,,BE> ,,DAU<T]

            ,,JUDI? ,,B]MAN

         ,PUBLI%$ 0,ACE ,BOOKS1
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               ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #BJJE 0,JUDI? ,B]MAN
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
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                                     ;II
























                 TW5TY              #FEI
                ,HUNGRY

  8,CL\D80 ,OTT] SD4 8,:AT >E .Y DO+
"H80
  8,I /OPP$ 6SEE :O X WAS40
  ,HE GRIPP$ H] %\LD]S & PULL$ BACK TO
LOOK AT H]4 ,8 BODY BORE NO SC>S F 8 SO-
J\RN 9 ,HUNTRESS'S H\SE4 ,"! 0 NO SIGN T
A GIANT BIRD _H SPLIT OP5 ! TOP ( 8
SKULL & SCOOP$ \ ! 3T5TS4 ,CL\D WIP$
AWAY H] TE>S & LOOK$ C>E;LLY 6MAKE SURE
HE 0 N "S AW;L _S-?+4 ,B HE REMA9$ ,OTT]
9 ALL "PS ( H] VI.N4 ,HE EV5 WORE 8 /R+
( AMULETS--EXCEPT =! "O %E _H F.D &
KEPT4 ,HE RE,Y SEEM$ 6H RETURN$ F ! D1D4
  ,HE _HN'T RETURN$ UN*ANG$1 ?\<4 ,L9ES
SCOR$ ! CORN]S ( 8 M\?1 & GRAY ?R1DS
GL9T$ 9 8 HAIR4 ,9 8 FACE %E SAW ! QUIET
/1DI;S T %E _H LOV$1 ! RES]VE T KEPT H]
AT A 4T.E1 & "S?+ ELSE3 COLD T _H N
?AW$1 D>K;S N YET 4PELL$4 ,HE1 TOO1 _H
BE5 H>R[$ 9 ! _W 2L4
  ,"! 0 AL A DEEP;S 6HM T GRA2$ AT H]
BELLY1 A D>K-B"R HALO L ! H1T OV] A
FLAME4                              #FFJ
  8,LA/ ,I SAW Y10 SD ,OTT]1 8A S\!RN
W>RIOR 0 DRA7+ Y "? ! =E/40
  8,I LA/ SAW Y '''0 ,CL\D SWALL[$4 8,Y
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  ,OTT] REG>D$ H] GRIMLY4 8,REMEMB]
:AT80
  8,WE MET 9 ! _W 2L4 ,9 ,HUNTRESS'S FI%
TRAP40
  8,:O IS ,HUNTRESS80
  8,! IMMORTAL :-:O KILL$ ! S\!RN]S4
,REMEMB]8 ,& TOOK Y 6! "U_W40
  8,! S\!RN]S KILL$ ME1 ,CL\D40
  8,YES1 B %E TOOK Y '''0 ,CL\D _H ALW
NE$$ C\RAGE 6SP1K 9 ! FACE ( ,OTT]'S RE-
S]VE1 & ? NEW GRIM;S MADE X EV5 M DI6I-
CULT4 8,UNCLE1 ,I DON'T WANT TO--6PRY IF
Y DON'T WANT 6TALK AB X1 B Y 7 .D1D6 ,=
YE>S6 ,MORTALS DON'T RETURN 6LIFE1 6_!
OLD LIVES1 EXCEPT Z A GIFT F ! IMMORTALS
--ISN'T T "R8 ,S H[--0
  ,HE LOOK$ AWAY4 ,AF A :ILE1 HE SD1 8,!
WOLVES TOOK P;Y ON ME4 ,I WOKE 9 _! D.E
H\SE40
  8,WAS T :5 '''0 ,CL\D 2GAN1 ?9K+ (!
ELUSIVE D.ERS "U ! E>?4             #FFA
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SD1 8,I _H YR CORPSE1 B ! WOLVES /OLE
X40
  ,SIL;E P\R$ F ,OTT] L SMOKE4 ,CL\D
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WILD];S _HN'T MADE H] BETT] AT TALK+ 6P4
,AT LA/ HE SD1 8,H[ _M YE>S 0 ,I D1D8 ,X
M/ H BE5 YE>S1 B--0
  8,I'M N SURE4 ,SEV51 EI<T1 MAYBE4
,I'VE BE5--AWAY40
  ,HE TURN$ BACK & REG>D$ H] AG4 8,IN !
"U_W40
  8,& O!R PLACES10 %E SD UNCOM=TABLY4
  8,& Y1 TOO1 RCVD GIFTS F ! ,F/ ,P40
  8,YES1 B ,I LO/ !M ALL1 EXCEPT '''0
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!N %E ?"\ T ,OTT]'S RETURN 0 A GIFT BET-
T] ?AN ALL ! O!RS PUT TGR1 EV5 IF %E _H
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  8,& YR BRO!RS8 ,YR "F80
  8,!Y--,I TOOK !M--,I TOOK ! B"OS 6! 5D
(! _W4 ,T'S ALL OV]1 ,UNCLE40
  8,S X'S ALL F9I%$8 ,:AT WE CAME   #FFB
"H =80
  ,%E NO4$4 ,HE SI<$ DEEPLY & GL.ED AT !
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  .,HOME4 ,A FAMILI> PANG C\RS$ "?
,CL\D4 ,%E _H NO HOME2 %E DID N 2L;G 9 !
IMMORTAL _W & CD N /AY 9 ! MORTAL "O4
  ,!N %E WOND]$ :AT ,OTT] M1NT 0.HOME4
8,UNCLE1 ,RUM# DE/ROY$ ,:ALE ,T[N4 ,W9T]
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%E R1LIZ$ T ,OTT] _H SD .WE4 ,:AT"E COLD
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& !Y %D G 6X TGR4
  ,%E CDN'T G HOME1 B %E CD HELP HM D S4
,N T ANY?+ CD REPAY ! DEBT %E [$ HM4
  8,UNCLE10 %E SD1 8,I H A CANOE4 ,X'S
L1KY1 B X LOOKS BETT] ?AN YRS40
  ,=! F/ "T1 A %AD[ (A SMILE T\*$ ,OT-
T]'S FACE4 8,LET'S G SEE10 HE SD4

  ,OTT] PRON\NC$ H] CANOE USA#1 ) REPAIR
& CAULK+4 ,HE TOOK H] ADZE & !Y WALK$
96! =E/ 6COLLECT C$> TWIGS & ROTT+
PIT*WOOD4 ,%E CD N HELP B GL.E      #FFC
OV] H] %\LD]1 B ) ,HUNTRESS G"O &! KNOT
B9D+ H] "F DE/ROY$1 ! /RANGE;S _H 5TIRE-
LY VANI%$ F ! ISL&4
  ,!N ,OTT] PRODUC$ FI% HOOKS HE _H
MADE1 ! WOOD5 B>BS TI$ ON )! LA/ ROOT
FIB] F ,CL\D'S CA*E4 ,!Y SP5T ! NEXT FEW
"DS FI%+ F ! PO9T NE> ,RAV5 ,T;GUE'S OLD
GRAVE H\SE1 CAT*+ ROCKFI%1 P]*1 & TOM-
COD4
  ,CL\D WORE H] BE> MASK Z A ROBE1 & IF
H] UNCLE NOTIC$ X1 HE MADE NO REM>K4 ,HE
9SI/$ ON HE>+ H] /ORY1 ?\<1 9 DETAIL1 F
! MO;T ( 8 D1?4 ,HE LI/5$ )\T -;T1 ASK+
"QS ONLY IF %E /OPP$ OR SKIPP$ AH1D TOO
FA/4 ,CL\D WASN'T SURE %E LIK$ TALK+ S
M*1 EV5 6,OTT]4 ,0! 5D (! F/ "D %E _H
ONLY R1*$ ! F1/ 9 ! SALMON H\SE1 & %E 0
SURE %E _H SPOK5 M ^WS ?AN 9 H] 5TIRE
PREVI\S LIFE4 ,:AT %E _H SD & D"O 9 H]
TRAVELS S.D$ EV5 /UPID] & M C[>DLY N[
?AN X _H SEEM$ AT ! "T4
  ,B M ?AN T1 %E BURN$ 6HE> H[ ,OTT] _H
RETURN$ 6LIFE4 ,! /ORY SEEM$ 6H SUNK 6!
BOTTOM (! DEEP LAKE ( 8 RES]VE4 ,:5
,CL\D H&$ HM ! S+LE AMULET %E _H    #FFD
KEPT1 HE ?ANK$ H] B RE/RUNG X )\T A ^W4
,! WOLVES M/ H GIV5 HM BACK ! O!R AMU-
LETS1 %E SUPPOS$1 Z WELL Z ! F9E CLO!S
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DY$ M.TA9-GOAT WOOL4
  ,O3A.N,Y A SMALL PIECE ( 8 /ORY WD
SURFACE4 ,"O "D1 Z HE 0 CUTT+ UP A ROCK-
FI% = BAIT1 ,CL\D ASK$1 8,UNCLE1 DID !
WOLVES GIVE Y T KNIFE80
  ,8 H&S /ILL$4 8,I F.D ? ) "S B"OS &--
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  8,T M/ 2 ": ,HUNTRESS VOMIT$40 ,CL\D 0
SURPRIS$ T ,OTT] WD FEEL BAD AB TAK+ !
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US+ _! POSSES.NS DID N SEEM REM>KA#4
  ,OTT] SPE>$ A *UNK ( BAIT ) "O (!
WOOD5 B>BS4 8,X LOOK$ Z IF ALL ! B"OS 7
HUMAN40
  8,I ?9K %E ONLY HUNT$ "O K9D ( FOOD40
,HE DID N REPLY4 ,!N X O3URR$ 6,CL\D T
,OTT] _H BE5 SE>*+ = .TOOLS4 8,I H "S
ELK B"O ) ME10 %E TOLD HM1 8IF T WD "W
BETT] ?AN WOOD =! FI% HOOKS40
  ,HE LOOK$ AT H]1 & 8 EXPRES.N S(T5$4
8,YES1 ,CL\D1 X WD40                #FFE
  ,%E GA!R$1 EV5TU,Y1 T HE _H LEFT !
WOLVES AT ! 5D ( W9T]1 ) ONLY ! CLO!S !Y
_H GIV5 HM4 ,9 ! WEEKS S9CE1 )! =E/ ANI-
MALS / TOO L1N 6PROVIDE N\RI%;T1 HE _H
_H 6"W H>D 6SURVIVE4
  8,>E Y ! ONLY "O ! WOLVES BR"\ BACK80
%E ASK$1 ?9K+ ( 8 M54
  ,! GRIM;S DESC5D$ AG4 ,HE SD1 8,Y
DON'T ASK ! IMMORTALS = FAVORS4 ,!Y
GRANT Y _! GRACE OR !Y D N4 ,I C'T TELL
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  ,B ,CL\D SD1 SU45LY REMEMB]+1 8,8,!
WOM5 LEFT ! %ORT CLOV] ROOTS 9 !
SOIL40'0
  ,OTT] LOOK$ AT H] "Q+LY4
  8,X 0 ,RAV5 ,T;GUE'S RI4LE AB ! WOLVES
TAK+ YR BODY10 %E SD4 8,I ?"\--WELL1 X
DOESN'T MATT]4 ,MAYBE X M1NS !Y LEFT !
O!RS 9 ! "U_W 6GR[ ANO!R S1SON8 ,MAYBE
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  ,! SU7ES;N DIDN'T SEEM 6IMPROVE 8
MOOD4 ,%E GUESS$ T GUILT WEI<$ HM D[N4
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  ,%E DIDN'T "K IF %E WD "E LE>N :AT _H
HAPP5$ 9 ! WOLVES' H\SE1 B %E CD    #FFF
IMAG9E H[ X MI<T 2 6EM]GE 96! SN[1 COLD
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EVID;E ( LO/ YE>S PIL$ UP L FALL5 L1VES4

  ,2C ,OTT] 9SI/$ T %E N>RATE "EY?+ 9
ORD]1 X 0 N UNTIL ! F/ NI<T1 :ILE !Y ATE
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EV5TS (A YE> &A HALF E>LI]1 & %E CD TELL
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,T;GUE'S 4APPE>.E4
  8,I TRAPP$ ,B"O'S S]VANTS10 %E SD1 8B
:5 ,HUNTRESS DE/ROY$ ! AMULET1 !Y ES-
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  8,I SUPPOSE T'S :Y MY [N S]VANT HASN'T
-E BACK10 ,OTT] SD4
  8,YR S]VANT F.D Y AG80 ,CL\D SD4 ,NO
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  ,T MADE ,OTT] GL.E UP F 8 M1L4 8,H[80
  ,%E TOLD HM4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I S5T \
MY S]VANT & HE HASN'T RETURN$4 ,YR S]-
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  8,B IF ,I--0
  8,NO10 ,OTT] SD4
                                    #FFG
  ,%E _H DI6ICULTY TELL+ _M "PS ( H] /O-
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VISIT 6,HUNTRESS'S H\SE1 H] RAMPAGE 9
,S&SPIT ,T[N1 &! BABY4 ,B HE N"E *ID$
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"T4 ,8 H&S 7 BUSY TWI/+ C$> TWIGS F : HE
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  8,Y 7 "R10 HE SD AT LA/1 86-E /RAI<T
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  8,B--0
  8,X'S :AT ,W9T] WD H WANT$40
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ON A MIXTURE ( P[D]$ *>COAL & FI% OIL4
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  ,OTT] BALLA/$ ! CANOE ) B1* /"OS4
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LOAD$ ! BOXES4 ,OTT] PRODUC$ ANO!R W1!R-
B1T5 PA4LE1 BROK5 & SPLIC$1 T HE    #FFH
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  8,": >E WE GO+80 %E ASK$4
  8,S&SPIT ,T[N10 HE SD1 Z IF SURPRIS$
%E %D ASK4

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PRESUME T ,OTT]1 EV5 )! FAVOR (! WOLVES1
CD SIMPLY >RIVE AT ,S&SPIT ,T[N & DIC-
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  8,WE %D F9D ,W9T]10 %E SD4
  8,YES10 ,OTT] SD1 8,I WANT 6F9D H]1 &
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  ,9 ! CANOE1 SMELL+ SEA AIR & PIT*WOOD
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  ,B ,OTT] ACTU,Y LAU<$4 8,Y'RE "R10 HE
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PLAN 6.D 9 ,S&SPIT ,T[N80
  8,I'M GO+ 6TALK 6,RUM#10 HE SD4 8,I'LL
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H\SE1 B "S O!R CLANSMAN1 N MY MURD]]1 W
H *>GE ( 8 $UC,N4 ,I'LL TELL HM T ,W9T]
IS MY WIFE UNTIL .%E SAYS O!RWISE40
  8,B ,B"O--0 ,CL\D SD4
  8,YES10 ,OTT] SD1 8,B"O IS A PRO#M40
  ,A BIT M ?AN A .PRO#M4 ,%E WOND]$ :E!R
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RECK.S;S ( RAGE1 OR F SIMPLE GRIM DET]-
M9,N4
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UNTIL %E SAYS .O!RWISE4 ,OTT] M/ 2 WON-
D]+ :E!R ,W9T] _H REM>RI$4
  ,LO/ 9 ?"\1 ,CL\D DID N NOTICE ! SWIM-
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TALL Z A MAN--%E /OOD UP S FA/ T ! CANOE
HEEL$4 ,OTT] YELP$ A PROTE/4
  8,WELCOME1 GRT "OS10 %E SD "U H] BR1?4
8,I AM GLAD T WE MEET TD4 ,PROTECT U T
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  ,AF ! F/ FEW "DS1 !Y 2GAN SEE+ L>GE
CANOES ON ! HORIZON & SWIT*$ 6TRAVEL+ AT
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6/E] :ILE HE LAY D[N4 ,ON "O S* NI<T1 Z
%E PU%$ ! CANOE SL[LY ACR A MOONLIT *AN-
NEL1 %E SPOTT$ A BIRD OV]H1D4 ,AT F/ %E
CD MAKE \ NO M ?AN A SMALL1 R.DI% %APE1
N SU6ICI5TLY ]RATIC 9 FLI<T =A NI<THAWK
OR BAT4
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PETREL4 ,MO/ PETRELS %E _H SE5 FLITT$ J
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! W9D1 & "! 0 NO W9D TN4
  ,A %IV] CRAWL$ D[N H] SP9E4 ,_HN'T %E
SE5 A PETREL AT ,WAT]FALL1 WAT*+ H]8 ,&
--%E _H SE5 PETRELS1 OR ! SAME PETREL1
:ILE TRAVEL+ 9 ! M.TA9S4
  ,CL\D LOOK$ AT X SIDEWISE3 A D>K &
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VANI%$ 96! NI<T4
  ,HE>T DRUMM+1 ,CL\D PULL$ H] H& F ,OT-
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WELL4
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WAT]4 ,CL\D'S BE> ROBE SLIPP$ (F    #FGC
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BE> CLIMB$ \ & %OOK WAT] F XS FUR4 ,S1L1
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NOSE & !N ,CL\D4

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A%ORE ALL ! BOXES1 PA4LES1 MATS1 & PIEC-
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  ,CL\D 2GAN C>RY+ ! BOXES UP F ! WAT]'S
$GE4 ,!N %E NOTIC$ ,OTT] />+ AT H] BE>
MASK1 NO L;G] A LIFE.S ROBE4 ,X 0 NOS+
AT A D1D CRAB4
  8,OH10 SD ,CL\D1 ACUTELY EMB>RASS$4
8,I =GOT--0
  ,HE LOOK$ AT H]4 8,X'S ALL "R10 HE SD4

  ,OTT] LAY D[N 9 8 WIZ>D'S TR.E4 ,CL\D
ATE & F$ ,S1L1 !N1 FATIGU$ F PA4L+ MO/ (
! NI<T1 SPR1D \ H] BE> ROBE & LAY D[N Z
WELL4
  ,%E SLEPT UNTIL DUSK4 ,0T "T ,OTT] 0
TRULY ASLEEP & SNOR+ G5TLY4 ,CL\D WOND]$
IF ,B"O KNEW YET ": !Y W]E4 ,%E 3SID]$ &
4C>D$ ! NO;N ( CALL+ ,BLACK ,F92 HE
WDN'T C>RY ,OTT] & ,S1L Z WELL Z H]4
  ,EV5TU,Y %E LAY D[N AG & PU%$ \ ! TOP
( H] H1D4 ,%E SPIRAL$ UP UNTIL %E CD SEE
BO? ! D>K M.TA9S 9 ! EA/ &! FAD+    #FGE
SUNSET 9 ! WE/1 &! ISL&S 9 %AD[ 2L H]1
LAID \ ON ! SEA L %ELLS4
  ,NO _SS OR /RANGE BIRDS MOV$ 9 SEA OR
SKY4 ,%E FLEW T[>D ,S&SPIT ,T[N4 ,! />S
CAME \1 H>D & BRILLIANT4 ,:5 ! D>K SIL-
H\ETTE ( ,MAPLE ,ISL& SWELL$ ON ! WAT]1
%E SWUNG S\? 9 ORD] 6APPROA* ! T[N F !
=E/4
  ,%E DROPP$ D[N & FLEW "? ! TREES UNTIL
%E R1*$ ! CLE>$ >EA 2H ! T[N1 !N DROPP$
/ F>!R 6DRIFT SL[LY "? ! GRASS4 ,!
BUILD+S HULK$ BLACK AG/ ! GLIMM]+ H>BOR1
EXCEPT ": A ?9 FOG ( BLUE SP>KS WR1!D
,/ORM ,H\SE4 ,CL\D SANK 96! GRASS & L A
M\SE1 L A BEETLE1 CREPT 2T ! WALL BO>DS
( ,/ORM ,H\SE1 ACR A /OREROOM1 & 96,RUM-
#'S GRT HALL4
  ,A B"R FIRE BURN$ 9 ! HE>?4 ,CL\D
SE>*$ ! FACES GA!R$ >.D X B SAW ONLY
,RUM#'S W>RIORS & _! WIVES & *N4
  ,%E CRAWL$ 6! BACK (! H\SE1 2H ! MAS-
SIVE ?"UBIRD PO/S4 ,"! %E SLIPP$ "? !
BO>DS 96! A"P;T (! K+ & 8 WIFE1 H] "M1
": %E _H N"E BE5 9 ! FLE%4 ,RUM# LAY 2N
LUXURI\S BLANKETS ( SEA OTT] &      #FGF
M>T51 & ABV HM D.ED ,B"O1 A HUGE & WAV]+
%AD[4 ,6"O SIDE1 0! FLICK]+ LAMP1 KNELT
,AUNT ,SN[ & ,?RU% ) TWO *N4 ,T GANGL+
BOY _H 6BE ,CL\D'S HALF-BRO!R ,GRT ,M\N-
TA91 &! "Y GIRL 0 ! HALF-SI/] ^: "N %E
DID N "K4 ,?RU%'S H1D 0 B[$4
  ,CL\D CREPT 96! NEXT ROOM4 ,%E F.D
,W9T] 9 B$1 EYES CLOS$1 2S A GIRL ( T5
OR TWELVE YE>S1 :O WAT*$ ! BLUE SP>KS
W9K+ 0! DOOR4 ,CL\D SLID "U ! FLOORBO>DS
6! CORN]1 DRIFT$ UPW>D4 ,ON ! PLAT=M
ATOP ,W9T]'S ROOM1 AN OLD] BOY SAT
CROSS-LE7$1 GAZ+ D[N AT ! W>RIORS 0!
HE>?4 ,A FEW ICE GIRLS FLICK]$ "H1 TOO1
S ,CL\D DRIFT$ 96! SMOKY GLOOM (!
RAFT]S4
  ,!N %E SAW A SMALL %APE CR\*$ ON !
FRAME (! SMOKE V5T1 J "U ! RO( BO>DS4
,CL\D FLOAT$ CLOS]1 SL[] ?AN A L1F ON A
/ POND4 ,A PETREL />$ "? ! OP5+4 ,\T-
SIDE1 A :ITE DOG /OOD GU>D ^U ! RO(
RIDGE4
  ,! PETREL LOOK$ AT H]1 EYES GL9T+ 9
/RAY GL1MS ( FIRELI<T4 ,CL\D "U/OOD1 AT
LA/1 :O ! PETREL WAS1 & :Y X _H     #FGG
BE5 WAT*+ H]4 ,%E BUR/ \ ! SMOKE V5T &
/RUCK ! DOG H>D 9 ! *E/1 B[L+ X (F !
RO(1 & !N %E SO>$ UP T[>D ! />S4 ,! PET-
REL SWOOP$ AF H]4 ,! DOG B>K$ SAVAGELY1
& BLUE LI<TS SW>M$ UPW>D1 B %E &! PETREL
_H ALR LEFT ,/ORM ,H\SE F> 2H4
  ,! PETREL *AS$ H] OV] ISL&S & "? W9D+
*ANNELS4 ,:5 ,CL\D 0 SURE !Y _H N BE5
FOLL[$1 %E RETURN$ 6! PASSAGE ": %E &
,OTT] CAMP$1 SPIRAL+ D[N 6L& ON H] [N
BODY4 ,! PETREL DROPP$ L[]1 TOO1 CIRCL+1
F9,Y -+ 6RE/ ON ! GUNWALE (! WRECK$ CA-
NOE4 ,& "! ,W9T] SAT1 GAZ+ AT H] SLEEP+
HUSB&4
  ,%E 0 G"O :5 ,CL\D WOKE1 A FEW H\RS 2F
SUNRISE4

  ,AT F/ LI<T1 ,OTT] TOOK ! ADZE & SET \
AL;G ! B1*4 ,CL\D 2GAN *ECK+ ! BOXES TO
SEE IF WAT] _H L1K$ 96!M1 A TASK %E %D H
"UTAK5 ! PREVI\S "D4
  ,"O BOX1 9 : %E _H PACK$ ! CLO!S %E 0
N WE>+1 _H L1K$2 ANO!R1 ) _! FOOD1 0
DRY4 ,9 A ?IRD BOX1 ,OTT] _H /OR$ TOOLS
& O4S & 5DS :1 ,CL\D GUESS$1 HE     #FGH
_H DUG F ,HUNTRESS'S CA/+S3 A ?;G1 A
BLUNT >R[H1D = %OOT+ BIRDS1 A LOOP (
CORROD$ COPP] WIRE--
  --,FOAM'S FI%-SK9 P\*4
  ,CL\D LIFT$ X \4 ,OTT] _H FOLD$ ! P\*
OV] ! TE> & WRAPP$ X ) TW9E4 ,%E FELT "?
! FI% SK94 ,A SMALL WOOD5 BOX4 ,A T9Y
CANOE4
  ,%E UNWRAPP$ ! P\* & DREW \ ! CANOE4
,COPP] ,ORCA %"O A BURNI%$ SALMON-ORANGE
9 ! MORN+ LI<T1 9TACT4
  ,CL\D CLOS$ H] F+]S >.D X & RAN AL;G !
%ORE AF ,OTT]4 8,UNCLE80 %E CALL$4 8,WE
C L1VE N[40
  ,:5 %E HELD \ ! T9Y CANOE1 ,OTT]'S
EYEBR[S DREW TGR4 8,CL\D1 T'S A _S ?+4
,Y %DN'T--0
  8,NO1 NO1 X'S M9E6 ,I TOLD Y AB X40
,CL\D HOPP$ D[N ! ROCKS 6SET ,COPP] ,OR-
CA 9 ! OC1N4 ,:5 X T\*$ SALTWAT]1 A
FULL-SIZE CANOE BO2$ 9 XS PLACE--
  8,LET'S LOAD ! CANOE60 %E SD 6H] A/ON-
I%$ UNCLE4
  ,!Y RETURN$ 6! B1*1 PACK$ SWIFTLY1 &
CLIMB$ ABO>D4 8,COPP] ,ORCA10 SD    #FGI
,CL\D1 8TAKE U 6,S&SPIT ,T[N60
  ,Z ! CANOE SP$ ACR ! OC1N1 ,OTT]
WRAPP$ HMF 9 SIL;E4 ,CL\D DECID$ N 6TELL
HM ( H] FLI<T LA/ NI<T1 : HE _H =BI45
H]4 ,B %E DID GA!R UP C\RAGE 6ASK1 8,UN-
CLE1 TELL ME H[ 6FI<T WIZ>DS' S]VANTS4
,H[ 6B9D !M4 ,LET ME HELP Y40
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,CL\D1 "! IS NO "T "R
N[ EV5 6/>T4 ,& ,I .DON'T WANT Y 6TRY
ANY?+4 ,I C'T PROTECT Y & D1L ) ,B"O AT
! SAME "T40
  8,B--0 ,CL\D SD4
  8,IF ,I A3OMPLI% :AT ,I HOPE TO1 ,I W
T1* Y :AT LL ,I RE,Y "K AB WIZ>DRY4 ,B
TD1 D NO?+40
  ,CL\D DID N REPLY4 ,%E .KNEW HE NE$$
H] HELP4 ,X 0 ! R1SON %E _H -E ? F> 9TO
MORTAL L&S4

  ,TD ,OTT] MADE NO ATTEMPT 63C1L !M F
,B"O'S S]VANTS4 ,/1 _! >RIVAL SEEM$ TO
TAKE ,B"O 0SURPRISE4 ,!Y _H R1*$ ! M\? (
,S&SPIT ,T[N'S H>BOR 2F ! F/ SN[FLAKES
FLUTT]$ \ (! SKY4
  ,BLUE LI<TS SW>M$ OV] !M L /++    #FHJ
ANTS4 ,! PA9 R\S$ ,CL\D'S BE> ROBE1 :
/IRR$ ON H] %\LD]S4 ,B ,OTT] UNHURRI$LY
CA/ A NET ( B"R;S 96! AIR4 ,! NET SUCK$
! ICE GIRLS 96XS FOLDS1 %RANK 6A PO9T (
GL>+ LI<T1 & VANI%$4
  ,! DR[N$ WOMAN R1*$ OV] ! GUNWALE TO
SEIZE ,OTT]'S LEGS4 ,HE CA/ 8 H>POON1 &
%E 49TEGRAT$ 96FOAM4
  ,OTT] /OOD ERECT 9 ,COPP] ,ORCA'S /]N
Z X CROSS$ ! H>BOR4 ,HE BL$ F A FEW CUTS
--B1 ,CL\D ?"\1 ,B"O _H H>DLY />T$4
  ,!Y >RIV$ AT ! B1* 2N ! LOOM+ BULK (
,/ORM ,H\SE4 ,M5 ) SPE>S & CLUBS RAN TO-
W>D !M1 %\T+4
  8,CL\D10 SD ,OTT]1 8/AY 9 ! CANOE4
,DON'T TRY 6HELP4 ,Y DON'T "K 5\<60
  8,B1 ,UNCLE--0
  8,/AY "H60
  ,B"O'S :ITE-HAIR$ DOG B.D$ AH1D (! M51
L1P+ ON ,OTT] Z HE /EPP$ A%ORE4 ,OTT]
SEIZ$ ! DOG 0XS RUFF & TOSS$ X 9 ! AIR1
": X BLEW A"P L A PU6BALL4
  ,:ITE A% RA9$ D[N4 ,"? X HOB#D ,B"O
HMF4 ,B"O'S HAIR _H TURN$ :ITE1 & 8 FACE
0 L9$ & SA7+1 B ICY W9D BLEW AH1D   #FHA
( HM L A BLA/ P\R+ (F A GLACI]4 ,AT !
$GE ( ,CL\D'S VI.N1 ,B"O 0 A D>K *ASM (
_S P[]1 A GIANT NE>LY ! SIZE ( AN IMMOR-
TAL4
  ,OTT]'S HAIR :IPP$ 9 ! W9D4 8,I WANT
6TALK 6YR MA/]10 HE SD4 8,N Y40
  8,:O IS MY MA/]80 SD ,B"O 9 A L[
VOICE4
  ,OTT] CALL$ \ 6! 5CIRCL+ W>RIORS4 8,G
TELL MY SI/] T ,I'VE -E HOME4 ,G TELL !
K+ T HE _H BETT] -E \ & TALK 6ME40
  8,! K+ IS ILL10 SD ,B"O L\DLY4 8,!
F\R-LE7$ GIRL POISON$ HM ) CORPSE MAGIC4
,& :O -ES "H WE>+ ! FACE (A D1D MAN8 ,M
( H] CORPSE MAGIC1 ,I SEE40
  8,Y "K :O ,I AM10 ,OTT] SD1 8& Y "K :
WIZ>D 9 ? T[N US$ AN .IMMORTAL'S CORPSE
= 8 WIZ>DRY40
  ,"! !Y /OOD3 ,B"O1 WILY1 EXP]I;ED1
OLD1 MALEVOL5T1 8 %>P GAZE REV1L+ NO?+4
,& 2F HM1 ,OTT]1 :O / SEEM$ S MILD & W1K
9 -P>ISON4 ,EV5 ,OTT]'S VOICE DID N C>RY
Z ,B"O'S DID4 ,CL\D WI%$ YET AG1 GUILTI-
LY1 T ,OTT] CD 2 J A LL M L ,RUM#4
  ,& ,OTT] DID NO?+ :ILE ,B"O       #FHB
?REW A FLAM+ BALL ( PIT* AT HM4 ,HE
BLAZ$ UP L A MAN-%AP$ TOR*1 ! /9K (
SCOR*+ FLE% BILL[+ F HM 9 WAVES4 ,CRY+
\1 ,CL\D JUMP$ UP 6RU% 6HIS AID--
  ,OTT] SANG 9 AN ALM 9AUDI# VOICE3

,TRY 6LIFT X UP1
,TRY 6LIFT X UP1
,TRY 6LIFT X UP1
,H[L+-ON-!-,M.TA9TOP4

  ,! BURN+ PIT* SLID 6! S&1 ": X SMOK$ &
W5T \4 ,OTT] LOOK$ UNH>M$1 B HE REL1S$ A
%AKY BR1?4
  8,ALL ,I WANT IS MY PLACE BACK10 HE SD
6,B"O4 8,Y DON'T H 6FI<T ME4 ,Y C'T HURT
ME ANYWAY1 N ANYMORE40
  ,FR[N+1 ,B"O DROPP$ A B\LD] HALF !
SIZE (A H\SE ONTO HM4 ,CL\D DID N SEE ":
! ROCK CAME F1 B :5 X SLAMM$ 6! B1*1 !
OC1N JUMP$ & WAVES ROCK$ ,COPP] ,ORCA4
  ,OTT]'S QUIET S;G EM]G$ F 2N ! B\LD]4


,HE SET X ON MY H1D1                #FHC
,HE SET X ON MY H1D1
,HE SET X ON MY H1D1
,GRAY-,TAIL-AT-!-,H1DWAT]S4

  ,! B\LD] ROSE4 ,Z ,OTT] UNFOLD$ 2N X1
/RA9+ 6PU% X UPW>D1 ALL T MASS ( ROCK
CRUM#D 6W9DBL[N S&4 ,CL\D _H 6USE H] BE>
ROBE 6%IELD H] FACE4
  ,N[ ,OTT] SLUMP$1 8 *E/ H1V+4 ,CL\D
L;G$ 6G 6HM4 ,! WIZ>DRY TU7$ AT H] BEL-
LY2 %E CD SEE X & S5SE X4 ,B ,OTT] 0 "R4
,%E 0 TOO IGNORANT 6.D ANY?+4
  ,B"O SU45LY FLICK$ A HUNT]'S KNIFE AT
,OTT]4 ,HE FELL A"P L BUT*]$ GAME1
BLOODY LIMBS & GUTS TUMBL+ ONTO 8 FLAY$
SK94 ,"! 0 A HE>T-/OPP+ SIL;E4 ,AT LA/ 8
VOICE1 N[ HO>SE & TREMBL+1 ONCE M SANG \
(! AIR3

,! P[] IS ON MY H1D1
,! P[] IS ON MY H1D1
,! P[] IS ON MY H1D1
,GRT P[]S (! =E/4

                                    #FHD
  ,! S"E$ LIMBS SL[LY DREW TGR1 SK9
WRAPP$ >.D M1T & B"O & ORGANS1 UNTIL
,OTT] KNELT ON ! BLOODY S&4
  ,HE /A7]$ 6HIS FEET4 8,Y DON'T H 6FI<T
ME10 HE SD AG 6,B"O1 B 8 VOICE EM]G$ Z
ONLY A :ISP]4
  ,:Y DIDN'T ,OTT] .ATTACK8 ,HE CDN'T
5DURE ,B"O TRY+ 6KILL HM OV] & OV] AG4
  ,B"O'S SC[L *ANG$ 6A SMIRK4 ,HE TOSS$
D[N A H&;L ( /ICKS4 ,AT F/ ,CL\D WOND]$
H[ ? CD H>M ,OTT]4 ,B 9 AN EYEBL9K !
/ICKS GREW 96A GIANT LI4$ BOX1 TRAPP+
,OTT] 9SIDE4 ,WAT] L1K$ F ! BOX1 & H1VY
ROPE B.D X %UT4 ,A BLA/ ( ICY W9D HURL$
! BOX \ 96! H>BOR1 ": X CRA%$ 96! WAT] &
SANK F VIEW4
  ,CL\D WAIT$1 B NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,! WAIT
/RET*$ ON TOO L;G1 & !N X /RET*$ ON L;G]
/4 ,OTT] CD N SURVIVE ?4 ,%E CD N BE> TO
.LOSE .HM .AG--
  8,:AT D Y ?9K1 F\R-LE7$ GIRL80 ,B"O SD
6H]4 8,D Y ?9K ,I C HURT HM AF ALL80
  ,R$-HOT WASPS BURN$ AL;G H] B"OS4 ,%E
DID N "K WIZ>DRY1 B %E DID "K H[ 62COME
A BE>4 ,%E LET RAGE & DESPAIR       #FHE
SWELL H] 96A GIANT4
  ,%E B[L$ ,B"O FLAT1 %E RIPP$ OP5 8
FLA2Y *E/1 & %E SANK H] TEE? DEEP 96HIS
%\LD]4
  ,B 8 FLE% 0 ICE1 &! BLOOD T P\R$ \ (
HM 0 EV5 COLD]4 ,X SL[$ H] HE>TB1T1
FROZE H] GUT4 ,%E /RU7L$ 6RIP 8 ?ROAT
OP51 B %E 0 GR[+ TOO COLD 6MOVE4
  ,!N %E SAW ! AMULET >.D 8 NECK4
  ,! AMULET RESEM#D A TRANSLUC5T V].N (
,FOAM'S _S EAT]4 ,2H ! C5TRAL FACE1 COL-
ORS SWIRL$4 ,%E PU%$ H] CLAWS T[>D X )
ALL H] /R5G?--
  ,B"O %OV$ H] UPW>D4 ,Z %E FLEW 96!
AIR1 H] CLAW SNA7$ ! AMULET1 TE>+ X4
,COLORS %EET$ >.D H]1 A TANGLE ( H1DS1
W+S1 CLAWS1 & LEGS WRI?+1 SEP>AT+4 ,%E
CRA%$ H>D 96! S&2 ABV H]1 ABV ,B"O1 _SS
HOV]$ L A ROCKSLIDE AB 6DROP & CRU% !M
BO?--
  ,B ,B"O CA/ A NET OV] ! _SS1 SN>+ !M
TI<T4 ,& !N1 :EEZ+1 8 FACE PURPLE ) FU-
RY1 BLOOD P\R+ F 8 W.DS1 HE CLIMB$ 6HIS
FEET & HOB#D T[>D H]4
  8,I %D H LET ! K+ KILL Y L;G      #FHF
AGO10 HE SD4 ,HE OP5$ 8 FI/ 6REV1L A
KNOT1 & !N HE ?REW X AT H]4

,! P[] IS 9 MY H&S1

SANG A S(T VOICE F ! OC1N4 ,& "SH[ ,B"O
_H SL[$ D[N4 ,! >M TOSS+ ! KNOT AT ,CL\D
0 / RIS+ 96! AIR1 &! KNOT _HN'T YET LEFT
,B"O'S PALM4

,! P[] IS 9 MY H&S1
,! P[] IS 9 MY H&S1
,D.ERS AT ! C5T] (! _W4

  ,OTT] EM]G$ F ! OC1N S SL[LY T ,CL\D
FELT BIRDS WD FALL \ (! SKY1 WAT] WD
C1SE FL[+ D[NHILL1 & H] [N BR1? WD /OP
2F HE R1*$ DRY L&4 ,B ,B"O 0 ALR DRAW+
BACK 8 >M 6?R[ ! KNOT AG4 ,OTT] CA/ 8
H>POON--
  --N AT ,B"O1 B AT ! NETT$ _SS 9 !
AIR--
  ,! NET FELL A"P 9 FLAMES4 ,! _SS
PLUNG$ D[NW>D "? ,B"O'S BODY1 A SWIRL (
BLUE WORM1 BR[N FUR1 [L W+S1 %>K    #FHG
SMILE1 %AD[Y H&1 ALL S9K+ 96,B"O'S FLE%
& !N BUR/+ \TW>D AG1 VANI%+4
  ,B"O LAY / ^U ! S&4 ,A FROG CLIMB$ \ (
8 M\? & HOPP$ AWAY4
  ,! COLD T _H P>ALYZ$ ,CL\D MELT$1 & H]
HE>T />T$ 6B1T PROP]LY AG4 ,A FURRY
CR1TURE1 HALF M9K & HALF M>MOT1 JUMP$ TO
,OTT]'S %\LD]1 HAIR /&+ ON 5D4
  ,CL\D PU%$ H]F ONTO TWO FEET4 ,OTT]
BL9K$ & SWAY$2 =A MO;T %E ?"\ HE WD COL-
LAPSE F EXHAUS;N1 B HE RECOV]$ SU6ICI5T-
LY 6CLIMB PA/ ,B"O'S BODY T[>D ! L9E (
W>RIORS 9 FRONT ( ,/ORM ,H\SE4 ,!Y %IFT$
N]V\SLY AT 8 APPROA*4 ,W9T] N[ /OOD 2Y
!M4 ,W9T] & ,OTT] LOOK$ AT EA* O!R B NEI
SD ANY?+4
  8,G10 ,OTT] SD 6! W>RIORS AG1 & HE
SEEM$ 6BE REGA9+ 8 /R5G?4 8,BR+ \ YR
MA/] 6ME40
  ,OTT] WAIT$ 2F ! /AIRS (! H\SE1 MO;N.S
Z A /ALK+ H]ON4 ,:5 ,RUM# CAME \1 L1N+
ON ,?RU%1 ,CL\D H>DLY RECOGNIZ$ HM3 HE 0
?91 PALE1 & F"R5$4

                                    #FHH
  ,"! !Y ALL 7 ON ! B1* TGR3 ,RUM# &
,?RU%1 ,W9T] & ,OTT]4 ,& ,CL\D4 ,ONCE %E
WD H FELT UNIQUELY AL"O & A"P1 ! \TCA/
:O CD N"E 2L;G4 ,N[ %E SAW T !Y 7 ALL
/RANG]S 6EA* O!R1 & T N"O ( !M KNEW :AT
6SAY4
  ,PU%+ H] BE> ROBE OV] H] %\LD]S1 ,CL\D
/EPP$ BACK Z UNOBTRUSIVELY Z %E CD &
WALK$ AWAY F ,/ORM ,H\SE4 ,! ONLOOK]S
"P$ 6LET H] "?4
  ,X 0 OV] AT LA/4 ,"EY?+ ,RUM# _H TRI$
6PREV5T _H HAPP5$1 & HE CD NO L;G] HURT
ANY"O4
  ,/RANGE H[ X _H 5D$1 ?\<4 ,Z 9 !
/ORIES1 ! H]O _H RETURN$ VICTORI\S1
CLOAK$ 9 _SUAL P[]4 ,B ? TRIUMPH1 ? /O-
RY1 _H TURN$ \ 6BE ,OTT]'S1 N H]S4 ,HE
_H N EV5 NE$$ H] HELP4 ,X 0 :AT %E WD H
MO/ WANT$ = HM1 & %E _H N EXPECT$ A TRI-
UMPHANT HOMECOM+ = H]F--.H] /ORY _H
SURELY 5D$ 9 ,LUP9E'S H\SE--B X LEFT H]
ADRIFT4 ,"! 0 NO R1SON = H] 6BE "H4 ,%E
CD N1 AF ALL1 /AY 9 A HUMAN T[N4
  ,)\T H] 9T5D+ X1 H] FEET TOOK H] T[>D
! SUMM] SIDE ( T[N1 ": P 7 /        #FHI
EM]G+ 6BUZZ OV] ! EXCITE;TS AT ,/ORM
,H\SE4 ,HALIBUT ,H\SE1 %E SAW1 0 M DI-
LAPIDAT$ ?AN "E3 RO( BO>DS _H FALL51
CRACKS GAP$ 9 ! WALL BO>DS1 ! SPRUCE
SE$L+ ON ! RIDGE B1M _H GR[N Z TALL Z A
MAN4 ,CL\D APPROA*$ SL[LY4 ,X 0 BETT] IF
%E DIDN'T G 9SIDE 6SP1K 6ANY"O4 ,EASI]
6L1VE AG4
  ,EXCEPT T %E _H 6F9D \--
  ,%E GL.ED "? ! DOOR ) TREPID,N4 ,"EY?+
LOOK$ S WORN \4 ,GLORY T;G$ COOK+ /"OS
ONTO ! FIRE :ILE ,ORIOLE SWEPT ! FLOOR &
F5D$ (F %RIEK+ *N4 ,AT L1/ ! H\SE SMELL$
! SAME3 SMOKE1 FI%1 C$>1 FRE%-CUT SPRUCE
BRAN*ES4 ,A *'S DIAP] NE$$ *ANG+4
  ,%E DUCK$ "? ! DOORWAY4 ,/ NO SLAVES4
,RUM# _H KILL$ !M ALL1 & N[ ,GLORY1
LOOK+ S OLD & TIR$1 ,GLORY ! OLD K+'S
SI/]1 /OOP$ OV] ! HE>?4 ,N T COOK+ 0 A
BAD ?+4 ,B ,GLORY %D N H 6D X4
  8,AUNT80 %E SD1 /EPP+ D[N 6! HE>?
WELL4
  ,GLORY /RAI<T5$4 ,H] FACE LIT UP4
8,CL\D80
  ,CL\D 5VELOP$ H] 9 A FI]CE HUG4   #FIJ

  ,GLORY WIP$ TE>S F H] EYES4 8,Y >E
4GRACE;LLY FIL?Y10 %E SD1 Z ,CL\D KNEW
%E WD4
  ,=A MO;T ,CL\D SMIL$4 ,!N1 GUTS KNOT-
T+1 %E ASK$ ! "Q ^: ANSW] %E _H DR1D$ =
S L;G4 8,AUNT ,GLORY1 :AT HAPP5$ 6MY BA-
BY80
  ,GLORY RAIS$ H] EYEBR[S4 8,ORIOLE10 %E
CALL$1 8BR+ ! * "H40
  ,ORIOLE SI<$1 PUT D[N H] BROOM1 & WAD$
AM;G ! SCREE*+ *N4 ,A FIL?Y LL CR1TURE
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