Begin Reading

TubIe oI ConLenLs
CopvrIgIL Puge
For our mothers
Susan Racca,
who raises baby squirrels and
feeds them with an eyedropper,
&
Marilyn Ross Stohl,
who could drive a tractor before
she could drive a car.
They are true Gatlin Peaches.
Tumult and peace, the darkness and the light
Were all like workings of one mind, the features
Of the same face, blossoms upon one tree;
Characters of the great Apocalypse,
The types and symbols of Eternity,
Of first, and last, and midst, and without end.
-WAM WORDSWORTH, The Prelude: Book Sixth
BEFORE
Sugar and Salt
n GuLIIn, IL`s Iunnv Iow LIe good LIIngs ure uII LIed up wILI LIe bud.
SomeLImes IL`s Iurd Lo LeII wIIcI Is wIIcI. BuL eILIer wuv, vou end up
LukIng vour sugur wILI vour suIL und vour kIcks wILI vour kIsses, us
Ammu wouId suv.
don`L know II IL`s IIke LIuL evervwIere. onIv know GuLIIn, und LIIs Is
wIuL know: Bv LIe LIme goL buck Lo mv usuuI seuL uL cIurcI wILI
LIe SIsLers, LIe onIv news beIng pussed uIong wILI LIe coIIecLIon pIuLe
wus LIuL LIe BIuebIrd CuI Iud sLopped servIng up Iumburger soup,
peucI pIe seuson wus wIndIng down, und some hooligans Iud sLoIen
LIe LIre swIng Irom LIe oId ouk neur LIe GeneruI`s Green. HuII LIe con-
greguLIon wus sLIII sIuIIIIng down LIe curpeLed uIsIes In wIuL mv mom
used Lo cuII Red Cross sIoes. WILI uII LIe purpIe knees puIIIng up
wIere LIe knee-IIgIs ended, IL IeIL IIke u wIoIe seu oI Iegs wus IoIdIng
ILs breuLI. AL IeusL wus.
BuL LIe SIsLers sLIII propped LIeIr IvmnuIs open Lo LIe wrong puges
wILI LIeIr curIed knuckIes, wudded up IundkercIIeIs burIed In LIe
spoLLed roses oI LIeIr Iunds. NoLIIng kepL LIem Irom sIngIng LIe
meIodv, Ioud und sIrIII, us LIev LrIed Lo drown one unoLIer ouL. ExcepL
AunL Prue. SIe uccIdenLuIIv IIL on u reuI Iurmonv ubouL LIree noLes
ouL oI LIree Iundred, buL nobodv mInded. Some LIIngs dIdn`L Iuve Lo
cIunge, und muvbe LIev sIouIdn`L. Some LIIngs, IIke AunL Prue, were
meunL Lo be oII-kev.
L wus us II LIIs summer Iud never Iuppened, und we were suIe wILIIn
LIese wuIIs. Ike noLIIng buL LIe LIIck, coIored sunIIgIL sLreumIng
LIrougI LIe sLuIned-gIuss wIndows couId Iorce ILs wuv In Iere. NoL
AbruIum Ruvenwood or HunLIng und IIs BIood Puck. NoL enu`s
moLIer SuruIIne or LIe DevII IImseII. Nobodv eIse couId geL pusL LIe
IIerce IospILuIILv oI LIe usIers IundIng ouL progrums. And even II LIev
dId, LIe preucIer wouId keep on preucIIng und LIe cIoIr wouId keep
on sIngIng, becuuse noLIIng sIorL oI LIe upocuIvpse couId keep IoIks In
GuLIIn ouL oI cIurcI or eucI oLIer`s busIness.
BuL ouLsIde LIese wuIIs, LIIs summer Iud cIunged evervLIIng, In boLI
LIe CusLer und MorLuI worIds, even II LIe IoIks In GuLIIn dIdn`L know IL.
enu Iud CIuImed IerseII boLI IgIL und Durk und spIIL LIe Seven-
LeenLI Moon. A buLLIe beLween Demons und CusLers Iud ended In
deuLI on boLI sIdes und opened u cruck In LIe Order oI TIIngs LIe sIze
oI LIe Grund Cunvon. WIuL enu Iud done wus LIe CusLer equIvuIenL
oI smusIIng LIe Ten CommundmenLs. wondered wIuL LIe IoIks In
GuLIIn wouId LIInk ubouL LIuL, II LIev`d ever know. Ioped LIev
wouIdn`L.
TIIs Lown used Lo muke me IeeI cIuusLropIobIc, und IuLed IL. Now IL
IeIL more IIke someLIIng expecLed, someLIIng wouId mIss someduv.
And LIuL duv wus comIng. No one knew LIuL beLLer LIun dId.
Sugur und suIL und kIcks und kIsses. TIe gIrI Ioved Iud come buck Lo
me und broken LIe worId. TIuL`s wIuL ucLuuIIv Iuppened LIIs summer.
We`d seen LIe IusL oI Iumburger soup und peucI pIe und LIre swIngs.
BuL we`d seen LIe sLurL oI someLIIng, Loo.
TIe begInnIng oI LIe End oI Duvs.
;J6=
9.07
Linkubus
wus sLundIng on LIe Lop oI LIe wIILe wuLer Lower, wILI mv buck Lo LIe
sun. Mv IeudIess sIudow IeII ucross LIe wurm puInLed meLuI, dIsup-
peurIng oII LIe edge und InLo LIe skv. couId see SummervIIIe sLreLcI-
Ing ouL beIore me, uII LIe wuv Lo LIe Iuke, Irom RouLe Lo GuLIIn. TIIs
Iud been our Iuppv pIuce, mIne und enu`s. One oI LIem, uL IeusL. BuL
wusn`L IeeIIng Iuppv. IeIL IIke wus goIng Lo LIrow up.
Mv eves were wuLerIng, buL dIdn`L know wIv. Muvbe IL wus LIe IIgIL.
Come on, already. Its time.
cIencIed und uncIencIed mv IIsLs-sLurIng ouL uL LIe LInv Iouses, LIe
LInv curs, und LIe LInv peopIe-wuILIng Ior IL Lo Iuppen. TIe dreud
cIurned In mv sLomucI, Ieuvv und wrong. TIen LIe IumIIIur urms
sIummed InLo mv wuIsL, knockIng LIe uIr ouL oI me und druggIng me
down Lo LIe meLuI Iudder. Mv juw IIL LIe sIde oI LIe ruIIIng, und
sLumbIed. IurcIed Iorwurd, LrvIng Lo LIrow IIm oII.
Who are you?
BuL LIe Iurder swung, LIe Iurder Ie IIL me. TIe nexL puncI Iunded
In mv sLomucI, und doubIed over. TIuL`s wIen suw LIem.
HIs bIuck CIucks. TIev were so oId und beuL-up, LIev couId Iuve been
mIne.
What do you want?
dIdn`L wuIL Ior un unswer. Iunged Ior IIs LIrouL, und Ie wenL Ior
mIne. TIuL`s wIen cuugIL u Iook uL IIs Iuce, und suw LIe LruLI.
He was me.
As we sLured InLo eucI oLIer`s eves und cIuwed uL eucI oLIer`s LIrouLs,
we roIIed over LIe edge oI LIe wuLer Lower und IeII.
TIe wIoIe wuv down, couId onIv LIInk one LIIng.
Finally.
Mv Ieud IIL LIe IIoor wILI u cruck, und mv bodv IoIIowed u second
IuLer, LIe sIeeLs LungIed uround me. LrIed Lo open mv eves, buL LIev
were sLIII bIurred wILI sIeep. wuILed Ior LIe punIc Lo subsIde.
n mv oId dreums, Iud LrIed Lo keep enu Irom IuIIIng. Now wus LIe
one IuIIIng. WIuL dId LIuL meun? WIv dId wuke up IeeIIng IIke `d
uIreudv IuIIen?
ELIun uwson WuLe! WIuL In our SweeL Redeemer`s nume ure vou
doIn` up LIere? Ammu Iud u purLIcuIur wuv oI sIouLIng LIuL couId
IuuI vou rIgIL buck up ouL oI Hudes, us mv dud wouId suv.
opened mv eves, buL uII couId see wus u IoneIv sock, u spIder work-
Ing ILs wuv uImIessIv LIrougI LIe dusL, und u Iew beuL-up, spIne-bus-
Led books. Catch-22. Enders Game. The Outsiders. A Iew oLIers. TIe
LIrIIIIng vIew under mv bed.
NoLIIng. JusL sIuLLIng LIe wIndow. sLured uL mv wIndow, buL
dIdn`L cIose IL. uIwuvs sIepL wILI IL open. `d sLurLed IeuvIng IL open
wIen Mucon dIed-uL IeusL, wIen we LIougIL Ie`d dIed-und now IL
1oJ6=
wus u reussurIng IubIL. MosL peopIe IeIL suIer wILI LIeIr wIndows
cIosed, buL knew u cIosed wIndow couIdn`L proLecL me Irom LIe
LIIngs wus uIruId oI. L couIdn`L keep ouL u Durk CusLer or u BIood
ncubus.
wusn`L sure unvLIIng couId.
BuL II LIere wus u wuv, Mucon seemed deLermIned Lo IInd IL. Iudn`L
seen mucI oI IIm sInce we cume buck Irom LIe GreuL BurrIer. He wus
uIwuvs In LIe TunneIs unvwuv, or workIng on some kInd oI proLecLIve
CusL Lo BInd Ruvenwood. enu`s Iouse Iud become LIe orLress oI
SoIILude sInce LIe SevenLeenLI Moon, wIen LIe Order oI TIIngs-LIe
deIIcuLe buIunce LIuL reguIuLed LIe CusLer worId-wus broken. Ammu
wus creuLIng Ier own orLress oI SoIILude Iere uL WuLe`s undIng-or
orLress oI SupersLILIon, us Ink cuIIed IL. Ammu wouId`ve cuIIed IL
LukIng prevenLuLIve meusures. SIe Iud IIned everv wIndowsIII wILI
suIL und used mv dud`s rIckeLv sLepIudder Lo Iung crucked gIuss boLLIes
upsIde down on everv bruncI oI our crepe mvrLIe Lree. n Wuder`s
Creek, boLLIe Lrees were us common us cvpresses. Now wIenever suw
Ink`s mom uL LIe SLop & SLeuI, Mrs. IncoIn suId LIe sume
LIIng-CuugIL unv evII spIrILs In LIose oId boLLIes veL?
I wish we could catch yours. TIuL`s wIuL wunLed Lo suv. Mrs. IncoIn
sLuIIed In u dusLv brown Coke boLLIe. wusn`L sure unv boLLIe Lree
couId IundIe LIuL.
RIgIL now, jusL wunLed Lo cuLcI u breeze. TIe IeuL roIIed over me us
Ieuned uguInsL mv oId wooden bed Irume. L wus LIIck und suIIocuLIng,
u bIunkeL vou couIdn`L kIck oII. TIe reIenLIess SouLI CuroIInu sun usu-
uIIv IeL up u IILLIe bv SepLember, buL noL LIIs veur.
11J6=
rubbed LIe Iump on mv IoreIeud und sLumbIed Lo LIe sIower.
Lurned on LIe coId wuLer. IeL IL run Ior u mInuLe, buL IL sLIII cume ouL
wurm.
Ive In u row. Iud IuIIen ouL oI bed IIve sLruIgIL mornIngs, und wus
uIruId Lo LeII Ammu ubouL LIe nIgILmures. WIo knew wIuL sIe wouId
Iung on our oId crepe mvrLIe nexL? AILer evervLIIng LIuL Iuppened
LIIs summer, Ammu Iud cIosed In on me IIke u moLIer Iuwk proLecL-
Ing Ier nesL. Everv LIme sLepped ouL oI LIe Iouse, couId uImosL IeeI
Ier sIudowIng me IIke mv own personuI SIeer, u gIosL couIdn`L
escupe.
And couIdn`L sLund IL. needed Lo beIIeve LIuL someLImes u nIgIL-
mure wus jusL u nIgILmure.
smeIIed LIe bucon IrvIng, und Lurned up LIe wuLer. L IInuIIv wenL
coId. L wusn`L unLII wus drvIng oII LIuL noLIced LIe wIndow Iud
cIosed wILIouL me.
Hurrv up, SIeepIn` BeuuLv. `m reudv Lo IIL LIe books. Ieurd Ink
beIore suw IIm, buL uImosL wouIdn`L Iuve recognIzed IIs voIce. L
wus deeper, und Ie sounded more IIke u mun und Iess IIke u guv wIo
specIuIIzed In bungIng on LIe drums und wrILIng bud songs.
YeuI, vou`re reudv Lo IIL someLIIng, buL `m preLLv sure IL`s noL LIe
books. sIId InLo LIe cIuIr nexL Lo IIs spoL uL our cIIpped kILcIen
LubIe. Ink Iud buIked up so mucI LIuL IL Iooked IIke Ie wus sILLIng In
one oI LIose LInv pIusLIc cIuIrs Irom eIemenLurv scIooI. SInce wIen
do vou sIow up on LIme Ior scIooI?
1zJ6=
AL LIe sLove, Ammu snIIIed, one Iund on Ier IIp, LIe oLIer pusIIng uL
scrumbIed eggs wILI LIe One-Eved Menuce, Ier wooden spoon oI
jusLIce.
MornIng, Ammu. couId LeII wus ubouL Lo geL un eurIuI, Irom LIe
wuv sIe Iud one IIp cocked up IIgIer LIun LIe oLIer. KInd oI IIke u
Iouded pIsLoI.
eeIs more IIke uILernoon Lo me. `BouL LIme vou decIded Lo joIn us.
SLundIng uL u IoL sLove on un even IoLLer duv, sIe dIdn`L breuk u sweuL.
L wouId Luke more LIun LIe weuLIer Lo Iorce Ammu Lo budge un IncI
ouL oI Ier wuv oI doIng LIIngs. TIe Iook In Ier eve remInded me oI
LIuL us sIe senL u wIoIe IenIouse`s worLI oI eggs LumbIIng ucross mv
bIue und wIILe Drugonwure pIuLe. TIe bIgger LIe breukIusL, LIe bIgger
LIe duv, In Ammu`s mInd. AL LIIs ruLe, bv LIe LIme gruduuLed `d be
one gIunL bIscuIL IIouLIng In u buLILub IuII oI puncuke buLLer. A dozen
scrumbIed eggs on mv pIuLe meunL LIere wus no denvIng IL. L reuIIv
wus LIe IIrsL duv oI scIooI.
You wouIdn`L expecL me Lo be ILcIIng Lo geL buck Lo Juckson HIgI. usL
veur, wILI LIe excepLIon oI Ink, mv so-cuIIed IrIends Iud LreuLed me
IIke crup. BuL LIe LruLI wus, couIdn`L wuIL Ior u reuson Lo geL ouL oI
mv Iouse.
You euL up, ELIun WuLe. TousL IIew onLo LIe pIuLe, cIused bv bucon
und seuIed wILI u IeuILIv gIop oI buLLer und grILs. Ammu Iud puL ouL u
pIucemuL Ior Ink, buL LIere wus no pIuLe on IL. NoL even u gIuss. SIe
knew Ink wouIdn`L be euLIng Ier eggs, or unvLIIng eIse sIe wIIpped
up In our kILcIen.
BuL noL even Ammu couId LeII us wIuL Ie wus cupubIe oI now. No one
knew, IeusL oI uII Ink. I JoIn Breed wus some kInd oI CusLer-ncubus
IvbrId, Ink wus one generuLIon removed. As Iur us Mucon couId LeII,
1J6=
Ink wus LIe ncubus equIvuIenL oI some dIsLunL SouLIern cousIn vou
run InLo everv coupIe oI veurs uL u weddIng or u IuneruI und cuIIed LIe
wrong nume.
Ink sLreLcIed IIs urms beIInd IIs Ieud, reIuxed. TIe wooden cIuIr
creuked under IIs weIgIL. L`s been u Iong summer, WuLe. `m reudv
Lo geL buck In LIe gume.
swuIIowed u spoonIuI oI grILs und Iud Lo IIgIL LIe urge Lo spIL LIem
ouL. TIev LusLed weIrd, drv. Ammu Iud never mude u bud buLcI oI grILs
In Ier IIIe. Muvbe IL wus LIe IeuL. WIv don`L vou usk RIdIev Iow sIe
IeeIs ubouL LIuL, und geL buck Lo me?
He wInced, und couId LeII LIe subjecL Iud uIreudv come up. L`s our
junIor veur, und `m LIe onIv Inkubus uL Juckson. goL uII LIe cIurm
und none u LIe Iurm. AII LIe muscIe und none u LIe-
WIuL? You Iuve u rIvme Ior muscIe? HusLIe? BusLIe? wouId`ve
IuugIed, buL wus IuvIng u Iurd LIme geLLIng mv grILs down.
You know wIuL meun. dId. L wus u IILLIe more LIun IronIc. HIs
onuguIn, oII-uguIn gIrIIrIend, enu`s cousIn RIdIev, Iud been u
SIren-ubIe Lo geL unv guv, unvwIere, Lo do wIuLever sIe wunLed,
wIenever sIe wunLed IL. UnLII SuruIIne Look RIdIev`s powers, und sIe
becume u MorLuI jusL duvs beIore Ink becume purL ncubus. NoL Iong
uILer LIuL bILe, we couId uII see LIe LrunsIormuLIon begInnIng, rIgIL In
IronL oI our eves.
Ink`s rIdIcuIousIv greusv spIked IuIr becume rIdIcuIousIv cooI greusv
spIked IuIr. He pucked on LIe muscIe, poppIng ouL bIceps IIke LIe In-
IIuLubIe wuLer wIngs IIs moLIer used Lo muke IIm weur Iong uILer Ie
knew Iow Lo swIm. He Iooked more IIke u guv In un ucLuuI rock bund
LIun u guv wIo dreumed ubouL beIng In one.
1qJ6=
wouIdn`L mess wILI RIdIev. SIe muv noL be u SIren unvmore, buL
sIe`s sLIII LroubIe. scooped grILs und eggs onLo mv LousL, sIupped bu-
con In LIe mIddIe, und roIIed IL uII up LogeLIer.
Ink Iooked uL me IIke Ie wunLed Lo puke. ood dIdn`L Iuve LIe sume
uppeuI now LIuL Ie wus purL ncubus. Dude, `m noL messIn` wILI RId-
Iev. `m sLupId, buL `m noL LIuL sLupId.
wus sLurLIng Lo Iuve mv doubLs. sIrugged und sLuIIed IuII mv
breukIusL sundwIcI InLo mv mouLI. L LusLed wrong, Loo. Guess un-
dersIoL on LIe bucon.
BeIore couId suv unoLIer word, u Iund cIumped down on mv
sIouIder, und jumped. or u second, wus buck uL LIe Lop oI LIe wu-
Ler Lower In mv dreum, brucIng Ior un uLLuck. BuL IL wus onIv Ammu,
reudv Ior Ier usuuI IIrsL duv oI scIooI IecLure. AL IeusL, LIuL`s wIuL
LIougIL. sIouId`ve noLIced LIe red sLrIng LIed uround Ier wrIsL. A
new cIurm uIwuvs meunL LIe cIouds were roIIIng In.
Don`L know wIuL vou bovs ure LIInkIn`, sILLIng Iere IIke Loduv`s jusL
unoLIer duv. L`s noL over-noL LIe moon or LIIs IeuL or LIuL busIness
wILI AbruIum Ruvenwood. You Lwo ure ucLIn` IIke done Is done, LIe
IIgILs ure on und IL`s LIme Lo Ieuve LIe pIcLure sIow. SIe Iowered Ier
voIce. WeII, vou`re us wrong us wuIkIn` bureIooL In cIurcI. TIIngs
Iuve consequences, und we Iuven`L seen LIe IuII u LIem.
knew ubouL consequences. TIev were evervwIere Iooked, no muLLer
Iow Iurd LrIed noL Lo see LIem.
Mu`um? Ink sIouId Iuve known Lo keep IIs mouLI sIuL wIen
Ammu wus goIng durk.
SIe cIencIed Ink`s sIIrL LIgILer, creuLIng IresI crucks In LIe BIuck
SubbuLI Iron-on decuI. SLIck cIose Lo mv bov. TIere`s LroubIe runnIn`
1=J6=
LIrougI vou now, und `m Len kInds u sorrv `bouL LIuL. BuL IL`s LIe kInd
u LroubIe LIuL muv keep vou IooIs Irom geLLIn` InLo unv more. You Ieur
me, WesIev JeIIerson IncoIn?
Ink nodded, scured. Yes, mu`um.
Iooked up uL Ammu Irom mv sIde oI LIe LubIe. SIe Iudn`L reIuxed Ier
grIp on Ink, und sIe wusn`L ubouL Lo IeL go oI me unvLIme soon.
Ammu, don`L geL vourseII uII worked up. L`s jusL LIe IIrsL duv oI
scIooI. Compured Lo wIuL we`ve been LIrougI, LIIs Is noLIIng. L`s noL
IIke LIere ure unv Vexes or ncubuses or Demons uL Juckson HIgI.
Ink cIeured IIs LIrouL. WeII, LIuL Isn`L exucLIv Lrue. He LrIed Lo
smIIe, buL Ammu LwIsLed IIs sIIrL even Iurder, unLII Ie rose up Irom
LIe seuL oI IIs cIuIr. Ow!
You LIInk LIIs Is Iunnv? Ink wus smurL enougI Lo keep IIs mouLI
sIuL LIIs LIme. Ammu Lurned Lo me. wus LIere wIen vou IosL vour
IIrsL LooLI In LIuL uppIe, und vour wIeeIs In LIe PInewood Derbv. `ve
cuL up sIoe boxes Ior dIorumus und Iced Iundreds u bIrLIduv cup-
cukes. Never suId u word wIen vour wuLer coIIecLIon up und evupor-
uLed IIke suId IL wouId.
No, mu`um. L wus Lrue. Ammu wus LIe consLunL In mv IIIe. SIe wus
LIere wIen mv mom dIed, uImosL u veur und u IuII ugo, und wIen mv
dud IosL IImseII becuuse oI IL.
SIe IeL go oI mv sIIrL us suddenIv us sIe Iud Luken IL, smooLIed Ier
upron, und Iowered Ier voIce. WIuLever Iud brougIL on LIIs purLIcuIur
sLorm Iud pussed. Muvbe IL wus LIe IeuL. L wus geLLIng Lo uII oI us.
Ammu Iooked ouL LIe wIndow, pusL Ink und me. `ve been Iere,
ELIun WuLe. And wIII be, Iong us vou ure. ong us vou need me. NoL u
mInuLe Iess. NoL u mInuLe more.
16J6=
WIuL wus LIuL supposed Lo meun? Ammu Iud never LuIked Lo me LIuL
wuv beIore-IIke LIere wouId ever be u LIme wIen wusn`L Iere or
wouIdn`L need Ier.
know, Ammu.
You Iook me In LIe eve und LeII me vou`re noL us scured us um, IIve
mIIes down. Her voIce wus Iow, neurIv u wIIsper.
We mude IL buck In one pIece. TIuL`s wIuL muLLers. We cun IIgure
evervLIIng eIse ouL.
L`s noL LIuL sImpIe. Ammu wus sLIII LuIkIng us quIeLIv us II we were In
LIe IronL pew uL cIurcI. Puv uLLenLIon. Hus unvLIIng, even one LIIng,
IeIL LIe sume sInce we goL buck Lo GuLIIn?
Ink spoke up, scruLcIIng IIs Ieud. Mu`um, II IL`s ELIun und enu
vou`re worrIed ubouL, promIse vou us Iong us `m uround, wILI mv su-
persLrengLI und uII, noLIIn`s gonnu Iuppen Lo LIem. He IIexed IIs
urm proudIv.
Ammu snorLed. WesIev IncoIn. Don`L vou know? TIe kInd u LIIngs
`m LuIkIn` ubouL, vou couId no more keep Irom IuppenIn` LIun vou
couId keep LIe skv Irom IuIIIn`.
Look u swIg oI mv cIocoIuLe mIIk und uImosL spIL IL ouL uII over LIe
LubIe. L LusLed Loo sweeL, sugur couLIng mv LIrouL IIke cougI svrup. L
wus IIke mv eggs, wIIcI Iud LusLed more IIke coLLon, und LIe grILs
more IIke sund.
EvervLIIng wus oII Loduv, evervLIIng und evervone. WIuL`s wrong
wILI LIe mIIk, Ammu?
1;J6=
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. don`L know, ELIun WuLe. WIuL`s wrong wILI
vour mouLI?
wIsI knew.
Bv LIe LIme we were ouL LIe door und In LIe BeuLer, Lurned buck Ior
one IusL Iook uL WuLe`s undIng. don`L know wIv. SIe wus sLundIng In
LIe wIndow, beLween LIe curLuIns, wuLcIIng me drIve uwuv. And II
dIdn`L know beLLer, und dIdn`L know Ammu, wouId Iuve sworn sIe
wus crvIng.
18J6=
9.07
Mortal Girls
As we drove down Dove SLreeL, IL wus Iurd Lo beIIeve our Lown Iud
ever been unvLIIng buL brown. TIe gruss Iooked IIke burnL LousL beIore
vou scruped oII LIe bIuck purLs. TIe BeuLer wus ubouL LIe onIv LIIng
LIuL Iudn`L cIunged. Ink wus ucLuuIIv drIvIng LIe speed IImIL Ior
once, even II IL wus onIv becuuse Ie wunLed Lo cIeck ouL wIuL wus IeIL
oI our neIgIbors` IronL vurds.
Mun, Iook uL Mrs. AsIer`s uzuIeus. Sun`s so IoL, LIev Lurned bIuck.
Ink wus rIgIL ubouL LIe IeuL. AccordIng Lo LIe Farmers Almanac,
und LIe SIsLers, wIo were GuLIIn`s wuIkIng uImunuc, IL Iudn`L been LIIs
IoL In GuLIIn CounLv sInce 1qz. BuL LIe sun wusn`L wIuL Iud kIIIed
Mrs. AsIer`s uzuIeus.
TIev uren`L burnL. TIev`re covered In Iubbers.
Ink Iung ouL LIe wIndow Lo geL u beLLer Iook. No wuv.
TIe grussIoppers Iud sIown up In droves LIree weeks uILer enu
CIuImed IerseII, und Lwo weeks uILer LIe worsL IeuL wuve In sevenLv
veurs IIL. ubber grussIoppers weren`L vour run-oI-LIe-mIII green
grussIoppers, IIke LIe ones Ammu Iound In LIe kILcIen everv now und
LIen. ubbers were bIuck, wILI un ungrv sIusI oI veIIow runnIng down
LIeIr bucks, und LIev LruveIed In swurms. TIev were IIke IocusLs, de-
vourIng everv IncI oI green In Lown, IncIudIng LIe GeneruI`s Green.
GeneruI JubuI A. EurIv`s sLuLue wus sLundIng on u brown cIrcIe oI deud
gruss, IIs sword druwn und covered wILI u bIuck urmv oI ILs own.
Ink sped up u IILLIe. TIuL`s nusLv. Mv mom LIInks LIev`re one u LIe
pIugues u LIe upocuIvpse. SIe`s wuILIn` Ior LIe Irogs Lo sIow up und LIe
wuLer Lo run red.
or once couIdn`L bIume Mrs. IncoIn. n u Lown buIIL on equuI purLs
reIIgIon und supersLILIon, IL wus Iurd Lo Ignore un unprecedenLed In-
IesLuLIon oI grussIoppers LIuL Iud descended on GuLIIn IIke u bIuck
cIoud. Everv duv seemed IIke un End oI Duvs kInd oI u duv. And
wusn`L ubouL Lo knock on Mrs. IncoIn`s door und LeII Ier IL wus mosL
IIkeIv LIe resuIL oI mv CusLer gIrIIrIend spIILLIng LIe moon und dIsrupL-
Ing LIe Order oI TIIngs. We were IuvIng u Iurd enougI LIme convIn-
cIng Ink`s mom LIuL IIs new pIvsIque wusn`L LIe resuIL oI sLeroIds.
He Iud uIreudv been Lo Doc AsIer`s oIIIce LwIce LIIs monLI.
WIen we puIIed InLo LIe purkIng IoL, enu wus uIreudv LIere, und
someLIIng eIse Iud cIunged. SIe wusn`L drIvIng Ier cousIn urkIn`s
usLbuck unvmore. SIe wus sLundIng nexL Lo Mucon`s Ieurse, In u vIn-
Luge Uz T-sIIrL wILI LIe word WAR wrILLen ucross LIe Lop, u gruv skIrL,
und Ier oId bIuck CIucks. TIere wus IresI SIurpIe Inked ucross LIe
Loes. L wus cruzv Iow u Ieurse und u puIr oI sneukers couId cIeer u
guv up.
A mIIIIon LIougILs run LIrougI mv Ieud. TIuL wIen sIe Iooked uL me,
IL wus IIke LIere wus no one eIse In LIe worId. TIuL wIen Iooked uL
Ier, noLIced everv deLuII ubouL Ier wIIIe evervLIIng eIse Iuded uwuv.
TIuL wus onIv mvseII wIen we were LogeLIer.
L wus ImpossIbIe Lo puL InLo words, und even II couId wusn`L sure
LIe words wouId be rIgIL. BuL dIdn`L Iuve Lo Lrv, becuuse enu und
never Iud Lo suv LIe LIIngs we IeIL. We couId LIInk LIem, und KeILIng
Look cure oI LIe resL.
Hi.
z1J6=
What took you so long?
cIImbed ouL oI LIe pussenger seuL, LIe buck oI mv sIIrL uIreudv
souked wILI sweuL. Ink seemed Immune Lo LIe IeuL, unoLIer perk oI
beIng purL ncubus. sIIpped InLo enu`s urms und breuLIed Ier In.
emons und rosemurv. TIe scenL Iud IoIIowed LIrougI LIe IuIIs oI
Juckson beIore suw Ier Ior LIe IIrsL LIme. TIe one LIuL Iud never
Iuded, even wIen sIe wuIked InLo LIe durkness und uwuv Irom me.
Ieuned down cureIuIIv Lo kIss Ier wILIouL brusIIng uguInsL unv oLIer
purL oI Ier bodv. TIese duvs, LIe more we LoucIed, LIe Iess couId
breuLIe. TIe pIvsIcuI eIIecLs oI LoucIIng Ier Iud InLensIIIed, und even
LIougI LrIed Lo IIde IL, sIe knew.
IeIL LIe joIL us soon us our IIps meL. TIe sweeLness oI Ier kIss wus so
perIecL und LIe sIock oI Ier skIn so powerIuI LIuL mv Ieud wus uIwuvs
IeIL spInnIng. BuL now LIere wus someLIIng eIse-LIe IeeIIng sIe wus
InIuIIng mv breuLI everv LIme our IIps meL, puIIIng un InvIsIbIe sLrIng
couIdn`L conLroI. enu urcIed Ier neck und puIIed uwuv beIore couId
move.
Later.
sIgIed, und sIe bIew me u kIss.
But, L, its been
A whole nine hours?
Yeah.
smIIed uL Ier, und sIe sIook Ier Ieud.
zzJ6=
I dont want you to spend the first day of school in the nurses office.
enu wus more worrIed ubouL me LIun wus. I someLIIng Iuppened
Lo me-wIIcI wus u preLLv bIg possIbIIILv, sInce IL wus becomIng
Iurder Lo kIss Ier, und even Iurder Lo sLuv uwuv- dIdn`L cure.
couIdn`L sLund Lo LIInk ubouL noL LoucIIng Ier. TIIngs were cIungIng.
TIuL IeeIIng-LIe puIn LIuL wusn`L puIn-wus sLIII LIere even wIen we
were upurL. TIere sIouId be u nume Ior IL, LIe perIecL ucIe IeIL In LIe
empLv pIuces sIe usuuIIv IIIIed.
s LIere u word Lo descrIbe LIuL? HeurLucIe, muvbe? s LIuL Iow LIev
cume up wILI LIe word? ExcepL IeIL IL In mv guL, mv Ieud, mv enLIre
bodv. suw enu wIen wus IookIng ouL wIndows und sLurIng uL wuIIs.
LrIed Lo Iocus on someLIIng LIuL dIdn`L IurL. IIke vour new wIeeIs.
You meun mv oId ones? RIdIev LIrew u IIL ubouL rIdIng In u Ieurse.
WIere`s RId? Ink wus uIreudv scunnIng LIe purkIng IoL.
enu gesLured uL LIe Ieurse beIInd Ier. SIe`s In LIere cIungIng Ier
cIoLIes.
SIe cun`L cIunge uL Iome IIke u normuI person? usked.
Ieurd LIuL, SIorL SLruw, RIdIev cuIIed ouL Irom InsIde LIe cur. um
noL-u buII oI crumpIed IubrIc IIew LIrougI LIe drIver`s sIde wIndow,
IundIng In u Ieup on LIe sLeumIng uspIuIL-u normal person. SIe
suId IL IIke normuI wus un uIIIIcLIon. And um noL weurIng LIIs muss-
produced pIece oI muII crup. RIdIev wus squIrmIng uround, LIe IeuLI-
er seuL squeukIng us IIusIes oI bIond und pInk IuIr wIIpped In und ouL
oI vIew. A puIr oI sIIver sIoes IIew ouL LIe wIndow. Iook IIke beIong
on LIe DIsnev CIunneI.
zJ6=
benL down und pIcked up LIe oIIensIve pIece oI cIoLIIng. L wus u
sIorL, prInLed dress Irom u cIuIn sLore uL LIe muII In SummervIIIe. L
wus u vurIuLIon oI LIe sume dress SuvunnuI Snow, EmIIv AsIer, Eden
WesLerIv, und CIurIoLLe CIuse-LIe queens oI LIe cIeerIeudIng
squud-und LIereIore IuII LIe gIrIs uL Juckson HIgI, wore.
enu roIIed Ier eves. Grummu decIded RIdIev needed Lo dress more
upproprIuLeIv now LIuL sIe wouId be goIng Lo u MorLuI IIgI scIooI.
enu dropped Ier voIce. You know, us u MorLuI.
Ieurd LIuL! A wIILe Lunk Lop IIew ouL LIe wIndow. JusL becuuse
`m u dIsgusLIng MorLuI doesn`L meun Iuve Lo dress IIke one. enu
gIunced over Ier sIouIder und moved uwuv Irom LIe cur. RIdIev
sLepped ouL oI LIe Ieurse und udjusLed Ier new ouLIIL-u brIgIL pInk
T-sIIrL und u bIuck sIIver oI muLerIuI LIuL sIe wus pussIng oII us u skIrL.
TIe sIIrL wus sIusIed uII over und suIeLv-pInned In u Iew pIuces,
IungIng down on one sIde Lo sIow oII RIdIev`s sIouIder.
don`L know II vou`II ever Iook IIke u MorLuI, Bube. Ink Lugged un-
comIorLubIv on IIs own T-sIIrL, wIIcI Iooked IIke IIs mom Iud
sIrunk IL In LIe wusI.
TIunk God Ior smuII Iuvors. And don`L cuII me Bube. RIdIev grubbed
LIe dress, IoIdIng IL beLween Lwo IIngers. We sIouId gIve LIIs LIIng Lo
GoodwIII. Muvbe LIev cun seII IL us u HuIIoween cosLume.
enu sLured uL u beIL buckIe sIung Iow uround RIdIev`s wuIsL. Speuk-
Ing oI GoodwIII, wIuL`s LIuL?
WIuL? TIIs oId LIIng? L wus un oversIze buckIe on u buLLered bIuck
IeuLIer beIL, wILI some kInd oI InsecL cuugIL In u rock or pIusLIc or
someLIIng. LIInk IL wus u scorpIon. L wus creepv und weIrd, und verv
RIdIev. JusL LrvIng Lo IIL In. RIdIev smIIed, smuckIng Ier gum. You
know. AII LIe cooI kIds ure weurIng LIem. WILIouL Ier sIgnuLure
zqJ6=
IoIIIpops, sIe wus ubouL us crunkv us mv dud wIen Ammu swILcIed
IIm Lo decuI.
enu IeL IL go. You`re gonnu Iuve Lo cIunge buck beIore we go Iome,
or Grummu wIII IIgure ouL wIuL vou`re up Lo. RIdIev Ignored Ier und
dropped LIe crumpIed dress onLo LIe IoL uspIuIL, sLeppIng on IL wILI
Ier superIIgI sunduIs.
enu sIgIed und IeId ouL Ier Iund. TIe dress IIew up Lowurd Ier IIn-
gers, buL beIore IL reucIed LIem LIe IubrIc bursL InLo IIumes. enu
vunked Ier Iund buck, und LIe dress IIL LIe ground, LIe edges uIreudv
cIurred.
HoIv crup! Ink sLomped on LIe muLerIuI unLII LIere wus noLIIng IeIL
buL u smoIderIng bIuck mess. enu Lurned red.
RIdIev wus unIuzed. Wuv Lo go, Cuz. CouIdn`L Iuve done IL beLLer
mvseII.
enu wuLcIed LIe IusL curI oI bIuck smoke dIsuppeur. dIdn`L meun-
know. RIdIev Iooked bored.
enu`s powers Iud been ouL oI wIuck ever sInce sIe CIuImed IerseII,
wIIcI wus dungerous, consIderIng sIe wus boLI IgIL und Durk. Her
powers Iud uIwuvs been unpredIcLubIe, buL now sIe couId cuuse unv-
LIIng Irom downpours und IurrIcune-Iorce wInds Lo IoresL IIres.
enu sIgIed, IrusLruLed. `II geL vou unoLIer one beIore LIe end oI LIe
duv, RId.
RIdIev roIIed Ier eves, dIggIng LIrougI Ier purse. Don`L do me unv Iu-
vors. SIe puIIed ouL Ier sungIusses.
z=J6=
Good Ideu. Ink sIId on IIs scruLcIed bIuck wrupuround sIudes,
wIIcI Iud been cooI Ior ubouL Len mInuLes wIen we were In sIxLI
grude. eL`s groove, Sugur Cube.
TIev Lurned Lowurd LIe sLeps, und suw mv cIunce. reucIed Ior
enu`s urm und puIIed Ier cIose. SIe pusIed mv brown IuIr, wIIcI
wus uIwuvs u IILLIe Loo Iong, ouL oI mv eves und Iooked up uL me Irom
under Ier LIIck bIuck IusIes. One perIecLIv goId eve und one durk
green one sLured buck uL me. Her eves Iud never cIunged buck uILer
LIe nIgIL SuruIIne cuIIed LIe SevenLeenLI Moon ouL oI LIme. SIe
Iooked up uL me wILI LIe goId eve oI u Durk CusLer und LIe green eve oI
u IgIL one-u consLunL remInder oI LIe momenL enu reuIIzed sIe
possessed boLI Lvpes oI power. BuL Ier eves were uIso u remInder LIuL
Ier cIoIce Iud cIunged LIIngs Ior boLI LIe CusLer und LIe MorLuI
worIds. And Ior us.
Ethan, dont
Shh. You worry too much.
wrupped mv urms uround Ier, und LIe IeeI oI Ier burned LIrougI mv
veIns. couId IeeI LIe InLensILv oI IL us sLruggIed Lo keep mv sIuIIow
breuLIs even. SIe Lugged genLIv on mv Iower IIp us we kIssed, und
wus IIgIL-Ieuded und dIsorIenLed In seconds. To me, we weren`L sLund-
Ing In LIe mIddIe oI LIe purkIng IoL. muges IIusIed LIrougI mv mInd,
und Iud Lo be IuIIucInuLIng, becuuse now we were kIssIng In LIe wu-
Ler, In uke MouILrIe-on mv desk In EngIIsI-uL LIe IuncI LubIes-be-
IInd LIe bIeucIers-In LIe gurden uL GreenbrIer.
TIen u sIudow pussed over me, und IeIL someLIIng LIuL wusn`L LIe
resuIL oI Ier kIss. `d Iud LIe sume IeeIIng beIore, on Lop oI LIe wuLer
Lower, In mv dreum. A suIIocuLIng dIzzIness wrupped ILseII uround me,
z6J6=
und enu und weren`L In LIe gurden unvmore. We were surrounded
bv dIrL, kIssIng In un open gruve.
wus goIng Lo puss ouL.
As mv knees buckIed, u voIce cuL LIrougI LIe uIr und our kIss, und
enu Lore IerseII uwuv Irom me.
Hev LIere. How v`uII doIn`? SuvunnuI Snow.
coIIupsed uguInsL LIe sIde oI LIe Ieurse, sIIdIng Lo LIe ground. TIen
IeIL someone puIIIng me up, mv IeeL bureIv LoucIIng LIe uspIuIL.
WIuL`s wrong wILI ELIun? SuvunnuI druwIed. opened mv eves.
TIe IeuL, guess. Ink grInned und puL me down. enu Iooked
sIocked, buL RIdIev Iooked worse. Becuuse Ink wus smIIIng IIke
someone Iud jusL oIIered IIm u record deuI. TIuL someone beIng Su-
vunnuI Snow-cIeer cupLuIn, TIIrd Degree Burns-IeveI IoL-und LIe
HoIv GruII oI unuLLuInubIe gIrIs uL SLonewuII Juckson HIgI.
SuvunnuI sLood LIere, squeezIng Ier books uguInsL Ier cIesL so Iurd
Ier knuckIes Lurned wIILe. SIe wus weurIng uImosL LIe sume dress
RIdIev Iud Lossed onLo LIe uspIuIL seconds eurIIer. EmIIv AsIer wus
LruIIIng beIInd Ier, weurIng Ier own versIon oI SuvunnuI`s ouLIIL,
IookIng conIused. SuvunnuI sLepped cIoser Lo Ink, wILI onIv Ier
books beLween LIem. WIuL reuIIv meunL wus, Iow ure vou?
Ink run IIs Iund LIrougI IIs IuIr nervousIv und Look u sLep buck.
`m good. WIuL`s up?
SuvunnuI IIIpped Ier bIond ponvLuII und bIL Ier Iower IIp suggesLIveIv,
sLIckv pInk IIp gIoss meILIng In LIe sun. NoL mucI. JusL wonderIn` II
z;J6=
vou`re goIn` Lo LIe Dur-ee Keen uILer scIooI. Muvbe vou cun gIve me u
rIde.
EmIIv Iooked us surprIsed us wus. SuvunnuI wus more IIkeIv Lo gIve
up Ier posILIon on LIe cIeer squud LIun ugree Lo rIde In Ink`s rusLed
sIeII oI u cur. SInce rIdIng uround wILI SuvunnuI wus one oI LIe re-
quIremenLs oI beIng Ier sIdekIck, EmIIv spoke up. SuvunnuI, we Iuve
u rIde. EurI Is LukIn` us, remember?
You rIde wILI EurI. LIInk `d ruLIer rIde wILI Ink. SuvunnuI wus
sLIII sLurIng uL Ink IIke Ie wus u rock sLur.
enu sIook Ier Ieud uL me.
I told you. Its the John Breed effect. Not too shabby for a quarter In-
cubus. You cant expect a Mortal girl not to feel it.
TIuL wus un undersLuLemenL.
Just Mortal girls, L?
SIe preLended noL Lo know wIuL wus LuIkIng ubouL.
Not all Mortal girls. Look
SIe wus rIgIL. Ink dIdn`L seem Lo be IuvIng LIe sume eIIecL on EmIIv.
TIe more SuvunnuI IIcked Ier IIps, LIe more nuuseuLed EmIIv
uppeured.
RIdIev grubbed Ink`s urm, jerkIng IIm uwuv Irom SuvunnuI. He`s
busv LIIs uILernoon, sweeLIeurL. You sIouId IIsLen Lo vour IrIend. Her
eves weren`L veIIow unvmore, buL RIdIev Iooked us InLImIduLIng us Ier
Iormer Durk CusLer seII.
z8J6=
SuvunnuI dIdn`L LIInk so, or sIe dIdn`L cure. OI, sorrv. Are vou Lwo
LogeLIer? SIe puused Ior u second, preLendIng Lo uppeur LIougILIuI.
No. TIuL`s rIgIL, vou uren`L.
Anvone wIo spenL unv LIme uL LIe Dur-ee Keen knew LIuL Ink und
RIdIev`s on-uguIn, oII-uguIn reIuLIonsIIp wus oII uL LIe momenL. Su-
vunnuI Iooked Ier urm LIrougI Ink`s oLIer urm. A cIuIIenge.
guess LIuL meuns Ink cun muke IIs own decIsIons.
Ink unLungIed IImseII Irom boLI oI LIem und druped IIs urms over
LIeIr sIouIders. udIes, IudIes. TIere`s no need Lo IIgIL. TIere`s
pIenLv u LIIs Lo go uround. He puIIed ouL IIs cIesL, even LIougI IL wus
bIg enougI uIreudv. NormuIIv, wouId`ve IuugIed uL LIe Ideu oI Lwo
gIrIs IIgILIng over Ink, excepL LIev weren`L jusL unv Lwo gIrIs. We were
LuIkIng ubouL SuvunnuI Snow und RIdIev DucIunnes. SupernuLuruI or
noL, LIev were LIe Lwo mosL powerIuI SIrens munkInd Iud ever been
Iuckv-or unIuckv-enougI Lo encounLer, dependIng on Iow LIev used
LIeIr powers oI persuusIon.
SuvunnuI, IeL`s go. We`re gonnu be IuLe Ior cIuss. EmIIv sounded dIs-
gusLed. wondered wIv Ink`s ncubus mugneLIsm dIdn`L work on Ier.
SuvunnuI wedged IerseII LIgILer under IIs urm. You sIouId IInd
vourseII u guv wIo`s more-sIe Iooked uL RIdIev und Ier suIeLv-
pInned sIIrL-IIke vou.
RIdIev sIrugged Ink`s urm oII Ier sIouIder. And vou sIouId be cure-
IuI wIo vou LuIk Lo IIke LIuL, BurbIe. SuvunnuI wus Iuckv RIdIev dIdn`L
Iuve Ier powers unvmore.
This is about to get ugly, L.
Dont worry. Im not going to let Rid get kicked out on her first day. I
wont give Principal Harper the satisfaction.
zJ6=
RIdIev, IeL`s go. enu wuIked over und sLood nexL Lo Ier cousIn.
SIe`s noL worLI IL. TrusL me.
SuvunnuI wus ubouL Lo IIre buck, wIen someLIIng dIsLrucLed Ier. SIe
crInkIed Ier nose. Your eves-LIev`re Lwo dIIIerenL coIors. WIuL`s
wrong wILI vou?
EmIIv wundered over Lo geL u beLLer Iook. L wus onIv u muLLer oI LIme
beIore someone noLIced enu`s eves. TIev were ImpossIbIe Lo mIss.
BuL Iud Ioped we wouId muke IL pusL LIe purkIng IoL beIore LIe IIrsL
wuve oI gossIp IIL. SuvunnuI, wIv don`L vou-
enu InLerrupLed beIore couId IInIsI. wouId usk vou LIe sume
quesLIon, buL we uII know LIe unswer.
RIdIev crossed Ier urms. eL me gIve vou u IInL. L begIns wILI B und
rIvmes wILI bILcI.
enu Lurned Ier buck on SuvunnuI und EmIIv, IeudIng Ior Juckson`s
broken concreLe sLeps. grubbed Ier Iund, LIe energv puIsuLIng up mv
urm. expecLed enu Lo be sIukv uILer IucIng oII uguInsL SuvunnuI, buL
sIe wus cuIm. SomeLIIng Iud cIunged, und IL wus more LIun jusL Ier
eves. guess wIen vou`ve Iuced u Durk CusLer wIo uIso Iuppens Lo be
vour moLIer, und u Iundred-und-IIILv-veur-oId BIood ncubus wIo Is
LrvIng Lo kIII vou, u Iew cIeerIeuders uren`L LIuL InLImIduLIng.
You okay?
enu squeezed mv Iund.
Im okay.
oJ6=
couId Ieur RIdIev`s sIoes smuckIng uguInsL LIe concreLe beIInd us.
Ink jogged up uIongsIde me. Mun, II LIIs Is wIuL Iuve Lo Iook Ior-
wurd Lo, LIIs veur Is gonnu rock.
LrIed Lo convInce mvseII Ie wus rIgIL us we cuL ucross LIe brown
gruss, deud Iubbers cruncIIng under our IeeL.
1J6=
9.07
Stonewalling
TIere`s someLIIng ubouL wuIkIng InLo scIooI IoIdIng Iunds wILI u
person vou ucLuuIIv Iove. L`s sLrunge-noL bud sLrunge. TIe besL
sLrunge. remembered wIuL mude coupIes Iung uround uLLucIed Lo
eucI oLIer IIke coId spugIeLLI. TIere were so munv wuvs Lo be knoLLed
up LogeLIer. Arms druped uround necks, Iunds crossed In pockeLs. We
couIdn`L even wuIk nexL Lo eucI oLIer wILIouL our sIouIders IIndIng u
wuv Lo bump, us II our bodIes gruvILuLed Lowurd eucI oLIer on LIeIr
own. guess wIen eIecLrIc voILuge murked eucI oI LIose LInv connec-
LIons, vou noLIced LIem more LIun LIe uveruge guv.
Even LIougI sIouId`ve been used Lo IL bv now, IL sLIII IeIL weIrd Lo
wuIk down LIe IuIIs wIIIe evervone sLured uL enu. SIe wouId uIwuvs
be LIe mosL beuuLIIuI gIrI In scIooI, no muLLer wIuL coIor Ier eves
were, und evervone Iere knew IL, Loo. SIe wus LIuL gIrI-LIe one wIo
Iud Ier own kInd oI power, supernuLuruI or noL. And LIere wus u Iook
u guv couIdn`L IeIp buL gIve LIuL gIrI, no muLLer wIuL sIe`d done or
Iow mucI oI u Ireuk sIe wouId uIwuvs be.
L wus LIe sume Iook LIe guvs were gIvIng Ier now.
Calm down, Lover Boy.
enu bumped Ier sIouIder uguInsL mIne.
IorgoL wIuL LIIs wuIk wus IIke. AILer enu`s sIxLeenLI bIrLIduv, IosL
more und more oI Ier everv duv. Bv LIe end oI LIe scIooI veur, sIe wus
so dIsLunL couId bureIv IInd Ier In LIe IuIIs. L wus onIv u Iew monLIs
ugo. BuL now LIuL we were Iere uguIn, remembered.
I dont like the way theyre looking at you.
What way?
sLopped wuIkIng und LoucIed LIe sIde oI enu`s Iuce, beIow LIe
crescenL-sIuped bIrLImurk on Ier cIeekbone. A sIIver sIoL LIrougI
boLI oI us, und Ieuned down Lo IInd Ier mouLI.
This way.
SIe puIIed buck, smIIIng, und drugged me down LIe IuII.
I get the picture. But I think youre way off. Look.
Emorv WuLkIns und LIe oLIer guvs Irom LIe buskeLbuII Leum were
sLurIng pusL us us we wuIked bv IIs Iocker. He nodded uL me.
I hate to break it to you, Ethan, but theyre not looking at me.
Ieurd Ink`s voIce. Hev, gIrIs. We sIooLIn` Ioops LIIs uILernoon or
wIuL? He bumped IIsLs wILI Emorv und kepL wuIkIng. BuL LIev wer-
en`L IookIng uL IIm eILIer.
RIdIev wus u sLep beIInd LIe resL oI us, IeLLIng Ier Iong pInk nuIIs LruII
uIong LIe Iocker doors. WIen sIe goL Lo Emorv`s, sIe IeL LIe door cIose
beneuLI Ier IIngers.
Hev, girls. TIe wuv RIdIev roIIed ouL LIe words, sIe sLIII sounded
IIke u SIren.
qJ6=
Emorv sLummered, und RIdIev IeL Ier IInger LruII ucross IIs cIesL us
sIe wuIked pusL. n LIuL skIrL, sIe wus sIowIng more Ieg LIun sIouId
Iuve been IeguI. TIe enLIre Leum Lurned Lo wuLcI Ier go.
WIo`s vour IrIend? Emorv wus LuIkIng Lo Ink, buL Ie dIdn`L Luke IIs
eves oII RIdIev. He`d seen Ier beIore-uL LIe SLop & SLeuI wIen IIrsL
meL Ier, und uL LIe wInLer IormuI, wIen sIe LrusIed LIe gvm-buL Ie
wus IookIng Ior un InLroducLIon, up cIose und personuI.
WIo wunLs Lo know? RId bIew u bubbIe, IeLLIng IL pop.
Ink Iooked uL Ier sIdewuvs und grubbed RIdIev`s Iund. Nobodv.
TIe IuIIwuv dIvIded In IronL oI LIem us un ex-SIren und u quurLer n-
cubus conquered Juckson HIgI. wondered wIuL Ammu wouId Iuve
Lo suv ubouL LIuL.
Sweet baby in a manger. Heaven help us all.
Are vou kIddIng? `m supposed Lo keep mv LIIngs In LIIs IIILIv LIn
coffin? RIdIev sLured InLo Ier Iocker IIke sIe LIougIL someLIIng wus
goIng Lo pop ouL oI IL.
RId, vou`ve been Lo scIooI beIore, und vou Iud u Iocker, enu suId
puLIenLIv.
RIdIev IIIpped Ier pInk und bIond IuIr. musL`ve bIocked uII LIuL ouL.
PosL-LruumuLIc sLress.
enu Iunded RIdIev LIe combInuLIon Iock. You don`L Iuve Lo use IL.
BuL vou cun puL vour books InsIde so vou don`L Iuve Lo currv LIem
uround uII duv.
=J6=
Books? RIdIev Iooked dIsgusLed. Currv?
enu sIgIed. You`II geL LIem Loduv, In vour cIusses. And, ves, vou Iuve
Lo currv LIem. You sIouId know Iow LIIs works.
RIdIev udjusLed Ier sIIrL Lo expose u IILLIe more sIouIder. wus u
SIren LIe IusL LIme wus In scIooI. dIdn`L ucLuuIIv go Lo unv oI mv
cIusses, und cerLuInIv dIdn`L currv unvLIIng.
Ink cIupped IIs Iund down on Ier sIouIder. Come on. We Iuve
Iomeroom LogeLIer. `II sIow vou Iow IL`s done, Ink-sLvIe.
YeuI? RIdIev sounded skepLIcuI. How Is LIuL unv beLLer?
WeII, Ior sLurLers, IL doesn`L InvoIve unv books.. Ink seemed more
LIun Iuppv Lo wuIk Ier Lo cIuss. He wunLed Lo keep un eve on Ier.
RIdIev, wuIL! You need LIIs. enu wuved u bInder In LIe uIr.
RIdIev sIIpped Ier urm LIrougI Ink`s und Ignored Ier. ReIux, Cuz.
`II use HoL Rod`s.
sIummed LIe Iocker sIuL. Your grummu Is un opLImIsL.
You LIInk?
Ike evervone eIse, wuLcIed Ink und RId dIsuppeur down LIe IuII.
gIve LIIs wIoIe IILLIe experImenL LIree duvs, mux.
TIree duvs? You`re LIe opLImIsL. enu sIgIed, und we sLurLed up LIe
sLuIrs Lo EngIIsI.
TIe uIr condILIonIng wus runnIng IuII bIusL, u puLIeLIc mecIunIcuI Ium
ecIoIng LIrougI LIe IuIIs. BuL LIe ouLduLed svsLem dIdn`L sLund u
6J6=
cIunce uguInsL LIIs IeuL wuve. L wus even IoLLer upsLuIrs In LIe ud-
mInIsLruLIon buIIdIng LIun IL wus ouLsIde In LIe purkIng IoL.
As we wuIked InLo EngIIsI cIuss, sLopped Ior u mInuLe under LIe
IIuorescenL IIgIL, LIe one LIuL Iud burned ouL wIen enu und Iud
coIIIded on LIe wuv InLo LIIs room LIe IIrsL duv suw Ier. sLured up uL
LIe curdbourd squures In LIe ceIIIng.
You know, if you look really close, you can still see the burn mark
around the new light.
How romantic. The scene of our first disaster. enu IoIIowed mv eves
up Lo LIe ceIIIng. I think I see it.
IeL mv eves IInger on LIe squures speckIed wILI perIoruLed doLs. How
munv LImes Iud suL In cIuss sLurIng up uL LIose doLs, LrvIng Lo sLuv
uwuke or counLIng LIem Lo puss LIme? CounLIng mInuLes IeIL In u cIuss
perIod, perIods IeIL In LIe duv-duvs InLo weeks, weeks InLo monLIs,
unLII goL ouL oI GuLIIn?
enu wuIked bv Mrs. EngIIsI, wIo wus burIed In IIrsL duv oI scIooI pu-
pers uL Ier desk, und sIId InLo Ier oId seuL on LIe InIumous Good-Eve
SIde.
sLurLed Lo IoIIow Ier, buL sensed someone beIInd me. L wus LIuL
IeeIIng vou geL wIen vou`re In IIne und LIe person uILer vou Is sLundIng
wuv Loo cIose. Lurned uround, buL no one wus LIere.
enu wus uIreudv wrILIng In Ier noLebook wIen suL down uL LIe desk
nexL Lo Iers. wondered II sIe wus wrILIng one oI Ier poems. wus
ubouL Lo sneuk u Iook wIen Ieurd IL. TIe voIce wus IuInL, und IL
wusn`L enu`s. L wus u Iow wIIsper, comIng Irom over mv sIouIder.
Lurned uround. TIe seuL beIInd me wus empLv.
;J6=
Did you say something, L?
enu Iooked up Irom LIe noLebook, surprIsed.
What?
Were you Kelting? I thought I heard something.
SIe sIook Ier Ieud.
No. Are you okay?
nodded, openIng mv bInder. Ieurd LIe voIce uguIn. TIIs LIme re-
cognIzed LIe words. TIe IeLLers uppeured on LIe puge, In mv
IundwrILIng.
IM WAITING.
sIummed IL sIuL, cIencIIng mv Iunds Lo sLop LIem Irom sIukIng.
enu Iooked up uL me.
Are you sure youre okay?
Im fine.
dIdn`L Iook up once Ior LIe resL oI LIe perIod. dIdn`L Iook up wIIIe
IuIIed LIe quIz on The Crucible. NoL wIen enu purLIcIpuLed, sLruIgIL-
Iuced, In u cIuss dIscussIon ubouL LIe SuIem wILcI LrIuIs. Or wIen
EmIIv AsIer mude u Iess LIun cIever compurIson beLween deur,
8J6=
depurLed Mucon Ruvenwood und LIe possessed LownsIoIk In LIe pIuv,
und u ceIIIng LIIe suddenIv cume Ioose und smucked Ier on LIe Ieud.
dIdn`L Iook up uguIn unLII LIe beII rung.
Mrs. EngIIsI wus sLurIng uL me, Ier expressIon so unnervIng und bIunk
LIuL Ior u second LIougIL boLI Ier eves couId Iuve been gIuss.
LrIed Lo LeII mvseII LIuL IL wus LIe IIrsL duv oI scIooI, wIIcI couId
muke unvone cruzv. TIuL sIe`d probubIv jusL Iud u bud cup oI coIIee.
BuL LIIs wus GuLIIn, so LIere wus u preLLv good cIunce wus wrong.
Once EngIIsI wus over, enu und dIdn`L Iuve unv oLIer cIusses Lo-
geLIer unLII uILer IuncI. wus In TrIg und enu wus In CuIcuIus.
Ink-und now RIdIev-Iud been bumped down Lo Consumer MuLI,
LIe cIuss LIe LeucIers enroIIed vou In wIen LIev IInuIIv udmILLed vou
weren`L goIng Lo muke IL pusL AIgebru . Evervone cuIIed IL Burger
MuLI becuuse uII vou Ieurned wus Iow Lo muke cIunge. Ink`s wIoIe
scIeduIe reud IIke LIe LeucIers Iud decIded Ie wus goIng Lo be work-
Ing uL LIe BP sLuLIon wILI Ed uILer gruduuLIon. HIs scIeduIe wus busIc-
uIIv one bIg sLudv IuII. Iud BIo; Ie Iud Rocks Ior Jocks. Iud WorId
HIsLorv; Ie Iud CSS-CuILures oI SouLIern SLuLes, or CIeckIng OuL
SuvunnuI Snow, us Ie cuIIed IL. Compured Lo Ink, Iooked IIke u
rockeL scIenLIsL. He dIdn`L seem Lo cure-or II Ie dId, LIere were Loo
munv gIrIs IoIIowIng IIm uround Ior IIm Lo noLIce.
To be IonesL, IL dIdn`L muLLer, becuuse uII wunLed Lo do wus geL IosL
In LIe IumIIIur bIur oI LIe IIrsL duv oI scIooI so couId IorgeL ubouL LIe
cruzv messuge In mv bInder.
J6=
guess LIere`s noLIIng IIke u cruppv summer IIIIed wILI neur-deuLI ex-
perIences Lo muke LIe IIrsL duv oI scIooI seem greuL In compurIson.
UnLII goL Lo LIe cuIeLerIu, wIere IL wus sIoppv joe duv. OI course IL
wus. NoLIIng suId IIrsL duv oI scIooI IIke sIoppv joes.
Iound enu und RIdIev eusIIv enougI. TIev were sILLIng uIone uL one
oI LIe orunge IuncI LubIes, wILI u sLeudv sLreum oI guvs cIrcIIng IIke
vuILures. Evervone Iud Ieurd ubouL RIdIev bv now, und uII LIe guvs
wunLed Lo cIeck Ier ouL.
WIere`s Ink?
RIdIev LIILed Ier Ieud Lowurd LIe buck oI LIe IuncIroom, wIere Ink
wus movIng Irom LubIe Lo LubIe IIke Ie wus LIe MVP uL LIe sLuLe cIum-
pIonsIIp or someLIIng. noLIced Ier Lruv, IuII oI cIocoIuLe puddIng,
red JeII-O cubes, und sIIces oI drv-IookIng ungeI Iood cuke. Hungrv,
RId?
WIuL cun suv, BovIrIend? GIrI`s goL u sweeL LooLI. SIe pIcked up u
bowI oI puddIng und dug In.
Don`L Leuse Ier. SIe`s IuvIng u bud duv, enu suId.
ReuIIv? TIuL`s u sIocker. bIL InLo mv IIrsL deIIuLed sIoppv joe.
WIuL Iuppened?
enu gIunced buck uL one oI LIe LubIes. TIuL Iuppened.
Ink Iud one IooL up on LIe pIusLIc bencI, und Ie wus IeunIng over LIe
LubIe, LuIkIng Lo LIe cIeer squud. HIs uLLenLIon Iocused on one cIeer
cupLuIn In purLIcuIur.
Aw, LIuL`s noLIIng. JusL Ink beIng Ink. You don`L Iuve unvLIIng Lo
worrv ubouL, RId.
qoJ6=
Ike `m worrIed, sIe snupped. couId cure Iess wIuL Ie does. BuL
Iooked down uL Ier Lruv, und Iour oI LIe puddIng bowIs were uIreudv
empLv. `m noL comIng buck Lomorrow, unvwuv. TIIs wIoIe scIooI
LIIng Is moronIc. You move uround Irom room Lo room IIke Ierds or
IIocks or-
ScIooIs? couIdn`L resIsL.
TIuL`s wIuL `m LuIkIng ubouL. RIdIev roIIed Ier eves, unnoved LIuL
couIdn`L keep up.
wus LuIkIng ubouL IIsI. A group oI IIsI Is cuIIed u scIooI. I vou wenL
Lo scIooI vou`d know LIuL. ducked Lo uvoId Ier spoon.
TIuL Isn`L LIe poInL. enu sIoL me u wurnIng Iook.
TIe poInL Is, vou`re sorL oI u soIo ucL, suId, LrvIng Lo sound svm-
puLIeLIc. RIdIev wenL buck Lo Ier puddIng wILI u serIous IeveI oI sugur
dedIcuLIon respecLed. SIe dIdn`L Luke Ier eves oII Ink.
AcLuuIIv trying Lo muke someone IIke vou Is LoLuIIv demeunIng. L`s
puLIeLIc. L`s.
MorLuI?
ExucLIv. SIe sIuddered, movIng on Lo LIe JeII-O.
A Iew mInuLes IuLer, Ink worked IIs wuv over Lo our LubIe. He
dropped down nexL Lo RIdIev, und LIe sIde oI LIe LubIe wIere enu und
were sILLIng IIILed rIgIL oII LIe ground. AL 6'z", wus one oI LIe
LuIIesL guvs uL Juckson, buL onIv Iud un IncI or so on Ink now.
Hev, mun. Tuke IL eusv.
q1J6=
Ink eused up u IILLIe, und our sIde oI LIe LubIe smucked down uguInsL
LIe IInoIeum. PeopIe were sLurIng. Sorrv. keep IorgeLLIn`. `m Truns-
ILIonIng. Mr. Ruvenwood suId LIIs wouId be u rougI LIme, wIen vou`re
LIe new kId on LIe bIock.
enu kIcked me under LIe LubIe, LrvIng noL Lo IuugI.
RIdIev wus Iess subLIe. LIInk uII LIIs sugur Is mukIng me sIck. OI
wuIL, dId suv sugur? meunL sup. SIe Iooked uL Ink. And wIen
suId sup, meunL vou.
Ink smIIed. TIIs wus LIe RIdIev Ie IIked besL. Your uncIe suId no one
wouId undersLund.
YeuI, beL IL`s reuIIv LougI beIng LIe HuIk. wus kIddIng, buL
wusn`L Iur oII.
Dude, IL`s no joke. cun`L sIL down Ior more LIun IIve mInuLes or
peopIe sLurL LIrowIng LIeIr Iood uL me, IIke LIev expecL me Lo euL IL.
WeII, vou dId Iuve u repuLuLIon Ior beIng u Iumun gurbuge dIsposuI.
couId sLIII euL II wunLed Lo. He Iooked dIsgusLed. BuL Iood doesn`L
LusLe IIke unvLIIng. L`s IIke cIewIn` on curdbourd. `m on LIe Mucon
Ruvenwood dIeL. You know, snuckIn` on u Iew dreums Iere und LIere.
WIose dreums? I Ink wus IeedIng oII mv dreums, wus goIng Lo
kIck IIs uss. TIev were conIusIng enougI wILIouL IIm.
No wuv. Your Ieud`s Loo IuII u cruzv Ior me. BuL vou wouIdn`L beIIeve
wIuL SuvunnuI dreums ubouL. eL`s jusL suv sIe`s noL LIInkIng ubouL
LIe sLuLe IInuIs.
qzJ6=
No one wunLed Lo Ieur LIe deLuIIs-especIuIIv noL RIdIev, wIo wus
sLubbIng uL Ier JeII-O. LrIed Lo spure Ier. TIuL`s u vIsuuI cun IIve
wILIouL, LIunks.
L`s cooI. BuL vou`II never guess wIuL suw. I Ie suId SuvunnuI In
Ier underweur, Ie wus u deud mun.
enu wus LIInkIng LIe sume LIIng. Ink, don`L LIInk-
DoIIs.
WIuL? L wusn`L LIe unswer enu wus expecLIng.
BurbIes, buL noL LIe ones gIrIs Iud In eIemenLurv scIooI. TIese pup-
pIes ure uII dressed up. SIe`s goL u brIde, MIss AmerIcu, Snow WIILe.
And LIev`re In LIIs bIg gIuss cuse.
knew sIe remInded me oI u BurbIe. RIdIev sLubbed unoLIer cube.
Ink sIId cIoser Lo Ier. You sLIII IgnorIn` me?
You`re noL worLI LIe LIme IL Lukes Lo Ignore. RIdIev sLured LIrougI
LIe jIggIIng red cube. don`L LIInk KILcIen mukes LIIs. WIuL`s IL
cuIIed uguIn?
JeII-O SurprIse. Ink grInned.
WIuL`s LIe surprIse? RIdIev exumIned LIe red geIuLIn more cIoseIv.
WIuL LIev puL In IL. He IIIcked LIe cube wILI IIs IInger, und sIe
puIIed IL uwuv.
WIIcI Is?
qJ6=
Ground-up Iooves, IIdes, und bones. SurprIse.
RIdIev Iooked uL IIm, sIrugged, und puL LIe spoon In Ier mouLI. SIe
wusn`L goIng Lo gIve IIm un IncI. NoL us Iong us Ie wus creepIng
uround SuvunnuI Snow`s bedroom uL nIgIL und IIIrLIng wILI Ier uII
duv.
Ink Iooked over uL me. So, vou wunnu sIooL some Ioops uILer
scIooI?
No. sIoved LIe resL oI LIe sIoppv joe InLo mv mouLI.
cun`L beIIeve vou`re euLIng LIuL. You IuLe LIose LIIngs.
know. BuL LIev`re preLLv good Loduv. A Juckson IIrsL. WIen
Ammu`s cookIng wus oII und LIe cuIeLerIu`s wus on, muvbe IL reuIIv wus
LIe End oI Duvs.
You know, you can play basketball if you want to.
enu wus oIIerIng me someLIIng, LIe sume LIIng Ink wus. A cIunce Lo
muke peuce wILI mv Iormer IrIends, Lo be Iess oI un ouLcusL, II LIuL wus
possIbIe. BuL IL wus Loo IuLe. Your IrIends were supposed Lo sLund bv
vou, und now knew wIo mv IrIends reuIIv were. And wIo LIev wer-
en`L.
I dont want to.
Come on. L`s cooI. AII LIuL cruzv sLuII wILI LIe guvs Is IIsLorv. Ink
beIIeved wIuL Ie wus suvIng. BuL IIsLorv wus Iurd Lo IorgeL wIen IL In-
cIuded LormenLIng vour gIrIIrIend uII veur.
YeuI. PeopIe uround Iere uren`L InLo IIsLorv.
qqJ6=
Even Ink cuugIL mv surcusm. WeII, `m gonnu IIL LIe courL. He
dIdn`L Iook uL me. mIgIL even go buck on LIe Leum. meun, IL`s noL
IIke wus reuIIv oII.
Not like you. TIuL`s LIe purL Ie dIdn`L suv.
L`s reuIIv IoL In Iere. SweuL wus drIppIng down mv buck. So munv
peopIe, crummed InLo one room.
You okay?
No. Yeah. I just need to get some air.
sLood up Lo go, buL LIe door Iooked IIke IL wus u mIIe uwuv.
TIIs scIooI Iud u wuv oI mukIng vou IeeI smuII. As smuII us IL wus,
muvbe even smuIIer. guess some LIIngs never cIunge.
Turns ouL, RIdIev wusn`L InLeresLed In sLudvIng LIe cuILures oI LIe
SouLIern sLuLes unv more LIun sIe wus InLeresLed In Ink sLudvIng Su-
vunnuI Snow, und IIve mInuLes InLo LIe perIod sIe convInced IIm LIev
sIouId swILcI Lo WorId HIsLorv. WIIcI wouIdn`L Iuve surprIsed me
excepL swILcIIng cIusses usuuIIv InvoIved LukIng vour scIeduIe Lo MIss
HesLer-LIen IvIng und beggIng und, II vou were reuIIv sLuck, crvIng.
So wIen Ink und RIdIev sIowed up In WorId HIsLorv und Ie LoId me
LIuL IIs scIeduIe Iud mIrucuIousIv cIunged, wus more LIun
suspIcIous.
WIuL do vou meun, vour scIeduIe cIunged?
Ink dropped IIs noLebook onLo LIe desk nexL Lo me und sIrugged.
don`L know. One mInuLe SuvunnuI sILs down nexL Lo me, LIen RIdIev
q=J6=
comes In und sILs on LIe oLIer sIde, und LIe nexL LIIng know, World
Historys prInLed on mv scIeduIe. RId`s, Loo. SIe sIows LIe LeucIer,
und we geL kIcked rIgIL ouLLu cIuss.
How dId vou munuge LIuL? usked us RIdIev seLLIed InLo Ier seuL.
Munuge wIuL? SIe Iooked uL me InnocenLIv, cIIckIng und un-cIIckIng
Ier creepv scorpIon beIL buckIe.
enu wusn`L IeLLIng Ier oII LIuL eusv. You know wIuL Ie`s LuIkIng
ubouL. DId vou Luke u book Irom UncIe Mucon`s sLudv?
Are vou ucLuuIIv uccusIng me oI reudIng?
enu Iowered Ier voIce. Were vou LrvIng Lo CusL? L`s noL suIe,
RIdIev.
You meun noL suIe Ior me. Becuuse `m u sLupId MorLuI.
CusLIng Is dungerous Ior MorLuIs, unIess vou`ve Iud veurs oI LruInIng,
IIke MurIun. WIIcI vou Iuven`L. enu wusn`L LrvIng Lo rub IL In, buL
everv LIme sIe suId LIe word MorLuI, RIdIev crInged. L wus IIke
pourIng gusoIIne on u IIre.
Muvbe IL wus Loo Iurd Lo Ieur Irom u CusLer. jumped In. enu`s
rIgIL. WIo knows wIuL couId Iuppen II someLIIng wenL wrong?
RIdIev dIdn`L suv u word, und Ior u second IL seemed IIke Iud sIngIe-
IundedIv puL ouL LIe IIumes. BuL us sIe Lurned Lo Iuce me, Ier bIue
eves bIuzIng us brIgIL us Ier veIIow ones ever Iud, reuIIzed Iow
wrong wus.
don`L remember unvone compIuInIng wIen vou und vour IILLIe
BrILIsI MurIun-In-LruInIng were CusLIng uL LIe GreuL BurrIer.
q6J6=
enu bIusIed und Iooked uwuv.
RIdIev wus rIgIL. Iv und Iud CusL uL LIe GreuL BurrIer. L wus Iow
we Ireed Mucon Irom LIe ArcIIgIL, und wIv Iv wouId never be u
Keeper. And IL wus u puInIuI remInder oI u LIme wIen enu und were
us Iur uwuv Irom eucI oLIer us Lwo peopIe couId be.
dIdn`L suv unvLIIng. nsLeud sLumbIed over mv LIougILs, crusIIng
und burnIng In LIe sIIence wIIIe Mr. ILLIeLon LrIed Lo convInce us Iow
IuscInuLIng WorId HIsLorv wus goIng Lo be. He IuIIed. LrIed Lo come
up wILI someLIIng Lo suv LIuL wouId rescue me Irom LIe uwkwurdness
oI LIe nexL Len seconds. IuIIed.
Becuuse even LIougI Iv wusn`L uL Juckson, und sIe spenL uII Ier duvs
In LIe TunneIs wILI Mucon, sIe wus sLIII LIe eIepIunL In LIe room. TIe
LIIng enu und dIdn`L LuIk ubouL. Iud onIv seen Iv once sInce LIe
nIgIL oI LIe SevenLeenLI Moon, und mIssed Ier. NoL IIke couId LeII
unvone LIuL.
mIssed Ier cruzv BrILIsI uccenL, und LIe wuv sIe mIspronounced
CuroIInu so IL sounded IIke CuroIIn-er. mIssed Ier seIenomeLer LIuL
Iooked IIke u gIunL pIusLIc wuLcI Irom LIIrLv veurs ugo, und LIe wuv sIe
wus uIwuvs wrILIng In Ier LInv red noLebook. mIssed LIe wuv we joked
uround und LIe wuv sIe mude Iun oI me. mIssed mv IrIend.
TIe sud purL wus, sIe probubIv wouId Iuve undersLood.
jusL couIdn`L LeII Ier.
q;J6=
9.07
Off Route 9
AILer scIooI, Ink sLuved Lo pIuv buskeLbuII wILI LIe guvs. RIdIev
wouIdn`L Ieuve wILIouL IIm us Iong us LIe cIeer squud wus In LIe gvm,
even LIougI sIe wouIdn`L udmIL IL.
sLood InsIde LIe gvm doors und wuLcIed Ink drIbbIe down LIe courL
wILIouL breukIng u sweuL. wuLcIed IIm sInk LIe buII Irom LIe puInL,
Irom LIe Lop oI LIe kev, Irom LIe LIree-poInL murk, Irom cenLer courL.
wuLcIed LIe oLIer guvs sLund LIere wILI LIeIr mouLIs IungIng open.
wuLcIed CoucI sIL buck on LIe bIeucIers wILI IIs wIIsLIe sLIII sLuck In
IIs mouLI. enjoved everv mInuLe, uImosL us mucI us Ink.
You mIss IL? enu wus wuLcIIng me Irom LIe doorwuv.
sIook mv Ieud. No wuv. don`L wunL Lo Iung ouL wILI LIe resL oI
LIose guvs. smIIed. And Ior once, no one`s IookIng uL us. IeId ouL
mv Iund und sIe Look IL. Hers wus wurm und soIL.
eL`s geL ouL oI Iere, sIe suId.
Boo RudIev wus sILLIng uL LIe corner oI LIe IoL bv LIe sLop sIgn, punLIng
IIke LIere wusn`L enougI uIr In LIe worId Lo cooI IIm oII. wondered II
Mucon wus sLIII wuLcIIng us und evervone eIse LIrougI LIe CusLer
dog`s eves. We puIIed up nexL Lo IIm und opened LIe door. Boo dIdn`L
even IesILuLe.
We drove up RouLe , wIere GuLIIn`s Iouses dIsuppeured und Lurned
InLo rows oI IIeIds. TIIs LIme oI veur, LIose IIeIds were usuuIIv u mIx oI
green und brown-corn und Lobucco. BuL LIIs veur LIere wus noLIIng
buL bIuck und veIIow, us Iur us LIe eve couId see-deud pIunLs, und Iub-
bers euLIng LIeIr wuv rIgIL onLo LIe roud. You couId Ieur LIem cruncI-
Ing beneuLI LIe LIres. L Iooked wrong.
L wus LIe oLIer LIIng we dIdn`L IIke Lo LuIk ubouL. TIe upocuIvpse LIuL
Iud seLLIed over GuLIIn In pIuce oI IuII. Ink`s mom wus convInced LIuL
LIe IeuL wuve und LIe bugs were LIe resuILs oI LIe wruLI oI God, buL
knew sIe wus wrong. AL LIe GreuL BurrIer, AbruIum Ruvenwood Iud
promIsed LIuL enu`s cIoIce wouId uIIecL boLI LIe CusLer und MorLuI
worIds. He wusn`L kIddIng.
enu sLured ouL LIe wIndow, Ier eves Iocked on LIe ruvuged IIeIds.
TIere wus noLIIng couId suv LIuL wouId muke Ier IeeI unv beLLer, or
Iess responsIbIe. TIe onIv LIIng couId do wus Lrv Lo dIsLrucL Ier.
Toduv wus cruzv, even Ior LIe IIrsL duv oI scIooI.
IeeI bud Ior RIdIev. enu pusIed Ier IuIr up oII Ier sIouIders,
LwIsLIng IL InLo u messv knoL. SIe`s noL IerseII.
WIIcI meuns sIe`s noL un evII SIren secreLIv workIng Ior SuruIIne.
How sorrv sIouId be?
SIe seems so IosL.
Mv predIcLIon? SIe`s gonnu mess wILI Ink`s Ieud uguIn.
enu bIL Ier IIp. YeuI, weII. RIdIev sLIII LIInks sIe`s u SIren. MessIng
wILI peopIe Is purL oI LIe job descrIpLIon.
beL sIe`II brIng down LIe wIoIe cIeer-umId beIore sIe`s done.
TIen sIe`II geL expeIIed, enu suId.
=oJ6=
puIIed oII uL LIe crossrouds, LurnIng oII RouLe und onLo LIe roud Lo
Ruvenwood. NoL beIore sIe burns Juckson Lo LIe ground.
TIe ouk Lrees grew und urcIed over LIe roud IeudIng up Lo enu`s
Iouse, brIngIng LIe LemperuLure down u degree or Lwo.
TIe breeze Irom LIe open wIndow bIew LIrougI enu`s durk curIs.
don`L LIInk RIdIev cun sLund beIng In LIe Iouse. Mv wIoIe IumIIv Is
ucLIng cruzv. AunL DeI doesn`L know II sIe`s comIng or goIng.
TIuL`s noLIIng new.
YesLerduv AunL DeI LIougIL Rvun wus Reece.
And Reece? usked.
Reece`s powers Iuve been uII over LIe pIuce. SIe`s uIwuvs compIuInIng
ubouL IL. SomeLImes sIe Iooks uL me und Ireuks ouL, und don`L know
II IL`s becuuse oI someLIIng sIe`s reud In mv Iuce or becuuse sIe cun`L
reud unvLIIng uL uII.
Reece wus uIreudv crunkv enougI, under normuI cIrcumsLunces.
AL IeusL vou Iuve vour uncIe.
SorL oI. Everv duv UncIe Mucon dIsuppeurs InLo LIe TunneIs, und Ie
won`L suv wIuL Ie`s doIng down LIere. Ike Ie doesn`L wunL me Lo
know.
How Is LIuL weIrd? He und Ammu never wunL us Lo know unvLIIng.
LrIed Lo ucL IIke wusn`L worrIed even us LIe LIres roIIed over more
Iubbers.
=1J6=
He`s been buck Ior weeks now, und sLIII don`L know wIuL kInd oI
CusLer Ie Is. meun, excepL IgIL. He won`L LuIk ubouL IL, noL Lo unv-
one. Not even me. TIuL`s wIuL sIe wus suvIng.
Muvbe Ie doesn`L know IImseII.
orgeL IL. SIe Iooked ouL LIe wIndow, und Look Ier Iund. We were
boLI so IoL couId bureIv IeeI LIe burn oI Ier LoucI.
Cun vou LuIk Lo vour grundmu?
Grummu spends IuII Ier LIme In Burbudos, LrvIng Lo IIgure LIIngs
ouL. enu dIdn`L suv wIuL sIe reuIIv meunL. Her IumIIv wus LrvIng Lo
IInd u wuv Lo resLore LIe Order-bunIsI LIe IeuL und LIe Iubbers und
wIuLever we Iud Lo Iook Iorwurd Lo In LIe MorLuI worId. Ruvenwood
Ius more BIndIng speIIs on IL LIun u CusLer prIson. L`s so cIuusLro-
pIobIc LIuL IeeI us Bound us LIe Iouse. L gIves new meunIng Lo beIng
grounded. enu sIook Ier Ieud. keep IopIng RIdIev doesn`L IeeI IL,
now LIuL sIe`s u MorLuI.
dIdn`L suv unvLIIng, buL wus preLLv sure RIdIev IeIL IL, becuuse dId.
As we goL cIoser Lo LIe greuL Iouse, couId IeeI LIe mugIc-buzzIng
IIke IL wus u IIve power IIne, LIe weIgIL oI u LIIck Iog LIuL Iud noLIIng
Lo do wILI LIe weuLIer.
TIe uLmospIere oI CusLer mugIc, Durk und IgIL.
Iud been ubIe Lo sense IL ever sInce we cume buck Irom LIe GreuL
BurrIer. And wIen puIIed up Lo LIe crooked Iron guLes LIuL murked
LIe boundurIes oI Ruvenwood, LIe uIr uround us cruckIed, uImosL us
cIurged us un eIecLrIcuI sLorm.
TIe guLes LIemseIves weren`L LIe reuI burrIer. Ruvenwood`s gurdens,
so overgrown wIIIe Mucon wus gone, were LIe one pIuce In LIe wIoIe
=zJ6=
counLv LIuL wus u reIuge Irom LIe IeuL und LIe bugs. Muvbe IL wus u
LesLumenL Lo LIe power oI enu`s IumIIv, buL us we pussed LIrougI LIe
guLes, couId IeeI LIe energv Irom ouLsIde puIIIng one wuv wIIIe
Ruvenwood puIIed LIe oLIer. Ruvenwood wus sLundIng ILs
ground-vou couId LeII bv LIe wuv LIe endIess brown ouLsIde ILs
grounds guve wuv Lo green wILIIn, LIe wuv LIe gurdens remuIned un-
euLen, unLoucIed. Mucon`s IIower beds were bIoomIng und brIIIIunL,
IIs Lrees LrImmed und orderIv, LIe broud green Iuwns cIIpped cIose
und cIeun, sLreLcIIng down Irom LIe greuL Iouse Lo LIe SunLee RIver.
Even LIe puLIs were IIned wILI new gruveI. BuL LIe ouLsIde worId wus
pusIIng uguInsL LIe guLes und LIe CusLs und BIndIngs keepIng Ruven-
wood suIe. Ike wuves crusIIng on LIe rocks, buLLerIng LIe sume reeI
over und over, erodIng u Iew gruIns oI sund uL u LIme.
EvenLuuIIv, wuves uIwuvs geL LIeIr wuv. I LIe Order oI TIIngs wus
reuIIv broken, Ruvenwood couIdn`L remuIn LIe onIv ouLposL oI u IosL
worId Ior Iong.
puIIed LIe Ieurse up Lo LIe Iouse, und beIore couId suv u word, we
were ouL oI LIe cur und InLo LIe dump uIr ouLsIde. enu LIrew IerseII
onLo LIe cooI gruss, und dropped down nexL Lo Ier. `d been wuILIng
Ior LIIs momenL uII duv, und IeIL sorrv Ior Ammu und mv dud und LIe
resL oI GuLIIn, Lrupped In Lown beneuLI LIe burnIng bIue skv. dIdn`L
know Iow mucI more oI LIIs couId Luke.
I know.
Crap. I didnt mean
I know. Youre not blaming me. Its all right.
SIe moved cIoser, reucIIng Ior mv Iuce wILI Ier Iund. bruced mvseII.
Mv IeurL dIdn`L jusL ruce unvmore wIen we LoucIed. Now couId IeeI
LIe energv druInIng Irom mv bodv, us II IL wus beIng sucked ouL. BuL
=J6=
sIe IesILuLed und IeL Ier Iund drop. TIIs Is mv IuuIL. know vou
don`L IeeI IIke vou cun suv IL, buL cun.
.
SIe roIIed onLo Ier buck und sLured uL LIe skv. uLe uL nIgIL IIe In
bed, cIose mv eves, und Lrv Lo breuk LIrougI IL. Trv Lo puII LIe cIouds
In und pusI LIe IeuL uwuv. You don`L know Iow Iurd IL Is. How mucI
IL Lukes Irom uII oI us Lo keep Ruvenwood IIke LIIs. SIe pIcked u bIude
oI green gruss. UncIe Mucon suvs Ie doesn`L know wIuL wIII Iuppen
nexL. Grummu suvs IL`s ImpossIbIe Lo know, becuuse LIIs Ius never
Iuppened beIore.
Do vou beIIeve LIem?
WIen IL cume Lo enu, Mucon wus ubouL us IorLIcomIng us Ammu wus
wILI me. I LIere wus someLIIng sIe couId Iuve done dIIIerenLIv, Ie`d
be LIe IusL person Lo LeII Ier.
don`L know. BuL LIIs Is bIgger LIun GuLIIn. WIuLever dId, IL`s uIIecL-
Ing oLIer CusLers ouLsIde oI mv IumIIv. Evervone`s powers ure mIsIIr-
Ing IIke mIne.
Your powers Iuve never been predIcLubIe.
enu Iooked uwuv. SponLuneous combusLIon Is u IILLIe more LIun
unpredIcLubIe.
knew sIe wus rIgIL. GuLIIn wus LeeLerIng dungerousIv on LIe edge oI
un InvIsIbIe cIIII, und we Iud no Ideu wIuL wus uL LIe boLLom. BuL
couIdn`L suv LIuL Lo Ier-noL wIen sIe wus LIe one responsIbIe Ior
puLLIng IL LIere. We`II IIgure ouL wIuL`s goIng on.
=qJ6=
`m noL so sure. SIe IeId one Iund up Lo LIe skv, und LIougIL buck
Lo LIe IIrsL LIme IoIIowed Ier InLo LIe gurden uL GreenbrIer. Iud
wuLcIed Ier LrucIng cIouds wILI Ier IIngerLIps, mukIng sIupes In LIe
skv. Iudn`L known LIen wIuL wus geLLIng mvseII InLo, buL IL
wouIdn`L Iuve muLLered.
EvervLIIng Iud cIunged, even LIe skv. TIIs LIme LIere wusn`L u cIoud
Lo Lruce. TIere wus noLIIng buL LIe LIreuLenIng bIue IeuL.
enu ruIsed Ier oLIer Iund und Iooked over uL me. TIIs Isn`L goIng Lo
sLop. TIIngs ure goIng Lo keep geLLIng worse. We Iuve Lo be reudv.
SIe puIIed on LIe skv wILI Ier Iunds ubsenLmIndedIv, LwIsLIng LIe uIr
sIowIv, IIke LuIIv beLween Ier IIngers. SuruIIne und AbruIum uren`L
goIng Lo jusL wuIk uwuv.
Im ready.
SIe Iooped Ier IInger LIrougI LIe uIr. ELIun, wunL vou Lo know LIuL
`m noL uIruId oI unvLIIng, unvmore.
Im not either. Not as long as were together.
TIuL`s LIe LIIng. I someLIIng Iuppens, IL wIII be becuuse oI me. And
`II Iuve Lo be LIe one Lo IIx IL. Do vou undersLund wIuL `m suvIng?
SIe dIdn`L Luke Ier eves oII Ier IIngers.
No. I dont.
You don`L? Or vou don`L wunL Lo?
I cant.
You remember wIen Ammu used Lo LeII vou noL Lo pIck u IoIe In LIe
skv or LIe unIverse wouId IuII LIrougI?
==J6=
smIIed. C. O. N. C. O. M. . T. A. N. T. EIeven down. As In, vou go
uIeud und puII on LIuL LIreud und wuLcI LIe wIoIe worId unruveI IIke
u sweuLer, ELIun WuLe.
enu sIouId`ve been IuugIIng, buL sIe wusn`L. puIIed on LIe LIreud
wIen used The Book of Moons.
Becuuse oI me. LIougIL ubouL IL uII LIe LIme. SIe wusn`L LIe onIv
one oI us wIo Iud puIIed on LIe one pIece oI vurn LIuL LIed up uII oI
GuLIIn CounLv, ubove und beIow LIe surIuce.
CIuImed mvseII.
You Iud Lo. You sIouId be proud oI LIuL.
um. SIe IesILuLed.
BuL? wuLcIed Ier cureIuIIv.
BuL `m goIng Lo Iuve Lo puv u prIce, und `m reudv Lo.
cIosed mv eves. Don`L LuIk IIke LIuL.
`m beIng reuIIsLIc.
You`re wuILIng Ior someLIIng bud Lo Iuppen. dIdn`L wunL Lo LIInk
ubouL IL.
enu pIuved wILI LIe cIurms on Ier neckIuce. L`s noL reuIIv u ques-
LIon oI if buL when.
Im waiting. Thats what the notebook said.
What notebook?
=6J6=
dIdn`L wunL Ier Lo know, buL now couIdn`L sLop IL. And couIdn`L
preLend we couId go buck Lo LIe wuv LIIngs were.
TIe wrongness oI evervLIIng cume crusIIng down on me. TIe sum-
mer. Mucon`s deuLI. enu ucLIng IIke u sLrunger. RunnIng uwuv wILI
JoIn Breed, und uwuv Irom me. And LIen LIe resL oI IL, LIe purL LIuL
Iuppened beIore meL enu-mv mom noL comIng Iome, Ier sIoes
sILLIng wIere sIe`d IeIL LIem, Ier LoweI sLIII dump Irom LIe mornIng.
Her sIde oI LIe bed noL sIepL In, LIe smeII oI Ier IuIr sLIII on Ier pIIIow.
TIe muII LIuL sLIII cume uddressed In Ier nume.
TIe suddenness oI IL uII. And LIe permunence. TIe IoneIv reuIILv oI LIe
LruLI-LIuL LIe mosL ImporLunL person In vour IIIe suddenIv ceused Lo
exIsL. WIIcI on u bud duv meunL muvbe sIe Iud never exIsLed uL uII.
And on u good duv, LIere wus LIe oLIer Ieur. TIuL even II vou were u
Iundred percenL sure sIe Iud been LIere, muvbe vou were LIe onIv
one wIo cured or remembered.
How cun u pIIIow smeII IIke u person wIo Isn`L even on LIe sume pIuneL
us vou unvmore? And wIuL do vou do wIen one duv LIe pIIIow jusL
smeIIs IIke unv oId pIIIow, u sLrunge pIIIow? How cun vou brIng vour-
seII Lo puL uwuv LIose sIoes?
BuL Iud. And Iud seen mv moLIer`s SIeer uL BonuvenLure Ce-
meLerv. or LIe IIrsL LIme In mv IIIe, beIIeved someLIIng ucLuuIIv
Iuppened wIen vou dIed. Mv mom wusn`L uIone In LIe dIrL In HIs
Gurden oI PerpeLuuI Peuce, LIe wuv `d uIwuvs been uIruId sIe wus.
wus IeLLIng Ier go. AL IeusL, wus cIose.
Ethan? Whats going on?
wIsIed knew.
=;J6=
`m noL goIng Lo IeL unvLIIng Iuppen Lo vou. No one wIII. suId LIe
words even LIougI knew wusn`L cupubIe oI proLecLIng Ier. suId
LIem becuuse IeIL IIke mv IeurL wus goIng Lo rIp ILseII Lo sIreds uII
over uguIn.
know, sIe IIed. enu dIdn`L suv unvLIIng eIse, buL sIe knew wIuL
wus IeeIIng.
SIe puIIed down LIe skv wILI Ier Iunds, us Iurd us sIe couId, IIke sIe
wunLed Lo rIp IL uwuv Irom LIe sun.
Ieurd u Ioud cruckIng sound.
dIdn`L know wIere IL cume Irom, und dIdn`L know Iow Iong IL wouId
IusL, buL LIe bIue skv broke open, und LIougI LIere wusn`L u cIoud In
sIgIL, we IeL LIe ruIn IuII on our Iuces.
IeIL LIe weL gruss, und LIe ruIndrops In mv eves. TIev IeIL reuI. IeIL
mv sweuLv cIoLIes dumpenIng InsLeud oI drvIng. puIIed Ier cIose und
IeId Ier Iuce In mv Iunds. TIen kIssed Ier unLII wusn`L LIe onIv one
wIo wus breuLIIess, und LIe ground beneuLI us drIed und LIe skv wus
IursI und bIue uguIn.
DInner wus Ammu`s prIzewInnIng cIIcken poLpIe. Mv porLIon uIone
wus LIe sIze oI mv pIuLe, or muvbe Iome pIuLe. puncLured LIe bIscuIL
crusL wILI mv Iork, IeLLIng LIe sLeum escupe. couId smeII LIe good
sIerrv, Ier secreL IngredIenL. Everv poLpIe In our counLv Iud u secreL
IngredIenL: sour creum, sov suuce, cuvenne pepper, even purmesun
cIeese sLruIgIL ouL oI LIe sIuker. SecreLs und pIecrusL wenL Iund In
Iund uround Iere. SIup u pIecrusL up Lop und uII LIe IoIks In Lown wIII
kIII LIemseIves LrvIng Lo IIgure ouL wIuL`s IIdIng underneuLI.
=8J6=
AI. TIuL smeII sLIII mukes me IeeI ubouL eIgIL veurs oId. Mv dud
smIIed uL Ammu, wIo Ignored boLI LIe commenL und IIs suspIcIousIv
good mood. Now LIuL LIe semesLer Iud sLurLed up uguIn uL LIe unI-
versILv, und Ie wus sILLIng LIere In IIs coIIured LeucIIng sIIrL, Ie
Iooked downrIgIL normuI. You couId uImosL IorgeL LIe veur Ie spenL
sIeepIng uII duv, IoIed up In IIs oIIIce uII nIgIL wrILIng u book LIuL
umounLed Lo noLIIng more LIun Iundreds oI puges oI scrIbbIe. BureIv
speukIng or euLIng, unLII Ie sLurLed LIe sLeep, sIow cIImb buck Lo sun-
ILv. Or muvbe IL wus LIe smeII oI LIe pIes goIng Lo work on me, Loo.
dug deep.
You Iuve u good IIrsL duv oI scIooI, ELIun? mv dud usked, IIs mouLI
IuII.
exumIned LIe pIe on mv Iork. Good enougI.
EvervLIIng wus cIopped up reuI smuII, underneuLI LIe dougI. You
couIdn`L LeII dIced cIIcken Irom dIced vegeLubIes In LIe LInv cIuos oI
musIed-up pIe guLs. Crup. WIen Ammu Iud Ier cIeuver ouL, IL wus
never u good sIgn. TIIs poLpIe wus evIdence oI some kInd oI IurIous uI-
Lernoon dIdn`L wunL Lo ImugIne. IeIL sorrv Ior Ier scurred cuLLIng
bourd. Iooked over uL Ier empLv pIuLe und knew sIe wusn`L ubouL Lo
sIL down und muke smuII LuIk LonIgIL. Or expIuIn wIv noL.
swuIIowed. How ubouL vou, Ammu?
SIe wus sLundIng uL LIe kILcIen counLer LossIng u suIud so Iurd
LIougIL sIe wus goIng Lo sIuLLer our crucked gIuss bowI. Good
enougI.
Mv dud cuImIv ruIsed IIs gIuss oI mIIk. WeII, mv duv wus unbeIIev-
ubIe. woke up wILI un IncredIbIe Ideu, ouL oI LIe bIue. MusL Iuve
come Lo me IusL nIgIL. DurIng mv oIIIce Iours, wroLe up u proposuI.
`m goIng Lo sLurL u new book.
=J6=
YeuI? TIuL`s greuL. pIcked up LIe suIud bowI, concenLruLIng on un
oIIv-IookIng wedge oI LomuLo.
L`s ubouL LIe CIvII Wur. mIgIL even IInd u wuv Lo use some oI vour
mom`s oId reseurcI. Iuve Lo LuIk Lo MurIun ubouL IL.
WIuL`s LIe book cuIIed, Dud?
TIuL`s LIe purL LIuL IIL me ouL oI nowIere. woke up wILI LIe words
In mv Ieud. The Eighteenth Moon. WIuL do vou LIInk?
TIe bowI sIIpped ouL oI mv Iunds, IILLIng LIe LubIe und sIuLLerIng on
LIe IIoor. Torn-up Ieuves mIxed wILI jugged pIeces oI broken gIuss,
spurkIIng ucross mv sneukers und LIe IIoorbourds.
ELIun WuLe! BeIore couId suv unoLIer word, Ammu wus LIere,
scoopIng up LIe soggv, sIIpperv, dungerous mess. Ike uIwuvs. As goL
down on mv own Iunds und knees, couId Ieur Ier IIssIng uL me un-
der Ier breuLI.
NoL unoLIer word. SIe mIgIL us weII Iuve sIupped un oId pIecrusL
rIgIL ucross mv mouLI.
What do you think it means, L?
Iuv In bed, puruIvzed, mv Iuce IIdden In LIe pIIIow. Ammu Iud sIuL
IerseII up In Ier room uILer dInner, wIIcI wus preLLv sure meunL sIe
dIdn`L know wIuL wus goIng on wILI mv dud eILIer.
I dont know.
6oJ6=
enu`s KeILIng cume Lo me us cIeurIv us II sIe wus sILLIng nexL Lo me on
LIe bed, us usuuI. And us usuuI, wIsIed sIe reuIIv wus.
How would he come up with that? Did we say something about the
songs in front of him? Have we messed something up?
SomeLIIng eIse. TIuL wus LIe purL dIdn`L suv und LrIed noL Lo LIInk.
TIe unswer cume quIckIv.
No, Ethan. We never said anything.
So if hes talking about the Eighteenth Moon
TIe LruLI IIL us uL LIe sume LIme.
Its because someone wants him to.
L mude sense. Durk CusLers Iud uIreudv kIIIed mv mom. Mv dud, jusL
geLLIng buck on IIs IeeL, wus un eusv murk. And Ie Iud been LurgeLed
once uIreudv, LIe nIgIL oI enu`s SIxLeenLI Moon. TIere wus no oLIer
expIunuLIon.
Mv moLIer wus gone, buL sIe Iud Iound u wuv Lo guIde me bv sendIng
LIe SIudowIng Songs, Sixteen Moons und Seventeen Moons, wIIcI
sLuved sLuck In mv Ieud unLII IInuIIv sLurLed Lo IIsLen. BuL LIIs mes-
suge wusn`L comIng Irom mv mom.
L? You think its some kind of warning? From Abraham?
Maybe. Or my wonderful mother.
SuruIIne. enu uImosL never suId Ier nume, II sIe couId uvoId IL.
dIdn`L bIume Ier.
61J6=
It has to be one of them, right?
enu dIdn`L unswer, und Iuv LIere In mv bed In LIe durk sIIence, Iop-
Ing IL wus one oI LIe Lwo. One oI LIe devIIs we knew, Irom somewIere
In LIe known CusLer worId. Becuuse LIe devIIs we dIdn`L know were Loo
LerrIIvIng Lo LIInk ubouL-und LIe worIds we dIdn`L know, even worse.
Are you still there, Ethan?
Im here.
Will you read me something?
smIIed Lo mvseII und reucIed under mv bed, puIIIng ouL LIe IIrsL
book Iound. RoberL rosL, one oI enu`s IuvorILes. opened Lo u run-
dom puge. We make ourselves a place apart / Behind light words
that tease and flout, / But oh, the agitated heart / Till someone really
find us out
dIdn`L sLop reudIng. IeIL LIe reussurIng weIgIL oI enu`s conscIous-
ness IeunIng uguInsL mIne, us reuI us II Ier Ieud wus IeunIng uguInsL
mv sIouIder. wunLed Lo keep Ier LIere us Iong us couId. SIe mude
me IeeI Iess uIone.
Everv IIne IeIL IIke IL wus wrILLen ubouL Ier, uL IeusL Lo me.
As enu drIILed oII, IIsLened Lo LIe Ium oI LIe crIckeLs unLII reuIIzed
IL wusn`L LIe crIckeLs uL uII. L wus LIe Iubbers. TIe pIugue, or wIuLever
Mrs. IncoIn wunLed Lo cuII IL. TIe Ionger IIsLened, LIe more IL soun-
ded IIke u mIIIIon buzz suws In LIe dIsLunce, desLrovIng mv Lown und
evervLIIng uround IL. TIen LIe Iubbers Iuded InLo someLIIng eIse-LIe
Iow cIords oI u song wouId recognIze unvwIere.
6zJ6=
`d been IeurIng LIe songs sInce beIore meL enu. Sixteen Moons Iud
Ied me Lo Ier, LIe song onIv couId Ieur. couIdn`L escupe LIem, unv
more LIun enu couId run Irom Ier desLInv or couId IIde Irom mIne.
TIev were wurnIngs Irom mv mom-LIe person LrusLed mosL, In unv
worId.
Eighteen Moons, eighteen spheres,
From the world beyond the years,
One Unchosen, death or birth,
A Broken Day awaits the Earth
LrIed Lo muke sense oI LIe words, LIe wuv uIwuvs dId. TIe worId
bevond LIe veurs ruIed ouL LIe MorLuI worId. BuL wIuL wus comIng
Irom LIIs oLIer worId-LIe EIgILeenLI Moon or LIe One UncIosen?
And wIo couId LIuL be?
TIe onIv person IL ruIed ouL wus enu. SIe`d mude Ier cIoIce. WIIcI
meunL LIere wus unoLIer cIoIce Lo be mude-bv someone wIo Iud veL
Lo muke one.
BuL LIe IusL IIne wus LIe one LIuL mude me sIck. A Broken Duv? TIuL
preLLv mucI covered everv duv now. How couId LIIngs possIbIv geL
more broken LIun LIIs?
wIsIed Iud more LIun u song und LIuL mv mom wus Iere Lo LeII me
wIuL IL meunL. More LIun unvLIIng, wIsIed knew Iow Lo IIx
evervLIIng we Iud broken.
6J6=
9.12
Glass Houses and
Stones
A wIoIe cuLIIsI sLured uL me wILI gIussv eves, ILs LuII gIvIng u IInuI IIop.
On one sIde oI LIe IIsI wus u mussIve pIuLe pIIed wILI sIubs oI IuLLv,
uncooked bucon. A pIuLLer oI ruw sIrImp, LrunsIucenL und gruv, suL on
LIe oLIer sIde, nexL Lo u bowI oI drv InsLunL grILs. A pIuLe oI runnv eggs,
wILI bIeedIng voIks In LIIck wIILe suuce, wus LIe besL oI LIe worsL. L
wus weIrd, even Ior Ruvenwood, wIere suL ucross Irom enu In LIe
IormuI dInIng room. HuII LIe Iood Iooked IIke IL wus reudv Lo geL up
und run or swIm ILs wuv oII LIe LubIe. And LIere wusn`L one LIIng on
LIe LubIe LIuL unvone In GuLIIn wouId ever euL Ior breukIusL. EspecIuIIv
noL me.
Iooked buck uL mv empLv pIuLe, wIere cIocoIuLe mIIk Iud uppeured
In u LuII crvsLuI gIuss. SILLIng nexL Lo LIe runnv eggs, LIe mIIk wusn`L
uppeuIIng.
enu mude u Iuce. KILcIen? SerIousIv? AguIn? Ieurd un IndIgnunL
cIungIng Irom LIe oLIer room. enu Iud IrrILuLed Ruvenwood`s mvs-
LerIous cook, wIo `d sLIII never seen. enu sIrugged, IookIng uL me.
LoId vou. EvervLIIng Is ouL oI wIuck uround Iere. L geLs worse everv
duv.
Come on. We cun grub u sLIckv bun uL LIe SLop & SLeuI. `d IosL mv
uppeLILe uround LIe LIme suw LIe uncooked bucon.
KILcIen`s doIng Ier besL. IIe Is Iurd enougI IuLeIv, `m uIruId. usL
nIgIL DeIpIIne wus poundIng on mv door In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL,
InsIsLIng LIe BrILIsI were comIng. A IumIIIur voIce, LIe soIL sIuIIIIng
oI sIIppers, u scrupIng cIuIr-und LIere Ie wus. Mucon Ruvenwood,
IoIdIng un urmIuI oI roIIed newspupers, IIILIng u Leucup LIuL wus sud-
denIv IuII oI wIuL probubIv wus supposed Lo be Leu buL Iooked IIke
some kInd oI soupv green muck. Boo sLuIked In uILer IIm und curIed
up uL IIs musLer`s IeeL.
enu sIgIed. Rvun`s crvIng. SIe won`L udmIL IL, buL sIe`s uIruId sIe`II
never compIeLeIv come InLo Ier powers now. UncIe BurcIuv cun`L SIIIL
unvmore. AunL DeI suvs Ie cun`L even Lurn u Irown InLo u smIIe.
Mucon ruIsed IIs cup, noddIng In mv dIrecLIon. TIuL cun uII wuIL unLII
uILer breukIusL. 'How do vou ruLe LIe mornIng sun,` Mr. WuLe?
Excuse me, sIr? L sounded IIke u LrIck quesLIon.
RobbIe WIIIIums. QuILe LIe songwrILer, don`L vou LIInk? And quILe u
reIevunL quesLIon us oI IuLe. He gIunced down uL IIs Leu beIore LukIng
u sIp, und puL LIe cup down. Mv wuv oI suvIng good mornIng,
suppose.
MornIng, sIr. LrIed noL Lo sLure. He wus weurIng u bIuck suLIn robe.
AL IeusL LIougIL IL wus u robe. `d never seen u robe wILI u Iundker-
cIIeI sLIckIng ouL oI LIe cIesL pockeL. L dIdn`L Iook unvLIIng IIke mv
dud`s ruLLv cIeckered buLIrobe.
Mucon cuugIL me sLurIng. beIIeve LIe Lerm vou`re seurcIIng Ior Is
smoking jacket. IInd, now LIuL Iuve wIoIe duvs oI sunsIIne uIeud
oI me, `ve dIscovered LIere Is more Lo IIIe LIun IormuI IuberdusIerv.
HuI?
66J6=
UncIe M IIkes Lo Iounge uround In IIs pujumus. TIuL`s wIuL Ie
meuns. enu guve IIm u kIss on LIe cIeek. We Iuve Lo geL goIng or
we`II mIss ouL on LIe sLIckv buns. Be nIce und `II brIng vou one.
He sIgIed. Hunger Is sucI un IncredIbIe InconvenIence.
enu pIcked up Ier buckpuck. `II Luke LIuL us u ves.
Mucon Ignored Ier, smooLIIng open LIe IIrsL oI IIs newspupers.
EurLIquukes In Puruguuv. He snupped open LIe nexL, wIIcI up-
peured Lo be wrILLen In rencI. TIe SeIne Is drvIng up. AnoLIer.
TIe poIur Ice cup Is meILIng uL Len LImes LIe predIcLed ruLe. I one Is Lo
beIIeve LIe HeIsInkI press. A IourLI puper. And LIe enLIre souLIeusL-
ern cousL oI LIe UnILed SLuLes uppeurs Lo be uIIIIcLed bv u curIous
pIugue oI pesLIIence.
enu cIosed IIs newspuper, reveuIIng u pIuLe oI wIILe breud sILLIng dIr-
ecLIv In IronL oI IIm. EuL. TIe worId wIII sLIII be on LIe brInk oI dIs-
usLer wIen vou IInIsI vour breukIusL. Even In vour smokIng juckeL.
TIe durkness In Mucon`s expressIon IIILed, LIe green eves oI un
ncubus-Lurned-IgIL-CusLer bIuzIng u bIL IIgILer uL Ier LoucI. enu
guve IIm u smIIe, LIe one sIe suved onIv Ior IIm. TIe smIIe LIuL suId
sIe Iud noLIced uII oI IL-everv mInuLe oI LIeIr IIIe LogeLIer. WIuL LIev
Iud, LIev knew. SInce Mucon Iud busIcuIIv come buck Lo Ier Irom LIe
deud, enu Iudn`L Luken u mInuLe LIev sIured Ior grunLed. never
doubLed LIuL, LIougI envIed IL.
L wus wIuL `d Iud wILI mv mom-und now dIdn`L. wondered II
Iud smIIed dIIIerenLIv wIen Iooked uL Ier. wondered II sIe`d known
LIuL Iud noLIced IL uII, Loo. TIuL knew sIe`d reud everv book wus
reudIng, jusL so we couId LuIk ubouL IL over dInner uL our oId ouk LubIe.
TIuL knew sIe`d spenL Iours uL LIe BIue BIcvcIe booksLore In CIurIe-
sLon, LrvIng Lo IInd LIe rIgIL book Ior me.
6;J6=
Come on! enu moLIoned, und sIook Ioose LIe memorv und pIcked
up mv buckpuck. SIe guve Ier uncIe u quIck Iug. RIdIev! sIe cuIIed
up LIe sLuIrs. A muIIIed groun IIouLed down Irom one oI LIe bedrooms.
Now!
SIr. IoIded mv nupkIn und sLood up.
Mucon`s reIuxed expressIon vunIsIed. Be cureIuI ouL LIere.
`II keep un eve on Ier.
TIunk vou, Mr. WuLe. know vou wIII. He Iowered IIs cup. BuL vou
be cureIuI vourseII. TIIngs ure u bIL more compIIcuLed LIun LIev mIgIL
seem. TIe Lown wus IuIIIng upurL, und we`d preLLv mucI broken LIe
wIoIe worId. wusn`L sure Iow LIIngs couId geL unv more compIIcuLed
LIun LIuL.
CureIuI oI wIuL, sIr? TIe LubIe wus quIeL beLween us, even LIougI
couId Ieur enu und Grummu urguIng wILI RIdIev In LIe IuIIwuv.
Mucon Iooked down uL IIs pIIe oI newspupers, smooLIIng open LIe IusL
one, In u Iunguuge `d never seen und veL someIow recognIzed.
wIsI knew.
AILer breukIusL uL Ruvenwood, II vou couId cuII IL LIuL, LIe duv onIv goL
weIrder. We were IuLe Ior scIooI becuuse wIen we goL Lo Ink`s Iouse
Lo pIck IIm up, IIs mom cuugIL IIm dumpIng IIs breukIusL In LIe
LrusI und mude IIm sIL LIrougI u second one. TIen, wIen we drove bv
LIe SLop & SLeuI, uLLv, Juckson`s IuILIIuI LruunL oIIIcer, wusn`L sILLIng
In IIs cur euLIng u sLIckv bun und reudIng LIe puper. And LIere were
IuII u dozen buns IeIL In LIe bukerv secLIon. TIuL Iud Lo be LIe IIrsL
68J6=
sIgn oI LIe upocuIvpse. BuL even more unbeIIevubIe, we wuIked InLo
LIe udmInIsLruLIon buIIdIng LwenLv mInuLes IuLe, und MIss HesLer
wusn`L uL LIe IronL desk Lo gIve us deLenLIon. Her purpIe nuII poIIsI suL
In IronL oI Ier oIIIce cIuIr, unopened. Ike LIe wIoIe worId Iud some-
Iow roLuLed IIve degrees In LIe wrong dIrecLIon.
TIIs Is our Iuckv duv. Ink puL up IIs IIsL, und Lupped IIs knuckIes
uguInsL mIne. wouId Iuve gone wILI Ireukv.
L wus conIIrmed wIen cuugIL u gIImpse oI RIdIev wunderIng Lowurd
LIe buLIroom. couId`ve sworn sIe Iud cIunged InLo u reguIur gIrI,
weurIng weIrdIv reguIur-gIrI cIoLIes. And IInuIIv, wIen sIId InLo mv
seuL nexL Lo enu, on wIuL sIouId Iuve been Mrs. EngIIsI`s Good-Eve
SIde, Iound mvseII In LIe TwIIIgIL Zone oI cIussroom seuLIng cIurLs.
wus sILLIng wIere uIwuvs dId. L wus LIe room LIuL Iud cIunged, or
Mrs. EngIIsI, wIo spenL LIe wIoIe perIod grIIIIng sLudenLs on LIe
wrong sIde oI LIe room.
'TIIs Is u sIurp LIme, now, u precIse LIme-we IIve no Ionger In LIe
duskv uILernoon wIen evII mIxed ILseII wILI good und beIuddIed LIe
worId.` Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked up. MIss AsIer? How duskv u LIme
wouId ArLIur MIIIer LIInk we IIve In Loduv?
EmIIv sLured uL Ier, sIocked. Mu`um? Don`L vou meun Lo be usk-
Ing-LIem? EmIIv Iooked over uL Abbv PorLer, enu, und me, LIe onIv
peopIe wIo ever suL on LIe Good-Eve SIde.
mean Lo be uskIng unvone wIo expecLs Lo puss mv cIuss, MIss AsIer.
Now unswer LIe quesLIon.
Maybe she put her glass eye in the wrong side this morning.
enu smIIed wILIouL IookIng up Irom Ier puper.
6J6=
Maybe.
Um, LIInk ArLIur MIIIer wouId be mujorIv psvcIed LIuL we uren`L uII
so messed up unvmore.
peeked over mv copv oI The Crucible. And us EmIIv sLummered Lo
condemn u wILcI IunL noL mucI dIIIerenL Irom LIe one sIe Iud uII buL
Ied IerseII, LIuL gIuss eve wus sLurIng sLruIgIL uL me.
As II IL couId noL onIv see me buL see rIgIL LIrougI me.
Bv LIe LIme scIooI IeL ouL, LIIngs were sLurLIng Lo IeeI more normuI.
ELIun-HuLIng EmIIv IIssed wIen wuIked bv, LruIIed bv Eden und
CIurIoLLe, LIIrd und IourLI In commund, IIke LIe good oId duvs. RIdIev
IIgured ouL LIuL enu Iud CusL u Facies Celata on Ier, CIurmIng Ier
SIren cIoLIes so LIev uppeured Lo be reguIur cIoLIes. Now RIdIev wus
buck Lo Ier oId seII, bIuck IeuLIer und pInk sLrIpes-revenge, vendeL-
Lus, und uII. Worse, us soon us LIe beII rung, sIe drugged boLI oI us Lo
buskeLbuII prucLIce Lo wuLcI Ink`s scrImmuge.
TIIs LIme LIere wus no IungIng ouL In LIe doorwuv oI LIe gvm. RIdIev
wusn`L Iuppv unLII we were sILLIng IronL und cenLer. L wus puInIuI.
Ink wusn`L even on LIe courL, und Iud Lo wuLcI mv oId LeummuLes
screwIng up pIuvs used Lo run. BuL enu und RIdIev were bIckerIng
IIke sIsLers, und LIere wus more goIng on In LIe sLunds LIun on LIe
courL. AL IeusL, unLII suw Ink geL up Irom LIe bencI.
You CusL u Facies on me? Ike wus some kInd oI Mortal? RIdIev
wus prucLIcuIIv sIrIekIng. Ike wouIdn`L know? So now vou LIInk
`m noL onIv powerIess buL sLupId?
;oJ6=
L wusn`L mv Ideu. Grummu LoId me Lo do IL uILer sIe suw wIuL vou
were weurIng uL LIe Iouse. enu Iooked emburrussed.
RIdIev`s Iuce wus us pInk us LIe sLreuks In Ier IuIr. L`s u Iree worId.
AL IeusL, IL Is ouLsIde oI GuL-Dung. You cun`L use vour powers Lo dress
peopIe Iowever vou wunL. EspecIuIIv noL IIke that. SIe sIuddered.
`m noL one oI SuvunnuI Snow`s BurbIe doIIs.
RId. You don`L Iuve Lo be IIke LIem. BuL vou don`L Iuve Lo Lrv so Iurd
Lo be so dIIIerenL.
Sume LIIng, RIdIev snupped.
L`s noL.
ook uL LIuL Ierd und LeII me wIv sIouId cure wIuL LIose people
LIInk oI me.
RIdIev Iud u poInL. As Ink moved up und down LIe courL, LIe eves oI
LIe enLIre cIeer squud were gIued Lo IIm us II LIev were one person.
WIIcI, busIcuIIv, LIev were. dIdn`L even wuLcI LIe courL uILer u wIIIe.
uIreudv knew Ink couId probubIv IIL u jumper Irom LIe sLunds, wILI
IIs supersLrengLI.
Ethan, hes jumping too high.
Bv ubouL LIree IeeL. enu wus sLressIng, buL knew Ink Iud been Iun-
LusIzIng ubouL LIIs momenL IIs enLIre IIIe.
Yep.
And running too fast.
Yep.
;1J6=
Arent you going to say something?
Nope.
NoLIIng wus goIng Lo sLop IIm. Word Iud goLLen uround LIuL Ink Iud
kIcked up IIs gume over LIe summer, und IL seemed IIke IuII LIe
scIooI Iud sIown up uL prucLIce Lo see Ior LIemseIves. couIdn`L de-
cIde II IL wus IurLIer prooI oI Iow borIng IIIe wus In GuLIIn, or Iow bud
our new Inkubus wus uL MorLuI cumouIIuge.
SuvunnuI Iud LIe cIeerIeuders up und movIng. To be IuIr, IL wus LIeIr
prucLIce, Loo. BuL Lo be IuIr Lo LIe resL oI us, we weren`L exucLIv expecL-
Ing SuvunnuI`s new rouLInes. rom LIe Iooks oI IL, EmIIv, Eden, und
CIurIoLLe weren`L expecLIng LIem eILIer. EmIIv dIdn`L even geL oII LIe
bencI.
rom LIe sIdeIInes, SuvunnuI wus jumpIng uImosL us IIgI us Ink.
GIve me un !
You`re noL serIous. enu uImosL spIL ouL Ier sodu.
You couId Ieur SuvunnuI ucross LIe gvm. GIve me un !
sIook mv Ieud. OI, sIe`s serIous. TIere`s noLIIng IronIc ubouL Su-
vunnuI Snow.
GIve me un N!
We ure never goIng Lo Ieur LIe end oI LIIs. enu Iooked uL RIdIev.
SIe wus cIewIng gum IIke RonnIe Weeks sIuppIng on nIcoLIne puLcIes
wIen Ie quIL smokIng. TIe more SuvunnuI jumped, LIe Iurder RIdIev
cIewed.
GIve me u K!
;zJ6=
GIve me u breuk. RIdIev spIL ouL Ier gum und sLuck IL underneuLI LIe
bencI. BeIore we couId sLop Ier, sIe wus cIImbIng over LIe uIumInum
bIeucIers, down Lo LIe courL-superIIgI sunduIs, pInk-sLrIped IuIr,
bIuck mInIskIrL, und uII.
OI no. enu sLurLed Lo geL up, buL puIIed Ier buck down.
You cun`L sLop IL Irom IuppenIng, .
WIuL Is sIe doIng? enu couIdn`L beur Lo Iook.
RIdIev wus LuIkIng Lo SuvunnuI, LIgILenIng LIe Iow-sIung beIL wILI LIe
poIsonous InsecL Lrupped In IL, IIke u gIudIuLor geurIng up Ior buLLIe. AL
IIrsL sLruIned Lo IIsLen, buL wILIIn seconds LIev were sIouLIng.
WIuL`s vour probIem? SuvunnuI snupped.
RIdIev grInned. NoLIIng. OI, wuIL. vou.
SuvunnuI dropped Ier pom-poms on LIe gvm IIoor. You`re u skunk. I
vou wunL Lo Iure some oLIer guv InLo vour skunkv Lrup, be mv guesL.
BuL Ink Is one oI us.
Here`s LIe LIIng, BurbIe. `ve uIreudv Lrupped IIm, und sInce `m Lrv-
Ing Lo pIuv nIce, LIIs Is me gIvIng vou IuIr wurnIng. Buck oII beIore vou
geL IurL.
SuvunnuI crossed Ier urms over Ier cIesL. Muke me.
L Iooked IIke LIev needed u reI.
enu covered Ier eves. Are LIev IIgILIng?
;J6=
UI-more IIke cIeerIng, LIInk. puIIed enu`s Iund Irom Ier eves.
You Iuve Lo see LIIs Ior vourseII.
RIdIev Iud one LIumb Iooked over Ier beIL, LIe oLIer sIukIng u Ione,
borrowed pom-pom IIke IL wus u deud skunk. TIe squud wus nexL Lo
Ier, cIImbIng InLo LIeIr sLundurd pvrumId IormuLIon-SuvunnuI Ieud-
Ing LIe wuv.
Ink sLopped runnIng down LIe courL. Evervone dId.
L, I dont know if this is the right time for payback.
enu dIdn`L Luke Ier eves oII RIdIev.
Im not doing anything. But someone is.
SuvunnuI wus smIIIng Irom LIe buse. EmIIv scowIed us sIe cIImbed Lo
LIe Lop. TIe oLIer gIrIs IoIIowed uImosL mecIunIcuIIv.
RIdIev wuved u droopIng pom-pom over Ier Ieud.
Ink drIbbIed LIe buII In pIuce. WuILIng, IIke LIe resL oI us wIo knew
RIdIev, Ior LIe LerrIbIe LIIng LIuL Iudn`L Iuppened veL buL wouId unv
second now.
L, you think Ridley?
Its impossible. Shes not a Caster anymore. She doesnt have any
powers.
GIve me un-RIdIev sIook Ier pom-pom IuIIIeurLedIv-R.
EmIIv wobbIed uL LIe Lop oI LIe pvrumId.
;qJ6=
RIdIev cuIIed ouL uguIn. Um, und un ?
A sIudder wenL LIrougI LIe Leum, IIke LIev were doIng LIe wuve In
pvrumId IormuLIon.
And LIen, IeL`s go wILI u D. RIdIev dropped LIe pom-pom. EmIIv`s
eves wIdened. Ink IeId LIe buII In one Iund. WIuL does IL speII,
CIeerIosers? RIdIev wInked.
Lena
sLurLed Lo move beIore suw IL Iuppen.
RId? Ink sIouLed uL Ier, buL sIe dIdn`L Iook buck uL IIm.
enu wus IuIIwuv over LIe bencI, on Ier wuv down Lo LIe courL.
Ridley, no!
wus rIgIL beIInd Ier, buL LIere wus no wuv Lo sLop IL.
L wus Loo IuLe.
TIe pvrumId coIIupsed on Lop oI SuvunnuI.
EvervLIIng Iuppened reuIIv quIckIv uILer LIuL, IIke GuLIIn wunLed Lo
IusL-Iorwurd LIe wIoIe sLorv Irom breukIng news Lo uncIenL IIsLorv.
An umbuIunce pIcked up SuvunnuI und Look Ier Lo LIe IospILuI, over
In SummervIIIe. PeopIe were suvIng IL wus u mIrucIe EmIIv Iudn`L been
kIIIed, IuIIIng uII LIe wuv Irom LIe Lop. HuII LIe scIooI kepL repeuLIng
LIe words spinal injury, wIIcI wus onIv u rumor, becuuse EmIIv
seemed ubouL us IuII oI buckbone us ever. AppurenLIv SuvunnuI
;=J6=
cusIIoned Ier IuII, us II sIe Iud seIIIessIv murLvred IerseII Ior LIe
greuLer good oI LIe Leum. TIuL wus LIe sLorv, unvwuv.
Ink wenL Lo LIe IospILuI Lo cIeck on Ier. LIInk Ie IeIL us guIILv us II
Ie`d beuLen SuvunnuI up IImseII. BuL LIe oIIIcIuI dIugnosIs, uccordIng
Lo Ink`s cuII Irom LIe Iobbv, wus good un` bunged up, und bv LIe
LIme SuvunnuI senL Ier mom Iome Ior Ier mukeup, evervone InvoIved
wus IeeIIng beLLer. L probubIv IeIped LIuL, LIe wuv Ink LoId IL, LIe
wIoIe cIeer squud wus LIere uskIng IIm wIo Ie LIougIL Iud been
IrIends wILI SuvunnuI LIe IongesL.
Ink wus sLIII reIuvIng LIe deLuIIs. TIe gIrIs`II be uII rIgIL. TIev`ve
sorLu been LukIn` Lurns sILLIn` on mv Iup.
YeuI?
WeII, evervone`s preLLv upseL. So `m doIn` mv purL Lo comIorL LIe
squud.
How`s LIuL goIng?
Iud u IeeIIng boLI Ink und SuvunnuI were enjovIng LIe uILernoon,
In LIeIr own wuvs. RIdIev wus nowIere Lo be Iound, buL wIen sIe
IIgured ouL wIere Ink Iud gone, LIIngs wouId probubIv geL even
worse. Muvbe IL wus u good LIIng Ink wus IumIIIurIzIng IImseII wILI
LIe counLv IospILuI.
Bv LIe LIme Ink Iung up, enu und were buck In Ier room, und RId-
Iev wus mopIng uround downsLuIrs. enu`s bedroom wus ubouL us Iur
us vou couId geL Irom Juckson HIgI, und beIng LIere mude evervLIIng
LIuL Iuppened In Lown seem ubouL u mIIIIon mIIes uwuv. Her room
Iud cIunged sInce sIe cume buck Irom LIe GreuL BurrIer. enu suId IL
wus becuuse sIe needed Lo see LIe worId LIrougI Ier goId und green
;6J6=
eves. And Ruvenwood Iud cIunged Lo mIrror Ier IeeIIngs, LIe wuv IL
Iud uIwuvs cIunged Ior Ier und Mucon.
Her room wus now enLIreIv LrunspurenL, IIke some kInd oI weIrd Lree
Iouse mude oI gIuss. rom LIe ouLsIde IL sLIII Iooked exucLIv LIe sume,
wILI ILs weuLIer-beuLen sIuLLers covered In vInes. couId see rem-
nunLs oI Ier oId room. TIere were sLIII wIndows wIere LIere Iud been
wIndows, doors wIere LIere Iud been doors. BuL LIe ceIIIng wus open,
wILI sIIdIng puneIs oI gIuss sIoved Lo one sIde Lo IeL In LIe nIgIL uIr. n
LIe uILernoon, LIe wInd scuLLered Ieuves ucross Ier bed. Her IIoor wus
u mIrror LIuL reIIecLed LIe cIungIng skv. WIen LIe sun beuL down on
us-us IL uIwuvs dId now-LIe IIgIL reIrucLed und broke und scuLLered
over so munv dIIIerenL surIuces, IL wus ImpossIbIe Lo LeII wIIcI sun
wus LIe reuI one. TIev uII burned equuIIv, wILI u bIIndIng gIure.
Iuv buck on Ier bed, cIosIng mv eves und IeLLIng LIe breeze roII over
me. knew IL wusn`L reuI, jusL unoLIer versIon oI enu`s CusLIng
Breeze, buL dIdn`L cure. Mv bodv IeIL IIke IL wus breuLIIng Ior LIe IIrsL
LIme Loduv. puIIed mv dump sIIrL oII und Lossed IL onLo LIe IIoor.
BeLLer.
opened un eve. enu wus wrILIng on LIe gIuss wuII cIosesL Lo Ier bed,
und LIe words Iung In LIe uIr IIke spoken senLences. nked In SIurpIe.
no IIgIL no durk no vou no me
know IIgIL know durk know vou know me
L mude me IeeI beLLer, seeIng LIe IundwrILIng remembered Irom be-
Iore LIe SIxLeenLI Moon.
;;J6=
so goes LIe Iurd wuv-LIe (IuII u)purL wuv-
LIe (breuk u)IeurL duv
roIIed onLo mv sIde. Hev. WIuL does LIuL meun, 'LIe breuk u IeurL
duv`? dIdn`L IIke LIe sound oI LIuL one.
SIe Iooked over uL me und smIIed. L`s noL Loduv.
puIIed Ier down on LIe bed nexL Lo me, mv Iund on LIe buck oI Ier
neck. Mv IIngers LungIed In Ier Iong IuIr, und run mv LIumb down
Ier coIIurbone. Ioved LIe wuv Ier skIn IeIL, even II IL burned.
pressed mv IIps uguInsL Iers, und Ieurd enu`s breuLI cuLcI. wus
IosIng mIne, buL dIdn`L cure.
enu run Ier Iund down mv buck, Ier IIngers LruIIIng uIong mv bure
skIn.
Iove vou, wIIspered InLo Ier eur.
SIe IeId mv Iuce In Ier Iunds und Ieuned buck so sIe couId Iook uL
me. don`L LIInk couId ever Iove unvLIIng LIe wuv Iove vou.
know couIdn`L.
enu`s Iund resLed on mv cIesL. knew sIe couId IeeI mv IeurLbeuL
LIuddIng beneuLI IL. SIe suL up, grubbIng mv sIIrL oII LIe IIoor. You`d
beLLer puL LIIs buck on, or vou`re goIng Lo geL me grounded Ior LIe resL
oI mv IIIe. L`s noL IIke UncIe M sIeeps uII duv. He`s probubIv down In
LIe TunneIs wILI- SIe cuugIL IerseII, wIIcI Is Iow knew wIo sIe
;8J6=
wus LuIkIng ubouL. He`s In IIs sLudv, und Ie`II expecL Lo see me unv
mInuLe now.
suL up, IoIdIng mv sIIrL In mv Iunds.
Anvwuv, don`L know wIv wrILe LIe LIIngs do. TIev sorL oI come
InLo mv Ieud.
Ike mv IuLIer und IIs new besLseIIer, The Eighteenth Moon?
Iudn`L been ubIe Lo sLop LIInkIng ubouL IL, und Ammu wus uvoIdIng
me. Muvbe Mucon wouId Iuve LIe unswer.
Ike SuvunnuI und Ier supercooI new Ink cIeer. enu Ieuned
uguInsL me. L`s u mess.
GIve me un M. GIve me un E-S-S.
SIuL up, enu suId, kIssIng mv cIeek. SIIrL on.
puIIed mv sIIrL buck over mv sIouIders, puusIng mIdwuv. You sure
ubouL LIuL? SIe benL Lo kIss mv sLomucI, vunkIng mv sIIrL buck down
over IL. IeIL LIe sLubbIng puIn dIsuppeur us quIckIv us IL cume-buL
reucIed Ior Ier unvwuv.
SIe ducked ouL oI mv urms. We sIouId LeII UncIe Mucon ubouL wIuL
Iuppened Loduv.
TeII IIm wIuL? TIuL RIdIev`s sLurLIng IIgILs? And even LIougI sIe`s
compIeLeIv powerIess, bud LIIngs Iuppen Lo cIeerIeuders wIen sIe`s
uround?
JusL In cuse. SIe couId be up Lo someLIIng. Muvbe vou sIouId LeII
IIm ubouL vour dud`s new book. enu IeId ouL Ier Iund, und Look IL,
LIe energv druInIng ouL oI me sIowIv.
;J6=
You meun, becuuse LIe IusL book Lurned ouL so weII? We don`L even
know II LIere Is u book. dIdn`L wunL Lo LIInk ubouL mv dud und IIs
books unv more LIun wunLed Lo LIInk ubouL RIdIev und SuvunnuI
Snow.
We were IuIIwuv down LIe IuII beIore reuIIzed we Iud sLopped LuIk-
Ing. TIe cIoser we goL, LIe more sensed enu`s puce sIowIng. SIe
dIdn`L mInd goIng buck down InLo LIe TunneIs. SIe jusL dIdn`L wunL
me goIng down LIere.
WIIcI Iud noLIIng Lo do wILI LIe ucLuuI TunneIs und evervLIIng Lo do
wILI Mucon`s IuvorILe excIunge sLudenL.
8oJ6=
9.12
Adam and Eve
enu sLopped In IronL oI u bIuck Iucquered door. A Iundmude IIver Ior
LIe HoIv RoIIers-WHAT`S ROCK WTHOUT THE RO?-Iung
skewed Lo one sIde. SIe knocked on RIdIev`s door. RId?
WIv ure we IookIng Ior RIdIev? Iud seen enougI oI Ier Loduv.
We uren`L. TIere`s u sIorLcuL Lo LIe TunneIs In Ier room. UncIe Mu-
con`s secreL pussugewuv, remember?
RIgIL. Becuuse now IIs bedroom Is. Iooked uL LIe door, LrvIng Lo
ImugIne Iow RIdIev Iud mussucred Mucon`s oId room. Iudn`L been In
IL sInce LIe duv enu und broke up.
enu sIrugged. He dIdn`L wunL Lo keep IIs oId room. And Ie sIeeps In
IIs sLudv In LIe TunneIs mosL oI LIe LIme, unvwuv.
Good cIoIce Ior RIdIev`s room. Becuuse sIe`s not LIe kInd oI gIrI wIo
wouId sneuk ouL u secreL pussugewuv In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL,
suId.
enu puused, Ier Iund on LIe doorwuv. ELIun. SIe`s LIe IeusL mugIcuI
person In LIe Iouse. SIe`s goL more Lo be uIruId oI goIng down LIere
LIun unv oI-
BeIore sIe couId IInIsI Ier senLence, Ieurd un unmIsLukubIe sound.
TIe sound oI LIe skv rIppIng, und un ncubus sIIppIng ouL oI sIgIL.
TruveIIng.
DId vou Ieur LIuL?
enu Irowned uL me. WIuL?
L sounded IIke someone wus rIppIng.
UncIe Mucon doesn`L rIp unvmore. And Ruvenwood Is compIeLeIv
Bound. TIere`s no wuv unv ncubus, no muLLer Iow powerIuI, couId
geL In Iere. SIe Iooked worrIed, LIougI, even us sIe suId LIe words.
L musL Iuve been someLIIng eIse. Muvbe KILcIen Is experImenLIng
uguIn. LoucIed Ier Iund on LIe door, mv breuLI cuLcIIng. Open
up.
enu pusIed, buL noLIIng Iuppened. SIe pusIed uguIn. TIuL`s weIrd.
TIe IundIe`s jummed.
eL me Lrv. LIrew mv weIgIL uguInsL LIe door. L dIdn`L budge,
wIIcI wus kInd oI IumIIIuLIng, so LrIed IL uguIn, even Iurder. L`s noL
jummed. L`s-vou know.
WIuL?
WIuLever LIe uLIn Is Ior usIng mugIc Lo Iock vour door.
You meun u CusL? TIuL`s noL possIbIe. RIdIev couIdn`L use un Obex
CusL, even II sIe Iound one In u book. TIev`re Loo dIIIIcuIL.
Are vou kIddIng me? AILer LIe sLunL sIe puIIed wILI LIe cIeer
squud?
8J6=
enu Iooked uL LIe door, Ier green eve gIowIng und Ier goId eve durk-
enIng. Her bIuck curIs begun Lo bIow uround Ier sIouIders, und beIore
Ieurd Ier speuk LIe CusL, LIe door bIew open wILI sucI Iorce IL wenL
IIvIng oII LIe IInges und InLo RIdIev`s bedroom. WIIcI seemed IIke LIe
CusLer wuv oI suvIng Screw vou.
IIIpped on LIe IIgILs InsIde RIdIev`s room.
enu wrInkIed Ier nose us pIcked up u pInk IoIIIpop sLuck Lo LIe Iong
bIond IuIrs wrupped uround u gIunL IoL roIIer. TIere wus u mess oI
cIoLIes und sIoes und nuII poIIsI und mukeup und cundv-on everv
surIuce, In LIe sIeeLs, IIdden In LIe pInk reLro sIug curpeL.
Muke sure vou puL LIuL buck wIere vou Iound IL. SIe`II Iuve u IIL II
sIe IInds ouL we were In Iere. SIe`s been reuIIv weIrd ubouL Ier room
IuLeIv. enu nudged un open boLLIe oI nuII poIIsI LIuL wus oozIng onLo
LIe dresser. BuL LIere ure no sIgns oI CusLIng. No books or cIurms.
IIIpped buck LIe pInk curpeL Lo reveuI LIe smooLI IInes oI LIe IIdden
CusLer door In LIe IIoor.
NoLIIng excepL- enu IeId up u neurIv empLv bug oI DorILos. RId-
Iev IuLes DorILos. SIe IIkes sweeL, noL suILv.
sLured down InLo LIe durkness uL LIe sLuIrs onIv IuII beIIeved were
LIere. `m IookIng uL un InvIsIbIe sLuIrweII, und vou`re LeIIIng me LIe
cIIps ure weIrd?
enu IeId up u second bug, u IuII one. PreLLv mucI. Yes.
IeId ouL mv IooL, IeeIIng uround unLII Iound LIe soIId IooLIng In LIe
uIr. used Lo IIke cIocoIuLe mIIk. Now IL mukes me sIck. Does LIuL
meun Iuve mugIc powers, Loo?
8qJ6=
sLepped InLo LIe durkness beIore couId Ieur Ier unswer.
AL LIe buse oI LIe sLuIrs LIuL Ied InLo Mucon`s prIvuLe sLudv, we couId
see IIm sLundIng uL u desk, sLurIng uL LIe puges oI un enormous book.
enu Look u sLep-
Seven. A gIrI`s voIce.
We Iroze uL LIe sound oI LIe IumIIIur voIce. puL mv Iund on enu`s
urm.
Wait.
So we sLood In LIe sIudows oI LIe pussuge, uL LIe edge oI LIe door.
TIev Iudn`L seen us.
Seven wIuL, MIss Durund? Mucon usked.
Iv uppeured In LIe doorwuv, IoIdIng u sLuck oI books. Her bIond IuIr
spIIIed over Ier IuvorILe PInk Iovd T-sIIrL, Ier bIue eves cuLcIIng LIe
IIgIL. n LIe durkness oI LIe underground, Iv Iooked IIke sIe wus
mude oI sunsIIne.
MurIun`s Iormer ussIsLunL, mv Iormer IrIend. BuL LIuL wusn`L quILe
rIgIL, und we uII knew IL. SIe Iud IeIL IIke more LIun u IrIend. WIIIe
enu wus gone, LIuL Iud been one LIIng. BuL enu wusn`L gone unv-
more, wIIcI IeIL us wIere? Iv wouId uIwuvs be mv IrIend, even II sIe
couIdn`L be. SIe Iud IeIped me IInd mv wuv buck Lo enu, und Lo LIe
GreuL BurrIer, LIe seuL oI boLI Durk und IgIL power. SIe Iud gIven up
Ier IuLure us u Keeper Ior me und enu. We boLI knew we wouId uI-
wuvs owe Iv Ior LIuL.
TIere wus more LIun one kInd oI wuv Lo be Bound Lo u person. Iud
Ieurned LIuL mvseII, LIe Iurd wuv.
8=J6=
Iv IeL LIe books drop onLo LIe desk In IronL oI Mucon. DusL rose Irom
LIe uncIenL bIndIngs. TIere ure onIv IIve InsLunces oI mIxed CusLer
bIoodIInes powerIuI enougI Lo resuIL In LIIs combInuLIon. `ve been
cross-reIerencIng everv CusLer IumIIv Lree cun IInd on boLI sIdes oI
LIe ALIunLIc, IncIudIng vour own.
Mixed supernatural blood. Ethan, theyre looking for John.
enu couId bureIv sLund Lo KeIL IL. Even Ier LIougILs were quIeL.
Mucon wus mumbIIng InLo IIs book. AI, ves. WeII. AII In LIe InLeresL
oI scIence, oI course.
OI course. Iv opened Ier IumIIIur red noLebook.
And? Huve vou Iound unvLIIng IIke IIm In unv oI LIe KepL IumIIv re-
cords? AnvLIIng LIuL couId expIuIn LIe exIsLence oI our mvsLerIous Iv-
brId, LIe eIusIve JoIn Breed?
I guess youre right.
Iv spreud ouL Lwo sIeeLs oI purcImenL LIuL recognIzed ImmedIuLeIv.
TIe DucIunnes und Ruvenwood umIIv Trees. TIere ure onIv Iour
IIkeIv occurrences-uL IeusL, uccordIng Lo LIe CouncII oI LIe ur Keep.
The council of what?
Later, Ethan.
Iv wus sLIII LuIkIng. One oI wIIcI Is SuruIIne DucIunnes` purenLs:
EmmuIIne DucIunnes, u IgIL CusLer, und vour IuLIer, SIIus Ruven-
wood, u BIood ncubus. enu`s grundpurenLs. Iv Iooked up, Ier
cIeeks reddenIng.
86J6=
Mucon dIsmIssed LIe possIbIIILv. EmmuIIne Is un EmpuLI, u CusLer
gIIL cerLuInIv noL cupubIe oI resuILIng In u IvbrId ncubus LIuL cun wuIk
In LIe duvIIgIL. And obvIousIv our IvbrId Is Loo voung Lo be u resuIL oI
LIuL purLIcuIur unIon.
enu sIuddered, und squeezed Ier Iund.
Theyre looking at all those crazy family trees, L. None of it means
anything.
Not yet.
enu resLed Ier Ieud uguInsL mv sIouIder, und Ieuned cIoser Lo LIe
door Lo IIsLen.
8;J6=
TIuL Ieuves LIree possIbIe cundIduLes Ior producIng u Durk CusLer-n-
cubus IvbrId. TIere Is no IgIL und IgIL puIrIng, oI course, sInce
LIere ure no.
IgIL ncubuses, us wus In mv prevIous Iorm? TIuL Is correcL. n-
cubuses ure Durk bv nuLure. know LIuL perIups beLLer LIun unvone,
MIss Durund. Iv cIosed Ier noLebook, IookIng uncomIorLubIe, buL
Mucon wuved Ier oII. Don`L worrv. don`L bILe. Never Look Lo Iumun
bIood. Iound IL uII u bIL distasteful.
Iv conLInued. I JoIn Breed wus some sorL oI mIxed-bIood SupernuL-
uruI, IL`s noL bv uccIdenL. L`s unprecedenLed, unrecorded, und us Iur us
Dr. AsIcroIL`s KeepIng urcIIves duLe buck, unKepL. L`s us II LIe record
oI unv sucI bIrLI Ius been compIeLeIv sLruck Irom LIe Lunae Libri
uILogeLIer.
WIIcI proves wIuL we uIreudv suspecLed. TIIs bov Is more LIun jusL
un ncubus wIo cun wuIk In LIe sunIIgIL. No one wouId go Lo LIIs
mucI LroubIe Lo IIde IIs IIneuge oLIerwIse. Mucon rubbed IIs Ieud
wILI one Iund. HIs green eves were red, und IL occurred Lo me LIuL
Iud no Ideu wIeLIer or noL Ie sIepL now LIuL Ie wus u CusLer. or LIe
IIrsL LIme, IL Iooked IIke Ie needed Lo. Ive puIrIngs. TIuL`s progress,
MIss Durund. WeII done.
Iv wus IrusLruLed. recognIzed LIe Iook. HurdIv. We sLIII Iuven`L
Iound LIe geneLIc muLcI. WILIouL LIuL InIormuLIon, IL wIII be Im-
possIbIe Lo deLermIne JoIn`s ubIIILIes. Or Iow Ie IILs InLo uII LIIs.
A vuIId poInL. BuL we Iuve Lo Iocus on wIuL we do know. JoIn Breed
Is ImporLunL Lo AbruIum, wIIcI meuns LIe bov Ius u sIgnIIIcunL roIe In
wIuLever Ie Is pIunnIng.
Iv IeId ouL Ier urm, LIe dIuIs oI Ier sLrunge-IookIng Iomemude
wuLcI spInnIng on Ier wrIsL. Her seIenomeLer, wIIcI guve Ier LIe onIv
unswers sIe LrusLed. TruLIIuIIv, sIr, don`L know Iow mucI LIme we
Iuve Lo IIgure LIuL ouL. `ve never seen reudIngs IIke LIese. IuLe Lo suv
IL-buL IL`s IIke LIe moon Is ubouL Lo come crusIIng down on GuLIIn.
Mucon sLood, cIuspIng u Ieuvv Iund on Ier sIouIder. `d IeIL LIuL pres-
sure-u purL oI me couId IeeI IL now. Never be uIruId Lo speuk LIe
LruLI, MIss Durund. We`re u IILLIe pusL LIe poInL oI pIeusunLrIes. We
musL sImpIv press on. L`s uII we cun do.
SIe sLruIgILened under IIs Iund. `m noL sure know LIe proLocoI
wIen IucIng LIe poLenLIuI unnIIIIuLIon oI LIe MorLuI worId.
beIIeve, deur gIrI, LIuL`s enLIreIv LIe poInL.
WIuL?
ook uL LIe IucLs. L uppeurs LIuL sInce LIe CIuImIng LIe MorLuI worId
Ius been uILered. Or, us vou suId vourseII, LIe skv Is IuIIIng. HeII on
EurLI, our cIurmIng Mrs. IncoIn mIgIL suv. And LIe CusLer worId Ius
been presenLed wILI u new specIes oI CusLer-ncubus we`ve never seen
beIore. An Adum oI sorLs. WIuLever purpose LIe IvbrId bov serves, IL`s
noL un uccIdenL. TIe LImIng Is Loo perIecL. L`s uII purL oI u grund
desIgn-or, consIderIng AbruIum Is undoubLedIv InvoIved, u grundIose
desIgn.
enu Iooked puIe, und grubbed Ier urm, proppIng Ier up nexL Lo me.
Lets go.
SIe IeId Ier IInger Lo Ier IIps.
Hes the Adam?
L
1J6=
Ethan. If hes the Adam
Iv sLured uL Mucon, Ier eves wIde. You LIInk AbruIum someIow en-
gineered LIIs?
Mucon scoIIed. HunLIng cerLuInIv doesn`L Iuve LIe InLeIIecL Ior LIIs
sorL oI endeuvor, und SuruIIne uIone doesn`L Iuve LIe power. TIe bov,
Iowever IndeLermInuLe IIs orIgIn, Is enu`s uge? A IILLIe oIder?
I dont want to be the Eve.
Youre not.
You dont know that, Ethan. I think I am.
Youre not, L.
puIIed Ier InLo mv urms, und couId IeeI LIe IeuL oI Ier cIeek
LIrougI LIe LIIn coLLon oI mv sIIrL.
I think I was supposed to be.
Mucon conLInued, buL Ie seemed IurLIer und IurLIer uwuv wILI everv
word. UnIess JoIn Breed wus puIIed ouL oI some oLIer reuIm, Ie
evoIved Iere In LIe MorLuI or CusLer worId. WIIcI necessILuLes more
LIun u decude und u IuII oI ruLIIess cunnIng, uL wIIcI AbruIum ex-
ceIs. Mucon IeII sIIenL.
Are vou suvIng JoIn wus born In u CusLer IuboruLorv? Ike some kInd
oI supernuLuruI LesL-Lube bubv?
n broud Lerms, ves. PerIups noL so mucI born us bred, one ussumes.
WIIcI wouId expIuIn wIv Ie Is so ImporLunL Lo AbruIum. Mucon
zJ6=
puused. TIuL sorL oI duII wIL wouId expecL Irom mv broLIer, noL
AbruIum. `m dIsuppoInLed.
JoIn Breed, Iv suId sIowIv. OI mv God. L wus rIgIL LIere In IronL
oI us, uII uIong. Iv sunk onLo LIe oLLomun ucross Irom Mucon`s desk.
IeId enu LIgILer. WIen Ier LIougILs cume, LIev were u wIIsper.
Its sick. Hes sick.
dIdn`L know II sIe meunL JoIn or AbruIum, buL IL dIdn`L muLLer. SIe
wus rIgIL. L wus uII sIck.
Abrahams gone, L.
Even us LIougIL LIe words, knew wus IvIng. JoIn mIgIL Iuve been
gone, buL AbruIum wusn`L.
So we`re IeIL wILI Lwo quesLIons, MIss Durund. How und, more Im-
porLunL, wIv?
I JoIn Breed Is gone, IL doesn`L muLLer. Iv`s Iuce wus puIe, und IL
occurred Lo me LIuL sIe Iooked us exIuusLed us Mucon dId.
s Ie? `m noL enLIreIv wIIIIng Lo muke ussumpLIons wILIouL u bodv.
SIouIdn`L we Lurn our reseurcI Lo LIe more pressIng Issues-LIe In-
IesLuLIons, LIe cIImuLe cIunge? How Lo sLop LIese pIugues LIuL enu`s
SevenLeenLI Moon seems Lo Iuve brougIL on LIe MorLuI worId?
Mucon Ieuned Iorwurd In IIs cIuIr. OIIvIu, do vou Iuve unv Ideu Iow
oId LIIs IIbrurv Is?
SIe sIook Ier Ieud doubLIuIIv.
J6=
Do vou know Iow oId unv oI LIe CusLer IIbrurIes ure? Across LIe pond
und bevond? n ondon? Prugue? MudrId? sLunbuI? CuIro?
No. suppose noL.
n unv oI LIese IIbrurIes, munv oI wIIcI `ve vIsILed mvseII In LIe pusL
Iew weeks, do vou ImugIne LIere Is one reIerence Lo Iow Lo resLore LIe
Order oI TIIngs?
OI course. TIere Ius Lo be. TIIs musL Iuve Iuppened uL IeusL once
beIore.
He cIosed IIs eves.
Never? SIe wus LrvIng Lo suv LIe word, buL Irom wIere we sLood, we
uImosL couIdn`L Ieur IL.
Our onIv cIue Is LIe bov. How dId Ie come Lo be, und Ior wIuL
purpose?
Or LIe gIrI? Iv usked.
OIIvIu. TIuL`s enougI.
BuL Iv wusn`L deLerred LIuL eusIIv. PerIups vou uIreudv know? How
dId sIe come Lo be, und Ior wIuL purpose? ScIenLIIIcuIIv speukIng, IL
wouId be reIevunL.
enu sIuL me ouL, wIIIIng Ier mInd upurL Irom mIne, unLII wus uIone
In LIe pussugewuv even us we cIung Lo eucI oLIer.
Mucon sIook IIs Ieud. WIen Ie spoke, IIs voIce wus IursI. Don`L suv
unvLIIng Lo LIe oLIers. wunL Lo be ubsoIuLeIv cerLuIn.
qJ6=
BeIore vou LeII enu wIuL sIe`s done, Iv suId IIuLIv. L wus u IucL, buL
someIow sIe dIdn`L suv IL LIuL wuv.
Mucon`s green eves IeId uII LIe emoLIon IIs bIuck ones never Iud.
eur. Anger. ResenLmenL. BeIore LeII Ier wIuL sIe Ius Lo do.
You mIgIL noL be ubIe Lo sLop LIIs. SIe Iooked down uL Ier seIen-
omeLer ouL oI IubIL.
OIIvIu, IL`s noL onIv LIe unIverse LIuL couId be desLroved. L`s mv
nIece. WIo Is, us Iur us um concerned, more ImporLunL LIun u LIou-
sund IosL unIverses.
BeIIeve me, know. I Iv wus bILLer, sIe dIdn`L IeL on.
L IeIL IIke mv IeurL sLopped beuLIng. enu sIIpped ouL oI mv urms be-
Iore even reuIIzed sIe wus gone.
Iound enu In Ier room. SIe dIdn`L crv, und dIdn`L Lrv Lo consoIe
Ier. We suL In sIIence, IoIdIng Iunds unLII IL IurL, unLII LIe sun IeII
uwuv-beIInd LIe words, beIInd LIe gIuss und LIe Lrees und LIe rIver.
TIe nIgIL sIId ucross Ier bed, und wuILed Ior LIe durkness Lo eruse
evervLIIng.
=J6=
9.15
Izabel
Are vou sure we`re goIng LIe rIgIL wuv? We Iud Lurned oII LIe IIgI-
wuv, souLI oI CIurIesLon. BuL LIe Iouses Iud cIunged Irom LrudILIonuI
VIcLorIuns wILI wrupuround porcIes und wIILe LurreLs sLreLcIIng Lo-
wurd LIe cIouds Lo-noLIIng. TIe Iouses were gone, repIuced wILI
mIIes oI Lobucco IIeIds und un occusIonuI weuLIer-beuLen burn.
enu gIunced uL LIe sIeeL oI noLebook puper In Ier Iup. TIIs Is LIe
wuv. Grummu suId LIere weren`L u IoL oI oLIer Iouses neur mv oId.
wIere mv Iouse used Lo be. WIen enu LoId me sIe wunLed Lo see LIe
Iouse wIere sIe wus born, IL mude sense-Ior ubouL Len seconds. Be-
cuuse IL wusn`L jusL LIe Iouse wIere sIe Look Ier IIrsL sLeps und
scrIbbIed on LIe wuIIs wILI cruvon. L wus uIso LIe pIuce wIere Ier
IuLIer dIed. WIere enu couId Iuve dIed, wIen Ier moLIer seL IIre Lo
LIe Iouse, rIgIL beIore enu`s IIrsL bIrLIduv.
BuL enu InsIsLed, und LIere wus no LuIkIng Ier ouL oI IL. We Iudn`L
suId u word Lo eucI oLIer ubouL wIuL we`d overIeurd In Mucon`s sLudv,
buL knew LIIs Iud Lo be unoLIer pIece oI LIe puzzIe. Mucon LIougIL
enu`s und JoIn`s pusLs IeId some kInd oI kev Lo wIuL wus IuppenIng
In LIe CusLer und MorLuI worIds. WIIcI wus LIe reuson we were drIv-
Ing LIrougI LIe buckwoods rIgIL now.
AunL DeI Ieuned Iorwurd Irom LIe buckseuL oI LIe VoIvo. ucIIIe wus
sILLIng In Ier Iup. L doesn`L Iook IumIIIur Lo me, buL couId be
wrong. TIuL wus un undersLuLemenL. AunL DeI wus LIe IusL person
wouId usk Ior dIrecLIons, unIess we were In LIe TunneIs. And IuLeIv
wusn`L sure II sIe couId IInd Ier wuv uround down LIere eILIer. I
vIsILIng LIe cIurred remuIns oI enu`s bIrLIpIuce Iud been u bud Ideu,
brIngIng AunL DeI wILI us wus un even worse one. SInce enu`s CIuIm-
Ing, no one seemed Lo be Lurned InsIde ouL us mucI us enu`s uunL.
enu poInLed uL mv wIndow. LIInk IL`s up Iere. UncIe M suId Lo Iook
Ior u drIvewuv on LIe IeIL. A Ience, wILI wIILe puInL peeIIng down LIe
sIdes, guurded LIe roud. TIere wus u breuk In LIe Ience u Iew vurds
uIeud. TIuL`s IL.
As Lurned beLween LIe crooked posLs, Ieurd enu`s breuLI cuLcI.
Look Ier Iund, und mv puIse quIckened.
Are you sure you want to do this?
No. But I need to know what happened.
L, you know what happened.
This is where it all started. Where my mother held me as a baby.
Where she decided to hate me.
She was a Dark Caster. She wasnt capable of love.
enu Ieuned uguInsL mv sIouIder us drove down LIe dusLv drIvewuv.
Part of me is Dark, too, Ethan. And I love you.
sLIIIened. enu wusn`L Durk, noL IIke Ier moLIer.
Its not the same. Youre also Light.
I know. But Sarafine isnt gone. Shes out there somewhere, with
Abraham, waiting. And the more I know about her, the more pre-
pared Ill be to fight her.
8J6=
wusn`L sure II LIuL`s wIuL LIIs LrIp wus reuIIv ubouL. BuL IL dIdn`L muL-
Ler. Becuuse wIen puIIed up Lo wIuL wus IeIL oI LIe Iouse, IL wus sud-
denIv ubouL someLIIng dIIIerenL.
ReuIILv.
Mv sLurs, AunL DeI wIIspered.
L wus worse LIun LIe veIIowed pIoLos In mv mom`s urcIIve-LIe ones
LIuL cupLured wIuL wus IeIL oI LIe pIunLuLIons uILer LIe GreuL Burn-
Ing-bIuck skeIeLons oI enormous Iomes reduced Lo noLIIng buL
cIurred Irumework, us empLv und IoIIow us LIe Lowns LIe UnIon soI-
dIers IeIL In LIeIr wuke.
TIIs Iouse, enu`s oId Iouse, wus noLIIng more LIun u crucked Iound-
uLIon IIouLIng In u seu oI bIuckened eurLI. NoLIIng Iud grown buck. L
wus us II LIe ground ILseII Iud been scurred bv wIuL Iuppened Iere.
How couId SuruIIne Iuve done LIIs Lo Ier IumIIv?
We didnt matter to her. This proves it.
enu dropped mv Iund und wuIked Lowurd LIe rubbIe.
Lets go, L. You dont have to do this.
SIe Iooked buck uL me, green und goId eves deLermIned.
Yes, I do.
enu Lurned Lo AunL DeI. need Lo see wIuL Iuppened Iere. BeIore.
LIIs. SIe wunLed Ier uunL Lo use Ier powers Lo peeI uwuv LIe Iuvers oI
LIe pusL so enu couId see LIe Iouse LIuL once sLood Iere-und, more
ImporLunL, see InsIde IL.
J6=
AunL DeI Iooked more nervous LIun usuuI, Ier IuIr comIng Ioose Irom
Ier bun us we wuIked over Lo enu. Mv powers Iuve been mIsIIrIng u
bIL. muv noL be ubIe Lo IInd exucLIv LIe momenL vou`re IookIng Ior,
sweeLIeurL. WIuL momenL wus LIuL? TIe IIre? dIdn`L know II couId
sLund Lo see IL-II enu couId. TIev muv noL even work uL uII.
puL mv Iund on LIe buck oI enu`s neck genLIv. Her skIn wus IoL.
Cun vou Lrv?
Her Iuce puIned, AunL DeI Iooked uL LIe burnL wood scuLLered uround
LIe buse oI LIe Iouse. SIe nodded und IeId ouL Ier Iund. TIe LIree oI
us suL on LIe bIuck ground und joIned Iunds, LIe IeuL beuLIng down on
us IIke u IIre oI ILs own.
AII rIgIL. AunL DeI sLured uL LIe crumbIIng IounduLIon InLenLIv, pre-
purIng Lo use Ier powers us u PuIImpsesL Lo sIow us LIe IIsLorv oI
wIuL wus IeIL oI LIIs pIuce.
TIe uIr begun Lo sIIIL uround us, sIowIv uL IIrsL. JusL us LIe worId sLur-
Led Lo spIn uround me- suw IL Ior u spIIL second. TIe sIudow LIuL uI-
wuvs moved Loo IusL Ior me Lo see. TIe one IeIL In EngIIsI cIuss, LIe
one IoIIowIng me. TIe one couIdn`L escupe. L wus wuLcIIng, us II
someIow IL couId see wIuLever we suw In LIe Iuvers oI AunL DeI`s
percepLIon.
TIen u door opened InLo LIe pusL, und wus IookIng InLo u bedroom-
TIe wuIIs ure puInLed u puIe, sIImmerIng sIIver, und sLrunds oI wIILe
IIgILs Iung ucross LIe ceIIIng IIke sLurs In u mugIcuI skv. A gIrI wILI
Iong bIuck curIs Is sLundIng bv LIe wIndow, sLurIng ouL uL LIe reuI skv.
know LIose curIs und LIuL beuuLIIuI proIIIe-IL`s enu. BuL LIe gIrI
Lurns, IoIdIng u bundIe In Ier urms, und reuIIze IL Isn`L enu. L`s
SuruIIne, Ier goIden eves sIInIng. SIe sLures uL LIe bubv, wIose LInv
1ooJ6=
Iunds ure reucIIng. SuruIIne IoIds ouL Ier IInger, und LIe bubv grubs
IL. SIe Iooks down uL LIe bubv, smIIIng. You are such a special girl,
and I will always take care of you
TIe door sIums sIuL.
wuILed Ior unoLIer Lo open, LIe wuv LIe doors uIwuvs dId, openIng
und cIosIng IIke u cIuIn reucLIon. BuL LIere wus no poInL. TIe skv
swIrIed buck InLo vIew, und Ior u mInuLe wus seeIng doubIe. BoLI
AunL DeIs Iooked IIusLered.
-`m sorrv. NoLIIng IIke LIIs Ius ever Iuppened beIore. L doesn`L
muke sense. OnIv IL dId. AunL DeI`s powers were ouL oI wIuck, IIke
evervone eIse`s. UsuuIIv, sIe couId sLund unvwIere und see LIe pIeces
oI LIe pusL, presenL, und IuLure, IIke LIe puges oI u IIIp-book. Now
LIere were puges mIssIng, und sIe Iud onIv cuugIL u sIngIe gIImpse oI
LIe pusL.
AunL DeI wus vIsIbIv sIuken und Iooked more conIused LIun ever.
Look Ier urm Lo IeIp Ier up. Don`L worrv, AunL DeI. Mucon`s goIng Lo
IIgure ouL Iow Lo. IIx LIe Order. WIIcI seemed IIke LIe rIgIL LIIng Lo
suv, even LIougI IL wus cIeur LIuL GuLIIn-muvbe LIe wIoIe worId-wus
preLLv broken.
enu Iooked broken, Loo. SIe pusIed IerseII up und wuIked cIoser Lo
wIuL wus IeIL oI LIe Iouse, us II sIe couId sLIII see LIe bedroom. RuIn
peILed down wILIouL wurnIng, und IeuL IIgILnIng IIusIed ucross LIe
skv. TIe grussIoppers scuLLered, und wILIIn seconds wus drencIed.
L?
SLundIng LIere In LIe ruIn remInded me oI LIe IIrsL nIgIL we meL, In
LIe mIddIe oI RouLe . SIe Iooked uImosL LIe sume, und veL so
dIIIerenL.
1o1J6=
Am I crazy, or did it look like Sarafine cared about me?
Youre not crazy.
But, Ethan, thats not possible.
pusIed LIe weL IuIr ouL oI mv eves.
Maybe it is.
TIe ruIn sLopped InsLunLIv, Irom u downpour buck Lo sunsIIne In LIe
spun oI u Iew seconds. L Iuppened uII LIe LIme now-enu`s powers
IIucLuuLIng beLween exLremes sIe couIdn`L conLroI.
WIuL ure vou doIng? jogged Lo cuLcI up wILI Ier.
wunL Lo see wIuL`s IeIL. SIe wusn`L LuIkIng ubouL LIe sLones und
burnL wood. enu wunLed u IeeIIng Lo IoId on Lo, prooI oI LIe one
Iuppv momenL sIe Iud experIenced Iere.
IoIIowed Ier Lo LIe edge oI LIe IounduLIon, wIIcI wus more oI u wuII
now. don`L know II IL wus mv ImugInuLIon, buL LIe cIoser we goL Lo LIe
cIurred remuIns, LIe more IL smeIIed IIke usI. You couId see wIere LIe
sLeps LIuL Ied up Lo LIe porcI Iud burned uwuv. wus LuII enougI Lo
see over LIe sIde oI LIe wuII. TIere wus noLIIng buL u IoIe IIIIed wILI
crucked concreLe, spIInLered pIeces oI roLLed bIuck wood IILLerIng LIe
ground.
enu wus kneeIIng In LIe mud. SIe reucIed Ior someLIIng ubouL LIe
sIze oI u sIoe box.
WIuL Is IL? Even wIen goL cIoser, IL wus Iurd Lo LeII.
1ozJ6=
`m noL sure. SIe wIped LIe mud oII wILI Ier Iund, reveuIIng rusL
und denLed meLuI. TIere wus u meILed kevIoIe on one sIde. L`s u Iock-
box. enu Iunded me LIe box. L wus IeuvIer LIun IL Iooked.
TIe Iock Is meILed, buL LIInk cun open IL. Iooked uround und
pIcked up u pIece oI broken rock. IIILed LIe rock Lo geL some Ieveruge,
wIen suddenIv LIe meLuI IInges scruped open. WIuL LIe-? Iooked
up uL enu, und sIe sIrugged.
SomeLImes mv powers sLIII work LIe wuv wunL LIem Lo. SIe kIcked
uL u puddIe. OLIer LImes, noL so mucI.
Even LIougI LIe box wus burnL und denLed on LIe ouLsIde, IL Iud pro-
LecLed LIe conLenLs: u sIIver bruceIeL wILI un InLrIcuLe desIgn, u worn
puperbuck copv oI Great Expectations, u pIoLo oI SuruIIne In u bIue
dress, wILI u durk-IuIred bov uL u scIooI dunce. TIere wus u cIeesv
buckdrop beIInd LIem, IIke LIe one enu und Iud posed In IronL oI uL
LIe wInLer IormuI. TIere wus unoLIer pIoLo, Lucked under LIe bruce-
IeL-u bubv pIcLure oI u IILLIe gIrI. knew IL wus enu becuuse LIe cIIId
Iooked exucLIv IIke LIe bubv SuruIIne Iud been IoIdIng In Ier urms.
enu LoucIed LIe edge oI LIe bubv pIcLure und IIILed IL ubove LIe box.
TIe worId uround us sLurLed Lo Iude, LIe sunIIgIL quIckIv LurnIng Lo
durkness. knew wIuL wus IuppenIng, buL LIIs LIme IL wusn`L Iuppen-
Ing Lo me. wus IoIIowIng enu InLo LIe vIsIon, LIe wuv sIe Iud IoI-
Iowed me LIe duv suL In cIurcI wILI LIe SIsLers. WILIIn seconds LIe
muddv ground Lurned Lo gruss-
Izabel was shaking violently. She knew what was happening, and it
had to be a mistake. It was her deepest fear, the nightmares that had
haunted her since she was a child. This wasnt supposed to happen to
hershe was Light, not Dark. She had tried so hard to do the right
1oJ6=
things, to be the person everyone wanted her to be. How could she be
anything but Light, after all that? But as the devastating cold tore
through her veins, Izabel knew she was wrong; it wasnt a mistake.
She was going Dark.
The moon, her Sixteenth Moon, was full and luminous now. As she
stared at it, Izabel could feel the rare gifts her family was so sure she
possessedthe powers of a Naturalbeing twisted into something
else. Soon her thoughts and heart would not be her own. Sorrow, de-
struction, and hate would force everything else out. Everything good.
Izabels thoughts tortured her, but the physical pain was unbearable,
as if her body was tearing itself to shreds from the inside. But she
forced herself to her feet and ran. There was only one place she could
go. She blinked hard, her vision clouded by a golden haze. Tears
burned her skin. It couldnt be true.
By the time she made it to her mothers house, her breath was
ragged. Izabel reached above the door and touched the lintel. But for
the first time it didnt open. She pounded on the door until her hands
were cut and bleeding, then she slid to the ground, her cheek resting
against the wood.
When the door opened, Izabel fell, her face slamming against the
marble floor of the hallway. Even that didnt compare to the pain ra-
ging through her body. A pair of black laceup boots was barely
inches from her face. Izabel clutched at her mothers legs frantically.
Emmaline pulled her daughter up from the floor. What happened?
What is it?
Izabel tried to hide her eyes, but it was impossible. Its a mistake,
Mamma. I know how it looks, but Im still the same. Im still me.
1oqJ6=
No. It cant be. Emmaline grabbed Izabels chin so she could see her
daughters eyes. They were as yellow as the sun.
A girl not much older than Izabel came down the winding staircase,
taking the steps two at a time. Mamma, whats going on?
Emmaline whirled around, pushing Izabel behind her. Go back up-
stairs, Delphine!
But there was no way to hide Izabels glowing yellow eyes. Delphine
froze. Mamma?
I said go upstairs! Theres nothing you can do for your sister! Their
mothers voice was defeated. Its too late.
Too late? Her mother didnt mean thatshe couldnt. Izabel wrapped
her arms around her mother, and Emmaline jumped as if shed been
stung. Izabels skin was as cold as ice.
Emmaline turned, holding Izabel by the shoulders. Tears already
marked the womans face. I cant help you. Theres nothing I can do.
Lightning streaked across the black sky. A bolt tore down, splitting
the huge oak that shaded their house. The splintered trunk crashed
down, taking out part of the roof with it. A window shattered up-
stairs, and the sound of glass breaking echoed through the house.
Izabel recognized the unfamiliar look on her mothers face.
Fear.
Its a mistake. Im not Dark. Izabel couldnt bring herself to say
the word.
1o=J6=
There are no mistakes, not where the curse is concerned. You are
Claimed Light or Dark; there is no in between.
But Mamma
Emmaline shook her head, pushing Izabel across the threshold. You
cant stay here. Not now.
Izabels eyes went wild. Gramma Katherine isnt going to let me live
there anymore. I have nowhere else to go. She was sobbing uncon-
trollably. Mamma, please help me. We can fight this together. Im
your daughter!
Not anymore.
Delphine had been silent, but she couldnt believe what her mother
was saying. She couldnt turn her sister away. Mamma, its Izabel!
We have to help her!
Emmaline looked at Izabel, remembering the day she was born. The
day Emmaline had silently chosen her childs true name. She had
imagined the moment she would share it with Izabelstaring into
her daughters green eyes and tucking her black curls behind her ear
as she whispered the name.
Emmaline stared into her daughters glowing yellow eyes, then
turned away.
Her name isnt Izabel anymore. Its Sarafine.
1o6J6=
TIe reuI worId cume InLo Iocus sIowIv. enu wus sLundIng u Iew IeeL
uwuv, sLIII IoIdIng LIe box. couId see IL sIukIng In Ier Iunds, Ier eves
weL wILI Leurs. couIdn`L ImugIne wIuL sIe wus IeeIIng.
n LIe vIsIon, SuruIIne wus jusL u gIrI wIose IuLe wus decIded Ior Ier.
TIere wusn`L u Lruce oI LIe monsLer sIe wus now. Wus LIuL Iow IL
Iuppened? You opened vour eves und vour wIoIe IIIe cIunged?
L? Are you okay?
Our eves meL, und Ior u second sIe dIdn`L unswer. WIen sIe dId, Ier
voIce wus quIeL In mv mInd.
She was just like me.
1o;J6=
9.15
The City That Care
Forgot
Iooked down uL mv sneukers In LIe durkness. couId IeeI LIe moIs-
Lure seepIng LIrougI LIe cunvus, LIen mv socks, unLII mv skIn wus
numb wILI coId. wus sLundIng In some kInd oI wuLer. couId Ieur IL
movIng, noL so mucI rusIIng us rIppIIng. SomeLIIng brusIed uguInsL
mv unkIe und LIen moved uwuv. A IeuI. A LwIg.
A rIver.
couId smeII LIe roL, mIxed wILI mud. Muvbe wus In LIe swump neur
Wuder`s Creek. TIe durk IrInge In LIe dIsLunce couId be swump gruss,
und LIe LuII Iorms, cvpress Lrees. reucIed up wILI one Iund. IuLLer-
Ing IeuLIers, LIckIIng Iong und IIgIL. SpunIsI moss. TIIs wus deIInILeIv
LIe swump.
croucIed Iow und IeIL LIe wuLer wILI mv Iund. L IeIL LIIck und Ieuvv.
scooped u IundIuI und IeId IL Lo mv nose, IeLLIng IL LrIckIe LIrougI
mv IIngers. IIsLened.
L dIdn`L sound rIgIL.
DespILe evervLIIng knew ubouL pond roL und bucLerIu und Iurvue,
sLuck one oI mv IIngers In mv mouLI.
knew LIe LusLe. `d know IL unvwIere. Ike suckIng on LIe IundIuI oI
coIns `d sLoIen Irom LIe IounLuIn In orsvLI Purk wIen wus nIne.
L wusn`L wuLer.
L wus bIood.
TIen Ieurd LIe IumIIIur wIIsperIng und IeIL LIe pressure oI unoLIer
bodv knockIng InLo mIne.
L wus IIm uguIn. TIe me wIo wusn`L me.
IM WAITING.
Ieurd LIe words us IeII. LrIed Lo respond, buL wIen opened mv
mouLI, begun Lo cIoke on LIe rIver. So LIougIL LIe words, LIougI
couId bureIv even LIInk.
What are you waiting for?
IeIL mvseII sInkIng Lo LIe boLLom. OnIv LIere wus no boLLom, und
kepL IuIIIng und IuIIIng-
woke up LIrusIIng. couId sLIII IeeI IIs Iunds uround mv neck, und
LIe dIzzIness-LIe overwIeImIng IeeIIng LIuL LIe room wus cIosIng In
on me. LrIed Lo cuLcI mv breuLI, buL LIe IeeIIng wouIdn`L go uwuv. Mv
sIeeLs were smeured wILI bIood, und mv mouLI sLIII LusLed IIke dIrLv
pennIes. wudded up LIe Lop sIeeL und IId IL under mv bed. `d Iuve
Lo LIrow IL uwuv. couIdn`L IeL Ammu IInd u bIood-souked sIeeL In mv
Iumper.
11oJ6=
ucIIIe jumped onLo LIe bed, Ier Ieud cocked Lo one sIde. SIumese cuLs
Iud u wuv oI IookIng uL vou IIke LIev were dIsuppoInLed. ucIIIe Iud IL
down.
WIuL ure vou sLurIng uL? pusIed mv sweuLv IuIr ouL oI mv eves, LIe
suIL Irom mv sweuL mIxIng wILI LIe suIL Irom LIe bIood.
couIdn`L muke sense oI LIe dreums, buL wusn`L goIng Lo be ubIe Lo go
buck Lo sIeep.
So cuIIed LIe one person knew wIo wouId be uwuke.
Ink cIImbed LIrougI mv wIndow LwenLv mInuLes IuLer. He Iudn`L
worked up LIe nerve Lo Lrv TruveIIng veL, rIppIng LIrougI spuce und
muLerIuIIzIng wIerever Ie wunLed, buL Ie wus sLIII preLLv sLeuILI.
Mun, wIuL`s wILI uII LIe suIL? A LruII oI wIILe crvsLuIs IeII Irom LIe
wIndowsIII us Ink swung IIs Ieg over. He scruLcIed IIs Iunds. s LIuL
supposed Lo IurL me or someLIIn`? `Cuuse IL`s reuIIv unnovIn`.
Ammu`s been cruzIer LIun usuuI. An undersLuLemenL. TIe IusL LIme
Iound LIIs munv bundIes oI Ierbs und LInv Iundmude doIIs uround,
sIe wus LrvIng Lo keep Mucon ouL oI mv room. wondered wIo sIe
wus LrvIng Lo keep ouL LIIs LIme.
Evervone`s cruzIer LIun usuuI. Mv mom sLurLed LuIkIn` ubouL buIIdIn`
u bunker uguIn. SIe`s buvIn` up everv cun uL LIe SLop & SLeuI, IIke we`re
gonnu IoIe up In LIe busemenL unLII LIe DevII gIves up or someLIIn`.
He dropped InLo LIe swIveI cIuIr nexL Lo mv desk. `m gIud vou cuIIed.
usuuIIv run ouLLu sLuII Lo do bv one or Lwo In LIe mornIng.
WIuL do vou do uII nIgIL? `d never usked IIm beIore.
111J6=
Ink sIrugged. Reud comIcs, wuLcI movIes on mv compuLer, Iung
ouL In SuvunnuI`s room. BuL LonIgIL suL uround IIsLenIn` Lo mv mom
on LIe pIone wILI LIe pusLor und Mrs. Snow uII nIgIL.
s vour mom reuIIv upseL ubouL wIuL Iuppened Lo SuvunnuI?
Ink sIook IIs Ieud. NoL us upseL us sIe Is ubouL LIe Iuke drvIn` up.
SIe`s been crvIn` und pruvIn` und LvIn` up LIe pIone IInes LeIIIn` everv-
one IL`s one u LIe seven sIgns. `II be In cIurcI uII duv uILer LIIs.
LIougIL ubouL LIe dreum und LIe bIoodv sIeeLs. WIuL do vou meun,
LIe Iuke drIed up?
uke MouILrIe. Deun WIIks wenL ouL LIere Lo go IIsIIn` LIIs uILernoon,
und LIe Iuke wus drv. He suId IL Iooked IIke u cruLer, und Ie wuIked
rIgIL ouL Lo LIe mIddIe.
grubbed u T-sIIrL. ukes don`L jusL drv up. L wus geLLIng
worse-LIe IeuL und bugs und cruzv CusLer power surges. And now
LIIs. WIuL wus nexL?
know, dude. BuL cun`L LeII mv mom LIuL vour gIrIIrIend broke LIe
wIoIe unIverse. He pIcked up un empLv boLLIe oI unsweeLened Leu
LIuL wus sILLIng on mv desk. SInce wIen do vou drInk Leu? And wIere
dId vou geL LIe unsweeL kInd?
He wus rIgIL. Iud been drInkIng mv weIgIL In cIocoIuLe mIIk sInce
sIxLI grude. BuL over LIe IusL Iew monLIs, evervLIIng seemed sweeLer,
und couId bureIv sLund more LIun u sIp oI cIocoIuLe mIIk. TIe SLop
& SLeuI orders IL Ior Mrs. HonevcuLL becuuse sIe`s dIubeLIc. jusL cun`L
drInk unvLIIng Loo sweeL. SomeLIIng`s goIng on wILI mv LusLe buds.
You`re noL IvIn`. IrsL vou`re euLIn` LIe sIoppv joes uL scIooI, und now
vou`re drInkIn` Leu. Muvbe LIe Iuke drvIn` up Isn`L LIuL cruzv.
11zJ6=
L`s noL u-
ucIIIe jumped oII LIe bed, und Ink spun LIe cIuIr Lowurd LIe door.
SII. Someone`s up.
IIsLened, buL dIdn`L Ieur unvLIIng. L`s probubIv mv dud. He Ius u
new projecL.
Ink sIook IIs Ieud. No. L`s comIn` Irom downsLuIrs. Ammu`s
uwuke. HvbrId ncubus or noL, IIs IeurIng wus preLLv ImpressIve.
s sIe In LIe kILcIen?
Ink IeId up IIs Iund so wouId be quIeL. YeuI, sLuII`s ruLLIIn` uround
In LIere. He puused Ior u mInuLe. Now sIe`s bv LIe buck door. cun
Ieur LIuL squeukv IInge on LIe screen door. WIuL squeukv IInge?
rubbed LIe resL oI LIe bIood oII mv urm und cIImbed ouL oI bed. TIe
IusL LIme Ammu IeIL LIe Iouse In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL, IL wus Lo
meeL Mucon und LuIk ubouL enu und me. Were LIev meeLIng uguIn?
need Lo see wIere sIe`s goIng. puL on mv jeuns und grubbed mv
sneukers. IoIIowed Ink down LIe sLuIrs, IILLIng everv creukv bourd.
He dIdn`L muke u sound.
TIe kILcIen IIgILs were oII, buL couId see Ammu sLundIng bv LIe curb
In LIe moonIIgIL. SIe wus weurIng Ier puIe veIIow cIurcI dress und
wIILe gIoves. SIe wus deIInILeIv Ieuded Ior LIe swump. JusL IIke mv
dreum.
SIe`s goIng Lo Wuder`s Creek. Iooked Ior LIe kevs Lo LIe VoIvo, In
LIe dIsI on LIe counLer. We Iuve Lo IoIIow Ier.
We cun Luke LIe BeuLer.
11J6=
We Iuve Lo drIve wILI LIe IeudIIgILs oII. L`s Iurder LIun vou LIInk.
Dude, prucLIcuIIv Iuve X-ruv vIsIon. eL`s roII.
We wuILed Ior LIe 1=os SLudebuker Lo puII up Lo LIe curb, IIke knew
IL wouId. Sure enougI, IIve mInuLes IuLer, CurILon EuLon`s Lruck drove
down CoLLon Bend.
WIv Is Mr. EuLon pIckIn` up Ammu? Ink IeL LIe BeuLer roII In neuL-
ruI beIore Ie Lurned LIe IgnILIon.
He drIves Ier ouL Lo Wuder`s Creek In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL some-
LImes. TIuL`s uII know. Muvbe sIe bukes IIm pIes or someLIIng.
TIuL`s LIe onIv LIIng mIss euLIn`. Ammu`s pIe.
Ink wusn`L jokIng ubouL noL needIng IeudIIgILs. He IeIL u Iew cur
IengLIs beLween LIe BeuLer und LIe pIckup, buL IL wusn`L becuuse Ie
wus concenLruLIng on LIe roud. He spenL mosL oI LIe rIde compIuInIng
ubouL RIdIev, wIo Ie couIdn`L seem Lo sLop LuIkIng ubouL, or pIuvIng
me songs Irom IIs bund`s new demo. TIe HoIv RoIIers sounded us bud
us ever, buL even wuv ouL Iere, LIe Ium oI LIe Iubbers drowned LIem
ouL. couIdn`L sLund LIe Ium.
TIe HoIv RoIIers Iudn`L IInIsIed LIeIr IourLI song wIen LIe Lruck
reucIed LIe unmurked puLI LIuL Ied Lo Wuder`s Creek. L wus LIe spoL
wIere Mr. EuLon Iud dropped Ammu oII LIe IusL LIme Iud IoIIowed
LIem. BuL LonIgIL LIe Lruck dIdn`L sLop.
Dude, wIere`s Ie goIn`?
Iud no Ideu, buL IL dIdn`L Luke Iong Lo IIgure IL ouL.
11qJ6=
CurILon EuLon`s Lruck prucLIcuIIv cousLed onLo LIe mIIe-wIde sLreLcI oI
dusL LIuL Iud served us u purkIng IoL onIv u Iew monLIs beIore. TIe
dusLv expunse bucked up Lo un enormous IIeId, probubIv us deud und
scorcIed us LIe gruss In LIe resL oI LIe counLv. BuL even wILIouL LIe
IeuL wuve, LIe gruss Iere wouIdn`L Iuve recovered veL-Irom LIe curLs
und LenL poIes, cIgureLLe buLLs, und LIe weIgIL oI LIe meLuI sLrucLures
LIuL Iud IeIL bIuck scurs In LIe eurLI.
TIe IuIrgrounds? WIv`s Ie brIngIn` Ammu Iere? Ink puIIed over
neur u cIump oI deud busIes.
WIv do vou LIInk? TIere wus onIv one LIIng ouL Iere now LIuL LIe
IuIr wus gone. An OuLer Door Lo LIe CusLer TunneIs.
don`L geL IL. WIv wouId Mr. EuLon Luke Ammu InLo LIe TunneIs?
don`L know.
Mr. EuLon kIIIed LIe engIne und wuIked uround Lo LIe pussenger sIde
Lo open LIe door Ior Ammu. SIe swuLLed uL IIm us Ie LrIed Lo IeIp Ier
down. He sIouId`ve known beLLer. Ammu wus bureIv IIve IeeL LuII und u
Iundred pounds, buL LIere wus noLIIng IruII ubouL Ier. SIe IoIIowed
IIm Lowurd LIe IIeId und LIe OuLer Door, Ier wIILe gIoves gIowIng In
LIe durkness.
opened LIe door Lo LIe BeuLer us quIeLIv us couId. Hurrv up, or
we`II Iose LIem.
Are vou kIddIn`? cun Ieur LIem vuppIn` uII LIe wuv Irom Iere.
SerIousIv? knew Ink Iud powers, buL guess dIdn`L expecL LIem
Lo be so powerful.
11=J6=
`m noL one u LIose Iume superIeroes IIke Aquumun. Ink wusn`L Im-
pressed wILI mv ubIIILIes us u Wuvwurd. AsIde Irom beIng preLLv good
wILI u mup und LIe ArcIIgIL, IL wusn`L Loo cIeur wIuL couId do, or
wIv. So, veuI, Aquumun wus ubouL rIgIL.
Ink wus sLIII LuIkIng. `m LIInkIn` MugneLo or WoIverIne.
Hud unv Iuck bendIng meLuI wILI vour mInd or sIooLIng knIves ouL oI
vour knuckIes?
No. BuL `m workIn` on IL. Ink sLopped wuIkIng. HoId on. TIev`re
LuIkIn`.
WIuL ure LIev suvIng?
Mr. EuLon`s IookIn` Ior IIs CusLer kev Lo open LIe door, und Ammu`s
gIvIn` IIm un eurIuI ubouL mIspIucIn` IIs sLuII. TIuL sounded IIke
Ammu. WuIL. He Iound IIs kev, und Ie`s openIn` LIe door. Now Ie`s
IeIpIn` Ammu down. Ink puused.
WIuL`s IuppenIng?
Ink Look u Iew sLeps Iorwurd. Mr. EuLon`s IeuvIn`. Ammu wenL down
uIone.
sIouIdn`L Iuve been worrIed. Ammu Iud been In LIe TunneIs bv Ier-
seII IoLs oI LImes, usuuIIv Lo IInd me. BuL Iud u bud IeeIIng. We wuILed
unLII Mr. EuLon wus Ieuded buck Lo IIs Lruck, und LIen we boILed Ior
LIe OuLer Door.
Ink wus LIere IIrsL, wIIcI wus Iurd noL Lo noLIce, becuuse Ie guve
new meunIng Lo IusL. benL down nexL Lo IIm, sLudvIng LIe ouLIIne oI
LIe door-one vou`d never noLIce unIess vou were IookIng Ior IL. So,
Iow do we geL In? `m guessIng vou don`L Iuve vour gurden sIeurs
116J6=
wILI vou. TIe IusL LIme we were Iere, Ink Iud prIed LIe door open
wILI u gIgunLIc puIr oI gurden sIeurs Ie`d sLoIen Irom LIe Juckson bIo
Iub.
Don`L need `em. `ve goL u kev. sLured uL LIe crescenL-sIuped kev.
Even enu dIdn`L Iuve one.
WIere dId vou sLeuI LIuL?
Ink puncIed me In LIe sIouIder, IIgILIv. IIew buckwurd und Iunded
In LIe dIrL.
Sorrv, mun. don`L know mv own sLrengLI. He puIIed me buck up
und worked LIe kev InLo LIe Iock. enu`s uncIe guve IL Lo me so cun
meeL IIm In IIs creepv sLudv und Ieurn Iow Lo be LIe good kInd u n-
cubus. L sounded IIke Mucon, wIo Iud spenL veurs LeucIIng IImseII
LIe resLruInL necessurv Lo Ieed oII MorLuI dreums InsLeud oI bIood.
couIdn`L IeIp buL LIInk oI LIe uILernuLIve-HunLIng und IIs BIood
Puck, und AbruIum.
TIe kev worked, und Ink Ieuved LIe round door open proudIv.
See-MugneLo. ToId vou.
UsuuIIv wouId`ve mude u joke, buL LonIgIL dIdn`L. Ink wus u wIoIe
IoL cIoser Lo beIng MugneLo LIen wus.
TIIs TunneI remInded me oI u dungeon In un oId cusLIe. TIe ceIIIng
wus Iow, und LIe rougI rock wuIIs were weL. TIe sound oI drIppIng wu-
Ler ecIoed LIrougI LIe pussugewuv, uILIougI LIere wus no sIgn oI LIe
source. Iud been In LIIs TunneI beIore, buL someIow IL IeIL dIIIerenL
11;J6=
LonIgIL-or muvbe IL wus me LIuL Iud cIunged. EILIer wuv, LIe wuIIs
IeIL cIose, und wunLed Lo geL Lo LIe end.
Hurrv up or we`II Iose Ier. wus ucLuuIIv LIe one sIowIng us down,
LrIppIng In LIe durkness.
ReIux. SIe sounds IIke u Iorse wuIkIn` LIrougI gruveI. TIere`s no wuv
we`II Iose Ier. L wusn`L un unuIogv Ammu wouId upprecIuLe.
You cun reuIIv Ieur Ier IooLsLeps? couIdn`L even Ieur IIs.
YeuI. cun smeII Ier, Loo. oIIow LIe pencII Ieud und Red HoLs.
So Ink IoIIowed LIe smeII oI Ammu`s crossword puzzIes und Ier Iu-
vorILe cundv, und IoIIowed IIm unLII Ie sLopped uL LIe buse oI u
crude seL oI sLuIrs LIuL Ied buck up Lo LIe MorLuI worId. He InIuIed
deepIv, LIe wuv Ie used Lo wIen one oI Ammu`s peucI cobbIers wus
bukIng In LIe oven. SIe wenL up LIere.
You sure?
Ink IIILed un evebrow. Cun mv mom preucI Lo u preucIer?
Ink pusIed open LIe Ieuvv sLone door, und IIgIL IIooded InLo LIe
TunneI. We were beIInd some oId buIIdIng, LIe door eLcIed InLo LIe
cIIpped brIck. TIe uIr wus LIIck und sLIckv wILI LIe dIsLIncL sLencI oI
beer und sweuL. WIere LIe IeII ure we?
NoLIIng Iooked IumIIIur. No cIue.
118J6=
Ink wuIked uround Lo LIe IronL oI LIe buIIdIng. TIe smeII oI beer wus
even sLronger. He peered InLo LIe wIndow. TIIs pIuce Is some kInd oI
pub.
TIere wus u cusL-Iron pIucurd nexL Lo LIe door: ATTE`S
BACKSMTH SHOP.
TIIs doesn`L Iook IIke u bIucksmILI`s sIop.
TIuL`s becuuse IL Isn`L. An eIderIv mun In u Punumu IuL, IIke LIe one
AunL Prue`s IusL Iusbund used Lo weur, wuIked up beIInd Ink. He
Ieuned IeuvIIv on IIs cune. You ure sLundIn` In IronL u one u Bourbon
SLreeL`s mosL InIumous buIIdIn`s, und LIe IIsL`rv u LIIs pIuce Is us Ium-
ous us LIe QuurLer ILseII.
Bourbon SLreeL. TIe rencI QuurLer. We`re In New OrIeuns.
RIgIL. OI course we ure. AILer LIIs summer, Ink und knew LIe
TunneIs couId Ieud unvwIere, und LIme und dIsLunce dIdn`L operuLe
LIe sume wuv wILIIn LIem. Ammu knew IL, Loo.
TIe oId mun wus sLIII LuIkIng. oIks suv Jeun und PIerre uIILLe
opened u smILIv Iere In LIe IuLe sevenLeen Iundreds us u IronL Ior
LIeIr smuggIIn` operuLIon. TIev were pIruLes wIo IooLed SpunIsI guIIe-
ons und smuggIed wIuL LIev sLoIe InLo N`uwIIns, seIIIn` evervLIIng
Irom spIces und IurnILure Lo IIesI und bIood. BuL LIese duvs, mosL
IoIks come Ior LIe uIe.
crInged. TIe mun smIIed und LIpped IIs IuL. You kIds puss u good
LIme In LIe CILv TIuL Cure orgoL.
wusn`L beLLIng on IL.
11J6=
TIe oId mun benL IurLIer over IIs cune. Now Ie wus IoIdIng IIs IuL
ouL In IronL oI us, sIukIng IL expecLunLIv.
OI, sure. Okuv. IumbIed In mv pockeL, buL uII Iud wus u quurLer.
Iooked uL Ink, wIo sIrugged.
Ieuned cIoser Lo drop LIe coIn InLo LIe IuL, und u bonv Iund grubbed
mv wrIsL. SmurL bov IIke vou. `d be geLLIn` mvseII ouLLu LIIs Lown und
buck down InLo LIuL TunneI. puIIed mv urm Iree. He smIIed bIg,
puIIIng IIs IIps wIde over veIIowed, uneven LeeLI. Be seeIn` vou.
rubbed mv wrIsL, und wIen Iooked up, Ie wus gone.
L dIdn`L Luke Iong Ior Ink Lo pIck up Ammu`s LruII. He wus IIke u
bIoodIound. Now undersLood wIv IL Iud been so eusv Ior HunLIng
und IIs Puck Lo IInd us wIen we were seurcIIng Ior enu und LIe GreuL
BurrIer. We wuIked LIrougI LIe rencI QuurLer Lowurd LIe rIver.
couId smeII LIe murkv brown wuLer mIxed wILI sweuL und LIe scenL oI
spIces Irom neurbv resLuurunLs. Even uL nIgIL, LIe IumIdILv Iung In
LIe uIr, Ieuvv und weL, u juckeL vou couIdn`L Luke oII, no muLLer Iow
budIv vou wunLed Lo.
Are vou sure we`re goIng LIe rIgIL-?
Ink LIrew IIs urm ouL In IronL oI me, und sLopped. SII. Red HoLs.
seurcIed LIe sIdewuIk uIeud oI us. Ammu wus sLundIng under u
sLreeLIump, In IronL oI u CreoIe womun sILLIng on u pIusLIc mIIk cruLe.
We wuIked Lo LIe edge oI LIe buIIdIng wILI our Ieuds down, IopIng
Ammu wouIdn`L noLIce us. We sLuck Lo LIe sIudows cIose Lo LIe wuII,
wIere LIe sLreeLIump LIrew ouL u puIe cIrcIe oI IIgIL.
TIe CreoIe womun wus seIIIng beIgneLs on LIe sIdewuIk, Ier IuIr
sLvIed In Iundreds oI LInv bruIds. SIe remInded me oI TwvIu.
1zoJ6=
Te te beIgneLs? You buv? TIe womun IeId ouL u smuII bundIe oI red
cIoLI. You buv. ugnIuppe.
un-vup wIuL? Ink mumbIed, conIused.
poInLed uL LIe bundIe, wIIsperIng buck, LIInk LIuL womun`s oIIer-
Ing Lo gIve Ammu someLIIng II sIe buvs some beIgneLs.
Some wIuL?
TIev`re IIke dougInuLs.
Ammu Iunded LIe womun u Iew doIIurs, uccepLIng LIe beIgneLs und
LIe red bundIe In Ier wIILe-gIoved Iund. TIe womun Iooked uround,
Ier bruIds swIngIng over Ier sIouIder. WIen sIe seemed suLIsIIed no
one wus IIsLenIng, sIe wIIspered someLIIng quIckIv In wIuL sounded
IIke rencI CreoIe. Ammu nodded und puL LIe bundIe In Ier
pockeLbook.
eIbowed Ink. WIuL dId sIe suv?
How sIouId know? muv Iuve supersonIc IeurIn`, buL don`L speuk
rencI.
L dIdn`L muLLer. Ammu wus uIreudv wuIkIng buck In LIe opposILe dIr-
ecLIon, Ier expressIon unreudubIe. BuL someLIIng wus wrong.
TIIs nIgIL wus wrong. wusn`L IoIIowIng Ammu ouL Lo LIe swump In
Wuder`s Creek Lo meeL Mucon. WIuL wouId send Ier u LIousund mIIes
Irom Iome In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL? WIo dId sIe know In New
OrIeuns?
Ink Iud u dIIIerenL quesLIon. WIere`s sIe goIn`?
1z1J6=
dIdn`L Iuve un unswer Lo LIuL one eILIer.
Bv LIe LIme we cuugIL up wILI Ammu on SL. ouIs SLreeL, IL wus deser-
Led. WIIcI mude sense, consIderIng wIere we were sLundIng. sLured
uL LIe LuII wrougIL Iron guLes oI SL. ouIs CemeLerv No. 1.
L`s u bud sIgn wIen LIere ure so munv cemeLerIes LIev`ve goLLu num-
ber `em. Even LIougI Ie wus purL ncubus, Ink dIdn`L Iook cruzv
ubouL wunderIng uround LIe cemeLerv uL nIgIL. L wus LIe sevenLeen
veurs oI God-IeurIng SouLIern BupLIsL In IIm.
pusIed open LIe guLe. eL`s geL LIIs over wILI.
SL. ouIs CemeLerv No. 1 wus unIIke unv cemeLerv `d ever seen. TIere
were no spruwIIng Iuwns doLLed wILI IeudsLones und benL ouks. TIIs
pIuce wus u cILv Ior LIe deud. TIe nurrow uIIevwuvs were IIned wILI or-
nuLe muusoIeums In vurIous sLuges oI decuv, some us LuII us Lwo-sLorv
Iouses. TIe more ImpressIve muusoIeums were surrounded bv bIuck
wrougIL Iron Iences, wILI enormous sLuLues oI suInLs und ungeIs sLur-
Ing down Irom LIe rooILops. TIIs wus u pIuce wIere peopIe Ionored
LIeIr deud. TIe prooI wus curved InLo LIe Iuce oI everv sLuLue, everv
worn nume LIuL Iud been LoucIed Iundreds oI LImes.
TIIs pIuce mukes HIs Gurden oI PerpeLuuI Peuce Iook IIke u IundIIII.
or u mInuLe, LIougIL oI mv mom. undersLood wunLIng Lo buIId u
murbIe Iouse Ior someone vou Ioved, wIIcI wus exucLIv wIuL LIIs
wIoIe pIuce seemed IIke.
Ink wus unImpressed. WIuLever. WIen dIe, jusL LIrow some dIrL
over me. Suve vour monev.
1zzJ6=
RIgIL. RemInd me oI LIuL In u Iew Iundred veurs wIen `m uL vour
IuneruI.
WeII, LIen guess `II be LIrowIn` some dIrL on vou-
SII! DId vou Ieur LIuL? Ieurd LIe sound oI gruveI cruckIng. We
weren`L LIe onIv ones Iere.
OI course- Ink`s voIced Iuded InLo LIe buckground us u sIudow
bIurred pusL me. L Iud LIe sume Iuzv quuIILv us u SIeer, buL IL wus
durker und Iucked LIe IeuLures LIuL mude SIeers Iook uImosL Iumun.
As IL moved uround me, even LIrougI me, IeIL LIe IumIIIur punIc
Irom mv dreums crusIIng me. wus cornered In mv own bodv, unubIe
Lo move.
Who are you?
LrIed Lo Iocus on LIe sIudow, Lo see someLIIng more LIun LIe bIur oI
durk uIr, buL couIdn`L.
What do you want?
Hev, mun. You okuv? Ieurd Ink`s voIce, und LIe pressure dIssIp-
uLed, us II someone Iud been kneeIIng on mv cIesL und suddenIv goL
up. Ink wus sLurIng uL me. wondered Iow Iong Ie`d been LuIkIng.
`m okuv. wusn`L, buL dIdn`L wunL Lo LeII IIm LIuL wus-wIuL?
SeeIng LIIngs? HuvIng nIgILmures ubouL rIvers oI bIood und IuIIIng oII
wuLer Lowers?
As we mude our wuv deeper InLo LIe cemeLerv, LIe InLrIcuLeIv deLuIIed
Lombs und LIe spurse, crumbIIng ones guve wuv Lo uIIevs IIned wILI
muusoIeums In compIeLe dIsrepuIr. Some were ucLuuIIv mude oI wood,
IIke LIe dIIupIduLed sIucks LIuL IIned purLs oI LIe swump In Wuder`s
1zJ6=
Creek. reud LIe surnumes LIuL were sLIII vIsIbIe: DeIussIxe, ubu-
sIIIere, Rousseuu, Nuvurro. TIev were CreoIe numes. TIe IusL one In
LIe row sLood upurL Irom LIe resL, u nurrow sLone sLrucLure, noL more
LIun u Iew IeeL wIde. L wus u Greek RevIvuI, IIke Ruvenwood. BuL
wIIIe Mucon`s Iouse wus IIke u pIcLure vou`d IInd In u SouLI CuroIInu
pIoLogrupIv book, LIIs Lomb wus noLIIng mucI Lo Iook uL. UnLII
sLepped cIoser.
SLrunds oI beuds, knoLLed wILI crosses und red sIIk roses, Iung nexL Lo
LIe door, und LIe sLone ILseII wus eLcIed wILI Iundreds oI crude Xs In
vurIous sIupes und sIzes. TIere were oLIer sLrunge druwIngs, cIeurIv
mude bv vIsILors. TIe ground wus IILLered wILI gIILs und memenLos:
MurdI Grus doIIs und reIIgIous cundIes wILI LIe Iuces oI suInLs puInLed
on LIe gIuss, empLv boLLIes oI rum und Iuded pIoLogrupIs, LuroL curds,
und more sLrunds oI brIgILIv coIored beuds.
Ink benL down und IIIpped one oI LIe dIrLv curds beLween IIs IIngers.
TIe Tower. dIdn`L know wIuL IL meunL, buL unv curd wILI peopIe IuII-
Ing ouL oI LIe wIndows probubIv wusn`L good. We`re Iere. TIIs Is IL.
Iooked uround. WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? TIere`s noLIIng Iere.
wouIdn`L suv LIuL. He poInLed uL LIe door oI LIe muusoIeum wILI
LIe wuLer-sLuIned curd. Ammu wenL In LIere.
You`re jokIng, rIgIL?
Dude, wouId joke ubouL goIn` InLo u creepv Lomb uL nIgIL, In LIe
mosL IuunLed cILv In LIe SouLI? Ink sIook IIs Ieud. `Cuuse know
LIuL`s wIuL vou`re ubouL Lo LeII me we`re gonnu do. dIdn`L wunL Lo go
In LIere eILIer.
Ink Lossed LIe curd buck InLo LIe pIIe, und noLIced u bruss pIucurd uL
LIe buse oI LIe door. benL down und reud wIuL couId muke ouL In
1zqJ6=
LIe moonIIgIL: MARE AVEAU. THS GREEK REVVA TOMB S
REPUTED BURA PACE O THS NOTOROUS VOODOO
QUEEN.
Ink Look u sLep buck. A voodoo queen? Ike we don`L Iuve enougI
probIems.
wus onIv IuII IIsLenIng. WIuL wouId Ammu be doIng Iere?
don`L know, mun. Ammu`s doIIs ure one LIIng, buL don`L know II
mv ncubus powers work on deud voodoo queens. eL`s buII.
Don`L be un IdIoL. TIere`s noLIIng Lo be uIruId oI. Voodoo Is jusL un-
oLIer reIIgIon.
Ink Iooked uround nervousIv. YeuI, one wIere peopIe muke doIIs
und sLub LIem wILI pIns. L wus probubIv someLIIng Ie`d Ieurd Irom
IIs mom.
BuL Iud spenL enougI LIme wILI Ammu Lo know beLLer. Voodoo wus
purL oI Ier IerILuge, LIe mIx oI reIIgIons und mvsLIcIsm LIuL wus us
unIque us Ammu`s cookIng. TIose ure peopIe wIo ure LrvIng Lo use
durk power. TIuL`s noL wIuL IL`s ubouL.
Iope vou`re rIgIL. Becuuse don`L IIke needIes.
puL mv Iund on LIe door und pusIed. NoLIIng. Muvbe IL`s CIurmed,
IIke u CusLer door.
Ink sIummed IIs sIouIder uguInsL IL, und LIe door scruLcIed ucross
LIe sLone IIoor us IL opened InLo LIe Lomb. Or muvbe noL.
sLepped InsIde cuuLIousIv, IopIng Lo see Ammu benL over some cIIck-
en bones. BuL LIe Lomb wus durk und empLv excepL Ior LIe ruIsed
1z=J6=
cemenL cusemenL LIuL IeId LIe coIIIn, und LIe dIrL und cobwebs.
TIere`s noLIIng Iere.
Ink wuIked Lo LIe buck oI LIe smuII crvpL. `m noL so sure ubouL
LIuL. He run IIs IIngers uIong LIe IIoor. TIere wus u squure curved In-
Lo LIe sLone, wILI u meLuI rIng In LIe cenLer. CIeck LIIs ouL. ooks IIke
some kIndu Lrupdoor.
L wus u Lrupdoor, IeudIng under u cemeLerv-In LIe Lomb oI u deud
voodoo queen. TIIs wus bevond goIng durk, even Ior Ammu.
Ink Iud IIs Iund on LIe meLuI rIng. Are we doIn` LIIs or wIuL?
nodded, und Ie IIILed LIe door open.
1z6J6=
9.15
Wheel of Fate
WIen suw LIe roLLIng wooden sLuIrs, IIIumInuLed bv u dIm veIIow
IIgIL Irom beIow, knew LIev dIdn`L Ieud Lo u CusLer TunneI. Iud
sLepped onLo mv sIure oI sLuIrs LIuL LwIsLed down Irom LIe MorLuI
worId InLo LIose TunneIs, und rureIv suw LIem wIen dId. TIev were
usuuIIv veIIed wILI proLecLIve CusLs, so IL Iooked IIke vou couId IuII Lo
vour deuLI II vou dured Lo muke LIe Ieup.
TIIs wus u dIIIerenL kInd oI Ieup, und someIow IL IeIL more dungerous.
TIe sLuIrwuv wus crooked, LIe ruIIIng noLIIng more LIun u Iew bourds
IupIuzurdIv nuIIed LogeLIer. couId`ve been sLurIng down InLo LIe
SIsLers` dusLv busemenL, wIIcI wus uIwuvs durk becuuse LIev never IeL
me repIuce LIe exposed buIb ubove LIe door. ExcepL LIIs wusn`L u buse-
menL, und IL dIdn`L smeII dusLv. SomeLIIng wus burnIng down LIere,
und IL guve oII u LIIck, noxIous odor.
WIuL`s LIuL smeII?
Ink InIuIed, LIen cougIed. IcorIce und gusoIIne. YeuI, LIuL wus u
combInuLIon vou encounLered everv duv.
reucIed ouL Ior LIe ruIIIng. You LIInk LIese sLuIrs wIII IoId?
He sIrugged. TIev IeId Ammu.
SIe weIgIs u Iundred pounds.
OnIv one wuv Lo IInd ouL.
wenL IIrsL, eucI bourd grounIng beneuLI mv weIgIL. Mv Iund
LIgILened on LIe ruIIIng, LInv spIInLers dIggIng InLo mv skIn. TIere wus
u Iuge room oII Lo LIe sIde oI LIe sLuIrcuse, LIe source oI boLI LIe IIgIL
und LIe nuuseuLIng Iumes.
WIere LIe IeII ure we? Ink wIIspered.
don`L know. BuL knew LIIs wus u durk pIuce, u pIuce Ammu wouId
never ordInurIIv go. L sLunk oI more LIun gus und IIcorIce. TIere wus
deuLI In LIe uIr, und wIen we enLered LIe room, undersLood wIv.
L wus some kInd oI sIop, LIe wuIIs IIned wILI sIeIves LIuL Ioused
crucked IeuLIer voIumes und gIuss jurs IIIIed wILI boLI deud und IIvIng
LIIngs. One jur IeId buL wIngs, IuIIv InLucL buL no Ionger uLLucIed Lo
LIe bodIes. AnoLIer conLuIner wus brImmIng wILI unImuI LeeLI; oLI-
ers, cIuws und snukeskIn. SmuIIer, unIubeIed boLLIes IeId murkv II-
quIds und durk powders. BuL LIe IIvIng creuLures ImprIsoned Iere
were even more dIsLurbIng. Huge Louds pusIed LIemseIves uguInsL LIe
wuIIs oI gIuss jurs, desperuLe Lo geL ouL. Snukes sIId over one unoLIer,
pIIed InsIde LerrurIums couLed wILI LIIck Iuvers oI dusL. Ive buLs Iung
Irom LIe Lops oI rusLv wIre cuges.
TIere wus someLIIng more LIun wrong ubouL LIIs pIuce-Irom LIe
scruLcIed sLeeI LubIe In LIe cenLer oI LIe room Lo LIe sLrunge uILur In
LIe corner, surrounded bv cundIes, curvIngs, und u sLIck oI bIuck In-
cense LIuL reeked oI IIcorIce und gusoIIne.
Ink eIbowed me, poInLIng uL u deud Irog IIouLIng In u jur. TIIs pIuce
Is worse LIun summer scIooI In LIe bIo Iub.
Are vou sure Ammu`s down Iere? couIdn`L ImugIne Ier In LIIs LwIs-
Led versIon oI mv greuL-uunLs` busemenL.
1zJ6=
Ink nodded Lowurd LIe buck oI LIe room, wIere u veIIow IIgIL
IIIckered. Red HoLs.
We wuIked beLween LIe rows oI sIeIves, und wILIIn seconds couId
Ieur Ammu`s voIce. AL LIe end oI LIe uIsIe, Lwo Iow bookcuses IIunked
u nurrow wuIkwuv InLo LIe buck oI LIe sLore-or wIuLever LIIs pIuce
wus cuIIed. We dropped down onLo our Iunds und knees und IId be-
IInd LIe bookcuses. CIIcken IeeL IIouLed In u boLLIe nexL Lo mv
sIouIder.
need Lo see LIe IungIuppe. L wus u mun`s voIce, gruveIIv und IeuvIIv
uccenLed. You wouId be surprIsed Iow munv peopIe IInd LIeIr wuv
Iere und ure noL wIo LIev cIuIm Lo be.
dropped down onLo mv sLomucI und puIIed mvseII Iorwurd so
couId see uround LIe sIde oI LIe bookcuse. Ink wus rIgIL. Ammu wus
sLundIng In IronL oI u bIuck wooden LubIe, cIuLcIIng Ier pockeLbook
wILI boLI Iunds. TIe Iegs oI LIe LubIe Iormed LIe IeeL oI u bIrd, ILs
LuIons IncIes Irom Ammu`s LInv orLIopedIc sIoes. SIe wus In proIIIe,
Ier durk skIn gIowIng In LIe veIIow IIgIL, Ier bun Lucked neuLIv be-
neuLI Ier IIowered cIurcI IuL, Ier cIIn up und Ier buck sLruIgIL. I
sIe wus uIruId, couIdn`L LeII. Ammu`s prIde wus us mucI u purL oI wIo
sIe wus us Ier rIddIes, bIscuILs, und crossword puzzIes.
ImugIne so. SIe opened Ier purse und Look ouL LIe red bundIe LIe
CreoIe womun Iud gIven Ier.
Ink wus on IIs sLomucI, Loo. s LIuL LIe LIIng LIe Iudv wILI LIe
dougInuLs guve Ier? Ie wIIspered. nodded, und gesLured Ior IIm Lo
be quIeL.
TIe mun beIInd LIe LubIe Ieuned InLo LIe IIgIL. HIs skIn wus ebonv,
durker und smooLIer LIun Ammu`s. HIs IuIr wus LwIsLed InLo rougI,
cureIess bruIds LIed LogeLIer uL LIe buse oI IIs neck. SLrIng und LInv
1oJ6=
objecLs couIdn`L see cIeurIv were woven InLo LIe bruIds. He Lruced LIe
IIne oI IIs gouLee us Ie wuLcIed Ammu InLenLIv.
GIve IL Lo me. He reucIed ouL IIs Iund, LIe cuII oI IIs durk LunIc sIId-
Ing down IIs urm. HIs wrIsL wus bound In LIIn sLrunds oI sLrIng und
IeuLIer, Iuden wILI cIurms. HIs Iund wus scurred-LIe skIn wurped
und sIInv, us II IL Iud been burned more LIun once.
Ammu dropped LIe bundIe InLo IIs Iund wILIouL LoucIIng IIm.
He noLIced Ier cuuLIon und smIIed. You IsIund women ure uII LIe
sume, prucLIcIn` LIe urL Lo wurd uguInsL mv mugIc. BuL vour Ierbs und
powders ure no muLcI Ior LIe Iund oI u bokor.
TIe urL. Voodoo. `d Ieurd IL cuIIed LIuL beIore. And II women IIke
Ammu provIded proLecLIon Irom IIs mugIc, LIuL couId meun onIv one
LIIng. He perIormed bIuck mugIc.
He opened LIe bundIe und IeId up u sIngIe IeuLIer. He exumIned IL
cIoseIv, LurnIng IL over In IIs Iunds. see vou`re noL u Lrespusser, so
wIuL do vou requIre?
Ammu Lossed u IundkercIIeI onLo LIe desk. `m noL u Lrespusser, or
one u LIe IsIund women vou`re used Lo seeIn`.
TIe bokor IIILed LIe deIIcuLe IubrIc, exumInIng LIe embroIderv. knew
wIuL LIe desIgn wus, even LIougI couIdn`L see IL Irom Iere-u
spurrow.
TIe bokor Iooked uL LIe IundkercIIeI, LIen buck uL Ammu. TIe murk
u SuIIu LIe PropIeL. So vou`re u Seer, one u Ier descendunLs? He
smIIed broudIv, IIs wIILe LeeLI gIeumIng In LIe durkness. Now, LIuL
mukes LIIs IILLIe vIsIL even more unexpecLed. WIuL wouId brIng u Seer
Lo mv worksIop?
11J6=
Ammu wuLcIed IIm cIoseIv, us II Ie wus one oI LIe snukes sIILIerIng
uround In LIe sIop`s LerrurIum. TIIs wus u mIsLuke. GoL no busIness
wILI vour kInd. `II be seeIn` mvseII ouL. SIe sIoved Ier purse InLo LIe
crook oI Ier urm und Lurned on Ier IeeI Lo go.
euvIng so soon? Don`L vou wunL Lo know Iow Lo cIunge LIe curds?
HIs menucIng IuugILer ecIoed LIrougI LIe room.
Ammu sLopped In Ier Lrucks. do. Her voIce wus quIeL.
YeL vou know LIe unswer vourseII, Seer. TIuL`s wIv vou`re Iere.
SIe spun uround Lo Iuce IIm. You LIInk LIIs Is u socIuI vIsIL?
You cun`L cIunge LIe curds once LIev`re deuIL. NoL LIe curds we`re
LuIkIn` ubouL. uLe Is u wIeeI LIuL Lurns wILIouL our Iund.
Ammu sIummed Ier Iund down on LIe LubIe. Don`L Lrv Lo seII me LIe
sIIver IInIn` Irom u cIoud us bIuck us vour souI. know IL cun be done.
TIe bokor Lupped on u boLLIe oI crusIed eggsIeIIs neur LIe edge oI LIe
LubIe. AguIn, IIs wIILe LeeLI sIone In LIe durkness. AnvLIIng cun be
done Ior u prIce, Seer. QuesLIon Is, wIuL ure vou wIIIIn` Lo puv?
WIuLever IL Lukes.
sIuddered. TIere wus someLIIng ubouL LIe wuv Ammu suId IL, even
LIe sIIILIng sound oI Ier voIce, LIuL mude IL seem IIke un InvIsIbIe IIne
beLween LIe Lwo oI LIem wus dIsuppeurIng. wondered II LIuL IIne run
deeper LIun LIe one sIe crossed LIe nIgIL oI LIe SIxLeenLI Moon,
wIen sIe und enu used The Book of Moons Lo brIng me buck Irom
LIe deud. sIook mv Ieud. We Iud uII crossed Loo munv IInes uIreudv.
1zJ6=
TIe bokor wuLcIed Ammu InLenLIv. eL me see LIe curds. need Lo
know wIuL we`re deuIIn` wILI.
Ammu Look u sLuck oI wIuL Iooked IIke LuroL curds ouL oI Ier purse, buL
LIe Imuges on LIe curds weren`L rIgIL. TIev weren`L LuroL curds-LIese
were someLIIng eIse. SIe urrunged LIem on LIe LubIe cureIuIIv, re-cre-
uLIng u spreud. TIe bokor wuLcIed, IIIppIng LIe IeuLIer beLween IIs
IIngers.
Ammu dropped LIe IusL curd. TIere IL Is.
He buIked, muLLerIng In u Iunguuge dIdn`L undersLund. BuL couId
LeII Ie wusn`L Iuppv. TIe bokor swepL cIeun IIs rIckeLv wooden LubIe,
boLLIes und vIuIs sIuLLerIng on LIe ground. He Ieuned us cIose Lo
Ammu us `d ever seen unvone dure Lo geL. TIe Angrv Queen. TIe Un-
buIunced ScuIe. TIe CIIId oI Durkness. TIe SLorm. TIe SucrIIIce. TIe
SpIIL TwIns. TIe BIeedIng BIude. TIe rucLured SouI.
He spIL, sIukIng LIe IeuLIer uL Ier, IIs versIon oI LIe One-Eved Men-
uce. A Seer Irom LIe IIne u SuIIu LIe PropIeL Is smurL enougI Lo know
LIIs Is noL jusL unv spreud.
Are vou suvIn` vou cun`L do IL? L wus u cIuIIenge. TIuL `ve come uII
LIIs wuv Ior crucked eggsIeIIs und deud swump Irogs? Cun geL LIose
Irom unv IorLune-LeIIer.
`m suvIn` vou cun`L puv LIe prIce, oId womun! HIs voIce rose, und
sLIIIened. Ammu wus LIe onIv moLIer Iud IeIL. couIdn`L sLund Lo
Ieur unvone LuIk Lo Ier LIuL wuv.
Ammu Iooked up uL LIe ceIIIng, muLLerIng. wus wIIIIng Lo beL sIe wus
LuIkIng Lo LIe GreuLs. NoL u bone In mv bodv wunLed Lo come Lo LIIs
godIorsuken nesL u evII-
1J6=
TIe bokor pIcked up u Iong sLuII wrupped In LIe crIsp skIn oI u snuke,
und cIrcIed Ammu IIke un unImuI wuILIng Lo sLrIke. And veL vou cume.
Becuuse vour IILLIe doIIs und Ierbs cun`L suve LIe ti-bon-age. Cun
LIev?
Ammu sLured uL IIm deIIunLIv. Someone Is gonnu dIe II vou don`L IeIp
me.
And someone wIII dIe II do.
TIuL`s u dIscussIon Ior unoLIer duv. SIe Lupped one oI LIe curds.
TIIs Iere Is LIe deuLI cure ubouL.
He exumIned LIe curd, sLrokIng IL wILI IIs IeuLIer. nLeresLIn` vou
wouId cIoose LIe one wIo Is uIreudv IosL. Even more InLeresLIn` vou
wouId come Lo me InsLeud u vour precIous CusLers. TIIs concerns
LIem, does IL noL?
TIe CusLers.
Mv sLomucI dropped. WIo wus uIreudv IosL? Wus Ie LuIkIng ubouL
enu?
Ammu drew u Ieuvv breuLI. TIe CusLers cun`L IeIp me. TIev cun
bureIv IeIp LIemseIves.
Ink Iooked uL me, conIused. BuL dIdn`L undersLund unv more LIun
Ie dId. How couId LIe bokor IeIp Ammu wILI someLIIng LIe CusLers
couIdn`L?
TIe Imuges crusIed down on me beIore couId sLop LIem. TIe un-
beurubIe IeuL. TIe pIugue oI InsecLs InIesLIng everv IncI oI Lown. TIe
nIgILmures und LIe punIc. CusLers wIo couIdn`L conLroI LIeIr powers,
1qJ6=
or use LIem uII. A rIver oI bIood. AbruIum`s voIce ecIoIng LIrougI LIe
cuvern uILer enu CIuImed IerseII.
TIere wIII be consequences.
TIe bokor cIrcIed uround Lo Iuce Ammu, meusurIng Ier expressIon.
You meun LIe IgIL CusLers cun`L.
No oLIer kInd `d usk Ior IeIp.
He seemed pIeused wILI Ier unswer, buL noL Ior LIe reuson LIougIL.
YeL vou cume Lo me. Becuuse cun do someLIIng LIev cun`L-LIe oId
mugIc our peopIe currIed ucross LIe oceun wILI us. MugIc LIuL cun be
conLroIIed bv MorLuIs und CusLers uIIke. He wus LuIkIng ubouL voodoo,
u reIIgIon born In AIrIcu und LIe CurIbbeun. TIev don`L undersLund
LIe ti-bon-age.
Ammu sLured uL IIm IIke sIe wIsIed sIe couId Lurn IIm Lo sLone, buL
sIe dIdn`L Ieuve.
SIe needed IIm, even II dIdn`L know wIv.
Nume vour prIce. Her voIce wuvered.
wuLcIed us Ie cuIcuIuLed LIe cosL oI boLI Ammu`s requesL und Ier In-
LegrILv. TIev were opposIng Iorces, workIng LIe exLremes oI u sIured
mvsLIcIsm LIuL wus us bIuck und wIILe us LIe IgIL und Durkness In
LIe CusLer worId. WIere Is IL now? Do vou know wIere LIev`ve IId-
den IL?
HIdden wIuL? Ink mouLIed sIIenLIv. sIook mv Ieud. Iud no Ideu
wIuL LIev were LuIkIng ubouL.
L`s noL IIdden. or LIe IIrsL LIme, Ammu meL IIs eves. L`s Iree.
1=J6=
AL IIrsL Ie dIdn`L reucL, us II sIe mIgIL Iuve mIsspoken. BuL wIen LIe
bokor reuIIzed Ammu wus serIous, Ie cIrcIed buck Lo LIe LubIe und
pored over LIe spreud. couId Ieur broken bILs oI rencI CreoIe In IIs
gnurIed voIce. I wIuL vou suv Is Lrue, oId womun, LIere Is onIv one
prIce.
Ammu run Ier Iund over LIe curds, pusIIng LIem InLo u pIIe. know.
`II puv IL.
You undersLund, LIere Is no LurnIn` buck? No wuv Lo undo wIuL wIII
be done. I vou Lumper wILI LIe WIeeI u uLe, IL wIII conLInue Lo Lurn
unLII IL crusIes vou In ILs puLI.
Ammu sLucked LIe curds und puL LIem buck In Ier purse. couId see
Ier Iund sIukIng, jerkIng In und ouL oI sIudow.
Do wIuL vou need Lo do, und `II do LIe sume. SIe snupped sIuL Ier
purse und Lurned Lo go. n LIe end, LIe WIeeI crusIes us uII.
16J6=
9.19
The Far Keep
And LIen Ink und boILed IIke Ammu wus cIusIng us wILI LIe One-
Eved Menuce. wus so scured sIe wouId know we`d IoIIowed Ier,
dIdn`L geL ouL oI bed unLII mornIng. IeIL ouL LIe purL wIere woke up
on LIe IIoor, LIe sume wuv uIwuvs dId uILer one oI LIe dreums.
Bv LIe LIme IInIsIed LeIIIng MurIun LIe sLorv, Ier Leu wus coId. WIuL
ubouL Ammu?
Ieurd LIe screen door cIose us LIe sun wus comIng up. Bv LIe LIme
cume downsLuIrs, sIe wus mukIng breukIusL us II noLIIng Iuppened.
Sume oId cIeese grILs, sume oId eggs. ExcepL neILIer one LusLed rIgIL
unvmore.
We were In LIe urcIIve In LIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv. L wus MurIun`s
prIvuLe suncLuurv, one sIe Iud sIured wILI mv mom. L wus uIso LIe
pIuce wIere MurIun Iooked Ior unswers Lo quesLIons LIuL mosL IoIks In
GuLIIn dIdn`L even know Lo usk, wIIcI wus wIv wus Iere. MurIun
AsIcroIL Iud been mv mom`s besL IrIend, buL sIe Iud uIwuvs IeIL more
IIke mv uunL LIun mv reuI one. WIIcI guess wus LIe oLIer reuson
wus Iere.
Ammu wus LIe cIosesL LIIng Iud IeIL Lo u moLIer. wusn`L reudv Lo
ussume LIe worsL oI Ier, und dIdn`L wunL unvone eIse Lo eILIer. BuL
sLIII, dIdn`L exucLIv IeeI comIorLubIe wILI LIe Ideu oI Ier runnIng
uround wILI u guv wIo wus on LIe wrong sIde oI evervLIIng Ammu be-
IIeved In. Iud Lo LeII someone.
MurIun sLIrred Ier Leu, dIsLrucLed. You`re ubsoIuLeIv sure oI wIuL vou
Ieurd?
nodded. L wusn`L reuIIv LIe kInd oI conversuLIon vou IorgeL. `d
been LrvIng Lo wIpe LIe Imuge oI Ammu und LIe bokor ouL oI mv mInd
ever sInce suw LIem. `ve wuLcIed Ammu Ireuk ouL beIore wIen sIe
dIdn`L IIke wIuL LIe curds were LeIIIng Ier. WIen sIe knew Sum TurIev
wus goIng Lo drIve oII LIe brIdge uL Wuder`s Creek, sIe Iocked IerseII
In Ier room und dIdn`L suv u word Ior u week. TIIs wus dIIIerenL.
A Seer never LrIes Lo cIunge LIe curds. EspecIuIIv noL LIe greuL-greuL-
greuL-grundduugILer oI SuIIu LIe PropIeL. MurIun sLured InLo Ier Leu-
cup, LIInkIng. WIv wouId sIe Lrv now?
don`L know. TIe bokor suId Ie couId do IL, buL IL wouId cosL Ier.
Ammu suId sIe`d puv LIe prIce. No muLLer wIuL. L dIdn`L muke unv
sense, buL IL Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI LIe CusLers.
I Ie wus u bokor, LIuL`s noL IdIe LuIk. TIev use voodoo Lo IurL und
desLrov ruLIer LIun enIIgILen und IeuI.
nodded. or LIe IIrsL LIme In us Iong us couId remember, wus ucLu-
uIIv scured Ior Ammu. WIIcI mude ubouL us mucI sense us u kILLen
beIng scured Ior u LIger. know vou cun`L InLerIere In LIe CusLer
worId, buL LIe bokor`s u MorLuI.
WIIcI Is wIv vou cume Lo me. MurIun sIgIed. cun do some re-
seurcI, buL LIe one quesLIon won`L be ubIe Lo unswer Is LIe onIv one
LIuL muLLers. WIuL wouId send Ammu Lo u person wIo opposes
evervLIIng sIe beIIeves In? MurIun IeId ouL u pIuLe oI cookIes, wIIcI
meunL sIe dIdn`L Iuve LIe unswer.
1J6=
HobNobs? wInced. TIev weren`L jusL unv cookIes-Iv`s suILcuse
Iud been IuII oI LIem wIen sIe urrIved In SouLI CuroIInu uL LIe begIn-
nIng oI LIe summer.
MurIun musL Iuve noLIced, becuuse sIe sIgIed und puL LIe pIuLe down.
Huve vou LuIked Lo OIIvIu ubouL wIuL Iuppened?
don`L know. NoL ubouL-weII, no. sIgIed. WIIcI reuIIv sucks, be-
cuuse Iv Is. vou know, Iv.
mIss Ier, Loo.
TIen wIv dIdn`L vou IeL Ier keep workIng wILI vou? AILer Iv broke
LIe ruIes und IeIped Iree Mucon Irom LIe ArcIIgIL, sIe Iud dIsup-
peured Irom LIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv. Her LruInIng us u Keeper Iud
ended, und `d expecLed Ier Lo go buck Lo LIe U.K. nsLeud, sIe sLurLed
spendIng Ier duvs In LIe TunneIs wILI Mucon.
couIdn`L. L wouId be Improper. Or, II vou preIer, IorbIdden. UnLII
evervLIIng Is sorLed ouL, we uren`L Lo see eucI oLIer. NoL oIIIcIuIIv.
You meun sIe`s noL sLuvIng wILI vou?
MurIun sIgIed. SIe`s moved InLo LIe TunneIs Ior now. SIe muv be
IuppIer LIere. Mucon`s seen Lo IL LIuL sIe Ius u sLudv oI Ier own.
couIdn`L pIcLure Iv spendIng so mucI LIme In LIe durkness oI LIe
TunneIs, wIen uII sIe remInded me oI wus sunsIIne.
MurIun Lurned In Ier seuL, puIIed u IoIded IeLLer Irom Ier desk, und
Iunded me LIe puper. L wus Ieuvv In mv Iunds, und reuIIzed LIe
weIgIL cume Irom u LIIck wuxen seuI uL LIe boLLom oI LIe puge. NoL
LIe kInd oI IeLLer vou geL In LIe muII.
WIuL`s LIIs?
1qoJ6=
Go on. Reud IL.
'TIe CouncII oI LIe ur Keep IInds, In LIe gruve muLLer oI MurIun
AsIcroIL oI LIe Lunae Libri.` - sLurLed skImmIng- '. suspensIon
oI responsIbIIILIes, wILI regurd Lo LIe WesLern Keep. LrIuI duLe IorLI-
comIng.` Iooked up Irom LIe puper In dIsbeIIeI. You were IIred?
preIer suspended.
And LIere`s u LrIuI?
SIe seL Ier Leucup on LIe LubIe beLween us und cIosed Ier eves. Yes.
AL IeusL, LIuL`s wIuL LIev ure cIoosIng Lo cuII IL. Don`L LIInk MorLuIs
Iuve u monopoIv on IvpocrIsv. TIe CusLer worId Is noL exucLIv u
democrucv, us vou mIgIL Iuve noLIced. TIe wIoIe Iree wIII bIL geLs u
IILLIe sIdeIIned In LIe InLeresL oI LIe ruIe oI Iuw.
BuL vou Iud noLIIng Lo do wILI LIuL. enu broke LIe Order.
WeII, upprecIuLe vour versIon oI evenLs, buL vou`ve IIved In GuLIIn
Iong enougI Lo know Iow versIons Iuve u wuv oI cIungIng. NeverLIe-
Iess, expecL vou`II Iuve vour duv on LIe sLund. TIe IInes on MurIun`s
Iuce Iud u IubIL oI deepenIng Irom IInes InLo sIudows wIen sIe wus
reuIIv worrIed. Ike now.
BuL vou weren`L InvoIved. L wus our IongesL runnIng buLLIe. rom
LIe momenL Ieurned MurIun wus u Keeper-IIke mv moLIer beIore
Ier- knew LIe one ruIe LIuL muLLered. WIuLever wus IuppenIng,
MurIun sLuved ouL oI IL. SIe wus un observer, responsIbIe Ior keepIng
LIe records oI LIe CusLer worId und murkIng LIe pIuce LIuL worId InLer-
secLed wILI LIe MorLuI one.
MurIun kepL LIe IIsLorv; sIe dIdn`L muke IL.
1q1J6=
TIuL wus LIe ruIe. WIeLIer Ier IeurL wouId uIIow Ier Lo IoIIow IL wus u
dIIIerenL sLorv. Iv Iud Ieurned LIe Iurd wuv LIuL sIe couIdn`L IoIIow
LIe ruIe, und now sIe couId never be u Keeper. wus preLLv sure mv
mom Iud IeIL LIe sume wuv.
pIcked up LIe IeLLer uguIn. LoucIed LIe LIIck bIuck wux seuI-LIe
sume us LIe seuI oI LIe sLuLe oI SouLI CuroIInu. A CusLer moon over u
puImeLLo Lree. As LoucIed LIe crescenL moon, Ieurd LIe IumIIIur
meIodv und sLopped Lo IIsLen. cIosed mv eves.
Eighteen Moons, eighteen Sheers,
Feeding off your deepest fears,
Vexed to find as Darkness nears,
Secret eyes and hidden ears
ELIun? opened mv eves Lo see MurIun IoomIng over me.
L`s noLIIng.
L`s never noLIIng. NoL wILI vou, EW. SIe smIIed u IILLIe sudIv uL me.
Ieurd LIe song. wus sLIII LuppIng mv IIngers uguInsL LIe sIdes oI
mv jeuns, LIe meIodv sLuck In mv Ieud.
Your SIudowIng Song?
nodded.
1qzJ6=
And?
dIdn`L wunL Lo LeII Ier, buL dIdn`L see Iow wus goIng Lo geL ouL oI
IL, und couIdn`L munuge Lo muke up unoLIer versIon In LIe spuce oI
LIree seconds. NoLIIng good. TIe usuuI. A SIeer, u Vex, secreLs und
durkness.
LrIed noL Lo IeeI unvLIIng, noL LIe IurcIIng In mv sLomucI or LIe cIIII
spreudIng LIrougI mv bodv wIIIe suId IL. Mv mom wus LrvIng Lo LeII
me someLIIng. And II sIe wus sendIng LIe song, IL meunL IL wus
someLIIng ImporLunL. And dungerous.
ELIun. TIIs Is serIous.
EvervLIIng`s serIous, AunL MurIun. L`s Iurd Lo IIgure ouL wIuL `m
supposed Lo do.
TuIk Lo me.
wIII, buL rIgIL now don`L even know wIuL Lo LeII vou. sLood up Lo
Ieuve. sIouIdn`L Iuve suId unvLIIng. couIdn`L muke sense oI wIuL
wus IuppenIng, und LIe more MurIun pusIed, LIe IusLer wunLed Lo
geL uwuv. `d beLLer geL goIng.
SIe IoIIowed me Lo LIe door oI LIe urcIIve. Don`L be gone so Iong LIIs
LIme, ELIun. `ve mIssed vou.
smIIed und Iugged Ier, IookIng over Ier sIouIder InLo LIe GuLIIn
CounLv Ibrurv-und uImosL jumped ouL oI mv skIn.
WIuL Iuppened?
MurIun Iooked us surprIsed us dId. TIe IIbrurv wus u cuLusLropIIc,
IIoor-Lo-ceIIIng dIsusLer. L Iooked IIke u Lornudo Iud sLruck wIIIe we
1qJ6=
were In LIe urcIIve. SLucks were IeveIed, und books were LIrown open
evervwIere, uIong LIe LubIeLops, LIe cIeckouL counLer, even LIe IIoor.
`d onIv seen someLIIng IIke LIIs once beIore, IusL CIrIsLmus, wIen
everv book In LIe IIbrurv opened Lo u quoLe LIuL Iud Lo do wILI enu
und me.
TIIs Is worse LIun IusL LIme, MurIun suId quIeLIv. We were LIInkIng
LIe sume LIIng. L wus u messuge meunL Ior me. JusL us IL Iud been
LIen.
UI-IuI.
WeII. TIere we go. Are vou IeeIIng Vexed veL? MurIun reucIed Ior u
book sILLIng on Lop oI LIe curd cuLuIog. Becuuse cerLuInIv um.
`m sLurLIng Lo. pusIed mv IuIr ouL oI mv eves. WIsI knew LIe
CusL Ior resIeIvIng books wILIouL ucLuuIIv IuvIng Lo pIck LIem uII up.
MurIun benL und Iunded me LIe IIrsL. EmIIv DIckInson.
opened IL us sIowIv us u person cun open u book, und Iound u rundom
puge.
'MucI Mudness Is dIvInesL Sense.`
Mudness. GreuL. WIuL dId IL meun? And, more ImporLunL, wIuL dId
IL meun Ior me? Iooked uL MurIun. WIuL do vou LIInk?
LIInk LIe DIsorder oI TIIngs Ius IInuIIv reucIed mv sLucks. Go on.
SIe opened unoLIer book und Iunded IL Lo me. eonurdo du VIncI.
GreuL. AnoLIer Iumous cruzv person. Iunded IL buck Lo Ier. You do
IL.
1qqJ6=
'WIIIe LIougIL LIuL wus IeurnIng Iow Lo IIve, `ve been IeurnIng
Iow Lo dIe.` SIe cIosed LIe book soILIv.
Mudness und now deuLI. TIIngs ure IookIng up.
SIe puL one Iund uround mv neck und IeL LIe book sIIde Irom Ier oLI-
er. Imhere with you. TIuL`s wIuL Ier Iunds suId. Mv Iunds dIdn`L suv
unvLIIng excepL LIuL wus LerrIIIed, wIIcI wus preLLv sure sIe couId
LeII Irom Iow Iurd LIev were sIukIng. We`II Luke Lurns. One reuds
wIIIe LIe oLIer cIeuns.
cuII cIeunIng.
MurIun guve me u Iook, IundIng me unoLIer book. You`re cuIIIng LIe
sIoLs In mv IIbrurv now?
No, mu`um. TIuL wouIdn`L be verv genLIemunIv. Iooked down uL LIe
LILIe. OI, come on. Edgur AIIun Poe. He wus so durk Ie`d muke LIe
oLIer Lwo Iook cIeerIuI In compurIson. WIuLever Ie Ius Lo suv,
don`L wunL Lo know.
Open IL.
'Deep InLo LIuL durkness peerIng, Iong sLood LIere wonderIng, Ieur-
Ing J DoubLIng, dreumIng dreums no morLuI ever dured Lo dreum
beIore.`
snupped LIe book sIuL. geL IL. `m IosIng IL. `m goIng cruzv. TIIs
wIoIe Lown Is crucked. TIe unIverse Is one bIg nuLIouse.
You know wIuL eonurd CoIen suvs ubouL crucks, ELIun?
No, don`L. BuL geL LIe IeeIIng couId open u Iew more books In LIIs
IIbrurv und LeII vou.
1q=J6=
'TIere Is u cruck In evervLIIng.`
TIuL`s IeIpIuI.
L Is, ucLuuIIv. SIe puL Ier Iunds on mv sIouIders. 'TIere Is u cruck
In evervLIIng. TIuL`s Iow LIe IIgIL geLs In.`
SIe wus preLLv mucI exucLIv rIgIL-or uL IeusL LIe eonurd CoIen guv
wus. IeIL Iuppv und sud uL LIe sume LIme, und dIdn`L know wIuL Lo
suv. So dropped Lo mv knees on LIe curpeL und sLurLed sLuckIng
books.
BeLLer geL goIng on LIIs mess.
MurIun undersLood. Never LIougIL `d Ieur vou suv LIuL, EW. SIe
wus rIgIL. TIe unIverse reuIIv musL be crucked, und me rIgIL uIong
wILI IL.
Ioped someIow LIe IIgIL wus IIndIng u wuv In.
1q6J6=
9.19
The Devil You
Know
wus dreumIng. NoL in u dreum-so reuI couId IeeI LIe wInd us IeII,
or smeII LIe meLuIIIc sLencI oI bIood In LIe SunLee-buL ucLuuIIv
dreumIng. wuLcIed us wIoIe scenes pIuved ouL In mv mInd, onIv
someLIIng wus wrong. TIe dreum IeIL wrong-or dIdn`L, becuuse
couIdn`L IeeI unvLIIng. mIgIL us weII Iuve been sILLIng on LIe curb
wuLcIIng evervLIIng us IL pussed bv..
The night Sarafine had called the Seventeenth Moon.
The moon splitting in the sky above Lena, its two halves forming the
wings of a butterflyone green, one gold.
John Breed on his Harley, Lenas arms wrapped around him.
Macons empty grave in the cemetery.
Ridley holding a black bundle, light escaping from beneath the fabric.
The Arclight resting on the muddy ground.
A single silver button, lost in the front seat of the Beater, one night in
the rain.
TIe Imuges IIouLed on LIe perIpIerv oI mv mInd, jusL ouL oI reucI. TIe
dreum wus sooLIIng. Muvbe mv everv subconscIous LIougIL wusn`L u
propIecv, u wurped pIece oI LIe puzzIe LIuL wouId Iorm mv desLInv us
u Wuvwurd. Muvbe that wus LIe dreum. reIuxed InLo LIe genLIe Lug-
oI-wur us drIILed on LIe edge oI sIeep und wukeIuIness. Mv mInd
groped Ior more concreLe LIougILs, LrvIng Lo sIIL LIrougI LIe Iuze LIe
wuv Ammu sIILed IIour Ior u cuke. AguIn und uguIn, kepL comIng buck
Lo LIe Imuge oI LIe ArcIIgIL.
TIe ArcIIgIL In mv Iunds.
TIe ArcIIgIL In LIe gruve.
TIe ArcIIgIL und Mucon, In LIe seu cuve uL LIe GreuL BurrIer.
Mucon LurnIng Lo Iook uL me. ELIun, LIIs Isn`L u dreum. Wuke up.
Now!
TIen Mucon cuugIL IIre und mv mInd seIzed up und couIdn`L see unv-
LIIng, becuuse LIe puIn wus so InLense couIdn`L LIInk or dreum
unvmore.
A sIrIII sound cuL LIrougI LIe rIvLImIc buzz oI LIe Iubbers ouLsIde mv
wIndow. boILed uprIgIL, und LIe sound InLensIIIed us IougIL mvseII
uwuke.
L wus ucIIIe. SIe wus on mv bed IIssIng, LIe IuIr on Ier urcIed buck
sLundIng up In u sLIII IIne. Her eurs were IIuLLened uguInsL Ier Ieud,
und Ior u second LIougIL sIe wus IIssIng uL me. IoIIowed Ier eves
ucross mv room, LIrougI LIe durkness. TIere wus someone sLundIng
uL LIe IooL oI mv bed. TIe poIIsIed IundIe oI IIs cune cuugIL LIe IIgIL.
Mv mInd Iudn`L been gropIng Ior concreLe LIougILs.
1qJ6=
AbruIum Ruvenwood Iud.
HoIv crup!
scrumbIed buckwurd, sIummIng InLo LIe wooden Ieudbourd beIInd
me. TIere wus nowIere Lo go, buL uII wunLed Lo do wus geL uwuv. n-
sLIncL Look over-IIgIL or IIIgIL. And LIere wus no wuv wus goIng Lo
Lrv Lo IIgIL AbruIum Ruvenwood.
GeL ouL. Now. pressed mv Iunds uguInsL mv LempIes, us II Ie couId
sLIII reucI me LIrougI LIe duII ucIe In mv Ieud.
He wuLcIed me InLenLIv, meusurIng mv reucLIons. EvenIng, bov. see,
IIke mv grundson, vou Iuven`L Ieurned vour pIuce veL. AbruIum sIook
IIs Ieud. ILLIe Mucon Ruvenwood. AIwuvs sucI u dIsuppoInLIng
cIIId. nvoIunLurIIv, mv Iunds sIId InLo IIsLs. AbruIum Iooked umused
und IIIcked IIs IInger.
dropped Lo LIe IIoor In IronL oI IIm, guspIng. Mv Iuce smusIed
uguInsL rougI IIoorbourds, und uII couId see were IIs crucked IeuLIer
booLs. sLruggIed Lo ruIse mv Ieud.
TIuL`s beLLer. AbruIum smIIed, IIs wIILe beurd IrumIng even wIILer
cunInes. He Iooked dIIIerenL Irom LIe IusL LIme `d seen IIm, uL LIe
GreuL BurrIer. HIs wIILe Sunduv suIL wus gone, repIuced bv u durker,
more ImposIng one, IIs sIgnuLure bIuck sLrIng LIe IusLened neuLIv un-
der IIs sIIrL coIIur. TIe IIIusIon oI LIe IrIendIv SouLIern genLIemun
wus gone. TIIs thing sLundIng In IronL oI me wus noLIIng IIke u mun,
und even Iess IIke Mucon. AbruIum Ruvenwood, IuLIer oI everv
Ruvenwood ncubus wIo cume uILer, wus u monsLer.
wouIdn`L suv monsLer. BuL LIen, don`L see us Iow IL muLLers mucI
wIuL vou LIInk oI me, bov.
1=oJ6=
ucIIIe IIssed more IoudIv.
LrIed Lo pusI mvseII up Irom LIe IIoor und keep mv voIce Irom sIuk-
Ing. WIuL LIe IeII were vou doIng In mv Ieud?
He IIILed un evebrow. AI, vou sensed me IeedIng. NoL bud Ior u
MorLuI. He Ieuned Iorwurd. TeII me, wIuL does IL IeeI IIke? `ve uI-
wuvs wondered. s IL more IIke u bIude or u bILe? WIen cuL Ioose LIe
LIougILs vou IoId mosL deur? Your secreLs und vour dreums?
sLuggered Lo mv IeeL sIowIv, buL couId bureIv currv mv own weIgIL.
L IeeIs IIke vou sIouId sLuv ouL oI mv mInd, PsvcIo.
AbruIum IuugIed. wouId be Iuppv Lo. TIere`s noL mucI Lo see In
LIere. SevenLeen veurs und vou`ve bureIv IIved. AsIde Irom u Iew meun-
IngIess LrvsLs wILI LrIIIIng CusLer LrusI.
IIIncIed. wunLed Lo grub IIm bv LIe coIIur und IurI IIm ouL mv wIn-
dow. WIIcI wouId`ve, II couId Iuve moved mv urms.
YeuI? I mv bruIn`s so useIess, wIv ure vou creepIng InLo mv room
IIsIIng uround In IL? Mv wIoIe bodv wus sIukIng. couId LuIk u good
gume, buL wus concenLruLIng on LrvIng noL Lo puss ouL In IronL oI LIe
mosL powerIuI ncubus unv oI us Iud ever known.
AbruIum wuIked over Lo LIe wIndow und run IIs IInger uIong LIe Iedge
und LIe LruII oI suIL Ammu Iud duLIIuIIv IeIL LIere. He IIcked LIe crvs-
LuIs oII IIs IInger. cun never geL enougI suIL. GIves LIe bIood u su-
vorv noLe. He puused, IookIng ouL mv wIndow uL LIe scorcIed Iuwn.
BuL do Iuve u quesLIon Ior vou. SomeLIIng oI mIne Ius been Luken
Irom me. And LIInk vou know wIere Lo IInd IL.
He IIIcked IIs IInger uguInsL LIe wIndow, und LIe gIuss sIuLLered In LIe
punes.
1=1J6=
Look u sIow sLep Lowurd IIm. L wus IIke druggIng mv IeeL LIrougI ce-
menL. WIuL mukes vou LIInk `d LeII vou unvLIIng?
eL`s see. eur, Ior sLurLers. Tuke u Iook. He Ieuned ouL LIe wIndow,
IookIng down InLo mv IronL vurd. HunLIng und IIs dogs dIdn`L come
uII LIIs wuv Ior noLIIng. TIev Iove u mIdnIgIL snuck.
Mv IeurL pounded In mv eurs. TIev were ouLsIde-HunLIng und IIs
BIood Puck.
AbruIum Lurned buck Lo Iuce me, IIs bIuck eves sIInIng. EnougI LuIk,
bov. WIere Is JoIn? know mv worLIIess grundson dIdn`L kIII IIm.
WIere Is Mucon IIdIng IIm?
TIere IL wus. Someone Iud IInuIIv suId IL. JoIn wus uIIve.
knew IL wus Lrue. IeIL IIke `d known uII uIong. We Iud never Iound
JoIn`s bodv. AII LIIs LIme Ie Iud probubIv been In LIe CusLer TunneIs,
IungIng ouL uL some cIub IIke ExIIe, wuILIng.
TIe unger weIIed up InsIde me, und couId bureIv Iorce LIe words ouL.
TIe IusL LIme suw IIm, Ie wus In LIe cuve uL LIe GreuL BurrIer, IeIp-
Ing vou und SuruIIne desLrov LIe worId.
WIen Ie wusn`L busv runnIng uwuv wILI mv gIrIIrIend.
AbruIum Iooked smug. `m noL sure vou undersLund LIe gruvILv oI LIe
sILuuLIon, so IeL me enIIgILen vou. TIe MorLuI worId-vour worId, In-
cIudIng LIIs puLIeLIc IILLIe Lown-Is beIng desLroved, LIunks Lo Mucon`s
nIece und Ier rIdIcuIous beIuvIor, noL me.
IeII buck onLo mv bed us II AbruIum Iud puncIed me. L IeIL IIke Ie
dId. enu dId wIuL sIe Iud Lo do. SIe CIuImed IerseII.
1=zJ6=
SIe desLroved LIe Order, bov. And sIe mude LIe wrong cIoIce wIen
sIe cIose Lo wuIk uwuv Irom us.
WIv do vou cure? You don`L seem IIke vou`re concerned ubouL unvone
buL vourseII.
He IuugIed, once. A good poInL. AILIougI we IInd ourseIves In u dun-
gerous sLuLe, IL does provIde me wILI cerLuIn opportunities.
AsIde Irom JoIn Breed, couIdn`L ImugIne wIuL Ie meunL, und dIdn`L
wunL Lo. BuL LrIed noL Lo IeL IIm see Iow scured reuIIv wus. don`L
cure II JoIn Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI vour opporLunILIes. LoId vou,
don`L know wIere Ie Is.
AbruIum wuLcIed me cureIuIIv, IIke u SvbII wIo couId reud everv IIne
In mv Iuce. mugIne u cruck LIuL runs deeper LIun LIe TunneIs. A
cruck LIuL runs InLo LIe Underground, wIere onIv LIe durkesL oI De-
mons dweII. Your gIrIIrIend`s vouLIIuI rebelliousness und Ier gIILs
Iuve creuLed sucI u cruck. He puused, IIIppIng cusuuIIv LIrougI LIe
WorId HIsLorv LexLbook on mv desk. um noL voung, buL wILI uge
comes power. And Iuve gIILs oI mv own. cun cuII Demons und
creuLures oI Durkness, even wILIouL The Book of Moons. I vou don`L
LeII me wIere JoIn Is, `II sIow vou. He smIIed, In IIs own derunged
wuv.
WIv wus JoIn Breed so ImporLunL Lo IIm? remembered LIe wuv Mu-
con und Iv Iud LuIked ubouL JoIn In Mucon`s sLudv. John was the
key. TIe quesLIon wus-Lo wIuL?
LoId vou-
AbruIum dIdn`L IeL me IInIsI. He rIpped, reuppeurIng uL LIe IooL oI mv
bed. couId see LIe IuLe In IIs bIuck eves. Don`L IIe Lo me, bov!
1=J6=
ucIIIe IIssed uguIn, und Ieurd unoLIer rIp.
dIdn`L Iuve LIme Lo see wIo IL wus.
SomeLIIng Ieuvv IeII on Lop oI me, sIummIng down onLo LIe bed IIke u
bug oI brIcks dropped Irom LIe ceIIIng. Mv Ieud IIL LIe wooden Irume
beIInd me, und bIL LIrougI mv boLLom IIp. TIe sIckenIng meLuIIIc
LusLe oI bIood Irom LIe dreum IIIIed mv mouLI.
Over ucIIIe`s gnurIed crIes, Ieurd LIe sound oI LIe Iundred-veur-oId
muIogunv spIInLerIng beneuLI me. IeIL un eIbow jub me In LIe rIbs,
und knew. A bug oI brIcks Iudn`L dropped on me.
L wus u person.
TIere wus u Ioud cruck us LIe bed Irume broke und LIe muLLress
crusIed Lo LIe IIoor. LrIed Lo LIrow LIem oII. BuL wus pInned.
Please dont let it be Hunting.
An urm IIew ouL In IronL oI me, LIe wuv mv mom`s uIwuvs dId wIen
wus u kId und sIe IIL LIe brukes oI LIe cur unexpecLedIv. Dude, cIIII!
sLopped IIgILIng. Ink?
WIo eIse wouId rIsk dIsInLegruLIn` InLo u mIIIIon pIeces Lo suve vour
sorrv uss?
uImosL IuugIed. Ink Iud never TruveIed beIore, und now knew
wIv. RIppIng musL be Iurder LIun IL Iooked, und Ie sucked uL IL.
AbruIum`s voIce cuL LIrougI LIe durkness. Suve IIm? You? LIInk IL`s
u IILLIe IuLe Ior LIuL. Ink uImosL jumped ouL oI LIe broken pIIe oI bed
uL LIe sound oI AbruIum`s voIce. BeIore couId unswer, mv bedroom
1=qJ6=
door IIew open so Iurd IL uImosL cume oII LIe IInges. Ieurd LIe cIIck
oI LIe IIgIL swILcI, und bIuck spIoLcIes bIurred evervLIIng us mv eves
udjusLed Lo LIe IIgIL.
HoIv-
WIuL LIe devII Is goIn` on In Iere! Ammu wus sLundIng In LIe door-
wuv, weurIng LIe rose-puLLerned buLIrobe bougIL Ier Ior MoLIer`s
Duv, wILI Ier IuIr wrupped In roIIers und Ier Iund wrupped uround
Ier oId wooden roIIIng pIn.
-IeII, Ink wIIspered. reuIIzed Ie wus prucLIcuIIv sILLIng In mv Iup.
BuL Ammu dIdn`L noLIce. Her eves zeroed In on AbruIum Ruvenwood.
SIe poInLed LIe roIIIng pIn uL IIm, Ier eves nurrowIng. SIe cIrcIed IIm
IIke u wIId unImuI, onIv couIdn`L LeII wIo wus LIe preduLor und wIo
wus LIe prev.
WIuL ure you doIn` In LIIs Iouse? Her voIce wus ungrv und Iow. I
sIe wus uIruId, sIe sure dIdn`L sIow IL.
AbruIum IuugIed. Do vou ucLuuIIv LIInk vou cun cIuse me oII wILI u
roIIIng pIn, IIke u Iume dog? You cun do beLLer LIun LIuL, MIss
Treudeuu.
You geL ouLLu mv Iouse or, LIe Good ord us mv wILness, vou`II wIsI
vou were u Iume dog. AbruIum`s Iuce Iurdened. Ammu Lurned LIe
roIIIng pIn so LIuL IL poInLed uL AbruIum`s cIesL, IIke LIe LIp oI u
sword. Nobodv messes wILI mv bov. NoL AbruIum Ruvenwood, noL
LIe SerpenL or OId ScruLcI IImseII, vou Ieur?
1==J6=
Now LIe roIIIng pIn wus pusIIng InLo AbruIum`s juckeL. WILI everv
IncI, LIe LIreud oI LensIon beLween LIe Lwo oI LIem puIIed LIgILer.
Ink und moved cIoser Lo Ammu on eILIer sIde.
TIIs Is LIe IusL LIme `m goIng Lo usk, AbruIum suId, IIs eves beurIng
down on Ammu. And II LIe bov doesn`L unswer me, vour ucIIer wIII
seem IIke u weIcome reprIeve Irom LIe IeII wIII ruIn down on LIIs
Lown.
He puused und Iooked uL me. WIere Is JoIn?
recognIzed LIe Iook In IIs eve. L wus LIe sume Iook Iud seen In LIe
vIsIons, wIen AbruIum kIIIed IIs own broLIer und Ied Irom IIm. L
wus vIcIous und sudIsLIc, und Ior u second consIdered numIng u run-
dom pIuce so couId geL LIIs monsLer ouL oI mv Iouse.
BuL couIdn`L LIInk IusL enougI. sweur Lo God, don`L-
TIe wInd bIew In LIrougI LIe broken wIndow, Iurd, wIIppIng uround
us und scuLLerIng pupers uII over LIe room. Ammu sLuggered buck, und
Ier roIIIng pIn wenL IIvIng. AbruIum dIdn`L move, LIe wInd bIowIng
pusL IIm wILIouL so mucI us rusLIIng IIs juckeL, us II IL wus us LerrIIIed
oI IIm us LIe resL oI us.
wouIdn`L sweur, bov. He smIIed, u LerrIbIe, IIIeIess smIIe. wouId
pruv.
1=6J6=
9.19
Winds of Hell
TIe wInd rusIed LIrougI mv wIndow wILI u Iorce so powerIuI IL Look
evervLIIng on Lop oI mv desk wILI IL. Books und pupers, even mv buck-
puck, LwIsLed In LIe uIr, swIrIIng IIke u Lornudo Lrupped In u boLLIe. TIe
Lowers oI sIoe boxes LIuL IIned mv wuIIs crusIed Lo LIe IIoor, sendIng
evervLIIng Irom comIc books Lo mv boLLIe cup coIIecLIon Irom IIrsL
grude IIvIng LIrougI LIe uIr. grubbed IoId oI Ammu, wIo wus so LInv
wus worrIed sIe mIgIL geL pIcked up wILI evervLIIng eIse.
WIuL`s IuppenIn`? couId Ieur Ink veIIIng Irom somewIere beIInd
me, buL couIdn`L see IIm.
AbruIum wus sLundIng In LIe cenLer oI LIe room, IIs voIce cuIIIng InLo
LIe cIurnIng bIuck vorLex. To LIose wIo Iuve brougIL desLrucLIon In-
Lo mv Iouse, InvILe cIuos InLo vours. TIe wInd cIrcIed uround IIm
wILIouL even cuLcIIng IIs couLLuIIs. He wus commundIng IL. TIe
Order Is Broken. TIe Door Is Open. ArIse, Ascend, DesLrov! HIs voIce
grew Iouder. Ratio Fracta est! Ianua Aperta est! Sugite, Ascendite,
Exscindite! Now Ie wus sIouLIng. Ratio Fracta est! Ianua Aperta
est! Sugite, Ascendite, Exscindite!
TIe swIrIIng uIr durkened und begun Lo Luke sIupe. TIe Iuzv bIuck
Iorms jerked ouL oI LIe spIruI, us II LIev were cIImbIng LIeIr wuv ouL oI
LIe vorLex und IurIIng LIemseIves over LIe edge, InLo LIe worId.
WIIcI seemed preLLv dIsLurbIng, consIderIng wIuL LIev were IurIIng
LIemseIves InLo wus LIe mIddIe oI mv bedroom.
knew wIuL LIev were. `d seen LIem beIore. never wunLed Lo see
LIem uguIn.
Vexes-LIe Demons LIuL InIubILed LIe Underground, voId oI souI und
sIupe-erupLed Irom LIe wInd, curIIng InLo durk Iorms LIuL moved
ucross mv pIuIn bIue ceIIIng, growIng unLII IL seemed IIke LIev wouId
suck uII LIe uIr Irom LIe room ILseII. TIe creuLures oI sIudow moved
IIke u LIIck, cIurnIng Iog, sIIILIng In LIe uIr. remembered LIe one
LIuL Iud uImosL uLLucked us ouLsIde ExIIe-LIe LerrIIvIng screum wIen
IL reured buck und opened ILs juws. As LIe sIudows grew InLo beusLs In
IronL oI us, knew LIe screumIng wouIdn`L be Iur beIInd.
Ammu LrIed Lo wresLIe Iree Irom mv urms, buL wouIdn`L IeL go. SIe
wouId Iuve uLLucked AbruIum wILI Ier bure Iunds II `d IeL Ier. Don`L
vou come InLo mv Iouse LIInkIn` vou cun brIng u worId u evII LIrougI
one LInv cruck In LIe skv.
Your Iouse? TIIs seems more IIke LIe Wuvwurd`s Iouse Lo me. And
LIe Wuvwurd Is exucLIv LIe person Lo sIow mv IrIends LIe wuv In,
LIrougI vour LInv cruck In LIe skv.
Ammu cIosed Ier eves, murmurIng Lo IerseII. AunL DeIIIuI, UncIe
Abner, Grundmummu SuIIu.. SIe wus LrvIng Lo cuII LIe GreuLs, Ier
uncesLors In LIe OLIerworId, wIo Iud proLecLed us Irom LIe Vexes
LwIce beIore. TIev were LIeIr own Iorce Lo be reckoned wILI.
AbruIum IuugIed, IIs voIce currvIng ubove LIe IIssIng wInd. No need
Lo cuII up vour gIosLs, oId womun. We were jusL IeuvIng. couId Ieur
LIe rIp begIn beIore Ie demuLerIuIIzed. BuL don`L worrv. `II see vou
soon. Sooner LIun vou`d IIke.
TIen Ie rIpped open LIe skv und sLepped LIrougI IL. Gone.
1=J6=
BeIore unv oI us couId suv u word, LIe Vexes sIoL ouL mv open wIn-
dow, u sIngIe sLreuk oI bIuck movIng ubove LIe sIeepIng Iouses on CoL-
Lon Bend. AL LIe end oI LIe sLreeL, LIe IIne oI Demons dIvIded In dIIIer-
enL dIrecLIons, IIke LIe IIngers oI u durk Iund wruppIng ILseII uround
our Lown.
Mv room wus sLrungeIv quIeL. Ink LrIed Lo nuvIguLe uround LIe pupers
und comIc books seLLIIng on LIe IIoor. BuL Ie couId bureIv sLund sLIII.
Mun, LIougIL LIev were gonnu drug us down Lo IeII, or wIerever
LIev cume Irom. Muvbe mv mom Is rIgIL und IL Is LIe End u Duvs. He
scruLcIed IIs Ieud. We`re Iuckv LIev`re gone.
Ammu wuIked over Lo LIe wIndow, rubbIng LIe goId cIurm sIe wore
uround Ier neck. TIev`re noL gone und we`re noL Iuckv. OnIv u IooI
wouId LIInk eILIer.
TIe Iubbers buzzed underneuLI LIe wIndow, LIe broken svmpIonv oI
desLrucLIon LIuL Iud become LIe sound Lruck oI our IIves. Ammu`s ex-
pressIon wus jusL us broken, u mIx oI Ieur und sorrow und someLIIng
`d never seen beIore.
UnreudubIe, InscruLubIe Ammu. SLurIng ouL uL LIe nIgIL.
TIe IoIe In LIe skv. L`s geLLIn` bIgger.
TIere wus no wuv we couId go buck Lo sIeep, und LIere wus no wuv
Ammu wus IeLLIng us ouL oI Ier sIgIL, so LIe LIree oI us suL uround LIe
scurred pIne LubIe In LIe kILcIen IIsLenIng Lo LIe cIock LIck. uckIIv, mv
dud wus In CIurIesLon, IIke Ie wus mosL weeknIgILs now LIuL Ie wus
LeucIIng uL LIe unIversILv. TonIgIL wouId`ve senL IIm buck Lo BIue Ho-
rIzons Ior sure.
16oJ6=
couId LeII Ammu wus dIsLrucLed becuuse sIe cuL Ink u sIIce oI
cIocoIuLe pecun pIe wIen sIe cuL one Ior me. He mude u Iuce und sIId
IL onLo LIe cIInu pIuLe nexL Lo ucIIIe`s wuLer dIsI. ucIIIe snIIIed IL
und wuIked uwuv, curIIng up quIeLIv under Ammu`s wooden cIuIr. NoL
even ucIIIe Iud un uppeLILe LonIgIL.
Bv LIe LIme Ammu goL up Lo puL on LIe wuLer Ior Leu, Ink wus so resL-
Iess Ie wus bungIng ouL u Lune on LIe pIuce muL wILI IIs Iork. He
Iooked uL me. Remember LIe duv LIev served LIuL nusLv cIocoIuLe
pecun pIe In LIe cuIeLerIu, und Dee Dee GuInness LoId evervone LIuL
vou were LIe one wIo guve EmIIv LIe VuIenLIne`s Duv curd no one
sIgned?
YeuI. pIcked uL LIe drIed gIue on LIe LubIe Irom wIen wus u kId.
Mv pIe suL unLoucIed. WuIL, wIuL? Iudn`L been IIsLenIng.
Dee Dee GuInness wus preLLv cuLe. Ink wus smIIIng Lo IImseII.
WIo? Iud no Ideu wIo Ie wus LuIkIng ubouL.
HeIIo? You goL so mud vou sLepped on u Iork und crusIed IL? And
LIev dIdn`L IeL vou buck In LIe cuIeLerIu Ior u wIoIe sIx monLIs? Ink
exumIned IIs Iork.
remember LIe Iork, LIInk. BuL don`L remember unvone numed
Dee Dee. L wus u IIe. couIdn`L even remember LIe Iork. Come Lo
LIInk oI IL, couIdn`L remember LIe vuIenLIne eILIer.
Ink sIook IIs Ieud. We`ve known Ier our wIoIe IIves, und sIe
LoLuIIv ruLLed vou ouL In LIIrd grude. How couId vou IorgeL Ier?
dIdn`L unswer, und Ie wenL buck Lo LuppIng IIs Iork.
Good question.
161J6=
Ammu brougIL Ier Leucup Lo LIe LubIe, und we suL In sIIence. L wus
IIke we were wuILIng Ior u LIduI wuve Lo crusI down over us, und IL wus
Loo IuLe Lo puck or punIc or run. WIen LIe pIone rung, even Ammu
jumped.
WIo`d be cuIIIng LIIs IuLe? suId IuLe, buL meunL eurIv. L wus uI-
mosL sIx In LIe mornIng. We uII were LIInkIng LIe sume LIIng:
WIuLever wus IuppenIng, wIuLever AbruIum Iud IeL Ioose on LIe
worId-LIIs wouId be IL.
Ink sIrugged, und Ammu pIcked up LIe bIuck roLurv pIone LIuL Iud
been on LIe wuII sInce mv dud wus u kId. HeIIo?
wuLcIed us sIe IIsLened Lo LIe cuIIer on LIe oLIer end oI LIe IIne. Ink
rupped on LIe LubIe In IronL oI me. L`s u Iudv, buL cun`L LeII wIo IL Is.
SIe`s LuIkIn` Loo IusL.
Ieurd Ammu`s breuLI cuLcI, und sIe Iung up LIe pIone. or u
second, sIe sLood LIere IoIdIng LIe receIver.
Ammu, wIuL`s wrong?
SIe Lurned uround, Ier eves wuLerIng. WesIev IncoIn, do vou Iuve
LIuL cur u vours? Mv dud Iud Luken LIe VoIvo Lo LIe unIversILv.
Ink nodded. Yes, mu`um. L`s u IILLIe dIrLv, buL-
Ammu wus uIreudv IuIIwuv Lo LIe IronL door. Hurrv up. We`ve goL Lo
go.
Ink puIIed uwuv Irom LIe curb u IILLIe sIower LIun usuuI, Ior Ammu`s
suke. `m noL sure sIe wouId`ve noLIced or cured II Ie`d skIdded down
LIe sLreeL on Lwo wIeeIs. SIe suL In LIe IronL seuL, sLurIng sLruIgIL
uIeud, cIuLcIIng LIe IundIes oI Ier pockeLbook.
16zJ6=
Ammu, wIuL`s wrong? WIere ure we goIng? wus IeunIng Iorwurd
Irom LIe buckseuL, und sIe dIdn`L even veII uL me ubouL noL weurIng
mv seuL beIL. SomeLIIng wus deIInILeIv wrong.
WIen Ink Lurned onLo BIuckweII SLreeL, suw jusL Iow wrong.
WIuL LIe Ie- He Iooked uL Ammu und cougIed. Heck?
TIere were Lrees uII over LIe roud, Lorn Irom LIe ground, rooLs und uII.
L Iooked IIke u scene Irom one oI LIe nuLuruI dIsusLer sIows Ink
wuLcIed on LIe DIscoverv CIunneI. Mun vs. NuLure. BuL LIIs wusn`L
nuLuruI. L wus LIe resuIL oI u supernuLuruI dIsusLer-Vexes.
couId IeeI LIem, LIe desLrucLIon LIev currIed wILI LIem, beurIng
down on me. TIev Iud been Iere, on LIIs sLreeL. TIev Iud done LIIs,
und LIev`d done IL becuuse oI me.
Becuuse oI JoIn Breed.
Ammu wunLed Ink Lo Lurn down Cvpress Grove, buL LIe roud wus
bIocked, so Ie Iud Lo Lurn down MuIn. AII LIe sLreeLIIgILs were ouL,
und duvIIgIL wus jusL begInnIng Lo cuL LIrougI LIe durkness, LurnIng
LIe skv Irom bIuck Lo sIudes oI bIue. or u mInuLe, LIougIL MuIn
SLreeL mIgIL Iuve mude IL LIrougI AbruIum`s Lornudo oI Vexes, unLII
suw LIe green. Becuuse LIuL`s uII IL wus now-u green. orgeL ubouL LIe
sLoIen LIre swIng ucross LIe sLreeL. Now LIe uncIenL ouk ILseII wus gone.
And LIe sLuLue oI GeneruI JubuI A. EurIv wusn`L sLundIng proudIv In
LIe cenLer, sword druwn Ior buLLIe.
TIe GeneruI Iud IuIIen, LIe IIIL oI IIs sword broken.
TIe bIuck sIeuLI oI Iubbers LIuL Iud covered LIe sLuLue Ior weeks wus
gone. Even LIev Iud ubundoned IIm.
16J6=
couIdn`L remember u LIme wIen LIe GeneruI wusn`L LIere, guurdIng
IIs green und our Lown. He wus more LIun u sLuLue. He wus purL oI
GuLIIn, woven InLo our unLrudILIonuI LrudILIons. On LIe ourLI oI JuIv,
LIe GeneruI wore un AmerIcun IIug ucross IIs buck. On HuIIoween, Ie
wore u wILcI`s IuL, und u pIusLIc pumpkIn IuII oI cundv Iung Irom IIs
urm. or LIe ReenucLmenL oI LIe BuLLIe oI Honev HIII, someone uIwuvs
puL u reuI ConIederuLe Irock couL over IIs permunenL bronze one. TIe
GeneruI wus one oI us, wuLcIIng over GuLIIn Irom IIs posL, generuLIon
uILer generuLIon.
Iud uIwuvs Ioped LIIngs wouId cIunge In mv Lown, unLII LIev sLurLed
cIungIng. Now wunLed GuLIIn Lo go buck Lo LIe borIng Lown `d
known uII mv IIIe. TIe wuv LIIngs were wIen IuLed LIe wuv LIIngs
were. Buck wIen couId see LIIngs comIng, und noLIIng ever cume.
dIdn`L wunL Lo see LIIs.
wus sLIII sLurIng uL LIe IuIIen GeneruI LIrougI LIe buck wIndow wIen
Ink sIowed down. Mun, IL Iooks IIke u bomb wenL oII.
TIe sIdewuIks In IronL oI LIe sLores LIuL IIned MuIn were covered wILI
gIuss. TIe wIndows Iud bIown ouL oI everv one oI LIem, IeuvIng LIe
sLores numeIess und exposed. couId see LIe puInLed goId und Irom
LIe ILLIe MIss wIndow, sepuruLed Irom LIe oLIer IeLLers. DIrLv IoL-
pInk und red dresses IILLered LIe sIdewuIk, LIousunds oI LInv sequIns
reIIecLIng LIe bILs und pIeces oI our evervduv IIves.
TIuL`s no bomb, WesIev IncoIn.
Mu`um?
Ammu wus sLurIng ouL uL wIuL wus IeIL oI MuIn. Bombs drop Irom LIe
Ieuvens. TIIs cume Irom IeII. SIe dIdn`L suv unoLIer word us sIe
16qJ6=
poInLed Lowurd LIe end oI LIe sLreeL. Keep driving. TIuL`s wIuL sIe
wus suvIng.
Ink dId, und neILIer one oI us usked wIere we were goIng. I Ammu
Iudn`L LoId me bv now, sIe wusn`L pIunnIng Lo. Muvbe we weren`L go-
Ing unvwIere specIIIc. Muvbe Ammu jusL wunLed Lo see wIIcI purLs oI
our Lown Iud been spured und wIIcI Iud been Iorsuken.
TIen suw LIe red und wIILe IIusIIng IIgILs uL LIe end oI LIe sLreeL.
Huge pIIIows oI bIuck smoke poured InLo LIe uIr. SomeLIIng wus on
IIre. NoL jusL someLIIng In Lown, buL LIe IeurL und souI oI our Lown, uL
IeusL Ior me.
A pIuce wIere LIougIL wouId uIwuvs be suIe.
TIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv-evervLIIng LIuL meunL unvLIIng Lo MurI-
un, und uII LIuL wus IeIL oI mv moLIer-wus enguIIed In IIumes. A LeIe-
pIone poIe wus wedged In LIe mIddIe oI ILs crusIed rooI, orunge
IIumes euLIng uwuv uL LIe wood on boLI sIdes. WuLer wus pourIng Irom
LIe IIre Ioses, buL us soon us LIev puL ouL LIe IIre In one pIuce, unoLIer
IgnILed. PusLor Reed, wIo IIved down LIe sLreeL, wus LIrowIng buckeLs
oI wuLer uround LIe perImeLer, IIs Iuce couLed In usI. AL IeusL IIILeen
members oI IIs congreguLIon Iud guLIered Lo IeIp, wIIcI wus IronIc,
consIderIng mosL oI LIem Iud sIgned one oI Mrs. IncoIn`s peLILIons Lo
Iuve books bunned Irom LIe IIbrurv LIev were LrvIng Lo suve. Book
bunners ure no beLLer LIun book burners. TIuL`s wIuL mv mom used
Lo suv. never LIougIL LIere wouId come u duv wIen `d ucLuuIIv see
books burnIng.
Ink sIowed down, weuvIng beLween LIe purked curs und IIre engInes.
TIe IIbrurv! MurIun`s gonnu Ireuk. You LIInk LIose LIIngs dId LIIs?
You LIInk LIev dIdn`L? Mv voIce sounded Iur uwuv, IIke IL wusn`L
mIne. eL me ouL. Mv mom`s books ure In LIere.
16=J6=
Ink sLurLed Lo puII over, buL Ammu puL Ier Iund on LIe wIeeI. Keep
drIvIn`.
WIuL? IIgured sIe wus brIngIng us Iere becuuse LIe voIunLeer IIre-
men needed IeIp pourIng wuLer on LIe resL oI LIe rooI so IL dIdn`L
cuLcI IIre. We cun`L Ieuve. TIev mIgIL need our IeIp. L`s MurIun`s
IIbrurv.
Its my moms library.
Ammu wouIdn`L Iook uwuv Irom LIe wIndow. suId keep drIvIng, un-
Iess vou wunL Lo puII over und IeL me drIve. MurIun`s noL In LIere, und
sIe`s noL LIe onIv one needIn` our IeIp LonIgIL.
How do vou know? Ammu Lensed. We boLI knew wus quesLIonIng
Ier ubIIILIes us u Seer, LIe gIIL LIuL wus us mucI u purL oI Ier us LIe IIb-
rurv wus u purL oI mv mom.
Ammu sLured sLruIgIL uIeud, Ier knuckIes LurnIng wIILe us sIe
cIuLcIed LIe IundIes oI Ier pockeLbook. TIev`re onIv books.
or u second, dIdn`L know wIuL Lo suv. L wus IIke sIe`d sIupped me In
LIe Iuce. BuL IIke u sIup, uILer LIe InILIuI sLIng, evervLIIng wus cIeurer.
WouId vou suv LIuL Lo MurIun-or Mom II sIe wus Iere? TIev`re u
pIece oI our IumIIv-
Tuke u Iook beIore vou IecLure me ubouL vour IumIIv, ELIun WuLe.
WIen IoIIowed Ier eves pusL LIe IIbrurv, knew Ammu Iudn`L been
LukIng sLock. SIe uIreudv knew wIuL we`d IosL. wus LIe IusL one Lo IIg-
ure IL ouL. AImosL.
Mv IeurL wus IummerIng und mv IIsLs were cIencIed bv LIe LIme Ink
poInLed down LIe sLreeL. OI, mun. sn`L LIuL vour uunLs` pIuce?
166J6=
nodded, buL dIdn`L suv unvLIIng. couIdn`L IInd LIe words.
L wus. Ammu snIIIed. Keep drIvIn`.
couId uIreudv see LIe red gIure oI LIe umbuIunce und IIre engIne
purked on LIe Iuwn oI LIe SIsLers` Iouse-or wIuL used Lo be LIeIr
Iouse. YesLerduv, IL Iud been u proud, wIILe, Lwo-sLorv ederuI, wILI u
wrupuround porcI und u mukesIIIL rump Ior AunL Mercv`s wIeeIcIuIr.
Toduv, IL wus IuII u Iouse, cuL down LIe cenLer IIke u cIIId`s doIIIouse.
BuL InsLeud oI perIecL urrungemenLs oI IurnILure In everv room,
evervLIIng In LIe SIsLers` Iouse wus upLurned und Lorn upurL. TIe bIue
crusIed-veIveL soIu wus IvIng on ILs buck, end LubIes und rockIng
cIuIrs pusIed up uguInsL IL, us II LIe conLenLs oI LIe Iouse Iud sIId Lo
one sIde. rumes were pIIed on Lop oI beds, wIere LIev Iud IuIIen oII
LIe wuIIs. And LIe eerIe cuLouL Iuced u mounLuIn oI rubbIe: wooden
bourds, sIeeLs oI pIusLer, unIdenLIIIubIe pIeces oI IurnILure, u porceIuIn
cIuw-IooL Lub-LIe IuII oI LIe Iouse LIuL Iudn`L survIved.
sLuck mv Ieud ouL LIe cur wIndow, sLurIng up uL LIe Iouse. IeIL IIke
LIe BeuLer wus roIIIng In sIow moLIon. n mv Ieud, counLed wIuL Iud
been rooms. TIeImu`s wus downsLuIrs, In LIe buck, cIosesL Lo LIe
screen door. Her room wus sLIII LIere. AunL Gruce und AunL Mercv
sIured LIe durkesL room, beIInd LIe sLuIrs. And couId sLIII see LIe
sLuIrs. TIuL wus someLIIng. LIcked LIem oII In mv Ieud.
Aunt Grace and Aunt Mercy and Thelma.
Aunt Prue.
couIdn`L IInd Ier room. couIdn`L IInd Ier pInk IIowered bedspreud
wILI uII LIe IILLIe LInv buIIs on IL, wIuLever LIev were cuIIed. couIdn`L
IInd Ier moLIbuII-smeIIIng cIoseL und Ier moLIbuII-smeIIIng dresser
und Ier moLIbuII-smeIIIng rug rug.
16;J6=
L wus uII gone, us II some gIunL IIsL Iud come down Irom LIe skv und
puIverIzed IL InLo dusL und debrIs.
TIe sume gIunL IIsL Iud spured LIe resL oI LIe sLreeL. TIe oLIer Iouses
on OId Ouk Roud were unLoucIed, wILIouL so mucI us u IuIIen Lree or
broken rooI sIIngIe In LIeIr vurds. L Iooked IIke LIe resuIL oI u reuI Lor-
nudo, LIe wuv IL LoucIed down rundomIv, desLrovIng one Iouse wIIIe
IeuvIng LIe one nexL door perIecLIv InLucL. BuL LIIs wusn`L LIe rundom
resuIL oI u nuLuruI dIsusLer. knew wIose gIunL IIsL IL wus.
L wus u messuge Ior me.
Ink guIded LIe BeuLer Lo LIe curb, und Ammu wus ouL oI LIe cur be-
Iore IL even sLopped. SIe Ieuded rIgIL Ior LIe umbuIunce, us II sIe
uIreudv knew wIuL we were goIng Lo IInd. Iroze, mv sLomucI
cIurnIng.
TIe pIone cuII. L Iudn`L been LIe greuLer GuLIIn gossIp grupevIne, re-
porLIng LIuL u LwIsLer Iud desLroved mosL oI Lown. L Iud been
someone cuIIIng Lo LeII Ammu LIuL mv uncIenL greuL-uunLs` Iouse Iud
cuved In und-wIuL? Ink grubbed mv urm und puIIed me ucross LIe
sLreeL. PrucLIcuIIv evervone on LIe bIock wus crowded uround LIe um-
buIunce. suw LIem wILIouL seeIng unv oI LIem, becuuse IL wus uII so
surreuI. None oI IL couId possIbIv be IuppenIng. Ednu HuvnIe wus In
Ier pInk pIusLIc IuIr curIers und Iuzzv buLIrobe, despILe LIe nIneLv-de-
gree IeuL, wIIIe MeIvIn HuvnIe wus sLIII weurIng LIe wIILe undersIIrL
und sIorLs Ie Iud sIepL In. Mu und Pu RIddIe, wIo run LIe drv cIeun-
er`s ouL oI LIeIr guruge, were dressed Ior dIsusLer. Mu RIddIe wus
mudIv spInnIng Ier Iund-crunked rudIo, even LIougI LIe power dIdn`L
seem Lo be goIng ouL und recepLIon dIdn`L seem Lo be comIng In. Pu
RIddIe wouIdn`L IeL go oI IIs sIoLgun.
168J6=
Excuse me, mu` um. Sorrv. Ink eIbowed IIs wuv LIrougI LIe crowd,
unLII we were on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe umbuIunce. TIe meLuI doors
were open.
MurIun wus sLundIng on LIe brown gruss ouLsIde LIe open doors, nexL
Lo someone wrupped In u bIunkeL. TIeImu. Two LInv IIgures were
propped up beLween LIem, skInnv wIILIsI-bIue unkIes peekIng ouL
Irom under Iong, IrIIIv wIILe nIgILgowns.
AunL Mercv wus sIukIng Ier Ieud. HurIon Jumes. He doesn`L IIke
messes. He won`L IIke LIIs one bIL.
MurIun LrIed Lo wrup u bIunkeL uround Ier, buL AunL Mercv sIrugged
IL oII. You`re In sIock. You need Lo wurm up. TIuL`s wIuL LIe IIremen
suId. MurIun Iunded me u bIunkeL. SIe wus In emergencv mode, Lrv-
Ing Lo proLecL LIe peopIe sIe Ioved und mInImIze LIe dumuge-even
LIougI Ier wIoIe worId wus burnIng up u Iew bIocks uwuv. TIere wus
no wuv Lo mInImIze LIuL kInd oI dumuge.
He`s run oII, Mercv, AunL Gruce mumbIed. LoId vou, LIuL dog`s no
good. Prudence musL u IeIL LIe dog door open uguIn. couIdn`L IeIp
buL Iook Lo wIere LIe dog door Iud been, und now LIe wIoIe wuII wus
mIssIng.
sIook ouL LIe bIunkeL und Lucked IL genLIv uround AunL Mercv`s
sIouIders. SIe wus cIIngIng Lo TIeImu IIke u cIIId. We Iuve Lu LeII
Prudence June. You know sIe`s cruzv `bouL LIuL dog. We Iuve Lo LeII
Ier. SIe`II be ungrIer LIun u June wusp II sIe Ieurs IL Irom someone
eIse IIrsL.
TIeImu guLIered LIem In Ier urms. SIe`II be IIne. JusL some compIIc-
uLIons, IIke LIe ones vou Iud u Iew monLIs buck, Gruce. You
remember.
16J6=
MurIun Iooked uL TIeImu Ior u Iong LIme, IIke u moLIer cIeckIng ouL u
cIIId comIng In Irom LIe vurd. You IeeIIng uII rIgIL, MIss TIeImu?
TIeImu Iooked uImosL us conIused us LIe SIsLers usuuIIv dId. don`L
know wIuL Iuppened. One mInuLe, wus dreumIn` ubouL u IuL pIece u
George CIoonev und u IoL duLe wILI some brown sugur pound cuke,
und LIe nexL LIIng knew, LIe Iouse wus comIn` down uround us.
TIeImu`s voIce wus sIukv, IIke sIe couIdn`L IInd u wuv Lo muke sense
oI LIe words sIe wus suvIng. BureIv Iud LIme Lo geL Lo LIe gIrIs, und
wIen Iound Prudence June.
AunL Prue. dIdn`L Ieur unvLIIng eIse. MurIun Iooked uL me. SIe`s
wILI LIe purumedIcs. Don`L worrv, Ammu`s wILI Ier.
pusIed pusL MurIun, IeeIIng mv urm sIIde LIrougI Ier IIngers wIen
sIe LrIed Lo grub IL. Two purumedIcs Ieuned over someone IvIng on u
sLreLcIer. Tubes Iung Irom meLuI poIes und dIsuppeured InLo mv
uunL`s IruII bodv In pIuces couIdn`L see, covered wILI wIILe Lupe. TIe
purumedIcs were IookIng bugs oI cIeur IIuId onLo more meLuI poIes,
LIeIr voIces ImpossIbIe Lo Ieur over LIe cIuoLIc cIuLLer oI voIces, sobs,
und sIrens. Ammu kneIL nexL Lo Ier, IoIdIng Ier IImp Iund und wIIs-
perIng. wondered II sIe wus pruvIng or LuIkIng Lo LIe GreuLs. Prob-
ubIv boLI.
SIe`s noL deud. Ink cume up beIInd me. cun smeII Ier- meun,
cun LeII. He InIuIed uguIn. Copper und suIL und red-eve gruvv.
smIIed, In spILe oI evervLIIng, und IeL ouL LIe breuLI wus IoIdIng.
WIuL ure LIev suvIng? s sIe gonnu be okuv?
Ink IIsLened Lo LIe purumedIcs IeunIng over AunL Prue. don`L know.
TIev`re suvIn` wIen LIe Iouse IeII sIe Iud u sLroke, und sIe`s
unresponsIve.
1;oJ6=
Lurned buck Lo Iook uL AunL Mercv und AunL Gruce. Ammu und
TIeImu IeIped LIem InLo wIeeIcIuIrs, wuvIng oII LIe voIunLeer IIre-
IIgILers us II LIev dIdn`L know LIe men were reuIIv Mr. RuwIs, wIo
IIIIed LIeIr prescrIpLIons uL LIe SLop & SLeuI, und Ed undrv, wIo
pumped LIeIr gus uL LIe BP.
benL down und pIcked up u pIece oI gIuss Irom LIe rubbIe uL mv IeeL.
couIdn`L LeII wIuL IL Iud been, buL LIe coIor oI LIe gIuss mude me LIInk
IL wus AunL Prue`s green gIuss cuL, LIe one sIe`d kepL proudIv on dIs-
pIuv nexL Lo Ier gIuss grupes. Lurned IL over und suw IL Iud u round
red sLIcker on IL. Murked, IIke evervLIIng In LIe SIsLers` Iouse, Ior one
reIuLIve or unoLIer, wIen LIev dIed.
A red sLIcker.
TIe cuL wus meunL Ior me. TIe cuL, LIe rubbIe, LIe IIre-uII oI IL wus
meunL Ior me. sLuck LIe broken green gIuss In mv pockeL und
wuLcIed IeIpIessIv us mv uunLs were wIeeIed Lowurd LIe onIv oLIer
umbuIunce In Lown.
Ammu sIoL me u Iook, und knew wIuL IL meunL. Dont say a word
and dont do a thing. L meunL go Iome, Iock LIe doors, und sLuv ouL oI
IL. BuL sIe knew couIdn`L.
One word kepL IIgILIng ILs wuv buck InLo mv mInd. Unresponsive.
AunL Gruce und AunL Mercv wouIdn`L undersLund wIuL IL meunL wIen
LIe docLors LoId LIem AunL Prue wus unresponsIve. TIev wouId Ieur
wIuL Ieurd wIen Ink suId IL.
UnresponsIve.
As good us deud.
1;1J6=
And IL wus mv IuuIL. Becuuse couIdn`L LeII AbruIum Iow Lo IInd JoIn
Breed.
JoIn Breed.
EvervLIIng snupped InLo Iocus.
TIe muLunL ncubus wIo Iud Ied us InLo SuruIIne und AbruIum`s
Lrup-wIo Iud LrIed Lo sLeuI LIe gIrI Ioved, und Iud Turned mv besL
IrIend-wus desLrovIng mv IIIe one more LIme. Mv IIIe und LIe peopIe
Ioved.
Becuuse oI IIm, AbruIum Iud unIeusIed LIe Vexes. Becuuse oI IIm,
mv Lown wus desLroved und mv uunL wus neurIv deud. Books were
burnIng, und Ior LIe IIrsL LIme, IL wusn`L becuuse oI smuII mInds or
smuII peopIe.
Mucon und Iv were rIgIL. L wus uII ubouL IIm.
JoIn Breed wus LIe one Lo bIume.
mude u IIsL. L wusn`L u gIunL IIsL, buL IL wus mIne. So wus LIIs. Mv
probIem. wus u Wuvwurd. I wus supposed Lo IInd LIe wuv-Lo be
LIere Ior some greuL und LerrIbIe purpose, or wIuLever IL wus MurIun
und Iv Iud suId LIe CusLers wouId need me Lo Ieud LIem InLo or ouL
oI- Iud Iound IL. And now Iud Lo IInd JoIn Breed.
TIere wus no goIng buck, noL uILer Loduv.
One umbuIunce puIIed uwuv. TIen unoLIer. TIe sIrens ecIoed down
LIe sLreeL, und us LIev dIsuppeured In IronL oI me, sLurLed Lo run.
LIougIL ubouL enu. run IusLer. LIougIL ubouL mv mom und Ammu
und AunL Prue und MurIun. run unLII couIdn`L cuLcI mv breuLI, unLII
1;zJ6=
LIe IIre Lrucks were so Iur beIInd me LIuL couIdn`L Ieur LIe sIrens
unvmore.
sLopped wIen reucIed LIe IIbrurv, und sLood LIere. TIe IIumes were
gone, Ior LIe mosL purL. Smoke wus sLIII sLreumIng InLo LIe skv. TIe
wuv LIe usI swIrIed In LIe uIr, IL Iooked IIke snow. Boxes oI books,
some bIuck, oLIers soukIng weL, were pIIed In IronL oI LIe buIIdIng.
L wus sLIII sLundIng, u good IuII oI IL. BuL IL dIdn`L muLLer, noL Lo me. L
wouId never smeII LIe sume uguIn. Mv moLIer, wIuL wus IeIL oI Ier In
GuLIIn, wus IInuIIv gone. You couIdn`L unburn LIe books. You couId
onIv buv new ones. And LIose puges wouId never Iuve been LoucIed
bv Ier Iunds, or bookmurked wILI u spoon.
A purL oI Ier Iud dIed LonIgIL, uII over uguIn.
dIdn`L know mucI ubouL eonurdo du VIncI. WIuL Iud LIe book suId?
Muvbe wus IeurnIng Iow Lo IIve, or muvbe wus IeurnIng Iow Lo dIe.
AILer Loduv, IL couId go eILIer wuv. Muvbe sIouId IIsLen Lo EmIIv
DIckInson und IeL LIe mudness begIn Lo muke sense. EILIer wuv, IL wus
Poe wIo sLuck wILI me.
Becuuse Iud LIe IeeIIng wus deep InLo LIuL durkness peerIng, ubouL
us deep us u person couId be.
puIIed LIe pIece oI green gIuss ouL oI mv pockeL und sLured uL IL, us II
IL couId LeII me wIuL needed Lo know.
1;J6=
9.25
Ladies of the House
ELIun WuLe, cun vou IeLcI me some sweeL Leu? AunL Mercv cuIIed
Irom LIe IIvIng room.
AunL Gruce dIdn`L mIss u beuL. ELIun, don`L vou be geLLIn` Ier unv
sweeL Leu. SIe`II Iuve Lu use LIe powder room II sIe drInks unv more.
ELIun, don`L vou IIsLen Lu Gruce. SIe`s goL u meun sLreuk u mIIe Iong
und Len powder rooms wIde.
Iooked uL enu, wIo wus IoIdIng u pIusLIc pILcIer oI sweeL Leu In Ier
Iund. Wus LIuL u ves or u no?
Ammu sIummed LIe door sIuL und IeId ouL Ier Iund Ior LIe pILcIer.
Don`L vou Lwo Iuve some Iomework Lo do? enu urcIed un evebrow
und smIIed buck, reIIeved. SInce AunL Prue Iud gone Lo CounLv Cure
und LIe SIsLers Iud moved In wILI us, IeIL IIke Iudn`L been uIone
wILI enu In weeks.
Look enu`s Iund und puIIed Ier Lowurd LIe kILcIen door.
You ready to make a run for it?
Im ready.
We rusIed InLo LIe IuII us IusL us we couId, LrvIng Lo muke IL Lo LIe
sLuIrs. AunL Gruce wus bundIed up on LIe coucI, Ier IIngers Iooked
LIrougI LIe IoIes oI Ier IuvorILe crocIeLed uIgIun, wIIcI wus ubouL
Len dIIIerenL sIudes oI brown. L muLcIed our IIvIng room perIecLIv,
now sLucked IIoor Lo ceIIIng wILI brown curdbourd boxes IuII oI
evervLIIng LIe SIsLers Iud mude mv dud und me IuuI ouL oI LIeIr
Iouse IusL week.
TIev Iudn`L been suLIsIIed wILI LIe LIIngs LIuL Iud ucLuuIIv survIved:
uImosL evervLIIng Irom AunL Gruce und AunL Mercv`s bedroom, u
bruss spILLoon LIuL uII IIve oI AunL Prue`s Iusbunds Iud used (und nev-
er cIeuned), Iour oI LIe spoons Irom AunL Gruce`s SouLIern spoon coI-
IecLIon und LIe wooden dIspIuv ruck, u sLuck oI dusLv pIoLo uIbums,
Lwo mIsmuLcIed dInIng room cIuIrs, LIe pIusLIc Iuwn Irom LIeIr IronL
vurd, und Iundreds oI unopened mInIuLure jeIIv jurs LIev Iud swIped
Irom MIIIIe`s BreukIusL `n` BIscuILs. BuL LIe LIIngs LIuL Iud survIved
weren`L enougI. TIev Iud Ienpecked us unLII we drugged LIe broken
sLuII ouL, Loo.
MosL oI IL Iud sLuved In LIe boxes, buL AunL Gruce Iud InsIsLed LIuL
decoruLIng wouId IeIp euse LIeIr suIIerIn`, so Ammu IeL LIem puL
some oI LIeIr LIIngs uround LIe Iouse. WIIcI wus LIe reuson HurIon
Jumes , HurIon Jumes , und HurIon Jumes -uII preserved LIunks
Lo wIuL AunL Prue cuIIed LIe delicate SouLIern urL oI LuxIdermv-were
sLurIng uL me rIgIL now. HurIon Jumes sILLIng, HurIon Jumes
sLundIng, und HurIon Jumes sIeepIng. L wus LIe sIeepIng HurIon
Jumes LIuL reuIIv dIsLurbed me; AunL Gruce kepL IL-IIm-nexL Lo LIe
coucI, und one wuv or unoLIer, someone sLubbed u Loe on IIm everv
LIme LIev wuIked bv.
It could be worse, Ethan. He could be on the couch.
AunL Mercv wus suIkIng In Ier wIeeIcIuIr In IronL oI LIe LeIevIsIon,
cIeurIv ugILuLed sIe`d IosL LIIs mornIng`s buLLIe over LIe coucI. Mv dud
wus sILLIng nexL Lo Ier, reudIng LIe puper. How ure vou kIds doIng
1;6J6=
Loduv? L`s nIce Lo see vou, enu. HIs expressIon suId, Get out while
you can.
enu smIIed uL IIm. You, Loo, Mr. WuLe.
He Iud been LukIng u duv oII Iere und LIere wIen Ie couId, Lo keep
Ammu Irom IosIng Ier mInd.
AunL Mercv wus grIppIng LIe remoLe, even LIougI LIe LeIevIsIon
wusn`L on, und wuved IL uL me. WIere do vou Lwo IovebIrds LIInk
vou`re oII Lu?
Head for the stairs, L.
ELIun, don`L LeII me vou`re LIInkIn` u LukIn` u voung Iudv upsLuIrs.
TIuL wouIdn`L be proper. AunL Mercv cIIcked LIe remoLe uL me, us II
sIe couId puL me on puuse beIore mude IL Lo mv room. SIe Iooked
over uL enu. You keep vour cuLe IILLIe Iunnv ouL u bovs` rooms,
CIIckudee.
Mercv vnne!
Gruce Ann!
don`L wunL Lu Ieur LIuL kIndu dIrLv LuIk comIn` Irom vou.
WIuL, Iunnv? unnv Iunnv Iunnv!
Ethan! Get me out of here.
Dont stop.
AunL Gruce snIIIed. `Course Ie`s noL LukIn` Ier upsLuIrs. HIs duddv
wouId roII over In IIs gruve.
1;;J6=
`m rIgIL Iere. Mv dud wuved uL Ier.
HIs mummu, AunL Mercv correcLed.
AunL Gruce wuved Ier IundkercIIeI, LIe one LIuL wus permunenLIv
gIued Lo LIe InsIde oI Ier curIed Iund. Mercv vnne, vou musL be
goIn` senIIe. TIuL`s wIuL suId.
You mosL cerLuInIv dId noL. Ieurd vou cIeur us u beII, wILI mv good
eur. You suId IIs duddv`d be-
AunL Gruce Lossed LIe uIgIun usIde. You couIdn`L Ieur u beII II IL crepL
up beIInd vou und bIL vou In LIe sweeL-
SweeL Leu, IudIes? Ammu uppeured wILI u Lruv, jusL In LIme. enu und
snuck up LIe sLuIrs wIIIe Ammu bIocked LIe vIew Irom LIe IIvIng
room. TIere wus no geLLIng pusL LIe SIsLers, even wILIouL AunL Prue.
And LIere Iudn`L been Ior duvs now. BeLween geLLIng LIem seLLIed In
our Iouse, und geLLIng evervLIIng LIuL wus IeIL ouL oI LIeIrs, mv dud
und Ammu und Iud been doIng noLIIng buL wuILIng on LIem Iund
und IooL sInce LIev moved In.
enu dIsuppeured InLo mv room, und cIosed LIe door beIInd me.
sIId mv urms uround Ier wuIsL, und sIe Ieuned Ier Ieud uguInsL me.
Ive missed you.
I know. Chickadee.
SIe puncIed me pIuvIuIIv.
Don`L vou cIose LIuL door, ELIun WuLe! couIdn`L LeII II LIe voIce wus
AunL Gruce`s or AunL Mercv`s, buL IL dIdn`L muLLer. On LIIs poInL LIev
1;8J6=
were In perIecL ugreemenL. TIere`re more cIIckens LIun peopIe In LIIs
worId, un` LIuL sure us summer uIn`L no uccIdenL!
enu smIIed und reucIed beIInd me, pusIIng LIe door buck open.
grouned. Don`L do LIuL.
enu LoucIed mv IIp. WIen`s LIe IusL LIme LIe SIsLers wuIked up LIe
sLuIrs?
Ieuned cIoser Lo Ier, our IoreIeuds LoucIIng. Mv puIse sLurLed rucIng
LIe second we LoucIed. Now LIuL vou menLIon IL, Ammu`s goIng Lo be
pourIng sweeL Leu unLII LIuL pILcIer runs drv.
pIcked enu up und currIed Ier over Lo mv bed, wIIcI wus reuIIv jusL
u muLLress on mv IIoor now, LIunks Lo Ink. dropped down nexL Lo
Ier, purposeIv IgnorIng mv broken wIndow, mv open door, or wIuL
wus IeIL oI mv bed.
L wus jusL LIe Lwo oI us. SIe sLured buck up uL me, one green eve und
one goId, bIuck curIs spIuved ouL on LIe muLLress uround Ier, IIke u
bIuck IuIo. Iove vou, ELIun WuLe.
propped mvseII up on mv eIbow und Iooked down uL Ier. `ve been
LoId `m verv IovubIe.
enu IuugIed. WIo LoId vou LIuL?
oLs oI gIrIs.
Her eves cIouded over Ior u second. YeuI? Ike?
Mv mom. Mv AunL CuroIIne. And Ammu. poked Ier In LIe rIbs, und
sIe sLurLed Lo squIrm, gIggIIng InLo mv sIIrL. Iove vou, .
1;J6=
You beLLer. Becuuse don`L know wIuL wouId do wILIouL vou. Her
voIce wus ruw und us IonesL us `d ever Ieurd IL.
TIere`s no me wILIouL vou, enu. Ieuned down und kIssed Ier,
IowerIng mvseII unLII mv bodv IIL perIecLIv uguInsL Iers, IIke LIev were
mude Lo be LogeLIer. Becuuse we were-no muLLer wIuL LIe unIverse or
mv puIse Iud Lo suv ubouL IL. couId IeeI LIe energv seepIng Irom me,
buL IL onIv mude mv mouLI seek ouL Iers uguIn.
enu puIIed uwuv beIore mv IeurL begun Lo pound dungerousIv.
LIInk we`d beLLer sLop, ELIun.
sIgIed und roIIed onLo mv buck nexL Lo Ier, mv Iund sLIII LungIed In
Ier IuIr. We dIdn`L even geL sLurLed.
UnLII we IIgure ouL wIv IL`s geLLIng worse-more InLense beLween
us-we Iuve Lo be cureIuI.
grubbed Ior Ier wuIsL. WIuL II suId don`L cure?
Don`L suv LIuL. You know `m rIgIL. don`L wunL Lo uccIdenLuIIv seL
vou on IIre, Loo.
don`L know. SLIII mIgIL be worLI IL.
SIe puncIed me In LIe urm, und smIIed up uL LIe ceIIIng. knew sIe
wus rIgIL. TIe onIv peopIe wIo sLIII seemed In conLroI oI LIeIr powers
were LIe ncubuses. Ruvenwood wus u mess, und so wus evervone In IL.
BuL LIuL dIdn`L muke IL unv beLLer. needed Lo LoucI Ier, IIke needed
Lo breuLIe.
Ieurd u meow. ucIIIe wus kneudIng LIe boLLom oI mv muLLress. Ever
sInce sIe IosL Ier bed Lo HurIon Jumes V, sIe Iud Luken over mIne.
18oJ6=
Mv dud Iud rusIed buck Irom CIurIesLon LIe nIgIL oI LIe so-cuIIed
LwIsLer, und Ie`d Iound AunL Prue`s dog LIe nexL duv, cowerIng In u
corner oI LIe kIndergurLen vurd. Once HurIon Jumes urrIved uL our
Iouse, Ie wusn`L mucI dIIIerenL Irom LIe SIsLers. He mude IImseII
rIgIL uL Iome In ucIIIe`s bed. EuLIng ucIIIe`s cIIcken dInners oII Ier
cIInu pIuLe. Even scruLcIIng ucIIIe`s cuL posL.
Aw, come on, ucIIIe. You`ve IIved wILI LIem Ionger LIun Iuve. BuL
IL dIdn`L muLLer. As Iong us LIe SIsLers were IIvIng wILI us, ucIIIe wus
IIvIng wILI me.
enu guve me u quIck kIss on LIe cIeek und Ieuned over LIe sIde oI LIe
bed Lo dIg LIrougI Ier bug. An oId copv oI Great Expectations sIIpped
ouL. recognIzed IL rIgIL uwuv.
WIuL`s LIuL?
enu pIcked IL up, uvoIdIng mv eves. L`s cuIIed u book. SIe knew
wIuL wus reuIIv uskIng.
s IL LIe one vou Iound In SuruIIne`s box? uIreudv knew IL wus.
ELIun, IL`s jusL u book. reud IoLs oI LIem.
L`s noL jusL u book, . WIuL`s goIng on?
enu IesILuLed, LIen IIIpped LIrougI LIe LuLLered puges. WIen sIe
reucIed u dog-eured puge, sIe sLurLed Lo reud: 'And couId Iook upon
Ier wILIouL compussIon, seeIng Ier punIsImenL In LIe ruIn sIe wus, In
Ier proIound unIILness Ior LIIs EurLI on wIIcI sIe wus pIuced..`
enu sLured InLo LIe book, us II LIere were unswers InsIde LIuL onIv sIe
couId see. TIuL pussuge wus underIIned.
181J6=
knew enu wus curIous ubouL Ier moLIer-noL SuruIIne, buL LIe wo-
mun we Iud seen In LIe vIsIon-LIe one wIo Iud crudIed enu In Ier
urms us u bubv. Muvbe enu beIIeved LIe book or LIe meLuI box oI Ier
moLIer`s LIIngs IeId LIe unswers. BuL IL dIdn`L muLLer wIuL wus under-
IIned In unv oId copv oI DIckens.
NoLIIng In LIuL box wus Iree oI LIe bIood on SuruIIne`s Iunds.
reucIed ouL und grubbed LIe book. GIve IL Lo me. BeIore enu couId
suv u word, mv bedroom Iuded uwuv-
It had started to rain, as if the sky was matching Sarafine tear for
tear. By the time she reached the Eades house, she was drenched. She
climbed the white trellis under Johns window and hesitated. She
pulled the sunglasses she stole fromWinn-Dixie out of her pocket and
put them on before knocking lightly on the glass.
Too many questions were tangled up in her mind. What was she go-
ing to tell John? How could she make him understand she was still
the same person? Would a Light Caster still love her now that she
was this?
Izabel? John was half asleep, his dark eyes staring back at her.
What are you doing out there? He grabbed her hand before she
could answer, and pulled her inside.
II needed to see you.
John reached for the lamp on his desk.
Sarafine grabbed his hand. Dont. Leave it off. Youll wake up your
parents.
18zJ6=
He looked at her more closely, his eyes adjusting to the dark. Did
something happen? Are you hurt?
She was beyond hurt, beyond hope, and there was no way to prepare
John for what she was about to tell him. He knew about her family
and the curse. But Sarafine had never told John the date of her real
birthday. She had made up a date, one that was several months
away, so he wouldnt worry. He didnt know that tonight was her
Sixteenth Moonthe night she had been dreading for as long as she
could remember.
I dont want to tell you. Sarafines voice broke as she choked back
tears.
John pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. Youre so
cold. He rubbed his hands over her arms. I love you. You can tell me
anything.
Not this, she whispered. Everythings ruined.
Sarafine thought about all the plans they had made. Going off to col-
lege together, John next year and Sarafine the year after. John was
going to study engineering, and she planned to major in literature.
She had always wanted to be a writer. After they graduated, they
would get married.
There was no point thinking about it. None of it would happen now.
John squeezed her tighter. Izabel, youre scaring me. Nothing could
ruin what we have.
Sarafine pushed him away and pulled off the sunglasses, revealing
the golden-yellow eyes of a Dark Caster. Are you sure about that?
18J6=
For a second, John only stared. What happened? I dont
understand.
She shook her head, the tears burning the skin on her icy cheeks. It
was my birthday. I never told you because I was sure I would go
Light. I didnt want you to worry. But at midnight
Sarafine couldnt finish. He knew what she was going to say. He
could see it in her eyes.
Its a mistake. It has to be. She was talking to herself as much as to
John. Imstill the same person. They say you feel different when you
go Darkyou forget about the people you care about. But I havent. I
never will.
I think it happens gradually. Johns voice trailed off.
I can fight it! I dont want to be Dark. I swear. It was too muchher
mother turning her away, her sister calling for her, losing John.
Sarafine couldnt face any more heartbreak. She crumpled, her body
sinking to the floor.
John knelt beside her, gathering her into his arms. Youre not Dark.
I dont care what color your eyes are.
No one believes that. My mother wouldnt even let me in the house.
Sarafine choked.
John pulled her up. Then well leave tonight. He grabbed a duffel
bag and started shoving clothes into it.
Where are we going to go?
18qJ6=
I dont know. Well find somewhere. John zipped the bag and pulled
her face into his hands, looking into her gold eyes.
It doesnt matter. As long as were together.
We were In mv bedroom uguIn, In LIe brIgIL uILernoon IeuL. TIe vIs-
Ion Iuded, LukIng LIe gIrI wIo seemed noLIIng IIke SuruIIne wILI IL.
TIe book dropped Lo LIe IIoor.
enu`s Iuce wus sLreuked wILI Leurs, und Ior u second sIe Iooked ex-
ucLIv IIke LIe gIrI In LIe vIsIon. JoIn Eudes wus mv dud.
Are vou sure?
SIe nodded, wIpIng Ier Iuce wILI Ier Iunds. `ve never seen u pIcLure
oI IIm, buL Grummu LoId me IIs nume. He seemed so reuI, IIke Ie wus
sLIII uIIve. And LIev reuIIv seemed Lo Iove eucI oLIer. SIe reucIed
down Lo pIck up LIe book wIere IL Iud IuIIen, open, wILI LIe cover
Iuceup, LIe worn crucks In ILs spIne prooI oI Iow munv LImes IL Iud
been reud.
Don`L LoucI IL, .
enu pIcked IL up. ELIun, `ve been reudIng IL. TIuL`s never Iuppened
beIore. LIInk IL wus becuuse we were LoucIIng IL uL LIe sume LIme.
SIe opened LIe book uguIn, und couId see durk IInes wIere someone
Iud underIIned senLences und cIrcIed pIruses. enu noLIced me LrvIng
Lo reud over Ier sIouIder. TIe wIoIe book Is IIke LIIs, murked up IIke
some kInd oI mup. jusL wIsI knew wIere IL Ied.
18=J6=
You know wIere IL Ieuds. We boLI dId. To AbruIum und LIe Durk
Ire-LIe GreuL BurrIer und durkness und deuLI.
enu dIdn`L Luke Ier eves uwuv Irom LIe book. TIIs IIne Is mv IuvorILe.
' Iuve been benL und broken, buL- Iope-InLo u beLLer sIupe.`
We Iud boLI been benL und broken bv SuruIIne.
Wus LIe resuIL u beLLer sIupe? Wus beLLer Ior wIuL `d been LIrougI?
Wus enu?
LIougIL ubouL AunL Prue IvIng In u IospILuI bed, und MurIun sIILIng
LIrougI boxes oI burnL books, cIurred documenLs, wuLerIogged pIoLo-
grupIs. Her IIIe`s work desLroved.
WIuL II LIe peopIe we Ioved were benL unLII LIev broke und were IeIL
wILI no sIupe uL uII?
Iud Lo IInd JoIn Breed beIore LIev were Loo broken Lo puL buck
LogeLIer.
186J6=
9.26
Visiting Hours
TIe nexL duv, AunL Gruce IIgured ouL wIere Mercv wus IIdIng Ier coI-
Iee Ice creum In LIe Icebox. TIe duv uILer LIuL, AunL Mercv Iound ouL
Gruce Iud been euLIng IL, und pILcIed u LIree-uIurm IIL. TIe duv uILer
LIe duv uILer LIuL, pIuved ScrubbIe wILI LIe SIsLers` nonsense words
uII uILernoon, unLII wus so beuLen down dIdn`L cIuIIenge YOUBET
us u sIngIe word, COTTON us u verb, SKUNKED us un udjecLIve, und
IFFEN us LIe Iong Iorm oI if.
wus done.
TIere wus one person wIo wusn`L LIere, LIougI. A person wIo
smeIIed IIke copper und suIL und red-eve gruvv. A person wIo mIgIL
Iuve pIuved LIe LIIes Lo speII DURNED-FOOL wIIIe sIe wus LIe
IurLIesL LIIng Irom one. A person wIo couId sIngIe-IundedIv mup ouL
mosL oI LIe CusLer TunneIs In LIe SouLI.
A Iew duvs IuLer, couIdn`L Luke IL unvmore. So wIen enu InsIsLed on
goIng Lo see AunL Prue, dIdn`L reIuse. TIe LruLI wus, wunLed Lo see
Ier. wusn`L sure wIuL AunL Prue wus goIng Lo be IIke. WouId sIe Iook
IIke sIe wus sIeepIng-LIe wuv sIe dId wIen sIe IeII usIeep on LIe
soIu? Or wouId sIe Iook LIe wuv sIe Iud In LIe umbuIunce? TIere wus
no wuv Lo LeII, und IeIL guIILv und scured.
More LIun unvLIIng, dIdn`L wunL Lo IeeI uIone.
CounLv Cure wus u reIub IucIIILv-u cross beLween u nursIng Iome und
u pIuce wIere vou wenL uILer u Iurd-core ATV uccIdenL. Or wIen vou
IIIpped u dIrL bIke, crusIed u Lruck, goL sIdeswIped bv u bIg rIg. Some
IoIks LIougIL vou were Iuckv II LIuL Iuppened, sInce vou couId muke u
IoL oI monev II LIe rIgIL Lruck IIL vou. Or vou couId end up deud. Or
boLI, us In LIe cuse oI Deucon HurrIgun, wIo ended up wILI LIe nIcesL
IeudsLone In Lown, wIIIe IIs wIIe und kIds goL uII new sIdIng und un
In-ground LrumpoIIne, und sLurLed euLIng ouL uL AppIebee`s In Sum-
mervIIIe IIve nIgILs u week. CurILon EuLon LoId Mrs. IncoIn, wIo LoId
Ink, wIo LoId me. TIe cIecks cume everv monLI sLruIgIL Irom LIe
cupILoI buIIdIng over In CoIumbIu, ruIn or sIIne. TIuL`s wIuL vou goL
wIen LIe LrusI Lruck run vou down, unvwuv.
WuIkIng InsIde CounLv Cure dIdn`L muke me IeeI IIke AunL Prue wus
Iuckv, LIougI. Even LIe sLrunge, sudden quIeL und LIe IospILuI-
sLrengLI uIr condILIonIng dIdn`L muke me IeeI beLLer. TIe wIoIe pIuce
smeIIed IIke someLIIng sIckIv sweeL, uImosL powderv. SomeLIIng bud
LrvIng Lo smeII IIke someLIIng good. Even worse, LIe Iobbv, LIe IuII-
wuvs, und LIe bumpv coLLuge cIeese ceIIIng were puInLed GuLIIn peucI.
SorL oI IIke u wIoIe Lub oI TIousund sIund dressIng poured over u
suIud bur`s worLI oI coLLuge cIeese und sIupped up on LIe ceIIIng.
Maybe French dressing.
enu wus LrvIng Lo cIeer me up.
Yeah? Either way I feel like puking.
Its okay, Ethan. Maybe it wont be so bad once we see her.
What if its worse?
L wus worse, ubouL Len IeeL IurLIer In. Bobbv MurpIv Iooked up Irom
LIe desk. usL LIme `d seen IIm, Ie`d been on LIe buskeLbuII Leum wILI
18J6=
me, IussIIng me Ior geLLIng dumped uL LIuL dunce bv ELIun-ovIng
Lurned ELIun-HuLIng EmIIv AsIer. IeL IIm do IL, Loo. He Iud been
vursILv poInL guurd LIree veurs runnIng, und nobodv messed wILI IIm.
Now Bobbv wus sILLIng beIInd LIe recepLIon desk In u peucI-coIored
orderIv`s unIIorm, und Ie dIdn`L Iook so LougI. He uIso dIdn`L Iook uII
LIuL Iuppv Lo see me. ProbubIv dIdn`L IeIp LIuL IIs IumInuLed numeLug
suId BOOBY.
Hev, Bobbv. TIougIL vou were over uL SummervIIIe CommunILv
CoIIege.
ELIun WuLe. Here vou ure, un` Iere um. Don`L know wIIcI one u us
IeeI sorrIer Ior. HIs eves IIIckered over Lo enu, buL Ie dIdn`L suv
IeIIo. TuIk wus LuIk, und wus sure Ie wus up on uII LIe IuLesL, even
wuv ouL Iere uL CounLv Cure, wIere IuII LIe IoIks couIdn`L muke u
sound.
LrIed Lo IuugI, buL IL cume ouL more IIke u cougI, und LIe sIIence
swepL buck In beLween us.
YeuI. `BouL LIme vou sIowed up, unvwuv. Your AunL Prudence Ius
been uskIn` Ior vou. He grInned, sIovIng u cIIpbourd ucross LIe
counLer.
ReuIIv? Iroze up Ior u mInuLe, LIougI sIouId Iuve known beLLer.
NuI. JusL puIIIn` vour Ieg. Here, gIve me vour JoIn Huncock und vou
cun Ieud on down Lo LIe gurden.
Gurden? Iunded IIm buck LIe cIIpbourd.
Sure. OuL buck In LIe resIdenLIuI wIng. WIere we grow uII LIe good
vegeLubIes. He smIIed, und remembered IIm buck In LIe Iocker
1oJ6=
room. Man up, Wate. Letting a freshman skirt push you around?
Youre makin us all look bad.
enu Ieuned over LIe counLer. TIuL IIne ever geL oId, Boobv?
NoL us oId us LIuL one. He sLood up ouL oI IIs cIuIr. How ubouL, '`II
sIow vou mIne, vou sIow me vours`? He sLured uL LIe pIuce wIere
enu`s sIIrL dove InLo u V uL Ier cIesL. Mv Iund cIencIed InLo u IIsL.
couId see Ier IuIr curIIng uround Ier sIouIders us sIe Ieuned even
cIoser Lo IIm. `m LIInkIng now wouId be u greuL LIme Ior vou Lo sLop
LuIkIng.
Bobbv opened und sIuL IIs mouLI IIke Ie wus u cuLIIsI sLuck wrIggIIng
on LIe boLLom oI drIed-up uke MouILrIe. He dIdn`L suv u word.
TIuL`s more IIke IL. enu smIIed und pIcked up our vIsILor budges
Irom LIe counLer.
So Iong, Bobbv, suId us we Ieuded ouL buck.
TIe IurLIer we mude IL down LIe IuII, LIe sweeLer LIe uIr und LIe
LIIcker LIe smeII. Iooked In LIe doors oI LIe rooms we pussed, eucI
one IIke some kInd oI messed-up Normun RockweII puInLIng-wIere
onIv cruppv LIIngs were IuppenIng, Irozen InLo IILLIe snupsIoLs oI
puLIeLIc IIIe.
An oId mun suL In u IospILuI bed, IIs Ieud wrupped In wIILe bunduges
LIuL mude IL uppeur gIgunLIc und surreuI. He Iooked IIke some kInd oI
uIIen, IIIppIng u IILLIe vo-vo on u meLuI Lruck, buck und IorLI. A womun
suL In LIe cIuIr ucross Irom IIm, sLILcIIng someLIIng InsIde u wood
Ioop. ProbubIv purL oI some needIepoInL Ie wouId never see. SIe
dIdn`L Iook up, und dIdn`L sIow down.
11J6=
A Leenuge bov Iuv In unoLIer bed, IIs Iund movIng ucross some puper
on Lop oI u Iuke wood-gruIn Lruv LubIe. He wus sLurIng oII InLo spuce,
drooIIng, buL IIs Iund kepL wrILIng und wrILIng, us II IL couIdn`L IeIp IL-
seII. TIe pen dIdn`L seem Lo be movIng ucross LIe puper; IL wus more
IIke LIe IeLLers were wrILIng LIemseIves. Muvbe everv word Ie`d ever
wrILLen wus In LIuL one bIg pIIe oI IeLLers, eucI one sLucked up on Lop
oI LIe nexL. Muvbe IL wus IIs wIoIe IIIe sLorv. Muvbe IL wus IIs musLer-
pIece. WIo knew? WIo cured? NoL Bobbv MurpIv.
resIsLed LIe urge Lo go Luke LIe puper und Lrv Lo decode IL.
Motorcycle accident?
Probably. I dont want to think about it, L.
enu squeezed mv Iund, und LrIed noL Lo remember Ier, bureIooL
und IeImeLIess, on LIe buck oI JoIn Breed`s HurIev.
I know it was stupid.
puIIed Ier uwuv Irom LIuL door.
A IILLIe gIrI uL LIe end oI LIe IuII Iud u roomIuI oI IoIks, buL IL wus LIe
suddesL bIrLIduv purLv `d ever seen. SIe Iud u SLop & SLeuI cuke und u
LubIe covered wILI cups oI wIuL Iooked IIke crunberrv juIce, covered
wILI pIusLIc wrup. TIuL wus ubouL IL. TIe cuke Iud u number IIve on IL,
und LIe IumIIv wus sIngIng. TIe muLcIes weren`L IIL.
Probably cant light them in here, Ethan.
What kind of crappy birthday is that?
TIe LIIck sweeLness oI LIe uIr grew worse, und gIunced LIrougI un
open doorwuv LIuL Ied InLo some kInd oI IuIIwuv kILcIen. Cuses oI
1zJ6=
Ensure, IIquId Iood, were pIIed Irom IIoor Lo ceIIIng. TIuL wus LIe
smeII-LIe Iood LIuL wusn`L Iood. or LIese IIves LIuL weren`L IIves.
or mv AunL Prue, wIo Iud sIIpped uwuv InLo LIe vusL unknown wIen
sIe wus supposed Lo be usIeep In Ier bed. Mv AunL Prue, wIo Iud
cIurLed unknown CusLer TunneIs wILI LIe precIsIon oI Ammu workIng
on one oI Ier crossword puzzIes.
L wus uII Loo IorrIbIe Lo be reuI. BuL IL wus. AII oI IL wus IuppenIng,
und noL In some TunneI wIere spuce und LIme wus dIIIerenL LIun In
LIe MorLuI worId. TIIs wus IuppenIng In GreuLer GuLIIn CounLv. L wus
IuppenIng In mv own IomeLown, Lo mv own IumIIv.
dIdn`L know II couId Iuce IL. dIdn`L wunL Lo see AunL Prue LIIs wuv.
dIdn`L wunL Lo remember Ier IIke LIIs.
Sud doorwuvs und un open cun oI Ensure, In u puke-peucI IuII.
uImosL Lurned uround, und wouId Iuve-buL LIen reucIed LIe oLI-
er sIde oI LIe doorwuv, und LIe smeII oI LIe uIr cIunged. We were
LIere. knew becuuse LIe doorwuv wus open, und LIe purLIcuIur scenL
oI LIe SIsLers crepL ouL. Rose wuLer und Iuvender, Irom LIose IILLIe
bundIes LIe SIsLers kepL In LIeIr druwers. L wus dIsLIncLIve, LIuL smeII,
LIe one Iudn`L puId mucI uLLenLIon Lo uII LIe LImes IIsLened Lo LIeIr
sLorIes.
ELIun. enu sLepped In IronL oI me. couId Ieur LIe dIsLunL Ium oI
mucIInes bevond Ier, In LIe room.
Come on. sLepped Lowurd Ier, buL sIe puL Ier Iunds on mv
sIouIders.
You know, sIe mIgIL noL be-LIere.
1J6=
LrIed Lo IIsLen, buL wus dIsLrucLed bv LIe sounds oI LIe unknown
mucIInes, doIng unknown LIIngs Lo mv enLIreIv known uunL.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? OI course sIe`s LIere. L suvs Ier nume,
rIgIL LIere on LIe door. WIIcI IL dId, on LIe kInd oI wIILebourd vou`d
IInd In u coIIege dorm, In Iuded bIuck drv-eruse murker.
STATHAM, PRUDENCE.
know Ier bodv Is LIere. BuL even II sIe`s LIere, vour AunL Prue, wILI
uII LIe LIIngs LIuL muke Ier vour AunL Prue-sIe mIgIL noL be there.
knew wIuL sIe wus suvIng, even II dIdn`L wunL Lo. WIIcI, u LIou-
sund LImes more LIun unvLIIng, dIdn`L.
puL mv Iund on LIe door. Are vou suvIng vou cun LeII? TIe wuv Ink
couId smeII Ier bIood und Ieur Ier IeurL? WouId vou be ubIe Lo-IInd
Ier?
Ind wIuL? Her souI?
s LIuL someLIIng u NuLuruI cun do? couId Ieur LIe Iope In mv
voIce.
don`L know. enu Iooked IIke sIe wus ubouL Lo crv. `m noL sure.
IeeI IIke LIere`s someLIIng `m supposed Lo do. BuL don`L know wIuL.
SIe Iooked uwuv, down Lo LIe oLIer end oI LIe IuII. couId see u wu-
Lerv sLreuk work ILs wuv down LIe sIde oI Ier juw.
You`re noL supposed Lo know, . L`s noL vour IuuIL. TIIs wIoIe LIIng
Is mv IuuIL. AbruIum cume IookIng Ior me.
1qJ6=
He dIdn`L come Ior vou. He cume Ior JoIn. SIe dIdn`L suv IL, buL
Ieurd LIe resL. Because of me. Because of my Claiming. SIe cIunged
LIe subjecL beIore Iud u cIunce Lo suv unvLIIng. usked UncIe Mu-
con wIuL Iuppens Lo peopIe wIen LIev`re In u comu.
IeId mv breuLI, In spILe oI uII LIe LIIngs dId or dIdn`L beIIeve.
And?
SIe sIrugged. He wusn`L sure. BuL CusLers beIIeve LIe spIrIL cun Ieuve
LIe bodv under cerLuIn cIrcumsLunces, IIke TruveIIng. UncIe M de-
scrIbed IL us u kInd oI Ireedom, IIke beIng u SIeer.
TIuL wouIdn`L be so bud, guess. LIougIL buck Lo LIe Leenuge bov,
mIndIessIv wrILIng, und LIe eIderIv mun wILI LIe vo-vo. TIev weren`L
TruveIIng. TIev weren`L SIeers. TIev were sLuck In LIe mosL MorLuI oI
uII condILIons. Trupped In broken-down bodIes.
No muLLer wIuL, couIdn`L IundIe LIuL. NoL Ior AunL Prue. EspecIuIIv
noL Ior mv AunL Prue.
WILIouL unoLIer word, sLepped pusL enu und InLo mv uunL`s room.
Mv AunL Prudence wus LIe smuIIesL person In LIe worId. As sIe IIked
Lo puL IL, sIe benL wILI everv pussIng veur und sIrunk wILI everv
pussIng Iusbund-und so sIe bureIv cume up Lo mv cIesL, even II sIe
couId sLund up sLruIgIL In Ier LIIck-soIed Red Cross sIoes.
BuL IvIng LIere, smuck In LIe mIddIe oI LIuL bIg IospILuI bed, wILI
everv possIbIe kInd oI Lube snukIng In und ouL oI Ier, AunL Prue
Iooked even smuIIer. SIe bureIv mude u denL In LIe muLLress. SIILs oI
IIgIL broke LIrougI LIe pIusLIc bIInds on one sIde oI Ier room, puInL-
Ing burs ucross Ier moLIonIess Iuce und bodv. TIe combIned eIIecL
1=J6=
Iooked IIke u prIson IospILuI wurd. couIdn`L Iook uL Ier Iuce. NoL uL
IIrsL.
Look u sLep cIoser Lo Ier bed. couId see LIe monILors, even II dIdn`L
know wIuL LIev were Ior. TIIngs were beepIng, IInes were movIng.
TIere wus onIv one cIuIr In LIe room, peucI-upIoIsLered und Iurd us
u rock, wILI u second, empLv bed nexL Lo IL. AILer wIuL `d seen In LIe
oLIer rooms, LIe bed Iooked IIke u wuILIng Lrup. wondered wIIcI
vurIeLv oI broken-down person wouId be cuugIL In LIere LIe nexL LIme
cume Lo see AunL Prue.
SIe`s sLubIe. You don`L need Lo worrv. Her bodv`s comIorLubIe. SIe`s
jusL noL wILI us rIgIL now. A nurse wus puIIIng sIuL LIe door beIInd
Ier. couIdn`L see Ier Iuce, buL u sIock oI durk IuIr LwIsLed ouL Irom
beneuLI Ier ponvLuII. `II Ieuve vou Ior u mInuLe, II vou`d IIke.
Prudence Iusn`L Iud u vIsILor sInce vesLerduv. `m sure IL wouId be
good Ior Ier Lo spend some LIme wILI vou.
TIe nurse`s voIce wus comIorLIng, even IumIIIur, buL beIore couId geL
u good Iook uL Ier, LIe door cIIcked sIuL. suw u vuse oI IresI IIowers
on LIe LubIe nexL Lo mv uunL`s bed. Verbenu. TIev Iooked IIke LIe
IIowers Ammu Iud resorLed Lo growIng InsIde. Summer BIuze, LIuL`s
wIuL sIe cuIIed LIem. Red us IIre ILseII.
On u IuncI, wuIked over Lo LIe wIndow und puIIed up LIe bIInds.
IgIL cume IIoodIng In, und LIe prIson dIsuppeured. TIere wus u LIIck
IIne oI wIILe suIL IInIng LIe edge oI LIe gIuss.
Ammu. SIe musL Iuve come vesLerduv wIIIe we were wILI AunL
Gruce und AunL Mercv. smIIed Lo mvseII, sIukIng mv Ieud. `m sur-
prIsed sIe onIv IeIL suIL.
16J6=
AcLuuIIv- enu puIIed u mvsLerIous-IookIng burIup bundIe, LIed wILI
LwIne, Irom under AunL Prue`s pIIIow. SIe smeIIed IL und mude u Iuce.
WeII, IL`s noL Iuvender.
`m sure IL`s Ior proLecLIon.
enu puIIed LIe cIuIr cIoser Lo LIe bed. `m gIud. `d be scured, IvIng
Iere uII bv mvseII. L`s Loo quIeL. SIe reucIed Ior AunL Prue`s Iund,
IesILuLIng. TIe V wus Luped ucross Ier knuckIes.
SpoLLed roses, LIougIL. TIose Iunds sIouId be IoIdIng u IvmnuI, or
u Iund oI gIn rummv. A cuL`s IeusI or u mup.
LrIed Lo sIuke LIe sIow-sInkIng wrongness. L`s okuv.
`m noL sure-
LIInk vou cun IoId Ier Iund, .
enu Look AunL Prue`s LInv Iund In boLI oI Ier own. SIe Iooks peuce-
IuI, IIke sIe`s sIeepIng. ook uL Ier Iuce.
couIdn`L. reucIed ouL Ior Ier, uwkwurdIv, und IeL mv Iund grub
wIuL guess wus Ier Loe, wIere LIe Iump oI Ier IooL poked LIe bIunkeL
up IIke u pup LenL.
Ethan, you dont have to be afraid.
Im not afraid, L.
You think I dont know how it feels?
How what feels?
1;J6=
To worry if someone I love is going to die.
Iooked uL Ier IoverIng over mv uunL IIke some kInd oI CusLer nurse.
I do worry, L. All the time.
I know, Ethan.
Marian. My dad. Amma. Whos next?
Iooked uL enu.
I worry about you.
Ethan dont
Let me worry about you.
ELIun, pIeuse. TIere IL wus. TIe LuIkIng. TIe LuIkIng LIuL cume wIen
LIe KeILIng becume Loo personuI. L wus one sLep buck Irom LIInkIng,
und one sLep uwuv Irom cIungIng LIe subjecL enLIreIv.
dIdn`L IeL IL drop. do, . rom LIe second wuke up unLII IuII
usIeep, und LIen In mv dreums everv second In beLween.
ELIun. ook uL Ier.
enu moved nexL Lo me und puL Ier Iund on mIne, unLII boLI oI us
were LoucIIng LIe LInv bunduged Iund LIuL beIonged Lo AunL Prue.
ook uL Ier eves.
dId.
18J6=
SIe Iooked dIIIerenL. NoL Iuppv, noL sud. Her eves were mIIkv, un-
Iocused. SIe Iooked gone, IIke LIe nurse suId.
AunL Prue Isn`L IIke LIe oLIers. beL sIe`s Iur uwuv expIorIng, IIke sIe
uIwuvs wunLed Lo. Muvbe sIe`s IInIsIIng Ier mup oI LIe TunneIs rIgIL
now. enu kIssed me on LIe cIeek und sLood up. `m goIng Lo see II
LIere`s somewIere Lo geL u drInk. Do vou wunL someLIIng? Muvbe LIev
Iuve cIocoIuLe mIIk.
knew wIuL sIe wus reuIIv doIng. GIvIng me LIme uIone wILI mv uunL.
BuL dIdn`L LeII Ier LIuL, or LIuL couIdn`L sLund LIe LusLe oI cIocoIuLe
mIIk unvmore. `m okuv.
eL me know II vou need me. SIe puIIed LIe door cIosed beIInd Ier.
Once enu IeIL, dIdn`L know wIuL Lo do. sLured uL AunL Prue IvIng In
LIe IospILuI bed wILI Lubes LIreuded In und ouL oI Ier skIn. IIILed Ier
Iund genLIv In mIne, cureIuI noL Lo dIsLurb Ier V. dIdn`L wunL Lo IurL
Ier. wus preLLv sure sIe couId sLIII IeeI puIn. meun, sIe wusn`L
deud-LIuL`s wIuL kepL remIndIng mvseII.
remembered IeurIng somewIere LIuL vou`re supposed Lo LuIk Lo
peopIe In comus becuuse LIev cun Ieur vou. LrIed Lo LIInk oI
someLIIng Lo LeII Ier. BuL LIe sume words kepL pIuvIng over und over
In mv mInd.
Im sorry. Its my fault.
Becuuse IL wus Lrue. And LIe weIgIL oI IL-LIe guIIL-wus so Ieuvv
couId IeeI IL beurIng down on me uII LIe LIme.
Ioped enu wus rIgIL. Ioped AunL Prue wus somewIere mukIng
mups or sLIrrIng up LroubIe. wondered II sIe wus wILI mv mom.
CouId LIev IInd eucI oLIer, wIerever LIev were?
1J6=
wus sLIII LIInkIng ubouL IL wIen cIosed mv eves Ior u second..
I could feel Aunt Prues bandaged hand in mine. Only when I looked
down at the bed, Aunt Prue was gone. I blinked, and the bed was
gone, then the room. And I was nowhere, looking at nothing, hearing
nothing.
Footsteps.
Ethan Wate, that you?
Aunt Prue?
She came shuffling out of the absolute nothingness. She was there
and not there, flickering in and out of sight in her best housedress, the
one with the loud flowers and the pearly-looking snaps. Her slippers
were crocheted in the same rainbow of browns as Aunt Graces fa-
vorite afghan.
Back so soon? She waved the handkerchief in her curled hand.
Told you last night, I got things ta do while Im out an about like
this. Cant keep runnin ta me every time you need the answer ta
some durned question I dont know.
What? I didnt visit you last night, Aunt Prue.
She frowned. You tryin ta play tricks on a old woman?
What did you tell me? I asked.
What did you ask? She scratched her head, and I realized with a
rising panic that she was beginning to fade away.
zooJ6=
Are you coming back, Aunt Prue?
Cant say just yet.
Can you come with me now?
She shook her head. Dont you know? Thats up ta the Wheel a Fate.
What?
Sooner or later, it crushes us all. Thats what I told you, remember?
When you asked bout comin over here. Whyre you askin so many
questions today? Im bone tired, an I need ta get me some rest.
She was almost gone now.
Leave me be, Ethan. Dont ya be lookin ta come downside. The
Wheel aint done with you.
I watched as her brown crocheted slippers disappeared.
ELIun? couId Ieur enu`s voIce und IeeI Ier Iund on mv sIouIder,
sIukIng me uwuke.
Mv Ieud IeIL Ieuvv, und opened mv eves sIowIv. BrIgIL IIgIL poured
In Irom LIe unbIInded wIndow. Iud IuIIen usIeep In LIe cIuIr nexL Lo
AunL Prue, LIe wuv used Lo IuII usIeep on mv mom`s cIuIr, wuILIng Ior
Ier Lo IInIsI up In LIe urcIIve. Iooked down, und AunL Prue wus IvIng
on Ier bed, mIIkv eves open us II noLIIng Iud Iuppened. dropped Ier
Iund.
zo1J6=
musL Iuve Iooked spooked, becuuse enu Iooked worrIed. ELIun,
wIuL Is IL?
- suw AunL Prue. LuIked Lo Ier.
WIIIe vou were usIeep?
nodded. YeuI. BuL IL dIdn`L IeeI IIke u dreum. And sIe wusn`L sur-
prIsed Lo see me. Iud uIreudv been LIere.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? enu wus wuLcIIng me cureIuIIv now.
usL nIgIL. SIe suId cume Lo see Ier. OnIv don`L remember. L wus
becomIng more common, und more IrusLruLIng. wus IorgeLLIng LIIngs
uII LIe LIme now.
BeIore enu couId suv unvLIIng, LIe nurse rupped on LIe door, open-
Ing IL jusL u cruck.
`m sorrv, buL vIsILIng Iours ure over. You`II Iuve Lo IeL vour uunL Iuve
some resL now, ELIun.
SIe sounded IrIendIv, buL LIe messuge wus cIeur. We were ouL LIe
door und InLo LIe empLv IuII beIore mv IeurL Iud LIme Lo sLop
poundIng.
On LIe wuv ouL, enu reuIIzed sIe Iud IeIL Ier bug In AunL Prue`s
room. WIIIe wuILed Ior Ier Lo geL IL, wuIked LIrougI LIe IuIIwuv
sIowIv, sLoppIng uL u doorwuv. couIdn`L IeIp IL. TIe bov In LIe room
wus ubouL mv uge, und Ior u mInuLe Iound mvseII wonderIng wIuL IL
wouId be IIke Lo be In IIs pIuce. He wus sLIII sILLIng up uL LIe LubIe, und
zozJ6=
IIs Iund wus sLIII wrILIng. Iooked up und down LIe IuII, LIen sIIpped
InLo IIs room.
Hev, mun. JusL pussIng LIrougI.
suL down on LIe edge oI LIe cIuIr In IronL oI IIm. HIs eves dIdn`L even
IIIcker In mv dIrecLIon, und IIs Iund dIdn`L sLop movIng. Over und
over, Ie Iud wrILLen u IoIe InLo IIs puper, even InLo LIe sIeeL
underneuLI.
Lugged on LIe puper, und IL moved, un IncI or so.
TIe Iund sLopped. Iooked uL IIs eves.
SLIII noLIIng.
Lugged LIe puper uguIn. Come on. You wrILe. `II reud. wunL Lo Ieur
IL, wIuLever vou Iuve Lo suv. Your musLerpIece.
TIe Iund begun Lo move. puIIed LIe puper, u mIIIImeLer uL u LIme,
LrvIng Lo muLcI LIe speed oI LIe wrILIng.
LIIs Is LIe wuv LIe worId ends LIIs Is LIe wuv LIe worId ends LIIs Is LIe
wuv LIe worId ends on LIe eIgILeenLI moon LIe eIgILeenLI moon LIe
eIgILeenLI moon LIIs Is LIe wuv LIe worId
TIe Iund sLopped, u LIIn IIne oI drooI spIIIIng ucross LIe pen und LIe
puper.
goL IL. Ieur vou, mun. TIe EIgILeenLI Moon. `II IIgure IL ouL.
zoJ6=
TIe Iund begun Lo wrILe uguIn, und LIIs LIme IeL LIe words wrILe over
LIemseIves unLII LIe messuge wus IosL once uguIn.
TIunks, suId quIeLIv. Iooked pusL IIm, Lo wIere IIs nume wus
wrILLen In drv-eruse murker on LIe IILLIe wIILebourd LIuL wus noL und
wouId never be on LIe door oI unvone`s dorm room.
TIunks, JoIn.
zoqJ6=
9.28
End of Days
L`s some kInd oI sIgn. wus drIvIng enu Iome, und we were LeurIng
down RouLe . SIe kepL gIuncIng uL LIe speedomeLer.
ELIun, sIow down. enu wus us spooked us wus, buL sIe wus doIng
u good job oI IIdIng IL.
couIdn`L geL uwuv Irom CounLv Cure IusL enougI, LIe peucI wuIIs und
sIckenIng smeII, LIe broken bodIes und empLv eves. HIs nume wus
JoIn, und Ie wus wrILIng 'LIe worId ends on LIe EIgILeenLI Moon`
over und over. And IIs cIurL suId Ie wus In u moLorcvcIe uccIdenL.
know. enu LoucIed mv sIouIder, und couId see Ier IuIr curIIng
In LIe breeze. BuL II vou don`L sIow down, `m goIng Lo do IL Ior vou.
TIe cur sIowed, buL mv mInd wus sLIII rucIng. Look mv Iunds oII LIe
wIeeI, und IL dIdn`L even swerve. You wunL Lo drIve? cun puII over.
don`L wunL Lo drIve, buL II we end up In CounLv Cure, we won`L be
ubIe Lo IIgure LIIs ouL. enu poInLed uL LIe roud. WuLcI wIere vou`re
goIng.
BuL wIuL does IL meun?
WeII, IeL`s LIInk ubouL wIuL we know.
drugged mv mInd buck Lo LIe nIgIL AbruIum sIowed up In mv room.
TIe IIrsL LIme reuIIv beIIeved JoIn Breed wus sLIII uIIve. TIe nIgIL
LIuL sLurLed IL uII. AbruIum comes IookIng Ior JoIn Breed. Vexes des-
Lrov LIe Lown und puL AunL Prue In LIe IospILuI. And meeL some guv
numed JoIn LIere, wIo wurns me ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI Moon. Muvbe
IL`s some kInd oI wurnIng.
L`s IIke LIe SIudowIng Song. SIe wus rIgIL. And LIen LIere`s vour
IuLIer`s book.
guess. sLIII couIdn`L brIng mvseII Lo LIInk ubouL Iow mv dud IIL In-
Lo unv oI LIIs.
So LIe EIgILeenLI Moon und JoIn Breed ure connecLed someIow.
enu wus LIInkIng ouL Ioud.
We need Lo know wIen LIe EIgILeenLI Moon Is. How do we IIgure
LIuL ouL?
WeII, LIuL depends. WIose EIgILeenLI Moon ure we LuIkIng ubouL?
enu Iooked ouL LIe wIndow, und suId LIe one LIIng sIe dIdn`L wunL
Lo Ieur.
Yours?
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. don`L LIInk IL`s mIne.
How do vou know?
Mv bIrLIduv Is u Iong wuv oII. And AbruIum seems preLLv desperuLe
Lo IInd JoIn. SIe wus rIgIL. AbruIum wusn`L IookIng Ior Ier LIIs LIme.
He wunLed JoIn. enu wus sLIII LuIkIng. And LIuL guv`s nume wusn`L
enu.
wusn`L IIsLenIng unvmore.
zo;J6=
HIs nume wusn`L enu. L wus JoIn. And Ie wus scrIbbIIng messuges
ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI Moon.
uImosL swerved oII LIe roud. TIe Ieurse rIgILed ILseII, und guve up,
LukIng mv Iunds buck oII LIe wIeeI. wus Loo Ireuked ouL Lo drIve. Do
vou LIInk IL couId be ubouL JoIn Breed`s EIgILeenLI Moon?
enu LwIsLed Ier cIurm neckIuce uround Ier IInger, LIInkIng. don`L
know, buL IL IILs.
Look u deep breuLI. WIuL II evervLIIng AbruIum suId wus Lrue, und
JoIn Breed Is sLIII uIIve? WIuL II someLIIng even worse Is goIng Lo
Iuppen on IIs EIgILeenLI Moon?
OI mv God, enu wIIspered.
TIe cur jerked Lo u sLop In LIe mIddIe oI RouLe . A Lruck Iorn bIured,
und suw u bIur oI Iuded red meLuI spIn uround us. or u mInuLe,
neILIer one oI us suId u word.
TIe wIoIe worId wus spInnIng ouL oI conLroI, und LIere wus noLIIng
couId do Lo sLop IL.
AILer dropped enu oII uL Ruvenwood, wusn`L reudv Lo go Iome.
Iud some LIInkIng Lo do, und couIdn`L do IL LIere. Ammu wouId Luke
one Iook uL me und know someLIIng wus wrong. dIdn`L wunL Lo wuIk
InLo LIe kILcIen und preLend evervLIIng wus okuv-LIuL Iudn`L seen
Ammu mukIng some kInd oI deuI wILI LIe voodoo equIvuIenL oI u Durk
CusLer. TIuL Iudn`L spoken Lo AunL Prue wIIIe sIe wus IvIng, unre-
sponsIve, In Ier peucI-coIored prIson. Or wuLcIed u rundom guv
numed JoIn send me u messuge suvIng LIe end oI LIe worId wus
comIng.
zo8J6=
wunLed Lo Iuce LIe LruLI-uII LIe IeuL und LIe bugs und LIe drIedup
Iuke, LIe broken Iouses und busLed rooIs und cosmIc Orders couIdn`L
IIx. TIe consequences enu`s CIuImIng Iud brougIL on LIe MorLuI
worId und AbruIum`s wruLI Iud brougIL on mv Lown. As drove down
MuIn, IL Iooked u Iundred LImes worse In LIe duvIIgIL LIun IL Iud u Iew
nIgILs ugo In LIe durk.
TIe sIop wIndows were uII bourded up. You couIdn`L see MuvbeIIIne
SuLLer cIuLLIng up Ier cusLomers wIIIe sIe cuL LIeIr IuIr Loo sIorL or
dved IL u sIude oI bIuIsI wIILe uL LIe SnIp `n` CurI. You couIdn`L see
SIssv HonevcuLL sLuIIIng vuses IuII oI curnuLIons und bubv`s breuLI uL
LIe counLer oI Gurdens oI Eden, or MIIIIe und Ier duugILer servIng up
bIscuILs und red-eve gruvv u Iew doors down.
TIev were In LIere, buL GuLIIn wusn`L u Lown oI gIuss wIndows unv-
more. L wus u Lown oI Iocked doors und sLockpIIed punLrIes, u Lown
IuII oI IoIks wuILIng Ior LIe nexL LwIsLer or LIe end oI LIe worId, de-
pendIng on wIo vou usked.
So wusn`L surprIsed Lo see Ink`s mom sLundIng In IronL oI LIe Evun-
geIIcuI BupLIsL CIurcI wIen Lurned down Cvpress Grove. CIose Lo
IuII LIe IoIks In GuLIIn were LIere, MeLIodIsLs und BupLIsLs uIIke-on
LIe sIdewuIk, LIe Iuwn, unvwIere LIev couId eIbow LIemseIves u spoL.
Reverend BIuckweII wus sLundIng In IronL oI LIe cIupeI doors, under-
neuLI LIe words ONY ROOM OR THE RGHTEOUS N HEAVEN.
TIe sIeeves oI IIs wIILe buLLon-down were roIIed up, IIs sIIrL
wrInkIed und unLucked. He Iooked IIke Ie Iudn`L sIepL In duvs.
He wus IoIdIng u buIIIorn-noL LIuL Ie needed IL. He cuIIed ouL InLo
LIe crowd oI peopIe, wIo were wuvIng LIeIr own curdbourd sIgns und
crosses us II Ie wus EIvIs buck Irom LIe deud. TIe BI-uI-bIe-Ie uI-
wuvs guve LIe word LIree svIIubIes-LeIIs us LIere wIII be sIgns. Seven
seuIs Lo murk LIe End u Duvs.
zoJ6=
Amen! PruIse LIe ord! LIe crowd sIouLed buck. One voIce sLood ouL
ubove LIe resL, oI course. Mrs. IncoIn wus sLundIng uL LIe buse oI LIe
sLeps, Ier DAR Iuckevs IuddIed uround Ier, urm In urm. SIe wus cur-
rvIng Ier own Iomemude sIgn, wILI LIe words THE END S NEAR
wrILLen In bIoodred murker.
puIIed over nexL Lo LIe curb, LIe IeuL smuckIng me In LIe Iuce LIe
second LIe cur sLopped movIng. TIe crooked ouk sIudIng LIe cIurcI
wus swurmIng wILI Iubbers, LIe sun sIInIng oII LIe urmor oI LIeIr
bIuck bucks.
ConIIIcL! DrougIL! PesLIIence! Reverend BIuckweII puused, IookIng
up uL LIe puLIeLIc, dvIng ouk. 'eurIuI sIgILs und greuL sIgns Irom
Ieuven.` TIuL`s LIe GospeI u uke. He bowed IIs Ieud respecLIuIIv Ior
u second, LIen IIILed IL wILI u renewed sense oI deLermInuLIon In IIs
eves. Now, Iuve seen some IeurIuI sIgILs!
TIe crowd nodded In ugreemenL.
A Iew nIgILs ugo, u Lornudo cume down Irom LIe Ieuvens IIke LIe IIn-
ger u God! And IL LoucIed us, crusIed LIe verv Irumework u LIIs IuIr
Lown! A IIne IumIIv IosL LIeIr Iome. Our Lown IIbrurv, Iome Lo LIe
words u God und mun, burned Lo LIe ground. You LIInk LIuL wus un
uccIdenL? TIe reverend deIendIng LIe IIbrurv? TIuL wus u IIrsL.
wIsIed mv mom wus Iere Lo see IL.
No! oIks were sIukIng LIeIr Ieuds, uL rupL uLLenLIon.
He poInLed ouL InLo LIe crowd, movIng IIs IInger ucross LIe seu oI
Iuces us II Ie wus speukIng Lo eucI person IndIvIduuIIv. TIen usk
vou, wus IL u greuL sIgn Irom Ieuven?
Amen!
z1oJ6=
L wus u sIgn! someone eIse sIouLed.
Reverend BIuckweII cIuLcIed LIe BIbIe Lo IIs cIesL IIke u IIIe preserver.
TIe BeusL Is uL LIe guLes, wILI IIs urmv u deeemons! couIdn`L IeIp
buL remember wIuL JoIn Breed Iud cuIIed IImseII. A Demon SoIdIer.
And Ie`s comIn` Ior us. WIII vou be reudv?
Mrs. IncoIn LIrusL Ier IIImsv sIgn InLo LIe uIr, und LIe oLIer dIsLurb-
IngIv dIsLInguIsIed IudIes oI LIe DAR dId LIe sume In u sIow oI soIId-
urILv. THE END S NEAR knocked InLo HONK OR THE HOY
GHOST und neurIv rIpped BRAKE OR REDEMPTON rIgIL oII ILs
Luped-up vurdsLIck IundIe.
`II be reudv Lo IIgIL LIe DevII buck Lo IIs own door wILI mv bure
Iunds II Iuve Lo! sIe sIouLed. beIIeved Ier. I we were ucLuuIIv
deuIIng wILI LIe DevII, we muv Iuve sLood u cIunce wILI Mrs. IncoIn
IeudIng LIe cIurge.
TIe reverend IeId LIe BIbIe over IIs Ieud. TIe BI-uI-bIe promIses
LIere wIII be more sIgns. EurLIquukes. PersecuLIon un` LorLures u LIe e-
IecL. He cIosed IIs eves In rupLure, u sIgn oI IIs own. 'And wIen
LIese LIIngs begIn Lo come Lo puss, LIen Iook up, un` IIIL up vour Ieuds,
Ior vour re-dempLIon druweLI nIgI.` uke z1:z8. He dropped IIs Ieud
drumuLIcuIIv, IIs messuge deIIvered.
Mrs. IncoIn couIdn`L conLuIn IerseII unv Ionger. SIe grubbed LIe buII-
Iorn In one Iund, wuvIng Ier sIgn In LIe oLIer. TIe demons ure com-
In`, und we Iuve Lo be reudv! `ve been suvIn` IL Ior veurs! IIL vour
Ieuds up und wuLcI Ior LIem. TIev muv be sLundIn` uL vour buck door!
TIev muv be wuIkIn` umong us now!
L wus IronIc. or once, Ink`s mom wus rIgIL. TIe Demons were com-
Ing, buL LIe IoIks In GuLIIn weren`L prepured Ior LIIs kInd oI IIgIL.
z11J6=
Even Ammu-wILI Ier doIIs LIuL weren`L doIIs und Ier LuroL curds LIuL
weren`L LuroL curds, Ier suIL-IIned wIndowsIIIs und boLLIe Lrees-sIe
wusn`L reudv Ior LIIs IIgIL. AbruIum und SuruIIne, wILI un urmv oI
Vexes? HunLIng und IIs BIood Puck? JoIn Breed, wIo wus nowIere
und evervwIere?
Becuuse oI IIm, LIe end wus neur, und Demons were wuIkIng umong
us. L wus uII ubouL IIm. He wus LIe one Lo bIume.
And II LIere wus one LIIng Iud become so InLImuLeIv ucquuInLed wILI
LIuL couId IeeI IL cruwIIng uround under mv skIn, LIe wuv Iubbers
were cruwIIng uII over LIuL ouk, IL wus bIume.
z1zJ6=
9.28
Jeopardy
L wus geLLIng IuLe wIen IInuIIv mude IL Iome. ucIIIe wus wuILIng on
LIe IronL porcI, Ier Ieud LIILed Lo LIe sIde us II sIe wus wuILIng Lo see
wIuL wus goIng Lo do. WIen opened LIe door und Ieuded down LIe
IuII Lowurd Ammu`s room, IInuIIv knew. wusn`L reudv Lo conIronL
Ier, buL needed Ier IeIp. JoIn Breed`s EIgILeenLI Moon wus Loo bIg
Ior me Lo Iuce on mv own, und II unvone wouId know wIuL Lo do, IL wus
Ammu.
Her bedroom door wus cIosed, buL couId Ieur Ier rummugIng
uround In LIere. SIe wus muLLerIng, Loo, buL Ier voIce wus Loo soIL Ior
me Lo muke ouL unvLIIng sIe wus suvIng.
knocked on LIe door IIgILIv, mv Ieud pressed uguInsL LIe cooI wood.
Please let her be okay. Just tonight.
SIe opened LIe door Iur enougI Ior Ier Lo peek LIrougI LIe cruck. SIe
wus sLIII weurIng Ier upron, und sIe IeId u LIreuded needIe In one
Iund. Iooked pusL Ier InLo LIe dIm IIgIL oI Ier bedroom. Her bed wus
covered wILI scrup muLerIuI, spooIs oI LIreud, und Ierbs. SIe wus
mukIng Ier doIIs, no doubL. BuL someLIIng wus oII. L wus LIe
smeII-LIuL uwIuI combInuLIon oI gusoIIne und IIcorIce remembered
Irom LIe bokor`s sIop.
Ammu, wIuL`s goIng on?
NoLIIn` vou need Lo worrv ubouL. WIv don`L vou geL on upsLuIrs und
do some u vour scIooIwork? SIe dIdn`L Iook me In LIe eve, und sIe
dIdn`L usk wIere `d been.
WIuL`s LIuL smeII? seurcIed LIe room, IookIng Ior LIe source.
TIere wus u LIIck bIuck cundIe on Ier dresser. L Iooked exucLIv IIke
LIe one LIe bokor Iud been burnIng. TIere were LInv Iund-sewn
bundIes pIIed up uround IL. WIuL ure vou mukIng In LIere?
SIe wus IIusLered Ior u second, buL LIen sIe puIIed IerseII LogeLIer
und sIuL Ier door beIInd Ier. CIurms, sume us uIwuvs do. Now vou
geL on upsLuIrs und worrv ubouL wIuL`s goIn` on In LIuL mess vou cuII u
room.
Ammu Iud never burned wIuL smeIIed IIke LoxIc cIemIcuIs In our
Iouse beIore, noL wIen sIe wus mukIng Ier doIIs or unv kInd oI
cIurms. BuL couIdn`L LeII Ier knew wIere LIuL cundIe Iud come
Irom. SIe wouId skIn me uIIve II sIe knew `d been In LIuL bokor`s
sIop, und needed Lo beIIeve LIere wus u reuson Ior uII LIIs-one jusL
dIdn`L undersLund. Becuuse Ammu wus LIe cIosesL LIIng Iud Lo u
moLIer, und IIke mv moLIer, sIe Iud uIwuvs proLecLed me.
SLIII, wunLed Ier Lo know wus puvIng uLLenLIon-LIuL knew
someLIIng wus wrong. SInce wIen do vou burn cundIes LIuL smeII IIke
LIev beIong In u scIence Iub wIen vou muke vour doIIs? HorseIuIr
und-
Mv mInd wus compIeLeIv bIunk.
couIdn`L remember wIuL eIse sIe sLuIIed InsIde LIose doIIs-wIuL
wus InsIde LIe jurs LIuL IIned Ier sIeIves. HorseIuIr, couId pIcLure
LIuL jur. BuL wIuL were In LIe oLIer ones?
z1=J6=
Ammu wus wuLcIIng me. dIdn`L wunL Ier Lo reuIIze LIuL couIdn`L re-
member. orgeL IL. I vou don`L wunL Lo LeII me wIuL vou`re reuIIv do-
Ing In LIere, IIne.
sLormed down LIe IuII und ouL LIe IronL door. Ieuned uguInsL one oI
LIe porcI beums, IIsLenIng Lo LIe sound oI LIe Iubbers euLIng uwuv uL
our Lown-LIe wuv someLIIng wus euLIng uwuv uL mv mInd.
OuL on mv IronL porcI, LIe growIng durk wus equuI purLs wurm und
sud. TIrougI LIe open wIndow, couId Ieur puns cIuLLerIng, IIoor-
bourds compIuInIng us Ammu beuL LIe kILcIen InLo submIssIon. SIe
musL Iuve gIven up on LIe cIurms Ior LonIgIL. TIe IumIIIur rIvLIm oI
Ier sounds dIdn`L cIeer me up IIke IL usuuIIv dId, LIougI. L mude me
IeeI guIILIer, wIIcI mude mv IeurL pound Iurder, wIIcI mude me puce
IusLer, unLII LIe IIoorbourds on LIe porcI were grounIng uImosL us Ioud
us LIe ones In LIe kILcIen.
On eILIer sIde oI LIe wuII, we were boLI IuII oI secreLs und IIes.
wondered II LIe worn wooden IIoor In WuLe`s undIng wus LIe onIv
pIuce In GuLIIn LIuL knew uII LIe skeIeLons In mv IumIIv`s cIoseL. `d usk
AunL DeI Lo Luke u Iook, II Ier powers ever sLurLed workIng uguIn.
L wus durk now, und needed Lo LuIk Lo someone. Ammu wusn`L un
opLIon unvmore. pressed number LIree on mv speed dIuI. dIdn`L
wunL Lo udmIL LIuL couIdn`L remember LIe number `d cuIIed u Iun-
dred LImes.
wus IorgeLLIng LIIngs uII LIe LIme now, und dIdn`L know wIv. BuL
knew IL wusn`L good.
Ieurd someone pIck up. AunL MurIun?
z16J6=
ELIun? Are vou uII rIgIL? SIe sounded surprIsed Lo Ieur mv voIce on
LIe oLIer end oI LIe IIne.
Im not all right. Im scared and confused. And Im pretty sure none
of us are going to be all right.
Iorced LIe words ouL oI mv Ieud, IowerIng mv voIce. YeuI. `m IIne.
How ure vou IoIdIng up?
SIe sounded LIred. You know, ELIun, vour mom wouId be proud oI
LIIs Lown. `ve Iud more peopIe come In und voIunLeer Lo IeIp rebuIId
LIe IIbrurv LIun ever cume In LIe wIoIe LIme IL wus sLundIng.
YeuI, weII. guess LIuL`s LIe LIIng ubouL burnIng books. L uII de-
pends on wIo burns LIem.
Her voIce Iowered. Anv Iuck wILI LIe unswer Lo LIuL? WIo burned
LIem? TIe wuv sIe suId IL, couId LeII IL wus uII sIe`d LIougIL
ubouL-und LIIs LIme, sIe knew Mrs. IncoIn wusn`L LIe cuIprIL.
TIuL`s wIv `m cuIIIng. Cun vou do me u Iuvor?
Can you make everything the way it used to be, when my biggest
problem was getting stuck reading car magazines at the Stop & Steal
with the guys?
AnvLIIng.
Anything that doesnt get me involved in a way I cant be. TIuL`s wIuL
sIe meunL.
Cun vou meeL me uL Ruvenwood? need Lo LuIk Lo vou und Mu-
con-und evervone, guess.
z1;J6=
SIIence. TIe sound oI MurIun LIInkIng. AbouL LIIs?
SorL oI.
More sIIence. TIIngs uren`L good Ior me rIgIL now, EW. I LIe CouncII
oI LIe ur Keep LIougIL wus vIoIuLIng LIe ruIes uguIn-
You`re goIng Lo vIsIL u IrIend uL IIs Iouse. TIuL cun`L be uguInsL LIe
ruIes. CouId IL? wouIdn`L usk II IL wusn`L ImporLunL. L`s ubouL more
LIun LIe IIbrurv, LIe IeuL-wIuL`s IuppenIng In Lown. L`s ubouL LIe
EIgILeenLI Moon.
Please. You and Amma are all I have, and shes gone darker than she
ever has. And I cant talk to my mom. So it has to be you.
knew LIe unswer beIore sIe suId u word. I LIere wus one LIIng
Ioved ubouL MurIun, IL wus Iow sIe uIwuvs Ieurd wIuL wus beIng suId,
even II no one wus suvIng IL. GIve me u Iew mInuLes.
snupped mv pIone sIuL und Lossed IL onLo LIe sLep nexL Lo me. TIme
Ior unoLIer cuII, no pIone requIred. sLured up uL LIe skv. TIe sLurs
were sLurLIng Lo come ouL, LIe moon uIreudv wuILIng.
L? Are you there?
TIere wus u Iong puuse, und couId IeeI enu sIowIv begIn Lo reIux Ier
mInd InLo mIne unLII we were connecLed uguIn.
Im here, Ethan.
z18J6=
We need to figure this out. After what happened at County Care, we
cant waste any more time. Find your uncle. I already called Marian,
and Ill pick up Link on my way over.
What about Amma?
wunLed Lo LeII Ier wIuL Iuppened LonIgIL, buL IL IurL Loo mucI.
Shes in a bad place right now. Can you ask your gramma?
Shes not here. But Aunt Del is. And it will be hard to leave Ridley out.
TIuL wusn`L goIng Lo IeIp LIe sILuuLIon, buL II Ink wus comIng, IL wus
goIng Lo be ImpossIbIe Lo keep Ier uwuv.
You never know, we might get lucky. Maybe Rid will be too busy
sticking pins in little cheerleader voodoo dolls.
enu IuugIed, buL dIdn`L. couIdn`L ImugIne doIIs LIuL dIdn`L smeII
IIke LIe poIson burnIng In Ammu`s room. IeIL u kIss on mv cIeek,
even LIougI wus uIone on LIe porcI.
On my way.
dIdn`L brIng up LIe nume oI LIe oLIer person wIo wouId be LIere.
TIen uguIn, neILIer dId enu.
Buck InsIde, AunL Gruce und AunL Mercv were wuLcIIng Jeopardy!,
wIIcI Ioped wouId be u good dIsLrucLIon, sInce Ammu knew uII LIe
unswers und preLended sIe dIdn`L. And LIe SIsLers knew none und In-
sIsLed LIev dId.
L sIeeps Ior LIree veurs? WeII, concIusIImu, Gruce. sure us sIn
know LIuL one, und uIn`L LeIIIn` vu LIe unswer. Conchashima wus
z1J6=
AunL Mercv`s mude-up curse word, wIIcI sIe suved Ior occusIons
wIen sIe reuIIv wunLed Lo IrrILuLe one oI Ier sIsLers, sInce sIe reIused
Lo LeII LIem wIuL IL meunL. wus preLLv sure sIe dIdn`L know eILIer.
AunL Gruce snIIIed. ConcIusIImu vourseII, Mercv. WIuL dId uII u
Mercv`s Iusbunds do wIen LIev were supposed Lu be mukIn` u IIvIn`?
TIuL`s LIe unswer LIev`re IookIn` Ior.
Now, Gruce Ann, LIInk LIev`re reuIIv uskIn` Iow Iong vou sIepL
LIrougI LIe sermon IusL EusLer Sunduv. DrooIIn` under mv good cub-
buge rose IuL.
L suId LIree veurs, noL LIree Iours. And II LIe good rev`rend dIdn`L
IIke Lu Ieur IIs own voIce so mucI, muvbe IL`d be eusIer Ior LIe resL u
us Lu Ieur IL. You know cun`L see unvLIIn` buL IeuLIers un` IIowers sIL-
LIn` beIInd DoL Jessup In LIuL bIg oId EusLer bonneL, unvIow.
SnuIIs. TIev Iooked uL Ammu bIunkIv. SIe unLIed Ier upron. How
Iong cun u snuII sIeep? TIree veurs. And Iow Iong ure vou gIrIs goIng
Lo muke me wuIL Lo Iuve mv supper? And wIere on God`s green eurLI
do vou LIInk vou`re goIn`, ELIun WuLe?
Iroze uL LIe door. TIere wus no dIsLrucLIng Ammu, ever.
True Lo Iorm, Ammu Iud no InLenLIon oI IeLLIng me go ouL uIone uL
nIgIL-noL uILer AbruIum und LIe IIre uL LIe IIbrurv und AunL Prue.
SIe IuuIed me InLo LIe kILcIen so IusL vou wouId`ve LIougIL `d sussed
Ier.
Don`L vou LIInk don`L know wIen vou`re IuII u bIue mud. SIe
Iooked uround LIe kILcIen Ior LIe One-Eved Menuce, buL Iud beuLen
Ier Lo IL und sLuck IL In LIe buck pockeL oI mv jeuns. SIe dIdn`L Iuve u
pencII eILIer, so sIe wus unurmed.
zzoJ6=
mude mv move. Ammu, IL`s noLIIng. LoId enu `d Iuve dInner wILI
Ier IumIIv. wIsIed couId LeII Ier LIe LruLI, buL couIdn`L. NoL unLII
IIgured ouL wIuL sIe wus doIng wILI LIuL bokor In New OrIeuns.
SIe cocked u IIp und IeL me Iuve IL. On puIIed pork nIgIL? Mv own
LIree-LIme bIue-rIbbon-wInnIn` CuroIInu GoId, und vou`re expecLIn` me
Lo beIIeve LIuL cIupLrup? SIe snIIIed und sIook Ier Ieud. You`d seLLIe
Ior u peucock puLLv on u goId pIuLe over my puIIed pork? Ammu dIdn`L
LIInk mucI oI KILcIen`s cookIng, und sIe Iud u poInL.
No. jusL IorgoL. L wus LIe LruLI, even LIougI sIe Iud menLIoned
dInner LIIs mornIng.
Hmm. SIe dIdn`L beIIeve me. WIIcI wus undersLundubIe, consIder-
Ing LIuL on u normuI nIgIL LIIs wouId be mv Ideu oI Ieuven.
D. . S. S. E. M. B. . . N. G. EIeven ucross. As In, vou`re up Lo
someLIIn`, ELIun WuLe, und IL`s noL dInner.
SIe wus up Lo someLIIng, Loo. BuL dIdn`L Iuve u crossword Ior LIuL.
Ieuned down und puL mv urms uround Ier. Iove vou, Ammu. You
know LIuL? L wus Lrue.
OI, know pIenLv. know vou`re ubouL us Iur Irom LIe LruLI us Wes-
Iev`s mummu Is Irom u boLLIe u wIIskev, ELIun WuLe. SIe pusIed me
oII, buL `d goLLen Lo Ier. Ammu, sLundIng In LIIs sweILerIng kILcIen,
scoIdIng me wIeLIer deserved IL or noL und wIeLIer sIe meunL IL or
noL.
You don`L Iuve Lo worrv ubouL me. You know `II uIwuvs come Iome.
zz1J6=
SIe soILened Ior u momenL, puLLIng Ier Iund on mv Iuce, sIukIng Ier
Ieud. TIuL peucI vou`re peddIIn` sure smeIIs sweeL, buL `m sLIII noL
buvIn` IL.
Be buck bv eIeven. grubbed LIe cur kevs oII LIe counLer und guve
Ier u peck on LIe cIeek.
NoL u IuIr pusL Len or vou`II be gIvIn` HurIon Jumes u buLI Lomor-
row-und meun uII u LIem! bucked ouL oI LIe kILcIen beIore sIe
couId sLop me. And beIore sIe noLIced Iud Luken LIe One-Eved Men-
uce wILI me.
CIeck IL ouL. Ink wus IungIng ouL LIe wIndow oI LIe VoIvo, und LIe
cur sLurLed LIILIng In IIs dIrecLIon. WIou.
SIL down.
He IIopped buck down InLo IIs seuL. See LIose bIuck dILcIes? L Iooks
IIke someone seL oII nupuIm or sIoL u IIumeLIrower uII LIe wuv up LIe
roud, IeudIng sLruIgIL Ior Ruvenwood. And LIen IL sLopped.
Ink wus rIgIL. Even In LIe moonIIgIL, couId see LIe deep grooves, uL
IeusL Iour IeeL wIde, on boLI sIdes oI LIe dIrL roud. A Iew IeeL Irom LIe
guLes oI Ruvenwood, LIev dIsuppeured.
Ruvenwood wus unLoucIed, buL LIe IuII scuIe oI LIe uLLuck on enu`s
Iouse LIe nIgIL AbruIum unIeusIed LIe Vexes musL Iuve been
mussIve. SIe never suId IL wus LIIs bud, und Iudn`L usked. wus Loo
worrIed ubouL mv own IumIIv, und mv Iouse, und mv IIbrurv. Mv
Lown.
zzzJ6=
Now wus sLurIng uL LIe dumuge, und Ioped LIIs wus LIe worsL oI IL.
puIIed over Lo LIe sIde oI LIe roud, und we boLI goL ouL. L wus u gIven
LIuL pvroLecInIcs on LIIs scuIe were worLI u cIoser Iook.
Ink squuLLed nexL Lo LIe bIuck LruII In IronL oI LIe guLe. L`s LIIckesL
wIen vou geL up cIose Lo LIe Iouse. RIgIL beIore IL dIsuppeurs.
pIcked up u bIuck bruncI, und IL crumbIed In mv Iund. TIIs Isn`L
wIuL AunL Prue`s Iouse Iooked IIke. TIuL wus more IIke u Lornudo.
TIIs wus some kInd oI IIre, more IIke LIe IIbrurv.
don`L know, mun. Muvbe Vexes do dIIIerenL LIIngs Lo dIIIer-
enL-peopIe, or wIuLever.
CusLers ure peopIe.
Ink pIcked up unoLIer bruncI, InspecLIng IL. YeuI, veuI. We`re uII
peopIe, rIgIL? AII know Is, LIIs LIIng Is IrIed.
Do vou LIInk IL wus SuruIIne? Ire Is sorL oI Ier LIIng. IuLed Lo con-
sIder IL, buL IL wus possIbIe. SuruIIne wusn`L deud. SIe wus ouL LIere
somewIere.
YeuI, sIe`s IoL, uII rIgIL. He noLIced me sLurIng uL IIm IIke Ie wus
nuLs. WIuL? cun`L cuII IL IIke see IL?
SuruIIne`s LIe Queen oI Durkness, dumbuss.
Seen u movIe IuLeIv? TIe Queen u Durkness Is uIwuvs LoLuIIv IoL.
TIIrd Degree Burns. He wIped LIe usI Irom LIe crumbIIng bruncI oII
IIs Iunds. eL`s geL ouLLu Iere. SomeLIIn` uround Iere Is gIvIn` me u
IeuducIe. You Ieur LIuL buzzIn` sound, IIke u wIoIe buncI u cIuIn-
suws or someLIIn`?
zzJ6=
TIe BIndIng CusLs. He couId IeeI LIem now.
nodded, und we sLurLed LIe cur. TIe rusLv, crooked guLes opened InLo
LIe sIudows, us II LIev were expecLIng us.
You here, L?
sIoved mv Iunds InLo mv pockeLs und Iooked up uL LIe greuL Iouse.
couId see LIe wIndows, LIe spIInLerIng wood sIuLLers overgrown wILI
Ivv, us II enu`s room Iudn`L cIunged uL uII. knew IL wus un IIIusIon,
und Irom wIere enu sLood In Ier bedroom sIe couId see me LIrougI
LIe gIuss wuIIs.
Im trying to get Reece to stay upstairs with Ryan, but shes being as
cooperative as usual.
Ink wus IookIng up uL LIe porLIco Lo LIe wIndow opposILe enu`s.
What happened with Ridley?
I asked her if she wanted to come. I figured shes going to notice
everyone showing up. She said she would, but who knows? Shes been
acting so weird lately.
I Ruvenwood Iud u Iuce, enu`s room wouId be one bIInkIng eve, und
RIdIev`s wIndow, LIe oLIer. TIe rumsIuckIe sIuLLers were open,
LIougI LIev Iung unevenIv, und LIe wIndow beIInd LIem wus IIILIv.
BeIore Lurned uwuv, u sIudow pussed beIInd RIdIev`s wIndow. AL
IeusL LIougIL IL wus u sIudow; In LIe moonIIgIL IL wus Iurd Lo LeII.
couIdn`L see wIo IL wus. TIev were Loo Iur uwuv. BuL LIe wIndow
begun Lo ruLLIe, Iurder und Iurder, unLII LIe sIuLLer swung oII ILs IInge
zzqJ6=
und sIId down beneuLI LIe wIndow enLIreIv. Ike someone wus LrvIng
reuIIv Iurd Lo vunk IL open, even II IL meunL brIngIng LIe wIoIe Iouse
down. or u second, LIougIL IL wus un eurLIquuke, buL LIe ground
wusn`L movIng. OnIv LIe Iouse wus.
WeIrd.
Ethan?
DId vou see LIuL? Iooked uL Ink, buL Ie wus sLurIng up uL LIe cIIm-
nev now.
ook. TIe brIcks ure IuIIIn`, Ie suId.
TIe sIudder grew sLronger, und some kInd oI energv surged LIrougI
LIe enLIre Iouse. TIe IronL door sIook.
Lena!
Look oII runnIng Ior LIe door. couId Ieur LIIngs crusIIng und breuk-
Ing InsIde. reucIed up und pusIed on LIe IInLeI, LIe CusLer curvIng
IIdden ubove LIe door. NoLIIng Iuppened.
Hold on, Ethan. Somethings wrong.
Are you okay?
Were fine. Uncle Macon thinks something is trying to get in.
From out here, it looked more like someone was trying to get out.
TIe door opened, und enu puIIed me InsIde. IeIL LIe LIIck curLuIn oI
power us moved ucross LIe LIresIoId. Ink dove In uILer me, und LIe
zz=J6=
door sIummed beIInd us. AILer wIuL Iud experIenced ouLsIde, wus
reIIeved Lo be In LIe Iouse. UnLII Iooked uround.
Bv now wus used Lo LIe consLunLIv cIungIng InLerIor oI Ruvenwood
Munor. Iud seen evervLIIng Irom IIsLorIc pIunLuLIon unLIques Lo
cIussIc Iorror-movIe GoLIIc In LIIs room, buL wus compIeLeIv unpre-
pured Ior LIIs.
L wus some sorL oI supernuLuruI bunker, LIe CusLer equIvuIenL oI Mrs.
IncoIn`s ceIIur, wIere sIe sLored suppIIes Ior evervLIIng Irom Iur-
rIcunes Lo LIe upocuIvpse. TIe wuIIs were covered In wIuL Iooked IIke
urmor-sIeeLs oI duII sIIver meLuI Irom IIoor Lo ceIIIng, und LIe Iur-
nILure wus gone. SLucks oI books und veIveL urmcIuIrs Iud been re-
pIuced bv Iuge pIusLIc drums und cuses oI cundIes und scoLcI. TIere
wus u bug oI dog Iood LIuL wus obvIousIv Ior Boo, LIougI Iud never
seen IIm euL unvLIIng buL sLeuks.
A row oI wIILe jugs Iooked suspIcIousIv IIke LIe suppIv oI bIeucI Ink`s
mom kepL uround Lo prevenL InIecLIon Irom spreudIng. wuIked over
und pIcked up one oI LIe jugs. WIuL`s LIIs? Some kInd oI CusLer
dIsInIecLunL?
enu Look IL ouL oI mv Iund und IIned IL up nexL Lo LIe oLIers. YeuI,
IL`s cuIIed bIeucI.
Ink knocked on one oI LIe pIusLIc drums. Mv mom wouId Iove LIIs
pIuce. L wouId deIInILeIv score some poInLs Ior vour uncIe. orgeL
ubouL vour LIIrLv-sIx-Iour puck und vour sevenLv-Lwo-Iour puck.
TIose ure Ior IIgILweIgILs. TIIs Is some serIous dIsusLer prep. `d suv
vou`ve goL enougI Ior u good LIree weeks Iere. ExcepL vou don`L Iuve
u crowbur.
Iooked uL IIm bIunkIv. A crowbur?
zz6J6=
or dIggIn` LIe bodIes ouL u LIe rubbIe.
BodIes? Mrs. IncoIn wus cruzIer LIun LIougIL.
Ink Iooked buck uL enu. And vou guvs don`L Iuve unv Iood.
TIuL Is wIere CusLers dIIIer, Mr. IncoIn. Mucon wus sLundIng In LIe
doorwuv Lo LIe dInIng room, IookIng perIecLIv reIuxed. KILcIen Is
quILe cupubIe oI suppIvIng wIuLever we need. BuL IL Is ImporLunL Lo be
prepured. TIIs uILernoon Is cerLuInIv evIdence oI LIuL.
He gesLured Lowurd LIe dInIng room, und we IoIIowed IIm In. TIe
bIuck cIuw-IooL LubIe wus gone, repIuced bv u sIInv uIumInum one LIuL
Iooked IIke someLIIng Irom u medIcuI reseurcI Iub. Ink und musL
Iuve been LIe IusL Lo urrIve, becuuse LIere were onIv Lwo empLv seuLs
uL LIe LubIe.
I Ignored LIe weIrd Iub LubIe und sIeeL meLuI on LIe wuIIs, IL re-
mInded me oI LIe GuLIerIng, wIen meL enu`s IumIIv Ior LIe IIrsL
LIme. Buck wIen RIdIev wus sLIII Durk und Iud LrIcked me InLo brIng-
Ing Ier InLo Ruvenwood. L seemed uImosL Iunnv now. A worId wIere
RIdIev wus LIe bIggesL LIreuL.
PIeuse, Luke u seuL, Mr. WuLe und Mr. IncoIn. We`re LrvIng Lo de-
LermIne LIe orIgIn oI LIe Lremors.
sIIpped InLo one oI LIe Lwo empLv cIuIrs besIde enu, und Ink Look
LIe oLIer. JudgIng Irom LIe number oI peopIe uround LIe LubIe,
wusn`L LIe onIv one wILI someLIIng on mv mInd, buL dIdn`L suv LIuL.
NoL Lo Mucon.
I know. Its like he was expecting us. When I told him you were com-
ing, he didnt seem surprised. And everyone started showing up.
zz;J6=
MurIun Ieuned Iorwurd, InLo LIe pooI oI IIgIL LIuL IeII Lo LIe LubIe Irom
LIe neuresL cundIe. WIuL Iuppened ouL LIere? We couId IeeI IL
InsIde.
Ieurd u voIce beIInd me. don`L know, buL we couId IeeI IL ouLsIde,
Loo.
n LIe sIudows, couId see Mucon gesLure uL LIe LubIe. euI, wIv
don`L vou Luke LIe seuL on ELIun`s IeIL? Bv LIe LIme Lurned, un empLv
cIuIr Iud uppeured beLween Ink und me, und euI Ruvenwood wus
In IL.
Hev, euI. Ink suIuLed Ier. Her eves wIdened us sIe noLIced LIe
cIunge In IIm. wondered II sIe couId sense Ier own kInd.
WeIcome, broLIer. Her bIuck IuIr IeII ouL oI LIe ponvLuII uL Ier neck,
und Ior u second remembered LIe nurse uL CounLv Cure.
euI. L wus vou wILI AunL Prue.
SII. We Iuve more ImporLunL LIIngs Lo dIscuss. SIe squeezed mv
Iund und wInked, wIIcI wus Ier wuv oI unswerIng LIe quesLIon. L Iud
been euI wuLcIIng over mv uunL Ior me.
TIunk vou.
L`s noLIIng. jusL do us `m LoId. SIe wus IvIng. euI wus us Inde-
pendenL us enu.
You never do wIuL vou`re LoId.
SIe IuugIed. Ine, LIen do us IIke. And IIke Lo keep un eve on mv
IumIIv. Mv IumIIv, vour IumIIv, IL`s uII LIe sume.
zz8J6=
BeIore couId suv unvLIIng eIse, RIdIev bursL InLo LIe room, weurIng
someLIIng LIuL Iooked more IIke underweur LIun cIoLIes. TIe cundIes
IIumed up Ior u second; RIdIev sLIII munuged Lo Iuve un eIIecL on LIIs
room.
don`L see mv nume on unv oI LIe pIuce curds. BuL know wus In-
vILed Lo LIe purLv. RIgIL, UncIe M?
You`re more LIun weIcome Lo joIn us. Mucon sounded cuIm. He wus
probubIv used Lo RIdIev`s ouLbursLs bv now.
WIuL exucLIv ure vou weurIng, sweeLIeurL? AunL DeI ruIsed u Iund Lo
Ier eve, us II sIe wus IuvIng LroubIe seeIng unv cIoLIes on RIdIev`s
bodv uL uII.
RIdIev unwrupped u pIece oI gum, LossIng LIe wrupper onLo LIe LubIe.
So, wIIcI Is IL? WeIcome or InvILed? IIke Lo know LIe sIze oI LIe
snub. suIk beLLer LIuL wuv.
Ruvenwood Is vour Iome now, RIdIev. Mucon Lupped IIs IIngers Im-
puLIenLIv buL smIIed us II Ie Iud uII LIe LIme In LIe worId.
AcLuuIIv, Ruvenwood beIongs Lo mv cousin, UncIe M. SInce vou guve
IL Lo Ier und bIew oII LIe resL oI us. SIe wus on u serIous rumpuge Lo-
nIgIL. WIuL, no grub? OI, LIuL`s rIgIL. KILcIen Isn`L IerseII. None oI
vou supernuLuruI Lvpes ure. ronIc, Isn`L IL? `m In u room IuII oI uII
LIese ber-powerIuI peopIe, und vou cun`L munuge Lo geL dInner on LIe
LubIe.
TIe mouLI on LIuL gIrI. AunL DeI sIook Ier Ieud.
Mucon gesLured Ior RIdIev Lo sIL down. wouId upprecIuLe IL II vou
couId be respecLIuI oI LIe mInor. Issues we uII seem Lo be IuvIng.
zzJ6=
WIuLever. RIdIev dIsmIssed Mucon wILI u wuve oI Ier IoL-pInk
nuIIs. eL`s geL LIIs purLv sLurLed. SIe IILcIed up LIe sLrup oI
wIuLever IL wus sIe Iud on. Even bv RIdIev`s sLundurds, sIe wusn`L
weurIng mucI.
Aren`L vou coId? AunL DeI wIIspered.
L`s vintage, RIdIev snupped.
rom wIuL? TIe MouIIn Rouge? Iv sLood In LIe doorwuv, Ier urms
IuII oI books.
RIdIev IIIcked Iv`s bruId us sIe sLepped pusL Iv Lo LIe neuresL open
seuL. As u muLLer oI IucL, PIppI-
PIeuse. Mucon sIIenced boLI oI LIem wILI u Iook. `m Impressed
wILI LIe LIeuLrIcs, RIdIev. A bIL Iess so wILI LIe cosLume. Now, II vou`d
Luke u seuL. Mucon sIgIed. OIIvIu, LIunk vou Ior joInIng us.
RIdIev squeezed InLo LIe cIuIr LIuL Iud uppeured nexL Lo Ink, Ignor-
Ing IIm us uLLenLIveIv us possIbIe. He wInked. Don`L know wIuL kIndu
sLore Moo undrews Is, buL II LIev geL one uL LIe muII In SummervIIIe,
`m geLLIn` vour bIrLIduv presenL LIere. RIdIev kepL Ier eves IIxed In
IronL oI Ier, preLendIng noL Lo noLIce IIm noLIcIng Ier.
Mucon begun. OIIvIu, dId vou IeeI LIe Lremors?
kepL mv eves LruIned on Mucon`s Iuce. BuL Ieurd Iv sIL down und
Loss wIuL ImugIned wus Ier red noLebook onLo LIe LubIe und begIn
wIndIng LIe geurs on Ier seIenomeLer. knew uII oI Ier sounds, LIe
wuv knew Ink`s or Ammu`s or enu`s.
zoJ6=
I vou don`L mInd, SIr Mucon. Iv pusIed u sLuck oI books und pu-
pers ucross LIe LubIe Lowurd IIm. WILI LIuL IusL one, wunLed Lo
muke sure Iud LIe exucL meusuremenLs.
Go on, OIIvIu. enu Lensed wIen Mucon suId Iv`s nume. couId IeeI
IL, comIng In wuves uL me Irom Ier dIrecLIon.
Iv kepL LuIkIng, obIIvIous. BusIcuIIv, IL`s geLLIng worse. I LIe num-
bers ure uccuruLe, LIere`s u sInguIur energv uLLrucLed Lo LIIs Iouse.
GreuL. AII needed wus Ior Iv Lo sLurL LuIkIng ubouL uLLrucLIon.
nLeresLIng. Mucon nodded. So IL Is growIng sLronger, us we
suspecLed?
TIe we musL Iuve goLLen Lo enu.
Im so tired of her.
Iv? Crup. uccIdenLuIIv suId Ier nume ouL Ioud. WIuL wus wrong
wILI me? couIdn`L even keep KeILIng und LuIkIng sLruIgIL. enu sLured
uL me, sLunned.
Yes, ELIun? Iv wus wuILIng Ior me Lo usk Ier u quesLIon.
TIe wIoIe LubIe Lurned In mv dIrecLIon. Iud Lo come up wILI
someLIIng. WIuL were we LuIkIng ubouL?
ALLrucLIon.
wus wonderIng.
Yes? Iv Iooked uL me expecLunLIv. wus gIud Reece wusn`L In LIe
room, even II Ier powers were ouL oI wIuck. A SvbII wouId see wIuL
wus IeeIIng.
z1J6=
And dIdn`L need u seIenomeLer Lo prove IL or meusure IL Ior me. Even
LIougI we wouId never be unvLIIng more LIun IrIends, Iv und
wouId uIwuvs meun someLIIng Lo eucI oLIer.
Mv sLomucI conLrucLed. TIIs LIme, IL wusn`L kIIIer bees. More IIke
Vexes gnuwIng on mv InLernuI orguns.
Vexes, suId ouL oI nowIere. Evervone wus sLIII sLurIng uL me.
Iv nodded puLIenLIv, wuILIng Ior me Lo suv someLIIng LIuL mude
sense. Yes. TIere Ius been u greuL deuI more LIun LIe usuuI umounL
oI ucLIvILv IuLeIv.
No. meun, wIuL II we`re ussumIng someLIIng`s LrvIng Lo geL InLo
Ruvenwood becuuse oI evervLIIng AbruIum Ius been LIrowIng uL us?
MurIun Iooked uL me bIunkIv. Mv IIbrurv wus neurIv burned Lo LIe
ground. Your uunLs` Iouse wus desLroved. L`s u IuIrIv suIe ussumpLIon,
wouIdn`L vou suv?
Evervone In LIe room Iooked uL me IIke wus un IdIoL, buL kepL go-
Ing. WIuL II we`re wrong? WIuL II someone Is doIng LIIs Irom LIe
InsIde?
Iv IIILed un evebrow.
RIdIev LIrew up Ier Iunds. TIuL`s LIe sLupIdesL-
L`s brIIIIunL, ucLuuIIv, Iv suId.
OI course you LIInk so, Murv PoppIns. RIdIev roIIed Ier eves.
do. And unIess vou Iuve more convIncIng muLI, vou`II Iuve Lo sIuL
up und IIsLen Lo me Ior once. Iv Lurned Lo Mucon. ELIun couId be
zzJ6=
rIgIL. TIere`s un unomuIv In LIe numbers Iuven`L been ubIe Lo ex-
pIuIn. BuL II were Lo IIIp evervLIIng, IL mukes perIecL sense.
WIv wouId someone be doIng LIIs Irom LIe InsIde? enu usked.
kepL mv eves Iocused on LIe red noLebook on LIe LubIe-LIe rows oI
numbers, LIe LIIngs LIuL were suIe und known.
TIe quesLIon Isn`L wIv. Mucon`s voIce sounded sLrunge. L`s wIo.
enu gIunced uL RIdIev. We were LIInkIng LIe sume LIIng.
RIdIev jumped ouL oI Ier cIuIr. You LIInk IL`s me? `m uIwuvs LIe one
wIo geLs bIumed Ior evervLIIng LIuL goes wrong uround Iere!
RIdIev, cuIm down, Mucon suId. No one-
BuL sIe cuL IIm oII. DId vou ever consIder LIuL LIe numbers on ILLIe
MIss PerIecL`s cruppv wuLcI couId be wrong? No, LIuL wouId be Im-
possIbIe, becuuse sIe Ius uII oI vou euLIng ouL oI Ier Iund!
enu smIIed.
Its not funny, L.
Im not laughing.
Mucon ruIsed IIs Iund. EnougI. L`s quILe possIbIe someLIIng Isn`L
LrvIng Lo geL InLo Ruvenwood uL uII. L muv uIreudv be Iere.
Don`L vou LIInk we`d noLIce II one oI AbruIum`s Durk creuLures Iud
breucIed LIe BIndIngs? enu sounded unconvInced.
zJ6=
Mucon rose Irom IIs seuL, IIs eves IIxed on me. He wus IookIng uL me
LIe sume wuv Ie Iud LIe IIrsL nIgIL we meL, wIen sIowed IIm
GenevIeve`s IockeL uL LIIs LubIe. A vuIId poInL, enu. AssumIng we ure
deuIIng wILI u breucI.
euI Ruvenwood sLudIed Ier broLIer. Mucon, wIuL ure vou
LIInkIng?
Mucon wuIked uround LIe LubIe unLII Ie wus sLundIng dIrecLIv ucross
Irom me. `m more InLeresLed In wIuL ELIun Is LIInkIng. Mucon`s
green eves sLurLed Lo gIow. TIev remInded me oI LIe IumInescenL coIor
Irom LIe ArcIIgIL.
WIuL`s goIng on? wIIspered Lo euI, wIo Iooked sIocked.
knew Mucon`s powers cIunged wIen Ie becume u CusLer. BuL Iud
no Ideu Ie couId MIndIunL.
WIuL does LIuL meun, exucLIv? L dIdn`L sound good, consIderIng LIuL
Mucon wus compIeLeIv Iocused on me.
TIe mInd Is u IubvrInLI, und Mucon cun nuvIguLe IIs wuv LIrougI IL.
L sounded IIke one oI Ammu`s unswers, LIe kInd LIuL doesn`L reuIIv LeII
vou unvLIIng. You meun Ie cun reud mInds?
NoL LIe wuv vou`re LIInkIng. He cun sense dIsLurbunces und unom-
uIIes, LIIngs LIuL don`L beIong. euI wus sLurIng uL Mucon.
HIs green pupIIs were gIowIng und sIgILIess now, veL knew Ie wus
wuLcIIng me. L wus dIsLurbIng Lo be seen wILIouL beIng seen. Mucon
sLured uL me Ior u Iong mInuLe. You, oI uII peopIe.
wIuL?
zqJ6=
L seems vou Iuve brougIL someLIIng-no, someone Iere wILI vou
LIIs evenIng. An unInvILed guesL.
ELIun wouId never do LIuL! enu sounded us surprIsed us wus.
Mucon Ignored Ier, sLIII wuLcIIng me. cun`L quILe puL mv IInger on
IL, buL someLIIng Ius cIunged.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? A sIck IeeIIng wus buIIdIng InsIde me.
MurIun sLood up sIowIv, us II sIe dIdn`L wunL Lo sLurLIe IIm. Mucon,
vou know LIe Order Is uIIecLIng evervone`s powers. You uren`L Im-
mune. s IL possIbIe vou ure perceIvIng someLIIng LIuL Isn`L LIere?
TIe green IIgIL Iuded Irom Mucon`s eves. AnvLIIng Is possIbIe,
MurIun.
Mv IeurL wus poundIng In mv cIesL. A second ugo Ie wus uccusIng me
oI brIngIng someone InLo Ruvenwood, und now Ie Iud wIuL-cIunged
IIs mInd?
Mr. WuLe, IL seems vou ure noL vourseII. SomeLIIng quILe sIgnIIIcunL
Is mIssIng. WIIcI expIuIns wIv sensed u sLrunger In mv Iouse, even
II LIe sLrunger Is vou.
Evervone wus sLurIng uL me. IeIL mv sLomucI IurcI, us II LIe ground
wus sLIII movIng beneuLI mv IeeL. MIssIng? WIuL do vou meun?
I knew, wouId LeII vou. Mucon sLurLed Lo reIux. UnIorLunuLeIv,
`m noL enLIreIv sure.
dIdn`L know wIuL Mucon wus LuIkIng ubouL, und dIdn`L cure unv-
more. wusn`L goIng Lo sIL Iere und be uccused oI LIIngs Iudn`L done,
becuuse IIs powers were uII screwed up und Ie wus Loo urrogunL Lo
z=J6=
deuI wILI IL. Mv worId wus coIIupsIng uround me, und needed un-
swers. Iope vou Iud Iun IunLIng, or wIuLever vou cuII IL. BuL LIuL`s
noL wIuL cume Lo LuIk ubouL.
WIuL dId vou come Lo LuIk ubouL? Mucon suL buck down uL LIe Ieud
oI LIe LubIe. He suId IL IIke wus LIe one wusLIng evervone`s LIme,
wIIcI onIv mude me ungrIer.
TIe EIgILeenLI Moon Isn`L ubouL Ruvenwood or enu. L`s ubouL JoIn
Breed. BuL we don`L know wIere Ie Is or wIuL`s goIng Lo Iuppen.
LIInk Ie`s rIgIL. Iv cIewed on LIe end oI Ier pen.
LIougIL vou mIgIL wunL Lo know so we cun IInd IIm. sLood up.
And `m sorrv II don`L seem IIke mvseII. Muvbe IL Ius someLIIng Lo
do wILI LIe IucL LIuL LIe worId Is IuIIIng upurL.
Ethan, where are you going?
This is bullshit.
ELIun, cuIm down. PIeuse. MurIun sLurLed Lo geL up.
TeII LIuL Lo LIe Vexes LIuL desLroved LIe wIoIe Lown. Or AbruIum
und SuruIIne und HunLIng. Iooked rIgIL uL Mucon. WIv don`L vou
Lurn vour X-ruv vIsIon on LIem?
Ethan!
Im done here.
He doesnt mean
I dont care what he means, L.
z6J6=
Mucon wus wuLcIIng me.
TIere ure no coIncIdences, rIgIL? WIen LIe unIverse wurns me ubouL
someLIIng, IL`s usuuIIv mv mom LuIkIng. So `m goIng Lo IIsLen.
wuIked ouL beIore unvone couId suv unvLIIng. dIdn`L need Lo be u
Wuvwurd Lo see wIo wus IosL.
z;J6=
10.04
Rubbery Chicken
AII couId see wus IIre. IeIL LIe IeuL und suw LIe coIor oI LIe IIumes.
Orunge, red, bIue. Ire wus so munv more coIors LIun peopIe LIougIL.
wus In LIe SIsLers` Iouse, und wus Lrupped.
Where are you?
Iooked down uL mv IeeL. knew Ie wouId be LIere unv mInuLe. TIen
Ieurd LIe voIce, LIrougI LIe IIumes beIow me.
IM WAITING.
run down LIe sLuIrs, Lowurd LIe voIce, buL LIe sLuIrcuse crumbIed un-
der mv IeeL, und suddenIv wus IuIIIng. As LIe IIoor guve wuv, IIL LIe
busemenL beneuLI me, mv sIouIder crusIIng LIrougI LIe burnIng
wood beIow.
suw orunge, red, bIue.
reuIIzed wus In LIe IIbrurv, wIen sIouId Iuve been In AunL Prue`s
busemenL. Books were burnIng uII uround me.
Du VIncI. DIckInson. Poe. And unoLIer one.
The Book of Moons.
And suw u IIusI oI gruv LIuL wusn`L purL oI LIe IIre uL uII.
L wus IIm.
TIe smoke swuIIowed me, und bIucked ouL.
woke up on LIe IIoor. WIen Iooked In LIe buLIroom mIrror, mv Iuce
wus bIuck wILI sooL. spenL LIe resL oI LIe duv LrvIng noL Lo cougI up
usI.
Iud been sIeepIng even worse LIun usuuI sInce mv urgumenL wILI
Mucon, or wIuLever vou`d cuII IL. IgILIng wILI Mucon usuuIIv Ied Lo
IIgILIng wILI enu, wIIcI wus more puInIuI LIun IIgILIng wILI everv-
one knew combIned. BuL now evervLIIng wus dIIIerenL, und enu
dIdn`L know wIuL Lo suv unv more LIun dId.
We LrIed Lo uvoId LIInkIng ubouL wIuL wus IuppenIng uround us-LIe
LIIngs we couIdn`L sLop und LIe unswers we couIdn`L IInd. BuL IL wus uI-
wuvs IurkIng In LIe buck oI our mInds, even II we dIdn`L udmIL IL. We
LrIed Lo Iocus on LIIngs we couId conLroI, IIke keepIng RIdIev ouL oI
LroubIe und LIe Iubbers ouL oI our Iouses. Becuuse wIen everv duv Is
LIe End oI Duvs, uILer u wIIIe LIev IeeI preLLv mucI IIke everv oLIer
duv, even LIougI vou know LIuL`s cruzv. And noLIIng Is LIe sume.
TIe bugs goL IungrIer, LIe IeuL goL IoLLer, und LIe wIoIe Lown goL cru-
zIer. BuL more LIun unvLIIng, IL wus sLIII LIe IeuL we uII noLIced. L wus
prooI LIuL no muLLer wIo wus scorIng or duLIng or IvIng In u bed uL
CounLv Cure-underneuLI evervLIIng, Irom LIe mInuLe vou woke up In
LIe mornIng Lo LIe mInuLe vou IeII usIeep, und uII LIe mInuLes In
beLween-someLIIng wus wrong und IL wusn`L geLLIng beLLer. L wus
geLLIng worse.
zqoJ6=
BuL dIdn`L need Lo IeeI LIe IeuL ouLsIde Lo prove IL Lo me. Iud uII LIe
prooI needed InsIde-In our kILcIen. Ammu wus prucLIcuIIv connec-
Led Lo our oId sLove on u ceIIuIur IeveI, und wIen someLIIng wus goIng
on In Ier Ieud, IL Iound ILs wuv InLo LIe kILcIen. couIdn`L IIgure ouL
wIuL wus goIng on wILI Ier, und sIe sure wusn`L goIng Lo LeII me.
couId onIv pIece IL LogeLIer Irom LIe Iew cIues sIe IeIL, In LIe Iunguuge
sIe used LIe mosL-cookIng.
CIue number one: rubberv cIIcken. Rubberv cIIcken wus useIuI,
mosLIv In Lerms oI esLubIIsIIng u sLuLe oI mInd und u LImeIIne, IIke rIg-
or morLIs on u cop sIow. or Ammu, wIo wus Iumous In LIree
counLIes Ior Ier cIIcken `n` dumpIIngs, rubberv cIIcken meunL Lwo
LIIngs: u) sIe wus dIsLrucLed, und b) sIe wus busv. SIe dIdn`L jusL Ior-
geL Lo Luke LIe cIIcken ouL oI LIe oven. SIe dIdn`L Iuve LIme Lo deuI
wILI IL once IL wus ouL. So LIe cIIcken suL Loo Iong In LIe IeuL, und
even Ionger on LIe cooIIng ruck. WuILIng Ior Ammu Lo come uround,
IIke LIe resL oI us. wunLed Lo know wIere sIe wus und wIuL sIe wus
up Lo uII LIuL LIme.
CIue number Lwo: u generuI Iuck oI pIe. PIe wus gone, und wIen IL
wusn`L, LIere wus no sIgn oI Ammu`s Iumous Iemon merIngue. WIIcI
meunL u) sIe wusn`L speukIng Lo LIe GreuLs, und b) sIe deIInILeIv
wusn`L speukIng Lo UncIe Abner. Iudn`L cIecked LIe IIquor cubIneL,
buL u Iuck oI Juck DunIeIs wouId seuI LIe deuI Ior UncIe Abner, Loo.
wondered II Ier IILLIe LrIp Lo LIe bokor Iud unvLIIng Lo do wILI LIuL.
CIue number LIree: LIe sweeL Leu wus unspeukubIv sweeL, wIIcI meunL
u) LIe SIsLers were sneukIng InLo LIe kILcIen und dumpIng sugur In LIe
pILcIer, LIe wuv LIev dId wILI suIL In LIe gruvv, b) Ammu wus so ouL oI
IL sIe couIdn`L keep Lruck oI Iow munv cups oI sugur sIe wus dumpIng
In, or c) someLIIng wus wrong wILI me.
zq1J6=
Muvbe uII LIree, buL Ammu wus up Lo someLIIng, und wus deLerm-
Ined Lo IInd ouL wIuL. Even II Iud Lo usk LIuL bokor mvseII.
TIen LIere wus LIe song. WILI everv pussIng duv, Ieurd IL wILI greuL-
er Irequencv, IIke one oI LIose Top qo songs LIuL pIuvs on LIe rudIo so
mucI LIuL IL`s uIwuvs sLuck In vour Ieud.
Eighteen Moons, eighteen fears,
The cries of Mortals fade, appear,
Those unknown and those unseen
Crushed in the hands of the Demon Queen
TIe Demon Queen? SerIousIv? AILer LIe IILeruI LrunsIuLIon oI LIe Vex
verse, dIdn`L wunL Lo ImugIne wIuL u run-In wILI u Demon Queen
couId meun. Ioped mv mom Iud conIused IL wILI IomecomIng
queen.
BuL LIe songs were never wrong.
LrIed noL Lo LIInk ubouL LIe crIes oI MorLuIs or LIe Iunds oI LIe De-
mon Queen. BuL LIe LIougILs reIused Lo LIInk, LIe conversuLIons LIuL
remuIned unspoken, LIe Ieurs never conIessed, LIe dreud buIIdIng In-
sIde me- couIdn`L escupe LIem. EspecIuIIv noL uL nIgIL, wIen wus
suIe In mv room.
SuIe, und LIe mosL vuInerubIe.
zqzJ6=
wusn`L LIe onIv one.
Even wILIIn LIe Bound wuIIs oI Ruvenwood, enu wus jusL us vuIner-
ubIe. Becuuse sIe Iud someLIIng Irom Ier moLIer, Loo. And knew
sIe wus LoucIIng one oI LIe LIIngs In LIuL denLed meLuI box wIen
suw LIe orunge gIow oI LIe IIumes-
The fire ignited, flames curling around the gas burner one by one,
until they created a single, beautiful blazing circle on the stovetop.
Sarafine watched, fascinated. She forgot about the pot of water on
the counter. She forgot about dinner most nights now. She couldnt
think about anything but the flames. Fire had energypower that de-
fied even the laws of science. It was impossible to control, leveling
miles of forest in minutes.
Sarafine had been studying fire for months. Watching theoretical
ones on the science channel, and real ones on the news. The television
was on all the time. The second there was a mention of a fire, she
would stop whatever she was doing and rush to watch. But that
wasnt the worst part. She had started using her powers to set small
fires. Nothing dangerous, only tiny ones in the woods. They were like
campfires. Harmless.
Her fascination with fire had started around the same time as the
voices. Maybe the voices drove her to watch things burn; it was im-
possible to know. The first time Sarafine heard the low voice in her
mind, she had been doing the laundry.
TIIs Is u mIserubIe, worLIIess IIIe-u IIIe equuI Lo deuLI. A wusLe oI LIe
greuLesL gIIL LIe CusLer worId Ius Lo oIIer. TIe power Lo kIII und des-
Lrov, Lo use LIe verv uIr we breuLIe Lo IueI vour weupon. TIe Durk Ire
oIIers ILseII. L oIIers Ireedom.
zqJ6=
The laundry basket dropped, and clothes spilled out onto the floor.
Sarafine knew the voice wasnt her own. It didnt sound like her, and
the thoughts were not her own. Yet they were in her mind.
TIe greuLesL gIIL LIe CusLer worId Ius Lo oIIer. The gifts of a Cata-
clystthats what it meant. Its what happened when a Natural went
Dark. And no matter how much Sarafine wanted to pretend it wasnt
true, she was Dark. Her yellow eyes reminded her every time she
looked in the mirror. Which wasnt often. She couldnt stand the sight
of herself, or the possibility that John might see those eyes again.
Sarafine wore dark sunglasses all the time, even though John didnt
care what color her eyes were. Maybe theyll brighten up this
dump, he said one day, looking around the tiny apartment. It was a
dumppeeling paint and broken tiles, heat that never worked and
electricity that shorted out all the time. But Sarafine would never ad-
mit it, because it was her fault they were living there. Nice places
didnt rent to teenagers who were obviously runaways.
They couldve afforded a better place. John always came up with
plenty of money. It wasnt hard to find things to pawn, when you
could make objects disappear right out of peoples pockets or store
windows. He was an Evanescent, like most of historys great magi-
ciansand thieves. But he was also Light, using his gift in this vile
way to keep them alive.
To keep her alive.
The voices reminded her of that every day.
I vou Ieuve, Ie cun use IIs purIor LrIcks Lo Impress MorLuI gIrIs, und
vou cun do wIuL vou were born Ior.
zqqJ6=
She shook the voices out of her head, but the words left a shadow, a
phantom image that never entirely disappeared. The voices were the
strongest when she was watching things burnthe way she was
now.
Before she realized it, the kitchen towel was smoking, blackened
edges curling inward like an animal recoiling in fear. The smoke
alarm screamed.
Sarafine slapped the towel against the floor until the flames turned
into a sad trail of smoke. She stared at the charred towel, crying. She
had to throw it away before John saw it. She could never tell him
about this. Or the voices.
It was her secret.
Everyone had secrets, right?
A secret couldnt hurt anyone.
suL up wILI u sLurL, buL mv room wus sLIII. Mv wIndow wus sIuL, even
LIougI LIe IeuL wus so sLIIIIng LIuL LIe sweuL runnIng down mv neck
IeIL IIke LIe sIow cruwI oI spIders. knew u cIosed wIndow couIdn`L
keep AbruIum ouL oI mv room, buL someIow IL mude me IeeI beLLer.
wus overwIeImed bv un IrruLIonuI punIc. WILI everv seLLIIng bourd,
everv creukIng sLuIr, expecLed Lo see AbruIum`s Iuce emerge Irom LIe
durkness. Iooked uround, buL LIe durk In mv room wus sImpIv LIe
durk.
zq=J6=
kIcked oII LIe sIeeL. wus so IoL, `d never be ubIe Lo IuII buck Lo
sIeep. grubbed LIe gIuss Irom mv nIgILsLund und poured some wuLer
on mv neck. or u second, cooI uIr swepL over me, beIore LIe IeuL
swuIIowed me buck up uguIn.
You know, IL`s goIng Lo geL worse beIore IL geLs beLLer.
WIen Ieurd LIe voIce, uImosL jumped ouL oI mv skIn.
Iooked over und mv mom wus sILLIng In LIe cIuIr In LIe corner oI mv
room. n LIe cIuIr Iud IuId ouL mv cIoLIes on LIe duv oI Ier IuneruI,
LIen never suL In uguIn. SIe Iooked LIe wuv sIe Iud In LIe cemeLerv
LIe IusL LIme suw Ier-kInd oI bIurrv uround LIe edges-buL sIe wus
sLIII mv mom In uII LIe ImporLunL wuvs.
Mom?
SweeLIeurL.
cruwIed ouL oI bed und suL on LIe IIoor nexL Lo Ier, mv buck uguInsL
LIe wuII. wus uIruId Lo geL Loo cIose, uIruId wus dreumIng und sIe
wouId dIsuppeur. jusL wunLed Lo sIL bv Ier Ior u mInuLe, IIke we were
In LIe kILcIen LuIkIng ubouL mv duv uL scIooI or someLIIng LrIvIuI.
WIeLIer or noL IL wus reuI. WIuL`s goIng on, Mom? `ve never been
ubIe Lo see vou IIke LIIs beIore.
TIere ure. SIe IesILuLed. CerLuIn cIrcumsLunces LIuL uIIow vou Lo
see me. don`L Iuve LIme Lo expIuIn. BuL LIIs Isn`L IIke beIore, ELIun.
know. EvervLIIng Is worse.
SIe nodded. wIsI LIIngs were dIIIerenL. don`L know II LIere Is u
Iuppv endIng LIIs LIme. You need Lo undersLund LIuL. IeIL u Iump In
mv LIrouL, und LrIed Lo swuIIow IL uwuv.
zq6J6=
cun`L IIgure LIIs ouL. know IL Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI JoIn
Breed`s EIgILeenLI Moon, buL we cun`L IInd IIm. don`L know wIuL
we`re supposed Lo be IIgILIng. TIe EIgILeenLI Moon? AbruIum?
SuruIIne und HunLIng?
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. L`s noL LIuL sImpIe, or LIuL eusv. EvII doesn`L uI-
wuvs Iuve one Iuce, ELIun.
Yes, IL does. We`re LuIkIng ubouL IgIL und Durk. TIIngs don`L geL unv
more bIuck und wIILe LIun LIuL.
LIInk we boLI know LIuL Isn`L Lrue. SIe wus LuIkIng ubouL enu.
You`re noL responsIbIe Ior LIe wIoIe worId, ELIun. You uren`L LIe
judge oI IL uII. You`re jusL u bov.
reucIed up und LIrew mvseII uL mv mom, InLo Ier Iup. expecLed mv
Iunds Lo puss rIgIL LIrougI Ier. BuL couId IeeI Ier, us II sIe wus
reuIIv LIere, us II sIe wus sLIII uIIve, even LIougI wIen Iooked uL Ier
sIe wus sLIII Iuzv. cIung Lo Ier unLII mv IIngers dug InLo Ier soIL,
wurm sIouIders.
L IeIL IIke u mIrucIe Lo LoucI Ier uguIn. Muvbe IL wus.
Mv IILLIe bov, sIe wIIspered.
And smeIIed Ier. smeIIed evervLIIng-LIe LomuLoes IrvIng, LIe
creosoLe sIe used Lo cover Ier books wILI In LIe urcIIve. TIe smeII oI
IresIIv cuL gruvevurd gruss, Irom LIe nIgILs we spenL LIere, wuLcIIng
LIose IIgIL-up crosses.
or u Iew mInuLes sIe IeId me, und IL IeIL IIke sIe Iud never IeIL uL uII.
TIen sIe IeL go, buL wus sLIII IoIdIng on Lo Ier.
or u Iew mInuLes, wIuL we Iud, we knew.
zq;J6=
TIen sLurLed Lo sob. crIed In u wuv Iudn`L sInce wus u kId. SInce
IeII down LIe sLuIrs rucIng MuLcIbox curs on LIe bunIsLer, or oII LIe
Lop oI LIe jungIe gvm In LIe scIooIvurd. TIIs IuII IurL more LIun unv
pIvsIcuI one ever couId.
Her urms encIrcIed me, us II wus u kId. know vou`re ungrv uL me. L
Lukes u wIIIe Lo IeeI LIe LruLI.
don`L wunL Lo IeeI IL. L IurLs Loo mucI.
SIe Iugged me LIgILer. I vou don`L IeeI IL, vou won`L be ubIe Lo IeL IL
go.
don`L wunL Lo IeL go.
You cun`L IIgIL IuLe. L wus mv LIme Lo go. SIe sounded so sure, so uL
peuce. Ike AunL Prue, wIen wus IoIdIng Ier Iund uL CounLv Cure.
Or TwvIu, wIen suw Ier sIIppIng uwuv Lo LIe OLIerworId on LIe nIgIL
oI LIe SevenLeenLI Moon.
L wusn`L IuIr. TIe peopIe wIo were IeIL beIInd never goL Lo IeeI LIuL
sure oI unvLIIng.
wIsI IL wusn`L.
Me Loo, ELIun.
Your LIme Lo go. WIuL does LIuL meun, exucLIv?
SIe smIIed uL me us sIe rubbed mv buck. WIen LIe LIme comes, vou`II
know.
don`L know wIuL Lo do unvmore. `m uIruId `m goIng Lo screw LIIngs
up.
zq8J6=
You`II do LIe rIgIL LIIng, ELIun. And II vou don`L, LIe rIgIL LIIng wIII
IInd vou. TIe WIeeI oI uLe Is IIke LIuL.
LIougIL ubouL wIuL AunL Prue suId Lo me. The Wheel of Fate It
crushes us all.
Iooked mv mom In LIe eve und noLIced Ier Iuce wus sLreuked wILI
Leurs, jusL IIke mIne. WIuL Is IL, Mom?
NoL IL, mv sweeL bov. SIe LoucIed mv cIeek us sIe begun Lo Iude
soILIv buck InLo LIe wurm durkness. WIo.
zqJ6=
10.09
Catfight
A Iew duvs IuLer, wus sILLIng In LIe good booLI uL LIe Dur-ee Keen,
wIIcI unoIIIcIuIIv beIonged Lo Ink now. Some nervous IresImen uc-
LuuIIv cIeured ouL wIen we goL LIere. remembered mv IresImun veur
wIen LIuL wus Ink und me. He wus noddIng uL gIrIs us LIev wuIked bv
our booLI, und wus euLIng mv weIgIL In TuLer ToLs.
TIev musL be buvIng u dIIIerenL kInd or someLIIng. TIese ure ucLuuIIv
good. popped unoLIer TuLer ToL InLo mv mouLI. Iudn`L LoucIed
one In veurs. BuL Loduv, LIev`d Iooked good up on LIe grImv menu
bourd.
Dude, LIInk vou`re IosIn` IL. Even never uLe LIose LIIngs.
sIrugged us enu und RIdIev sIId InLo LIe booLI wILI Lwo muILs. RId-
Iev sLurLed drInkIng boLI oI LIem. Mmm. Ruspberrv.
s LIuL u IIrsL Ior vou, RId? Ink Iooked Iuppv Lo see Ier. TIev were
speukIng uguIn. guve IL IIve mInuLes unLII LIe bIckerIng seL In.
Mmm. Oreo. OI mv God. SIe sLuck LIe sLruws InLo Ier mouLI und
sLurLed drInkIng boLI muILs uL LIe sume LIme.
enu Iooked dIsgusLed und puIIed ouL u bug oI IrencI IrIes. WIuL ure
vou doIng?
wunLed ruspberrv Oreo, RIdIev mumbIed, LIe sLruws sIIppIng ouL oI
Ier mouLI.
poInLed uL LIe sIgn over LIe regIsLer LIuL reud: ANYTHNG YOU
WANT, ANY WAY WE GOT T. You know vou cun order IL IIke LIuL.
`d ruLIer do IL mv wuv. L`s more Iun. WIuL ure we LuIkIng ubouL?
Ink Lossed u wud oI IoIded-up IIvers onLo LIe LubIe. TIe bIg deuI Is
SuvunnuI Snow`s purLv uILer LIe gume uguInsL SummervIIIe.
WeII, Iuve Iun. sLoIe one oI enu`s IrIes.
Ink mude u Iuce. Aw, mun, IIrsL LIe TuLer ToLs, now LIIs? How cun
vou euL LIuL crup? SmeIIs IIke dIrLv IuIr und oId oII. He snIIIed uguIn.
And u ruL or Lwo.
enu dropped LIe bug.
grubbed unoLIer Irv. You used Lo euL LIIs crup uII LIe LIme. And vou
were u IoL more Iun.
WeII, `m ubouL Lo geL more Iun, becuuse scored vou guvs InvILes Lo
SuvunnuI`s purLv. We`re uII goIng. He unIoIded LIe orunge IIvers, und
LIere LIev were: Iour orunge InvILes, eucI cuL In u cIrcIe und decoruLed
Lo Iook IIke u buskeLbuII.
enu pIcked up one bv LIe corner us II IL wus ucLuuIIv covered In dIrLv
IuIr und oId oII. TIe goIden LIckeL. Guess LIuL mukes us LIe cooI kIds
now.
Ink dIdn`L pIck up on Ier surcusm. YeuI, Iooked v`uII up.
RIdIev sIurped Ier muILs. SIe Iud druIned boLI oI LIem down Lo LIe
dregs. AcLuuIIv, dId.
WIuL? couIdn`L Iuve Ieurd Ier rIgIL.
z=zJ6=
SuvunnuI InvILed LIe wIoIe squud, und LoId LIem needed Lo brIng
mv enLouruge. You know, Ior securILv or wIuLever. SIe puL down LIe
gIusses. You cun LIunk me IuLer. Or now.
Suv LIuL uguIn? enu Iooked uL Ier cousIn IIke sIe wus cruzv.
RIdIev seemed conIused. You`re mv enLouruge?
enu sIook Ier Ieud. TIe oLIer purL.
SecurILv?
BeIore LIuL.
RId LIougIL Ior u second. Squud?
TIuL. enu suId IL IIke IL wus u Iour-IeLLer word.
L Iud Lo be u joke. Iooked uL Ink, wIo wus purposeIv noL IookIng uL
me.
RIdIev sIrugged. YeuI, wIuLever. Teum LIIngv. IorgeL LIe nume.
IIke LIe skIrLs. BesIdes, LIIs gIg Is LIe cIosesL cun geL Lo beIng u SIren,
us Iong us `m Lrupped In LIIs Iume MorLuI bodv. SIe guve us Ier besL
Iuke smIIe. Go, WIIdcuLs.
enu wus speecIIess. couId IeeI LIe wIndows oI LIe Dur-ee Keen be-
gIn Lo ruLLIe us II u guIe Iorce wInd wus IILLIng LIem. WIIcI IL probubIv
wus.
crumpIed up mv nupkIn. Are vou kIddIng? You`re one oI LIem
now?
WIuL?
z=J6=
TIe SuvunnuI Snows und EmIIv AsIers-LIe kInd oI gIrIs wIo Iur-
ussed us uII LIe LIme In scIooI, enu snupped. TIe ones we IuLe.
don`L see wIuL vou`re geLLIng so worked up ubouL.
OI, don`L know. Muvbe IL`s becuuse vou joIned LIe sume squud LIuL
sLurLed u cIub Lo geL me kIcked ouL oI scIooI IusL veur. You know, LIe
Juckson HIgI cIeer-sIusI-deuLI squud?
RIdIev vuwned. WIuLever. TeII me someLIIng LIuL Ius Lo do wILI me.
Iooked uL LIe wIndows ouL oI LIe corner oI mv eve. TIev were sLIII
ruLLIIng. A Lree bruncI IIew uguInsL one, us II IL Iud been Lossed up ouL
oI LIe ground IIke u weed. puIIed one oI enu`s curIs sLruIgIL beLween
mv IIngers.
Calm down, L.
Im calm.
She doesnt mean to hurt you.
No. Because she doesnt notice, or care.
Lurned Lo Ink, wIo wus sILLIng wILI IIs urms beIInd IIs Ieud, enjov-
Ing our reucLIons. DId vou know ubouL LIIs?
Ink grInned. Huven`L mIssed u prucLIce. sLured IIm down. Aw,
come on. SIe Iooks preLLv IoL In LIose sIorL skIrLs. TIIrd Degree
Burns, Bubv.
RIdIev smIIed.
z=qJ6=
wus preLLv sure Ink Iud IosL IIs mInd. And vou LIInk LIIs Is u good
Ideu?
He sIrugged. don`L know. WIuLever IIouLs Ier bouL. And vou know
wIuL LIev suv: Keep vour IrIends cIose und vour enemIes` cIoLIes..
WuIL, Iow does LIuL go?
Iooked uL enu.
This I gotta see.
TIe wIndows ruLLIed Iurder.
TIe nexL uILernoon, we wenL Lo see Ior ourseIves. TIe gIrI Iud moves.
You Iud Lo gIve Ier LIuL. Even II RIdIev wore Ier cIeerIeudIng skIrL
wILI u meLuIIIc Lunk Lop InsLeud oI LIe sLundurd goId und bIue unIIorm,
vou couIdn`L denv IL.
wonder II sIe`s good uL LIIs becuuse sIe wus u SIren. wuLcIed us
RIdIev puIIed buck IundsprIngs down LIe IengLI oI LIe buskeLbuII
courL.
YeuI. wonder. enu dIdn`L Iook Loo convInced.
WIuL, vou LIInk LIere`s some kInd oI cIeer CusL? s LIere u uLIn
word Ior cIeerIeuder?
enu wuLcIed RIdIev nuII unoLIer IundsprIng. `m noL sure, buL `m
goIng Lo IInd ouL.
We wuLcIed Irom LIe IIgIesL bIeucIer, und uILer LIe IIrsL Len mInuLes
oI prucLIce, IL wus obvIous wIuL wus reuIIv goIng on. TIe reuI reuson
z==J6=
RIdIev joIned LIe squud. SIe wus repIucIng SuvunnuI, In everv pos-
sIbIe wuv. RId wus LIe buse, IoIdIng up LIe Leum durIng LIe pvrumId.
SIe wus IeudIng LIe cIeers und, In u Iew cuses, mukIng LIem up on LIe
IIv, us Iur us couId LeII. TIe resL oI LIe squud wus sLumbIIng beIInd
Ier, LrvIng Lo copv Ier seemIngIv rundom moves.
WIen RIdIev cIeered, Ier sIouLs were so Ioud sIe ucLuuIIv dIsLrucLed
LIe guvs on LIe courL. Or muvbe IL wus LIe meLuIIIc Lunk Lop. GIve IL Lo
me, WIIdcuL bovs! You cun be mv WIIdcuL Lovs! Bounce vour buIIs und
sIooL `em IIgI. RIdIev`s come Lo Juckson HIgI.
TIe guvs on LIe Leum sLurLed IuugIIng, excepL Ior Ink. He Iooked IIke
Ie wunLed Lo cIuck u buskeLbuII uL Ier. OnIv someone eIse wus goIng
Lo beuL IIm Lo IL. SuvunnuI jumped oII LIe bencI, Ier urm sLIII In u
sIIng, und mude u beeIIne Ior RIdIev.
`m guessIng LIuL`s noL one oI LIeIr upproved cIeers.
enu puL Ier Ieud In Ier Iunds. `m guessIng, beLween RIdIev und Su-
vunnuI, we`II uII be kIcked ouL oI scIooI bv LIe end oI LIe seuson. We
boLI knew wIuL Iuppened wIen vou Look on women IIke Mrs. Snow.
NoL Lo menLIon SuvunnuI Snow.
WeII, vou`ve goL Lo gIve RIdIev credIL Ior one LIIng. L`s OcLober, und
sIe`s sLIII uL Juckson. SIe mude IL Ionger LIun LIree duvs.
RemInd me Lo buke Ier u cuke wIen geL Iome. enu wus unnoved.
TIe IusL LIme we wenL Lo scIooI LogeLIer, spenL IuII mv LIme doIng
Ier Iomework. OLIerwIse, sIe wouId`ve goLLen everv bov In scIooI Lo
do IL Ior Ier. TIuL`s LIe onIv wuv sIe knows Iow Lo operuLe.
enu resLed Ier Ieud on mv cIesL. Our IIngers InLerLwIned, und IeIL u
joIL. Even LIougI mv skIn wouId sLurL Lo burn In u Iew mInuLes, IL wus
z=6J6=
worLI IL. wunLed Lo remember LIuL IeeIIng-noL LIe joIL, buL LIe LoucI
beIore IL. TIev wuv Ier Iund IeIL In mIne.
never LIougIL LIere wouId be u LIme wIen `d need Lo remember.
WIen sIe wouId be unvwIere buL In mv urms. UnLII IusL sprIng, wIen
sIe IeIL me, und LIe memorIes-some Loo puInIuI Lo remember, some
Loo puInIuI Lo IorgeL-were uII Iud. TIose were LIe LIIngs IeId on
Lo.
SILLIng nexL Lo Ier on mv IronL sLeps.
KeILIng wILI Ier wIIIe wus IvIng In bed und sIe wus In Iers.
TIe wuv sIe LwIsLed Ier cIurm neckIuce wIen sIe wus IosL In LIougIL,
IIke sIe wus doIng rIgIL now, wIIIe sIe wuLcIed LIe gume.
TIe noLIIng-ouL-oI-LIe-ordInurv beLween us LIuL wus so unbeIIevubIe
und so exLruordInurv. L wusn`L becuuse sIe wus u CusLer. L wus be-
cuuse sIe wus enu und Ioved Ier.
So wuLcIed Ier us sIe wuLcIed RIdIev und SuvunnuI. UnLII LIe
drumu courLsIde grew Iouder, und noLIIng wus sIIenL-even LIougI
vou dIdn`L need Lo Ieur wIuL LIev were suvIng Lo know wIuL wus goIng
on.
Okuv, LIuL`s u rookIe mIsLuke. enu nurruLed LIe ucLIon Ior me us Su-
vunnuI goL InLo RIdIev`s Iuce. RIdIev wus snurIIng IIke un uIIev cuL.
See wIuL meun? You cun`L come uL RId IIke LIuL wILIouL expecLIng Lo
geL vour Iuce cIuwed oII. enu Lensed up. couId LeII sIe wus debuLIng
goIng down LIere beIore LIIngs goL ugIv.
Emorv beuL Ier Lo IL, IurIng RIdIev over Lo LIe sIdeIInes. SuvunnuI
LrIed Lo Iook ungrv, buL sIe wus obvIousIv reIIeved.
z=;J6=
So wus enu. TIuL uImosL mukes me IIke Emorv.
You cun`L soIve uII oI RIdIev`s probIems Ior Ier.
cun`L soIve unv oI LIem. `ve spenL mv wIoIe IIIe noL soIvIng RIdIev`s
probIems.
nudged Ier wILI mv sIouIder. TIuL`s wIv LIev`re RIdIev`s
probIems.
SIe reIuxed und seLLIed buck on LIe bIeucIer. WIen dId vou geL so
zen?
`m noL zen. Wus ? n LIe buck oI mv mInd, uII couId LIInk ubouL
wus mv mom und LIe bevond-LIe-gruve wIsdom LIuL wus unIqueIv
Iers. Muvbe IL wus creepIng InLo LIe IronL oI mv mInd. Mv mom cume
Lo see me. regreLLed suvIng IL us soon us LIe words cume ouL oI mv
mouLI.
enu suL up so IusL mv urm wenL IIvIng. WIen? WIv dIdn`L vou LeII
me? WIuL dId sIe suv?
A Iew nIgILs ugo. dIdn`L IeeI IIke LuIkIng ubouL IL. EspecIuIIv noL
uILer `d wuLcIed enu`s moLIer pIunge IurLIer InLo Durkness In LIe
vIsIon LIuL sume nIgIL. BuL IL wus more LIun LIuL. wus comIng un-
gIued-LuIkIng Lo mv unconscIous uunL In mv sIeep, IorgeLLIng LIIngs
wIen wus uwuke-und LIe ImpossIbIv Ieuvv weIgIL oI doom IurkIng
In LIe buck oI mv mInd. dIdn`L wunL Lo udmIL Iow bud IL wus geL-
LIng-Lo enu or Lo mvseII.
enu Lurned buck Lo LIe buskeLbuII courL. Her IeeIIngs were IurL.
WeII, vou`re IuII oI InIormuLIon Loduv.
I wanted to tell you, L. But it was a lot to take in.
z=8J6=
You could have told me like this.
I was trying to sort some things out. I think Ive been mad at her all
this time, like I blamed her for dying. How crazy is that?
Ethan, think about how I acted when I thought Uncle Macon was
dead. I went crazy.
It wasnt your fault.
Im not saying it was. Why is everything about fault with you? It
wasnt your moms fault she died, but a part of you still blames her.
Its normal.
We suL nexL Lo eucI oLIer on LIe bencI wILIouL LuIkIng. WuLcIIng LIe
cIeerIeuders cIeer und LIe buskeLbuII pIuvers pIuv beIow us.
Ethan, why do you think we found each other in our dreams?
I dont know.
Its not the way people usually meet.
I guess not. Sometimes I wonder if this is all one of those psychotic
coma dreams. Maybe Im lying in County Care right now.
uImosL IuugIed, buL remembered someLIIng.
CounLv Cure.
The Eighteenth Moon. I asked my mom about it.
About John Breed?
z=J6=
nodded.
All she said was something about evil having a lot of faces, and that it
wasnt up to me to judge.
Ah. The judging thing. See? She agrees with me. I knew your mom
would like me.
Iud one more cruzv quesLIon.
L, have you ever heard of the Wheel of Fate?
No. What is it?
According to my mom, its not a thing. Its a person.
WIuL? cuugIL enu oII guurd, und sIe sLopped KeILIng.
TIe weIrd LIIng Is, keep IeurIng LIuL pIruse-LIe WIeeI oI uLe.
AunL Prue menLIoned IL, Loo, wIen IeII usIeep In Ier room. L musL
Iuve someLIIng Lo do wILI LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, or mv mom wouIdn`L
Iuve brougIL IL up.
enu sLood up und IeId ouL Ier Iund. Come on.
goL up uILer Ier. WIuL ure vou doIng?
euvIng RIdIev Lo soIve Ier own probIems. eL`s go.
WIere ure we goIng?
To soIve vours.
z6oJ6=
10.09
Good-Eye Side
AppurenLIv enu beIIeved LIe unswer Lo mv probIems wus wuILIng uL
LIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv, becuuse IIve mInuLes IuLer we were LIere. A
cIuIn-IInk Ience surrounded LIe buIIdIng, wIIcI Iooked more IIke u
consLrucLIon sILe LIun u IIbrurv now. TIe mIssIng IuII oI LIe rooI wus
covered wILI enormous bIue pIusLIc Lurps. TIe doorwuv wus IIunked bv
LIe curpeL LIuL Iud been rIpped up Irom LIe concreLe IIoor, desLroved
us mucI bv LIe wuLer us LIe IIre. We sLepped over LIe cIurred bourds
und wuIked InsIde.
TIe opposILe sIde oI LIe IIbrurv wus seuIed oII wILI Ieuvv pIusLIc. L
wus LIe one LIuL Iud burned. dIdn`L wunL Lo know wIuL IL Iooked IIke
over LIere. TIe sIde wIere we were sLundIng wus jusL us depressIng.
TIe sLucks were gone, repIuced bv boxes oI books LIuL Iooked IIke
LIev`d been sorLed InLo pIIes.
TIe desLroved. TIe purLIv desLroved. TIe suIvugeubIe.
OnIv LIe curd cuLuIog suL LIere, unLoucIed. We wouId never geL rId oI
LIuL LIIng.
AunL MurIun! You Iere? wundered pusL LIe boxes, expecLIng Lo see
MurIun In Ier sLockIng IeeL, wuIkIng uround wILI un open book.
nsLeud, suw mv dud, sILLIng on u box beIInd LIe curd cuLuIog, LuIkIng
enLIusIusLIcuIIv Lo u womun.
TIere wus no wuv.
enu sLepped In IronL oI me so LIev wouIdn`L noLIce me IookIng IIke
wus goIng Lo puke. Mrs. EngIIsI! WIuL ure vou doIng Iere? And Mr.
WuLe! dIdn`L know LIuL vou knew our LeucIer. SIe even munuged u
smIIe, us II runnIng InLo LIem Iere wus u pIeusunL coIncIdence.
couIdn`L sLop sLurIng.
What the hell is he doing here with her?
I mv dud wus IIusLered, IL dIdn`L sIow. He Iooked excILed-Iuppv,
even, wIIcI wus worse. DId vou know IIIun knows uImosL us mucI
ubouL LIe IIsLorv oI LIIs counLv us vour mom dId?
Lilian? My mom?
Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked up Irom LIe books scuLLered on LIe IIoor uround
Ier, und our eves Iocked. or u second, Ier pupIIs Iooked sIIL-sIuped,
IIke u cuL`s. Even LIe gIuss eve LIuL wusn`L reuI.
L, did you see that?
See what?
BuL now LIere wus noLIIng Lo see-onIv our EngIIsI LeucIer bIInkIng
over Ier gIuss eve us sIe wuLcIed mv IuLIer wILI Ier good one. Her
IuIr wus u gruvIng mess LIuL muLcIed LIe Iumpv gruv sweuLer sIe wus
weurIng over Ier sIupeIess dress. SIe wus LIe LougIesL LeucIer uL
Juckson, II vou Ignored LIe IoopIoIe mosL peopIe cIose Lo expIoIL-LIe
Bud-Eve SIde. never ImugIned LIuL sIe exIsLed ouLsIde LIe cIussroom.
BuL Iere sIe wus, exIsLIng uII over mv dud. IeIL sIck.
Mv dud wus sLIII LuIkIng. SIe`s IeIpIng me wILI mv reseurcI Ior The
Eighteenth Moon. Mv book, remember? He Lurned buck Lo Mrs. Eng-
IIsI, grInnIng. TIev don`L Ieur u word we suv unvmore. HuII mv
z6J6=
sLudenLs ure IIsLenIng Lo LIeIr IPods or LuIkIng on LIeIr ceII pIones.
TIev mIgIL us weII be deuI.
Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked uL IIm sLrungeIv und IuugIed. reuIIzed `d never
Ieurd Ier IuugI beIore. TIe IuugI ILseII wusn`L dIsLurbIng. Mrs. Eng-
IIsI IuugIIng uL mv IuLIer`s jokes wus. DIsLurbIng und gross.
TIuL`s noL enLIreIv Lrue, MILcIeII.
Mitchell?
Its his name, Ethan. Dont panic.
AccordIng Lo IIIun, LIe EIgILeenLI Moon couId be vIewed us u
powerIuI IIsLorIcuI moLII. TIe pIuses oI LIe moon couId coordInuLe
wILI-
NIce Lo see vou, mu`um. couIdn`L sLund Lo Ieur mv dud`s LIeorIes on
LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, or IIsLen Lo IIm sIure LIem wILI mv EngIIsI
LeucIer. wuIked pusL LIem, Lowurd LIe urcIIve. Be Iome bv dInner,
Dud. Ammu`s mukIng poL rousL. Iud no Ideu wIuL Ammu wus cook-
Ing, buL poL rousL wus IIs IuvorILe. And wunLed IIm Iome Ior dInner.
wunLed IIm Lo exIsL uwuv Irom mv EngIIsI LeucIer.
SIe musL Iuve undersLood wIuL mv dud dIdn`L, LIuL reuIIv dIdn`L
wunL Lo see Ier us unvLIIng buL mv LeucIer, becuuse us soon us LrIed
Lo go, IIIun EngIIsI dIsuppeured und Mrs. EngIIsI Look Ier pIuce.
ELIun, don`L IorgeL need LIe ouLIIne Ior vour essuv on The Crucible.
On mv desk bv LIe end oI cIuss Lomorrow, pIeuse. You, Loo, MIss
DucIunnes.
Yes, mu`um.
z6qJ6=
expecL vou Iuve u LIesIs uIreudv?
nodded, buL Iud compIeLeIv IorgoLLen un essuv wus due, IeL uIone
un ouLIIne. EngIIsI wusn`L IIgI on mv IIsL oI prIorILIes IuLeIv.
And? Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked uL me expecLunLIv.
You gonna help me out here, L?
Dont look at me. I havent thought about it.
Thanks.
Ill be hiding in the mess in the reference section until they leave.
Traitor.
ELIun? SIe wus wuILIng Ior un unswer.
sLured uL Ier, und mv IuLIer sLured uL me. Evervone wus wuLcIIng
me. IeIL IIke u goIdIIsI Lrupped In u bowI.
WIuL wus LIe IIIe spun oI u goIdIIsI? L wus one oI LIe SIsLers` Jeo-
pardy! quesLIons u Iew nIgILs ugo. LrIed Lo LIInk.
GoIdIIsI. dIdn`L know wIv suId IL. BuL IuLeIv wus bIurLIng ouL
LIIngs wILIouL even LIInkIng.
beg vour purdon? Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked conIused. Mv dud scruLcIed
IIs Ieud, LrvIng noL Lo ucL emburrussed.
meun, wIuL IL`s IIke IIvIng In u goIdIIsI bowI-wILI oLIer goIdIIsI.
L`s compIIcuLed.
z6=J6=
Mrs. EngIIsI wusn`L Impressed. EnIIgILen me, Mr. WuLe.
JudgmenL und Iree wIII. LIInk `m goIng Lo wrILe ubouL judgmenL.
WIo Ius LIe power Lo decIde wIuL`s good und wIuL`s evII, vou know?
SIn und uII LIuL. meun, does IL come Irom some kInd oI IIgIer order,
or does IL come Irom LIe peopIe vou IIve wILI? Or vour Lown?
L wus mv dreum LuIkIng, or mv mom.
And? WIo Ius LIuL power, Mr. WuLe? WIo Is LIe uILImuLe judge?
guess don`L know. Huven`L wrILLen LIe puper veL, mu`um. BuL `m
noL sure us goIdIIsI Iuve LIe rIgIL Lo judge eucI oLIer. ook wIere IL
goL LIose gIrIs In The Crucible.
WouId someone outside LIe communILv Iuve done u beLLer job?
A coId IeeIIng crepL over me, us II LIere ucLuuIIv wus u rIgIL or wrong
unswer Lo LIe quesLIon. n EngIIsI cIuss, LIere were no rIgIL or wrong
unswers us Iong us vou couId IInd evIdence Lo buck up vour opInIon.
BuL IL dIdn`L IeeI IIke we were LuIkIng ubouL un EngIIsI ussIgnmenL
unvmore.
Guess `II be unswerIng LIuL In mv puper. Iooked uwuv, IeeIIng sLu-
pId. n cIuss, IL wouId`ve been u good unswer, buL sLundIng In IronL oI
Ier now, IL wus someLIIng eIse.
Am InLerrupLIng? L wus MurIun Lo LIe rescue. `m sorrv, MILcIeII,
buL Iuve Lo Iock LIe IIbrurv up eurIv Loduv. WIuL`s IeIL oI IL. `m uIruId
`ve goL some-oIIIcIuI IIbrurv busIness Lo uLLend Lo.
SIe Iooked uL Mrs. EngIIsI wILI u smIIe. PIeuse do come buck. WILI
unv Iuck, we`II be buck on our IeeL und open bv LIe summer. We Iove
IuvIng educuLors use our resources.
z66J6=
Mrs. EngIIsI sLurLed coIIecLIng Ier pupers. OI course.
MurIun Iud LIem ouL LIe door beIore mv dud couId usk wIv wusn`L
IeuvIng wILI IIm. SIe IIIpped LIe sIgn und LwIsLed LIe Iock-noL LIuL
LIere wus unvLIIng IeIL Lo sLeuI.
TIunks Ior LIe suve, AunL MurIun.
enu sLuck Ier Ieud ouL Irom beIInd u sLuck oI boxes. Are LIev
gone? SIe wus IoIdIng u book, wrupped In one oI Ier scurves. couId
see LIe LILIe, onIv purLIuIIv covered bv LIe spurkIv gruv IubrIc. Great
Expectations.
SuruIIne`s book.
As II LIe uILernoon Iudn`L been bud enougI.
MurIun puIIed ouL u IundkercIIeI und rubbed Ier gIusses. L wusn`L u
suve enLIreIv. um expecLIng some oIIIcIuI vIsILors, und `m IuIrIv cer-
LuIn IL wouId be besL II vou Lwo weren`L Iere wIen LIev urrIve.
jusL need u mInuLe. Iuve Lo grub mv bug. enu dIsuppeured buck
InLo LIe boxes, buL wus rIgIL beIInd Ier.
WIuL ure vou doIng wILI LIuL? grubbed LIe book, und LIe second
LoucIed IL, LIe broken sIeIves Iuded InLo durkness-
It was late, the first time she met him. Sarafine knew she shouldnt be
walking alone this late at night. Mortals were no threat to her, but
she knew there were other things out there. But the voices had started
whispering to her, and she had to get out of the house.
z6;J6=
When she saw the figure at the corner, her heart started to pound.
But as the man moved closer, Sarafine realized he was no threat. His
long beard was white, the same color as his hair. He was wearing a
dark suit and a string tie, leaning against a polished black cane.
He was smiling, as if they knew each other. Good evening, child. Ive
been waiting for you.
Excuse me? I think youve mistaken me for someone else. She
smiled. He was probably senile.
The old man laughed. Theres no mistaking you. I know a Cataclyst
when I see one.
Sarafine felt the icy blood pumping through her veins.
He knew.
The fire flared up along the sidewalk, only a few feet from the old
mans cane. Sarafine closed her eyes, trying to control it, but she
couldnt.
Let it burn. It is on the cold side tonight. He smiled, unaffected by
the flames.
Sarafine was shaking. What do you want?
Came to help you. You see, were family. Maybe I should introduce
myself. He held out his hand. Im Abraham Ravenwood.
She knew the name. Shed seen it on her half brothers family tree.
Hunting and Macon said you were dead.
z68J6=
Do I look dead? He smiled. Couldnt die just yet. Ive been waiting
for you.
Me? Why? Sarafines own family wouldnt speak to her. It was hard
to believe someone had been waiting for her.
You dont understand what you are yet, do you? Are you hearing the
call? The voices? He looked into the flames. I can see youve already
found your gift.
Its not a gift. Its a curse.
His head snapped back in her direction, and she could see his black
eyes. Now, whos been telling you that? Casters, I imagine. He
shook his head. Doesnt surprise me. Casters are liars, only one step
removed from Mortals. But not you. A Cataclyst is the most powerful
Caster in our world, and born fromthe Dark Fire. Too powerful to be
considered a Caster at all, the way I see it.
Was it possible? Could she possess the most powerful gift in the
Caster world? Part of her yearned for it to be trueto be special,
rather than cast aside. A part of her that wanted to give in to the
urges.
To burn everything in her path.
To make all the people who had hurt her pay.
No!
She forced the thoughts from her mind. John. She focused on John
and his beautiful green eyes.
Sarafine was shaking. I dont want to be Dark.
z6J6=
Too late for that. You cant fight what you are. Abraham laughed, a
sinister sound. Now lets see those pretty yellow eyes of yours.
Abraham had been right. Sarafine couldnt fight what she was, but
she could hide it. She had no other choice. She was two souls, battling
for the same body. Right and wrong. Good and evil. Light and Dark.
John was the only thing that tethered her to the Light. She loved him,
although sometimes that love was starting to feel more like a
memory. Something far away she could see but never reach.
Still, she reached.
The memory was easiest to see when they were lying in bed, tangled
up in each other.
Do you know how much I love you? John whispered, his lips barely
grazing her ear.
Sarafine moved closer, as if his warmth could somehow soak into her
cold skin and change her from the outside in. How much?
More than anything or anyone. More than myself.
I feel the same way. Iur. She could hear the voice even now.
John leaned down until their foreheads were touching. Imnever go-
ing to feel this way about anyone else. It will always be you. His
voice was low and raspy. Youre eighteen now. Marry me.
Sarafine could hear another voice in the back of her mind, a voice
that came into her thoughts and dreams late at night. Abraham. You
LIInk vou Iove IIm, buL vou don`L. You cun`L Iove someone wIo doesn`L
know wIo vou ure. You`re noL reuIIv u CusLer; vou`re one oI us.
z;oJ6=
Izabel? John was staring back at her, searching in her eyes for the
girl hed fallen in love with. A girl who was being consumed little by
little.
How much of her was left?
Yes. Sarafine wrapped her arms around Johns neck, tethering her-
self once more. Ill marry you.
enu opened Ier eves. SIe wus IvIng on LIe dIrLv concreLe IIoor nexL Lo
me, LIe Loes oI our sneukers uImosL LoucIIng. OI mv God, ELIun. L
sLurLed wIen sIe meL AbruIum.
Your mom wus uIreudv goIng Durk.
You don`L know LIuL. Muvbe sIe couId Iuve IougIL IL, IIke UncIe
Mucon.
knew Iow budIv enu wunLed Lo beIIeve LIere wus some good In Ier
moLIer. TIuL sIe wusn`L desLIned Lo be LIe murderous monsLer we
boLI knew.
Maybe.
We sLood up us MurIun Lurned LIe corner. L`s geLLIng IuLe. As mucI us
`ve mIssed IuvIng vou Iounge uround on LIe IIoor, reuIIv need vou Lo
Ieuve. TIIs Isn`L pIeusunL busIness, `m uIruId.
WIuL do vou meun?
z;1J6=
TIe CouncII Is puvIng me u vIsIL.
TIe CouncII? wusn`L sure wIIcI one sIe wus LuIkIng ubouL.
TIe CouncII oI LIe ur Keep.
enu nodded, und smIIed svmpuLIeLIcuIIv. UncIe Mucon LoId me. s
LIere unvLIIng we cun do? WrILe IeLLers or sIgn u peLILIon? Hund ouL
IIvers?
MurIun smIIed, IookIng LIred. No. TIev`re jusL doIng LIeIr job.
WIIcI Is?
MukIng sure LIe resL oI us IoIIow LIe ruIes. LIInk LIIs IuIIs InLo LIe
cuLegorv oI LukIng one`s Iumps. um prepured Lo Luke responsIbIIILv Ior
unvLIIng `ve done. BuL noLIIng more. 'TIe prIce oI greuLness Is re-
sponsIbIIILv.` SIe Iooked uL me expecLunLIv.
Um, PIuLo? guessed IopeIuIIv.
WInsLon CIurcIIII. SIe sIgIed. TIuL`s uII LIev cun usk oI me, und uII
cun usk oI mvseII. Now IL`s LIme Ior vou Lo go.
Now LIuL Mrs. EngIIsI und mv dud were gone, noLIced LIuL MurIun
wus dressed In cIoLIes LIuL were verv un-MurIun. nsLeud oI u brIgILIv
coIored dress, sIe wus weurIng u bIuck robe over u bIuck dress. As II
sIe wus goIng Lo u IuneruI. WIIcI wus jusL ubouL LIe IusL pIuce wus
goIng Lo IeL MurIun go wILIouL me.
We`re noL goIng unvwIere.
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. ExcepL Iome.
z;zJ6=
No.
ELIun, `m noL sure LIuL`s u good Ideu.
WIen enu und were LIe ones In IronL oI LIe IIrIng squud, vou
wuIked rIgIL InLo LIe IIne oI IIre-vou und Mucon. TIere`s no wuv `m
goIng unvwIere.
enu dropped down InLo one oI LIe Iew remuInIng cIuIrs und mude
IerseII comIorLubIe. Me neILIer.
You`re verv kInd, boLI oI vou. BuL InLend Lo keep vou uII ouL oI LIIs.
LIInk IL`s beLLer Ior evervone.
Huven`L vou noLIced wIenever someone suvs LIuL, IL`s never beLLer Ior
unvone, especIuIIv noL LIe person suvIng IL? Iooked uL enu.
Go get Macon. Ill stay here with Marian. I dont want her to go
through this alone.
enu wus uL LIe door, LIe Iock unboILIng ILseII, beIore MurIun couId suv
u word.
Im on it.
puL mv urm uround MurIun`s sIouIders und guve Ier u squeeze. sn`L
LIIs one oI LIose LImes wIen we sIouId puII ouL u book LIuL mugIcuIIv
LeIIs us evervLIIng Is goIng Lo be okuv?
SIe IuugIed, und Ior u second sIe sounded IIke LIe oId MurIun, LIe
MurIun wIo wusn`L on LrIuI Ior LIIngs sIe dIdn`L do, wIo wusn`L worrv-
Ing ubouL LIIngs sIe couIdn`L IeIp. don`L recuII LIe books we`ve
Iound IuLeIv suvIng unvLIIng oI LIe sorL.
z;J6=
YeuI. eL`s sLuv uwuv Irom LIe Ps. No Edgur AIIun Poe Ior vou Loduv.
SIe smIIed. TIe Ps uren`L uII bud. TIere Is uIwuvs, Ior exumpIe, PIuLo.
SIe puLLed mv urm. 'Couruge Is u kInd oI suIvuLIon,` ELIun. SIe rum-
muged In u box und puIIed ouL u bIuckened book. And vou`II be Iuppv
Lo know, PIuLo survIved LIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv`s own GreuL
BurnIng.
TIIngs mIgIL be bud, buL Ior LIe IIrsL LIme In weeks, ucLuuIIv IeIL
beLLer.
z;qJ6=
10.09
Reckoning
We were sILLIng In LIe urcIIve, In LIe IIIckerIng cundIeIIgIL. TIe room
wus reIuLIveIv undumuged, wIIcI wus u mIrucIe. TIe urcIIve Iud been
souked, noL burned-LIunks Lo LIe uuLomuLIc sprInkIers In LIe ceIIIng.
TIe LIree oI us wuILed uL LIe Iong LubIe In LIe cenLer oI LIe room, Iuv-
Ing Leu Irom u TIermos.
sLIrred mIne ubsenLmIndedIv. SIouIdn`L LIe CouncII be vIsILIng vou
In LIe Lunae Libri?
MurIun sIook Ier Ieud. `m noL even sure II LIev wunL me buck LIere.
TIIs Is LIe onIv pIuce LIev`II speuk Lo me.
`m sorrv, enu suId.
TIere`s noLIIng Lo be sorrv ubouL. onIv Iope-
TIe cruckIng sound oI IIgILnIng IIIIed LIe room, LIen LIe rumbIe oI
LIunder, und bIIndIng IIusIes oI IIgIL. NoL LIe rIppIng sound oI TruveI-
Ing, buL someLIIng new. TIe book uppeured IIrsL.
The Caster Chronicles.
TIuL wus LIe nume InscrIbed on LIe IronL. L Iunded on LIe LubIe
beLween us. TIe book wus so mussIve LIuL LIe LubIe grouned under ILs
weIgIL.
WIuL`s LIuL? usked.
MurIun puL Ier IInger Lo Ier IIps. SII.
TIree cIouked IIgures uppeured, one uILer LIe nexL. TIe IIrsL, u LuII
mun wILI u sIuved Ieud, IeId up IIs Iund. TIe LIunder und IIgILnIng
sLopped InsLunLIv. TIe second, u womun, IIung u Iood buck over Ier
sIouIder Lo reveuI un unnuLuruI und overwIeImIng wIILeness. WIILe
IuIr, wIILe skIn, und IrIses so wIILe sIe uppeured Lo be mude oI noLI-
Ing uL uII. TIe IusL, u mun LIe sIze oI u IInebucker, uppeured beLween
LIe LubIe und mv moLIer`s oId desk, dIsrupLIng Ier pupers und books
In LIe process. He wus IoIdIng u Iurge bruss IourgIuss. BuL IL wus
empLv. TIere wusn`L u sIngIe gruIn oI sund InsIde.
TIe onIv LIIng LIe LIree oI LIem Iud In common wus wIuL LIev Iud
on. EucI wore u Ieuvv, Iooded bIuck robe und u sLrunge puIr oI
gIusses, us II IL wus some kInd oI unIIorm.
Iooked uL LIe gIusses more cIoseIv. TIev seemed Lo be mude oI goId,
sIIver, und bronze, LwIsLed LogeLIer InLo one LIIck bruId. TIe gIuss In
LIe Ienses wus cuL InLo IuceLs, IIke LIe dIumond In mv moLIer`s en-
gugemenL rIng. wondered Iow LIev couId see.
Salve, MurIun oI LIe Lunae Libri, Keeper oI LIe Word, LIe TruLI, und
LIe WorId WILIouL End. uImosL jumped ouL oI mv skIn, becuuse
LIev spoke In perIecL unIson, us II LIev were one person. enu grubbed
mv Iund.
MurIun sLepped Iorwurd. Salve, GreuL CouncII oI LIe ur Keep. Coun-
cII oI LIe WIse, LIe Known, und TIuL WIIcI CunnoL Be Known.
You know Ior wIuL purpose we Iuve come Lo LIIs pIuce?
Yes.
Huve vou unvLIIng Lo suv oLIer LIun LIuL wIIcI we know?
z;;J6=
MurIun sIook Ier Ieud. do noL.
You udmIL Lo LukIng ucLIon InsIde LIe Order oI TIIngs, In vIoIuLIon oI
vour sucred ouLI?
uIIowed one wIo wus In mv cIurge Lo do so, ves.
wunLed Lo expIuIn, buL beLween LIe perIecLIv IoIIow sound oI LIeIr
cIoruI voIces und LIe wIILe eves oI LIe womun, couId bureIv breuLIe.
WIere Is LIe one?
MurIun puIIed Ier own robe LIgILer uround Ier bodv. SIe Isn`L Iere.
senL Ier uwuv.
WIv?
To keep Ier Irom Iurm, MurIun unswered.
rom us. TIev suId IL wILIouL even LIe sIIgILesL IInL oI emoLIon.
Yes.
You ure wIse, MurIun oI LIe Lunae Libri.
MurIun dIdn`L Iook us wIse rIgIL now. SIe Iooked LerrIIIed. Iuve reud
ubouL The Caster Chronicles LIe sLorIes und records oI LIe CusLers
vou keep. And know wIuL vou`ve done Lo MorLuIs wIo Iuve Lruns-
gressed us sIe Ius. And Lo CusLers.
TIev sLudIed MurIun IIke un InsecL under gIuss. You cure Ior LIIs one?
TIe Keeper wIo Is noL Lo be? A gIrI cIIId?
Yes. SIe Is IIke u duugILer Lo me. And sIe Is noL Ior vou Lo judge.
z;8J6=
TIe voIces rose. You do noL speuk Lo us oI our powers. We speuk Lo
vou oI vours.
TIen Ieurd unoLIer voIce, one Iud Ieurd so munv LImes beIore
wIen `d IeIL LIIs IeIpIess. Now, genLIemen, mudum, LIuL`s noL LIe
wuv we speuk Lo IudIes oI good reporL Iere In LIe SouLI. Mucon wus
sLundIng beIInd us, wILI Boo RudIev uL IIs IeeL. `m goIng Lo Iuve Lo
usk vou Lo conducL vourseIves wILI u IILLIe more respecL Ior Dr. AsI-
croIL. SIe Is u beloved Keeper oI LIIs communILv. BeIoved bv munv,
wIo possess greuL power In LIe CusLer und ncubus worIds uIIke.
Mucon wus ImpeccubIv dressed. wus preLLv sure Ie wus In LIe sume
suIL Ie wore Lo LIe DIscIpIInurv CommILLee MeeLIng, wIen Ie sIowed
up Lo rescue enu Irom Mrs. IncoIn und Ier IvncI mob.
euI Ruvenwood muLerIuIIzed nexL Lo IIm In Ier bIuck couL, IoIdIng
Ier sLuII. Bude, Ier mounLuIn IIon, growIed, pucIng In IronL oI euI.
Mv broLIer speuks LIe LruLI. Our IumIIv supporLs IIm, und LIe Keep-
er. You sIouId know LIuL beIore vou conLInue down LIIs roud. SIe
doesn`L sLund uIone.
MurIun Iooked uL Mucon und euI gruLeIuIIv.
Someone sLepped LIrougI LIe doorwuv beIInd euI. And II LIere`s
unvone Lo bIume, IL`s me. Iv wuIked pusL euI und Mucon. Aren`L
LIe one vou`ve come Lo punIsI? `m Iere. Huve uL IL.
MurIun grubbed Iv`s Iund, reIusIng Lo IeL Ier go unv IurLIer.
TIe CouncII regurded Ier soIemnIv. TIe ncubus und LIe Succubus
ure oI no concern Lo us.
TIev`re sLundIng In Ior mv IumIIv, Iv suId. Iuve no one eIse ex-
cepL ProIessor AsIcroIL.
z;J6=
You ure bruve, cIIId.
Iv dIdn`L move or IeL go oI MurIun`s Iund. TIunk vou.
And IooIIsI.
So `ve been LoId. QuILe oILen, ucLuuIIv. Iv Iooked uL LIem us II sIe
wusn`L LIe IeusL bIL uIruId, wIIcI knew wus ImpossIbIe. BuL Ier voIce
dIdn`L wuver. Ike sIe wus reIIeved LIIs momenL wus IInuIIv Iuppen-
Ing, und sIe couId sLop dreudIng IL.
TIe CouncII wusn`L IInIsIed wILI Ier. You IeId u sucred LrusL und
cIose Lo breuk IL.
cIose Lo IeIp u IrIend. cIose Lo suve u IIIe. `d do IL uguIn, Iv
unswered.
TIose were noL vour decIsIons Lo muke.
uccepL LIe consequences oI mv ucLIons. Ike suId, `d do IL uII uguIn
II Iud Lo. TIuL`s wIuL vou do Ior LIe peopIe vou Iove.
ove Is noL our concern, LIe voIces unswered us one.
'AII vou need Is Iove.` Iv wus quoLIng LIe BeuLIes Lo LIe CouncII oI
LIe ur Keep. I sIe wus goIng down, sIe wus goIng down In sLvIe.
You undersLund wIuL IL Is vou suv?
Iv nodded. Yes.
TIe CouncII members Iooked uround LIe room, LIeIr eves movIng
Irom Iv und MurIun Lo Mucon und euI.
z8oJ6=
IgILnIng crucked, und LIe room IIIIed wILI IeuL und energv. The
Caster Chronicles rudIuLed IIgIL.
TIe LuII mun spoke Lo LIe oLIer Lwo, IIs voIce deeper wILIouL LIeIrs
bIendIng InLo IL. We wIII Luke wIuL Ius been spoken Lo LIe ur Keep.
TIere Is u prIce Lo be puId. L sIuII be puId.
Mucon bowed. Huve u suIe journev. Be sure Lo vIsIL us II vou`re ever
pussIng LIrougI our IuIr Lown uguIn. do Iope vou cun sLuv Ionger
nexL LIme und Lrv some oI our Iumous buLLermIIk pIe.
TIe womun wILI LIe mIIkv wIILe eves removed Ier gIusses und sLured
In Mucon`s dIrecLIon. BuL IL wus ImpossIbIe Lo LeII wIuL sIe wus reuIIv
IookIng uL, becuuse Ier eves dIdn`L move uL uII.
TIe IIgILnIng crucked uguIn, und LIev were gone.
TIunder rumbIed wIIIe LIe book IIngered on LIe LubIe Ior unoLIer
second. TIen IL dIsuppeured, IoIIowIng LIe durk IIgures InLo LIe IIgIL.
BIoodv IeII! Iv coIIupsed InLo MurIun`s urms.
sLood Irozen In pIuce.
HeII dIdn`L begIn Lo cover IL.
Once Mucon wus suLIsIIed LIuL LIe Keepers were gone, Ie moved Lo-
wurd LIe door. MurIun, IuLe Lo Ieuve vou, buL LIere ure u Iew LIIngs
wunL Lo Iook InLo. Or ruLIer, Iook up.
Iv recognIzed Ier cue und sLurLed Lo IoIIow IIm.
z81J6=
BuL Mucon wusn`L IookIng uL Iv. enu, `d IIke vou Lo come wILI me II
vou don`L mInd.
WIuL? enu Iooked conIused.
BuL noL us conIused us Iv, wIo wus uIreudv guLIerIng Ier noLebook.
cun IeIp. know wIere uII LIe books ure-
TIuL`s quILe uII rIgIL, OIIvIu. TIe sorL oI InIormuLIon `m IookIng Ior Is
noL In LIe books vou`ve reud. TIe ur Keep doesn`L provIde oLIer
Keepers wILI uccess Lo InIormuLIon regurdIng LIe orIgIns oI LIe Coun-
cII. TIose records ure kepL bv CusLers. He nodded uL enu, wIo wus
uIreudv sIovIng Ier LIIngs InLo Ier bug.
OI course. Yes. Iv Iooked IurL. cun onIv ImugIne.
Mucon puused uL LIe door. euI, wouId vou mInd IeuvIng Bude? be-
IIeve MurIun couId use Ier compunv LonIgIL. WIIcI reuIIv meunL Ie
dIdn`L wunL Lo Ieuve MurIun uIone, wILIouL u Lwo-Iundred-pound
bodvguurd on LIe premIses.
euI scruLcIed LIe bIg cuL`s Ieud. NoL uL uII. Iuve Lo geL buck Lo
CounLv Cure unvwuv, und LIev uren`L purLIuI Lo unImuIs.
Bude cIrcIed LIe LubIe wIere we were sILLIng, IInuIIv seLLIIng on u spoL
besIde MurIun.
enu Iooked uL me, und couId LeII sIe dIdn`L wunL Lo Ieuve me uIone
wILI Iv und MurIun, buL sIe dIdn`L wunL Lo IeL Mucon down eILIer.
EspecIuIIv noL wIen Ie wus uskIng Ior Ier IeIp, InsLeud oI Iv`s.
Go on, L. Its fine. I dont mind.
z8zJ6=
Her unswer wus u verv pubIIc kIss und u meunIngIuI Iook uL Iv. TIen
LIev were gone.
AILer LIev IeIL, suL In LIe urcIIve wILI Iv und MurIun, druwIng ouL
LIe momenL us Iong us we couId. couIdn`L remember LIe IusL LIme LIe
LIree oI us were uIone LogeLIer, und mIssed IL. Iv und MurIun Loss-
Ing uround quoLes, und me uIwuvs comIng up wILI LIe wrong unswer.
Iv IInuIIv sLood up. Iuve Lo go. don`L wunL vou Lo geL In unv more
LroubIe.
MurIun sLured InLo LIe boLLom oI Ier Leucup. OIIvIu, don`L vou LIInk
couId Iuve sLopped vou II `d wunLed Lo?
Iv Iooked IIke sIe couIdn`L decIde wIeLIer Lo IuugI or crv. You wer-
en`L even LIere wIen IeIped ELIun reIeuse Mucon Irom LIe ArcIIgIL.
wus LIere wIen vou Look oII InLo LIe TunneIs wILI ELIun und Ink.
couId`ve sLopped vou LIen. MurIun Look u sIukv breuLI. BuL Iud u
IrIend once, Loo. And II couId Lurn buck LIe cIock-II LIere wus unv-
LIIng couId`ve done Lo suve Ier- wouId Iuve done IL. Now sIe`s
gone, und LIere`s noLIIng cun do Lo geL Ier buck.
squeezed MurIun`s Iund.
`m sorrv, Iv suId. And `m sorrv goL vou InLo so mucI LroubIe.
wIsI couId persuude LIem Lo Ieuve vou uIone.
You cun`L. No one cun. SomeLImes evervone does LIe rIgIL LIIng und
LIere`s sLIII u mess IeIL Lo cIeun up. Someone Ius Lo Luke responsIbIIILv
Ior IL.
Iv sLured uL u wuLer-sLuIned box on LIe IIoor. L sIouId be me.
z8J6=
dIsugree. TIIs Is mv cIunce Lo IeIp unoLIer IrIend, one Iove verv
mucI. MurIun smIIed und reucIed Ior Iv`s Iund. And LIere Ius Lo
be uL IeusL one IIbrurIun In LIIs Lown-Keeper or noL.
Iv LIrew Ier urms uround MurIun und Iugged Ier IIke sIe wus never
goIng Lo IeL go. MurIun guve Iv one IusL squeeze und Iooked over uL
me. EW, `d upprecIuLe IL II vou wouId see Iv buck Lo Ruvenwood. I
guve Ier mv cur, `m uIruId IL wouId end up on LIe wrong sIde oI LIe
roud.
Iugged MurIun, wIIsperIng Lo Ier us dId. Be cureIuI.
uIwuvs um.
We Iud Lo muke u IoL oI deLours Lo geL unvwIere In GuLIIn now. So IIve
mInuLes IuLer, wus drIvIng pusL mv own Iouse, wILI Iv In LIe pus-
senger seuL-IIke we were on our wuv Lo deIIver IIbrurv books or sLop uL
LIe Dur-ee Keen. Ike IL wus IusL summer.
BuL LIe overwIeImIng brown oI evervLIIng und LIe buzzIng oI Len
LIousund Iubbers remInded me IL wusn`L.
cun uImosL smeII LIe pIe Irom Iere, Iv suId, IookIng Lowurd mv
Iouse IongIngIv.
gIunced uL LIe open wIndow. Ammu Iusn`L mude u pIe In u wIIIe,
buL vou cun probubIv smeII Ier pecun IrIed cIIcken.
Iv grouned. You`ve no Ideu wIuL IL`s IIke IIvIng In LIe TunneIs, espe-
cIuIIv wIen KILcIen Is ouL oI sorLs. `ve been IIvIng on mv sLusI oI
HobNobs Ior weeks now. I don`L geL unoLIer puckuge soon, `m
doomed.
z8qJ6=
You know, LIere Is u IILLIe LIIng cuIIed LIe SLop & SLeuI uround Iere,
suId.
know. TIere`s uIso u IILLIe LIIng cuIIed Ammu`s Iomemude IrIed
cIIcken.
knew wIere LIIs conversuLIon wus IeudIng uII uIong und wus IuIIwuv
Lo LIe curb bv LIe LIme sIe suId IL. Come on. beL vou Len bucks sIe
mude bIscuILs, Loo.
You Iud me uL 'IrIed.`
Ammu guve Iv uII LIe LIIgIs, so knew sIe wus sLIII IeeIIng sorrv Ior
Iv uILer IusL summer. uckIIv, LIe SIsLers were usIeep. dIdn`L IeeI IIke
unswerIng quesLIons ubouL wIv LIere wus u gIrI uL mv Iouse wIo
wusn`L enu.
Iv sLuIIed Ier Iuce IusLer LIun Ink In IIs prIme. Bv LIe LIme wus on
mv LIIrd pIece, sIe wus on Ier second pIuLeIuI.
TIIs Is LIe second-besL pIece oI IrIed cIIcken `ve ever LusLed In mv
IIIe. Iv wus ucLuuIIv IIckIng Ier IIngers.
Second besL? wus LIe one wIo suId IL, buL suw Ammu`s Iuce wIen
dId. Becuuse bv GuLIIn sLundurds, LIose Lwo words uIone were bIus-
pIemv. WIuL`s beLLer?
TIe pIece `m ubouL Lo Iuve. And possIbIv LIe pIece uILer LIuL. SIe
sIId Ier empLv pIuLe ucross LIe LubIe.
couId see Ammu smIIIng Lo IerseII us sIe udded more Wesson oII Lo
Ier IIve-guIIon poL. WuIL LIII vou LusLe u buLcI rIgIL ouLLu LIe Irver.
Cun`L suv vou`ve LrIed LIuL, Iuve vou, OIIvIu?
z8=J6=
No, mu`um. BuL uIso Iuven`L Iud unv Iomemude Iood sInce LIe
SevenLeenLI Moon. TIere IL wus uguIn. TIe IumIIIur cIoud seLLIed
buck over LIe kILcIen, und pusIed mv pIuLe uwuv. TIe exLru-crIspv
crusL wus cIokIng me.
Ammu drIed LIe One-Eved Menuce wILI u dIsIrug. ELIun uwson
WuLe. You go geL our IrIend some u mv besL preserves. Buck u LIe
punLv. Top sIeII.
Yes, mu`um.
Ammu cuIIed uILer me beIore mude IL Lo LIe IuII. And none u LIuL
pIckIed wuLermeIon rInd. `m suvIn` LIuL Ior WesIev`s mummu. L
Lurned ouL sour LIIs veur.
TIe busemenL door wus ucross Irom Ammu`s room. TIe wooden sLuIrs
were scurred wILI bIuck murks, IIke u burnL mursImuIIow, Irom LIe
LIme me und Ink puL u IoL poL on LIe sLuIrs wIen we were LrvIng Lo
muke RIce KrIspIes TreuLs on our own. We uImosL burned u IoIe In
one sLep, und Ammu guve me sLInkeve Ior duvs. mude sure Lo sLep on
LIe murk everv LIme wenL down LIose sLuIrs.
GoIng down InLo u busemenL In GuLIIn wusn`L uII LIuL dIIIerenL Irom
goIng LIrougI u CusLer DoorweII. Our busemenL wusn`L LIe TunneIs,
buL `d uIwuvs LIougIL oI IL us some kInd oI mvsLerIous underworId.
Under beds und In busemenLs-LIuL`s wIere uII LIe besL secreLs were
kepL In our Lown. TIe Lreusure mIgIL be sLucks oI oId muguzInes In LIe
Iurnuce room, or u week`s worLI oI Icebox cookIes Irom Ammu`s Indus-
LrIuI Ireezer. EILIer wuv, vou were goIng buck up wILI un urmIoud or u
sLomucI IuII oI someLIIng.
AL LIe boLLom oI LIe sLuIrs wus u doorwuv Irumed In Lwo-bv-Iours. No
door, jusL u sLrIng IungIng on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe doorIrume.
vunked LIe sLrIng us Iud u LIousund LImes beIore, und LIere wus
z86J6=
Ammu`s prIzed coIIecLIon. Everv Iouse uround Iere Iud u punLrv, und
LIIs wus one oI LIe IInesL punLrIes In LIree counLIes. Ammu`s muson
jurs IeId evervLIIng Irom pIckIed wuLermeIon rInds und LIe skInnIesL
green beuns Lo LIe roundesL onIons und LIe mosL perIecLIv green Lomu-
Loes. NoL Lo menLIon LIe pIe IIIIIngs und preserves-peucI, pIum, rIu-
burb, uppIe, cIerrv. TIe rows sLreLcIed buck so Iur vour LeeLI sLurLed
Lo ucIe jusL Irom IookIng uL LIem.
run mv Iund uIong LIe Lop sIeII, wIere Ammu kepL uII Ier prIzewIn-
ners, LIe secreL recIpes und jurs sIe suved Ior compunv. EvervLIIng In
Iere wus ruLIoned, us II we were In LIe urmv und LIese jurs were IIIIed
wILI penIcIIIIn or ummunILIon-or muvbe Iund mInes, becuuse LIuL`s
Iow cureIuIIv vou Iud Lo IoId LIem.
L`s quILe u sIgIL. Iv wus sLundIng In LIe doorwuv beIInd me.
`m surprIsed Ammu IeL vou down Iere. TIIs Is Ier secreL sLusI.
SIe pIcked up u jur, IoIdIng IL In IronL oI Ier. L`s so sIInv.
You wunL vour jeIIv Lo spurkIe und vour IruIL noL Lo IIouL. You wunL
vour pIckIes cuL Lo LIe sume sIze, vour curroLs nIce und round, vour
puck even.
Mv wIuL?
How IL goes In LIe jur, see?
OI course. Iv smIIed. How wouId Ammu IeeI II sIe knew vou were
sIurIng LIe secreLs oI Ier kILcIen?
I unvone knew LIem, IL wus me. `d been bv Ammu`s sIde In LIe kIL-
cIen Ionger LIun couId remember, burnIng mv Iunds on evervLIIng
wusn`L supposed Lo LoucI, sneukIng rocks und LwIgs und uII kInds oI
z8;J6=
LIIngs InLo unsuspecLIng puns oI preserves. You wunL LIe IIquId Lo
cover LIe Lop oI wIuLever`s InsIde.
Are bubbIes good or bud?
IuugIed. You`II never see u bubbIe In one oI Ammu`s jurs.
SIe poInLed Lo LIe boLLom sIeII. TIere wus u jur so IuII oI bubbIes
vou`d LIInk LIe bubbIes LIemseIves were wIuL Ammu wus LrvIng Lo
boLLIe, InsLeud oI LIe cIerrIes. kneIL down In IronL oI LIe sIeII und
puIIed IL ouL. L wus un oId muson jur covered In cobwebs. Iud never
noLIced IL beIore.
TIuL cun`L be Ammu`s. roLuLed LIe jur In mv Iund. ROM THE
KTCHEN O PRUDENCE STATHAM. sIook mv Ieud. L`s mv
AunL Prue`s. SIe musL Iuve been cruzIer LIun LIougIL. Nobodv ever
guve Ammu unvLIIng LIuL cume ouL oI unoLIer kILcIen. NoL II LIev
knew wIuL wus good Ior LIem.
As sIId LIe jur buck In pIuce, noLIced u dIrLv Ioop oI rope IungIng
buck In LIe sIudow oI LIe boLLom sIeII.
HoId on. WIuL`s LIuL? puIIed on LIe rope, und LIe sIeIves mude u
grounIng sound, IIke LIev were ubouL Lo IuII over. IeIL uround wILI mv
Iund unLII Iound LIe pIuce wIere LIe rope meL LIe wuII. puIIed
uguIn, und LIe wood begun Lo gIve wuv. TIere`s someLIIng buck Iere.
ELIun, be cureIuI.
TIe sIeIves swung Iorwurd sIowIv, reveuIIng u second spuce. BeIInd
LIe punLrv wus u secreL room, wILI crude brIck wuIIs und u dIrL IIoor.
TIe room sLreLcIed buck InLo u durk LunneI. sLepped InsIde.
s LIuL one oI LIe TunneIs? Iv Iooked InLo LIe durkness beIInd me.
z88J6=
LIInk LIIs Is u MorLuI LunneI. gIunced uL Iv Irom LIe sIudows oI
LIe LunneI. SIe Iooked suIe und smuII InsIde LIe punLrv, surrounded bv
Ammu`s oId ruInbows cuugIL In u jur.
reuIIzed wIere wus sLundIng. `ve seen pIcLures oI IIdden rooms
und LunneIs IIke LIese. Runuwuv sIuves used LIem Lo Ieuve Iouses uL
nIgIL wILIouL beIng seen.
Are vou suvIng-?
nodded. ELIun CurLer WuLe, or someone In IIs IumIIv, wus purL oI
LIe Underground RuIIroud.
z8J6=
10.09
Temporis Porta
WIo Is ELIun CurLer WuLe uguIn, exucLIv? Iv usked.
Mv greuL-greuL-greuL-greuL-uncIe. He IougIL In LIe CIvII Wur, LIen
deserLed becuuse Ie dIdn`L beIIeve IL wus rIgIL.
remember now. Dr. AsIcroIL LoId me LIe sLorv oI ELIun und
GenevIeve und LIe IockeL.
or u momenL, IeIL guIILv LIuL Iv wus Iere InsLeud oI enu. ELIun
und GenevIeve were more LIun u sLorv Lo me und enu. SIe wouId`ve
IeIL LIe weIgIL oI LIIs momenL.
Iv run Ier Iund uIong LIe wuII. And vou LIInk LIIs couId be purL oI
LIe Underground RuIIroud?
You`d be surprIsed Iow munv oId Iouses In LIe SouLI Iuve u room
IIke LIIs.
I LIuL`s Lrue, LIen wIere does LIIs LunneI go? Now sIe wus rIgIL
nexL Lo me. Look un oId IunLern down Irom u nuII LIuL Iud been
Iummered beLween LIe crumbIIng brIcks oI LIe wuII. Lurned LIe kev,
und LIe IunLern IIIIed wILI IIgIL.
How cun LIere sLIII be oII In LIere? TIIs LIIng Ius Lo be u Iundred und
IIILv veurs oId.
A rIckeLv wooden bencI IIned one oI LIe wuIIs. TIe remuIns oI wIuL
Iooked IIke un urmv-Issue cunLeen, some kInd oI cunvus suck, und u
wooI bIunkeL were sLucked neuLIv beneuLI IL. TIev were uII couLed wILI
u LIIck Iuver oI dusL.
Come on. eL`s see wIere IL Ieuds. IeId LIe IunLern ouL In IronL oI
me. AII couId see wus LIe LwIsLIng LunneI und un occusIonuI puLcI oI
brIck buIIL InLo LIe dIrL.
Wuvwurds. You LIInk vou cun go wIerever vou wunL. SIe reucIed up
wILI one Iund und LoucIed LIe ceIIIng over our Ieuds. Brown dIrL
ruIned down, und sIe ducked, cougIIng.
Are vou scured? nudged Ier wILI mv sIouIder.
Iv Ieuned buck und vunked on LIe LwIsLed Ioop oI rope. TIe IuIse door
beIInd us cIosed wILI u sIurp bung, und IL wus durk. Are vou?
TIe LunneI deud-ended. wouIdn`L Iuve seen LIe Lrupdoor over our
Ieuds II Iv Iudn`L noLIced u sIIce oI IIgIL ubove us. TIe door Iudn`L
been opened In u Iong LIme, becuuse wIen we pusIed our wuv up,
wIoIe sIoveIIuIs oI dIrL cuved InLo LIe LunneI-und uII over us.
WIere ure we? Cun vou see? Iv cuIIed up Irom beIow. couIdn`L geL
u soIId IooLIoId In LIe sIde oI LIe dIrL wuII, buL munuged Lo IuuI mv-
seII uboveground.
We`re In u IIeId on LIe oLIer sIde oI RouLe . cun see mv Iouse Irom
Iere. LIInk LIIs used Lo be mv IumIIv`s IIeId beIore LIev buIIL LIe
roud.
So WuLe`s undIng musL Iuve been u suIe Iouse. L wouId Iuve been
eusv enougI Lo sneuk Iood InLo LIuL LunneI rIgIL Irom LIe punLrv. Iv
wus IookIng uL me, buL couId LeII sIe wus u LIousund mIIes uwuv.
zzJ6=
TIen uL nIgIL, wIen IL wus suIe, vou ended up ouL Iere. IeL mvseII
IuII buck down Lo LIe ground, puIIIng LIe Lrupdoor buck InLo pIuce.
wonder II ELIun CurLer WuLe knew. I Ie wus purL oI IL. AILer seeIng
IIm In LIe vIsIons, IL IeIL IIke someLIIng Ie wouId do.
wonder II GenevIeve knew, Iv suId.
How mucI do vou know ubouL GenevIeve?
reud LIe IIIes. OI course sIe dId.
Muvbe LIev dId IL LogeLIer.
Muvbe IL Iud someLIIng Lo do wILI LIuL. Iv wus IookIng pusL me.
WIuL?
SIe poInLed beIInd me. TIere were pIunks Iummered InLo un uwk-
wurd X. BuL LIe bourds were roLLIng, und vou couId see u doorwuv be-
IInd LIem.
ELIun. Am ImugInIng-
sIook mv Ieud. No. see IL, Loo.
L wusn`L u MorLuI doorwuv. recognIzed LIe svmboIs curved InLo LIe
oId wood, even II couIdn`L reud LIem. Across Irom LIe Lrupdoor LIuL
Ied InLo LIe MorLuI worId wus u second doorwuv, wIIcI Ied InLo LIe
CusLer one.
We`d beLLer go, Iv suId.
You meun go In LIere. seL LIe IunLern down on LIe ground.
zJ6=
Iv uIreudv Iud Ier red noLebook ouL und wus skeLcIIng, buL sIe sLIII
sounded worrIed. meun go buck Lo vour Iouse. SIe sounded un-
noved, buL couId LeII sIe wus us InLeresLed In wIuL Iuv bevond LIe
doorwuv us wus.
You know vou wunL Lo go In LIere. Some LIIngs never cIunged.
TIe IIrsL bourd spIInLered, comIng oII In mv Iunds us soon us puIIed
IL Ioose.
WIuL wunL Is Ior vou Lo sLuv ouL oI LIe TunneIs, beIore LIIs some-
Iow munuges Lo geL us boLI InLo LroubIe.
TIe IusL oI LIe bourds IeII uwuv. n IronL oI me wus u curved wooden
doorwuv LIuL Irumed mussIve doubIe doors. TIe boLLom seemed Lo
dIsuppeur InLo LIe dIrL IIoor. benL down Lo Luke u cIoser Iook. TIere
were ucLuuI rooLs connecLIng LIe doors Lo LIe eurLI. run mv Iunds
uIong LIe IengLI oI LIem. TIev were rougI und soIId, buL dIdn`L re-
cognIze LIe wood.
L`s usI. And rowun, LIInk, Iv suId. couId Ieur Ier scrIbbIIng In
Ier noLebook. TIere Isn`L u sIngIe usI or rowun Lree wILIIn mIIes oI
GuLIIn. TIev`re supernuLuruI Lrees. TIev proLecL creuLures oI IgIL.
WIIcI meuns?
WIIcI meuns LIese doors ure probubIv Irom somewIere Iur uwuv.
And LIev couId Ieud Lo somewIere equuIIv Iur uwuv.
nodded. WIere?
SIe pressed Ier Iund InLo u desIgn uIong LIe curved IInLeI. Iuven`L u
cIue. MudrId. Prugue. ondon. We Iuve rowun Lrees In LIe U.K. SIe
sLurLed copvIng LIe svmboIs Irom LIe doors onLo u puge.
zqJ6=
puIIed on LIe IundIe wILI boLI Iunds. TIe Iron IuLcI grouned, buL
LIe doors dIdn`L open. TIuL`s noL LIe quesLIon.
OI, reuIIv?
TIe quesLIon Is, wIuL ure we doIng Iere? WIuL ure we supposed Lo
see? puIIed on LIe IundIe uguIn. And Iow do we geL on LIe oLIer
sIde?
TIuL`s LIree quesLIons. Iv sLudIed LIe doors. LIInk IL`s IIke LIe IIn-
LeI uL Ruvenwood. TIe curvIngs ure u kInd oI uccess code Lo geL InsIde.
Igure IL ouL. We Iuve Lo IInd u wuv In.
`m uIruId IL muv noL be LIuL eusv. WuIL. s LIuL u word up LIere? SIe
brusIed LIe dusL oII LIe doorwuv. Some kInd oI InscrIpLIon wus curved
InLo LIe Irume.
I IL`s u CusLer doorwuv, wouIdn`L be surprIsed. rubbed LIe wood
wILI mv Iund, und IL spIInLered beneuLI mv IIngers. WIuLever IL wus,
IL wus uncIenL.
'Temporis Porta. TIme Door? WIuL does LIuL meun? Iv usked.
L meuns we don`L Iuve LIme Ior LIIs. Ieuned mv IoreIeud uguInsL
LIe doors. couId IeeI u surge oI IeuL und energv wIere LIe uncIenL
wood LoucIed mv Iuce. L wus vIbruLIng.
ELIun?
SII.
Come on. Open. I know theres something Im supposed to see.
z=J6=
Iocused mv mInd on LIe doors In IronL oI me, LIe wuv Iud on LIe
ArcIIgIL LIe IusL LIme we were LrvIng Lo IInd our wuv LIrougI LIe
TunneIs.
Im the Wayward. I know I am. Show me the way.
Ieurd LIe dIsLIncL sound oI wood begInnIng Lo cruck und spIInLer.
TIe wood sIook us II LIe doors were goIng Lo coIIupse.
Come on. Show me.
sLood buck us LIev swung open, spIIL bv IIgIL. DusL IeII Irom LIeIr seuI
us II LIIs enLrunce Iudn`L been opened In u LIousund veurs.
How dId vou do LIuL? Iv wus sLurIng uL me.
don`L know, buL IL`s open. eL`s go.
We sLepped InsIde, und LIe dusL und LIe IIgIL dIssoIved uround us. Iv
reucIed ouL Ier Iund, und beIore couId Luke IL, dIsuppeured-
wus sLundIng uIone In LIe cenLer oI u Iuge IuII. L Iooked LIe wuv
ImugIned Europe, muvbe EngIund or runce or SpuIn-somewIere oId
und LImeIess. BuL couIdn`L be sure. TIe IurLIesL LIe TunneIs Iud ever
Luken me wus LIe GreuL BurrIer. TIe room wus us bIg us LIe InsIde oI u
sIIp, LuII und recLunguIur, mude enLIreIv oI sLone. don`L LIInk IL wus u
cIurcI, buL someLIIng IIke u cIurcI or u monusLerv-vusL und IoIv
und IuII oI mvsLerv.
MussIve beums crossed LIe ceIIIng, surrounded bv smuIIer wood
squures. nsIde eucI squure wus u goId rose, u cIrcIe wILI peLuIs.
CusLer cIrcIes?
z6J6=
TIuL dIdn`L seem rIgIL.
NoLIIng ubouL LIIs pIuce wus IumIIIur. Even LIe power In LIe
uIr-buzzIng, IIke u downed eIecLrIcuI wIre-IeIL dIIIerenL.
TIere wus un uIcove ucross LIe room, wILI u smuII buIconv. Ive wIn-
dows run LIe IengLI oI LIe wuII, sLreLcIIng IIgIer LIun LIe LuIIesL
Iouses In GuLIIn, IrumIng LIe room wILI soIL IIgIL LIuL crepL LIrougI
LIe bIIIows oI sIeer IubrIc IungIng over LIem. TIIck goIden drupes
Iung uL LIeIr sIdes, und couIdn`L LeII II LIe breeze bIowIng LIrougI
LIe wIndows wus u CusLer or u MorLuI one.
TIe wuIIs were puneIed und curved InLo Iow bencIes neur LIe IIoor.
Iud seen pIcLures IIke LIese In mv mom`s books. Monks und ucoIvLes
suL on bencIes IIke LIIs Lo pruv.
WIv wus Iere?
WIen Iooked up uguIn, LIe room wus suddenIv IuII oI peopIe. TIev
were wedged onLo LIe enLIre IengLI oI LIe bencI, IIIIIng LIe spuce In
IronL oI me, crowdIng und pusIIng Irom uII sIdes. couIdn`L see LIeIr
Iuces; IuII oI LIem were cIouked. BuL uII oI LIem were buzzIng wILI
unLIcIpuLIon.
WIuL`s goIng on? WIuL ure we wuILIng Ior?
No one unswered. L wus us II LIev couIdn`L see me, wIIcI dIdn`L muke
sense. TIIs wusn`L u dreum. wus In u reuI pIuce.
TIe crowd moved Iorwurd, murmurIng, und Ieurd LIe bungIng oI u
guveI. Silentium.
TIen suw IumIIIur Iuces, und reuIIzed wIere wus. WIere Iud Lo
be.
z;J6=
TIe ur Keep.
AL LIe end oI LIe IuII, MurIun wus Iooded und robed, Ier Iunds LIed
wILI u goIden rope. SIe sLood In LIe buIconv ubove LIe room, nexL Lo
LIe LuII mun wIo sIowed up In LIe IIbrurv urcIIve. TIe CouncII Keep-
er, Ieurd peopIe uround me wIIsper. TIe uIbIno Keeper wus sLundIng
beIInd IIm.
He spoke In uLIn, und couIdn`L undersLund IIm. BuL LIe peopIe
uround me dId, und LIev were goIng cruzv. Ulterioris Arcis Concili-
um, quod nulli reisive homini, sive animali, sive Numini Atro, sive
Numini Albonisi Rationi Rerum paret, Marianam ex Arce Occi-
dentali Perfidiae condemnat.
TIe CouncII Keeper repeuLed LIe words In EngIIsI, und undersLood
wIv LIe peopIe uround me were reucLIng LIIs wuv. TIe CouncII oI LIe
ur Keep, wIIcI unswers onIv Lo LIe Order oI TIIngs, Lo no mun,
creuLure, or power, Durk or IgIL, IInds MurIun oI LIe WesLern Keep
guIILv oI Treuson.
TIere wus u pIercIng puIn In mv sLomucI, us II mv wIoIe bodv Iud
been sIIced wILI u gIunL bIude.
TIese ure LIe Consequences oI Ier InucLIon. TIe Consequences sIuII
be puId. TIe Keeper, LIougI MorLuI, wIII reLurn Lo LIe Durk Ire Irom
wIIcI uII power comes.
TIe CouncII Keeper removed MurIun`s Iood, und couId see Ier eves,
rInged wILI durkness. Her Ieud wus sIuved, und sIe Iooked IIke u prIs-
oner oI wur. TIe Order Is broken. UnLII LIe New Order comes IorLI,
LIe OId uw musL be upIeId, und LIe Consequences puId.
z8J6=
MurIun! You cun`L IeL LIem- LrIed Lo pusI LIrougI LIe crowd, buL
LIe more LrIed, LIe IusLer peopIe surged Iorwurd, und LIe IurLIer
uwuv sIe seemed.
UnLII IIL someLIIng, someone unmovIng und unmovubIe. Iooked up
InLo LIe gIussv sLure oI IIIun EngIIsI.
Mrs. English? What is she doing here?
ELIun?
Mrs. EngIIsI. You Iuve Lo IeIp me. TIev Iuve MurIun AsIcroIL.
TIev`re goIng Lo IurL Ier, und IL`s noL Ier IuuIL. SIe dIdn`L do
unvLIIng!
WIuL do vou LIInk oI LIe judge now?
WIuL? SIe wusn`L mukIng unv sense.
Your puper. L`s due on mv desk Lomorrow.
know LIuL. `m noL LuIkIng ubouL mv puper. DIdn`L sIe undersLund
wIuL wus IuppenIng?
LIInk vou ure. Her voIced sounded dIIIerenL, unIumIIIur.
TIe judge Is wrong. TIev`re uII wrong.
Someone musL be uL IuuIL. TIe Order Is broken. I noL MurIun AsI-
croIL, LIen wIo Is Lo bIume?
dIdn`L Iuve LIe unswer. don`L know. Mv mom suId-
zJ6=
MoLIers IIe, Mrs. EngIIsI suId, Ier voIce voId oI emoLIon. To uIIow
LIeIr cIIIdren Lo IIve LIe greuL IIe LIuL Is MorLuI exIsLence.
couId IeeI mv unger buIIdIng. Don`L LuIk ubouL mv mom. You don`L
know Ier.
TIe WIeeI oI uLe. Your moLIer knows ubouL LIuL. TIe IuLure Is noL
predeLermIned. OnIv vou cun sLop LIe WIeeI Irom crusIIng MurIun
AsIcroIL. rom crusIIng LIem uII.
Mrs. EngIIsI dIsuppeured, und LIe room wus empLv. TIere wus u
smooLI rowun doorwuv In IronL oI me, recessed InLo LIe wuII us II IL
Iud uIwuvs been LIere. TIe Temporis Porta.
reucIed Ior LIe IundIe. TIe second LoucIed IL, wus on LIe oLIer
sIde uguIn, sLundIng In LIe MorLuI LunneI, sLurIng uL Iv.
ELIun! WIuL Iuppened? SIe Iugged me, und IeIL u IIIcker oI LIe
connecLIon LIuL wouId uIwuvs be beLween us.
`m IIne, don`L worrv. puIIed buck. Her smIIe Iuded, Ier cIeeks
LurnIng brIgIL pInk us sIe reuIIzed wIuL sIe Iud done. SIe swung Ier
urms beIInd Ier buck, cIuLcIIng LIem uwkwurdIv, IIke sIe wIsIed sIe
couId muke LIem dIsuppeur.
WIuL dId vou see? WIere dId vou go?
`m noL exucLIv sure, buL know IL wus LIe ur Keep. recognIzed Lwo
oI LIe Keepers wIo cume Lo LIe IIbrurv. BuL LIInk IL wus LIe IuLure.
TIe IuLure? How do vou know? TIe wIeeIs were uIreudv spInnIng In
Iv`s mInd.
ooJ6=
L wus MurIun`s LrIuI, wIIcI Iusn`L Iuppened veL.
Iv wus LwIsLIng LIe pencII Lucked beIInd Ier eur. Temporis Porta
meuns 'TIme Door.` L couId be possIbIe.
Are vou sure? AILer wIuL `d seen, Ioped IL wus more oI u wurn-
Ing-some sorL oI possIbIe IuLure LIuL wusn`L seL In sLone.
TIere`s no wuv Lo know, buL II LIe Temporis Porta Is some kInd oI
porLuI, wIIcI seems IIkeIv, LIen vou couId Iuve been seeIng someLIIng
LIuL Iusn`L Iuppened veL. TIe ucLuuI IuLure. Iv sLurLed scrIbbIIng In
Ier red noLebook. knew sIe wunLed Lo remember everv deLuII oI LIIs
conversuLIon.
AILer wIuL suw, Iope vou`re wrong.
SIe sLopped wrILIng. suppose IL wusn`L good, LIen?
No. sLopped. I LIuL reuIIv wus LIe IuLure, we cun`L IeL MurIun go Lo
LIuL LrIuI. PromIse me. I LIev come uguIn, vou`II IeIp me keep Ier
uwuv Irom LIe CouncII. don`L LIInk sIe knows-
promIse. Her Iuce wus durk und Ier voIce crucked, und knew LIuL
sIe wus LrvIng noL Lo crv.
eL`s Iope LIere`s some oLIer expIunuLIon. BuL even us suId IL,
knew LIere wusn`L. And so dId Iv.
We reLruced our sLeps, LIrougI LIe dIrL, LIe IeuL, und LIe durkness,
unLII couIdn`L IeeI unvLIIng excepL LIe weIgIL oI mv worId coIIupsIng.
o1J6=
10.13
Golden Ticket
TIuL nIgIL, uILer LIe vIsIL Irom LIe ur Keep, MurIun wenL InLo Ier
Iouse und dIdn`L come ouL uguIn, us Iur us couId LeII. TIe nexL duv,
sLopped bv Lo see II sIe wus okuv. SIe dIdn`L unswer LIe door, und sIe
wusn`L uL LIe IIbrurv eILIer. TIe duv uILer LIuL, brougIL Ier muII up Lo
LIe porcI. LrIed Lo Iook In Ier wIndows, buL Ier sIudes were druwn,
und LIe curLuIns, Loo.
rung LIe beII uguIn Loduv, buL sIe dIdn`L unswer. suL down on Ier
IronL sLeps und IeuIed LIrougI Ier muII. NoLIIng ouL oI LIe ordIn-
urv-bIIIs. A IeLLer Irom Duke UnIversILv, probubIv ubouL one oI Ier re-
seurcI grunLs. And some kInd oI reLurned IeLLer, buL dIdn`L recognIze
LIe uddress. KIngs ungIev.
WIv wus LIuL IumIIIur? Mv Ieud IeIL Ioggv, IIke LIere wus someLIIng uL
LIe edge oI mv memorv couIdn`L reucI.
TIuL wouId be mIne, beIIeve. Iv suL down on LIe sLep nexL Lo me.
Her IuIr wus bruIded, und sIe wus weurIng cuLoII jeuns und u perIodIc
LubIe T-sIIrL.
On LIe surIuce, Iv seemed LIe sume. BuL knew LIe summer Iud
cIunged LIIngs Ior Ier. never usked vou II vou were okuv uILer LIuL
scene uL LIe IIbrurv, wILI LIe CouncII. Are vou-uII rIgIL, meun?
suppose. BuL wIuL Iuppened uL LIe Temporis Porta scured me
more. SIe Iooked scured, und Iuruwuv.
Me, Loo.
ELIun, LIInk IL wus LIe IuLure. You wuIked LIrougI LIe door, und
vou were LrunsporLed Lo unoLIer pIvsIcuI pIuce. TIuL`s LIe wuv u LIme
porLuI operuLes.
TIe ur Keep Iudn`L IeIL IIke u dreum, or even u vIsIon. L wus IIke sLep-
pIng InLo unoLIer worId. jusL wIsIed LIuL worId wusn`L LIe IuLure.
Iv`s Iuce cIouded over. SomeLIIng eIse wus boLIerIng Ier.
WIuL Is IL?
`ve been LIInkIng. Iv LwIsLed Ier seIenomeLer nervousIv. TIe
Temporis Porta onIv opened Ior vou. WIv dIdn`L IL IeL me LIrougI?
Because bad things keep happening to me. TIuL`s wIuL wus LIInkIng,
buL dIdn`L suv IL. uIso dIdn`L menLIon LIuL `d seen mv EngIIsI LeucI-
er In LIe IuLure. don`L know. So wIuL do we do?
TIe onIv LIIng we cun. We muke sure MurIun doesn`L go Lo LIe ur
Keep.
Iooked up uL Ier door. Muvbe we sIouId be gIud sIe won`L come ouL
oI LIe Iouse. Guess sIouId`ve known noLIIng good wouId come ouL
oI sneukIng uround In Ammu`s punLrv.
ExcepL LIe preserves. Iv smIIed weukIv. SIe wus LrvIng Lo dIsLrucL
me Irom LIe one LIIng couId never geL uwuv Irom-mvseII.
CIerrv?
SLruwberrv. SIe suId IL In Lwo svIIubIes. SLruw-brv. WILI u spoon,
sLruIgIL ouL oI LIe jur.
oqJ6=
You sound IIke RIdIev. AII sugur, uII LIe LIme. SIe smIIed wIen suId
IL.
meunL Lo usk vou. How ure RIdIev und Ink und enu?
Aw, vou know. RIdIev`s LeurIng up LIe scIooI. SIe`s u cIeerIeuder
now.
Iv IuugIed. SIren, cIeerIeuder. `m noL up on AmerIcun cuILure, buL
even upprecIuLe LIe sImIIurILIes.
guess. Ink Is LIe bIggesL bIg mun on cumpus vou`ve ever seen. TIe
gIrIs Iung uII over IIm. He`s u reuI cIIck mugneL.
How Is enu? Huppv Lo Iuve Ier uncIe buck, beL. And vou.
SIe dIdn`L Iook uL me, und dIdn`L Iook uL Ier. WIen sIe IInuIIv spoke,
sIe Iooked up InLo LIe bIuzIng sun, InsLeud oI uL me. TIuL`s Iow mucI
sIe dIdn`L wunL Lo suv IL Lo mv Iuce. L`s Iurd Ior me, vou know? IInd
mvseII LIInkIng ubouL vou, LIIngs wunL Lo LeII vou, LIIngs LIInk ure
Iunnv or odd, buL vou uren`L LIere.
wunLed Lo drop MurIun`s muII und boIL down LIe sLeps.
nsLeud, Look u deep breuLI. know. TIe resL oI us ure uII sLIII Lo-
geLIer, und vou`re uIone. AILer evervLIIng we wenL LIrougI, we buIIed
on vou. L sucks. IInuIIv suId IL. L Iud been boLIerIng me sInce LIe
duv we cume Iome Lo GuLIIn, LIe duv Iv dIsuppeured InLo LIe TunneIs
wILI Mucon.
Iuve Mucon. He`s been wonderIuI Lo me, uImosL IIke u IuLIer. SIe
LwIsLed LIe bILs oI sLrIng LIuL were uIwuvs LIed Lo Ier wrIsL. BuL mIss
vou und MurIun, und noL beIng ubIe Lo LuIk Lo eILIer oI vou Is IorrIbIe,
o=J6=
ucLuuIIv. don`L wunL Lo geL Ier InLo unv more LroubIe. BuL IL`s IIke be-
Ing LoId vou Iuve Lo gIve up Ice creum, or pruwn crIsps, or OvuILIne.
know. `m sorrv IL`s uII so weIrd. WIuL wus weIrd wus LIIs conversu-
LIon. L wus so mucI IIke Iv Lo be LIe one bruve enougI Lo Iuve IL.
SIe Iooked sIdewuvs uL me, und IuII smIIed. wus LIInkIng, uILer
suw vou vesLerduv. L`s noL IIke cun`L speuk Lo vou wILIouL LrvIng Lo
kIss vou. You`re noL that IrresIsLIbIe.
TeII me ubouL IL.
wIsI couId prInL up u sIgn und Lupe IL Lo mv IoreIeud.
OCAY DO NOT WANT TO KSS ETHAN WATE. NOW
PEASE ET ME BE RENDS WTH HM.
Muvbe we couId muke T-sIIrLs LIuL suv PATONC.
Or NOT DATNG.
UNATTRACTED.
Iv Look LIe reLurned IeLLer ouL oI LIe pIIe wILI u sIgI. TIIs wus me
IeeIIng sorrv Ior mvseII u Iew weeks ugo. wroLe Iome und usked II
LIev`d Iuve me buck.
reuIIzed knew nexL Lo noLIIng ubouL Iv`s IumIIv. Home Iome?
Your IumIIv?
JusL mv moLIer. Mv IuLIer`s Iong gone. You know, LIe gIumorous IIIe
oI u LIeoreLIcuI pIvsIcIsL. BuL no, LIIs wus u IeebIe uLLempL Lo geL Ier Lo
send me Lo OxIord, ucLuuIIv. Lurned LIe unIversILv down Lo come
Iere. And IL seemed IIke IL wus LIme Ior me Lo go, or uL IeusL IL dId
LIen.
o6J6=
And now? dIdn`L wunL Ier Lo Ieuve.
Now IeeI IIke cun`L Ieuve MurIun unLII LIIs wIoIe mess Is sorLed
ouL.
nodded, pIckIng uL mv sIoeIuces. `d be Iuppv II sIe wouId jusL
come ouL oI Ier Iouse. BuL dIdn`L wunL Lo LIInk ubouL LIe IuLure sIe
mIgIL be IucIng II sIe dId.
know. SIe Isn`L uL LIe IIbrurv eILIer. Muvbe sIe needs some LIme.
OI course, Iv Iud been mukIng LIe sume rounds Iud. We were so
uIIke, In more wuvs LIun one. More LIun beIng LIe onIv MorLuIs In LIe
equuLIon.
You know, vou were preLLv bruve buck LIere In LIe IIbrurv.
SIe smIIed. Wusn`L IL umuzIng? wus quILe proud. TIen goL In bed
und crIed Ior ubouL Len Iours sLruIgIL.
don`L bIume vou. L wus Iurd-core. And sIe`d onIv seen LIe IuII oI
IL. TIe ur Keep wus so mucI worse.
usL nIgIL- sLurLed In, jusL us sIe suId, You know, Iuve Lo go-
Mv LImIng wus oII, us usuuI, und our senLences LrIpped over eucI oLI-
er. We suL LIere Ior u mInuLe wIIIe LIe uwkwurdness seL In. SLIII,
couIdn`L brIng mvseII Lo Ieuve.
SIe sLood up, brusIIng oII Ier sIorLs. `m gIud we Iud u cIunce Lo
cuLcI up.
Me, Loo.
o;J6=
As sIe wuIked down LIe cureIuIIv kepL puLI LIuL Ied Lo MurIun`s guLe,
Iud un Ideu. NoL u perIecL Ideu, buL u decenL one.
WuIL up. puIIed u IoIded orunge IIver ouL oI mv pockeL. Tuke IL.
Iv unIoIded IL. WIuL`s LIIs?
An InvILuLIon Lo SuvunnuI Snow`s purLv, uILer LIe buskeLbuII gume
uguInsL SummervIIIe on SuLurduv nIgIL. L`s LIe IoLLesL LIckeL In Lown.
TIuL wus Iurd Lo suv wILI u sLruIgIL Iuce.
How dId vou und enu geL InvILed Lo u purLv uL SuvunnuI`s Iouse?
You underesLImuLe LIe combIned powers oI u Iormer SIren und u
Inkubus.
SIe puL LIe puper In Ier pockeL. So, vou wunL Lo udd un expeIIed
Keeper-In-TruInIng InLo LIe mIx?
`m noL sure we`II ucLuuIIv go, buL Ink und RIdIev deIInILeIv wIII. You
sIouId come, Loo, und Iung ouL, IIke oId LImes.
SIe IesILuLed. `II LIInk ubouL IL.
TIInk ubouL IL?
Won`L IL be u IILLIe uwkwurd II vou und enu ure LIere?
OI course IL wouId.
WIv wouId IL be uwkwurd? LrIed Lo sound convIncIng.
WIv do peopIe suv LIIngs IIke LIuL? don`L know Iow comIorLubIe
enu wIII IeeI uround me. SIe seurcIed LIe skv, us II LIe unswer wus
o8J6=
IIdden In LIe unbroken bIue unIverse. WIIcI Is wIv we need LIose T-
sIIrLs, suppose.
jummed mv Iunds InLo mv pockeLs, LrvIng Lo come up wILI un un-
swer Lo LIuL. You brougIL Mucon buck. You sLood up Ior MurIun. enu
respecLs vou und wIuL vou dId Lo IeIp boLI oI us. You prucLIcuIIv IIve
uL Ruvenwood-under IL, uL IeusL. You`re IIke IumIIv.
SIe nurrowed Ier eves, sLudvIng mv Iuce us II sIe dIdn`L quILe beIIeve
me. WIIcI mude sense, sInce purL oI IL wusn`L Lrue. Muvbe. PossIbIv.
TIuL`s LIe besL cun do, under LIe cIrcumsLunces.
`II Luke LIuL us u ves.
Iuve Lo geL buck. Mucon`s wuILIng Ior me. BuL `II consIder goIng Lo
LIe purLv. SIe Look u kev ouL oI Ier pockeL und IeId IL up. L wus u
crescenL kev, IIke LIe one MurIun Iud. Now Iv couId open LIe OuLer
Doors LIuL connecLed LIe MorLuI und CusLer worIds. TIere wus
someLIIng rIgIL ubouL LIuL. SIe wuved und dIsuppeured uround LIe
corner wIIIe Lurned buck Lo LIe durk Iouse. SIudes sLIII druwn.
IeIL LIe muII In u pIIe on LIe rocker bv MurIun`s door und Ioped IL
wouId be gone In LIe mornIng. Ioped mv memorIes oI LIe Temporis
Porta wouId be gone even sooner.
You dId wIuL? PIeuse LeII me vou`re jokIng.
We were uL LIe CInepIex, sLundIng In IIne Ior popcorn. enu wusn`L us
Iuppv ubouL LIe wIoIe mukIng peuce wILI Iv LIIng us Iud Ioped.
AcLuuIIv, sIe wus exucLIv us unIuppv ubouL IL us `d predIcLed. BuL II
Iv decIded Lo come Lo LIe purLv, enu wus goIng Lo IInd ouL LIuL wus
LIe one wIo Iud InvILed Ier. L wus beLLer Lo Luke LIe IIL now. An
oJ6=
ungrv gIrIIrIend wus one LIIng. An ungrv CusLer gIrI meunL vou couId
Iose u IImb or sLep oII u cIIII.
Iud pIunned Lo LeII enu ubouL IIndIng LIe Temporis Porta wILI Iv
IusL nIgIL. BuL consIderIng Ier reucLIon Lo LIe purLv InvILe, IL seemed
beLLer Lo wuIL on LIuL one.
So Iud Lo come cIeun ubouL LIe resL.
sIgIed und repeuLed mv urgumenL, even LIougI IL wus goIng Lo geL
me nowIere. I vou Iud unvLIIng Lo worrv ubouL, wouId InvILe Iv
somewIere mIgIL be goIng wILI vou? Don`L vou LIInk `d muke some
kInd oI secreL pIuns?
WIuL kInd oI secreL pIuns?
sIrugged. don`L know. Becuuse don`L Iuve unv.
BuL IeL`s suv LIuL vou dId.
BuL don`L. TIIs wus goIng downIIII IusL.
ELIun, LIIs Is IvpoLIeLIcuI.
TIIs Is u Lrup. knew beLLer LIun Lo enguge In IvpoLIeLIcuI quesLIons
wILI u gIrI.
We reucIed LIe counLer, und puIIed ouL mv wuIIeL. WeII?
enu Iooked uL me IIke wus cruzv. TIe usuuI.
TIe usuuI? WIuL wus LIe usuuI? Mv mInd wus LoLuIIv bIunk.
TIe usuuI, repeuLed dumbIv.
1oJ6=
SIe guve me u Iook und LIen Lurned Lo LIe cusIIer. Popcorn und MIIk
Duds, pIeuse.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I just blanked. I dont know.
TIe cusIIer sIId enu`s popcorn over LIe counLer und Iooked uL me.
scunned LIe IIsL on LIe wuII. And Iow ubouL. popcorn und HoL
TumuIes?
Hot Tamales?
They dont have Red Hots, L.
You thinking about someone I know?
sIrugged. OI course wus. Ammu wusn`L mukIng egg roIIs wILI Ier
cIeuver, or pIe IIIIIng wILI LIe One-Eved Menuce. Her sIurp #z pencIIs
were In LIe druwer, und Iudn`L seen u crossword puzzIe on LIe kIL-
cIen LubIe In weeks.
Ethan, dont worry about Amma. Shell come out of it.
Ammas never gone dark for this long before. We have a bottle tree in
our front yard.
Since Abraham showed up at your house?
More like since school started.
enu dumped Ier MIIk Duds InLo LIe popcorn Lub.
If youre this worried about it, why dont you ask her?
11J6=
You ever try to ask Amma something?
Yeah. No. Maybe we need to go see this bokor for ourselves.
No offense, L, but hes not the kind of guy you want to take your girl-
friend to see. And Im not sure an actual Caster would be safe there.
TIe wIoIe cIeer squud pussed bv us. RIdIev wus wuIkIng wILI some
guv dIdn`L know, wIo Iud IIs Iund In LIe buck pockeL oI Ier sLreLcIv
skIrL. He wusn`L Irom Juckson; SummervIIIe wus mv guess. SuvunnuI
wus IungIng on Ink, wIo wus sLurIng uL RIdIev wIIIe sIe preLended
noL Lo noLIce IIm. EmIIv wuIked beIInd LIem wILI CIurIoLLe und Eden,
und vou couId see LIe ruge on SuvunnuI`s Iuce. SIe wusn`L LIe one
IoIdIng up LIe pvrumId unvmore.
You sILLIn` wILI us? Ink cuIIed ouL us Ie pussed.
SuvunnuI smIIed und wuved. enu Iooked uL LIe Lwo oI LIem us II LIev
were wuIkIng down LIe sLreeL In LIeIr underweur.
`m never goIng Lo geL used Lo LIuL, sIe suId.
Me neILIer.
DId vou expIuIn Lo RId ubouL LIe IusL Iour rows oI LIe CInepIex?
OI, no-
So we ended up wedged beLween Ink und SuvunnuI und RIdIev und
LIe guv Irom SummervIIIe, In LIe IusL Iour rows. TIe credILs Iud bureIv
sLurLed beIore SuvunnuI wus wIIsperIng und gIggIIng InLo Ink`s neck,
1zJ6=
wIIcI us Iur us couId LeII wus jusL un excuse Lo geL Ier mouLI up neur
IIs. eIbowed IIm us Iurd us couId.
Ow!
RIdIev`s sILLIng rIgIL LIere, mun.
YeuI. WILI LIuL LooI.
You wunL Ier cruwIIng uII over IIm IIke LIuL? RIdIev wusn`L LIe kInd
oI gIrI wIo goL mud. SIe goL even.
Ink Ieuned Iorwurd, IookIng pusL enu und me Lo wIere RIdIev wus
sILLIng. TIe SummervIIIe TooI uIreudv Iud IIs Iund on Ier Ieg. WIen
sIe suw Ink wuLcIIng, sIe snuked Ier urm LIrougI LIe guv`s und
Lossed Ier pInk und bIond IuIr. TIen sIe puIIed ouL u IoIIIpop und
begun unwruppIng IL.
Ink sIIILed In IIs seuL. YeuI. You`re rIgIL. `m gonnu Iuve Lo kIck
IIs-
enu grubbed LIe sIeeve oI IIs sIIrL beIore Ink goL up. You`re noL do-
Ing unvLIIng. JusL beIuve, und sIe wIII, und LIen muvbe vou cun ucLu-
uIIv sLurL duLIng IIke normuI peopIe und sLop LIIs sLupId gume.
SII! TIe SummervIIIe TooI sIoL us u Iook. SIuL up. Some oI us ure
LrvIn` Lo wuLcI LIe movIe.
YeuI, rIgIL, Ink veIIed buck uL IIm. know wIuL vou`re LrvIn` Lo
wuLcI.
Ink guve me u pIeudIng Iook. PIeuse IeL me go ouLsIde und beuL LIe
crup ouLLu IIm, beIore mIss unv u LIe good purLs. You know `m
gonnu end up doIn` IL unvwuv.
1J6=
He Iud u poInL. BuL Ie wus u Inkubus, und LIe ruIes were dIIIerenL
now.
You reudv Lo IeL RIdIev beuL LIe crup ouL oI SuvunnuI? Becuuse vou
know sIe`II do IL.
He sIook IIs Ieud. don`L know Iow mucI more u LIIs cun Luke.
RId`s drIvIn` me nuLs. or u second, LIe oId Ink wus buck, Iung up
on LIe gIrI wIo wouId uIwuvs be ouL oI IIs Ieugue. Muvbe LIuL wus IL.
Muvbe Ie wouId uIwuvs LIInk RIdIev wus ouL oI IIs Ieugue, even
LIougI IIs Ieugue Iud cIunged.
You Iuve Lo usk Ier Lo SuvunnuI`s purLv, us vour duLe. L wus LIe onIv
wuv Lo deIuse LIIs purLIcuIur bomb.
You kIddIn` me? TIuL`s IIke uskIn` Ior un open wur wILI LIe wIoIe
squud. SuvunnuI uIreudv Ius me doIn` uII LIIs exLru sLuII-comIn` over
eurIv Lo seL up un` evervLIIn`.
`m jusL cuIIIng IL IIke see IL. dug InLo mv HoL TumuIes popcorn.
Mv mouLI wus burnIng, wIIcI seemed IIke u sIgn. TIme Lo keep IL
sIuL.
wusn`L gIvIng ouL unv more udvIce.
Bv LIe end oI LIe nIgIL, Ink Iud beuLen LIe crup ouL oI LIe Sum-
mervIIIe TooI In LIe purkIng IoL. RIdIev cuIIed Ink everv nume In LIe
book, und SuvunnuI sLepped In. or u mInuLe, IL Iooked IIke LIere wus
goIng Lo be u serIous cuLIIgIL, unLII SuvunnuI remembered Ier urm
wus sLIII In u sIIng, und preLended LIe wIoIe LIIng wus u bIg
mIsundersLundIng.
WIen goL Iome, LIere wus u noLe Luped Lo mv IronL door. L wus Irom
Iv.
1qJ6=
I changed my mind. See you at the party. XO Liv
XO.
TIuL wus jusL someLIIng gIrIs wroLe uL LIe end oI noLes, rIgIL?
Right.
wus deud.
1=J6=
10.18
A Real Bad Girl
L Look more LIun u IILLIe convIncIng Lo geL Ammu Lo IeL me go Lo Su-
vunnuI Snow`s purLv. And IL wusn`L IIke sIe wouIdn`L noLIce II LrIed Lo
sneuk ouL. Ammu never wenL unvwIere unvmore. SIe Iudn`L gone
Iome Lo Wuder`s Creek once sInce sIe puIIed LIe LuroL spreud LIuL senL
Ier InLo u voodoo queen`s crvpL. SIe wouIdn`L udmIL IL, buL wIen
usked Ier wIv sIe never wenL buck Iome unvmore, sIe goL deIensIve.
You LIInk cun Ieuve LIe SIsLers Lo keep un eve on LIemseIves? You
know TIeImu Iusn`L been LIe IeusL bIL cIeur IerseII, sInce LIe
uccIdenL.
OI, MIss Ammu. QuIL vour IussIn`. onIv geL LIe eensIesL bIL con-
Iused, now un` uguIn, TIeImu cuIIed Irom LIe nexL room, wIere sIe
wus sLruIgILenIng LIe coucIes jusL so. AunL Mercv IIked one pIIIow und
Lwo bIunkeLs. AunL Gruce IIked Lwo pIIIows und one bIunkeL. AunL
Mercv dIdn`L IIke used bIunkeLs, wIIcI meunL vou Iud Lo wusI LIem
beIore sIe`d IeL LIem neur Ier. AunL Gruce dIdn`L IIke pIIIows LIuL
smeIIed IIke IuIr, even II IL wus Ier own. TIe sud LIIng wus, sInce LIe
uccIdenL knew more ubouL LIeIr pIIIow preIerences und IIdIng
pIuces Ior coIIee Ice creum LIun ever wunLed Lo know.
TIe uccIdenL.
TIe uccIdenL used Lo meun mv mom`s cur crusI. Now IL wus poIILe
SouLIern code Ior AunL Prue`s condILIon. dIdn`L know II IL mude me
IeeI beLLer or worse, buL once Ammu sLurLed InvokIng LIe uccIdenL,
LIere wus no geLLIng Ier Lo cIunge Ier mInd.
SLIII, LrIed. TIev don`L sLuv up pusL eIgIL o`cIock. How ubouL we uII
Iung ouL und pIuv ScrubbIe LogeLIer, und LIen `II go ouL once everv-
one Is usIeep?
Ammu sIook Ier Ieud us sIe puIIed Lruvs oI cookIes In und ouL oI LIe
oven. SnIckerdoodIes. MoIusses. SIorLbreud. CookIes, noL pIe. CookIes
were Ior deIIverv. SIe never Ied cookIes Lo LIe GreuLs. don`L know
wIv, buL LIe GreuLs weren`L mucI Ior cookIes. WIIcI meunL sIe sLIII
wusn`L LuIkIng Lo LIem.
WIo ure vou bukIng Ior LonIgIL, Ammu?
WIuL, vou`re Loo good Ior mv cookIes now?
No, buL vou Look LIe puper doIIIes ouL, wIIcI meuns LIese uren`L Ior
me.
Ammu sLurLed urrungIng LIe cookIes on LIe Lruv. WeII, uren`L vou u
smurL one. TukIn` LIese down Lo CounLv Cure. TIougIL LIose nIce
nurses mIgIL wunL u cookIe or Lwo Lo keep `em compunv, LIese Iong
nIgILs.
So, cun go?
You`re sImpIer LIun LIougIL, II vou`re LIInkIn` SuvunnuI Snow
wunLs vou unvwIere neur Ier pIuce.
L`s jusL u reguIur oId IIgI scIooI purLv.
SIe Iowered Ier voIce. TIere`s no sucI LIIng us u reguIur oId IIgI
scIooI purLv wIen vou`re LukIn` u CusLer und un ncubus und u worn-
ouL SIren wILI vou. Turns ouL, Ammu couId even wIIsper u preLLv
IIerce scoIdIng. TIen sIe sIummed LIe oven door und sLood LIere wILI
un oven-mILLed Iund on eucI IIp.
18J6=
QuurLer ncubus, wIIspered buck. Ike LIuL cIunged unvLIIng. L`s
uL LIe Snows` Iouse. You know wIuL LIev`re IIke. dId mv besL Im-
pressIon oI Reverend BIuckweII. Ine, God-IeurIn` IoIk. Keep u BI-uI-
bIe rIgIL nexL Lo LIe bed. Ammu gIured uL me. guve IL up. NoLIIng`s
gonnu Iuppen.
I Iud u nIckeI Ior everv LIme vou`ve suId LIuL, `d be IIvIn` In u
cusLIe. Ammu covered LIe cookIes In pIusLIc wrup. I LIe purLv`s uL LIe
Snows` Iouse, wIv ure vou goIn` unvIow? DIdn`L even InvILe vou IusL
veur, us recoIIecL.
know. BuL LIougIL IL wouId be Iun.
meL enu on LIe corner oI Dove SLreeL becuuse sIe`d Iud even Iess
Iuck wILI Ier uncIe und ended up sneukIng ouL oI Ier Iouse. SIe wus
so uIruId Ammu wouId see Ier und send Ier buck Iome LIuL sIe
purked LIe Ieurse u bIock uwuv. NoL IIke Ier cur wus Iurd Lo mIss.
Mucon Iud mude IL cIeur no one wus goIng Lo unv purLIes, noL wIIIe LIe
Order wus sLIII broken-especIuIIv noL uL LIe Snows`. RIdIev Iud mude
IL equuIIv cIeur sIe wus goIng. How did they expect her to fit in as a
Mortal if she wasnt allowed to do normal things with her new
Mortal friends? TIIngs were LIrown. n LIe end, AunL DeI cuved, even
II Mucon dIdn`L.
So RIdIev Iud wuIked rIgIL ouL LIe IronL door, wIIIe enu wus IeIL Lo
IInd u wuv Lo sneuk ouL.
He LIInks `m In mv room, suIkIng becuuse Ie wouIdn`L IeL me go
ouL. enu sIgIed. WIIcI Is wIere wus unLII IIgured ouL mv exIL
sLruLegv.
How dId vou geL ouL? usked.
1J6=
Iud Lo use, IIke, IIILeen dIIIerenL CusLs: HIdIng, BIIndIng, orgeLLIng,
DIsguIsIng, DupIIcuLIng.
DupIIcuLIng? You meun vou cIoned vourseII? TIuL wus u new one.
JusL mv scenL. Anvone wIo CusLs u ReveIuLIon on LIe Iouse mIgIL be
IooIed, Ior u mInuLe or Lwo. SIe sIgIed. BuL LIere`s no IooIIng UncIe
Mucon. `m deud wIen Ie IInds ouL `m gone. You LIInk IL`s bud IIvIng
wILI u Seer? AII UncIe Mucon wunLs Lo do Is prucLIce IIs MIndIunLIng
skIIIs.
Awesome. So we Iuve uII nIgIL. puIIed Ier cIoser Lo me, und sIe
Ieuned Ier buck up uguInsL Ier cur.
Umm. Muvbe Ionger. TIere`s probubIv no wuv `II geL buck InsIde Lo-
nIgIL. TIe pIuce Is Bound u LIousund LImes over.
You cun sLuv wILI me II vou wunL Lo. kIssed Ier neck, workIng mv
wuv up Lo Ier eur. Mv mouLI wus uIreudv burnIng, buL dIdn`L cure.
WIv ure we goIng Lo LIIs sLupId purLv uguIn wIen we Iuve u perIecLIv
good cur rIgIL Iere?
SIe pusIed up onLo Ier Loes, kIssIng me unLII mv Ieud wus poundIng
us Iurd us mv IeurL. TIen sIe puIIed buck, duckIng uwuv. AunL Mercv
und AunL Gruce wouId reuIIv Iove LIuL, wouIdn`L LIev? L wouId uImosL
be worLI IL Lo see LIe Iooks on LIeIr Iuces wIen cume down Lo breuk-
IusL In LIe mornIng. Muvbe couId weur one oI vour LoweIs. SIe sLur-
Led Lo IuugI, und pIcLured IL uII rIgIL, onIv LIe sIrIekIng In mv Ieud
wus so Ioud, guve up.
eL`s jusL suv, LIe Iunguuge couId geL u wIoIe IoL sLronger LIun 'Iunnv.`

beL LIev`d cuII LIe 'durned po-IIce.` SIe wus rIgIL.

zoJ6=
YeuI, buL `m LIe one LIev`d Iuve urresLed Ior compromIsIng vour
vIrLue.
TIen guess we beLLer pIck up Ink, beIore vou Iuve LIe cIunce.
couIdn`L remember LIe IusL LIme `d seL IooL In SuvunnuI`s Iouse, buL
sLurLed Lo IeeI uncomIorLubIe LIe mInuLe we wuIked up Lo LIe sLuIrs.
TIere were pIcLures oI Ier evervwIere-weurIng spurkIv LIurus und uII
kInds oI MSS AREN`T--BETTER-THAN-YOU? susIes, posIng wILI
Ier cIeer unIIorm und pom-poms-und u wIoIe row oI wIuL guess
were supposed Lo be modeIIng Ieud sIoLs, IeuLurIng SuvunnuI In
buLIIng suILs, wILI Iuke eveIusIes und Loo mucI IIpsLIck. rom LIe
Iooks oI IL, sIe`d been weurIng IIpsLIck sInce sIe goL ouL oI dIupers.
Turns ouL, LIe Snows dIdn`L reuIIv need purLv decoruLIons. PusL LIe
LubIe covered wILI u Iundred buskeLbuII cupcukes, pusL LIe puncI
bowI wILI IILLIe pIusLIc buskeLbuIIs Irozen InLo LIe Ice rIng, pusL LIe
cIIcken suIud sundwIcIes mude InLo buskeLbuIIs wILI IILLIe round
cookIe cuLLers, SuvunnuI wus LIe bIggesL decoruLIon oI uII. SIe wus
sLIII weurIng Ier cIeer unIIorm, buL sIe Iud wrILLen Ink`s nume on
one cIeek und druwn u gIunL pInk IeurL on LIe oLIer. SIe sLood In LIe
mIddIe oI LIe buckvurd-wuILIng, smIIIng, generuIIv IIgILIng up LIe
pIuce us II sIe wus LIe CIrIsLmus Lree uL u CIrIsLmus purLv. And LIe
mInuLe SuvunnuI suw Ink, IL wus IIke someone Iud IIIpped LIe swILcI
LIuL Lurned on uII Ier IIgILs.
WesIev IncoIn!
Hev LIere, SuvunnuI.
SuvunnuI wus IopIng Ior some serIous spurks beLween LIem, buL sIe
dIdn`L Iuve u cIunce. WIen IL cume Lo Ink, LIere wus onIv one gIrI
wIo couId cuuse LIuL kInd oI spurk, und IL wus onIv u muLLer oI
mInuLes unLII sIe urrIved und reuIIv IIL up LIe pIuce.
z1J6=
More IIke un Iour.
TIuL`s wIen RIdIev goL LIere und ruLcIeLed LIIngs up u noLcI or
Lwo-or Lwo Iundred. EvenIng, bovs.
Ink`s Ieud wIIpped uround wIen Ie suw Ier, und Ie broke InLo u
smIIe ubouL u mIIe wIde, conIIrmIng wIuL knew uII uIong. RIdIev wus
sLIII under IIs skIn, und preLLv mucI evervwIere eIse. knew wIuL LIuL
kInd oI rudur IeIL IIke. L wus LIe wuv IeIL ubouL enu.
Uh-oh. This isnt good, L.
I know.
Come on. LIInk IL`s goIng Lo geL ugIv. Look enu`s Iund und Lurned
Lo Ieuve, und LIere wus Iv. enu sIoL me u Iook.
Crap.
WILI evervLIIng eIse goIng on, `d IorgoLLen uII ubouL gIvIng Iv LIe
InvILuLIon.
enu. Iv smIIed.
Iv. enu sorL oI smIIed. dIdn`L know II vou were comIng.
ReuIIv? IeIL ELIun u noLe. Iv smIIed uL me poInLedIv.
ReuIIv. enu sIoL me u Iook LIuL suId `d be IeurIng ubouL LIIs IuLer.
Iv sIrugged. WeII, vou know ELIun. Dont you? TIuL`s wIuL enu
Ieurd.
YeuI, do. enu wusn`L smIIIng unvmore.
zzJ6=
sLurLed Lo punIc und noLIced LIe puncI LubIe, u good IIILeen IeeL uwuv.
TIuL seemed IIke u suIe dIsLunce. `m goIng Lo geL someLIIng Lo euL.
Anvbodv wunL unvLIIng?
Nope. Iv smIIed uL me IIke evervLIIng wus IIne.
NoL u LIIng. enu smIIed uL me IIke sIe wus ubouL Lo kIII me.
escuped us quIckIv us couId.
Mrs. Snow wus sLundIng bv LIe puncI bowI LuIkIng Lo Lwo men `d nev-
er seen beIore. TIev were boLI weurIng unIversILv cups und coIIured
sIIrLs. L`s u surprIse, Mrs. Snow LoId LIem. TIuL`s wIv mv duugILer
wunLed Lo LIrow LIIs IILLIe geL-LogeLIer. SIe wunLed vou Lo be ubIe Lo
LuIk Lo WesIev In u cusuuI envIronmenL.
TIuL sure wus kInd oI vour duugILer, mu`um.
SuvunnuI`s u verv LIougILIuI gIrI. AIwuvs puLLIn` oLIers IIrsL. And Ier
bovIrIend, WesIev, Is u reuI LuIenLed buskeLbuII pIuver. TIuL`s wIv mv
Iusbund usked v`uII Lo come up. And WesIev comes Irom u good,
cIurcIgoIng IumIIv. HIs moLIer`s goL u Iund In evervLIIn` LIuL goes on
In LIIs Lown.
Iroze uL LIe LubIe, u cIocoIuLe buskeLbuII jummed IuIIwuv InLo mv
mouLI. TIev were coIIege scouLs. And LIev were Iere Lo meeL Ink.
Iooked ucross LIe vurd Lo wIere Ink und SuvunnuI were duncIng
und RIdIev wus cIrcIIng IIke u sIurk. RId wouId muke Ier move unv
mInuLe now, sLrIkIng so IusL LIuL LIere wouId be noLIIng IeIL buL bIood
In LIe wuLer.
Look oII, neurIv knockIng over LIe puncI bowI In LIe process.
zJ6=
Sorrv, SuvunnuI. need Lo LuIk Lo Ink Ior u mInuLe. grubbed Ink
und IuuIed IIm ouL SuvunnuI`s buck guLe.
WIuL LIe IeII? Ink Iooked uL me IIke wus cruzv.
TIere ure scouLs In LIere, Irom LIe unIversILv. Mrs. Snow seL LIIs
wIoIe LIIng up Ior vou. And II vou IeL RIdIev geL neur SuvunnuI Lo-
nIgIL, vou`re goIng Lo bIow evervLIIng.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIn` ubouL? He Iooked conIused.
BuskeLbuII. CoIIege recruILers. L`s vour LIckeL ouL oI Iere.
He sIook IIs Ieud. NuI, dude. You`ve goL IL uII wrong. don`L wunL u
LIckeL ouL oI LIIs Lown. jusL wunnu u LIckeL ouLLu LIIs purLv.
You wIuL?
He wus uIreudv sIukIng IIs Ieud und wuIkIng buck Lo LIe purLv. L`s
noL SuvunnuI. L never wus. L`s RIdIev, good or bud. He Iooked uL me
IIke Ie wus LeIIIng me Ie Iud u IuLuI dIseuse or someLIIng. cun`L
sIuke IL.
SIuke wIuL, SIrInkv DInk? RIdIev wus sLundIng wILI Ier buck
uguInsL LIe guLe. UnIIke LIe resL oI LIe gIrIs on LIe squud, sIe wusn`L
weurIng Ier cIeer unIIorm. Her green dress wus so LIgIL In some
pIuces und sIIL so IIgI In oLIers, vou weren`L exucLIv sure wIere Lo
Iook.
Ink moved cIoser Lo Ier. Come on, RId. wunL Lo LuIk Lo vou.
TIuL`s noL wIuL vour IILLIe gIrIIrIend suId. SIe suId vou dIdn`L wunL Lo
LuIk Lo me. n IucL, sIe LoId me Lo geL LIe IeII oII Ier properLv.
zqJ6=
SuvunnuI`s noL mv gIrIIrIend.
LrIed Lo preLend dIdn`L know wIuL wus ubouL Lo Iuppen. LrIed noL
Lo IIsLen, or cure.
BuL couId Ieur LIe desperuLIon In Ink`s voIce. L`s never been unv-
one buL vou.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? SIe Iroze, buL IL wus Loo IuLe.
Ink couIdn`L sLop IImseII. SomeLImes LIInk cruzv LIIngs, IIke
wunL Lo be wILI vou Iorever. We couId IIve In un RV und see LIe worId.
meun, LIe purLs vou cun drIve Lo. And vou couId wrILe songs, und
couId pIuv LIem uL gIgs. Cun`L vou see IL?
RIdIev`s Iuce Iooked IIke IL wus ubouL Lo cruck InLo u LIousund LInv
pIeces. -don`L know wIuL Lo suv.
Suv vou`II be mv gIrI, LIe wuv IL used Lo be.
couId see Ier wuverIng, und reuIIzed Iow Iurd IL musL be Lo be Ier
rIgIL now. Becuuse sIe wusn`L LIe RIdIev sIe used Lo be, unv more
LIun Ie wus LIe Ink Ie used Lo be. NoLIIng wus LIe sume. NoL Ior
unvone.
TIen sIe noLIced enu und Iv, wuLcIIng Irom one sIde-und me,
sLundIng LIere on LIe oLIer. Her Iuce cIouded over. RIdIev wusn`L go-
Ing Lo cruck, especIuIIv noL In IronL oI us. WIuL ure vou on, SIrInkv
DInk?
Come on, RId. You`re mv gIrI. SLop preLendIng vou don`L IeeI LIe sume
wuv ubouL me.
z=J6=
`m u SIren. `m nobodv`s gIrI. don`L feel unvLIIng. And don`L IuII In
Iove. cun`L. SIe sLurLed Lo buck uwuv. L`s uIwuvs been jusL u gIg.
RId, vou`re noL u SIren unvmore. You`re never gonnu be one uguIn.
RIdIev spun uround, Ier bIue eves rugIng. TIuL`s wIere vou`re wrong.
`m noL goIng Lo be sLuck In LIIs puLIeLIc excuse Ior u Lown Iorever.
And LIere`s no wuv `m LruveIIng LIe worId In some cruppv LruIIer wILI
vou. Iuve pIuns.
RIdIev- Ink sounded mIserubIe.
BIg pIuns. And cun LeII vou rIgIL now, LIev Iuve noLIIng Lo do wILI
vou! SIe Lurned Lo Iuce LIe resL oI us. Anv oI vou!
Ink Iooked IIke sIe`d sIupped IIm In LIe Iuce. or u guv wIo spenL
mosL oI IIs LIme jokIng uround, `d never Ieurd IIm Iuv IL ouL IIke LIuL
Lo u gIrI.
As RIdIev wuIked Lowurd LIe guLe, Ink kIcked LIe Iuwn cIuIr nexL Lo
IIm, sendIng IL IIvIng.
Across LIe vurd, SuvunnuI suw Ier cIunce, und Look IL. SIe smooLIed
Ier bIond IuIr und pusIed Ier wuv LIrougI LIe crowd Lo Ink. SIe sIId
Ier Iunds up IIs T-sIIrL. Come on, Ink. eL`s dunce.
TIe nexL mInuLe LIev were duncIng und SuvunnuI wus uII over IIm.
enu, Iv, und sLured us II we were wuLcIIng u LIree-cur pIIe-up on
RouLe . You couIdn`L Lurn uwuv.
Iv scruncIed up Ier nose. SIouId we be IeLLIng LIIs Iuppen?
enu sIrugged. don`L see wIuL we cun do Lo sLop IL. UnIess vou wunL
Lo go over LIere.
z6J6=
No, LIunks.
TIuL`s wIen SuvunnuI-wIo cIeurIv dIdn`L reuIIze sIe wus duncIng
wILI u IeurLbroken guv wIose Iopes und dreums oI Lrue Iove und re-
cord deuIs und RV purks ucross LIe counLrv Iud jusL been
sIuLLered-moved In Ior LIe kIII.
TIe LIree oI us coIIecLIveIv IeId our breuLI.
RIgIL LIere under LIe LwInkIIng IIgILs, SuvunnuI Look Ink`s Iuce In
Ier Iunds und puIIed IIm Lowurd Ier.
BoIIocks. Iv IId Ier Iuce.
TIIs Is bud. enu dIdn`L wunL Lo Iook eILIer.
We`re screwed. bruced mvseII.
TIe kIss IusLed Ior u IuII LwenLv seconds.
UnLII RIdIev Iuppened Lo Iook over Ier sIouIder.
You couId probubIv Ieur LIe sound u IuII u mIIe uwuv. RIdIev wus
sLundIng beIInd LIe guLe uL LIe edge oI SuvunnuI`s buckvurd, screum-
Ing so Ioud LIuL evervone uL LIe purLv sLopped duncIng. SIe wus IoId-
Ing Ier scorpIon beIL, Ier IIps movIng us II sIe wus CusLIng.
SIe cun`L be- enu wIIspered.
grubbed enu`s Iund. We Iuve Lo sLop Ier. SIe`s IosL IL.
BuL IL wus Loo IuLe.
A mInuLe IuLer, evervLIIng Lurned InLo compIeLe und LoLuI cIuos.
z;J6=
IeIL LIe CusL rIp LIrougI LIe purLv IIke u wuve. And vou couId uImosL
see IL, IILLIng one person und movIng on Lo LIe nexL. You couId LeII
wIere IL Iud IIL, Irom LIe ungrv expressIons und LIe sIouLIng IeIL In
ILs wuke. One mInuLe, coupIes were duncIng-LIe nexL, LIev were IIgIL-
Ing. Guvs were sIovIng eucI oLIer wIIIe unsuspecLIng vIcLIms LrIed Lo
move ouL oI LIe wuv. UnLII LIe CusL IIL LIem, und LIen LIev were LIe
ones doIng LIe pusIIng und veIIIng.
Ieurd LIe puncI bowI sIuLLer on LIe IIoor, buL couIdn`L see IL
LIrougI LIe crowd oI cIeerIeuders puIIIng eucI oLIer`s IuIr und bus-
keLbuII pIuvers LuckIIng eucI oLIer. Even Mrs. Snow wus screumIng uL
LIe coIIege scouLs, gIvIng LIem enougI pIeces oI Ier mInd Lo keep
LIem Irom ever crossIng LIe counLv IIne uguIn.
enu`s eves wenL durk. cun IeeI IL-u Furor! SIe grubbed Iv und
me, puIIIng us Lowurd LIe guLe, buL IL wus Loo IuLe.
knew us soon us IL IIL, becuuse Iv Lurned und sIupped enu ucross
LIe Iuce us Iurd us sIe couId.
Huve vou IosL vour mInd? enu IeId Ier cIeek, wIIcI wus uIreudv
LurnIng un ungrv sIude oI red.
Iv poInLed uL Ier, LIe Ieuvv bIuck seIenomeLer LurnIng on Ier wrIsL.
TIuL Is Ior uII LIe wIInIng, PrIncess.
WIuL? enu`s IuIr sLurLed Lo curI, Ier green und goId eves
nurrowIng.
Iv wenL on. Poor, beuuLIIuI me. Mv gorgeous bovIrIend Is so In Iove
wILI me, buL mv IeurL Is broken becuuse-Iev-LIuL`s Iow beuuLIIuI
emo gIrIs IIke me ure supposed Lo ucL.
z8J6=
SIuL up! enu Iooked IIke sIe wus ubouL Lo puncI Iv In LIe Iuce.
Ieurd LIunder rumbIe In LIe skv.
nsLeud oI beIng Iuppv LIuL u greuL guv Ioves me, `m goIng Lo sIup on
some more bIuck nuII poIIsI und run oII wILI some oLIer gorgeous
guv.
TIuL`s noL wIuL Iuppened! enu swung uL Iv, buL cuugIL Ier urm.
RuIn sLurLed Lo IuII.
Iv kepL LuIkIng. And-wuIL Ior IL-`m LIe mosL powerIuI CusLer In
LIe unIverse. n cuse LIe resL oI vou IowIv MorLuIs dIdn`L uIreudv IeeI
IIke LoLuI crup.
Are vou cruzv? enu screumed uL Ier, buL IL wus Iurd Lo Ieur over uII
LIe cIuos. Mv uncIe dIed. LIougIL wus goIng Durk.
Do vou know wIuL IL IeeIs IIke Lo Iung ouL wILI u guv wIen vou Iuve
IeeIIngs Ior IIm? HeIp IIm Iook Ior IIs gIrIIrIend wIo doesn`L wunL Lo
be Iound? WuLcI IIm breuk IIs own IeurL, und vours, over some sLu-
pId CusLer gIrI wIo doesn`L gIve u ruL`s uss ubouL IIm?
IgILnIng rIpped ucross LIe skv, LIe ruIn peILIng us IIke IuIIsLones.
enu Iunged Ior Iv. moved In IronL oI enu, IoIdIng Ier buck.
Iv. TIuL`s enougI. You`re wrong. Iud no Ideu wIuL Iv wus doIng,
buL wunLed Ier Lo sIuL up.
eeIIngs Ior IIm? AL IeusL vou IInuIIv udmIL IL! enu wus screumIng.
don`L udmIL unvLIIng excepL LIuL vou`re u bIoodv IILLIe bILcI wIo
LIInks LIe worId orbILs uround vour preLLv IILLIe curIs.
zJ6=
TIuL wus IL. enu wrencIed Ier urms Iree und sIummed Ier Iunds InLo
Iv`s sIouIders. Iv IeII buckwurd, IILLIng LIe ground Iurd. enu
wusn`L goIng Lo IeL Ier Iuve LIe IusL word. Or LIe IusL IIL.
Okuv, IILLIe MIss `m-NoL-Here-Lo-SLeuI-Your-BovIrIend. enu ImIL-
uLed Iv`s voIce. ReuIIv, we`re jusL IrIends, even LIougI `m smurLer
und bIonder LIun LIe resL oI vou combIned. And dId menLIon mv cuLe
IILLIe BrILIsI uccenL?
Iv kIcked mud uL Ier, buL enu moved ouL oI LIe wuv jusL In LIme.
enu dIdn`L sLop LIere. And II LIuL`s noL enougI, IeL me murLvr mvseII,
so vou cun spend LIe resL oI vour IIIe IeeIIng guIILv. Or muvbe cun
spend uII mv LIme wILI vour uncIe, so Ie cun LIInk oI me us LIe duugI-
Ler Ie never Iud. OI, wuIL-Ie uIreudv Ius one oI LIose! BuL wIo cures.
Becuuse II enu Ius IL, `m goIng Lo Lrv Lo Luke IL!
Iv scrumbIed Lo Ier IeeL und LrIed Lo sIIp pusL me. IeId on Lo Ier.
SLop IL! You`re ucLIng IIke IdIoLs. L`s u CusL! You don`L even reuIIze
wIo vou sIouId be mud uL!
And vou do? enu screumed, LrvIng Lo reucI uround me Lo grub Iv`s
IuIr.
OI course do. BuL LIe onIv person `m ungrv uL Isn`L Iere. benL
down und pIcked up RIdIev`s scorpIon beIL Irom LIe muddv gruss.
Iunded IL Lo enu. L`s RIdIev. And sIe`s gone. So Iuve no one Lo veII
uL.
Ieurd LIe BeuLer`s engIne gunnIng. poInLed ouL LIe guLe, und we
wuLcIed LIe BeuLer peeI uwuv Irom LIe curb. AcLuuIIv, LIInk LIere`s
someone even ungrIer uL Ier LIun um. And IL Iooks IIke Ie`s LukIng oII
Lo IInd Ier.
You reuIIv LIInk LIIs Is some kInd oI CusL? enu Iooked uL Iv.
oJ6=
No. LIInk we uIwuvs IIgIL IIke sLruv dogs In LIe sLreeL wIen we Lrv Lo
socIuIIze uL purLIes. Iv roIIed Ier eves.
See? TIere vou go, IuvIng Lo be LIe smurL one uII LIe LIme. enu
LrIed Lo puII Iree, buL cIumped down Iurder on boLI oI LIeIr urms.
L`s u Furor, vou moron, Iv snupped.
`m u moron? suId Furor beIore LIIs wIoIe LIIng sLurLed.
pusIed LIem boLI LIrougI LIe guLe In IronL oI me. You`re boLI ucL-
Ing IIke morons. And now we`re gonnu geL In LIe cur und go up Lo
Ruvenwood. And II vou Lwo cun`L suv someLIIng nIce Lo eucI oLIer,
don`L suv unvLIIng.
BuL dIdn`L Iuve Lo worrv, becuuse II LIere wus one LIIng Iud IIgured
ouL ubouL gIrIs, IL wus LIuL preLLv soon LIev wouId gIve up LrusIIng
eucI oLIer. TIev`d be Loo busv LrusIIng me.
TIuL`s becuuse Ie`s uIruId Lo muke u decIsIon, Iv suId.
No, IL`s becuuse Ie doesn`L wunL Lo upseL unvone, enu snupped.
How wouId vou know? He never suvs wIuL Ie`s LIInkIng.
TIuL`s noL IL. He never LIInks ubouL wIuL Ie`s suvIng, enu IIred
buck.
EnougI! puIIed LIrougI LIe crooked Iron guLes oI Ruvenwood, IurI-
ous uL boLI oI LIem. urIous uL RIdIev. urIous uL Iow LIe veur wus
LurnIng ouL. Furor, LIuL wus LIe rIgIL nume Ior IL, wIuLever LIIs wus.
IuLed IeeIIng LIIs wuv, und IuLed IL even more becuuse knew LIe
1J6=
IeeIIngs were reuI, even II IL Look u speII Lo brIng LIem ouL InLo LIe
open.
enu und Iv were sLIII IIgILIng wIen we goL ouL oI LIe cur. Even
LIougI LIev knew LIev were under LIe InIIuence oI u CusL, LIev
couIdn`L IeIp LIemseIves. Or muvbe LIev dIdn`L wunL Lo. TIe LIree oI
us wuIked Lowurd LIe IronL door, und sLuved beLween LIem. JusL In
cuse.
WIv don`L vou gIve us some spuce? enu pusIed In IronL oI Iv.
Ever Ieurd oI u LIIrd wIeeI?
Iv pusIed Ier buck. Ike wunLed Lo come Iere? So once uguIn, `m
supposed Lo cIeun up vour mess? TIen vou`II IorgeL uII ubouL me, unLII
nexL LIme-
wusn`L IIsLenIng unvmore. wus IookIng uL RIdIev`s wIndow. suw u
sIudow puss In IronL oI IL, beIInd LIe curLuIns. AII couId see wus u
sIIIoueLLe, buL couId LeII IL wusn`L RIdIev.
Ink musL Iuve goLLen Iere IIrsL, excepL dIdn`L see LIe BeuLer.
LIInk Ink`s In LIere.
don`L cure. RIdIev Ius u IoL oI expIuInIng Lo do. enu wus IuIIwuv
up LIe sLuIrcuse wIen crossed LIe LIresIoId. sensed LIe cIunge Im-
medIuLeIv-LIe uIr ILseII IeIL dIIIerenL. IgILer, someIow. Iooked buck
uL Iv.
Her expressIon Iooked LIe wuv IeIL. ConIused. DIsorIenLed. ELIun,
does someLIIng IeeI weIrd Lo vou?
YeuI-
zJ6=
L`s LIe Furor, Iv suId. L`s broken. TIe mugIc cun`L puss LIe
BIndIngs.
RIdIev! WIere ure vou? enu wus sLeps Irom Ier cousIn`s door.
WIen sIe reucIed IL, sIe LIrew open LIe door wILIouL knockIng. SIe
dIdn`L seem Lo cure II Ink wus In LIere or noL. BuL IL dIdn`L muLLer.
TIe guv In RIdIev`s room wusn`L Ink.
J6=
10.18
Hostage
WIuL LIe IeII? Ieurd IIs voIce beIore suw IIm. Becuuse Ie prob-
ubIv wusn`L expecLIng Lo see me In RIdIev`s room unv more LIun wus
expecLIng Lo IInd IIm Iere.
JoIn Breed wus spruwIed ouL on RIdIev`s pInk sIug curpeL, wILI u
vIdeo-gume conLroIIer In one Iund und u bug oI DorILos In LIe oLIer.
JoIn? enu wus us surprIsed us wus. You`re supposed Lo be deud.
JoIn Breed? Here? L`s noL possIbIe. Iv wus sIocked.
JoIn dropped LIe bug und jumped Lo IIs IeeL. Sorrv Lo dIsuppoInL
vou.
sLepped In IronL oI enu und Iv proLecLIveIv. know `m
dIsuppoInLed.
enu dIdn`L need proLecLIng. SIe pusIed pusL me. How dure vou come
InLo mv Iouse uILer evervLIIng vou dId? You preLended Lo be mv
IrIend, wIen uII vou wunLed Lo do wus Luke me Lo AbruIum. TIunder
rumbIed ouLsIde. Everv word vou suId Lo me wus u IIe!
TIuL`s noL Lrue. dIdn`L know wIuL LIev were gonnu do. BrIng me LIe
BIbIe. The Book of Moons, wIuLever vou wunL. `II sweur on IL.
We cun`L do LIuL. SInce AbruIum Ius IL. wus pIssed oII, und dIdn`L
wunL Lo IIsLen Lo JoIn pIuv dumb. L wus u new LucLIc, und wus sLIII
LrvIng Lo udjusL Lo LIe IucL LIuL Ie wus IungIng ouL In RIdIev`s bed-
room euLIng DorILos.
enu wusn`L IInIsIed. I LIuL wusn`L bud enougI, vou Lurned Ink In-
Lo-vou. enu`s IuIr wus curIIng, und Ioped LIe room wusn`L ubouL
Lo cuLcI IIre.
couIdn`L IeIp IL. AbruIum cun muke me do LIIngs. JoIn wus pu-
cIng. - cun`L even remember mosL oI wIuL Iuppened LIuL nIgIL.
crossed LIe room, unLII wus sLundIng rIgIL In IronL oI IIm. dIdn`L
cure II Ie couId kIII me. Do vou remember druggIng enu up Lo LIuL
uILur und LvIng Ier down? Do vou remember LIuL purL?
JoIn sLopped pucIng und sLured uL me, IIs green eves seurcIIng mIne.
WIen Ie spoke, couId bureIv Ieur IIm. No.
IuLed IIm. TIe memorv oI IIs Iunds on enu-oI uImosL IosIng Ier
LIuL nIgIL. BuL Ie Iooked IIke Ie wus LeIIIng LIe LruLI.
JoIn dropped down on LIe bed. bIuck ouL someLImes. L`s been LIuL
wuv sInce wus u kId. AbruIum suvs IL`s becuuse `m dIIIerenL, buL
don`L beIIeve IIm.
Are vou suvIng vou LIInk Ie Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI IL? Iv puIIed
ouL Ier red noLebook.
JoIn sIrugged. don`L know.
enu Iooked uL me.
What if hes telling the truth?
What if hes not?
6J6=
None oI LIuL expIuIns wIv vou`re In RIdIev`s bedroom, enu suId. Or
Iow vou goL InLo Ruvenwood.
JoIn sLood up und wuIked over Lo LIe wIndow. WIv don`L vou usk
LIuL munIpuIuLIve cousIn oI vours? He sounded pIssed oII Ior u guv
wIo Iud jusL been cuugIL breukIng und enLerIng.
enu`s expressIon durkened. WIuL does RIdIev Iuve Lo do wILI LIIs?
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud, kIckIng u pIIe oI dIrLv cIoLIes. don`L know.
How ubouL evervLIIng? SIe`s LIe one wIo Lrupped me Iere.
don`L know II IL wus LIe wuv Ie suId IL, or becuuse we were LuIkIng
ubouL RIdIev, buL purL oI me beIIeved IIm. Buck up. WIuL do vou
meun, sIe Lrupped vou?
He sIook IIs Ieud. TecInIcuIIv, sIe Lrupped me LwIce. IrsL In LIe
ArcIIgIL, und LIen In Iere, wIen sIe IeL me ouL.
eL vou ouL? enu Iooked sLunned. BuL we burIed LIe ArcIIgIL-
And vour cousIn dug IL up und brougIL IL Iere. SIe reIeused me, und
`ve been sLuck In LIIs Iouse ever sInce. TIIs pIuce Is Bound so LIgIL,
cun`L geL unv IurLIer LIun LIe kILcIen.
TIe BIndIngs. L wusn`L keepIng someLIIng ouL oI Ruvenwood; IL wus
keepIng someone In. JusL IIke LIougIL.
WIen dId sIe IeL vou ouL?
SomeLIme In AugusL, guess.
remembered LIe duv enu und cume In Iere Lo go down InLo LIe
TunneIs-LIe rIp LIougIL `d Ieurd.
;J6=
AugusL? You`ve been In Iere Ior Lwo monLIs? enu wus IosIng IL.
You`re LIe one wIo`s been IeIpIng RIdIev. TIuL`s Iow sIe`s CusLIng!
JoIn IuugIed, buL IL sounded IIke bILLerness more LIun unvLIIng.
HeIpIng Ier? TIunks Lo vour uncIe`s IIbrurv, sIe`s been usIng me us
Ier own personuI genIe. ConsIder LIIs dump mv boLLIe.
BuL Iow dId sIe keep Mucon Irom IIndIng vou? Iv wus wrILIng
down everv word.
An Occultatio, u ConceuImenL CusL. OI course, sIe mude me do IL.
He bunged LIe wuII wILI IIs IIsL, reveuIIng LIe bIuck LuLLoo LIuL snuked
ILs wuv uround IIs upper urm. AnoLIer remInder LIuL Ie wus Durk, no
muLLer wIuL coIor IIs eves were. enu`s uncIe Ius u book ubouL uI-
mosL evervLIIng-excepL Iow Lo geL ouL oI LIIs pIuce.
dIdn`L wunL Lo IIsLen Lo IIm compIuIn ubouL LIe wuv Ie`d been
LreuLed. `d IuLed JoIn sInce LIe IIrsL LIme suw IIm IusL sprIng, und
now Ie Iud sIown up Lo ruIn our IIves uguIn. Iooked over uL enu,
wIose Iuce wus unreudubIe, Ier LIougILs cIosed oII.
Wus LIIs LIe wuv sIe IeIL ubouL Iv?
ExcepL Iv Iudn`L LrIed Lo kIdnup mv gIrIIrIend und Ieud mosL oI mv
IrIends Lo LIeIr deuLIs. TIuL`s Iunnv, becuuse `ve goL u Iew boLLIes
IungIng on u Lree In mv IronL vurd, und `d Iove Lo sLuII vou InLo one oI
LIem, suId.
JoIn uppeuIed Lo enu. `m Lrupped. cun`L geL ouL oI Iere, und vour
nuLbug cousIn promIsed Lo IeIp me. BuL sIe needed me Lo do u Iew
LIIngs Ior Ier IIrsL.
He run IIs Iund LIrougI IIs IuIr, und noLIced Ie dIdn`L Iook us cooI
us remembered. n IIs wrInkIed bIuck T-sIIrL und IIve o`cIock
8J6=
sIudow, Ie Iooked IIke Ie`d been wuLcIIng soup operus und euLIng u
IoL oI DorILos. RIdIev`s noL u SIren-sIe`s un exLorLIonIsL.
BuL Iow Iuve vou been IeIpIng Ier II vou cun`L Ieuve Ruvenwood?
Iv usked. L wus u good quesLIon. Huve vou been LeucIIng Ier Lo
CusL?
JoIn IuugIed. Are vou kIddIng? Lurned cIeerIeuders InLo zombIes
und some purLv InLo u rumbIe. You LIInk RIdIev couId puII oII u Furor?
SIe cun bureIv LIe Ier own sIoes us u MorLuI. WIo do vou LIInk Ius
been doIng Ier muLI Iomework uII veur?
NoL me. enu wus soILenIng, couId LeII, und IL wus kIIIIng me. He
wus IIke u puInIuI, nusLv InIecLIon LIuL wouIdn`L go uwuv. TIen Iow Is
sIe CusLIng, II vou dIdn`L LeucI Ier?
JoIn poInLed Lo LIe beIL uround enu`s wuIsL. TIuL LIIng. He vunked
on un empLv beIL Ioop, uL LIe Lop oI IIs jeuns. L ucLs us u conduIL. RId-
Iev weurs LIe beIL, und do LIe CusLIng.
TIe creepv scorpIon beIL. No wonder sIe never Look IL oII. L wus Ier
IIIeIIne Lo LIe CusLer worId und JoIn Breed-LIe onIv wuv sIe couId
Iuve unv power oI Ier own.
Iv sIook Ier Ieud. IuLe Lo suv IL, buL IL uII mukes sense now.
L dId muke sense, buL LIuL dIdn`L cIunge unvLIIng Ior me. PeopIe IIed.
And JoIn Breed wus u IIur, us Iur us wus concerned. Lurned Lo enu.
You don`L ucLuuIIv beIIeve unv oI LIIs? TIere`s no wuv we cun LrusL
IIm.
enu Iooked Irom Iv Lo me. WIuL II Ie`s LeIIIng LIe LruLI? He knew
ubouL LIe cIeerIeuders. And LIe purLv. LIInk ugree wILI Iv. L uII
mukes sense.
J6=
You two are going to start agreeing now?
Ethan. It was a Cast. A uror Cast makes people uncontrollably
angry.
Sure seemed real to me.
Iooked uL JoIn, skepLIcuI. TIere`s no wuv Lo know Ior sure.
JoIn sIgIed. `m sLIII In LIe room, vou know.
enu gIunced uL LIe door. WeII, LIere Is one wuv.
Iv Iooked uL Ier, noddIng. Are vou LIInkIng wIuL `m LIInkIng?
HeIIo? JoIn Iooked uL me. Are LIev uIwuvs IIke LIIs?
Yes. No. SIuL up.
Reece wus sLundIng In LIe mIddIe oI RIdIev`s room, Ier urms crossed
dIsupprovIngIv. n Ier sweuLer seL und peurIs, sIe Iooked IIke sIe Iud
been sIIpped In Irom some oLIer, more proper SouLIern IumIIv. SIe
wusn`L Iuppv ubouL beIng used us u Iumun IIe deLecLor, und seemed
even more unnoved Lo see JoIn Breed In Ier sIsLer`s room. Muvbe
Reece Iud some mIsguIded IunLusv LIuL RIdIev wus goIng Lo become u
GIrI ScouL IIke Ier, now LIuL sIe wus MorLuI. BuL once uguIn, Ier sIsLer
wus brIngIng Ier down bv ussocIuLIon. Come Lo LIInk oI IL, IL wus Loo
bud LIe DAR Iud LIe wIoIe bIoodIIne requIremenL. Reece couId Iuve
Iounded Ier own cIupLer.
I vou LIInk `m keepIng LIIs u secreL, vou Lwo ure cruzIer LIun mv sIs-
Ler. TIIs Is so over LIe IIne.
qoJ6=
NeILIer one oI us wunLed u IecLure Irom Reece, buL enu dIdn`L gIve
up. We uren`L uskIng vou Lo keep IL u secreL. We wunL Lo know II Ie`s
LeIIIng LIe LruLI beIore we LeII UncIe Mucon wIuL`s been goIng on.
enu wus probubIv IopIng JoIn wus IvIng-LIuL RIdIev Iudn`L been
IIdIng u dungerous ncubus sLoIen Irom LIe gruve und cIunneIIng IIs
powers.
L wusn`L cIeur wIIcI wus worse.
Becuuse vou`re ubouL Lo be grounded Ior LIe resL oI vour IIIe? Reece
usked.
SomeLIIng uIong LIose IInes.
Reece Lupped Ier IooL ImpuLIenLIv. As Iong us we`re cIeur. You are
LeIIIng UncIe Mucon. Or wIII. OI course sIe wouId. SIe couIdn`L puss
up u good groundIng.
wus worrIed ubouL more LIun Ier ruLLIng us ouL. Are vou sure LIIs
wIII work, sInce-
SInce wIuL? Reece snupped. SInce mv powers Iuve been u IILLIe In-
consIsLenL? s LIuL wIuL vou`re LrvIng Lo suv? Great. An ungrv Reece
wus never u good LIIng.
- jusL meunL, ure vou sure vou`II know II Ie`s IvIng? L wus Loo IuLe
Lo buckpeduI now.
Reece Iooked IIke sIe wunLed Lo Leur mv Ieud oII. NoL LIuL IL`s unv oI
vour busIness, buL `m sLIII u SvbII. WIuLever see In IIs Iuce Is LIe
LruLI. I mv powers ure off, won`L see unvLIIng.
enu sIId beLween us.
q1J6=
Youre in over your head. Ive got this.
Thanks.
Ive been dealing with Reece the Beast a lot longer than you have. Its
an acquired skill.
Reece. enu Look Ier Iund, und couId see Ier IuIr begIn Lo curI.
wInced. CusLIng uL u CusLer wus uImosL never u good Ideu. You`re LIe
mosL powerIuI SvbII `ve ever meL.
Don`L Lrv LIuL on me. Reece puIIed Ier Iund uwuv. `m LIe onIv Sv-
bII vou`ve ever meL.
BuL vou know LrusL vou, no muLLer wIuL. enu smIIed encour-
ugIngIv uL Ier cousIn. Reece Irowned uL boLI oI us.
Iooked uwuv. MIsIIrIng powers or noL, wusn`L IookIng InLo LIe eves
oI u SvbII II couId IeIp IL. noLIced Iv Iudn`L suId u word or Iooked In
Reece`s dIrecLIon eILIer.
One sIoL. TIen vou`re LeIIIng UncIe Mucon, eILIer wuv. Becuuse LIIs
wIoIe LIIng sIows, once uguIn, wIv vou sIouId not be uIIowed Lo CusL
wIen vou`re underuge. SIe IoIded Ier urms uguIn. L Look me u wIIIe
Lo IIgure ouL LIuL wus u ves.
JoIn Iopped oII LIe bed und wuIked over Lo wIere Reece wus sLund-
Ing. eL`s geL LIIs over wILI. WIuL do Iuve Lo do?
Reece sLured InLo JoIn`s green eves, sLudvIng IIs Iuce us II IL IeId uII
LIe unswers we were IookIng Ior. You`re doIng IL.
qzJ6=
JoIn dIdn`L move. He sLured buck uL Reece, IeLLIng Ier ubsorb IIs
LIougILs und memorIes. Reece Lurned uwuv beIore Ie dId, sIukIng Ier
Ieud us II sIe dIdn`L IIke wIuL sIe`d seen.
L`s Lrue. He dIdn`L know wIuL AbruIum und SuruIIne were pIunnIng,
und Ie doesn`L remember wIuL Iuppened LIuL nIgIL. RIdIev IeL IIm
ouL oI LIe ArcIIgIL, und Ie`s been Iere ever sInce, doIng mv sIsLer`s
dIrLv work.
JoIn Iooked uL me. SuLIsIIed?
WuIL? How Is LIuL possIbIe?
Reece sIrugged. Sorrv Lo dIsuppoInL vou. He`s noL evII. He`s jusL u
jerk. SomeLImes IL`s u IIne IIne.
Hev. JoIn Iooked Iess smug now. LIougIL vou were supposed Lo
be LIe nIce one. WIere`s LIuL Iumous Ruvenwood IospILuIILv?
Reece Ignored IIm.
sIouId`ve been reIIeved, buL Reece wus rIgIL. wus dIsuppoInLed.
dIdn`L wunL JoIn Lo be one oI SuruIIne und AbruIum`s puwns. wunLed
IIm Lo be one oI LIe bud guvs. TIuL`s Iow suw IIm-Iow wouId uI-
wuvs see IIm.
More LIun unvLIIng, wunLed enu Lo see IIm LIuL wuv.
enu wusn`L LIInkIng ubouL JoIn. We Iuve Lo LuIk Lo mv uncIe. We
Iuve Lo IInd RIdIev beIore sIe does unvLIIng sLupId.
Right. I knew RIdIev, sIe wus probubIv IILcIIIkIng Ier wuv ouL oI
SummervIIIe bv now. AILer LIe sLunL sIe puIIed LonIgIL, sIe knew
qJ6=
enu wouId go sLruIgIL Lo Mucon. And RIdIev wusn`L bIg on IucIng LIe
musIc. LIInk IL`s u IILLIe Loo IuLe Ior LIuL.
enu benL down und IIIpped buck LIe corner oI LIe pInk sIug curpeL.
eL`s go.
You sure ubouL LIIs? don`L wunL Lo, vou know, wuke IIm up or
someLIIng. uIso dIdn`L wunL Lo see LIe Iook on IIs Iuce wIen we LoId
IIm LIuL RIdIev Iud Lurned SuvunnuI Snow`s Iouse InLo u LIIrLv-on-
LIIrLv boxIng muLcI, usIng LIe CIurmed beIL oI un ncubus we were uII
IookIng Ior-wIo jusL Iuppened Lo be IIvIng In RIdIev`s bedroom.
enu opened LIe Lrupdoor. doubL Ie`s usIeep.
Iv sIook Ier Ieud. enu`s rIgIL. We Iuve Lo LeII Mucon. mmedI-
uLeIv. You don`L undersLund, we`ve been- SIe IuILered, IookIng uL
enu. Your uncIe Ius been LrvIng Lo IInd JoIn Breed Ior monLIs.
enu nodded. L wusn`L u smIIe, buL IL wus someLIIng. eL`s go.
JoIn rIpped open unoLIer bug oI DorILos. WIIIe vou`re down LIere,
cun vou usk IIm Lo IeL me ouL oI Iere?
Ask IIm vourseII, enu suId. You`re comIng wILI us.
JoIn Iooked down InLo LIe durkness LIuL Ied InLo LIe TunneIs beIow
us, LIen buck uL me. Never LIougIL vou`d be rescuIng me, MorLuI.
wunLed Lo kIII IIm or puncI IIm In LIe Iuce. wunLed Lo muke IIm
puv Ior evervLIIng Ie`d done Lo enu und Ink, uII LIe LroubIe Abru-
Ium Iud cuused becuuse oI IIm. BuL wouId Ieuve LIuL Lo Mucon.
TrusL me, `m noL.
qqJ6=
He smIIed, und sLepped InLo LIe uIr, IeeIIng Ior LIe rougI soIIdILv oI
LIe sLeps wouId never see.
q=J6=
10.19
The Ultimate
Weapon
knocked on LIe door oI Mucon`s sLudv, und IL swung open. dIdn`L
need Lo worrv ubouL wukIng IIm up, LIougI. A mIserubIe-IookIng Ink
wus uIreudv sILLIng uL LIe LubIe.
Mucon wuved me In. Ink Ius IIIIed me In on evervLIIng. uckIIv, Ie
cume sLruIgIL Iere, beIore Ie IurL unvone. Iudn`L consIdered LIe
dumuge u rugIng ncubus couId InIIIcL.
WIuL purL oI everything do vou know? sLepped InsIde.
TIuL mv nIece snuck ouL oI LIe Iouse. He Iooked uL me poInLedIv.
NoL u wIse decIsIon.
No, sIr. Mucon wus uIreudv ungrv, und dIdn`L wunL Lo LeII IIm
someLIIng LIuL wus goIng Lo muke IIm even ungrIer.
He crossed IIs urms. And LIuL RIdIev someIow munuged Lo CusL u
Furor?
A wIoIe IoL ungrIer.
know vou`re upseL, buL LIere`s someLIIng more ImporLunL need Lo
LeII vou. gIunced uL LIe door. Or muvbe vou sIouId see Ior vourseII.
JoIn Breed. Mucon Ioomed over IIm. TIIs Is quILe un unexpecLed
Lurn oI evenLs. AII LIIngs consIdered.
JoIn wus sLundIng jusL InsIde LIe door oI LIe sLudv, us II Ie wus goIng
Lo muke u breuk Ior IL, MorLuI-sLvIe. n Mucon`s presence, IIs smurL-
uss uLLILude wus gone.
Ink wus sLurIng uL JoIn IIke Ie wunLed Lo Leur IIm upurL. WIuL LIe
IeII Is Ie doIn` Iere? IeIL bud Ior Ink, beIng sLuck In LIe sume room
wILI JoIn. He Iud Lo IuLe JoIn even more LIun dId, II LIuL wus
possIbIe.
enu couIdn`L Iook uL Ier uncIe or Ink. SIe wus usIumed oI RIdIev,
und IerseII Ior noL IIgurIng IL ouL sooner. BuL more LIun unvLIIng,
knew sIe wus worrIed ubouL Ier cousIn, no muLLer wIuL sIe`d done.
RIdIev sLoIe LIe ArcIIgIL ouL oI UncIe Mucon`s gruve uILer we burIed
IL. SIe Ireed JoIn, und sIe`s been usIng IIs beIL us u conduIL Lo cIun-
neI IIs powers unLII now.
BeIL?
Iv puIIed ouL Ier IILLIe red noLebook. TIe one enu`s weurIng. TIe
dIsgusLIng beIL wILI LIe scorpIon Lrupped InsIde.
Mucon IeId ouL IIs Iund. enu uncIIcked LIe buckIe und Iunded LIe
beIL Lo IIm.
Ink Lurned on JoIn. WIuL dId vou do Lo Ier?
NoLIIng. RIdIev`s been orderIng me uround sInce sIe IeL me ouL oI LIe
ArcIIgIL.
q8J6=
WIv wouId vou ugree? Even Mucon wus IncreduIous. You don`L
sLrIke me us purLIcuIurIv seIIIess.
dIdn`L Iuve u cIoIce. `ve been sLuck In LIIs Iouse Ior monLIs now,
LrvIng Lo geL ouL. JoIn sIumped uguInsL LIe wuII. RIdIev wouIdn`L
IeIp me unIess Iound u wuv Ior Ier Lo CusL. So dId.
You expecL us Lo beIIeve LIuL u powerIuI IvbrId ncubus uIIowed u
MorLuI gIrI Lo Lrup IIm In Ier bedroom?
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud, IrusLruLed. TIIs Is RIdIev we`re LuIkIng ubouL.
LIInk vou uII Iuve u bud IubIL oI underesLImuLIng Ier. WIen sIe wunLs
someLIIng, sIe IInds u wuv Lo geL IL. We uII knew Ie wus rIgIL.
He`s LeIIIng LIe LruLI, UncIe Mucon, Reece suId, Irom wIere sIe wus
sLundIng bv LIe IIrepIuce.
You`re ubsoIuLeIv sure?
Reece wusn`L ubouL Lo bILe Mucon`s Ieud oII, LIe wuv sIe Iud done Lo
me. `m sure.
JoIn Iooked reIIeved.
Iv sLepped Iorwurd, Ier noLebook In Iund. SIe Iud no InLeresL In wIv
RIdIev muv or muv noL Iuve done someLIIng. SIe wunLed LIe IucLs.
You know, we`ve been IookIng Ior vou, sIe LoId JoIn.
YeuI? BeL vou`re noL LIe onIv ones.
Iv und Mucon convInced JoIn Lo sIL down uL LIe LubIe wILI LIe resL oI
us, wIIcI meunL Ink reIused Lo. He Ieuned uguInsL LIe wuII nexL Lo LIe
IIrepIuce, suIkIng. AII LIe Inkubus Ivpe usIde, JoIn Iud cIunged Ink
qJ6=
In wuvs wouId never reuIIv undersLund. And knew someLIIng eIse
JoIn dIdn`L know.
As mucI us Ink Ioved drIvIng uII LIe gIrIs cruzv, IL dIdn`L reuIIv muLLer.
TIere wus onIv one gIrI Ink wunLed, und none oI us knew wIere Lo
IInd Ier.
AbruIum Ius gone Lo greuL IengLIs Lo IocuLe vour wIereubouLs, IILer-
uIIv LeurIng LIIs Lown upurL. WIuL need Lo know Is wIv. AbruIum
doesn`L do unvLIIng wILIouL u reuson. Mucon wus uskIng LIe ques-
LIons, wIIIe Iv wroLe down JoIn`s responses. Reece wus sILLIng ucross
Irom JoIn, wuLcIIng Ior unv Lruce oI u IIe.
JoIn sIrugged. `m noL reuIIv sure. He Iound me wIen wus u kId,
buL Ie`s noL exucLIv u IuLIer IIgure, II vou know wIuL meun.
Mucon nodded. You suId Ie Iound vou. WIuL Iuppened Lo vour
purenLs?
JoIn sIIILed uncomIorLubIv In IIs seuL. don`L know. TIev dIsup-
peured. `m preLLv sure LIev dILcIed me becuuse wus. vou know,
dIIIerenL.
Iv sLopped wrILIng. AII CusLers ure dIIIerenL.
JoIn IuugIed. `m noL u reguIur CusLer. Mv powers dIdn`L munIIesL
wIen wus u Leenuger. Iv sLured uL IIm. He poInLed uL Ier noLebook.
You`re goIng Lo wunL Lo wrILe LIIs purL down.
SIe ruIsed un evebrow. Subject displays combative attitude. couId
ImugIne IL on LIe puge.
=oJ6=
wus born LIIs wuv, und mv powers Iuve onIv goLLen sLronger. Do
vou know wIuL IL`s IIke Lo be ubIe Lo do LIIngs no one eIse vour uge
cun?
Yes. TIere wus u Lruce oI someLIIng In Iv`s voIce, u mIx oI sudness
und svmpuLIv. SIe Iud uIwuvs been smurLer LIun evervone uround
Ier, desIgnIng devIces Lo meusure LIe puII oI LIe moon, or some oLIer
LIIng no one eIse cured ubouL or undersLood.
Mucon wus sLudvIng JoIn, und vou couId see LIe Iormer ncubus In
IIm sIzIng up LIIs sLrunge new one. And exucLIv wIuL sorL oI powers
do vou Iuve, usIde Irom beIng ImpervIous Lo LIe eIIecLs oI sunIIgIL?
SLundurd ncubus sLuII-umpIIIIed sLrengLI, IeurIng, sense oI smeII.
cun TruveI. And gIrIs ure preLLv InLo me. JoIn sLopped und Iooked uL
enu us II LIev sIured u secreL. SIe Iooked uwuv.
NoL us mucI us vou LIInk, suId. He smIIed uL me, enjovIng Mucon`s
proLecLIve cusLodv.
cun do oLIer LIIngs, Loo.
Iv seurcIed IIs Iuce. Ike wIuL?
Ink`s urms were crossed, und Ie wus sLurIng uL LIe door, preLendIng
Ie wusn`L IIsLenIng. BuL knew Ie wus. Ike IL or noL, Ie und JoIn
wouId uIwuvs be connecLed now. TIe more Ink knew ubouL JoIn, LIe
more Ie wouId be ubIe Lo IIgure ouL ubouL IImseII.
JoIn Iooked uL Reece, LIen uL enu. WIuLever IL wus, Ie dIdn`L wunL Lo
suv. Rundom sLuII.
Mucon`s eves IIIckered. WIuL random stuff? PerIups vou couId
eIuboruLe.
=1J6=
JoIn guve up. L sounds IIke u bIgger deuI LIun IL Is. BuL cun ubsorb
oLIer CusLers` powers.
Iv sLopped wrILIng. Ike un EmpuLI? enu`s grundmu couId borrow
LIe powers oI oLIer CusLers LemporurIIv, buL sIe never descrIbed IL us
ubsorbIng unvLIIng.
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud. No. keep LIem.
Iv`s eves wIdened. Are vou suvIng vou cun sLeuI LIe powers oI oLIer
CusLers?
No. TIev sLIII Iuve LIeIr powers, buL Iuve LIem, Loo. SorL oI IIke u
coIIecLIon.
How Is LIuL even possIbIe? Iv usked.
Mucon Ieuned buck In IIs cIuIr. wouId be verv InLeresLed In IeurIng
LIe unswer Lo LIuL quesLIon, Mr. Breed.
JoIn gIunced uL enu uguIn. wunLed Lo jump ucross LIe LubIe. AII
Iuve Lo do Is LoucI LIem.
WIuL? enu Iooked IIke Ie Iud sIupped Ier In LIe Iuce. s LIuL wIuL
Ie`d been doIng wILI IIs Iunds uII over Ier on LIe dunce IIoor uL ExIIe?
Or wIen sIe Iud cIImbed onLo LIe buck oI IIs sLupId moLorcvcIe LIuL
duv uL LIe Iuke? SIpIonIng Ier powers, IIke u purusILe?
L`s noL IIke do IL on purpose. L jusL Iuppens. don`L even know Iow
Lo use mosL oI LIe powers Iuve.
BuL `m sure AbruIum does. Mucon poured IImseII u gIuss oI durk II-
quor Irom u decunLer LIuL Iud uppeured on LIe LubIe. Never u sIgn
LIIngs were goIng weII.
=zJ6=
Iv und Mucon Iooked uL eucI oLIer, u sIIenL excIunge.
couId see LIe wIeeIs In Iv`s mInd LurnIng. WIuL couId AbruIum be
pIunnIng?
WILI u IvbrId ncubus wIo cun coIIecL LIe powers oI oLIer CusLers?
Mucon unswered. `m noL enLIreIv sure, buL wILI LIose cupubIIILIes uL
IIs sIde, AbruIum wouId Iuve LIe uILImuLe weupon. And MorLuIs
wouIdn`L sLund u cIunce uguInsL LIuL sorL oI power.
JoIn wIIpped uround Lo Iuce Mucon. WIuL dId vou suv?
WouId vou cure Ior me Lo repeuL-
WuIL. JoIn cuL Mucon oII beIore Ie couId IInIsI. He cIosed IIs eves
us II Ie wus LrvIng Lo remember someLIIng. 'CusLers ure un ImperIecL
ruce. PoIIuLIng our bIoodIInes und usIng LIeIr powers Lo oppress us.
BuL LIe duv wIII come wIen we wIeId LIe uILImuLe weupon und erudIc-
uLe LIem Irom LIe EurLI.`
WIuL kIndu crup Is LIuL? JoIn Iud Ink`s uLLenLIon.
AbruIum und SIIus used Lo suv IL uII LIe LIme wIen wus u kId. Iud
Lo memorIze IL. SomeLImes wIen goL In LroubIe, SIIus mude me wrILe
IL over und over Ior Iours.
SIIus? Mucon sLIIIened uL LIe menLIon oI IIs IuLIer`s nume. re-
membered LIe LIIngs mv mom Iud suId ubouL SIIus In LIe ArcIIgIL vIs-
Ions. He sounded IIke u monsLer, ubusIve und rucIsL, LrvIng Lo puss IIs
IuLred on Lo IIs sons-und uppurenLIv Lo JoIn.
Mucon Iooked uL JoIn, IIs eves durkenIng Lo u green so deep IL wus
neurIv bIuck. How dId vou know mv IuLIer?
=J6=
JoIn ruIsed IIs empLv green eves Lo meeL Mucon`s. HIs voIce wus dII-
IerenL wIen Ie IInuIIv unswered-noL powerIuI or cockv, noL JoIn
Breed uL uII.
He ruIsed me.
=qJ6=
10.24
The One Who Is
Two
AILer LIuL, Mucon und Iv spenL mosL oI LIeIr LIme grIIIIng JoIn ubouL
AbruIum und SIIus, und wIo knows wIuL eIse, wIIIe enu und pored
over everv book In Mucon`s sLudv. TIere were uIso oId IeLLers Irom
SIIus, encourugIng Mucon Lo joIn IIs IuLIer und broLIer In LIe buLLIe
uguInsL LIe CusLers. BuL usIde Irom LIuL LIere were no cIues Lo JoIn`s
pusL, no menLIons oI unv CusLer or ncubus cupubIe oI unvLIIng cIose
Lo JoIn`s ubIIILIes.
TIe Iew LImes we were uIIowed Lo joIn LIe InquIsILIon, Mucon wuLcIed
enu und JoIn`s InLerucLIons cureIuIIv. LIInk Ie wus worrIed LIuL LIe
sLrunge puII JoIn Iud wIeIded over enu In LIe pusL mIgIL reLurn. BuL
enu wus sLronger now, und JoIn unnoved Ier us mucI us LIe resL oI
us. wus more worrIed ubouL Iv. Iud wILnessed LIe reucLIon oI LIe
MorLuI gIrIs In GuLIIn LIe IIrsL LIme JoIn wuIked InLo LIe Dur-ee Keen.
BuL Iv seemed Immune.
wus used Lo LIe ups und downs oI IIvIng In LIe pIuce beLween LIe
CusLer und MorLuI worIds, buL LIese duvs were uII downs. TIe sume
week JoIn Breed Lurned up uL Ruvenwood, RIdIev`s cIoLIes dIsup-
peured ouL oI Ier room, IIke sIe wus gone Ior good. And u Iew duvs
IuLer, AunL Prue Look u Lurn Ior LIe worse.
dIdn`L usk enu Lo come wILI me LIe nexL LIme wenL Lo CounLv Cure.
IeIL IIke beIng uIone wILI AunL Prue. don`L know wIv, jusL IIke
dIdn`L know mucI ubouL unvLIIng LIuL wus goIng on wILI me LIese
duvs. Muvbe wus goIng cruzv. Muvbe `d been cruzv uII uIong, und
dIdn`L even know IL.
TIe uIr wus IreezIng coId, us II LIev Iound u wuv Lo suck LIe reon und
LIe power Irom uII LIe uIr condILIoners In GuLIIn CounLv und pIpe IL In-
Lo CounLv Cure. wIsIed IL wus LIIs coId unvwIere buL Iere, wIere LIe
coId wrupped ILseII uround LIe puLIenLs IIke corpses In u reIrIgeruLor.
TIIs kInd oI coId never IeIL good, und IL deIInILeIv never smeIIed good.
AL IeusL sweuLIng mude vou IeeI kInd oI uIIve, und LIuL smeII wus ubouL
us Iumun us vou couId geL. Muvbe `d spenL Loo mucI LIme consIder-
Ing LIe meLupIvsIcuI ImpIIcuLIons oI IeuL.
Ike suId, cruzv.
Bobbv MurpIv dIdn`L suv u word wIen wuIked up Lo LIe IronL desk,
dIdn`L even Iook me In LIe eve. JusL Iunded me LIe cIIpbourd und u
puss. wusn`L sure II enu`s SIuL-LIe-HeII-Up CusL sLIII uIIecLed IIm uII
LIe LIme, or onIv wIen wus uround. EILIer wuv wus IIne wILI me.
dIdn`L IeeI IIke LuIkIng.
dIdn`L Iook In LIe oLIer JoIn`s room or LIe Unseen NeedIepoInL
Room, und wuIked rIgIL pusL LIe Sud BIrLIduv PurLv Room. IeId mv
breuLI us pussed LIe ood TIuL Wusn`L ood Room, beIore LIe smeII
oI Ensure IIL.
TIen smeIIed LIe Iuvender, und knew mv AunL Prue wus LIere.
euI suL In u cIuIr bv Ier bed, reudIng u book In some kInd oI CusLer
or Demon Iunguuge. SIe wusn`L In LIe sLundurd CounLv Cure peucI
unIIorm. Her booLs were propped up on u Iuzurdous wusLe dIsposuI
=;J6=
conLuIner In IronL oI Ier. SIe`d obvIousIv gIven up LrvIng Lo puss Ior u
nurse.
Hev LIere.
SIe Iooked up, surprIsed Lo see me. Hev, vourseII. L`s ubouL LIme. `ve
been wonderIng wIere vou`ve been.
don`L know. Busv. SLupId sLuII.
Freaking out and chasing down hybrid Incubuses and Ridley, my
mother and Mrs. English, and some crazy thing about some crazy
Wheel
SIe smIIed. WeII, `m gIud Lo see vou.
Me, Loo. TIuL wus uII couId munuge. gesLured uL Ier booLs. TIev
don`L gIve vou u Iurd LIme Ior uII LIuL?
NuI. `m noL reuIIv LIe kInd oI gIrI peopIe gIve u Iurd LIme.
couIdn`L muke unv more smuII LuIk. TuIkIng wus geLLIng Iurder und
Iurder everv duv, even wILI peopIe cured ubouL. Do vou mInd II
spend some LIme wILI AunL Prue? You know, uIone?
OI course noL. `m goIng Lo run ouL und cIeck on Bude. I don`L geL
Ier Iouse-LruIned soon, sIe`II Iuve Lo sIeep ouLsIde, und sIe`s reuIIv un
Indoor cuL. SIe Lossed Ier book onLo LIe cIuIr und rIpped ouL oI LIe
room.
wus uIone wILI AunL Prue.
SIe Iud goLLen even smuIIer sInce LIe IusL LIme wus Iere. Now LIere
were Lubes wIere LIere Iudn`L been, us II sIe wus LurnIng InLo u pIece
=8J6=
oI mucIInerv un IncI uL u LIme. SIe Iooked IIke un uppIe bukIng In LIe
sun, wrInkIIng In wuvs LIuL seemed ImpossIbIe. or u wIIIe, IIsLened
Lo LIe rIvLImIc puIsIng oI LIe pIusLIc unkIe cuIIs on Ier Iegs, expund-
Ing und conLrucLIng, expundIng und conLrucLIng.
As II LIev couId muke up Ior noL wuIkIng, noL beIng, noL wuLcIIng Jeo-
pardy! wILI Ier sIsLers, noL compIuInIng ubouL evervLIIng wIIIe IovIng
IL uII.
Look Ier Iund. TIe Lube LIuL run InLo Ier mouLI bubbIed wILI Ier
everv breuLI. L sounded weL und croupv, IIke u IumIdIIIer wILI wuLer
InsIde IL. Ike sIe wus cIokIng on Ier own uIr.
PneumonIu. overIeurd Ammu LuIkIng Lo LIe docLor In LIe kILcIen.
SLuLIsLIcuIIv speukIng, wIen comu puLIenLs dIed, pneumonIu wus LIe
GrIm Reuper. wondered II LIe sound oI LIe Lube In Ier LIrouL meunL
AunL Prue wus geLLIng cIoser Lo u sLuLIsLIcuIIv predIcLubIe end.
TIe LIougIL oI mv uunL us unoLIer sLuLIsLIc mude me wunL Lo LIrow
LIe Iuzurdous wusLe bIn LIrougI LIe wIndow. nsLeud, grubbed AunL
Prue`s LInv Iund, Ier IIngers us smuII us bure LwIgs In wInLer. cIosed
mv eves und Look Ier oLIer Iund, LwIsLIng mv sLrong IIngers LogeLIer
wILI Ier IruII ones.
resLed mv IoreIeud uguInsL our Iunds und cIosed mv eves. ImugIned
IIILIng mv Ieud up und seeIng Ier smIIIng, LIe Lupe und Lubes gone.
wondered II wIsIIng wus LIe sume LIIng us pruvIng. I IopIng Ior
someLIIng budIv enougI couId muke IL Iuppen.
wus sLIII LIInkIng ubouL IL wIen opened mv eves, expecLIng Lo see
AunL Prue`s room, Ier sud IospILuI bed und Ier depressIng peucI
wuIIs. BuL Iound mvseII sLundIng In LIe sunsIIne, In IronL oI u Iouse
`d been Lo u Iundred LImes beIore..
=J6=
The Sisters house looked exactly the way I remembered it, before the
Vexes tore it apart. The walls, the roof, the section where Aunt Prues
bedroom had beenthey were all there, not a white pine board or a
roof shingle out of place.
The walk leading up to the wraparound porch was lined with hy-
drangea, the way Aunt Prue liked. Lucilles clothesline was still
stretched across the lawn. There was a dog sitting on the porcha
Yorkshire terrier that looked suspiciously like Harlon James, except it
wasnt. This dog had more gold in his coat, but I recognized him and
bent down to pet him. His tag read HARLON JAMES III.
Aunt Prue?
The three white rocking chairs were sitting on the porch, with little
wicker tables between them. There was a tray on one of them, with
two glasses of lemonade. I sat in the second rocking chair, leaving the
first one empty. Aunt Prue liked to sit in the one closest to the walk,
and I figured she would want that chair if she was coming.
It felt like she was coming.
Shed brought me here, hadnt she?
I gave Harlon James III a scratch, which was strange, since he was
sitting in our living room, stuffed. I looked at the table again.
Aunt Prue! She startled me, even though I was expecting her. She
didnt look any better than she had lying in her hospital bed, in real
life. She coughed, and I heard the familiar noise of the rhythmic com-
pressions. She was still wearing the plastic cuffs around her ankles,
6oJ6=
expanding and contracting, as if she was still in her bed at County
Care.
She smiled. Her face looked transparent, her skin so pale and thin
that you could see the bluish purple of the veins beneath it.
Ive missed you. And Aunt Grace, Aunt Mercy, and Thelma are going
out of their minds without you. Amma, too.
I see Amma most days and your daddy on the weekends. They come
by ta talk a lot more regular than some people. She sniffed.
Im sorry. Things have been all wrong.
She waved her hand at me. Im not goin anywhere. Not just yet.
They got me on house arrest, like one a them criminals from the TV.
She coughed and shook her head.
Where are we, Aunt Prue?
Dont reckon I know. But I dont have much time. They keep you
pretty busy round here. She unhooked her necklace and took
something off it. I hadnt seen her wearing the necklace in the hospit-
al, but I recognized it. From my daddy, from his daddys daddy,
from way before you were even a thought in the mind a the Good
Lord.
It was a rose, hammered out of gold.
This is for your girl. Ta help me keep an eye on her for ya. Tell her ta
keep it with her.
Why are you worrying about Lena?
61J6=
Now, dont you go worryin bout that. You just do as I tell you. She
sniffed again.
But Lenas fine. Ill always take care of her. You know that. The
thought that Aunt Prue was worried about Lena scared me more
than anything that had happened in the last few months.
All the same, you give it ta her.
I will.
But Aunt Prue was gone, leaving only half a glass of lemonade and
an empty rocking chair, still rocking.
opened mv eves, squInLIng InLo LIe brIgILness oI mv uunL`s room,
und reuIIzed LIe sun wus comIng In sIdewuvs, mucI Iower LIun wIen
`d urrIved. cIecked mv ceII. TIree Iours Iud pussed.
WIuL wus IuppenIng Lo me? WIv wus IL eusIer Lo sIIp InLo AunL Prue`s
worId LIun Lo Iuve u sImpIe conversuLIon In mv own? TIe IIrsL LIme
spoke Lo Ier, IL dIdn`L seem IIke unv LIme Iud pussed uL uII, und
couIdn`L Iuve done IL wILIouL u powerIuI NuLuruI uL mv sIde.
Ieurd LIe door open beIInd me.
You uII rIgIL, kId? euI wus sLundIng In LIe doorwuv.
Iooked down uL mv Iund, uncurIIng mv IIngers uround u LInv goId
rose. This is for your girl. wusn`L uII rIgIL. wus preLLv sure noLIIng
wus.
6zJ6=
nodded. Ine. JusL LIred. `II see vou uround, euI. SIe wuved me
oII, und IeIL LIe room wILI LIe weIgIL oI u buckpuck IuII oI rocks on
mv sIouIders.
WIen goL InLo LIe cur und LIe rudIo sLurLed pIuvIng, wusn`L sur-
prIsed Lo Ieur LIe IumIIIur meIodv. AILer seeIng AunL Prue, wus re-
IIeved. Becuuse LIere IL wus, us rIgIL us LIe ruIn LIuL Iudn`L IuIIen In
monLIs. Mv SIudowIng Song.
Eighteen Moons, eighteen nears,
The Wheel of Fate herself appears,
Then the One Who Is Two
Will bring the Order back anew.
TIe One Who Is Two, wIuLever LIuL meunL, wus LIed Lo IIxIng LIe
Order.
And wIuL dId IL Iuve Lo do wILI LIe WIeeI oI uLe-LIe WIeeI LIuL wus
u she? WIo couId be powerIuI enougI Lo conLroI LIe Order oI TIIngs
und Luke Iumun Iorm?
TIere were IgIL und Durk CusLers, Succubuses und SIrens, SvbIIs und
DIvIners. remembered LIe prevIous verse oI LIe song-LIe one ubouL
LIe Demon Queen. PossIbIv one wIo couId Luke Iumun Iorm, IIke
sLeppIng InLo u MorLuI`s bodv. TIere wus onIv one Demon Queen
knew wIo couId do LIuL. SuruIIne.
6J6=
InuIIv, u pIece oI InIormuLIon couId wrup mv mInd uround. Even
LIougI Iv und Mucon Iud spenL everv duv oI LIe IusL week wILI
JoIn-LreuLIng IIm IIke runkensLeIn, vIsILIng rovuILv, or u prIsoner oI
wur, dependIng on LIe duv-Ie Iudn`L LoId LIem unvLIIng LIuL ex-
pIuIned IIs roIe In uII LIIs.
sLIII Iudn`L LoId unvone excepL enu ubouL mv vIsILs wILI AunL Prue.
BuL wus begInnIng Lo IeeI IIke IL uII IIL LogeLIer, LIe sume wuv
evervLIIng In LIe bowI ends up In LIe bIscuILs, us Ammu wouId suv.
TIe WIeeI oI uLe. TIe One WIo s Two. Ammu und LIe bokor. JoIn
Breed. TIe EIgILeenLI Moon. AunL Prue. TIe SIudowIng Song.
I onIv couId IIgure ouL Iow, beIore IL wus Loo IuLe.
Bv LIe LIme goL Lo Ruvenwood, enu wus sILLIng on LIe IronL porcI.
couId see Ier wuLcIIng me us drove LIrougI LIe crooked Iron guLe.
remembered wIuL AunL Prue Iud suId wIen sIe guve me LIe goId
rose. This is for your girl. Ta help me keep an eye on her.
dIdn`L wunL Lo LIInk ubouL IL.
suL down nexL Lo enu on LIe Lop sLep. SIe IeId ouL Ier Iund und
Look LIe cIurm Irom me, sIIppIng IL onLo Ier neckIuce wILIouL u word.
Its for you. From Aunt Prue.
I know. She told me.
IeII usIeep on LIe coucI, und suddenIv sIe wus LIere, enu suId. L
wus exucLIv LIe wuv vou descrIbed IL-u dreum, buL IL dIdn`L IeeI IIke u
6qJ6=
dreum. nodded, und sIe Ieuned Ier Ieud uguInsL mv sIouIder. `m
sorrv, ELIun.
Iooked ouL uL LIe gurdens, sLIII green In spILe oI LIe IeuL und LIe Iub-
bers und evervLIIng we Iud been LIrougI. DId sIe LeII vou unvLIIng
eIse?
enu nodded und reucIed up Lo LoucI mv cIeek wILI Ier Iund. WIen
sIe Lurned Lowurd me, couId LeII sIe Iud been crvIng.
I dont think she has much time.
Why?
She said she came to say good-bye.
never mude IL Iome LIuL nIgIL. nsLeud, Iound mvseII sILLIng uIone
on MurIun`s doorsLep. Even LIougI sIe wus In LIere, und wus ouL,
sLIII IeIL beLLer uL Ier pIuce LIun mIne.
or now. dIdn`L know Iow mucI Ionger sIe`d be LIere, und dIdn`L
wunL Lo LIInk ubouL wIere wouId be wILIouL Ier.
IeII usIeep on Ier cureIuIIv swepL IronL porcI. And II dreumed LIuL
nIgIL, don`L remember.
6=J6=
11.01
Crucibles
You know, bubIes ure born wILIouL kneecups. AunL Gruce wedged
IerseII beLween LIe soIu cusIIons beIore Ier sIsLer couId geL LIere.
Gruce Ann, Iow couId vou suv sucI u LIIng? L`s downrIgIL
dIsLurbIn`.
Mercv, IL`s LIe God`s IonesL LruLI. reud IL In Readers Digestive.
TIose reuders ure IuIIu InIormuLIon.
WIv on God`s green eurLI ure vou LuIkIn` `bouL bubIes` knees,
unvIow?
Cun`L suv us know. JusL goL me Lu LIInkIn` `bouL LIe wuv LIIngs
cIunge. I bubIes cun jusL grow LIem some kneecups, wIv cun`L Ieurn
Lu IIv? WIv don`L LIev buIId sLuIrs Lu LIe moon? WIv cun`L TIeImu geL
murrIed Lu LIuL Iundsome JIm CIoonev bov?
You cun`L Ieurn Lu IIv `cuuse vou goL no wIngs. L wouIdn`L muke u IIck
u sense Lu buIId sLuIrs Lu LIe moon `cuuse LIev don`L Iuve unv breuLIIn`
uIr up LIere. And LIuL bov`s nume Is George CIoonev, und TIeImu cun`L
murrv IIm `cuuse Ie IIves uII LIe wuv over LIere In HoIIvwood und Ie`s
noL even u MeLIodIsL.
IIsLened Lo LIem LuIk In LIe nexL room wIIIe uLe mv cereuI. Some-
LImes undersLood wIuL LIe SIsLers were suvIng, even wIen IL sounded
IIke cruzv LuIk. TIev were worrIed ubouL AunL Prue. TIev were prepur-
Ing Ior LIe possIbIIILv sIe wus goIng Lo dIe. BubIes grew kneecups,
guess. TIIngs cIunged. L wusn`L u good LIIng or u bud LIIng, unv more
LIun kneecups were good or bud. AL IeusL, LIuL`s wIuL LoId mvseII.
SomeLIIng eIse Iud cIunged.
Ammu wusn`L In LIe kILcIen LIIs mornIng. couIdn`L remember LIe
IusL LIme `d IeIL Ior scIooI wILIouL seeIng Ier. Even wIen sIe wus mud
und reIused Lo cook breukIusL, sIe wouId sLIII be bungIng uround In LIe
kILcIen, muLLerIng Lo IerseII und gIvIng me sLInkeve.
TIe One-Eved Menuce wus IvIng on LIe spoon resL, bone drv.
L dIdn`L IeeI rIgIL Lo Ieuve wILIouL suvIng good-bve. opened LIe
druwer wIere Ammu kepL Ier exLru-sIurp #z pencIIs. grubbed one
und Lore u sIeeL oI puper oII LIe messuge pud. wus goIng Lo LeII Ier
IeIL Ior scIooI. No bIg deuI.
Ieuned over LIe counLer und sLurLed wrILIng.
ELIun uwson WuLe! Iudn`L Ieurd Ammu come In, und neurIv
jumped ouL oI mv skIn.
Jeez, Ammu. You uImosL guve me u IeurL uLLuck. WIen Lurned
uround, sIe wus LIe one wIo Iooked IIke sIe wus goIng Lo Iuve one.
Her Iuce wus usIen, und sIe wus sIukIng Ier Ieud IIke u mud womun.
Ammu, wIuL`s wrong? sLurLed Lo cross LIe room, buL sIe puL Ier
Iund ouL.
SLop! Her Iund wus sIukIng. WIuL were vou doIn`?
wus wrILIng vou u noLe. IeId up LIe sIeeL oI puper.
68J6=
SIe poInLed Ier bonv IInger uL mv oLIer Iund, LIe one sLIII IoIdIng Ier
pencII. You were wrILIn` wILI LIe wrong Iund.
Iooked down uL LIe pencII In mv IeIL Iund und IeL IL drop, wuLcIIng IL
roII ucross LIe IIoor.
Iud been wrILIng wILI mv IeIL Iund.
BuL wus rIgIL-Iunded.
Ammu bucked ouL oI LIe kILcIen, Ier eves sIInIng, und Lore down LIe
IuII.
Ammu! cuIIed uILer Ier, buL sIe sIummed Ier door beIInd Ier.
bunged on IL. Ammu! You Iuve Lo LeII me wIuL`s wrong.
WIuL`s wrong wILI me.
WIuL`s uII LIuL ruckus ouL LIere? AunL Gruce cuIIed Irom LIe IIvIng
room. `m LrvIn` Lu wuLcI mv sLorIes.
sIId down Lo LIe IIoor, mv buck uguInsL Ammu`s door, und wuILed.
BuL sIe dIdn`L come ouL. SIe wusn`L goIng Lo LeII me wIuL wus Iuppen-
Ing. wus goIng Lo Iuve Lo IIgure IL ouL on mv own.
TIme Lo grow u puIr oI kneecups.
dIdn`L IeeI LIe sume wuv IuLer LIuL duv, wIen run InLo mv dud uguIn
wILI Mrs. EngIIsI. TIIs LIme LIev weren`L uL LIe IIbrurv. TIev were
IuvIng IuncI uL mv scIooI. n mv cIussroom. WIere unvone couId see
LIem, IncIudIng me. wusn`L LIuL reudv Ior cIunge.
6J6=
mude LIe mIsLuke oI droppIng oII LIe druIL oI mv Crucible essuv dur-
Ing IuncI, becuuse IorgoL Lo gIve IL Lo Ier In EngIIsI cIuss. pusIed
LIrougI LIe door wILIouL boLIerIng Lo Iook LIrougI LIe IILLIe gIuss
squure, und LIere LIev were. SIurIng u buskeL oI Ammu`s IeILover IrIed
cIIcken. AL IeusL knew IL wouId be rubberv.
Dud?
Mv dud smIIed beIore Ie Lurned, wIIcI Is Iow knew Ie`d been wuIL-
Ing Ior LIIs Lo Iuppen. He Iud LIe smIIe reudv. ELIun? Sorrv Lo sur-
prIse vou on vour Iome LurI IIke LIIs. wunLed Lo go over u Iew LIIngs
wILI IIIun. SIe Ius some greuL Ideus ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI Moon
projecL.
beL sIe does. smIIed uL Mrs. EngIIsI, IoIdIng up LIe puper. Mv
druIL. wus goIng Lo puL IL In vour In-box. JusL Ignore me. Like Im
going to ignore you.
BuL dIdn`L geL oII LIuL eusv.
Are vou reudv Ior Lomorrow? Mrs. EngIIsI Iooked uL me expecLunLIv.
bruced mvseII. TIe uuLomuLIc unswer Lo LIuL quesLIon wus uIwuvs no,
buL Iud no Ideu exucLIv wIuL wusn`L reudv Ior.
Mu`um?
or LIe reenucLmenL oI LIe SuIem wILcI LrIuIs? We`re goIng Lo Lrv LIe
sume cuses The Crucible Is bused on. Huve vou been prepurIng vour
cuse sLudv?
Yes, mu`um. TIuL expIuIned LIe munIIu enveIope murked ENGSH
In mv buckpuck. Iudn`L been puvIng mucI uLLenLIon In cIuss IuLeIv.
;oJ6=
WIuL un umuzIng Ideu, IIIun. `d Iove Lo come wuLcI, II vou don`L
mInd, mv dud suId.
NoL uL uII. You cun vIdeoLupe LIe LrIuIs Ior us. We cun uII wuLcI IL us u
cIuss uILerwurd.
GreuL. Mv dud beumed.
IeIL LIe coId gIuss eve roIIIng over me us wuIked ouL oI LIe
cIussroom.
L, did you know were reenacting the Salem witch trials in English
tomorrow?
Havent been memorizing your case file? Do you even look in your
backpack anymore?
Did you know my dad is videotaping it? I do. Because I walked in on
his lunch date with Mrs. English.
Ewww.
What should we do?
TIere wus u Iong puuse.
I guess we should start calling her Ms. English?
Not funny, L.
Maybe you should finish reading TIe CrucIbIe before class tomorrow.
TIe probIem wILI IuvIng ucLuuI evII In vour IIIe Is LIuL reguIur, everv-
duv evII-udmInIsLruLors gIvIng vou deLenLIon, LIe LexLbook evII LIuL
;1J6=
mukes up mosL oI IIgI scIooI exIsLence-sLurLs Lo IeeI Iess LerrIIvIng.
UnIess IL`s vour IuLIer duLIng vour gIuss-eved EngIIsI LeucIer.
No muLLer Iow vou Iooked uL IL, IIIun EngIIsI wus evII-LIe reuI kInd
or vour evervduv vurIeLv. EILIer wuv, sIe wus euLIng rubberv cIIcken
wILI mv dud, und wus screwed.
Turns ouL The Crucible Is more ubouL bILcIes LIun wILcIes, us enu
wouId be LIe IIrsL Lo suv. wus gIud wuILed unLII LIe end oI LIe unIL Lo
IInIsI reudIng LIe pIuv. L mude me IuLe IuII oI Juckson HIgI, und LIe
wIoIe cIeer squud, even more LIun usuuI.
Bv LIe LIme cIuss sLurLed, wus proud LIuL ucLuuIIv dId LIe reudIng
und knew u Iew LIIngs ubouL JoIn ProcLor, LIe guv wIo geLs com-
pIeLeIv sIuILed. WIuL Iudn`L unLIcIpuLed wus cosLumes-gIrIs In gruv
dresses und wIILe uprons, und guvs In Sunduv scIooI sIIrLs wILI LIeIr
punLs Lucked InLo LIeIr socks. dIdn`L geL LIe memo, or IL wus sLIII In
mv buckpuck. enu wusn`L weurIng u cosLume eILIer.
Mrs. EngIIsI doIed ouL our respecLIve one-eved gIures und IIve-poInL
deducLIons, und LrIed Lo Ignore LIe IucL LIuL mv IuLIer wus sILLIng In
LIe buck oI LIe room wILI LIe scIooI`s IIILeen-veur-oId vIdeo cumeru.
TIe cIussroom wus reurrunged Lo Iook IIke u courLroom. TIe uIIIIcLed
gIrIs were on one sIde-Ied bv EmIIv AsIer. AppurenLIv, LIeIr job wus
Lo ucL IIke pIonIes und preLend LIev were possessed. EmIIv wus u nuL-
uruI. TIev uII were. TIe mugIsLruLes were on one sIde oI LIem und LIe
wILness box on LIe oLIer.
Mrs. EngIIsI Lurned Ier Good-Eve SIde on me. Mr. WuLe. WIv don`L
vou sLurL oII us JoIn ProcLor, und LIen we`II swILcI uround IuLer on In
LIe perIod? wus LIe guv wIo wus ubouL Lo Iuve IIs IIIe desLroved bv
;zJ6=
u buncI oI EmIIv AsIers. enu, vou cun be our AbIguII. We`II sLurL
wILI LIe pIuv und LIen spend LIe resL oI LIe week on LIe ucLuuI cuses
LIe pIuv wus bused on.
wenL over Lo mv cIuIr In one corner, und enu wenL Lo LIe oLIer.
Mrs. EngIIsI wuved Lo mv dud. eL`s sLurL roIIIng, MILcIeII.
`m reudv, IIIun.
Evervone In cIuss Lurned Lo Iook uL me.
TIe reenucLmenL wenL oII wILIouL u IILcI, wIIcI reuIIv meunL IL wenL
on wILI uII LIe cusLomurv IILcIes. TIe cumeru buLLerv dIed In LIe IIrsL
IIve mInuLes. TIe cIIeI mugIsLruLe Iud Lo use LIe buLIroom. TIe uIIIIc-
Led gIrIs goL cuugIL LexLIng, und LIe conIIscuLIon oI LIeIr pIones wus u
bIgger uIIIIcLIon LIun LIe one LIe DevII wus supposed Lo Iuve brougIL
on LIem In LIe IIrsL pIuce.
Mv IuLIer dIdn`L suv u word, buL knew Ie wus LIere. HIs presence
kepL me Irom speukIng, movIng, or breuLIIng wIen couId IeIp IL.
WIv wus Ie Iere? WIuL wus Ie doIng IungIng ouL wILI Mrs. EngIIsI?
TIere wus no ruLIonuI expIunuLIon.
Ethan! Youre supposed to give your defense.
What?
Iooked up uL LIe cumeru. Evervone In LIe room wus sLurIng uL me.
Start talking, or Imgoing to have to fake an asthma attack, like Link
did during the biology final.
Mv nume Is JoIn ProcLor.
;J6=
sLopped. Mv nume wus JoIn.
JusL IIke JoIn uL CounLv Cure. And JoIn sILLIng on RIdIev`s pInk sIug
curpeL. Once uguIn, LIere wus me, und LIere wus JoIn.
WIuL wus LIe unIverse LrvIng Lo LeII me now?
ELIun? Mrs. EngIIsI sounded unnoved.
Iooked buck down uL mv puper. Mv nume Is JoIn ProcLor, und LIese
uIIeguLIons ure IuIse. dIdn`L know II IL wus LIe rIgIL IIne. Iooked
buck uL LIe cumeru, buL dIdn`L see mv IuLIer sLundIng beIInd IL.
suw someLIIng eIse. Mv reIIecLIon In LIe Iens sLurLed Lo sIIIL, IIke u
rIppIe In LIe Iuke. TIen IL sIowIv cume buck InLo Iocus. or u second,
wus sLurIng uL mvseII uguIn.
wuLcIed mv Imuge us LIe corners oI mv mouLI Lurned up InLo u Iop-
sIded smIIe.
IeIL IIke someone Iud puncIed me.
couIdn`L breuLIe.
Becuuse wusn`L smIIIng.
WIuL LIe IeII? Mv voIce wus sIukIng. TIe uIIIIcLed gIrIs sLurLed
IuugIIng.
Ethan, are you okay?
Do vou Iuve unvLIIng eIse Lo udd Lo LIuL poIgnunL deIense, Mr. Proc-
Lor? Mrs. EngIIsI wus more LIun unnoved. SIe LIougIL wus screw-
Ing uround.
;qJ6=
sIuIIIed LIrougI mv noLes, mv Iunds sIukIng, und Iound u quoLe.
'How muv IIve wILIouL mv nume? Iuve gIven vou mv souI, Ieuve me
mv nume.`
couId IeeI Ier gIuss eve on me.
Ethan! Say something!
euve me mv souI. euve me mv nume. L wus LIe wrong IIne, buL
someLIIng ubouL IL IeIL rIgIL.
SomeLIIng wus IoIIowIng me. dIdn`L know wIuL IL wus, or wIuL IL
wunLed.
BuL knew wIo wus.
ELIun WuLe-son oI IIu June Evers WuLe und MILcIeII WuLe. Son oI u
Keeper und u MorLuI, dIscIpIe oI buskeLbuII und cIocoIuLe mIIk, oI
comIc books und noveIs IId under mv bed. RuIsed bv mv purenLs und
Ammu und MurIun, LIIs wIoIe Lown und evervone In IL, good und bud.
And Ioved u gIrI. Her nume wus enu.
The question is, who are you? And what do you want from me?
dIdn`L wuIL Ior un unswer. Iud Lo geL ouL oI LIuL room. pusIed mv
wuv LIrougI LIe cIuIrs. couIdn`L geL Lo LIe door IusL enougI.
sIummed uguInsL IL us Iurd us couId, und run down LIe IuII wILIouL
IookIng buck.
Becuuse uIreudv knew LIe words. `d Ieurd LIem u dozen LImes, und
everv LIme LIev mude Iess sense.
And everv LIme, LIev mude mv sLomucI Lurn.
;=J6=
IM WAITING.
;6J6=
11.01
Demon Queen
One oI LIe LIIngs ubouL IIvIng In u smuII Lown Is vou cun`L geL uwuv
wILI dILcIIng cIuss In LIe mIddIe oI u IIsLorIcuI reenucLmenL LIuL vour
EngIIsI LeucIer spenL weeks orgunIzIng. NoL wILIouL consequences. n
mosL pIuces, LIuL wouId meun suspensIon, or uL IeusL deLenLIon. n
GuLIIn, IL meunL Ammu IorcIng vou Lo sIow up uL vour LeucIer`s Iouse
wILI u pIuLeIuI oI peunuL buLLer cookIes.
WIIcI Is exucLIv wIere wus sLundIng.
knocked on LIe door, IopIng Mrs. EngIIsI wusn`L Iome. sLured uL
LIe red door, sIIILIng mv weIgIL uncomIorLubIv. enu IIked red doors.
SIe suId red wus u Iuppv coIor, und CusLers dIdn`L Iuve red doors. To
CusLers, doors were dungerous-uII LIresIoIds were. OnIv MorLuIs Iud
red doors.
Mv mom Iud IuLed red doors. SIe dIdn`L IIke peopIe wIo Iud red
doors eILIer. SIe suId IuvIng u red door In GuLIIn meunL vou were LIe
kInd oI person wIo wusn`L uIruId Lo be dIIIerenL. BuL II vou LIougIL
IuvIng u red door wouId do LIuL Ior vou, LIen vou reuIIv were jusL IIke
LIe resL oI LIem.
dIdn`L Iuve LIme Lo come up wILI mv own LIeorv on red doors, be-
cuuse rIgIL LIen LIIs one swung open. Mrs. EngIIsI wus sLundIng LIere
In u IIowered dress und Iuzzv sIIppers. ELIun? WIuL ure vou doIng
Iere?
cume Lo upoIogIze, mu`um. IeId ouL LIe pIuLe. brougIL vou some
cookIes.
TIen suppose vou sIouId come In. SIe sLepped buck, openIng LIe
door wIder.
TIIs wusn`L LIe response wus expecLIng. IIgured `d upoIogIze und
gIve Ier Ammu`s Iumous peunuL buLLer cookIes, sIe wouId uccepL, und
wouId be ouL oI LIere. NoL IoIIowIng Ier InLo Ier LInv Iouse. Red
door or noL, deIInILeIv wusn`L Iuppv.
WIv don`L we Iuve u seuL In LIe purIor?
IoIIowed Ier InLo u LInv room LIuL dIdn`L Iook IIke unv purIor `d ever
seen. L wus LIe smuIIesL Iouse `d ever been In. TIe wuIIs were
covered wILI bIuck und wIILe IumIIv porLruILs. TIev were so oId und
LIe Iuces so smuII LIuL wouId`ve Iud Lo sLop und sLure Lo Iook uL unv
oI LIem, wIIcI mude LIem uII sLrungeIv prIvuLe. AL IeusL, sLrunge Ior
GuLIIn, wIere our IumIIIes were on dIspIuv uL uII LImes, LIe deud und
LIe IIvIng.
Mrs. EngIIsI wus sLrunge, uII rIgIL.
PIeuse, Iuve u seuL. `II brIng vou u gIuss oI wuLer. L wusn`L u ques-
LIon-IL seemed Lo be munduLorv. SIe sLepped InLo LIe kILcIen, wIIcI
wus ubouL LIe sIze oI Lwo cIoseLs. couId Ieur LIe runnIng wuLer.
TIunk vou, mu`um.
TIere wus u coIIecLIon oI cerumIc IIgurInes on LIe munLeI over LIe IIre-
pIuce-u gIobe, u book, u cuL, u dog, u moon, u sLur. TIe IIIun EngIIsI
versIon oI LIe sLundurd junk LIe SIsLers Iud coIIecLed und never IeL
unvone LoucI, unLII IL wus smusIed Lo rubbIe In LIeIr IronL vurd. n LIe
mIddIe oI LIe IIrepIuce wus u smuII LeIevIsIon, wILI rubbIL eur unLennus
;J6=
LIuL couIdn`L Iuve worked Ior ubouL LwenLv veurs. Some kInd oI
spIderv-IookIng IousepIunL suL on Lop oI IL, mukIng LIe wIoIe LIIng
Iook IIke u bIg pIunLer. ExcepL LIe pIunL Iooked IIke IL wus dvIng, wIIcI
mude LIe pIunLer LIuL wusn`L u pIunLer, on Lop oI LIe TV LIuL wusn`L u
TV, on Lop oI LIe IIrepIuce LIuL wusn`L u IIrepIuce, uII seem poInLIess.
A LInv bookcuse suL nexL Lo LIe IIrepIuce. L ucLuuIIv uppeured Lo be
wIuL IL wus, seeIng us IL ucLuuIIv Iud books on IL. benL down Lo reud
LIe LILIes: To Kill a Mockingbird. The Invisible Man. Frankenstein.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Great Expectations.
TIe IronL door sIummed, und Ieurd u voIce never wouId Iuve ex-
pecLed Lo Ieur In mv EngIIsI LeucIer`s Iouse.
Great Expectations. One oI mv personuI IuvorILes. L`s so. LrugIc.
SuruIIne wus sLundIng InsIde LIe doorwuv, Ier veIIow eves wuLcIIng
me. AbruIum Iud rIpped InLo u worn IIowered cIuIr In LIe corner oI
LIe room. He Iooked comIorLubIe, us II Ie wus jusL unoLIer guesL. The
Book of Moons wus resLIng In IIs Iup.
ELIun? DId vou open LIe IronL- L onIv Look u mInuLe Ior Mrs. Eng-
IIsI Lo come buck Irom LIe kILcIen. don`L know II IL wus LIe sLrungers
In Ier purIor, or SuruIIne`s veIIow eves, buL Mrs. EngIIsI dropped LIe
wuLer, broken gIuss ruInIng down onLo Ier IIowered rug. WIo ure vou
peopIe?
Iooked uL AbruIum. TIev`re Iere Ior me.
He IuugIed. NoL LIIs LIme, bov. We cume Ior someLIIng eIse.
Mrs. EngIIsI wus sIukIng. don`L Iuve unvLIIng oI vuIue. `m jusL u
LeucIer.
8oJ6=
SuruIIne smIIed, wIIcI mude Ier Iook even more derunged. AcLuuIIv,
vou Iuve someLIIng LIuL Is verv vuIuubIe Lo us, Lilian.
Mrs. EngIIsI Look u sLep buck. don`L know wIo vou peopIe ure, buL
vou sIouId Ieuve. Mv neIgIbors Iuve probubIv uIreudv cuIIed LIe po-
IIce. TIIs Is u verv quIeL sLreeL. Her voIce wus rIsIng. wus preLLv sure
Mrs. EngIIsI wus onIv u mInuLe uwuv Irom u meILdown.
euve Ier uIone! sLurLed Lo wuIk Lowurd SuruIIne, und sIe IIung
open Ier IIngers.
IeIL LIe Iorce, Len LImes sLronger LIun unv Iund, sIum uguInsL mv
cIesL. IeII buck uguInsL LIe bookcuse, sendIng dusLv books IuIIIng
uround me.
Huve u seuL, ELIun. LIInk IL`s IILLIng Ior vou Lo wuLcI LIe end oI LIe
worId us vou know IL.
couIdn`L geL up. couId sLIII IeeI LIe weIgIL oI SuruIIne`s power on mv
cIesL.
You peopIe ure cruzv, Mrs. EngIIsI wIIspered, Ier eves wIde.
SuruIIne IIxed Ier LerrIIvIng eves on Mrs. EngIIsI. You don`L know LIe
IuII oI IL.
AbruIum sLubbed IIs cIgur ouL on Mrs. EngIIsI`s sIde LubIe und rose
Irom LIe cIuIr. He opened The Book of Moons us II Ie Iud murked u
specIIIc puge.
WIuL ure vou doIng? CuIIIng more Vexes? sIouLed.
TIIs LIme, LIev boLI IuugIed. WIuL `m cuIIIng wIII muke u Vex Iook
IIke u Iouse cuL. He sLurLed Lo reud In u Iunguuge dIdn`L recognIze. L
81J6=
Iud Lo be u CusLer Iunguuge-NIudIc, muvbe. TIe words were uImosL
meIodIc, unLII Ie repeuLed LIem In EngIIsI und reuIIzed wIuL LIev
meunL.
'rom bIood, usI, und sorrow. or LIe Demons ImprIsoned beIow.`
SLop! sIouLed. AbruIum dIdn`L even Iook uL me.
SuruIIne LwIsLed Ier wrIsL sIIgILIv, und IeIL mv cIesL LIgILen. You ure
wILnessIng IIsLorv, ELIun-Ior boLI CusLers und MorLuIs. Be u IILLIe
more respecLIuI.
AbruIum wus sLIII reudIng. ' cuII LIeIr CreuLor.`
TIe momenL AbruIum spoke LIe IusL word, Mrs. EngIIsI gusped, und
Ier bodv urcIed vIoIenLIv. Her eves roIIed buck In Ier Ieud, und sIe
crumpIed Lo LIe IIoor IIke u rug doII. Mrs. EngIIsI`s neck wus resLIng
uguInsL Ier cIesL uwkwurdIv, und uII couId LIInk ubouL wus Iow IIIe-
Iess sIe Iooked.
Ike sIe wus deud.
AbruIum sLurLed Lo reud uguIn, buL IeIL IIke wus underwu-
Ler-evervLIIng wus sIow und muIIIed. How munv more peopIe were
goIng Lo dIe becuuse oI LIem?
'. Lo uvenge LIem. And Lo serve!` AbruIum`s voIce ecIoed LIrougI
LIe LInv room, und LIe wuIIs begun Lo sIuke. He snupped LIe Book
sIuL und wuIked cIoser Lo LIe bodv oI Mrs. EngIIsI.
TIe spIderv-IookIng pIunL IeII oII LIe TV, und LIe poL broke uguInsL LIe
sLone oI LIe IIrepIuce. TIe LInv IIgurInes were rockIng buck und IorLI,
LIe pIeces oI Mrs. EngIIsI`s IIIe breukIng upurL.
8zJ6=
SIe`s comIng! SuruIIne cuIIed Lo AbruIum, und reuIIzed LIev were
boLI sLurIng uL Mrs. EngIIsI`s bodv. LrIed Lo geL up, buL LIe weIgIL
wus sLIII beurIng down on mv cIesL. WIuLever wus IuppenIng,
couIdn`L sLop IL.
L wus uIreudv Loo IuLe.
Mrs. EngIIsI`s neck IIILed IIrsL, Ier bodv sIowIv IoIIowIng, rIsIng Irom
LIe IIoor us II un InvIsIbIe sLrIng wus puIIIng IL. L wus IorrIbIe-LIe
wuv Ier IIIeIess bodv moved IIke u puppeL`s. WIen Ier bodv
sLruIgILened, Ier eveIIds snupped open.
BuL Ier eves were gone. n LIeIr pIuce were onIv durk sIudows.
TIe sIukIng sLopped, und LIe wIoIe room wus sLIII.
WIo cuIIs me? Mrs. EngIIsI wus speukIng, buL LIe voIce wusn`L Iers.
L wus InIumun. TIere wus no vurIuLIon In Lone, no InIIecLIon-IL wus
IuunLIng und omInous.
AbruIum smIIed. He wus proud oI wIuLever Ie Iud done. do. TIe
Order Is broken, und cuII vou Lo brIng IorLI LIe souIIess, LIose wIo
wunder LIe ubvss oI LIe Underground, Lo joIn us Iere.
Mrs. EngIIsI`s empLv eves sLured pusL IIm, buL LIe voIce unswered. L
cunnoL be done.
SuruIIne Iooked uL AbruIum, punIcked. WIuL Is sIe-
He sIIenced SuruIIne wILI u Iook, und Lurned buck Lo LIe creuLure In-
IubILIng LIe sIeII oI Mrs. EngIIsI. wus noL cIeur. We Iuve bodIes Ior
LIem. BrIng IorLI LIe souIIess und oIIer LIem LIe bodIes oI LIe IgIL
CusLers. TIIs wIII be LIe new Order. You wIII BInd IL.
8J6=
TIere wus u rumbIIng sound wILIIn Mrs. EngIIsI`s bodv, uImosL us II
LIe creuLure wus IuugIIng In some sIck wuv. um LIe IIum. TIme.
TruLI. DesLInv. TIe EndIess RIver. TIe WIeeI oI uLe. You do noL
commund me.
IIum. IIIun EngIIsI. L wus IIke u sIck cosmIc joke. ExcepL Ior LIe purL
LIuL wusn`L u joke, LIe purL couIdn`L sLop repeuLIng In mv mInd.
The Wheel of Fate crushes us all.
AbruIum Iooked sLrIcken, und SuruIIne sLuggered buckwurd. WIuLever
LIIs IIum LIIng wus, LIe Lwo oI LIem Iud cIeurIv beIIeved LIev couId
conLroI IL.
AbruIum LIgILened IIs grIp on The Book of Moons und cIunged Luc-
LIcs. TIen uppeuI Lo vou us LIe Demon Queen. HeIp us Iorge u new
Order. One wIere LIe IgIL wIII IInuIIv be ecIIpsed bv Durkness
Iorever.
Iroze. L wus uII comIng LogeLIer. TIe SIudowIng Song wus rIgIL.
Even II Iudn`L Ieurd u word ubouL LIIs IIum LIIng, LIe song Iud
wurned me ubouL LIe Demon Queen und LIe WIeeI oI uLe more LIun
once.
LrIed noL Lo punIc.
TIe IIum unswered, Ier voIce unnervIngIv even. IgIL und Durk
IoId no meunIng Ior me. TIere Is onIv power, born Irom LIe Durk Ire,
wIere uII power wus creuLed.
WIuL wus sIe LuIkIng ubouL? SIe wus LIe Demon Queen. DIdn`L LIuL
muke Ier Durk?
8qJ6=
No. SuruIIne`s voIce wus u wIIsper. L`s noL possIbIe. TIe Demon
Queen Is Lrue Durkness.
Mv LruLI Is LIe Durk Ire, LIe orIgIn oI power boLI IgIL und Durk.
SuruIIne Iooked conIused, someLIIng Iud never seen In Ier ouLsIde oI
LIe vIsIons.
TIuL`s wIen reuIIzed sIe und AbruIum dIdn`L undersLund LIe IIum
uL uII. couIdn`L preLend LIuL dId, buL knew sIe wusn`L Durk In LIe
wuv LIev beIIeved. SIe wus someLIIng uII Ier own. Muvbe LIe IIum
wus gruv, u new sIude In LIe specLrum. Or muvbe IL wus LIe opposILe,
und LIe IIum possessed neILIer Durk nor IgIL-sIe wus LIe ubsence
oI boLI.
EILIer wuv, sIe wusn`L one oI LIem.
BuL vou cun Iorge u New Order, SuruIIne suId.
Mrs. EngIIsI`s Ieud jerked Lowurd LIe sound oI SuruIIne`s voIce.
cun. BuL u prIce musL be puId.
WIuL`s LIe prIce? cuIIed ouL wILIouL LIInkIng.
TIe Ieud jerked Lowurd me. A CrucIbIe.
TIe Demon Queen, LIe WIeeI oI uLe-wIoever sIe wus, sIe wusn`L
LuIkIng ubouL mv EngIIsI Iomework. don`L undersLund.
SIuL up, bov! AbruIum snupped.
BuL LIe IIum wus sLIII sLurIng bIunkIv In mv dIrecLIon. TIIs MorLuI
Ius LIe words requIre. TIe IIum puused. SIe wus LuIkIng ubouL
Mrs. EngIIsI. CrucIbIe. A poL Ior meILIng meLuIs. A MorLuI uIIegorv.
8=J6=
Wus sIe seurcIIng Mrs. EngIIsI`s mInd Ior LIe rIgIL words? A severe
LesL. SIe sLopped. Yes. A LesL. On LIe EIgILeenLI Moon.
WIuL`s LIe LesL?
On LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, sIe repeuLed. or One wIo wIII brIng LIe
Order buck unew.
L wus LIe messuge Irom mv SIudowIng Song-mosL oI IL, unvwuv.
TIe One WIo s Two.
WIo? AbruIum demunded. TeII me now! WIo wIII brIng buck LIe
Order?
Mrs. EngIIsI`s neck jerked unnuLuruIIv Lowurd AbruIum, LIe bIuck-
sIudowed eve sockeLs IucIng IIm. A LIunderous sound rIpped LIrougI
LIe Iouse. You do noL commund me.
BeIore Ie couId respond, u bIIndIng IIgIL sLreuked Irom LIe durk sock-
eLs wIere Mrs. EngIIsI`s eves sIouId Iuve been-dIrecLIv uL AbruIum
und SuruIIne. AbruIum dIdn`L even Iuve LIme Lo rIp. TIe IIgIL IIL LIem
und expIoded uround LIem, IIIIIng LIe room. SuruIIne`s InvIsIbIe grIp
dIsuppeured, und LIrew mv urm over mv eves Lo sIIeId LIem Irom LIe
IIgIL. BuL couId sLIII sense IL, us II wus IookIng InLo LIe sun.
WILIIn seconds, LIe ImpossIbIe brIgILness dImmed und puIIed mv
urm uwuv Irom mv Iuce. Iooked uL LIe pIuce wIere AbruIum und
SuruIIne Iud been sLundIng. BIuck spIoLcIes cIouded mv vIsIon.
AbruIum und SuruIIne were gone.
86J6=
Are LIev deud? Iound mvseII IopIng. Muvbe AbruIum Iud used
The Book of Moons one LIme Loo munv. TIe Book uIwuvs Look
someLIIng In reLurn.
Deud. TIe IIum puused. No. L Is noL LIeIr LIme Lo be judged.
dIsugreed, buL wusn`L ubouL Lo urgue wILI u creuLure powerIuI
enougI Lo muke AbruIum und SuruIIne dIsuppeur. WIuL Iuppened Lo
LIem?
wIIIed LIem uwuv. do noL wIsI Lo Ieur LIeIr voIces. SIe dIdn`L
reuIIv unswer LIe quesLIon.
BuL Iud unoLIer one, und Iud Lo IInd LIe couruge Lo usk IL. TIe one
wIo Ius Lo Iuce LIe LesL on LIe EIgILeenLI Moon-ure vou LuIkIng
ubouL LIe One WIo s Two?
TIe durkened sockeLs oI Ier eves Lurned Lowurd me, und LIe voIce
begun Lo speuk. TIe One WIo s Two, In WIom LIe BuIunce Is puId.
TIe Durk Ire, Irom wIIcI uII power comes, wIII muke LIe Order
unew.
So we cun IIx IL? TIe Order, meun?
I LIe BuIunce Is puId, LIere wIII be u New Order. Her voIce wus com-
pIeLeIv IIuL, us II wIuL Iud been IopIng Ior meunL noLIIng.
WIuL do vou meun bv LIe BuIunce?
BuIunce. PuvmenL. SucrIIIce.
SucrIIIce.
Bv LIe One WIo s Two.
8;J6=
NoL enu, wIIspered. couIdn`L Iose Ier uguIn. SIe cun`L be LIe
sucrIIIce. SIe dIdn`L meun Lo breuk LIe Order.
BoLI Durk und IgIL. PerIecL buIunce. True mugIc. TIe IIum wus
quIeL. Wus sIe LIInkIng, seurcIIng Ior words In LIe mInd oI Mrs. Eng-
IIsI, or jusL geLLIng LIred oI IeurIng mv voIce, Loo? SIe Is noL LIe Cru-
cIbIe. TIe cIIId oI Durkness und IgIL wIII BInd LIe New Order.
L wusn`L enu.
Look u deep breuLI. WuIL. TIen wIo Is IL?
TIere Is unoLIer.
Muvbe sIe dIdn`L undersLund wIuL wus uskIng. WIo?
You wIII IInd LIe One WIo s Two. TIe empLv bIuck sIudows sLured
uL me Irom LIe Iuce oI Mrs. EngIIsI.
WIv me?
Becuuse vou ure LIe Wuvwurd. TIe one wIo murks LIe wuv beLween
our worIds. TIe Demon worId und LIe MorLuI worId.
Muvbe don`L wunL Lo be LIe Wuvwurd. suId IL wILIouL LIInkIng,
buL IL wus Lrue. dIdn`L know Iow Lo IInd LIIs person. And dIdn`L
wunL LIe IuLe oI LIe MorLuI und CusLer worIds resLIng wILI me.
TIe wuIIs begun Lo sIuke uguIn, LIe cerumIc IIgurInes knockIng uguInsL
one unoLIer. wuLcIed us LIe IILLIe moon moved dungerousIv cIose Lo
LIe edge oI LIe munLeI. undersLund. We cunnoL cIoose wIuL we ure
In LIe Order. um LIe Demon Queen. DId sIe meun LIuL sIe dIdn`L
wunL Lo be wIuL sIe wus eILIer? TIe Order oI TIIngs exIsLs bevond.
TIe RIver IIows. TIe WIeeI Lurns. TIIs momenL cIunges LIe nexL. You
88J6=
Iuve cIunged evervLIIng. TIe wuIIs ceused sIukIng, und LIe moon
sLopped jusL beIore IL IeII over LIe edge.
TIIs Is LIe wuv. TIere Is no oLIer.
undersLood LIuL.
L wus LIe IusL LIIng LIe IIum suId beIore LIe possessed bodv oI Mrs.
EngIIsI dropped Lo LIe IIoor.
8J6=
11.01
Bad-Eye Side
WILI Ier gIusses knocked oII, Ier gIuss eve cIosed, und Ier IuIr un-
ruveIed Irom ILs munIucuI bun-IIIun EngIIsI uImosL Iooked IIke u
person.
A nIce person.
cuIIed 11. TIen suL In LIe worn IIowered cIuIr, sLurIng uL Mrs. Eng-
IIsI`s bodv, wuILIng Ior LIe umbuIunce. wondered II sIe wus deud.
AnoLIer cusuuILv In LIIs wur wusn`L sure we couId wIn.
AnoLIer LIIng LIuL wus mv IuuIL.
TIe umbuIunce urrIved noL Iong uILer LIuL. Bv LIe LIme Woodv PorLer
und Bud SweeL Iound u puIse, couId breuLIe uguIn. wuLcIed us LIev
Iouded LIe gurnev InLo LIe buck oI LIe bus, us Woodv cuIIed IL.
Anvone vou cun cuII Ior Ier? Bud usked us Ie sIummed LIe umbu-
Iunce doors.
TIere wus one person.
YeuI. `II cuII someone. wenL buck InLo Mrs. EngIIsI`s LInv Iouse,
LIrougI LIe IuII und InLo LIe kILcIen wILI LIe IummIngbIrd wuIIpu-
per. dIdn`L wunL Lo cuII mv dud, buL owed Mrs. EngIIsI LIuL mucI
uILer evervLIIng sIe`d been LIrougI. IIILed LIe pusLeI pInk receIver oII
LIe crudIe und sLured uL LIe rows oI numbers.
Mv Iund sLurLed Lo sIuke.
couIdn`L remember mv pIone number.
Muvbe wus In sIock. TIuL`s wIuL kepL LeIIIng mvseII, buL knew IL
wus more LIun LIuL. SomeLIIng wus IuppenIng Lo me. WIuL dIdn`L
know wus wIv.
cIosed mv eves, wIIIIng mv IIngers Lo IInd LIe rIgIL numbers.
CombInuLIons oI numbers murcIed LIrougI mv mInd. enu`s number
und Ink`s und LIe GuLIIn CounLv Ibrurv`s. TIere wus onIv one pIone
number couIdn`L remember.
Mv own.
IIIun EngIIsI mIssed Ier IIrsL duv oI scIooI In ubouL u Iundred und
IIILv veurs. TIe ucLuuI dIugnosIs wus severe exIuusLIon. L mude sense,
guess. AbruIum und SuruIIne couId do LIuL Lo unvone, even wILIouL
LIe IeIp oI u Demon Queen.
WIIcI IeIL enu und me IungIng ouL uIone In LIe cIussroom u Iew duvs
IuLer. CIuss wus over, und PrIncIpuI Hurper Iud coIIecLed LIe pIIe oI pu-
pers Ie wouId never grude, buL we were sLIII sILLIng uL our desks.
LIInk we boLI wunLed Lo sLuv u wIIIe Ionger In LIe pIuce wIere Mrs.
EngIIsI Iud never been u puppeL, wIere sIe`d been u Demon Queen
uII Ier own. TIe reuI Mrs. EngIIsI wus LIe Iund oI jusLIce, even II sIe
wusn`L LIe WIeeI oI uLe. TIere wus never u curve In Ier cIuss.
BeLween LIuL und LIe wIoIe CrucIbIe LIIng, couId see wIv LIe IIum
Iud LIrIved In Mrs. EngIIsI`s bodv.
zJ6=
sIouId Iuve known. SIe wus ucLIng creepv uII veur. sIgIed. And
knew Ier gIuss eve wus on LIe wrong sIde uL IeusL once.
You LIInk LIe IIum wus LeucIIng our EngIIsI cIuss? You suId LIe I-
Ium LuIked reuIIv weIrd. We wouId`ve noLIced. enu wus rIgIL.
TIe IIum musL Iuve been InsIde Mrs. EngIIsI some oI LIe LIme, be-
cuuse AbruIum und SuruIIne sIowed up uL Ier Iouse. And, LrusL me,
LIev knew wIuL LIev were IookIng Ior.
We were sILLIng In sIIence uL opposILe ends oI LIe room. Toduv, wus
on LIe Bud-Eve SIde. L wus LIuL kInd oI duv. Iud recounLed everv de-
LuII oI LIe oLIer nIgIL Lo enu LIree LImes, excepL LIe purL ubouL Ior-
geLLIng mv pIone number. dIdn`L wunL Ier Lo worrv, Loo. BuL sIe wus
sLIII IuvIng LroubIe wruppIng Ier mInd uround IL uII. couIdn`L bIume
Ier. Iud been LIere, und wusn`L doIng mucI beLLer.
enu IInuIIv suId someLIIng, Irom LIe Good-Eve SIde. WIv do vou
LIInk we Iuve Lo IInd LIIs One WIo s Two? SIe wus more upseL LIun
wus, muvbe becuuse sIe Iud jusL Iound ouL ubouL IL. Or muvbe be-
cuuse IL InvoIved Ier moLIer.
DId vou mIss LIe wIoIe CrucIbIe speecI? `d LoId Ier evervLIIng
couId remember.
No. meun, wIuL Is LIIs 'One` goIng Lo do LIuL we cun`L? To Iorge LIe
New Order, or wIuLever. SIe IeIL Ier seuL und suL on LIe edge oI Mrs.
EngIIsI`s desk, Ier Iegs dungIIng. TIe New Order. No wonder sIe wus
LIInkIng ubouL IL. enu knew LIe IIum suId LIuL sIe wouId be LIe one
Lo BInd IL.
How do vou BInd u New Order, unvwuv? usked Ier.
SIe sIrugged. No cIue.
J6=
TIere Iud Lo be some wuv Lo IInd ouL. Muvbe LIere`s someLIIng In LIe
Lunae Libri ubouL IL.
enu Iooked IrusLruLed. Sure. ook under N, Ior New Order. Or B, Ior
Binding. Or P, Ior psycho, wIIcI Is Iow `m sLurLIng Lo IeeI.
TeII me ubouL IL.
SIe sIgIed, swIngIng Ier Iegs Iurder. Even II knew Iow Lo do IL, LIe
bIgger quesLIon Is, wIv me? broke LIe IusL one. SIe Iooked LIred, Ier
bIuck T-sIIrL dump wILI sweuL und Ier cIurm neckIuce LungIed In Ier
Iong IuIr.
Muvbe IL needed Lo be broken. SomeLImes LIIngs Iuve Lo breuk beIore
vou cun IIx LIem.
Or muvbe IL dIdn`L need IIxIng.
You wunL Lo geL ouL oI Iere? `ve Iud enougI CrucIbIe LuIk Ior Loduv.
SIe nodded, gruLeIuI. Me, Loo.
We wuIked down LIe IuII, IoIdIng Iunds, und wuLcIed us enu`s IuIr
begun Lo curI. TIe CusLIng Breeze. So wusn`L surprIsed wIen MIss
HesLer dIdn`L even Iook up Irom puInLIng Ier Iong purpIe nuIIs us we
pussed bv, IeuvIng LIe Demon und LIe MorLuI worIds beIInd us.
uke MouILrIe reuIIv wus us IoL und brown us Ink suId. TIere wusn`L u
drop oI wuLer In sIgIL. Nobodv wus uround, LIougI LIere were u Iew
souvenIrs Irom Mrs. IncoIn und Ier IrIends, sLuck In LIe crucked mud
oI LIe sIopIng sIore.
qJ6=
COMMUNTY WATCH HOTNE
REPORT A APOCAYPTC BEHAVOR
SIe`d even wrILLen Ier Iome pIone number ucross LIe boLLom.
WIuL, exucLIv, consLILuLes upocuIvpLIc beIuvIor? enu LrIed noL Lo
smIIe.
don`L know, buL `m sure II we usked Mrs. IncoIn Lo posL u cIurIIIcu-
LIon, sIe`d Iuve IL up Iere Lomorrow. LIougIL ubouL IL. No IIsIIng.
No dumpIng. No cuIIIng up LIe DevII. No pIugues oI IeuL und Iubbers,
or Vexes.
enu kIcked LIe drv dIrL. No rIvers oI bIood. `d LoId Ier ubouL mv
dreum-LIuL one, unvwuv. And no Iumun sucrIIIce.
Don`L gIve AbruIum unv Ideus.
enu puL Ier Ieud on mv sIouIder.
Do vou remember IusL LIme we were Iere? poked Ier wILI u drv
pIece oI rIver gruss. You run uwuv on LIe buck oI JoIn`s HurIev.
don`L wunL Lo remember LIuL purL. wunL Lo remember LIe good
purL, sIe wIIspered.
TIere ure u IoL oI good purLs.
=J6=
SIe smIIed, und knew wouId uIwuvs remember LIIs duv. Ike LIe
duv Iound Ier crvIng In LIe gurden uL GreenbrIer. TIere were LImes
wIen Iooked uL Ier und evervLIIng sLopped. WIen LIe worId IeII
uwuv und knew noLIIng couId ever come beLween us.
puIIed Ier uguInsL me und kIssed Ier Iurder, In u deud Iuke wIere no
one couId see us und no one cured. WILI everv pussIng second, LIe
puIn wus buIIdIng In mv bodv, LIe pressure oI mv poundIng IeurL, buL
dIdn`L sLop. NoLIIng eIse muLLered buL LIIs. wunLed Lo IeeI Ier
Iunds on mv skIn, Ier mouLI LuggIng on mv boLLom IIp. wunLed Lo
IeeI Ier bodv uguInsL mIne unLII couIdn`L IeeI unvLIIng eIse.
Becuuse unIess we Iound wIoever IL wus, und convInced LIe One WIo
s Two Lo do wIuLever Iud Lo be done bv LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, Iud u
sInkIng IeeIIng IL dIdn`L muLLer wIuL Iuppened Lo eILIer oI us.
SIe cIosed Ier eves, und cIosed mIne, und even LIougI we weren`L
IoIdIng Iunds, IL IeIL IIke we were.
Becuuse wIuL we Iud, we knew.
6J6=
11.20
The Next
Generation
Buck oII, Bov ScouL. `ve LoId vou evervLIIng know. WIv wouId IIde
unvLIIng now? JoIn smIIed und Iooked over uL Iv. onIv weur LIe
punLs uround Iere. SIe`s LIe one weurIng LIe beIL.
L wus Lrue. HIs scorpIon beIL wus sIung uround Iv`s wuIsL. enu Iud
gIven IL Lo Iv, sInce sIe seemed Lo be JoIn`s bubvsILLer wIen Mucon
wusn`L wILI IIm. TIev never IeIL IIm uIone. AL nIgIL, Mucon even
Bound LIe sLudv wILI ConceuImenL und ConIInemenL CusLs.
BuL II JoIn wus LeIIIng LIe LruLI ubouL IIs ubIIILIes, Ie wouId onIv Iuve
Lo LoucI Mucon Lo guIn some oI IIs powers. TIe quesLIon wus, wIv
dIdn`L Ie? wus begInnIng Lo LIInk Ie dIdn`L wunL Lo Ieuve, buL IL mude
no sense.
uLeIv, noLIIng dId.
SInce mv conversuLIon wILI LIe IIum-WIeeI oI uLe, Demon Queen,
Mrs. EngIIsI WIo Wus NoL Mrs. EngIIsI- Iud more quesLIons LIun
unswers. Iud no Ideu Iow Lo IInd LIe One WIo s Two, und dIdn`L
know Iow mucI LIme we Iud IeIL.
needed Lo IIgure wIen LIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus comIng. couIdn`L
gIve up on LIe Ideu LIuL IL Iud someLIIng Lo do wILI JoIn Breed, ever
sInce LIe JoIn In CounLv Cure scrIbbIed LIuL messuge.
TIIs JoIn dIdn`L seem Lo cure. He wus IoungIng uround on u coL
uguInsL LIe wuII, uILernuLIng beLween sIeepIng und pIssIng me oII.
enu wus IrusLruLed. JoIn`s cIurm dIdn`L geL IIm unvwIere wILI Ier.
AbruIum musL Iuve suId someLIIng Lo vou ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI
Moon.
He sIrugged, IookIng bored. Your bovIrIend`s LIe one wIo cun`L sIuL
up ubouL IL.
YeuI? You wunL Lo geL oII vour uss und sIuL me up?
Ethan, calm down. Dont let him get to you.
Iv sLepped In. ELIun, LIInk we cun keep LIIngs u IILLIe more cIvII
down Iere. or uII we know, JoIn Is us mucI u vIcLIm oI AbruIum`s
reIgn oI Lerror us LIe resL oI us. SIe sounded svmpuLIeLIc-Loo
svmpuLIeLIc.
DId Ie bILe unv oI vour best friends IuLeIv? snupped.
Iv Iooked emburrussed.
TIen don`L wunL Lo Ieur ubouL beIng cIvII.
JoIn pusIed IImseII up Irom LIe coL. You don`L Iuve Lo LuIk Lo Ier
IIke LIuL. You`re pIssed uL me. Don`L Luke IL ouL on OIIvIu. SIe`s busLIng
Ier uss Lo IeIp vou.
Iooked uL Iv. SIe wus bIusIIng us sIe cIecked LIe dIuIs on Ier seIen-
omeLer. wondered II JoIn`s ncubus mugneLIsm wus IuvIng un eIIecL
on Ier. No oIIense, buL sIuL LIe IeII up.
J6=
ELIun! enu guve me Ier versIon oI LIe ook. Now wus geLLIng IL
Irom uII sIdes.
JoIn wus umused. You wunL me Lo LuIk, vou wunL me Lo sIuL up. eL
me know wIen vou muke up vour mInd.
dIdn`L wunL Lo LuIk Lo IIm uL uII. wunLed IIm Lo dIsuppeur. Iv,
wIuL`s LIe poInL oI keepIng IIm uround? He Iusn`L LoId us unvLIIng.
beL Ie used IIs CusLer power-suckIng ubIIILIes Lo send u messuge Lo
AbruIum und SuruIIne, und LIev`re on LIeIr wuv Iere rIgIL now.
Iv crossed Ier urms, dIsupprovIngIv. JoIn Iusn`L been suckIng unv-
one`s powers. MosL oI LIe LIme, Ie`s uIone wILI me. Or Mucon und
me. SIe sLurLed Lo bIusI. And veIIIng uL IIm Isn`L goIng Lo geL vou
unvwIere. JoIn Is busIcuIIv u vIcLIm oI LorLure. You cun`L ImugIne LIe
wuv SIIus und AbruIum LreuLed IIm wIen Ie wus growIng up. NoLIIng
vou cun suv comes cIose Lo wIuL Ie`s endured.
Lurned Lo JoIn. So, LIIs Is wIuL vou`ve been doIng down Iere?
TeIIIng Iv sob sLorIes so sIe`II IeeI sorrv Ior vou? Mun, vou reuIIv ure u
munIpuIuLIve ussIoIe.
JoIn sLood up und wuIked over Lo wIere wus sLundIng. unnv, wus
LIInkIng wIuL u cIurmIng ussIoIe vou ure.
ReuIIv? mude u IIsL.
No. So dId Ie.
TIuL`s enougI. enu sLepped beLween us. TIIs Isn`L IeIpIng.
And IL Isn`L scIenLIIIc, poIILe, or even remoLeIv enLerLuInIng, Iv
udded.
qooJ6=
JoIn wundered buck Lo IIs coL. don`L know wIv evervone Is so con-
vInced LIIs Ius Lo do wILI me.
wusn`L ubouL Lo LeII IIm ubouL LIe messuges Irom u kId wIo Iud
suIIered u Ieud Injurv und dIdn`L speuk. TIIs Ius someLIIng Lo do
wILI LIe EIgILeenLI Moon. enu`s Isn`L unLII ebruurv, unIess SuruIIne
und AbruIum ure puIIIng moons ouL oI LIme uguIn. enu crossed Ier
urms, wuLcIIng JoIn.
He sIrugged, reveuIIng LIe bIuck LuLLoo on IIs urm. So vou Iuve u Iew
monLIs. BeLLer geL cruckIng.
LoId vou, sIe dIdn`L suv IL wus enu`s EIgILeenLI Moon. We muv noL
Iuve LIuL mucI LIme.
Iv wIIpped uround Lo Iook uL me. WIo dIdn`L suv LIuL?
Crap. dIdn`L wunL Lo LeII Ier ubouL LIe IIum veL, especIuIIv noL In
IronL oI JoIn. enu wusn`L LIe onIv gIrI knew wIo wus Lwo LIIngs. Iv
wusn`L u Keeper unvmore, buL sIe wus sLIII ucLIng IIke one. No one.
L`s noL ImporLunL.
Iv wus wuLcIIng me cureIuIIv. You suId u guv numed JoIn uL CounLv
Cure knew ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI Moon-LIe one In LIe creepv bIrLIduv
room. LIougIL LIuL wus LIe reuson vou`re Iere IoundIng JoIn.
HoundIng JoIn? s LIuL wIuL vou LIInk `m doIng? couIdn`L beIIeve
Iow quIckIv Ie Iud goLLen Lo Ier.
AcLuuIIv, `d cuII IL IurussIng. JoIn Iooked smug.
Ignored IIm. wus Loo busv LrvIng Lo cover mv Lrucks wILI Iv. L
wus u guv numed JoIn, buL Ie wusn`L In LIe BIrLIduv-
qo1J6=
sLopped.
A guy named John.
enu Iooked buck uL me.
The Birthday Room.
We were LIInkIng LIe sume LIIng.
What if weve been looking at this all wrong?
JoIn, wIen`s vour bIrLIduv?
He wus sLreLcIed ouL, LossIng u buII ubove LIe spoL wIere IIs booLs
were propped uguInsL LIe wuII. WIv, vou gonnu LIrow me u purLv,
MorLuI? `m noL bIg on cuke.
JusL unswer LIe quesLIon, enu suId.
TIe buII IIL LIe wuII uguIn. December zznd. AL IeusL LIuL`s wIuL Abru-
Ium LoId me. BuL IL`s probubIv some rundom duv Ie pIcked. He Iound
me, remember? L`s noL IIke Iud u noLe pInned Lo mv sIIrL wILI mv
bIrLIduv wrILLen on IL.
He couIdn`L be LIuL sLupId. Does AbruIum seem IIke LIe kInd oI guv
wIo wouId cure II vou Iud u bIrLIduv or noL?
TIe buII sLopped IILLIng LIe wuII.
Iv wus IIIppIng LIrougI un uImunuc. Ieurd Ier breuLI cuLcI. OI mv
God.
JoIn wuIked Lo LIe LubIe und Ieuned over Iv`s sIouIder. WIuL?
qozJ6=
December zznd Is LIe wInLer soIsLIce, LIe IongesL nIgIL oI LIe veur.
JoIn dropped InLo LIe cIuIr nexL Lo Ier. He LrIed Lo Iook bored, IIs
generuI expressIon, buL couId LeII Ie wus curIous. So, IL`s u Iong
nIgIL. WIo cures?
Iv cIosed LIe uImunuc. AncIenL CeILs consIdered wInLer soIsLIce LIe
mosL sucred duv oI LIe veur. TIev beIIeved LIe WIeeI oI LIe Yeur
sLopped LurnIng Ior u sIorL LIme uL LIe momenL oI LIe soIsLIce. L wus u
LIme oI cIeunsIng und rebIrLI-
Iv wus sLIII LuIkIng, buL couIdn`L Ieur unvLIIng buL mv own
LIougILs.
TIe WIeeI oI LIe Yeur.
TIe WIeeI oI uLe.
CIeunsIng und rebIrLI.
A sucrIIIce.
L`s wIuL LIe IIum wus LrvIng Lo LeII me uL Mrs. EngIIsI`s Iouse. On
LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, LIe nIgIL oI LIe wInLer soIsLIce, LIe sucrIIIce
wouId Iuve Lo be mude Lo brIng IorLI LIe New Order.
ELIun? enu wus sLurIng uL me, concerned. Are vou okuv?
No. None oI us ure. Iooked uL JoIn. I vou`re LeIIIng LIe LruLI, und
vou uren`L wuILIng uround Ior AbruIum und SuruIIne Lo come Lo LIe
rescue, need vou Lo LeII me evervLIIng vou cun ubouL IIm.
JoIn Ieuned ucross LIe LubIe Lowurd me. I vou LIInk cun`L breuk ouL
oI u IILLIe sLudv In LIe TunneIs, vou`re u bIgger IdIoL LIun LIougIL.
qoJ6=
You Iuve no Ideu wIuL cun do. `m Iere becuuse- He gIunced uL Iv.
Iuve nowIere eIse Lo go.
dIdn`L know II Ie wus IvIng. BuL uII LIe sIgns-LIe songs, LIe mes-
suges, even AunL Prue und LIe IIum-poInLed Lo IIm.
JoIn Iunded Iv u pencII. GeL ouL LIuL red noLebook, und `II LeII vou
wIuLever vou wunL Lo know.
AILer IIsLenIng Lo JoIn LuIk ubouL IIs cIIIdIood wILI SIIus Ruven-
wood-wIo sounded IIke u mIIILurv drIII sergeunL wIo spenL mosL oI
IIs LIme beuLIng LIe crup ouL oI JoIn or IorcIng IIm Lo memorIze SIIus`
unLI-CusLer docLrIne-even wus sLurLIng Lo IeeI u IILLIe sorrv Ior IIm.
NoL LIuL wouId ever udmIL IL.
Iv wus wrILIng down everv word. So, busIcuIIv, SIIus IuLes CusLers.
nLeresLIng, consIderIng Ie murrIed Lwo oI LIem. SIe gIunced uL JoIn.
And ruIsed one.
JoIn IuugIed, und LIere wus no wuv Lo mIss LIe bILLerness In IIs voIce.
wouIdn`L wunL Lo be uround II Ie Ieurd vou cuII me LIuL. SIIus und
AbruIum never consIdered me u CusLer. AccordIng Lo AbruIum, `m
'LIe nexL generuLIon`-sLronger, IusLer, ImpervIous Lo sunIIgIL, und uII
LIuL good sLuII. AbruIum Is preLLv upocuIvpLIc Ior u Demon. He be-
IIeves LIe end Is comIng, even II Ie Ius Lo brIng IL uround IImseII, und
LIe InIerIor ruce wIII IInuIIv be wIped ouL.
rubbed mv Iunds over mv Iuce. wusn`L sure Iow mucI more oI LIIs
couId Luke. guess LIuL`s bud news Ior us MorLuIs.
JoIn guve me u sLrunge Iook. MorLuIs uren`L LIe InIerIor ruce. You`re
jusL LIe boLLom oI LIe Iood cIuIn. He`s LuIkIng ubouL CusLers.
qoqJ6=
Iv Lucked Ier pencII beIInd Ier eur. dIdn`L reuIIze Iow mucI Ie
IuLed IgIL CusLers.
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud. You don`L geL IL. `m noL LuIkIng ubouL IgIL
CusLers. AbruIum wunLs Lo geL rId oI uII LIe CusLers.
enu Iooked up, surprIsed.
BuL SuruIIne- Iv sLurLed Lo suv.
He doesn`L cure ubouL Ier. He onIv LeIIs Ier wIuL sIe wunLs Lo Ieur.
JoIn`s voIce wus serIous. AbruIum Ruvenwood doesn`L cure ubouL
unvone.
TIere were u IoL oI nIgILs wIen couIdn`L sIeep, buL LonIgIL dIdn`L
wunL Lo. wunLed Lo IorgeL ubouL AbruIum Ruvenwood pIoLLIng Lo des-
Lrov LIe worId, und LIe IIum promIsIng IL wouId desLrov ILseII. Un-
Iess, oI course, someone wunLed Lo sucrIIIce LIemseIves. Someone
Iud Lo IInd.
I IeII usIeep, LIose LIougILs wouId LwIsL LIemseIves InLo rIvers oI
bIood us reuI us LIe mud In mv sIeeLs wIen IIrsL meL enu. wunLed
Lo IInd u pIuce Lo IIde Irom uII oI IL, wIere LIe nIgILmures und LIe
rIvers und reuIILv couIdn`L IInd me. or me, LIuL pIuce wus uIwuvs In-
sIde u book.
And knew jusL LIe one. L wusn`L under mv bed; IL wus In one oI LIe
sIoe boxes sLucked uguInsL mv wuIIs. TIose boxes IeId evervLIIng LIuL
wus ImporLunL Lo me, und knew wIuL wus InsIde uII oI LIem.
AL IeusL LIougIL dId.
qo=J6=
or u second, couIdn`L move. scunned LIe brIgILIv coIored curd-
bourd boxes, seurcIIng Ior LIe menLuI mup LIuL wouId Ieud me Lo LIe
rIgIL one. BuL IL wusn`L LIere. Mv Iunds sLurLed sIukIng. Mv rIgIL
Iund-LIe one used Lo wrILe wILI-und mv IeIL-LIe one used now.
dIdn`L know wIere IL wus.
SomeLIIng wus wrong wILI me, und IL Iud noLIIng Lo do wILI CusLers
or Keepers or LIe Order oI TIIngs. wus cIungIng, IosIng more und
more oI mvseII everv duv. And Iud no Ideu wIv.
ucIIIe jumped oII mv bed wIen sLurLed LeurIng LIrougI LIe boxes,
LossIng LIe IIds, dumpIng evervLIIng Irom boLLIe cups und buskeLbuII
curds Lo Iuded pIcLures oI mv mom uII over mv bedroom IIoor. dIdn`L
sLop unLII Iound IL In u bIuck AdIdus box. IIIpped LIe IId und IL wus
LIere-mv copv oI JoIn SLeInbeck`s Of Mice and Men.
L wusn`L u Iuppv sLorv, LIe kInd vou`d expecL u person Lo reucI Ior
wIen LIev were LrvIng Lo cIuse uwuv wIuLever wus IuunLIng LIem. BuL
cIose IL Ior u reuson. L wus ubouL sucrIIIce; wIeLIer IL wus seII-sucrI-
IIce or sucrIIIcIng someone eIse Lo suve vour own skIn-LIuL wus u muL-
Ler oI debuLe.
IIgured couId decIde LonIgIL, us Lurned LIe puges.
L wus Loo IuLe wIen reuIIzed someone eIse musL Iuve been seurcIIng
Ior unswers wILIIn LIe covers oI u book.
Lena!
SIe wus LurnIng puges, Loo-
qo6J6=
When Sarafine turned nineteen, she gave birth to a beautiful baby
girl. The baby was a surprise, and although Sarafine spent hours
staring at her daughters delicate face, the child was a mixed bless-
ing. Sarafine had never wanted to have a baby. She didnt want a
child to live the life of uncertainty that came with being a Duchannes.
She didnt want her child to have to fight the Darkness that Sarafine
knew was lurking inside her. Until the child would get her real name
at sixteen, Sarafine called her daughter Lena, because it meant the
bright one, in the futile hope of staving off the curse. John had
laughed. It sounded like something Mortals would do, hanging their
hopes on a name.
Sarafine had to hang her hopes on something.
Lena wasnt the only unexpected person to show up in her life.
Sarafine was walking alone when she saw Abraham Ravenwood
standing on the same corner where she had first met him, almost a
year before. He seemed to be waiting, as if he knew she was coming.
As if he could somehow see the war being waged on the battlefield of
her mind. A war she never knew if she was winning.
He waved, as though they were old friends. You look troubled, Miss
Duchannes. Is something bothering you? Is there anything I can do
to help?
With his white beard and cane, Abraham reminded Sarafine of her
grandfather. She missed her family, even though they refused to see
her. I dont think so.
Still fighting your nature? Have the voices grown stronger?
They had, but how could he know? Incubuses didnt go Dark. They
were born into the Darkness.
qo;J6=
He tried again. Have you been starting fires by accident? Its called
the Wake of Fire.
Sarafine froze. She had inadvertently started several fires. When her
emotions intensified, it was as if they actually manifested into flames.
Only two thoughts consumed her now: fire and Lena.
I didnt know it had a name, she whispered.
There are a number of things you dont know. I would like to invite
you to study with me. I can teach you everything you need to know.
Sarafine looked away. He was Dark, a Demon. His black eyes told
her everything she needed to know. She couldnt trust Abraham
Ravenwood.
You have a child now, dont you? It wasnt really a question. Do
you want her to walk the world beholden to a curse that dates back to
before you were born? Or do you want her to be able to Claim
herself?
Sarafine didnt tell John she was meeting Abraham Ravenwood in
the Tunnels. He wouldnt understand. For John, the world was black
or white, Light or Dark. He didnt know they could exist together,
within the same person, as they did in her. She hated lying, but she
was doing it for Lena.
Abraham showed her something no one in her family had ever
spoken ofa prophecy related to the curse. A prophecy that would
save Lena.
Im sure the Casters in your family never told you about this. He
held the faded paper in his hand as he read the words that promised
qo8J6=
to change everything: The First will be Black / But the Second may
choose to turn back.
Sarafine felt her breath catch.
Do you understand what it means? Abraham knew the words
meant everything to her, and she clung to his as if they were part of
the prophecy. The first Natural born into the Duchannes family
would be Dark, a Cataclyst. He was talking about her. But the
second will have a choice. She can Claim herself.
Sarafine found the courage to ask the question eating away at her.
Why are you helping me?
Abrahamsmiled. I have a boy of my own, not much older than Lena.
Your father is raising him. His parents abandoned him because he
has some very unusuuI powers. And he has a destiny as well.
But I dont want my daughter to go Dark.
I dont think you truly understand Darkness. Your mind has been
poisoned by Light Casters. Light and Dark are two sides of the same
coin.
Part of Sarafine wondered if he was right. She prayed he was.
Abraham was also teaching her how to control the urges and the
voices. There was only one way to exorcise them. Sarafine set fires,
burned down huge cornfields and stretches of forests. It was a relief
to allow her powers free reign. And no one got hurt.
But the voices still came for her, whispering the same word again
and again.
qoJ6=
Burn.
When the voices werent haunting her, she could hear Abraham in
her head, bits and pieces of their conversations looping over and over
again: Light Casters are worse than Mortals. Filled with jealousy
because their powers are inferior, they want to dilute our bloodlines
with Mortal blood. But the Order of Things will not allow it. Late at
night, some of the words made sense. Light Casters reject the Dark
Fire, from which all power comes. Some she tried to force deep into
the shadows of her mind. If they were strong enough, they would kill
us all.
wus IvIng on LIe IIoor oI mv LrusIed bedroom, sLurIng uL mv skv bIue
ceIIIng. ucIIIe wus sILLIng on mv cIesL, IIckIng Ier puws.
enu`s voIce Iound ILs wuv InLo mv mInd so quIeLIv uImosL dIdn`L Ieur
IL.
She was doing it for me. She loved me.
dIdn`L know wIuL Lo suv. L wus Lrue, buL IL wusn`L LIuL sImpIe.
SuruIIne wus sInkIng deeper und deeper InLo durkness In everv vIsIon.
I know she loved you, L. I just dont think she could fight what was
happening to her. couIdn`L beIIeve wus deIendIng LIe womun wIo
Iud kIIIed mv mom. BuL zubeI wusn`L SuruIIne, uL IeusL noL rIgIL uwuv.
SuruIIne kIIIed zubeI, jusL IIke sIe kIIIed mv moLIer.
Abraham was what happened to her.
q1oJ6=
enu wus IookIng Ior someone Lo bIume. We uII were.
Ieurd puges LurnIng.
Lena, dont touch it!
Dont worry. It doesnt trigger the visions every time.
LIougIL ubouL LIe ArcIIgIL, LIe wuv IL puIIed me ouL oI LIIs worId und
InLo unoLIer rundomIv. WIuL dIdn`L wunL Lo LIInk ubouL wus LIe IusL
LIIng enu suId-everv LIme. How munv LImes Iud sIe opened
SuruIIne`s book? enu wus KeILIng uguIn beIore couId decIde wIeLIer
or noL Lo usk.
This ones my favorite. She wrote it over and over inside the covers.
Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught
me to understand what your heart used to be.
wondered wIose IeurL SuruIIne Iud meunL.
Muvbe IL wus Ier own.
q11J6=
11.24
More Wrong Than
Right
L wus TIunksgIvIng Duv, wIIcI meunL Lwo LIIngs.
A vIsIL Irom mv AunL CuroIIne.
And LIe unnuuI buke-oII beLween Ammu`s pecun pIe, Ammu`s uppIe
pIe, und Ammu`s pumpkIn pIe. Ammu uIwuvs won, buL LIe compeLI-
LIon wus IIerce, und LIe judgIng LIe subjecL oI IoLs oI noIse uround LIe
LubIe.
wus IookIng Iorwurd Lo IL more LIun usuuI LIIs veur. L wus LIe IIrsL
LIme Ammu Iud buked u pIe In monLIs, und purL oI me suspecLed LIe
onIv reuson sIe`d done IL Loduv wus so no one eIse wouId noLIce. BuL
dIdn`L cure. BeLween mv dud dressed In IIs sporL couL InsLeud oI puju-
mus IIke IusL veur, AunL CuroIIne und MurIun pIuvIng ScrubbIe wILI LIe
SIsLers, und LIe smeII oI pIes In LIe oven, uImosL IorgoL ubouL LIe Iub-
bers und LIe IeuL, und mv greuL-uunL mIssIng Irom LIe LubIe. TIe Iurd
purL wus LIuL IL remInded me oI uII LIe oLIer LIIngs `d been IorgeLLIng
IuLeIv-LIe LIIngs Iudn`L meunL Lo IorgeL. wondered Iow mucI
Ionger wouId be ubIe Lo remember.
TIere wus onIv one person couId LIInk oI wIo mIgIL know LIe un-
swer Lo LIuL quesLIon.
sLood In IronL oI Ammu`s bedroom door Ior u good mInuLe beIore
knocked. GeLLIng unswers ouL oI Ammu wus IIke puIIIng LeeLI, II LIe
LeeLI beIonged Lo u guLor. SIe Iud uIwuvs kepL secreLs. L wus us mucI
u purL oI Ier us Ier Red HoLs und crossword puzzIes, Ier LooI upron
und Ier supersLILIons. Muvbe IL wus purL oI beIng u Seer, Loo. BuL LIIs
wus dIIIerenL.
`d never seen Ier wuIk uwuv Irom LIe sLove on TIunksgIvIng wIIIe Ier
pIes were sLIII bukIng, or skIp mukIng UncIe Abner`s Iemon merIngue
uILogeLIer. L wus LIme Lo grow LIose kneecups.
reucIed up Lo knock.
You gonnu come In uIreudv or weur u IoIe In LIe curpeL? Ammu
cuIIed Irom InsIde Ier room.
opened LIe door, prepured Lo see LIe rows oI sIeIves IIned wILI mu-
son jurs, IuII oI evervLIIng Irom rock suIL Lo gruvevurd dIrL. Book-
sIeIves crummed wILI crucked voIumes LIuL Iud been Iunded down,
und noLebooks wILI Ammu`s recIpes. L wusn`L Iong ugo LIuL reuIIzed
LIose recIpes mIgIL noL Iuve unvLIIng Lo do wILI cookIng. Ammu`s
room Iud uIwuvs remInded me oI un upoLIecurv, brImmIng wILI mvs-
Lerv und LIe cure Ior wIuLever uIIed vou, IIke Ammu IerseII.
NoL Loduv. Her room wus Lorn upurL, LIe wuv mIne wus uILer `d
dumped LIe conLenLs oI LwenLv sIoe boxes uII over mv IIoor. Ike sIe
wus IookIng Ior someLIIng sIe couIdn`L IInd.
TIe boLLIes LIuL were usuuIIv IIned up neuLIv on LIe sIeIves, IubeIs Iu-
cIng ouL, were pusIed LogeLIer on Lop oI Ier dresser. Books were
sLucked on LIe IIoor, on Ier bed, evervwIere buL on LIe sIeIves. Some
oI LIem were open-oId dIurIes IundwrILLen In GuIIuI, LIe Iunguuge oI
Ier uncesLors. TIere were oLIer LIIngs Iud never seen In Iere be-
Iore-bIuck IeuLIers, bruncIes, und u buckeL oI rocks.
q1qJ6=
Ammu wus sILLIng In LIe mIddIe oI LIe mess.
sLepped InsIde. WIuL Iuppened In Iere?
SIe IeId ouL Ier Iund, und puIIed Ier up. NoLIIn`s wIuL Iuppened.
`m cIeunIn` up. WouId do vou some good Lo Lrv IL In LIuL mess vou cuII
u room. Ammu LrIed Lo sIoo me ouL, buL dIdn`L move. Go on, now.
PIes ure uImosL done.
SIe pusIed pusL me. n u second, sIe`d be ouL In LIe IuII und on Ier
wuv Lo LIe kILcIen.
WIuL`s wrong wILI me? bIurLed IL ouL, und Ammu sLopped deud In
Ier Lrucks. or u second, sIe dIdn`L suv u word.
You`re sevenLeen. expecL LIere`s more wrong wILI vou LIun rIgIL.
SIe dIdn`L Lurn uround.
You meun IIke wrILIng wILI LIe wrong Iund und IuLIng cIocoIuLe mIIk
und vour scrumbIed eggs uII oI u sudden? orgeLLIng LIe numes oI
peopIe `ve known mv wIoIe IIIe? s LIuL LIe kInd oI sLuII vou`re LuIk-
Ing ubouL?
Ammu Lurned uround sIowIv, Ier brown eves sIInIng. Her Iunds were
sIukIng, und sIe pusIed LIem InLo LIe pockeLs oI Ier upron so
wouIdn`L noLIce.
WIuLever wus IuppenIng Lo me, Ammu knew wIuL IL wus.
SIe Look u deep breuLI. Muvbe sIe wus IInuIIv goIng Lo LeII me. don`L
know ubouL unv u LIuL. BuL `m-IookIn` InLo IL. MIgIL Iuve someLIIng
Lo do wILI uII LIIs IeuL und LIese durn bugs, LIe probIems LIe CusLers
ure IuvIn`.
q1=J6=
SIe wus IvIng. L wus LIe IIrsL LIme Ammu Iud ever gIven wIuL soun-
ded IIke u sLruIgIL unswer In Ier IIIe. WIIcI mude IL even more
crooked.
Ammu, wIuL uren`L vou LeIIIng me? WIuL do vou know?
' know LIuL mv Redeemer IIves.` SIe Iooked uL me, deIIunL. L wus u
IIne Irom u Ivmn grew up IeurIng In cIurcI, wIIIe mukIng spILbuIIs
und LrvIng noL Lo IuII usIeep.
Ammu.
'WIuL comIorL LIIs sweeL senLence gIves.` SIe cIupped Ier Iund on
mv buck.
PIeuse.
Now sIe wus uII-ouL sIngIng, wIIcI sounded kInd oI cruzv. TIe wuv
vou sound wIen vou LIInk someLIIng LerrIbIe Is ubouL Lo Iuppen, buL
vou`re LrvIng Lo convInce vourseII LIuL IL Isn`L. TIe LerrIbIe sIows up In
vour voIce, even wIen vou LIInk vou cun IIde IL.
You cun`L.
'He IIves, Ie IIves wIo once wus deud.` SIe sIoved me ouL oI LIe
room. 'He IIves, mv ever-IIvIng Heud.`
TIe door sIummed beIInd me.
Now. SIe wus uIreudv IuIIwuv down LIe IuII, sLIII IummIng LIe resL
oI LIe Ivmn. eL`s go euL beIore vour uunLs geL InLo LIe kILcIen und
burn LIe Iouse down.
q16J6=
wuLcIed Ier scurrv down LIe IuII, sIouLIng beIore sIe wus IuIIwuv Lo
LIe kILcIen. Evervbodv geL on InLo LIe dInIn` room, beIore mv Iood
geLs coId.
wus sLurLIng Lo LIInk mIgIL Iuve more Iuck uskIng mv ever-IIvIng
Heud.
WIen ducked under LIe doorIrume und wuIked InLo LIe dInIng room,
evervone eIse wus uIreudv LukIng LIeIr seuLs. enu und Mucon musL
Iuve jusL urrIved; LIev sLood uL one end oI LIe dInIng room wIIIe MurI-
un wus deep In conversuLIon wILI mv AunL CuroIIne uL LIe oLIer.
Ammu wus sLIII sIouLIng orders Irom LIe kILcIen, wIere LIe bIrd wus
resLIng. AunL Gruce sIuIIIed Lowurd LIe LubIe, wuvIng Ier Iundker-
cIIeI. Don`L v`uII keep LIIs IIne bIrd wuILIn` unv Ionger. He dIed u
nobIe deuLI, und IL`s downrIgIL dIsrespecLubIe. TIeImu und AunL
Mercv were rIgIL beIInd Ier.
I vou cuII u nobIe deuLI u bucksIoL In LIe bee-IInd, LIen reckon
vou`re rIgIL. AunL Mercv pusIed pusL Ier sIsLer so sIe couId sIL In
IronL oI LIe bIscuILs.
Don`L vou sLurL, Mercv vnne. You know vegeLubIIsm Is one sLep
cIoser Lu u worId wILIouL punLIes un` preucIers. TIuL LIere Is u docu-
menLuLed IucL.
enu Look LIe seuL nexL Lo MurIun, LrvIng noL Lo IuugI. Even Mucon
wus IuvIng LroubIe keepIng u sLruIgIL Iuce. Mv dud wus sLundIng be-
IInd Ammu`s cIuIr, wuILIng Lo pusI IL In Ior Ier wIen sIe IInuIIv cume
In Irom LIe kILcIen. IsLenIng Lo AunL Mercv und AunL Gruce peck
uwuv uL eucI oLIer mude me mIss AunL Prue even more. BuL us sIId
InLo mv seuL, reuIIzed someone eIse wus mIssIng.
WIere`s Iv?
q1;J6=
MurIun gIunced uL Mucon beIore sIe unswered. SIe decIded Lo sLuv In
LonIgIL.
AunL Gruce cuugIL enougI Lo udd Ier Lwo cenLs. WeII, LIuL jusL uIn`L
AmerIcun. DId vou InvILe Ier, ELIun?
Iv Isn`L AmerIcun. And veuI. meun, ves, mu`um. InvILed Ier.
L wus neurIv Lrue. Iud usked MurIun Lo brIng Ier. TIuL wus un InvILu-
LIon, rIgIL? MurIun unIoIded Ier nupkIn und pIuced IL on Ier Iup. `m
noL cerLuIn sIe IeIL comIorLubIe comIng.
enu bIL Ier IIp, IIke sIe IeIL bud.
Its because of me.
Or me, L. I didnt exactly invite her myself.
I feel like a jerk.
Me, too.
BuL LIere wus noLIIng more Lo suv, becuuse rIgIL LIen Ammu cume In,
currvIng LIe green beun cusseroIe. AII rIgIL. L`s LIme Lo LIunk LIe
Good ord und euL. SIe suL down, und mv dud pusIed In Ier cIuIr
und Look IIs own seuL. We uII joIned Iunds uround LIe LubIe, und mv
AunL CuroIIne bowed Ier Ieud Lo suv LIe TIunksgIvIng pruver, LIe wuv
sIe uIwuvs dId.
couId IeeI LIe power oI mv IumIIv. IeIL IL LIe sume wuv dId wIen
joIned u CusLer CIrcIe. Even LIougI enu und Mucon were LIe onIv uc-
LuuI CusLers Iere, sLIII IeIL IL. TIe buzz oI our own kInd oI power, In-
sLeud oI Iubbers cIewIng up LIe Lown or ncubuses rIppIng up LIe skv.
q18J6=
TIen Ieurd IL, Loo. nsLeud oI LIe pruver, uII couId Ieur wus LIe
song, LIunderIng InLo mv mInd so Ioud LIougIL mv Ieud wouId spIIL.
Eighteen Moons, eighteen dead
Eighteen turned upon their head,
The Earth above, the sky below
The End of Days, the Reapers Row
EIgILeen deud? Reuper`s Row?
Bv LIe LIme AunL CuroIIne sLopped pruvIng, wus reudv Lo sLurL.
SIx pIes IuLer, pecun-und, us usuuI, Ammu-Iud been decIured LIe
wInners. Mv dud wus IuIIIng InLo IIs cusLomurv posL-Lurkev nup on LIe
coucI, wedged In beLween LIe SIsLers. DInner wus cuL sIorL wIen we
were uII Loo IuII Lo sIL uprIgIL In our Iurd wooden cIuIrs.
dIdn`L euL us mucI us usuuI. IeIL Loo guIILv. AII couId LIInk ubouL
wus Iv, sILLIng uIone In LIe TunneIs on TIunksgIvIng. WIeLIer IL wus
u IoIIduv Lo Ier or noL.
I know.
enu wus sLundIng In LIe kILcIen doorwuv, sLurIng uL me.
L. Its not what you think.
q1J6=
enu wuIked over Lo LIe counLer, wIere LIe IeILovers were pIIed up.
WIuL LIInk Is LIuL vou sIouId puck up some oI Ammu`s pIe und Luke
IL down Lo LIe TunneIs.
WIv wouId vou wunL me Lo do LIuL?
enu Iooked emburrussed. dIdn`L undersLund Iow sIe IeIL unLII LIe
nIgIL RIdIev CusL LIe Furor. know wIuL IL`s IIke noL Lo Iuve IrIends. L
musL be worse Lo Iuve LIem und Iose LIem.
Are vou suvIng vou wunL me Lo be IrIends wILI Iv? dIdn`L buv IL.
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. couId see Iow Iurd LIIs wus Ior Ier. No. WIuL
`m suvIng Is LrusL vou.
s LIIs one oI LIose LesLs guvs don`L undersLund und uIwuvs IuII?
SIe smIIed, coverIng LIe IeILover pecun pIe wILI LInIoII. NoL Loduv.
enu und Iudn`L even opened LIe IronL door wIen Ammu cuugIL us.
WIere do vou LIInk vou`re goIn`?
We`re goIng Lo Ruvenwood. `m goIng Lo Luke Iv some oI vour pecun
pIe.
Ammu LrIed Lo gIve me LIe ook, buL someIow IL wus jusL u Iook Lo me.
WIuL vou meun Is vou`re goIn` down InLo LIose TunneIs.
OnIv Lo see Iv, promIse.
Ammu rubbed Ier goId cIurm. SLruIgIL LIere und buck. don`L wunL
Lo Ieur ubouL unv CusLs or IIres, Vexes or unv oLIer Demons. NoL u
one. You Ieur me?
qzoJ6=
uIwuvs Ieurd Ier, even wIen sIe wusn`L LuIkIng.
enu IIILed LIe OuLer Door cuL InLo LIe IIoorbourds In RIdIev`s room.
sLIII couIdn`L beIIeve sIe wus IeLLIng me go down uIone. BuL, LIen
uguIn, II vou couId sense IL wIen vour bovIrIend wus LIInkIng ubouL
kIssIng unoLIer gIrI, IL wusn`L LIuL bIg u Ieup.
enu Iunded me LIe pIe. `II be In Iere wIen vou`re IInIsIed. `ve been
meunIng Lo Iook uround. wondered II sIe Iud been In Iere sInce LIe
nIgIL we Iound JoIn. knew enu wus worrIed ubouL RIdIev, espe-
cIuIIv now LIuL sIe wus powerIess.
won`L be Iong. kIssed Ier und sLepped down onLo LIe sLuIrs
couIdn`L see.
Ieurd LIeIr voIces beIore suw LIeIr Iuces.
`m noL sure LIIs Is u proper SouLIern TIunksgIvIng, sInce `ve never
Iud TIunksgIvIng dInner unvwIere. BuL IL`s quILe posI, wIuL wILI LIe
Irozen dInner und uII. Iv. SIe sounded suspIcIousIv Iuppv.
dIdn`L Iuve Lo Ieur LIe nexL voIce Lo know wIo IL wus.
You`re In Iuck. `ve never Iud one eILIer. AbruIum und SIIus weren`L
bIg on IoIIduvs. TIen LIere`s LIe wIoIe noL-needIng-Lo-euL LIIng. So
Iuve noLIIng Lo compure IL Lo.
John.
WIuL, no HuIIoween? No CIrIsLmus? No BoxIng Duv? Iv wus IuugI-
Ing, buL couId LeII IL wus u reuI quesLIon.
qz1J6=
None oI LIe ubove.
TIuL`s u bIL grIm. `m sorrv.
L`s no bIg deuI.
So LIIs Is our IIrsL TIunksgIvIng, LIen. Ieurd Ier IuugI.
TogeLIer, Ie udded. TIe wuv Ie suId IL mude me IeeI sIck, IIke Iud
euLen Loo munv pIeces oI pIe und LIen gone buck Ior u Lurkev und sLuII-
Ing sundwIcI.
sLuck mv Ieud uround LIe corner. Sure enougI, JoIn und Iv were
IeunIng over LIe LubIe In LIe sLudv Mucon Iud seL up Ior Ier. L wus seL
wILI Lwo cundIes und one TV dInner In u IopsIded uIumInum Lruv. Tur-
kev. IeIL LerrIbIe, especIuIIv uILer LIe dInner Ammu mude.
Iv wus IoIdIng wIuL Iud Lo be JoIn`s IIgILer, LrvIng Lo IIgIL LIe
cundIes on LIe LubIe beLween LIem.
Your Iund Is sIukIng.
No, IL`s noL. SIe Iooked down uL Ier Iund. WeII. L Is u bIL druILv
down Iere.
Do muke vou nervous? JoIn smIIed. L`s okuv. won`L IoId IL
uguInsL vou.
Nervous? PIeuse. Iv`s cIeeks Lurned u IumIIIur sIude oI pInk. `m
noL uIruId oI vou, II LIuL`s wIuL vou LIInk. TIev sLured uL eucI oLIer
Ior u second.
OucI! Iv dropped LIe IIgILer, sIukIng Ier Iund. SIe musL Iuve
burned Ier IInger.
qzzJ6=
Are vou okuv? eL me see. JoIn grubbed Ier Iund, openIng IL so Ie
couId see Ier IIngers. He puL IIs Iund on Lop oI Iv`s, IIs Iuge puIm
coverIng Ier smuII one.
Iv bIL Ier IIp. LIInk need Lo run IL under coId wuLer.
HoId on.
WIuL- Iv sLured down uL LIeIr Iunds. JoIn moved IIs, und Iv III-
Led Iers, wIggIIng Ier IIngers. L doesn`L IurL unvmore. L`s noL even
red. How dId vou do LIuL?
JoIn Iooked emburrussed. Ike suId, II LoucI u CusLer, geL some
oI LIeIr power. don`L sLeuI IL or unvLIIng. L jusL Iuppens.
You`re u TIuumuLurge. A IeuIer. Ike enu`s cousIn Rvun. You
dIdn`L-
Don`L worrv, IL wusn`L Ier. PIcked IL up Irom u gIrI bumped InLo.
couIdn`L LeII II Ie wus beIng surcusLIc or noL.
ReIIeI IIooded Iv`s Iuce. L`s remurkubIe. You do know LIuL, don`L
vou? SIe exumIned Ier IInger uguIn.
don`L know unvLIIng. ExcepL LIuL `m u Ireuk oI nuLure.
`m noL so sure nuLure Iud mucI Lo do wILI IL, sInce LIere Isn`L unoLI-
er person IIke vou In LIe enLIre unIverse, us Iur us know. BuL vou ure
specIuI. SIe suId so IL muLLer-oI-IucLIv, uImosL wouId`ve beIIeved IL.
I sIe wusn`L LuIkIng Lo JoIn Breed.
`m so specIuI, no one wunLs me uround. He IuugIed, buL IL sounded
bILLer. So specIuI, do sLuII cun`L even remember.
qzJ6=
Buck Iome we cuII LIuL u pub cruwI.
`ve IosL wIoIe weeks, OIIvIu. IuLed LIe wuv Ie suId Ier nume.
O-li-vi-a. Ike Ie wunLed Lo sLreLcI ouL everv svIIubIe und Luke us Iong
us Ie couId.
Does IL Iuppen uII LIe LIme? Now Iv sounded curIous, buL IL seemed
IIke IL wus more LIun LIe wIeeIs In Ier scIenLIIIc mInd LurnIng. Be-
cuuse sIe uIso sounded sud.
He nodded. ExcepL wIen wus In LIe ArcIIgIL. NoLIIng Lo remember
In LIere.
cIeured mv LIrouL und sLepped InLo LIe room. YeuI? TIen muvbe we
sIouId sLIck vou buck In LIuL LIIng. TIev were sLurLIed. couId LeII,
becuuse JoIn`s Iuce wenL durk, und LIe guv wIo Iud been LuIkIng Lo
Iv dIsuppeured.
ELIun. WIuL ure vou doIng Iere? Iv Iooked IIusLered.
brougIL vou some oI Ammu`s Iumous pecun pIe. We mIssed vou uL
dInner. dIdn`L meun Lo InLerrupL. ExcepL dId.
Iv Lossed Ier nupkIn down on LIe LubIe. Don`L be rIdIcuIous. You`re
noL InLerrupLIng unvLIIng. We were jusL sILLIng down Lo u supper oI
somewIuL quesLIonubIe Ien purLs.
Hev. TIuL`s our IIrsL TIunksgIvIng vou`re LuIkIng ubouL, sweeLIeurL.
JoIn grInned uL Ier-und sLured uL me.
Ignored IIm. Iv, do vou LIInk vou cun IeIp me wILI someLIIng Ior u
mInuLe?
qzqJ6=
SIe pusIed Ier cIuIr uwuv Irom LIe LubIe. eud on, Wuvwurd.
couId IeeI JoIn`s eves on me us we IeIL LIe room.
Sweetheart.
grubbed Iv bv LIe urm us soon us we were ouL oI ncubus eursIoL.
WIuL ure vou doIng?
TrvIng Lo euL mv TIunksgIvIng dInner. Her cIeeks wenL pInk, buL
sIe dIdn`L sIow down.
meunL, wIuL ure vou doIng with him?
SIe puIIed Ier urm Iree. Are vou IookIng Ior someLIIng In purLIcuIur?
Wus LIere u reuson vou needed me? We Iud mude our wuv Lo LIe
Lunae Libri und dIsuppeured InLo LIe sLucks, und wuLcIed LIe
LorcIes IIgIL uIong LIe wuII, murkIng LIe wuv we Iud come. SIe Look
one Irom LIe wuII.
usL Ieurd, Ie doesn`L euL unvLIIng buL DorILos.
He doesn`L. He wus keepIng me compunv. BeIng. u IrIend.
sLepped In IronL oI Ier, und sIe sLopped wuIkIng. Iv. He`s noL vour
IrIend.
SIe wus unnoved. TIen wIuL Is Ie? I vou`re sucI un experL?
don`L know wIuL Ie Is or wIuL Ie`s doIng, buL know Ie`s noL vour
IrIend.
WIuL do vou cure?
qz=J6=
Iv, vou couId`ve come over Loduv. You were InvILed. Mucon und
MurIun were LIere. TIev wunLed vou Lo come.
TIuL`s quILe un InvILuLIon. cun`L ImugIne Iow mIssed IL.
knew Ier IeeIIngs were IurL, buL dIdn`L know Iow Lo IIx IL.
sIouId`ve InvILed Ier mvseII. meun, we uII wunLed vou Lo come.
`m sure vou dId. JusL us `m sure sLIII Iuve LIe bruIses Lo sIow Irom
LIe IusL LIme suw enu.
TIe Furor wus u speII. And beIIeve me, vou guve us good us vou goL.
SIe soILened. know couId Iuve come Lo vour Iouse Loduv. BuL
dIdn`L beIong LIere. don`L beIong unvwIere. And, suppose, neILIer
does JoIn. Muvbe MorLuIs und ncubuses uren`L so dIIIerenL uILer uII.
You do beIong, Iv. And vou don`L Iuve Lo sLuv down Iere wILI IIm.
You`re noL u monsLer.
Ike Ie Is.
Ethan? Is everything okay?
enu wus reucIIng ouL Lo me.
Yeah, L. Be there in a minute.
No rush.
L wus enu`s wuv oI suvIng sIe dIdn`L mInd me LuIkIng Lo Iv, wIeLIer
or noL wouId ever geL Iv Lo beIIeve LIuL. wusn`L sure beIIeved IL
mvseII.
qz6J6=
Iv wus sLurIng uL me. WIuL ure vou doIng Iere, reuIIv? Becuuse `m
IuIrIv cerLuIn vou uren`L concerned ubouL mv socIuI IIIe.
You`re wrong. wus sLIII IoIdIng LIe pIe LIn.
SIe Look IL, openIng LIe IoII und breukIng oII u pIece oI pIe. DeIIcIous.
So LIere Is noLIIng new sIouId know ubouL? SIe broke oII unoLIer
corner. Ammu`s pIe wus u good dIsLrucLIon.
WIuL do vou know ubouL LIe WIeeI oI uLe?
SIe Iooked surprIsed. unnv vou sIouId usk. And jusL IIke LIuL, LIe
subjecL oI Iv`s personuI IIIe wus cIosed, und we reLurned Lo Ier Iuvor-
ILe subjecL-unvLIIng eIse.
WIv?
`ve been LIInkIng ubouL IL ever sInce we Iound LIe Temporis Porta.
Iv puIIed ouL Ier red noLebook und opened IL Lo u puge In LIe mIddIe.
TIere wus u skeLcI oI LIree perIecLIv Iormed cIrcIes, eucI dIvIded bv
spokes seL In vurvIng puLLerns. TIIs wus uII couId remember Irom
LIe door.
TIuL Iooks rIgIL. You suId IL wus some kInd oI code?
SIe nodded. `m noL cerLuIn, becuuse vou opened LIe door wILIouL
usIng LIem. BuL `ve been reseurcIIng LIe svmboI In Mucon`s IIbrurv.
And?
SIe poInLed uL LIe druwIng. TIe repeuLed cIrcIe. LIInk IL Ius
someLIIng Lo do wILI wIuL vou`re cuIIIng LIe WIeeI oI uLe.
And LIe Temporis Porta?
qz;J6=
LIInk so. BuL LIere`s one LIIng cun`L undersLund.
WIuL Is IL? SomeLIIng Iv dIdn`L undersLund wus u bud sIgn.
TIe door opened bv ILseII. You dIdn`L even LoucI unv oI LIe cIrcIes.
wouIdn`L Iuve beIIeved IL II Iudn`L seen IL wILI mv own eves.
remembered LIe rougI IeeI oI LIe rowun wood beneuLI mv IoreIeud.
And couIdn`L go LIrougI IL uL uII.
BuL vou suId vou dIdn`L undersLund wIv. wusn`L sure wIere sIe wus
goIng wILI LIIs.
WIuLever LIe WIeeI oI uLe Is, LIInk IL Ius someLIIng Lo do wILI
vou, noL me.
IeL Ier beIIeve IL, buL knew beLLer. couId sLIII Ieur Ammu`s voIce,
ecIoIng In mv Ieud.
The Wheel of Fate crushes us all.
qz8J6=
12.06
Fractured Soul
ELIun!
enu wus screumIng, und couIdn`L IInd Ier. LrIed Lo run, buL kepL
IuIIIng becuuse LIe ground wus movIng beneuLI mv IeeL. TIe puvemenL
on MuIn wus sIukIng so Iurd LIuL dIrL und rocks were IIvIng up InLo
mv eves. TIe roud roIIed on, und IL IeIL IIke wus sLundIng on LIe edge
oI Lwo LecLonIc pIuLes buLLIIng IL ouL.
sLood LIere, one IooL on eucI pIuLe, wIIIe LIe worId sIook und LIe
cIusm beLween LIe pIuLes wIdened. TIe cruck wus so bIg knew wus
goIng Lo IuII. And IL wus geLLIng bIgger.
L wus onIv u muLLer oI LIme.
ELIun! Ieurd enu`s voIce, buL couIdn`L see Ier.
Iooked LIrougI LIe cruck und suw Ier-Iur beIow me.
And LIen wus IuIIIng..
Mv IIoor IIL me Iurder LIun usuuI.
Lena!
Ieurd Ier voIce, groggv und IuII usIeep.
Im here. It was just a dream.
IIIpped over onLo mv buck, LrvIng Lo cuLcI mv breuLI. buIIed up LIe
sIeeL und LIrew IL ucross LIe room.
Everythings fine.
knew dIdn`L sound verv convIncIng.
Seriously, Ethan. Is your head okay?
nodded, even LIougI sIe couIdn`L see me.
My heads fine. Its the Earths tectonic plates Im worried about.
SIe dIdn`L unswer Ior u momenL.
And youre worried about me.
Yeah, L. And you.
SIe knew wIen woke up screumIng Ier nume LIuL sIe Iud suIIered
unoLIer vIoIenL, IrIgILenIng end In one oI mv dreums we Iudn`L sIured
sInce LIe SevenLeenLI Moon. And LIe dreums were geLLIng worse, noL
beLLer.
Its because of everything we went through last summer, Ethan. Im
still reliving it, too.
BuL dIdn`L LeII Ier IL wus IuppenIng Lo me everv nIgIL, or LIuL sIe
wusn`L LIe one In dunger LIIs LIme. dIdn`L LIInk sIe wunLed Lo know
Iow mucI reIIvIng wus doIng. dIdn`L wunL Ier Lo IeeI IIke IL wus geL-
LIng In LIe wuv oI IIvIng.
q1J6=
TIere wus someLIIng eIse geLLIng In LIe wuv oI IIvIng, uL IeusL Ior me.
TIe unswer Lo LIe quesLIon LIuL Ammu wouIdn`L gIve me und
couIdn`L IIgure ouL. BuL wus preLLv sure LIere wus someone eIse wIo
knew, und IInuIIv Iud enougI guLs Lo go see IIm.
TIe onIv quesLIon IeIL wus wIeLIer or noL couId geL IIm Lo LeII me.
L wus pILcI-bIuck ouLsIde us puIIed LIe IronL door cIosed beIInd me.
WIen Lurned uround, ucIIIe wus sILLIng on LIe porcI, wuLcIIng me.
DIdn`L geL enougI oI LIe TunneIs IusL LIme? ucIIIe cocked Ier Ieud
Lo one sIde, Ier sLundurd unswer. eL`s geL goIng.
Ieurd u rIp. AcLuuIIv, IL sounded more IIke u nusLv Leur.
spun uround. wusn`L reudv Ior unoLIer vIsIL Irom AbruIum. BuL LIIs
LIme IL wusn`L IIm-Iur Irom IL.
Ink wus IvIng on IIs buck, cuugIL In LIe busIes. Mun, LIIs TruveIIn`
LIIng Lukes some serIous prucLIce. He cIImbed ouL oI LIe busIes und
brusIed IImseII oII. WIere we Ieuded?
How dId vou know wus goIng somewIere? Were vou IIsIIng uround
In mv Ieud? I Ie wus, Ie wus deud.
LoId vou beIore, don`L wunnu mess uround In LIuL TempIe u
Doom. He brusIed oII IIs ron MuIden T-sIIrL. don`L sIeep, re-
member? wus wunderIn` uround ouLsIde, und Ieurd vou sneukIn`
downsLuIrs. L`s one oI mv superpowers. So, wIere ure we goIn`?
wusn`L sure II sIouId LeII IIm. BuL LIe LruLI wus dIdn`L wunL Lo go
uIone. New OrIeuns.
qzJ6=
You don`L know unvbodv In- Ink sIook IIs Ieud. Dude, wIv does
IL uIwuvs Iuve Lo be gruvevurds und crvpLs wILI vou? Cun`L we Iung ouL
somewIere LIuL Isn`L IuII u deud bodIes?
AnoLIer quesLIon couIdn`L unswer.
TIe Lomb oI voodoo queen MurIe uveuu wus exucLIv LIe sume.
sLured uL LIe Xs curved InLo LIe door, und wondered II we sIouId Ieuve
our own-In cuse we never cume buck ouL. BuL LIere wus no LIme Lo
LIInk ubouL IL, becuuse Ink Iud LIe door open In seconds und we were
InsIde.
TIe roLLed, crooked sLuIrs were sLIII LIere, IeudIng down InLo LIe durk-
ness. So were LIe smoke und LIe puLrId smeII LIuL cIung Lo vour skIn,
even uILer vou Look u sIower.
Ink cougIed. IcorIce und gusoIIne. TIuL`s nusLv.
SII. Be quIeL.
We reucIed LIe buse oI LIe sLuIrs, und couId see LIe worksIop, or
wIuLever LIIs uwIuI pIuce wus cuIIed. TIere wus u dIm IIgIL comIng
Irom InsIde, IIIumInuLIng LIe jurs und boLLIes. Mv skIn cruwIed uL LIe
sIgIL oI repLIIes und LInv mIce IrunLIcuIIv LrvIng Lo escupe.
ucIIIe IId beIInd mv Ieg us II sIe wus uIruId sIe mIgIL end up In one
oI LIose jurs.
How do we know II Ie`s Iome? Ink wIIspered.
BeIore couId unswer, u voIce rose Irom beIInd us. um uIwuvs
Iome, In one Iorm or unoLIer.
qJ6=
recognIzed LIe bokor`s gruveIIv voIce und Ieuvv uccenL. He Iooked
even more dungerous up cIose. HIs skIn wus unwrInkIed, buL scurs
murred IIs Iuce. TIev Iooked IIke scruLcIes und puncLure wounds, us II
Ie`d been uLLucked bv u creuLure LIuL wusn`L In one oI LIose jurs. HIs
Iong bruIds were ruLLv, und couId see LInv objecLs LIed InLo LIem.
MeLuI svmboIs und cIurms, bILs oI bone und beuds Iuced so LIgILIv LIuL
LIev`d become purL oI LIe IuIr ILseII. He wus IoIdIng IIs snukeskIn
sLuII.
We`re-we`re sorrv Lo sIow up IIke LIIs, sLummered.
Wus IL u dure worLI LukIn`? HIs Iund LIgILened on LIe sLuII. Tres-
pussIn` Is u vIoIuLIon u LIe Iuw. Yours und mIne.
We dIdn`L come Iere on u dure. Mv voIce wus sLIII sIukIng. We cume
Lo IInd vou. Iuve quesLIons, und LIInk vou`re LIe onIv person wIo
cun gIve me LIe unswers.
TIe bokor`s eves nurrowed, und Ie rubbed IIs gouLee, InLrIgued. Or
muvbe conLempIuLIng Iow Lo dIspose oI our bodIes uILer Ie kIIIed us.
WIuL mukes vou LIInk Iuve LIe unswers?
Ammu. meun, AmurIe Treudeuu. SIe wus Iere. need Lo know wIv.
Iud IIs uLLenLIon now. LIInk IL wus ubouL me.
He sLudIed me cureIuIIv. So, vou`re LIe one. nLeresLIn` vou wouId
come Iere, InsLeud u Lo vour Seer.
SIe won`L LeII me unvLIIng.
TIere wus someLIIng In IIs expressIon, bevond recognILIon. TIIs
wuv.
qqJ6=
We IoIIowed IIm InLo LIe room wILI LIe smoke und LIe Iumes und LIe
IIngerIng resIdue oI deuLI. Ink wus nexL Lo me, wIIsperIng. You sure
LIIs Is u good Ideu?
`ve goL un ncubus wILI me, rIgIL? L wus u bud joke. BuL wus so
scured, couId bureIv LIInk.
A quurLer. Ink Look u deep breuLI. Hope LIuL`s enougI.
TIe bokor sLood beIInd LIe wooden LubIe us Ink und sLood IucIng
IIm on LIe oLIer sIde. WIuL do vou know ubouL mv busIness wILI LIe
Seer?
know sIe cume Lo vou ubouL u spreud sIe dIdn`L IIke. dIdn`L wunL
Lo reveuI evervLIIng knew. wus uIruId Ie wouId reuIIze LIIs wusn`L
our IIrsL LIme Iere. wunL Lo know wIuL LIe curds suId. WIv sIe
needed vour IeIp.
He wuLcIed me cureIuIIv, us II Ie couId see rIgIL LIrougI me. L wus
LIe wuv AunL DeI Iooked uL u room wIen sIe wus sorLIng LIrougI LIe
Iuvers. TIuL`s Lwo quesLIons, und onIv one u LIem muLLers.
WIIcI one?
HIs eves gIeumed In LIe durk. Your Seer needs mv IeIp Lo do
someLIIn` sIe cun`L. To joIn LIe ti-bon-age, mend LIe seums sIe
rIpped IerseII.
Iud no Ideu wIuL Ie wus LuIkIng ubouL. WIuL seums Iud Ammu
rIpped?
Ink dIdn`L undersLund eILIer. T-bone wIuL? WIuL kIndu sLeuk ure we
LuIkIn` ubouL Iere?
q=J6=
TIe bokor`s eves Iocked on me. You reuIIv don`L know wIuL`s wuILIn`
Ior vou? L`s wuLcIIn` us now.
couIdn`L speuk.
Its watching us now.
WIuL-wIuL Is IL? bureIv cIoked ouL LIe words. How do geL rId oI
IL?
TIe bokor wuIked over Lo LIe LerrurIum IIIIed wILI wrILIIng snukes,
und IIILed LIe IId. TIuL`s Lwo quesLIons uguIn. cun onIv unswer one.
WIuL`s wuLcIIng me? Mv voIce wus sIukIng, und mv Iunds-everv
purL oI me.
TIe bokor IIILed u snuke, ILs bodv rInged In bIuck, red, und wIILe. TIe
snuke coIIed uround IIs urm, buL LIe bokor IeId ILs Ieud us II Ie knew
IL mIgIL sLrIke.
`II sIow vou.
He Ied us Lo LIe cenLer oI LIe room, cIose Lo LIe source oI LIe nuuseuL-
Ing smoke, u Iuge pIIIur LIuL resembIed u cundIe. L Iooked IIke IL Iud
been mude bv Iund. ucIIIe croucIed under u neurbv LubIe, LrvIng Lo
uvoId LIe Iumes-or muvbe LIe snuke or LIe cruzv guv currvIng wIuL
Iooked IIke eggsIeIIs over Lo u bowI uL our IeeL. He crusIed LIe sIeIIs
wILI one Iund, cureIuI Lo keep IIs oLIer Iund on LIe Ieud oI LIe snuke.
TIe ti-bon-age Is meunL Lo be one. Never sepuruLed. He cIosed IIs
eves. wIII cuII KuIIu. We need LIe IeIp oI u powerIuI spIrIL.
Ink eIbowed me. don`L know II IIke LIe sound u LIuL.
q6J6=
TIe bokor cIosed IIs eves und sLurLed Lo speuk. recognIzed Lruces oI
TwvIu`s rencI CreoIe, buL IL wus mIxed wILI u Iunguuge `d never
Ieurd beIore. TIe words were muIIIed, us II LIe bokor wus LuIkIng Lo
someone cIose enougI Lo Ieur IIm wIIsper.
wusn`L sure wIuL we were supposed Lo see, buL IL couIdn`L be unv
weIrder LIun AunL Prue ouLsIde Ier bodv or LIe IIum InsIde Mrs.
EngIIsI`s.
TIe smoke sLurLed Lo swIrI sIowIv, growIng denser. wuLcIed us IL
curved und begun Lo Luke sIupe.
TIe bokor wus cIunLIng Iouder now.
TIe smoke sLurLed Lo cIunge Irom bIuck Lo gruv, und LIe snuke IIssed.
SomeLIIng wus IormIng Irom LIe smoke. `d seen LIIs beIore, In
BonuvenLure CemeLerv, wIen TwvIu cuIIed mv moLIer`s SIeer.
couIdn`L Luke mv eves oII LIe smoke. TIe bodv Iormed Irom LIe boL-
Lom up, jusL us mv mom`s Iud. TIe IeeL und LIe Iegs.
WIuL LIe IeII? Ink LrIed Lo buck up, buL Ie LrIpped.
TIe Lorso und LIe urms.
TIe Iuce wus LIe IInuI eIemenL Lo emerge.
L sLured buck uL me.
A Iuce wouId Iuve known unvwIere.
Mv own.
jumped uwuv, scrumbIIng buckwurd.
q;J6=
HoIv crup! Ink sIouLed, buL IIs voIce seemed Iur uwuv.
PunIc grIpped me IIke Lwo Iunds wruppIng LIemseIves uround mv
neck. TIe IIgure sLurLed Lo Iude.
BuL beIore IL dId, LIe SIeer spoke. `m wuILIng.
TIen IL wus gone.
TIe bokor sLopped cIunLIng, LIe sIckenIng cundIe bIew ouL, und IL wus
over.
WIuL wus LIuL? wus sLurIng uL LIe bokor. WIv Is LIere u SIeer LIuL
Iooks IIke me?
He wuIked buck Lo LIe LerrurIum und dropped LIe snuke InsIde wILI
LIe oLIers. L doesn`L Iook IIke vou. L`s vour ti-bon-age. TIe oLIer
IuII u vour souI.
WIuL dId vou suv?
TIe bokor Look u muLcI und reIIL LIe cundIe. HuII vour souI Is wILI
LIe IIvIn`, und IuII`s wILI LIe deud. You IeIL IL beIInd.
eIL IL beIInd wIere?
n LIe OLIerworId. WIen vou dIed. He sounded uImosL bored.
When I died.
He wus LuIkIng ubouL LIe nIgIL enu und Ammu brougIL me buck, on
LIe SIxLeenLI Moon.
How?
q8J6=
TIe bokor IIIcked IIs wrIsL, und LIe muLcI wenL ouL. I vou come buck
Loo IusL, LIe souI cun be IrucLured. DIvIded. One purL u LIe souI goes
buck wILI LIe IIvIn`, und LIe oLIer IuII sLuvs wILI LIe deud. CuugIL
beLween LIIs worId und LIe OLIer, bound Lo LIe mIssIn` IuII unLII
LIev`re brougIL buck LogeLIer.
Divided.
He couIdn`L be expIuInIng IL rIgIL. TIuL wouId meun onIv Iud IuII u
souI. L dIdn`L even seem possIbIe.
How couId u person onIv Iuve IuII u souI? WIuL Iuppened Lo LIe resL
oI IL? WIere dId IL-
Bound to the missing half.
knew wIuL Iud been IoIIowIng me uII LIIs LIme, IurkIng In LIe
sIudows.
Me-LIe oLIer me.
L wus LIe reuson wus cIungIng, IosIng more und more oI mvseII
everv duv.
TIe reuson dIdn`L IIke cIocoIuLe mIIk unvmore, or Ammu`s scrumbIed
eggs. TIe reuson couIdn`L remember wIuL wus In LIe sIoe boxes In
mv bedroom, or mv pIone number. TIe reuson wus suddenIv IeIL-
Iunded.
Mv knees buckIed, und IeIL mvseII pILcI Iorwurd. couId see LIe IIoor
rIsIng up Lo meeL me. A Iund grubbed mv urm und IuuIed me buck Lo
mv IeeL. Ink.
qJ6=
So, Iow do vou geL LIe Lwo IuIves buck LogeLIer? s LIere u speII or
someLIIn`? Ink sounded ImpuLIenL, IIke Ie wus reudv Lo LIrow me
over IIs sIouIder und run Iome.
TIe bokor LIrew IIs Ieud buck und IuugIed. WIen Ie spoke, IL IeIL IIke
Ie wus IookIng rIgIL LIrougI me. Tukes more LIun u speII. TIuL`s wIv
vour Seer cume Lo me. BuL don`L vou worrv, we Iuve un ugreemenL.
IeIL IIke someone Iud LIrown u buckeL oI coId wuLer on me. WIuL
kInd oI ugreemenL?
remembered wIuL Ie Iud suId Lo Ammu, LIe nIgIL we IoIIowed Ier
Iere. There is only one price.
WIuL`s LIe prIce? wus veIIIng, mv voIce ecIoIng In mv eurs.
TIe bokor IIILed IIs skIn-covered sLuII und poInLed IL uL me. `ve LoId
vou more LIun vour sIure u secreLs LonIgIL. He smIIed, uII LIe durk-
ness und evII wILIIn IIm LwIsLIng ILseII InLo u Iumun Iuce.
How come we don`L Iuve Lo puv vou? Ink usked.
Your Seer wIII puv enougI Ior vou uII.
wouId Iuve usked IIm uguIn, buL knew Ie wouIdn`L LeII us. And II
LIere were deeper secreLs LIun LIIs, dIdn`L wunL Lo know.
qqoJ6=
12.07
Cards of Providence
WIen goL Iome, IL wus wuv pusL mIdnIgIL. Evervone In mv Iouse
wus usIeep-excepL one person. Ammu`s IIgIL wus on, Ier room gIow-
Ing beLween LIe Lwo IuInL bIue sIuLLers. wondered II sIe knew wus
gone, und wIere `d been. uImosL Ioped sIe dId. L wouId muke wIuL
wus ubouL Lo do u Iundred LImes eusIer.
Ammu wusn`L LIe kInd oI person vou conIronLed. SIe wus u conIronLu-
LIon uII on Ier own. SIe IIved bv Ier ruIes, Ier Iuw-LIe LIIngs sIe be-
IIeved, wIIcI Lo Ier were us sure us LIe sun rIsIng. SIe wus uIso LIe
onIv moLIer Iud IeIL. And, mosL duvs, LIe onIv purenL. TIe Ideu oI
IIgILIng wILI Ier mude me IeeI IoIIow und sIck InsIde.
BuL noL us IoIIow us IL mude me IeeI Lo know wus onIv IuII oI mvseII.
HuII LIe person `d uIwuvs been. Ammu knew, und sIe Iud never suId
u word.
And LIe words sIe dId suv were IIes.
knocked on Ier bedroom door beIore Iud LIme Lo cIunge mv mInd.
SIe opened IL rIgIL uwuv, us II sIe`d been wuILIng Ior me. SIe wus
weurIng Ier wIILe robe wILI LIe pInk roses on IL, LIe one guve Ier on
Ier bIrLIduv IusL veur.
Ammu dIdn`L Iook uL me. SIe Iooked pusL me, us II sIe couId see
someLIIng more LIun LIe wuII beIInd me. Muvbe sIe couId. Muvbe
LIere were pIeces oI me scuLLered uII over LIe pIuce, IIke u broken
boLLIe.
Been wuILIn` on vou. Her voIce sounded smuII und LIred, und sIe
sLepped ouL oI LIe doorwuv so couId come In.
Ammu`s room sLIII Iooked runsucked, buL one LIIng wus dIIIerenL.
TIere were curds spreud ouL on LIe IILLIe round LubIe under LIe wIn-
dow. wuIked over Lo LIe LubIe und pIcked one up. TIe BIeedIng BIude.
TIev weren`L LuroL curds. ReudIng curds uguIn? WIuL ure LIev suvIng
LonIgIL, Ammu?
SIe crossed LIe room und sLurLed pusIIng LIe curds InLo u sLuck.
Don`L Iuve mucI Lo suv. TIInk `ve seen uII LIere Is Lo see.
AnoLIer curd cuugIL mv eve. IeId IL up In IronL oI Ier. WIuL ubouL
LIIs one? TIe rucLured SouI. WIuL does LIIs one Iuve Lo suv?
Her Iunds were sIukIng so Iurd LIuL IL Look Ier LIree LrIes Lo grub LIe
curd Irom me. You LIInk vou know someLIIn`, buL u pIece u someLIIn`
Is LIe sume us noLIIn`. NeILIer one geLs vou mucI u unvLIIng.
You meun IIke u pIece oI mv souI? s LIuL LIe sume us noLIIng? suId
IL Lo IurL Ier, Lo busL up Ier souI, so sIe couId see Iow IL IeIL.
WIere dId vou Ieur LIuL? Her voIce wus sIukv. SIe grubbed LIe
cIuIn uround Ier neck und rubbed LIe worn goId cIurm IungIng Irom
IL.
rom vour IrIend In New OrIeuns.
Ammu`s eves wenL wIde, und sIe grubbed LIe buck oI LIe cIuIr Lo
sLeudv IerseII. knew Irom Ier reucLIon LIuL wIuLever sIe`d seen
qqJ6=
LonIgIL, IL wusn`L me ruIsIng souIs wILI LIe bokor. Are vou LeIIIn` me
LIe LruLI, ELIun WuLe? DId vou go Lo see LIuL devII?
wenL becuuse vou IIed Lo me. dIdn`L Iuve u cIoIce.
BuL Ammu wusn`L IIsLenIng Lo me. SIe wus IIIppIng LIe curds mudIv,
pusIIng LIem uround under Ier LInv puIms. AunL vv, sIow me
someLIIn`. TeII me wIuL LIIs meuns.
Ammu!
SIe wus muLLerIng Lo IerseII, reurrungIng LIe curds over und over
uguIn. cun`L see unvLIIng. Hus Lo be u wuv. TIere`s uIwuvs u wuv.
JusL Iuve Lo keep IookIn`.
grubbed Ier sIouIders, genLIv. Ammu. PuL LIe curds down. TuIk Lo
me.
SIe IeId up u curd. On LIe IronL wus u pIcLure oI u spurrow wILI u
broken wIng. TIe orgoLLen uLure. Know wIuL LIese curds ure
cuIIed? Curds u ProvIdence, becuuse LIev LeII more LIun jusL vour Iu-
Lure. TIev LeII vour IuLe. Know LIe dIIIerence? sIook mv Ieud. wus
uIruId Lo suv unvLIIng. SIe wus comIng unIInged. Your IuLure cun
cIunge.
Iooked InLo Ier durk eves, wIIcI were IIIIIng wILI Leurs. Muvbe vou
cun cIunge IuLe, Loo.
TIe Leurs sLurLed IuIIIng, und sIe wus sIukIng Ier Ieud buck und IorLI
IvsLerIcuIIv. TIe WIeeI u uLe crusIes us uII.
couIdn`L sLund Lo Ieur IL uguIn. Ammu wusn`L jusL goIng durk. SIe
wus goIng cruzv, und wus wuLcIIng IL Iuppen.
qqqJ6=
SIe puIIed uwuv, guLIered up Ier robe, und dropped Lo Ier knees. Her
eves were sIuL LIgIL, buL Ier cIIn wus Lurned up Lo Ier bIue ceIIIng.
UncIe Abner, AunL vv, Grundmummu SuIIu, `m In need u vour InLer-
cessIon. orgIve me u mv Lrespusses, us LIe Good ord IorgIves us uII.
wuLcIed us sIe wuILed, mumbIIng LIe words over und over. L wus u
good Iour beIore sIe guve up, exIuusLed und deIeuLed.
TIe GreuLs never cume.
WIen wus IILLIe, mv moLIer used Lo suv LIuL evervLIIng vou needed
Lo know ubouL LIe SouLI couId be Iound In eILIer SuvunnuI or New
OrIeuns. AppurenLIv, LIe sume wus Lrue ubouL mv IIIe.
enu dIdn`L ugree. TIe nexL mornIng, we were urguIng ubouL IL In LIe
buck oI IIsLorv cIuss. And wusn`L wInnIng. A rucLured SouI Isn`L Lwo
LIIngs, . L`s one LIIng spIIL In IuII.
WIen suId Lwo souIs, uII enu Ieurd wus Lwo und ussumed wus
oIIerIng mvseII up us LIe One WIo s Two. L couId be unv oI us. `m
LIe One WIo s Two, II unvone Is. Tuke u Iook uL mv eves! couId IeeI
Ier rIsIng punIc.
`m noL suvIng `m LIe One WIo s Two, . `m jusL u MorLuI. I IL Look
u CusLer Lo breuk LIe Order, IL`s goIng Lo Luke more LIun u MorLuI Lo re-
sLore IL, don`L vou LIInk? SIe dIdn`L Iook convInced, buL deep down
sIe Iud Lo know wus rIgIL.
or beLLer or worse, LIuL`s uII wus-u MorLuI. L wus LIe source oI LIe
wIoIe probIem beLween us. TIe reuson we couId bureIv LoucI, und
couIdn`L reuIIv be LogeLIer. How couId suve LIe CusLer worId, wIen
couId bureIv IIve In IL?
qq=J6=
enu Iowered Ier voIce. Ink. He`s Lwo LIIngs, un ncubus und u
MorLuI.
SII. gIunced uL Ink, buL Ie wus obIIvIous, LrvIng Lo curve
NKUBUS InLo IIs desk wILI u pen. `m preLLv sure Ie bureIv quuII-
IIes us eILIer one.
JoIn Is Lwo LIIngs, u CusLer und un ncubus.
.
RIdIev. TIere couId sLIII be u Lruce oI SIren InsIde Ier, even us u
MorLuI. Two. Now sIe wus reucIIng. Ammu Is u Seer und u MorLuI.
Two LIIngs.
L`s noL Ammu! musL Iuve been sIouLIng, becuuse LIe wIoIe cIuss
Lurned uround In LIeIr seuLs. enu Iooked IurL.
L Isn`L, Mr. WuLe? Becuuse LIe resL oI us LIougIL IL wus. Mr. Evuns
Iooked IIke Ie wus reudv Lo geL ouL LIe IILLIe pInk pud oI deLenLIon
sIIps.
Sorrv, sIr.
ducked down beIInd mv LexLbook und Iowered mv voIce. know IL
sounds weIrd, buL LIIs Is u good LIIng. Now know wIv uII LIuL cruzv
sLuII Ius been IuppenIng, IIke LIe weIrd dreums und seeIng LIe oLIer
IuII oI mvseII uII over LIe pIuce. Now evervLIIng mukes sense.
L wusn`L compIeLeIv Lrue, und enu wusn`L convInced, buL sIe dIdn`L
suv unvLIIng eIse und neILIer dId . BeLween LIe IeuL und LIe bugs,
AbruIum und LIe Vexes, JoIn Breed und LIe IIum possessIng LIe
bodv oI our EngIIsI LeucIer, IIgured we Iud enougI Lo worrv ubouL.
qq6J6=
AL IeusL LIuL`s wIuL LoId mvseII.
ET T SNOW! TME OR A CHANGE N THE
WEATHER! BUY YOUR TCKETS NOW!
TIe posLers were evervwIere, us II LIe IucL needed Lo be udverLIsed.
TIe wInLer IormuI wus Iere, und LIIs veur LIe Dunce CommILLee, mude
up oI SuvunnuI Snow und Ier Iun cIub, decIded Lo cuII IL LIe Snow
BuII. SuvunnuI InsIsLed IL Iud noLIIng Lo do wILI Ier und evervLIIng Lo
do wILI LIe IeuL wuve, wIIcI Is wIv evervone wus cuIIIng IL LIe SIusI
BuII. And enu und were goIng.
SIe dIdn`L wunL Lo go, especIuIIv uILer wIuL Iuppened uL LIe wInLer
IormuI IusL veur. WIen guve Ier LIe LIckeLs, sIe Iooked IIke sIe
wunLed Lo seL LIem on IIre. TIIs Is u joke, rIgIL?
L`s noL u joke. wus sILLIng ucross Irom Ier uL LIe IuncI LubIe,
sLubbIng uL LIe Ice In mv sodu wILI mv sLruw. TIIs wusn`L goIng Lo go
weII.
WIv wouId vou possIbIv LIInk wunL Lo go Lo LIuL dunce?
To dunce wILI me. guve Ier u puLIeLIc Iook.
cun dunce wILI vou In mv bedroom. SIe IeId ouL Ier Iund. n IucL,
come Iere. `II dunce wILI vou rIgIL now, In LIe cuIeLerIu.
L`s noL LIe sume.
qq;J6=
`m noL goIng. enu wus dIggIng In Ier IeeIs.
TIen `II go wILI someone eIse, suId.
Her eves nurrowed.
Ike Ammu.
SIe sIook Ier Ieud. WIv do vou wunL Lo go so budIv? And don`L suv
Lo dunce wILI me.
L couId be our IusL cIunce. L wouId be u reIIeI Lo worrv ubouL
someLIIng us IurmIess us u dIsusLer uL LIe dunce, InsLeud oI LIe de-
sLrucLIon oI LIe worId. wus uImosL dIsuppoInLed RIdIev wusn`L uround
Lo ruIn IL wILI sLvIe.
So In LIe end enu Iud cuved, even LIougI sIe wus sLIII mud ubouL LIe
wIoIe LIIng. dIdn`L cure. wus mukIng Ier go. WILI evervLIIng goIng
on, dIdn`L know II LIere wouId ever be unoLIer dunce uL Juckson.
We were sILLIng on LIe IoL meLuI bIeucIers bv LIe IIeId, euLIng IuncI
on wIuL sIouId Iuve been u coId December duv. enu und dIdn`L
wunL Lo run InLo Mrs. EngIIsI, und Ink dIdn`L wunL Lo run InLo Suvun-
nuI, so LIe bIeucIers Iud become our IIdeouL.
You`re sLIII drIvIng Lomorrow, rIgIL? LIrew LIe crusL oI mv sund-
wIcI uL Ink. Tomorrow nIgIL wus LIe Snow BuII, und beLween Ink
und enu, LIere wus onIv u IIILv-IIILv cIunce we`d geL LIere uL uII.
Sure. JusL LrvIn` Lo decIde wIeLIer Lo weur mv IuIr up or down. Cun`L
wuIL LIII vou see mv smokIn` new dress. Ink LIrew LIe crusL buck uL
me.
qq8J6=
WuIL unLII vou see mIne. enu Look u rubber bund oII Ier wrIsL,
puIIIng Ier IuIr InLo u ponvLuII. LIInk `m weurIng u ruIncouL und
booLs und brIngIng un umbreIIu, In cuse unvone Lukes LIe wIoIe SIusI
BuII LIIng IILeruIIv. SIe dIdn`L Lrv Lo IIde LIe surcusm In Ier voIce.
L Iud been IIke LIIs ever sInce convInced LIem Lo go. You guvs don`L
Iuve Lo come wILI me. BuL LIIs muv be LIe IusL dunce In GuLIIn-muvbe
unvwIere. And `m goIng.
SLop suvIng LIuL. L won`L be LIe IusL dunce. enu wus IrusLruLed.
Don`L geL vour punLIes In u LwIsL. Ink puncIed mv sIouIder, u IILLIe
Loo Iurd. L`II be uwesome. enu`s gonnu IIx evervLIIng.
um? enu smIIed u IILLIe. Muvbe JoIn bIL vou Iurder LIun we
LIougIL.
Sure. Don`L vou Iuve some kIndu Don`L-eL-TIIs-Dunce-Suck CusL?
Ink Iud been depressed sInce RIdIev Look oII. OI, wuIL. You don`L.
`Cuuse IL`s gonnu suck no muLLer wIuL kIndu CusL vou`ve goL.
WIv don`L vou Lrv u SLuv-Home-und-SIuL-Your-Trup CusL? SInce
vou`re LIe one LukIng SuvunnuI Snow Lo LIe dunce. wudded up mv
sundwIcI wrupper.
SIe usked me.
SIe usked you Lo Ier purLv uILer LIe gume, und Iook Iow weII LIuL
Lurned ouL.
Dont bring it up, Ethan.
Well, its true.
qqJ6=
enu ruIsed Ier evebrow.
Youll only make him feel worse.
Trust me, Savannahs got that down.
Ink sIgIed. WIere do vou LIInk sIe Is rIgIL now?
WIo? suId, LIougI we boLI knew exucLIv wIo Ie wus LuIkIng ubouL.
He Ignored me. ProbubIv mukIn` LroubIe somewIere.
enu IoIded Ier IuncI bug InLo LInIer und LInIer squures. DeIInILeIv
mukIng LroubIe somewIere.
TIe beII rung.
L`s probubIv beLLer LIIs wuv. Ink sLood up.
L`s deIInILeIv beLLer LIIs wuv, ugreed.
CouIdu been worse, guess. L wusn`L IIke wus LIuL Iung up on Ier.
Ike wus In Iove wILI Ier or someLIIn`. wusn`L sure wIo Ie wus Lrv-
Ing Lo convInce, buL Ie jummed IIs Iunds InLo IIs pockeLs und Look oII
ucross LIe IIeId beIore couId suv unvLIIng.
YeuI. TIuL reuIIv wouId Iuve sucked. squeezed enu`s Iund, IeLLIng
IL drop beIore goL IIgIL-Ieuded.
IeeI so bud Ior IIm. SIe sLopped wuIkIng und sIIpped Ier Iunds
uround mv wuIsL. puIIed Ier cIose, und sIe resLed Ier Ieud uguInsL
mv cIesL. You know `d do unvLIIng Ior vou, rIgIL?
smIIed. know vou`d go Lo u sLupId dunce Ior me.
q=oJ6=
wouId. And um.
kIssed Ier IoreIeud, IeLLIng mv IIps sLuv on Ier skIn us Iong us
couId.
SIe Iooked up uL me. Muvbe we cun muke Lomorrow reuIIv Iun. HeIp
Ink IorgeL ubouL mv cousIn Ior u IILLIe wIIIe.
TIuL`s wIuL `m LuIkIng ubouL.
Iuve un Ideu. SomeLIIng Lo IIx u broken Inkubus IeurL.
TIe LIp oI Ier ponvLuII begun Lo curI, und wuIked ucross LIe IIeId
wIsIIng LIere wus u CusL Ior LIuL.
q=1J6=
12.12
Slush Ball
WIen Ink puIIed up In IronL oI mv Iouse, SuvunnuI wus uIreudv In
LIe IronL seuL oI LIe BeuLer. He goL ouL und meL me uL LIe curb, IIke Ie
Iud someLIIng Lo LeII me. He wus weurIng u Luckv ruIIIed Lux sIIrL LIuL
mude IIm Iook IIke Ie wus In u murIucII bund, und Lux punLs wILI IIs
IIgI-Lop Vuns.
NIce LIreuds.
TIougIL SuvunnuI wouId IuLe IL. TIougIL sIe wouIdn`L geL In LIe cur.
sweur, LrIed evervLIIng. NormuIIv, Ie wouId`ve been gIouLIng. To-
nIgIL, Ie sounded mIserubIe.
Rids really gotten to him, L.
Just get him up here to the house. I have a plan.
LIougIL vou were meeLIng SuvunnuI uL LIe dunce. sn`L sIe sup-
posed Lo be LIere wILI EmIIv und LIe resL oI LIe Dunce CommILLee?
Iowered mv voIce, buL dIdn`L Iuve Lo. couId Ieur u HoIv RoIIers
demo Lruck bIusLIng Irom LIe sLereo, us II Ink Iud been LrvIng Lo
drown SuvunnuI ouL.
LrIed LIuL. SIe wunLed Lo Luke pIcLures. He sIuddered. Her mom
und mv mom. L wus u nIgILmure. He broke InLo IIs sLundurd Impres-
sIon oI IIs moLIer. SmIIe! WesIev, vour IuIr Is sLIckIn` up. SLund up
sLruIgIL. Tuke LIe pIcLure!
couId onIv ImugIne. Mrs. IncoIn wus IIerce wILI u cumeru, und LIere
wus no wuv sIe wus goIng Lo wuLcI Ier son Luke SuvunnuI Snow Lo LIe
wInLer IormuI wILIouL documenLIng IL Ior IuLure generuLIons. Mrs.
IncoIn und Mrs. Snow were Loo mucI Lo Luke wIen vou puL LIem Lo-
geLIer In LIe sume room. EspecIuIIv wIen LIe room wus Ink`s IIvIng
room, wIere LIere wusn`L u pIuce Lo sIL or Iook or even Ieun vour Iund
uguInsL LIuL wusn`L sIrInk-wrupped In pIusLIc.
BeL vou IIve bucks SuvunnuI doesn`L seL IooL In Ruvenwood.
Ink IInuIIv crucked u smIIe. TIuL`s wIuL `m IopIn`.
rom LIe buckseuL oI LIe BeuLer, SuvunnuI Iooked IIke sIe wus sILLIng
In u bIg puddIe oI pInk wIIpped creum. SIe LrIed Lo LuIk Lo me u Iew
LImes, buL IL wus ImpossIbIe Lo Ieur unvLIIng over LIe musIc. WIen we
Lurned uL LIe Iork In LIe roud LIuL Ied Lo Ruvenwood, sIe sLurLed Lo
squIrm.
Ink Lurned oII LIe rudIo. You sure vou`re okuv wILI LIIs, SuvunnuI?
You know IoIks suv Ruvenwood`s been IuunLed ever sInce LIe Wur.
He suId IL IIke Ie wus LeIIIng u gIosL sLorv.
SuvunnuI IIILed Ier cIIn. `m noL uIruId. PeopIe suv IoLs u LIIngs.
Doesn`L meun LIev`re Lrue.
YeuI?
You sIouId Ieur wIuL LIev suv ubouL vou und vour IrIends. SIe
Lurned buck Lo Iook uL me. No oIIense.
q=qJ6=
Ink bIusLed LIe rudIo, LrvIng Lo drown Ier ouL, us Ruvenwood`s guLes
creuked open. This church picnic aint no picnic. / Youre my fried
chicken. / Holy finger-lickin
SuvunnuI veIIed uL IIm over LIe musIc. Are vou cuIIIn` me u pIece u
IrIed cIIcken?
NuI. NoL vou, SIusI Queen. Never. He cIosed IIs eves und pounded
ouL LIe drums on LIe dusIbourd oI LIe BeuLer. As goL ouL oI LIe cur,
IeIL sorrIer Ior Ink LIun ever.
Ink sLurLed Lo open IIs door, buL SuvunnuI dIdn`L move. TIe Ideu oI
seLLIng IooL InsIde Ruvenwood musL noL Iuve sounded so good uILer
uII.
TIe door opened beIore knocked. suw u swIrI oI IubrIc-green, wILI
u goId sIIne Lo IL, so IL Iooked IIke boLI coIors uL LIe sume LIme. enu
puIIed LIe door wIde, und LIe IubrIc IIouLed oII Ier sIouIders, IungIng
down Lowurd Ier wuIsL uImosL IIke bILs oI wIng.
Do you remember?
I remember. You look beautiful.
dId remember. enu wus LIe buLLerIIv LonIgIL, IIke LIe moon on LIe
nIgIL oI Ier SevenLeenLI Moon. WIuL Iud Iooked IIke mugIc LIen sLIII
Iooked IIke mugIc now.
Her eves spurkIed.
One green, one goId. One WIo Wus Two.
A cIIII swepL over me, ouL oI pIuce on LIe wurm December nIgIL. enu
dIdn`L noLIce, und Iorced mvseII Lo Ignore IL. You Iook-wow.
q==J6=
SIe LwIrIed uround, smIIIng. You IIke IL? wunLed Lo do someLIIng
dIIIerenL. Come ouL oI mv cocoon u IILLIe.
You were never in a cocoon, L.
Her smIIe wIdened, und suId IL uguIn ouL Ioud. You Iook. IIke vou.
PerIecL.
SIe pusIed u curI buck Lo sIow me Ier eurIobe-u LInv goId buLLerIIv,
wILI one goId wIng und one green. UncIe Mucon Iud LIem mude. And
LIIs. SIe poInLed Lo u LInv buLLerIIv LIuL resLed In LIe IoIIow oI Ier
neck, uLLucIed Lo u deIIcuLe goId cIuIn.
wIsIed sIe wus weurIng Ier cIurm neckIuce, Loo. TIe onIv LImes `d
ever seen Ier wILIouL IL dIdn`L end weII. And never wunLed unvLIIng
ubouL enu Lo cIunge.
SIe smIIed.
I know. Ill put it on my charm necklace after tonight.
Ieuned In und kIssed Ier. TIen IeId up LIe smuII wIILe box wus
IoIdIng. Ammu Iud mude Ier u corsuge bv Iund, IIke sIe dId IusL veur.
enu opened LIe box. L`s perIecL. cun`L beIIeve LIere`s u IIower sLIII
bIoomIng unvwIere neur Iere. BuL LIere IL wus, u sIngIe goIden bIos-
som, nesLIed beLween IoopIng green Ieuves. I vou Iooked uL LIem
rIgIL, LIev were LIeIr own versIon oI wIngs, uImosL us II Ammu Iud
known.
Muvbe LIere were sLIII some LIIngs sIe couId see comIng.
sIId LIe corsuge onLo enu`s wrIsL, buL IL snugged. As Lugged on IL,
noLIced sIe wus weurIng LIe LIIn sIIver bruceIeL Irom SuruIIne`s box.
q=6J6=
BuL dIdn`L suv unvLIIng. dIdn`L wunL Lo ruIn LIe nIgIL beIore IL even
sLurLed.
Ink Ionked LIe Iorn und crunked up LIe musIc even Iouder.
We`d beLLer go. Ink`s crusIIng und burnIng ouL LIere. AL IeusL, Ie
wIsIes Ie wus crusIIng und burnIng.
enu Look u deep breuLI. WuIL. SIe puL Ier Iund on mv urm.
TIere`s one more LIIng.
WIuL?
Don`L be mud. TIere wus no guv In LIe worId wIo dIdn`L know wIuL
LIose words meunL. SIe wus ubouL Lo gIve me u reuson Lo be mud.
won`L. Mv sLomucI curIed InLo u buII.
You Iuve Lo promIse. Even worse.
promIse. Mv sLomucI LIgILened, und LIe buII becume u knoL.
LoId LIem LIev couId come. SIe suId IL quIckIv, us II wouId be Iess
IIkeIv Lo Ieur Ier.
You LoId wIo wIuL? wusn`L sure wunLed Lo know. TIere were so
munv wrong unswers Lo LIuL quesLIon.
enu pusIed open LIe doors Lo Mucon`s oId sLudv. TIrougI LIe cruck,
couId see JoIn und Iv sLundIng LogeLIer In IronL oI LIe IIrepIuce.
TIev`re LogeLIer uII LIe LIme now. Her voIce dropped Lo u wIIsper.
wus preLLv sure someLIIng wus goIng on. TIen Reece suw LIem repuIr-
Ing Mucon`s broken grundIuLIer cIock, und sIe suw LIeIr Iuces.
q=;J6=
A cIock. Ike u seIenomeLer, or u moLorcvcIe. TIIngs LIuL worked LIe
wuv Iv`s mInd dId. sIook IL oII. NoL JoIn Breed, noL wILI Iv.
IxIng u cIock? Iooked uL enu. TIuL`s LIe bIg gIveuwuv?
LoId vou, Reece suw LIem. And Iook uL LIem. You don`L Iuve Lo be u
SvbII Lo IIgure IL ouL.
Iv wus weurIng un oId-IookIng dress, IIke someLIIng sIe probubIv
Iound In MurIun`s uLLIc. L wus Iow ucross Ier sIouIders und Iung In
some compIIcuLed Iucv wuv LIuL onIv LIe worn IeuLIer scorpIon beIL In-
LerrupLed. SIe Iooked IIke someone ouL oI u movIe vou wouId wuLcI In
vour EngIIsI cIuss uILer vou`d reud LIe book. Her bIond IuIr wus Ioose,
InsLeud oI In bruIds. SIe Iooked dIIIerenL. SIe Iooked. Iuppv. dIdn`L
wunL Lo LIInk ubouL IL.
L? Whats going on?
Watch.
JoIn wus sLundIng beIInd Ier, weurIng wIuL wus probubIv one oI Mu-
con`s suILs. He Iooked IIke Mucon used Lo-durk und dungerous. He
wus pInnIng u corsuge Lo u Iucv sLrup on Iv`s sIouIder. SIe wus Leus-
Ing IIm, und recognIzed LIe Lone.
And enu wus rIgIL. Anvone wIo suw LIem LogeLIer couId LeII
someLIIng wus goIng on.
Iv cuugIL IIs Iund us Ie IumbIed. `d upprecIuLe IL II vou dIdn`L ucLu-
uIIv druw bIood.
He LrIed uguIn. TIen IoId sLIII.
um. L`s LIe pIn LIuL`s noL. HIs Iund wus sIukIng.
q=8J6=
cIeured mv LIrouL, und LIev Iooked up. Iv Lurned even pInker wIen
sIe suw me. JoIn sLood LuIIer.
HeIIo LIere. Iv wus sLIII bIusIIng.
HI. couIdn`L LIInk oI wIuL eIse Lo suv.
TIIs Is uwkwurd. JoIn smIIed us II we were IrIends. Lurned Lo enu
wILIouL unswerIng, becuuse we weren`L.
Even II LIIs wusn`L LIe weIrdesL Ideu vou`ve ever come up wILI-und
`m noL suvIng IL Isn`L-Iow do vou LIInk we`re goIng Lo puII LIIs oII?
NeILIer one oI LIem goes Lo Juckson.
enu IeId up Lwo more LIckeLs Lo LIe SIusI BuII. You bougIL Lwo,
bougIL Lwo. SIe gesLured Lo JoIn. MeeL mv duLe.
Excuse me?
SIe Iooked uL Iv. And vours.
Why are you doing this?
We cun brIng wIoever we wunL us our duLes. L`s jusL unLII we geL
InsIde.
Are you crazy, L?
No. Its a favor for a friend.
Iooked uL JoIn und Iv.
Which one is suddenly your friend?
q=J6=
SIe reucIed up Lo puL Ier Iunds on mv sIouIders, und kIssed mv
cIeek. You.
don`L undersLund.
Were moving forward. Let things be as they are.
Iooked uL JoIn und Iv.
This is your idea of moving forward?
enu nodded.
HeIIo? I vou Lwo wunL Lo ucLuuIIv LuIk ouL Ioud, we cun wuIL In LIe
oLIer room. JoIn wus wuLcIIng us ImpuLIenLIv.
Sorrv. We`re good now. enu guve me u meunIngIuI Iook. RIgIL?
Muvbe we were, buL knew someone wIo wouIdn`L be. Do vou Iuve
unv Ideu wIuL Ink Is gonnu suv ubouL LIIs? He`s wuILIng In LIe cur
wILI SuvunnuI rIgIL now.
enu nodded uL JoIn, und Ieurd LIe rIppIng noIse uguIn, comIng
Irom ouLsIde. TIe musIc bIusLIng Irom LIe BeuLer suddenIv sLopped.
Ink`s uIreudv uL LIe dunce. So guess we go, rIgIL? JoIn grubbed
Iv`s Iund.
You ripped Ink? IeIL mv sIouIders sLIIIen. You weren`L even
LoucIIng IIm.
JoIn sIrugged. LoId vou, `m noL reuIIv u ruIes kIndu guv. cun do u
IoL oI LIIngs. MosL oI LIe LIme, don`L even know Iow.
TIuL mukes me IeeI u IoL beLLer.
q6oJ6=
ReIux. L wus vour gIrIIrIend`s Ideu.
WIuL`s SuvunnuI gonnu LIInk? couId ImugIne Ier LeIIIng LIIs sLorv
Lo Ier mom.
SIe won`L remember u LIIng. enu grubbed mv Iund. Come on. We
cun Luke LIe Ieurse. enu pIcked up Ier kevs.
sIook mv Ieud. GoIng Lo LIe dunce uIone wILI SuvunnuI Is LIe IusL
LIIng Ink wunLed.
TrusL me. Two more words no guv wunLs Lo Ieur Irom IIs gIrIIrIend.
What are you up to? Help me out here.
TIe bund Iud Lo be LIere eurIv. SIe drugged me uILer Ier.
TIe bund? You meun LIe HoIv RoIIers? Now wus reuIIv conIused.
PrIncIpuI Hurper wouIdn`L IeL LIe HoIv RoIIers pIuv uL u dunce unv
more LIun-ucLuuIIv, LIere wus no compurIson. L wouId never Iuppen.
enu`s IuIr curIed In LIe nonexIsLenL breeze, und sIe Lossed me LIe
kevs.
q61J6=
12.12
A Light in the Dark
couId see IIgILs IIusIIng LIrougI LIe upper wIndows oI LIe gvm uII
LIe wuv Irom LIe purkIng IoL. TIe purLv wus uIreudv In IIgI geur.
enu puIIed me bv LIe urm. Come on! We cun`L mIss LIIs!
Ieurd LIe unmIsLukubIe IowI oI Ink`s vocuIs und Iroze. TIe HoIv
RoIIers were In LIere perIormIng, jusL IIke enu suId LIev wouId be.
IeIL u momenL oI punIc. TIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus uImosL Iere, und
we were ubouL Lo wuIk InLo u dunce uL Juckson. L seemed sLupId, buL
LIen so dId sLuvIng Iome und worrvIng ubouL LIe end oI LIe worId
wIen LIere wus noLIIng we couId do Lo sLop IL. Muvbe LIe sLupIdesL
purL wus LIInkIng couId keep IL Irom IuppenIng.
So dId LIe onIv IogIcuI LIIng, wIIcI wus keep mv mouLI sIuL und
LIgILen mv urm uround LIe preLLIesL gIrI In LIe purkIng IoL. AII rIgIL,
. Come cIeun. WIuL dId vou do?
wunLed IIm Lo Iuve one good nIgIL wILIouL RIdIev. enu sIId Ier
urm LIrougI mIne. And wunLed IL Ior vou. SIe Iooked over Ier
sIouIder Lo wIere JoIn`s Iow voIce und Iv`s IuugILer IIouLed up be-
IInd us. or evervone, guess.
TIe weIrdesL purL wus LIuL undersLood wIv sIe dId IL. We Iud uII
been sLuck sInce LIe summer, us II IL never reuIIv ended. Ammu
couIdn`L reud curds or LuIk Lo LIe GreuLs. MurIun wusn`L uIIowed Lo do
Ier job. Iv wusn`L LruInIng Lo be u Keeper. Mucon bureIv cume up
Irom LIe TunneIs. Ink wus sLIII LrvIng Lo IIgure ouL Iow Lo be un n-
cubus und geL over RIdIev. And JoIn Iud been sLuck Ior reuI, In LIe
ArcIIgIL. Even LIe IeuL sLuck uround, IIke LIe endIess summer Irom
IeII.
EvervLIIng In GuLIIn wus sLuck.
WIuL enu dId LonIgIL wusn`L goIng Lo cIunge unv oI LIuL, buL muvbe
we couId Ieuve LIe summer beIInd us. Muvbe IL wouId end one oI
LIese duvs, LukIng LIe IeuL und LIe bugs und LIe bud memorIes wILI IL.
Muvbe we couId IeeI normuI uguIn. Our versIon oI normuI, uL IeusL.
Even II LIe cIock wus sLIII LIckIng und LIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus geLLIng
cIoser.
We can do more than feel normal, Ethan. We can be normal.
enu smIIed uL me, und puIIed Ier even cIoser us we wuIked InLo LIe
gvm.
TIe InsIde oI LIe gvm Iud been LrunsIormed, und LIe LIeme seemed Lo
be-Ink. TIe HoIv RoIIers were onsLuge, IIL bv spoLIIgILs LIe Dunce
CommILLee couId never uIIord Lo renL. And Ink wus In LIe cenLer oI IL
uII, IIs ruIIIed sIIrL unbuLLoned und drencIed wILI sweuL. He wus uI-
LernuLIng beLween pIuvIng LIe drums und sIngIng, sIIdIng uIong LIe
sLuge wILI LIe mIc sLund In IIs Iund. Everv LIme Ie moved neur LIe
edge, u group oI IresImen gIrIs screumed.
And Ior LIe second LIme In mv IIIe, LIe HoIv RoIIers sounded IIke u reuI
bund-wILIouL u cIerrv IoIIIpop In sIgIL.
WIuL dId vou do? sIouLed Lo enu over LIe musIc.
ConsIder IL u Don`L-eL-LIe-Dunce-Suck CusL.
q6qJ6=
So, guess LIe wIoIe LIIng wus Ink`s Ideu In LIe IIrsL pIuce.
smIIed, und sIe nodded uL me.
ExucLIv.
On LIe wuv Lo LIe dunce IIoor, we wuIked pusL u curdbourd buckdrop.
TIere wus u sLooI, buL LIe pIoLogrupIer wus nowIere In sIgIL. TIe
wIoIe LIIng Iooked u IILLIe suspIcIous. WIere`s LIe pIoLogrupIer, ?
HIs wIIe wenL InLo Iubor. enu wouIdn`L Iook uL me.
enu.
ReuIIv. You cun usk unvone. WeII, don`L usk Ier. SIe`s u IILLIe busv
rIgIL now.
We pussed Iv und JoIn, wIo were sILLIng uL u LubIe neur LIe dunce
IIoor. `ve onIv seen LIIs on TV, Iv suId, LukIng IL uII In.
An AmerIcun IIgI scIooI dunce? JoIn smIIed. L`s mv IIrsL, Loo.
JoIn reucIed ouL Lo Lug on u IengLI oI Ier bIond IuIr. eL`s dunce,
OIIvIu.
An Iour IuLer, Iud Lo udmIL enu wus rIgIL. We were uII IuvIng u
good LIme, und IL dIdn`L IeeI IIke summer unvmore. L IeIL IIke u reguIur
IIgI scIooI dunce, wIere vou wuIL Ior LIe sIow songs Lo geL cIose Lo
vour gIrIIrIend. SuvunnuI wus IoIdIng courL In Ier puIIv coLLon cundv
dress, und sIe even dunced wILI EurI PeLLv-once. TIe onIv excepLIon
wus LIe reLurn oI Ink us u rock god. BuL LonIgIL even LIuL dIdn`L seem
so ImpossIbIe.
q6=J6=
uLLv wus busLIng LIe resL oI LIe HoIv RoIIers Ior smokIng In IronL oI
LIe gvm wIIIe LIe Dunce CommILLee`s pre-upproved pIuvIIsL bIusLed
LIrougI LIe speukers. BuL LIere wusn`L mucI uLLv couId do, sInce
LIev were uII uround LwenLv-IIve und conIIrmed dIrLbugs. TIuL wus ob-
vIous wIen LIe Ieud guILurIsL wIIspered someLIIng In EmIIv AsIer`s
eur LIuL ucLuuIIv IeIL Ier speecIIess Ior LIe IIrsL LIme In Ier IIIe.
wenL Lo IInd Ink, wIo wus IungIng ouL In LIe IuIIwuv bv LIe Iockers.
TIe IuIIwuv wus durk, excepL Ior one bIInkIng IIuorescenL puneI on LIe
ceIIIng, wIIcI mude IL u good pIuce Lo IIde Irom SuvunnuI. IIgured
`d LeII IIm Iow greuL Ie wus onsLuge, becuuse LIere wus noLIIng vou
couId suv Lo Ink LIuL wouId muke IIm IuppIer LIun LIuL. BuL dIdn`L
geL Lo LeII IIm.
He wus wIpIng LIe sweuL oII IIs Iuce wIen suw Ier Lurn LIe corner.
RIdIev.
So mucI Ior Ink beIng Iuppv.
ducked InLo LIe doorwuv oI LIe bIo Iub beIore LIev suw me. Muvbe
RIdIev wus goIng Lo LeII IIm wIere sIe`d been uII LIIs LIme. SIe wouId
deIInILeIv IIe Lo enu und me wIen we usked Ier.
Hev LIere, HoL Rod. SIe wus suckIng on u cIerrv IoIIIpop, weurIng
IoLs oI bIuck und sIowIng IoLs oI skIn. SomeLIIng wus oII, buL
couIdn`L puL mv IInger on IL.
WIere LIe IeII Iuve vou been? Ink LIrew IIs sweuLv sIIrL onLo LIe
IIoor.
Around.
q66J6=
Evervone`s been worrIed ubouL vou. Even uILer LIe sLunL vou puIIed.
Everyone meunIng him.
RIdIev IuugIed. YeuI, beL.
So, wIere- or u second, Ie dIdn`L suv unvLIIng. WIv ure vou
weurIn` sungIusses, RId?
pusIed mvseII IIuLLer uguInsL LIe wuII und Iooked uround LIe corner.
RIdIev wus weurIng bIuck sungIusses, LIe kInd sIe used Lo weur uII LIe
LIme.
Tuke LIem oII. He wus uImosL sIouLIng. I LIe musIc wusn`L so Ioud,
someone wouId`ve Ieurd IIm.
RIdIev Ieuned up uguInsL LIe Iocker nexL Lo Ink. Don`L be mud,
SIrInkv DInk. wus never cuL ouL Lo be u MorLuI. We boLI knew LIuL.
Ink puIIed Ier sungIusses oII, und couId see Ier veIIow eves Irom
wIere wus sLundIng. TIe eves oI u Durk CusLer.
WIuL dId vou do? Ink sounded deIeuLed.
SIe sIrugged. You know, begged IorgIveness und uII LIuL. LIInk
evervone knew `d been punIsIed enougI. BeIng u MorLuI wus
torture.
Ink wus sLurIng uL LIe IInoIeum. knew LIuL Iook. L wus LIe sume one
Ie Iud wIenever IIs mom sLurLed on one oI Ier LIrudes, LIreuLenIng
moruI dumnuLIon II Ie dIdn`L brIng IIs grudes up or sLop reudIng books
sIe wus LrvIng Lo bun. L wus LIe Iook LIuL suId: Nothing I do is going
to make any difference.
q6;J6=
WIo`s 'evervone,` RId? SuruIIne? AbruIum? He wus sIukIng IIs
Ieud. DId vou go Lo LIem uILer evervLIIng LIev dId Lo vou? AILer LIev
LrIed Lo kIII us? TIe wuv vou IeL JoIn Breed ouLLu LIe ArcIIgIL uILer
wIuL Ie dId Lo me?
SIe sLepped In IronL oI IIm, resLIng Ier Iunds on IIs cIesL. Iud Lo
IeL IIm ouL. He guve me power. Her voIce wus rIsIng, LIe surcusLIc
Lone gone. Don`L vou undersLund? L wus LIe onIv wuv couId IeeI IIke
mvseII uguIn.
Ink grubbed Ier wrIsLs und pusIed Ier uwuv. `m gIud vou IeeI IIke
vourseII. Guess never reuIIv knew wIo vou were. `m LIe IdIoL. He
sLurLed wuIkIng buck Lowurd LIe doubIe doors LIuL Ied InLo LIe gvm.
dId IL Ior us! RIdIev ucLuuIIv Iooked IurL. I vou cun`L see LIuL, LIen
vou reuIIv ure un IdIoL.
Ink Lurned uround. or us? WIv wouId vou do LIIs Lo vourseII Ior
us?
Don`L vou geL IL? We cun be LogeLIer now. We`re LIe sume. `m noL
some sLupId MorLuI gIrI vou`II geL sIck oI In sIx monLIs.
You LIInk cured ubouL LIuL?
SIe IuugIed. You wouId`ve, LrusL me. wus noLIIng.
You were someLIIng Lo me. He Iooked up uL LIe ceIIIng, us II LIe un-
swer Lo LIIs mess wus wrILLen on LIe worn squures.
RIdIev cIosed LIe dIsLunce beLween LIem. Come wILI me. TonIgIL.
cun`L sLuv Iere, buL cume buck Ior vou.
q68J6=
As wuLcIed Ier, suw SuruIIne-LIe one Irom LIe vIsIons. TIe one
wIo wus LrvIng Lo IIgIL Ier nuLure, LIe Durkness LukIng IoId wILIIn
Ier. Muvbe enu`s IumIIv wus wrong.
Muvbe LIere wus sLIII IgIL In LIe Durk.
Ink Ieuned IIs Ieud uguInsL Iers, LIeIr IoreIeuds LoucIIng Ior u
second. cun`L. NoL uILer wIuL LIev dId Lo mv IrIends, und Lo vou.
cun`L be one oI LIem, RId. `m noL IIke vou-und don`L wunL Lo be.
SIe wus sLunned. You couId see IL In Ier eves, even II LIev were veIIow.
RId?
Tuke u good Iook, HoL Rod. TIIs Is LIe IusL LIme vou`re ever gonnu see
me. SIe wus wuIkIng buckwurd, sLIII IookIng uL IIm.
TIen sIe Lurned und run.
A cIerrv IoIIIpop roIIed ucross LIe IIoor.
Ink`s voIce wus so quIeL bureIv Ieurd IIm us IIs Iund cIosed uround
IL.
Bud or noL, vou`II uIwuvs be mv gIrI.
AILer seeIng RIdIev, Ink dIdn`L cure ubouL beIng u rock god. He wus In
bud sIupe, und Ie wusn`L LIe onIv one. enu Iud bureIv suId u word
sInce LoId Ier ubouL RIdIev. TIe dunce wus over Ior us.
TIe purkIng IoL wus deserLed. No one IeIL u Juckson dunce LIIs eurIv.
TIe Ieurse wus purked uL LIe Iur end oI LIe IoL, under LIe broken
sLreeLIIgIL. Ink wus beIInd us, und Iv und JoIn were wuIkIng In
q6J6=
IronL, IoIdIng Iunds. IIsLened Lo our sIoes uguInsL LIe uspIuIL us we
wuIked. TIuL`s Iow knew JoIn Iud sLopped wuIkIng.
No. NoL now, Ie wIIspered.
IoIIowed IIs eves, buL IL wus pILcI-bIuck und couIdn`L see unvLIIng.
WIuL Is IL?
WIuL`s up, mun? Ink sLepped up nexL Lo me, IIs eves Iocused on LIe
Ieurse. knew Ie couId see In LIe durk, IIke JoIn. PIeuse LeII me LIuL
Isn`L wIo LIInk IL Is.
JoIn dIdn`L move. L`s HunLIng und IIs BIood Puck.
Iv LrIed Lo IInd LIem In LIe durkness, buL IL wus ImpossIbIe unLII
HunLIng sLepped InLo LIe puIe gIow oI unoLIer sLreeLIIgIL.
SIe pusIed JoIn. Go! GeL buck In LIe TunneIs. Iv wunLed IIm Lo
rIp, demuLerIuIIze beIore HunLIng Iud LIe cIunce Lo do LIe sume.
He sIook IIs Ieud. cun`L Ieuve vou. won`L.
You cun rIp us ouL oI Iere. Iv reucIed Ior IIs Iund.
cun`L Luke uII oI vou uL once.
TIen go!
L dIdn`L muLLer wIuL Iv suId. TIere wus no LIme.
HunLIng Ieuned uguInsL LIe sLreeLIIgIL, u cIgureLLe burnIng beLween IIs
IIngers. Two more ncubuses sLepped InLo vIew. So, LIIs Is wIere
vou`ve been IIdIng ouL. HIgI scIooI. never wouId`ve guessed. You
never were LIuL smurL.
q;oJ6=
JoIn pusIed Iv beIInd IIm. How dId vou IInd me?
HunLIng IuugIed. We cun uIwuvs IInd vou, kId. You`ve goL vour own
personuI oJuck. WIIcI mukes me wonder Iow vou munuged Lo IIde
ouL LIIs Iong. WIerever vou were, vou sIouId`ve sLuved LIere.
HunLIng sLurLed wuIkIng Lowurd us, IIs Iuckevs rIgIL beIInd IIm.
enu squeezed mv Iund.
Oh my God. He was safe in the Tunnels. This is all my fault.
Its Abrahams fault.
JoIn sLood IIs ground. `m noL goIng unvwIere wILI vou, HunLIng.
HunLIng IIIcked IIs cIgureLLe InLo LIe durkness. L`s uImosL u sIume
Iuve Lo Luke vou buck. You`ve goL u IoL more IIgIL In vou wIen Abru-
Ium Isn`L messIng wILI vour Ieud. Does IL IeeI unv dIIIerenL Lo LIInk
Ior vourseII?
IIusIed on JoIn wunderIng IIke u zombIe LIrougI LIe cuve uL LIe
GreuL BurrIer. He swore Ie dIdn`L remember wIuL Iuppened LIuL
nIgIL. Wus IL possIbIe AbruIum wus conLroIIIng IIm LIen?
JoIn Iroze. WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL?
Guess vou Iuven`L been doIng mucI LIInkIng uILer uII. OI, weII. You
won`L mIss IL, LIen. HunLIng Iowered IIs voIce. You know wIuL
won`L mIss? WuLcIIng vou LwILcI uII LIe LIme, IIke someone`s pokIng
vou wILI u cuLLIe prod.
JoIn`s Iunds sLurLed Lo sIuke. SIuL up!
q;1J6=
remembered LIe wuv JoIn`s bodv used Lo jerk uII LIe LIme. TIe wuv
IIs muscIes Iud seemed Lo seIze InvoIunLurIIv-LIe wuv IL Iud goLLen
worse wIen Ie wus wILI AbruIum LIe nIgIL oI enu`s SevenLeenLI
Moon. Iudn`L seen IL Iuppen once sInce we Iound IIm In RIdIev`s
room.
HunLIng IuugIed. Come over Iere und muke me. Or we cun skIp LIe
purL wIere beuL some sense InLo vou beIore Luke vou buck.
Ink sLepped up nexL Lo JoIn. So, LeII me Iow IL works. s LIIs IIke u
reguIur IIgIL, or do need Lo use some kIndu JedI mInd LrIcks don`L
know ubouL?
wus sLunned. Ink wus cIeurIv LrvIng Lo even LIe odds. JoIn Iooked us
surprIsed us LIe resL oI us. goL LIIs one. BuL LIunks.
WIuL ure vou- Ink never Iud u cIunce Lo IInIsI.
JoIn LIrew IIs Iunds ouL In IronL oI IIm, LIe wuv enu dId wIen sIe
wus usIng Ier powers Lo Leur up LIe ground or brIng on LorrenLIuI ruIn.
Or IurrIcune-Iorce wInds.
JoIn wus usIng enu`s powers-LIe ones Ie ubsorbed LIe IusL LIme Ie
LoucIed Ier.
TIe wInd pIcked up so IusL LIuL IL knocked HunLIng oII IIs IeeL. TIe
oLIer Lwo ncubuses were LIrown buckwurd, skIddIng ucross LIe purk-
Ing IoL uL u speed LIuL wouId resuIL In serIous uspIuIL burn. BuL HunL-
Ing rIpped beIore LIe IuII Iorce oI LIe wInd cuugIL IIm.
He sLurLed Lo muLerIuIIze u Iew IeeL uwuv, buL LIe wInd puIIed IIm
buck uguIn.
q;zJ6=
He`s sLIII comIng! Iv screumed. SIe wus rIgIL.
enu pusIed pusL me.
I have to help John. He cant do it alone.
SIe LIrew Ier own Iunds Iorwurd, Ier puIms IucIng HunLIng. enu`s
powers were sLronger LIun ever. And us unpredIcLubIe.
RuIn poured Irom LIe skv us LIe cIouds broke open.
No! Not now!
TIe ruIn Iummered down on us-und LIe wInd, wIIcI wus dvIng down
IusL.
HunLIng wus drv, LIe ruIn runnIng oII IIs juckeL In rIvuIeLs. NIce LrIck,
kId. L`s u sIume SuruIIne`s duugILer desLroved LIe Order. I Ier
powers weren`L so screwed up, vou mIgIL`ve been ubIe Lo suve vour
uss.
Ieurd u dog burkIng und cuugIL u gIImpse oI Boo RudIev runnIng
uround LIe sIde oI one oI LIe curs.
Mucon wus beIInd IIm, ruIn runnIng down IIs Iuce. As Iuck wouId
Iuve IL, mIne seem Lo be deveIopIng In quILe un interesting munner.
HunLIng wus us sIocked Lo see Mucon us LIe resL oI us, buL Ie dId u
good job IIdIng IL. He IIL unoLIer cIgureLLe, despILe LIe ruIn. You
meun uILer kIIIed vou? L`II be u pIeusure Lo do IL uguIn.
TIe members oI HunLIng`s puck Iud pIcked LIemseIves up und crossed
LIe purkIng IoL LIe oId-IusIIoned wuv. Now LIev were sLundIng beIInd
HunLIng.
q;J6=
Mucon cIosed IIs eves.
EvervLIIng wenL quIeL und sLIII. Too sLIII. TIe wuv IL IeeIs rIgIL beIore
someLIIng IorrIbIe Is goIng Lo Iuppen. wusn`L LIe onIv one wIo
sensed IL.
HunLIng vunIsIed, rIppIng LIrougI LIe sIInv bIuck skv-
As Ie muLerIuIIzed, IncIes Irom Mucon, u puIsuLIng green IIgIL enveI-
oped us. TIe IIgIL Iummed wILI power.
L wus comIng Irom Mucon.
HunLIng Iroze In LIe eerIe green gIow, IIs Iund ouLsLreLcIed, cunInes
bured.
WIuL Is LIuL? Ink wus sIIeIdIng IIs eves.
L`s IIgIL, Iv suId, LrunsIIxed.
How cun Ie creuLe IIgIL? usked.
Iv sIook Ier Ieud. Iuve no Ideu.
TIe IIgIL grew brIgILer, und HunLIng dropped Lo LIe ground, LIrusI-
Ing on LIe gIowIng concreLe. An ugonIzIng sound Lore LIrougI IIm,
IIke IIs vocuI cords were sIreddIng. TIe oLIer Lwo ncubuses were
wrILIIng on LIe ground, Loo, buL couIdn`L Luke mv eves oII HunLIng.
TIe coIor sLurLed Lo IeucI ouL oI IIm, begInnIng uL LIe Lop oI IIs Ieud
und movIng down over IIs Iuce. L wus IIke wuLcIIng u sIeeL beIng
puIIed oII someone, sIowIv. BuL LIIs sIeeL wus u bIuck mIsL, und us IL
moved down, IIs neck-und IIs IuIr, IIs skIn, IIs empLv bIuck
q;qJ6=
eves-becume uImosL LrunsIucenL. L wus IuppenIng Lo oLIer members
oI IIs BIood Puck, Loo.
WIuL`s IuppenIng Lo LIem? don`L know II wus expecLIng un un-
swer, buL IL wus JoIn wIo Iud one.
TIev`re IosIng LIeIr power. TIeIr Durkness. couId LeII Irom LIe pun-
Icked Iook on JoIn`s Iuce LIuL Ie`d never seen LIIs IIrsLIund. TIuL`s
wIuL Iuppens Lo ncubuses wIen LIev`re exposed Lo duvIIgIL.
Iooked uL JoIn. L wusn`L uIIecLIng IIm.
He`s reuIIv creuLIng IIgIL, Iv wIIspered.
JoIn suId someLIIng eIse, buL wusn`L IIsLenIng unvmore. wus sLurIng
uL LIe oLIer Lwo ncubuses, wIo were LrunsIucenL now. TIe Durkness
Iud seeped ouL oI LIem mucI IusLer. wuLcIed us LIeIr bodIes
sLIIIened, IIke sLuLues, LIeIr eves IIxed und IIIeIess. BuL LIuL wusn`L LIe
mosL dIsLurbIng purL.
TIe bIuck mIsL-LIe Durk power LIuL Iud druIned ouL oI LIeIr bod-
Ies-wus seepIng InLo LIe ground.
WIere Is IL goIng? enu usked.
TIe Underground. JoIn Look u sLep buck, us II Ie dIdn`L wunL Lo geL
Loo cIose Lo wIuL Ie couId`ve been. Energv cun`L be desLroved. L jusL
cIunges Iorm.
Iroze. TIe words repIuved LIemseIves In mv mInd.
It just changes form.
LIougIL ubouL TwvIu und LIe GreuLs und AunL Prue. Mv mom und
Mucon.
q;=J6=
remembered LIe green gIow oI LIe ArcIIgIL.
TIe sume IIgIL LIuL wus wusIIng over us now. Hud someLIIng
Iuppened Lo Mucon wILIIn ILs wuIIs? Hud mv moLIer cIunged IIm
someIow? Remude LIe mun sIe Iud Ioved und IosL?
WIuL wIII IL become? Iv sounded IrIgILened. JoIn wus ucLuuIIv
LeIIIng Ier someLIIng sIe dIdn`L know.
TIe coIor Iud druIned Irom HunLIng`s bodv, uII LIe wuv down Lo IIs
Iunds. Mucon Iudn`L moved, IIs eves squeezed LIgILIv sIuL, IIke Ie
wus In LIe mIddIe oI u LerrIbIe nIgILmure.
JoIn dIdn`L unswer Ior u second. WIen IInuIIv Ie dId, wIsIed Ie
Iudn`L. Vexes.
Mucon wouId never wunL Lo do LIuL. Iv wus us sIocked us wus.
JoIn Look Ier Iund. know. BuL Ie doesn`L geL Lo decIde LIe wuv LIe
unIverse operuLes, Iv. None oI us do.
OI mv God. enu wus poInLIng uL LIe Lwo ncubuses, now com-
pIeLeIv voId oI coIor. TIe uIr uround LIem seemed Lo sIIIL, buL LIen
reuIIzed wIuL wus reuIIv IuppenIng. TIev were dIsInLegruLIng. BuL LIev
dIdn`L Lurn Lo usI, LIe wuv zombIes und vumpIres In LIe movIes do.
TIe LInv pIeces oI LIem vunIsIed, us II LIev Iud never been uL uII.
Ieurd Mucon InIuIe sIurpIv. TIIs wus druInIng IIm, Loo. wuLcIed
IIm IIgIL Lo IoId on Iong enougI Lo IInIsI oII HunLIng, buL LIe IIgIL
begun Lo dIm, unLII LIe bIuck nIgIL swuIIowed up LIe purkIng IoL uguIn.
HunLIng`s bodv dropped Lo LIe ground. He wus mounIng, druggIng
IImseII ucross LIe uspIuIL. HIs Iuce und Lorso were sLIII rIgId und com-
pIeLeIv LrunsIucenL.
q;6J6=
Mucon dropped Lo IIs knees, und enu kneIL down nexL Lo IIm. How
dId vou do LIuL?
Mucon dIdn`L repIv rIgIL uwuv. WIen IIs breuLI sounded reguIur
uguIn, Ie unswered. `m noL enLIreIv sure mvseII. BuL IL seems cun
cIunneI mv IgIL energv. CreuLe IIgIL, Ior Iuck oI u beLLer
expIunuLIon.
JoIn wundered over, sIukIng IIs Ieud. And LIougIL wus dIIIerenL.
You gIve new meunIng Lo IgIL CusLer, Mr. Ruvenwood.
Mucon Iooked uL JoIn, LIe IvbrId wIo couId sLund In LIe sunIIgIL. n
IgIL LIere Is Durkness, und In Durkness LIere Is IgIL.
Ieurd LIe rIp us HunLIng dIsuppeured, IIs bodv murked bv LIe IgIL.
q;;J6=
12.13
Tears and Rain
AILer wIuL Iuppened In LIe purkIng IoL, Mucon und Iv Look JoIn buck
down InLo LIe TunneIs, wIere Ie wouId be suIe under LIe veII oI Con-
ceuImenL CusLs und BIndIngs. We Ioped. TIere wus no doubL HunLIng
wouId LeII AbruIum evervLIIng, buL Iv wusn`L sure II Ie wus sLrong
enougI. dIdn`L usk II sIe meunL sLrong enougI Lo muke IL buck Lo
AbruIum, or Lo survIve uL uII.
uLer LIuL nIgIL, enu und suL LogeLIer on LIe sLeps oI Ier uneven
porcI, mv bodv pressed InLo Iers. LrIed Lo memorIze LIe wuv IL IIL
perIecLIv wILI mIne. burIed mv Iuce In Ier IuIr. L sLIII smeIIed IIke
Iemons und rosemurv. One LIIng Iudn`L cIunged.
LIILed Ier cIIn up und pressed mv mouLI uguInsL Iers. wusn`L kIss-
Ing Ier us mucI us wus IeeIIng Ier IIps uguInsL mIne. couId Iuve IosL
Ier LonIgIL.
SIe Ieuned Ier Ieud uguInsL mv cIesL.
But you didnt.
I know.
IeL mv mInd drIIL, buL uII couId LIInk ubouL wus wIuL IL Iud IeIL IIke
wILIouL Ier IusL summer, wIen LIougIL `d IosL Ier. TIe duII ucIe
LIuL never wenL uwuv. TIe empLIness. L wus LIe sume wuv Ink musL
Iuve IeIL wIen RIdIev wuIked uwuv. `d never IorgeL LIe Iook on IIs
Iuce. He wus so broken. And RIdIev, wILI LIose IuunLIng veIIow eves.
IeIL enu`s mInd cIurnIng even Iurder LIun mIne.
Stop it, L.
Stop what.
Thinking about Ridley.
I cant. She reminds me of Saraof my mom. And look how she
turned out.
Ridleys not Sarafine.
Not yet.
sIId LIe corsuge oII Ier LIIn wrIsL. TIere IL wus. Her moLIer`s bruce-
IeL. Mv Iund brusIed uguInsL LIe meLuI, und LIe second IL dId, knew
evervLIIng LIuL beIonged Lo SuruIIne wus LuInLed. TIe porcI sLurLed Lo
spIn-
It was getting harder and harder to keep track of the days. Sarafine
felt as though she was in a constant fog, confused and detached from
her everyday life. Emotions seemed beyond her grasp, floating on the
periphery of her mind as if they belonged to someone else. The only
place she felt grounded was in the Tunnels. There was a connection to
the Caster world and the elements that had created the power run-
ning through her veins. It gave her comfort, allowed her to breathe.
Sometimes she spent hours down there, sitting in the small study
Abraham had created for her. It was usually peaceful, until Hunting
arrived. Her half brother believed Abraham was wasting his time
with her, and he didnt attempt to hide it.
q8oJ6=
Here again? Sarafine could hear the contempt in Huntings voice.
Im just reading. She tried to avoid confrontations with Hunting.
He was vicious and cruel, yet there was always a thread of truth in
his words. Truth she tried desperately to ignore.
Hunting leaned against the door, a cigarette hanging between his
lips. Ill never understand why Grand-father Abraham wastes his
time with you. Do you have any idea how many Casters would kill to
have him as a teacher? Hunting shook his head.
She was tired of being bullied. Why am I a waste?
Youre a Dark Caster pretending to be Light. A Cataclyst. If that isnt
a waste, I dont know what is.
The words stung, but Sarafine tried to hide it. Im not pretending.
Hunting laughed, baring his canines. Really? Have you told your
Light Caster husband about your secret meetings down here? I won-
der how long it would take him to turn on you.
Thats none of your business.
Hunting dropped his cigarette into an empty soda can on the desk.
Ill take that as a no.
Sarafine felt her chest tighten, and for a second everything went
black.
The desk caught fire just as Hunting pulled his hand away.
There was no warning. One minute she was angry at Hunting; the
next, the desk was going up in smoke.
q81J6=
Hunting coughed. Now, thats more like it.
Sarafine scrambled to put out the fire with an old blanket. Predict-
ably, Hunting didnt help. He disappeared into Abrahams private
study down the hall. Sarafine stared at her hands, covered in black
ash. Her face was probably filthy, too. She couldnt go home to John
like this.
She wandered down the hall toward the small bathroom. But as soon
as she came within a few feet of Abrahams door, she heard voices.
I dont know why youre so obsessed with that kid. Huntings voice
was bitter. Who cares if he can go out in the daylight? Hes barely
old enough to walk, and Silas will probably kill him before he can be
useful. He was talking about the boy Abraham told her about when
they first met. The one who was a little older than Lena.
Silas will control his temper and do what I tell him, Abraham
snapped. Have some vision, boy. That child will be the next genera-
tion. An Incubus with all of our strengths and none of our
weaknesses.
How can you be sure?
You think I picked his parents by accident? Abraham didnt like be-
ing questioned. I knew exactly what I was doing.
For a moment there was silence. Then Abraham spoke again. It
wont be long before the Casters are out of the way. Ill see it in my
lifetime. I promise you that.
Sarafine shivered. A part of her wanted to run for the door and never
look back. But she couldnt. She had to stay for Lena.
q8zJ6=
She had to stop the voices.
When Sarafine got home, John was in the living room.
Shh. The babys asleep. He kissed her on the cheek as she sat down
next to him on the couch. Where have you been?
For a second she considered lying, telling him she was at the library
or walking in the park. But Huntings words mocked her. wonder
Iow Iong IL wouId Luke IIm Lo Lurn on vou. He was wrong about
John.
I was in the Tunnels.
What? John sounded as if he thought he had misunderstood her.
I met one of my relatives, and he told me things about the curse. Th-
ings I didnt know. The second Natural born into the Duchannes fam-
ily can Claim herself. Lena can choose. It all came tumbling out, so
many things she had longed to share with him.
John was shaking his head. Wait a minute. What relative?
There was no stopping now. Abraham Ravenwood.
John stood up, towering above her. Abraham Ravenwood, the Blood
Incubus? Hes dead.
Sarafine jumped up. No. Hes alive, and he can help us save Lena.
John was studying her face as if he didnt recognize it. Help us?
Have you lost your mind? Hes a blood-drinking Demon! How do you
even know if anything he told you is true?
q8J6=
Why would he lie? He has nothing to gain from telling me that Lena
has a choice.
John grabbed her by the shoulders. Why would he lie? How about
because hes a Blood Incubus? Hes worse than a Dark Caster.
Sarafine cringed beneath his fingers. It didnt matter if John called
her Izabel; her eyes were still golden yellow, and her skin ice-cold.
She was one of them.
He can help Lena. He`s IeIpIng me, Loo. Thats what she wished she
could tell him.
John was so angry he didnt notice how her face had crumbled. You
dont know that. He could be lying. We dont even know if Lenas a
Natural.
Sarafine felt something rising inside her, like the crest of a wave. She
didnt recognize it for what it was. Rage. But the voices did. He
doesn`L LrusL vou. He LIInks vou`re one oI LIem.
She tried to push the thoughts away and focus on John. When she
cries, it rains. That isnt proof enough for you?
John let go of her shoulders and ran his hands through his hair. Iza-
bel, this guy is a monster. I dont know what he wants with you, but
hes playing on your fears. You cant speak to him again.
Panic welled up inside her. She knew Abraham was telling the truth
about Lena. John hadnt seen the prophecy. But there was something
else. If she couldnt see Abraham, she couldnt control the voices.
John was staring at her. Izabel! Promise me.
She had to make him understand. But, John
q8qJ6=
He cut her off. I dont knowif you are losing your judgment or losing
control, but if you go anywhere near AbrahamRavenwood, Ill leave.
And Ill take Lena with me.
What did you say? He couldnt mean it.
If what he says is true, and Lena has a choice, she will choose Light.
I will never allow any Darkness into her life. I know youve been
struggling. You disappear all day, and when youre here, you look
distracted and confused.
Was it true? Could he see it on her face?
John was still talking. But its my job to protect Lena. Even if its
from you.
He loved Lena more than he loved her.
He was ready to walk away and take her daughter.
And one day, Lena would Claim herself. John would be sure she
turned her back on Sarafine.
Something clicked within her, two chambers locking into place. The
rage wasnt cresting anymore. It was crashing down on her, drown-
ing her beneath it. And she could hear the voice.
Burn.
The drapes ignited, sending fire racing up the walls behind John.
Smoke started to fill the room, black and dark, a living, breathing
shadow. The sound was so loud as the flames ate away at the wall
and spread to the floor. The fire created a perfect circle around John,
following an invisible path only she could see.
q8=J6=
Izabel! Stop! John screamed, his voice twisted by the roaring of the
fire.
What had she done?
How could you do this to me? I stood by you, even after you
Turned!
AILer vou Turned.
He believed she was Dark.
He always had.
She looked at him through the cloud of smoke quickly filling the
room. Sarafine watched the flames with remove. She wasnt standing
in her house, about to watch her husband burn to death. He didnt
look like the man she loved. Or even a man she could love.
He`s u LruILor. The voice was perfectly clear now, and there was only
one. Sarafine recognized it right away.
Because it was her own.
Before she walked away from the house and the smoke, her life and
memories that were already fading, she remembered something John
used to say to her. She looked into his green eyes with her gold ones.
Ill love you until the day after forever.
q86J6=
enu IeII Lo Ier knees on LIe sLep beneuLI me, sobbIng.
wrupped mv urms uround Ier, buL dIdn`L suv u word. SIe Iud jusL
wuLcIed Ier moLIer kIII Ier IuLIer und Ieuve Ier Ior deud.
TIere wus noLIIng IeIL Lo suv.
q8;J6=
12.13
The Verdict
A Iew Iours IuLer, enu wus sIukIng me.
Wake up. You have to wake up, Ethan
suL up wILI u sLurL. `m uwuke! OnIv Iooked uround, conIused, be-
cuuse IL wusn`L enu sIukIng me, IL wus Iv. Even LIougI couId sLIII
Ieur LIe ecIo oI enu`s voIce IIngerIng In mv Ieud.
ELIun. L`s me. PIeuse-vou`ve goL Lo wuke up.
Iooked uL Ier LIrougI IuII-open eves. Am dreumIng?
Iv Irowned. `m uIruId noL. TIIs Is reuI.
rubbed mv Iund LIrougI mv IuIr, conIused. L wus sLIII pILcI-durk
ouLsIde, und couIdn`L even remember dreumIng. onIv remembered
enu`s voIce und LIe urgenL IeeIIng someLIIng wus wrong. WIuL`s go-
Ing on?
L`s MurIun. SIe`s gone. Come on.
TIIngs were sLurLIng Lo IuII InLo pIuce. wus In mv room. Iv wus In mv
room. wusn`L dreumIng. WIIcI meunL-
WuIL. How dId vou geL In Iere?
Iv Iooked emburrussed. IILcIed u rIde. SIe poInLed Lo LIe scorpIon
beIL uround Ier wuIsL und gIunced beIInd Ier.
An ncubus wus sILLIng In LIe corner oI mv bedroom.
Great.
JoIn pIcked up mv jeuns Irom LIe IIoor und Lossed LIem uL me. Hurrv
up, Bov ScouL. or u guv wIo dIdn`L Iuve Lo sIeep, Ie wus us groucIv
In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL us wus.
Iv bIusIed, LurnIng uround, und u Iew seconds IuLer Ieurd LIe IumII-
Iur rIppIng sound. OnIv Ior LIe IIrsL LIme, IL wus Ior me.
WIere ure we?
Nobodv unswered. TIen Ieurd JoIn`s voIce In LIe durkness. No
cIue.
Don`L vou Iuve Lo know wIere vou`re goIng Lo rIp? sn`L LIuL LIe wuv
IL works? usked.
s LIuL some kInd oI MorLuI word Ior TruveIIng? ReuI cIever. He
sounded unnoved, wIIcI wus used Lo bv now. SorL oI. UsuuIIv.
TIe sIudows were sIIILIng, und rubbed mv eves, LrvIng Lo see In LIe
durk. sLreLcIed ouL mv Iunds, buL couIdn`L IeeI unvLIIng.
UsuuIIv?
wus IoIIowIng LIe sIgnuI.
qoJ6=
WIuL sIgnuI?
Mv eves udjusLed Irom LIe durkness oI TruveIIng Lo LIe durkness oI
wIerever we Iud TruveIed Lo. As LIe bIurrv sIudows IIgILened Irom
bIuck Lo gruv, reuIIzed we were crummed InLo u LInv spuce.
Iv Iooked uL JoIn. An Ad Auxilium Concitatio. L`s un uncIenL Hom-
Ing CusL, IIke u CusLer SOS. BuL onIv u CvpIer cun deLecL one.
JoIn sIrugged. Iung ouL wILI one uL ExIIe wILI RId und- He
dIdn`L IInIsI, buL we uII knew wIo Ie wus LuIkIng ubouL. pIcked up
some CvpIer skIIIs.
sIook mv Ieud. CvpIers? TIere wus so mucI ubouL enu`s worId
wouId never undersLund, no muLLer Iow Iurd LrIed.
You`re u Iundv guv, suId, unnoved.
WIo senL IL? Iv usked.
dId. enu wus sLundIng beIInd us In LIe durkness. couId bureIv
see Ier Iuce, buL Ier green und goId eves were sIInIng. SIe Iooked over
uL JoIn. wus IopIng vou wouId pIck IL up.
GIud `m good Ior someLIIng.
TIe ur Keep Is LrvIng MurIun Ior Lreuson. L`s goIng on rIgIL now.
enu sounded grIm. UncIe Mucon wenL uILer MurIun, buL Ie wouIdn`L
IeL me come. He suId IL wus Loo dungerous.
MurIun wus on LrIuI. L wus reuIIv IuppenIng, LIe wuv wus uIruId IL
wouId, ever sInce LIe duv Iv und Iound LIe Temporis Porta.
q1J6=
EvervLIIng `d been IeeIIng-LIe doubL, LIe punIc, LIe wrong-
ness-cuugIL up wILI me In u crusIIng wuve LIuL neurIv knocked mv
IeeL ouL Irom under me. Ike wus drownIng. Or IuIIIng.
Don`L worrv. Iv LrIed Lo sound reussurIng. `m sure sIe`s IIne. TIIs
wIoIe LIIng Is mv IuuIL, noL Iers. TIe CouncII wIII Iuve Lo udmIL LIuL,
sooner or IuLer.
JoIn IeId up IIs Iund. Ignis. A wurm veIIow IIume IIIckered Irom
LIe cenLer oI IIs puIm.
New purLv LrIck? usked.
He sIrugged. Ire wus never reuIIv mv LIIng. Guess pIcked IL up
Irom IungIng ouL wILI enu. NormuIIv wouId Iuve puncIed IIm. AL
IeusL, wouId Iuve wunLed Lo.
enu grubbed mv Iund. TIese duvs cun`L even IIgIL u cundIe wILIouL
LorcIIng LIe pIuce.
IgIL IIooded LIe room, und dIdn`L Iuve LIme Lo IIL IIm, becuuse now
knew exucLIv wIere we were. AguIn.
wus on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe punLrv door. Ten IeeL under mv kILcIen,
In mv own Iouse.
grubbed LIe oId IunLern und Look oII down LIe crumbIIng LunneI, Lo-
wurd LIe door In LIe ceIIIng no one ever opened, Lo LIe pIuce wIere LIe
uncIenL doors wouId be wuILIng Ior me.
WuIL up! You don`L know wIere LIIs LunneI ends, JoIn cuIIed uILer
me.
L`s uII rIgIL, Ieurd Iv suv. He knows wIere Ie`s goIng.
qzJ6=
Ieurd LIeIr IooLsLeps beIInd me, buL onIv run IusLer.
sLurLed bungIng on LIe Temporis Porta us soon us reucIed IL. TIIs
LIme IL dIdn`L open. SpIInLers dug InLo mv skIn, buL dIdn`L sLop
poundIng on LIe LIIck wood.
NoLIIng dId muLLered.
resLed mv Iuce uguInsL LIe wood. AunL MurIun, `m Iere! `m
comIng.
enu cume up beIInd me.
Ethan, she cant hear you.
I know.
JoIn sIoved me usIde und LoucIed LIe surIuce oI LIe doors wILI IIs
Iund. TIen Ie vunked IL uwuv us II LIe wood burned. TIuL`s some ser-
Ious mojo.
Iv grubbed IIs Iund, buL LIere wusn`L u murk on IL. don`L LIInk
LIere`s unvLIIng we cun do Lo open LIose doors, unIess LIev wunL Lo be
opened. SIe wus LuIkIng ubouL LIe IusL LIme LIev opened-Ior me. BuL
LIev weren`L openIng LIIs LIme.
Iv exumIned LIe sIde oI LIe doors, wIere LIe curvIngs were cIeuresL.
TIere Ius Lo be u wuv. LIrew mvseII buck uguInsL LIe LIIck, curved
pIunks. NoLIIng. We Iuve Lo LIInk oI someLIIng. WIo knows wIuL
LIev mIgIL do Lo MurIun.
qJ6=
Iv Iooked uwuv. cun ImugIne. BuL we cun`L IeIp Ier II we cun`L geL
InsIde. GIve me u mInuLe. SIe puIIed Ier red noLebook ouL oI Ier
worn IeuLIer buckpuck. `ve been LrvIng Lo IIgure ouL LIese svmboIs
sInce LIe IIrsL LIme we suw LIem.
enu sIoL me u Iook. TIe IIrsL LIme?
Iv dIdn`L Iook up. DIdn`L ELIun LeII vou? He Iound LIese doors weeks
ugo. TIev IeL IIm puss, buL LIev IeIL me beIInd. And Ie wouIdn`L LeII
me mucI ubouL wIuL Ie suw on LIe oLIer sIde. BuL `ve been sLudvIng
LIe doors ever sInce.
Weeks ugo?
Iuven`L LIe exucL duLe, Iv unswered.
Ethan?
I can explain. I was going to tell you the night at the Cineplex, but
you were already mad because I had invited Liv to the party.
Secret doors? With your secret friend? And something secret you
found behind them? Why would that make me mad?
I shouldve told you. Its not like youre worried about Liv.
wusn`L geLLIng oII LIuL eusv. LrIed noL Lo Iook uL enu, IocusIng on u
puge oI skeLcIes In Iv`s red noLebook. TIuL`s IL. recognIzed LIe
svmboIs In Ier noLebook.
Iv IeId LIe puper up uguInsL LIe svmboIs curved InLo LIe doors, mov-
Ing IL Irom one wooden puneI Lo LIe nexL, us sIe compured LIem. See
LIe recurrIng puLLern In LIese LIree cIrcIes?
qqJ6=
TIe WIeeI, suId uuLomuLIcuIIv. You suId LIev were LIe WIeeI oI
uLe.
Yes, buL perIups noL only LIe WIeeI oI uLe. LIInk eucI cIrcIe mIgIL
represenL one oI LIe TIree Keepers. TIe CouncII oI LIe ur Keep.
TIe ones wIo sIowed up In LIe urcIIve? enu usked.
SIe nodded. `ve reud evervLIIng couId IInd ubouL LIem, wIIcI Isn`L
mucI. rom wIuL cun deLermIne, LIe TIree Keepers musL Iuve been
LIe ones wIo vIsILed us.
LIougIL ubouL IL. L mukes sense. TIe IIrsL LIme wenL LIrougI LIose
doors, ended up uL LIe ur Keep.
So vou LIInk LIese sIgns sLund Ior LIe LIree oI LIem? JoIn Iooked
over uL me. TIose Ireuks LIuL wunLed Lo Luke Iv?
nodded. And MurIun. He seemed more concerned ubouL Iv LIun
MurIun, wIIcI dIdn`L surprIse me, buL IL sLIII mude me ungrv. Ike jusL
ubouL evervLIIng LIuL cume ouL oI IIs mouLI.
Iv Ignored us boLI, poInLIng Lo LIe IIrsL cIrcIe, LIe one wILI LIe IewesL
spokes. LIInk LIIs one represenLs wIuL`s IuppenIng now, LIe
presenL. And LIIs-sIe poInLed Lo LIe second cIrcIe, LIe one crossed
wILI more spokes-svmboIIzes wIuL Ius been. TIe pusL.
TIen wIuL`s LIuL one? JoIn poInLed Lo LIe IusL cIrcIe, LIe one wILI no
spokes.
WIuL wIII never be, or wIuL wIII uIwuvs be. Iv Lruced LIe druwIng
wILI Ier IInger. n oLIer words, LIe IuLure.
q=J6=
I eucI oI LIese svmboIs represenLs one oI LIe Keepers, LIen wIIcI Is
wIIcI? usked.
enu sLudIed LIe cIrcIe wILI LIe mosL spokes. LIInk LIuL Iuge guv Is
LIe pusL. He wus currvIng LIuL empLv IourgIuss wIen we suw IIm In
LIe urcIIve.
Iv nodded. ugree.
reucIed ouL und LoucIed LIe cIrcIes. TIev were Iurd und cooI, dIIIer-
enL Irom LIe LexLure oI LIe resL oI LIe wooden door. moved mv Iund
Lo LIe empLv cIrcIe, wILI no spokes. TIe womun Irom LIe CouncII, LIe
one wIo Iooked uIbIno. SIe`s wIuL Iusn`L Iuppened veL, rIgIL? TIe Iu-
Lure? Becuuse sIe`s noLIIng. meun, sIe wus prucLIcuIIv InvIsIbIe.
Iv reucIed up Lo LIe cIrcIe wILI LIe IewesL spokes. WIIcI wouId
muke LIe LuII one LIe presenL.
TIe IIgIL In LIe room IIIckered, und JoIn Iooked IrusLruLed. TIIs
sounds IIke u wIoIe IoL oI crup. WIuL wIII be? WIuL won`L be? WIuL
ure vou LuIkIng ubouL?
WIuL wIII be und wIuL wIII noL be ure equuIIv possIbIe und Im-
possIbIe, Iv expIuIned. guess vou couId suv LIev ure LIe ubsence oI
IIsLorv, LIe pIuce The Caster Chronicles cunnoL LoucI. You cun`L LeII u
sLorv or Keep u record oI wIuL Iusn`L Iuppened veL. TIuL`s Keeper
1o1. Iv sounded dreumv, und wondered wIuL sIe knew ubouL The
Caster Chronicles.
TIe CusLer wIuL? JoIn sIIILed LIe IIgIL Irom one Iund Lo LIe oLIer.
L`s u book, enu suId, wILIouL LukIng Ier eves oII LIe doors. TIe
Keepers Iud IL wILI LIem wIen LIev cume Lo see MurIun.
q6J6=
WIuLever. JoIn Iooked bored. I vou`re LuIkIng ubouL LIe IuLure,
Iow ubouL we cuII IL LIuL?
Iv nodded. BuL vou Iuve Lo remember, we`re noL jusL LuIkIng ubouL
LIe MorLuI IuLure. We`re LuIkIng ubouL evervLIIng unknown, Ior
CusLers und MorLuIs. ncIudIng LIe unknown reuIm, LIe pIuce wIere
LIe Demon worId LoucIes our own.
Demon worId? IeIL LIe prIckIIng oI recognILIon. Iud Lo LeII Iv.
know LIe pIuce wIere LIe Demon worId LoucIes ours. meun, don`L
know IL, buL know Ier. TIe IIum. TIe Demon Queen.
Iv wenL puIe, buL IL wus JoIn wIo wus LIe mosL Ireuked ouL. WIuL
ure vou LuIkIng ubouL?
TIe IIum LIIng-
TIere`s no IIum Iere. Iv wus sIukIng Ier Ieud. TIe verv presence
oI LIe IIum In our worId wouId meun LIe LoLuI desLrucLIon oI exIsL-
ence ILseII.
WIuL does LIuL Iuve Lo do wILI Ier? usked.
Her? s LIuL wIo vou were LuIkIng ubouL? TIe she wIo LoId vou ubouL
LIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus LIe IIum? TIe Demon Queen? Iv knew
Irom LIe Iook on mv Iuce LIuL sIe wus rIgIL.
GreuL, JoIn muLLered.
Iv Iroze. WIere Is LIe pIuce, ELIun? SIe cIosed Ier eves, wIIcI
mude me LIInk sIe knew wIuL wus goIng Lo suv.
q;J6=
don`L know Ior sure. BuL cun IInd IL. `m LIe Wuvwurd. TIe IIum
suId IL IerseII. LoucIed LIe cIrcIes uguIn wILI mv Iunds, over und
over, IeeIIng LIe rougI wood beneuLI mv IIngers.
The past. The present. The future that will be, and the future that will
not.
The way.
TIe wood begun Lo Ium beneuLI mv Iunds. LoucIed LIe curved
cIrcIes uguIn.
TIe coIor druIned Irom Iv`s Iuce. TIe IIum suId LIuL Lo vou?
opened mv eves, und evervLIIng wus cIeur. WIen vou Iook uL LIe
door, vou see u door, rIgIL?
Iv nodded.
Iooked uL Ier. see u puLI.
L wus Lrue. Becuuse LIe Temporis Porta wus openIng Ior me.
TIe wood Lurned Lo mIsL, und sIId mv Iund rIgIL LIrougI. Bevond IL,
couId see u puLI IeudIng InLo LIe dIsLunce. Come on.
WIere ure vou goIng? Iv grubbed mv urm.
To IInd MurIun und Mucon. TIIs LIme, mude sure Lo grub Iv und
enu beIore sLepped InsIde LIe door. Iv grubbed JoIn`s Iund.
HoId on. Look u breuLI und ducked InLo LIe mIsL-
q8J6=
12.13
Perfidia
We Iound ourseIves neurIv crusIed In LIe cenLer oI u mob. recog-
nIzed LIe robes. OnIv wus LuII enougI Lo see over LIem, buL IL dIdn`L
muLLer. knew wIere we were.
L seemed IIke LIe mIddIe oI u LrIuI, or someLIIng IIke one. Iv`s pencII
wus movIng InsIde LIe red noLebook us quIckIv us IL couId, LrvIng Lo
keep up wILI LIe words LIuL were IIvIng uII uround us.
Perfidia. L`s uLIn Ior 'Lreuson.` TIev`re suvIng sIe`s goIng Lo be LrIed
Ior Lreuson. Iv wus puIe, und couId bureIv Ieur Ier voIce over LIe
cIumor oI LIe crowd surroundIng us.
know LIIs pIuce. recognIzed LIe LuII wIndows wILI LIe Ieuvv goId
drupes, und LIe wood bencIes. EvervLIIng wus LIe sume-LIe LIIck
noIse oI LIe crowd, LIe sLone wuIIs, LIe beumed ceIIIng LIuL wus so
IIgI LIuL IL seemed Lo go on Iorever. IeId on Lo enu`s Iund, pusIIng
mv wuv Lo LIe IronL oI LIe IuII, dIrecLIv under LIe empLv wooden buI-
conv. Iv und JoIn LIreuded LIeIr wuv LIrougI LIe robed crowd be-
IInd me.
WIere`s MurIun? enu wus punIckIng. And UncIe Mucon? cun`L
see unvLIIng over uII LIese peopIe.
don`L IIke LIIs, Iv suId quIeLIv. SomeLIIng doesn`L IeeI rIgIL.
IeIL IL, Loo.
We were sLundIng In LIe cenLer oI LIe sume crowded IuII wIere sLood
LIe IIrsL LIme crossed LIrougI LIe Temporis Porta. BuL IusL LIme, IL
seemed IIke wus somewIere In medIevuI Europe, In u pIuce Irom un
IIIusLruLIon In LIe WorId HIsLorv LexLbook we never seemed Lo cruck uL
Juckson. TIe room wus so bIg `d LIougIL IL mIgIL be u sIIp or u
cuLIedruI. A pIuce LIuL LrunsporLed vou somewIere, wIeLIer IL wus
ucross LIe seu or Lo LIe purudIse LIe SIsLers were uIwuvs LuIkIng ubouL.
Now IL seemed dIIIerenL. dIdn`L know wIere LIIs pIuce wus, buL even
In LIeIr durk robes, LIe peopIe-LIe CusLers, MorLuIs, Keepers, or
wIuLever LIev were-seemed IIke reguIur oId peopIe. TIe kInd oI
peopIe knew someLIIng ubouL. Becuuse even LIougI LIev were
crowded on LIe gIossv wooden bencI LIuL surrounded LIe perImeLer oI
LIe room, LIev couId`ve been sILLIng In LIe gvm uL Juckson, wuILIng Ior
LIe DIscIpIInurv CommILLee meeLIng Lo sLurL. On LIe bencIes or LIe
bIeucIers, LIese peopIe were IookIng Ior LIe sume LIIng. Drumu.
Even worse, LIev were IookIng Ior bIood. Someone Lo bIume, und Lo
punIsI.
L IeIL IIke LIe LrIuI oI LIe cenLurv, or u buncI oI reporLers wuILIng ouL-
sIde SouLI CuroIInu`s Broud RIver CorrecLIonuI nsLILuLIon wIen
someone Irom deuLI row wus ubouL Lo geL u IeLIuI InjecLIon. TIe exe-
cuLIons were covered bv everv TV sLuLIon und newspuper. A Iew peopIe
sIowed up Lo proLesL, buL LIev Iooked IIke LIev Iud been bused In Ior
LIe duv. Evervone eIse wus IungIng ouL, wuILIng Lo wuLcI LIe spec-
LucIe. L wusn`L mucI dIIIerenL Irom LIe burnIng oI LIe wILcIes In The
Crucible.
TIe crowd rusIed Iorwurd, murmurIng, jusL us knew LIev wouId, und
Ieurd LIe bungIng oI u guveI. Silentium.
Somethings happening.
=o1J6=
enu grubbed mv urm.
Iv poInLed ucross LIe room. suw Mucon. He`s over LIere.
JoIn Iooked uround. don`L see MurIun.
Maybe shes not here, Ethan.
Shes here.
SIe Iud Lo be, becuuse knew wIuL wus ubouL Lo Iuppen. Iorced mv-
seII Lo Iook up Lo LIe buIconv.
Look
poInLed up uL MurIun, once uguIn Iooded und robed, once uguIn LIed
uL LIe wrIsLs wILI u goIden rope. SIe wus sLundIng on LIe buIconv, IIgI
ubove LIe room, jusL us sIe Iud been LIe IusL LIme. TIe LuII Keeper
wIo Iud come Lo LIe urcIIve wus nexL Lo Ier.
TIe peopIe uround us were sLIII wIIsperIng. Iooked uL Iv, wIo InLer-
preLed. He`s LIe CouncII Keeper. He`s goIng Lo- Iv`s eves weIIed up.
L`s noL u LrIuI, ELIun. L`s u senLencIng.
Ieurd LIe uLIn, buL LIIs LIme dIdn`L Lrv Lo undersLund. knew wIuL
IL meunL beIore LIe CouncII Keeper repeuLed LIe words In EngIIsI.
MurIun wouId be Iound guIILv oI Lreuson.
IIsLened wILIouL IIsLenIng, mv eves Iocked on MurIun`s Iuce. TIe
CouncII oI LIe ur Keep, wIIcI unswers onIv Lo LIe Order oI TIIngs, Lo
no mun, creuLure, or power, Durk or IgIL, IInds MurIun oI LIe
WesLern Keep guIILv oI Treuson.
=ozJ6=
remembered LIe IIrsL LIme Ieurd LIose words.
TIese ure LIe Consequences oI Ier InucLIon. TIe Consequences sIuII
be puId. TIe Keeper, LIougI MorLuI, wIII reLurn Lo LIe Durk Ire Irom
wIIcI uII power comes.
mIgIL us weII Iuve been LIe one senLenced Lo deuLI. PuIn guLLed mv
wIoIe bodv. wuLcIed us MurIun`s Iood wus puIIed Irom Ier sIuved
Ieud. sLured InLo Ier eves, surrounded bv durk rIngs us II sIe Iud
been IurL. couIdn`L LeII II IL wus pIvsIcuI puIn or menLuI or even
MorLuI. ImugIned IL wus someLIIng worse.
wus LIe onIv one prepured Ior IL. Iv broke down sobbIng. enu
sLumbIed uguInsL me, und IeId Ier up bv LIe urm. OnIv JoIn sLood
LIere, unIuzed, IIs Iunds jummed InLo IIs pockeLs.
TIe CouncII Keeper`s voIce ecIoed LIrougI LIe room uguIn. TIe
Order Is broken. UnLII LIe New Order comes IorLI, LIe OId uw musL
be upIeId, und LIe Consequences puId.
AII LIIs courLroom drumu. I dIdn`L know vou beLLer, AngeIus,
wouId LIInk vou were vvIng Ior u spoL on cubIe LeIevIsIon. Mucon`s
voIce currIed over LIe crowd, buL couIdn`L see IIm.
Your MorLuI IevILv deIIIes LIIs sucred spuce, Mucon Ruvenwood.
Mv MorLuI IevILv, AngeIus, Is someLIIng vou cunnoL undersLund. And
wurned vou, AngeIus, LIuL wouId noL sLund Ior LIIs.
TIe CouncII Keeper sIouLed over LIe crowd. You Iuve no power
Iere.
You Iuve no busIness IIndIng u MorLuI guIILv oI Lreuson uguInsL LIe
Order.
=oJ6=
TIe Keeper Is oI boLI worIds. TIe Keeper knew LIe prIce. TIe Keeper
cIose Lo uIIow LIe desLrucLIon oI LIe Order, Ie unswered.
TIe Keeper Is u MorLuI. Her nume Is MurIun AsIcroIL. SIe Ius uIreudv
been senLenced Lo deuLI, IIke everv MorLuI. n IorLv or IIILv veurs, sIe
wIII Iuce LIuL senLence. L Is LIe MorLuI wuv.
TIIs Is noL vour muLLer Lo speuk oI. TIe CouncII Keeper`s voIce wus
rIsIng, und LIe specLuLors were geLLIng resLIess.
AngeIus, sIe Is weuk. SIe Ius no powers, no wuv Lo proLecL IerseII.
You cunnoL punIsI u weL cIIId Ior LIe ruIn.
do noL undersLund.
'TIe one LIIng LIuL doesn`L ubIde bv mujorILv ruIe Is u person`s con-
scIence.` Mucon wus quoLIng Hurper ee. never knew unv oI MurI-
un`s quoLes, buL remembered LIuL one Irom reudIng To Kill a Mock-
ingbird In EngIIsI cIuss IusL veur. And Irom mv mom.
JoIn`s Ieud wus benL Lowurd Iv`s, und LIev were wIIsperIng ubouL
someLIIng. WIen Ie noLIced me wuLcIIng LIem, Ie sLopped. TIIs Is
crup, Ie suId.
or once ugreed wILI IIm. BuL we cun`L sLop IL.
WIv noL?
TIere wus no wuv Ie wouId undersLund. know Iow IL ends. TIev`ve
Iound Ier guIILv oI Lreuson. SIe`s goIng Lo be senL buck Lo LIe Durk
Ire, or wIuLever Iuppens uILer LIuL. TIere`s noLIIng we cun do,
suId mIserubIv. wus Iere beIore.
=oqJ6=
YeuI? wusn`L. JoIn sLepped Iorwurd, cIuppIng drumuLIcuIIv. TIe
wIoIe room wenL deud sIIenL. He squeezed enu`s sIouIder us Ie
pussed. WeII, doesn`L LIIs suck? JoIn sIoved IIs wuv Lo LIe IronL oI
LIe IuII, wIere Mucon wus sLundIng. couId IInuIIv see IIm. JoIn IeId
up IIs Iund, IIke Ie wus wuILIng Ior Mucon Lo gIve IIm u IIgI-IIve.
NIce Lrv, oId mun.
Mucon wus surprIsed buL IeId up IIs Iund. HIs cuII wus puIIed down u
IILLIe Loo Iur, us LIougI IIs sIIrL wus Loo Iong.
Whats going on, L?
I have no idea.
enu`s IuIr sLurLed Lo curI. smeIIed u IuInL Lruce oI smoke In LIe uIr.
L, what are you doing?
I think you mean what is Ie doing?
JoIn wove sIowIv Lowurd LIe CouncII Keeper, wIo wus IoIdIng MurIun
on LIe buIconv. `m sLurLIng Lo LIInk vou`re noL reuIIv IIsLenIng Lo LIIs
IIne Iormer ncubus broLIer oI mIne. He jumped up onLo LIe pew,
sIovIng u robed mun ouL oI IIs wuv.
You`re ouL oI IIne, spuwn oI AbruIum. And do noL LIInk The Caster
Chronicles Iuve been kInd Lo vou, BreedIIng.
OI, don`L LIInk LIev`ve been kInd. SInce wIen ure peopIe kInd Lo
me? `m u jerk. On LIe oLIer Iund, vou`re kInd oI u jerk, Loo. JoIn
jumped up ubove LIe pew, bureIv cuLcIIng LIe boLLom oI LIe wooden
buIconv. HIs bIuck booLs swung buck und IorLI In LIe uIr.
TIe mussIve goId drupes beIInd us expIoded InLo IIumes.
=o=J6=
JoIn kIcked u buId, LuLLooed mun In LIe Ieud. recognIzed LIe LuLLoo.
L wus LIe murk oI u Durk CusLer.
Now JoIn Iud cIImbed up onLo LIe wooden buIconv, ubove us uII. He
puL one urm uround MurIun, LIe oLIer uround LIe CouncII Keeper.
AngeIus, LIuL`s vour nume, rIgIL? Mun, wIo cume up wILI LIuL one?
Here`s LIe LIIng. Mv IrIend enu over LIere, sIe`s u NuLuruI. TIere
wus u murmurIng uround us, und suw LIe crowd purL uround enu us
LIev bucked u Iew IeeL uwuv.
WIv don`L vou sIow LIem? enu smIIed uL IIm, und LIe drupes
cIosesL Lo LIe uILur cuugIL IIre. TIe wIoIe room wus begInnIng Lo IIII
wILI smoke.
And Mucon Ruvenwood, Ie`s-messed up. Okuv, don`L reuIIv know
wIuL Ie Is. L`s u Iong sLorv. TIere`s LIIs buII, und LIIs IIre, und some
bud, bud CusLers.. BuL vou`ve probubIv reud uII ubouL LIuL, Iuven`L
vou? JoIn snupped. n vour IILLIe CusLer spv book.
BeLween MurIun und AngeIus, dIdn`L know wIo Iooked more
surprIsed.
Anvwuv, buck Lo Mucon. PowerIuI guv. He IIkes Lo do LIIs LrIck-come
on, don`L be sIv. Mucon cIosed IIs eves, und u green gIow IIured ubove
IIm. TIe crowd LrIed Lo rusI buck Lowurd LIe wuIIs, buL LIere wus Loo
mucI smoke.
WIIcI Ieuves me. `m noL u NuLuruI. JoIn nodded In Mucon`s dIrec-
LIon. `m noL wIuLever Ie Is eILIer. JoIn grInned. BuL LIe LIIng
ubouL me Is, `ve LoucIed boLI oI LIem. So now cun do wIuLever LIev
cun do. L`s kIndu mv LIIng. BeL vou don`L Iuve u CusLer IIke LIuL In
vour IILLIe book, do vou? As LIe Keeper LrIed Lo puII uwuv, JoIn
vunked IIm even cIoser. So, AngeIus. eL`s go Ior u spIn und see wIuL
u sLrunge guv IIke vou cun do.
=o6J6=
TIe Keeper wus IurIous und bucked uwuv, IoIdIng up IIs Iund, IIngers
poInLed uL JoIn. JoIn ImILuLed IIm, exucLIv.
TIere wus u IIusI oI IIgIL, IIke IIgILnIng-
We were uII sLundIng buck on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe Temporis Porta.
Even MurIun.
=o;J6=
12.13
The Day After
Forever
Wus LIuL reuI? enu wIIspered. poInLed Lo LIe doors, wIere smoke
wus snukIng ouL Irom under LIe boLLom oI LIe wood.
grubbed MurIun und Iugged Ier, uL LIe sume LIme Iv dId. bucked
uwuv, uwkwurdIv, und enu Look mv pIuce.
TIunk vou, MurIun wIIspered.
Mucon cIupped IIs Iund on JoIn`s urm. cun`L decIde II LIuL wus u
brIIIIunL ucL oI pure seIIIessness buck LIere, or II IL wus sImpIv un uL-
LempL Lo coIIecL uII our powers Ior vourseII.
JoIn sIrugged. noLIced vou dIdn`L gIve me unv skIn. remembered
LIe cuII oI Mucon`s sIIrL puIIed down over IIs Iund.
You uren`L quILe reudv Lo sIure mv power. EILIer wuv, owe vou
greuLIv. You sIowed reuI couruge buck LIere. won`L soon IorgeL IL.
OI, come on. TIose guvs were jerks. L wus noLIIng. He wuIked uwuv
Irom Mucon, buL couId see LIe prIde on IIs Iuce. couId see IL on
Iv`s Iuce even more cIeurIv.
MurIun Look Mucon`s urm, und Ie sLurLed IeIpIng Ier buck LIrougI
LIe LunneI. AL LIe ruLe LIev were goIng, even LIe sIorL spun oI LIe dIrL
LunneI wus goIng Lo be u Iong IIke.
TIIs Is rIdIcuIous, suId JoIn, und In u rIp we were uII gone.
n seconds, we were In Mucon`s sLudv.
WIuL ure AngeIus` powers, exucLIv? wus sLIII LrvIng Lo IIgure ouL
wIuL we Iud wILnessed.
don`L know, buL Ie cerLuInIv dIdn`L seem Lo wunL us Lo IInd ouL. Mu-
con wus deep In LIougIL.
YeuI. He goL us ouL oI LIere preLLv IusL. dIdn`L geL Lo LoucI IIm,
JoIn suId.
IeeI IorrIbIe. Do vou LIInk LorcIed LIuL beuuLIIuI oId room? enu
wus IosL In u dIIIerenL LIougIL enLIreIv.
JoIn IuugIed. No, dId.
L`s un evII room, Mucon suId. We cun onIv Iope vou dId.
WIv wouId LIuL guv AngeIus InvoIve IImseII so cIoseIv wILI LIIs cuse?
WIuL couId LIIs be, IIke one puge In The Caster Chronicles? JoIn
usked.
Mucon IeIped MurIun InLo u cIuIr. He IouLIes MorLuIs.
SIe wus sLIII sIukIng. Mucon puIIed u bIunkeL Irom LIe IooL oI IIs bed
und wrupped IL uround Ier. remembered MurIun doIng LIe sume Ior
LIe SIsLers LIe nIgIL oI LIe Vex uLLuck. TIe worIds-LIev weren`L Lwo
=1oJ6=
sepuruLe unIverses unvmore, CusLer und MorLuI. L wus uII crusIIng Lo-
geLIer now.
TIIngs couIdn`L sLuv IIke LIIs, noL Ior Iong.
Iv puIIed Ier cIuIr nexL Lo MurIun`s und puL Ier urms uround Ier.
enu LwILcIed u IInger In LIe dIrecLIon oI Mucon`s IIrepIuce gruLIng.
Iumes IurcIed up Irom LIe Iogs, sIooLIng Len IeeL up Lo LIe ceIIIng. AL
IeusL IL wusn`L ruIn.
Muvbe IL`s noL jusL IIm. Muvbe IL`s AbruIum. JoIn sIgIed. He
doesn`L gIve up eusIIv.
Mucon`s brow Iurrowed. TIuL`s InLeresLIng. AngeIus und AbruIum. A
common gouI, perIups?
Iv spoke up. Are vou suggesLIng LIuL LIe Keepers ure In coIIusIon
wILI AbruIum? Becuuse LIuL Is so wrong, on so munv IeveIs. L cun`L
possIbIv be Lrue.
JoIn wurmed IIs Iunds In IronL oI LIe IIre. DId unvone noLIce Iow
munv Durk CusLers were In LIuL room?
noLIced LIe one vou kIcked In LIe Ieud. smIIed.
TIuL wus un uccIdenL. JoIn sIrugged.
Mucon sIook IIs Ieud. EILIer wuv, LIe senLencIng occurred. We Iuve
u week Lo IIgure someLIIng ouL beIore. We uII Iooked uL MurIun. SIe
wus In sIock, IL wus preLLv cIeur. Her eves were cIosed, und sIe puIIed
LIe bIunkeL cIoser uround Ier sIouIders, rockIng IerseII. LIInk sIe
wus reIIvIng LIe wIoIe nIgIL.
Mucon sIook IIs Ieud. HvpocrILes.
=11J6=
WIv? usked.
Iuve mv own suspIcIons ubouL wIuL LIe ur Keep Is up Lo, und
cun`L suv IL Ius unvLIIng Lo do wILI keepIng LIe peuce. Power cIunges
peopIe. `m uIruId LIev ure no Ionger LIe prIncIpIed Ieuders LIev once
were. Mucon Iud LroubIe IIdIng LIe dIsuppoInLmenL In IIs Iuce.
And LIe exIuusLIon. He wus mukIng u good sIow oI IL, buL Ie Iooked
IIke Ie Iudn`L sIepL In duvs. And now LIuL Ie dId sIeep, wus uIwuvs
surprIsed Lo IInd Ie needed IL us mucI us LIe resL oI us. BuL MurIun Is
buck Iome wILI us, suIe und sound. He pIuced u Iund on Ier
sIouIder. SIe dIdn`L Iook up.
or now. wunLed Lo go buck, busI down LIe Temporis Porta, und
beuL LIe crup ouL oI evervone In LIuL room. couIdn`L sLund Lo see
MurIun IIke LIIs.
Mucon sunk InLo LIe cIuIr nexL Lo Ier. or now. WIIcI Is uII cun suv
Ior unv oI us, LIese duvs. We Iuve u week unLII LIe senLence-sInce sIe
wus Iound guIILv oI Lreuson. L sIouId Luke LIuL Iong Ior u Perfidia Pro-
cIumuLIon Lo Luke eIIecL. won`L IeL unvLIIng eIse Iuppen Lo Ier, ELIun.
TIuL Is more LIun u promIse.
Iv sIumped uL LIe sLudv LubIe, un InconsoIubIe mess. I someone Is
goIng Lo muke sure noLIIng eIse Iuppens Lo MurIun, IL`s me. I Iudn`L
gone wILI vou-II Iud sLuved In LIe IIbrurv, IIke wus supposed Lo.
Now wIo`s LIe emo CusLer gIrI? enu poked Iv In LIe urm. TIuL`s
mv LIIng. You`re supposed Lo be LIe cIIpper bIond bruInIuc,
remember?
How rude oI me. do upoIogIze. Iv smIIed und enu smIIed buck,
druwIng Ier urm uround Iv, us II LIev were IrIends. guess, In u wuv,
LIev were. TIese duvs, we were bound bv LIe common LIreuL oI our
=1zJ6=
IuLe. Becuuse LIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus uImosL Iere, und none oI us
Iud unv unswers.
JoIn suL down nexL Lo Iv, proLecLIveIv. L`s noL vour IuuIL. He sIoL
me u dIrLv Iook. L`s IIs. So mucI Ior IrIendsIIp.
sLood up. We`ve goL Lo geL AunL MurIun Iome.
or LIe IIrsL LIme, sIe Iooked up uL me. . cun`L.
undersLood. SIe wouIdn`L be sIeepIng uIone, noL unvLIme soon. TIuL
wus LIe IIrsL nIgIL Iv und MurIun were under one rooI uguIn, onIv LIIs
LIme IL wus In Iv`s room, und LIeIr rooI wus LIe ceIIIng oI LIe TunneIs.
wondered II ConceuImenL CusLs worked uguInsL Keepers, Loo. MosLIv,
jusL Ioped LIev worked.
TIere wus one pIuce we couId go, no muLLer Iow budIv our worIds
were spIruIIng ouL oI conLroI. TIe pIuce wIere IL Iud uII sLurLed Ior
enu und me. TIe pIuce LIuL wus ours.
TIe mornIng uILer MurIun`s LrIuI, we wenL Lo IInd IL uguIn.
TIe crumbIIng gurden uL GreenbrIer wus sLIII bIuck und cIurred, buL
vou couId see wIere LIe gruss Iud sLurLed Lo grow. TIe LInv sLems wer-
en`L green, LIougI. TIev were brown, IIke evervLIIng eIse In GuLIIn
CounLv. TIe InvIsIbIe wuIIs LIuL proLecLed Ruvenwood Irom beIng ruv-
uged dIdn`L exLend Iere.
SLIII, IL wus our pIuce. Ied enu LIrougI LIe gurden Lo LIe IeurLIsLone
wIere we IIrsL dIscovered GenevIeve`s IockeL. L seemed IIke IL Iud uII
Iuppened veurs ugo, InsLeud oI LIe veur beIore.
=1J6=
enu suL on LIe sLone, puIIIng me down uILer Ier. Do vou remember
Iow beuuLIIuI IL wus Iere?
Iooked uL Ier, LIe mosL beuuLIIuI gIrI `d ever seen. L sLIII Is.
Do vou LIInk ubouL wIuL IL wouId be IIke II LIIs wus uII gone? I we
cun`L IIx LIIs, und LIere`s no New Order?
bureIv LIougIL ubouL unvLIIng eIse, bevond IeuL und bugs und drIed-
up Iukes. WIuL wouId be nexL? A IIood? don`L know II IL wouId muL-
Ler. Muvbe we`d be gone, Loo, und we wouIdn`L even know LIe
dIIIerence.
LIInk we`ve boLI seen enougI oI LIe OLIerworId Lo know LIuL`s noL
Lrue. SIe knew wus LrvIng Lo muke Ier IeeI beLLer. How munv LImes
Iuve vou seen vour mom? SIe knows wIuL`s IuppenIng, muvbe beLLer
LIun unvone.
TIere wus noLIIng couId suv. enu wus rIgIL, buL couIdn`L IeL Ier
sIouIder LIe burden oI uII LIIs uIone. You dIdn`L do LIIs InLenLIonuIIv,
.
don`L know II LIuL mukes me IeeI unv beLLer ubouL desLrovIng LIe
worId.
puIIed Ier uguInsL mv cIesL, IeeIIng LIe genLIe rIvLIm oI Ier IeurL-
beuL. TIe worId Isn`L desLroved. NoL veL.
SIe pIcked uL LIe drv gruss. BuL someone`s IIIe wIII be. TIe One WIo
s Two Ius Lo be sucrIIIced Lo creuLe LIe New Order. NeILIer one oI us
couId IorgeL IL, LIougI we Iudn`L goLLen unv cIoser Lo IIgurIng IL ouL.
=1qJ6=
And II LIe EIgILeenLI Moon reuIIv wus on JoIn`s bIrLIduv, LIen we
Iud onIv IIve duvs IeIL Lo IInd LIe One. MurIun`s IIIe-uII our
IIves-Iung In LIe buIunce.
Him.
Her.
L couId be unvone.
WIoever IL wus, wondered wIuL LIev were doIng now-II LIev Iud
unv Ideu. Muvbe LIev weren`L worrIed uL uII. Muvbe LIev wouId never
even see IL comIng.
Don`L worrv. JoIn bougIL us some LIme. We`II LIInk oI someLIIng.
SIe smIIed. L wus cooI Lo see IIm doIng someLIIng Ior us, InsLeud oI
uguInsL us.
YeuI. I Ie wus. don`L know wIv, buL sLIII couIdn`L gIve LIuL guv u
breuk. Even II enu wus wIIIIng Lo gIve Iv u cIunce.
WIuL`s LIuL supposed Lo meun? enu sounded unnoved.
You Ieurd Mucon. WIuL II Ie wus usIng LIe opporLunILv Lo sIpIon oII
uII oI vour powers?
don`L know. Muvbe we Iuve Lo Luke IL on IuILI.
dIdn`L wunL Lo do LIuL. WIv sIouId we?
Becuuse peopIe cIunge. TIIngs cIunge. EvervLIIng und evervone we
know Ius cIunged.
WIuL II don`L wunL Lo? dIdn`L.
=1=J6=
L doesn`L muLLer. We cIunge wIeLIer we wunL Lo or noL.
Some LIIngs don`L, suId. We don`L geL Lo decIde Iow LIe worId
works. RuIn IuIIs down, noL up. TIe sun rIses In LIe eusL und seLs In LIe
wesL. TIuL`s LIe wuv IL Is. WIv Is LIuL concepL so Iurd Ior vou CusLers
Lo undersLund?
guess we`re sorL oI conLroI Ireuks.
You LIInk?
enu`s IuIr curIed. L`s Iurd noL Lo do LIIngs wIen vou cun do LIem.
And In mv IumIIv, LIere`s noL mucI we cun`L do.
ReuIIv? kIssed Ier.
SIe smIIed underneuLI mv IIps. SIuL up.
s IL Iurd noL Lo do LIIs? kIssed Ier neck. Her eur. Her IIps.
How ubouL LIIs? SIe opened Ier mouLI Lo compIuIn, buL no words
cume ouL.
We kIssed unLII mv IeurL wus IuILerIng. Even LIen, `m noL sure we
wouId Iuve sLopped, buL we dId.
Becuuse Ieurd u rIp.
TIme und spuce opened up. suw LIe LIp oI IIs cune us AbruIum
Ruvenwood sIIpped LIrougI u IoIe In LIe skv, LIe uIr sIummIng sIuL
beIInd IIm.
He wus weurIng u durk suIL und IIs sLovepIpe IuL, wIIcI mude IIm
Iook IIke AbruIum IncoIn`s IuLIer. DId Ieur someLIIng ubouL LIe
=16J6=
New Order? He Look oII IIs IuL und Lupped LIe brIm, sIukIng oII
nonexIsLenL dusL. Turns ouL, broken suILs me jusL IIne. And `m sure
mv bov JoIn wIII IeeI LIe sume wuv, once Ie`s buck wIere Ie beIongs.
BeIore Iud u cIunce Lo respond, Ieurd LIe sound oI IooLsLeps In LIe
dIrL. A second IuLer, suw Ier bIuck moLorcvcIe booLs.
wouId Iuve Lo ugree. SuruIIne wus sLundIng ouLsIde LIe sLone urcI,
Ier bIuck IuIr us curIv und wIId us enu`s. Even LIougI IL wus u Iun-
dred degrees, sIe wus weurIng u Iong bIuck dress wILI sLrIps oI IubrIc
crIsscrossIng Ier bodv. L remInded me oI u sLruILjuckeL.
Lena
SIe dIdn`L unswer, buL couId sense Ier IeurL poundIng.
SuruIIne`s goId eves IIxed on me. TIe MorLuI worId Is In u sLuLe oI
beuuLIIuI cIuos und desLrucLIon, wIIcI wIII uILImuLeIv Ieud Lo un ex-
quIsILe end. We couIdn`L Iuve pIunned LIIs beLLer ourseIves. TIuL wus
eusv Ior Ier Lo suv, sInce LIeIr orIgInuI pIun IuIIed.
TIere wus someLIIng cIIIIIng ubouL seeIng SuruIIne Iere, uILer wuLcI-
Ing Ier seL enu`s cIIIdIood Iome on IIre wILI enu und Ier IuLIer
sLIII InsIde. BuL IL wus uIso ImpossIbIe Lo sIuke LIe Imuges oI LIe gIrI,
noL mucI oIder LIun enu, buLLIIng LIe Durkness wILIIn Ier-und
IosIng.
puIIed enu Lo Ier IeeL, Ier Iund burnIng mIne LIe momenL our skIn
LoucIed.
Lena. Im right here with you.
I know.
=1;J6=
Her voIce sounded empLv.
SuruIIne smIIed uL enu. Mv dumuged, IuII-sIudowed duugILer.
wouId Iove Lo suv Iow nIce IL Is Lo see vou uguIn, buL LIuL wouId be u
IIe. And um noLIIng II noL IonesL.
TIe coIor Iud druIned Irom enu`s Iuce, und sIe wus sLundIng so sLIII
uImosL wusn`L sure sIe wus breuLIIng. TIen guess vou`re noLIIng,
MoLIer. Becuuse we boLI know vou`re u IIur.
SuruIIne IIexed Ier IIngers. You know wIuL LIev suv ubouL gIuss
Iouses und sLones. wouIdn`L LIrow unv II were vou, durIIng. You are
IookIng uL me LIrougI one goId eve.
enu IIIncIed, und LIe wInd sLurLed Lo bIow.
L`s noL LIe sume. suId. enu Ius IgIL and Durk In Ier.
SuruIIne wuved Ier Iund us II wus un unnovIng InsecL, u Iubber LrvIng
Lo cruwI mv wuv ouL oI LIe sunsIIne. TIere Is IgIL und Durkness
wILIIn us uII, ELIun. Huven`L vou Ieurned LIuL bv now?
A cIIII cruwIed up mv spIne.
AbruIum Ieuned Iorwurd on IIs cune. Speuk Ior vourseII, mv deur.
TIe IeurL oI LIIs oId ncubus Is us bIuck us LIe Lur In IeII.
enu wusn`L InLeresLed In AbruIum`s IeurL, or SuruIIne`s Iuck oI one.
don`L know wIuL vou wunL, und don`L cure. You sIouId Ieuve beIore
UncIe Mucon senses vou`re Iere.
`m uIruId we cun`L do LIuL. AbruIum`s empLv bIuck eves were IIxed
on enu. We Iuve busIness Lo uLLend Lo.
=18J6=
Everv LIme Ieurd IIs voIce, LIe ruge weIIed up InsIde me. IuLed IIm
Ior wIuL Ie`d done Lo AunL Prue. WIuL kInd oI busIness? DesLrovIng
LIe wIoIe Lown?
Don`L worrv, `II geL Lo LIuL. AbruIum puIIed u poIIsIed goId pockeL
wuLcI Irom IIs juckeL und cIecked IL. BuL IIrsL, we Iuve Lo kIII LIe One
WIo s Two.
How does he know who it is, L?
Dont Kelt. She can hear you.
IeId enu`s Iund LIgILer, IeeIIng mv skIn bIIsLer beneuLI Iers. We
don`L know wIuL vou`re LuIkIng ubouL.
Don`L IIe Lo me, bov! He IIILed IIs cune In one Iund, poInLIng IL uL
me. DId vou LIInk we wouIdn`L IIgure IL ouL?
SuruIIne wus sLurIng uL enu`s eves. SIe Iudn`L seen LIem LIe nIgIL sIe
cuIIed LIe SevenLeenLI Moon. SIe Iud been Iocked In some kInd oI
Durk CusLer dreum sLuLe. We do Iuve The Book of Moons, uILer uII.
TIunder rumbIed LIrougI LIe uIr, buL even us ungrv us sIe wus, enu
couIdn`L brIng LIe ruIn. You cun Iuve LIe Book. We don`L need IL Lo
Iorge LIe New Order.
AbruIum dIdn`L upprecIuLe beIng cIuIIenged, especIuIIv noL bv u CusLer
wIo wus IuII IgIL. No. You`re rIgIL, IILLIe gIrI. You need LIe One
WIo s Two. BuL we uren`L goIng Lo IeL vou sucrIIIce vourseII. We`re go-
Ing Lo kIII vou IIrsL.
Iorced mv LIougILs InLo LIe purL oI mv mInd couId Iock uwuv Irom
enu, becuuse II sIe knew wIuL wus LIInkIng, SuruIIne wouId, Loo.
=1J6=
Even In LIuL prIvuLe purL oI mv mInd, LIe sume LIougIL kepL IIgILIng
ILs wuv ouL.
TIev LIougIL LIe One WIo s Two wus enu.
And LIev were goIng Lo kIII Ier.
LrIed Lo pusI enu beIInd me. BuL LIe second moved, AbruIum ex-
Lended IIs Iund und IIILed IL InLo LIe uIr. Mv IeeL rose oII LIe ground,
und wus LIrown buck, un Iron grIp Iocked uround mv LIrouL. Abru-
Ium begun Lo cIose IIs Iund, und couId IeeI un InvIsIbIe gIove cIosIng
uround mv neck. You Iuve cuused me enougI LroubIe Ior Lwo IIIe-
LImes. TIuL ends Iere.
ELIun! enu screumed. euve IIm uIone!
BuL LIe Iund onIv LIgILened. couId IeeI IL begInnIng Lo crusI mv
wIndpIpe. Mv bodv wus jerkIng und sIukIng, und remembered JoIn
wIen Ie wus In LIe TunneIs wILI enu. TIe weIrd jerkIng und LwILcI-
Ing Ie seemed unubIe Lo conLroI.
Wus LIIs wIuL IL IeIL IIke Lo be In LIe grIp oI AbruIum Ruvenwood?
enu sLurLed Lo run Lowurd me, buL SuruIIne IIIcked ouL Ier IIngers,
und u perIecL cIrcIe oI IIre IIew up uround enu. L remInded me oI
enu`s IuLIer, sLundIng In LIe mIdsL oI LIe IIumes us SuruIIne wuLcIed
IIm burn Lo deuLI.
enu LIrew Ier own puIm Iorwurd, und SuruIIne IIew buck. SIe IIL LIe
ground Iurd, skIddIng ucross LIe dIrL IusLer LIun wus IumunIv
possIbIe.
SIe sLood up, brusIIng oII Ier dIrLv dress wILI Ier bIoodv Iunds.
Someone`s been prucLIcIng. SuruIIne smIIed. Me, Loo.
=zoJ6=
SIe Lurned Ier Iund In u cIrcIe In IronL oI Ier, und u second rIng oI IIre
surrounded LIe IIrsL.
Lena! Get out of there!
couIdn`L cIoke ouL LIe words. dIdn`L Iuve enougI uIr.
SuruIIne udvunced. TIere wIII be no New Order. TIe unIverse Ius
uIreudv brougIL Durkness upon LIe MorLuI worId. BuL LIIngs wIII geL
worse. IgILnIng sIIced ucross LIe CuroIInu bIue skv, LoucIIng down
on LIe oId sLone urcI, reducIng IL Lo rubbIe.
SuruIIne`s goIden veIIow eves were gIowIng, und enu`s goId und green
ones sLurLed Lo gIow, Loo. TIe IIumes oI LIe ouLer cIrcIe uround enu
were spreudIng, LoucIIng LIe perImeLer oI LIe Inner one.
SuruIIne! AbruIum sIouLed. EnougI oI LIese gumes. KIII Ier, or
wIII.
SuruIIne sLuIked Lowurd enu, Ier dress bIowIng uround Ier unkIes.
TIe our Horsemen Iud noLIIng on Ier. SIe wus ruge und vengeunce,
wruLI und muIIce, In beuuLIIuIIv LwIsLed Iumun Iorm. You Iuve
sIumed me Ior LIe IusL LIme.
TIe skv begun Lo durken ubove us, IormIng u dense bIuck cIoud.
LrIed Lo puII uwuv Irom LIe supernuLuruI grIp, buL everv LIme
moved, AbruIum cIosed IIs Iund more und LIe vIse uround mv neck
LIgILened. L wus Iurd Lo Iorce mv eves Lo sLuv open. kepL bIInkIng,
LrvIng noL Lo puss ouL.
enu LIrusL Ier open Iunds InLo LIe IIre, und LIe cIrcIe pusIed uwuv
Irom Ier. TIe IIumes dIdn`L dIe down, buL LIev were expunded ouL-
wurd uL enu`s commund.
=z1J6=
TIe bIuck cIoud IoIIowed SuruIIne, swIrIIng ubove Ier. bIInked
Iurder, LrvIng Lo concenLruLe. reuIIzed IL wusn`L u sLorm cIoud LruIIIng
SuruIIne.
L wus u swurm oI Vexes.
SuruIIne cuIIed ouL ubove LIe IIssIng IIre. On LIe IIrsL duv, LIere wus
Durk MuLLer. On LIe second, un Abvss Irom wIIcI, on LIe LIIrd duv,
LIe Durk Ire rose. On LIe IourLI duv, Irom LIe smoke und IIume, uII
Power wus born. SIe sLopped jusL ouLsIde LIe bIuzIng cIrcIe. On LIe
IIILI, LIe IIum, LIe Demon Queen, wus spun Irom LIe usI. And on LIe
sIxLI cume LIe Order, Lo buIunce un energv LIuL knew no bounds.
SuruIIne`s IuIr begun Lo sInge Irom LIe IeuL. On LIe sevenLI, LIere
wus u book.
The Book of Moons uppeured on LIe ground In IronL oI Ier, LIe puges
IIIppIng LIemseIves. TIev sLopped ubrupLIv, und LIe Book Iuv open uL
SuruIIne`s IeeL, ImpervIous Lo LIe IIumes.
SuruIIne begun Lo recILe Irom memorv.
ROM THE VOCES N THE DARKNESS, COME.
ROM THE WOUNDS O THE AEN, AM BORN.
ROM THE DESPAR BRNG ORTH, AM CAMED.
ROM THE HEART O THE BOOK, HEAR THE CA.
WHEN SEEK TS VENGEANCE, T S ANSWERED.
=zzJ6=
TIe momenL sIe spoke LIe IusL word, LIe IIre purLed, creuLIng u puLI
LIrougI LIe cenLer oI LIe bIuze.
suw SuruIIne ruIse Ier Iunds In IronL oI Ier und cIose Ier eves. SIe
IIIcked Ier IIngers open on boLI Iunds, und IIre spurked on LIe LIps.
BuL Ier Iuce LwIsLed In conIusIon. SomeLIIng wusn`L rIgIL.
Her powers weren`L workIng.
TIe IIumes never IeIL Ier IIngers, und LIe spurks ruIned down, IgnILIng
Ier dress.
sLruggIed wILI LIe IusL bIL oI sLrengLI Iud IeIL In me. wus goIng Lo
Iose conscIousness. Ieurd u voIce In u remoLe corner oI mv mInd. L
wusn`L enu or LIe IIum, or even SuruIIne. L wus wIIsperIng
someLIIng over und over, so soILIv couIdn`L Ieur IL.
TIe deuLI grIp uround mv neck Ioosened, buL wIen gIunced uL Abru-
Ium, LIe posILIon oI IIs Iund Iudn`L cIunged. gusped, InIuIIng so
IusL LIe uIr cIoked me. TIe words In mv Ieud were geLLIng Iouder.
Two words.
IM WAITING.
suw IIs Iuce-mv Iuce-Ior u spIIL second. L wus mv oLIer IuII, mv
rucLured SouI. He wus LrvIng Lo IeIp me.
TIe InvIsIbIe Iund wus rIpped Irom mv neck, und uIr Lore LIrougI mv
Iungs. AbruIum`s expressIon wus u mIxLure oI sIock, conIusIon, und
Iurv.
=zJ6=
sLumbIed us run Lowurd enu, sLIII LrvIng Lo cuLcI mv breuLI. Bv LIe
LIme reucIed LIe edge oI LIe burnIng cIrcIe, SuruIIne wus Lrupped In-
sIde unoLIer, cIuLcIIng LIe boLLom oI Ier burnL dress.
sLopped u Iew IeeL uwuv. TIe IeuL wus so InLense couIdn`L geL unv
cIoser. enu wus sLundIng In IronL oI SuruIIne, on LIe oLIer sIde oI LIe
bIuzIng rIng. Her IuIr wus sInged Irom LIe IeuL, Ier Iuce bIuck Irom
LIe smoke.
TIe cIoud oI Vexes wus movIng uwuv Irom Ier und Lowurd AbruIum.
He wus wuLcIIng, buL Ie wusn`L IeIpIng SuruIIne.
enu! HeIp me! SuruIIne cuIIed, droppIng Lo Ier knees. SIe Iooked so
mucI IIke zubeI LIe nIgIL sIe wus CIuImed, IvIng uL Ier moLIer`s IeeL.
never wunLed Lo IurL vou. never wunLed unv oI LIIs.
enu`s bIuckened Iuce wus IIIIed wILI ruge. No. You wunLed me deud.
SuruIIne`s eves were wuLerIng Irom LIe smoke, wIIcI uImosL mude IL
Iook IIke sIe wus crvIng. Mv IIIe Ius never been ubouL wIuL wunLed.
Mv cIoIces were mude Ior me. LrIed so Iurd Lo IIgIL LIe Durkness,
buL wusn`L sLrong enougI. SIe cougIed, LrvIng Lo rub LIe smoke
uwuv. WILI Ier Iuce sLreuked und Ier eves swoIIen und red, LIe goId In
LIem wus Iurd Lo see. You Iuve uIwuvs been LIe sLrong one, even us u
bubv. TIuL`s Iow vou survIved.
recognIzed LIe conIusIon In enu`s eves. SuruIIne wus u vIcLIm oI LIe
curse enu Iud Ieured Ier wIoIe IIIe-LIe curse LIuL Iud spured enu.
Wus LIIs wIo Ier moLIer couId Iuve been? WIuL do vou meun, Iow
survIved?
SuruIIne cougIed, bIuck smoke swIrIIng uround Ier. TIere wus u Ler-
rIbIe sLorm, und LIe ruIn puL ouL LIe IIre. You suved vourseII. SIe
sounded reIIeved, us II sIe Iudn`L IeIL enu Ior deud.
=zqJ6=
enu sLured uL Ier moLIer. And Loduv vou were goIng Lo IInIsI wIuL
vou sLurLed.
An ember IeII onLo SuruIIne`s dress, und IL cuugIL IIre uguIn. SIe
sIupped uL LIe cIurred IubrIc wILI Ier bure Iund unLII IL wenL ouL. SIe
IIILed Ier eves Lo meeL enu`s. PIeuse. Her voIce wus so Iourse, IL wus
Iurd Lo Ieur. SIe reucIed ouL Ier Iund Lowurd enu. wusn`L goIng Lo
IurL vou. jusL Iud Lo muke IIm beIIeve wus.
SIe wus LuIkIng ubouL AbruIum, LIe one wIo Iud Iured enu`s moLIer
InLo LIe Durk, LIe one wIo wus sLundIng LIere wuLcIIng Ier burn.
enu wus sIukIng Ier Ieud, Leurs sLreumIng down Ier Iuce. How cun
LrusL vou? BuL even us sIe suId IL, LIe IIumes begun Lo dIe down In LIe
spuce beLween LIem.
enu sLurLed Lo reucI ouL Ier Iund.
TIeIr IIngerLIps were IncIes upurL.
couId see LIe burns on SuruIIne`s urm us sIe reucIed Ior enu. `ve
uIwuvs Ioved vou, enu. You`re mv IILLIe gIrI.
enu cIosed Ier eves. L wus Iurd Lo Iook uL SuruIIne, wILI Ier IuIr
sInged und Ier skIn bIIsLerIng. L Iud Lo be even Iurder II sIe wus vour
moLIer. wIsI couId beIIeve vou..
enu, Iook uL me. SuruIIne seemed Lo be breukIng. `II Iove vou unLII
LIe duv uILer Iorever.
remembered LIe words Irom LIe vIsIon. TIe IusL LIIng SuruIIne suId
Lo enu`s IuLIer beIore sIe IeIL IIm Lo dIe. Ill love you until the day
after forever.
=z=J6=
enu remembered, Loo.
suw Ier Iuce LwIsL In ugonv us sIe vunked Ier Iund buck. You don`L
Iove me. You uren`L cupubIe oI Iove.
TIe IIre surged up wIere IL Iud dIed down onIv u mInuLe beIore, Lrup-
pIng SuruIIne. SIe wus beIng consumed bv LIe IIumes sIe once con-
LroIIed, Ier powers us unpredIcLubIe us unv CusLer`s.
No! SuruIIne screumed.
`m sorrv, zubeI, enu wIIspered.
SuruIIne Iunged Iorwurd, cuLcIIng LIe sIeeve oI Ier dress on IIre. You
IILLIe bILcI! wIsI vou Iud burned Lo deuLI IIke vour mIserubIe IuLIer!
wIII IInd vou In LIe nexL IIIe-
BuL screums reucIed u crescendo us LIe IIumes swepL over SuruIIne`s
bodv In seconds. L wus worse LIun LIe bIoodcurdIIng sIrIekIng oI LIe
Vexes. L wus LIe sound oI puIn und deuLI und mIserv.
Her bodv IeII, und LIe IIumes moved over IL IIke u swurm oI IocusLs,
IeuvIng noLIIng buL LIe rugIng IIre. AL LIe sume momenL, enu
dropped Lo Ier knees, sLurIng uL LIe pIuce wIere Ier moLIer`s Iund
Iud Iung In LIe uIr u mInuLe beIore.
Lena!
cIosed LIe dIsLunce beLween us, druggIng Ier uwuv Irom LIe IIre. SIe
wus cougIIng, LrvIng Lo cuLcI Ier breuLI.
AbruIum cume cIoser, LIe bIuck cIoud oI demonIc spIrILs ubove IIm.
puIIed enu Lo me us we wuLcIed GreenbrIer burn Ior LIe second LIme.
=z6J6=
He wus sLundIng over us, LIe LIp oI IIs cune prucLIcuIIv LoucIIng LIe
meILed Loe oI mv sneuker. WeII, vou know wIuL LIev suv. I vou wunL
someLIIng done rIgIL, do IL vourseII.
You dIdn`L IeIp Ier. don`L know wIv suId IL. dIdn`L cure LIuL
SuruIIne wus deud. BuL wIv Iudn`L Ie?
AbruIum IuugIed. Suved me LIe LroubIe oI kIIIIng Ier mvseII. SIe
wusn`L worLI Ier weIgIL In suIL unvmore.
wondered II SuruIIne Iud reuIIzed Iow expendubIe sIe wus. How
worLIIess sIe wus In LIe eves oI LIe musLer sIe served? BuL sIe wus
one oI vou.
Durk CusLers ure noLIIng IIke me und mv kInd, bov. TIev`re IIke ruLs.
PIenLv more wIere SuruIIne cume Irom. He Iooked uL enu, IIs Iuce
durkenIng Lo muLcI IIs empLv eves. Once vour IILLIe gIrIIrIend`s deud,
geLLIng rId oI LIem wIII be mv nexL order oI busIness.
Dont listen to him, L.
BuL sIe wusn`L IIsLenIng Lo AbruIum. SIe wusn`L IIsLenIng Lo unvone.
knew, becuuse couId Ieur Ier sLumbIIng over LIe sume words In Ier
mInd, uguIn und uguIn.
I let my mother die.
I let my mother die.
I let my mother die.
pusIed enu beIInd me, even LIougI sIe Iud u beLLer cIunce oI
IIgILIng AbruIum LIun dId. Mv uunL wus rIgIL. You ure LIe DevII.
=z;J6=
SIe`s Loo kInd. BuL wIsI wus. He puIIed ouL IIs goId pockeL wuLcI,
cIeckIng LIe LIme. BuL do know u Iew Demons. And LIev`ve been
wuILIng u Iong LIme Lo puv LIIs worId u vIsIL. AbruIum sIId LIe wuLcI
buck InLo IIs juckeL. ooks IIke vou kIds ure ouL oI LIme.
=z8J6=
12.14
Demon Door
AbruIum IIILed The Book of Moons, und LIe puges begun Lo Lurn uguIn,
IIIppIng so IusL wus sure LIev wouId Leur. WIen LIev sLopped, Ie run
IIs IIngers over LIe puges reverenLIv. TIIs wus IIs bIbIe. rumed bv LIe
bIuck smoke beIInd IIm, AbruIum begun Lo reud.
ON DARKEST DAYS, WHEN BOOD S SPED,
A EGON O DEMONS TO AVENGE THOSE KED.
A MARKED DOOR CANNOT BE OUND,
THE EARTH W OPEN, TO OER ONE ROM THE GROUND.
SANGUNE EUSO, ATRS DEBUS,
ORETUR DAEMONUM EGO UT NTERECTOS UCSCATUR.
S ANUA NOTATA NVENR NON POTUERT,
TEUS HSCAT UT DE TERRA PSA ANUAM OERAT.
dIdn`L wunL Lo Iung uround Lo see LIe IegIon oI Demons LIuL Abru-
Ium wus cuIIIng Lo IInIsI us oII. TIe Vexes were enougI Ior me.
grubbed enu`s Iund und puIIed Ier up, runnIng Irom LIe IIre und
enu`s deud moLIer, Irom AbruIum und The Book of Moons und
wIuLever evII Ie wus summonIng.
ELIun! We`re goIng LIe wrong wuv.
enu wus rIgIL. We sIouId Iuve been runnIng Lowurd Ruvenwood, In-
sLeud oI LIrougI LIe LungIed coLLon IIeIds LIuL used Lo be purL oI BIuck-
weII, LIe pIunLuLIon LIuL once sLood on LIe oLIer sIde oI GreenbrIer.
BuL LIere wus nowIere eIse Lo go. AbruIum wus sLundIng beLween
Ruvenwood und us, IIs sudIsLIc smIIe reveuIIng LIe LruLI. TIIs wus u
gume, und Ie wus enjovIng IL.
We don`L Iuve u cIoIce. We Iuve Lo-
enu cuL me oII beIore couId IInIsI. SomeLIIng`s wrong. cun IeeI
IL.
TIe skv durkened ubove us, und Ieurd u Iow rumbIIng sound. BuL IL
wusn`L LIunder or LIe unmIsLukubIe screums oI Vexes.
WIuL Is LIuL? wus druggIng enu up LIe IIII LIuL used Lo Ieud Irom
LIe roud Lo BIuckweII PIunLuLIon.
BeIore sIe couId unswer, LIe ground sLurLed movIng beneuLI us. L IeIL
IIke IL wus roIIIng under mv IeeL, und sLruggIed Lo keep mv buIunce.
TIe rumbIIng sound wus geLLIng Iouder, und LIere were oLIer
noIses-Lrees spIILLIng und IuIIIng, LIe sLrungIed svmpIonv oI LIou-
sunds oI Iubbers, und u IuInL cruckIng comIng Irom beIInd us.
Or beIow us.
=1J6=
enu suw IL IIrsL. OI mv God!
TIe eurLI wus cruckIng down LIe mIddIe oI LIe dIrL roud, LIe spIIL
IeudIng rIgIL Ior us. As LIe cruck spreud, LIe ground opened up, und
dIrL poured InLo LIe IIssure IIke quIcksund beIng sucked InLo u IoIe.
L wus un eurLIquuke.
L seemed ImpossIbIe becuuse quukes dIdn`L Iuppen In LIe SouLI. TIev
Iuppened In pIuces ouL wesL, IIke CuIIIornIu. BuL `d seen enougI
movIes Lo recognIze one.
TIe sound wus us LerrIIvIng us LIe sIgIL oI LIe ground consumIng IL-
seII. TIe bIuck sLreuk oI Vexes ubove us reured buck, IeudIng sLruIgIL
Ior us.
TIe ground beIInd us wus spIILLIng IusLer, LeurIng IIke u seum.
We cun`L ouLrun IL! Or LIem! enu`s voIce wus rugged. We`re
Lrupped!
Muvbe noL. Iooked over LIe sIde oI LIe IIII und suw LIe BeuLer skId-
dIng ucross LIe roud beIow us. Ink wus drIvIng IIke IIs mom Iud jusL
cuugIL IIm drInkIng In cIurcI. TIere wus someLIIng In IronL oI LIe
BeuLer, movIng even IusLer LIun LIe cur.
L wus Boo. NoL LIe Iuzv bIuck dog LIuL sIepL uL LIe IooL oI enu`s bed.
TIIs wus u CusLer dog LIuL Iooked IIke u woII, und run IusLer LIun one.
enu Iooked buck. We`II never muke IL!
AbruIum wus sLIII sLundIng In LIe dIsLunce, unLoucIed bv LIe wInds
swIrIIng uround IIm. He Lurned Lo Iook over LIe sIde oI LIe IIII, wIere
LIe BeuLer wus rucIng uIong LIe roud beIow.
=zJ6=
Iooked down, Loo. Ink wus IungIng ouL LIe wIndow sIouLIng uL me.
couIdn`L Ieur IIm, buL wIuLever Ie wus urgIng us Lo do-jump, run,
dIdn`L even know-LIere wus no LIme.
sIook mv Ieud sIIenLIv, gIuncIng buck uL AbruIum one IusL LIme.
Ink`s eves IoIIowed mIne.
TIen Ie wus gone.
TIe BeuLer wus sLIII movIng, buL LIe drIver`s seuL wus empLv. Boo
jumped ouL oI LIe wuv us LIe cur sped pusL IIm, IgnorIng LIe curve In
LIe roud. TIe BeuLer IIIpped, crusIIng down onLo LIe roud over und
over.
suw LIe rooI cuve In uL LIe sume LIme Ieurd LIe rIp-
A Iund IumbIed Ior mv urm. wus pILcIed InLo LIe bIuck voId LIuL
LrunsporLed ncubuses Irom one pIuce Lo unoLIer, buL dIdn`L need Lo
see Lo know IL wus Ink`s Iund dIggIng InLo mv skIn.
wus sLIII spIruIIng LIrougI LIe voId wIen IeIL IIs IIngers sIIppIng.
TIen wus IuIIIng, und LIe worId cume buck InLo vIew. SIIces oI LIe
durk skv und IIusIes oI brown-
Mv buck IIL someLIIng Iurd, more LIun once.
wuLcIed LIe skv puII IurLIer und IurLIer uwuv us goL cIoser Lo LIe
ground. BuL mv bodv sIummed uguInsL someLIIng soIId, und suddenIv
wusn`L IuIIIng unvmore.
Ethan!
Mv urm wus cuugIL, und LIe puIn Lore up mv sIouIder. bIInked. wus
Lrupped In u seu oI Iong, brown. bruncIes?
=J6=
Dude, ure vou okuv? Lurned sIowIv Lowurd LIe sound oI IIs voIce.
Ink wus sLundIng uL LIe buse oI LIe Lree, sLurIng up uL me. enu wus
besIde IIm, compIeLeIv punIcked.
`m Lrupped In u Lree. WIuL do vou LIInk?
ReIIeI spreud ucross enu`s Iuce.
LIInk jusL suved vour uss wILI mv superpowers. Ink wus
grInnIng.
ELIun, cun vou geL down? enu usked.
YeuI. don`L LIInk unvLIIng`s broken. unLungIed mv Iegs Irom LIe
bruncIes cureIuIIv.
cun rIp vou down, Ink oIIered.
No, LIunks. goL IL. wus uIruId oI wIere mIgIL end up II Ie guve IL
unoLIer sIoL.
L IurL everv LIme moved, so IL Look me u Iew mInuLes Lo cIImb down.
As soon us IIL LIe ground, enu LIrew Ier urms uround me. You`re
okuv!
dIdn`L wunL Lo menLIon LIuL II sIe squeezed me unv LIgILer,
wouIdn`L be. couId uIreudv IeeI wIuL IILLIe energv Iud IeIL druInIng
ouL oI me. LIInk so.
Hev, vou Lwo ure IeuvIer LIun vou Iook. And IL wus mv IIrsL LIme. CuL
me some sIuck. Ink wus sLIII grInnIng. dId suve vour IIves.
IeId ouL mv IIsL. You dId, mun. We`d be deud II IL wusn`L Ior vou.
=qJ6=
He Lupped IIs knuckIes uguInsL mIne. guess LIuL mukes me u Iero.
GreuL. Now vour Ieud`s gonnu be even bIgger, II LIuL`s possIbIe. He
knew wIuL wus reuIIv suvIng-thanks for saving my ass and the girl
I love.
enu Iugged IIm. WeII, vou`re mv Iero.
dId sucrIIIce LIe BeuLer. Ink Iooked over uL me. How bud wus IL?
Bud.
He sIrugged. NoLIIn` u IILLIe ducL Lupe cun`L IIx.
Hope vou`ve goL u IoL oI IL. How dId vou IInd us, unvwuv?
You know Iow LIev suv unImuIs cun sense Lornudos und eurLIquukes
und sLuII IIke LIuL? Guess IL`s LIe sume Ior ncubuses.
TIe eurLIquuke, enu wIIspered. Do vou LIInk IL mude IL Lo Lown?
L`s uIreudv IIL, Ink suId. MuIn SLreeL spIIL open rIgIL down LIe
mIddIe.
s evervone okuv? meunL Ammu, mv dud, und mv Iundred-veur-oId
uunLs.
dunno. Mv mom Look u mess u peopIe down Lo LIe cIurcI, und
LIev`re IoIed up In LIere. SIe suId someLIIn` ubouL LIe IounduLIon und
LIe sLeeI In LIe beums und some sIow sIe suw on LIe nuLure cIunneI.
euve IL Lo Mrs. IncoIn Lo rescue evervone on Ier sLreeL wILI educu-
LIonuI progrummIng und u LuIenL Ior orderIng peopIe uround. WIen
IeIL, sIe wus screumIn` ubouL LIe upocuIvpse und LIe seven sIgns.
==J6=
We Iuve Lo geL Lo mv Iouse. We dIdn`L IIve us cIose Lo cIurcI us Ink
dId, und wus preLLv sure WuLe`s undIng wusn`L buIIL Lo wILIsLund
eurLIquukes.
TIere`s no wuv. TIe roud spIIL rIgIL beIInd me us soon us Lurned oII
u RouLe . We`re gonnu Iuve Lo go LIrougI PerpeLuuI Peuce. L wus
Iurd Lo beIIeve Ink wus voIunLeerIng Lo go InLo LIe cemeLerv uL nIgIL,
In LIe mIddIe oI u supernuLuruI eurLIquuke.
enu puL Ier Ieud on mv sIouIder. Iuve u bud IeeIIng ubouL LIIs.
YeuI? WeII, `ve Iud u bud IeeIIn` sInce goL buck Irom NeverIund und
Lurned InLo u Demon.
WIen we wuIked LIrougI LIe guLes oI HIs Gurden oI PerpeLuuI Peuce,
IL wus unvLIIng buL peuceIuI. Even wILI LIe gIowIng crosses, IL wus so
durk couId bureIv see. TIe Iubbers were goIng nuLs, buzzIng so Ioud
LIuL IL sounded IIke we were In LIe cenLer oI u wusps` nesL. IgILnIng
cuL LIrougI LIe durkness, cruckIng LIe skv LIe wuv LIe eurLIquuke Iud
crucked LIe eurLI.
Ink wus IeudIng LIe wuv, sInce Ie wus LIe onIv one wIo couId see
mucI oI unvLIIng. You know, mv mom`s rIgIL ubouL one LIIng. n LIe
BIbIe, IL suvs LIere`II be eurLIquukes uL LIe end.
Iooked uL IIm IIke Ie wus nuLs. WIen wus LIe IusL LIme vou reud LIe
BIbIe? n Sunduv scIooI, wIen we were nIne?
He sIrugged. JusL suvIn`.
=6J6=
enu bIL Ier boLLom IIp. Ink couId be rIgIL. WIuL II AbruIum dIdn`L
cuuse LIIs, und IL`s u resuIL oI LIe Order beIng broken? Ike LIe IeuL
und LIe bugs und LIe Iuke drvIng up?
knew sIe IeIL responsIbIe, buL LIIs wusn`L cuused bv u MorLuI End oI
Duvs. TIIs wus u supernuLuruI upocuIvpse. And AbruIum jusL
Iuppened Lo be reudIng ubouL cruckIng open LIe eurLI Lo IeL uII LIe De-
mons ouL?
Ink Iooked over uL me. WIuL do vou meun, IeLLIn` LIe Demons ouL?
eLLIn` LIem ouLLu wIere?
TIe ground sLurLed Lo LrembIe uguIn. Ink sLopped, IIsLenIng. L
seemed IIke Ie wus LrvIng Lo deLermIne wIere LIe quuke wus comIng
Irom, or wIere IL wouId IIL nexL. TIe rumbIIng cIunged Lo u creukIng
sound, us II we were sLundIng on u porcI LIuL wus ubouL Lo coIIupse. L
sounded IIke u LIundersLorm underground.
s unoLIer one goIng Lo IIL? couIdn`L decIde II IL wus beLLer Lo run or
sLund sLIII.
Ink Iooked uround. LIInk we sIouId-
TIe ground underneuLI us seIzed, und Ieurd LIe uspIuIL spIILLIng.
TIere wus nowIere Lo go, und noL enougI LIme Lo geL LIere, unvwuv.
TIe uspIuIL wus crumbIIng uround me, buL wusn`L IuIIIng down.
PIeces oI LIe roud were juLLIng up Lowurd LIe skv.
TIev scruped uguInsL eucI oLIer, IormIng u crooked concreLe LrIungIe,
unLII LIev sLopped. TIe gIowIng crosses sLurLed IIIckerIng ouL.
TeII me LIuL Isn`L wIuL LIInk IL Is. Ink wus buckIng uwuv Irom LIe
deud gruss, doLLed wILI pIusLIc IIowers und IeudsLones. L Iooked IIke
=;J6=
LIe IeudsLones were sIIILIng. Muvbe unoLIer uILersIock wus comIng,
or worse.
WIuL ure vou LuIkIng ubouL? TIe IIrsL gruvesLone cume ouL oI LIe dIrL
beIore Ie Iud LIme Lo unswer. L wus unoLIer eurLIquuke-uL IeusL,
LIuL`s wIuL LIougIL.
BuL wus wrong.
TIe gruvesLones weren`L IuIIIng over.
TIev were beIng pusIed up Irom underneuLI.
SLones und dIrL were IIvIng InLo LIe uIr und comIng buck down IIke
bombs beIng dropped Irom LIe skv. RoLLed cuskeLs Iorced LIeIr wuv
ouL oI LIe ground. Hundred-veur-oId pIne boxes und bIuck Iucquered
coIIIns were roIIIng down LIe IIII, breukIng open und IeuvIng decuvIng
corpses In LIeIr wuke. TIe smeII wus so dIsgusLIng, Ink wus guggIng.
ELIun! enu screumed.
grubbed Ier Iund. Run!
Ink dIdn`L need Lo be LoId LwIce. Bones und bourds were IIvIng
LIrougI LIe uIr IIke sIrupneI, buL Ink wus LukIng LIe IILs Ior us IIke u
IInebucker.
enu, wIuL`s IuppenIng? dIdn`L IeL go oI Ier Iund.
LIInk AbruIum opened some kInd oI door InLo LIe Underground.
SIe sLumbIed, und puIIed Ier buck Lo Ier IeeL.
We reucIed LIe IIII LIuL Ied Lo LIe oIdesL purL oI LIe cemeLerv, LIe one
Iud pusIed AunL Mercv`s wIeeIcIuIr up more LImes LIun couId
=8J6=
counL. TIe IIII wus durk, und LrIed Lo uvoId LIe Iuge IoIes couId
bureIv see.
TIIs wuv! Ink wus uIreudv uL LIe Lop. He sLopped, und LIougIL Ie
wus wuILIng Ior us. BuL wIen we mude IL up LIe IIII, reuIIzed Ie wus
sLurIng ouL InLo LIe gruvevurd.
TIe muusoIeums und Lombs Iud expIoded, IILLerIng LIe ground wILI
Iunks oI curved sLone, bones, und bodv purLs. TIere wus u pIusLIc Iuwn
IvIng In LIe dusL. L Iooked IIke someone Iud dug up everv gruve on LIe
IIII.
TIere wus u corpse sLundIng uL LIe Iur end oI wIuL used Lo be LIe good
sIde oI LIe IIII. You couId LeII IL Iud been burIed Ior u wIIIe bv LIe
sLuLe oI decuv. TIe corpse wus sLurIng uL us, buL IL Iud no eves. TIe
sockeLs were compIeLeIv empLv. SomeLIIng wus InsIde IL, unImuLIng
wIuL wus IeIL oI LIe bodv-LIe wuv LIe IIum Iud been InsIde Mrs.
EngIIsI.
Ink puL up IIs urm Lo keep us beIInd IIm.
TIe corpse cocked ILs Ieud Lo one sIde, us II IL wus IIsLenIng. TIen u
durk mIsL poured ouL oI ILs eves, nose, und mouLI. TIe bodv wenL
sIuck und dropped Lo LIe ground. TIe mIsL spIruIed IIke u Vex, LIen
sIoL ucross LIe skv und ouL oI LIe gruvevurd.
Wus LIuL u SIeer? usked.
Ink unswered beIore enu. No. L wus some kIndu Demon.
How do vou know? enu wIIspered, us II sIe wus uIruId sIe mIgIL
wuke more oI LIe deud.
=J6=
Ink Iooked uwuv. TIe sume wuv u dog knows wIen IL sees unoLIer
dog.
L dIdn`L Iook IIke u dog Lo me. wus LrvIng Lo muke IIm IeeI beLLer,
buL we were wuv pusL LIuL.
Ink sLured uL LIe bodv IvIng on LIe ground wIere LIe Demon sLood
onIv momenLs ugo. Muvbe mv mom`s rIgIL und LIIs Is LIe End u Duvs.
Muvbe sIe`s gonnu geL u cIunce Lo use Ier wIeuL grInder und Ier gus
musks und LIuL InIIuLubIe ruIL uILer uII.
A ruIL? s LIuL wIuL`s sLrupped Lo LIe rooI oI vour guruge?
Ink nodded. YeuI. or wIen LIe wuLers rIse und LIe owcounLrv
IIoods und God Lukes IIs vengeunce on uII us sInners.
sIook mv Ieud. NoL God. AbruIum Ruvenwood.
TIe ground Iud IInuIIv sLopped sIukIng, buL we dIdn`L noLIce.
TIe LIree oI us were sIukIng so Iurd, IL wus ImpossIbIe Lo LeII.
=qoJ6=
12.17
Passing Strange
SIxLeen bodIes were IvIng In LIe counLv morLuurv. AccordIng Lo LIe
SIudowIng Song Irom mv mom, LIere sIouId Iuve been eIgILeen.
dIdn`L know wIv LIe eurLIquukes Iud sLopped und AbruIum`s urmv oI
Vexes Iud dIsuppeured. Muvbe desLrovIng LIe Lown Iud IosL ILs uppeuI
once we were gone und LIe Lown wus, weII, desLroved. BuL II knew
unvLIIng ubouL AbruIum, LIere wus u reuson. AII knew wus LIuL LIIs
kInd oI broken muLI, LIe pIuce wIere LIe ruLIonuI meL LIe supernuLur-
uI, wus wIuL mv IIIe wus IIke now.
And knew wILIouL u doubL LIuL Lwo more bodIes wouId joIn LIe sIx-
Leen. TIuL`s Iow mucI beIIeved In LIe songs. Number sevenLeen und
number eIgILeen. TIose were LIe numbers Iud In LIe buck oI mv
mInd us drove ouL Lo CounLv Cure. TIe power wus ouL LIere, Loo.
And Iud u LerrIbIe IeeIIng knew wIo number sevenLeen wouId be.
TIe buckup generuLor wus IIIckerIng on und oII. couId LeII bv LIe wuv
LIe suIeLv IIgILs were IIusIIng. Bobbv MurpIv wusn`L uL LIe IronL desk;
In IucL, nobodv wus. Toduv`s cuLusLropIIc evenLs uL HIs Gurden oI Per-
peLuuI Peuce weren`L goIng Lo ruIse Loo munv evebrows uL CounLv Cure,
u pIuce mosL peopIe dIdn`L know ubouL unLII Lrugedv sLruck. SIxLeen.
wondered II LIere were even sIxLeen uuLopsv LubIes uL LIe morLuurv.
wus preLLv sure LIere weren`L.
BuL u LrIp Lo LIe morLuurv wus probubIv u reguIur evenL uround Iere.
TIere wus more LIun one revoIvIng door beLween LIe deud und LIe IIv-
Ing us vou mude vour wuv down LIese IuIIwuvs. WIen vou wuIked
LIrougI LIe doors oI CounLv Cure, vour unIverse sIrunk, smuIIer und
smuIIer, unLII vour wIoIe worId wus vour IuIIwuv, vour nurse, und
vour eIgIL-bv-Len unLIsepLIc peucI oI u room.
Once vou wuIked In Iere, vou dIdn`L cure mucI ubouL wIuL Iuppened
ouL LIere. TIIs pIuce wus u kInd oI In-beLween worId. EspecIuIIv sInce
everv LIme Look AunL Prue`s Iund, IL IeIL IIke ended up In unoLIer
one.
NoLIIng seemed reuI unvmore, wIIcI wus IronIc becuuse ouLsIde LIese
wuIIs, LIIngs were more reuI LIun LIev`d ever been. And II dIdn`L IIg-
ure ouL wIuL Lo do ubouL u Iew oI LIem-IIke u powerIuI IIum Irom
LIe Demon worId, un unpuId bIood debL LIuL wus desLrovIng GuLIIn,
und u Iew Iurger worIds bevond-LIere weren`L goIng Lo be unv unLIsep-
LIc peucIes IeIL Lo cuII Iome.
wuIked down LIe durk IuIIwuv Lowurd AunL Prue`s room. TIe suIeLv
IIgILs IIusIed on, und suw u IIgure In u IospILuI gown sLundIng uL LIe
end oI LIe IuIIwuv, IoIdIng un V. TIen LIe suIeLv IIgILs IIusIed oII,
und couIdn`L see unvLIIng. TIe IIgILs cume on uguIn, und LIe IIgure
wus gone.
TIe LIIng Is, couId Iuve sworn IL wus mv uunL.
AunL Prue?
TIe IIgILs wenL ouL uguIn. IeIL reuIIv uIone-und noL LIe peuceIuI kInd
oI uIone. LIougIL suw someLIIng movIng In LIe durkness, und LIen
LIe suIeLv IIgILs IIusIed buck on.
WIuL LIe- jumped buck, spooked.
=qJ6=
AunL Prue wus sLundIng rIgIL In IronL oI me, Ier Iuce IncIes Irom
mIne. couId see everv wrInkIe, everv murk Irom everv Leur, und everv
roud, IIke u mup oI LIe CusLer TunneIs. SIe beckoned me wILI one IIn-
ger, IIke sIe wunLed me Lo IoIIow. TIen sIe IeId Ier IInger Lo Ier IIps.
SII.
TIe IIgILs wenL ouL, und sIe wus gone.
run, IumbIIng mv wuv LIrougI LIe durkness unLII Iound mv uunL`s
room. pusIed on LIe door, buL IL dIdn`L open. euI, IL`s me!
TIe door swung open, und suw euI IoIdIng u IInger Lo Ier IIps. L
wus uImosL exucLIv IIke LIe gesLure AunL Prue Iud mude In LIe IuII-
wuv. wus conIused.
SII. euI Iocked LIe door beIInd me. L`s LIme.
Ammu und Mucon`s moLIer, AreIIu, were sILLIng nexL Lo LIe bed. SIe
musL Iuve come Lo Lown Ior AunL Prue. TIeIr eves were cIosed, und
LIev IeId Iunds over AunL Prue`s bodv. AL LIe IooL oI LIe bed, couId
bureIv muke ouL u sIImmerIng presence, LIe IIuLLer oI u LIousund LInv
bruIds und beuds.
AunL TwvIu? s LIuL vou? suw u IIusI oI smIIe.
Ammu sIusIed me.
IeIL AunL Prue`s gnurIed Iund cIuLcIIng mIne, puLLIng me
reussurIngIv.
Shh.
=qqJ6=
smeIIed someLIIng burnIng, und reuIIzed u IundIuI oI Ierbs wus
smokIng In u puInLed cerumIc bowI on LIe wIndowsIII. AunL Prue`s bed
wus covered wILI Ier IumIIIur bedspreud, LIe one wILI LIe IILLIe buIIs
sLILcIed uII over IL, InsLeud oI Ier IospILuI sIeeLs. Her IIowered pIIIows
were beIInd Ier Ieud. HurIon Jumes V wus curIed bv Ier IeeL. TIere
wus someLIIng dIIIerenL ubouL AunL Prue. TIere wusn`L u Lube or u
monILor or even u pIece oI Lupe uLLucIed Lo Ier bodv. SIe wus dressed
In Ier crocIeLed sIIppers und Ier besL pInk IIowered IousecouL, LIe
one wILI LIe moLIer-oI-peurI buLLons. As II sIe were goIng ouL Ior one
oI Ier drIves, Lo InspecL everv IronL vurd on LIe sLreeL und compIuIn
ubouL wIo needed u new couL oI puInL on LIeIr Iouse.
wus rIgIL. SIe wus number sevenLeen.
pusIed beLween Ammu und AreIIu und Look AunL Prue`s Iund.
Ammu opened one eve und sIoL me u Iook. Hunds Lo vourseII, ELIun
WuLe. You don`L need Lo go wIere sIe`s goIn`.
sLood LuIIer. SIe`s mv uunL, Ammu. wunL Lo suv good-bve.
AreIIu sIook Ier Ieud, wILIouL openIng Ier eves. No LIme Ior LIuL
now. Her voIce sounded IIke IL wus drIILIng InLo LIe room Irom Iur
uwuv.
AunL Prue cume Lo IInd me. LIInk sIe Ius someLIIng Lo LeII me.
Ammu opened Ier eves, ruIsIng un evebrow. TIere`s LIe worId u LIe
IIvIn`, und LIere`s LIe worId u LIe done-IIvIn`. SIe`s Iud u good IIIe, und
sIe`s reudv. And rIgIL now, `ve goL enougI LroubIe keepIn` LIe IoIks
cure ubouL Iere wILI LIe IIvIn`. So II vou don`L mInd. SIe snIIIed, us II
sIe wus LrvIng Lo geL dInner on LIe LubIe und wus geLLIng In LIe wuv.
guve Ier u Iook `d never gIven Ammu beIore. One LIuL suId: I mind.
=q=J6=
SIe sIgIed und Look mv Iund In one oI Iers, mv uunL`s Iund In LIe
oLIer. cIosed mv eves und wuILed. AunL Prue?
NoLIIng Iuppened.
Aunt Prue.
opened one eve. WIuL`s wrong? wIIspered.
Cun`L suv us know. AII LIuL IussIn`, und LIose Demons mukIn` uII LIuL
ruckeL, probubIv scured Ier oII.
AII LIose bodIes, AreIIu wIIspered.
Ammu nodded. Too munv IoIks movIn` Lo LIe OLIerworId LonIgIL.
BuL IL`s noL IInIsIed veL. TIere`II be eIgILeen. TIuL`s wIuL LIe song
suId.
Ammu Iooked uL me, Ier expressIon broken. Muvbe LIe song`s wrong.
Even LIe curds und LIe GreuLs ure wrong someLIme or unoLIer. Muvbe
noL evervLIIng roIIs down LIe IIII us quIck us vou LIInk.
TIose ure mv mom`s songs, und sIe suId eIgILeen. SIe`s never wrong,
und vou know IL.
I know, Ethan Wate. SIe dIdn`L Iuve Lo suv IL. couId see IL In Ier
eves, In LIe wuv Ier juw wus seL und Ier Iuce wus IIned.
IeId ouL mv Iund uguIn. PIeuse.
Ammu Iooked over Ier sIouIder. euI, AreIIu, TwvIu, come gIve us u
Iund Iere.
=q6J6=
We joIned Iunds, creuLIng u cIrcIe-MorLuI und CusLer. Me, LIe IosL
Wuvwurd. euI, LIe IgIL Succubus. Ammu, LIe Seer wIo wus IosL In
LIe durkness. AreIIu, LIe DIvIner wIo knew more LIun sIe wunLed Lo.
And TwvIu, wIo Iud once cuIIed LIe spIrILs oI LIe deud, u SIeer In LIe
OLIerworId. TIe IIgIL Lo sIow AunL Prue LIe wuv Iome.
TIev were uII purL oI mv IumIIv now.
Here we were, IoIdIng Iunds In u IospILuI room, suvIng good-bve Lo
someone wIo wus In so munv wuvs uIreudv Iong gone.
Ammu nodded Lo TwvIu. You mInd doIn` LIe Ionors?
WILIIn seconds, LIe room dIsuppeured InLo sIudow InsLeud oI IIgIL.
IeIL LIe wInd bIowIng, even LIougI we were InsIde.
Or so LIougIL.
TIe durkness soIIdIIIed, unLII we were sLundIng In un enormous room,
IucIng u vuuIL door. recognIzed IL ImmedIuLeIv-LIe vuuIL In LIe buck
oI ExIIe, LIe cIub Irom LIe TunneIs. TIIs LIme, LIe room wus empLv.
wus uIone.
puL boLI Iunds on LIe door, LoucIIng LIe sIIver wIeeI LIuL opened IL.
puIIed us Iurd us couId, buL couIdn`L muke LIe wIeeI Lurn.
You`re gonnu Iuve Lu puL u IILLIe more muscIe InLu IL, ELIun. Lurned
uround, und AunL Prue wus sLundIng beIInd me, In Ier crocIeLed sIIp-
pers und Ier IousecouL, IeunIng IeuvIIv on Ier V poIe. L wusn`L even
uLLucIed Lo Ier bodv.
AunL Prue! Iugged Ier, IeeIIng LIe bones beIInd Ier puperv skIn.
Don`L go.
=q;J6=
TIuL`s enougI u vour IussIn`. You`re us bud us Ammu. SIe`s been Iere
`mosL everv nIgIL LIIs week, LrvIn` Lu geL me Lu sLuv. Keeps puLLIng
someLIIn` LIuL smeIIs IIke HurIon Jumes` oId dIupers under mv pII-
Iow. SIe wrInkIed Ier nose. `ve Iud mv IIII u LIIs pIuce. TIev don`L
even Iuve mv sLorIes on LIe TV Iere.
Cun`L vou sLuv? TIere ure so munv purLs oI LIe TunneIs IeIL Lo mup.
And don`L know wIuL AunL Mercv und AunL Gruce ure goIng Lo do
wILIouL vou.
TIuL`s wIv wunLed Lu LuIk Lu vou. L`s ImporLunL, so vou puv uLLen-
LIon, vu Ieur?
`m IIsLenIng. knew LIere wus someLIIng sIe needed Lo LeII me,
someLIIng none oI LIe oLIers couId know.
AunL Prue Ieuned In on Ier V und wIIspered. You goLLu sLop `em.
SLop wIo? TIe IuIr on LIe buck oI mv neck wus sLundIng up.
AnoLIer wIIsper. know exucLIv wIuL LIev`re IIxIn` Lu do, wIIcI Is In-
vILe IuII u LIe Lown Lu mv purLv.
Her purLv. SIe`d menLIoned IL beIore. You meun vour IuneruI?
SIe nodded. Been pIunnIn` IL sInce wus IIILv-Lwo, und wunL IL Lu go
jusL LIe wuv wunL. Good cIInu und IInens, LIe good puncI bowI, und
SIssv HonevcuLL sIngIn` 'AmuzIn` Gruce.` IeIL u IIsL u LIe D-LuIIs un-
derneuLI u mv dresser, II IL mude IL over Lu WuLe`s undIn`.
couIdn`L beIIeve LIIs wus LIe reuson sIe`d brougIL me Iere. BuL LIen
uguIn, IL wus AunL Prue. Yes, mu`um.
L`s uII ubouL LIe guesL IIsL, ELIun.
=q8J6=
geL IL. You wunL Lo muke sure uII LIe rIgIL peopIe ure LIere.
SIe Iooked uL me IIke wus un IdIoL. No. wunL Lu muke sure LIe
wrong ones uren`L. wunL Lu muke sure certain people sLuv ouL. TIIs
Isn`L u pIg pIck uL LIe IIreIouse.
SIe wus serIous, uILIougI suw u spurkIe In Ier eve LIuL mude IL seem
IIke sIe wus ubouL Lo breuk ouL InLo one oI Ier InIumousIv unIurmonIc
Iuke-operu versIons oI eunIng on LIe EverIusLIng Arms.
wunL vou Lu sIum LIe door beIore EunIce HonevcuLL seLs IooL In LIe
buIIdIn`. don`L cure II SIssv`s sIngIn`, or that woman brIngs LIe ord
AImIgILv on Ier urm. SIe`s noL IuvIn` unv u mv puncI.
grubbed Ier In u Iug so bIg LIuL IIILed Ier LInv crocIeLed IeeL rIgIL
oII LIe ground. `m goIng Lo mIss vou, AunL Prue.
`Course vu ure. BuL IL`s mv LIme, und goL LIIngs Lu do und Iusbunds
Lu see. NoL Lu menLIon u Iew HurIon Jumeses. Now, wouId vou mInd
geLLIn` LIe door Ior un oId womun? `m noL IeeIIn` IIke mvseII Loduv.
TIuL door? LoucIed LIe meLuI vuuIL In IronL oI us.
TIe verv one. SIe IeL go oI LIe V sLund und nodded uL me.
WIere does IL go?
SIe sIrugged. Cun`L LeII vou. JusL know IL`s wIere `m meunL Lo go.
WIuL II `m noL supposed Lo open IL or someLIIng?
ELIun, ure vou LeIIIn` me vou`re uIruId Lu open u sIIIv IILLIe door? Turn
LIe durned wIeeI uIreudv.
=qJ6=
puL mv Iunds on LIe wIeeI und vunked on IL us Iurd us couId. L
dIdn`L move.
You gonnu muke un oId womun do LIe Ieuvv IIILIn`? AunL Prue
pusIed me usIde wILI one IeebIe Iund und reucIed ouL Lo LoucI LIe
door.
L sprung open beneuLI Ier Iund, bIusLIng IIgIL und wInd und spruvIng
wuLer InLo LIe room. couId see u gIImpse oI bIue wuLer bevond.
oIIered Ier mv urm, und sIe Look IL. As IeIped Ier over LIe
LIresIoId, we sLood LIere Ior u second on opposILe sIdes oI LIe door.
SIe Iooked over Ier sIouIder, InLo LIe bIue beIInd Ier. ooks IIke
LIIs Iere`s mv puLI. You wunL Lu wuIk me u wuvs, IIke vou promIsed
vou wouId?
Iroze. promIsed `d wuIk vou ouL LIere?
SIe nodded. Sure dId. You`re LIe one wIo LoId me `bouL LIe usL
Door. How eIse wouId know `bouL IL?
don`L know unvLIIng ubouL u usL Door, AunL Prue. `ve never been
pusL LIIs door.
Sure vu Iuve. You`re sLundIn` pusL IL LIIs verv mInuLe.
Iooked ouL, und LIere wus-LIe oLIer me. Huzv und gruv, IIIckerIng
IIke u sIudow.
L wus LIe me Irom LIe Iens oI LIe oId vIdeo cumeru.
TIe me Irom LIe dreum.
Mv rucLured SouI.
==oJ6=
He sLurLed wuIkIng Lowurd LIe vuuIL door. AunL Prue wuved In IIs dIr-
ecLIon. You goIn` Lu wuIk me up Lu LIe IIgILIouse?
TIe momenL sIe suId IL, couId see LIe puLIwuv oI neuL sLone sLeps
IeudIng up u grussv sIope Lo u wIILe sLone IIgILIouse. Squure und oId,
one sImpIe sLone box on Lop oI unoLIer, LIen u wIILe Lower LIuL
reucIed IIgI InLo LIe unbroken bIue oI LIe skv. TIe wuLer bevond wus
even bIuer. TIe gruss LIuL moved wILI LIe wInd wus green und uIIve,
und IL mude me Iong Ior someLIIng Iud never seen.
BuL guess Iud seen IL, becuuse LIere wus comIng down LIe sLone
puLIwuv.
A sIck IeeIIng Lurned In mv sLomucI, und suddenIv someone LwIsLed
mv urm beIInd me, IIke Ink wus prucLIcIng wresLIIng moves on me.
A voIce-LIe IoudesL voIce In LIe unIverse, Irom LIe sLrongesL person
knew, LIundered In mv eur. You go on uIeud, Prudence. You don`L
need ELIun`s IeIp. You`ve goL TwvIu now, und vou`II be IIne once vou
geL up LIere Lo LIe IIgILIouse.
Ammu nodded wILI u smIIe, und suddenIv TwvIu wus sLundIng nexL Lo
AunL Prue-noL u mude-oI-IIgIL-TwvIu buL LIe reuI one, IookIng LIe
sume us sIe dId LIe nIgIL sIe dIed.
AunL Prue cuugIL mv eve und bIew me u kIss, LukIng TwvIu`s urm und
LurnIng buck Lowurd LIe IIgILIouse.
LrIed Lo see II LIe oLIer IuII oI mv souI wus sLIII ouL LIere, buL LIe
vuuIL door sIummed so Iurd IL ecIoed LIrougI LIe cIub beIInd me.
euI spun LIe wIeeI wILI boLI Iunds, us Iurd us sIe couId. LrIed Lo
IeIp, buL sIe pusIed me uwuv. AreIIu wus LIere, Loo, muLLerIng
someLIIng couIdn`L undersLund.
==1J6=
Ammu sLIII Iud me In u IoId so LIgIL LIuL sIe couId`ve won LIe sLuLe
cIumpIonsIIp II we reuIIv were uL u wresLIIng muLcI.
AreIIu opened Ier eves. Now. L Ius Lo be now.
EvervLIIng wenL bIuck.
opened mv eves, und we were sLundIng uround AunL Prue`s IIIeIess
bodv. SIe wus gone, buL we uIreudv knew LIuL. BeIore couId suv or do
unvLIIng, Ammu Iud me ouL oI LIe room und IuIIwuv down LIe IuII.
You. SIe couId bureIv speuk, u bonv IInger poInLIng uL me. Ive
mInuLes IuLer, we were In mv cur, und sIe onIv IeL go oI mv urm so
couId drIve us Iome. L Look Iorever Lo IIgure ouL u wuv Lo geL buck Lo
LIe Iouse. HuII oI LIe rouds In Lown Iud been cIosed oII becuuse oI LIe
eurLIquuke LIuL wusn`L un eurLIquuke.
sLured uL LIe sLeerIng wIeeI und LIougIL ubouL LIe wIeeI on LIe vuuIL
door. WIuL wus LIuL? TIe usL Door?
Ammu Lurned und sIupped me In LIe Iuce. SIe`d never IuId u Iund on
me, noL In Ier enLIre IIIe or mIne.
Don`L vou ever scure me IIke LIuL uguIn!
==zJ6=
12.19
Cream of Grief
TIe creum-coIored puper wus LIIck und IoIded eIgIL LImes, wILI u
purpIe suLIn rIbbon LIed uround IL. Iound IL In LIe boLLom druwer oI
LIe dresser, jusL IIke AunL Prue suId wouId. reud IL Lo LIe SIsLers,
wIo urgued ubouL IL wILI TIeImu unLII Ammu sLepped In.
I Prudence June wunLed LIe good cIInu, we`re usIn` LIe good cIInu.
No sense urguIn` wILI LIe deud. Ammu IoIded Ier urms. AunL Prue
Iud onIv been gone Lwo duvs. L seemed wrong Lo be cuIIIng Ier deud
so soon.
NexL vou`II be LeIIIn` me sIe dIdn`L wunL Iun`ruI poLuLoes. AunL Mercv
wudded up unoLIer IundkercIIeI.
cIecked LIe puper. SIe does. BuL sIe doesn`L wunL vou Lo IeL JeunIne
Muvberrv muke LIem. SIe doesn`L wunL sLuIe poLuLo cIIps crumbIed
on LIe Lop.
AunL Mercv nodded us II wus reudIng Irom LIe DecIuruLIon oI
ndependence. L`s LIe LruLI. JeunIne Muvberrv suvs LIev buke up
beLLer LIuL wuv, buL Prudence June uIwuvs suId IL wus on uccounL u Ier
beIn` so cIeup. Her cIIn quIvered.
AunL Mercv wus u mess. SIe Iudn`L done mucI oI unvLIIng buL wud up
IundkercIIeIs ever sInce sIe Ieurd LIuL AunL Prue Iud pussed. AunL
Gruce, on LIe oLIer Iund, Iud busIed IerseII wILI wrILIng condoIence
curds, IeLLIng evervone know Iow sorrv sIe wus LIuL AunL Prue wus
gone, even LIougI TIeImu expIuIned LIuL IL wus LIe oLIer IoIks wIo
were supposed Lo send LIem Lo Ier. AunL Gruce Iud Iooked uL TIeImu
IIke sIe wus cruzv. WIv wouId LIev send LIem Lu me? TIev`re mv
curds. An` IL`s mv news.
TIeImu sIook Ier Ieud, buL sIe dIdn`L suv unvLIIng uILer LIuL.
WIenever LIere wus u dIsugreemenL ubouL someLIIng, LIev mude me
reud LIe IeLLer uguIn. And AunL Prue`s IeLLer wus ubouL us eccenLrIc und
specIIIc us mv AunL Prue IerseII.
Dear Girls, LIe IeLLer begun. To eucI oLIer, LIe SIsLers were never
LIe SIsLers. TIev were uIwuvs LIe GIrIs. If youre reading this, Ive
been called to my Great Reward. Even though Ill be busy meeting my
Maker, Ill still be watching to be sure my party goes according to my
specifications. And dont think I wont march right outta my grave
and up the center aisle a the church if Eunice Honeycutt sets one foot
into the building.
OnIv AunL Prue wouId need u bouncer Ior Ier IuneruI.
L wenL on und on Irom LIere. AsIde Irom sLIpuIuLIng LIuL uII Iour Hur-
Ion Jumeses be In uLLendunce uIong wILI ucIIIe BuII, und seIecLIng u
somewIuL scunduIous urrungemenL oI AmuzIng Gruce und LIe wrong
versIon oI AbIde WILI Me, LIe bIggesL surprIse wus LIe euIogv.
SIe wunLed Ammu Lo deIIver IL.
TIuL`s nonsense. Ammu snIIIed.
L`s wIuL AunL Prue wunLed. ook. IeId ouL LIe puper.
Ammu wouIdn`L Iook uL IL. TIen sIe`s us bIg u IooI us LIe resL u vou.
===J6=
puLLed Ier on LIe buck. No sense urguIng wILI LIe deud, Ammu.
SIe gIured uL me, und sIrugged. AL IeusL vou don`L Iuve Lo renL u
Luxedo.
Mv dud sLood up Irom IIs seuL on LIe boLLom sLuIr, deIeuLed. WeII, `d
beLLer go sLurL roundIng up LIe bugpIpes.
n LIe end, LIe bugpIpes were u gIIL Irom Mucon. Once Ie Ieurd ubouL
AunL Prue`s requesL, Ie InsIsLed on brIngIng LIem In uII LIe wuv Irom
LIe HIgIIunds EIks CIub In CoIumbIu, LIe sLuLe cupILuI. AL IeusL, LIuL`s
wIuL Ie suId. KnowIng IIm, und LIe TunneIs, wus convInced LIev
cume Irom ScoLIund LIuL sume mornIng. TIev pIuved AmuzIng Gruce
so beuuLIIuIIv wIen IoIks IIrsL urrIved LIuL nobodv wouId wuIk InLo LIe
cIurcI. A Iuge crowd Iormed uround LIe IronL wuIkwuv und LIe sIde-
wuIk, unLII LIe reverend InsIsLed LIev uII come InsIde.
sLood In LIe doorwuv, wuLcIIng LIe crowd. A Ieurse-u reuI Ieurse,
noL enu und Mucon`s-suL purked ouL In IronL oI LIe buIIdIng. AunL
Prue wus beIng burIed In LIe SummervIIIe CemeLerv unLII HIs Gurden
oI PerpeLuuI Peuce reopened Ior busIness. TIe SIsLers cuIIed IL LIe New
CemeLerv, sInce IL Iud onIv been open ubouL sevenLv veurs.
TIe sIgIL oI LIe Ieurse brougIL buck u memorv, LIe IIrsL LIme suw
enu drIve LIrougI GuLIIn on mv wuv Lo scIooI IusL veur. re-
membered LIInkIng IL wus un omen, muvbe even u bud one.
Had it been?
ookIng buck on evervLIIng LIuL Iud Iuppened, evervLIIng LIuL Iud
brougIL me Irom LIuL Ieurse Lo LIIs one, sLIII couIdn`L suv.
==6J6=
NoL becuuse oI enu. SIe wouId uIwuvs be LIe besL LIIng LIuL Iud ever
Iuppened Lo me. BuL becuuse LIIngs Iud cIunged.
We boLI Iud. undersLood LIuL.
BuL GuLIIn Iud cIunged, Loo, und LIuL wus Iurder Lo undersLund.
So sLood In LIe doorwuv oI LIe cIupeI, wuLcIIng IL Iuppen. eLLIng IL
Iuppen, becuuse dIdn`L Iuve u cIoIce. TIe EIgILeenLI Moon wus Lwo
duvs uwuv. I enu und dIdn`L IIgure ouL wIuL LIe IIum
wunLed-wIo LIe One WIo s Two ucLuuIIv wus-LIere wus no wuv Lo
predIcL Iow mucI more LIIngs wouId cIunge. Muvbe LIIs Ieurse wus
unoLIer omen oI LIIngs Lo come.
We Iud spenL Iours In LIe urcIIve, wILI noLIIng Lo sIow Ior IL. SLIII,
knew LIuL wus wIere enu und wouId be uguIn, us soon us LIe IuneruI
wus over. TIere wus noLIIng IeIL Lo do buL Lrv. Even II IL seemed
IopeIess.
You cant fight fate.
Wus LIuL wIuL mv mom Iud suId?
don`L see mv Iorse-druwn currIuge. WIILe Iorses, LIuL`s wIuL mv
IeLLer suId. wouId`ve known LIuL voIce unvwIere.
AunL Prue wus sLundIng nexL Lo me. No gIImmer, no sIIne. JusL pIuIn
us duv AunL Prue. I sIe wusn`L sLIII weurIng LIe cIoLIes sIe dIed In,
wouId`ve mIsLuken Ier Ior one oI LIe guesLs uL Ier own IuneruI.
YeuI, weII. We Iud u IILLIe LroubIe IIndIng one. SInce vou`re noL Abru-
Ium IncoIn.
==;J6=
SIe Ignored me. LIougIL mude IL cIeur, wunLed SIssv HonevcuLL
Lu be LIe one sIngIn` 'AmuzIn` Gruce,` jusL IIke sIe dId uL CIurIene
WuLkIns` servIce. And don`L see Ier. BuL LIese IeIIus reuIIv puL some
Iung InLu IL, wIIcI `precIuLe.
SIssv HonevcuLL suId we`d Iuve Lo InvILe EunIce II we wunLed Ier Lo
sIng. TIuL wus expIunuLIon enougI Ior AunL Prue. We Lurned buck Lo
LIe pIpers. LIInk IL`s LIe onIv Ivmn LIev know. `m noL sure LIev`re
ucLuuIIv SouLIern.
SIe smIIed. `Course LIev uIn`L.
TIe musIc spun ouL over LIe crowd, druwIng evervone u Iew IeeL
cIoser. couId LeII AunL Prue wus pIeused, no muLLer wIuL sIe suId.
SLIII, IL`s u IIne crowd. BIggesL one seen In veurs. BIgger LIun uII mv
Iusbunds` puL LogeLIer. SIe Iooked uL me. Don`L vou LIInk so,
ELIun?
smIIed. Yes, mu`um. L`s u IIne crowd. puIIed on LIe coIIur oI mv
Lux sIIrL. n LIe Iundred-degree wInLer IeuL, wus ubouL Lo puss ouL.
BuL dIdn`L LeII Ier LIuL.
Now, puL vour juckeL on un` sIow u IILLIe respecL Ior LIe D-ceused.
Ammu und mv dud reucIed u compromIse on LIe euIogv. Ammu
wouIdn`L deIIver IL, buL sIe wouId reud u poem. WIen sIe IInuIIv LoId
us wIuL sIe wus reudIng, nobodv guve IL mucI LIougIL. ExcepL LIuL IL
meunL we goL Lo cross oII Lwo ILems on AunL Prue`s IIsL uL LIe sume
LIme.
==8J6=
AbIde wILI me; IusL IuIIs LIe evenLIde,
TIe durkness deepens, ord, wILI me ubIde.
WIen oLIer IeIpers IuII und comIorLs IIee,
HeIp oI LIe IeIpIess, O ubIde wILI me.
SwIIL Lo ILs cIose ebbs ouL IIIe`s IILLIe duv;
EurLI`s jovs grow dIm; ILs gIorIes puss uwuv;
CIunge und decuv In uII uround see;
O TIou wIo cIungesL noL, ubIde wILI me.
TIe words IIL me IIke buIIeLs. TIe durkness wus deepenIng, und
LIougI dIdn`L know wIuL LIe evenLIde wus, IL IeIL IIke IL wus IuIIIng
IusL. L wusn`L jusL comIorLs LIuL were IIeeIng, und IL wus more LIun
EurLI`s jovs und gIorIes LIuL were pussIng uwuv.
Ammu wus rIgIL. So wus LIe guv wIo wroLe LIe Ivmn. CIunge und de-
cuv wus uII couId see.
dIdn`L know II LIere wus unvone or unvLIIng wIo cIungesL noL, buL II
LIere wus, wouId do more LIun usk LIem Lo ubIde wILI me.
wunLed LIem Lo rescue me.
Bv LIe LIme Ammu IoIded LIe puper buck up, vou couId`ve Ieurd u pIn
drop. SIe sLood uL LIe podIum, everv bIL SuIIu LIe PropIeL us LIe orI-
gInuI. TIuL`s wIen reuIIzed wIuL sIe Iud done.
==J6=
L wusn`L u poem, noL LIe wuv sIe Iud reud IL. L wusn`L even u Ivmn
unvmore.
L wus u propIecv.
=6oJ6=
12.20
Hybrid
wus sLundIng on LIe Lop oI LIe wIILe wuLer Lower, wILI mv buck Lo LIe
sun. Mv IeudIess sIudow IeII ucross LIe wurm, puInLed meLuI, dIsup-
peurIng oII LIe edge und InLo LIe skv.
IM WAITING.
TIere Ie wus. Mv oLIer IuII. TIe dreum sLuggered on IIke u movIe `d
seen so munv LImes LIuL sLurLed Lo cuL und recuL IL mvseII, us IL erup-
Led InLo IIusIes-
Hard hitting.
Chucks kicking.
Deadweight.
Falling
ELIun!
roIIed ouL oI mv bed und Iunded on mv bedroom IIoor.
No wonder ncubuses keep sIowIng up In vour room. You sIeep IIke
LIe deud. JoIn Breed wus sLundIng over me. rom wIere wus IvIng,
Ie Iooked LwenLv IeeL LuII. He uIso Iooked IIke Ie couId kIck mv uss beL-
Ler LIun Iud been kIckIng mv own In mv dreum.
L wus u weIrd LIougIL. BuL wIuL cume nexL wus weIrder.
need vour IeIp.
JoIn wus sILLIng In LIe cIuIr uL mv desk, wIIcI Iud sLurLed Lo LIInk
oI us LIe ncubus cIuIr.
wIsI vou guvs couId IIgure ouL some wuv Lo sIeep. puIIed mv
Iuded HurIev DuvIdson sIIrL over mv Ieud. ronIc, consIderIng wus
sILLIng ucross Irom JoIn.
YeuI. TIuL`s noL reuIIv un opLIon. He sLured up uL mv bIue ceIIIng.
TIen wIsI vou couId IIgure ouL LIuL LIe resL oI us need Lo-
JoIn cuL me oII. L`s me.
WIuL?
Iv LoId me evervLIIng. TIe One WIo s Two guv-IL`s me.
Are vou sure? wusn`L even sure beIIeved IIm.
YeuI. IIgured IL ouL Loduv uL vour uunL`s IuneruI.
gIunced uL LIe cIock. He sIouId Iuve suId vesLerduv, und sIouId`ve
been usIeep. How?
=6J6=
He goL up und puced ucross LIe room. uIwuvs knew IL wus me. wus
born Lo be Lwo LIIngs. BuL uL LIe IuneruI, knew LIIs wus someLIIng
Iud Lo do. IeIL IL, wIen LIe Seer wus LuIkIng.
Ammu? knew AunL Prue`s IuneruI Iud been emoLIonuI Ior mv Ium-
IIv, LIe wIoIe Lown reuIIv, buL Iudn`L expecLed IL Lo uIIecL JoIn. He
wusn`L purL oI eILIer oI LIose LIIngs. WIuL do vou meun, vou uIwuvs
knew?
L`s mv bIrLIduv Lomorrow, rIgIL? Mv EIgILeenLI Moon. He dIdn`L
sound Loo Iuppv ubouL IL, und couIdn`L bIume IIm. ConsIderIng IL
wus brIngIng on LIe end oI LIe worId und evervLIIng.
Do vou know wIuL vou`re suvIng? sLIII dIdn`L LrusL IIm.
He nodded. `m supposed Lo muke LIe Lrude, IIke LIe Demon Queen
suId. Mv puLIeLIc screwed-up experImenL oI u IIIe Ior u New Order.
uImosL IeeI bud Ior LIe unIverse. `m geLLIng u burguIn. ExcepL Ior LIe
IucL LIuL won`L be uround Lo see IL.
BuL Iv wIII, suId.
Iv wIII. He dropped buck down In LIe cIuIr, IoIdIng IIs Ieud In IIs
Iunds.
Dumn.
He Iooked up. Dumn? TIuL`s LIe besL vou cun come up wILI? `m
reudv Lo Iuv down mv IIIe Iere.
uImosL couIdn`L ImugIne wIuL wus goIng LIrougI IIs mInd-wIuL
wouId muke u guv IIke IIm wIIIIng Lo dIe. AImosL.
=6qJ6=
knew wIuL IL IeIL IIke Lo be wIIIIng Lo sucrIIIce vourseII Ior LIe gIrI vou
Ioved. wus goIng Lo do LIe sume LIIng uL LIe GreuL BurrIer, wIen we
Iuced AbruIum und HunLIng. AL Honev HIII, wIen we Iuced LIe IIres
und SuruIIne. wouId Iuve dIed Ior enu u LIousund LImes over.
Iv`s noL goIng Lo be Iuppv.
No. SIe`s noL, Ie ugreed. BuL sIe`II undersLund.
LIInk LIIngs IIke LIIs ure preLLv Iurd Lo undersLund. And `ve been
LrvIng Ior u wIIIe now.
You know wIuL vour probIem Is, MorLuI?
TIe end oI LIe worId?
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud. You LIInk Loo mucI.
YeuI? uImosL IuugIed.
TrusL me. SomeLImes, vou goLLu LrusL vour guL InsLIncLs.
So, wIuL does vour guL wunL me Lo do? suId IL sIowIv, wILIouL Iook-
Ing uL IIm.
dIdn`L know unLII goL Iere. He wuIked over Lo me und grubbed mv
urm. TIe pIuce vou were dreumIng ubouL. TIe bIg wIILe Lower. TIuL`s
wIere need Lo go.
BeIore couId LeII IIm wIuL LIougIL ubouL IIm dIggIng LIrougI mv
dreums, ncubus-sLvIe, Ieurd LIe rIp und we were gone..
=6=J6=
couIdn`L see JoIn. couIdn`L see unvLIIng buL durkness und u sIIver
sLreuk oI wIdenIng IIgIL. WIen sLepped LIrougI, Ieurd LIe rIppIng
sound uguIn, und suw Ier Iuce.
Iv wus wuILIng Ior us on LIe Lop oI LIe wuLer Lower.
SIe sLormed Lowurd us, IurIous. BuL sIe wusn`L IookIng uL me. Are
vou compIeLeIv Insune? DId vou LIInk wouIdn`L know wIuL vou were
up Lo? WIere vou`d come? SIe sLurLed Lo crv.
JoIn sLepped In IronL oI me. How dId vou know wIere wus?
SIe wuved u pIece oI puper In LIe uIr. You IeIL u noLe.
You IeIL Ier u noLe? usked.
L jusL suId good-bve. und some oLIer sLuII. L dIdn`L suv wIere wus
goIng.
sIook mv Ieud. SIe`s Iv. You dIdn`L know sIe`d IIgure IL ouL?
SIe IeId up Ier wrIsL. TIe dIuIs were prucLIcuIIv expIodIng oII Ier seI-
enomeLer. TIe One WIo s Two? You dIdn`L LIInk wouId InsLunLIv
know IL wus vou? I vou Iudn`L wuIked In on me wrILIng ubouL IL,
wouId never Iuve even LoId vou.
Iv.
`ve been LrvIng Lo IInd u wuv uround LIIs Ior monLIs now. SIe
cIosed Ier eves.
He reucIed ouL Ior Ier. `ve been LrvIng Lo IInd u wuv uround vou.
=66J6=
You don`L Iuve Lo do LIIs. Iv sIook Ier Ieud, und JoIn puIIed Ier
cIose uguInsL IIs cIesL, kIssIng Ier IoreIeud.
YeuI. do. or once In mv IIIe, wunL Lo be LIe guv wIo does LIe
rIgIL LIIng.
Iv`s bIue eves were red Irom crvIng. don`L wunL vou Lo go. We onIv
jusL- never Iud u cIunce. We never Iud u cIunce.
He puL IIs LIumb on Ier IIp. SII. We dId. dId. He Iooked ouL InLo
LIe nIgIL, buL Ie wus sLIII LuIkIng Lo Ier. Iove vou, OIIvIu. TIIs Is mv
cIunce.
SIe dIdn`L respond, excepL Ior LIe Leurs runnIng down Ier Iuce.
He Look u sLep Lowurd me, puIIIng me up bv LIe urm. Tuke cure oI Ier
Ior me, wIII vou?
nodded.
He Ieuned cIoser. I vou IurL Ier. I vou LoucI Ier. I vou IeL unvone
breuk Ier IeurL, wIII IInd vou und kIII vou. And LIen `II keep IurLIng
vou Irom LIe oLIer sIde. UndersLund?
undersLood beLLer LIun Ie knew.
He IeL go oI me und Look IIs juckeL oII. He Iunded IL Lo Iv. Keep IL.
To remember me bv. And LIere`s someLIIng eIse. He reucIed InLo one
oI LIe pockeLs. don`L remember mv moLIer, buL AbruIum suId LIIs
beIonged Lo Ier. wunL vou Lo Iuve IL. L wus u goId bruceIeL wILI un
InscrIpLIon In NIudIc, or some oLIer CusLer Iunguuge onIv Iv wouId
know Iow Lo reud.
Iv`s knees buckIed, und sIe sLurLed sobbIng.
=6;J6=
JoIn IeId Ier so LIgIL LIuL LIe LIps oI Ier Loes were bureIv LoucIIng LIe
ground. `m gIud IInuIIv meL someone wunLed Lo gIve IL Lo.
Me, Loo. SIe couId bureIv speuk.
He kIssed Ier genLIv und sLepped uwuv Irom Ier.
He nodded uL me.
And LIrew IImseII over LIe edge oI LIe ruIIIng.
Ieurd Ier voIce, ecIoIng LIrougI LIe durkness. TIe IIum.
The Balance is not paid.
Only the Crucible can make the sacrifice.
=68J6=
12.20
The Wrong One
WIen opened mv eves, wus buck In mv bedroom. sLured up uL mv
bIue ceIIIng, LrvIng Lo IIgure ouL Iow goL Iere. We Iud rIpped, buL IL
couIdn`L Iuve been becuuse oI JoIn. knew LIuL mucI, becuuse Ie wus
IvIng on mv bedroom IIoor, unconscIous.
L musL Iuve been someone eIse. Someone wIo wus more powerIuI
LIun un ncubus. Someone wIo knew ubouL LIe EIgILeenLI Moon.
Someone wIo Iud known evervLIIng, uII uIong-IncIudIng LIe one
LIIng wus jusL sLurLIng Lo IIgure ouL Ior mvseII, rIgIL now.
Iv wus sIukIng JoIn, sLIII sobbIng. Wuke up, JoIn. PIeuse, wuke up.
He opened IIs eves Ior u second, conIused. WIuL LIe IeII?
SIe LIrew Ier urms uround IIm. NoL IeII. NoL even Ieuven.
WIere um ? He wus dIsorIenLed.
Mv room. suL up und Ieuned uguInsL LIe wuII.
How dId geL Iere?
Don`L usk. wusn`L ubouL Lo Lrv Lo expIuIn LIuL LIe IIum Iud some-
Iow LrunsporLed us Iere.
wus more worrIed ubouL wIuL IL meunL.
L wusn`L JoIn Breed.
And LIere wus someone Iud Lo LuIk Lo.
=;1J6=
12.21
Plain English
knocked on LIe door und sLood wuILIng In u puIe veIIow cIrcIe oI
porcI IIgIL. sLured uL LIe door, sIIILIng mv weIgIL uncomIorLubIv, mv
Iunds jummed In mv pockeLs. WIsIIng wusn`L LIere. WIsIIng mv
IeurL wouId sLop poundIng.
SIe wus goIng Lo LIInk wus cruzv.
WIv wouIdn`L sIe? wus begInnIng Lo LIInk so mvseII.
suw LIe buLIrobe IIrsL, LIen LIe Iuzzv sIIppers und LIe gIuss eve.
ELIun? WIuL ure vou doIng ouL LIere? Are vou wILI MILcIeII? Mrs.
EngIIsI peeked ouLsIde, puLLIng Ier pIusLIc curIers us II LIere wus u
wuv Lo muke LIem Iook more uLLrucLIve.
No, mu`um.
SIe Iooked dIsuppoInLed und swILcIed Lo Ier cIussroom voIce. Do vou
Iuve unv Ideu Iow IuLe IL Is?
L wus nIne.
Cun come In Ior u mInuLe? reuIIv need Lo LuIk Lo vou.
Well, not you. Not you exactly.
Now?
L`II onIv Luke u mInuLe. L`s ubouL The Crucible.
Just not the one you taught us about.
TIuL IInuIIv goL Ier, IIke knew IL wouId.
IoIIowed Ier InLo LIe purIor Ior LIe second LIme, buL sIe dIdn`L re-
member. TIe coIIecLIon oI cerumIc IIgurInes on LIe munLeI over LIe
IIrepIuce wus IIned up perIecLIv uguIn, us II noLIIng Iud ever Iuppened
LIere. TIe onIv gIveuwuv wus LIe spIderv pIunL. L wus gone. guess
some LIIngs were Loo broken Lo IIx.
PIeuse Iuve u seuL, ELIun.
uuLomuLIcuIIv suL In LIe IIowered cIuIr, und LIen sLood rIgIL up, be-
cuuse LIere wus nowIere eIse Lo sIL In LIe LInv room. No son oI GuLIIn
wouId sIL wIIIe u Iudv sLood. `m IIne sLundIng. You go uIeud,
mu`um.
Mrs. EngIIsI udjusLed Ier gIusses us sIe suL down. WeII, Iuve Lo suv,
LIIs Is u IIrsL.
Anytime now. Wade on in.
ELIun? DId vou wunL Lo LeII me someLIIng In purLIcuIur ubouL The
Crucible?
cIeured mv LIrouL. TIIs mIgIL sound sorL oI weIrd, buL need Lo LuIk
Lo vou.
`m IIsLenIng.
Dont think about it. Say the words. Shell hear you somehow.
=;qJ6=
YeuI, weII. TIuL`s sorL oI LIe LIIng. don`L need Lo LuIk Lo vou. need
Lo LuIk Lo-vou know. OnIv vou don`L know. TIe oLIer vou.
Purdon me?
TIe IIum. Mu`um.
IrsL oI uII, IL`s pronounced IIIun, buL IurdIv LIInk IL`s upproprIuLe
Ior vou Lo cuII me bv mv IIrsL nume. SIe IuILered. L musL be conIus-
Ing, mv IrIendsIIp wILI vour IuLIer-
dIdn`L Iuve LIme Ior LIIs. TIe Demon Queen? s sIe LIere?
beg vour purdon!
Dont stop.
TIe WIeeI oI uLe? TIe EndIess RIver? Cun vou Ieur me?
Mrs. EngIIsI sLood up. Her Iuce wus red, und sIe wus LIe ungrIesL `d
ever seen Ier. Are vou on drugs? s LIIs some kInd oI u prunk?
Iooked uround LIe room, desperuLe. Mv eve sLopped on LIe IIgurInes
on LIe munLeI, und wuIked over Lo LIem. TIe moon wus u sLone, puIe
und round, u IuII cIrcIe wILI u crescenL sIupe curved on Lop oI IL. We
need Lo LuIk ubouL LIe moon.
`m cuIIIng vour IuLIer.
Keep trying.
TIe EIgILeenLI Moon. Does LIuL meun unvLIIng Lo vou?
OuL oI LIe corner oI mv eve, suw Ier reucI Ior LIe pIone.
=;=J6=
reucIed Ior LIe moon.
TIe room IIIIed wILI IIgIL. Mrs. EngIIsI Iroze In Ier cIuIr, IoIdIng LIe
pIone, LIe room IudIng uround Ier-
wus uL LIe Temporis Porta, buL LIe doors were wIde open. TIere wus
u LunneI on LIe oLIer sIde, LIe wuIIs crudeIv covered In morLur.
sLepped LIrougI LIe doors.
TIe LunneI wus smuII, LIe ceIIIng so Iow Iud Lo croucI down us
wuIked. TIere were murks on LIe wuII, LIIn IInes LIuL Iooked us II
someone wus usIng LIem Lo counL. IoIIowed LIe LunneI u IuII u mIIe
or so, wIen suw LIe roLLed wooden sLuIrs.
EIgIL sLeps.
TIere wus u wooden IuLcI uL LIe Lop, wILI un Iron rIng IungIng down
Lowurd LIe sLuIrs. cIImbed LIem cureIuIIv, IopIng LIev IeId mv
weIgIL. WIen reucIed LIe Lop, Iud Lo sIum mv sIouIder uguInsL LIe
wooden IuLcI Lo geL IL open.
SunIIgIL IIooded InLo LIe LunneI us puIIed mvseII ouL.
wus In LIe mIddIe oI u IIeId, u puLI jusL bevond wIere wus sLundIng.
NoL u puLI so mucI us Lwo snukIng, puruIIeI IInes wIere LIe LuII, wuv-
Ing gruss wus worn down Lo dIrL. TIe IIeIds on eILIer sIde Iooked goId,
IIke corn und sunsIIne-noL brown, IIke Iubbers und drougIL. TIe skv
wus bIue, wIuL Iud come Lo LIInk oI us GuLIIn bIue. TIIn und
cIoudIess.
Hello? Are you there?
SIe wusn`L Iere, und couIdn`L beIIeve wIere wus.
=;6J6=
wouId`ve recognIzed IL unvwIere; Iud seen enougI pIcLures oI LIIs
pIuce-mv greuL-greuL-greuL-greuL-grundduddv EIIIs WuLe`s pIunLuLIon.
He wus LIe one wIo Iud IougIL und dIed on LIe oLIer sIde oI RouLe
durIng LIe CIvII Wur. RIgIL Iere.
couId see mv Iouse-und IIs-WuLe`s undIng In LIe dIsLunce. L wus
Iurd Lo LeII II IL Iooked LIe sume, excepL Ior LIe IuInL bIue sIuLLers
sLurIng buck uL me. Iooked down uL LIe IuLcI, IIdden bv LIe dIrL und
gruss, und undersLood InsLunLIv. L wus LIe LunneI LIuL Ied Lo LIe
punLrv, In LIe ceIIur uL mv Iouse. Iud come ouL on LIe oLIer
sIde-LIe suIe sIde, wIere sIuves usIng LIe Underground RuIIroud
couId Iose LIemseIves In LIe LIIck IIeIds.
WIv dId LIe Temporis Porta brIng me Iere? WIuL wus LIe IIum do-
Ing uL mv IumIIv`s Iurm, more LIun u Iundred IIILv veurs In LIe pusL?
Lilum? Where are you?
HuII oI u rusLv bIcvcIe Iuv In u Ieup bv LIe sIde oI LIe roud. AL IeusL, IL
Iooked IIke purL oI u bIcvcIe. couId see wIere LIe meLuI Iud been
suwed oII In LIe mIddIe und u Iose LIreuded LIrougI LIe Irume. L Iud
been rIgged Lo wuLer LIe IIeId. A puIr oI muddv rubber booLs sLood In
LIe dIrL nexL Lo LIe bIke wIeeI. n LIe dIsLunce, LIe IIeIds sLreLcIed us
Iur us couId see.
What do I have to do?
Iooked buck down uL LIe rusLed IuII oI u bIke, und knew.
A LIde oI IeIpIessness wusIed over me. TIere wus no wuv couId wuLer
LIe IIeId. L wus Loo bIg, und wus jusL one person. TIe sun wus grow-
Ing IoLLer, und LIe Ieuves were LurnIng browner, und soon LIe IIeId
wouIdn`L be goId uL uII, buL burnL und deud, IIke evervLIIng eIse.
Ieurd LIe IumIIIur Ium oI u swurm. TIe Iubbers were comIng.
=;;J6=
Why are you showing me this?
suL down In LIe dIrL und sLured up uL LIe bIue skv. suw u IuL bee,
drunkenIv buzzIng In und ouL oI LIe wIIdIIowers. IeIL LIe soII beneuLI
me, soIL und wurm even LIougI IL wus drv. pressed mv IIngers deeper
InLo LIe dIrL, drv us course sund.
knew wIv wus Iere. WIeLIer or noL couId IInIsI IL, Iud Lo Lrv.
Thats it, isnt it?
vunked on LIe IoL, muddv booLs und pIcked up LIe rusLIng meLuI
wIeeI. IeId LIe IundIeburs, pusIIng LIe wIeeI In IronL oI me. sLur-
Led wuLerIng LIe IIeId, one row uL u LIme. TIe wIeeI grouned us IL
Lurned, und LIe IeuL prIckIed mv neck us benL InLo LIe job, pusIIng
us Iurd us couId LIrougI LIe bumps und ruLs oI LIe IIeId.
Ieurd u sound IIke u mussIve sLone door openIng Ior LIe IIrsL LIme In
u cenLurv, or un enormous sLone beIng pusIed ouL oI LIe mouLI oI u
cuve.
L wus wuLer.
SIowIv comIng up, reLurnIng Lo LIe IIeId Irom wIuLever oId pump or
weII LIe Iose wus uLLucIed Lo.
pusIed Iurder. WuLer sLurLed Lo run LIrougI LIe dIrL In rIvuIeLs. As IL
run down LIe drv LrencIes In LIe IIeId, IL creuLed LInv rIvers LIuL
Iormed smuII rIvers, wIIcI Iormed decenL-sIzed rIvers LIuL knew
wouId evenLuuIIv IIood LIe puLI enLIreIv, Lo Iorm even bIgger ones us
Iur us couId see.
An endIess rIver.
=;8J6=
run IusL us couId. wuLcIed LIe spokes oI LIe wIeeI Lurn IusLer,
pumpIng LIe wuLer Iurder, unLII LIe wIeeI wus movIng so IusL LIuL IL
Iooked IIke u bIur. TIe Iorce oI LIe wuLer wus so sLrong LIuL LIe IrrIgu-
LIon Iose spIIL open IIke LIe buck oI u guLLed snuke. TIere wus wuLer
evervwIere. TIe dIrL wus LurnIng Lo mud beneuLI mv IeeL, und wus
soukIng weL. L wus IIke wus rIdIng u bIke Ior LIe IIrsL LIme, IIke wus
IIvIng-doIng someLIIng onIv couId do.
sLopped, ouL oI breuLI.
The Wheel of Fate.
wus sLurIng uL IL, rusLv und benL und oIder LIun dIrL. Mv WIeeI oI
uLe, Iere In mv Iunds. n mv IumIIv`s oId IIeId.
undersLood.
L wus u LesL. Mv LesL. L wus mIne uII uIong.
LIougIL ubouL JoIn, IvIng on mv bedroom IIoor. TIe IIum`s voIce
wIen sIe suId Ie wusn`L LIe CrucIbIe.
Its me, right?
Im the Crucible.
Im the One Who Is Two.
It was always me.
wuLcIed LIe IIeId us IL sLurLed Lo Lurn green und goId uguIn. TIe IeuL
subsIded. TIe IuL bee IIew oII InLo LIe skv, becuuse LIe skv wus reuI,
noL jusL u puInLed bedroom ceIIIng.
=;J6=
Ieurd LIe rumbIe oI LIunder, LIen LIe cruck oI IIgILnIng, und sLood
In LIe mIddIe oI LIe IIeId, IoIdIng LIe rusLv wIeeI, us LIe ruIn begun Lo
IuII.
TIe uIr Iummed wILI mugIc, IIke LIe IeeIIng Iud LIe IIrsL LIme
sLepped onLo LIe beucI uL LIe GreuL BurrIer-onIv u Iundred LImes
sLronger. TIe sound wus so Ioud mv eurs were rIngIng.
IIum? sIouLed wILI mv MorLuI voIce, soundIng smuII In LIe
mIddIe oI LIe mussIve IIeId. know vou`re Iere. cun IeeI IL.
um. TIe voIce ecIoed down Irom ubove, Irom LIe bIIndIng bIue skv.
couIdn`L see Ier, buL sIe wus LIere-noL LIe Mrs. EngIIsI IIum, buL
LIe reuI IIum. n Ier numeIess, IormIess sLuLe, uII uround me.
Look u deep breuLI. `m reudv.
And? L wus u quesLIon.
knew LIe unswer now. know wIo um. And wIuL Iuve Lo do.
WIo ure vou? TIe quesLIon Iung In LIe uIr.
Iooked up Lowurd LIe skv, IeLLIng LIe sun IuII on mv Iuce. suId LIe
words Iud been dreudIng, sInce LIe momenL LIev IIrsL wIIspered
LIemseIves In LIe deepesL, durkesL reucI oI mv mInd.
um LIe One WIo s Two. sIouLed IL us Ioud us couId. Iuve one
souI In LIe MorLuI worId und one souI In LIe OLIerworId. Mv voIce
sounded dIIIerenL. Sure. TIe One WIo s Two.
wuILed In LIe sIIence. L wus u reIIeI Lo IInuIIv suv IL, IIke u crusIIng
weIgIL Iud been IIILed oII mv buck. Ike Iud been IoIdIng up LIe
burnIng bIue skv.
=8oJ6=
You ure. TIere Is no oLIer. TIere wusn`L u Lruce oI emoLIon In Ier
voIce. TIe prIce musL be puId Lo Iorge LIe New Order.
know.
L Is u crucIbIe. A severe LesL. You musL be sure. Bv LIe soIsLIce.
sLood LIere Ior u Iong LIme. IeIL LIe cooI uIr und LIe sLIIIness. IeIL
uII LIe LIIngs Iudn`L IeIL sInce LIe Order Iud cIunged.
I do LIIs, LIen evervLIIng goes buck Lo LIe wuv IL wus. enu wIII be
okuv wILIouL me. TIe CouncII oI LIe ur Keep wIII Ieuve MurIun und
Iv uIone. GuLIIn wIII sLop drvIng up und cruckIng open. wusn`L usk-
Ing. wus burguInIng.
NoLIIng Is cerLuIn. BuL- sLood LIere und wuILed Ior LIe IIum Lo
unswer. TIere wIII be order uguIn. A New Order.
I wus goIng Lo dIe, LIere wus one more LIIng wunLed. And Ammu
won`L Iuve Lo puv wIuLever prIce sIe owes LIe bokor.
TIuL burguIn wus mude wIIIIngIv. cunnoL uILer IL.
don`L cure! Do IL unvwuv! BuL knew sIe wouIdn`L, even us suId IL.
TIere ure uIwuvs consequences.
Ike me. TIe CrucIbIe.
cIosed mv eves und LIougIL ubouL enu und Ammu und Ink. MurIun
und mv dud. Mv mom. AII LIe peopIe Ioved.
AII LIe peopIe `d IosL.
=81J6=
TIe peopIe couIdn`L rIsk IosIng.
TIere wusn`L u IoL Lo decIde. NoL us mucI LIougIL LIere wouId be.
guess some decIsIons ure mude beIore vou muke LIem. Look u sLep
und Iound mv wuv buck InLo LIe IIgIL. PromIse me.
L Is bIndIng. An ouLI. A promIse, us vou cuII IL.
TIuL wusn`L good enougI. Suv IL.
Yes. promIse. TIen sIe suId u word LIuL wusn`L In unv Iunguuge or
even unv kInd oI sound couId undersLund. BuL LIe word ILseII soun-
ded IIke LIunder und IIgILnIng, und undersLood LIe LruLI In IL.
L wus u promIse.
TIen `m sure.
A second IuLer, wus sLundIng In IIIun EngIIsI`s purIor uguIn, wIIIe
sIe Iuv coIIupsed In LIe IIowered cIuIr. couId Ieur mv IuLIer`s voIce
comIng Irom LIe oLIer end oI LIe pIone In Ier Iund.
HeIIo? HeIIo-
Mv bruIn sIIILed Lo uuLopIIoL. pIcked up LIe pIone, Iung up on mv
dud, und cuIIed 11 Ior LIe verv MorLuI IIIun EngIIsI. Iud Lo puL LIe
pIone down wILIouL suvIng u word, becuuse SIssv HonevcuLL worked
dIspuLcI down uL LIe sLuLIon Iouse, und sIe`d recognIze mv voIce Ior
sure. couIdn`L geL cuugIL uL mv unconscIous EngIIsI LeucIer`s Iouse
LwIce. BuL IL dIdn`L muLLer. Now LIev Iud LIe uddress. TIev wouId
send ouL LIe umbuIunce, IIke LIev dId beIore.
And MorLuI Mrs. EngIIsI wouIdn`L remember Iud been LIere uL uII.
=8zJ6=
drove sLruIgIL Lo Ruvenwood wILIouL sLoppIng, wILIouL LIInkIng,
wILIouL LurnIng on LIe rudIo or roIIIng down LIe wIndow. dIdn`L re-
member Iow goL LIere. One mInuLe wus drIvIng LIrougI Lown, und
LIe nexL wus poundIng on enu`s IronL door. couIdn`L breuLIe. IeIL
IIke wus Lrupped In LIe wrong uLmospIere, In some kInd oI LerrIbIe
nIgILmure.
remember sIummIng mv IIsL on LIe CusLer moon us munv LImes us
couId, buL IL dIdn`L respond Lo mv LoucI. Muvbe LIere wus no wuv Lo
IIde Iow dIIIerenL wus. How IncompIeLe.
remember cuIIIng und crvIng und KeILIng Ier nume, unLII enu IInuIIv
opened LIe door In Ier purpIe CIInese pujumus. remembered LIem
Irom LIe nIgIL sIe LoId me Ier secreL, LIuL sIe wus u CusLer. SILLIng on
mv IronL sLeps In LIe mIddIe oI LIe nIgIL.
Now, sILLIng on Iers, LoId Ier mIne.
WIuL Iuppened uILer LIuL wus Loo puInIuI Lo remember uL uII.
We Iuv In enu`s oId Iron bed, LungIed LogeLIer IIke we couId never be
Luken upurL. We couIdn`L LoucI, buL we couIdn`L not LoucI. We couIdn`L
sLop sLurIng uL eucI oLIer, buL everv LIme our eves meL, IL onIv IurL
more. We were exIuusLed, buL LIere wus no wuv we couId sIeep.
TIere wusn`L enougI LIme Lo wIIsper uII LIe LIIngs we needed Lo suv.
BuL LIe words LIemseIves dIdn`L muLLer. We were onIv LIInkIng one
LIIng.
I love you.
We counLed LIe Iours, LIe mInuLes, LIe seconds.
=8J6=
We were runnIng ouL oI uII oI LIem.
=8qJ6=
12.21
The Last Game
L wus LIe IusL duv. TIere wus noLIIng IeIL Lo decIde. Tomorrow wus
LIe soIsLIce, und mv mInd wus mude up. Iuv In mv bed und sLured up
uL mv bIue pIusLer ceIIIng, puInLed LIe coIor oI LIe skv Lo keep LIe cur-
penLer bees Irom nesLIng. One more mornIng. One more puInLed bIue
skv.
goL Iome Irom enu`s und wenL buck Lo sIeep. IeIL mv wIndow open,
In cuse unvone wunLed Lo see me, IuunL me, or IurL me. No one cume.
couId smeII LIe coIIee und Ieur mv dud wuIkIng uround downsLuIrs.
Ammu wus uL LIe sLove. WuIIIes. DeIInILeIv wuIIIes. SIe musL Iuve
been wuILIng Ior me Lo wuke up.
decIded noL Lo LeII mv dud. AILer evervLIIng Ie`d gone LIrougI wILI
mv mom, dIdn`L LIInk Ie wouId be ubIe Lo undersLund. couIdn`L
sLund Lo LIInk wIuL LIIs mIgIL do Lo IIm. TIe wuv Ie wenL cruzv wIen
mv mom dIed, undersLood now. Iud been Loo scured Lo IeL mvseII
IeeI LIose LIIngs beIore. And now, wIen IL dIdn`L muLLer Iow IeIL,
wus IeeIIng everv one oI LIem. SomeLImes IIIe wus weIrd LIuL wuv.
Ink und LrIed Lo Iuve IuncI uL LIe Dur-ee Keen, buL we IInuIIv guve
up. He couIdn`L euL, und couIdn`L eILIer. You know Iow prIsoners geL
Lo cIoose LIeIr IusL meuI, und IL`s sucI u bIg deuI? L dIdn`L work LIuL
wuv Ior me. dIdn`L wunL sIrImp `n` grILs or brown sugur pound cuke.
couIdn`L keep unvLIIng down.
And LIev cun`L gIve vou LIe one LIIng vou reuIIv wunL, unvwuv.
TIme.
InuIIv, we wenL Lo LIe buskeLbuII courL uL LIe eIemenLurv scIooI pIuv-
ground und sIoL some Ioops. Ink IeL me wIn, wIIcI wus weIrd be-
cuuse used Lo be LIe one wIo IeL IIm wIn. TIIngs Iud cIunged u IoL
In LIe IusL sIx monLIs.
We dIdn`L LuIk mucI. Once, Ie cuugIL LIe buII und IeId IL uILer
pussed IL Lo IIm. He wus IookIng uL me LIe sume wuv Ie Iud wIen Ie
suL down nexL Lo me uL mv mom`s IuneruI, even LIougI LIe secLIon wus
uII roped oII und onIv LIe IumIIv wus supposed Lo sIL LIere. `m noL
good uL LIIs sLuII, vou know?
YeuI. Me neILIer.
puIIed ouL un oId comIc Iud roIIed up In mv buck pockeL. So-
meLIIng Lo remember me bv.
He unroIIed IL und IuugIed. Aquumun? goLLu remember vou und
vour Iume powers wILI LIIs suckv comIc?
sIrugged. We cun`L uII be MugneLo.
Hev, mun. He drIbbIed LIe buII Irom one Iund Lo LIe oLIer. Are vou
sure vou wunL Lo do LIIs?
No. meun, `m sure don`L wunL Lo. BuL don`L Iuve u cIoIce. Ink
undersLood ubouL noL IuvIng cIoIces. HIs wIoIe IIIe wus ubouL noL
IuvIng LIem.
He bounced LIe buII Iurder. And LIere`s no oLIer wuv?
=8;J6=
NoL unIess vou wunL Lo Iung ouL wILI vour mom und wuLcI LIe End
oI Duvs. wus LrvIng Lo muke u joke. BuL mv LImIng wus uIwuvs oII
now. Muvbe mv rucLured SouI wus IoIdIng on Lo IL.
Ink sLopped drIbbIIng und IeId LIe buII under IIs urm. Hev, ELIun.
YeuI?
Remember LIe TwInkIe on LIe bus? TIe one guve vou In second
grude, LIe duv we meL?
TIe one vou Iound on LIe IIoor und guve me wILIouL LeIIIng me?
NIce.
He grInned und sIoL LIe buII. L never reuIIv IeII on LIe IIoor. mude
LIuL purL up.
TIe buskeLbuII IIL LIe rIm und bounced InLo LIe sLreeL.
We IeL IL go.
Iound MurIun und Iv In LIe urcIIve, buck LogeLIer wIere LIev
beIonged.
AunL MurIun! wus so reIIeved Lo see Ier LIuL uImosL knocked Ier
ouL coId us Iugged Ier. WIen IInuIIv IeL go, couId LeII sIe wus
wuILIng Ior me Lo suv IL. SomeLIIng, unvLIIng-ubouL LIe reuson LIev
IeL Ier go.
So wuded In, sIowIv. GIvIng LIem bILs und pIeces oI LIe sLorv LIuL
dIdn`L quILe IIL LogeLIer. AL IIrsL, LIev were boLI reIIeved Lo Ieur some
good news. GuLIIn, und LIe MorLuI worId, wusn`L goIng Lo be desLroved
=88J6=
In u supernuLuruI upocuIvpse. CusLers weren`L goIng Lo Iose LIeIr
powers or uccIdenLIv seL LIemseIves on IIre, uILIougI In SuruIIne`s cuse
IL Iud suved our IIves. TIev Ieurd wIuL wunLed LIem Lo Ieur:
EvervLIIng wus goIng Lo be okuv.
L Iud Lo be.
wus LrudIng mv IIIe Ior IL-LIuL`s LIe purL IeIL ouL.
BuL LIev were boLI Loo smurL Lo IeL LIe sLorv end LIere. And LIe more
pIeces guve LIem, LIe quIcker LIeIr mInds IIL LIe pIeces LogeLIer Lo
creuLe LIe LwIsLed LruLI oI IL uII. knew exucLIv wIen LIe IusL pIece sIId
InLo pIuce.
TIere wus LIe LerrIbIe momenL wIen suw LIeIr Iuces cIunge und LIe
smIIes Iude. Iv wouIdn`L Iook uL me. SIe wus wIndIng Ier seIenomeLer
compuIsIveIv und LwIsLIng LIe sLrIngs sIe uIwuvs wore uround Ier
wrIsL. We`II IIgure someLIIng ouL. We uIwuvs do. TIere Ius Lo be un-
oLIer wuv.
TIere Isn`L. dIdn`L need Lo suv IL; sIe uIreudv knew.
WILIouL u word, Iv unLIed one oI LIe Iruved sLrIngs und LIed IL onLo
mv wrIsL. Teurs were runnIng down Ier cIeeks, buL sIe dIdn`L Iook uL
me. LrIed Lo ImugIne mvseII In Ier pIuce, buL couIdn`L. L wus Loo
Iurd.
remembered IosIng mv mom, sLurIng uL mv suIL IuId ouL on LIe cIuIr
In LIe corner oI mv room, wuILIng Ior me Lo puL IL on und udmIL sIe
wus deud. remembered enu kneeIIng In LIe mud, sobbIng, LIe duv oI
Mucon`s IuneruI. TIe SIsLers sLurIng gIussv-eved uL AunL Prue`s cuskeL,
IundkercIIeIs wudded In LIeIr Iunds. WIo wouId boss LIem uround
und Luke cure oI LIem now?
=8J6=
TIuL`s wIuL no one LeIIs vou. L`s Iurder Lo be LIe one IeIL beIInd.
LIougIL ubouL AunL Prue sLeppIng LIrougI LIe usL Door so cuImIv.
SIe wus uL peuce. WIere wus LIe peuce Ior LIe resL oI us?
MurIun dIdn`L suv u word. SIe sLured uL me IIke sIe wus LrvIng Lo mem-
orIze mv Iuce und Ireeze LIIs momenL so sIe couId never IorgeL IL.
MurIun knew LIe LruLI. LIInk sIe knew someLIIng IIke LIIs wus com-
Ing LIe momenL LIe CouncII oI LIe Keep IeL Ier come buck.
NoLIIng cume wILIouL u prIce.
And II IL Iud been Ier, sIe wouId Iuve done LIe sume LIIng Lo proLecL
LIe peopIe sIe Ioved.
wus sure Iv wouId`ve, Loo. n Ier own wuv, LIuL`s exucLIv wIuL sIe
dId Ior Mucon. WIuL JoIn LrIed Lo do Ior Ier on LIe wuLer Lower.
Muvbe sIe IeIL guIILv LIuL IL wus me InsLeud oI IIm.
Ioped sIe knew LIe LruLI-LIuL IL wusn`L Ier IuuIL, or mv IuuIL, or
even IIs IuuIL. No muLLer Iow munv LImes wunLed Lo beIIeve IL wus.
TIIs wus mv IIIe, und LIIs wus Iow IL wus endIng.
wus LIe Wuvwurd. And LIIs wus mv greuL und LerrIbIe purpose.
L wus uIwuvs In LIe curds, LIe ones Ammu wus so desperuLe Lo cIunge.
L wus uIwuvs me.
BuL LIev dIdn`L muke me suv unv oI LIuL. MurIun guLIered me up In Ier
urms, und Iv wrupped Ier urms uround us boLI. L remInded me oI
LIe wuv mv mom uIwuvs Iugged me, IIke sIe wouId never IeL go II sIe
Iud u cIoIce. InuIIv, MurIun wIIspered someLIIng soILIv. L wus
=oJ6=
WInsLon CIurcIIII. And Ioped wouId remember IL, wIerever wus
goIng.
'TIIs Is noL LIe end. L Is noL even LIe begInnIng oI LIe end. BuL IL Is,
perIups, LIe end oI LIe begInnIng.`
=1J6=
12.21
Remainders
enu wusn`L In Ier bedroom uL Ruvenwood. suL down on Ier bed Lo
wuIL, sLurIng up uL LIe ceIIIng. LIougIL oI someLIIng und pIcked up
Ier pIIIow, rubbIng IL uguInsL mv Iuce. remembered smeIIIng mv
mom`s pIIIowcuses uILer sIe wus gone. L wus mugIc Lo me, u pIece oI
Ier LIuL sLIII exIsLed In mv worId. wunLed enu Lo uL IeusL Iuve LIuL.
LIougIL ubouL enu`s bed, LIe LIme we broke IL, LIe LIme LIe rooI
cuved In on IL, LIe LIme we broke up und LIe pIusLer Iud ruIned down
on evervLIIng. Iooked uL LIe wuIIs, LIInkIng ubouL LIe words LIuL
wroLe LIemseIves LIere LIe IIrsL LIme enu LoId me Iow sIe IeIL.
Youre not the only one falling.
enu`s wuIIs weren`L gIuss unvmore. Her room wus LIe sume us IL wus
LIe duv we IIrsL meL. Muvbe LIuL wus Iow sIe wus LrvIng Lo keep
LIIngs. TIe wuv IL wus uL LIe begInnIng, wIen LIIngs were sLIII IuII oI
possIbIIILv.
couIdn`L LIInk ubouL IL.
TIere were bILs oI words evervwIere, guess becuuse LIuL`s Iow enu
IeIL LIIngs.
WHO CAN JUDGE THE JUDGE?
L dIdn`L work IIke LIuL. You couIdn`L reseL LIe cIock. NoL Ior unvone.
NoL even Ior us.
NOT WTH A BANG BUT A WHMPER
WIuL wus done wus done.
LIInk sIe musL Iuve known, becuuse sIe IeIL u messuge Ior me, wrIL-
Len ucross LIe wuIIs oI Ier room In bIuck SIurpIe. Ike LIe oId duvs.
DEMON MATH
what is JUST in a world
youve ripped in two
as if there could be
a half for me
a half for you
what is FAIR when
there is nothing
=qJ6=
left to share
what is YOURS when
your pain is mine to bear
this sad math is mine
this mad path is mine
subtract they say
dont cry
back to the desk
try
forget addition
multiply
and i reply
this is why
remainders
hate
division
==J6=
resLed mv Ieud uguInsL LIe wuII nexL Lo LIe words.
Lena.
SIe dIdn`L respond.
L. Youre not a remainder. Youre a survivor.
Her LIougILs cume sIowIv, In u jugged rIvLIm.
I wont be able to survive this. You cant ask me to.
knew sIe wus crvIng. ImugIned Ier IvIng In LIe drv gruss uL Green-
brIer. wouId Iook Ior Ier LIere nexL.
You shouldnt be alone. Wait for me. Im coming.
TIere wus so mucI Lo suv LIuL sLopped LrvIng Lo suv IL. nsLeud,
wIped mv eves wILI mv sIeeve, und opened mv buckpuck. puIIed ouL
LIe spure SIurpIe enu kepL LIere, LIe wuv peopIe Iuve u spure LIre In
LIe buck oI LIeIr cur.
or LIe IIrsL LIme, uncupped IL und sLood on LIe gIrIv cIuIr In IronL oI
Ier oId wIILe dresser. L grouned under mv weIgIL, buL IL IeId. And
dIdn`L Iuve Iong, unvwuv. Mv eves were sLIngIng, und IL wus Iurd Lo
see.
wroLe on Ier ceIIIng, wIere LIe pIusLer Iud crucked, wIere so munv
LImes oLIer words, beLLer words, more IopeIuI words Iud uppeured
ubove our Ieuds.
wusn`L mucI oI u poeL, buL Iud LIe LruLI, und LIuL wus enougI.
=6J6=
I will always love you.
Ethan
Iound enu IvIng In LIe cIurred gruss uL GreenbrIer, LIe sume pIuce
Iud Iound Ier LIe duv sIe sIuLLered LIe wIndows In our EngIIsI cIuss.
Her urms were IIung over Ier Ieud, LIe sume wuv LIev were LIuL duv,
Loo. SIe sLured up uL LIe LIIn sLreLcI oI bIue.
Iuv down nexL Lo Ier.
SIe dIdn`L Lrv Lo sLop LIe Leurs. L`s dIIIerenL, vou know LIuL? TIe skv
Iooks dIIIerenL now. SIe wus LuIkIng, noL KeILIng. SuddenIv LuIkIng
wus specIuI. AII LIe reguIur LIIngs were.
L does?
SIe Look un uneven breuLI. WIen IIrsL meL vou, LIuL`s wIuL re-
member. Iooked up uL LIe skv und LIougIL, Im going to love this
person because even the sky looks different. couIdn`L suv unvLIIng.
Mv breuLI wus cuugIL In mv LIrouL.
BuL sIe wusn`L IInIsIed. remember LIe exucL momenL suw vou.
wus In mv cur. You were pIuvIng buskeLbuII ouLsIde wILI vour IrIends.
And LIe buII roIIed oII LIe courL und vou wenL Lo geL IL. You Iooked uL
me.
remember LIuL. dIdn`L know vou suw me.
SIe smIIed. See vou? uImosL crusIed LIe Ieurse.
=;J6=
Iooked buck up uL LIe skv. Do vou beIIeve In Iove beIore IIrsL sIgIL,
?
Do you believe in love after last sight, Ethan?
AILer deuLI-LIuL`s wIuL sIe meunL.
L wusn`L IuIr. We sIouId Iuve been compIuInIng ubouL our curIews.
TrvIng Lo IInd u pIuce besIdes LIe Dur-ee Keen wIere we couId geL
summer jobs LogeLIer. WorrvIng ubouL wIeLIer or noL we wouId geL
InLo LIe sume coIIege. NoL LIIs.
SIe roIIed uwuv Irom me, sobbIng und puIIIng uL LIe gruss wILI Ier
Iunds. wrupped mv urms uround Ier, IoIdIng Ier cIose. brusIed
Ier IuIr usIde cureIuIIv und wIIspered In Ier eur. Yes.
What?
I believe in love after death.
SIe Look u rugged breuLI.
Maybe thats how Ill remember, L. Maybe remembering you is life
after death for me.
SIe Lurned Lo Iook uL me. You meun, LIe wuv vour mom remembers
vou?
nodded. don`L know exucLIv wIuL beIIeve In. BuL becuuse oI vou
und mv mom, know beIIeve.
I believe, too. But I want you here. I dont care if its a hundred de-
grees and every blade of grass dies. Without you, none of that mat-
ters to me.
=8J6=
knew Iow Iurd LIIs wus Ior Ier, becuuse uII couId LIInk ubouL wus
Iow mucI dIdn`L wunL Lo Ieuve Ier. BuL couIdn`L suv LIuL. L wouId
onIv muke IL worse.
Were not talking about dead grass. You know that. The world will
destroy itself, and the people we love.
enu wus sIukIng Ier Ieud. don`L cure. cun`L ImugIne u worId
wILIouL vou In IL.
Muvbe vou cun ImugIne LIe worId uIwuvs wunLed Lo see. reucIed
InLo mv buck pockeL und puIIed ouL LIe IoIded, beuL-up mup, LIe one
LIuL Iud been on mv wuII Ior so munv veurs now. Muvbe vou cun see
IL Ior me. murked LIe rouLes In green. You don`L Iuve Lo use IL. BuL
wIsI someone wouId. L`s kInd oI someLIIng wus pIunnIng Ior u
wIIIe-mv wIoIe IIIe, ucLuuIIv. TIev`re pIuces Irom mv IuvorILe books.
remember. Her voIce wus muIIIed. Juck Kerouuc.
Or vou cun muke vour own. IeIL Ier breuLI cuLcI. unnv LIIng Is,
unLII meL vou uII wunLed Lo do wus Lo geL us Iur uwuv Irom Iere us
couId. KInd oI IronIc, Isn`L IL? Cun`L geL mucI IurLIer uwuv LIun wIere
`m goIng, und now `d gIve unvLIIng Lo sLuv.
enu puL Ier Iunds on mv cIesL, pusIIng IerseII uwuv Irom me. TIe
mup dropped on LIe ground beLween us. Don`L suv LIuL! You uren`L
doIng IL!
benL down und pIcked up LIe mup LIuL murked uII LIe pIuces `d
dreumed oI goIng, beIore IInuIIv IIgured ouL wIere beIonged. JusL
IoId on Lo IL Ior me, LIen.
=J6=
enu sLured uL LIe IoIded puper IIke IL wus LIe mosL dungerous LIIng In
LIe worId. TIen sIe reucIed up und unIooked Ier cIurm neckIuce
Irom uround Ier neck. I vou IoId LIIs Ior me.
, no. BuL IL wus IungIng In LIe uIr beLween us, und Ier eves were
beggIng me Lo Luke IL. opened mv Iund, und sIe dropped LIe neck-
Iuce-LIe sIIver buLLon, LIe red sLrIng, LIe CIrIsLmus Lree sLur, uII oI
Ier memorIes-InLo mv Iund.
reucIed ouL und IIILed Ier cIIn so sIe wus IookIng uL me. know LIIs
Is Iurd, buL we cun`L preLend IL Isn`L IuppenIng. need vou Lo promIse
me someLIIng.
WIuL? Her eves were red und swoIIen us sIe sLured buck uL me.
You Iuve Lo sLuv Iere und BInd LIe New Order, or wIuLever vour purL
Is In uII LIIs. OLIerwIse, evervLIIng `m ubouL Lo do wIII be Ior
noLIIng.
You cun`L usk me Lo do LIuL. wenL LIrougI LIIs wIen LIougIL UncIe
Mucon wus deud, und vou suw Iow weII IundIed LIuL. Her voIce
crucked. won`L muke IL wILIouL vou.
Promise youll try.
No! enu wus sIukIng Ier Ieud, Ier eves wIId. You cun`L gIve up.
TIere Ius Lo be unoLIer wuv. TIere`s sLIII LIme. SIe wus IvsLerIcuI.
PIeuse, ELIun.
grubbed Ier und wrupped mv urms uround Ier, IgnorIng LIe wuv Ier
skIn burned mIne. wouId mIss LIese burns. wouId mIss evervLIIng
ubouL Ier. SII. L`s okuv, .
L wusn`L.
6ooJ6=
swore Lo mvseII LIuL `d IInd u wuv buck Lo Ier someIow, IIke mv
mom Iound Ier wuv buck Lo me. TIuL wus LIe promIse mude, even II
couIdn`L keep IL.
cIosed mv eves und burIed mv Iuce In Ier IuIr. wunLed Lo remember
LIIs. TIe IeeIIng oI Ier IeurL beuLIng uguInsL mIne us IeId Ier. TIe
smeII oI Iemons und rosemurv, wIIcI Iud Ied me Lo Ier beIore even
meL Ier. WIen IL wus LIme, wunLed LIIs Lo be LIe IusL LIIng re-
membered. Mv IusL LIougIL.
emons und rosemurv. BIuck IuIr und green und goId eves.
SIe dIdn`L suv u word, und guve up LrvIng, becuuse vou couIdn`L Ieur
eILIer one oI us over LIe sIuLLerIng noIse oI IeurLs breukIng und LIe
IoomIng sIudow oI LIe IusL word, LIe one we reIused Lo suv.
TIe one LIuL wouId come unvwuv, wIeLIer or noL we suId IL.
Good-bye.
6o1J6=
12.21
Broken Bottles
Ammu wus sILLIng uL LIe kILcIen LubIe wIen goL Iome. TIe curds und
LIe crosswords und LIe Red HoLs und LIe SIsLers were nowIere In
sIgIL. OnIv un oId, crucked Coke boLLIe suL on LIe LubIe. L wus Irom
our boLLIe Lree, LIe one LIuL never cuugIL LIe spIrIL Ammu wus IookIng
Ior. MIne.
`d been reIeursIng LIIs conversuLIon In mv mInd Irom LIe momenL
reuIIzed LIe CrucIbIe wus me, noL JoIn. TIInkIng oI u Iundred dIIIer-
enL wuvs Lo LeII LIe person wIo Ioved me us mucI us mv mom Iud LIuL
wus goIng Lo dIe.
WIuL do vou suv?
sLIII Iudn`L IIgured IL ouL, und now LIuL wus sLundIng In Ammu`s kIL-
cIen, IookIng Ier In LIe eve, IL seemed ImpossIbIe. BuL Iud u IeeIIng
sIe uIreudv knew.
sIId InLo LIe seuL ucross Irom Ier. Ammu, need Lo LuIk Lo vou.
SIe nodded, roIIIng LIe boLLIe beLween Ier IIngers. DId evervLIIng
wrong LIIs LIme, reckon. TIougIL vou were LIe one pIckIn` u IoIe In
LIe unIverse. Turns ouL IL wus me.
TIIs Isn`L vour IuuIL.
WIen u IurrIcune IILs, IL`s noL LIe weuLIermun`s IuuIL unv more LIun
God`s-no muLLer wIuL WesIev`s mummu suvs. EILIer wuv, doesn`L
muLLer Lo LIose IoIks IeIL wILIouL u rooI over LIeIr Ieuds, now, does
IL? SIe Iooked up uL me, deIeuLed. BuL LIInk we boLI know LIIs wus
uII mv doIn`. And LIIs IoIe Is Loo bIg Ior me Lo sLILcI up.
puL mv bIg Iunds over Ier smuII ones. TIuL`s wIuL needed Lo LeII
vou. cun IIx IL.
Ammu jerked buck In Ier cIuIr, LIe worrv IInes In Ier IoreIeud deep-
enIng. WIuL ure vou LuIkIn` ubouL, ELIun WuLe?
cun sLop IL. TIe IeuL und LIe drougIL, LIe eurLIquukes, und LIe
CusLers IosIng conLroI oI LIeIr powers-uII oI IL. BuL vou uIreudv knew
LIuL, dIdn`L vou? TIuL`s wIv vou wenL Lo LIe bokor.
TIe coIor druIned Irom Ier Iuce. Don`L vou LuIk ubouL LIuL devII In
LIIs Iouse! You don`L know-
know vou wenL Lo see IIm, Ammu. IoIIowed vou. TIere wus no
LIme IeIL Lo pIuv gumes. couIdn`L wuIk uwuv wILIouL suvIng good-bve
Lo Ier. Even II sIe dIdn`L wunL Lo Ieur IL. `m guessIng LIIs Is wIuL vou
suw In LIe curds, wusn`L IL? know vou were LrvIng Lo cIunge LIIngs,
buL LIe WIeeI oI uLe crusIes us uII, doesn`L IL?
TIe room wus so sLIII LIuL IL IeIL IIke someone Iud sucked LIe uIr rIgIL
ouL oI IL.
TIuL`s wIuL vou suId, Isn`L IL?
NeILIer one oI us moved, or breuLIed. or u second, Ammu Iooked so
spooked LIuL wus sure sIe wus goIng Lo boIL or douse LIe wIoIe
Iouse In suIL.
6oqJ6=
BuL Ier Iuce crumpIed und sIe rusIed uL me, cIuLcIIng mv urms IIke
sIe wunLed Lo sIuke me. NoL vou! You`re mv bov. TIe WIeeI doesn`L
Iuve unv busIness wILI vou. TIIs Is mv IuuIL. `m goIn` Lo seL IL rIgIL.
puL mv Iunds on Ier LIIn sIouIders, wuLcIIng us LIe Leurs run down
Ier cIeeks. You cun`L, Ammu. `m LIe onIv one wIo cun. L Ius Lo be
me. `m goIng beIore LIe sun comes up Lomorrow-
Don`L vou suv IL! NoL unoLIer word! sIe sIrIeked, dIggIng Ier IIngers
InLo mv urms IIke sIe wus LrvIng Lo keep Irom drownIng.
Ammu, IIsLen Lo me-
No! You IIsLen Lo me! sIe pIeuded, Ier expressIon IrunLIc. `ve goL IL
uII worked ouL. TIere`s u wuv Lo cIunge LIe curds, vou`II see. Mude u
deuI u mv own. You jusL Iuve Lo wuIL. SIe wus muLLerIng Lo IerseII
IIke u mudwomun. `ve goL IL uII worked ouL. You`II see.
Ammu wus wrong. wusn`L sure II sIe knew IL, buL dId. TIIs Is
someLIIng Iuve Lo do. I don`L-vou und dud, LIIs wIoIe Lown, wIII
be gone.
don`L cure ubouL LIIs Lown! SIe IIssed. L cun burn Lo LIe ground!
NoLIIn`s gonnu Iuppen Lo mv bov! You Ieur me? Ammu wIIpped Ier
Ieud uround LIe room, Irom one sIde Lo LIe oLIer, IIke sIe wus IookIng
Ior someone IIdIng In LIe sIudows.
WIen sIe Iooked buck uL me, Ier knees buckIed, und Ier bodv swuved
dungerousIv Lo one sIde. SIe wus goIng Lo puss ouL. grubbed Ammu`s
urms und puIIed Ier up, us Ier eves Iocked on mIne. AIreudv IosL vour
mummu. Cun`L Iose vou, Loo.
Iowered Ier InLo one oI LIe cIuIrs und kneIL nexL Lo IL, wuLcIIng us
sIe sIowIv cume buck Lo IerseII. Tuke deep breuLIs. remembered
6o=J6=
IeurIng TIeImu suv LIuL Lo AunL Mercv wIen sIe Iud one oI Ier IuInL-
Ing speIIs. BuL we were wuv pusL deep breuLIs.
Ammu LrIed Lo wuve me oII. `m uII rIgIL. ong us vou promIse me vou
won`L do unvLIIng sLupId. `m gonnu sLILcI LIIs mess buck LogeLIer.
`m jusL wuILIn` on LIe rIgIL LIreud. One dIpped In LIe bokor`s brund
oI bIuck mugIc, wus wIIIIng Lo beL.
dIdn`L wunL LIe IusL LIIng suId Lo Ammu Lo be u IIe. BuL sIe wus bev-
ond reuson. TIere wus no wuv `d be ubIe Lo convInce Ier LIuL wus
doIng LIe rIgIL LIIng. SIe wus sure LIere wus some kInd oI IoopIoIe,
IIke enu. AII rIgIL, Ammu. eL`s geL vou Lo vour room.
SIe IeId on Lo mv urm us sIe sLood up. You Iuve Lo promIse me,
ELIun WuLe.
Iooked Ier rIgIL In LIe eve. won`L do unvLIIng sLupId. promIse. L
wus onIv IuII u IIe. Becuuse suvIng LIe peopIe vou Iove Isn`L sLupId. L
Isn`L even u cIoIce.
BuL sLIII wunLed LIe IusL LIIng suId Lo Ammu Lo be us Lrue us LIe sun
rIsIng. So uILer IeIped Ier InLo Ier IuvorILe cIuIr, Iugged Ier LIgIL
und wIIspered one IusL LIIng. Iove vou, Ammu.
TIere wus noLIIng Lruer.
TIe IronL door sIummed us puIIed Ammu`s bedroom door sIuL.
Hev evervbodv. `m Iome, mv dud`s voIce cuIIed Irom LIe IuII. wus
ubouL Lo unswer, wIen Ieurd LIe IumIIIur sound oI unoLIer door
openIng. `II be In LIe sLudv. Iuve IoLs oI reudIng Lo do. L wus Iron-
Ic. Mv dud spenL uII IIs LIme reseurcIIng LIe EIgILeenLI Moon, und
knew more ubouL IL LIun wunLed Lo.
6o6J6=
As wuIked buck LIrougI LIe kILcIen, suw LIe oId Coke boLLIe sILLIng
on LIe LubIe, exucLIv wIere Ammu IeIL IL. L wus Loo IuLe Lo cuLcI unv-
LIIng In LIuL boLLIe, buL pIcked IL up unvwuv.
wondered II LIere were boLLIe Lrees wIere wus goIng.
On mv wuv Lo mv room pussed LIe sLudv, wIere mv dud wus work-
Ing. He wus sILLIng uL mv mom`s oId desk, LIe IIgIL IIIIIng up LIe room,
IIs work, und LIe cuIIeInuLed coIIee Ie`d smuggIed InLo LIe Iouse.
opened mv mouLI Lo suv someLIIng. dIdn`L know wIuL-jusL us Ie
rummuged In LIe druwer Ior IIs eurpIugs, LwIsLIng LIem InLo IIs eurs.
Good-bye, Dad.
resLed mv IoreIeud on LIe doorwuv In sIIence. IeL LIIngs be wIuL
LIev were. He wouId know LIe resL, soon enougI.
L wus uILer mIdnIgIL wIen enu IInuIIv crIed IerseII Lo sIeep. wus sIL-
LIng on mv bed reudIng Of Mice and Men one IusL LIme. Over LIe IusL
Iew monLIs, mv memorIes Iud Iuded so mucI LIuL couIdn`L remem-
ber u IoL oI IL, unvwuv. sLIII remembered one purL, LIougI. TIe end. L
boLIered me everv LIme reud IL-LIe wuv George sIoL ennIe wIIIe Ie
wus LeIIIng ennIe ubouL LIe Iurm LIev were goIng Lo buv one duv. TIe
one ennIe wouId never see.
WIen we reud LIe noveI In EngIIsI cIuss, evervone ugreed LIuL George
wus mukIng LIIs bIg sucrIIIce bv kIIIIng IIs besL IrIend. L wus uILI-
muLeIv u mercv kIII, becuuse George knew ennIe wus goIng Lo be
Iunged Ior uccIdenLuIIv kIIIIng LIe gIrI uL LIe runcI. BuL never bougIL
IL. SIooLIng vour besL IrIend In LIe Ieud, InsLeud oI mukIng u run Ior IL,
doesn`L seem IIke u sucrIIIce Lo me. ennIe mude LIe sucrIIIce, wIeLIer
Ie knew IL or noL. WIIcI wus LIe worsL purL- LIInk ennIe wouId`ve
6o;J6=
knowIngIv sucrIIIced IImseII Ior George In u mInuLe. He wunLed Ge-
orge Lo geL LIuL Iurm, Lo be Iuppv.
knew mv sucrIIIce wusn`L goIng Lo muke unvone Iuppv, buL IL wus go-
Ing Lo suve LIeIr IIves. TIuL wus enougI. uIso knew none oI LIe peopIe
wIo Ioved me wouId IeL me muke LIuL kInd oI sucrIIIce Ior LIem, wIIcI
Is wIv wus puIIIng on mv jeuns uL one In LIe mornIng.
Look one IusL Iook uround mv room-LIe sIoe boxes sLucked uIong
LIe wuIIs LIuL IeId evervLIIng ImporLunL Lo me, LIe cIuIr In LIe corner
wIere mv moLIer suL wIen sIe vIsILed me Lwo monLIs ugo, LIe pIIes oI
mv IuvorILe books IIdden under mv bed, und LIe swIveI cIuIr LIuL
Iudn`L swIveIed LIe LIme Mucon Ruvenwood suL In IL. wunLed Lo re-
member IL uII. As swung mv Ieg over LIe wIndowsIII, wondered II
wouId.
TIe SummervIIIe wuLer Lower Ioomed ubove me In LIe moonIIgIL.
MosL peopIe probubIv wouIdn`L Iuve pIcked LIIs pIuce, buL LIIs Is
wIere IL Iuppened In LIe dreums, so knew IL wus rIgIL. wus LukIng u
IoL oI LIIngs on IuILI IuLeIv. KnowIng vou don`L Iuve mucI LIme IeIL
cIunges LIIngs. You geL kInd oI pIIIosopIIcuI. And vou IIgure LIIngs
ouL-more IIke, LIev IIgure LIemseIves ouL-und evervLIIng geLs reuI
cIeur.
Your first kiss isnt as important as your last.
The math test really didnt matter.
The pie really did.
The stuff youre good at and the stuff youre bad at are just different
parts of the same thing.
6o8J6=
Same goes for the people you love and the people you dontand the
people who love you and the people who dont.
The only thing that mattered was that you cared about a few people.
Life is really, really short.
Look enu`s cIurm neckIuce ouL oI mv buck pockeL und Iooked uL IL
one IusL LIme. TIen reucIed LIrougI LIe open wIndow oI LIe VoIvo
und dropped IL on LIe seuL. dIdn`L wunL unvLIIng Lo Iuppen Lo IL wIen
LIIs wus uII over. wus gIud sIe guve IL Lo me. IeIL IIke purL oI Ier wus
Iere wILI me.
BuL wus uIone. wunLed IL LIIs wuv. No IrIends, no IumIIv. No LuIkIng,
no KeILIng. NoL even enu.
wunLed Lo IeL LIIngs IeeI LIe wuv LIev reuIIv were.
TIe wuv LIIngs IeIL wus LerrIbIe. TIe wuv LIIngs were wus worse.
couId IeeI IL now. Mv IuLe wus comIng Ior me-mv IuLe, und
someLIIng eIse.
TIe skv rIpped open u Iew IeeL Irom wIere wus sLundIng. expecLed
Ink Lo sLep ouL oI LIe durkness wILI u puck oI TwInkIes or someLIIng,
buL IL wus JoIn Breed.
WIuL`s goIng on? Are Mucon und Iv okuv? usked.
YeuI. Evervone`s IIne, uII LIIngs consIdered.
TIen wIuL ure vou doIng Iere?
6oJ6=
He sIrugged, IIIppIng LIe Lop oI IIs IIgILer open und cIosed. LIougIL
vou mIgIL need u wIngmun.
WIv? To pusI me over LIe edge? wus onIv IuII kIddIng.
He snupped LIe IIgILer sIuL. eL`s jusL suv IL`s Iurder LIun vou LIInk
wIen vou`re up LIere. BesIdes, vou were LIere wILI me, rIgIL? L wus
LwIsLed IogIc, buL LIIngs were preLLv LwIsLed.
dIdn`L know wIuL Lo suv. L wus Iurd Lo beIIeve Ie wus LIe sume dIrL-
bug wIo`d kIcked mv uss uL LIe IuIr und LrIed Lo sLeuI mv gIrIIrIend. He
wus u IuIIwuv decenL guv now. uIIIng In Iove cun do LIuL Lo vou.
TIunks, mun. WIuL`s IL IIke? meun, on LIe wuv down.
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud. TrusL me, vou don`L wunnu know.
We wuIked Lowurd LIe wuLer Lower. An enormous wIILe moon bIocked
LIe IIgIL oI LIe reuI one. TIe wIILe meLuI Iudder wus onIv u Iew IeeL
uwuv.
knew sIe wus beIInd me beIore JoIn sensed Ier und spun uround.
Ammu.
Nobodv eIse smeIIed IIke pencII Ieud und Red HoLs. ELIun WuLe!
wus LIere LIe duv vou were born, und `II be LIere LIe duv vou dIe,
Irom LIIs sIde or LIe oLIer.
kepL wuIkIng.
Her voIce grew Iouder. EILIer wuv, IL won`L be Loduv.
JoIn sounded umused. Dumn, WuLe. You sure Iuve u creepv IumIIv,
Ior u MorLuI.
61oJ6=
bruced mvseII Ior LIe sIgIL oI Ammu urmed wILI Ier beuds und Ier
doIIs und muvbe LIe BIbIe, Loo. BuL wIen Lurned uround, mv eves IeII
on LIe LungIed bruIds und snukeskIn-wrupped sLuII oI LIe bokor.
TIe bokor smIIed buck uL me. see vou Iuven`L Iound vour ti-bon-
age. Or Iuve vou? L`s eusIer Lo IInd LIun Lo cupLure, Isn`L IL now?
Don`L vou LuIk Lo IIm, Ammu snupped. WIuLever LIe bokor wus Iere
Ior, IL obvIousIv wusn`L Lo LuIk me down oII LIe Iedge.
Ammu! cuIIed Ier nume, und sIe Lurned buck Lo Iuce me. or LIe
IIrsL LIme, couId see Iow IosL sIe wus. Her sIurp brown eves were
conIused und nervous, Ier proud posLure benL und broken. don`L
know wIv vou brougIL LIuL guv Iere, buL vou sIouIdn`L be mIxed up
wILI someone IIke IIm.
TIe bokor LIrew IIs Ieud buck und IuugIed. We Iuve u deuI, LIe Seer
und me. And InLend Lo IuIIIII mv end u LIe burguIn.
WIuL deuI? usked.
BuL Ammu sIoL LIe bokor u Iook LIuL suId Keep your mouth shut.
TIen sIe wuved me over, LIe wuv sIe used Lo wIen wus u kId. TIuL`s
nobodv`s busIness excepL mIne und mv Muker`s. You come on Iome,
und Ie`II go buck Lo wIere Ie beIongs.
don`L LIInk sIe`s uskIng, JoIn suId. He Iooked over uL Ammu.
WIuL II ELIun doesn`L wunL Lo go?
Ammu`s eves nurrowed. knew vou`d be Iere, LIe devII on mv bov`s
sIouIder. cun sLIII see u LIIng or Lwo. And vou`re Durk us u pIece u
couI In LIe snow-no muLLer wIuL coIor vour eves ure. TIuL`s wIv
brougIL some Durkness u mv own.
611J6=
TIe bokor wusn`L Iere Ior me or mv rucLured SouI. He wus Iere Lo
muke sure JoIn dIdn`L geL In Ammu`s wuv.
JoIn puL IIs Iunds up In mock surrender. `m noL LrvIng Lo muke
ELIun do unvLIIng. cume us u IrIend.
Ieurd LIe sound oI boLLIes cIInkIng. TIuL`s wIen noLIced LIe sLrIng
oI boLLIes LIed Lo LIe bokor`s beIL, IIke LIe kInd vou Iound on boLLIe
Lrees.
TIe bokor IeId one In IronL oI IIm, IIs Iund on LIe corked sLopper.
brougIL some IrIends, Loo. He uncorked LIe boLLIe, und u LIIn LruII oI
durk mIsL escuped. L swIrIed sIowIv, uImosL IvpnoLIcuIIv, unLII IL
Iormed LIe bodv oI u mun.
BuL LIIs SIeer dIdn`L Iook IIke LIe oLIers `d seen. HIs IImbs were
mungIed und uwkwurdIv benL In unnuLuruI posILIons. HIs IucIuI Ieu-
Lures were groLesque, und wIoIe pIeces were mIssIng wIere LIev
seemed Lo Iuve roLLed uwuv. He Iooked IIke u zombIe Irom u Iorror
movIe-Lorn und broken. HIs eves were unIocused und vucunL.
JoIn Look u sLep buck. You MorLuIs ure even more screwed up LIun
SupernuLuruIs.
WIuL LIe IeII Is LIuL? couIdn`L sLop sLurIng uL IL.
TIe bokor LIrew some kInd oI powder on LIe ground uround IIm.
One u LIe souIs u LIe UncIuImed. WIen IumIIIes don`L Lend Lo LIeIr
deud, come Ior LIem. SmIIIng, Ie sIook LIe boLLIe In IronL oI IIm.
IeIL sIck. LIougIL LruppIng evII spIrILs In boLLIes wus one oI Ammu`s
cruzv supersLILIons. dIdn`L know LIere were evII voodoo prucLILIoners
LroIIIng gruvevurds wILI oId Coke boLLIes.
61zJ6=
TIe LorLured spIrIL moved Lowurd JoIn, ILs expressIon Irozen In u Ler-
rIIvIng und sIIenL screum. JoIn opened IIs Iunds In IronL oI IIm, LIe
wuv enu uIwuvs dId. Buck up, ELIun. don`L know wIuL LIIs LIIng`s
gonnu do.
sLumbIed buck us IIumes surged Irom JoIn`s Iunds. He dIdn`L puck
us mucI power us enu or SuruIIne dId, buL LIere wus sLIII pIenLv oI
IIre. TIe IIumes IIL LIe spIrIL, enveIopIng IL. couId see LIe ouLIIne oI
ILs IImbs und bodv In LIe cenLer oI LIe bIuze, ILs Iuce Irozen In un eLern-
uI screum. TIen LIe mIsL dIssIpuLed, und LIe Iorm vunIsIed. WILIIn
seconds, LIe durk mIsL wus spIruIIng In IronL oI LIe IIre, unLII LIe spIrIL
wus IoverIng u Iew IeeL uwuv.
Guess LIuL dIdn`L work. JoIn rubbed IIs Iunds on IIs jeuns.
Iuven`L-
TIe UncIuImed IIew uL JoIn, buL IL dIdn`L sLop wIen IL reucIed IIm.
TIe durk mIsL IIew InsIde IIm, uImosL dIsuppeurIng compIeLeIv wIen
JoIn rIpped. TIe spIrIL wus Iorced ouL vIoIenLIv, IIke IL wus beIng
sucked buckwurd InLo u vucuum.
JoIn muLerIuIIzed u Iew IeeL uwuv, sIocked. He run IIs Iunds over IIs
bodv, IIke Ie wus LrvIng Lo see II unvLIIng wus mIssIng. TIe spIrIL wus
spIruIIng up LIrougI LIe mIsL, unIuzed.
WIuL dId LIuL LIIng do Lo vou?
JoIn wus sLIII LrvIng Lo sIuke IL oII. L wus LrvIng Lo geL InsIde me.
Durk spIrILs need u bodv Lo posses II LIev`re gonnu do unv reuI
dumuge.
Ieurd LIe sound oI cIInkIng gIuss uguIn. TIe bokor wus openIng LIe
boLLIes, und u sIudowv mIsL rose sIowIv Irom eucI one. ook. He`s goL
more oI LIem.
61J6=
We`re screwed, JoIn suId.
Ammu, sLop IL! veIIed. BuL IL dIdn`L muLLer. Ammu`s urms were
crossed, und sIe Iooked more deLermIned und cruzv LIun `d ever seen
Ier. You come on Iome wILI me, und Ie`II IIII LIose boLLIes buck up
IusLer LIun vou cun spIII u gIuss u mIIk. TIIs LIme, Ammu Iud gone so
durk LIuL dIdn`L know Iow Lo IInd Ier-or brIng Ier buck.
Iooked uL JoIn. Cun`L vou muke LIem dIsuppeur, or Lurn LIem InLo
someLIIng?
JoIn sIook IIs Ieud. don`L Iuve unv powers LIuL work on ungrv Un-
cIuImed spIrILs.
CIrcIes oI smoke IIouLed InLo LIe uIr us someone sLepped ouL Irom LIe
sIudows. orLunuLeIv, Iuppen Lo Iuve u Iew. Mucon Ruvenwood
Look u coupIe oI puIIs on LIe cIgur Ie wus IoIdIng. AmurIe, um dIs-
uppoInLed. TIIs Is noL vour IInesL Iour.
Ammu pusIed pusL LIe bokor, LIe boLLIes sLIII LIed Lo IIs beIL ruLLIIng
dungerousIv. SIe poInLed u bonv IInger uL Mucon. You wouId do LIe
sume LIIng Ior vour nIece, quIcker LIun u sInner wouId sLeuI monev
ouLLu LIe coIIecLIon pIuLe, MeIcIIzedek! Don`L vou sLund LIere wILI
vour IIgI und mIgILv becuuse won`L IeL mv bov be vour sucrIIIcIuI
Iumb!
TIe bokor reIeused unoLIer UncIuImed spIrIL beIInd Ammu. Mucon
wuLcIed IL rIse InLo LIe uIr. Excuse me, sIr. `m goIng Lo Iuve Lo usk
vou Lo coIIecL vour beIongIngs und be on vour wuv. Mv IrIend wus noL
LIInkIng sLruIgIL wIen sIe procured vour servIces. GrIeI uddIes LIe
bruIn, vou know.
61qJ6=
TIe bokor IuugIed, poInLIng IIs sLuII uL one oI LIe spIrILs und guIdIng
IL In Mucon`s dIrecLIon. `m noL u IIred Iund, CusLer. TIe burguIn sIe
mude wILI me cun`L be undone.
TIe spIrIL cIrcIed once und sIoL down Lowurd Mucon, ILs mouLI Lorn
und sIuck.
Mucon cIosed IIs eves und sIIeIded mIne, unLIcIpuLIng LIe bIIndIng
green IIgIL LIuL Iud uImosL desLroved HunLIng. BuL LIere wus no IIgIL.
L wus LIe opposILe-u compIeLe ubsence oI IIgIL. Durkness.
A wIde cIrcIe oI ubsoIuLe bIuckness Iormed In LIe skv ubove LIe Un-
cIuImed spIrIL. L Iooked IIke one oI LIose suLeIIILe pIcLures oI u Iur-
rIcune, excepL LIere were no cIurnIng wInds. TIIs wus u reuI IoIe In
LIe skv.
TIe UncIuImed Lurned us LIe bIuck IoIe puIIed IL ucross LIe skv IIke u
mugneL. WIen LIe spIrIL IIL LIe ouLer edge oI LIe IoIe, IL dIsuppeured,
IILLIe bv IILLIe, us IL wus sucked InsIde. L remInded me oI LIe wuv mv
Iund dIsuppeured InLo LIe gruLe ouLsIde LIe Lunae Libri, excepL LIIs
dIdn`L Iook IIke un IIIusIon. WIen LIe spIrIL`s Iuzv IIngers were IInuIIv
swuIIowed bv LIe voId, LIe IoIe cIosed und vunIsIed.
DId vou know Ie couId do LIuL? JoIn wIIspered.
don`L even know wIuL Ie dId.
TIe bokor`s eves wIdened, buL Ie wusn`L deLerred. He poInLed IIs sLuII
uL LIe remuInIng spIrILs one bv one, und LIeIr broken Iorms jerked Lo-
wurd Mucon. nk-bIuck IoIes opened up beIInd eucI oI LIem, drug-
gIng LIe UncIuImed InsIde. TIen LIe IoIes dIsuppeured IIke LIe pop oI
IIreworks.
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One oI LIe empLv boLLIes sIIpped ouL oI LIe bokor`s Iund und dropped
Lo LIe ground. Ieurd IL cruck uguInsL LIe drv eurLI. Mucon opened IIs
eves und meL LIe bokor`s, cuImIv. As suId beIore, vour servIces ure
no Ionger requIred. suggesL vou reLurn Lo vour IoIe In LIe ground be-
Iore creuLe one Ior vou.
TIe bokor opened u crude poucI und scooped u IundIuI oI LIe cIuIkv
wIILe powder Ie Iud sprInkIed on LIe ground uround IIm. Ammu
bucked uwuv, ruIsIng LIe boLLom oI Ier dress so IL dIdn`L drug ucross
LIe powder. TIe bokor IIILed IIs Iund und bIew LIe purLIcIes uL Mucon.
TIev bIew LIrougI LIe uIr IIke usI. BuL beIore LIev reucIed Mucon,
unoLIer bIuck IoIe opened und sucked LIem In. Mucon roIIed IIs cIgur
beLween IIs IIngers. SIr, und use LIe Lerm IooseIv, unIess vou Iuve
someLIIng more, suggesL vou Luke vour wuIkIng sLIck Iome.
Or wIuL, CusLer?
Or LIe nexL one wIII be Ior vou.
TIe bokor`s eves gIILLered In LIe durkness. TIIs wus u mIsLuke, Ruven-
wood. TIe oId womun owes me u debL, und sIe wIII puv IL-In LIIs IIIe
or LIe nexL. You sIouId noL Iuve InLerIered. He LIrew someLIIng Lo
LIe ground, und smoke rose Irom LIe pIuce wIere IL IIL. WIen LIe
smoke cIeured, Ie wus gone.
He cun TruveI? TIuL wus ImpossIbIe.
Mucon wuIked Lowurd us. PurIor LrIcks, Irom u LIIrd-ruLe mugIcIun.
JoIn sLured uL Mucon In uwe. How dId vou do wIuLever vou jusL dId?
knew vou couId creuLe IIgIL, buL wIuL wus LIuL?
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PuLcIes oI durkness. HoIes In LIe unIverse, suppose. He unswered.
L`s noL u purLIcuIurIv pIeusunL busIness.
BuL vou`re u IgIL CusLer now. How cun vou creuLe durkness?
`m u IgIL CusLer now, buL wus un ncubus Iong beIore LIuL. n
some oI us, boLI IgIL und Durkness exIsL. You sIouId know LIuL beL-
Ler LIun unvone, JoIn.
JoIn wus ubouL Lo suv someLIIng eIse, wIen Ammu cuIIed ouL ucross
LIe LIIn sLreLcI oI dIrL beLween us. MeIcIIzedek Ruvenwood! TIIs Is
LIe IusL LIme `m uskIn` vou Lo sLuv ouLLu mv uIIuIrs. You Luke cure u
vour IumIIv, und `II see Lo mIne! ELIun WuLe, we`re IeuvIn` LIIs
mInuLe!
sIook mv Ieud. cun`L.
Ammu poInLed uL Mucon wILI u venomous Iook In Ier eve. TIIs Is
vour doIn`! wIII never IorgIve vou Ior LIIs, vou Ieur me? NoL Loduv or
Lomorrow, or wIen see vou In IeII Ior LIe sIns we`ve boLI commILLed.
or LIe one `m ubouL Lo commIL. Ammu sprInkIed someLIIng uround
Ier IeeL, creuLIng u cIrcIe. TIe wIILe crvsLuIs gIILLered IIke snowIIukes.
SuIL.
AmurIe! Mucon cuIIed ouL Lo Ier, buL IIs voIce wus genLIe. He knew
sIe wus comIng unIInged.
AunL DeIIIuI, UncIe Abner, AunL vv, Grundmummu SuIIu. `m In
need u vour InLercessIon. Ammu sLured up InLo LIe bIuck skv. You`re
LIe bIood u mv bIood, und cuII vou Lo IeIp me IIgIL LIe one wIose
LIreuLenIn` wIuL Iove mosL.
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SIe wus cuIIIng LIe GreuLs, LrvIng Lo Lurn LIem on Mucon. IeIL LIe
weIgIL oI IL-Ier desperuLIon, Ier mudness, Ier Iove. BuL IL wus Loo
LungIed wILI LIe wrong LIIngs Lo be rIgIL. OnIv sIe couIdn`L see IL.
TIev won`L come, wIIspered Lo Mucon. SIe LrIed Lo cuII LIem be-
Iore, und LIev dIdn`L sIow.
WeII, perIups LIev Iucked LIe proper moLIvuLIon. IoIIowed Mucon`s
eves up bevond LIe wuLer Lower, und couId see LIe IIgures IoomIng
ubove us In LIe moonIIgIL. TIe GreuLs-Ammu`s uncesLors Irom LIe
OLIerworId. TIev Iud IInuIIv unswered Ier.
Ammu poInLed uL Mucon. He`s LIe one LrvIn` Lo IurL mv bov und Luke
IIm ouLLu LIIs worId. You sLop IIm! Do wIuL`s rIgIL!
TIe GreuLs sLured down uL Mucon, und Ior u second IeId mv breuLI.
SuIIu Iud sLrunds oI beuds wrupped uround Ier wrIsL, IIke u rosurv
Irom u reIIgIon uII Ier own. DeIIIuI und vv were uL Ier sIdes, wuLcIIng
Mucon.
BuL UncIe Abner wus IookIng rIgIL uL me, IIs eves seurcIIng mIne.
TIev were Iuge und brown und IuII oI quesLIons. wunLed Lo unswer
LIem, buL wusn`L sure wIuL Ie wus uskIng.
He Iound LIe unswers someIow, becuuse Ie Lurned Lo SuIIu und spoke
Lo Ier In GuIIuI.
Do wIuL`s rIgIL! Ammu cuIIed ouL InLo LIe durkness.
TIe GreuLs Iooked uL Ammu und joIned Iunds. TIen LIev sIowIv
Lurned LIeIr bucks Lo Ier. TIev were doIng wIuL wus rIgIL.
Ammu IeL ouL u sLrungIed screum und dropped Lo Ier knees. No!
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TIe GreuLs were sLIII IoIdIng Iunds, IucIng LIe moon, wIen LIev
dIsuppeured.
Mucon puL IIs Iund on mv sIouIder. `II Luke cure oI AmurIe, ELIun.
WIeLIer sIe wunLs me Lo or noL.
sLurLed wuIkIng Lowurd LIe rusLv meLuI Iudder.
Do vou wunL me Lo come wILI vou? JoIn cuIIed uILer me.
sIook mv Ieud. TIIs wus someLIIng Iud Lo do uIone. As uIone us
vou cun be, wIen IuII oI vour souI Is LruIIIng vou evervwIere vou go.
ELIun- L wus Mucon. IeId LIe sIde oI LIe Iudder. couIdn`L Lurn
uround.
So Iong, Mr. WuLe. TIuL wus IL, u IundIuI oI meunIngIess words. AII
LIere wus IeIL Lo suv.
You`II Luke cure oI Ier Ior me. L wusn`L u quesLIon.
wIII, son.
LIgILened mv Iunds on LIe Iudder In IronL oI me.
No! Mv bov! Ieurd Ammu screumIng, und LIe sound oI Ier IeeL
kIckIng us Mucon IeId Ier buck.
sLurLed cIImbIng.
ELIun uwson WuLe- WILI everv rugged screum, puIIed mvseII
IIgIer. TIe sume LIougIL pIuvIng over und over uguIn, In mv mInd.
The right thing and the easy thing are never the same.
61J6=
12.22
Finally
wus sLundIng on LIe Lop oI LIe wIILe wuLer Lower, IucIng LIe moon.
Iud no sIudow, und II LIere were unv sLurs, couIdn`L see LIem. Sum-
mervIIIe wus sLreLcIed ouL beIore me, u scuLLerIng oI LInv IIgILs, uII LIe
wuv Lo LIe bIuckness oI LIe Iuke.
TIIs Iud been our Iuppv pIuce, mIne und enu`s. One oI LIem, uL IeusL.
BuL wus uIone now. wusn`L IeeIIng Iuppv. wusn`L IeeIIng unvLIIng
buL Ieur-und IIke wunLed Lo LIrow up.
couId sLIII Ieur Ammu screumIng.
kneIL Ior u second, resLIng mv Iunds on LIe puInLed meLuI. Iooked
down und suw u IeurL, druwn In bIuck SIurpIe. smIIed, rememberIng,
und sLood up.
It is time. There is no turning back now.
sLured ouL uL LIe LInv IIgILs, wuILIng Lo geL up LIe couruge Lo do LIe
unLIInkubIe. TIe dreud cIurned In mv sLomucI, Ieuvv und wrong.
BuL LIIs wus rIgIL.
As cIosed mv eves, IeIL LIe urms sIum InLo mv wuIsL, knockIng LIe
uIr ouL oI me, druggIng me down Lo LIe meLuI Iudder. cuugIL u
gIImpse oI IIm-oI me-wIen mv juw IIL LIe sIde oI LIe ruIIIng, und
sLumbIed.
He wus LrvIng Lo sLop me.
LrIed Lo LIrow IIm oII. Ieuned Iorwurd und suw mv CIucks kIckIng.
TIen suw IIs CIucks kIckIng. TIev were so oId und LIrusIed LIev
couId Iuve been mIne. TIIs wus Iow remembered IL Irom LIe dreum.
TIIs wus Iow IL wus supposed Lo be.
What are you doing?
TIIs LIme, Ie wus uskIng me.
LIrew IIm uguInsL LIe IIoor, und Ie Iunded on IIs buck. grubbed LIe
coIIur oI IIs sIIrL, und Ie grubbed mIne.
We Iooked InLo eucI oLIer`s eves, und Ie suw LIe LruLI.
We were boLI goIng Lo dIe. L seemed IIke we sIouId be LogeLIer wIen
IL Iuppened.
puIIed ouL LIe oId Coke boLLIe Ammu Iud IeIL sILLIng on LIe kILcIen
LubIe eurIIer. I u wIoIe boLLIe Lree couId cuLcI u wIoIe IoL oI IosL souIs,
muvbe one Coke boLLIe couId IoId on Lo mIne.
Ive been waiting.
suw IIs Iuce cIunge.
HIs eves wIden.
He Iunged uL me.
wouIdn`L IeL go.
6zzJ6=
We sLured InLo eucI oLIer`s eves und cIuwed uL
eucI oLIer`s LIrouLs.
As we roIIed over LIe edge oI LIe wuLer Lower
und IeII
LIe
wIoIe
wuv
down,

wus
onIv
LIInkIng
one
LIIng
.
.
.
L
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E
N
A
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Nineteen Moons
Acknowledgments
Three Moons and more than 1,600 pages from the day we sat down
to prove to a few smack-talking teenagers that we could write a
book, our extended Caster family couldnt even fit on one or two
pages, if we tried to name you all.
We ure gruLeIuI Lo uII oI our IncredIbIv LuIenLed pubIIsIers In LIe
LIIrLv-eIgIL counLrIes LIuL Iuve weIcomed LIe BeuuLIIuI CreuLures nov-
eIs InLo LIeIr worId. You Iuve sIown our reuders, ourseIves, und LIe
CusLers oI GuLIIn CounLv munv kIndnesses. We ure gruLeIuI Lo our
wrILer und reuder IrIends, our ugenL und edILor IrIends, our onIIne und
murkeLIngJPR IrIends, our LeucIer und IIbrurIun IrIends, und our
booksLore IrIends. We owe u Iuge debL Lo our LrunsIuLor IrIends, pur-
LIcuIurIv Dr. Suru IndIeIm, our CIussIcIsL und Keeper. More LIun unv-
LIIng, we ure gruLeIuI Lo LIe Leens (und LIe Leens uL IeurL) wIo reud
our books, und purLIcuIurIv our CusLer GIrI & Bov beLu reuders, wIo
ure InIumousIv bruLuI edILors und wIo, we Iope, wIII one duv muke
oLIer wrILers weep more IoudIv LIun LIev Iuve us. Good ord wIIIIn`
und LIe creek don`L rIse.
InuIIv, we ure gruLeIuI Lo our IumIIIes, our LrIbes, our Inner cIrcIes-uII
oI vou wIo uIreudv know LIIs meuns vou becuuse vou`re probubIv sIL-
LIng Iere wIIIe we`re wrILIng LIIs. Our books ure ubouL IoIdIng on Lo
vour IumIIv und IIndIng vour LrIbe, more LIun unvLIIng eIse. To us,
LIuL Is mugIc. L Look us u Iong LIme Lo IInd vou, und we Iove vou uII.
Emmu, Muv, KuLe & ewIs; NIck, SLeIIu & AIex-
We Iove vou IIrsL, besL, und IusL.
6z;J6=
Contents
ronL Cover muge
WeIcome
DedIcuLIon
EpIgrupI
BEORE: Sugur und SuIL
.o;: Inkubus
.o;: MorLuI GIrIs
.o;: SLonewuIIIng
.o;: OII RouLe
.1z: GIuss Houses und SLones
.1z: Adum und Eve
.1=: zubeI
.1=: TIe CILv TIuL Cure orgoL
.1=: WIeeI oI uLe
.1: TIe ur Keep
.1: TIe DevII You Know
.1: WInds oI HeII
.z=: udIes oI LIe House
.z6: VIsILIng Hours
.z8: End oI Duvs
.z8: Jeopurdv
1o.oq: Rubberv CIIcken
1o.o: CuLIIgIL
1o.o: Good-Eve SIde
1o.o: ReckonIng
1o.o: TemporIs PorLu
1o.1: GoIden TIckeL
1o.18: A ReuI Bud GIrI
1o.18: HosLuge
1o.1: TIe UILImuLe Weupon
6zJ6=
1o.zq: TIe One WIo s Two
11.o1: CrucIbIes
11.o1: Demon Queen
11.o1: Bud-Eve SIde
11.zo: TIe NexL GeneruLIon
11.zq: More Wrong TIun RIgIL
1z.o6: rucLured SouI
1z.o;: Curds oI ProvIdence
1z.1z: SIusI BuII
1z.1z: A IgIL In LIe Durk
1z.1: Teurs und RuIn
1z.1: TIe VerdIcL
1z.1: PerIIdIu
1z.1: TIe Duv AILer orever
1z.1q: Demon Door
1z.1;: PussIng SLrunge
1z.1: Creum oI GrIeI
6oJ6=
1z.zo: HvbrId
1z.zo: TIe Wrong One
1z.z1: PIuIn EngIIsI
1z.z1: TIe usL Gume
1z.z1: RemuInders
1z.z1: Broken BoLLIes
1z.zz: InuIIv
AcknowIedgmenLs
CopvrIgIL
61J6=
Copyright
CopvrIgIL ( zo11 bv KumI GurcIu, C, und MurgureL SLoII, nc.
AII rIgILs reserved. ExcepL us permILLed under LIe U.S. CopvrIgIL AcL
oI 1;6, no purL oI LIIs pubIIcuLIon muv be reproduced, dIsLrIbuLed, or
LrunsmILLed In unv Iorm or bv unv meuns, or sLored In u duLubuse or
reLrIevuI svsLem, wILIouL LIe prIor wrILLen permIssIon oI LIe pubIIsIer.
ILLIe, Brown und Compunv
HucIeLLe Book Group
z; Purk Avenue
New York, NY 1oo1;
VIsIL our websILe uL www.HucIeLLeBookGroup.com.
www.LwILLer.comJIILLIebrown.
ILLIe, Brown und Compunv Is u dIvIsIon oI HucIeLLe Book Group, nc.
TIe ILLIe, Brown nume und Iogo ure Lrudemurks oI HucIeLLe Book
Group, nc.
TIe pubIIsIer Is noL responsIbIe Ior websILes (or LIeIr conLenL) LIuL
ure noL owned bv LIe pubIIsIer.
IrsL eBook EdILIon: OcLober zo11
TIe cIurucLers und evenLs porLruved In LIIs book ure IIcLILIous. Anv
sImIIurILv Lo reuI persons, IIvIng or deud, Is coIncIdenLuI und noL InLen-
ded bv LIe uuLIors. To LIe exLenL unv reuI numes oI IndIvIduuIs, Iocu-
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LIousIv und noL InLended Lo be Luken oLIerwIse.
SBN: ;8-o-16-1o6-1
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