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                  ,,VI               #IG

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HM4










                 ,,VII              #AAA

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ON ,PUGET ,S.D1 )! SUN REFLECT+ (F !
WAVES &! M.TA9S HOV]+ L 2NEVOL5T _SS 9 !
BACKGR.D4 ,HE 0 TW5TY-?REE !N1 SIX YE>S
AF HE'D LEFT HOME :5 A FI<T ) 8 "F _H
GOTT5 \ ( H&4 ,HE'D BE5 RID+ ! RAILS =
YE>S1 _H PICK$ FRUIT 9 ,CALI=NIA & SE5 !
B[ELS (! E>? 9 ! ,MONTANA M9ES1 _H BE5
B1T5 UP 0RAILROAD BULLS :O ?"\ HE 0 AT
WOR/ A ,WO2LY OR AT BE/ ANO!R BUM -E TO
RU9 _! T[NS4
  ,N L;G AF L1V+ 8 FAMILY 9 ,KANSAS1
HE'D FALL5 9 )A FRLY BUN* :O TAU<T HM H[
6BUM RIDES ON ! TRA91 H[ 6AVOID ! RAIL-
ROAD BULLS &! T[N COPS1 H[ 6F9D \ ": !
NEXT JOB 0 & H[ 6GET "!4 ,TAU<T HM : JOB
%>KS Y CD TRU/ & : WD ONLY TAKE YR M"OY
& !N DRIVE Y 6"S GOD=SAK5 FIELD ": "! 0
NO JOB AT ALL1 J A H&;L ( O!R B9DLE /I6S
:O'D BE5 %AK5 D[N4 ,TAU<T HM H[     #AAC
6HIDE YR M"OY :5 Y SLEPT ON A TRA9 C>1
H[ 6PROTECT YRF 9 A FLOPH\SE1 H[ 6KEEP !
B$BUGS F GETT+ 6^? PLACES Y RE,Y DIDN'T
WANT !M4 ,AF ONLY A C\PLE YE>S1 X 0 Z IF
,GRAHAM _H BE5 DO+ ? ALL 8 LIFE1 & SOON
HE 0 ! "O T1*+ ! "Y] RUNAWAYS & R\/ABS1
%[+ !M H[ 6SURVIVE1 H[ 6TAKE ! PUN*ES &
KEEP ON WALK+1 GR9N+ ALL ! :ILE4
  ,B ! ROM.E WORE (F FA/1 Z ! BOSSES GOT
M1N]1 ! PAY GOT L\SI]1 &! FOOD AT ! "W
CAMPS GOT WORSE4 ,GRAHAM REMEMB]$ ! "T
HE RAN \ ( ,SPOKANE AF A /RIKE GOT UGLY1
REMEMB]$ SITT+ ON ! TRA9 Z ! SUN 0 RIS+
OV] ! ,SAWTOO? ,M.TA9S1 ! AIR BRAC+LY
COLD & S CL1N4 ,HE REMEMB]$ SITT+ "! &
TAK+ 9 ALL ! B1UTY T ,GOD _H LAID \ 2F
HM & WOND]+ J :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE DO+ 9
X4 ,SURELY HE _H A PURPOSE1 A R1SON =
EXI/+ 9 A PLACE Z MA45+LY B1UTI;L Z ?1 B
:AT8 ,8 LIFE _H BE5 A S]IES ( RESPONSES
& REAC;NS1 NO?+ M4 ,HE'D HE> AB A JOB &
TAKE X4 ,HE'D GET "S JACK & SP5D X4 ,A
/RIKE WD HIT ! T[N & HE'D L1VE4 ,"S-
BODY'D CALL HM A "N & HE'D ?R[ A PUN*4
  ,UNTIL ,EV]ETT4 ,! PLAYGR.D (     #AAD
SECOND-TI] TIMB] B>ONS :O ?"\ !Y 7 9DUS-
TRIAL MAGNATES (! HI<E/ ORD]1 ,EV]ETT 0
A QKLY GR[+ T[N ) NO %ORTAGE ( JOBS4 ,"T
_H PASS$ 9 AN ALM S1SON.S BLUR4 ,AF A
YE> OR S1 ,GRAHAM'S BU4Y ,MATT TOLD HM
H[ HE CD MAKE M IF HE "W$ 9 A %+LE-W1V+
PLANT2 ,MATT CD PUT 9 A GD ^W )! =EMAN &
T1* HM H[ 6D ! "W )\T LOS+ A F+] OR TWO4
,GRAHAM 0 DESP]ATE 6CR1TE "S?+ -PLETELY
8 [N1 & SAV+ "S M"OY WD 2 EXACTLY T4 ,S
HE MADE ! SWIT* 6SAWY]1 B X 0 H>D] "W1 9
XS WAY4 ,R ?AN LIV+ \ 9 ! WOODS 2N ! P]-
SI/5T RA9S & L1N+ 9 6HIS 5D (A CROSSCUT
SAW1 ,GRAHAM 0 HUN*$ 9 A /U6Y BUILD+ MA-
NIPULAT+ PIECES ( WOOD "? ^? T]RIFY+ MA-
*9ES4 ,"S "DS HE MANN$ ! TALL GANG SAWS
^: V]TICAL BLADES 9GE/$ FAT LOGS & SPAT
!M \ Z P]FECT /RIPS ( WD1 & O!R "DS HE
NAVIGAT$ ! B& SAWS1 L;G W9D+ /RIPS (
METAL ?9 Z RI2ON B TOPP$ ) /EEL TEE? T
CUT ! /RIPS D[N FUR!R4 ,J KEEP ^? TEE?
AWAY1 HE'D ?9K1 :ILE 9HAL+ ALL T SAWDU/
& GETT+ X 9 8 EYES & SQU9T+ & WANT+ 6RUB
!M CL1N B RESI/+ 2C "O FALSE MOVE WD
M1N--                               #AAE
  ,LOS+ A F+]4 ,"O "D HE'D BE5 SEIZ$ 0A
DU/-9DUC$ C\<+ FIT S VIOL5T T 8 LEFT >M
FLEW \ ": HE KNEW DAMN WELL N 6LET X G1
& :5 8 H& CAME BACK1 X _H ONLY ?REE F+]S
&! ?UMB4 ,X WASN'T EV5 HIS--X 0 "S"O
ELSE'S1 "S ODD MIS%AP5 ?+1 ! LA/ KNUCKLE
LOOK+ S WEIRDLY PROM95T4 ,& !N ! KNUCKLE
SPURT$ AN EXPLO.N ( R$ L "S ,CASCADE
VOLCANO ERUPT+ 6HIDE\S LIFE1 &! R$ RAN
D[N ! RE/ (! H& & HE F9,Y RECOGNIZ$ X--
GD ,"L1 T IS MY H&1 & "! A9'T NO P9KIE4
  ,! MAN NEXT 6HM1 :O %D H BE5 3C5TRAT+
ON 8 [N "W & 0 LUCKY HE DIDN'T LOSE ANY
F+]S ( 8 [N1 LOOK$ UP & %\T$ "S?+ ,GRA-
HAM DIDN'T HE>4 ,MATT CAME OV] F 8 USUAL
/,N1 WRAPP$ A RAG >.D ,GRAHAM'S H&1 &
TOOK HM 6SEE ! DOCTOR4 ,MATT 0 SAY+ ?+S
T ,GRAHAM CDN'T HE>--HE'D %UT D[N S T 8
BODY CD 3C5TRATE ON ! FEEL+ ( %U4]+ PA91
WAVES ( PA91 AN 5TIRE HIDE\S UNIV]SE (
PA9 T SUCK$ XF ?9 & JAMM$ XF 96! T9Y
HOLE T 8 F+] _H LEFT 2H4 ,! PA9 CUT "? 8
H&1 8 >M1 X MADE 8 %\LD] ?ROB & 8 BACK
A*E4 ,! DOCTOR HIT HM ) "S MORPH9E &
F9,Y HE CD ?9K1 CD GET 2Y !         #AAF
/RICTLY ANIMAL 9/9CTS 6: 8 M9D _H 2COME
SUBORD9AT$4 ,HE 3C5TRAT$ ON BR1?+ :ILE !
DOC SEW$ HM UP & TOLD HM H[ 6TAKE C>E (!
W.D & :AT 6EXPECT F 8 NEW1 ?REE-F+]$ H&4
  8,? HAPP5S A LOT1 HUH80 ,GRAHAM _H
ASK$4 ,X 0 ! F/ ?+ HE'D SD S9CE ! F+]
FLEW (F4
  8,6%+LE W1V]S8 ,Y1H40 ,! DOC1 AN OLD]
GUY :O _H SEWN %UT C.T.S GAP+ KNUCKLES1
FIDGET$ ) 8 GLASSES4 8,H[ L;G Y BE5 ON !
JOB80
  8,F\R MON?S40
  ,! DOC NO4$4 8,USU,Y HAPP5S SOON] ?AN
!N4 ,LAW ( AV]AGES CAT*ES UP 6Y EV5TUAL-
LY40
  ,GRAHAM DIDN'T "K :AT ! LAW ( AV]AGES
WAS1 B HE DIDN'T L H[ ! DOC 0 TR1T+ HM Z
IF ! A3ID5T 7 "S?+ HE DES]V$4 ,MAYBE X 0
J ! MORPH9E4 ,NO?+ SEEM$ Q "R1 N ! TOO-
:ITE PALLOR (! DOC'S SK9 OR ! TOO-D>K
9DIGO (! MID"D SKY 2Y ! W9D[S OR ! LACK
( FEEL+ 2Y ,GRAHAM'S LEFT WRI/4
  ,! DOC TOLD ,GRAHAM :AT HE [$4 ,X 0
R\<LY TWO WEEKS' PAY1 : 0 M ?AN HE _H4
,GRAHAM /UTT]$ A BIT1 B ! DOC _H    #AAG
HE>D ? 2F & CUT HM (F4 8,H[ M* C Y PAY
AT ! 5D (! MON?80
  ,!Y "W$ \ A D1L1 A PAY;T PLAN ON ! F+]
,GRAHAM NO L;G] _H4 ,) T SETTL$1 ,GRAHAM
BADE ! DOCTOR GD "D & H1D$ \TSIDE4
  ,! DOC'S H\SE 0 ON A PAV$ ROAD N F> F
! C5T] ( T[N1 J A FEW BLOCKS AWAY F !
R[DY SALOONS T _H BE5 ! FOCAL PO9T (A
T[N \TCRY A FEW YE>S E>LI]1 OR S ,GRAHAM
_H BE5 TOLD4 ,:AT Y NE$ IS A DR9K1 ,GRA-
HAM TOLD HMF1 B HE KNEW HE NE$$ 6G BACK
6! MILL & EXPLA9 HMF4 ,F9D \ H[ M* PAY
HE 0 GO+ 6BE DOCK$ = L1V+ E>LY4
  8,H['S YR H&80 "S"O ASK$4
  ,HE TURN$ >.D & F.D HMF FACE-TO-FACE )
A WOMAN ^: />E CD H KNOCK$ D[N A FEW
TREES2 AL? %E LOOK$ L %E'D SKIPP$ "O M1L
TOO _M1 %E SEEM$ HUGE 9 _S4 ,%E _H L;G
SOOT-BLACK HAIR T CURL$ 9 ! 3/ANT MI/S (
,WA%+TON1 & %E WORE A L;G SKIRT1 A GRAY
FLANNEL %IRT1 & D>K BOOTS--A MASCUL9E
\TFIT =A WOMAN1 "PICUL>LY "O Z B1UTI;L Z
%E4
  8,H['S MY H&80 ,GRAHAM REP1T$ H] "Q1
UNSURE H[ 6RESPOND4 ,HE LIFT$ 8     #AAH
>M A BIT1 Z IF 64PLAY ! B&AGE4 8,X'S A
LL BIT SMALL] ?AN X 0 ? MORN+40
  8,!Y'VE BE5 MAK+ Y "W FA/] LATELY1
HUH80
  8,GUESS S40
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,MIRACLE Y / H N9E
F+]S40
  ,!Y GOT 6TALK+1 ,GRAHAM IMPRESS$ )!
FACT T %E _H 9ITIAT$ A 3V]S,N )A MAN %E
DIDN'T "K1 A FAIRLY BOLD ?+ =A WOMAN 6D4
,& HE 0 GLAD %E'D D"O X1 GIV+ HM P]MIS.N
6/UDY T FACE1 6TALK 6A WOMAN HE DIDN'T H
6PAY1 A WOMAN :O SEEM$ 6TAKE "S 9T]E/ 9
HM4 ,X MADE HM FEEL (F BAL.E1 AT F/1 B
MAYBE T 0 J ! MORPH9E4
  8,Y'RE N A MEMB]1 >E Y80 %E ASK$4 8,Y
DON'T H A R$ C>D80
  ,GRAHAM HELD 8 T;GUE =A MO;T1 ! TW9
BODYGU>DS ( CAU;N & SELF-PRES]V,N KEEP+
HM SIL5T4 ,HE DID N H A R$ C>D1 B EV5 !
SUBJECT ( ,WO2LIES 0 S TABOO T HE 0 RE-
LUCTANT 64CUSS X )A /RANG]1 ALBEIT AN
ATTRACTIVE FEMALE "O4
  ,TURN$ \ %E 0 A ,WO2LY H]F & _H >RIV$
9 T[N ONLY A FEW "DS AGO F ,*ICA-   #AAI
GO4 ,"! _H BE5 RUMORS (A PLANN$ G5]AL
/RIKE =A C\PLE ( WEEKS2 ! MILL [N]S _H
ANN\NC$ PAY CUTS &! UNIONS 7 N PL1S$4
,GRAHAM KNEW ALL ? B _H BE5 DO+ 8 BE/ TO
IGNORE X4 ,HE HAT$ ! MILL [N]S Z M* Z
ANY"O1 HE FIGUR$1 B E "T A /RIKE FL>$
UP1 HE LO/ "EY?+ HE _H & EV5TU,Y _H TO
PULL UP /AKES & MOVE 6A NEW JOB 9 A NEW
/ATE4 ,HE LIK$ ,EV]ETT--HE LIK$ ! NEI<-
BORHOODS ( FAMILY H\SES &! KIDS RUNN+
>.D AF S*OOL1 HE LIK$ 2+ A "P (! >MADA (
M5 H1D+ 6! MILL 9 ! MORN+ Z ! SUN ROSE
2F !M1 SL[LY ILLUM9AT+ ! TOPS (! TALL
TREES T LOOM$ ABV E ROAD1 CAPP+ !M ) HA-
LOS ( LI<T4 ,? 0 A PLACE ": HE CD /AY4
,HE _HN'T "W$ \ ! MA? YET1 B HE FIGUR$ )
! HI<] PAY HE'D BE5 GETT+ Z A %+LE W1V]1
HE MI<T 2 A# 6SAVE 5 6GET 8 [N PLACE4
,MAYBE GET M>RI$ & />T A FAMILY4
  ,GRAHAM SD Z M* 6HIS TOO?"S 9QUISITOR1
SKIPP+ ! "P AB M>RIAGE4
  8,S Y WANT 6KEEP SLAV+ AWAY TILL Y
DON'T H ANY F+]S LEFT80 %E ASK$4
  ,HE LOOK$ AT 8 "R H&--!N & H;E=? "KN Z
8 GD H&--& EXT5D$ 8 F+]S4 ,!N HE    #ABJ
LOOK$ H] 9 ! EYE & SD1 8,I J WANT 6KEEP
! O!R N9E40
  ,%E R1*$ \ & H&$ HM A PAMPHLET4 8,IF Y
*ANGE YR M9D1 ? TELLS Y :5 WE'RE MEET+
NEXT4 ,MAYBE WE C HELP Y HOLD ON 6:AT
Y'VE / GOT40 ,%E SMIL$ :5 %E SD T1 =! F/
"T4
  8,:AT'S YR "N80 HE ASK$4 ,%E SD X 0
,TAM>A4 ,HE TOLD H] 8 "N & ?ANK$ H] =!
PAMPHLET1 & %E NO4$ & WALK$ AWAY1 6"S-
PLACE IMPORTANT1 JUDG+ F ! SPE$ ( H]
/EPS &! 3FID;E ( H] /RIDE4
  ,X 0 WOR? LOS+ A F+] 6MEET H]4 ,HE'D
LOSE ANO!R "O IF T 0 :AT X TOOK 6SEE H]
AG4

  ,S X 0 NEI POLITICAL NOR ECONOMIC MO-
TIVES T 9SPIR$ ,GRAHAM 6ATT5D 8 F/ (FI-
CIAL MEET+ (! ,9DU/RIAL ,"W]S (! ,_W4 ,Z
HE SAT 9 ! CR[D1 LI/5+ 6! SP1K]S--"S (
:OM 7 F ,EV]ETT B _M ( :OM 7 F ,*ICAGO &
O!R 4TANT LOCALES1 REBELS IMPORT$ F !
SITES ( _M A CLA% 2T "W] & [N]--HE FIX$
8 EYES MO/LY ON ,TAM>A1 UNTIL %E LOOK$
BACK AT HM & HE SWIT*$ 8 GAZE 6!    #ABA
FLOOR1 8 *EEKS R$D5+4 ,X TOOK A C\PLE (
M9UTES = HM 6"W UP ! N]VE 6LOOK AT H]
AG4 ,_H HE ACTU,Y BLU%$8 ,HE 0 A MAN :O
_H FELL$ TREES & EV5 BI7] M51 & HE 0
BLU%+ 2C HE _H LOOK$ AT "S LADY :O
DRESS$ L A FEMALE LUMB]JACK8 ,HE PUT 8
LEFT FI/ 9SIDE 8 O!R H&1 MASSAG+ !
KNUCKLES4
  ,HE 0 N]V\S :5 HE WALK$ UP 6H] AFW &
TOLD H] HE 0 BUY+ T R$ C>D1 & !Y TALK$ M
AB ! POSSIBIL;Y (A G5]AL /RIKE & :AT X
MI<T D 6! T[N4 ,HE 0 N]V\S :5 HE ASK$ TO
WALK H] HOME2 %E DECL9$ 2C %E'D -E )
FRS1 B ?ANK$ HM J ! SAME4 ,& HE 0 N]V\S
AT ! NEXT MEET+ :5 ! SITU,N PRETTY M*
REP1T$ XF1 EXCEPT ? "T %E A3EPT$ 8 9VI-
T,N4
  ,B /RANGELY1 ,GRAHAM WASN'T N]V\S ! F/
"T HE KISS$ H]--ON ! *EEK1 AF ! ?IRD
WALK HOME--MAYBE 2C N]VES "K :5 "S?+ IS
"R4 ,HE _H F9,Y FIGUR$ \ :AT X 0 HE'D
BE5 RUNN+ F1 OR RUNN+ TO4
  ,ANY HOPE =A NORMAL C\RT%IP1 H["E1 0
?W>T$ 0! /RIKE T -M;ED TWO WEEKS 9TO
,GRAHAM'S LIFE Z A N9E-F+]$ MAN4    #ABB
,& :AT A /RIKE X WAS--NE>LY E MILL 9 T[N
HALT$1 ! SAWS /ILL$ &! TREES /&+ PR\D &
TALL Z IF P]FECTLY 3FID5T T N ANO!R
,D\GLAS FIR )9 ! T[N'S BORD]S WD "E FALL
AG4 ,& ALL ! M5 ON ! /REETS1 M5 9 L9ES1
M5 HOLD+ SIGNS1 M5 %\T+4 ,& EV5TU,Y M5
FI<T+3 /RIK]S FI<T+ ) SCABS &) /RIKE-
BR1K]S1 /RIK]S ) NO A35T FI<T+ /RIK]S )
?ICK A35TS1 COPS FI<T+ /RIK]S4 ,SURR.D+
!M4
  ,GRAHAM'S SCANT SAV+S 7 NE> EXT9C;N :5
! VIOL;E ESCALAT$4 ,%]IFF ,MC,RAE _H
/>T$ HIR+ ?UGS :O 7 FRLY 6! ,-M]CIAL
,CLUB1 ! MILL [N]S :O WANT$ 6SEE ! /RIKE
BROK5 &! \TSIDE AGITATORS S5T BACK F :;E
!Y'D -E4 ,/RIK]S L ,GRAHAM SOON LE>N$ :
/REET CORN]S 6AVOID AF D>K & H[ 6/E]
CLE> ( ANY MAN :O WORE A H&K]*IEF TI$
>.D 8 =E>M--! M>K ( ,MC,RAE'S VIGILAN-
TES1 :O WORE !M S ! R1L COPS WD "K :O 0
:O :5 FI<TS BROKE \4 ,GRAHAM HE>D AB H[
! COPS 7 GO+ 6/>T >RE/+ ANY"O :O GAVE A
PUBLIC SPEE*1 : MADE HM ?9K ( ,TAM>A1
:O'D TAK5 6DO+ EXACTLY T4
  8,X A9'T WOR? X10 HE TOLD H]4     #ABC
8,!Y'LL >RE/ Y1 & !N ,"L ONLY "KS :AT
!Y'LL D40 ,HE ALM A4$1 ,I A9'T GO+ 6LET
NO WOMAN ( M9E 2 MANH&L$ 0A BUN* ( L\SY
COPS1 B HE KNEW N 6SAY T4 ,%E 0 ONLY J
B>ELY 8HIS WOMAN10 & %E 0 N ! TYPE :O
LIK$ 6?9K ( X T WAY4
  ,Z HE'D EXPECT$1 %E 0 DEFIANT4 8,!Y
C'T >RE/ ME J = TALK+1 & IF !Y D1 S 2
X40 ,%E TOLD HM AB H] IDOL ,ELIZABE?
,GURLEY ,FLYNN1 ! ORIG9AL ,REBEL ,GIRL &
DOY5NE ( 8! CAUSE40 ,GURLEY ,FLYNN _H
BE5 PUT 9 JAIL M "TS ?AN Y CD C.T1 ,TAM-
>A SD1 B %E N"E GAVE UP ! FI<T4 ,TAM>A
PR\DLY DCLD H]F A REBEL GIRL Z WELL1 S
BR+ ON ! COPS4
  ,GRAHAM _H 6ADMIRE H] FIRE1 B HE WON-
D]$ :AT ? $UCAT$ ,*ICAGO WOMAN--%E'D BE5
9 COLLEGE :5 %E F/ JO9$ ! ,WO2LIES1 %E
TOLD HM--RE,Y KNEW AB ANY?+4 ,%E TALK$ A
GD TALK1 & %E SURE Z HELL N"E ACT$ SC>$1
B J 6BE SURE1 ,GRAHAM TAIL$ H] 6! /REET
CORN] ": %E'D TOLD HM %E'D GIVE H] SPEE*
T NI<T4 ,X 0 D>K & ANY?+ B QUIET--P 7
MILL+ ALL >.D1 *ATT] T EXPLOD$ 96LAU<T]
N[ & !N B ALW HI<LY *>G$--:5 !      #ABD
SPEE*ES F9,Y />T$4 ,F/ X 0 A HULK+ FELL[
)A ?ICK BE>D & "S A35T ,GRAHAM FIGUR$ 0
,HUNG>IAN4 ,AF ! FELL['S F9AL FI/-%AK+
EXHORT,NS1 ,TAM>A TOOK 6! PULPIT4
  ,%E />T$ TELL+ !M AB A REC5T /RIKE 9
,NEW ,J]SEY & H[ ?+S _H LOOK$ BL1K B
"EY"O _H /UCK TGR4 ,!Y _H REFUS$ 6SUBMIT
6A FEW M5 9 BACK ROOMS :O 3TROLL$ "EY?+1
& S W WE1 %E SD4 ,! APPLAUSE 0 S L\D T X
ALM -PLETELY %R\D$ ! S.D ( ,MC,RAE'S
GOONS MOV+ 9 F ! $GE (! /REET & SW++ _!
UNIMPRESS$ CLUBS4 ,!N ! APPLAUSE 0 G"O &
ALL T CD 2 HE>D 7 ! S.DS ( FI<T+1 (
DROPP$ BOTTLES POPP+ :5 !Y HIT ! GR.D1 (
B"OS BR1K+ & FEET /OMP+ & KICK+1 VOICES
%\T+ & CRY+ & GRUNT+ 9 AN "E-TI<T5+ MASS
( 5RAG$ HUMAN;Y4 ,GRAHAM PU%$ "S FOLKS \
( 8 WAY & H1D$ =! MAKE%IFT /AGE1 ": HE
GRA2$ ,TAM>A 0! WRI/S & PULL$ H] "? !
CR[D4 ,AN >M )A H&K]*IEF TI$ >.D X GOT
PRETTY CLOSE 6!M1 B ,GRAHAM JA2$ A FI/
96! MAN'S NOSE &! GOON DROPP$ BACK4 ,9 A
FEW FRANTIC SECONDS !Y'D ESCAP$ N ONLY !
MELEE B AL ! NOTICE (! COPS :O 7 /&+ 2Y
! CR[D1 SUPPOS$LY 6>RE/ ANY"O :O    #ABE
TRI$ 6ESCAPE4
  8,? HAPP5 9 ,NEW ,J]SEY1 TOO80 ,GRAHAM
ASK$ AF !Y'D WALK$ A C\PLE ( BLOCKS1
H1D+ 9 ! DIREC;N (! ROOM+ H\SE ": %E
BO>D$4
  8,PROBABLY40
  8,PROBABLY8 ,Y W]5'T "!80
  ,%E LOOK$ AWAY1 EMB>RASS$4 8,X 0 ?REE
YE>S AGO4 ,I 0 ONLY SEV5TE540
  8,? 0ANY *.E YR F/ /RIKE80
  ,%E ANSW]$ ! SIL;E4
  8,WELL1 X A9'T M9E1 & N "O ( 'EM T
,I'VE BE5 >.D HAS 5D$ WELL40
  8,!N Y'VE BE5 >.D ! WR;G "OS40
  ,HE LAU<$ S(TLY4 8,I DON'T ?9K ,I'VE
"E MET ANY"O Z SURE ( H]F Z Y >E40
  ,%E GRA2$ 8 H&1 HELD X4 8,I WASN'T S
SURE ( MYF ONCE ! COPS CAME4 ,?ANK Y =
-+ 6GET ME40
  ,? 0 AN OPPORTUN;Y = HM 6SAY "S?+ RO-
MANTIC1 6C\RT H] 0TELL+ H] X WD TAKE M
?AN A FEW COPS 6KEEP HM F H]4 ,B HE 0
UNSURE H[ %E'D REACT1 S HE KEPT WALK+4
  8,WE'LL W9 ?10 %E SD4 8,I "K X4 ,! M P
!Y >RE/1 ! M WE'LL S5D IN40         #ABF
  ,GRAHAM NO4$4 ,HE / WASN'T US$ 6H] P5-
*ANT = US+ 8WE10 H] 3/ANT & ASSUR$ FEEL+
( 2+ "P ( "S GRT & UPLIFT+ :OLE4
  ,!Y 7 AT ! FRONT DOOR 6! BO>D+H\SE4 ,!
K9DLY OLD LADY :O [N$ X _H NO IDEA ,TAM-
>A 0 9VOLV$ ) ^? AW;L ,WO2LIES1 & IF %E
_H1 ,TAM>A WD H BE5 \ ON ! /REET 9 A M9-
UTE4 ,NOR WD ! OLD LADY ALL[ A MAN 6VIS-
IT "O ( H] BO>D]S 9 H] ROOMS4 ,GRAHAM
WOND]$ IF "S"T HE %D PROPOSE WALK+ ,TAM-
>A BACK 6HIS PLACE 9/1D1 OR IF T WD 2
TOO =W>D4
  8,Y "E ?9K AB :AT'LL HAPP5 AF !
/RIKE80 HE ASK$4
  8,Y M1N IF WE W980
  8,I M1N EI WAY40 ,HE 0 TRY+ 6ACT NON-
*ALANT B F9D+ X IMPOSSI#4
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM CLOSELY4 ,HE N"E /UDI$
ANY?+--ESPECI,Y N H]--L T4 ,HE'D ONLY _H
6LOOK AT H] ONCE & HE'D "KN ALL HE NE$$
TO4
  ,!N %E SMIL$ SLI<TLY1 L %E _H ! F/ "T
!Y'D MET4 8,I WOND] :AT X IS Y'RE RE,Y
ASK+ ME40
  ,HE CDN'T HELP SMIL+ BACK1 EI \   #ABG
( EMB>RASS;T OR HAPPI;S OR EXCITE;T1 HE
WASN'T SURE4 8,DOES A REBEL GIRL J FOLL[
! CAUSE 6! NEXT /RIKE8 ,Y (F 6,*EY5NE OR
,COEUR D',AL5E OR ,WALLA ,WALLA NEXT80
  8,I HAV5'T ?"\ T F> AH1D40 ,/ SMIL+4
  8,I US$ 6BE L T40
  8,!N :AT80
  8,I GOT SM>T]4 ,& ,I MET "S"O40
  ,%E'D ONLY LET HM KISS H] ON ! *EEK
2F1 B T NI<T %E L1N$ T[>D HM Z IF GIV+
P]MIS.N = M1 6D :AT HE'D BE5 ?9K+ AB
DAMN NE> 3/ANTLY = "DS4 ,!Y KISS$ =A
L;G] "T ?AN 0 PROP] = TWO P /&+ 2N "O (!
FEW /REETLI<TS ON T SIDE ( T[N4 ,HE HELD
H] & 0 AMAZ$ AT H[ FRAGILE %E FELT1 DE-
SPITE ! /EEL 9 H] EYES & H] VOICE & H]
PO/URE4 ,DESPITE 8 HAPPI;S1 HE ?"\ H[
VULN]A# %E WAS4 ,& H[ VULN]A# HE WAS1 TO
H "S?+ 9 8 LIFE O!R ?AN HMF T HE NE$$ TO
WORRY AB1 & PROTECT4

  ,! VIOL;E GOT WORSE1 & FA/4 ,! NI<T AF
! COPS DRA7$ A GR\P ( /RIK]S 6SECLUD$
,B"ELY ,P>K & B1T !M NE>LY 6D1?1 ,TAM>A
TOLD ,GRAHAM T ! ,,IWW (FICE        #ABH
WANT$ 6S5D H] D[N 6,S1TTLE 6MEET )! LO-
CAL *APT] & RECRUIT M P 6,EV]ETT4 ,T
S.D$ L A SAF] IDEA ?AN W&]+ >.D ! VIOL5T
/REETS ( ,EV]ETT1 & ,GRAHAM 9VIT$ HMF
AL;G4
  ,) "S ( 8 FEW REMA9+ CO9S1 HE PD = F]-
RY TICKETS4 ,A MIDWE/]N BOY :O'D SP5T
ALL 8 ADULT LIFE 9 ! M.TA9 /ATES1 HE'D
R>ELY BE5 ON A BOAT1 & HE DIDN'T "K H[
6SWIM4 ,Z A /ORM MOV$ T[>D !M1 ! *OP (!
WAVES 9CR1S$4 ,0! "T !Y NE>$ ,S1TTLE1 !
SKIES _H OP5$ & X 0 P\R+--! ,S.D AN 9F9-
;Y ( LIQUID EXPLO.NS--&! BOAT 0 PIT*+ F
SIDE 6SIDE4 ,! MO;T !Y GOT (F1 ,GRAHAM
LET \ A L;G1 SL[ BR1? & TRI$ 6/1DY HMF4
,HE 0 N LOOK+ =W>D 6! RIDE HOME4
  ,TAM>A1 :O _H APP>5TLY BE5 ON _M A
BOAT1 N ONLY 9 ,LAKE ,MI*IGAN B AL ON !
,ATLANTIC1 Z %E _H FAMILY 9 ,BO/ON &
,NEW ,YORK1 0 GD 5 N 6T1SE HM4 ,9/1D %E
TOLD HM M AB H] FAMILY1 H[ %E 0 ! "YE/ (
FIVE SI/]S & _H TWELVE NIECES & NEPHEWS
) M SURELY ON ! WAY4 ,%E LOV$ & MISS$ H]
P>5TS1 B ! CAUSE 0 WOR? ! PHYSICAL 4T.E
2T H]F & H] FAMILY4 ,GRAHAM _H      #ABI
NO4$ 6ALL ?1 SECRETLY WOND]+ IF "O "D HE
WD MEET ? LAWY] "F & W>MHE>T$ "M1 ? GAG-
GLE ( SI/]S & BRO!RS-IN-LAW ) _! ,*ICAGO
& ,NEW ,YORK A35TS1 _! />*$ %IRTS & FAN-
CY CIG>S4
  ,? 0 :AT HE WANT$4 ,N NECESS>ILY !
FAMILY & _! UNIMAG9A# /RANGE;S1 B ! -=T
( SITT+ 2S ,TAM>A & "K+ %E WANT$ 6BE )
HM4 ,HE WD CR1TE A HAV5 =! TWO ( !M1
C>VE A BETT] EXI/;E \ (! /RANGE L& HE'D
BE5 W&]+ "?1 CR1TE A M B1UTI;L & REW>D+
_W ?AN ! "O !Y'D "KN4
  ,9 ,S1TTLE ! RA9 3T9U$ 6P\R D[N1 ! C;Y
Z GRAY & =BI4+ Z A M$IEVAL =TRESS4 ,"S
,WO2LIES MET !M AT ! DOCKS & ESCORT$ !M
6A RATTY (FICE LOCAT$ 2T ! %IPY>DS & "S
PAP] MILLS4 ,ALL "D X 0 3V]S,N & /RATE-
GIZ+ AB COPS & JAILS1 LAWY]S :O'D HELP$
\ AT PA/ /RIKES1 & H[ _M FOLKS CD 2 RE-
CRUIT$ F ,S1TTLE 6-E NOR?4 ,GRAHAM TRI$
6MAKE HMF HELP;L1 B MO/LY HE FELT L A
LABOR] TRANSPORT$ 6A FACTORY UNLIKE ANY
HE'D "E SE51 A REVOLU;N FACTORY4
  ,AT SIX O'C ,TAM>A TOLD HM !Y'D NE$ TO
/AY TILL TM1 T DOZ5S ( FOLKS 7 2+   #ACJ
R.D$ UP & !Y'D ALL H1D BACK 6,EV]ETT !
FOLL[+ AFN4 ,"O (! ,WO2LIES _H A ROOM !Y
CD USE1 ,TAM>A SD4 .,A ROOM4
  ,! ,WO2LY1 A ?9 R$H1D$ GUY "ND ,SAM1 )
A SIMIL>LY R$H1D$ WIFE1 LIV$ 9 A SMALL
PLACE 9 ! EA/]N "P ( T[N4 ,!Y MADE SUPP]
= ,GRAHAM & ,TAM>A & TALK$ AB ! LABOR
SITU,N 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,ALL EV5+ ,GRAHAM
CDN'T /OP ?9K+ AB %>+ A B$ROOM ) ,TAM>A4
,!N ,SAM ANN\NC$ !Y'D BE/ 2 GETT+ "S
%UT-EYE1 Z TM PROMIS$ 6BE A HELLUVA "D4
  ,X 0 ALL S /RANGE1 ,GRAHAM ?"\1 ! WAY
HE & ,TAM>A H1D$ 6! ROOM )\T HAV+ SPOK5
AT ALL AB ! FACT T !Y WD 2 SP5D+ ! NI<T
9 ! SAME B$4 ,!Y J PROCE$$ Z IF ? 7 !
"RE/ ?+ 9 ! _W4 ,& X FELT T WAY4 ,%E
HELD 8 H& Z !Y WALK$ 96! ROOM & Z SOON Z
HE'D %UT ! DOOR %E 0 9 8 >MS1 ! TWO ( !M
KISS+ 2F 8 H& _H REL1S$ ! DOORKNOB4
,GRAHAM 0 3SCI\S (! FACT T HE 0 9 A MO;T
HE WD REMEMB] TILL 8 DY+ "D1 S ) E BR1?
HE 3C5TRAT$ ON MAK+ SURE T 8 FUTURE MEM-
ORIES ( T NI<T WD 2 ="E UNTA9T$4
  ,HE DID N AWAK5 ! NEXT MORN+ ) ,TAM>A
9 8 >MS 2C %E 0 ALR UP & DRESS$4    #ACA
,HE 0 A DEEP SLEEP]1 %E TOLD HM )A
SMILE1 & X 0 "T 6GET GO+4 ,%E KISS$ HM
2F L1V+ ! ROOM S HE CD DRESS 9 PRIVACY1
& ? /RANGE FEEL+ ( FAMILI>;Y DESPITE UN-
FAMILI> CIRCUM/.ES ?RILL$ HM4 ,WAK+ UP
)A WOMAN 9 ! ROOM1 A WOMAN HE'D FALL5 9
LOVE )4 ,HE _HN'T Q ?"\ ? POSSI#1 YET "!
HE WAS4
  ,9 A FEW H\RS !Y 7 BACK AT ! DOCKS1
AL;G ) AB F\R HUNDR$ NEW FRS4 ,! ,,IWW
_H HOP$ =A C\PLE ?\S&1 B ? 0 AN IMPRES-
SIVE NUMB] N"O!.S4 ,TWO /1MBOATS 7 NE$$
6GET !M 6,EV]ETT1 ! .,V]ONA &! .,CALI/A4
,TAM>A & ,GRAHAM &! ,WO2LY R+L1D]S GOT
ON BO>D ! .,V]ONA1 : DE"P$ F/1 & ?\<
,GRAHAM _HN'T BE5 LOOK+ =W>D 62+ ON A
BOAT AG1 HE 0 RELIEV$ 6SEE ! B"R SUN 9 A
P]FECTLY CL\D.S SKY1 ! WAT] LAID \ S
FLAT 2F HM X 0 L A ,KANSAN FIELD1 ! T9I-
E/ ( RIPPLES %IFT+ 9 ! W9D L /ALKS (
CORN4 ,! BOAT RIDE 0 SMOO?1 ?\< S PACK$
) BODIES T X SEEM$ 6ROCK SLI<TLY J F !
,WO2LIES' S++1 : GREW L\D] ) EA* V]SE4
,! .,V]ONA CUT "? ,PUGET ,S.D1 &!
,WO2LIES S]5AD$ ! SURR.D+ ISL&S )   #ACB
_! BATTLE CRIES1 _! HYMNS ( BRO!RHOOD &
TRIUMPH1 _! ODES 6FALL5 L1D]S1 & _! "R-
E\S CALLS =A FUTURE ( UN;Y & P1CE4 ,9 !
4T.E ,M.T ,RA9I] WAT*$ OV] !M L A MILDLY
4APPROV+ ,GOD1 OR S X SEEM$ 6,GRAHAM4 ,B
SOON X &! :>VES & CRANES ( ,S1TTLE FAD$
96! 4T.E4
  ,! AIR OV] ! ,S.D 0 COLD1 B "! 7 S _M
P ON BO>D T FEW CD FEEL X4 ,! BOAT SL[$
Z ,EV]ETT CAME 96VIEW1 ALL ! MILLS SI-
L5T1 ! SKY ABV _! SMOKE/ACKS PURE ) 9AC-
TIV;Y4
  ,B SIL5T ! DOCK WASN'T4 ,Z ! .,V]ONA
PULL$ NE>] 6,PORT ,G>DN] ,BAY1 ,GRAHAM 0
"O (! F/ 6SEE ! CR[D4 ,EV5 M P L9$ !
/REETS &! HILL J 2Y1 LOOK+ D[N AT ! DOCK
&! APPROA*+ BOAT L SPECTATORS AT A BOX+
MAT*4 ,^! ?R;GS 7 N S++1 & ,GRAHAM NO-
TIC$ T Q A FEW ( !M 7 WE>+ H&K]*IEFS ON
_! =E>MS4
  ,! PASS5G]S GREW QUIET1 P]H REMEMB]+
BROK5 NOSES & CUT EYEBR[S SU6]$ AT ! H&S
( ,MC,RAE'S M51 OR SIMIL> ASSAILANTS 9
"S O!R T[N1 DI6]5T FACES B ALW ! SAME
FI/S4 ,! PASS5G]S :O _H KNIVES 9    #ACC
_! POCKETS LET _! H&S SLIP D[N & F+] !
/EEL Z !Y WAT*$ ! SC5E UNFOLD 2F !M4
,WAIT+4
  ,! S;GS />T$ UP AG1 ? "T EV5 L\D] ?AN
2F4 8..,WE MEET TD 9 FREEDOM'S CAUSE &
RAISE \R VOICES HI<6 ,WE'LL JO9 \R H&S 9
UNION /R;G 6BATTLE OR 6.DIE60 ,HE>TS B1T
FA/] Z ! S+]S LOOK$ "O ANO!R 9 ! EYE1
TRY+ 6KEEP !MVS F 2+ 9TIMIDAT$ 0"S TWO-
BIT ?UGS )A BOTTLE ( :ISKEY 9 "O POCKET
&A #.CH 9 ! O!R4
  ,GRAHAM PUT AN >M >.D ,TAM>A & HELD H]
HIP ) 8 GD H&4 ,!Y 7 T[>D ! B[1 ON !
PORT SIDE--! SIDE T 0 L9+ UP AG/ T DOCK
SW>M+ ) M54 ,GRAHAM CDN'T SEE ANY KNIVES
OR CLUBS OR %OVELS OR GUNS ON ! DOCK1 B
T DIDN'T M1N !Y W]5'T "!4
  ,! BOAT PULL$ AL;GSIDE ! DOCK & "O (!
,WO2LIES R1*$ ACR 6TIE X D[N1 B AN
ANGRY-LOOK+ MAN ) DIZZY EYES /EPP$ \ F !
CR[D4 ,X 0 ,%]IFF ,MC,RAE1 ,GRAHAM REC-
OGNIZ$1 &! /ORIES AB HM SEEM$ 6BE TRUE1
Z HE WALK$ )! SLI<TLY /A7]$ %U6LE (!
RAG+ BELLIG]5T DRUNK4
  8,:O'S YR L1D]80 ,MC,RAE DEM&$4   #ACD
  8,WE'RE ALL L1D]S60 A H&;L %\T$ BACK1
VOIC+ "O (! ,,IWW SLOGANS4
  ,GRAHAM L1N$ D[N T[>D ,TAM>A'S E> TO
TELL H] !Y %D TAKE A FEW /EPS BACK1 B 2F
HE CD SP1K1 ,MC,RAE RAIS$ 8 VOICE4
  8,I'M %]IFF ( ? T[N1 & ,I'M 5=C9' \R
LAWS4 ,Y C'T DOCK "H1 S H1D ON BACK
TO--0
  8,! HELL WE C'T60 "S"O %\T$ BACK4
  ,!N A GUN%OT4 ,X TORE "? ! AIR & B\NC$
(F ! / WAT]1 E*O+ "?\T ! H>BOR1 (F 4TANT
ISL&S & NE> 9LETS4 ,"EY"O ON ! BOAT TRI$
6MOVE1 B "! 0 NO": 6G4 ,P SCR1M$ & DUCK$
= COV]1 TRI$ 6TURN >.D1 6ESCAPE4 ,! %OT
E*O$ 5D.SLY4 ,B X WASN'T AN E*O--X 0 M
%OTS1 "S -+ F ! DOCK & "S -+ F ! BOAT4
,:O _H FIR$ F/ 0 Z IMPOSSI# 6DET]M9E Z X
0 IRRELEVANT4 ,2T ! POPP+ S.DS ( %OTS &
RICO*ETS 7 ! H>D SLAPS ( LIMP BODIES
HITT+ ! WAT]1 M5 4APPE>+ 96! DEP?S 2L4
  ,GRAHAM SLIPP$1 :ACK+ 8 KNEE ON ! DECK
& SLID+ =W>D1 S9CE NO "O 0 2T HM &! RAIL
ANYMORE4 ,"EY"O 0 RUNN+ 6! OPPOSITE SIDE
(! BOAT4 ,M5 ON ! DOCK 7 PO9T+ & %\T+ &
SCR1M+ & "S ( !M 7 BR&I%+ GUNS &    #ACE
FIR+ /4
  ,HE R1LIZ$ HE WASN'T HOLD+ ,TAM>A--HE
M/ H LO/ 8 GRIP ON H] 9 ! 9ITIAL TUR-
MOIL4 ,HE LOOK$ 2H HM AT ! ,WO2LIES RUN-
N+ 6! />BO>D SIDE1 LOOK$ = L;G HAIR1 =
^? BLACK COILS1 = ANY?+ REMOTELY FEMALE4
  ,! BOAT />T$ TIPP+4 ,ALL ! WEI<T _H
%IFT$ 6/>BO>D1 & N[ ! PORT SIDE1 ":
,GRAHAM /OOD1 0 LIFT+ 96! AIR4 ,TWO VIG-
ILANTES :O'D _H CLE> %OTS AT HM MISS$ :5
! DECK 2N HM ROSE1 B ,GRAHAM LO/ 8 FOOT+
AG & /UM#D BACK1 SLID+ ON ! WET DECK &
TUMBL+ BACK T[>D ! C[]+ BODIES ON ! F>
SIDE4
  ,! BOAT'S CAPTA91 :O DIDN'T GIVE M* (A
DAMN = EI UNIONS OR MILL [N]S1 />T$ HOL-
L]+ AT !M 64P]SE >.D ! BOAT OR X'D G "U4
,HE TURN$ ! :EEL & HIT ! 5G9ES )A =CE
HE'D N"E 2F D>$1 &! .,V]ONA LUR*$ AWAY F
! DOCK1 A LOPSID$ & BADLY W.D$ ANIMAL
RETR1T+ F PR$ATORS4 ,! ONLY P :O OBEY$ !
CAPTA9'S ORD]S DESPITE ! BULLETS 7 ,GRA-
HAM &A SMALL H&;L ( O!RS HOP+ 6GET A
CLOS] LOOK AT ! WAT]4
  ,! GUNS 7 / FIR+ B 7 M 4TANT      #ACF
N[1 LESS ?R1T5+4 ,GRAHAM L1N$ OV] !
RAIL+ & SCR1M$ = ,TAM>A4 ,0 %E 9 ! WAT]8
,0 %E BACK ON ! O!R SIDE (! BOAT8
  ,BODIES FLOAT$ 2N ! DOCK1 B N"O LOOK$
FEMALE4 ,! WAT] 0 S D>K T ! BLOOD 0 COM-
PLETELY ABSORB$ 96XS DEEP 9DIGO4
  ,"!4 ,OV] "!1 0! DOCK'S F>!/ PYLON4
,L;G D>K HAIR1 SOOT-BLACK4 ,HAIR ,GRAHAM
_H TWI/$ 8 F+]S 9 ! NI<T 2F4 ,B NO1 X CD
2 A WOMAN :O'D BE5 ON ! DOCK1 CD 2 ANY-
"O4
  ,!N A WAVE F ! WAKE (! .,V]ONA'S QK
RETR1T HIT ! BODY1 R\<LY LIFT+ X & TURN+
XS H1D4 ,GRAHAM SCR1M$ :5 HE SAW H]
FACE4
  ,HE PULL$ AT ! RAIL S TI<TLY HE NE>LY
TORE X F ! %IP'S DECK4 ,8 SCR1M E*O$ OV]
! BAY1 OV] ! ,S.D1 OV] E ISL& &) M =CE
?AN ! E>LI] AN!MS4 ,FOLKS F ,EV]ETT :O 7
BLOCKS AWAY F ! WAT] HE>D T SCR1M1 M>-
VEL$ AB X = "DS4 ,HE SCR1M$ S L\DLY !
D1D SURELY HE>D HM1 ,TAM>A SURELY HE>D
HM1 SCR1M$ S L\DLY HE WDN'T H BE5 A# TO
HE> H] ANSW] EV5 IF %E'D _H "O4
  ,!N H] FACE EXPLOD$4 ,TWO GOONS   #ACG
ATOP ! DOCK 7 LAU<+ !MVS HY/]ICAL1 HOOT+
& HOLL]+ & /OMP+ ) GLEE Z !Y FIR$ R.D AF
R.D AT ! BODIES FLOAT+ 9 ! WAT]4 ,!Y %OT
9DISCRIM9ATELY AT E FLOAT+ ?+ 9 HUMAN
=M1 %OOT+ ! BODIES ( ,WO2LIES B AL %OOT+
! O3A.NAL BODY ( AN ,EV]ETT COP OR VIGI-
LANTE1 A BODY :O ONLY MO;TS AGO _H BE5 A
MAN FILL$ ) PRIDE = 8 T[N & HATR$ = ^!
F\LM\!D AGITATORS & _! =EIGN ID1S AB H[
! _W %D 2 RUN4 ,"O OR TWO ( ^? BODIES _H
ACTU,Y / BE5 ALIVE1 B MO/ _H ALR BE5
D1D1 & / ! M5 FIR$ Z IF !Y CD "SH[ MAKE
!M M D1D4
  ,GRAHAM'S SCR1M 0 CUT (F 0? SI<T4 ,8
BR1? TOO FL$--HE /OOD "! GRIPP+ ! RAIL1
WAT*+ 9 MUTE %OCK & RAGE4
  ,! .,V]ONA PULL$ AWAY ) M]CI;L SPE$ &!
SC5E 4SOLV$ 96WA%ES ( GRAY & BLUE )
/R1KS ( R$1 BLURR+ )! 4T.E &) ,GRAHAM'S
TE>S4 ,! S.D (! 5G9E SOON OV]P[]$ T (!
GUN%OTS1 (! BULLETS SLAMM+ 96FLE% & WA-
T]4 ,GRAHAM CRUMPL$ 6! DECK4
  ,_! SAFETY 5SUR$ 04T.E1 ! PASS5G]S ON
! .,V]ONA 2GAN 6FAN \ AG Z ! BOAT H1D$
BACK T[>D ,S1TTLE4 ,W.D$ M5 7       #ACH
T5D$1 ?\< ! D1? TOLL WD 9CR1SE 0! "T !Y
MADE L&FALL4 ,"! 7 M5 ) BROK5 B"OS1 M5
:O'D SLIPP$ OR BE5 CRU%$ Z !Y'D FL$ !
PA? (! BULLETS4 ,& "! 7 M51 _! EYES /
WIDE1 :O _H SE5 _! -RADES FALL4
  ,YET !Y ALL SEEM$ 6"K T NO "O _H LO/ Z
M* Z ! MAN :O LAY 9 A H1P 0! FRONT (!
BOAT4 ,8 >MS 7 WRAPP$ >.D HMF1 8 N9E F+-
]S DI7+ 96! ?ICK MUSCLES ( 8 %\LD]S4 ,!
RE/ (! M5 KEPT A RESPECT;L 4T.E1 A WIDE
CIRCLE ( EMPTI;S SURR.D+ HM4

  ,I W N"E AG P]MIT MYF 6BE 9 S P[].S A
POSI;N1 ,GRAHAM _H L;G V[$4
  ..,A9'T NO?+ A MAN HAS C'T 2 TAK5
.AWAY4
  ,HE KNEW T !N1 KNEW H[ EASY X WD 2 =
HOME & FAMILY & LOVE 6VANI% ="E4 ,HE ?"\
(! D1D SOLDI] & HE PITI$ HM1 PITI$ !
R&OM;S ( FATE T _H PLAC$ HM ON T PA? 9
FRONT ( ,GRAHAM1 PITI$ HM ! WAY HE _H
ONCE PITI$ HMF4 ,B ,GRAHAM _H D"O :AT 0
NEC 6PROTECT ,AMELIA & ,MILLIE4 ,HE
LIFT$ 8 H1D F 8 H&S & WIP$ ! TE>S F 8
EYES4 ,NO "O & NO?+ WD -E 96?       #ACI
T[N1 96HIS HOME1 6D H>M 6HIS FAMILY4 ,&
EV5 IF ! DEVIL HMF %D RIDE 96T[N ON A
FLAM+ B1/ BR1?+ PE/IL;E & D1?1 !N ,GRA-
HAM WD /& AT T PO/1 LOOK HM 9 ! EYE1 &
%OOT HM D[N4



















                                    #ADJ
























                 ,,VIII             #ADA

  8,Y "K :AT ,I HE>D80
  8,:AT'S T80
  8,I HE>D T MAYBE ! R1SON ,MR4 ,WOR?Y
WANT$ U 6CLOSE (F ! T[N IS 6/OP "W]S F
MOV+ ON 6O!R JOBS40
  8,:AT O!R JOBS80
  8,I HE> !Y GOT LOTSA JOBS ON ! COA/1
ON A3.T (! W>4 ,HE> !Y'LL PAY FUCK+ %IP-
BUILD]S M ?AN WE'RE MAK+ "H40
  8,NOBODY'S MAK+ M ?AN WE'RE MAK+ "H4
,!Y GIVE Y YR [N GODDAMN H\SE AT ! %IP-
Y>DS80
  8,H[ D WE "K !Y DON'T80
  8,I'M J SAY+ ,I HE>D--0
  8,& WE HE>D Y J F9E4 ,HELL1 DIDN'T WE
ALL VOTE ON ?8 ,I DIDN'T SEE Y RAIS+ ANY
RUCKUS T NI<T40
  8,J 'CAUSE ,I VOT$ = "S?+ DOESN'T M1N
,I C'T *ANGE MY M9D4 ,A9'T A MAN FREE 6D
T80
  8,A9'T M* FREE "R N[40
  8,T'S MY PO9T4 ,WE A9'T FREE 6MOVE >.D
& LOOK =--0
  8,GO4AMMIT1 5\<4 ,IF T'S ! WAY    #ADB
Y'RE ?9K+1 !N Z SOON Z ! FUCK+ QU>AN-
T9E'S OV]1 Y C TAKE YR GODDAMN SELF \ TO
^? %IPY>DS & SEE H[ M* ^? MILIT>Y
FOLK'LL PAY Y4 ,I = "O DON'T BUY ANY (
T40
  8,I WASN'T SAY+ ,I'M BUY+ X4 ,I J SD
,I HE>D40

  8,ELTON'S BE5 C\<9' A LOT LATELY40
  8,ELTON'S .ALW BE5 C\<9'40
  8,B H[ D WE "K X A9'T F ! FLU80
  8,2C HE 0 C\<+ LA/ YE> & "! WASN'T ANY
FLU1 &! YE> 2F T1 &! YE> 2F T40
  8,B H[ -E T--0
  8,X A9'T ! FLU4 ,HE'S J A SICK BA/>D40

  8,HEY1 ,YOL54 ,Y BE5 0! G5'RAL /ORE ?
WEEK80
  8,NO4 ,J1N9E'S FIX+ 6G TD1 ?\<40
  8,WELL1 GET ?--"! A9'T NO ALCOHOL
LEFT40
  8,:AT80
  8,! /ORE'S ALL \40
  8,HELL ,JESUS4 ,Y SURE80
  8,OTTO SD !Y'D J B"\ Z M* FOOD    #ADC
AN' SUPPLIES Z !Y ?"\ !Y CD H&LE 2F !
QU>ANT9E1 B !Y M/N'T'VE ORD]$ M* HOO*40
  8,%IT1 ,LEON>D4 ,I ONLY GOT "O FUCK+
BOTTLE LEFT AT HOME40
  8,I GOT LESS'N T40
  8,%IT4 ,Y RE,Y SURE "!'S N"O LEFT80

  8,Y "E H ! FLU80
  8,Y1H1 :5 ,I 0 T54 ,KEPT ME 9 B$
MORE'N A MON?40
  8,DAMN4 ,X KILL$ ALL F\R ( MY GR&P>5TS
9 ! SAME W9T]40
  8,KILLS "EYBODY'S GR&P>5TS1 IF !Y'RE
LUCKY4 ,BETT]'N WA/+ AWAY SL[ ) "S?+
ELSE40
  8,DON'T ?9K FLU IS LUCKY40

  8,H[ D Y ?9K T GIRL A YRS 9 ,TIMB]
,FALLS IS DO+80
  8,WASN'T SICK LA/ "T ,I SAW H]4 ,B "S
( H] FRS W]E40
  8,SURE %E'LL 2 F9E40
  8,Y'RE A LUCKY MAN1 ) YR GIRL ALR "H 9
T[N4 ,? QU>ANT9E LA/S M* L;G]1 ,I'M
GONNA G \TTA MY GODDAMN H1D40       #ADD
  8,C'T LA/ M* L;G]40
  8,:AT ! HELL K9D ( MAN DOES ? MAKE ME
LOOK L 6H]1 HID+ AWAY 2C ,I'M SC>$ (
GETT+ SICK80
  8,DON'T WORRY AB T4 ,%E A9'T ?9K+ D[N
ON Y--%E'S PROBABLY WORRI$ 5 TRY+ 6/AY
H1L?Y H]F40
  8,T'S SUPPOS$ 6MAKE ME FEEL BETT]80
  8,SORRY ''' ,%E'LL 2 F9E40
  8,Y1H ''' ,I GET TIR$ ( WAIT+ "S"TS1 Y
"K80













                  ,,IX              #ADE

  8,I HE>D "S"O SAY X CAME 9 A BLACK
CL\D OV] ! ,ATLANTIC10 ,LAURA SD Z %E &
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  8,I J M1N !Y'RE ,G]MAN40
  8,B !Y'RE ,AM]ICAN N[1 ,PHILIP40 ,%E
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  8,MAYBE X WASN'T F ,G]_M10 %E SD4 8,I
DON'T "K4 ,X'S AN IDEA1 IS ALL40
  ,TWO WEEKS AGO1 J 2F ! QU>AN-     #ADF
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BE5 ONLY A H&;L ( "TS1 & ALR HE 0 ANXI\S
6GET BACK 6! !AT] & SEE :AT"E 0 PLAY+4
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!Y WALK$ IN4 ,! PICTURE !Y _H SE51 .,!
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ODOR.S1 COLOR.S POISON T CD KILL ANY"O
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"S CRAZY S*EME 6PUT ! POISON ON ! FEET (
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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE4 ,UP ON !      #ADG
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SM>T] 9 O!R MATT]S4 ,PHILIP SIMPLY _H !
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  8,I DON'T "K4 ,_HN'T RE,Y ?"\ AB X L
T4 ,X J IS40
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  8,A RH9O80
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SON IS MY SI/] N[1 HE ?"\1 YET WE W]5'T
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& %E DOESN'T H MY "M'S EYES4 ,>E RELAT$
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6ASK Y ''' IF Y WD LET ME LOOK AT "O (
YR BOOKS40
  8,"O ( :AT BOOKS80 ,PHILIP TOO L[]$ 8
VOICE1 ?\< HE WASN'T SURE :Y4       #AEJ
  8,YR FI<T]-PILOT BOOKS40
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,LAURA4
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SIXTE5-YE>-OLD BOY WD FIXATE ON & SKIPP+
PA/ ^? HE DIDN'T YET "U/&4




                                    #AEF
























                    ,X              #AEG

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X =A FULL ?REE SECONDS4             #AEH
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PROMIS$ A BETT] WAY ( LIFE1 = :OM HE _H
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HAV+ ! T[N CLOS$ WD BORE !M & L1D 6TR\#1
IDLE H&S & ALL T4 ,S ,I'VE BE5 EV5
/RICT] ?AN USUAL LATELY1 GIV+ !M    #AFB
EXTRA "W1 B ,I WOND] IF ,I'VE G"O A BIT
OV]BO>D4 ,! M ,I GIVE !M1 ! M 4TRACT$ !Y
SEEM4 ,I'M 2G9N+ 6FEEL A BIT GUILTY AB
X40
  8,AH1 X'S GD = 'EM40 ,HE SMIL$4 8,I
N"E DID WELL AT S*OOL1 & LOOK :AT 2CAME
( ME4 ,DRIVE ! LL "OS 96! GR.D2 !Y'LL
?ANK Y = X40
  ,!Y TALK$ =A BIT AB "O (! J\RNAL >TI-
CLES ,RANKLE _H R1D1 "S?+ AB ! REC5T
TRIAL (! ,WO2LY L1D]%IP4 ,DOZ5S _H BE5
S5T;ED 6L;G JAIL T]MS =! CRIME ( SP1K+ \
AG/ ! W>4
  8,WILSON'S J US+ ! W> Z AN EXCUSE TO
JAIL ALL ! ,WO2LIES10 ,RANKLE SD4 8,HE'S
9 A PANIC AB :AT HAPP5$ 6,RUSSIA--AFRAID
( HAV+ 8 [N ,BOL%EVIK ,REVOLU;N ON 8
H&S40
  8,DID Y SEE "S ,DEMOCRATS >E CALL+ !
,,IWW ,8,IMP]IAL ,WILHELM'S ,W>RIORS0'80
  ,HE SMIRK$4 8,I SAW X4 ,I'D HE>D X 2F1
TOO4 ,!Y'LL BLAME 'EM =! W>1 BLAME 'EM =
N FI<T+ ! W>1 BLAME 'EM AF ! W>4 ,X'S
NO?+ NEW40
  ,HE C\<$ !N1 A HO>SE & =CE;L      #AFC
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RY1 Z %E 0 US$ 6HIS C\<+4 ,L _M M5 9
T[N1 ,RANKLE _H ! AS?MATIC C\< (! %+LE
W1V]1 8 LUNGS SC\R$ 0YE>S ( SAWDU/4
  ,J>R$ ,RANKLE _H BE5 A "Y HUSB& & "F
LIV+ \TSIDE ,MISS\LA :5 ! LACK ( JOBS
=C$ HM 6TAKE A SIX-MON? /9T FELL+ TIMB]
?REE HUNDR$ MILES F HOME4 ,HE _H MISS$ 8
FAMILY T]RIBLY DUR+ ^? MON?S1 R1D+ LRS
FILL$ ) NEWS ( _! TWO-YE>-OLD SON'S
PROGRESS4 ,AF F\R MON?S1 8 WIFE'S LRS
/OPP$ R1*+ HM1 & ,RANKLE BLAM$ ! TIMB]
T[N'S CROOK$ PO/MA/]1 6:OM HE _H REFUS$
6PAY KICKBACKS4 ,AF ! JOB 0 F9I%$1 X 0
"T 6SEE IF ! SITU,N BACK 9 ,MISS\LA _H
IMPROV$1 B :5 HE R1*$ 8 H\SE HE F.D X
EMPTY4 ,"S ( _! SCANT POSSES.NS _H BE5
LEFT 2H1 B N _M4 ,HE ASK$ >.D B NO "O
KNEW ": 8 WIFE WAS1 OR 8 SON4 ,HE 3TACT$
FAMILY B !Y DIDN'T "K1 EI4 ,RANKLE'S
WIFE & * _H LIV$ "! ONLY "O YE> & _H FEW
ACQUA9T.ES1 S NO "O _H NOTIC$ _! SU45
ABS;E4 ,! W9T] _H BE5 L;G & COLD1 &
WEEKS _H PASS$ :5 P N"E SAW _! NEI<BORS4
,HE SP5T ! NEXT SIX MON?S & E LA/   #AFD
P5NY HE [N$ TRY+ 6F9D !M1 B "! 0 NO
TRAIL & NO L1DS4 ,HE N"E SAW !M AG4
  ,AF DR9K+ AWAY A C\PLE ( YE>S & LIV+ 9
& \ ( SMALL T[N PRISONS1 ,RANKLE MADE A
FR1 A ,WO2LY 0! "N ( ,RUB9SKI4 ,:5 HE
HE>D ,RANKLE'S SOB /ORY1 HE BO? EMPA?IZ$
& TOLD HM ! /ORY 0 ALL TOO -MON4 ..,Y
?9K Y'RE ! ONLY BUM'S DRA7$ HMF 6! 5DS (
! E>? 6F9D A JOB 6FE$ YR FAMILY & -E
HOME 6F9D 'EM G"O8 ,Y ?9K Y'RE ! ONLY "O
6WOND] IF !Y 0 KILL$ 0,9JUNS OR HORSE
?IEVES1 OR MAYBE !Y F.D A RI*] MAN & RAN
(F ) HM1 OR MAYBE !Y DI$ (! COLD 9 !
SN[8 ,Y ?9K Y'RE ! ONLY "O :O'S PLAY$ 0!
RULES & / _H "EY?+ TAK5 F .HM8 ,A ?\S&
9VISI# & BROK5HE>T$ M5 WALK$ AL;GSIDE
HM1 KICK+ _! EMPTY BOTTLES & HOLD+ ON TO
OLD LOVE LRS ) BLI/]$1 "W-WE>Y F+]S4
,RANKLE APPLI$ = 8 R$ C>D T WEEK & N"E
DRANK AG4
  ,RANKLE SP5T ! NEXT T5 YE>S FOLL[+
JOBS 9 ! ,NOR?WE/ & ORGANIZ+ =! ,WOB-
BLIES4 ,HE _H BE5 9 ,"EETT =! G5]AL
/RIKE1 ": 8 POSI;N MADE HM A M>K$ MAN4
,HE'D BE5 \TNUMB]$ 0?UGS & B1T5     #AFE
UP AT ! ,B"ELY ,P>K AMBU%1 & 0 9 ! HOS-
PITAL RECOV]+ :5 ! F]RIES _H TAK5 _!
ILL-FAT$ VOYAGE1 ?\< HE LO/ TWO FRS T
"D4 ,TIR$ (! VIOL;E & OV]:ELM$ 0! 4AP-
PE>.E ( M LOV$ "OS1 HE _H "P$ WAYS )!
,WO2LIES AF T4 ,HE LEFT ,"EETT & B\NC$ F
JOB 6JOB UNTIL HE HE>D AB :AT ,*>LES
,WOR?Y 0 DO+ 9 ,-MONW1L?4
  ,AF A BRIEF SIL;E1 HE SAW A PREO3UPI$
LOOK TAKE HOLD ( ,REBE3A4 8,>E Y ALL
"R80
  ,%E PLAC$ H] CUP ON XS SAUC]4 8,WOR-
RI$40
  8,ONCE ! W>'S OV]1 ! UNIONS'LL 2
BACK40
  ,%E SMIL$4 8,N AB T4 ,AB ,PHILIP4 ,AB
! QU>ANT9E40
  ,RANKLE FELT A BIT UNCOM=TA#1 /EPP+
96A FAMILY SITU,N4 8,HE WON A LOT (
GUYS' RESPECT1 VOLUNTE]+ Z A GU>D40
  8,I'M N M* 9T]E/$ 9 HM W9N+ RESPECT4
,I ?9K "S M5 >.D "H OV]VALUE T40
  ,RANKLE'S H1VY EYEBR[S %IFT$ 9 ACQUI-
ESC;E4 8,IF X HELPS 6"K1 HE DOES SEEM TO
2 9 GD _SS >.D ! MILL10 HE SD4      #AFF
8,& P L "W+ ) HM4 ,HE'S A GD KID4 ,I
KEEP MY EYE ON HM40 ,HE FELT ANO!R C\<
-+ B /IFL$ X )A SIP ( HOT TEA4 ,HE CD
FEEL ! SW1T AT 8 HAIRL9E4
  8,?ANK Y4 ,HE IS A GD "Y MAN4 ,T'S :Y
,I WORRY--AB HM & ,LAURA40
  8,I'LL SAY ?3 IF ,I CD RAISE A FAMILY
9 ANY T[N 9 ,AM]ICA1 X WD 2 9 ,-MON-
W1L?40
  ,%E LOOK$ D[N =A %ORT :ILE1 H] BR[S
KNIT4
  8,I VOT$ AG/ ! QU>ANT9E10 %E F9,Y SD4
8,I ?9K X'S WR;G4 ,I DON'T ?9K WE %D %UT
! _W \1 CUT \RVS (F40 ,%E />$ AT H] H&S1
FOLD$ 96A T5SE KNOT4
  ,X 0 ! F/ "T %E _H 3FID$ 9 HM ? WAY4
,B %E FELT H]F 2COM+ Z CUT (F Z %E FE>$
! T[N _H 2COME2 %E 0 TELL+ HM 2C %E _H
6TELL "S"O4
  8,?+S W "W \10 HE TOLD H] AF A SIL;E4
,AN EXPRES.N Z 3FID5T Z X 0 SIMPLE4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D AG4 8,I WI% ,I _H D"O
M 6/OP X--0 ,H] VOICE BROKE1 H] EYES
WAT]+4
  ,AF A MO;T'S HESIT,N1 HE R1*$ \   #AFG
& PUT "O ( 8 MASSIVE H&S ATOP H]S1
SQUEEZ+ X A BIT4 ,8 PALM FELT W>M ON
,REBE3A'S F+]S4
  ,%E LOOK$ UP AT HM4 ,HE 0 A H&"S MAN1
! %>P $GES ( 8 JAWL9E & *EEKB"O 9TIMI-
DAT+1 P]H1 B ! CALM;S ( ^? GRAY EYES M
?AN -P5SAT+4 ,SURELY HE CD H REM>RI$1
,REBE3A FIGUR$--HE PROBABLY CD H _H 8
PICK ( WIVES1 EV5 9 T[NS ": AVAILA# WOM5
7 GRTLY \TNUMB]$ 0LUMB]JACKS4 ,%E DIDN'T
"K IF HE _H "E /OPP$ M\RN+ 8 FAMILY OR
IF HE _H N"E /OPP$ 2LIEV+ !Y 7 ALIVE4
,P]H HE _H ALL[$ HMF 62COME M>RI$ 6A
CAUSE1 F/ 6! ,WO2LIES & N[ 6,-MONW1L?4
,IF S1 X 0 N A -PLETE M>RIAGE1 = ,REBE3A
/ S5S$ ! L"OLI;S 9SIDE HM4
  ,HE REMOV$ 8 H&1 8 GRAY EYES TURN+
AWAY1 Z IF 6REM9D !M BO? ": !Y W]E1 :O
!Y W]E4
  8,I'M SORRY 6PUT ON A SC5E10 %E SD1
G5TLY DA2+ AT H] EYES )A NAPK94
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,DON'T BE4 ,"EY"O'S
FEEL+ UNSETTL$4 ,B ,I "K WE'LL GET "?
?40
  ,HE ?ANK$ H] =! TEA & 0 ON 8      #AFH
WAY1 & %E SAT AT ! TA# =A L;G :ILE1 H]
F+]S / FEEL+ ! WEI<T ( 8 H&4






















                  ,,XI              #AFI

  ,X 0 D>K :5 ,J4 ,B4 ,M]RI:E!R ( ,M]RI-
:E!R'S ,F/ ,BANK TURN$ (F ! ,=D'S H1D-
LI<TS & KILL$ ! 5G9E 9 FRONT ( 8 H\SE 9
,TIMB] ,FALLS4 ,HE R1*$ =! DOOR H&LE &
PAUS$1 R1LIZ+ T1 )! W9D[S UP1 HE CD N
HE> ANY C\<+ EMANAT+ F 8 H\SE4 ,! SIL;E
FELT L S* A GIFT T HE /AY$ "! A MO;T1
WAIT+ 9SIDE ! ,=D1 BR1?+4
  ,8 DAU<T]1 ,GW51 _H BE5 SICK S9CE
,SATUR"D1 SIX "DS N[4 ,ON ,FRI"D NI<T %E
_H BE5 H] VIBRANT SELF1 ?\< RE/.S F 2+
COOP$ UP AT HOME--! S*OOLS 7 ALL CLOS$
ON A3.T (! FLU4 ,B ! NEXT MORN+ %E'D
WOK5 UP -PLA9+ (A H1DA*E1 ( PA9S 9 H]
KNEES & ELB[S1 ( T]RI# COLD DESPITE ?REE
WOOL BLANKETS4 ,0NOON %E 0 RUNN+ A HI<
FEV]4
  ,GW5 W PULL "?1 ,J4,B4 _H TOLD HMF4
,%E 0 AB ! H>DIE/ GIRL ,J4,B4 _H "E "KN
--:5"E ,J4,B4'S SON1 ,JAMES1 _H TAK5
SICK =A FEW "DS1 ,GW5 WD B>ELY GET A
SNI6LE4 ,B Z ! "DS _H PASS$1 8 CALM ^WS
NO L;G] REASSUR$ HM OR 8 WIFE4 ,E "T HE
OP5$ 8 M\? 6UTT] !M1 !Y 7 BLUDG-    #AGJ
EON$ 0! S.D ( ,GW5 C\<+1 A S.D T GREW M
HO>SE EA* "D4
  ,! FLU _H BE5 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS = OV]
?REE WEEKS N[4
  ,HE CDN'T 2LIEVE H[ _M P _H SU3UMB$4
,MAYORS "?\T ,WA%+TON 7 CLOS+ D.E HALLS
& =BI4+ !AT] [N]S 6RUN _! REELS1 BANN+
PUBLIC GA!R+S = FE> ( 3TAGION4 ,J4,B4 _H
KEPT ! BANK OP5--H[ CD ! PILL> (A T[N
CLOSE8--B )9 "DS1 ALL ( 8 EMPLOYEES _H
CALL$ 9 SICK4 ,=! PA/ WEEK HE _H BE5 !
ONLY MAN 9 ! BUILD+1 HELP+ ! DW9DL+ NUM-
B] ( CU/OM]S :O CAME EA* "D4 ,X SEEM$ L
HALF ! T[N 0 SICK1 &! O!R HALF 0 HOME
C>+ = !M4
  ,! .,TIMB] .,FALLS .,DAILY _HN'T BE5
REPORT+ ! FLU'S D1? /ATI/ICS AT F/1 B
FAMILIES 9SI/5T ON RECORD+ ! PASS+ (
LOV$ "OS _H F9,Y C[$ ! PAP] 96LI/+ ! DE-
C1S$4 ,MILL [N]S _H TOLD ,J4,B4 !Y 7
SU6]+ "? ABS5TEEISM ( /RIKE PROPOR;NS1 &
M5 _H 6BE AW;LLY SICK 2F !Y'D =GO A "D'S
WAGES4
  ,JAMES1 M1N:ILE1 0 N[ 9 ,FR.E1 OR AT
L1/ HE 0 :5 HE'D WRITT5 8 LA/ LR4   #AGA
.,MO/ .REC5T LR1 ,J4,B4 SCOLD$ HMF1 N
.LA/ LR4 ,J4,B4 REMEMB]$ ! LOOK ON ,VIO-
LET'S FACE :5 HE'D F9I%$ R1D+ ! LR1 A
LOOK ( PROF.D WORRY4 ,DID %E / BLAME
,J4,B4 = N DO+ M 6KEEP ,JAMES \ (! W>8
,B :AT CD HE H D"O8 ,J4,B4 _H VOLUNTE]$
6"W ON ! 5LI/;T BO>D1 _H "W$ )! O!R UP-
/&+ P>AGONS ( SOCIAL ORD] 9 ,TIMB]
,FALLS1 _H SAT ) !M AT _! DESK ON ! AP-
PO9T$ "D :5 ALL ! M5 ( APPROPRIATE AGE 7
REQUIR$ 65LI/4 ,"S FRS ( ,J4,B4 _H PULL$
:AT /R+S !Y CD1 &! L;G >M ( ,UNCLE ,SAM
_H PASS$ ,JAMES OV] T "T4 ,B MON?S LAT]1
9 ! SECOND DRAFT1 ,JAMES WASN'T Z =TU-
NATE4 ,S (F HE 0 6,=T ,J5K9S1 & F "! TO
,FR.E4
  ,8 M9D ON 8 SON1 ,J4,B4 _H SP5T ! LA/
TWO H\RS DO+ 8 PATRIOTIC DUTY Z BE/ HE
CD4 ,S9CE LOCK+ ! DOORS ( 8 EMPTY BANK1
HE _H DRIV5 ALL OV] ,TIMB] ,FALLS1 HANG+
PO/]S ON LAMPPO/S & WALLS4 ,9 ! PASS5G]
S1T (! NEW #AIAH ,MODEL ;,T ,=D C\PE 0 A
/ACK ( ,LIB]TY ,BONDS1 & ON ! FLOOR 2N
!M1 A FEW PO/]S HE WD D1L ) TM4 ,8 WIFE
DIDN'T APPROVE (! IMAGE--A BLOOD-   #AGB
R$ H&PR9T ABV ! ^WS ..,! ,HUN--,HIS
,M>K/,BLOT ,X ,\ ) ,LIB]TY .,BONDS--B HE
F.D X /IRR+4 ,%E PREF]R$ ! "OS )! VAL-
IANT WOMAN 9 ! :ITE DRESS1 "O H& EXT5D$
6! SKY L ,LADY ,LIB]TY H]F1 /&+ ABV !
^WS .,VICTORY--.,LIB]TY .,LOAN4
  ,J4,B4 _H DRIV5 D[N EMPTY ROADS & HUNG
PO/]S T NO "O WD SEE SAVE ! DOCTORS &
"UTAK]S :O RODE PA/4 ,HE FE>$ HE 0 WA/+
8 "T1 B "S"O _H 6SELL ! BONDS1 D _! "P4
,& ,J4,B4 NE$$ A TASK1 SORELY NE$$ 6.D
"S?+4 ,ANY?+ 0 BETT] ?AN SITT+ AT HOME1
LI/5+ 6,GW5'S C\<4 ,WAIT+ =A LR F
,JAMES4
  ,"O NI<T ! PREVI\S WEEK ,J4,B4 _H BE5
AT ! ,PIONE]S ,CLUB1 "O (! FEW GA!R+
PLACES 9 T[N T _HN'T BE5 %UT D[N1 S9CE X
WASN'T EXACTLY A PUBLIC V5UE4 ,HE _H BE5
DR9K+ ) "S (! BOYS :5 !Y 7 VISIT$1 UNAN-
N\NC$1 0"O (! ,F\R-,M9UTE ,M54 ,! SP1K]
LOOK$ J "Y 5 T 8 SONS1 IF HE _H ANY1
W]5'T LIKELY 6BE DRAFT$ YET1 & MAYBE T
HELP$ ) 8 SUNNY OPTIMISM4 ..,! PR\D &
PATRIOTIC ,AM]ICAN P >E ! DI6];E 9 ? "H
.3FLICT1 ! MAN SD1 ..! DI6];E 2T    #AGC
! ,ALLIES DR[N+ 9 ! MUD ( ,CAPORETTO OR
/&+ TALL AT ,BELL1U ,WOOD4 ,B FOLKS 9
,BRITA9 >E / L[ ON FOOD1 &! ,FR5* >E 2+
RAID$ F _! HOMES 0! ,HE9IES1 S M HELP IS
NE$$ F GD ,*RI/IAN FOLKS L Y G5TLEM5
."H4 ,:5 ! MAN F9I%$1 ,J4,B4 V[$ 6SP5D 8
WEEK5D SELL+ ,LIB]TY ,BONDS4
  ,S HE _H DRIV5 ALL OV] ,TIMB] ,FALLS &
! NEI<BOR+ T[NS1 B 9 TWO "DS HE'D B>ELY
SOLD ANY4 ,"S"TS HE HE>D C\<+ OR MOAN+ F
)9 H\SES HE APPROA*$1 & "S"TS1 AF 8
KNOCK1 "! WD 2 FOOT/EPS APPROA*+ ! DOOR4
,! FOOT/EPS WD /OP & HE WD WAIT1 B 9 MO/
9/.ES1 NO "O WD ANSW]4 ,HE WD KNOCK AG &
! FOOT/EPS WD REC$E1 _! G5TLE S.D FAD+
2N ! P]CUSSIVE ASSAULT ( M C\<+4 ,A TO-
TAL ( EI<T P _H D>$ 6ANSW] _! DOORS1
FIVE ( !M PUR*AS+ BONDS AF 5DUR+
,J4,B4'S APP1L4 ,! LA/ P]SON 6ANSW] _H
SD NO1 T ! ONLY R1SON %E'D ANSW]$ 0 %E
_H HOP$ HE 0 ! "UTAK]4 ,%E'D BE5 WAIT+ =
TWO "DS4
  ,T _H BE5 ,SATUR"D4
  ,ON ,SUN"D1 R ?AN SUBJECT+ HMF 6ANO!R
R.D ( <O/-L HOMES & HOLL[-EY$       #AGD
/>ES1 HE _H DECID$ 6DRIVE EV5 F>!R F
,TIMB] ,FALLS 9 HOPES ( F9D+ A LESS RAV-
AG$ POPUL,N4 ,SURELY NO "O _H ?"\ 6TREK
\ 6,-MONW1L?--NO "O "E W5T 6T CRAZY T[N4
,P]H X 0 FOOLI% ( ,J4,B4 6D S1 B HE _H
FIGUR$ T S9CE NO "O ELSE _H TRI$ X1 HE
MI<T Z WELL 2 ! F/4 ,& 2SS1 HE _H ALW
LIK$ ,*>LES ,WOR?Y M ?AN HE D>$ ADMIT4
  ,2C :O B A SOCIALI/ OR R$ SYMPA?IZ]--:
,J4 ,B4 ,M]RI:E!R ( ,M]RI:E!R'S ,F/
,BANK MO/ C]TA9LY 0 N--WD D>E SAY ANY?+
! L1/ BIT FAVORA# AB ,*>LES ,WOR?Y8 ,A
MAN :O _H MADE ALL ! LUMB] B>ONS ( ,TIM-
B] ,FALLS & ,"EETT ROLL ) LAU<T] :5 HE
SU7E/$ HE CD RUN A SU3ESS;L MILL 0PAY+ 8
"W]S M1 0%>+ ) !M EQU,Y8 ,A MAN :O _H
/>T$ A MILL MILES F A VIA# PORT1 ON A
TRACT ( L& T 8 [N "F _H DEEM$ UN"WA#8
  ,B ,J4,B4 _H "KN ,*>LES 2F ALL T1 _H
H&L$ ! BANK+ =! ,WOR?Y FAMILY'S MILL 9
,"EETT 2F />T+ A NEW BANK 9 ,TIMB]
,FALLS4 ,HE KNEW ! CALM & QUIET ,*>LES
,WOR?Y 0 CRAFTI] ?AN HE RCVD CR$IT =1 &
?\< ,*>LES 0 OV]%AD[$ 0HIS GU6AW+1
H&%AK+1 CIG>-SMOK+ BRO!RS1 ,J4,B4   #AGE
SUSPECT$ ! ,WOR?Y FAMILY MILL 9 ,"EETT
WD "UGO A DECL9E N[ T ,*>LES 0 NO L;G] !
C>ETAK] ( XS F9ANCIAL =TUNE4 ,IF ANY"O
CD MAKE A MILL L ,-MONW1L? SU3E$1 X 0
PROBABLY ,*>LES4
  ,& WASN'T 8 SON1 ,PHILIP1 ONLY A YE>
OR TWO F DRAFT AGE8 ,PHILIP 0 ! O!R REA-
SON ,J4,B4 LIK$ ,*>LES4 ,A MAN :O ADOPTS
AN ORPHAN$ BOY L T1 A -PLETE /RANG]--T'S
N A BAD MAN4 ,J4,B4 WANT$ 6BE ! F/ 6SELL
"S ,LIB]TY ,BONDS 9 T CRAZY T[N1 6%AKE
,*>LES'S H& "O M "T4
  ,AF ! L;G DRIVE DEEP 96! WOODS1 H["E1
,J4,B4'S J\RNEY _H -E 6AN 5D AT ! TREE T
BLOCK$ ! ROAD &! SIGN W>N+ HM (F4 ,HE _H
SAT "! =A GD TWO M9UTES1 8 5G9E IDL+1 8
FOOT ON ! BRAKE1 Z HE TRI$ 6MAKE S5SE (
X4 ,! SIGN _H SD .,ON .,A3.T .(! .,\T-
BR1K1 N .,ON .,A3.T .( ,\R .,\TBR1K4 ,0
! T[N H1L?Y & HID+8 ,& ?\< 8 EYES W]5'T
Z %>P Z !Y'D ONCE BE51 HE ?"\ HE _H SE5
TWO M5 /&+ ATOP ! HILL1 WAT*+ HM Z HE
TURN$ ! ,=D 6DRIVE AWAY4
  ,HE'D TOLD A FEW FRS AB ! EXP]I;E1
ASK$ !M IF "! 0 ANY NEWS F ,-MON-   #AGF
W1L?4 ,T _H BE5 NE>LY A WEEK AGO1 & HE'D
HE>D NO?+4
  ,& "H HE WAS1 BACK F ANO!R WA/$ EF=T1
BACK 6HIS SICK DAU<T] & 8 />K H\SE4 ,HE
EXHAL$ DEEPLY1 8 BR1? FO7+ ! W9D%IELD4
,9 ! ,=D HE1 TOO1 FELT QU>ANT9$1 TEMPO-
R>ILY SEP>AT$ F ! T[N'S HORRORS1 8 DAU<-
T]'S SU6]+4 ,UP/AIRS ,GW5'S W9D[ 0 D>K--
%E CDN'T 5DURE ! LAMPLI<T EV5 :ILE
AWAKE4 ,HE HOP$ %E 0 SLEEP+1 B LATELY !
C\<S _H GIV5 H] NO RE/4 ,HE LOOK$ AT !
MAILBOX1 SAW T X 0 EMPTY4 ,VIOLET WD H
*ECK$ X 0N[1 & IF "! _H BE5 ^W F ,JAMES1
%E WD H TELEPHON$ HM AT ! BANK4 ,UN.S !
NEWS 0 BAD4 ,EA* "D X 0 H>D] 6GET \ ( 8
,=D4
  ,J4,B4 SD A BRIEF PRAY] = 8 *N4 ,!N HE
GRIPP$ ! H&LE & PU%$ ! DOOR OP51 /EPP+
BACK 96A _W HE _H LE>N$ N 6TRU/4





                 ,,XII              #AGG

  8,8,ACR ! FOAM 9 NO-MAN'S-L& ,I'LL
SOON 2 FI<T+1 > ,B ,I "K YR LIPS >E NO
MAN'S L& B M9E40'0
  ,ELSIE HE>D ,PHILIP S++ 6HMF :ILE HE
PA9T$ ! POR* (A REC5TLY 3/RUCT$ H\SE4
,2C (! QU>ANT9E1 ! CALL = M "W]S _H BE5
TEMPOR>ILY MUT$1 & _M H\SES 9 ,-MONW1L?
7 EMPTY4 ,Z ,ELSIE APPROA*$1 %E WOND]$
H[ L;G X WD 2 UNTIL ! FLU PASS$ & NEW
"W]S CD FILL ? BLOCK ( EMPTY H\SES4
  8,MORN+10 %E SD4
  8,MORN+10 HE REPLI$1 PUTT+ D[N 8 PA9T-
BRU%4 ,HE LOOK$ SURPRIS$ 6SEE H] "!--!
NEW H\SES 7 AT ! 5D (A BLOCK1 N RE,Y ON
! WAY 6ANY?+4
  8,>E Y PA9T+ AL"O TD80
  8,GRAHAM'S SUPPOS$ 6BE HELP+4 ,M/ 2
LATE40
  ,%E NO4$1 UNSURE H[ 6ASK ! "Q T _H
DRIV5 H] "!4
  8,": >E Y (F TO80 HE ASK$4
  8,*UR*10 %E SD4 ,?\< ,-MONW1L?'S TRAV-
EL+ ,UNIT>IAN M9I/] _H BE5 BANN$ F ! T[N
AL;G ) E O!R \TSID]1 8 L1D].S PA-   #AGH
R%ION]S _H DECID$ 6GA!R = ,SUN"D-MORN+
PRAY] SES.NS )\T HM4 ,!Y WD C>RY ON1
ASK+ ,GOD 6MAKE ! FLU PASS S !Y CD 5D !
QU>ANT9E1 WELCOME BACK _! M9I/]1 & ACT L
A R1L *UR* AG4
  8,GET A LL LO/80
  8,I FELT L GO+ =A WALK10 %E DEMURR$1
LOOK+ AWAY4
  ,PHILIP CR\*$ 6WET 8 BRU% AG4
  8,Y'RE A H>D "W]10 %E SD4 8,SIX "DS A
WEEK AT ! MILL1 ALL ? PA9T+ TD1 ALL T
DI7+ ON ,FRI"D '''0
  ,PHILIP LEFT ! BRU% ON ! LIP (! BUCKET
& /OOD UP4 8,:AT DI7+80
  8,I DON'T RE,Y "K4 ,I 0 HOP+ Y'D TELL
ME4 ,:AT 7 Y FELL[S DI7+ ON ,FRI"D80
  8,:O80
  ,%E SMIL$ A BIT4 8,DON'T 9SULT ME1
,PHILIP4 ,I SAW Y T MORN+4 ,I SAW Y DI7+
\ "! &--0
  8,:AT EXACTLY DID Y SEE80 ,8 VOICE 0
TI<T4
  ,ELSIE TOOK A HALF-/EP BACK4 ,%E LOOK$
D[N =A MO;T1 H] 3FID;E 9 ? 3FRONT,N
DW9DL+4 8,I SAW Y & ,GRAHAM ,/"O    #AGI
&! O!R M54 ,I'D G"O \ =A WALK1 & ,I HE>D
Y \ "! '''0 ,%E CAUTI\SLY MET 8 EYES AG4
8,X ALM LOOK$ L Y 7 DI7+ A GRAVE40
  8,IS T ALL Y SAW80
  ,%E NO4$4 8,I W5T HOME AF T40
  ,PHILIP CLOS$ 8 EYES =A SECOND4
  8,:Y1 DID ,I MISS "S?+80
  ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES4 8,"! 7 A C\PLE D1D
DE] D[N "!4 ,DOC SD !Y MI<TA DI$ ( "S
K9D ( 41SE OR "S?+1 & T WE %D BURY !M ":
WE F.D !M4 ,WE DIDN'T WANT 6TELL P 2C WE
?"\ !Y MI<T GET SC>$ X 0 FLU1 B ,DOC
SAYS X WASN'T40
  ,PHILIP WASN'T Z GD (A LI> Z HE ?"\ HE
WAS1 ,ELSIE ?"\4 ,B :Y 0 HE LY+ 6H]8 ,%E
PAUS$1 WOND]+ H[ F> %E %D PU% HM4 ,B
SURELY "! 0 AN EXPLAN,N4 8,PHILIP1 ,I
SAW :AT Y BURI$40
  ,_! EYES LOCK$4 ,!N ,PHILIP LOOK$ >.D
--A C\PLE ( WOM5 7 WALK+ PA/ ON ! CORN]
A FEW H\SES AWAY1 B !Y W]5'T CLOSE 5 TO
OV]HE>4
  8,:AT DID Y SEE80 HE ASK$1 8 VOICE
QUIET4
  ,%E />$ BACK AT HM4 ,HE KNEW %E   #AHJ
KNEW4 ,:Y DID %E H 6SAY X8 8,X WASN'T A
DE]40 ,UNTIL !N %E'D FELT ALM P[];L 9 H]
K (A SECRET & 3FID5T "! 0 "S SAFE & R,N-
AL EXPLAN,N = :AT %E _H SE54 ,B 8 OBVI\S
4COM=T SC>$ H]4 8,:AT'S GO+ ON1 ,PHIL-
IP80
  ,PHILIP MO;N$ 6! DOOR (! H\SE4 ,%E 0 S
OV]COME 0! SITU,N T %E DIDN'T ?9K H[ IM-
PROP] X 0 6V5TURE ) HM 96AN EMPTY BUILD-
+4 ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR & %UT X 2H !M4
  ,9SIDE1 ! H\SE SMELL$ L WOOD & DU/1 !
?+S E H\SE WD PROBABLY SMELL L IF P
W]5'T LIV+ 9 !M4 ,EV5 ,ELSIE'S BR1?
SEEM$ 6E*O4
  8,X 0 ! SOLDI] F ! "D 2F1 WASN'T X80
,EV5 ?\< !Y 7 AL"O1 %E SD ? 9 A L[]$
VOICE4
  ,PHILIP CD ONLY NOD 9 RESPONSE4
  8,DID HE GET SICK8 ,DID HE SLEEP \ "!
OV]NI<T & DIE80
  ,HE LOOK$ />TL$1 !N NO4$ SADLY4 8,Y1H4
,! MORN+ AF ,GRAHAM & ,I MADE HM L1VE1 !
GUYS :O _H ! NEXT "D'S %IFT SAW HM "!4
,HE M/ H HID D[N AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL
OV]NI<T1 HOP+ ! NEXT MORN+ WE'D     #AHA
LET HM 9 OR "S?+40
  8,S ''' DID HE DIE (! FLU1 OR F !
COLD80
  8,I ''' ,I DON'T "K4 ,DOC ,BANES1 ,I
M1N1 HE SD HE CDN'T TELL4 ,B1 UM1 WE
LEFT HM "! =A FEW H\RS 9 CASE 8 BODY 0
3TAGI\S1 !N WE BURI$ HM40
  8,S "!'S A *.E HE 0 ACTU,Y H1L?Y & HE
DI$ 2C WE WDN'T LET HM IN40 ,%E SD ?
CALMLY1 ?9K+ X "?4
  8,*>LES & ,DOC ,BANES SD WE %DN'T TELL
ANY"O1 ?\<1 2C P MI<T ASSUME HE'D DI$ (!
FLU1 & PANIC40
  ,Z ,ELSIE TOOK ? IN1 %E SAW T 8 EYES 7
WELL+ UP4 8,>E Y OKAY80
  ,HE NO4$1 LOOK+ AWAY4
  ,%E /EPP$ CLOS] 6HM1 H] H&S CLASP$ 2F
H]4 ,%E WANT$ 6R1* \ 6HM B FE>$ X WD 2
IMPROP]4
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,PHILIP4 ,I DIDN'T M1N TO
SU7E/ X'S YR FAULT HE DI$4 ,I DIDN'T M1N
X L T40
  ,8 GAZE 0 H>D & FIX$ ON "S?+ 2Y ! W9-
D[1 J "S?+ 6/>E AT Z ! TE>S SL[LY &
/U2ORNLY 4SOLV$ 9 8 EYES4           #AHB
  8,HE PROBABLY DID H ! FLU4 ,IF Y'D LET
HM IN1 MAYBE "EY"O 9 T[N WD 2 SICK 0N[40
  8,Y1H10 HE PRON\NC$ AT LA/4
  ,ELSIE FELT HORRI#4 ,N ONLY M/ HE
BLAME HMF1 B SURELY ! ?"\ (! SOLDI] DY+
F EXPOSURE MADE HM ?9K ( 8 "M'S D1?1 ( 8
FRIGID NI<T AT ! BOTTOM (! SN[Y GORGE4
,! LA/ ?+ ,PHILIP WANT$ 6?9K AB 0 A P]-
SON :O _H DI$ F ! COLD1 %E FIGUR$4 ,%E
L;G$ 6R1* \ & HOLD HM1 TELL HM X 0 ALL
"R = HM 6FEEL ? WAY4
  8,I'M SORRY ,I BR"\ ? ALL UP4 ,I C GET
TOO CURI\S "S"TS1 ,I GUESS40
  ,HE NO4$1 / LOOK+ \ ! W9D[1 !N TURN$
6H]4 8,I DON'T ?9K WE'RE DO+ ! "R ?+40
  ,AT T %E /I65$ "S:AT4 8,Y'RE "R2 WE %D
G BACK \TSIDE40
  8,T'S N :AT ,I M1NT10 HE SD4 8,I DON'T
?9K WE'RE DO+ ! "R ?+ )! QU>ANT9E4 ,I
DON'T ?9K WE'RE DO+ ! "R ?+ CLOS+ !
T[N40
  ,%E EXHAL$4 8,"EY?+'S S ''' 3FUS+ "R
N[4 ,I KEEP HOP+ ?IS'LL 5D SOON1 T WE
WON'T H 6WORRY AB X M* L;G]40
  ,!Y LOOK$ AT EA* O!R = :AT 2GAN   #AHC
6FEEL L AN UNCOM=TA# AM.T ( "T4
  8,I'M SORRY ,I LI$ 6Y10 HE SD4
  8,T'S ALL "R4 ,I C SEE :Y Y DID4 ,&
2SS1 ,I LI$ 6Y1 TOO40
  8,Y 7 PRETTY GD AT X10 HE SD1 SMIL+4
  ,%E SMIL$ BACK4 8,I RE,Y DON'T H T M*
EXP]I;E40
  8,I ."K T'S A LIE10 HE SD1 LAU<+1 &=A
MO;T !Y 7 J TWO KIDS AG1 T1S+ EA* O!R 2C
!Y DIDN'T "K H[ ELSE 6%[ _! FEEL+S4 ,!Y
7 MILES AWAY F ! FLU OR ! W>4
  ,B )9 SECONDS ,PHILIP BR"\ !M BACK4
  8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE \ "! 9 A C\PLE H\RS4
,AT ! PO/40
  8,IF X MAKES Y FEEL ANY BETT]1 ,I "K T
Y 2+ \ "! MAKES P FEEL SAFE4 ,P TALK AB
X40
  8,RE,Y80
  8,SURE4 ,MY "M1 = "O--AF H] 2+ S SICK
LA/ YE>1 %E'S RE,Y WORRI$ AB ! FLU4 ,&
MY DAD4 ,O!R FOLKS TALK AB X1 TOO4 ,"EY-
"O "KS H[ BAD X IS4 ,NO "O WANTS X HAP-
P5+ "H40
  ,HE LOOK$ Z IF A WEI<T _H BE5 LIFT$ F
8 %\LD]S4                           #AHD
  8,I %D 2 GETT+ 6*UR*10 %E SD4
  8,OKAY4 ,& ''' DID Y TELL ANY"O ELSE
AB ''' ! GRAVE80
  8,NO40
  8,X'S SUPPOS$ 6BE A SECRET40
  8,I "U/&4 ,I'LL KEEP X T WAY40
  8,?ANK Y40
  8,>E Y N -+ 6*UR*80 ,ELSIE ASK$ Z !Y
WALK$ BACK \TSIDE4 ,! ,WOR?YS _H 2COME
IRREGUL> *UR*GO]S1 %E _H NOTIC$1 & T 0
PROBABLY ,MRS4 ,WOR?Y'S 9FLU;E1 Z X 0
RUMOR$ T %E ATT5D$ ONLY = ,*>LES'S SAKE
& SECRETLY DID N 2LIEVE 9 ,GOD4
  8,OH1 NO1 ,I C'T10 HE /AMM]$1 R1*+ D[N
=! PA9TBRU%4 8,I H 6F9I% ! POR*40
  ,!Y BADE EA* O!R GDBYE1 B Z %E WALK$
AWAY1 %E REFLECT$ ON 8 RESPONSE4 ,AF
WALK+ HALF A BLOCK1 %E LOOK$ BACK AT HM1
SAW 8 ?9 BODY B5T =W>D1 8 EYES 9T5T ON !
WET BRI/LES GLID+ ACR ! WOOD5 PO/S4 ,!
FACT T HE 0 \ "! PA9T+ A H\SE T CD N 2
US$ Z A HOME UNTIL ! QU>ANT9E 5D$ SEEM$
ODD1 %E ?"\4
  ,%E TURN$ >.D1 LATE = *UR*4 ,9 ! 4T.E
%E CD MAKE \ ! S++1 ! VOICES PRO-   #AHE
JECT$ F>!R ?AN USUAL1 Z IF ! 3GREGANTS 7
S N]V\S F ! JANGL+ T5.NS (! QU>ANT9E T
!Y 7 YE>N+ 6CA/ "S?+ B1UTI;L ^U T B>R5
L&SCAPE4 ,%E RAN T[>D !M4




















                                    #AHF
























                 ,,XIII             #AHG

  8,GD "D 6BE \10 ,MO SD4
  8,LOOKS L X'S GO+ 6RA910 ,PHILIP 4A-
GRE$4
  8,NAH1 T A9'T RA94 ,T'S J ,"M ,NA-
TURE'S GRAY BLANKET4 ,X'S -=T+40
  ,MO 0 A TALK]4 ,": A MAN ( ,MO'S SIZE
GOT 8 UNC1S+ 5]GY 0 A MY/]Y 6_M LUMB]-
JACKS1 N L1/ ^? L>G] M5 :O _H TRI$ 6%UT
HM UP ) =CE & _H LE>N$1 6_! DETRI;T1 T 8
PR[ESS ) ^WS 0 MAT*$ 0! DEXT];Y ( 8 9DE-
FATIGA# FI/S4 ,TURNS \ ! "O /ORY ,MO
SELDOM TOLD 0 H[ HE _H BE5 A BOX] 9 ,DE-
TROIT1 FLYWEI<T4 ,IF Y "W$ 2S HM L;G
5\<1 HE WD EV5TU,Y TELL Y1 LATE AT NI<T
&A BIT HI< F DR9K1 H[ HE _H A3ID5T,Y
KILL$ A SP>R+ "PN] ) "S H>D BL[S1 ?\< HE
WASN'T SWE>-TO-,GOD C]TA9 X 0 A3ID5TAL1
ON A3.T ( 8 HAV+ BE5 9SULT$ 0! SP>R+ "P-
N] E>LI] T "D4 ,: IS :Y HE _H RUN F ,DE-
TROIT AT AGE TW5TY-FIVE1 HID+ 9 ! ,UPP]
,P59SULA & !N ! =E/S (! ,WE/1 AIM+ ALL 8
FUTURE BL[S AT DEF5SE.S TREE TRUNKS4
  ,HE _H G"O BALD R "Y--HE 0 9 8 MID-
?IRTIES--&! RIDGE ( 8 (T-BROK5      #AHH
NOSE 0 A PA9;L ZIGZAG4 ,:5 P ASK$ AB X
HE LI$ & SD COPS D"O X4
  8,RA9 IS -=T+80
  8,IF Y LOOK AT X ! "R WAY1 X IS40
  ,AF ONLY A FEW WEEKS ( 8 NEW LIFE Z A
LUMB]JACK1 ,MO _H R1LIZ$ "! 0 NO?+ ELSE
HE WD R D4 ,=GET BOX+ R+S1 GYMNASIUMS--
HE NE$$ 6BE \TSIDE4 ,! SMELL (! E>?1 !
SUN'S EMBRACE--EV5 ON ^? D1DLY COLD "DS1
! .FEEL (! SUN--R ?AN ! /ILL$ EMPTI;S (A
BUILD+ )\T W9D[S4 ,MO QKLY 2CAME ! L1/
FAVORITE MEMB] ( E T1M HE 0 PLAC$ ON DUE
6HIS 9T]M9A# MONOLOGUES AB ! GLORIES (!
\TDOORS1 8 PRAISE ( GRE5]Y & BLUE SKY4
  8,! ,HUN'S RE,Y RUNN+ N[4 ,I HE> AN >-
MI/ICE CD 2 J >.D ! CORN]4 ,2F ! 5D (!
MON?1 EV540
  8,":'D Y HE> T80 ,PHILIP _H B>ELY BE5
PAY+ ATT5;N 6,MO'S E>LI] RAMBL+S1 "PICI-
PAT+ ONLY )! O3A.NAL 8UH-HUH10 B ? /ATE-
;T PIQU$ 8 CURIOS;Y4 ,UNTIL !N HE'D BE5
?9K+ AB ,ELSIE &! EMPTY H\SE & H[ HE'D
FELT :5 HE 0 AL"O ) H] 9 A PLACE NO "O
ELSE CD SEE4 ,HE'D N"E WANT$ 6L1VE1 WI%$
HE CD LIVE "! ="E4                  #AHI
  8,>.D40 ,MO %RU7$4 8,FOLKS >E TALK+4
,GUESS "SBODY SAW A NEWSPAP]40
  8,NEWSPAP] WD H 6BE OV] A WEEK OLD BY
N[40
  8,S MAYBE ! W>'S OV] ALR & WE DON'T
EV5 "K4 ,MAYBE "EYBODY ELSE 9 ! C.TRY IS
CELEBRAT+4 ,SOLDI]S & NURSES >E DANC+ 9
,FR.E4 ,P>ADES 9 ,P>EE40
  8,T'D 2 NICE40
  8,I D\BT X'S HAPP5$1 ?\<4 ,DOESN'T
FEEL L X40
  8,Y ?9K WE'LL "K :5 X'S OV]80 ,!Y
W]5'T CLOSE 5 6O!R T[NS 6SEE FIRE"WS OR
HE> ! RO> (A CR[D1 ! ?UMP & WAIL (A M>*+
B&4
  8,SURE WE W40
  8,H[80
  8,I DUNNO4 ,! AIR1 ! SKY40 ,HE SCRAT*$
AT 8 *EEK1 2S AN UGLY BOX+ SC>4
  8,WE'LL 2 A# 6TELL ! W> IS OV] 2C ( H[
! SKY LOOKS80
  8,PRETTY M*40
  8,! SKY "H'S GRAY E "D40
  8,EXACTLY4 ,DON'T Y ?9K OLD MAN ,SUN
WD F9,Y -E \ = T80                  #AIJ
  ,PHILIP *ECK$ =A SMILE B SAW N"O4
  8,I C TELL ?+S F ! W1!R10 ,MO SD4 8,E
R1L BAD ?+ T'S HAPP5$ 6ME \ "H1 ,I'VE
"KN X 0 -+ F ! W1!R40
  8,S* Z80
  ,MO ?"\4 8,F/ "T ANY"O ON MY CREW "E
GOT KILL$1 X HAPP5$ ON AN AFN :5 WE _H
LI<TN+ B NO RA94 ,WE 7 J AB F9I%$ ) \R
%IFT :5 WE SAW ! LI<TN+ />T1 B WE 7 "W+
=A R1L M1N BA/>D :O DIDN'T C>E IF 8 CREW
GOT /RUCK OR N1 S WE _H 6/AY \ "!4
,LI<TN+ A9'T A GD ?+ :5 Y'RE *OPP+ D[N
TREES40
  8,I "K T40
  8,S WE'RE \ "! "W+1 & "EYBODY'S PRE-
T5D+ N 6BE BO!R$ 0! LI<TN+ 2C WE'RE ALL
T\< BA/>DS1 ( C\RSE1 B "EYBODY'S ?9K+ AB
X4 ,I 0 "W+ ) ? "O FELLA ,I DIDN'T "PIC-
UL>LY L ON A3.T ( HE 0 "O ( ^? GUYS :O
?"\ T 9SULT+ Y R1L BAD 0 ! WAY 6GET 6"K
Y4 ,S ! LI<TN+ IS FLA%+1 B "!'S / NO RA9
--NO ?"U1 EV51 X 0 ALM L WE 7 J IMAG9+ !
LI<TN+--& ,I DECIDE MY SAW NE$S %>P5+ S
,I H1D ON BACK 6! %$4 ,I SP5D "S "T ON
X1 & :5 ,I TURN >.D 6H1D BACK 6MY   #AIA
SPOT1 ,I SEE T MY "PN] IS LY+ "! ON !
GR.D4 ,& ,I GET CLOS] & SEE HE'S BE5
/A2$ /RAI<T "? ! HE>T1 "!'S BLOOD ALL
OV] 8 *E/ & 8 EYES >E D1D Z ,MC,K9LEY'S4
,& PRETTY SOON ! LI<TN+ _H /OPP$1 & X
N"E DID RA940
  8,:O KILL$ HM80
  8,C\PLE A GUYS HE'D 9SULT$ A BIT TOO
M*4 ,!Y 7 F ,POL&1 & HE'D _H HMF A GD "T
! NI<T 2F MAK+ FUN ( ,POLI% WOM5--,POLI%
"MS 9 "PICUL>--& !Y _HN'T C>$ = T4 ,I
PRETTY M* KNEW X 0 -+40
  8,!N X WASN'T ! W1!R T W>N$ Y1 X 0 Y
"K+ ! GUYS 7 MAD AT HM4 ,T'S :Y Y 7
AFRAID "S?+ BAD 0 -+40
  8,F/ ( ALL1 ,I N"E SD ,I 0 .AFRAID40
,MO LOOK$ A BIT PEEV$4 8,SECOND ( ALL1 Y
C CALL X H[ Y L40
  ,Z M (! "D PASS$ 9 SIL;E1 ,PHILIP ?"\
AB ,ELSIE AG--S M* BETT] ?AN ?9K+ (! LA/
"T HE _H BE5 \ AT ! PO/4 ,0 ,ELSIE AT
*UR* /1 OR 0 %E AT HOME1 OR HELP+ AT !
G5]AL /ORE8 ,PHILIP 0 PROBABLY ! FUR!/
?+ F H] M9D1 HE R1LIZ$4 ,:5 HE'D BE5
TALK+ 6H]1 HE _H SE5 ! 3C]N 9 H]    #AIB
EYES1 _H EV5 _H ! S5SE T %E 0 CLOSE TO
HU7+ HM1 B SURELY HE'D BE5 IMAG9+ X4 ,HE
0 J ! ADOPT$ BOY )! MISS+ FOOT :O HOB#D
>.D T[N & HAPP5$ 6LIVE 9 ! SAME H\SE Z
,ELSIE'S BE/ FR4
  ,8 ?"\S & FEEL+S L1P$ BACK & =? 2T ^!
POLES ( 9FATU,N & ABJECT DESPOND5CY4 ,!
SKIES 2CAME "S:AT D>K]1 ! CL\DS M ?ICKLY
COV]+ ANY EVID;E (! SUN1 : ,PHILIP _H N
LAID EYES ON 9 "DS4
  ,& :AT AB ,GRAHAM8 ,HE _H N"E %[N UP
6HELP PA9T4 ,"S?+ AB ! WAY ,GRAHAM _H
ACT$ ! O!R "D _H KEPT ,PHILIP F WALK+
OV] 6! ,/"OS' H\SE & KNOCK+ ON _! DOOR1
ASK+ :AT ! HOLDUP WAS4
  8,%OOT10 ,MO SD SU45LY4
  8,:AT80
  8,I TOLD ! ,WA*[SKIS ,I'D GET !M "S
FIREWOOD ? MORN+ B ,I =GOT40 ,JAY ,WA*[-
SKI 0 A SAWY] :O'D BROK5 BO? 8 H&S 9 A
MILL A3ID5T ! PREVI\S WEEK1 &! NEI<BORS
_H BE5 PIT*+ 9 6HELP 8 FAMILY GET 0:ILE
HE RECOV]$4 8,EH1 ,I'LL D X AF ! %IFT40
  8,X'LL 2 D>K !N4 ,!Y'LL NE$ WOOD 2F !
SUN SETS40                          #AIC
  8,%OOT10 ,MO SD AG1 LOOK+ BACK T[>D !
T[N4
  8,G AH1D4 ,X'LL ONLY TAKE Y AN H\R40
  ,MO DIDN'T L HAV+ 6FACE A DI6ICULT DE-
CI.N4 8,B ,I SD ,I'D /& GU>D1 TOO40
  8,IF Y'LL ONLY 2 AN H\R1 T'S OKAY4 ,I
C H&LE ?+S \ "H AL"O =A BIT40
  8,Y SURE80
  8,I'M SURE4 ,G AH1D40
  ,MO NO4$1 C>E;LLY PLAC+ 8 RIFLE ON !
GR.D4 8,ALL"RY4 ,DON'T G %OOT+ ANY DE]
OR ANY?+40
  ,ONCE ,MO _H LEFT1 ,PHILIP SAT D[N ON
! GR.D J 2F ! TREE /UMP1 FEEL+ T HE CD 2
M CASUAL N[ T NO "O 0 WAT*+4 ,8 %IFT WD
5D AT EI<T4 ,T 0 :5 ,D1CON WD TAKE OV]1
/&+ "! 6-MUNE )! D>K;S UNTIL ! SUN 2GAN
XS ASC5T ! NEXT MORN+4 ,PHILIP WOND]$
:AT K9D ( P]SON WD VOLUNTE] = T %IFT1 =
/&+ 2N ! SKY'S %E] BLACK;S ) NO?+ EXCEPT
! S.D ( [LS &! TWIT*+ ( BRAN*ES &! O3A-
.NAL DEEP S.D T MI<T 2 A BE> & MI<T 2
"O'S IMAG9,N4
  ,PHILIP _HN'T LOOK$ AT 8 POCKET WAT* 9
"S "T--HE _H -E 6R1LIZE T ! LESS    #AID
(T5 HE *ECK$ X1 ! M QKLY "T ESCAP$4 ,HE
/>$ AT 8 BOOTS =A L;G MO;T1 "DDR1M+ AB
,ELSIE AG1 & F9,Y LOOK$ UP4
  ,AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL HE SAW "S?+ MOVE4
  ,L 2F4 ,ALL TOO SIMIL> 6T "D ) ,GRA-
HAM4 ,F/ ! COLOR$ %AD[S ( "S?+1 T9Y
GL.ES (A MOV+ OBJECT REV1L$ ONLY 9 !
SPACES 2T ! TREES4 ,X 4APPE>$ 2H ! ?ICK
TRUNKS & REAPPE>$ A FEW FEET 6! "R1 MOV+
T[>D ! CLE>+ AT ! BASE (! HILL4
  ,PHILIP'S F+]S TI<T5$ _! GRIP >.D !
GUN = :AT HE HOP$ WD 2 J A MO;T1 A PASS+
?"\1 A MISTAK5 IMPRES.N4 ,B !N HE R1LIZ$
H[ "R HE'D BE5--& H[ WR;G ! SITU,N 0 AB
62COME4
  ,A FIGURE 0 EM]G+ F ! WOODS1 WALK+ TO-
W>D ! SIGN4 ,AG4 ,X 0 A MAN1 AG1 & HE
WALK$ SL[LY B ) NO LIMP4 ,! FIGURE'S
/1DY GAIT 0 ALL T TOLD ,PHILIP HE WASN'T
IMAG9+ ?1 T ? 0 "S?+ NEW1 "S?+ HAPP5+ "R
N[4 ,! MAN /OPP$ AT ! SIGN4
  8,G AWAY10 ,PHILIP SD 6HMF1 =! MAN 0 /
TOO F> 6HE>4 8,PL1SE1 PL1SE G AWAY40
  ,H[ CD "! 2 ANO!R P]SON .WALK+ TO
,-MONW1L?1 ANO!R LO/ S\L /RA7L+ !   #AIE
FIFTE5 MILES F ! NE>E/ T[N8 ,PHILIP %OOK
8 H1D AT 8 PECULI> FATE1 WI%+ AG/ ALL
R1L;Y T ! MAN WD SIMPLY 4APPE>4
  ,! MAN LOOK$ UP AT ,PHILIP4 ,! LI<T 0
J DIM 5\<1 2N ! CANOPY (! TREES1 =!
MAN'S F1TURES 6BE MO;T>ILY 9VISI#4 ,NO
FACE1 NO M\?1 NO "PICUL> TYPE ( CLO?+4
,PHILIP WI%$ V M* 6REMEMB] HM T WAY3 Z A
NO?+1 A WRAI? T APPE>$ & R1D A /RANGE
SIGN & J Z QKLY--PL1SE1 PL1SE--VANI%$
96! WOODS4 ,A CR1TURE T WD N FRAT]NIZE )
M54 ,A SPOOK4 ,PL1SE1 PL1SE G AWAY4
  ,B ! MAN 4OBEY$ ,PHILIP'S 9AUDI# PLEA4
,HE CLIMB$ OV] ! FALL5 TREE & />T$ WALK+
UP ! HILL4
  ,HE SL[LY SOLIDIFI$ F WRAI? 6FULLY RE-
ALIZ$ MAN2 HE ACQUIR$ D>K HAIR & EQU,Y
D>K EYES &A SMALL NOSE T SEEM$ ALL B
OV]TAK5 0A REC5T GR[? ( UNKEMPT BE>D4
,SOON HE WD H A VOICE4 ,!N A P]SONAL;Y4
,MANN]ISMS4 ,POSSIBLY A REGIONAL A35T4
,": ! HELL 0 ,MO8
  ,X 0 ANO!R SOLDI]4 ,HE 0 DRESS$ L ! F/
SOLDI]1 ! SAME KHAKI PANTS &! SAME
JACKET OV] ! SAME %IRT T _H -E      #AIF
UNTUCK$ & HUNG OV] ": 8 BELT %D BE4 ,!
SAME BOOTS COV]$ 9 ! SAME MUD T SME>$
MO/ ( 8 LEGS4 ,/1 HE LOOK$ CL1N] ?AN !
LA/ MAN1 L HE 0 M A3U/OM$ 6F9D+ HMF LO/
9 ! WOODS & KNEW H[ 6TAKE C>E ( HMF4 ,"S
(! MUD LOOK$ L X _H DRI$ "DS 2F4 ,X
LACK$ ! FRE% WET;S (! F/ SOLDI]'S1 J Z ?
MAN'S GAIT LACK$ ! LIMP--! LIMP (! VIC-
TIM1 ! LIMP (! GUY :O SEEM$ 6"K ALL AL;G
T HE WD 2 %OT4 ,? GUY DIDN'T "K ANY S*
?+4
  ,"S?+ 9 8 EYES /RUCK M FE> 96,PHILIP
?AN HE _H FELT 2F4 ,%DN'T "S?+ L ? GET
EASI] ! SECOND "T8 ,! MAN 0 LOOK+ AT HM
N[1 & X 0 ) AN UNEASY FEEL+ T ,PHILIP
R1LIZ$ HE 0 2+ ASSESS$1 M1SUR$ UP1 & F.D
WANT+4
  ,PHILIP /OLE A QK GL.E 2H HM 6SEE IF
,MO 0 -+ OR EV5 IF ,ELSIE 0 HID+ "S": 9
! TREES4 ,B "! 0 NO "O1 J HM &A SOLDI]4
,PHILIP TURN$ BACK >.D4 ,HE _H ALR LET !
MAN -E TOO CLOSE4
  8,Y C'T -E UP "H60 ,PHILIP %\T$4 ,HE
?"\ T 0 :AT ,GRAHAM _H SD1 B X S.D$ S M*
PUNI] F ,PHILIP'S LIPS4 ,"! 0       #AIG
WEI<T 2H ,GRAHAM'S VOICE1 MASS4 ,MATUR;Y
& SU6]+4 ,PHILIP S.D$ L A KID HOLD+ A
TOY GUN4
  ,! MAN KEPT WALK+1 SIL5TLY4
  8,I SD Y C'T -E UP "H6 ,! T[N IS CLOS$
(F ON A3.T (! FLU60
  ,M FOOT/EPS1 / NO VOICE4
  ,PHILIP LIFT$ ! RIFLE1 AIM+ X AT !
MAN4 ,HE _H NOTIC$ T1 UNLIKE ! PREVI\S
SOLDI]1 ? MAN DID N H A RIFLE SLUNG OV]
8 BACK4 ,N"O!.S1 HOLD+ 8 [N W1PON GAVE
,PHILIP N A FEEL+ ( /R5G? OR SAFETY B "O
( IMM95T DANG]4 ,Z IF ! GUN 7 PO9T$
BACKW>D AT HMF4 ,Z IF HE KNEW T ! WEI<T
( ANY VIOL;E HE R5D]$ WD FEEL ALL ! GRT]
ON 8 H&S4
  8,I SD10 ,PHILIP SPAT "? GRITT$ TEE?1
8 VOICE SURPRIS+ EV5 HM 9 XS F]OC;Y1
8Y'VE -E CLOSE 5\<40
  ,! MAN /OPP$4 ,HE 0 P]H ?IRTY Y>DS
AWAY1 AT AB ! SAME SPOT ! F/ SOLDI] _H
FALL5 D1D4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N1 %OOK 8 H1D4
,:5 HE LOOK$ BACK UP1 "! 0 A SMILE ON 8
LIPS4 ,HE 0 A H&"S MAN1 8 SMILE WELL
DEF9$ EV5 9 ! 2G9N+S (A BE>D4       #AIH
  8,C'MON1 KID1 PUT ! GUN D[N & LET'S
TALK L CIVILIZ$ M540
  ,HE LOOK$ AB ,GRAHAM'S AGE4 ,T WD MAKE
HM N9E YE>S ,PHILIP'S S5IOR1 B ,PHILIP /
DIDN'T L 2+ CALL$ 8KID0 0A /RANG]4
  8,WE'RE "U QU>ANT9E4 ,NO "O'S ALL[$ 9
T[N4 ,TURN >.D & H1D "S": ELSE40
  8,& :AT T[N IS ?1 PRAY TELL80
  8,-MONW1L?40
  ,! MAN SEEM$ ?OR\<LY UNIMPRESS$ 0!
SITU,N1 Z IF ,PHILIP 7 A YAPP+ FAMILY
DOG ^: PRES;E ! MAN TOL]AT$ ONLY S Z N
6APPE> RUDE 6HIS HO/S4
  8,KID1 D ,I LOOK L ,I H ! FLU 6Y80
  8,D ,I LOOK L A DOCTOR80
  ,! MAN ?"\ =A MO;T4 8,WD Y L ME 6D A
H&/& = Y8 ,OR FIFTY PU%-UPS8 ,I'LL D
FIFTY PU%-UPS = Y--T %D PROVE ,I'M A
H1L?Y MAN40
  8,WE'RE N LETT+ ANY"O 96\R T[N40
,PHILIP 0 TRY+ N 6BE 4>M$ 0! MAN'S
SMILE1 8 IGNOR.E (! MO;T'S SEV];Y4
  8,:AT'S YR "N1 KID80
  8,Y NE$ 6TURN >.D .N[4 ,I'M SORRY1
BU4Y4 ,I'M J PROTECT+ MY T[N40      #AII
  8,& :AT HAPP5S IF ,I -E ANY F>!R80 ,HE
TOOK A /EP4
  ,PHILIP ?"\ ( ,GRAHAM4 ,!N HE ?"\ (
,ELSIE4
  8,I %OOT Y40
  ,PHILIP _H SD T EV5LY1 _HN'T TRI$ TO
MAKE X S.D L A ?R1T4 ,J MATT]-(-FACT1 AN
IMMUTA# TRU?4 ,! SUN RISES 9 ! EA/1 !
TREES "H >E TALL1 & ,I %OOT ANY"O :O
GETS TOO CLOSE4 ,X 0 ? SIMPLE T"O (
VOICE T MADE ! EXPRES.N ON ! SOLDI]'S
FACE *ANGE "S:AT4 ,X 0 Z IF ! LL YAPP+
DOG _H 2COME E]ILY QUIET :ILE />+ 9T5TLY
AT ! MAN'S ANKLES4
  8,I DON'T ?9K Y WD40
  ,!Y />$ AT EA* O!R4 ,PHILIP ?"\ (! WAY
,GRAHAM'S EYES _H LOOK$ TWO NI<TS AGO :5
HE />$ AT 8 FIREPLACE1 ( 8 TREMBL+ H&S
0! WOOD%$1 ! COLD;S 9 8 VOICE4 ,I NE$ ?
GUY 6L1VE1 N[4 ,I DON'T WANT 6%OOT HM4
,I DON'T "K IF ,I C4 ,I NE$ 6MAKE HM DE-
CIDE 6TURN >.D4
  8,I'VE D"O X 2F40 ,PHILIP SD T SL[LY1
EA* ^W C>E;LLY M1SUR$1 EA* ^W HURT+ Z X
CAME \1 L %RAPNEL REMOV$ 0RU/Y =-   #BJJ
CEPS4
  8,H Y80
  ,PHILIP CDN'T TELL IF ! MAN DIDN'T BE-
LIEVE HM OR 0 J HOP+ 6CAT* ? T\<-ACT+
KID 9 A LIE T WD EXPOSE HM Z A C[>D &
BL[H>D4
  8,LOOK 6YR LEFT4 ,AB ?IRTY Y>DS 9 !
WOODS4 ,LOOK =! TREE )! /RIP ( MOSS ON
XS TRUNK 9 A DIAGONAL L9E40 ,! MAN DID Z
HE 0 TOLD4 8,SEE X80
  8,I SEE ! TREE1 Y1H40
  8,N[ LOOK 2L X40
  ,! MAN /EPP$ 6HIS SIDE 6GET A GLIMPSE
(! E>? 2T ! CROSS+ BRAN*ES4 ,HE 0 SIL5T
=A MO;T4
  8,T A GRAVE80
  8,T'S "R40
  ,! GRAVEDI7]S _H PUT ! GRAVE ": NO "O
0 LIKELY 6/UM# ^U X1 B X 0 / "S:AT VISI#
F ! ROAD IF "O KNEW ": 6LOOK4
  8,LOOKS FRE%40
  8,J A C\PLE "DS OLD40 ,:ILE ! MAN
LOOK$ AT ! GRAVE1 ,PHILIP KEPT 8 EYES
LOCK$ ON 8 T>GET4 8,HE 0 A SOLDI]1 L Y40
  ,? TOO CAU<T ! MAN UNAW>ES4 ,HE   #BJA
FAC$ ,PHILIP AG4 8,ANO!R SOLDI]80
  8,T'S "R4 ,S DON'T ?9K ,I'M 9TIMIDAT$
0! UNI=M OR ANY?+40
  ,PHILIP'S MUSCLES 7 GETT+ TI<T1 A*+4
,!Y PL1D$ = HM 6RELAX AT L1/ MO;T>ILY OR
SWIT* 6ANO!R POSI;N1 B HE REFUS$4
  8,I J NE$ A PLACE 6SLEEP1 KID40 ,!
SOLDI] _H WISELY DECID$ 6/OP GOAD+
,PHILIP & 0 TRY+ A NEW TACK4 8,& "S
FOOD4 ,I DON'T--0
  8,/OP CALL+ ME KID40
  8,"S FOOD &A PLACE 6SLEEP1 PL1SE1 SIR4
,T'S ALL ,I ASK40
  ,PHILIP _H ?"\ ( ?1 (! OP;N HE _H OV]-
LOOK$ :5 ! F/ SOLDI] _H -E >.D4
  8,I MAYBE C BR+ Y "S FOOD IF Y /AY
BACK ": Y >E & DON'T -E ANY CLOS]4 ,AF !
O!R GU>D -ES BACK4 ,B Y'RE \ ( LUCK ON !
%ELT]4 ,NO "O -ES 96! T[N40
  8,X'S GO+ 6BE FREEZ+ TN4 ,! HELL ) YR
FOOD IF Y'RE GO+ 6L1VE ME \ "H 6DIE40
  8,T'S ! BE/ ,I C D4 ,TAKE X OR L1VE40
  ,! MAN ?"\ AB ?4 ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT !
GRAVE4
  8,Y M/ 2 A D1DEYE ) T RIFLE40     #BJB
  8,GD 5\<40
  ,! SOLDI] LOOK$ D[N1 & ?\< ,PHILIP CD
B>ELY SEE 8 FACE1 HE KNEW ! MAN 0 SMIL+
AG4 ,:Y 0 ? S 5T]TA9+ 6HM8 ,! BIT ( FE>
T ,PHILIP _H SE5 9 8 EYES SEEM$ 6H LEFT
HM ALR4
  ,HE'S GO+ 6TAKE ANO!R /EP1 ,PHILIP
?"\4 ,HE'S N SC>$ ANYMORE4 ,MAYBE HE'S
CRAZY4 ,MAYBE "S?+ WORSE HAPP5$ 6HM 9 !
W>1 &! LA/ ?+ HE'S GO+ 6D IS 2 S5T AWAY
0"S 8KID40 ,HE'S GO+ 6-E CLOS]4
  ..,IF ! SOLDI] TAKES "O /EP F>!R1
,I'LL AIM =! GR.D "R 9 FRONT ( .HM1
,PHILIP V[$4 ..,MAKE HM JUMP4 ,SC>E HM
HOME4 ,HE GETS "O W>N+ %OT4 .,"O4
  ,! SOLDI] LOOK$ UP AG4 ,PHILIP SAW !
DECI.N 9 8 EYES1 ! IMM95T MOVE;T4 ,!
MUSCLES 9 ,PHILIP'S TRI7] F+] 7 S TAUT
!Y A*$4
  ,PHILIP ?"\ ! MAN'S /EP WD 2 SL[ & DE-
LIB]ATE1 B HE 0 WR;G4 ,! SOLDI] DIDN'T
/EP AT ALL4 ,8 MOVE;T 0 ?3 ! "R H& T _H
BE5 DANGL+ 0HIS SIDE 4APPE>$ =A MO;T1
96! L[ TAILS ( 8 UNTUCK$ %IRT1 & Z SOON
Z X REAPPE>$ X 0 HOLD+ A PI/OL &!   #BJC
AIR >.D ,PHILIP EXPLOD$4
  ,PHILIP 9/9CTIVELY FIR$ A %OT &
DROPP$4 ,! TWO %OTS E*O$ EA* O!R1 ! S.D
( ,PHILIP'S / />TL+ 6HM4 ,HE 0 ON ! GR.D
N[1 HID+ 2H ! MI<TY TRUNK T _H BE5 5VI-
.N$ Z A PO/ B C]TA9LY N Z A %IELD4 ,8
BR1?S CAME FA/4 ,HE TOOK A QK MO;T 6LOOK
HMF OV] & DET]M9E T HE _H N BE5 HIT 0!
SOLDI]'S BULLET4
  ,B _H ,PHILIP HIT ! SOLDI]8 ,HE LI/5$
=A S.D4 ,0 ! 9TRUD] D1D8 ,OR 0 HE CR\*+
CLOS]1 J ON ! O!R SIDE (! TREE TRUNK8
  ,PHILIP'S F+]S 7 %AK+4 ,HE _H 6LOOK1
_H 6SEE IF ! SOLDI] 0 D1D4 ,HE TOOK A
BR1?4 ,2 QK4 ,TAKE A LOOK1 NO L;G] ?AN A
SECOND1 & HIDE AG4 ,HE REPOSI;N$ 8 FEET
"U HM1 8 LEGS CR\*$ S HE CD SPR+ UP &
COLLAPSE BACK D[N AG4 ,HE FRANTIC,Y RE-
LOAD$ 8 RIFLE1 TOOK ANO!R BR1?4 ,N[4
  ,HE TURN$ & LIFT$ HMF J 5 = 8 H1D &
%\LD]S 6CLE> ! TRUNK4 ,! SOLDI] 0 G"O4
,OR AT L1/ HE WASN'T ": HE _H BE5 A MO;T
AGO4 ,PHILIP GL.ED 6HIS "R1 6! ?ICK
WOODS1 ! DIREC;N (! F/ SOLDI]'S GRAVE1 &
J Z HE SAW "S?+ MOVE HE LET 8       #BJD
LEGS G \ F "U HM & HE FELL 2H ! TREE
TRUNK4
  8,Y SURE Y WANT 6D ?80 ! SOLDI] CALL$
\4
  ,! ENORM;Y (! FACT T "S"O _H J %OT AT
HM 0 SL[LY S9K+ 96,PHILIP'S PANICK$ M9D4
,! SOLDI] _H %OT AT HM & WD D S AG4 ,9 A
WAY1 ! SOLDI] 0 MAK+ ? EASY ON ,PHILIP--
N[ ,PHILIP ._H 6%OOT HM OR 2 %OT HMF4
,"EY?+ AB /&+ GU>D 0 SUPPOS$LY 9 ! VE9 (
SELF-DEF5SE1 B ONLY N[1 )A TANGI# ?R1T S
CLOSE1 DID X TRULY FEEL T WAY4
  ,/1 HE KNEW HE 0 ! SOLE DEF5SE ! T[N
_H4 ,? MAN CD 2 ON ! V]GE ( 2COM+ SICK1
CD 2 C>RY+ ! FLU 9 8 BLOOD & LUNGS4 ,HE
CD /ROLL 96,-MONW1L? & SOON P WD 2 C\<+1
WD 2 9 B$ ) FEV]1 WD 2 HALLUC9AT+ Z _!
=EH1DS BURN$ & _! EYES CL\D$ OV] & _!
9SIDES FLOOD$ ) MUCUS & D1?4 ,PHILIP _H
6/OP ! SOLDI]4
  8,I'M N LETT+ Y 96T T[N6 ,EV5 IF Y D
%OOT ME1 "!'S PL5TY M M5 T'LL KEEP Y F
GETT+ IN60
  ,"S"O M/ H HE>D ! %OTS1 ,PHILIP ?"\4
,!Y W]5'T T F> F ! T[N4 ,"S"O WD    #BJE
-E S L;G Z ,PHILIP CD KEEP ! /ALEMATE4
,UN.S ! M5 7 / "W+ ON ^? TWO BUILD+S ON
! MA9 /REET1 HAMM]+ UP A /ORM4 ,SURELY !
S.D ( GUNFIRE WD 2 AUDI# OV] ! HAMM]+4
  ,PHILIP HE>D MOVE;T4 ,! SOLDI] 0 "S":
9 ! WOODS 6! "R (! /UMP4 ,! WOODS 5D$ AB
TW5TY FEET F ": ,PHILIP 0 CR\*+1 S !Y 7
CLOSE 6EA* O!R4 ,! SOLDI] CD 2 PRETTY M*
ANY": 0N[1 APPROA*+ ,PHILIP F ANY ANGLE4
,PHILIP 0 AL"O ON AN ISL&1 A T9Y "O4 ,IF
HE WAIT$ M* L;G]1 ! SOLDI] WD GET A CLE>
%OT4
  ,PHILIP ROLL$ 6HIS SIDE1 CLE> (!
/UMP'S PROTEC;N4 ,)! RIFLE /RET*$ \ 2F
HM1 HE FIR$ A %OT 96! WOODS1 AT 8 BE/
GUESS ( ": ! SOLDI] _H BE5 DUR+ ! SPLIT
SECOND HE'D SE5 HM 2F4 ,!N HE SPRANG TO
8 FEET & RAN Z FA/ Z 8 LAME LEG CD C>RY
HM4 ,HE LUNG$ ! LA/ FEW FEET1 L&+ AWK-
W>DLY & PA9;LLY 2H ANO!R TREE4 ,! RIFLE
B\NC$ F 8 H&S & L&$ A FEW FEET F HM1 B
HE 0 A# 6R1* \ & GRAB X Z HE SAT UP1
L1N+ ) 8 BACK AG/ ! TREE4
  ,HE 0 SURPRIS$ ! SOLDI] _HN'T %OT AT
HM :ILE HE'D MADE 8 ESCAPE4 ,0 !    #BJF
SOLDI] S CLOSE T HE DIDN'T NE$ TO8 ,0
,PHILIP HID+ ! WR;G WAY1 0 8 SIDE ACTU,Y
EXPOS$ 6HIS ADV]S>Y1 :]"E HE WAS8 ,! MAN
0 A SOLDI]1 AF ALL--HE _H BE5 TRA9$ H[
6D ?4 ,HE WD "K H[ 6OV]TAKE "S SIXTE5-
YE>-OLD )A RIFLE & ONLY "O FOOT4 ,! SOL-
DI] 0 PROBABLY NO?+ B A %AD[ N[1 SL9K+
2T ! TREES1 WRAPP+ >.D TREE TRUNKS & 2T
BRAN*ES1 CRAWL+ CLOS]4
  ,PHILIP TRI$ 6MAKE 8 BR1?S QUIET]4
,TRI$ 6BE SIL5T4 ,TRI$ 6LI/5 =! SOLDI]1
B HE HE>D NO?+4
  ,"! 7 BU%ES & ?ICKETS & L[-L1N+ BRAN*-
ES COV]+ MO/ (! GR.D2 X WD N 2 EASY TO
SN1K >.D "H )\T AL]T+ "O'S FOE4 ,EI !
SOLDI] WASN'T MOV+ AT ALL OR HE 0 DO+ S
) EXTREME DELIB],N1 CALMLY BRU%+ ASIDE A
BRAN*1 TAK+ A /EP1 WAIT+4
  ,!N1 A S.D4 ,"S?+ 6,PHILIP'S "R4 ,HE
TURN$ J Z ! S.D 0 DY+ AWAY4 ,"S?+ MOV+
OV] "!1 AG/ T TREE )! POISON IVY 2N X4
,! MOV+ OBJECT ROLL$ T[>D ,PHILIP3 A
ROCK4 ,A ROCK8
  ,X _H BE5 ?R[N "!4 ,A 4TRAC;N4 ,PHILIP
R1LIZ$ HE _H EXPOS$ 8 POSI;N1 0     #BJG
NO L;G] Z WELL HI454 ,! MOVES 7 -+ 6HM
N[1 HE SAW ! /EPS1 B EA* "O TOO LATE4
  ,& Z ,PHILIP TURN$ BACK >.D1 ALM B N
FA/ 5\<1 HE SAW M MOVE;T1 R1L MOVE;T1 A
MAN -+ T[>D HM ) SPE$ HE CD N C.T]4 ,2F
HE _H TURN$ 5 6FACE ! MAN1 ! MOVE;T
*ANG$ AG1 2CAME AWKW>D1 & "! 0 A H>D
DULL S.D1 !N A :IMP]4
  ,! SOLDI] _H TRIPP$ & FALL54 ,HE'D BE5
MOV+ 96POSI;N1 CLOSE 5 =A SURE %OT1 :5
HE _H TRIPP$ ON "O (! S]P5T9E B SOLID
TRUNKS T SLI!R$ 2N !M4 ,HE'D FALL5 =W>D1
L&+ ON 8 *E/ B CAT*+ HMF ) 8 H&S4 ,8
EMPTY H&S4 ,PHILIP SAW ! PI/OL SKITT] ON
! GR.D & L& 9 ! NOOK ( ANO!R TREE TRUNK1
P]H SIX FEET F ! SOLDI]'S H1D4 ,! SOLDI]
LOOK$ UP1 8 EYES WIDE )! R1LIZ,N T ? KID
0 LIMP+ =W>D1 CLOS] 6! PI/OL ?AN ! SOL-
DI] WAS4
  ,PHILIP AL R1LIZ$ HE _H =GOTT5 6RELOAD
8 RIFLE4 ,HE IMMLY DID S1 8 E>LI] MIS-
TAKE DEPRIV+ HM (A QK %OT4 ,B N[ ! RIFLE
0 LOAD$ & N[ HE 0 /&+ ) "O FOOT ON TOP (
! PI/OL4 ,! SOLDI] L1N$ ON 8 H&S1 SL[LY
RAIS+ HMF 6A KNEEL+ PO/URE4 ,AF 8   #BJH
E>LI] NON*AL.E1 8 FACE F9,Y WORE A LOOK
( 3C]N1 EXTREME 3C]N4
  ,PHILIP 0 AIM+ ! RIFLE "R AT ! MAN'S
*E/4 ,!Y 7 NO M ?AN ?REE Y>DS F EA* O!R4
  ,! SOLDI] SWALL[$4 ,8 EYES 7 L>GE1 !
PUPILS SEEM+ 6%R9K Z ! :ITE;S GREW >.D
!M4
  ,PHILIP KNEW HE %D PULL ! TRI7] "R !N1
PULL X QKLY & 5D X ALL4 ,DON'T GIVE !
MAN A *.E 6OP5 8 M\? AG & />T TALK+4 ,HE
?"\ ( ,ELSIE1 ?"\ ( ,REBE3A & ,*>LES & 8
SI/]1 ,LAURA1 ?"\ ( ,AMELIA & 8 UN(FI-
CIAL NIECE1 ,MILLIE4 ,A BABY MI<T 2 ! F/
6GET SICK & DIE IF ! EPIDEMIC MADE X TO
T[N4 ,HE ?"\ (! BABY DY+ & ,AMELIA PAC+
! ROOM N]V\SLY1 H] FACE BLANK ) %OCK4
,HE ?"\ ( ,GRAHAM PUN*+ HOLES 9 ! WALLS
( 8 H\SE1 ,GRAHAM 2+ UNA# 6SUPPRESS UN-
MANLY TE>S J Z HE _H BE5 HELP.S 6SAVE 8
ONLY *4 ,PHILIP FIXAT$ ON ,GRAHAM DE-
SPITE HMF1 ?"\ ( ,GRAHAM &! F/ SOLDI] &!
TWO %OTS1 "O 6PUT ! MAN D[N & "O 6F9I%
HM (F4
  8,S T'S X1 !N10 ! SOLDI] SD1 WAK+
,PHILIP F 8 FREE-FL[+ FE>S4         #BJI
  ,! RIFLE SEEM$ S H1VY4
  8,J GET UP & TURN >.D10 ,PHILIP -M&$4
8,GET \ ( "H4 ,PL1SE40
  ,HE %DN'T H SD 8PL1SE40 ,X MADE HM S.D
W1K OR 3FLICT$ & HE REGRETT$ X IMMLY4
  ,! SOLDI] %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I'D R DIE QK
?AN SL[1 FREEZ+ 6D1?4 ,G AH1D40 ,HE S.D$
"S?+ 2T SPITE;L & AT P1CE ) 8 FATE4
  8,J G10 ,PHILIP PL1D$4
  8,"H4 ,I'LL MAKE X EASY = Y40 ,! SOL-
DI] OP5$ ! F/ TWO BUTTONS ( 8 KHAKI
JACKET & HELD !M A"P1 EXPOS+ A CIRCLE (
"U%IRT T 0 ! ONLY ?+ COV]+ 8 HE>T4 8,"R
"!1 KID4 ,C'T MISS X40 ,8 EYES 7 ALM
-PLETELY BLANK1 B ! SK9 >.D 8 EYE SOCK-
ETS 0 T5S$4 ,PHILIP CD SEE A VE9 AL;G !
SIDE ( 8 H1D TWIT*+4 ,! MAN'S TEE? 7
CL5*$ & 8 JAW 0 RIGID & 8 H1D & NECK BE-
GAN 6%AKE4 ,ALL ! MUSCLES 9 8 BODY SEEM$
6BE FLEX+ 9 DEFI.E ( D1? EV5 Z _! MA/] 0
OP5LY C\RT+ X4
  ,HE 0 S CLOSE T1 F ,PHILIP'S VANTAGE
PO9T1 ! 5D (! RIFLE COV]$ ! C5T] (!
MAN'S *E/1 ! BIT ( :ITE COTTON %IRT A
P]FECT T>GET4                       #BAJ
  ,!Y 7 S CLOSE4 ,!Y 7 TOO CLOSE4 ,!Y 7
BR1?+ ! SAME AIR1 &! L;G] ,PHILIP /OOD
"!1 ! WORSE HE 0 MAK+ X4 ,0 X ALR TOO
LATE8 ,0 ! SECRET1 DOOM$ FATE (! T[N ALR
9 ,PHILIP'S BLOOD8
  ,!Y />$ AT EA* O!R1 MO;N.S4 ,!Y />$ AT
EA* O!R & BR1!D4
  ,PHILIP L[]$ 8 RIFLE SLI<TLY4 ,X 0 S*
A T9Y MOVE;T B X M1NT S M*1 = HE _H MADE
8 DECI.N4 ,:E!R HE DID X 2C HE FELT
BACK$ 96A CORN] OR 2C HE 0 UNA# 6FOLL[
"? 0 "S?+ HE REFUS$ 6POND]4
  8,IF WE CUT "? ^! WOODS10 ,PHILIP SD
SL[LY1 8WE'LL GET 6AN EMPTY BUILD+4
,"!'S A CELL>1 & Y C HIDE D[N "!4 ,I'LL
GET Y "S FOOD1 !N Y C SLEEP4 ,B 2F ! SUN
RISES1 Y L1VE4 ,Y'RE G"O 2F ANY"O ELSE
IS AWAKE40 ,HE SWALL[$4 8,D Y "U/&80
  ,! SOLDI] NO4$1 EYES WIDE4
  8,Y'LL /AY SIL5T & 2 G"O 0SUNRISE80
  8,YES4 ,YES4 ,?ANK Y40
  ,PHILIP L[]$ ! RIFLE4 ,HE B5T D[N &
PICK$ UP ! MAN'S PI/OL1 LOOK+ AT X
BRIEFLY 2F PUTT+ X 9 8 POCKET4 ,HE'D N"E
HELD A PI/OL 2F & HE HOP$ 6HELL X   #BAA
WDN'T G (F 9 8 POCKET1 B HE WASN'T GIV+
X BACK 6! SOLDI]4
  8,Y GOT ANY M GUNS HI45 9 "!80
  ,! SOLDI] SD NO1 B ,PHILIP MADE HM /&
& OP5 8 JACKET1 LIFT UP 8 %IRT1 & EMPTY
8 POCKETS 6PROVE X4 ,PHILIP NOTIC$ T !
SOLDI]'S H&S 7 %AK+1 & 8 EYES LOOK$ M
REFLECTIVE ?AN 2F4 ,HE _H TRULY ?"\ HE 0
AB 6DIE1 & 8 RECOV]Y F ? 0 N QK4
  8,L1D ! WAY10 ,PHILIP SD1 PO9T+ AH1D )
8 RIFLE4
  ,PHILIP FOLL[$ AB T5 PACES 2H1 : HE
HOP$ 0 5 4T.E 6KEEP HM PROTECT$ F :AT"E
VILE G]MS OR MALEVOL5T _SS HAUNT$ ! AIR
>.D 8 CAPTIVE4 ,MAYBE 2+ A FEW FEET AWAY
= ONLY A M9UTE OR TWO _HN'T MADE A DI6]-
;E8 ,MAYBE HE _HN'T RU9$ "EY?+ =! 5TIRE
T[N8
  ,HE TRI$ N 6?9K AB ?--HE 0 ALR S N]V\S
& SC>$ T HE CDN'T AF=D TO4 ,! =E/ 2CAME
EV5 ?ICK] Z ! HILL ROSE1 B ,PHILIP KNEW
T AF A FEW HUNDR$ Y>DS1 !Y WD R1* A
CLE>+ ": A FEW EMPTY BUILD+S /OOD4 ,!
BUILD+S _H BE5 BUILT 0,REG9ALD ,WOR?Y'S
MILL YE>S 2F ,*>LES _H B"\ !        #BAB
PROP]TY & CR1T$ ,-MONW1L?2 !Y ORIG9,Y _H
BE5 9T5D$ 6/ORE EXCESS WOOD1 B !Y 7
POORLY LOCAT$1 M* TOO F> F ! RIV] &!
MILL4 ,!Y _H N"E BE5 US$1 A /RANGE WA/E
( SPACE T MADE ,PHILIP WOND] IF ,*>LES 0
DELIB]ATELY AVOID+ ^! BUILD+S \ ( SELF-
"RE\S;S4 ,! FACT T !Y 7 S REMOV$1 AT !
5D (A B>ELY US$ ROAD1 MADE !M P]FECT =
,PHILIP'S PURPOSES4 ,! SOLDI] CD SLEEP 9
"O ALL NI<T & N"E 2 NE> 5 69FECT ANY"O4
,MAYBE X WD 2 L HE _H N"E BE5 "!4 ,MAYBE
? WASN'T A HORRI# MISTAKE4
  ,TWIGS SNAPP$ Z !Y ASC5D$ ! HILL4
,PHILIP'S VIEW (! SOLDI] 0 DIMM$ 0!
FALL+ DUSK4 ,! DIRT & B>K & GRASS & NEE-
DLES 7 LOS+ _! COLOR1 FAD+ 96A DULL GRAY
T WD SOON 4APPE> 96D>K;S4
  ,": 0 ,MO8 ,N[1 ( C\RSE1 ,PHILIP 0
HOP+ T 8 BALD A3OMPLICE WD TAKE EV5 L;G]
6RETURN4 ,IF ,PHILIP CD /[ ! SOLDI] 9 !
BUILD+ & TELL HM 6WAIT "!1 HE CD RETURN
6! PO/ 2F ,MO GOT BACK4 ,!N HE WD TELL
,MO HE NE$$ 6L1VE BRIEFLY--HE'D MAKE UP
"S EXCUSE--& HE'D GET "S FOOD =! SOLDI]
& BR+ X 6! EMPTY BUILD+4 ,HE'D D    #BAC
8 BE/ 6AVOID O!R P T NI<T 9 CASE ! AIR
>.D HM 0 POLLUT$ 041SE4 ,B IF HE _H BE5
9FECT$ 0"S?+1 WDN'T HE PASS X ON 6,MO1
:O WD !N PASS X ON 6"S"O ELSE1 & ON & ON
9 A MATT] ( H\RS8 ,H[ EXACTLY DID ? "W8
,PHILIP WD H 6F9D ,DOC ,BANES1 ASK HM A
FEW 9NOC5T "QS4 ,!N AG1 IF HE 0 TRY+ TO
AVOID P1 HE CDN'T ASK ! DOCTOR4 ,? 0 ALR
TOO -PLICAT$4
  ,SOON ! TREES ?9N$ \ &A SMALL CLE>+
OP5$4 ,X 0 A "PI,Y MAN-MADE CLE>+1 & RE-
C5T AT T1 Z /UMPS LITT]$ ! GR.D4 ,J AH1D
( !M 7 ?REE BUILD+S1 & ,PHILIP U%]$ !
SOLDI] T[>D ! "O T SAT F>!/ F ! T[N4 ,Z
!Y APPROA*$ ! BUILD+1 HE _H A VIEW (!
ROAD T L9K$ ^! =GOTT5 /RUCTURES )! RE/ (
! T[N4 ,! ROAD W5T /RAI<T AH1D1 )! WOODS
6! "R &A ?9N] /& ( TREES 6! LEFT4 ,J 2Y
0 "O (! MA9 /REETS--? ROAD 0 "O (! _M
SPOKES (F ( X1 & MO/ (! O!RS 7 L9$ )
EMPTY NEW H\SES4 ,SURELY NO "O %D NE$ TO
-E D[N "H4
  8,G 9SIDE10 ,PHILIP SD 6! SOLDI]1 /EP-
P+ BACK S"EAL FEET 6GIVE ! MAN & 8
POSSI# BA7AGE ( 41SE A WIDE B]?4    #BAD
  ,! SOLDI] OBEY$4
  8,H1D =! CELL>4 ,! /AIRS >E 9 ! BACK1
ON ! "R40
  ,PHILIP WAIT$ A FEW SECONDS =! BAD _SS
SURR.D+ ! SOLDI] 64SIPATE 2F HE FOLL[$4
,9SIDE 0 A L>GE1 D>K1 W9D[.S ROOM1 M/Y )
/AGN,N4 ,X TOOK 8 EYES A MO;T 6ADJU/4
,DU/ COV]$ ! FLOOR & WALLS1 MOTTL+ ! D>K
WOOD4 ,! SOLDI] _H LEFT FOOTPR9TS1 &
,PHILIP 3SCI\SLY AVOID$ !M1 /EPP+ 6!
SIDE Z IF HE CD CAT* ! FLU ?\< ! SOLES (
8 BOOTS4 ,HE CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H HM J Z !
SOLDI] 2GAN DESC5D+ ! /AIRS4 ,PHILIP
FIGUR$ HE WD WALK 6! TOP (! /AIRS & CALL
D[N1 TELL ! SOLDI] T X MI<T 2 Z L;G Z AN
H\R OR TWO 2F HE CD BR+ ANY FOOD4 ,HE WD
W>N ! SOLDI] AG T IF HE POK$ 8 H1D \ &
WALK$ >.D ! T[N1 ! O!R T[NSPEOPLE WD 2
F> LESS =GIV+ ( 8 TRESPASS+ ?AN ,PHILIP
_H BE54
  ,B 8 PLANS 4SOLV$ :5 HE HE>D ! S.D (!
DOOR OP5+ 2H HM4
  ,PHILIP TURN$ >.D & SAW ! DOOR SL[LY
-PLETE XS SW+ BACK 96! BUILD+1 SAW !
LI<T F \TSIDE SEEP+ IN1 & SAW ,MO   #BAE
/&+ AT ! ?RE%OLD4 ,MO _H A H&K]*IEF COV-
]+ 8 NOSE & M\? L A TRA9 RO2] F A *N'S
BOOK4 ,"! 0 AL A H&K]*IEF WRAPP$ >.D !
H& HE _H US$ 6TURN ! KNOB & OP5 ! DOOR4
,8 O!R H& HELD 8 RIFLE4
  8,PHILIP8 ,:AT >E Y DO+80 ,MO'S ^WS
CAME SL[LY1 MU6L$ 0! H&K]*IEF4 ,ABV X 8
EYES 7 WIDE4
  ,PHILIP 0 /UNN$4 ,MO M/ H FOLL[$ HM1
M/ H RETURN$ 6! EMPTY PO/ & SE5 ! TWO
FIGURES 4APPE>+ 96! WOODS1 M/ H TRACK$
!M "H1 C>E;L 6KEEP 8 4T.E4 ,S M* M C>E;L
?AN ,PHILIP1 /UPID ,PHILIP1 C[>DLY
,PHILIP1 :O FELT ! WEI<T ( 8 MISTAKES
PIL+ ^U HM ) T]RI# SU45;S4
  ,MO 0 %AK+ 8 H1D 9 HORROR4
  8,I 0 J GO+ 6GET HM "S FOOD10 ,PHILIP
SD1 OR ?"\ AB SAY+1 OR TRI$ 6SAY1 B MAY-
BE 8 VOICE GAVE \ HALFWAY--HE WASN'T
SURE4 ,EV5 IF HE _H SD X1 X 0 S SMALL &
UNIMPORTANT T X DIDN'T MATT]4
  ,MO BACK$ UP ANO!R /EP4
  8,/AY 9 "!1 ,PHILIP40 ,HE SPOKE K9DLY1
B X 0 CLE> T ? 0 A -M& & N A SU7ES;N4
8,J /AY 9 "! & ,I'LL GET ,MR4       #BAF
,WOR?Y & WE'LL FIGURE ? \40
  ,2F ,PHILIP CD PROTE/ OR ?9K ( ANY?+
ELSE 6SAY1 ,MO MOV$ 8 H&K]*IEF-COV]$ H&
\ ( VIEW &! DOOR SWUNG %UT1 CA/+ ,PHILIP
9 TOTAL D>K;S4