,,GREGOR ,,! ,,OV]L&]
    ,BOOK ,"O 9 ,! ,"UL& ,*RONICLES

           ,,SUZANNE ,,COLL9S

       ,PUBLI%$ 0,S*OLA/IC ,9C41
               ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R #BJJC 0,SUZANNE ,COLL9S
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
      ,%>ON ,CILLEY1 ,LAURA ,COX1
     ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]1 ,C>OL ,/UD]1
    ,BE? ,MC,GU691 & ,MIKE ,CAVANAU<
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;II & #A-AAH

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











            ,= MY MOM & DAD












         ,,GREGOR ,,! ,,OV]L&]        #A

                ,,"P #A
                ,! ,FALL

               ,,*APT] #A

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KNEW1 HE 0 FALL+ D[N1 D[N1 D[N 96EMPTY
SPACE4


















                                     #AD
























               ,,*APT] #B            #AE

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               ,,*APT] #E            #DE

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PORT$ X AB A FOOT F ! GR.D1 & ,VIKUS
/EPP$ ABO>D4
  ,GREGOR CLIMB$ ON ) ,BOOTS4 ,8 REC5T
FALL 6! ,"UL& _H ONLY RE9=C$ H[ M* HE
4LIK$ HEI<TS4 ,! PLAT=M IMMLY ROSE1 & HE
GRA2$ HOLD (! SIDE ROPE 6/1DY HMF4 ,VI-
KUS /OOD CALMLY ) 8 H&S FOLD$ 2F HM1 B
!N ,VIKUS WASN'T HOLD+ A WI7LY TWO-YE>-
OLD1 & HE'D PROBABLY RI45 ? ?+ A MILLION
"TS4
  ,! ASC5T 0 RAPID & EV54 ,! PLAT=M LEV-
EL$ (F AT ! W9D[ 2F A SMALL1 /"O /AIR-
CASE4 ,GREGOR C>RI$ ,BOOTS 9SIDE A L>GE
ROOM ) VAULT$ CEIL+S4 ,A GR\P ( ?REE
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SK9 & VIOLET EYES1 WAIT$ 6GREET !M4
  8,GD LATE "D10 SD ,VIKUS1 NO4+ 6! ,"U-
L&]S4 8,MEET Y ,GREGOR & ,BOOTS ! ,OV]-
L&]S1 BRO!R & SI/]1 :O H MO/ REC5TLY
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6! ,HI< ,HALL40 ,)\T A BACKW>D GL.E1
,VIKUS /RODE \ (! ROOM4
  ,GREGOR &! ,"UL&]S />$ AWKW>DLY AT "O
ANO!R4 ,N"O ( !M _H ,LUXA'S >ROG.E OR
,VIKUS'S EASY -M&+ PRES;E4 8,!Y'RE J
REGUL> P10 HE ?"\4 8,I BET !Y FEEL Z
WEIRD Z ,I D40
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 HE SD1 %IFT+ ,BOOTS
OV] 6HIS O!R HIP4 8,SAY ,8,HI10'
,BOOTS40
  8,HI60 SD ,BOOTS1 WAV+ AT ! ,"UL&]S &
LOOK+ -PLETELY DELI<T$4 8,HI6 ,HI1 Y60
  ,! ,"UL&]S' RES]VE MELT$ L BUTT] 9 A
SKILLET4 ,!Y ALL LAU<$1 &! /I6;S W5T \ (
_! BODIES4 ,GREGOR F.D HMF LAU<+1 TOO4
,8 MOM SD ,BOOTS N"E KNEW A /RANG]1 :
M1NT %E ?"\ "EYBODY 9 ! _W 0 H] FR4
  ,GREGOR "S"TS WI%$ HE CD 2 M L T4 ,HE
_H A C\PLE ( GD FRS1 B HE AVOID$ 2COM+
"P ( ANY "O CLIQUE AT S*OOL4 ,X      #EB
ALL CAME D[N 6:O Y ATE LUN* )4 ,HE CD'VE
SAT )! GUYS HE RAN TRACK )4 ,OR ! B&
KIDS4 ,B 9/1D HE LIK$ 2+ ) ,ANGEL9A1 :O
0 ALW 9 "S S*OOL PLAY1 & ,L>RY1 :O J '''
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B HE 0 MO/LY J PRIVATE4 ,HE _H M TR\#
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=W>D & HELD \ H] >MS4 8,I AM CALL$ ,DUL-
CET4 ,MAY ,I TAKE Y1 ,BOOTS8 ,Y WD C>E =
A BA?80 ,BOOTS LOOK$ AT ,GREGOR = 3FIR-
M,N4
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,BOOTS80 HE ASK$4
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  8,MEET Y ,M>E? & ,P]DITA10 SD ,DULCET1
9DICAT+ ! MAN & WOMAN NEXT 6H]4 ,!Y 7
BO? TALL & MUSCUL> &1 AL? !Y DIDN'T C>RY
W1PONS1 ,GREGOR _H A FEEL+ !Y 7 GU>DS4
  8,HEY10 HE SD4
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8,OH1 Y1H1 H] DIAP] NE$S 6BE *ANG$40 ,X
_H BE5 A :ILE4 8,%E'S GO+ 6GET A RA%40
  8,I POOP60 SD ,BOOTS )\T APOLOGY1 &
TU7$ ON H] DIAP]4
  8,I W ATT5D 6X10 SD ,DULCET ) AN AMUS$
SMILE1 & ,GREGOR CDN'T HELP ?9K+ H[ M*
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T]S1 ,GREGOR ! ,OV]L&]80
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& HE DIDN'T WANT ! ,"UL&]S 6?9K HE 0
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  ,! GR\P LEFT ! 5TR.E ROOM & WALK$ D[N
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,HE CD ASK DIREC;NS1 B T WDN'T 2 TOO
SM>T IF HE 0 TRY+ 6ESCAPE4 ,!Y CD CALL
HM _! GUE/1 B X DIDN'T *ANGE ! FACT T HE
& ,BOOTS 7 PRISON]S4 ,GUE/S CD L1VE IF
!Y WANT$ TO4 ,PRISON]S _H 6ESCAPE4 ,& T
0 EXACTLY :AT HE 9T5D$ 6D4
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PLAT=M1 NO "O WD LET HM D[N1 & HE CDN'T
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2 O!R WAYS 65T] ! PALACE10 HE ?"\4 8,"!
M/ BE--0
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  8,I TAKE C>E (! "Y "OS = _M10 SD ,DUL-
CET4 8,I WD N USU,Y MEET S IMPORTANT A
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MET "H YET40
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IS TOO K9D = ME 6A3EPT40 ,2H HM1 ! TWO
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QUE54 ,EV5 IF X 0 TRUE4 ,HE 0 GO+ 6H 6BE
M C>E;L AB :AT HE SD4
  ,=TUNATELY1 J !N !Y /OPP$ AT A DOOR-
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\ 96! HALL4
  8,M/ 2 ! BA?ROOM10 HE ?"\4 ,HE LOOK$
9SIDE & SAW T A WALL DIVID$ ! ROOM 96TWO
SEC;NS4
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,DULCET1 9DICAT+ "O SIDE4
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SIDE1 BOYS ON ! O!R1 L LOCK] ROOMS4 ,HE
?"\ MAYBE HE %D /AY ) ,BOOTS1 B HE FELT
Z IF HE CD TRU/ ,DULCET1 & HE DIDN'T
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Y SOON80
  8,BYE-BYE60 WAV$ ,BOOTS OV] ,DULCET'S
%\LD]4 ,CLE>LY %E WASN'T HAV+ ANY    #EF
SEP>,N ANXIETY4
  ,GREGOR VE]$ (F 6! "R4 ,! PLACE DID
K9D ( RESEM# A LOCK] ROOM IF LOCK] ROOMS
7 GORGE\S & SMELL$ GD4 ,EXOTIC SEA CREA-
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A GOLD5 GL[4 8,OKAY1 B X'S GOT B5*ES &
LOCK]S1 SORT (10 HE ?"\1 TAK+ 9 ! R[S (
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(! ROOM4
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SD ,GREGOR4
  8,WE % 2 9 ! HALL IF Y H NE$10 SD ,M>-
E?4
  8,OKAY1 ?ANKS A LOT10 SD ,GREGOR4 ,:5
! ,"UL&] DUCK$ \ ! DOOR HE FELT ! MUS-
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AN OP5+ CUT 9 ! MI4LE4 ,LOOK+ 9SIDE1
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"UN1? X4 8,OH1 X M/ 2 ! TOILET10     #EG
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/EPS T L$ D[N 96! WAT]4 ,A FRAGRANT
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96! WAT]4
  ,GREGOR QKLY RETURN$ 6! *ANG+ ROOM &
/RIPP$ (F 8 SW1TY CLO!S4 ,FEEL+ SELFCON-
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WAI/1 B HE 4COV]$ ! POOL _H A B5* >.D X4
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  ,A CURR5T WA%$ OV] HM1 REL1S+ ! KNOTS
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BA? & \ ! O!R4
  8,X M/ 2 "S K9D ( "UGR.D /R1M10 HE
?"\4
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WAT] CAME F "S":6 ,X W5T "S":6
  ,IF WAT] CD GET 9 & \ (! PALACE '''
MAYBE HE CD1 TOO4

                                     #EH
























               ,,*APT] #F            #EI

  ,GREGOR SCRU2$ HMF D[N US+ A SP;GE &
"S GLOOPY /UFF HE F.D 9 A B[L 0! POOL4
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9DIST+UI%A# F 8 HO/S Z POSSI#4
  ,ON HOOKS 0! POOL HUNG A R[ ( :ITE T[-
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?91 WORN "OS !Y US$ AT HOME4
  ,HE WALK$ BACK 96! *ANG+ ROOM DRY+ 8
HAIR & F.D 8 CLO!S _H 4APPE>$4 ,9 _!
PLACE 0 A N1T PILE ( SMOKY BLUE G>;TS4
,A %IRT1 PANTS1 & :AT SEEM$ 6BE "UWE>4
,!Y 7 M* F9] ?AN ! T[ELS--! CLO? RAN
SILKILY "? 8 F+]S4 8,:AT IS ? /UFF80 HE
WOND]$1 SLIPP+ 96! %IRT4
  ,HE SLID 8 FEET 96A PAIR ( BRAID$ /RAW
S&ALS & PA4$ \ (! *ANG+ ROOM4 ,M>E? &
,P]DITA 7 WAIT+4
  8,S1 :AT HAPP5$ 6MY CLO!S80 ASK$
,GREGOR4
  8,!Y H BE5 BURN$10 SD ,M>E? AP-    #FJ
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HE'D 2 MAD4
  8,X IS MO/ DANG]\S 6KEEP !M10 SD ,P]-
DITA1 0WAY ( EXPLAN,N4 8,! A% C>RIES NO
SC5T40
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COOL10 HE SD4 8,^! FIT ME F9E40
  ,M>E? & ,P]DITA LOOK$ GRATE;L4 8,AF A
FEW "DS ( \R FOOD1 Y W 2 )\T M* ODOR1
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  8,T'LL 2 NICE10 SD ,GREGOR DRYLY4 ,^!
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  ,DULCET EM]G$ F ! LEFT SIDE (! BA?ROOM
C>RY+ A SQU1KY CL1N ,BOOTS4 ,%E _H ON A
S(T1 ROSE-COLOR$ %IRT1 &A CL1N DIAP]
MADE F ! SAME MAT]IAL Z ,GREGOR'S BA?
T[EL4 ,%E EXT5D$ H] LEG & PO9T$ PR\DLY
6! NEW S&AL ON H] FOOT4 8,SAN-DA10 %E SD
6,GREGOR4
  ,HE /UCK \ 8 FOOT 6%[ H] 8 %OES4 8,ME1
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B] :AT %E'D BE5 WE>+ 9 CASE HE _H 6EX-
PLA9 ! MISS+ /UFF 6HIS MOM4 ,"O DIRTY
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P9K S&ALS H] FEET 7 GR[+ \ (1 ANYWAY4
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OKAY4
  ,GREGOR DIDN'T "K EXACTLY :AT HE WD
TELL 8 MOM AB ! ,"UL&4 ,! TRU? WD SC>E
H] 6D1?4 ,HE'D "W \ "S?+ :5 !Y GOT BACK
6! LAUNDRY ROOM1 B ! SOON] T HAPP5$1 !
SIMPL] ! /ORY CD BE4
  ,BOOTS R1*$ \ H] >MS & ,GREGOR TOOK
H]1 PRESS+ 8 NOSE 96H] DAMP CURLS4 ,%E
SMELL$ FRE% &A BIT L ! OC1N4
  8,%E IS WELL GR[N10 SD ,DULCET4 8,YR
>MS M/ 2 TIR$40 ,%E W5T BACK 96! *ANG+
ROOM & CAME \ ) "S K9D ( PACK4 ,X FITT$
ON 8 BACK ) /RAPS1 & ,BOOTS CD RIDE 9 X
LOOK+ OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,HE _H SE5 P C>RY+
KIDS 9 SPECI,Y DESIGN$ BACKPACKS1 B 8
FAMILY DIDN'T H M"OY = T SORT ( /UFF4
  8,?ANKS10 HE SD CASU,Y1 B HE 0 SECRET-
LY ELAT$4 ,X WD 2 A LOT EASI] 6ESCAPE )
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  ,DULCET L$ !M UP S"EAL /AIRCASES & "?
A MAZE ( HALLS4 ,!Y EV5TU,Y W.D UP 9 A
L;G ROOM T OP5$ \ ON 6A BALCONY4
  8,WE CALL ? ! ,HI< ,HALL10 SD      #FB
,DULCET4
  8,I ?9K Y GUYS =GOT ! RO(10 SD ,GREG-
OR4 ,:ILE ! WALLS 7 DECORAT$ )! GRTE/
C>E1 "! 0 NO?+ B ! BLACK CAV]N ABV _!
H1DS4
  ,DULCET LAU<$4 8,OH1 NO1 X IS M1NT 6BE
S4 ,WE 5T]TA9 "H (T51 & _M BATS C >RIVE
AT ONCE40 ,GREGOR IMAG9$ ! BOTTLENECK A
HUNDR$ BATS WD CAUSE TRY+ 6GET 9 ! DOOR
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L&+ /RIP4
  ,VIKUS 0 WAIT+ = !M 0! BALCONY ) AN
OLD] WOMAN4 ,GREGOR GUESS$ %E MI<T 2 >.D
8 GR&MA'S AGE1 B 8 GR&MA 0 /OOP$ & MOV$
PA9;LLY F >?RITIS4 ,? WOMAN /OOD V
/RAI<T & LOOK$ /R;G4
  8,GREGOR & ,BOOTS ! ,OV]L&]S1 MY WIFE1
,SOLOVET10 SD ,VIKUS4
  8,HEY10 SD ,GREGOR1 8NICE 6MEET Y40
  ,B ! WOMAN /EPP$ =W>D & (F]$ BO? H]
H&S 6HM4 ,! GE/URE SURPRIS$ HM4 ,NO "O
ELSE _H MADE ANY EF=T 6T\* HM S9CE HE'D
L&$4
  8,WELCOME1 ,GREGOR4 ,WELCOME1 ,BOOTS10
%E SD 9 A L[1 W>M VOICE4 8,X IS AN   #FC
HONOR 6H Y AM;G U40
  8,?ANKS10 ,GREGOR MUM#D1 3FUS$ 2C %E 0
?R[+ 8 PRISON] /ATUS (F BAL.E4 ,%E RE,Y
MADE HM FEEL L "S"O SPECIAL4
  8,HI1 Y60 SD ,BOOTS1 & ,SOLOVET R1*$
UP 6PAT H] *EEK4
  8,VIKUS TELLS ME Y >E V ANXI\S 6RETURN
HOME4 ,X PA9S ME T WE _C AID Y IMMLY1 B
6SEEK ! SURFACE TN WD 2 IMPOSSI#10 %E
SD4 8,! ,"UL& BUZZES ) NEWS ( YR >RI-
VAL40
  8,I GUESS "EY"O WANTS 6LOOK AT U1 L
WE'RE FR1KS OR "S?+4 ,WELL1 !Y'D BETT]
LOOK FA/10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,B HE SD1 8,!N
,I'LL GET 6SEE "S /UFF D[N "H40
  ,VIKUS WAV$ HM OV] 6! L[ WALL T R+$ !
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SD4
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/OMA* LUR*4 ,HE 9VOLUNT>ILY TOOK A FEW
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\ OV] ! SIDE (! PALACE4 ,ONLY ! FLOOR
SEP>AT$ HM F ! DIZZY+ DROP4
  8,D N FE>1 X IS WELL BUILT10 SD
,VIKUS4                              #FD
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6MAKE X BACK 6! ,HI< ,HALL4 8,I C SEE
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! GR.D1 HE CDN'T SEE T ! /REETS1 : 7
PAV$ 9 V>I\S %ADES ( /"O1 7 LAID \ 9 A
-PLEX GEOMETRIC PATT]N S T ! C;Y LOOK$ L
A GIANT MOSAIC4 ,HE AL _HN'T R1LIZ$ H[
BIG ! PLACE WAS4 ,X EXT5D$ \ S"EAL MILES
EA* DIREC;N4 8,H[ _M P LIVE D[N "H80
ASK$ ,GREGOR4
  8,WE NUMB] ?REE ?\S& OR S10 SD ,VIKUS4
8,M1 IF ! H>VE/ R1PS WELL40
  ,?REE ?\S&4 ,GREGOR TRI$ 6GET A M5TAL
PICTURE ( H[ _M P T WD BE4 ,8 S*OOL _H
AB SIX HUNDR$ KIDS 9 X1 S FIVE "TS T4
  8,S1 :AT >E Y GUYS DO+ D[N "H1 ANY-
WAY80 ASK$ ,GREGOR4
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Y S L;G 6ASK4 ,WELL1 X IS A M>VEL\S
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X4 8,ONCE _M YE>S AGO "! LIV$--0
  8,VIKUS10 9T]RUPT$ ,SOLOVET4 8,P]H !
TALE WD G WELL ) SUPP]40             #FE
  ,GREGOR SIL5TLY ?ANK$ H]4 ,HE 0 />V+1
& HE _H A FEEL+ ,VIKUS WASN'T ! K9D (
GUY 6L1VE \ ANY DETAILS4
  ,! D9+ ROOM 0 (F ! ,HI< ,HALL4 ,A TA#
_H BE5 SET = EI<T4 ,GREGOR HOP$ ,DULCET
WD 2 JO9+ !M1 B AF TUCK+ ,BOOTS 9 A SORT
( HI< *AIR1 %E BACK$ UP S"EAL FEET F !
TA# & /OOD4 ,GREGOR DIDN'T FEEL -=TA#
EAT+ ) H] /&+ "!1 B HE ?"\ HE MI<T GET
H] 9 TR\# IF HE SD "S?+4
  ,NEI ,VIKUS NOR ,SOLOVET TOOK A *AIR1
S ,GREGOR DECID$ 6WAIT1 TOO4 ,SOON ,LUXA
SWEPT 96! ROOM 9 A DRESS T 0 A LOT FAN-
CI] ?AN ! CLO!S %E'D WORN 9 ! /ADIUM4
,H] HAIR 0 LOOSE & FELL L A %9Y SILV]
%EET 6H] WAI/4 ,%E 0 )A GUY :O ,GREGOR
GUESS$ 0 AB SIXTE54 ,HE 0 LAU<+ AT "S?+
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DIUM4 ,X 0 ! RID] :O'D FELT COCKY 5 6LIE
D[N ON 8 BAT Z !Y'D SWIRL$ >.D 8 H1D4
  8,ANO!R %[-(F10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,B ! GUY
GAVE HM S* A FRLY LOOK T ,GREGOR DECID$
N 6JUMP 63CLU.NS4 ,LUXA 0 ANNOY+1 B MO/
(! O!R ,"UL&]S 7 OKAY4
  8,MY C\S91 ,H5RY10 SD ,LUXA        #FF
%ORTLY1 & ,GREGOR WANT$ 6LAU<4 ,"H AM;G
ALL ^! /RANGE "NS 0 A ,H5RY4
  ,H5RY GAVE ,GREGOR A L[ B[ & CAME UP
GR9N+4 8,WELCOME1 ,OV]L&]10 HE SD4 ,!N
HE GRA2$ ,GREGOR'S >M & SPOKE 9 8 E> 9 A
DRAMATIC,Y HU%$ VOICE4 8,2W>E ! FI%1 =
,LUXA PLANS 6POISON Y DIRECTLY60
  ,VIKUS & ,SOLOVET LAU<$1 & EV5 ,DULCET
SMIL$4 ,X 0 A JOKE4 ,^! P ACTU,Y _H A
S5SE ( HUMOR4
  8,2W>E .YR FI%1 ,H5RY10 RETURN$ ,LUXA4
8,I GAVE ORD]S 6POISON SC.DRELS1 =GETT+
Y WD 2 D9+ Z WELL40
  ,H5RY W9K$ AT ,GREGOR4 8,SWIT* PLATES
)! BATS10 HE :ISP]$1 & AT T MO;T TWO
BATS SWOOP$ 96! ROOM F ! ,HI< ,HALL4
8,AH1 ! BATS60
  ,GREGOR RECOGNIZ$ ! GOLD5 BAT ,LUXA _H
BE5 RID+ E>LI]4 ,A L>GE GRAY BAT FLUTT]$
96A *AIR NE> ,VIKUS1 & "EY"O ELSE TOOK A
S1T4
  8,GREGOR ! ,OV]L&]1 MEET Y ,AURORA &
,EURIP$ES4 ,!Y >E BOND$ 6,LUXA & MYF10
SD ,VIKUS1 EXT5D+ A FLEX$ H& 6! GRAY BAT
ON 8 "R4 ,EURIP$ES BRU%$ ! H& ) 8    #FG
W+4 ,LUXA & H] GOLD5 BAT ,AURORA P]=M$ !
SAME EX*ANGE4
  ,GREGOR _H ?"\ ! BATS 7 L HORSES1 B N[
HE CD SEE !Y 7 EQUALS4 ,DID !Y TALK8
  8,GREET+S1 ,OV]L&]10 SD ,EURIP$ES 9 A
S(T PURR+ VOICE4
  ,Y1H1 !Y TALK$4 ,GREGOR 2GAN 6WOND] IF
8 FI% D9N] WD WANT 6*AT Z HE SLIC$ 96X4
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 SD ,GREGOR POLITELY4
8,:AT DOES T M1N1 T Y'RE BOND$ 6EA* O?-
]80
  8,SOON AF WE >RIV$ 9 ! ,"UL& WE HUMANS
=M$ A SPECIAL ALLI.E )! BATS10 SD ,SOLO-
VET4 8,BO? SIDES SAW ! OBVI\S ADVANTAGES
6JO9+ TGR4 ,B 2Y \R ALLI.E1 9DIVIDUAL
BATS & HUMANS MAY =M _! [N UNION4 ,T IS
CALL$ BOND+40
  8,& :AT D Y D IF Y'RE BOND$ 6A BAT80
ASK$ ,GREGOR4 8,I M1N1 2SS PLAY BALL
GAMES TGR40
  ,"! 0 A PAUSE 9 : GL.ES 7 EX*ANG$ >.D
! TA#4 ,HE'D SD "S?+ WR;G AG4
  8,Y KEEP EA* O!R ALIVE10 SD ,LUXA
COLDLY4
  ,X _H SEEM$ L HE 0 MAK+ FUN (      #FH
"S?+ S]I\S4 8,OH1 ,I DIDN'T "K10 SD
,GREGOR4
  8,( C\RSE1 Y DID N10 SD ,SOLOVET1
%OOT+ A LOOK AT ,LUXA4 8,Y H NO P>ALLEL
9 YR [N L&40
  8,& D Y BOND )! CRAWL]S1 TOO80 ,GREGOR
ASK$4
  ,H5RY SNORT$ ) LAU<T]4 8,I WD Z SOON
BOND )A /"O4 ,AT L1/ X CD 2 C.T$ ON N TO
RUN AWAY 9 BATTLE40
  ,LUXA BROKE 96A GR94 8,& P]H Y CD ?R[
X4 ,I SUPPOSE Y CD ?R[ A CRAWL]4 '''0
  8,B !N ,I WD H 6T\* X60 SD ,H5RY1 &!
TWO CRACK$ UP4
  8,! CRAWL]S >E N "KN = _! FI<T+ ABILI-
TY10 SD ,VIKUS1 0WAY ( EXPLAN,N 6,GREG-
OR4 ,NEI HE NOR ,SOLOVET 7 LAU<+4 ,HE
TURN$ 6,LUXA & ,H5RY4 8,YET !Y LIVE ON4
,P]H :5 Y C -PREH5D ! R1SON = _! L;GEV;Y
Y W H M RESPECT = !M40
  ,H5RY & ,LUXA ATTEMPT$ 6LOOK S]I\S1
AL? _! EYES 7 / LAU<+4
  8,X IS ( LL 3SEQU;E 6! CRAWL]S :E!R ,I
RESPECT !M OR N10 SD ,H5RY LI<TLY4
  8,P]H N1 B X IS ( GRT 3SEQU;E      #FI
:E!R ,LUXA DOES4 ,OR S X W 2 9 "S FIVE
YE>S :5 %E -ES ( AGE 6RULE10 SD ,VIKUS4
8,AT T "T1 FOOLI% JOKES AT ! CRAWL]S'
EXP5SE MAY MAKE ! DI6];E 2T \R EXI/;E &
\R ANNIHIL,N4 ,!Y D N NE$ 6BE W>RIORS TO
%IFT ! BAL.E ( P[] 9 ! ,"UL&40
  ,? SOB]$ ,LUXA UP = R1L1 B X KILL$ !
3V]S,N4 ,AN AWKW>D PAUSE /RET*$ 96AN EM-
B>RASS+ SIL;E4 ,GREGOR ?"\ HE "U/OOD :AT
,VIKUS _H M1NT4 ,! CRAWL]S WD MAKE BETT]
FRS ?AN 5EMIES1 & HUMANS %DN'T G >.D IN-
SULT+ !M4
  ,6,GREGOR'S RELIEF1 ! FOOD >RIV$1 & AN
,"UL&] S]VANT PLAC$ A HALF CIRCLE (
SMALL B[LS >.D HM4 ,AT L1/ ?REE 3TA9$
:AT LOOK$ L V>I\S TYPES ( MU%ROOMS4 ,"O
_H A RICELIKE GRA91 &! SMALLE/ 3TA9$ A
H&;L ( FRE% GRE5S4 ,HE CD TELL 0! SKIMPY
POR;N T ! L1FY /UFF 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE A BIG
TR1T4
  ,A PLATT] )A :OLE GRILL$ FI% 0 SET 9
FRONT ( HM4 ,! FI% RESEM#D ! "OS ,GREGOR
0 US$ 6EXCEPT X _H NO EYES4 ,HE & 8 DAD
_H ONCE WAT*$ A %[ ON ,,TV AB FI% T LIV$
WAY D[N DEEP 9 "S CAVE & DIDN'T H    #GJ
EYES1 EI4 ,! WEIRD ?+ 0 T :5 ! SCI5TI/S
BR"\ "S UP 6/UDY 9 A LAB1 ! FI% _H S5S$
! LI<T & _H GR[N EYES4 ,N "R AWAY1 B 9 A
FEW G5],NS4
  ,8 DAD _H GOTT5 V EXCIT$ OV] ! %[ & _H
TAK5 ,GREGOR 6! ,AM]ICAN ,MUSEUM ( ,NAT-
URAL ,HI/ORY 6LOOK = EYE.S FI%4 ,!Y _H
5D$ UP AT ! MUSEUM A LOT1 J ! TWO ( !M4
,8 DAD 0 CRAZY AB SCI;E1 & X SEEM$ Z IF
HE WANT$ 6P\R "EY?+ 9 8 BRA9 "R 96,GREG-
OR'S H1D4 ,X 0 A LL DANG]\S1 2C EV5 A
SIMPLE "Q CD BR+ ON A HALF-H\R EXPLAN,N4
,8 GR&MA _H ALW SD1 8,ASK YR DA4Y ! "T1
& HE TELLS Y H[ 6MAKE A CLOCK40 ,B HE 0
S HAPPY EXPLA9+1 & ,GREGOR 0 J HAPPY 2+
) HM4 ,2SS1 ,GREGOR _H LOV$ ! RA9 =E/
EXHIBIT1 &! CAFET]IA ) FR5* FRIES %AP$ L
D9OSAURS4 ,!Y _H N"E RE,Y FIGUR$ \ H[ !
FI% _H "KN 6GR[ EYES4 ,8 DAD _H _H "S !-
ORIES1 ( C\RSE1 B HE CDN'T EXPLA9 H[ !
FI% _H BE5 A# 6*ANGE S FA/4
  ,GREGOR WOND]$ H[ L;G X TOOK P 62COME
TRANSP>5T ) PURPLE EYES4 ,HE TURN$ 6,VI-
KUS4 8,S1 Y 7 GO+ 6TELL ME H[ Y GOT D[N
"H80                                 #GA
  ,:ILE ,GREGOR TRI$ N 6WOLF 8 FOOD1 :
TURN$ \ 6BE DELICI\S1 ,VIKUS FILL$ HM 9
ON ! HI/ORY ( ,REGALIA4
  ,N ALL ( X 0 CLE>1 B X SEEM$ ! P _H -E
F ,5GL& 9 ! #AFJJ'S4 8,YES1 !Y 7 L$ "H
0A /"OMASON1 "O ,B>?OLOMEW ( ,S&WI*10 SD
,VIKUS1 & ,GREGOR _H 6"W 6KEEP A /RAI<T
FACE4 8,HE _H VI.NS (! FUTURE4 ,HE SAW !
,"UL& 9 A DR1M1 & HE SET \ 6F9D X40
  ,S&WI* &A GR\P ( FOLL[]S _H SAIL$ TO
,NEW ,YORK1 ": HE GOT ON FAM\SLY )! LO-
CAL TRIBE4 ,! ,"UL& 0 NO SECRET 6! ,NA-
TIVE ,AM]ICANS1 :O _H MADE P]IODIC TRIPS
2L ! E>? = RITUAL PURPOSES = HUNDR$S (
YE>S4 ,!Y _H LL 9T]E/ 9 LIV+ "! & DIDN'T
C>E IF ,S&WI* 0 MAD 5 6WANT TO4
  8,( C\RSE1 HE 0 Q SANE10 SD ,VIKUS4
8,HE KNEW T "O "D ! E>? WD 2 EMPTY (
LIFE EXCEPT :AT 0 SU/A9$ 2N ! GR.D40
  ,GREGOR ?"\ X MI<T 2 RUDE 6TELL ,VIKUS
T BILLIONS ( P LIV$ UP "! N[4 ,9/1D1 HE
ASK$1 8,S1 "EYBODY J PACK$ UP & MOV$ D[N
"H80
  8,H1V5S1 NO6 ,X 0 FIFTY YE>S 2F ! EI<T
HUNDR$ 7 D[N &! GATES 6! ,OV]L&      #GB
S1L$4 ,WE _H 6"K WE CD FE$ \RVS & H
WALLS 6KEEP U SAFE4 ,ROME 0 N BUILT 9 A
"D40 ,VIKUS LAU<$4 8,? 0 H[ ,FR$ ,CL>K !
,OV]L&] SD X40
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6HM80 ASK$ ,GREGOR1 SPE>+
A MU%ROOM4 ,! TA# GOT QUIET4
  8,HE DI$10 SD ,SOLOVET S(TLY4 8,HE DI$
)\T YR SUN40
  ,GREGOR L[]$ ! MU%ROOM 6HIS PLATE4 ,HE
LOOK$ OV] AT ,BOOTS1 :O 0 COV]$ F H1D TO
TOE 9 "S K9D ( MU%Y BABY /EW4 ,%E SLEEP-
ILY F+]-PA9T$ ON ! /"O TA#TOP )! GRAVY4
  8,\R SUN10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,_H X SET8 ,0
X B$"T8 ,_H ! POLICE G"O1 OR 7 !Y / "!
"Q+ 8 MOM8 ,IF !Y'D G"O1 HE KNEW ": %E'D
BE4 ,SITT+ AT ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,AL"O 9 !
D>K4 ,CRY+4
  ,SU45LY HE CDN'T /& 6HE> ANO!R ^W AB !
,"UL&4 ,HE J _H 6GET \ ( X4





               ,,*APT] #G            #GC

  ,! D>K;S PRESS$ D[N ON ,GREGOR'S EYES
UNTIL HE FELT X _H PHYSICAL WEI<T1 L WA-
T]4 ,HE'D N"E BE5 -PLETELY )\T LI<T 2F4
,AT HOME1 /REETLI<TS1 C> H1DLI<TS1 &!
O3A.NAL FLA%+ FIRE TRUCK %"O 9 ! T9Y W9-
D[ ( 8 B$ROOM4 ,"H1 ONCE HE'D BL[N \ !
OIL LAMP1 X 0 Z IF HE'D LO/ ! S5SE (
SI<T 5TIRELY4
  ,HE'D BE5 TEMPT$ 6RELI<T ! LAMP4 ,M>E?
_H TOLD HM T TOR*ES BURN$ ALL NI<T L;G 9
! CORRIDOR \TSIDE 8 ROOM & HE CD REK9DLE
! FLAME "!4 ,B HE WANT$ 6SAVE ! OIL4
,HE'D 2 LO/ )\T X ONCE HE GOT \ ( ,REGA-
LIA4
  ,BOOTS MADE A SNU6L+ S.D & PRESS$ H]
BACK DEEP] 96HIS SIDE4 ,8 >M TI<T5$ >.D
H]4 ,S]VANTS _H PREP>$ SEP>ATE B$S = !M1
B ,BOOTS _H CLIMB$ "R 9 ) ,GREGOR4
  ,X _HN'T BE5 H>D 6GET ! ,"UL&]S 6EX-
CUSE !M = B$4 ,"EY"O CD SEE ,BOOTS CD
B>ELY KEEP H] EYES OP51 & HE M/ H LOOK$
PRETTY RA7$ HMF4 ,HE WASN'T4 ,ADR5AL9E 0
PUMP+ "? HM S FA/1 HE 0 AFRAID T P CD
HE> 8 HE>T B1T+ "? ! H1VY CURTA9S    #GD
T %UT (F _! B$ROOM F ! HALL4 ,! LA/ ?+
HE CD D 0 SLEEP4
  ,!Y _H BE5 9VIT$ 6BA! AG 2F B$4 ,X 0
"S?+ (A NECESS;Y = ,BOOTS1 :O1 9 A4I;N
6/EW1 _H 3DI;N$ H] CURLS ) "S K9D ( PUD-
D+4 ,GREGOR _HN'T OBJECT$1 EI4 ,! WAT]
GAVE HM A QUIET PLACE 6?9K \ 8 ESCAPE
PLAN4
  ,X AL GAVE HM A *.E 6ASK ,DULCET AB !
WAT] SY/EM 9 ! PALACE )\T SEEM+ SUSPI-
CI\S4 8,H[ D Y GUYS H HOT & COLD RUNN+
WAT]80 HE ASK$4
  ,%E TOLD HM ! WAT] 0 PUMP$ F A S]IES (
HOT & COLD SPR+S4
  8,& !N X J EMPTIES BACK 96A SPR+80 HE
ASK$ 9NOC5TLY4
  8,OH1 NO1 T WD N 2 FRE%10 SD ,DULCET4
8,! DIRTY WAT] FALLS 96! RIV] 2N ! PAL-
ACE & !N FL[S 6! ,WAT]WAY40
  ,X 0 J ! 9=M,N HE NE$$4 ,! RIV] 2N !
PALACE 0 _! WAY \4 ,EV5 BETT]1 X L$ 6!
,WAT]WAY4 ,HE DIDN'T "K :AT T 0 EXACTLY1
B ,VIKUS _H M5;N$ X _H TWO GATEWAYS 6!
,OV]L&4
  ,BOOTS /IRR$ AG 9 H] SLEEP1 &      #GE
,GREGOR PATT$ H] SIDE 6QUIET H]4 ,%E _H
N SEEM$ 6MISS HOME UNTIL B$"T4 ,B %E
LOOK$ WORRI$ :5 HE TOLD H] X 0 "T 6G TO
SLEEP4
  8,MAMA80 %E ASK$4 8,LIZ-EE80
  ,0 X ONLY T MORN+ T ,LIZZIE _H RI45 (F
6CAMP ON ! BUS8 ,X SEEM$ L A ?\S& YE>S
AGO4
  8,HOME8 ,MAMA80 9SI/$ ,BOOTS4 ,EV5 ?\<
%E 0 EXHAU/$1 HE _H A H>D "T GETT+ H] TO
SLEEP4 ,N[ HE CD TELL 0H[ RE/.S %E 0 T
%E 0 HAV+ VIVID DR1MS4
  8,PROBABLY FULL ( GIANT COCKROA*ES &
BATS10 HE ?"\4
  ,HE _H NO WAY 6TELL H[ M* "T _H PASS$4
,AN H\R8 ,TWO8 ,B :AT LL NOISE HE'D BE5
A# 6HE> "? ! CURTA9 _H C1S$4 ,IF HE 0
GO+ 6D ? ?+1 HE NE$$ 6GET />T$4
  ,GREGOR G5TLY 45GAG$ HMF F ,BOOTS &
/OOD UP4 ,HE FUM#D 9 ! D>K & F.D ! SL+
,DULCET _H GIV5 HM4 ,TRY+ 6POSI;N ,BOOTS
9SIDE X PROV$ TRICKY4 ,F9,Y HE J SQUEEZ$
8 EYES %UT & LET 8 O!R S5SES "W4 ,T 0
EASI]4 ,HE SLID H] 9 & SLUNG ! PACK ON 8
BACK4                                #GF
  ,BOOTS MURMUR$1 8,MAMA10 & H] H1D FELL
AG/ 8 %\LD]4
  8,I'M "W+ ON X1 BABY10 HE :ISP]$ BACK1
& SE>*$ ! TA# =! LAMP4 ,T 0 ALL HE 0
TAK+4 ,BOOTS1 ! PACK1 &! LAMP4 ,HE'D NE$
8 H&S = O!R ?+S4
  ,GREGOR GROP$ 8 WAY 6! CURTA9 & PU%$ !
$GE ASIDE4 ,"! 0 5 TOR*LI<T F ! F> HALL
= HM 6MAKE \ ! PASSAGE 0 EMPTY4 ,! ,"U-
L&]S _H N BO!R$ 6PO/ GU>DS AT 8 DOOR N[
T !Y KNEW HM BETT]4 ,!Y 7 MAK+ AN EF=T
6MAKE HM FEEL L A GUE/ &1 ANYWAY1 ": WD
HE G8
  8,D[N ! RIV]10 HE ?"\ GRIMLY4 8,:]"E T
L1DS40
  ,HE CREPT AL;G ! HALL TAK+ C>E 6PLACE
EA* ( 8 B>E FEET SIL5TLY4 ,?ANK;LLY
,BOOTS SLEPT ON4 ,8 PLAN WD 49TEGRATE IF
%E WOKE 2F HE GOT \ (! PALACE4
  ,_! B$ROOM 0 3V5I5TLY CLOSE 6! BA?-
ROOM1 & ,GREGOR FOLL[$ 8 WAY 6! WAT]Y
S.D4 ,8 PLAN 0 SIMPLE4 ,! RIV] RAN "U !
PALACE4 ,IF HE CD MAKE 8 WAY 6! GR.D
FLOOR )\T LOS+ ! S.D ( WAT]1 HE %D F9D !
PLACE X DRA9$ 96! RIV]4              #GG
  ,IF ! PLAN 0 SIMPLE1 XS EXECU;N 0 N4
,X TOOK ,GREGOR S"EAL H\RS 6W1VE 8 WAY
D[N "? ! PALACE4 ,! BA?ROOMS 7 N ALW NE>
! /AIRS1 & HE F.D HMF HAV+ 6BACKTRACK S
HE WDN'T LOSE ! S.D ( RU%+ WAT]4 ,TWICE
HE _H 6DUCK 96ROOMS & HIDE :5 HE SPOTT$
,"UL&]S4 ,"! W]5'T _M AB1 B "S SORT (
GU>DS PATROLL$ ! PALACE AT NI<T4
  ,F9,Y ! S.D ( WAT] 2CAME /R;G]1 & HE
MADE 8 WAY 6! L[E/ LEVEL (! BUILD+4 ,HE
FOLL[$ 8 E>S 6": ! RO> 0 L\DE/ & SN1K$
"? A DOORWAY4
  ,=A MO;T1 ,GREGOR ALM AB&ON$ 8 PLAN4
,:5 ,DULCET _H SD 8RIV]10 HE _H PICTUR$
! RIV]S T FL[$ "? ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4 ,B ?
,"UL& RIV] LOOK$ L "S?+ \ ( AN AC;N AD-
V5TURE MOVIE4 ,X WASN'T T]RIBLY WIDE1 B
X RAN ) S* SPE$ T ! SURFACE 0 *URN$ 9TO
:ITE FOAM4 ,HE CDN'T GUESS XS DEP?1 B X
_H 5 P[] 6C>RY L>GE B\LD]S 0Z IF !Y 7
EMPTY SODA CANS4 ,NO WOND] ! ,"UL&]S
DIDN'T BO!R 6PO/ A GU>D ON ! DOCK4 ,!
RIV] 0 M DANG]\S ?AN ANY >MY !Y CD AS-
SEM#4
  8,B Y M/ 2 A# 6TRAVEL ON X--!Y H   #GH
BOATS10 ?"\ ,GREGOR1 NOTIC+ HALF A DOZ5
CRAFTS TI$ UP ABV ! RU% (! CURR5T4 ,!Y 7
MADE \ ( "S K9D ( SK9 /RET*$ OV] A
FRAME4 ,!Y REM9D$ HM (! CANOES AT CAMP4
  ,CAMP6 ,:Y CDN'T HE J 2 AT CAMP L A
NORMAL KID8
  ,TRY+ N 6?9K (! BO2+ B\LD]S1 HE LIT 8
OIL LAMP F A TOR* 0! DOCK4 ,ON REFLEC;N1
HE TOOK ! TOR* Z WELL4 ,": HE 0 GO+1
LI<T WD 2 Z IMPORTANT Z AIR4 ,HE BLEW \
! OIL LAMP 6SAVE FUEL4
  ,HE C>E;LLY CLIMB$ 96"O (! BOATS &
*ECK$ X \4 ,! TOR* SLID 96A HOLD] CLE>LY
DESIGN$ = X4
  8,H[ D Y GET ? ?+ D[N 9 ! WAT]80 HE
WOND]$4 ,TWO ROPES HELD X AL(T4 ,!Y 7
ATTA*$ 6A METAL :EEL T 0 A6IX$ 6! DOCK4
8,WELL1 "H GOES NO?+10 ,GREGOR SD1 &
GAVE ! :EEL A YANK4 ,X GAVE A L\D CR1K1
&! BOAT FELL /RAI<T 96! RIV]1 KNOCK+
,GREGOR ON 8 RE> 5D4
  ,! CURR5T SWEPT UP ! BOAT L X 0 A DRI$
L1F4 ,GREGOR GRASP$ ! SIDES & HUNG ON Z
!Y %OT 96! D>K;S4 ,HE>+ VOICES1 HE
MANAG$ 6LOOK BACK AT ! DOCK =A       #GI
MO;T4 ,TWO ,"UL&]S 7 SCR1M+ "S?+ AF HM4
,! RIV] CURV$ & !Y VANI%$ F SI<T4
  ,WD !Y -E AF HM8 ,( C\RSE !Y WD -E AF
HM4 ,B HE _H A H1D />T4 ,H[ F> 0 X 6!
,WAT]WAY8 .,:AT 0 ! ,WAT]WAY1 & ONCE HE
GOT "!1 ": DID HE G NEXT8
  ,GREGOR WD H BE5 M 3C]N$ AB ^! "QS IF
HE WASN'T TRY+ S H>D 6/AY ALIVE4 ,AL;G )
! B\LD]S1 HE _H 6DODGE ! JA7$ BLACK
ROCKS T JUTT$ \ (! WAT]4 ,HE F.D AN O>
LY+ AL;G ! BOTTOM (! BOAT & US$ X 6DE-
FLECT ! CANOE (F ! ROCKS4
  ,! TEMP]ATURE (! ,"UL& _H FELT -=TABLY
COOL S9CE HE'D >RIV$1 ESPECI,Y AF !
N9ETY-DEGREE H1T ( 8 A"P;T4 ,B ! COLD
W9D :IPP+ UP (F ! WAT] MADE GOOSE BUMPS
RISE ON 8 FLE%4
  8,GREGOR60 ,HE ?"\ HE'D HE>D "S"O CALL
8 "N4
  ,0 X 8 IMAG9,N OR--NO6 ,"! X 0 AG4 ,!
,"UL&]S M/ 2 CLOS+ 9 ON HM4
  ,! RIV] SW]V$ & SU45LY HE CD SEE A LL
BETT]4 ,A L;G CAV]N L9$ ) CRY/ALS %IMM]$
>.D HM1 REFLECT+ BACK 8 TOR*LI<T4
  ,GREGOR MADE \ A GLITT]+ B1*       #HJ
FLANK+ "O SIDE (! RIV] UP AH1D4 ,A TUN-
NEL L$ F ! B1* 96! D>K4 ,ON IMPULSE1
,GREGOR PU%$ (F A ROCK & PO9T$ ! CANOE
T[>D ! B1*4 ,HE PA4L$ DESP]ATELY )! O> =
! %ORE4 ,/AY+ ON ! RIV] 0 NO USE4 ,!
,"UL&]S 7 BR1?+ D[N 8 NECK4 ,MAYBE HE _H
"T 6PULL UP ON ! B1* & HIDE 9 ! TUNNEL4
,AF !Y'D PASS$ BY1 HE CD WAIT A FEW H\RS
& TRY ! RIV] AG4
  ,! CANOE SLAMM$ 96! B1*4 ,GREGOR CAU<T
HMF J 2F 8 FACE HIT ! BOAT BOTTOM4
,BOOTS J]K$ "PLY AWAKE & CRI$ A LL1 B HE
SOO!D H] BACK 6SLEEP ) 8 VOICE Z HE
/RU7L$ 6PULL 8 CRAFT ACR ! S& ) "O H&
:ILE C>RY+ ! TOR* )! O!R4 8,X'S OKAY1
,BOOTS4 ,%HH4 ,G BACK 6SLEEP40
  8,HI1 ,BAT10 %E MURMUR$ & H] H1D
PLOPP$ BACK ON 8 %\LD]4
  ,GREGOR HE>D 8 "N 9 ! 4T.E & SP$ UP4
,HE _H J R1*$ ! M\? (! TUNNEL :5 HE RAN
H1DF/ 96"S?+ W>M & FURRY4 ,/>TL$1 HE
/A7]$ BACK A FEW PACES1 DROPP+ ! TOR*4
,! "S?+ /EPP$ \ 96! DIM LI<T4 ,GREGOR'S
KNEES TURN$ 6JELLY & HE SUNK SL[LY 6!
S&4                                  #HA
  ,! FACE (A MON/R\S RAT BROKE 96A
SMILE4






















                                     #HB
























               ,,*APT] #H            #HC

  8,AH1 "H Y >E AT LA/10 SD ! RAT IDLY4
8,0YR REEK WE EXPECT$ Y AGES AGO4 ,LOOK1
,FANGOR1 HE HAS BR"\ ! PUP40
  ,A L;G NOSE POK$ OV] ! F/ RAT'S %\LD]4
,X _H A FR4
  8,:AT A TIDBIT %E IS10 SD ,FANGOR 9 A
SMOO?1 RI* VOICE4 8,I W ALL[ Y ! 5TIRE
BOY IF ,I MAY H ! SWEET;S (! PUP 6MYF1
,%$40
  8,X IS TEMPT+1 B HE IS M B"O ?AN M1T1
& %E IS S* A MORSEL10 SD ,%$4 8,I F9D
MYF Q TORN 0YR (F]4 ,/& Y1 BOY1 & LET U
BETT] TELL YR /U6+40
  ,! COCKROA*ES _H BE5 FR1KY1 ! BATS IN-
TIMIDAT+1 B ^! RATS 7 PURELY T]RIFY+4
,SITT+ BACK ON _! HAUN*ES1 !Y 7 A GD SIX
FEET TALL1 & _! LEGS1 >MS1 :AT"E Y CALL$
!M1 BULG$ ) MUSCLE "U _! GRAY FUR4 ,B !
WOR/ "P ( ALL 0 _! TEE?1 SIX-9* 9CISORS
T PROTRUD$ \ ( _! :ISK]$ M\?S4
  ,NO1 ! WOR/ "P 0 T !Y 7 CLE>LY PLANN+
6EAT ,GREGOR & ,BOOTS4 ,"S P ?"\ RATS
DIDN'T EAT P1 B ,GREGOR KNEW BETT]4 ,EV5
! REGUL>-SIZ$ RATS BACK HOME WD      #HD
ATTACK A P]SON IF !Y 7 HELP.S4 ,RATS
PREY$ ON BABIES1 OLD P1 ! W1K1 ! DEF5SE-
.S4 ,"! 7 /ORIES ''' ! HOME.S MAN 9 !
ALLEY ''' A LL BOY :O'D LO/ TWO F+]S '''
!Y 7 TOO HORRI# 6?9K AB4
  ,GREGOR SL[LY GOT 6HIS FEET1 RETRIEV+
! TOR*1 B KEEP+ X D[N AT 8 SIDE4 ,HE
PRESS$ ,BOOTS BACK AG/ ! CAV]N WALL4
  ,FANGOR'S NOSE QUIV]$4 8,? "O _H FI% =
SUPP]4 ,MU%ROOMS1 GRA91 & J A BIT ( L1F4
,N[ T'S FLAVOR;L1 Y M/ ADMIT1 ,%$40
  8,B ! PUP HAS GORG$ ON /EW$ C[ &
CR1M10 RETURN$ ,%$4 8,N 6M5;N1 %E IS
CLE>LY MILK-F$ H]F40
  ,N[ ,GREGOR KNEW :AT ALL ! FUSS AB
BA?+ _H BE54 ,IF ! RATS CD DETECT ! H&;L
( GRE5S HE'D EAT5 H\RS E>LI]1 !Y M/ H AN
UNBELIEVA# S5SE ( SMELL4
  ,! ,"UL&]S _HN'T BE5 RUDE :5 !Y'D
WANT$ HM 6BA!4 ,!Y _H BE5 TRY+ 6KEEP HM
ALIVE6
  ,HE W5T F ATTEMPT+ 6EVADE !M 6WI%+
DESP]ATELY T !Y'D F9D HM4 ,HE _H 6HOLD !
RATS (F4 ,X WD GIVE HM "T4 ,! EXPRES.N
/>TL$ HM4 ,VIKUS _H SD KILL+ HM WD   #HE
GIVE ! ROA*ES NO "T4 ,BY 8"T10 DID !
,"UL&]S SIMPLY M1N M LIFE8
  ,HE BRU%$ (F 8 CLO!S & TRI$ 6ADOPT !
RATS' CASUAL BANT]4 8,D ,I H ANY SAY 9
?80 HE ASK$4
  ,6HIS SURPRISE1 ,FANGOR & ,%$ LAU<$4
8,HE SP1KS60 SD ,%$4 8,:AT A TR1T6 ,USU-
,Y WE GET NO?+ B %RIEKS & :IMP]S6 ,TELL
U1 ,OV]L&]1 :AT MAKES Y S BRAVE80
  8,OH1 ,I'M N BRAVE10 SD ,GREGOR4 8,BET
Y C SMELL T40
  ,! RATS LAU<$ AG4 8,TRUE1 YR SW1T C>-
RIES M* FE>1 B / Y H MANAG$ 6A4RESS U40
  8,WELL1 ,I ?"\ Y MI<T L 6GET 6"K YR
M1L BETT]10 SD ,GREGOR4
  8,I L HM1 ,%$60 H[L$ ,FANGOR4
  8,I L HM1 TOO60 *OK$ ,%$4 8,! HUMANS
>E -MONLY MO/ DRE>Y4 ,SAY WE MAY KEEP
HM1 ,FANGOR40
  8,OH1 ,%$1 H[ IS T 6BE8 ,X WD 5TAIL M*
EXPLA9+1 & 2SS1 ALL ? LAU<T] GIVES ME
HUNG]10 SD ,FANGOR4
  8,& ME10 SD ,%$4 8,B Y M/ AGREE1 6EAT
S* AMUS+ PREY IS A GRT P;Y40
  8,A GRT P;Y1 ,%$10 SD ,FANGOR4     #HF
8,B )\T REM$Y4 ,% WE80
  ,&) T1 BO? RATS B>$ _! TEE? & MOV$ 9
ON HM4 ,GREGOR SLA%$ AT !M )! TOR* S5D+
A TRAIL ( SP>KS "? ! AIR4 ,HE HELD X 9
FRONT ( HM ) BO? H&S1 L A SWORD1 FULLY
ILLUM9AT+ 8 FACE4
  ,! RATS PULL$ UP %ORT4 ,AT F/ HE ?"\
!Y 7 AFRAID (! FLAME1 B X 0 "S?+ M4 ,!Y
LOOK$ /UNN$4
  8,M>K Y1 ,%$1 8 %ADE10 SD ,FANGOR 9 A
HU%$ VOICE4
  8,I M>K X1 ,FANGOR10 SD ,%$ QUIETLY4
8,& HE IS B A BOY4 ,?9K Y HE IS '''80
  8,HE IS N IF WE KILL HM60 ,FANGOR
GR[L$1 & LUNG$ = ,GREGOR'S ?ROAT4
  ,! F/ BAT CAME 9 S SIL5TLY T NEI
,GREGOR NOR ! PREO3UPI$ RATS SAW X4 ,X
CAU<T ,FANGOR MID-L1P1 KNOCK+ HM (F
C\RSE4
  ,FANGOR PL[$ 96,%$1 &! RATS L&$ 9 A
H1P4 ,9/ANTLY !Y REGA9$ _! FEET & TURN$
ON _! ASSAILANTS4
  ,GREGOR SAW ,H5RY1 ,M>E?1 & ,P]DITA
ZIGZA7+ _! BATS ABV ! RATS' H1DS4 ,2SS
AVOID+ "O ANO!R 9 LIMIT$ SPACE1 !Y   #HG
_H 6DODGE ! WICK$ CLAWS (! RATS4 ,FANGOR
& ,%$ CD EASILY L1P T5 FEET 9 ! AIR1 &!
SP>KL+ CEIL+ (! CAV]N OV] ! B1* 0 N M*
HI<]4
  ,! HUMANS 2GAN 6DIVE AT ! RATS1 WIELD+
SWORDS4 ,FANGOR & ,%$ F"\ BACK VICI\SLY
) CLAWS & TEE?4 ,BLOOD 2GAN 6/A9 ! B1*1
B ,GREGOR CDN'T TELL ^: X WAS4
  8,FLEE60 ,H5RY %\T$ AT ,GREGOR Z HE
:IPP$ PA/ HM4 8,FLEE1 ,OV]L&]60
  ,"P ( HM WANT$ TO1 BADLY1 B HE CDN'T4
,F/ ( ALL1 HE _H NO IDEA ": 6G4 ,8 BOAT
0 HI< ON ! B1*1 &! TUNNEL ''' WELL1 HE'D
R TAKE 8 *.ES 9 ! OP5 ?AN 9 ! TUNNEL IF
HE _H 6D1L )! RATS4
  ,M IMPORTANT1 HE KNEW ! ,"UL&]S 7 ONLY
"H 2C ( HM4 ,HE CDN'T J RUN AWAY & L1VE
!M 6FACE ! RATS4
  ,B :AT CD HE D8
  ,AT T MO;T1 ,%$ CAU<T ! W+ ( ,M>E?'S
BAT 9 8 TEE? & HUNG ON4 ,! BAT /RU7L$ TO
FREE XF1 B ,%$ HELD FA/4 ,P]DITA CAME 9
2H ,%$1 TAK+ (F 8 E> ) "O /ROKE ( H]
SWORD4 ,%$ GAVE A H[L ( PA91 REL1S+
,M>E?'S BAT4                         #HH
  ,B Z ,P]DITA PULL$ \ ( H] DIVE1 ,FAN-
GOR L1P$ ONTO H] BAT1 RIPP+ A *UNK ( FUR
(F XS ?ROAT & HURL+ H] 6! GR.D4 ,P]DITA
HIT H] H1D ON ! CAV]N WALL Z %E L&$ & 0
KNOCK$ \4 ,FANGOR LOOM$ OV] H] & AIM$ 8
TEE? AT H] NECK4
  ,GREGOR DIDN'T REMEMB] ?9K+ ( 8 NEXT
MOVE1 X J HAPP5$4 ,"O M9UTE HE 0 PRESS$
AG/ ! WALL1 &! NEXT HE _H JUMP$ =W>D &
?RU/ 8 TOR* 96,FANGOR'S FACE4 ,! RAT
%RIEK$ & /UM#D BACKW>D1 "R 96,H5RY'S
SWORD4 ,FANGOR'S LIFE.S BODY FELL 6!
GR.D1 TAK+ ! SWORD ) X4
  ,FANGOR'S %RIEK F9,Y WOKE ,BOOTS1 :O
TOOK "O LOOK OV] ,GREGOR'S %\LD] & 2GAN
WAIL+ AT ! TOP ( H] LUNGS4 ,H] CRIES E*-
O$ (F ! WALLS1 S5D+ ,%$ 96A FR5ZY & 4O-
RI5T+ ! BATS4
  8,H[ FLY Y1 ,M>E?80 YELL$ ,H5RY4
  8,WE C HOLD60 CRI$ ,M>E?1 AL? 8 BAT 0
SPRAY+ BLOOD F XS W.D$ W+40
  ,?+S DIDN'T LOOK GD4 ,M>E?'S BAT 0
LOS+ 3TROL1 ,H5RY 0 UN>M$1 ,P]DITA 0 UN-
3SCI\S1 H] BAT 0 GASP+ = AIR ON ! GR.D1
,BOOTS 0 SCREE*+1 & ,%$ 0 9SANE )    #HI
PA9 & FE>4 ,?\< BLE$+ BADLY1 HE _H LO/
N"O ( 8 SPE$ OR /R5G?4
  ,M>E? 0 TRY+ DESP]ATELY 6KEEP ! RAT F
,P]DITA1 B HE 0 J "O GUY4 ,H5RY FLEW IN-
T]F];E1 B HE CDN'T GET 9 TOO CLOSE )\T A
SWORD4 ,GREGOR CR\*$ OV] ,P]DITA HOLD+ !
TOR*4 ,X SEEM$ A FRAGILE DEF5SE AG/ !
CRAZ$ ,%$1 B HE _H 6D "S?+4
  ,!N ,%$ L1P$1 CAT*+ ,M>E?'S BAT 0!
FEET4 ,! BAT SLAMM$ 96! WALL & S DID
,M>E?4 ,! RAT TURN$ ON ,GREGOR4
  8,N[ Y DIE60 SCR1M$ ,%$4 ,BOOTS SCR1M$
BACK 9 T]ROR Z ,%$ LUNG$ AT !M4 ,GREGOR
BRAC$ HMF1 B ,%$ N"E MADE X4 ,9/1D1 !
RAT LET \ A GASP & PAW$ AT ! BLADE T
JUTT$ "? XS ?ROAT4
  ,GREGOR CAU<T A GLIMPSE ( ,LUXA'S BAT1
,AURORA1 FLIPP+ UP"R4 ,HE _H NO IDEA :5
%E'D >RIV$4 ,LUXA M/ H BE5 FLY+ -PLETELY
UPSIDE D[N :5 %E'D /A2$ ,%$4 ,EV5 ?\<
,LUXA _H FLATT5$ H]F ON ! BAT'S BACK1
,AURORA B>ELY MANAG$ 6PULL \ (! MANEUV]
)\T SCRAP+ H] (F ON ! CEIL+4
  ,%$ SLUMP$ BACK AG/ ! CAV]N WALL1 B "!
0 NO FI<T LEFT 9 HM4 ,8 EYES BURN$   #IJ
96,GREGOR'S4 8,OV]L&]10 HE GURGL$1 8WE
HUNT Y 6! LA/ RAT40 ,&) T1 HE DI$4
  ,GREGOR _H ONLY A MO;T 6CAT* 8 BR1? 2F
,H5RY L&$ 2S HM4 ,PU%+ ,GREGOR \ ONTO !
B1*1 HE LIFT$ ,P]DITA 9 8 >MS & TOOK (F1
YELL+1 8,SCOR* ! L&60
  ,BLOOD P\R+ D[N 8 FACE F A GA% ON 8
=EH1D1 ,M>E? 0 ALR WR5*+ ! SWORDS F ,%$
& ,FANGOR4 ,HE DRA7$ ! RATS 96! RIV]1 &
X QKLY C>RI$ _! BODIES AWAY4 ,8 BAT %AK-
ILY REGA9$ ! USE ( XS W+S & HE HURDL$
ONTO XS BACK4 ,M>E? CAU<T ,BOOTS'S BACK-
PACK & HOI/$ ,GREGOR ONTO 8 /OMA* 9
FRONT ( HM4
  ,GREGOR SAW ,AURORA HOOK H] CLAW$ FEET
96! FUR AT ! %\LD]S ( ,P]DITA'S 9JUR$
BAT4 ,LUXA _H AT "S PO9T RETRIEV$ ! OIL
LAMP F ! BOAT4 ,Z !Y ROSE 96! AIR1 %E
SMA%$ X ONTO ! GR.D4
  8,DROP ! TOR*60 YELL$ ,M>E?1 & ,GREGOR
MANAG$ 6/RAI<T5 8 F+]S1 REL1S+ X4
  ,! LA/ ?+ HE SAW Z !Y D>T$ \ (! CAV]N
0 ! B1* BUR/+ 96FLAME4

               ,,*APT] #I            #IA

  ,GREGOR WAT*$ ! WAT] FLA% "U 8 EYES Z
HE CLUNG 6! BAT4 ,=A MO;T1 HE FELT RE-
LIEV$ 6H ESCAP$ ! RATS4 ,B ! FE> ( HUR-
TL+ "? ! AIR ON A W.D$ BAT QKLY OV]CAME
HM4
  ,BOOTS _H H] >MS CLASP$ S TI<TLY >.D 8
NECK T HE CD B>ELY BR1!1 LET AL"O SP1K4
,& :AT WD HE SAY 6,M>E?1 ANYWAY8 8,W[1
,I'M RE,Y SORRY AB T :OLE ?+ BACK ON !
B1*80
  ,HE'D _H NO IDEA1 ( C\RSE1 AB ! RATS4
,B _HN'T ! ,"UL&]S TRI$ 6W>N HM8 ,NO1 !Y
_H SPOK5 ( DANG]1 B NO "O _H SPECIFIC,Y
M5;N$ RATS EXCEPT ! COCKROA*ES4 8,RAT
BAD10 "O _H SD4 ,& LAT] !Y _H TALK$ AB
H[ M* ! RATS WD PAY 6B>GA9 ) ,LUXA4 ,HE
& ,BOOTS CD H BE5 SOLD 6! RATS1 & !N
:AT8
  ,HE FELT NAUSE\S & %UT 8 EYES 6BLOCK \
! *URN+ WAT]4 ,! IMAGE (! C>NAGE ON !
B1* FILL$ 8 H1D1 & HE DECID$ ! VIEW (!
WAT] 0 BETT]4 ,X TURN$ 6BLACK;S Z ! LI<T
F ! FIRE DIM9I%$4 ,:5 LI<T FLICK]$ (F !
WAVES AG HE KNEW !Y 7 NE>+ ,REGA-    #IB
LIA4
  ,A GR\P ( ,"UL&]S WAIT$ ON ! DOCK4 ,!Y
:ISK$ ! UNCONSCI\S ,P]DITA & H] BLE$+
BAT AWAY4 ,!Y TRI$ 6TAKE ,M>E? ON A
/RET*]1 B HE BRU%$ !M (F & 9SI/$ ON
HELP+ 6C>RY 8 BAT 9SIDE4
  ,GREGOR SAT ON ! DOCK1 ": ,M>E? _H
%OV$ HM Z !Y'D L&$1 WI%+ HE CD 4APPE>4
,BOOTS 0 QUIET N[1 B HE CD FEEL H] LL
MUSCLES 7 RIGID ) FE>4 ,FIFTE51 TW5TY
M9UTES PASS$1 MAYBE4 ,HE CDN'T TELL4
  8,UP60 "S"O SN>L$ AT HM1 & HE SAW ,M>-
E? GL>+ D[N AT HM4 ,! GA% ON 8 =EH1D 0
B&AG$1 ! "R SIDE ( 8 FACE BRUIS$ & SWOL-
L54 8,F9D YR FEET1 ,OV]L&]60 ,M>E? B>K$4
,_H HE ACTU,Y ?"\ ? GUY 0 %Y A FEW H\RS
AGO8
  ,GREGOR SL[LY /RAI<T5$ 8 /IFF LEGS &
/OOD4 ,M>E? TI<TLY TI$ 8 H&S 2H 8 BACK4
,NO "Q AB X ? "T3 ,HE 0 DEF9ITELY A
PRISON]4 ,ANO!R GU>D JO9$ ,M>E?1 & !Y
M>*$ ,GREGOR AH1D ( !M4 ,8 LEGS MOV$
NUMBLY4 ,:AT WD !Y D 6HM N[8
  ,HE PD NO ATT5;N 6": !Y 7 GO+4 ,HE J
WALK$ :AT"E WAY HE 0 PU%$4 ,HE _H    #IC
A VAGUE S5SE ( CLIMB+ A LOT ( /AIRS 2F
HE 5T]$ A L>GE DIAMOND-%AP$ ROOM4 ,"! 0
A TA# 9 ! MI4LE ( X4 ,M>E? PU%$ HM D[N
ON A /OOL 0A RO>+ FIREPLACE4 ,! TWO
GU>DS /EPP$ BACK A C\PLE ( PACES1 WAT*+
HM L HAWKS4
  8,I'M T DANG]\S10 HE ?"\ FO7ILY4
  ,BOOTS 2GAN 6/IR ON 8 BACK4 ,%E TU7$
ON "O ( 8 E>S4 8,HOME80 %E PL1D$4 8,G
HOME1 ,GE-GO80 ,GREGOR _H NO ANSW] = H]4
  ,P 7 HURRY+ PA/ ! DOOR1 TALK+ 9 EXCIT$
VOICES4 ,"S PE]$ 9 AT HM1 B NO "O CAME
IN4
  ,9 ! W>M? (! FIRE1 HE R1LIZ$ HE 0 FRO-
Z54 ,HE 0 SOAK$ 9 RIV] WAT] UP 6HIS WAI/
& %IV]+ F ! W9D &! HORROR ( :AT HE'D
WIT;S$4 ,( :AT HE'D TAK5 "P IN4
  ,BOOTS 0 9 BETT] 3DI;N4 ,H] BACKPACK
SEEM$ 6BE WAT]PRO(1 & %E 0 PRESS$ UP AG/
HM4 ,/1 H] TOES FELT L ICE :5 !Y BRU%$ 8
>M4
  ,FATIGUE WA%$ OV] ,GREGOR1 & HE WI%$
HE CD LIE D[N1 J LIE D[N & FALL ASLEEP &
WAKE UP 9 8 B$ ": HE CD SEE ! C> LI<TS
FLA%+ ACR ! WALLS4 ,B HE _H GIV5     #ID
UP ?9K+ ? 0 A DR1M4
  ,:AT _H HAPP5$ 6! ,"UL&]S8 ,P]DITA8
,H] W.D$ BAT8 ,& ,M>E?'S8 ,IF !Y DI$1 X
WD 2 8 FAULT4 ,HE WDN'T EV5 TRY 6>GUE T4
  ,J !N ,LUXA APPE>$4 ,BURN+ :ITE ) FU-
RY1 %E CROSS$ ! ROOM & /RUCK HM ON !
FACE4 ,8 H1D SNAPP$ 6! SIDE & ,BOOTS LET
\ A CRY4
  8,NO HITT+60 %E SQU1K$4 8,NO1 NO1 NO
HITT+60 ,%E %OOK H] T9Y 9DEX F+] AT
,LUXA4 ,HITT+ 0 ABSOLUTELY =BI45 9
,GREGOR'S H\SE1 & X _H ONLY TAK5 ,BOOTS
A FEW "T-\TS 6R1LIZE X4
  ,APP>5TLY X WASN'T A3EPTA# AM;G ! ,"U-
L&]S1 EI1 2C ,GREGOR HE>D ,VIKUS'S VOICE
R+ \ %>PLY F ! DOORWAY4 8,LUXA60
  ,LOOK+ L %E'D LOVE 6SLAP HM AG1 ,LUXA
/ALK$ 6! MANTEL & GL>$ 96! FIRE4
  8,= %AME1 ,LUXA10 ,VIKUS SD1 CROSS+ TO
H]4
  ,%E TURN$ ON HM1 SPITT+ V5OM4 8,TWO
FLI]S >E D[N1 & WE _C AWAK5 ,P]DITA 2C !
,OV]L&] M/ ESCAPE6 ,/RIKE HM8 ,I SAY WE
?R[ HM 96! ,D1D ,L& & LET HM TAKE 8
*.ES60 %\T$ ,LUXA4                   #IE
  8,BE T Z X MAY1 ,LUXA1 ? IS N SEEMLY10
SD ,VIKUS1 B ,GREGOR CD SEE ! NEWS _H
UPSET HM4 8,BO? RATS >E D1D80 HE ASK$4
  8,D1D & 9 ! RIV]10 SD ,LUXA4 8,WE
SCOR*$ ! L&40
  8,? MATT] ( .WE Y & ,I % TAKE UP LAT-
]10 SD ,VIKUS SEV]ELY4 8,! C\NCIL IS N
PL1S$40
  8,I C>E N :AT PL1SES ! C\NCIL10 MUTT]$
,LUXA1 B %E AVOID$ ,VIKUS'S GAZE4
  8,S %E WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6BE "!10 ?"\
,GREGOR4 8,%E'S 9 TR\#1 TOO40 ,HE WI%$
HE CD 5JOY ! MO;T1 B HE 0 TOO WRACK$ )
WORRY1 GUILT1 & EXHAUS;N 6C>E4 ,2SS1
,LUXA _H SAV$ 8 LIFE TAK+ \ ,%$4 ,HE [$
H] "O1 HE GUESS$1 B HE 0 / /++ F ! SLAP1
S HE DIDN'T BR+ X UP4
  8,NO HITT+10 SD ,BOOTS AG1 & ,VIKUS
TURN$ 6!M4
  ,L ,LUXA1 ,GREGOR 0 UNA# 6MEET 8 EYES4
8,:AT DID ! ,OV]L&]1 ,LUXA8 ,FI<T OR
FLEE80 ASK$ ,VIKUS4
  8,H5RY SAYS HE F"\10 ,LUXA ADMITT$
GRUDG+LY4 8,B )\T SKILL OR K ( W1PONS40
  ,GREGOR FELT L SAY+1 8,HEY1 ALL    #IF
,I _H 0 A /UPID TOR*60 ,B :Y BO!R8
  8,!N HE HAS M* C\RAGE10 SD ,VIKUS4
  8,C\RAGE )\T CAU;N MAKES = E>LY D1?1
OR S Y TELL ME DAILY10 SD ,LUXA4
  8,S ,I TELL Y & D Y HE>80 SD ,VIKUS1
RAIS+ 8 EYEBR[S4 8,Y HE> N Z HE HE>S N4
,Y >E BO? V "Y = D1F;S4 ,UNL1% 8 H&S &
L1VE U10 HE SD 6! GU>DS4
  ,GREGOR FELT A BLADE CUT "? ! ROPES ON
8 WRI/S4 ,HE RU2$ ! M>KS TRY+ 6RE/ORE
CIRCUL,N 6HIS H&S4 ,8 *EEK ?RO2$1 B HE
WDN'T GIVE ,LUXA ! SATISFAC;N ( SEE+ HM
T\* X4
  ,BOOTS R1*$ OV] 8 %\LD] & T\*$ ! CR1S-
ES ON 8 WRI/S4 8,[10 %E :IMP]$4 8,[40
  8,I'M OKAY1 ,BOOTS10 HE SD B %E J %OOK
H] H1D4
  8,GA!R U "H10 SD ,VIKUS1 SITT+ AT !
TA#4 ,NEI ,GREGOR NOR ,LUXA MOV$4 8,GA!R
U "H1 = WE M/ 4CUSS60 SD ,VIKUS1 SLAPP+
8 H& ON ! /"O SURFACE4 ,? "T1 !Y BO?
TOOK S1TS Z F> F EA* O!R Z POSSI#4
  ,GREGOR PULL$ ,BOOTS UP OV] 8 H1D & \
(! BACKPACK4 ,%E SETTL$ ON 8 LAP1 WRAPP+
,GREGOR'S >MS TI<TLY >.D H] &        #IG
LOOK+ AT ,VIKUS & ,LUXA ) L>GE1 SOLEMN
EYES4
  8,I GUESS AF TN ,BOOTS WON'T ?9K !
:OLE _W IS H] FR10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,%E _H
6F9D \ "S"T1 B X / MADE HM SAD4
  ,VIKUS 2GAN1 8,GREGOR ! ,OV]L&]1 "! IS
M* Y D N "U/&4 ,Y D N SP1K1 B YR FACE
SP1KS = Y4 ,Y >E WORRI$4 ,Y >E ANG]$4 ,Y
2LIEVE Y 7 "R 6FLEE ^? :O KEPT Y AG/ YR
W1 B FEEL SORELY T WE H SU6]$ 9 YR SAV+4
,WE TOLD Y N (! RATS1 YET ,LUXA BLAMES Y
= \R LOSSES4 ,WE SEEM 6BE YR 5EMY1 & YET
WE GAVE Y "T40
  ,GREGOR DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,HE ?"\ T PRETTY
M* SUMM$ ?+S UP EXCEPT =! FACT T ,LUXA
_H HIT HM4
  ,VIKUS R1D 8 M9D4 8,LUXA %D N H /RUCK
Y1 B YR FI<T 9VIT$ HORRI# D1? 6^? %E
LOV$4 ,? IS GRTLY FELT 0H]1 Z BO? H] P>-
5TS 7 KILL$ 0RATS40
  ,LUXA GASP$4 8,T IS N 8 A6AIR60
  ,%E LOOK$ S 4TRESS$ T ,GREGOR ALM OB-
JECT$ Z WELL4 ,:AT"E %E'D D"O 6HM1 ?
WASN'T 8 BUSI;S4
  8,B ,I MAKE X S1 ,LUXA1 Z ,I H     #IH
CAUSE 62LIEVE T ,GREGOR MAY HMF LACK A
"F10 3T9U$ ,VIKUS4
  ,N[ X 0 ,GREGOR'S TURN 6LOOK %OCK$4
8,H[ D Y "K T80
  8,I D N "K = SURE1 ,I ONLY GUESS4
,TELL ME1 ,GREGOR ! ,OV]L&]1 RECOGNIZE Y
?80 ,VIKUS R1*$ 9 8 CLOAK & PULL$ "S?+
\4
  ,X 0 A METAL R+4 ,S"EAL KEYS DANGL$ F
X4 ,B X 0 ! R\<LY BRAID$ LOOP ( R$1
BLACK1 & BLUE L1!R T MADE ,GREGOR'S HE>T
/OP4 ,HE _H WOV5 X HMF DUR+ CRAFTS CLASS
AT ! V SAME SUMM] CAMP T ,LIZZIE 0 AT
N[4 ,Y CD MAKE ?REE ?+S3 A BRACELET1 A
BOOKM>K1 OR A KEY *A94 ,GREGOR _H PICK$
! KEY *A94
  ,8 "F N"E W5T ANY": )\T X4







                ,,"P #B              #II
                ,! ,QUE/

              ,,*APT] #AJ

  ,:5 ,GREGOR'S HE>T />T$ UP AG1 X B1T S
H>D1 HE ?"\ X MI<T BR1K "? 8 *E/4 ,8 H&
R1*$ \ ON XS [N1 8 F+]S GRASP+ =! KEY
*A94 8,":'D Y GET T80
  8,I TOLD Y O!R ,OV]L&]S H FALL54 ,"S
YE>S AGO WE RESCU$ "O V L Y 9 FACE &
F1TURE4 ,I _C RECALL ! EXACT DATE10 SD
,VIKUS1 PLAC+ ! KEY *A9 9 ,GREGOR'S H&4
  8,TWO YE>S1 SEV5 MON?S1 & ?IRTE5 "DS
AGO10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,AL\D1 HE SD1 8,X BE-
L;GS 6MY DAD40
  ,WAVES ( HAPPI;S WA%$ OV] HM Z HE RAN
8 F+]S OV] ! WORN L1!R BRAID &! METAL
SNAP T ALL[$ Y 6ATTA* X 6YR BELT LOOP4
,MEMORIES FLA%$ "? 8 M9D4 ,8 DAD FANN+ \
! KEYS 6F9D ! "O 6OP5 ! FRONT DOOR4 ,8
DAD J+L+ ! KEYS 9 FRONT ( ,LIZZIE 9 H]
/ROLL]4 ,8 DAD ON A PICNIC BLANKET 9
,C5TRAL ,P>K1 US+ A KEY 6PRY OP5 A 3TA9]
( POTATO SALAD4
  8,YR "F80 ,LUXA'S EYES WID5$1 &   #AJJ
A /RANGE EXPRES.N CROSS$ H] FACE4 8,VI-
KUS1 Y D N ?9K HE--0
  8,I D N "K1 ,LUXA4 ,B ! SIGNS >E
/R;G10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,MY M9D HAS BE5 ON LL
ELSE S9CE HE >RIV$40
  ,LUXA TURN$ 6,GREGOR1 H] VIOLET EYES
QUIZZICAL4
  ,:AT8 ,:AT 0 H] PRO#M N[8
  8,YR "F1 L Y1 0 DESP]ATE 6RETURN HOME4
,) M* DI6ICULTY WE P]SUAD$ HM 6/AY "S
WEEKS1 B ! /RA9 PROV$ TOO GRT & "O NI<T1
AL L Y1 HE SLIPP$ AWAY10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,!
RATS R1*$ HM 2F WE DID40
  ,GREGOR SMA%$ 96R1L;Y1 &! JOY DRA9$ \
( HM4 ,( C\RSE1 "! 7 NO O!R LIV+ ,OV]L&-
]S 9 ,REGALIA4 ,VIKUS _H TOLD HM T 9 !
/ADIUM4 ,8 DAD _H TRI$ 6GET HOME & _H
MET UP )! SAME FATE ,GREGOR _H4 ,ONLY !
,"UL&]S _HN'T BE5 "! 6SAVE HM4 ,HE SWAL-
L[$ ! LUMP 9 8 ?ROAT4 8,HE'S D1D !N40
  8,S WE ASSUM$4 ,B !N CAME RUMOR ! RATS
_H KEPT HM LIV+10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,\R SPIES
3FIRM ? REGUL>LY40
  8,HE'S ALIVE80 ASK$ ,GREGOR1 FEEL+
HOPE RU% BACK "? HM4 8,B1 :Y8 ,:Y   #AJA
DIDN'T !Y KILL HM80
  8,WE "K N :Y ) C]TA9TY1 B ,I H SUSPI-
CIONS4 ,YR "F 0 A MAN ( SCI;E1 0 HE N80
ASK$ ,VIKUS4
  8,Y1H1 HE T1*ES SCI;E10 SD ,GREGOR4
,HE CDN'T MAKE S5SE ( :AT ,VIKUS 0 SAY+4
,DID ! RATS WANT 8 DAD 6T1* *EMI/RY8
  8,IN \R 3V]S,NS1 X 0 CLE> HE "U/OOD !
"W+S ( NATURE10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,( TRAPP$
LI<TN+1 ( FIRE1 ( P[D]S T EXPLODE40
  ,GREGOR 0 2G9N+ 6CAT* 8 DRIFT4 8,LOOK1
IF Y ?9K MY DAD'S MAK+ GUNS OR BOMBS =!
RATS1 Y C =GET X4 ,HE WD N"E D T40
  8,X IS H>D 6IMAG9E :AT ANY ( U WD D 9
! CAVES (! RATS10 SD ,VIKUS G5TLY4 8,TO
KEEP SAN;Y M/ 2 A /RU7LE1 6KEEP HONOR A
,H]CUL1N F1T4 ,I AM N JUDG+ YR "F1 ONLY
SEEK+ 6EXPLA9 :Y HE SURVIVES S L;G40
  8,! RATS FI<T WELL 9 CLOSE RANGE4 ,B
IF WE ATTACK F AF>1 !Y H NO REC\RSE B TO
RUN4 ,( ALL ?+S1 !Y WI% A WAY 6KILL U AT
A 4T.E10 SD ,LUXA4 ,%E DIDN'T SEEM 6BE
A3US+ 8 "F1 EI4 ,& %E DIDN'T SEEM MAD AT
HM ANYMORE4 ,GREGOR WI%$ %E'D /OP />+ AT
HM4                                 #AJB
  8,MY WIFE1 ,SOLOVET1 HAS A DI6]5T !O-
RY10 SD ,VIKUS1 B"R5+ A LL4 8,%E 2LIEVES
! RATS WANT YR "F 6MAKE !M A ?UMB60
  8,A ?UMB80 ASK$ ,GREGOR4 ,BOOTS HELD
UP H] ?UMB 6%[ HM4 8,Y1H1 LL GIRL1 ,I "K
:AT A ?UMB IS10 HE SD1 SMIL+ D[N AT H]4
  8,RATS H NO ?UMBS & "!=E _C D _M ?+S T
WE C4 ,!Y _C MAKE TOOLS OR W1PONS4 ,!Y
>E MA/]S ( DE/RUC;N1 B CRE,N EVADES !M10
SD ,VIKUS4
  8,BE GLAD1 ,OV]L&]1 IF !Y 2LIEVE YR "F
C 2 USE;L4 ,X IS ALL T W GIVE HM "T10 SD
,LUXA SADLY4
  8,DID Y MEET MY DAD1 TOO80 HE ASK$4
  8,NO10 %E REPLI$4 8,I 0 TOO "Y = S*
MEET+S40
  8,LUXA 0 / 3C]N$ ) H] DOLLS !N10 SD
,VIKUS4 ,GREGOR TRI$ H>D 6IMAG9E ,LUXA )
A DOLL & CDN'T4
  8,MY P>5TS MET HM1 & SPOKE HM WELL40
SD ,LUXA4
  ,H] P>5TS4 ,%E'D / _H P>5TS !N4 ,GREG-
OR WOND]$ AB H[ ! RATS _H KILL$ !M1 B
KNEW HE'D N"E ASK4
  8,LUXA SP1KS TRUE4 ,AT PRES5T1    #AJC
! RATS >E \R BITT] 5EMIES4 ,IF Y MEET A
RAT \TSIDE ! WALLS ( ,REGALIA1 Y H TWO
*OICES3 6FI<T OR 2 KILL$4 ,ONLY ! HOPE (
A GRT ADVANTAGE WD KEEP A HUMAN ALIVE 9
_! PAWS4 ,ESPECI,Y AN ,OV]L&]10 SD ,VI-
KUS4
  8,I DON'T SEE :Y !Y HATE U S M*10 SD
,GREGOR4 ,HE ?"\ ( ,%$'S BURN+ EYES1 8
LA/ ^WS1 8,OV]L&]1 WE HUNT Y 6! LA/
RAT40 ,MAYBE !Y KNEW H[ P 9 ! ,OV]L&
TRI$ 6TRAP1 POISON1 & KILL (F ALL ! RATS
ABVGR.D4 ,EXCEPT ! "OS !Y US$ 9 LAB EX-
P]I;TS4
  ,VIKUS & ,LUXA EX*ANG$ A LOOK4 8,WE M/
TELL HM1 ,LUXA4 ,HE M/ "K :AT HE FACES10
SD ,VIKUS4
  8,D Y RE,Y ?9K X IS HE80 %E SD4
  8,:O8 ,HE1 :O80 SD ,GREGOR4 ,HE _H A
BAD FEEL+ AB ": ? 3V]S,N 0 GO+4
  ,VIKUS ROSE F ! TA#4 8,-E10 HE SD1 &
H1D$ \ ! DOOR4
  ,GREGOR GOT UP1 WILL+ 8 /IFF >MS 6C>RY
,BOOTS4 ,HE & ,LUXA R1*$ ! DOOR AT !
SAME "T & /OPP$4 8,AF Y10 HE SD4
  ,%E GL.ED AT HM SIDEWAYS & FOL-   #AJD
L[$ ,VIKUS4
  ,! HALLS 7 L9$ ) ,"UL&]S :O WAT*$ !M
PASS 9 SIL;E & !N BROKE 96:ISP]S4 ,!Y
DID N H F> 6G 2F ,VIKUS /OPP$ AT A POL-
I%$ WOOD5 DOOR4 ,GREGOR R1LIZ$ X 0 ! F/
WOOD5 ?+ HE'D SE5 9 ! ,"UL&4 ,:AT _H
,VIKUS SD AB "S?+ 2+ 8Z R>E Z TREES08 ,=
TREES1 Y NE$$ LOTS ( LI<T1 S H[ WD !Y
GR[ "H8
  ,VIKUS PULL$ \ A KEY & OP5$ ! DOOR4
,HE TOOK A TOR* F A HOLD] 9 ! HALL & L$
! WAY IN4
  ,GREGOR /EPP$ 96A ROOM T SEEM$ 6BE AN
EMPTY /"O CUBE4 ,ON E SURFACE 7 C>V+S4
,N J ! WALLS B ! FLOOR & CEIL+1 TOO4 ,^!
W]5'T ! FROLICK+ ANIMALS HE'D SE5 ELSE":
9 ,REGALIA1 ^! 7 ^WS4 ,T9Y ^WS T M/'VE
TAK5 ="E 6*ISEL \4
  8,A-,B-,C10 SD ,BOOTS1 : IS :AT %E ALW
SD :5 %E SAW LRS4 8,A-,B-,C-.,D10 %E A4$
= EMPHASIS4
  8,^! >E ! PROPHECIES ( ,B>?OLOMEW (
,S&WI*10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,ONCE WE S1L$ !
GATES1 HE DEVOT$ ! RE/ ( 8 LIFE TO
RECORD+ !M40                        #AJE
  8,I BET HE DID10 ?"\ ,GREGOR4 ,X S.D$
L J ! K9D ( ?+ CRAZY OLD ,S&WI* WD D4
,DRAG A BUN* ( P "UGR.D & !N LOCK HMF 9
A ROOM & *IP \ M CRAZY /UFF ON ! WALLS4
  8,S1 :AT D Y M1N1 PROPHECIES80 ASK$
,GREGOR1 AL? HE KNEW :AT PROPHECIES W]E4
,!Y 7 PREDIC;NS ( :AT WD HAPP5 9 ! FU-
TURE4 ,MO/ RELIGIONS _H !M1 & 8 GR&MA
LOV$ A BOOK ( !M 0A GUY "ND ,NO/RA-"S?+4
,6HE> H] TALK1 ! FUTURE 0 PRETTY DE-
PRESS+4
  8,S&WI* 0 A VI.N>Y10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,HE
=ETOLD _M ?+S T H HAPP5$ 6\R P40
  8,&A BUN* T HAV5'T80 ASK$ ,GREGOR1
TRY+ 6S.D 9NOC5T4 ,HE _HN'T RUL$ \
PROPHECIES 5TIRELY1 B HE 0 SKEPTICAL AB
ANY?+ ,S&WI* CAME UP )4 ,2SS1 EV5 IF "S-
"O TOLD Y "S?+ T WD HAPP5 9 ! FUTURE1
:AT CD Y D AB X8
  8,"S WE H N YET UNRAVEL$10 ADMITT$
,VIKUS4
  8,HE =ETOLD MY P>5TS' 5D10 SD ,LUXA
SORR[;LLY1 RUNN+ H] F+]S OV] "P (! WALL4
8,"! 0 NO MY/]Y 9 T40
  ,VIKUS PUT 8 >M >.D H] & LOOK$    #AJF
AT ! WALL4 8,NO10 HE AGRE$ S(TLY4 8,T 0
Z CLE> Z WAT]40
  ,GREGOR FELT AW;L = AB ! T5? "T T
NI<T4 ,F N[ ON1 :AT"E HE ?"\1 HE WD TRY
6TALK AB ! PROPHECIES ) RESPECT4
  8,B "! IS "O T HANGS MO/ H1VILY OV] \R
H1DS4 ,X IS CALL$ ,8,! ,PROPHECY (
,GRAY10' = WE "K N :E!R X 2 FAIR OR
F\L10 SD ,VIKUS4 8,WE D "K T X 0 6,S&WI*
! MO/ SACR$ & MA45+ ( 8 VI.NS4 ,= HE CD
N"E SEE ! \TCOME1 AL? X CAME 6HM _M
"TS40
  ,VIKUS GE/UR$ 6A SMALL OIL LAMP T IL-
LUM9AT$ A PANEL (! WALL4 ,X 0 ! ONLY
LI<T 9 ! ROOM 2SS ! TOR*4 ,MAYBE !Y KEPT
X BURN+ 3/ANTLY4
  8,W Y R1D80 ASK$ ,VIKUS1 & ,GREGOR AP-
PROA*$ ! PANEL4 ,! PROPHECY 0 WRITT5 L A
POEM1 9 F\R "PS4 ,"S (! LR+ 0 ODD1 B HE
CD MAKE X \4
  8,A-,B-,C10 SD ,BOOTS1 T\*+ ! LRS4
,GREGOR 2GAN 6R1D4


                                    #AJG
,2W>E1 ,"UL&]S1 "T HANGS 0A ?R1D4
,! HUNT]S >E HUNT$1 :ITE WAT] RUNS R$4
,! GNAW]S W /RIKE 6EXT+UI% ! RE/4
,! HOPE (! HOPE.S RESIDES 9 A QUE/4

,AN ,OV]L& W>RIOR1 A SON (! SUN1
,MAY BR+ U BACK LI<T1 HE MAY BR+ U BACK
  N"O4
,B GA!R YR NEI<BORS & FOLL[ 8 CALL
,OR RATS W MO/ SURELY DEV\R U ALL4

,TWO OV]1 TWO "U1 ( ROYAL DESC5T1
,TWO FLY]S1 TWO CRAWL]S1 TWO SP9N]S
  ASS5T4
,"O GNAW] 2S & "O LO/ UP AH1D4
,& EI<T W 2 LEFT :5 WE C.T UP ! D1D4

,! LA/ :O W DIE M/ DECIDE ": HE /&S4
,! FATE (! EI<T IS 3TA9$ 9 8 H&S4
,S BID HM TAKE C>E1 BID HM LOOK ": HE
  L1PS1
,Z LIFE MAY 2 D1? & D1? LIFE AG R1PS4

,GREGOR F9I%$ ! POEM & DIDN'T "K Q :AT
6SAY4 ,HE BLURT$ \1 8,:AT'S T       #AJH
M1N80
  ,VIKUS %OOK 8 H1D4 8,NO "O "KS = C]-
TA94 ,X TELLS (A D>K "T :5 ! FUTURE ( \R
P IS UNDECID$4 ,X CALLS =A J\RNEY1 N J (
HUMANS B ( _M CR1TURES1 : MAY L1D EI TO
SALV,N OR RU94 ,! J\RNEY W 2 L$ 0AN
,OV]L&]40
  8,Y1H1 WELL1 ,I GOT T "P4 ,? W>RIOR
GUY10 SD ,GREGOR4
  8,Y ASK$ :Y ! RATS HATE ,OV]L&]S S
DEEPLY4 ,X IS 2C !Y "K "O W 2 ! W>RIOR (
! PROPHECY10 SD ,VIKUS4
  8,OH1 ,I SEE10 SD ,GREGOR4 8,S1 :5'S
HE -+80
  ,VIKUS FIX$ 8 EYES ON ,GREGOR4 8,I
2LIEVE HE IS ALR "H40








              ,,*APT] #AA           #AJI

  ,GREGOR AWOKE F A FIT;L SLEEP4 ,IMAGES
( BLOODR$ RIV]S1 8 DAD SURR.D$ 0RATS1 &
,BOOTS FALL+ 96BOTTOM.S CAV]NS _H WOV5 9
& \ ( 8 DR1MS ALL NI<T L;G4
  ,OH1 Y1H4 ,& !N "! 0 T W>RIOR ?+4
  ,HE _H TRI$ 6TELL !M4 ,:5 ,VIKUS _H
IMPLI$ T HE 0 ! W>RIOR 9 8,! ,PROPHECY (
,GRAY10 ,GREGOR _H ACTU,Y LAU<$4 ,B !
MAN 0 S]I\S4
  8,Y'VE GOT ! WR;G GUY10 ,GREGOR _H SD4
8,RE,Y1 ,I PROMISE1 ,I'M N A W>RIOR40
  ,:Y PRET5D & GET _! HOPES UP8 ,SAMURAI
W>RIORS1 ,APA*E W>RIORS1 ,AFRICAN W>RI-
ORS1 M$IEVAL W>RIORS4 ,HE'D SE5 MOVIES4
,HE'D R1D BOOKS4 ,HE DIDN'T 9 ANY WAY
RESEM# ANY W>RIOR4 ,F/ ( ALL1 !Y 7 GR[N
UP & !Y USU,Y _H A LOT ( SPECIAL W1PON-
RY4 ,GREGOR 0 ELEV5 &1 UN.S Y C.T$ A
TWO-YE>-OLD SI/] Z SPECIAL W1PONRY1 HE'D
-E EMPTY-H&$4
  ,AL1 ,GREGOR 0 N 96FI<T+4 ,HE'D FI<T
BACK IF "S"O JUMP$ HM AT S*OOL1 B T
DIDN'T HAPP5 (T54 ,HE WASN'T ALL T BIG1
B HE MOV$ FA/ & P DIDN'T L 6MESS    #AAJ
) HM4 ,"S"TS HE'D /EP 9 IF A BUN* ( GUYS
7 P.D+ A SMALL KID2 HE HAT$ SEE+ T4 ,B
HE N"E PICK$ FI<TS1 & WASN'T FI<T+ :AT
W>RIORS MA9LY DID8
  ,VIKUS & ,LUXA _H LI/5$ 6HIS PROTE/S4
,HE ?"\ HE MI<T H 3V9C$ ,LUXA--%E DIDN'T
H A V HI< OP9ION ( HM1 ANYWAY--B ,VIKUS
0 M P]SI/5T4
  8,H[ _M ,OV]L&]S SURVIVE ! FALL 6!
,"UL&1 D Y SUPPOSE8 ,I WD GUESS A T5?4
,& H[ _M SURVIVE ! RATS AF T8 ,P]H ANO!R
T5?4 ,S \ (A ?\S& ,OV]L&]S1 LET U SAY T5
SURVIVE4 ,H[ PASS+ /RANGE IS X T N ONLY
YR "F B Y & YR SI/] CAME ALIVE 6U10 SD
,VIKUS4
  8,I GUESS X'S K9D ( /RANGE10 ADMITT$
,GREGOR4 8,B ,I DON'T SEE :Y T MAKES ME
! W>RIOR40
  8,Y W :5 Y BETT] "U/& ! PROPHECY10 SD
,VIKUS4 8,EA* P]SON C>RIES _! [N DE/9Y4
,^! WALLS TELL ( \R DE/9Y4 ,& YR DE/9Y1
,GREGOR1 REQUIRES Y 6PLAY A ROLE 9 X40
  8,I DON'T "K AB ? DE/9Y ?+10 SD ,GREG-
OR4 8,I M1N1 MY DAD & ,BOOTS & ,I ''' WE
ALL H ! SAME LAUNDRY ROOM & WE      #AAA
L&$ "S": PRETTY CLOSE 6Y1 S ,I'M ?9K+
X'S M (A CO9CID;E4 ,I'D L 6HELP1 B Y
GUYS >E PROBABLY GO+ 6H 6WAIT A LL L;G]
= YR W>RIOR40
  ,VIKUS J SMIL$ & SD !Y WD PUT X 2F !
C\NCIL 9 ! MORN+4 ,? MORN+4 ,N[4
  ,DESPITE ALL ( 8 WORRIES1 & HE _H PL5-
TY1 ,GREGOR CDN'T D5Y A FEEL+ ( GI4Y
HAPPI;S T %OT "? HM P]IODIC,Y4 ,8 DAD 0
ALIVE6 ,ALM 9/ANTLY ANO!R WAVE ( ANXIETY
WD RU% OV] HM4 8,Y1H1 HE'S ALIVE B IM-
PRISON$ 0RATS60 ,/1 8 GR&MA ALW SD1 8,":
"!'S LIFE1 "!'S HOPE40
  ,BOY1 WDN'T 8 GR&MA LOVE X IF %E KNEW
HE 0 TALK$ AB 9 A PROPHECY8 ,B1 ( C\RSE1
T WASN'T HM4 ,T 0 "S W>RIOR GUY :O WD
HOPE;LLY MAKE AN APPE>.E RE,Y SOON &
HELP HM GET 8 DAD FREE4
  ,T 0 8 MA9 GOAL N[4 ,H[ CD HE RESCUE 8
DAD8
  ,! CURTA9 PULL$ OP5 & ,GREGOR SQU9T$
AT ! LI<T4 ,M>E? /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,!
SWELL+ 9 8 FACE _H G"O D[N1 B 8 BRUISES
7 GO+ 6BE "! =A :ILE4
  ,GREGOR WOND]$ IF ! GU>D 0 /      #AAB
ANGRY ) HM1 B ,M>E? S.D$ CALM4 8,GREGOR
! ,OV]L&]1 ! C\NCIL REQUE/S YR PRES;E10
HE SD4 8,IF Y MAKE HA/E1 Y MAY WA% & EAT
F/40
  8,OKAY10 SD ,GREGOR4 ,HE />T$ 6RISE &
R1LIZ$ ,BOOTS'S H1D 0 CRADL$ ON 8 >M4
,HE EAS$ HMF UP )\T WAK+ H]4 8,:AT AB
,BOOTS80
  8,%E MAY SLEEP ON10 SD ,M>E?4 8,DULCET
W WAT* OV] H]40
  ,GREGOR BA!D QKLY & DRESS$ 9 FRE%
CLO!S4 ,M>E? L$ HM 6A SMALL ROOM ": A
M1L 0 LAID \1 !N /OOD WAT* AT ! DOOR4
8,HEY1 ,M>E?10 HE SD1 DRAW+ ! GU>D'S AT-
T5;N4 8,H[ IS "EYBODY8 ,I M1N1 ,P]DITA &
! BATS8 ,>E !Y OKAY80
  8,P]DITA HAS WOK5 F9,Y4 ,! BATS W
M5D10 SD ,M>E? EV5LY4
  8,OH1 T'S GRT60 SD ,GREGOR ) RELIEF4
,AF 8 "F'S SITU,N1 ! ?+ PRESS+ MO/ ON HM
_H BE5 ! 3DI;N (! ,"UL&]S4
  ,HE WOLF$ D[N BR1D1 BUTT]1 &A MU%ROOM
OMELETTE4 ,HE DRANK HOT TEA MADE ( "S
SORT ( H]B1 & 5]GY SEEM$ 6P\R "? HM4
  8,>E Y R1DY 6FACE ! C\NCIL80      #AAC
ASK$ ,M>E?1 SEE+ 8 EMPTY PLATE4
  8,ALL SET60 SD ,GREGOR1 SPR++ UP4 ,HE
FELT BETT] ?AN HE _H S9CE HE _H R1*$ !
,"UL&4 ,NEWS ( 8 DAD1 ! ,"UL&]S' RECOV-
]Y1 SLEEP1 & FOOD _H REVIV$ HM4
  ,! C\NCIL1 A GR\P (A DOZ5 OLD] ,"UL&-
]S1 _H GA!R$ AT A R.D TA# 9 A ROOM (F !
,HI< ,HALL4 ,GREGOR SAW ,VIKUS & ,SOLO-
VET1 :O GAVE HM AN 5C\RAG+ SMILE4
  ,LUXA 0 AL "!1 LOOK+ TIR$ & DEFIANT4
,GREGOR BET %E'D BE5 *EW$ \ = JO9+ !
RESCUE "PY LA/ NI<T4 ,HE 0 SURE %E _HN'T
ACT$ "O BIT SORRY4
  ,VIKUS 9TRODUC$ ! P >.D ! TA#4 ,!Y ALL
_H FUNNY-S.D+ "NS T ,GREGOR IMMLY =GOT4
,! C\NCIL 2GAN 6ASK HM "QS4 ,ALL K9DS (
?+S1 L :5 HE 0 BORN & DID HE "K H[ 6SWIM
& :AT HE DID 9 ! ,OV]L&4 ,HE CDN'T FIG-
URE \ :Y A LOT (! /UFF 0 IMPORTANT4 ,DID
X RE,Y MATT] T 8 FAVORITE COLOR 0 GRE58
,B A C\PLE ( ,"UL&]S 7 SCRI2L+ D[N E ^W
HE SD L X 0 GOLD54
  ,AF A :ILE1 ! C\NCIL SEEM$ 6=GET HE 0
"!1 & !Y >GU$ AM;G !MVS4 ,HE CAU<T
PHRASES L 8A SON (! SUN0 & 8:ITE    #AAD
WAT] RUNS R$0 & KNEW !Y 7 TALK+ AB !
PROPHECY4
  8,EXCUSE ME10 HE F9,Y BROKE IN4 8,I
GUESS ,VIKUS DIDN'T TELL Y1 B ,I'M N !
W>RIOR4 ,LOOK1 PL1SE1 :AT ,I RE,Y NE$ IS
= Y GUYS 6HELP ME BR+ MY DAD HOME40
  ,"EY"O AT ! TA# />$ AT HM =A MO;T & !N
2GAN 6TALK ) GRT] EXCITE;T4 ,N[ HE KEPT
HE>+ ! ^WS 8FOLL[ 8 CALL40
  ,F9,Y ,VIKUS RAPP$ ON ! TA# = ORD]4
8,MEMB]S (! C\NCIL1 WE M/ DECIDE4 ,"H
SITS ,GREGOR ! ,OV]L&]4 ,:O C.TS HM !
W>RIOR ( ,8,! ,PROPHECY ( ,GRAY0'80
  ,T5 (! TWELVE RAIS$ _! H&S4 ,LUXA KEPT
H] H&S ON ! TA#4 ,EI %E DIDN'T ?9K HE 0
! W>RIOR OR %E WASN'T ALL[$ 6VOTE4
,PROBABLY BO?4
  8,WE 2LIEVE Y 6BE ! W>RIOR10 SD ,VI-
KUS4 8,IF Y CALL U 6HELP Y REGA9 YR "F1
!N WE ANSW] YR CALL40
  ,!Y 7 GO+ 6HELP HM6 ,:O C>$ :Y8
  8,OKAY1 GRT60 SD ,GREGOR4 8,:AT"E X
TAKES6 ,I M1N1 2LIEVE :AT"E Y WANT4 ,T'S
F9E40
  8,WE M/ 2G9 ! J\RNEY ) ALL        #AAE
HA/E10 SD ,VIKUS4
  8,I'M R1DY60 SD ,GREGOR EAG]LY4 8,LET
ME J GET ,BOOTS & WE C G40
  8,AH1 YES1 ! BABY10 SD ,SOLOVET4 ,&
ANO!R R.D ( >GU;TS 5SU$4
  8,WAIT60 %\T$ ,VIKUS4 8,? CO/S M* "T4
,GREGOR1 WE D N "K T ! PROPHECY 9CLUDES
YR SI/]40
  8,:AT80 SD ,GREGOR4 ,HE CDN'T REMEMB]
! PROPHECY V WELL4 ,HE _H 6ASK ,VIKUS IF
HE CD GET 9 ! ROOM & R1D X AG4
  8,! PROPHECY M5;NS TWELVE 2+S4 ,ONLY
TWO >E DESCRIB$ Z ,OV]L&]S4 ,Y & YR "F
FILL T NUMB]10 SD ,SOLOVET4
  8,! PROPHECY AL SP1KS ( "O LO/4 ,T "O
MAY 2 YR "F1 9 : CASE ,BOOTS IS ! SECOND
,OV]L&]4 ,B X MAY AL 2 A RAT10 SD ,VI-
KUS4 8,! J\RNEY W 2 DI6ICULT4 ,! PROPHE-
CY W>NS T F\R (! TWELVE W LOSE LIFE4 ,X
MAY 2 WISE/ 6L1VE ,BOOTS "H40
  ,F >.D ! TA# CAME A G5]AL MURMUR ( AS-
S5T4
  ,GREGOR'S H1D 2GAN 6SWIM4
  ,L1VE ,BOOTS8 ,L1VE H] "H 9 ,REGALIA )
! ,"UL&]S8 ,HE CDN'T D T6 ,X        #AAF
WASN'T T HE ?"\ !Y'D MISTR1T H]4 ,B %E'D
2 S L"OLY1 & :AT IF HE & 8 DAD DIDN'T
MAKE X BACK8 ,%E'D N"E GET HOME4 ,/1 HE
KNEW H[ VICI\S ! RATS W]E4 ,& !Y WD 2
HUNT+ HM4 ,6! LA/ RAT4
  ,HE DIDN'T "K :AT 6D4 ,HE LOOK$ AT !
SET FACES & ?"\ ! ,"UL&]S _H ALR DECID$
6SPLIT !M UP4
  8,/AY TGR60 ,WASN'T T :AT 8 MOM ALW
TOLD HM :5 HE TOOK 8 SI/]S \8 8,/AY
TGR60
  ,!N HE NOTIC$ ,LUXA 0 AVOID+ 8 GAZE4
,%E _H 9T]TW9$ H] F+]S ON ! /"O TA# 2F
H] & 0 />+ AT !M T5SELY4 8,:AT WD Y D IF
X 7 YR SI/]1 ,LUXA80 HE ASK$4 ,! ROOM
GOT V QUIET4 ,HE CD TELL ! C\NCIL DIDN'T
WANT 6HE> H] OP9ION4
  8,I H NO SI/]1 ,OV]L&]10 SD ,LUXA4
  ,GREGOR FELT 4APPO9T$4 ,HE HE>D A MUR-
MUR ( APPROVAL F "S (! C\NCIL MEMB]S4
,LUXA'S EYES FLA%$ >.D ! TA# & %E SC[L$4
8,B IF ,I DID1 & ,I 7 Y10 %E SD PAS.N-
ATELY1 8,I WD N"E TAKE MY EYES (F H]60
  ,HE SD1 8,?ANK Y10 B HE DIDN'T ?9K %E
CD HE> HM 9 ! L\D R.D ( OBJEC;NS    #AAG
T P\R$ F ! C\NCIL4 ,HE RAIS$ 8 VOICE4
8,IF ,BOOTS DOESN'T G1 ,I DON'T G60
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