,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

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

  ,MAYBE X 0 J ME1 B P]SON,Y1 IF ,I'D J
WAT*$ A C\PLE ( P PLAY+ ,PI$ ,PIP] )A
SEV5TY-FOOT S]P5T1 ,I'D H FOLL[$ ! L1D]
\TSIDE 6SEE :AT HAPP5$4 ,I'D WANT 6"K IF
! RATS _H ALL JUMP$ 9 ! RIV] & DR[N$1 OR
IF !Y'D DECID$ EN MASSE 6ATTACK ! ,PIP]
& H HM = LUN*4
  ,! COV5 APP>5TLY DIDN'T %>E MY CURIOS-
;Y4 ,MAYBE T 0 :AT TOO M* EXPOSURE 6!
MAGICAL _W GOT Y4 ,"! 0 AN ANIMAT$ 4CUS-
.N GO+ ON :5 ,I SNUCK BACK 96! LIV+
ROOM1 MO/ ( X AB H[ 6BE/ TRANSLOCATE !
S]P5T & :E!R OR N S* AN AC;N WD 5TIRELY
4RUPT ! REMA9D] (! RITUAL4 ,FAYE'D -E
D[N F ,MEL'S ROOM 6JO9 ! >GU;T1 H] VOICE
RIS+ & FALL+ OV] ! G5]AL HU2UB4
  8,GUYS10 ,I SD 96! WALL ( NOISE4 ,NO
"O NOTIC$4 8,GUYS6 .,GUYS60
  ,"EY"O FELL SIL5T1 LOOK+ AT ME 9 SUR-
PRISE4 8,OKAY1 LOOK1 GUYS4 ,N GETT+ RID
( ? ?+8 ,N AN OP;N4 ,? IS MY FRS' H\SE &
:AT"E ! HELL ELSE WE'VE D"O1 H["E GD \R
9T5;NS1 WE'RE RESPONSI# = T ?+ 2+ 9 _!
FRONT Y>D "R N[4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6MAKE   #DCH
X G "S": ELSE4 ,COMPREND@E80
  ,MY VI.N REV]T$ 6NORMAL S ABRUPTLY A
H1DA*E /A2$ "? MY "R EYE4 ,I W9C$ &
/RET*$ MY FACE1 TRY+ 6GET RID ( X1 !N
BL9K$ >.D 9 3FU.N4 ,NORMAL COLORS LOOK$
G>I% & WR;G4 ,! SUNLI<T 0 TOO B"R & MADE
KNOTS ( 4COM=T 9 MY /OMA*4
  8,JOANNE IS "R1 ( C\RSE10 ,M>CIA SD4
,FAYE1 9 ALL H] GOLD5 RETRIEV]-COLOR$
GLORY1 LOOK$ EXASP]AT$4
  8,I WASN'T SAY+ %E WASN'T4 ,I 0 ONLY
SAY+ T ,I ?"\ WE'D H M LUCK IF ,MEL9DA
HELP$ U--0
  8,:AT >E Y1 CRAZY80 ,I DEM&$4 8,%E HAS
6/AY 9 B$60
  ,FAYE'S EYES N>R[$4 8,HE> ME \4 ,? IS
H] HOME4 ,%E'S GOT M NATURAL P[] "H ?AN
ANY ( U1 EV5 Y1 ,JOANNE4 ,H] "PICIP,N WD
MAKE A BIG DI6];E 9 E/ABLI%+ ! T]RITORY
Z UNFRLY40
  ,I TWI/$ MY M\?1 LOOK+ AT ,M>CIA4 ,%E
SI<$ & SPR1D H] H&S4 8,FAYE'S "R4 ,X CD
MAKE ALL ! DI6];E40
  8,CDN'T "O (! KIDS D X80 ,I 0 GRASP+
AT /RAWS4                           #DCI
  ,! ,ELD] LOOK$ APOLOGETIC4 8,Z AN
ADULT1 ,MRS4 ,HOLLI"D'S PRES;E IS M =CE-
;L4 ,AL1 ! L& 2L;GS 6H] & H] HUSB&1 N 6!
*N40
  ,I SET MY TEE? TGR4 8,ALL "R4 ,ALL "R4
,B %E C'T WALK >.D1 Y GUYS4 ,IF %E'S
WILL+ 6D ?--0
  8,%E IS10 ,FAYE 9T]RUPT$4 ,I LOOK$ AT
! CEIL+ & RAN "? A SIL5T LITANY ( ^WS
NICE GIRLS %DN'T SAY1 !N PRESS$ MY LIPS
TGR & LOOK$ BACK AT ,FAYE4
  8,Y ALR 4CUSS$ ? ) H]40
  8,( C\RSE4 ,X'S H] H\SE40
  ,%E _H A PO9T4 ,I MI<T N L X1 B %E _H
A PO9T4 8''' OKAY4 ,LOOK1 WE'RE GO+ 6H
TO--0
  8,I'LL GET ,COL9'S :EEL*AIR10 ,G>? (-
F]$4 8,DUANE & ,I C J C>RY H] "R D[N !
/AIRS4 ,UM4 ,JOANNE80 ,HE LOOK$ >.D4
8,":'S ,COL980
  8,\TSIDE10 ,I SD B"RLY4 8,/>+ D[N A
S]P5T40
  ,!Y 7 A LL SL[ ON ! UPTAKE1 B ,I _H TO
GIVE !M ?3 ONCE ,I SD T1 !Y ALL W5T
RUNN+ =! FRONT DOOR4 ,I %OOK MY     #DDJ
H1D & W5T UP/AIRS 6TALK 6,MEL9DA4
  ,%E LOOK$ BETT] 9 NATURAL COLOR ?AN %E
_H 9V]T$1 AL? %E 0 / PALE4 ,! %IRT TURN$
\ 6BE BLUE1 : HELP$ A LOT4 ,! KIDS 7
SETTL$ >.D H] B$1 ALL WIDE-EY$ EXCEPT
,]IK1 ! LL/1 :O 0 SACK$ \ ON A H&-WOV5
?R[ RUG 9 FRONT (! DRESS]4 8,JOANNE10
,MEL9DA SD4 ,F ! T"O ( H] VOICE1 ,I KNEW
MY >GU;TS 7 ALR LO/4 ,I HELD UP MY H&S4
  8,OKAY4 ,Y W94 ,! ONLY ?+ IS1 ,I'M N
SURE WE C PUT ? (F UNTIL ,BILLY GETS
HOME 6WAT* ! KIDS4 ,! ,?+ 9 ! KIT*5--0
  8,IN ! FRONT Y>D10 ,ROB]T CORRECT$4 ,I
EY$ HM4
  8,"R4 ,9 ! FRONT Y>D4 ,X SEEMS 6BE
GETT+ M R1L ( XS [N A3ORD4 ,X MADE A
MESS (! FRONT (! H\SE40
  8,I HE>D10 ,MEL9DA SD GRIMLY4 8,ROB]T1
C ,I TRU/ Y 6TAKE C>E ( YR LL BRO!R &
SI/]S :ILE ,I'M BUSY80
  ,! KID PU6$ UP4 8',C\RSE1 ,MOM40
  8,OKAY4 ,I NE$ Y GUYS 6/AY IN--0 ,%E
GL.ED AT ME4 8,! BACKY>D80 ,I NO4$1 & S
DID ,MEL4 8,! BACKY>D UNTIL ,JOANNE -ES
& GETS Y1 OR UNTIL ,DA4Y DOES1      #DDA
OKAY8 ,JOANNE'S GO+ 6BR+ Y D[N "! N[40
  8,:AT IF X GETS D>K80 ,CL>A ASK$4 ,I
PUT ON A SMILE4
  8,EI ME OR YR DAD %D -E 6GET Y WAY 2F
X GETS D>K10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,EV5 2F X />TS
6GET *ILLY4 ,? ALL %DN'T TAKE V L;G40
  8,:AT'RE Y GONNA D80 ,ROB]T ASK$4
  8,WE'RE GO+ 6GET RID (! ,?+40
  8,:AT'RE Y GONNA D 6X80 ,T 0 ,JACQUIE1
! "Y] GIRL1 :O LOOK$ CURI\S & HOPE;L4
8,>E Y GONNA TURN X 96A BANANA80
  ,I BL9K$ AT ,MEL4 ,MEL %RU7$ & HID A
GR94 8,UM10 ,I SD4 8,PROBABLY N4 ,B IF
WE D1 Y C EAT X1 OKAY80
  ,%E B1M$4 ,I /RU7L$ N 6LAU< & W5T TO
COLLECT ,]IK (F ! FLOOR4 8,IF Y GUYS H A
T5T1 WE CD PUT X UP 9 ! BACKY>D & Y CD
PRET5D Y'RE CAMP+10 ,I SU7E/$4 ,ROB LIT
UP & W5T P.D+ (F 6HIS ROOM4 ,MEL GAVE ME
A ?UMBS-UP1 & ,I W5T )! KIDS 6SET UP _!
T5T4 ,RE,Y1 ,I W5T )! KIDS 6WAT* ,ROB]T
& ,CL>A SET ! T5T UP4 ,IF !Y'D BE5 RELY+
ON ME1 !Y'D H BE5 "! ALL NI<T & ALL !
EXCIT+ VANQUI%+ WD H HAPP5$ )\T ME4
,=TUNATELY1 ,ROB KNEW :AT HE 0      #DDB
DO+1 & !Y _H X TGR 9 LESS ?AN T5 M9UTES4
,I LEFT ,JACQUIE DRA7+ SLEEP+ BAGS \ 6!
BACKY>D & ,]IK / ASLEEP1 TUCK$ 9SIDE !
T5T4
  ,! COV5 0 GA!R$ 9 ! FRONT Y>D 0! "T ,I
GOT D"O1 ,MEL9DA SITT+ REG,Y 9 H] :EEL-
*AIR 2S ,FAYE4 ,I /OPP$ 6GIVE H] A HUG4
8,Y H GRT KIDS40
  8,I "K40 ,%E SMIL$ BACK1 ALM 4GUIS+ !
WORRY L9ES ET*$ >.D H] M\? & EYES4
8,?ANKS = TAK+ C>E ( !M1 ,JOANNE40
  8,N A PRO#M40 ,I GAVE H] ANO!R QK HUG
& /OOD UP1 GLANC+ AT ,M>CIA4 8,S D Y H A
SPELL = ?80
  8,F/ WE H 6F9I% BR++ "EY?+ 96? _W4 ,I
?9K WE C TRANSLOCATE ! S]P5T Z SOON Z
T'S D"O1 S L;G Z WE'RE ALL PREP>$ = X40
  8,MMM-HMM4 ,IS X GO+ 6EAT ,COL9 Z SOON
Z X'S SOLID80 ,! S]P5T _HN'T /OPP$ WAT*+
! "Y MAN1 :O 0 N[ SITT+ AG/ A TREE1 Z
5TR.ED )! MON/] Z X 0 ) HM4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S40
  ,I PU6$ \ MY *EEKS4 ,I LIK$ A _W ( AB-
SOLUTES1 ) LESS ( ? WI%Y-WA%Y ?9K+ /UFF
GO+ ON4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I DIDN'T     #DDC
SEE A RANGE ( /UNN+LY GD *OICES4 8,Y1H1
WELL1 Y GET 6EXPLA9 X 6,G>? IF 8 BRO!R
GETS EAT540
  ,G>? ELB[$ ME1 8 SMILE CROOK$ ) 3C]N4
8,WE'RE N GO+ 6LET X EAT HM10 ,I PROM-
IS$4
  8,I "K40
  8,JOANNE1 W Y HELP U80 ,FAYE _H LEFT
,MEL9DA'S SIDE & 0 /&+ ON ! F> 5D (!
Y>D4 ,M>CIA1 ! ,ELD] & ,DUANE _H ALR
TAK5 UP PO9TS OPPOSITE H]1 &! ,Y\? 0 ON
8 WAY 6A FIF?4 ,EV5 ,I CD FIGURE ? "O \4
  8,Y1H1 B :AT D ,I D80
  8,MAKE ! CIRCLE >.D U4 ,) LUCK WE'LL
FIT ! :OLE S]P5T 96! P5TAGRAM--0
  ,I SAW ! LI<T4 8,& X'LL 2 TRAPP$ 9 "!
:5 X 2COMES CORPOR1L4 ,X %DN'T 2 A# 6EAT
,COL91 "R8 ,WE %D 2 A# 6HOLD X40
  ,! S]P5T SWAY$ XS H1D1 LOOK+ AWAY F
,COL9 =! F/ "T 6EYE ME ) XS BLACK GAZE4
,I DECID$ ,I LIK$ ! SILV] BETT]1 AL? MY
EYES 7 READJU/+ 6! NORMAL COLOR SPEC-
TRUM4 8,%H10 ,I SD 6! S]P5T4 8,N"E M9D
U4 ,J G ON />+ AT ,COL940
  8,GEE1 ?ANKS10 ,COL9 MUTT]$1 B    #DDD
KEPT GR9N+4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I CD BLAME
HM4 ,IF Y _H 6DIE1 2+ GOB#D UP 0A GIGAN-
TIC S]P5T RE,Y DID SEEM L A LESS 4MAL
WAY 6G ?AN A SL[ C.ER4 ,! S]P5T HISS$1
NOISY 5 EV5 )\T A SOLID =M 6MAKE HAIRS
ON MY >MS /& UP4 ,!N X TURN$ XS GAZE
BACK 6,COL91 : DIDN'T EXACTLY MAKE ME
FEEL BETT]1 EV5 IF X GOT ME \ (! SPOT-
LI<T4 ,I SCOOT$ OV] 6": ,M>CIA /OOD &
LOOK$ >.D ! G>D5 UNC]TA9LY4
  8,? ISN'T GO+ 6BE ! R.DE/ CIRCLE "E10
,I W>N$4
  8,X'S LOPSID$10 %E AGRE$4 8,X'S ALL
"R4 ,X'S M = U ?AN ANY?+ ELSE4 ,PROTEC;N
& FAMILI>;Y4 ,IF WE TRU/ 9 X1 X W D :AT
WE NE$ X 6D40
  8,OKAY4 ,I'VE N"E D"O ?4 ,:AT D ,I D80
,? 0 A DI6]5T WAY 6BUILD ! P5TAGRAM ?AN
,I'D SE5 ! NI<T 2F1 B = ALL ,I KNEW1 "!
7 A HUNDR$ WAYS 6D X4
  8,T\* EA* ( \R %\LD]S Z Y PASS1 B9D+ U
6! ,GO4ESS &! ,GOD4 ,9VOKE _! PROTEC;N &
_! GRACE40 ,M>CIA'S M\? QUIRK$4 8,& TRY
N 6LOOK TOO M* L Y ?9K WE'RE ALL IDIOTS
:ILE Y'RE DO+ X40                   #DDE
  ,I ACTU,Y BLU%$1 HOP+ X WASN'T VISI#
"? MY NEW TAN4 8,I DON'T ?9K Y'RE IDI-
OTS10 ,I MUM#D4 ,CRAZY4 ,I ?"\ !Y 7 CRA-
ZY4 ,X 0 A SMALL B IMPORTANT DI6];E4
,AL1 !Y 7 ! K9D ( CRAZY T CLE>LY PACK$ A
PUN*1 S ,I WASN'T GO+ 6SNEEZE AT !M4 ,OR
M5;N X \ L\D1 = T MATT]4 ,I C1 ON O3A.N1
2 TAU<T4
  ,N"E!.S1 ,I FELT -PLETELY RIDICUL\S
WALK+ >.D ! FIVE PO9TS & MUTT]+ ?ANKS &
PRAY]S & 9VOC,NS 6A PAIR ( DEITIES ,I
WASN'T AT ALL SURE 7 LI/5+4 ,MY SKEPTI-
CISM DIDN'T SEEM 6?W>T ! P[] L9ES T %OT
UP 2T ! O!R FIVE COV5 MEMB]S4 ,= AN IN-
/ANT1 !Y 7 BRILLIANT GOLD1 ! COLOR (!
SUNSET4 ,!N MY VI.N W5T 9SIDE-\ AG1 & !Y
FELL 96! FAMILI> SILV] L9ES ,I'D SE5 !
NI<T 2F4 ,I SI<$ & PRESS$ MY F+]S OV] MY
EYES1 HOP+ MY VI.N WD 2 ALL "R AG :5 ,I
/OPP$4 ,X WASN'T4 ,TM ,I'D G SEE MY EYE
DOCTOR4
  ,! O!RS _H TAK5 UP _! PLACES >.D !
CIRCLE1 L1V+ ! S]P5T 9 ! C5T]4 ,ONLY
,COL9 0 \TSIDE ( X1 / L1N+ AG/ 8 TREE1 !
S]P5T WAT*+ HM4 ,MEL MADE UP !      #DDF
?IRTE5? (! COV51 ) ,FAYE ON "O SIDE ( H]
& ME ON ! O!R1 Z ,I FILL$ 9 ! LA/ OBVI-
\SLY EMPTY SPACE 9 ! CIRCLE4
  ,ANO!R JOLT ( P[] /UNG "? ME Z ,I TOOK
MY PLACE4 ,X 0 B"R] & M 4T9CT ?AN !
GOLD_/SILV] PROTECTIVE B>RI]S T _H G"O
UP >.D ! P5TAGRAM4 ,X FELT H>D & PURE &
:ITE3 ,VIRISS;G4
  .,JOANNE1 HE SD FONDLY1 9SIDE MY
SKULL4 ,I FL9*$ F ! BELLY \1 L "SBODY'D
POK$ ME4 8,:AT80
  ,MEL & ,FAYE & ,DUANE1 ON MY O!R SIDE1
ALL LOOK$ AT ME4 8,UM40 ,GOD1 ,I 0 S
CL"E ,I CD H>DLY /& MYF4 8,Y GUYS DIDN'T
HE> T1 DID Y80
  ,FAYE'S EYES B"R5$4 8,HE SP1KS 6Y AG80
,%E _H ! NOTE ( Z1LOTRY 9 H] VOICE AG1
MAK+ ME HUN* MY %\LD]S AG/ X4 8,:AT DOES
HE SAY80
  ..,WE'LL 2 TGR .SOON1 ,VIRISS;G SD1
S.D+ PL1S$4 ..,Y %D 2 A# 6ALM SEE ME N[4
,Y'VE D"O WELL1 ,JOANNE4 ,I [E Y A GRT
DEBT ( .GRATITUDE4
  8,SEE Y80 ,I ASK$ HO>SELY4 ,0& L>GE1
ALL ,I CD SEE 0 ! TREM5D\S SILV]    #DDG
S]P5T1 & F\R OR FIVE COV5 MEMB]S ALL
PE]+ AT ME ) 9T]E/4 ,2Y !M1 ,COL9 GAZ$
UP AT ! S]P5T1 ! _S SNAKE >.D 8 %\LD]S A
PHYSICAL BURD5 ,I CD NE>LY SEE4 ,X SEEM$
6BE SETTL+ F>!R 96,COL91 Z IF XS BULK 7
A4+ 6HIS4 ,HE LOOK$ H1L?I] & /R;G]4 ,I
?REW A ?"\ ( ?ANKS 6! _SS AG1 %AK+ MY
H1D AT ! SAME "T4 8,I DON'T SEE--0
  ,MY EYES SNAPP$ BACK 6,COL9 &! SNAKE4
8.,VIRISS;G80
  ,! _S SNAKE LIFT$ XS H1D & FLICK$ XS
T;GUE AT ME4 ,9SIDE MY H1D1 ,VIRISS;G
*ORTL$1 PL1S$4 ..,I'VE L5T HM MY /R5G?1
Z Y ASK$4 ,9 EX*ANGE1 HE'LL L5D ME 8
.BODY4
  8,B ,I ?"\--60 ,I CUT MYF (F )A /RAN-
GL$ S.D Z ,VIRISS;G *UCKL$ 9 MY M9D AG4
  ..,T ,I WD RETURN 6MY BODY8 ,?REE ?\S&
YE>S D1D1 ,JOANNE8 ,I ?9K 8ICK0 WD 2 !
TE*NICAL T]M4 ,COL9 & ,I >E AGRE$ ON .?1
HE SD M FLATLY4 ..,? IS ! PRICE ( .SAC-
RIFICE4
  ,I CROSS$ MY EYES1 -PLETELY 4TRACT$ &
TRY+ 6SEE 9SIDE MY [N H1D4 8,8,ICK IS !
TE*NICAL T]M0'8 ,>E Y SURE Y'RE     #DDH
?REE ?\S& YE>S OLD80 ,MY HE>T 0 P.D+ TOO
H>D1 PU%+ UP LUMPS ( NAUSEA & WORRY F MY
/OMA*4 ,I 0 SW1T+ & COLD & TOO HOT ALL
AT ONCE1 MY H&S CL5*$ 9 FI/S4 ,VIRISS;G
0 "R1 ,I KNEW HE 0 "R3 "! _H 6BE AN EX-
*ANGE1 A PRICE ( SACRIFICE4 ,MY VI.N 0
TUNNEL+ D[N1 GETT+ N>R[]1 & BR1?+ 0 GET-
T+ H>D]4 ,X WASN'T ! PA9 (A SWORD "? MY
LUNGS4 ,X 0 A LL M L ! DES]T H1T PRESS+
D[N ON MY *E/4 ,I SWALL[$ & %OOK MY H1D4
8,COL980 ,MY VOICE W5T UP A REGI/] &
BROKE4 8,>E Y RE,Y OKAY ) ?80
  ,HE DIDN'T LOOK AWAY F ! S]P5T SWAY+
OV]H1D4 8,X'S F9E1 ,AMAZON4 ,X'S COOL4
,I'M F9E4 ,G AH1D & F9I% ? UP S WE C ALL
GET \ ( "H40 ,HE FLA%$ ME A SMILE )\T
RE,Y LOOK+ MY WAY4 8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE
BACK AT ! HOSPITAL 0N9E10 HE REM9D$ ME4
  ,2N ! 3V]S,N ) ,COL91 ,VIRISS;G SMIL$1
! EXPRES.N W>M+ ! VOICE 9SIDE MY M9D4
..,I AM1 YES1 ?\S&S ( YE>S OLD4 ,B ,I'VE
ALW _H--H[ WD Y SAY X4 ,AVAT>S8 ,9 !
,MI4LE ,_W4 ,M5 & WOM5 :O D MY W & :O H
HELP$ KEEP ME UP ON ! *ANGES 9 LANGUAGE4
,& .,COL91 HE PROMIS$1 SOO?+LY1     #DDI
..W N G BACK 6! HOSPITAL TN1 OR "E AG4
,MY /R5G? W 2 8 = .ET]N;Y4
  8,:O80 ,I ASK$1 2WILD]$4 8,:O'S YR AV-
AT>8 ,COL980 ,"UN1? T1 ! S>CA/IC VOICE 9
MY H1D SD1 ..ET]N;Y'S A V L;G ."T1 B
,VIRISS;G DIDN'T RESPOND4 ,9/1D ,I F.D
MY H1D TURN+ 6! LEFT1 MY TUNNEL$ VI.N
BLOCK+ \ "EY"O EXCEPT ,FAYE1 ) H] B"R
PUPPY EYES & SMILE4
  ..,COL9 IS ! .HO/1 ,VIRISS;G C>OL$ 9
MY H1D4 ..,I S5T H] ! DR1M ( Y1 & %E
BR"\ Y "H S WE C REBUILD ! _W1 ,JOANNE
,WALK]4 ,"! IS S M* T WE C .D6
  ,! SLICE ACR MY LEFT PALM IT*$ & T+L$
S BADLY ,I SLAPP$ MY H&S TGR1 RU2+ G+]LY
AT ! /IT*ES 6TRY 6RELIEVE "S (! PA9 Z ,I
/>$ AT ,FAYE4 ,"! 0 A LL HURT 9 H] EYES3
%E KNEW1 ,I R1LIZ$4 ,%E KNEW ,VIRISS;G
_H PASS$ H] OV] & 0 TALK+ 6ME4 8,LA/
NI<T10 ,I SD NUMBLY4 8,! BLOOD RITUAL4
,Y KNEW 2C HE ACTU,Y TOLD Y H[ 6D X40
  ,M 9JURY D>K5$ H] EYES4 ,B"R5$ !M1 9
MY 9V]S$ VI.N1 MAK+ !M H>D :ITE AGATES T
P]V]SELY REM9D$ ME ( ,JUDY'S B"R BLACK
EYES4 8,T'S :AT WE SD HAPP5$1       #DEJ
,JOANNE4 ,DIDN'T Y 2LIEVE U80
  8,I DIDN'T Q "U/&40
  8,B Y "U/& N[40 ,FAYE'S M\? 0 SET "S":
2T ANGRY & HOPE;L4 8,WE ONLY H 6F9I% !
RITUAL1 ,JOANNE1 & HE'LL HELP U "R ! H1T
WAVE Y />T$4 ,N J 9 ,S1TTLE1 B ALL OV]4
,GLOBAL W>M+4 ,& S M* M1 TOO40 ,%E
CLASP$ H] H&S TGR OV] H] /OMA*1 L1N+ TO-
W>D ME 9 H] 9T5S;Y4 8,WE'RE ON ! V]GE (
*ANG+ ! _W4 ,C'T Y FEEL X80
  ,I LOOK$ F ,FAYE 6! ENORM\S S]P5T T
DOM9AT$ ! P5TAGRAM4 ,X WAIT$1 PATI5T1
N"E TAK+ XS EYES F ,COL94 ,X KNEW HM4 ,X
KNEW ! /R5G? HE 0 GA9+ F ,VIRISS;G4
,COL9 WAT*$ X S]5ELY4 ,! SNAKE SETTL+
96HIS %\LD]S COIL$ >.D HM SNUGLY1 2COM+
M & M A "P ( HM4
  ,! FEW COV5 MEMB]S ,I CD SEE LOOK$ AB-
SURDLY 4TANT1 ! 3F9ES ( MY VI.N PU%+ !M
AWAY4 ,I FELT L ,I'D LO/ ALL MY DEP? P]-
CEP;N2 L MY M9D KNEW ,I 0 LOOK+ AT P :O
/OOD HUNDR$S ( FEET AWAY1 R ?AN HALF A
DOZ5 /EPS F ME4 ,!Y HELD !MVS T]RIBLY /1
Z IF !Y 7 CAU<T 9 AMB]1 WAIT+ :ILE ! _W
>.D !M PREP>$ 6*ANGE4               #DEA
  8,"!'S ONLY "O M /EP 6TAKE 6BR+ HM
BACK10 ,FAYE :ISP]$ 6ME4 8,"O M SACRI-
FICE 6MAKE1 &! _W W 2 \RS4 ,>E Y R1DY1
,JOANNE80
  8,:AT SACRIFICE '''80 ,MY [N VOICE
S.D$ L X CAME F Z F> AWAY Z ! COV5 MEM-
B]S APPE>$ 6BE4 ,I FELT ?ICK & UNC]TA94
,FAYE PRESS$ "S?+ 96MY H&S1 A H&LE4 ,I
LOOK$ D[N 64COV] A B"O KNIFE1 ! IVORY
BLADE GL[+ BLACK & D1DLY 9 MY REV]S$ VI-
.N4 8,X'S B1UTI;L10 ,I SD REMOTELY4 ,X
?RO2$ ) P[]1 MAT*+ ! IT* & T+LE 9 MY
LEFT H&4 ,X TOOK ! /R5G? \ ( MY LEGS4 ,I
KNELT1 FEEL+ AWKW>D & J]KY1 ?\< MY KNEES
T\*$ ! GR.D S LI<TLY X SEEM$ L ,I'D BOR-
R[$ A SWAN'S GRACE4 ,I FELT L ,I _H !
NI<T 2F1 2F ,I WALK$ 96! FIRE4 ,I KNEW
:AT _H 6BE D"O4 ,X 0 J A MATT] ( PREP>+
MYF M5T,Y4 ,I CD D X4
  8,X 0 ,VIRISS;G'S10 ,FAYE :ISP]$ R"E-
5TLY4 8,! SACRIFICE M/ 2 MADE1 ,JOANNE4
,>E Y R1DY80
  ,I PUT ! KNIFE ACR BO? MY H&S & LIFT$
X1 !N TWI/$ MY "R H& 2N ! HILT S ,I CD
GRAB X4 ,I ?"\ ! BLADE WD SLIDE     #DEB
2T MY RIBS TIDILY1 MAYBE )\T M* PA94 ,!
IDEA MADE ME WANT 6LAU<1 B ,I CDN'T Q
R1* ! LAU<T]4 ,! SACRIFICE _H 6BE MADE4
,X SEEM$ A P;Y 6N 2 A# 6G \ LAU<+1 B AT
L1/ ,I CD *ANGE ! _W4 ,I LIFT$ ! KNIFE1
TAK+ A DEEP BR1?4
  8,I'M R1DY40
  ,FAYE TWI/$ ! KNIFE 9 MY H&S1 REV]S+ !
BLADE S X PRESS$ \TW>D1 NO L;G] ANGL$ TO
2 BURI$ 9 MY HE>T4 ,MEL9DA1 :EEL*AIR-B.D
& F"R5$1 CAME 96MY N>R[ L9E ( VI.N4 ,H]
EYES 7 HUGE1 F"R5$1 ALL PUPIL T GL[$
SILV] & B1UTI;L 9 MY 9V]T$ VI.N4 ,FAYE'S
VOICE RANG \ OV] \R H1DS3
  8,!N TAKE H]60
  ,MY VI.N W5T BLACK4








            ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY         #DEC

  8,>E Y \ ( YR FUCK+ .M9D860 ,I DIDN'T
"K IF ,I'D SCR1M$ ! ^WS \ L\D1 B !Y RIC-
O*ET$ "? MY SKULL L ! BELLS ( ,CORK4 ,MY
>MS 7 UPLIFT$ B FROZ51 WAIT+ =! FALL T
WD 5D ,MEL9DA'S LIFE & BR+ ,VIRISS;G
BACK 96! _W4
  8.,ME60 ,I SCR1M$4 8.,I'LL 2 YR SACRI-
FICE6 ,MEL1 ! .BABY1 !Y'RE N "P ( ?
D1L60
  ,I FL$ BACKW>D1 96MYF1 T]RIFI$ & AN-
GRY4 ,E>? 5COMPASS$ ME1 DR[N+ ME 2F X
ERUPT$ & SPAT ME \4 ,I LUR*$ 96! SKY &
COLLAPS$ ON MY BACK 9 MY G>D54 ,I CD
SMELL ! OLD DY+ GRASS1 ! H1T T /UNG !
AIR & MADE MY LL POND RANCID & FLAT1 B
,I / CDN'T SEE1 N EV5 9SIDE MYF4 8,JU-
DY80 ,I 0 HI<-VOIC$ & DESP]ATE1 S.D+ L A
F"R5$ *4 8,JUDY1 "EY?+'S GO+ WR;G4
,PL1SE1 ,I NE$ YR HELP40
  8,JOANNE40 ,JUDY SPOKE F "S": 2H ME4
,I ROLL$ 6MY H&S & KNEES & :IPP$ >.D BL-
LY4
  8,JUDY8 ,JUDY1 ,I C'T SEE4 ,PL1SE1 ,I
NE$ HELP1 "EY?+'S GO+ WR;G40 ,T 0   #DED
ME1 ! BROK5 RECORD4 ,I 0 %AK+ TOO H>D TO
EV5 GET A <O/ ( HUMOR \ ( MYF4 ,I KNELT1
PUTT+ MY H&S \4 ,MY HE>TB1T SLAMM$ 9 MY
*E/ & 9 MY E>S1 DR[N+ ME 9 PANIC4 8,!Y
WANT ME 6KILL ,MEL9DA1 ,JUDY1 !Y'RE IN-
SANE4 ,Y H 6HELP ME /OP !M40
  8,JOANNE10 ,JUDY REP1T$1 CALM & REAS-
SUR+4 ,I FELT H] H& ON MY %\LD] & CLUT*$
AT X4
  8,X'S ALL "R40 ,%E KNELT 2F ME4 ,I 0
A/.D$ H[ M* ,I CD S5SE "? HE>+ AL"O1 H[
EASY X 0 6PLACE H]4 ,EV5 ! S.D ( MY
HE>TB1T DIDN'T /OP ME F "K+ ": %E WAS4
,MAYBE ,I'D TURN$ 96,MATT ,MURDO*4 ,JU-
DY'S WEI<T %IFT$ Z %E PUT H] O!R H& ON
MY %\LD]1 PULL+ ME CLOS] 6H]4 8,I TOLD
Y10 %E MURMUR$4 8,I TOLD Y M* WD 2 ASK$
( Y TN40
  8,B !Y'RE .NUTS6 ,? IS .,MEL1 !Y'RE
.NUTS6 ,NOBODY CD--,I C'T--N ?6 ,? IS--
NO6 ,NO60 ,I %OOK MY H1D VIOL5TLY1
KNOCK+ H] H&S F MY %\LD]S4 8,? IS
.WR;G60
  8,? IS ! PA? Y'VE *OS540 ,H] VOICE 0
S(T & SOO?+1 MAK+ ! HORROR 9 MY     #DEE
/OMA* BUB# EV5 M1 UNTIL X LODG$ 9 MY
?ROAT & GA7$ ME4 8,"! M/ 2 SACRIFICE TO
MAKE *ANGE40 ,H] H&S CAME 6MY %\LD]S AG4
,I FUM#D = H] WRI/S1 BLLY KNOTT+ MY F+]S
>.D !M4 ,MY LEFT PALM A*$1 ?RO2+ ) E
HE>TB1T1 Z IF ! CUT TRAVEL$ ALL ! WAY UP
MY >M & 96MY HE>T XF4
  8,NO10 ,I :ISP]$ AG1 HO>SELY4 8,?
ISN'T--%AMANISM ISN'T AB D1?4 ,X'S LIFE4
,X'S *ANGE4 ,X'S--0 ,I TI<T5$ MY H&S >.D
H] WRI/S1 H>D 5 T ,I CD FEEL ! B"OS
GR9D4 ,MY PALM HURT S BADLY X MADE ME
WANT 6VOMIT1 B ! PA9 0 "S?+ 6FOCUS ON
2SS N 2+ A# 6SEE4 8,? ISN'T EV5 WIT*-
CRAFT40 ,I CD TA/E ! DESP],N & FE> 9 MY
[N GASP$ ^WS4 8,EV5 ,I "K T4 ,WIT*CRAFT
ISN'T EVIL1 & ?--? IS6 ,JUDY1 "!'S "S
K9D ( MISTAKE1 ? IS EVIL1 ? IS .WR;G60
  8,NO10 %E SD AG1 %AK+ H] H1D4 ,MY
BLOOD W5T ICY Z ,I FELT ! MO;N4 ,Z ?\<
,I SAW A <O/ (! VIGOR\S MOVE;T4 ,%IV]S
SPLIT MY BELLY & RAN D[N MY >MS1 MAK+ ME
WANT 6CRY4 ,I HELD ON 6H] WRI/S M TI<T-
LY4 ,I ?"\ ,I MI<T BR1K !M F ! PRESSURE1
B %E DIDN'T -PLA94 8,X'S SACRI-     #DEF
FICE10 %E :ISP]$4 8,Y "U/OOD T1 ,JOANNE4
,:AT DID ! _S ANIMALS TELL Y80
  8,HE$10 ,I CROAK$4 8,HE$ MY--MY T1*]4
,A3EPT4 ,/UDY40 ,! LI<T T _H T1S$ ME )
,JUDY'S MOVE;TS _H BE5 FALSE2 BLACK;S
SWEPT OV] ME AG1 5VELOP+ ME 9 S(T1 F"R5+
-=T4
  8,YES40 ,I FELT H] NOD4 ,!N %E C>ESS$
MY *EEK1 BRU%+ H] KNUCKLES OV] ! ?9 SC>4
8,I'M YR T1*]1 ,JOANNE4 ,Y'VE -E S F>4
,Y'VE LE>N$ S M* 9 J A FEW "DS4 ,WON'T Y
HONOR :AT Y'VE BE5 TAU<T80
  ,MY HE>T FLUTT]$ L A DY+ BIRD1 A RAPID
TATTOO AG/ MY RIBS T S5T SICK;S "? ME AG
9 WAVES4 8,I'VE TRI$40 ,MY VOICE 0 W1K &
TIR$4 8,I'M TRY+1 ,JUDY1 B--0
  8,"! >E NO BUTS60 ,H] VOICE RANG \
/R;G OV] M9E1 SU45LY FILL$ ) ANG]4 8,JO-
ANNE1 "! >E NO BUTS4 ,Y M/ A3EPT40
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 Z IF X CD "SH[ DIM9-
I% ! D>K;S T ATE AWAY AT ME4 8,:Y D Y
CALL ME T80 ,I ASK$4 ,NO1 ,I :IMP]$4 ,I
_H NEI PRIDE NOR %AME LEFT1 J ! BLACK;S
5CROA*+ ON MY S\L4
  ,& ,I FELT H] SMILE1 A G5TLE      #DEG
AMUS$ ?+ Z %E T\*$ MY *EEK AG4 8,2C X'S
YR "N1 ( C\RSE4 ,:AT ELSE WD ,I CALL Y80
  ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG1 SL[LY1 6NO GLIMM]
( LI<T4 8,B X'S N MY "N10 ,I :ISP]$4
.,JESUS1 .,JOANNE4 ,I KNELT "!1 />+ BLLY
AT MY T1*]4 ,& ,I'D ?"\ ! COV5 0 SL[ ON
! UPTAKE :5 !Y DIDN'T *ASE ! S]P5T \ 96!
G>D5 AF ME & ,COL94 ,!Y _H NO?+ ON ME4
  ,I FELT ,JUDY'S SURPRISE & 2WILD];T1
ROLL+ (F H] L COOL FOG4 ,I REMEMB]$ FOG
9 ! ,NOR? ,C>OL9A HILLS 2+ L T1 SIL5T &
MO;N.S UNTIL ,I HELD / MYF4 ,!N X _H
LIFE1 S(T $GES T SWEPT >.D ME & MADE ME
A "P ( X4 ,JUDY'S />TLE;T TRI$ 6DRAW ME
IN1 B X FAIL$4 ,I _H F.D A L9E1 & SU45-
LY1 EMB>RASS+LY1 X SEEM$ RIDICUL\SLY OB-
VI\S4 8,JOANNE10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,X'S N MY
"N4 ,& Y "K :AT80
  8,( C\RSE X'S YR "N40 ,H] VOICE TURN$
%>P1 & 2N ! %>P;S RODE FE>4 8,DON'T 2
ABSURD40
  ,I /RAI<T5$ MY %\LD]S1 MY H&S / TI<T
>.D H] WRI/S4 8,NO10 ,I SD1 M /R5G? 9 MY
^WS N[4 8,NO1 X ISN'T MY "N1 &! ?+ IS1
,JUDY1 S F> ALL ! GD GUYS H "KN     #DEH
T4 ,X'S J ! BAD GUYS ,I LE>N$ 6PROTECT X
F40 ,MY V F/ 3CEPT ( %IELD+ CAME BACK TO
ME1 D>K-T9T$ C> W9D[S ROLL$ UP TI<T &
SAFE >.D ! C5T] ( MY 2+1 >.D ! "N T
,COYOTE1 BO? ,BIG & ,LL1 _H "KN F ! />T4
,! "N T ! %AMANS _H PULL$ F ME EASILY4
,! "N ,I'D PROTECT$ F ! BAN%EE ,BLADE1 &
! "N T ,I'D PROTECT$1 )\T "U/&+ OR R1L-
IZ+ :Y1 F MY T1*]4 ,H]NE & ,C]NUNNOS _H
LE>N$ X1 B ,I'D BE5 AN UTT] NEOPHYTE !N4
  8,YR "N IS ,JOANNE ,WALK]60
  8,NO4 ,X ISN'T4 ,& ,I C'T A3EPT ?40
,MY VOICE GREW /R;G]1 M 3FID5T4 8,? IS
WR;G1 ,JUDY4 ,SACRIFICES %D 2 WILL+1 IF
!Y H 6BE MADE1 & ? IS--? IS BLOOD SACRI-
FICE1 ? IS RITUAL SACRIFICE4 ,? IS SOR-
C]Y1 ,JUDY6 ,X'S WR;G1 & ,I WON'T D X40
  8..,YR "N IS ,JOANNE ,WALK]1 & ,I -M&
Y 0.X60
  ,I SURG$ 6MY FEET1 DRA7+ ,JUDY ) ME4
8,MY "N10 ,I RO>$ BACK1 8IS ..,SIOBH@AN
,WALK+/ICK1 & Y H NO P[] OV] .ME60
  ,D>K;S RIPP$ AWAY1 /R1M]S ( LI<T BUR/+
"? MY VI.N & TATT]+ ! %AD[S4 ,P9PO9TS (
BRILLI.E SP>K$ 96! BACK ( MY        #DEI
EYES1 BURN+ AL;G ! OPTICAL N]VE & BR++
"U/&+ ) !M4 ,AT F/ ALL ,I CD SEE 0 ,JU-
DY1 CAU<T 9 MY GRIP1 FURI\S & F"R5$ ALL
AT ONCE4 ,H] EYES 7 H>D & BLACK1 EYES
,I'D SE5 A DOZ5 "TS 9 DI6]5T PLACES )\T
RECOGNIZ+ :AT ,I SAW4 8,I "K Y10 ,I :IS-
P]$4 ,A GR9 0 PULL+ AT MY M\?1 4TORT+ X
) WICK$ TRIUMPH4 8,GIVE ME YR "N40
  8,NO60 ,TE>S ( FURY FILL$ H] EYES4 8,I
DON'T "K :AT Y'RE TALK+ AB1 ,JOA--,SI--0
  ,I TI<T5$ MY GRIP1 BE>+ D[N4 ,JUDY'S
*EEKS W5T :ITE & H] KNEES BUCKL$4 ,I
BR"\ H] ALL ! WAY 6H] KNEES1 US+ MY
WEI<T ABV H]4 8,YR *>ADES >5'T GO+ 6"W
ANYMORE4 ,I "K Y10 ,I REP1T$4 8,! EYES H
X1 ISN'T T :AT !Y ALW SAY8 ,B ,I DIDN'T
SEE UNTIL N[4 ,B"R BLACK EYES4 ,J L ! _S
ANIMALS4 ,7 !Y R1L1 ,VIRISS;G8 ,OR 7 !Y
YR CRE,NS80 .,GOD1 :AT A SUCK] ,I'D BE56
8,!Y 7 YRS10 ,I A4$4 8,! EYES1 ALL ! B"R
EYES4 ,EV5 ! SNAKE ,I BR"\ ,COL94 ,GIVE
ME YR "N1 ,VIRISS;G6 ,I WANT ! TRU?60
,MY ANG] 0 M = MYF ?AN MY S-CALL$ T1*]1
B =! MO;T ,I NE$$ X4 ,EV5 AN 9/ANT (
D\BT WD UNDO ME1 ESPECI,Y N[ T      #DFJ
,I'D ?R[N MY "N AT ! ?+ T _H 9VAD$ MY
G>D54 ,JUDY HELD ON 6SIL;E ALM L;G 5\<4
,I SET MY TEE? TGR & %OOK H]1 YELL+ )\T
^WS4
  ,& H] FACE SPLIT 9 AN UGLY GR94 ,!
CORN]S ( H] M\? TORE OP5 WIDE & BLOOD.S1
/RET*+ >.D H] H1D4 ,PIECES ( H] FACE
FELL AWAY1 DROPP+ 9 FLE%Y *UNKS4 ,X 3T9-
U$ D[N H] BODY1 OV] H] %\LD]S & BR1/S1
EXPOS+ A NEW %APE 2N !M4 ,VIRISS;G'S
PAS.N-LIT F1TURES APPE>$1 M\? PULL$ WIDE
9 A SNE]4
  8,Y 7 .S EASY10 HE :ISP]$4 ,8 %\LD]S
BROAD5$1 WRI/S ?ICK5+4 ,I KEPT MY GRIP1
EV5 Z ! P[] ( 8 TRANS=M,N MADE MY PALM
SCR1M 9 AGONY4 ,I 0 AFRAID BLOOD F X
MI<T SPILL ONTO HM & B9D ME 6HM AG1 B MY
HOLD 0 S TI<T ,I IMAG9$ X BLOOD.S1 & 9 !
G>D5 ( MY M9D1 IMAG9,N TRUMP$ R1L;Y4
  8,I WAS40 ,I HELD ON 6ANG] & PU%$ EM-
B>RASS;T AWAY4 ,"!'D 2 "T 6BE HUMILIAT$
LAT]4 ,"R N[ ,I'D SCREW$ UP S MONU;T,Y T
,I CDN'T AF=D 6KICK MYF AB X4 8,I WAS10
,I REP1T$4 8,I FELL = X HOOK1 L9E1 &
S9K]4 ,& S DID ! COV54 ,H[ DID Y    #DFA
D X1 ,VIRISS;G8 ,H[ DID Y KEEP ,FAYE'S
P[] PURE 5 T X CDN'T 2 DETECT$ 0! RE/ (!
COV51 :ILE Y CORRUPT$ H]80
  ,HE LAU<$1 /A3ATO S.D T LIFT$ ! HAIRS
ON MY >MS4 8,ASK YRF1 .,WALK+/ICK40 ,HE
HISS$ ! "N1 SE>*+ = *9KS 9 MY >MOR4 ,I
ONLY GR9N$ D[N AT HM1 RICTUS ( =?"R FURY
T MADE AN IMP5ETRA# %IELD4
  8,Y %DN'T H 9VOLV$ ,MEL10 ,I :ISP]$ TO
HM4 8,I WD'VE G"O ALL ! WAY4 ,I _H
FAI?40 ,ANO!R BOLT ( LI<T %ATT]$ "? ME1
MAK+ ME LAU< BR1?.SLY ) ANG]4 8,FAI?4
,T'S :Y \R P[] WASN'T CORRUPT$4 ,WE ?"\
WE 7 DO+ ! "R ?+4 .,FAYE ?"\ %E 0 DO+ !
"R ?+4 ,GOD1 :AT P[] FAI? BR+S Y10 ,I
:ISP]$4 ,MY LAU<T] 4APPE>$ & LEFT ME
TREMBL+ ) RAGE ALL OV] AG4 8..,I WANT YR
."N60
  8,OH1 NO1 ,WALK+/ICK4 ,N :5 ,I'M ?
CLOSE4 ,X'S N GO+ 6BE T EASY40 ,VIRISS;G
SET 8 TEE? TGR 9 AN OP5M\!D GR9 T BORD]$
ON A SN>L4 ,P[] SURG$ "? HM1 HOT & VOLA-
TILE Z ELECTRIC;Y4 ,I CLAMP$ D[N ON 8
WRI/S1 /RU7L+ 6HOLD HM Z MY H&S BURN$4
,HE GOT "O FOOT "U HMF1 !N ! O!R4   #DFB
,I %OV$ =W>D1 TRY+ 6KNOCK HM (F BAL.E1 B
HE /AY$ 9 8 CR\*1 !N %OV$ 6HIS FEET1
/R;G] ?AN ,I WAS4 ,I ?"\1 9EXPLICABLY1 (
,MORRISON4 ,/R5G? %OT "? ME & ,I SQUEEZ$
,VIRISS;G'S WRI/S H>D]1 TRY+ 6BR+ HM TO
8 KNEES AG4
  ,HE KNE$ ME 9 ! CROT*4
  ,I CDN'T EV5 TELL IF ,I 0 HURT4 ,I 0 S
A/ONI%$ ,I LOOS5$ MY GRIP1 : 0 ALL HE
NE$$4 ,HE SKIPP$ BACKW>D1 BR1K+ FREE (
MY HOLD1 & W9K$ \ ( MY G>D54 ,I SET MY
TEE?1 TOO ANGRY 6EV5 SWE>1 & FOLL[$4

  ,GD NEWS3 :5 ,I FELL BACK 96MY BODY1
,I CD SEE 9 FULL1 GLORI\S ,TE*NICOLOR4
,BAD NEWS3 GETT+ HIT 9 ! CROT* / HURT A
LOT1 & MY VI.N SWAM ) TE>S Z MY EYES
CROSS$4 ,SEMIGOOD NEWS3 T 0 "S?+ 63C5-
TRATE ON 9/1D ( ,MEL9DA'S T]ROR4 ,! "T
9SIDE MY G>D5 _H PASS$ ) NO NOTICEA#
CORREL,N 9 ! \TSIDE _W3 ,FAYE / /OOD 2H
,MEL ) AN 5?USIA/IC GRIMACE4 ,Z1LOT'S
SMILE4 ,! RE/ (! COV5 _HN'T _H "T 6RE-
ACT2 ! S]P5T / LOOM$ HUNGRILY OV] ,COL94
,3C5TRAT+ ON ! PA9 F 2+ KICK$       #DFC
MADE X EASI] 6/A7] 6MY FEET4 ,Z ,I DID1
,FAYE'S EXPRES.N TWI/$ 9 ANG] & 4MAY4
  8,Y C'T--0
  8.,%UT .UP60 ,I LOOS5$ MY GRIP F >.D !
B"O KNIFE & BACKH&$ ,FAYE ) ALL MY
/R5G?1 KNOCK+ H] AWAY F ,MEL9DA4 ,I HE>D
A T9Y SQU1K$ SOB & WASN'T SURE IF ,I'D
MADE X OR IF ,MEL _H4 ,X WASN'T ,FAYE3
%E FLEW 6! SIDE & HIT ! GR.D1 B\NC+ UP
AG S FA/ X LOOK$ 9HUMAN4 ,%E SN>L$1 LIPS
PULL$ BACK F H] TEE? L A WILD DOG'S1 &
L1P$ = ME4
  ,I VAULT$ ,MEL'S :EEL*AIR1 MY LEFT H&
SCR1M+ ) 9JU/ICE Z ,I PUT MY FULL WEI<T
ON X4 ,MY KNEES HIT ,FAYE 9 ! *E/4 ,!
:EEL*AIR TILT$ "U MY WEI<T4 ,MEL9DA
SCR1M$4 ,I %OV$ ! *AIR Z ,I L&$1 HOP+ TO
"R X 2F X SPILL$ ,MEL4 ,FAYE HIT ! GR.D
& B\NC$ UP AG1 LAUN*+ H]F AT ME1 H] H&S
EXT5D$ =! KNIFE ,I / HELD4 ,I REV]S$ !
BLADE1 SNAPP+ X BACK S X LAY AL;G MY =E-
>M1 & MET H] ATTACK ) MY ELB[ DRIV5 AT
H] ?ROAT4
  ,X 0 LUCK1 N SKILL1 T LET H] DEFLECT !
BL[4 ,%E LIFT$ H] H1D 6SCR1M & ,I   #DFD
HIT H] COLL>B"O 9/1D ( H] ?ROAT4 ,X SL[$
H]1 B WASN'T DEBILITAT+4 ,%E MADE CLAWS
( H] H&S & RAK$ !M ACR MY >M1 R1*+ = MY
FACE & EYES4 ,I GRA2$ H] WRI/1 DROPP$ !
KNIFE1 & TWI/$ H] >M D[N & BACK 96A
HALF-NELSON4 ,%E SCR1M$ AG1 9 PA9 ? "T1
& ,I BR"\ H] 6! GR.D ) MY KNEE 9 ! SMALL
( H] BACK4 ,!Y'D TAU<T ME H[ 6D T AT !
POLICE ACADEMY4 ,I CD TELL T LAT] ON ,I
0 GO+ 6BE AMAZ$ X "W$4 ,I L1N$ =W>D1
KEEP+ H] >M TWI/$ 2T H] %\LD]BLADES4
8,FAYE1 GODDAMN X1 ? IS CRAZY4 ,Y'RE
CRAZY4 ,Y'RE 2+ US$40
  ,9 RETROSPECT1 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE !Y AL
TAU<T ME 9 POLICE ACADEMY N 6GET MY H1D
T CLOSE 6A VIOL5T SUSPECT'S1 B ,I'D
/OPP$ MOV+ L A COP & 0 TRY+ 6BR+ "SBODY
BACK F ! $GE4 ,FAYE1 X TURN$ \1 0 P]-
FECTLY HAPPY OV] ! $GE4 ,%E POPP$ H] H1D
BACK ) Z M* =CE Z %E CD1 SLAMM+ ! BACK (
H] SKULL 96MY NOSE4 ,BLOOD & TE>S W5T
"EY": Z ,I TOPPL$ OV] BACKW>D1 CLUT*+ MY
FACE4 ,FAYE SPRANG =W>D1 LUNG+ AT ! B"O
KNIFE4 ,I FLUNG MYF AF X & MISS$2 %E
CAME 6H] FEET OV] ME1 BR&I%+ !      #DFE
BLADE4
  8,I'M N GO+ 6LET Y FUCK "EY?+ UP10 %E
SN>L$4 ,I L1N$ BACK A FEW 9*ES1 MY H&S
SPR1D1 WAT*+ H] W>ILY Z ,I GOT 6MY FEET4
  8,-E ON1 ,FAYE4 ,LET'S TALK AB ?4 ,?
DOESN'T H 65D ? WAY4 ,WE C FIX ALL ( ?40
,! RE/ (! COV5 0 F9,Y MOV+1 L1V+ _! AP-
PO9T$ PLACES 6WAT* ! FI<T4 ,I FELT L !Y
7 ABSURDLY SL[1 B KNEW !Y 7 MOV+ 9 R1L
"T4 ,"T = ME _H /RET*$4
  8,FIX X80 ,H] LAU< SKIRL$ HI< & %>P4
8,I'VE D"O ALL ? .6FIX X1 ,JOANNE6 ,Y
?9K X 0 EASY1 KILL+ ,CASSIE8 ,B WE NE$$
.Y1 & %E 0 TOO D$ICAT$1 %E'D N"E L1VE !
COV560
  8,:AT80 ,"! 0 NO?+ 6MY VOICE1 J A :IS-
P] ( %OCK4
  8,HE S5T ME ! DR1MS ( Y6 ,CASSIE 0 9 !
WAY6 ,MY BE/ FR1 & ,I _H 6KILL H] S WE
CD GET Y6 ,Y C'T /OP N[6 ,I WON'T .LET
Y60 ,%E FLUNG H]F AT ME1 ! KNIFE RAIS$
HI<4 ,I FELL BACKW>D1 CAT*+ H] WRI/S
NUMBLY4 ,I _H ! ADVANTAGE ( R1* & /R5G?1
DULL$ 0%OCK4 ,FAYE TWI/$ & KICK$ MY %9S1
SCR1M+ ) RAGE4                      #DFF
  8,Y KILL$ ,CASS&RA ,TUCK]80 ,I FELT L
MY M9D _H BE5 DIPP$ 9 A VAT ( GLUE4 ,"T
WASN'T MOV+ SL[LY ANYMORE3 X 0 /UCK4
,FAYE SNE]$ AT ME1 FURI\S4
  8,%E _H A 3G5ITAL HE>T PRO#M4 ,! AU-
TOPSY TOLD Y T1 "R80 ,H] >MS TREM#D )!
EF=T ( BR++ ! KNIFE D[N1 B ,I HELD H]
FA/1 L1N+ 96H] 9 ORD] 6KEEP H] H&S HELD
AL(T4 ,%E SMIL$1 WIDE-EY$ & MANIC1 H]
TEE? / B>$4 8,CRAFT+ A SPELL 6MAKE !
HOLE A LL BI7] WASN'T S H>D4 ,J A LL
BI7]1 &! HE>T C'T "W ANYMORE4 ,"K :AT 0
H>D]80 ,%E SNE]$1 !N LUNG$ L %E'D TE> MY
?ROAT \ ) H] TEE?4 8,YR OLD FR4 .,8 HE>T
0 H1L?Y4 ,X TOOK A LOT ( "W 6DAMAGE X4
,I'D %[ Y ! SC>S1 B--0 ,%E WRI!D 9 MY
GRIP1 PROV+ T %E 0 TOO WELL-CAU<T 6BE A#
6%[ ME ANY?+4 8,X TOOK A L;G "T1 B WIT*-
CRAFT C D A LOT ) LL ?+S L T40
  ,EMO;N S COLD ,I _H NO "N = X SLID "?
ME1 UTT]LY QUELL+ ! P[] C5T]$ 9 MY BEL-
LY4 ,FAYE'S SK9 FELT %OCK+LY HOT "U MY
H&S1 S HOT T ,I ?"\ IF ,I LET G "! WD 2
BLUE M>KS >.D H] WRI/S F MY F+]S4
8,G>Y80 ,I H"O/LY DIDN'T "K IF      #DFG
,I'D SD ! "N \ L\D1 B ,FAYE HE>D ME ANY-
WAY4 8,Y GAVE ,G>Y A HE>T ATTACK80
  ,FAYE SURG$ =W>D AG1 KICK+ & SN>L+ )\T
T\*+ ME4 8,I ?"\ ! OLD BA/>D WD J KICK
(F4 ,HE 0 SUPPOS$ TO4 ,X 0 SUPPOS$ 6KEEP
Y F ASK+ "QS40 ,%E B>$ H] TEE? AG1 A
SMILE )\T S\L4 8,& X "W$1 TOO1 DIDN'T
X80
  ,X _H4 ,I REMEMB]$ 2+ ON ! V]GE ( "Q+
"S?+ ,VIRISS;G _H SD1 :5 ! PH"O RANG TO
TELL ME AB ,G>Y'S HE>T ATTACK4 ,I CDN'T
PULL TGR ! MEMORY "R N[ 6PURSUE ! "Q1 B
,I WD 9 "T4 ,I :ISP]$1 8,SORC]Y4 ,FAYE1
OH1 ,GOD1 ,FAYE1 DON'T Y SEE :AT Y'VE
D"O8 ,FAI? ISN'T 5\<4 ,WE H 6USE JUDG;T1
TOO40 ,%E 0 S CLOSE 6:AT ,I 0 X MADE MY
HE>T HURT4 ,X MADE BR1?+ HURT1 TE>S
KNOTT+ 9 MY ?ROAT4 ,I _H S V NE>LY 2COME
H]4
  8,VIRISS;G US$ Y 6GET 6ME1 ,FAYE4 ,?
IS ALL GO+ 65D "R "H & "R N[4 ,I'M S
SORRY1 ,FAYE1 B Y'RE "U >RE/ =! MURD] (
,CASS&RA ,TUCK]40 ,I _H NO IDEA H[ ,I 0
GO+ 6MAKE X /ICK 9 A C\RT ( LAW1 B T
H>DLY MATT]$ AT ! MO;T4 8,ANY?+ Y   #DFH
SAY MAY 2 US$ AG/ Y 9 A C\RT ( LAW4 ,Y H
! "R 6AN ATTORNEY4 ,IF Y C'T AFF--0
  ,A SCR1M ( RAGE ERUPT$ F ,FAYE'S
?ROAT1 S FURI\S X 2CAME A /RANGL$ GUR-
GLE4 ,%E /OPP$ FI<T+ ME1 /R5G? GO+ \ F
H] >MS S ABRUPTLY T ,I NE>LY FELL 96H]4
,I CAU<T MY BR1?1 CAV+ MY *E/ IN1 AWAY F
! KNIFE4 ,PURE FANATICAL LI<T B"R5$
,FAYE'S EYES4
  8,Y WON'T /OP X10 %E :ISP]$4 8,Y C'T
/OP X4 ,I'LL /OP Y40
  8,Y C'T1 ,FAYE4 ,X'S TOO LATE4 ,X'S
OV]40
  8,NO10 %E SD1 8X ISN'T40
  ,%E FLIPP$ ! KNIFE BLADE >.D & DROVE X
96! HOLL[ ( H] [N ?ROAT4








           ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY-"O       #DFI

  8,FAYE60 ,MY SCR1M TA/$ L BLOOD4 ,MY
[N BLOOD1 N ! HOT SPLA% ( CRIMSON T
SPATT]$ MY FACE & H&S Z ,FAYE'S EYES
WID5$ 9 %OCK & %E 2GAN 6TOPPLE4 ,I GRA2$
H] =E>M &! BACK ( H] H1D1 TRY+ 6BR+ H]
6! GR.D G5TLY4 ,P[] BUB#D 9 MY /OMA* =!
F/ "T 9 "DS4 ,I WANT$ 6CLOSE MY EYES &
HIT MY H1D AG/ "S?+4 ,=! F/ "T 9 "DS4 ,=
! F/ "T S9CE ,JUDY _H -E 96MY G>D54 ,=!
F/ "T S9CE ,I'D LET MYF 2 L$ D[N A BIT-
T]LY WR;G PA?4 ,I _H BE5 A MASSIVE FOOL1
FAIL+ 6SEE ! W>N+ SIGNS AT E TURN4 ,NO
WOND] ,LL ,COYOTE _HN'T RESPOND$ 6ME4 ,I
DES]V$ 6H 6DIG MY WAY \ ( ? MESS ALL BY
MYF4
  ,RAGE & SELF-DIRECT$ FURY L5T ALL T
P[] FOCUS Z ,I FUM#D =! KNIFE BURI$ 9
,FAYE'S ?ROAT4 ,I 0 AFRAID 6PULL X \ &
DIDN'T "K H[ ! HELL ,I CD H1L H] ) X /
IN4 ,X 0 L SLAPP+ A PAT* ONTO AN 9N]
TUBE ,I CDN'T AF=D 6LOSE ANY AIR F4
  ,L\SY ANALOGY1 B X WD H 6D4 ,I WRAPP$
MY F+]S >.D ! B"O HILT1 FOCUS+ ON ! IDEA
( PAT*+ ! TUBE4 ,>.D ! BLADE1 "U    #DGJ
MY H&1 ,FAYE'S SK9 FELT /ICKY 9 A WAY T
_H NO?+ 6D )! BLOOD4 ,M L X 0 COV]$ 9
9N] TUBE GLUE4 ,! ANALOGY 0 APP>5TLY "W-
+1 EV5 IF X MADE ME WANT 6LET G A HY/]I-
CAL GI7LE4 8,Y'RE GONNA 2 OKAY1 ,FAYE10
,I :ISP]$4
  ,H] EYES ROLL$ BACK 9 _! SOCKETS UNTIL
%E />$ AT ME4 ,I PULL$ UP ! BE/ REASSUR+
SMILE ,I _H1 / FIXAT$ ON H] ?ROAT4 ,"! 7
S _M LAY]S 6PAT*1 & !Y _H 6BE D"O ALL AT
ONCE4 ,I HELD MY IDEA ( PAT*ES 9 PLACE1
BUILD+ UP LAY] AF LAY] ( SILV]-BLUE GL[+
P[] >.D ! KNIFE4 ,I WD H "O *.E 6S1L !
W.D AF ,I TOOK ! KNIFE \1 & ,I 0 WILL+
6TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS N[ 6MAKE SURE
! PAT* WD 2 AIRTI<T4
  ,OR N1 GIV5 T X 0 H] ?ROAT & AIRTI<T
WD MAKE H] SU6OCATE 6D1?4
  ..,%UT UP & 3C5TRATE1 .,JOANNE4
  8,Y'RE GONNA 2 OKAY10 ,I :ISP]$ AG4
  ,! KNIFE /UCK :5 ,I TRI$ 6PULL X \ 9
"O SWIFT MO;N4 ,N BADLY1 B X 0 H>D] 6RE-
MOVE ?AN ,I ?"\ X WD BE4 ,I WOND]$1 V
BRIEFLY1 IF REMOV+ ! SWORD F MY LUNG
BACK 9 ,JANU>Y _H BE5 Z DI6ICULT1   #DGA
& !N ,I SLAPP$ MY PAT* 96PLACE1 LAY] AF
LAY] ( CELLUL> REHABILIT,N4
  ,& 5C.T]$ RESI/.E4
  ,! 8GLUE0 ,I'D IMAG9$1 $GES ( CELLS &
SK9 & MUSCLE S(T5+ 6BE MELD$ BACK TGR1
REFUS$ 6/ICK4 ,! SILV]-P[]$ PAT* SLID
AWAY L ,I'D N"E HELD ! IDEA1 L1V+ !
BLOODY GA% 9 ,FAYE'S ?ROAT SPILL+ R$
WET;S OV] MY F+]S4 ,I J]K$ MY EYES 6H]S
& MET A GAZE ( H>D DET]M9,N & ULTIMATE
VICTORY4
  8,FAYE1 NO40
  ,%E TOOK ! LA/ AIR F H] LUNGS & SPAT A
M\?;L ( BLOOD AT ME4 ,!N H] H1D ROLL$ 6!
SIDE & ,I FELT1 ) SICK5+ CL>;Y1 ! LIFE
L1VE H] BODY4 ,A CLAMMY *ILL SWEPT OV]
ME1 L ,I'D /EPP$ F ! MU7Y ,S1TTLE H1T
96%AD[ SIXTY DEGREES COLD]4 ,I LOOK$ UP
S FA/ X MADE ME DIZZY1 H"O/LY EXPECT+ TO
SEE ,FAYE'S _S SLIPP+ AWAY 96! SKY4
  ,9/1D ,I SAW ! S]P5T1 BELL[+ L A BULL
ELEPHANT G"O MAD4 ,! S.D HIT ME L A
WALL1 Z IF MY HE>+ _H BE5 %UT D[N :ILE
,I 3C5TRAT$ ON ,FAYE & N[ 0 PLAY+ CAT*-
UP = "EY?+ ,I'D MISS$ 9 ^? FEW      #DGB
SECONDS4
  ,! COV5 _H G"O ABSOLUTELY 9SANE4 ,M>-
CIA &! ,ELD] _H _! H&S LOCK$ TGR & 7
SCR1M+ AT ! TOPS ( _! LUNGS4 ,I CD SEE X
9 ! MOTTL$ COLOR ( ,?OMAS'S FACE & 9 !
/RA9 9 ,M>CIA'S ?ROAT1 B ,I CDN'T HE> !M
OV] ! S.D (! S]P5T'S TRUMPET+ 6SAVE MY
LIFE4 ,ROXIE & ,SAM 7 BO? ON _! KNEES 2S
ME1 ,ROXIE %RIEK+ S L\DLY T ,I CD HE>
H]1 TE>S /R1M+ D[N H] FACE Z %E R1*$ =
,FAYE'S BODY1 !N /OPP$1 !N DID X AG4
,SAM DIDN'T MOVE1 J SAT "! />+ AT ,FAYE
)\T -PREH5.N4 ,I KNEW EXACTLY H[ ! POOR
KID FELT4
  ,I CD ONLY SEE TWO O!RS4 ,G>? 0 TRY+
6R1* ,COL91 :O / /OOD ) 8 H1D FLUNG BACK
& 8 >MS SPR1D WIDE1 GAZE ( EC/ASY ON !
S]P5T Z X RE>$ UP1 T[]+ ABV ! TREES 9 !
,HOLLI"DS' FRONT Y>D4 ,& ,DUANE 0 ONLY A
FEW Y>DS AWAY1 HELP+ ,MEL4 ,"EY?+ ELSE 0
BLOCK$ 0! S]P5T'S HUGE BODY RIS+ HI<] &
HI<] UNTIL X SEEM$ 6BLACK5 ! :OLE SOL-
/ICE SKY4
  ,HOLY SWEET ,*RI/1 ,I _H FUCK$ UP4
  ,I %OV$ ! ?"\ AWAY Z VIOL5TLY Z   #DGC
,I PU%$ 6MY FEET4 ,"! 0 / NO "T = X4 ,X
SEEM$ T "! 0 NO "T = ANY?+1 ANYMORE4 ,I
NE$$ 6SEE CLE>LY1 & ,I NE$$ 6D X "R N[4
  ..,I'M N ANY GD AT .?1 A LL VOICE IN-
SIDE MY H1D PROTE/$4 ,I CRU%$ X1 N ) AN-
G]1 B SIMPLY 2C ,I _H NO "T =A CRISIS (
FAI?4 ,! LA/ "T ,I'D DELIB]ATELY LOOK$
AT ! _W ) TWO SETS ( EYES _H BE5 BACK 9
,M>*1 :5 ,MORRISON ASK$ ME TO4 ,I'D B>E-
LY BE5 A# 6HOLD ON 6! P[] !N1 B ! _W Z
,I KNEW X _HN'T BE5 AB 65D4 ,DESP],N
BR"\ \ ! /R5G? 9 ME4
  ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6"W ON T4
  ,B N "R N[4 ,"R N[ ,I SET MY TEE? TGR
& R1*$ =! COIL ( 5]GY 9SIDE ME1 ALL TOO
AW>E ( XS LACK ( RESPONSE LATELY1 &!
R1SONS :Y X _H FAIL$ ME4 ,B ! SKY 2H !
RE>+ S]P5T 0 HOT SUMM] BLUE &! MON/] XF
GL1M$ BLACK ! WAY X _H 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O1 :
BOD$ WELL = SEE+ CLE>LY4 ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES1 FEEL+ ! /+ ( W9D%IELD WIP] FLUID
WA%+ OV] !M Z ,I FELL BACK ON MY C>
ANALOGIES4
  ,:5 ,I OP5$ !M1 ,I CD SEE 9 TWO _WS4
,! PHYSICAL _W 0 ALM A 4TRAC;N1 B   #DGD
,I DIDN'T WANT 6LET X G4 ,! O!R _W 0
TRANSLUC5T & MADE ( A/.D+ COLORS T ME%$
& MELD$ & SLAMM$ AG/ "O ANO!R4
  ,MEL 0 OKAY4 ,I CD SEE H] LIFE =CE EN-
TW9$ )! BABY'S1 BO? ( !M M* /R;G] ?AN
,I'D FE>$4 ,MEL'S GD-NATUR$ P]SONAL;Y
%"O "?1 BUTT] YELL[ T DEEP5$ 6AN 9TRANS-
MUTA# GOLD5 CORE4 ,! LL GIRL %E C>RI$
9SIDE H] GLIMM]$ )! COLOR ( D>K P9K ROS-
ES1 S(T & SWEET & PROBABLY HID+ ?ORNS4
,=A MO;T X 0 ALL ,I CD D 6KEEP MY FEET Z
RELIEF /A7]$ MY HE>TB1T4
  ,ONLY =A MO;T4 ,"! / WASN'T "T 6RELAX4
,I TURN$ MY ,SI<T ON ,?OMAS & ,M>CIA4
,P[] RO>$ (F !M1 PULL$ UP F ! E>? &
DRAWN D[N F ! SKY 6MIX TGR 96A SPELL4
,M>CIA'S P[] 0 GRAY+ \1 ! COLOR BLAN*+1
Z IF %E 0 DRAW+ TOO M* TOO FA/4 ,I GRA2$
,ROXIE'S >M & PULL$ H] 6H] FEET4 8,TAKE
YR PLACE6 ,"EY"O6 ,ALL ( Y6 ,GET 9 PLACE
>.D ! CIRCLE6 ,! ELD]S NE$ Y60 ,MY [N
VOICE ?"U$ "? ! RACKET ! S]P5T MADE1
S5D+ %OCKWAVES ( S.D B\NC+ >.D ! OV]H1T$
AIR4 ,ROXIE /UM#D AWAY1 B ,SAM GAVE ME A
LOOK ( DESPAIR4                     #DGE
  8,WE C'T4 ,WE C'T D ANY?+1 WE DON'T H
A FULL COV54 ,FAYE'S D1D40
  8,G60 ,I YELL$4 8,X'LL 2 ALL "R60 ,I
_H ABSOLUTELY NO FR1K+ CLUE H[ X 0 GO+
6BE ALL "R1 :AT ) MISS+ ! ,MAID51 B ,I
CDN'T TELL ,SAM T4 ,8 EYES WID5$ ) TRU/
& HE RAN = 8 PLACE4
  ,I CD SEE "? ! S]P5T'S BULK AG1 ?\< X
0 NO L;G] 2C ! CR1TURE XF 0 ONLY "PLY
MANIFE/$4 ,X 0 MY [N P[] L5D+ SEMITRANS-
P>5CY 6SOLID OBJECTS & GIV+ MY VI.N
DEP?4 ,ON ! MON/]'S O!R SIDE1 COV5 MEM-
B]S 7 TOTT]+ 96PLACE1 /R5G? SEEM+ 6-E TO
!M Z !Y R1*$ _! PO9TS >.D ! P5TAGRAM4
,ONLY ,G>? 0 / TRY+ 6GET 6HIS BRO!R4 ,8
MOVE;TS _H A VISCOS;Y 6!M1 Z IF HE TRI$
6SLOG "? T> 9 ORD] 6R1* ,COL94
  ,& ,COL91 A FEW FEET 2Y ,G>?'S R1*1 0
WRAPP$ 9 BLACK4 ,"! 0 NO H9T ( LIFE 6HIS
AURA1 NO NEON GL[ T MADE HM B1UTI;L &
UNIQUE & "O ( _M1 B MATTE & FLAT & D1D-
LY1 PRESS+ 9 6HM )\T ! SLI<TE/ PROTE/ F
! SLIM BLOND BOY4 ,! SNAKE ,I'D BR"\
BACK F ! _S R1LM TI<T5$ >.D 8 %\LD]S &
2GAN UNFURL+ L A CLOAK1 2COM+       #DGF
,VIRISS;G'S /R;G1 SL5D] _S4 ,I WOND]$ IF
ANY?+ ,I'D D"O 9 ! _S _WS 9 ! LA/ FEW
"DS _HN'T BE5 :OLLY OR*E/RAT$ 0"O ,VI-
RISS;G ASPECT OR ANO!R4
  ,IMAGES FLA%$ 2H MY EYES1 ! ICY ,UPP]
,_W &! A/.D+ ?"UBIRD4 ,BIG ,COYOTE 9 !
DES]T4 ,! *E];LLY W>R+ _S ANIMALS &!
TORTOISE T _H RETURN$ ) ME 6L5D ,G>Y 8
/R5G?4 ,I HUNG ON 6^? MEMORIES1 TAK+ !M
=! LIFEL9E !Y W]E4 ,I'D SCREW$ UP MONU-
;T,Y1 B N "EY?+ ,I'D D"O _H BE5 TA9T$ 0!
D>K SORC]] :O N[ SETTL$ 96,COL9'S BODY4
,"! SEEM$ 6BE ?+S \ "! T / _H FAI? 9 ME4
  ,CL++ 6! SCRAPS ( HOPE T ,I _HN'T
FUCK$ UP 2Y REDEMP;N1 ,I WOVE MY [N P[]
TGR 96A SILV]-BLUE NET & SWUNG X T[>D
,G>?1 N S M* 6CAPTURE HM Z GA9 8 ATT5;N4
,HE WR5*$ >.D T[>D ME1 RAGE & FE> 9 8
EYES4 8,GET 9 PLACE1 ,G>?10 ,I SD Z G5T-
LY Z ,I CD4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6FIX ?4 ,B WE'VE
GOT 6"W TGR40
  8,B ,COL960 ,8 VOICE BROKE1 Y\?;L T]-
ROR1 & MY HE>T CL5*$ AT ! S.D4
  8,I "K40 ,MY /OMA* HURT >.D ! P[]
C5T]$ "!1 SORR[ & PA9 T T\*$ !      #DGG
NET ,I'D WOV5 & RODE \ 6TELL ,G>? T ,I
"U/OOD & %>$ "S ( 8 AGONY4 8,B ! COV5
NE$S Y IF "!'S ANY *.E ( MAK+ ? "R40 ,"!
0 A PECULI> R+ 6MY ^WS1 L !Y'D BE5 PROC-
ESS$ "? BELLS MADE ( PURE SILV]4 ,!Y
S.D$ Z IF !Y C>RI$ 9EXORA# TRU?1 &=A
4MAY$ MO;T ,I HOP$ ,I WASN'T GO+ 6GET
/UCK HAV+ 6TELL ! TRU? ALL ! "T4 ,I'D
N"E 2 A# 6SP1K 6,MORRISON AG4
  ,B ,G>? SEEM$ 6HE> ! TRU? 9 MY ^WS Z
WELL4 ,HE RELUCTANTLY BROKE AWAY F TRY+
6R1* ,COL91 8 /EPS -+ EASI] Z SOON Z HE
MOV$ BACKW>D 9/1D ( T[>D ! BLOND BOY4 ,I
CD FEEL P[] GR[+ Z ! COV5 MEMB]S EA* (-
F]$ UP :AT !Y _H1 & SL[LY _! VOICES 2GAN
6LIFT OV] ! S.D (! S]P5T'S BELL[+4
  8,JOANIE40 ,A H& T\*$ MY ELB[1 />TL+
ME4 ,I TURN$ 6LOOK D[N AT ,MEL1 :O GL[$
S B"RLY ,I _H 6SQU9T 6SEE H] CLE>LY4
8,Y'VE ONLY GOT TWELVE40
  8,I'M TRY+ N 6?9K AB T40 ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE T WE NE$$ A FULL COV5 9 ORD] 6VAN-
QUI% ! S]P5T & ,VIRISS;G1 B TAK+ MY
PLACE 9 ! CIRCLE & H>BOR+ D\BTS WD ONLY
SABOTAGE ! :OLE ATTEMPT4            #DGH
  8,JOANIE10 ,MEL SD1 M URG5TLY4 8,YR
MAID5'S D1D & ,I DON'T ?9K ANY ( ^?
GIRLS IS OLD 5 6BE ! ,MAMA4 ,Y'RE PLAY+
)A %IT H& & Y NE$ A FULL H\SE40
  8,"O ( !M M/ / 2 A MAID510 ,I SD D\BT-
;LLY1 & TURN$ 6GL.E OV] ! GIRLS1 WOND]+
IF MY ,SI<T CD V]IFY T4 ,MEL PUT H] H&
ON MY >M AG 2F ,I'D FIGUR$ \ H[ 6FIGURE
X \4
  8,IS X A BOY OR A GIRL80
  8,:AT80 ,I />$ D[N AT H] AG1 WAT*+ H]
COLORS FLEX ) AGIT,N4
  8,! BABY40 ,MEL'S VOICE %[$ N"O (!
TWI/S & FLAPS ( FRU/R,N T H] AURA D.ED
)4 8,IS X A BOY OR A GIRL8 ,C Y TELL80
  8,OH4 ,X'S A GIRL10 ,I SD Z IF ANN\NC+
S* A ?+ 0 AN "EY"D ACTIV;Y = ME4 ,MEL
TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
  8,!N ,I C 2 BO?40
  ,MY D\# VI.N 0 DO+ NO?+ 6HELP ME "U/&
H]4 ,I %OOK MY H1D1 FEEL+ ESPECI,Y SL[ &
DULL4 8,BO? :AT80
  8,"M & ,MAID510 ,MEL SD A BIT IMPA-
TI5TLY4 8,I TOLD Y1 ,JOANNE4 ,MY GR&"M 0
A WIT*4 ,? ISN'T 5TIRELY NEW TO     #DGI
ME40
  8,MEL1 Y DON'T H TO--WE'VE--,I'M--0 ,I
_H N"E ONCE 9 MY LIFE SD \ L\D T ,I'D _H
*N4 ,PL5TY ( P BACK 9 ,NOR? ,C>OL9A
KNEW1 B NO "O 9 MY LIFE S9CE ! "D ,I
LEFT ,QUALLA ,B.D>Y _H ANY IDEA4
  ,EXCEPT MAYBE ,MORRISON1 DEP5D+ ON J
H[ M* DI7+ HE'D D"O4 ,! IDEA MADE A KNOT
9 MY /OMA*4
  8,Y NE$ ?IRTE510 %E SD1 L;G 2F ,I CD
F9D A WAY 6BR1K "? M ?AN A DECADE (
SELF-IMPOS$ SIL;E & ADMIT ,I'D BE5 PLAY+
! ROLE (! ,"M4 8,! BABY & ,I MAKE
TWELVE4 ,Y'RE ! ?IRTE5?4 ,! FOCAL PO9T4
,Y'RE ! "O )! P[]1 ,JOANIE40
  8,Y'RE ! "O :O'S PREGNANT6 ,MEL1 ? CD
2 RE,Y DANG]\S--0
  8,Y WON'T LET ANY?+ HAPP5 6U40 ,%E
SMIL$1 FULL ( S]5E 3FID;E1 & T 0 X4 ,I'D
LO/ ! >GU;T4 ,I CD TELL1 2C %E WALK$ OV]
6TAKE A PLACE 9 ! CIRCLE & FOLD$ H] H&
96,M>CIA'S4 ,Z SOON Z %E DID1 ,?OMAS
LEFT ,M>CIA'S SIDE & D>T$ >.D ! S]P5T TO
CLASP H&S ) TWO O!R COV5 MEMB]S4
  ,I 0 ! ONLY "O LEFT \TSIDE !      #DHJ
CIRCLE4 ,! COV5 _H GA!R$ 96F\R GR\PS (
?REE1 "O AT EA* C>D9AL PO9T (! -PASS4
,P[] SWEPT (F !M L A RIV] 9 FLOOD1 _!
3C5TRAT$1 TRA9$ EF=TS BL[+ AWAY ! MAGIC
T ! COPS _H HELP$ ME CALL UP BACK 9
,JANU>Y4 ,"! 0 M ?AN J GD W & HOPE 2H _!
P[]4 ,I CD FEEL _! SPELLCRAFT+1 ^WS
*ANT$ ABV ! MU7Y W9D &! S]P5T'S H[LS1 &
KNEW IF ,I CD H>;S ALL T P[] ,I CD SET
/RAI<T ! ?+S ,I'D MESS$ UP1 & S5D ,VI-
RISS;G BACK 6! ,L[] ,_W HE'D BE5 S L;G
A3U/OM$ TO4
  ,B ,I CDN'T D X F \TSIDE ! CIRCLE4 ,I
/>$ UP AT ! S]P5T1 SCREW$ MY C\RAGE 6!
/ICK+ PO9T & WALK$ 96! C5T] (! P5TAGRAM4
  ,UNEXPECT$ SIL;E ASSAIL$ MY E>S1 S L\D
,I /UM#D & PUT A H& ON ! GIGANTIC S]P5T
6/1DY MYF4 ,I 0 M*1 M* TOO SMALL = X TO
NOTICE1 YET X HISS$ & TWI/$ AT ME1 SPIT-
T+ V5OM4 ,I DIDN'T H "T OR 5 PRES;E (
M9D 6DUCK1 B ! ACID SPATT]$ AG/ A SILV]-
BLUE %E5 9/1D ( BURN+ MY SK9 6! B"O4 ,I
BL9K$ AT MY >M 9 A/ONI%;T1 !N BL9K$ AG1
LOOK+ M C>E;LLY )! ,SI<T ,I'D CALL$ UP4
,FILA;T-?9 P[] SP>KL$ OV] MY SK91   #DHA
L A %IELD MADE ( SP>KL+ LAM@E4 ,I WOND]$
": X'D -E F1 & ?"\ ,COYOTE WD 2 PR\D (
ME IF ,I'D _H ! FO7IE/ IDEA H[ ,I'D D"O
X4
  ,! COV5'S SPELL 0 R1*+ A CRESC5DO4 ,I
CD FEEL X 9 ! B"OS ( MY E>S1 EV5 IF ,I
CDN'T EXACTLY HE> X1 & DESPITE ! HISS+
S]P5T ABV ME ,I SPR1D MY >MS WIDE1 LI/5+
) ALL MY 2+4
  ,& !N ,I KNEW :AT 6D1 L 9/RUC;NS 7 2+
P\R$ 96ME4 ,I CDN'T BORR[ ! COV5'S P[] !
WAY ,I'D D"O )! COPS 9 ,JANU>Y4 ,_!S 0
M* TOO FOCUS$1 ! SPELL !Y 7 CA/+ M1NT 6D
A SPECIFIC ?+3 TRANSLOCATE ! S]P5T "S":
LESS DANG]\S ?AN ! ,HOLLI"DS' FRONT Y>D4
,!Y CD CR1TE ! SPELL1 B ,I NE$$ 6PROVIDE
! P[] BOO/ T WD =CE A CR1TURE ? MASSIVE
96MO;N4
  ,I DUG D[N 96! CORE ( ME1 R1*+ =! BUB#
( P[] T SP5T S M* "T LY+ DORMANT ?ANKS
6MY REFUSAL 6USE X1 & : _H N UNR1SONABLY
/OPP$ ANSW]+ :5 ,I CALL$4 ,X WASN'T EX-
ACTLY S5TI5T1 B ,I F.D MYF .ASK+ X 6RE-
SPOND1 9/1D ( BLUDGEON+ MY WAY 96US+ X L
! PROV]BIAL BULL 9 ! *9A %OP4       #DHB
  ,X RESPOND$ ) JOY1 Z IF ,I'D F9,Y1 FI-
N,Y TAK5 ! "R APPROA*4 ,I LIFT$ MY H&S
UP1 FEEL+ ! NE$ 6ACTU,Y .PU% ! S]P5T
AWAY1 & 4COV]$ ,I CD SEE "? MY SK94
,NET"W$ VESSELS C>RI$ BLOOD T GL[$ )
LIFE1 B"O C>ESS$ 0! W>M? ( MUSCLE & S9EW
AG/ X4 ,I CD SEE ! S]P5T "? MY [N H&S1 &
FELT A SURGE ( 3FID;E4 ,LA/ "T ,I'D G"O
TRANSP>5T ON MYF ?+S _H TURN$ \ ALL "R4
,I WOND]$ IF MY EYES 7 ! WR;G COLOR4
,MORRISON'D WAT*$ ME LA/ "T ,I'D D"O ? &
SD !Y'D TURN$ GOLD4
  ,X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,ALL T MATT]$ 0 FO-
CUS+ ! COV5'S SPELL & PROTECT+ ! ,HOLLI-
"DS & _! HOME4
  ,I LAID MY H&S ON ! S]P5T & "EY?+ W5T
HORRIBLY1 CRITIC,Y WR;G4







          ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY-TWO       #DHC

  ,! S]P5T SNAT*$ ! P[] ,I 0 BR++ 6BE>1
DRA9+ X F ME S FA/ T BLACK ?"U P.D$ "?
MY SKULL4 ,SPIKES ( LI<T %ATT]$ 2H MY
EYELIDS L UNH1L?Y W>N+S T MY LIFE 0 9 !
BAL.E4 ,I DUG MY H&S 96! $GES (! S]P5T'S
SCALES1 /RU7L+ 6KEEP MY FEET Z ,I 2GAN
6FEEL /RET*$ ?9 Z TA6Y4 ,I _H "O FRIVO-
L\S MO;T ( SYMPA?IZ+ DEEPLY ) ,BILBO
,BA79S1 & !N K 2GAN SLAMM+ 96MY M9D )
EA* ( ^? B"R BUR/S ( LI<TN+1 & ,I _H NO
M "T = SUP]FICIAL ?"\S4
  ,X WASN'T "S GRT EPIPHANY ON MY "P4 ,X
0 T 9 OP5+ XF 6TAKE MY P[]1 ! S]P5T AL
REV1L$ XF 6ME4 ,MEMORY ASSAIL$ ME1 FLAT
& EAG] & HUNGRY4

  ,I WAIT$ RE/.SLY 9 A PLACE ": FRAGILE
HUMAN 3CEITS L "T _H NO M1N+4 ,"! 7 CON-
/ANTS 9 MY _W3 "! 0 P[]1 &) P[]1 TEMPTA-
;N4 .,"T M1NT NO?+ :5 ,I _H ^! ?+S1 2C !
CR1TURES :O _H BIR!D ME ) _! FE>S & PET-
TY DR1MS 7 5D.SLY W1K4 ,"! WD ALW 2 ^?
WILL+ 6SACRIFICE ANY?+ = P[]1 & ,I WAIT$
= ^? "OS1 SECURE 9 ! K T !Y WD      #DHD
-E4
  ,"S"TS O!RS CAME1 TRAV]S+ ! D>K PLACES
T 2L;G$ 6ME & MY K9D4 ,^? "OS CD 2
TEMPT$ B R>ELY CAU<T1 _! PURPOSE AT OP-
POSITE 5DS 6M9E4 ,!Y L$ ! W1K \ ( D>K;S1
SLIPP$ !M F MY GRASP & TURN$ !M BACK TO
LI<T4 ,I ALW KNEW !M :5 !Y CAME 96MY
PLACE1 2C !Y 7 T\*$ 0! ,5EMY4
  ,I %IFT$1 SCALES SLID+ OV] "O ANO!R 9
-=T+ HISSES4 ,D>K;S CRADL$ ME1 & ,I
WAIT$1 = "T M1NT NO?+ :5 ,I _H P[] &
TEMPT,N & MO/ B.S$LY ( ALL1 ! ,5EMY TO
RISE AG/ & FI<T AG "S"D4 ,S X 0 & S X WD
2 UNTIL ! SMALL ?+S T _H GIV5 LIFE 6ME &
! ,5EMY NO L;G] _H LIFE ( _! [N4 ,I DID
N ?9K ,I WD FADE AWAY !N4 ,I _H BE5 BR"\
=? F NO?+ & 2LIEV$ ,I WD 3T9UE 9 D>K;S S
L;G Z "! 0 LI<T4 ,X 0 ! WAY ( ?+S4 ,IF
M1N+.S ."T 5D$1 !N P]H S MI<T ,I1 B ,I
2L;G$ 6"S?+ L>G] ?AN M]E LIFE & D1?4
  ,A %>D ( BLACK;S1 B"R AG/ ! D>K4 ,A
PA?1 L1D+ \4 ,A MAN1 Y\?;L & >ROGANT &
/R;G1 UNT\*$ 0! ,5EMY4 ,BETT] /1 ,I CD
SEE ! M>K ON HM1 BLAZ+ BLACK 9 5D.S
NI<T3 .REJECT$ 0! ,5EMY1 8 P[]      #DHE
TA9T$ )! NE$ 6MAKE HMF A H]O1 6BE 2LOV$
( 8 P & 6/& ABV !M ALL Z _! GOD-K+4
  ,I WOND]$1 AT "TS1 :Y ! ,5EMY DID N
FOLD "OS S* Z ? "U XS W+1 *OOS+ 6REJECT
R ?AN 6GUIDE & PROTECT !M4 ,%D "O (!
,5EMY'S FALL S F> Z 6WALK MY PA?1 ,I WD
WELCOME HM ) SWEET ^WS & G5TLE T1*+S1
UNTIL 8 P[] 0 S CORRUPT & S GRT T ,I CD
BR1K FREE ( MY WAIT+ PLACE & 96! ,MI4LE
,_W ="E4 ,SURELY ! ,5EMY CD USE "O ( M9E
S WELL Z T1 6BURNI% & EMBRACE S* ASPIRA-
;NS UNTIL .XS DR1M 0 ! "O DR1M$ 0ALL !
CR1TURES (! _W4
  ,B P]H ! ,5EMY C ONLY SQU9T AT H1T IL-
LU.NS & B"R HORIZONS1 BL9D$ 0TOO M* SUN-
LI<T4 ,^? :O DWELL 9 D>K M/ LE>N 6LOOK
F>!R ?AN WE C SEE1 DEP5D+ ON ! IMAG9,N (
AMBI;N 6FREE U F \R CAGES4
  ,HE IS S EASY1 ? NEWCOM]4 ,8 P FREEZE
& />VE & HE 2LIEVES )\T HESIT,N T X IS !
_SS :O >E 6BLAME4 ,T "! IS A GRT & T]RI#
BATTLE WAG+ 9 ? O!R _W HE WALKS 9 N[1 &
T ! CR1TURES :O FI<T "H >E S P[];L T _!
W> SPILLS 96HIS _W4 ,& 8 P >E HUNT]S1 S
X IS V EASY 63V9CE HM T ! D>K ?+S   #DHF
M/ 2 BR"\ 96HIS _W 9 BODY1 S T M5 MI<T
SLAY _! PHYSICAL =MS & ?US W1K5 !M 9 ?1
! _S _W4 ,!N 8 P W 2 SAFE & W>M ONCE AG1
) FOOD 9 _! FAT BELLIES & NO M ?"\S (
D>K;S 9 _! SMALL M9DS4
  ,HE AGREES1 ) ALL ! NAIVET@E & >ROG.E
( 8 K9D1 & N"E "U/&S :AT HE W 2 GIV+ UP
6ME4 ,= ? "O HAS P[]1 AN UNUSUAL P[]1 &
MY B>GA9 ? "T W CO/ HM "EY?+1 AT A PRICE
HE W ?9K A GIFT3 "T4 ,M1N+.S1 5D.S "T4

  ,! S]P5T %IFT$1 XS SCALES CUTT+ 96!
PALMS ( MY H&S & YANK+ ME \ ( MEMORY &
96MY [N M9D AG )A FL>E ( PA94 ,PANIC
SICK5$ MY /OMA*1 A =EBOD+ FEEL+ ( AW>E;S
T ,I %D H "U/OOD M F ! BRIEF MO;T ( %>+
! MON/]'S MEMORY ?AN ,I DID4
  ,I _H SE5 ^? MEMORIES ONCE 2F1 F "S"O
ELSE'S PO9T ( VIEW4 ,F ,VIRISS;G'S PO9T
( VIEW4 ,I CL5*$ MY EYES %UT1 TRY+ 6RE-
MEMB]4 ,HE & ,NAKAYTAH _H BUILT A P[]
CIRCLE1 HE'D SD4 .,SD1 N %>$2 ! MEMORIES
7 TOO PA9;L & ,I'D BE5 WILL+ 6LI/5 9/1D
( SEE4 ,&! MON/]S TRI$ 62COME !M4
,VIRISS;G'S _S ANIMALS _H BE5       #DHG
/R;G 5 6PROTECT HM4 ,NAKAYTAH'S _H N4
  ,I _H ! HORRI# FEEL+ ,I 0 ,NAKAYTAH 9
? SC5>IO1 & ,I ALR KNEW ! _S ANIMALS
,I'D MET 7 MANIFE/,NS ( ,VIRISS;G'S P[]4
,BLACK EYES1 B"R EYES1 ALL L ! S]P5T T[-
]+ ABV ME4 ,ALL L ,VIRISS;G HMF4 ,ALL
M1NT 6DRAW ME IN--SU3ESS;LLY--6! WEB HE
BUILT = ME4
  ,I DESP]ATELY WANT$ 6BUR/ 96TE>S OR
?R[ UP OR RUN CRY+ = HELP1 B ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE ! P]SON ,I NE$$ 6GET HELP F 0 ME1 :
LEFT ME %IT \ ( LUCK4
  ,I L1N$ BACK )\T REL1S+ ! S]P5T1 LIT]-
,Y DI7+ MY HEELS 96! GR.D1 Z IF DO+ S WD
HELP ME CUT (F ! RU% ( P[] T X SIPHON$ F
ME4 ,! BUB# 9 MY BELLY /RET*$ A LL1 N F>
5 6SNAP1 B 5 65C\RAGE ME4 ,I 0 ALM C]TA9
X 0 PSY*OLOGICAL1 B :AT ! HELL3 IF VEHI-
CLE ANALOGIES & PHYSICAL AC;N DID !
TRICK1 ,I CD "W ) T4 ,ALL ,I NE$$ 0 A
MO;T 6?9K1 "T 6UNJUM# ! MEMORIES & ?"\S
,I'D %>$ )! MON/] ,I HELD ON TO4
  ,EXHAUS;N SWEPT OV] ME1 L1V+ ME TREM-
BL+ & UNA# 6HAUL BACKW>D ON ! S]P5T
ANYMORE4 ,SCREW "U/&+4 ,I NE$$ TO   #DHH
CUT (F ! FL[ ( P[]1 OR BETT] YET1 D ) X
:AT WE'D 9T5D$3 TRANSLOCATE ! DAMN$ MON-
/] "S": SAFE4 ,I GRITT$ MY TEE? TGR1
L1N$ =W>D1 & %OV$ Z H>D Z ,I CD4
  ,! MON/] SMA%$ =W>D1 DRA7+ ME ) X4
  ,N 9 6"S O!R PLACE1 \TSIDE ! ,HOLLI-
"DS' FRONT Y>D4 ,NO4 ,T WD H BE5 GD4 ,T
WD H BE5 :AT ,I WANT$4 ,NO1 X SPL9T]$ "?
! P5TAGRAM WALLS L !Y'D N"E BE5 "!1 &
DOVE 96,COL9'S *E/4
  ,I W5T ) X1 ALL ! WAY "? ! P5TAGRAM
L9ES1 & LET G ! 9/ANT 2F ,I1 TOO1 0 AB-
SORB$ 96,COL9'S BODY4 ,I _H TOO M* MOM5-
TUM & /UM#D =W>D1 PLANT+ MY H&S ON !
TREE 2H 8 %\LD]S1 S ,I 0 "R "!1 HALF AN
9* F 8 NOSE1 :5 8 EYES W5T BLACK & H>D Z
OBSIDIAN1 B"R & D>K L ,VIRISS;G'S4 ,L
,JUDY'S4
  ,L ! SNAKE ,I'D BR"\ BACK 6GIVE HM
/R5G?4
  ,= "O BRILLIANT1 A*+ MO;T ,I "U/OOD4
  ,I "U/OOD "S?+ EV5 ,VIRISS;G _HN'T4
,"! .0 NO SEP>,N ( "O CR1TURE & ANO!R4
,! S]P5T 0 ,VIRISS;G1 & ,VIRISS;G !
S]P5T4 ,!Y _HN'T ALW BE5 "O &!      #DHI
SAME4 ,T M* ,I CD TELL F ! S]P5T'S MEMO-
RIES T / L+]$ 9 MY M9D1 _! M1N+ 2COM+
"E-M CLE>4 ,VIRISS;G'S _SS _HN'T PRO-
TECT$ HM AT ALL4 ,HE'D 2COME A VESSEL =!
S]P5T1 ALL[+ X 96! ,MI4LE ,_W4 ,MY _W4
,HE / ?"\ HE 0 9 3TROL1 T ! S]P5T DID 8
:IM4 ,T ! HUNT HE'D 2GUN =! MON/] T _H
DE/ROY$ ,NAKAYTAH1 S _M ?\S&S ( YE>S
AGO1 0 8 [N HUNT4
  ,B ! S]P5T'S MEMORY :ISP]$ 6ME T L !
S]P5T XF1 ,VIRISS;G _H ONLY BE5 TRAPP$ 9
! ,L[] ,_W1 UNA# 6FREE HMF & REGA9 !
,MI4LE ,_W T 0 ! S]P5T'S [N GOAL4 ,)
,VIRISS;G'S HUMAN FACE1 !Y CD TGR 9FLU;E
RECEPTIVE MORTALS F "T 6"T4 ,FAYE _H BE5
"O1 B H] MISTAKES PAL$ NEXT 6M9E4
  ,2C ! BLACK SNAKE ^: WEI<T ,COL9'S
SL5D] %\LD]S _H BORNE C>RI$ A ?R1D (
,VIRISS;G'S ESS;E )9 X4 ,A ?R1D T .,I _H
C>RI$ BACK F ! ,MI4LE ,_W 6MAKE ? ALL
POSSI#4
  ,"!'D N"E BE5 ANY *.E ! P5TAGRAM WD
HOLD ! S]P5T1 N )A R1L & TRUE %>D ( XS
SELF \TSIDE ! />'S SAFE WALLS4 ,N )A
WILL+ HO/ WAIT+ 6C>RY X 96! _W1 &   #DIJ
N )A HELP;L 3DUIT %UTTL+ PIECES ( XS
CORE BACK & =? F ! ,L[] 6! ,MI4LE ,_W4
,FAYE _H D"O BADLY 02G9N+ ! PROCESS T WD
REL1SE ,VIRISS;G1 B ,I 0 ! "O :O'D ACTU-
,Y BR"\ A PIECE ( HM 96MY _W4
  ,VIRISS;G'S GR9 SPLIT ,COL9'S FACE 9 A
NA/Y GA%1 8 LAU<T] A RI* DEEP DELI<T $G$
) DIAMOND RAZORS4 ,HE SD1 8,?ANK Y10 !
:ISP] RATTL+ ! SMALL B"OS ( MY E>S &
S5D+ *ILLY WAVES ( NAUSEA D[N MY SP9E &
96MY F+]TIPS4 ,HE SWAY$ 8 H1D1 WAT*+ ME
) COLD FLAT EYES1 SNAKELIKE1 & SPLIT
ANO!R VICI\S SMILE4 8,P]HAPSSS ! ,5EMY
_C B9D ^? :O WALK MY PA?1 ASSS ,I CD N
FULLY B9D Y4 ,P]HAPSSS ! ,5EMY IS WISSS]
9 N TRY+10 HE :ISP]$1 8B P]HAPSS T ISS N
SSO4 ,9 SSO LL "T ( FOLL[+ ME1 LOOK :AT
Y H WR"\1 ,WALK+/ICK40 ,! HISS 9 8 VOICE
FAD$ ) EA* S5T;E1 Z IF HE 0 RELE>N+ !
WAY A HUMAN T;GUE MADE SPEE*4 8,Y H BR"\
ME =? FULLY1 Z NO "O HAS BE5 A# 6D 9 ?\-
S&S ( YE>S4 ,& "! IS NO ,5EMY 6B9D ME
AG1 %AMAN4 ,Y >E MY GRTE/ A*IEVE;T40
  8,BU4Y10 ,I :ISP]$1 8,I DON'T "K :O YR
,5EMY IS1 B :O"E X IS1 ,I'M PRET-   #DIA
TY GODDAMN$ SURE HE'S MY FR40 ,I LIFT$
MY VOICE1 HE>+ X CRACK Z ,I CALL$ \1
8,M>CIA8 ,TAKE C>E ( ,MEL40
  ,!N ,I WRAPP$ MY >MS >.D ,COL9'S NO
L;G] FRAIL BODY & LET G ) ALL ! P[] ,I'D
BE5 COLLECT+1 FOCUS+ ! COV5'S SPELL ON
MYF 9/1D ( ON ,VIRISS;G4

  ,AIR IMPLOD$ >.D ME )A S(T .BAMF4 ,I
_HN'T PREVI\SLY "KN T IMPLOD+ AIR 0 A
S.D 9 MY REP]TOIRE ( EASILY RECOGNIZ$
NOISES1 B X WAS4 ,=A C\PLE ( SECONDS1 ,I
FELT L A SPECIAL E6ECT 9 A MOVIE1 : 0 J
S COOL "! WASN'T M* ELSE 9 ! _W 6WORRY
AB4 ,2SS1 X DIDN'T HURT1 & T MADE X EV5
BETT]4 ,I'D SORT ( EXPECT$ T MOV+ MYF F
"O PO9T 6ANO!R )\T GO+ "? ! 9T]V5+ 4T.E
WD RUPTURE MY E>DRUMS1 OR "S?+ EQU,Y UN-
PL1SANT4 ,I _H "S PRETTY REC5T EXP]I;E )
RUPTUR$ E>DRUMS1 & ,I 0 EXTREMELY PL1S$
6N 2 REVISIT+ T "PICUL> MO;T 9 MY LIFE4
,ALL 9 ALL X 0 A HI<LY 5JOYA# TWO SEC-
ONDS4
  ,AT ! 5D ( T "T ,I NOTIC$ ,I 0 FALL+ V
V FA/ T[>D A FLAT GLIMM]+ SURFACE   #DIB
A L;G1 L;G WAY 2L ME4 ,I 0 R1SONABLY
SURE ! "P ": X DIDN'T HURT 0 GO+ 6-E 6AN
ABRUPT 5D 9 ! NE> FUTURE4
  ,COL9 TWI/$ 9 MY >MS1 SCR1M+ \TRAGE Z
HE WRI!D4 ,AN ELB[ CAU<T ME 9 ! NOSE &
,I NE>LY LET G1 !N HELD ON TI<T]4 ,= "S
R1SON DROPP+ HM SEEM$ C>E.S1 EV5 Z HE
FLAIL$ & %RIEK$4 8,X'S GONNA 2 OKAY10 ,I
YELL$4 ,! AIR TA/$ ?ICK & S\R1 TOO MU7Y
& TOO HOT1 EV5 ?\< WE 7 MAK+ \R [N W9D
0FALL+ "? X4
  ,HE GAVE ME A BLACK-EY$ LOOK ( UNMITI-
GAT$ HATR$1 PULL+ 8 LIPS BACK F 8 TEE?
6HISS1 M L A CAT ?AN A SNAKE4 8,X'LL 2
F9E10 ,I YELL$ AG4 ,I WASN'T SURE :O ,I
0 TRY+ 63V9CE1 B ,I SUSPECT$ (! TWO ( U1
,I 0 ! "O 3C]N$ AB \R FUTURE WELL-2+4
  ,: L$ ME 6WOND] :AT ! HELL ,I ?"\ ,I 0
GO+ 6D NEXT4 ,! GLITT]+ SURFACE 2L 0
SL[LY GETT+ L>G]--,I 0 PRETTY SURE X 0
,LAKE ,WA%+TON1 AL? ,I _HN'T "E SE5 X F
Q ? VANTAGE 2F--& ,I WOND]$ H[ HI< UP WE
7 & H[ L;G X WD TAKE U 6HIT ! WAT]1 &
:E!R T]M9AL VELOC;Y GAVE ANY K9D ( S(T5+
ON ! O4S ( SURVIVAL IF Y HIT LIQ-   #DIC
UID 9/1D ( SOLID E>?4 ,X 0 AMAZ+ ! K9DS
( ?+S T J FL[$ "R "? MY M9D :5 ! O!R OP-
;N 6?9K AB 0 IMP5D+ D1?4
  ,COL9 SCR1M$ AG1 A L;G ?9 S.D T _H NO
BUSI;S -+ F A HUMAN ?ROAT4 ,8 :OLE BODY
BUCK$ 9 MY >MS1 WR5*+ XF RIGID 2F X S(T-
5$1 Z IF ! B"OS 7 MELT+ \ F "U 8 SK94 ,I
%U4]$ & TOOK MY EYES AWAY F ! LOOM+ LAKE
6TRY 6CALM HM1 & 9/1D LET \ A HO>SE YELL
& LET HM G DESPITE MY BE/ 9T5;NS4
  ,HE .0 MELT+1 SK9 MOLT+ & BL5D+ 9TO
BLACK SCALES1 ! RAGE 9 8 EYES FLATT5$ 0!
D1DLY DULL;S (! S]P5T'S GAZE4 ,8 BODY
?R1D$ L;G]1 >MS MELD+ 6HIS SIDES1 LEGS
GR[+ TGR1 & 8 HAIR 2CAME WILD ) T9Y
,M$USA-T5TACLES4 ,SPIRES RIPP$ F 8 SP9E1
GLI/5+ & D1DLY ) POISON1 UNTIL ! BOY 0
G"O 5TIRELY & ,I FELL 2S ! S]P5T4
  ,X FL>$ W+S1 %ORT & /U2Y1 N NE>LY 5 TO
LIFT XS BULK "? ! AIR4 ,/1 "SH[1 XS FALL
SL[$ Z XS BODY ?ICK5$ & L5G!N$1 UNTIL X
0 ! COLOSSAL MON/] ,I'D F/ MET 9 ! ,D1D
,Z"O4 ,I 0 / FALL+ AT A GRAV;Y-DICTAT$
RATE ( SPE$1 B ! S]P5T 0 ABV ME N[1
BLACK SCALES PICK+ UP SUNLI<T &     #DID
GLANC+ ! B"R;S "? MY EYES4
  ,IF ,I _HN'T PROMIS$ ONCE ^U A "T T X
CD EAT ME1 ,I MI<T'VE ?"\ X 0 B1UTI;L4
,Z IF ! ?"\ REM9D$ ! ?+1 X LUNG$ =W>D1
SNAPP+ MASSIVE JAWS %UT M]E 9*ES F MY
H1D4
  ,GIV5 ! *OICE 2T 2+ EAT5 ALIVE & SMA%+
AT A BILLION MILES AN H\R 96,LAKE ,WA%+-
TON1 ,I DECID$ SMA%+ S.D$ GD4 ,I TUCK$
MYF 96A PIKE1 !N /RAI<T5$ \ S MY H1D 0
PO9T$ D[N & MY BODY 0 /R1ML9$4 ,MAYBE ,I
CD \-FALL ! ?+4 ,ANY?+ 0 WOR? TRY+4
  ,AN UNEXPECT$LY P[];L BU6ET ( W9D
CRA%$ 96ME1 IGNOR+ :OLESALE MY ATTEMPTS
6/R1ML9E MYF4 ,X KNOCK$ ME BACK UP 96!
AIR1 F> 5 & FA/ 5 T ! S]P5T'S SECOND
LUNGE MISS$ 0Y>DS 9/1D ( 9*ES4 ,= "O />-
TL+ 9/ANT1 ! :OLE ?+ FELT V FAMILI>1 L E
FALL+ DR1M ,I'D "E DR1M$ _H J -E R1L4
  ,ONLY X WASN'T A DR1M ,I 0 REM9D$ (4
  ,I >*$ BACK1 CLOS+ MY EYES AG/ ! W>M
W9D1 & LET ! ?"UBIRD'S GOLD5 LIQUID FIRE
BUR/ FREE F MY *E/4

          ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY-?REE      #DIE

  ,I TURN$ 9SIDE-\1 MY 3SCI\S;S FOLD+
UPW>D 96! CR1TURE T ,I GAVE BIR? TO4
,4ORI5T,N & PA9 SWEPT OV] ME1 2WILD]+ 9
A MU6L$ WAY4 ,I FELT L ,I'D TURN$ A SOM-
]SAULT T PLAC$ ME FIRMLY 9 A NEW BODY &
PUT "S"O ELSE 9 ! DRIV]'S S1T4 ,T 0 GD3
IF ,I'D BE5 9 3TROL (! ?"UBIRD'S BODY1
,I'D 2 PLUMMET+ T[>D ! LAKE AT RECORD
SPE$S4 ,9/1D1 MASSIVELY P[];L W+S CLAPP$
AG/ ! MU7Y AIR S H1VILY ,I CD HE> ?"U Z
,I CLIMB$ HI<] 96! SKY4
  ,I TURN$ ON A W+TIP ONCE ,I'D GA9$ 5
ALTITUDE1 WAT*+ ! _W SPIRAL 2L ME 9 VIV-
ID COLORS T W5T 2Y MY SECOND SI<T & 9TO
"S?+ PURELY 9HUMAN4 ,X 0 L 4COV]+ ,I'D
BE5 WE>+ SUNGLASSES T'D BE5 DRA9+ ! LIFE
\ ( "EY?+ ,I LOOK$ AT4 ,EV5 "? WAVES (
H1T RIS+ (F ! E>?1 ! L1VES 7 M ?AN J !
EM]ALD T GAVE ,S1TTLE XS NICK"N4 ,!Y _H
DEP?1 WAV]+ 96GEM-CLE> COLORS T MADE MY
H&S--N"E M9D T ,I DIDN'T SEEM 6H ANY--
A*E )! DESIRE 6T\* !M4 ,! SKY >.D ME 0 !
SAME1 S PURE A BLUE ,I FELT L ,I %D DRAW
MY W+S 9 = FE> ( 2+ SLIC$ A"P ON    #DIF
! CL>;Y ( AIR4
  ,AMUSE;T T WASN'T MY [N WELL$ UP F
DEEP )9 ! BROAD *E/4 ,EV5 T 0 S %>P X
?RO2$1 MAK+ MY [N EXP]I;ES & FEEL+S %AL-
L[ 0-P>ISON4 ,GRT4 ,! ?"UBIRD ?"\ ,I 0
FUNNY1 ) MY T9Y HUMAN EMO;NS & MY T9Y
HUMAN BRA94
  ,4APPROVAL1 L ANO!R ?"UCLAP4 ,APP>5TLY
,I WASN'T SUPPOS$ 62LL MYF :ILE %>+ FLE%
) MY?ICAL ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN >*ETYPES4
,MORRISON WD APPROVE4
  ..,I DON'T SUPPOSE Y'D L 6TELL ME :AT
! HELL WE'RE DO+ ."H8 ,I ASK$ 9T]N,Y1
AFRAID 6TRY SP1K+4 ,GOD "KS :AT MI<T -E
\ (! ?"UBIRD'S B1K IF ,I DID4
  ,FOND EXASP],N1 L Y MI<T FEEL T[>D A
RECALCITRANT B CUTE *4 ,? 0 N MAK+ ME
FEEL ANY BETT] AB MYF4 ,I A4$ A HOPE;L1
.,PL1SE81 ON ! PR9CIPLE T P LIK$ X :5 ,I
0 POLITE4 ,AT L1/1 P :O W]5'T ,MORRISON4
  ,I WI%$ ,I WD /OP ?9K+ AB HM4
  ,MEMORY HAMM]$ 96ME4

  ,X 0 2COM+ FAMILI>1 ? SC5E4 ,I WOND]$
H[ _M M "TS ,I CD SEE X PLAY$ \ F   #DIG
A NEW PO9T ( VIEW1 & !N R1LIZ$ ,I'D N"E
SE5 ? ACTUAL MO;T 2F4 ,! COLORS 7 / PA9-
;LLY VIVID1 :ITE SUN BOIL+ COLD 9 A PALE
BLUE SKY1 ! FROZ5 E>? BL9D+ ) GL>E T
MADE ME SQU9T UNTIL MY EYES A*$ )! EF=T4
,NO HUMAN SAW 9 ^? COLORS1 EV5 IF ,I
SEEM$ 6BE SEE+ "? HUMAN EYES4 ,I RECOG-
NIZ$ ! BODY ,I 0 IN1 B N ! CL>;Y ( VI.N4
  ,I /OOD 9 A P[] CIRCLE1 HOLD+ ,VIRIS-
S;G'S H&4 ,N]V\S;S BUB#D 9 MY /OMA* ":
,I 0 US$ 6FEEL+ ! BALL ( WAIT+ P[]1 & ,I
CLUT*$ 8 F+]S A LL H>D]4 ,HE GAVE ME A
BRIEF SMILE1 SQUEEZ$ MY H&1 & /EPP$
AWAY1 MOV+ 96! ABSOLUTE C5T] (! CIRCLE4
  ,3FID;E F"\ ! SICK;S 9 MY BELLY4 ,VI-
RISS;G _H SPOK5 )! _SS & WD SAVE \R P4
,I DREW 9 A DEEP BR1? ( COLD AIR1
/RAI<T5+ MY %\LD]S1 SU45LY DET]M9$ 6D HM
PR\D4 ,HE _H D"O ?+S ONLY ! %AMANS CD3
SPOK5 6! _SS1 BUILT A P[] CIRCLE T WD
PROTECT U :5 ! _WS OP5$ UP 6GIVE ! _SS
BODIES T MI<T 2 KILL$4 ,MY FAI? 0 BORN (
LOVE1 & X W>M$ ME EV5 AG/ ! BIT+ W9D4
  ,A SP>K ( HOPE FLEW "? ME4 ,VIRISS;G
_HN'T BE5 BORN 6! %AMANIC L9E4      #DIH
,P]H ,I CD LE>N 6S5SE ! MAGICS T HE'D
LE>N$1 & /& ) HM Z AN EQUAL4 ,I SAW NO?+
:5 ,I LOOK$ AT ! P[] CIRCLE1 NO?+ M ?AN
L9ES ET*$ 9 ! GR.D4 ,I TOOK A FEW QK
/EPS 6! $GE1 BRU%+ MY F+]S "? ! AIR4
  ,4APPO9T;T BUR/ ! N]V\S;S 9 MY /OMA*4
,I FELT NO?+1 ?\< ,VIRISS;G SWORE T MAG-
IC P\R$ F ! CIRCLE1 PROTECT+ U4 ,ONLY !
TRUE %AMANS AM;G ! ,P 7 M1NT 6FEEL X4
,MY %\LD]S SLUMP$ Z ,I /EPP$ AWAY1 "K+ T
PRIDE WD N"E BUY ! ABIL;Y 6S5SE MAGIC4
  ,VIRISS;G'S H& T\*$ MY HAIR4 ,I LOOK$
UP )A SAD SMILE T FAD$ 96UNC]TA9TY Z ,I
MET 8 EYES4 ,_! W>M? 0 G"O1 ! LAU<+ BR[N
T ,I KNEW S WELL DRA9$ ALL 6H>D1 FLAT
BLACK4 ,HE SAW MY SMILE G & T\*$ MY
*EEK1 L[]+ 8 H1D UNTIL 8 M\? ALM BRU%$
M9E4 8,SACRIFICE10 HE MURMUR$1 8IS ! NA-
TURE ( P[]4 ,I LOV$ Y1 ,NAKAYTAH40
  ,A/ONI%+ AGONY SLID 96MY BELLY1 WIP+
AWAY 4APPO9T;T & N]V\S;S4 ,I LOOK$ D[N1
GAP+1 AT ,VIRISS;G'S BLOODY F+]S WRAPP$
>.D ! HILT ( 8 B"O KNIFE4 ,! BLADE ,I _H
C>V$ = HM OV] "O COLD W9T]4 ,BURI$ DEEP
9 MY /OMA*1 PI]C+ :AT WD H BE5 MY   #DII
[N C5T] ( P[]1 _H ! BODY BE5 M9E4 ,I
WRAPP$ MY F+]S >.D ! HILT1 OV] 8 H&1 &
LOOK$ UP AG1 PA9 TURN+ MY VI.N :ITE4
  ,VIRISS;G SMIL$ AT ME1 COLD & 9HUMAN1
N AT ALL ! MAN ,I LOV$1 & TURN$ AWAY TO
LET ME FALL 6! E>? & SPILL MY LIFE'S
BLOOD "!4
  ,DY+ TOOK L;G] ?AN ,I ?"\ X WD1 & HURT
LESS4 ,! COLD SEEP$ 96MY BODY1 TAK+ !
$GES ( PA9 AWAY UNTIL ,I CD ROLL ONTO MY
BACK ) MY F+]S CLUT*$ >.D ! KNIFE4 ,VI-
.NS D.ED 9 ! PALE BLUE SKY1 _SS CRA%+
AG/ WALLS T ,I CDN'T SEE1 Z IF TRY+ TO
BR1K 9 & F9I% :AT ,VIRISS;G _H 2GUN4 ,HE
0 "R1 ,I R1LIZ$ 4TANTLY4 ,"! 0 P[] 9 !
CIRCLE4 ,PRIDE FILL$ ME1 !N DR[N$ "U
3FU.N4 ,NO?+ GD CD -E (A P[] T _H 6BE F$
0D1?4
  ,TAK+ ! KNIFE \ ( MY BELLY ALM DIDN'T
HURT AT ALL4 ,! "P ( ME T 0 ,JOANNE
,WALK] /RU7L$ 6SEP>ATE H]F F ,NAKAYTAH S
,I CD R1* = MY [N P[]1 ! H1L+ MAGIC T WD
SAVE MY_/\R LIFE4 ,B ! BODY ,I 9HABIT$ 0
,NAKAYTAH'S1 & %E _H NO S* P[]4 ,HE$.S (
MY ATTEMPTS1 %E ROLL$ 6H] /OMA* &   #EJJ
SL[LY PU%$ H]F 6H&S & KNEES1 !N /A7]$ TO
H] FEET4 ,VIRISS;G /OOD A FEW FEET AWAY1
H1D ?R[N BACK & >MS SPR1D WIDE 9 EXULTA-
;N4 ,I WANT$ 6SURGE =W>D & SLAM ! KNIFE
"? 8 RIBS1 B ,NAKAYTAH _H NO 9T5;N ( BE-
-+ A KILL]4
  ,2Y ! %IELD+ ,I CD SEE ! S]P5T1 RIS+
HI<] & HI<] AG/ ! ICY W9T] MORN+4 ,PALE
SUNLI<T BL$ >.D X1 MAK+ A GL[+1 GORGE\S
AURA1 L A 2NEVOL5T GOD LOOK+ D[N AT XS
P4 ,EV5 AG/ ! BACK LI<T+1 ,I CD SEE XS
9DIVIDUAL SCALES GLITT]+ & %IFT+ AG/ "O
ANO!R1 MY VI.N / TOO ACUTE =A HUMAN'S4
,ESPECI,Y =A HUMAN ) NO MAGIC ( H] [N4
,I />$ UP AT ! MON/]1 TRY+ 6ABSORB ! IM-
PORT ( T1 Z ,NAKAYTAH :ISP]$1 8,AMHU-
LUK10 & !N1 9 DESPAIR1 8,B ": IS ,WAK9-
YAN80
  .,TRAPP$4 ,! ANSW] CAME 6ME--OR 6,NA-
KAYTAH2 ,I WASN'T SURE :--) ABSOLUTE C]-
TA9TY4 ,VIRISS;G'S SACRIFICE 0 6,AMHU-
LUK1 ! ANCI5T S]P5T1 N = 8 ,5EMY4 ,T1 AT
L1/1 0 "S?+ ! COV5 _H D"O "R4 ,OR WR;G1
S9CE X 0 UNLIKELY T ,VIRISS;G _H 9T5D$ =
U 69VITE ! GD 96! _W AL;G )! BAD4   #EJA
,MAYBE "S ( ^? 9T5;NS ! ROAD 6HELL 0
PAV$ ) _H -E "? DESPITE \R BL;S & \R
GUIDE4
  ,:ILE ,I 0 ?9K+ T1 ,NAKAYTAH GA!R$ H]F
& TOTT]$ T[>D ! $GE (! P[] CIRCLE1 H]
H&S \T/RET*$ = BAL.E4
  ,"O ?+ ,VIRISS;G TOLD ME 0 TRUE3 X 0
,NAKAYTAH'S BLOOD T BR"\ D[N ! CIRCLE4
,%E FELL T[>D X1 /R5G? DRA9+ F H] BODY1
&)A HISS &A SPATT] ! %IELD+ CAME D[N4
,EV5 %E FELT X1 & "? H]1 S DID ,I1 A
BUZZ ( P[] %ORT+ \1 L A CIRCUIT BR1K]
FLIPP+4 ,X KNOCK$ H] ASKEW1 & %E SPRAWL$
ACR ! CIRCLE'S L9E1 L&+ ON H] BACK S T
%E & ,I TGR WAT*$ ,AMHULUK -E SMA%+ D[N
6CLOSE XS MASSIVE JAWS OV] ,VIRISS;G4 ,I
SAW A FANG SLA% "? 8 "R >M1 & ANO!R BITE
"? 8 TORSO1 J ": HE'D %[N ME ! SC>S T
HE'D CLAIM$ ,NAKAYTAH _H CAUS$4 ,:1 TE*-
NIC,Y1 ,I GUESS$ %E _H4
  8,WAK9YAN10 ,NAKAYTAH CROAK$4 8,WE NE$
Y40
  ,=! SECOND "T 9 Z _M MO;TS1 LIQUID
GOLD BUR/ =? F MY *E/ & ,I TURN$ 9SIDE-
\4                                  #EJB

  ,M9UTES ( MEMORY-SURF+ M1NT NO?+ 6! _W
\TSIDE3 NO M ?AN A BL9K ( "T _H PASS$ :5
,I RESURFAC$ F ! ?"UBIRD'S MEMORIES4 ,&
!Y .7 ! ?"UBIRD'S MEMORIES1 ,I R1LIZ$4
,P[].S OR N1 ,NAKAYTAH'S PLEA & H] BLOOD
_H MADE ! CR1TURE'S PASSAGE 96! ,MI4LE
,_W POSSI#1 A DY+ WI% GRANT$ 0! V GODS
!MVS4 ,H] MEMORIES _H PLAY$ 9 S* VIVID1
9HUMAN COLOR 2C ! ?"UBIRD _H P>TAK5 (!
GIFT %E (F]$1 J Z X'D GOB#D "? ME 9 !
SKIES (! ,UPP] ,_W4 ,WE 7 ALL 9 ? TGR1
%AMAN1 _S1 & MORTAL ALIKE4
  ,I FOLD$ MY W+S BACK & TUCK$ MY CLAWS
UP1 PLUNG+ "? ! ?ICK ATMOSPH]E4 ,MY EYES
_H NO TE>S 9 !M Z W9D RIPP$ BY1 A ?9
MEMBRANE %UTT]+ OV] R$ PUPIL Z PROTEC;N
F ! SPE$4 ,COLOR DIMM$ ONLY SLI<TLY )!
MEMBRANE1 B MY FOCUS *ANG$1 TELESCOP+ 9
ON ! S]P5T 2N ME1 XS WRI?+ =M ! ONLY
MATT] ( IMPORT.E 9 MY _W4
  ,XS /U2Y W+S DROVE X UPW>D 9 %ORT1
TWI/+ BUR/S Z X /ROVE 6R1* ME1 XS ,5EMY1
9 TURN4 ,I CD S5SE FURY & HATR$ P\R+ (F
X1 HELP+ 6FUEL XS PASSAGE "? !      #EJC
SKY1 & KNEW Z L;G Z ,I KEPT X ANGRY ,I
_H ! ADVANTAGE4 ,X 0 9 ! LAKE 2L T X WD
-E 96XS [N1 ": XS L;G S]P5T9E =M WD PLAY
9 & \ (! WAT] ) EASE :ILE ,I /RU7L$ )!
WEI<T ( LIQUID ON MY W+S4
  ,BACKW++1 CLAWS EXT5D$1 %OCK$ ME )!
=CE ( GRAV;Y D5I$4 ,X TORE MY BR1? AWAY1
MAK+ ME WANT 6LAU<1 WIDE-EY$1 L A *1 B !
?"UBIRD 0 9 3TROL1 & X _H NO "T = MY
Y\?;L GLEE4 ,W9D SLAMM$ AG/ ! "USIDES (
MY W+S1 SUPPORT+ ME Z MY CLAWS P9*$ 9TO
--NO1 >.D--! S]P5T'S BODY4 ,IRRIT,N
SURG$ "? ME1 T ,I _HN'T DRAWN BLOOD1 B
EV5 S1 ,I _H ! ?+ 9 MY TALONS & FLUNG
MYF SKYW>D1 W+S CRA%+ H1VILY AG/ ! AIR4
  ,! MON/] 9 MY CLAWS TWI/$ & /RUCK1
SPIRES ON XS BACK RIGID ) RAGE4 ,"O BITE
L&$ & ,I SCR1M$ Z V5OM %OT "? ! W.D4 ,!
S.D %ATT]$ ! ?ICK;S (! AIR1 CRACK+ ! SKY
) XS /R5G?4 ,I REL1S$ ! S]P5T1 WAT*+ X
FALL AWAY 2N ME1 /RU7L+ 6KEEP AL(T ) XS
VE/IGIAL W+S4 ,I /RU7L$ Z WELL1 BURN+
H1T ( POISON CAUT]IZ+ MY BLOOD4 ,Z A
BIRD ,I _H NO JAW 6SET1 B ! SAME FEEL+ (
RESOLU;N WA%$ "? ME4 ,! BITE _H     #EJD
6BE IGNOR$1 &! ,5EMY DEF1T$4 ,I TURN$ ON
W+TIP AG1 & ?"\1 R 9CONGRU\SLY1 .HEY4
  .,HEY4 ,I 0 A H1L]4
  .,HEY4 ,I _H "S?+ ! _S CR1TURE DIDN'T4
  ,WAT] 9 ! GAS L9E4 ,! IDEA CAME EASI-
LY1 SILV]-%E5$ P[] RIS+ "? ME EV5 ?\< MY
BODY WASN'T MY [N4 ,I WOND]$ BRIEFLY ":
! HELL MY BODY .WAS1 & IF X 0 ALIVE1 2C
,I DIDN'T SEE H[ ,I CD'VE ACTU,Y %APE-
%IFT$ 96A GIGANTIC BIRD4 ,! MASS EQU,N J
WDN'T "W1 EV5 TAK+ HOLL[ B"OS 96A3.T4
,!N MY HE>TB1T FALT]$ Z ! F/ (! TA9T$
BLOOD CAME 6X1 & ,I /OPP$ FUCK+ >.D ) LL
DETAILS L PHYSICS & />T$ WORRY+ AB /AY+
ALIVE4
  ,X WD H BE5 EASI] )A SIPHON1 B ,I
CDN'T WRAP MY M9D >.D ! IDEA WELL 5 TO
MAKE X "W4 ,HELL1 X WD'VE BE5 EASI] IF
,I CD SEE :AT ,I 0 DO+1 B ,I DIDN'T ?9K
ASK+ ! ?"UBIRD 6NIP 9 =A QK L&+ S ,I CD
/EP \ ( XS BODY & TAKE A LOOK 9SIDE X WD
G OV] WELL4
  ,9/1D ,I CLUNG 6! IDEA ( WAT] 9 ! GAS
L9E1 "O LIQUID FLOAT+ ON TOP (! O!R4
,BLOOD 2L1 POISON ON TOP3 ,I CD     #EJE
TELL :5 X 2GAN 6"W 2C ! PA9 9T5SIFI$1
PURE V5OM CORROD+ ! VESSELS & VE9S X
T\*$4 ,I FIGUR$ ! NEXT FEW SECONDS MI<T
MAKE ME A LL DIZZY1 B Z ! ?"UBIRD FOLD$
XS W+S & W5T 96ANO!R DIVE1 X SEEM$ Z GD
A "T Z ANY 6RISK X4
  ,X TOOK PRESSURE 6SQUEEZE ! POISON \1
L A ?9 TUBE )A SEMISOLID MATT] 9 ! BOT-
TOM1 ! LIQUID ON TOP SQUI%+ XS WAY =W>D4
,I 0 "R3 DIZZI;S CRA%$ "? ME1 & 9/1D (
DIV+ ,I SU45LY R1LIZ$ ,I 0 J PLA9 FALL+4
,! ?"UBIRD'S HE>TB1T HUNG MO;N.S =A T]-
RIBLY L;G "T Z ,I SQUEEZ$ WAT] F ! GAS
L9E ) ALL MY 3C5TR,N4
  ,& !N ! POISON 0 G"O &! ?"UBIRD "SH[
MANAG$ 6PULL \ ( XS PLUMMET1 SMA%+ 96!
S]P5T ) S* =CE T WE ALL TUM#D D[N T[>D !
LAKE1 TANGL$ TGR4 ,I FL>$ MY W+S1 SL[+ !
FALL Z BE/ ,I CD1 :ILE ! S]P5T WRAPP$ XF
>.D ME1 TRY+ 6CRU% MY W+S BACK 6MY BODY4
,X RE>$ XS H1D BACK1 JAWS AGAPE1 & LUNG$
=W>D AG4
  ,6HIT ?9 SILV] %IELD+ T SP>K$ & LIT )
XS 3TACT4 ,SNAKES W]5'T NORM,Y M* =
EXPRES.N1 B Z X FL9*$ BACK ,I 0     #EJF
SURE ,I SAW A/ONI%;T 9 XS EYES4 ,I LET \
A CACKLE ( %E] DELI<T4 ,X ERUPT$ F MY
?ROAT Z A SKREE1 MAK+ ! AIR >.D ME SEEM
6COLLAPSE AG4
  ,I TORE AT ! S]P5T'S FACE ) MY B1K1 &
Z X TWI/$ AWAY1 ROLL$ ONTO MY BACK4
,PANIC %RIEK$ "? ME1 W>N+ ME ( MY VULN]-
ABIL;Y1 B X LOOS5$ ! S]P5T'S COIL F >.D
MO/ ( MY BODY4 ,I ROLL$ AG1 DUG MY CLAWS
96! ,5EMY'S BELLY1 SNAT*+ X \ (! AIR1 &
CLIMB$ =! SKY AG4
  ,"! 0 NO SUNLI<T LEFT4 ,?ICK H1VY
CL\DS FILL$ ! AIR1 L ALL ! MU7Y H1T (!
LA/ S"EAL "DS _H F9,Y COALESC$ TGR4 ,X 0
MY W1!R1 ?"UBIRD W1!R1 & ,I FELT !
BIRD'S ?RILL ( PL1SURE Z WE DRA7$ ! S]-
P5T 96! CL\DS4 ,XS FRAGILE W+S WD 2 EASY
6RIP (F1 XS UNPROTECT$ BELLY SIMPLE 6TE>
OP54 ,! /1M+ 5TRAILS WD 2 A F1/4
  ,I GA7$4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 "K BIRDS .CD
GAG4 ,NO1 ,I GUESS$ !Y CD1 2C MOMMY
BIRDS GA7$ UP D9N] = BABY BIRDS4 ,I FELT
BADLY =! BABY BIRDS4 ,SWALL[+ BIRD BILE
0 N HI< ON MY LI/ ( ?+S 6D AG4 ,AT ANY
RATE1 ,I 0 SURE EAT+ SNAKE 0 A      #EJG
F9E ?+ =A BIRD 6D1 EV5 A ?"UBIRD1 B ,I
NE$$ 6D M ?AN T4 ,! COV51 ) MY HELP1 _H
OP5$ UP ! PASSAGE = N J ,AMHULUK1 B =
ALL MANN] ( CR1TURES T 7 PROBABLY WR1K+
FUR!R HAVOC ON AN UNSUSPECT+ ,S1TTLE4 ,I
NE$$ 6UNDO T1 OR NO?+ 0 "E GO+ 6GET
/RAI<T5$ \4 ,I SWALL[$ AG/ BILE AG1 &
TRI$ MY H&--OR ?ROAT--AT SP1K+ A ^W )A
BIRD'S VOICE BOX4
  ,X CAME \ L ?"U4 ,AMHULUK1 ! S]P5T'S
"N1 ! "O ,I HOP$ 0 TRUE & WD =CE X 6AN-
SW] ALL ! WAY F ! DEP?S ( XS 2+4 ,NAKAY-
TAH1 ?REE MILL5NIA D1D1 _H (F]$ UP !
TOOL ,I NE$$ 6CAPTURE ! ?+ & DRAG X1
KICK+ & SCR1M+1 BACK 96! ,L[] ,_W4
  .,WRI7L+ .& .SCR1M+1 SD ! SNIDE LL
VOICE AT ! BACK ( MY M9D4 ..,SNAKES
DON'T H .LEGS4
  ,X'S A GD ?+ ,I DIDN'T "K ": MY R1L
BODY WAS4 ,I MI<T'VE 3V9C$ ! ?"UBIRD 6G
BITE MY H1D (F4
  ,! S]P5T 9 MY CLAWS 3VULS$1 !N SURG$
=W>D1 RECK.S AC;N T LET X /RIKE AT MY
?ROAT4 ,SILV] SP>KL+ %IELDS FL>$ UP AG1
PROTECT+ ME1 B X _H LE>N$4 ,XS      #EJH
GOAL WASN'T 6BITE "? ME1 B 6GRASP MY
NECK 9 A CRU%+ GRIP ) XS M\?4 ,I %RIEK$1
M F FE> ?AN PA91 MY CLAWS OP5+ 6SCRAB#
AT ! S]P5T'S BODY4 ,XS WEI<T PULL$ MY
H1D D[N & SU45LY WE 7 FALL+1 AN UNCON-
TROLL$ DIVE BACK T[>D ! 4TANT LAKE4 ,I
FL>$ MY W+S1 B X ONLY SL[$ ! FALL4 ,!
S]P5T LA%$ >.D1 US+ XS [N /U2Y W+S 6G5]-
ATE 5 LIFT T X CD SLAM XS BODY WEI<T D[N
ONTO MY "R W+4
  ,! EXPECT$ PA9 DIDN'T -E3 ! ?"UBIRD'S
B"OS 7 LESS FRAGILE ?AN A SMALL] CREA-
TURE'S MI<T'VE BE54 ,B X UNBAL.ED ME
BADLY1 &! DIVE 2CAME A TUM#1 S]P5T &
?"UBIRD W.D AB "O ANO!R Z WE CRA%$ "? !
AIR4 ,I SCR1M$ \TRAGE OV] & OV]1 %ATT]+
! /ORM CL\DS ABV U4 ,RA9 HIT 9 TORR5TS1
%EETS ( WAT] WEI<+ U FUR!R1 DRIV+ U T[>D
! LAKE'S SURFACE4
  ,! S]P5T WRAPP$ XF >.D MY NECK1 CRU%+
MY ?ROAT4 ,WE HIT ! WAT] )A SPLA% T FELT
L X BROKE E B"O 9 MY BODY4


          ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY-F\R       #EJI

  ,I FELT T]RIBLY1 T]RIBLY SMALL1 2N !
SURFACE (! LAKE4 ,MY W+S 7 WAT]LO7$1 !
S]P5T'S /R5G? M* GRT] "H ?AN 9 ! SKY4 ,X
SLI!R$ >.D MY NECK UNTIL X HELD ME )! 5D
( XS TAIL1 & !N 2GAN SWIMM+ DEEP]1 DRA7+
ME F>!R 96! /ORMY LAKE4 ,I SPR1D MY W+S1
PA!TIC PA9;L GE/URE ( PROTE/1 &! S]P5T'S
SPE$ SL[$ A LL4
  ,A LL4 ,N 5\<4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES &
/RU7L$ 6BACKW+1 TRY+ 6PULL MYF BACK T[>D
! SURFACE4 ,! S]P5T TI<T5$ XS TAIL >.D
MY ?ROAT & SWAM H>D]4 ,I WOND]$ H[ L;G
,I CD SURVIVE "UWAT]1 OR IF A ?"UBIRD
DIDN'T NE$ 6D MUNDANE ?+S L BR1!4
  ,F ! GR[+ TI<T;S 9 MY *E/1 ,I SUSPECT$
,I WASN'T GO+ 6BE T LUCKY4
  ,:Y _HN'T X "W$8 ,I'D SURE Z HELL GOT-
T5 ! ?+'S ATT5;N 0BELL[+ XS "N4 ,:Y
_HN'T X B5T 6MY W8
  ,MAYBE 2C ,I _H NO RITUAL4 ,X'D TAK5
RITUAL 6OP5 ! _W WALLS )! COV54 ,! WAT]
GREW COLD] & D>K] & ,I F"\ 6REMEMB] ANY
( :AT !Y'D D"O1 2Y DANC+ >.D A FIRE &
S++ 9 A LANGUAGE ,I DIDN'T "K4      #EAJ
,EV5 9 ! MID/ ( DR[N+1 ,I SNORT$ AT MYF4
,WAT] W5T UP MY B1K & ,I C\<$ \ MO/ (!
AIR ,I _H LEFT4
  ,RITUAL N ONLY WASN'T MY /YLE1 B ,I 0
A LL %ORT ON "T ANYWAY4 ,! S]P5T _H ONLY
HESITAT$ :5 ,I CALL$ XS "N1 N BE5 /OPP$
5TIRELY4 ,I 0 MISS+ "S?+4
  ,VIRISS;G'S FACE FLA%$ "? ! D>K;S T 0
2COM+ ALL ,I CD SEE1 & ,I ALM LAU<$4
,DIDN'T1 Q3 ,I'D ALR US$ UP TOO M* AIR4
,B ALM4 ,& CA/ D[N DEEP 96MYF1 R1*+ =
P[] AT ! SAME "T T ,I MADE A PROMISE3 IF
,I GOT \ ( ? ALIVE1 ,I 0 GO+ 6SP5D A
:OLE LOT M "T /UDY+ &A :OLE LOT LESS "T
PRET5D+ T MY GIFTS DIDN'T EXI/4
  ,APPROVAL BUB#D "? ME1 N MY [N4 ,!
?"UBIRD /RET*$ XS W+S F>!R & SWEPT !M
D[N P[];LLY1 DRA7+ ! S]P5T & XS D[NW>D
J\RNEY 6A /OP4 ,! S]P5T SNAPP$ >.D1 A
SILV] /R1K 9 ! D>K LAKE1 XS FANGS B>$ Z
X LUNG$ =! ?"UBIRD4
  ,MY P[] RESPOND$ )A FL>E ( B"R;S T
TURN$ ! RA9-PELT$ LAKE 6:ITE4 ,I :ISP]$1
8,MY "N IS ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+/ICK10 96!
:ITE;S1 &! ?"UBIRD'S VOICE RO>$1    #EAA
WAT] %AK+ AWAY F ME 9 VISI# %OCK WAVES4
8,I LIVE )9 ,WAK9YAN1 YR ANCI5T ,5EMY40
,MAYBE ,I _H A LL RITUAL 9 ME AF ALL4
8,I "K Y1 ,AMHULUK4 ,& ,I "K ! DEMON ^:
S\L Y %>E40
  ,I _H NO WAY 6DRAW BR1?1 &! IMPULSE 6D
S NE>LY KILL$ ME4 ,I DREW WAT] ALL ! WAY
6! BACK ( MY ?ROAT 2F C\<+ X \ AG4 ,DIZ-
ZI;S BR"\ MY EYESI<T D[N 6P9PO9TS1 EV5 !
?"UBIRD'S SUP]B COLOR VI.N UNA# 6(F] ME
M ?AN T9Y SPOTS ( FOCUS4 ,I TOOK ! LA/
AIR 9 MY LUNGS & "S"O ELSE :ISP]$1
8.,IDLIRVIRISS;G10 F MY M\? Z ,I LUNG$
=W>D 6SLAM MY TALONS "? ! S]P5T'S SKULL1
%ATT]+ B"O & CLOS+ CLAW "? ! MON/]'S
M\?4
  ,I _H A MO;T 6BE A/ONI%$ :ILE ?"U RUP-
TUR$ ALL ! WAT] AWAY F ME1 S5D+ X SP\T+
UP 96! SKY 9 A :IRLPOOL T ,I 0 ! EYE (4
,! S]P5T 0 FLUNG 96XS SWIRLS1 SQU1L+
HIDE\SLY Z ! WAT] SWEPT X F>!R & F>!R
96! SKY4 ,A SPLIT APPE>$ 9 ! SKY1 %R$D+
! CL\DS & OP5+ A PA? ALL ! WAY UP 6!
CLE> />S4 ,I DRA7$ 9 A DEEP BR1?1 FEEL+
W>M? & LIFE RETURN+4                #EAB
  ,I 0 GD )! IDEA ( NETS4 ,C>S & NETS &
CAGES4 ,?+S T HELD P IN1 R ?AN REL1S+
!M4 ,:AT ,I NE$$ N[ 0 AN OP5+1 ! SAME
K9D ! COV5 _H CR1T$1 "O T WD LET N J !
S]P5T1 B ALL ! _SS WE'D REL1S$ 96,S1TTLE
RETURN 6_! HOMES4
  ,! IDEA ( SACRIFICE FLIRT$ >.D ! $GES
( MY M9D1 S OBVI\S & SIMPLE T EV5 N[ ,I
ALM FELL = X4 ,X'D BE5 MADE CLE> 6ME T X
0 MY P[] T'D GIV5 ! COV5 ! /R5G? 6D :AT
!Y _H4 ,I 0 C]TA9 T A LL ?+ L ! CO/ ( MY
LIFE WD 2 5 6PAY = S5D+ ! _SS HOME AG4
  ,B T WD 2 ! EASY WAY \1 & FRANKLY1 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ,I DES]V$ X4 ,I TILT$ MY H1D
BACK1 FEEL+ WET F1!RS RU6LE & /RET* AG/
MY ?ROAT4 ,I _H NO SPELL 6S+1 B ,I _H !
VOICE (! ,WAK9YAN1 & ,I _H MY [N W TO
.*ANGE ! ?+S T _H BE5 D"O BADLY4
  ,I _H N"E HE>D A SWEET S.D F A RAP-
TOR'S ?ROAT 2F4 ,! PURE NOISE ( %ATT]+
GLASS PLAY$ (F ! :IRLPOOL'S WALLS1 B\NC+
HI<] & HI<] 96! ATMOSPH]E1 UNTIL ! S.D
XF CRA%$ 96! GA% 9 ! SKY1 & TORE X OP5
ALL ! WID]4
  ,I ?REW MY [N W 2H T S.D1 FL++    #EAC
P[] UP T[>D ! CL\DS4 ,J 6! CL\DS3 RA9
?"U$ D[N ALL OV] ,S1TTLE1 & ,I WANT$ TO
USE T4 ,I 5VI.N$ SILV] DROPS ( P[] M+L+
)! RA9FALL1 SPLA%+ D[N OV] MAN & B1/ &
CALL+ ^? :O 2L;G$ "S": ELSE HOME AG4
,RO(S & TREE COV] M1NT NO?+1 ,I :ISP]$
6! P[]-9FUS$ RA94 ,X 0 ! RA9 T C>RI$ !
MESSAGE1 & ALL ! CR1TURES T HE>D X 7 B.D
0MY W4
  ,AMHULUK1 CLOSE/ 6! RIP 9 ! SKY & W1K-
5$ 0! CALL+ ( XS "N1 W5T F/4 ,X ?REW XS
[N BLACK P[] 2H X1 TRY+ 6/IT* ! TE>
CLOS$1 S T ! O!RS CDN'T FOLL[4 ,I R1*$
UP & SLA%$ ! HOLE OP5 AG )A SILV] L.E (
MAGIC1 ! 4T.E 2T X & MYF M1N+.S4
  ,CRY/AL FILL$ ! AIR1 S %>P-$G$ & FULL
( COLOR ,I W9C$ AWAY F X4 ,X TOOK L;G
MO;TS 6R1LIZE X 0 AN AURORA1 M BRILLIANT
9 ! ?"UBIRD'S ACUTE VI.N ?AN MY [N M9D 0
CAPA# ( PROCESS+4 ,JADE FAD$ 6DIAMOND-
:ITE AT ! $GES1 !N RAN & BLURR$ 96VIOLET
& CRIMSON1 S H>D ,I ?"\ ,I WD CUT MYF IF
,I R1*$ UP 6T\* !M4
  ,& LITT]$ 9 ! COLORS CAME ! _SS1 _! [N
=MS FAD$ & G5TLE 9SIDE ! A*+ IN-    #EAD
C&ESC;E (! AURORA4 ,RES5T;T T+L$ F "S1
RELIEF F O!RS Z !Y P.D$ 96! SKY4
  ,! B1T ( FOOT/EPS 96! SKY %OOK ! E>?1
&A SURGE ( PANIC L5T /R5G? 6MY P[]4 ,I
DIDN'T WANT ANO!R E>?QUAKE1 & REMEMB]$
TOO VIVIDLY T 0 H[ ! _SS _H BE5 GIV5
BODY4 ,I %\T$ AG1 ?"UBIRD VOICE RUNN+
DEEP ? "T1 &! :IRLPOOL ,I HOV]$ 9 ! MID/
( BUCKL$ & MIRROR$ XF1 OP5+ A SPIGOT 96!
DEP?S (! LAKE 2N ME4 ,I 0 ! FOCAL PO9T (
T "O1 TOO1 ! C5T] AT ! SMALL 5D1 XS WID?
GR[+ Z X SPIRAL$ D[N T[>D ! BOTTOM (!
LAKE4
  .,POOR .FI%1 ,I ?"\ UNEXPECT$LY1 &=!
F/ "T />T$ 6WORRY AB ?+S L AIRPLANES &
W1!R PATT]NS :5 "! 0 A :IRLPOOL 9 ! SKY4
,I R1*$ \ ) MY P[]1 TRY+ 6FEEL ! RE/ (!
C;Y1 6SEE IF ,I'D 5DANG]$ ANY"O OR ANY-
?+4
  ,! :IRLPOOL NE>LY CRU%$ ME1 WAT] SLAM-
M+ 9 T[>D MY BODY S FA/ X /OLE MY BR1?
AG4 ,FRE% PANIC FL>$1 =C+ ! WAT]SP\T 6XS
ORIG9AL DIM5.NS1 MY FOCUS 5TIRELY ON X
AG4 ,I GNAW$ MY L[] LIP1 AT L1/ M5T,Y--
BIRD B1KS W]5'T RE,Y M1NT = GNAW+   #EAE
--& GAVE ! P[] 9SIDE ME A SORT ( SIDE-
WAYS GL.E1 TRY+ 6PEEK AT X4 ,I'D _H X
DRA9$ F AN EXT]NAL S\RCE 2F1 B ,I'D K9D
( HOP$ X MI<T 2 L ! ,5]GIZ] ,BUNNY1 LEFT
6XS [N4
  ,T 0 CLE>LY N ! CASE4 ,I 0 TAPP+ ! AB-
SOLUTE LIMIT ( MY [N ABILITIES1 S M* S T
,I CDN'T EV5 AF=D 6OP5 MYF UP & LET !
C;Y HIT ME ) XS /R5G?4 ,X 0 PRETTY CLE>
T A LAPSE 9 3C5TR,N WD KILL ME4
  ,! GD NEWS 0 T ALL MANN] ( CR1TURES 7
?"U+ 96! LAKE 2L ME1 PHYSICAL BODIES &
_SS SEEM+ 6SEP>ATE Z !Y HIT ! D\# :IRL-
POOL4 ,!Y RAC$ UP & D[N ! SWIRLS1 2COM+
"P (! AURORA OR "P (! LAKE1 RETURN+ 6!
?+S !Y'D -E F4 ,I J NE$$ 6HOLD ON L;G 5
=! RA9 6DRIVE "EY?+ HOME AG4
  .,L;G .5 2COMES A /RANGE AM.T ( "T1 :5
X'S J Y AG/ YRF4 .,L;G .5 2COMES ."O .M
.SECOND1 EA* "O 9F9ITE B GRASPA# 9 3CEP-
;N4 ,I C HOLD ON ."O .M .SECOND4 ,EA* "O
2CAME ! SUM TOTAL ( MY UNIV]SE1 UNTIL "!
0 NO?+ LEFT ( ME B A %ELL PRESS+ \TW>D1
HOLD+ ! WAT] BACK L ,MOSES AT ! ,R$
,SEA4 .,"O .M .SECOND4 ,M1N+.S1     #EAF
5D.S "T LO/ 9 AN AURORA S 9T5SE T MY
EYES SL[LY LE>N$ 6D5Y X4 ,ALL >.D ME "!
0 NO?+ B /ATIC :ITE LI<T1 & !N T1 TOO1
FAD$ AWAY 96A SKY FULL ( BROK5 CL\DS &!
SC5T ( RA94
  ,I B1T ! ?9 AIR ) WE>Y W+S1 TURN+ A
SL[ :EEL ON A TIP S ,I CD COCK "O EYE AT
! RIP 9 ! SKY4 ,X 0 ALL B G"O N[1 LA/
VE/IGES ( :AT ,I HOP$ 0 VICTORY4 ,!
LAKE1 F> 2L ME ONCE AG1 0 ALM SETTL$1 A
FEW *OPPY WAVES RIPPL+ XS SURFACE4 ,I
H1V$ A SI< & FOLD$ MY W+S1 PLUNG+ T[>D !
:ITE-CAPP$ LAKE4 ,X 0 OV]4
  ,SLAMM+ 96MY [N BODY AT TWO HUNDR$
MILES AN H\R DROVE ME 2N ! SURFACE1 S
DEEP ,I WOND]$ IF ,I'D 2 A# 6MAKE X BACK
UP AG4 ,"! 0 NO SOM]SAULT S5S,N ? "T1 J
A GD OLD-FA%ION$ KICK 6! GUT Z ,I SANK
96! WAT]4 ,MY LUNGS HURT4 ,MY RIBS HURT4
,GOLD5 FIRE BURN$ 96MY BR1/B"O1 DO+ "S?+
6REPL5I% ! WORN-\ P[] ,I C>RI$ )9 ME1 B
N DO+ A DAMN$ ?+ =! LACK ( AIR 9 MY SYS-
TEM4 ,I 0 TOO TIR$ 6PANIC4 ,HELL1 ,I 0
TOO TIR$ 6KICK T[>D ! SURFACE4 ,MAYBE ,I
CD SURVIVE L;G 5 6BOB# T WAY )      #EAG
:AT"E LL AIR 0 / LEFT 9 MY LUNGS4
  ,S(T GOLD P[] DREW ME UPW>D1 EXIT+ MY
*E/ Z X _H D"O 2F1 B )\T TAK+ MY S5SE (
BODY ) X4 ..,"O LA/ _S 6G .HOME1 ,I ?"\
HAZILY4 ,! TE> 9 ! SKY _H 6/ 2 "!1 S !
?"UBIRD CD RETURN 6! ,UPP] ,_W4
  .,TWO ._SS1 "S"O 9SIDE MY [N H1D COR-
RECT$ ME4 ,NAKAYTAH'S VOICE1 O4LY FAMIL-
I> 9 MY [N M9D4 ,I EXHAL$1 "S:AT FOOLI%-
LY1 ALL ! /RESS L1V+ MY SY/EM Z ,I F9,Y
RECOGNIZ$ :O _H SPOK5 "? MY M\? :5 ,I'D
"ND ,VIRISS;G PROP]LY4
  ..,I HO>D$ 8 "N = ALL ? ."T1 ,NAKAYTAH
SD4 ..,ONLY A %AMAN SP1K+ X CD DRIVE
,AMHULUK & ,IDLIRVIRISS;G BACK 96! ,L[]
.,_W4
  ,I WI%$ ,I _H "S AIR 6BR1!1 B ,I SMIL$
A LL ANYWAY4 ,DR[N+ TURN$ \ 6BE A SUR-
PRIS+LY PL1SANT WAY 6G AF ALL4 ,I 0 GO+
6H 6APOLOGIZE TO--WELL1 "SBODY--= MY S>-
CA/IC D\BT+ E>LI]4 ..,Y'RE ! ,WAK9YAN'S
HO/1 TOO1 Y ."K8 ,I ASK$ H]4 ..,YR "N IS
A "P ( X1 TOO1 N[4 ,X C'T 2 BANI%$ UN.S
! ,5EMY "KS 6CALL YR "N1 .TOO4
  .,NOR .REL1S$1 %E AGRE$1 & 2C     #EAH
,I CD TAKE A H9T1 ,I DREW 9 A LUNG;L (
WAT] & :ISP]$1 8,GDBYE1 ,NAKAYTAH ,WAK9-
YAN40
  ,I L 6?9K ,I 0 ! ONLY "O :O SAW !
GOLD5 <O/ (A ?"UBIRD RISE UPW>D F MY *E/
& SPE$ 96! SKY L A /> FALL+ 9 REV]SE4

  ,EV5TU,Y X /RUCK ME T 2+ D1D 0 A GRT
D1L L FLOAT+ 9 A GIANT SWIMM+ POOL1 MY
*E/ RIS+ & FALL+ J L ,I 0 / ALIVE &
BR1?+4 ,MY EYELIDS 7 S H1VY ,I _H 6LIFT
MY EYEBR[S 6GET !M F> 5 OP5 6SEE4 ,A H&-
;L ( FUZZY B"R />S CAME 96SI<T1 & ,I BE-
GAN 6?9K ,I PROBABLY WASN'T D1D AF ALL4
,I'D LO/ MY 3TACTS 9 ! LAKE WAT]1 B ON A
SCALE ( "O 6T51 ) T5 2+ D1D1 LOS+ MY
3TACTS 0 PROBABLY "S": >.D A NEGATIVE
F\RTE5 9 MATT]S ( 3SEQU;E4
  ,! LAKE WAT] 0 / 9CR$IBLY W>M F ! H1T
WAVE1 ?\< ! AIR XF SEEM$ 6H COOL$4 ,I
DRIFT$ = PROBABLY HALF ! NI<T 2F X OC-
CURR$ 6ME T ,I CD SWIM 6%ORE4 ,GETT+ "!
TOOK A L;G "T1 & ONCE ,I CRAWL$ ONTO !
B1* ,I DIDN'T WANT 6D ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I SAT
"! UNTIL ! SUN ROSE1 L ,I 0 WAIT+   #EAI
= "S?+4
  ,& ,I WAS4 ,A GRAY %APE 9 ! WAT] 2CAME
RECOGNIZA# Z MORN+ SUNLI<T 2GAN 6PICK XS
WAY ACR ! LAKE'S SURFACE4 ,I GOT UP &
WALK$ 96! WAT] AG1 /RIK+ \ 9 A SWIM :5 !
BOTTOM FELL AWAY1 & BR"\ ,COL9'S BODY
BACK 6%ORE4

















                                    #EBJ
























          ,,*APT] ,,?IRTY-FIVE      #EBA

    ,W$NES"D1 ,JUNE #BB1 #H3BE A4M4
  ,I M/ H SLEPT1 2C ! NEXT ?+ ,I REMEM-
B]$ 0 ,BILLY'S H& ON MY %\LD] Z HE SD1
8,X'S ALL "R1 ,JOANIE4 ,WE'VE GOT HM40
  ,! SUN 0 HI<] 9 ! SKY1 &! 5TIRE COV51
9CLUD+ ,MEL9DA1 0 "!4 ,BILLY WASN'T !
ONLY POLICE (FIC]1 & "S"O _H ALR CALL$
AN AMBUL.E4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6LOOK AT ANY
( !M1 B ,I CDN'T LOOK AWAY F ,G>?4 ,HE
LOOK$ OLD] & M* M HA7>D1 BAGS "U 8 EYES
T SPOKE BO? ( SORR[ & EXHAUS;N4
  ,B ! WOR/ ( X 0 :AT HE SD4 ,HE MET MY
EYES1 !N LOOK$ AWAY1 WAT*+ !M TAKE 8
BRO!R'S BODY 6! AMBUL.E1 & E*O$ ,COL9'S
OP9ION3 8,X B1TS ! C.ER W>D40
  ,KNOTS TWI/$ 9 MY /OMA*1 UNTIL ,I
CDN'T TELL IF ,I WANT$ OR DR1D$ =GIVE;S4
,B ,I / _H 6SAY ,I 0 SORRY4 ,I'D FUCK$
UP S BADLY4 8,G>?10 ,I :ISP]$4
  8,DON'T40 ,8 ANSW] SNAPP$ \1 H>D 5 6BE
A BL[4 ,I FL9*$ & CLOS$ MY EYES1 GLAD =!
PA94 8,DON'T10 HE SD AG4 ,3TROLL$ EMO;N
BL$ "? 8 VOICE1 ANG] & DESPAIR4 8,J '''
DON'T40                             #EBB
  ,I L[]$ MY *9 6MY *E/ & PRESS$ MY LIPS
TGR1 NO4+4 ,I FELT ,BILLY'S H& ON MY
%\LD] AG1 !N HE>D HM SAY1 8,C'MON1 LET'S
GET H] 6! HOSPITAL1 TOO40
  8,I'M F9E10 ,I SD V QUIETLY4 ,I 0 N
F9E4 ,TWO P _H DI$ 2C ,I'D SCREW$ UP1 &A
?IRD ALM _H4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I CD FACE
,G>Y AG4 ,I CDN'T BE> ! IDEA ( FAC+
,MORRISON4 ,& ,COYOTE MI<T H AB&ON$ ME =
GD1 : ,I CDN'T BLAME HM =4
  ,ALL ( : 0 :Y ,I GOT 6MY FEET & W5T )
,BILLY 6! HOSPITAL4 ,I DIDN'T C>E IF
ANYBODY ELSE MI<T 2 A# 6=GIVE ME4 ,I 0 N
GO+ 6LET MYF (F ! HOOK4
  ,! RADIO ON ! DRIVE OV] SD ! H1T WAVE
_H BROK51 T A COOL] FRONT 0 MOV+ IN4 ,X
CO9CID$ )! 5D (! GLOBAL W>M+ SYMPOSIUM1
A FACT : ! -;TATOR CLE>LY ?"\ _H M1N+1
2C HE REP1T$ X TWICE )A SORT ( NUDGE-
NUDGE-W9K-W9K DELIV]Y4 ,9 M LOCAL NEWS1
"! 0 ALR A PETI;N 6! C;Y 6L1VE ! NEW
,LAKE ,WA%+TON WAT]FALL 9 PLACE4 ,!Y 7
CALL+ X ,?"UBIRD ,FALLS4 ,! BATTLE OV] !
LAKE _HN'T G"O UNNOTIC$4
  ,I WASN'T SURE ,I 0 HAPPY ) T4    #EBC
,X SEEM$ H>% 5 T ! P ,I KNEW WELL 7 2+
MADE 6A3EPT MAGIC 96_! DAILY LIVES1 :E!R
!Y WANT$ X OR N4 ,N[ ! ?+S ,I'D D"O 7
2COM+ A R1L "P (! _W Z TOTAL /RANG]S
KNEW X4 ,I ALR KNEW "! 0 NO GO+ BACK1 B
,I H"O/LY _HN'T ?"\ ,I MI<T PU% A :OLE
C;Y T[>D 2LIEV+ ! MON/]S "U ! B$ 7 R1L4
,I UNFOCUS$ MY EYES1 FEEL+ S 4CONNECT$ T
X 0 EASY 6LET SECOND SI<T SLIDE OV] MY
NORMAL1 FUZZY VI.N4
  ,! WR;G;S 9 ! AIR 0 G"O1 ! D>K TWI/ (
P[] T _H LA9 OV] ,S1TTLE = MON?S 4SIPAT-
$4 ,X FELT & LOOK$ H1L?I]1 ! MURKY COL-
ORS WA%$ CL1N AG4 ,I KNEW ,I _HN'T FIX$
T ON MY [N4 ,! ?"UBIRD _H CLE>$ ! AIR1 &
IF ,I'D _H ANY "P 9 X1 X 0 9 2+ ! ,WAK9-
YAN'S 3DUIT4 ,I WASN'T AB 6TAKE CR$IT =
X4 ,I KEPT ! D\# VI.N ON ALL ! WAY 6!
HOSPITAL1 FEEL+ L X MI<T 2 AT L1/ A /EP
T[>D US+ MY GIFTS M RELIABLY4
  ,I 0 SITT+ ON ! $GE (A HOSPITAL B$1 MY
FEET DANGL+ T[>D ! FLOOR1 :5 ,MORRISON
SD1 8,WALK]10 F ! DOORWAY4 ,MY F+]S
CL5*$ ON ! MATTRESS Z ,I LOOK$ UP4
  8,CAPTA94 ,DIDN'T ?9K ,I'D SEE    #EBD
Y40 ,! DES]T-9SPIR$ SUNTAN 0 / ) ME1 B X
DIDN'T HIDE ! :ITE;S ( MY KNUCKLES Z ,I
SQUEEZ$ ! MATTRESS4
  8,?"\ Y WDN'T1 OR HOP$ Y WDN'T80 ,HE
CAME 96! ROOM & PULL$ A /OOL UP 6L1N
AG/1 >MS FOLD$ ACR 8 *E/4 ,I %OOK MY
H1D4
  8,?"\4 ,I 0 GO+ 6-E SEE Y AF !Y LET ME
\ ( "H40
  8,!Y GO+ 6D T80
  ,I %RU7$ "O %\LD]1 WAT*+ 8 %OES4 ,!Y 7
BLACK POLI%$ L1!R1 & 3SID]ABLY SAF] TO
LOOK AT ?AN 8 EYES4 8,NO?+ WR;G ) ME T
"S SLEEP WON'T CURE40 ,NO?+ PHYSIC,Y1
ANYWAY4 ,I SWALL[$ & MADE MYF LOOK UP4
,MORRISON 0 FR[N+ AT ME4 ,AT L1/ "S ?+S
N"E *ANG$4 8,CAPTA91 ,I--0
  8,E S+LE "O ( YR BU4IES10 ,MORRISON
9T]RUPT$1 L\DLY1 8SAYS T 9 ! MI4LE (A
SOL/ICE "PY LA/ NI<T1 ,FAYE ,KIRKL&
FLIPP$ \1 3FESS$ 6MURD]+ ,CASS&RA ,TUCK-
]1 & 9 A FIT ( REGRET KILL$ H]F4 ,"EY-
"O10 HE REP1T$1 8TOLD ME ! SAME /ORY4
,9CLUD+ ,MEL9DA ,HOLLI"D4 ,!Y AL SD T
,COL9 ,JOHANNS51 :O 0 DY+ ( C.ER1   #EBE
LEFT ! HOSPITAL =A FEW H\RS & OPT$ 6DR[N
HMF 9 ,LAKE ,WA%+TON R ?AN RETURN = FUR-
!R TR1T;TS40
  ,I />$ AT HM4 ,MORRISON />$ BACK1 GIM-
LET GAZE4 8,IS T :AT HAPP5$1 ,(FIC]
,WALK]80
  ,! 9CR$I# ?+ 0 T X 0 ! ONLY POSSI#
R1L-_W SP9 T CD 2 PUT ON :AT _H RE,Y
HAPP5$4 ,I WET MY LIPS & KEPT />+ AT HM
= :AT FELT L A V L;G "T1 2F /RAI<T5+ MY
SP9E & SAY+1 8,NO1 SIR40
  ,"! 0 N A S+LE H9T ( SURPRISE 9 ,MOR-
RISON'S BLUE EYES4 8,WD ANY"O ) TWO R,N-
AL BRA9 CELLS 6RUB TGR 2LIEVE :AT RE,Y
DID HAPP580
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES & LIFT$ MY EYEBR[S A
LL4 8,NO1 SIR40
  ,MORRISON 9HAL$ S* A L;G DEEP BR1? T
,I OP5$ MY EYES AG1 HALF-EXPECT+ 6SEE T
HE'D EXP&$ L A PU6] FI%4 ,HE _HN'T4 ,HE
LET ! BR1? \ ) EQUAL DELIB],N1 GL[]+ AT
ME4 8,IS _! EXPLAN,N A R1SONA# FACSIMILE
( :AT DID HAPP580
  8,YES1 SIR40 ,MY VOICE 0 S S(T EV5 ,I
CD B>ELY HE> X4 8,FAYE DID KILL     #EBF
H]F4 ,I CDN'T /OP H]4 ,I TRI$1 B '''0 ,I
LOOK$ D[N AT MY H&S1 ?9K+ (! PAS.N T _H
DRIV5 ,FAYE 6REFUSE ! H1L+ ,I'D (F]$4
8,& ,COL9 DID *OOSE 6N G BACK 6! HOSPI-
TAL40 ,X 0 ABSOLUTELY TRUE4 ,X 0 ABSO-
LUTELY DECEPTIVE4
  8,I HATE ?1 ,WALK]40
  8,I "K4 ,I'M SORRY40 ,I LOOK$ UP AG4
8,AM ,I '''0 ,I DIDN'T "K H[ Y BU/$ A
FOOT PATROL COP BACK 6ANY?+4 ,MAYBE X
M1NT DESK DUTY4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6PUT !
IDEA 9 ,MORRISON'S H1D4 8''' BU/$ BACK
62+ A ME*ANIC80
  8,T :AT Y WANT80
  ,*RI/4 ,MO;T ( TRU?4 ,I WET MY LIPS AG
& %OOK MY H1D4 8,NO1 SIR40 ,I CDN'T BE-
LIEVE ,I'D J SD T \ L\D 6,MORRISON4
  ,A V FA9T GL9T ( SATISFAC;N CAME 9TO
,MORRISON'S EYES & HE EXHAL$ AG1 NOISI-
LY4 8,!N Y'RE / /UCK ) FOOT PATROL40 ,HE
PU%$ (F ! /OOL1 LOOM+ OV] ME4 8,"!'S "S-
BODY "H :O WANT$ 6SEE Y :5 ,I 0 D"O ) Y4
,I EXPECT Y AT "W TM1 ,WALK]40 ,HE /ALK$
\1 ! DOOR SL[LY CLOS+ 2H HM4
  ,I TI<T5$ ALL ! MUSCLES 9 MY      #EBG
/OMA*1 9T]NAL SUPPORT 6HELP ME FACE !
P]SON ,I EXPECT$ 6WALK "? ! DOOR NEXT4
,B X WASN'T ,G>Y AT ALL4 ,X 0 A TALL1
PRETTY WOMAN ,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE1 HOLD+
! H& (A SIX-YE>-OLD GIRL ^: EYES 7 BIG )
9T]E/4 8,A%LEY HE>D ON ! RADIO ? MORN+ T
,(FIC] ,JOANNE ,WALK] _H BE5 BR"\ 6!
HOSPITAL10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,%E WANT$ 6-E 0&
MAKE SURE Y 7 ALL "R40
  ,I BL9K$ AT !M BO? )\T -PREH5.N1 UNTIL
RECOGNI;N SMACK$ ME S H>D T ,I B\NC$ (F
! B$4 8,OH6 ,OH6 ,X'S ,ALLISON1 "R8 ,AL-
LISON & ,A%LEY ,HAMPTON4 ,I DIDN'T REC-
OGNIZE Y AWAKE1 ,A%LEY40 ,I GR9N$ &
KNELT D[N1 PUTT+ MYF ON A LEVEL )! LL
GIRL4 8,?ANKS = -+ 6*ECK ON ME4 ,H['RE Y
FEEL+80
  ,! GIRL'S GR9 EXPLOD$ ) PURE HAPPI;S &
%E /EPP$ =W>D 6GIVE ME A HUG4 8,I'M GLAD
Y'RE OKAY6 ,I 0 WORRI$40 ,%E 0 /R;G &
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