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               ,A ,NOVEL

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      ,COPY"R #BJJF 0,?OMAS ,MULL5
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

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                                     ;II
























                 ,,XIV              #EDE

  ,! NEXT "D PASS$ 9 A BLUR = ,PHILIP1
PUNCTUAT$ 0! R&OM S5T;ES HE SCRIB#D TO
,ELSIE 9 :AT"E FREE MO;TS HE CD F9D Z HE
TRI$ )\T SU3ESS 6FOCUS ON 8 "W4 ,HE TOLD
H] HE 0 ?9K+ ( H]1 T ! :OLE ,WOR?Y FAMI-
LY1 9DE$ ! :OLE T[N1 0 PRAY+ T ,FLORA WD
MAKE A SWIFT RECOV]Y4 ,HE TOLD H] H[
GLAD HE 0 T !Y'D BUMP$ 96EA* O!R ! NI<T
2F1 T HE _HN'T SLEPT WELL 2C HE CDN'T
/OP ?9K+ ( H] & :AT H] FAMILY 0 GO+ "?4
,HE TOLD H] HE WI%$ HE CD 2 9 ! H\SE )
H] 6HELP C>E = ,FLORA1 EV5 ?\< HE SE-
CRETLY WOND]$ :E!R HE 0 A VECTOR ( ILL-
;S1 IF 8 PRES;E WD F9I% ,FLORA (F4 ,HE
TOLD ,ELSIE HE 0 B>ELY GETT+ ANY "W D"O1
Z IF ! L5G? (! LR DIDN'T MAKE T OBVI\S4
  ,:5 ,PHILIP R1D ! LR HE SAW T X 0 4AP-
PO9T+LY 4JO9T$1 ! PRODUCT (! SCATT]%OT
WAY X _H BE5 WRITT54 ,:OLE S5T;ES 7 RE-
P1T$1 & ,PHILIP'S /OMA* W5T S\R Z HE SAW
H[ LL HE SEEM$ 6BE SAY+1 H[ WOE;LLY 9EPT
8 PROSE 0 AT 3VEY+ 8 ?"\S4 ,B HE REMEM-
B]$ H[ M* ,ELSIE'S LR _H M1NT 6HM1 S R
?AN TE>+ X UP & />T+ AG1 HE SIGN$   #EDF
X1 HOP+ 8 CD H "O HALF ! E6ECT Z ,EL-
SIE'S _H ON HM4
  ,HE SLIPP$ ! LR "U ! ,METZG]S' DOOR T
AFN1 WALK+ "? /REETS S EMPTY EV5 ! DOGS
_H VANI%$4 ,HE _H WANT$ 6KNOCK1 6G IN-
SIDE1 B KNEW HE WD 2 ADMONI%$ = X1 BY
,*>LES & 0! DOCTOR & P]H EV5 0,MR4
,METZG]4 ,S HE WALK$ AWAY1 PE]+ 96A FEW
W9D[S ON ! F/ FLOOR Z HE PASS$4 ,! SCANT
SUNLI<T REFLECT$ (F ! GLASS & HE CDN'T
SEE 9SIDE1 DIDN'T "K IF ,ELSIE 0 "!
WAT*+ HM OR IF %E 0 9 ANO!R ROOM1 T5D+
6H] "M4 ,HE HE>D NO S.DS F ! H\SE & WON-
D]$ IF T M1NT ANY?+4
  ,9 ! R>E MO;TS :5 HE _HN'T BE5 ?9K+ (
,ELSIE1 HE 0 ?9K+ ( 8 PROMISE 6SET
,FRANK FREE4 ,HE MULL$ OV] E ,H\D9I /ORY
HE'D "E HE>D 9 SE>* ( 9SPIR,N--SURELY1
IF ! ,GRT ,"O CD ESCAPE F ! JAIL T HELD
,PRESID5T ,G>FIELD'S ASSASS91 !N ,PHILIP
CD HELP ,FRANK BU/ \ (! /ORAGE BUILD+4
,PHILIP F/ NE$$ 6F9D \ :O _H ! KEYS TO
,FRANK'S *A9S1 OR HE WD NE$ 6G 96! PRIS-
ON >M$ ) "S?+ T CD BR1K !M4 ,REG>D.S1 HE
DECID$ N 6ACT T NI<T1 FIGUR+ 8      #EDG
*.ES WD 2 BETT] ! FOLL[+ EV5+ :5 ,LI<TN+
0 S*$UL$ 6BE ON DUTY4 ,HE WD TELL ,LI<T-
N+ HE NE$$ 6TALK 6,FRANK AG1 !N HE WD
UNLOCK OR BR1K ! *A9S4 ,PHILIP KNEW T "S
(! BUILD+'S BACK WALLS 7 ROTT5--HE &
,FRANK %D 2 A# 6F9D A W1K SPOT 9 ! BACK
WALL & CR1TE A HOLE BIG 5 =A MAN 6SN1K
"?4 ,ONCE ,FRANK 0 \ (! BUILD+1 HE WD 2
ON 8 [N4 ,PHILIP FELT BAD AB WAIT+ ! EX-
TRA "D1 B X SEEM$ L ! BE/ DECI.N4
  ,NI<T SEEM$ 6FALL M QKLY ?AN USUAL OV]
,-MONW1L?4 ,PHILIP'S FAMILY W5T 6B$ E>-
LY1 "EY"O CAUTI\SLY 3S]V+ /R5G?4 ,PHILIP
SAT 9 B$ =A L;G :ILE1 />+ \ ! D>K W9D[ &
WOND]+ IF ! F/ SN[ WD SOON 2 ^U !M4 ,HE
F.D HMF ?9K+ ( 8 NI<T 9 ! RAV9E AG1 (
,*>LES RU%+ D[N F ! ROAD 6SAVE HM F
FREEZ+ 6D1?4 ,*>LES _H TRUDG$ D[N ! HILL
DESPITE N "K+ :O 0 9 ! WRECK$ AUTO2 HE
_H "SH[ C>RI$ AN UNCONSCI\S ,PHILIP UP !
/EEP HILL "? A FOOT ( SN[4 ,! ?"\ ( SN[
ALW LEFT ,PHILIP QUIET & ANXI\S1 B LATE-
LY ! MEMORY SEEM$ S M* COLD] ?AN USUAL4

                                    #EDH
























                  ,,XV              #EDI

  ,! S.D T WOKE ,ELSIE 0 "O %E %D H BE5
US$ 6B WASN'T3 H] "M'S C\<+4 ,? "T X
S.D$ M L *OK+4 ,!N %E HE>D H] "F CRY H]
"M'S "N4
  ,ELSIE RAN 96_! B$ROOM4 ,X 0 ! MI4LE (
! NI<T &! FLOOR 0 COLD ON H] FEET4 ,Z %E
WALK$ 96! DIMLY LIT ROOM %E SAW ! 3C]N
ON H] "F'S FACE1 ! PA9 9 H] "M'S EYES4
  ,FLORA LAY ON H] BACK1 H] H1D & %\LD]S
SLI<TLY PROPP$ UP ON "S PILL[S1 B %E 0
SA7+ F ! WEI<T ( H] C\<S4 ,H] HAIR 0 A
DI%EVEL$ MASS ( CURLS & H] >MS LAY MO;N-
.S AT H] SIDES4
  ,:5 ,ELSIE SAW ! GAUZE MASK ON H] "F'S
FACE %E R1LIZ$ %E'D =GOTT5 H] [N1 S %E
RAN BACK 6H] ROOM 6FET* X4 ,:5 %E RE-
TURN$ H] "M 0 C\<+ AG1 &! S.D 0 M HORRI-
FY+ UP CLOSE4 ,X WASN'T A C\< AT ALL B M
(A /RANGL$ :EEZE1 Z IF H] ?ROAT & LUNGS
_H COLLAPS$ & %E 0 /RU7L+ = AIR4
  ,ELSIE'S "F /OOD )A GLASS ( WAT] 9 8
H&4 8,%E C'T SWALL[10 HE SD1 8 VOICE
PULL$ TI<T ) WORRY1 R1DY 6BR1K4
  ,FLORA _HN'T SPOK5 9 OV] A "D1    #EEJ
_H BE5 UNA# 6MU/] A S+LE ^W Z %E LAY "!
9 ! GRIP ( H] ILL;S4 ,DOC ,BANES _H TRI$
63TROL H] C\<+ ) CODE9E1 6NO AVAIL4 ,!Y
_H TRI$ 62LIEVE T %E _HN'T GR[N WORSE
EA* "D1 B ? NEW *ANGE CD N 2 IGNOR$4
  ,%E />T$ :EEZ+ AG1 S"EAL /A3ATO BUR/S
FOLL[$ 0A MI<TY C\<1 Z IF %E 0 TRY+ TO
4LODGE "S?+4 ,ELSIE SAW R$ SPRAY 9 !
AIR1 SAW BLOOD ON H] "F'S MASK & FACE4
  ,ELSIE /EPP$ BACK4 8,MAMA10 %E SD W1K-
LY1 WI%+ H] VOICE CD FREE H] UNRESPON-
SIVE "M F ? SPELL4
  ,%E _H HE>D T TUB]CULOSIS VICTIMS C\<$
BLOOD1 B FLU8 ,! DOCTOR _HN'T SD ANY?+
AB ?--%E _H SE5 BLOOD ON 8 CLO!S A FEW
"TS B _H *OS5 62LIEVE X 0 UNRELAT$4
  8,%E'S HAV+ TR\# BR1?+10 ,ELSIE SD 6H]
"F4
  8,I "K60 HE SNAPP$4
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,ELSIE PUT H] H&S OV] H] E>S 6BLOCK !
S.D4 ,%E CDN'T WAT* ANYMORE1 CDN'T LI/51
B "! 0 NO": ELSE 6G4 ,? 0 ALL %E _H SE5
= ?REE "DS1 EA* WORSE ?AN ! "O      #EEA
2F1 &! NI<TS 7 ALW ! WOR/4
  ,ALFR$ DA2$ AT 8 WIFE'S LIPS1 WIP+
AWAY "S BLOOD )A H&K]*IEF4 ,! :EEZ+ BE-
CAME HI<]-PIT*$4
  ,ELSIE SWALL[$4 8,I %D GET ,DOC
,BANES40 ,%E LOOK$ AT H] "M'S FACE &
WOND]$ IF X 0 TURN+ D>K OR IF T 0 J !
LAMP DIMM+4
  ,H] H&S 7 / S TI<T OV] H] E>S T %E
B>ELY HE>D H] "F SAY1 8,YES1 HURRY60














                                    #EEB
























                 ,,XVI              #EEC

  ,X 0 D>K :5 ,GRAHAM RODE ON ,MO'S
HORSE AL;G ! L"OLY ROAD L1D+ 6! OLD /OR-
AGE BUILD+S4 ,HALF A MILE AWAY ,GRAHAM
CD HE> ! RIV] FA9TLY1 ! WAT] RUNN+ AL;G
! ROCKS 0! RIV]B$4 ,HE FELT Z ?\< ! _W
>.D HM _H BE5 NE>LY PURG$ ( S.D B T HE1
AN 9/RU;T ( ,GOD OR AT L1/ ( 8 [N DECI-
SIVE AC;NS1 0 D1F5+LY L\D1 T ! SL[ CLOPS
( 8 HORSE 7 %AK+ ! E>? & MAK+ ! TREES
SWAY1 T ! DEEP RHY?M ( 8 HE>TB1T 0 *AS+
! NOCTURNAL ANIMALS DEEP] 96! WOODS4 ,?
0 N N]V\S;S1 HE FELT--? 0 3VIC;N4
  ,D1CON 0 ! L"O GU>D AT T H\R1 & HE
TURN$ & NO4$ :5 HE SAW ,GRAHAM APPROA*4
  ,GRAHAM 4M.T$ & TI$ ! HORSE--: ,MO _H
"ND ,IC>US 2C HE'D ?"\ T 0 :AT Y CALL$ A
HORSE ) W+S--6A PO/4
  8,DIDN'T ?9K Y'D 2 -+ TILL LAT]10
,D1CON SD4
  ,GRAHAM REPLI$ T HE'D _H NO?+ BETT] TO
D4 8,:Y DON'T Y H1D HOME10 HE SU7E/$ AF
A FEW M9UTES4 8,Y'VE ALR BE5 \ "H A
:ILE4 ,I C />E AT A BUILD+ J F9E MYF40
  8,Y SURE80 ,D1CON DID N S.D       #EED
SURPRIS$ AT ! (F]2 HE KNEW T O!R M5
DIDN'T L 2+ AL"O ) HM4 ,ALL ^? YE>S (
SIL;E1 ( N HE>+ ,GOD CALL \ 6HM1 _H MADE
HM DI6]5T4 ,9 A GR\P HE CD 2 IGNOR$ OR
9SULT$1 B :5 "! 0 ONLY "O O!R GUY ) HM1
T GUY WD />T 6FEEL FUNNY 2+ >.D A TACI-
TURN EX-PRIE/1 ESPECI,Y AN EX-N-Q-PRIE/
:O 9V5T$ 8 [N CUSS ^WS & FREQU5T$ PRO/I-
TUTES4
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ALR BE5 \ =A FEW H\RS1 & ,D1CON -PLI$4
,HE SD GD NI<T & />T$ WALK+ HOME1 ! SI-
L;E FOLL[+ HM4
  ,GRAHAM /OOD "! AL"O4 ,! W9D PICK$ UP
A BIT1 J L\D 5 6BLANKET ! S.D (! RIV]4
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SICK MAN = SIX H\RS4 ,B TD ,DOC ,BANES
_H TOLD HM T ! GU>D+ ( SICK H\SES 0 NO
L;G] NEC1 T ! SICK;S _H SPR1D S QKLY ACR
T[N T ,GRAHAM'S S5TRY DUTY ! "D 2F _H
BE5 USE.S4 ,GRAHAM DID N L ?9K+ ( HMF Z
USE.S4
  ,DOC ,BANES _H GIV5 UP--,GRAHAM CD SEE
X 9 ! OLD MAN'S EYES4 ,BANES 0 N L;G = ?
_W1 & HE PROBABLY WDN'T M9D IF      #EEE
ALL (! HUMAN RACE 0 WIP$ \ 9 ! NEXT FEW
MON?S3 ALL ! M S\LS 6ESCORT HM ON 8 J\R-
NEY 6! AFLIFE4 ,GRAHAM WASN'T S SURE HE
2LIEV$ 9 AN AFLIFE1 B :E!R OR N "! 0
ANY?+ 2Y1 HE 0 / DET]M9$ 6MAKE ? _W HOS-
PITA# & SAFE Z POSSI# :ILE HE REMA9$4

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,"! 0 NO?+ 6TIRE HM1 NO?+ 6TAX 8 BODY OR
_S1 & L;G AF EAT+ ! M1G] SUPP]S !Y'D
GIV5 HM1 HE WD SIT "! ?9K+1 8 M9D M
PLACES ?AN HE CD 3TROL4 ,HE ?"\ ( ,SEP5-
SKI &! O!R D1D SOLDI]S1 ?"\ ( _! LAU<T]
& _! TAUNTS1 ?"\ (! ,C4,O4 & 8 W1K AT-
TEMPT AT PU%-UPS &! WAT] HOSE &! BROOM-
/ICKS T _H TURN$ 96BAYONETS4 ,IF ONLY
!Y'D /AY$ BROOM/ICKS4 ,HE ?"\ ( ,MI*ELLE
& WOND]$ ": %E WAS1 :AT %E ?"\ ( HM4 ,HE
?"\ AB 8 FAMILY 2+ TOLD T HE 0 A DES]T]1
: WD H BE5 BAD 5\<4 ,B A SPY8 ,SURELY !Y
WD "K BETT]1 WD REFUSE 6LOOK ^? >MY (FI-
C]S 9 ! EYE Z !Y SP\T$ _! DRIVEL4 ,!Y WD
/1DFA/LY HOLD ON 6_! VI.N ( ,FRANCIS
,JOSEPH ,SUMM]S Z AN UP/&+ & PATRIOTIC &
,GOD-FE>+ MAN4 ,! ONLY ?+ ,FRANK    #EEF
WASN'T SURE ( 0 :E!R T VI.N 0 A3URATE
ANY L;G] OR IF HE _H ="E 4PELL$ X ) 8
AC;NS4
  ,8 M9D 0 DO+ ?+S 6HM4 ,HE 0 C]TA9 "O
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T ! P ( ? =SAK5 T[N _H = "S R1SON 9VIT$
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& SD %E WD -E D[N ONLY :5 HE TOLD !
TRU?4 ,HE'D REPLI$ T HE ._H TOLD !M !
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A 3TR>Y OP9ION4 ,:AT ! HELL'S S HONORA#
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SU45LY HU7$ 8 SON1 "S?+ HE'D N"E D"O 2F4
  ,B ,PHILIP'S VISIT--T _H BE5 R1L1 "R8
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0 ! LATE/ TRICK ( 8 M9D4 ,B AT "S PO9T
HE R1LIZ$ T ? RE,Y 0 AN ACTUAL P]SON
VISIT+ HM & TALK+ 6HM--UNLIKE ! GU>DS1
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CRAMM$ 96TOO SMALL A SPACE1 _H EXPLOD$1
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?AN T (! *A9S T 0 S UNBE>A#4
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L;G] BO!R"S 6,FRANK2 X _H 2COME EXPECT$4
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SUMM] SKY1 (! KITES HE'D FL[N ) 8 SI/]1
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HMF 9 ! WOODS HE SAW T ! ,C4,O4 0 G"O4
  ,! S.D ( FOOT/EPS /IRR$ ,FRANK F 8
MEMORIES4 ,! FOOT/EPS GREW L\D]1 TAPP+
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LI<T F ANO!R LANT]N S(TLY FELL ON !
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MAN /&+ 2F HM1 TALL & /R;G1 8 FACE BLANK
ABV ! GAUZE MASK B ! SK9 >.D 8 EYES
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  8,Y'RE AWAKE10 ! MAN SD1 S.D+ "S:AT
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-;TS :5 HE 0 9 A DIRE SITU,N1 L (F]+ 6D
PU%-UPS 6PROVE 6,PHILIP T HE WASN'T
SICK4 ,"! 0 A L>GE MAN 9 ! ROOM & HE _H
BR"\ NO FOOD & "! 0 NO OV]T PUR-    #EFA
POSE = HM 2+ "H4
  8,WELL1 X'S YR LUCKY "D10 ! GU>D SD4
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?+ METAL & %9Y4 8,WE'RE LETT+ Y G40
  ,GRAHAM 0 HOLD+ A KEY4
  8,>E Y ) ,PHILIP80 ,FRANK ASK$4
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HOME40 ,!N HE /EPP$ CLOS] )! KEY4 8,BET-
T] BACK UP A BIT40
  ,FRANK LIFT$ HMF UP1 8 KNEES A*+ Z !
/IFF MUSCLES & LIGA;TS 7 =C$ F _! POSI-
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RU% 6HIS FEET1 REM9D+ !M !Y _H A PUR-
POSE4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,FRANK SD1 BACK+ AWAY S
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,FRANK HE>D ! CLICK HE _H BE5 DR1M+ AB4
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HAM %OOK HM (F4
  8,I'LL D X10 ,GRAHAM SD4 8,J HOLD
BACK40
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FE>$ HM1 S HE TRI$ 6ACT Z H>M.S & -PLI-
ANT Z POSSI#4
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/OOD BACK UP & TOOK F 8 POCKET A ?ICK
KNIFE FIVE 9*ES L;G4 8,BETT] GIVE ME YR
H&S10 HE SD4
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ROPE 0 ?ICK & HE HOP$ ,GRAHAM WD 2 A# TO
CUT ! COILS )\T DI7+ 96HIS WRI/S1 ESPE-
CI,Y S9CE !Y _H BE5 B.D PALMS-UP1 EXPOS+
8 /EEL-BLUE VE9S4 ,B AF ,GRAHAM PUT "O
H& ON ,FRANK'S WRI/S1 ! BLADE %IFT$ 9
,GRAHAM'S CL5*$ FI/ & 8 >M LUNG$ =W>D4
,FRANK FELT F/ A L;G P9*1 Z IF ! SK9 ( 8
*E/ 7 2+ GRA2$ 0A CLAW$ B1/1 & !N A HOT
& VIOL5T PA9 DEEP 9 8 *E/1 FLOOD+ 8 EN-
TIRE BODY & CAUS+ E MUSCLE 6SPASM4 ,HE
R1*$ =W>D ) 8 NE>LY USE.S H&S & TRI$ TO
GRAB ,GRAHAM'S >M B ! >M MOV$1 PULL+
BACK & LUNG+ A SECOND "T1 DRIV+ ! BLADE
DEEP]4 ,FRANK F9,Y GRA2$ HOLD ( ,GRA-
HAM'S FI/1 TRY+ 9 VA9 6BR1K 8 GRIP ON !
HILT (! KNIFE1 ! ONLY "P ( X T WASN'T
JAMM$ 96,FRANK'S MUSCLES & B"OS & HE>T4
,GRAHAM'S O!R H& CLAMP$ D[N ON "O (
,FRANK'S4 ,FRANK SLIPP$ & 8 BACK 0
PRESS$ 96! WALL &! BLADE SANK       #EFC
DEEP] / & ALL ! AIR 0 =C$ F 8 LUNGS4 ,8
F+]S & ,GRAHAM'S 9T]LOCK$ L ! OPPOS+ H&S
(A MAN PRAY+4 ,FRANK'S EYES FIX$ ON
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;LLY EXHAL$ & TWI/$ ! KNIFE4 ,FRANK WD
N"E SEE ,MI*ELLE AG & N"E 2 ALL[$ 6>GUE
8 CASE 2F ! MILIT>Y OR AT L1/ 8 "F1 TELL
HM T ,DAD Y ALW SD D "R 0,GOD & D "R BY
O!RS & REMEMB] "!'S NO DI6];E 2T ! TWO1
! AC;N T PL1SES "O PL1SES ! O!R1 & ,DAD
,I SWE> ,I TRI$ 6D BO? EV5 :5 X SEEM$ !Y
W]5'T ! SAME1 ,I SWE> ,I TRI$ 6D "R & IF
,I FAIL$ 9 T SIMPLE GOAL !N ,I SUPPOSE !
FAULT IS M9E1 & M9E AL"O4

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,FRANK'S4 ,HE F9,Y LET G & REL1S$ !
HILT1 ALL[+ ! BODY 6SLIDE (F ! WALL &
ONTO ! GR.D4
  ,X _H TAK5 L;G] ?AN HE _H ?"\ X WD2 !
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,GRAHAM WD H LIK$ 6D X :ILE ! MAN SLEPT
B UN=TUNATELY T _HN'T BE5 POSSI#4 ,HE
TURN$ >.D & GRA2$ ! BLANKET1 WRAPP+ X
>.D ! SOLDI]'S BODY1 COV]+ HM S     #EFD
MO/ (! BLOOD WD 2 ABSORB$ R ?AN /A9+ !
FLOOR4 ,"! 0 ALR "S BLOOD SPILL$1 B N
M*4 ,GRAHAM AL _H BLOOD ON 8 F+]S1 BLOOD
T _H SEEP$ ONTO !M Z HE'D HELD ! BLADE 9
PLACE & LET X D XS "W1 S HE R1*$ D[N &
GRA2$ ! 5D (! BLANKET & WIP$ !M CL1N4
,HE RETRIEV$ 8 GLOVES F 8 POCKETS & PUT
!M ON1 "S?+ HE R1LIZ$ HE %D H D"O 2F4 ,8
M9D _H BE5 ON O!R ?+S4
  ,:5 HE 0 A KID 8 "F _H B"\ TWO ENORM\S
HOGS F A VISIT+ TRAD]1 TWO 2HEMO?S T
LOOK$ H1L?Y Z CD BE4 ,B )9 "DS1 ! O!R
HOGS ALL 2CAME SICK1 "S ( !M DY+4 ,GRA-
HAM'S "F 0 N A RI* MAN1 & HE CDN'T AF=D
6H SW9E FEV] KILL (F :AT FEW HOGS HE _H
6HIS "N2 NOR CD HE AF=D 6GET RID (! TWO
HOGS T SEEM$ 6H BR"\ ! /RANGE PLAGUE )
!M4 ,YET ,GRAHAM REMEMB]$ HELP+ 8 "F G \
BACK "O MORN+ & SLAU<T] ^? TWO GIANT
B1/S1 KILL+ !M & BURY+ _! BODIES "R 0!
$GE ( _! PROP]TY4 ,X 0 A LOT ( M"OY HE 0
BURY+1 M"OY SP5T 9 HOPES (A GD 9VE/;T B
CO/+ HM F> M ?AN HE CD H IMAG9$4 ,"Y
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REL1SE ! TWO HOGS--: _H / SEEM$     #EFE
H1L?Y ! MORN+ !Y 7 KILL$--OR MAYBE PUT
!M 9 A SEP>ATE P5 ": !Y WDN'T H SICK5$ !
O!RS1 B 8 "F SD X _H 6BE D"O ? WAY4 ,!Y
_H 4TURB$ ! AIR "SH[1 &! ONLY WAY 6PURGE
T 4TURB.E 0 ) BLOOD4 ,IF HE _H LET ^?
TWO HOGS G1 ! AIR WD H REMA9$ F\L1 WD H
/AY$ T WAY ="E & DOOM$ ALL _! LIVE/OCK &
POSSIBLY EV5 ! ,/"O FAMILY Z WELL4 ,8 "F
_H N RELI%$ ? *ORE1 & X WD PUT ! FAMILY
9 "S:AT H>D "TS = ANO!R YE>1 B HE'D _H
NO *OICE1 HE TOLD ,GRAHAM4 ,AF ! TWO
HOGS 7 SLAU<T]$ ! REMA9D] 2CAME H1L?Y
AG1 PRACTIC,Y OV]NI<T1 V9DICAT+ 8 "F'S
DECI.N4
  ,GRAHAM1 /&+ OV] ! D1D MAN WRAPP$ 9 !
M1G] BLANKET1 HAT$ :AT HE _H D"O & HAT$
T HE'D _H 6D X1 B T 0 ! WAY X 0 & "! 0
NO PO9T "Q+ X4 ,KILL+ ! SOLDI] 0 :AT !
T[N NE$$4 ,HE DIDN'T "U/& :Y NO "O ELSE
CD SEE ?1 OR1 IF !Y 9DE$ SAW X1 :Y "EY"O
ELSE _H REFUS$ 6ACT ON X4 ,? MAN _H BR"\
"S?+ ^U ! T[N1 _H F\L$ ! AIR OR C>RI$ A
CURSE4 ,HE 0 SL[LY KILL+ !M (F1 "O 0"O4
,:E!R A SPY OR SIMPLY A SOLDI]1 HE 0
9DE$ A MURD]]4 ,GRAHAM _H D"O !     #EFF
"R ?+ :5 ! F/ SOLDI] _H APPROA*$1 _H
SAV$ ! T[N1 & 0REMOV+ ? SOLDI]1 HE _H
D"O "R AG4 ,? DE$1 ?\< PA9;L1 WD MA9TA9
! PUR;Y ( 8 E>LI] ACT4
  ,! DY+ WD /OP N[1 ,GRAHAM KNEW4 ,MAYBE
N "R AWAY1 MAYBE N UNTIL A /ORM _H WA%$
! T[N CL1N OR A GD W9D _H BL[N AWAY !
RANK AIR1 B X WD 5D SOON4 ,!Y WD / UP-
HOLD ! QU>ANT9E1 CD / AVOID ! FATE (
,TIMB] ,FALLS & ^? O!R T[NS4 ,!Y CD L1VE
^? RIDICUL\S GAUZE MASKS 9 A CAB9ET "S-
":1 A ME;TO (A "T !Y WD TRY 6=GET4
  ,GRAHAM DECID$ 6L1VE ! KNIFE 9 ! BODY
R ?AN RETRIEV+ X & CL1N+ X4 ,NO M BLOOD4
,HE R1*$ D[N & LIFT$ ! BODY1 : 0 H1VY B
NO?+ HE CDN'T MANAGE1 & LET X FOLD OV] 8
LEFT %\LD]4 ,HE GRA2$ 8 LANT]N & SL[LY
MADE 8 WAY UP ! /EPS4 ,L1V+ ! BUILD+ &
CLOS+ ! DOOR 2H HM1 HE C>E;LLY LAID !
BODY OV] ,IC>US4 ,GRAHAM CLIMB$ UP 2H !
BODY & GUID$ ,IC>US PA/ ! BUILD+ & 96!
WOODS1 AL;G "O (! OLD TRAILS L1D+ F>!R
UP ! HILL4
  ,X _H ALR BE5 COLD \1 B N[ X FELT L !
TEMP]ATURE _H DROPP$ ANO!R T5 DE-   #EFG
GREES4 ,GRAHAM'S F+]S GRADU,Y LO/ ALL _!
H1T "? ! 9SU6ICI5T GLOVES1 &! HAZE ( W>M
BR1? ESCAP+ "? 8 GAUZE MASK HUNG 2F 8
EYES4 ,IC>US MOV$ SL[LY & C>E;LLY1 POS-
SIBLY SPOOK$ 0! WAY ! TREE TRUNKS LOOK$
9 ! LANT]N LI<T1 _! BOTTOM TW5TY FEET
ILLUM9AT$ B ! RE/ FAD+ 96NO?+;S1 NO?+ B
! _SS (! =E/ HANG+ ABV !M4 ,OR P]H !
HORSE 0 SPOOK$ 2C HE S5S$ HE 0 C>RY+ D1D
FREI<T1 T ! FA9T WET;S HE FELT AL;G "S (
8 V]TEBRAE 0 ! BLOOD (A MAN :O _H BE5
ALIVE ONLY MO;TS AGO4 ,! E>? CRUN*$ 2N
,IC>US'S HOOVES1 & ,GRAHAM SWAY$ Z !Y
PROCE$$ AL;G ! UNEV5 GR.D4
  ,GRAHAM RODE UNTIL HE R1*$ ! CLE>+ HE
_H BE5 SEEK+4 ,HE 4M.T$ & TI$ ,IC>US AT
XS $GE1 !N GRA2$ ! SOLDI]'S BODY 0! FEET
& TU7$4 ,! BODY SLIPP$ (F ! HORSE & L&$
R\<LY ON ! GR.D4 ,GRAHAM B5T D[N & LIFT$
! BODY ON 8 %\LD] AG1 WALK+ 6! \T] CIR-
CUMF];E (! LANT]N'S LI<T4
  ,! LI<T B>ELY TRAC$ ! $GES (! GRAVE
,GRAHAM _H DUG E>LI]4 ,8 %\LD]S & >MS 7
/ TIR$ F ! DI7+2 EA* %OVEL;L _H BE5 A
PA9;L EXTRAC;N1 Z ! E>? _H BE5      #EFH
WET F ! REC5T RA9S & COLD F ! L;G NI<TS4
,HE DROPP$ ! BODY 96! GRAVE & LOOK$ AT X
D[N "!1 ! WAY ! BLANKET _H ROLL$ UP1 EX-
POS+ ! SOLDI]'S FEET & HAIR4 ,! SI<T (!
"PI,Y COV]$ BODY LY+ "! 9 A FIL?Y BLAN-
KET 9 ! D>K & WET GRAVE /RUCK ,GRAHAM 9
A WAY T EV5 ! ACT ( KILL+ _H N4 ,HE
WANT$ 6APOLOGIZE 6! SOLDI]1 B HE R1*$ =!
%OVEL & 2GAN 6FILL ! GRAVE4
  ,MO _H AGRE$ 6L5D ,GRAHAM 8 HORSE )!
"U/&+ T ,GRAHAM WD USE ,IC>US 6RIDE !
LIV+ SOLDI] \ ( T[N1 GIV+ HM A H1D />T
6"SPLACE ELSE4 ,GRAHAM _H SD HE WD RIDE
OV] ! BACK TRAILS A FEW MILES1 F> 5 6GET
! SOLDI] AWAY F ,-MONW1L? B N S F> T
,GRAHAM WD RISK BUMP+ 96ANY"O F ! \T-
SIDE4 ,! NEXT MORN+ ,RANKLE & ANO!R MAN
--:O 7 N 9 ON ! PLAN2 ,GRAHAM KNEW T
,RANKLE WD N APPROVE--WD TAKE OV] GU>D
DUTY1 & :5 X 0 "T 6BR+ ! PRISON] "S
FOOD1 !Y WD 4COV] HM G"O4 ,!Y WD AL DIS-
COV] A HOLE 9 ! BACK (! BUILD+1 : ,MO _H
SECRETLY MADE T MORN+4 ,NO "O WD "E FIG-
URE \ H[ ! SOLDI] _H LET HMF \ ( ^?
*A9S1 B X WDN'T MATT]--HE 0 G"O1    #EFI
HE 0 "P (! PA/4
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6?9K ! SOLDI] 0 ! PRO#M4 ,9 TRU?1 ,MO
_HN'T Q "U/OOD ! R1SONS = KEEP+ HM CAP-
TIVE ^! LA/ FEW "DS1 ! R1SONS ,*>LES &
,DOC ,BANES _H PRES5T$ & ,RANKLE _H E*-
O$4 ,S :5 ,GRAHAM _H TOLD HM ! PLAN1 ,MO
_H AGRE$1 CLE>LY PL1S$ T ALL HE _H 6D 0
MAKE A HOLE 9 A WALL & L5D ,GRAHAM 8
HORSE1 !N PLAY DUMB ! NEXT MORN+4
  ,0! "T ! GRAVE 0 FILL$1 ,GRAHAM'S >MS
7 S H1VY HE WDN'T H BE5 A# 6LIFT !M ABV
8 H1D IF HE _H TRI$1 WDN'T H BE5 A# 6R1*
UP 6! H1V5S EV5 IF HE _HN'T BE5 SC>$ 6D
S4 ,HE PATT$ D[N ! FRE%LY TURN$ E>?1
HOP+ T NO "O WD CROSS ? WAY = "S "T1 AT
L1/ N UNTIL AF S"EAL GD RA9S _H FLATT5$
! DIRT4 ,? 0 A SELDOM US$ TRAIL1 L1D+
ONLY DEEP] 96! =BI4+ WOODS & HILLY T]-
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  ,GRAHAM DROPP$ ! %OVEL & TOOK (F !
GAUZE MASK1 : _H MADE 8 "W ALL ! M TIR+1
Z IF X 7 S"M+ HM1 8 M\? & NOSE TRAPP$ 0!
WET SECOND SK94 ,HE UNTI$ ,IC>US1 PICK$
UP ! LANT]N1 & TOOK A F9AL LOOK     #EGJ
AT ! FRE% GRAVE4 ,!N HE RODE BACK 6T[N1
PA/ ! /ORAGE BUILD+S & 2Y1 BACK 6,MO'S
H\SE1 ": HE RETURN$ ! HORSE 6! /A#4 ,!
T[N 0 D>K & P1CE;L1 N EV5 ,DOC ,BANES
ANY": 6BE SE54
  ,GRAHAM'S /EPS 7 SL[ Z HE MADE 8 WAY
BACK 6! /ORAGE BUILD+S1 ": HE WD /& =!
RE/ (! NI<T1 GU>D+ A BUILD+ ) NO "O IN-
SIDE X1 WAIT+ =! F\L;S 6PASS4















                 ,,XVII             #EGA

  ,*>LES WALK$ 6"W E>LY ! NEXT MORN+2 8
SLEEP _H BE5 BR"\ 6A PREMATURE 3CLU.N BY
NI<TM>ES AB ! MILL FAIL+1 ! T[N 9 RU9S4
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MILL1 B 3V]S,NS SEEM$ ESPECI,Y MUT$4 ,IF
P KEPT GETT+ SICK1 X WD 2 DI6ICULT =!
MILL 6OP]ATE ON XS NORMAL S*$ULE4 ,*>LES
0 WORRI$--! QU>ANT9E _H ALR TAK5 A F9AN-
CIAL TOLL ON ! MILL1 B IF SICK;S LIMIT$
PRODUC;N EV5 AF ! QU>ANT9E 5D$1 ! MILL
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6%IP1 A BACKLOG T _H BE5 /1DILY BUILD+4
,EV5 IF !Y NE$$ 6SL[ D[N PRODUC;N =A
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ALL T TIMB] WD PAY IMM DIVID5DS4 ,2C "!
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6REM$Y 0P]SUAD+ "S ,TIMB] ,FALLS BANK]S
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H["E1 X 2CAME M R1L4
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7 F"R5$ & SUSPICI\S--P 7 NO L;G] 9T]E/$
9 -MUNAL SACRIFICE4 ,M1LS 7 2COM+ SMALL]
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( _! PANTRIES & CELL>S4 ,^? M5 :O [N$
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T ! T\< "TS _H >RIV$1 & EA* "D "S"O HE>D
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  ,/1 ,*>LES REFUS$ 62LIEVE T ! FLU'S >-
RIVAL M1NT ! QU>ANT9E _H BE5 9E6ECTIVE &
%D 2 5D$4 ,-MONW1L? / WASN'T Z RI45 )!
ILL;S Z ,TIMB] ,FALLS & O!R T[NS SEEM$
6BE1 S P]H ! SICK P CD / 2 ISOLAT$2 P]H
! FLU CD 2 3TA9$4
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.S Z AN ILL;S4 ,*>LES _H CR1T$ A T[N T 8
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GR&*N WD GR[ UP 9 P1CE & SAFETY4 ,HE _H
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-PET+ 9T]E/S 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS 6"UCUT HM1
& HE _H N ALL[$ ! LOGI/ICAL *AL-    #EGC
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TANGIBIL;Y ( 8 DR1MS4 ,! FLU WD N /OP
HM4
  ,B "S?+ DID /OP HM ON 8 MORN+ WALK TO
"W3 BROK5 W9D[S AT ,METZG]'S ,G5]AL
,/ORE4 ,*>LES 9CR1S$ 8 PACE UNTIL HE
R1*$ ! DOOR1 : 0 SLI<TLY AJ>4 ,SIL;E4
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SIDE4 ,B !N HE HE>D A S.D3 A L\D CURSE1
9 A VOICE HE RECOGNIZ$ B _H N"E HE>D AT
S* VOLUME4
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/OOD 9 ! MI4LE AISLE 2T B>E %ELVES4 ,"S
FL\R & CORNM1L _H BE5 SPILL$ ON ! FLOOR1
AMID EMPTY BOXES & TORN SACKS4
  ,METZG] TURN$ >.D :5 HE HE>D ,*>LES'S
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TAK5 SICK &! DOCTOR _H RECOMM5D$ ISOL,N4
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8 EYES 7 R$1 ON ! V]GE ( TE>S4 ,"O ( 8
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%IRTTAILS POK$ \ F 2N 8 JACKET4
  8,LOOK AT ?10 HE SD1 8 VOICE Z EMPTY Z
8 RANSACK$ /ORE4                    #EGD
  8,? HAPP5$ LA/ NI<T80
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N[ ,I H NO?+40
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FOOT NUDG+ ASIDE AN EMPTY BOX4
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C>RY+ ! FLU1 & HE FELT AN URGE 6REMOVE !
GAUZE MASK F 8 POCKET4 ,B DO+ S WD H
FELT L TURN+ 8 BACK ON ,ALFR$4 ,HE LET 8
H& FALL 6HIS POCKET1 B HE CDN'T BR+ HMF
6MOVE ANY FUR!R4
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8,>E Y HURT80 ,*>LES ASK$4
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  ,*>LES GE/UR$ 6HIS %IRT1 & ,METZG]
GL.ED D[N4 ,:5 HE LOOK$ UP AG1 8 FACE 0
UN*ANG$1 & ,*>LES R1LIZ$ ! LOOK WASN'T
3FU.N B %OCK4 8,FLORA DI$ LA/ NI<T4 ,%E
CDN'T BR1!40                        #EGE
  ,*>LES FELT A QUIV] 9 8 GUT4 ,=! PA/
FEW "DS HE _H "KN ,FLORA'S LIFE 0 9 DAN-
G]1 B / HE REEL$ F ! NEWS4 8,ALFR$1 ,I
AM S SORRY40
  8,& N[ ?40 ,METZG] TURN$ BACK 6! EMPTY
%ELVES4
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EV5TS _H HAPP5$ AT ! SAME "T4 ,_H
,FLORA'S *AIR 0! FRONT DESK BE5 KNOCK$
OV] J Z ,DOC ,BANES _H TRI$ SEDAT+ H]8
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FOOD /OL5 J Z ! DOCTOR1 3C$+ DEF1T ) 8
MOD]N ME?ODS1 _H TAK5 \ 8 KNIVES & TRI$
6BLE$ ! SICK;S \ ( H]8 ,_H ! ?IEVES CON-
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DOOR1 J Z ,FLORA ISSU$ H] LA/ BR1?8
  8,"!'S NO?+ LEFT10 ,METZG] SD1 SIFT+
"? ! DEBRIS4 8,I B>ELY H ANY FOOD LEFT 9
MY [N HOME40
  8,IF Y WANT = ANY?+1 ,I'M SURE YR
NEI<BORS WD HELP40
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BE8 ,! "OS :O /OPP$ -+ 6VISIT :5 !Y HE>D
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!Y WALK PA/ \R HOME80               #EGF
  ,*>LES LOOK$ D[N4
  8,OP5 YR EYES1 ,*>LES6 ,MY NEI<BORS
.DID ?6 ,NO "O IS GO+ 6FE$ MY DAU<T] &
ME B .ME60
  8.,I W FE$ Y4 ,IF "!'S ANY?+ Y LACK1 Y
"K Y C -E 6MY HOME & WE'LL %>E :AT"E WE
H4 ,Y "K T40
  ,METZG] GL>$ AT HM4
  8,I'M ''' ,I'M SORRY ,I DIDN'T VISIT
:ILE ,FLORA 0 ILL1 ,ALFR$4 ,I 0 ONLY
FOLL[+ ! DOCTOR'S 9/RUC;NS40 ,*>LES R1L-
IZ$ H[ PA!TIC T S.D$4 8,I'LL VISIT TN1 &
ANY?+ T Y NE$1 ,I'LL PRO--0
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8,Y'VE D"O 5 ALR4 ,CALL+ A T[N MEET+ T
PANICK$ "EY"O4 ,LOCK+ D[N ! T[N S P WD H
6ROB ME 6FE$ _! FAMILIES4 ,:AT'S ! PO9T
9 KEEP+ ! T[N CLOS$ IF "EY"O'S SICK ANY-
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"PICUL>LY ILL EQUIPP$ 6D1L )!       #EGG
FLU'S ONSLAU<T4 ,IF ! T[N _HN'T BE5
CLOS$ ALL MON?1 AT L1/ P'S PANTRIES WD H
BE5 FILL$ :5 ! ILL;S HIT4 ,N[ !Y _H LL
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  ,M CRACKL+ ( BOOTS ON BROK5 GLASS
CAUS$ ,*>LES 6TURN >.D4 ,TWO M MILL"W]S
_H WALK$ 96! /ORE1 SL[LY TAK+ 9 ! SC5E4
,_! EYES SEEM$ TOO WE>Y = SURPRISE2 !Y 7
M]ELY SA45$ 0! 9EVITABIL;Y4
  8,H M]CY10 "O ( !M SD4
  8,WE'LL GET ? CL1N$ UP10 ,*>LES SD TO
!M1 FEEL+ ! NE$ 6%[ T ?+S 7 "U 3TROL4
8,DON'T WORRY1 ,I'M SURE--0
  8,IS "EY?+ G"O80 ! O!R MAN ASK$1 COM-
PLETELY IGNOR+ ,*>LES4 8,A9'T "! A /OR-
AGE ROOM OR A CELL> OR "S?+80
  8,T'S EMPTY1 TOO10 ,METZG] SD4
  ,?REE M M5 _H POK$ _! H1DS IN4
  8,"! A9'T NO?9' LEFT80 ,"O MAN'S E]IE
CALM;S 4APPE>$4 8,H[ C "! 2 NO?+--0
  ,*>LES HELD UP 8 H&S1 HOP+ 6CALM !
MAN1 Z WELL Z ^? 2H HM1 :O 7 CURS+4
8,PL1SE10 ,*>LES SD4 8,WE'LL SET    #EGH
?+S "R40
  8,:O ! HELL DID ?80 A MAN 9 BACK
YELL$4 ,! GA!R+ 0 ATTRACT+ AN EV5 L>G]
CR[D Z M5 PASS$ ! /ORE ON _! WAY 6!
MILL4 ,"! 7 HALF A DOZ5 MILL"W]S 9SIDE
N[1 ) / M CR[D+ ! DOORWAY 2H !M4
  8,I'M GONNA KILL ! BA/>DS T DID ?60
"S"O V[$4
  8,=GET KILL+ 'EM10 ANO!R MAN SD4
8,LET'S J /1L ! FOOD BACK40
  ,*>LES WOND]$ IF HE %D CALL A MEET+ (!
MAGI/RATES1 LAUN* AN 9VE/IG,N4 ,:O"E _H
/OL5 F ! /ORE &! -MUN;Y G>D5S LIKELY _H
VOLUMES ( FOOD4 ,B ! ?"\ ( SE>*+ H\SE TO
H\SE DID N SIT WELL ) HM4 ,T WD L1D 6M
3FRONT,NS & 3FLICTS1 WD TURN ,-MONW1L?
96PRECISELY ! K9D ( POLICE /ATE HE _H
AB&ON$ DUR+ ! ,"EETT /RIKE4 ,HE WOND]$
IF T TRANS=M,N _H HAPP5$ ALR4
  8,:AT ! HELL >E Y S ANGRY AB1 ,MIKE80
A MAN )A L;G SC> D[N 8 LEFT *EEK SD )A
SNE]4 8,Y GOT 5 FOOD AT YR PLACE 6FE$ AN
>MY40
  ,H1DS TURN$4
  8,! HELL ,I D60 SD AN OLD] MAN    #EGI
)A ?ICK BLACK BE>D FLECK$ 0:ITE HAIRS4
8,I A9'T GOT NO MORE'N Y60
  ,EV5 ?\< A COLD W9D 0 BL[+ 9 "? ! BRO-
K5 W9D[S1 ,*>LES FELT SW1T ROLL D[N 8
BACK4
  8,Y'RE ! "O )! TWO C[S 9 8 BACKY>D10
"S"O ELSE SD 6! MAN )! SC>4
  8,D Y SEE1 ,*>LES80 ,METZG] SD S(TLY
96,*>LES'S E> Z !Y WAT*$ ! MILL"W]S' >-
GU;T 9T5SIFY4
  ,*>LES F9,Y SAW A FRLY FACE1 T ( ,J>R$
,RANKLE %\LD]+ 8 WAY 9 "? ! CR[D$ DOOR-
WAY4 ,RANKLE 9T]POS$ HMF 2T ! SC>R$ MAN
&! BE>D$ MAN1 :O SEEM$ ON ! V]GE ( BL[S4
,*>LES CD SEE ,RANKLE R1SON+ ) !M1 & HE
5VI$ 8 FR'S LACK ( HESIT,N AT /RID+ "R
UP 6M5 POIS$ AT ! LIP ( VIOL;E4
  ,ANO!R MAN /EPP$ AWAY F ! MOB 6APPROA*
,*>LES4 8,H[ C ! /ORE 2 \ ( FOOD1 ,MR4
,WOR?Y8 ,I'VE AB RUN \ MYF40 ,HE 0 "Y1
B>ELY OLD] ?AN ,PHILIP1 & "O (! NEW] "W-
]S AT ! MILL4
  8,I'LL VISIT YR H\SE LAT] TD10 ,*>LES
PROMIS$1 PUTT+ A H& ON ! MAN'S %\LD]4
8,Y C TELL ME :AT Y NE$ !N40 ,HE    #EHJ
HOP$ T ? 0 REASSUR.E 5\<1 EV5 ?\< HE
WASN'T SURE :AT HE WD 2 A# 6(F] ! MAN4
  ,! MAN LOOK$ LESS ?AN HOPE;L Z HE
TURN$ 6L1VE4
  8,LET'S "EYBODY GET 6"W60 ,RANKLE
CALL$ \ AF CLAPP+ A FEW M5 ON ! BACK4
8,WE DON'T H "T 6BE FEEL+ SORRY = \RVS4
,LET'S KEEP ? MILL GO+40
  ,! M5 7 / GRUMBL+1 B ,RANKLE SEEM$ 6H
CALL$ _! BLUFF3 NO "O WANT$ 6FI<T1 NO "O
WANT$ 6RIOT4 ,!Y J WANT$ ?+S 6BE BACK TO
NORMAL1 &= N[1 HE>+ "O (! T[N'S RESPECT$
=EM5 9SI/+ T ?+S WD 9DE$ "W \ SEEM$ 6BE
5\<4 ,B X 0 CLE> T ! M5'S T5.NS WD N 2
EAS$ = L;G4
  ,! "W]S 2GAN FIL+ \1 & ,RANKLE WALK$
AG/ ! TIDE T[>D ,*>LES4
  8,? ISN'T GD1 ,*>LES10 HE SD QUIETLY4
  ,*>LES NO4$4 8,I "K4 ,WE J NE$ 6PRESS
ON Z BE/ WE C4 ,? C'T LA/ L;G40 ,HE SAW
A LACK ( 3VIC;N 9 ,RANKLE'S GRAY EYES4
  8,I NE$ 6GET 6! /ORAGE BUILD+4 ,I'M
SUPPOS$ 6RELIEVE ,D1CON ? MORN+4 ,I'LL
-E 0YR (FICE AF MY %IFT'S OV]40 ,RANKLE
LEFT1 & ,*>LES & ,METZG] 7 AG !     #EHA
ONLY P 9 ! BUILD+4 ,*>LES CLOS$ ! DOOR1
HOP+ 6PREV5T ANO!R SC5E4
  ,METZG] 0 /&+ 2H ! DESK ": 8 WIFE _H
ALW SAT4 ,EV5 IF ! %ELVES _H BE5 FILL$1
! ROOM WD H FELT EMPTY )\T H]4 ,HE L1N$
=W>D1 8 PALMS ON ! DESK1 8 H1D HANG+ D[N
Z IF HE MI<T COLLAPSE4
  8,ALFR$10 ,*>LES />T$1 8,I C'T PRET5D
6"K H[ Y FEEL "R N[4 ,IF ANY?+ T'S HAP-
P5$ IS ! RESULT ( MY *OICES1 !N ,I W C>-
RY T REGRET ) ME 6MY DY+ "D40 ,HE PAUS$4
8,IN ! M1N"T1 Y'RE "R3 ! QU>ANT9E %D 2
CALL$ (F4 ,IF Y NE$ 6G 6,TIMB] ,FALLS =
FOOD1 Y ( C\RSE H MY B.S+4 ,I'LL TELL !
GU>DS !Y >E NO L;G] NE$$4 ,& ,I'LL G 6!
BANKS ON ,MON"D 6GET :AT M"OY ,I C4 ,I
ONLY HOPE ! /ORES 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS H OP5$
BACK UP40
  ,METZG] KEPT 8 H1D D[N "? ,*>LES'S
SPEE*4
  8,REBE3A & ,I W -E OV] TN1 & IF "!'S
ANY?+ WE C D--0
  8,"! IS NO?+ Y C D40 ,METZG] / WD N
LOOK AT HM4 8,Y >E N WELCOME 9 MY HOME40
                                    #EHB
























                ,,XVIII             #EHC

  ,RANKLE 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D ,GRAHAM /&+
GU>D AT ! /ORAGE BUILD+4 ,HE'D ?"\ ,DEA-
CON _H MANN$ ! NI<T %IFT4
  8,D1CON LOOK$ TIR$10 ,GRAHAM SD4 8,I
S5T HM HOME E>LY40
  8,HE H ! FLU80
  8,NAW1 SEEM$ OKAY4 ,J TIR$40
  8,ANY?+ HAPP5 LA/ NI<T80
  8,HE>D "S WOLVES4 ,F/ "T ? YE>40
  8,MAYBE Y %D GET YRF 6B$4 ,SLEEP !
NI<T (F40
  8,S.DS GD 6ME40 ,GRAHAM SMIL$4
  8,Y CUT YRF80 ,RANKLE ASK$1 GE/UR+ AT
,GRAHAM'S "R H&4
  8,HUH80 ,GRAHAM LOOK$ D[N & SAW T DRI$
BLOOD D>K5$ ! SPACE 2T 8 ?UMB & =EF+]1
RUNN+ D[N ACR 8 WRI/4 8,OH4 ,M/ H B1T UP
MY H&S CUTT+ FIREWOOD 2F ,I CAME OV] "H4
,GETT+ CLUMSI] 9 MY OLD AGE1 ,I GUESS40
  8,GET 6B$1 OLD MAN40
  8',NI<T40
  8',MORN+40
  ,SOON ,RANKLE 0 JO9$ 0A %ORT ,POLE "ND
,WOZNIAK1 & HALF AN H\R LAT]1       #EHD
,WOZNIAK'S WIFE CAME 0)A B[L ( OATM1L &
"S WAT] =! PRISON]4 ,WOZNIAK /AY$ \T-
SIDE1 GRASP+ 8 RIFLE1 :ILE ,RANKLE LAID
8 ON ! GR.D & W5T 96! BUILD+ )! PRISON-
]'S BR1KFA/4
  ,HE 0 MET AT ! BOTTOM (! /AIRS 0! PILE
( *A9S4 ,HE DROPP$ ! B[L ON ! FLOOR &
SPUN >.D 9 CASE ! SOLDI] 0 HID+ 9 A COR-
N] WAIT+ 6JUMP HM4 ,B ! SOLDI] WASN'T 9
! CORN]4 ,HE WASN'T ANY": 9 ! BUILD+4

  ,PHILIP KNEW "S?+ 0 WR;G Z SOON Z HE
WALK$ 96! (FICE4
  ,/ N]V\S AB 2+ 3FRONT$ 0ANGRY MILL-
"W]S1 HE'D TAK5 A LESS TRAVEL$ R\TE 6!
MILL & _H >RIV$ HALF AN H\R AF ,*>LES4
,:5 HE WALK$ IN1 HE SAW A DOLE;L LOOK 9
8 "F'S EYES1 Z IF ,*>LES _H ALR _H A L;G
MORN+4
  ,PHILIP SAT D[N4 8,>E Y ALL "R1 SIR80
  8,I J SPOKE ) ,MR4 ,METZG]4 ,8 WIFE
DI$ LA/ NI<T40
  ,PHILIP FELT HOT1 ! BLOOD RU%+ 6HIS
FACE4 ,! ROOM 0 V /4 ,EV5 ! MILL 2Y
SEEM$ QUIET] ?AN USUAL1 RELUCTANT   #EHE
6%AKE (F ! NI<T'S SLUMB]4 8,DID HE SAY
IF ,ELSIE 0 SICK80
  8,HE DIDN'T1 S ,I ASSUME %E IS WELL4
,Z WELL Z C 2 EXPECT$ = "S"O :O J LO/ H]
"M40
  8,MAYBE ,I %D VISIT !M LAT]10 ,PHILIP
SD4 8,SEE IF "!'S ANY?+ ,I C D 6HELP40
  8,T WDN'T 2 A GD IDEA4 ,I "K X S.DS L
! "R ?+ 6D1 B ''' !Y >5'T 9 ! MOOD =
VISITORS J YET4 ,MAYBE TM40
  ,PHILIP SUSPECT$ T ,*>LES 0 PREV>ICAT+
& SIMPLY DIDN'T WANT ,PHILIP 9 _! H\SE1
DIDN'T WANT HM 6RISK GETT+ SICK4 ,HE 0
2G9N+ 6HATE 8 "F'S FE>1 & WANT$ 6SAY Z
M*1 B HE CD SEE 9 ,*>LES'S EYES T ?
WASN'T ! "T 6TALK BACK4
  8,Y %D G 6! =EM510 ,*>LES SD4 8,DOC
,BANES W 2 "H %ORTLY1 & HE'LL WANT AN
ABS5TEE REPORT40
  ,PHILIP HURRI$LY WALK$ \ (! (FICE4 ,HE
NE$$ "S AIR1 & HE NE$$ 6OBEY ,*>LES1 B
HE CDN'T 5DURE ! LOOK 9 ! =EM5'S EYES1 N
YET4 ,S HE /OPP$1 FROZ5 ON ! L;G PLANK-
WAY T OV]LOOK$ ! MILL4 ,HE R1LIZ$ HE 0
%AK+4 ,! SAWS SEEM$ L\D] ?AN USU-   #EHF
AL1 A3USATORY1 SNE]+4 ,HE L1N$ OV] 6/1DY
HMF1 8 H&S ON 8 KNEES & 8 BACK AG/ !
WALL4 ,HE BR1!D4 ,HE HOP$ NO "O 0 LOOK+
AT HM B HE FIGUR$ "S"O M/ BE1 & / HE
/OOD "!4 .,BR1!4 ,SOON HE WD /OP %AK+1 &
HE WD D 8 JOB1 & HE WD WRITE D[N ! NEXT
LI/ (! SICK & DY+4

  ,TW5TY-?REE M M5 UNA3.T$ =4 ,PHILIP
RETURN$ 6! (FICE & A4$ ! NEW "NS 6HIS
MA/] LI/1 N[ TWO PAGES L;G4
  ,HE WANT$ 6WRITE ANO!R LR 6,ELSIE1 B
HE DIDN'T "K :AT HE CD WRITE T WDN'T
SEEM TRIVIAL4 ,ALL HE'D WRITT5 ? MORN+ 7
! "NS ( M DY+ M51 S ! ?"\ ( 3VEY+ LOVE
OR HOPE OR SYMPA?Y )! SAME P5CIL SEEM$
H]ETICAL4
  8,WE %D CLOSE ! MILL10 ,DOC ,BANES SD
6,*>LES AF SEE+ ! LI/4 ,X 0 LATE MORN+ &
HE _H J WALK$ IN1 H\RS LAT] ?AN ! PREVI-
\S ?REE "DS4 ,! CIRCLES 2N 8 EYES SEEM$
D>K] ?AN USUAL1 8 EYES R$D]1 8 MOOD D>K-
]4
  8,>E Y SURE80 ,*>LES ASK$4
  8,*>LES1 LOOK AT T LI/40          #EHG
,BANES'S VOICE 0 CALM & SOB]1 B EXTREME
T5.N WELL$ UNMISTAKABLY 2N ! SURFACE4
8,AT ? RATE1 HALF ! MILL W 2 SICK 9 TWO
"DS4 ,& X W 2 WORSE AF T40
  ,"! 7 ALR TOO _M SICK P 6SEE 9 "O "D1
,BANES EXPLA9$4 ,EV5 :5 HE DID SEE P1 "!
0 LL HE CD D4 ,! R1L;Y 0 T ! NUMB]S 7
9CR1S+ /1DILY1 &! ONLY ?+ T MI<T SL[ !
PROGRES.N (! EPIDEMIC 0 69SI/ T "EY"O
/AY HOME 6AVOID 3TAGION4
  ,*>LES _H N WANT$ 6ADMIT X _H -E 6?1 B
HE _HN'T SE5 :AT 8 FR _H4 ,P]H CLOS+ !
MILL 0 =! BE/--3SID]+ ! NE>-VIOL;E AT !
G5]AL /ORE1 MAYBE ! M5 NE$$ A RESPITE F
! -P.D$ /RESS ( "W & ILL;S4 ,AF A FEW
"DS ( SECLU.N1 "EY"O WD REMEMB] :Y !Y _H
-E 6,-MONW1L?1 :Y ? T[N M/ SU3E$4
  ,OR P]H ,*>LES 0 DELUD+ HMF4
  8,I 0 AL ?9K+10 HE SD1 FEEL+ %ATT]$1
8T WE %D CALL (F ! QU>ANT9E4 ,! GU>DS
HAV5'T BE5 A# 6KEEP ! FLU \1 S "!
DOESN'T SEEM 6BE ANY R1SON 6PREV5T P F
-+ & GO+ Z !Y *OOSE40
  ,? /ATE;T 0 NE>LY IMPOSSI# = ,*>LES TO
MAKE1 EV5 ?\< HE _H SD M* ! SAME    #EHH
?+ 6,METZG] T MORN+4 ,B ,BANES ONLY NOD-
D$4
  8,PHILIP10 ,*>LES SD1 8CALL 9 ALL !
=EM540
  ,A FEW M9UTES AF ,PHILIP _H LEFT1
,RANKLE JO9$ ,*>LES & ,DOC ,BANES4 ,HE 0
BR1?.S1 & HE _H NEWS--! SOLDI] _H ES-
CAP$4

  ,AN H\R LAT]1 ,PHILIP WALK$ UP 6!
,METZG]S' FRONT DOOR4 ,*>LES _H S5T HM
HOME M9UTES AGO1 AF MEET+ )! =EM5 &
TELL+ !M 6PASS ON ^W (! MILL'S CLOS+ &!
QU>ANT9E'S 5D4 ,*>LES _H /AY$ 2H 6F9I%
"S PAP]"W1 & ,PHILIP 0 HOP+ 6GET A H1D
/>T ON ! MILL"W]S4
  ,B HE CD N BR+ HMF 6PASS 0! ,METZG]S'
DOOR1 DESPITE :AT ,*>LES _H SD4 ,HE TOOK
(F 8 CAP1 HOLD+ X Z HE KNOCK$4
  ,ON ! ?IRD KNOCK1 ,MR4 ,METZG] ANSW]$1
/ LOOK+ L HE _HN'T SLEPT4
  8,PHILIP40 ,HE _H ALW BE5 A QUIET MAN1
B 8 VOICE 0 W1K] ?AN USUAL4
  8,MR4 ,METZG]1 ,I J WANT$ 6EXPRESS MY
3DOL;ES = YR WIFE40 ,PHILIP _HN'T   #EHI
PLANN$ \ :AT 6SAY4 ,HE TRI$ 6LOOK AT !
MAN'S FACE B F.D X TOO DI6ICULT4 8,-+ 0!
/ORE & HE>+ H] T1SE ME HAS ALW BE5 ! BE/
"P ( MY JOB1 SIR4 ,I'M ''' RE,Y GO+ TO
MISS H]40
  ,HE F9,Y D>$ 6LOOK BACK AT ,METZG]'S
FACE1 & HE DIDN'T L :AT HE SAW4
  8,G HOME1 ,PHILIP40
  ,METZG] %UT ! DOOR4
  ,PHILIP /OOD "!1 /UNN$ 0! ABRUPT 4MIS-
SAL4 ,HE PUT 8 CAP BACK ON & WOND]$ IF
,ELSIE _H BE5 NE>BY1 IF %E _H HE>D
,PHILIP'S VOICE4 ,HE /AY$ 0! DOOR AN EX-
TRA MO;T1 9 CASE %E MI<T ?R[ X OP5 &
CALL \ 6HM4 ,B ! DOOR /AY$ CLOS$1 & HE
F9,Y H1D$ = HOME4








                                    #EIJ
























                 ,,XIX              #EIA

  ,DUR+ ! MEET+ )! =EM51 ,RANKLE _H /OOD
"! ) O!RS1 NO4+ PATI5TLY4 ,HE _H TOLD
,*>LES & ,DOC ,BANES (! MISS+ SOLDI]
:ILE ,PHILIP _H GA!R$ ! =EM51 B T FACT
SEEM$ ALM TRIVIAL -P>$ 6! ENORM;Y (!
MILL'S CLOS+4 ,:E!R OR N ! SOLDI] 0 9DE$
A ,G]MAN SPY :O _H SPR1D 41SE SEEM$
HOPE.SLY IRRELEVANT N[ T EA* MAN _H 2F
HM ! TASK ( SAV+ ! SICK & PROTECT+ !
H1L?Y4 ,! P ( ,-MONW1L? CD NO L;G] 3C]N
!MVS ) ANY?+ O!R ?AN ! FLU4
  ,: 0 :Y ,*>LES _HN'T EV5 ?"\ 6TELL
,PHILIP ( ,RANKLE'S 4COV]Y UNTIL H\RS
LAT]4 ,! ?"\ ( L1V+ ! MILL FELT Z HORRI#
6,*>LES Z IF HE 7 AB&ON+ A * ON A C;Y
SIDEWALK1 &! GUILT &! FE> T ? 0 A T]RI#
& IRREV]SI# MISTAKE CLUNG 6HM4 ,HE RE-
VIEW$ 8 NOTEBOOKS & *>TS & TRI$ 6CALCU-
LATE ! IMPACT (A "D'S CLOSURE1 OR A
WEEK'S1 OR ?REE4 ,N[ T ! QU>ANT9E 0 BRO-
K51 P]H ,*>LES CD 3TACT 8 BUY]S1 CD IN-
VITE ! BOATS 6ONCE AG W9D _! WAY D[N !
RIV] & 2G9 TAK+ ! HUGE /OCKPILE !Y'D
AMASS$ S9CE ! QU>ANT9E _H 2GUN      #EIB
OV] TWO WEEKS AGO4 ,METZG] WD 2 A# 6RE-
PL5I% 8 /ORE1 & EV5 IF 8 M\RN+ DELAY$ HM
A FEW "DS1 FAMILIES :O 7 / H1L?Y WD 2 A#
6%OP = NECESSITIES 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS4 ,P]H
! H1L?Y CD %OP =! SICK1 >RANGE DELIV]IES
6MAKE SURE ^? MO/ 9 NE$ ( SU/5.E WD N G
)\T4 ,P]H BR1K+ ! QU>ANT9E WD ACTU,Y
HELP ! T[N :5 X NE$$ X MO/4
  ,!N AG1 )! MILL CLOS$1 "! WD 2 NO "W]S
6LOAD ! BOATS4 ,& :AT IF ^? O!R T[NS 7 /
S SICK T _! BUSI;SES 7 %UTT]$8 ,& H[ CD
,-MONW1L?'S CURR5T MOOD GIVE ,*>LES ANY
FAI? T P WD />T DELIV]+ FOOD 6"O ANO!R
DESPITE ! PROF.D RISKS S* ALTRUISM C>-
RI$8 ,*>LES SAT 9 8 (FICE =A FULL ?REE
H\RS AF "EY"O ELSE _H AB&ON$ X4 ,F9,Y1
HE /OOD UP & GAZ$ "? ! W9D[ T LOOK$ \
ONTO ! MA9 FLOOR1 ALL ^? 9]T MA*9ES &!
/UNN+ SIL;E4 ,HE TURN$ (F 8 LAMP & PUT !
MILL 2H HM4
  ,! AFN 0 SIL5T Z A ,SUN"D4 ,"! 7 NO
S.DS ( 4TANT SAWS1 NO E*O+ .?OOMS ( H1VY
TRUNKS L&+ ON ! WET E>?1 NO P]SI/5T RO>
& CLATT] EMANAT+ F ! MILL4 ,X 0 QUIET &
X 0 COLD & X FELT EXACTLY ! WAY     #EIC
W1!R %D FEEL IF X 7 TRY+ 6MIMIC D1?4
  ,:5 ,*>LES CAME HOME1 ,REBE3A & ,LAURA
7 PLAY+ C>DS 9 ! P>LOR1 Z IF X _H BE5 A
NORMAL "D & N "O ON : ,REBE3A _H ANN\NC$
T ! S*OOL WD CLOSE UNTIL FUR!R NOTICE4
,PHILIP 0 9 8 ROOM4
  ,X 0 NE>LY "T = SUPP] :5 ,*>LES REMEM-
B]$ :AT ,RANKLE _H TOLD HM AB ! SPY1 RE-
MEMB]$ ,PHILIP'S /RANGE & UN=TUNATE AT-
TA*;T4 ,HE KNOCK$ ON ,PHILIP'S DOOR &
F.D 8 SON SITT+ ON 8 B$ R1D+ "S LR T HE
HURRI$LY PLAC$ 2N ! FOLDS ( 8 B$%EET4
  8,HE'S G"O80 ,PHILIP SD :5 ,*>LES TRI$
6EXPLA94
  ,*>LES NO4$1 / P]PLEX$ 0HIS SON'S F1L-
TY 6! MAN :O SURELY 0 A SPY--,*>LES BE-
LIEV$ X N[ M ?AN "E--& TOLD ,PHILIP :AT
,RANKLE _H 4COV]$4 ,NO "O KNEW H[ ! MAN
_H ESCAP$ F 8 *A9S1 B X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,!
SOLDI] 0 NO L;G] _! PRO#M1 & !Y _H NO
%ORTAGE ( PRO#MS AT ! MO;T4

  ,AF ,*>LES LEFT1 ,PHILIP SAT 9 B$1
?9K+4 ,FRANK 0 G"O1 TREKK+ "? ! WOODS TO
,VANC\V]4 ,PHILIP DIDN'T "U/& H[    #EID
,FRANK _H ESCAP$1 OR H[ HE CD POSSIBLY
MAKE X 6,CANADA N[ T X 0 GR[+ S M* COLD-
]4 ,PHILIP _H BE5 PLANN+ 6S5D HM ON 8
WAY )A BAG;L ( FOOD & "S W>M] CLO!S--H[
WD HE MAKE X )\T !M8
  ,PHILIP SU45LY _H ! ?"\ T ,FRANK MI<T
N H RUN YET--T HE MI<T H *OS5 6HIDE 9
"S"O'S CELL> OR CLOSET = "O LA/ NI<T1
WAIT+ 6/1L "S FOOD & CLO!S & !N MAKE 8
ESCAPE4 ,PHILIP LAT*$ ON 6? IDEA1 DET]-
M9$ 6SEE ! EMPTY PRISON ) 8 [N EYES4
  ,*>LES 0 9 ! P>LOR & SAW ,PHILIP DONN+
8 JACKET4 8,": >E Y GO+80
  8,I LEFT "S?+ AT ! MILL--,I'LL 2 QK0 0
,PHILIP'S T]SE REPLY4 ,HE GRA2$ A LAMP &
WALK$ \ ! DOOR 2F HE CD HE> A RESPONSE4
  ,X 0 COLD1 &! EV5+ W9DS _H 2GUN 6FL+
!MVS AT ! T[N'S CLOS$ DOORS & %UTT]$ W9-
D[S4 ,! SKY'S COLOR 0 DRA9+ AWAY1 REV1L+
! D>K;S T _H BE5 HID+ 2H ! CL\DS1 CR\*+
9 ANTICIP,N (! BITT] BLACK NI<T 6-E4
  ,PHILIP WALK$ Z QKLY Z HE CD1 & :5 HE
R1*$ ! D1D-5D /REET1 HE M>VEL$ AT H[
DI6]5T ! /ORAGE BUILD+ LOOK$ )\T A GU>D
OR TWO /&+ 2F X4 ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR    #EIE
&! LAMPLI<T L$ ! WAY 2F HM1 Z DID ! E*-
OES ( 8 FOOT/EPS4 ,:5 HE R1*$ ! TOP (!
/AIRS 6! CELL>1 HE SAW LI<T -+ F 2L4
  ,"S"O 0 D[N "!4
  ,PHILIP FELT 8 HE>T B1T H>D] ?AN 2F1 &
?\< HE TRI$ 63TROL 8 EMO;NS1 HE CDN'T
/OP ! P.D+4 ,= "S R1SON1 HE DIDN'T CALL
\ A GREET+1 *OOS+ 6LET 8 FOOT/EPS REV1L
8 5TR.E & TRU/+ T :O"E 0 D[N "! 0 NO
?R1T 6HM4 ,HE WALK$ D[N ! /EPS SL[LY1 &
:5 HE R1*$ ! BOTTOM1 ! LI<T F 8 LAMP
JO9$ ) T (! O!R LAMP1 : SAT 9 ! C5T] (!
ROOM Z IF X _H BE5 LEFT 2H4
  ,B ,J>R$ ,RANKLE SAT ON ! GR.D1 L1N+
AG/ ! WALL4 8,PHILIP10 HE SD1 8 VOICE
CALM4 8,:AT BR+S Y "H80
  8,I J ''' WANT$ 6TAKE A LOOK >.D10
,PHILIP REPLI$ UNC]TA9LY4
  ,RANKLE _H A SAD LOOK 9 8 EYES1 & HE
WASN'T WE>+ A MASK4 ,RANKLE SEEM$ 6TRU/
T ,FRANK'S G]MS OR _S OR 3TAM9,N _H FL$
AL;G ) HM4
  ,PHILIP FELT UNCOM=TA#--,RANKLE 0 A
TRU/$ FAMILY FR1 B 8 PRES;E "H 0 A
MY/]Y4 ,/1 ,PHILIP WALK$ T[>D !     #EIF
PO/ ": ,FRANK _H BE5 *A9$4 ,! *A9S LAY 9
LIMP COILS Z IF !Y'D N"E _H ! /R5G? TO
3TA9 A MAN & _H SIMPLY GIV5 UP ! RUSE4
,PHILIP 0 TAK+ X ALL 9 :5 "S?+ CAU<T 8
EYE4
  ,X 0 ! PHOTO ( ,MI*ELLE4 ,PHILIP PICK$
X UP & /OOD />+ 96H] EYES Z IF HOP+ %E
WD EXPLA94 ,PHILIP WD H EXPECT$ ,FRANK
6L1VE 2H 8 BOOTS 2F ? PICTURE4 ,CD HE H
BE5 A SPY ALL AL;G1 &! PHOTO NO M ?AN A
PROP 6L5D %AD+ 6HIS FALSE "*8
  ,RANKLE DIDN'T ASK :AT ,PHILIP 0 LOOK+
AT--HE M/ H ALR PICK$ X UP HMF1 ALR _H
^! ?"\S1 ALR DROPP$ ! PHOTO BACK ON !
GR.D4 ,!N ,PHILIP'S EYES 7 DRAWN 6"S?+
ELSE4 ,HE CR\*$ BACK D[N & 9SPECT$ !
/RANGE R$ /A9 ON ! FLOOR 0! WALL1 A D>K-
;S T SEEM$ 6BLE$ F ! E>? XF4 ,HE _H AC-
TU,Y /EPP$ ON X A MO;T AGO1 & 8 FOOT M/
H KICK$ AWAY "S (! DIRT T _H APP>5TLY
BE5 BRU%$ OV] X4 ,HE R1*$ =W>D & SWEPT
AWAY M (! DIRT1 REV1L+ AN "E L>G]1 R$DI%
BLACK /A9 T ,PHILIP KNEW CD 2 ONLY "O
?+4
  ,PHILIP /OOD UP & TOOK S"EAL      #EIG
/EPS BACK4 ,HE / HELD ! PICTURE4 ,HE
LOOK$ AT ,RANKLE1 :O MET 8 EYES EV5LY4
  8,I DON'T "K ANY?+ M ?AN Y10 ,RANKLE
SD4 8,HE 0 G"O ? MORN+4 ,WE SAW ! BR1K 9
! WALL UP/AIRS1 FIGUR$ T'S H[ HE GOT PA/
U4 ,!N ,I CAME BACK & LOOK$ >.D "S M40
  ,PHILIP FELT A QUIV] 9 8 GUT T HE CD
3TA9 ONLY 0=C+ HMF 6BR1! SL[LY4
  8,:AT DID Y D 6HM80
  8,I J TOLD Y4 ,I DIDN'T D ANY?+40
  ,PHILIP SWALL[$1 /1DI$ HMF4
  8,:O 0 ON GU>D DUTY LA/ NI<T80 ,PHILIP
LOOK$ AT ! FLOOR :5 HE ASK$ ?1 B :5 NO
REPLY CAME1 HE %IFT$ 8 GAZE BACK 6,RAN-
KLE1 :O 0 AL />+ AT ! BLOOD4 ,PHILIP RE-
P1T$ 8 "Q4
  8,D1CON 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE10 ,RANKLE ANSW]$
) APP>5T RELUCT.E4 8,B :5 ,I %[$ UP ?
MORN+1 ,GRAHAM 0 "H 9/1D40
  8,:AT D Y ?9K HAPP5$80
  ,! GRAV;Y ( ,RANKLE'S />E 0 8 ONLY RE-
PLY4
  ,PHILIP FROZE1 OV]COME4 8,I NE$ 6SEE
,GRAHAM10 HE F9,Y SD1 AL? HE CD FEEL 8
LEGS %AK+4 ,HE PUT ,MI*ELLE'S       #EIH
PICTURE 9 8 POCKET4
  8,Y'LL D NO S* ?+10 ,RANKLE SD1 /&+
UP4
  ,PHILIP 0 SURPRIS$ AT ! -M&4 8,I NE$
6SEE HM40 ,8 VOICE %OOK ) FE> & RAGE &!
TE>S HE 0 B>ELY )HOLD+4
  8,IF ,I H 6C>RY Y BACK 6YR H\SE "R N[1
,I W4 ,GRAHAM'S HOME PROTECT+ 8 FAMILY1
& Y'LL RESPECT T40 ,PHILIP REMEMB]$ !
/ORIES AB ,RANKLE'S [N LO/ FAMILY4 ,?\<
8 ^WS 7 H>%1 ,RANKLE'S VOICE 0 %AK+ AL1
EVID;E T ? 0 NO EASI] = HM ?AN X 0 =
,PHILIP4 8,Y'LL TELL NO "O AB ?4 ,Y'LL
L1VE ,GRAHAM AL"O1 & Y'LL G HOME & /AY )
YR FAMILY UNTIL ? HAS PASS$40
  ,Z BADLY Z ,PHILIP WANT$ 6SEE ,GRAHAM1
HE 0 T]RIFI$ ( DO+ S1 & HE FELT HMF )]+
2F ,RANKLE'S ORD]S4 ,HE NO4$1 ANXI\S TO
ESCAPE4 ,HE FELT 4ORI5T$ 0! SAME DIZZY+
MIX ( NAUS1T$ FE> & 3FU.N Z :5 HE 0 F/
TRAPP$ 9 ! PRISON1 & AG :5 ,*>LES _H
ASK$ HM IF HE _H ANY R1SON 6SUSPECT T
,FRANK 0 A SPY1 & AG :5 HE _H R1LIZ$ T !
FLU _H -E 6,-MONW1L?4
  ,RANKLE SD HE 0 GO+ 6/AY & CL1N   #EII
UP1 S ,PHILIP LEFT AL"O4 ,HE CD H 4OBEY$
& VISIT$ ,GRAHAM1 B HE NO L;G] FELT !
DESIRE 6D S1 AT L1/ N "R AWAY4 ,HE WALK$
HOME & TOLD 8 FAMILY1 GA!R+ AT ! TA#1 T
HE 0 N HUNGRY & FELT UNWELL4 ,"K+ T ANY
M5;N ( SICK;S 0 AL>M+1 HE REASSUR$ !M T
HE 0 J TIR$4
  ,HE LAY 9 8 B$ =A L;G :ILE1 HAUNT$ BY
?"\S ( ,GRAHAM & ,FRANK &! ,C4,O41
HAUNT$ 0! S.DS ( C\<+4 ,& ?\< HE ?"\ HE
FELT Z BAD Z HE CD1 HE 0 WR;G4 ,= AT L1/
HE 0 / H1L?Y :5 HE CLOS$ 8 EYES4












                                    #FJJ
























                ,"P ,F\R            #FJA
                ,SPECT]S

                   ,I

  ,VIOLET ,M]RI:E!R CDN'T LOOK AT H]
HUSB& ANYMORE4 ,IF %E DID N LOOK AT HM--
IF %E /AY$ 9 H] ROOM 2H A LOCK$ DOOR1 !
DRAWN CURTA9S KEEP+ H] 9 D>K;S & PRO-
TECT+ H] F ANY EVID;E T "! 0 A _W 2Y--!N
%E CD EXI/ "! QUIETLY1 AL"O4 ,X WD 2 !
SA4E/ EXI/;E POSSI#1 A WOMAN 9 A D>K
ROOM SL[LY />V+ 6D1?1 YET X WD "SH[ 2
BE>A#4 ,IF1 H["E1 %E LOOK$ AT ,J4,B41 %E
WD REMEMB] H] HUSB& &! LOVE 2T !M1 WD
REMEMB] ! EXI/;E ( LOVE1 ! POSSIBIL;Y (
HOPE1 WD RECALL MORN+S :5 ! TWO _H SAT
ON _! POR* HOLD+ H&S & PLAY;LLY BICK]+
OV] :AT 6"N _! *N "O "D4 ,IF %E LOOK$ AT
,J4,B41 %E WD REMEMB] T %E _H ONCE BE5 A
"M1 T %E'D ONCE _H TWO *N1 T "! _H BE5 A
"P ( H] T 0 B1UTI;L & ALIVE B FRAGILE1 S
PA9;LLY & WORRY+LY FRAGILE1 & T ? "P (
H] _H V5TUR$ 96! UN=GIV+ _W & BE5 /RUCK
D[N4 ,& ? %E CD N A3EPT1 CD N EV5 FA?OM4
  ,IF %E LOOK$ AT ,J4,B41 %E WD     #FJB
%ATT]4 ,%E _H ALR %ATT]$ AT ! SI<T (
,GW5 SU6OCAT+ 6D1?1 & AG AT ! SI<T ( T
TELEGRAM LY+ ON ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,%E _H %AT-
T]$ S _M "TS T EA* M9USCULE PIECE _H XF
%ATT]$1 H] =M] CORE 2COM+ BITS ( DU/
BL[N "? ! AIR4 ,AT ,GW5'S WAKE1 ,VIOLET
_H HE>D "S ( H] FRS ASK+ "O ANO!R H[ %E
0 HOLD+ TGR1 & REG>D.S ( :AT !Y ?"\1
,VIOLET KNEW T %E 0 N HELD TGR ANYMORE1
T ! PIECES ( H] _H L;G S9CE 4P]S$4 ,YET
%E / EXI/$--H[ CD T BE8 ,%E /AY$ 9 T
ROOM1 9 ! D>K1 & :5"E H] HUSB& KNOCK$ AT
! DOOR %E PRET5D$ N 6HE> HM4 ,%E KNEW !
S.D (! KNOCKS WD EV5TU,Y FADE AWAY1 & !Y
ALW DID4

  ,J4,B4 0 SITT+ AT ! D9+ ROOM TA# :5 HE
SAW ,JOSEPH ,MILL] P>K 9 FRONT ( 8 H\SE4
,HE SAT AT ! TA# EV5 ?\< X REM9D$ HM (!
"D ! TELEGRAM CAME1 ! TELEGRAM HE _H
PLAC$ ON ! TA# UNR1D & _H />$ AT1 MES-
SAGE SIDE D[N1 = :AT SEEM$ H\RS4 ,X _H
BE5 A ,SATUR"D AFN & ,VIOLET 0 \ VISIT+
) FRS1 WELL-9T5;N$ FRS :O 7 TRY+ 6KEEP
H] M9D (F ! D1? ( H] DAU<T]1 H["E   #FJC
BRIEFLY4 ,J4,B4 DIDN'T "K IF HE %D WAIT
= H] RETURN 2F R1D+ X4 ,H[ D Y FACE D1?1
H[ D Y FACE TRAG$Y8 ,AL"O OR ) YR 2LOV$
0YR SIDE8 ,:AT C A MAN SAY :5 HE FACES
?+S HE _C PROTECT 8 WIFE F1 _C PROTECT 8
FAMILY F8 ,HE _H BE5 ! SMALLE/ MAN 9 !
_W1 SITT+ AT ! TA# ON T ,SATUR"D4
  ,E NI<T S9CE ,JAMES _H BE5 S5T 6,FR.E1
,J4,B4 _H PRAY$ 6,GOD1 ASK+ T ! ,"L SP>E
8 SON4 ..,PL1SE PROTECT ,JAMES & KEEP HM
SAFE .ALW 7 ! ^WS ,J4,B4 US$ NI<T AF
NI<T4 ,B HE _H BE5 RAIS$ 6BE A C>+ & EM-
PA!TIC MAN1 & HE R1LIZ$ H[ %ALL[ X SEEM$
6ASK ! ,"L 6PROTECT ONLY .8 SON1 R1LIZ$
X M1NT PUTT+ ,JAMES'S LIFE ABV ! LIVES (
ALL ^? O!R BOYS :O _H BE5 S5T 96! *AOS (
W>4 ,S ,J4,B4 WD FOLL[ ^? ^WS )A PLEA T
,GOD SP>E ALL ! O!R BOYS Z WELL4
..,PL1SE KEEP ALL ! BOYS .SAFE1 ,J4,B4
PRAY$4 ,B T M1NT HE 0 ASK+ ,GOD = "S?+
IMPOSSI#4 ,? 0 MAD;S1 & HE FELT T ,GOD 9
H1V5 0 %AK+ ,8 H1D AT ,J4,B41 AT !
SMALL;S (A MAN :O WANTS "O ?+ B ASKS =A
L>G] ?+ 9/1D1 A WI% T HE _C H4 ,&! ,"L
_H PUNI%$ HM = X4                   #FJD
  ,J4,B4 _H SLEPT ! LA/ TWO NI<TS 9 !
P>LOR1 LY+ ON ! COLD FLOOR & />+ AT !
CEIL+4 ,ABV HM 0 ! B$ROOM ": 8 WIFE 0
HID+4 ,HE _H WOK5 UP EA* MORN+ ) T SAME
AW;L FEEL+1 ! DAWN+ R1LIZ,N T ^? REC5T
HORRORS 7 N DR1MS1 T !Y 7 R1L & _H FOL-
L[$ HM 96? NEXT "D4 ,EA* MORN+ 8 SON &
DAU<T] DI$ AG1 ,GW5 9 8 >MS1 H] BODY
FLAIL+ :ILE TE>S /R1M$ D[N 8 FACE1 &
,JAMES SIMPLY 4APPE>+ 2F 8 EYES4
  ,GW5 _H BE5 ! MO/ B1UTI;L "Y WOMAN 9
T[N2 ! SUITORS _H ALR BE5 L9+ UP4 ,J4,B4
WD N"E AG TURN AWAY "O ( ^? EAG] "Y M5 F
8 DOOR1 WD N"E AG SEE ! LOOK ( 4APPO9T;T
9 _! EYES1 N"E AG HE> ! /AMM]S & SEE !
DA%$ HOPES ( "Y 9VULN]ABIL;Y T S REM9D$
HM ( HMF L;G AGO1 ( "Y ,JAMES ,B>R[S
,M]RI:E!R KNOCK+ ON ! DOOR (! B1UTI;L
,VIOLET ,CASEY'S P>5TS4 ,! ,M]RI:E!R
POR* WD N"E AG HO/ S* EXCITE;T1 S* UN-
BRIDL$ 5?USIASM4
  ,YET N[ ,JOSEPH ,MILL] 0 /&+ ON !
POR*4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,J4,B4 "? ! W9D[1 B
,J4,B4 DID N RISE 6ADMIT HM4 ,MILL]
MO;N$ 6! DOOR Z IF 6LET HMF IN1 &   #FJE
,J4,B4 NO4$4
  ,MILL] 5T]$ ! D9+ ROOM1 & ,J4,B4 HOP$
T ! MAN WD N (F] ANY 3DOL;ES1 B ^? HOPES
7 DA%$ IMMLY4 ,J4,B4 NO4$ & LOOK$ AWAY1
TIR$ ( SEE+ M5 APPE> S DEEPLY UNCOM=TA#
9 8 PRES;E4 ,X 0 ! WAY HE _H ONCE FELT
>.D P L ! =EMAN ,HI<T[]1 "F (! TWO D1D
SONS 9 ,FR.E4 ,J4,B4 HAT$ T HE _H ANY?+
9 -MON ) T MAN1 HAT$ T ! TWO ( !M 7 N[
3F9$ 6! SAME CIRCLE ( ,HELL4
  ,MILL] CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT1 Z IF ! UNPL1SANT
AIR >.D !M CD 2 S EASILY 4PELL$4 ,!N HE
TOLD ,J4,B4 ( 8 PLAN4 ,HE ASK$ IF ,J4,B4
WD -E ) !M4
  ,J4,B4 NO4$4 8,J TELL ME :540









                                    #FJF
























                    ,,II            #FJG

  ,:5 EXACTLY ,PHILIP WOKE1 HE WASN'T
SURE4 ,HE KNEW ONLY T ! PA9;L & FUZZY
TRANSI;N F SLEEP 6WAKE;L;S 0 A3OMPANI$
0A /RIK+ PA9 9 8 H1D1 />T+ F 8 TEMPLES &
BURR[+ DEEP 96! BACK ( 8 SKULL4 ,8 EYES
_H BE5 OP5 =A :ILE & 8 ROOM 0 SL[LY -+
96FOCUS :5 HE R1LIZ$ :AT ? M1NT4 ,HE G9-
G]LY LIFT$ 8 H1D F ! PILL[ & PROPP$ HMF
96A SITT+ POSI;N1 L1N+ ON ! COLD WALL 2H
HM4 ,? ONLY MADE 8 H1D ?ROB M4 ,HE TILT$
8 H1D BACK 6LOOK AT ! CEIL+ & BEG ,GOD T
? WASN'T HAPP5+1 B TIPP+ 8 H1D T F>
TRI7]$ "S?+ 9SIDE & HE LUR*$ =W>D AG1
C\<+ VIOL5TLY4 ,HE L1N$ OV] ! SIDE (!
B$1 HOP+ T POSI;N WD CLE> 8 ?ROAT OR 8
LUNGS OR :AT"E X 0 T _H 2COME S POLLUT$
:ILE HE'D SLEPT4
  ,HE SAT UP AG1 / C\<+1 8 EYES TE>+ UP
F ! PA9 &! FE> & F "S?+ 9 ! BACK ( 8 M\?
T SEEM$ 6BE DRY+ \ 8 ?ROAT B FLOOD+ 8
*E/4 ,HE R1*$ \ =A GLASS ( WAT] B F.D
N"O "!4 ,HE'D RETIR$ 6B$ S HURRI$LY !
NI<T 2F T HE _HN'T BR"\ ANY WAT] ) HM--
_HN'T EV5 *ANG$ \ ( 8 CLO!S1 HE     #FJH
N[ R1LIZ$4 ,EV5 9 8 FLANNEL %IRT & WOOL
PANTS1 HE / FELT COLD 2N ! ?ICK BLAN-
KETS1 & AL? L1N+ AG/ ! WALL MADE HM
COLD]1 HE LACK$ ! /R5G? 6MOVE1 OR ! NEC
DRIVE 6=CE 8 BODY 6RE>RANGE XF1 OR ! CA-
PAC;Y = R,NAL ?"\ T S* A DECI.N REQUIR$4
,S HE J SAT "! C\<+ UNTIL "S"O OP5$ 8
DOOR4
  ,X 0 ,REBE3A4 ,! 3C]N 9 H] EYES 0 ALT
DI6]5T F ! USUAL MAT]NAL EMPA?Y4 ,9/1D1
X 0 A MIXTURE ( FE> & D5IAL4
  8,>E Y ALL "R80 ,%E ASK$ T QUIETLY1 Z
IF %E KNEW NOISE WD PA9 HM1 : X DID4 ,%E
TOOK A C\PLE ( /EPS 96! ROOM4
  8,MY H1D HURTS10 HE SQUEEZ$ \ 2T C\<S4
  ,%E NO4$1 &! FURR[S 9 H] =EH1D GREW M
PRON\NC$4 ,%E TOLD HM %E'D 2 "R BACK )
"S WAT]1 & HE CLOS$ 8 EYES & OP5$ !M AG
& "! ! GLASS WAS1 )! WAT] ^: COLD;S 0
BO? SOO?+ & OPPRESSIVE4 ,HE DRANK & X
EAS$ 8 ?ROAT A BIT1 B X CAUS$ HM 6%IV]
ALL ! M4 ,REBE3A1 SEE+ ?1 SD %E'D MAKE
HM "S HOT TEA4 ,%E R1*$ = 8 =EH1D & ASK$
IF HE FELT HOT OR COLD4 ,BO?1 HE SD4 ,%E
ASK$ IF HE 0 HUNGRY & HE ?"\ AB ?   #FJI
Z IF X 7 "S AB/RACT "Q1 "S?+ HE _H N"E
2F 3SID]$1 !N UTT]$ A NO4 ,HE C\<$ AG4
  ,REBE3A RE>RANG$ 8 PILL[S S HE CD SIT
UP )\T PRESS+ AG/ ! COLD WALL1 !N %E W5T
\ 6GET HM ANO!R BLANKET4 ,9 ! HALLWAY %E
MET ,*>LES1 :O _H BE5 9 _! B$ROOM B _H
BE5 /IRR$ 0! OM9\S S.D ( C\<+ F 2L4
  8,GET ,DR4 ,BANES10 %E TOLD HM1 :ISP]+
9 ! HALL4 8,HE LOOKS T]RI#40

  ,PHILIP'S H1D 0 P.D+1 &! ASPIR9 ,RE-
BE3A _H GIV5 HM DIDN'T SEEM 6BE "W+4 ,X
0 L ?R[+ A GLASS ( WAT] ON A =E/ FIRE4
,HE FELT W1K & 8 LEGS A*$4 ,AT F/ HE _H
TRI$ 6RE>RANGE !M1 6KEEP !M P]FECTLY
/RAI<T OR B5D !M J S1 B HE SOON DET]M9$
T NO MATT] H[ !Y LAY1 !Y WD A*E Z IF !Y
7 2+ PUMMEL$ ) HAMM]S4
  ,HE TRI$ 6C\< H>D] & 4LODGE "S?+ 9 8
?ROAT1 B ! C\<S ONLY MADE ! "S?+ HURT M
9T5SELY4 ,HE WANT$ S BADLY 6R1* 96HIS [N
M\? & F9D ! "S?+1 6SCRAPE >.D AT ! BACK
( 8 PALATE & APP1SE X4 ,B GRADU,Y HE RE-
ALIZ$ ! "S?+ 0 NO?+--OR P]H X 0 8 ?ROAT
XF4 ,X WASN'T GO+ ANY":1 & HE _H    #FAJ
6BR1! >.D X1 BR1! DESPITE X4 ,HE SIPP$
AT ! TEA1 : 0 N[ LUKEW>M1 & TRI$ N TO
*OKE4
  8,IS X FLU80 HE ASK$ ,DOC ,BANES W1KLY
Z ,*>LES & ,REBE3A LOOK$ ON ) WORRI$
EYES T SEEM$ S L>GE1 S9CE ! RE/ ( _!
FACES 7 COV]$ 0GAUZE MASKS4 ,! DOCTOR SD
YES1 X 0 9FLU5ZA4 ,FLU _H A HABIT ( TAK+
Y 0SURPRISE1 HE SD1 S MAYBE IF ,PHILIP
_H FELT HMF -+ D[N ) "S?+ ! "D 2F1 !N X
CD 2 J A BAD COLD4 ,B ,PHILIP _H FELT
F9E--PHYSIC,Y1 AT L1/--! "D 2F1 & !N
WOK5 Z IF "S"O _H POISON$ HM :ILE HE
SLEPT4 ,REBE3A />T$ 6ASK :AT !Y CD D =
HM & ,PHILIP C\<$ S %E /OPP$ MIDS5T;E1 Z
IF ! EXACT CAD;E & T5OR ( 8 C\<+ 7 "S?+
!Y NE$$ 6HE$ & /UDY4 ,!N HE 0 SIL5T & %E
F9I%$ H] "Q4 ,PHILIP MISS$ ! DOCTOR'S
ANSW]1 IGNOR+ X 2C 8 H1D HURT & ,BANES'S
VOICE 0 GRAT+4 ,PHILIP CLOS$ 8 EYES 2C
HE 0 ANGRY AT ! DOCTOR'S SAD & TIR$ DE-
M1NOR1 ANGRY AT ! GAUZE MASK T S]V$ ONLY
6A35TUATE ! 4TANT LOOK 9 ! MAN'S EYES4
,PHILIP SAT "! ) 8 EYES %UT & 3C5TRAT$
ON BR1?+4 ,:5 HE OP5$ 8 EYES AG 8   #FAA
MUG 0 FILL$ ) /1M+ TEA & 8 VISITORS _H
FL$4
  ,:AT "T 0 X8 ,8 WAT* 0 ATOP 8 BUR1U1 &
! H1DA*E _H LEFT HM FUR!R 4ORI5T$4 ,"! 0
LI<T PEEK+ 9 "? 8 DRAWN CURTA9S1 B N M*4
,/ SITT+ UP1 HE DRIFT$ (F1 8 C\<S M]CI-
;LLY SUBSID+4

  ,HE 0 DR1M+ AB /&+ AT ! PO/ ) ,GRAHAM
:5 8 EYES OP5$ & HE SAW 8 T9Y ROOM 2F
HM1 A SLIV] ( LI<T ESCAP+ F 2T ! CURTA9S
& BISECT+ 8 BUR1U4 ,GRAHAM _H BE5 /&+ 2S
HM A MO;T AGO1 TELL+ HM AB ,AMELIA &!
BABY4 ,! F/ SOLDI] _H BE5 "! TOO1 _H SD
HE'D L 6MEET ,GRAHAM'S FAMILY4 ,GRAHAM
_H NO4$ AWKW>DLY AT ! MAN'S POLITE -;T1
_H LOOK$ AWAY 2C HE DIDN'T "K H[ 6TELL !
MAN T HE 0 ALR D1D4 ,PHILIP _HN'T "KN H[
6TELL ! MAN1 EI4 ,! MAN--! ,,CO41 ,PHIL-
IP N[ KNEW--_H !N LOOK$ AT ,PHILIP IN-
QUIR+LY1 8 S(T & W.D$ EYES SE>*+ = AN
ANSW] 6,GRAHAM'S SU45 COLD;S4 ,PHILIP
TRI$ S H>D 6?9K ( AN ANSW] T ! PRESSURE
=C$ 8 EYES OP5 & WOKE HM UP4
  ,HE _H 6SEE ,GRAHAM4 ,HE FELT     #FAB
LUCID =A MO;T1 M S ?AN HE _H ALL "D4 ,B
HE DID N FEEL BETT]--HIS H1D P.D$ E "T !
BLOOD VESSELS GRUDG+LY EXP&$ 6LET 8
VIRUS-9FE/$ BLOOD "?1 & 8 LEGS A*$ Z HE
KICK$ (F ! BLANKETS4 ,X 0 COLD \TSIDE (!
B$ S HE NE$$ A SW1T]1 B 8 J\RNEY OV] 6!
BUR1U TOOK A :ILE1 ! MOVE;T BROK5 D[N
96SMALL1 4CRETE /EPS3 /& UP2 WAIT2 /EP
=W>D TWICE2 WAIT2 CLOSE EYES2 SWALL[ &
TRY N 6C\<2 C\<2 /EP =W>D & GRIP BUR1U2
WAIT2 OP5 DRAW]1 GRAB SW1T]2 COLLAPSE 9
SITT+ POSI;N BACK ONTO B$1 HOLD+ ?ICK
SW1T] 2T SW1TY F+]S4
  ,Z HE PULL$ ! SW1T] OV] 8 W1K FRAME HE
REEL$ AT ! SORE;S 9 8 >MS & NECK1 A PA9
HE'D N"E FELT 2F1 N EV5 AF ! RECOV]Y F 8
A3ID5T4 ,? 0 EXCRUCIAT+1 B HE WD R COL-
LAPSE 9 ! /REET ?AN SIT 9 T B$ ANY L;G]
& WOND] :AT 8 FR _H D"O4
  ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR & WALK$ 96! HALLWAY4
,N UNTIL T MO;T DID X O3UR 6HM T 8 P>5TS
WD /OP HM F GO+4 ,HE TRI$ 6BE QUIET1 /I-
FL+ A C\< EV5 ?\< X NE>LY MADE HM D\#
OV] 9 PA94 ,NO "O 0 9 ! HALLWAY OR !
KIT*54 ,HE HE>D S(T VOICES MUR-     #FAC
MUR+ F ! P>LOR1 ,LAURA & ,REBE3A R1D+ TO
EA* O!R OR TELL+ /ORIES OR DO+ "S?+ TO
KEEP ! HORROR AT BAY4 ,WD HE GET !M
SICK8 ,HE _H N ?"\ ( ? 2F1 EI--! R1LIZ,N
_H BE5 BURI$ 2N ! DI6ICULTIES HE'D FAC$
9 SIMPLY LIFT+ 8 H1D F 8 PILL[4 ,HE WON-
D]$ H[ -MON X 0 = "O P]SON 9 A H\SE 6H !
FLU )\T PASS+ X ON4
  ,:5 ,PHILIP PASS$ ! SMALL MIRROR 9 !
HALLWAY1 HE AV]T$ 8 EYES4
  ,8 H&S 7 9 8 GLOVES & ON ! DOORKNOB1
TURN+ X Z SL[LY & SIL5TLY Z POSSI#1 & !N
HE 0 \TSIDE4 ,! LI<T HURT4 ,X 0 />TL+LY
LI<T \--BLUE SKY6 ,P]FECTLY BLUE ) NO
CL\DS 9 SI<T1 Z IF "S L;G-E>?B.D ANGELS
_H FL[N UP 6! CL\DS ) GL9T+ RAPI]S1
SLA%+ AWAY AT T "UBELLY ( GRAY4 ,PHILIP
NORM,Y WD H APPRECIAT$ ! SUN1 B ! LI<T
SEEM$ S /R;G T HE SQU9T$ & LOOK$ D[N AT
! DIRT4 ,HE WALK$ SL[LY1 MO;TUM GRADU,Y
TAK+ 3TROL4
  ,IF X _H SEEM$ COLD 9 8 ROOM1 X FELT
>CTIC \TDOORS4 ,! AIR 0 IMPOSSIBLY COLD4
,SURELY "! 0 "S?+ WR;G--& "! WAS3 HM4
,HE KNEW 8 BODY WASN'T "W+ "R1 &    #FAD
HE TOLD HMF X 0 J 9 8 H1D1 T ! %IV]S
S5D+ 8 SP9E 96SPASMS 7 N R1L1 T ! W9D T
SEEM$ 6CUT "? 8 CLO!S--! /RANGELY A7RES-
SIVE COLD--WAS N R1L4 ,X 0 ONLY A C\PLE
BLOCKS M1 & 8 LEGS 7 / "W+1 &! DIZZI;S
HE _H FELT AT F/ 0 SUBSID+4
  ,HE FELT FRAIL & DAMAG$1 B HE _H 6D ?4
,HE 0 SC>$ ( ,GRAHAM1 ! MAN :O _H SEEM$
L 8 BIG BRO!R ^! LA/ TWO YE>S4 ,B HE
NE$$ 63FRONT HM4
  ,"! 0 ,GRAHAM'S H\SE1 "R 9 FRONT ( HM4
,X /OOD FAC+ ! MA9 /REET1 /R;G & PR\D Z
! "D !Y'D BUILT X4 ,! CURTA9S 7 DRAWN ON
! SECOND-FLOOR W9D[S B N ON ! F/1 & "?
"O ( ^? HE SAW ,AMELIA GAZ+ \TSIDE4 ,%E
M/ H BE5 SITT+ ON A *AIR1 & Z ,PHILIP
WALK$ =W>D1 HE SAW ! BABY 9 H] >MS1 LL
,MILLIE P]*$ 2T H] "M'S LEGS & />+ WIDE-
EY$ 96! _W ": NO?+ 0 HAPP5+4 ,NO "O ELSE
ON ! /REETS1 NO S.DS F *UR* S]VICES AT !
T[N HALL ?REE BUILD+S AWAY1 NO *N LAU<+4
,B ! BABY />$ TRANSFIX$ Z IF 2F H] 7
COLOR;L P>ADES & PA9T$ D.ERS1 ELEPHANTS
& ZEBRAS M>*+ PA/4 ,D1? & DESOL,N CD /
SEEM B1UTI;L 6EYES T DIDN'T "K      #FAE
:AT M 6EXPECT F ! _W4
  ,!N ,AMELIA WASN'T "! ANYMORE & ,PHIL-
IP 0 EV5 CLOS] 6! H\SE1 ALM AT ! /EPS 9
FRONT (! POR*1 :5 ! FRONT DOOR OP5$4
,GRAHAM 0 N WE>+ A COAT OR GLOVES1 YET
HE DIDN'T LOOK COLD 9 ! W9D T 0 S M]CI-
.SLY ASSAULT+ ,PHILIP4
  8,PHILIP10 ,GRAHAM SD SIMPLY1 LETT+ X
HANG "! :ILE HE />$4 8,:AT'S WR;G80
  ,PHILIP SWALL[$ & 3C5TRAT$ ON N C\<+4
,GRAHAM /OOD ON ! POR*1 & ,PHILIP /OPP$
2F ! F/ /EP4
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6,FRANK80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  ,GRAHAM LOOK$ L HE DIDN'T "U/&2 ,FRANK
0 A M1N+.S "N 6HM4
  ,PHILIP SD1 8,:AT HAPP5$ 6! SOLDI]1 !
SPY80
  ,GRAHAM'S EXPRES.N *ANG$4 8,GD ,GOD1
,PHILIP10 HE SD S(TLY4 8,Y SICK80 ,HE
RAIS$ 8 "R H& 6COV] 8 M\?4
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6,FRANK1 ,GRAHAM80
  8,I LET HM G40 ,GRAHAM'S BODY 0 RIGID4
8,PHILIP1 Y %D 2 9 B$4 ,Y GOTTA RE/40
  8,:Y DIDN'T HE TAKE 8 GIRL'S PICTURE80
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,GRAHAM TURN$      #FAF
BACK >.D 65SURE T HE _H CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H
HM4 ,8 H& / COV]$ 8 M\?4
  8,:Y 0 "! BLOOD ON ! GR.D80 ,PHILIP 0
SEIZ$ )A WR5*+ C\<4 ,:5 X ABAT$1 HE DE-
M&$1 8,:AT DID Y .D80
  ,GRAHAM /EPP$ =W>D DESPITE 8 DESIRE TO
2 Z F> AWAY F ? SICK P]SON Z POSSI#4
  8,I UNDID :AT Y DID60 HE SCR1M$ "?
GRITT$ TEE?4 ,HE _H LOOK$ S 3TROLL$ AT
F/1 8 %IRT TUCK$ 9 & 8 HAIR N1TLY "P$4
,B N[ T !Y 7 CLOS] & ,PHILIP 0 FOCUS+
BETT]1 ,GRAHAM DID SEEM A BIT PU6Y 9 !
FACE1 A BIT R$ 9 ! EYES1 & 8 FACE GREW
TA9T$ 0! EM]G;E ( FEEL+S HE _H BE5 TRY+
6/IFLE4
  ,! DOOR 2GAN 6OP5 2H ,GRAHAM1 :O
TWIRL$ >.D 6%\T AT X1 8,/AY 9SIDE1
PL1SE60 ,8 VOICE 0 H>% & /R;G1 &! DOOR
%UT 2F ,PHILIP CD EV5 SEE A P]SON 2H X4
  8,":'S ,FRANK80 ,PHILIP ASK$ AG4 ,HE
WALK$ UP A /EP4 8,":'S ,FRANK80
  8,Y "K ": HE IS40
  ,PHILIP CD HE> ,GRAHAM'S BR1?+ Z L\DLY
Z HE CD HE> 8 [N TORTUR$ GASPS4 ,BR1?+ 0
2COM+ M DI6ICULT1 8 *E/ TI<T]1 &    #FAG
:E!R ? 0 "S NEW SYMPTOM OR ! PRICE ( EX-
]T+ HMF1 HE WASN'T SURE4
  8,H[ CD Y J--0 ,PHILIP CUT HMF (F4 ,8
EYES 7 TE>+ UP AG4
  8,G HOME1 ,PHILIP4 ,PL1SE40 ,GRAHAM _H
L[]$ 8 H& AF W>N+ ,AMELIA N 6-E \1 B AG
HE LIFT$ X 6HIS FACE4 8,Y NE$ 6RE/40
  8,DON'T TELL ME :AT ,I NE$ 6D60
  ,GRAHAM'S APP>5T DESIRE 6*ANGE ! SUB-
JECT1 6PRET5D T ,FRANK _H N"E EXI/$1 EN-
RAG$ ,PHILIP4 ,HE KEPT %AK+ 8 H1D1 & :5
HE F9,Y /OPP$1 :5 HE LOOK$ 96,GRAHAM'S
EYES1 HE %\T$3
  8,Y'RE A MURD]]60
  8.,Y'RE ! MURD]]60 ,GRAHAM /EPP$ =W>D
AG1 ! TWO ( !M SEP>AT$ ONLY 0A C\PLE (
FEET4 ,8 H&-MASK FELL AWAY & "! 0 8 FULL
FACE AG1 8 R$ *EEKS & 8 LIPS CURL$ BACK
9 A SN>L4 8,Y'VE KILL$ ? :OLE T[N F LET-
T+ HM 9 "H6 ,I DID :AT ,I _H 6D 6KEEP
"EY"O SAFE1 NO ?ANKS 6Y60
  ,PHILIP LAUN*$ HMF =W>D )\T ?9K+1 & !N
HE 0 ^U ,GRAHAM1 8 GLOV$ H&S R1*+ =
,GRAHAM'S NECK OR 8 FACE OR 8 HE>T1 HE
WASN'T SURE :4 ,HE ONLY WANT$ TO    #FAH
%AKE AT ,GRAHAM'S C]TA9TY1 UNTIL ALL !
EV5TS (! LA/ FEW WEEKS CD "SH[ RETURN 6!
WAY !Y ONCE W]E1 :5 HE & ,GRAHAM _H BE5
FRS & !Y BO? KNEW :AT !Y WANT$ \ ( LIFE
& X 0 ! SAME ?+4
  ,GRAHAM PU%$ HM BACK EASILY & ,PHILIP
FELL1 SLIPP+ BACK & HITT+ AG/ "O (! POR*
PO/S4 ,!Y LOOK$ AT EA* O!R =A MO;T1
AMAZ$ 6BE FI<T+4 ,!N ,PHILIP LUR*$ =W>D
AG1 ? "T L1D+ ) 8 FI/1 : CAU<T ,GRAHAM
ON ! SIDE (! FACE & SWUNG HM 6! "R4 ,B
,GRAHAM TURN$ BACK & GRA2$ ,PHILIP'S
COLL> ) 8 LEFT H& 6HOLD HM 9 PLACE1 & HE
0 AB 6SOCK HM ) 8 /R;G] H&1 8 FULL-F+]$
"R H&1 :5 "S?+ SEIZ$ 9SIDE ,PHILIP'S *E/
& HE C\<$ 9 ,GRAHAM'S FACE4 ,GRAHAM
FROZE & LOOK$ Z IF ,PHILIP _H J P\R$ A
BUCKET ( 8 W>M BLOOD OV] ,GRAHAM'S H1D4
  ,!Y R1LIZ$ !Y 7 2+ SCR1M$ AT F TWO DI-
REC;NS4 ,AMELIA _H BE5 WAT*+ F ! W9D[ )
,MILLIE 9 H] >MS1 & ?\< %E _HN'T BE5 A#
6HE> ! 3V]S,N UNTIL !Y _H />T$ %\T+1 %E
_H HURRI$LY PUT D[N ! BABY & RU%$ 6!
DOOR :5 %E'D SE5 ,PHILIP ATTACK H]
HUSB&4 ,%E _H />T$ SCR1M+ = ,GRA-   #FAI
HAM Z H] H& GRASP$ ! DOORKNOB4
  8,/AY 9SIDE1 ,AMELIA1 PL1SE10 ,GRAHAM
TRI$ 6%\T1 B X CAME \ Z A :IMP]4 8,HE'S
SICK--DON'T -E \40
  ,:5 ,AMELIA HE>D ,GRAHAM'S PLEA %E
/OPP$1 H] H& PRESS$ AG/ ! DOOR4
  ,! O!R P]SON SCR1M+ 0 ,*>LES1 -+ D[N !
ROAD AF 8 SON4 8,PHILIP60
  ,AT 8 "F'S VOICE1 ,PHILIP GAVE 9 6HIS
BODY'S AGONIZ$ PL1S & SLUMP$ D[N ONTO !
POR*1 HU4L+ "! & CAT*+ 8 BR1? & C\<+ YET
AG4 ,HE CLOS$ 8 EYES &=A MO;T ?+S 7 QUI-
ET1 !N HUMM+ AT A L[ & /1DY PIT*4 ,HE
WOND]$ ": HE WAS4
  ,*>LES 0 CR\*$ ABV HM & ,PHILIP FELT A
H& 2H 8 BACK4 ,*>LES 0 WE>+ 8 GAUZE
MASK4 8,>E Y ALL "R80
  ,PHILIP NO4$1 & 8 "F HELP$ HM 6HIS
FEET4 ,PHILIP L1N$ AG/ ! PO/ AG :ILE
,*>LES ASK$ ,GRAHAM :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  ,GRAHAM F.D T HE CDN'T BR+ HMF 6LOOK
,*>LES 9 ! EYE4 ,HE BR1!D 9 & \1 & 8 M\?
0 TI<T Z IF TRY+ DESP]ATELY 6PREV5T "S
TOX9 F SLIPP+ IN4 8,HE NE$S 6BE 9 B$10
,GRAHAM F9,Y SD4                    #FBJ
  ,*>LES DIDN'T "U/&1 B HE CD DEM& EX-
PLAN,NS LAT]4 ,HE PUT AN >M >.D ,PHILIP
& GUID$ HM HOME1 WALK+ SL[LY & /OPP+ E
"T ,PHILIP C\<$4 ,X TOOK !M Q A :ILE4

  ,GRAHAM /AY$ ON ! POR*1 WILL+ AWAY 8
TE>S & BR1?+ L\DLY1 Z IF HE _H J EM]G$ F
"U WAT]4 ,Z ! ADR5AL9E SL[LY FAD$1 ?\< 8
>MS & KNEES 7 / %AK+1 HE FELT ! H>% COLD
ON 8 >MS1 ! HAIR PRICKL+ UP AG/ 8 %IRT4
,& / HE FELT ,PHILIP'S BR1? ON 8 FACE4
  ,HE LOOK$ UP & "! 0 ,AMELIA ON ! O!R
SIDE (! W9D[4 ,%E _H "O H& AT H] BR1/ &!
O!R ON ! GLASS1 N TWO FEET F ,GRAHAM4
,HE WANT$ ONLY 6CLOSE 8 EYES & HOLD H]4
,B HE /OOD "!1 MO;N.S1 T]RIFI$1 & UN-
WILL+ 6WALK "? ! DOOR4







                 ,,III              #FBA

  ,PHILIP KNEW X 0 MORN+ ONLY 2C ,REBE3A
TOLD HM X WAS4 ,6HM X 0 J ! LATE/ /OP ON
? HELLI% TRA9 RIDE HE _H BE5 S5T ON1 AN
OV]CR[D$ TRA9 C> S HOT F ! PRESS ( BOD-
IES T HE FELT ! SW1T POOL ON 8 CLAVICLE
& 9 8 >MPITS & GRO91 FELT ! SW1T ROLL F
8 =EH1D4 ,! TRA9 0 UN/1DY & X SWAY$ BACK
& =?1 &! CLATT]+ (! RU/Y METAL C>S 0 A
BOOM+ CACOPHONY 9 8 E>S4 ,! MO;NS (!
TRA9 _H TURN$ 8 /OMA*1 3TRIBUT+ 6! W1K;S
T SAPP$ E \NCE ( VITAL;Y F 8 BODY4 ,HE 0
/&+ 9 ! C> 2T TWO L>GE M5 :O _HN'T LEFT
HM 5 ROOM1 B :5 HE OP5$ 8 EYES HE SAW T
HE 0 ACTU,Y LY+ D[N 9 8 B$4 ,HE CLOS$ 8
EYES AG & ?+S MADE M S5SE3 8 LEGS A*$ &
8 FOOT ?RO2$ 2C HE 0 9 ? D>K TRA9 C>1 8
TOES O3A.N,Y /EPP$ ^U 0O!RS & 8 LEG MUS-
CLES WE>Y F TOO _M H\RS ( /&+1 TRAPP$4
,": 0 ! TRA9 GO+8 ,E ONCE 9 A :ILE X
/OPP$ BRIEFLY1 B ONLY 6BO>D M PASS5G]S4
,NO "O "E SEEM$ 6GET (F ! TRA94 ,X 0 BE-
-+ M CR[D$1 HOTT] /4 ,8 CLO!S 7 /ICK+ TO
8 FLE%1 ! SW1T 0 "EY":1 & DESPITE ?1 HE
%IV]$4 ,HE TRI$ 6LOOK \ ! W9D[S B   #FBB
"! 7 TOO _M BODIES 9 ! WAY4 ,": 0 HE8
  8,MOM10 HE TRI$ 6SAY1 B 9/1D C\<$4 ,"!
0 "S?+ 9SIDE 8 *E/1 "S?+ L>GE & WAXY &
H1VY1 "S?+ T _H ATTA*$ XF 6HIS RIB CAGE
& WOV5 XS FIB]S 96HIS MUSCLES & LIGA;TS4
,HE C\<$ ALL OV] ! MAN 9 FRONT ( HM1 ^:
*E/ 0 FAC+ HM EV5 ?\< 8 FACE 0 N1 Z IF !
MAN'S H1D 7 TURN$ #AHJ DEGREES4 ,B ! MAN
DIDN'T SEEM 6M9D ,PHILIP'S C\<S1 DIDN'T
TRY 6MOVE AWAY OR DEM& T ,PHILIP APOLO-
GIZE4 ,T 0 :5 ,PHILIP R1LIZ$ "EY"O 0
C\<+4 ,X 0 ! C\<S T 7 MAK+ ! TRA9 %AKE
BACK & =?1 ! =CE ( S _M H1VES & SPASMS4
,0 ! TRA9 EV5 MOV+ =W>D1 OR 7 !Y J SITT+
9 ! MI4LE ( "S WA/EL&8
  ,REBE3A 0 TELL+ HM X 0 MORN+ & HE OP5$
8 EYES4 ,! TRA9 4SIPAT$ BRIEFLY & "! %E
WAS1 HOLD+ A MUG ( "S?+ /1M+ & PLAC+ X
ON ! TA# 2S 8 B$4 ,%E 0 WE>+ A GAUZE
MASK4 ,HE C\<$ AG & WASN'T A# 6COV] 8
M\? 2C 8 H&S1 BALL$ 96SW1TY FI/S1 7 BUR-
I$ 2N ! COV]S4 ,REBE3A PUT H] H& ON 8
=EH1D & FR[N$4 ,PHILIP CLOS$ 8 EYES &!
TRA9 KEPT ROCK+4 ,HE ?"\ HE HE>D "S"O
S++ A FAMILI> S;G4 ,!N HE 0 HIT     #FBC
0S* AN AWE"S *ILL T 8 EYES BULG$ OP5 &
"! 0 ,REBE3A AG1 H] H&S EXT5D$ ABV HM Z
%E PLAC$ A COLD T[EL ON 8 =EH1D4 ,E N]VE
9 8 BODY /OOD UP & G5UFLECT$ ) GRACI\S
?ANKS = T B1UTI;L T[EL1 EV5 ?\< ,PHILIP
KNEW T 9 TW5TY M9UTES1 MAYBE LESS1 HE'D
AG 2 WILT+ F ! H1T (! TRA9 C>4
  ,I C TALK1 ,PHILIP REM9D$ HMF4 ,S HE
PULL$ "O ( 8 >MS \ F "U ! COV]S & PUT 8
H& 2F 8 FACE Z HE C\<$4 ,HE 0 A# 6SAY1
8,?ANK Y40 ,REBE3A NO4$4 ,"! 0 A GRIM
LOOK 9 H] EYES1 &! RE/ ( H] FACE 0 COV]$
0H] GAUZE MASK4 ,%E SAT D[N 9 A SMALL
*AIR %E M/ H DRA7$ 9 F ! D9+ ROOM1 /AY$
WAT*+ HM1 B EV5TU,Y1 H] S(T1 L9$ VISAGE
0 REPLAC$ 0! FACE.S H1DS ON ! TRA9 C>1
0! %AK+ & ROCK+ & SWAY+ & ALL ^? O!R
C\<S1 ! /ALE & REEK+ BR1?4
  ,!N ,PHILIP FELT "S?+1 & HE OP5$ 8
EYES AG 6SEE ,REBE3A /&+ UP4 ,8 LEFT H&
%OT \ F 2N ! COV]S & HE GRASP$ H] H&1
UNSURE :E!R HE 0 HOLD+ H] R\<LY OR B>ELY
T\*+ H]1 S UNFAMILI> _H HE 2COME )! WAY
8 [N BODY "W$4 .,DON'T .G1 HE SD4
..,DON'T L1VE ME4 ,"EY"O'S L1V+     #FBD
ME4 ,MY "F LEFT ME 2F ,I CD EV5 REMEMB]
& !N MY "M LEFT ME & ,FRANK LEFT ME &
,GRAHAM'S L1V+ ME1 TOO4 ,PL1SE DON'T
L1VE .ME4 ,HE WASN'T SURE H[ M* ( ? HE 0
A# 6SAY "? ! MUCUS & PHLEGM1 B ! LOOK 9
,REBE3A'S EYES %[$ T %E "U/OOD 5 ( X4
  ,%E SAT BACK D[N1 HOLD+ 8 SW1TY H&4
  ,Z M* Z ,PHILIP PREF]R$ ! SI<T ( 8 B$-
ROOM & ,REBE3A 6! IMAGE (! M5 ) NO FAC-
ES1 HE KEPT SLIPP+ BACK 96T SC5E4 ,!
SW1T _H 2GUN 6P\R D[N 8 =EH1D AG :5 HE
FELT 8 H& JO/L$ 0"S?+ T HE CDN'T SEE1
"S?+ T WASN'T 9 ! TRA9 C>4 ,HE OP5$ 8
EYES & ,REBE3A 0 L1V+ AG1 ? "T HAV+ ALR
R1*$ ! DOOR4
  8,DON'T G10 HE *OK$1 RE>RANG+ 8 BODY
ON ! DAMP PILL[S4
  8,I'LL 2 BACK SOON10 %E SD4 8,I H TO
TAKE C>E ( YR SI/]1 TOO40
  ,8 SI/]4 8,LAURA '''0
  8,LAURA'S SICK1 TOO40 ,!N ,REBE3A 0
G"O &! TRA9 C> 0 SWAY+ M VIOL5TLY ?AN
2F1 ,PHILIP'S *9 :ACK+ AG/ S _M %\LD]S &
H1DS & ELB[S T HE FELT HE 0 FALL+1 FELT
! TRA9 C> 4SOLV+ 2N 8 FEET &!       #FBE
BODIES ( "EY"O >.D HM SLID+ ON TOP (
HIS1 PIL+ UP1 & "EY?+ 0 D>K & HOT1 S V
HOT4

  ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES LAT] & 0 BACK 9 8 B$4
,H[ L;G _H HE BE5 ON T TRA98 ,"DS4 ,HE
B5T "O LEG & PULL$ ! KNEE UP HALFWAY
T[>D 8 *E/1 J 6/RET* ! MUSCLES1 J 6FEEL
HUMAN1 & )9 ^? MUSCLES HE FELT "S HAZY
MEMORY1 COV]$ 9 WAX PAP] & DU/1 ( SL[LY
/UMBL+ "? ! H\SE 6! BA?ROOM4 ,MAYBE
TWICE A "D4 ,H[ _M "DS8 ,HE _H -PLETELY
LO/ TRACK1 S9CE "DS _H NO M1N+ "H1 NO
M1N+ 9 ? B$4 ,"T 0 A *IM]A DANC+ 2F HM
64TRACT HM F ! ONLY ?+ T MATT]$3 GETT+
H1L?Y4 ,HE R1LIZ$ HE _HN'T EV5 ?"\ ( ?1
( 2+ H1L?Y1 9 ! L;GE/ "T4 ,8 BODY D>$ N
3SID] H1L?--X TOOK ALL XS /R5G? 6FI<T ON
& /AY ALIVE :ILE 9 ? SIEGE4 ,J Z ! T[N
_H BE5 "U SIEGE F ALL SIDES4 ,N[ ! SAME
SC5>IO 0 PLAY+ XF \1 B ? "T ! FLU-9FECT$
_W 0 8 BODY &! SAFE HAV5 ( ,-MONW1L? 0 8
M9D4 ,HE NE$$ 6PROTECT 8 M9D F 8 BODY4
,IF 8 M9D CD /AY H1L?Y1 IF HE CD PROP]LY
QU>ANT9E X1 !N MAYBE 8 BODY WD      #FBF
GIVE UP ? GRUE"S BATTLE4 ,HE ?"\ AB T1
!N R1LIZ$ X MADE NO S5SE4 ,HE 0 ALR LOS+
8 M9D--HIS BRA9 _H ALR FALL5 VICTIM 6HIS
BODY4 ,! FLU _H BROK5 ! QU>ANT9E4
  ,! DOOR OP5$ & 9 WALK$ ,GRAHAM1 WE>+ A
GAUZE MASK4 ,PHILIP 0 TOO W1K 6BE 3FUS$
0?4 ,ALL ! MUSCLES 9 ,GRAHAM'S =EH1D &
TEMPLES 7 T5S$ >.D 8 EYES1 W>Y (! 9EVI-
TABIL;Y ( ATTACK & 3/ANTLY ON GU>D4 ,HE
0 C>RY+ 8 RIFLE4 ,9 T T9Y ROOM1 X LOOK$
Z BIG Z A CANNON4
  8,HI10 ,PHILIP SD1 & AMAZ+LY1 8 VOICE
S.D$ CLE> ( 9FEC;N4 ,GRAHAM NO4$4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80 ,EV5 6HMF1 ,PHILIP
/ S.D$ W1K1 &! ^WS 7 SL[4 ,HE WANT$ 6ASK
:Y ,GRAHAM _H ! GUN 9 "H1 B T WD H BE5
TOO _M ^WS4
  8,KEEP+ WAT*40 ,6"USCORE T PO9T1 ,GRA-
HAM'S EYES D>T$ F "O SIDE (! ROOM 6!
NEXT4 ,SU45LY1 ! ROOM FELT L>GE 6,PHIL-
IP1 ! WALLS HUNDR$S ( Y>DS AWAY F "O AN-
O!R1 & 2T ^? WALLS 7 TREES & B\LD]S1
,D\GLAS FIR & FALL5 BRAN*ES1 UNC.TA#
NOOKS ": "N.S ANIMALS _H BE5 BORN & _H
RETURN$ 6! E>?1 ?\S&S ( PLACES ":   #FBG
5EMIES MI<T HIDE4 8,DON'T WORRY4 ,I'LL
KEEP Y SAFE40
  8,F :AT80
  ,GRAHAM SD1 8,%HH40 ,!N HE LOOK$ 9TO
,PHILIP'S EYES GRAVELY4 8,Y "K40
  ,PHILIP />T$ 6CRY4 ,HE HAT$ ,GRAHAM S
M* YET FELT S GRATE;L T 8 FR 0 /&+ "H 2S
HM :5 NO "O ELSE WD1 />+ D[N :AT"E X 0 T
WI%$ 6F1/ ^U HM4 ,! "S?+ 9 ,PHILIP'S *E/
SU45LY _H -PANY Z A ?ICK W>M? WELL$ UP
9SIDE HM1 &! TE>S 3T9U$ 6ROLL D[N 8
*EEKS UNTIL HE FELL ASLEEP ONCE M4
  ,PHILIP OP5$ 8 EYES4 ,! ROOM 0 D>K4
,H[ L;G CD Y 2 SICK )! FLU8 ,PHILIP WON-
D]$4
  ,"! 0 A TAP AT ! W9D[4 ,0 T :AT _H
WOK5 HM UP8 ,AG A TAP4 ,) GRT EF=T1
,PHILIP LIFT$ HMF 96A SITT+ POSI;N1 LET-
T+ ! %EETS FALL D[N ACR 8 LAP1 EXPOS+
HALF 8 BODY 6! ROOM'S *ILL4 ,8 F+]TIPS
FELT ALM NUMB1 & AL? HE 0 US$ 6? FEEL+
S9CE ! AUTO A3ID5T1 HE KNEW X 0 A /RANGE
SYMPTOM 6H :5 SICK4 ,DID ? M1N 8 9FEC;N
0 MOV+ ON 6AN EV5 M S9I/] /AGE8 ,HE R1*$
=W>D1 TAK+ ! W9D[ CURTA9S 9 8 H&4   #FBH
,HE CD FEEL !M1 B>ELY4 ,HE PULL$ !M A"P
& LOOK$ \TSIDE4
  ,LL LI<T TRICKL$ IN2 ! \TSIDE _W 0
NE>LY Z D>K Z 8 ROOM4 ,B HE CD SEE1 /&+
ONLY A FOOT AWAY F ! W9D[1 ,ELSIE4 ,%E
HELD A /ICK T %E'D BE5 US+ 6TAP ON ! W9-
D[1 Z IF AFRAID 6T\* X ) H] B>E H&S4 ,N
B>E3 %E 0 WE>+ GLOVES1 HE SAW1 & X 0
COLD 5 \TSIDE = HM 6SEE H] BR1?1 T ?9 &
QKLY 4SIPAT+ SMOKE HOV]+ 2F H]4 ,H] SC>F
0 WRAPP$ ?ICKLY >.D H] NECK1 TI<TLY BUN-
DL$ 2N H] *91 & "S ( H] CURLS BLEW 9
FRONT ( H] FACE1 TWI/+ 9 ! ,NOVEMB] W9D4
,J ABV ! SC>F HE CD SEE H] M\?1 H] ?9
LIPS PALE 9 ! COLD4 ,) 8 P>5TS WE>+
MASKS1 ,ELSIE'S 0 ! F/ FULL FACE HE'D
SE5 9 "DS4
  ,%E WAV$4 ,H] FACE _H LOOK$ S]I\S &
DRAWN1 B %E N[ ALL[$ H]F A SLI<TLY HOPE-
;L LOOK1 H] EYEBR[S CURV+ 9 LIEU (A
SMILE1 : WD H SEEM$ MISPLAC$ "R !N4 ,HE
WAV$ BACK4 ,H[ LATE 0 X8 ,X MI<T H BE5
SEV5 9 ! EV5+ OR ?REE 9 ! MORN+4
  ,HE L1N$ =W>D1 GRASP+ ! BOTTOM SILL1 &
0 AB 6PULL X OP5 :5 HE SAW H]       #FBI
%AK+ H] H1D4 ,%E _H /EPP$ BACK Z WELL1
APP>5TLY R1DY 6FLEE 9 CASE HE OP5$ X4
,%E 0 AFRAID ( HM1 AFRAID ( 8 FLU1 DE-
SPITE HAV+ LIV$ 9 ! SAME H\SE Z H] SICK
"M4 ,HE PULL$ 8 H&S AWAY F ! W9D[1 %[+
H] 8 EMPTY PALMS Z IF HE _H J DROPP$ A
GUN4 ,HE SD1 8,SORRY10 B WASN'T SURE IF
%E CD R1D 8 LIPS4 ,%E NO4$1 ?\<1 & /EPP$
=W>D AG4
  ,%E BR1!D ON ! GLASS & X FO7$ 2T !M1
TANGI# EVID;E (! B>RI] SEP>AT+ !M4 ,!N
%E R1*$ =W>D &1 ) "O GLOV$ F+]1 WROTE ON
! GLASS4 ,%E WROTE SL[LY1 Z %E _H 6WRITE
BACKW>D 9 ORD] = ,PHILIP 6"U/& X4
  .,,Y .,,OK8
  ,PHILIP SMIL$ W1KLY & NO4$1 LY+ 6! VI-
.N ( ,ELSIE 2F HM4 ,%E LOOK$ S B1UTI;L B
=LORN1 ALL BUNDL$ AG/ ! COLD Z IF WAIT+
=A TRA9 %E _H MISS$4 ,H] EYES 7 SAD1 B
2N ? SAD;S 0 A T5D];S T W>M$ HM & MADE
HM WI% M ?AN "E T HE CD %ATT] ! GLASS &
HOLD H] AG4 ,HE OP5$ 8 M\? B DIDN'T "K
:AT HE CD SAY T WD 2 EASILY R1DA# ON 8
LIPS4 ,"! 0 NO PAP] NE>BY = HM 6WRITE H]
A NOTE1 &! ?"\ ( BR1?+ ON ! GLASS   #FCJ
! WAY %E _H1 ( EXPELL+ 8 G]MS T[>D H]1
EV5 )! B>RI]1 SEEM$ UNWISE4 ,S HE SAT "!
LOOK+ AT H]1 HOP+ T 8 EYES 7 3VEY+ ALL T
HE FELT4
  ,ELSIE WIP$ AT ! GLASS1 REMOV+ H] MES-
SAGE4 ,%E L1N$ =W>D & BR1!D ON ! GLASS
AG1 J (F 6! SIDE (! PREVI\S SPOT1 &! FOG
MAGIC,Y GREW 2F _! EYES ONCE M4 ,? "T %E
LOOK$ AT HM = ANO!R MO;T 2F WRIT+1 LOOK$
AT HM CLOSELY4
  ,!N %E R1*$ \ ) H] F+] & WROTE ON !
GLASS1 .,,LOVE .,,Y4
  ,H] FACE 0 S S]I\S1 Z IF LOVE &! M]E
?"\ ( LOVE REQUIR$ H] MO/ ADULT EXPRES-
.N4 ,B ! SI<T ( ^? ^WS &! M1N+ 2H !M 7 S
AMAZ+ 6,PHILIP T HE CDN'T /OP F SMIL+4
,:5 %E SAW ? %E SMIL$ TOO1 LOOK+ D[N
BRIEFLY1 P]H EMB>RASS$ 0:AT %E'D WRITT54
,!N %E LOOK$ BACK AT HM1 & HE M\!D A SI-
L5T 8,ME1 TOO0 & HOP$ %E "U/OOD X4
  ,2N ! .,,LOVE .,,Y1 ! FOG PROVID$ M
SPACE = H] SCRAWL$ ?"\S1 S %E WROTE1 9
SMALL] LRS1 .,,GET .,,WELL1 ?\< ! SECOND
;,E %E GOT BACKW>D4 ,HE WD D ANY?+ = H]1
HE KNEW "R !N1 & X MADE GETT+       #FCA
WELL SEEM L S* AN EASY TASK4 ,HE BR1!D
DEEPLY4
  ,= ^? FEW M9UTES HE _H FELT /RANGELY
FRE$ (! FLU'S GRIP1 B N[ "EY?+ 0 -+
BACK4 ,HE FELT ! IT*+ AT ! BACK ( 8 SI-
NUSES1 ! ?ROB 9 8 LEG MUSCLES1 ! /RANGE-
LY L\D & HURRI$ HE>TB1T1 ! "S?+ T / LIV$
9 8 *E/ & MADE HM C\< ONCE AG4 ,H[ L;G
HAS X BE58 HE WOND]$4 ,T NI<T AT ! G5]AL
/ORE1 SITT+ 2S H]1 KISS+ H]4 ,H[ L;G _H
HE BE5 TRAPP$ 9 ? ROOM1 BE5 9 & \ (!
TRA9 C>8
  ,ELSIE R1*$ \ & PRESS$ H] PALM FLAT
AG/ ! W9D[4 ,HE WANT$ 6PUT 8 H& ON ! O!R
SIDE (! GLASS B HESITAT$4 ,HE FELT ! M5
ON ! TRA9 /I651 FELT ! %\LD]S &! ELB[S
JO/LE HM1 & HE FELT DIZZY1 ALL ^? FACE.S
H1DS 3FUS+ HM AB : DIREC;N 6TURN 6F9D
,ELSIE4 ,": _H %E G"O8 ,8 BODY SLUMP$
BACK2 HE 0 />TL$ 0H[ QKLY ! TRA9 0 MOV+4
,X 0 ROCKET+ "? ! EMPTY L&SCAPE1 ! _W 2Y
! W9D[S T HE CDN'T SEE4 ,& AL? HE _H NO
IDEA ": X 0 GO+1 HE KNEW X 0 HURTL+ AWAY
F ,ELSIE1 TAK+ HM F>!R AWAY ) E SECOND1
E BR1?4                             #FCB

  ,PHILIP _H N"E BE5 ? SICK4 ,! WOR/
HE'D FELT 0 AF ! A3ID5T1 LY+ 9 T =EIGN
HOSPITAL B$ SURR.D$ 0P HE DIDN'T "K1 P
:O WDN'T TELL HM ": 8 "M WAS4 ,EV5 T _H
FELT DI6]5T1 N A SICK;S B A RECOV]Y1 AL-
2IT A L;G & BRUTAL "O4 ,ALM L A REBIR?1
A PA9;L PASSAGE F "O PHASE ( 8 LIFE 6!
NEXT4
  ,HE'D BE5 B$RI45 "O O!R "T4 ,HE _H BE5
EI<T OR S1 & HE & 8 "M _H BE5 LIV+ 9 "S
,OREGON T[N :5 HE'D CAU<T A BAD CASE (
PNEUMONIA4 ,8 "M _H NURS$ HM1 _H BE5 AT
8 SIDE E "T HE WOKE UP1 :E!R E>LY 9 !
MORN+ OR 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T4 ,%E _H BE5
"W+ Z A SECRET>Y =A LAWY] :O _H ALW MADE
EYES AT H]1 ,PHILIP _H NOTIC$1 B %E _H
/AY$ HOME F H] JOB ALL WEEK4 ,& EV5 ?\<
HE FELT MIS]A# & _H H"O/LY WOND]$ IF HE
MI<T DIE--"O BOY F 8 S*OOL _H ALR SUC-
CUMB$ 6! SAME ILL;S--HIS MEMORIES ( T
WEEK 7 "SH[ HAPPY "OS4 ,HE _H N"E FELT M
LOV$ 0,FIONA4 ,ALL (! TORTUR$ AMBIVAL;E
0 REPLAC$ 0A CALM MAT]NAL 3SI/5CY1 & HE
FELT S PROTECT$ & HAPPY ) H] BR++   #FCC
HM S\P OR R1D+ HM MAGAZ9ES OR NEWSPAP]S4
,HE'D /AY$ 9 B$ AT L1/ "O "D L;G] ?AN
HE'D RE,Y NE$$ TO1 J 6PROL;G X4
  ,! NI<T 2F HE 0 6RETURN 6S*OOL1 HE _H
WOK5 UP :5 HE HE>D A NOISE -+ F 8 "M'S
ROOM4 ,HE ROSE F 8 B$1 ! WOOD FLOOR COLD
ON 8 FEET1 & HE PU%$ OP5 ! DOOR Z QUIET-
LY Z HE CD4 ,H] B$SIDE LAMP 0 LIT & %E 0
SITT+ AT ! SMALL WRIT+ TA#1 H] BACK 6HM1
H] %\LD]S HUN*$4 ,! CLOCK ABV H] TOLD HM
X 0 PA/ ?REE 9 ! MORN+4 ,%E 0 CRY+4 ,0
%E Z SAD Z HE 0 T _! IDYLLIC "T TGR 0 -+
6AN 5D8 ,0 %E Z CRU%$ Z HE 0 )! 4APPO9T-
;T T HE M/ RETURN 6S*OOL & %E 6T LAWY]8
,OR 0 "! "S?+ ELSE8 ,= "O SOLID WEEK--&=
! F/ "T HE CD REMEMB]--HE _H -PLETELY
OV]LOOK$ H] EMO;NS1 H] OP9IONS1 H] ?"\S4
,HE _H FELT T H] :OLE 2+ REVOLV$ >.D HM4
  ,MAYBE "! 0 "S?+ ELSE MAK+ H] CRY1 "S
O!R ASPECT ( H] 3FUS+ ADULT _W4 ,MAYBE
"! _H BE5 O!R R1SONS :Y %E _H *OS5 6/AY
HOME & AVOID T LAWY]4 ,PHILIP WALK$ T[>D
H]1 & %E %[$ NO SIGNS ( HE>+ HM UNTIL HE
PUT 8 H& ON H] %\LD]4 ,%E 0 %AK+ SLI<TLY
F ! TE>S1 B %E PUT "O ( H] H&S ON   #FCD
HIS1 SQUEEZ+ X4 ,!Y /AY$ T WAY =A :ILE1
8 FEET FREEZ+ 2N HM &! UNIMPRESS$ CLOCK
TICK+ AWAY ! M9UTES4 ,EV5TU,Y H] TE>S
SL[$ & %E GAVE 8 H& A F9AL SQUEEZE4 ,%E
TOLD HM 6G BACK 6B$ & HE OBEY$1 N"E HAV+
SE5 H] FACE4

  ,:5 ,PHILIP NEXT OP5$ 8 EYES1 ,*>LES 0
SITT+ 9 ! *AIR 2F HM1 HOLD+ 8 H&4 ,PHIL-
IP WASN'T SURE H[ L;G ,*>LES _H BE5 "! B
FELT F ! SW1TI;S 9 8 "F'S PALM T _! H&S
_H BE5 CLASP$ = "S "T4 ,*>LES1 SEE+
,PHILIP'S EYES OP51 2GAN 6SP1K4
  8,I "K Y FEEL AT FAULT = ?10 ,*>LES
SD1 8 VOICE ! SLI<TE/ BIT MU6L$ 0! GAUZE
MASK4 8,T'S :Y ,I WANT$ 6TELL Y :AT ,DR4
,BANES TOLD ME A FEW "DS AGO40
  ,PHILIP GRITT$ 8 TEE? AG/ ! A*E 9 8
H1D &! LI<T FILT]+ "? ! CURTA9S4
  8,I'VE TRI$ 6TELL Y T Y >5'T 6BLAME1 B
,I "K Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE ME4 ,Y'VE ALW BE5
WILL+ 6[N UP 6! 3SEQU;ES ( :AT Y D1 & ,I
ADMIRE T40 ,*>LES SMIL$ SLI<TLY1 &! LOOK
9 8 EYES 0 T (A MAN REMEMB]+ :AT HE LOV$
AB A DE>LY DE"P$ FAMILY MEMB]4      #FCE
,PHILIP'S EYES _H BE5 CLOS+ P]IODIC,Y--
HE'D BE5 SLIPP+ BACK ONTO ! TRA9--B N[ T
HE KNEW :AT 0 HAPP5+1 ! P[] ( ? R1LIZ,N
&A DEEP1 9NATE FE> 2Y ANY HE'D FELT 2F
KEPT 8 EYES OP54
  8,B Y NE$ 6"K T ? IS N YR FAULT4 ,I
WON'T H Y ?9K T40 ,*>LES'S EYES WELL$
UP1 & HE EXHAL$ A FEW "TS4 8,DR4 ,BANES
TOLD ME T HE 0 9 "S"O'S H\SE--^: H\SE X
WAS1 T ISN'T IMPORTANT4 ,"S"O V SICK4
,HE NOTIC$ A NEWSPAP] 9 ! CORN] (! ROOM1
! .,TIMB] .,FALLS .,DAILY4 ,X 0 DAT$ A
WEEK AGO1 ,PHILIP4 ,WELL AF WE />T$ !
QU>ANT9E40
  ,*>LES PAUS$ BRIEFLY1 !N SD1 8,D Y
SEE8 ,DR4 ,BANES "Q$ ! MAN'S WIFE1 & %E
TRI$ 6D5Y X AT F/4 ,B %E F9,Y ADMITT$ T
H] HUSB& & "S FRS ( 8 _H SN1K$ (F A FEW
"TS OV] ! PA/ TWO WEEKS1 6,TIMB] ,FALLS4
,6BUY ALCOHOL40 ,*>LES %OOK 8 H1D4 8,WE
7 GU>D+ ! ROAD1 B !Y TOOK "O (! ,9DIAN
TRAILS4 ,S9CE !N O!R M5 H 3FESS$ 6,DR4
,BANES1 3FESS$ ON _! SICKB$S1 3FESS$ T
!Y'D /OL5 (F 6,TIMB] ,FALLS = O!R
R1SONS4 ,6VISIT GIRLFRS1 6VISIT     #FCF
''' PRO/ITUTES40 ,*>LES /UM#D OV] T ^W1
EMB>RASS$ 6SAY X 9 FRONT ( 8 SON4 8,N _M
M5 B 5\<4 ,"O WD H BE5 5\<1 RE,Y40
,*>LES'S "R H& / CLASP$ 8 SON'S4 8,WE
DON'T "K H[ ! T[N FELL SICK1 ,PHILIP1 &
WE N"E W "K4 ,"! >E TOO _M POSSIBILI-
TIES4 ,I S REGRET KEEP+ Y 9 T BUILD+ =
^? TWO "DS40
  ,*>LES PAUS$4 8,I WORRY N[ T NO?+
,I'VE D"O "H HAS MADE ANY DI6];E1 NO?+
AT ALL4 ,B ,I'VE TRI$1 & Y'VE TRI$4 ,Y
TRI$ S ADMIRABLY40 ,HE SQUEEZ$ ,PHILIP'S
H&4 8,S ,I DON'T WANT Y BLAM+ YRF1 OR
FEEL+ T Y'VE D"O ANY"O IN1 2C Y HAV5'T40
,8 VOICE 0 N[ Z FIRM Z 8 GRIP4 8,I BE-
LIEVE N[ T :AT'S HAPP5$ "H 0 SIMPLY M1NT
6BE1 T ? IS "S?+ L>G] ?AN ALL ( U--L>G]
?AN EA* ( U 9DIVIDU,Y & L>G] ?AN ALL ( U
COLLECTIVELY4 ,I DON'T "K :Y ,GOD WD SEE
FIT 6D ?1 & ,I DON'T "K :AT LESSONS
WE'LL DRAW :5 X'S PASS$4 ,WE C ONLY
PRESS ON Z BE/ Z WE C1 & ,I 9T5D 6D T40
,HE SWALL[$ PA9;LLY4 8,& ,I WANT Y 6BE
"! ) ME40
  ,PHILIP _H N"E SE5 ,*>LES CRY &   #FCG
N"E WANT$ 6AG4 8,IS ,LAURA OKAY80 HE
MANAG$ 6ASK4
  8,%E'S 9 B$ /10 ,*>LES SD4 8,B %E'LL 2
BETT]40 ,F ,*>LES'S T"O1 ,PHILIP CDN'T
TELL IF HE _H "S 3CRETE R1SON 62LIEVE ?4
  ,PHILIP KNEW T ALL ( ? 0 IMPORTANT--
,LAURA / 2+ SICK1 "S M5 ESCAP+ T[N 6RUN
WILD 9 ! 41SE-RI45 /REETS ( ,TIMB]
,FALLS--B X SEEM$ 6GL.E (F HM4 ,SOON
,*>LES 0 G"O1 & ,PHILIP 0 BACK ON !
TRA94

  ,! M5 7 / PACK$ S TI<TLY T ,PHILIP CD
B>ELY BR1!4 ,HE _H HOP$ X 0 F ! EMO;N 9
8 *E/ AT SEE+ 8 "F CRY1 B T _H L;G
PASS$1 & / 8 BR1?S REQUIR$ GRT EF=T4 ,0
X WOR? ? PA98 ,IF X WD ALW HURT ? WAY1
,PHILIP WASN'T /R;G 5 63T9UE4 ,! FLU _H
HM N[1 XS TALONS S DEEP 9 8 LUNGS & HE>T
T X WD SOON OV]TAKE HM -PLETELY4
  8,Y LOOK BAD1 KID10 ,FRANK SD4 ,HE 0
SMIL+1 ! SMILE T _H MADE ,PHILIP HATE HM
S M* AT F/--2C H[ CD HE SMILE )A GUN
PO9T$ AT HM1 & H[ CD HE SMILE :5 HE 0
TRAPP$ 9 A /9K+ PRISON8 ,B T        #FCH
SMILE _H 4>M$ ,PHILIP OV] "T2 EV5TU,Y1 X
_H MADE ,PHILIP L HM1 TOO QKLY & TOO IN-
T5SELY 3SID]+ H[ BRIEFLY !Y _H "KN EA*
O!R4 ,P]H X 0 ! PRESSURE (! SITU,N T _H
PLAY$ ) 8 EMO;NS1 B ! FACT REMA9$ T :5
,PHILIP _H R1LIZ$ :AT ,GRAHAM _H D"O1 X
0 Z IF ,PHILIP'S [N BRO!R _H BE5 MURD]$4
  8,I .FEEL BAD10 ,PHILIP REPLI$4 8,I
FEEL HORRI#40
  8,? TRA9 /9KS4 ,Y NOTICE T80
  8,I C'T SMELL A ?+4 ,I C B>ELY BR1!40
  ,FRANK 0 RI4L$ ) BULLET HOLES1 8 >MY
%IRT 9 TATT]S1 B ?ANK;LLY1 "! 0 NO
BLOOD4 ,PHILIP DIDN'T "K H[ ,GRAHAM _H
KILL$ ,FRANK1 B ! BULLET HOLES SEEM$ Z
LIKELY A ME?OD Z ANY4
  8,Y DON'T ?9K ,I 0 LY+ 6Y AB ! ,C4,O41
D Y80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S4 ,I DON'T RE,Y "K :AT
6?9K1 Y "K8 ,ALL ,I "K IS ,I LIK$ Y40
,PHILIP ?"\ ( "S?+4 8,D Y "K ": ? TRA9
IS GO+80
  8',C\RSE4 ,Y DON'T80
  8,I GUESS ,I HOP$ ,I 0 WR;G4 ,:AT
HAPP5$ 6ALL ^? O!R GUYS80           #FCI
  8,! HELL ) ^? O!R GUYS4 ,! HELL ) "EY-
"O1 IS :AT ,I SAY4 ,X'S J AB Y1 Y "K8 ,Y
C'T WORRY AB O!R FOLKS--Y J GOTTA WAT*
YR [N BACK4 ,! HELL ) "EY"O ELSE40
  8,!N :Y'D Y HELP ! ,C4,O480
  8,LOOK ": X GOT ME1 KID40
  8,DOESN'T M1N X 0 WR;G40
  8,DIDN'T SAY X 0 WR;G4 ,ALL ,I SD IS T
IF ,I _H 6D X ALL OV] AG1 ,I WDN'T40
  ,PHILIP NO4$4
  8,:AT80 ,FRANK *ALL5G$1 NOTIC+ ! LOOK
9 ,PHILIP'S EYES4
  8,NO?+1 ,I J ''' ,T'S SAD1 ,I GUESS40
  8,? :OLE MESS IS PRETTY GODDAMN$ SAD1
DON'T Y ?9K8 ,! HELL ) SAD4 ,&! HELL )
"EY"O4 ,! HELL ) Y1 TOO40
  8,:Y80
  8,I WI% ,I'D GOTT5 6,FR.E4 ,I WD'VE
BE5 A HELL (A SOLDI]4 ,I WD'VE R.D$ UP
HUNDR$S ( ,HE9IES2 CAPTUR$ 'EM ) MY B>E
H&S4 ,I WD'VE BE5 A MADMAN \ "!40
  8,:AT K9D ( SOLDI] D Y ?9K ,I WD H
BE580
  ,FRANK EY$ HM C>E;LLY4 8,Y WD'VE SAV$
"SBODY'S LIFE OR DI$ TRY+40         #FDJ
  ,X FELT L ! GRTE/ -PLI;T ,PHILIP _H "E
RCVD4
  8,I GOTTA G N[1 KID40
  ,FRANK 0 G"O4 ,PHILIP 0 AL"O ON !
TRA94
  ,LAT]1 HE HE>D S++1 ! SAME S;G HE _H
HE>D 2F1 A S;G 8 "M US$ 6S+ 6HM1 A LULL-
ABY4 ,HE /OOD "! ON ! TRA9 LI/5+ 9T5TLY1
SWOON+ AT E ^W1 UNTIL HE ?"\ 6TURN >.D1
& "! %E WAS4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80 HE ASK$4 ,%E 0 S
B1UTI;L1 AN 5*ANT+ LOVELI;S T SURELY
SPOIL$ E MAN :O 5JOY$ H] -PANY4
  8,J WAIT+ 6GET (F40 ,%E PE]$ \ ! W9D[4
,HE DID1 TOO1 B "EY?+ \ "! 0 BLACK--N AN
EV5TIDE D>K;S B A VOID4
  8,C ,I -E ) Y80
  ,%E LOOK$ %OCK$ & "S:AT AMUS$ 0HIS "Q4
8,( C\RSE Y C40 ,%E SEEM$ AB 6LAU< B
SMIL$ 9/1D1 A WIDE SMILE1 ! "O HE WD ALW
"W S H>D 6W9 :5 %E 0 9 "O ( H] MOODS4
,HE WD D ANY?+ 6SEE A SMILE L T4 8,Y 7
ALW ?9K+ ,I 0 GO+ 6L1VE Y40
  ,HE ALM /AMM]$ A REPLY1 B 8 ?ROAT FELT
TOO TI<T1 N F ! "S?+ B F LOVE4      #FDA
  8,LET'S GET \ N[10 %E SD1 HOLD+ H] >M
\ = HM4
  ,HE R1*$ \ & TOOK H] H&4 ,%E /EPP$ (F
! TRA91 "? A DOORWAY HE _HN'T SE5 2F1 &
HE FOLL[$4
  ,"! 0 NO TRA9 !N1 NO F1TURE.S M54
,"EY?+ _H 4SOLV$1 FAD$ AWAY4 ,! PA9 0
G"O & S 0 ! "S?+1 ! %>P;S HE _H FELT :5
HE BR1!D4 ,HE FELT 8 "M'S H& 9 HIS1 & T
0 ALL4 ,! TRA9 _H /OPP$ & "! 0 NO _W
SURR.D+ X1 NO L& & NO SKY1 "! 0 NO?+ AT
ALL EXCEPT HMF &A CALM;S HE _H N"E FELT
2F4
  ,PHILIP SLEPT4










                                    #FDB