AAAA Wizardry

by Jim Butcher

T h e f i rst t h i n g I t h o u g h t, l o o k i n g at t he r o o m f u l o f b a b y W a r d e ns, w a s They all

look so darned young. T h e c l ose sec o n d w a s, My God, am I getting old?
“ O k a y, c h i l d r e n,” I sai d, c l os i n g t he d o o r b e h i n d m e. I h a d re n te d a n al le ge d
c o n f e re n ce ce n ter i n a l i t t l e C h i c a g o h o t e l n o t t o o f a r f r o m t he ai r p o r t, w h i c h
a m o u n t e d t o a c o u p l e o f r o o m s b i g e n o u g h f o r t w e n t y o r t h i r t y p e o p l e — i f t he y w e r e
f r i e n d l y — p l us se ve ra l d o z e n c ha i rs, a n d a f e w r i c k et y o l d f o l d i n g ta b les.
T h e y d i d n ’ t e v e n p r o v i d e a c o o l e r o f w a t e r — j u st d i r e ct i o ns t o t he i r v e n d i n g
m a c h i n es.
A f t e r m e a n d m y f e l l o w W a r d e n-C o m m a n d e r i n t he U n i t e d S tates, W a r d e n
R a m i r e z, h a d g o t te n d o n e l ear n i n g t he l i t t le W a r d e n-k i n d u p o n t he i r m a y h e m, f o r t he
sa ke o f g et t i n g t he m k i l l e d i n a w a r as q u i c k l y as p oss i b le, w e t h o u g h t i t m i g h t b e
n i c e t o g i v e t he m a l i t t l e i nst r u c t i o n i n o t he r t h i n gs, t o o. R a m i r e z w a s g o i n g t o c o v e r
t he c o u rse o n r e l at i o ns w i t h m o r t a l a ut h o r i t ies, w h i c h m a d e se nse — R a m i r e z g o t o n
j ust f i n e w i t h t he c o ps i n L A , a n d h a d n ’t b ee n sh ot b y n ear l y as m a n y la w
e n f o r ce m e n t p e rs o n n e l as I h a d.
T h e k i ds h a d al l c o m e t o C h i ca g o t o l ear n a b o u t i n d e pe n d e n t i n v est i g at i o n o f
su pe r nat u ra l t h r eats f r o m m e — w h i c h a ls o m a d e sense, b e ca use I ’ d d o n e m o r e o f
t hat, re lat i v e t o m y te n de r y ea rs, t ha n a n y o t h e r w i z a r d o n t he p l a net.
“ O k a y, o k a y,” I sai d t o t he r o o m. T h e y o u n g W a r d e ns b e ca m e si le nt a n d
atte nt i v e at o n ce. N o sh o c k, t here — t h e d isr u p t i v e o n es w h o d i d n ’ t p a y atte nt i o n
d u r i n g l esso ns h a d m o s t l y b ee n k i l l e d a n d m a i m e d i n t he w a r w i t h t he R e d C o u r t.
D a r w i n al w a ys t h o u g h t t hat i t p a i d t o b e a q u i c k lear ner. T h e w a r h a d si m p l y m a d e
t he p e na l t y f o r n o t l ear n i n g q u i te a b i t stee per.
“ Y o u ’ re h e re,” I sai d, “t o l ear n a b o u t i n v est i gat i n g su pe r nat u r a l t h reats o n y o u r
o w n. Y o u ’ l l l ea r n a b o u t f i n d i n g a n d h u n t i n g W a r l o c k s f r o m C a p t a i n L u c c i o,
w h e n e v e r t he R e ds g i v e us e n o u g h t i m e f o r i t. W a r l o c ks, o u r o w n k i n d g o n e b a d,
are n’t t he m o s t c o m m o n o p p o n e n t y o u ’ l l f i n d y o u rse l f f a c i n g. F a r m o r e o f t e n, y o u ’ r e
g o i n g t o r u n u p a ga i nst o t he r t h r eats.”
I l y a na, a y o u n g w o m a n w i t h e x t re m e l y p a le s k i n a n d e yes o f n ear l y w h i t e i ce-
b l u e, ra ise d h e r h a n d a n d sp o k e i n a c l i p p e d R u ss ia n ac ce n t w h e n I n o d d e d t o h er.
“ W h a t k i n ds o f t h r eats?” she as ke d. “ I n t he p r a ct i ca l se nse. W h a t f o es h a v e y o u
f a ce d?”
I h e l d u p m y h a n ds a n d f l i p p e d u p a f i n g e r f o r eac h f o e. “ D e m o ns, w e r e w o l v es,
g h osts, f aer ies, f a l l e n a n ge ls, B l a c k C o u r t v a m p i r es, R e d C o u r t v a m p i r es, W h i t e
C o u r t v a m p i r es, c u l t ists, n e c r o m a n c e rs,” I p a use d t o w a g g l e o n e f o o t, sta n d i n g w i t h
t h r ee l i m b s i n t he air, “z o m b i es, specters, p h o b o p h a ges, h a l f-b l o o d sc i o ns, ja n n …
I w a v e d m y h a n ds a n d f o o t ar o u n d a b i t m o r e. “ I ’ d n ee d t o b o r r o w a f e w p e o p l e t o d o
t he w h o l e l ist. G e t t he p i c t u re?”
A f e w s m i l es h a d er u p te d at m y a nt i cs, b u t t he y so bere d u p a f ter a m o m e n t’s
c o ns i de rat i o n.
I n o d d e d a n d st u c k m y h a n ds i n t o m y p o c k e ts. “ K n o w l e d ge is q u i te l i te ra l l y
p o w e r a n d w i l l sa ve y o u r l i f e. W h e n y o u k n o w w h a t y o u ’ r e f a c i n g, y o u ca n d ea l w i t h
i t. W a l k i n t o a c o n f r o n t at i o n b l i n d, a n d y o u ’ re b e g g i n g t o g et y o u r f a m i l i es a d de d t o
t he W a r d e ns’ d eat h-b e ne f i ts l ist.” I l et t hat si n k i n f o r a f e w sec o n ds b e f o r e
c o n t i n u i n g. “ Y o u ca n’ t e ve r b e sure w h a t y o u ’ r e g o i n g t o c o m e u p a ga i nst. B u t y o u
ca n b e sure a b o u t h o w t o a p p r o a c h t he i n v est i gat i o n.”
I t u r ne d t o t he o l d b l a c k b o a r d o n t he w a l l b e h i n d m e a n d scr i b b le d o n i t w i t h
t he st u b o f a p i e ce o f c ha l k. “ I ca l l i t t he F o u r A s,” I sai d, a n d w r o t e f o u r A s d o w n t he
le f t si de o f t he b o a r d. “ G r a n te d, i t d o es n’t t ra ns late as n eat l y t o o t h e r l a n g ua ges, b u t
y o u ca n m a k e u p y o u r o w n n at i v et o n g u e m n e m o n i c d e v i ces later.” I use d t he f i rst
A t o spe l l “ A s cer ta i n.”
“ A s ce r ta i n,” I sai d, f i r m l y. “ B e f o r e y o u ca n d ea l w i t h t he t h r eat, y o u ’ v e g o t t o
k n o w t hat i t e x ists, a n d y o u ’ v e g o t t o k n o w w h o t he t h r eat’s i n te n de d tar get is. A l o t
o f t i m es, t hat tar get is g o i n g t o c r y o u t f o r h e l p. W h a t e v e r c i t y y o u ’ re b ase d i n, i t’s
g o i n g t o b e y o u r r es p o ns i b i l i t y t o w o r k o u t h o w b est t o h ea r t hat screa m. B u t
so m e t i m es t he re’s n o o u t c r y. S o k ee p y o u r e yes a n d ears o p e n, k i ds. A s c e r ta i n t he
t h r eat. B e c o m e a w a r e o f t he p r o b l e m.”

M y car d i d n ’ t m a k e i t a l l t he w a y t o K a n sas C i t y. I t b r o k e d o w n a b o u t t h i r t y
m i l es sh o r t o f t o w n, a n d I h a d t o ca l l a w r e c k er. I h a d p l a n ne d o n b e i n g t he re b e f o r e
d a r k, b u t b et w ee n w a l k i n g e le ve n m i l es t o f i n d a n i n c reasi n g l y ra re p a y p h o n e a n d
d u m p i n g m o s t o f m y cas h i n t o a t o w-t r u c k d r i v e r’s p o c k e t, a n d t he c o l la pse o f a n
o f f i ce c o m p u t er n et w o r k t hat d e la y e d p i c k i n g u p a re n ta l ca r f o r a n e x t ra h o u r a n d
a h a l f, I w o u n d u p p u l l i n g t o t he c u r b o f a resi de n t ia l a d d r ess a c o u p l e o f m i n u t es
b e f o r e n i n e i n t he e ve n i n g.
I ’ d g o t te n t he a d d r ess f r o m a c o n ta ct o n t he Pa ra net — t he o r ga n i zat i o n m a d e
u p m o s t l y o f m e n a n d w o m e n w h o d i d n ’ t h a v e e n o u g h m a g i ca l p o w e r t o b e ac ce p te d
i n t o t he ra n ks o f t he W h i t e C o u n c i l o r t o p r o te ct t he m se l v es f r o m m a j o r p r e dat o rs,
b u t w h o h a d m o r e t ha n e n o u g h m o j o t o m a k e t he m j u i c y tar gets. F o r t he p ast y ear,
I a n d o t he rs l i k e m e h a d b ee n w o r k i n g h a r d t o teac h t he m h o w t o d e f e n d t he m se l v es
— a n d o n e o f t he f i rst t h i n gs t he y w e r e t o d o w a s n o t i f y so m e o n e u pst rea m i n t he
Pa ra net’s o r g a n i zat i o n t hat t he y w e r e i n t r o u b l e.
O n e su c h ca l l h a d b ee n b u c k e d u p t o m e, a n d h e re I w a s, a ns w e r i n g. B e f o r e
I h a d c l ose d t he d o o r o f t he car, a spare, te nsel o o k i n g m a n i n h is f o r t ies ca m e o u t o f
t he h o use a n d w a l k e d q u i c k l y t o w a r d m e.
“ H a r r y D r es de n?” h e ca l l e d.
“ Y ea h,” I sai d.
“ Y o u ’ re l ate.”
“ C a r t r o u b l e,” I sai d. “ A r e y o u Y a r d l y?”
H e st o p pe d acr oss t he h o o d o f t he ca r f r o m m e, f r o w n i n g se vere l y. H e w a s
a v e ra ge h e i g h t, a n d w o r e m o s t o f a b us i ness su i t, i n c l u d i n g t he t ie. H i s b l a c k h a i r w a s
c u t i n t o a sh o r t b r us h. H e l o o k e d l i k e t he k i n d o f g u y w h o so l v e d h is p r o b l e m s
t h r o u g h f e r o c i o us f o c us a n d m u l i s h d eter m i n at i o n, a n d w h o t o lerate d n o n o nse nse
al o n g t he w a y.
“ I ’ m Y a r d l y,” h e sai d. “ C a n y o u sh o w m e so m e I D?”
I al m o st s m i l e d. “ Y o u w a n t t o see m y A m e r i c a n A s s o c iat i o n o f W i z a r ds car d?”
Y a r d l y d i d n ’ t s m i l e. “ Y o u r d r i v e r’s l i ce nse w i l l d o.”
“ I f I w a s a sha pes h i f ter,” I sai d, p assi n g h i m t he l i ce nse, “t h is w o u l d n ’ t h e l p.”
Y a r d l y p r o d u ce d a l i t t le U V f l as h l i g h t a n d sh i ne d i t o n t o t he l i ce nse. “ I ’ m m o r e
c o n ce r ne d a b o u t a si m p l e c o n m a n.” H e p asse d m e t he l i ce nse b a c k. “ I ’ m n o t rea l l y
i n t o m y siste r’s g r o u p. W h a t e v e r t he y are. B u t she’s h a d i t r o u g h late l y a n d I ’ m n o t
g o i n g t o see h e r h u r t a n y m o r e. D o y o u u n d e rsta n d?”
“ M o st b i g b r o t he rs st o p m a k i n g t h reats a b o u t t he i r l i t t le sisters a f ter h i g h
sc h o o l.”
“ I m u s t b e re m e d i a l,” Y a r d l y sai d. “ I f y o u a b use M e g a n i n a n y w a y, y o u ’ l l
a ns w e r t o m e.”
I f e l t m y m o u t h l i f t u p o n o n e si de. “ Y o u ’ re a c o p.”
“ D e tect i v e L i e u t e na n t,” h e sai d. “ I as ke d C h i c a g o P D f o r t he i r f i l e o n y o u.
T h e y t h i n k y o u ’ r e a f r a u d.”
“ A n d y o u d o n ’ t?”
H e g r u n t e d. “ M e g a n d o es n’t. I l ear ne d a l o n g t i m e a g o t hat a s m a r t m a n
d o es n’t d is c o u n t h e r o p i n i o n o u t o f h a n d.”
H e stare d at m e w i t h h a r d a n d o p a q u e e yes a n d I r ea l i ze d, i n a f l as h o f i ns i g h t,
t hat t he m a n w a s te nse b e ca use h e w a s o p e rat i n g o n u n f a m i l i a r g r o u n d. Y o u c o u l d n ’ t
rea d i t i n h i s f a ce, b u t i t w a s t here i f y o u k n e w w h a t t o l o o k f or. A ce rta i n set o f t he
sh o u l de rs, a t w i t c h a l o n g t he j a w l i n e, as i f so m e p a r t o f h i m w a s rea d y t o w h i r l
ar o u n d a n d si n k h is teet h i n t o a t h r eat t hat h e c o u l d f ee l c r ee p i n g u p b e h i n d h i m.
Y a r d l y w a s a f r a i d. N o t f o r h i m se l f, m a y b e, b u t t he m a n w a s ter r i f ie d.
“ M e g a n sa ys sh r i n k s ca n’t h e l p w i t h t h is o n e,” h e sai d q u i et l y. “S he sa ys
m a y b e y o u ca n.”
“ L e t’s f i n d o u t,” I sai d.

“Sec o n d A , ” I sai d t o t he W a r d e n lets, w r i t i n g o n t he c ha l k b o a r d as I d i d.

“ A n a l y s is.”
“ H o w d o y o u g et a n o g r e t o l a y d o w n o n t he c o u c h, H a r r y?” ca l le d a y o u n g
m a n w i t h t he r o u n d e d v o w e ls o f a n o r t he r n ac ce nt i n h is speec h. T h e r o o m q u i v e r e d
w i t h t he l a u g h te r o f y o u n g p e o p l e.
“ T h a t’s e n o u g h o u t o f y o u, t he re, M c K e n z i e, y o u h oser,” I sh o t b a c k,
i n a p a r o d y o f t he sa m e ac ce nt. “ G i v e m e a b r ea k h e r e, e h?”
I g o t a b i g g e r l a u g h t ha n t he h e c k l er. W h i c h is h o w y o u m a k e su re t he h e c k l e r
d o es n’t stea l t he sh o w f r o m y o u. “P i pe d o w n,” I sai d, a n d w a i t e d f o r t he m t o sett le.
“ T h a n k y o u. Y o u r sec o n d ste p is al w a y s a na l ys is. E v e n w h e n y o u k n o w w h a t y o u ’ r e
d ea l i n g w i t h, y o u ’ v e g o t t o k n o w w h y i t’s h a p pe n i n g. I f y o u ’ v e g o t a n a n g r y g h ost,
i t’s g e ne ra l l y a n g r y f o r a reaso n. I f a n e w p a c k o f g h o u ls h as m o v e d i n d o w n t he
b l o c k, t he y ’ v e g e ne ra l l y p i c k e d t he i r sp o t f o r a reas o n.”
I l y a na ra ise d h e r h a n d a ga i n a n d I p o i n t e d at h er.
“ W h a t d o es i t m a t te r?” she as ke d. “ G h ost o r g h o u l is ca us i n g p r o b le m, st i l l w e
are d ea l i n g w i t h t he m, y es?” S he p o i n te d h e r f i n g e r l i k e a g u n a n d d r o p p e d h e r t h u m b
l i k e t he w e a p o n’s h a m m e r o n t he w o r d “ dea l i n g.”
“ I f y o u ’ r e st u p i d, y ea h,” I sai d.
S he d i d n ’ t l o o k p l ease d at m y res p o nse.
 “ I use d t o h a v e a si m i l a r att i t u de,” I sai d. I h e l d u p m y le f t h a n d. I t w a s a m a ss
o f o l d scars, a n d n o t t he p r ett y k i n d. I t h a d b ee n b u r n e d, a n d b a d l y, se ve ra l y e a rs
b e f o r e. W i z a r ds h ea l u p b etter t ha n re g u l a r f o l k s, o v e r t he l o n g ter m. I c o u l d m o v e i t
a ga i n, a n d I h a d f ee l i n g b a c k i n p a r ts o f a l l t he f i n g e rs. B u t i t st i l l w a s n’t a p r ett y
p i c t u r e. “ A n h o u r o r t w o o f w o r k w o u l d h a v e t o l d m e e n o u g h a b o u t t he sit uat i o n
I w a s w a l k i n g i n t o t o l et m e a v o i d t h is,” I t o l d t he m. I t w a s t he t r u t h. P r ett y m u c h.
“ L ea r n e ve r y t h i n g y o u p ossi b l y ca n.”
I l y a na f r o w n e d at m e.
M c K e n z i e r a ise d h i s h a n d, f r o w n i n g so be r l y, a n d I n o d d e d at h i m.
“ L ea r n m o r e. O k a y. H o w?”
I sprea d m y h a n ds. “ N e v e r l et y o u rse l f t h i n k y o u k n o w al l t he w a y s t o l ear n,”
I sai d. “ E x p a n d y o u r o w n k n o w l e d g e b ase. R e a d. T a l k t o o t he r w i z a r ds. H e l l, y o u
m i g h t e ve n g o t o sc h o o l.”
T h a t g o t m e a n o t he r l a u g h. I w e n t o n b e f o r e i t g at he re d m u c h m o m e n t u m.
“ W a r d e n C a n u c k t he re w a s o n t o so m e t h i n g ear l ier, t o o. Pe o p le are p e o p le.
L e a r n a b o u t w h a t m a k es t he m t i c k. M o n s ters are t he sa m e w a y. F i n d w a y s t o e m u l ate
t he i r t h i n k i n g,” — I w a s n’ t e ve n g o i n g t o t r y a p h r ase l i k e Get into their heads, t ha n k
y o u — “ a n d y o u ’ l l h a v e i ns i g h t i n t o t he i r act i o ns a n d t he i r p r o b a b le i n te n t i o ns.
“ I n f o r m a t i o n-g at he r i n g spe l ls ca n b e d a r ne d h a n d y,” I c o n t i n ue d, “ b u t i f y o u ’ l l
f o r g i v e t he e x p r essi o n, t he y are n’t m a g i c. T h e i n f o r m a t i o n y o u g et f r o m t he m ca n b e
easi l y m i s r ea d, a n d i t w i l l a l m o st n e v e r l et y o u see p ast o n e o f y o u r o w n b l i n d sp ots.
Y o u ca n see k a ns w e rs f r o m o t he r p l a nes, b u t i f y o u g o b ar ga i n i n g w i t h su pe r nat u r a l
b e i n gs f o r k n o w l e d g e, t h i n gs ca n g et d a n ge r o us, f ast. S o m e t i m es w h a t y o u g et f r o m
t he m is i n v a l ua b l e. M o s t o f t he t i m e, i t c o u l d b e h a d a n o t he r w a y. A p p r o a c h t hat
p a r t i c u l a r w e l l w i t h e x t r e m e ca ut i o n.”
T o e m p h as i ze t h ose l ast t w o w o r ds, I stare d sl o w l y ar o u n d t he r o o m i n p u r e
c h a l l e n g e, d a r i n g a n y o n e t o d isa g r ee w i t h m e. T h e y o u n g p e o p le d r o p p e d t he i r e yes
f r o m m i n e. E y e c o n t act w i t h a w i z a r d is t r i c k y — i t ca n t r i g g e r a so u l g a ze, a n d t hat
is n’ t t he k i n d o f t h i n g y o u w a n t h a p pe n i n g t o y o u cas ua l l y.
“ H o n est l y,” I sai d i n t o t he si le n ce, l ett i n g m y v o i ce b e c o m e g e n t ler, m o r e
c o n v e rsat i o na l, “t he b est t h i n g y o u ca n d o is c o m m u n i cate. T a l k t o t he p e o p l e
i n v o l v e d. Y o u r v i c t i m s, i f t he y ca n spea k t o y o u. T h e i r f a m i l y. W i t n esses. F r i e n ds.
M o s t o f t he t i m e, e ve r y t h i n g y o u n ee d is so m e t h i n g t he y a l rea d y k n o w. M o s t o f t he
t i m e, t hat’s t he f astest, sa fest, easiest w a y t o g et i t.”
M c K e n z i e r a ise d h i s h a n d a ga i n, a n d I n o d d e d.
“ M o st o f t he t i m e?” h e as ke d.
“ T h a t’s t he t h i n g a b o u t p e o p l e,” I sai d, q u i et l y, so t he y w o u l d p a y atte nt i o n.
“ W h e t he r i t’s t o y o u o r t o e ve r y o n e o r j ust t o t he m se l v es — p e o p l e l ie.”

M e g a n Y a r d l y w a s a si n g l e m o t h e r o f t h ree. S h e w a s i n h e r ear l y t h i r t ies a n d

l o o k e d i t, h a d g o r ge o us re d h a i r a n d b r i g h t g r ee n e yes. S he a n d h e r c h i l d r e n l i v e d
i n a su b u r b t hat w a s m o r e “s u b” t ha n “ u r b,” so u t heast o f K C , n a m e d Pe c u l iar.
P ec u l i ar, M i s s o u r i. Y o u ca n’t m a k e t hese t h i n gs u p.
M e g a n o p e ne d t he d o or, n o d d e d t o h e r b r o t h er, l o o k e d u p at m e a n d sai d,
“ Y o u ’ r e h i m. Y o u ’ re t he w i z a r d.” H e r e yes n a r r o w e d. “ Y o u r … y o u r car b r o k e d o w n.
A n d y o u t h i n k t he n a m e o f o u r t o w n is a b a d j o k e … ” S he n o d d e d, l i k e a m u s i c i a n
w h o h as p i c k e d u p o n a b eat a n d a c h o r d p r o g r essi o n. “ A n d y o u t h i n k t h is p r o b a b l y
is n’ t a su pe r nat u r a l p r o b l e m.”
I l i f te d m y e ye b r o w s. “ Y o u ’ r e o n e h e l l o f a sensit i v e.”
S he n o d d e d. “ Y o u w e r e e x p e ct i n g so m e o n e w h o w a s g o o d at c o l d rea d i n g.”
“ A l o t o f p r o f essi o n a l ps y c h i cs are,” I sai d. I s m i l e d. “S o are y o u.”
S he ar c he d a n e ye b r o w at m e.
“ T h e re’s at l east a f a i r c h a n ce t hat i f so m e o n e is late t o w h a t is p e r ce i v e d as a n
i m p o r ta nt a p p o i n t m e n t t hat ca r t r o u b l e is t o b l a m e, p a r t i c u la r l y i f t he y sh o w u p
i n a re n ta l car. M o s t p e o p l e w h o h a d n ’t g r o w n u p ar o u n d a t o w n n a m e d P ec u l i a r
w o u l d t h i n k t he n a m e w a s o d d.” I g r i n n e d at h er. “ A n d g os h. A l o t o f p r o f essi o na l
i n v est i gat o rs are j ust a ta d c y n i c a l.”
H e r e x p r essi o n b r o k e a n d she la u g h e d. “ A p p a re n t l y.” S he t u r ne d f r o m m e a n d
k i sse d h e r b r o t he r o n t he c h ee k. “ B e n.”
“ M e g.”
“ C h i l d ser v i ces w a s h e re a ga i n t o da y,” she sai d, h e r t o ne n e u t ra l.
“ D a m m i t,” Y a r d l y sai d. “ H o w ’s K a t?”
S he w a g g l e d a h a n d i n t he air, b u t h e r f a ce su d d e n l y a ge d te n y ea rs.
“ T h e sa m e.”
“ M e g, t he d o c t o rs — ”
“ N o t a ga i n, B e n,” she sai d, c l os i n g h e r e yes b r i e f l y. S he sh o o k h e r h ea d o n c e,
a n d Y a r d l y sh ut h is j a w s w i t h a n a u d i b l e c l i c k. M e g a n l o o k e d d o w n at t he g r o u n d f o r
a m o m e n t a n d t he n u p at m e. “S o. H a r r y D r es de n. H i g h M u c k e t y m u c k o f t he W h i t e
C o u n c i l.”
“ A c t ua l l y,” I sai d, “ I ’ m a f a i r l y l o w m u c k e t y m u c k. O r m a y b e
a m u c k e t y m u c k m i l i t a n t. H i g h m u c k e t y m u c k s — ”
“ W o u l d n ’ t c o m e t o P e c u l i a r?”
“ Y o u ’ re rea l l y i n t o i n t er r u p t i o n, are n’t y o u?” I sai d, s m i l i n g. “ I w a s g o i n g t o
say, t he y w o u l d n ’ t h a v e a p r o b l e m w i t h t he i r car.”
“ O h, G o d,” she sai d. “ I t h i n k I l i k e y o u.”
“ G i v e i t t i m e,” I sai d.
S he n o d d e d, sl o w l y. T h e n she sai d, w i t h g e n t le e m p h as is, “P lease, c o m e i n t o
m y h o m e.”
S he ste p pe d b a c k, a n d I ca m e i n t o t he l i t t le h o use, c r ossi n g o v e r t he t h res h o l d,
t he c u r ta i n o f g e n t le, p o w e r f u l e ner g y t hat sur r o u n ds e ve r y h o m e. H e r i n v i t at i o n
m e a n t t hat t he c u r ta i n p a r te d f o r m e, lett i n g m e b r i n g m y p o w e r w i t h m e. I e x h a le d,
sl o w l y, t i g h te n i n g m y m e t a p h y s i ca l m u s c les a n d f ee l i n g m y p o w e r p u t a si le nt,
i n v i s i b l e stra i n o n t he a i r ar o u n d m e.
M e g a n i n h a le d su d de n l y, shar p l y, a n d t o o k a ste p b a c k f r o m m e.
“ A h,” I sai d. “ Y o u are a sensit i v e.”
S he sh o o k h e r h ea d o n c e, a n d t he n h e l d u p h e r h a n d t o f o r esta l l h e r b r o t her.
“ B e n, i t’s f i n e. H e’s … ” S h e l o o k e d at m e a ga i n, h e r e x p r essi o n p e ns i v e, f r a g i l e.
“ H e’s t he rea l d ea l.”
W e sat d o w n i n t he l i t t l e l i v i n g r o o m. I t w a s l i t tere d w i t h c h i l d r e n’s t o ys. T h e
p l a ce d i d n ’ t l o o k l i k e a n a n i m a l p i t — j u st b us y a n d w e l l-l o v e d. I sat i n a c o m f y c h a ir.
M e g a n sat p e r c he d at t he e d ge o f h e r c o u c h. Y a r d l y h o v e re d, e v i de n t l y u n a b le t o
b r i n g h i m se l f t o sit.
“S o,” I sai d q u i et l y. “ Y o u t h i n k so m e t h i n g is t o r m e n t i n g y o u r d a u g h t ers.”
S he n o d d e d.
“ H o w o l d are t he y?”
“ K a t is t w e l v e. T a m a r a is f o ur.”
“ U h h u h,” I sai d. “ Te l l m e a b o u t w h a t h a p p e ns.”
S o m e t i m es I see m t o h a v e t he d a m n e dest sense o f t i m i n g. N o so o n e r h a d
I as ke d t he q u est i o n t ha n a h i g h p i t c h e d screa m c u t t he air, j o i n e d a n i nsta nt l ater b y
a n o t he r o n e.
“ O h, G o d,” M e g a n sai d, a n d f l e w u p t o h e r f eet a n d o u t o f t he r o o m.
I f o l l o w e d h er, b u t m o r e sl o w l y, as t he screa m i n g c o n t i n u e d. S he h u r r ie d d o w n
a sh o r t h a l l w a y t o a r o o m w i t h a t r i o o f lar ge car t o o n g i r l-f i g u r es I d i d n ’ t r ec o g n i ze.
T h e y h a d f r ea k i n g h u g e e yes, t h o u g h. M e g a n e m er ge d a m o m e n t l ater, ca r r y i n g
a d a r k-h a i r e d m o p p e t i n p i n k a n d w h i t e str i pe d f o o t y p a ja m as. T h e l i t t le g i r l w a s
c l i n g i n g t o h e r m o t h e r w i t h al l f o u r l i m b s a n d k e p t screa m i n g, h e r e y es sq ueeze d t i g h t
sh ut.
T h e so u n d w a s h ea rt-w r e n c h i n g. S he w a s ter r i f i e d.
I h a d t o st o p sh o r t as M e g a n i m m e d i ate l y t o o k t w o q u i c k ste ps t o w a r d m e a n d
p l u n g e d t h r o u g h t he n e x t d o o r w a y. T h i s o n e h a d a p oster o f a b a n d o f y o u n g m e n o n
i t I d i d n ’ t re c o g n i ze. O n e l o o k e d re be l l i o us a n d su l le n, o n e w a c k y a n d l i g h t h ear te d,
o n e so ber a n d sta b l e, a n d o n e h a n ds o m e l y v o g u e. A n o t h e r M o n k e es re i n ca r nat i o n,
b as i ca l l y.
I w e n t t o t he d o o r a n d sa w M e g a n, w i t h h e r c l i n g i n g m o p p e t, sit d o w n o n t he
b e d a n d start g e n t l y sha k i n g t he sh o u l de r o f a g i r l w i t h h e r m o t h e r’s h a ir, p r es u m a b l y
K a t. S he w a s screa m i n g, t o o, b u t she b r o k e o u t o f i t a m o m e n t l ater, t he i nsta nt h e r
e y es f l u t tere d o p e n.
T h e m o p p e t, p r es u m a b l y T a m a r a, st o p pe d screa m i n g, t o o, a n d at e xa ct l y t he
sa m e t i m e. T h e n t he y b o t h b u rst i n t o l ess-h y ster i ca l tears a n d c l u n g t o t he i r m o t h er.
M e g a n’s f a ce w a s a n g u is he d, b u t h e r v o i ce a n d h e r h a n ds w e r e g e n t le as she
t o u c he d t he m, sp o k e t o t he m, reassu re d t he m. I f she w a s a n e m p a t h as sensit i v e as
h e r f i l e a n d h e r rea ct i o n t o m y test su g geste d, t he n she h a d t o b e i n ter r i b le ps y c h i c
p a i n. S he p us he d e n o u g h o f i t asi de t o b e t he re f o r h e r k i ds, t h o u g h.
“ D a m m i t,” I h ea r d Y a r d l y b r eat he f r o m t he h a l l b e h i n d m e. I t w a s a t i re d o at h.
“ I n terest i n g,” I sai d. “ E x c use m e.”
I t u r ne d a n d p a ce d d o w n t he h a l l w a y t o t he y o u n g e r c h i l d’s r o o m, a n d n ea r l y
t r i p pe d o v e r a d a r k-h a i r e d c h i l d, a b o y w h o m i g h t h a v e b ee n e i g h t. H e w a s w e a r i n g
u n d e r w ea r a n d a T-sh i r t w i t h a ca rt o o n Je d i K n i g h t o n i t, w h i c h ra ise d m y o p i n i o n o f
h i s m o t h e r i m m e d i ate l y. T h e k i d’s e yes w e r e n ’t e ve n o p e n, a n d h e r a ise d h is ar m s
b l i n d l y.
I p i c k e d h i m u p, a n d car r i e d h i m w i t h m e i n t o t he l i t t le b e d r o o m.
I t w a s n’t l ar ge — n o t h i n g a b o u t M e g a n’s h o use w a s. O n e o f t he b e ds w a s p i n k
a n d f est o o ne d w i t h t he sa m e t h ree b i g-e ye d g i r ls. T h e o t he r w a s sur r o u n d e d i n t he
p l ast i c she l l o f a S tar W a rs l a n ds pee der. I p l o p p e d t he y o u n g Jed i b a c k i n t o i t, a n d h e
p r o m p t l y c u r l e d i n t o a b a l l a n d w e n t t o slee p.
 I c o v e r e d h i m u p w i t h a b l a n k e t a n d t u r ne d t o e x a m i n e t he rest o f t he r o o m.
N o t m u c h t o i t. A l o t o f t o ys, m o s t o f t he m m o r e o r l ess p u t a w a y, a n d a d r esser w h i c h
t he t w o k i ds e v i d e nt l y share d, a l i t t le ta b le a n d c ha i rs, a n d a c l oset.
A n i ce, sha d o w y c l oset.
I g r u n t e d a n d g o t o n t he f l o o r t o p eer b e neat h t he l i t t le p i n k b e d.
T h e n I sq u i n te d at t he c l oset. I f I w a s f o u r a n d l y i n g o n t he g i r l’s b e d, t he c l oset
w o u l d b e l o o m i n g r i g h t p ast t he e n ds o f m y t oes.
I c l ose d m y e yes f o r a m o m e n t a n d reac he d o u t w i t h m y w i z a r d’s senses,
f ee l i n g t he f l o w a n d e b b o f e ner g y t h r o u g h t he h o use. W i t h i n t he d e f e ns i v e w a l l o f
t he t h res h o l d, o t h e r e ner g y p u lse d a n d m o v e d — e m o t i o ns f r o m t he h o use’s
i n h a b i ta n ts, r a n d o m e ner g i es si f t i n g i n f r o m o u t d o o rs, t he us ua l.
B u t n o t i n t he c l oset. T h e r e w a s n’ t a n y t h i n g at al l i n t hat c l oset.
“ A h h a h,” I sai d.

“ T h i r d A , ” I sai d, w r i t i n g o n t he b o a r d. “ A sse m b l e.”

“ A v e n ge rs … ” sai d M c K e n z i e.
“ A sse m b l e!” c r o w e d t he y o u n g W a r d e ns i n u n is o n.
T h e y ’ re g o o d k i ds.
“ T h a t is, i n f a c t, o n e p o t e nt ia l p a r t o f t h is p h ase o f t he i n v est i g at i o n,” I sai d,
ta k i n g t he c o n v e rsat i o n b a c k i n h a n d as I n o d d e d m y a p p r o v a l. “S o m e t i m es, o n ce
y o u ’ v e f i g u r e d o u t w h a t’s g o i n g o n, y o u g o a n d r o u n d u p r e i n f o r ce m e n ts. B u t w h a t
asse m b l i n g rea l l y m e a ns, f o r o u r p u r p oses, is p u t t i n g e ve r y t h i n g t o get her. Y o u ’ v e g o t
y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n. N o w y o u n ee d t o d e c i d e w h a t t o d o w i t h i t. Y o u p l a n w h a t ste ps
y o u n ee d t o ta k e. Y o u w o r k o u t t he p oss i b le c o nse q ue n ces o f y o u r act i o ns.”
“ H e re’s w h e r e y o u use y o u r b r a i n. I f t he f o e h as a w e a k n ess, y o u f i g u r e o u t
h o w t o e x p l o i t i t. I f y o u ’ v e g o t a n a d v a n ta ge o f ter ra i n, y o u f i g u r e o u t h o w t o use i t.
I f y o u n ee d spec i a l i ze d g ea r o r e q u i p m e n t t o h e l p, h e re’s w h e r e y o u g et i t.” I starte d
a stac k o f p a pe rs ar o u n d t he r o o m. “ T h e re’s re c i pes o n t hese h a n d o u ts f o r a c o u p le o f
t he m o s t c o m m o n t h i n gs y o u ’ l l use: a n a nt i d o t e f o r R e d C o u r t v e n o m, w h i c h y o u ’ r e
f a m i l i a r w i t h, a n d a n o i n t m e n t f o r y o u r e y es t hat ’ l l l et y o u see t h r o u g h m o s t f aer ie
g l a m o u r, w h i c h y o u m a y n o t k n o w a b o u t. G e t use d t o m a k i n g t hese.”
I t o o k a d ee p b r eat h. “ T h i s is a ls o t he sta ge w h e r e so m e t i m es y o u d o so m e
m a t h.”
T h e r o o m w a s v e r y q u i et f o r a m o m e n t.
“ Y ea h,” I sai d. “ H e r e’s w h e r e y o u d e c i de w h o se l i f e t o r is k, o r w h o se is n’t
w o r t h r is k i n g. H e r e’s w h e r e y o u d e c i d e w h o y o u ca n sa ve a n d w h o is a l rea d y g o n e
p ast sa v i n g. I ’ v e b ee n d o i n g t h is so r t o f t h i n g f o r a w h i l e. S o m e o f m y sen i o rs i n t he
C o u n c i l w o u l d ca l l m e f o o l i s h, o r ar r o g a n t, a n d t he y c o u l d b e r i g h t — b u t I ’ v e n e v e r
m e t a n y o n e w h o w a s b r eat h i n g w h o I t h o u g h t w a s t o o f a r g o n e t o h e l p.”

“ Y o u ’ v e g o t a b o o g e y m a n,” I t o l d M e g a n a n h o u r later.
e ga n f r o w n e d at m e. “ A … a …?”
“ A b o o g e y m a n,” I sai d. “S o m e t i m es k n o w n as a b o g g l e o r a b o g g a r t.
I t’s a w e a k f o r m o f p h o b o p h a ge — a f eareater, m o s t l y i ns u bsta nt ia l. T h i s o n e is p r et t y
c o m m o n. F ee ds o n a c h i l d’s f ear.”
 Y a r d l y’s e ye b r o w s t r ie d t o c l i m b i n t o h is h a ir.
“ T h a t is n’t p ossi b l e,” M e g a n sai d. “ I ’ d … I ’ d sense so m e t h i n g l i k e t hat. I ’ d f ee l
i t. I ’ v e f e l t t h i n gs l i k e t hat b e f o r e. S e v e ra l g h osts. O n c e, a p o l ter ge ist.”
“ N o t t h is o n e,” I sai d. “ Y o u ’ re t o o o l d.”
S he c o c k e d a n e y e b r o w at m e. “ E x c use m e?”
“ A h e m. I m e a n, y o u ’ r e a n a d u l t.”
“ I d o n ’ t u n d e rsta n d,” she sai d.
“ O n l y k i ds ca n se nse t he m,” I sai d. “Par t o f t he i r n at u r e c o n cea ls t he m f r o m
o l d e r a w a r e nesses.”
“ T h e t h res h o l d,” M e g sai d. “ I t sh o u l d k e e p su c h t h i n gs o u t.”
“S o m e t i m es t he y r i d e i n w i t h so m e o n e i n t he f a m i l y. S o m e t i m es i f a c h i l d h as
a v i v i d e n o u g h d r ea m, i t ca n o p e n u p a w i n d o w i n t he N e v e r n e v e r t hat t he b o g g a r t
uses t o s k i p i n. T h e y ca n use m i r r o rs, so m e t i m es, t o o.”
“ N e v e r ne v e r?” Y a r d l y as ke d.
“ T h e sp i r i t w o r l d,” I c l a r i f i e d.
“ O h, w h a t b u l l s h i t, M e g — ” Y a r d l y sai d.
M e g a n st o o d u p, h e r e yes b la z i n g. “ B e n ja m i n.” T h e te ns i o n b et w e e n t he m
c ra c k l e d si l e nt l y i n t he a i r f o r se ve ra l sec o n ds.
“ C r a p,” h e snar le d, f i n a l l y, a n d sta l k e d o u t t he f r o n t d o or. H e let i t sla m b e h i n d
h i m.
M e g a n stare d at t he d o or, h e r l i ps t i g h t. T h e n she t u r ne d b a c k t o m e. “ I f w h a t
y o u sa y is t r ue, t he n h o w ca n y o u sense i t?” she as ke d.
“ I ca n’ t,” I sai d. “ T h at w a s t he g i v ea w a y. T h e rest o f y o u r h o use f ee ls n o r m a l.
T h e c l oset i n t he y o u n g e r k i ds’ r o o m is a b l a c k h o l e.”
“Jesus,” M e g a n sai d, t u r n i n g. “ Ta m a r a a n d Joe y are aslee p i n t he re.”
“ R e l a x,” I sai d. “ T h e y ’ r e sa f e f o r n o w. I t al rea d y ate t o n i g h t. I t is n’t g o i n g t o
d o i t a ga i n. A n d i t ca n’ t p h y s i ca l l y h u r t t he m. A l l i t ca n d o is scare t he m.”
“ A l l i t ca n d o?” M e g a n as ke d. “ D o y o u h a v e a n y i dea w h a t t he y ’ v e g o n e
t h r o u g h? S he sa ys she n e v e r e ve n re m e m b e rs w a k i n g u p screa m i n g, b u t K a t’s g r a des
are d o w n f r o m stra i g h t A s t o C s. S h e h as n’t sle p t a so l i d n i g h t i n si x m o n t hs. T a m a r a
h as st o p pe d ta l k i n g. S he d o es n’t sa y m o r e t ha n a d o ze n w o r ds a d a y.” H e r e y es sh o n e,
b u t she w a s t o o p r o u d t o l et m e see tears f a l l. “ D o n ’ t te l l m e t hat m y c h i l d r e n are n’t
b e i n g h u r t.”
I w i n c e d a n d h e l d u p m y h a n ds p l a cat i n g l y. “ Y o u ’ r e r i g h t. O k a y? I ’ m so r r y,
I p i c k e d t he w r o n g w o r ds.” I t o o k a d ee p b r eat h a n d e x h a le d. “ T h e p o i n t is t hat n o w
t hat w e k n o w a b o u t i t, w e ca n d o so m e t h i n g.”
“ W e?”
“ I t w i l l b e b etter i f so m e o n e i n t he f a m i l y h e l ps w i t h t he e x o r c is m, y ea h.”
“ E x o r c is m?” she as ke d. S he stare d at t he d o o r w a y Y a r d l y h a d g o n e o u t.
“S u re,” I sai d. “ I t’s y o u r h o use, n o t t he b o o g e y m a n’s. I f I sh o w y o u h o w, are
y o u w i l l i n g t o k i c k t hat t h i n g’s ass?”
“ Y es,” she sai d. H e r v o i c e w a s h a r d.
“ M i g h t b e d a n ge r o us,” I sai d. “ I ’ v e g o t y o u r b a c k, b u t t he re’s a l w a y s a r is k.
Y o u su re?”
M e g a n t u r ne d t o f a ce m e a n d h e r e y es b l a ze d.
 “ Y ea h,” I sai d. “ T h at’s w h a t I t h o u g h t.”

“ L ast A , ” I sai d, w r i t i n g. “ A c t.”

“ T h a t see m s o b v i o us,” I l y a na sai d.
“S u re,” I sai d. “ B u t i t’s w h e r e e ve r y t h i n g g ets d e c i de d. A n d i t’s al w a y s
a g a m b l e. Y o u ’ re b et t i n g t hat y o u ’ v e see n e v e r y t h i n g c lear l y, t hat y o u k n o w
e v e r y t h i n g t hat’s g o i n g o n.”
“ Y es,” I l y a n a sai d, h e r t o ne so m e w h a t e xas perate d. “ T h at is t he p u r p ose o f t he
f i rst t h ree a hs.”
“ A y s,” M c K e n z i e c o r re cte d h e r a bse nt l y. “ E h?”
I l y a na speare d h i m w i t h a n i c y g a ze. “ W h a te v er. A l r ea d y w e are d is c o v e r i n g
w h a t is h a p p e n i n g. T h a t w a s t he p o i n t o f t he m e t h o d o l o g y.”
“ A h,” I sai d, l i f t i n g a f i n g er. “ B u t d o y o u k n o w e ve r y t h i n g? A r e y o u so su re
y o u k n o w e x a ct l y w h a t’s h a p pe n i n g? E s pe c ia l l y w h e n y o u ’ re a b o u t t o p u t t he sa fet y
o f y o u rse l f o r o t he rs o n t he l i n e?”
I l y a na l o o k e d c o n f use d. “ W h y w o u l d I n o t b e su re?”
I s m i l e d f a i n t l y.

T h e n e x t e ve n i n g, t he c h i l d r e n w e n t t o b e d at n i n e. T h e y st o p pe d as k i n g f o r
d r i n k s, sear c h i n g f o r t he n e x t d a y’s c l o t h i n g, w a v i n g g l o w-i n-t he-d a r k l i g h t sa bers i n
t he air, a n d o t he r w i se act i n g l i k e c h i l d r e n b y n i n e-t h i r t y. T h e y w e r e a l l slee p i n g b y
n i n e t h i r t y-f i v e.
M e g a n, a sur l y Y a r d l y, a n d I i m m e d i ate l y g o t r ea d y t o a m b us h t he b o o g e y m a n.
W h i l e M e g a n c o l l e cte d c l i p p e d h a i rs f r o m h e r c h i l d r e ns’ h ea ds, Y a r d l y
a n d I c l eare d o f f e n o u g h car pet f o r m e t o ta k e a c o n ta i ne r o f salt a n d p o u r i t o u t i n t o
a c i r c l e o n t he ca r pet. Y o u ca n use j ust a b o u t a n y t h i n g t o m a k e a m a g i c c i r c le, b u t salt
is o f t e n t he m o s t p r a ct i ca l. I t’s a s y m b o l o f t he eart h, a n d o f p u r i t y, a n d i t d o es n’t
d r a w a nts.
Y o u o n l y use su gar t o m a k e a c i r c le o n t he ca r pet o n ce. L e t m e te l l y o u.
M e g ret u r ne d a n d I n o d d e d t o w a r d t he c i r c l e. “ I n t he re.”
S he w e n t o v e r t o t he c i r c l e, b e i n g care f u l n o t t o d ist u r b i t, a n d d r o p p e d t he
l o c ks o f h a i r f r o m h e r c h i l d r e n, b o u n d t o get he r b y l o n g stra n ds o f h e r o w n c o p p e r y
c u r ls, i n t o t he ce nter o f t he c i r c l e.
“ R i g h t,” I sai d. “ M e g, sta n d i n t he c i r c le w i t h t he m.”
S he t o o k a d ee p b r eat h a n d t he n d i d i t, t u r n i n g t o f a ce t he o p e n, d a r k e ne d
c l oset. H e r b r eat h i n g w a s sl o w, b u t n o t stea d y. S he w a s s m a r t e n o u g h t o b e scare d.
“ R e m e m b e r w h a t I sai d,” I t o l d h e r q u i et l y. “ W h e n y o u f ee l i t o n y o u, c l ose
t hat c i r c l e a n d t h i n k o f y o u r c h i l d r e n.”
S he n o d d e d t i g h t l y.
“ I ’ m r i g h t h e re,” I t o l d h er. “ I t g ets b a d, I ’ l l ste p i n. Y o u ca n d o t h is.”
“ R i g h t,” she sai d, i n a v e r y t h i n v o i ce.
I n o d d e d t o h er, t r y i n g t o l o o k ca l m a n d c o n f i d e n t. S he n ee de d t hat.
T h e n I ste p pe d b a c k o u t i n t o t he h a l l w a y. Y a r d l y ca m e w i t h m e, a n d c l ose d t he d o o r
b e h i n d h i m, l ea v i n g M e g a n a n d h e r c h i l d r e n i n t he d a r k.
“ I d o n ’ t g et i t,” h e sai d i n a l o w, q u i et v o i ce. “ H o w ’s i t su p p ose d t o h e l p t he
k i ds i f t he y ’ re aslee p?”
g a v e h i m a l o o k. “ B y d est r o y i n g t he c reat u r e t hat’s attac k i n g t he m?”
H i s l i ps t w i ste d so u r l y. “ I t’s a p r o p h y l a ct i c ef f e ct t h i n g, r i g h t?”
“P l a ce b o ef f e ct,” I si g h e d. “ A n d n o, i t is n’t.”
“ B e ca use t he re’s a r ea l m o n ster,” h e sai d.
I n o d d e d. “S u re.”
H e e ye d m e f o r a w h i l e. “ Y o u ’ re ser i o us. Y o u b e l ie v e i t.”
“ Y e p.”
Y a r d l y l o o k e d l i k e h e w a n t e d t o si d le a f e w m o r e f eet a w a y f r o m m e.
H e d i d n ’ t.
“ H o w ’s t h is su p p ose d t o w o r k?” h e as ke d.
“ T h e k i ds’ h a i r is g o i n g t o su bst it u te f o r t he m,” I sai d. “ A s f a r as t he
b o o g e y m a n is c o n ce r ne d, t he h a i rs are t he c h i l d r e n. L i k e us i n g a set o f c l o t hes y o u ’ v e
w o r n t o l ea v e a f a lse sce nt t ra i l f o r so m e t h i n g f o l l o w i n g y o u r sce nt.”
Y a r d l y f r o w n e d. “ O k a y.”
“ Y o u r siste r’s h a i r is b o u n d ar o u n d t he m,” I sai d. “ B i n d i n g h e r t o t he k i ds.
S he’s c l ose t o t he m, o b v i o us l y l o v es t he m. T h a t’s g o t a k i n d o f p o w e r i n i t.
S he’s g o i n g t o b e i n d i st i n g u is ha b l e f r o m t he c h i l d r e n, t o t he b o o g e y m a n.”
“S he’s a d e c o y?”
“S he’s a d a m n e d l a n d m i n e,” I sai d. “ B o o g e y m e n g o a f ter c h i l d r e n b e ca use
t he y ’ re w e a k. T o o w e a k t o sta n d u p t o a n a d u l t m i n d a n d w i l l. S o o n ce t h is t h i n g g ets
i n t o t he c i r c l e, she c l oses i t a n d tears i t t o sh re ds.”
“ T h e n w h y is she a f ra i d?” h e as ke d.
“ B e ca use t he b o o g e y m a n h as p o w er. I t’s g o i n g t o tear at h e r m i n d. I t ’ l l h u r t.
I f she f a l ters, i t m i g h t b e a b le t o h u r t h e r b a d.”
Y a r d l y j ust stare d at m e f o r a l o n g, si le n t m o m e n t. T h e n h e sai d, “ Y o u are n’t
a c o n m a n. Y o u b e l i e v e i t.”
“ Y ea h,” I sai d, a n d l ea ne d b a c k a ga i nst t he w a l l. I t m i g h t b e a l o n g w a i t.
“ I d o n ’ t k n o w w h a t’s scar ier,” Y a r d l y sai d. “ I f y o u ’ r e c ra z y. O r i f y o u ’ r e n o t.”
“ K i ds are sensi t i v e,” I sai d. “ T h e y ’ l l ta ke t he lea d f r o m t he i r m o m. I f m o m is
scare d a n d w o r r i e d, t he y w i l l b e, t o o. I f i t h e l ps, t h i n k o f t h is as m y w a y o f g i v i n g t he
k i ds a m a g i c f eat her.”
Y a r d l y f r o w n e d a n d t he n n o d d e d. “ L i k e D u m b o.”
“ Y e p,” I sai d. “ C o u p l e m o n t hs f r o m n o w, t hat w i l l b e t he easiest w a y
t o u n d e rsta n d i t.”
H e l et o u t a sh o r t, b i t ter b a r k o f l a u g h ter. “ Y ea h?”
“ D e f i n i t e l y.”
“ Y o u d o t h is a l o t.”
“ Y e p.”
W e w a i t e d i n si l e n ce f o r a b o u t h a l f a n h o ur. T h e n Y a r d l y sai d, “ I w o r k v i o l e n t
c r i m es.”
I t u r ne d m y h ea d t o l o o k at h i m.
“ I h e l pe d g et m y sister set u p o u t h e re i n P ec u l i a r t o g et h e r a w a y f r o m t he c i t y.
M a k e su re h e r k i ds are sa fe. Y o u k n o w?”
“ I h ear y o u.”
 “ I ’ v e see n b a d t h i n gs,” Y a r d l y sai d q u i et l y. “ I d o n ’ t … I t scares t he h e l l o u t o f
m e t o t h i n k o f m y n i e ces, m y n e p he w, b e c o m i n g a n o t he r o n e o f t he p i c t u r es i n m y
h ea d.”
I n o d d e d a n d l iste ne d.
“ I w o r k e d t h is case l ast w e e k,” Y a r d l y sai d a m o m e n t later. “ W i f e a n d k i ds g o t
b eate n a l o t. O u r h a n ds w e r e t ie d. C o u l d n ’ t p u t t h is g u y a w a y. O n e n i g h t h e g o es t o o
f a r w i t h a k n i f e. K i l l s t he w i f e, o n e o f t he k i ds. L e a v es t he o t he r o n e w i t h scars al l
o v e r h e r f a ce … ” H i s o w n f a ce t u r ne d p a le. “ A n d n o w t h is is h a p p e n i n g. T h e k i ds are
f a l l i n g a pa rt. C h i l d ser v i ces is g o i n g t o ta ke t he m a w a y i f so m e t h i n g d o es n’t c h a n g e.”
I g r u n t e d. “ I g r e w u p i n t he s yste m,” I sai d. “ O r p h a n.”
H e n o d d e d.
“S o m e t h i n g’s g o i n g t o c ha n ge,” I sai d.
H e n o d d e d a ga i n, a n d w e w e n t si le nt o n c e m o r e.
S o m e t i m e b et w ee n ele v e n t h i r t y a n d m i d n i g h t, a screa m er u p te d f r o m t he o l d e r
c h i l d’s r o o m.
Y a r d l y a n d I b o t h l o o k e d u p, b l i n k i n g.
“ K a t,” h e sai d.
“ W h a t t he h e l l,” I m u t te re d.
A f e w sec o n ds l ater, t he l i t t le g i r l starte d screa m i n g, t o o, t hat sa m e p a i n f u l l y
h i g h-p i t c he d t o ne I ’ d h ear d t he n i g h t b e f o r e.
A n d t he n M e g a n starte d screa m i n g, t o o.
“ D a m m i t!” Y a r d l y sai d. H e d r e w h is g u n a n d w a s a ste p b e h i n d m e as I p us he d
o p e n t he d o o r t o Joe y a n d T a m a r a’s r o o m.
M e g a n w a s c r o u c h e d i n t he c i r c le o f salt, s w a y i n g. T h e l i g h ts w e r e f l i c k e r i n g
o n a n d o f f. A s I ca m e i n, Joe y sat u p w i t h a w a i l, o b v i o us l y t i re d a n d f r i g h te ne d.
I c o u l d see so m e t h i n g i n t he c i r c le w i t h M e g a n, a sha d o w t hat f l e d a n i nsta n t
a f ter t he l i g h ts ca m e u p, sl o w e r t ha n t he r est. I t w a s a b o u t t he si ze o f a c h i m p a n zee
a n d i t c l u n g t o h e r sh o u l d e rs a n d w a ist w i t h i n d ist i n c t l i m b s, i ts h ea d m o v i n g as i f
r i p p i n g w i t h f a n gs at h e r f a ce.
M e g a n’s e x p r essi o n w a s t w i ste d i n p a i n a n d f ear. I d i d n ’ t b l a m e h er. H o l y c ra p,
t hat w a s t he b i g g est b o o g e y m a n I ’ d e ve r see n. T h e y us ua l l y w e r e n ’t m u c h b i g g e r
t ha n a r ac c o o n.
“ M e g!” Y a r d l y screa m e d, a n d starte d f o r w a r d.
I ca u g h t h is ar m. “ D o n ’ t b r ea k t he c i r c le!” I sh o u te d. “ G et t he k i ds o u t o f h e re!
G e t t he k i ds!”
H e o n l y h es i tate d f o r a sec o n d b e f o r e h e sei ze d T a m a r a a n d Joe y a n d h a u le d
t he m o u t o f t he r o o m, o n e u n d e r eac h ar m.
I w e n t t o t he e d ge o f t he c i r c le a n d d e bate d w h a t t o d o. D a m m i t, w h a t h a d t h is
t h i n g b ee n eat i n g? I f I b r o k e t he c i r c le, i t w o u l d b e f r ee t o esca pe — a n d i t w a s
f r ea k i n g su per c har ge d o n t he d a r k sp i r i t ua l e q u i v a le n t o f a d re na l i ne. I t w o u l d f i g h t
l i k e h e l l t o esca pe a n d c o m e b a c k t he n e x t n i g h t, b i g g e r a n d h u n g r i e r t ha n e v er.
N a st y as t he t h i n g w a s, M e g a n st i l l o u g h t t o b e a b le t o b eat i t. S he w a s
a sensi t i v e, f ee l i n g t he e m o t i o ns a n d p i e ces o f t he t h o u g h ts o f o t h e rs t ha n ks
t o a n at u r a l l y d e v e l o pe d ta le nt, so m e t h i n g t hat w o u l d m a n i f est as si m p l e i n t u i t i o n.
I t w o u l d m e a n t hat she w o u l d h a v e d e v e l o pe d a ce rta i n a m o u n t o f d e f e ns i v e a b i l i t y,
j ust t o k ee p f r o m g o i n g n u ts i n a c r o w d.
“ M e g a n!” I sai d. “ Y o u ca n b eat t h is t h i n g! T h i n k o f y o u r k i ds!”
“ T h e y ’ re h u r t i n g!” she screa m e d. “ I ca n f ee l t he m!”
“ Y o u r b r o t he r h as t he m, t he y ’ r e f i n e!” I ca l le d b a c k. “ T h at’s a l i e i t’s t r y i n g t o
p us h o n y o u! D o n ’ t l et i t t r i c k y o u!”
M e g a n g l a n ce d u p at m e, d es pe rate, a n d I sa w h e r f a ce h a r de n. S he t u r ne d h e r
f a ce b a c k i n t o t he sha d o w y assa u l t o f t he f l a i l i n g b o g g a r t a n d h e r l i ps p ee le d b a c k
f r o m h e r teet h w i t h a snar l.
“ T h e y ’ re m i n e,” she spat, t he w o r ds si z z l i n g w i t h v i t r i o l. “ M y b a b ies. A n d y o u
ca n’ t t o u c h t he m a n y m o r e!”
“ B e g o n e!” I ca l l e d t o h er. “ Te l l i t t o b e g o n e!”
“ B e g o n e!” M e g a n screa m e d. “ B e g o n e! BEGONE!”
T h e r e w a s a sur ge o f so u n d, a t h u n d e r o us n o n-e x p l os i o n, as i f al l t he ai r i n t he
r o o m h a d su d de n l y r us he d i n t o a b a l l j ust i n f r o n t o f M e g a n’s p a i n-t w i ste d f a ce. T h e n
t he re w a s a f l as h o f l i g h t, a h o l l o w-so u n d i n g screa m, a n d a sh o c k w a v e l as he d o u t,
scatter i n g t he salt o f t he c i r c l e, r att l i n g t o ys, a n d p us h i n g a ga i nst m y c hest.
I sta g ge re d b a c k a ga i nst t he w a l l a n d t u r ne d m y f a ce a w a y as a f i n e c l o u d o f salt
b l aste d o u t a n d ratt l e d a ga i nst t he w a l ls w i t h a h iss.
M e g a n f e l l t o h e r k n ees a n d starte d so b b i n g. I reac he d o u t ar o u n d m e w i t h m y
se nses, b u t f e l t n o i ne x p l i ca b l e a bse n ce i n t he a u ra o f t he h o use. T h e b o o g e y m a n w a s
g o n e.
I w e n t t o M e g a n’s si de at o n c e a n d c r o u c he d d o w n t o t o u c h h e r sh o u l der.
S he f l u n g h e rse l f a ga i nst m e, st i l l so b b i n g.
B e n Y a r d l y a p peare d i n t he d o o r w a y t o t he r o o m a f e w m o m e n ts l ater. H e h a d
Joe y i n o n e ar m, a n d T a m a r a i n t he o t her. K a t st o o d so c l ose she w a s p r a ct i ca l l y i n h is
p o c k et, h o l d i n g o n t o t he h e m o f h is ja c k et as i f h e w a s h e r o w n p e rs o na l te d d y b ear.
“ O k a y,” I sai d q u i et l y. “ I t’s o k a y. T h e t h i n g is g o n e. Y o u r m o m st o p p e d i t.”
K a t stare d at m e f o r a m o m e n t, tears i n h e r e yes, a n d t he n ra n t o M e g a n a n d
f l u n g h e rse l f a ga i nst h e r m o t h er. T h a t d r o v e Joe y a n d T a m a ra i n t o m o t i o n, a n d t he y
b o t h sq u i r m e d o u t o f Y a r d l y’s ar m s a n d ra n t o t he i r m o t h er.
“ T h a n k y o u,” M e g a n sai d. S he f r ee d o n e h a n d f r o m h e r c h i l d r e n l o n g e n o u g h
t o t o u c h m y ar m. “ W i z a r d. T h a n k y o u.”
I f e l t a l i t t le b i t si c k. B u t I g a v e h e r m y b est, m o d est s m i l e.

I f i n i s he d t he re c o u n t i n g f o r t he y o u n g W a r d e ns a n d l et t he si le n ce f a l l.
“ W h a t w a s m y m i s ta k e?” I as ke d.
N o o n e sai d a n y t h i n g.
“ I t r uste d t he p r o cess t o o m u c h,” I sai d. “ I t h o u g h t I h a d al rea d y a na l y ze d t he
w h o l e sit uat i o n. F o u n d t he p r o b l e m. I d e n t i f i e d t he so u r ce o f t he d a n g er. B u t I w a s
w r o n g. Y o u a l l k n o w w h a t I d i d. W h a t h a p pe ne d?”
N o o n e sai d a n y t h i n g.
“ T h e b o g g a r t I ’ d i d e n t i f i e d w a s n’t t he so u r ce o f t he attac ks. I t w a s j ust f ee d i n g
o n t he f ea r t he y g e ne rate d i n t he k i ds. I t h a d n ’t n ee de d t o e x pe n d a n y e ner g y at a l l t o
g e ne rate n i g h t m a r es a n d f ea r i n t he m. A l l i t h a d t o d o w a s f ee d. T h a t’s w h y i t w a s so
lar ge.
 “ T h e so u r ce o f t he attac ks w a s n’ t a n attac k at a l l,” I sai d. “ B e n Y a r d l y’s j o b h a d
e x p ose d h i m t o so m e p r ett y b a d t h i n gs — m e m o r i es a n d i m a g es t hat w o u l d n ’ t g o
a w a y. S o m e o f y o u w h o f o u g h t i n t he w a r k n o w w h a t I ’ m ta l k i n g a b o u t.”
M c K e n z i e, I l y a n a, a n d a f e w o t he rs g a v e m e so ber n o ds.
“ K a t Y a r d l y w a s t he e l dest d a u g h t er o f h e r m o t h er, a f a i r l y g i f te d se ns it i v e. S he
w a s t w e l v e y e a rs o l d.”
“ D a m n,” M c K e n z i e sai d, h is e y es w i d e n i n g i n rea l i zat i o n.
“ Y es, o f c o u rse,” I l y a n a sai d. T h e o t h e r st u de nts t u r ne d t o l o o k at h er.
“ T h e el dest d a u g h t er w a s a sensi t i v e, t o o — p e r ha ps a s k i l le d o n e. S he h a d p i c k e d u p
o n t h ose i m a g es i n h e r u n c l e’s m i n d a n d w a s h a v i n g n i g h t m a r es a b o u t t he m.”
“ W h a t a b o u t t he l i t t l e g i r l?” I as ke d.
M c K e n z i e t o o k o v er. “ K a t m u s t h a v e b ee n a p us her, t o o,” h e sai d, us i n g t he
sla n g f o r so m e o n e w h o c o u l d b r o a d cast t h o u g h ts o r e m o t i o ns t o o t he rs. “S he w a s o l d
e n o u g h t o b e a sur r o g ate m o t h e r t o t he y o u n g e r d a u g h ter. T h e y w e r e p r o b a b l y l i n k e d
so m e h o w.”
“ E x a ct l y, W a r d e n M c K e n z i e,” I sai d q u i et l y. “ A l l t he p i e ces w e r e i n f r o n t
o f m e, a n d I j ust d i d n ’ t p u t t he m t o get her. I f i g u r e d t he sit uat i o n f o r a si m p l e
b o o g e y m a n i n f estat i o n. I set u p M e g a n t o d o t he h ea v y l i f t i n g b e ca use I t h o u g h t i t
w o u l d b e re lat i v e l y sa f e a n d w o u l d w o r k o u t t he b est f o r t he f a m i l y. I w a s w r o n g.”
“ B u t i t d i d w o r k o u t,” I l y a n a sai d, so m e t h i n g te ntat i v e i n h e r v o i c e f o r t he f i rst
t i m e t hat d a y.
“ Y o u k i d d i n g?” I as ke d. “ T h at b i g b o g g a r t i n f l i c t e d m e n t a l t ra u m a o n M e g a n
t hat t o o k h e r m o s t o f a y ea r t o r ec o v e r f r o m. S h e h a d h e r o w n n i g h t m a r es
f o r a w h i l e.” I si g h e d. “ I w e n t b a c k t o h e r a n d g a v e h e r a n d h e r d a u g h te r so m e
e x e r c ises t o d o t hat w o u l d h e l p i ns u late t he m b o t h. K a t’s p r o b l e m s i m p r o v e d, a n d
e v e r y t h i n g w o r k e d o u t f i n e — b u t i t al m o st d i d n ’ t. I f Y a r d l y h a d p a n i c k e d a n d use d h is
g u n, i f so m e o n e h a d b r o k e n t he c i r c le, o r i f M e g a n Y a r d l y h a d n’ t b o u g h t m y l i e a b o u t
t he b o g g a r t p us h i n g a f a lse h o o d o n h er, i t m i g h t h a v e r i p pe d o u t h e r sa n it y a lt o g et her.
I m i g h t h a v e p u t t h ree k i ds i n t o t he f oster care s yste m.
“ A r r o g a n ce,” I sai d q u i et l y, a n d w r o t e i t o n t he b o a r d, b e neat h t he r est. “ T h at’s
t he f i f t h A . W e ca r r y i t ar o u n d w i t h us. I t’s n at u ra l. W e k n o w a l o t m o r e t ha n m o s t
p e o p l e. W e ca n d o a l o t m o r e t ha n m o s t p e o p le. T h e r e’s a n at u r a l a n d u n d e rsta n d a b le
p r i de i n t hat. B u t w h e n w e l et t hat p r i d e g et i n t he w a y, a n d ta k e t he p l a ce o f t r u l y
seei n g w h a t is ar o u n d us, t here ca n b e h o r r i b l e c o nse q ue n ces. W a t c h o u t f o r t hat f i f t h
A , c h i l d r e n. T h e Y a r d l ys t u r ne d o u t a l l r i g h t m o s t l y o u t o f p u r e l u c k. T h e y d eser v e
b etter f r o m m e. A n d f r o m y o u.
“ A l w a y s k ee p y o u r e yes o p e n. L e a r n al l t hat y o u ca n — a n d t he n t r y t o lear n
so m e m o r e.”
I t o o k a d ee p b r eat h a n d t he n n o d d e d. “ O k a y. W e ’ l l b r ea k f o r l u n c h, a n d t he n
w e ’ l l l o o k at a n o t he r case I d i d n ’ t scre w u p q u i te as b a d l y. B a c k h e r e i n a n h o ur.
D i s m i sse d.” T h e y o u n g W a r d e ns g o t u p a n d d is perse d — e x c e p t f o r M c K e n z i e a n d
I l y a n a. T h e t w o ca m e d o w n t o sta n d b es i de m e.
“ C o m m a n d er,” M c K e n z i e sai d. “ T h is g i r l, K a t. M o s t o f t he ta le nte d m o r t a ls
o n l y d e m o n st rate a si n g l e ta le nt. S he d e m o n st rate d at l east t w o.”
“ I ’ m a w a r e,” I sai d.
 “ T h is g i r l,” I l y a na sai d. “ H e r ta le nts w e r e b o r n i n t ra u m a a n d f ear. T h i s is o n e
o f t he w a r n i n g si g ns o f a p o te n t i a l w a r l o c k.”
Y e a h,” I sai d. M y ta le nts h a d starte d i n a si m i l a r f as h i o n. “ I h ea r d t hat o n ce.”
“S o … she is u n d e r sur v e i l l a n ce?” I l y a na as ke d.
“ I d r o p i n o n h e r o n ce i n a w h i l e,” I sai d.
“ T h a t p o o r k i d,” M c K e n z i e sai d. “ W h a t d o w e d o?”
I sp rea d m y h a n ds. “ I t’s a n i m p e r f e ct w o r l d, W a r d e ns. W e d o w h a t w e al w a y s
d o.” I s m i l e d at t he m l o ps i de d l y. “ W h a te v e r w e ca n.”
T h e y b o t h l o o k e d d o w n, f r o w n i n g, c o n ce r ne d — c o n ce r ne d f o r a l i t t le g i r l w h o
h a d n o i d ea o f w h a t m i g h t b e w a i t i n g f o r h er.
E x c e l l e n t.
T h e l esso n h a d n ’t b ee n w a ste d.
“ O k a y, g u y s,” I sai d. “ B u r g e r K i n g?”
T h a t p e r k e d t he m b o t h u p, t h o u g h I l y a n a, b e n i g h te d so u l t hat she w a s, d i d n ’ t
react w i t h j o y at t he u t tera n ce o f t he h o l y n a m e o f t he M o u n t O l y m p u s o f f ast f o o d.
W e l e f t t o get her.
Y o u d o w h a te v e r y o u ca n.