,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #e 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] ,FIVE 

,9 ,JANU>Y1 ! ALMOND TREES BLOOM$4 ,9 ,M>*1 ! PE>S1 PEA*ES & APPLE-TREES W]E COV]$ ) BLOSSOMS4 ,! NEXT MON?1 ! /REAMS GRADUALLY SWELL$1 !N RETURN$ TO A NORMAL FL[4 ,E>LY 9 ,MAY1 ! HAY WAS CUT1 & ! OATS & B>LEY AT ! MON?'S 5D4 ,ALREADY ! APRICOTS W]E RIP5+4 ,9 ,JUNE1 ! E>LY PE>S APPE>$ ) ! MAJOR CROPS4 ,! /REAMS BEGAN TO DRY UP1 & ! HEAT GREW MORE 9T5SE4 ,BUT ! E>?'S BLOOD1 %R9K+ H]E ON ! COA/1 MADE ! COTTON BLOOM F>!R 9L& & SWEET5$ ! FIR/ GRAPES4 ,A GREAT HOT W9D >OSE1 P>*+ ! L& & SPREAD+ BRU%FIRES EV]Y:]E4 ,& !N1 SUDD5LY1 ! YE> *ANG$ DIRECTION3 HURRI$LY1 ! GRAPE-H>VE/S W]E BR\<T TO AN 5D4 ,! D[NP\RS ( ,SEPTEMB] & ,OCTOB] DR5*$ ! L&4 ,NO SOON] WAS ! SUMM]'S WORK DONE ?AN ! FIR/ S[+ BEGAN1 :ILE ! /REAMS & SPR+S SUDD5LY SWELL$ TO TORR5TS ) ! RA94 ,AT ! YE>'S 5D1 ! :EAT WAS ALREADY SPR\T+ 9 SOME FIELDS1 :ILE 9 O!RS PL[+ HAD ONLY JU/ BE5 F9I%$4 ,A LITTLE LAT]1 ! ALMOND TREES W]E ONCE AGA9 :ILE AGA9/ ! ICE-BLUE SKY4 ,! NEW YE> HAD BEGUN 9 ! E>?1 9 ! SKY4 ,TOBACCO WAS PLANT$1 V9ES CULTIVAT$ & F]TILIZ$1 TREES GRAFT$4 ,9 ! SAME MON?1 ! M$L>S RIP5$4 ,AGA91 ! HAYMAK+1 ! H>VE/+1 ! SUMM] PL[+4 ,HALF-WAY ?R\< ! YE>1 ! RIPE FRUITS1 JUICY & /ICKY1 W]E S]V$ ON EV]Y TABLE3 BETWE5 ONE ?RE%+ & ! NEXT GRAPE-H>VE/1 ! SKY GREW OV]CA/4 ,\T ( ! NOR?1 SIL5T FLOCKS ( BLACK />L+S & ?RU%ES PASS$ OV] -- = !M ! OLIVES W]E ALREADY RIPE4 ,SOON AFT] !Y HAD FL[N AWAY1 ! OLIVES W]E GA!R$4 ,! :EAT SPR\T$ A SECOND TIME FROM ! VISC\S SOIL4 ,HUGE CL\DS1 ALSO FROM ! NOR?1 PASS$ OV] ! SEA1 !N ! L&1 BRU%+ ! WAT] ) FOAM & LEAV+ IT SMOO? & ICY UND] A CRY/AL SKY4 ,= SEV]AL DAYS !RE W]E DI/ANT1 SIL5T FLA%ES 9 ! SKY4 ,! FIR/ COLD SPELLS SET 94 

,DUR+ ?IS P]IOD1 ,M]SAULT TOOK TO HIS B$ = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,B\TS ( PLEURISY CONF9$ HIM TO HIS ROOM = A MON?4 ,:5 HE GOT UP1 ! FOO?ILLS ( ! ,*5\A W]E COV]$ ) FL[]+ TREES1 ALL ! WAY TO ! SEA'S $GE4 ,NEV] HAD SPR+ T\*$ HIM SO DEEPLY4 ,! FIR/ NI<T ( HIS CONVALESC5CE1 HE WALK$ ACROSS ! FIELDS = A LONG TIME -- AS F> AS ! HILL :]E ! RU9S ( ,TIPASA SLEPT4 ,9 A SIL5CE VIOLAT$ ONLY BY ! SILKY S\NDS ( ! SKY1 ! NI<T LAY LIKE MILK UPON ! WORLD4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ ALONG ! CLIFF1 %>+ ! NI<T'S DEEP CONC5TRATION4 ,BEL[ HIM ! SEA :ISP]$ G5TLY4 ,IT WAS COV]$ ) VELVETY MOONLI<T1 SMOO? & UNDULAT+1 LIKE ! PELT ( SOME ANIMAL4 ,AT ?IS H\R1 ,M]SAULT'S LIFE SEEM$ SO REMOTE TO HIM1 HE FELT SO SOLIT>Y & 9DIFF]5T TO EV]Y?+ & TO HIMSELF AS WELL1 ?AT IT SEEM$ TO HIM HE HAD AT LA/ ATTA9$ :AT HE WAS SEEK+1 ?AT ! PEACE :I* FILL$ HIM N[ WAS BORN ( ?AT PATI5T SELF-AB&ONM5T HE HAD PURSU$ & A*IEV$ ) ! HELP ( ?IS W>M WORLD SO WILL+ TO D5Y HIM )\T ANG]4 ,HE WALK$ LI<TLY1 & ! S\ND ( HIS [N FOOT/EPS SEEM$ ALI5 TO HIM1 FAMILI> TOO1 NO D\BT1 BUT FAMILI> 9 ! WAY ! RU/L+ ( ANIMALS 9 ! MA/IC-BU%ES WAS FAMILI>1 OR ! BREAK+ WAVES1 OR ! RHY?M ( ! NI<T ITSELF 9 ! SKY OV]HEAD4 ,& HE C\LD FEEL HIS [N BODY TOO1 BUT ) ! SAME EXT]NAL CONSCI\SNESS AS ! W>M BREA? ( ?IS SPR+ NI<T & ! SMELL ( SALT & DECAY ?AT ROSE FROM ! BEA*4 ,HIS ACTIONS 9 ! WORLD1 HIS ?IR/ = HAPP9ESS1 ,ZAGREUS' T]RIBLE W\ND B>+ BRA9 & BONE1 ! SWEET1 UNCOMMITT$ H\RS 9 ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD1 HIS WIFE1 HIS HOPES & HIS GODS -- ALL ?IS LAY BE=E HIM1 BUT NO MORE ?AN ONE /ORY *OS5 AMONG SO MANY O!RS )\T ANY VALID REASON1 AT ONCE ALI5 & SECRETLY FAMILI>1 A FAVORITE BOOK :I* FLATT]S & JU/IFIES ! HE>T AT ITS CORE1 BUT A BOOK SOMEONE ELSE HAS WRITT54 ,= ! FIR/ TIME1 ,M]SAULT WAS AW>E ( NO O!R REALITY 9 HIMSELF ?AN ?AT ( A PASSION = ADV5TURE1 A DESIRE = P[]1 A W>M & 9TELLIG5T 9/9CT = A RELATION%IP ) ! WORLD -- )\T ANG]1 )\T HATR$1 )\T REGRET4 ,SITT+ ON A ROCK HE LET HIS F+]S EXPLORE ITS CRANNIES AS HE WAT*$ ! SEA SWELL 9 SIL5CE UND] ! MOON4 ,HE ?\<T ( ,LUCI5NE'S FACE HE HAD C>ESS$1 & ( ! W>M? ( H] LIPS4 ,! MOON P\R$ ITS LONG1 /RAY+ SMILES LIKE OIL ON ! WAT]'S SMOO? SURFACE -- ! SEA W\LD BE W>M AS A M\?1 & AS S(T1 READY TO YIELD B5EA? A MAN'S WEI<T4 ,MOTIONLESS N[1 ,M]SAULT FELT H[ CLOSE HAPP9ESS IS TO TE>S1 CAU<T UP 9 ?AT SIL5T EXALTATION :I* WEAVES TOGE!R ! HOPES & DESPAIRS ( HUMAN LIFE4 ,CONSCI\S YET ALI51 DEV\R$ BY PASSION YET DIS9T]E/$1 ,M]SAULT REALIZ$ ?AT HIS LIFE & HIS FATE W]E COMPLET$ H]E & ?AT H5CE=? ALL HIS EF=TS W\LD BE TO SUBMIT TO ?IS HAPP9ESS & TO CONFRONT ! T]RIBLE TRU?4 

,N[ HE MU/ S9K 9TO ! W>M SEA1 LOSE HIMSELF 9 ORD] TO F9D HIMSELF AGA91 SWIM 9 ?AT W>M MOONLI<T 9 ORD] TO SIL5CE :AT REMA9$ ( ! PA/1 TO BR+ TO BIR? ! DEEP SONG ( HIS HAPP9ESS4 ,HE UNDRESS$1 CLAMB]$ D[N A FEW ROCKS & 5T]$ ! SEA4 ,IT WAS AS W>M AS A BODY1 ANO!R 9EFFABLE YET OMNIPRES5T EMBRACE4 ,M]SAULT SWAM /EADILY N[1 FEEL+ ! MUSCLES ( HIS BACK %IFT ) EA* /ROKE4 ,:5EV] HE RAIS$ AN >M1 HE CA/ %EAVES ( SILV] DROPS UPON ! SEA1 S[+ UND] ?IS MUTE & VIVID SKY ! SPL5DID H>VE/ ( HAPP9ESS2 !N HIS >M ?RU/ BACK 9TO ! WAT]1 & LIKE A VIGOR\S PL[%>E TILL$ ! WAVES1 DIVID+ !M 9 ORD] TO GA9 A NEW SUPPORT1 A FIRM] HOPE4 ,BEH9D HIM1 HIS FEET *URN$ ! WAT] 9TO SEE?+ FOAM1 PRODUC+ A /RANGELY DI/9CT HISS+ NOISE 9 ! NI<T'S SIL5CE & SOLITUDE4 ,CONSCI\S ( ?IS CAD5CE1 ?IS VIGOR1 AN EXALTATION SEIZ$ ,M]SAULT1 HE SWAM FA/] & SOON REALIZ$ HE WAS F> FROM L&1 ALONE 9 ! HE>T ( ! NI<T1 ( ! WORLD4 ,SUDD5LY HE ?\<T ( ! DEP?S :I* LAY B5EA? HIM & /OPP$ MOV+4 ,EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS BEL[ ATTRACT$ HIM LIKE AN UNKN[N WORLD1 ! EXT5SION ( ?IS D>KNESS :I* RE/OR$ HIM TO HIMSELF1 ! SALTY C5T] ( A LIFE /ILL UNEXPLOR$4 ,A TEMPTATION FLA%$ ?R\< HIS M9D1 BUT HE IMM$IATELY REJECT$ IT 9 ! GREAT JOY ( HIS BODY -- HE SWAM H>D]1 F>!R4 ,GLORI\SLY TIR$1 HE TURN$ BACK T[>DS ! %ORE4 ,AT ?AT MOM5T HE SUDD5LY 5T]$ AN ICY CURR5T & WAS =C$ TO /OP SWIMM+1 HIS TEE? *ATT]$1 HIS MOVEM5TS LO/ !IR H>MONY4 ,?IS SURPRISE ( ! SEA LEFT HIM BEWILD]$2 ! *ILL P5ETRAT$ HIS LIMBS1 BLA/$ HIS BODY LIKE ! LOVE ( SOME GOD ( IMPASSION$ EXALTATION :OSE EMBRACE LEFT HIM P[]LESS4 ,LABORI\SLY HE RETURN$ TO ! BEA* :]E HE DRESS$ FAC+ ! SKY & ! SEA1 %IV]+ & LAU<+ ) HAPP9ESS4 

,ON HIS WAY HOME1 HE BEGAN TO FEEL FA9T4 ,FROM ! PA? SLOP+ UP T[>DS ! H\SE HE C\LD MAKE \T ! ROCKY PROMONTORY ACROSS ! BAY1 ! SMOO? %AFTS ( ! COLUMNS AMONG ! RU9S4 ,!N SUDD5LY ! L&SCAPE TILT$ & HE F\ND HIMSELF LEAN+ AGA9/ A ROCK1 HALF-SUPPORT$ BY A MA/IC BU%1 ! FRAGRANCE ( ITS CRU%$ LEAVES /RONG 9 ! NO/RILS4 ,HE DRAGG$ HIMSELF BACK TO ! H\SE4 ,HIS BODY1 :I* HAD JU/ N[ C>RI$ HIM TO ! LIMITS ( JOY1 PLUNG$ HIM 9TO A SUFF]+ ?AT GRIPP$ HIS B[ELS1 MAK+ HIM CLOSE HIS EYES4 ,HE DECID$ TEA W\LD HELP1 BUT HE US$ A DIRTY PAN TO BOIL ! WAT] 91 & ! TEA WAS SO GREASY IT MADE HIM RET*4 ,HE DRANK IT1 ?\<1 BE=E HE W5T TO B$4 ,AS HE WAS PULL+ (F HIS %OES HE NOTIC$ H[ P9K HIS NAILS W]E1 LONG & CURV+ OV] ! F+]TIPS ( HIS BLOODLESS H&S4 ,HIS NAILS HAD NEV] BE5 LIKE ?AT1 & !Y GAVE HIS H&S A TWI/$1 UNHEAL?Y LOOK4 ,HIS *E/ FELT AS ?\< IT W]E CAU<T 9 A VICE4 ,HE C\<$ & SPAT SEV]AL TIMES -- ONLY PHLEGM1 ?\< ! TA/E ( BLOOD L+]$ ON HIS TONGUE4 ,9 B$1 HIS BODY WAS SEIZ$ BY LONG SPASMS ( %IV]+4 ,HE C\LD FEEL ! *ILL RIS+ FROM ! V]Y EXTREMITY ( HIS BODY1 MEET+ 9 HIS %\LD]S LIKE A CONFLU5CE ( ICY /REAMS1 :ILE HIS TEE? *ATT]$ & ! %EETS FELT AS IF !Y HAD BE5 SOAK$4 ,! H\SE SEEM$ 5ORM\S1 ! USUAL NOISES SWELL$ TO 9F9ITY1 AS IF !Y 5C\NT]$ NO WALL TO PUT AN 5D TO !IR E*OES4 ,HE HE>D ! SEA1 ! PEBBLES ROLL+ UND] ! REC$+ WAVE1 ! NI<T ?ROBB+ BEH9D HIS W9D[S1 ! DOGS H[L+ ON DI/ANT F>MS4 ,HE WAS HOT N[1 ?REW BACK ! BLANKETS1 !N COLD AGA91 & DREW !M UP4 ,AS HE WAV]$ BETWE5 ONE SUFF]+ & ANO!R1 BETWE5 SOMNOL5CE & ANXIETY1 HE SUDD5LY REALIZ$ HE WAS ILL1 & ANGUI% OV]:ELM$ HIM AT ! ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T DIE 9 ?IS UNCONSCI\SNESS1 )\T BE+ ABLE TO SEE CLE>LY4 ,! VILLAGE /EEPLE *IM$1 BUT HE C\LD NOT KEEP C\NT ( ! /ROKES4 ,HE DID NOT WANT TO DIE LIKE A SICK MAN4 ,HE DID NOT WANT HIS ILLNESS TO BE :AT IT IS SO (T51 AN ATT5UATION1 A TRANSITION TO DEA?4 ,:AT HE REALLY WANT$ WAS ! 5C\NT] BETWE5 HIS LIFE -- A LIFE FILL$ ) BLOOD & HEAL? -- & DEA?4 ,HE /OOD UP1 DRAGG$ A *AIR OV] TO ! W9D[ & SAT D[N 9 IT1 HUDDL+ 9 HIS BLANKETS4 ,?R\< ! ?9 CURTA9S1 9 ! PLACES :]E ! MAT]IAL DID NOT FALL 9 FOLDS1 HE SAW ! />S4 ,HE BREA!D HEAVILY = A LONG TIME1 & GRIPP$ ! >MS ( HIS *AIR TO CONTROL HIS TREMBL+ H&S4 ,HE W\LD RECONQU] HIS LUCIDITY IF HE C\LD4 ',I MI<T DIE N[1' HE WAS ?9K+4 ,& HE WAS ?9K+1 TOO1 ?AT ! GAS WAS /ILL ON 9 ! KIT*54 ',I MI<T DIE N[1' HE ?\<T AGA94 ,LUCIDITY1 TOO1 WAS A LONG PATI5CE4 ,EV]Y?+ C\LD BE WON1 E>N$1 ACQUIR$4 ,HE /RUCK HIS FI/ ON ! >M ( ! *AIR4 ,A MAN IS NOT BORN /RONG1 WEAK1 OR DECISIVE4 ,HE BECOMES /RONG1 HE BECOMES LUCID4 ,FATE IS NOT 9 MAN BUT >\ND HIM4 ,!N HE REALIZ$ HE WAS CRY+4 ,A /RANGE WEAKNESS1 A K9D ( C[>DICE BORN ( HIS ILLNESS GAVE WAY TO TE>S1 TO *ILDI%NESS4 ,HIS H&S W]E COLD1 HIS HE>T FILL$ ) AN IMM5SE DISGU/4 ,HE ?\<T ( HIS NAILS1 & UND] HIS COLL>BONE HE PRESS$ TUMORS ?AT SEEM$ 5ORM\S4 ,\TSIDE1 ALL ?AT BEAUTY WAS SPREAD UPON ! FACE ( ! WORLD4 ,HE DID NOT WANT TO AB&ON HIS ?IR/ = LIFE1 HIS JEAL\SY ( LIFE4 ,HE ?\<T ( ?OSE EV5+S ABOVE ,ALGI]S1 :5 ! S\ND ( SIR5S RISES 9 ! GRE5 SKY & M5 LEAVE !IR FACTORIES4 ,! FRAGRANCE ( WORMWOOD1 ! WILD FL[]S AMONG ! RU9S1 & ! SOLITUDE ( ! CYPRESSES 9 ! ,SAHEL G5]AT$ AN IMAGE ( LIFE :]E BEAUTY & HAPP9ESS TOOK ON AN ASPECT )\T ! NE$ ( HOPE1 A C\NT5ANCE 9 :I* ,PATRICE F\ND A K9D ( FUGITIVE ET]NITY4 ,?AT WAS :AT HE DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE -- HE DID NOT WANT ?AT IMAGE TO P]SI/ )\T HIM4 ,FILL$ ) REBELLION & PITY1 HE SAW ,ZAGREUS' FACE TURN$ T[>DS ! W9D[4 ,!N HE C\<$ = A LONG TIME4 ,IT WAS H>D TO BREA!4 ,HE WAS SMO!R+ UND] HIS BLANKETS4 ,HE WAS COLD4 ,HE WAS HOT4 ,HE WAS BURN+ ) A GREAT CONFUS+ RAGE1 HIS FI/S CL5*$1 HIS BLOOD ?ROBB+ HEAVILY UND] HIS SKULL2 EYES BLANK1 HE WAIT$ = A NEW SPASM :I* W\LD PLUNGE HIM BACK 9TO ! BL9D FEV]4 ,! *ILL CAME1 RE/OR+ HIM TO A MOI/1 SEAL$ WORLD 9 :I* HE SIL5C$ ! ANIMAL REBELLION1 EYES CLOS$1 JEAL\S ( HIS ?IR/ & HIS HUNG]4 ,BUT BE=E LOS+ CONSCI\SNESS1 HE HAD TIME TO SEE ! NI<T TURN PALE BEH9D ! CURTA9S & TO HEAD1 ) ! DAWN ( ! WORLD'S AWAK5+1 A K9D ( TREM5D\S *ORD ( T5D]NESS & HOPE :I* D\BTLESS DISSOLV$ HIS FE> ( DEA?1 ?\< AT ! SAME TIME IT ASSUR$ HIM HE W\LD F9D A REASON = DY+ 9 :AT HAD BE5 ! :OLE REASON = LIV+4 

,:5 HE AWAK5$1 ! MORN+ HAD ALREADY BEGUN1 & ALL ! BIRDS & 9SECTS W]E S++ 9 ! W>M? ( ! SUN4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ,LUCI5NE WAS COM+ TODAY4 ,EXHAU/$1 HE CRAWL$ BACK TO HIS B$4 ,HIS M\? TA/$ ( FEV]1 & HE C\LD FEEL ! ONSET ( ?AT FRAGILITY :I* MAKES EV]Y EF=T >DU\S & O!R PEOPLE SO IRRITAT+ 9 ! EYES ( ! SICK4 ,HE S5T = ,B]N>D1 :O CAME AT ONCE1 QUIET & BUS9ESSLIKE AS ALWAYS4 ,HE LI/5$ TO ,M]SAULT'S *E/1 !N TOOK (F HIS GLASSES & WIP$ ! L5SES4 ',BAD1' WAS ALL HE W\LD SAY4 ,HE GAVE ,M]SAULT TWO 9JECTIONS4 ,DUR+ ! SECOND1 ,M]SAULT FA9T$1 ?\< ORD9>ILY HE WAS NOT SQUEAMI%4 ,:5 HE CAME TO1 ,B]N>D WAS HOLD+ HIS WRI/ 9 ONE H& & HIS WAT* 9 ! O!R1 WAT*+ ! J]KY ADVANCE ( ! SECOND H&4 ',?AT LA/$ FIFTE5 M9UTES1' ,B]N>D SAID4 ',Y\R HE>T'S FAIL+4 ,! NEXT TIME1 Y\ MI<T NOT COME \T ( IT4' 

,M]SAULT CLOS$ HIS EYES4 ,HE WAS EXHAU/$1 HIS LIPS :ITE & DRY1 HIS BREA?+ A HO>SE :I/LE4 ',B]N>D1' HE SAID4 

',YES4' 

',I DON'T WANT TO DIE 9 A COMA4 ,I WANT TO SEE :AT'S HAPP5+ -- DO Y\ UND]/& ME8' 

',YES1' ,B]N>D SAID1 & GAVE HIM SEV]AL AMPULES4 ',IF Y\ FEEL WEAK1 BREAK ?IS OP5 & SWALL[ IT4 ,IT'S ADR5AL94' ,AS HE WAS LEAV+1 ,B]N>D MET ,LUCI5NE ON H] WAY 94 ',AS *>M+ AS EV]4' 

',IS ,PATRICE ILL8' 

',YES4' 

',IS IT S]I\S8' 

',NO1 HE'S ALL RI<T1' ,B]N>D SAID4 ,& JU/ BE=E HE WAS \T ! DOOR3 ',ONE PIECE ( ADVICE1 ?\< -- TRY TO LEAVE HIM ALONE AS MU* AS Y\ CAN4' 

',OH1' ,LUCI5NE SAID1 '!N IT CAN'T BE ANY?+4' 

,ALL DAY LONG1 ,M]SAULT C\<$ & *OK$4 ,TWICE HE FELT ! COLD1 /UBBORN *ILL :I* W\LD DRAW HIM 9TO ANO!R COMA1 & TWICE ! ADR5AL9 RESCU$ HIM FROM ?AT D>K IMM]SION4 ,& ALL DAY LONG HIS DIM EYES />$ AT ! MAGNIFIC5T L&SCAPE4 ,AT AB\T F\R1 A BIG R$ R[+ BOAT APPE>$ ON ! SEA1 GRADUALLY GR[+ L>G]1 GLI/5+ ) SUNLI<T1 BR9E & FI%-SCALES4 ,P]EZ1 /&+1 R[$ ON /EADILY4 ,M]SAULT CLOS$ HIS EYES & SMIL$ = ! FIR/ TIME S9CE ! DAY BE=E1 ?\< HE DID NOT UNCL5* HIS TEE?4 ,LUCI5NE1 :O HAD BE5 FUSS+ >\ND ! ROOM1 VAGUELY UNEASY1 ?REW H]SELF ON ! B$ & KISS$ HIM4 ',SIT D[N1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 'Y\ CAN /AY4' 

',DON'T TALK1 Y\'LL TIRE Y\RSELF \T4' 

,B]N>D CAME1 GAVE 9JECTIONS1 LEFT4 ,HUGE R$ CL\DS MOV$ SL[LY ACROSS ! SKY4 

',:5 ,I WAS A *ILD1' ,M]SAULT SAID LABORI\SLY1 LEAN+ BACK ON ! PILL[1 HIS EYES FIX$ ON ! SKY1 'MY MO!R TOLD ME ?AT WAS ! S\LS ( ! DEAD GO+ TO P>ADISE4 ,I WAS AMAZ$ !Y HAD R$ S\LS4 ,N[ ,I KN[ IT MEANS A /ORM IS COM+4 ,BUT IT'S /ILL AMAZ+4' 

,NI<T WAS BEG9N+ TO FALL4 ,IMAGES CAME4 ,HUGE FANTA/IC ANIMALS :I* NODD$ OV] DES]T L&SCAPES4 ,M]SAULT G5TLY SWEPT !M AWAY1 DESPITE HIS FEV]4 ,HE LET ONLY ,ZAGREUS' FACE APPE>1 A SIGN ( BLOOD-BRO!RHOOD4 ,HE :O HAD 9FLICT$ DEA? WAS GO+ TO DIE4 ,& !N1 AS = ,ZAGREUS1 ! LUCID GAZE HE CA/ UPON HIS LIFE WAS A MAN'S GAZE4 ,UNTIL N[ HE HAD LIV$4 ,N[ HE C\LD TALK ( HIS LIFE4 ,( ?AT GREAT RAVAG+ 5]GY :I* HAD BORNE HIM ON1 ( ?AT FUGITIVE & G5]AT+ POETRY ( LIFE1 NO?+ WAS LEFT N[ BUT ! TRANSP>5T TRU? :I* IS ! OPPOSITE ( POETRY4 ,( ALL ! M5 HE HAD C>RI$ 9SIDE HIMSELF1 AS EV]Y MAN DOES AT ! BEG9N+ ( ?IS LIFE1 ( ALL ?OSE V>I\S ROOTLESS1 M+L+ BE+S :O HAD CREAT$ HIS LIFE ) CONSCI\SNESS1 ) C\RAGE4 ,?AT WAS HIS :OLE HAPP9ESS 9 LIV+ & DY+4 ,HE REALIZ$ N[ ?AT TO BE AFRAID ( ?IS DEA? HE WAS />+ AT ) ANIMAL T]ROR MEANT TO BE AFRAID ( LIFE4 ,FE> ( DY+ JU/IFI$ A LIMITLESS ATTA*M5T TO :AT IS ALIVE 9 MAN4 ,& ALL ?OSE :O HAD NOT MADE ! GE/URES NECESS>Y TO LIVE !IR LIVES1 ALL ?OSE :O FE>$ & EXALT$ IMPOT5CE -- !Y W]E AFRAID ( DEA? BECAUSE ( ! SANCTION IT GAVE TO A LIFE 9 :I* !Y HAD NOT BE5 9VOLV$4 ,!Y HAD NOT LIV$ 5\<1 NEV] HAV+ LIV$ AT ALL4 ,& DEA? WAS A K9D ( GE/URE1 =EV] )HOLD+ WAT] FROM ! TRAVEL] VA9LY SEEK+ TO SLAKE HIS ?IR/4 ,BUT = ! O!RS1 IT WAS ! FATAL & T5D] GE/URE :I* ]ASES & D5IES1 SMIL+ AT GRATITUDE AS AT REBELLION4 ,HE SP5T A DAY & A NI<T SITT+ ON HIS B$1 HIS >MS ON ! B$SIDE TABLE & HIS HEAD ON HIS >MS4 ,HE C\LD NOT BREA! LY+ D[N4 ,LUCI5NE SAT BESIDE HIM & WAT*$ HIM )\T SPEAK+ A WORD4 ,SOMETIMES ,M]SAULT LOOK$ AT H]4 ,HE REALIZ$ ?AT AFT] HE WAS GONE1 ! FIR/ MAN :O PUT HIS >MS >\ND H] W\LD MAKE H] S(T51 SUBMIT4 ,%E W\LD BE (F]$ -- H] BODY1 H] BREA/S -- AS %E HAD BE5 (F]$ TO HIM1 & ! WORLD W\LD CONT9UE 9 ! W>M? ( H] P>T$ LIPS4 ,SOMETIMES HE RAIS$ HIS HEAD & />$ \T ( ! W9D[4 ,HE HAD NOT %AV$1 HIS R$-RIMM$1 HOLL[$ EYES HAD LO/ !IR D>K LU/]1 & HIS PALE SUNK5 *EEKS UND] ! BLUI% /UBBLE TRANS=M$ HIM COMPLETELY4 

,HIS GAZE CAME TO RE/ ON ! PANES4 ,HE SI<$ & TURN$ T[>DS ,LUCI5NE4 ,!N HE SMIL$4 ,& 9 HIS FACE ?AT WAS COLLAPS+1 EV5 VANI%+1 ! H>D LUCID SMILE WAK5$ A NEW /R5G?1 A *E]FUL GRAVITY4 

',BETT]8' ,LUCI5NE ASK$ 9 A :ISP]4 

',YES4' ,!N HE RETURN$ TO D>KNESS BETWE5 HIS >MS4 ,AT ! LIMIT ( HIS /R5G? & HIS RESI/ANCE1 HE JO9$ ,ROL& ,ZAGREUS = ! FIR/ TIME1 :OSE SMILE HAD SO EXASP]AT$ HIM 9 ! BEG9N+4 ,HIS %ORT1 GASP+ BREA? LEFT A MOI/ CL\D ON ! M>BLE ( ! NI<T-TABLE4 ,& 9 ?AT SICKLY W>M? RIS+ T[>DS HIM FROM ! /ONE1 HE FELT EV5 MORE DI/9CTLY ! ICY TIPS ( HIS F+]S & TOES4 ,EV5 ?AT REVEAL$ LIFE1 ?\<1 & 9 ?IS J\RNEY FROM COLD TO W>M1 HE DISCOV]$ ! EXALTATION :I* HAD SEIZ$ ,ZAGREUS1 ?ANK+ LIFE '= ALL[+ HIM TO GO ON BURN+'4 ,HE WAS OV]COME BY A VIOL5T & FRAT]NAL LOVE = ?IS MAN FROM :OM HE HAD FELT SO F>1 & HE REALIZ$ ?AT BY KILL+ HIM HE HAD CONSUMMAT$ A UNION :I* B\ND !M TOGE!R =EV]4 ,?AT HEAVY APPROA* ( TE>S1 A M+L$ TA/E ( LIFE & DEA?1 WAS %>$ BY !M BO?1 HE REALIZ$ N[4 ,& 9 ,ZAGREUS' V]Y IMMOBILITY CONFRONT+ DEA?1 HE 5C\NT]$ ! SECRET IMAGE ( HIS [N LIFE4 ,FEV] HELP$ HIM H]E1 & ) IT AN EXULTANT C]TA9TY ( SU/A9+ CONSCI\SNESS TO ! 5D1 ( DY+ ) HIS EYES OP54 ,ZAGREUS1 TOO1 HAD HAD HIS EYES OP5 ?AT DAY1 & TE>S HAD FALL5 FROM !M4 ,BUT ?AT WAS ! LA/ WEAKNESS ( A MAN :O HAD NOT HAD HIS %>E ( LIFE4 ,PATRICE WAS NOT AFRAID ( SU* WEAKNESS4 ,9 ! P\ND+ ( HIS FEV]I% BLOOD1 ?\< IT FAIL$ TO REA* ! LIMITS ( HIS BODY1 HE UND]/OOD ?AT SU* WEAKNESS W\LD NOT BE HIS4 ,= HE HAD PLAY$ HIS P>T1 FA%ION$ HIS ROLE1 P]FECT$ MAN'S ONE DUTY1 :I* IS ONLY TO BE HAPPY4 ,NOT = LONG1 NO D\BT4 ,HE HAD DE/ROY$ ! OB/ACLE1 & ?IS 9N] BRO!R HE HAD 5G5D]$ 9 HIMSELF -- :AT DID IT MATT] IF HE EXI/$ = TWO OR = TW5TY YE>S8 ,HAPP9ESS WAS ! FACT ?AT HE HAD EXI/$4 

,! BLANKET SLIPP$ FROM ,M]SAULT'S %\LD]S1 & :5 ,LUCI5NE /OOD UP TO COV] HIM1 HE %UDD]$ AT H] T\*4 ,S9CE ! DAY HE HAD SNEEZ$ 9 ! LITTLE SQU>E NE> ,ZAGREUS' VILLA TO ?IS MOM5T1 HIS BODY HAD S]V$ HIM FAI?FULLY1 HAD OP5$ HIM TO ! WORLD4 ,BUT AT ! SAME TIME1 IT LIV$ A LIFE ( ITS [N1 DETA*$ FROM ! MAN IT REPRES5T$4 ,= !SE FEW YE>S IT HAD PASS$ ?R\< A SL[ DECOMPOSITION2 N[ IT HAD COMPLET$ ITS TRAJECTORY1 & WAS READY TO LEAVE ,M]SAULT1 TO RE/ORE HIM TO ! WORLD4 ,9 ?AT SUDD5 %UDD] ( :I* ,M]SAULT WAS CONSCI\S1 HIS BODY 9DICAT$ ONCE MORE A COMPLICITY :I* HAD ALREADY WON SO MANY JOYS = !M BO?4 ,SOLELY = ?IS REASON1 ,M]SAULT TOOK PLEASURE 9 ?AT %UDD]4 ,CONSCI\S1 HE MU/ BE CONSCI\S ) DECEPTION1 )\T C[>DICE -- ALONE1 FACE TO FACE -- AT GRIPS ) HIS BODY -- EYES OP5 UPON DEA?4 ,IT WAS A MAN'S BUS9ESS4 ,NOT LOVE1 NOT L&SCAPE1 NO?+ BUT AN 9F9ITE WA/E ( SOLITUDE & HAPP9ESS 9 :I* ,M]SAULT WAS PLAY+ HIS LA/ C>DS4 ,HE FELT HIS BREA?+ WEAK54 ,HE GASP$ = AIR1 & 9 ?AT MOVEM5T HIS RU9$ LUNGS :EEZ$4 ,HIS WRI/S W]E COLD N[1 & !RE WAS NO FEEL+ 9 HIS H&S AT ALL4 ,DAY WAS BREAK+4 

,! NEW DAY WAS COOL1 FILL$ ) ! S\ND ( BIRDS4 ,! SUN ROSE QUICKLY1 & 9 A S+LE LEAP WAS ABOVE ! HORIZON4 ,! E>? WAS COV]$ ) GOLD1 ) W>M?4 ,9 ! MORN+1 SKY & SEA W]E SPATT]$ ) DANC+ PAT*ES ( BLUE & YELL[ LI<T4 ,A LI<T BREEZE HAD RIS51 & ?R\< ! W9D[ A BREA? ( SALT AIR COOL$ ,M]SAULT'S >MS4 ,AT NOON ! W9D DROPP$1 ! DAY SPLIT OP5 LIKE RIPE FRUIT & TRICKL$ D[N ! FACE ( ! WORLD1 A W>M & *OK+ JUICE 9 A SUDD5 CONC]T ( CICADAS4 ,! SEA WAS COV]$ ) ?IS GOLD5 JUICE1 A %EET ( OIL UPON ! WAT]1 & GAVE BACK TO ! SUN-CRU%$ E>? A W>M1 S(T5+ BREA? :I* RELEAS$ ODORS ( WORMWOOD1 ROSEM>Y1 & HOT /ONE4 ,FROM HIS B$1 ,M]SAULT RECEIV$ ?AT IMPACT1 ?AT (F]+1 & HE OP5$ HIS EYES ON ! HUGE1 CURV$1 GLI/5+ SEA IRRADIAT$ ) ! SMILES ( HIS GODS4 ,SUDD5LY HE REALIZ$ HE WAS SITT+ ON HIS B$1 & ?AT ,LUCI5NE'S FACE WAS V]Y CLOSE TO HIS4 ,SL[LY1 AS ?\< IT CAME FROM HIS /OMA*1 !RE ROSE 9SIDE HIM A /ONE :I* APPROA*$ HIS ?ROAT4 ,HE BREA!D FA/] & FA/]1 TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ! RESPITES GRANT$ EA* TIME IT MOV$4 ,IT ROSE /EADILY1 HI<] & HI<]4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,LUCI5NE4 ,HE SMIL$ )\T W9C+1 & ?IS SMILE TOO CAME FROM 9SIDE HIMSELF4 ,HE ?REW HIMSELF BACK ON ! B$1 & FELT ! SL[ ASC5T )9 HIM4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,LUCI5NE'S SWOLL5 LIPS &1 BEH9D H]1 ! SMILE ( ! E>?4 ,HE LOOK$ AT !M ) ! SAME EYES1 ! SAME DESIRE4 

',9 A M9UTE1 9 A SECOND1' HE ?\<T4 ,! ASC5T /OPP$4 ,& /ONE AMONG ! /ONES1 HE RETURN$ TO ! JOY ( HIS HE>T1 TO ! TRU? ( ! MOTIONLESS WORLDS4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #e -- ,ADD$4 

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