MY H&S UP 6/OP ! SWORD1 A FUTILE
GE/URE4
  ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ :AT ELSE ,G>Y _H BR"\
6! /,N4
  ,! SURPRISE ON ,C]NUNNOS'S FACE 0 ALM
WOR? ! NE>-D1? EXP]I;E1 Z 8 BROADSWORD
BORE D[N & CLANG$ 96! FLAT ( MY RAPI]4
,I HELD X EXT5D$ AT AN AWKW>D ANGLE T
B>ELY PREV5T$ HM F SLIC+ MY ?ROAT OP51 B
X 0 ALL ,I NE$$4 ,I GA!R$ MY /R5G? )A
%\T & %OV$ HM (F ME1 ROLL+ 6MY FEET4
  ,T'S :5 ,I F.D \1 =! SECOND "T 9 TWO
"DS1 H[ M* X HURT 6/& UP )A TWO 9* HOLE
SLIC$ "? YR 9SIDES4 ,I NE>LY FELL OV] AG
"R "!1 3T5T 6H D"O ) X1 B ,C]NUNNOS
SMIL$1 A B"R FLA% ( TRIUMPH4 ,!     #DDI
IDEA ( LETT+ HM W9 PISS$ ME (F 5 6KEEP
ME ON MY FEET4 ,BLE$+ & SWAY+1 ) AN >M
WRAPP$ >.D MY ABDOM51 B ON MY FEET4 ,X'S
! SMALL VICTORIES1 ,I TELL Y4
  ,X DIDN'T SEEM FAIR T HE WASN'T ACTU,Y
HURT1 :ILE ,I 0 BLE$+ & /A7]+ ALL OV] !
PLACE4 ,HE CAME AT ME C>E.SLY1 AN EASY
OV]H1D /ROKE T EXPECT$ NO?+ 9 RESPONSE4
,)\T ANY "PICUL> 3SCI\S 9T5T ON MY [N
"P1 ! RAPI] CAME UP1 CAT*+ ! BROADSWORD
A SECOND "T4 ,METAL RANG \ AG1 PURE CL1N
T"O (A BELL1 &! GOD ONCE M LOOK$ SUR-
PRIS$4 ,HELL1 ,I 0 SURPRIS$1 TOO4 ,I
WDN'T H BET ON 2+ A# 6P>RY A TOO?PICK1
M* LESS ! H1VY BLADE ,C]NUNNOS C>RI$4 ,I
CD FEEL ! RAPI]1 ?\<1 Z IF X CAME F !
SAME S\RCE ! COIL ( 5]GY )9 ME DID4 ,!
SL5D] SWORD'S /R5G? 0 F M ?AN J ! METAL
X 0 =G$ )4 ,X 0 FILL$ ) MY W &! P[] L5T
6ME 0MY FRS1 & XS V PRES;E 0 A RESPONSE
6MY NE$4
  ,S9CE ,I DIDN'T H ANY _W-CLASS F5C+
SKILLS1 ,I KICK$ ,C]NUNNOS 9 ! NUTS AG4
,I DIDN'T H 6"K H[ 6USE A SWORD 6D T1 &
HE 0 /&+ "! L HE 0 ASK+ = X1 S X    #DEJ
SEEM$ JU/IFI$4 ,%OCK & RAGE FILL$ 8 GRE5
EYES ALL OV] AG Z HE D\#D4 ,I GUESS "!
M/ 2 RULES T P FI<T+ GODS USU,Y FOLL[$4
,NEXT "T1 MAYBE "SBODY WD GIVE ME A
PRIM]4 ,S9CE NOBODY _H ? "T1 ?\<1 ,I
KICK$ HM 9 ! H1D :ILE HE 0 D\#D1 &
KNOCK$ 8 SWORD AWAY Z HE FELL GRACE.SLY
6! GR.D4 ,X 0 ! P]FECT MO;T 6BE> D[N ^U
MY 5EMY & SMITE HM 9 A GLADIATOR-9SPIR$
H\R ( TRIUMPH4 ,TOO BAD ,I 0 DI7+ ! RA-
PI] 96! GR.D = SUPPORT & AFRAID T IF ,I
MOV$ ,I'D COLLAPSE ON TOP ( HM4
  ,9/1D1 ,I DID :AT ,I'D BE5 TRY+ 6D 2F4
  ,I TOOK ALL MY [N P[]1 &! (F]$ /R5G? F
MY FRS1 & R1*$ J A LL F>!R & TOOK :AT !
O!RS :O _H /AY$ DIDN'T "K H[ 6(F]4 ,FE>
SURG$ "? A FEW (! NEW L9KS1 & ^? ,I LET
G Z QKLY Z ,I CD4 ,! LA/ ?+ ,I WANT$ 6D
0 L1VE SC>S 9 MY FRS' M9DS4
  ,! REMA9+ P[] ,I WOVE 96A NET1 VISUAL-
IZ+ ALL ! COLORS SP9N+ TGR1 %OR+ UP W1K-
;SES & %>+ /R5G?S4 ,!Y BL$ TGR & KNOTT$1
2COM+ H1VY 9 MY H&S4 ,:5 ,I LOOK$ D[N ,I
ALM CDN'T TELL ": ! NET 2GAN & ,I LEFT
(F4 ,MY SK9 _H 4APPE>$ AG1 L1V+     #DEA
ME NO?+ B A NET"W ( P[] & /R5G?1 SILV]-
BLUE OIL-SLICK RA9B[S4
  ,I WANT$ 6/AY L ? ="E4 ,I CD FEEL "EY-
?+ 9 ,BABYLON3 ! H1L+1 ! FE>1 ! 3FID;E T
,I WD MAKE GD MY PROMISE & TAKE ,C]NUN-
NOS & 8 RID]S AWAY F ? PLACE4 ,2Y T1 2T
! BLACK;S (! />S1 ,I CD FEEL O!R LIFE1 A
TREM5D\SLY DEEP HUM T SPR1D F "O 5D (
ET]N;Y 6! O!R4 ,X 0 ! VOID T B.D ALL !
_WS1 & ,I KNEW ,I CD /EP \ 96X1 EXPLORE
X1 ) J ! IMPULSE 6D S4
  ,B ,C]NUNNOS 0 ROLL+ 6HIS FEET1 GRACE-
;L AG1 ?\< SEEM+ TREM5D\SLY SL[4 ,8
BROAD %\LD]S %IFT$1 WEI<T -+ =W>D1 & ,I
CD FEEL 8 9T5T Z CLE>LY Z IF X 7 MY [N4
,R1*+ 8 SWORD 0 F/3 AF T HE WD TURN ON
ME & CRU% ME L ! MORTAL FOOL ,I WAS4 ,I
FLUNG ! NET ( P[] \ F SPLAY$ F+]S1 N AT
": ,C]NUNNOS WAS1 B AT ": HE'D BE4
  ,HE &! NET CAME TGR 9 GLORI\S SL[ MO-
;N1 ! VIVID GRE5 ( 8 P[] SMA%+ 96! WOV5
SILV] T5DRILS ( M9E4 ,M9E COLLAPS$1 N "U
8 ASSAULT1 B Z X %D1 J L ANY P]FECTLY
ORD9>Y NET1 TANGL+ >.D HM4 ,HE /UM#D &
CRA%$ 6! COB#/"OS1 ROLL+ Z HE       #DEB
/RU7L$ 6GET FREE4 ,HE ?RA%$ 8 H1D1 ANT-
L]S RIPP+ ! NET A"P1 B X WOVE BACK TGR Z
,I CLUNG 6! IDEA ( X4
  8,Y WON'T YIELD1 ,I "K T10 ,I :ISP]$4
8,S ,I'LL DRAG Y BACK1 J L Y'D H _H 6H
D"O 6ME40 ,I PULL$ ! RAPI] \ (! /"OS )A
:IMP] & =C$ MYF UP"R )\T X4 ,I 0 BR1?+
"? MY TEE?1 E MO;N A JAB ( PA9 "? MY
MI4LE1 B ,I FELT ABSURDLY ATTA*$ 6! NE$
6D ? )\T ! PRET5SE ( PHYSICAL SUPPORT4
,I PULL$ ! NET 9 6MYF1 H& OV] FI/1 TI<T-
5+ X >.D ,C]NUNNOS UNTIL HE 0 CAU<T 9 AN
EMBRACE TI<T Z A LOV]'S4
  ,I DRA7$ HM ACR ! COB#/"OS1 TAK+ /UM-
BL+1 HALF-RUNN+ /EPS1 AFRAID T IF ,I
/OPP$ ,I WD N"E 2 A# 6/>T AG4 ,I US$ MY
%O4Y MO;TUM &! BORR[$ /R5G? ( MY FRS TO
FL+ HM OV] ! HAUN*ES ( 8 MAGNIFIC5T /AL-
LION4 ,!N1 ) ALL ! GRACE & >ROG.E ,I CD
MANAGE1 ,I SWUNG UP ONTO ! /ALLION'S
BACK MYF4 ,! SWORD HOLE RUNN+ "? ME
SCR1M$4 ,C]NUNNOS SCR1M$4
  ,! /ALLION HELD V /1 8 E>S P9N$ BACK &
TAIL SNAPP+ ) 4APPROVAL1 8 TEE? B>$4 ,I
L1N$ =W>D1 2C SITT+ UP HURT TOO     #DEC
M*1 & PUT MY =EH1D AG/ ! CRE/ ( 8 MANE4
8,J BR+ ME HOME1 B1UTI;L10 ,I :ISP]$ 96!
LIQUID SILV] HAIR4 ,I /ROK$ 8 NECK1 &
LIFT$ MY H1D V SL[LY4 ,C]NUNNOS'S FURY 0
PALPA#1 A LIV+ GRE5 ?+ T DROVE SPIKES \
AT ME Z HE TRI$ 6FREE HMF F ! NET4 ,MY
H1D SWAM SU45LY1 BLOOD LOSS & EXHAUS;N
CRA%+ OV] ME4 ,I /RET*$ "O H& =W>D1 :IS-
P]+1 8,0C&LELI<T1 & BACK AG40
  ,! C&LE FLICK]$ 962+1 A LI<T 6GUIDE ME
\ ( ,BABYLON )! ,WILD ,HUNT RID+ 2H ME4

  ,I OP5$ MY EYES 6A DI6]5T SORT ( *AOS4
,?REE OR F\R (! COPS _H COLLAPS$ & LAY
": !Y'D FALL54 ,MY %\LD]S SLUMP$ 9 4MAY2
,I'D BE5 TRY+ N 6HURT ANY"O4 ,VOICES 7
LIFT$ ALL >.D1 N Q %\T+ Z P>AM$ICS SWEPT
9 6EXAM9E ! P :O'D FALL54
  ,MO/ (! GR\P 7 / /&+ >.D ME1 ) EXPRES-
.NS RANG+ F SURPRISE 6FE>4 ,I CD B>ELY
BR+ MYF 6LOOK F "O FACE 6ANO!R1 AFRAID
6LE>N :AT P ?"\ ( ME N[4 ,BILLY LOOK$
TIR$ B N F"R5$4 ,T 0 "S?+4 ,G>Y WAT*$ ME
) CURI\S RESPECT4 ,HE WASN'T B1T+ ! DRUM
ANYMORE4                            #DED
  ,&! ,HUNT SW>M$ >.D ! MORTALS 9 !
ROOM1 HALF-VISI#1 L <O/S4 ,I WASN'T !
ONLY "O :O CD SEE !M3 ,J5 & ,BILLY KEPT
FL9*+ Z ENORM\S HORSES & H.DS SLID "?
!M4
  ,C]NUNNOS1 LOOK+ NE>LY Z BAD Z ,I
FELT1 0 M.T$ ON 8 /ALLION1 =?"R FURY 9 !
B1UTI;L EYES4 8,I WON1 MY "L MA/] (!
,HUNT10 ,I CROAK$4 ,G>Y SAT UP /RAI<T]1
LOOK+ 6SEE 6:OM ,I 0 SP1K+4
  8,Y WON10 ! GOD GR[L$1 8B ? IS N OV]
YET1 LL %AMAN40 ,I WASN'T SURE IF ,I
HE>D ! ^WS 9 MY M9D OR MY E>S4 ,! EASE (
SPEE* 9 ,BABYLON 0 ALR SLIPP+ F ME4
  ,I GR9N$ V WE>ILY4 ,MY BODY HURT F !
FI<T1 B ! A*E 9 MY H1D _H DI$ AWAY "S4
,I CDN'T REMEMB] IF ,I'D MANAG$ 6H1L MYF
:ILE 9 ,BABYLON1 B MAYBE 2+ A 3DUIT =!
K9D ( P[] ,I'D BE5 US+ _H "S K9D ( POSI-
TIVE E6ECT4 ,X 0 EQU,Y POSSI# T ,I 0
HORRIBLY DELUD+ MYF1 B ,I DIDN'T WANT TO
?9K TOO H>D AB X1 = FE> ( MAK+ ! PA9 />T
AG4 8,N Q YET10 ,I SD 6,C]NUNNOS4 8,:O D
Y ?9K W MAKE X 6YR SON F/1 ME OR Y80
  8,=! SAKE ( ?Y _W & ?Y S\L10      #DEE
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MAN40
  8,N S LL10 ,I PROTE/$4 ,0N[ NE>LY "EY-
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GOD 9 FAIR -BAT40 ,0 ,I \ ( MY M9D8
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GD4
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SOLID ?+1 E BIT Z R1L Z ! COPS :O'D BE5
M PROSAIC,Y VISI# ALL AL;G4 ,?OR ! ,?"U
,GOD SD1 8,HOLY .%IT10 & "EY"O / ON _!
FEET BACK$ UP AG/ ! WALLS4
  ,C]NUNNOS FILL$ ! ROOM4 ,_H X N _H !
G>AGE'S HI< RO(1 HE'D N"E H FIT4 ,Z X
WAS1 HE TOOK UP ALL ! AIR AG1 J Z HE _H
AT ! D9]1 8 EM]ALD EYES BURN+ ) ANG] S
HOT ,I ?"\ ,I WD BURN4 8,DEF1T$1 ,SIO-
BH@AN ,WALK+/ICK10 HE SD 9 8 VELVET
VOICE4 ,I WOND]$ IF "EY"O ELSE CD "U/&
HM4 8,DEF1T$1 B N D1D4 ,YR S\L W 2 M9E
6COLLECT 2F ! MIDNI<T H\R1 .GWYLD40
  .,GWYLD4 ,X 0 ! ^W ,M>IE _H US$4 ,X
M1NT %AMAN1 OR WISE MAN1 9 ,GAEL-   #DEF
IC4 ,T K CAME 6ME1 S ,I KNEW ,I 0 HE>+
,C]NUNNOS 9 MY M9D AG1 8 GIFT = BR1*+
LANGUAGES Z /R;G A ?+ Z ,BABYLON _H4
  8,OP5 ! DOORS10 ,I :ISP]$1 TURN+ MY
H1D T[>D ,BILLY4 8,OP5 ! G>AGE DOORS4
,LET !M G )\T ! /EEL & 3CRETE 6H>M !M40
  ,! BIG COP FR[N$ D[N AT ME4 8,Y SURE1
,JOANIE80
  8,I'M SURE40 ,I DIDN'T D>E TAKE MY
EYES (F ,C]NUNNOS4 8,HE'S N--.!Y'RE N--
M1NT 6BE B.D 0P L U4 ,LET ! ,HUNT G4 ,TN
!Y'LL 2 S5T BACK HOME1 ANYWAY40
  ,"! WAS1 =A MO;T1 RESPECT 9 ,C]NUN-
NOS'S ALI5 EYES4 8,Y >E A FOOL1 .GWYLD10
HE SD4
  8,"EYBODY'S GOT PRO#MS10 ,I SD )A T9Y
%RUG4 8,TN1 MY "L MA/] (! ,HUNT40
  8,TN40 ,C]NUNNOS TURN$ 8 MASSIVE /AL-
LION 9 ! SMALL 3F9ES (! ROOM4 ,HE DUCK$
Z HE LEFT "? ! DOOR4 ,! HO/ FOLL[$ HM1 !
S.D ( HOOVES R++ L\D ON ! 3CRETE FLOOR Z
!Y FAD$ AWAY1 L1V+ A SIL5T & AWE/RUCK
POLICE =CE 2H4

          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-SEV5      #DEG

  ,X TOOK A M9UTE 6TRU/ T ,I CD GET UP4
,G>Y TOOK ! RAPI] AWAY F ME & SLUNG X
OV] 8 %\LD]1 !N (F]$ ME A H&4 8,Y'RE
GONNA POKE "SBODY'S EYE \ ) T ?+10 ,I SD
Z HE PULL$ ME 6MY FEET4 ,HE GL.ED AT !
BLADE1 BU%Y EYEBR[S LIFT$1 & L[]$ X 6L1N
AG/ 8 LEG 9/1D4
  8,J HELP+ ,D>W9 AL;G4 ,N[ :AT1 BOSS80
,HE TILT$ 8 H1D AT ! 4P]S+ COPS4 ,FEW (
!M WANT$ 6LOOK AT ME4 ,"P ( ME WANT$ 6BE
A FLY ON ! WALL 6HE> ! GOSSIP =! NEXT
FEW H\RS4 ,M ( ME WI%$ MY LIFE 0 / NOR-
MAL1 L X _H BE5 A M]E SEV5TY-TWO H\RS
E>LI]4 ,Y1H1 WELL1 IF WI%ES 7 HORSES1
BE7>S WD RIDE4 ,I PATT$ MYF D[N1 SEE+ IF
"! 0 ANY "P ( ME T HURT TOO M* 6IGNORE4
,"! WASN'T1 AL? ,I CD FEEL ! BALL ( 5]GY
9SIDE ME FIZZL+ \4 ,Y WANT YR C> ANALO-
GIES4 ,TALK AB RUNN+ ON EMPTY4 ,I EX-
HAL$1 PU6+ MY *EEKS4 8,8,BOSS0'1 HUH8 ,I
K9D ( L T4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6G LOOK =A PRETTY
TE5AGE GIRL40
  ,G>Y GR9N$1 *E];LLY WICK$4 8,S.DS L MY
K9D ( PLAN40                        #DEH
  8,Y'RE AN OLD P]V]T40
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*ANICS4 ,NICK1 MY =M] SUP]VISOR1 AV]T$ 8
EYES :5 ,I (F]$ HM A WE>Y SMILE4 ,X FELT
L A GUT-PUN*4 ,G>Y SAW X & NUDG$ MY %\L-
D] Z WE W5T BY4
  8,HEY1 X'S A T\< JOB1 2+ A DIRTY OLD
MAN4 ,:O'S ! GIRL80
  ,MY H1D SWAM4 ,X DIDN'T SEEM POSSI#
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4TRACT$ ME F ,NICK'S C>E;LLY BLANK EX-
PRES.N4 ,G>Y H]D$ ME 96! FRONT S1T ( 8
CAB & ,I SP5T MO/ (! DRIVE 6,SUZY'S AD-
DRESS 6GET ALL ! DETAILS 9 M OR LESS !
"R ORD]4 ,:5 ,I 0 D"O TALK+1 ,I LOOK$
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PREC9CT'S PO%] NEI<BORHOODS :ILE ,I'D
BE5 3C5TRAT+4 8,SUZY ;,Q'S A RI* GIRL10
,I MURMUR$4
  8,POOR KIDS DON'T G 6,BLAN*ET ,HI<1
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  8,N"E PD ATT5;N40 ,I REMEMB]$ H[ CL1N
& BIG ! S*OOL WAS1 ?\<1 & TRI$ N 6-P>E X
6MY HI< S*OOL4
  ,T L$1 9EVITABLY1 6TRY+ N 6RE-    #DEI
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TOPS (F4 ,I HUN*$ MY %\LD]S & />$ RESO-
LUTELY \ ! W9D[1 N ?9K+ AB X4
  ,! PRO#M ) N ?9K+ AB A SPECIFIC TOPIC
IS T X EATS AT YR BRA9 & WON'T LET Y ?9K
AB ANY?+ ELSE UNTIL Y'RE 4TRACT$ 0AN \T-
SIDE 9FLU;E4 ,I 0 GRATE;L :5 ,G>Y PULL$
UP 2S AN IMPOS+1 D>K-W9D[$ H\SE1 & SD1
8,"H WE G4 ,DOESN'T LOOK L ANYBODY'S
HOME40
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H\SE4 ,X 0 PA9T$ 9 CR1M ) BR[N TRIM & _H
ENORM\S1 IMPOS+ PILL>S HOLD+ UP A FRONT
POR*4 8,AB&ON HOPE1 ALL YE :O 5T] "H40
  8,AB&ON ALL HOPE1 YE :O 5T]10 ,G>Y
CORRECT$4 ,I GL>$ SIDEWAYS AT HM & GOT \
(! CAB4 ,MO/ (! MUSCLES 9 MY BODY GROAN$
9 PROTE/1 &! BRUISE F ,C]NUNNOS'S SWORD
REM9D$ ME X 0 "!4 ,I RU2$ X G+]LY Z ,I
CLIMB$ ! /EPS 6! FRONT DOOR4 ,A N1T LL
R$-&-GOLD SIGN GREET$ ME3 ,NO ,SOLICI-
TORS4
  8,WOND] :AT !Y'VE GOT AG/ LAWY]S40 ,I
CA/ A W>Y GL.E OV] MY %\LD]4 ,G>Y 0 / 9
! CAB1 F :;E HE CDN'T HE> ME MAK+   #DFJ
SM>T-ASS REM>KS 6MYF4 ,SATISFI$1 ,I LO-
CAT$ ! DOORBELL1 : 0 IRRITAT+LY HI45 9
AN 9TRICATE C>V+ ( L1VES FRAM+ ! DOOR1 &
RANG X4
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RANG ! DOORBELL AG1 M ?AN HALF-EXPECT+ A
TUX$O-CLAD BUTL] 6APPE>1 LOOK+ IRRITAT$
& ALO(4 ,:51 AF ANO!R M9UTE1 "O DIDN'T
APPE>1 ,I IDLY TE/$ ! DOORKNOB4
  ,: TURN$1 &! DOOR SWUNG OP54 ,I JUMP$
BACK )A YELP & />$ 96! FOY]4 ,! FLOOR _H
! UGLIE/ TILE PATT]N ,I'D "E SE51 FLEUR
DE LIS ( ?ICK BLOCKY L9ES4 ,I IMAG9$ X 0
V EXP5SIVE4
  8,WELL1 N[ :AT80 ,G>Y ASK$ F 2H ME4 ,I
YELP$1 TURN+ 6SC[L AT HM4
  8,I DIDN'T HE> Y40
  ,HE LOOK$ L A PL1S$ FIVE-YE>-OLD4 8,I
"K4 ,I SNUCK UP ON Y40
  8,WELL1 DON'T60 ,HE MI<T'VE LOOK$ L A
PL1S$ FIVE-YE>-OLD1 B ,I S.D$ L A PETU-
LANT "O4 8,OH1 2 QUIET10 ,I MUTT]$1 &
TURN$ >.D 6LOOK 96! FOY] AG4 8,N[ :AT80
  8,I ASK$ Y F/40
  ,DAMN4 ,I'D BE5 HOP+ HE WDN'T     #DFA
REMEMB] T4
  8,FRONT DOOR'S OP510 ,I SD4 8,ISN'T T
AN 9VIT,N = COPS 6SN1K IN1 9 ! MOVIES8
,Z L;G Z Y DON'T T\* ANY?+8 ,TO1 UM1
MAKE SURE "EY?+'S OKAY80
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DOOR WASN'T .OP540
  8,X 0 UNLOCK$4 ,T'S L OP540 ,I L1N$ =-
W>D & /UCK MY H1D 96! FOY]1 %\T+1
8,HELLO80
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%\T$1 & !N BUR/ 96A FIT ( GI7L+4 ,G>Y
GR9N$4 8,SORRY10 ,I SD :5 ,I GOT MY BR1?
BACK4 8,T 0 J FUN 6SAY40 ,9 FACT1 ,I SD
X AG4 8,? IS ! POLICE6 ,IS ANYBODY HOME8
,SUZANNE8 ,MRS4 ,QU9LEY8 ,MR4 ,QU9LEY80
,! FOY] SMELL$ FA9TLY ( *OCOLATE1 L "S"O
_H BE5 BAK+4
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LOOK$ BACK AT HM4 8,GOT ANY GUT FEEL+S
ON X80
  ,"O V SMALL "P ( ME ANN\NC$1 ..,I
DON'T D GUT .FEEL+S1 B 0? "T N EV5 ,I
2LIEV$ T1 S ,I DIDN'T SAY X \       #DFB
L\D4 ,9/1D ,I TOOK A /EP BACK1 CR[D+ 9TO
,G>Y4 ,HE MUTT]$ & MOV$ BACK :ILE ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES & TRI$ 6IGNORE ! A*ES &
PA9S & GOLDFI% T KEPT 4TRACT+ ME F FO-
CUS+ MY P[]4 ,E "T ,I OP5$ MYF 6X1 X
COLLAPS$ >.D ME L A MI/Y WAT]FALL3 "!1 B
9TANGI#4 ,4TANTLY1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ :AT !
%AMANS MI<T H 3SID]$ 6BE RUDI;T>Y %IELDS
CAUS+ T COLLAPSE4 ,MY M9D & BODY KNEW :5
,I'D PU%$ !M TOO F>1 EV5 IF ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6AC"KL$GE X4 ,I CDN'T AF=D 6BURN \
YET4
  8,JO80
  ,I 2CAME AW>E ,I'D BE5 /&+ ) MY EYES
CLOS$ = OV] A M9UTE4 8,J A LL TIR$40 ,!
^WS CAME \ ?ICK1 L SYRUP4 ,I RU2$ MY
BR1/B"O1 ABV ! BRUISE1 & DROPP$ MY *9 TO
MY *E/4 ,IF ,I CDN'T 3TROL X1 ,I'D TRY =
! O!R WAY4 8,C'MON10 ,I SD \ L\D1 6!
C;Y4 8,HIT ME ) "EY?+ Y GOT40
  ,9 ! FUTURE1 REM9D ME N 6ASK A C;Y TO
HIT ME ) "EY?+ X'S GOT4 ,C]NUNNOS _H
NO?+ ON ! 9FLUX ( P[] T SLAMM$ "? ME Z
MY PA!TIC %IELDS 49TEGRAT$4 ,I /A7]$
BACK1 MY BACK FOOT CAT*+ ! $GE (!   #DFC
TOP /EP4 ,I HELD MY BAL.E "!1 WEI<T (F-
C5T]1 ! C;Y REVITALIZ+ ME L FRE% /R;G
BLOOD 9 MY VE9S4 ,9SIDE A BR1? ,I 0 A
MU7]1 A FIREMAN1 A NEWBORN1 A DY+ MAN4
,! IMPATI5T RO> ( VEHICLES FILL$ MY E>S1
! C;Y'S LIFEBLOOD FL[+ F "O PLACE 6ANO?-
]4 ,EV5 ! AIR 0 *>G$1 ELECTRIC;Y C>RI$ 9
! MOLECULES AL;G ) "PICLES ( SMOG & DU/4
,IF ,I CD C>RY ? 9 ME ALL ! "T1 ,I WD
N"E 2 TIR$1 N"E NE$ 6EAT OR BR1!4 ,X 0
EXHIL>AT+1 E LIFE 9 ! C;Y MY [N1 & M9E A
"P ( "EY"O'S4 ,_H ? ONCE BE5 %>$ 0ALL
HUMAN;Y1 Z ,EVE _H IMPLI$8 ,A L;G "T
AGO1 :5 "! 7 F> FEW] ( U8 ,I CDN'T IMAG-
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ONLY A *ANGE 9 ! W9D N[4 ,9 A FEW "DS1 X
WD GA!R1 & LATE NEXT WEEK X WD DUMP EI<T
9*ES ( SN[ ON ! C;Y4 ,I KNEW X Z CLE>LY
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  8,JO80 ,G>Y SD AG4 ,I OP5$ MY EYES4
,HE 0 BRILLIANT AG1 ! ?RUMM+ ;,V-#H EN-
G9E1 8 COLORS SURR.D+ HM 9 CURI\S
PULSES4 ,UNA# 6RESI/1 ,I R1*$ =     #DFD
HM SPECIFIC,Y1 \ (! MILLIONS ( LIVES 9
,S1TTLE4 ,8 0 A JOY\S "O 6T\*1 TEMP]$ )
PA94 ,9 8 MEMORY1 ,I SAT 0,ANNIE'S D1?-
B$1 HOLD+ H] H&4 ,%E 0 DELICATE & PRET-
TY1 ?9 HAIR N1TLY COIL$4 ,H] GRIP 0 FIRM
EV5 ?\< %E 0 DY+4 ,%E SPOKE QUIETLY1
SMIL+1 N AB REGRETS1 B AB ALL ! B1UTI;L
?+S 9 H] LIFE4 ,/ORIES AB ME1 AB U1 MAK+
ME LAU<1 EV5 "K+ ! 3V]S,N 0 H] LA/4
,L1V+ A GD MEMORY1 =! LA/ "O4
  ,&! F/ "O4 ,A T9Y ELEGANT "Y WOMAN1 9
AN EV5+ G[N ! COLOR ( P1*ES1 ! BACK
SWEPT D[N L[ & H] GOLD5 HAIR 9 P]MAN5T
WAVES1 ,V]ONICA ,LAKE-/YLE4 ,I 0 A SOL-
DI] ON L1VE4 ,I ASK$ H] 6D.E1 "K+ F ! V
2G9N+ T ,I WANT$ 6SP5D MY LIFE ) H]4
,D>+ & 3FID5T1 ,I KISS$ H] AT ! 5D (!
EV5+4 ,:AT A LIFE"T X 0 GO+ 6BE1 ) ,AN-
NIE AT MY SIDE4
  ,SC>LET FEV]1 T]RIFY+4 ,ANNIE1 N"E RO-
BU/ B ALW /R;G1 S FRAGILE ,I C.T$ H]
BR1?S 6MAKE SURE %E / LIV$4 ,! DOCTOR1
APOLOGETIC4 ,"! WD 2 NO *N4 ,X DIDN'T
MATT]3 MY ,ANNIE 0 / ALIVE4 ,! FI<TS1
OH1 ! FI<TS OV] T1 :5 %E WDN'T      #DFE
2LIEVE T ,I / WANT$ H]1 :5 %E SAW H]F Z
ONLY HALF A WOMAN4 ,I HELD ON & WAIT$ X
\4 ,"! 0 NO?+ ELSE ,I CD D4 ,9 "T ! PA9
FAD$4
  ,I DREW BACK F ,G>Y'S MEMORIES )A %IV-
]4 ,HE WAT*$ ME )A FR[N1 TILT+ 8 H1D TO-
W>D ! H\SE4 8,ANY?+80
  ,I REMEMB]$ :AT ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE DO+4
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BODY 2H & /EPP$ 96! FOY]4
  ,! H\SE 0 E]ILY COLD4 ,I _HN'T NOTIC$
TEMP]ATURES 2F1 EXCEPT 9 ! DES]T ":
,COYOTE MET ME 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,X _H BE51
WELL1 DES]TLIKE1 B N EV5 ! VOID 2T ! />S
_H BE5 COLD L ! ,QU9LEY'S H\SE WAS4 ,EV5
)! =CE (! C;Y RUNN+ "? ME1 ,I CDN'T FEEL
ANY LIFE 9 ! AU/]E BUILD+4
  ,I WALK$ ACR ! UGLY TILES SIL5TLY1 !N
UP A SWEEP+ ,C9D]ELLA /AIRCASE1 P]FECT =
MAK+ AN 5TR.E4 ,GLITT]+ ABV ! /AIRWAY 0
A SILV] ,MYL> SIGN1 BLOCK LRS SPELL+ \
,HAPPY ,BIR?"D1 ,SWEETIE6
  ,! HALL ! /AIRS L$ 6WAS M>#1 TOO1 !
SAME UGLY TILE Z ! FOY]1 ?\< ! /AIRS
!MVS 7 :ITE4 ,? 0 A H\SE = SN1K+    #DFF
>.D 9 B>EFOOT4 ,WOE 2TIDE ANY"O 9 H>D-
SOL$ %OES TRY+ 6MAKE A SIL5T GETAWAY4
  ,UP/AIRS 0 M OPPRESSIVE ?AN ! FOY]1 !
COLD DEEP]4 ,I /OOD 9 ! HALLWAY1 TRY+ TO
ANALYZE ! *ILL4 ,0 X J T ! H\SE _H N"E
SE5 M* LOVE 2T XS WALLS8 ,T SEEM$ S
CORNY ,I REJECT$ X1 DESPITE MY CRA%
C\RSE 9 ! /RANGE & UNUSUAL4 ,X FELT M
-PLICAT$ ?AN T1 & ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE PAY+
ATT5;N 6H[ ?+S FELT4
  ,I EXHAL$1 N"EM9D T MY BODY 0 "S":
ELSE4 ,! S.D 0 MU6L$1 L ,I'D BR1!D 96A
BLANKET4 ,T 0 X3 ! H1VY LIFE.S;S LAY OV]
! H\SE L A BLANKET1 L "S?+ "S"O ELSE _H
PUT "!4
  ,L "S?+ ,H]NE _H PUT "!4 ,I RECOGNIZ$
! T\* )A %OCK1 ! D>K TA9T (! GOD'S SON
SETTL$ OV] ,SUZANNE ,QU9LEY'S HOME4
  8,CALL ! POLICE10 ,I SD \ L\D4 ,A
SMALL "P ( ME 0 AW>E ( ,G>Y />TL+1 &
HURRY+ =! CAB4 ,I WAIT$ UNTIL ,I HE>D !
/ATIC (! ,,CB 2F /EEL+ MYF 6WALK =W>D4
,PA/ TWO DOORS ON ! "R--L95 CLOSET1 BA?-
ROOM1 MY SUP]CONSCI\S TOLD ME--& TURN$
6! LEFT1 96A B$ROOM4 ,FE> HIT ME    #DFG
L A WALL Z ,I /EPP$ OV] ! ?RE%OLD4 ,I
SQUEEZ$ MY EYES %UT4
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 AL? SCREW+ MY METAPHYSI-
CAL EYES %UT _H ! PECULI> E6ECT ( R5D]+
ME UNA# 6SEE1 X _H NO E6ECT AT ALL ON !
%ATT]+ AGONY T /A9$ ! ROOM4 ,F> M CLE>LY
?AN ,I CD SEE ) MY EYES1 ,I WAT*$ & FELT
"EY?+ T _H HAPP5$ "H 9 HI/ORY S REC5T X
_HN'T RE,Y 5D$ YET4
  ,RA*EL ,QU9LEY "W$ "P-"T Z A LAWY]1 H]
MORN+S TI$ UP 9 LEGALESE4 ,%E 0 ALW HOME
0MIDAFN1 ?\<1 S ,SUZANNE WDN'T -E HOME
6AN EMPTY H\SE4 ,%E _HN'T G"O 6"W TD =A
HUNDR$ R1SONS4 ,F/1 X 0 ,SUZY'S BIR?"D1
?\< ! ,MYL> SIGN SEEM$ TACKY 9 ! FACE (
YE/]"D'S HORROR AT ! S*OOL4 ,!N "! 0 T
?+ XF1 S _M ( ,SUZY'S FRS BRUT,Y MURD]$4
,RA*EL _H WANT$ ,SUZY 6/AY HOME TD1 B !
GIRL--"Y WOMAN1 H] "M ?"\ )A -B9,N ( RE-
GRET & PRIDE--9SI/$ ON GO+4 ,"! 7 6BE NO
CLASSES4 ,X 0 GO+ 6BE A "D ( C\NSEL+ &
H1L+ & TALK+4 ,SUZY / WANT$ ! CAKE = AF
D9N]1 TOO3 %E'D SD X WD MAKE H] FEEL M
NORMAL4 ,H[ ANY"O CD FEEL NORMAL AF
YE/]"D--B ,SUZY'D BE5 /RANGE =      #DFH
MON?S ALR4 ,X 0 "P ( GR[+ UP4 ,RA*EL RE-
MEMB]$ ! ALI5,N %E'D FELT 9 HI< S*OOL1 =
ALL T %E'D BE5 POPUL>4 ,X 0 A UNIV]SAL
FEEL+1 %E ?"\4
  ,B %E'D /AY$ HOME4 ,6MAKE ! CAKE--*OC-
OLATE ) RASPB]RY SWIRLS1 ,SUZY'S FAVOR-
ITE--& 6WAIT 6SEE IF ,SUZANNE NE$$ 6-E
HOME E>LY4 ,%E WANT$ 6BE HOME1 S H]
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RUPT+ ,MOM AT "W4 ,J 9 CASE1 %E'D TOLD
H]F4 ,J 9 CASE4
  ,DAVID ,QU9LEY CAME HOME AT LUN*1 J 9
"T 6LICK A CAKE B1T]4 ,HE 0 TAK+ A HALF
"D (F F 8 [N LAW FIRM1 6BE HOME :5 ,SUZY
GOT IN4 ,B %E WASN'T HOME YET1 & !Y BO?
7 '''
  ,I BLU%$ MY WAY "? ! NEXT ET]N;Y4 ,I
RE,Y ?"\ P ONLY US$ KIT*5 C.T]S = T 9 !
MOVIES4 ,? 2+ A %AMAN ?+ 0 V 5LI<T5+1 9
AN EMB>RASS+ WAY4 ,:5 ! CAKE 0 D"O BAK+1
!Y MOV$ UP/AIRS 6! B$ROOM1 & T'S ":
,H]NE F.D !M4
  ,I DIDN'T 5VY !M :AT HAPP5$ NEXT4 ,I
/OOD "!1 EYES %UT1 A SIL5T1 SCR1M+
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Z ,M>IE _H SU6]$1 OR ! ,BLAN*ET ,HI< /U-
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0 DO+1 IF N .H[3 ,H]NE 0 H>;S+ ! LA/ (!
P[] HE NE$$ 6-PLETE 8 NI<T'S TASK1 & T
TOOK RITUAL4
  ,I CD FEEL HM DRAW+ 9 P[] 9 A WAY T
FELT L :AT ,I'D D"O )! POLICE (FIC]S AT
! /,N4 ,": !Y'D (F]$ GDWILL & HOPE1 ?\<1
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_H 6(F]3 LU/ & PA9 & GRE$4 ,! COIL ( 5]-
GY 9SIDE MY BELLY SPAT & BUB#D S FI]CELY
MY 9SIDES CRAMP$1 REACT+ PHYSIC,Y 6! D>K
P[] ,H]NE CALL$ UP4
  ,! HORRIFY+ ?+ 0 H[ .CLOSE X FELT 6!
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ZOR'S $GE AWAY4 ,Y1H1 S ,I 0 MIX+ META-
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SIDE (! P[] ,I CD A3ESS1 S CLOSE X WD 2
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  ,EV5 :AT HE 0 DO+ WASN'T S F> F :AT
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DRAG HM BACK 6A _W HE CD 2 CON-     #DGJ
TROLL$ IN4 ,H]NE B.D ,SUZANNE'S P>5TS 9
! SAME WAY1 W1V+ A NET ( P[]4 ,! DI6];E
0 T HE 9T5D$ 6TAKE !M ALL ! WAY 96HMF1
SUBSUME !M & USE _! P[] 6/R5G!N HMF )\T
L1V+ ANY?+ = !M 6RETURN TO4 ,!Y 7 ! LA/
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,I'D ONLY HELD ,C]NUNNOS CAPTIVE A BRIEF
:ILE4
  ,I CDN'T HELP B WOND] IF X WD H BE5
EASI] ) M BODIES1 CR1T+ ! SAME K9D ( P[]
CIRCLE ,H5RIETTA ,POTT] _H 4RUPT$ 9 !
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AT L1/ = ? TASK1 AL? ,I CD FEEL A GRAY
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,QU9LEYS 9SIDE4 ,! GIFT ( ,BABYLON _H
LEFT ME1 & HE MADE NO EF=T1 Z ,C]NUNNOS
_H D"O1 6BE "U/OOD4 ,8 9VOC,N 0 9 AN OLD
LANGUAGE1 B N1 ,I ?"\1 ! ,GAELIC ,C]NUN-
NOS SPOKE4 ,X WASN'T ,LAT91 EI1 B "S?+
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PO9T1 A D1? LANGUAGE4 ,9 ! SAME WAY T
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,QU9LEYS4 ,": :AT ,I'D BE5 GIV5     #DGA
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HMF4
  ,I R1LIZ$ ,I 0 ?R[+ "EY?+ ,I _H AT !
MEMORIES ! ROOM HELD1 TRY+ DESP]ATELY TO
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H /OPP$ ?4 ,I WAT*$ BRILLI.E SL[LY RISE
UP F ! DY+ ,QU9LEYS1 BLACK5+ L BURN+ PA-
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POSES4
  ..,A PURPOSE Y / DON'T ."U/&6 A LL
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* (A GOD :5 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT HE 9T5D$8
,H[ DID HE M1N 6PROTECT HMF AG/ HURT8
  ,0TAK+ ,C]NUNNOS'S PLACE 9 ! ,HUNT4 ,!
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DIDN'T "K IF ,I'D -E ON X MYF OR IF X _H
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WALL4
  ,AG/ MY W1 ,I OP5$ MY EYES 6R1D ! MES-
SAGE HE'D LEFT ME4
  .,TOO .LATE1 .GWYLD4














          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-EI<T      #DGC

  ,:5 ,I OP5$ MY EYES--! PHYSICAL "OS--
,I 0 LY+ FLAT ON MY BACK ) MY HEELS / ON
"O (! CE;T /EPS L1D+ UP 6! POR*4 ,MY H1D
HURT AG4 ,M4 ,G>Y CAME HURRY+ UP !
DRIVEWAY & CR\*$ 2S ME4
  8,COPS >E -+10 HE SD4
  8,:AT AM ,I DO+ ON ! GR.D80
  ,HE FR[N$ AT ME4 8,Y FELL OV] Z SOON Z
,I ASK$ IF Y S5S$ ANY?+ 9 ! H\SE40
  8,UH-HUH4 ,HAS ME FALL+ OV] GOTT5 6BE
S* OLD HAT T Y FIGUR$ Y'D J L1VE ME "H80
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HURT1 B NO?+ L Z BADLY Z ,I SUSPECT$ X
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REC;NS4
  ,! BIG CA2Y LOOK$ (F5D$4 8',C\RSE N4
,I 0 -+ 6PICK Y UP :5 Y TOLD ME 6CALL !
COPS4 ,I FIGUR$ IF Y CD TALK 9 MY H1D Y
W]5'T HURT TOO BAD40
  ,T 0 IRRITAT+LY LOGICAL4 ,EXCEPT = "O
?+3 8,IN YR H1D80
  8,DON'T TELL ME Y ?9K .T'S WEIRD1 AF
ALLA ?10 ,G>Y SD4
  ,I %RU7$ MY EYEBR[S4 ,HE _H A     #DGD
PO9T4 ,I P9*$ ! BRIDGE ( MY NOSE1 Z M*
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ZANNE ,QU9LEY'S P>5TS >E D1D40
  ,G>Y LET \ A PUFF ( BR1? T /1M$ 9 !
AIR4 8,:AT AB H]80
  8,N "H4 ,I DON'T ?9K %E EV5 CAME HOME
F S*OOL40
  ,G>Y NO4$4 8,:AT NEXT80
  ,I CDN'T DECIDE IF ,I LIK$ HM ASSUM+
,I KNEW :AT 6D NEXT1 OR IF ! IDEA ( 2+ 9
*>GE T]RIFI$ ME \ ( MY M9D4 8,NEXT ,I
SEE IF ,I C SIT UP )\T PUK+40 ,I G+]LY
SLID MY H& "U MY H1D4 ,"! 0 WAT] F MELT$
SN[ & RA91 B "! DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ANY MU%Y
BITS T WD 9DICATE MY BRA9S 7 L1K+4 ,G>Y
(F]$ ME A H& & ,I TOOK X ) MY FREE "O1
LETT+ HM PULL ME UP SL[LY :ILE ,I KEPT
MY H& CLAMP$ 6! BACK ( MY H1D4
  8,Y'"K40 ,I TRI$ 6IMAG9E ! PA9 AWAY4
8,I US$ 6?9K P :O 2LIEV$ 9 ALL ? CRAP 7
S(T 9 ! H1D4 ,IF !Y ALL GET 96MESSES L
,I'M IN1 !Y RE,Y .>E4 ,IF ,I GET HIT 9 !
H1D "O M "T1 ,I'LL 2 '''0 ,MY IMAG9,N
FAIL$ ME1 BO? 9 T]MS ( :AT ,I'D 2 & 9
MAK+ MY H1D /OP HURT+4              #DGE
  8,A MONKEY'S UNCLE10 ,G>Y SUPPLI$4 ,I
W9C$4
  8,DON'S SAY T4 ,! WAY ?+S >E GO+ >.D
"H1 ANY?+ IS POSSI#40
  8,GOT ANY BRO!RS OR SI/]S80
  8,NO1 & ,I'M A GIRL1 TOO1 B AT ! MO;T
,I'M N WILL+ 64C.T ANY ABSURDITIES4
,OKAY1 HELP ME /& UP40 ,I CLUNG 6,G>Y'S
>M R M ?AN ,I WANT$ TO1 TRY+ 6KEEP MY
BAL.E4 8,I DON'T FEEL V GD10 ,I REPORT$1
ONCE ,I 0 ON MY FEET4
  8,GEE10 ,G>Y SD DRYLY1 8,I WOND] :Y40
  8,I ?9K X'S ALL ! CA6E9E10 ,I SD S]I-
\SLY1 & SPR1D "O H& :5 ,G>Y LOOK$ AT ME4
8,I %D EAT "S R1L FOOD4 ,I R1D "S?+ SAY+
Y %D EAT & DR9K AF Y'VE BE5 RUNN+ >.D \
( BODY4 ,6GR.D YRF AG40
  8,"!'S A PA/RAMI S&WI* 9 ! C>40
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WOR%IP AT YR TOES = '''0 ,I 0 HAV+ A H>D
"T -PLET+ ?"\S4 8,= Z L;G Z ,I CD /AY
AWAKE10 ,I F9I%$1 FEEL+ X 0 "S?+ (A TRI-
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LAU<$4
  8,I DON'T FIGURE ,I'M 9 = M*      #DGF
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  ,I SPR1D MY H&S A LL M1 JUDG+ MY BAL-
.E4 8,Y1H1 ,I ?9K S40 ,HE /EPP$ AWAY1
T[>D ! C>4 ,I MA9TA9$ AN UP"R POSI;N =
AB FIVE SECONDS1 !N DECID$ ! /AIRS WD 2
NICE 6SIT ON4 ,MY BUTT 0 ALR COLD & WET
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  8,I DUNNO4 ,TWO M9UTES1 MAYBE40
  8,OH40 ,I WOND]$ IF Y ACTU,Y _H 6TRAV-
EL 6FAIRYL& 6EXP]I;E ! M-"T-PASSES-"H-
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;ES _H SEEM$ M* L;G] 6ME ?AN 6! MUNDANE
_W >.D ME4 ,G>Y H&$ ME ! S&WI* & AN UN-
OP5$ BOTTLE ( WAT]4 ,I GOB#D ! S&WI* D[N
S FA/ ,I ALM DIDN'T TA/E X1 & DRANK MO/
(! WAT] 2F ,I EV5 ?"\ 6?ANK HM4
  ,"R AB !N ! COPS %[$ UP4 ,"U NORMAL
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WASN'T 9VOLV$ )--,MORRISON WD N H BE5
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DIDN'T TRY 6/& UP4 ,HE CD YELL AT ME
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BODIES UP/AIRS 9 ! MA/] B$ROOM10    #DGG
,I SD 6HIS KNEES4 8,SUZANNE ,QU9LEY'S
P>5TS40
  8,Y W5T 9 "!80
  8,N PHYSIC,Y40 ,I S.D$ L MY VOICE 0 -+
F "S": A V L;G WAY AWAY F ME4 ,I WI%$ !
HI< ,I'D GOTT5 F MY F/ ATTEMPT AT A TR.E
0 ) ME N[4 ,"R N[ ANY?+ ,I DID TOOK "EY-
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>.D ME 0 ! ONLY ?+ T 0 LETT+ ME FUNC;N Z
A SEMINORMAL HUMAN 2+4
  8,N .PHYSIC,Y80
  ,I /OOD UP1 HALF-3CUSS$ OR NO4 ,I 0 ON
A HI<] /EP & /OOD F\R 9*ES TALL] ?AN MY
BOSS4 8,DON'T10 ,I SD FLATLY4 8,J DON'T4
,OKAY8 ,C WE N D ?1 ? "T80
  ,MORRISON PRESS$ 8 LIPS TGR1 />+ UP AT
ME4 ,I ADMIR$ HM3 HE DIDN'T CLIMB ! /EP
6PUT HMF ON AN EV5 KEEL ) ME4 ,I D\BT$
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  8,:AT HAPP5$10 HE SD AF A L;G FEW MO-
;TS4
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"H TOO LATE4 ,I DON'T "K IF ,I      #DGH
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VOICE S.D$ HOLL[4 ,MAYBE IF ,I _HN'T
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6LUN* ) ,KEV9--
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,SUZY 0 9 "T 6H D"O ANY GD AT ALL1 & IF
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,SUZY'S S*OOL ANYWAY4 ,I SIMPLY WDN'T H
BE5 "H 6/OP ,H]NE4 ,"SH[ ! ?"\ DIDN'T
RE,Y HELP4
  8,!Y'RE D1D4 ,I'M SORRY40 ,X 0 ! ONLY
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M\?4 ,!N HE LET \ A QUIET SI< & %OOK 8
H1D4
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L A L;G "T4 8,I ALR "K :AT HAPP5$ "H4 ,I
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CDN'T EV5 FEEL 8 WALL OBSCUR+ ! C;Y "R
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,LESS ?AN AN H\R AGO1 T'D BE5 ALL ,I "E
WANT$4 ,:Y DIDN'T X MAKE ME HAPPI]8
  8,Y'RE N FILL+ ME ) 3FID;E1 ,WALK]40
  8,GRT4 ,T'S TWO ( U40 ,I MOV$ CAUTI\S-
LY ONTO 8 /EP4 8,D Y H A CELL PH"O ,I C
CALL ,J5 )80
  8,USE ! RADIO40
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  8,WALK]40
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TA9'S EYES4 ,ANY?+ 0 BETT]2 \R 5D.SLY
ANTAGONI/IC REL,N%IP 0 .M* BETT]4 ,MY
%\LD]S T5S$ UP Z ,I LOOK$ BACK AT HM4
  8,BE C>E;L40 ,MORRISON 9CL9$ 8 H1D1 !N
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"T1 L1V+ ME GAP+ AT 8 BROAD %\LD]S4
  8,TOLDJA10 ,G>Y SD4 8,HE LIKES Y40
  8,OH1 = ,GOD'S SAKE1 ,G>Y40 ,I GROAN$
& /A7]$ D[N 6,MORRISON'S C>1        #DHJ
FLOPP+ ACR ! FRONT S1T & PICK$ ! RADIO
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  8,YR VOICE SURE HAS *ANG$1 ,CAPTA94
,OV]40
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Y DO+ ON 4PAT*8 ,IS ,J5 / "!80 ,HE S.D$
Z IF "EY?+ 7 -PLETELY NORMAL4 ,I WANT$
6HUG HM4
  8,AMB]'S ON A POTTY BR1K & ,JULES
CALL$ 9 SICK4 ,Y1H1 %E'S "H1 HANG ON40
  ,A M9UTE LAT] ,J5'S FA9T A35T CAME "?
! RADIO4 8,:AT'S UP1 ,JOANNE80
  8,T KID :O HAS A CRU% ON ,SUZY40
  8,Y1H80
  8,GOT 8 "N8 ,NUMB]8 ,ANY?+80
  8,Y ASK =! DAMN$E/ ?+S40
  8,"P ( MY *>M40
  ,G>Y1 L1N+ ON ! DOOR1 SNORT$4 8,T'S MY
L9E1 LADY40
  ,I CACKL$ OV] ! S.D ( MY /OMA* RUMBL+4
,X _H NOTIC$ ! S&WI* & 0 N[ ON ! W>PA? =
M4 ,I RU2$ MY H& OV] X1 :IMP]$ :5 ,I HIT
! BRUISE1 & SAT ON MY H&4
  8,ALL "R1 GIVE ME A FEW40
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES & LET ! RADIO    #DHA
FALL ON ! FLOOR4 ,I'M PRETTY SURE ,I
FELL ASLEEP 9 ! ?REE M9UTES 2F ! RADIO
LET \ A BUR/ ( /ATIC4 8,JOANNE80
  ,I FL9*$ UP4 8,Y1H80
  8,HIS "N'S ,/U>T4 ,DAMN$ IF ! KID
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  8,I'M 9 A COP C>1 ,J540
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NUMB] & ,I SCRIB#D X D[N ON ! NOTEPAD ON
! DA%BO>D4
  8--WAIT6 ,J580
  8,:AT80
  ,I PUT MY TEE? TGR4 8,T FILE ON ,SUZY4
,DOES %E H ANY O!R FAMILY80
  ,4MAY$ SIL;E ANSW]$ ME 2F ,J5'S VOICE
CAME "?1 L[4 8,I C *ECK4 ,BAD NEWS80
  8,AB Z BAD Z X GETS4 ,H] P>5TS >E
D1D40
  8,JESUS40 ,&A SIL;E 9 : ,I CD ALL B
HE> H] NOD4 8,I'LL F9D \40
  8,?ANKS ,J540
  8,Y [E ME40
  8,I'LL FIX YR C> =A YE>4 ,?ANKS AG40
,I CLIPP$ ! RADIO BACK 9 PLACE &    #DHB
TORE ! PAP] (F ! PAD4 ,GRT4 ,N[ ,I _H TO
/& UP AG4 ,I WASN'T S CRAZY AB T "P "R
N[4 ,! C> 0 -P>ATIVELY W>M & SMELL$
/RANGELY FAMILI>4 ,L WORN L1!R & CLOVES
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"PICUL> TRA9 ( ?"\4 8,CELL PH"O10 ,I SD
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  8,OH1 %IT10 ! KID ON ! O!R 5D (! L9E
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  8,I 0 HOP+ Y CD TELL ME4 ,D Y "K IF %E
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  8,NAW1 H] DAD PICK$ H] UP40
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8,:AT8 ,MR4 ,QU9LEY80
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SEL80
  8,Y1H1 ! C>\SEL4 ,%E LIKES C>\SELS4 ,I
GUESS ,I DIDN'T S5D ANY PICTURES ( H] ON
X40 ,WORRY CAME 96! BOY'S VOICE4 8,IS %E
OKAY1 ,MISS ,WALK]8 ,%E'S BE5 ACT+ FUN-
NY40
  8,FUNNY H[80
  8,%E'S ALW BE5 K9DA >TSY & WEIRD1
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DUNNO1 ! LA/ YE>4 ,I REMEMB] 'CUZ %E
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YE>4 ,& S9CE1 L1 ,HALL[E51 X'S L    #DHD
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  8,S9CE .:580
  8,S9CE L ,HALL[E54 ,I REMEMB] 'CUZ %E
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YE>S4 ,%E _H 6G 6! ,E4,R40
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8,S[ ''' X DOESN'T MATT]4 ,! ,HUN ''' X
DOESN'T MATT]4 ,LOOK1 Y'VE BE5 V HELP;L1
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  8,IS %E GONNA 2 OKAY1 ,MISS ,WALK]80
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  8,I HOPE S4 ,I'M GO+ 6D "EY?+ ,I C TO
MAKE SURE %E IS4 ,Y'VE BE5 A LOT (
HELP40                              #DHE
  8,?ANKS40 ,! BOY'S VOICE 0 NO?+ M ?AN
A :ISP]4 8,W Y CALL ME IF ANY?+ BAD HAP-
P5S80
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  8,Y1H80
  8,?9K GD ?"\S = H]40
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  8,IF T'S H[ Y WANT 6D X4 ,X MAKES A
DI6];E40 ,I HUNG UP1 HOP+ ,I _HN'T J
W>P$ ! BOY = LIFE4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T GET
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  ,I TOSS$ ! PH"O BACK 6XS [N] )A NOD (
?ANKS1 & TUCK$ ,/U>T'S PH"O NUMB] 9 MY
BACK POCKET4 8,"SBODY TELL ,MORRISON
,I'M GO+ 6! ,SPACE ,NE$LE40 ,I GRA2$
,G>Y & WE W5T 2F ANYBODY ACTU,Y _H "T TO
TELL ,MORRISON4 ,X SEEM$ L ! BE/ R\TE4
,EASI] 6GET =GIVE;S1 & ALL T1 AL? ,I ?"\
,I _H TACIT P]MIS.N 6G (F *AS+ WILD
H>ES4 ,OR ,WILD ,HUNTS1 M A3URATELY4 ,I
TOOK ANO!R CATNAP 9 ! CAB1 UNA#     #DHF
6/AY AWAKE )! QUIET ?RUM (! 5G9E S.D+ 9
MY E>S &! C>'S VIBR,NS RELAX+ MY MUS-
CLES4
  ,X 0 D>K :5 ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG1 C;Y
LI<TS REFLECT+ (F L[ GRAY CL\DS1 ! TOP (
! ,SPACE ,NE$LE WISP$ ) FOG4 ,G>Y PULL$
96! #A/ ,AV5UE ,NOR? ,G>AGE1 CRAWL+ UP
6! RO( P>K+4 ,WE SAT "U ! (F-COLOR$ LI<T
=A FEW MO;TS1 />+ >.D ! EMPTY LOT4
  8,I A9'T N"E SE5 ? PLACE EMPTY10 ,G>Y
ANN\NC$4
  8,ME EI10 ,I SD N]V\SLY4 8,ESPECI,Y N
AT SIX AT NI<T40
  8,IS "! "S K9DA 3/RUC;N GO+ ON80 ,G>Y
%IFT$ 8 %\LD]S4 ,I %OOK MY H1D1 CLIMB+ \
(! CAB4 ,HAIRS ON MY >MS /OOD UP1 EV5 "U
MY JACKET1 & ,I RU2$ !M BRISKLY4
  8,? ISN'T NATURAL40
  8,NO KI4+40 ,G>Y CLOS$ 8 DOOR 2H HM1
EYE+ ME4 8,? IS PRIME P>K+4 ,! MONORAIL
/OPS "H40
  8,Y1H1 ,I "K4 ,WELL1 HELL40 ,I L1N$ ON
! HOOD (! C>1 PU6+ MY *EEKS \4 8,FA9T
HE>T N"E WON FAIR LADY1 "R80
  ,I /EPP$ \ ( MY BODY1 ALL MY      #DHG
RUDI;T>Y %IELDS COLLAPS+4
  ,GRAY;S RU%$ OV] ME L A TIDAL WAVE1
DR[N+ ME ) XS WEI<T4 ,I CD B>ELY BR1! 9
! ?ICK;S1 MY LUNGS FILL+ L X 0 POISON$
AIR4 ,X _H A PURPOSE1 T GRAY;S4 ,X 0
M1NT 6OBSCURE4 ,I TOOK A FEW /EPS AWAY F
! C>1 T[>D ! DOORS T L$ D[N 6! ,C5T]4
8,JESUS1 WE'RE "R ON TOP ( HM40
  8,JO80 ,G>Y ASK$ N]V\SLY4 ,I TURN$ >.D
6F9D MY BODY SLUMP$ OV] ! HOOD (! C>1 !
UNN]V$ CAB DRIV] />+ AT X4
  8,I'M OV] "H10 ,I SD1 HALF 6SEE IF HE
CD HE> ME4 ,HE TWIT*$ & /RAI<T5$1 LOOK+
>.D W>ILY4 ,I WAV$4 ,HE DIDN'T REACT4
8,6YR LEFT10 ,I VOLUNTE]$4 ,HE J]K$ 6!
"R4
  8,/OP T10 HE DEM&$1 N LOOK+ Q AT EI MY
UNCONSCI\S BODY OR MY _S SELF4 8,I C'T
SEE ": YR VOICE IS -+ F40
  ,I GR9N$4 ,MY BODY DID1 TOO4 ,I SQU9T$
AT X4 ,I WASN'T RE,Y KE5 ON ! IDEA (
L1V+ X LY+ >.D4 ,X SEEM$ SLOPPY1 N 6M5;N
DANG]\S4 8,OKAY10 ,I SD "U MY BR1?4 8,I
DID ? E>LI]1 "R8 ,SAW 9 TWO _WS :ILE
OP]AT+ ! FLE%4 ,I C D ?40           #DHH
  ,I $G$ BACK T[>D MYF & FOLD$ D[N OV]
MYF1 : FELT TREM5D\SLY WEIRD4 ,I SETTL$
9 AG1 REMEMB]+ ! IDEA ( BR1?+ :ILE HANG+
ON 6! DEEP S5SE (! _W >.D ME1 & !N1 T5-
TATIVELY1 OP5$ MY EYES4
  ,! _W %IFT$1 #C-;,D AFT]IMAGES PLAY+ )
MY VI.N Z ,I REFOCUS$ ) MY PHYSICAL EYES
)\T LOS+ ! PECULI> VI.N T LET ME SEE !
COLORS & %APES (! _SUAL _W4 ,GRAY SETTL$
OV] ! AMB]-LIT P>K+ LOT Z ! TWO _WS RE-
SOLV$ 96"O4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6LE>N 6TURN ?
SECOND SI<T ?+ ON & (F ) FEW] DRAMATICS4
,"R N[ ,I _H ALL ! GRACE (A BULL 9 A *9A
%OP4
  ,"R N[1 T DIDN'T RE,Y MATT]4 ,I
/RAI<T5$ UP1 NO L;G] AFRAID T ! SLI<TE/
MOVE;T WD JO/LE MYF \ ( ALIGN;T AG4
8,SORRY4 ,!Y'RE 9 "!4 .,HE'S 9 "!1 AT
L1/40 ,I CD SEE A C5T] 6! GRAY;S N[4 ,EI
,I 0 GETT+ BETT]1 OR ,H]NE 0 4TRACT$ 5 T
8 %IELD 0 FAIL+4 ,I CD EV5 FOLL[ ! SL5D]
L9E ( TRU? T _H TI$ ME 6HM 9 ! F/ PLACE4
  ,I OP5$ ! BACK (! CAB & TOOK \ ,C]NUN-
NOS'S SWORD4 ,X %IV]$ A VIBRANT BLUE1
/R;G] ?AN ! GRAY ( ,H]NE'S OBSCU-   #DHI
R;Y4 ,X _H A PURPOSE1 TOO4 ,X 0 M1NT 65D
?+S4
  ,I SPUN ! HILT 9 MY H&1 WAT*+ ! BLUE
GLITT]1 !N GR9N$ FA9TLY AT ,G>Y Z ,I
H1D$ =! DOOR4 8,-+80
  8,LADY1 ,I WDN'T MISS X =! _W40


















                                    #DIJ
























          ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY-N9E       #DIA

  ,! ,SPACE ,NE$LE IS ONLY ! MO/ FAM\S
/RUCTURE 9 ! ,S1TTLE ,C5T]4 ,! :OLE ,C5-
T] COV]S "S?+ L SEV5TY ACRES & HAS "EY?+
Y C ?9K ( EXCEPT A WAY 6PREV5T P F W&]+
! GR.DS AT ANY H\R1 "D OR NI<T4
  ,X 0 5TIRELY EMPTY4 ,NO BUMS1 NO
SKATEBO>D+ TE5S1 NO BUSI;SM5 -+ D[N F !
MONORAIL 6CAT* A BUS OR 6G 6_! C>S4 ,-+
\ (! P>K+ G>AGE 0 L WALK+ 96A B>B$ WIRE
F;E3 E /EP =W>D BIT & NIPP$ AT ME1 TRY+
6PU% ME BACK4 ,G>Y1 A /EP OR TWO 2H ME1
GRUNT$4 8,X'S ALL 9 YR M9D10 ,I MUTT]$4
  ,/REETLAMPS 4COLOR$ PAT*ES ( SN[ 96UN-
H1L?Y YELL[S & LILACS4 ,BITS ( PAP] DE-
BRIS SCATT]$ ACR /RET*ES ( 3CRETE1 _!
RATTL+ SURPRIS+LY L\D )\T ! S.DS ( P TO
MU6LE !M4 ,! DESOL,N 0 UNCOM=TA#1 & T 0
J ON ! OBVI\S SIDE ( ?+S4 ,)! BRILLIANT
COLORS ( MY O!R ,SI<T 4TORT$ ) GRAY1 !
,C5T] LOOK$ A C>NIE'S "PICUL> VIEW (
,HELL4
  8,": WE GO+1 ,JO80 ,G>Y ASK$ V QUIET-
LY4 ,HE 0 SPOOK$1 8 BIG %\LD]S HUN*$ & 8
COLORS MUT$ 9 A WAY T _H NO?+ 6D    #DIB
) ,H]NE'S OBSCURE;T4
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,Y DON'T H 6BE
"H1 Y "K40
  ,G>Y /RAI<T5$1 (F5D$4 8,Y ?9K ,I'M
BACK9' \ N[8 ,AF 2+ AL;G =! :OLE RIDE80
  ,I %IFT$ MY %\LD]S UNCOM=TABLY1 B
DIDN'T SL[ MY PACE4 ,! ?R1D 2T ,H]NE &
MYF 0 3TRACT+1 DRAW+ U CLOS] TGR & GETT+
/R;G]4 ,I CDN'T SEE HM YET1 B ,I FELT
HM4 ,I WOND]$ IF HE FELT ME4 8,Y CD GET
KILL$10 ,I SD4 8,S F> "EYBODY ELSE HAS40
  8,NAH10 ! CA2Y SD4 8,I'M YR GD-LUCK
*>M40
  ,I LAU<$1 ! S.D UNEXPECT$LY B"R 9 !
GRAY LI<T &! FROZ5 WALLS4 8,Y'RE A LL
BIG 6PUT 9 MY POCKET40
  8,GUESS ,I BETT] J TAG AL;G1 !N40 ,HE
/RAI<T5$ 8 %\LD]S AG4 ,I SMIL$4
  8,G>Y80
  8,Y1H80
  8,?ANKS40
  8,SURE4 ,N[1 :AT'S ! PLAN80
  8,! PLAN8 ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6H A PLAN80 ,!
CORD 3TRACT$ AG1 A PHYSICAL PULL1 & ,I
/UM#D4 ,G>Y PUT A H& \ 6/1DY ME4    #DIC
8,! PLAN IS 6RESCUE ! PR9CESS1 SLAY !
DRAGON1 KICK "S BOOTY & 2 HOME 9 "T =
D9N]4 ,:AT "T IS X1 ANYWAY80
  8,C\PLE M9UTES 6SIX4 ,Y NE$ A WAT*40
  8,I H "O40 ,I PUT \ MY WRI/ & 4COV]$
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AT HOME ": X PRESUMABLY 3T9U$ 6TELL ! "T
9 ,MOSC[4 8,N"EM9D40
  ,! CORD 3TRACT$ A ?IRD "T4 ,=A MO;T1 !
C>E;L REALIGN;T ,I'D D"O ( BODY 6S\L 0
PULL$ ASKEW & ,I FLA%$ =W>D "? ! P>K 6!
C>\SEL4
  ,X SPUN1 XS MUSIC TURN$ D[N1 N NE$+ TO
-PETE )! S.DS ( O!R RIDES OR P CALL+
BACK & =?4 ,ON ! \T] R+1 A SL5D] BLOND
GIRL RODE A B1UTI;LLY C>V$ WOOD5 HORSE1
PA9T$ GOLD5 Z SUNLI<T4 ,%E /OOD UP 9 !
/IRRUPS Z ,I WAT*$1 L1N+ 6MAKE A LAU<+
SNAT* AT A BRASS R+4
  8,ALM10 ,H]NE SD1 FULL ( AMUSE;T4 ,I
LOOK$ PA/ ,SUZANNE 6! 9N] R+ (! C>\SEL4
,! GOD'S SON L1N$ AG/ AN 9TRICATE R$
DRAGON1 WAT*+ ! * ( 8 BLOOD SETTLE BACK
D[N 96H] SA4LE4
  ..,KEV9 ,SADL] L1N$ AG/ ! R$      #DID
DRAGON1 WAT*+ 8 DAU<T] P\T ) LAU<T] &
GET R1DY = ANO!R .TRY4
  ,I SNAPP$ BACK 96MY BODY1 /UMBL+ F
%OCK4 8,OH MY ,GOD1 ,I AM S /UPID40 ,I
SPAT BILE & 2GAN 6RUN4 ,G>Y />TL$1 !N
FELL 96A RUN 2H ME4
  ,WE SKI4$ OV] ! ?RE%OLD (! C>\SEL TGR1
J 9 "T 6SEE ,SUZY MAKE ANO!R GRAB =! R+1
&1 )A TRIUMPHANT %\T1 -E AWAY ) X CL5*$
9 H] FI/4
  ,) X CAME D[N ! WALLS T SEP>AT$ "O _W
F ANO!R4 ,C]NUNNOS'S /ALLION SCR1M$1 !
DEEP PRIMAL S.D T KEPT MAK+ ME WANT TO
SCR1M 9 RETURN4 ,SUZANNE .DID SCR1M 9
RESPONSE1 CLUT*+ AT ! WOOD5 HORSE'S SPI-
RAL POLE Z ! ,WILD ,HUNT BUR/ F ! SKY TO
RIDE D[N AT H]1 TWELVE RID]S /R;G & "O
L"OLY M>E4 ,EV5 Z %E SCR1M$1 ,SUZANNE'S
EYES W5T 6! M>E1 L;G+4 ,C]NUNNOS %IFT$ 9
8 SA4LE1 L1N+ T[>D H] L A H]O 9 AN OLD
WE/]N1 AB 6SCOOP UP 8 2LOV$4
  ,H]NE /EPP$ 9 FRONT ( H]1 ! VE/IGES (
8 ASSUM$ HUMAN =M %$D+ AWAY4
  ,I %D H SE5 X 2F4 ,"EY?+ 0 "!1 ! GRE5
EYES1 ! L;G JAW & HI< *EEKB"OS4     #DIE
,! MAN 0 SLI<T ": ! DEMIGOD 0 BROAD1 B !
HAIR 0 ! SAME A%-BR[N1 ALBEIT 9 DI6]5T
QUANTITIES4 ,& ,I _H "KN ALM F ! />T T
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  8,/OP10 ! GOD'S SON SD1 RE,Y V S(TLY4
,! HO/ "P$ & SWEPT >.D !M L WAVES1 GAL-
LOP+ E!RE,Y "? ! C>\SEL4 ,ONLY ,C]NUNNOS
RE9$ UP ) EASY /R5G?1 NO SIGN (! 9JURY
,I'D D"O HM A FEW "DS E>LI]4 ,! /ALLION
RE>$ BACK 6KICK AT ,H]NE 2F PRANC+ N]V-
\SLY 6! GR.D AG4 ,9 MO;TS1 ! RID]S SWUNG
BACK >.D & GA!R$ 2H ,C]NUNNOS1 /ILL+ _!
HORSES4 ,! R$-E>$ H.DS SLUNK "U ! HORSES
& L1N$ AG/ _! =ELEGS1 GL>+ T[>D ,H]NE )
ANGRY R$ EYES4
  ,SUZANNE HUNG ONTO ! WOOD5 HORSE1
CR\*$ SMALL1 TOO F"R5$ 6MAKE A S.D4 ,N[
T ,I 0 CLOS]1 LOOK+ AT H] 0 DI6ICULT4 ,!
SL5D] BODY SEEM$ OV]FULL1 & MY EYES SLID
(F H] L ,I 0 TRY+ 6FOLL[ ! %APE (A SEC-
OND P]SON O3UPY+ H] SPACE4
  8,Y'RE M* TOO LATE1 ,"F10 ,H]NE :IS-
P]$4 ,8 VOICE C>RI$ ACR ! SIL5T GR.DS )!
CL>;Y (A S.D /UDIO1 ^WS CLIPP$ & $G$4
8,I'VE "W$ = ?4 ,C'T Y FEEL X8 ,!   #DIF
,RID]'S ALM LO/ 6Y4 ,ONLY A FEW M M9-
UTES40
  ,C]NUNNOS LOOK$ 2Y ,H]NE 6,SUZANNE4
8,TAKE H]10 HE MURMUR$4 8,I H "O 6RE-
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UGLY LI<T1 & LOOK$ F ,SUZANNE 6ME4 ,H]NE
TURN$1 SURPRISE FILT]+ "? 8 EYES4 ,GRE5]
EYES ?AN !Y 7 Z ,KEV9 ,SADL]1 B / UNMIS-
TAKABLY ! SAME4 ,H[ CD ,I H MISS$ X8
  8,Y DIDN'T *ECK YR MESSAGES1 ,JO10 HE
SD A6ABLY4 ,H]NE'S FA9T ,5GLI% A35T 0
G"O1 REPLAC$ 0,KEV9'S ,ANY": ,AM]ICA AC-
C5T4 8,Y'D 2 HALFWAY 6,PORTL& 0N[4 ,I'M
4APPO9T$40
  8,I DIDN'T H "T10 ,I ADMITT$4 ,"!
DIDN'T SEEM M* PO9T 9 LY+4 8,LUCKY = ME1
,I GUESS40 ,I WOND]$ IF !Y MADE DUNCE
CAPS BIG 5 6HIDE "U4 ,="E4 ,I %IFT$ MY
GAZE F ,H]NE 6,C]NUNNOS1 & A4$1 8,I B1T
Y ONCE ALR1 MY "L MA/] (! ,HUNT4 ,I
DON'T [E Y ANY?+40
  8,I LO/ "O *ALL5GE10 ,C]NUNNOS AGRE$1
8& MY ^W KEEPS ME F ,BABYLON ="E4 ,"! 0
NO CAV1T AG/ A SECOND RECKON+1 LL
%AMAN40                             #DIG
  ,OOPS4 ,OH WELL4 ,I'D D1L ) T LAT]4
,ASSUM+ "! 0 A LAT]4 8,:AT H Y D"O 6H]1
,H]NE80
  8,C'T Y TELL80 ,! T\* ( ,5GL& 0 BACK 9
8 VOICE4 8,RE,Y1 ,I KNEW Y 7 A NOVICE1 B
,I ?"\ X WD 2 OBVI\S EV5 6Y4 ,LOOK CLOS-
]1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]4 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+/ICK4
.,GWYLD40
  ,I DIDN'T WANT TO4 ,LOOK+ AT ,SUZANNE
)! SECOND SI<T MADE MY H1D HURT4 ,H]NE'S
VOICE1 ?\<1 0 T]RIFY+LY -PELL+4 ,I %UD-
D]$1 TRY+ N 6LOOK1 B AG/ MY [N WI%ES1 MY
H1D TURN$ & ,I ,SAW4
  ,SUZANNE ,QU9LEY .0 OV]FL[+1 TWO B"R
S\LS BATTL+ = DOM9.E 9 H] SL5D] BODY4
,"O 0 S OLD ,I DIDN'T D>E LOOK AT X =
L;G1 FEEL+ ! PULL ( XS P[] EV5 AT A
GL.E4 ,I CD DR[N 9 XS /R5G?1 E BIT Z
EASILY Z ,I CD DR[N 9 ,C]NUNNOS'S4 ,T
S\L'S TIES RAN 9 B"R SILV] ?R1DS 6EA* (!
RID]S & 6,H]NE1 & /R;GE/ ( ALL 6,C]NUN-
NOS4 ,X 0 AL B.D1 0BLOOD & D>K;S1 6! F>
M FRAGILE S\L T 0 ,SUZANNE'S1 A MORTAL *
BURI$ "U ! WEI<T ( ET]N;Y4 ,) E MO;T T
PASS$1 ! IMMORTAL ,RID]'S S\L BE-   #DIH
CAME M FIRMLY A "P ( ,SUZANNE4 ,X 0 A
MATT] ( M9UTES 2F ! GIRL H]F 0 G"O ="E4
  ,! MO/ T]RI# ?+ 0 T ! ,RID]'S S\L HELD
NO EVIL 9 X4 ,X _H BE5 SIPHON$ F XS TRUE
HO/ 9 FRAG;TS1 /RET*$ ?9 OV] _M YE>S1
UNTIL "! 0 S LL LEFT B9D+ S\L 6BODY T !
BODY CD NO L;G] KEEP XS HOLD1 &! S\L
AB&ON$ X 5TIRELY1 9 NE$ (A PLACE 63T9UE4
,& ,SUZANNE ,QU9LEY _H BE5 PRIM$ Z ! NEW
BODY4
  8,H] BIR?"D'S 9 A FEW M9UTES40 ,I SD
S(TLY4 8,I M1N1 ! "T ( H] BIR?4 ,H[ DID
Y LOSE H]1 ,H]NE8 ,YR [N DAU<T]4 ,Y M/ H
TRI$ =A V L;G "T 6"F ! P]FECT *4 ,0
,AD9A H] "M80 ,H[ _H HE HI45 HMF F
,AD9A8 ,_H %E *OS5 N 6SEE1 OR 0 8 /R5G?
S M* GRT] ?AN H]S T %E N"E /OOD A *.E8
,ALL ,I KNEW AB H] 0 T %E'D TRI$ 6HELP
ME4
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,H] "M'S D1D4 ,X'S EASY
6LOSE *N :5 Y'VE "F$ Z _M Z ,I H4 ,I ON-
LY F.D H] A FEW YE>S AGO40
  ,MEMORY1 %>P & SE>+1 CUT "? MY M9D1
"S?+ ,I'D WRITT5 (F Z A DR1M4 ,A BRICK
R$ BOY1 A FEW YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I      #DII
WAS1 LIFT+ />TL$ GOLD5 EYES1 6SMILE AT
ME4 .,WELCOME1 .,SIOBH@AN1 HE'D SD1 (F]+
ME A H&4 ..,? IS ": X 2G9S4 ,B"R;S (
BODY1 B"R;S ( .S\L4 ,I'D WOK5 UP ) MY F/
P]IOD /A9+ MY PANTIES4
  8,:5 %E HIT PUB]TY10 ,I SD /UPIDLY4 ,I
REMEMB]$ ! BRICK R$ BOY F O!R DR1MS1 "H
& "!1 UNTIL ,I 0 FIFTE54 ,I EV5 REMEMB]$
?9K+ T X SEEM$ L HE 0 VISIT+ ME ON PUR-
POSE4 ,!Y /OPP$ V SU45LY4 ,I _HN'T _H "O
9 TWELVE YE>S4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6ASK ,COYOTE
AB T4
  ,LAT]4 ,N[ "! 0 TOO M* 6D4 ,H]NE LOOK$
"E S SLI<TLY IMPRESS$4 ,N1 UN=TUNATELY1
IMPRESS$ 5 6LIE D[N & ROLL OV] = ME1 B A
LL IMPRESS$4 8,V GD4 ,"! 7 S _M FACTORS4
,MO/ IMPORTANT--0
  8,WAS ! BIR?"D4 ,TWELVE "DS AF ,*RI/-
MAS4 ,S T :5 Y DEF1T$ ,C]NUNNOS1 X 0 AT
! HEI<T ( 8 P[]1 & X 0 ALL YRS4 .,T M*10
,I SD BITT]LY1 8,I FIGUR$ \40
  8,B TOO LATE40 ,H]NE TURN$ 8 BACK ON
ME4 ,NICE 6"K ,I 0 S* A ?R1T4 ,C]NUNNOS
WAT*$ ,SUZANNE CALCULAT+LY &A BAD FEEL+
CAME 96! PIT ( MY /OMA*4            #EJJ
  8,G>Y80
  8,Y1H80
  8,Y / ANY GD AT ! :OLE L9EBACK] GIG80
  ,! BIG MAN *UCKL$4 8,N Q Z LIMB] Z ,I
US$ 6BE1 B ,I C MAKE D 9 A P9*40
  8,C]NUNNOS IS GO+ 6KILL ,SUZANNE AT
SIX-OH-SEV54 ,I MAY 2 BUSY4 ,/OP HM40
  ,G>Y LIFT$ A BU%Y EYEBR[ AT ME4 8,AT
SIX-OH-SEV580
  8,X'S :5 %E 0 BORN10 ,I SD S(TLY4 8,H]
S\L &! ,RID]'S W 2 IRREVOCABLY B.D AT T
MO;T4 ,IF HE DE/ROYS H]1 HE DE/ROYS ! ?+
T KEEPS HM F RID+ FREE40
  8',M ,I SUPPOS$ 6"U/& :AT Y'RE TALK9'
AB80
  ,I %OT HM A DIRTY LOOK4 ,! O!R SI<T
FLA%$ R$ 96! LOOK1 PHYSICAL E6ECT (A
GL>E4 ,I BET "! 7 "S P \ "! :O CD RE,Y
KILL ) T K9D ( LOOK4 8,J 2 R1DY 6PLAY
BALL40
  ,G>Y GR9N$1 B"R :ITE4 ,I J]K$ MY H1D
>.D1 />TL$4 ,:ILE ,I'D BE5 TALK+ 6,H]NE1
! OBSCUR;Y _H FAIL$4 ,I WI%$ ,I ?"\ X 0
A SIGN ( 8 P[] W1K5+4 ,X 0 M LIKELY X J
WASN'T WOR? ! BO!R1 N[ T ,I'D F.D   #EJA
HM & 8 MO;T 0 AT H&4
  8,Y H H]10 ,C]NUNNOS SD1 8B Y / H ME
6DEF1T1 MY SON40
  ,I MUTT]$1 8,I AM YR "F1 ,LUKE10 &
MOV$ =W>D1 /EPP+ UP ONTO ! C>\SEL PLAT-
=M4 ,SUZANNE 0 SLUMP$ OV] H] C>\SEL
HORSE4 ,! PALE M>E /OOD 2S H]1 2T _WS1
H] TAIL FLICK]+ "? ! R$ DRAGON ,H]NE _H
L1N$ AG/4 ,%E NOS$ AT ,SUZY'S SLEEVE1
LESS ?AN ! W9D 9 E6ECT4
  ,J AH1D ( !M1 ,H]NE DREW A SWORD NE>LY
ID5TICAL 6HIS "F'S1 & B[$ )\T HALF !
GRACE T ,C]NUNNOS RETURN$ ! AC"KL$G;T )4
,I CD SEE :Y HE 0 J1L\S4
  ,! CLA% ( SWORDS _H NO?+ ON ! RO> (
P[] T 0 REL1S$ Z ! TWO CAME TGR4 ,UN-
%IELD$ EI PHYSIC,Y OR PSY*IC,Y1 ,I /A7]$
"U ! ONSLAU<T ( /R5G?1 GRE5 & BR[N & IM-
POSSIBLY POT5T4 ,LI<TN+ SLAMM$ D[N F !
SKY1 96BO? OPPON5TS4 ,NEI FL9*$4 ,NOR
DID ,SUZANNE4 ,? CLOSE1 ,I FELT H] HE>T-
B1T FALT]+1 UNC]TA9 "U ! 9SI/5T PRESSURE
(! ,RID]4 ,\ (! CORN] ( MY EYE1 ,I SAW
,G>Y $G+ CLOS]1 WAT*+ ,H]NE & ,C]NUNNOS
9T5TLY4 ,I NO4$1 RELIEV$1 & /EPP$   #EJB
2H A W+$ SWAN1 -+ UP 2H ,SUZANNE 6PULL
H] (F ! C>\SEL HORSE & 96MY >MS4
  ,ELECTRIC;Y SLAMM$ "? ME1 5D.S PA9;L
VOLTAGE4 ,MY MUSCLES LOCK$ UP H>D 5 TO
MAKE ME TREM#1 & ,I DROPP$ 6MY KNEES1 B
,I KEPT ,SUZANNE 9 MY >MS4 ,! B"R S\L (!
,RID] SWEPT OV] ME )\T MALICE1 ONLY !
SIMPLE DET]M9,N 6SURVIVE4 ,5TANGL$ ) X1
,I FELT ! FA9TE/ SL5D] ?R1D BACK 6! BODY
X _H ONCE [N$1 FEY & GRE5-EY$ & BOYI%4
,& DY+4
  .,IRONIC1 ! ,RID] SD1 LESS ^WS OR CO-
H]5T ?"\ ?AN A FLEET+ FEEL+4 ,! * :O
H\S$ ! S\L ( ,D1? XF 0 F9,Y DY+ 9 TURN4
,H\R 0H\R HE _H SLIPP$ AWAY F 8 FRAGILE
BODY1 GUID$ 0! ONLY ?+ T CD -PEL HM3 DE-
M&S MADE 0ANO!R ( 8 BLOODL9E4 ,H]NE
CALL$ ! "Y ,RID]'S _S 6HM1 B9D+ X )
BLOOD & D1?1 W1K5+ HM Z ,H]NE BID$ 8 [N
"T4
  ,UNTIL N[4 ,UNTIL ? MO/ REC5T (
,RIDES1 ON ,ALL ,HALL['S ,EVE1 :5 ! _W
WALLS 7 ?9NE/4 ,! ,RID] _H L$ ! ,HUNT =?
96! VOID 2T _WS1 & ,H]NE _H /RUCK A
TELL+ BL[4 ,TAK+ P[] /OR$ F C5TU-   #EJC
RIES ( SACRIFICES1 HE SMA%$ ! L9K 2TWIXT
BODY & S\L1 S5D+ ! BOY ,RID]'S BODY TUM-
BL+ BACK "? BLACK;S 6! _W HE CALL$ HOME4
,B9D+ ! FRE$ S\L 6A GIRL4 ,8 DAU<T]4
,SUZY4 ,ONLY ! MO/ T5U\S 3NEC;N / HELD !
,RID]'S S\L 6! BODY HE'D ONCE [N$4
  ..,M ?AN J .SACRIFICES1 ! ,RID] MUR-
MUR$ 6ME4 ..,L ,SUZANNE1 ^? HE KILL$ TO
GA9 8 P[] 7 BLOOD ( 8 BLOOD4 ,LL IS Z
/R;G Z BLOOD .MAGIC4
  8,BLOOD--0 ,I %OOK MY H1D1 3FUS$1 !N
"U/OOD3 H[ _M *N ._H ,H]NE "F$ OV] !
YE>S8 ,HALF ! _W CD %>E 8 BLOODL9E 0N[4
,HELL1 ,I CD4
  ,EXCEPT ! ,OLD ,MAN _H APP>5TLY MADE
ME F SCRAT*1 & X SEEM$ L IF Y 7 GO+ TO
BO!R 6D T1 Y'D MAKE SURE Y W]5'T GETT+
ANYBODY ELSE'S MAGIC TANGL$ UP 9 YR REC-
IPE4
  ,: 0 .S N :AT ,I NE$$ 6BE ?9K+ AB "R
N[4 ,I CD / FEEL ! ,RID]'S ?"\S & MEMO-
RIES1 4PAS.NATELY %>$ ) ME4 ,HE'D BE5
CAU<T 9 MY _W1 SEP>AT$ F ! HO/ BODY &
T]RIBLY VULN]A#4 ,) ,H]NE'S DIREC;N1 HE
S"\ A NEW HO/4 ,! * IN--": 0 X8     #EJD
,X 0 ! SILV] MI/$ _W ^: LOSS ,I _H FELT
S KE5LY \TSIDE ( ,BABYLON1 B :AT 0 X
"ND8
  .,TIR .NA .N,OG1 ! ,RID] REPLI$1 &=!
F/ "T "! 0 L;G+ 9 8 ?"\S4 ,H]NE'S B9D+S
_HN'T YET WIP$ ! NE$ = HOME \ (! ,RID]'S
S\L4 ..,ANWYN1 ,AVALON1 FAIRYL&1 ,ISL&S
(! ,WE/1 "N X :AT Y W4 ,X IS OLD] 0F>
?AN MANK9D & W 3T9UE :5 Y & YR "NS >E
ANCI5T .DU/4 ,"! 0 NO APOLOGY OR SYMPA?Y
9 ! TELL+1 ! ,RID]'S 3C]NS TOO REMOTE TO
2 EV5 NEUTRAL4
  ,! DY+ BODY1 ! BOY ,RID] 9 ,TIR NA
N,OG1 0 ,C]NUNNOS'S F/ *1 HALF-MORTAL &
HALF-GOD4 ,HE NO L;G] KNEW1 IF HE "E _H1
:O 8 "M WAS4 ,BLOOD (! GOD'S BLOOD1 HE'D
TAK5 A PIECE (! GOD'S P[] ) 8 BIR?1 &) X
TI$ ! ,HORN$ ,GOD 6! MORTAL CYCLE ( D1?
& LIFE4 ,HE RODE ) ,C]NUNNOS ( 8 [N FREE
W1 & DO+ S R5D]$ HMF IMMORTAL1 UNT\*A#
0! GOD :O MI<T O!RWISE SACRIFICE 8 F/-
BORN * 9 FAVOR ( RID+ FREE4 ,9 ALL 8 T]-
RIBLY L;G LIFE1 NO "O _H "E -PELL$ HM
AG/ 8 W4
  ,UNTIL ,H]NE4 ,BLOOD (! GOD'S     #EJE
BLOOD1 ONCE M4 ,BRO!R 6! ANCI5T ,RID]1 B
A LESS] CR1TURE4 ,"! 0 NO REMORSE 9 !
,RID]'S ?"\S3 = HM "! WAS1 & "! 0 N4
,NEI _H ANY R1SON 6C>RY EMO;N4 ..,\R "F
LE>N$ F ME4 ,6BE CAUTI\S ( :AT HE GAVE !
WOM5 HE LAY )4 ,NO O!R SON ( ,C]NUNNOS C
B9D HM Z ,I D2 NO O!R * HAS S* .P[]4
  8,B ,SUZY10 ,I :ISP]$4 ,I CDN'T TELL
IF X 0 \ L\D OR N1 B X DIDN'T SEEM 6MAT-
T]4 ,! ,RID] RESPOND$ )! VA/ 9DI6];E (
AN IMMORTAL %RUG4
  ..,%E W *ANGE ! BOND4 ,BLOOD MAGIC IS
/R;G1 & MY BRO!R HAS *OS5 WELL4 ,HE HAS
SACRIFIC$ ! "O HE .LOV$4
  .,AD9A1 ,I ?"\ 9 DESPAIR4 ,_H ! O!R
%AMANS BE5 H] FRS 2F D1?8 ,_H ,H]NE GA9$
8 BLOOD P[] "? KILL+ "EY"O CLOSE/ 6! "OS
CLOSE/ 6HM8
  ..,! GIRL'S P>5TS4 ,H] .FRS4 ,! ,RID-
]'S ANSW] 0 AN AGREE;T4 ..,X *ANGES !
BAL.E ( P[]4 ,MY LOYALTY IS .,H]NE'S4
  8,B T'S .WR;G60
  ,I FELT ! SURPRISE (! ,RID]'S S\L Z X
SEEM$ 6TURN & LOOK AT ME =! F/ "T1 L1V+
(F 9 XS QUE/ 6TAKE OV] ,SUZY'S      #EJF
BODY4
  .,HUMAN .FALLACIES1 HE SD4 ..,"R &
WR;G D N MATT] 6.ME4
  8,:AT DOES80
  ,SUZANNE H]F TURN$ H] H1D 6LOOK =!
PALE M>E4 8,RID+10 %E :ISP]$1 ! DESIRE 9
H] VOICE CLE> & PURE4 ,%E 0 A F\RTE5-
YE>-OLD GIRL4 ,%E DIDN'T EV5 NE$ ! ,RID-
]'S S\L 6WANT T HORSE ) "EY?+ %E _H1 B !
P[] (! IMMORTAL S\L )9 H] GAVE ! S+LE ^W
S* AN A*E T ,I FELT TI<T;S 9 MY ?ROAT1
TE>S /++ MY EYES4 ,X WD 2 ,H]NE :OM !
,RID] WD FOLL[1 &) ? *'S 9NOC5T /R5G? 2H
HM1 ,H]NE WD DEF1T ,C]NUNNOS & TAKE 8
PLACE4 ,X MADE NO DI6];E AT ALL 6! ,RID-
]4 ,8 P[] & PURPOSE 7 5 6RE9 9 ANY GOD1
& HE WD D S GLADLY UNTIL ! 5D ( "T4
  ,I WOND]$1 V BRIEFLY1 IF ,H]NE R1LIZ$
HE WASN'T GO+ 6BE OBTA9+ ULTIMATE P[] IF
HE WON ! BATTLE4 ,!N ! ELECTRIC;Y (!
,RID]'S P[] LEFT ME & "! 0 NO "T LEFT AT
ALL 9 : 6?9K4
  ,I HE>D X L A *IME1 ! CLE> MO;T ( ,SU-
ZANNE ,QU9LEY'S BIR?1 RESONAT+ D[N "?
F\RTE5 YE>S4 ,I DOVE 6! SIDE1       #EJG
DRA7+ ,SUZY ) ME4 ,C]NUNNOS VAULT$ !
WOOD5 C>\SEL HORSE1 L1V+ A SURPRIS$ &
FURI\S ,H]NE 2H4 ,G>Y BELL[$ A W>-CRY &
FLUNG HMF AT ,C]NUNNOS1 CRA%+ 96! GOD )A
BRAC$ %\LD]4 ,! ,RID] H[L$ 9 DELI<T &
DOVE DEEP 96,SUZANNE'S BODY1 :ILE ! RE-
MA9+ FRAG;TS (! GIRL'S S\L %RIEK$ 9 DES-
P],N & FL$4
  ,I'D CAU<T ,C]NUNNOS )A NET1 9 ,BABY-
LON4 ,"! 0 S LL ( ,SUZY LEFT T %E'D SLIP
"R "? A NET4 ,9/1D ,I R1*$ 9SIDE MYF =!
WE>Y COIL ( 5]GY & %AP$ X 96A BALL1
FRAGILE & PE>LESC5T Z A SOAP BUB#4 ,"!
WASN'T 5 "T6
  ,EXCEPT 9SIDE ! LL BUB# ( MY %IELD1 "!
WAS4 ,! MUSIC (! *IME HELD1 A L;G ?9 S.D
VIBRAT+ ! AIR4 ,NO?+ /OPP$1 B :AT _H BE5
*AOS ALM TOO FA/ 6SEE PLAY$ \ 9 ELEGANT
SL[ MO;N4
  ,C]NUNNOS JOLT$ 6! SIDE Z ,G>Y IMPACT$
HM4 ,8 SWORD DRA7$ A ?9 L9E ( R$ ACR MY
%\LD] BLADE Z ,I ROLL$ ) ,SUZANNE4 ,I
FELT SK9 "P+1 & WAIT$ = X 6HURT1 B ! PA9
CAME EV5 M SL[LY ?AN ! ATTACK4 ,/UMBL+1
8 F1TURES 3TORT+ ) RAGE1 ,C]NUN-    #EJH
NOS DREW ! BROADSWORD BACK Z HE TURN$ TO
FACE ,G>Y1 ! MO;NS S PRECISE X CD H BE5
A *OREOGRAPH$ BALLET4
  ,NO BALLET ,I _H "E SE51 ?\<1 _H ! BAD
GUY /ICK A R1L LIVE F\R-FOOT L;G SWORD
"? ! GD GUY'S RIB CAGE4 ,SURPRISE WID5$
,G>Y'S EYES Z HE D\#D & /A7]$ BACK1
SLID+ (F ! SWORD & CRA%+ H>D 96! WOOD5
HORSE4 ,Z EASILY Z T1 ,C]NUNNOS 4MISS$
HM1 TURN+ 9 SL[ MO;N BACK 6,SUZANNE &
MYF4
  ,MY ROLL BR"\ U UP AG/ ! R$ DRAGON'S
POLE1 MY BACK 6,C]NUNNOS1 PROTECT+ !
GIRL Z BE/ ,I CD4 ,! *IME T S.D$ H] BIR?
H\R 9 MY H1D 0 / L\D & /R;G1 H] FRAG;T$
S\L CAU<T AG/ ! BUB# ( SL[ "T4 ,"K+ X 0
GO+ 6GET ME KILL$1 ,I 3TRACT$ ! BUB#1
BR++ ! SL[;S &! %>DS ( ,SUZANNE'S S\L
CLOS] & SMALL] UNTIL X 0 )9 H] 5TIRELY1
& "T \TSIDE X SP$ BACK UP4
  ,I FOLL[$ ! BUB# IN4
  ,! ,RID]'S S\L 0 A P>ASITE1 RU/ ON A
C>1 CAPTUR$ 9 ! LA/ SECONDS 2F X DE/ROY$
XS HO/ 5TIRELY1 NO M A# 6FREE XF F ! SL[
"T BUB# ?AN ,SUZANNE'S S\L 0 A#     #EJI
6WRE/ FREE F ! ,RID]'S4 ,9 "H1 ,I _H ALL
! "T 9 ! _W 6D REPAIRS4 ,\ "!1 IF ,I
WASN'T C>E;L & QK1 ,I WDN'T H A BODY 6G
HOME TO4
  ,J L ! ,RID] DIDN'T4
  .,YR ._W1 ,C]NUNNOS _H SD1 & MADE "O
FI/4 .,MY ._W4 ,ANO!R FI/1 N Q T\*+ !
F/4 ..,& WE >E ."H4 ,! BLACK;S 2T ! _WS4
,I CD R1* T4 ,CD ,I TAKE D[N ! WALLS T
HELD ! TWO _WS A"P8
  ,I CLOS$ MY FI/ >.D ! BUB# ( SL[ "T1
R1*$ = P[]1 & ?REW MYF 96! VOID1 DRA7+ !
,RID] & ,SUZANNE AL;G4 ,I DIDN'T "K ": !
/R5G? 6D X CAME F3 ,I 0 AFRAID 6WOND]1 J
!N4 ,X FLOOD$ "? ME1 ?\<1 ONCE M WA%+
AWAY ALL ! EXHAUS;N & PA9 (! PA/ ?REE
"DS4 ,I FELT1 Q LIT],Y1 Z IF ,I 7 FLY+4
  ,FLA%ES ( O!R _WS1 CLOS] 6M9E1 CAME &
W5T 9 B"R COLORS T MOV$ TOO FA/ 6IMPR9T4
,=A PA9;LLY L;G MO;T "! 0 NO?+1 N EV5 !
/>SCAPE1 J AN AGONIZ+ EMPTI;S4 ,I HELD
ON 6! S.D (! *IME & DR$G$ UP MY [N MEMO-
RIES (! SILV] MI/ _W4 ,I FLUNG BO? ^?
?+S 96! EMPTI;S1 L SON>1 HOP+ = !M 6BE
RECOGNIZ$ & DRAW ME 6! "R PLACE4    #EAJ
  .,HOME4 ,! L;G+ 9 ! ,RID]'S VOICE 0 S
9T5T X HURT4 ,9SIDE ( AN 9/ANT1 ,I 0 !
TAGAL;G1 NO L;G] 9 3TROL4 ,! B9D+ W.D
>.D ! ,RID] %ATT]$1 MY P[] REPLAC+
,H]NE'S Z ! ,RID] & ,I R1*$ =A -MON
GOAL4
  ,MY P[] REPLAC+ ,H]NE'S4 ,? WD 2 A GD
"T 69/IGATE "S 3TROL4 ,! LA/ ?+ ,I WANT$
0 =! Y\?;L ,RID] 6L1VE ,C]NUNNOS 2H ON
,E>?1 ": HE CD WR1K ALL ! HAVOC HE WANT$
)\T ! 3TROLL+ 9FLU;E (! *4
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,I DIDN'T H A S+LE GOD-
DAMN$ CLUE H[ 6D T4 ..,/OP6 ,OR ,I'LL
SAY /OP .AG6
  ,! ,RID] LAU<$ AT ME1 A %>P1 BITT]
S.D1 & D>K;S EXPLOD$ 96A HAV5 ( DEEP
GRE5 L1VES & SILV] TREES1 WR1!D 0G5TLE
COOL+ MI/S4 .,HOME1 ! ,RID] ?"\1 & ,I
E*O$ X1 8 NE$ = REFUGE RESONAT+ DEEP 9
MY [N S\L4 ,8 NE$ OV]RODE MY PURPOSE1 &=
A D1DLY MO;T ,I RELAX$4 ,TRIUMPH1 Z PAL-
PA# Z ) ,C]NUNNOS1 L1P$ "? ! L9K WE %>$
& ,I KNEW ,I 0 LO/1 UNA# 63TROL ! SON (A
GOD4 ,TIR NA N,OG WD 2 P1CE2 X WD 2 RE/1
AF A V L;G J\RNEY4 ,X 0 5\<4 ,I     #EAA
FOLL[$ ! ,RID]'S L1D1 3T5T 6H D"O ) X4
  .,HOME1 ,SUZANNE :ISP]$1 L A MEMORY4
,X /UNG ME 96REMEMB]+ H]1 REMEMB]+ ! _W
WE 7 L1V+ 2H1 & ,I GROAN$4 8,NO40 ,MY [N
VOICE 0 A :ISP]1 TOO LL P[] 2H X 6MAKE !
,RID] TAKE PAUSE4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES AG/ !
GRE5 MI/Y _W & SD "S?+ ,I'D TOLD ,G>Y N
TO1 AB A MILLION YE>S E>LI]3 8,IN ,C]-
NUNNOS'S "N ,I SET MY G1S40
  ,! ,RID] /OPP$ S ABRUPTLY ,I FLEW AH1D
( HM1 MY [N J\RNEY N YET F9I%$4
  ,A BOY SLEPT 9 ! SILV] WOODS1 FEY &
SL5D] & S PALE X SEEM$ L D1? M/ H ALR
VISIT$ HM4 ,I KNELT 2S HM1 PUTT+ MY H&
ON 8 *E/4 ,"! 0 A HE>TB1T1 S FA9T & IR-
REGUL> ,I MI<T H IMAG9$ X1 & 8 *E/ ROSE
& FELL V SL[LY1 ! LA/ BR1?S (A DY+ *4 ,I
CDN'T REMEMB] ! ^WS 6! SPELL ,I'D F.D ON
! ,9T]NET1 B X H>DLY MATT]$4 ,I _H !
IDEA ( !M 9 ! BACK ( MY M9D1 & ,I B5T
OV] ! *1 :ISP]+ !M4
  8,I CALL D[N ! WALLS (! _W 6HELP FREE
Y4 ,I CALL ON ! GOD :O M/ LI/5 6ME4 ,I
CALL ON W9D & E>? & SEA4 ,I CALL ON FIRE
6HELP FREE Y4 ,9 ,C]NUNNOS'S "N     #EAB
,I SET ? G1S4 ,0MY W & 0^! ^WS ,I B9D Y
6RIDE ET]N;Y40
  ,! COIL ( 5]GY UNL1%$ 9SIDE ME Z ,I
SPOKE1 W1V+ A NET ( SILV] MI/ & GRE5 P[]
T WRAPP$ XF >.D ! BOY'S SLEEP+ BODY4 ,I
PULL$ X 96MY >MS Z ,I'D D"O ) ,C]NUNNOS
& /OOD1 CRADL+ ! *4 ,HE WEI<$ ALM NO?+1
Z IF HE 7 SPUN F AIR4 ,I CD FEEL ! RE-
SI/.E F 8 S\L1 : WANT$ NO?+ M ?AN 6/AY 9
,TIR NA N,OG1 9 ! SIL;E & SAFETY T _H
BE5 TORN F X4 ,HE /RU7L$ AG/ ! B9D+ ,I'D
WR"\1 B HE'D TOLD ME HMF3 BLOOD MAGIC 0
/R;G1 & ,I'D 9VOK$ ! /R;GE/ BLOOD L9K (
ALL1 T (! "F & SON4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,I NE$ Y TO
S5D ,C]NUNNOS HOME4 ,J A FEW M H\RS &!
RIDE W 2 D"O UNTIL NEXT YE>4 ,Y'LL 2 A#
6G HOME4 ,I'M SORRY40
  ,I FL$ ! -PELL+ _W ( ,TIR NA N,OG1
BR++ ! BOY'S BODY BACK Z A PHYSICAL ?+4




            ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY         #EAC

  ,WE SURG$ \ (! VOID 96A BLACK;S UNLIKE
ANY?+ ,I'D "E SE5 9 A C;Y1 SPLIT 0LI<TN+
F A /ORM T _HN'T BE5 "! :5 ,I W5T "U4 ,!
W9D 0 COLD] ?AN D1?1 CUTT+ "? ME & YANK+
AT MY HAIR L X 0 TRY+ 6PULL X \4 ,PEL-
LETS ( SN[ & WAT] /RUCK MY H&S & FACE4
  ,"! 0 AN EXTRAORD9>Y L9E ( FIRE /RET*$
OV] MY BACK4 ,:5 ,I TRI$ 6ROLL OV] !
MOVE;T MADE ME SCR1M1 A HO>SE GUTTURAL
S.D T ,I 0 GR[+ ALL TOO FAMILI> )4 ,=A
MO;T ,I J LAY "!1 TRY+ 6BR1!4
  ,!N1 2C "! WASN'T RE,Y "T 6LIE >.D
FEEL+ SORRY = MYF1 ,I =C$ MY H1D UP4 ,Z
OBVI\S Z X 0 T ,I _H "S?+ DESP]ATELY
WR;G ) ME1 X 0 EQU,Y OBVI\S T ,SUZANNE
_HN'T BE5 /RUCK 0,C]NUNNOS'S BLADE4 ,H]
EYES 7 CLOS$1 B "! 0 COLOR 9 H] *EEKS T
EV5 ! FLA%ES ( LI<TN+ CDN'T BL1* \1 & H]
BR1?+ 0 /1DY4
  ,: M1NT EI ,I'D SU3E$$ UTT]LY OR FAIL$
-PLETELY4 ,"! 0 NO BOY 9 MY >MS4 ,WASN'T
T A ,SCOTTI% FAIRY TALE8 ,I LAU<$1 A
HI<-PIT*$ S.D ( PANIC1 & ROLL$ OV] J 9
"T 6MISS 2+ /A2$ 9 ! BACK A SEC-    #EAD
OND "T 0AN EXTREMELY UNHAPPY GOD4 ,!
SWORD /UCK 96! WOOD5 C>\SEL FLOOR4 ,C]-
NUNNOS SN>L$4 ,I SMIL$ UP AT HM & LOOK$
"? 8 LEGS 6SEE :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  ,9 ! FLA%ES ( LI<T1 ,G>Y SLID D[N !
C>\SEL HORSE1 D>K BLOOD SEEP+ "? 8 COAT
6/A9 X BLACK4 ,2H HM1 A SP>K )! SAME UN-
E>?LY LUM9ESC;E Z ! ,HUNT APPE>$1 :IRL+
9 UNEXPECT$ DIREC;NS Z ! W9D SNAT*$ X
BACK & =?4 ,! ,HUNT CAME =W>D "? ! /ORM1
GA!R+ >.D ! RAPIDLY GR[+ SP>K4
  ,C]NUNNOS YANK$ 8 SWORD F ! FLOOR Z !
PALE M>E LET \ A NICK] ( PL1SURE & %AD[$
"? BO? ,G>Y &! C>\SEL HORSE4 ,! ,HUNT
"P$ _! CIRCLE = H]1 & ,I R1LIZ$ ,I 0 /
SEE+ "? SOLID OBJECTS4
  8,/UPID %AMAN10 ,I MUM#D1 & CLOS$ MY
EYES4 ,! D>K;S W5T AWAY1 REPLAC$ 0!
BRILLI.E ( PURE _S 9 "EY?+ F ! C>V$ C>\-
SEL ANIMALS 6! GOD (! ,HUNT HMF4 ,:5 ,I
OP5$ MY EYES AG X 0 EASI] 6SEE1 PHYSICAL
=MS FAD$ 6LESS] IMPORT.E4
  ,G>Y 0 DY+4 ,E HE>TB1T DROVE ?ICK
BLOOD \1 M SL[LY N[ ?AN A FEW MO;TS AGO4
,SUZANNE--,I DIDN'T EV5 NE$ 6TURN   #EAE
MY H1D 6SEE H]--WAS GR[+ /R;G]1 H] BR1?+
DEEP]4 ,C]NUNNOS SWEPT 8 SWORD UP & ,I
FL9*$1 TOO BADLY HURT 6MOVE M1 WAIT+ =!
NEXT BL[4
  ,9/1D ! GOD P>RI$ A BL[ HE CDN'T H
SE51 SWORD BRAC$ OV] 8 %\LD] Z ,H]NE
DROVE 8 [N SWORD D[N F 2H ,C]NUNNOS4
,METAL SANG Z !Y SMA%$ TGR1 !N SCRAP$ Z
,C]NUNNOS :IRL$1 DRAW+ 8 BLADE AL;G !
L5G? ( ,H]NE'S4 ,X 0 P]FECT3 ,H]NE'S
SWORD 0 PU%$ WIDE1 & ,C]NUNNOS OP5$ 8
SON'S RIBS F SIDE 6SIDE 9 "O L;G SWEEP4
,H]NE DROPP$ 6HIS KNEES1 SWORD FALL+ F
NUMB F+]S1 ! EM]ALDS & BR[NS ( 8 COLORS
SU45LY BL1*+4
  ,C]NUNNOS DREW BACK 8 SWORD =! F9AL
BL[1 &A *'S VOICE RANG \3 8,/OP60
  ,C]NUNNOS DROPP$ 8 SWORD L A M>IONETTE
REL1S$ F XS /R+S1 TURN+ 9 %OCK$ RAGE TO
FACE ! "Y ,RID]4 ,HE /OOD FEY & SL5D] &
/UNN+LY B1UTI;L1 )A LOOK ( DEEP RESOLVE
9 8 BRILLIANT EM]ALD EYES4 ,HE SAT
A/RIDE 8 PALE M>E1 "O PALM REASSUR+LY
AG/ H] NECK1 8 O!R H& EASY ON ! RE9S4
,2H HM1 ! ,HUNT 7 GA!R$1 ! H.DS     #EAF
SITT+ & LY+ AT ! HORSES' HOOVES R ?AN
SL9K+ >.D4
  8,? "O IS N YRS1 ,"F10 ! BOY SD1 ALM
APOLOGETIC,Y4 8,I WD T HE W]E1 =! ,HELL
T HAS BE5 VISIT$ ON ME4 ,B ( YR BLOOD1
N"O IS LESS M1NT = Y ?AN HE B ,I MYF40
  ,C]NUNNOS'S M\? CURL$ 9 A SN>L4 8,?\
WD/ H M]CY ON ! "O :O /OLE YR P[] & WD H
USURP$ M9E80
  ,! BOY %RU7$1 Z PA9;LLY GRACE;L Z ,C]-
NUNNOS4 8,X IS N M9E 6SAY4 ,"! IS NO M>K
ON 8 S\L T GIVES HM 6Y4 ,HE IS YR *1
,"F4 ,Y _C H HM4 ,X IS ! WAY ( ?+S40
  ,2H ME1 ,SUZANNE :IMP]$ & %IFT$1 !
W>M? ( H] BODY MOV+ AWAY4 ,C]NUNNOS
TURN$1 EYES B"R ) ANG]1 & LIFT$ 8 SWORD
AG4 ,I FELT A PECULI> K9D ( RELIEF1 "K+
T ,I 0 8 T>GET1 R ?AN ! "Y WOMAN SPRAWL$
ON ! C>\SEL FLOOR4
  8,"F10 ! BOY SD1 APOLOGETIC & W>N+4
  8.,I C SEE ! M>K ON ? "O10 ,C]NUNNOS
GR[L$4 ,! BOY 9CL9$ 8 H1D4
  8,S C WE ALL1 ,"F1 B N YET4 ,%E HAS A
L;G J\RNEY 2F %E -ES 6! ,%AD[L&S40
  ,T DIDN'T RELIEVE ME Z M* Z X     #EAG
%D H4 8,NOR >E Y D"O "H1 .GWYLD10 ! BOY
SD4 8,GET UP4 ,F9I% YR TASKS4 ,WE H A
L;G ,HUNT 2F U TN1 & ,I W N RIDE UNTIL
,I SEE ? ?+ F9I%$40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME TOO10 ,I CROAK$4 ,UN-
GRATE;L LL BA/>D4
  8,MAKE "R :AT HAS BE5 PUT AS"U10 ! BOY
SD %>PLY4 ,! M>E PR.ED1 A FEW N]V\S
/EPS1 & HE /ROK$ H] NECK AG4
  8,MAKE "R10 ,I MUM#D4 8,MAKE :AT "R80
,I CLOS$ MY EYES AG & SANK 96MYF1 R1*+ \
T[>D "EY"O :O /OOD OR LAY >.D ! C>\SEL1
LOOK+ = "S?+ T 0 OBVI\SLY WR;G1 "K+ BET-
T] ?AN 6EXPECT ! SUP]FICIAL PHYSICAL
W.DS 6BE ! PRO#M4
  ..,BIG FAT SWORD HOLES >E .SUP]FICIAL8
A LL "P ( MY BRA9 ASK$4 ,I TOLD X 6%UT
UP & G AWAY4 ,6MY SURPRISE1 X DID4
  ,NOR 7 MY [N FLAWS ! PRO#M4 ,I KNEW T
)\T BO!R+ 6LOOK 6MYF4 ,I T\*$ ! O!RS ON-
LY FLEET+LY2 X 0 ,H]NE1 ,I KNEW T1 M* Z
,I DIDN'T WANT 6FACE ANO!R 5C.T] ) HM4
,A S*ISM RAN "? 8 S\L1 A *ASM ( PURE
BLACK;S1 HOLD+ A"P ! ?+ T HE 0 F ! ?+ HE
0 M1NT 6BE4                         #EAH
  ,GRE5 ,MAN4 ,PROTECTOR4 ,H1L]4 ,GODL+4
,^? ?+S LAY ON ! WR;G SIDE (! GAP1 TORN
& 4TORT$ 0A T]RI# J1L\SY1 0ANG] & BITT]-
;S AT A MORTAL LIFE"T G"O WR;G1 HUNDR$S
( YE>S AGO4 ,H]NE _H TURN$ 8 BACK ON A
%AMAN'S PA?1 & 8 IMMORTAL BLOOD _H
GRANT$ HM NO P1CE S9CE !N4 ,HE'D BURI$
PA9 9 ! PURSUIT ( P[]4
  ..,WD ? H HAPP5$ 6.ME8 ,I CD SEE ! PO-
T5TIAL 9 MYF1 ! BURI$ ANG] F A DOZ5 YE>S
AGO1 N"E AC"KL$G$1 N"E D1LT )4 ,NOR 0 ,I
R1DY 6D1L ) !M N[4
  ,B ,I CD AC"KL$GE4 ,I SWALL[$ H>D &
LAID MYF OP5 6,H]NE1 S\L 6S\L1 MAT*+ W.D
= W.D1 FISSURE = FISSURE4 ,8 7 DEEP]1 M
PL5TI;L ?AN M9E1 B ? WASN'T A POPUL>;Y
3TE/4 ,%>$ PA9 0 PA9 EAS$4 ,! ELD] :O'D
GIV5 ME MY DRUM _H TOLD ME T AF ,AYITA
DI$4 ,I'D TURN$ AWAY4
  ,Z ,H]NE TRI$ 6TURN AWAY N[4 ,I CAU<T
HM 9 A WEB ( SILV] RA9B[S1 WOND]+ ": ,I
0 GETT+ ! P[] 6MA9TA9 MY [N /R5G?1 :5
,I'D />T$ \ ! EV5+ EXHAU/$ ALR4
  ,S\L 6S\L1 WE MET1 & ,H]NE SCR1M$ \ !
UNFAIR;S ( 8 D1? SIX HUNDR$ YE>S    #EAI
2F4
  .,Y'RE ."R1 ,I SD )\T ?9K+4 .,X
.SUCKS4
  ,ON "S MICROCOSMIC LEVEL1 HE /OPP$
%\T+ & />$ AT ME 9 A/ONI%;T4 ,I %RU7$4
.,X .SUCKS1 ,I REP1T$4 ..,X WASN'T FAIR4
,B NOBODY SD LIFE IS FAIR1 & Y'VE BE5
2HAV+ L A ?REE-YE>-OLD L;G .5\<4
  ,H]NE GAP$ AT ME4
  ..,LOOK1 ,I'M CALL+ ! KETTLE BLACK "H1
OKAY8 ,EXCEPT ,I'VE ONLY BE5 SULK+ =
TWELVE YE>S1 N SIX C5TURIES4 ,Y'RE ! S\L
(! =E/S1 Y IDIOT4 ,Y'VE BE5 IGNOR+ !M =
HALF A MILL5NIUM4 ,LOOK :AT'S HAPP5+ TO
!M4 ,LOOK :AT'S HAPP5+ .6Y4 .,GRE5
.,MAN4 ,I POK$ HM 9 ! *E/ ) TWO F+]S4
,HE /UM#D BACK A /EP1 LOOK+ D[N AT HMF4
  ,X / LAY )9 HM1 ! DEP?S (! GRT WOODS1
BURI$ 2N C5TURIES ( PA94 ,ONCE NOTIC$1 !
ANCI5T /R5G? ( GR[+ ?+S FL>$ UP L A *AL-
L5GE4 ,X LIT HM F ! 9SIDE1 %[+ ALL !
CRACKS & FLAWS 9 8 "*1 J Z MY [N SPID]-
WEB ( BROK5 GLASS DID 6ME4 ,H]NE H[L$ &
FLUNG 8 >MS UP1 AN AC;N ( D5IAL EV5 Z 8
H&S CURV$ Z IF 6PULL ALL ! P[] &    #EBJ
/R5G? (! WOODS 96HMF4 ,HE /OOD FROZ5 L T
= :AT SEEM$ A BRIEF ET]N;Y1 & !N ! LURE
( P[] 0 TOO GRT = HM 6RESI/4 ,HE GRASP$
AT X1 & "S?+ FUNDA;TAL *ANG$ 9 ! _W4
  ,A RO> SURFAC$1 S L\D X ?R1T5$ MY E>-
DRUMS1 S L\D X SEEM$ IMPOSSI# T "EY"O CD
N HE> X4 ,X 0 ! S.D ( WELCOME1 ( GRE5
?+S RECOGNIZ+ ! T\* ( _! PROTECTOR1 & X
W5T ON & ON4
  ,EV5 )! ONSLAU<T ( P[] & WELCOME F !
E>?1 X TOOK A T]RIBLY L;G "T 6DELVE 9TO
,H]NE'S DE>LY HELD GRIEV.ES & DRAW !M \4
,B ,I _H MADE HM LI/51 = "O BRIEF MO;T4
,L;G 5 62G9 A *ANGE "S": DEEP )9 HM1 &
ONCE 2GUN1 ,I NEI CD NOR WD /OP UNTIL !
H1L+ 0 -PLETE4 ,! P[] )9 ME EXULT$1
%OOT+ SP>KS "? MY BODY T KEPT ME ON MY
FEET M* L;G] ?AN ,I ?"\ ,I CD MANAGE4
,"! 0 JOY 9 ! H1L+1 EMPTY PLACES 9SIDE
ME FILL+ ) RELIEF & PURPOSE T ,I'D N"E
"KN ,I 0 MISS+4
  ,I W5T AT ,H]NE M9D.SLY1 /RIPP+ AWAY
LIES3 ,RI*>D _H N 2TRAY$ HM2 ,C]NUNNOS
_H N AB&ON$ HM4 ,H]NE %RIEK$ ) RAGE &
PA91 FI<T+ 6CL+ 6! LIES &! LIFE     #EBA
HE'D BUILT >.D !M4
  ,AD9A4 ,! ESS;E (! WOMAN ROLL$ OV] ME1
"? U1 &=A MO;T X SEEM$ L %E /OOD ) U AT
! C>\SEL1 EXPRES.N SAD4 ,%E _H "KN1 (
C\RSE1 T H] HUSB& _H P[]1 & M1 T HE _H
BE5 9 GRT PA94 ,B %E 0 NO M A# 6SEE "? !
VEIL ,H]NE 3/RUCT$ ?AN ,I _H BE54 ,I 0
GRATE;L1 V BRIEFLY1 T ,I WASN'T ! ONLY
"O :O CDN'T RECOGNIZE ,H]NE & 8 P[] IN-
/ANTLY1 EV5 IF ,I'D BE5 3V9C$ ,I CD4
,AD9A SEEM$ 6%>E A SAD1 WRY SMILE ) ME1
& !N %E 0 G"O4
  ,) H] DE"PURE W5T ! TANGL$ REMA9S (
,H]NE'S PA94 ,I R1LIZ$ )A %OCK T WE 7
TE>+ D[N EV5 ! L9KS T HELD S\L 6BODY1 &
DREW BACK1 AL>M$4
  8,LET X G40 ,Z ) ,C]NUNNOS1 ,I WASN'T
SURE IF ! ^WS 7 SPOK5 AL\D OR 9SIDE MY
H1D1 B !Y 7 SD ) TIR$ 3FID;E4 ,I HESI-
TAT$1 & ,H]NE REP1T$ HMF M 9SI/5TLY3
8,LET X G40
  ,HE /OOD 9 FRONT ( ME1 H&S SPR1D A LL4
,! PALE-SK9N$ HALF GOD 0 G"O4 ,9 8 PLACE
0 A WOODL+ GOD1 SK9 D>K & GN>L$ Z AN OAK
TREE1 F+]S KNOTTY &A LL TOO L;G4    #EBB
,LOOK+ AT 8 FACE 0 DI6ICULT1 L F9D+ FAC-
ES 9 TREE TRUNKS4 ,! PALE BR[N HAIR _H
?ICK5$1 D>K5$1 FL[+ BACK F 8 FACE 9
KNOTS & TANGLES4 ,EV5 8 COLORS1 ! O!R_W-
LY LI<T F )91 _H DEEP5$1 96RI* BR[NS &
D>K GRE5S1 ! COLOR ( GD SOIL & SUMM]
L1VES4 ,9 ! HALF-LI<T1 ONLY 8 EYES 7 !
SAME1 BRILLIANT EM]ALD-GRE54 ,! 2TRAYAL
9 ^? EYES _H BE5 REPLAC$ 0LOSS & AN AN-
CI5T SAD;S4
  8,DID Y H ! "R 6D ?80 HE ASK$1 & 8
VOICE SCRAP$1 L R\< B>K 2+ TORN4
  8,YES10 ,I SD )\T HESIT,N4 8,I CDN'T H
IF Y _HN'T AGRE$4 ,_HN'T HELP$ ME4 ,ALL
,I DID 0 MAKE Y SEE40
  8,I FEEL NO P1CE10 ! ,GRE5 ,MAN SD4 ,I
TILT$ MY H1D4
  8,I DON'T ?9K X -ES T EASILY4 ,/1 Y'VE
GOT ALL ! "T 9 ! _W40
  ,H]NE LAU<$1 W9D "? L1VES4 8,S"E ! LA/
BONDS1 .GWYLD4 ,LET ME G40
  ,I LOOK$ D[N AT ! %ALL[LY BR1?+ BODY4
,ONLY A FEW ?R1DS / HELD ! TREE _S 6!
PHYSICAL =M4 ,I PUT MY H& ON ,H]NE'S *E/
& LOOK$ UP AT ! GODL+ "O M "T 6BE   #EBC
C]TA94 ,HE NO4$4
  ,I DREW ! RAPI] & SWUNG X 9 A L[ PHAN-
TOM LOOP J ABV ,KEV9 ,SADL]'S BODY4 ,!
?R1DS L1P$ FREE1 COIL+ UP 96,H]NE Z FA/
Z REL1S$ SPR+S4
  ,A BALL ( PURE LI<T ERUPT$1 EXP&$ 2Y !
C>\SEL 9 A FL>E ( %OCK+ BRILLI.E1 Z :ITE
Z A NUCLE> BOMB4 ,X COLLAPS$ BACK 9 ON
XF 9 ! SAME 9/ANT1 &! ,GRE5 ,MAN 0 G"O4

  ,I WOKE UP A LL :ILE LAT] ) ,G>Y CR\*+
OV] ME4 ,! ,C5T] 0 D>K1 ! LI<TS ON !
,SPACE ,NE$LE BLACK$ \4 ,I WASN'T SEE+ 9
TWO _WS ANYMORE1 B ! ,WILD ,HUNT / MILL$
>.D1 BE>+ ) !M _! [N UNE>?LY LI<T4
8,Y'RE DY+10 ,I A3US$4 ,G>Y GR9N$4
  8,N ANYMORE40
  8,OH1 GD10 ,I SD FA9TLY4 8,H['D T HAP-
P580 ,I %IFT$ A %\LD] T5TATIVELY4 ,! L9E
( FIRE 9 MY BACK _H 4APPE>$4 8,I MISS$
"S?+1 DIDN'T ,I8 ,:AT HAPP5$ 6! LI<TS80
  8,!Y W5T \ :5 Y GRA2$ ,SUZANNE10 ,G>Y
ANSW]$1 TAK+ ! "QS 9 ! OPPOSITE ORD]4
8,ALL OV] ! PLACE40
  ,OH4 ,T MAYBE EXPLA9$ H[ ,I'D     #EBD
KEPT ON MY FEET1 METAPHYSIC,Y SP1K+4
,I'D BORR[$ ! :OLE C;Y'S P[]4 ,I HOP$ ,I
_HN'T HURT ANYBODY4 8,& Y'RE N D1D 2C
'''80
  8,BIG BALL ( LI<T10 ,G>Y REPORT$4
8,WEIRDE/ DAMN$ ?+ ,I "E SAW4 ,I CD SEE
Y LY+ D[N ON ! JOB OV] "H & /&+ NOSE TO
NOSE ) ,H]NE AT ! SAME "T4 ,Y SWUNG !
SWORD & HE LIT UP & Y FAD$ AWAY4 ,?"\ Y
7 D1D4 ,!N ! LI<T FAD$ & "EYBODY 0 PAT*$
UP4 ,0 T Y OR HM80
  8,I DUNNO40 ,I SAT UP C>E;LLY4 ,SU-
ZANNE ,QU9LEY 0 KNEEL+ 0! EXTRAORD9>ILY
ORD9>Y BODY ( ,KEV9 ,SADL]1 SI<T.SLY
ROCK+ =W>D & BACK4 ,I GL.ED AT ,G>Y1 !N
CLIMB$ 6MY FEET & WALK$ 6! GIRL 9 AN ALM
/RAI<T L9E4 8,SUZANNE80
  8,MY P>5TS >E D1D1 >5'T !Y10 %E SD 9 !
SAME ?9 SOPRANO ,I REMEMB]$ F ! !ATRE4
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD QUIETLY4 8,I'M SORRY40
  8,HE KILL$ !M4 ,MY SP]M DAD KILL$ !M40
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD AG1 2C ,I DIDN'T "K :AT
ELSE 6SAY4
  8,:Y80
  ,GOD4 ,:AT A "Q4 8,"S"O HURT HM   #EBE
A L;G "T AGO10 ,I SD SL[LY4 8,I ?9K MAY-
BE X DROVE HM 9SANE4 ,HE 0 TRY+ 6PROTECT
HMF F 2+ HURT AG40
  ,SUZANNE SWALL[$ & LOOK$ UP AT ME1 !N
CLIMB$ 6H] FEET4 8,HE 0 TRY+ 6/1L MY
S\L1 WASN'T HE8 ,CD HE D T8 ,:AT 0 HE80
  ,I RU2$ MY BR1/B"O4 8,D Y RE,Y WANT !
ANSW] 6T80
  ,%E GAVE ME A SCORN;L LOOK4 8,I SAW
:AT HAPP5$4 ,HE TURN$ 96A ''' _S-?+4
,:AT 0 HE80
  8,A DEMIGOD10 ,C]NUNNOS SD F A FEW
Y>DS AWAY4 ,8 /ALLION /OOD /"O /1 RADI-
AT+ IMPATI;E 6BE (F4 8,HIS "N 0 ,H]NE1 &
HE 0 MY SON40
  8,HE / IS YR SON10 ,I MUM#D4 8,J A LL
LESS CORPOR1L40
  8,S Y'RE MY GR&"F40 ,SUZANNE IGNOR$
ME4 ,C]NUNNOS BL9K$1 TAK5 ABACK4
  8,WE M/ G1 ,"F10 ! "YE/ ,RID] SD QUI-
ETLY4 ,C]NUNNOS GL.ED AT ! BOY1 !N BACK
AT ,SUZANNE4
  8,I AM10 HE AGRE$1 & %OT ME A LOOK (
V5OM4 8,B ,I AM B.D 6ANO!R _W1
GR&DAU<T]1 & ,I _C /AY40            #EBF
  8,W ,I "E SEE Y AG80 ,SUZANNE S.D$ V
"Y & AL"O4 ,I BIT MY L[] LIP4 ,C]NUNNOS
LOOK$ BACK AT ! "Y ,RID]1 :O SMIL$4
  8,AT ! H\R ( YR BIR?1 EA* & E YE> UN-
TIL YR MORTAL LIFE 5DS1 WE W GREET Y1 IF
ONLY =A MO;T1 NIECE4 ,I W L1D ! ,HUNT TO
Y4 ,ONLY D N FE> U1 & ALL W 2 WELL40
  ,SUZANNE LIFT$ H] *9 & NO4$1 GRE5 EYES
WIDE4 8,I'LL SEE Y NEXT YE>1 !N10 %E
:ISP]$1 & LOOK$ D[N AT ! BODY AT H]
FEET4 ,ANG] SET H] JAW1 & %E DREW "O
FOOT BACK & KICK$ ,KEV9 ,SADL]'S BODY 9
! RIBS1 H>D4 ,!N1 *9 LIFT$ AG1 %E /EPP$
OV] ! BODY ) IMM5SE DIGN;Y & WALK$ AWAY
F ! C>\SEL1 PAUS+ = "O MO;T 6PUT H] H&
ON ! NOSE (! PALE HORSE %E'D RI454 ,!N
%E /EPP$ D[N & 2GAN WALK+ ACR ! ,C5T]
GR.DS BACK T[>D ! P>K+ LOT4 ,X 0 ONLY !N
T ,I NOTIC$ R$-&-BLUE FLA%ES ( LI<T &!
APPROA*+ S.D ( SIR5S1 & CLOS$ MY EYES4
,X 0 ALL OV] B ! YELL+4
  8,N Q YET1 .GWYLD10 ,C]NUNNOS MURMUR$4
  8,OH1 NO10 ,I SD \ L\D1 & OP5$ MY EYES
AG4 ,/&+ ON ! C>\SEL1 ,I WASN'T AT EYE
LEVEL )! GOD1 B AT L1/ ,I DIDN'T    #EBG
H 6CRANE MY NECK TOO BADLY 6MEET 8 EYE4
8,G AWAY10 ,I SD1 & FLAPP$ A H&4 8,I
WON4 ,G RIDE4 ,Y DON'T H A LOT ( "T40
  8,M ?AN Y ?9K10 ! "Y ,RID] SD4 8,WE
C.T ! "DS F DUSK 6DUSK4 ,/1 WA/E NO M "T
?AN Y M/1 ,"F40 ,HE %IFT$ 8 WEI<T 6!
SIDE1 N US+ ! RE9S AT ALL4 ,! PALE M>E
TURN$ & WALK$ AWAY )! RE/ (! ,HUNT FOL-
L[+ AF4
  8,I W SEE !E AG1 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+-
/ICK10 ! HORN$ GOD SD 6ME4 ,I DUCK$ MY
H1D & SMIL$4
  8,W Y VISIT ME L Y'LL VISIT ,SUZANNE8
,I MAY 2 M>K$ = Y1 ,C]NUNNOS1 B N YET4
,I'VE GOT A FEW ?+S 6D1 F/40
  ,HE R1*$ D[N & SLID GLOV$ F+]S "U MY
*91 TILT+ X UP S ,I MET 8 EYE AG4 8,N
YET10 HE AGRE$1 EM]ALD EYES FULL ( ?+S
UNFAMILI>3 RESPECT1 ADMIR,N1 EV5 A6EC;N4
8,?\ >T A WOR?Y OPPON5T1 .GWYLD4 ,I ?9K
,I W L1VE Y A GIFT4 ,X AMUSES ME40
  ,HE B5T ) ALL 8 CU/OM>Y GRACE1 & EV5
?\< ,I KNEW :AT 0 -+1 ! -PUL.N ( 8 BRIL-
LIANT EYES HELD ME ": ,I WAS4 ,OR MAYBE
,I J DIDN'T RE,Y .WANT 6MOVE4 ,9    #EBH
! 4T.E1 ,MORRISON BELL[$1 8,WALK]601 &
,C]NUNNOS KISS$ ME1 A HORRIFY+LY GD KISS
T WD H W1K5$ ! KNEES (A LESS] WOMAN4
  ,OH1 ALL "R1 A HORRIFY+LY GD KISS T
W1K5$ MY KNEES4 ,G>Y1 ! HELP;L SON (A
BIT*1 LET \ A PI]C+ WOLF :I/LE1 & ,I
COLOR$ F MY COLL>B"OS 6MY HAIRL9E4 ,C]-
NUNNOS REL1S$ ME1 *UCKL+4 8,UNTIL LAT]1
,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+/ICK40
  ,I _H J 5 PRES;E ( M9D 6SKET* A HALF
B[1 & REPLY1 8,UNTIL LAT]1 MY "L MA/] (!
,HUNT40
  ,C]NUNNOS RETURN$ ! B[1 !N :IRL$ !
/ALLION AB &1 )A %\T1 L$ ! ,WILD ,HUNT 9
A GALLOP UP OV] ! H1DS (! >RIV+ COPS4
,EV5 ,MORRISON DUCK$1 !N GL>$ AT ME "? !
4T.E L X 0 MY FAULT4 ,! LI<TS 7 -+ BACK
ON1 SL[LY4
  8,3SORT+ )! 5EMY1 ,WALK]80 HE DEM&$ Z
SOON Z HE 0 CLOSE 5 6SP1K4
  8,T'S N ! 5EMY4 ,! 5EMY'S OV] "!40 ,I
J]K$ MY H1D T[>D ! C>\SEL1 / WAT*+ !
,HUNT 4APPE> UP 96! />S4 ,MORRISON
CLIMB$ UP ONTO ! C>\SEL & W5T 6LOOK AT !
BODY1 EYEBR[S DRAWN D[N4            #EBI
  8,T'S A DEMIGOD80
  8,N ANYMORE10 ,I ADMITT$4 ,MORRISON
SC[L$ AT ! BODY4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80
  ,I GROAN$4 8,I'LL PUT X 9 MY REPORT4
,T'S :AT ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6SAY1 "R8 ,I'LL
PUT X 9 MY REPORT80
  ,MORRISON FR[N$ MAGNIFIC5TLY AT ME4
8,Y'RE SURE T'S HM80
  8,OH1 Y1H10 ,I SD 9 A *ORUS ) ,G>Y4
,WE EX*ANG$ WE>Y GR9S T NE>LY TURN$ 9TO
EXHAU/$ GI7LES 2F ,I PULL$ MYF BACK TGR4
8,SUZANNE ,QU9LEY J WALK$ AWAY ON H]
[N40 ,I _H 6/>E H>D AT ,MORRISON 6KEEP
MY ?"\S 9 ORD]4 8,H] :OLE FAMILY'S D1D4
,"SBODY %D GET H]40
  ,MORRISON'S M\? ?9N$ Z HE LOOK$ 6": ,I
GE/UR$1 !N TURN$ AWAY BRIEFLY1 CALL+1
8,GONZALEZ6 ,%E'S T WAY40
  ,J5 ,GONZALEZ CAME \ (! D>K & JO7$ ACR
! ,C5T] GR.DS AF ,SUZY4 ,MORRISON & ,I
BO? WAT*$ H]1 2F HE LOOK$ BACK AT ME4
8,H] AUNT LIVES 9 ,OLYMPIA4 ,GONZALEZ
CALL$ H]4 ,%E'S ON H] WAY40 ,HE HESITAT$
A MO;T 2F A4+1 8,SUZY'LL 2 OKAY40   #ECJ
  ,I DROPP$ MY *9 6MY *E/4 ,J5'D -E "? =
A GIRL :O WASN'T MISS+ & ,MORRISON 0 5
ON TOP (! DETAILS 6BE A# 6REASSURE ME4
,I 0 W>Y ( SAY+ ?ANKS1 \ ( FE> ,I MI<T
FALL A"P4 ,9/1D ,I SWALL[$ & NO4$4 8,C
WE G BACK 6! /,N S ,I C FILL \ :AT"E PA-
P]"W ,I NE$ 6FILL \1 & G SLEEP =A WEEK80
  ,MORRISON ?RU/ 8 *9 \4 8,IS X YR FAULT
ALL ! LI<TS W5T \80
  8''' PROBABLY40
  8,C>E 6TELL ME H[ Y MANAG$ 6KEEP P[]
GO+ AT HOSPITALS & EM]G5CY S]VICES & NO-
": ELSE80
  ,I LIFT$ MY H1D & />$ AT HM =A TREM5-
D\SLY L;G "T4 8,NO10 ,I F9,Y SD1 B ,I
SMIL$4 8,NO1 ,I DON'T C>E 6TELL Y T AT
ALL4 ,N1T TRICK1 ?\<1 HUH80
  ,MORRISON SC[L$ "S M4 8,Y1H4 ,X WAS40
,HE /RU7L$ )! NEXT ^WS =A FEW MO;TS1
LOOK+ Z IF HE 0 TRY+ 6F9D A WAY N 6SAY
!M3 8,GD JOB40 ,HE GAVE ME "O %>P LL
NOD1 !N FL>$ 8 NO/RILS4 8,GET YR ASS 9 !
C>1 ,WALK]1 & GET BACK 6! /,N4 ,I WANT
6"K :AT HAPP5$ "H40
  ,I TOOK A C\PLE /EPS1 !N PAUS$    #ECA
& LOOK$ BACK AT HM4 8,ISN'T T1 ,8,GET YR
ASS 9 ! C>1 ,(FIC] ,WALK]0'80
  ,MORRISON GL>$ H>D 5 6SET MY HAIR ON
FIRE4 ,?ANK H1V5S HE DIDN'T H MY EXCIT+
NEW P[] SET4 8,GET YR ASS 9 ! C>1 .,(-
FIC] ,WALK]1 Y '''0 ,HE TRAIL$ (F1 UNA#
6-E UP ) SU6ICI5T 9VECTIVE 6DESCRIBE ME4
  ,GR9N+1 ,I GOT MY ASS 9 ! C>1 & FELL
ASLEEP ON ! WAY BACK 6! /,N4 ,"! 0 A
HELL (A LOT WAIT+ = ME J ON ! O!R SIDE (
SLEEP1 B ,I PU%$ X AWAY4 ,=A FEW M9UTES1
AT L1/1 ,I FIGUR$ ,I DES]V$ 6BE SATISFI$
) SAV+ ! GIRL & /YMIE+ ,MORRISON4 ,! RE/
(! _W CD WAIT UNTIL TM4
  ,I 0 PRETTY SURE X WD4









  ,C4 ,E4 7,CATIE7 ,MURPHY HOLDS    #ECB
AN UTT]LY IMPRACTICAL DEGREE 9 ,5GLI% &
HI/ORY1 MAK+ H] UNFIT = ANY SORT ( DUTY
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  ,AT AGE SIX1 ,CATIE SUBMITT$ S"EAL PO-
EMS 6AN ELE;T>Y S*OOL PUBLIC,N4 ,! T1*]
PRODUC+ X *OSE 79EVITABLY7 ! "O %E ?"\ 0
! WOR/ (! ?REE1 B HE AL /OPP$ H] 9 !
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  ,H1DY /UFF =A SIX-YE>-OLD4 ,X 0 S.D
ADVICE1 & %E'S PRETTY M* N"E LOOK$ BACK4
  ,%E LIVES 9 ,ALASKA ) H] HUSB&1 ,T$1
ROOMMATE ,%AUN &A NUMB] ( PETS4 ,M 9=M,N
AB ,CATIE & H] WRIT+ C 2 F.D AT
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