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       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

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                                     ;IV
























       ,,DIAMONDS ,,9 ,,! ,,%AD[    #BJC

             ,*APT] ,ELEV5

  ,J>$ & ,MATTU 7 ON ! LATE BUS4 ,J>$ 0
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ANY?+ Y WANT ) ANYBODY Y WANT = ANY REA-
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8,"! IS ABSOLUTELY N "O ?+ T ,CELE/9E
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JOB4 ,MATTU DIDN'T "K "! 0 S* A ?+4 ,HE
W5T 6"W ) ,IAN YE/]"D1 & !Y C TAKE ,MAT-
TU ON TOO1 & HE />TS NEXT WEEK40
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WORRI$ AB ? ,AFRICAN FAMILY1 & EV5 M
WORRI$ AB _! ,AM]ICAN HO/S4 ,X _HN'T BE5
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WORRI$ 2C ,I ?"\ HE 0 GO+ 6GET HOOKS1 B
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F/1 & IF X "WS1 X'S GO+ 6BE AN ACTUAL
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CUT H] HAIR4 ,I DID AN AWE"S JOB1 IF ,I
D SAY S MYF4 ,AL? MY "M _H 6CLIP A LL
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"K :AT LET'S D4 ,N[ T Y'RE 9 HI< S*OOL1
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H&S ON ! KEYBO>D4
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H] V F/ KEYBO>D MO;T4 ,MOPSY %D N H S*
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7 J UP "O R[ :5 Y AIM$ AT ;,M4 ,I LOVE
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  ,ON ! SCRE51 ,MOPSY OP5$ H] A4RESS
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  ,ALAKE R1D ! ^WS1 ,MOPSY CD SEE 0H]
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,MOPSY R1D X \ L\D4 8,DE> ,ALAKE1 ?
CALLS =A CELEBR,N4 ,I H J ! GIFT = Y4
,I'M ON MY WAY4 ,LOVE1 ,TAY40

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4APPE> IF WE MOV$ QKLY1 & !N "SH[ WE 7
ATTA*$ 6! ,F9*ES & "! 0 NO WAY 64APPE>1
& YET WE GOT "H1 & ,I ?"\1 ,MAYBE   #BAH
WE H 4APPE>$ AF ALL4 ,:5 Y /UDY ^? MAPS1
Y SEE H[ HUGE ? C.TRY IS4 ,H[ T9Y & HI45
? T[N IS4 ,B ,VICTOR W N"E GIVE UP40
  ,MATTU />$ D[N ! N>R[ LANE ": ,MOPSY
_H L$ !M ! "D ( _! PO/ (FICE LESSON4 ,HE
CD SEE A T9Y SLICE (! LL H>BOR1 ! COLD
WAT] GL1M+ 9 ! W1K SUN4 ,ON ! O!R SIDE (
T WAT] 0 ,AFRICA4 ,X SEEM$ IMPOSSI#4
  ,AL IMPOSSI#1 ,MATTU _H NE>LY =GOTT5
,VICTOR4
  ,VICTOR _H BE5 "O (! KILL]S :O RAN !
REFUGEE CAMP--! (FICIALS ONLY ?"\ !Y RAN
X4 ,B "! 7 FAC;NS & GANGS 9SIDE ! CAMP J
L 9SIDE ANY O!R PRISON4
  ,"S FAMILY ( F\R _H BE5 NEXT ON ! LI/
( REFUGEES 6G 6,AM]ICA4 ,_! "N 0 ,AMABO4
,B !Y REFUS$ 6COOP]ATE ) ,VICTOR4 ,!Y 7
GO+ 6,AM]ICA1 !Y SD1 & ,VICTOR CD ROT4
,HE CD BEG ALL HE WANT$1 B !Y 7 FLY+
AWAY4 ,NO1 !Y 7 N GO+ 6HELP HM4
  ,P DID N W9 >GU;TS ) ,VICTOR4 ,HE DID
N >GUE4 ,HE KILL$4
  ,VICTOR TOOK ! ,AMABOS' PAP]S & F.D
F\R P 6TAKE _! PLACES4
  ,P :O 7 AFRAID1 L ! HUSB& &       #BAI
WIFE :O 2CAME ,&RE & ,CELE/9E4 ,VICTOR
EXPLA9$ T IF ! HUSB& DID N COOP]ATE1 HE
WD LOSE 8 FEET Z WELL Z 8 H&S4
  ,P :O 7 HELP.S1 L ! GIRL :O 2CAME
,ALAKE4
  ,P :O WD D ANY?+ 6GET 6,AM]ICA1 L !
BOY :O 2CAME ,MATTU4
  ,! BOY KNEW :AT ,VICTOR _H D"O 6! R1L
,AMABO FAMILY1 2C "EYBODY EXCEPT ! (FI-
CIALS KNEW4 ,^? P >E D1D ANYWAY1 ! TE5-
AGE BOY TOLD HMF4 ,I C'T HELP !M4 ,B ,I
C GET 6,AM]ICA4
  ,HE 0 US$ 6! "N ,MATTU N[1 AL? HE _H N
PLANN$ 6KEEP X4 ,HE 0 US$ 6,CELE/9E &
,&RE4 ,NOBODY CD GET US$ 6,ALAKE4
  ,VICTOR _H PASS$ \ ANY NUMB] ( DIA-
MONDS 6A3OMPLI% 8 EXIT4 ,B ! H>D "P 0
YET 6-E4 ,HE _H 65T] ,AM]ICA4 ,DIAMONDS
DID N %[ UP WELL 9 ;,X-RAYS & 7 N DE-
TECT$ 0METAL DETECTORS4 ,N"E!.S1 ,VICTOR
_H N WANT$ 6C>RY ! DIAMONDS HMF4 ,A S+LE
MAN 9 8 TW5TIES 0 ALW SUSPECT1 ":AS A
FAMILY ( F\R WD F9D SYMPA?Y4 ,A S+LE MAN
9 8 TW5TIES MI<T H ANY?+ /A%$ 9SIDE !
BOXES HE C>RI$ & WD RCV A ?OR\<     #BBJ
SE>*1 ":AS A GIRL GRIEV+ = H] GR&P>5TS1
A GIRL ?9 & WA/$ & SAD--! SILLY ,AM]I-
CANS WD (F] H] -=T & N *ECK "EY?+4
  ,B ,ALAKE'S F+]S & FACE DID N RESPOND
6,VICTOR'S ORD]S4 ,:5 HE TOLD H] 6C>RY !
BOXES1 %E FAIL$ HM4 ,HE CD N HURT H] 2C
! PAP]"W 0 = F\R P1 9CLUD+ A TE5AGE
GIRL1 &! PLANE 0 %ORTLY 6L1VE1 & HE NE$$
H]4 ,S X 0 ! BOY :O _H 6C>RY ,VICTOR'S
BOXES4
  ,! PLAN _H BE5 =! FIVE REFUGEES 6L& 9
,NEW ,YORK & GET PA/ ! (FICIALS4 ,!N
,VICTOR WD TAKE 8 DIAMONDS 6! D1L] :O _H
PROMIS$ 6BUY !M1 & :AT"E HAPP5$ 6! FAKE
,AMABO FAMILY WD HAPP54 ,B X _H N "W$ \
T WAY4
  8,HE MADE X YR JOB 6D1L )! DIAMONDS1
,MATTU10 SD ,CELE/9E4 8,N[ Y M/ F9I% X4
,F9D HM 2F HE F9DS U4 ,TAKE ! DIAMONDS
6,VICTOR40
  ,NO1 ?"\ ,MATTU4 ,I C'T4 ,I WON'T4
  8,D N LET HM FOLL[ Y :5 Y L1VE HM10 SD
,CELE/9E4
  ,B MAYBE ,VICTOR _H SLID 962+ ,AM]ICAN
! WAY ,MATTU & ,CELE/9E & ,&RE 7    #BBA
SLID+--AT HI< SPE$1 ) NO BRAKES1 /UNN$ &
GULP+ B ?RILL$ & COOP]ATIVE4 ,MAYBE
,VICTOR _H TURN$ OV] A NEW L1F & 0 BUSI-
LY E>N+ M"OY & US+ A /OVE & ADMIR+ VEGE-
TA#S4
  ,& MAYBE N4
  8,IF HE FOLL[S Y10 SD ,CELE/9E1 8Y _C
-E BACK "H4 ,N "E40

  ,J>$ _H BE5 R1D+ UP ON RAW DIAMONDS4
  ,= USE Z JEWELRY1 A R\< DIAMOND 0 CUT
AT ANGLES1 : CR1T$ ! FACETS T GLITT]$4
,DIAMOND CUTT+ 0 DI6ICULT & RISKY4 ,IF Y
CUT WR;G1 Y 5D$ UP ) DIAMOND DU/ 9/1D (A
VALUA# GEM4 ,MO/ DIAMOND CUTT]S 7 9 C]-
TA9 CITIES 9 ,EUROPE1 S* Z ,ANTW]P4 ,"S
M]*ANTS 7 9 ,NEW ,YORK4 ,"S TRAVEL$ BACK
& =?1 BUY+ 9 ,AFRICA & SELL+ 9 ,AM]ICA
OR ,EUROPE4 ,DIAMOND CUTT]S W]5'T SUP-
POS$ 6PUR*ASE BLOOD DIAMONDS4 ,IF A P]-
SON WASN'T SURE AB ! BACKGR.D (! R\< DI-
AMONDS SET 9 FRONT ( HM1 HE WASN'T SUP-
POS$ 6BUY !M4 ,AN UNE?ICAL DIAMOND CUTT]
B"\ GD R\< DIAMONDS NO MATT] :AT4
  ,J>$ />$ AT 8 POSSI# DIAMOND &    #BBB
3SID]$ ! O!R ?IEF 9 _! LIVES4
  ,BRADY ,WALL 0 9 JAIL4 ,HE _H N BE5 A#
6RAISE M"OY = BAIL 2C HE _H /OL5 F ! ON-
LY P LIKELY 6HELP HM 9 A P9*4 ,"! 0 TALK
AB :E!R ,EMMY ,WALL WD G 6JAIL TOO4 ,%E
_H N /OL54 ,B %E _H "KN4
  ,! ,WALLS DIDN'T H KIDS4 ,B F 8 F/ M>-
RIAGE1 ,BRADY _H _H TWO *N1 "O A YE> "Y]
& "O A YE> OLD] ?AN ,J>$4 ,*UR* Y\?
GR\PS 9CLUD$ A WIDE RANGE ( AGES1 & :5
,J>$ _H BE5 9 ! MI4LE S*OOL GR\P1 S _H
BO? (! ,WALL KIDS4 ,!Y LIV$ ) _! MOM N[1
& %E _H REM>RI$ & MOV$ AWAY4
  ,IF ,J>$ _H BE5 A GD P]SON1 HE'D H ;E-
MAIL$ !M & SD "S?+ NICE4 ,L :AT8 ,9
SPITE (! FACT T YR DAD'S A FELON :O /1LS
F *UR*ES & GAM#S HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( DOL-
L>S 96! GR.D1 ,I HOPE Y'RE DO+ F9E & Y L
YR NEW S*OOL4
  ,I'M A ?IEF1 HE ?"\4 ,! ONLY DI6];E 2T
ME & ,BRADY ,WALL IS1 ,I HAV5'T GOTT5
CAU<T4
  ,HE W5T UP/AIRS 6HIS B$ROOM4 ,MATTU 0
9 ! %[]4 ,MATTU CD N GET OV] ! AM.T (
WAT] T 0 AVAILA# 6! ,F9*ES4 ,HE 0   #BBC
/ IMPRESS$ 0! FAUCETS1 & H[ !Y N"E RAN
\1 & H[ Y CD H ICY COLD OR BURN+ HOT WA-
T] ANY "T Y WANT$2 H[ Y CD PRESS A GLASS
AG/ ! FRIDGE DOOR & GET ICE CUBES OR
FRO/Y WAT] OR ICE *IPS4 ,HE LOV$ C>RY+ A
BOTTLE ( WAT] >.D AT S*OOL & HE LOV$
SIPP+ F ! WAT] F.TA9S & HE ESPECI,Y LOV$
TAK+ %[]S4
  ,J>$ OP5$ "O (! ,TUPP]W>E 3TA9]S &
DROPP$ 8 DIAMOND--OR HAUNT$ B"O--96! A%-
ES1 POPP$ ! LID BACK ON TI<T1 GAVE ! ?+
A LL %AKE & /EPP$ AWAY4
  ,HE 0 / A ?IEF4 ,B HE _H PUT X BACK4

  ,S9CE ,ALAKE DID N TALK1 %E DID N PICK
A "N =! PUPPY4
  8,X'S BAD 5 HAV+ A PUPPY10 SD ,MOM
CROSSLY4 8,I'M N HAV+ A PUPPY ,I C'T EV5
YELL AT60
  ,MOPSY TOOK ,ALAKE'S FACE 9 H] H&S &
TURN$ X T[>D H]4 ,/>+ 96,ALAKE'S EYES1
%E SD1 8,"N4 ,!4 ,PUPPY40
  ,ALAKE SD NO?+4
  8,H[ AB ,JOPSY80 SD ,TAY4 8,I ?9K X'S
J "R =A COLLIE40                    #BBD
  8,"H1 ,JOPSY10 SD ,MOM4
  ,! PUPPY RAN "R OV]1 N 2C HE KNEW 8
"N1 B 2C ,MOM _H A DOG TR1T CUPP$ 9 H]
H&1 LEFT OV] F :5 ,ZIPP] 0 ALIVE4 ,X
LOOK$ L MAGIC4
  ,B MAYBE PUPPY LOVE 0 MAGIC1 2C
,ALAKE'S FACE 0 B"R 9 A WAY ,MOPSY _H
N"E EXPECT$ 6SEE4

  ,! M]E ?"\ ( F9D+ ,VICTOR BR"\ ,MATTU
CLOSE 6VOMIT+4
  ,VICTOR WANTS 6BE RI* 9 ,AM]ICA1 ?"\
,MATTU4 ,T'S :Y HE NE$S ! DIAMONDS4 ,HE
WANTS A H\SE L ?1 & C>S & -PUT]S &
CLO!S4 ,SUPPOSE ,VICTOR WANTS ^! DIA-
MONDS 6PAY = M W> 9 ,AFRICA8 ,OR :AT IF
,VICTOR WANTS 6USE ! DIAMOND M"OY .AG/
,AM]ICA8 ,VICTOR WD N C>E :AT W> HE F"\4
,P :O LIK$ VIOL;E F.D EA* O!R4
  ,B 9 ,AFRICA ,VICTOR _H BE5 A P]SON
TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( W>1 N A P]SON ) 3VIC;NS
& 9T]E/S & POLITICS4 ,MATTU DID N ?9K
,VICTOR _H "E _H A PLAN = OR AG/ ,AM]I-
CA4 ,HE _H PLANN$ ONLY = HMF4
  ,N[ X 0 ,MATTU :O NE$$ A PLAN4    #BBE
,A WAY 6GET RID (! DIAMONDS T DIDN'T L1D
6,VICTOR'S GETT+ RID ( ,MATTU4
  ,I 0 A C[>D ONCE1 ?"\ ,MATTU4 ,WE ALL
W]E4 ,I CD H TURN$ ,VICTOR 9 9/1D ( TAK+
! PLACE ( "S D1D BOY4
  ,B 9 FACT1 NOBODY CD H TURN$ ,VICTOR 9
BACK AT ! REFUGEE CAMP1 2C ,VICTOR J
BRIB$ 8 WAY PA/ & >.D & \4 ,ANO!R DIA-
MOND1 ANO!R /EP T[>D ,AM]ICA4
  ,X 0 A LUDICR\S POSI;N = ,MATTU 6F9D
HMF IN--H1VY ) DIAMONDS1 DESP]ATE 6BE
RID ( !M1 UNA# 6D X4
  ,MATTU /AY$ 9 ! BA?ROOM UNTIL HE HE>D
,J>$ G D[N/AIRS4 ,!N HE LAY D[N ON 8 B$1
! S(TE/ B$ HE _H "E "KN--IN FACT1 ! ONLY
S(T B$ HE _H "E "KN4 ,AF A :ILE HE =C$
HMF 6LOOK AT ! ,TUPP]W>E 3TA9]S4
  ,LL ROCKS WOR? A GRT D1L ( M"OY4 ,MAT-
TU KNEW H[ _M DOLL>S 7 9 A GALLON ( MILK
& H[ _M DOLL>S 7 9 A GALLON ( GASOL9E1 B
HE _H ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA H[ _M DOLL>S 7
9 AN UNCUT DIAMOND4
  ,A DIAMOND SE5 "? AN AIRPORT ;,X-RAY
MA*9E DID N CA/ A %AD[4 ,YET A BLOOD
DIAMOND ALW CA/ A %AD[3 ! %AD[ (    #BBF
D1?4
  ,WAIT6 ?"\ ,MATTU SITT+ BOLT UP"R4
,GEORGE ,NEVILLE SD ,VICTOR MI<T 2 GO+
6,TEXAS4 ,I'VE SE5 ,J>$ ,GOOGLE4 ,I'LL
,GOOGLE4 ,KEY^WS L 8,TEXAS0 & 8REFU-
GEES40 8,TEXAS0 & 8,REFUGEE AID SOCIE-
TIES40 8,TEXAS0 & 8,AFRICAN REFUGEES40
,I C F9D ! AG5CY T SPONSOR$ ,VICTOR4
  ,WILD ) EXCITE;T1 ,MATTU FLIPP$ OP5 8
LAPTOP4
  ,!N HE SA7$ 9 DESPAIR4 ,S :AT IF HE
DID F9D ! AG5CY8 ,ONLY ^WS CROSS$ ! ,IN-
T]NET4 ,DIAMONDS _H 6BE C>RI$4 ,"! 0 NO
GETT+ >.D ! FACT T ,MATTU WD H 6H& ! DI-
AMONDS 9 P]SON 6! MAN HE L1/ WANT$ 6SEE
9 ? _W4
  ,MATTU 0 LIV+ 9 A H\SE FULL ( SNOOPS &
GO+ 6A S*OOL ": ATT5D.E 0 TAK5 9 E
CLASS4 ,TEXAS 0 HALF ! C.TRY AWAY4 ,H[
CD HE GET "!8 ,& :AT AB ! M"OY REQUIR$ =
S* TRAVEL8 ,N 6M5;N ! R1L DI6ICULTY--IF
,MATTU DID F9D ,VICTOR1 ,MATTU WD DIE4
,VICTOR DIDN'T LET P G4 ,MATTU WD 2 BUY+
A SAFE FUTURE = ,CELE/9E & ,&RE1 &
IRONIC,Y1 = ,ALAKE4 ,B :AT AB 8     #BBG
[N FUTURE8 ,! "O ,DANIEL'S "M _H \TL9$8
,! "O HI< S*OOL 0 PREP>+ HM =8
  ,MATTU PRAY$ 6! ,GOD ! ,F9*ES WOR%IP$
--ALM B N Q ! SAME ,GOD ,CELE/9E & ,&RE
WOR%IP$4
  ,I WANT S*OOL1 HE PRAY$1 & T "P-"T JOB
&! A"P;T ( \R [N & AL 6GET RID (! DIA-
MONDS &! PA/ & ,VICTOR4
  ,I'M ALR AN ,AM]ICAN1 ?"\ ,MATTU4 ,9
,AFRICA1 Y PRAY = "O M1L4 ,9 ,AM]ICA1 Y
PRAY 6H X ALL4
  ,MOPSY YELL$ UP/AIRS1 8,DAD R5T$ MOV-
IES & HE'S H1T+ *OCOLATE SAUCE = ICE
CR1M4 ,Y NE$ A BR1K1 ,MATTU4 ,X'S S H>D
ON A P]SON 6D HOME"W1 DON'T Y ?9K80
  ,H[ ,AM]ICAN1 6?9K S*OOL"W 0 H>D ON A
P]SON4 ,MATTU W5T D[N/AIRS = RI*1 ?ICK
VANILLA & C>AMEL ICE CR1M ) HOT *OCOLATE
SAUCE1 S]V$ 9 8 FAVORITE SMALL1 H1VY R$
B[L4
  ,MRS4 ,F9* RU9$ "EY?+ 0OP5+ A C )A
4GU/+ SMELL4 ,X 0 N ! K9D ( SMELL ,MRS4
,F9* NORM,Y ALL[$ 9 H] HOME4
  8,:AT IS T80 ASK$ ,MATTU4
  8,DOG FOOD40 ,MRS4 ,F9* SPOON$    #BBH
"S \1 PUT X 9 A B[L & SET ! B[L ON !
FLOOR = ,ALAKE'S PUPPY4
  ,MATTU CD N PUZZLE "? "O M CRAZY ,AM]-
ICAN HABIT4 ,HE FELL 96! CU%IONS NEXT
6,MOPSY1 & :5 ! MOVIE 2GAN1 HE FELL 96!
AC;N Z WELL1 S "! 0 N"O ( HM SITT+ ON !
C\* & ALL ( HM 9SIDE ! FILM1 & HE =GOT
,VICTOR AG4

  ,A FEW FEET AWAY1 SITT+ AT ! KIT*5
C.T]1 ,MRS4 ,WALL & ,MRS4 ,F9* TALK$
S(TLY4
  ,ALAKE SAT ON ! FLOOR NEXT 6!M1 /ROK+
! S(T1 SWEET E>S ( H] PUPPY4 ,HE _H A
:OLE SEP>ATE SMELL F ! DOG FOOD1 A W>M1
FURRY SMELL4 ,HE 0 EXHAU/$ F 8 BIG "D1 &
:5 HE F9I%$ 8 SUPP]1 HE CRAWL$ 3T5T$LY
ONTO H] LAP4
  8,Y -E 6*UR* ) ME ? ,SUN"D1 ,EMMY10 SD
,MRS4 ,F9*4 8,SIT 2S ME4 ,I'LL T\< X \ )
Y40
  8,NO4 ,I'M GO+ BACK 6,WISCONS940
  8.,WISCONS98 ,Y'VE LIV$ "H TW5TY
YE>S60
  8,& N[ ,I'M L1V+4 ,I C'T FACE     #BBI
P40
  ,? MADE S5SE 6,ALAKE4 ,= ?REE YE>S1
,ALAKE _H BE5 AM;G ! P %E _H WR;G$1 &
N"E ONCE _H %E FAC$ !M4 ,_H N"E LOOK$
UP1 N"E SPOK54 ,%E WOND]$ ": ,WISCONS9 0
& :E!R ,MRS4 ,WALL CD FACE P "!4
  .,DE> .,GOD1 PRAY$ ,ALAKE1 .HELP
.,MRS4 .,WALL4
  ,ALAKE FELT ,GOD LI/5+4
  ,H] PRAY] ACTU,Y TRAVEL$ 6,GOD1 & HE 0
GLAD 6HE> F H]4
  ,ALAKE LOOK$ C>E;LLY AT ,MRS4 ,WALL4
,W ,I 2 A# 6SEE ,GOD HELP+ H]8 ,W X 2 9
H] EYES8
  ,! PUPPY :IMP]$1 S5S+ T ,ALAKE'S ATT5-
;N 0 N FULLY ON HM4 ,ALAKE BURI$ H] FACE
9 8 WOND];L FUR4

  ,J>$ LI/5$ 6HIS "M & ,MRS4 ,WALL4
  ,HE _H _H A SORT ( >GU;T ) ,TAY 9
S*OOL :ILE !Y 7 WAIT+ = _! RESPECTIVE
,AFRICANS 6F9I% UP AT ! GUID.E (FICE4
8,I DON'T SEE Y GUYS 9 *UR* ANYMORE10 HE
_H SD CASU,Y1 2C HE WD H LOV$ 6SEE H] E
"D (! WEEK4                         #BCJ
  8,WE DON'T G ANYMORE4 ,MY P>5TS >E FU-
RI\S AB T !FT4 ,!Y GAVE _! H>D-E>N$ M"OY
6! *UR* & :AT HAPP5S8 ,A D1CON /1LS X4
,*UR* IS SUPPOS$ 6IMPROVE P1 B X OBVI\S-
LY DOESN'T40
  ,J>$ 0 N SURE T SELF-IMPROVE;T 0 !
PURPOSE ( *UR*4 ,B HE SD1 8,MY P>5TS >E
FURI\S TOO40
  8,P :O G 6*UR* >E S* HYPOCRITES10 SD
,TAY4 8,!Y DRESS UP 9 _! F9E CLO!S & C>-
RY _! MAT*+ H&BAGS & PLUMP D[N 9 "S PEW
& SIGN UP = -MITTEES & PRET5D 6BE RELI-
GI\S1 B RE,Y !Y J WANT ! ATT5;N40
  ,J>$ _H (T5 LAU<$ AT 8 "M'S NE$ = H&-
BAGS T MAT*$ ALL H] \TFITS4 ,&( C\RSE %E
LOV$ ATT5;N4 ,:O DIDN'T8
  ,B %E SIGNS UP = -MITTEES HOP+ 6D GD 9
! _W1 HE ?"\4 ,%E 2LIEVES T'S :AT ,GOD
EXPECTS ( H]4 ,%E 2LIEVES4
  8,B NOBODY 2LIEVES ANY ( T /UFF ANY-
WAY1 N = R1L10 SD ,TAY4
  ,MY "M DOES4 ,&RE4 ,CELE/9E4 ,MAYBE
,DAD4 ,I'M N SURE AB ,DAD4 ,HE'S S %AK54
,& ME8 ,:AT AB ME8
                                    #BCA
  8,DON'T PACK = ,WISCONS9 YET10 9SI/$
,MRS4 ,F9*4 8,-E 6*UR* ,SUN"D40
  8,IMPOSSI#10 SD ,EMMY ,WALL4
  8,POSSI#10 SD ,K>A ,F9*4
  ,T IS ! DI6];E1 ?"\ ,ALAKE4 ,9 ,AFRI-
CA1 "EY?+ IS IMPOSSI#4 ,B 9 ,AM]ICA1
"EY?+ IS POSSI#4

















                                    #BCB
























                                    #BCC
























                                    #BCD
























             ,*APT] ,TWELVE         #BCE

  ,! PUPPY _H A S(T5+ E6ECT ON "EYBODY4
,EV5 ,DAD KEPT SAY+ 6,ALAKE1 8,TALK 6YR
PUPPY4 ,JOPSY HAS 6GET 6"K YR VOICE40
,J>$ ?"\ ! PUPPY MI<T D A BETT] JOB (
KEEP+ ,DAD HOME ?AN 8 WIFE & *N 7 DO+4
  ,ALAKE LOOK$ R1DY 6TALK4 ,B %E CDN'T Q
GET "!4
  8,JOPSY HAS 6LE>N 6SIT1 /AY & HEEL10
,DAD TOLD H]4 8,B ABV ALL1 HE HAS 6LE>N
N 6BEG4 ,Y FE$ ,JOPSY "O M "T F ! D9N]
TA# & Y'RE BO? SLEEP+ 9 ! G>AGE40 ,B HE
0 SMIL+ :5 HE SD ?4 ,& X SEEM$ 6,J>$ T A
SMILE TREM#D ON ,ALAKE'S LIPS TOO--T %E
0 R1DY 6BE HAPPY4
  ,:5 ! DOORBELL RANG1 = ONCE ! ,AMABOS
DID N ACT Z IF "S"O _H ?R[N A GR5ADE4 ,B
X 0 ,KIRK ,CRICK1 & HE _H 9 FACT -E )A
GR5ADE4
  8,I'VE F.D AN A"P;T10 HE SD BRISKLY4
8,X'S 9 ,NORWI*4 ,=TY-FIVE-M9UTE DRIVE
NOR?EA/ ( "H4 ,NICE & *1P1 2C ,NORWI* IS
A DEPRESS$ LL C;Y4 ,! A"P;T'S N V BIG &
X'S N V CL1N1 B WE C GET VOLUNTE]S 6HELP
SCRUB & FURNI% X4 ,! HI< S*OOL1 !   #BCF
,NORWI* ,FREE ,ACADEMY1 IS EXCELL5T4
,"!'S ANO!R ,SUP] ,/OP & ,%OP "!1 ,CEL-
E/9E1 & ,I'VE ALR CALL$ ! MANAG]S &
!Y'RE HAPPY 6SWIT* Y 6T LOC,N4 ,MATTU1
,I C'T D ANY?+ AB YR NEW "P-"T JOB1 B Y
C HUNT = ANO!R "O4 ,! IMPORTANT ?+ IS1
,MATTU W H 8 DRIV]'S LIC5SE SOON4 ,)!
DONAT$ C>1 ! ,AMABOS H _! [N TRANSPORTA-
;N1 & T W GIVE !M R1L FREEDOM4 ,! CURR5T
T5ANTS >E MOV+ \ TD1 & WE C GET Y 9 "!
0! MI4LE ( NEXT WEEK40
  ,CELE/9E GL[$4 ,H] JAW 0 SET AT A DE-
T]M9$ ANGLE & %E SAT /RAI<T]4
  ,&RE LIFT$ SP>KL+ EYES4 ,8 LIPS MOV$ Z
HE ?ANK$ ! ,"L4
  ,X O3URR$ 6,J>$ =! F/ "T T A REFUGEE
M/ HATE 2+ A REFUGEE4
  ,:O WANTS 6BE ON ! RCVG 5D ( *>;Y8
,NOBODY4 ,& 9 _! [N HOME1 NO MATT] H[
SAD ! C;Y OR H[ %A2Y ! SPACE1 ! ,AMABO
FAMILY WD N 2 REFUGEES4
  8,!Y'RE N R1DY60 CRI$ ,MOPSY4
  8,X'S L LE>N+ 6SWIM10 SD ,KIRK ,CRICK
G5TLY4 8,IF "SBODY ALW HOLDS Y UP1 Y N"E
LE>N4 ,B ONCE Y'RE 9 OV] YR H1D1    #BCG
Y />T PA4L+40
  8,OR DR[N10 SD ,MOPSY4
  ,KIRK ,CRICK SMIL$ AT ,CELE/9E & ,&RE4
8,!Y WON'T DR[N40
  ,J>$ KNEW HE 0 "R4 ,CELE/9E 0 Z DRIV5
6PULL (F H] NEW LIFE Z ANY HI< S*OOL
HONOR /UD5T 0 6GET 96A GRT COLLEGE4
,MATTU WD ABSORB K 9 ANY S*OOL4 ,&RE WD
GET 8 H&S & SWIM )! BE/ ( !M4
  ,Z = ,ALAKE1 %E WD 2 LO/ ) OR )\T
,MOPSY4

  ,_! [N A"P;T4 ,": !Y WD BUILD _! NEW
LIVES4 ,A NEW HI< S*OOL1 )! LOVELY "N
,FREE4 ,": !Y WD 2 FREE ( "EY?+1 9CLUD+
! PA/ &! ,F9*ES & _! OV]:ELM+ K9D;S4
  ,KIRK ,CRICK EXPLA9$ H[ 6REGI/] ! DO-
NAT$ C>4
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  ,HE1 ,MATTU1 0 CRUCIAL 6! FAMILY'S
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C]IES2 .HE WD TAKE ,CELE/9E 6H] JOB &
PICK H] UP AFW2 .HE WD DRIVE ,&RE 6HIS
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AN AF-S*OOL JOB 9 ? NEW T[N & BR+   #BCH
9 M"OY4
  ,!Y WD N1 H["E1 2 FREE F ! ?R1T (!
FIF? REFUGEE4
  ,WE WON'T GET A REGUL> TELEPH"O1 ,MAT-
TU DECID$4 ,A PH"O M1NS A PUBLIC LI/+4
,A /REET A4RESS 9 PR9T & ONL9E4 ,I'LL H
A CELL PH"O 9/1D1 & T WAY NOBODY C F9D
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SPRANG 6,MATTU'S M9D4 ,HE KNEW :AT 6D AB
! DIAMONDS4
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TEMPOR>Y FAMILY :O WASN'T R1DY4 8,NORWI*
IS TOO F> AWAY = U 6HELP EASILY4 ,ALAKE
/ NE$S U40
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SY/EM 9 ! /ATE HAS A SPECIAL-$ PROGRAM4
,A C\NSELOR W D1L ) ,ALAKE4 ,: REM9DS
ME4 ,! A"P;T BUILD+ DOESN'T ALL[ PETS40

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  ,KIRK ,CRICK SD HE WD TELEPH"O ,TAY &
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  ,%E WD 2 RU2I% 9 ! ,AMABO FAMILY TOO4
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WAY "? ! VEIL T TRI$--& "S"TS FAIL$--TO
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3FLICT DIAMONDS--Z IF AF A BRIEF >GU;T1
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CAME "H40
  8,PUPPIES >E N ON ! LI/ ( R1SONS 6-E
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SIDIZ$4 ,ONCE ,MATTU GETS AN AF-S*OOL
JOB & ,&RE IS EMPLOY$1 !Y'LL MAKE X4 ,B
!Y SURE WON'T 2 BUY+ DOG FOOD40

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POSSI# PH"O NUMB]S4 ,AT S*OOL1 HE LI$ TO
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BOYS' LOCK] ROOM4 ,J>$ & ,MOPSY ALW
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,MATTU CALL+ & !Y CD N MAKE ANY 3NEC;N )
A FAMILY "ND ,F9*4
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,TEXAS LI/5$ 6HIS REQUE/4 ,B !Y DID N H
A REFUGEE "ND ,VICTOR AM;G _! CURR5T
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FIGURE \ ! NUMB] ( MILES 2T HM & ,VICTOR
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  ,X TOOK H\RS 6CALM D[N4
  ,!N HE REEXAM9$ 8 PLAN4
  ,X 0 / BRILLIANT4

  ,VICTOR WA/$ PRECI\S "T GO+ 9 ! WR;G
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  ,VICTOR ASSUM$ T 9 S* A PLACE HE CD
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CA%4
  ,ALL HE NE$$ N[ 7 ! DIAMONDS4

  ,ON ,SATUR"D1 DONAT$ FURNITURE 0 R.D$
UP & DELIV]$ 6! ,F9*ES' H\SE4 ,BOXES (
DONAT$ DI%ES & POTS & MICROWAVES 7 SORT-
$2 ,AM]ICANS ALW _H "S AMAZ+ EXTRA ?+ !Y
W]5'T US+4 ,CL1N+ MAT]IALS & CANN$ GDS 7
PUR*AS$4 ,^! 7 LOAD$ 96A BORR[$ VAN1 :
WD SIT 9 ! DRIVEWAY UNTIL MOV+ "D4
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-E1 OR T ,MOPSY WD COAX ,MR4 & ,MRS4
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C\RSE T 0 N GO+ 6HAPP51 ANY M ?AN ,ALAKE
0 GO+ 6ERASE H] PA/4
  ,!N X 0 ,SUN"D1 & ,EMMY ,WALL DID -E
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,AMABOS SAT 9 A SEP>ATE PEW1 Z IF !Y 7 A
FAMILY4
  ,ALAKE ?"\ T ! O!R ?REE 7 A FAMILY4
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NE$$4 ,& HE 0 "EY?+ A SON %D BE3 TALL1
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FAMILY & MAKE A HOME & %>E A LIFE4
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  ,2C X'S TRUE1 ?"\ ,ALAKE4 ,I H 6/& MY
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  ,ALAKE _H LI/5$ S C>E;LLY 6"EY?+4 ,H[
6FA/5 A S1T BELT4 ,H[ 6USE D\# C\PONS1 A
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AL"O8

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CU%ION (! PEW & WAT*$ 8 "F N LI/5 & N
PRAY4
  ,DR4 ,NICK]SON'S ANN\NCE;TS W5T   #BDE
ON & ON3 A BAPTISM1 A W$D+1 "NS (! SICK1
CRUCIAL MEET+S & F9,Y1 ! JOY;L NEWS T AN
A"P;T _H BE5 F.D =! REFUGEES4
  ,WE'RE ALL REFUGEES1 ?"\ ,J>$4 ,WE ALL
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2T U & TR\#4 ,MY "F'S TWO SAFE H\SES--
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8,G N[ 9 P1CE4
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,G N[ 9 P1CE1 9 FAI? & 9 LOVE40

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BE5 N"O 9 H] LIFE4 ,& FAI?8 ,:AT 0 T8
,NO?+ ,ALAKE POSSESS$4 ,B %E _H BE5 GIV5
GLIMPSES ( LOVE3 ! LOVE ( ? FAMILY :O _H
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PUPPY4                              #BDH
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PY AWAY F ME4
  ,9 ,AFRICA1 Y CD J KEEP WALK+ & F9D
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9 ,AM]ICA1 T DID N SEEM 6HAPP54 ,=
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  ,I H A ,SOCIAL ,SECUR;Y NUMB]1 %E ?"\4
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6"W1 B AT ,CELE/9E'S JOB AT T MOTEL1
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M"OY "S"D4 ,B 6TAKE C>E ( ,JOPSY "R N[1
,I H 6H M"OY4
  ,DIAMONDS >E M"OY4







             ,*APT] ,?IRTE5         #BDI

  ,MON"D MORN+ 0 Z *AOTIC & 3FUS+ Z ! F/
"D ( S*OOL1 :5 N"O (! ,AMABOS _H "KN H[
6OP5 ! S1L$ C>TON ( ORANGE JUICE OR :Y !
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TI<TLY4 ,IF ONLY HOLD+ "S?+ TI<TLY M1NT
T Y CD ACTU,Y KEEP X4
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ION4 ,%E 0 %\T+ "QS3 ,DID "EYBODY H _!
HOME"W8 ,DID !Y H LUN* M"OY8 ,7 _! CELL
PH"OS *>G$8 ,WD ,&RE PL1SE HURRY UP &
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,JOPSY 9 ! KIT*5 & CLOSE ! DOOR4
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$4 8,%E SAYS L1VE "O (! G>AGE DOORS UP &
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! PUPPY40
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"T T Y WON'T RE,Y MISS HM4 ,2 MY BRAVE
GIRL N[40
  ,I DON'T WANT 6BE BRAVE4 ,I WANT 6H
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Y'VE ONLY _H YR PUPPY A %ORT "T4
  ,ALAKE _H PRAY$ ALL NI<T L;G4 ,LET ME
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FAMILY OR MY HOME OR MY VILLAGE OR MY
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  ,B "H X 0 ,MON"D MORN+1 &! SIDE DOOR
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TD1 ,TAY'S "M WD DRIVE 96! DRIVEWAY4 ,%E
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TURN ! LL KNOB 9 ! H&LE 6MAKE ! SIDE
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HUGE SN1K] & CLOS$ ! DOOR4

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  ,9 ,AFRICA1 NOBODY _H A SOLU;N    #BEB
6! PRO#MS ( W> & FAM9E & ,,AIDS & DR"\ &
MOSQUITOES & ORPHANS--OR IF !Y DID1 !Y
DIDN'T H ! M"OY OR ! "T OR ! ALLIES TO
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LA/ WEEK &! T1*] GOT S MAD1 :AT 0 ACTU,Y
HAPP5+80
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! PR9CIPAL'S (FICE 9/1D4 ,! :OLE T1M
HATES HM N[40
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AN >M4 ,HE LOOK$ \ ! W9D[ (! BUS1   #BEC
SMIL+4 ,? 0 A GRT C.TRY4

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,MATTU & ,J>$1 ! MI4LE S*OOL BUS >RIV$
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%E BE5 R1DY E>LY 5 9 ! MORN+ 6WALK TO
S*OOL4
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! PUPPY IS N NEGOTIA#4
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6! REFUGEE SUP]VISOR4
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,QU9NIE4
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  ,%E =GOT ,ALAKE4

                                    #BED
  ,J>$ & ,MATTU 7 SITT+ 9 ! BACK (! BUS1
": BOYS ALW SAT1 MAK+ NOISE & TR\#1 :ILE
,ALAKE SAT 9 ! FRONT1 ALL AL"O4 ,NOBODY
ELSE LIK$ 2+ CLOSE 6! DRIV]1 :O LI/5$
IN1 & ANYWAY1 ,ALAKE 0 N -PANY4
  ,A S*OOL BUS GO+ 9 ! OPPOSITE DIREC;N
/OPP$ 6PICK UP KIDS ON ! O!R SIDE (!
ROAD4 ,ALL TRA6IC /OPP$1 9CLUD+ ,ALAKE'S
BUS4
  ,X 0 ,ALAKE'S FAVORITE "P (! RIDE--!
OB$I;E ( ,AM]ICAN C>S 6S*OOL BUSES4 ,ALL
^! DRIV]S 7 EXACTLY L ,DREW & ,K>A ,F9*4
,!Y 7 9 A HURRY6 ,!Y _H LI/S6 ,"EY?+
MATT]$6 ,!Y M/ 2 ON "T6 ,B N"E N"E N"E
WD !Y PASS A S*OOL BUS4
  ,! *N CLIMB$ ONTO _! BUS1 WAV+ GD-BYE
6"MS :O 7 WAIT+ ) !M4 ,!N ! "MS WAV$1 !
BUS DRIV] WAV$1 ! SAFETY B> POPP$ BACK 9
PLACE &! TWO BUSES MOV$ 9 _! OPPOSITE
DIREC;NS4 ,X 0 L TELEVI.N ,AM]ICA4 ,B X
0 R1L4 ,HAPPY *N1 HAPPY MOMS1 HAPPY "D
AT S*OOL4
  ,& !N "! 0 ,ALAKE4
  ,%E GLIMPS$ A DOG ON A L1%1 : _H BE5
HI45 0ALL ^? P4 ,! "M SMIL$ D[N     #BEE
AT H] DOG &! DOG WA7$ XS TAIL &! TWO (
!M RAC$ UP A DRIVEWAY1 ! "M LAU<+ &! DOG
B>K+4

  ,! HI< S*OOL BUS GR.D 6XS F9AL /OP4
  ,2C HE 0 S TALL & 2C HE 0 SITT+ 0! W9-
D[1 ,MATTU _H A GD VIEW (! ROAD4 ,A C>
-+ T[>D !M 0 N SL[+ D[N =! FLICK]+ LI<TS
ALL OV] ! BUS4 ,X DID N OBEY ! /OP SIGN
T POPP$ \ (! SIDE (! BUS4 ,X J KEPT GO+4
,MATTU _H N"E SE5 A C> BR1K ? CRUCIAL
,AM]ICAN RULE4
  ,HE PE]$ D[N 6SEE :AT K9D ( P]SON 0
DRIV+ T LAWBR1K+ C>4

  ,"O MILE PA/ ,MOPSY'S S*OOL1 ,ALAKE'S
BUS /OPP$ AT ! HI< S*OOL4 ,X 0 TOO RAW &
COLD 6BE LEISURELY4 ,! KIDS SPURT$ \ (!
BUS & HURRI$ 96! W>M?1 %\T+ & LAU<+1 "N-
CALL+ & %[+ (F1 NOTIC+ ONLY !MVS4
  ,ALAKE 0 AL"O1 SURR.D$ 0UGLY PILES (
SN[ %OV$ (F ! ROAD 0! PL[S4 ,! ONCE-
B1UTI;L SN[ 0 BLACK N[ F C> EXHAU/ & S&4
  ,ALAKE _H NO BOOKS 9 H] BACKPACK4 ,%E
_H DRY DOG FOOD &A BAG ( S&WI*      #BEF
BR1D1 H] ,SOCIAL ,SECUR;Y C>D &A MAP4
,%E _H ! "TTA# =! TRA9 6,NEW ,YORK1 ^:
/,N 0 ONLY F\R MILES AWAY4 ,%E _H ! CA%
%E _H /OL5 F ,CELE/9E 6USE UNTIL %E CD
FIGURE \ H[ 6USE ! DIAMONDS4
  ,ALAKE PULL$ H] HOOD OV] H] H1D & H]
MITT5S ONTO H] H&S4 ,%E KEPT H] FACE
D[N4 ,%E 0 Z 9VISI# Z A BLACK GIRL 9 A
:ITE T[N CD BE4 ,Z SOON Z A H$GE 0 2T H]
& ANY PE]+ HI< S*OOL EYES1 %E BROKE 96A
RUN4 ,%E DID N "K H[ SOON ,TAY'S "M WD
>RIVE4 ,ALAKE WD GET ! PUPPY & !N LOCK !
KIT*5 DOOR &! G>AGE 2H H]4 ,TAY'S "M WD
?9K T ,MRS4 ,F9* _H =GOTT5 6L1VE ! H\SE
OP51 & %E WD N CALL ,MRS4 ,F9* 6REPORT
X1 & ,ALAKE WD H ALL "D4 ,Z = ,MRS4
,F9*1 %E 0 N -+ BACK TILL LATE F ! PLACE
CALL$ ,BO/ON4

  ,MOPSY DID N G 96! S*OOL BUILD+4 ,%E
/OOD 9 ! BITT] W9D4
  ,I =GOT ,ALAKE4 ,I DIDN'T -=T H] AB
,JOPSY4 ,MOM DIDN'T REMEMB] EI1 2C %E
HAS S M* ELSE 6D4 ,I DIDN'T TELL ,J>$ TO
WAT* \ = ,ALAKE4 ,:AT GD ?+S >E 9   #BEG
H] LIFE N[8 ?"\ ,MOPSY4 ,%E HAS 6L1VE \R
H\SE & ,CELE/9E HASN'T "E HU7$ H]4 ,N
ONCE4
  ,! HORROR ( X /RUCK ,MOPSY =CIBLY4
,ALAKE _H 6LIVE ) P :O DID N L H]4
  ,MOPSY CD ;E-MAIL ,ALAKE1 B ,ALAKE
DIDN'T USU,Y *ECK ! -PUT] UNTIL %E _H
FREE "T AT LUN*4 ,& H[ M* -=T 0 AN ;E-
MAIL1 :5 Y GOT "R D[N 6X8 ,MOPSY CD PH"O
,J>$ & TELL HM 6PUT ,ALAKE ON4 ,B :AT GD
WD X D ,ALAKE 6HE> ,MOPSY'S VOICE8
,ALAKE DIDN'T C>E AB VOICES4
  ,MOPSY WAV]$4
  ,X 0 ONLY A MILE4 ,%E CD WALK OV] 6!
HI< S*OOL--& D :AT8 ,SAY :AT8 ,9 ! 5D1
,KIRK ,CRICK 0 "R4 ,ALAKE M/ SWIM 0H]F4
  ,9CR$IBLY1 2Y ! S(TBALL DIAMOND1 ,MOP-
SY SAW ,ALAKE RUNN+ D[N ! SIDEWALK4 ,L;G
?9 LEGS PUMP+4 ,BOOK BAG SOLID ON H]
BACK4 ,H1D+ HOME4
  ,MOPSY'S HE>T BROKE4 ,ALAKE 0 GO+ 6GET
,JOPSY4 ,B !N :AT WD %E D8 ,TALK ,TAY'S
"M \ ( TAK+ ! PUPPY BACK8 ,N"E HAPP54
,BR+ ! PUPPY 6S*OOL8 ,WDN'T "W4
  ,ALAKE'S ONLY *OICE1 RE,Y1 0 TO   #BEH
RUN AWAY4
  ,MOPSY 0 S N A P]SON :O DID ?+S )\T
P]MIS.N4 ,! (FICE WD N GIVE H] P]MIS.N
6G AF ,ALAKE4 ,MOM & ,DAD WDN'T EI1 IF
!Y 7 >.D4
  ,B ! ONLY ?+ WORSE ?AN ,ALAKE SIL5T &
UNLOV$ WD 2 ,ALAKE SIL5T & UNLOV$ & ON !
RUN4
  ,MOPSY DIDN'T H ,ALAKE'S SPE$4 ,TW5TY
/EPS ( RUNN+ & %E 0 SICK ( X1 S %E WALK$
A BLOCK4 ,& !N ANO!R4 ,& ANO!R4 ,%E GAZ$
UP ,PROSPECT ,HILL4 ,:5 %E _H A HOME (
H] [N1 X WD 2 9 A FLAT PLACE4

  ,MATTU'S HE>T _H N P.D$ L ? S9CE HE _H
RUN F A MA*ETE BLADE4
  .,VICTOR4
  .,"H4
  ,DRIV+ ! C> T _H PASS$ ! S*OOL BUS4
  ,MATTU TRI$ 6FOCUS ON ! HI< S*OOL1 !
WIDE HALLS DECORAT$ ) BANN]S & >T-CLASS
PROJECTS & RETIR$ T1M J]SEYS1 FILL$ )
FAT & HAPPY KIDS1 ALL LAU<+ & TALK+ &
YELL+ & RUNN+ & S .FULL ( !MVS--WAS "!
"E A P S FULL ( !MVS6               #BEI
  ,X WASN'T ,VICTOR1 HE TOLD HMF4
  ..,B X 0 .,VICTOR4
  ,I WANT$ 6BE SAFE & 2LIEVE ,I _H A SO-
LU;N & ,I CD MAKE "EY?+ ALL "R &! BAD
?+S WD G AWAY4 ,I'M Z *ILDI% Z ,MOPSY--
,I1 :O "K EVIL4
  ,HE _H 6TELL "SBODY 9 AU?OR;Y T ,VIC-
TOR 0 "H4
  ,B NOBODY WD 2LIEVE HM4 ,? T[N DID N H
P L ,VICTOR1 & NOBODY "H RE,Y 2LIEV$ 9
EVIL OR T EVIL P R\T9ELY DID EVIL ?+S4
,!Y WD SAY1 ,NO1 NO1 ,MATTU1 T 0 9 ,AF-
RICA4 ,? IS "H4
  ,B !Y WDN'T RE,Y 2LIEVE T X HAPP5$ 9
,AFRICA EI4
  ,IF X 0 ,VICTOR 9 T C>1 ! ONLY POSSI#
\TCOME 0 VIOL;E4 ,MATTU WD 2 RESPONSI# =
N HAV+ TOLD ! AU?ORITIES4 ,!Y WD S5D
,MATTU BACK 6,AFRICA &! REFUGEE CAMP4
,HE WD N"E H ! NEW HI< S*OOL CALL$ ,FREE
&! NEW A"P;T ) ,&RE & ,CELE/9E & WD N"E
2 ! DRIV] ( _! [N C>4
  ,B R1LI/IC,Y1 :O CD ,MATTU TELL8
  ,! FRLY MI4LE-AG$ (FIC] ^: B1T 0 ! HI<
S*OOL8 ,! FAT OLD GUY ^: PATROL     #BFJ
C> 0 G5],Y P>K$ NE> "O (! ?REE R$ LI<TS8
,!Y DIDN'T "K ANY M AB R1L TR\# ?AN !
,F9*ES4
  ,!N ,MATTU R1LIZ$ :Y ,CELE/9E _H BE5 S
FI]CE :5 %E _H 9SI/$ T IF ,VICTOR TRI$
6FOLL[ ,MATTU1 ,MATTU M/ N"E -E BACK4 ,X
WASN'T 6SAVE H]F1 OR ,&RE4
  ,X 0 6SAVE ! ,F9*ES4
  ,! ,AM]ICAN FAMILY 0 F> M AT RISK ?AN
! ,AFRICANS4 ,:5 Y WANT$ 6T]RIFY OR H>M
P--: 0 ALL ,VICTOR DID--Y />T$ )! W1K4
,AM]ICANS KNEW NO?+ ( PA9 OR FE>4 ,!Y 7
N /R;G L ,MATTU & ,&RE & ,CELE/9E4 ,!Y
CD N )/& :AT ,VICTOR ?REW AT !M4
  ,VICTOR WD "K ?4
  ,! "F WD N GET HOME TILL LATE ? EV5+1
S ! P]SON ^: JOB X 0 6DEF5D ! FAMILY 0 N
"H 6D X4 ,B EV5 IF ,MR4 ,F9* 7 "H--OR IF
"S?+ HORRI# TOOK PLACE S T ,VICTOR WAIT$
= HM--,VICTOR WD N G AF ! "F4 ,HE WD G
AF ! "F'S W1K;S4
  ,USU,Y T WD 2 ! *N4 ,B ,MATTU ?"\ !
W1KE/ "O 9 ? FAMILY 0 ! "M1 ,K>A4 ,! "O
:O 2LIEV$ %E CD 3TROL "EY?+ & H&LE ANY
PRO#M4 ,K>A DID N "K H[ 6H&LE A     #BFA
,VICTOR4
  ,B A ,VICTOR CD ALW H&LE A ,K>A4
  ,MATTU ?ANK$ ,GOD T ,K>A ,F9* & ,&RE
_H TAK5 _! L;G DRIVE 6! 4TANT C;Y4
  ,ALAKE 0 ! UN"KN4 ,BODY & S\L1 ,ALAKE
0 /RET*+ T[>D 2+ AN ORD9>Y P]SON4 ,%E CD
N"E D X1 N ) H] PA/4 ,ALAKE'S W1K;S WD 2
H] PUPPY4
  ,B ( C\RSE1 ,VICTOR _H N -E 6KILL !
,F9*ES1 F9D ,ALAKE OR D1L ) PUPPIES4 ,HE
_H -E = 8 DIAMONDS4
  ,! TIM+ CD N H BE5 WORSE4
  ,X'S ALL "R =! MO;T1 ?"\ ,MATTU4 ,!
H\SE IS EMPTY4 ,I C TELEPH"O "EYBODY 9 !
FAMILY & TELL !M 6/AY AWAY4 ,!N "SH[
,I'LL EXPLA9 6! POLICE :O & :AT ,VICTOR
IS4
  ,MATTU 0 ILL )! LI/ ( ?+S HE _H D"O
WR;G4 8,J>$10 HE :ISP]$4
  8,N N[1 OKAY8 ,I DIDN'T F9I% MY CALCU-
LUS40
  ,MATTU TU7$ ON 8 SLEEVE4 8,? IS M IM-
PORTANT40
  ,J>$ %OOK HM (F4 8,N 6ME10 HE SD
IRRITABLY1 WALK+ AWAY4              #BFB
























             ,*APT] ,F\RTE5         #BFC

  ,ALAKE 0 HALFWAY UP ,PROSPECT ,HILL :5
%E HE>D A C> 2H H]4 ,"! 7 S FEW H\SES UP
"H T E DRIV] WD RECOGNIZE H] & "K T %E
"\ 6BE 9 S*OOL4 ,ALAKE VE]$ 2H ! WIDE1
D>K BRAN*ES (A MASSIVE HEMLOCK4 ,%E HOP$
X WASN'T ,TAY'S "M4 ,Z SOON Z ! C>
PASS$1 %E RAC$ ON UP ! HILL1 LEGS TREM-
BL+1 LUNGS W1K5+4
  ,! C> DID PULL 96! ,F9*ES' DRIVEWAY4
,X 0 A B1UTI;L C>1 L;G & SLEEK1 ) N"O (!
FIL? F SN[ & ROAD SALT T USU,Y COAT$ C>S
"H4 ,H[ CD %E SOLVE ?8 ,CDN'T ,GOD H
GIV5 H] EV5 T5 M9UTES TO--
  ,! DRIV] (! %9Y C> /EPP$ \4
  ,= "DS N[1 MAYBE WEEKS1 ,ALAKE _H =-
GOTT54 ,EV5 9 H] T]RI# DR1MS & EV5 9 !
3/ANT MEMORIES 9 : ,VICTOR />R$1 ,ALAKE
_H =GOTT5 T ,VICTOR 0 ALIVE & 9 ,AM]ICA4
  ,H[ AMAZ+ T 8 SPONSORS _H GIV5 HM S* A
F9E VEHICLE4
  ,ALAKE CAU<T H]F4 ,%E 0 TURN+ 96,MOP-
SY4 ,NOBODY _H .GIV5 T C> 6,VICTOR4
  ,! G>AGE DOOR 0 / OP51 S ,TAY'S "M _H
N GOTT5 "H AF ALL4 ,B ! EMPTY OP5   #BFD
G>AGE %\T$ T NO "O 0 HOME4 ,VICTOR SUR-
VEY$ ! H\SE =A MO;T4 ,HE DID N LOOK 2H
HM1 : 0 GD1 2C ,ALAKE 0 \ ON ! ROAD1 EN-
TIRELY VISI#1 & _H NO": 6RETR1T4 ,VICTOR
WALK$ SWIFTLY 96! %AD[S (! OP5 G>AGE4
,ALAKE DROPP$ 6A CR\* & SCUTTL$ 2H A
SMALL L1F.S BU%4 ,VICTOR'S H& WD 2 R1*+
T[>D ! UNLOCK$ KIT*5 DOOR4 ,ON ! O!R
SIDE1 HE WD F9D ,JOPSY4 ,VICTOR & ,ALAKE
DID N -E F A "P (! _W ": DOGS 7 LOV$4 ,A
DOG 0 "S?+ 6KICK OR KILL4
  ,ALAKE _H FAIL$ 6KEEP H] SI/] SAFE1 &
H] T1*]S1 & H] P>5TS1 & "EYBODY ELSE ON
? E>?4 ,%E / _H A *.E 6KEEP H] PUPPY
SAFE4
  ,VICTOR WANT$ 8 DIAMONDS & ,ALAKE KNEW
": !Y W]E4 ,9 EX*ANGE =! DIAMONDS1 WD
,VICTOR DRIVE ,ALAKE & ,JOPSY 6,NEW
,YORK8 ,2C ,NEW ,YORK 0 ": HE _H 6G2 X 0
": ! DIAMOND BUY]S W]E4 ,WD HE AGREE TO
LET ,ALAKE \ "S": 9 T VA/ C;Y & !N DRIVE
ON1 N"E 6CROSS H] PA? AG8 ,%E KNEW ,VIC-
TOR4 ,HE WD PROMISE ANY?+ & %OOT ANYWAY4
  ,! PUPPY _H ALR LE>N$ T :5 A DOOR OP5$
7Z X ALW DID1 IF Y WAIT$ L;G        #BFE
5\<71 SPE$ 0 CRUCIAL 6AVOID CAPTURE4
,VICTOR M/ H OP5$ ! DOOR1 2C ,JOPSY HUR-
TL$ \ (! G>AGE & SCRAB#D ON ! FROZ5
GR.D4 ,H[ EXCIT$ HE 0 F 8 SU3ESS;L ES-
CAPE &! FRE% AIR6
  ,KEEP RUNN+6 ,ALAKE ?"\ AT HM4
  ,&( C\RSE1 HE DID4 ,FOLL[+ 8 NOSE1
,JOPSY KEPT RUNN+ "R 6,ALAKE4 ,& :5 HE
F.D H]1 HE B>K$ = JOY4

  ,W[1 DID ,TAY'S "M DRIVE A NICE C>6
,MOPSY 0 IMPRESS$4 ,& ,MOPSY'S TIM+ 0
PRETTY GD--MAYBE %E CD NEGOTIATE PUPPY-
VISIT+ "RS4 ,DID ! *UR* VOLUNTE] EXI/ :O
WD HAUL ,ALAKE BACK & =? 6SEE A DOG8
  ,MOPSY CROSS$ ! CE;T FLOOR (! G>AGE1
SIL5T 9 H] ?ICK-SOL$ SN1K]S1 & WALK$ 96!
KIT*54
  ,A MAN 0 HOLD+ ,ALAKE 0H] FACE1 8 F+]S
GRIPP+ H] *9 & M\? & NOSE Z IF ,ALAKE 7
A FOOTBALL4 ,9 8 O!R H& HE HELD A GUN4
  ,MOPSY _H N"E SE5 A GUN EXCEPT ON TEL-
EVI.N4
  ,! MAN ?REW ,ALAKE AWAY L A PIECE (
FIREWOOD4 ,%E HIT ! WALL S H>D T    #BFF
! WAT]COLOR HANG+ "! FELL (F XS NAIL4 ,!
GLASS OV] ! PA9T+ SMA%$1 & %>DS SCATT]$
ALL OV] ,ALAKE &! FLOOR4
  ,! MAN SMIL$4
  ,N[ ,MOPSY KNEW :AT ! ,AMABOS _H BE5
AFRAID (1 :Y !Y DR1D$ ! S.D (A DOOR OP5+
OR A PH"O R++4 ,? P]SON4
  ,! PUPPY :9$ = ATT5;N4
  ,! MAN AIM$ A KICK1 B ,ALAKE 9T]CEPT$
& TOOK ! KICK4 ,! KICK MADE A S.D1 OR
P]H ,ALAKE'S RIBS MADE ! S.D4 ,B ,ALAKE
REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,%E SCOOP$ ,JOPSY 96H] >MS
& ROLL$ AWAY4
  8,X'S OKAY10 SD ,MOPSY QKLY4 8,HE'S J
A PUPPY4 ,HE C'T HURT Y40
  ,! MAN FAC$ H]4 ,HE CLICK$ 8 GUN 9 A
WAY T DID N CAUSE X 6%OOT B MADE X EV5 M
F"R5+4 ,MOPSY IC$ OV]4 ,%E CDN'T ?9K "?
! FRIGID FE>4
  8,": IS ,MATTU80 ,! MAN'S A35T 0 ?ICK
& DRA7Y1 L ,CELE/9E'S & ,&RE'S4
  8,HE'S AT S*OOL10 SD ,MOPSY4 ,%E =C$ A
?"\ \ ( H] P>ALYZ$ BRA94 8,Y WANT ! DIA-
MONDS1 DON'T Y80
  ,HE &! OP5 HOLE ( 8 GUN />$ AT    #BFG
H]4 8,Y "K AB ! DIAMONDS80
  8,MATTU DOESN'T "K T ,I "K4 ,I 0 PEEK+
9 8 BOXES40
  8,%[ ME40
  ,ALAKE W RUN AWAY ! M9UTE WE H1D UP-
/AIRS1 ?"\ ,MOPSY1 S %E'LL 2 SAFE4 ,ONCE
HE'S C.T+ 8 DIAMONDS1 ,I'LL RACE D[N-
/AIRS TOO4 ,Z SOON Z ,I'M \TSIDE1 ,I'LL
DIG \ MY CELL PH"O & CALL #IAA4
  ,! MAN GE/UR$ 6H] 6G F/4 ,:5 %E WALK$
BY1 HE YANK$ (F ! BACKPACK T HELD H]
CELL PH"O & FLUNG X ACR ! ROOM4 ,HE NO4$
AN ORD] AT ,ALAKE1 :O FELL 9 L9E 2H
,MOPSY S T !Y =M$ A LL P>ADE--,MOPSY F/1
!N ,ALAKE &! PUPPY & !N ! MAN4
  ,! TR1DS SEEM$ HI<4 ,! C>PET FELT R\<4
,H] SN1K]S SNA7$ & %E /UM#D4 ,X TOOK ="E
6R1* ,J>$'S ROOM4 ,H] BRO!R'S SIDE 0
MESSY4 ,MATTU'S SIDE 0 B1UTI;LLY >RANG$
S HE CD GAZE ^U 8 NEW POSSES.NS 9 R[S &
PAIRS4
  ,ON ! DORM] %ELF SAT ! TWO ,TUPP]W>E
3TA9]S4
  8,! C>DBO>D BOXES FELL A"P10 EXPLA9$
,MOPSY4 8,MOM GAVE ,MATTU PLA/IC    #BFH
BOXES 9/1D40 ,! S1L WD 2 TI<T4 ,! MAN
CDN'T HOLD ! GUN & OP5 ! BOXES AT ! SAME
"T4 ,T WD 2 H] *.E4
  ,B HE MADE ,MOPSY OP5 !M4
  ,! 9/ANT %E LIFT$ "O1 %E KNEW %E 0 9
TR\#4 ,X 0 WAY TOO LI<T4
  ,%E PRI$ X OP51 "K+ ALR T ! DIAMONDS &
! A%ES 7 G"O4

  ,CD ,J>$ J 2 D"O )! REFUGEES' PRO#MS &
_! NE$S & _! NOISE8 ,CD ,MATTU J %UT UP
ALR8 8,OH1 PL1SE10 SNAPP$ ,J>$4 8,/OP X
) YR TORTURE /ORIES4 ,IF ,VICTOR IS S
IMPORTANT1 :Y DIDN'T Y M5;N HM 2F80 ,J>$
FELT SU6ICI5TLY HO/ILE T[>D ,MATTU 6BELT
HM4 ,IF ,DAD FELT ? WAY1 NO WOND] HE
LEFT 2F DAWN & CAME BACK AF MIDNI<T E
"D4
  8,I 0 SC>$10 SD ,MATTU4 8,I MIS"U/OOD
?+S1 ,J>$4 ,I ?"\ "SH[ WE 7 SAFE4 ,I
PRET5D$ T1 ANYWAY4 ,B NO "O IS SAFE4 ,Y
M/ N LET ANYBODY 9 YR FAMILY RETURN 6!
H\SE40
  8,Y ?"\ Y SAW ? GUY 9 A C>10 SD ,J>$4
8,L Y C RECOGNIZE "S"O 9 A SPE$+    #BFI
C>1 ,MATTU60
  8,I "K ,VICTOR4 ,X 0 HM1 ,J>$4 ,HE HAS
F.D ! "R T[N4 ,P]H "? ! ,9T]NET4 ,OR P]H
J PH"O CALLS 6! "R RESETTLE;T AG5CY4
,SOON HE W F9D ! "R H\SE4 ,CALL "EY"O 9
YR FAMILY4 ,!Y M/ N G HOME40
  8,F9E4 ,:AT"E40 ,J>$ FLIPP$ OP5 8
CELL4 ,HE HIT ,MOPSY'S NUMB] F/4 ,I BET-
T] N H A ROOMMATE :5 ,I GET 6COLLEGE1 HE
?"\4 ,I C'T H&LE X4 ,I L 4T.E4

  ,BROK5 GLASS FELL (F ,ALAKE'S JACKET Z
%E WALK$4 ,ON ! C>PET ( ,J>$'S ROOM1 !
%>DS GLITT]$ M B"RLY ?AN R\< DIAMONDS
WD4
  ,ALAKE 0 J Z %ATT]$ Z T GLASS4 ,H[ CD
,MOPSY 2 HOME8 ,AM]ICAN *N 7 ALW ": !Y 7
SUPPOS$ 6BE4 ,!Y DID N W&]4 ,!Y OBEY$ !
9CR$I# NUMB] ( RULES AB ": 6BE :54 ,MOP-
SY %D 2 SAFE 9 S*OOL4
  ,JOPSY B>K$1 WANT+ 6GET D[N & CELE-
BRATE ALL ! F9E P 9 8 LIFE4
  ,ALAKE GRIPP$ ! PUPPY TI<TLY4 ,H] F+]S
HURT1 B N F HOLD+ H] DOG4
  ,%E _H TRI$ N"E 6T\* ! MA*9]Y 9   #BGJ
? H\SEHOLD4 ,^! P _H MA*9ES 6BRU% _!
TEE? & COOK _! FOOD & CL1N _! FLOORS &
WRITE _! LRS4 ,! ONLY MA*9E ,ALAKE _H
T\*$ 9 H] PREVI\S LIFE _H BE5 AN ASSAULT
W1PON4 ,H] F+]S / FELT X4 ,EV5 N[1 IF %E
T\*$ "S?+ COLD1 L A =K1 %E WD FEEL !
METAL ": ,VICTOR _H TOLD H] 6PULL4
  ,N[ H] S\L & H] HOPES 7 Z COLD Z H]
F+]S4
  ,DON'T ASK ME 6HOLD ! GUN1 %E ?"\4
,DON'T ASK ME 6D ! %OOT+4
  ,VICTOR FLUNG ! BLUE 3TA9]S >.D4 ,!N
HE FLUNG ,MOPSY4 8,": >E ! DIAMONDS80 HE
%\T$4
  ,MOPSY LAY CRUMPL$ ON ! FLOOR4
  ,ALAKE NEI MOV$ NOR SPOKE4
  ,B ,VICTOR ALW KNEW A P]SON'S W1K;S1 &
HE KNEW ? "T1 TOO4 ,HE SD 6,MOPSY1
8,WANT 6"K :O ,ALAKE IS8 ,%E'S A KILL]4
,A * SOLDI]4 ,"O ( M9E40
  ,IF ONLY ,ALAKE CD H D5I$ ?4
  8,%E /OOD "!10 SD ,VICTOR1 8& WAT*$
:ILE H] P>5TS 7 KILL$4 ,%E MURD]$ H] [N
T1*]S4 ,%E WAT*$ :ILE H] SI/] 0 KILL$4
,!N %E JO9$ ME40                    #BGA
  ,& T 0 ALL TRUE1 9 A WAY4 ,& N[ ,MOPSY
KNEW ! T]RI# ?+ ,&RE & ,CELE/9E KNEW1 &
%E TOO WD AVOID ,ALAKE & HOPE N 6BE CON-
TAM9AT$ 0H]4
  8,DON'T 2 SILLY10 SD ,MOPSY1 9 T AMAZ+
,AM]ICAN WAY2 ! ABSOLUTE REFUSAL 62LIEVE
P 7 WICK$4 ,MOPSY /A7]$ 6H] FEET4
  ,VICTOR TRI$ AG4 8,H] "N ISN'T ,ALAKE1
EI4 ,NOBODY Y TOOK 9 IS RE,Y "ND ,AMABO4
,I SUB/ITUT$ !M =A FAMILY ,I KILL$ :5 !
R1L ,AMABOS DID N COOP]ATE40 ,HE SMIL$
AT ? MEMORY4 ,HE _H LO/ YET ANO!R TOO?4
,ALAKE _H SE5 5 ,AM]ICAN SMILES N[ 6"K T
,AM]ICANS 7 MADE DEEPLY ANXI\S 0BAD
TEE?4 ,%E 0 N SURPRIS$ T ,MOPSY SEEM$ M
UPSET 0,VICTOR'S ROTT+ TEE? ?AN 0HIS
GUN4
  ,ALAKE _H (T5 ?"\ ( :AT %E WD SAY :5
%E />T$ 6TALK4 ,LOVELY ?+S4 ,W>M & ?ANK-
;L ?+S4 ,B NO4 ,T 0 N 6BE4 ,%E WD SP1K
6SURVIVE4 ,%E US$ ,5GLI%1 _! -MON LAN-
GUAGE4 ,! LOV+ ^WS %E _H TRI$ S H>D 6GET
\ ( H] M\? = S L;G _H N YET -E1 B ! T]-
RI# ^WS CAME Q EASILY4 8,I W GET Y !
DIAMONDS10 %E TOLD ,VICTOR4 8,!N    #BGB
Y TAKE ME & MY PUPPY 6,NEW ,YORK & L1VE
U "!40 ,ALAKE DID N LOOK AT ,MOPSY4 ,!
MO;TS ( FR%IP & K9D;S 7 9 ! PA/4
  ,MOPSY GASP$4 ,%E TOO _H EXPECT$
,ALAKE'S F/ ^WS 6BE "S?+ ELSE4
  8,Y "K ": ! DIAMONDS >E80 SD ,VICTOR4
  8,I TOOK ! DIAMONDS4 ,I CAME "H 6GET
MY PUPPY & !N ,I 0 GO+ 6GET ! DIAMONDS &
L1VE40
  ,VICTOR LAU<$4 8,S Y 7 ! /R;G "O AF
ALL40 ,HE /UDI$ H] ?"\;LLY4 8,? W "W4 ,!
POLICE >E LOOK+ = ME1 B !Y WON'T 2 LOOK+
=A "F & 8 DAU<T] &A DOG40
  ,ALAKE DID N ASK :Y ! POLICE 9 ,AM]ICA
7 LOOK+ = ,VICTOR4 ,%E CD GUESS4 8,! DI-
AMONDS >E N 9 ! H\SE10 %E SD4 8,IN ?
H\SE1 !Y SNOOP40
  8,T'S :AT %E SD10 AGRE$ ,VICTOR1 AIM+
8 GUN AT ,MOPSY4
  8,I W N GIVE Y ! DIAMONDS IF Y HURT
H]10 SD ,ALAKE4 8,WE W G 9 YR C>4 ,WE M/
DRIVE40
  ,VICTOR %RU7$ & %OV$ ,MOPSY D[N !
/AIRS & \ (! H\SE4 ,HE & ,ALAKE BO? KNEW
HE WD J HURT ,MOPSY AF HE GOT !     #BGC
DIAMONDS 9/1D ( N[4
  ,ALAKE SD1 8,! PUPPY MI<T B>K4 ,WE W
L1VE HM 9 ! KIT*540
  8,WE'RE N -+ BACK4 ,Y WANT ! DOG1 Y
BR+ ! DOG40
  ,!Y CLIMB$ 96! B1UTI;L C>4 ,ALAKE DI-
RECT$ ,VICTOR D[N ! HILL1 "? ! VILLAGE &
96! BL1K M>9A1 FULL ( BOATS B EMPTY ( P4

  ,J>$ 0 EXASP]AT$4
  ,MOPSY _H PROMIS$ ,J>$ 6KEEP H] CELL
*>G$ & ON4 ,_H %E =GOTT58 ,OR 0 %E SITT+
9 CLASS1 N D>+ 6ANSW]8
  8,:AT'S ? AB1 ANYWAY1 ,MATTU80 ,J>$
DEM&$4 8,SUMM>IZE X4 ,"O ^W4 ,DON'T RUN
ON AB TORTURE & W>"LS4 ,I C'T /& X40
  8,DIAMONDS10 SD ,MATTU4

  ,W9D :IPP$ ! BLUE PLA/IC %EETS COV]+
HUNDR$S ( BOATS4 ,FLAGPOLE ROPES RATTL$
L BAD DRUMM]S4 ,MOPSY 0 SQUA%$ 9 ! FRONT
S1T 2T ,VICTOR & ,ALAKE4 ,%E 0 S F"R5$ T
%E 0 N EV5 HAV+ ?"\S2 %E 0 ALL FE>4
  8,"H10 SD ,ALAKE4
  ,VICTOR /OPP$ ! C> & GOT \1       #BGD
DRA7+ ,MOPSY AF HM4 ,ALAKE %UT ,JOPSY 9
! C>4 ,X 2GAN 6SLEET4 ,MOPSY HAT$ SLEET4
,X 0 L FAIL$1 ANGRY SN[4
  ,SALT WAT] OR N1 ! H>BOR 0 FROZ5 >.D !
$GES4 ,! OP5 WAT] 0 ! COLOR ( /"OS &
D1?4 ,! W9D 0 BRUTAL1 SLIC+ L KNIVES "?
,MOPSY'S LUNGS4

  8,"! 0 A FIF? REFUGEE ON \R PLANE10 SD
,MATTU4 8,VICTOR4 ,! DIAMONDS >E HIS40
  ,J>$ FELT L "S OLD-FA%ION$ MA*9E1 GE>S
SL[LY MOV+ 96PLACE4 8,& ,VICTOR WD 2
'''80
  8,! MAN :O SPILL$ ! BLOOD T MADE !M
BLOOD DIAMONDS40
  ,BLOOD L ,&RE'S4 ,F *OPP+ (F H&S4
  ,BLOOD DIAMONDS1 N 3FLICT DIAMONDS4
  ,I KNEW "! 0 DANG]1 ?"\ ,J>$4 ,T'S :Y
,I TOLD ,MOPSY 6KEEP H] PH"O ) H]4 ,:AT
AM ,I1 9SANE8 ,Y DON'T ASK AN ELEV5-YE>-
OLD 6H&LE H] [N DANG]6
  ,J>$ FLIPP$ 8 CELL OP5 & HIT #DAA4
8,KEEP TALK+10 HE ORD]$ ,MATTU4
  8,VICTOR ?"\ A FAMILY ( F\R WD 2 LESS
SUSPICI\S & WE CD SMU7LE 8 DIA-     #BGE
MONDS M EASILY ?AN HE CD4 ,DIAMONDS CA/
NO %AD[ 9 ;,X-RAY MA*9ES1 Y SEE1 S X IS
N LIKELY T !Y W 2 F.D UN.S ! P]SON C>RY+
!M MAKES ! AU?ORITIES SUSPICI\S40
  8,PROSPECT ,HILL1 ,3NECTICUT10 ,J>$
TOLD ! AUTOMAT$ VOICE4 8,RIV] ,MI4LE
,S*OOL40
  8,WE EXPECT$ 6L& 9 ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y10
SD ,MATTU1 8& !N ,VICTOR WD TAKE ! DIA-
MONDS & G4 ,WE F\R WD F9D \R [N H\S+ &
JOBS4 ,B T DID N HAPP54 ,I ?"\ WE 7 FREE
( HM4 ,I ?"\ WE _H 4APPE>$ 96? LL T[N4
,B ,VICTOR IS "H4 ,I SAW HM40
  8,Y KEPT "S KILL]'S PROP]TY 9 MY H\SE1
:5 Y KNEW T KILL] WD %[ UP 6CLAIM X80 SD
,J>$4 ,! PH"O -PANY 0 WILL+ 6MAKE ! CON-
NEC;N AT NO *>GE IF HE PRESS$ "O4 ,J>$
PRESS$ "O4 8,HI1 X'S ,J>$ ,F9*4 ,I NE$
6TALK 6MY SI/]1 ,M>?A4 ,%E'S 9 ,MRS4
,JACKSON'S SIX? GRADE40
  ,DANIEL APPE>$ 9 ! HALLWAY1 WALK+ T[>D
!M ) T LEISURELY1 ALW PREP>$1 EXCEP;N-
TO-!-RULE MANN] HE _H1 R L ,TAY4 ,J>$
GRA2$ ,DANIEL'S >M4 ,DANIEL />$ AT
,J>$'S F+]S TRESPASS+ ON 8 >M4      #BGF
,HE GAVE ,J>$ A W>N+ LOOK4 8,:AT D Y
M1N1 ,MOPSY DIDN'T -E 6S*OOL TD80 ,J>$
%\T$ 96HIS PH"O4 ,:AT 0 HAPP5+8 ,H[ CD
,MOPSY N 2 9 S*OOL8 ,HE 4CONNECT$4
8,DANIEL--Y DRIVE 6S*OOL TD80 DEM&$ ,J>-
$4
  8,I DRIVE 6S*OOL E "D40
  8,I NE$ YR C>40 ,J>$ HU/L$ ,DANIEL D[N
! HALL4 ,MATTU FOLL[$1 : ,J>$ FIGUR$ 0 A
GD ?+1 2C ,J>$ 0 GO+ 6RUN HM OV] AF HE'D
MADE SURE ,MOPSY 0 SAFE4 8,Y DRIVE1
,DANIEL10 ORD]$ ,J>$4 8,WE'RE 9 A MAJOR
HURRY40 ,HE DIAL$ 8 H\SE4 ,NOBODY AN-
SW]$4
  ,! BLOOD DIAMOND GUY W G 6\R H\SE1 N !
MI4LE S*OOL1 HE ?"\4 ,HE "U/OOD A HUNDR$
?+S HALFWAY N[4 ,! ,AMABOS _H -E Z REFU-
GEES B AL Z SCRE5S =A SMU7L]4 ,!Y _H AC-
TU,Y ?"\ T ! TREES & ROCKS & CURV+ C.TRY
ROADS ( ,3NECTICUT 7 %ELT] F A KILL] :O
_H ONLY 6PICK UP A PH"O OR OP5 A ,WEB
SITE & F9D !M4
  ,F9D .U1 ?"\ ,J>$4
  ,MATTU 2GAN EXPLA9+ ,VICTOR 6,DANIEL1
:O TURN$ \ 6BE A SL[1 C>E;L DRIV-   #BGG
]4 ,J>$ DIDN'T EV5 ?9K ,DANIEL 0 A TE5-
AGE BOY2 HE 0 "S OLD COOT :O CDN'T SEE
?IRTY FEET AWAY4 8,FA/]60 HE %\T$4 8,G
"? ! LI<T60
  ,DANIEL CAME 6A FULL /OP1 LOOK$ BO?
WAYS & WAIT$ =! GRE54
  8,VICTOR W 2 >M$10 SD ,MATTU4
  ,DANIEL TOOK 8 FOOT (F ! A3EL]ATOR4
8,:AT D Y M1N >M$80
  8,T'S HM60 %\T$ ,MATTU1 PO9T+ AT A
GL1M+ BLACK ,LEXUS T 0 TURN+ (F ! T9Y
MA9 /REET & H1D+ D[N ! M>9A LANE4 8,MOP-
SY'S ) HM4 ,& ,ALAKE60
  8,>E Y SURE80 ASK$ ,J>$4 ,H[ CD A REF-
UGEE 5D UP )A NEW ,LEXUS8 ,J>$ W5T F
-PLETELY WORRI$ 6-PLETELY SKEPTICAL4
  ,! M>9A 0 AN UNLIKELY DE/9,N = ANYBODY
? "T ( YE>1 LET AL"O AN ,AFRICAN SMU7L]1
IF ? EV5 0 ,VICTOR1 & ANYWAY1 H[ CD
,VICTOR H LOCAT$ ,MOPSY8 ,Z = ,ALAKE1 %E
0 9 S*OOL4 ,%E'D GOTT5 ON ! BUS .F/4
,J>$ .KNEW %E 0 AT S*OOL4 8,/EP ON X60
HE SD 6,DANIEL1 J 9 CASE4
  ,DANIEL 0 N A /EPP+-ON-X K9D ( DRIV]4
,HE 0 A CREEP+-AL;G K9D ( DRIV]4    #BGH
,PLUS HE 0 DRIV+ ) "O H& &) 8 O!R H&--
ACTU,Y1 ) 8 O!R ?UMB--HE 0 DIAL+ #IAA ON
.8 CELL PH"O4 8,POLICE10 ,DANIEL SD
CALMLY4 8,M>9A ,ROAD4 ,AN ASSAULT 9
PROGRESS40 ,HE SD 6,MATTU1 8,Y BETT] 2
"R4 ,I'M GO+ 6BE RE,Y ANNOY$ IF ,I'VE
CUT S*OOL & CALL$ ! POLICE & X ISN'T AB
ANY?+40

  ,ALAKE WALK$ \ ONTO ! BR1KWAT]4
  ,MOPSY CD N 2LIEVE X4 ,ALAKE _H REFUS$
EV5 6GET NE> T BR1KWAT] :5 !Y'D BE5 "H
2F4
  ,! ROCKS 7 SLICK ) ICE4 ,?ICK HALF-
FROZ5 WAT] BUMP$ UP AG/ !M4 ,IF ,ALAKE
LO/ H] BAL.E1 %E'D SLIDE 96DEEP FRIGID
WAT] "U A LID ( SLU%4
  ,TW5TY /EPS \1 ,ALAKE FELL4 ,MOPSY
SCR1M$4
  ,! MAN HIT ,MOPSY4 8,%UT UP40
  ,MOPSY %UT UP4 ,MY FACE IS BROK51 %E
?"\4 ,HE BROKE MY FACE4
  ,ALAKE CAU<T ! RIM (A ROCK & DID N
FALL 96! WAT]4 ,%E CRAWL$ ON 9/1D (
WALK+4 ,%E DID N LOOK BACK AT       #BGI
,MOPSY OR ! MAN4
  ,0 ? ! ,ALAKE :O _H BE5 9ACTIVE 6!
PO9T ( 2+ -ATOSE8 ,MOPSY M>VEL$4 ,_H T
SAME ,ALAKE TAK5 ! DIAMONDS1 PUT !M 9 A
,ZIPLOC BAG OR "S?+ & SN1K$ D[N 6! WAT]-
FRONT8 ,_H %E DROPP$ ? BAG 96"O (! HOLES
CR1T$ ": ! MORT> _H CRUM#D8
  ,X MI<T H LOOK$ L A P]FECT HID+ PLACE
--A DES]T$ M>9A 9 ! MI4LE ( W9T]--B !
SEA WD H EAT5 ! BOTTOM \4 ,! HOLE WD G
ALL ! WAY "?4 ,! DIAMONDS 7 PROBABLY L;G
G"O1 SUCK$ \ 0A VIOL5T TIDE4
  ,A FI]CE GU/ ( W9D TOSS$ SLU% ONTO
,ALAKE'S FACE & >MS4 ,"! 0 NO SIGN T %E
NOTIC$4 ,%E KEPT GO+4
  ,S A P]SON ?9K+ AB DIAMONDS ?"\ ( NO?+
ELSE4
  ,I DON'T "K ,ALAKE AF ALL1 ?"\ ,MOPSY4
,I MADE H] UP 6FIT :AT ,I WANT$ 9 A SIS-
T]4
  ,VICTOR 0 BR1?+ H>D4 ,8 EYES 7 GLU$ TO
,ALAKE4
  ,VICTOR IS WR;G T NOBODY W "K HE'S
MASQU]AD+ Z A "F )A DAU<T] &A PUPPY1 ?"\
,MOPSY4 ,I'LL "K4 ,I'LL TELL !      #BHJ
POLICE "EY?+4 ,I EV5 MEMORIZ$ ! LIC5SE
PLATE NUMB]4
  ,VICTOR GL.ED BACK AT ,MOPSY1 R1LIZ$
%E 0 DAWDL+ & GRA2$ H] 0! FACE1 ! WAY HE
_H GRA2$ ,ALAKE 9 ! KIT*54
  ,MOPSY SAW H[ TRUE X WAS1 T %E 0 "Y =
H] AGE4 ,VICTOR WD N L1VE H] ALIVE TO
TELL4

  ,ALAKE 0 ONLY A FEW FEET F ! 5D (!
ROCKS :5 %E F.D ! HOLE4 ,A N>R[ *9K1 J
WIDE 5 =A H&4 ,%E SWALL[$ H] T]ROR (!
ICY UN"KN & /UCK H] >M D[N4
  ,%E FELT NO?+4 ,%E PULL$ H] >M BACK \
& %IFT$ POSI;N1 SLID+ HIDE\SLY CLOS] 6!
$GE4 ,! WAT] SLURP$ EAG]LY4 ,W9D L A
JACKAL'S TEE? BIT H] WET >M4 ,%E TRI$ F
ANO!R ANGLE4
  8,I'VE F.D ! BOX60 %E %\T$4 8,B X'S
FROZ5 6! BOTTOM4 ,I C'T GET X FREE40 ,%E
PUT H] EYE 6! HOLE4 8,YR >M IS L;G]40

  8,Y F/10 ,VICTOR TOLD ,MOPSY1 LETT+ G
( H] FACE4
  ,MOPSY KNEW H[ DEEP ! WAT] WAS4   #BHA
,IF ,MOPSY SLID (F1 %E WD DR[N 9 H] [N
T[N AT H] [N B1* :ILE H] [N P]SONAL REF-
UGEE LOOK$ = DIAMONDS4
  ,ALAKE1 :O 0 N ,ALAKE4
  ,2C ,VICTOR _H KILL$ ! R1L "O4
  ,MOPSY DROPP$ 6A CRAWL4 ,VICTOR DIDN'T
D ANY?+ 2C HE 0 /RU7L+ ) 8 [N BAL.E4 ,HE
DROPP$ ! GUN 9 8 POCKET 6H BO? H&S FREE4
  ,ALAKE CR\*$ OV] H] DIAMOND HOLE1
SCRA2L+ = :AT MATT]$4

  ,?REE P 7 \ ON ! BR1KWAT]4 ,J>$ SAW !M
CLE>LY4
  ,! MAN ,MATTU SD 0 ,VICTOR4
  ,ALAKE4
  ,& ,MOPSY4
  ,:AT CD !Y 2 DO+ "!8 ,:AT CD !Y POSSI-
BLY WANT \ "!8 ,:AT K9D ( 9SAN;Y--
  ,J>$ L1P$ \ ( ,DANIEL'S C>1 SCR1M+ &
WAV+4
  ,! MAN CALL$ ,VICTOR TURN$ 6LOOK4 ,HE
PUT 8 H& 9 8 POCKET4 ,"! 0 "S?+ A?LETIC
AB 8 /.E--A SORT ( R1DI;S 6MAKE A PLAY4
,8 H&1 :5 HE )DREW X F 8 POCKET1 LOOK$
O4LY L5G?Y4                         #BHB
  ..,HE W 2 .>M$1 ,MATTU _H SD4

  ,ALAKE /OOD UP4
  ,J>$ 0 RUNN+ T[>D !M1 ICE OR NO ICE4
  ,B BULLETS TRAVEL FA/] ?AN HUMANS4
  ,VICTOR CD KILL ,MOPSY4 ,HE CD KILL
,J>$4 ,HE CD HIT ,MATTU & ,DANIEL4 ,HE
CD D X 9 MO;TS4 ,X 0 8 SKILL4
  ,ALAKE'S PLAN _H N YET FAIL$4 ,%E CD /
C>RY X \4
  ,ALAKE ?"\ AB H] FAMILY1 ^! ,AM]ICANS
:O _H WELCOM$ H] & ASK$ = NO?+ 9 RETURN4
,%E ?"\ AB ,GOD1 & "! 0 "T 6PRAY4
  ,LET ME 2 GD1 J ONCE4 ,LET ME AT"O4
  ,%E ?"\ AB ! POEM ,TAY _H R1D1 ) XS
PROMISES 6KEEP4
  ,%E _H N _H "T 6MAKE PROMISES1 B %E WD
KEEP !M ANYWAY4
  ,%E /EPP$ =W>D4
  ,%E WRAPP$ H] >MS >.D ,VICTOR & FLUNG
H]F SIDEWAYS 96! SEA1 TAK+ ,VICTOR ) H]4

  ,! S.D ( SIR5S FILL$ ! AIR4
  ,DANIEL %\T$ 96HIS CELL PH"O1 GUID+ !
POLICE4                             #BHC
  ,J>$ GA!R$ 8 BLE$+ LL SI/] 9 8 >MS4
  ,MATTU CAU<T UP4
  ,B ": ,ALAKE & ,VICTOR _H BE51 "! 0
NO?+1 N EV5 A HOLE 9 ! SLU%4 ,9VISI#
WAVES 2N ! ICY LID ( W9T] _H ALR CLOS$ X
UP4
  ,9 ! 5D .,ALAKE _H BE5 ! PRECI\S GEM4
  ,ALAKE _H BE5 WILL+ 6LAY D[N H] LIFE4
,SIL5T1 UNLOV$ ,ALAKE1 :O _H _H B "O
TA/E ( JOY--A FEW "DS )A PUPPY--CALMLY1
& )\T FANF>E1 _H GIV5 H] LIFE = H] FRS4
  ,J>$ 0 S* AN ,AM]ICAN4 ,BUILT 96! S\L
( ,AM]ICANS 0 ! DESIRE 6HELP4 ,!Y DIDN'T
ALW HELP WISELY OR WELL1 B !Y DID ALW
L1P 96! WAT] 6TRY4
  8,Y HOLD ON 6,MOPSY10 SD ,J>$ FI]CELY
6,MATTU4 8,NO MATT] :AT1 Y KEEP MY SI/]
SAFE40 ,J>$ SLID 96! WAT]4 ,X 0 S COLD
HE CDN'T OP5 8 EYES2 S COLD HE 0 \ ( AIR
& /R5G? 9 "O HE>TB1T4
  ,I'M GO+ 6DIE1 ?"\ ,J>$1 & HE KNEW J
H[ /UPID HE _H BE51 HURL+ HMF 96ICE WA-
T]1 :5 "O ( 8 GOALS 9 LIFE 0 ,DON'T 2
/UPID4
  ,8 FLAIL+ >M HIT /"O4 ,! BR1K-    #BHD
WAT]4 ,HE BRAC$ 8 FEET AG/ X & FLUNG 8
>MS \TW>D1 SE>*+ ! SLU%Y WAT]4
  .,GOD6 HE PRAY$1 : 0 ALL HE _H "T =4
,HE FELT "S?+ S(T & CLOS$ 8 H& ON X4
  ,! COLD P>ALYZ$ HM4 ,HE CD N PULL HMF
OR X 6! SURFACE4
  .,GOD4
  ,A "PICLE ( /R5G? RETURN$4 ,J>$ KICK$
UPW>D4
  ,^: BODY D ,I H8 HE ?"\4 ,:AT IF ,I H
! KILL] & N ,ALAKE8

  ,DULL C>E;L ,DANIEL 0 AL AN ,EAGLE
,SC\T :O KEPT VALUA# ?+S L ROPE 9 !
TRUNK ( 8 C>4 ,HE MADE A L>GE LOOP1
TOSS$ X 6,J>$ & 0 HAUL+ HM UP Z ! POLICE
C>S >RIV$4 ,6,MATTU1 ,DANIEL SD1 8,Y EX-
PLA9 ? 6! POLICE4 ,I'LL BACK UP :AT"E Y
SAY4 ,C]TA9LY .,I DON'T "K :AT'S GO+ ON4
,Y GOT SECRETS 6KEEP1 ,MATTU1 ? WD PROB-
ABLY 2 ! "T 6KEEP !M40
  ,!Y PUT ,MOPSY 9 ! F/ AMBUL.E4
  ,!Y /RIPP$ ,J>$'S WET CLO!S (F & POPP$
HM ON A /RET*] NEXT 6HIS SI/]4
  ,!Y PUT ! SURVIVOR 9 ! SECOND     #BHE
AMBUL.E4
  ,!Y _H 6WAIT A :ILE =A ?IRD AMBUL.E1 B
T 0 ALL "R1 2C ! D1D >E GD AT WAIT+4

  ,!Y DIDN'T KEEP ,MOPSY 9 ! HOSPITAL1 J
PUMP$ H] FULL ( ANTIBIOTICS & GAVE H]
CODE9E =! CUTS & BRUISES1 !N S5T H]
HOME4 ,MOPSY SLEPT & SLEPT1 & :5 %E
AWOKE ! F/ "T1 H] "M & "F 7 SITT+ 0H]
B$1 & NO?+ T _H HAPP5$ 9 H] H\SE OR \ ON
! BR1KWAT] SEEM$ POSSI# OR R1L4 ,:5 %E
WOKE UP ! SECOND "T1 ,CELE/9E 0 "!4
  ,MOPSY SD SLEEPILY1 8,S :O IS "EYBODY1
RE,Y80
  ,CELE/9E SEEM$ PUZZL$4 8,WE >E ,AMA-
BOS4 ,WE MET T MAN ,VICTOR ON ! PLANE1 Y
"K1 & 7 AFRAID ( HM4 ,"H1 LOOK :AT ,I H
= Y4 ,A B[L ( ICE CR1M1 NICE & S(T1 J !
WAY Y L X40
  ,MOPSY SAT UP4
  8,I H J -E BACK F \R NEW A"P;T10 SD
,CELE/9E1 :O _H ALW BE5 GD AT *ANG+ !
SUBJECT4 8,X 0 SMALL & DIRTY1 B ! *UR*
VOLUNTE]S SCRU2$ :ILE ,I 0 AT "W1 & N[ !
A"P;T IS / SMALL1 B X IS V CL1N40   #BHF
  ,MOPSY TOOK ! ICE CR1M4 8,Y "K :AT1
,CELE/9E8 ,I'LL MISS Y40

  ,:5 ,MATTU F9,Y CORN]$ ,J>$1 8 HO/
WDN'T LOOK AT HM4 ,MATTU DIDN'T L LOOK+
AT HMF EI4
  8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6TELL P80 ,MATTU ASK$
,J>$4
  8,:AT DID .Y TELL !M80
  8,LIES40 ,)\T ! LIES1 ,MATTU 0 AFRAID
!Y WD 2 DEPORT$4
  ,J>$ SI<$4 ,F9,Y HE SD1 8,Y _H GD REA-
SONS 6-E 6,AM]ICA4 ,I ?9K Y %D'VE D"O
"EY?+ DI6]5TLY1 B Y DIDN'T1 & MAYBE Y
CDN'T1 & ,MOPSY'S OKAY1 & TM Y'LL H :AT
Y CAME =4 ,A NEW LIFE40
  ,H[ ,AM]ICAN1 ?"\ ,MATTU1 6MOVE ON L
T4 ,& H[ ,*RI/IAN--6A3EPT & =GIVE4
  ,MATTU _H -E 6! 3CLU.N T MO/ ,AM]ICANS
7 EXTRAORD9>ILY ,*RI/IAN1 EV5 :5 !Y
W]5'T ,*RI/IAN 0LABEL4 ,!Y ALL 2LIEV$ 9
T GRT RULE3 HELP YR NEI<BOR4
  ,ALAKE _H HELP$ ! MO/ ( ALL4 ,%E _H
N"E _H ! DIAMONDS1 ( C\RSE4 ,MATTU HMF
_H TAK5 ! DIAMONDS4 ,ONCE %E        #BHG
R1LIZ$ ! 3TA9]S 7 EMPTY1 ,ALAKE _H _H
ONLY A FEW SECONDS 6FIGURE \ H[ 6DE/ROY
,VICTOR )\T W1PONS4 ,%E _H DRAWN HM \ TO
SEA4
  ,"L1 PRAY$ ,MATTU1 =GIVE ME4 ,%E IS !
"O :O PUT \R ,AM]ICAN FAMILY F/4 ,SAVE
H]1 ,"L4
  ,HE LOOK$ >.D ,J>$'S ROOM =! LA/ "T4
,!N HE LOOK$ AT ,J>$1 :O 0 / GL>+ AT HM4
8,?ANK Y = %>+ YR ROOM10 SD ,MATTU S(T-
LY4

  ,J>$ SD NO?+4 ,HE FOLL[$ ,MATTU D[N-
/AIRS & \ 6! DRIVEWAY4 ,X 0 SN[+ V LI<T-
LY1 AL? X SEEM$ TOO W>M = SN[1 &! AIR
FELT ?ICK & S(T & LACY4
  ,MRS4 ,LANE 0 SUP]VIS+ 9 ! DRIVEWAY1
%\T+ ORD]S 6DONORS & PACK]S4 ,%E B1M$ AT
,J>$4 8,ISN'T X WOND];L T WE'VE ALL "W$
S H>D & A3OMPLI%$ S M* ALL ^! WEEKS6
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  ,J>$ 0 N AW>E T %E _H D"O ANY "W :AT-
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DRIV+4 ,HE CAU<T UP 6,MATTU4 8,"O ?+ Y
HAV5'T TOLD ME1 ,MATTU4 ,": >E !    #BHH
DIAMONDS N[80 ,HE FELT MOR,Y SUP]IOR 2C
HE'D PUT 8 DIAMOND BACK4 8,Y KEPT !M =
YRF1 DIDN'T Y80
  ,MATTU %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I _H 6GET !M BACK
6,VICTOR4 ,B ,VICTOR DOESN'T L1VE P
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AG5CIES 9 ,TEXAS1 ": ,GEORGE ,NEVILLE SD
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PACKAGE1 WD !Y GET X 6_! CLI5T ,VICTOR8
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,SUN"D1 ,I SN1K$ 96YR "F'S (FICE & TOOK
A PA4$ 5VELOPE4 ,I P\R$ ! A%ES 96! FIRE-
PLACE &! DIAMONDS 96! 5VELOPE4 ,!N ,I
TOOK ! SAME AM.T ( /AMPS T YR "M PUT ON
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DIDN'T PUT A RETURN A4RESS ON ! 5VELOPE1
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!Y SEE GRAVEL & ?R[ X AWAY8 ,OR RECOG-
NIZE DIAMONDS & SELL !M =A GD CAUSE--OR
= GRE$8 ,OR TURN ! PACKAGE OV] 6! PO-
LICE1 ": X MI<T LIE UNOP5$ 9 "S EVID;E
BOX8 8,! PO/M>K %[S "P (! ZIP CODE1
?\<10 HE SD1 F9D+ X DI6ICULT 6GET \ (
T1*+ MODE4 8,!Y'RE GO+ 6PUT TWO & TWO
TGR & "K X CAME F Y1 :AT ) ALL ! PUBLIC-
;Y &! POLICE40
  ,MATTU %OOK 8 H1D4 8,:5 ,MRS4 ,K>A
TOOK ,&RE 6,BO/ON = 8 SECOND OP9ION1
,&RE HID ! PACKAGE "U 8 %IRT & MAIL$ X
"!40
  ,J>$ 0 FILL$ ) ADMIR,N4 ,J ESCAP+ 8
"M'S VIGIL.E WD H BE5 A TASK &A HALF1 B
AL HID+ /UFF F H] & F9D+ A MAILBOX8 8,GD
PLAN10 SD ,J>$4
  8,NO4 ,A T]RI# PLAN4 ,WE DID NO?+ "R4
,WE KEPT DANG]\S SECRETS4 ,WE >E / KEEP+
! SECRETS1 B !Y >E N DANG]\S N[40
  8,Y N"E WANT$ 6KEEP ! DIAMONDS80 ,J>$
ASK$4
  ,MATTU %OOK 8 H1D4 8,!Y 7 9 ! %AD[ (
EVIL40                              #BIJ
  ,J>$'S SCALP PRICKL$4 ,N[ HE KNEW F\R
P 9 ! _W :O KNEW T M"OY IS N TR1SURE4
,LOVE IS TR1SURE4 ,FOOD & H&S &A RO( (
YR [N >E TR1SURE4
  ,MRS4 ,LANE GAVE P]MIS.N 6! F/ VAN (
DONAT$ /UFF 6SET \ =! NEW A"P;T4 ,J>$ &
,MATTU WAV$4 ,! SECOND VAN DROVE (F4
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  8,IS ,CELE/9E YR "M80 ASK$ ,J>$4
  8,NO4 ,B %E & ,&RE >E M>RI$4 ,!Y _H
KIDS4 ,! KIDS >E D1D4 ,I DON'T "K AB
,ALAKE'S FAMILY40
  8,HOP IN1 Y TWO10 SD ,MOM1 BACK+ H] C>
\ (! G>AGE & PAUS+ NEXT 6!M4 8,I'M DROP-
P+ ,&RE AT ! A"P;T & WE'LL GIVE "EY?+ A
F9AL *ECK40
  ,ALL ! MY/]IES >E CLE>$ UP1 ?"\ ,J>$4
,B N ALL ! "W IS D"O4 ,"! IS "O M ?+4

  ,ALAKE 0 9 A :ITE ROOM ) :ITE %EETS &A
:ITE TA# &A :ITE WALL4
  ,P 7 K9D4 ,MRS4 ,F9* _H -E 6GIVE H] A
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TRI$ 6F9D ^WS 6?ANK !M1 B NO ^WS 5T]$ OR
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"OS4
  ,GET-WELL C>DS & FL[]S CAME F S*OOL &
*UR*4
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  ,B "EY?+ ELSE 0 BROK5 OP54 ,P WD H
PIEC$ ! TRU? TGR N[4 ,!Y WD PUT ,ALAKE 9
"S P5 L T CORN] (! REFUGEE CAMP4 ,! HYMN
WD -E TRUE AF ALL3 %E WD H 6WALK ? L"O"S
VALLEY 0H]F4
  ,BETT] N 6TRY WALK+ AT ALL4 ,BETT] TO
S9K BACK 96:AT %E _H BE53 NO?+4
  ,:5 ! DOOR ( H] HOSPITAL ROOM OP5$ ?
"T1 X 0 N AN AIDE1 A DOCTOR OR A NURSE4
,X 0 ,CELE/9E1 :O HAT$ ,ALAKE = 2+ ALIVE
:5 H] R1L DAU<T] 0 N4
  ,G AWAY1 ?"\ ,ALAKE4
  ,B ,CELE/9E SAT ON ! B$4 ,%E TOOK
,ALAKE'S LIMP H&4 ,H[ (T5 9 ,AM]ICA P _H
HELD ,ALAKE'S H&--T 4TANT EXT5.N (
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  8,!Y "K NO?+10 SD ,CELE/9E4       #BIB
8,:5 ,MOPSY REP1T$ :AT ,VICTOR TOLD H]
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2LIEVE T EVIL IS NONS5SE40
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  8,WE H MOV$ 96! NEW A"P;T10 SD ,CELES-
T9E4 8,X IS EMPTY )\T A DAU<T]4 ,Y SAV$
! DAU<T] ( ^? :O SAV$ U4 ,T MAKES Y MY
DAU<T] N[4 ,-E HOME4 ,F \R NEW HOME1 Y W
G 6S*OOL AG1 & MAKE ME EV5 M PR\D ?AN ,I
AM N[40 ,CELE/9E PULL$ ,ALAKE 96H] >MS1
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! W>M? T ,ALAKE _H ONCE "KN1 & ,CELE/9E
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  ,ALAKE DID N WANT AN 9T]RUP;N4    #BIC
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  ,?ANK Y1 ,GOD1 = FAMILIES4

  ,! FAMILY "ND ,AMABO F9I%$ ! PAP]"W TO
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GUY4 ,HE CAME F A FAMILY ( GD T1*]S4









                                    #BIF
























          ,A ,NOTE F ! ,AU?OR       #BIG

  ,A *UR* ": ,I 0 ONCE ORGANI/ RUNS XS
[N REFUGEE M9I/RY4 ,I 2L;G 6! ,3GREG,NAL
,*UR*1 "S"TS CALL$ ! ,UNIT$ ,*UR* (
,*RI/4 ,_M ( \R ,3NECTICUT *UR*ES H
SPONSOR$ REFUGEES4 ,! M9I/RY [NS A MUL-
TIFAMILY H\SE1 ": REFUGEES LIVE :5 !Y F/
>RIVE4 ,OV] A ?REE-YE> P]IOD1 ? *UR* HAS
WELCOM$ EI<TY-SEV5 P F T5 C.TRIES4
  ,MY [N *UR* 0 ASK$ 6TAKE 9 A FAMILY (
F\R ,AFRICAN ,MUSLIMS F ,SI]RA ,LE"O4
,!Y LIV$ ) ME =! F/ MON?1 B ? IS .N _!
/ORY4 ,? BOOK IS FIC;N4 ,NOBODY 9 ? BOOK
REPRES5TS A R1L P]SON4 ,65SURE T ,I DID
N A3ID5T,Y USE ! "N (A R1L REFUGEE1 ,I
EV5 MADE UP ! LA/ "N ,AMABO 7X'S ,LAT93
8,I W LOVE07 &! F/ "NS ,MATTU & ,ALAKE4
,! ,REFUGEE ,AID ,SOCIETY IS A FIC;NAL
GR\P4 ,PROSPECT ,HILL IS A FIC;NAL T[N4
  ,MRS4 ,F9* 0 CORRECT--MO/ ( U HE> & "K
V LL AB ,AFRICA4
  ,9 #BJJD1 "! 7 M ?AN ?REE MILLION REF-
UGEES 9 ,AFRICA4 ,H[ C WE EV5 />T 6?9K
AB T _M P8 ,H[ C WE PICTURE ANY ( !M8
  ,I 0 PRIVILEG$ 6"K A REFUGEE      #BIH
FAMILY1 B N "EY"O C D T4 ,I RECOMM5D A
WOND];L C(FEE-TA# BOOK CALL$ .,HUNGRY
.,PLANET1 0,FAI? ,D',ALUISIO1 ) AMAZ+
PHOTOGRAPHS 0,PET] ,M5ZEL4 ,X WON A
,JAMES ,BE>D ,F.D,N ,AW>D4 ,XS /UNN+
PICTURES %[ :AT FAMILIES 9 LOC,NS ALL
OV] ! _W--F AN ,AFRICAN REFUGEE CAMP 6A
F>M 9 ,ECUADOR &A C;Y 9 ,M;GOLIA--H =
D9N] & H[ !Y GET X4
  ,AL? ,I H /ATI/ICS AB ,LIB]IA & ,SI]RA
,LE"O F S\RCES L ! ,UNIT$ ,N,NS & ,*UR*
,_W ,S]VICE1 X'S .,HUNGRY .,PLANET ,I
WANT Y 6LOOK AT1 S ,I'M US+ A FEW /ATIS-
TICS F T BOOK4

               ,AB ,D>FUR
     7A REGION ( ,SUDAN 9 ,AFRICA1
       AT ? WRIT+ 9 ! MID/ ( W>7

  ,NUMB] ( REFUGEE CAMPS3 #AFJ PLUS
  ,P]C5TAGE ( ,D>FUR'S POPUL,N LIV+ 9 ^!
CAMPS3 #CJ
  ,P]C5TAGE ( ^? P :O SAW A FAMILY MEMB]
KILL$3 #FA
                                    #BII
                ,AB ,*AD
      7A NEI<BOR+ ,AFRICAN C.TRY7

  ,NUMB] ( CAMPS = ,D>FUR REFUGEES3 #AA
  ,NUMB] ( REFUGEES 9 "O CAMP3 #CJ1JJJ
PLUS
  ,MA9 FOOD =A FAMILY ( REFUGEES = "O
WEEK3 #CI P.DS ( SOR<UM 7A GRA974 ,X
ISN'T GR.D 96FL\R2 T M/ 2 D"O 0H&4
  ,YE>S ( W>F>E S9CE #AIFJ3 #CE
  ,P]C5TAGE ( H\SES .) ELECTRIC;Y3 #B
  ,DOCTORS = E #AJJ1JJJ P3 #C

  ,:AT >E WE 6D 6HELP ? DESP]ATE 3T95T8
  ,S F>1 NO L;G-T]M SOLU;NS >E 2+ (F]$4
  ,P]H ! P]SON :O FIGURES \ H[ 6HELP W 2
Y4
    ,C>OL9E ,B4 ,COONEY






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 ,C>OL9E ,B4 ,COONEY IS ! AU?OR (   #CJA
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7AN ,,ALA-ALSC ,NOTA# ,*N'S ,BOOK72 ..,!
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  ,C>OL9E ,B4 ,COONEY LIVES 9 ,MADISON1
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