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    © All Rights Reserved
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    35 views235 pages

    American Gods 02 (2019)

    Uploaded by

    Fabrice Latuillerie

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 235
    mn AINSEL *Gaiman—who is best known as the creator of the respected DC Comics Sandman series—has a deft hand with the mythologies droll storyteller.” THE NEW YORK TIMES or Tee = FEATURING ARTWORK BY MARK BUCKINGHAM, GALEN SHOWMAN, AND GLENN FABRY! GAME ROR C UCR MICU ACSC rk ae “| want the months to pass quicker so | can continue ISS Ae ec Uce aa ae ocr ad SSM anu a Ree Meee unc oe) PORE Lee Ua This is a suitably epic treatment of a grand saga, with art that brings enough new life to the popular fiction OAC Me CRC geo cs a “Luckily, TV's not the only place to look for good Tee ee “A great entry-point into the expansive lore Oe ee “Bizarre, fantastical, and an adaptation long overdue, eee eC EUS a) DRC ee CR RC RUC eee PCAC a mut a) arrived in America to try to make their dreams come true.” WRN GODS MY AINSEL MY AINSEL Story and words by NEIL GAIMAN Script and layouts by | Artby P. CRAIG RUSSELL | SCOTT HAMPTON Colors by | Letters by JENNIFER T. LANGE | RICK PARKER 5 by OLENN FABRY with ADAM BROWN, by DAVIO MACK DavIO MACK iL) PUBLISHER MIKE RICHARDSON EDITOR DANIEL CHABON ASSISTANT EDITOR BRETT ISRAEL DESIGNER ETHAN KIMBERLING DIGITAL ART TECHNICIAN CHRISTIANNE GILLENARDO-GOUDREAU Hirocevos.conDaronsConics 9 TwitercomiDaressConies ‘Adveisng Soe) 605215 Ne GIMANTS AMERICAN GODs™ ®: 2018 Nel Guinan Oak Hore Book andthe Dak Hose aga ate rademarsof Da Hore Canes LC repsteedinvares caters and ‘anes Arigsresewed Noporio ath pueadon may epadieod ‘fanart, ony fro y any moun, bout exes win ‘issn of Dork Hage Cones LC None, characters, places and inet ‘sure flume, Ayton ei ne nn el erty instars, rele outst ar eens Tis volume calls isu hog ofthe Uak Hose cami book serie Amercon God By Ase. Published by Om Hore Books ‘isan of Oak Hore amie LLC {D986 SE ain Sree, Mawoute, o222 Dante com Fit ardeover ein pi 2019 IsBw oe s000.7903 Dita Sen sre 1960 55.2 woaressazy Praia Ca brary of Congress Ctlosing in Publication Data Nana: Ginan Ne, ata ssl, Pei, author usa | Hampton Set art [ange Jan, eit | Para Rk, Te: Aner ar wordy Nel Sinan sei and yous by. ‘aig Musa art by Scot Hampton; elroy Jenni Lange eters by Rick Pare Desert Fst hardcover aon | Miwau, Dark Harse Boos Aoi | Serie: American Gots Natune 2| Ths ane calle issues tough he Dar Horse comedies Ameson Gad: My 2: LN nea) ISBN eSNG ards) LEI Comic beet sis te |IEAC CONICS 8 GRAPE NOVELS ‘Mea Ti COMICS 8 GRAPHIC NOVLS/ Scene Fen | COMACS 8 [GRAPHIC NOVELS/ Hara: Casein: EC PNBT2 AaB 2420 [reco ealale athapeleenioc ou Nei Hakaron Eco Vis Presidet Tom Wed Cie Foo Ocee only Sadly Vee Pesient of Pblaing ick Meters Cit Busines Development Oe Die Laoontan Chis Irfrmann ese Ma Patingon iw Presider of akong Caratiee Vee PesientatPofueton ne Scheding ‘Mak Bomar Vie Presid Book ote an igi Sles nize Geral Course! Davey Estrada Estoril Doct, (hi Ware See Bucs Eatar ary Grain Doc of pei Projets ia ibs et Det Max Deer Diet ig Aan Pepass ‘Mohn Gonos Sari Dir storf Lie Nad Destro Custom Programs leone CHAPTER ONE _, WELCOME TO + | Bike RELIG ESrtucten WOOD ANOMISTER: STONE © 7 g, on IE | VIZDNESOAY HAC ANNOUNCED TWAT THEY WERE NOT TO TAKE FREEWAYS BECAUSE HE OIONTKNOW WHOSE SIDE THE FREEWAYS WERE ON, SO SHADOW WAS STICKING TO BACK ROADS. HEDION'T MIND. “HE WASN'T EVEN SURE WEONESTAY WAS CRAZY. [THe BEALLy cancerous reorte TM CONG WHat xm | HOW PID YOU ALL BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE CONG: CONG Because Z| GETAWAY? OR BID YOU WHATEVER THev Age DOING soleLy WANT 10.50 THAT's | ALL GET AWAY 7 | ANC ONLY ecaSe 1116 WITHOUT DIFFERENT. | QUESTION THE RIGHT THING TO 0, Z THINK THAT THEY THINK THEYRE THE WHITE HATS. "oer secon, of course FT nensceecr mie (SBS anes WEDD ALTHOLGHTWAsa close ~ THING. IF THEY'O NOT STOPPED 10 ores YOU, THEY MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THE LOT OF US. IT CONVINCED SENERAL OF THE PEOPLE SITTING ON THE FENCE THAT ZT MieHT NOT Be COMPLETELY $2 HOWOID L DONT PAY You TO You GeTOUTe ML GUERIONS, TNE “TOLO YOU BEFORE. Curis™MiAs DAY WAS SPENT ON THE ROAD, DRIVING NORTH AND EAST. THE FARMLAND Became PING FOREST. THE TOWNS SEEMED 10 COME FARTHER ANC FARTHER APART. ‘SHADOW PICKED CHEERLESSLY AT HIS DRY TURKEY’ CHRISTMAS LUNCH WHILE WEDNESDAY BECAME PostTIveLy EXPANSINE- TALKING, JOKING ANO WHENEVER SHE CAME CLOSE ENOUGH, FLIRTING WITH THE WAITRESS. W EXcuse ME, WOEAR, BUT MIGHT STROLIELE you FOR ANOTHER CUP OF YOUR DEUEHT, oT ii COB ates ANO 3 Teust 78 WONT THINK ME TOD (ARD IF 3 SAY WHAT A MIGHTY FETCHING AND. BeCOUING CRESS THAT I6. J4/, THE FIDDLE GAME VAS A FINE ANO WONDERFUL. CON. INITS PUREST FOR MIT IS: AWO-MAN GRIFT. (T TRADES ON CUPIDITY AND GREELY AS ALL GREAT GRIFTS 0% ~S et FETCHING. SOME / THINGS MAY CHANGE. PEOPLE, HOWEVER, PEOPLE STAY THE SOME GRIFTS LAST FOREVER, OTHERS ARE SWALLOWED BY TIME AND THe WORLD. My FAVORITE GRIFT OF ALL 1S NO LONGER, PRACTICAL. STILL, SOME ARE TIMELESS-- THE SPANISH PRISONER , THE PIGEON DROP, THE FIDDLE GAME... "YOU OBA, ALWAYS CHEAT AN HONEST MAN, BOT IT TAKES MORE WORK INAHOTEL, OF A FINE RESTAURANT, ANC DINING THERE. WE FINDA MAN SHABBY, BUT shagey- GENTEEL--NOTCOWN ATPHEEL BUT CERTAINLY OWN ON His LUCK. WE SHALL CALL HIM ABRAHAM. | 7” WHAT AN EMBPRRASEAENT. WHERE My WALLET? goo’ LORO-- 5 MUST HAVELEPTIT AT A FRIENDS. 2 SHALL HAVE, “Te RETRIEVE IT. Sa BUTHERE, MINE HOST TAKE (mm THis OLD EICOLE OF MINE FoR i SECURITY. (T's 210) As you cAN SE, BUT IT's HOW MAKE AY LIVING. AH...THE HOT CHOCOLATE / BROUGHT TO. ME BY AY CHRISTMAS ANcEL, TELL ME, MY DEAR, COULD TE HAVE SOME MORE CE YOUR DELICIOUS BREAD WHEN YOU GETA MOMENT 7 THE OLO VIOLIN Is PLACED AWAY IN ITS CASE, AND IPECUNIOUS ABRAHAM SETS OFF IN SEARCH OF His WALLET. BUT 4 WELL-DRESSED GENTLEMAN, LET US CALL HIM BARRINGTON, Has BEEN, OBSERVING THIS EXCHANGE, ANP NOW,” FARGON ME, GUT COULD 3) PERCHANCE, Inspect THE VIOLIN 2 "THE WELL-DRESSED MAN EXAMINES THE $0, THE VIOLIN VIOLIN REVERENTIALLY, LIKE A MAN WHO HAS BEEN FERINITTED INTO A HOLY SANCTUM, (NEES 5 aNO WORTH N | excess OF A WUNO RED THOUSANO Mt DOLLARS. TAMA DEALER INSUCH THINGS, Vaan AND Z WOULD PAY SEVENTY-FINE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR SUCH AN EXQUIZITE PIECE. THAVE A MAN ON THE WEST cose WHO WoULo BUY rt 6000 512, WHEN THE 7 OWNER OF This INESTIMABLE AND WITH THA’ INSTRUMENT SHOULO RETURN, BARRINGTON LEAVE PieaccaNe Hime my cae ror, / Le on EMUCTOSAWAY. “MINE HOST EXAMINES THE VIOLIN, CURIOSITY MINGLING WITH CUPIOITY INUIS VEINS, AND A PLAN BEGINS TO BUaaLE UP 5 GO BY, AND ABRAHAM DDE NOT RETURN. “THEN, THROUGH THE Doze, sHABBY, BUT PROUG, COMES OUR ABRAHAM OUR FIDDLE-PLAYER, WAVING A WALLET THAT HAE SEEN BETTER PAYS, AND FROM IThe TaKes THE MONEY To pay, FoR His MEAL, OF his Stay, AND HE ASKS FOR THE RETURN OF His VIOLIN. [wie Host ReTURNS We | Flooce AND ABRAWAM | Takes If LIKCAMOTHER CRADLING A CHILE SELL HIS FIODLE ? NEVER! T'VE HAO HER FOR TWENTY YEARS ANG TO TELL THE TRUTH, SHE COST Me ALL OF AVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. HEN T BOUGHT HER WHAT If 2 WeReTO OEFER YOU A THOUSAND _ DOLLARS FOR IT? WHERE WILL Lever FINO ANOTHER THAT SOUNCS SO FINE? NOT A THOUSAND DOLLARS. NoT FOR FIVE THOUSAND, MAKE MONET." TELL ME, HOW MUCH ISA VIOLIN Like THiS WORTH? FOR MY NIECE HAS A YEARNING ON HER TO PLAY THE FICCLE, AN IT'S HER BIRTHDAY COMING P _UP IN A WEEK. How can LSAYNO To aicaT His PropiTS SHRINKING, BUT MONEY TO YOu MUST SPEND Ney DOLLARS? Ethe \ Petcare, | “ESPECIALLY WHEN MINE HOST REMOVES MINE THOUSANO. FROM A WALL SAFE. YOU'RE A GOOD MAN. YOURE A SAINT? BUT You must Swear To TAKE GOO0 CARE OF AY IRL, GUT WHAT IF Ne HOST SIMPLY HANDS OVER BARRINGTON'S CARD AND TELLS ABRAHAM HE'S COME INTOSOME EcOP FORTUNE ? DUT Me cont oF A Aol bnSeRE aS RICHER, HE ANp BARRINGTON sT UF, SPLIT (HE MONEY, AND LZ PERSONALLY MADE ITA POINT OF HONOR NEVER TO FAY AMORE THAN FIVE TUL Have THE cugiemmas CAKE: 1 DIO Noger. HOWEVER, THAT IS NOT ANY FAVORITE NO, Ay FAVORITE WAS CALLED THE B/SHOP GAME. NOW, my DEAR, RecaLe Us wit YOUR BUMP TIOUS DESERTS ONTHIS, | MAS CAKE ALA MODE, AND A RED OUR LORD'S NATAL Ae MODE-- THATS WITH A SCOOP OF VANILLA ICE CREAM -- CHRISTMAS CAKE, CHRIET- ANC GREEN PUOCING. NOW, Ag GRIFTS GO, THE FIDDLE GAME GOES BACK THREE HUNDRED YEARS OR MORE. ANDIF YOU PICK YOUR CHICKEN CORRECTLY, YOU COULC STILL PLAY IT TOMORROW ANYWHERE IN AMERICA, P Z tHouHT YOU SAID OUR FAVORITE GRIFT WAS NO LONGER PRACTICAL. exeriouent ooereecice y MENT, , 3 Guareise. Burts THe ANE REE og eee EMPORIUM, r Mig, LETS Lem SAY, 1920 INCHICAGO, PERHAPS, OR NEWYORK, OR PHILADELPHIA. THERE IS A " IISA soRsEous CONFECTION OF DIAMONOS ANO PEARLS. “HE Pays FoR IT WITH A COZEN CF WE CRIEPEST HUNDRED DOLLAR ILLS, 7 wo SMUDGE OF aera MOST BILL. “THE STORE OWNER APOLOGETICALLY, BUT FIRMLY, SENOS THE STACK OF BILLS 46 THe GANK 10 8 CHECKED. T WELL UNDERSTAND, THERE IS __—< SUCH IMMORALITY AN LEWONESS. AND UNGODLy TYRES ABOUT, THAT WHAT MORE GAN ONE EXPECT "THE STORE: OWNER c0es Hs Best NoT TO PONDER, WHA BISHOP WOULD BE PURCHASING 4 OlAMOND NecKLace WITH coor CASH MONEY. "SOON ENOUGH, THE STORE CLERK RETURNS WITH THe BILLS. THE BANK SAys THAT NONE OF THEM, ARE COUNTERFEIT.” swe, BisHor Bios e HIM A. Weary FAREWELL (> ONLY To HAVE a HEAVY HAND DESCENO ON Hig SHOULDER.” wy, gonpy..ue To your ow “TRICKS, ARE, you? ay / BESSING YOUR PARDON, BUTHAS \ Thisaian gousur ANYTHING FROM you? CERTAINLY NOT TELL HIM x Have Nor. INDEED HE HAS. He BOUGHT A PEARL ANO DIAMONO NECKLACE. FROM ME-- PAID FOR IT IN CASH AS WELL. 7 wourpyou 4 \ Have THe eis AVAILABLE: [ "60 THe JEWELER Takes THe TWELVE HONCREO-COLLAR BILLS FROM THe CASH REGISTER | | 222 HERES your AND WHERES LaKesioe YOUR HAPey HOME IN THE THERES A DRIVER'S: LICENCE ANO A MASTER- Shep INTHE Nae oF MIKE AINSEL \N THERE. “ALSO, TWENTY NeweIeTy- DOLLAR BILLS. THINK OF ITAS A CHRISTMAS BONUS HADOW FOUND IT HARO TO BELIEVE HOW At “1 RURCREaNe LABeone RG Rear [yes zara NI 7, Cees ms xs stain, REMI CURS Aconese lve cee JUNIOR PARTNER, DECEWNE ME, IS THE BUS. HEY, WEONESOAY, ALAS, BOTH OF THE SCAMS YOU | THOSE DAYS: WERE TELLING ME AGOUT-- ARE PONE. MEI dStMNCNS Ae ae THE BisHoR AND THE aCe L/_ THey'RE BOTH TWO-MaN, { scams. 010 you USEDTCHAVEA PARTNER 7 | YOUR ADDRESS 1S ON THE KEY. IF ANYONE ASKS, ZAM YOUR UNCLE, WITH THE UNLIKELY NAME OF EMERSON, BORSON, Z'LL COME FOR YOU WITHIN THE WEEK. We SHALL BE TRAVELING TOGETHER. IN THE MEANTIME, KEEP YOUR HEAPCOWN, AND. STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. TLL TAKE GOOD, Pectevoun Seon ne ianios ARE COLD. LARESIDE. ‘SHADOW EXPERIENCED A DizzyiIne Moment OF COUBLE VISION: HE SAW THE GRIZZLED MAN FACING HIM, BUT HE SAW SOMETHING ELSE: 20 MANY WINTERS HUNDREDS OF WINTERS ANO A GRAY WANCERER: STARING IN THROUGH WINDOWS AT THE FIRELIGHT, AT A JOY ANC A BURNING LIFE THAT WOLILP NEVER BE HIS. a Allis WELL, AND ALL 13 WELL, (AND ALL. SHALL BE ATA AN teal aire PORE Lex aig Wala eho eer ead THIS SHADOW KNEW IN His OREAM. Ir was. THE FRE: SPEAKING. LAND WAS BEE PERM i EPIUS OF Tye oC EA DEAE CEMA PUN FROM. i eyes led BEA Be pia, WAS SHAT BY A RAVEN ITS Tye GOOY SPA ALLEN FATHER, WHOSE BONES ARE WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME ‘This STUFF? 1 WAS AN OKAY PHYSICAL TRAINER, A LOUSY ERCOK, AND MAYBE NOT SO 000 A HUSEANC... How po MOUNTAINS, byosE EYES ARE LAKES. SHE WANTS, 70 Be ALIVE AGAIN. T S810 TOHELPHER, EM Ita AN Theo PN Roce Peat lod so To Oat] Mousa ita ON oR Noa His EFFORTS Became WEAKER. HE KNEW. THAT EVEN THOUGH His BODY WAS RIDING IN A HOT EUS THROUGH COLD WOd0S, IF HE STOPPED: BREATHING Here, HE WOULD STOP BREATHING THERE AS WELL, THAT EVEN NOW, His BREATH WAS COMING IN SHALLOW), PANTING GASPS, WE STRUGELED AND HE PUSHED, EVER MORE WEAKLY, HE WAS TRAPPED: COULDGONO FURTHER, AND COULD NOT “WOW BARGAIN," SAID A VOICE INBIS MIN. TT MIGHT HAVE: BEEN His OWN VOICE, HE COULONOT TELL. RETURN THE WAY HE WHAT 00 Z. Have To BaRGaAN WNIT? & HAVE NOTHING WORLD UNCER THE ZARTH, s a WAS HOLOING 175 BREAT; Just SHACOW, BUT THE WHOLE THE RESPONSE Was IMMEDIATE, SHADOW ROILE ANO WRITES BENEATH THE ZARTH. HE WAS BEING PUSHED TOWARO THe SURFACE. " The PRESSURE OF THE xn EARTH EXPELLING HIM, PUSHING HIM CLOSER TO THE LIGHT. We WONDERED, cANMED, faeries BACK INTHE WAKING WORLD, HEWaS ALSO SCREAMING. ANO AS THE FINAL SPASHA ENDED, SHACOW WAS ON A TWILIGHT AND ‘THE GROUND, HIS FINGERS Ti THE STARS CLUTCHING THE RED EARTH, | GRATEFUL ONLY THAT tH PAIN WAS OVER AND Hi COULD BREATH ONCE MORE, DEEP LUNGFULS HE HAD BVER (OF WARM SUMMER AIR. fag IMAGINED. WEY MLL pe, phi te Ai saath syed 6 See. Shalem aa BRWG KNOWLEDEE, GUT NONE oF THEM Wibk BE GoDs- ALBLAGT OF AIR/ CHOCKING INITS COLONESS, TOUCHED His FACE. aN . 7 PINEWOOD. YOULIVES, =D a __ = st HEY YOURE Heck. THAT's A GOOD one] ( Betting oeein TWINK SOMETIMES Tat \. LAKESIOE, \F I WERE TO PACK ITALL “RIGHT? IN, LO MOVE TO LAKESIDE. Slee PRETTIEST TOWN VE | EVER SEEN: / ei have aN -)) AGEL FOR ME, i rou nears) | TeLL Me, was TTALKING IN mysieee? DO Y icyou were, £ DIONTHEAR THE TWo Girt ONE OF THEM KNEW A LOTABOUT | THE OTHER THOUGHT SHE KNEW A WERE FRIENDS aNo | ANIALS HeLrED Out At some Geeat OEAL HOUT HUMAN SER MUCH OLOER | RIND CH ANIMAL SHELTER. UALITY, AND SHADOW ListeNeD SpaN OURTEEN, WITHA HORRIFIED FASCINATION. SHADOW DecCe EAVEEOROPPING VY Govnhe is > - matey weHoUT MEANING To. Fike, SUCH A f pao fica sevizee OnLy My ab , ANDTORAL Sx ¢ WOULD AY WAN ALTONOS, DJ Stacow starteo To Tune THEM our, J) BLANKEO OUT EVERYTHING ExcePr THE kA NOISE OF THE RAP, AND NOW ONLY. FRAGMENTS OF CONIERSATION WOULD “COME BACK NOWANZ AGAIN. LAKEBIDES THE DOORS CLUNKED OPEN AND SHADOW FOLLOWED THE GIRLS OUT (NTO THE FLOOOLIT PARKING LOT OF A VIDEO STORE AND TANNING SALON GREZHOUND ‘STATION. THEAIR WAS OREAOFULLY COLO, BUTIT WAS A FRESH COLO, IT WOKE HI MUP. MERRY YOULOOK LiKe CHRISTHAS. SEMEBOOY, ARE YOU ESmeCORvS PROTHER, cdReinas OR SOMETHING: FOU, 100. YOU ARESUCH A $74z, ALISON. BVenyeouy's SOMEBODY'S BROTHER OR SOMETHING. STORE AIN'T OPEN cHRisTuNas. BUT I COME COWN TO MEET THE BUS. COULON'T LIVE WITH MYSELF IF SOME POOR SOUL' FOLINC HIAASELF STRANDED ON CHRISTMAS PAY. ‘YOu cou eve me THe NUMER FR The tecat TAXI. L COULD, BUT TONLE BE INHIS BED THIS TIME OF NIGHT. WHERE IT YOU'RE AIMING 70607 502 NORTHRIDGE YOUNG MAN? seeds “ a BUT IT'S NO FUN WHEN IT's THIS COL, ANO WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW. WHERE YOU'RE GOING, IT ALWAYS SEEMS LONGER, EVER NOTICE THAT? Wear awe neck, 1's cHRietnas. 2 RUN YOUOVER: INTESSIE. WENDT WENT UNDER IN 31, HARVEY WENDT, WHO FOUNDED THe COMPANY, WAS A Local Goy, WENT CUT TO CALIFORNIA KILLED HIMZELE I ? OH. 4 1.42, TOMORROW SHE GOES INTO THE GARAGE WHERE SHE'LL. ‘STAY UNTIL SPRING. TRUTH IS, T SHOULON'T BE ORIVING YOU WANT TO 60 STRAIGHT RIDES Jus HER RIGHT NOW. HOME, OR WOULD YOU Like THE MOONLIGHT GRAND TOUR OF FINE. I'S TH THE TOWN? SALT THEY PUT| ON THE ROADS. Rusts OUT THESE OLD BEAUTIES. 1's NO TROUBLE, ANO WHERE ARE ANY MANNERS 7 XY NAME 15 RICHIE HINZELMANN.."ROUNO HERE, FOLKS JUST CALL ME HINZEL MANN. TC SHAKE HANOs, guT T NEED BOTH TO ORIVE Tessie. MIKE AINSEL, PLEASED TO MEET YOU, HINZEL MANN MAIN STREET WAS A PRETTY STREET, EVEN AT NIGHT. AND IT LOOKED OLD-FASHIONED IN THE BEST SENSE OF THE WORD--ASIE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS, PEOPLE HAP BEEN CARING FOR IT. WE HAVE TWO RESTAURANTS. THERESA GERMAN ONE, ANO THAT: ONE THERE HAS A BIT OF EVERYTHING, pos CCPCICR EVES PLATE. THERE'S OUR BOOKSTORE. WHAT I SAY Is, ATTOWN ISN'T A TOWN WITHOUT A BOOKSTORE, IT MAY CALL ITSELF A TOWN, BUT UNLESS IT'S GOT A BOOKSTORE, IT KNOWS IT's NOT. FOOLIN’ A SOUL. ANO THERE'S OUR LIBRARY: NT ITA CREA TAIRIAM SHULIZ WANTS TO] THE TOWN CIRCLED THE LAKE. THEY DROVE AROUND THE SOUTH SIDE. fesse mee ee [rascomuch SLUMP geet Nea nay canons MODERNIZE, BUT IT’S ON | | Tile RecisteR or uisroric | |. PLACES, ANOTHERE'S NOT ADAMS THING SHECAN DO. AAR. AINSEL ICE FISHING, NOTTHE FISH YOU CATCH, IT'S THE PEACE OF MINO THAT YOU TAKE HOME AT THE END OF THE VAX. Tu, REMEMBER THOT. CAN YOU WALK ON THE (CE ALREADY ? YOU CAN ORIVE ON IT TOO. THINGS FREEZE HARDER ANC FASTER UP HERE INNORTHERN WISCONSIN. “T WAS OUT HUNTING ONCE, AND THIS WAS, OH, YEARS BACK, ANOS sHOT ATA BUCK, MisseO HIM ANCSENT, HIAA RUNNING OFF THROUGH THE Woops. FINEST BUCK Z EVER DIO SCE, TWENTY POINT, BIG AS ASMALL HORSE, THIRTY OR FORTY NO UE.” “THERE WAS A CLEAN SNOW ON THE GROUND AND 5 COULD SETHE BUCK'S HOOFPRINTS. NOW, L'Ah YOUNGER ANO FIESTIER BACK THEN, SO THERE TAM, A DAMN FOOL; RUNNING AFTER HIM. THAT VERY MOMENT, THE: SUN GOES BEHIND A CLOUD AND THE FREEZE COMES-- TEMPERATURE MUST HAVE FALLEN “THIRTY DEGREES IN TEN MINUTES, NOTA) WorO OF ALE, “AND -THAT OLO STAG, HE: 7 p oT WALK OVE O HU) GETS REAOY TO RUN AND Me NerEt Faery T.MOVE SLOWLY: BUT THERE'S No WAY Z CAN BRING MYSELF TO SHOOT A DEFENSELESS CREATURE. “soz — [P\WerL THE NOISE ANO THE sock Is ENOUGH TO FIRES MAKE THAT BUCK JUST ABOUT JUMP OUT OF HIS OFF ONE || SKIN) ANO.SEEIN THATHIS LEGS ARE ICEO IN, SHELL THAT'S JUST WHAT He DOES. He CHARGES Gack STRAIGHT INTO THE WOODS, PINK ASA NEWEORN MOUSE, I] nnd THe ANDO SHIVERING, TO BOOT.” " Z FELT BAO ENOLIGH FoR THAT OLD BUCK THAT ETALKEO 70 THE LAKESIDE LADIES KNITTING CIRCLE AND THEY KNITTED HUM AN ALL- OVER ONE -PIECE WOOLEN SUIT, SO HE WOULON'T FREEZE TO DEATH. ANO IF YOU THINK THERE'S A WORD OF A LIE IN THAT, T CAN PROVE (Io You. Lve Got THE ANTLERS ON MY REC ROOM WALL 0 THis DAY SHADOW LAUGHED, ANO THE OLD MAN SMILED THE SATISFIED SMALE OPA MASTER CRAFTSMAN. THERE YOUGO, MIKE. ' \CoURSE, THE JOKE WAS ON US, Because THEY KNITTEO HIM A SUIT OF BRIGHT ORANGE, 5° NO HUNTER EVER SHOT AT IT. HUNTERS IN THESE PARTS WEAR ORANGE AT HUNTING SEASON. Bm CHAPTER TWO WANK YOU FORTHE RIDE, MR, HINZELAAANN, CAN I GIVE YOU ANYTHING Toware cas? JUST HINZELMANN. WO YOUDONTOWE ME PENNY. BUT, TELL YOU WHAT, soMeTIME IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, DLL Come BY ANZ SELL TOU SOME TICKETS. FOR OUR RAFFLE. icant, CHARITY, cuRistn Ag, HINZELMANN, MERRY cuRistnas FROM MG AND FROM TESBIE, THE ROCIA WAS FREEZING. IT SMELLED OF PECPLE WHO HAD SONE AWAY To LIVE OTHER LIVES. L ANO THEN HE an Sta er SHE WAS IN EAGLE rowNT, SUSIE HER MOTHER'S Gig HOUSE. ste stoor. (NHE cou, Which she DIP NOT FEEL ANYHORE. SHE WAS STARING IN, WATCHING HER MOTHER ANC ALL HER FAMILY, HOME FoR CHRISTMAS. OUT INTHE DARKNESS, THAT ‘WAS WHERE LAURA WA Sy. Ora gust A THOUGHT, He Was WaTcHINe FROM A Ameoue' CORNER INTHE MOTEL 6. He FELT LIKE A PEEPING TOM. HE cou \e LM GONG 10. ~ GE ANYWHERE, IT AGHT \ as Welt Be HERE. min one Ce YOU MINO IE THeRe's No NEO To TaKe MZ We Ask YOU A Fe A SAMANTHA WE eStONS mana THAT ATTITUGE, MA'AM. ‘BLack. " eROW? MY NAME Is TOWN. MY TELL ME THEIRNAMES.ZWANT][T/ .. OKAY. THEIR COLLEAGUE HERE 15 isTER TO KNOW WHat THEY WERE / NAMES WERE Mister ROAD. WERE INVESTIGATING | CALED YouR associates. || { STONE ANU MISTER “The DISAPPEARANCE OF TWO TELL Me THEIR NAYES AND WOOP. NOW, CAN WE OF Our AssOciATes. MAYBE ZL HELP YOU. ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS # WHAT ARS THEIR NAMES 2, | 0 YOU GUS JUST SEE THINGS ANC. : Pick NAMES 2 ‘OH, You BE ASTER WHOA. SiRA\GHT SIDEWALK. HE'S MISTER CARPET. FIRST QUESTION ‘ON ANO PROFILE, BAY HELLO 10 MISTER AIRPLANE! We NEzD TO KNOW IF WitH NUMBERS YOUNE SEEN THs MAN. ONHE BOTTOM, HERE. YOU CAN HOLD He's cute, THouGh, THE PHOTOGRAPH. WHAT O1p He co# He WAS THE KE CAME CLOSE 70 DRIVER INA KILLING THEM WITH His GARE Mae a WN HANDS. GT SIXYEARS, BANK ROBBERY. His Two ‘SERVED THREE. GUYS LIKE COUEACUES OECIDE? THAT... LOCK THEM UP TOKEEPALLTHELooT = AND XHROW AWAY FOR THEMSELVES AND THE Key. RAN OUT ON HIM wwe AS USE, Fre cay, metee cose. SAM, HERE --FAROON, MAA VE Never HeARo ANYONE SAY THAT IN REAL ut You AREN'T MY FRIENCS. You NOBEC if LMEAN, MZ BLACK CROW “Tre WANTS TO HELP US, SHES A LAW: ABIDING CITIZEN, LIFE, YOU KNOW? NOT" ‘out Lour. ‘Say WHAT, iz ROW? _| | CAN CALL ME MZ BLACK CROW. LOOT. MAYBE IN Movies THEY SAY IT. NOT FOR REAL. THis owt A MOVIE, Aii2 CROW, /_ BLACK CROW. 1's ANZ BLACK CROW. (AY ERIENOS CA A eorit, SAM, NOW Aectin THis MAAN, WE KNOW YOU HeLREe sHa00W.yOU Were SEEN WITH HIMIN A WHITE HONDA civic. Dip HE SA ANYTHING “Wat COULO HELP US IN OUR INVESTIGATION? TWO OF OUR BEST MEN HAVE VaNisHe = GEE, IM SORRY, THERIISE YOU'LL HAVE NOVI IS THERE ANY- THING ELSE? COS THK Je'RE NOT STUPIO. IT I 0" kt IO INTRODUCE Me To UR GOING close THE REALLY 16 TO OUR FRIENTS, MISTER THUMB SCREWS AND MISTER ADVANTAGE To rE WITH S. PENTOTHAL 2 DOOR ANC YOU TWO ARE GOING TO eT I0A'AM YOU INTO MISTER AR AREN'T ANAKING AND DRIVE AWAY. THIS ANY EASIER ON YOURSELE cooPERATE us. Pada STANO HUMAN SPEECH NO ee Seid Gay BETTER THAN HE UNOERSTOO? HE BiG PEOPLE eae fas ie ole ina aa cnn ae a lg roid FAR AWAY, ee aA 3 ered Eran ogi PY faa He igs aod HINA tore oe) ee th Peed nad HOT DROPS OF rena WA tid ZeoNNe Wases. beacon ea yepee A emer S Pio ered Lair ete feat aeg arts SHE PUT HUA DOWN ON THE aOR, 2 Seana HE REMEMBERED amc end AC ew aw wd Dac SAW THE FACES INTHE FIRELIGHT, ALL OF THEM. Gabe HIM AS HE WAS LED HUT. RAISED IN CABINS: HAC NEVER SEEN FAC j HING Was SO NEW. ee MHOT A CHEER WENT UP FROM THE 1 AND IN FREEDOM. (CROWD ANO THE CHILO FROM THE DARKNESS BEGAN TO LAUGH WITH THEM, IN DELIGHT... SHACOW OPENED His EVES REMEMBERING HIS PROMISE TO HIMSELF TO BLY A WARM WINTER COAT, HE STEPPED OUT ONTO THE WOODEN DECK. ANC REALIZED THAT HE WAS HUNGRY AND coLe. THE COLD TOOK His BREATH AWAY. HE TRIED 10 Remember His DREAM, BUT REMe NOTHING BUT AUSERY AND DARKNESS, HE PUT ON HIS SHOES. IT COULD NOT BE MUCH ABOVE ZERO, NO IT WouL> NoT BEA PLEASANT WALK TO THE TOWN center, BUT SHADOW was A Big. MAN, HE WOULD WALK BRISKLY ANO KEEP HIM= SELF WARM. HE ET OFF HEADING oR THE BRIDGE. See SS aTSTEB AS oe Y COLO Al TOI rep His BARS ANC FACE ANO LIPS HURT, eae ee AND “THEN His FEET. HE HAD exrecter. — _/awere's THis was A —— NoRcoO INTHE ( mistane. AN THEN war “avait WHAT? Uo a CAL sPaNC 18he:) ATAXI 2 ° A DER. PHONE? “WE WIND Was NOW HARD ANO STEADY ANC, CONTINUOUS, BLOWING OVER THE LAKE. COMING GOWN FROMTHE ARCTIC ACROSS CANADA. HE KEPT REVISING His Estimate OF We TEMPER- ATURE DOWN— WaRe As HE WALKED, HE LOOKED DOWN AT Ais BLACK. LeaTHeR: shoes, AT THe THIN COTTON S0cKS,ANO BEGAN, SeRiCUsLy, TOWORRY AgouT, FRosTerte. THIS WAS BEYONZA JOKE, BEYOND FOOLISNE Ss, OVER THE LINE INTO THE TERRITOR 'Y OF GENUINE, ey” CHRIST! t PR FucKen ue Py etme. A BEATLES SONG STARTED IN His HEAD, ANO HE ADJUSTED His PACE TO MATCH IT. (T WAS ONLY WHEN HZ GOTO THE CHORUS THAT HE REALIZED HE WAS HUMMING. - FO Oy EVERYTHING OKAY HERE? SHADOW'S FIRST AUTOMATIC _ — INSTINCT hi HE WAS THAT FAR (NTO THE SENTENCE IN HIS HEAD WHEN ema HE REALIZED ALL THAT HAP COME OUT WAS.. EVERYTHING'S FINE AND DANDY, ae Ee ece FREEZING.) iuaiale re | SHADOW TRIED YOU KNOW, THAT WAS: IF NOT To THINK YOU'LL FARDON Me SAYING ABOUT THE LAST $0, A REAL STUPID THING TOO0. You SETIN SME HE'o BEEN (TS ANINUS THIRTY OUT THERE, HERE THIS GOO ALONE KNOWS WHAT THE MOMENT ANT WIND CHILL IS. MINUS sixty, WARMA YOURSELF MINUS SEVENTY. Up oKay? Boe S250509 ROC SOS oO THANKS FoR | WOMAN IN RHINELANOER WENT CUT. STOPPING, | THIS MORNING 10 FILL HER BIRO FEEDER VERY, VERY | INHER ROBE AND SLIPPERS ANO SHE FROZE. GRATEFUL, | LITERALLY PROZE TO The SIDEWALK, SHES! IN INTENSIVE CARE NOW. IT WAS ON THE RADIO THis MORNING. IT Was ALMOST A QUESTION. eS nS ° OR 5 BASLE oo) CAME IN ON THE GREYHOUND. LAST NIGHT. FIGURED TODAY T'7 uy MYSELF SOME WARM CLOTHES, FOOD, AND A CAR. WASN'T EXPECTING THIS COLD. AN You UST DROP ME OFF INTHE TOWN CENTER? WOULDN'T Hear OFIT TU TAKE YOU WHEREVER You Neer 70.G0.,, CONG ASYCU DON'T NEED (ig TODRNE Acer AWAY CAR FOR YOUR BANK ROBBERY. Yeu. PF 21 OOK ME BY TAN THE CHIEF OF \SugrRise “Po.ce Heme IN | "As WELL. LAKESIDE. HL MIKE. so WHERE: WouLD you Like Me TO TAKE you Finest? weu, THEN MABEL. | you eaten BREAKFAST yer? MABEL's WAS FRAGRANT WITH THE: SMELLS OF NEW-BaKEo BREAD, OF PASTRY, ANC sour ano BACON. HELLO, CHAR YOULL WANTA Hot chocoLaTe WHILE You'Re THINKING. WHAT'LL IT THAT'S 6000, LIVE NOTYET THIS BE, FAL? DANGEROUSLY, HON. 5 MIKE ANSEL HoT CHOCOLATE. ARE YOU GOING TO FAKESIOE LAST He MOVED TO. ANO 2) Happy INTRODUCE ME, CHAD? Niger. oO Have THE 1S THIS YOUNG MAN A WHIPPED CREAM, NEW OFFICER Z ON TOR etl aoiginenturatwonunccenom | Bleetunass | Lieve voles, HINZELMANN WAS BY THis MORNING — | G77, L MAKE IT. TUL Tey ONE FOR HiS MORNING FASTY, HE TOLD ME ‘BUT THe FASTIES | AE Meodyeu Waar tovcoe a te | ARE ercut at BREAKFAST AENUS 220 - WARN MY SPECIALTY, FIRST Pasty 2 . uepeR Hey 60 Bee Hac i's | MEAT.- POTATOES: PENINSULA OF, STRAIGHT TO REAL GOOD. A CARROTS-- ONIONS... 1 MICHIGAN. 2, THe BELLY, T CORNISH MEN WHOCAME YOOPIE. WARN You. OVER 10 WORK THE IRON MINES BROUGHT THEM OVER. oxey, (7 aisht. t MADE some, 50, T FIGURE WE STOP OFF NEXT AT so you CALLS. THe GUNTHERS' | GREAT OGAL.Z_ | HENKING'S HOME AND FARM Ger YOU SOYOTAARUNNER FoR | UseoTHe PHONE | A REAL WINTER WARDROBE, SWING BY SALE.UGLY SONOFA- | INTHE MEN'S DAVE'S FINEST F000 FOR SUPPLIES THEN BITCH. PROBABLY PAY | ROOM, LEFTA | T'L. DROP YOUUP BY LaKesiDe REALTY. Vou tO tane trour | MESSAGE FOR | IF YOU CAN PUTA THOUSAND UP FRONT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY, | A4i657 GUNTHER FoR THE car THEY'LL BE rn AT LAKESIOE ALT. Ye ee THis Is VERY ITS A 6000 TOWN. — 000 oF you, But Not MucHTROUELE. | [ “BIGGEST POLICE case WEVE SHOULONT YOUBE “Wey CALL Me OUT WiteN | | RAD HERE IN ENE YEARS WAS: UT CATCHING SOMBONE'S LOCKED IMEN DAN SCHWARTZ GOT RUMINALS? NOT THEIR KEYS IN THER | | DRUNK, SHOT UP HIS OWN HELANG NEW AR. TRAILER ANO WENT ONTHE: comers? — RUN IN HIS WHEELCHAIR HEAD- NG FOR THE INTERSTATE. “EZ STILL. , BOLZANO AAR. NEWMAN. TRUTH EXCITING NEWSPAPER IN TOTELL, NoBODYGNES ITA “He WoRLE SECOND WoUgHT. tHerRe L———~ IN KEY WESTFORTHE NOW, MEXT DOOR ae WINTER, 0 YOU, AR AINSEL, THAT'S MARGUERITE CLSEN ANDO HER LITTLE Boy. 4 SWEET Lady, BUT SHE'S HAD AHA RD LIFE. WORKS FOR THE LAKESIOE NEWS. TRUTH TO TELL, T THINK, | OH, GUT t Wis you coun see | TWAN'S PROBABLY THE Way) | THe TOWN WHEN THE LiLacs, oR | OST FOLKS HIKE IT, = THE CHERRY BLossoMs ARE CUT. a THERE'S Horan Like IT FoR mR BEAUTY. —| Ales. oon seve Te THE ENVELOPE FROM ST OF IT WAS. Missy GUNTHER FE ith sli THINK contain a Ebuponts ror 5 Ma ke ‘ “PASSPORT: BLUE THERE, Laniwatec ea Mes SERED: Fags rena TON Seer muelwnarmer ce | Sumemas Faecice AN OLD MAN, BUT 1/4 NOT GOING pon Arew sHINce VERY KINO OF YOU. TT CONT START UNTIL THE Cay THE KING, NOTHING. 2M GOING TO WELL, WHY Slick TT 100 Next Week FOR THe DONT YourUT | CLUNKER HITS THE ICE. COLD OUT TheRE, RAFFLE. LAST YEAR We RalseD ME DOWN FOR, | MUSTHAVE DROPPED FIFTY OEGREES SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FOR THE ATickeT NOW? LAST NIGHT, CHILOREN'S HOSPITAL. We HAPPENED REALLY FAST. sevseeceriee “THIS BACK IN THE Youn pray FOR FREEZES Tike THis? “60 my GRaMeaW, HE GoTo THINKING, AND, WHEN A REALLY COLD Day COME ALONG HE'D TAKE MY GRAMMAW, AND THE KIDS, AND THE HIRED MAMAN, ANC He'0'60 DOWN Wit Hem 10. THE CREEK, GINE "EMA LITTLE RUM- ANO- HERBS DRINK, RECIPE FROM THE OLO COUNTRY... WELL, Maw, IT Was THE ONLY WAY SETTLERS SURVIVED BACK THEN, WEREN'T ENOUGH F000 FOR NERYONE IN THE OLD CAVE, NO SUR. ERE? POUR CREEK ee eecucee “Wey? FREEZE IN SECONDS, "eee, ae Bue aN FILLEO WITH AND HEIO STACK TH WN THERE, LIKE S SMHS COME ¥, Keer The on ID THE NEXT SNOwr, \WoULO cover IT UP come! eTeLy, = | save FoR THE FLAG Heo PLANTED TO SHOW HIM WHERE THE TRENCH WAS.” “THEN MY GRAMPAW WWouLo | [ " ANO WHEN HE saw THAT ™ Nogooy MINOED excerT NEVER HAVE To WoRRy, SPRING WAS COMING HE'D THE HIRED MAN, WHO LOST ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF DIG THEM OUT AND SET HALE AN EAR TOA FAMILY FOOD oR FUEL. THEM BY THE FIRE TO THAW. OF MICE ONETIME ANY. salah GRAMPAW DION'T PUSH Hose TWo-BY- FOURS ALL THE WAY Closer, ” OF COURSE, INTHOSE DAYS We HAD REAL NINTERS. THEse Pussy WINTERS WE GeT NOWADAYS, IT DON'T HARDLY GET COLD ENOUGH. I see you BoUisHT YouRSsELE A UEE-HICLE. ON ENOUGH HELL 62 BACK HERE. Ie THERE WeRe “TRUTH TO TELL, T NEVER LIKED TZ ANY JUSTICE IN THE WORLD He'o “WAT GUNTHER BOY. T HAD a Have Gone OFF A TROUT STREAM DOWN IN THE Wooes, Z MACE LiTTLe POOLS AND PLACES WHERE THe TROUT LIKED TO re we MM... NEU, \T AIN'T UNIQUE TO 435 AWINTER LAKESIDE-- WE'RE A GOOD TOWN, RUNAWAY, GUT WE'RE NOT PERFECT. SOME LIVE, AND THAT LITTLE SO- ANO-SO THREATENED TO REPORT ME TO WINTERS MAYBE A KID GETS A BIT STIR-CRAZY, HEN IT GETS THE DNR ‘50 COLD... Z BLAME THE ELEVISION-- SHOWING ALL THE KIDS THINGS: “WEY LL NEVER HAVE, DALLAS AND OYNASTY ANS BEVERLY HiLLS AND HAWAD FIVE-O, BLOF TWAT NONESENSE, BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD (ig POVERTY. LOSGING’S DEAD. MINING'S DEAC. ONLY A HANOFUL OF LAKESsiDe SEEMS PROSPEROUS, THOUGH HUNTERS ORVE THs FAR NORTH AND “HEY AREN'T SPENOING THEIR MONEY INTHE TOWNS. WE WERE SO POOR THAT We AND BELIEVE ME, IT TAKES ALOT OR MRD WORK. BUT ALL THe WORK ALL THe PeorLe PUT INTO IT 1S WORTHWHILE, NoT THAT MY FAMILY WEREN'T POOR AS KIDS, ASK ME HOW. POOR We WAS AS KIDS. YOU Ger 100 goRED UP HERE, YOUTUST COME DOWN To We Store. TUL SHOW YOU MY COLLECTION OF HANO- TIED FISHING Files. COULON'T AFFORD A FIRE. come NEW YEAR'S EVE, My FATHER WOULD suck ON A PEPPERMINT ANO WE'D STRETCH ‘OUT OUR WANDS, GASKINGIN “THe GLOW. WOW Poor WERE YOU AS KOs? HIBERNATING. BORE you so MH THAT. GETING Back HERE Witt Be A RELIEF Bib PO. THAT. How's Tessiet you. TAKE CARE, MISTER INSEL. THE APARTMENT GREW EVER COLOER. SHADOW'S BREATH WAS CLOUDING IN THE AIR. hos rr = = = = rr = a = = o How, 70 YOU DO, — r MAA. ZA MBIAM, ITS } mRe ane FReZeNS IN ty } nee. aeaaintencn eee A 2 Cirtue near comine NEIGHBOR. £2 &; urire OF THE GRATE, BUT ITS NOT WARMING THE PLACE UR NOT AT COME IN THEN. |F YOU PON'T THERE'LL BE'NO HEAT INHERE, ETHER. OKAY, THIS 1S WHAT YOU 09. FIRST YOU SEAL THE WINDOWS, YOU CAN BUY THE STUFF DOWN AT HENNING'S. IT'S JUST LIKE SA@AN WRAP BUT FOR INCOWS. THEN YOU BUY A SPACE HEATER CR TWO. THE BUILDING'S FURNACE CANT COPE WITH THE REAL COLD, magcueee Y- BOOp TS MEET. ] iY EX-HUSBAND "wesy GuNtHeR Tes \ _ MABSUERTE oPCE mone | WAPad'cKoe J elbeieSay Beene, JBoss idsanror | AS tues Game BONY SCE WIN We NOE? SME TEEN | CEL Cir 1 Soa papa wil BLONOER THAN YOU. GUNPOINT. \ MISSY GUNTHER AROUND. mae OLA NATURE COLUMN, AND THe | HIMSELF... vik ‘SOMEONE. Banu cola MT, cosas COLUMN, YOU KNOW, HO: ANyway, WENT To DINNER WITH “THAT'S HOW YOU swank you. 4iset zm WHEN ITS WARK Mike ArRAIo YOu ANoYOUR. ANSEL, Twas Tie ONE wUST Never Come OVER. Vee WHAT SORT OF KEEN gon coor VW wameisansers| “Sy MEETING OL, Nonwesian | amily. MISTER, 2M Mayee 2 a HISTORY, BY THE Te THAT MWR, WEONESDAY ARRIVED, SHADOW HAD PUT CLEAR PLASTIC SHEETING ACROSS THE WINDOWS ANC HAD TWO SPACE HEATERS RUNNING. IT WAS PRACTICALLY COZY. WHAT THE HELL IS. WEE Le wearuseenze SEs OF SHIT YOURE OF SHIT. WHERE IS IT, By tHe Way ¢ Mean nor PRIVING F ? os poe Bucy, rae 5 qeaveo tn. | be WwoRco, vob baer BeGo| Earerae. | YOU'RE LIVING HERE BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST PLACE THEY'LL LOOK FOR YOU. F CAN KEEP YOU OUT OF SIGHT May BABELE ABOUT MICRO- MILLISECONDS AND VIRTUAL WoRLOS AND. ) Because THEY, Tv uene PARADIGM SHIFTS ANO WHAT WAVE You, BUT THEY ARE: ~ ey THE BY 8 2c STILL BOUND By THe a Mae we 1dlee ON tie Roex / on'cororecunce, IT A LITTLE OIFFICULT, Bir wets gone. THIN THEDEL WOOP Cor NE See. — THESE ARE THE DEAC NOT ENTIRELY esexeuees JER Vakic ods ate Feat es eo ets SE ae onan) ba YOUAND E ABOUT. ARE GOING TO USE OUR TIME MEAS elt. RALLY OUR TROOPS ANO PICK OUR esrcsseSthic MAD SWEENEY SAID THAT He WAS WORKING FoR YOU WHEN We MET HIM THAT FIRST NIGHT. HE SAIO THAT BEFORE HE IER, He KNEW THAT WEONE SAY was TELLING HIM THE TRUTH, OR A PART OFTHE TRUTH. THE WAR HAD ALREADY i BEGUN. pal ANO WOULD T HAVE WE'RE FLYING IN Keer eubtoy Y r Heke TENIGNTONA Serrigeoce SOMEONE WHO COULD CHARTER PLANE FOR LYING 7 NOTEVEN BESTA SAD HIGH ROLLERS. Z'VE z CASEUKETHATINA | HAVE CONVINCED THEM WE NOT INTHE BARAIGHT? | YOU EVER ‘SHOULD Be ONT. SLIGHTEST. BEEN TO LAS VEGASZ, Wo ARE We GOING-TO SEEN LAS VeSAS? SHADOW PACKED SOME CLOTHES, AND THEN. .. Bee WES «TO CASHIER... IWAN GAIN TeRRUPTE? STREAM OF Green AN SILER, "10 THE MANAGEMENT, J Aa elal ae Ng a nea “THERE ARE THE cuARDS' IND THEN THERE IS. STARS Or STH CAMERAS THEY CAN WHO WATCH ANO WHO ANRC THER PERSO SEE, AND THE INSECTILE CAMERAS I I Beind Wentey Aub WHO: HEY CANNOT 566 ARE THE THREE ERE Tr AWAY. MEN WHO COUNT THE MONEY. Q HIS CHARCOAL GREY SUIT 15 IMMACULATE AND His FACE NONE OF THE OTHER MEN OR IF THey Have Notice? AND DEMEANOR ARE, IN. HAS EVEN OBSERVED THAT With, THEY Have FORGOTTEN EVERY SENSE, FORGETTABLE, He ie THERE. HIM ON THE INSTANT. AS TIHE SHIFT ENDS, THE DOORS | ARE CPENEC, AND tHe MAN IN THE MONEY 13 WHEELED INTO AN INTERIOR LOADING BAY SHE CHARCOAL suit FOLLOWS WHERE IT IS LOADED INTO ARMORED caRS, THE GUARDS WITH THE StRONG- BOXES OF MONEY THROUGH eg “ a AS THE RAMP GOOR SWINGS OPEN, THE MAN INTHE CHARCOAL SUIT SALNTERS: =. OUT ONTO: UNNOTICED UP THE RAMA. 1 LAS VEGAS HAS BECOME A CHILD'S PICTURE BOOK DREAMOF A CITY-- HERE A STORYBCOK CASTLE, THERE A BLACK PYRAMID BEAMING WHITE LIGHT INTO THE CARKNESS, As ALANOING BEAM FOR EOS, ANC EVERYWHERE, NECN ORACLES PREDICT HAPPINESS AND LLICK, SLOWLY THE MANIN THE CHARCOAL gUIT AMBLES COMFORTABLY Lone THe SIDEWALK, FEELING THE FLOW oF Money THROUGH THE TOWN, IN HIS IMIND, THE MOVEMENT OF MONEY FORMS A FING. LATTICEWNORK, A THREE- DIMENSIONAL CAT'S CRADLE OF LIGHT AND MOTION, IT’ FOUR IN THE MORNING ANC HE FINOS HIMSELF DRAWN TOA HOTEL AND CASINO THAT HAS: BEEN OUTOF STYLE FOR THIRTY YEARS, NOBODY RECOGNIZES HIM, BUT THE LoseyeaRistacky [LAH] || THe MAN sear AND QUIET AND SOMEONE'S ABOLIT 10 CROP SEVERAL AND Is IGNOREO BY A i MILLION COLLARS IN A POKER GAME UPSTAIRS, WAITRE: 254, PY we A BIG MANIN A LIGHT GREY SUIT sits AT THE MAN IN THE CHARCOAL SUITS TABLE: YOU'RE LOKING A TREAT TONIGHT, 4 0gaR A FINE SIGHT FORT POOR Ovo EY 78 GEORGE DEVOL , WHO WAS, LIKE CANADA BILL, NOT AVERSE 10 FLEGCING Sue OUP SUCKER, OREWSILL ASE, ASKED HIM IF Ke COULON'T See THAT “HE GAME WAS CROOKED, ANT THE MAN INTHE CHARCOAL SUIT SAVE SOMETHING IN REPL. LOOK, TM SORRY ABOUT WHAT WENT COWN'IN WISCONSIN, BUT AND WHAT CAN ZGET ROR YOUGENTLEMEN vay BLL AND A LAPHROAIG AND WATER FOR My ‘COMPANION. YOU KNOW, THE FINEST LINE OF POETRY IN THE HisTORY OF THis WHOLE JAMN COUNTRY WAS SAI ay CANADA BILL JONES \N 1853 IN BATON ROUGE, WHILE HE WAS BEING eoadeD BLING IN A CROOKED CARD GAME: OT YOU ALL OUT SAFELY, ION'T £2 NO ONE WAS HURT. THE MANIN THe DARK SUITSAVORS THE BODY IN- THE-BOS QUALITY oF Te WHisky, HE ASKS A QUESTION, ZL DON'T ANOM, 7 EVERYONE'S GOT A HARO- ON [ PORTHEKIO T HIRED TO RUN ERRANDS -- "Z'Ve GOT HIM, OUTSIOE, WAITING INTHE. TAX, ARS YOU STULL IN Z THE MAN IN THE PARK SUIT REPLIES, SONETHING ELSE IS SAIC. THE MAN NOUS RELUCTANTLY ANO WAKES & COMMENT. SHE'S NOT BEEN SEEN LOOK, youse THERE FoR TWO HUNDRED YEARS, IF SHE'S NOT Oban, SHE'S TAKEN HERSELE OUT OF THE PICTURE. LVE GOT THe REAL ‘STUFF. -~r UREN ES no HER UE SEES OVA Hibkeb ana retonae oF course T AM. WHAT 00 YOU ExeecT BUT LOOK AT IT THIS WA’ THE man AND THEN | exrans | seeNe ue it HURT INHER FRIENO. Byes, ANZ Hees wowrrae — || TAKING Pity ie Sue's COMING. He exAmwNes aoe) BACK AND || THE GOLDEN BT Thus she || THreans Sanoar Syore || eouowe @.00am.sHeU. PAIC FOR FOLLOWe: See Her Tule, || THe MoNex eon WHO WILL, Have gust WON $40,000 ANG LE NEED SOMEONE TO HELP HIM SEND It BeroRe He GETS Back ON THE PLANE. | THe WoRos EVAPORATE IN HER MIND, BUT Leave HER P YOUDOINS OKaY 2 (5 YOUR FRIEND COMING BACKE AND ITOCCURS TO HER “THAT WHENSHe GETS OFF Her culeT, sHe's GOINS TO DRING OVER. TO TREASURE ISLAN | | ROARRON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: $0, WHO Was THAT GUY YOU WERE SEEING? THE CONCOURSE WAS LINED WITH SLOT MACHINES. SHADOW WONDERED F THERE ERE PEOPLE WHO GOT OFF THEIR PLANES ANC, TRAPPED By THE ePINNING IMAGES AND FLASHING LIGHTS Stayer UNTIL THEY FED THEIR LAST QUARTER TO THE MACHINE, AND THEN WOLLO TURN AROUNC ANOGET ON THE PLANE BACK KONE, Gy Gy GS GN AND THAT'S WHO WE WERE FOLLOWING WHE TAXI. SHADOW REALIZEC HE HAD ZONED OUT SUST. =" 3S WECNESDAY HAD BEEN TELLING HIM ABOUT ITS THE MAN IN THE ARK SUIT. DRINK. Sek panies } | MEA BOTTLE OF SOMA THOUGH. | ( \ IT'S LIKE BZES AND HONEY. eacH BEE MAKES ONLY A TINY CROP OF HONEY. IT TAKES THOUSANDS. MULLIQNS, TO MAKE A SINSLE ‘MY KINO OF PEOPLE, We FEED ON Beier, ON 1S OC NSNES. i PRAYERS, ON LOVE. IT TAKES A | _ Eide tere eccieve rut | sow macine “SHE tmieeren te ausrANUs, “THAT YOU COULD THAT'S WHAT WE NEED | \“extnctane /Nsiene crete. Bittoney® / SS" = Wi Dbar SOMEWHERE OVER NEBRASKA LAURA, SHE OOESNT WANT TO BECEAD. SHE TOLO ME. ATER SHE Got ME AWAY FROM THE GUYS ONTHE TRAIN. ALIVE. NOT ONE OF THE WALKING. OEAD. 16 IT POSSIBLE? ’ NINE NIGHTS T HUNG ON THE Bare TREE, MY Sie PIERCED WITH a sPzaR’s POINT, L SWAYE? AND BLEW IN THE COLO WINDS: ANDTHE HOT WINDS, A SACRiFice OF (MYSELF, TO MYSELE AND THE WORLOS (OPENED To ME. WS THeEse are THe cHaRMs x Learner. | WEDNESDay | THEN, STARING AHEAD OF SAID NOTHING HIM AS HE SPOKE. FoR ANG | ft kwowa Yo chara thar caNuieT He \ oRige ron tue HEART CE THE REV x y > “TE KNOW A CHARM THAT CAN HEAL WITH A TOUCH, “TZ KNOW A CHARM THAT CAN TAKE WARRIORS THROUGH THE TUMULT UNSCATHEO ANG UNHURT. Ea Rel aan Cin redo Oana Par PoP SENET Son ee CNTs Neos en a An een na an on ta “ Z.CAN MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE My OREAMS. esse ANO THAT CHARM Z CAN TELL TO NO MAN, FOR A SECRET THAT NO ONE sidan te se TANT MaKe HER LIVE AGAIN. E GON'T BVEN KNOW WHY SHE ISN'T 06a0 AS ‘se OUGHT TO BE. LTHINK Z O10 IT, IT WAS My FauLT. Mav sweeNey oave Me A GOLEN CON WHEN HE SHOWED METHAT TRICK. GUT IT WAS THE WRONG COIN, SOMETHING MORE POWERFUL THAN WHAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS GIVING Me THAT COULD 90 IT. AND No, Lean HEL? you. WHAT YOU DOIN YOUR. OWN TIME(S YOUR OWN AFFAIR, OF COURSE. “Zpasseo TTONTO LAURA, IT MEANS THAT T CAN'T STEP SOU FROM HUNTING LE STONES OF wi THONDERBIROS. eerie New But I wouLe NEED AL HANDS INEINTTELY PREFER THAT «TO THE WHEEL. YOU SPEND YOUR Days QUIETLY IN LAKESIDE, OUT OF SIGHT, AND Z HOPE, OUT OF MM HE LOCKED OL? AND FRAGILE AS HE SAID THis, AND sHapOW WANTED 70 PUT His HANO OVER WEDNESDAY'S GRAY HAND To TELL, HIM EVERYTHING WOULD BE CkAY, BUT THERE WERE MENIN BLACK FRAINS OUT THERE, AND A FAT KIO INA STRETCH LIMO. LATER, He WONDERED IF THAT GesTURe COULD WAVE AVERTED ANY OF THE HARM SHAT WAS 70 come. HE KNEW IT COULON'T, GUT STILL, AFTERWARD, He WISHED THAT JUST FOR A MOMENT ON THAT SLOWELIGHT Home, He HAP TOUCHED WEONESCAY's HANT. YOu caN THE MW | eree winter Aus WAS ALREADY FADING WHEN weonescay | DROPPED SHADOW SuTsI0e His APARTMENT. To KEEP out oF SIGHTHERE, F ULED IN A BIG FAVOR TO YOUR SCENT IN MINUTES $0 DONT GET INTO ANY FOR THREE OAYs THE THERMOMETER, NEVER MADE IT PAST THE ZERO MARK SHADOW WONDERED HOW PEOPLE HAZ SURVIVED IN THE Days BEFORE eLec- TRICITY ANO THERMAL MASKS. SOMETIMES THEY DIDN'T, ANO THEY D1E0, LEAKY CHMNEYs ANC BADLY VENTILATED stoves RILLEO As many PEOPLE "AS THE COLD, But those TAs Wee Hage, At iW BLocKBUStER susiness MM comine well Be You. “ OUTOF gusiNess. WANT. ANIDEQ ui bs 10 KezP YoU sare KeRe. INA city, THEY'O GET WEONESOAY GUNNED THe LINCOWN'S ENGINE ANG DROVE OFF INTO THE RIGID NIGHT, “THE WORST OF ALL WAS THE MADNEcs. HAS To 00 WITH THE SUNLIGHT, HOW THERE IGN'T ENOUGH OF (TIN WINTER, FOLK JUST WENT STIR-CRAZ™. *LaKesiog HAC TOWNS AROUND HERE HAD IT HARD. TWENTY MILES SOUTH OF HERE, WNaieway, Tey FOUND A WOMAN WALKING MOTHER-NAKED WITH A DEAP BABE ATHER BREAST, ANP SHE'D NOT. SUFFER THEM 70 Take IT FROM HER.” KLUNKE} IE DIDNT TELL HINZELMANN TIGKET: (AT HE'C UNPLUSGED THE FELEVISION EVER SINCE IT HAD STARTED TALKING TO Hi, MANY 29, You WANT SHE'LL GO (QUT ON THE ice TODAY. ONE Ticket BUNS YOU Five MINUTES (FIT GOES COWNINYOUR FIVE MINUTES, YOU WIN A THOUSAND COLLARS. you want 70 = THIRTY MINUTES ON THE MORNING OF MARCH THE AWENTY- THIRD FROM 3:00 3m. To 9:30a.m, “THE KLUNKER'S AN OLD car WITH ITS ENGINE ANO FUEL TANK REMOVED. We PARK TT OUT ON THE ICE IN THE WINTER, IN THE SPRING, THE ICE MELTS AND THE CAR FAs: INTO THE LAKE. BEGINNING OF APRIL (5 THE MOST COMMON TIME -- NORMALLY IN AIO ‘AFTERNOON, ” IT'S ATHANK-YOU FOR THAT RIDE You GAVE me ANY FIRST NIGHTIN TOWN, WAS AS GAsy A SELL As YOU ARE. NO, MIKE. (T'S FOR “THe CHILOREN. THE KLUNKER Goes OUT ON THE LAKE THIS AFTERNOON. CT COTTE cin Sail ql HINZELMANN, HAVE: THERE WAS A THUNDERBIRD YOU EVER HEARD OF PRAWING GALLERY, BUT THAT PAGLE STONES? ‘CLOSED COWN. 2M NOT HELPING, AM Z 2 [a cant say t — EX ARE SHOULCHAYE “TELL YOU WHAT, THOUGHT oF THE WHY DON'T CUO. LIBRARY MYSELF. LOOK AT THE LIBRARY. O00 PEOPLE THERE ANO THERE'S A BOOK, SALE ON THis WEEK." ‘SHACOW HAD KNOWN A MAN IN PRISON WHO WAG BEEN UPRISONED FOR STEALING LIBRARY BOOKS, WALE A MILLION L WANTED THEM. ANO | { The MAN Wap DIED IN PRIGONAND NOW COLLARS WORTH THEY NEVER FOUND. | SHADOW FOUNC HIMSELE THINKING OF ALL OF BOOKS. THE GARAGE IN SAN THOSE RARE AND BEAUTIFUL Books EKER EGA te HTING AWAY IN THE CARKNESS. Jésus. way || REweer coco sure || ROTTING AWAY INTHE DIP YOU TAKE THEM 2 NATIVE AMERICAN BELIEFS AND TRADINONS WAS ONA SINGLE SHELF IWONE CASTLE - LIKE TuReeT. HE LEARNED THAT THUNDERBIRDS WERE MAYTHICAL GIGANTIC. BIRDS WHO LIVEC ONMOUNTAINTOPS , WHO BROUGHT THE LIGHTNING AND FLAPPED THEIR WINGS To MAKE THE: HUNDER. INU OE. \vo Ww | AY Ne re | Justautte SD sorey, just PRESTIDIGITATION, = TRYING 10 ENTER- MA’aM TAIN HM. PLease \ PONT. 17s A BeauTirll BULOING, BUT THE cITy NEEDS SOMETHING MORE EFFICIENT AND LESS seallteut.""* you gous x0 “ HE LIGRARY SALE Ss Wem“ cownstaike? ree uma, » irs A Lovely vigRARy. cage 7 wasnt PLANNING ONT. WELL, You SwOL/eD. I1'5 FOR A GOoe cause. BEES OT oneir ees INTHE GHLORENS section, leans Our Shevr space. BUT THE SOONER WE GET A ‘WHOLE NEW LIBRARY He BETTER. FP @UT MOM, IT WASN'T PRESSED (GITATION. IT | WASN'T. Z SAW IT VANISH \ (ORG Tent peu our OF tis WOSE. = \ oor AFTERNOON, YOU'RE THE FIRST PERSON SHADOW FOUND A cOPYOF HERODOTUS'S IN THAT CORNER aut Day. F/STORIES, REMINDING HiM GE WE copy EVERYTHING ON THE TABLES WE LEFT IN PRISON, A BOCK CALLED. (6 FIETY CENTS A BOOK, OF PERPLEXING PARLOUR ILLUS/ONS, ANC YOU CAN TAKE THREE FOR FINALLY, THE 800K Least LIKELY 1062 A DOLLAR. We NEED THE BousHT By ANYONE ELSE... SHELF SPACE. = C4 : “3 FROM THE LIBRARY STEPS SHACOW HAD A CLEAR VIEW OF THE LAKE. THERE WERE MEN ON THE ICE NEAR THE BRIDSE, PUSHING A CARK GREEN CAR INTO THE CENTER OF THE LAKE. MARCH THE TWENTY THIRD. 9:00 A.M. TO IDERED IF THE LAKE OR THE KLUNKER COULD HEAR HIM\-- AND IF THE: ATTEN ‘TO HiM, EVEN IF THEY couLet eriiacaedca ieee THe WIND BLEW BITTER AGAINST Hig FACE. iy \ISA Quacow's Heart secAN 70 POUND WHEN He SAW THE POLICE CAR WAITING OUTSIDE His APARTMENT, Wilt OFFICER CHAD MULLIGAN IN THE NOTA DAMN THING PAL. THOUGHT 3'p eToP By Ano SEE HOW YOU WERE SETTLING iN, HOW'S THE GUNTHER PURPLEMOBILE COINS? 1's 6000, RUNNING FINE ‘ALONG FORA SPELL, AND FLL TELL YOU ALL ‘AGOUT IT? SOMETHING PARTICULAR S CAN (0 FoR You, CHIEF? Z SAW My NEXT WHAT CRAWLED UP coo NElaugoR HER BUTT AND DIED? IN THe LIBRARY, F MIZ OLSEN. you WANT. WAS WONDERING... TOPUT IT LIKE DARREN OLSEN MET MARGE AT UW STEVENS POINT ANC HE BROUGHT HER BACK NORTH To LAKESIOE. SHE Was A JOURNALISM MATOR. KE WAS STUOYING, SHIT, HOTEL MARA CE MENT, SOMETHING IKE WAT. “Tuey Hag xo go WHEN THey MG SANDY WAS. GOT HERE, AWS LittLe ONE--£et oRoFPED, WAS Just A BABE IN ARMS. Sule WAS 60 BeaUTIEUL “OARREN O1SEN COULON'T FIND THE | IRAGE TO TELL. MARGIE THAT HE! LOST HIS 308. SO HE'O DRE OFF EARLY wa 'E0 10 STOP IN CANDEN INTHE MORNING, COME HOME Lae IN AND EVENTUALLY THe | “WE BVENING." “ COULON'T SAY FOR CERTAIN. GUESS He StaRTee OUTASA JOB HUNTER, PRETTY SOON HE WAS ORINKING THE ME AWAY HE EMPTIET OUT THEIR JOINT ACCOUNT A {af IN ABOUT TEN WEEKS. IT WAS ONLYA MATTER OF UME TILL MARGIE FISURED (T OUT.” “vicious custooy BaTTLe. ] “sHegot THE Kins. DARREN oot VISITATION RIGHTS AND PRECIOUS LintLe aise.” "80, MARGIE KICKS HUA OUT, (SUES FOR ONORCE. \ THey LOST THE House. Ste MOVED (NTO THE APART = "$0, LAgT YEAR HE CAME OUT, 6a10 HE (MENTS, PARREN LEFT TOWN, MOST OF, IED 10 TAKE THE 8075 76 FLORIOA Came Back EVERY Faw us STARTED FOR CHRISTMAS, VISIT THEIR GRANO- MONTHS TO MAKE EVERY- WISHING HE'D PARENTS. MARGIE TOL HIM TO SET BODY MISERABLE. Never come Lost, IT GOT PRETTY UNPLEASANT. AT BACK at ALL ONE POINT, ZHAO To GO OVER “His WENTOK THERE. FOR A Few years. HE'D COMEBACK, SPENT MONEY ON THE Kies, LEAVE MARGIE IN TEARS: “ pomestic DISPUTE. ih “NEXT Day, He Lert TOWN. ” “By te Ime x GOT THERE, “Z-7OLD DARREN He WAS a DARREN WAS STANDING (N THE SHAPING UP FOR A NIGHTIN : FRONT YARO SHOUTING STUFF, THE CELLS. THOUGHT FOR A | THe Bovs WERE BARELY MOMENT He WAS GONG 10 | Booms ct tosetuer. Wit Me, BUT He Was soBeR | MARGIE WAS CRYING. ENOUGH Not 10 90 THAT. ry Wed , SOION'T GETON THE SCHOOL BUS, TOLD His BEST FRIEND THAT HE'D BE “two weeks SCEING His CAD SOON, THAT DARREN WaAe BRINGING AN 6sPeclALLY LATER, Vanishen. COOL GIFT FOR HAVING MI6SE CHRISTMAS IN FLORIZA. ena } "NOBOOY'S SEEN “NON-CUSTODIAL “IT'S TOUGH To FIND HUM €INCE. K(DNAPPINGs ARE ARID WHO coeeNT | “THE HARDEST. Be eccrine FOUND, SHADOW DIP See. He saw SOMETHING ELSE As WELL. cHar MULLIGAN Was IN LOVE with MARGUERITE OLSEN Him. Ser z wonder 1 HE KNOWS HOW oBvious ITs? MULLIGAN PULLED OUT, LIGHTS FLASHING, AND PULLE? OVER SOME TEENAGERS DOING SIXT. HE DIDN'T TICKET THEM. THAT EVENING SHADOW HE SIGHED, DROPPED THE CONS SAT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE INHis POCKET, AN? FLIPPED TRYING To AGURE CUT TRICK | | |OPEN THE MUNOTES OF THE HE HAD FOUNDIN PERRLEXING || | LAKESIDE COUNCIL 1872-1864 Ge i ae File INSTRUCTIONS WERE INFURIATING, UNHELPFUL ANO Vague. THE TYPE WASSO SMALL as TOBE ALMOST | [ HE SECRETARY OF UNeeaoasle. He Looker atte councit || TWe 1662 ccty PHOTOGRAPHS THERSIN, suRPRisce THaT || COUNCIL WAS A SO MANY LOOKED PECULIARLY FAMILIAR, || PATRICK MULLIGAN. SHAVE HIM AND WECBEA pear ZL DON'T SEE HINZEL MANN'S: PIONEER GRANO FATHER INTHE PHOTOGRAPHS. MAYBE HE WASN'T CITY COLINICIL MATERIAL. DION 5 see A REFERENCE TOA HINZELIMANN, INTHE TEXT? ‘BUT THAT REFERENCE ELUDE? HIM WHEN HE LEAFED BACK FOR IT, AND THE TINY TYPE MADE His Eves ACHE. HE REALIZED HIS HEAD WAS NODDING. BE FOOLISH To FALL ASLEEP ON THE COUCH. Beorcou sust A FEW FeeT AWAY. gut tHe ger = TueRe IN NE Was (eRe IN FNE MINUTES: ea . DUST REST His eves. ‘DARKNESS ROARED: HE STOOD ON ANOPEN. PLAIN. BESIDE HU WAS THE PLACE FROM WHICH HE HAP ONCE EMERGET, FROM WHICH, THe EARTH HADSQUEEZED Him, STARS WERE STILL FALLING FROM THE Sky. Ack stag “HAT ToucHED HE REC EARTH BECAME A MANOR A WOMAN, AND THE MEN Ha0 LNG BLACK Hal ANO Kick ‘CHEEKBONES. THE WOMEN ALL LooKer LiKe MARGUERTE ‘OLSEN BY) THESE Were THE SAK AEOME. THEY LOOKED AT HIM WITH OARK, PROUD Eves. TEL ME agouT tHe THuNOsRaIRDS, PLEASE. IT'S NOT FORME. iTS FOR MY WIFE: ONE BY ONG THEY TURNED THEIR BACKS ON Tim AND They WERE GONE, ONE WITH THE LANDSCAPE: BUT THE LAST OF THEM, | Berore sie TUNE? | away, Pointed INToTHE | Wwwe- COLORED Sky. SUMMER LIGHTNU FLICKERES MOMeENTARU ILLUMINATING THE LaNoScareE | FROM HORIZON TO HORIZON. pepe | i's zoe, wor Petr Ere OWe enw Gey BONE. pas tea el or SANDSTONE, Ano Eady Cooney emntt Bi IAL ee | WERE CALLING. RAIN ATTERED WIS PACE. aaa ae aN eae eR yeaa PON aap aa tas Prenat las aat HE was HUNDREDS OF FEET ABOVE THE ROUND, ERKEAL, THE BIRDS CIRCLED THE SIRE. Sram eaadtea alley Ne ed Cwamn cans eI Ales CNet achtet Hey MUST Be TWENTY Feet ROM WINGTIF’ TOWING We 4 THEN ONE HUGE BIRD PON gate Nt FOWARO HUN ANO HE ‘ONE HAND-SiZE7 tec TALON SANK INTO Pyar er orci Hig ARM ANC HE Gaines our ReAacieo out Ano} Ie | mer Tocease A NE FEATHER FROM (Ts WING. IF WE RETURNED TO Hie eur THe: TRIE WitHouTA BIRD PULLED THuNpeReiR FEATHER UP sO THAT HE WOULD Be DgeRAcER. He couLo HE WOULD NEVER Be A Not GRASP MAN. EVEN One FEATHER I Suaow CoNTINUE? Tociims, PULLING HIMSELE Up Bone | | correo BNE |exusier | civer THEM PAINFLILY. uestooe atuasr | ON THE TOP OF THE Spine, tHe aecat BIRDS ciRcLING tim SLowLy. HE Heaao Avoice, SWE NOIce OF THE | BuireaLo Man, | Zatine to Him | ON He wine, | TeLlino Him | WHO THE SKULLS BELONGED TO. THE TOWER BEGAN To TUMBLE, Tae Biggest BIRD PLUMMETED DOWN TOWARO HIM. Esra 1 \ “AND Stavow WAS Fane, | \ \ \tunetne | | = DOWN ee) THe WHAT 00 YOU THINK ISTHE | FUCKING POINT OF STASHING YO! WA HIDING PLACE LIKE LAKESIDE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO RAISE SUCH A RUCKUS THAT NOT EVEN ADEAD | MAN COULD MISS IT? WHAT THE ALMIGHTY | SERNESORF PLING FUCK SO You THINK YOURE PLAYING ATE was Z KNOW. EVERYBODY KNOWS, CHRIST ALMIGHTY. WHAT'S THE POINT OF HIDING YOU IF YOURE GOING To FUCKING ADVERTISE. nea a aan ea aee| I CNECE CEA UAL AGI MAEM ETS Bisa eens" OUTEIDE, THE WIND HOWLED AND WAILEP 6 6 17 100 Was 5 POR A LOST cH INO HE SLEPT NO MORE THAT NIGHT, SAN FRANCISCO (1S HARD IN JANUARY. 10 Betieve eats 1s THe AETERNCON INTHE same: ANG UNSEASCNAGLY COUNTY AS WARM, SHADOW, Wie HAD NOT BEEN HER Since We was A Boy, was ASTONISHED AT How FAMiLiaR (TWAS, HOW VERY MUGH IT DION'T Feel Uke aurnnere else. WEDNESDAYS ANGER SEEMED TOWAVE DISSIPATED, OR PERHAPS TO HAVE GEN INVESTED FOR THE FUTURE. 2 NCE To THE LADY WE ARE VISITING: IT'S NOT SAN FRANCISCO ISN'T IN THE SAME COUNTRY AS LAKESIOE ANY MORE THAN NEW. ORLEANS (5 INTHE same: AS NEWYORK. LET ME PUT IT BLUNTLY, YOu MUST BE VERY CAUTIOUS AROUNO THE LADY We ARE VISITING. SHE MIGHT TAKE A FANCY To YOU, ANG THAT WOULD BE Bar, Is sHe Your GIRLFRIEND OF, SOMETHING ? COUNTRY, NOT Fog ALL HE LITTLE Plastic TOYS IN CHINA. | How THe HEL, ELSE SHOULE FoR ] iN ANYWAY, YOURE A LIAR, He's BLUSHING! NeWORLEANS WAS Sic A MISTAKE -- T PUT ON, WHAT Tue Tors oF:

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