,,BE> ,,DAU<T]

            ,,JUDI? ,,B]MAN

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       ,LAURA ,COX1 ,M>TI ,LOVE1
             & ,J5NY ,LUKE
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  ,! %OCK (! 4COV]Y 0 L A BL[ F ,RUM#'S
FI/4 ,%E TRI$ 6SIT /RAI<T1 6PULL H]
CLUT*+ H& F H] NECK & PLACE X 9 H] LAP1
B H] EF=T AT -POSURE DID N DCV ,FOAM4
8,:AT'S WR;G1 ,CL\D80 ! QUE5 DEM&$4 8,H
Y LO/ "S?+80                        #CEJ
  ,CL\D DIDN'T WANT 6TALK AB X1 B H[ CD
%E REFUSE 6ANSW] AN IMMORTAL8 8,A NECK-
LACE40 ,X 0 H>D 6SP1K >.D ! H>D LUMP 9
H] ?ROAT4 8,! CORD M/ H BROK5 9 ! SURF4
,I DIDN'T "K ,I'D LO/ X UNTIL N[40
  ,FOAM WAT*$ H] ) N>R[$ EYES4 ,CL\D
TRI$ 6FOCUS ON ! M1L ! ORCAS _H LAID 9
FRONT ( H]4 ,X MI<T Z WELL H BE5 ROCKS1
B %E 0 SURE X WD 2 4RESPECT;L N 6EAT :AT
AN IMMORTAL S]V$ Y4 ,%E NIB#D AT A *UNK
( FOOD4 ,AN ORCA MAN ROSE & LEFT2 X 0
,BLACK ,F94 ,_H %E 9SULT$ ! ORCAS 0N
?ANK+ ,FOAM 2F %E ATE8 ..,! F/ RULE IS
.RESPECT4 ,CL\D'S "M _H BR"\ 4A/] ON H]F
& ,S&SPIT ,T[N "? 4RESPECT ( AN IMMOR-
TAL4 ,! ONLY ?+ T CD 2 WORSE ?AN :AT _H
ALR HAPP5$ 6,CL\D WD 2 6FOLL[ 9 ,?RU%'S
FOOT/EPS4
  ,%E ATTEMPT$ 6?ANK ,FOAM1 ?\< %E
WASN'T SURE :AT %E SD4 ,%E ATE "S?+1 B N
V M*4 ,"S"T LAT] ,FOAM L$ H] 6A B$ROOM4
8,RE/ "H10 %E SD1 SMIL+4 8,J 2 UP 9 "T =
D9N]40 ,AT T MO;T1 ! MOCK]Y ( ,CL\D'S
USUAL APPETITE SEEM$ CRUEL 2Y BE>+4
  ,CL\D LAY D[N ON ! RI* FURS4      #CEA
,%E EXPECT$ 6FALL ASLEEP IMMLY1 B N[ T
%E 0 AL"O1 ANY B>RI] %E _H AG/ H] GRIEF
VANI%$1 & CRU%+ BLACK;S RO>$ UP 9SIDE
H]4 ,%E TRI$ 6SWALL[ X Z %E _H ALW SWAL-
L[$ H] UNHAPPI;S1 TRI$ 6PACK T SU6OCAT+1
OBSIDIAN-%>P EMPTI;S 96A BOX & BURY X
DEEP 9 H] BELLY AG4 ,B ? "T %E CD N4 ,T
NECKLACE _H BE5 H] LA/ L9K 6,?RU% & ,OT-
T]1 :O 7 LO/ 6H] ="E4
  ,%E WANT$ 6WEEP1 B %E CD ONLY />E AT !
WALL ) DRY1 BURN+ EYES4 ,F ! BOXES L9+ !
WALLS1 C>V$ & PA9T$ EYES />$ BACK AT H]4
  ,SL[ CURR5TS SEEM$ 6ROCK H]1 B ! ROOM
0 TOO B"R = -=T4 ,SUNLI<T GL[$ 9SIDE
WALLS MADE ( TRANSLUC5T %ELL4 ,PA9T+S (
FI% & EELS _H BE5 TRAC$ ACR ^? WALLS4
,%E CD HE> WAT] LAPP+ & GURGL+--ON ! B1*
\TSIDE1 %E SUPPOS$--& AL A /RANGE1 4TANT
MUSIC3 SLID+ SQU1LS T ROSE OR FELL2 A
C.T]PO9T ( DEEP GRUNTS & HOOT+ :I/LES4
,B NO?+ NE>BY & NO?+ HUMAN3 NO FOOT/EPS
OR VOICES1 NO CLATT] ( WOOD5 DI%ES4
  ,NO WOOD SMOKE 9 ! H\SE4 ,_H %E SMELL$
X E>LI]8 ,_HN'T %E J EAT5 COOK$ SALMON8
  ,E "T %E BL9K$1 ! ROOM SEEM$      #CEB
L>G]4 ,RIPPLES ( LI<T SWAM ACR ! FLOOR4
,AT ! $GES ( H] VI.N1 ! PA9T+S MOV$1 !
EYES ON ! BOXES PROLIF]AT$4 ,0 %E />+ UP
AT A CEIL+ ( ABALONE1 0 %E \TDOORS "U A
GLOSSY BLUE-GRE5 SKY1 OR 0 %E "USEA1
GAZ+ UP AT ! MIRROR$ SURFACE (! OC1N8
  ,"O SET ( EYES BL9K$ AT H]4 ,!N ANO!R4
,NOISES />T$ UP 9SIDE ! BOXES1 T5TATIVE
SCRAP+S & SCUTTL+S4 ,! ROOM WAV]$ &=A
HE>TB1T 2CAME A LI<T-FILL$ VOID4
  ,F9,Y ,CL\D CD /& X NO L;G] & LEFT !
ROOM1 PASS+ "? ! NE>LY EMPTY HALL 6!
B1*4 ,ORCA P GL.ED AT H]1 "S PO9T$LY1 B
NO "O SPOKE4
  ,A WORN PA? L$ H] AL;G ! H\SES4 ,:5 "O
(! H\SE-FRONT C>V+S SNAPP$ XS JAWS AT
H]1 %E FL$ 96! =E/ ( ALM-MADR"OS4 ,F ?
VANTAGE1 IF %E IGNOR$ ! WAY ! H\SES
GL1M$ & %IFT$1 &! WAY ! TREES1 9 ! CORN]
( H] EYE1 LOOK$ EA* Z BIG Z A CLIFF1 &!
WAY ! CANOES ON ! B1* M & M RESEM#D ORCA
BODIES1 ! T[N ALM LOOK$ L A HUMAN "O4
,%E CURL$ UP 9 ! S& AT ! TOP (! B1* &
DROPP$ 96SLEEP4
                                    #CEC
  ,LI<T RA9 WOKE H]4 ,%E OP5$ H] EYES TO
SEE ,BLACK ,F9 SQUATT+ NE>BY4
  ,Z %E %OT UP"R 9 AL>M1 E MUSCLE 9 H]
BODY PROTE/$4 8,Y %D 2 M C>E;L ": Y
SLEEP10 HE SD1 FR[N+4 8,IN \R H\SE WE
EAT ONLY FI%1 B N ALL \R K9D >E Z
*OOSY40
  8,I CDN'T SLEEP 9DOORS40
  ,8 FR[N DEEP5$4 8,MY "M'S H\SE ISN'T
NICE 5\<80
  8,TOO NICE10 SD ,CL\D1 & !N A4$1 ! ^WS
S.D+ M SURLY ?AN %E _H 9T5D$1 8,"! >E
?+S MOV+ >.D 9 ^? BOXES40
  ,6H] MORTIFIC,N HE BUR/ \ LAU<+4 8,T]-
RI# ?+S40
  ,:AT AB H] DID ! ORCAS F9D S AMUS+8
,OR DID !Y LAU< J 2C !Y 7 CRUEL ,W9T]
,P1 &! URGE 6RIDICULE 0 "P ( _! NATURE8
,CDN'T ,BLACK ,F9 "U/& T A MORTAL MI<T
F9D 8 _W UNN]V+1 EV5 T]RIFY+8 ,OR DID HE
"U/& B N C>E8
  ,& :Y 0 HE CROSS+ 8 LEGS & SETTL+ HMF
L T1 Z IF 09VIT,N8 ,HE 0 N CLOSE 5 6T\*
H]1 B HE / CR[D$ H]1 EYE+ H] L A HUNT]
WAT*+ 8 PREY4 ,9 "S WAYS HE MADE    #CED
H] LESS UNEASY 9 8 ORCA %APE4
  ,BLACK ,F9 YAWN$ PRODIGI\SLY1 %[+ A
M\?;L ( :ITE TEE?4 ,HE LOOK$ EV5 M TIR$
?AN :5 !Y >RIV$2 SURELY HE _H N BE5 RE/+
:ILE %E SLEPT4 8,IF Y C /& 2F MY "M )\T
FE>10 HE SD1 / AMUS$1 8Y DON'T NE$ 6WOR-
RY AB :AT'S 9 ^? BOXES40
  ,CL\D 0 N1 ( C\RSE1 A# 6/& 2F ,FOAM )-
\T FE>4 ,%E LOOK$ AWAY 6": ! SETT+ SUN
N[ BURNI%$ ! OC1N ) YELL[ LI<T4
  8,X IS A B1UTI;L ?+10 SD ,BLACK ,F94
8,I C SEE :Y Y MISS$ X40
  ,%E GL.ED BACK AT HM1 N SURE :AT HE
M1NT4 ,!N H] HE>T SEEM$ 6/OP B1T+4
  ,HE HELD UP ,OTT]'S LL RAV54 8,": DID
Y F9D T80 %E :ISP]$4 ,%E CD B>ELY MANAGE
! ^WS4
  8,I W5T BACK 6! ISL&4 ,X M/ H -E (F 9
! SURF Z Y SD4 ,"H--,I PUT A NEW CORD ON
X40
  ,HE MOV$ 6H] SIDE4 ,Z HE SLIPP$ X OV]
H] H1D1 8 F+]S BRU%$ H] HAIR & ?ROAT4
,CL\D TURN$ RIGID ) ANG]4 ,%E WANT$ 6S9K
H] TEE? 96HIS H&1 B %E WANT$ ! C>V+ EV5
M4                                  #CEE
  ,8 H& SLID 6! RAV5 XF4 8,:O MADE X80
HE ASK$4 8,A MA/] C>V]--0
  ,CL\D YANK$ X AWAY4 8,:Y BO!R ) ?--?
TRIFLE8 ,DON'T Y H A H\SE FULL ( TR1S-
URE80
  ,ANG] L1PT 9 8 FACE & SUBSID$4 ,8 H&S
DROPP$ 6HIS LAP4 8,Y GRIEV$ = X10 HE SD4
  ,! KNIFE-$G$ BLACK;S RO>$ UP 9SIDE H]
L A /ORM SEA4 ,%E HAT$ HM = "K+ T ! C>V+
0 ! "O GIFT %E CD N REFUSE4 ,B :AT CUT
EV5 %>P] 0 ! WAY HE SPOKE AB H] LOSS Z
IF HE C>$4 ,IF HE 0 LY+1 %E DESPIS$ HM4
,IF HE 0 TELL+ ! TRU?--HE _H NO M "R TO
-;T ON H] GRIEF ?AN T\* H] HAIR4
  8,:O GAVE X 6Y80 ,BLACK ,F9 ASK$4
  8,DON'T Y ALR "K "EY?+ AB ME80 ,CL\D
SN>L$1 & %E JUMP$ UP & /ALK$ D[N ! B1*4
  ,A TANGLE ( FLOTSAM BLOCK$ H] WAY3 A
GRT KNOT ( ROPE-L BULL KELP NE>LY BURI$
9 ! S&1 & 9 XS COILS A SPL9T]$ GRAVE
BOX1 A L;G "O UNLIKE ,RAV5 ,T;GUE'S4 ,!
SKULL )9 GL1M$ L ! SLICK 9T]IOR (A CLAM
%ELL4 ,! SI<T /OPP$ H] COLD4 ,%E SAVAGE-
LY WIP$ TE>S F H] FACE4 ,H[ CD ! ORCAS
L1VE X ON _! B1* Z IF ^? B"OS 7     #CEF
NO M ?AN A D1D CRAB CA/ UP 0! TIDE8
  ,2C T'S :AT HUMAN REMA9S 7 6!M4
  ..,! F/ RULE IS .RESPECT4 ,Y _H 6%[
C\RTESY EV5 6^? IMMORTALS Y DID N L4
,LOOK :AT ,?RU% _H SET 9 MO;N :5 %E
BROKE T RULE4
  ,%E LOOK$ BACK4 ,BLACK ,F9 /OOD AT !
$GE (! TREES4 ,HE HESITAT$1 !N WALK$ TO-
W>D H]1 FR[N+ FI]CELY4
  8,MY UNCLE MADE X = MY "M10 %E SD :5
HE CAU<T UP 6H]1 8& MY "M GAVE X 6ME4
,X'S ! ONLY ?+ ,I H ( EI ( !M4 ,MY UN-
CLE'S D1D & ,I'LL N"E SEE MY "M AG4 ,>E
Y HAPPY N[80 ,%E _HN'T M1NT 6FL+ H] ^WS
9 8 FACE--X WASN'T .RESPECT;L--B ! OC1N
( EMPTI;S RO>$ ALL >.D H] N[1 TRY+ 6DR[N
H] 9 XS DEP?S4 ,H] ANG] 0 ALL %E _H 6CL+
TO4
  8,NO10 HE SD4
  8,MY UNCLE PRAY$ 6Y4 ,HE PRAY$ = PRO-
TEC;N1 = GD =TUNE4 ,DID Y EV5 HE> 8
PRAY]80
  8,NO10 SD ,BLACK ,F94 8,X WASN'T ME HE
PRAY$ TO4 ,B WE'RE SEA P4 ,DID HE DIE AT
SEA80                               #CEG
  8,NO10 ,CL\D SD4 ,! KNOT 9 H] ?ROAT
TI<T5$ UNTIL %E CD N SP1K4 ,"! 0 NO SAFE
PLACE 6LOOK3 N AT ! SKULL2 N AT ! %9+1
%IFT+ H\SES OR TREES /RID+ L GIANTS AL;G
! %ORE2 N AT ! SEA ":1 9 ! NE> 4T.E1 !
D>K RIV] ( "EY?+ "E C>RI$ F MORTAL
%ORES1 "EY?+ D1D & 4C>D$ & ROTT51 FL[$
AWAY 6! 5D (! _W4
  ,BLACK ,F9 SI<$4 8,Y >E A M\?;L (
B"OS1 >5'T Y80
  ,8 H& T\*$ H] %\LD]4 ,N SK9 6SK91 Z 9
T MO;T :5 HE _H SLIPP$ ! C>V+ >.D H]
NECK4 ,B /3 PALE F+]S SUNK 96! RA9-B1D$
FUR ( H] ROBE1 GRIPP+ H] TI<TLY4 ,%E
WANT$ 6BURY H] TEE? 9 T H& & RIP X
BLOODILY F 8 >M1 & %E WANT$ 6HOLD X AG/
H] *EEK4 ,%E ALR KNEW 8 SK9 0 W>M4
  ,_H ? /RANG] SWUM ACR ! _W & BACK 9 A
"D 2C HE TRULY C>$ AB H] UNHAPPI;S8 ,:Y
%D ! M]E ?"\ ( T %>P5 ! PA9 9SIDE H] UN-
5DURABLY8
  ,%E KNEW %E %D ?ANK HM = F9D+ ! RAV51
B %E CD N SP1K4 ,AT LA/ ,BLACK ,F9 RE-
L1S$ H] %\LD] & ,CL\D MOV$ AWAY1 R.D+ !
GRAVE BOX 63T9UE AL;G ! B1*4 ,HE    #CEH
FOLL[$4
  ,Z !Y NE>$ ,FOAM'S H\SE1 ,CL\D SAW YET
ANO!R /RANGE ?+1 ? A SI<T T WD H BE5
-MONPLACE 9 ,S&SPIT ,T[N3 A WOMAN SUCKL+
A BABY4 ,! WOMAN 0 ,FOAM4 ,%E SAT ON A
B5* 9 FRONT ( H] H\SE 9 ! RAYS (! DECL9+
SUN1 HAV+ UNTI$ ! DRESS %E N[ WORE 6EX-
POSE "O :ITE BR1/4
  ,CL\D /OPP$4 8,IS T YR "M'S *80 %E
ASK$ ,BLACK ,F94
  8,:O ELSE'S80
  8,B %E DIDN'T H A BABY--"! W]5'T ANY
BABIES ON T ISL&40
  8,! LL "OS C'T L1VE WAT]4 ,Y H 6GR[ UP
6LE>N H[ 6TAKE (F YR MASK40 ,HE GR9N$4
8,Z 9 YR CASE40
  ,%E DID N EXPECT ! ATTACK1 & FURY EX-
PLOD$ 9SIDE H]4 8,I10 %E SD1 8..DID N
TAKE (F MY .MASK6 ,X .4APPE>$60
  ,!N %E TRI$ 6CALM H]F4 ,RESPECT1 RE-
SPECT1 RESPECT4 ,B ! V ?"\ ( TR1T+
,BLACK ,F9 ) C>E;L POLITE;S MADE H] WANT
6BITE HM4
  ,:AT _H HAPP5$ 6H] OLD SELF8 ,!
.SWEET1 .BI4A# .* :O ALW TRI$ 6D    #CEI
:AT 0 WANT$ ( H]8 ,GLORY WD 2 A%AM$ ( H]
BAD TEMP]4 .,OTT] WD H BE5 A%AM$4
  8,IF !Y C'T TAKE (F _! MASKS10 %E SD
"? GRITT$ TEE?1 8:Y DOES T BABY LOOK HU-
MAN80
  8,N .HUMAN10 SD ,BLACK ,F94 ,A SMILE /
LURK$ >.D 8 EYES4 8.,NAK$4 ,HUMANS >E P
:O'VE LO/ _! CLO!S40
  ,%E EXHAL$ SL[LY1 TRY+ 63TROL H] TEM-
P]4 8,IF !Y >E MASK$ 9 SPITE ( :AT ,I
SEE1 H[ C !Y 2 ON L&80
  ,!N1 UNEASILY1 ,CL\D RECALL$ H] E>LI]
D\BTS T ? T[N 0 ON L&4
  ,BLACK ,F9 DID N AT F/ REPLY4 ,!N HE
SD1 8,MY "M CD GIVE Y A BETT] ANSW]4 ,B
''' Y'RE 9 \R C.TRY N[1 9 ! UNMASK$ _W4
,YR EYES >E US$ 6! MORTAL _W1 S EV5 9 \R
C.TRY Y W SEE ''' Z Y >E US$ 6SEE+1 :E!R
?+S RE,Y >E T WAY OR N40
  ,CL\D DID N "K :AT 6MAKE ( ? EXPLAN,N4
,9 MEMORY & DR1M H] BRO!RS ALW APPE>$ TO
2 HUMAN BOYS1 :ILE 6,?RU% !Y _H LOOK$
F\R-LE7$4 ,: ( !M _H SE5 M CLE>LY1 ,?RU%
OR ! HALF-BE> ,CL\D1 :O _H BE5 BORN 9 _S
L&S8 ,! SUBJECT 0 3FUS+ & 4QUIET-   #CFJ
+1 & %E DID N WANT 6L+] ON X4

  ,Z !Y ATE ! EV5+ M1L1 ! WALLS (
,FOAM'S H\SE BLAZ$ )! SALMON-COLOR$ SUN-
SET1 !N FAD$ 6GRAY4 ,! H\SE 2CAME "E M
%IFT+1 WAT]Y1 & 9SUB/ANTIAL4 .,! ._W
.UNMASK$4 ,! ORCA P1 TOO1 GREW M *ANGEA#
9 H] VI.N3 HUGE OR HUMAN-SIZ$2 DRESS$ 9
ELEGANT BLACK & :ITE1 OR WE>+ ONLY _!
BLACK HAIR & PALE FLE%4
  ,:AT DID N *ANGE 0 H[ \ ( PLACE ,CL\D
FELT1 A GRANITE PEB# AM;G POLI%$ JADE
B1DS4 ,H[ B1UTI;L & AL]T ! ORCAS W]E1 H[
SLY _! LAU<T]4 ,H[ LL REASSUR.E !Y GAVE
H]4 ,! ONLY ?+ 6PUT H] AT EASE 0 T !Y
ATE M ?AN %E DID4
  ,!Y D9$ ON L+COD1 GRE5L+1 FL.D]1 &
SOLE4 ,= ,CL\D !Y AL BR"\ CRISP SWEET
EELGRASS ROOTS1 & FRE% WAT] 6DR9K4 ,H]
M\? ": ,B"O'S DOG _H HOOK$ X NO L;G]
HURT4 ,9 FACT1 ALL H] BRUISES1 SCRAPES1
& SORE MUSCLES 7 H1L+ M* FA/] ?AN !Y WD
H 9 MORTAL L&S4
  ,%E ?ANK$ ,FOAM Z BE/ %E CD4 ,H] ^WS
SEEM$ Z AWKW>D Z "E4 ,BLACK ,F9     #CFA
DID N TRY 6TALK 6H] F 8 PLACE ON ,FOAM'S
O!R SIDE1 B ! WEI<T ( 8 GAZE KEPT ! ANG]
ROIL+ 9 H] GUT4 ,/1 IF %E _H N _H T 6AN-
*OR H]1 ! :OLE UNSETTL+ D9N] WD H BE5
WORSE4
  ,AF D9N] "S (! ORCAS SANG4 ,X 0 ! SAME
UNCOM=TA# MUSIC %E _H HE>D E>LI]1 ALL
HOOTS1 GRUNTS1 & SQU1LS4 ,%E F.D H]F
DRIFT+ DESPITE HAV+ SLEPT M* (! "D4 ,:5
%E WOKE1 ,FOAM 0 REGAL+ ! ASSEMBLY )A
-IC /ORY AB A GIRL 2SET 0_SS4 ,DESPITE
"EY?+ .%E DID1 !Y WD N L1VE H] AL"O2 DE-
SPITE "EY?+ .!Y DID1 %E WD N A3EPT _!
S]VICE4
  ,X 0 5 L ,CL\D'S EXP]I;E T1 EV5 ?\< %E
DID N F9D ! /ORY Z AMUS+ Z ! ORCAS DID1
%E PRICK$ UP H] E>S 6HE> H[ ! PRO#M WD
RESOLVE4 ,! H]O9E (! /ORY W5T ON 6SUR-
PRISE ORCAS :O _H /OPP$ 6M5D _! CANOES1
& %E 0 APPALL$ 6R1LIZE ! /ORY 0 H] [N4
,SMIL+ WICK$LY1 ,FOAM 5D$ ! TALE )!
LOVE-SMITT5 ORCA PR9CE BE>+ AWAY ! B1U-
TI;L GIRL 6HIS HOME4
  ,UNTIL 8 APPE>.E 9 ! /ORY1 ,BLACK ,F9
_H LAU<$ )! RE/1 B N[ HE DUCK$ 8    #CFB
H1D4 ,CL\D WD H BE5 M 4MAY$ 0,FOAM'S
MOCK]Y ( H] SON IF %E _H N _H 6/RU7LE )
H] [N PUBLIC HUMILI,N4 ,NO MATT] H[ %E
MI<T WANT 6%\T AT ! ORCAS 6QUIT RIDICUL+
H]1 %E _H 65DURE X )\T -PLA9T4
  .,B1UTI;L1 %E WANT$ 6SCR1M 9 _! FACES1
..T ^W SAYS NO?+ AB ME4 ,MY "M IS B1UTI-
;L1 B ,I'M .A BE>'S .DAU<T]4 ,%E MI<T
WE> ,?RU%'S FACE--"EY"O SD S--B 9SIDE %E
0 Z UNLIKE ,?RU% Z X 0 POSSI# 6BE3 R\<1
AWKW>D1 CLUMSY1 MESSY1 TIMID1 F\L-
TEMP]$4 ,6MAKE H] ! PR9CESS (A /ORY1 !
K9D ( B1UTY AN IMMORTAL L ,BLACK ,F9 WD
FALL 9 LOVE )1 0 J CRUEL ORCA MOCK]Y4
,S* A PR9CE MI<T LOVE ! MASK ( ,?RU%'S
SK91 B 6HM1 & 6T /ORY1 ! BE> * 9SIDE CD
N EXI/4
  ,!N ANO!R1 CRUEL] ?"\ O3URR$ 6,CL\D3
:AT ,FOAM LAU<$ AT 0 .PRECISELY ! -$Y (!
BE>'S DAU<T] DRESS$ 9 ,?RU%'S SK91 & .H]
.[N .SON UNA# 6SEE X4 ,COLD RAGE PI]C$
,CL\D S %>PLY T X HURT 6BR1!4
  ,:5 ! ORCAS' LAU<T] /ILL$1 ,FOAM SPOKE
AG4 8,Y'VE HE>D \R "Y GUE/'S /ORY4 ,N[1
ONLY WAT] OR FIRE F 2Y ! _W >E      #CFC
/R;G 5 6BR1K ! KNOTS B9D+ ,"L ,/9K4 ,TM
WE'LL TAKE \R FR ) U 6,SWIMM+'S H\SE1 &
HE W PROVIDE :AT IS NE$$40
  ,AF T1 ! ORCAS 4P]S$ 6_! B$S4 ,)A
BACKW>D GL.E AT ,CL\D1 ,BLACK ,F9 LEFT1
TOO4 ,B ,FOAM WAIT$ ^U H] IVORY S1T1
WAT*+ ,CL\D CURI\SLY4
  ,9 ! /ORIES ,/ICK _H TOLD1 MORTALS N"E
"Q$ ! ,F/ ,P4 ,P]H X 0 .4RESPECT;L4 ,B
,CL\D CD N /OP H]F1 EV5 ?\< ANG] MADE H]
FACE S /IFF T %E CD H>DLY MOVE H] LIPS4
  8,:Y >E Y HELP+ ME1 ,LADY80
  8,Y PRAY$ 6ME1 DID Y N1 ! "D WE MET80
SD ,FOAM4 8,& !N Y 7 =TUNATE 5 6CAT* U
UNDRESS$ 9 YR _W1 S T WE 7 =C$ 6BR+ Y
96\R _W 6KEEP ! BAL.E4 ,B 9 ! 5D ? IS
SIMPLY :AT ,I *OOSE 6D4 ,N _M HUMANS F9D
_! WAY 6U1 & :5 !Y D1 !Y WANT--OH1 HUNT+
PR[ESS1 _SUAL P[]1 RETRIBU;N AG/ 5EMIES
''' Y AMUSE ME1 GIRL4 ,ALL Y RE,Y DID
WANT 0 FOOD & %ELT]1 & Y >5'T )\T C\R-
AGE1 :5 Y *OOSE 6USE X4 ,2 TRUE 6YR NA-
TURE &! TASK 2F Y1 & ,I W 2 PL1S$40
  8,B '''0 ,CL\D SD1 GROP+ = ^WS "? !
TUMBL+ *AOS ( H] EMO;NS4 ,FOAM 0    #CFD
WR;G 6ATTRIBUTE 6H] ANY SPECIAL HUMIL;Y4
,%E J _HN'T "KN DUR+ _! F/ 5C.T] T %E
SPOKE 6IMMORTALS4 ,IF %E ._H "KN1 %E WD
H ASK$ = AID--= H]F1 = "EY"O :O _H BE5
HURT 2C ( H]4 ,FOAM CD SURELY HELP DEF1T
,RUM# & ,B"O )\T ,CL\D HAV+ 6REL1SE H]
"F'S <O/4
  8,I DON'T WANT--?ANK Y = YR (F] (
HELP1 ,LADY1 B--:Y D Y WANT ME 6FREE MY
"F8 ,HE HURT _M P :5 HE 0 ALIVE1 & IF ,I
REL1SE HM--MY "M--,S&SPIT ,T[N--0
  ,FOAM REG>D$ H] COLDLY4 8,^? MORTALS
>E ( NO 3C]N 6ME40
  ,ANO!R1 ALM 9TOL]A# SURGE ( ANG] *URN$
"? ,CL\D4 ,T GAZE TOLD H] T ..,FOAM DID
N C>E :AT HAPP5$ 6.H]4 ,FOAM DID N C>E
IF ,CL\D 0 HURT OR AFRAID1 IF "EY?+ %E
LOV$ 0 BURNT 6A%4
  .,B1UTI;L .GIRL4 ,A PR9CESS TAK5 96!
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WAKE (! SALMON WOM51 "? ! CR[D$ H\SE &
ONTO ! SUMM]-HOT B1*4 ,"!1 Z ,CL\D _H
SE5 HUNDR$S ( "TS 9 HUMAN L&S1 ! WOM5
WAD$ 96! WAT] 6%AKE \ ! MATS4 ,B ! SI<T
(! SMALL1 BLOODY1 HUMAN-LOOK+ H1DS TUM-
BL+ 96! SEA 0 N L ANY?+ ,CL\D _H SE5 2F1
& AG %E CLAPP$ H&S OV] H] M\? 6/IFLE H]
CRY4
  8,WAT*10 -M&$ ,FOAM4 ,& ,CL\D WAT*$4
,"H 9 ! ,L& ( ,W1L? ! REMA9S DID    #CHA
N DRIFT G5TLY 9 ! TIDE B COALESC$ T[>D
EA* O!R4 ,BLOOD & 9TE/9ES SEE!D 9 ! B"R
WAT]1 SK9 FLIPP$ >.D B"OS--
  --"Y *9OOK JUMP$1 FLA%+ 9 ! SUN4
  ,! WOM5 RETURN$ 6%ORE & WAIT$1 IGNOR+
,FOAM & ,CL\D4 ,CL\D WOND]$ IF !Y 7 !
"MS (! *N4 8,DOESN'T X HURT80 ,CL\D :IS-
P]$ 6,FOAM4 8,6BE KILL$80
  8,( C\RSE X HURTS60 ,FOAM SD4 8,X
HURTS E "T !Y GIVE !MVS 6! FI%]MAN'S
SPE> OR HOOK4 ,DID Y ?9K GD ?+S CAME 6Y
)\T SACRIFICE8 ,B :AT ELSE WD Y EAT8 ,D
Y SUPPOSE EEL GRASS & CLOV] ROOTS >5'T
AL "P (! UNMASK$ _W80
  ,:AT ELSE WD Y EXPECT AN ORCA 6SAY8 ,A
.HUNT]4
  ,! *N CLIMB$ \ (! WAT]1 :OLE & H1L?Y4
,_! FACES 7 SOMB] Z !Y WALK$ T[>D !
SALMON WOM54 ,CL\D WANT$ 6WEEP1 6BEG =-
GIVE;S T %E _H CAUS$ !M S* PA9 J 6FILL
H] BELLY4 ,B ! *N />T$ PU%+ EA* O!R1 &
"O LAU<$1 &! NEXT MO;T !Y 7 *AS+ EA* O!R
D[N ! B1*4 ,! WOM5 GAZ$ AF !M1 %AD+ _!
EYES & SMIL+1 TOO4
  ,%E & ,FOAM RETURN$ 96! H\SE1     #CHB
,CL\D PUZZL+ OV] :Y ,FOAM _H MADE H] SEE
?2 SURELY ,FOAM _H NO P;Y 9 H]4
  ,9SIDE1 ! DANC+ 0 AB 6/>T4 ,! SALMON P
W5T F/4 ,Z !Y WOVE 9 & \1 L1P+ =W>D1
FALL+ BACK1 _! >MS UNDULAT+ ABV _! H1DS
& _! TORSOS SWAY+1 ,CL\D 2GAN 6FEEL Z IF
%E TRULY 7 WAT*+ FI% AT ! 5TR.E 6A /R1M4
,A GR\P ( SALMON M5 SANG =! D.ERS3 RIP-
PL+ MUSIC L WAT] OV] /"O4
  ,NEXT CAME ! ORCAS4 ,%E 4LIK$ _! MU-
SIC1 B %E CD H WAT*$ !M D.E ="E4 ,BLACK
,F9 0 "O (! P]=M]S4 ,CL\D CD N TAKE H]
EYES (F 8 SLIM BODY Z HE L1P$ & SQUATT$1
>*$ & SPUN1 MAK+ X ALL LOOK EF=T.S--&
JOY\S4 ,IF 8 REC5T J\RNEYS _H TIR$ HM1
HE DID N %[ X4 ,HE 0 BR1?+ H>D :5 HE RE-
TURN$ 6HIS S1T1 & SW1T TRICKL$ D[N 8
SK91 B HE GR9N$ AT H]4
  ,O!R GUE/S D.ED4 ,Z N"O WORE MASKS1
,CL\D _H 6GUESS F _! D.ES1 &! %APES
FLICK]+ 9 ! CORN]S ( H] EYES1 6: SPECIES
( ,F/ ,P !Y 2L;G$3 CORMORANT1 LOON1
S1LS1 M ORCAS8 ,:5 %E CD N DECIDE & ASK$
,BLACK ,F91 HE J LAU<$4
  ,! SUN SET4 ,! SKY OV]H1D TURN$   #CHC
PURPLE & !N A />RY BLACK4 ,ANO!R M1L 0
BR"\ \1 ? "T SMELTS 7:1 ,BLACK ,F9 AS-
SUR$ H]1 7 EXACTLY :AT !Y APPE>$74 ,A
FEW SALMON P /AG$ A NOISY >GU;T OV] !
SMELTS 9 : "O GR\P PRET5D$ 6BE EAGLES &!
O!R1 S1GULLS4 ,! ORCAS LAU<$ Z L\DLY Z !
O!R SALMON4
  ,H[ CD ! ,B"R ,"OS S *E];LLY HO/ ! OR-
CAS1 :O HUNT$ !M F ! ,M.TA9 ,L& 6! 5D (!
OC1N8 ,H[ CD !Y KILL _! [N *N 6FE$ A
CA/AWAY HUMAN ( NO IMPORT.E8 ,9 ! /ORIES
:5 ,B"R ,"OS DI$1 X S.D$ NO M PA9;L ?AN
TRIMM+ YR NAILS4 ,9 R1L;Y1 ! D1?S ( ^?
*N _H N DI6]$ M* F ,RUM#'S SLAU<T] ( 8
SLAVES1 EXCEPT T ! *N _H -E WILL+LY1 _H
/OOD QUIETLY--_H P]H EV5 LOOK$ PR\D4
,PR\D 6BE ! GIFT4
  ,E BITE ,CL\D _H EAT5 _H BE5 F.D$ 9
BLOOD4 ,FE$+ ! _W 0 N EASY EV5 =! ,B"R
,"OS4 ,X M1NT FAC+ PA9 & D1? ) UTMO/
C\RAGE1 & NO GU>ANTEE ( REBIR? IF ! B5E-
FICI>Y ( YR SACRIFICE LACK$ RESPECT = X4
  ,CL\D _H ?"\ SU6]+ 0 A ?"UCL\D HANG+
OV] H] LIFE1 BAD W1!R %E CD ESCAPE IF
ONLY ! _W WD LET H]4 ,B 9 FACT      #CHD
PA9 0 TWI/$ 96! V Y>N ! _W _H BE5 WOV5 (
--"P ( XS V NATURE1 "P ( XS .DIV9E NA-
TURE4 ,PA9 DWELT EV5 "H AM;G ! ,SUMM]
,P4 ,Y CD 2 A HUNT] OR ! HUNT$1 B EV5 !
HUNT$ LIV$ (F D1?1 & _! FOOD MI<T 2 Y4
  ,CL\D SAW1 SU45LY1 2N ! G5]OS;Y & GD
*E]1 ! UTT] IMPLACABIL;Y (! ,B"R ,"OS4
,TR1T !M "R OR ! _W W />VE4 ,YES1 !Y .7
M DANG]\S ?AN ! ORCAS4 ,H[ CD Y BLAME
!M8
  ,& YET !Y 7 HAPPY4 ,EV5 ^? *N / F.D
JOY AF SU6]+4 ,AMID ! DANC+ & S++1 !
FIRE & />LI<T1 ! BRILLIANT CLO!S &! MAG-
NIFIC5T H\SE1 ,CL\D FELT M 9SUB/ANTIAL
?AN "E4 ,Z ! ORCAS 2S H] LAU<$ & JOK$1
GI4Y ) FOOD & GD *E]1 Z !Y %\T$ BACK &
=? 6EA* O!R & 6! SALMON &! O!R GUE/S1 %E
FELT ! KNIFE-%>P EMPTI;S GR[ AG 9 H]
BELLY4 ,EV5 "H1 9 ! L& ( JOY1 NO?+ CD
3TA9 T HOLL[1 NO?+ CD FILL X UP4
  ,! S++ & DANC+ W5T ON DEEP 96! NI<T4
,CL\D NO4$1 !N DOZ$4 ,A H& %OOK H]
AWAKE4 ,:5 %E OP5$ H] EYES1 %E 0 FALL+
"? A SP9N+1 SWELL+1 LI<T-SPANGL$ GULF !
SIZE (! _W4 8,CL\D60 A VOICE        #CHE
CALL$4
  ,%E /RU7L$ 6SEIZE HOLD ( H] "U/&+4 ,!
RA9B[$ GULF /1DI$ 96FIRELIT COPP] FLOORS
& WALLS1 96SALMON P DRESS$ 9 %IMM]+
CLO!S4 ,! %APE (! HUGE CR1TURE 2S H]
%RANK 9 ON XF1 COLLAPS+1 & ALL ! %9+1
TURBUL5T ATTRIBUTES %E _H SE5 & N "U/OOD
TOOK A =M H] ?"\S CD -PASS3 ! SLEEK
BLACK;S ( ,BLACK ,F9'S HAIR1 ! EXQUISITE
H>D L9E ( 8 *EEK1 ! W>M? ( 8 F+]S FELT
"? H] DRESS1 ! SMELL ( 8 SK94
  8,CL\D10 HE SD1 %AK+ H]1 8WAKE UP1 "T
= B$40
  ,HE 0 AMUS$1 T BOY1 LAU<+ AT H] SLEEP-
I;S &! DI6ICULTY ( WAK+ H]4 ,%E HAT$ HM
= X4 ,! HUNGRY LOOK 9 8 EYE1 ORCA *AS+ A
FI%--T F"R5$ H]4
  8,C>E;L10 HE SD1 LAU<+1 :5 %E /OOD TOO
FA/ & V]TIGO RETURN$4 ,%E GR[L$1 B %E
LET HM HOLD H] UNTIL ! HALL /OPP$ SP9N+4
  ,! F1/ _H 5D$4 ,"S P / SAT TALK+1 B _M
_H RETIR$1 ! HO/S 96_! ROOMS1 ! GUE/S
ONTO MATS SPR1D ^U ! FLOOR4
  8,! K+ IS WAIT+ \TSIDE10 ,BLACK ,F9
TOLD H]4                            #CHF
  8,WAIT+80 %E SD /UPIDLY4
  8,6GET :AT Y CAME =40
  ,%E DID N "K :AT T WAS1 B %E FOLL[$ HM
\TSIDE4 ,"!1 AT L1/1 ! V]TIGO A6ECT$ H]
LESS4 ,HUGE1 BRILLIANT />S BLAZ$ OV]H1D2
A LUM9\S SEA LAPP$ AT ! S&4 ,! LI<T 9 !
SEA 0 A DEEP PE>LY BLUE L ! 9SIDE (A
MUSSEL %ELL4 ,9 ! 4T.E A CASCADE RO>$4
  8,LET'S G10 SD ! K+1 :O 0 /&+ 0! WA-
T]'S $GE4 ,HE & ,BLACK ,F9 SET (F4 ,CL\D
/UM#D AF !M1 PA/ TALL H\SES T REFLECT$ !
BLUE SEA-LI<T4 ,NO "O ELSE 0 ABROAD4 ,!
T[N W5T ON & ON1 = MILES P]H4 ,! NOISE (
RU%+ WAT] GREW L\D]4
  ,EV5TU,Y ! H\SES PET]$ \4 ,FLOTSAM
CR[D$ ! WAT] N[1 DRIFT+ AL;G ! %ORE FA/]
?AN !Y CD WALK4 ,WRACK LITT]$ ! B1*3 CA-
NOE PR[S1 HUMAN SKULLS1 TANGLES ( KELP4
,! %ORE B5T WE/W>D4 ,:5 !Y CAME >.D A
LA/ LOBE ( S&1 ! WALL (! _W ?RU/ UP 2F
!M4
  ,S& & DEBRIS L$ UP 6! BASE (! WALL4 ,X
0 BLACK "H B HUNG ) />S HI< ABV _! H1DS4
,A GAP PI]C$ X Z TALL Z M.TA9S & S WIDE
T1 DESPITE ! RADIANT NI<T SEA1      #CHG
,CL\D CD N MAKE \ ! F> SIDE4 ,! SC5T %E
_H SMELL$ 2F 0 /R;G N[4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# TO
"N3 AT ONCE SWEET1 COPP]Y1 & RI* L ! =E/
FLOOR AF RA94
  ,Z ! CURR5T ( FLOTSAM APPROA*$ ! GAP1
X QK5$1 ?UMP+ & JO/L+ L B1* DRIFT 9 A
/ORM TIDE4 ,X RO>$ "? ! GAP 96ANO!R1
B"R] OC1N1 4SOLV+ UNTIL BLUE S1WAT] &
FLOTSAM ALIKE VANI%$ 96LI<T4
  ,BLACK ,F9 &! K+ WALK$ 6! V ?RE%OLD (!
DOORWAY4 ,:5 ,CL\D CAME UP 6!M1 ,BLACK
,F9 PUT A H& ON H] >M4 8,/AY ON ? SIDE10
HE SD4
  ,B ,K+ ,SWIMM+ 3T9U$ "? ! DOOR & AL;G
A S&B> EXT5D+ 2Y1 ON "O SIDE (! JO/L+
\TFL[4 ,"! HE WAD$ 96! WAT] &1 )A LL
SPLA%1 4APPE>$4
  ,%E WANT$ 6%RUG (F ,BLACK ,F9'S GRIP
ON H] >M B DID N4 ,0N[ ! E]IE SIGNIFIC.E
( ? DOORWAY _H SUNK IN4 ,%E1 A HUMAN
GIRL1 DID N 2L;G "H AT ! V 5D (! _W4 ,%E
CD N HELP B 2 GRATE;L = 8 -PANY4
  ,!Y WAIT$ =! K+ 6RETURN4 ,! SKY 2Y !
GAP 0 D>K & F1TURE.S1 B ! OC1N 0 GLOSSY1
?ICK1 RA9B[$ 9 XS DEP?S1 & %IMM]+   #CHH
ON ! SURFACE Z IF )! REFLEC;NS ( AN UN-
SE5 SUN4 ,T OC1N CURV$ AWAY 9 A DIM5.N
,CL\D'S M9D CD N TAKE IN3 NEI UP NOR
D[N1 B BO? TGR4
  ,AF A :ILE %E NOTIC$ %APES MOV+ UPRIV]
MADE (! SAME GLOSSY1 RA9B[-B"R /UFF Z !
OC1N4 ,Z ! %APES ?R1D$ ! DEBRIS 96BLU]1
LESS IRIDESC5T WAT]1 AT "TS L1P+ 6CLIMB
! CURR5T1 %E SAW T !Y RESEM#D FI%4 ,GL[+
& GLITT]+1 !Y RAC$ AWAY 96! _W4
  8,:AT >E ^?80 %E ASK$ ,BLACK ,F91
PO9T+4
  8,SALMON10 HE SD4 8,RETURN+ F ! ,H1D-
WAT]S ,WOM540
  ,! ,H1DWAT]S ,WOM51 ,CL\D _H BE5 TOLD1
7 ! DAU<T]S ( ,WILY ,"O :OM ! SALMON
VISIT$ E YE>4 8,B !Y LIVE WAY 9 ! EA/1
HI< UP 9 ! M.TA9S40
  8,YES10 SD ,BLACK ,F94 8,? IS H[ !
SALMON P :O DIE "! RETURN 96\R _W40
  8,B '''0 ,CL\D 2GAN1 AB 6OBJECT T ^?
:O _H G"O EA/ CD N .RETURN 96! _W F !
WE/4 ,B J !N A V L>GE *9OOK APPROA*$ !
DOORWAY4 ,&A HE>TB1T LAT]1 ,K+ ,SWIMM+
CLIMB$ F ! WAT]1 PU%+ 8 DRIPP+1     #CHI
FI%-B"R ROBE F 8 %\LD]S4
  ,! K+ C>RI$ A /OPP]$ 3TA9] AB TWO H&-
SPANS L;G1 )! BULB-&-/EM %APE (A KELP
BOTTLE B LOOK+ Z IF X _H BE5 C>V$ F A
SOLID =M (! O!R_WLY WAT]4 ,Z HE H&$ !
BOTTLE 6,CL\D1 A RA9B[$ DROP CL++ 6X
BROKE LOOSE & SPILL$ ACR H] F+]S4 ,H]
SK9 T+L$ 9 XS WAKE4
  8,:AT IS X80 %E ASK$4
  8,! WAT] ( LIFE10 SD ! K+ )A SMILE4
8,X RE/ORES LIFE & H1LS ALL HURTS40
  ,! BOTTLE 0 Z SLICK & H>D Z M>#4 ,CL\D
BIT D[N ON ! "QS PU%+ \ ( H] M\?4 8,?ANK
Y1 ,"L10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,!Y RETURN$ ! WAY !Y _H -E1 ,CL\D T]-
RIFI$ T %E WD DROP ! BOTTLE & SPILL !
3T5TS4 ,0! "T !Y R1*$ ,K+ ,SWIMM+'S H\SE
AG1 "DBR1K COLOR$ ! EA/]N HORIZON4 ,FOAM
0 WAIT+ = !M ON ! B1*4 ,%E FAVOR$ ,CL\D
) H] UNCOM=TA# HALF-SMILE4
  8,I H MY [N GIFTS = Y1 ,CL\D10 %E SD1
8:E!R Y ?9K !Y'RE ( ANY USE OR N40 ,%E
HUNG A L>GE FI%-SK9 P\* >.D ,CL\D'S
NECK4 8,N[ G FET* YR ?+S4 ,& EAT "S?+4
,Y H A L;G J\RNEY TD40              #CIJ
  ,) ^? ^WS1 ICE SQUEEZ$ ,CL\D'S *E/ S
TI<TLY T %E CD N BR1!4 ,%E KNEW ": ,FOAM
0 S5D+ H]4
  ,B IF ,FOAM TOLD H] 6G1 %E _H NO
*OICE4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,CL\D MANAG$1 ONCE AG SWAL-
L[+ :AT %E RE,Y WANT$ 6SAY4 8,?ANK Y =
SAV+ MY LIFE & TAK+ C>E ( ME4 ,& '''0
,%E TURN$ 6,SWIMM+4 8,?ANK Y1 ,"L1 = YR
HOSPITAL;Y & G5]OS;Y1 = YR GIFT '''40
,%E _H 6/OP "!1 2C AN IDEA 0 TAK+ ROOT 9
H] ) REG>D 6T GIFT1 & X >\S$ S M* T]ROR
& L;G+ T X *OK$ (F ^WS ALT4

  ,ONCE AG ,BLACK ,F9 CLIMB$ 96HIS ORCA
CANOE1 & ONCE AG %E PULL$ H]F ONTO 8
BACK4 ,HE H1D$ NOR?EA/ F ! T[N4 ,0! "T
!Y EM]G$ F ! NOR!RN $GE (! FLOTSAM1 !
OC1N _H GR[N COLD1 CL\DS D>K5$ ! SKY1 &!
ISL&S (! ,L& ( ,W1L? _H 4APPE>$ 2H !M4
,!Y 7 RETURN+ 6W9T]1 & 6MORTAL L&S4
  ,HE C\RS$ "? :ITE-CAPP$ WAVES1 SEEM+LY
TIRE.S4 ,! BIG W9T] /ORM _H BROK5 UP1 B
SPATT]S ( RA9 / GU/$ OV] ! WAT]4 ,0MID"D
! F/ BLUE %AD[ LIFT$ OV] ! HORI-    #CIA
ZON4 ,X GREW SOLID]1 TURN$ GRE51 PASS$
BY4 ,!N !Y 7 FLY+ PA/ ISL&S ) DR1MLIKE
SPE$4 ,CL\D SPOTT$ SMOKE 9 ! 4T.E1 & CA-
NOES L WAT] 9SECTS4 ,RA9 FELL H>D]4
  ,H[ CD ANY"O EXPECT H] 6RETURN 6T ISL&
": ,OTT]'S CORPSE ROTT$ AM;G SCORES (!
D1D1 6! BLOOD?IR/Y GOD :O 0 H] "F8 ,%E
_H A WILD URGE 6SLIP (F ,BLACK ,F9'S
BACK4 ,B HE WDN'T LET H] DR[N1 & HE WD
C>RY H] 6HIS 9T5D$ DE/9,N REG>D.S4
  ..,I C ONLY D Y MY [N K9D ( .FAVORS3 M
( ,FOAM'S MOCK]Y 6CALL ? A .FAVOR4 ,&
FOI/+ ^? GIFTS ON H]--
  ,? 0 ALL = ,FOAM'S .AMUSE;T4
  ,B %E _H 6C>RY \ H] TASK4 ,N[ X 0 N J
,W9T] B .IMMORTALS :O _H *>G$ H] ) X4
,%E 0 N GO+ 6%[ !M 4RESPECT2 %E 0 .N GO+
6FOLL[ 9 ,?RU%'S FOOT/EPS4 ,%E C]TA9LY 0
N GO+ 6LET H]F DWELL ON ! NO;N1 SEDUC-
TIVE & T]RI#1 T KEPT TICKL+ H] ?"\S4 ,S
_M /ORIES W>N$ (! 3SEQU;ES ( MISUS+ !
,F/ ,P'S GIFTS4
  ,BLACK ,F9 _H ALR 5T]$ ! WIDE BAY 2N !
M.TA9S4 ,ALL TOO SOON HE 0 DRIFT+ 6A /OP
AT ! B1* ": %E _H CAMP$ ) ,OTT] &   #CIB
8 M54 ,CL\D CD N AT F/ 4M.T4 ,%E CD N
EV5 LOOK AT ! %ORE4 ,DESPAIR & DR1D
CLAW$ AT H] GUTS4
  ,2N H]1 ,BLACK ,F9 TWIT*$ ) IMPATI;E4
,! ORCAS _H NO P;Y4 ,!Y 7 ,W9T] ,P1 IN-
DI6]5T 6H] T]ROR4
  ,AT LA/ %E =C$ H]F 6SLIDE (F & SPLA%
6! B1*4 ,%E GL.ED 2H H]--
  ,BLACK ,F9 _H 4APPE>$4
  ,! %OCK JOLT$ H] 6H] B"OS4 ,B1 %E ?"\1
H] ANG] %>P Z OBSIDIAN1 %E %D N 2 SUR-
PRIS$ T HE _H LEFT )\T A GDBYE1 )\T (F]+
6HELP H] SURVIVE ON ? DR1D;L ISL&4 ..,!
,W9T] ,P 7 N H] .FRS4
  ,! <O/-VOICES 7 ALR CALL+ 6H]4 ,%E
CLIMB$ ! B1* "? A /1DY RA94 ,! /ORM _H
HIT ? BAY H>D4 ,! HUGE B1*$ SNAG _H
TRAVEL$ EA/ A HUNDR$ Y>DS1 &! WAVES _H
BATT]$ ,OTT]'S CANOE AG/ DRIFT LOGS UN-
TIL ! HULL _H SPLIT4 ,CL\D MADE H]F AP-
PROA* X4 ,BITS ( GE> POK$ "? ! GRAVEL3
ROPE1 A BROK5 BAIL]4 ,2N ! OV]TURN$ HULL
0 A DRY SPACE BIG 5 6SLEEP IN4
  ,MOVE;T AT ! $GE (! B1* MADE H] SP9
>.D1 HE>T ?UMP+4 ,B X 0 ONLY A      #CIC
SMALL BR[N CR1TURE1 A RA3OON OR M9K1 T
RETR1T$ :5 X SPI$ H]4
  ,B--"!1 9 ! BRU% ": ! ANIMAL _H CR\*$
--WASN'T T ! BAG ,W9T] _H PACK$ = H]8 ,!
S\!RN]S M/ H ?R[N X ASIDE :ILE LOOK+ =
"S?+ M VALUA# ?AN A WOMAN'S SEW+ KIT4
,EV5+ %AD[S 7 ALR GA!R+ "U ! TREES1 &
,CL\D APPROA*$ ! =E/ V]GE ) GRT RELUC-
T.E4 ,! BAG 0 M* ! WORSE = XS "T 9 !
RA94 ,S9CE %E _H BE5 G"O 7WAS X SEV5 "DS
N[8 EI<T871 ! /RAP _H 2COME TANGL$ 9 D1D
GRASS & BLACKB]RY V9ES1 &! BAG XF N[
%ELT]$ 2N X MOLD1 B>E DIRT1 &A HO/ ( S[-
BUGS4 ,CL\D "W$ X FREE & BRU%$ (F ! S[-
BUGS4
  ,:5 %E TURN$ BACK 6! CANOE1 ,BLACK ,F9
/OOD 9 H] PA?4 ,%E />T$ VIOL5TLY4
  ,%E WANT$ 62RATE HM = F"R5+ H]1 = MAK+
H] ?9K HE _H AB&ON$ H]1 = =C+ H] 6RETURN
6? PLACE4 ,B :AT %E SD WAS1 SAVAGELY1
8,I'M "H1 >5'T ,I8 ,:AT ELSE D Y WANT80
  ,8 JAW TI<T5$4 ,HE /ALK$ AWAY 6,OTT]'S
RU9$ CANOE & 2GAN YANK+ \ DRY /ICKS4
,SOON1 )\T SL[ MAT* OR FIREDRILL1 HE _H
FLAMES L1P+3 A ,F/ ,P TRICK4 ,:5    #CID
! FIRE 0 BURN+ PROP]LY1 HE /OMP$ D[N TO
8 CANOE4 ,? "T1 %E ?"\1 HE RE,Y WD L1VE
H]4 ,9/1D1 HE LIFT$ \ S"EAL L>GE ROCKFI%
& SET 6GUTT+ !M4
  ,CL\D WAT*$1 ANG] *URN+ 9 H] GUT4 ,^?
FI% 7 NO?+ LESS ?AN :AT HE [$ H]4 ,:Y %D
.%E (F] 6CL1N !M8 ,8 KNIFE WD 2 %>P] ?AN
ANY?+ 9 ,W9T]'S BAG4 ,S :AT IF 9 8 MOVE-
;TS %E CD SEE ! F/ SIGNS ( WE>I;S F 8
L;G J\RNEYS (! PA/ FEW "DS8
  ,! COLD D>K;S R1*$ \ F ! =E/ 6SWALL[ !
B1*4 ,%E SAT D[N 0! FIRE HE _H LIT4 ,!
:ITE DRESS %E WORE 0 ALM DRY4 ,%E %OOK !
WAT] F H] ROBE & UNTI$ H] WET BUNDLE (
CLO!S 6GET AT H] RA9 CLOAK & HAT4
  ,BLACK ,F9 CUT UP ! FI%1 BR"\ ! SPITT$
SEC;NS 6! FIRE1 & PLANT$ !M 9 A L1N-TO1
ALL )\T A GL.E 9 H] DIREC;N4 ,!N HE
SQUATT$ D[N1 />+ 96! FLAMES4 ,! LA/ LI<T
FAD$ F ! SKY4
  8,:Y >E Y ALW ANGRY ) ME80 HE ASK$ FI-
N,Y4 8,I HAV5'T HURT Y4 ,I'VE TRI$ TO
HELP1 6PL1SE Y--0
  ,H[ CD HE ASK S* A "Q 9 .? PLACE8
8,PL1SE .ME60 %E SD4 8,H[ CD "O (   #CIE
! ,W9T] ,P C>E :AT WD PL1SE .ME8 ,Y'RE
HUNT]S4 ,Y D :AT Y WANT4 ,:AT AM ,I 6Y B
--"S?+ 6AMUSE Y80
  8,& Y'RE N"E AMUS+80 ,HE TURN$ T[>D H]
N[1 8 BR[S L[]+ OM9\SLY4 8,Y ?9K ,SUMM]
,P WD H M 3C]N = YR FATE ?AN ,I D8 ,I
TOLD Y--0
  8,AT L1/ X'S 9 _! NATURE 6.GIVE--0
  8--6..2W>E ! ,SUMM] .,P6 ,Z F> Z ..:AT
>E Y 6.ME '''0 ,! DANG]\S $GE SLIPP$
96HIS VOICE4 8,YES1 ,I HUNT :AT ,I WANT4
,I WANT Y4 ,I WANT Y 6DESIRE ME ! WAY ,I
DESIRE Y4 ,I WANT YR HAPPI;S S ,I C 2
HAPPY ) Y4 ,:AT D Y WANT ME 6.GIVE Y8 ,I
.WANT Y 6H X60
  ,? SPEE* CAUS$ H] HE>T 6HAMM] WILDLY4
,BLACK ,F9 _H SPOK5 ! ?"\ T _H WAIT$ 9 8
GAZE S9CE _! F/ MEET+4 ,A DECL>,N (--
:AT8 ,WELL1 8 ^W3 DESIRE4
  ,ALL (A SU451 UNA# 6BR1!1 ,CL\D 0 BACK
9 ! =E/ 2H ,S&SPIT ,T[N4 ,RUM# SQUEEZ$
H] AG/ A TREE :ILE HE PU%$ 8 LIPS AL;G
H] FACE4 ,RUM# ?REW H] ON ! GR.D1 YANK+
UP H] DRESS--
  ,DESIRE8 ,RAGE BOIL$ "? ,CL\D L   #CIF
SCALD+ OIL4 ,ORCA OR NO1 IF ,BLACK ,F9
T\*$ H] T WAY1 %E WD RIP HM ) H] CLAWS1
%E WD TE> \ M\?;LS ( FLE%1 %E WD GULP
D[N 8 GU%+ BLOOD4
  ,B HE DID N MOVE4 ,HE J WAT*$ H]1 AN
AW;L TI<T;S >.D 8 M\?4
  ,DESIRE4 ,LOOK AT ! EVIL T ,?RU%'S TWO
HUSB&S1 ,/9K & ,RUM#1 _H CAUS$2 LOOK AT
H[ CRUELLY !Y _H TR1T$ H]1 2C ( .DESIRE4
,!Y _H CRU%$ H] ) .WANT+4
  8,Y DON'T WANT MY HAPPI;S10 ,CL\D SD4
,IF HE DID1 HE WD (F] K9D;S & REASSUR.E4
,HE WD N ?R1T5 H] ) .DESIRE4 8,Y DON'T
EV5 WANT .ME4 ,Y WANT "S1 "S B1UTI;L
PR9CESS--0
  8,Y ?9K S80 HE ASK$4 8,:AT D .Y WANT80
  8,I WANT '''0 ,CL\D 2GAN1 & !N %E 0
CRY+4 ,%E GE/UR$ T[>D ! D>K;S 2H !M4 8,I
WANT ? 6BE TAK5 F ME40
  ,BLACK ,F9 LOOK$ T DIREC;N4 8,T'S 2Y
MY P[]40
  8,Y CD AT L1/ -E ) ME10 SD ,CL\D1 HAT+
H[ PITI;L %E S.D$2 %E ALR KNEW HE WD N4
  8,I C'T HELP Y 9 T =E/40
  ,H] RAGE M.T$ EV5 HI<]3 ! IM-     #CIG
MORTAL PR9CE 0 SUPPOS$ 6.SAVE ! GIRL HE
C\RT$1 N S5D H] 96DANG]4
  8,!N "!'S NO?+ Y C D = ME10 %E SD4
  8,!N10 HE SD1 8,I'LL REMOVE MYF F YR
PRES;E40 ,& HE ROSE & WALK$ D[N ! B1*
T[>D 8 CANOE4 ,CL\D WAT*$ HM G1 RAGE
CUTT+ "? H] BELLY L KNIVES4 ,%E 0 SUP-
POS$ 6BEG HM N 6AB&ON H]4 ,NO1 %E 0 SUP-
POS$ 6ACT L ! DAU<T] (A QUE54 ,%E 0 SUP-
POS$ 6?ANK HM QUIETLY =! FIRE &! FI% HE
_H CAU<T = H]1 =! L;G J\RNEYS HE _H C>-
RI$ H] ON )\T -PLA9T1 = 8 C>E ( H] 9 !
_S L&S4 ,%E 0 SUPPOS$ 6H ! C\RAGE 6EM-
BRACE H] FATE4
  ,B %E HAT$ HM S M* = L1V+ T %E CD H>D-
LY BR1!4
  ,AT ! WAT]'S $GE HE GL.ED BACK4 ,%E
ALM CALL$ AF HM1 B N "K+ :AT 6SAY1 %E
WAIT$ TOO L;G4 ,9 ANO!R HE>TB1T HE _H
FLOAT$ 8 CANOE & 0 G"O4




                                    #CIH
























                 ?IRTE5             #CII
           ,! ,H\SE 9 ! ,=E/

  ,CL\D CRAWL$ "U ! $GE (! CANOE & PULL$
H] WET FUR ROBE OV] H] RA9 CLOAK4 ,)
,BLACK ,F9 G"O1 EV5 H] %ELT] FELT UN-
SAFE4 ,FIRELI<T CD N P5ETRATE ! D>K;S 9
! CORN]S (! OV]TURN$ HULL4 ,& 2Y ! CA-
NOE--
  ,%E _H SE5 ! SIGNS ON ? ISL& 2F1 B N[
%E KNEW :AT !Y M1NT4 ,"H1 9 HUMAN L&S1
"S?+ 0 TU7+ LOOSE ! MASKS4 ,EV5 ON !
B1*1 E %AD[ LOOM$ L>G] ?AN X %D4 ,B ! =-
E/ 0 ": ! HE>T ( X LAY4 ,%E CD FEEL X 2H
H]3 A T]RI# IMM5S;Y ( :ISP]+1 DRIPP+
BLACK;S Z BIG Z ! _W4
  ,A WOLF'S H[L LIFT$ OV] ! =E/1 & !N A
SECOND WOLF ANSW]$4 ,PRICKLES /A2$ UP H]
SP9E4 ,OTT] _H SD ! WOLVES 7 9T]E/$ 9
FOOD1 N ! OLD D1D1 B ) ALL ! CORPSES UP
9 ! =E/1 !Y _H PL5TY 6EAT N[4
  ,CL\D 45TANGL$ ,FOAM'S P\* F H] CLO?+
& F+]$ ! 3T5TS "? ! DELICATE FI% SK94 ,!
SALMON K+'S BOTTLE1 : %E _H A4$ 6! P\*1
0 EASY 6ID5TIFY4 ,%E C.T$ F\R O!R
OBJECTS3 A H>POON PO9T1 A CYL9-     #DJJ
DRICAL C>V+1 A T9Y BOX1 A TOY CANOE4
,SURELY ^! 7 ! V GIFTS ,FOAM _H (F]$ AT
_! F/ 5C.T]8 ,CL\D / CD N GUESS H[ !Y WD
2 USE;L AG/ WOLVES1 <O/S1 OR WIZ>D'S S]-
VANTS4
  ,%E SLIPP$ ! P\* BACK 9SIDE H] CLOAK4
,:5 ! FI% 0 COOK$1 %E PULL$ ! SKEW]S 9TO
H] %ELT]4 ,\ L\D %E SD1 8,?ANK Y1 ,BLACK
,F940 ,B %E 0 / S ANGRY ) HM T ! ^WS 7 L
NETTLES 9 H] M\?4
  ,%E ATE SP>+LY2 ? 0 ALL ! FOOD %E _H4
,:5 ANO!R WOLF H[L$1 %E PIL$ M WOOD ON !
FIRE & PROPP$ H]F UP"R1 HOP+ X WD KEEP
H] AWAKE4
  ,B %E _H MISS$ / M SLEEP LA/ NI<T & TD
MADE ! L;G1 WE>Y+ J\RNEY F ! WE/4 ,RA9
DRUMM$ MONOTON\SLY ON ! CANOE HULL4 ,9
SPITE ( ALL ! DANG]S ON ? ISL&1 H] EYE-
LIDS DROOP$ & %E SANK T[>D A GLADE 9 !
=E/--
  ,A ?"\ PI]C$ H] DR[SI;S3 ..T M9K WD
/1L H] .FI%4
  ,%E F"\ 6WAKE UP4 ,:5 %E F9,Y UN/UCK
H] EYELIDS1 %E ?"\ %E 0 / TRAPP$ 9 A
DR1M4 ,ON ! F> SIDE (! FIRE1 A      #DJA
PACK ( DOGS />$ AT H]4 ,_! EYES GL[$ L
R$ COALS4 ,^! DOGS 7 RANGI] ?AN ! "OS %E
KNEW1 ) GRAY-:ITE H1DS & :ITE-FURR$
LEGS4 ,RA9 PLA/]$ D[N _! RANK FUR--
  .,WOLVES4 ,!Y _H CORN]$ H] "U ! CANOE4
,CL\D JUMP$ UP1 CRACK+ H] H1D ON ! CANOE
HULL & 9 ! SAME MO;T TRIPP+ ON H] ROBE4
,!Y DIDN'T MOVE4 ,H] H& 0 %AK+ S H>D %E
CDN'T PULL H] ROBE \ (! WAY4
  ,P]H %E %D PRAY 6!M4 ,!Y 7 ,F/ ,P1
TOO1 L ! ORCAS4
  ,B ORCAS 7 FI%]M54 ,WOLVES W]5'T J
HUNT]S2 !Y 7 SCAV5G]S1 C>RION EAT]S4 ,^!
WOLVES _H BE5 UP 9 ! =E/4 ,!Y MI<T H BE5
EAT+ ,OTT]--
  ,%E PLUCK$ A BLAZ+ /ICK F ! FIRE &
/A2$ AT ! WOLVES4 ,!Y DREW BACK4 ,%E
?RU/ X AT !M AG4 ,! L>GE/ WOLF BL9K$1 !N
TROTT$ AWAY4 ,! RE/ FOLL[$4
  ,%E L1N$ \ (! %ELT] & HELD UP H] /ICK
L A TOR*1 WAT*+ !M G4
  ,B "H CAME M WOLVES & / M LOP+ PA/ H]
CAMP4 ,%E _H ALW IMAG9$ A WOLF PACK Z
"S?+ L ! MOBS ( DOGS T WD =M UP 9
,S&SPIT ,T[N 6SN>L OV] B"OS1 MAY-   #DJB
BE A DOZ5 ANIMALS AT A "T4 ,B WOLVES
KEPT -+ AL;G ! B1*2 DOZ5S1 NO1 HUNDR$S
SPLA%+ 9 ! WAT]1 CLAMB]+ OV] DRIFTWOOD1
"S SNI6+ 9 H] DIREC;N 2F TROTT+ AF _!
FELL[S4 ,_! FEET 9 ! GRAVEL MADE A SU-
SURR,N L SWIFT-FL[+ WAT]1 L\D] ?AN !
RA94
  ,B NO M ( !M APPROA*$ H]1 & EV5TU,Y !
FLOOD SL[$ 6A TRICKLE4 ,A LA/ FEW WOLVES
HURRI$ BY1 &! B1* 0 EMPTY AG4 ,RA9 WA%$
_! RANK DO7Y ODOR F ! AIR4
  ,%E SAT D[N4 ,AF A :ILE1 DESPITE H]
BE/ EF=TS1 %E SLEPT AG1 DR1M+ ( H] BRO?-
]S4
  ,%E WOKE 6"DLI<T &! A%ES ( H] FIRE4
,AN UNFAMILI> WEI<T RE/$ ON H] LAP4 ,%E
/RU7L$ UPW>D 6SEE T X 0 A .WOLF .H1D--
  --! H1D LIFT$1 GRAY & BLACK1 BL9K+ AT
H]4 ,9 A PANIC %E %OV$ ! CR1TURE AWAY4
,X L&$ H>D AG/ ! F> SIDE (! CANOE HULL--
  ,X WASN'T A WOLF4 ,? 0 A DOG AF ALL3 A
SK9NY1 SC>R$1 C[]+ CR1TURE1 TAIL CURL$
2T XS LEGS4
  ,X 0 ,OTT]'S DOG4
  ,X SMELL$ ( WET FUR & B>BECU$     #DJC
FI%4 ,%E CA/ >.D =! SKEW]S %E _H PIL$
9SIDE H] %ELT]4 ,!Y 7 SCATT]$1 & ONLY "O
/ BORE M* FLE% ON X4 ,! DOG _H GORG$ ON
:AT LL FOOD %E _H4
  8,\60 %E YELL$1 %OV+ X4 8,GET \60 ,B X
LAY FLAT1 TAIL B1T+ AG/ ! GR.D4 ,%E
PICK$ X UP BODILY & ?REW X \ ( H] %ELT]4
,X L&$ HALF 9 ! FIRE PIT & YELP$1 HOPP$
A FEW /EPS ON ?REE LEGS1 SAT D[N 9 ! RA9
6LICK XS BURN$ FOOT4 ,:5 ,CL\D TRI$ TO
*ASE X F>!R1 X PUT XS *9 ON ! GRAVEL &
AG ?UMP$ XS TAIL4 ,=A MO;T %E ?"\ %E WD
DRIVE X AWAY ) FIRE Z %E _H D"O )!
WOLVES1 B !N1 "SH[1 %E LO/ H] ANG]4
  ,X 0 ,OTT]'S DOG4
  ,WDN'T HE WANT H] 6TAKE C>E ( X8 ,!
ANIMAL'S FLANKS 7 GAUNT & XS RIBS PRO-
TRUD$4 ,%E 0 SURPRIS$ ! WOLVES _HN'T
KILL$ X4
  ,%E CRAWL$ 96H] %ELT] & WRAPP$ UP ALL
! UN*EW$ PIECES ( ROCKFI% 9 A MILDEW$
P\* F ,W9T]'S BAG4 ,! REMA9+ SCRAPS %E
DROPP$ 9 FRONT (! DOG1 :O LEFT (F NOS+
XS FOOT 6GOB# !M D[N4
                                    #DJD
  ,ON ! B1* WAIT$ EVID;E T H] 5C.T] LA/
NI<T _H N BE5 A DR1M4 ,?\S&S ( WOLF
PR9TS POCK$ ! GRAVEL1 EXT5D+ "U ! WAT] &
96GRE5 DEP?S4
  ,! =E/ HUNG UPSIDE D[N 9 ! RA9-DIMPL$
OC1N1 HUGE1 D>K1 WAV]+4 ,%E TURN$ UN-
WILL+LY 6FACE X /RAI<T ON4 ,LET ,FOAM
TELL H] :AT ,CL\D [$ H] "F1 T ! B9D+ ( 8
<O/ _H HURT ! _W XF4 ,FOAM & ,BLACK ,F91
:O _H S* P[] AT _! 4POSAL1 7 N ! "OS :O
_H 6V5TURE 96T =E/ AL"O4
  ,FOAM & H] .AMUSE;TS4 ,CL\D /RIPP$ (F
! ORCA DRESS & PUT ON H] OLD DE]SK9
DRESS4 ,%E YANK$ \ ! PE>L%ELL HAIR ORNA-
;TS & FI]CELY -B$ H] HAIR4 ,H["E M* %E
MI<T L;G 62COME "S"O ELSE & ESCAPE ! PA9
( H] LIFE1 6.BE ! PR9CESS (! /ORY1 %E 0
N GO+ 6GIVE ,FOAM ANY M 6LAU< AT ?AN %E
_H TO4
  ,& NO MATT] :AT ! 3SEQU;ES1 %E 0 N GO+
6AB&ON H] MO/ IMPORTANT OBLIG,N4 ,! IM-
MORTALS C>$ ONLY AB H] BLOOD?IR/Y "F1 B
,OTT] _H GIV5 8 .LIFE = H]4
  ,%E TRI$ 6GUESS H[ F> ! "D _H
PROGRESS$4 ,B TD'S 0 A HALF-MOON    #DJE
TIDE1 "O T WD MOVE LL OV] ! C\RSE (!
MORN+1 &! L[ OV]CA/ HID ALL TRACE (!
SUN4
  ,CL\D BANK$ H] FIRE1 DRANK F ! /R1M T
_H ONCE SUPPLI$ ! OLD T[N ) WAT]1 & SET-
TL$ ,W9T]'S BAG ACR H] %\LD]S4 ,!N %E
RELUCTANTLY CLIMB$ ! B1*4 ,OTT]'S DOG _H
BE5 SITT+ 2N ! CANOE \ (! RA94 ,N[ X
TROTT$ AF H]1 LIMP+ ONLY A BIT4 ,? "T %E
DID N *ASE X AWAY4
  ,AT ! TOP (! B1* %E /OPP$ & TOOK A
DEEP BR1?4 ,H] LEGS 7 %AKY1 H] H&S &
FEET COLD Z ICE1 H] /OMA* L A NE/ (
COIL+ SNAKES4 ,AT LA/ %E PU%$ "? ! B>RI]
( "Y SPRUCES4
  ,! DE] TRAIL L$ H] "? ! GRASSY RU9S (!
OLD T[N4 ,H] BR1? FO7$ ! W9T] AIR4 ,%E
CD SMELL NO H9T ( D1? YET4
  ,2H ! RU9S ! TRAIL GREW /EEP] & MU4I]4
,OLD] TREES /ALK$ UP ! SLOPE 2S H]1 SL[-
MOV+ GIANTS ) >MS UPLIFT$ 96! MI/S4
,PANIC /RU7L$ 6ERUPT "? H] ?"\S & %E
CLAMP$ D[N H>D ON X4 ,OTT]1 %E TOLD H]F1
_H BE5 SURE H] "F WDN'T H>M H]4
  ,RAV5 ,T;GUE _H EV5 SD1 ..,X      #DJF
WASN'T YR "F :O KILL$ ^? W>RIORS 9 ! .=-
E/--B HE M/ H M1NT X 0 ,B"O :O _H D"O S1
0LUR+ !M 6? ISL&4
  ,AT L1/ "! 0 NO SIGN ( ,B"O'S S]VANTS
TD4
  ,:5 ! TRAIL BRAN*$ AT ! TOP (! SLOPE1
%E HALT$4 ,! DOG ?RU/ XS NOSE 96H] H&1
MAK+ H] JUMP4
  ,%E DID N NE$ 6/OP4 ,! <O/-VOICES
GUID$ H]1 & %E REMEMB]$ ! R\TE ) P]FECT
CL>;Y3 T L1N+ ALD]1 T \TCROP ( MOSSY
/"O4
  ,CL\D TRI$ 9 VA9 6RECALL ! DOG'S "N4
,%E 0 ACTU,Y GLAD 6H X ) H]4
  ,%E WALK$ ON1 TRY+ 6IGNORE ! SL[ MOVE-
;T AT ! $GE ( H] VI.N4 ,! =E/ 0 A 3VOC,N
( %AD[S1 AN OV]HANG+ _W-RO( ( WET "EGRE5
D>K;S4 ,H] CLO!S RU/L$ L\D] ?AN ! DRIP-
DRIP ( RA94
  ,"H 0 ! BRAN* (! TRAIL T L$ 6! S\?
%ORE1 ": ! S\!RN]S M/ H L&$ T MORN+4 ,%E
DR1D$ ! F/ :IFF (! CORPSES WAIT+ AT !
M1D[4
  ,B %E F.D NO TRACE ( !M "!1 ONLY M
GRASS TRAMPL$ 0DE]4 ,OTT]'S DOG     #DJG
POK$ XS NOSE 96DE] DROPP+S1 9DI6]5T TO
ANY?+ ELSE4
  ,SOON AFW1 ! TRAIL BR"\ H] 6! SPOT ":
,B"O'S S]VANTS & !N ! S\!RN]S _H ATTACK$
,OTT]4 ,/ NO SMELL & NO CORPSES4 ,CL\D
=C$ H]F 6SE>* ! BRU% ON EI SIDE4 ,9V9CI#
_H LA9 "R "!1 & ? 0 ! V LOG ": ,OTT] _H
GASP$ 8 LA/ ^WS4 ,B %E SAW NO BODIES
ANY":4
  ,%E MOV$ F>!R F ! TRAIL1 /EPP+ >.D !
LOG1 PULL+ BACK MATS ( D1D GRASS & F]NS4
,OTT]'S DOG PAW$ "U A FALL5 BRAN*4
,FEEL+ Z IF %E _H SWALL[$ A H1VY /"O1
,CL\D WALK$ T[>D X4
  ,! DOG'S "N1 %E REMEMB]$ SU45LY1 0
,S1L4 ,! ,MA/] (! ,"USEA KEEPS S1LS Z
DOGS--S ,OTT]'S LL GIRL _H SD4 ,%E CD H
ASK$ ,BLACK ,F9 IF ! /ORY 0 TRUE4
  ,%E H1V$ UP ! BRAN* & TOSS$ X ASIDE4
,ONLY AN EMPTY L1!R %1? LAY 2N4 ,! NECK
/RAP 0 BROK54 ,X _H BE5 ,SQU1KY'S1 OR
MAYBE ,BRANT'S--%E CDN'T RECALL N[4
  ,%E "W$ ! %1? LOOSE F GRASS T _H GR[N
"? ! SLITS 9 ! L1!R4 ,2N X 7 S[BUGS1
MOLD1 B>E DIRT1 &A SPID]WEB (       #DJH
:ITE ROOTLETS4
  ,J :AT %E _H F.D "U ,W9T]'S BAG4
  ,CL\D />$ AT ! MOLDY L1!R 9 H] H&4 ,Z
F> Z %E KNEW1 %E _H BE5 G"O F ? ISL&
LESS ?AN A HALF-TURN (! MOON4 ,B ! %1? &
BAG--& N[ T %E ?"\ AB X1 T WRET*$ DOG--
LOOK$ Z IF !Y _H BE5 AB&ON$ F> L;G]4
  ,AT L1/ A YE>1 = GRASS 6DIE & SPR\T
AG4
  8,S1L10 %E SD4 ,%E FELT FOOLI% TALK+
6A DOG4 8,H[ L;G H ,I BE5 G"O80 ,! DOG J
WA7$ XS TAIL4
  ,SURELY ! %1? WD N H SURVIV$ = Z L;G Z
X TOOK :OLE CORPSES 6ROT 96! SOIL8
  ,! 3/ANT /IRR+ AT ! $GE ( H] VI.N MADE
H] NECK TWIT*4 ,%E GL.ED 2H B SAW ONLY !
D>K WET TREES4
  ,CL\D LIFT$ FALL5 /ICKS & SCU6$ "? D1D
GRASS4 ,%E POK$ & PRO4$ UP & D[N ! /RET*
( TRAIL ": ,OTT]'S M5 _H DI$1 & F.D ONLY
A BROK5 SPE> %AFT1 A ROTT+ CLOAK1 &
7C>E;LLY SETT+ ? ON ! LOG7 A BIT ( L1!RY
SCALP ) HUMAN HAIR ATTA*$4
  ,! D1D _H BE5 REMOV$4 ,B :O CD H D"O
S8 ,:AT .HUMAN P]SON8               #DJI
  ,%E _H BE5 PREP>$ 6F9D ,OTT]'S REMA9S
SCATT]$ ACR ! =E/ FLOOR4 ,%E _H BE5 DE-
T]M9$ 6COLLECT E LA/ GRUE"S SCRAP4 ,%E
_H R1DI$ H]F 6DEFY ,FOAM1 :O DID N C>E
AB ! SU6]+ ( MORTALS4
  ,AN A*E GRIPP$ H] *E/ T 0 %>P] ?AN %E
CD BE>4 ,%E _H TREKK$ 96? AW;L =E/ ) WA-
T] F 2Y ! _W T WD .RE/ORE .LIFE & .H1L
.ALL .HURTS1 & %E CD N F9D ,OTT]'S
CORPSE4
  ,AG1 ,CL\D FELT COLD ON ! BACK ( H]
NECK2 "S?+--.SMALL--MOV$ 9 ! CORN] ( H]
EYE4 ,%E :IRL$4
  ,A BR[NI% CR1TURE SLIPP$ F ! LOG ":
,OTT] _H DI$4 ,? "T ,CL\D SAW X CLE>LY4
8.,Y60 %E SD4
  ,X /OPP$4 8,Y10 %E SD 6,OTT]'S S]VANT1
8:AT HAPP5$ 6MY UNCLE'S BODY80
  ,! _S />$ AT H] )\T BL9K+4 ,%E _H J
DECID$ %E 0 FOOLI% 6EXPECT AN ANSW] :5 X
FLITT$ AL;G ! TRAIL 9 ! DIREC;N (! GLADE
( B"OS4 ,J Z SU45LY1 X /OPP$ & GL.ED
BACK AT H]4
  ,HE>T RAC+1 NECK PRICKL+1 ,CL\D WALK$
T[>D X4 ,:5 %E DREW NE>1 ! S]VANT   #DAJ
SKITT]$ F>!R AL;G ! TRAIL4
  ,%E FOLL[$1 DUCK+ "U ! BOLES ( FALL5
GIANTS1 CLIMB+ >.D ROOTS ( TREES ^:
TRUNKS WD H FILL$ HALF ! C5TRAL HALL (
,HALIBUT ,H\SE4 ,M1N:ILE ! RA9 DRIPP$ &!
=E/ KEPT D>K5+ Z IF A LID 7 %UTT+ OV] !
_W4 ,! <O/S CALL$1 FA9T & F> AWAY4
  ,! TRAIL TOPP$ A MOSSY GRANITE KNOLL4
,OTT]'S S]VANT _H VANI%$1 B 2L1 NO M ?AN
FIFTY Y>DS AWAY1 A HUGE OLD MAPLE SPR1D
XS NAK$ BRAN*ES ABV GRASS & SALMONB]-
RIES4 ,%AD[S 7 3G1L+ D[N "!1 SWIMM+ L
FI% "? ! ?ICKETS4 ,CL\D WAIT$ =A D>K]
%APE 6/IR1 B ! =E/ DRIPP$ ON Z X _H BE51
IMM5SE Z M.TA9S1 GLOOMY Z TWILI<T4
  ,:Y _H ,OTT]'S S]VANT L$ H] ."H8
  ,)A JOLT %E R1LIZ$ T X .0 TWILI<T4 ,!
D>K;S 0 SIMPLY D>K;S4 ,%E _H AWAK5$ T
MORN+ LAT] ?AN %E ?"\1 &! %ORT W9T] "D
_H ALR 5D$4
  ,%E 2GAN /EPP+ AWAY F ! GLADE Z IF "?
! B"OS 9 H] DR1M4 ,%E 0 TOO /UPID 6TAKE
C>E ( H]F4 ,%E NE$$ O!RS 6HELP H] SUR-
VIVE--,AUNT ,GLORY1 ,OTT]1 ,FOAM1 ,BLACK
,F94 ,N[ NI<TFALL _H CAU<T H] 9 A   #DAA
=E/ ": A BLOOD?IR/Y GOD PR[L$1 & %E
_HN'T EV5 BR"\ A TOR*4
  ,:E!R OR N H] "F'S <O/ WD H>M H]1 %E
CDN'T FACE X 9 ! D>K4 ,H] CAMP 0 H\RS
AWAY N[1 B %E CDN'T 2 F> F ! S\!RN %ORE
(! ISL&4
  ,CL\D /OPP$ 6LI/54 ,%E HE>D ONLY !
FA9T CRIES (! <O/S1 &A BREEZE L AN EXHA-
L,N 9 ! TREES4 ,%E SNI6$ AT ! AIR4 ,A
COLD P]FUME ( FIR NE$LES DRIFT$ D[N )!
RA92 A SC5T ( FREEZ+ DIRT & DAMP DOG
ROSE UP F ! GR.D2 & F H] P]SON WAFT$ !
SMELLS ( SK91 WOOD SMOKE1 & FI%4 ,! DUSK
BORE ONLY ! MO/ ELUSIVE :IFF ( ROTT5
M1T4 ,%E CD N SMELL ! SEA AT ALL4
  ,LA/LY1 %E LOOK$--N /RAI<T ON1 B \ (!
CORN]S ( H] EYES4 ,"! 0 NO?+ %E _H N BE5
SEE+ ! :OLE "D3 SL[-MOV+ GIANTS1 FACES 9
B>K & /"O T SEEM$ 6SURFACE & DIVE DEEP
AG4

  8,HELLO60 %E CALL$ S(TLY4 8,HELLO60 ,&
!N1 6! DOG1 8,D Y "K ": T _S IS80
  ,Z IF 9 RESPONSE1 ,OTT]'S DOG1 :O _H
BE5 PRESS+ AG/ H] LEGS1 GR[L$ 9 A   #DAB
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