,,FL$GL+
                A NOVEL

         ,,OCTAVIA ,E4 ,,BUTL]

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
    ,SEV5 ,/ORIES ,PRESS1 ,NEW ,YORK
   ,COPY"R #BJJE 0,OCTAVIA ,E4 ,BUTL]
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
             ,M>IAN ,HAYES
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #F ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #DIE-EFH


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
























               TW5TY-SIX            #DIE

  ,:5 ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN HE>D :AT ,I _H TO
SAY1 %E D5I$ "EY?+4 ,NEI %E NOR H] SYM-
BIONT ,JACK ,ROAN _H ANY?+ AT ALL 6D )!
D1? ( 8! P]SON ,%ORI ,MAT!WS IS ATTEMPT+
6CLAIM Z H] SYMBIONT40
  8,!Y _H *OS5 "O ANO!R10 ,VLADIMIR ,LE-
ONTYEV SD4 8,WE ALL SAW T !Y _H40
  8,": IS ,JACK ,ROAN80 ,JOAN ,BRAI?-
WAITE ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,KA?>9E SD4 8,MY O!R
SYMBIONTS H TOLD ME HE _H 6G--"S FAMILY
EM]G5CY4 ,HE HAS FAMILY 9 ,LOS ,ANGELES1
9 ,PHOENIX1 ,>IZONA1 & 9 ,AU/91 ,TEXAS40
,%E SD ALL ? ) AN ODD1 SLY1 SMIL+ EX-
PRES.N T ,I _H N SE5 2F4 ,&1 ( C\RSE1 %E
0 LY+4 ,"EY?+ %E'D SD 0 A LIE4 ,I GOT !
IMPRES.N %E DIDN'T C>E T WE KNEW4
  ,VLADIMIR LOOK$ 4GU/$4 8,Y'RE TELL+ U
,ROAN IS YRS1 B Y H NO IDEA : ( ^? ?REE
L>GE CITIES 9 ?REE DI6]5T /ATES HE'S G"O
6VISIT80
  ,KA?>9E GAVE A SMALL %RUG4 8,X 0 AN
EM]G5CY10 %E SD4 8,HE CDN'T WAIT UNTIL
,I AWOKE4 ,I TRU/ MY P40            #DIF
  8,Y %D10 ,I SD4 8,YR P >E CLE>LY V
-PET5T1 ESPECI,Y :5 X -ES 6MURD]+ AN UN-
SUSPECT+ SYMBIONT :O'S N"E D"O !M ANY
H>M40 ,I LOOK$ AL;G ! >C AT ! O!R ,C\N-
CIL MEMB]S4 8,I REQUE/ T %E 2 REMOV$ F ?
,C\NCIL40
  8,Y REQUE/60 ,KA?>9E SEEM$ 6*OKE ON !
^WS4 8,I REQUE/ T Y 2 REMOV$ F ? ROOM6
,Y'RE A *1 CLE>LY TOO "Y 6"K H[ 62HAVE4
,& ,I *ALL5GE YR "R 6REPRES5T ! 9T]E/S (
FAMILIES :O >E UN=TUNATELY D1D4 ,Y >E _!
DESC5D5T1 B 2C ( _! ]ROR1 2C ( _! GRT ]-
ROR1 Y >E N ,9A6 ,NO "O C 2 C]TA9 (!
TRU? ( ANY?+ Y SAY 2C Y >E NEI ,9A NOR
HUMAN4 ,YR SC5T1 YR REAC;NS1 YR FACIAL
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"R4 ,Y SAY YR SYMBIONT HAS J DI$4 ,IF T
7 S1 Y WD 2 PRO/RATE4 ,Y WD N 2 A# 6SIT
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( LOS+ A SYMBIONT4 ,WE >E ,9A4 ,Y >E
NO?+60
  ,"! 0 A SWELL ( VOICES F ! AUDI;E--M*
D5IAL1 B "S AGREE;T4 ,ALL ! VISIT+ & LO-
CAL ,9A 7 PRES5T 9 ! AUDI;E OR ON !
,C\NCIL4 ,! RE/ (! S1TS 7 FILL$     #DIG
0SYMBIONTS :O AL _H OP9IONS AB ME4 ,N
SURPRIS+LY1 ! SYMBIONTS :O SPOKE 7 ON MY
SIDE4 ,X 0 ! ,9A :O 7 DIVID$4
  ,PRE/ON /OOD UP4 8,LI/5 6ME60 HE RO>$
9 A VOICE ,MILO ,SILK WD H BE5 PR\D (1 &
! ROOM W5T UTT]LY SIL5T4 ,AF A FEW SEC-
ONDS1 HE REP1T$ M QUIETLY1 8,LI/5 6ME4
,%ORI ,MAT!WS IS Z ,9A Z ! RE/ ( U4 ,9
A4I;N1 %E C>RIES ! POT5TI,Y LIFE-SAV+
HUMAN ,,DNA T HAS D>K5$ H] SK9 & GIV5 H]
"S?+ WE'VE S"\ = G5],NS3 ! ABIL;Y 6WALK
9 SUNLI<T1 6/AY AWAKE & AL]T DUR+ ! "D40
,HE PAUS$1 !N RAIS$ 8 VOICE AG4 8,H]
"MS1 H] SI/]S1 H] "F1 & H] BRO!RS 7 ,9A
& !Y H BE5 MURD]$ AL;G ) ALL B TWO ( _!
SYMBIONTS4 ,ALL ( ,%ORI'S [N F/ SYMBI-
ONTS H BE5 MURD]$4 ,? ,C\NCIL HAS MET TO
DET]M9E :O'S RESPONSI# = ^? MURD]S1 & N[
X M/ AL 3SID] ! MURD] ( ,!ODORA ,H>D51
"O ( ,%ORI'S NEW SYMBIONTS4 ,WE >E "H TO
4COV] ! GUILT OR 9NOC;E ( ^? A3US$ ( ^!
MURD]S &1 IF !Y >E F.D GUILTY1 6DECIDE
:AT IS 6BE D"O )! MURD]]S4 ,BAS$ ON :AT
WE'VE HE>D S F>1 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,KA?>9E
,DAHLMAN %D 2 A MEMB] ( ? ,C\N-     #DIH
CIL40
  ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN SAT V /RAI<T & />$
ANGRILY AT ,PRE/ON4 8,Y WANT YR SONS TO
MATE ) ? P]SON4 ,Y WANT !M 6GET BLACK1
HUMAN *N F H]4 ,"H 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1
EV5 MO/ HUMANS W LOOK D[N ON !M4 ,:5 ,I
CAME 6? C.TRY1 S* P 7 KEPT Z PROP]TY1 Z
SLAVES4 ,Y >E BIAS$ 9 ,%ORI'S FAVOR & N
A VOT+ MEMB] ( ? ,C\NCIL4 ,I WON'T GIVE
UP MY PLACE 2C Y SAY S40
  ,PRE/ON />$ AT H]1 EXPRES.N.S1 /4
8,C\NCIL MEMB]S1 C.T YRVS = OR AG/ ,KA?-
>9E REMA9+ "O ( Y40 ,HE PAUS$ UNTIL ALL
( !M _H TURN$ 6LOOK AT HM4 8,ZO@E ,FO-
TOP\LOS80 HE SD1 TURN+ 6LOOK AT ,ZO@E4
,%E SAT F>!/ F ME1 NEXT 6,RUSSELL
,SILK'S TA#4
  ,ZO@E LOOK$ F ,KA?>9E 6,PRE/ON1 !N
%OOK H] H1D4 8,KA?>9E %D G10 %E SD4 8,&
WE NE$ 63SID] :AT 6D AB H] DIRECT+ H]
SYMBIONT 6KILL ,%ORI'S SYMBIONT4 ,L !
,SILKS1 %E M/ 2 JUDG$40
  8,%E M/ 2 JUDG$10 ,PRE/ON E*O$4 8,JOAN
,BRAI?WAITE80
  8,KA?>9E %D G10 ,JOAN SD /I6LY4   #DII
8,H] FE>S H MADE H] /UPID4 ,WE _C AF=D
6H /UPID ,C\NCIL MEMB]S4 ,! DECI.NS WE
MAKE "H >E IMPORTANT4 ,!Y %D 2 MADE )A
CLE> H1D40 ,%E DID N LOOK AT ,KA?>9E Z
%E SPOKE1 B ,KA?>9E />$ AT H] ) OBVI\S
HATR$4
  8,ALEX&] ,SVOBODA80 ,PRE/ON 3T9U$4
  8,KA?>9E %D G10 HE SD1 8B WE'D BETT]
DECIDE N[ :O W G ) H] 6KEEP \R NUMB]S
"R40
  8,PET] ,M>CU80
  8,%E %D G10 HE SD4 8,B %E'S ! ,SILK
ADVOCATE4 ,MAYBE ,VLAD %D 2 ! O!R MEMB]
6G40
  8,VLADIMIR ,LEONTYEV80
  ,MY ELD]"F LOOK$ ANGRI] ?AN ! RE/ (
!M4 ,X _H TAK5 ME A MO;T &A LOOK F HM TO
R1LIZE T HE 0 ANGRY ON MY 2HALF4 ,"S?+ M
_H BE5 D"O 6ME1 & HE 0 FURI\S AB X4
8,KA?>9E M/ G60 HE SD4 8,IF T M1NS ,I G1
TOO1 !N S 2 X4 ,H[ CD %E H IMAG9$ T ? WD
2 OV]LOOK$8 ,\R SYMBIONTS >E N TOOLS 6BE
US$ 6KILL O!R P'S SYMBIONTS4 ,^? "DS >E
L;G PA/ & NO?+ %D 2 P]MITT$ 6REVIVE !M40
  8,ANA ,MOR>IU80                   #EJJ
  ,ANA HESITAT$ & />$ D[N AT ! TA#4
8,KA?>9E %D /AY10 %E SD4 8,LET'S TAKE
C>E ( "O "Q AT A "T4 ,AF ALL1 ,KA?>9E
MAY 2 TELL+ ! TRU? AB H] SYMBIONT4 ,WE
%DN'T JUDGE H] S QKLY40 ,S"EAL P FR[N$
AT H] OR LOOK$ AWAY4 ,O!RS NO4$4 ,VLADI-
MIR 0 "R4 ,KA?>9E _H MADE LL EF=T 6MAKE
H] LIES 2LIEVA#--Z ?\< %E EXPECT$ AT L1/
"S (! P PRES5T 6G AL;G ) H] 2C US+ H]
SYMBIONT 6MURD] ! SYMBIONT ( "S"O Z
9SIGNIFICANT Z ,I 0 S* A SMALL ?+4 ,X 0
A LL S9 T CD 2 OV]LOOK$ AM;G FRS4 ,FRS L
,ANA ,MOR>IU4
  8,ALICE ,RAPPAPORT80
  8,%E %D G40 ,ALICE LOOK$ AT ,KA?>9E1
!N LOOK$ AWAY & %OOK H] H1D4 8,OV] ! C5-
TURIES1 ,I'VE SE5 TOO M* RACIAL PREJU-
DICE AM;G HUMANS4 ,X ISN'T A WE$ WE NE$
GR[+ AM;G U40
  8,H>OLD ,WE/FALL80
  8,%E %D G4 ,I1 TOO1 H SE5 M ?AN 5 RA-
CISM40
  8,KIRA ,NICOLAU80
  8,KA?>9E %D G4 ,%E MAY 2 "R 9 :AT %E
SAYS AB ,%ORI1 B %E DID S5D H]      #EJA
SYMBIONT 6KILL A HUMAN :OM ,%ORI CALL$
H] SYMBIONT4 ,NO MEMB] (A ,C\NCIL (
,JUDG;T %D H D"O S* A ?+1 & NO ,C\NCIL (
,JUDG;T %D TOL]ATE S* A ?+40
  8,ION ,&REI80
  8,I 2LIEVE ,KA?>9E %D /AY4 ,IF %E'S
MADE A MISTAKE--.IF %E'S MADE A MISTAKE
--WELL1 WE C LOOK 96X ANO!R "T40
  8,WALT] ,NAGY80
  8,%E %D G4 ,N"O ( U WANT 6G BACK 6!
"DS ( FEUDS C>RI$ ON 0MURD]+ "O ANO!R'S
SYMBIONTS40
  8,ELIZABE? ,AKHMATOVA80
  8,%E %D G4 ,H[ C %E MURD] ANO!R ,9A'S
SYMBIONT & N ?9K ANY?+ ( X8 ,:AT SORT (
P]SON CD D S* A ?+80
  ,T 0 A V GD "Q4
  ,KA?>9E SEEM$ SURPRIS$ T ! VOTE W5T
AG/ H]4 ,%E _H TRULY EXPECT$ 6B5EFIT F
:AT %E _H D"O4 ,%E _H GOTT5 H] SYMBIONT
\ ( MY R1* S T ,I CDN'T TRACK HM & KILL
HM 2F %E AWOKE4 ,9 FACT1 ,I WDN'T H
KILL$ HM4 ,8 LIFE DID N 9T]E/ ME4 ,H]S
DID4 ,B %E DIDN'T "K ME1 & %E WASN'T
WILL+ 6TAKE *.ES ) ,JACK ,ROAN'S    #EJB
PRECI\S SK94 ,%E _H IMAG9$ T H] FELL[
,C\NCIL MEMB]S--ALL ,9A1 ALL >.D H] AGE
--WD A3EPT :AT %E _H D"O1 EV5 IF !Y
DIDN'T L X4 ,%E 2LIEV$ ,I WD EI LOSE
3TROL & 4GRACE MYF 2F ! ,C\NCIL--POSSI-
BLY 0ATTACK+ H]--OR IF ,I DIDN'T1 %E CD
USE MY APP>5T LACK ( FEEL+ 6PO9T \ H[
UN-,9A ,I WAS4 ,%E WON EI WAY4 ,:AT DID
! LIFE ( MY ,!ODORA MATT]8
  ,KA?>9E LEFT ! TA#1 GL>+ AT ME Z ?\<
,I _H "SH[ D"O H] AN 9JURY4 ,I _HN'T4 ,B
,I WD4 ,I SURELY WD4
  ,AF A LL M 4CUS.N1 ,VLADIMIR LEFT1
TOO4 ,I 0 SORRY 6SEE HM G4 ,W"R CALL$ HM
MY GR&DAD4 ,9A1 = "S R1SON1 DIDN'T USE !
^WS HUMANS US$ 6DESCRIBE K9%IP--8GR&"F10
8AUNT10 8C\S90--B ,I LIK$ ! IDEA ( ,VLA-
DIMIR & ,KON/ANT9 Z MY ELD]"FS4 ,X -=T$
ME T ,I / _H ELD]"FS1 T ,I 0 A "Y]DAU<T]
6"S"O4
  ,BO? ,VLADIMIR & ,KA?>9E W5T 6SIT 9 !
AUDI;E4 ,WAYNE & ,PHILIP ,GORDON BR"\ !M
*AIRS4 ,ONCE T 0 D"O1 ! ,C\NCIL CD RE-
TURN 6! "Q ( :E!R ! ,SILKS _H KILL$ MY
FAMILIES4                           #EJC
  ,! ,SILKS F/ "Q$ S"EAL (! ,GORDONS1
9CLUD+ ,PRE/ON1 :O /OOD UP L ! O!RS AT !
FREE-/&+ MICROPH"O & QUIETLY ANSW]$ !
SAME (F5SIVE "QS4 ,HE ANSW]$ !M )\T PRO-
TE/4
  ,NO1 HE 0 N 3C]N$ AB ALL[+ 8 SONS TO
MATE ) "S"O :O WAS1 AM;G O!R ?+S1 A GE-
NETIC EXP]I;T4
  8,I'VE _H A *.E 6GET 6"K H]10 HE SD4
8,%E'S AN 9TELLIG5T1 H1L?Y1 LIKA# "Y FE-
MALE4 ,:5 %E'S OLD]1 %E'LL BE> /R;G *N1
& "S ( !M W WALK 9 SUNLI<T40
  ,!N ,RUSSELL CALL$ ,HAYD5 & ASK$ !
SAME "Q ( HM4
  8,I AM 3C]N$ 2C %E IS AL"O10 ,HAYD5
SD4 8,I HOPE T %E W ADOPT A SI/] 2F %E
MATES ) MY "Y]SONS4 ,MY BRO!R IS "R AB
,%ORI4 ,%E IS B"R1 H1L?Y1 & LIKA#4 ,:5
H] SI/]S 7 ALIVE1 ,I SAW A MAT+ 2T !M &
MY "Y]SONS Z A P]FECT MAT*--OR Z NE> P]-
FECT Z ANY JO9+ C BE40
  ,I FELT BETT] AB ,HAYD5 AF T4 ,HE
SEEM$ 6BE TELL+ ! TRU?4 ,I HOP$ HE WAS4
,HE 0 OLD 5 6SLIP A LIE PA/ ME & P]H PA/
"EY"O ELSE 9 ! ROOM4 ,B :Y %D HE8   #EJD
  ,! ,SILKS _H BR"\ AL;G A DOCTOR :O 0
"O ( _! SYMBIONTS1 POOR MAN4 ,RUSSELL
ASK$ ! ,C\NCIL 6ALL[ ! DOCTOR 6"Q ME AB
MY 9JURIES4 ,X 0 9T5D$ 6BE (F5SIVE1 AN-
O!R EF=T1 L ,MILO'S1 6TR1T ME Z HUMAN R
?AN ,9A &1 ( C\RSE1 6HUMILIATE ME4
  8,HE MAY 2 A# 6GIVE U "S 9SI<T 9TO
,%ORI'S AMNESIA10 ,RUSSELL SD 9NOC5TLY4
8,HUMANS >E M FAMILI> ) MEMORY PRO#MS40
  ,ION ,&REI1 ,RUSSELL'S NEW ADVOCATE
SD1 8,RUSSELL HAS ! "R 6/& ASIDE & LET
"S"O ) SPECIALIZ$ K SP1K = HM40
  ,JOAN ,BRAI?WAITE SI<$4 8,WE CD WA/E A
LOT ( "T >GU+ :E!R OR N 6P]MIT ! DOC-
TOR'S "QS4 ,LET'S N D T4 ,%ORI1 >E Y
WILL+ 6BE "Q$ 0? MAN80
  8,I'M N10 ,I SD4
  ,%E NO4$1 LOOK$ AT ME =A MO;T4 8,! IM-
PLIC,NS (! REQUE/ >E (F5SIVE10 %E SD4
8,!Y'RE 9T5D$ 6BE4 ,N"E!.S1 ,I ADVISE Y
6LET ! DOCTOR "Q Y4 ,HE M1NS NO H>M4
,HE'S ONLY "O M SYMBIONT 2+ US$ 6CAUSE Y
PA94 ,IRONIC & NA/Y1 ISN'T X8 ,NO MATT]4
,I ADVISE Y 6BE> ! PA9 S T ANY"O ON !
,C\NCIL :O HAS D\BTS AB Y C SEE A   #EJE
LL M ( :O & :AT Y >E40
  ,I DID N L ,JOAN ,BRAI?WAITE4 ,B ,I
?"\ ,I MI<T EV5TU,Y LOVE H]4 ,%E 0 "O (!
FEW FAIRLY CLOSE RELATIVES ,I _H LEFT4
8,ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,I'LL ANSW] ! DOC-
TOR'S "QS40
  ,! DOCTOR 0 CALL$ 6! FREE-/&+ MICRO-
PH"O4 ,HE 0 A TALL R$-HAIR$ MAN ) FRECK-
LES1 ! F/ R$H1D ,I CD RECALL SEE+4 8,D Y
H ANY PA91 ,%ORI80 HE ASK$4 8,H ANY (!
9JURIES Y SU6]$ CAUS$ Y ANY DI6ICUL-
TIES80
  8,I H NO PA9 N[10 ,I SD4 8,I DID 2F MY
9JURIES H1L$1 ( C\RSE1 B !Y'VE H1L$ COM-
PLETELY EXCEPT = MY MEMORY40
  8,D Y REMEMB] YR 9JURIES8 ,C Y DE-
SCRIBE !M80
  ,I ?"\ BACK UNHAPPILY4 8,I 0 BURN$ OV]
MO/ ( MY BODY1 MY FACE1 MY H1D4 ,MY H1D
0 N ONLY BURN$1 B ''' ! B"OS ( MY SKULL
7 BROK5 S T 9 TWO PLACES MY H1D FELT '''
FELT ALM S(T :5 ,I T\*$ X4 ,I 0 BL4 ,X
HURT 6BR1!4 ,WELL1 X HURT 6D ANY?+ AT
ALL4 ,I CD MOVE1 B MY COORD9,N 0 BAD AT
F/4 ,T'S ALL40                      #EJF
  ,! DOCTOR />$ AT ME1 & 8 EXPRES.N W5T
F 4BELIEV+ 6A LOOK T ,I CD ONLY DESCRIBE
Z HUNGRY4 ,ODD 6SEE A HUMAN 2+ LOOK T
WAY4 ,J = AN 9/ANT1 HE LOOK$ ! WAY ,9A D
:5 WE'RE V1 V HUNGRY4 ,HE GOT HMF "U
3TROL AF A MO;T & MANAG$ 6LOOK ONLY
MILDLY 9T]E/$4 8,H[ L;G DID X TAKE ^!
9JURIES 6H1L80 HE ASK$4
  8,I'M N SURE10 ,I SD4 8,I SLEPT A LOT
AT F/1 :5 ! PA9 LET ME SLEEP4 ,I 0 MO/LY
AW>E (! PA94 ,I REMEMB] ALL T HAPP5$
ONCE ,I 0 A# 6L1VE ! CAVE1 B ,I'M N SURE
AB "S ( :AT W5T ON 2F T40
  8,B Y REMEMB] KILL+ & EAT+ ,HU<
,TANG80
  ,I DREW BACK & />$ AT ! MAN1 WOND]+ H[
M* ( :AT HE ASK$ 0 :AT HE _H BE5 TOLD TO
ASK4 ,7 ,JOAN & ,I WR;G8 ,0 ! DOCTOR
HAV+ FUN8 8,I'VE SD T ,I REMEMB] KILL+ &
EAT+ ,HU< ,TANG10 ,I SD4
  ,HE LOOK$ UNCOM=TA#4 8,CD Y TELL U10
HE SD1 8AB ANY?+ AT ALL T Y'VE BE5 A# TO
REMEMB] ( YR LIFE 2F Y 7 9JUR$40
  8,I RECALL NO?+ ( MY PA/ 2F ! CAVE10
,I SD1 Z ?\< ,I _HN'T SD X A DOZ5   #EJG
"TS ! NI<T 2F4
  8,DOES ? TR\# Y80 HE SD4
  8,( C\RSE X DOES40
  8,:AT IS YR ANSW] 6X1 !N8 ,D Y SIMPLY
A3EPT YR MEMORY LOSS80
  8,I H NO *OICE4 ,I AM RELE>N+ ! ?+S T
,I %D "K AB MYF & MY P40
  8,D Y FEEL YRF 6BE A DI6]5T P]SON 2C (
YR LOSS80
  ,I _H AN ALM OV]:ELM+ IMPULSE 6SCR1M
AT HM4 ,9/1D1 ,I KEPT SIL5T UNTIL ,I CD
MANAGE MY VOICE4 ,!N ,I SPOKE C>E;LLY
96! MICROPH"O4 8,MY *ILDHOOD IS G"O4 ,MY
FAMILIES >E G"O4 ,MY F/ SYMBIONTS >E
G"O4 ,MO/ ( MY $UC,N IS G"O4 ,! F/
FIFTY-?REE YE>S ( MY LIFE >E G"O4 ,IS T
:AT Y M1N BY ,8A DI6]5T P]SON0'80
  ,HE HESITAT$4
  ,RUSSELL ,SILK SD1 8,X ISN'T YET YR "T
6"Q4 ,ANSW] ! SYMBIONT'S "Q40
  ,I IGNOR$ HM & SPOKE 6! DOCTOR4 8,H ,I
ANSW]$ YR "Q80
  ,HE DID N MOVE1 B N[ HE LOOK$ V UNCOM-
=TA#4 ,HE DID N MEET MY GAZE4 8,YES10 HE
SD4 8,YES1 Y H40                    #EJH
  ,! DOCTOR W5T ON 6ASK S"EAL M "QS T ,I
_H ALR ANSW]$ 9 "O WAY OR ANO!R4 ,0! "T
HE RAN \ ( "QS1 ,I ?"\ HE LOOK$ M ?AN A
LL A%AM$ ( HMF4 ,8 MANN] SEEM$ MILDLY
APOLOGETIC1 & ,I 0 FEEL+ SORRY = HM AG4
,H[ _H HE HAPP5$ 6W9D UP 9 "O (! ,SILK
H\SEHOLDS8
  8,IS ! DOCTOR BOR+ Y1 ,%ORI80 ,RUSSELL
ASK$1 SURPRIS+ ME4 ,HE DIDN'T L A4RESS+
ME DIRECTLY4 ,X 0 A FAMILY TRAIT4
  ,I SD1 8,I'M SURE HE'S DO+ EXACTLY :AT
Y'VE 9/RUCT$ HM 6D40
  8,I H NO M "QS10 ! DOCTOR SD4 ,HE 0 A
NEUROLOGI/1 ,C>M5 TOLD ME LAT]1 A DOCTOR
:O SPECIALIZES 9 41SES & 4ORD]S (! C5-
TRAL N]V\S SY/EM4 ,NO WOND] HE _H BE5 S
9T]E/$ 9 MY 9JURIES4 ,I WOND]$ :E!R HE
HAT$ ! ,SILKS4
  ,F9,Y1 X 0 MY TURN 6ASK "QS4 ,I US$ MY
TURN 6CALL ,RUSSELL'S SONS & _! UNMAT$
"Y-ADULT SONS 6! MICROPH"O = "Q+4 ,I
ASK$ EA* ( !M :E!R !Y _H "KN T ANY"O 9
_! FAMILY 0 >RANG+ 6KILL ! ,PETRESCU &
,MAT!WS FAMILIES4
  ,ALAN ,SILK1 "O (! "Y] SONS (     #EJI
,RUSSELL & 8 BRO!RS1 0 MY BE/ SUBJECT--A
GD-LOOK+1 #AHJ-YE>-OLD MALE :O _HN'T
LE>N$ M* S F> AB LY+ SU3ESS;LLY B :O IN-
SI/$ ON LY+4
  8,I "K NO?+ AB ! KILL+ ( ^? FAMILIES10
HE SD 9 RESPONSE 6MY "Q4 8,MY FAMILY _H
NO?+ 6D ) ANY ( T4 ,WE WD N"E TAKE "P 9
S* ?+S40
  ,I IGNOR$ ?4 8,DID Y HELP O!R MEMB]S (
YR FAMILY COLLECT HUMANS 9 ,LOS ,ANGELES
OR 9 ,PASAD5A1 HUMANS :O 7 LAT] US$ TO
KILL ! ,MAT!WS &! ,PETRESCUS80
  8,I DID N6 ,N"O ( U DID4 ,9 FACT1 ,I
WDN'T 2 SURPRIS$ 6LE>N T YR MALE & FE-
MALE FAMILIES DE/ROY$ EA* O!R40
  ,RUSSELL W9C$1 B ,ALAN DIDN'T SEE X 2C
HE 0 GL>+ AT ME4
  8,IS T :AT Y 2LIEVE80 ,I ASK$4 8,D Y
2LIEVE T MY "MS & SI/]S & MY "F & BRO!RS
KILL$ "O ANO!R80
  ,HE 2GAN 6LOOK UNCOM=TA#4 8,MAYBE10 HE
MUTT]$4 8,I DON'T "K40
  8,Y DON'T "K :AT Y 2LIEVE80
  ,HE GL>$ AT ME4 8,I 2LIEVE MY FAMILY
_H NO?+ 6D ) :AT HAPP5$1 T'S :AT    #EAJ
,I 2LIEVE4 ,MY FAMILY IS HONORA# & X'S
,9A60
  8,D Y 2LIEVE T MY FAMILIES KILL$ EA*
O!R80
  ,HE LOOK$ >.D ANGRILY1 GLANC+ AT 8 NEW
ADVOCATE1 ,ION ,&REI1 :O _H APP>5TLY DE-
CID$ N 6GET 96? "PICUL> FOOLI% >GU;T4
8,I DON'T "K :AT !Y DID10 HE MUTT]$ AN-
GRILY4 ,HE HELD 8 H&S 9 FRONT ( HM1 "O
CLUT*+ ! O!R4
  ,I SI<$4 8,ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,LET'S SEE
:AT Y 2LIEVE AB "S?+ ELSE4 ,S"EAL HUMANS
7 US$ 6KILL MY FAMILIES4 ,H[ D Y FEEL AB
T8 ,>E HUMANS J TOOLS = U 6USE :5"E WE
F9D A USE = !M80
  8,NO60 HE SD4 8,( C\RSE N40 ,HE LOOK$
AT ME ) 3TEMPT4 8,NO TRUE ,9A CD EV5 ASK
S* A "Q40 ,HE SU45LY SWUNG 8 >MS AT 8
SIDES1 !N HELD !M 9 FRONT ( HM AG1 Z ?\<
HE DIDN'T "K :AT 6D ) !M4
  8,:AT >E HUMANS1 !N4 ,:AT >E !Y 6Y80
  ,HE /OPP$ GL>+ AT ME & LOOK$ UNC]TA9LY
AT ,RUSSELL4
  ,RUSSELL SD1 8,:AT D 8 OP9IONS (
HUMANS H 6D )! D1?S ( YR FAMI-      #EAA
LIES80
  8,HUMANS 7 US$ Z ! KILL]'S SURRO-
GATES10 ,I SD4 8,:AT D Y ?9K ( US+ !M T
WAY80
  8,ME80 ,RUSSELL ASK$4
  8,Y10 ,I SD4
  8,H Y F9I%$ "Q+ ,ALAN1 !N80
  8,I HAV5'T4 ,B Y DID JUMP 9 & X'S MY
"T 6ASK "QS4 ,Y'VE _H YRS4 ,IF Y WD L1
?\<1 ,I W "Q Y Z SOON Z ,I F9I% ) ,AL-
AN40
  ,HE LOOK$ BO? 3FUS$ & ANNOY$4 ,S9CE HE
DIDN'T SEEM 6"K :AT 6SAY1 ,I RETURN$ MY
ATT5;N 6,ALAN4
  8,>E HUMANS TOOLS1 !N8 ,%D WE 2 FREE
6USE !M AC 6\R NE$S80
  8,( C\RSE N60
  8,IS X WR;G 6S5D HUMANS \ 6KILL ,9A &
_! SYMBIONTS80
  8,( C\RSE X'S WR;G60
  8,D Y "K ANY"O :O HAS "E D"O T80
  8,NO60 HE ALM %\T$ ! ^W4 ,! S.D ( 8 [N
VOICE MAGNIFI$ 0! MICROPH"O SEEM$ 6/>TLE
HM1 & HE 0 SIL5T =A MO;T4 ,!N HE REP1T$1
8,NO4 ,( C\RSE N4 ,NO40             #EAB
  ,E "O ( 8 RESPONSES 6MY "QS AB HUMANS
7 LIES4 ,I SUSPECT$ T 8 BRO!RS LI$ :5 ,I
"Q$ !M4 ,I WANT$ 62LIEVE !Y 7 LY+4 ,B MY
S5SES TOLD ME T ,ALAN1 ) 8 LL TWIT*ES &
8 FALSE \TRAGE ''' ,ALAN 0 DEF9ITELY
LY+4
  ,IF ,I CD SEE X1 ANY"O ON ! ,C\NCIL CD
SEE X4
















               TW5TY-SEV5           #EAC

  ,:5 ! SECOND NI<T (! ,C\NCIL 5D$1 ,I 0
EXHAU/$ & YET RE/.S4 ,I WASN'T HUNGRY1 &
,I CDN'T H SLEPT4 ,I NE$$ 6RUN4 ,I ?"\
IF ,I CIRCL$ ! -MUN;Y1 RUNN+ Z FA/ Z ,I
CD1 ,I MI<T BURN (F "S ( MY T5.N4
  ,I GOT UP F MY TA# & JO9$ MY SYMBI-
ONTS4 ,I WALK$ \TSIDE ) !M1 & WE H1D$
BACK T[>D ! GUE/ H\SE4
  8,:AT'S 6/OP ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN F ES-
CAP+80 ,W"R ASK$4 8,%E CD DECIDE 6JO9 H]
SYMBIONT 9 ,TEXAS OR :]"E HE IS40
  8,%E WON'T RUN10 ,JOEL SD4 8,%E'S GOT
TOO M* PRIDE4 ,%E WON'T %AME H]F OR H]
FAMILY 0RUNN+4 ,2SS '''0 ,HE PAUS$4 ,I
GL.ED BACK AT HM4 8,2SS10 HE SD 6ME1 8%E
MI<T 2LIEVE T %E HAS A BETT] *.E ( SUR-
VIV+ IF %E /AYS "H & TAKES H] PUNI%;T40
  ,I SD NO?+4 ,I ONLY LOOK$ AT HM4
  ,HE %RU7$4
  ,AT ! GUE/ H\SE1 ! F\R ( !M W5T /RAI<T
6! KIT*54 ,:ILE !Y 7 PREP>+ !MVS A M1L1
,I W5T \ 6RUN4 ,I DIDN'T 2G9 6FEEL "R
UNTIL ,I'D _H D"O N "O1 B ?REE LAPS >.D
! -MUN;Y4 ,I 0 ! ONLY "O RUNN+4     #EAD
,"EY"O ELSE1 ,9A & HUMAN1 _H TRUDG$ BACK
6_! M1LS & _! B$S4
  ,:5 ,I CAME IN1 ,I AVOID$ ! KIT*5 &
D9+ ROOM ": ,I CD HE> ALL F\R ( MY SYM-
BIONTS &! SIX ,RAPPAPORT SYMBIONTS MOV+
>.D1 TALK+1 EAT+4 ,I W5T UP/AIRS & TOOK
A %[]4 ,I 0 PLANN+ 6SP5D ! NI<T ) ,JOEL4
,MY CU/OM 0 T ,I CD TA/E ANY"O ANY"T--A
SMALL DELI<T = ME &= MY SYMBIONTS1 A
PL1SURE GRT] ?AN A KISS1 B N Z 9T5SE Z
FE$+ OR MAK+ LOVE4 ,I MADE SURE1 ?\<1 T
,I TOOK A -PLETE M1L F EA* ( !M ONLY E
FIF? NI<T4
  ,N[ X WD H 6BE E F\R?4 ,I WD SOON H TO
GET M SYMBIONTS1 B H[ CD ,I ?9K AB DO+ T
N[8
  ,DRY & DRESS$ 9 "O ( ,W"R'S ;,T-%IRTS1
,I "SH[ W.D UP 9 ,!ODORA'S ROOM4 ,I
WASN'T ?9K+4 ,H] SC5T DREW ME4 ,I SAT
D[N ON H] B$1 !N /RET*$ \ ON X1 SURR.D$
0H] SC5T4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 & X 0 Z ?\<
%E WD -E "? ! DOOR ANY M9UTE & SEE ME "!
& LOOK AT ME 9 H] SIDEL;G WAY & -E ONTO
! B$ ) ME1 LAU<+4
  ,A C\PLE ( NI<TS AF %E >RIV$1     #EAE
%E _H F.D ME R1D+ "O ( ,HAYD5'S BOOKS
WRITT5 9 ,9A1 & ,I'D R1D "PS ( X 6H]1 F/
9 ,9A1 !N 9 ,5GLI%4 ,%E _H BE5 FASC9AT$
& WANT$ ME 6T1* H] 6R1D & SP1K ,9A4 ,%E
SD T IF %E 0 GO+ 6H A L;G] LIFE SPAN ?AN
%E _H EXPECT$1 %E MI<T Z WELL D "S?+ )
X4 ,I LIK$ ! IDEA ( T1*+ H] 2C X WD =CE
ME 6G BACK 6! BASICS (! LANGUAGE1 & ,I
HOP$ T MI<T HELP ME REMEMB] A LL AB !
P]SON ,I _H BE5 :5 ,I LE>N$ X4
  ,I LAY "! & GOT LO/ 9 ,!ODORA'S SC5T &
9 GRIEF4
  ,I M/ H /AY$ LO/ = "S "T1 LY+ ON ! B$1
TWI/$ 9 ! B$D+4
  ,!N ,JOEL 0 "! ) ME1 TAK+ ! B$D+ F >.D
ME1 RAIS+ ME 6MY FEET1 TAK+ ME 6HIS
ROOM4 ,I LOOK$ >.D ! ROOM1 !N AT ,JOEL4
,HE PUT ME ON ! B$1 !N GOT 9 2S ME4
  ,AF A :ILE1 X O3URR$ 6ME 6SAY1 8,?ANK
Y40
  8,SLEEP10 HE SD4 8,OR FE$ N[ IF Y L40
  8,LAT]40
  8,I'LL 2 "H40
  ,I TURN$ & L1N$ UP ON MY ELB[ 6LOOK
D[N AT 8 FACE4                      #EAF
  8,:AT80 HE ASK$4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,:Y DID Y WANT ME80
,I ASK$4
  8,:AT80
  8,Y "K :AT ,I AM1 :AT ,I C D4 ,:Y
DIDN'T Y ESCAPE U :5 Y CD H8 ,Y CD H
/AY$ 9 S*OOL OR GOTT5 A JOB4 ,! ,GORDONS
WD H LET Y G40
  ,HE SLIPP$ 8 >MS >.D ME & PULL$ ME D[N
AG/ HM4 8,I L :O Y >E10 HE SD4 8,& ,I C
D1L ) :AT Y C D40 ,HE HESITAT$4 8,OR >E
Y ?9K+ AB ,!ODORA8 ,>E Y FEEL+ RESPONSI#
= :AT HAPP5$ 6H]8 ,D Y 2LIEVE T %E 0
KILL$ 2C %E 0 ) Y1 & S :Y ! HELL WD ,I
WANT 6BE ) Y80
  ,I NO4$4 8,%E .0 KILL$ 2C %E 0 ) ME4
,%E TRU/$ ME4 ,H] D1? IS N MY DO+ DI-
RECTLY1 B ,I %D H LEFT H] 9 ,WA%+TON1 ":
%E 0 SAFE1 UNTIL ALL ? 0 OV]4 ,I KNEW T4
,I MISS$ H] S M*1 ?\<1 & ,I _H 6H M SYM-
BIONTS "H ) ME40
  8,IF %E _HN'T BE5 "H1 "O (! RE/ ( U WD
H DI$10 HE SD4 8,!ODORA 0 PROBABLY !
W1KE/ ( U1 ! EASIE/ 6KILL1 B ,I'LL BET
IF %E _HN'T BE5 "H1 ,KA?>9E WD H    #EAG
S5T H] MAN AF ,BROOK OR ,CELIA40
  ,I NO4$4 8,I "K40
  8,KA?>9E'S GUILTY4 ,N Y40
  ,I NO4$ AG/ 8 %\LD] & REP1T$1 8,I "K40
,AF A :ILE1 ,I SD1 8,Y KNEW M* M ?AN MO/
WD-BE SYMBIONTS4 ,Y RE,Y %D H /AY$ AWAY1
MADE A LIFE = YRF 9 ! HUMAN _W40
  8,I MI<T H G"O AWAY IF Y _HN'T TURN$
UP4 ,Y'RE N ONLY A LOVELY LL ?+1 B Y'RE
WILL+ 6ASK ME "QS40
  ,9/1D ( J ORD]+ HM >.D1 YES4 ,T WD 2
IMPORTANT 6A SYMBIONT1 6ANY"O4 8,I WON'T
ALW ASK10 ,I ADMITT$4
  8,I "K10 HE SD4 ,HE KISS$ ME4 8,I WANT
? LIFE1 ,%ORI4 ,I'VE N"E WANT$ ANY O!R4
,I WANT 6LIVE 6BE TWO HUNDR$ YE>S OLD1 &
,I WANT ALL ! PL1SURE ,I "K Y C GIVE ME4
,I WANT 6LIVE 41SE FREE & /R;G1 & N"E
GET FEE# OR S5ILE4 ,& ,I WANT Y4 ,Y "K
,I WANT Y40
  ,9 FACT1 HE WANT$ ME "R !N4 ,AT ONCE4
,8 HUNG] IGNIT$ M9E1 & 9 SPITE ( "EY?+1
,I DID / NE$ 6FE$4 ,I WANT$ HM4
  ,I LO/ MYF 9 8 WOND];L SC5T4 ,BLLY1 ,I
F.D 8 NECK & BIT HM DEEPLY 2F ,I    #EAH
FULLY R1LIZ$ :AT ,I 0 DO+4 ,I _HN'T BE5
S 3FUS$ & 4ORI5T$ S9CE ,I AWOKE 9 !
CAVE4 ,I NE$$ M BLOOD ?AN ,I USU,Y DID4
,HE HELD ME EV5 ?\< ,I TOOK NO C>E ) HM4
,AFW1 :5 ,I 0 FULLY AW>E1 ,I 0 BO? A%AM$
& 3C]N$4
  ,I RAIS$ MYF ABV HM & LOOK$ D[N AT HM4
,HE GAVE ME A SIDEWAYS SMILE--A R1L
SMILE1 N J PATI5T SU6]+4 ,B / ''' ,I PUT
MY FACE D[N AG/ 8 *E/4 8,I'M SORRY10 ,I
SD4
  ,HE LAU<$4 8,Y "K Y DON'T H ANY?+ TO
APOLOGIZE =40 ,HE PULL$ ! BLANKET UP >.D
U1 ROLL$ U OV]1 & SLIPP$ 96ME4
  ,I KISS$ 8 ?ROAT & LICK$ 8 NECK ": X 0
/ BLE$+4
  ,"S"T LAT]1 Z WE LAY TGR1 SAT$1 B /
TAK+ PL1SURE 9 ! FEEL ( SK9 AG/ SK91 ,I
SD1 8,Y'RE M9E4 ,DID Y "K T8 ,YR SC5T IS
S 5TIC+1 & ,I'VE NIB#D ON Y S (T54 ,Y'RE
M9E40
  ,HE LAU<$ S(TLY--A 3T5T$1 G5TLE S.D4
8,I ?"\ ,I MI<T BE10 HE SD4

                                    #EAI
  ,T AFN1 WE 7 ALL AWAKE & RE/.S1 S
,CELIA SU7E/$ WE GET AWAY F ,PUNTA ,NU-
BLADA =A :ILE & TAKE A DRIVE1 H A PICNIC
--A M1L 6BE EAT5 \TSIDE & AWAY F S _M
/RANG]S4 ,I LIK$ ! IDEA4 ,X 0 A *.E = U
6GET 6"K "O ANO!R A LL BETT] &A *.E 6?9K
2Y ! LA/ ,C\NCIL NI<T4
  ,:ILE ,I A4$ MY HOOD$ JACKET1 GLOVES1
& SUNGLASSES 6MY USUAL J1NS & ;,T-%IRT1
! F\R ( !M PREP>$ A M1L F ! REFRIG]ATOR4
,CELIA TOLD ME ,I LOOK$ Z ?\< ,I 7 AB 6G
\ 96! D1D ( W9T]4
  8,>5'T Y HOT80 %E ASK$4
  8,I'M N10 ,I SD4 8,! W1!R IS COOL4
,I'LL 2 F9E40 ,!Y FELT *ANGES 9 ! W1!R M
?AN ,I DID4
  ,!Y TOOK ME AT MY ^W & PACK$ _! FOOD &
"S COLD SODA & BE] 9 ! ,/YROFOAM COOL] T
WE _H B"\ = \R NI<T 9 ! WOODS 9 ,WA%+-
TON4 ,!Y _H MADE S&WI*ES F LEFTOV] TUR-
KEY1 ROA/ BEEF1 & *$D> *EESE1 & TOOK
AL;G A FEW BANANAS1 "S R$ SE$.S GRAPES1
&! REMA9S (A ,G]MAN *OCOLATE CAKE4 ,WE
ALL FIT -=TABLY 9 ,CELIA & ,BROOK'S C>1
& ,BROOK DROVE U \ 6! HI<WAY & !N   #EBJ
NOR?W>D T[>D A PLACE ,JOEL KNEW AB4
  ,WE *OSE A SPACE ON ! BLU6S OV]LOOK+ !
OC1N ": "! 0 A FLAT PAT* ( GRASS & B>E
ROCK 6SIT ON & F ": WE CD WAT* ! WAVES
P.D+ ! B1* &! ROCKS 2L4 ,BROOK _H ?"\
AH1D 5 6BR+ AL;G A BLANKET &A PAIR (
L>GE T[ELS F ! GUE/ H\SE L95 CLOSET4 ,N[
%E SPR1D !M ON ! GR.D = U1 SAT D[N ON "O
(! T[ELS1 & 2GAN EAT+ A ?ICK TURKEY-&-
*$D> S&WI*4 ,! O!RS TOOK FOOD F ! COOL]
& SAT >.D EAT+ & DR9K+ & SPECULAT+ AB
:E!R ! ,SILK SYMBIONTS HAT$ _! ,9A4
  8,I ?9K !Y D10 ,CELIA SD4 8,!Y M/4 ,I
WD IF ,I _H 6PUT UP ) ^? P40
  8,!Y DON'T10 ,BROOK SD4 8,I MET "O (
!M :5 !Y F/ >RIV$4 ,%E'S AN HI/ORIAN4
,%E WRITES BOOKS--NOVELS "U "O "N & POP-
UL> HI/ORY "U ANO!R4 ,%E SAYS %E CDN'T H
F.D A BETT] PLACE 6W9D UP4 ,%E SAYS
,RUSSELL'S G5],N & EV5 ,MILO HELP H] GET
! LL DETAILS "R1 ESPECI,Y 9 ! FIC;N4 ,%E
SAYS %E LIKES "W+ ) !M4 ,MAYBE %E'S UN-
USUAL1 B ,I DIDN'T GET ! FEEL+ T %E RE-
S5T$ !M40
  ,JOEL SD1 8,I ?9K T DOCTOR :O     #EBA
"Q$ ,%ORI YE/]"D JO9$ !M S HE CD LE>N M
AB :AT !Y >E & :AT MAKES !M TICK4 ,I
WOND] :AT "QS HE WD H ASK$ IF HE'D _H A
*OICE40
  8,HE'S DEF9ITELY HUNGRY 6"K M10 ,I SD4
8,HE WANTS 6"U/& H[ WE SURVIVE T]RI# IN-
JURIES1 H[ WE H1L40
  ,JOEL NO4$ & TOOK A SECOND ROA/-BEEF
S&WI*4 8,I WOND] :AT HE'D D IF HE 4COV]$
"S?+1 "S -B9,N ( G5ES1 SAY1 T PRODUC$
SUB/.ES T CAUS$ RAPID H1L+4 ,:O WD HE
TELL80
  8,NO "O10 ,I SD4 8,! ,SILKS WD N"E LET
HM TELL ANY"O40
  8,MAYBE HE J WANTS X = HMF10 ,W"R SD4
8,MAYBE HE J WANTS 6BE A# 6H1L ! WAY
,%ORI DID40
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ANY"O
WD WANT 6G "? A H1L+ L T4 ,I C'T 2G9 TO
TELL Y :AT ! PA9 0 L40
  ,!Y ALL LOOK$ AT ME1 & ,I R1LIZ$ T !
DOCTOR WASN'T ! ONLY "O :O WANT$ 6H1L !
WAY ,I DID4
  ,I SPR1D MY H&S4 8,I'M %>+ ! ABIL;Y )
Y 9 ! ONLY WAY ,I C10 ,I SD4        #EBB
8,Y'RE ALR BETT] AT H1L+ ?AN Y W]E40
  ,!Y NO4$ & OP5$ M FOOD1 SODA1 & TALL
BR[N BOTTLES ( BE]4
  ,AF A :ILE ,I SD1 8,I H 6ASK Y "S?+1 &
,I NE$ Y 6?9K AB ! "Q & 2 H"O/40 ,I
PAUS$ & LOOK$ AT EA* ( !M4 8,H ANY ( Y
_H A PRO#M ) EI (! ,BRAI?WAITES OR _!
SYMBIONTS80 ,I ASK$4
  ,"! 0 SIL;E4 ,BROOK _H LA9 D[N ON H]
BACK ON H] T[EL & CLOS$ H] EYES1 B %E 0
N DOZ+4 ,CELIA 0 SITT+ NEXT 6,JOEL1
GLANC+ AT HM N[ & !N4 ,H] SC5T LET ME "K
T %E 0 V M* ATTRACT$ 6HM4 ,HE1 ON ! O!R
H&1 0 GLANC+ AT ,W"R :O _H SAT D[N NEXT
6ME1 TAK5 MY GLOV$ H&1 KISS$ X1 BIT X A
LL Z HE LOOK$ AT ME1 !M HELD X 2T 8 [N
H&S4 ,HE 0 %[+ (F4 ,&=! MO;T1 ,I 0 LETT+
HM GET AWAY ) X4
  8,! ,BRAI?WAITES10 ,CELIA SD4 8,JOAN
CD CUT GLASS ) T T;GUE ( H]S1 B ,I ?9K
%E'S RE,Y OKAY4 ,%E J SAYS :AT %E M1NS40
  8,>E Y ?9K+ AB MOV+ 9 )! ,BRAI?-
WAITES80 ,JOEL ASK$4
  8,I AM1 YES1 =A :ILE ''' IF !Y'LL H
ME4 ,T'S :Y ,I'M ASK+ ALL ( Y       #EBC
:E!R Y'VE SE5 ANY?+ OR "K ANY?+ AG/ !M4
,IF Y H R1SON 6WANT 6AVOID !M1 TELL ME
N[40
  8,I L !M10 ,JOEL SD4 8,!Y'RE /R;G1 DE-
C5T P1 N BIGOTS L ! ,SILKS &! ,DAHLMANS
&A C\PLE (! O!R ,C\NCIL MEMB]S40
  8,I B>ELY "K ! ,BRAI?WAITES10 ,BROOK
SD4 8,I D.ED ) "O ( _! SYMBIONTS AT A
"PY40 ,%E SMIL$4 8,HE 0 OKAY1 & ,I GOT !
IMPRES.N HE 0 HAPPY1 T HE LIK$ 2+ _!
SYMBIONT4 ,T'S USU,Y A GD SIGN40
  ,I GOT ! IMPRES.N %E ?"\ ! ,BRAI?WAITE
SYMBIONT 0 M ?AN J 8OKAY40 ,BROOK MI<T
W9D UP 5JOY+ \R /AY )! ,BRAI?WAITES M
?AN ! RE/ ( U--IF ! ,BRAI?WAITES AGRE$
6LET ME VISIT !M =A :ILE4
  8,S Y'RE N ?9K+ ( TRY+ 6GET !M 6ADOPT
Y80 ,JOEL ASK$4
  8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,I WANT 6BE ADOPT$10
,I SD4 8,I C'T REMEMB] MY FEMALE FAMILY
AT ALL1 B ,I'M "P ( !M4 ,I C LE>N AB !M
& SEE T _! MEMORY IS 3T9U$ 03T9U+ _!
FAMILY4 ,IF ,I'M ADOPT$1 MY FEMALE FAMI-
LY VANI%ES 96HI/ORY J L MY MALE FAMILY
DID4 ,& ,I'VE PROMIS$ 6MATE )!      #EBD
,GORDONS40 ,I ?"\ ( ,DANIEL & ALM SMIL$4
8,I DON'T "K :E!R T W HAPP51 B ,I HOPE X
W1 & ,I'M N GO+ 6D ANY?+ 6PREV5T X40
  8,S Y'LL W9D UP HAV+ SIX OR EI<T *N
ALL 0YRF10 ,W"R SD4 8,IS T ! WAY X W
BE80
  8,EV5TU,Y10 ,I SD4 8,B ,I'M ?9K+ AB
DO+ :AT ,HAYD5 SD LA/ NI<T--ADOPT+ A
RELATIVE1 A "Y GIRL F A FAMILY ) TOO _M
GIRLS4 ,T WAY "! W 2 TWO ( U4 ,PRE/ON
SAYS ,I C'T D T UNTIL ,I'M AN ADULT MYF1
AL? ,I C LOOK >.D4 ,I HOPE 6BE A# 6LIVE
) S"EAL DI6]5T FAMILIES & LE>N :AT !Y C
T1* ME4 ,I'LL R1D _! BOOKS1 LI/5 6_!
ELD]S40
  8,Y'RE TRY+ 6GET YRF AN $UC,N10 ,JOEL
SD4
  ,I NO4$4 8,I H 6RE-$UCATE MYF4 ,"R N[1
Y PROBABLY "K M AB ,9A HI/ORY & AB 2+
,9A ?AN ,I D4 ,I H 6LE>N4 ,PRO#M IS1 ,I
DON'T "K :AT MY RE-$UC,N W CO/40
  ,HE SMIL$4 8,BETT] ASK10 HE SD4 8,AL?1
ACTU,Y1 ,I ?9K ,JOAN W TELL Y :E!R Y ASK
OR N4 ,LE>N+ IS GD1 ?\<4 ,MY "F MADE
SURE ,I PICK$ UP Z M* $UC,N Z ,I    #EBE
CD EV5 2F ,I W5T (F 6COLLEGE4 ,F :AT
,HAYD5 HAS TOLD ME1 ,I'M "O ( MAYBE A
FEW HUNDR$ HUMANS 9 ! _W :O C SP1K & R1D
,9A40
  ,& ,!ODORA WD H BE5 ANO!R1 ,I ?"\4
  8,X W 2 A :ILE 2F WE H A HOME10 ,I SD4
8,B Z MY FAMILIES' A6AIRS >E SORT$ \1 &
WE 2G9 6H M M"OY1 Y'LL 2 A# 6H ! ?+S Y
WANT & D :AT Y WANT 6D4 ,MAYBE "O ( Y
WANTS 6WRITE BOOKS OR LE>N ANO!R LAN-
GUAGE OR LE>N WOOD"W+ OR R1L E/ATE40 ,I
SMIL$4 8,:AT"E Y L4 ,& "! W 2 M ( Y4 ,AT
L1/ ?REE M1 EV5TU,Y40
  8,SEV5 P10 ,W"R SD4 8,I "U/& ! NE$1 B
,I DON'T L X40
  8,I L ! IDEA ( MOV+ >.D =A :ILE10
,BROOK SD4 8,:5 ,I 0 ) ,IOSIF1 WE DIDN'T
TRAVEL M* AT ALL4 ,EXCEPT = ELD]S GO+ TO
,C\NCILS ( "O K9D OR ANO!R1 MO/ ADULT
,9A D V LL TRAVEL+1 PROBABLY 2C TRAVEL+
IS S* A PRODUC;N1 ) S _M P NE$+ 6TRAVEL
TGR4 ,I'M DEF9ITELY R1DY 6D "S TRAVEL+40
  8,ONCE Y'VE TRAVEL$ =A :ILE1 Y'LL
PROBABLY 2 R1DY 6SETTLE D[N AG PRETTY
FA/10 ,CELIA SD4 8,MY "F 0 9 !      #EBF
>MY :ILE ,I 0 GR[+ UP4 ,WE MOV$ ALL !
"T4 ,Z SOON Z ,I MADE FRS OR 2GAN 6L A
S*OOL1 WE 7 G"O AG4 ,? S.DS Z ?\< X W 2
L T4 ,MEET A FR1 SPOT A NICE GUY1 />T A
PROJECT1 !N Y'RE ON YR WAY "S": ELSE40
  8,WE'LL 2 /AY+ MO/LY ) FEMALE FAMI-
LIES1 WON'T WE80 ,W"R ASK$4
  8,WE W10 ,I SD4 8,IF X DOESN'T CAUSE
TR\#1 WE'LL PAY %ORT VISITS 6! ,GORDONS
&! ,LEONTYEVS1 B Z ,I "U/& X1 MY PH]O-
M"OS >E GO+ 6GIVE MALES M & M TR\# Z ,I
APPROA* ADULTHOOD40
  8,B.D 6BE TRUE10 ,W"R GR[L$ 96MY E>4
,! GR[L MADE MY :OLE BODY T+LE4
  8,/OP T10 ,I SD1 LAU<+1 & HE LAU<$1
TOO4
  8,S ALL WE H 6D10 ,CELIA SD1 8IS GET
"? TN4 ,!N WE C GET ON ) \R LIVES40

  ,I TALK$ ) ,M>G>ET ,BRAI?WAITE T EV5+4
,I W5T 6H] (FICE-B$ROOM 2F ! ?IRD NI<T (
! ,C\NCIL CD 2G94
  8,%ORI1 Y %DN'T ASK ME AB ? N[10 %E
SD4 8,Y %D H WAIT$ UNTIL JUDG;T 0 PASS$
&! ,C\NCIL _H 3CLUD$ XS BUSI;S40    #EBG
  ,I _H F.D H] LOOK+ "? A BOOK %E'D BOR-
R[$ F ,HAYD54 ,I _HN'T SE5 H] BORR[ X1 B
! BOOK SMELL$ DEEPLY ( HM & ONLY A LL (
H]4 ,"O ( 8 OLD] ,9A HI/ORIES4
  8,:Y %D ,I H WAIT$80 ,I ASK$4 8,H ,I
BROK5 "S RULE80
  8,OH1 NO4 ,NO RULE4 ,X'S J T ''' ,X'S
J T Y MI<T N WANT 6-E 6U ONCE Y HE> !
JUDG;T40
  ,I ?"\ AB T4 ,X SEEM$ IMPOSSI# T ANY"O
_H FAIL$ 6HE> ! LIES T ! ,SILKS & ,KA?A-
R9E ,DAHLMAN _H TOLD4 ,! ELD]S 7 M* M
EXP]I;ED ?AN ,I 0 9 R1D+ ! SIGNS4
  8,IS X POSSI# T ! ,C\NCIL MEMB]S W
FAIL 6SEE :AT ! ,SILKS H D"O80 ,I ASK$4
  8,X IS N POSSI#10 %E SD4 8,! PRO#M
ISN'T _! GUILT & ,KA?>9E'S4 ,! PRO#M IS
:AT 6D AB X4 ,:AT PUNI%;T 6IMPOSE80
  8,!Y KILL$ TWELVE ,9A--ALL ( MY MALE &
FEMALE FAMILIES--& NE>LY A HUNDR$ SYMBI-
ONTS4 ,F :AT ,I'VE HE>D1 N"O (! P !Y
KILL$ _H "E H>M$ !M4 ,H[ C !Y 2 ALL[$ TO
GET AWAY ) :AT !Y'VE D"O80
  8,Y WANT !M 6DIE80
  8,I WANT !M 6DIE40                #EBH
  8,WD Y HELP KILL !M80
  ,I />$ BACK AT H]4 8,I WD40
  ,%E SI<$4 8,!Y'LL DIE1 ,%ORI1 B N 9 !
QK SATISFY+ WAY Y PROBABLY HOPE =4 ,T
WON'T HAPP5--EXCEPT1 P]H1 9 ,KA?>9E'S
CASE4 ,%E & H] FAMILY HAV5'T BE5 GD AB
MA9TA9+ FR%IPS & ALLI.ES4 ,V /UPID ( !M4
,B ! ,SILK FAMILY ) N 2 KILL$ TD40
  8,:Y80
  8,2C Z T]RI# Z _! CRIMES >E1 ,I DON'T
2LIEVE ! ,C\NCIL VOTE W 2 UNANIM\S4 ,"U-
/&1 ,I'M TELL+ Y :AT ,I 2LIEVE1 N :AT ,I
"K4 ,I MI<T 2 WR;G1 AL? ,I D\BT X4 ,!
,C\NCIL WON'T WANT 6WIPE \ AN ANCI5T &
ONCE-RESPECT$ FAMILY4 ,!Y'LL WANT 6GIVE
!M A *.E 6SURVIVE40
  ,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ =A :ILE4 ,I HAT$
,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN4 ,I WD SEE H] D1D SOON]
OR LAT]1 NO MATT] :AT ANY"O SD4 ,I HAT$
! ,SILKS1 TOO1 B X 0 A DI6]5T1 LESS IMM
HATE4 ,!Y _H KILL$ P ,I NO L;G] KNEW1 &
!Y _H KILL$ )\T "K+ ME4 ,I WANT$ 6SEE !
,SILKS D1D1 B ,I DIDN'T .NE$ 6SEE !M D1D
9 ! WAY T ,I NE$$ 6SEE ,KA?>9E D1D4 ,T
WASN'T ! WAY ,I %D H FELT1 B X 0    #EBI
! WAY ,I DID FEEL4
  ,I SD1 8,DANIEL TOLD ME T ! ,SILKS'
UNMAT$ SONS MI<T 2 TAK5 F !M & ADOPT$ BY
O!R FAMILIES40
  ,JOAN NO4$4 8,I ?9K T W HAPP54 ,IF X
DOES1 ! ^W W 2 SPR1D TN 0MAIL1 0PH"O1 &
0;E-MAIL 6ALL ! _W'S ,9A -MUNITIES4 ,I'M
GLAD ,DANIEL LET Y "K :AT CD HAPP540
  8,:AT IF ! ,SILKS DECIDE 6-E AF ME AG8
,I 0 _! MA9 T>GET ALL AL;G 2C ,I 0 ! "O
9 :OM ! HUMAN G5ETIC MIX "W$ BE/4 ,!Y
KILL$ S _M J 6GET 6ME40
  8,!Y H ! POSSIBIL;Y ( REBUILD+ _! FAM-
ILY IF ,RUSSELL'S SONS' G5],N C 3V9CE _!
MATES 6TRY 6H M *N4 ,!Y W LOSE T OPPOR-
TUN;Y IF !Y MAKE ANO!R ATTEMPT ON YR
LIFE OR ON ! LIVES ( YR P--EV5 IF !Y
FAIL4 ,IF !Y TRY AG1 !Y W 2 KILL$40
  ,I LOOK$ AT H] = S"EAL SECONDS4 8,Y
TRULY 2LIEVE ? W /OP !M F SECRETLY TRY+
6KILL ME OR P]H TRY+ 6KILL MY *N 9 ! FU-
TURE80
  8,9A >E L9K$ _WWIDE1 ,%ORI4 ,IF !
,SILKS GIVE _! ^W--& !Y M/ GIVE X IF !Y
>E 6L1VE "H ALIVE--& !N BR1K X1     #ECJ
!Y W ALL 2 KILL$ & ANY NEW SONS ADOPT$
AWAY4 ,_! FAMILY W VANI%4 ,!Y "K ?40
  8,!N ''' W Y P]MIT ME 6-E 6Y ) MY SYM-
BIONTS1 LE>N F Y =A :ILE1 "W = Y 6PAY \R
WAY80
  ,%E SI<$4 8,= H[ L;G80
  ,I HESITAT$4 8,"O YE>4 ,P]H TWO40
  8,-E BACK 6ME :5 ! ,C\NCIL HAS F9I%$ )
XS BUSI;S4 ,I 2LIEVE T WE W WELCOME Y1 B
,I C'T ANSW] UNTIL ,I'VE SPOK5 ) MY SIS-
T]40
  ,"! 0 A =MAL FEEL 6ALL ?--Z ?\< WE _H
SPOK5 RITUAL ^WS4 ,_H WE8 ,I WD F9D \
EV5TU,Y4
  8,:AT AB ,KA?>9E80 ,I ASK$4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,I DON'T "K40
  8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,I CD LET H] G40
  8,WAIT & SEE40
  8,!ODORA WASN'T EV5 A P]SON 6,KA?>9E4
,%E 0 J "S?+ ,KA?>9E CD SNAT* AWAY F ME
6MAKE ME W1K]40
  8,I "K4 ,DON'T GIVE H] :AT %E WANTS4
,WAIT1 ,%ORI4 ,WAIT & SEE40

               TW5TY-EI<T           #ECA

  ,"! 7 NO "PIES ON ! NI<T (! ?IRD ,C\N-
CIL SES.N4 ,! HALL 0 S FULL T "! 0 N 5
S1T+ = "EY"O4 ,P /OOD OR BR"\ *AIRS F !
H\SES4 ,NO "O SEEM$ 6WANT 6SIT ON ! CON-
CRETE FLOOR4 ,S1TS _H BE5 ROP$ (F = MY
SYMBIONTS 9 FRONT1 Z _H S1TS ON ! OPPO-
SITE SIDE (! HALL =! ,SILKS & _! SYMBI-
ONTS4
  ,! MEMB]S (! ,C\NCIL S1T$ !MVS Z USU-
AL1 9 ! SAME ORD]1 & :5 !Y 7 ALL SETTL$1
,PRE/ON /OOD UP4 ,? 0 "EY"O'S SIGNAL 6BE
QUIET & PAY ATT5;N4 ,PRE/ON WAIT$ UNTIL
SIL;E _H "W$ XS WAY F ! FRONT 6! BACK (!
ROOM4 ,!N HE SD1 8,RUSSELL ,SILK1 D Y H
ANY?+ FUR!R 6SAY OR ANY M "QS 6ASK (
,%ORI ,MAT!WS OR ( ANY"O T Y OR %E HAS
ASK$ 6SP1K 6? ,C\NCIL80
  ,? 0 ,RUSSELL'S LA/ *.E 6SP1K1 6DEF5D
8 FAMILY1 & 6MAKE ME LOOK BAD4 ,( C\RSE1
ANY"O HE CALL$1 ,I CD "Q1 TOO4
  ,RUSSELL /OOD UP4 8,I H NO "O ELSE TO
CALL10 HE SD1 HOLD+ 8 MICROPH"O1 LOOK+ \
T[>D ! AUDI;E4 ,!N HE TURN$ & FAC$ !
,C\NCIL4 8,I SUPPOSE 9 A S5SE1 ,I   #ECB
CALL ON ALL ( Y 6REMEMB] T MY FAMILY HAS
MA9TA9$ GD & HONORA# FR%IPS ) _M ( Y4
,REMEMB] T ! ,SILK FAMILY HELP$ "S ( Y
IMMIGRATE 6? C.TRY 9 "TS ( W> OR POLITI-
CAL *AOS 9 YR =M] HOMES4 ,REMEMB] T 9
ALL ! "T Y'VE "KN U1 WE H N LI$ 6Y OR
*1T$ Y4
  8,:AT MATT]S MO/ 6U1 6E MEMB] (! ,SILK
FAMILY1 IS ! WELF>E (! ,9A P4 ,WE ,9A >E
VA/LY \TNUMB]$ 0! HUMAN 2+S ( ? _W4 ,&
H[ _M ( U H BE5 BUT*]$ 9 _! W>S8 ,!Y DE-
/ROY "O ANO!R 0! MILLIONS1 & X MAKES NO
DI6];E 6_! NUMB]S4 ,!Y BRE$ & BRE$ &
BRE$1 :ILE WE LIVE L;G & BRE$ SL[LY4 ,_!
LIVES >E BRIEF &1 )\T U1 RI4L$ ) 41SE &
VIOL;E4 ,& YET1 WE NE$ !M4 ,WE TAKE !M
96\R FAMILIES1 &) \R HELP1 !Y >E A# TO
LIVE L;G]1 /AY FREE ( 41SE1 & GET AL;G )
"O ANO!R4 ,WE CD N LIVE )\T !M4
  8,B WE >E N !M6
  8,WE >E N !M6
  8,*N (! GRT ,GO4ESS1 WE >E N !M60
  ,HE %OOK )! 9T5S;Y ( 8 FEEL+4 ,HE _H
6TAKE S"EAL BR1?S 2F HE CD 3T9UE4 8,WE
>E N !M10 HE :ISP]$4 8,NOR %D WE    #ECC
TRY 6BE !M4 ,"E4 ,N = ANY R1SON4 ,N EV5
6GA9 ! "D2 ! CO/ IS TOO GRT40
  ,HE /OOD =A SECOND L;G] 9 SIL;E1 !N
SAT D[N & PUT 8 MICROPH"O BACK ON XS /&4
,! ROOM _H G"O -PLETELY SIL5T4
  ,ONCE HE SAT D[N1 ,PRE/ON BROKE ! SI-
L;E4 8,%ORI1 IS "! ANY"O Y WD L 6"Q OR
ANY?+ Y WD L 6SAY80
  8,I H "QS10 ,I SD1 /&+ UP ) MY MICRO-
PH"O4 ,I _H ?"\ ( "S?+ Z ,RUSSELL SPOKE
--"S?+ PROMPT$ 0:AT HE _H SD & 0MY HAV+
SE5 ,JOAN ,BRAI?WAITE R1D+ A HI/ORY BOOK
J A %ORT :ILE AGO4 ,X SEEM$ 6ME T ,RUS-
SELL _H J ADMITT$ T 8 FAMILY _H KILL$ MY
FAMILIES4 ,HE WANT$ U 62LIEVE T HE _H
D"O X =A GD R1SON4 ,I SD 6,PRE/ON1 8,I
WANT 6ASK Y A FEW "QS1 IF T'S ALL "R40
  ,PRE/ON LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 8,ALL "R4
,RUSSELL "Q$ ME S ,I D QUALIFY Z "S"O Y
C "Q N[40
  ,I NO4$4 8,I ASK ? 2C ( MY LIMIT$ K (
,9A LAW4 ,PRE/ON1 IS "! A LEGAL1 NONLE-
?AL WAY ( "Q+ "S"O'S 2HAVIOR8 ,I M1N1 IF
,I 2LIEV$ T Y 7 DO+ "S?+ T CD 2 H>M;L TO
O!R ,9A1 WD ,I 2 A# 6BR+ X 6! AT-   #ECD
T5;N (A C\NCIL ( "S K9D OR "S O!R GR\P80
  ,PRE/ON DID N SMILE1 DID N *ANGE EX-
PRES.N AT ALL1 B ,I GOT ! IMPRES.N HE 0
PL1S$ ) ME4 8,"! IS10 HE SD4 8,IF Y BE-
LIEV$ ,I 7 DO+ "S?+ 6! DETRI;T (! ,9A1
"S?+ T 0 N EXACTLY AG/ LAW1 B T Y S]I\S-
LY 2LIEV$ 0 H>M;L1 Y CD ASK =A ,C\NCIL (
! ,GO4ESS40
  ,RUSSELL SNAT*$ UP 8 MICROPH"O & PRO-
TE/$4 8,C\NCIL (! ''' ,T HASN'T BE5 D"O
= AT L1/ TW5TY-FIVE HUNDR$ YE>S40
  8,Y >E AW>E ( X1 !N80 ,I ASK$ HM4
  8,X WDN'T H BE5 TAK5 S]I\SLY4 ,NO "O'S
D"O X = TWO ?\S&--0
  8,DID Y TRY80
  8,YR FAMILIES MADE NO SECRET (! FACT T
!Y DIDN'T EV5 2LIEVE 9 ! ,GO4ESS60
  ,F ! HYPO!TICAL 6! R1L4 ,C>E.S ( HM4
8,WD T H MATT]$80 ,I ASK$4 8,CD MY FAMI-
LY H IGNOR$ A CALL 6TAKE "P 9 A ,C\NCIL
(! ,GO4ESS80
  ,RUSSELL SD NO?+4 ,P]H HE _H REMEMB]$
": HE 0 & EXACTLY :AT 0 2+ >GU$4
  8,PRE/ON1 WD X H MATT]$80
  8,! RULE ( SEV5 WD APPLY10        #ECE
,PRE/ON ANSW]$4 8,IF ! RULE ( SEV5 IS
SATISFI$ &! A3US$ FAMILY REFUSES 6ATT5D1
! ,C\NCIL WD 2 C>RI$ ON REG>D.S ( XS AB-
S;E4 ,! FAMILY WD 2 B.D 0ANY VOTE (!
,C\NCIL1 Z ?\< X _H BE5 PRES5T4 ,IF !
FAMILY 7 ORD]$ 6/OP :AT"E !Y 7 DO+1 & !Y
REFUS$ 6/OP1 !Y WD 2 PUNI%$40
  ,I />$ ACR AT ,RUSSELL4 8,PRE/ON1 HAS
! ,SILK FAMILY "E TRI$ 6ASSEM# A ,C\NCIL
(! ,GO4ESS 64CUSS OR W>N AG/ ! G5ETIC "W
( MY ELD]"MS80
  8,N 6MY K10 ,PRE/ON SD4 8,RUSSELL80
  ,AG1 ,RUSSELL SD NO?+4 ,X DIDN'T MAT-
T]4 ,SURELY HE _H ALR SD 5\<4 ,I SAT D[N
& PUT MY MICROPH"O BACK 9 XS PLACE4
  8,DOES ANY ,C\NCIL MEMB] H "QS80
,PRE/ON ASK$4
  ,NO "O SPOKE4
  8,ALL "R10 HE SD4 8,C\NCIL MEMB]S1 ,I
ASK Y N[ 6C.T YRVS4 ,IS ! ,SILK FAMILY
GUILTY ( HAV+ MADE HUMAN 2+S _! TOOLS &
S5T ^? HUMAN TOOLS 6KILL ! ,PETRESCU &!
,MAT!WS FAMILIES8 ,>E ! ,SILKS AL GUILTY
( S5D+ _! TOOLS 6BURN ! ,PETRESCU GUE/
H\SE ": ,%ORI ,MAT!WS & H] SYMBI-   #ECF
ONTS 7 /AY+8 ,>E ! ,SILKS GUILTY ( S5D+
_! TOOLS 6ATTACK ! ,GORDON FAMILY "H AT
,PUNTA ,NUBLADA8 ,& AL1 0 ,KA?>9E ,DAHL-
MAN1 ! ,SILKS' F/ ADVOCATE1 GUILTY (
S5D+ "O ( H] SYMBIONTS1 ,JACK ,ROAN1 TO
KILL "O ( ,%ORI ,MAT!WS'S SYMBIONTS1
,!ODORA ,H>D580 ,HE PAUS$1 !N SD1 8,ZO@E
,FOTOP\LOS80
  ,I _H DECID$ T ,ZO@E 0 ! MO/ B1UTI;L
,9A ,I _H "E SE54 ,H] AGE--OV] ?REE HUN-
DR$--DIDN'T SEEM 6MATT]4 ,%E 0 TALL1
L1N1 & BLOND L MO/ ,9A B 0 A /RIK+1 MEM-
ORA# WOMAN4 ,:5 %E >RIV$1 ,I _H ASK$
,W"R :AT HE ?"\ ( H]4 ,HE SD1 8,SCULPT$4
,P]FECT1 L "O ( ^? ,GREEK /ATUES4 ,IF %E
_H BOOBS1 ,I'D SAY %E 0 ! BE/-LOOK+ WOM-
AN ,I'VE "E SE540
  ,POOR ,W"R4 ,MAYBE "O (! ,BRAI?WAITE
SYMBIONTS WD H L>GE BR1/S4
  8,%ORI ,MAT!WS HAS TOLD U ! TRU?10
,ZO@E SD4 8,I H N ONCE CAU<T H] 9 A LIE4
,EI %E HAS BE5 V C>E;L OR %E IS EXACTLY
:AT %E SEEMS 6BE4 ,MY IMPRES.N IS T %E
IS EXACTLY :AT %E APPE>S 6BE--A *1
DEEPLY WR;G$ 0BO? ! ,SILK FAMILY    #ECG
& ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN4 ,MEMB]S (! ,SILK
FAMILY1 ON ! O!R H&1 H LI$ AG & AG4 ,&
,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN HAS LI$4 ,X SEEMS T ALL
? KILL+ 0 D"O 2C ,%ORI'S FAMILIES 7 EX-
P]I;T+ ) WAYS ( US+ HUMAN ,,DNA 65A# U
6WALK 9 "DLI<T4 ,& X SEEMS T NO LEGAL
ME?ODS ( "Q+ OR /OPP+ ! EXP]I;TS 7 EV5
ATTEMPT$40 ,%E TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,I /&
) ,%ORI AG/ BO? ! ,SILKS & ,KA?>9E
,DAHLMAN40
  8,JOAN ,BRAI?WAITE80 ,PRE/ON SD4
  8,%ORI TOLD ! TRU?1 & ,KA?>9E &!
,SILKS LI$10 ,JOAN SD4 8,T'S ALL T MAT-
T]S4 ,I M/ /& ) ,%ORI AG/ BO?40
  8,ALEX&] ,SVOBODA80
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI AG/ ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN10
HE SD4 8,B ,I M/ /& )! ,SILKS AG/ ,%ORI4
,%ORI HAS TOLD ! TRU?1 Z F> Z %E "KS1 Z
F> Z %E IS A# 6"U/& ) H] DAMAG$ MEMORY1
B ,I C'T 3DEMN ! ,SILKS Z A FAMILY 2C (
:AT "O *1 "O S]I\SLY IMPAIR$ *1 BE-
LIEVES40
  ,& YET1 E ,SILK :O _H SPOK5 6! ,C\NCIL
_H LI$ AB :AT HE _H D"O1 AB :AT HE KNEW1
OR BO?4 ,H[ CD ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN 2   #ECH
PUNI%$ = KILL+ "O SYMBIONT &! ,SILKS LET
(F = KILL+ TWELVE ,9A & NE>LY A HUNDR$
SYMBIONTS8 ,B T 0 ,ALEX&]'S LESS ?AN C\-
RAGE\S DECI.N4
  8,PET] ,M>CU80 ,PRE/ON SD4
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI10 ,PET] ,M>CU SD4 8,I
DON'T WANT TO4 ,MY FAMILY HAS BE5 FRS )!
,SILKS = F\R G5],NS4 ,"! 0 EV5 A "T :5
WE GOT AL;G WELL )! ,DAHLMANS4 ,B ,%ORI
HAS BE5 TELL+ ! TRU? ALL AL;G1 &! O!RS H
BE5 LY+4 ,:AT"E _! R1SONS >E = :AT !Y'VE
D"O1 !Y DID D X1 &=! SAKE (! RE/ ( \R P
& ALL \R SYMBIONTS1 WE _C ALL[ ? 6G UN-
PUNI%$40
  8,ANA ,MOR>IU80
  8,I /& )! ,SILKS &) ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN10
,ANA SD4 8,%ORI ,MAT!WS IS M* TOO IM-
PAIR$ 6BE P]MITT$ 6SP1K AG/ O!R ,9A4 ,H[
C WE DE/ROY P'S LIVES1 EV5 KILL !M ON !
^W (A * ^: M9D HAS BE5 ALL B DE/ROY$ &
:O1 EV5 IF %E 7 H1L?Y1 IS B>ELY ,9A AT
ALL8 ,X IS A TRAG$Y T ! ,PETRESCU &
,MAT!WS FAMILIES >E D1D4 ,WE %DN'T DEEP5
! TRAG$Y 0KILL+ OR 4RUPT+ O!R FAMILIES40
  ,%E 0 ! "O :O _H SD ,KA?>9E       #ECI
,DAHLMAN MI<T 2 TELL+ ! TRU?4 ,N[ %E
SEEM$ 6BE SAY+ T MY FAMILIES _H SIMPLY
BE5 UNLUCKY & _H1 = "S UN"KN R1SON1 DI$1
& T X WD 2 WR;G 6PUNI% ANY"O = T4 ,NO?+
WR;G1 %E SEEM$ 6?9K1 ) LETT+ YR FRS GET
AWAY ) MASS MURD]4
  8,ALICE ,RAPPAPORT80
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI10 ,ALICE SD4 8,KA?>9E &
! ,SILKS >E LI>S1 P :O USE MURD] B N"E
?9K 6USE ! LAW4 ,!Y "K BETT] ?AN ANY"O
"H T WE C'T LET !M G UNPUNI%$4 ,& :AT AB
! RE/ ( Y8 ,D Y WANT 6RETURN 6A _W (
LAW.S FAMILY FEUDS & MASS KILL+80
  8,H>OLD ,WE/FALL80
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI10 ,H>OLD SD4 8,6LET ? G
WD 2 65DANG] U ALL 9 ! L;G RUN4 ,BO? !
,SILKS & ,KA?>9E M/ 2 PUNI%$ = :AT WE
ALL "K !Y'VE D"O40
  ,HE GL.ED AT ME UNHAPPILY4 ,I GOT !
IMPRES.N HE DIDN'T WANT 6BE "H4 ,HE
DIDN'T WANT 6/& ) ME4 ,I SUSPECT$ HE
DIDN'T EV5 L ME M*4 ,B HE 0 DO+ 8 DUTY &
TRY+ 6D X Z H"O/LY Z HE CD4 ,I RESPECT$
T & 0 GRATE;L = X4
  8,KIRA ,NICOLAU40                 #EDJ
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI Z F> Z ,KA?>9E IS CON-
C]N$10 ,KIRA SD4 8,:AT ,KA?>9E DID 0
-PLETELY WR;G1 & ,I H NO D\BT T %E DID
X4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE %E EV5 M1NT 63V9CE U
O!RWISE2 X J DIDN'T SEEM V IMPORTANT TO
H]4 ,B Z 6! O!R PRO#M1 ,I M/ /& )!
,SILKS4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,%ORI'S MEMORIES
& A3US,NS %D 2 TRU/$4 ,I'M N 3V9C$ T
,%ORI "U/&S ! SITU,N Z WELL Z %E 2LIEVES
%E DOES4 ,%E 2LIEVES :AT %E SAYS1 T'S
CLE>4 ,9 T S5SE1 %E IS TELL+ ! TRU?4 ,B
L ,ALEX&]1 ,I'M N WILL+ 64RUPT OR DE/ROY
! ,SILK FAMILY ON ! ^W ( "S"O Z 4A#D Z
,%ORI ,MAT!WS CLE>LY IS40
  ,NO?+ AB ! LIES ! ,SILKS _H TOLD4
,NO?+ AB MY D1D FAMILIES4 ,& YET1 ,KIRA
H]F 0 TELL+ ! TRU? Z F> Z ,I CD SEE4 ,%E
RE,Y SEEM$ 62LIEVE T ,I 0 S IMPAIR$ T ,I
DIDN'T "K :AT ,I 0 TALK+ AB4 ,%E _H "SH[
3V9C$ H]F ( T4
  8,ION ,&REI80
  ,"! 0 A MO;T ( SIL;E4 ,F9,Y ,ION SD1
8,I /& )! ,SILKS &) ,KA?>9E4 ,I DON'T
WANT TO4 ,I 2LIEVE ! ,SILKS MAY H MURD]$
,%ORI'S FAMILIES4 ,X'S C]TA9LY      #EDA
POSSI#4 ,& ,KA?>9E MAY H S5T H] SYMBIONT
AF ,%ORI'S SYMBIONT4 ,B1 L ,KIRA1 ,I _C
9 GD 3SCI;E BASE S* A JUDG;T ON ! ^WS (
"S"O Z 4A#D Z ,%ORI IS40
  ,X 0 PA9;L 6LI/5 6!M4 ,I WANT$ 6SCR1M
AT !M4 ,H[ CD !Y BL ALL _! S5SES S SE-
LECTIVELY8 ,& H[ CD !Y SEE ME Z S IM-
PAIR$8 ,MAYBE !Y NE$$ 6SEE ME T WAY4
,MAYBE X HELP$ !M D1L ) _! 3SCI;E4
  8,WALT] ,NAGY80
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI10 ,WALT] SD4 8,& ,I WD
/& ) H] EV5 IF %E 7 \ ( H] M9D 2C X IS S
PA9;LLY OBVI\S T ! ,SILKS & ,KA?>9E
,DAHLMAN 7 LY+ ALM E "T !Y ANSW]$ A "Q4
,!Y H -MITT$ MURD] &1 9 ! CASE (!
,SILKS1 MASS MURD]4 ,IF WE EXCUSE T 9 ^?
WE L1 WE OP5 A DOOR T WE TRI$ 6LOCK TI<T
C5TURIES AGO4 ,MAKE NO MISTAKE4 ,IF WE
IGNORE ^! MURD]S1 WE 9VITE P 6SETTLE
4PUTES !MVS1 & WE RISK EXPOSURE 9 ! HU-
MAN _W4 ,WE >E1 E "O ( U1 VULN]A# 6!
FIRES T 3SUM$ ,%ORI'S FAMILIES40
  ,"! 0 A MO;T ( SIL;E4 ,F9,Y1 ,PRE/ON
SD1 8,ELIZABE? ,AKHMATOVA80
  8,I /& ) ,%ORI10 ,ELIZABE? SD4    #EDB
8,= ALL ! R1SONS ,WALT]'S J GIV51 ,I /&
) H]4 ,& ,I /& ) H] 2C ,I'VE WAT*$ H]4
,%E .IS IMPAIR$4 ,I C'T IMAG9E :AT X WD
2 L 6LOSE ! MEMORY ( NE>LY ALL (! YE>S (
"O'S LIFE4 ,H] MEMORY 0 /OL5 F H]4 ,B H]
ABIL;Y 6R1SON WASN'T /OL54 ,! "QS %E'S
ASK$--"QS T 7 ANSW]$ AG & AG ) LIES &
MISDIREC;N--W]E GD1 S5SI# "QS4 ,! "QS %E
ANSW]$1 %E ANSW]$ H"O/LY4 ,! MURD]]S :O
KILL$ H] FAMILIES & H] SYMBIONT1 !
?IEVES :O /OLE H] PA/ F H]--%D ^! P 2
REW>D$ 2C !Y DID S* A SAVAGELY ?OR\<
JOB8 ,NO1 ( C\RSE N4 ,%ORI1 ON ! O!R H&1
%D 2 REW>D$ = US+ H] 9TELLECT 6PROTECT
H]F & 6F9D ! MURD]]S40









               TW5TY-N9E            #EDC

  ,& T 0 T4
  ,"! 0 A MO;T ( SIL;E1 !N ,PRE/ON /OOD
UP4 8,! DECI.N IS MADE10 HE SD4
  8,A MAJOR;Y ( SEV5 MEMB]S ( ? ELEV5-
MEMB] ,C\NCIL ( ,JUDG;T H /OOD ) ,%ORI
,MAT!WS & AG/ BO? ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN &!
,SILK FAMILY4 ,"!=E1 ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN &!
,SILK FAMILY M/ 2 PUNI%$ =! WR;GS !Y H
D"O4 ,B 2C ! DECI.N 0 N UNANIM\S1 _!
PUNI%;T M/ 2 O!R ?AN D1?4
  8,=! WR;GS ! ,SILK FAMILY H D"O--= _!
-PLETE DE/RUC;N (! ,PETRESCU FAMILY1 =
_! NE>LY -PLETE DE/RUC;N (! ,MAT!WS FAM-
ILY1 &= _! ATTEMPT$ DE/RUC;N (! ,GORDON
FAMILY--! P5ALTY1 0WRITT5 LAW1 IS ! 4SO-
LU;N (! ,SILK FAMILY4 ,! FIVE UNMAT$
,SILK SONS M/ 2 ADOPT$ 0FIVE FAMILIES 9
FIVE C.TRIES O!R ?AN ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES (
,AM]ICA4 ,EA* W MATE Z ! MALES ( 8 NEW
FAMILY MATE4 ,!Y W 2 ,SILK NO L;G]40
  ,! ROOM 0 UTT]LY SIL5T4 ,EV5 ! ,SILKS
MADE NO S.D4 ,I WOND]$ H[ !Y CD KEEP SI-
L5T4 ,0 X PRIDE8 ,0 X PA98 ,7 !Y REFUS+
62LIEVE ! S5T;E OR ONLY REFUS+ TO   #EDD
LET O!RS SEE _! PA98 ,I LOOK$ ACR ! ROOM
AT ,RUSSELL ,SILK4
  ,HE />$ BACK AT ME ) UTT] HATR$4 ,IF
HE CD H KILL$ ME1 ,I ?9K HE WD H D"O X )
PL1SURE4 ,I R1LIZ$ COLDLY T ,I FELT !
SAME T[>D HM4 ,IF HE CAME AF ME & ,I CD
KILL HM1 ,I WD--JOY;LLY4
  ,PRE/ON SD1 8,RUSSELL1 Y'VE HE>D YR
FAMILY'S S5T;E40
  ,RUSSELL MANAG$ 6TURN AWAY F ME & DI-
RECT 8 HATE;L />E AT ,PRE/ON4
  8,/&10 ,PRE/ON ORD]$4
  ,RUSSELL MADE NO MOVE 6RISE4 ,HE TURN$
6LOOK AT ME AG4 ,HE LOOK$ Z ?\< HE WANT$
6KILL ME S BADLY T X 0 HURT+ HM4
  8,RUSSELL ,SILK10 ,PRE/ON SD 9 T BIG1
DEEP1 CLE> VOICE ( HIS4 8,/&10 HE SD4
8,/& & SP1K = YRF & YR FAMILY40
  ,RUSSELL ,SILK ROSE SL[LY1 & ,I WAT*$
HM4 ,HE 0 AT ! V $GE ( 8 3TROL4 ,IF HE
LO/ 3TROL1 HE WD C]TA9LY -E = ME4 ,HE 0
HALF AG MY HEI<T & EASILY TWICE MY WEI<T
--AN ADULT ,9A MALE4 ,N A DE]4 ,B HE 0
OLD4 ,P]H N Z FA/ Z A DE]4 ,WAT*+ HM1 ,I
DECID$ ,I CD RIDE HM4 ,I CD 2 ON    #EDE
HM 2F HE CD /OP ME4 ,I CD TE> \ 8 ?ROAT4
,X WDN'T KILL HM1 AL? MY V5OM MI<T TAME
HM = ME1 MAKE HM OBEY4 ,IF X DIDN'T1 X
WD SURELY SL[ HM D[N1 GIVE ME A *.E TO
TWI/ 8 H1D "R (F4 ,NO "O CD RECOV] F T4
,I CD D T4 ,I CD4
  8,Y M/ A3EPT ! S5T;E10 ,PRE/ON SD4
8,!N EA* MEMB] ( YR FAMILY M/ /& & A3EPT
X4 ,0YR A3EPT.E1 Y GIVE YR ^W1 EA* ( Y1
T "! W 2 P1CE 2T ! ,SILKS &! ,MAT!WS1
P1CE 2T ! ,SILKS &! ,GORDONS1 P1CE =A
P]IOD ( AT L1/ ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S F TD40
  ,PRE/ON PAUS$1 8 EYES ON ,RUSSELL Z
9T5TLY Z M9E W]E4 8,! P5ALTY = REFUS+ TO
A3EPT YR S5T;E OR = BR1K+ YR ^W ONCE
Y'VE GIV5 X IS IMM D1?--D1? = Y1 ,RUS-
SELL1 &= EA* MAT$ MEMB] ( YR FAMILY40
,HE PAUS$ & LOOK$ AT ! ,SILK FAMILY
WAIT+ 9 ! AUDI;E4 8,D X A3EPT YR S5T;E80
HE DEM&$4
  ,RUSSELL LAUN*$ HMF T[>D ME4
  ,I /OOD UP & AWAY F ! TA#1 R1DY = HM1
EAG] = HM4 ,X 0 L 2+ EAG] = SEX OR =
FE$+4
  ,B 2F HE CD R1* ME1 2F ,I CD      #EDF
TA/E 8 BLOOD1 TWO ( 8 SONS & "O ( 8
BRO!RS L1P$ UP F ! FRONT R[1 GRA2$ HM1 &
DRA7$ HM D[N4 ,!Y HELD HM :ILE HE /RU7L$
2N !M1 SCR1M+4 ,AT F/1 X SEEM$ T HE
WASN'T MAK+ ^WS4 ,HE 0 ONLY LOOK+ AT ME
& SCR1M+4 ,!N ,I 2GAN 6RECOGNIZE ^WS3
8,MURD]+ BLACK M;GREL BIT* '''0 & 8,:AT
W %E GIVE U ALL8 ,FUR8 ,TAILS80
  ,HE DIDN'T %$ TE>S4 ,I WOND]$ SU45LY
:E!R WE CD CRY ! WAY HUMANS DID4 ,RUS-
SELL J LAY CURL$ ON 8 SIDE1 MOAN+ &
*OK+4
  ,I WAT*$ ! :OLE GR\P ( ,SILKS1 CLU/]$
9 ! F/ FEW R[S ON ,RUSSELL'S SIDE (!
ROOM4 ,MILO GL>$ AT ME1 B ! O!RS 7 FO-
CUS$ ON ,RUSSELL1 :O SEEM$ 6BE SL[LY RE-
GA9+ 8 SAN;Y4
  ,W"R & ,JOEL GOT UP & CAME T[>D ME1 B
,I WAV$ !M BACK 6_! S1TS4 ,!Y CDN'T RE-
GR[ LO/ "PS4 ,BETT] = !M 6/AY CLE>4
  ,MILO LOOK$ F ME 6!M--A L;G1 SL[ LOOK4
,!N HE LOOK$ AT ME AG4 ,X 0 AN OBVI\S
?R1T4
  ,DANIEL ,GORDON1 8 "FS1 & 8 BRO!RS
CAME UP 6/& 2H ME4 ,9 SIL;E1 !Y     #EDG
LOOK$ BACK AT ,MILO4
  ,! PILE ( ,SILKS ON ! FLOOR UNTANGL$
XF1 & ALL F\R ( !M /OOD UP4 ,AF A MO;T1
,RUSSELL W5T BACK 6HIS TA# & /OOD 0X4 ,!
RE/ ( 8 FAMILY WAT*$ HM1 Z ! ?REE :O _H
RE/RA9$ HM W5T BACK 6_! S1TS4
  ,AT ! SAME "T1 ! ,GORDONS 2H ME MELT$
AWAY & W5T BACK 6_! S1TS Z SIL5TLY Z !Y
_H -E4 ,I SAT D[N AT MY TA#4
  ,PRE/ON REP1T$ 9 AN O4LY G5TLE VOICE1
8,RUSSELL ,SILK1 D Y A3EPT YR S5T;E80
  ,X 0 Z ?\< "! _H BE5 NO 9T]RUP;N4
,RUSSELL LOOK$ D[N AT 8 TA#1 !N />$ AT
ME4 8,:AT IS 6BE D"O )! ,MAT!WS *80 HE
DEM&$4
  8,NO?+ AT ALL10 ,PRE/ON SD4
  8,%E %D 2 ADOPT$4 ,%E'S A *4 ,%E'S
ILL4 ,%E %D 2 LOOK$ AF1 BR"\ 96A FAMILY
T C T1* H] H[ 6AT L1/ PRET5D 6BE ,9A40
  8,Y CR1T$ ,%ORI'S PRO#MS10 ,PRE/ON SD4
8,B SOLV+ !M IS N YR 3C]N4 ,YR ONLY 3C]N
N[ IS :E!R Y A3EPT YR S5T;E OR REJECT X4
,N[1 =! LA/ "T1 D Y A3EPT YR S5T;E80
  ,RUSSELL LOOK$ AT 8 FAMILY--HIS "F1 8
BRO!RS1 8 SONS1 & 8 FIVE "Y]SONS    #EDH
:O WD SOON 2 L1V+ ! ,SILK FAMILY 6BE
ADOPT$ 0O!RS4 ,ADOP;N 0 APP>5TLY S P]MA-
N5T A ?+ T "! 0 NO POSSIBIL;Y ( _! SN1K+
BACK HOME OR UNIT+ Z ,SILKS 9 ANO!R C\N-
TRY OR ANO!R "P (! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES4 ,= "O
?+1 !Y WD EV5TU,Y 2 MAT$ 6DI6]5T FAMI-
LIES ( FEMALES4 ,& _! SONS WD N"E 2
,SILKS4
  ,X TOOK ,RUSSELL ALM A FULL M9UTE TO
MAKE HMF SAY ! ^WS3 8,I ''' A3EPT ''' !
S5T;E40
  8,MILO ,SILK80
  ,MILO ,SILK /OOD UP4 ,9 AN ANCI5T1
PAP]-DRY VOICE T ,I _H N HE>D F HM 2F1
HE SD1 8,I A3EPT ! S5T;E40 ,!N HE SAT
D[N AG & SA7$ =W>D 9 8 *AIR1 />+ AT !
FLOOR1 ELB[S RE/+ ON 8 KNEES4
  ,ONCE HE _H SD X1 EA* (! RE/ ( 8 SONS
CD SAY X4 ,!N _! SONS CD SAY X4 ,F9,Y !
"YE/1 UNMAT$ SONS--^? :O 7 GIV+ _! ^W T
!Y A3EPT$ ABSOLUTE1 P]MAN5T BANI%;T--CD
SAY X4 ,X / SEEM$ WR;G 6ME T !Y %D 2 !
"OS 6BE> ! WOR/ (! PUNI%;T4 ,EA* MI<T
N"E SEE 8 "FS OR 8 BRO!RS AG1 & ?REE (
!M 7 *N4 ,!Y 7 ! ONLY "OS TRULY N   #EDI
RESPONSI# = :AT _! ELD]S _H D"O 6MY FAM-
ILIES4
  ,X O3URR$ 6ME SU45LY T ,RUSSELL _H
ASK$ AB MY 2+ ADOPT$ 2C IF ,I1 L 8 SONS1
2CAME A MEMB] (A DI6]5T FAMILY1 HE MI<T
N 2 LEG,Y =BI45 F ATTACK+ ME4 ,IF ,I 7 N
,%ORI ,MAT!WS1 B ,%ORI ,BRAI?WAITE1 =
9/.E1 ,I MI<T 2 FAIR GAME4 ,! ,BRAI?-
WAITES MI<T 2 FAIR GAME4 ,I _H NO 9T5;N
( 2+ ADOPT$1 B ,I DID 9T5D 6ASK ,PRE/ON
IF MY SUSPICIONS 7 TRUE4
  ,! ,GORDONS QUIETLY SEP>AT$ ! ,SILKS F
_! UNMAT$ SONS4 ,! SONS' SYMBIONTS JO9$
!M QKLY1 & T 0 A GD ?+4 ,X WD EASE _!
PA9 6H ^! LOV$ & NE$$ P ) !M1 P !Y _H
PROBABLY "KN MO/ _! LIVES4 ,! SONS WD 2
TAK5 F _! "FS B N F ! HUMANS :O 7 CLOSE/
6!M4 ,9 FACT1 "S"O WD H 6COLLECT ! RE/ (
_! SYMBIONTS BACK AT ! ,SILK -MUN;Y &
REUNITE !M ) _! ,9A4 ,I 0 GLAD 6SEE T "O
(! SON'S SYMBIONTS 0 ! DOCTOR :O _H "Q$
ME4 ,X 0 GD T HE CD 2 AWAY F ! UGLY CON-
TEMPT (! ADULTS4 ,! ,SILK SON 6:OM HE 0
B.D 0 TALL] ?AN ,I WAS1 B HE LOOK$ NO
OLD]4                               #EEJ
  ,! "YE/ ,SILKS & _! SYMBIONTS 7 H]D$ \
(! ROOM 0S"EAL ADULT ,9A--! SIBL+S ( ^?
:O _H S]V$ ON ! ,C\NCIL ( ,JUDG;T4 ,P]H
^! 7 ! P :O WD H _H 6C>RY \ ! D1? S5T;E
IF "! _H BE5 "O4 ,0 T ! >RANGE;T8 ,"O
BRO!R OR SI/] PASS$ JUDG;T &! O!R HELP$
6C>RY \ ! S5T;E8
  ,! ADULT ,SILKS WAT*$1 4TRAU<T4 ,_!
OBVI\S PA9 0 S M* AT O4S ) _! UTT] /ILL-
;S T X 0 H>D 6LOOK AT !M4 ,!Y />$ AT _!
*N1 _! FAMILY'S FUTURE1 WALK+ AWAY1 & 9
T VA/ ROOM1 NO "O SPOKE A ^W4
  ,!N ! "YE/ ,SILKS 7 G"O1 & WE ALL SAT
LOOK+ AT "O ANO!R4
  ,PRE/ON C\<$--AN ODD S.D F HM S9CE HE
DID X 6GET \R ATT5;N R ?AN 6CLE> 8
?ROAT4 8,WE M/ AL ATT5D 6! MATT] ( ,KA?-
>9E ,DAHLMAN10 HE SD4 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] ":
%E SAT NE> ! ,SILKS4 8,/&1 PL1SE1 ,KA?A-
R9E1 & -E =W>D40
  ,V SL[LY1 %E /OOD UP & CAME 6! MICRO-
PH"O T /OOD AL"O 9 ! >C4
  ,PRE/ON1 AL /&+1 FAC$ H]4 8,=! WR;G T
Y'VE D"O1 ,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN--= US+ YR [N
SYMBIONT1 ,JACK ,ROAN1 Z A MURD]-   #EEA
\S TOOL1 = HAV+ HM KILL ,!ODORA ,H>D51 !
SYMBIONT ( ,%ORI ,MAT!WS--Y M/1 AC TO
WRITT5 LAW1 H BO? YR LEGS S"E$ AT MID-
?I<40 ,HE TOOK A BR1?4 8,KA?>9E1 D Y AC-
CEPT YR S5T;E80
  ,%E L1N$ =W>D 6SP1K 96! MICROPH"O1 !N
_H 6L[] X 6H] HEI<T4 8,I D N10 %E SD :5
%E _H F9I%$4 8,! PUNI%;T IS TOO EXTREME4
,X DOES N FIT ! M9OR CRIME T ,I -MITT$40
  8,M9OR CRIME60 ,I SD L\DLY4 8,H[ C
MURD]+ A WOMAN :O N"E H>M$ Y1 :O N"E EV5
?R1T5$ Y 2 A M9OR CRIME80
  ,%E DIDN'T EV5 GL.E AT ME4 8,I ASK T !
MEMB]S (! ,C\NCIL 3SID] MY PUNI%;T & C.T
!MVS = OR AG/ X40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ,PRE/ON4 ,I F.D X 9TOL]A#
T ,KA?>9E WD 2 P]MITT$ 6LIVE4 ,N[ %E 0
:9+ AB HAV+ 6SU6] AT ALL4 ,IF %E A3EPT$
H] PUNI%;T1 9 A YE> OR TWO1 %E WD H LEGS
AG & 2 F9E1 B ,!ODORA WD / 2 D1D4 ,M9OR
CRIME8
  8,I W GIVE UP MY LEFT H& 6PAY = MY '''
CRIME10 ,KA?>9E SD4 8,T'S M ?AN JU/ICE40
  8,OR P]H ONLY A F+]60 ,I SD4 8,MAYBE A
F+]NAIL WD D4 ,B IF ! P5ALTY IS S   #EEB
SMALL1 !N ,I %D 2 A# 6D 6Y :AT Y DID TO
ME4 ,: ( YR SYMBIONTS % ,I TAKE80
  ,%E LOOK$ AT ME ) M HATR$ & 3TEMPT ?AN
,I WD H ?"\ %E CD MANAGE1 !N %E TURN$
AWAY & SPOKE 6,PRE/ON4 8,I DEM& A C.T (!
,C\NCIL4 ,I H A "R 6T40
  8,"! HAS BE5 A C.T Z 6YR GUILT4 ,ONCE
T VOTE W5T AG/ Y1 YR GUILT & PUNI%;T 7
DECID$4 ,Y H NO "R 6NEGOTIATE1 & Y "K X4
,Y KNEW ! LAW L;G 2F Y DECID$ 6BR1K X40
  ,%E LOOK$ AWAY F HM1 />$ PA/ HM1 & SD
NO?+ = S"EAL SECONDS4 ,F9,Y1 %E %OOK H]
H1D4 8,I C'T A3EPT X4 ,X'S UNJU/4 ,T HU-
MAN 0 N A SYMBIONT 2C ,%ORI IS N ,9A6 ,&
''' & AT MY AGE1 ! PUNI%;T WD PROBABLY
KILL ME40
  ,:AT DID T M1N8 ,0 %E SAY+ %E ?"\ X 0
ALL "R 6KILL 9NOC5T HUMAN 2+S :O 7 N
SYMBIONTS8
  ,PRE/ON HESITAT$1 !N SPOKE G5TLY4
8,KA?>9E1 ? ISN'T A D1? S5T;E4 ,X W 2
BAD4 ,X'S SUPPOS$ 6BE BAD4 ,3SID] :AT Y
DID 6E>N X4 ,B YR FAMILY W LOOK AF Y1 &
9 A YE> OR TWO1 Y'LL H H1L$4 ,B REFUS+ !
S5T;E1 ,KA?>9E ''' T WD 2 D1?40     #EEC
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,!N KILL ME6 ,G
AH1D4 ,KILL ME6 ,I _C A3EPT ! PUNI%;T
Y'VE ORD]$40
  ,! TWO ( !M1 N F> A"P 9 AGE1 />$ AT "O
ANO!R4 8,WE'LL TAKE A %ORT BR1K10 HE SD4
8,KA?>9E1 G TALK ) YR SI/] & YR SYMBI-
ONTS4 ,?9K AB :AT Y'RE DO+4 ,HE /EPP$
AWAY F 8 PLACE AT ! TA# & GL.ED AT 8 SI-
L5T AUDI;E4 8,WE'LL RESUME 9 "O H\R40

  ,MY SYMBIONTS HESITAT$1 !N CAME UP TO
ME4 ,I DIDN'T "K :Y !Y HESITAT$ UNTIL !Y
/AY$ BACK & LET ,W"R 2 ! F/ 6T\* ME4 ,HE
TOOK MY H&1 & :5 ,I TOOK 8 HUGE H& 2T
BO? ( M9E1 ! O!RS CAME UP 6SEE ME4
  ,I R1LIZ$ T !Y 7 AFRAID ( ME4 ,:AT _H
,I SD OR D"O8 ,H[ _H ,I LOOK$ OR ACT$ TO
MAKE ^! P :OM ,I LOV$ & NE$$ MO/ AFRAID
( ME8 ,I /OOD & HU7$ EA* ( !M1 HOLD+
,BROOK =A LL L;G] ?AN ! O!RS 2C %E 0
TREMBL+ S4
  8,! T5.N 9 ? PLACE IS L A BAD SMELL10
,I SD4 8,LET'S G BACK 6! H\SE =A LL
:ILE40
  ,WE LEFT ! HALL & H1D$ T[>D !     #EED
GUE/ H\SE4 ,WE W]5'T TALK+4 ,I ?9K WE
ALL WANT$ :AT ,I _H SD--A LL "T AWAY F !
ANG] & HATR$ & PA9 9 ! HALL4 ,JOEL _H
PUT 8 >M >.D ME & WAS1 ,I ?9K1 DELIB]-
ATELY 4TRACT+ ME ) 8 SC5T4 ,I NE$$ 6BE
4TRACT$4 ,BO? HE & ,BROOK KNEW 5 AB !
,9A 6D "S?+ L T4
  ,I SAT ) !M 9 ! KIT*5 :ILE !Y _H C(FEE
& C9NAMON-APPLE MU69S4 ,W"R 0 TALK+ AB
BUILD+ \R F/ H\SE HMF1 &! O!RS DIDN'T
2LIEVE HE CD D X4 ,I DID4 ,I K9D ( LIK$
! IDEA4
  ,!Y D>$ ME 6TA/E ! C(FEE1 & ,I TA/$ X4
,X 0 LESS APP1L+ ?AN PLA9 WAT]1 B N DIS-
GU/+4 ,I WOND]$ :AT O!R HUMAN FOOD OR
DR9K ,I CD TOL]ATE4 ,:5 ,I _H M "T1 ,I
MI<T F9D \4
  ,WE TALK$ =A :ILE L;G]1 !N GOT UP &
H1D$ BACK4 ,SU45LY "! 0 3FU.N & %\T+4 ,N
TOO F> AH1D ( U1 P CAME SPILL+ \ ( ,H5-
RY'S H\SE4 ,2F ,I CD "U/& :AT 0 GO+ ON1
,KA?>9E ,DAHLMAN 0 "! 9 FRONT ( U4 ,%E
_H RUN F ,H5RY'S H\SE1 RUN FA/] ?AN A
HUMAN CD1 B N T FA/ = AN ,9A4 ,%E 0
HOLD+ "S?+ 9 FRONT ( H]1 CLUT*$ 9   #EEE
BO? H&S4
  ,X TOOK A MO;T = ME 6"U/& T %E 0 HOLD+
A RIFLE4 ,%E RAN AH1D (! CR[D1 !N /OPP$
SU45LY & LEVEL$ ! GUN AT MY SYMBIONTS &
ME4
  ,I *>G$ H]4 ,I 0 T]RIFI$ T %E WD KILL
ANO!R ( MY SYMBIONTS 2F ,I CD /OP H]4
  ,AG1 ,I _H N KEPT !M SAFE4
  ,%E FIR$4
  ,& ,I FELT Z ?\< ,I'D BE5 PUN*$ H>D1
HAMM]$ 9 ! /OMA* 0"S?+ IMPOSSIBLY /R;G4
  ,X 0 Z ?\< ,I HUNG 9 MIDAIR = AN IN-
/ANT1 N GO+ =W>D1 N DROPP+4 ,X DIDN'T
HAPP5 T WAY1 ( C\RSE1 B ,I FELT Z ?\< X
DID4 ,9 FACT1 MY MO;TUM C>RI$ ME 96H]4
,I HIT H] ) MY FEET1 & %E />T$ 6FALL4 ,I
HIT ! RIFLE ) MY H&1 %OV$ X UPW>D1 &
MADE H] NEXT %OT G WILD4 ,H] W1PON 0 AN
OLD BOLT-AC;N RIFLE1 P]H "O ( ^? KEPT
H&Y :ILE ! ,GORDONS 7 WORRI$ AB 2+ AT-
TACK$4 ,IF X _H BE5 AUTOMATIC L ! "OS \R
ATTACK]S _H US$ AG/ U1 OR IF ,KA?>9E _H
BE5 QK ) X1 %E MI<T H %OT ME AG 2F ,I
R1*$ H]4 ,%E MI<T H BATT]$ ME D[N )
BULLETS1 !N :ILE ,I 0 HELP.S1 %E    #EEF
CD H F9I%$ KILL+ ME4
  ,9/1D1 ,I R1*$ H]4 ,Z WE /RU7L$ ON !
GR.D ,I TORE ! GUN F H] H&S & ?REW X
AWAY4 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ T ,I CD4 ,%E 0 AN
ADULT & L>G] ?AN ,I WAS1 EV5 ?\< %E 0
SMALL = AN ,9A4 ,I CD FEEL H] 9 MY H&S Z
%E TWI/$ & TRI$ 6PU% ME AWAY1 TRI$ 6TE>
H]F FREE ( ME1 TRI$ 6BITE ME4
  ,MY [N /R5G? 0 BLE$+ AWAY4 ,%E 0 W9N+1
HOLD+ ON 6ME1 PULL+ ME CLOSE S T %E CD
BITE & TE>4 ,)! LA/ ( MY /R5G?1 ,I RAMM$
MY H& UPW>D1 HIT H] H>D "U ! *91 PULL$
MYF UP1 & BIT D[N H>D 96! FLE% ( H]
?ROAT4
  ,%E SCR1M$4 ,EI %E 0 T]RIFI$ ( MY GET-
T+ 3TROL ( H] OR H] PA9 OV]:ELM$ H]4 ,I
_H N BITT5 H] = N\RI%;T OR \ ( A6EC;N4
,I M1NT 6DE/ROY H] ?ROAT1 TE> X 6PIECES4
,%E LET G ( MY %\LD]S 6GRAB MY H1D & PU%
MY FACE AWAY1 & 9 ! 9/ANT ( OPPORTUN;Y T
GAVE ME1 ,I W5T =A BETT] GRIP ON H] ) MY
TEE?4 ,I BIT "? H] L>YNX4 ,%E WD D NO M
SCR1M+ =A :ILE4 ,& ,I BROKE H] NECK--OR
TRI$ TO4 ,I WASN'T SURE :E!R ,I MANAG$ X
OR N 2C ,I LO/ 3SCI\S;S 2F ! WOR/   #EEG
( MY [N PA9 CD CAT* UP ) ME4
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LIKA# FAMILY1 B X SEEMS T !Y >E1    #EFD
0_! [N /&>DS1 AN HONORA# "O4 ,SOPHIA
,DAHLMAN IS ! OLDE/ ( !M N[1 & %E'S GIV5
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G"O4 ,I CDN'T BR+ ANY"O BACK1 N EV5 MYF4
,I CD ONLY LE>N :AT ,I CD AB ! ,9A1 AB
MY FAMILIES4 ,I WD RE/ORE :AT CD 2 RE-
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  8,ALL ! ,C\NCIL MEMB]S H G"O HOME10
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AF Y'VE /RAI<T5$ \ YR P>5TS' AF-    #EFE
FAIRS & TALK$ 6,!ODORA'S FAMILY4 ,JOAN
SAYS IF Y'RE GO+ 6SURVIVE ON YR [N1 Y'LL
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"S"D40
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               AB ! AU?OR           #EFG

  ,OCTAVIA ,E4 ,BUTL] IS ! AU?OR ( F\R-
TE5 BOOKS1 9CLUD+ ! NOVELS .,K9DR$1
,DAWN1 & ..,P>A# (! .,S[]1 & "O COLLEC;N
( %ORT FIC;N1 ..,BLOOD*ILD & ,O!R .,/O-
RIES4 ,RECIPI5T (A ,MAC,>?UR ,F.D,N
8G5IUS0 GRANT1 ! ,HUGO & ,NEBULA ,AW>DS1
A LIFE"T A*IEVE;T AW>D 9 WRIT+ F ,,PEN1
& NUM]\S O!R LIT]>Y AW>DS1 ,MS4 ,BUTL]
IS WIDELY A3LAIM$ = H] L1N PROSE1 /R;G
PROTAGONI/S1 & SOCIAL OBS]V,NS T RANGE F
! 4TANT PA/ 6! F> FUTURE4












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