,,! ,,LA/ ,,T[N ,,ON ,,E>?
               ,A ,NOVEL

            ,,?OMAS ,,MULL5

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,R&OM ,H\SE1 ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #BJJF 0,?OMAS ,MULL5
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,B]NICE ,NORMAN1 ,J5NY ,LUKE1
           & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #DCE-EDD


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
























                   ,V               #DCE

  ,PHILIP LET \ A L;G SI<1 EXHAU/$ 0HIS
F/ "D BACK 9 ! _W4 ,X 0 AF D9N] & HE 0
LY+ ON 8 B$1 />+ AT ! CEIL+1 8 F+]S LAC$
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  ,HE WANT$ 6?ANK H] =! LR %E'D LEFT HM
AT ! /ORAGE BUILD+1 =! B"R LI<T %E'D %"O
ON 8 D>K /AY 9 ! PRISON4 ,B HE DIDN'T "K
H[ HE WD SAY ?1 EV5 Z ,FRANK'S ^WS AB
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B WD %E *ANGE H] M9D :5 %E LE>N$ T ! FLU
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TOO AFRAID 6F9D \1 : 0 :Y HE _HN'T V5-
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  ,"! 0 A KNOCK ON ! DOOR4 8,-E IN10 HE
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8,HI10 %E SD1 CLOS+ ! DOOR 2H H]4 ,!N %E
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  8,DID P AT S*OOL TALK AB ME :ILE ,I 0
''' G"O80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,SURE1 A LL BIT4 ,X 0 PRETTY BIG NEWS
& ALL40
  8,W]E P ANGRY AT ME80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S4 ,:Y80
  8,= LETT+ ! SOLDI] IN40
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  8,?ANKS =! CORNBR1D :ILE ,I 0 9   #DCG
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  8,WELCOME40
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  8,S IS HE RE,Y A SPY80
  ,PHILIP LOOK$ AT H]4 8,Y >5'T SUPPOS$
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  8,I C KEEP SECRETS40
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  ,%E RAIS$ AN EYEBR[ MOCK+LY4 8,S TELL
ME AB ! SPY40
  ,PHILIP ?"\ =A MO;T4 8,I DON'T ?9K
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  8,:Y N80
  8',CAUSE HE'S A NICE GUY4 ,HE'S J A
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  8,MAYBE HE TRICK$ Y4 ,SPIES >E DEVI\S
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8,I J DON'T ?9K HE IS40
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6.4GUISE "O80
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MORN+4 ,IF ,FRANK 7 6DIE1 ,PHILIP   #DCI
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  ,HE FELL ASLEEP )! LI<T ON4 ,:5 HE
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                  ,,VI              #DDA

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+1 HE TOLD !M1 WD CAUSE ! E>? 6/OP WO2L+
>.D !M1 WD EASE ! H1DA*ES S SEV]E T M
?AN "O P]SON _H VOIC$ FE>S T 8 BRA9 0
"SH[ GR[+ 2Y ! CAPAC;Y ( 8 SKULL4
  ,BANES 0 TIR$1 "! 7 M "NS ON 8    #DEB
LI/4 ,AG HE FELT A SICK & SURELY IMMORAL
GRATITUDE T 8 WIFE WASN'T ALIVE 6SEE ?4
,%E _H ALW BE5 S* A TALK]1 & %E _H HAT$
! "DS HE WD -E HOME TOO DEMORALIZ$ OR
BROK5 0:AT HE _H SE5 6*AT ) H]4 ,B :AT
IF %E 7 / HOME N[--:AT WD %E ?9K IF %E
SAW HM /UM# "? ! DOOR & SLUMP 96HIS
*AIR1 />+ EMPTILY AT ! WALL1 TOO OV]COME
= ANY ^WS AT ALL8
  ,B HE WASN'T HOME YET2 "! 0 / M 6BE
D"O4 ,& 0 X GETT+ D>K \ ALR8 ,0 ? RE,Y
NI<T8 ,L ! FLU1 X _H -E S QKLY1 ALM )\T
W>N+4 ,_H HE EV5 EAT5 TD8 ,HE CDN'T RE-
MEMB]4 ,HE 0 SW1TY F MOV+ 9 & \ ( HOT1
/U6Y ROOMS1 & 8 CLO!S 7 A MESS AG F S M*
BLOOD & SALIVA4 ,X 0 9DE$ D>K \ N[1 B "!
7 / O!RS 6VISIT1 O!RS 63SOLE4 ,:AT %D !Y
D AB ! S*OOL8 ,& :AT AB ! MILL8
  ,& _H ANY"O TAK5 AWAY ,LEON>D'S BODY
YET8 ,! T[N _H "O "UTAK]1 AN ELD]LY MAN
"ND ,KRUGMAN4 ,! SMALL T[N _H BE5 FILL$
MO/LY ) P 9 ! PRIME ( _! LIVES1 &! "U-
TAK]'S S]VICES _H R>ELY BE5 CALL$ ^U4
,DOC FE>$ T ! NEXT FEW "DS WD M ?AN MAKE
UP = ,KRUGMAN'S PRIOR 9ACTIV;Y4     #DEC
,Z ,BANES RODE 9 8 C>RIAGE AL;G ! RIV]1
HE SAW ! _M LOGS BO2+ ON ! WAT]'S SUR-
FACE L CORPSES1 & HE R1LIZ$ HE %D TELL
,*>LES 6SET ASIDE "S (! LESS] PIECES (
WOOD4 ,! T[N WD NE$ C(F9S--_M ( !M4



















                                    #DED
























                 ,,VII              #DEE

  8,Y %OT YR DOG80
  8,DAMN "R ,I DID4 ,& X 0 ! "R ?+ 6D40
  8,I ?"\ Y LIK$ HM40
  8,T A9'T ! FUCK9' PO9T4 ,PO9T IS1 DOGS
C SPR1D G]MS Z WELL Z ANYBODY ELSE40
  8,": 9 ! HELL'D Y HE> T80
  8,X'S ! TRU?1 DAMMIT4 ,DOGS1 *ICK5S1
ANY?+ C H ! FLU4 ,& DOGS W&] >.D1 G ALL
OV] ! DAMN PLACE4 ,:AT'S ! PO9T 9 KEEP+
MY FAMILY AT HOME IF ! DOG'S POK+ "? O!R
FOLKS' Y>DS & GETT+ SICK80
  8,J C'T 2LIEVE Y %OT YR DOG40
  8,& Y %D %OOT YRS40
  8,%OOT ,RANSOM8 ,I LOVE T SONUVABIT*40
  8,D Y LOVE 'IM MORE'N Y LOVE YR KIDS8
,HELL1 X'S YR *OICE4 ,B ,I MADE M9E ALR4
,I C GET ANO!R DAMN DOG ONCE ! FLU'S
PASS$40

  8,! G5]AL /ORE'S .CLOS$80
  8,T'S :AT ,I HE>D4 ,FLORA ,METZG] GOT
SICK1 & N[ ,DOC ,BANES SAYS ! /ORE'S
GOTTA /AY %UT40
  8,%IT4 ,MY WIFE 0 GONNA H1D OV]   #DEF
"! LAT] TD--WE'VE DAMN NE> RUN \ ( "EY-
?+40
  8,X S.DS L YR WIFE WAIT$ TOO L;G40
  8,:5'S X GONNA OP5 BACK UP80
  8,H[ ! HELL %D ,I "K8 ,G KNOCK ON
,METZG]'S DOOR IF Y WANT--,I J WDN'T GET
TOO CLOSE 6! POOR BA/>D4 ,N N[40

  8,:ISKEY1 Y SAY80
  8,YEP4 ,A SMALL GLASS (! /UFF1 E MORN-
+4 ,T'LL KEEP ! FLU AWAY40
  8,HUH4 ,N"E W\LDA FIGUR$4 ,H[ 'B\T
MOON%9E OR BE]80
  8,HELL1 NO4 ,X'S GOTTA 2 :ISKEY4 ,"WS
L A *>M40

  8,MI5TKIEWICZ'S SICK40
  8,HM1 TOO80
  8,I J SAW HM4 ,HE 0 WALK+ 6! MILL B
C\<+ UP A /ORM4 ,I PASS$ HM & WE LOOK$
AT EA* O!R--J LOOK$4 ,I KNEW X & HE KNEW
,I KNEW X4 ,I GUESS HE 0 HOP+ MAYBE HE
WASN'T S BAD1 Y "K8 ,T MAYBE HE'D 2 OKAY
IF HE J TRI$ 6KEEP GO+40
  8,S :AT HAPP5$80                  #DEG
  8,HE 0 AB TWO BLOCKS AWAY :5 ,I SAW
HM1 & HE _H ? GUILTY LOOK 9 8 EYES4 ,!N
HE J />T$ C\<+ & C\<+1 ALL D\#D OV] &
"EY?+1 S ,I WALK$ AWAY4 ,DIDN'T WANT 6BE
TOO NE> HM1 Y "K80
  8,I'M ?9K+ ,I %DN'T 2 TOO NE> Y N[40
  8,I WASN'T .T CLOSE4 ,& AF ,I WALK$ A
BLOCK1 ,I TURN$ >.D & LOOK$ AT HM AG1 &
HE 0 9 ! SAME DAMN SPOT4 ,LOOK+ AT ME1 B
? "T L ,I 0 ! "O DO+ "S?+ WR;G4 ,Y "K8
,!N HE WAV$40
  8,WAV$80
  8,Y1H4 ,HE J K9DA /UCK 8 H& 9 ! AIR1
!N TURN$ >.D & />T$ WALK+ HOME4 ,K9DA
WEIRD4 ,HOPE HE'S OKAY40

  8,:AT'S T >.D YR NECK80
  8,%UT UP40
  8,NO1 :AT IS X80
  8,G>LIC40
  8,G>LIC80
  8,MY WIFE'S IDEA4 ,SAYS X'LL KEEP ME
H1L?Y40
  8,DOES X "W80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,WE'LL F9D \1 ,I    #DEH
GUESS40

  8,BULL%IT40
  8,NO1 ,I'M TELL+ Y X'S ! TRU?4 ,T BIG
OL' H\SE ( _!S HAS A GODDAMN GIANT CELL>
--,I SAW X MYF "O "T :5 !Y _H ME OV] =
D9N]40
  8,! H\SE A9'T ,8BIG0'--X'S J L "EYBODY
ELSE'S40
  8,F/ ( ALL1 NO1 ! ,WOR?YS' H\SE IS N !
SAME4 ,X MAY N 2 TWICE ! SIZE1 B X'S
DEF9ITELY BI7] ?AN M9E OR YRS4 ,& S9CE
Y'VE N"E BE5 9SIDE X1 Y'LL H 62LIEVE ME4
,& SECOND ( ALL1 MY PO9T IS T _! CELL>'S
S DAMN BIG !Y PROBABLY H MORE'N 5 FOOD
/OR$ AWAY 6LA/ !MVS ! :OLE W9T]40
  8,I J C'T SEE !M DO+ T40
  8,I'M TELL+ Y1 T'S :Y ,WOR?Y WASN'T Z
WORRI$ AB %UTT+ ! T[N Z "EYBODY ELSE
WAS4 ,WE ALL 7 WORRI$ AB RUNN+ \ ( ?+S1
B HE WASN'T4 ,HE [NS ! MILL1 & HE "KS HE
HAS A CELL> FULL ( FOOD & T 8 FAMILY'LL
N"E G HUNGRY40
  8,DAMN4 ,T WD EXPLA9 A FEW ?+S40
  8,/OP SME>+ ,WOR?Y OV] "!4        #DEI
,DON'T 2LIEVE :AT HE'S SAY+1 ,L>S40
  8,M9D YR [N BUSI;S40
  8,?9K AB X--HE CLOSES ! T[N1 =CES U
ALL 6"W EV5 ?\< O!R MILLS >E GIV+ SICK
FOLKS "T (F4 ,N[ WE'RE RUNN+ %ORT ON
FOOD1 & HE'S 9 8 NICE BIG H\SE F1/+ & 8
KIDS >5'T EV5 F9I%+ _! PLATES4 ,_! DOGS
>E PROBABLY BETT] F$ ?AN Y >E40
  8,%UT UP OV] "!4 ,! ,WOR?YS DON'T EV5
H A DOG40
  8,Y "K :AT ,I HE>D AB DOGS80

  8,Y'ALL %D /OP TALK+ S M*4 ,VOICES
SPR1D G]MS40
  8,%OOT4 ,GD PO9T40
  8,S D YR "W & %UT UP40








                                    #DFJ
























                 ,,VIII             #DFA

  ,! FOLL[+ AFN AT L1/ TWO P BROKE !
DOCTOR'S RULE AB /AY+ 9SIDE Z M* Z POS-
SI#4
  ,B ,REBE3A & ,AMELIA FELT !Y _H LL
*OICE4 ,!Y 7 WALK+ 6! -MUN;Y G>D5S TGR1
": !Y 7 6MEET ?REE O!R WOM5 :O HELP$ T5D
! CROPS4 ,MO/ (! G>D5S _H BE5 H>VE/$
ALR1 B "S (! W9T] VEGETA#S REMA9$4 ,NOR-
M,Y1 ! WOM5 WD L1VE !M UNTIL AF ! F/
FRO/1 B PANTRIES 7 B>E ALL ACR T[N4 ,!Y
CD WAIT NO L;G]4
  ,! G>D5S _H GR[N /1DILY 9 ACREAGE OV]
! PA/ TWO YE>S1 ) M ?AN ?REE DOZ5 H\SE-
HOLDS 3TRIBUT+1 PLANT+ 9 ! SPR+ & T5D+ !
CROPS "?\T ! YE>4 ,"EY?+ 0 DIVID$ EQU,Y
OR TRAD$ AT "O (! SWAPS 9 ! T[N HALL4
,IF ONLY !Y _H "KN BACK 9 ! SPR+ T "! WD
2 A QU>ANT9E1 !Y CD H PLANT$ M1 CD H
MADE ! G>D5 A GRT] PRIOR;Y4 ,9/1D1 !Y WD
H 6MAKE D ) :AT !Y'D PLANT$ MON?S AGO1
:5 "S?+ L AN EPIDEMIC _H SEEM$ UNIMAG9A-
#4
  ,REBE3A KNOCK$ ON ! ,/"OS' DOOR1 A
/ACK ( WICK] BASKETS 9 H] FREE      #DFB
H&4
  8,I'M SORRY ,I'M LATE40 ,%E SMIL$4 8,!
*N 7 RAMBUNCTI\S TD40
  8,H[ >E !Y80 ,AMELIA ASK$ Z %E CLOS$ !
DOOR 2H H]4 ,%E _H ANSW]$ ! DOOR 9 H]
COAT1 R1DY 6G1 ! BABY SWA4L$ 9 H] >MS4
,REBE3A NOTIC$ T %E 0 N 9VIT$ IN4
  8,!Y DON'T RE,Y "U/& :AT'S HAPP5+1 :
IS PROBABLY =! BE/10 ,REBE3A SD Z !Y BE-
GAN WALK+4 ,X 0 W9DI] ?AN USUAL Z !Y
HURRI$ AL;G ! EMPTY /REETS4 ,%E GE/UR$
6! BABY4 8,>E Y SURE Y'LL 2 ALL "R )
H]80
  8,I'LL H 6BE--,I CDN'T GET ANY"O 6WAT*
H]4 ,! NEI<BORS ALL _H EXCUSES4 ,!Y B>E-
LY EV5 OP5$ _! DOORS :5 ,I KNOCK$40
  ,REBE3A NO4$4 ,!Y _H MADE ^! PLANS
?REE "DS E>LI]1 "R Z ! FLU 0 TWI/+ >.D
!M L "S 9VISI# *OK+ WE$4 ,!Y 7 BO? N]V\S
6BE \ DESPITE ! DOCTOR'S ORD]S1 B ! G>D5
0 L>GE1 &! FIVE ( !M WD 2 SEP>AT$ 0A GRT
4T.E1 GO+ AB _! "W 9 NE>-SOLITUDE4 ,ONLY
:5 !Y 7 F9I%$ H>VE/+ WD !Y 2 CLOSE TGR1
DIVID+ AM;G !MVS ! KALE & CA2AGE1 !
C>ROTS & BEETS4 ,SURELY T WDN'T 2   #DFC
5 "T 6CAT* "S?+1 EV5 IF "O ( !M _H "S?+
6SPR1D4 ,( C\RSE1 "H %E 0 WALK+ 2S
,AMELIA1 B "SH[ X SEEM$ H>D 6IMAG9E
,AMELIA 2COM+ ILL1 :AT ) ,GRAHAM 2+ S
PROTECTIVE ( H]4 ,REBE3A KNEW T 0 A SIL-
LY ?"\--NO MAN CD PROTECT 8 WIFE F 41SE
--B / %E SAW ,AMELIA Z SAFE4
  8,>E ANY (! *N SICK80
  ,X 0 UNCLE> :E!R ,AMELIA _H ASK$ ? \ (
EMPA!TIC CURIOS;Y OR \ F FE> T ! WOMAN
2S H] _H SP5T ! "D 9 A SICKROOM4 ,REBE3A
SCOLD$ H]F = 2+ UN*>ITA#4
  8,?REE 7 ABS5T TD10 %E SD4 ,9CLUD$ 9 T
NUMB] 0 ,ELSIE1 :O _H BE5 KEPT HOME 6C>E
= H] "M4 ,! S*OOL _H SEEM$ EMPTI] )\T
,ELSIE'S EAG] PRES;E1 & ,REBE3A 0 WORRI$
AB H]4
  ,!Y WALK$ 9 SIL;E =A MO;T4 ,REBE3A ?"\
%E SAW ,AMELIA ADJU/ H] SC>F S T X SAT
HI<] ON H] FACE1 BLOCK+ H] NOSE & M\?4
,B X 0 COLD \1 &A /IFF BREEZE _H PREC$$
H] AC;N4
  ,I'M ?9K+ TOO M*1 ,REBE3A TOLD H]F4
,H] ROLE Z %EPH]D = N]V\S *N _H TAK5 XS
TOLL ON H] TD4 ,%E TRI$ 6FOCUS ON   #DFD
! GD ?+S4 ,%E CA/ A GL.E AT ,AMELIA'S
WAI/1 MADE H]F GR94 8,H[ H Y BE5 FEEL+80
%E ASK$4
  ,AMELIA SMIL$4 ,REBE3A 0 ! ONLY P]SON
O!R ?AN ,GRAHAM :O KNEW T ,AMELIA 0
PREGNANT N[1 ?\< SOON X WD %[4 ,REBE3A
_H PICK$ UP ON ! SUBTLE SIGNS T M5
MISS$1 &! TWO _H :ISP]$ AB X :ILE WA%+
UP AF D9N] AT ! ,WOR?YS'4
  8,I'M WELL1 ?ANK Y4 ,I HAV5'T BE5 NE>-
LY Z SICK Z ,I 0 ) H]40
  8,>E Y EAT+ WELL80
  8,Z WELL Z ,I C1 :ILE TRY+ 63S]VE :AT
WE H4 ,TD W C]TA9LY HELP40
  ,!Y _H PASS$ ! LA/ (! H\SES & 7 WALK+
AL;G ! N>R[ DIRT PA? T H1D$ WE/1 UP A
SL[LY RIS+ HILL 2REFT ( TREES4 ,Z !Y
R1*$ ! CRE/1 !Y SAW ! -MUN;Y G>D5S 2F
!M1 N1TLY >RANG$ 9 PLOTS T !Y _H HELP$
LAY \ TWO YE>S AGO1 :5 EA* ( !M _H SE-
CRETLY WOND]$ IF ! NEW T[N WD SURVIVE
L;G 5 =! G>D5S 6BE H>VE/$ ! NEXT FALL4
  ,REBE3A ?"\ "S?+ LOOK$ ODD1 B P]H X 0
! W9D BL[+ L1VES & V9ES "? ! ?9 R[S1
?R[+ OLD FRAG;TS ( PUMPK9S 96!      #DFE
LEEKS1 CA/+ ! PURPLE-VE9$ /ALKS ( BEETS
96! GRE5S4 ,B Z %E CAME CLOS]1 %E "U-
/OOD4 ,%E DROPP$ ! BASKETS1 & ,AMELIA
GASP$4
  ,! G>D5 _H BE5 RANSACK$4 ,:ILE ,AMELIA
/OOD "!1 ! OBLIVI\S * 9 H] >MS1 ,REBE3A
JO7$ =W>D 96! C>ROT PAT* & SAW ! FRE%LY
TORN E>?1 ! 4C>D$ PIECES ( /ALKS & L1VES
LY+ AB4 ,%E W&]$ ON1 SAW A FEW %R$S (
CA2AGE B NO H1DS DESPITE ! R[S ^U R[S %E
_H PLANT$4 ,! C>ROTS & BEETS _H BE5 UN-
E>!D & _S$ AWAY1 Z _H ! LEEKS4 ,! W9T]
SQUA%--: WD H FILL$ S _M = S L;G1 WD H
HELP$ /RET* \ ! SMALL QUANTITIES ( RE-
MA9+ M1T--_H VANI%$4 ,"! 7 B A FEW RE-
MA9+1 BURI$ "U ! DIRT T _H BE5 TORN \
DUR+ ! FRANTIC EXCAV,NS4
  ,REBE3A FELT ! PRICK ( TE>S />T+ 9 H]
EYES Z %E HURRI$ F PLOT 6PLOT1 HOP+ 9
VA9 T ! SCAV5G]S _H TIR$ AT "S PO9T1 _H
LEFT A SEC;N UNT\*$ 9 _! HURRY4 ,B ! EN-
TIRE G>D5 _H BE5 PL"U$4
  8,:O WD D ?80 ,AMELIA ASK$ Z TE>S CAME
6H] EYES1 TOO4
  ,REBE3A WAT*$ Z ! W9D SCATT]$     #DFF
H] BASKETS4 8,ANY"O40























                  ,,IX              #DFG

  ,AF /&+ GU>D \TSIDE ! /ORAGE BUILD+ F
SUNRISE 6SUNSET1 ,GRAHAM RETURN$ HOME =
D9N]4 ,8 WIFE _H YET 6/>T COOK+1 H["E1 &
0 PAC+ 9 ! KIT*54 ,:5 %E TOLD HM ! NEWS
AB ! G>D5S1 HE NO4$ 9 SYMPA?Y1 B HE 0 N
T]RIBLY SURPRIS$4
  8,P >E PANICK+10 ,GRAHAM SD4 8,M FOLKS
>E GETT+ SICK--LOTS4 ,FLORA ,METZG]'S "O
--!Y'VE EV5 CLOS$ ! G5]AL /ORE40
  8,"! M/ 2 "S WAY 6F9D \ :O DID X1
,GRAHAM4 ,"S"O \ "! HAS ACRES ( VEGETA#S
9 _! H\SE40
  8,I'M N AB 6G KNOCK+ ON P'S DOORS1 N )
"EY"O SICK4 ,WE H 6J L1VE X BE40
  ,MILLIE />T$ CRY+ F H] CRIB 9 ! P>LOR4
,AMELIA WALK$ OV] & R1*$ A H& D[N 6! BA-
BY B SEEM$ TOO AGITAT$ 6PICK H] UP4
,GRAHAM CD SEE %E 0 N SATISFI$ ) 8 RE-
SPONSE4
  8,WE'LL F9D \ :O X 0 EV5TU,Y10 HE TRI$
6REASSURE H]4 8,"S"O'LL TALK1 ?+S'LL GET
\4 ,B WE C'T WORRY AB X N[40
  8,? N"E WD H HAPP5$ 2F10 %E SD4
  8,I C G HUNT+ 9 A C\PLE "DS4      #DFH
,"O DE]'D LA/ U A L;G "T40
  ,AMELIA %OOK H] H1D4 8,I FEEL L WE %D
/>T LOCK+ \R DOORS4 ,P "K H[ BIG \R BACK
G>D5 IS40 ,%E _H F9I%$ H>VE/+ ! LA/ ( _!
[N VEGETA#S ! PREVI\S "D4 8,I DON'T WANT
\R CELL> BROK5 9TO40 ,%E LAU<$ SADLY4
8,\R DOORS DON'T EV5 H LOCKS40
  ,HE HELD H]1 & H] NAILS DUG 96! BACK (
8 %IRT4
  8,I'LL BUILD "S LAT*ES ON ! DOORS TN10
HE TOLD H] Z %E />T$ CRY+ AG DESPITE
H]F4 ,HE RU2$ H] NECK & PROMIS$1 8,NO
"O'S BR1K+ 96? H\SE40

  ,LAT] T EV5+ ,GRAHAM 0 BUSILY 3/RUCT+
LAT*ES =! FRONT & BACK DOORS :ILE ,AMEL-
IA KNIT ANO!R SW1T] =! BABY4 ,HE KNEW HE
%D 2 TRY+ 6CAT* UP ON SLEEP1 B "! 0 NO
5D ( ?+S 6D4 ,HE 0 TIR$1 B X FELT GD 6D
"S?+ T SOO!D 8 WIFE1 "S?+ O!R ?AN /&+
ALL "D OR NI<T )A GUN 9 8 H&S4 ,X _H
FELT GD 6HOLD H] & LET H] CRY ON 8 %\L-
D]4 ,%E DIDN'T D X (T5--X TOOK A HELL (A
LOT 6UPSET H]1 HE'D LE>N$--& OV] ! LA/
FEW WEEKS1 !Y'D _H FEW QUIET MO-    #DFI
;TS AL"O4 ,!Y _H N HELD EA* O!R L T S9CE
! "D (! F/ SOLDI]4
  ,%E SEEM$ 6REGRET HAV+ M5;N$ ! NE$ =
LAT*ES1 TWICE TELL+ ,GRAHAM T HE NE$N'T
TR\# HMF AF ALL1 T HE %D LET HMF RE/4 ,B
BO? "TS HE %OOK 8 H1D4 ,%E 0 "R AB LOCK+
_! DOORS1 & HE CD SLEEP LAT]4 ,AT "O
PO9T %E -;T$ T ? 0 "O (! F/ "TS 9 "DS
HE'D BE5 HOME 9 ! E>LY EV5+ = M ?AN A QK
SUPP] 2F H1D+ BACK \ 6/& GU>D "S":4
,%E'S "R1 HE ?"\4 ,I %D PROBABLY SEE IF
ANY (! GU>DS NE$ 6BE SPELL$4
  ,X 0 PA/ T5 :5 HE F9I%$ ! LAT*ES4 ,Z
HE PUT 8 TOOLS AWAY1 HE FELT H] WALK UP
2H HM & PUT H] >MS >.D 8 WAI/1 H] H&S
FLAT AG/ 8 *E/4 ,HE ALL[$ HMF 6RELAX
SLI<TLY1 L[]+ 8 %\LD]S A BIT S %E CD
KISS ! BACK ( 8 NECK S(TLY4 ,HE CLOS$ 8
EYES4 ,B !N HE TOOK H] H&S AWAY & TURN$
>.D4
  8,I NE$ 6VISIT ,MO10 HE TOLD H]4 8,I'M
SORRY40
  ,%E KISS$ HM ON ! LIPS4 8,Y H 6SEE HM
? LATE80
  ,GRAHAM WANT$ S BADLY 6/AY1 B     #DGJ
HE KNEW :AT HE _H 6D4 8,I D4 ,I H 6TELL
HM HE NE$S 6/& GU>D TM MORN+--! FELL[ :O
0 SUPPOS$ 6IS SICK40
  ,HE 0 LY+4 ,HE WASN'T SURE HE _H "E
LI$ 6HIS WIFE 2F1 B EV5 IF HE _HN'T1 ? 0
A :ITE LIE4 ,T9Y1 MICROSCOPIC4 ,& X 0 A
LIE = GD R1SONS4 ,X 0 A LIE )A HALO ATOP
XS H1D4
  ,%E REL5T$1 "K+ "! 0 NO WAY %E CD TALK
HM \ ( ANY?+ RELAT+ 6GU>D DUTY4 8,W Y 2
L;G80
  8,I MI<T BE4 ,I'M SORRY40
  8,MAYBE Y %D G 6,PHILIP'S 9/1D10 %E
SD4 8,HIS H\SE IS CLOS]40
  8,I DON'T ?9K ,PHILIP IS "W+ GU>D DUTY
ANYMORE4 ,I H 6SEE ,MO40
  ,Z HE WALK$ T[>D ! CLOSET 6RETRIEVE 8
JACKET1 %E F.D H]F SAY+1 8,I FEEL BAD =
,PHILIP4 ,I'VE HE>D P SAY+ X'S 8 FAULT T
P 9 T[N >E SICK1 B ,I C'T 2LIEVE T4 ,X
DOESN'T MAKE S5SE40
  ,GRAHAM PUT ON 8 JACKET & /OPP$ =A MO-
;T 2F ! DOOR4 8,Y DON'T ?9K S80
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,%E %RU7$1 !N H] VOICE
2CAME LI<T]1 Z IF %E R1LIZ$ TOO     #DGA
LATE T X _H BE5 A MISTAKE 6BR+ ? UP4
8,MAYBE WE'LL N"E "K H[ X HAPP5$4 ,HE
LET A MAN IN1 B !Y'RE BO? / H1L?Y1 >5'T
!Y8 ,MAYBE HE DID ! "R ?+ LETT+ T MAN
IN40
  ,GRAHAM 0 FROZ51 /UNN$4 8,X 0 N ! "R
?+40 ,8 VOICE 0 Z L\D Z X _H "E BE5 9 8
WIFE'S PRES;E4 ,AMELIA %U4]$4 8,IF T 0 !
"R ?+1 !N :AT DOES X MAKE :AT .,I DID80
  ,HE /OOD "!1 ALM D>+ H] 6ANSW]4 ,HE CD
N KEEP ! ANG] F COLOR+ 8 FACE1 NOR !
PA91 ! PA9 T _H LEFT "EY?+ ELSE EXPOS$1
RAW4
  ,%E HELD UP A H&4 8,GRAHAM1 ,I'M SOR-
RY1 ,I DIDN'T M1N X T WAY40 ,%E /EPP$
T[>D HM1 B HE TURN$ BACK >.D4
  8,I NE$ 6SEE ,MO40 ,HE QKLY MOV$ 6!
DOOR1 CLOS+ X 2H HM Z HE ESCAP$ 96!
NI<T4
  ,X 0 COLD \1 B X CD H BE5 F> COLD] &
HE WDN'T H FELT X4 ,HE SEE!D1 EA* FOOT-
/EP P.D+ 96! E>?4 ,DID EV5 8 WIFE ?9K
HE'D D"O ! WR;G ?+8 ,HE TRI$ 6TELL HMF
%E 0 J 3FUS$4 ,B :AT %E _H SD MADE HM
R1LIZE ALL ! M /R;GLY T :AT HE 0    #DGB
AB 6D 0 ! "R ?+4 ,0 NEC4 ,NO "O ELSE
SEEM$ 6"U/&1 B HE SAW X N[ )A CL>;Y HE
_H N BE5 GRANT$ 9 "DS1 &! VI.N /IRR$ HM4
,"! 0 "S?+ HE CD D 6REDEEM HMF1 REDEEM
,PHILIP1 REDEEM ! 5TIRE T[N4 ,HE ONLY
HOP$ HE WASN'T TOO LATE4


















                   ,X               #DGC

  ,! NEXT "D ?IRTY-TWO SICK M5 7 ABS5T F
! MILL1 ! LUMB] CAMPS1 &! RIV] CREWS4
,_M ( ^? M5 _H WIVES & *N :O 7 AL ILL1
,DOC ,BANES _H TOLD ,*>LES & ,PHILIP T
MORN+ Z HE'D /U6$ ! NEWE/ LI/ ( A4RESSES
96HIS POCKET & H1D$ \ ! DOOR4 ,! NUMB]S
7 GR[+ AT AN A/.D+ RATE--,BANES FIGUR$ !
SICK CD NUMB] M ?AN A HUNDR$ )9 TWO "DS4
  ,DEP5D+ ON :5 ,LEON>D _H F/ 2COME
SICK1 ? 0 ONLY ! F\R? OR ! FIF? "D T P 9
,-MONW1L? _H BE5 9FECT$4 ,LEON>D ALR _H
?REE -PANIONS 9 D1?1 9CLUD+ 8 FRS ,OTTO
& ,RAY1 :O _H BO? JO9$ HM ! PREVI\S EVE-
N+4 ,! SPE$ ) : !Y _H SU3UMB$--! RAVI%+
VIOL;E ( ? FLU--%OCK$ ,DR4 ,BANES4
  ,"R 2F L1V+1 ,BANES _H SD 6,*>LES1 ALM
(FH&1 T ,FLORA ,METZG] 0 AM;G ! SICK & T
! G5]AL /ORE 0 CLOS$4
  ,PHILIP FROZE4 ,!N HE 9T]RUPT$ ! DOC-
TOR & ASK$ H[ ,ELSIE & ,ALFR$ 7 DO+4
  8,!Y SEEM$ H1L?Y :5 ,I SAW !M LA/
NI<T40
  ,PHILIP FAC$ 8 DESK1 TOO OV]COME 6LET
,*>LES OR ! DOCTOR SEE 8 REAC;N4    #DGD
,HE />$ AT ! PAGES & *>TS 2F HM1 UNA# TO
?9K ( ANY?+ EXCEPT ! FACT T ,ELSIE 0 N[
3F9$ 6A SICK H\SE1 T %E _H 6WAT* H] "M
SU6]1 _H 6FE> T ! SAME FATE AWAIT$ H] Z
WELL4
  ,PHILIP 0 USE.S T "D1 UNA# 63C5TRATE4
,HE WANT$ 6G /RAI<T 6,ELSIE'S DOOR B
KNEW HE CD N4 ,"! 0 NO?+ HE CD D1 &
,*>LES NE$$ HELP 9 ! (FICE4 ,2SS1 ,*>LES
0 FRS ) ,MR4 ,METZG] &) S"EAL (! SICK
"W]S2 SURELY HE 0 Z WORRI$ Z ,PHILIP 0
AB ,ELSIE4 ,PHILIP ?"\ AB ,GRAHAM1 H[ HE
ALW SEEM$ A# 63TA9 8 EMO;NS & FOCUS ON !
TASK AT H&1 & TRI$ 6IMITATE T /R5G?4
  ,DUR+ ! "D1 ,PHILIP COLLECT$ REPORTS F
! =EM53 TWELVE M M5 _H REPORT$ SU45 ILL-
;S & LEFT = HOME1 BR++ ! TOTAL ABS5TEE
NUMB] 6=TY-F\R4 ,EA* H\R ! RANKS (! SICK
GREW4 ,YET "! 0 NO -PANION%IP 9 X1 Z !Y
7 ALL ISOLAT$ 9 _! SEMI-DELIRI\S /ATES1
AL"O ) _! FEV]S & *ILLS & /RANGE WAK+
DR1MS T SEEM$ 6TALK 6!M L VOICES F 2Y !
PALE4
  ,T AFN ,BANES VISIT$ ! (FICE AG =A
BRIEF /ATUS REPORT1 & ,PHILIP       #DGE
ASK$ IF "! 0 ANY M NEWS ON ! ,METZG]S4
,BANES %OOK 8 H1D1 SAY+ ONLY 8,MRS4
,METZG] IS M* WORSE40
  8,MAYBE ,I %D G 0& SEE IF !Y NE$ ANY
HELP OR--0
  8,DON'T D T10 ,BANES SD1 /OPP+ EV5 Z
HE 0 NE>LY \ ! DOOR4 ,X 0 Z ?\< ,PHILIP
_H PROPOS$ BURN+ D[N ! MILL4 8,DON'T
VISIT ANY"O :O'S SICK4 ,DON'T TRY 6HELP
--ALL Y'LL D IS GET SICK YRF40
  ,BANES TURN$ & LEFT 2F ,PHILIP CD SAY
ANY?+ M4

  ,PHILIP /AY$ AT ! (FICE PA/ ! PO9T ":
"! 0 ANY?+ 6D4 ,HE 0 AFRAID ( BUMP+ 9TO
MILL"W]S ON ! WAY HOME1 AFRAID ( _! SUS-
PICI\S EYES & />ES ( BLAME1 S HE WAIT$
UNTIL QUITT+ "T _H L;G PASS$ & HE FIGUR$
! /REETS WD 2 DES]T$4
  8,G ON AH1D10 ,*>LES _H SD1 8,I'LL 2
HOME %ORTLY40
  ,PHILIP'S /OMA* _H BE5 BO!R+ HM ALL T
"D--HE'D BE5 TOO N]V\S 6EAT S9CE HE>+ AB
,MRS4 ,METZG]1 & Z HE WALK$ \ (! MILL &
D[N ! L;G /REET L1D+ 6T[N1 HE       #DGF
FELT A BIT UN/1DY ON 8 FEET4 ,) 8 H&S
/U6$ 96HIS PANTS POCKETS Z PROTEC;N F !
SURPRIS+LY COLD AIR1 HE KEPT 8 EYES ON 8
BOOTS Z HE MADE 8 WAY T[>D HOME4
  ,HE LOOK$ UP :5 HE HE>D VOICES4 ,FIVE
M5 /OOD ON A /REET CORN]1 _! H1DS & %\L-
D]S ILLUM9AT$ 0! /REETLAMP HANG+ OV]H1D4
,HE RECOGNIZ$ !M Z MILL"W]S B DIDN'T "K
_! "NS--N"O 7 =EM51 N"O _H "E BE5 9TRO-
DUC$ 6HM4 ,MO/ ( !M SEEM$ "S:AT OLD]1 T5
YE>S OR M 2Y ,GRAHAM'S AGE1 & EA* POS-
SESS$ A SLI<T V>I,N (! W1!R-WORN1 B1T5-
D[N LOOK 5DEMIC 6M5 ( _! /,N4 ,F\R SETS
( EYES 7 AIM$ 8 WAY1 B "O MAN />$ AT !
GR.D1 SEEM+LY HELD CAPTIVE 0A VACANT DE-
SPAIR4
  8',S HM10 "O MAN SD4 ,PHILIP _H 9T5D$
6NOD A POLITE HELLO1 B HE CD TELL F _!
T"O T !Y W]5'T 9T]E/$ 9 PL1SANTRIES4
  8,HE'S ! "O BR"\ ! FLU "H10 ANO!R SD1
& ,PHILIP S5S$ MOVE;T T[>D HM4
  ,"O (! M5 0 /RID+ 96HIS PA?1 FOLL[$ BY
TWO ( 8 -PATRIOTS4
  8,Y'RE ,PHILIP ,WOR?Y1 "R80 ! MAN 9
FRONT ASK$4 ,8 ?ICK BE>D 0 D>K1     #DGG
?\< ! HAIR ATOP 8 H1D 0 DU/$ ) GRAY1 & 8
E>S 7 O4LY PROM95T4 8,I'D RECOGNIZE T
LIMP ANY":40
  ,PHILIP FELT 8 *EEKS R$D51 &A SICK
FEEL+ SURG$ "? 8 /OMA*4
  ,! MAN /EPP$ "R UP 6HM1 CLOS] ?AN 0
FRLY4 8,Y'RE ! "O GOT ,MI*AEL'S BOY
SICK40
  ,TWO M5 /OOD 2S ! BE>D$ "O4 ,2H !M !
O!R TWO REMA9$1 "O ( !M / LOOK+ D[N AT !
GR.D ) GLASSY EYES Z HE L1N$ AG/ !
/REETLI<T &! O!R /&+ 6T MAN'S SIDE Z IF
PROTECT+ HM4
  8,:O'S ,MI*AEL'S BOY80 ,PHILIP ASK$
W1KLY1 TRY+ 6S.D 9T]E/$ & H>M.S4
  8,L1VE X AL"O1 ,ISAAC10 SD ! MAN />+
AT ! GR.D4 ,HE _H %ORT BR[N HAIR1 & ON 8
*9 0 A SPR9KLE ( LI<T /UB#4 ,8 VOICE 0
QUIET & RESIGN$4
  ,PHILIP HE>D O!R VOICES -+ F 2H--M M5
EM]G+ F ! MILL4 ,HE _H ?"\ "EY"O _H LEFT
ALR1 B APP>5TLY HE 0 WR;G4
  8,T'S ,MI*AEL10 SD ,ISAAC1 PO9T+ BACK
6! QUIET "O4 8,HIS SON'S S SICK ! DOCTOR
SAYS HE A9'T GONNA MAKE X40         #DGH
  ,"S"O MUM#D 96,ISAAC'S E>1 & HE NO4$4
,8 EYES 7 FILL$ )A B>ELY 3TA9$ RAGE1 &
,PHILIP 0 AFRAID T IF HE LOOK$ AWAY F
!M1 ! MAN WD B>E 8 TEE? & LET LOOSE A
PI]C+ H[L :ILE LUNG+ = ,PHILIP'S ?ROAT4
,ALL ,PHILIP CD D 0 KEEP LOOK+ AT ^?
EYES1 Z IF HE CD P9 ! MAN 9 PLACE ) 8
GAZE4
  ,ISAAC 0 A V L>GE MAN4
  8,WE %D TAKE HM 96! WOODS10 SD ! ?IRD
MAN1 :O _H A L;G1 ?9 FACE4 ,! O!R M5
L1V+ ! MILL 7 APPROA*+4
  8,:AT ,I WANT 6"K F Y10 ,ISAAC SD1 /
/>+ H>D AT 8 PREY1 8IS :AT 9 ! HELL Y
?9K Y 7 DO+ LETT+ T MAN 96\R T[N40
  8,L1VE X AL"O1 ,ISAAC10 ,MI*AEL REP1T-
$4 ,HE / _H N MOV$ F ! /REETLI<T1 8 H1D
HANG+ S =LORN X LOOK$ ALM L HE _H BE5
TI$ 6! POLE & LEFT "! 6DIE4
  8,I WANT 6HE> HM ANSW] = HMF40
  ,PHILIP HOP$ T ,*>LES 0 "P (! GR\P (
APPROA*+ M51 B HE CD TELL F ! VOICES T
HE 0 N4
  ,ISAAC 0 WAIT+4 ,8 BR1?S 7 EV5 B L\D1
Z IF HE EXPECT$ ,PHILIP 6TRY RUN-   #DGI
N+ AWAY & 0 R1DY 6GIVE *ASE4
  ,M5 L ? 7 ! P ,PHILIP _H BE5 PROTECT+
:5 HE /OOD GU>D4 ,B !Y _H BE5 DI6]5T 2F4
,! FE> (! FLU _H *ANG$ "EY"O4 ,X _H CUT
(F "EY"O'S BR1?1 =C+ _! HE>TS 6"W TWICE
Z H>D J 6KEEP B1T+4
  ,PHILIP 0 / AFRAID 6LOOK AWAY F
,ISAAC1 B HE %IFT$ 8 EYES 6! FACE ( ,MI-
*AEL & SD1 8,I'M SORRY AB YR SON1 MI/]40
  8,DON'T EV5 TALK 6HM60 ,ISAAC BELL[$ &
/EPP$ =W>D1 =C+ ,PHILIP 6BACK UP A /EP4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON1 FELLAS80 "O (! M5 F !
APPROA*+ GR\P ASK$4
  ,MI*AEL & 8 -PANION REMA9$ SIL5T1 &
,ISAAC APPE>$ TOO 5RAG$ 6REPLY4 8,X'S
,PHILIP ,WOR?Y10 ! ?9 MAN SD4
  8,HE'S ! BA/>D LET ! FLU IN10 ! FIF?
MAN SD 9 A FA9T ,EA/]N ,EUROP1N A35T4
8,WE'RE TRY+ 6DECIDE :AT 6D WID 'IM40
  8,L1VE X AL"O10 ,MI*AEL SD AG1 & AG HE
0 IGNOR$4
  8,I A9'T GETT+ T CLOSE 6HM10 "O (! M5
F ! NEW GR\P ANN\NC$1 8& ,I SAY Y'RE
CRAZY 6D O!RWISE40
  ,ISAAC BACK$ (F A /EP ^U HE>+     #DHJ
?4 ,^! M5 BLAM$ ,PHILIP & FE>$ HM ALL AT
ONCE4
  8,I'M J TRY+ 6GET HOME10 ,PHILIP SD4
  8,I'D LET HM G10 ANO!R (! NEW M5 SD4
8,X'S N TOO WISE 6BR1! ! AIR >.D HM40
  8,GET \ ( "H10 ,ISAAC B>K$ AT ,PHILIP4
,PHILIP OBEY$1 "O FOOT ALM TRIPP+ OV] !
O!R1 AN AWKW>D /UTT] /EP T SURELY 2TRAY$
8 FE>4 8,WALK AWAY & KEEP WALK+--WALK
/RAI<T \ ( T[N1 Y HE>80

  ,PHILIP WALK$ Z FA/ Z HE CD )\T RUNN+1
PASS+ ! H\SES )! %ADES DRAWN1 2H : FAMI-
LIES HID = SIL5T SUPP]S4 ,Z HE PUT M
4T.E 2T HMF &! 3FRONT,N1 8 GAIT SL[$4 ,!
*>G$ %IV]S ( FE> 7 FAD+1 GIV+ WAY 6A
SICK5+ ANG]--HE 0 ANGRY AT HMF = 2+
SC>$1 ANGRY = LOOK+ W1K & 2+ \TNUMB]$4
,ANGRY = N 2+ Z TALL OR Z BROAD Z
,ISAAC1 = N "K+ H[ 6ANSW] ! MAN'S "Q 9 A
WAY T WD H SATISFI$ ANY ( !M1 OR EV5
HMF4
  ,! SIL;E (! T[N 0 B>ELY BROK5 0HIS
FOOT/EPS4 ,! AIR SMELL$ SWEET1 ! FIR
TREES SEEM+LY M >OMATIC ? "T (      #DHA
YE>1 ! DIRT &! E>? REL1S+ :AT"E _S !Y _H
LEFT 2F W9T]'S GRIP SU6OCAT$ !M OV] !
NEXT FEW MON?S4
  ,X 0 S QUIET HE CD HE> FOOT/EPS AP-
PROA*+ F S"EAL BLOCKS AWAY1 2F HE CD EV5
SEE ! FIGURE 9 ! 4T.E4 ,X TOOK HM L;G]
?AN X %D H 6RECOGNIZE H]1 S9CE %E 0
WALK+ ) H] H1D D[N1 & :5 %E DID LOOK UP1
A GAUZE MASK COV]$ HALF H] FACE4
  ,X 0 ,ELSIE1 ,PHILIP R1LIZ$4 ,!Y MADE
EYE 3TACT1 B %E LOOK$ BACK D[N Z IF HOP+
HE _HN'T NOTIC$ H]1 Z IF !Y W]5'T SEEM+-
LY ! ONLY TWO P LEFT 9 ! 5TIRE T[N4
  ,HE FROZE & SD H] "N1 & %E /OPP$1 TOO1
T5 FEET AWAY4 ,%E 0 (F 6HIS LEFT1 Z IF
%E'D HOP$ 6PASS HM )\T /OPP+4 ,PHILIP _H
SE5 ! DOCTOR WE>+ S* A MASK1 B X SWALL[$
,ELSIE'S SMALL] FACE1 H] EYES B>ELY AP-
PE>+ OV] ! TOP4 ,H] HAIR 0 PULL$ BACK1
?\< A FEW CURLS _H ESCAP$4 ,!Y DANGL$ 9
! FA9T W9D4
  8,HI10 %E SD QUIETLY1 H] VOICE MU6L$4
8,I'M J RUNN+ 0! /ORE 6GET "S?+4 ,DOC
,BANES TOLD U N 6RUN ]R&S1 S ,I 0 HOP+
,I WDN'T BUMP 96ANY"O40             #DHB
  ,X HURT HM 6SEE H] C[]+ T WAY1 /IGMA-
TIZ$ 0H] FAMILY'S NEW /ATUS4 ,HE /EPP$
T[>D H]1 B %E BACK$ AWAY4
  8,DOC ,BANES SAYS ,I'M N SUPPOS$ 6GET
CLOSE 6ANY"O10 %E SD1 LOOK+ D[N4
  8,>E Y SICK80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D1 & "S?+ 9SIDE HM UN-
CL5*$4 8,B MY "M'S N WELL40
  8,I'M S SORRY4 ,I J HE>D TD4 ,I WANT$
6-E 0& *ECK ON Y1 B ,DOC ,BANES TOLD ME
N TO40
  ,%E NO4$1 &=A FEW SECONDS !Y /OOD 9
SIL;E4 ,HE ?"\ ( H[ HE'D FELT :5 ,GRAHAM
_H BACK$ AWAY F HM \TSIDE ! /ORAGE
BUILD+4 ,H[ CD HE POSSIBLY KEEP AWAY F
H]8 ,H[ CD HE ( ALL P JU/IFY TR1T+ H] T
WAY8
  ,F9,Y1 HE TOOK A /EP T[>D H]1 !N ANO?-
]4 8,I'M SORRY40
  8,= :AT80 ,%E WAT*$ HM APPROA*1 ? "T N
BACK+ AWAY4 8,Y %DN'T GET TOO CLOSE40
  8,MO/ P ?9K ,I'M ! "O :O LET ! FLU
IN10 HE SD4 8,BE/ ,I C FIGURE1 IF ,I
HAV5'T GOTT5 X YET1 ,I'M N GO+ TO40
  8,I DON'T WANT 6BE RESPONSI#10    #DHC
%E SD1 B H] VOICE BROKE (F1 CRACK$4 ,HE
?"\ HE SAW H] EYES WAT]4
  8,I DON'T WANT 6BE RESPONSI#1 EI40 ,HE
/OPP$ A FEW FEET 9 FRONT ( H]1 Z CLOSE Z
TWO FRS WD NORM,Y /&4 ,HE CD SEE ! \TL9E
( H] LIPS "? ! MASK1 SEE ! GAUZE G5TLY
L1N 9 :5 %E 9HAL$4
  8,I'M J GONNA RUN 6! /ORE10 %E SD4
  8,Y M9D "S -PANY80
  ,HE CDN'T SEE H] SMILE1 B HE CD HE> X
9 H] VOICE4 8,I'D LOVE "S40
  ,!Y WALK$ TGR1 ,PHILIP RETRAC+ ! /EPS
HE'D TAK5 F ! MILL4
  8,I HAV5'T LEFT ! H\SE S9CE YE/]"D
MORN+1 :5 ,DOC ,BANES MADE ME FET* MY "F
F ! /ORE10 ,ELSIE SD1 LOOK+ >.D SUSPI-
CI\SLY1 Z IF N Q SURE :E!R %E 0 GLAD 6BE
9 ! \TSIDE _W4 8,X'S S P1CE;L \ "H40
  8,"EYBODY'S HID+4 ,Y'RE N ! ONLY "O
:O'S BE5 %UT IN40
  8,%E KEEPS C\<+ & C\<+40 ,ELSIE %OOK
H] H1D4 8,I'VE N"E HE>D ANY?+ L X40
  8,H[ >E H] _SS80
  8,X'S L X'S N EV5 H]4 ,%E C B>ELY TALK
--C Y IMAG9E MY "M QUIET8 ,A C\-    #DHD
PLE "TS :5 MY DAD SD "S?+ R1L OBVI\S1
%E'D GIVE ME ? LOOK L %E WANT$ 6T1SE HM
= X1 B %E CDN'T40 ,H] VOICE GREW QUIET
AG Z %E WALK$ UP 6! G5]AL /ORE & UNLOCK$
! FRONT DOOR4 8,%E CDN'T EV5 .TALK40
  ,9SIDE1 %E LIT A SMALL LAMP Z ,PHILIP
CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H !M4 ,%E ASK$ HM 6LOCK X4
  8,I DON'T WANT 6LI<T UP ! PLACE10 %E
TOLD HM4 8,P MI<T ?9K WE'RE OP5 & TRY TO
-E IN40
  8,Y NE$ A H& ) ANY?+80
  ,%E SD %E'D 2 F9E & 4APPE>$ 96"O (!
AISLES1 C>RY+ ! LAMP ) H]4 ,PHILIP SAT
ON A B5* 0! DOOR & WAT*$ ! LI<T FOLL[+
H] & TURN+ A CORN]1 L1V+ HM 9 ! D>K4 ,"!
WASN'T M* FOOD LEFT ON ! %ELVES1 HE NO-
TIC$4
  ,! LI<T GREW /R;G] AG & "! %E WAS1 A
SMALL SAT*EL SLUNG OV] H] %\LD] &! LAMP
9 H] "R H&4 ,%E PLAC$ X ON H] "M'S DESK
& SAT 2S HM4
  8,M9D IF WE J SIT H] =A LL :ILE80 %E
ASK$4 8,I'M N 9 ANY RU% 6GET BACK "!40
  8,SURE40
  ,HE FELT CURI\SLY EXCIT$ 6BE      #DHE
AL"O ) H] AG1 2H LOCK$ DOORS4 ,MIX$ ) ?
0 8 3C]N = H] "M &= H] [N P1CE ( M9D1 &
8 FE> T HE 0 6BLAME = :AT 0 HAPP5+4 ,%E
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE HOLD+ X AG/ HM1 ?\<4
  8,IS YR DAD OKAY80
  8,ME & HM BO?4 ,X'S ONLY MY "M S F>40
  8,%E'S BE5 SICK TWO "DS80
  8,J AB40 ,!Y SAT SIDE 0SIDE1 EA* FAC+
=W>D4 ,HE /OLE O3A.NAL GL.ES AT H] F !
CORN] ( 8 EYE4 ,H] FACE 0 /1 H] EYES MO-
;N.S ABV ! MASK4
  8,%E'S GETT+ "?1 !N10 ,PHILIP SD4 8,F/
C\PLE ( "DS (! FLU >E USU,Y ! WOR/4 ,I'M
SURE %E'LL 2 UP & *ATT]+ AWAY 9 A C\PLE
M "DS40
  ,%E TURN$ 6FACE HM4 8,HAS ANY"O ELSE
DI$80
  ,! FACT T HE CDN'T SEE ! RE/ ( H] FACE
MADE H] EYES LOOK EV5 M VULN]A#4
  8,:AT H Y HE>D80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,T ! F/ MAN DI$1 ! ,CANADIAN4 ,B T 0
A C\PLE "DS AGO1 & ,I C'T GET ! DOCTOR
OR MY DAD 6TELL ME ANY?+40
  ,PHILIP BR1!D =A MO;T4 ,HE ?"\ AB LY+
B CDN'T4 8,?REE M M5 DI$ YE/]"D1    #DHF
,DOC SD4 ,I DON'T "K AB TD40
  ,%E LOOK$ AWAY AG1 & HE SAW TE>S WELL+
UP 9 H] EYES4
  8,B A LOT M P >E SICK ?AN DY+--^? GUYS
7 PROBABLY ! WOR/ (F1 Y "K8 ,I'M SURE YR
MOM'S GONNA 2 F9E40
  8,DOC ,BANES SD "S?+ 6MY DAD ? AFN--
TOOK HM 96ANO!R ROOM & CLOS$ ! DOOR4 ,MY
DAD WDN'T TELL ME :AT X WAS1 B A C\PLE
H\RS LAT]1 ,I SAW HM 9 ! P>LOR & HE
LOOK$ L HE'D BE5 CRY+4 ,HE / WON'T TELL
ME40 ,! TE>S FELL D[N H] *EEKS & %E
LOOK$ D[N1 A%AM$4
  ,PHILIP HESITAT$1 !N PUT 8 >M >.D H]1
SQUEEZ+ H] %\LD]4 8,DOC ,BANES DOESN'T
"K "EY?+10 HE SD4 8,X DOESN'T MATT] :AT
HE SD4 ,HE'S BE5 WR;G AB A LOT ( ?+S40
  ,HE WASN'T A GD 3SOL]1 HE FIGUR$1 2C
H] CRY+ GREW L\D]1 & 2F HE CD SAY ANY?+
ELSE1 %E COLLAPS$ 9 6HM1 H] MASK$ FACE
ON 8 *E/ & "O ( H] H&S 2H 8 %\LD]4 ,HE
KEPT 8 LEFT H& ON H] BACK1 RU2+ G5TLY1 N
SURE IF HE %D SAY ANY?+ ELSE4 ,HE FELT 8
HE>T RACE Z H] BACK ROSE ) EA* BR1?4 ,B
AT ! SAME "T1 HE FELT 8 [N EYES     #DHG
WELL+ UP F ! WEI<T ( S M* SAD;S PRESS+
XF AG/ HM4 ,^? M5 \TSIDE ! MILL 7 "R--?
..0 ,PHILIP'S FAULT1 & ALL HE CD D 0 SIT
"! & HOLD H] & 2 ?ANK;L =! FACT T %E
DIDN'T BLAME HM1 AT L1/ N YET4
  ,0! "T ! TI<T;S 9 8 ?ROAT _H FAD$1
,ELSIE 0 QUIET4
  ,EV5TU,Y1 %E PULL$ BACK4 8,SORRY10 %E
SD1 SNI6L+ AG4 8,N[ ,I'M ALL A MESS40
  8,DON'T APOLOGIZE10 HE SD1 TAK+ 8 LEFT
>M BACK4 ,%E R1*$ 96A POCKET = H] H&K]-
*IEF & DA2$ AT H] EYES4 ,! MASK 0 WET F
H] NOSE &! TE>S4 8,Y C TAKE T (F IF Y
WANT10 HE SD1 SMIL+ SLI<TLY4 8,I M1N1 IF
Y'RE ONLY WE>+ X = MY SAKE40
  ,%E PAUS$1 !N PULL$ ! MASK D[N >.D H]
NECK4 ,X 0 ! F/ "T HE'D SE5 H] FACE S9CE
2F HE'D BE5 PLAC$ "U GU>D4
  8,ALL "R10 %E SD1 !N SMIL$ BACK AT HM4
8,?\< ,I'M N 6BLAME IF Y SNEEZE LAT]
TN40
  8,D1L40
  ,HE SAT "! SIL5TLY :ILE %E WIP$ H]
EYES AG4
  8,?ANKS = S5D+ ME T LR10 HE SD    #DHH
AT LA/4
  ,HE SAW AN 9/ANT ( 3FU.N CROSS H]
FACE1 Z IF ! LR 7 "S?+ %E _H WRITT5 _M
YE>S AGO & REMEMB]$ ONLY DIMLY4 8,SURE4
,FIGUR$ Y M/ H BE5 A LL L"OLY 9 "!40
  8,I ?9K ,I R1D X T5 "TS40
  8,RE,Y80 ,%E SMIL$4
  8,"! WASN'T M* ELSE 6D40 ,HE _H R1D X
_M "TS S9CE1 S BOREDOM 0 NO EXCUSE4 8,I
WD H WRITT5 "O BACK1 B !Y TOLD ME ,I
CDN'T S5D ANY?+ \40
  8,& N[ ,I'M ! "O TRAPP$ "SPLACE40 ,%E
ROLL$ H] EYES1 "SH[ MANAG+ 6SMILE AT !
SITU,N4
  ..,Y KISS H] .YET8 ,FRANK _H ASK$4
  8,MAYBE ,I CD WRITE Y BACK !N40
  8,T'D 2 NICE40 ,%E LOOK$ BACK AT HM1 &
H] EYES DIDN'T SEEM Z R$4 8,I DON'T "K
H[ L;G ,I'M GO+ 6BE /UCK 9 "!1 S Y MI<T
H 6WRITE M ?AN "O40
  8,I'D 2 HONOR$40
  8,"O A "D40
  ,HE SMIL$4 8,YES1 MA'AM4 ,%D !Y 2 A
C]TA9 NUMB] ( PAGES80
  8,Y C DECIDE T40 ,!N %E A4$1      #DHI
8,AT L1/ "O FULL PAGE EA*40
  8,I C ASK ,LAURA 6WRITE Y1 TOO10 HE
SD1 !N REGRETT$ X1 FE>+ T HE'D %ATT]$ A
MO;T HE _HN'T "KN H[ 6H&LE4
  8,OKAY10 %E SD1 LOOK+ AT HM CALMLY4
8,I'D 2 M 9T]E/$ 9 R1D+ YRS1 ?\<40
  ,! WAY %E SD T MADE ,FRANK'S "Q E*O 9
,PHILIP'S H1D AG4 ,)\T ?9K+ FUR!R1 HE
L1N$ CLOSE 6,ELSIE & %E 6HM1 & !Y KISS$
"! 9 ! D>K BUILD+4 ,X 0 QUIET !N1 & ALL
HE CD HE> 7 ! /RANGE S.DS _! LIPS & M\?S
MADE4 ,! KISS FELT GD1 Z IF X 7 ! F/ GD
?+ ,PHILIP _H FELT 9 "DS1 WEEKS1 & X 0
WOR? ANY N]V\S;S HE MAY H SU6]$4 ,%E
TA/$ L APPLES & SMELL$ L "S?+ SWEET]--HE
WASN'T SURE :AT X WAS1 B HE KNEW X 0 "S-
?+ HE WANT$ 6KEEP ) HM4 ,AT "S PO9T1 HE
DREW 8 LIPS F H]S B KEPT 8 >M >.D H]4
,%E L1N$ H] H1D ON 8 %\LD] & !Y SAT "! 9
! FLICK]+ LAMPLI<T1 ! %AD[S DANC+ 9 !
AISLES4
  ,X 0 COLD 9 ! /ORE & %E FELT W>M1 L1N+
AG/ HM4 ,HE DIDN'T C>E IF KISS+ "S"O F A
SICK H\SE 0 UNWISE--HE DIDN'T SEE H[ :AT
HE _H J D"O CD POSSIBLY 2 3SID]$    #DIJ
A MISTAKE4 ,HE KNEW HE _H D"O PL5TY (
?+S WR;G 9 ! PA/ TWO WEEKS1 B ? WASN'T
"S?+ 6D\BT4
  ,ELSIE %YLY ASK$ ,PHILIP H[ L;G HE'D
WANT$ 6KISS H]4
  8,REMEMB] ! "T WE 7 COLLECT+ DRIFTWOOD
& ,I F.D T PIECE T LOOK$ L A %IELD80 ,X
_H BE5 A FEW MON?S AGO4 ,HE'D F.D A
L>GE1 ?9 SLICE ( B>K T _H "SH[ %E>$ (F A
TREE'S TRUNK4 ,X 0 S(T & BRITTLE F XS "T
9 ! RIV]1 & P]FECTLY P5TAGONAL1 Z IF "S-
"O _H PA9STAK+LY C>V$ X T WAY4
  8,I / H T %IELD10 %E REPLI$1 SMIL+4
8,X'S "U MY B$40
  ,HE SMIL$ BACK4 8,I'M GLAD ,I GAVE X
6Y4 ,I %D H KISS$ Y !N40 ,S !Y KISS$ AG4
  ,EV5TU,Y1 ,ELSIE SD %E %D G HOME4 8,MY
DAD'S LIKELY 6?9K "S?+'S HAPP5$40
  ,X 0 EV5 COLD] \TSIDE ?AN 2F1 & ,PHIL-
IP CD FEEL ! AIR'S ?9 F+]S PRY+ "? 8
JACKET1 SLID+ 9 "? ! BUTTONHOLES1 & DI7+
96! POCKETS ": 8 F+]S 7 BUN*$ 96FI/S4 ,!
R1L;Y (! FLU SEEM$ 6RETURN :5 ,ELSIE
FA/5$ H] MASK BACK ON4 ,PHILIP REGRETT$
LOS+ SI<T ( H] LIPS4                #DIA
  8,Y %D PROBABLY LET ME G ON AH1D10 %E
SD4 8,IF MY DAD SAW U WALK+ TGR1 HE'D 2
ANGRY 2C ( :AT ! DOCTOR SD40
  8,OKAY40 ,PHILIP WANT$ 6SAY "S?+ ELSE1
B NO?+ HE CD ?9K ( FELT "R4 8,I'LL WRITE
Y0 0 ALL HE SD4
  8,OKAY40 ,J Z HE 0 WOND]+ IF %E 0
SMIL+ "? ! MASK1 %E PULL$ X D[N AG1 /EP-
P+ T[>D HM 6QKLY KISS HM ON ! LIPS4 ,&
!N %E DID SMILE1 =A FULL SECOND OR TWO
2F ! MASK RETURN$1 S"M+ H] LIPS AG1 & %E
TURN$ >.D 6WALK HOME4
  ,HE /OOD "! BUZZ+ =A MO;T1 ?RILL+ 9 8
GD =TUNE4 ,HE WAIT$ Z ! W9D GREW COLD]1
UNTIL %E _H 4APPE>$ 2Y ! LI<T (! /REET-
LAMPS4 ,!N HE TURN$ >.D & />T$ WALK+1
QKLY1 B N T[>D 8 H\SE4
  ,PHILIP FELT WOND];L & HORRI#1 N]V\S &
BOLD1 EXCIT$ & 3FUS$4 ,HE _H IMAG9$ S* A
MO;T = L;G] ?AN HE CD REMEMB]1 & X _H
F9,Y HAPP5$4 ,YET HE _H N"E PLANN$ ON X
2+ 9ITIAT$ 0,ELSIE'S NE$ ( 3SOL,N1 _H
N"E EXPECT$ 8 JOY 6BE TEMP]$ 0GUILT4
  ,HE 0 AMAZ$ T %E FELT ! SAME WAY AB HM
Z HE DID AB H]4 ,T %E _H 3FID;E 9   #DIB
HM4 ,= MON?S HE _H BE5 TOO AFRAID 6KISS
H]1 S ) 8 HE>T / B1T+ TOO QKLY & 8 N]VES
/ %IV]+1 HE FELT ! C\RAGE 6D "S?+ ELSE
HE'D BE5 AFRAID 6D4
  ,HE WALK$ FA/]1 H1D+ /RAI<T =! /ORAGE
BUILD+S4


















                  ,,XI              #DIC

  ,! T[N SEEM$ EV5 QUIET] ?AN :5 ,PHILIP
_H F/ -E ^U ,ELSIE1 IF S* A ?+ 7 POSSI#4
,& D>K]3 "! 7 NO /REETLAMPS1 & HE C>RI$
NO LI<T ) HM1 ALL ! BETT] 6/1L?ILY MAKE
8 WAY4 ,NE>LY E W9D[ 0 D>K4 ,Z ,PHILIP
WALK$ F>!R1 ! O3A.NAL OM9\S S.D HE HE>D
ABV ! CRUN* ( 8 BOOTS 0 C\<+4 ,HE HE>D X
EMANAT+ F "O H\SE1 !N1 A FEW BLOCKS LAT-
]1 HE HE>D ANO!R ANSW]+ XS CALL4 ,!N AN-
O!R4 ,X 0 Z IF ! H\SES !MVS 7 :ISP]+ 6"O
ANO!R1 SPR1D+ NEWS (! FLU4
  ,PHILIP 0 CLOSE 6! /ORAGE BUILD+S :5
HE SAW A SIGN ( LIFE AT LA/4 ,?REE
BLOCKS AH1D1 A C>RIAGE PULL$ 0A FATIGU$
HORSE TURN$ A CORN] ONTO ! ROAD ": HE
WALK$4 ,PHILIP RETR1T$ 6! SIDE (A H\SE4
,:Y 0 HE HID+8 ,X 0 ! FLU1 HE R1LIZ$1
MAK+ E 9NOCU\S OR MUNDANE AC;N SEEM
FREI<T$ ) NEW M1N+1 WICK$ PURPOSE4 ,B
MAYBE :AT HE 0 DO+ RE,Y 0 WICK$--HE
WASN'T H"O/LY SURE4
  ,PHILIP SAW A LAMP B\NC+ LI<TLY ABV !
H1D (! DRIV]3 ,DOC ,BANES4 ,( C\RSE--:O
ELSE WD 2 \8 ,! WE>Y DOCTOR 0 RE-   #DID
TURN+ F A H\SE CALL1 APP>5TLY1 ) 8 UBIQ-
UIT\S BAG 2S HM4 ,0N[ HE WD H BE5 P]=M+
H\SE CALLS = OV] TWELVE H\RS4 ,! OLD
MAN'S H1D HUNG S L[ T ,BANES MI<T N H
SE5 HM EV5 IF ,PHILIP _H /AY$ ON ! ROAD4
,PHILIP BO? WANT$ & DID N WANT 6"K :AT
,BANES _H BE5 "? T "D1 H[ _M PATI5TS HE
_H T5D$1 H[ _M WORRI$ FAMILY MEMB]S HE
_H TRI$ 6PACIFY1 H[ _M FEV]$ =EH1DS HE
_H C>ESS$1 H[ _M OM9\S V]DICTS HE'D R5-
D]$4
  ,9 A MO;T ,BANES 0 G"O1 HURRY+ T[>D EI
8 HOME OR ! NEXT /OP ON 8 NOCTURNAL T\R4
,PHILIP ?"\ AB ! LI/ ( SICK M5'S A4RESS-
ES HE _H MADE =! DOCTOR T MORN+ & WOND]$
H[ L;G ! NEXT "D'S LI/ WD BE4
  ,PHILIP WALK$ BACK ONTO ! ROAD AF !
C>RIAGE _H PASS$4 ,! MOON _H 4APPE>$ &!
BLACK SKY G"O />.S1 8 VIEW (! H1V5S OB-
/RUCT$ 09VISI# CL\DS4 ,"H 9 ! QU>ANT9E1
!Y 7 CUT (F EV5 F ! SKY4
  ,! /ORAGE BUILD+S GRADU,Y EM]G$ F !
D>K;S4 ,TWO LAMPS SAT ON ! GR.D1 & /&+
2T !M 0 A GU>D1 A LUMB]JACK "ND ,LI<TN+4
,? 0 GD NEWS3 ,LI<TN+ 0 A HULK+ B   #DIE
G5TLE MAN & N"O TOO B"R4 ,"S"O _H ONCE
JOK$1 8,Y'RE J LI<TN+ QK1 >5'T YA80 &!
"N _H /UCK4
  ,LI<TN+'S BACK 0 6,PHILIP1 & ONLY :5
HE 0 A FEW FEET AWAY DID ,LI<TN+ /IR1
COCK+ 8 H1D & !N :IRL+ >.D AWKW>DLY4 ,HE
PO9T$ 8 RIFLE AT ,PHILIP4
  ,PHILIP HELD \ 8 PALMS1 /UNN$ T ,LI<T-
N+ WD PO9T ! GUN AT "S"O -+ F ? DIREC;N4
,B !N HE "U/OOD--HE _H WOK5 ,LI<TN+ UP4
,! GU>D BL9K$ Z IF %$D+ ! FOG ( 8 DR1MS1
& 8 VOICE 0 SLURR$4
  8,:A--:OOZAT80
  8,X'S ME1 ,PHILIP ,WOR?Y10 HE SD1 CAU-
TI\SLY /EPP+ 96! GL[ F ! LAMPS4
  ,LI<TN+ L[]$ 8 RIFLE4 ,HE 0 SWAY+ A
BIT1 Z IF SLEEP MI<T 3QU] HM AG AT ANY
MO;T4
  8,Y ALL "R80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,Y1H1 Y1H1 F9E40 ,LI<TN+ _H A DEEP &
?ICK VOICE4 8,Y S'PRIS$ ME40
  8,Y ! ONLY "O \ "H TN80
  8,Y1H4 ,"!'RE USU,Y0--A SL[ YAWN--8TWO
( U "H1 B N[ TOO _M GUYS >E SICK40
,3SCI\S;S GRADU,Y RETURN$ 6,LI<T-   #DIF
N+'S L>GE BR[N EYES4 8,S1 UH1 :Y >E Y \
"H80
  ,PHILIP SWALL[$1 /EEL+ HMF ONCE M4 8,I
WANT 6TALK 6,FRANK40
  8,:O'S ,FRANK80
  8,! SOLDI]4 ,9 "!40
  ,! GE>S 9 ,LI<TN+'S H1D TURN$ SL[LY4
8,Y M1N ! SPY80
  ,PHILIP NO4$4 ,HE / CDN'T REF] 6,FRANK
T WAY4
  8,I C'T LET Y D T4 ,NOBODY GOES 9 &
NOBODY GOES \1 EXCEPT :5 WE FE$ HM 8
M1LS40
  8,HE'S N SICK1 IS HE80
  8,:O1 ! SPY8 ,NO1 HE'S H1L?Y4 ,B--0
  8,I'M GO+ 9 "!4 ,I WON'T 2 L;G4 ,DON'T
WORRY AB X40 ,PHILIP TOOK A C\PLE ( /EPS
T[>D ! DOOR HE _H ONCE BE5 TRAPP$ 2H4
  8,PHILIP1 Y C'T D T40 ,LI<TN+ S.D$ NEI
/]N NOR ?R1T5+--HE MO/LY S.D$ /UNN$ T
"S"O 0 4OBEY+ ! RULES4 ,X 0 Z IF ? POS-
SIBIL;Y _HN'T O3URR$ 6HM1 & N[ T X 0
HAPP5+1 HE 0 P[].S 6/OP X4
  8,!N %OOT ME10 ,PHILIP SD Z HE KEPT
WALK+4 ,EV5 IF ,LI<TN+ _H BE5 UN-   #DIG
>M$1 HOLD+ ,PHILIP BACK WD H BE5 A SIM-
PLE TASK =A MAN 8 SIZE4 ,B ! ?"\ ( US+ 8
/R5G? T WAY PROBABLY DIDN'T O3UR 6HM4
,PHILIP HE>D ,LI<TN+ CURSE HMF1 2MOAN+ 8
BAD LUCK T ! RULES %D 2 BROK5 ON 8 %IFT4
8,I'LL 2 "R BACK10 ,PHILIP PROMIS$4
  ,PHILIP OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,IMMLY1 ! SMELL (
! PLACE BR"\ "EY?+ BACK3 D1D WOOD &
TWIGS C\PL$ )! ODOR ( M5 LOCK$ UP1 ( AIR
T DIDN'T CIRCULATE4 ,&! D>K;S3 Z SOON Z
HE %UT ! DOOR1 X 0 Z IF A HOOD _H BE5
PLAC$ OV] 8 H1D 0AN 9VISI# EXECU;N]4 ,HE
/OOD "! =A MO;T1 HOP+ 8 EYES WD ADJU/1 &
GRADU,Y SAW A FA9T LI<T TRICKL+ UP !
CELL> /AIRS4 ,HE MADE 8 WAY T[>D X1 %UF-
FL+ 8 FEET LE/ HE TRIP OV] "S?+4
  8,HELLO80 HE ASK$ HESITANTLY1 B HE>D
NO REPLY4 ,!Y M/ 2 KEEP+ HM 9 ! CELL>1
,PHILIP DECID$4 ,8 DELIB]ATE FOOT/EPS
MADE LL S.D1 & HE WOND]$ IF ,FRANK 0
AWAKE D[N "!4 ,:5 !Y'D BE5 PRISON]S TGR1
!Y _H G"O 6SLEEP E>LY1 = LACK ( ANY?+
BETT] 6D4 ,N[ T ,FRANK 0 -PLETELY AL"O1
! BOREDOM CD ONLY H 9T5SIFI$1 LAY+ SL[
SIEGE 6HIS M9D4                     #DIH
  ,PHILIP'S FOOT/EPS ON ! WOOD5 /AIRS 7
L\D]4 8,HELLO80 HE CALL$ \ AG4
  8,Y1H80 ,! VOICE 0 QUIET1 SUBDU$ 0LAY-
]S ( ANG]1 RES5T;T1 RESIGN,N4 ,! FACE
WASN'T M* BETT]4
  ,FRANK 0 SITT+ ON ! GR.D1 A FEW FEET F
! LAMP1 L1N+ AG/ A WOOD5 B1M 6: 8 FEET 7
APP>5TLY *A9$4 ,! GR[? ON 8 *EEKS _H
?ICK5$ 96A FULL-FL$G$ BE>D1 &A MANGY "O
AT T4 ,8 HAIR 0 DI%EVEL$ & LOOK$ D>K]
?AN 2F1 PROBABLY F ! DIRT HE'D BE5
SLEEP+ ON1 & 8 =EH1D 0 SOOTY Z A M9]'S4
,"! 0 A BLANKET 2S HM &1 9 ! CORN] (!
ROOM1 ! LATR9E BUCKET4 ,! LAMP CA/ XS
%AD[S UPW>D1 S ,PHILIP CDN'T Q SEE
,FRANK'S EYES--!Y LOOK$ L D>K HOLES CUT
96A MASK 2H : NO MAN /OOD4
  8,PHILIP10 ,FRANK SD1 MILD SURPRISE 9
8 VOICE4 ,PHILIP CDN'T TELL IF ,FRANK _H
BE5 ASLEEP1 B 8 OV]ALL DEM1NOR & APPE>.E
0 T ( AN ]EMITE HID+ 9 8 CAVE1 ONLY RE-
C5TLY /IRR$ F A L;G HIB]N,N4 8,BE5 A
:ILE40
  ,PHILIP SAW T ,FRANK'S WRI/S 7 CROSS$
& B.D 0?ICK ROPE4 ,ON ! GR.D A      #DII
FEW FEET AWAY F HM LAY 8 BILLFOLD1 3TA9+
! PHOTOGRAPH ( 8 2LOV$ BACK 9 ,MONTANA4
  8,S :AT'S HAPP5+ 9 ! \TSIDE _W80
,FRANK'S VOICE 0 CAUTI\S1 )A H9T ( FRLI-
;S B NO M4
  ,PHILIP ?"\4 8,WELL1 = "O1 ,I KISS$ T
GIRL ,I TOLD Y AB40
  8,ATTABOY4 ,%E SLAP Y80
  8,NO1 B %E %D H--H] "M'S R1L SICK )!
FLU4 ,DOC DOESN'T ?9K %E'S GO+ 6MAKE X40
  8,I'M SORRY 6HE> T40
  8,%E'S N ! ONLY "O4 ,DOZ5S ( P >E
SICK1 &A FEW H DI$ ALR40 ,HE KNEW HE
S.D$ ANGRY1 & HE 0 GLAD2 HE FELT AN URGE
6/RIKE ,FRANK4 ,HE /EPP$ CLOS]1 ONLY A
FEW FEET AWAY1 & T 0 :5 HE SAW T "O (
,FRANK'S *EEKS 0 BRUIS$1 A L>GE WELT G"O
YELL[I% 2S 8 "R EYE4 ,MAYBE HE _H F"\
BACK :5 !Y'D F/ *A9$ HM UP1 ,PHILIP ?"\4
,! APP1L ( VIOL;E 4APPE>$ Z ABRUPTLY Z X
_H FLA%$ "? 8 M9D4
  8,S :Y %D %E H SLAPP$ Y80
  8,P ?9K ,I H "S?+ 6D )! FLU GETT+ 9TO
T[N4 ,= LETT+ Y 9 "H40
  ,FRANK LOOK$ AWAY4 8,Y "K ,I      #EJJ
DON'T H ANY?+ 6D )! FLU40
  8,I DON'T "K ANY?+40
  8,MAYBE Y DON'T4 ,MAYBE N"O ( U D40
,FRANK'S VOICE 0 CALM1 DR1MLIKE4 ,X S.D$
ALM L HE 0 TALK+ 6HMF1 OR IMAG9$ T HE
WAS4 8,MAYBE WE'RE J "H 6RUN >.D =A :ILE
UNTIL WE DIE40
  8,OR UNTIL "S"O ELSE KILLS U40
  8,Y1H40 ,FRANK EY$ HM C>E;LLY4 8,Y "K1
,I RE,Y WANT$ Y 6KILL ME1 ,PHILIP4 ,N AT
F/1 OBVI\SLY1 B AF Y GOT ! DROP ON ME4
,D[N ON MY KNEES4 ,I RE,Y WANT$ Y 6D X40
  8,:Y8 ,S Y WDN'T H 6TRY & KILL ME80
  8,I DID TRY 6KILL Y4 ,Y 7 "R :5 Y SD T
--IF ,I _HN'T TRIPP$ \ "!1 ,I WD H %OT Y
D1D4 ,Y'RE A LUCKY BA/>D40
  8,!N :Y DID Y WANT ME TO '''0 ,PHILIP
CDN'T F9I% ! "Q4
  ,& ,FRANK CDN'T ANSW] X1 APP>5TLY4 ,HE
SWALL[$1 & :5 HE SPOKE AG1 8 VOICE 0
DI6]5T1 ?ICK] B AL W1K]4 ,Z IF HE _H J
EM]G$ F A NI<TM>E1 "O T _H LEFT HM BADLY
%AK54
  8,Y'VE GOTTA GET ME \ ( "H1 ,PHILIP40
,HE S.D$ DESP]ATE1 A T"O ( VOICE    #EJA
HE'D N"E ADOPT$ 2F1 N EV5 :5 ,PHILIP _H
BE5 PO9T+ A GUN AT HM4
  8,:Y80 ,PHILIP ?"\ ( ,ELSIE CRY+ ON 8
%\LD]4 8,:Y 9 HELL %D ,I HELP Y80
  8,2C O!RWISE !Y'LL H& ME 6! >MY TO
HANG40
  8,2C Y'RE A SPY80
  ,FRANK %OOK 8 H1D4 8,!Y H Y ?9K+ ,I'M
A SPY1 TOO80
  8,ALL ,I "K IS :AT Y TOLD ME40
  ,FRANK RAIS$ 8 VOICE4 8,PHILIP1 ,I'M N
A SPY4 ,I DON'T EV5 "K A ^W ( ,G]MAN4 ,I
0 DO+ MY DUTY 6MY C.TRY1 & N[ ,I'M 2+
HELD PRISON] 0A T[N FULL ( M5 :O DIDN'T
EV5 5LI/40
  8,S :AT'S ? AB D1D SOLDI]S & SPIES1
GO4AMMIT8 ,:AT 9 HELL AM ,I SUPPOS$ TO
?9K8 .,:O .>E .Y80
  8,I'M :O ,I SD ,I WAS4 ,MY "N IS
,FRANK ,SUMM]S4 ,I'M A C>P5T] F ,MISS\-
LA1 ,MONTANA4 ,I GOT A "F &A LL SI/]1 &
,I'LL BET !Y'RE %AK+ _! H1DS "R N[1 TRY+
N 62LIEVE ! LIES ! >MY'S TELL+ 'EM AB
ME4 ,I NE$ YR HELP1 ,PHILIP4 ,IF Y DON'T
LET ME \ ( "H1 ,I'M A D1D MAN40     #EJB
  ,PHILIP 0 CLOSE 5 6SEE A PL1D+ LI<T
FLICK] 9 ,FRANK'S EYES4
  8,I MI<TA ?"\ ,I DES]V$ 6DIE \ 9 !
WOODS10 ,FRANK 3T9U$1 8B ,I'M N ?9K+ (
MYF "R N[1 Y "U/&8 ,I'M ?9K+ ( MY GIRL1
( MY OLD MAN & MY FAMILY4 ,X'S !M T
%DN'T H 6M\RN ME1 6HE> ^? LIES & FEEL
%AM$40
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,I DID LIE 6Y--,I WASN'T 9 A NAVAL
A3ID5T4 ,& IF ! WOND];L P ( ? T[N _H LET
ME G AF =TY-EI<T H\RS L !Y'D PROMIS$1 ,I
WDN'T H H1D$ BACK 6,=T ,J5K9S--,I WD H
RUN 6,CANADA OR DI$ TRY+4 ,I GOT "S FAM-
ILY \ "!1 C\S9S ( MY OLD MAN4 ,I FIGUR$
,I CD HIDE "! TILL AF ! W> 5D$1 !N MAYBE
'''0 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,S Y'RE A DES]T]80
  8,I AM N A DES]T]40 ,FRANK SD T ) AN
ANGRY PRIDE4 8,I 0 R1DY 6GET 6T GODDAMN$
FRONT & KILL Z _M ,HE9IES Z !Y CD PO9T
ME AT40
  ,PHILIP WAIT$4 ,!N3 8,S Y'RE N A SPY &
Y'RE N A DES]T]4 ,!N :Y >E Y "H80
  ,FRANK SAT 9 SIL;E =A MO;T1 H1D   #EJC
D[N4 ,! %AD[S F ! LAMP CRAWL$ UP 8 =E-
H1D4 8,REMEMB] T O!R SOLDI] Y TOLD ME
AB8 ,! "O 9 ! GRAVE 0! ROAD 96T[N80
  8,Y1H40
  8,WELL1 ,I'M J L Y1 KID4 ,I'M A MURD]-
]40


















                                    #EJD
























                 ,,XII              #EJE

  ,! F/ "T ,I SAW ! ,C4,O4 HE 0 GETT+ !
HELL B1T5 \ ( HM 0TWO ,POLES4 ,I 0 L1V+
MESS & 0 R1DY 6COLLAPSE 96MY COT--WE'D
D"O EXTRA DRILL+ T "D & _H M>*$ = H\RS
"? MUD S ?ICK Y'D LOSE YR BOOTS AF "O
/EP IF Y DIDN'T LACE !M UP EXTRA TI<T4
,B Z ,I PASS$ ! DOOR ,I HE>D ! RACKET -+
F \TSIDE1 ! %\T+ &! RUCKUS1 & WOND]$ :AT
! HELL 0 GO+ ON4 ,0 "! BIG NEWS F !
FRONT8 ,OR AN >MI/ICE8 ,OR _H !Y REOP5$
! BRO!LS J \TSIDE ( T[N8
  ,I WALK$ \ & SAW A CIRCLE ( M5 /&+ 9 !
MUD4 ,"O ( !M 0 A GUY ,I KNEW PRETTY
WELL1 A BLOND KID "ND ,OLLIE1 S ,I SIDL$
UP NEXT 6HM4 ,HE 0 SMIL+4 ,"EYBODY 0
SMIL+4
  ,EXCEPT ! ,C4,O4--! 3SCI5TI\S OBJEC-
TOR4 ,HE 0 9 ! MI4LE (! CIRCLE1 & HE
WASN'T WE>+ A %IRT2 8 /OMA* & *E/ 7
POCKM>K$ ) BRUISES1 "S D>K BLUE & "S A
FRE%] %ADE ( R$4 ,I DIDN'T "K ! ,C4,O4'S
"N B ,I KNEW :AT HE WAS1 _H SE5 HM CL1N+
HALLS & C>RY+ G>BAGE L ! O!RS4 ,I DIDN'T
EXACTLY "K :AT 0 GO+ ON1 B ,I       #EJF
KNEW BETT] ?AN 6ASK /UPID "QS4
  8,ALL "R10 "O (! ,POLES SD1 H&+ A
BROOM H&LE 6HIS BU4Y4 8,YR TURN40
  ,! SECOND GUY SMIL$ & HELD ON 6! BROOM
H&LE ! WAY WE'D ALL BE5 TAU<T 9 BAYONET
DRILLS4 ,HE /OOD 9 FRONT (! ,C4,O41 :O
TRI$ 6BACK AWAY1 B "O (! M5 9 ! CIRCLE
/EPP$ =W>D & GAVE HM A PU% 9 ! BACK1
SETT+ HM UP4
  8,TAKE \ T ,HUN'S LIV]60 "O (! GUYS 9
! CIRCLE YELL$1 P]FECTLY MIMICK+ \R
DRILL S]G1NT4 ,"EYBODY LAU<$ AT ! IMP]-
SON,N1 EV5 ME4 ,WE'D ALL BE5 HE>+ T
VOICE 9 \R DR1MS = "DS4
  ,! ,POLE LUNG$ =W>D--US+ N J 8 >MS B 8
:OLE BODY1 J Z ! DRILL S]G1NTS PR1*$--&
JAMM$ ! 5D (! BROOM H&LE 96! ,C4,O4'S
/OMA*4 ,IF X _H BE5 A BAYONET1 X WD'VE
TAK5 \ 8 LIV]1 EASY4 ,9 FACT1 IF ,I KNEW
MY ANATOMY "R1 !N JUDG+ F ! R$ M>KS ALL
OV] HM HE WD H ALR LO/ 8 LIV]1 /OMA*1 &
L>GE 9TE/9ES4 ,HE WD H BE5 PUT \ ( 8
MIS]Y4
  8,TWI/ X60 "SBODY ELSE YELL$1 E*O+ !
DRILL S]G1NT AG4 8,Y GOTTA TWI/ X   #EJG
ON XS WAY \60
  ,T WASN'T POSSI#1 ( C\RSE1 2C ! H&LE
DIDN'T BR1K ! SK94 ,N T ? HELP$ !
,C4,O41 ^: KNEES _H BUCKL$ "U HM4 ,"EY-
BODY 0 LAU<+4
  ,! ,C4,O4 TRI$ 6GET BACK UP1 B ! GUY )
! BROOM H&LE PRESS$ X AG/ 8 BACK1 KEEP+
HM D[N "!4
  8,Y "K ! RULES1 SON10 "O (! O!RS SD4
8,Y HIT ! GR.D1 Y D =TY40
  ,! ,C4,O4 PA9;LLY ASSUM$ ! PU%-UP PO-
SI;N4 8,C.T 'EM (F1 "EY"O60 ! ,POLE )!
BROOM H&LE %\T$4
  ,"EY"O C.T$4 ,I MOV$ MY M\? B DIDN'T
RE,Y SAY ANY?+4 ,I 0 />T+ 6FEEL SICK4
  ,! ,C4,O4 0 TOO W1K F ! B1T+ 6D _M
PU%-UPS4 ,HE B>ELY MADE X 6SIXTE51 !N 8
"R >M SLIPP$ \ F "U HM1 SLID+ 9 ! MUD4
,! LAU<T] GREW4
  8,Y C'T GIVE U =TY1 Y MIS]A# LL SLACK-
]80 "O ( !M SD1 & Z ! ,C4,O4 TRI$ 6/1DY
HMF & PICK UP ": HE LEFT (F1 ! GUY /EPP$
=W>D & LIFT$ 8 O!R BOOT4 ,HE PLAC$ 8
BOOT--S(TLY AT F/--ON ! BACK (! ,C4,O4'S
H1D & PRESS$ X D[N1 SL[LY B /1DI-   #EJH
LY4 ,! ,C4,O4'S FACE 0 9 ! ?ICK MUD1 &!
,POLE L1N$ =W>D L HE 0 CURI\S 6SEE H[ F>
96! MUD HE CD PRESS HM4 ,PRETTY F>1 X
TURN$ \4
  ,! ,C4,O4 TRI$ 6LIFT HMF UP &1 FAIL+
AT ?1 />T$ 6B1T HELL \ (! MUD ) 8 >MS1
SPLA%+ X ALL OV] ! LEGS (! GUYS CLOSE/
6HM4 ,AF ANO!R SECOND OR TWO ! GUY )!
BOOT /EPP$ BACK & LET ! ,C4,O4 -E UP =
AIR4
  ,! ,C4,O4 BR1!D1 B F/ HE C\<$ & *OK$ &
!N HE VOMIT$4
  ,I _H D"O MY BE/ 6AVOID HM1 AL;G )!
O!R ,C4,O4S4 ,!Y 7 T>GETS1 & X DIDN'T
MAKE M* S5SE 6/& NE> A T>GET4 ,I _H HE>D
:AT HAPP5$ 6!M "S"TS1 B ? 0 ! F/ ,I'D
WIT;S$ X4
  ,! ,C4,O4 0 WIRY & AB MY HEI<T--HE
LOOK$ L HE DIDN'T NE$ 6BE S* A PU%OV] IF
HE DIDN'T WANT 6BE4 ,T ,I J DIDN'T "U/&4
,MAYBE IF HE'D BE5 A SCRAWNY LL NO?+1 ,I
WD H EMPA?IZ$ M1 B WASN'T HE BR++ X ALL
ON HMF8 ,HE _H D>K HAIR T 0 L;G] ?AN EV-
]Y"O ELSE'S1 Z ?\< ! >MY B>B]S _H DECID$
6MAKE HM AN EASY M>K4 ,& HE _H A    #EJI
M1N FACE4 ,SEEMS A /RANGE ?+ 6-;T ON OR
EV5 REMEMB]1 B X 0 A M1N FACE--! EYES 7
SMALL &! BR[S HUNG L[ OV] !M1 8 M\? A
3/ANT FR[N4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# 6IMAG9E HM "E
SMIL+4 ,N T HE _H M* R1SON TO1 ,I GUESS4
  ,"EYBODY 9 ! CIRCE 0 A PRIVATE1 F> Z
,I KNEW4 ,! ,POLES _H ACT$ L ! L1D]S ( ?
"PICUL> MIS.N1 & NO "O _H SE5 FIT 6*AL-
L5GE !M4
  ,"O (! ,POLES LIFT$ ! ,C4,O4 UP 0! >M-
PITS4 ,HE TRI$ 6LET HM G B X 2CAME CLE>
T ! ,C4,O4 CDN'T /& ON 8 [N ANYMORE1 S !
,POLE HELD ON 6HM4
  ,! O!R "O WALK$ UP R1L CLOSE 6! ,C4,O4
,F ": ,I 0 /&+ ! ,POLE 0 9 PROFILE4 ,HE
LOOK$ ! ,C4,O4 9 ! EYE1 &! ,C4,O4 EV5TU-
,Y LOOK$ BACK4
  8,Y "K Y C /OP ? AT ANY "T1 "R80 ,X 0
! F/ ?+ ! ,POLE _H SD T SEEM$ 9T5D$ J =!
,C4,O4 6HE>1 N "S 49G5U\S -;T T 0 RE,Y
M1NT =! E>S (! GUYS SURR.D+ !M1 ! MOTLEY
*ORUS4 ,! ,POLE'S EYES _H S(T5$ "S:AT1 Z
_H 8 T"O4 ,HE 0 LEVEL+ )! GUY4 8,ALL Y H
6D IS GIVE ? UP1 ,HUNT]4 ,J GET 9 L9E )!
RE/ ( U40                           #EAJ
  ,X 0 ! F/ MO;T (! :OLE ORD1L T SEEM$
HUMAN4 ,NO1 WAIT--:AT AM ,I SAY+8 ,!
:OLE MESS 0 HUMAN3 ! :OLE 4GU/+1 VIOL5T
CIRCUS _H BE5 HUMAN4 ,T]RIFY+LY HUMAN4
,? NEW APP1L 6! ,C4,O4 0 J ANO!R ASPECT
( T HUMAN;Y1 ANO!R R.D 9 ! *AMB]4
  ,! ,C4,O4 LOOK$ D[N AG & C\<$4 ,T AP-
PE>$ 6BE 8 ANSW]4
  ,! ,POLE /EPP$ BACK & HELD UP ! BROOM
H&LE4 8,ALL"RY1 BOYS1 :O NE$S M BAYONET
PRACTICE80
  ,I NO4$ GDBYE 6,OLLIE & H1D$ BACK IN-
SIDE4

  ,T 0 DUR+ MY SECOND MON? AT ! CAMP4
,0!N ,I CD M>* Z WELL Z ANY JACKBOOT$
,PRUSSIAN W>RIOR1 L A TRUE D\<BOY4 ,I CD
R1* 96MY PACK & /RAP ON A GAS MASK 9 "U
SEV5 SECONDS4 ,& ?\< ,I _H YET 6HOLD A
R1L BAYONET1 ,I CD 2 Z RU?.S & EXACT+ )A
BROOM H&LE Z ^? ,POLES CD4 ,/ _HN'T HELD
AN >MY FIRE>M YET--!Y KEPT SAY+ WE'D GET
!M SOON 5\<--B ,I KNEW ,I 0 A GD %OT1 F
! HUNT+ ,I'D ALW D"O ) MY OLD MAN4 ,I
TRI$ 6IMAG9E TAK+ AIM AT A HUMAN    #EAA
FIGURE R ?AN A DE] OR BU6ALO1 B X 0 H>D
6PICTURE4
  ,! CAMP 0 A CRAZY MESS4 ,X RA9$ ALL !
DAMN "T--NO?+ L BACK HOME--&! GR.D 0 MUD
Z F> Z ! EYE CD SEE4 ,WE M>*$ & DRILL$
5D.SLY 9 ! MUCK1 & AT NI<T WE 7 HOL$ UP
9 B>RACKS T W]5'T BIG 5 6A3OMMODATE ALL
! M5 !Y'D CALL$ IN4 ,:O ! HELL 0 RUNN+ ?
W>8 WE'D ALL WOND] :5 WE 7 SITT+ >.D
JAW+ AF SUPP]4 ,:Y _H !Y CALL$ U 9 IF !Y
DIDN'T H ANY GUNS OR BAYONETS = U YET1
LET AL"O COTS8
  ,I _HN'T BE5 CALL$ 9 =! F/ DRAFT2 ,I
?9K ! G5TLEM5 ON ! 5LI/;T BO>D _H PASS$
ME OV] = MY OLD MAN'S SAKE4 ,B 0! "T !Y
HELD ! ?IRD DRAFT X 0 PRETTY M* IMPOSSI#
6/AY \ UN.S Y 7 MISS+ AN >M OR "S?+4 ,X
_H BE5 H>D Z HELL 6SAY GDBYE 6,MI*ELLE1
& ,I KNEW 9 MY HE>T T %E DIDN'T 2LIEVE
ME :5 ,I TOLD H] ,I'D M>RY H] :5 ,I GOT
\4 ,ALL ! BOYS 7 SAY+ ?+S L T1 %E SD4
,%E 0 "R AB A LOT (! O!R GUYS4 ,B ,I
M1NT X4
  ,! GUYS 9 ! CAMP 7 A HELL (A MIX4
,"S"TS X SEEM$ L ,I 0 9 ! M9OR;Y    #EAB
= 2+ BORN 9 ,AM]ICA2 "! 7 GUYS F ,SW$51
,RUSSIA1 ,ITALY1 ,IREL&1 ,S]BIA4 ,"! 7
EV5 A H&;L F ,G]_M1 B !Y USU,Y DIDN'T
ADMIT ": !Y 7 F4 ,Y CD TELL1 ?\<1 BAS$
ON : JOKES !Y DIDN'T LAU< AT4 ,I 0 AMAZ$
AT H[ _M (! RECRUITS CDN'T R1D OR WRITE1
LET AL"O ! "O :O DIDN'T "K "R F LEFT4
,2C ,I'M TW5TY-FIVE Z OPPOS$ 6EI<TE5 OR
N9ETE51 & $UCAT$1 ,I _H A LOT ( GUYS'
RESPECT PRETTY QK4 ,I EV5 WROTE \ "S
LOVE LRS = GUYS :O CDN'T WRITE1 9 EX-
*ANGE = "S SMOKES4
  ,E "T ,I TRANSCRIB$ ANO!R GUY'S LR1
,I'D ?9K AB H[ T GUY'S S5TI;TS S.D$ S
SIMIL> 6^? ,I'D EXPRESS$ 6,MI*ELLE4 ,S !
NEXT "T ,I WROTE 6H]1 ,I'D 3C5TRATE ON
SAY+ "S?+ UNIQUE4 ,E DAMN$ ?+ AB ! PLACE
SEEM$ S TWO-FAC$ 6ME1 & ,I FE>$ T ,MI-
*ELLE WD SEE X 9 MY LRS4

  8,Y DON'T L ! WAY !Y'RE ALW B1T+ ON !
,C4,O4S1 D Y80
  ,OLLIE _H ASK$ ME T AT SUPP] ! "D AF
HE & ,I _H BE5 SMOK+ 2H ! B>RACKS & _H
/UM#D ^U ! SAME GR\P ( GUYS PU%+    #EAC
>.D ?REE ,C4,O4S4 ,? "T !Y'D GOTT5 !MVS
"S WAT] HOSES & 7 BLA/+ ! NAK$ ,C4,O4S )
COLD WAT] & MAK+ !M SPR9T "? ! MUD4 ,2T
SPR9TS !Y FLO7$ ! ,C4,O4S )! HOSES1 !
METAL 5DS L1V+ WELTS ON ! M5'S BACKS &
*E/S4
  8,I DIDN'T SAY T10 ,I SD 2T BITES (
SUPP]4
  ,OLLIE 0 A GD KID1 TW5TY-"O &)! BLOND
HAIR & CL1N LOOKS T WD SURELY W9 HM A
B1UTI;L BRIDE &! RESPECT ( 8 NEI<BORS4
,! SON (A ,LU!RAN M9I/] F ,TACOMA1 HE SD
T AF ! W> HE WANT$ 6G OV] 6! ,PHILIPP9ES
& HELP SET UP A MIS.N4
  8,NO1 B ,I C TELL Y DON'T L X10 ,OLLIE
SD4
  ,I WASN'T SURE IF ,OLLIE'S "Q M]IT$ A
RESPONSE4
  8,! M ,C4,O4S "! >E10 HE A4$1 8! M (
.U L& ON ! FRONT L9ES40
  8,LOOK1 ,I'M N HAPPY AB 2+ S5T 6!
TR5*ES :ILE ^? GUYS /AY "H40 ,I TOOK A
BITE1 WA%$ X D[N4 8,I'M J SAY+ X'S H>D N
6FEEL SORRY = GUYS :O >E ALW GETT+ T1M$
UP ON40                             #EAD
  8,! ,C4,O4S >E ROTT5--!Y'RE ALL ON !
KAIS]'S SIDE4 ,I SAY WE LOCK 'EM ALL
UP40
  8,:Y LOCK 'EM UP :5 Y C B1T !M 6D1?
9/1D80 ,I SD S>CA/IC,Y4
  8,NOBODY'S GETT+ B1T5 6D1?40
  8,DAMN CLOSE4 ,LOOK1 ,I'M N SAY+ ,I
AGREE ) ^? YELL[ BA/>DS4 ,I'M J SAY+ X'S
A LL ROTT50--,I >*$ MY EYEBR[S Z ,I E*O$
8 ^W--8! WAY !Y LET A FEW BULLIES B1T !
HELL \ ( 'EM E "D40
  ,I'D HE>D "S": T ! ,C4,O4S 7 SUPPOS$
6BE KEPT SEP>ATE F ! RE/ ( U1 Z A WAY (
PREV5T+ ! B1T+S WE 7 TALK+ AB4 ,B APP>-
5TLY ! CORPORAL 9 *>GE ( ,=T ,J5K9S
DIDN'T AGREE ) ^? ORD]S--HE ?"\ ! BE/
WAY 6GET ! ,C4,O4S 6RE?9K _! POSI;N 0 TO
?RU/ !M UP AG/ ! GUYS :O SOON WD 2 %IPP$
6! TR5*ES4
  8,X "WS ON "S GUYS10 ,OLLIE SD4 ,HE
PO9T$ AT A R$H1D$ ,IRI% KID ON ! O!R 5D
(! MESS HALL4 8,LOOK AT ,O',HI79S--HE
DROPP$ ! ACT40
  ,O',HI79S _H BE5 A ,C4,O4 2C HE SD HE
CDN'T SUPPORT ,BRITA91 : 0 OP-      #EAE
PRESS+ 8 FAMILY BACK 9 ,IREL&4 ,B AF A
FEW WEEKS ( B1T+S1 HE'D *ANG$ 8 TUNE1 Z
A LOT ( ,C4,O4S T5D$ 6D4 ,N[ ,O',HI79S 0
M>*+ )! RE/ ( U1 LE>N+ H[ 6SURVIVE A
MU/>D GAS ATTACK & WIELD A BROOM/ICK L A
W1PON ( V5GE.E4
  8,S MAYBE ,I'M WR;G40 ,I %RU7$ & SWAL-
L[$ "S MA%$ POTATOES4 ,? WASN'T A WISE
>GU;T 6BE HAV+1 ,I KNEW1 S ,I LET ,OLLIE
W91 & ,I *ANG$ ! SUBJECT4

  ,I WASN'T AG/ ! W>1 B ,I DIDN'T L ANY-
?+ T KEPT ME AWAY F ,MI*ELLE4 ,I WASN'T
AL"O--Y CD TELL T A LOT (! GUYS LACK$ !
_S T _H OOZ$ \ (! FELL[S :O'D REPORT$ )!
F/ DRAFT1 AB A YE> AGO4 ,! /1DY LI/S (
W> D1D MADE U LESS EXCIT$ 6BE "!1 B WE
_H NO *OICE1 S WE DID \R "P4
  ,! ,C4,O4S ACT$ L !Y _H A *OICE1 ?\<1
& T'S :AT MADE "EY"O HATE !M4 ,Y / GOT
DRAFT$ IF Y 7 A ,C4,O42 !Y S5T Y 6! CAMP
AL;G ) "EY"O ELSE & MADE Y DIG DIT*ES OR
D LAUNDRY OR CL1N TOILETS UNTIL Y SAW !
LI<T4 ,& ,OLLIE 0 "R3 ! ,C4,O4S WD / 2
"H SCRU2+ UR9ALS :ILE ! RE/ ( U 7   #EAF
S5T \ 6,FR.E 6H \R H1DS BL[N (F 9 "S
RAT-9FE/$ TR5*4 ,T ?"\ MADE SCRU2+ A
UR9AL S.D ALM 9VIT+4
  ,AF SUPP]1 ,I /OOD AT ! UR9AL PISS+ &
?9K+ AB ! ,C4,O41 ?9K+ AB TR5*ES & GRE-
NADES & GETT+ B1T5 0A WAT] HOSE E NI<T4
,FUCK !M1 ,I DECID$4 ,!Y 7 GETT+ (F
EASY4

  ,WE DRILL$ 5D.SLY4 ,"S"O _H SD WE WD
ONLY 2 "! = TWO MON?S 2F WE 7 %IPP$ (F1
B EV5TU,Y ,I'D BE5 "! ?REE MON?S4 ,!
LATE/ RUMOR 0 T WE'D 2 GETT+ R1L BAYO-
NETS 9 A WEEK1 B NO "O RE,Y KNEW ANY?+4
  ,WE AL LE>N$ !Y _H CALL$ (F ! NEXT
DRAFT ON A3.T (! FLU4 ,=T ,J5K9S 0 TOO
SICK--& S 7 ALL ! O!R CAMPS ACR ! C.TRY1
APP>5TLY--S !Y DIDN'T WANT 6BE S5D+ ANY
G]MS 6! FRONT L9ES4 ,! =M]LY OV]CR[D$
B>RACKS 7 2COM+ M -=TABLY POPULAT$ Z
FELL[S KEPT 4APPE>+ 96! 9FIRM>Y4
  ,! SICK WD SOON 2 RETURN+1 WE FIGUR$1
B _M 7 G"O S L;G WE />T$ WOND]+4 ,!Y N"E
TOLD U :5 A SICK SOLDI] DI$1 B WE KNEW X
0 HAPP5+4 ,^W GOT >.D4              #EAG

  ,"O NI<T ,I 0 -+ BACK F A GAME ( C>DS
AT ! ,,YMCA & ,I SAW "S"O SITT+ 9 ! MESS
HALL4 ,X 0 LATE 5 T WE W]5'T SUPPOS$ 6BE
9 "!1 S ,I TOOK AN EXTRA /EP =W>D 6SEE
:O X WAS4 ,X 0 ! ,C4,O41 ! "O ,I'D SE5
2+ US$ Z A BAYONET T>GET A FEW WEEKS
BACK4 ,HE 0 EAT+ A B[L ( OATM1L 9 !
HUGE1 EMPTY ROOM1 CRISPLY DRESS$ 9 !
:ITE %IRT T MADE ALL ! ,C4,O4S /& \4
  ,= "S R1SON ,I WALK$ 96! MESS HALL4 ,!
,C4,O4 LOOK$ UP "R AWAY1 REM9D+ ME (A
SQUIRREL :5 X F/ NOTICES Y -+ T[>D X4 ,A
D>T+ MO;N (! H1D1 FOLL[$ 0A SECOND OR
TWO ( P>ALYSIS :ILE X ASSESSES ! POSSI-
BIL;Y ( IMM95T DANG]4
  8,EV5+10 ,I SD )A CURT NOD1 ?9K+ ,I
S.D$ H>M.S4
  ,HE NO4$ BACK & SD ! SAME1 ONLY M QUI-
ETLY4 ,HE _H SMALL EYES T HID 2N 8 BR[S1
PROTECT$ F ! _W 0AN ANGUL> FACE &A CRA7Y
JAW T LOOK$ L X'D CUT YR H& IF Y HIT X4
  8,M9D IF ,I SIT D[N80
  8',S F9E10 HE MUM#D4 ,"! 0 PL5TY M
OATM1L 9 8 B[L B HE MADE NO MO;N    #EAH
63T9UE EAT+1 Z IF AFRAID ,I WD RAM !
SPOON D[N 8 ?ROAT4 ,HE KEPT 8 EYES (F (
M9E1 J 6! SIDE4
  8,I'M ,FRANK ,SUMM]S40
  8,LYLE ,HUNT]40 ,HE _H AN ODD VOICE1
"S K9D ( SECOND-G5],N A35T ,I CDN'T
PLACE4 ,HUNT] M/ H BE5 A NEW "N 8 FAMILY
_H TAK5 :5 !Y GOT (F ! BOAT4
  8,H[ L;G Y BE5 AT ! CAMP80
  8',B\T TWO MON?S40
  ,I'D N"E BE5 9 ! MESS HALL :5 X 0 DE-
S]T$4 ,MAYBE ! ,C4,O4S 7 SUPPOS$ 6EAT :5
O!RS W]5'T >.D1 B !N AG ,I'D SE5 !M AT
REGUL> M1L"TS1 TOO4 ,ALL ,I KNEW 0 ,I 0
RUNN+ A RISK EV5 2+ "!1 S ,I DECID$ 6CUT
6! *ASE4
  8,:Y >E Y A ,C4,O480
  ,=! F/ "T1 HE LOOK$ DIRECTLY AT ME4
,W>ILY4 8,:AT'S X 6Y80
  ,T S.D$ M TE/Y ?AN T\<1 ESPECI,Y GIV5
! WAY HE AV]T$ 8 EYES AG AF SAY+ X4 ,8
H1D 0 AT A L[ ANGLE1 L HE 0 TOO US$ 6C[-
]+4
  8,MAYBE ,I'M J CURI\S4 ,LOOK1 IF ,I 0
9T]E/$ 9 9SULT+ Y1 ,I CD ALW JO9    #EAI
9 )! GANG PU%+ Y >.D E NI<T40
  ,I FIGUR$ HE WD'VE BE5 FLATT]$ ,I GAVE
A DAMN1 B 6MY SURPRISE HE UTT]$ A %ORT
SI<1 Z IF HE'D BE5 BOMB>D$ 0WELL-M1N+
"Q]S S* Z MYF4
  8,I OBJECT 6? W>4 ,T'S ALL ,I NE$ TO
SAY40
  8,:AT1 Y ?9K ,I'M A RAT80
  ,NO RESPONSE4
  8,:Y'D Y EV5 5LI/8 ,:Y DIDN'T Y RUN (F
& HIDE "SPLACE80
  8,J 2C ,I OBJECT 6! W> DOESN'T M1N ,I
H 6BE YELL[10 HE SD4
  8,Y "K !Y'RE GO+ 6KEEP RID+ Y UNTIL
!Y'RE S5T (F1 "R8 ,& !N NEW "OS'LL TAKE
_! PLACE80
  8,:Y D Y C>E80
  ,I ?"\ AB T4 8,MAYBE ,I DON'T L SEE+
GUYS GET PU%$ >.D ALL ! "T40
  8,Y ?9K Y'RE GO+ 6SEE ANY LESS ( X 9
,FR.E80
  8,T'S DI6]5T40
  8,SURE40
  8,:Y DON'T Y J GIVE X UP & DRILL )!
RE/ ( U8 ,) ANY LUCK1 ! W>'LL 2     #EBJ
OV] 2F WE "E MAKE X 6,FR.E4 ,X'S N L
Y'LL H 6D ANY?+40
  8,I'M N -PROMIS+ MYF L T40
  8,= ,GOD'S SAKE1 A FEW BAYONET DRILLS
>5'T GO+ 6TURN Y 96A KILL]4 ,I'VE BE5
DRILL+ = ?REE MON?S & ,I'M N AN ANIMAL40
  ,HE EY$ ME /RANGELY4 8,Y >5'T80
  ,I WAIT$ A SECOND 6MAKE SURE ,I'D HE>D
HM "R4 ,!N ,I L1N$ BACK4 8,! HELL IS T
SUPPOS$ 6M1N8 ,JESUS1 ,I -E "H 6TALK 6Y1
& Y 9SULT ME4 ,Y'RE A R1L PIECE ( "W1 Y
"K T8 ,NO WOND] Y'VE GOT A T>GET ON YR
BACK40
  ,I EXPECT$ HM 6TAKE X BACK1 B HE
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4
  ,I GOT \ ( MY *AIR SU45LY1 & HE MOV$
BACK A BIT4 ,Z ,I WALK$ \1 ,I HALF EX-
PECT$ HM 6CALL "S?+ \ 6ME--,I ?9K ,I EV5
WANT$ HM TO--B "! 0 NO?+ EXCEPT ! S.D (
MY /EPS E*O+ ON ! /AIRS1 SOON FOLL[$ 0!
FAMILI> *ORUS (! B>RACKS 2F LI<TS-\3 !
BETT+ ( C>DPLAY]S1 YAWNS1 LAU<T]1 C\<+4

  ,:5 Y'RE TOLD H[ YR GRT-GR&"F DI$
FI<T+ =! ,3F$]ACY1 Y />T ?9K+       #EBA
Y'RE ! FLAG BE>] = LO/ CAUSES4 ,EMMETT
,SUMM]S DI$ AT ,ANTIETAM1 ,I'VE ALW BE5
TOLD1 L1V+ 2H MY GR&DAD1 :O 0 T5 AT ! "T
&1 YE>S LAT]1 W&]$ \ WE/ 9 SE>* ( ,GOD
"KS :AT4 ,B :AT EXACTLY 0 ! LO/ CAUSE
"H8 ,I SUPPOSE ! ,C4,O4 0 FI<T+ A LO/
CAUSE1 9SI/+ ON PACIFISM 9 ! FACE ( MIL-
IT>ISM4 ,MAYBE ME ?9K+ T ,I CD MAKE X "?
! W> & EM]GE M OR LESS UNSCA!D--MAYBE T
0 ! LO/ CAUSE4 ,MAYBE ,MI*ELLE 0 MY LO/
CAUSE4 ,TR5* W>F>E SURE S.D$ L A LO/
CAUSE1 B Y W]5'T SUPPOS$ 6TALK L T1 OR
EV5 ?9K X4 ,MAYBE "!'S J "S?+ DEEP 9SIDE
ME--"S 9DEF9A# YE>N+1 "S DEEPLY BURI$ "P
( MY GRT-GR&DA4Y'S S\L--T WANT$ 6F9D "O
M LO/ CAUSE 6FI<T =4 ,T HAS 6BE ! ONLY
EXPLAN,N = :AT HAPP5$ ! NEXT NI<T4

  ,I 0 RETURN+ F ! ,,YMCA1 ?\< ,I _HN'T
PLAY$ ANY C>DS4 ,_HN'T BE5 9 ! MOOD4
,9/1D ,I'D SAT "! PRET5D+ 6R1D MAGAZ9ES1
:5 RE,Y ,I _H SLIPP$ LRS F ,MI*ELLE 9TO
!M1 S ,I CD RER1D !M )\T LOOK+ L A LOVE-
SICK FOOL4 ,H] LA/ FEW LRS _H SEEM$ LESS
9TIMATE1 B ,I WASN'T SURE IF T 0    #EBB
9 ! WRIT+ OR 9 MY H1D4
  ,I MISS$ 2+ ) H]1 SEE+ ! WAY %E LOOK$
AT ME4 ,"O ?+ 0 BO!R+ ME "PICUL>LY3 IF
"S?+ HAPP5$ & ,I DID DIE 9 ! W>1 OR DI$
(! FLU 2F ,I EV5 %IPP$ \1 ,MI*ELLE WD
PROBABLY M\RN ME B WD ="E ?9K T MY WI%
6M>RY H] _H BE5 A LIE1 "S?+ FOOLI% & RO-
MANTIC ,I _H SD ONLY 2C X SEEM$ ! ?+ 6D4
,I WDN'T 2 >.D 6PROVE T MY 9T5;NS _H BE5
G5U9E1 T ,I 0 G5U9E4
  ,S ,I 0 9 A ROTT5 MOOD Z ,I H1D$ BACK
6! B>RACKS4 ,X 0 NE>+ LI<TS-\ & X _H
/>T$ RA9+4 ,I CD EASILY HE> ! S.DS -+ F
! BACK (! B>RACKS Z ,I WALK$ PA/4
  ,A CRY ( PA9 F "S": \ ( SI<T S.DS S
UNNATURAL1 L A VOICE F ANO!R _W4 ,B ,I
KNEW ": X 0 RE,Y -+ F4
  ,I R1*$ ! DOOR 6! B>RACKS &1 S9CE NO
"O 0 2H ME1 ,I H1D$ 96! MESS HALL4 ,I
WIP$ MY BOOTS C>E;LLY ON ! MATS AT !
?RE%OLD1 C>E;L N 6TRACK ANY MUD ON ! RE-
C5TLY SCRU2$ FLOORS4 ,! ,C4,O4 _H BE5
SCRU2+ !M :5 ,I LEFT4 ,N[ HE 0 2+ TOR-
TUR$ 9 ! /OREROOM4
  ,I WALK$ "? ! EMPTY MESS HALL     #EBC
T[>D ! DOOR L1D+ 6! /OREROOM4 ,! S.DS
GREW L\D]4 ,X DIDN'T S.D L S* A CR[D ?
"T1 MAYBE ONLY A FEW ( !M4 ,2C X 0 A
SWIVEL DOOR ,I 0 A# 6PROP X OP5 ! B>E/
AM.T ) MY %OE & PE] 9SIDE4 ,I SAW "S?+
D>K FLA% 9 ! AIR1 FOLL[$ 0A :IPP+ S.D &A
:ELP ( PA94 ,!N ,I SAW ! ,C4,O41 %IRT.S
AG1 FALL D[N4 ,HE 0 PICK$ BACK UP 0"O (!
,POLES1 :O TURN$ HM >.D AG S T 8 BACK 0
PRES5T$ 6A GUY ^: BACK 0 AL 6ME4 ,!
,C4,O4'S BACK 0 A VICI\S %ADE ( R$1 "S (
! /R1KS ?REE-DIM5.NAL4 ,! O!R GUY TOOK A
/EP & :IPP$ HM AG4
  8,DAMN1 Y GOT MY F+]S10 SD ! GUY :O'D
BE5 HOLD+ ! ,C4,O4 ,HE SD X )A LAU< &
%OOK \ 8 H&S4 ,! ,C4,O4 0 ON ! FLOOR AG4
  ,!Y 7 /&+ 9 A N>R[ HALLWAY 2Y : 0 !
/OREROOM1 /OCK$ ) FOOD & L95S &! B>-
RACKS' LAUNDRY FACILITIES4 ,TWO DULL
LI<TBULBS GL[$ ABV !M B ! RE/ (! CORRI-
DOR 0 9 %AD[4
  ,!N ,I SAW T ! RUMOR AB ! NEW FIRE>MS
0 TRUE3 "! 0 A ?IRD BULLY 9 ! ROOM1 & HE
0 HOLD+ A BAYONET4 ,X 0 %9Y & METALLIC &
XS L;G 9CISOR SMIL$ 9 ! DIM LI<T4   #EBD
  8,PICK UP ! ,HE9IE BA/>D10 SD ! "O )!
BAYONET4 ,HE 0 A BIG ,ITALIAN KID ) D>K
HAIR & D>K EYES2 HE 0 "O (! FEW GUYS :O
N"E SEEM$ TIR$ AF A FULL "D ( M>*+4
  8,"T = BAYONET PRACTICE10 SD ! "O :O'D
BE5 DO+ ! FLO7+1 ^: "N 0 ,SEP5SKI4 ,8
HAIR 0 SW1TY & 8 SLEEVES 7 ROLL$ UP4 ,HE
0 A BIG KID1 TOO1 B N Z BIG Z ! WOP )!
BAYONET4
  ,! ,C4,O4'S *E/ & /OMA* 7 R$ F PUN*ES
OR BROOM H&LES4
  8,J LET ME G10 HE *OK$4
  ,X 0 ! F/ "T ,I _H HE>D HM BEG DUR+
ANY (! ORD1LS ,I'D WIT;S$4 ,MAYBE X 0 !
BLADE1 OR ! FACT T !Y 7 M SECLUD$ ? "T4
,"EY?+ FELT M S9I/]4
  ,I PUT MY H& ON ! DOOR B "S?+ KEPT ME
F PU%+ X OP54
  ,! ,POLE :O'D BE5 HOLD+ ! ,C4,O4 PICK$
UP 8 W.D$ PREY AG4 ,HE 0 NO BI7] ?AN !
,C4,O4 HMF1 B HE SEEM$ 62LIEVE HE 0 Z
BIG Z 8 BU4Y ,SEP5SKI4 ,HE TALK$ T\< &
ALW M5;N$ ,*ICAGO1 ": HE'D GR[N UP1 S
MO/ GUYS J CALL$ HM ,*ICAGO4
  ,SEP5SKI BACK$ AWAY1 GIV+ ! WOP   #EBE
ROOM4 ,*ICAGO HELD ! ,C4,O4 9 A H1DLOCK1
! ,C4,O4'S >MS JUTT+ \ AT TWO O'C & T5
O'C1 8 :ITE & R$ *E/ EXPOS$4 ,SURELY !Y
W]5'T GO+ 6D ?4 ,! WOP HELD ! BAYONET 9
! POSI;N WE'D BE5 TRA9$ TO1 8 >MS & BACK
LOCK$ 96! PO/URE T ,I "S"TS F.D MYF
ADOPT+ \ ( HABIT4
  8,DON'T GET ME10 ,*ICAGO W>N$ 8 BU4Y 9
A "S:AT QUIET] VOICE4
  8,DON'T WORRY10 ! WOP SD4 ,L ! TWO
,POLES1 HE _H ! B>E/ ( A35TS2 HE'D BE5
BORN "H & WANT$ "EY"O 6"K HE 0 Z ,AM]I-
CAN Z GUYS L ME4 ,M1 EV54
  ,!N ! ,C4,O4'S >MS />T$ FLAIL+ 9 A LA/
DESP]ATE ATTEMPT 6BR1K FREE4 ,B ,*ICAGO
KEPT HM 9 PLACE &! WOP LUNG$ =W>D &
GRUNT$ & 8 BACK BLOCK$ MY VIEW ( :AT
HAPP5$1 B ,I HE>D ! ,C4,O4 LET \ A HI<-
PIT*$1 MU6L$ YELP "? GRITT$ TEE?4
  ,! WOP'S >MS JUTT$ 6! "R1 4LODG+ !
BLADE1 & HE /EPP$ AWAY4 ,I CD SEE !
,C4,O4 AG & 8 *E/ & /OMA* 7 / R$ B NO M
S ?AN 2F4 ,!N ,I SAW ! GA% 9 8 "R PANT
LEG1 FILL+ ) BLOOD4 ,!Y'D GIV5 X 6HM 9 !
?I<4                                #EBF
  ,=A FEW SECONDS ,I HE>D ONLY ! S.DS (
BR1?+3 ! BULLIES' DEEP BR1?S1 9 %OCK &
AWE AT _! [N AC;NS4 ,! ,C4,O4'S JA7$
BR1?S1 *OK$ (F 0PA9 & FE>4
  ,F9,Y ,I PU%$ ! DOOR OP5 ! RE/ (! WAY
& WALK$ IN4
  8,EV5+1 BOYS10 ,I SD 6!M4 8,"EY?+ ALL
"R80
  8,"EY?+'S JAKE10 ,SEP5SKI SD4 ,!Y _H
ALL TURN$ MY WAY1 B NOBODY WORE A GUILTY
EXPRES.N4
  8,:AT SAY Y CALL X A NI<T8 ,X'S GETT+
CLOSE 6LI<TS-\40 ,I 0 A PRIVATE J L !M1
B ,I 0 HOP+ MY AGE WD BUY ME "S AU?OR;Y1
T MILIT>Y 4CIPL9E WD KICK 9 & !Y'D OBEY
)\T /OPP+ 6WOND] :Y4
  ,B ! WOP SD1 8,WE H PL5TY ( "T4 ,WE H
6BR1K 9 ! BAYONET--HE / NE$S "S?+ =! O!R
LEG40
  8,":'D Y GET T80 ,I ASK$4
  8,:AT'S X 6Y80
  ,I %RU7$4 8,J J1L\S4 ,I'VE BE5 WAIT+
ON M9E = MON?S40
  ,HE SMIL$1 RELIEV$ 6SEE ,I 0 NO ?R1T4
,MY H&S 7 9 MY POCKETS4 ,I LOOK$    #EBG
OV] AT ! ,C4,O4 ,*ICAGO _H PICK$ HM BACK
UP4 ,! WOP H&$ ! BAYONET 6,SEP5SKI1 :O
WD APP>5TLY H ! PRIVILEGE ( 9FLICT+ !
SECOND W.D4
  8,GIVE ME A %OT AT HM10 ,I SD4
  8,I GET ! NEXT "O10 ,SEP5SKI PROTE/$4
  8,I DON'T M1N ) T40 ,I GE/UR$ 6! BAYO-
NET & WRAPP$ MY LEFT F+]S >.D MY "R FI/4
8,J GIVE ME A %OT AT HM40
  ,! WOP1 :O _H /EPP$ BACK1 NO4$4
8,SURE4 ,TAKE YR BE/ %OT40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ! ,C4,O41 HELD UP 0,*ICA-
GO4 ,8 H1D 0 HANG+ L[1 Z IF HE'D PASS$
\1 B WE ALL KNEW HE _HN'T--WE CD TELL F
8 BR1?+1 F 8 :IMP]S4 ,! BLOOD 0 RUNN+
D[N 8 PANT LEG & POOL+ AT ! TIP ( 8
BOOT4
  ,MAYBE ,I FIGUR$ IF ,I CD KNOCK HM \ )
"O GD PUN*1 X'D 5D 8 MIS]Y =! NI<T4 ,IF
,I _HN'T WALK$ IN1 !Y PROBABLY WD H G"O
=! VITAL ORGANS AF ! TWO LEGS1 !N ! TES-
TICLES4 ,MAYBE ,I FIGUR$ "O H>D PUN* CD
2 =GIV5 IF X WD HELP ! POOR BA/>D KEEP 8
MANHOOD4 ,S* Z X WAS4
  8,HEY10 ,I SD 6! TOP ( 8 H1D4     #EBH
8,LOOK ME 9 ! EYE1 Y SORRY SONUVABIT*40
  ,A C\PLE SECONDS PASS$1 !N HE OBEY$1
LIFT+ 8 H1D 6FACE ME4 ,IF HE 0 AT ALL
SURPRIS$ 6SEE ME1 HE DIDN'T %[ X4 ,I 0 J
ANO!R "O (! ?\S&S ( MILITANTS 9 ! O!R
CAMP4 ,I 0 ! 5EMY4
  ,HE DID LOOK L A SORRY SONUVABIT*4 ,B
8 FACE 0 UNM>K$--!Y KNEW WELL 5 6HIT HM
9 PLACES T WDN'T %[ ! NEXT "D :5 HE 0
SUIT$ UP & PU%+ 8 MOP4 ,!Y WDN'T L X IF
,I GAVE HM A %9] OR BROKE 8 NOSE4 ,WE'D
ALL H "S EXPLA9+ 6D4
  ,HE 0 S* A W1K BA/>D1 ,I ?"\ Z ,I IN-
HAL$1 TAK+ 9 ! /R5G? ,I WD NE$ = :AT ,I
_H DECID$ 6D4
  8,POP ! YELL[BELLY10 ,*ICAGO SD4
  ,I MADE A FI/ & SWUNG /RAI<T = ,SEP5-
SKI'S UGLY & SMIL+ MUG4 ,CAU<T HM SQU>E
ON ! NOSE1 S H>D T 8 H1D SNAPP$ BACK &
HIT ! WALL 2H HM4 ,HE _H ONLY 2GUN 6FALL
D[N :5 ,I TURN$ & DROVE ! TIP ( MY "R
BOOT 2T ! WOP'S LEGS4 ,8 BODY CRUMPL$1 !
BAYONET FALL+ \ ( 8 H&S & CLATT]+ ON !
FLOOR A SECOND 2F 8 KNEES HIT ! GR.D4
,HE ROLL$ OV] 6HIS SIDE1 H[L+ AN    #EBI
9HUMAN MOAN4 ,I TURN$ BACK 6,*ICAGO &!
,C4,O4 B !Y W]5'T "!4 ,!Y _H 4APPE>$4
,!N "S?+ CAU<T ME >.D ! NECK & ,I SPUN4
  ,*ICAGO _H DROPP$ ! ,C4,O4 & -E = ME1
PUTT+ ME 9 A H1DLOCK4 ,I SAW ! ,C4,O4
LY+ "!1 SAW ! WOP 2S HM1 ON 8 SIDE &
KICK+ 8 FEET 9 ? UNNATURAL RHY?M1 SAW !
UNCONSCI\S ,SEP5SKI (F 6! SIDE1 8 BACK
L1N+ AG/ ! WALL & 8 FACE & JAW DRIPP+ )A
/1DY /R1M ( BLOOD F 8 BROK5 NOSE4 ,!N !
ROOM />T$ DANC+ 2F ME Z ,I SWUNG >.D1
TRY+ 6BR1K FREE ( ,*ICAGO4 ,HE WASN'T Z
BIG Z HE ?"\ HE 0 & ,I SURE Z HELL
WASN'T Z MEEK Z 8 LA/ PREY _H BE51 & ,I
0 A# 6DRAG HM 2H ME Z ,I TRI$ 6%AKE HM
(F4 ,HE _H A GD GRIP1 ?\<1 & ,I CDN'T
BR1K LOOSE4 ,I CD FEEL MY FACE BURN+4
  ,I SLIPP$ "S ( MY F+]S 2N "O ( 8 >MS &
TRI$ 6PRY X LOOSE1 B ,I CDN'T MANAGE X4
,S ,I /EPP$ BACK ) "O LEG & L1N$ =W>D1
LIFT+ AT L1/ "O ( 8 FEET (F ! GR.D4 ,WE
7 (F-KILT] D.ERS1 & ,I FELT ! BAL.E ( \R
UNION SLIPP+ F 8 FEET 6M9E4 ,I J]K$ =W>D
EV5 M1 LIFT+ BO? 8 FEET (F ! GR.D1 B HE
WDN'T LET G4 ,I TWI/$ 6! SIDE &     #ECJ
SLAMM$ 8 BODY 96! WALL4 ,HE / _H ME4 ,MY
TEMPLES 7 P.D+ & MY NECK 0 ON FIRE4 ,I
SLAMM$ HM 96! WALL AG1 & AG4 ,"EY?+ 2F
ME _H G"O BLACK--,I 0 Z BL Z MY SI/]4
,!N ,I SLAMM$ HM 96! WALL A F9AL "T & HE
SQU1L$ & 8 BODY W5T LIMP4
  ,V LIMP4 ,! VISE >.D MY NECK OP5$ WIDE
& 8 >MS FELL >.D ME L ^? (A M>IONETTE1
LIFE.S Z WOOD & /R+4 ,I HE>D HM L& 2H ME
9 A H1P4 ,I 0 AB 6TURN & LOOK AT HM :5 !
VI.N N[ RETURN+ 6MY EYES /RUCK ME ) ALL
XS GRUE"S HORROR4
  ,! ,C4,O41 8 FACE R$ & 8 EYES WIDE1 0
DROOL+ ) RAGE Z HE KNELT "! /A2+ ,SEP5-
SKI )! BAYONET AG & AG & AG4 ,! ,POLE'S
%IRT 0 SOAK$ "? ) BLOOD & "! 0 BLOOD ON
! WALL 2H HM & BLOOD SPILL+ ONTO ! GR.D
": HE 0 SITT+4 ,NEXT 6HM ! WOP 0 LY+ N Z
HE'D BE5 2F B ON 8 BACK1 />+ UP AT ^?
TWO NAK$ LI<TBULBS "? WIDE & MO;N.S
EYES4 ,! ,C4,O4 _H ALR D1LT ) HM1 _H ALR
TORN 8 %IRT 96WET R$ %R$S1 _H LEFT HM
LY+ 9 A POOL ( 8 [N WA/$ LIFE1 WID5+ 2F
MY EYES4
  ,! ,C4,O4 KEPT /A2+4 ,! BAYONET   #ECA
SLID \ EASILY1 NO TWI/+ REQUIR$4 ,"! 7
NO BROOM/ICKS & NO DRILL S]G1NTS & NO
LIFE 2F ME1 N"O4 ,I 0 SURR.D$ 0D1? & ,I
CD B>ELY MOVE1 CD B>ELY ?9K1 CD B>ELY
CRY3 8,/OP60
  ,I SD X AG1 &! ,C4,O4 F9,Y OBEY$--AF A
F9AL DEEP LUNGE )! BAYONET T W5T S F> 9
& /UCK 6"S?+ S SOLID T :5 HE LET G1 X
/AY$ "!1 HOV]+ OV] ,SEP5SKI'S *E/ L "S
HORRIFIC & F9AL EXT5.N ( HMF4
  ,! ,C4,O4 FELL BACK ONTO 8 H&S1 !N
PU%$ HMF AG/ ! OPPOSITE WALL1 />+ AT !
BODY ( 8 TOR;TOR4 ,8 FACE 0 RIGID B O4LY
%IV]+1 Z IF AT ANY MO;T HE MI<T SCR1M OR
H[L OR BAWL UNCONTROLLABLY4 ,) AN UN/1DY
H& HE WIP$ AWAY ! SPIT T _H DRIPP$ D[N 8
*91 B 8 EYES /AY$ ON ,SEP5SKI4
  ,I LOOK$ BACK AT ,*ICAGO & SAW T HE 0
Z D1D Z 8 BU4IES4 ,"! 0 NO BLOOD1 B 8
NECK 0 B5T AT AN IMPOSSI# ANGLE4 ,X 0 Z
REVOLT+ A SI<T Z T ( 8 EVISC]AT$ -PAN-
IONS4 ,HE 0 />+ (F ABV ME1 Z IF LOOK+ =!
PROTECTOR :O %D H /OPP$ ME F KILL+ HM4
  8,OH MY ,GOD10 ,I SD1 OR :ISP]$1 OR
?"\1 OR MOAN$4 ,! WOP'S BLOOD 0 /   #ECB
FL[+1 XS POOL ALM R1*+ ME4 ,I R1LIZ$ H[
M* MY "R H& HURT1 ,I FELT ! CUTS &
BRUISES ON MY NECK1 ,I BIT BACK ! PA9 ,I
FELT :5 SWALL[+4 ,I CD B>ELY SWALL[1
B>ELY BR1!4
  ,I /OOD UP1 /EPP$ =W>D1 & VOMIT$1 RE/+
MY H&S AG/ ! WALL Z ,I SPAT "EY?+ UP4 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES & TRI$ 6W AWAY ! SAVAGE
BUT*]Y T SURR.D$ ME4 ,C\<+ & *OK+ ON
:AT"E 0 LEFT 9SIDE ME1 ,I TRI$ 6/1DY
MYF1 TRI$ 6?9K4
  ,2Y ! ,C4,O4'S %IV]S 0 SIL;E4 ,NO S.D
( ANY"O RUNN+ T[>D U1 NO "O AB 6KICK OP5
! DOOR4 ,! :OLE ORD1L _H "SH[ BE5 QUIET
5 6ESCAPE DETEC;N4 ,SOON X WD 2 LI<TS-\2
! QU>T]MA/] & MAYBE ! S]G1NTS WD 2 PA-
TROLL+ ! HALLS UP/AIRS1 WD POSSIBLY EV5
POKE "? ! /OREROOM4
  ,! %OCK 0 S OV]:ELM+ T N UNTIL LAT]
DID ,I ?9K MAYBE ,I CD H 3COCT$ "S /ORY4
,P]H ,I CD H CA/ MYF Z M]ELY ! LUCKIE/
VICTIM (! ,C4,O4'S D1DLY RAMPAGE4 ,B "R
!N ALL ,I 0 ?9K+ 0 T ,I _H KILL$ "S"O1 A
SOLDI]1 & T ! O!R TWO D1D SOLDI]S 2S HM
MAY Z WELL H BE5 /RUCK D[N 0MY      #ECC
H&S4 ,I _H 6GET \ ( "!4
  ,I /OOD UP & LOOK$ >.D4 ,"! 0 A DOOR
AT ! 5D (! HALLWAY T 0 ALW LOCK$ F ! IN-
SIDE4 ,! ,C4,O4 _H /A7]$ 6HIS KNEES1
BR1K+ FREE ( 8 MA45$ /ATE4 ,HE SAW ME
LOOK+ AT ! DOOR1 !N MOV+ T[>D X4
  8,": ''' ": >E Y GO+80 HE /AMM]$4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 ,\R B>RACKS 0 LOCAT$
AT ! NOR?EA/]N CORN] (! CAMP4 ,N TOO F>
AWAY1 TRUCKS FULL ( FOOD & SUPPLIES 7
UNLOAD$2 SURELY ^? TRUCKS _H 6G \1 TOO4
,I DIDN'T "K ! S*$ULE OR H[ ,I CD GET
96A TRUCK1 B T SEEM$ MY BE/ %OT 6GET
AWAY F ! CANTON;T4
  ,I M/ H EXPLA9$ ? 6! ,C4,O41 OR MAYBE
HE J "U/OOD X1 2C HE ?REW ON 8 %IRT &
TUNIC & FOLL[$ ME \4 ,HE FOLL[$ Z ,I
WALK$ "? ! D>K CAMP1 HID+ 9 ! %AD[S 2S !
BUILD+S4 ,I WAT*$ E W9D[ WE PASS$1 HOP+
NO FACE WD APPE> & SPOT U1 HOP+ ! SIL;E
WD N 2 TORN 0AN AL>M1 HOP+ ,I 0 ! ONLY
"O :O CD HE> MY ?"U+ HE>TB1T1 HOP+ !
TRACKS WE 7 L1V+ 9 ! MUD WD N 2COME AN
EASILY FOLL[$ TRAIL 6\R CAPTURE1 HOP+ !
BODIES WD N 2 4COV]$ UNTIL WE _H    #ECD
ESCAP$1 HOP+ ,I WD WAKE UP 9 MY UNCOM=T-
A# >MY COT & %AKE MY H1D AT ? HORRI#1
TORTUR$ DR1M4
  ,I REMEMB] HM LY+ 2S ME 9 ! BACK (A
TRUCK4 ,I REMEMB] U OV]HE>+ ! 9ANE BANT]
(! M5 DRIV+ X4 ,I REMEMB] \R BODIES 2+
JO/L$ AG/ EA* O!R Z ! TRUCK MADE XS WAY
"? ! D>K & UNEV5 _W 2Y \R BASE1 A L& DE-
F9$ = U ONLY 0! BUMPS 9 ! ROAD &! SIL;E
\TSIDE4 ,I _H NO IDEA :AT T[NS ! CAMP 0
NE>E/ TO1 DIDN'T "K ! ROADS OR :E!R "! 7
ANY RAILWAY L9ES NE>BY4 ,I REMEMB] !
,C4,O4 W9C+ :5 BUMPS 9 ! ROAD JO/L$ HM1
,I REMEMB] SMELL+ "S?+ T MI<T H BE5 8
BLOOD4 ,I REMEMB] 2+ COLD BACK "!1 ,I
REMEMB] HE>+ ! ,C4,O4 PUT ON A JACKET T
HE F.D 9 ! BACK1 & ,I REMEMB] QUIETLY
REMOV+ A PI/OL F A CRATE &! ,C4,O4 F9D+
A RIFLE = HMF4 ,HE 0 A PACIFI/ NO M4 ,HE
NO L;G] _H ! LUXURY4
  ,%E] T]ROR KEPT U F SLEEP+ ^? L;G
H\RS4 ,I DIDN'T "K : DIREC;N WE 7 H1D$1
ONLY T ,I 0 2+ TAK5 F>!R F HOME4 ,MY
NECK A*$ & ,I T\*$ MY F+]S 6MY ?ROAT1
HALF EXPECT+ 6FEEL ,*ICAGO'S D1D    #ECE
>M WRAPP$ >.D ME1 B ALL ,I CD FEEL 0 MY
PULSE4






















                                    #ECF
























                 ,,XIII             #ECG

  ,L;G AF LI/5+ 6,FRANK'S /ORY1 ,PHILIP
/ POND]$ X4 ,A FEW BLOCKS F ! ,WOR?Y
HOME1 HE SAT ON AN OLD SW+ T HE & ,GRA-
HAM _H HUNG F A FIR TREE A C\PLE ( YE>S
AGO4 ,X 0 COLD \1 &! SW+ WASN'T ! MO/
-=TA# ( S1TS1 B HE NE$$ A PRIVATE PLACE
6?9K4
  ,HE 2LIEV$ ,FRANK'S /ORY AB ! ,C4,O4
,FRANK _H REC.T$ 8 EXP]I;E /"O-FAC$ AT
F/1 8 VOICE CALM 9 ! MANN] ( "S"O :O _H
RELIV$ "S?+ A ?\S& "TS4 ,! EMPTY ROOM
P]FECTLY -PLE;T$ ! HOLL[ T"O 9 8 VOICE4
,HE _H KILL$ A MAN & D"O X 9 A WAY T _H
AM.T$ 6KILL+ HMF1 8 T"O SEEM$ 6BE SAY+4
,ONLY N[ DID ,PHILIP WOND] H[ M* (! DE-
SPAIR CAME F ! RAMIFIC,NS ( 8 ACT--N 2+
A# 6RETURN HOME 6HIS FAMILY1 6,MI*ELLE--
& H[ M* 0 A REAC;N 6! ACT XF1 ( FEEL+ !
D1D BODY ROLL (F 8 %\LD]S1 ( SEE+ !
/ILL;S 9 ! O!R M5'S EYES4
  ,Z HE SPOKE1 ,FRANK'S *EEKS 7 /R1K$ )
TE>S1 ?\< 8 FACE REMA9$ GRAVE4 ,N UNTIL
! 5D ( 8 /ORY DID 8 VOICE ?ICK5 & 8 EYES
TURN R$ & 8 %\LD]S />T 6%AKE4       #ECH
,SOON HE CDN'T TALK1 &! TWO ( !M J SAT 9
SIL;E1 MO;T>ILY HELD CAPTIVE 0! WEI<T (
8 MEMORIES4
  ..,I'M J L .Y1 ,FRANK _H PREFAC$ !
TALE1 & T ?"\ *ILL$ ,PHILIP M ?AN ! W9D
T CUT "? 8 COAT4 ,X 0 GETT+ LATE1 &
,PHILIP 0 PROBABLY ! ONLY P]SON 9 T[N :O
WASN'T 9SIDE1 EXCEPT P]H ,DOC ,BANES4
,PHILIP _H FELT A L"OLI;S--A -PLETE DES-
OL,N--= "DS1 "E S9CE ! 5C.T] )! F/ SOL-
DI]4 ,"E S9CE SEE+ HM FALL 6! GR.D Z A
RESULT ( :AT HE & ,GRAHAM _H D"O4 ,:AT
,GRAHAM _H D"O4 ,:AT HE & ,GRAHAM _H
D"O4 ,:8 ,OR BO?8
  ,! L"OLI;S _H 9T5SIFI$ EA* "T HE'D SE5
,GRAHAM WALK PA/ OR /& "! Z IF HE DID N
RECOGNIZE ,PHILIP Z A FR1 DID N AC"KL$GE
HM Z A MAN :O _H BE5 "? ! SAME T]RORS1
DID N WANT 6A3EPT ! FACT T !Y 7 "SH[
JO9$ 9 ?1 AWA% 9 ! SAME 3FUS+ SWIRL (
EMO;NS4 ,OR MAYBE !Y W]5'T--MAYBE ,GRA-
HAM'S HE>T & M9D 7 ="E UN"KA# 6,PHILIP2
P]H ! QU>ANT9E _H ="E SEP>AT$ !M1 DRIV+
!M EA* D[N DI6]5T PA?S T WD N"E AG
9T]SECT4                            #ECI
  ,YET ,PHILIP RECOGNIZ$ :AT HE _H SE5 9
,FRANK'S EYES1 & HE FELT A /RANGE K9%IP4
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MOTIVES4 ,PHILIP _HN'T SE5 T 9 ,GRAHAM'S
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  ,*>LES _H SD ,GRAHAM 0 WORRI$ = 8 "Y
FAMILY1 T HE _H S M* 6LOSE4 ..,B DON'T
,I H S M* 6LOSE Z .WELL8 ,PHILIP _H
WANT$ 6%\T4 ,ALL 8 LIFE1 HE _H BE5 DRA7$
ACR ! C.TRY 9 SE>* ( :AT HE F9,Y _H3 A
FAMILY1 A HOME4 ,N[ HE _H NEI<BORS :O
KNEW HM1 A JOB ": HE CD MAKE "S?+ ( HMF1
MAYBE EV5 A FUTURE )A GIRL HE 0 FALL+ =4
,! ?"\ ( 2+ RESPONSI# =! ILL;S OR D1? (
,LAURA OR ,*>LES OR ,REBE3A HORRIFI$ HM1
_H WOK5 HM UP 9 ! MI4LE ( E NI<T OV] !
PA/ WEEK4 ,& N[ ,ELSIE'S "M 0 SICK1 !
,METZG]S %UT 9SIDE _! 41S$ HOME6 ,HE ?"\
( KISS+ ,ELSIE1 &! RU% ( 9FATU,N 0 RI-
VAL$ ONLY 0! T]ROR T X MI<T 2 ! LA/ "T
HE SAW H] H1L?Y4 ,YES1 HE TOO _H M* TO
LOSE4                               #EDJ
  ,HE _H NO?+ 6GA9 F TRY+ 6HELP ,FRANK4
,IF HE "SH[ SU3E$$ 9 LETT+ ! MAN LOOSE1
HE RISK$ ! IRE & POSSIBLY ! PUNI%;T (
"EY"O 9 T[N4 ,HE AL RISK$ ,FRANK'S CAP-
TURE ON ! WAY 6,CANADA--A L;G & P]IL\S
J\RNEY1 6BE SURE--&! CAPTORS LE>N+ T
HE'D BE5 9 ,-MONW1L?4 ,SURELY !Y WD PAY
! T[N A VISIT1 ASK+ "QS4 ,6AID HM WD 2
6RISK "EY?+ ,*>LES _H CR1T$1 "EY?+ ! P 9
T T[N _H SACRIFIC$ =4 ,ALL 6SP>E "O MAN
A TRIP 6! GALL[S4
  ,PHILIP ?"\ ( ,ELSIE 9 H] GAUZE MASK1
! WAY X CA/ H] :OLE FACE 9 %AD[4 ,! LA/
"T HE'D BE5 FAC$ )A DECI.N 6SP>E ,FRANK1
! RESULT _H "SH[ LOOS$ ! FLU 9 ,-MON-
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,FRANK / D5I$ "E 2+ SICK--B HE CDN'T D5Y
! TRU?4 ,N[ HE 0 ?9K+ ( HELP+ ,FRANK AG1
& WOND]+ H[ ? ACT MI<T BACKFIRE Z WELL4
  ,! F/ SOLDI] _H BE5 NO SPY B A 3SCI5-
TI\S OBJECTOR4 ,N UNLIKE ,GRAHAM1 :O
SIMPLY _H N 5LI/$4 ,! SOLDI] _H BE5 J
ANO!R VICTIM ( ? ROTT5 W>1 ,REBE3A WD
SAY4 ,PHILIP KICK$ AT A /"O & !N 2GAN TO
SW+ A BIT1 =W>D & BACK1 ! _W 2F     #EDA
HM >C+ & B5D+ L "S?+ ELA/IC1 "S?+ T CD 2
4TORT$ & RE%AP$ 6"O'S W4
  ,X _H O3URR$ 6,PHILIP T E DECI.N MADE
0! T[N S9CE ! QU>ANT9E 2GAN _H BE5 "S:AT
SELFI%4 ,!Y'D PLAC$ !MVS ON A P$E/AL ABV
ALL \TSID]S1 HOLD+ _! VALUE 6BE SUP]IOR
ON PA9 ( D1?4 ,X SEEM$ WR;G1 EV5 :5
PLAC$ AG/ ! VI.N ( ,PHILIP'S [N FAMILY
FALL+ ILL4 ,HE DIDN'T "K H[ WOR?Y A MAN
HE 0 OR MI<T 2COME1 :AT K9D ( SKEW$ MOR-
AL -PASS HE _H 9H]IT$ F 8 "M1 B HE WANT$
62LIEVE HE 0 CAPA# ( SELF.S;S4 ,HE NE$$
62LIEVE ?4
  ,HE _H LOOK$ 6,GRAHAM = ANSW]S & F.D
ONLY SIL;E4 ,HE _H G"O 6,*>LES = EXPLA-
N,NS & F.D !M TOO TORTUR$1 _! LOGIC TOO
SKEW$ 0R,NALIZ,NS4 ,HE'D F9D NO GUID.E
"H1 ,PHILIP _H LE>N$--! QU>ANT9E DESIGN$
6BLOCK \ ! FLU _H ONLY SU3E$$ 9 CUTT+ (F
! T[N F XS PREVI\S ID1LS ( "R & WR;G4 ,X
0 A T[N 9 FULL ECLIPSE1 & ,PHILIP WD H
6NAVIGATE "? ! D>K 0HMF4

  8,OKAY10 ,PHILIP _H TOLD ,FRANK4
8,I'LL GET Y \ ( "H4 ,B ,I NE$ TO   #EDB
FIGURE \ H[40
  ,! TE>S ( GRIEF T _H MAT]IALIZ$ AT !
5D ( ,FRANK'S /ORY 7 TRANS=M$ 6GRATI-
TUDE4 ..,"!'S A SET ( KEYS ."S":1 ,FRANK
_H SD1 ..& !Y'LL UNLOCK ^! .*A9S4 ,PHIL-
IP TOLD HM HE NE$$ 6?9K X "?1 DEVISE A
/RATEGY4 ,FRANK _H NO4$1 TRY+ 6"U/&1
TRY+ 6RE/RA9 HMF :5 =A BRIEF MO;T HE _H
?"\ HE 0 ONLY M9UTES AWAY F FREEDOM4
.,I'LL .-E .BACK1 ,PHILIP SD4 ..,GIVE ME
A "D1 MAYBE TWO4 ,I NE$ 6.?9K4
  ,HE ALM REGRETT$ HAV+ VISIT$ ,FRANK1
WI%$ HE _H SIMPLY ALL[$ ! RU% ( KISS+
,ELSIE 6C>RY HM HOME4 ,HE CD H FALL5
ASLEEP 3T5T4 ,N[ HE WANT$ 6TELL ,ELSIE
,FRANK'S /ORY1 B HE WASN'T SURE H[ %E'D
REACT1 DIDN'T "K IF %E WD "U/& :Y X 0
WOR? RISK+ ANY?+ = ? /RANG]4 ,& HE KNEW
%E _H 5 6WORRY AB ALR4
  ,SU45LY1 Z ,PHILIP SAT ON ! SW+1 HE 0
/IRR$ F 8 ?"\S 0! S.DS ( C\<+1 L\D &
CLOSE BY4 ,HE'D BE5 SITT+ "! =A :ILE--HE
WASN'T SURE H[ L;G--& "! _H BE5 NO S.D4
,& J L T1 "S"O 9 ! H\SE 0 RACK$ ) C\<S
^: GUTTURAL BASS NOTES ?RO2$ AG/    #EDC
! WALLS1 E*O+ 9 ! _W 2Y4 ,X C HAPP5 J L
T1 ,PHILIP R1LIZ$4 ,HE KNEW :O LIV$ "!3
A MILL"W] "ND ,ZEKE :O 0 ONLY ?REE YE>S
,PHILIP'S ELD]1 & ,ZEKE'S NEW WIFE1 :OM
HE _H C\RT$ 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS A FEW MON?S
AGO4 ,:AT 0 H] "N8 ,PHILIP TRI$ 6REMEM-
B]4 ,R$ HAIR1 PALE SK91 FRECKLES ALL ACR
H] *EEKS1 A TOO?Y SMILE4 ,%E 0 C\<+ BAD-
LY4 ,!N ! W9D[ 0 ILLUM9AT$1 EI %E OR H]
WORRI$ HUSB& TURN+ ON ! LI<T4 ,FET*+ "S
WAT]1 OR AN EXTRA BLANKET1 OR ! ,BI#4 ,!
C\<+ 2CAME EV5 /1DI]1 ! RAT-TAT-TAT (A
MA*9E GUN4 ,! SAME S.D & SC5E 0 MO/
LIKELY 2+ 5ACT$ 9 ! ,METZG]S' H\SE1
,FLORA C\<+ & ,ALFR$ HOLD+ A COOL CLO?
6H] =EH1D & ,ELSIE PRAY+4 ,PHILIP TRI$
6PU% ^? VI.NS F 8 M9D Z HE /OOD UP &
WALK$ HOME1 ! C\<S *AS+ HM Z F> Z ! S.D
ALL[$ !M 6TRAVEL1 & !N NO?+1 SIL;E4





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