InRealLife

Chapter1

Themeadowofstarsfadedasthepurpleskyofmorningpusheditselfovertheatmosphereof
Denver,Colorado.ThisiswheretheLarkBuntingbirdsresttheirworriesandtheirharddaysofwork.
ThisiswheretheazurecoloredriverscrashinmemoryofallthoseColoradohaslostinthe1999
shootingsofColumbineHighSchool.ThisiswheretheRedfamilylives,asWalkerRedrosefromhis
slumberandsteadilywalkedtowardshiswindowtowitnessthisdisplayofbeauty.Hisorangehairflared
withtheraysofthenewlybornsun.Acnecreamwassplatteredoverhisfacefromthedaybefore.His
eyesdriftedindirectionsofacompasswhilehecheckedhimselfbackintoreality.TodaywasSunday.
Honey!yelledaroughfemininevoicethatprojectedthroughthedoor.Wakeupalready!You
honestlyalwaysdothis!
Uh,beganagroggyWalker,Im,a,Imcomingmum,
YOUKNOWTODAYWEHAVECHURCHTODAY!roaredMrs.Red.Ineedtoleaveyou
wellfed.Icannotleaveyouhere,starving,whileImawayfromchurch.Thatsasin.AsinItell
Okmother!barkedWalker.IwontletGodpunishyou,justleave.Imcomingdownstairs.
WalkergrabbedapairofoldNikesandrushedtohisbathroom.Hestaredatthetoiletnot
knowingifhewantedtouseitornot.Thetoiletsparkled,callingWalkersname,butWalkerrejectedthe
offerandcontinuedtothefaucet.Hestaredintothemirror,lookingbackintohistunnelofmemories.
Oiladies,whisperedWalkertothemirror.Mynamewillberememberedasthegreatestheist
mastermindsknowntomankind.WalkerB.Redwillbehighlightedacrosstheglobe!
Minuteslaters,afterWalkertookcareofhisbusinessinthebathroom,hegingerlyhoppeddown
hisvioletcoloredcarpetedstaircasedowntothemainfloor.Whiledoingso,Walkerhumedthegreat
CanadianPledgeashesooftendidtocommemoratehisfathersviciousdeedsdoneinCanada.Once
Walkerlandedonthecarpethestaredrightoutthewindowwherehewaseyetoeyewithhiswooden,
1988styleddoor.ThesunshinefromtheColoradoskieswerebrighttoday,toobright.Walkermadehis
wayintothekitchenexpectingtobeyelledatbyhisbewitchedmotherbutwaspleasantlysurprisedtosee
Annabelle,Walkers16yearoldsister,andMrs.Redsittingatthetablealldressedintheirchurchattire
staringatWalker.
Walkerhoney,beganMrs.Redquietly.Wedreallylikeforyoutocometochurchwith
usAnnabelleandmummythatis.IWewanttogetridofthesinsournamehascausedacrosstheworld.
Youknow,howwevekilledsomepeopleandblownawaythelivesofmanyinnocentpeoplewho
deservetobeheremorethanwedo?Wellwerenotgoingtoletthosepeopledieinvainbecauseofthe
actionsweoncethoughtwereright.Whenwedie,wewantoursoultogoupintoaheavenlypara
Ivetoldyouthismanyoftimes,interruptedWalker.Imanatheist.Idontbelieveinasilly
spiritthattakesaccountofallofmyactionsanddecidesmyplaceintheafterlife.Idie,Imdead.Plain
andsimple.Ialsolovethethrillofbeingchasedaroundcountrytocountrybyofficialsandpolicetrying

tocatchusandkillus.Itssomuchfun!Now,letmebewhileIenjoythisnicedeckerofmealsyouhave
setforthonthetableasyoutwogoofftoyourspiritualhome.
Obviouslyannoyedandirritated,Mrs.RedandAnnabellejumpedoutofthierseatsandrushed
straightoutofthedoor.THUMPcrashedthedoorasitwasclosedwithutterdisgustandmerehatred.
Walker,rollinghiseyeslikethedeadman,grabbedaforkandchargedintohispancakes.Afterabout10
minutesofstuffinghisfacewithtastydelightsand5minutesofregret,Walkertossedhisplatestothe
side,knowinghismotherwouldwashthem,andwaltzedoutofthediningroomintohislivingroom.
Whitewallsstretchedfromthefloortotheceiling,blackrubbercouchesintheformofTetrisshapesin
themiddleoftheroom,andaglassdeskinthecenterofitall.Amaryllisflowerswerescatteredalongthe
wallandpaintingscreatedbyJacksonPollockwerenailedtothewall.Despitethedecorativeview,there
wasonlyonethingonWalkersmind.Hiscomputer.Walkerscomputerwashislife.$200spentonparts,
$350spentonmouses,monitors,keyboards,etc.1,000hoursspentbringingthemechanicalbeasttolife.
Althoughitwasbuiltforhighlyadvancedgamingandresearch,itsmainuseisasreallybulkycellphone.
Dayinandout,WalkerspendscountlesshoursonlinetalkingtofriendsoverSkypeandTeamSpeaka
communicationplatformdesignedforgamerstotalktoothergamersandtodaywasnodifferentfrom
anotherday.
Beep,bop,boopwentthecomputerasitsprungintolife.Awhitetextflashedontothescreen
readingRazerInc.whiledifferentcolorsmergedtogethertocreateanensemblearrayofcolors.Walker
slowly,veryslowly,descendedintohiscushionedchairwatchingashiscomputerarrivedtohislogin
screen.Themostcrucialactofanyoperationiswastheentry.Click,clickwentthekeyboardasWalker
hastilytypedhispassword.Hetiltedhistoa90degreeangleleftandright,eyeingthewindowsforany
passersbywatchinghiseverymove.HazelnuteyesscorchedbytheradianceoftheHeliosrestingonthe
clouds.Heslowlystretchedhisarmontohismouse,draggingthewhitecursoralongthescreen.Click.
Click.Click.Iconspoppedontothescreen,adsflewindependentlyintoWalkersfaceadvertisingan
AllNewVirusKiller!andWaysToEarnMoneyNow!Withaslightrolloftheeyes,theadswould
soonbeobliteratedbyaclickofafinger.
OktodayisthelastdayIhavetocompletemyfatherswishes,whisperedWalker.Thisismy
moment.Thisismytimetobeginmyempireofspiteandbringfametomyfathersname!Toendthe
governmentthatcontrolsmeandthishorridnationthateveryonedemises.Timetoburrytheburdenthat
isAmeric,
Ztzztz,ztz.Avibrationwasbuildinguponhisleg.Walkersdevillikeeyesstareddownthe
movementinhispocket.Herapidlystuckhislefthandintohispocketandyankedthesourceofthe
vibration.Hisblackberryphonelaidonhispalmhavingslightjumpsoflifeeverysooften.Walker
pressedtheonbutton,onlytobegreetedwiththousandsofmessagesfromhisfriendIan.Ianwasthe
typicalAsianimage.Narroweyeslikethebackslashonakeyboard.Asmallstubdotforanose,a
perfectlyroundedheadprobablywouldbe360degreesifitwasmeasuredbut,despitehisstereotypical
look,Ianwasthebestfriendanyonecouldwishfor.
Ian:WALKER!
Ian:WALKER!
Walker:SCREWOFFKID!
Ian:WALKER!
Walker:Whatsgoingon?WhyareyouspammingmewithabunchofWALKER!s?
Ian:THANKGOODNESSYOUREPLIED,FINALLY.

Walker:Whatssoimportantyoutwat?
Ian:There
Ian:Is
WalkerThereisa...WHO?
Ian:Agirl.
Walker:Agirl?Onwhat?
Ian:Onteamspeakyouknowthatcomputerapplicationthatletsyoutalktopeopleoverthe
internetwhichissomuchbetterthanSkype?Wellyeaonthere,geton!
Walker:Ugh.Alrightgivemeasec,andstoppingspammingmebeforeIfryyourcellphonewith
emailscontainingviruses.
Walkertossedhisphoneontohiscouchandgrabbedhismouse.Hedraggedthecursortotheleft
cornerofthescreenandclickedonagrey,eariconthatreadTeamSpeak3.Walker,withtheuseofhis
rightindexfinger,clickedontheicon.AwhiterectanglethesizeofaHersheyChocolateBarpopped
ontohisscreen.Walkersfaceslowlygotclosertothescreen,blindedbythecomputerlight,andspoke.
TeamSpeak3,channel1,whisperedWalkerintohiscomputer.
Allofasudden,voicesprojectedoutintoWalkersears.Heartylaughsfrompeoplewhosoundedlike
theywereintheir30s.Annoyingscreechesfrom12yearoldsenteringpubertywithfemalesounding
cracksintheirvoicelikewhenyouteacherwouldwriteonachalkboardandthechalkwouldrandomly
stopwriting.Buttherewasavoice,onevoicemoredistinctthroughalltheotherspeakersinthe
channel.Anangellikesymphonysangeverysinglewordthevoicespokeasifeachwordspoken
wouldpluckastringonaHarp.Butitwasntmasculine,screechy,orannoying.Itwasalmost...perfect?
Hibeganthevoice.ImLucy.

Chapter2

Hahaha,beganaJapaneseaccentedvoiceWalkerrecognizedasIanasheendedhislaughter.
WALKER!Heybudseemslikeyouvecometojointheparty.
No,respondedWalker.ImherebecauseIwasannoyedtodeathtocomeandjointhisquote
onquoteparty.
Oh,Iannervouslyandguiltilycontinued.Wewewellttthen.Um,butyoureherenowso
thatsallthatmatters!
Right,Walkerutteredunderneathhisbreath.Wellwhatisupwithallthisgirlhoopla
anyways?
Imrighthere.intervenedthevoice.AsIsaidearlier,mynameisLucy.Butyourtightskull
probablywouldn'thavegottenthatinformationacross.
OHHHH,hypedthecrowdofnowhushedlistenersasLucybeganbombingonWalker.
Sorry,repliedWalker.Idontassociatemyselfwithdirtyslobslikeyourself.
Whatwasthat?questionedLucy.
Idontspeaktoslobs.
Thenwhydoyouthinktoyourselfbud?
Nicejoketherelittlegirl.
Huh,funnythatyouthinkImlittle.YoudontevenknowwhoIam!
WellsaidthereLucy.

ThankyouWalker.
SohowaboutIgettoknowyou,addedWalker.Myphonenumberis30310143110.Hitme
up.Fornow,itstimeformetodipfromthescene.Byeyoubloodyboogers.
ThebrightwhitelightinstantaneouslyflashedawayintoablackabyssofcolorsasWalkerexited
outofTeamSpeak.Hestaredintotheblankdarknessofhiscomputerscreen.Lucy.Lucy.Lucy.Hername
repeatedinWalkersheadatthetickofeverysecond.NothingbutLucywasstuckinhishead.Whydida
girl,amerefemalewhohedjustmetliterally2minutesago,infecthisveinswithavenomoflove?Was
itpossibleforWalkertobeattractedtothisLucycharactersoquicklyanddeeply?
Tpz,tpz,buzzedamuffledbellfromthecouchcausingthecushiontovibrate.Walker,still
chewingoverhisthoughtsinhishead,loweredhisfeetfromwheretheyresteduponadeskandleveled
outhischairtobeinanormalseatingpositionandstrolledtothecouch.Hisshockedeyeswassurprised
toseeacoupleofmessagesfromanunfamiliarnumber.
3016996969,Walkerwhisperedunderneathhisbreathtryingtofigureoutwhothisstrange
messengerwas.Hmm.
Walker:Whoisthis?
3016996969:HeyWalkieTalkie.
Walker:Respondtomyquestion.Whoareyou?TellMe.Whoareyou?!
3016996969:Haha.
Walker:YoubetterpraythatIdontfindoutwhoyouarebeforeIswatyouwhichisnta
pleasantexperience.
3016996969:Okok.ItsLucysilly!
Walker:Oh.
Lucy:Yea.Isthishowyousetagoodimpressiontoalady?
Walker:What?
Lucy:Werentyou,like,hittingonmeearlier?
Walker:Ohyea.
Walker:Whatsupbabe?
Lucy:Ohplease!Ifyouwanttogetwithmeyoullhavetodoalotbetterthanthat.Haha.
Walker:WhosaidIwantedtogetwithyou?
Lucy:Idid.Doyouwanttobeanonlinecouple?
Walker:Um,first,Ijustmetyou.Second,why?
Lucy:So,first,itdoesntmatter!Inthose50secondsthatIspokewithyou,yourvoicemovedme
insuchawayIveneverfeltbefore!
Walker:Heh,thatswhatIwasjustthinking.
Lucy:So,whensdinner?
Afterhoursoftypingacrossaglassscreen,thesunwasdyingandthecottoncandyblueskybegantodrip
awayfromtheatmospherelikewateronafaucetafteryouturnitoff.Walkerseyes,strainedfromthe
hourshehaswastedofhislifethathewonteverbeabletogetback,begantoslowlyshutanddriftintoa
chasmofdarkness,ashismindfloodedwithimagesofLucy.Whowasshe?Howdoesshelooklike?
Why,allofasudden,didhefeelsostronglyabouther?Walkerpleadedforanswers,butnonecame.He
wouldjusthavetowaitfortomorrow.
Beep,beep,beep,beep!annoyinglyrangthebellofWalkersalarmclock.Heslowly,asifhe
hadjustreturnedfromthelivingdepthsofhell,lookoutintothewindow.Salivastretchingdownfromthe

bottomofWalkerslip,eyesmovinggraduallyashisheadchangeddirection,Walkerwasunawareofhis
currentsituation.
Its7:58,Walkerwhispered.Its7:58.Its7:58.ITS7:58ONAMONDAYMORNING!
Walkertossedoffeverythinglayingonhimanddashedupthestaircaseintohisroom.Scavenging
throughhisdrawerforclothes,Walkerthoughtaboutschool.PeaktoPeakHighSchoolwasaprestigious
highschoolforthegiftedandtalentedstudentsofColorado.Walker,onlygettingacceptedthroughhis
ingenuitywithcomputers,wasalwaysatthetopofhisclass.Everysinglesubjectwasmarkedbyanice
Anexttoitlabelinghisexcellenceinallofhisclasses.Buttodaysomethingwasdifferent.Although
hewasneverlate,andalwayseagertolearn,todayhewas...not.Walkerstoppedhisflailinghandsfrom
continuingtosearch.Heraisedhisheadtofaceforwardintohismirror,andstaredbroughtintoanother
stateofthinking.Heneeded,no,hewantedLucy,rightnowandthen.Inacoolsortofway,Walker
flippedhisphoneoutofhispocketwhereitrestedfromthenightbeforeandclickedontohismessaging
application.
Walker:Hellosweetie,howareya?
Lucy:Woah,doyouknowwhattimeitis?
Walker:Yea,its8:00a.m.
Lucy:ShouldntyoubeatPeaktoPeakHighSchoolbynow?
Walker:What?
Lucy:ForgetwhatIjustsaid.SoyouwannastayandtalkalldayImguessing?
Walker:Uh,yea.
Lucy:Allright,letsgetstarted.
WalkertalkedtoLucyforhours,days,andevenweeks.Lockedintohisroomlikeajailcell,Walker
wouldnevercomeout.Nottousethebathroom.Nottoeat.Noteventogoonhiscomputer.Therewas
somethingaboutLucysomethingsospecialthatWalkercouldntfigureout.Wasitthewaysheteased
himwithcruelwordsthathaddelightfulmeanings?Wasithervelvetyvoicethatsangtohimstillfrom
twoweeksago?Walkerhadnoclue,butthatwastheleastofhisworriesnow.
THUMP,THUMP,THUMP!boomedthedoorasitwaspoundedlikeadrum.
Getoutofthatbloodyroomyouwanker!yelledMrs.Redinuttervexation.Youvebeenin
thereforweeks!Iwillnotletyoustayathomealldayandspendallofyourtimeonafoolishdevice!You
eithercomeoutnoworforeverholdyourpeacewithgodbecauseImgoingtosendyoutothedepthsof
theDevilsPlaygroundandyoullneedallthehelpyoucangettoescape!
SilencewasWalkersresponse.
Ok,Iseehowitis,repliedMrs.Red.Iguessyoulljusthavetolivewithoutaphonethen.
Walkersheadtwitchedtothesideeyingdownhisdoorlikethedevilhimself.
Whatdidyoujustsay?askedWalker.
Youknowyourphone?Wellsaygoodbyetoit.
No!No,no,no,no,no!
Well,howaboutyougetoutofyourroomandstartingtomorrowmorningIwanttoseeyouat
school,readytolearn.Gotit?
Yesmaam.gruntedWalker.
Wellalrightthen.concludedMrs.Red.Goodnightnowhoney.

ThebrightyellowluminescenceoftheoutsideworlddiedasWalkerlaidinhisbedstaringinto
theliquidcrystalandprotectiveglassofhisphonelookingbackathisreflectionwonderingwhathewas
goingtodotomorrowatschool.Inhismind,heblankedoutallthoughtsandshuthiseyes.
Goodnight,Walkermuttered.GoodnightLucy.

Chapter3

ThenextdayawokewithWalkerashemadehisjourneytoschool,ridingtheschoolbustoPeak
toPeakHighSchool.PeaktoPeak,orPeakasitisusuallyreferred,wasahighschoolbuiltasa
preparatoryschooldesignedforitsstudentstoexcelineducationandmakeitintothenationsfinest
colleges.PeakwasoneofthemostrecentbuildsinColoradoroseredbrickslayingthewallsand
foundationoftheschool,whitepaintedhallwaysintheinterior,andworstofall,itwasfullofbrainiacs
whoneverlearnedtohavefun.WalkeralwaysseemedtobethestrangestofthestudentsinPeak.Most
studentswouldreadbooks,dohomework,orgladlystayafterschooltohelpteachers.Thisallseemed
normaltothescholarsofPeak,yetWalkerwasntlikeanyofthematall.Notonlywerethestudents
differentfromWalker,butWalkerwasassuredthathisteachershadspiteforhimtoo.
HeythereRed,calledascratchy,deepvoicefromacrossthegreengrassfieldWalkerwalked
ontogetintotheschool.Doyourememberme?ItsyourEnglishteacherMr.Richard.Seemslikeyou
wouldveforgottenmeduringyourtwoweekbreakathomedoesntit?
Oh,repliedWalkerwithahintofsarcasminhisvoice.Sorry
JustinRichard
.Idontremember
you.But,seeyouinclass!
WalkerturnedhisheadbacktoseeaslightgrinonMr.RichardsfaceasheWalkedawayin
defeat.AllofasuddenauproaroflaughterburstedthroughthedoorsasWalkerpusheditopen.
HeyWalkershereeveryone!shoutedarandomvoicefromamongstthecrowd.
BAHAHHAHA!sangthecrowdofstudentsinunison.
Walker,withhisbookscoveringhisfacefromfurtherembarrassment,continueddownthe
hallwaytohisfirstclassEnglish.Ashewalked,WalkerbeganthinkingaboutLucyagain.Walkerknew
LucywouldneverwanttostaywithWalkerunlesshewasuniquespecialinhisownway.Butwhat
couldmakeWalkerapersonworthwhileofagirlfriendlikeLucy?
HeyValker!beganaFrenchaccentedvoice.VoyouhaveanyplansonVunday?Vecause
IdliketocomeoverandmakevlansfortheschoolvancenextFriday.
WalkersmouthdroppedtothefloorasherememberedthewordSunday.Walkerseyestwinkled
indisbelief.Sunday.Sunday,almosttwoweeksago,wassupposetobethedayWalkertookdownthe
AmericangovernmentandstarthisempireofevilandthatwaswhatWalkerexactlyneededtokeep
Lucybyhisside.
Um,repliedWalker.ImsorryVaunce,but,but,onSundayIhaveplanstogoto...um.the
AppleStore!Yeah,IhavetogototheAppleStore.ImsorrybutyoushouldtrytoaskIanhesalways
willingtohelp!
WalkerhurriedlypacedpastVaunceintohisEnglishclass.Oncehewalkedin,hewalkedtothe
endoftheclassroomandsatbehindeveryoneelsesittingrightnexttoIan.
Assoonasclassstarted,WalkerstaredatMr.Richardasheinstructedtheclassonwhattheywere
goingto.

Sotodayclass,beganMr.Richard.Wellbeteachingyouallhowtoidentifysubjectsand
verbs!
AsMr.Richardcontinuedtorambleaboutverbsandtheirsingularandpluralforms,Walker
begantomovehisattentiontoLucy.Walkerneededtoactfast,therewasnowayhewasgoingtolet
Lucyslipoutofhispalmintothepalmofanother.TherewasonlyonewaytokeepLucyinterestedin
himdestroyingthegovernment.Walkersworetoneverletanyonebuthisgroupofhackersknownasthe
M.A.P.(ManufacturingAllPower)knowabouthisplan.ButLucy,Lucyjusthadtoknow!Itcouldbring
themtogetherasacouplesharingsecretswithoneanothercreatingabondoflove!Buthehadtoact
fasthehadtoactnow.

Pss
t,whisperedWalkertohisleftside,whichwaswhereIansat.
IancontinuedtolookatMr.Richardashewrotedifferentexamplesofsubjectsontheboard.

PSST!
WalkerhissedatIan.

WHAT!
repliedastrongsusurrationfromIan.
Soasyoucanseeverbsusuallygowiththesubjecttheycanmatchto,continuedMr.Richard.

Ian,
beganWalker.
Ineedyoutodomeafavor.

Andwhatwouldthatfavorhappentobe?
askedIan.

Ineedyoutomakemeadiversion,
answeredWalker.
I,I,needto

Walkersheartbegantopoundlouderandlouderinhischestashethoughtabouthisnextfew
words.WhatwouldIansayaboutWalkerbeinginlovewithagirlhedmeetovertheinternet?

Needto?
insertedIan.
Needtowhat?

IneedtogotoLucy
.

What?

Lucy.IneedtogoandtalktoLucynow.

IsntthatthatonechickIintroducedtoyouonTeamSpeakthatoneday?

YES!Ineedtogoandtalktoher.PleaseIan.Ineedthis.

Ianstaredintohisblankpaper.Hisheavybreathingnowsanginthesilentclassroomwhowere
nowonindependentpractice.Allofasudden,Iansheadmadeaslighttwitchinaforwardmotion.Faster
andfasterhisheadwent,givingWalkerthesigntobereadywhenever.
AHHHHH!screechedIanasloudastheTunguskaMeteor.IVEBEENSHOT!SOMEONE
HELPME!OHLORD!SAVEMYSOUL!ICANSEETHELIGHT!THELIGHT!
Theoncesilentstudentsimmediatelyspuntheirchairaroundtothebackoftheclassroominutter
shockoftheloudnoisethatcamefromthebackoftheclassroom.Theyallstaredaroundtheroomin
hysteriaastowhathadjusthappened.Mr.RichardrushedtowardsIanwithasmallwhiteclothtocleanup
thebleedingandputpressureonthewound.Hewas,afterall,acertifiednurseinthestateofColorado.
Someonecall911!shoutedMr.Richard.Vauncegooutgetthenurse.
NOW
!
Vokay!repliedVaunceashedartedtothehallway.
Iancontinuedtowailandshoutabouthiswoundwhenallofasuddenhisbrowneyeslocked
ontoWalkers.ThehazelnutofhiseyesfilledWalkerseyeswithgratefulnessIanwasthebestfriend
anyonecouldveeverwishedfor.Withoutwastinganymoretime,Walkerflewpastthecrowdofthe
terrifiedstudentsandtotheclassroomdoor.HestaredbackatIanandmouthedtwosinglewords.
Thank
you.
Mr.Red,questionedMr.Richard.Wheredoyouthinkyouregoing?
Togetthegirlofmydreams.Walkerreplied.

Ohnoyourenot!rebuttledMr.Richard.Ifyouleave,Youllbeoutofthisschool!Forever.
ThatssomethingIdontmindlosing.
WalkerpressedontothedoorwithallhisstrengthandboltedoutoftheroomjustasMr.Richard
beganyelling,butWalkersmindwasonLucy.Walkerdodgedstudentsinthehallwayandtwirled
aroundstairwellstoescapetheinfernothatwasPeak.TeacherswentpastWalkersvisionashe
continuedtorun.StudentstightlyagainsttheirlockerstoavoidbeingsteamrolledbyWalker.After
Walkerfinallymadeitoutside,thesunshinestungWalkerseyesashefuriouslylookedaroundthestreet
forthenearestcab.WithWalkershandcoveringhiseyes,hecheckedhiswatch.Itread2:15P.M.It
wasstillearly.Therewasstilltime.
Roll,roll,roll,wentthewheelsofanearbyskateboarderwhowasridingdownthestreet.
Walkerseyebrowsjumpedashenoticedthesoundofthewheels.Astheriderwascomingcloserto
Walker,Walkerjumpedintotheridersbathmakinghimtumbleintothecoalblackpavementofthe
street.Immediately,Walkerhoppedontotheskateboardandbeganpushingagainstthegroundwithallhis
mightandbeganriding.
WHATTHEHECKMAN!shoutedyoungteenager.
Sorry!Walkerrepliedashegotfurtherawayfromtheteenager.Illreturnthislater!
Afterafewturnsandhonksfromcars,Walkerfinallymadeitto123BeaverDriveWalkers
home.Asherodetohisfrontdoorstep,Walkerpoppedtheskateboardintohishandandchargedthrough
thefrontdoorasitthankfullywasopenfromWalkersragetodayofgoingtoschool.Walkerenteredthe
vacanthome,hetossedtheskateboardrandomlyontothegroundandstompedupstairs.Thump,thump,
thump,wentthestairs.Walkersimultaneouslyputhiswatchintohisfaceagain.2:57P.M.itread.
WalkerwasalmosttherejustacouplemorefeetandhewasabletosecureLucyintohislife.When
Walkermadeittohisroom,heshovedthedooropenandleptintohisbedwherehisphonedirectly
rested.Walkerfumbledtoturnonhisphone,butwhenhefinallydid,hewenttowork.
Walker:HeyLucy.
Lucy:Woahyourebackalready?
Walker:Yeah,listenLucyIneedtotellyousomethingveryimportant.
Lucy:YeahIdotoo!
Walker:Umok.Howaboutyougofirst?
Lucy:Sure.
Lucy:Walker,Iwantustomeetinreallife.InTrinidadLakeStatePark.FornowIhavetogo,
buttellmewhatyouthink.
Walkersmouthdroppedashereadthemessage.Lucycouldfinallybehisforever.
Walker:Yes,letsdothat.

Chapter4

Thenextdaywasonetoremember.TheSeptemberleavescrunchedunderWalkersfootstepsas
hemadehiswaytoTrinidadLakeStatePark.Trinidadwasknownforitsbeautifulsceneryandaromaof
lovefloatingaroundtheatmosphere.Teenagerswerenotoriousfortheirrebelliousactsofrunninginto
oneofTrinidadsmanyhiddenvalleysandprettymucheatingeachothersfacesuntiltheirneedswere
satisfied.Walkerhopedtodothesame.PicturingLucyinhisheadashewalked,Walkerimaginedwhat
Lucywouldpresentherselfwith.Maybeshewaswearingtightyogapantsdefiningherbehind.Maybe

Lucywaswearinganicegreensweaterwithhervelvetyhairyrestingonhershouldersasherbigblue
eyeswerestaringatWalkers
HONK!beepedacarbehindWalkernearlystoppinghisheart.
Getoutoftheroad!roaredthebighairymanashetriedplowingWalkerawaywithhiscar.
Theseidiotchildrenarealwaysthinkingabouttechnology!Thatsalltheycareabout!Girlsand
technology!
Walkersheadspunimmediatelytoscowlattheman.Girlsandtechnology.Hadheknownabout
Lucy?
Excusemesir,beganWalkerhurriedly.HowdidyouknowIwas...thinkingabouta...a
girl?
ThebighairydriverstoppedhisnaggingandlookedbackatWalker.Hismeatyindexfinger
begantappingagainsthissteeringwheelfasterandfaster.Harderandharder.
Idontknow,repliedtheman.Luckyguess?
Walkernoddedsuspiciouslyandhoppedbackontothesidewalkandcontinuedhiswalktoward
Trinidad.Justafewmoreblocks.Afteraboutacoupleofminutesofwalking,Walkerhadenteredinto
Trinidadpark.ThescenewasquietandlonelyjustlikeWalkerimaginedhisfirstkisswithLucywould
belike.AllofasuddenaslightringrangfromthesideofWalkerspockets.Heslippedhishandinside
thepocketandretrievedhiscellphone.HewasnotifiedwithamessagefromLucy.
Lucy:Notimetotalk,butmeetmetheeastsidevalley.Waitingtofeelyourlipsonmine.
Walkerseyebrowshoppedupanddownashepicturedsoft,redlipspushingagainsthisina
matterofminutes.Wastingnotime,Walkerboltedtowardstheeastsidevalleyalsoreferredtoas
"HubbaBubba."ThestoneechoedbeneathhisfeetasheenteredthecenterofTrinidadandcontinuedhis
sprinttothevalley.TheSunracedagainsthimasitbegantofalldeeplyintoanotherslumberof
Septemberoneofthemonthsforagorgeousskyandaperfectkiss.SuddenlyWalkerwasblockedbya
rectangularfigureinfrontoftheentrancetotheeastsidevalley.
"Donotenter,"croakedWalkerashereadfromtheobject."Anysignsoftrespassingwillbe
reportedtothehighestcommandersofDenver,Coloradoandwillserveasevereconsequencefromthe
court.DONOTENTER.
Walkerseyebrowsflutteredinsarcasticsortofwayandplacedhisfeetoneachsideofthe
woodenfenceholdingthesigninplace.Carefully,Walkermadehiswayoveravoidingloudnoisethat
couldcausehimtogetcaughtandlandedonhisfeet.
Pfft,wentthegroundasWalkerlandedonthedustypavementandglaredintothedarkvalley.
Inanadagiomovement,Walkercreptdownthevalleylitonlybythefewshowersofsunshineleftfrom
theentrance.Eachstepseemedlikeaneternitythatwouldleadhimtoamemorythatwouldlasta
lifetime.Walkermovedclosertothefeelingoftheleftwallsurroundinghim,placedhishandoverit,and
felthissurroundings.
Drip.
Aleakypipewasclearlypresent.
Drip.
Walkercontinuedtoinchforward
towardstheendofthevalleystillnosignofLucyanywhere.
Drip.
Hecontinuedtowalk.
Drip.
He
walked.
Drip.Drip.Drip.
Walkerwasstoppedabruptlybyastonewall.Noonewasthere.Walkerspun
aroundincirclestryingtoseeifLucywashidingmaybeshewasjustteasinghim?Nothingseemedtobe
therebutthatwasabouttochangeinafewseconds.
Sirensblastedinthedistance.Lightsflashedintothelonelyvalleyasropesfromthehighwalls
begantodescenddowntothefloor.Walker,incraze,begantwirlinginplacelookingaroundhimashis
bewilderedeyeswitnessedthemonsterapproachinghim.Theeasywindwaschoppedbythelarge

metallicobjectflyingdowntowardsWalker.Carsdriftedandhaltedinthefrontofthevalleylettinglarge
menwithriflesoutandaimingatWalker.Onebyone,menwouldtossthemselvesontothegroundfrom
theropescirclingaroundthefrozenWalkerashisinsideschatteredinfrightandhisentirebodyquivered
inshock.
GETDOWN!GETDOWN!shoutedthemenaroundWalkerkickinghislegsandshovinghis
headtowardstheconcrete.
Walkercrashedontothefloorshuttinghiseyesandballinguphisfistashemouthdroppedopen
andhisnoseblockedallair.AheavyfootwasstompedontothebackofWalkersskulllettinghis
tightenedarmsrelease.Diligently,oneofthemanyunknownmengrabbedbothofWalkershandsand
grippedthemtightlyagainstWalkersback.TheclankofmetalswasheardfromthebackofWalkers
headandsuddenlythecoolsensationofcoldmetalracedthroughhisbones.Withbrutestrength,theback
ofWalkersshirtwastuggedupwardselevatingWalkerintoastandingposition.
OPENYOUREYES!commandedastaticalvoicethroughaloudspeaker.
Immediately,Walkerseyesflickeredopenandabrightlightshoneoverhisbodystunninghis
eyeswithaburningfeeling.Withslightlyopenedeyes,Walkerstaredattheseaofmenallkeepinga
cautiouslookoverWalker.
WALKERE.RED,continuedthestaticalvoice.YOUHAVEBEENPLACEDUNDER
DEATHROWFORATTEMPTSOFBOMBING,MURDER,ANDMASSOBLITERATIONOFTHIS
NATIONSGOVERNMENTALSYSTEM.YOUMAYNOTDENYANYOFTHISDUETOTHE
FACTTHATWECARRYPROOFFROMIANP.CHOW.
Thedooraoneofthelargepolicecarsflewopenandasmallfiguresteppedout.Hisheadwas
tilteddownfacingthefloorshowingonlyhisstraighthair.HesolemnlywalkedtowardsWalker.Hefeet
draggedacrossthegroundandhisbodyswayedinatiredsortofway.Themalefigurecametoastopand
liftedhishead.Smallnarroweyespuffedupandred,boilingcheekssmokingfromsorrowandasmall
mouthflatandsorry.
Ian,Walkerwhispered.Howcouldyou?
Ianeyeswateredupandhisheadtwitchedashesniffled.
IMSORRYWWALKER!pleadedIan.PPLEASEFORGIVEME!PPLEASE.
Walkershookhisheadashiseyesshiftedtowardstheground.
No,repliedWalker.Never.
PPLEASE!shoutedIan.
Whatafriendyouvebeen.
WWALKER!
Stopcryingyouidiot.Leavemealone.Illseeyouwhenyouredead.
WalkerbackedupfromthesobbingIanandlefthimthere,onhisknees,poundinghisfistsonthe
groundbeggingforforgiveness.TwomenrushedupfrombehindIanandgrabbedhimfromhisfeetand
slidhimacrossthefloorashefloppedaroundlikeafishoutofwater.
Crying,resisting,andshouting,Ianwastossedintothebackofthecarcancelingoutallthenoise
backintothesuspensefulsilence.Noonespoke.Noonemoved.Thechopofthehelicopterwastheonly
soundaudible.
WhosLucy?askedWalkeralmostyelling.Tellme.
Nooneresponded.
Whowasshe?

Nooneresponded.
WHOWASSHE?
Itwasme.
Thefootstepsofaheelbegantovibratethroughthevalley.Stepafterstepafterstepafterstep.
WalkercontinuedtolookforwarduntilLucywasrevealed.Justthen,atallsilhouetteappearedintothe
barelyvisiblelightfromtheSun.ThesilhouettegotclosertoWalker.Closerandcloseruntilthe
flashlightsofthehelicopteraboverevealedthefigure.Longchestnuthairflowingdowntheshoulderof
thefigurepoppedinthelight.PacificcoloredeyeslockedontoWalkersjadeeyes.Thefigurehadaflat
stomachandamediumsizedchest.Sheworeabluecroptopandpinkthighhighshortswithaflower
designedhat.Shewasastonishing.
ImLucy,begantheangelicvoiceWalkerremembered.IworkfortheCIA,keepingthe
governmentsafeandremovingallpiecesofscumfromthiscountry.
Lucymotionedherhandtoherbackandslowlysliditupwards.SheheldasmallLshaped
lookingitemandpointeditatWalker.Withherrighthandplacedontopoftheitem,shepulledbacktop
oftheitemanditclicked.Ch,ch,wenttheitem.Itwasapistol.ApistolaimedatWalker.
Asstatedearlier,continuedLucy.Youvetriedtotakedownthegovernment.Wealsohave
recollectionthatyourfamilyhashadagreatpartintryingtodestroythegroundsofourhomes.AmI
correct?
Walkershookhisheadupanddown.
Thoughtso,repliedLucy.Wellsinceyourfamilyiswantedinover50countries,25capitals
and3continents,itsourjobattheCIAtostopanypotentialdangersfromourcountrytoputothersat
harm.Meaning,youreagonner.
LucypulledthetriggerandsmallbulletflewtowardsWalker.Timeseemedtoslowdown.
Walkersmindenteredanotherstateofthought.EternaldarknesswouldcontainWalkerforcenturiesand
centuriestocome.Notasingleviewofthesun.Notasinglebreathoffreshair.Notasinglethought
wouldbeavailableduringdeath.Hisbodyflinchedforwardthenfellslowlyontotheground.Another
buzzingsoundwasringinginWalkersears.Hetriedtobreathforairbutnonewouldbeinhaled.
Walkerseyesslowlylookedathischest.Darkredbloodwasoozingfromthetopleftareaofhischest.
Walkerlostallcontrolofhisbody.Hisnerveswouldn'trespond.Hismouthwouldntmove.Hisheart
wouldntbeat.Colorbegandriftingawayfromhiseyesslowerandslowertimewentpast.Colorwas
completelygone.Soundwascompletelygone.Lifewascompletelygone.Ameadowofstarsappeared
abovetheskyastheduskycolorednightfellovertheatmosphereofDenver,Colorado.Thiswaswhere
theLarkBuntingbirdsresttheirworriesandtheirharddaysofwork.Thiswaswheretheazurecolored
riverscrashedinmemoryofallthoseColoradohadlostinthe1999shootingsofColumbineHighSchool.
ThiswaswhereWalkerRedoncelived.