(Prologue)

Thedarknesswassocompleteitwassurreal.Thewindmoanedthroughthetrees,sounds
thatonceelicitedapprehensionandfearfromMorgan.Now,however,thewoodsnolonger
frightenedhim.Hehadbeenapartofthemfartoolongforsuchtrivialemotions.Itwastime,he
knew,forthenextWalker.Morgangroanedinwardly.Theprocesstook
solong
.Hedhaveto
findasuitableapprentice,winhistrust,trainhimThelistwentonandon.Mostdifficult
wouldbetheluringintothewoodsthathadtohappen.Anewboyhadmovedintothatwretched
houseacrossthelakemaybehewoulddo.Itwassummer,andtheteensintheareawere
always
onthatdamnedlake.Screaming,throwingeachotherintothewater.Swimmingasfaroutas
theycould,daringthenextfooltogoevenfarther.
@@!Morgancalledouttohisbird,agiantebonyravenhehadraised.@@,where
areyou?
Heheardhimbeforehesawhim,hugewingsbeatingtheair.Theravenperchedatop
Morgansshoulderandlookedathimwithdarkunfeelingeyes.Bloodwasdriedalloverhis
beakandlegsandclaws.
Ah,Iseeyouveeaten.Good,Morganmuttered,gladthattherewasonelessthinghe
hadtodealwith.However,Ihavenot.Letsgoseeaboutakill,shallwe?
AndwiththatMorgantookouthisfavoriteblade.(Abigbruteofathing,itwasthreefeet
inlength,sixinchesacrossandaninchthick.Hewieldeditwassurprisinggraceandspeedfor
howbigitwas.)Theysetoffintotheforest,silentasghosts,seemingtomeltintotheblack
trunks.Silent,thatis,untilthesoundofananimalscreaming,wailingintothestillairasthat
bladestruckitshideagainandagain.

PartI:AnOwlWillCutaBitch

Brrring!
Jacksonscowledasthebellsignaledtheendoffourthperiod.ClassesatMalbrumHigh
weretediouslyliberal.Teachersdidntreallyteachtheresomuchastheysatatthefrontof
classroomsandletthekidsrunrampant.Theschoolwasthreestories,
###
ItwasatypicalblandTuesdaynightinMiscaHeightsthenightthe@@@choseJackson
LeafordtobethenextWalker.Thetownwasasleepandsilentasever.Saveforonecaralarge
blackSUVdrivingthroughthetranquilityandoneroomofonehouseJacksonLeafords
bedroomlightcastasoftglowontothestreetbelow.
Intypicalteenagefashion,hecouldntsleepandassuchhewas(innotsotypicalteenage
fashion)readingabook,tryingtopassthetimeashewaitedforsleep.Hisroomwasfilledwith
books.Booksonshelves,booksonhisdesk,booksstackednexttothealreadyfullshelves,
booksoneverysparesurface.Thewallswereroyalbluewheretheywerentcoveredbymovie
posters.Therewasalaptoponthefloornexttoatrashcanthatwasfilledwithdiscarded
microwavepopcornbagsandcrumpledpaperstheburialgroundofattemptedhomework.Also
onthedeskwerestacksofmoviesandCDs.Muchofhislifewasspentinthatroom.Notthe
mostsocialofpeople,JacksonrarelydidanythingwiththekidsinMiscaHeights.Hedmoved
thereonlyashorttimeagoandstilldidntknow(orcaretoknow)mostofhispeers.Afewtimes
hedgonetothemoviesorthelakewiththeonefriendhehadmadesincethemove.Aboy,
Morgan,hadbefriendedhimonhisfirstdayintown,appearingseeminglyoutofnowherewhile
JacksonwastakingboxesoutoftheUHaultruckintothenewhouse.
Heyman.Needanyhelp?
Jacksonalmostdroppedtheboxhewasholdingwhenheheardthatvoice.Peeringaround
thedoor,hiseyeslighteduponthisboy.HewasaninchorsotallerthanJacksonwithjetblack
hairandpiercing,electricblueeyes.ThesurprisemusthavebeenwrittenonJacksonsface
becausetheboyburstintolaughter.
Chillman,namesMorgan,theboysaid,offeringhishand.Isawthatyouremoving
andthoughtIdofferupmysupremeservicescarryingboxes.
Jackson,Jacksonsaidafterrecoveringhimselfandshiftedtheboxhewasholdingto
shakehishand.ThisisactuallythelastboxIhavetodealwith.Therestaremystepdads.
Prissybastardcangethisownshit.Thanksthough.
Yeah,noproblem.Wanttogotothelakeorsomething?Morganasked,shruggingas
thoughthiswasaneverydayoccurrenceforhim.(Hell,maybeitwas.)
Sure,thatsoundsgood.Letmejustrunthisboxinandtellmymom.
Allright,nohurry.
Jacksonnoddedtohimandwalkedupthestairstothefrontdoorofthehouse.Itwas
whiteandhadastandardblackshingledroof.Withthreestories,awraparoundporch,andabig

backyard,itwasoneofthenicesthousesontheblock(orinMiscaforthatmatter)anditwas
@@@and@@@sdreamhouse.ButnotJacksons.Hehadntwanttomovethereatall.The
citywaswherehewascomfortable.Theiroldapartmenthadbeenjustenoughforhim.Small,
simplebutithadthenecessities.Anditwasclosetoeverything,aswastypicalforacity
dwelling.Hesuspectedthemainreasonbehindthemovewastokeephismotherawayfromthe
temptationsofpromiscuityshehadoftenfallenvictimtobackinthecity.Ofcourse,theyd
neveradmitthattheirmarriagewasanythingotherthanpictureperfect,sowhenheaskedthem
why,theydidntgivehimmuchofananswer.
Weremoving
where
?Hedaskedindismay.Why?!
Wevedecideditstimeforachangeinscenery,thatsall,saidhismother,inthat
sugarysweetvoicesheusedwhensheandhisstepfatherwerefightingaboutsomething.
Butitsjunioryear!Whydowehavetomovenow?Jacksonspatather,Didyou
screwanotherguyatwork?
Theshocketchedonherfaceandtheangerthatturnedhisstepfathersfaceredwere
answerenough,buttheystillcouldntbeartolookateachother.
Ofcoursenot!Whywouldyousayathinglikethat!Shewasntreallyasking,heknew,
sohedidntbotheransweringher.
Youdbettergooutforabit,Jackson,whileyourmotherandItalk.Hisstepfather
finallyspoke,hisvoicequiet,gentleeven.Sickened,hefledtheirapartment.
Now,twomonthslater,heretheywereinMiscaHeightswithabighouseandtheneed
foracar.Thelocationwasntbadreally.Theywerecloseenoughtothemainpartoftownthat
theycouldwalkanywheretheyneededtogo,butyouhadtodriveoutifyouneededtogotoone
ofthebiggerchainstoresandthelike.Notbadbutnotthecityeither.
JacksonwalkedoutofthehousetofindMorganleaningagainstthesideoftheUHaul
truck,waitingforhim.
Youready?Hespokesosmoothly,andwordsthatwouldhavesoundedimpatient
comingfromsomeoneelsesoundedrelaxedandnonpressuredcomingfromhim.
SomehowthosesimplewordsputJacksonateaseand,feelingmorerelaxedthanhehad
inmonths,henodded,Letsgo.Uh.Wherearewegoing,exactly?
Tiltinghisheadathim,Morganresponded,Justfollowme.Igotcha.
Andsotheysetoff,insuchamannerthat
passerbywouldhavethoughtthetwoboyshad
knowneachothersincebirthandnotamerefiveminutes.Theycouldhavebeentwinseven,
savefortheireyes.MorganhadthosevibrantblueeyeswhileJacksonhadstartlinglyblackeyes.
################################################
Thisplaceisgreat!JacksonexclaimedexcitedlyasMorganledhimthroughthe
clearingdowntothebeach.Thesandwassosoftasitsquishedinbetweenhistoe
s.
Morgansmiled,Ithoughtyoudlikeit.

Hissmilefadedthough,whenhesawoneoftheElderslurkingnearby.BeforeJackson
turnedaroundthesmilewasbackonhisface,aswarmandinvitingasitusuallywas.TheElder
hadslunkbackintotheshadowsleavingMorganandJacksonseeminglyaloneintheclearing.
Howcomeyouvebeenholdingoutonme?Jacksonquestionedhiscounterpart.He
wouldhavelookedhurtsaveforthesmilebehindhiseyes.Theywereshiningwithhis
excitement.
Iwasntkeepingitfromyouonpurpose,Jackson.Ijusthadntthoughtaboutitbefore,
Morgansaid,shakinghisheadandturninghisbackonJackson.Hesoundedirritatedandtired,
thewordscomingoutsharpanddullatthesametime,insteadoftheircharacteristicallysmooth
sound.
HealmostnevercallsmeJackson.ItsalwaysJack
Thismoodswingwasunexpected
andJacksonfaltered,hissmileslipping.Helookedaroundtheclearing.Itwasbeautifulthe
grasswasabrilliantgreenrightupuntilitmetthesandandallthecolors,theyweresovibrant.
Thelakewasadeep,deepblue,theskycerulean.Notacloudinsight.

###
Overthenextfewmonths,thoseboysbecameinseparable.Anywhereonewent,theother
wasnevermorethanafewfeetaway.Someofthekidsaroundtownwouldwhisperaboutthem,
commentingontheirstrangealmostintimaterelationship.JacksonandMorganpaidthemno
mind.Theyreallydidseemtobeoneperson,barelyhavingtospeaktoknowwhattheotherwas
thinking,whattheyweregoingtodo.Itwasstrangetruly.
###
JacksonsbehaviorhadtankedsincemeetingMorgan.Alwayshewasgettingintotrouble.
Fighting,arguing,itdidntmatter.Atschool,studentswouldseeJacksontalkingtohimselfin
whispers,orchangingtones,likehewastwopeople.
###
Brrring!
Jacksonsighedinexasperatedreliefasthebellsignaledtheendoftheday,theendofthe
schoolyear.Hehatedschool.Butnotbecauseofhisclasses.Actually,hequiteenjoyedhis
classes.ItwasthepeoplethatJacksoncouldntstand.Theywerealwayswalkingthroughthe
hallsoblivioustotheirsurroundings.AndhewaslonelywithoutMorgan.
Whycanthegotoschoolwithme?
JacksonhadthoughttohimselfoftenthroughoutMayand
June.HedidntunderstandwhytheotherboyrefusedtoattendMiscaHeights.Buteveryday
whenJacksoncamehome,therewasMorgan,waitingforhimleaningupagainstthefrontporch.
Afewtimes,somekidsfromschoolhadharassedJacksonabouthiscreepyboyfriendbutafter
tellingthemoffafewtimesMorganhadconvincedhimtojustignorethem.
Theyarentworthit,Jack,hedsaidinthatsoothingvoiceofhis.
Ijustdontunderstandwhytheyhavetodothatshit,Idsaid,annoyanceplaininmy
voice.Itsridiculous.
Morgansighed.ItscauseIma@@@,Jack.Theyreuncomfortableandtheyre
scared.Justdontlikedifferences.
ThenhedsmiledthatsadMorgansmileandIcouldnthelpbutrelax.
DammitMorgan,Isaid.ButIwasntmad,notreally.Ishovedhimnotunkindlytothe
side.Letsjustgoalready.Wheresthisplaceyouwantedtoshowme?
Hebeamed,excitedasallgetoutIcouldtell.Itsasurprise!NeartheBridge!Iwont
tellyouanymore.
Hehadthatwildeyedlookabouthim.Itwasnousearguingwithhimwhenhegotlike
that,Iknew,soIjustshruggedandnoddedathimtoleadtheway.
TheBridgewasthisshabbylittlehutontheothersideofthelake.Itwasntactuallya
bridgeinthewayofplatformforwalkingoverwater.Itwasabridgethedividekindofbridge
anditwasntabridge,itwasahut.SothishutcalledtheBridgebridgedthedividebetweenthe
DeadWood(@@@Forest)and@@@1Forest.TheDeadWoodwasexactlythataforestof
deadordyingtrees,hulkingblacktrunkscoveredinscars.Mostpeopleavoidedthatpartofthe
woods,andtheywererightto.Itwassaidtobefilledwithallmannerofstrangecreatures.Not

lions,tigers,andbearsohmy!creatures,butnastycreatures,thestuffofhorrorstories.
Bloodcurdlingscreamscouldbeheardbythosewhobravedtheunmarkedpathsofthat
godforsakenplace.TheremusthavebeenahundredstoriesabouttheDeadWoodandnoneof
themwerepleasant.ThemostpopularstorywasaboutaguynamedDougKing.Itwastoldat
everything.
Camping,schoolhasalockin,yourehangingoutwithyourbuddiesYouhearthe
oneaboutDougKing?Everyoneintownhadheardthestorymultipletimesandstill,theytold
itagain.
Thestorygoeslikethis:
DougKinghadbeenasenioratMiscaHeightsHighSchool.Topofhisclass,captainof
everysportsteam,classpresident,hewasbelovedbyall.Orheseemedtobe,anyway.Onecold,
blusteryweekendinAprilof1993heandhisfriendsdecidedtogocamping.Theyhadsetup
theirtentsneartheBridge,aboutaquarterofamileoutsidetheDeadWood.

Morgan

Thwack!
Theheavyaxbitintothewoodwithasatisfyingthump.Morganlookedaroundthewood
withasigh.HewishedhecouldbringJacksonherebutitwasstilltooearly.Theyoungerboy
hadonlyjustbeguntoChange.NowaywouldhebeabletoundergotheTransformation,become
thenextMorgan.ThenextWalker
ButMorganwassolonely.HehadntexpectedtolikeJacksonasmuchashedid.His
feelingsfortheboyhadgenuinelysurprisedhim.Notaneasyfeatespeciallylately.
No!
Morganthoughttohimself.
Rememberwhathappenedthelasttime!
ThelasttimetheydtriedtospeeduptheTransformationthecandidatehaddiedAlong
with3,500otherpeoplealmosttheentirepopulationofMisca.Memorieshadbeenwiped,
recordsresetandclearedsothatMiscaHeightscouldstartoverandessentiallybebornagain
withoutcomplications.Sincehedjustturned19,JacksonwasMorgansfirstassignmentforthe
clan.Heknewtheprocess,allthekidsdid.Learntherulesandrituals,getyourfirsttaskwhen
theEldersthinkyourereadythisiswherethepathsdifferfromeachothercompletethe
taskordie.
Every@@@youthisassessedfromthedaytheyrebornuntiltheycompletetheirFinal
Task,atwhichpointtheyjointheIntermediateCouncil.TheFirstTaskisassignedassoonasthe
EldersandtheIntermediateCouncilbelievetheyouthisready.Theassessmentastheyouthis
growingdeterminesthetaskstheywillbegiven.Youthswhoshowpromiseinintelligenceare
givenstrategicequations,decisionmaking,academicstyletasks.Youthsshowingrawpowerare
giventasksthatmakethemwarriors,fighters.YouthsdrawntotheNewYouthtentwerethe
mostlikelytobecomeCaretakers.Caretakersaretheoneswho

Adrian
Leavesrustledasthewindblewgentlythroughthetrees.Adrianfollowedthefiguresup
ahead.
Carefullycarefully
.Hismothersvoicechidedinhishead.Itdawnedonhimthathe
hadntsaidgoodbyetoherbeforethisexpenditure.
Ashame
,hethoughtsadly,
asthisis
probablymylastadventure.
Atfirst,ithadseemedharmlesstofollowthetwo@@@.Theyd
livedinthewoodsaroundMiscaHeightsforalongtimeandhadneverseemedparticularly
dangerous.Weird?Definitely.ThepeopleofMiscasuspectedtheywereacultbuttheyhadno
proofandwhatcouldtheydoaboutitanyway.The@@@onlycameintotownafewtimesa
year,ifthat.However,whenthenewkidJacksonwashisnamemovedintotownoneofthe
@@@startedshowingupmoreandmore.Jacksonhadbeensweptupbythe@@@scharming
natureandnoneoftheMiscakidscouldgetanywherenearhim.Adrianhadtried,believemehe
hadtried.
####
HeandIwerepartnersinChemistry,atMHHS,Isaid,lookingatmyshoes.Itwasnt
adequatebehaviorforafuneral,butAdriannolongercared.

Jackson

MiscaHeightshadonepark.ItwasextraordinarilybeautifulanditwasMiscasbestkept
secret.Everythingabouttheplacewaswellmaintainedthegrasswasnevertoolong,thepaved
pathwayswerealwaysswept,thefoliagewaskeptnaturallytrim.Thebenchesweremy
favoritepartthough.Ireallylovedoneinparticularawroughtironbenchinthemiddleofthe
park.OnitsrightwasalargemapletreeandtherewasaGothicstylestreetlampontheleft.I
couldsitonthatbenchallday,reallyIcould.ThedaysIdidntspendwithMorganIspentthere,
beneaththattreewithagoodbookorIsimplysatandenjoyedtheserenity.
MiscaParkwasseatedhalfamilenorthofMainStreet.Whenyouwereattheparkyou
couldseethetopsofthebuildingsbutyoucouldnthearthetraffic.Aperfectspot.Becauseof
MilliganLaketothesouthnotmanypeoplewenttoMP.Thelonersandtherunnersorold
people,toowerethemostfrequentvisitors.
Ihadstumbleduponitbyaccidentactually.MyfirstweekinMiscaIhadbeenwandering
aroundonmyown,eyesboringlinesintotheground.Ilookedupafterwalkingstraightintoa
welcomesign.Itwasapeculiarsign,really.Itfeaturedsortofanoldtimeydrawingofa
grinning,winkingman.Hewasholdingash!symboluptohisCheshireCatgrin.Ina
scrawlingcursive/printcomboitsaidWelcometoMiscaPark,thecitysmostbeautifulsecret!
Nojoke,thatiswhatitsaidwordforword.IthoughtitwasweirdthenandIthinkitweirderstill
today.Reflectingonit,whatstrikesmeasthemoststrangearethewordsmostbeautiful
combinedwithsecret.TomeitsuggestssomethingdarkandsinisteraboutMiscaHeights,like
maybethecityhasuglysecrets,anominouspast.Curious
TodayinparticularIwaslookingforwardtospendingtimeinMP.Lastnighthadbeena
nastyonewithStepdad@@@.Hedbeenshortwitheveryoneasoflateandthisfighthad
turneduglyquick.Hewasdrunk.Stepdad@@@hadbeendrinkingcopiousamountsofalcohol
allthetime,anewdevelopmentcourtesyoftheMiscaMove,asfarasIcouldtell.
ItdonlybeensevenoclockwhenIgothome,arelativelyearlyarrivalconsideringI
wouldnormallygethomewithnineoclockbeingtheearliest.Andithadntbeenaproblem
before.
Whereuvyouubeenn?DrunkStepdad@@@asked,drawingouteachword,somehow
insertingvenomintohisridiculousspeech.
Iwasatthelake,Istatedsimply.
Besttrynottoconfusehim.
YouWHAT,DrunkStepdad@@@wasshoutingnow.
Thatcertainlyescalatedquickly,Imuttered.RaisingmyvoiceIsaid,Iwasatthelake,
yousackofshit.WheresMom?
Whatdyoucallme?!Hewasstandingnow,andlurchingtowardsmeonhisunsteady,
drunkenfeet.
Icalledyou,Isaid,emphasizingeachword,makingthemasclearandcrispas
possible,asackofshit.Now.Where.Is.Mom.

Hewavedaclumsyhandatme,lurchingawayfromme,Idontknowwherethatwhore
isat.Gocheckthat
hotshotdoctors
bed.
Itwasatthispointthatthingsgotratherhairy.Whilemymotherisawhoreshesmade
itimpossibleforanyofustoignorethisfactshehastriedtocleanupheract(Ithink)since
ourMiscaMove.IddecidedagesagothatIwastheonlyonewhocouldcallheroutonher
whorishactivities,notStepdad@@@anddefinitelynotDrunkStepdad@@@.
Youdonttalkaboutherlikethat!NowIwastheoneshouting.Grabbinghimbythe
theshoulders,Islammedhimbackintothewall.Hisheadmadeasick
crack
asithitthemirror
hangingonthewall.Thefuckingthingshattered,ithadtofuckingshatter.Glassshardswere
everywhere.Idletgoofhisbodyonimpact,hisdrunkenassnowlyinginacrumpledheapon
thefloorcoveredintheremnantsofthemirror.
Great.Justfuckingperfect,
IthoughtasIshouted
ashislimpbody:
Shit!Youbetternotbedead!
(Anemotionalrollercoasterofanight,truly.)

BluefiresparkedfromMorganseyes.
Youliedtome!HespatatElderTurvis.
Howcouldyoubesoignorant,boy?Didyouthinkyourtaskwastojustmakeafriend?
WetoldyouinthebeginningweweregroomingthenextWalker!ElderTurvisstalkedaround
Morganinacircle,asifheweresizinghimupforafight,orbuyinglivestockatauction.
Maybetheyreoneinthesame
Morgansthoughtschasedeachotheraroundinhis
head,
Wearentmeanttointeractlikethis.Theyscrewedupwhentheypickedmeforthisjob.
No,Morgan.Wedidnotmessup.
Morgansheadsnappedtoattention.Hadhespokenoutloud?
Thisrattyoldbastard
cannotpossiblyreadminds.
ShowsomerespectforyourElder,Morgan.Icertainly
can
Hearyourthoughts.Allthe
Elderscan.ItissomethingthathappensduringthetransitionfromtheIntermediateCouncilto
theElders.TheseniorElderwillalwaysexplainwhatishappening.
ElderTurvissighedandstoppedcirclingMorgan.Hewasstandingdirectlyinfrontof
himnow.
Whyareyoutellingmethis?Itisasecretisntit?Wearentsupposedtoknowuntilit
happens,right?Morganwasshaking.TheonlyprobableexplanationforanEldertobetellinga
YouthespeciallyaYouthlikeMorganClansecretswouldbebecausehewasnotgoingtolive
totellanyoneelseOrhewasgoingtobeexiled.
Theoldermansmiledasunderstandingandpureprimalterrorswepttheyoungboys
face.
YouknowtheanswertothatMorgan.
AngerreplacedtheterrorinMorgansexpression.Hisfacecontortedwithrage.He
straightenedandseemedalmosttoinflate,loomingoverthehunchedandagingmaninfrontof
him.ElderTurvisfacegaveawayhisapprehension.
Morgan?Soateasewithhimselfonlymomentsbefore,theEldersvoicewasnow
drippingwithuncertainty.
Morganshookhisheadandlaughed,agruff,barkingsound,harshinthenighttimequiet.
Youknow,Turvyoldsport,Ineverdidlikeyouverymuch.Alwaysthoughtyoutobea
senile,pompousoldman.ButIhadtorespectyoubecauseyouareanElder.Andnowyouwant
medead,isntthatright?
TheElderbeamed,alltracesofuncertaintygone.Stillquickasalways,Morgan.You
alwaysweresuchacleverboy.Iamverygladyouunderstand.TheEldersandtheIntermediate
Councilwillconferanddecidedwhetheritbeafateofexecutionorafateofexile.Eitherway,
ElderPhenkinwillperformtheceremony,perhapswhileIamperformtheRitualwithJackson
andtherestoftheClan.

Thewindhowled,aneeriesoundfortheearsunaccustomedtothesoundsofthewoods.
Assuddenlyasithadstarted,thewindceased.
Silence.
Andthenawailingscreampiercedtheair,shatteringthequiet,inhumaninitssoundand
bloodcurdling.
Thetemperaturehaddropped.Onlyafewhoursbeforeithadbeensunnyandalovely70
degrees,withnotacloudinsight.Now,here,deepinthedarkandunforgivingwoods,itwasa
bonechilling20orsodegrees,thesunwasnowheretobeseen.
Jacksonshiveredviolently.Helookeddownathishandsandtriedtoflexthemintofists
buttheyweretoocold.
Stupidstupidstupid.Youknowhowcolditgetsouthere.Alwayscarrygloves.Dummy.
Asheberatedhimselfhefailedtoseewhenthewomansteppedoutfromthetreesontothepath
infrontofhim.
Jackson.
Hervoice.Itwaslikeasongdyingtobeheard.Itcarriedonthestillair,amelodyinthe
quiet.Jacksonlookedup,startled.Hisownvoicehadlefthim,andheopenlygapedather.
Shewasshorterthanhim.Around55hedguess.Shehadskinthecolorofbronzeand
eyesblackerthanevenhisown.Herblueblackhairwaspulledbackintoaseverebunonthetop
ofherhead.
Jackson.
Thatvoice.Hecouldnotgetoverit.
Uh.Yeah?
Nice.Waytosoundlikeamoron.Waitasecond.Thisissomeseriously
strangecrap.Wheredidshe
come
from?
Jackson,Ineedyoutolistentome,shesaidinthatmagicalvoiceofhers.
Hestaredather,doubtandcuriositycloudinghiseyes.Buttherewasnotatraceoffear
onhisopenface,asonemightexpect.
Itisveryimportantthatyouunderstandwhythisishappeningandhappeningtoyouin
particular.
Allofasuddenhisvoicecamebacktohim,IsthissomethingtodowithMorgan?
Thewomansmiled,lightingupherwholeface.Sheclaspedherhandstogetherand
nodded,Yes,inthewayyouseeitnowithaseverythingtodowithhim.Butthereisalsomuch
moretoitthanjustoneboy.
Jacksonstoodstraighter,hisheadtiltedslightlyandhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest.
Heisreadytolisten,thankstoMorgan.Butnotyetreadytoacceptthings.Thatisall
right,fornow.Hewillcomearound,
thewomanthought,hereyessparkingwithinterest.
Whata
curiousboy.Almostashamehewaspicked.
IassumeourMorganhasnottoldyoumuchaboutourpeople.Isthatcorrect?
Jacksonshookhishead.No,healwaysjumpsawayfromthesubject.
Allright,verygood.Letsstartwithyouandworkonfillingintheblankslater.Okay?

Whatdoyoumean,Startwithme?Heaskedandnowpanicwascreepingintohis
voice.What
is
this?
Thewomanignoredhim.HewishedforMorgantobethere.
Maybehewouldtellme
whatisgoingoninsteadofthisbattywoman.
Jackson?Areyoulistening?Itisveryimportantforeveryoneinvolvedthatyouhear
this.
TheystaredateachotherforamomentbeforeJacksonnodded.
Shesmiledagain.Good!Ihavetowarnyou,thismayseemlikealottohandleatonce.
YoulljusthavetohearmeoutandIwillanswerallofyourquestionswhenIhavefinished,
okay?
Okay.
SeveralmonthsagoyouwerechosenbytheIntermediateCouncilandtheElderstobe
thenextWalker.Morganwasassignedthetaskof,inshort,gettingyoureadyforthe
Transformation.Everysooften,rangingfrom150yearsormoretojusttwoyears,aWalkermust
beselectedfromthelocalpopulaceorveryrarelyfromtheClanitself.Thetimingdependson
the
Gods!

Oh,fuck.
Yes,shecontinued,theGodsdecidewhentheWalkeristobeselected.Hervoice
wasfeverishwithexcitementnow.Jackson,doyourealizewhatanhonorthisis?Tobechosen
unanimouslybyourClantheCouncil,theElderstobethenextWalker?Thelasttimethis
happenedIwasmuchyoungerandtheYouthassignedtotheCandidatefailed.Everythingwasin
chaosandwethoughttheGodshadabandonedusforgoodUntilyoumovedtothatwretched
cityofMiscaHeights.
Shepausedtocatchherbreathandcomposeherself.Closinghereyesforamomentshe
waitforherbreathingtoslow.Afantasticcharade,truly.Afterall,youcannotbreathewithout
lungs.Youshouldnotbeableto
exist
withoutorgans,yethereshewas.Butwasshereallyalive?
WereanyoftheClanmembersreallyalive?Orweretheyblackholes,suckingthelifeoutofthe
world?
Hereyesflewopen,sparkingwithintensity.Blackflamesthatwerejustasdangerousas
realfire.
Jackson,doyourealizewhatanhonorthisis?Sherepeatedwithevenmorefervor.
Jacksonlookedatherflashingeyes,herforwardstance.Shehadabattleaxestrapped
acrossherbackandseveralbladessheathedinbeltaroundherwaist.Hehadntnoticedthe
weaponsbefore.Toodistractedbyherappearance,heguessed.Hesighedandlookedaroundat
hissurroundings.Hebothlovedandhatedthisforest.Morganhadbroughthimherethefirsttime
hehadgone,andeverytimesincethen.Well,almosteverytime.Onafewoccasions,liketoday,
Jacksonhadwandereddownthedark,treelinedpathsonhisown.Normally,hewouldgotothe
parktoclearhishead,tothink.Butsometimes,veryrarely,anotioncameintohisheadandhe
wouldgooutintothisgodforsakenforestbyhimself.Forwhateverstrangereason,hefeltan

incrediblystrongpulltowardstheforestonthosedays,alwayspullinghimdeeperanddeeper
intothedarkness.
Helookedsidelongatthewoman.Shehadnotmoved.Shelookedlikesomeoneonthe
edgeofacliffpoisedfortakeoff,hereyessointense.Herarmswereheldoutstretchedtoward
him,palmsopenandfacingeachother.Jacksonlookedupattheskythroughthetrees.
Howcanheskybesobluewhenthedayissogrey?
Oneclouddriftedlazilyintohissight.
IwishIwasacloud.

No!
Thesamepiercingscreamfrombeforebrokehisconcentration.
Whatisthat?Youknow,dontyou?JacksonaskedtheClanwoman,hopepermeating
hiseyes.
Uncertaintyandsomethingelseflickeredintohereyes.Forthefirsttimeshelooked
uncomfortable,distressed.
I,uh.Well,actuallyIdontknow.NotforsureHervoicetrailedoff.Shewouldnt
lookhimintheeyesnow.
Itwasfear.Fearmixedwithuncertaintylacedherblackeyes,hergazestilldirected
sidewaysattheground.
HorrorfilledJacksonsowndarkeyes,erasingthehopethathadbeenthereonly
momentsbefore.
Ohgod.ItsMorgan,isntit?Panicflaredthroughouthisbody.Hisbreathing
quickened.Itfeltasthoughalltheoxygenwasbeingsuckedawayfromhim,rightoutofhis
lungs.
IItmaynotbehimJackson.TheEldersdidntsayshebrokeoff,herhandsflewto
coverhermouth,panicmakinghereyesgowide.
Icantbetellingyouthosethings!shespluttered.Ihavetofinishtellingyouaboutthe
Change!WearerunningoutoftimeJacksonyouneedtolistentomenow.
Buthewasshakinghisheadfromsidetosideviolently,refusingtolookather.
No.No,heneedsme.Heneedshelp.Ihavetogo.Yourecrazy.Youreallcrazy,
Jacksonstammered.HehadstartedbackingawayfromtheClanwomanandnowhespun
around,sprintingdownthepath,goingevenfartherintothewoods.

Morgan
Abeautifularrayofknivesandotherwickedinstrumentsadornedalong,handsome
table.Morganwaslyingonabed.Hiswristsandankleswerecuffedtothesidesandtherewere
strapsacrosshistorso.Itwassomethingyoumightseeinanearly(ornotsoearly)mental
hospital.Hisblueeyeswerestretchedwideashewatchedthemensurroundinghimandthe
table.
Theywerecloakedindark,heavyrobesandhoodsthatshowedonlytheirmouths.Even
theireyeswerecovered,whichdidnotinspireMorgantohavemuchconfidenceinsurviving.