,,MI/] ,,MON"D
       ,KEYS 6! ,K+DOM3 ,BOOK ,"O

              ,,G>? ,,NIX

        ,PUBLI%$ 0,S*OLA/IC ,9C4
               ,NEW ,YORK
             ,COPY"R #BJJC
              ,0,G>? ,NIX
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

       ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL
           ,0,HEL5 ,J4 ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-AJJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJD
                                     ;II
























                                    ;III










           ,6,ANNA & ,?OMAS1 &
          6ALL MY FAMILY & FRS












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

_+ ,2G9 ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE
_: ,5D ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE




















         ,,TRANSCRIB]'S ,,NOTES       ;V

  ,ALL -PUT] NOT,N 9 ? VOLUME IS
TRANSCRIB$ AC 6..,! ,-PUT] ,BRL .,CODE
PUBLI%$ ,MAY #A1 #AIHG4




















                                     ;VI
























               ,PROLOGUE              #A

  ,!Y _H TRI$ 6DE/ROY ! ,W1 B T PROV$ TO
2 2Y _! P[]4 ,S !Y BROKE X1 9 TWO WAYS4
,X 0 BROK5 PHYSIC,Y1 TORN A"P1 )! FRAG-
;TS ( H1VY P>*;T SCATT]$ ACR BO? SPACE &
"T4 ,X 0 BROK5 9 _S 2C N "O CLAUSE ( X
_H BE5 FULFILL$4
  ,IF ! TR1*]\S ,TRU/EES _H _! WAY1 NO
CLAUSE (! ,W WD "E 2 EXECUT$4 ,6MAKE
SURE ( ?1 ALL SEV5 FRAG;TS (! ,W _H BE5
HI45 ) GRT C>E4
  ,! F/ & L1/ (! FRAG;TS 0 FUS$ 9SIDE A
S+LE CLE> CRY/AL1 H>D] ?AN DIAMOND4 ,!N
! CRY/AL 0 5CAS$ 9 A BOX ( UNBR1KA#
GLASS4 ,! BOX 0 LOCK$ 9SIDE A CAGE (
SILV] & MALA*ITE1 &! CAGE 0 FIX$ 9 PLACE
ON ! SURFACE (A D1D SUN AT ! V 5D ( ,"T4
  ,>.D ! CAGE1 TWELVE METAL ,S5T9ELS
/OOD GU>D1 EA* TAK+ PO/ ^U "O (! NUMB]S
(A CLOCK FACE T _H BE5 C>V$ ) P]MAN5T
LI<T 9 ! D>K MATT] (! DEFUNCT />4
  ,! ,S5T9ELS _H BE5 SPECI,Y CR1T$ Z
GU>DIANS (! FRAG;T4 ,!Y 7 VAGUELY HUMAN
9 APPE>.E1 ?\< TWICE Z TALL1 & _! SK9S 7
LUM9\S /EEL4 ,QK & FLEXI# Z CATS1     #B
!Y _H NO H&S1 B S+LE BLADES SPRANG F EA*
WRI/4 ,EA* ,S5T9EL 0 RESPONSI# =! SPACE
2T XS [N H\R &! NEXT1 & _! L1D] RUL$ !M
F ! POSI;N 2T TWELVE & "O4
  ,! METAL ,S5T9ELS 7 OV]SE5 0A C>E;LLY
*OS5 CORPS ( ,9SPECTORS1 LESS] 2+S :O WD
N D>E "Q ! BR1K]S (! ,W4 ,ONCE E HUNDR$
YE>S "O ( ^! ,9SPECTORS WD APPE> 6MAKE
SURE T ALL 0 WELL & T ! FRAG;T 0 SAFELY
LOCK$ AWAY4
  ,9 REC5T AEONS1 ! ,9SPECTORS _H 2COME
LAX1 R>ELY DO+ M ?AN APPE>1 SQU9T AT !
CAGE1 BOX1 & CRY/AL1 SALUTE ! ,S5T9ELS1
& 4APPE> AG4 ,! ,S5T9ELS1 :O _H SP5T T5
?\S& YE>S 9 FAI?;L S]VICE M>*+ 2T ! *AP-
T]S (! CLOCK1 DID N APPROVE ( ? SLIP%OD
ATT5;N 6DUTY4 ,B X 0 N 9 _! NATURE 6COM-
PLA91 NOR 0 "! ANY M1NS 6D S4 ,!Y CD
RAISE ! AL>M IF NEC1 B NO M ?AN T4
  ,! ,S5T9ELS _H SE5 _M ,9SPECTORS -E &
G4 ,NO "O ELSE _H "E VISIT$4 ,NO "O _H
TRI$ 6/1L OR RESCUE ! FRAG;T (! ,W4 ,9
%ORT1 NO?+ _H HAPP5$ = ALL ( T T5 ?\S&
YE>S4
  ,!N1 ON A "D T 0 NO DI6]5T F ANY    #C
(! M ?AN ?REE &A HALF MILLION "DS T _H
G"O 2F1 AN ,9SPECTOR >RIV$ :O TOOK 8 DU-
TIES M S]I\SLY4 ,HE >RIV$ NORM,Y 5\<1
SIMPLY APPE>+ \TSIDE ! CLOCK FACE1 8 HAT
ASKEW F ! TRANSF]1 8 (FICIAL W>RANT
CLUT*$ FIRMLY 9 "O H& S ! B"R GOLD S1L 0
CLE>LY VISI#4 ,! ,S5T9ELS TWIT*$ AT ! >-
RIVAL & _! BLADES %IV]$ 9 ANTICIP,N4 ,!
W>RANT &! S1L 7 ONLY HALF (! P]MIS.N RE-
QUIR$ 6BE "!4 ,"! 0 ALW A *.E ! WAT*^WS
DELIV]$ 0! PREVI\S ,9SPECTOR WD N 2 UT-
T]$ &! ,S5T9ELS' BLADES WD AT LA/ SEE
BLURR+1 SLIC+ AC;N4
  ,( C\RSE1 ! ,S5T9ELS 7 REQUIR$ 6ALL[ !
,9SPECTOR A M9UTE'S GRACE4 ,X 0 N UN"KN
=A TRANSF] 2T BO? "T & SPACE 6BRIEFLY
A4LE ! WITS ( ANY"O1 IMMORTAL OR O!R-
WISE4
  ,? ,9SPECTOR DID SEEM A BIT ! WORSE =
WE>4 ,HE WORE A FAIRLY /&>D HUMAN %APE1
T (A MI4LE-AG$ MAN ( RAPIDLY ?ICK5+
GIR?4 ,? HUMAN BODY 0 CLAD 9 A BLUE
FROCK COAT1 %9Y AT ! ELB[S & 9K-/A9$ ON
! "R CUFF4 ,8 :ITE %IRT 0 N RE,Y V :ITE1
&! BADLY TI$ GRE5 NECKTIE DID N AD-   #D
EQUATELY 4GUISE ! FACT T 8 COLL> _H -E
ADRIFT4 ,8 TOP HAT _H SE5 M* S]VICE & 0
BO? SQUA%$ & L1N+ 6! LEFT4 ,:5 HE RAIS$
X 6AC"KL$GE ! ,S5T9ELS1 A S&WI* WRAPP$ 9
NEWSPAP] FELL \4 ,HE CAU<T X & SLIPP$ X
96AN 9SIDE POCKET ( 8 COAT 2F SP1K+ !
WAT*^WS4
  8,9C5SE1 SULFUR1 & RUE1 ,I AM AN ,IN-
SPECTOR1 H"O/ & TRUE10 HE RECIT$ C>E;L-
LY1 HOLD+ UP ! W>RANT AG 6%[ ! S1L4
  ,! ,TWELVE ,O',C ,S5T9EL SWIVEL$ 9
PLACE 9 ANSW] 6! WAT*^WS &! S1L4 ,X
CROSS$ XS BLADES )A KNIFE-%>P5+ NOISE T
MADE ! ,9SPECTOR TREM# & WAV$ A SALUTE 9
! AIR4
  8,APPROA*1 ,9SPECTOR10 9TON$ ! ,S5TI-
NEL4 ,T 0 HALF ( "EY?+ X "E SD4
  ,! ,9SPECTOR NO4$ & CAUTI\SLY /EPP$ F
! TRANSF] PLATE 6! CURDL$ D>K;S (! D1D
/>4 ,HE _H TAK5 ! PRECAU;N ( WE>+ ,IMMA-
T]IAL ,BOOTS 74GUIS$ Z C>PET SLIPP]S7 TO
C.T]ACT ! W>P+ NATURE (! D1D />'S D>K
MATT]1 ?\< 8 SUP]IOR _H ASSUR$ HM T !
W>RANT &! S1L WD 2 SU6ICI5T PROTEC;N4
,HE PAUS$ 6PICK UP ! TRANSF] PLATE    #E
2C X 0 A P]SONAL FAVORITE1 A L>GE S]V+
PLATE ( DELICATE B"O *9A )A FRUIT PAT-
T]N1 R ?AN ! M USUAL DISC ( BURNI%$
ELECTRUM4 ,X 0 A RISK US+ A *9A PLATE 2C
X CD 2 EASILY BROK51 B X LOOK$ NICE & T
0 IMPORTANT 6! ,9SPECTOR4
  ,EV5 ! ,9SPECTORS 7 N ALL[$ 6PASS !
9N] RIM (! CLOCK FACE1 ": ! FEET (! NU-
M]ALS 7 BORD]$ 0A GOLD5 L9E4 ,S ? ,IN-
SPECTOR G+]LY TROD PA/ ! ,TWELVE ,O',C
,S5T9EL & /OPP$ %ORT (! L9E4 ,! SILV]
CAGE LOOK$ Z SOLID Z X %D1 &! GLASS BOX
0 Q 9TACT & B1UTI;LLY TRANSP>5T4 ,HE CD
EASILY SEE ! CRY/AL 9SIDE1 J ": X 0 SUP-
POS$ 6BE4
  8,ALL1 AH1 SEEMS 6BE 9 ORD]10 HE MUT-
T]$4 ,RELIEV$1 HE TOOK A SMALL BOX \ ( 8
COAT POCKET1 FLICK$ X OP51 &)A PRACTIC$
MOVE;T TRANSF]R$ A SMALL P9* ( SNUFF TO
8 "R NO/RIL4 ,X 0 A NEW SNUFF1 A PRES5T
F A HI<] AU?OR;Y4
  8,ALL1 AHHH1 AHHH1 9 ORD]10 HE REP1T$1
!N LET \ AN ENORM\S SNEEZE T ROCK$ 8
:OLE BODY &=A MO;T ?R1T5$ 6OV]BAL.E HM
OV] ! GOLD L9E4 ,! ,S5T9ELS L1P$ &    #F
TWI/$ F _! REGUL> POSI;NS1 &! ,TWELVE
,O',C ,S5T9EL'S BLADES CAME :ISK+ D[N )9
AN 9* (! ,9SPECTOR'S FACE Z HE DESP]ATE-
LY W9DMILL$ 8 >MS 6REGA9 8 BAL.E4
  ,F9,Y HE MANAG$ X1 & TEET]$ BACK ON !
"R SIDE (! L9E4
  8,AW;LLY SORRY1 T]RI# HABIT60 HE
SQU1K$ Z HE ?RU/ 8 SNUFF BOX SECURELY
AWAY4 8,I'M AN ,9SPECTOR1 REMEMB]4 ,"H'S
! W>RANT6 ,LOOK AT ! S1L60
  ,! ,S5T9ELS SUBSID$ 96_! USUAL PAC+4
,! ,TWELVE ,O',C ,S5T9EL'S >MS W5T BACK
6XS SIDES1 ! BLADES NO L;G] ?R1T5+4
  ,! ,9SPECTOR TOOK \ A HUGE PAT*$ H&K]-
*IEF F 8 SLEEVE & MOPP$ 8 FACE4 ,B Z HE
WIP$ ! SW1T AWAY1 HE ?"\ HE SAW "S?+
MOVE ACR ! SURFACE (! CLOCK FACE4 ,"S?+
SMALL & ?9 & D>K4 ,:5 HE BL9K$ & REMOV$
8 H&K]*IEF1 HE CDN'T SEE ANY?+4
  8,I DON'T SUPPOSE "! .IS ANY?+ 6RE-
PORT80 HE ASK$ N]V\SLY4 ,HE _HN'T BE5 AN
,9SPECTOR L;G4 ,A DECADE %ORT ( F\R C5-
TURIES1 & HE 0 ONLY AN ,9SPECTOR (!
,F\R? ,ORD]4 ,HE'D BE5 A ,?IRD ,BACK
,HALL ,PORT] = MO/ ( 8 C>E]1 ALM      #G
S9CE ! ,2G9N+ ( ,"T4 ,2F T--
  8,NO?+ 6REPORT10 SD ! ,TWELVE ,O',C
,S5T9EL1 US+ UP ! RE/ ( XS /&>D VOCABU-
L>Y4
  ,! ,9SPECTOR POLITELY TIPP$ 8 HAT 6!
,S5T9EL1 B HE 0 3C]N$4 ,HE CD FEEL "S?+
"H4 ,"S?+ N Q "R4 ,B ! P5ALTY =A FALSE
AL>M 0 TOO HORRI# 63TEMPLATE4 ,HE MI<T 2
DEMOT$ BACK 62+ A ,HALL ,PORT] OR1 EV5
WORSE1 2 MADE CORPOR1L--/RIPP$ ( 8 P[]S
& MEMORY & S5T "S": 9 ! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS
Z A LIV+1 BR1?+ BABY4
  ,( C\RSE1 ! P5ALTY = MISS+ "S?+ IMPOR-
TANT 0 EV5 WORSE4 ,HE MI<T 2 MADE CORPO-
R1L = T1 B X WD N 2 Z ANY?+ EV5 VAGUELY
HUMAN1 OR ON A _W ": "! 0 9TELLIG5T
LIFE4 ,& EV5 T 0 N ! .WOR/ T CD HAPP54
,"! 7 F> M T]RI# FATES1 B HE REFUS$ TO
3TEMPLATE !M4
  ,! ,9SPECTOR LOOK$ ACR AT ! CAGE1 !
GLASS BOX1 &! CRY/AL4 ,!N HE GOT A PAIR
( OP]A GLASSES \ ( AN 9N] POCKET & LOOK$
"? ^?4 ,HE CD / SEE NO?+ \ ( ORD]4
,SURELY1 HE TOLD HMF1 ! ,S5T9ELS WD "K
IF "S?+ _H G"O AMISS8                 #H
  ,HE /EPP$ BACK \TSIDE ! CLOCK FACE &
CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4
  8,ALL 9 ORD]1 WELL D"O1 Y ,S5T9ELS10
HE SD4 8,! WAT*^WS =! NEXT ,9SPECTOR W 2
,8,?I/LE1 PALM1 OAK & YEW1 ,I'M AN ,IN-
SPECTOR1 H"O/ & TRUE40' ,GOT T8--EXCEL-
L5T--WELL1 ,I'LL 2 (F40
  ,! ,TWELVE ,O',C ,S5T9EL SALUT$4 ,!
,9SPECTOR D(F$ 8 HAT ONCE M1 SWIVEL$ ON
"O HEEL1 & SET D[N 8 TRANSF] PLATE1
*ANT+ ! ^WS T WD TAKE HM 6! ,H\SE4 ,AC
6REGUL,NS1 HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6G VIA ! ,(FICE
( ,UNUSUAL ,ACTIVITIES ON ! =TY-FIFTE5?
FLOOR & REPORT1 B HE 0 UNSETTL$ & WANT$
6GET /RAI<T BACK 6! TW5TY-T5? FLOOR1 8
[N -=TA# /UDY1 &A NICE CUP ( TEA4
  8,F D1D />'S GLOOM 6B"R LAMP'S LI<T1
BACK 6MY ROOMS & AWAY F NI<T60
  ,2F HE CD /EP ON ! PLATE1 "S?+ SMALL1
SK9NY1 & V BLACK %OT ACR ! GOLD5 L9E1 2T
! LEGS (! ,TWELVE ,O',C ,S5T9EL1 ACR !
,9SPECTOR'S LEFT ,IMMAT]IAL ,BOOT1 & ON-
TO ! PLATE4 ,! BLUE & GRE5 FRUIT GLAZ$
ON ! PLATE FLA%$ &! PLATE1 BLACK /R1K &
ALL1 VANI%$ 9 A PUFF ( R RU2]Y &      #I
NA/Y-SMELL+ SMOKE4
  8,AL>M6 ,AL>M60 CRI$ ! ,S5T9ELS1 L1V+
! CLOCK FACE 6SW>M >.D ! VANI%$ PLATE1
_! BLADES SNICK]+ 9 ALL DIREC;NS Z ! S.D
( TWELVE IMPOSSIBLY L\D AL>M CLOCKS RANG
& RANG F "S": 9SIDE _! METAL BODIES4 ,!
,9SPECTOR %RANK D[N 2F ! ,S5T9ELS & />T$
6*EW ON ! CORN] ( 8 H&K]*IEF & SOB4 ,HE
KNEW :AT T BLACK /R1K WAS4 ,HE _H RECOG-
NIZ$ X 9 A FLA% ( T]ROR Z X SP$ PA/4
  ,X 0 A L9E ( H&WRITT5 TEXT4 ,! TEXT F
! FRAG;T T 0 SUPPOS$LY / FUS$ 9 CRY/AL1
LOCK$ 9 ! UNBR1KA# BOX1 9SIDE ! SILV] &
MALA*ITE CAGE1 GLU$ 6! SURFACE (A D1D
SUN & GU>D$ 0METAL ,S5T9ELS4
  ,ONLY N[ N"O ( ^? ?+S 0 TRUE4
  ,"O (! FRAG;TS (! ,W _H ESCAP$--& X 0
ALL 8 FAULT4
  ,EV5 WORSE1 X _H T\*$ HM1 /RIK+ 8 FLE%
/RAI<T "? ! ,IMMAT]IAL ,BOOT4 ,S HE KNEW
:AT X SD1 & HE 0 N ALL[$ 6"K4 ,EV5 M
%OCK+LY1 ! ,W _H RECALL$ HM 6HIS R1L DU-
TY4 ,=! F/ "T 9 MILL5NIA HE 0 3SCI\S ( J
H[ BADLY ?+S _H G"O WR;G4
  8,96! TRU/ ( MY GD ,MON"D1 ,I      #AJ
PLACE ! ADM9I/R,N (! ,L[] ,H\SE10 ! ,IN-
SPECTOR :ISP]$4 8,UNTIL S* A "T Z !
,HEIR OR ! ,HEIR'S REPRES5TATIVES CALL
^U ,MON"D 6REL9QUI% ANY S* (FICES1 PROP-
]TIES1 "RS1 & APPURT5.ES Z ,MON"D HOLDS
9 TRU/40
  ,! ,S5T9ELS DID N "U/& HM1 OR P]H !Y
CD N EV5 HE> HM OV] ! CLAMOR+ ( _! 9T]-
NAL AL>MS4 ,!Y _H SPR1D \1 USE.SLY SE>*+
! SURFACE (! D1D />1 B1MS ( 9T5SE LI<T
/R1M+ F _! EYES 96! D>K;S4 ,! /> 0 N
L>GE--NO M ?AN A ?\S& Y>DS 9 DIAMET]--B
! FRAG;T 0 L;G G"O4 ,! ,9SPECTOR KNEW X
WD ALR H LEFT 8 ROOMS & GOTT5 96! ,H\SE
PROP]4
  8,I H 6GET BACK10 ! ,9SPECTOR SD 6HMF4
8,! ,W W NE$ HELP4 ,TRANSF] PLATE'S G"O1
S X W H 6BE ! L;G WAY40
  ,HE R1*$ 96HIS COAT & PULL$ \ A GRIMY
& 2DRA7L$ PAIR ( W+S T 7 ALM Z TALL Z HE
WAS4 ,! ,9SPECTOR _HN'T US$ !M =A V L;G
"T & 0 SURPRIS$ AT ! /ATE !Y 7 IN4 ,!
F1!RS 7 ALL YELL[ & ASKEW &! P9IONS
DIDN'T LOOK AT ALL RELIA#4 ,HE CLIPP$ !M
96PLACE ON 8 BACK & TOOK A FEW T5-   #AA
TATIVE FLAPS 6MAKE SURE !Y / "W$4
  ,4TRACT$ 0HIS W+S1 ! ,9SPECTOR DIDN'T
NOTICE A SU45 FLA% ( LI<T ^U ! SURFACE (
! CLOCK1 OR ! TWO FIGURES :O APPE>$ ) T
FLA%4 ,!Y WORE HUMAN %APES TOO1 Z 0 !
FA%ION 9 ! ,H\SE4 ,B ^! TWO 7 TALL]1 ?9-
N]1 & M H&"S4 ,!Y _H ON N1T BLACK FROCK
COATS OV] CRISP :ITE %IRTS ) HI<-PO9T$
COLL>S & V N1T NECKTIES ( SOMB] R$1 A
%ADE LI<T] ?AN _! D>K SILK WAI/COATS4
,_! TOP HATS 7 SLEEKLY BLACK1 & !Y C>RI$
ORNATE EBONY /ICKS TOPP$ ) SILV] KNOBS4
  8,": D Y ?9K Y'RE GO+1 ,9SPECTOR80
ASK$ ! TALL] (! TWO NEW >RIVALS4
  ,! ,9SPECTOR TURN$ 9 %OCK1 & 8 W+S
DROOP$ / FUR!R4
  8,6REPORT1 SIR60 HE SD W1KLY4 8,Z Y C
SEE4 ,TO ''' 6MY IMM SUP]IORS ''' & TO
''' 6,MON"D'S ,DAWN1 OR EV5 ,MI/] ,MON-
"D1 IF HE WANTS '''0
  8,MI/] ,MON"D W "K SOON 5\<10 SD !
TALL G5TLEMAN4 8,Y "K :O WE >E80
  ,! ,9SPECTOR %OOK 8 H1D4 ,!Y 7 V HI<
UP 9 ! ,FIRM1 T 0 OBVI\S F _! CLO!S &!
P[] HE CD S5SE4 ,B HE DIDN'T "K      #AB
!M1 EI 0"N OR 0RANK4
  8,>E Y F ! SIXTY-HUNDR$? FLOOR8 ,MI/]
,MON"D'S EXECUTIVE (FICE80
  ,! TALL] G5TLEMAN SMIL$ & DREW A PAP]
F 8 WAI/COAT POCKET4 ,X UNFOLD$ XF Z HE
HELD X UP1 &! S1L ^U X %"O S B"RLY T !
,9SPECTOR _H 6%IELD 8 FACE ) 8 >M & DUCK
8 H1D4
  8,Z Y SEE1 WE S]VE A HI<] ,MA/] ?AN
,MON"D10 SD ! G5TLEMAN4 8,Y W -E ) U40
  ,! ,9SPECTOR GULP$ & %AM#D =W>D4 ,"O (
! G5TLEM5 SWIFTLY PULL$ ON A PAIR ( SN[Y
:ITE GLOVES & SNAPP$ (F ! ,9SPECTOR'S
W+S4 ,!Y %RANK TILL !Y 7 NO L>G] ?AN A
DOVE'S W+S & HE PUT !M 9 A BUFF 5VELOPE
T CAME F NO":4 ,HE S1L$ ? %UT )A SIZZL+
PRESS ( 8 ?UMB4 ,!N HE H&$ ! 5VELOPE 6!
,9SPECTOR4 ,! ^W .EVID;E APPE>$ ON X Z !
,9SPECTOR CLUT*$ X 6HIS *E/ & CA/ N]V\S
GL.ES AT 8 ESCORTS4
  ,"W+ TGR1 ! TWO G5TLEM5 DREW A DOORWAY
9 ! AIR ) _! /ICKS4 ,:5 !Y'D F9I%$1 !
SPACE %IMM]$ =A MO;T & !N SOLIDIFI$ 96AN
ELEVATOR DOORWAY1 )A SLID+ METAL GRILLE
&A BRONZE CALL BUTTON4 ,"O (! G5-    #AC
TLEM5 PRESS$ ! BUTTON1 & AN ELEVATOR C>
SU45LY APPE>$ \ ( NO": 2H ! GRILLE4
  8,I'M N AU?ORIZ$ 6G 9 AN EXECUTIVE EL-
EVATOR1 N UP PA/ ,RECORDS 0ANY M1NS1
/AIR OR LIFT OR WEIRDWAY10 GAB#D ! ,IN-
SPECTOR4 8,& ,I'M DEF9ITELY N ''' N AU-
?ORIZ$ 6G D[N 2L ! ,9K+ ,CELL>S40
  ,! TWO G5TLEM5 PU%$ BACK ! GRILLE &
GE/UR$ =! ,9SPECTOR 6/EP 96! ELEVATOR4
,X 0 L9$ ) D>K GRE5 VELVET & "O 5TIRE
WALL 0 COV]$ 9 SMALL BRONZE BUTTONS4
  8,WE'RE N GO+ D[N1 >E WE80 ASK$ ! ,IN-
SPECTOR 9 A SMALL VOICE4
  ,! TALL] G5TLEMAN SMIL$1 A COLD SMILE
T DID N R1* 8 EYES4 ,HE R1*$ UP & 8 >M
CLICK$ HORRIBLY Z X /RET*$1 GR[+ AN EX-
TRA C\PLE ( Y>DS S HE CD PRESS A BUTTON
ON ! V TOP "R-H& SIDE (! LIFT4
  8,"!80 ASK$ ! ,9SPECTOR1 AW$ 9 SPITE (
8 FE>4 ,HE CD FEEL ! ,W'S 9FLU;E "W+
AWAY 9SIDE ( HM1 B HE KNEW "! 0 NO HOPE
( TRY+ 6HELP X N[4 ,! ^WS T _H GOTT5
AWAY WD H 6F5D = !MVS4 8,ALL ! WAY 6!
TOP80
  8,YES10 SD ! TWO G5TLEM5 9 UNI-    #AD
SON Z !Y CLANG$ %UT ! METAL GRILLE4























               ,*APT] ,"O            #AE

  ,X 0 ,>?UR ,P5HALIGON'S F/ "D AT 8 NEW
S*OOL & X 0 N GO+ WELL4 ,HAV+ 6/>T TWO
WEEKS AF "EY"O ELSE 0 BAD 5\<1 B X 0 EV5
WORSE ?AN T4 ,>?UR 0 TOT,Y & UTT]LY NEW
6! S*OOL4 ,8 FAMILY _H J MOV$ 6! T[N1 S
HE KNEW ABSOLUTELY NO "O & HE _H N"O (!
LOCAL K T WD MAKE LIFE EASI]4
  ,L ! FACT ! SEV5? GRADE _H A CROSS-
C.TRY RUN E ,MON"D J 2F LUN*4 ,TD4 ,& X
0 -PULSORY1 UN.S SPECIAL >RANGE;TS _H
BE5 MADE 0A /UD5T'S P>5TS4 ,9 ADV.E4
  ,>?UR TRI$ 6EXPLA9 6! GYM T1*] T HE'D
ONLY J RECOV]$ F A S]IES ( V S]I\S AS?MA
ATTACKS & _H 9 FACT BE5 9 ! HOSPITAL ON-
LY A FEW WEEKS AGO4 ,2SS T1 HE 0 WE>+ !
/UPID S*OOL UNI=M ( GRAY PANTS )A :ITE
%IRT & TIE1 & L1!R %OES4 ,HE CDN'T RUN 9
^? CLO!S4
  ,= "S R1SON--P]H ! =TY O!R KIDS %\T+ &
*AS+ "O ANO!R >.D--ONLY ! SECOND "P (
,>?UR'S -PLA9T GOT "? 6! T1*]1 ,MI/]
,WEI<TMAN4
  8,LI/51 KID1 ! RULE IS "EYBODY RUNS1 9
:AT"E Y'RE WE>+60 SNAPP$ ! T1*]4     #AF
8,UN.S Y'RE SICK40
  8,I AM SICK60 PROTE/$ ,>?UR1 B 8 ^WS 7
LO/ Z "S"O SCR1M$ & SU45LY TWO GIRLS 7
PULL+ EA* O!R'S HAIR & TRY+ 6KICK %9S1 &
,WEI<TMAN 0 YELL+ AT !M & BL[+ 8 :I/LE4
  8,SETTLE D[N6 ,SUSAN1 LET G ( ,TANYA
"R N[6 ,OKAY1 Y "K ! C\RSE4 ,D[N ! "R
SIDE (! OVAL1 "? ! P>K1 >.D ! /ATUE1
BACK "? ! P>K1 & D[N ! O!R SIDE (! OVAL4
,F/ ?REE BACK GET 6G 6LUN* E>LY1 ! LA/
?REE GET 6SWEEP ! GYM4 ,L9E UP--,I SD
L9E UP1 DON'T GA7LE AB4 ,GET BACK1
,RICK4 ,R1DY8 ,ON MY :I/LE40
  ..,NO1 ,I'M N .R1DY1 ?"\ ,>?UR4 ,B HE
DIDN'T WANT 6/& \ ANY M 0-PLA9+ FUR!R OR
SIMPLY N GO+4 ,HE 0 ALR AN \TSID] "H1 A
LON] 9 ! MAK+1 & HE DIDN'T WANT 6BE4 ,HE
0 AN OPTIMI/4 ,HE CD H&LE ! RUN4
  ,>?UR GAZ$ ACR ! OVAL AT ! D5SE =E/
2Y1 : 0 OBVI\SLY M1NT 6BE A P>K4 ,X
LOOK$ M L A JUNGLE4 ,ANY?+ CD HAPP5 9
"!4 ,HE CD TAKE A RE/4 ,HE CD MAKE X T
F>1 NO PRO#M1 HE TOLD HMF4
  ,J = 9SUR.E1 ,>?UR FELT 9 8 POCKET = 8
9HAL]1 CLOS+ 8 F+]S >.D ! COOL1      #AG
-=T+ METAL & PLA/IC4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT TO
USE X1 DIDN'T WANT 6BE DEP5D5T ON ! M$I-
C,N4 ,B HE'D 5D$ UP 9 ! HOSPITAL LA/ "T
2C HE'D REFUS$ 6USE ! 9HAL] UNTIL X 0
TOO LATE1 & HE'D PROMIS$ 8 P>5TS HE
WDN'T D T AG4
  ,WEI<TMAN BLEW 8 :I/LE1 A L;G BLA/ T 0
ANSW]$ 9 _M DI6]5T WAYS4 ,A GR\P (! BIG-
GE/1 R\<E/-LOOK+ BOYS SPRANG \ L %OTGUN
PELLETS1 HITT+ "O ANO!R & %\T+ Z !Y AC-
CEL]AT$ AWAY4 ,A BUN* ( A?LETIC GIRLS1
TALL] & M L;G-LE7$ ?AN ANY BOYS AT _!
CURR5T AGE1 /R1M$ PA/ !M A FEW SECONDS
LAT]1 _! NOSES 9 ! AIR AT ! VULG> ANTICS
(! MONKEYS !Y 7 =C$ 6%>E A CLASS )4
  ,SMALL] GR\PS ( BOYS OR GIRLS--N"E
MIX$--FOLL[$ ) V>Y+ DEGREES ( 5?USIASM4
,AF !M CAME ! UNA?LETIC & NONCOMMITT$ &
^? TOO HIP 6RUN ANY":1 ?\< ,>?UR WASN'T
"PICUL>LY SURE : CATEGORY !Y EA* 2L;G$
TO4
  ,>?UR F.D HMF RUNN+ 2C HE DIDN'T H !
C\RAGE 6WALK4 ,HE KNEW HE WDN'T 2 MIS-
TAK5 = "S"O TOO COOL 6"PICIPATE4 ,2SS1
,MI/] ,WEI<TMAN 0 ALR JO7+ BACK-     #AH
W>DS S HE CD FACE ! WALK]S & 2RATE !M4
  8,YR NON"PICIP,N HAS BE5 NOT$10 BELL[$
,WEI<TMAN4 8,Y .W FAIL ? CLASS IF Y D N
PICK UP YR FEET60
  ,>?UR LOOK$ OV] 8 %\LD] 6SEE IF T _H
ANY RESULT4 ,"O KID BROKE 96A %AMBL+
RUN1 B ! RE/ (! WALK]S IGNOR$ ! T1*]4
,WEI<TMAN SPUN >.D 9 4GU/ & BUILT UP
SPE$4 ,HE OV]TOOK ,>?UR &! MI4LE GR\P (
RUNN]S & RAPIDLY CLOS$ ! GAP ON ! S]I\S
A?LETES AT ! FRONT4 ,>?UR CD ALR TELL HE
0 ! K9D ( GYM T1*] :O LIK$ 6B1T ! KIDS 9
A RACE4 ..,PROBABLY 2C HE CDN'T W9 AG/
O!R ADULT .RUNN]S1 ,>?UR ?"\ S\RLY4
  ,= ?REE OR MAYBE EV5 F\R M9UTES AF
,WEI<TMAN SP$ AWAY1 ,>?UR KEPT UP )! LA/
GR\P ( ACTUAL RUNN]S1 WELL AH1D (! WALK-
]S4 ,B Z HE _H FE>$1 HE F.D X H>D] &
H>D] 6GET A FULL BR1? 96HIS LUNGS4 ,!Y J
WDN'T EXP&1 Z IF !Y 7 ALR FULL ( "S?+ &
CDN'T LET ANY AIR IN4 ,)\T ! OXYG5 HE
NE$$1 ,>?UR GOT SL[] & SL[]1 FALL+ BACK
UNTIL HE 0 B>ELY 9 FRONT (! WALK]S4 ,8
BR1?+ 2CAME %ALL[] & %ALL[] &! _W N>R[$
>.D HM1 UNTIL ALL HE CD ?9K AB 0     #AI
TRY+ 6GET A DEC5T BR1? & KEEP PUTT+ "O
FOOT APPROXIMATELY 9 FRONT (! O!R4
  ,!N1 )\T ANY 3SCI\S 9T5;N1 ,>?UR F.D T
8 LEGS W]5'T MOV+ & HE 0 />+ UP AT !
SKY4 ,HE 0 LY+ ON 8 BACK ON ! GRASS4
,DIMLY1 HE R1LIZ$ HE M/ H BLACK$ \ &
FALL5 OV]4
  8,HEY1 >E Y TAK+ A BR1K OR IS "! A
PRO#M80 "S"O ASK$4 ,>?UR TRI$ 6SAY T HE
0 OKAY1 ?\< "S O!R "P ( 8 BRA9 0 GO+ (F
L A FIRE 5G9E SIR51 SCR1M+ T HE 0 DEFI-
NITELY N OKAY4 ,B NO ^WS CAME \ ( 8 M\?1
ONLY A %ORT1 RASP+ :EEZE4
  .,9HAL]6 .,9HAL]6 .,9HAL]6 SD ! SCR1M+
SIR5 "P ( 8 BRA94 ,>?UR FOLL[$ XS DIREC-
;N1 FUMBL+ 9 8 POCKET =! METAL CYL9D] )
XS PLA/IC M\?PIECE4 ,HE TRI$ 6RAISE X TO
8 M\?1 B :5 8 H& >RIV$ X 0 EMPTY4 ,HE'D
DROPP$ ! 9HAL]4
  ,!N "S"O ELSE PU%$ ! M\?PIECE 2T 8
LIPS &A COOL MI/ SU45LY FILL$ 8 M\? &
?ROAT4
  8,H[ _M PU6S80 ASK$ ! VOICE4
  .,?REE1 ?"\ ,>?UR4 ,T WD GET HM BR1?+1
AT L1/ 5 6/AY ALIVE4 ,?\< HE'D       #BJ
PROBABLY 2 BACK 9 ! HOSPITAL AG1 & ANO!R
WEEK OR TWO 3VALESC+ AT HOME4
  8,H[ _M PU6S80
  ,>?UR R1LIZ$ HE _HN'T ANSW]$4 ,W1KLY1
HE HELD \ ?REE F+]S & 0 REW>D$ 0TWO M
CL\DS ( M$IC9E4 ,X 0 ALR 2G9N+ 6"W4 ,8
%ALL[1 :EEZ+ BR1?S 7 ACTU,Y GETT+ "S AIR
96HIS LUNGS &1 9 TURN1 "S OXYG5 96HIS
BLOOD & 6HIS BRA94
  ,! CLOS$-IN1 3FUS$ _W HE'D BE5 EXP]I-
5C+ />T$ 6OP5 \ AG1 L SC5]Y UNFOLD$ ON A
/AGE4 ,9/1D ( J ! BLUE SKY RIMM$ ) D>K-
;S1 HE SAW A C\PLE ( KIDS CR\*$ NE> HM4
,!Y 7 TWO (! WALK]S1 ! "OS :O REFUS$ TO
RUN4 ,A GIRL &A BOY1 BO? DEFIANTLY N 9
S*OOL UNI=M OR GYM GE>1 WE>+ BLACK J1NS1
;,T-%IRTS F1TUR+ B&S ,>?UR DIDN'T "K1 &
SUNGLASSES4 ,!Y 7 EI SUP]-HIP & ULTRA-
COOL1 OR ! EXACT OPPOSITE4 ,>?UR 0 TOO
NEW 6! S*OOL &! :OLE T[N 6"K4
  ,! GIRL _H %ORT DY$ HAIR T 0 S BLOND X
0 ALM :ITE4 ,! BOY _H L;G1 DY$-BLACK
HAIR4 ,DESPITE ?1 !Y LOOK$ K9D (! SAME4
,X TOOK ,>?UR'S 3FUS$ M9D A SECOND 6"W \
T !Y _H 6BE TW9S1 OR AT L1/ BRO!R    #BA
& SI/]4 ,MAYBE "O _H 6REP1T A GRADE4
  8,$1 CALL #IAA10 9/RUCT$ ! GIRL4 ,%E 0
! "O :O _H GIV5 ,>?UR ! 9HAL]4
  8,! ,OCTOPUS 3FISCAT$ MY PH"O10 REPLI$
! BOY4 ,$4
  8,OKAY1 Y RUN BACK 6! GYM10 SD ! GIRL4
8,I'LL G AF ,WEI<TMAN40
  8,:AT =80 ASK$ ,$4 8,%DN'T Y /AY80
  8,NOPE1 NO?+ WE C D EXCEPT GET HELP10
SD ! GIRL4 8,WEI<TMAN'S GOT A PH"O4
,HE'S PROBABLY ALR ON 8 WAY BACK4 ,Y J
LIE "H & KEEP BR1?+40
  ,! LA/ ^WS 7 DIRECT$ AT ,>?UR4 ,HE
NO4$ FEEBLY & WAV$ 8 H&1 TELL+ !M 6G4
,N[ T 8 BRA9 0 AT L1/ "PI,Y FUNC;N+ AG1
HE 0 T]RIBLY EMB>RASS$4 ,F/ "D AT A NEW
S*OOL1 & HE _HN'T EV5 MADE X 6LUN*"T4 ,X
WD 2 EV5 WORSE -+ BACK4 ,HE WD 2 SE5 Z A
TOTAL LOS] &1 AF A MON? (! NEW T]M1 WD H
NO *.E ( EASILY CAT*+ UP OR MAK+ ANY
FRS4
  ..,AT L1/ ,I'M .ALIVE1 ,>?UR TOLD HMF4
,HE _H 6BE GRATE;L = T4 ,HE / CDN'T GET
A PROP] BR1?1 & HE 0 9CR$IBLY W1K1 B HE
MANAG$ 6PROP HMF UP ON "O ELB[ &     #BB
LOOK >.D4
  ,! TWO BLACK-CLAD KIDS 7 %[+ T !Y CD
RUN :5 !Y WANT$ TO4 ,>?UR WAT*$ ! GIRL
SPR9T "? ! GA7LE ( WALK]S L A CR[ DIVE-
BOMB+ A FLOCK ( SP>R[S1 & VANI% 96! TREE
L9E (! P>K4 ,LOOK+ ! O!R WAY1 ,>?UR SAW
,$ 0 AB 64APPE> >.D ! HI<1 BLANK BRICK
WALL (! GYM1 : BLOCK$ ! RE/ (! S*OOL F
VIEW4
  ,HELP WD 2 -+ SOON4 ,>?UR WILL$ HMF TO
2 CALM4 ,HE =C$ HMF UP 6A SITT+ POSI;N &
3C5TRAT$ ON TAK+ SL[ BR1?S1 Z DEEP Z HE
CD MANAGE4 ,)A BIT ( LUCK HE WD /AY CON-
SCI\S4 ,! MA9 ?+ 0 N 6PANIC4 ,HE'D BE5
"H 2F1 & HE'D -E "?4 ,HE _H ! 9HAL] 9 8
H&4 ,HE'D J /AY QUIET & /1 KEEP+ PANIC &
FE> SECURELY LOCK$ AWAY4
  ,A FLA% ( LI<T SU45LY 4TRACT$ ,>?UR F
8 SL[1 C.T$ BR1?S4 ,X HIT ! CORN] ( 8
EYE1 & HE SWUNG >.D 6SEE :AT X WAS4 ,=A
MO;T HE ?"\ HE 0 BLACK+ \ AG & 0 FALL+
OV] & LOOK+ UP AT ! SUN4 ,!N1 "? HALF-
%UT EYES1 HE R1LIZ$ T :AT"E ! BL9D+ LI<T
WAS1 X 0 ON ! GR.D & V CLOSE4
  ,9 FACT1 X 0 MOV+1 GLID+ ACR !     #BC
GRASS T[>DS HM1 ! LI<T LOS+ XS BRILLI.E
Z X DREW NE>]4 ,>?UR WAT*$ 9 /UNN$
AMAZE;T Z A D>K \TL9E 2CAME VISI# )9 !
LI<T4 ,!N ! LI<T FAD$ -PLETELY1 6REV1L A
WEIRDLY DRESS$ MAN 9 A V /RANGE SORT (
:EEL*AIR 2+ PU%$ ACR ! GRASS 0AN EQU,Y
ODD-LOOK+ ATT5DANT4
  ,! :EEL*AIR 0 L;G & N>R[1 L A BA?1 & X
0 MADE ( WOV5 WICK]4 ,X _H "O SMALL :EEL
AT ! FRONT & TWO BIG "OS AT ! BACK4 ,ALL
?REE :EELS _H METAL RIMS1 )\T RU2]
TIRES1 OR ANY SORT ( TIRE1 S ! :EEL*AIR
--OR :EEL-BA?1 OR BA?-*AIR1 OR :AT"E X 0
--SANK H1VILY 96! GRASS4
  ,! MAN LY+ BACK 9 ! BA?-*AIR 0 ?9 &
PALE1 8 SK9 L TISSUE PAP]4 ,HE LOOK$ Q
"Y1 ?\<1 NO M ?AN TW5TY1 & 0 V H&"S1 )
EV5 F1TURES & BLUE EYES1 ?\< ^! 7 HOOD$1
Z IF HE 0 V TIR$4 ,HE _H AN ODD R.D HAT
)A TASSEL ON 8 BLOND H1D & 0 WE>+ :AT
LOOK$ 6,>?UR L "S SORT ( KUNG FU ROBE1 (
R$ SILK ) BLUE DRAGONS ALL OV] X4 ,HE _H
A T>TAN BLANKET OV] 8 LEGS1 B 8 SLIPP]S
/UCK \ ! 5D4 ,!Y 7 R$ SILK TOO1 & %IMM]$
9 ! SUN )A PATT]N T ,>?UR CDN'T Q    #BD
FOCUS ON4
  ,! MAN :O 0 PU%+ ! *AIR 0 EV5 M \ (
PLACE4 ,OR \ ( "T4 ,HE LOOK$ "S:AT L A
BUTL] F AN OLD MOVIE1 OR ,NE/OR F ! ,T9-
T9 -ICS1 ?\< HE 0 NO": NE> Z N1T4 ,HE _H
ON AN OV]SIZ$ BLACK COAT ) RIDICUL\SLY
L;G TAILS T ALM T\*$ ! GR.D1 & 8 :ITE
%IRTFRONT 0 /IFF & V SOLID1 Z IF X 0
MADE ( PLA/IC4 ,HE _H KNITT$ HALF GLOVES
T 7 UNRAVELL+ ON 8 H&S1 & BITS ( LOOSE
WOOL HUNG OV] 8 F+]S4 ,>?UR NOTIC$ )
4TA/E T 8 F+]NAILS 7 V L;G & YELL[1 Z 7
8 TEE?4 ,HE 0 M* OLD] ?AN ! MAN HE PU%$1
8 FACE L9$ & PITT$ ) AGE1 8 :ITE HAIR
ONLY GR[+ ON ! BACK ( 8 H1D1 ?\< X 0 V
L;G4 ,HE _H 6BE AT L1/ EI<TY1 B HE _H NO
DI6ICULTY PU%+ ! BA?-*AIR /RAI<T T[>DS
,>?UR4
  ,! TWO M5 7 TALK+ Z !Y APPROA*$4 ,!Y
SEEM$ 5TIRELY UNAW>E ( ,>?UR1 OR UN9T]-
E/$ 9 HM4
  8,I DON'T "K :Y ,I KEEP Y UP/AIRS1
,SNEEZ]10 SD ! MAN 9 ! BA?-*AIR4 8,OR
AGREE 6YR RIDICUL\S PLANS40
  8,N[1 N[1 SIR10 SD ! BUTL]-TYPE1   #BE
:O 0 OBVI\SLY CALL$ ,SNEEZ]4 ,N[ T !Y 7
CLOS]1 ,>?UR NOTIC$ T 8 NOSE 0 R R$ & _H
A PAT*"W ( BROK5 BLOOD VESSELS %9+ "U !
SK94 8,X'S N A PLAN1 B A PRECAU;N4 ,WE
DON'T WANT 6BE BO!R$ 0! ,W1 D WE80
  8,I S'POSE N10 GRUM#D ! "Y MAN4 ,HE
YAWN$ WIDELY & CLOS$ 8 EYES4 8,Y'RE SURE
T WE'LL F9D "S"O SUITA# "H80
  8,SURE Z E7S IS E7S10 REPLI$ ,SNEEZ]4
8,SUR] EV51 E7S N ALW 2+ :AT "O MI<T EX-
PECT4 ,I SET ! DIALS MYF1 6F9D "S"O
SUITABLY ON ! $GE ( 9F9;Y4 ,Y GIVE HM !
,KEY1 HE DIES1 Y GET X BACK4 ,ANO!R T5
?\S& YE>S )\T TR\#1 &! ,W C'T QUIB# COS
Y .DID GIVE UP ! ,KEY 6"O 9 ! L9E ( H]$-
;Y1 Z X W]E40
  8,X'S V ANNOY+10 SD ! "Y MAN1 YAWN+
AG4 8,I'M Q EXHAU/$ ) ALL ? RUNN+ >.D &
ANSW]+ ^? RIDICUL\S 9QUIRIES F UP TOP4
,H[ %D ,I "K H[ T BIT (! ,W GOT \8 ,I'M
N GO+ 6WRITE A REPORT1 Y "K4 ,I HAV5'T !
5]GY4 ,9 FACT1 ,I RE,Y NE$ A NAP--0
  8,N N[1 SIR1 N N[10 SD ,SNEEZ] URG5T-
LY4 ,HE %AD$ 8 EYES ) "O DIRTY1 HALF-
GLOV$ H& & LOOK$ >.D4 ,/RANGELY1     #BF
HE / SEEM$ UNA# 6SEE ,>?UR1 ?\< HE 0 "R
9 FRONT ( HM4 8,WE'RE ALM "!40
  8,WE >E "!10 SD ! "Y MAN COLDLY4 ,HE
PO9T$ AT ,>?UR Z IF ! BOY _H SU45LY AP-
PE>$ \ ( NO":4 8,IS T X80
  ,SNEEZ] LEFT ! BA?-*AIR & ADV.ED ON
,>?UR4 ,8 ATTEMPT AT A SMILE REV1L$ EV5
M YELL[ TEE?1 "S ( !M BROK51 B ALL TOO
_M ( !M %>P & DOGLIKE4
  8,HELLO1 MY BOY10 HE SD4 8,LET'S H A
B[ = ,MI/] ,MON"D40
  ,>?UR />$ AT HM4 ..,X M/ 2 AN UN"KN
SIDE .E6ECT1 HE ?"\4 .,OXYG5 .DEPRIV,N4
.,HALLUC9,NS4
  ,A MO;T LAT]1 HE FELT A H>D BONY H&
GRIP 8 H1D & BOB X =W>D S"EAL "TS1 Z
,SNEEZ] MADE HM B[ 6! MAN 9 ! BA?-*AIR4
,! %OCK & UNPL1SANT;S (! T\* MADE ,>?UR
C\< & LOSE ALL 8 H>D-WON 3TROL OV] 8
BR1?+4 ,N[ HE RE,Y 0 PANICK+1 & HE CDN'T
BR1! AT ALL4
  8,BR+ HM "H10 9/RUCT$ ,MI/] ,MON"D4 ,)
A LANGUID SI<1 HE L1N$ OV] ! SIDE (!
BA?-*AIR Z ,SNEEZ] DRA7$ ,>?UR EF=T.SLY
OV]1 US+ ONLY TWO F+]S 6PICK ! BOY   #BG
UP 0! BACK ( 8 NECK4
  8,Y'RE SURE ? "O W DIE /RAI<T AWAY80
,MI/] ,MON"D ASK$1 R1*+ \ 6LIFT ,>?UR'S
*9 & LOOK AT 8 FACE4 ,UNLIKE ,SNEEZ]1
,MON"D'S H&S 7 CL1N & 8 NAILS TRIMM$4
,"! 0 H>DLY ANY =CE 9 8 GRIP1 B ,>?UR
F.D HE CDN'T MOVE AT ALL1 Z IF ,MI/]
,MON"D _H PRESS$ A N]VE T P>ALYZ$ 8 :OLE
BODY4
  ,SNEEZ] RUMMAG$ 9 8 POCKET ) "O H&1 N
LETT+ G ( ,>?UR'S NECK4 ,HE PULL$ \ HALF
A DOZ5 SCRUN*$-UP PIECES ( PAP]1 : HUNG
9 ! AIR Z IF HE'D LAID !M ON AN 9VISI#
DESK4 ,HE SORT$ "? !M QKLY1 SMOO!D "O \1
& HELD X AG/ ,>?UR'S *EEK4 ,! PAP] %"O )
A B"R BLUE LI<T & ,>?UR'S "N APPE>$ ON X
9 LRS ( GOLD4
  8,X'S HM1 NO D\BT AT ALL10 SD ,SNEEZ]4
,HE ?RU/ ! PAP] BACK 9 8 POCKET1 & ALL !
O!RS W5T BACK 9 Z IF !Y 7 JO9$ TGR ON A
?R1D4 8,>?UR ,P5HALIGON4 ,DUE 6DROP (F !
TWIG ANY M9UTE4 ,Y'D BE/ GIVE HM ! ,KEY1
SIR40
  ,MI/] ,MON"D YAWN$ AG & LET G (
,>?UR'S *94 ,!N HE SL[LY R1*$ IN-    #BH
SIDE ! LEFT SLEEVE ( 8 SILK ROBE & PULL$
\ A SL5D] METAL SPIKE4 ,X LOOK$ V M* L A
?9-BLAD$ KNIFE )\T A H&LE4 ,>?UR />$ AT
X1 8 M9D & SI<T ALR FUZZY AG F LACK (
OXYG54 ,"S": 9 8 H1D1 "U T FUZZI;S1 !
PANICK$ VOICE T _H TOLD HM 6USE 8 9HAL]
0 SCR1M+ AG4
  ..,RUN AWAY6 ,RUN AWAY6 ,RUN .AWAY6
  ,?\< ! WEIRD P>ALYSIS F ,MON"D'S T\*
_H G"O1 ,SNEEZ]'S GRIP DID N LESS5 =A
MO;T1 & ,>?UR SIMPLY _H NO /R5G? 6BR1K
FREE4
  8,0! P[]S VE/$ 9 ME "U ! >RANGE;TS EN-
T]$ 96IN ! BLAH1 BLAH1 BLAH10 MUTT]$
,MI/] ,MON"D4 ,HE SPOKE TOO QKLY = ,>?UR
6MAKE \ :AT HE 0 SAY+4 ,HE DIDN'T SL[
D[N UNTIL HE R1*$ ! F9AL FEW ^WS4 8,& S
LET ! ,W 2 D"O40
  ,Z HE F9I%$1 ,MON"D ?RU/ \ )! BLADE4
,AT ! SAME "T1 ,SNEEZ] LET ,>?UR G &!
BOY FELL BACK ON ! GRASS4 ,MON"D LAU<$
WE>ILY & DROPP$ ! BLADE 96,>?UR'S OP5
H&4 ,9/ANTLY1 ,SNEEZ] MADE ,>?UR WRAP 8
F+]S >.D X1 PU%+ S H>D T ! METAL BIT 9TO
8 SK94 ,)! PA9 CAME ANO!R SU45       #BI
%OCK4 ,>?UR F.D T HE CD BR1!4 ,X 0 Z IF
A CAT* _H BE5 TURN$ AT ! TOP ( 8 LUNGS1
UNLOCK+ !M 6LET AIR IN4
  8,&! O!R10 SD ,SNEEZ] URG5TLY4 8,HE
HAS 6H X ALL40
  ,MON"D PE]$ ACR AT 8 S]VANT & FR[N$4
,HE AL />T$ 6YAWN1 B QUA%$ X1 TAK+ AN
ANGRY SWIPE ACR 8 [N FACE4
  8,Y'RE V KE5 =! ,KEY 6L1VE MY POSSES-
.N1 EV5 IF ONLY =A FEW M9UTES10 SD ,MON-
"D4 ,HE'D BE5 AB 6TAKE "S?+ ELSE \ ( 8
O!R SLEEVE1 B N[ HE HESITAT$4 8,& 6GIVE
ME BOIL$ BR&Y & WAT]4 ,TOO M* BOIL$ BR&Y
& WAT]4 ,P]H1 9 MY WE>I;S1 ,I H N GIV5 ?
MATT] Q ! ?"\ '''0
  8,IF ! ,W F9DS Y1 & Y H N GIV5 ! ,KEY
6A SUITA# ,HEIR--0
  8,IF ! ,W F9DS ME10 MUS$ ,MON"D4 8,:AT
( X8 ,IF ! REPORTS 2 TRUE1 ONLY A FEW
L9ES H ESCAP$ _! DUR.E4 ,I WOND] H[ M*
P[] !Y HOLD80
  8,X WD 2 SAF] N 6PUT X 6! TE/10 SD
,SNEEZ]1 WIP+ 8 NOSE ON 8 SLEEVE4 ,ANXI-
ETY OBVI\SLY MADE 8 NOSE RUN4
  8,)! -PLETE ,KEY 9 8 POSSES.N1 !   #CJ
BOY MI<T LIVE10 OBS]V$ ,MON"D4 ,=! F/ "T
HE SAT UP /RAI<T 9 8 BA?-*AIR &! SLEEPY
LOOK 0 G"O F 8 EYES4 8,2SS1 ,SNEEZ]1 X
SEEMS ODD 6ME T Y ( ALL MY S]VANTS %D H
-E UP ) ? PLAN40
  8,H[ S1 SIR80 ASK$ ,SNEEZ]4 ,HE TRI$
6SMILE 9GRATIAT+LY1 B ! E6ECT 0 REPUL-
SIVE4
  8,2C G5],Y Y'RE AN IDIOT60 %\T$ ,MON"D
9 A RAGE4 ,HE FLICK$ A F+] & AN UNSE5
=CE /RUCK ,SNEEZ] & ,>?UR1 S5D+ !M TUM-
BL+ R\<LY ACR ! GRASS4 8,^: GAME >E Y
PLAY+ "H1 ,SNEEZ]8 ,Y'RE 9 L1GUE )!
,MORR[ ,"DS1 >5'T Y8 ,Y & T ,9SPECTOR1 &
! ,W SAFE Z "E8 ,D Y EXPECT 6TAKE OV] MY
(FICE80
  8,NO10 SD ,SNEEZ]4 ,HE SL[LY /OOD UP &
2GAN 6ADV.E ^U ! BA?-*AIR4 ,) EA* /EP1 8
VOICE *ANG$1 2COM+ L\D] & CLE>]1 BOOM+
96! 4T.E4 ,TRUMPETS S.D$ Z HE TROD1 &
,>?UR SAW LRS ( %>P BLACK 9K =M ^U 8
SK94 ,! LRS D.ED & JO9$ 96L9ES ( TYPE T
RU%$ ACR ,SNEEZ]'S FACE L LIV+1 %9+ TAT-
TOOS4
  8,96! TRU/ ( MY GD ,MON"D1 ,I      #CA
PLACE ! ADM9I/R,N (! ,L[] ,H\SE10 SD BO?
! TYPE &! BOOM+ VOICE T CAME \ ( 8 M\?1
B 0 N ,SNEEZ]'S4 8,UNTIL--0
  ,>?UR CDN'T 2LIEVE ! LANGUID ,MON"D CD
MOVE S FA/4 ,HE DREW "S?+ F 8 SLEEVE1 A
GLITT]+ OBJECT T HE PO9T$ AT ,SNEEZ] Z
HE %\T$ D1F5+ ^WS T S.D$ L ?"UCLAPS1 !
VIBR,N ( !M SMA%+ "? ! AIR & %AK+ ! GR.D
": ,>?UR LAY4
  ,"! 0 A FLA% ( LI<T1 A 3CUS.N T %OOK !
E>?1 &A /IFL$ SCR1M1 ?\< ,>?UR DID N "K
:O X CAME F1 ,SNEEZ] OR ,MI/] ,MON"D4
  ,>?UR %UT 8 EYES4 ,:5 HE OP5$ !M AG1
,MON"D1 BA?-*AIR1 & ,SNEEZ] _H 4APPE>$1
B "! 0 / BLACK TYPE RUNN+ 9 A ?R1D "? !
AIR1 MOV+ TOO QKLY = HM 6R1D ! ^WS4 ,!
LRS TWIRL$ ABV ,>?UR 96A SPIRAL1 A :IRL-
W9D ( %9Y LRS4 ,"S?+ H1VY MAT]IALIZ$ 2T
! L9ES ( TYPE & FELL D[N1 /RIK+ HM %>PLY
ON ! H1D4
  ,X 0 A BOOK1 A SLIM NOTEBOOK1 NO BI7]
?AN ,>?UR'S H&4 ,X 0 B.D 9 GRE5 CLO?4
,>?UR ABS5TLY PICK$ X UP & SLID X 96HIS
%IRT POCKET4 ,HE LOOK$ UP & >.D AG1 B !
L9ES ( TYPE 7 G"O4 ,!Y _H SL[$ D[N   #CB
J L;G 5 = HM 6MAKE \ ONLY F\R ^WS3
.,HEIR1 .,MON"D1 & .,! .,W4
  ,>?UR CD SEE ,MI/] ,WEI<TMAN SPR9T+
T[>DS HM N[1 A PH"O AT 8 E>1 &! S*OOL
NURSE RUNN+ M* M SL[LY F ! DIREC;N (!
GYM1 AN ,OXY-,VIVA CASE 9 H] H&4 ,2H
,WEI<TMAN CAME ! :OLE ( ,>?UR'S GYM
CLASS4 ,EV5 ! WALK]S 7 RUNN+4
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT !M & WD H GROAN$ IF ANY
AIR CD H GOTT5 \ ( 8 LUNGS4 ,N ONLY 0 HE
GO+ 6DIE1 X WD 2 9 FRONT ( "EYBODY4 ,!Y
WD ALL 2 9T]VIEW$ ON ,,TV & SAY ?+S T
S.D$ SORT ( NICE B RE,Y M1NT !Y ?"\ HE 0
A /UPID LOS]4
  ,!N HE NOTIC$ T HE .CD BR1!4 ,=A :ILE
"! 8 BRA9 _H BE5 TRIPP+ \ F LACK ( OXY-
G51 ) VI.NS & "EY?+1 B ! 9HAL] _H "W$
SU6ICI5TLY WELL 6GET HM OV] ! WOR/4 ,HE
CD BR1! A BIT1 & X 0 WOR? ! PA9 9 8 H&--
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT T H&4 ,X 0 / CL5*$ 9 A
FI/1 )A TRICKLE ( BLOOD RUNN+ \ 2L 8 LL
F+]4 ,HE'D ?"\ HE 0 CLUT*+ 8 9HAL]1 B HE
WASN'T4 ,HE 0 HOLD+ A WEIRD /RIP ( MET-
AL1 %>P-PO9T$ ON "O 5D )A CIRCUL> LOOP
ON ! O!R4 ,X 0 H1VY & 0 MADE (       #CC
SILV] ) FANCY GOLD 9LAY1 ALL SWIRLS &
CURLICUES4
  ,>?UR />$ AT X =A SECOND 2F HE R1LIZ$
:AT X WAS4 ,X 0 ! M9UTE H& ( "S SORT (
ANTIQUE CLOCK4 ,X 0 R1L & S 0 ! NOTEBOOK
9 8 POCKET4 ,MI/] ,MON"D & ,SNEEZ] _H
BE5 "!4 ,X WASN'T ALL AN OXYG5-DEPRIV,N
DR1M4
  ,WEI<TMAN &! NURSE WD 2 ON HM 9 A M9-
UTE4 ,>?UR LOOK$ >.D WILDLY1 TRY+ 6?9K (
"S": HE CD HIDE ! CLOCK H&4 ,X WD 2 TAK5
AWAY F HM = SURE4
  ,"! 0 A PAT* ( 4COLOR$ GRASS A FEW
PACES AWAY4 ,>?UR CRAWL$ OV] 6X & PLUNG$
! M9UTE H& 96! E>?1 UNTIL ONLY ! HOLL[
CIRCLE REMA9$1 HI45 0"S TUFTS ( YELL[
GRASS4
  ,Z SOON Z HE LET ! H& G1 HE FELT 8 *E/
TI<T54 ,T CAT* _H SNAPP$ %UT AG1 & "! 0
NO M AIR4 ,>?UR ROLL$ OV]1 TRY+ 6PUT "S
4T.E 2T HMF &! M9UTE H&4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT
ANY"O ELSE 6F9D X4
  ,HE'D -E BACK 6GET X Z SOON Z HE CD1
HE ?"\4
  ,IF HE LIV$4                       #CD
























              ,*APT] ,TWO            #CE

  ,>?UR 0 / 9 ! HOSPITAL TW5TY-F\R H\RS
AF ! /RANGE EV5TS ( ,MON"D MORN+4 ,HE _H
SP5T MO/ ( T "T UNCONSCI\S & / FELT DAZ$
& 3FUS$4 ,?\< HE 0 BR1?+ R1SONABLY WELL
AG1 ! DOCTORS WANT$ 6KEEP HM 9 =A FEW M
"DS 2C ( 8 HI/ORY4
  ,=TUNATELY ,>?UR'S "M 0 A V IMPORTANT
M$ICAL RESE>*] :O "W$ =! GOV]N;T1 S N
ONLY DID ! :OLE FAMILY H ! BE/ M$ICAL
9SUR.E1 DOCTORS ALL >.D ! C.TRY KNEW
,DR4 ,EMILY ,P5HALIGON & H] "W4 ,>?UR
ALW GOT GD TR1T;T & 0 KEPT 9 ! HOSPITAL
EV5 :5 !Y MADE O!R SICK] P L1VE4 ,HE
USU,Y FELT BAD AB T LAT]1 B :5 HE 0 AC-
TU,Y 9 ! HOSPITAL HE 0 TOO ILL 6?9K AB
X4
  ,>?UR'S "F 0 A MUSICIAN4 ,HE 0 A V GD
MUSICIAN1 B N ALW A V -M]CI,Y M9D$ "O4
,HE WROTE BRILLIANT S;GS & !N =GOT 6D
ANY?+ ) !M4 ,HE'D BE5 ! GUIT> PLAY] 9 A
FAM\S B& CALL$ ,! ,RATZ ?IRTY-FIVE YE>S
AGO1 & "S"TS P / RECOGNIZ$ HM4 ,HE'D BE5
CALL$ ,PLAGUE ,RAT !N1 B _H L;G S9CE G"O
BACK 6HIS ORIG9AL "N1 ,ROB]T         #CF
8,BOB0 ,P5HALIGON4 ,HE / GOT A LOT (
M"OY F 8 "T 9 ,! ,RATZ1 S9CE HE'D WRITT5
MO/ (! S;GS1 "S ( : 7 MULTIPLAT9UM SELL-
]S4 ,!Y / GOT PLAY$ ON "S RADIO /,NS Q A
LOT & NEW B&S US$ SAMPLES F !M1 "PICUL>-
LY ,BOB'S GUIT> "PS4
  ,^! "DS1 ,BOB ,P5HALIGON LOOK$ AF !
FAMILY & NOODL$ AWAY ON "O ( 8 ?REE PI-
ANOS OR "O ( 8 TWELVE GUIT>S1 :ILE ,EMI-
LY ,P5HALIGON SP5T M "T ?AN %E WANT$ 6IN
H] LABORATORY DO+ ?+S ) ,,DNA & -PUT]S T
B5EFIT$ ! :OLE HUMAN RACE B TOOK H] AWAY
F H] [N FAMILY4
  ,>?UR _H SIX BRO!RS & SI/]S4 ,! ELDE/
?REE1 TWO BOYS &A GIRL1 7 F ,BOB'S LIAI-
SONS ) ?REE DI6]5T WOM5 :5 HE 0 ON T\R )
,! ,RATZ4 ,! F\R? 0 F ,EMILY'S F/ M>-
RIAGE4 ,! NEXT TWO 7 BO? ,BOB & ,EMI-
LY'S4
  ,!N "! 0 ,>?UR4 ,HE 0 ADOPT$4 ,8 BIR?
P>5TS _H BO? BE5 DOCTORS :O "W$ ) ,EMI-
LY4 ,!Y'D DI$ 9 ! LA/ RE,Y BIG 9FLU5ZA
EPIDEMIC1 ! "O T _H F9,Y BE5 3TROLL$ 0A
NEW ANTI-FLU DRUG !Y'D HELP$ 64COV]--Z
"P ( ,EMILY'S T1M4 ,>?UR _H ONLY     #CG
BE5 A WEEK OLD :5 !Y DI$4 ,HE'D LIV$ "?
! FLU1 B HE 0 PROBABLY AN AS?MATIC 2C (
X4 ,2SS 8 P>5TS1 HE _H NO IMM FAMILY1 S
,EMILY & ,BOB _H BE5 SU3ESS;L 9 _! AP-
PLIC,N 6ADOPT4
  ,X DIDN'T WORRY ,>?UR T HE 0 ADOPT$4
,B E N[ & !N HE WD L1F "? ! PHOTO ALBUM
T 0 ALM ALL HE _H 6REMEMB] 8 BIR? P>5TS4
,! O!R ?+ 0 A %ORT VIDEO F _! W$D+1 : HE
F.D ALM UNBE>A# 6WAT*4 ,! 9FLU5ZA PLAGUE
_H KILL$ !M ONLY EI<TE5 MON?S LAT]1 &
EV5 6,>?UR !Y LOOK$ RIDICUL\SLY "Y4 ,HE
LIK$ T Z HE GOT OLD] HE LOOK$ M L BO? 8
BIR? P>5TS1 9 DI6]5T WAYS4 ,S !Y LIV$ ON
9 HM4
  ,>?UR _H "KN HE 0 ADOPT$ S9CE HE 0 LL4
,BOB & ,EMILY TR1T$ ALL ! *N ! SAME WAY1
&! *N 3SID]$ !MVS ALL BRO!RS & SI/]S4
,!Y N"E 9TRODUC$ "O ANO!R Z 8HALF BRO!R0
OR 8HALF SI/]0 & N"E EXPLA9$ ! FACT T "!
7 TW5TY YE>S 2T ! ELDE/1 ,]AZMUZ 7BORN 9
,BOB'S ROCK MUSIC HEY"D71 &! "YE/1 ,>-
?UR4 ,!Y AL DIDN'T EXPLA9 ! DI6];E 9
LOOKS1 SK9 COLOR1 OR ANY?+ ELSE4 ,!Y 7
SIMPLY ALL "P (! FAMILY1 EV5 IF      #CH
ONLY ! "YE/ ?REE 7 / AT HOME4
  ,! F\R ELDE/ 7 ,]AZMUZ1 :O 0 A MAJOR 9
! >MY & _H *N ( 8 [N2 ,/>IA1 A S]I\S !A-
T] ACTRESS2 ,EM9OR1 A MUSICIAN1 :O'D
*ANG$ 8 "N 6,PATRICK2 & ,SUZANNE1 :O 0
AT COLLEGE4 ,! ?REE AT HOME 7 ,MI*AELI1
:O 0 AT A LOCAL COLLEGE2 ,]IC1 :O 0 9 8
LA/ YE> ( HI< S*OOL2 & ,>?UR4
  ,>?UR'S "F1 ,MI*AELI1 & ,]IC _H ALR
BE5 6SEE HM ! NI<T 2F1 & 8 "M _H POPP$ 9
E>LY 9 ! MORN+ 6*ECK T HE 0 OKAY4 ,ONCE
%E 0 SURE ( T1 %E LECTUR$ HM AB X 2+
BETT] 6LOOK L A TOTAL LOS] 9 "EY"O'S
EYES ?AN 6BE D1D4
  ,>?UR ALW KNEW :5 8 "M 0 APPROA*+1 2C
DOCTORS & NURSES WD APPE> F ALL OV] !
PLACE1 &1 0! "T %E >RIV$1 ,EMILY WD 2
TRAIL+ EI<T OR N9E :ITE-COAT$ P 2H H]4
,>?UR 0 US$ 6H] 2+ A ,M$ICAL ,LEG5D1 J Z
HE 0 US$ 6HIS "F 2+ A ,=M] ,MUSICAL
,LEG5D4
  ,S9CE ALL ( 8 FAMILY 9 T[N _H ALR VIS-
IT$ ONCE1 ,>?UR 0 SURPRIS$ :5 TWO M P
CAME 6SEE HM E>LY ON ,TUES"D AFN4 ,KIDS
8 [N AGE4 ,HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE !M    #CI
=A SECOND1 S9CE !Y W]5'T WE>+ BLACK4 ,!N
HE R1LIZ$ :O !Y W]E4 ,$ &! GIRL :O _H
HELP$ HM USE ! 9HAL]4 ,? "T !Y 7 9 REGU-
L> S*OOL UNI=M1 :ITE %IRTS1 GRAY TR\S]S1
BLUE TIES4
  8,HI10 SD ! GIRL F ! DOOR4 8,C WE -E
IN80
  8,UH1 SURE10 MUM#D ,>?UR4 ,:AT CD ^!
TWO WANT8
  8,WE DIDN'T MEET PROP]LY YE/]"D10 SD !
GIRL4 8,I'M ,L1F40
  8,LEI?80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,%E'D PRON\NC$ X
/RANGELY4
  8,NO1 ,L1F1 Z 9 .F .A .TREE10 SD ,L1F
RELUCTANTLY4 8,\R P>5TS *ANG$ _! "NS TO
REFLECT _! -MIT;T 6! 5VIRON;T40
  8,DAD CALLS HMF ,TREE10 SD ! BOY4
8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE ,BRAN* B ,I DON'T USE
X4 ,CALL ME ,$40
  8,"R10 SD ,>?UR4 8,L1F & ,$4 ,MY DAD
US$ 6BE CALL$ ,PLAGUE ,RAT40
  8,NO60 EXCLAIM$ ,L1F & ,$4 8,Y M1N F
,! ,RATZ80
  8,Y1H40 ,>?UR 0 SURPRIS$4 ,NORM,Y ONLY
OLD P KNEW ! "NS (! 9DIVIDUAL MEM-   #DJ
B]S ( ,! ,RATZ4
  8,WE'RE 96MUSIC10 SD ,L1F1 SEE+ 8 SUR-
PRISE4 ,%E LOOK$ D[N AT H] S*OOL UNI=M4
8,T'S :Y WE 7 WE>+ R1L CLO!S YE/]"D4 ,"!
0 A LUN*-"T APPE>.E 0,ZEUS ,SUIT AT !
MALL & WE DIDN'T WANT 6LOOK /UPID40
  8,B WE MISS$ X ANYWAY10 SD ,$4 8,2C (
Y40
  8,UH1 :AT D Y M1N80 ASK$ ,>?UR W>ILY4
8,I'M RE,Y GRATE;L 6Y GUYS--0
  8,X'S OKAY10 SD ,L1F4 8,:AT ,$ M1NS IS
WE MISS$ ,ZEUS ,SUIT 2C WE _H "S?+ M IM-
PORTANT 6D AF WE ''' ,I M1N ,I ''' SAW
^? TWO WEIRD GUYS &! :EEL*AIR ?+40
  8,:EEL*AIR ?+8 ,WEIRD GUYS80 ,>?UR RE-
P1T$4 ,HE'D MANAG$ 63V9CE HMF T HE'D
FLIPP$ \ & IMAG9$ "EY?+1 ?\< HE _HN'T
WANT$ 6PUT X 6! TE/ 0*ECK+ 8 S*OOL %IRT
POCKET =! NOTEBOOK4 ,! %IRT 0 HANG+ UP 9
! CLOSET4
  8,Y1H1 RE,Y WEIRD10 SD ,L1F4 8,I SAW
!M APPE> 9 A FLA% ( LI<T & !Y 4APPE>$ !
SAME WAY1 J 2F WE GOT BACK 6Y4 ,X 0
MI<TY /RANGE1 B NOBODY ELSE BL9K$ AN
EYE4 ,I RECKON X'S 2C ,I'VE GOT      #DA
SECOND SI<T F \R GRT-GRT-GR&"M4 ,%E 0 AN
,IRI% WIT*40
  8,%E 0 ,IRI%1 ANYWAY10 SD ,$4 8,I
DIDN'T SEE :AT ,L1F SD %E SAW4 ,B WE W5T
BACK 6H A LOOK >.D LAT]4 ,WE'D ONLY BE5
"! FIVE M9UTES :5 ^! GUYS CAME \ (! P>K
& />T$ SAY+1 ,8,G AWAY4 ,G AWAY40' ,!Y 7
PL5TY WEIRD40
  8,K9D ( DOG-FAC$1 ) J[LY *EEKS & M1N-
LOOK+ LL EYES1 L BLOODH.DS10 9T]RUPT$
,L1F4 8,& !Y _H RE,Y F\L BR1? & ALL !Y
CD SAY 0 ,8,G AWAY40'0
  8,Y1H1 & !Y KEPT SNI6+4 ,I SAW "O ( !M
GET D[N ON ! GR.D & SNIFF X Z WE 7 WALK+
AWAY4 ,"! 7 LOTS ( !M--AT L1/ A DOZ5--
WE>+ K9D ( ''' ,*>LIE ,*APL9 SUITS &
B[L] HATS4 ,WEIRD & SC>Y1 S WE TOOK (F &
,I REPORT$ !M 6! (FICE = TRESPASS+ ON !
S*OOL GR.DS1 &! ,OCTOPUS CAME \ 6*ECK4
,ONLY HE CDN'T SEE !M1 ?\< WE / CD1 & ,I
GOT A WEEK'S DET5;N = ,8WA/+ VALUA#
"T40'0
  8,I ONLY GOT ?REE "DS DET5;N10 SD
,L1F4
  8,! ,OCTOPUS80 ASK$ ,>?UR W1KLY4   #DB
  8,ASSI/ANT ,PR9CIPAL ,DOYLE4 ,8,! ,OC-
TOPUS0' 2C HE LIKES 63FISCATE /UFF40
  8,S :AT'S GO+ ON1 ,>?UR80 ASK$ ,L1F4
8,:O 7 ^? TWO GUYS80
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,>?UR1 %AK+ 8 H1D 9
MY/IFIC,N4 8,I ''' ,I ?"\ X 0 ALL A HAL-
LUC9,N40
  8,MAYBE X WAS10 (F]$ ,$4 8,ONLY BO? (
Y _H X40
  ,L1F PUN*$ HM H>D ON ! >M4 ,$ W9C$4
..,DEF9ITELY BRO!R & .SI/]1 ?"\ ,>?UR4
  8,( C\RSE1 T DOESN'T EXPLA9 :Y ! ,OC-
TOPUS CDN'T SEE ! GUYS )! B[L] HATS10 ,$
A4$ QKLY1 RU2+ 8 >M4 8,UN.S ALL ?REE ( U
7 A6ECT$ 0"S?+ L A GAS OR WEIRD POLL540
  8,IF X WASN'T A HALLUC9,N1 !N "! W 2 A
SMALL NOTEBOOK 9 MY %IRT10 ,>?UR SD4
8,HANG+ UP 9 ! CLOSET40
  ,L1F QKLY OP5$ ! CLOSET1 !N HESITAT$4
  8,G ON10 SD ,>?UR4 8,I ONLY WORE !
%IRT =A C\PLE ( H\RS & ,I H>DLY RAN 9
X40
  8,I WASN'T WORRI$ AB ! SMELL10 SD
,L1F4 ,%E R1*$ 9 & FELT ! POCKET4 8,X'S
J T IF "! IS A NOTEBOOK1 !N ,I       #DC
.DID SEE "S?+1 & ^? DOG-FAC$ GUYS 7
SC>Y1 EV5 9 "DLI<T ) ,$ "!--0
  ,%E /OPP$ TALK+ & )DREW H] H&4 ,!
NOTEBOOK 0 9 X1 HELD TI<TLY4 ,>?UR NO-
TIC$ %E _H BLACK NAIL POLI% ON1 ) R$
/R1KS4 ,J L 8 "F US$ 6WE> YE>S AGO 9 ,!
,RATZ4
  8,X FEELS /RANGE10 ,L1F :ISP]$ Z %E
H&$ ! BOOK 6,>?UR4 8,K9D ( ELECTRIC4
,T+LY40
  8,:AT DOES X SAY ON ! COV]80 ASK$ ,$4
  8,I DON'T "K10 REPLI$ ,L1F4 ,"! 7 SYM-
BOLS ON ! COV]1 B !Y DIDN'T MAKE S5SE4
,%E DIDN'T SEEM A# 6FOCUS ON !M "SH[4
,AT ! SAME "T1 %E FELT A /R;G URGE 6GIVE
! NOTEBOOK 6,>?UR4 8,"H1 X'S YRS40
  8,ACTU,Y1 X FELL \ (! SKY10 SD ,>?UR Z
HE TOOK X4 8,OR K9D ( \ (A :IRLW9D MADE
\ ( L9ES ( LRS ''' TYPE ''' SWIRL+ 9 !
AIR40
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ! NOTEBOOK4 ,X _H H>D
COV]S1 B.D 9 GRE5 CLO? T REM9D$ HM ( OLD
LIBR>Y BOOKS4 ,"! 0 "S TYPE EMBOSS$ ON !
COV]4 ,GOLD5 LRS T SL[LY SWAM 96FOCUS &
RE>RANG$ !MVS4 ,>?UR BL9K$ A C\PLE   #DD
( "TS Z ! LRS CLIMB$ OV] "O ANO!R & %OV$
O!RS \ (! WAY 6MAKE ROOM S ! ^WS WD 2
SPELL$ PROP]LY4
  8,X SAYS ..,A ,-PL1T ,ATLAS (! ,H\SE &
,IMM .,5VIRONS10 ,>?UR R1D AL\D4 8,! LRS
ALL MOV$ >.D40
  8,HI-TE*10 SD ,$1 B HE DIDN'T S.D V
3V9C$1 OR 3V9C+4
  8,MAGIC10 SD ,L1F1 V MATT]-(-FACT4
8,OP5 X UP40
  ,>?UR TRI$ 6OP5 ! BOOK1 B ! COV]S
WDN'T BUDGE4 ,X WASN'T Z IF !Y 7 /UCK
TGR4 ,HE CD SEE ! PAGES RIPPL+ A BIT 2T
! COV]S L !Y 7 FREE1 B HE SIMPLY CDN'T
OP5 ! BOOK4 ,EV5 :5 HE APPLI$ S M* =CE T
HE WD H RIPP$ ! COV]S (F ANY NORMAL
BOOK4
  ,! SU45 EF=T MADE HM C\<1 & !N X 0 H>D
6GET 8 BR1? BACK4 ,HE CD FEEL ANO!R AS?-
MA ATTACK -+ ON1 T SU45 TI<T5+ (! LUNGS4
,! MONITOR T 0 *ECK+ ! OXYG5 LEVEL 9 8
BLOOD 2GAN 6BEEP1 & "! 0 ! SU45 S.D (A
NURSE'S HURRY+ FOOT/EPS 9 ! CORRIDOR \T-
SIDE4
  8,UH-OH1 ,I GUESS T \R SET'S       #DE
OV]10 SD ,L1F4
  8,DID Y SEE IF ! DOG-FAC$ M5 F.D ANY-
?+80 ,>?UR :EEZ$ HURRI$LY4 8,A PIECE (
METAL80
  8,L :AT80
  8,! M9UTE H& (A CLOCK10 ,>?UR GASP$ \4
8,SILV]1 ) GOLD 9LAY40
  ,$ & ,L1F BO? %OOK _! H1DS4
  8,ALL "R1 VISIT+ "T IS OV]10 SD !
NURSE Z %E HURRI$ OV]4 8,WE C'T GET
,MA/] ,P5HALIGON OV]EXCIT$40
  ,>?UR GRIMAC$ AT 2+ CALL$ .,MA/] .,P5-
HALIGON4 ,$ & ,L1F MIRROR$ 8 REAC;N &
,L1F MADE A GA7+ S.D4
  8,OKAY1 ,>?UR10 SD ! NURSE1 :O 0 NO
FOOL4 8,SORRY AB T4 ,I 0 ON ! *N'S W>D
ALL MORN+4 ,N[ GET GO+1 Y TWO40
  8,WE DIDN'T SEE ANY?+ L Y M5;N$10 ,$
SD4 8,&! DOG-FAY ''' ! DOGS 7 G"O ?
MORN+4 ,B ! :OLE OVAL _H BE5 DUG UP & !N
! TURF REPLAC$4 ,!Y DID A GD JOB2 Y
CDN'T TELL F A 4T.E4 ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE !Y
DID X S QKLY40
  8,! :OLE OVAL80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,T DIDN'T
MAKE S5SE4 ,HE'D BURI$ ! CLOCK H&    #DF
"S": 9 ! MI4LE4 ,SURELY Z SOON Z !Y F.D
X !Y'D /OP DI7+8 ,OR 7 !Y J COV]+ UP :AT
!Y 7 DO+8
  8,\60 SD ! NURSE4 8,I H 6GIVE ,>?UR AN
9JEC;N40
  8,ALL ( X10 3FIRM$ ,L1F F ! DOOR4
8,WE'LL -E BACK & SEE Y LAT]60
  8,TM10 SD ! NURSE FIRMLY4
  ,>?UR WAV$ GD-BYE1 8 M9D RAC+4 ,HE
H>DLY PD ATT5;N Z ! NURSE 9/RUCT$ HM TO
ROLL OV]1 LIFT$ 8 RIDICUL\S HOSPITAL
G[N1 & SWA2$ ! >EA %E 0 AB 69JECT4
  ,MI/] ,MON"D & ,SNEEZ]4 ,:O CD !Y POS-
SIBLY BE8 ,F :AT !Y'D SD1 ! M9UTE H& 0
"P ( "S ,KEY T ,MI/] ,MON"D _H GIV5 6,>-
?UR 9 ! EXPECT,N T HE WD DIE4 ,!N ,MON"D
WD TAKE X BACK4 ,&! :OLE PLAN _H BE5 SET
UP 0,SNEEZ]1 B "! 0 "S D\# CROSS 9VOLV$4
,AT ! 5D1 ,SNEEZ] 0 "U ! P[] ( "S?+
ELSE4 ,^? GL[+ ^WS4 ,! SAME "OS T _H
GIV5 HM ! NOTEBOOK4 ,! .,-PL1T .,ATLAS T
HE CDN'T OP51 S X DIDN'T RE,Y MATT] H[
8-PL1T0 X WAS4
  ,>?UR _H TAK5 ! M9UTE H&--HE WD CALL X
A ,KEY1 HE DECID$--& HE _HN'T DI$4   #DG
,S :AT"E X WAS1 HE FELT Z IF HE / [N$ X4
,?\< ! DOG-FAC$ M5 9 ! B[L] HATS PROBA-
BLY "W$ = ,MI/] ,MON"D4 ,IF !Y'D DUG UP
! :OLE OVAL1 !N !Y WD H F.D ! ,KEY =
SURE & TAK5 X BACK 6HM4
  ,MAYBE T WD 2 ! 5D (! :OLE MY/]Y1 B
,>?UR DIDN'T ?9K S4 ,HE FELT A DEEP C]-
TA9TY T "S?+ 0 ONLY J 2G9N+4 ,HE'D BE5
GIV5 ! ,KEY &! ,ATLAS =A R1SON1 & HE WD
F9D \ :AT X WAS4 ,"EY"O 9 8 FAMILY SD T
HE 0 TOO CURI\S AB "EY?+4 ,? 0 ! BI7E/
?+ HE'D "E 5C.T]$ 6BE CURI\S AB4
  ..,I'LL GET ! ,KEY BACK1 = ./>T]S1 HE
?"\ FI]CELY1 ?RU/+ 8 H&S "U 8 PILL[ Z !
PRICK (! NE$LE BR"\ HM BACK 6! IMM R1LI-
TY4
  ,Z HE FELT ! 9JEC;N GO+ IN1 ,>?UR
/RET*$ \ 8 F+]S--& T\*$ "S?+ COLD & ME-
TALLIC4 ,= AN 9/ANT1 HE ?"\ X 0 ! B$
FRAME4 ,B ! %APE & FEEL 7 -PLETELY DI6]-
5T4 ,!N ,>?UR R1LIZ$ :AT X WAS4
  ,! M9UTE H&4 ,! ,KEY4 ,X DEF9ITELY
_HN'T BE5 "! ONLY A FEW M9UTES 2F4 ,>?UR
ALW PUT 8 H&S "U ! PILL[ :5 HE LAY D[N4
,P]H X MAT]IALIZ$ :5 ,L1F H&$ HM !   #DH
,ATLAS8 ,L ! MAGICAL OBJECTS 9 /ORIES T
FOLL[$ _! [N]S >.D8
  ,ONLY 9 ! /ORIES1 MO/ ?+S L T 7
.CURS$1 & Y CDN'T GET RID ( !M EV5 IF Y
WANT$ TO4 '''
  8,/AY /10 -M&$ ! NURSE4 8,X'S N L Y TO
FL9*1 ,>?UR40

















              ,*APT] ,?REE           #DI

  ,>?UR W5T HOME ON ,FRI"D AFN1 )! ,KEY
&! ,ATLAS SECURELY WRAPP$ UP 9 A %IRT
9SIDE A PLA/IC BAG4 ,= "S R1SON ,$ &
,L1F N"E RETURN$ 6! HOSPITAL4 ,>?UR _H
?"\ ( TRY+ 6CALL !M1 B S9CE HE DIDN'T "K
_! LA/ "N1 T _H PROV$ IMPOSSI#4 ,HE'D
EV5 ASK$ ,NURSE ,?OMAS IF %E KNEW :O !Y
W]E4 ,B %E DIDN'T1 &! HOSPITAL _H GOTT5
BUSI] & BUSI] "? ! WEEK4 ,>?UR FIGUR$ T
HE'D SEE !M ,MON"D AT S*OOL4
  ,8 "F PICK$ HM UP & DROVE HM HOME1
HUMM+ A TUNE "U 8 BR1? Z !Y CRUIS$ "? !
/REETS4 ,>?UR LOOK$ \ IDLY1 B 8 ?"\S1 Z
!Y _H BE5 ! :OLE WEEK1 7 ON ! ,KEY1 !
,ATLAS1 & ,MI/] ,MON"D4
  ,!Y 7 ALM HOME :5 ,>?UR SAW "S?+ T
SNAPP$ HM /RAI<T \ ( 8 R"EIE4 ,!Y 7 -+
D[N ! SECOND-TO-LA/ HILL 2F _! /REET :5
HE SAW X4 ,D[N 9 ! VALLEY AH1D1 O3UPY+ A
:OLE BLOCK1 0 AN ENORM\S1 ANCI5T-LOOK+
H\SE4 ,A HUGE BUILD+ MADE ( /"O1 ODD-
%AP$ BRICKS ( DI6]5T SIZES1 & ANCI5T
TIMB]S ( _M K9DS & COLORS4 ,X LOOK$ Z IF
X _H BE5 EXT5D$ & A4$ 6)\T ?"\ OR    #EJ
C>E1 US+ _M DI6]5T /YLES ( >*ITECTURE4
,X _H >*ES1 AQUEDUCTS1 & APSES2 B>TI-
ZANS1 BELFRIES1 & BUTTRESSES2 *IMNEYS1
CR5ELL,NS1 & CUPOLAS2 GALL]IES & G>-
GOYLES2 PILL>S & PORTCULLISES2 T]RACES &
TURRETS4
  ,X LOOK$ TOT,Y \ ( PLACE1 DROPP$ 96!
MI4LE ( :AT 0 O!RWISE A MOD]N SUBURB4
  ,"! 0 A R1SON = T1 ,>?UR KNEW4
  ,T HUGE1 CRAZY-LOOK+ H\SE _H N BE5 "!
:5 HE LEFT = S*OOL LA/ ,MON"D4
  8,:AT IS T80 HE ASK$1 PO9T+4
  8,:AT80 ASK$ ,BOB4 ,HE SL[$ D[N & PE]$
"? ! W9D%IELD4
  8,T PLACE6 ,X'S HUGE & X ''' X WASN'T
"! 2F60
  8,":80 ,BOB SCANN$ ! H\SES HE SAW4
8,!Y ALL LOOK PRETTY M* ! SAME 6ME4
,SIZEWISE1 T IS4 ,T'S :Y WE W5T A BIT
F>!R \4 ,I M1N IF Y'RE GO+ 6H A G>D51
Y'VE GOT 6H A R1L G>D51 "R8 ,OH1 Y M1N !
"O )! ,JEEP \ FRONT4 ,I ?9K !Y PA9T$ !
G>AGE DOOR4 ,T'S :Y X LOOKS DI6]5T40
  ,>?UR NO4$ DUMBLY4 ,X 0 CLE> T 8 "F
CDN'T SEE ! ENORM\S1 CA/LE-L         #EA
BUILD+ T !Y 7 DRIV+ T[>DS4 ,BOB CD ONLY
SEE ! H\SES T US$ 6BE "!4
  .,OR .MAYBE .!Y >E ./ ."!1 ,>?UR ?"\1
..& ,I'M SEE+ 96ANO!R DIM5.N OR ."S?+4
,HE WD H ?"\ HE 0 GO+ 9SANE1 B HE _H !
,ATLAS &! ,KEY1 & 8 3V]S,N ) ,$ & ,L1F
6FALL BACK ON4
  ,Z !Y W5T PA/1 ,>?UR NOTIC$ T ! H\SE
7OR ,H\SE1 Z HE FELT X %D 2 CALL$7 _H A
WALL >.D X4 ,A SLICK1 M>#-FAC$ WALL AB
T5 FEET HI<1 T LOOK$ SMOO? & V DI6ICULT
6CLIMB4 ,"! 0 NO VISI# GATE1 AT L1/ ON !
SIDE !Y DROVE AL;G4
  ,>?UR'S [N NEW HOME 0 ONLY ANO!R MILE
OR S1 ON ! F> SIDE (! NEXT HILL4 ,X 0 9
A TRANSI;N >EA 2T ! SUBURBS &! C.TRY4 ,!
,P5HALIGONS _H A V BIG BLOCK1 MO/ ( : 0
A FAIRLY \-(-3TROL G>D54 ,BOB SD HE LOV$
G>D5+1 B :AT HE RE,Y LOV$ 0 ?9K+ & PLAN-
N+ ?+S 6D )! G>D51 N ACTU,Y DO+ !M4 ,HE
& ,EMILY _H B"\ ! L& & E/ABLI%$ ! G>D5
S"EAL YE>S 2F1 B _H ONLY DECID$ 6BUILD A
H\SE & MOVE Q REC5TLY4
  ,_! H\SE 0 BR&-NEW1 NO;N,Y F9I%$ A FEW
MON?S 2F4 ,"! 7 / PLUMB]S & ELEC-    #EB
TRICIANS -+ BACK E FEW WEEKS 6F9E-TUNE
V>I\S BITS & PIECES4 ,X _H BE5 DESIGN$
0A FAM\S >*ITECT & 0 ON F\R LEVELS1 CUT
96! HILL4 ,! BOTTOM LEVEL 0 ! BI7E/1 )
G>AGE1 "W%OP1 ,BOB'S /UDIO1 & ,EMILY'S
HOME (FICE4 ,! NEXT LEVEL 0 ALL LIV+
SPACES & KIT*54 ,! NEXT 0 B$ROOMS & BA?-
ROOMS3 ,BOB & ,EMILY'S & TWO GUE/ ROOMS4
,! TOP LEVEL 0 ! SMALLE/ & _H B$ROOMS =
,MI*AELI1 ,]IC1 & ,>?UR1 & "O BA?ROOM T
!Y EI F"\ OV] OR 7 LOCK$ \ (& _H 6G D[N-
/AIRS4
  ,NO "O 0 HOME :5 ,>?UR & 8 "F RETURN$4
,A SCRE5 ON ! REFRIG]ATOR DOOR 9 ! KIT*5
_H ! LATE/ PO/S & ;E-MAILS F ! V>I\S
MEMB]S (! FAMILY4 ,EMILY 0 HELD UP AT !
LAB1 ,MI*AELI 0 SIMPLY 8\0 & WD 2 BACK
8LAT]10 & ,]IC 0 PLAY+ 9 A BASKETBALL
GAME4
  8,D Y WANT 6G \ = D9N]8 ,J ! TWO ( U80
ASK$ ,BOB4 ,HE 0 HUMM+ AG1 A SURE SIGN (
IMM95T S;G -POSI;N4 ,X 0 A SACRIFICE =
HM 6(F] 6G \ :5 X 0 OBVI\S HE 0 IT*+ TO
GET AT A KEYBO>D OR A GUIT>4
  8,NO ?ANKS1 ,DAD10 SD ,>?UR4 ,HE   #EC
RE,Y WANT$ 6BE AL"O S HE CD *ECK \ !
,KEY &! ,ATLAS4 8,I'LL GRAB A SNACK LAT-
]1 IF T'S OKAY4 ,I MI<T J *ECK \ MY
ROOM4 ,MAKE SURE ! O!RS DIDN'T TRA% X
:ILE ,I 0 G"O40
  ,!Y BO? KNEW T 0 J ,>?UR 2+ K9D & LET-
T+ ,BOB G & "W ON 8 S;G4 ,B T 0 AL OKAY
) BO? ( !M4
  8,I'LL 2 9 ! /UDIO1 !N10 SD ,BOB4
8,BUZZ ME IF Y NE$ ANY?+4 ,Y'VE GOT YR
9HAL]80
  ,>?UR NO4$4
  8,WE MI<T GET A PIZZA LAT]10 ,BOB
CALL$ \ Z HE H1D$ D[N ! /AIRS4 8,DON'T
TELL ,MOM40
  ,>?UR W5T UP 6HIS [N ROOM1 TAK+ !
/AIRS SL[LY4 ,HE 0 BR1?+ F9E1 B 0 W1K AF
FIVE "DS ( LY+ >.D 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,EV5 A
FEW FLI<TS ( /AIRS 0 H>D "W4
  ,AF LOCK+ ! DOOR 9 CASE 8 OLD] SIBL+S
RETURN$1 ,>?UR PUT ! ,ATLAS &! ,KEY ON !
B$4 ,!N1 )\T "K+ :Y1 HE TURN$ (F ! LI<T4
  ,MOONLI<T %"O "? ! OP5 W9D[1 B X 0 Q
D>K4 ,X WD H BE5 D>K]1 B BO? ! ,KEY &!
,ATLAS GL[$ )A /RANGE BLUE LI<T T    #ED
%IMM]$ L WAT]4 ,>?UR PICK$ !M UP1 ! ,KEY
9 8 LEFT H&1 &! ,ATLAS 9 8 "R4
  ,)\T ANY EF=T ON 8 "P1 ! ,ATLAS FLIPP$
OP54 ,>?UR 0 S SURPRIS$ HE DROPP$ X BACK
ON ! B$4 ,X /AY$ OP51 & ,>?UR WAT*$ 9
AMAZE;T Z X GREW1 2COM+ L;G] & WID]1 UN-
TIL X 0 AB ! SAME SIZE Z 8 PILL[4
  ,! OP5 PAGES 7 BLANK =A MO;T1 !N L9ES
2GAN 6APPE>1 Z IF AN 9VISI# >TI/ 0 H>D
AT "W4 ,! L9ES 7 /R;G & SURE1 APPE>+
FA/] & FA/] Z ,>?UR />$4 ,X ONLY TOOK A
FEW SECONDS 2F HE R1LIZ$ HE 0 LOOK+ AT A
PICTURE (! ,H\SE HE _H SE54 ,A PICTURE S
WELL R1LIZ$ T X 0 ALM L A PHOTOGRAPH4
  ,NEXT 6! PICTURE A H&WRITT5 NOTE AP-
PE>$3

  ,! ,H\SE3 ,AN ,EXT]IOR ,ASPECT Z ,MAN-
IFE/$ 9 ,_M ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS4

  ,!N ANO!R FEW ^WS APPE>$1 WRITT5 M*
SMALL]4 ,>?UR CRAN$ =W>D Z ! WRIT+ AP-
PE>$1 ) AN >R[ T PO9T$ 6AN 9K$-IN SQU>E
ON ! \T] WALL4
  8,8,MON"D ,PO/]N10'0 ,>?UR R1D     #EE
AL\D4 8,:AT'S A PO/]N80
  ,"! 0 A DIC;N>Y ON ! BOOK%ELF ABV 8
DESK4 ,>?UR PULL$ X \1 :ILE KEEP+ AN EYE
ON ! ,ATLAS 9 CASE X DID "S?+ ELSE 9T]-
E/+4
  ,X DID4 ,>?UR _H 6PUT ! ,KEY D[N 6GET
! DIC;N>Y \1 Z X 0 TOO JAMM$ 9 ) O!R
BOOKS4 ,Z SOON Z HE DROPP$ ! ,KEY ON !
DESK1 ! ,ATLAS SLAMM$ %UT1 SC>+ ! LIFE \
( HM4 ,9 LESS ?AN A SECOND1 X _H AL
%RUNK BACK 6XS POCKET NOTEBOOK SIZE4
  ..,S Y NE$ 6H ! ,KEY 6OP5 ! .,ATLAS1
?"\ ,>?UR4 ,HE LEFT ! ,KEY ": X 0 &
LOOK$ UP .PO/]N 9 ! DIC;N>Y4

,PO/]N N4 #A4 A BACK DOOR OR GATE #B4
  ANY LESS] OR PRIVATE 5TR.E4

  ,S "! 0 ,MON"D'S GATE 9 ! O!RWISE S1M-
.S WALL4 ,>?UR PUT ! DIC;N>Y BACK & ?"\
AB X4 ,! PICTURE (! ,H\SE &! 9DIC,N ( AN
5TR.E 0 CLE>LY AN 9VIT,N ( SORTS4 ,"S"O
''' OR "S?+ ''' WANT$ HM 6G 96! ,H\SE4
,B CD HE TRU/ ! ,ATLAS8 ,>?UR 0 PRETTY
C]TA9 T ,MI/] ,MON"D & ,SNEEZ] 7     #EF
5EMIES1 OR--AT ! V L1/--N FRS4 ,HE
WASN'T SURE AB ! :IRL+ TYPE1 ! ^WS 9 !
AIR T _H TAK5 OV] ,SNEEZ] & !N GIV5 HM !
,ATLAS4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ^? ^WS _H GIV5 HM !
,KEY TOO1 OR AT L1/ _H TRICK$ ,MI/]
,MON"D 96DO+ X4 ,B :AT 0 _! ''' .XS PUR-
POSE8
  ,"! 0 ONLY "O WAY 6F9D \4 ,HE WD TAKE
A LOOK AT ! ,H\SE Z SOON Z HE CD1 EI TM
OR ON ,SUN"D1 & TRY 6GET 9 "? ,MON"D'S
,PO/]N4 ,DEP5D+ ON :AT HE SAW "!1 HE'D
TELL ,$ & ,L1F & GET _! HELP4 ,!Y WD
PROBABLY 2 A# 6SEE ! PLACE1 HE ?"\4 ,AF
ALL1 !Y'D SE5 ! DOG-FAC$ SE>*]S :5 ! AS-
SI/ANT PR9CIPAL CDN'T4
  ,9 ! M1N"T1 HE WD HIDE ! ,KEY &! ,AT-
LAS 9 ! BE/ HID+ SPOT HE KNEW4 ,9 ! BEL-
LY (! LIFE-SIZE C]AMIC ,KOMODO DRAGON T
SAT ON ! RO(TOP BALCONY J ABV 8 B$ROOM4
,! DRAGON--A HUGE LIZ>D RE,Y--WAS HOLL[1
B XS M\? WASN'T OP5 5 = ANY"O ) H&S L>G]
?AN ,>?UR'S 6R1* 9SIDE4
  ,NO SOON] 0 ? MIS.N A3OMPLI%$ ?AN 8 "M
CAME HOME1 IMMLY TRANS=M+ ! PLACE F A
QUIET RETR1T 96A FAMILY HOME4 ,AF    #EG
*ECK+ ON ,>?UR1 %E 9SI/$ T ,BOB EM]GE F
8 /UDIO S ! ?REE ( !M CD H D9N] TGR4
,EMILY 0 HAPPY & RELAX$1 2C ,>?UR 0 OKAY
& 2C =! F/ "T 9 AGES %E 0 N "W+ FRANTI-
C,Y 6DEVELOP A VA39E OR CURE = "S NEW
9FLU5ZA /RA94 ,W9T] 0 -+1 B X LOOK$ 6BE
A R1SONABLY QUIET "O F ! PO9T ( VIEW (
SICK;S4
  ,>?UR'S PLAN 6G LOOK AT ! ,H\SE FAIL$
XS F/ TE/ :5 HE 0 N ALL[$ \ ( 8 [N H\SE4
  8,Y H 6TAKE X EASY10 8 "M 9/RUCT$ HM4
8,R1D+1 TELEVI.N1 OR ! ,,PC1 T'S X4 ,AT
L1/ =! NEXT FEW "DS4 ,WE'LL TAKE ANO!R
LOOK AT ! SITU,N NEXT WEEK40
  ,>?UR FR[N$1 B HE KNEW BETT] ?AN 6>-
GUE4 ,X 0 GO+ 6DRIVE HM CRAZY ?9K+ AB !
,H\SE J WAIT+ "!1 B HE KNEW HE _H NO
*OICE4 ,IF HE SN1K$ \ N[1 HE WD 2 GR.D$
=A MON?4 ,OR A :OLE YE>4
  8,I "K X'S H>D N DO+ ANY?+ ACTIVE10
,EMILY SD Z %E GAVE HM A HUG4 8,B X'S
ONLY =A :ILE4 ,GIVE YRF A *.E 6GET /R;G-
]4 ,I ?9K A "D AT S*OOL W 2 T\< 5 = Y ON
,MON"D40
  ,=BI45 6D ANY?+ USE;L1 ! WEEK5D    #EH
DRA7$ = ,>?UR4 ,8 TWO ELD] SIBL+S 7 BUSY
) _! USUAL MY/]I\S ACTIVITIES1 ,BOB 0 /
-POS+1 & ,EMILY 0 CALL$ BACK 6"W 6*ECK \
"S /RANGE ADMIS.NS AT ! LOCAL HOSPITALS4
,%E 0 REGUL>LY CALL$ :5"E "! 0 A RISE 9
PATI5TS EXHIBIT+ UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS4 ,>?UR
ALW FELT TREM5D\S RELIEF :5 %E CAME HOME
& SD X WASN'T S]I\S4 ,LOS+ 8 BIR? P>5TS
Z HE _H1 ,>?UR 0 ACUTELY AW>E (! POT5-
TIAL TRAG$Y 9 E REPORT (A NEW FLU /RA9
OR POT5TIAL VIRUS \TBR1K4
  ,0,SUN"D MORN+1 ,>?UR CDN'T RESI/ !
TEMPT,N 6GET ! ,ATLAS &! ,KEY BACK \ (!
,KOMODO DRAGON4 ,ONCE AG HE HELD ! ,KEY
&! ,ATLAS OP5 6! SAME D\#-PAGE SPR1D )!
PICTURE (! ,H\SE4 ,?\< "! 7 NO DETAILS &
NO O!R WRIT+ 2SS ! NOTE AB ,MON"D'S
,PO/]N1 ,>?UR SP5T H\RS LOOK+ AT X1 TRY+
6"W \ H[ X 0 ALL PUT TGR & :AT X M/ LOOK
L 9SIDE4
  ,F9,Y X 0 ,SUN"D NI<T4 ,>?UR RE/OR$ !
,KEY &! ,ATLAS 6! LIZ>D'S 9N>DS & W5T TO
B$ E>LY1 9 ! HOPE T SLEEP WD -E & MAKE !
"T G QKLY4 ,B ( C\RSE X DIDN'T4 ,>?UR
TOSS$ & TURN$ & CDN'T FALL ASLEEP4   #EI
,HE R1D MO/ (A BOOK & !N SIMPLY LAY "!1
?9K+4
  ,:5 HE DID FALL ASLEEP1 X WASN'T =
L;G4 ,"S?+ MADE HM WAKE UP4 ,HE DIDN'T
"K :AT X 0 =A SECOND4 ,HE TURN$ 8 H1D &
SAW ! DIGITAL CLOCK1 R$ 9 ! D>K;S4
.#AB3JA4
  ,"O M9UTE AF MIDNI<T1 ON ,MON"D MORN+4
  ,"! 0 A NOISE AT 8 W9D[4 ,A SCRAT*+
NOISE1 L A TREE BRAN* SCRAP+4 ,B "! 0 NO
TREE 9 ! G>D5 TALL 5 OR CLOSE 5 6R1* ,>-
?UR'S B$ROOM W9D[4
  ,>?UR SAT UP & SNAPP$ ON ! LI<T1 8
HE>T SU45LY P.D+4 ,8 BR1?+ 2GAN 6GET M
DI6ICULT1 8 BR1?S %ORT]4
  .,3TROL1 ?"\ ,>?UR DESP]ATELY4
..,CALM4 ,BR1! SL[LY4
  ..,LOOK AT ! .W9D[4
  ,HE LOOK$ & JUMP$ BACK1 FALL+ D[N 2H 8
B$4 ,"! 0 A W+$ MAN HANG+ 9 ! AIR A FEW
FEET F ! W9D[ & EASILY FIFTY FEET ABV !
GR.D4 ,AN UGLY1 SQUAT MAN )A J[L$ FACE L
A BLOODH.D4 ,A DOG-FAC$ MAN4 ,EV5 8 RAP-
IDLY B1T+ W+S1 ?\< F1!RY1 LOOK$ UGLY &
UNKEMPT1 DIRTY GRAY 9 ! LI<T T       #FJ
SPILL$ \ F ,>?UR'S ROOM4
  ,HE 0 WE>+ A V OLD-FA%ION$ D>K SUIT &
C>RI$ A B[L] HAT 9 8 H&4 ,HE 0 US+ !
CR[N (! HAT 6TAP ON ! W9D[4
  8,LET ME IN40
  ,! VOICE 0 4TORT$ "? ! GLASS1 B X 0 L[
& HUSKY & FULL ( M5ACE4
  8,LET ME IN40
  8,NO10 :ISP]$ ,>?UR1 ?"\S ( E VAMPIRE
FILM HE _H "E SE5 FLA%+ "? 8 H1D4 ,? 0
NO VAMPIRE1 B X 0 ASK+ 6BE LET IN1 S
MAYBE ! SAME PR9CIPLE APPLI$4 ,X CDN'T
GET 9 UN.S X 0 9VIT$4 ,?\< 9 ! FILMS1 !Y
NORM,Y HYPNOTIZ$ "S"O 6LET !M IN--
  ,! B$ROOM DOOR OP5$4
  ,>?UR FELT Z IF 8 HE>T _H /OPP$ COLD 9
8 *E/4 ,"S"O _H BE5 HYPNOTIZ$ ALR6 ,!Y
WD LET ! DOG-FAC$ ?+ IN4 '''
  ,A L;G =K$ T;GUE FLICK]$ >.D ! DOOR1
TA/+ ! AIR4 ,>?UR PICK$ UP ! DIC;N>Y1 :
HE'D LEFT 0! B$1 & RAIS$ X ABV 8 H1D4
  ,A SCALY H1D FOLL[$ ! T;GUE1 &A CLAW$
FOOT4 ,>?UR HALF-L[]$ ! DIC;N>Y4 ,X 0 !
C]AMIC ,KOMODO DRAGON F ! BALCONY4 ,NO
L;G] C]AMIC1 OR MAYBE X / WAS1 B     #FA
ALIVE & MOV+ SWIFTLY4
  ,SL[LY1 ,>?UR CLIMB$ BACK ONTO ! B$ &
PRESS$ HMF AG/ ! WALL1 KEEP+ ! DIC;N>Y
R1DY 6?R[4 ,^: SIDE 0 ! ,KOMODO ON8
  8,LET ME IN40
  ,! BIG LIZ>D HISS$ & RAN =W>D1 %OCK+LY
FA/1 6RE> UP 9 FRONT (! W9D[4 ,X OP5$ XS
M\? & BRILLIANT :ITE LI<T %OT \1 P[];L Z
A SE>*LI<T4 ,! DOG-FAC$ MAN SCR1M$ &
?REW UP 8 >MS1 8 B[L] HAT FLY+ "? ! AIR4
,/ SCR1M+1 HE HURTL$ BACKW>DS1 W+S ?RA%-
+1 & 4APPE>$ 9 A COIL+ PUFF ( COAL-BLACK
SMOKE4
  ,! LIZ>D %UT XS M\? )A SNAP1 &! 9T5SE
LI<T 4APPE>$ ) X4 ,!N ! REPTILE SL[LY
/EPP$ BACK F ! W9D[ & POND]\SLY TROD 6!
5D ( ,>?UR'S B$1 ": X /OPP$ & SETTL$ 9TO
XS USUAL /.E4 ,XS SK9 RIPPL$ Z IF E MUS-
CLE 0 SU45LY GALVANIZ$1 !N X 0 /4 ,TOT,Y
C]AMIC ONCE M4
  ,>?UR DROPP$ ! DIC;N>Y1 PICK$ UP 8 IN-
HAL]1 & TOOK S"EAL PU6S4 ,Z HE W5T OV]
6%UT 8 DOOR1 HE 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D T 8 LEGS
7 TREMBL+ & CD B>ELY SUPPORT HM4 ,ON !
WAY BACK1 HE PATT$ ! ,KOMODO DRAG-   #FB
ON ON ! H1D & BRIEFLY 3SID]$ PUTT+ 8 H&
9 6*ECK T ! ,KEY &! ,ATLAS 7 / "!4 ,B T
SEEM$ L "S?+ T CD BE/ WAIT = MORN+4
  ,BACK 9 B$1 ,>?UR LOOK$ AT ! CLOCK AG
Z HE PULL$ UP ! COV]S4 ,SURELY X 0 NO
A3ID5T T ? _H HAPP5$ F/ ?+ ON ,MON"D4
  ..,X'S GO+ 6BE AN 9T]E/+ ."D1 HE ?"\4
,DELIB]ATELY HE TURN$ AWAY F ! W9D[1 S
HE WDN'T 2 TEMPT$ 6LOOK AT X1 & CLOS$ 8
EYES4
  ,HE LEFT ! LI<T ON4













              ,*APT] ,F\R            #FC

  ,>?UR 0 N LOOK+ =W>D 6S*OOL T ,MON"D
MORN+1 6A M* GRT] DEGREE ?AN USUAL4 ,AF
! EV5TS (! E>LY MORN+ HE _H 5JOY$ ONLY
BRIEF MO;TS ( SLEEP4 ,HE'D WOK5 UP E H\R
OR S 9 9CIPI5T PANIC1 8 BR1?+ RA7$1 ONLY
6F9D T 8 LI<T 0 / ON1 ! NI<T 0 QUIET1 &
"! 0 NO TR\#4 ,! ,KOMODO DRAGON /AY$ IM-
MOBILE AT ! FOOT ( 8 B$1 &) SUN%9E FILL+
! ROOM X 0 H>D 62LIEVE T ! LIZ>D _H -E
ALIVE & B1T5 BACK ! HORRID ?+ T _H FL[N
UP 6HIS W9D[4
  ,>?UR WI%$ HE CD 4MISS X Z A NI<TM>E1
B HE KNEW X _H BE5 ALL TOO R1L4 ,! ,KEY
&! ,ATLAS 7 PRO( ( T4 ,HE ?"\ AB L1V+ !M
2H1 9SIDE ! C]AMIC LIZ>D1 B AF BR1KFA/
HE TOOK !M \ & PUT !M 9 8 S*OOL BACK-
PACK4 ,!N HE *ECK$ ! Y>D C>E;LLY "? !
W9D[ 2F RUNN+ \ 6JO9 8 "M 9 H] C>4
  ,9 _! PREVI\S T[N1 ,>?UR _H WALK$ TO
S*OOL4 ,"H1 HE WD EV5TU,Y RIDE 8 BIKE4
,B 8 P>5TS 9SI/$ X 0 TOO SOON = HM 6EX]T
HMF & 8 "M SD %E WD DRIVE HM 6S*OOL 2F
GO+ 6! LAB4
  ,NORM,Y ,>?UR WD H MADE "S %[ (    #FD
9DEP5D;E1 "PICUL>LY 9 FRONT ( 8 BRO!R
,]IC1 :O HE LOOK$ UP TO4 ,]IC 0 BO? A
BASKETBALL &A TRACK />4 ,HE'D _H NO TR\#
ADAPT+ 6! NEW S*OOL4 ,HE 0 ALR ON 8 WAY
62+ A /&-\ PLAY] =! S*OOL'S TOP BASKET-
BALL T1M4 ,HE _H 8 [N C>1 B"\ )! PROCE$S
(A WEEK5D JOB Z A WAIT]1 B X 0 ASSUM$ T
HE WDN'T TAKE ,>?UR 6S*OOL 9 X UN.S "! 0
A R1L EM]G5CY4 ,2+ SE5 ) 8 M* "Y] BRO!R
0 BAD = 8 IMAGE4 ,DESPITE SAY+ ?1 HE _H
9T]V5$ AT V>I\S IMPORTANT /AGES 9 ,>-
?UR'S LIFE 9 _! OLD C;Y1 PUTT+ BULLIES
6FLI<T 9 ! MALL OR RESCU+ HM AF BICYCLE
MISHAPS4
  ,>?UR 0 GLAD 6G ) 8 "M T MORN+4 ,HE _H
A /R;G SUSPICION T ! B[L]-HATT$ DOG-FAC$
M5--OR MANLIKE CR1TURES--WD 2 WAIT+ AT !
S*OOL4 ,HE'D SP5T Q A FEW WAKE;L H\RS
E>LI] WORRY+ AB H[ HE CD PROTECT HMF AG/
!M4 ,X WD 2 "PICUL>LY DI6ICULT IF ADULTS
CDN'T SEE !M1 : SEEM$ POSSI# F :AT ,$ _H
TOLD HM4
  ,! TRIP 6S*OOL 0 UNEV5T;L1 ?\< ONCE AG
!Y PASS$ ! BIZ>RE CA/LE-L MON/ROS;Y T _H
REPLAC$ S"EAL SUBURBAN BLOCKS4 ,TO   #FE
TE/ :E!R 8 "M CD SEE ! ,H\SE1 ,>?UR -;T$
ON XS SIZE1 B J Z ) 8 DAD1 8 "M CD ONLY
SEE ! NORMAL BUILD+S4 ,>?UR CD REMEMB]
:AT ! >EA US$ 6LOOK L1 B TRY Z HE MI<T1
NO MATT] H[ HE SQU9T$ OR SU45LY TURN$ 8
H1D 6LOOK1 ,>?UR CD ONLY SEE ! ,H\SE4
  ,:5 HE LOOK$ DIRECTLY AT ! ,H\SE1 HE
F.D T X 0 TOO CLUTT]$1 -PLEX1 & /RANGE
6REV1L XS _M DETAILS4 ,"! 7 SIMPLY TOO
_M DI6]5T /YLES ( >*ITECTURE1 TOO _M ODD
A4I;NS4 ,>?UR GOT DIZZY TRY+ 6FOLL[ 9DI-
VIDUAL PIECES (! ,H\SE & "W \ H[ !Y ALL
FITT$ TGR4 ,HE WD />T ON A T[] & FOLL[ X
UP1 ONLY 6BE 4TRACT$ 0A COV]$ WALKWAY1
OR A LUNETTE T ?RU/ \ (A NE>BY WALL1 OR
"S O!R /RANGE F1TURE4
  ,HE AL F.D X V DI6ICULT 6LOOK AT EX-
ACTLY ! SAME PLACE TWICE4 ,EI ! ,H\SE 0
3/ANTLY *ANG+ :5 HE WASN'T LOOK+ AT X1
OR ! C> 0 GO+ PA/ TOO QKLY &! -PLEX;Y &
D5S;Y ( ALL ! V>I\S BITS & PIECES MADE X
IMPOSSI# = 8 EYES 6REGA9 _! FOCUS ON ANY
"PICUL> "P4
  ,AF !Y PASS$ ! ,H\SE1 ,>?UR 0 PUT (F
GU>D A BIT 0! NORMAL;Y (! RE/ (!     #FF
DRIVE 6S*OOL4 ,X SEEM$ J L ANY O!R MORN-
+1 )! USUAL TRA6IC & P$E/RIANS & KIDS
"EY":4 ,"! 0 NO SIGN ( ANY?+ /RANGE Z !Y
DROVE UP ! /REET ! S*OOL 0 ON4 ,>?UR
FELT RELIEV$ & -=T$ 0J H[ BOR+LY NORMAL
X SEEM$4 ,! SUN 0 %9+2 "! 7 P "EY":4
,SURELY NO?+ CD HAPP5 N[8
  ,B Z HE /EPP$ \ (! C> AT ! FRONT 5TR.E
& 8 "M DROVE AWAY1 HE SAW FIVE B[L]-
HATT$1 BLACK-SUIT$ M5 SU45LY RISE L
LIFT$ /R+ PUPPETS 2T ! C>S 9 ! T1*]S'
P>K+ LOT1 (F 6HIS "R4 ,!Y SAW HM TOO &
2GAN 6MOVE "? ! RANKS ( C>S T[>DS HM4
,!Y WALK$ 9 /RANGE /RAI<T L9ES1 *ANG+
DIREC;N 9 SU45 "R ANGLES 6AVOID /UD5TS &
T1*]S :O OBVI\SLY CDN'T SEE !M4
  ,M (! DOG-FACES APPE>$ 6! LEFT4 ,>?UR
SAW !M ISSUE \ (! GR.D1 Z D>K VAPORS T 9
A SECOND SOLIDIFI$ 96DOG-FAC$1 B[L]-
HATT$1 BLACK-SUIT$ M54
  ,DOG-FACES 6! LEFT4 ,DOG-FACES 6! "R4
,B "! 7 N"O /RAI<T AH1D4 ,>?UR RAN A FEW
/EPS1 8 BR1? CAU<T1 & HE KNEW HE CDN'T
RUN & RISK ANO!R AS?MA ATTACK4 ,HE SL[$
D[N1 8 EYES D>T+ ACR AT ! TWO        #FG
GR\PS ( APPROA*+ DOG-FACES1 8 M9D RAPID-
LY CALCULAT+ _! SPE$ & DIREC;N4
  ,IF HE WALK$ QKLY UP ! MA9 PROM5ADE &!
/EPS1 HE WD / GET 9SIDE 2F ! DOG-FAC$ M5
CAU<T UP ) HM4
  ,HE DID WALK QKLY1 DUCK+ >.D LOIT]+
GR\PS ( /UD5TS4 ,=! F/ "T1 HE 0 GRATE;L
NOBODY KNEW HM AT ? S*OOL1 S NO "O SD1
8,WAIT UP1 ,>?UR60 OR TRI$ 6/OP HM TO
TALK1 : WD H HAPP5$ = SURE AT 8 OLD
S*OOL4
  ,HE MADE X 6! /EPS4 ,! DOG-FACES 7
GA9+ ON HM1 7 ONLY T5 OR FIFTE5 Y>DS 2H1
&! /EPS AH1D 7 CR[D$1 MA9LY ) OLD] /U-
D5TS4 ,>?UR CDN'T PU% "? !M1 S HE _H TO
ZIG & ZAG & W1VE 8 WAY "?1 CALL+ \1
8,SORRY60 & 8,EXCUSE ME60 Z HE W5T4
  ,HE 0 ALM AT ! MA9 DOORS & :AT HE HOP$
WD 2 SAFETY 2Y :5 "S"O GRA2$ 8 BACKPACK
& BR"\ HM 6AN ABRUPT HALT4
  ,= AN 9/ANT1 ,>?UR ?"\ ! DOG-FACES _H
GOTT5 HM4 ,!N HE HE>D ^WS T REASSUR$ HM1
DESPITE ! ?R1T5+ T"O4
  8,Y KNOCK ! MAN1 Y PAY ! PRICE60
  ,! BOY :O HELD ,>?UR'S BAG 0 M*    #FH
BI7]1 B N RE,Y M1N-LOOK+4 ,X 0 H>D 6LOOK
ULTRA-T\< 9 A S*OOL UNI=M4 ,HE EV5 _H 8
TIE D"O UP PROP]LY4 ,>?UR PICK$ HM IN-
/ANTLY Z A WD-BE T\< GUY1 N ! R1L ?+4
  8,I'M GO+ 6?R[60 HE SD1 HOLD+ 8 H& OV]
8 M\? & BL[+ \ 8 *EEKS4
  ,! N-S-T\< GUY LET G ( ,>?UR S QKLY T
!Y BO? /A7]$ A"P4 ,2C ,>?UR 0 EXPECT+ X1
HE RECOV]$ F/4 ,HE JUMP$ UP ! NEXT ?REE
/EPS AT "O G1 ONLY A FEW Y>DS AH1D (A
SW>M ( B[L]-HATT$ DOG-FACES4 ,!Y 7 "EY-
":1 L A FLOCK ( RAV5S DESC5D+ ON A PIECE
( M1T4 ,/UD5TS & T1*]S GOT \ ( _! WAY )-
\T R1LIZ+ :Y !Y 7 DO+ S1 _M ( !M LOOK+
PUZZL$ Z !Y SU45LY /OPP$ OR /EPP$ SIDE-
WAYS OR JUMP$ ASIDE1 Z IF !Y DIDN'T "K
:AT !Y 7 DO+4
  ,=A SECOND1 ,>?UR ?"\ HE WDN'T MAKE X4
,! DOG-FACES 7 AT 8 HEELS & HE CD HE> !M
PANT+ & SNORT+4 ,HE CD EV5 SMELL _!
BR1?1 J Z ,L1F _H SD4 ,X /ANK ( ROTT5
M1T1 WORSE ?AN AN ALLEY FULL ( G>BAGE AT
! BACK (A RE/AURANT4 ,! SMELL &! S.D (
_! SLA!R+ L5T HM EXTRA SPE$4 ,HE LUNG$
UP ! LA/ FEW /EPS1 COLLID$ )! SW+    #FI
DOORS1 & FELL "?4
  ,HE 0 UP AG 9 AN 9/ANT1 R1DY 6RUN1 8
BR1? ALR %ORT5+1 LUNGS TI<T5+4 ,FE>
GRIPP$ HM1 FE> T ! DOG-FACES WD -E "? !
DOORS & T HE WD H AN AS?MA ATTACK & 2
P[].S 6RESI/ !M4
  ,B ! DOG-FACES DIDN'T -E "? ! S*OOL'S
MA9 5TR.E4 ,9/1D !Y CLU/]$ AT ! DOORS1
PRESS+ _! FLAT FACES AG/ ! GLASS PANELS4
,!Y RE,Y DID LOOK L A CROSS 2T BLOODH.DS
& M51 ,>?UR SAW1 ) _! LL PI7Y EYES1
PU%$-IN FACES1 DROOPY *EEKS1 & LOLL+
T;GUES T SME>$ ! W9D[S4 ,K9D ( L ,W9/ON
,*UR*ILL ON A V BAD "D4 ,/RANGELY1 !Y _H
ALL TAK5 _! B[L] HATS (F & 7 HOLD+ !M 9
! CROOK ( _! LEFT >MS4 ,X DIDN'T HELP !
LOOK ( !M1 = _! HAIR 0 UNI=MLY %ORT &
BR[N4 ,L DOG HAIR4
  8,LET U IN1 ,>?UR10 RASP$ "O1 & !N AN-
O!R />T$ & "! 0 A HORRI# CACOPHONY Z !
^WS ALL GOT MIX$ UP4 8,U1 ,IN1 ,LET1 ,>-
?UR1 ,>?UR1 ,U1 ,LET1 ,LET1 ,>?UR1 ,IN1
,IN--0
  ,>?UR BLOCK$ 8 E>S & WALK$ AWAY1
/RAI<T D[N ! C5TRAL CORRIDOR4 ,HE    #GJ
3C5TRAT$ ON 8 BR1?+1 /1DY+ X 96A SAFE
RHY?M4 ,SL[LY1 ! BAY+ CALLS F \TSIDE RE-
C$$4
  ,AT ! 5D (! CORRIDOR1 ,>?UR TURN$ >.D4
  ,! DOG-FACES 7 G"O & ONCE AG /UD5TS &
/AFF 7 P\R+ "? ! DOORS1 LAU<+ & TALK+4
,! SUN 0 / %9+ 2H !M4 ,"EY?+ LOOK$ NOR-
MAL4
  8,:AT'S ) YR E>S80 ASK$ "S"O1 N UNK9D-
LY4
  ,>?UR BLU%$ & PULL$ 8 F+]S \ ( 8 E>S4
  ,! DOG-FACES OBVI\SLY CDN'T GET HM "H4
,N[ HE CD FOCUS ON SURVIV+ ! USUAL PROB-
LEMS ( S*OOL1 AT L1/ TILL ! 5D (! "D4 ,&
HE CD TRY 6F9D ,$ & ,L1F4 ,HE WANT$ TO
TELL !M :AT _H HAPP5$1 6SEE IF !Y CD /
SEE ! DOG-FACES4 ,MAYBE !Y CD HELP HM "W
\ :AT 6D AB X ALL4
  ,>?UR _H EXPECT$ 6SEE !M AT ! GYM 9
PREP>,N =! CROSS-C.TRY RUN4 ,HE _H A
NOTE EXCUS+ HM1 B HE / _H 6G & GIVE X TO
,MI/] ,WEI<TMAN4 ,F/ HE _H 6SU6] "? A
:OLE MORN+ ( MA?1 SCI;E1 & ,5GLI%1 ALL (
: HE 0 GD AT :5 HE WANT$ 6BE1 B CDN'T
FOCUS ON TD4 ,!N :5 HE W5T 6! GYM1   #GA
MAK+ SURE 6G "? ! S*OOL R ?AN ACR !
QUADRANGLE1 HE 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D T ! CLASS
0 ONLY TWO-?IRDS ! SIZE (! PREVI\S WEEK4
,AT L1/ FIFTE5 KIDS 7 MISS+1 9CLUD+ ,$ &
,L1F4
  ,MI/] ,WEI<TMAN 0 N PL1S$ 6SEE ,>?UR4
,HE TOOK ! NOTE1 R1D X1 & H&$ X BACK )\T
A ^W1 TURN+ 8 H1D AWAY4 ,>?UR /OOD "!1
WOND]+ :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6D IF HE DIDN'T
G ON ! RUN4
  8,ANY"O ELSE GOT A NOTE80 ,WEI<TMAN
CALL$ \4 8,HAS "S CLASS BE5 HELD BACK8
,": IS "EYBODY80
  8,SICK10 MUM#D A KID4
  8,ALL ( !M80 ASK$ ,WEI<TMAN4 8,X'S N
EV5 W9T]6 ,IF ? IS "S SORT ( PRANK1 "! W
2 S]I\S REP]CUS.NS40
  8,NO1 SIR1 !Y RE,Y >E SICK10 SD "O (!
S]I\S A?LETES4 8,A LOT ( P H GOT X4 ,"S
SORT ( COLD40
  8,OKAY1 ,I 2LIEVE Y1 ,RICK10 SD
,WEI<TMAN4
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT ,RICK4 ,HE 0 CLE>LY A
CL1N-CUT A?LETIC />4 ,HE LOOK$ L HE CD H
/EPP$ \ (A TELEVI.N SPOT = TOO?-     #GB
PA/E OR RUNN+ %OES4 ,NO WOND] ,WEI<TMAN
2LIEV$ HM4
  ,/1 X 0 /RANGE = S _M /UD5TS 6BE \
SICK AT ? "T ( YE>4 ,"PICUL>LY S9CE BI-
ANNUAL FLU VA39,NS _H 2COME -PULSORY
FIVE YE>S AGO4 ,X 0 ONLY TWO MON?S S9CE
"EY"O %D H _H ! %OTS1 : USU,Y (F]$ TOTAL
PROTEC;N AG/ S]I\S VIRUSES4
  ,>?UR FELT A SMALL FAMILI> FE> GR[ IN-
SIDE HM4 ,! FE> T _H BE5 ) HM Z L;G Z HE
CD REMEMB]3 T ANO!R VIRUS \TBR1K WD TAKE
AWAY "EY"O HE LOV$4
  8,ALL "R1 LET'S GET />T$ ) "S W>M-UP
EX]CISES10 ,WEI<TMAN CALL$ \4 ,HE F9,Y
LOOK$ AT ,>?UR & SUMMON$ HM OV] )A CROOK
( 8 F+]4
  8,Y1 ,P5HALIGON1 C G & PLAY TI4LEDY-
W9KS OR :AT"E4 ,J DON'T CAUSE ANY TR\#40
  ,>?UR NO4$1 N TRU/+ HMF 6SP1K4 ,X 0
BAD 5 :5 O!R KIDS MADE FUN ( HM1 B AT
L1/ "! 0 A *.E HE CD GET BACK AT !M1 OR
MAKE A JOKE \ ( X OR "S?+4 ,X 0 M* H>D]
6D T )A T1*]4
  ,HE TURN$ AWAY & />T$ WALK+ \ (! GYM4
,HALFWAY 6! DOOR1 HE HE>D "S"O RUN   #GC
UP 2H HM & !N "! 0 A T\* ON 8 >M4 ,HE
FL9*$ & HALF-CR\*$1 SU45LY AFRAID ! DOG-
FACES _H GOTT5 IN4 ,B X 0 ONLY A GIRL1
"S"O HE DIDN'T "K4 ,A GIRL ) B"R P9K
HAIR4
  8,Y'RE ,>?UR ,P5HALIGON80 %E ASK$ OV]
! LAU<S & GI7LES F ! RE/ (! CLASS1 :O'D
SE5 HM FL9*4
  8,YES40
  8,L1F S5T ME AN ;E-MAIL 6GIVE 6Y10 %E
SD1 H&+ HM A FOLD$ PIECE ( PAP]4 ,>?UR
TOOK X1 IGNOR+ ! CATCALLS F ! BOYS 2H
H]4
  8,IGNORE ^? MUTANTS10 ! GIRL SD 9 A
L\D VOICE4 ,%E SMIL$ & RAN BACK 6JO9 H]
"PICUL> CLIQUE ( TALL1 BOR$-LOOK+ GIRLS4
  ,>?UR PUT ! PAP] 9 8 POCKET & LEFT !
GYM1 8 FACE BURN+4 ,HE WASN'T SURE :AT
MADE HM M EMB>RASS$3 GETT+ TOLD 6G &
PLAY TI4LEDYW9KS 0,WEI<TMAN OR GETT+ A
NOTE F A GIRL 9 FULL VIEW ( "EY"O ELSE4
  ,HE TOOK REFUGE 9 ! LIBR>Y4 ,AF EX-
PLA9+ 6! LIBR>IAN T HE 0 EXCUS$ F GYM &
%[+ H] 8 NOTE1 HE TOOK A GD LOOK >.D1 !N
DECID$ 6SIT AT "O (! DESKS ON !      #GD
SECOND FLOOR1 NEXT 6A W9D[ T OV]LOOK$ !
FRONT (! S*OOL &! /REET4
  ,! F/ ?+ HE DID 0 BUILD "S WALLS ON !
DESK \ ( L>GE REF];E BOOKS1 6MAKE A PRI-
VATE CU2Y4 ,UN.S "S"O CAME UP & LOOK$
OV] 8 %\LD]1 NOBODY WD 2 A# 6SEE :AT HE
0 R1D+4
  ,!N HE TOOK ! ,KEY &! ,ATLAS F 8 BAG &
LAID !M D[N ) ,L1F'S NOTE ON ! DESK4 ,Z
HE DID S1 HE CAU<T ! FLA% ( MOVE;T \ (!
CORN] ( 8 EYE4 ,HE LOOK$ \ ! W9D[1 &1 Z
HE _H M ?AN HALF-EXPECT$1 "! 7 ! DOG-
FACES4 ,SLID+ \ F 2T P>K$ C>S & TREES4
,SL9K+ =W>D 6GAZE UP AT 8 W9D[4 ,!Y KNEW
EXACTLY ": HE WAS4
  ,>?UR _H HOP$ HE WD FEEL M SECURE IF
HE CD ACTU,Y SEE !M4 ,T HE WD FEEL BRAV]
= HAV+ EXPOS$ HMF AT ! W9D[4 ,B HE
DIDN'T4 ,HE %IV]$ Z !Y 3GREGAT$ 96A MOB1
ALL ( !M />+ ^W.SLY UP AT HM4 ,S F>1 N"O
_H %[N W+S L ! "O T _H FL[N 6HIS W9D[ !
NI<T 2F4 ,B P]H T 0 ONLY A MATT] ( "T4
  ,=C+ HMF 6LOOK AWAY1 HE IMAG9$ T HE 0
A :ITE M\SE1 TE>+ XS GAZE AWAY F A HOOD$
COBRA4 ,T HAV+ D"O S1 HE WD 2 A#     #GE
6ESCAPE4
  ,HE FELT A V /R;G DESIRE 6FLEE 96!
DEEP] "PS (! LIBR>Y1 6HIDE 2T ! /ACKS (
-=T+ BOOKS4 ,B T WDN'T HELP1 HE KNEW4
,AT L1/ "H HE KNEW ": ! DOG-FACES W]E4
,:AT !Y 7 0 ANO!R "Q1 "O (! _M ,>?UR 0
MAK+ 96A M5TAL LI/4
  ,>?UR UNFOLD$ ! PR9T\T ( ,L1F'S ;E-
MAIL & R1D3

,TO3 _+PINKHEAD55TEPIDMAIL.COM_:
,F3 _+RAPREPTEAM20BIOHAZ.GOV_:
,HI ,ALLIE
  ,? IS ME1 ,L1F4 C Y PASS ? MESSAGE ON
6>?UR P5HALIGON8 BOY :O FLAK$ ON ! RUN
LA/ ,MON"D8 K9D ( ?9 PLUS PALE1 AB $'S
HEI<T HAIR L G>Y KRAG V4 IMPORTANT HE
GETS ?4 GOTTA RUN4 ?ANX
    ,L1F

HI >T
  SORRY WE DIDN'T ;C ;U AT HOSPITAL4 $
GOT SICK TUES4 NITE1 & !N MOM PLUS DAD
DID PLUS AUNT MANGO ,7N R1L "N7'4 I'M N
SICK1 ?O \R H\SE IS QU>ANT9E4 _M     #GF
DOCTORS COPS ALL OV] \R PLACE1 9 BIOHAZ-
>D SUITZ1 V4 SC>Y PIGFACE4 ,!Y ?9K NEW
FLU & %OTS ,,DON'T ,,"W4 NO "O RE,Y1 RE-
,Y SICK YET B :5 ,I G NE> $ OR ! O!RS ,I
SMELL ! SAME REVOLTO SMELL T ! ,,DOG-
FAC$ ,,GUYS _H L !Y'RE 3NECT$1 Y "K B !
DOCTORS C'T SMELL X !Y'RE 9 SUITS & NEI
C $ OR P>5TS1 ?O S M* SNOT -+ \ ?AT2S NO
SURPRISE4 DOCS H MA*9E T SMELLS #D !M1 &
X SAYS E'?+ OKAY :5 OBVI\SLY N4 NO "O
2LIEVES ME4
  I ?9K ! VIRUS F DOG-FACES ,I ,,RE,Y
,,HOPE Y C SEE !M Y H 6"W X \ ,,I'M
,,DEP5D+ ,,ON ,,Y4
  F$S CUT (F NET & PH"O ,I ?9K AFRAID (
BIG PANIC4 ? F "O (! DOCS PALMTOPS : ,I
,,/OLE & !Y'LL FIGURE X \ R1L SOON4
  IM AFRAID






              ,*APT] ,FIVE           #GG

  ,>?UR />$ AT ! LA/ ^WS =A FEW SECONDS3
.IM .AFRAID4
  ,HE %IV]$1 FOLD$ ! PR9T\T1 & PUT X
BACK 9 8 POCKET4 ,HE FELT 8 BR1?+ CAT*
AG & 3C5TRAT$ ON A /1DY1 SL[ RHY?M4
,BR1! 9 SL[LY1 HOLD X1 BR1! \ SL[LY4 ,B
ALL ! "T 8 M9D 0 RAC+4 ,? 0 EV5 WORSE
?AN HE ?"\4
  ,ALL ! FE>S HE _H MANAG$ 6KEEP "U CON-
TROL 7 ?R1T5+ 6BR1K FREE & S5D HM 96TO-
TAL PANIC4 ,! OLD FE> (A NEW \TBR1K4 ,&A
NEW FE>1 (! DOG-FACES & ,MI/] ,MON"D1 &
EV5 (! ,KEY XF4
  .,BR1!1 ?"\ ,>?UR4 .,?9K .X ."?4
  ,:Y _H HE BE5 GIV5 ! ,KEY ''' &! ,AT-
LAS8 ,:O ''' OR :AT ''' 7 ,MI/] ,MON"D &
! DOG-FACES8 ,7 !Y RE,Y 3NECT$ 6? SU45
\TBR1K ( DRUG-RESI/ANT 9FLU5ZA8 ,0 X AN
\TBR1K8 ,MAYBE ONLY ,$ & ,L1F'S FAMILY 0
A6ECT$4 '''
  ,>?UR LOOK$ \ ! W9D[ AT ! DOG-FACES AG
& A3ID5T,Y T\*$ ! ,KEY &! ,ATLAS ON !
DESK4 ,Z HE DID S1 HE FELT A %>P
ELECTRIC %OCK1 &! ,ATLAS FLIPP$      #GH
OP5 )A BANG1 MAK+ HM JUMP L A />TL$ CAT4
,Z X _H D"O 2F1 ! ,ATLAS GREW 9 SIZE
TILL X FILL$ NE>LY ALL ! DESK SPACE 9 2T
8 RAM"P ( BOOKS4
  ,? "T1 ! ,ATLAS DIDN'T 4PLAY A DRAW+ (
! ,H\SE4 ,9/1D X RAPIDLY SKET*$ "O (!
DOG-FACES1 ?\< )\T ! B[L] HAT1 DIRTY
%IRT1 & BLACK1 OLD-FA%ION$ SUIT4 ,? "O 0
WE>+ "S?+ L A SACK1 B "! 0 NO MISTAK+ !
FACE4
  ,^WS APPE>$ NEXT 6! PICTURE1 WRITT5 BY
"S UNSE5 H&4 ,! ^WS 7 9 A /RANGE ALPHA-
BET T ,>?UR DIDN'T RECOGNIZE1 LET AL"O H
A *.E ( R1D+1 B Z ! BOY WAT*$ HE SAW T !
E>LI] LRS 7 *ANG+ 96! NORMAL ALPHABET &!
^WS 7 RE>RANG+ !MVS 96,5GLI%1 ?\< ! TYPE
0 / WEIRD & OLD-FA%ION$4 ,E N[ & !N A
BLOT ( 9K WD APPE> "PWAY "? A ^W1 6BE
HA/ILY WIP$ AWAY4 ,!N ^WS /OPP$ APPE>+1
& ,>?UR />T$ 6R1D :AT 0 "!4

  ,! ,H\SE 0 BUILT F ,NO?+1 & XS F.D,NS
RE/ ^U ,NO?+4 ,YET Z ,NO?+ IS ="E &!
,H\SE IS B ET]NAL1 ^! F.D,NS SL[LY S9K
96! ,NO?+ F : ! ,H\SE 0 WR"\1 &      #GI
,NO?+ S IMP+ES ^U ! ,H\SE4 ,9 ! V DEEPE/
CELL>S1 S9KS1 & \BLIETTES (! ,H\SE1 X IS
POSSI# 6DRAW ^U ,NO?+ & %APE X ) "O'S
?"\1 %D S* ?"\ 2 /R;G 5\<4 ,=BI45 9 CUS-
TOM1 IF N 9 LAW1 X IS TOO (T5 ESSAY$ 0^?
:O %D "K BETT]1 ?\< X IS N ! HI< TR1SON
( TR1T+ )! ,NI?L+S1 ^? SELF-WILL$ ?+S T
O3A.N,Y EM]GE F ,NO?+1 ) SCANT REG>D =
,"T OR R1SON4
  ,A TYPICAL %AP+ ( ,NO?+ IS ! ,FET*]1 Z
ILLU/RAT$4 ,A ,FET*] IS A CR1TURE ( V L[
DEGREE1 USU,Y FA%ION$ =A "PICUL> PUR-
POSE4 ,?\< X IS 3TR>Y 6! ,ORIG9AL ,LAW1
^! CR1TURES >E N[ (T5 EMPLOY$ 9 M5IAL
TASKS 2Y ! ,H\SE XF1 9 ! ,SECOND>Y
,R1LMS1 = !Y >E EXTREMELY DURA# & >E
LESS 9IMICAL 6MORTAL LIFE ?AN MO/ CREA-
TURES ( ,NO?+ 7OR 9DE$ ^? ( HI<] ORD]S F
)9 ! ,H\SE74 ,H["E1 !Y >E 3/RA9$ 0C]TA9
/RICTURES1 S* Z AN 9ABIL;Y 6CROSS ?RE%-
OLDS UN9VIT$1 & MAY 2 EASILY 4PELL$ BY
SALT OR NUM]\S O!R PETTY MAGICS4
  ,P]H "O 9 A MILLION ,FET*]S MAY F9D OR
2 GRANT$ 5LI<T5;T 2Y XS /,N1 & S GA9
EMPLOY;T 9 ! ,H\SE4 ,=! MO/ "P1 :5   #HJ
_! TASK IS D"O1 !Y >E RETURN$ 6! PRIMOR-
DIAL ,NO?+ F :;E !Y CAME4
  ,FET*]S %D N"E 2 ISSU$ ) W+S OR W1P-
ONS1 & M/ AT ALL "TS 2 GIV5 CLE> DIREC-
;N4

  ,>?UR ?"\ AG ( T HIDE\S FACE AT ! W9-
D[1 PRESS$ AG/ ! GLASS1 XS W+S FLUTT]+
FURI\SLY 2H X4 ,"SBODY _H IGNOR$ ! AD-
VICE AB N GIV+ ,FET*]S W+S4 ,>?UR WD N 2
SURPRIS$ IF ! "OS WAIT+ \TSIDE _H W1PONS
Z WELL1 ?\< HE DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB :AT
K9D ( W1PONS !Y MI<T 2 GIV54
  ,>?UR TRI$ 6TURN ! PAGE (! ,ATLAS 6SEE
IF "! 0 ANY M 9=M,N1 B ! PAGE WDN'T
TURN4 ,"! 7 LOTS ( O!R PAGES 9 ! BOOK1 B
!Y MI<T Z WELL H ALL BE5 GLU$ 96A S+LE
MASS4 ,>?UR CDN'T EV5 GET 8 F+]NAIL 2T !
L1VES ( PAP]4
  ,HE GAVE UP & LOOK$ \ ! W9D[ AG & 0
SURPRIS$ 6SEE T ! ,FET*]S _H MOV$ 9 !
%ORT SPACE ( "T HE'D BE5 LOOK+ AT ! ,AT-
LAS4 ,!Y _H =M$ 96A R+ ON ! ROAD & 7 ALL
LOOK+ UP4 ,A C\PLE ( C>S _H /OPP$ 2C (
!M1 B X 0 OBVI\S ! DRIV]S CDN'T      #HA
RE,Y SEE :AT 0 9 _! WAY4 ,>?UR CD 4TANT-
LY HE> "O ( !M %\T+1 ! ANGRY ^WS FA9T "?
! D\#-GLAZ+1 8,GET T H1P ( JUNK \TTA "H6
,I HAV5'T GOT ALL "D60
  ,! ,FET*]S GAZ$ UP AT ! SKY4 ,>?UR
LOOK$ TOO B DIDN'T SEE ANY?+4 ,"P ( HM
DIDN'T WANT 6SEE1 2C ! FE> 0 RIS+ 9 HM4
  .,DON'T .LOOK1 "P ( 8 M9D SD4 ..,IF Y
DON'T SEE TR\#1 X DOESN'T EXI/4
  ..,B X .DOES1 ?"\ ,>?UR1 FI<T+ D[N !
FE>4 ..,KEEP BR1?+ SL[LY4 ,Y H 63FRONT
YR FE>S4 ,D1L ) .!M4
  ,HE KEPT LOOK+1 UNTIL AN 9T5SE :ITE
LI<T FLA%$ J ABV ! R+4 ,>?UR %UT 8 EYES
& %IELD$ 8 FACE4 ,:5 HE LOOK$ AG1 BLACK
SPOTS D.ED "EY": 9 8 VI.N & X TOOK A FEW
SECONDS = !M 6CLE>4
  ,! EMPTY SPACE 9 ! MI4LE (! R+ 0 NO
L;G] EMPTY4 ,A MAN _H APPE>$ "!4 ,OR N
RE,Y A MAN1 S9CE HE _H HUGE F1!RY W+S
SPR1D+ F 8 %\LD]S4 ,>?UR KEPT BL9K+1
TRY+ 6FOCUS4 ,! W+S 7 SORT ( :ITE1 B
DAPPL$ ) "S?+ D>K & UNPL1SANT-LOOK+4 ,!N
!Y FOLD$ UP 2H ! APP>I;N'S BACK & 9 AN
9/ANT 7 G"O1 L1V+ ONLY A V H&"S1     #HB
TALL MAN ( AB ?IRTY4 ,HE 0 DRESS$ 9 A
:ITE %IRT ) *9-SCRAP+ COLL> PO9TS1 A R$
NECKTIE1 A GOLD WAI/COAT "U A BOTTLE-
GRE5 COAT1 & TAN PANTALOONS OV] GLOSSY
BR[N BOOTS--AN 5SEM# T _H N BE5 9 FA%ION
= M ?AN A HUNDR$ & FIFTY YE>S4
  8,OH1 MY60 EXCLAIM$ "S"O F 2H ,>?UR4
8,! V SPIT ( H[ ,I'VE ALW IMAG9$ ,MI/]
,D>CY4 ,HE M/ 2 AN ACTOR6 ,I WOND] :Y
HE'S DRESS$ UP L T40
  ,X 0 ! LIBR>IAN4 ,MRS4 ,BANB]4 ,%E'D
CREPT UP ON ,>?UR :ILE HE WASN'T PAY+
ATT5;N4
  8,& :O >E ^? /RANGE M5 9 ! BLACK
SUITS80 3T9U$ ,MRS4 ,BANB]4 8,^? FACES
C'T 2 R1L6 ,>E !Y MAK+ A FILM80
  8,Y C SEE ! DOG-FACES860 EXCLAIM$ ,>-
?UR4 8,I M1N ! ,FET*]S80
  8,YES '''0 REPLI$ ! LIBR>IAN ABS5TLY1
/ />+ \ ! W9D[4 8,?\< N[ T Y M5;N X1 ,I
M/ 2 OV]DUE = AN EYE *ECKUP4 ,MY 3TACT
L5SES DON'T SEEM 6BE Q "R4 ,^? P >E R
BLURRY40
  ,%E TURN$ >.D &=! F/ "T LOOK$ PROP]LY
AT ,>?UR & 8 BATTLE;TS ( BOOKS4      #HC
  8,?\< ,I C SEE Y ALL "R1 "Y MAN6 ,:AT
>E Y DO+ ) ALL ^? BOOKS8 ,& :AT IS T80
  ,%E PO9T$ AT ! ,ATLAS4
  8,NO?+60 EXCLAIM$ ,>?UR4 ,HE SLAMM$ !
,ATLAS %UT & LET G (! ,KEY1 : 0 A MIS-
TAKE4 ,! ,ATLAS %RANK IMMLY 96XS POCKET-
BOOK SIZE4
  8,H[ DID X D T80 ASK$ ,MRS4 ,BANB]4
  8,I C'T EXPLA910 SD ,>?UR RAPIDLY4 ,HE
DIDN'T H "T = ?6 ,! H&"S MAN 0 WALK+ TO-
W>DS ! LIBR>Y1 )! ,FET*]S FOLL[+4 ,HE
LOOK$ A BIT L ,MI/] ,MON"D1 ?\< M* M 5]-
GETIC1 & ,>?UR WASN'T AT ALL SURE T !
SAME /RICTURES T KEPT ! ,FET*]S F CROSS+
?RE%OLDS WD APPLY 6HM4
  8,H Y GOT ANY SALT80 HE ASK$ URG5TLY4
  8,:AT80 REPLI$ ,MRS4 ,BANB]4 ,%E 0
LOOK+ \ ! W9D[ AG & SMOO?+ H] HAIR4 ,H]
EYES _H G"O UNFOCUS$ & DR1MY4 8,HE'S -+
96! LIBR>Y60
  ,>?UR GRA2$ ! ,ATLAS &! ,KEY & /U6$ !M
96HIS BACKPACK4 ,!Y GL[$ Z HE PUT !M
AWAY1 %$D+ A S(T YELL[ LI<T T MO;T>ILY
FELL ON ,MRS4 ,BANB]'S FACE4
  8,DON'T TELL HM ,I'M "H60 HE SD    #HD
URG5TLY4 8,Y M/N'T TELL HM ,I'M "H40
  ,EI ! FE> 9 8 VOICE OR T BRIEF LI<T F
! ,ATLAS &! ,KEY RECAPTUR$ ,MRS4 ,BAN-
B]'S ATT5;N4 ,%E SU45LY LOOK$ LESS
DR1MY4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT'S GO+ ON1 B ,I DON'T
L X10 %E SNAPP$4 8,NO "O IS -+ 96MY LI-
BR>Y )\T P]MIS.N6 ,G & HIDE 2H ! ZOOLOGY
BOOKS1 ,>?UR4 ,I'LL D1L ) ? P]SON60
  ,>?UR NE$$ NO 9VIT,N4 ,HE HURRI$ AWAY
F ! W9D[1 96! MAZE ( LIBR>Y %ELVES1
WALK+ Z FA/ Z HE D>$4 ,HE CD FEEL 8
LUNGS TI<T5+1 LOS+ _! FLEXIBIL;Y4 ,/RESS
& FE> 7 ALR FE$+ 8 AS?MA4
  ,HE /OPP$ 2H ! ZOOLOGY %ELVES & CR\*$
D[N S T HE CD SEE "? TWO R[S ( %ELVES 6!
FRONT DOOR1 ": ,MRS4 ,BANB] /OOD GU>D AT
! FRONT DESK4 ,%E _H A SCANN] 9 H] H& &
0 ANGRILY *ECK+ 9 BOOKS1 ! SCANN] BEEP+
E FEW SECONDS Z XS 9FRAR$ EYE PICK$ UP A
B> CODE4
  ,>?UR TRI$ 6BR1! SL[LY4 ,P]H ! H&"S
MAN CDN'T -E IN4 ,IF HE 0 WAIT+ \ FRONT1
,>?UR CD ESCAPE "? ! /AFF 5TR.E HE'D SE5
AT ! BACK4                           #HE
  ,A %AD[ FELL ACR ! DOOR4 ,>?UR'S BR1?
/OPP$ HALFWAY IN4 ,= AN 9/ANT HE ?"\ HE
CDN'T BR1!1 B X 0 ONLY A MO;T ( PANIC4
,Z HE GOT ! RE/ ( 8 BR1?1 ! H&"S MAN
/OPP$ 9 FRONT (! DOOR4
  ,HE R1*$ \ ) "O :ITE-GLOV$ H& & PU%$ !
DOOR OP54 ,=A HOPE;L MO;T ,>?UR ?"\ HE
CDN'T CROSS T ?RE%OLD4 ,!N ! MAN /EPP$
96! LIBR>Y4 ,Z HE PASS$ ! DOOR1 ! ANTI-
!FT SCANN]S GAVE A PLA9TIVE BEEP &! GRE5
LI<TS ON TOP W5T \4
  ,MRS4 ,BANB] 0 \ F 2H H] DESK 9 A
FLA%4
  8,? IS A S*OOL LIBR>Y10 %E SD FRO/ILY4
8,VISITORS M/ REPORT 6! FRONT (FICE F/40
  8,MY "N IS ,NOON10 SD ! MAN4 ,8 VOICE
0 DEEP & MUSICAL1 & HE S.D$ L A FAM\S
,BRITI% ACTOR4 ,ANY FAM\S ,BRITI% ACTOR4
8,I AM ,PRIVATE ,SECRET>Y & ,CUPBE>] TO
,MI/] ,MON"D4 ,I AM LOOK+ =A BOY4 ,>-
TOR40
  ,HE _H A SILV] T;GUE1 ,>?UR SAW4 ,LIT-
],Y SILV]1 %9+ 9 8 M\?4 ,8 ^WS 7 SMOO? &
%9+ TOO4 ,>?UR FELT L -+ \ & SAY+1 8,"H
,I AM40                              #HF
  ,MRS4 ,BANB] OBVI\SLY FELT ! SAME WAY4
,>?UR CD SEE H] TREMBL+ & H] H& ROSE1
ALM Z IF X 0 GO+ 6PO9T 6": HE 0 HID+4 ,B
"SH[ %E =C$ X BACK D[N4
  8,I ''' ,I DON'T C>E10 SD ,MRS4 ,BAN-
B]4 ,%E SEEM$ SMALL] & H] VOICE 0 SU45LY
W1K4 8,Y H ''' Y H 6REPORT '''0
  8,RE,Y80 ASK$ ,NOON4 8,Y C'T ALL[ A
FEW ^WS '''0
  8,NO1 NO10 :ISP]$ ,MRS4 ,BANB]4
  8,A P;Y10 SD ,NOON4 ,8 VOICE GREW
COLD]1 AU?ORIT>IAN & ?R1T5+4 ,HE SMIL$1
B ! SMILE 0 CRUEL & DID N EXT5D 2Y 8 ?9
LIPS4 ,HE RAN "O GLOV$ F+] AL;G ! TOP (A
4PLAY /& & HELD X UP 9 FRONT ( ,MRS4
,BANB]'S FACE4 ,! TIP (! GLOVE 0 /A9$ )
GRAY DU/4
  ,! LIBR>IAN />$ AT ! F+] Z IF X 7 H]
EYE DOCTOR'S FLA%LI<T4
  8,SPR+ CL1N+ M/ 2 D"O10 SD ,NOON4 ,HE
BLEW ON ! DU/1 &A LL CL\D ( X FELL ON
,MRS4 ,BANB]'S FACE4 ,%E BL9K$ ONCE1
SNEEZ$ TWICE1 & FELL 6! GR.D4
  ,>?UR />$1 HORRIFI$1 Z ,NOON C>E;LLY
/EPP$ OV] ! LIBR>IAN'S BODY &        #HG
/ALK$ PA/ ! FRONT DESK4 ,=A SECOND HE
?"\ ,MRS4 ,BANB] 0 D1D1 TILL HE SAW H]
TRY+ 6GET UP AG4
  8,>-TOR10 CALL$ ,NOON S(TLY1 8 SILV]
T;GUE FLICK]+4 ,HE _H /OPP$ J PA/ ! DESK
& 0 EYE+ ! %ELVES ) OBVI\S SUSPICION4
8,-E \1 ,>-TOR4 ,I M]ELY WANT 6TALK 6Y40
  8,>-TOR60
  ,! VOICE 0 -M&+1 & ONCE AG ,>?UR FELT
! URGE 6REV1L HMF1 6RUN \4 ,B HE FELT A
C.T]VAIL+ =CE F ! ,KEY &! ,ATLAS 9 8
BACKPACK4 ,A SOO?+ VIBR,N1 L A KITT5
PURR+1 T REDUC$ ! =CE ( ,NOON'S ^WS4 ,>-
?UR UNDID ! BAG1 TOOK ! ,KEY 9 8 H&1 &
SLIPP$ ! ,ATLAS 96HIS %IRT POCKET4 ,BO?
7 IMM5SELY -=T+1 & ,>?UR F.D T HE CD EV5
BR1! M EASILY4
  ,NOON FR[N$1 A MO;T>Y UGLI;S ON T H&"S
FACE4 ,!N HE R1*$ \ ) 8 :ITE-GLOV$ H& &
OP5$ A SMALL CUPBO>D T MAT]IALIZ$ 9 MID-
AIR ! 9/ANT HE R1*$ = X4 ,"! 0 A TELE-
PH"O 9SIDE4 ,A V OLD TELEPH"O1 )A SEPA-
RATE E>PIECE ON A CORD &A BELL-M\? 6SP1K
9TO4
  8,MI/] ,MON"D10 SD ,NOON 96!       #HH
M\?PIECE4
  ,>?UR CD HE> "S"O MUTT]+ ON ! O!R 5D4
  8,? IS (FICIAL BUSI;S1 Y FOOL10 SNAPP$
,NOON4 8,:AT IS YR "N & NUMB]80
  ,"! 0 M MUTT]+ AT ! O!R 5D4 ,NOON
FR[N$ AG1 !N SL[LY & DELIB]ATELY HUNG UP
! E>PIECE1 LET X SIT =A MO;T1 !N TOOK X
UP AG4
  8,OP]ATOR8 ,MI/] ,MON"D4 ,YES1 AT
ONCE4 ,YES1 ,I "K ": ,I'M CALL+ F6 ,? IS
,MON"D'S ,NOON4 ,?ANK Y40 ,"! 0 A PAUSE
Z ,MI/] ,MON"D 0 3NECT$4 8,SIR8 ,I H !
BOY TRAPP$40
  ,>?UR CLE>LY HE>D ,MI/] ,MON"D YAWN 2F
HE REPLI$4 ,8 VOICE N ONLY CAME \ (! E>-
PIECE1 X E*O$ >.D ! :OLE LIBR>Y4
  8,H Y ! ,M9UTE ,KEY8 ,X M/ 2 BR"\ BACK
6ME AT ONCE60
  8,N YET1 SIR10 REPLI$ ,NOON4 8,! BOY
IS HID+ 9 A ''' LIBR>Y40
  8,I DON'T C>E ": HE'S HID+60 SCR1M$
,MON"D4 8,GET ! ,KEY60
  8,A LIBR>Y1 SIR10 SD ,NOON PATI5TLY4
8,"! IS A LOT ( TYPE4 ,! ,W CD 2 "H
TOO--0                               #HI
  8,! ,W6 ,! ,W6 ,I AM S BOR$ ) ? TALK6
,D :AT"E Y H TO6 ,Y H PL5IPOT5TI>Y P[]S6
,USE !M60
  8,I NE$ T 9 WRIT+1 SIR10 SD ,NOON
CALMLY4 8,! ,MORR[ ,"DS--0
  ,"! 0 A S.D T 0 A CROSS 2T A YAWN &A
SN>L1 &A TI<TLY B.D SCROLL FLEW \ (! E>-
PIECE4 ,MOV+ S FA/ T ,>?UR DIDN'T SEE X
HAPP51 ,NOON DUCK$ ASIDE1 & Z ! SCROLL
%OT PA/1 HE SNAT*$ X F ! AIR ) 8 FREE
H&4
  8,?ANK Y1 SIR10 HE SD1 & PAUS$4 ,"! 0
NO ANSW] F ! O!R 5D4 ,J A L;G SNORE4
  ,NOON HUNG UP ! PH"O & C>E;LLY CLOS$ !
CUPBO>D4 ,Z ! DOOR %UT1 ! PH"O CUPBO>D
4SOLV$ 96?9 AIR4
  ,NOON UNROLL$ ! SCROLL & R1D X4 ,? "T1
A R1L SMILE FLEET+LY MOV$ ACR 8 FACE1 &A
R$ LI<T FLA%$ BRIEFLY 9 8 EYES4 8,? IS
YR LA/ *.E 6-E \10 ,NOON SD 3V]S,N,Y4
8,I C BR+ ! ,FET*]S 9 N[4 ,!Y'LL SOON
ROOT Y \1 ,>-TOR40
  ,>?UR DIDN'T RESPOND4 ,NOON /OOD "!1
TAPP+ ! SCROLL AG/ 8 ?I<4 ,2H HM1 ,MRS4
,BANB] PULL$ H]F UP ONTO ! DESK &    #IJ
PICK$ UP ! PH"O H&SET4 ,>?UR WAT*$ !M
BO?1 PANICK$1 N "K+ :AT HE %D D4 ,%D HE
HELP ,MRS4 ,BANB]8 ,%D HE GIVE HMF UP8
,MAYBE IF HE GAVE ,NOON ! ,KEY !N !Y WD
L1VE HM AL"O8
  ,MRS4 ,BANB]1 H] H& %AK+ S M* %E CD
H>DLY HOLD ! PH"O1 />T$ 6PUN* 9 A NUMB]4
,! KEYPAD BEEP$1 & ,NOON :IRL$4 ,8 W+S
EXPLOD$ \ 2H & ABV HM4 ,HUGE1 F1!RY W+S
T _H ONCE BE5 :ITE & LU/R\S B N[ 7 /A9$
) PAT*ES ( "S?+ D>K & HORRID1 "S?+ T
MI<T EV5 2 DRI$ BLOOD4
  ,NOON'S W+S CA/ A DR1D;L %AD[ OV] !
LIBR>IAN Z HE ?RU/ \ 8 H& & FLEX$ 8 F9-
G]S4 ,A FI]Y SWORD APPE>$ 9 8 FI/1 & HE
/RUCK D[N AT ! PH"O1 ! FLAM+ BLADE MELT+
X 9 AN 9/ANT1 ! PAP]S ON ! DESK EXPLOD+
96FLAME4 ,MRS4 ,BANB] /A7]$ AWAY & COL-
LAPS$ NE> ! FRONT DOOR Z SMOKE BILL[$ 6!
CEIL+4
  8,5\<60 SD ,NOON4 ,HE /ALK$ 6! FRONT
DOOR1 8 W+S / >*$ UP 2H HM1 & OP5$ X4
  8,-E IN1 MY ,FET*]S6 ,-E & F9D ! BOY6
,-E & F9D ,>-TOR60
              ,*APT] ,SIX            #IA

  ,BLACK SMOKE ROLL$ ACR ! CEIL+4 ,A
FIRE AL>M 2GAN 6CLANG & CLATT] \TSIDE1
FOLL[$ A SECOND LAT] 0! .:OOP-:OOP (!
EVACU,N SIR54 ,! ,FET*]S CAME 96! LIBR>Y
)! S.D1 ALL 9 A RU%1 B>K+ ) EXCITE;T AT
2+ 9VIT$ PA/ ! DOOR4
  ,NOON PO9T$ AT ! %ELVES &! ,FET*]S
B.D$ =W>D1 _M ( !M B5T OV] S !Y CD SNIFF
AT ! FLOOR1 _! T;GUES LOLL+ & FLAT NOSES
TWIT*+4 ,SNI6+ = _! PREY4 ,>?UR4
  ,B ,>?UR _HN'T WAIT$4 ,HE 0 ALR AT !
BACK DOOR4 ,X 0 LOCK$1 B "! 0 A REL1SE
BUTTON 9SIDE A GLASS BOX1 PLA/]$ ) W>N+
SIGNS AB AL>MS & ONLY 2+ US$ 9 ! EV5T (
FIRE4
  ,"! 0 A FIRE4 ,>?UR SWUNG 8 BACKPACK
AT ! BOX & SMA%$ ! GLASS4 ,X BROKE 96T9Y
CLUMPS R ?AN %ATT]+4 ,HE R1*$ 9 ) 8 LEFT
H& & PUN*$ ! BUTTON1 2C HE DIDN'T WANT
6LET G (! ,KEY HE HELD TI<TLY 9 8 "R H&4
,"SH[ X HELP$ HM BR1!1 & HE RE,Y NE$$ TO
BR1! PROP]LY "R N[4 ,HE CD HE> ! ,FET*]S
2H HM1 GR[L+ & GRUNT+ Z !Y RAC$ AL;G !
CORRIDORS MADE 0! %ELVES1 PAUS+ AT   #IB
EA* 9T]SEC;N (! ,DEWEY ,DECIMAL SY/EM TO
SNIFF \ 8 PA?4
  ,NO?+ HAPP5$ AF HE PRESS$ ! BUTTON4
,>?UR'S H& TREM#D Z HE PUN*$ X AG4 ,!
BUTTON PRESS$ 9 EASILY 5\<1 B ! DOOR
DIDN'T OP54 ,>?UR KICK$ ! DOOR1 B X
WDN'T BUDGE4 ,Z HE KICK$ X AG1 A R$
FLAME RAN >.D ! DOOR FRAME4 ,! SAME RI*1
DEEP R$ ( ,NOON'S FI]Y SWORD4
  8,! BACK DOOR1 MY ,FET*]S6 ,>-TOR AT-
TEMPTS ! BACK DOOR60
  ,NOON'S VOICE C>RI$ "? ! FIRE AL>M1 !
SIR51 &! ,FET*]S' B>KS4 ,>?UR IMMLY KNEW
T ,NOON _H US$ 8 P[]S 6S1L ! DOOR4 ,B
,>?UR _H 8 [N MAGIC4 ,OR AT L1/ HE _H
"S?+ T _H P[]1 EV5 IF HE DIDN'T "K :AT X
RE,Y 0 OR H[ 6USE X4
  ,! ,KEY4
  ,>?UR T\*$ ! DOOR )! PO9T (! M9UTE H&
& %\T$1 8,OP560 ,"! 0 A FLA% ( :ITE
LI<T1 A SU45 H1T ^U 8 FACE1 !N ! TW9
L1VES (! DOOR FLUNG OP5 &A NEW AL>M JO9$
! CACOPHON\S WAIL4 ,>?UR RAN \ ONTO !
FIRE /AIRS & JUMP$ D[N ! F/ TWO /EPS4
,!N HE SU45LY /OPP$1 :IRL$1 &        #IC
JUMP$ BACK4 ,HE _H 6CLOSE ! DOORS 2H HM
OR ! ,FET*]S WD CAT* HM = SURE4 ,B HE _H
WA/$ A PRECI\S SECOND--CD HE D X 9 "T8
  ,HE ?REW HMF AT ! DOORS & SLAMM$ !M
%UT1 J Z TWO ,FET*]S L1P$ AT ! GAP4 ,>-
?UR 0 ?R[N BACKW>DS &! DOORS />T$ 6OP5
AG1 ! ,FET*]S Y[L+ & GR[L+ Z !Y TRI$ TO
GRAB HM4 ,F+]S RIPP$ AT 8 %IRT1 BUTTONS
W5T FLY+1 B HE SLA%$ )! ,KEY &! ,FET*]S
LET G1 SCR1M+ HORRI# HI<-PIT*$ SCR1MS4
  ,>?UR SLAMM$ ! DOORS AG & MADE A WILD
CUT ACR !M )! ,KEY1 %\T+ \1 8,%UT6
,LOCK6 ,CLOSE60
  ,:E!R X 0 ! CUT OR ! ^WS1 ! DOORS /AY$
%UT1 ?\< ,>?UR CD HE> ! ?UDS Z ! ,FET*]S
?REW !MVS AG/ ! EXIT4 ,B HE DIDN'T HANG
>.D4 ,>?UR KNEW T NO DOORS WD /OP ,NOON4
  ,HE'D ONLY MADE X 6! N>R[ HALL 2T !
LIBR>Y &! S*OOL REFECTORY :5 "! 0 AN EX-
PLO.N ABV HM4 ,HE CR\*$ D[N & LOOK$ BACK
Z FLAMES JETT$ \ 9 ALL DIREC;NS1 &!
DOORS FLEW OV] 8 H1D1 :I/L+ T[>DS ! SCI-
;E BLOCK A QU>T] MILE AWAY4 ,NOON /ROLL$
\ ONTO ! FIRE /AIRS1 BLACK SMOKE ROLL+ \
9 COILS ABV 8 H1D1 )! ,FET*]S        #ID
CR\*$ >.D HM4 ,!Y LOOK$ LESS L M5 N[ & M
L HALF-HUMAN DOGS1 _! BLACK SUITS 9 RAGS
& _! B[L] HATS LO/ "S": 9 ! BURN+ LI-
BR>Y4
  ,>?UR TURN$ 6RUN AG4 ,B HE _H ONLY G"O
A FEW Y>DS :5 HE HE>D ! .:OO% & B1T (
GIANT W+S ABV HM4 ,A COLD %AD[ PASS$ OV]
8 H1D1 & ,NOON L&$ "R 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,8
W+S 7 SPR1D WIDE1 8 FLAM+ SWORD _H AP-
PE>$ 9 8 H& ONCE M1 & X 0 PO9T$ "R AT
,>?UR'S ?ROAT4
  8,GIVE ME ! ,KEY10 9/RUCT$ ,NOON CALM-
LY4
  8,NO10 :ISP]$ ,>?UR4 8,X 0 GIV5 6ME40
  8,X 0 A MISTAKE1 Y FOOLI% BOY10 SD
,NOON4 ,HE LOOK$ "? A W9D[ AT ! SUN &
FR[N$4 8,H& X OV]1 CIRCLE 5D F/4 ,I
HAV5'T GOT ALL "D40
  ,"S?+ AB ! FR[N &! WAY HE SD ^? LA/
^WS SP>K$ AN IDEA 9 ,>?UR'S M9D4 ,HE
LOOK$ D[N1 PRET5D+ T HE 0 ?9K+ AB H&+
OV] ! ,KEY4 ,B HE 0 ACTU,Y LOOK+ AT 8
WAT*4 ,X 0 "O M9UTE %ORT ( "O O'C4
  8,I DON'T "K10 MUM#D ,>?UR4
,DESP]ATELY HE LOOK$ >.D4 ,HE CD     #IE
HE> ! ,FET*]S -+ UP F 2H1 &! FLAM+ SWORD
0 CLOSE 5 = HM 6W9CE AT ! H1T4 ,SW1T 0
DRIPP+ D[N 8 FACE1 /++ 8 EYES4 ,B AT L1/
HE CD BR1!1 ?\< HE 0 PRETTY C]TA9 T WD
/OP Z SOON Z HE LET G (! ,KEY4
  8,GIVE ME ! ,KEY60
  8,-E & GET X60 %\T$ ,>?UR4 ,HE SPUN L
A 4CUS ?R[] & HURL$ ! ,KEY ACR ! HALL AT
! NE>E/ DOOR & ?REW HMF AF X4
  ,! V TIP (! FLAM+ SWORD CAU<T HM ON !
LEFT >M Z HE RAN1 BURN+ A L9E ( 9T5SE
PA9 F 8 %\LD] 6HIS ELB[4 ,NOON %\T$ "S-
?+1 B ! BOY DIDN'T HE>4 ,8 LUNGS _H FRO-
Z5 Z HE LET G (! ,KEY1 & SU45LY HE
DIDN'T H ANY BR1? AT ALL1 P]H N EV5 5 TO
LA/ A FEW /EPS4
  ,HE'D EXPECT$ ! ,KEY 6B\NCE (F ! DOOR
= HM 6PICK UP1 B ! CLOCK H& _H FL[N L A
?R[N DA7] /RAI<T "? ! PAP]-?9 GAP 2T !
DOOR &! WALL4 ,S ,>?UR CRA%$ 96! DOOR
9/1D1 & ONCE AG 8 EXPECT,NS 7 3F.D$4 ,X
%D H BE5 LOCK$1 B 9/1D ( B\NC+ (F & BACK
96! PA? ( ,NOON'S FLAM+ SWORD HE W5T
SLAM-BANG "? X & ROLL$ ONTO ! FLOOR 2Y4
,8 OP5 H& FELL ON ! ,KEY & 8 F+]S    #IF
CLOS$ ON X Z TI<TLY Z !Y CD4 ,)! ,KEY 9
8 GRASP HE FELT B.S$ BR1? -E BACK &!
BURN ON 8 >M FADE 96A DULL A*E4
  8,"! IS RE,Y NO PO9T 6YR RIDICUL\S AC-
ROBATICS10 SD ,NOON Z HE /EPP$ "? !
DOORWAY4 8,GIVE ME ! ,KEY & ,I % ALL[ Y
6CRAWL AWAY4 ,O!RWISE ,I % CUT (F YR H&
& TAKE X40
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT 8 WAT*4 ,! SECOND H& 0
SWEEP+ T[>DS ! TWELVE4 ,X 0 ALM "O O'C4
,8 WAT* 0 V A3URATE1 & HE _H SET X ONLY
A WEEK OR S AGO4
  ,SL[LY1 HE 2GAN 6LOOS5 8 GRIP ON !
,KEY1 Z IF HE 7 OBEY+ ,NOON'S 9/RUC;NS4
,Z HE LET G1 HE FELT 8 LUNGS TI<T5 AG1 &
! BURN ON 8 >M 2GAN 6RETURN4
  8,HURRY UP60 %\T$ ,NOON4 ,HE RAIS$ 8
SWORD &! FLAMES ^U X RO>$ 96B"R]1 HOTT]
LIFE4
  ,! SECOND H& 0 ON ELEV54 ,>?UR GULP$ Z
HE R1LIZ$ T HE 0 AB 6BET 8 H&--HIS .LIFE
--ON A GUESS4 ,A GUESS T ,NOON CD ONLY 2
"H 9 ,>?UR'S _W =! S+LE H\R 2T NOON &
"O4
  8,NO60 %\T$ ,>?UR4 ,HE SNAT*$ !    #IG
,KEY BACK & RECOIL$1 %UTT+ 8 EYES4 ,!
LA/ ?+ HE SAW 0 ,NOON'S EYES REFLECT+ R$
&! FLAM+ SWORD HURTL+ D[N T[>DS 8 H&4
  ,B NO PA9 CAME4 ,>?UR OP5$ 8 EYES4 ,!
SECOND H& ( 8 WAT* 0 PA/ ! TWELVE1 ! H\R
H& & M9UTE H& ON "O O'C4 ,"! 0 NO SIGN (
,MON"D'S ,NOON1 &! ,FET*]S 7 SIL5T1 ?\<
SLAV]+1 J 2Y ! DOOR4 ,"! 0 A SMOLD]+ L9E
( A% AL;G ! FLOOR1 AN 9* F ,>?UR'S F+]S4
,HE />$ AT X & WOND]$ H[ ,NOON CD H
MISS$4
  ,! FIRE AL>M 0 / R++1 &! SIR5 / S.D$
XS /1DY .:OOP4 ,9 ! 4T.E1 ,>?UR CD HE>
O!R SIR5S GR[+ L\D] Z FIRE 5G9ES 3V]G$
^U ! S*OOL4
  ,>?UR SL[LY GOT UP & LOOK$ >.D4 ,HE 0
9 ! BACK (! REFECTORY1 9 FACT 9 ! /AFF &
DELIV]Y 5TR.E =! KIT*54 ,"! 0 NO "O >.D1
?\< X 0 CLE> F ALL ! "PLY MADE M1LS1
R1DI$ 9GR$I5TS1 /-/1M+ POTS1 & ROTAT+
MICROWAVE PLATT]S T ! KIT*5 /AFF _H ONLY
J LEFT1 RESPOND+ 6! EVACU,N AL>M4
  ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT ! ,FET*]S "? ! OP5
DOOR4 ,!Y 7 SIL5T N[1 /&+ 9 RANKS4 ,"SH[
!Y _H GOTT5 _! B[L] HATS BACK1 &     #IH
_! BLACK SUITS 7 RE/OR$4 ,ONCE AG !Y
LOOK$ M L V UGLY M5 & LESS L DOGS4
  ,"O ( !M /EPP$ =W>D & OP5$ XS M\?1 %[+
L>GE CAN9E TEE?4 ,!N X MADE A CURI\S RE-
PETITIVE GRUNT+ NOISE4 ,X TOOK A MO;T =
,>?UR 6R1LIZE X 0 M1NT 6BE A LAU<4 ,B
:AT R1SON CD ? ,FET*] H 6LAU<8
  ,!N HE SAW :AT X 0 HOLD+ 9 XS /U2Y-
F+]$1 L;G-NAIL$ H&4 ,! ,ATLAS6 ,>?UR'S
[N H& FLA%$ 6HIS %IRT POCKET & CAME AWAY
HOLD+ A /RIP ( CLO?4 ,! POCKET _H BE5
TORN (F1 BACK :5 !Y'D ALM GOTT5 HOLD (
HM AT ! LIBR>Y4 ,8 *E/ 0 SCRAT*$ Z WELL1
?\< HE _HN'T NOTIC$ X AT ! "T4 ,N[ X
HURT4 ,B N Z M* Z LOS+ ! ,ATLAS4
  ,! ,FET*]S ALL />T$ 6LAU< N[1 IF Y CD
CALL A RIS+-FALL+ S]IES ( GRUNTS A LAU<4
,>?UR RECOIL$ Z _! /9K+1 SICK5+ BR1?
GU/$ \ ) EA* GRUNT4 ,!Y OBVI\SLY ?"\
!Y'D CAPTUR$ "S?+ V IMPORTANT & WON A
VICTORY4
  ,GLUMLY1 ,>?UR _H 6RECOGNIZE !Y _H4
,IF HE 0 "E 6MAKE ANY S5SE ( :AT 0 GO+
ON1 HE NE$$ ! ,ATLAS4 ,S HE _H 6GET X
BACK4 ,:AT _H ! ,ATLAS SD AB !       #II
,FET*]S8 ,!Y CDN'T CROSS ?RE%OLDS &--
  ,SALT6 ,>?UR TURN$ 6! KIT*5 %ELVES4
,"! _H 6BE SALT "H1 & PROBABLY LOTS ( X4
,X 0 A -M]CIAL KIT*54 ,HE RAN AL;G !
%ELVES1 ! ,KEY HELD FA/ 9 "O H& :ILE HE
TURN$ BAGS >.D & %IFT$ 3TA9]S )! O!R4
,SUG>1 F\R DI6]5T SORTS ( FL\R1 SPICES (
ALL K9DS1 O!R GRA9S1 DRI$ FRUIT '''
SALT6 ,"! X WAS1 A BIG TUB ( REGUL> SALT
&A SMALL SACK ( ROCK SALT4
  ,>?UR HESITAT$1 !N SLIPP$ ! ,KEY "? 8
BELT L A DA7]4 ,Z SOON Z HE LET G1 HE
FELT 8 AS?MA RETURN+4 ,! DEEP BR1?S (A
MO;T AGO 7 LO/ 6HM4 ,B HE / FELT "S EASE
F ! ,KEY4 ,P]H HAV+ X CLOSE 0 BETT] ?AN
NO?+4
  ,HE PUT ! ROCK SALT 9 8 BACKPACK1
SLIPP$ X ON AG1 !N PICK$ UP ! TUB ( SALT
& ?REW AWAY ! LID4 ,! TUB 0 TWO-?IRDS
FULL ( F9E :ITE SALT4 ,>?UR HELD ! TUB
0XS H&LE 9 8 LEFT H& & TOOK A FI/;L (
SALT 9 8 "R4
  ,!N HE M>*$ BACK 6! DOOR1 :EEZ+ &
PANT+ A LL1 B PREP>$ = BATTLE4 ,IF HE CD
SURPRISE !M1 HE ?"\1 ?R[ ! SALT     #AJJ
ACR ! FRONT RANK1 HE MI<T 2 A# 6DA% \ &
GRAB ! ,ATLAS :5 !Y ''' WELL1 :5 :AT"E !
SALT DID 6!M HAPP5$4
  ,AT ! BACK ( 8 M9D1 A D\BT+ "Q IMMLY
POPP$ UP4 ,:AT IF ! SALT J ANNOY$ !M1 &
Z SOON Z HE JUMP$ \ !Y GRA2$ HM & BIT HM
& SCRAT*$ HM 6PIECES8
  ,>?UR DIDN'T ANSW] T "Q4 ,HE =C$ HMF
6FOCUS ON "O ?+--GETT+ ! ,ATLAS BACK4
,ONCE HE _H T1 HE CD ASK "S M "QS4
  ,^! ?"\S 7 RAC+ "? 8 M9D Z HE CAME 6!
5D (! %ELVES4 ,>?UR GULP$1 TOOK Z DEEP A
BR1? Z HE CD1 & JUMP$ \ 9 FRONT (! DOOR1
SCR1M+ & ?R[+ SALT4
  8,YAHHHHH60