,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #a 
,UP/AIRS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,BOOK ,TWO3 ,M,A,N,S,\,L 

,IT MOVES ME MO/ :5 SLANT+ SUNBEAMS GL[ 

,ON OLD F>M BUILD+S SET AGA9/ A HILL1 

,& PA9T ) LIFE ! %APES :I* L+] /ILL 

,FROM C5TURIES LESS A DREAM ?AN ?IS WE KN[4 

,9 ?AT /RANGE LI<T ,I FEEL ,I AM NOT F> 

,FROM ! FIXT MASS :OSE SIDE ! AGES >E4 

--,H4 ,P4 ,LOVECRAFT1 

FROM 0,CONT9UITY0 7,FUNGI FROM ,YUGGO?7 

,U,P,/,A,I,R,S 

,GR&1 GR&1 H[ GR& IT WAS4 ,! LITTLE BOY ASC5D$ ) ! WOND]-?UND] RUMBL+ ALL R\ND HIM LIKE A BRASS B& TUN+ UP & UP4 ,?IS WAS ! S\ND ! WORLD MADE :5 Y\ LEFT IT4 

,MI*AEL FELT LIKE HE WAS FLOAT+ 9 A RUBB] R+1 JU/ UND]NEA? ! SMOKY YELL[ CEIL+ ( ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,HE WASN'T C]TA9 H[ HE'D GOT !RE & HE DIDN'T KN[ IF HE %\LD BE AL>M$ AB\T ! CORN]-FAIRY :O WAS WAV+ TO HIM FROM ! %ADY RECESS ONLY A FEW FEET ABOVE4 ,AL?\< %E SEEM$ FAMILI>1 ,MI*AEL WASN'T SURE HE \<T TO TRU/ H]4 ,MI*AEL WASN'T EV5 SURE IF CORN]-FAIRIES W]E A ?+ HE'D NOTIC$ 9 !IR H\SE BE=E ?AT MOM5T1 OR HAD HE>D HIS P>5TS TALK AB\T1 ?\< HE SUPPOS$ HE MU/ HAVE DONE4 ,! FACT ?AT !RE W]E T9Y PEOPLE 9 ! CORN]S DIDN'T SEEM UNUSUAL ANYWAY1 NOT 9 ! SP>KLY D>K ?AT HE WAS RIS+ UP ?R\<1 GILD$ 9 BEWILD]M5T4 

,HE TRI$ TO WORK \T :]E HE WAS1 & REALIZ$ ?AT HE C\LDN'T EV5 PROP]LY REMEMB] :O OR :]E HE'D BE5 BE=E HE'D F\ND HIMSELF ADRIFT AMONG ! GLIMM] & ! CYMBALS4 ,EV5 ?\< HIS ?\<TS FELT CLEV]] ?AN ANY ?AT HE'D PREVI\SLY HAD - NOT ?AT HE C\LD REMEMB] MANY PREVI\S ?\<TS AT ALL1 IF HE W]E TRU?FUL - HE /ILL C\LDN'T PIECE TOGE!R :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM4 ,HAD !RE BE5 SOMEBODY TELL+ HIM A /ORY1 ONE ( ! OLD1 FAM\S /ORIES EV]YBODY KNEW1 AB\T ! PR9CE :O *OK$ UPON A WICK$ *]RY8 ,OR1 UNLIKELY AS IT SEEM$1 HAD HE BE5 SOMEONE 9 ! TALE ITSELF1 P]HAPS EV5 ! PR9CE1 9 :I* CASE ALL ?IS BUS9ESS ) HIM BUBBL+ UP ?R\< MUSICALS & MURK WAS JU/ ! NEXT P>T ( ! /ORY8 ,NEI!R ( !SE IDEAS S\ND$ RI<T1 BUT HE DECID$ ?AT HE W\LDN'T PUZZLE OV] ?+S JU/ !N4 ,9/EAD HE'D PAY ATT5TION TO ! CORN]1 :I* HE SEEM$ TO BE APPROA*+4 ,EI!R ?AT1 HE ?\<T1 OR IT WAS GETT+ BIGG]4 

,MI*AEL C\LDN'T MAKE HIS M9D UP IF HE'D ALWAYS KN[N ?AT CORN]S W5T TWO WAYS1 LIKE ?IS ONE DID1 SO ?AT !Y /UCK \T & POK$ 9 AT ! SAME TIME1 OR IF ?IS WAS A NOTION ?AT HAD JU/ ?IS MOM5T POPP$ 9TO HIS ?\<TS4 ,IT WORK$1 HE C\LD N[ SEE1 9 MU* ! SAME WAY AS ?OSE TRICKY PICTURES ?AT Y\ F\ND ON S*OOL *ALK-BOXES DID1 ) ALL ! CUBES /ACK$ 9 A PYRAMID1 BUT SO Y\ C\LDN'T TELL IF !Y W5T 9 OR \T4 ,HE UND]/OOD1 N[ ?AT HE HAD ! *ANCE TO SEE A CORN] FROM UP CLOSE1 ?AT !Y DID BO?4 ,:AT HE HAD TAK5 = A RECESS WAS REVEAL$ AS A PROTRUSION1 LESS LIKE ! 9D5T$ CORN] ( A LIV+ ROOM ?AN IT WAS LIKE ! JUTT+ CORN] ( A TABLE1 ?AT HAD FANCY C>V$ TRIM R\ND ITS $GES :]E ! CEIL+ HAD A BEAD$ MOLD+4 ,BUT ( C\RSE1 IF IT WAS LIKE A TABLETOP !N ?AT MEANT HE WAS LOOK+ AT IT FROM ABOVE1 NOT PE]+ UP AT IT FROM UND]NEA?4 ,IT MEANT ?AT HE WAS S9K+ D[N T[>DS IT & NOT RIS+ UP TO BUMP HIS HEAD ON IT4 ,IT ALSO MEANT ! LIV+ ROOM HAD BE5 TURN$ 9SIDE \T4 

,! IDEA ?AT HE WAS DESC5D+1 COM+ 9 TO L& UPON ! CORN] ( A GIANT TABLE1 MADE MORE S5SE ( H[ ?+S LOOK$ TO HIM JU/ !N1 ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT GAVE ! CORN]-FAIRY SOME?+ TO BE /&+ ON1 :]EAS BE=E %E HAD APPE>$ TO BE /UCK1 UNCONV9C+LY1 SOME:]E UP PA/ ! PICTURE RAIL4 ,AL?\<1 IF %E WAS L[] D[N ?AN HE WAS1 :Y W\LD %E BE CALL+ TO HIM 9 H] BEE-SIZ$ VOICE & TELL+ ,MI*AEL TO COME UP8 

,HE PE]$ AT H] SUSPICI\SLY & TRI$ TO TELL IF %E SEEM$ LIKE ! SORT :O'D HAVE HIM ON OR PLAY A NA/Y TRICK ON HIM1 DECID+ ?AT1 YES1 PROBABLY %E DID4 ,9 FACT1 ! CLOS] ,MI*AEL GOT TO H]1 ! MORE ! FAIRY LOOK$ LIKE ANY T5-YE>-OLD GIRL FROM HIS NEI<BORHOOD1 :I* MEANT ?AT %E WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY VICI\S1 ONE ( ?OSE FROM R\ND ,=T ,/REET OR ,MOAT ,/REET :O W\LD KNOCK Y\ COLD ) %OPP+ BAGS FULL ( ,CORONA BOTTLES !Y W]E TAK+ BACK = ! DEPOSIT4 

,LIKE ! CORN] %E WAS /&+ ON OR 91 ! FAIRY GRADUALLY GREW BIGG] UNTIL ,MI*AEL HAD A BETT] VIEW ( H]1 SO ?AT %E WASN'T JU/ A SQUEAK+1 WAV+ DOT 9 BLUE & P9K AMONG ! FLY-SPECKS COV]+ !IR CEIL+4 ,HE SAW ALSO ?AT %E WASN'T A REAL FAIRY1 BUT A NORMAL-SIZ$ GIRL :O HAD PREVI\SLY BE5 F> AWAY & HAD1 !RE=E1 APPE>$ MU* SMALL] ?AN %E REALLY WAS4 ,%E HAD BLOND HAIR ) JU/ A TA/E ( G+] HANG+ D[N AN 9* OR TWO BEL[ H] E>S1 WORN 9 A FR+E AS IF A PUDD+ BAS9 HAD BE5 PLAC$ UPON H] HEAD & CUT >\ND4 ,IF %E W]E FROM ! ,BOR\<S1 !N IT V]Y LIKELY HAD4 

,IT LAZILY OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT HE WAS />T+ TO REMEMB] BITS & PIECES ( ! LIFE OR /ORY ?AT HE'D BE5 9VOLV$ 9 UNTIL ONLY A FEW MOM5TS BACK1 BE=E DISCOV]+ ?AT HE WAS BOBB+ 9 ! FAWN DRIFTS ( ! UPP] LIV+ ROOM4 ,HE C\LD REMEMB] PUDD+ BAS9S & ! ,BOR\<S1 ,MOAT ,/REET1 ,=T ,/REET & ,CORONA BOTTLES4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ?AT HIS NAME WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ?AT HIS MOM WAS ,DORE5 & HIS DAD WAS ,TOM4 ,HE'D HAD A SI/]1 ,ALMA1 :O W\LD MAKE HIM LAU< OR BADLY FRI<T5 HIM AT LEA/ ONCE EV]Y DAY4 ,HE'D HAD A GRAN CALL$ ,CL>A :O HE'D NOT BE5 SC>$ (1 & A NAAN CALL$ ,MAY :O HE MO/ DEF9ITELY HAD BE54 ,REASSUR$ TO HAVE AT LEA/ !SE SCRAPS ( :O HE WAS BACK 9 !IR PROP] ORD]1 HE TURN$ HIS ATT5TIONS ONCE MORE TO ! MATT] ( ! LITTLE GIRL1 N[ HOPP+ UP & D[N 9 AGITATION A SCANT 9* OR TWO ABOVE HIM4 ,OR BEL[ HIM4 

,HE HAD GUESS$ H] AGE AS BE+ N9E OR T51 :AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T ( AS AN ALMO/-GR[N-UP TIME ( LIFE1 & AS HE NE>$ H] !N ! MORE HE WAS CONV9C$ ?AT HE'D BE5 RI<T4 ,%E WAS A BONY1 /URDY *ILD1 A LITTLE OLD] & A LITTLE TALL] ?AN HIS SI/] ,ALMA1 PRETTI] & SLIMM] ) A WIDE & SMIRKY M\? ?AT SEEM$ CONT9UALLY ON ! BR9K ( BUR/+ OP5 9 A LAU< BIGG] ?AN %E WAS4 ,HE'D BE5 RI<T1 AS WELL1 AB\T H] BE+ FROM ! ,BOR\<S1 OR AT LEA/ FROM SOME:]E LIKE IT4 ,%E JU/ HAD ?AT LOCAL LOOK AB\T H] 9 ! WAY %E DRESS$ & ! CONDITION ( H] SCABBY KNEES4 ,H] :ITE SK91 ONLY TANN$ BY ,BOR\<S DRIZZLE1 HAD A GRAY %9E RUBB$ 9TO ITS CREASES FROM ! RAILWAY DU/ ?AT COV]$ EV]Y?+ & EV]YBODY 9 ! DI/RICT4 ,GAZ+ AT H] N[1 ?\<1 ,MI*AEL SAW IT WAS ! SAME PALE GRAY ?AT /ORM CL\DS SOMETIMES HAD1 :]E Y\ C\LD FA9TLY MAKE \T RA9B[ T9SELS TRY+ TO BREAK ?R\<4 ,TO TELL ! TRU?1 HE ?\<T ! DIRT LOOK$ QUITE NICE AS %E WORE IT1 AS IF IT W]E AN EXP5SIVE R\GE OR P[D] Y\ C\LD ONLY GET FROM R>E & DI/ANT ISL&S ( ! GLOBE4 

,HE WAS SURPRIS$ H[ GOOD HIS EYESI<T WAS4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT HE'D EV] HAD A PROBLEM ) HIS EYES1 ! WAY HIS MOM & SI/] HAD1 BUT SIMPLY ?AT HIS VISION SEEM$ MU* CLE>] N[1 AS IF SOMEONE HAD DU/$ ALL ! FOGWEBS FROM IT4 ,EV]Y T9Y DETAIL ( ! GIRL & ( ! CLO!S ?AT %E WAS WE>+ WAS AS %>P AS AN 5GAGEM5T DIAMOND1 & ! MUT$ COLORS ( H] DRESS & %OES & C>DIGAN W]E NOT SO MU* MADE BRI<T] BUT W]E JU/ MORE VIVID SOMEH[1 BR++ /RONG] FEEL+S FROM HIM4 

,H] P9K JUMP]1 WORN 9TO A ?READB>E SAFETY-NET ( FAD$ ROSE /R&S R\ND ITS ELB[S1 HAD ! /RAWB]RY ICE-CREAM GL[ ( SUMM] TEATIMES TO IT1 :5 ! LA/ RAYS ( ! S9K+ SUN LEAN$ 9 ?R\< ! SMALL /A9$-GLASS W9D[ SET 9TO ! WE/ WALL ( ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,IT LOOK$ AS RI<T & NATURAL ) H] FROCK ( NAVY BLUE AS ! IDEA ( HAPPY SAILORS EAT+ C&YFLOSS FROM /ICKS UPON A BULB-LIT PROM5ADE4 ,H] SLU%-:ITE SOCKS HAD CRUMPL$ 9TO CONC]T9AS OR %$ CAT]PILL> SK9S1 ONE NOTICEABLY L[] ?AN ! O!R1 & H] SCUFF-TO$ %OES W]E DY$ OR PA9T$ 9 AN OLD1 DEEP TURQUOISE ) A FA9T MAP ( BURNT ORANGE CRACKS :]E Y\ C\LD SEE ! LEA!R %[+ ?R\< FROM UND]NEA?4 ,! FRAY+ /RAPS ) !IR DULL SILV] BUCKLES LOOK$ AS FULL ( HI/ORY AS *>G]-BRIDLES FROM A KNI<T-&-CA/LE PA/1 & !N !RE WAS ! SWANKY DU*ESS /OLE %E HAD >\ND H] %\LD]S4 ,?IS GAVE ,MI*AEL QUITE A />T :5 HE EXAM9$ IT MORE CLOSELY4 

,IT WAS MADE FROM TW5TY-F\R DEAD RABBITS HUNG TOGE!R ON A BLOODY /R+1 ALL HOLL[$ \T TO FLAT & EMPTY GLOVE-PUPPETS ) PAWS & HEADS & VELVET E>S & COTTON-WOOL-BALL BUMS ATTA*$4 ,!IR EYES W]E MO/LY OP51 BLACK AS ELD]B]RIES1 OR ! BACKW>DS MIDNI<T EYES ?AT PEOPLE HAD 9 PHOTO NEGATIVES4 ,?\< HE SUPPOS$ A SC>F ( FURRY CORPSES WAS QUITE HORRIBLE1 SOME?+ AB\T IT SEEM$ EXCIT+LY ADULT AT ! SAME TIME4 ,IT WAS MO/ PROBABLY AGA9/ ! LAW1 HE ?\<T1 OR AT LEA/ SOME?+ Y\ C\LD GET TOLD (F =1 & IT ONLY S]V$ TO MAKE ! LITTLE GIRL APPE> MORE GLAMOR\SLY ADV5TUR\S4 

,ONLY ! :IFF ( H] PELT-G>L& PUT HIM (F1 & AT ! SAME TIME TOLD HIM ?AT IT WASN'T JU/ HIS EYES ?AT HAD BE5 SUDD5LY R9S$ CLEAN4 ,! SC5T ( ?+S HAD NEV] PREVI\SLY MADE A BIG IMPRESSION ON HIM1 OR AT LEA/ NOT :5 COMP>$ ) ! RI*1 BITT] BRO? HE WAS EXP]I5C+ N[4 ,IT WAS LIKE HAV+ OR*E/RAS UP BO? SIDES ( HIS NOSE AT ONCE1 P]=M+ SYMPHONIES ( /5*4 ,! GIRL'S LIFE & ! F\R-&-TW5TY RABBIT LIVES >\ND H] NECK W]E /ORIES WRITT5 D[N 9VISIBLY1 9 P]FUME1 & HE READ !M ?R\< HIS SQU9T+ NO/RILS4 ,H] SK9 HAD A W>M & NUTTY SMELL1 MIX$ ) ! RUDDY-KNUCKL$ ODOR ( C>BOLIC SOAP & SOME?+ DELICATE LIKE ,P>MA ,VIOLETS ON H] BREA?4 ,WRAPP$ R\ND ALL ?IS WAS ! >OMA ( H] GRUESOME NECKLACE ) ITS FLAVOR+S ( TUNNEL DIRT & RABBIT POO & GRE5 JUICE *EW$ FROM GRASS1 ! SAWDU/ FU/9ESS ( ALL ?OSE DANGL+ EMPTY COATS1 ! T9NY SNIFF ( GORE & PUTRID FRUIT9ESS LIFT+ 9 W>M WAVES FROM ! MEAG]1 MANGY MEAT4 ,! REEK FROM ALL ( ?IS COMB9$ WAS SO 9TOXICAT+ & SO 9T]E/+ ?AT HE DIDN'T EV5 ?9K ( IT AS <A/LY1 NECESS>ILY4 ,IT WAS MORE LIKE A PUNG5T S\P ( EV]Y?+ ?AT HAD ! :OLE WORLD SOME:]E 9 ITS SIMM]+1 ! GOOD BITS & ! BAD BITS BO? AT ONCE4 ,IT WAS ! TANG ( LIFE & DEA?1 BO? TAK5 AS !Y CAME4 

,MI*AEL WAS SEE+1 SMELL+1 EV5 ?9K+ MU* MORE CLE>LY ?AN HE C\LD REMEMB] DO+ AS A FLOOR-B\ND ?REE-YE>-OLD1 :5 ALL HIS S5SES & HIS ?\<TS HAD BE5 COMP>ATIVELY FUZZY1 AS ?\< VIEW$ ?R\< /REAKY GLASS4 ,HE DIDN'T FEEL ?REE ANYMORE4 ,HE FELT MU* CLEV]] & MORE GR[N UP1 ! WAY HE'D ALWAYS ?\<T ?AT HE W\LD FEEL :5 HE REA*$ SEV51 SAY1 OR EI<T1 :I* WAS AB\T AS GR[N UP AS HE C\LD IMAG9E4 ,HE FELT PROP]LY ADULT4 ,?IS BR\<T ) IT A S5SE ( BE+ MORE IMPORTANT1 JU/ AS HE'D EXPECT$ IT TO DO1 BUT ALSO BR\<T ! TR\BL+ NOTION ?AT !RE W]E N[ MORE ?+S HE %\LD WORRY OV]4 

,! MO/ URG5T ( !SE NEW CONC]NS WAS PROBABLY ! MATT] ( :AT HE WAS DO+ BUMBL+ UP AGA9/ ! CEIL+ ) ?IS SMELLY LITTLE GIRL4 ,:AT HAD JU/ HAPP5$ TO HIM8 ,:Y WAS HE UP H]E N[1 & NOT D[N !RE1 :]E HE'D BE5 BE=E8 ,HE HAD ! VAGUE/ RECOLLECTION ( A SORE ?ROAT & ! SAFETY ( HIS MO!R'S LAP1 ( FRE% AIR & ( PUNY WALLFL[]S ROOT$ 9 ! SOOT BETWE5 OLD BRICKS1 !N !RE HAD BE5 SOME SORT ( A COMMOTION4 ,EV]YBODY HAD BE5 RUNN+ R\ND & S\ND+ FRI<T5$ LIKE !Y DID ON ?OSE OCCASIONS :5 HIS GRAN LET D[N H] BUN &1 COMB+ \T H] LONG & /EELY HAIR BE=E ! OP5 HE>?1 SET IT ON FIRE4 ,?IS TIME1 ?\<1 IT HAD BE5 SOME?+ MU* WORSE1 WORSE EV5 ?AN ,MI*AEL'S GR&MO!R ) A BURN+ HEAD4 ,Y\ C\LD TELL FROM ! PANIC 9 ! WOM5'S VOICES4 ,DI/ANTLY1 IT CAME TO HIM ?AT ?IS WAS :AT WAS CAUS+ ALL ! LOVELY ?UND] MUMBL+ >\ND HIM3 IT WAS H[ ! HI<-PIT*$ %RIEK+ ( HIS MO!R & HIS GR&MO!R W\LD S\ND IF IT WAS SL[$ D[N ALMO/ TO A /OP1 ) ALL ! DIFF]5T NOISES JU/ LEFT HANG+ !RE & TREMBL+ 9 ! AIR4 

,IT /RUCK HIM SUDD5LY1 AN OM9\S GONG S\ND+ 9 HIS /OMA*1 ?AT HIS MOM'S & GRAN'S DI/RESS MI<T BE CONNECT$ ) HIS CURR5T PUZZL+ CIRCUM/ANCES4 ,IT WAS ,MI*AEL ?AT !Y W]E UPSET AB\T1 A FACT SO OBVI\S HE WOND]$ :Y HE HADN'T HIT ON IT IMM$IATELY4 ,HE MU/ HAVE HAD A %OCK1 SO ?AT HE'D NE$$ TIME TO PUT HIS ?\<TS 9 ORD]4 ,IT SEEM$ REASONABLE TO ASSUME ?AT :AT HAD %OCK$ HIM WAS ! SAME ?+ ?AT HAD MADE HIS MOM & GRAN S\ND SC>$ TO DEA? 444 

,NO SOON] HAD ! WORD 5T]$ HIS M9D ?AN ,MI*AEL1 9 A RU% ( HELPLESS T]ROR1 UND]/OOD EXACTLY :]E HE WAS & :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM4 

,HE HAD DI$4 ,! ?+ ?AT EV5 GR[N-UPS LIKE HIS MOM & DAD LIV$ ) ! FE> ( ALL !IR LIVES1 ?AT'S :AT ?IS WAS1 & ,MI*AEL WAS ALONE 9 IT JU/ AS HE'D ALWAYS DREAD$ ?AT HE W\LD BE4 ,ALL ALONE & F> TOO LITTLE1 /ILL1 TO COPE ) ?IS 5ORM\S ?+ ! WAY ?AT HE ASSUM$ OLD PEOPLE C\LD4 ,!RE W]E NO BIG H&S ?AT W\LD GRAB HIM UP \T ( ?IS FALL4 ,NO LIPS C\LD EV] KISS ?IS BETT]4 ,HE KNEW HE WAS 5T]+ A PLACE :]E !RE W]5'T MOMS OR DADS OR FIRESIDE RUGS OR ,TIZ]1 NO?+ COM=T+ OR COZY1 ONLY ,GOD & <O/S & WIT*ES & ! DEVIL4 ,HE'D LO/ EV]YONE HE'D HAD & EV]Y?+ HE'D BE51 ALL 9 A C>ELESS MOM5T :]E HE'D JU/ LET HIS ATT5TION W&] = AN 9/ANT & !N1 BANG1 HE'D TRIPP$ & FALL5 \T ( HIS :OLE LIFE4 ,HE :IMP]$1 KN[+ ?AT AT ANY MOM5T !RE W\LD BE AN AWFUL PA9 ?AT W\LD JU/ CRU% HIM TO A PA/E1 & !N !RE'D BE A NO?+ ?AT WAS EV5 WORSE BECAUSE HE W\LDN'T BE !RE1 & HE'D NEV] SEE HIS FAMILY OR HIS FRI5DS EV] AGA94 

,HE />T$ /RUGGL+ & KICK+1 TRY+ TO WAKE UP & MAKE IT JU/ A PETRIFY+ DREAM1 BUT ALL HIS DESP]ATE ACTIVITY S]V$ ONLY TO MAKE EV]Y?+ MORE FRI<T5+ & MORE PECULI>4 ,= ONE ?+1 ALL ! EMPTY SPACE >\ND HIM WOBBL$ LIKE A SL[ GLASS JELLY AS HE ?RA%$ AB\T1 & = ANO!R1 ALL AT ONCE HE HAD TOO MANY >MS & LEGS4 ,HIS LIMBS1 :I* HE WAS SLI<TLY REASSUR$ TO F9D W]E /ILL CLAD 9 HIS BLUE & :ITE PAJAMAS & HIS D>K R$ T>TAN DRESS+ G[N1 LEFT P]FECT COPIES ( !MSELVES SUSP5D$ 9 ! AIR BEH9D !M AS !Y MOV$4 ,) ONE BRIEF1 WRIGGL+ SPASM HE HAD TURN$ HIMSELF 9TO A LIVELY1 BRAN*+ BU% ( /RIPY FLANNEL ?AT HAD PALE P9K F+]-BLOSSOMS BY ! DOZ5 SPR\T+ FROM ITS MULTIPLY+ /EMS4 ,HE WAIL$1 & SAW HIS \TCRY TRAVEL 9 A GLITT]+ TRUMPET RIPPLE ?R\< ! CRY/AL GLUE ( ! SURR\ND+ AIR4 

,?IS ONLY SEEM$ TO MAKE ! LITTLE BLOND GIRL :O WAS 9 OR ON ! CORN] CROSS ) HIM1 :5 :AT ) F9D+ \T ?AT HE WAS DEAD & ALL ( ?AT1 HE'D QUITE =GOTT5 %E WAS /&+ !RE4 ,%E /RET*$ H] GRUBBY H&S T[>DS HIM1 REA*+ UP OR D[N DEP5D+ ON :I* ASPECT ( H] *ALK-BOX OPTICAL ILLUSION HE WAS FOCUS+ UPON4 ,%E %\T$ AT HIM1 NE> 5\< N[ SO ?AT HE C\LD HE> H]1 ) H] VOICE NO LONG] LIKE ?AT ( A BEETLE 9 A MAT*BOX4 ,CLOS] UP1 ,MI*AEL C\LD HE> ! ,BOR\<S CREAK+ 9 H] ACC5T1 ) ITS GRIMY FLOORBO>DS & ITS PADLOCK$ GATES4 

0,COME UP6 ,COME ON UP ']E1 Y]'LL BE ALL RI<T6 ,GI' ME Y] '&1 & PACK UP WI' Y] FIDGET9'6 ,Y]'LL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE60 

,HE DIDN'T KN[ :AT C\LD BE WORSE ?AN BE+ DEAD1 BUT S9CE AT ?AT PO9T HE C\LD H>DLY SEE H] = A =E/ FULL ( T>TAN TREES & /RIP$-PANTS %RUBB]Y HE ?\<T HE'D BETT] DO AS %E ADVIS$4 ,HE HELD HIMSELF AS /ILL AS HE C\LD MANAGE &1 AFT] A MOM5T OR TWO1 WAS RELIEV$ TO LE>N ?AT ALL ! EXTRA ELB[S1 KNEES & SLIPP]-COV]$ FEET W\LD GRADUALLY FADE AWAY TO NO?+ IF Y\ GAVE !M 5\< TIME4 ,ONCE ALL ( HIS SUP]FLU\S BODY P>TS HAD DISAPPE>$ & W]5'T OB/RUCT+ HIS VIEW ( ! CORN]-FAIRY ANYMORE1 HE CAUTI\SLY REA*$ \T T[>DS ! H& ?AT %E WAS HOLD+ D[N OR UP TO HIM1 MOV+ HIS [N >M V]Y SL[LY SO ?AT ALL ! TRAIL+ AFT]-PICTURES W]E R$UC$ TO A B>E M9IMUM4 

,H] \T/RET*$ F+]S WRAPP$ >\ND HIS [N1 & HE WAS SO SURPRIS$ BY H[ REAL & H[ PHYSICAL !Y FELT HE ALMO/ LET !M GO AGA94 ,HE F\ND ?AT1 AS ) SI<T & SC5T1 HIS S5SE ( T\* HAD SUDD5LY BE5 MADE A LOT MORE S5SITIVE4 ,IT WAS AS ?\< HE'D TAK5 (F A PAIR ( PADD$ MITT5S ?AT HAD BE5 TI$ ON HIS WRI/S SOON AFT] HE'D BE5 BORN4 ,HE FELT H] PALM1 HOT AS A NEW-BAK$ CAKE & SLIPP]Y ) SWEAT1 AS IF %E'D HELD IT GU>D+ P5NIES 9 H] POCKET = TOO LONG4 ,! S(T PADS 9 BETWE5 H] DIGITS HAD A /ICKY GLAZE1 LIKE %E'D BE5 EAT+ RIPE PE>S ) H] B>E H&S & HAD NOT HAD TIME TO WA% YET1 IF %E EV] DID4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ EXACTLY :AT HE'D BE5 ANTICIPAT+1 POSSIBLY ?AT BE+ DEAD HIS F+]TIPS W\LD SIMPLY PASS ?R\< EV]Y?+ AS IF IT W]E MADE \T ( /EAM1 BUT HE'D NOT BE5 EXPECT+ ANY?+ AS CLAMMILY BELIEVABLE AS ?IS1 !SE HUMID CRAB-LEGS SCRABBL+ = HIS WRI/ & CLAMP+ ON ! BAGGY CUFF ( ,MI*AEL'S DRESS+ G[N4 

,H] GRIP1 NOT ONLY />TL+LY REAL1 WAS ALSO MU*1 MU* /RONG] ?AN HE W\LD HAVE ?\<T TO LOOK AT H]4 ,YANK+ HIM BY ! >M %E HAUL$ HIM UP1 NO1 D[N T[>DS H]1 MU* LIKE SOMEONE TRY+ TO L& A FRANTIC1 FLAPP+ FI%4 ,HE SUFF]$ AN UNPLEASANT MOM5T DUR+ ?IS :5 BO? HIS EYES & /OMA* HAD TO FLIP FROM ?9K+ HE WAS BE+ PULL$ D[N TO A TABLE CORN] ?AT POK$ \T1 & 9/EAD SEE IT AS A BACKROOM CORN] ?AT TUCK$ 91 ) ! GIRL /RADDL+ IT & REA*+ D[N AS IF HELP+ HIM UP \T ( A SWIMM+ POOL1 :ILE %E /OOD SAFELY 9 ! DRY A/RIDE ! JUNCTION :]E ITS $GES MET4 ,! ROOM LUR*$ \TSIDE-9 AGA9 AS HE WAS DRAGG$ UP ?R\< A SORT ( H+E1 :]E EV]Y?+ Y\ ?\<T WAS GO+ ONE WAY TURN$ \T TO BE ACTUALLY GO+ 9 ! O!R1 & NEXT ?+ HE KNEW ,MI*AEL WAS /&+ WOBBLY-KNE$ ON ! SAME PA9T$ WOOD5 L$GE AS ! SMALL GIRL4 

,?IS N>R[ PLAT=M RAN >\ND ! RIM ( :AT APPE>$ TO BE A BIG SQU>E VAT SOME ?IRTY FEET OR MORE ACROSS1 ) !IR PREC>I\S P]* BE+ ! L[E/ LEVEL ( A TI]$ AMPHI!AT] ?AT SLOP$ UP = SEV]AL /EPS ON ALL F\R SIDES1 LIKE A GIANT PICTURE-FRAME 5CLOS+ ! WIDE FI%-TANK VOID HE'D JU/ BE5 RESCU$ FROM4 ,! T5-Y>D SWEEPS ( /AIR ?AT L$ UP FROM ! $GES ( ! POOL-LIKE >EA W]E1 EV5 9 HIS CONFUS$ CONDITION1 OBVI\SLY IMPRACTICAL & LUDICR\S4 ,! TREADS W]E F> TOO DEEP1 BE+ SOME FEET ACROSS FROM FRONT TO RE>1 :ILE AT ! SAME TIME ALL ! RIS]S W]E TOO %ALL[1 NO MORE ?AN ?REE 9*ES HI<1 H>D] TO SIT ON ?AN A ROADSIDE CURB4 ,! G5TLY-/EPP$ SURR\ND SEEM$ TO BE MADE ( TI]$ :ITE-PA9T$ P9E ) ITS %>P CORN]S R\ND$ 9TO CURVES1 COV]$ ALL OV] ) A ?ICK & FLAK+ COAT ( PA9T1 A YELL[+ CREAM GLOSS ?AT LOOK$ AS ?\< IT HAD BE5 LA/ T\*$ UP BE=E ! W>4 ,TO BE QUITE FRANK1 ! MORE HE PE]$ AT !M ! MORE ! /EPS RESEMBL$ ! OLD BEAD$ MOLD+ ?AT RAN R\ND ! CEIL+ ( !IR LIV+ ROOM 9 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 EXCEPT MU* BIGG] & TURN$ UPSIDE D[N4 ,AS HE /OOD ) HIS BACK T[>DS ! RECTANGUL> PIT HE'D BE5 PULL$ \T (1 HE C\LD EV5 SEE A PAT* ( B>E WOOD :]E ! PA9T HAD PEEL$ AWAY LEAV+ A %APE A BIT LIKE ,BRITA9 LY+ ON ITS BACK1 ID5TICAL TO ONE HE'D NOTIC$ ONCE UP ON ! DECORATIVE TRIM ABOVE !IR FIREPLACE4 ,?AT ONE1 ?\<1 HAD BE5 NO L>G] ?AN A P5NY PO/AGE /AMP1 :]EAS ?IS WAS AN UNJUMPABLE PUDDLE1 EV5 ?\< HE FELT SURE ?AT ! WRIGGL+ CONT\R L9ES W\LD PROVE A P]FECT MAT* ON CLOSE 9SPECTION4 

,AFT] BL9K+ AT ! WOODWORK 9 A/ONI%M5T = A FEW SECONDS1 ,MI*AEL %UFFL$ R\ND 9 HIS PLAID SLIPP]S UNTIL HE WAS FACE TO FACE ) ! T\< LITTLE GIRL :O /OOD BESIDE HIM ON ! P9E BO>DS ) H] COLL> MADE ( RANCID RABBITS4 ,%E WAS JU/ A FRACTION TALL] ?AN HE WAS HIMSELF1 :I*1 TAK5 9 CONJUNCTION ) ! FACT ?AT %E WAS WE>+ PROP] CLO!S :ILE HE WAS /ILL DRESS$ 9 HIS NI<T-?+S1 MADE HIM FEEL AS IF %E HAD HIM AT A DISADVANTAGE4 ,REALIZ+ ?AT !Y W]E /ILL HOLD+ H&S1 HE LET GO HURRI$LY4 

,HE MEANT TO SAY SOME?+ ALONG ! L9ES ( 0,:O >E Y\10 OR 0,:AT'S BE5 DONE TO ME10 BUT :AT CAME \T 9/EAD WAS 0,Y\ :O10 FOLL[$ ALMO/ 9/ANTLY BY 0,WORLDS B5T UND] ME40 ,AL>M$1 HE RAIS$ HIS F+]S TO HIS LIPS & FELT >\ND TO MAKE SURE ?AT HIS M\? WAS WORK+ PROP]LY4 ,LIFT+ HIS >M TO DO SO1 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT HE WAS NO LONG] LEAV+ PICTURE-COPIES EV]Y TIME HE MOV$4 ,P]HAPS ?AT ONLY HAPP5$ 9 ! FLOATY PLACE HE'D JU/ ?AT MOM5T BE5 FI%$ \T (1 BUT RI<T !N ,MI*AEL WAS MORE CONC]N$ AB\T ! RUBBI% HE WAS COM+ \T ) :5 HE TRI$ TO TALK4 

,! GIRL /OOD LOOK+ AT HIM 9 AMUSEM5T ) H] HEAD COCK$ ON ONE SIDE1 H] WIDE LIPS PRESS$ TOGE!R 9 A ?9 L9E SO ?AT %E C\LD KEEP FROM LAU<+4 ,MI*AEL MADE A FRE% ATTEMPT TO ASK H] :]E !Y W]E & :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM4 

0,W>E :EE >E1 WORE 'WAY8 ,& ?ROTTLES HAPPY TUNE ME80 

,?\< ! /REAM ( NONS5SE WAS NO LESS UPSETT+1 ,MI*AEL WAS A/ONI%$ TO DISCOV] ?AT HE ALMO/ UND]/OOD HIMSELF4 ,HE'D ASK$ H] :]E !Y W]E AS HE'D 9T5D$ TO1 BUT ALL ! WORDS HAD COME \T *ANG$ & TWI/$ R\ND1 ) DIFF]5T MEAN+ TUCK$ 9TO !IR CREVICES4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT :AT HE'D SAID TRANSLAT$ R\<LY TO 0,:]E >E WE1 9 ?IS PLACE :]E ,I FEEL SO AW>E1 ?AT MAKES WE WANT TO %\T :EE1 BUT :I* MAKES ME W>Y1 LOOK+ ALL RUN-D[N & WORN AWAY1 ! WAY IT DOES8 ,& :AT HAS HAPP5$ TO ME8 ,I WAS HAPPY :]E ,I WAS1 BUT FE> ,I MAY HAVE ?ROTTL$ ON A ,TUNE ?AT HAS *OK$ (F MY JOY\S SONG40 ,IT S\ND$ A BIT PO% & WE$Y PUT LIKE ?AT1 BUT HE SUPPOS$ ?AT IT CONTA9$ ! FEEL+S HE WAS TRY+ TO CONVEY4 

,! SMIRK+ UR*9 C\LD CONTA9 H] MIR? NO LONG] & LAU<$ 9 HIS FACE1 L\DLY1 ?\< NOT UNK9DLY4 ,M9UTE BEADS ( OPAL SPITTLE1 EA* ) ALL ! WORLD REFLECT$ 9 IT1 HURTL$ FROM H] M\? TO BREAK AGA9/ HIS NOSE4 ,AMAZ+LY1 ! GIRL SEEM$ TO AT LEA/ HAVE CAU<T ! GI/ ( :AT HE'D MEANT TO SAY1 & :5 H] GIGGLES HAD SUBSID$ %E MADE :AT HE TOOK = A S9C]E ATTEMPT TO ANSW] ALL HIS QUE/IONS AS DIRECTLY AS %E C\LD4 

0,YOO HOO TO Y\ AS WELL4 ,I'M ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 ,I'M BOSS ( ! GANG40 

,?OSE W]5'T ! EXACT WORDS %E US$1 & !RE W]E CORKSCREW SYLLABLES ?AT MADE HIM ?9K ( 0GASBAG0 & 0BASS GONG01 P]HAPS A REF]5CE TO H[ MU* %E TALK$ OR H[ DEEP1 = A GIRL1 H] VOICE WAS1 BUT HE C\LD MAKE \T :AT %E WAS SAY+ )\T DIFFICULTY4 ,CLE>LY1 %E'D GOT H] M\? UND] MORE CONTROL ?AN ,MI*AEL HAD HIS [N4 ,%E W5T ON & HE LI/5$1 BO? 9T5TLY & ADMIR+LY4 

0,:AT'S 'APP5$ IS ! WORLD'S B5T UND] Y] & \T Y]'VE FELL LIKE EV]YBODY DOES4 ,Y]'VE *UCKL$ ON A SWEET40 ,?IS SEEM$ TO SAY ?AT HE HAD ?ROTTL$ OR HAD *OK$ TO DEA? AS HE'D SUSPECT$1 ?\< ) COMICAL ASSOCIATIONS AS IF NEI!R DEA? NOR *OK+ C\LD BE TAK5 V]Y S]I\SLY R\ND H]E4 ,! GIRL CONT9U$4 

0,SO ,I TUGG$ Y] AYT ! JEWELRY & N[ ']E WE >E ,UP/AIRS4 ,WE'RE 9 ,MANS\L4 ,MANS\L'S ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<4 ,DO Y] WANT TO JO9 ME GANG OR DON'T Y]80 

,MI*AEL COMPREH5D$ ALMO/ NONE ( ?IS EXCEPT ! LA/ P>T4 ,HE JUMP$ BACK FROM H] LIKE HE'D BE5 /UNG4 ,HIS SPIRIT$ REFUSAL ( H] (F] WAS SPOIL$ ONLY BY NOT BE+ 9 A PROP] LANGUAGE4 

0,KN[ EYE D\<NUT6 ,LATE ME GR[ BLACK SQU>E EYEWA% BE F\R60 

,%E LAU<$ AGA91 LESS L\DLY &1 HE ?\<T1 NOT QUITE SO K9D4 

0,HA6 ,Y\ 5T F\ND Y] ,LUCY-LIPS YET4 ,?AT'S :Y :AT Y] SAY+ CLANGS \T WRONG4 ,JU/ GIVE IT L+] & Y]'LL SOON BE SPOOK+ PROP]LY4 ,BUT AS = :]E Y\ WIZZLE BE BE=E1 !RE 5T NO GO-BACK4 ,LIFE'S BEH9D Y] N[40 

,%E NODD$ PA/ HIM1 & IT SANK 9 ?AT H] LA/ REM>K HAD BE5 9T5D$ AS MORE ?AN A TURN ( PHRASE4 ,%E'D MEANT HIS LIFE WAS CURR5TLY BEH9D HIM4 ,) HIS NECK-HAIRS T+L+ AS !Y LIFT$1 ,MI*AEL SWIVEL$ C>EFULLY TO LOOK AT IT4 

,HE F\ND ?AT HE'D BE5 /&+ ) HIS BACK TURN$ TO ! V]Y $GE ( ! HUGE1 SQU>E-%AP$ TANK HE'D BE5 DRAGG$ UP FROM1 ) A WORRY+ DROP B5EA? HIM AT HIS SLIPP]-HEELS4 ,! >EA HE WAS LOOK+ AT1 :ILE NOT MU* BIGG] ?AN ! *ILDR5'S BOAT+ LAKE HE'D SE5 ONCE AT ! P>K1 WAS C]TA9LY MU* DEEP]1 TO ! PO9T :]E ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T TELL EXACTLY H[ F> D[N IT W5T4 ,! GREAT FLAT POOL WAS FILL$ UP TO ITS BRIM ) ! SAME WOBBLY1 HALF-SET GLASS ?AT HE HAD LATELY BE5 SUSP5D$ 94 ,! SURFACE WAS /ILL QUIV]+ SLI<TLY1 NO D\BT FROM ! VIOL5T J]K ) :I* HE'D BE5 PULL$ \T4 

,AS ,MI*AEL PE]$ D[N ?R\< ! %UDD]+ SUB/ANCE HE C\LD MAKE \T /ILL =MS ?AT EXT5D$ ?R\< ! GLAZ$ DEP?S1 MOTIONLESS & TWI/$ TRUNKS ( 9TRICATELY TEXTUR$ GEM/ONE ?AT W]E W\ND >\ND EA* O!R AS !Y /RET*$ ACROSS ! SPACE B5EA?4 ,HE ?\<T IT MI<T LOOK A BIT LIKE A CORAL G>D51 ?\< HE HADN'T REALLY GOT A CLE> IDEA ( :AT ?OSE WORDS ACTUALLY MEANT4 ,! 9T]WOV5 /R&S ) ALL !IR BRAN*ES & !IR SURFACES SEEM$ TO BE MADE ( SOME?+ Y\ C\LD SEE ?R\<1 LIKE A H>D1 CLE> WAX4 ,!SE FRILLY1 TANGL+ CABLES HAD NO COLOR ( !IR [N1 BUT Y\ C\LD LOOK 9SIDE !M TO :]E LI<TS ( EV]Y %ADE SWAM BACK & =?4 ,HE C\LD DI/+UI% AT LEA/ ?REE ( ! LONG CONVOLUT$ TUBES1 EA* ) ITS [N SPECIFIC 9N] HUE1 AS !Y SNAK$ 9 AMONG EA* O!R ?R\< ! RUBB]Y FA?OMS TREMBL+ F> BEL[1 LIKE AN ICE-/ATUE ( A GORGE\S KNOT4 

,! ?ICKE/ & MO/ WELL-DEVELOP$ ( ! /EMS1 LIT FROM 9SIDE BY A PR$OM9ANTLY GRE5I% GL[1 WAS ! ONE ,MI*AEL ?\<T LOOK$ NICE/1 ?\< HE C\LDN'T HAVE TOLD ANYONE PRECISELY :Y4 ,IT HAD A PEACEFUL QUALITY AB\T IT1 ) ! SCULPT$ EM]ALD B\< /RET*$ RI<T ACROSS ! MASSIVE BOX ( %IV]+ LI<T1 FROM :]E IT 5T]$ ?R\< A TALL RECTANGLE 9 ! VAT'S F> WALL1 !N COIL$ >\ND ! MON/] FI%-TANK PRETTILY T[>DS HIM BE=E CURV+ (F TO ,MI*AEL'S LEFT & EXIT+ HIS FIELD ( VISION ?R\< ANO!R LOOM+ AP]TURE4 

,HE ?\<T IT WAS AN 9T]E/+ CO9CID5CE ?AT BO? !SE OP5+S W]E 9 ! SAME RELATION TO EA* O!R AS ! DOORS ?AT L$ \T FROM !IR LIV+ ROOM D[N ,&REW'S ,ROAD 9TO ! KIT*5 & ! PASSAGEWAY1 AL?\< !SE 5TRANCES W]E VA/LY BIGG]1 MORE LIKE ?OSE Y\'D F9D 9 A CA!DRAL OR P]HAPS A PYRAMID4 ,AS HE LOOK$ CLOS] ) HIS IMPROV$ EYES HE SAW ?AT !RE WAS EV5 A BLACK TUNNEL CUT L[ D[N 9TO ! RI<T-SIDE WALL HALFWAY ALONG1 9 ! PRECISE LOCATION ?AT !IR FIREPLACE W\LD BE IF IT W]E HUG] & IF HE W]E />+ D[N AT IT FROM A POSITION UP ABOVE4 

,:ILE HE WAS POND]+ ?IS UNLIKELY SIMIL>ITY HE NOTIC$ ?AT HIS FAVORITE FROND1 ! GRE5 ONE1 HAD A RIPPL+ & ATTRACTIVE RUFF ALONG ONE SIDE UP NE> ! TOP1 RESEMBL+ A /RIPE ( FANN+ MU%ROOM GILLS4 ,AT ! PO9T :]E ! COMPLICAT$ CABLE ( TRANSLUC5T JADE B5T TO ! LEFT1 :I* WAS ! PO9T :]E IT WAS ALSO NE>E/ HIM1 HE HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW !SE GILLS SIDE-ON & REALIZ$ ) A JOLT ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT AN 5DLESS R[ ( DUPLICAT$ HUMAN E>S4 ,ONLY :5 ,MI*AEL SAW ?AT EV]Y ONE WAS WE>+ AN ID5TICAL FACSIMILE ( HIS MOM ,DORE5'S FAVORITE CLIP-ON BUTTON E>R+S DID HE UND]/& AT LA/ :AT HE'D BE5 GAWP+ AT4 

,! JELLY-FLOOD$ *AMB]1 WEIRD AS ANY UNDISCOV]$ PLANET1 WAS 9 FACT !IR DE>1 FAMILI> LIV+ ROOM BUT SOMEH[ SWOLL5 UP TO A T]RIFIC SIZE4 ,! LUM9\S1 CONTORT$ CRY/AL %AFTS LAC$ ?R\< IT W]E ! BODIES ( HIS FAMILY1 BUT ) !IR %APES REPEAT$ & PROJECT$ ?R\< ! *&ELI]-LIKE TREACLE ( !IR ATMOSPH]E1 ! WAY ?AT ,MI*AEL'S >MS & LEGS HAD LOOK$ :5 HE HIMSELF WAS FL\ND]+ 9 ! VISC\S EMPT9ESS4 ,! DIFF]5CE WAS ?AT !SE EXT5D$ FIGURES W]E IMMOBILE1 & ! IMAGES ?AT !Y W]E MADE FROM DIDN'T PROMPTLY FADE \T ( EXI/5CE 9 ! WAY ?AT HIS SP>E LIMBS HAD DONE4 ,IT WAS AS ?\< :ILE PEOPLE W]E /ILL LIV+ !Y W]E REALLY FROZ5 MOTIONLESS1 IMM]S$ 9 ! CONGEAL$ BLANCMANGE ( TIME1 & SIMPLY ?\<T ?AT !Y W]E MOV+1 :5 9 TRU? IT WAS JU/ !IR AW>5ESS FLUTT]+ ALONG ! PREEXI/+ TUNNEL ( !IR LIFETIME AS A BALL ( COLOR$ LI<T4 ,APP>5TLY1 ONLY :5 PEOPLE DI$1 AS ,MI*AEL SEEM$ TO HAVE JU/ DONE1 W]E !Y RELEAS$ FROM ! CONTA9+ AMB] & ALL[$ TO RISE UP SPLUTT]+ & SPLA%+ ?R\< ! ASPIC ( ! H\RS4 

,! BIGGE/1 GRE5E/ /RUCTURE1 ?AT HE'D ALREADY EXPRESS$ A PREF]5CE =1 WAS ,MI*AEL'S MOM1 PASS+ AT GREAT SPE$ ?R\< ! LIV+ ROOM1 FROM KIT*5 DOOR TO PASSAGEWAY4 ,HE DIMLY CALCULAT$ ?AT 9 NORMAL CIRCUM/ANCES ?IS W\LD ONLY TAKE HIS MO!R A FEW 9/ANTS1 :I* SUGGE/$ ?AT ! SLICE ( TIME ON P]MAN5T DISPLAY 9 ?IS CAPACI\S TANK WAS1 AT ! MO/1 T5 SECONDS ?ICK4 ,EV5 SO1 Y\ C\LD TELL FROM ! TORTU\S 9T]WEAV+ ( ! SUNK5 LUMPS ?AT QUITE A LOT WAS GO+ ON4 

,! CURL+ REEF ( BOTTLE-GLASS ?AT WAS HIS MO!R - HE C\LD N[ DISC]N H] LIME-LIT FEATURES %UFFL$ ?R\< ! RIDGE'S UPP]MO/ PROTRUSION LIKE A /ACK ( SEE-?R\< MASKS - APPE>$ TO HAVE A BRI<T FAULT ALL ALONG ! GREAT] P>T ( ITS EXTRAORD9>Y L5G?4 ,:]E IT GREW 9TO ! 5CLOSURE ON ITS F> SIDE1 ?R\< ! T[]+ GAP B5EA? ! WAT]L9E ?AT WAS 9 ACTUALITY !IR N[-5ORM\S KIT*5 DOOR1 ! GRE5 MASS HAD A SMALL] =M 5CLOS$ )91 A R\<LY />-%AP$ SPLOT* ( RADIANT PRIMROSE RUNN+ ?R\< ITS C5T] LIKE ! LETT]+ 9 A /ICK ( ROCK4 ,?IS 9N] GL[ REMA9$ 9SIDE ! GOOSEB]RY-TON$ CONFIGURATION FROM ! PO9T AT :I* IT SURG$ 9 VIA ! *ASM ( ! DOORWAY1 FOLL[+ IT AS IT BRIEFLY VE]$ TO ,MI*AEL'S RI<T & !N RESUM$ ITS PA? T[>DS HIM1 A MANEUV] UND]TAK5 TO AVOID ! OB/ACLE ( A DR[N$ MESA ?AT HE REASON$ MU/ BE !IR LIV+-ROOM TABLE4 ,IT WAS H]E1 H[EV]1 RI<T BETWE5 ! TABLE & ! YAWN+ CAV]N ( ! FIREPLACE1 ?AT ! YELL[ BRILLIANCE SEEM$ TO LEAK \T FROM ! MOLD$ OLIVE VESSEL ?AT CONTA9$ IT4 ,A DIFFUS$ GOLD PLUME ROSE SMOKILY ?R\< ! 5GULF+ NEGATIVE-SPACE GELAT91 A CL\DY & UNRAVEL+ WOOL5 /R& ( LEMONADE ?AT TRAIL$ UP TO ! GUMDROP PANE ( ! VAT'S SURFACE QUITE NE> ,MI*AEL'S PLAID-CLAD FEET AS HE /OOD ON ! FRAM+ WOOD SURR\ND4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE CLEAN BA? WAT] SOMEBODY HAD DONE A WEE 94 ,! S(T />-%APE ) ITS FIVE BLUNT PO9TS WAS /ILL 9SIDE ! GREAT] ROLL+ BULK AS ?IS SW]V$ TO ONE SIDE & W5T \T BY ! PRES5TLY COLOSSAL PASSAGE DOOR ON HIS F> LEFT1 BUT N[ IT WAS A COLORLESS & EMPTY HOLE AMID ! W>M1 5FOLD+ GRE54 ,! SUMM] LI<T HAD ALL DRA9$ \T ( IT4 

,AFT] A :ILE IT CAME TO ,MI*AEL ?AT ?IS HAD BE5 HIM1 ?IS FRAIL FIVE-PETAL M>IGOLD ( BRI<TNESS :I* AT FIR/ GLANCE SEEM$ TO BE 9SIDE ! L>G] CRY/ALL9E >RANGEM5T ?AT WAS ,MI*AEL'S MOM4 ,%E HAD BE5 C>RY+ HIM ) BO? >MS 9 FRONT ( H]1 SO ?AT H] WID] CONT\RS SEEM$ TO SWALL[ HIS AS %E RU%$ =W>D 9 H] /REAM ( REPETITIONS4 ,& ! PO9T 9 H] TRAJECTORY BETWE5 ! TABLE & ! FIREPLACE :]E HIS SMALL] LI<T SWIT*$ (F1 ?AT WAS :]E HE HAD DI$1 :]E LIFE HAD CRACK$ & HIS AW>5ESS HAD SEEP$ 9TO ! 5VELOP+ CONSOMME ( COAGULAT$ TIME4 ,! YELL[ TRACES /RAGGL+ UPW>DS 9 ! PRISM-SYRUP W]E ! ONES ?AT HIS PAJAMA-SWADDL$ CONSCI\SNESS HAD LEFT BEH9D :5 HE'D DOG-PADDL$ UP & ?R\< ! CEIL+4 

,HE GAZ$ D[N 9TO ! GROTTO AT ! SUBM>9E CONTORTIONS ( ! O!R TWO ILLUM9AT$ F]NS1 A SPIKY RUSSET H$GE ( :AT LOOK$ LIKE REFRIG]AT$ ORANGE POP & :I* HE TOOK TO BE HIS GRAN1 & !N A PALE MAUVE TUBE MU* CLOS] TO ! FLOOR ?AT HAD A VIOLET TOR*-BEAM FL>E DANC+ 9SIDE IT4 ,HE ASSUM$ ?IS WAS HIS SI/]1 FLICK]+ ) ALL H] PURPLE ?\<TS4 ,) ITS DELICI\S PA9T-BOX T9TS & ITS AQUATIC LAY]S ( TRANSP>5CY1 ,MI*AEL C\LD SEE :Y ! UNN]V+ GIRL :O'D HOI/$ HIM AL(T HAD SPOK5 ( IT AS 0! JEWELRY04 ,IT WAS DELICATE & BEAUTIFUL1 BUT HE ?\<T !RE WAS SOME?+ SAD AB\T IT1 TOO4 ,DESPITE ITS %IFT+1 CORUSCAT+ SP>KS ! ORNAM5TAL DIORAMA HAD ! LOOK ( A =GOTT5 SN>L ( RIV]-BOTTOM JUNK1 SO ?AT IT SEEM$ A COMMON & NEGLECT$ ?+4 

,! GIRL'S VOICE ISSU$ OV] ,MI*AEL'S %\LD] FROM BEH9D HIM1 ?US REM9D+ HIM ABRUPTLY ?AT %E WAS /ILL !RE4 

0,IT'S AN OLD CAN ( BEANS1 BUT EV]Y BUBBLE ?AT Y\ EV] BLEW WIZ /ILL 9SIDE40 

,ODDLY1 HE KNEW JU/ :AT %E MEANT4 ,IT WAS A RU/Y & DISC>D$ OLD CONTA9] HE WAS LOOK+ AT1 BUT ALL HIS HOPES & WI%ES HAD BE5 9 IT1 HAD BE5 BORN FROM IT4 ,IT WAS A TREASURE *E/ ?AT TURN$ 9TO A COAL SCUTTLE ONCE Y\ C\LD SEE IT FROM \TSIDE1 YET /ILL HE C\LDN'T HELP BUT MISS ! SLACK ?AT HE'D MI/AK5 9 HIS 9EXP]I5CE = F9]Y4 ,HE MOON$ D[N = A MOM5T AT ! ROYAL C>PET RIV] ( MALA*ITE FILIGREE ?AT WAS HIS MO!R'S HAIR1 !N LOOK$ R\ND AT ! GIRL4 ,%E SAT1 KICK+ H] ANKLES1 ON ! %ABBY CREAM /EPS BANK$ >\ND ! SUNK5 LIV+ ROOM4 ,MI*AEL WAS />T+ TO ACCEPT ?AT 9 SOME WAY ?IS FRAM+ WOODWORK WAS 9 FACT ! MOLD+ UP >\ND !IR CEIL+1 BUT TURN$ 9SIDE-D[N OR UPSIDE-\T & BL[N UP L>G]4 ,%E WAS LOOK+ AT HIM QUIZZICALLY1 SO ?AT HE FELT HE \<T TO SAY SOME?+4 

0,WIZ ?IS PLAY SEV580 

,HIS 5UNCIATION WAS /ILL BUNGL+ HIS TONGUE1 BUT ,MI*AEL ?\<T IT MI<T BE SL[LY GETT+ EASI] TO COMMUNICATE4 ,! TRICK APPE>$ TO LIE 9 MEAN+ EV]Y WORD Y\ SAID 9 A PRECISE1 PURE WAY ?AT LEFT NO ROOM = AMBIGUITY4 ,?IS SEEM$ TO BE A PLACE :]E LANGUAGE W\LD ]UPT 9 CONNOTATIONS & CONUNDRUMS )\T PROVOCATION1 GIV5 HALF A *ANCE4 ,Y\ HAD TO KEEP Y\R EYE ON IT4 ,AT LEA/ ?IS TIME HIS NEW PO/HUM\S PLAYMATE WASN'T SNIGG]+ AT HIS SPEE*-DEFECT AS %E ANSW]$ HIM4 

0,YISS1 IF Y\ LIKE4 ,OR 'ELL4 ,IT'S JU/ ,UP/AIRS1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,IT'S UP ! WOOD5 'ILL1 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 :AT !Y CALL ,MANS\L4 ,WE'RE 9 AMONG ! ANGLES1 & IT WUNT BE LONG A=E Y]'VE GOT ! 'ANG ( IT4 ,Y\'RE LUCKY ?AT ,I WIZZLE PASS+1 :AT ) Y\ NOT 'AV+ FAMILY ']E TO WELCOME Y] ABO>D40 

,MI*AEL CONSID]$ ?IS LA/1 CASUAL OBS]VATION4 ,N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 ALL ?IS BE+ DEAD & GO+ UP TO ,HEAV5 BUS9ESS DID SEEM RA!R POORLY ORGANIZ$4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE HE'D HAD A LOT ( EXPECTATIONS AB\T ANGELS1 TRUMPETS1 PE>LY GATES OR ANY?+ LIKE ?AT1 BUT HE W\LD NOT HAVE ?\<T IT W\LD BE TOO MU* TR\BLE TO >RANGE A PASS$-ON RELATIVE OR TWO1 JU/ AS A WELCOM+ COMMITTEE TO ?IS FUNNY1 SLIP%OD AFT]LIFE4 ,AL?\<1 TO BE FAIR1 ALL ( HIS DEAD RELATIVES HAD DI$ BE=E ,MI*AEL WAS BORN SO ?AT !Y W\LDN'T REALLY KN[ HIM1 NOT TO TALK TO4 ,AS = ALL ! MEMB]S ( HIS FAMILY ?AT HE WAS CLOS] TO1 HE'D MESS$ ?AT UP BY DY+ \T ( ORD]4 ,HE'D ASSUM$ ?AT 9 ! NORMAL RUN ( ?+S1 PEOPLE W\LD DIE ACCORD+ TO H[ OLD !Y W]E1 :I* MEANT ?AT HIS NAAN ,MAY W\LD BE ! FIR/ TO GO1 !N HIS GRAN ,CL>A1 !N HIS DAD1 HIS MOM1 HIS OLD] SI/]1 HIM HIMSELF & F9ALLY !IR BUDGIE1 ,JOEY4 ,IF HE HADN'T DI$ BE=E IT WAS HIS TURN1 !N ALL ( !M EXCEPT ! BUDGIE W\LD BE H]E TO LIFT HIM UP \T ( HIS LIFE1 TO CLAP HIM ON ! BACK & 9TRODUCE HIM TO ,ET]NITY4 ,IT W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 LEFT TO JU/ SOME GIRL1 SOME P]FECT /RANG] :O JU/ HAPP5$ TO BE /ROLL+ BY4 

,AS IT WAS N[1 ?\<1 HE'D BE H]E ALL ON HIS [N >RANG+ ! RECEPTION = HIS T]RIFY+ NAAN4 ,& :AT IF IT W]E YE>S UNTIL SOMEBODY ELSE DI$1 YE>S ) JU/ ! TWO ( !M WALTZ+ >\ND TOGE!R ON !SE E]IE1 CREAK+ BO>DS8 ,) HIS EYES DESP]ATE & D>T+ AT ! V]Y NOTION1 HE ATTEMPT$ TO CONVEY SOME ( HIS MUS+S TO ! LITTLE GIRL4 ,WASN'T IT ,PHYLLIS SOME?+ ?AT %E'D SAID H] NAME WAS8 ,HE SPOKE C>EFULLY & SL[LY1 MAK+ SURE ( ! 9T5TION ( EA* WORD BE=E IT PASS$ HIS LIPS1 SO ?AT IT W\LDN'T SUDD5LY BETRAY HIM BY EXPLOD+ 9TO PUNS & HOMONYMS4 

0,I'VE DI$ :ILE ,I'M /ILL LITTLE4 ,?AT'S :Y NO ONE ELF WIZ H]E TO MEET ME YET40 

,HE WAS IMPROV+1 DEF9ITELY4 ,?AT S5T5CE HAD BE5 GO+ F9E UNTIL ! BIT :]E HE HAD 9ADV]T5TLY REF]R$ TO HIS Y\NG1 B[L-CUT B5EFACTOR AS A 0NO ONE ELF40 ,UPON REFLECTION1 ?\<1 ?IS DIDN'T SEEM 5TIRELY 9APPROPRIATE1 & %E H]SELF DIDN'T APPE> AS IF %E'D TAK5 IT AMISS4 ,%E SAT !RE ON ! ANCI5T PA9TWORK1 /RAI<T5+ ! NAVY L95 ( H] SKIRT OV] H] GRIT & GRAVEL-/UDD$ KNEECAPS1 IDLY PICK+ AT ! BRITTLE1 YELL[$ $GES ( ! FLAK+ GLOSS4 ,%E LOOK$ UP AT HIM ALMO/ PITY+LY1 & %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,?AT'S NOT ! WAY IT WORKS4 ,EV]YONE'S ']E ALREADY4 ,EV]YMUM'S ALWAYS BE5 H]E ALREADY4 ,IT'S JU/ DAYN !RE :]E Y] GET Y] TIMES & *IMES MIX$ UP4' 

,%E NODD$ TO ! GLI/5+ CAVITY ( ,MI*AEL'S =M] LIV+ ROOM1 BEH9D HIM4 

0,ONLY :5 WE'RE READ+ ?R\< ! PAGES WIZZLE !RE BE ANY ORD] TO 'UM4 ,:5 ! BOOK'S %UT1 ALL ITS LEAVES >E PRESS$ TOGE!R 9TO PAP] 9*ES ?AT DON'T REALLY GOO ONE WAY OR T'O!R4 ,!Y'RE JU/ !RE40 

,HE'D ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA :AT %E WAS ON AB\T4 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 ,MI*AEL WAS /ILL 5T]+ A M\NT+ /ATE ( PANIC AT ! IDEA ( HIM TURN+ \T TO BE ,MAY ,W>R5'S ESCORT 9 ?IS PEEL+ P>ADISE4 ,9 FACT1 ! HORROR-/RICK5 & APPALL$ REACTION TO ?IS :OLE /ATE ( AFFAIRS ?AT HE'D BE5 PUTT+ (F SEEM$ TO BE CREEP+ UP ON ,MI*AEL 9 A ?OR\<LY UPSETT+ MANN]4 ,AS ! AWFUL FACT ( HIS DEMISE CONT9U$ TO S9K 91 JU/ :5 HE ?\<T ?AT HE'D ACCEPT$ ALL !RE WAS ( IT1 HE F\ND HIS H&S W]E %AK+4 ,:5 HE TRI$ TO SPEAK HE F\ND HIS VOICE WAS1 TOO4 

0,I DON'T WILT TO BE DEAD4 ,?IS WIZZN'T RI<T4 ,IF ALL ?IS WIZZLE RI<T1 !RE'D BE SOMEBODY ?AT ,I KNEW H]E WAIT+ F\R ME40 

,WIZZN'T8 ,WIZZLE8 ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ HE WAS US+ WORDS ! LITTLE GIRL HAD US$ AS IF HE'D ALWAYS UND]/OOD !M P]FECTLY4 ,= 9/ANCE1 HE KNEW 0WIZZLE0 WAS A T]M ?AT HAD 0WAS01 0IS0 & 0WILL BE0 FOLD$ UP 9SIDE IT1 AS ?\< TO DIVIDE ?+S UP TO PRES5T1 PA/ & FUTURE WAS ?\<T AN UNNECESS>Y COMPLICATION 9 !SE P>TS4 ,?IS 9SI<T ONLY S]V$ TO MAKE HIM FEEL EV5 MORE LO/ & WORRI$ ?AN HE WAS ALREADY4 ,HE KNEW ?AT EV5 IF HE WAS H]E UNTIL ! 5D ( TIME1 HE'D NEV] UND]/& ! FIR/ ?+ ?AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,HE HAD AN OV]P[]+ URGE TO RUN AWAY FROM ALL ( ?IS1 & ALL ?AT KEPT HIS FEET /ILL WAS ! KN[L$GE ?AT !RE WASN'T REALLY ANY:]E SAFE 9 ! WORLD ?AT ,MI*AEL C\LD /ILL RUN TO4 

,SITT+ ON ! L[ /EPS1 TOY+ ) H] ROTT5 RABBIT WRAP1 ! GIRL WAS N[ REG>D+ HIM ) A MORE W>Y & UNC]TA9 LOOK1 AS IF HE'D SAID SOME?+ ?AT %E MI/RU/$1 OR AS IF SOME NEW FACT HAD OCCURR$ TO H]4 ,%E SQU9*$ H] EYES1 ,MALTES] BR[N1 TO TW9 SLITS ( 9T]ROGATION1 ) ! FRECKL$ BRIDGE ( H] SNUB NOSE SUDD5LY CORRUGAT$ AS A CONSEQU5CE4 

0,?IS WIZ A BIT ( A PECURIOSITY1 N[ ?AT ,I COME TO ?9K4 ,EV5 ! ',ITL]S 'AVE !IR GR&DADS WAIT9' = 'UM1 & ,I %\LDN'T ?9K Y]'D 'AVE 'AD TIME TO BE AS BAD AS ?AT4 ,:AT WIZ Y\1 SIX OR SEV580 

,= ! FIR/ TIME S9CE HE'D L&$ H]E1 HE LOOK$ D[N AT HIS BODY4 ,HE WAS SATISFI$ TO F9D ?AT 9 ?IS NEW LI<T1 EV5 HIS OLD NI<T-CLO!S W]E AS MESM]IZ+ 9 !IR TUCKS & TEXTURES AS ! CLO?+ ( ! LITTLE GIRL APPE>$ TO BE4 ,! T>TAN ( HIS DRESS+ G[N1 9 R$S SO DEEP !Y V]G$ ON ! M>OON1 WAS BUR/+ ) ! DRI$-BLOOD HI/ORIES ( PR\D & TRAGIC CLANS4 ,HIS DECK*AIR-/RIP$ PAJAMAS1 ALT]NAT+ B&S ( ICE CREAM CL\D & ,JULY SKY1 MADE SLEEP SEEM LIKE A SEASIDE HOLIDAY4 ,MI*AEL WAS PLEAS$ TO NOTE1 AS WELL1 ?AT HE WAS BIGG] ?AN HE'D BE53 /ILL SK9NY1 BUT A GOOD FOOT TALL]4 ,IT WAS MORE ! BODY ( A SMALLI% EI<T-YE>-OLD ?AN ?AT ( ! M]E TODDL] HE HAD BE5 JU/ MOM5TS E>LI]4 ,HE TRI$ TO ANSW] ! GIRL'S QUE/ION HONE/LY1 EV5 IF ?AT MEANT ?AT %E'D ?9K HE WAS A BABY4 

0,I ?9K ?AT ,I WIZZLE ?REE1 BUT N[ ?AT ,I'M GL[$ UP ,I'M MORE LIKE SEV540 

,! GIRL NODD$ 9 AGREEM5T4 

0,?AT MAKES S5SE4 ,I 'SPECT Y]'D ALWAYS WANT$ TO BE SEV51 AYE8 ,?AT'S '[ WE >E ']E1 LOOK+ AS WE BE/ ?9K ( AYRSELVES4 ,MO/ PEOPLE MONG] !MSELVES Y\NG]1 OR !Y'RE 'APPY '[ !Y >E ALREADY1 BUT 9FANTOMS LIKE Y]SELF >E B\ND TO BE AN AGE SU* AS !Y WIZZLE LOOK+ =W>D TO40 

,ADOPT+ A MORE S]I\S EXPRESSION N[1 %E C>RI$ ON4 

0,BUT '[ WIZ IT A ?REE-YE>-OLD 'AS GOT NO FAMILY ,UP/AIRS TO TAKE 'IM 98 ,!RE'S MORE TO Y\ ?AN MEETS ! ,I1 ME LITTLE DEADY-BOY4 ,:AT WIZ Y] NAME :5 Y\ WIZ 9 Y] FAME80 

,NONE ( ?IS *AT WAS MAK+ HIM LESS N]V\S1 BUT HE C\LDN'T SEE H[ TELL+ H] HIS NAME W\LD MAKE ?+S ANY WORSE1 SO HE REPLI$ AS BE/ HE C\LD4 

0,I'M ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,IT MI<T BE !RE'S NO ONE H]E BECAUSE ,I WIZZN'T PROP]LY SUPPOS$ TO COME UP YET TO ,DEAD=D%IRE4 ,IT MI<T BE A MISS$ A*E40 

,HE'D MEANT TO SAY 0MI/AKE01 & DIDN'T KN[ :]E 0,DEAD=D%IRE0 HAD COME FROM4 ,IT FELT LIKE A K9D ( SLANG ?AT HE WAS PICK+ UP \T ( ! AIR1 ! WAY ?AT WORDS & PHRASES SOMETIMES CAME TO HIM 9 DREAMS4 ,AT ANY RATE1 ! GIRL APPE>$ TO HAVE NO TR\BLE UND]/&+ HIM1 :I* 9DICAT$ ?AT HIS GRASP ( CEMET]Y ,ESP]ANTO WAS IMPROV+4 ,) A TR\BL$ LOOK UPON H] FACE %E %OOK H] HEAD SO ?AT H] BLOND FR+E %IMM]$ LIKE A MIDGET WAT]FALL4 

0,!RE'S NO MISS$ A*ES4 ,I MI<T 'AVE KN[N ,I WIZZN'T SKIPP+ ?R\< ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? BY ACCID5T :5 Y] CLOGS 'APP5$ TO POP UP4 ,I ?\<T ,I'D TOOK A %ORT CUT FROM :]E ,I'D BE5 SCRUMP+ = ,MAD ,APPLES AT ! 'OSPITAL1 BACK 'OME TO ! ,OLD ,BUILD+S1 BUT ,I SEE N[ ?AT ,I'D GOT SUP]9T5TIONS :AT ,I DIDN'T KN[ AB\T4 ,IT'S LIKE !Y ALWAYS SAY R\ND ']E1 ! *>ACT] DON'T RUN A MILE BE=E ! AU?OR'S WRIT A :ILE40 

,%E BREA!D A DRAWN-\T 0HAHH0 ( DEEP EXASP]ATION1 !N /OOD UP ) A DECISIVE AIR AB\T H]1 SMOO?+ D[N ! HEAVY FABRIC ( H] MIDNI<T-BLUE SKIRT \T ( HABIT4 

0,Y]'D BETT] COME ) ME UNTIL WE CAN F9D \T :AT ALL ?IS WIZ ABAYT4 ,WE CAN CALL AT ! ,WORKS & ASK ! BUILD]S4 ,COME ON4 ,?IS WIZ BOR9'1 ALL ?IS PA/ & PLA/] :AT'S R\ND ']E40 

,%E TURN$ & />T$ WALK+ ) DELIB]ATION UP ! %ALL[ /AIRS ( PA9T$ PLANK+1 OBVI\SLY EXPECT+ HIM TO FOLL[ H] AS %E ASC5D$ FROM ! 9LAID CAVITY ( !IR AMPHI!AT]4 ,MI*AEL DIDN'T KN[ :AT HE %\LD DO4 ,ON ONE H&1 ,PHYLLIS 444 ,PA9T]1 WAS IT8 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS ! ONLY P]SON ?AT HE'D GOT = COMPANY H]E 9 ?IS E*O+ & LONELY AFT]DEA?1 EV5 IF ,MI*AEL WASN'T SURE HE \<T TO TRU/ H]4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ! FIFTY-FOOT-WIDE JELLY-CUBE BEH9D HIM WAS HIS ONE CONNECTION ) ! LOVELY & UNWITT+ LIFE HE'D HAD BE=E4 ,?OSE FRILLY DRAGON /ATUES D[N !RE 9 ! 9/ANT'S DIAMOND V>NI% W]E HIS MOM & GRAN & SI/]4 ,EV5 IF HIS NEW ACQUA9TANCE F\ND IT BOR+1 ,MI*AEL FELT UNEASY AB\T W&]+ (F & LEAV+ IT BEH9D4 ,:AT IF HE NEV] F\ND HIS WAY BACK H]E AGA91 ! WAY ?AT HE C\LD NEV] F9D HIS WAY BACK TO ! PLACES 9 HIS DREAMS1 :I* ?IS EXP]I5CE RESEMBL$8 ,:AT IF ?IS WAS HIS LA/ GLIMPSE ( NUMB] #a#g1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ( HIS BEIGE LIV+ ROOM1 HIS FAMILY1 HIS LIFE8 ,HE GLANC$ BACK HESITANTLY AT ! YAWN+ TANK ?AT HAD HIS F9AL MOM5T 9 IT1 FROZ5 & ELECTROPLAT$ LIKE A PAIR ( BABY-%OES4 ,!N HE LOOK$ UP ! FLATT5$ /EPS TO :]E HIS RESCU] WAS CLIMB+ PA/ ! $GE ( ! CONCAVITY & \T ( SI<T1 )\T A BACKW>D GLANCE4 

,HE CALL$ \T 0,WEI<T01 NOTIC+ H[ HIS CRY REV]B]AT$ 9 ! DIFF]5T SORT ( >*ITECTURE ?AT !Y HAD UP H]E1 ! WAY IT :ISP]$ 9 UNDREAM$-( DI/ANCES1 !N HE *AS$ AFT] H]4 ,HE B\ND$ UP ! *IPP$ CREAM LAY]S ( ! FRAM+ WOODWORK1 DESP]ATELY AFRAID ?AT :5 HE REA*$ !IR SUMMIT %E'D BE GONE4 ,%E WASN'T1 BUT AS HE EM]G$ \T ( ! SQU>E-CUT S9K & HAD = ! FIR/ TIME AN UNIMP$$ VIEW ( :]E HE WAS1 HE FELT ! SAME DESPAIR AS IF %E HAD BE54 

,IT WAS A FLAT PRAIRIE1 ?\< ?AT T]M DID NOT ADEQUATELY CONVEY ITS VA/NESS1 NOR ! FACT ?AT IT WAS MADE 5TIRELY \T ( B>E UNTREAT$ FLOORBO>DS4 ,OR ITS %APE1 = ?AT MATT]4 ,/AGG]+LY LONG YET RELATIVELY N>R[1 IT WAS MORE LIKE AN 5ORM\S HALLWAY ?AN A SAGEBRU% PLA91 BE+ P]HAPS A MILE 9 WID? BUT ) A L5G? EXT5D+ BO? 9 FRONT ( & BEH9D HIM = AS F> AS HE C\LD SEE1 EV5 ) HIS NEW EYESI<T4 ,TO ALL PRACTICAL 9T5TS & PURPOSES1 ! WOOD5 PRAIRIE'S L5G? WAS 9F9ITE4 ,ALSO1 ! :OLE EYE-BOGGL+ REA* ( IT WAS COV]$ ) AN 5DLESS ANTIQUE RAILWAY-/ATION RO(1 ELABORATE WR\<T IRON & <\L-T+$ GLASS A ?\S& FEET ABOVE4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE !RE W]E PIGEONS NE/+ ON ITS GIANT GIRD]S1 DU/ MOTES ( PALE GRAY AGA9/ ! D>K GRE5 ( ! PA9T$ METAL4 ,UP ABOVE ?IS1 \T BEYOND ! T9T$ GLASSWORK'S UND]SEA TRANSLUC5CY1 !RE WAS 444 BUT ,MI*AEL DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK AT ?AT JU/ YET4 

,HE /OOD !RE 9 HIS SLIPP]S1 TEET]+ & AWE/RUCK ON ! DIRTY BUTT]-COLOR$ RIM ( :AT HAD BE5 HIS LIV+ ROOM1 HIS DY+ ROOM1 & =C$ HIS GAZE D[N FROM ! EYE/RA9 HEI<TS BACK TO ! GREAT1 BO>D$ EXPANSES ?AT SURR\ND$ HIM4 ,!SE W]E NOT1 AS HE'D FIR/ ?\<T1 FEATURELESS4 ,HE SAW N[ ?AT ! TI]$ FRAME HE P]*$ WOBBL+ ON ! $GE ( WAS 9 FACT JU/ ONE ( MANY NE>-ID5TICAL WOOD RECTANGLES 5CLOS+ SUNK5 9D5TATIONS LIKE ! ONE HE OCCUPI$4 ,!SE W]E >RANG$ 9 AN EXT5SIVE GRID ) BROAD BLOND BO>DWALKS RUNN+ BACK & =? BETWE5 !M1 LIKE A K9D ( MILE-WIDE G+HAM4 ,IT RESEMBL$ R[S ( W9D[S ?AT W]E SET 9TO ! FLOOR = SOME UNFA?OMABLE REASON1 RA!R ?AN ! WALLS4 ,BECAUSE ?IS REGUL> & NEATLY-ORD]$ PATT]N COV]$ ALL ( ! T]RA9 BETWE5 HIM & ! F>1 9VISIBLE HORIZON1 ! MO/ DI/ANT TRAPDOOR RECESSES W]E %RUNK5 TO A SCRE5 ( CLOSE-PACK$ DOTS1 LIKE :5 HE'D HELD HIS EYES CLOSE TO ! PR9T$ PICTURES 9 ! COMICS FROM ,AM]ICA HIS SI/] SAV$4 

,HE ?\<T HE'D PROBABLY BE /RICK5 ) A HEADA*E IF HE />$ = TOO LONG AT ! VANI%+ EXTREMITIES ( ! PREPO/]\SLY BIG >CADE ?AT HE WAS 94 0,>CADE01 ,MI*AEL DECID$1 WAS A T]M ?AT BETT] CONJUR$ UP ! ATMOSPH]E ( ?IS IMM5SE1 GLASS-COV]$ HALL ?AN 0RAILWAY /ATION01 :I* HAD BE5 HIS FIR/ IMPRESSION4 ,ACTUALLY1 ! MORE ?AT HE CONSID]$ IT1 ! MORE HE CAME TO SEE ?AT ?IS PLACE WAS EXACTLY LIKE ! OLD ,EMPORIUM ,>CADE ?AT RAN UP FROM ,NOR?AMPTON'S M>KET SQU>E1 BUT REALIZ$ ON A GLORI\S1 TITANIC SCALE4 ,IF HE LOOK$ RI<T OR LEFT1 ACROSS ! SWEEP+ BREAD? ( ! HUGE CORRIDOR1 HE SAW ! B\ND+ WALLS W]E A CONFUSION ( BRICK BUILD+S /ACK$ ATOP EA* O!R & CONNECT$ BY PREC>I\S FLI<TS ( /AIRS ) BANI/]S & BALCONIES4 ,AMONG !SE HE C\LD SEE :AT LOOK$ LIKE DECORAT$ IF DILAPIDAT$ %OP-FRONTS1 SU* AS ?OSE :I* RAN UP EI!R SIDE ( ! EMPORIUM'S P]PETUAL TWILI<T SLOPE4 ,! DEEP-/A9$ H>DWOOD BALU/RADE ?AT $G$ ! BALCONIES APPE>$ TO BE ! TW9 ( ?AT :I* RAN >\ND ! UPP] FLOOR ( ! T]RE/RIAL >CADE1 BUT HE WAS MU* TOO F> AWAY1 EV5 FROM ?IS HUGE HALLWAY'S NE>E/ WALLS1 TO TELL IF ?AT WAS G5U9ELY ! CASE4 

,IT SMELL$ BIG1 SMELL$ LIKE MORN+ 9 A *UR* HALL :]E A JUMBLE SALE WAS GO+ ON1 ! AIR A WEAK 9FUSION 9 :I* /ALE1 DAMP COATS /EEP$ ) ! CRUMBL+ FRE% P9KNESS ( HOMEMADE COCONUT ICE1 ! SNEEZE-PROVOK+ PAGES ( OLD *ILDR5'S ANNUALS & ! S\R METAL LICK ( CA/(F ,D9KY C>S4 

,TRA9+ HIS EYES UPON SOME ( ! NE>] DOTS1 & BE>+ 9 M9D ?AT EV5 ! FUR!R ONES W]E AP]TURES SOME HUNDR$ SQU>E FEET 9 DIM5SION1 ,MI*AEL SAW ?AT H]E & !RE MASSIVELY 5L>G$ TREES W]E GR[+ UP ?R\< ONE OR TWO ( ! MORE DI/ANT RECTANGUL> OP5+S4 ,HE C\NT$ ?REE ( !SE1 ) POSSIBLY A F\R? MU* FUR!R (F ALONG ! 5DLESS BORE ( ! >CADE1 SO DI/ANT ?AT IT MI<T HAVE BE5 ANO!R TREE BUT C\LD AS EASILY HAVE BE5 A PILL> =M$ BY RIS+ SMOKE4 ,A C\PLE ( ! LEAFY \TGR[?S1 B\<S & BRAN*ES GREATLY MAGNIFI$1 REA*$ ALMO/ TO ! GLASS RO(1 DIZZY+LY F> ABOVE4 ,HE C\LD SEE A%-FLECK PIGEONS SWIRL+ UP & D[N ! HUGE & JUTT+ TRUNKS FROM P]* TO P]*1 ) !IR SIZE HAV+ NOT APP>5TLY BE5 9CREAS$ 9 ! SAME WAY AS ?AT ( ! FOLIAGE1 SO ?AT !Y N[ LOOK$ LESS LIKE F[L & MORE LIKE PE>L-GRAY LADYBIRDS4 ,SO SMALL W]E !Y1 COMP>$ ) ! IMM5SE >BOREAL /RUCTURE !Y W]E ROO/+ 91 ?AT SOME SAT %ELT]$ COM=TABLY )9 ! CORRUGATIONS ( ITS B>K4 ,!IR RUFFL+ COOS1 E*O$ & AMPLIFI$ BY ! UNUSUAL AC\/ICS ( ! GLASS EMPORIUM RO( ?AT CURV$ ABOVE1 W]E AUDIBLE DESPITE ! GAP+ DI/ANCES 9VOLV$1 A K9D ( FEA!R$ UND]T[ ( MURMUR HE C\LD HE> B5EA? ! G5]AL BACKGR\ND RU/LE ( ?IS EXTRAORD9>Y SPACE4 ,! PRES5CE ( ! TREES COMB9$ ) ! %E] SCALE ( EV]Y?+ >\ND HIM MEANT ?AT ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T TELL IF HE FELT LIKE HE WAS 9SIDE OR \T ( DOORS4 

,S9CE HE ALREADY /OOD ) HIS EYES LIFT$ TO ! TOPMO/ TABLECLO?-SIZ$ LEAVES ( ! IMMEASURABLE GIANTS1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T RISK ANO!R CAUTI\S SQU9T AT ! UNLIKELY FIRMAM5T ?AT LAY BEYOND ! CURL+ IRONWORK & ,COCA-,COLA BOTTLE PANES ?AT =M$ ! COV]+ ( ! GREAT >CADE4 

,IT WASN'T QUITE AS BAD AS HE'D EXPECT$ BUT1 ONCE LOOK$ AT1 IT WAS V]Y DIFFICULT TO LOOK AWAY4 ,ITS COLOR1 OR AT LEA/ ITS COLOR OV] ?AT GIANT /RET* ( PASSAGE :]E HE F\ND HIMSELF1 WAS A MORE DEEP & PRICELESS AZURE ?AN HE C\LD HAVE PREVI\SLY IMAG9$4 ,FUR!R (F ALONG ! MI<TY HALL & AT ! LIMITS ( :AT HE C\LD SEE FROM :]E HE /OOD1 ! REGAL BLUE APPE>$ TO HAVE IGNIT$1 TO HAVE MELT$ D[N TO FURNACE R$S & GOLDS4 ,MI*AEL GLANC$ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 LOOK+ D[N ! /UNN+ CORRIDOR ! O!R WAY1 & SAW ?AT AT ITS MO/ REMOTE EXTREMES ! B\NDLESS SKY1 :I* C\LD BE SE5 ?R\< ! GLASS PANELS ( ! >CADE'S CEIL+1 WAS ON FIRE4 ,AS ) ! BLUE ABOVE1 ! HOTT] HUES HE C\LD SEE FL>+ 9 ! DI/ANCE SEEM$ ALMO/ FLUORESC5T 9 !IR BRILLIANCE1 LIKE ! UNREAL %ADES Y\ SOMETIMES GOT 9 FILMS4 ,H[EV]1 ?\< ! SIZZL+ COLORS ( ! HEAV5S W]E MO/ C]TA9LY >RE/+1 IT WAS ! UNE>?LY BODIES DRIFT+ ?R\< ?AT VI/A ?AT HAD SEIZ$ ,MI*AEL'S ATT5TION4 ,IT WAS !SE ?AT MADE ! SI<T ALMO/ IMPOSSIBLE TO TE> HIS GAZE AWAY FROM4 

,!Y W]5'T CL\DS1 AL?\< !Y W]E AS V>I\SLY SIZ$ & JU/ AS GRACEFUL & UNHURRI$ 9 !IR MOTION4 ,!Y W]E MORE1 HE ?\<T1 LIKE BLUEPR9T DRAW+S ?AT SOMEONE HAD DONE ( CL\DS4 ,= ONE ?+ Y\ C\LD ONLY SEE !IR PALLID SILV] GRAPHITE L9ES & NOT !IR CONT\RS4 ,= ANO!R1 ALL ?OSE L9ES W]E /RAI<T4 ,IT WAS AS IF SOME V]Y CLEV] /UD5T ( GEOMETRY HAD BE5 ASSIGN$ ! TASK ( MODEL+ EV]Y CREASE & CONVOLUTION ( ! DRIFT+ CUMULI1 SO ?AT EA* CL\D'S %APE WAS CON/RUCT$ FROM A MILLION T9Y FACETS4 ,! EFFECT WAS MORE LIKE HAPHAZ>DLY CRUMPL$ BALLS ( PAP]1 ALBEIT PAP] HE C\LD SEE ?R\< TO DISC]N ! L9ES & ANGLES ( !IR EV]Y 9N] COMPLICATION4 ,?IS MEANT ALSO ?AT ! BLAZ+ BACKGR\ND COLORS ( ! SKY W]E VISIBLE BETWE5 ! 9TRICATE & <O/LY LIMN+ ( ! FLOAT+ DIAGRAMS4 

,BESIDE !IR GRADUAL DRIFT ACROSS ! MILE-WIDE RIBBON ( CELE/IAL BLUE ?AT HE C\LD SEE ?R\< ! EMPORIUM'S RO(1 HE NOTIC$ ?AT ! =MS W]E ALSO MOV+ & CONTORT+ SL[LY 9 !MSELVES AS !Y PROGRESS$ ACROSS ! SKY1 ! WAY ?AT REAL CL\DS DID4 ,9/EAD ( LANGUID & UNFURL+ TONGUES ( VAPOR1 ?\<1 ! MOVEM5T H]E WAS ?AT1 AGA91 ( BADLY CR9KL$ VELLUM AS IT GRADUALLY UNFOLD$ FROM ITS SCRUN* 9 ! RECESSES ( A WICK] PAP]-BASKET4 ,FACET$ EXTRUSIONS CREPT & CRACKL$ AS ! T[]+ HEAPS ( BLUEPR9T-WEA!R LAZILY UNPACK$ !MSELVES1 & !RE WAS SOME?+ 9 ! WAY ?AT ! 9T]IOR L9ES & ANGLES MOV$ :I* HE F\ND FASC9AT+1 ?\< HE /RUGGL$ TO DEF9E EXACTLY :AT IT WAS4 

,IT WAS A BIT LIKE IF Y\ HAD A CUBE ( PAP] BUT W]E LOOK+ AT IT FROM 5D ON1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T SEE IT WAS A CUBE ) SIDES1 & ALL Y\ SAW WAS A FLAT SQU>E4 ,!N1 IF Y\ TURN$ ! CUBE OR *ANG$ Y\R VIEWPO9T SLI<TLY1 ALL ITS TRUE DEP? W\LD SW+ 9TO VIEW & Y\ W\LD UND]/& ?AT Y\ W]E LOOK+ AT A SOLID %APE1 NOT JU/ A CUT\T4 

,?IS WAS LIKE ?AT1 ONLY TAK5 A /AGE FUR!R4 ,9 ! %IFT+ ( ! GEOMETRIC TANGLES HE SURVEY$1 IT WAS AS IF HE GAZ$ DIRECTLY AT SOME?+ HE TOOK TO BE A CUBE1 BUT !N IT WAS ROTAT$ OR HIS VANTAGE SOMEH[ ALT]$1 SO ?AT IT TURN$ \T TO BE A MU* MORE COMPLICAT$ =M1 AS DIFF]5T FROM A CUBE AS CUBES W]E FROM FLAT SQU>ES ( PAP]4 ,IT WAS A LOT CUBI]1 = A />T1 ) ITS L9ES RUNN+ 9 AT LEA/ ONE MORE DIRECTION ?AN !RE REALLY W]E4 ,HE /OOD !RE BALANC$ ON ! FRAM+ $GE ( ! SQU>E VAT BEH9D HIM1 HEAD TIPP$ BACK SO HE C\LD GOGGLE AT ! SPECTACLE ABOVE1 & TRI$ TO ?9K IT ?R\<4 

,! /RANGE NEW SOLIDS BLOSSOM+ )9 ! CR5ELATIONS ( ! DIAGRAM-CL\DS W]E ONES ?AT ,MI*AEL HAD NO NAMES =1 ?\< HE F\ND HE HAD AN 9KL+ ( ! WAY 9 :I* !Y W]E CON/RUCT$4 ,?9K+ ( ! PAP] CUBE ?AT HE'D IMAG9$ E>LI]1 ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ?AT IF Y\ UNFOLD$ IT !N Y\'D HAVE SIX FLAT SQU>ES ( PAP] JO9$ TOGE!R 9 A ,JESUS-CROSS4 ,! %APES ?AT CRAWL$ ACROSS ! 5DLESS /RIP ( SKYLI<T OV]HEAD1 H[EV]1 W]E MORE LIKE :AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T Y\'D GET IF Y\ C\LD SOMEH[ TAKE SIX OR MORE CUBES & FOLD !M ALL UP NEATLY 9TO ONE BIG SUP]-CUBE4 

,H[ LONG HAD HE BE5 /&+ FROZ5 ON ! TANK'S RIM1 GAP+ UP 9TO ! *URN+ MA!MATICS8 ,SUDD5LY AL>M$1 HE LOOK$ D[N TO ! WOOD5 PLA9 ( W9D[S /RET*+ ALL >\ND HIM & WAS PITIFULLY RELIEV$ TO F9D ?AT ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS /ILL /&+ PATI5TLY A Y>D OR ?REE AWAY ACROSS ! SMOO?-PLAN$ PLANKS ?AT W]E ! >CADE'S FLOOR1 CLOSE TO ANO!R ( ! 9LAID HOLES4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HIM ACCUS+LY1 AS DID F\R DOZ5 ( ! DEAD & GLEAM+ RABBIT EYES ?AT SEQU9$ H] REPULSIVE /OLE1 LIKE %OTGUN PELLETS BLA/$ 9TO VELVET4 

0,IF Y]'VE F9I%$ GAWK9' AT ! GRET BIG '\SES LIKE Y]'VE JU/ GOT ']E FROM ,BUGBROOK1 !N P]HAPS WE CAN BE ON AYR WAY4 ,I'VE BETT] ?+S TO WA/E ME DEA? ON ?AN JU/ %[+ %R\D-%OCK$ LITTLE KIDS ABAYT40 

,FL9*+ AT ! %>P $GE H] VOICE HAD TAK5 ON1 ,MI*AEL JUMP$ D[N OB$I5TLY FROM ! RAIS$ $GE ( HIS =M] LIV+ ROOM'S TI]$ FRAMEWORK1 TO ! SMOO? P9E FLOORBO>DS %E WAS /&+ ON4 ,HE PADD$ DUTIFULLY ACROSS TO H]1 ! SA%-TIE ( HIS T>TAN DRESS+ G[N UNDONE & TRAIL+ R\ND HIS SLIPP]S1 !N /OOD LOOK+ UP AT H] AS IF AWAIT+ FRE% 9/RUCTIONS4 ,PHYLLIS SI<$ AGA91 !ATRICALLY1 & %OOK H] HEAD4 ,IT WAS A V]Y GR[N-UP MANN]ISM ?AT BELI$ H] YE>S1 BUT !N ?AT WAS H[ ALL ! LITTLE GIRLS >\ND ! ,BOR\<S ACT$1 MU* LIKE ,RUSSIAN DOLLS ?AT HAD BE5 TAK5 FROM 9SIDE !IR UNSCREW$ MO!RS & W]E JU/ ! SAME1 BUT SMALL]4 

0,WELL1 COME ON1 !N40 

,%E TURN$ ) A MAYPOLE SWIRL ( DANGL+ RABBIT HIDES & />T$ TO WALK (F ACROSS ! WID? ( ! TITANIC CORRIDOR1 T[>DS ! B\ND+ WALL ON ,MI*AEL'S RI<T ) ALL ITS BALCONIES & %OPS & BUILD+S PIL$ HIGGL$Y-PIGGL$Y1 P]HAPS A HALF-A-MILE AWAY4 ,AFT] A MOM5T'S HESITATION ,MI*AEL TROTT$ AFT] H] &1 AS HE DID SO1 HAPP5$ TO GLANCE D[N 9TO ! GREAT SQU>E VAT ?AT %E'D BE5 /&+ NE>1 ! NEXT ONE UP ! L9E FROM ?AT :I* ,MI*AEL HAD HIMSELF EM]G$ FROM4 

,IT WAS ALMO/ P]FECTLY ID5TICAL1 D[N TO ! DETAILS ( ! BEAD$ MOLD+1 5L>G$ & 9V]T$1 ?AT MADE UP ! TI]$ /EPS FROM ! TANK'S SIDES D[N TO ! SUNK5 JELLY-CUBE ?AT WAS ITS C5T]PIECE4 ,MI*AEL C\LD EV5 SEE ! PAT* ( FLAK+ PA9T ?AT LOOK$ LIKE ,BRITA9 SPRAWL+ ON ITS BACK1 PLAY+ ) ,IREL& LIKE A DE=M$ KITT5 ) A BALL ( WOOL4 ,?IS WAS HIS LIV+ ROOM AGA91 BUT :5 HE PE]$ D[N AT ! C5TRAL TABLEAU'S DEP?S ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ ?AT ! JEWELRY WAS ALT]$4 ,! GRE5 MO!R-%APE ?AT HAD CONTA9$ HIS YELL[ *ILD-%APE WAS N[ GONE1 & ONLY ! EXT5D$ GEM-F]N CAT]PILL>S REPRES5T+ ,MI*AEL'S GRAN & SI/] /ILL REMA9$4 ,! AME?Y/ ,SWISS ROLL ?AT WAS HIS SI/] TRAIL$ ACROSS ! ROOM'S FLOOR1 UP ONTO SOME SORT ( RAIS$ PLATEAU :I* ,MI*AEL REASON$ MU/ BE ! >M*AIR ?AT /OOD TO ONE SIDE ( ! FIRE4 ,H]E IT CURL$ 9TO A /ATION>Y LOOP 9 :I* ! VIOLET SP>KS LOOK$ DULL & SLUGGI%1 LIKE A DISCONSOLATE ,CA!R9E ,:EEL4 ,MEAN:ILE ! BIGG]1 SP9I] GLASS ANIMAL ?AT WAS HIS GRAN1 LIT FROM )9 BY AUTUMN BONFIRE LI<TS1 COIL$ BACK & =? 9 TI<T LOOPS ?R\< ! MAMMO? KIT*5 DOOR4 ,IT WAS AS IF HIS SI/] WAS SLUMP$ /ILL & SOBB+ 9 ! FIRESIDE >M*AIR :ILE !IR GR&MO!R KEPT POPP+ FROM ! KIT*5 TO ! LIV+ ROOM TO SEE IF ! UNHAPPY 9FANT WAS ALL RI<T4 ,MI*AEL CONCLUD$ ?AT ?IS WAS ! NEXT BRIEF TIME-SLICE 9 ! CONT9UITY ( !IR BACK ROOM1 SOME MOM5TS AFT] HIS MOM ,DORE5 HAD RU%$ \T 9TO ! PASSAGE1 C>RY+ 9 H] >MS ! *ILD %E DID NOT REALIZE WAS ALREADY DEAD4 ,ALL ( ! SUNK5 W9D[-FRAMES 9 ?IS P>TICUL> UN5D+ R[1 HE ?\<T1 MU/ OP5 D[N UPON ! SAME PLACE BUT AT DIFF]5T PO9TS 9 TIME4 ,HE HAD AN URGE TO RUN ALONG ! FILE ( AP]TURES & FOLL[ ! SEQU5TIAL GLIMPSES ( HIS LIV+ ROOM AS IF !Y W]E A /ORY 9 ! ,D&Y1 BUT HIS ESCORT1 DRAP$ 9 DEAD ?+S1 WAS ALREADY SOME WAY (F1 HEAD+ ACROSS ! 5DLESS CORRIDOR & NOT ALONG IT4 ,/IFL+ HIS CURIOSITY1 HE HURRI$ TO CAT* UP ) H]4 

,AS HE FELL 9TO /EP BESIDE H]1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] CA/ A SIDELONG LOOK AT HIM & SNIFF$1 AS ?\< 9 REPRIM& = ,MI*AEL HAV+ LAGG$ BEH9D AGA94 

0,I KN[ ?AT IT'S A M>VELATION TO Y]1 BUT Y]'VE GOT F\REV] TO EXPLORE & SEE ! SI<TS4 ,ALL ?IS'LL /ILL BE ']E :5 Y] GET BACK4 ,RET]NITY 5T GOO9' ANY:]E40 

,HE MORE OR LESS KNEW :AT %E MEANT BUT /ILL WANT$ TO UND]/& AS MU* ( ?IS NEW T]RITORY AS HE C\LD :ILE HE WAS PASS+ ?R\< IT4 ,?IS WAS NOT AS F> AS HE C\LD SEE UNREASONABLE1 & HE DECID$ TO RISK IRRITAT+ HIS CORPSE-HUNG COMPANION FUR!R ) :AT SEEM$ TO HIM 5TIRELY NATURAL QUE/IONS = AN EXPIR$ LAD 9 HIS POSITION4 

0,IF ! LONGWAYS R[S WIZ ALL \R LIV+ ROOM OV] AGA91 !N :AT WIZ ALL !SE WIDEWAYS ONES80 

,HE GE/UR$1 ) ONE LITTLE H& PROTRUD+ FROM A TOO-L>GE T>TAN SLEEVE1 T[>DS ! FRAM$ VAT !Y W]E WALK+ PA/4 ,RA!R ?AN WOOD5 $G+1 ALL ! 9LAID RECTANGLES 9 ?IS SPECIFIC R[ SEEM$ TO BE BORD]$ ) :ITE PLA/]WORK1 AT LEA/ = NE>LY ?REE ( !IR F\R SIDES1 ) PO9T$ BLUE BRICK CAP/ONES CON/ITUT+ ! REMA9D] ( ! FRAME4 ,! GIRL NODD$ DIS9T]E/$LY AT ! 5CLOSURE CLOSE/ TO !M ON !IR LEFT AS !Y /ROLL$ D[N ONE ( ! MILE LONG AV5UES ?AT L$ BETWE5 ! TANKS1 T[>DS ! HEAP$-UP JUMBLE ( ! >CADE'S NE>E/ SIDE4 

0,SEE = Y]SELF1 SO LONG AS Y\ DON'T DAWDLE OV] IT40 

,HE SCAMP]$ EXTRA QUICKLY TO ! RAIS$ $GE ( ! ?IRTY-FOOT-SQU>E VAT1 JU/ TO CONV9CE H] ?AT HE WASN'T DAWDL+1 & PEEP$ OV] ITS SIDE4 ,IT TOOK HIM A FEW SECONDS TO WORK \T :AT HE WAS PE]+ D[N AT1 BUT EV5TUALLY HE UND]/OOD ?AT IT WAS AN EXP&$ OV]VIEW ( ! TOP FLOOR ( #a#g1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 OR ! BACK SECTION ( ! H\SE1 AT ANY RATE4 ,BANK$ PLA/] /EPS ) :AT LOOK$ LIKE WALLPAP] C>PET+ REPLAC$ ! PEEL+1 PA9T$ WOODWORK ?AT HAD FRAM$ ! ELEVATIONS ( !IR LIV+ ROOM1 BUT ONLY = TWO-&-A-BIT SIDES ( ! OBLONG'S TI]$ P]IMET]4 ,?IS WAS BECAUSE ! GREAT] PORTION ( ! OP5-TOPP$ SPACE ?AT ! FRAME 5CLOS$ WAS TAK5 UP BY A BIG ,L-%APE MADE FROM B$ROOMS1 /AIR-HEAD1 & A SECTION ( !IR L&+ AS GLIMPS$ FROM ABOVE4 ,! V]TICAL B> ( ! ,L WAS =M$ BY HIS & ,ALMA'S B$ROOM1 ) ! TOP ( !IR /AIRS & SOME ( ! L&+ VISIBLE D[N AT ! BOTTOM1 :]E IT MET ! HORIZONTAL L9E ?AT WAS !IR GRAN'S ROOM4 ,?IS 9DOORS-P>T ( ! R\<LY-SQU>E >EA CONTA9$ )9 ! FRAME WAS :AT ACC\NT$ = ! WALLPAP]-&-PLA/] TRIM ?AT HE C\LD SEE ALONG AT LEA/ TWO ( ITS SIDES1 :ILE ! REMA9D] ( ! %APE WAS TAK5 UP BY A VIEW /RAI<T D[N FROM ! LEVEL ( ! GUTT]+ 9TO ! HI<] P>T ( !IR BACK Y>D4 ,IT CAME TO ,MI*AEL ?AT ! SLATE-BLUE CAP/ONES $G+ ! RI<TMO/ UPP] CORN] ( ?IS TANK W]E AN EXP&$ V]SION ( ! /ONES ?AT TOPP$ !IR G>D5 WALL4 

,!RE W]E NONE ( ! FRILLY1 CRAWL+ JEWELS ?AT ,MI*AEL KNEW TO BE HIS FAMILY APP>5T 9 ! SC5E BEL[ HIM1 NEI!R UP/AIRS 9 ! EMPTY B$ROOMS NOR D[N 9 ! Y>D BEL[4 ,HE C\LD1 H[EV]1 /ILL MAKE \T ! WOOD5 *AIR ?AT HE & HIS MOM HAD BE5 SITT+ ON BE=E HE'D *OK$4 ,?IS MU/1 HE ?\<T1 BE A FEW MOM5TS AFT] EV]YONE HAD RU%$ 9DOORS \T ( ! Y>D & LEFT ! *AIR BEH9D4 ,ALL ! HUMAN ACTIVITY WAS GO+ ON D[N 9 ! KIT*5 & ! LIV+ ROOM1 ! SC5E ?AT HE'D JU/ WITNESS$ ) HIS SI/] SITT+ WEEP+ & HIS GRAN KEEP+ AN EYE ON H]1 SO ?AT ! B$ROOMS W]E BO? EMPTY H]E4 ,! ONLY LIV+ ?+ ?AT FLICK]$ ?R\< ! CRY/ALLIZ$ SC5>IO WAS AN AMAZ+ IRIDESC5T COLUMN ?AT APPE>$ TO BE MADE \T ( BEAUTIFULLY CRAFT$ LADIES' FANS4 ,?IS SEEM$ TO PLUNGE 9TO ! CL>IFI$ TIME-GRAVY FROM A PO9T CLOSE TO ! RO(TOP'S RIM1 & !N DESCRIB$ A BREA?TAK+LY ELEGANT TRAJECTORY D[N 9TO ! F> DEP?S ( ! BACK G>D54 ,IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT IT WAS PROBABLY A PIGEON1 ) ITS MOV+ W+S TRANS=M+ IT TO AN EXQUISITE GLASS-F9N$ ORNAM5T4 

,AW>E ?AT IF HE WASN'T C>EFUL HE W\LD BREAK 9TO A DAWDLE1 ,MI*AEL TURN$ AWAY FROM ?IS 5*ANT+ /ILL LIFE1 ?\< RELUCTANTLY1 & HA/5$ TO RE-JO9 ! LITTLE GIRL4 ,! TR\BLE ) ?IS PLACE1 AS F> AS ,MI*AEL WAS CONC]N$1 WAS ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY?+ ?AT DIDN'T FASC9ATE HIM4 ,ITS MO/ M9OR DETAIL SEEM$ TO BE 9VIT+ HIM TO />E 5TRANC$ AT IT = H\RS4 ,:Y1 PROBABLY EV5 ! PLA9 P9E FLOORBO>DS HE WAS WALK+ ON1 IF HE W]E ONLY TO LOOK D[N AT !M1 W\LD 444 

444 W\LD 5VELOPE HIM )9 A FL[+ TIDE-MAP UNIV]SE ( GRA91 ) NE>-9VISIBLE /RIATIONS RIPPL+ FROM ! KNO?OLE'S VORTEX EYE 9TO A PEACOCK FEA!R+1 ! FROZ5 PULSE ( A MAGNETIC FIELD4 ,! 5GRAV$ HE>TS ( HURRICANES1 REV]B]AT+ \TW>D 9 CONC5TRIC L9ES ( VEGETABLE =CE2 ! ACCID5TAL FACES ( MAD1 DECOMPOS$ BABOONS TRAPP$ SN>L+ 9 ! WOOD2 TRILOBITE /A9S ) LEGS ?AT TRAIL$ AWAY TO ISO!RMS4 ,! SWEET & FA!RLY P]FUME ( SAWDU/ W\LD COMPLETELY OV]:ELM HIM ) ITS ATMOSPH]E ( HONE/ LABOR1 W\LD IMM]SE HIM 9 LONG1 SIL5T HI/ORIES ( DRIPP+ =E/ & TIME MEASUR$ \T 9 MOSS1 IF HE W]E ONLY TO LOOK D[N BEYOND HIS /UMBL+ SLIPP]S & 444 

,MI*AEL SNAPP$ \T ( IT & HURRI$LY FELL 9TO /EP ) ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 :O'D NOT BROK5 /RIDE :ILE HE 9SPECT$ ! NEW AP]TURE1 & :O WAS CLE>LY F9I%$ ) 9DULG+ ,MI*AEL 9 HIS T>D9ESS4 ,!Y C>RI$ ON ALONG ! WOOD5 AV5UE BETWE5 ! VATS T[>DS ! HEAP+ SIDE-WALL ( ! GR& >CADE GRADUALLY GETT+ BIGG] UP AHEAD ( !M1 A TEET]+ HODGEPODGE PILE ( MISMAT*$ BUILD+S1 TALL] ?AN A T[N4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT UNGRASPABLE NEW %APES ! FOLD$ PAP] CL\DS W]E MAK+ UP BEYOND ! SEE-?R\< CEIL+ OV]HEAD1 BUT PRUD5TLY DECID$ ?AT HE W\LDN'T LOOK TO SEE4 ,9/EAD1 HE ?\<T HE'D BETT] CONC5TRATE UPON HIS RAGAMUFF9 T\R-GUIDE BE=E %E LO/ 9T]E/ 9 HIM ALTOGE!R4 ,TO ?IS 5D1 HE PLI$ H] ) FRE% QUE/IONS4 

0,WIZ ?IS ALL ,NOR?AMPTON :AT WE SEE H]E1 OP5 = ,UP/AIRS-M5 TO LOOK D[N ON80 

,%E SP>$ HIM A FA9TLY CONDESC5D+ SIDEWAYS GLANCE1 LETT+ HIM KN[ %E ?\<T HE WAS AN IDIOT4 

0 ',C\RSE NOT4 ,?IS WIZ JU/ ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? ABOVE Y\R BIT ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,9 ! DIRECTION :AT WE'RE GOO9' N[1 ! ATTIC DOORS ALL OP5 DAYN ON DIFF]5T ROOMS & FLOORS & :ATNOT ( ! '\SES 9 Y\R /REET4 ,! L9E WE'RE WALK+ DAYN1 ?AT'S ALL !M DIFF]5T PLACES LAID AYT 9 A R[1 SO IT GOES ON A MILE OR TWO BUT DON'T GOO ON =EV]4 ,N[1 ! O!R WAY1 ALONG ! OV]HALL 4440 

,%E PO9T$ ) H] SK9NY LEFT >M H]E1 D[N ! IMMEASURABLE L5G? ( ! VA/ CORRIDOR1 TO :]E ! ?IRTY-FOOT VATS W]E CLOSE-/IPPL$ DOTS B5EA? ! BLOODY1 GOLD5 =GE-LI<T BEAT+ D[N ?R\< ! GLASS RO( HI< UP ABOVE4 

0,?AT'S ! DIRECTION :AT UP H]E WE CALL ! L+] OR ! :5? ( SOME?+1 & IT DOES GOO ON =EV]4 ,:AT IT IS1 IF ?IS WAY :AT WE'RE WALK+ N[ IS ALL ! DIFF]5T ROOMS ALONG Y\R BIT ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 !N ?AT WAY1 L+]WAYS1 ?AT'S ALL ! DIFF]5T MOM5TS ( ?OSE ROOMS4 ,?AT'S :Y ! SKY ABOVE ?IS BIT :AT W]E 9 N[ IS ALWAYS BLUE1 BECAUSE IT'S 'ALF-WAY ?R\< A SUMM]'S DAY4 ,! BIT ALONG ! F> 5D :]E IT GUZ ALL BRASS & FIREWORKS1 ?AT'S ! SUNSET1 & IF Y] W5T FUR!R ON !RE'D BE A /RET* :]E IT WAS PURPLE & !N BLACK1 & !N Y]'D 'AVE TOMORR[ MORN+ GOO (F LIKE A BOMB1 ALL R$ & GOLD AGA94 ,IF Y] GET LO/1 !N JU/ REMEMB]3 WE/ IS FUTURE1 EA/ IS PA/1 ALL ?+S L+]1 ALL ?+S LA/4 ,OOH1 & BE C>EFUL IF Y] EV] 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES1 BECAUSE !Y'RE FLOOD$40 

,%E APPE>$ TO F9D ?IS A SUFFICI5T ANSW] TO HIS QU]Y1 & !Y M>*$ ON SIDE BY SIDE ACROSS ! SPR+Y FLOORBO>DS )\T SPEAK+ = A :ILE1 UNTIL HE'D ?\<T ( SOME?+ ELSE ?AT HE C\LD ASK4 ,HE S5S$ IT WASN'T QUITE AS GOOD A QUE/ION AS HIS PREVI\S ONE HAD BE5 BUT POS$ IT ANYWAY1 IF ONLY BECAUSE HE WAS F9D+ ?AT ! LAPSES 9 !IR CONV]SATION GAVE HIM TIME TO ?9K AB\T :AT HAD JU/ HAPP5$ TO HIM1 HIS NEW /ATUS AS A DEAD KID1 & ?AT ONLY MADE HIM SC>$4 

0,H[ WIZ IT ?AT \R B$ROOM & D[N/AIRS WIZ ALL ON ! SAME FLOOR UP H]E APPE>80 

,HE'D BE5 RI<T4 ,IT HAD OBVI\SLY BE5 A /UPID QUE/ION4 ,PHYLLIS ROLL$ H] EYES & TUTT$1 H>DLY BO!R+ TO DISGUISE ! WE>9ESS & ! ANNOYANCE 9 H] VOICE AS %E REPLI$4 

0,WELL1 '[ D'Y] ?9K8 ,IF Y]'D GOT PLANS MADE = A CELL> ?AT WAS DRAWN ON ! SAME BIT ( PAP] AS PLANS = AN ATTIC1 %\LD Y] ?9K AS ?AT WAS QUE]1 ?AT !Y WAS ON ! SAME %EET1 ! SAME LEVEL AS EA* O!R8 ',C\RSE Y] W\LDN'T4 ,USE Y] FLIPP9' LOAF40 

,*A/IS$ BUT NONE ! WIS]1 ,MI*AEL SCUFF$ ALONG 9 SIL5CE !RE BESIDE ! SLI<TLY OLD]1 SLI<TLY TALL] GIRL1 RUNN+ A FEW /EPS N[ & !N 9 ORD] TO MAKE UP ! DIFF]5CE 9 !IR /RIDES4 ,A GLANCE 9TO ! WOOD5-$G$ RECESS !Y W]E !N PASS+ ON !IR RI<T REVEAL$ A VIEW D[N TO AN UNFAMILI> LIV+ ROOM1 ) DIFF]5T FURNI%+S TO NUMB] #ag & ) ITS DOORS & W9D[S R\ND ! O!R WAY LIKE A REFLECTION 9 A MIRROR4 ,EXT5D+ ?R\< ! DEP?S ( ! 5L>G$ ROOM W]E MORE GLASSY GORGON T5TACLES ) LI<TS 9SIDE1 BUT !SE W]E DIFF]5T COLORS - D>K R$S & W>M BR[NS - CLE>LY FROM A QUITE SEP>ATE PALETTE TO ,MI*AEL'S [N FAMILY4 ,P]HAPS !SE W]E ! LIV+ QU>T]S ( ! ,MAYS OR POSSIBLY ! ,GOODMANS1 FUR!R D[N ! T]RACE8 

,HE WALK$ ON ) ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 BRIEFLY 5T]TA9+ ! NOT-UTT]LY-UNPLEASANT NOTION ?AT IF ANYONE %\LD SEE !M \T TOGE!R = A /ROLL LIKE ?IS !N ,PHYLLIS MI<T BE TAK5 = HIS GIRLFRI5D4 ,HAV+ NEV]1 AS A ?REE-YE>-OLD1 EXP]I5C$ ?IS 5VIABLE /ATE1 ! ?\<T PUT QUITE A SWAGG] 9TO ,MI*AEL'S /EP = A FEW PACES1 UNTIL HE REMEMB]$ HE WAS CLAD 9 SLIPP]S1 BAGGY DRESS+ G[N & HIS PAJAMAS4 ,! PAJAMAS1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 MI<T HAVE A SMALL YELL[ WEE-/A9 ON ! FLY1 AL?\< HE WASN'T GO+ TO *ECK & CALL ATT5TION TO IT4 ,SOMEONE SEE+ !M W\LD BE MORE LIKELY TO TAKE ,PHYLLIS = HIS JUNIOR NURSE ?AN = HIS GIRLFRI5D4 ,ANYWAY1 !Y W]E BO? DEAD1 :I* MADE ! :OLE IDEA ( BE+ SOMEONE'S BOYFRI5D LESS ROMANTIC & ATTRACTIVE4 

,UP AHEAD ! V>IEGAT$ TUMBLE ( WALLS1 LADD]S1 BALCONIES & W9D[S WAS MU* NE>] & MU* BIGG] ?AN :5 HE'D LA/ LOOK$4 ,HE C\LD SEE PEOPLE MOV+ ON ! HI<] FIRE-ESCAPES & WALKWAYS1 AL?\< HE & ,PHYLLIS W]E /ILL TOO F> (F FROM !SE TO MAKE !M \T 9 ANY DETAIL4 ,?IS WAS PROBABLY JU/ AS WELL1 HE ?\<T1 S9CE SOME ( ! P>AD+ FIGURES DIDN'T SEEM 5TIRELY NORMAL1 BE+ EI!R ! WRONG SIZE OR ! WRONG %APE4 ,IT /RUCK HIM ?AT ! PLACE 9 :I* HE F\ND HIMSELF WAS NOT LIKE ANY?+ HE'D BE5 EXPECT+ TO BE WAIT+ = HIM AFT] HIS DEMISE4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE ! ,HEAV5 ?AT HIS P>5TS HAD ONCE SKET*ILY DESCRIB$ TO HIM1 :I* WAS ALL M>BLE /EPS & TALL :ITE PILL>S LIKE ! ADV]TS ,PE>L @& ,DEAN DID AT ! PICTURES4 ,NOR WAS IT ! ,HELL ?AT HE'D BE5 W>N$ (1 NOT ?AT HE HAD BE5 EXPECT+ TO BE S5T TO ,HELL4 ,HIS MOM HAD TOLD HIM ?AT HE W\LDN'T GO TO ,HELL EXCEPT = SOME?+ REALLY BAD LIKE MURD]1 :I* HAD SEEM$ TO HIM LIKE MANAGEABLE ODDS1 ASSUM+ ?AT HE C\LD GET ?R\< HIS :OLE LIFE )\T KILL+ ANYBODY4 ,LUCKILY HE'D DI$ :5 HE WAS ?REE1 & HADN'T HAD TO PUT ?IS TO ! TE/ = V]Y LONG4 ,IF HE'D LIV$ TO BE OLD]1 HE CONSOL$ HIMSELF1 HE MI<T HAVE MURD]$ ,ALMA ONCE HE HAD ! /R5G?4 ,!N HE'D BE BURN+ 9 ! SPECIAL K9D ( FIRE HIS MOM HAD MUDDILY DEPICT$ AS NOT EV] KILL+ Y\ OR MELT+ Y\ AWAY TO NO?+1 EV5 ?\< IT WAS MORE HOT ?AN Y\ C\LD POSSIBLY IMAG9E4 

,HE WAS GLAD1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 NOT TO BE 9 ,HELL1 AL?\< ?IS DIDN'T HELP ) F9D+ \T :]E ELSE ?IS PLACE MI<T BE4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT 5\< TIME MI<T HAVE ELAPS$ S9CE HIS LA/ HESITANT 9QUIRY = HIM TO ATTEMPT ANO!R ONE4 

0,DOES ?IS ,UP/AIRS HAVE A RELIGATURE8 ,HAS IT GOT ,PE>L @& ,DEANY GATES1 OR TOGA-GODS ) *ESS & PEEP+-POOLS LIKE AT ! PICTURES80 

,?\< H] EYES DID NOT LI<T UP AT HIS R5EW$ 9T]ROGATION1 AT LEA/ ?IS MO/ REC5T QUE/ION DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE H] MORE ANNOY$ ) HIM4 

0,ALL ! RELIGATURES >E RI<T 9 P>TS1 :I* MEANS NONE ( 'EM >E 'CAUSE !Y ALL ?\<T AS IT WAS ONLY !M KNEW :AT WIZ :AT4 ,IT DOESN'T MATT]1 ANYWAY1 :AT Y] BELIEVE :5 Y] DAYN/AIRS1 AL?\< IT'S BE/ = Y] ?AT Y] BELIEVE 9 SOME?+4 ,NOBODY UP ']E'S MU* BO!R$ :AT IT WIZ4 ,NOBODY'S GUNN] MAKE Y] SAY ! PASSWORD1 & NOBODY'S GUNN] ?R[ Y] \T BECAUSE Y] DIDN'T JO9 ! RI<T GANG DAYN BEL[4 ,! ONLY ?+ :AT REALLY MATT]S WIZ IF Y\ WIZ 'APPY40 

,MI*AEL ?\<T AB\T ?IS AS HE WALK$ BESIDE H] D[N ! R[ ( FLOOR-DOORS4 ,IF ! GIRL WAS RI<T & ALL ?AT MATT]$ 9 LIFE WAS ONE'S HAPP9ESS1 !N HE'D DONE RELATIVELY WELL1 HAV+ 5JOY$ ?REE YE>S DUR+ :I* TIME HE'D H>DLY MANAG$ TO /OP GIGGL+4 ,BUT :AT AB\T IF PEOPLE HAD BE5 HAPPY DO+ ?+S ?AT W]E UNPLEASANT1 EV5 HORRIBLE8 ,!RE W]E SU* PEOPLE 9 ! WORLD1 HE KNEW1 & WOND]$ IF ! SAME CRIT]IA APPLI$ TO !M AS WELL4 ,& :AT AB\T ?OSE :O ?R\< NO FAULT ( !IR [N L$ LIVES ?AT W]E CONT9UALLY MIS]ABLE8 ,W\LD ?AT BE HELD AGA9/ !M H]E1 AS IF !Y HADN'T HAD A ROTT5 5\< TIME ALREADY8 ,MI*AEL DIDN'T ?9K IT S\ND$ FAIR1 & WAS AB\T TO *ANCE HIS >M BY ASK+ ,PHYLLIS TO EXPLA9 H]SELF :5 MOVEM5TS ON ONE ( ! ELEVAT$ BALCONIES !Y W]E APPROA*+ CAU<T HIS EYE4 

,! PAIR HAD ALMO/ REA*$ ! NE> SIDE ( ! CAV]N\S >CADE1 & ?US W]E CLOSE 5\< = ,MI*AEL TO MAKE \T ! V>I\S PEOPLE /RUTT+ BACK & =? ALONG ITS LEVELS 9 MORE DETAIL4 ,ON ! PLAT=M ?AT HAD CAPTUR$ HIS ATT5TION1 A RAIL$ WALKWAY TWO OR ?REE FLOORS UP1 TWO GR[N-UP M5 W]E /&+ TALK+4 ,BO? SEEM$ V]Y TALL TO ,MI*AEL & HE JUDG$ !M TO BE QUITE OLD1 9 !IR ?IRTIES OR !IR =TIES4 ,ONE ( !M HAD :ISK]S & ! O!R HAD :ITE HAIR1 ?\<1 SO HE C\LDN'T REALLY TELL4 

,! :ITE-HAIR$ & CLEAN-%AV5 MAN WAS DRESS$ 9 A LONG NI<T%IRT1 & HE LOOK$ AS IF HE'D JU/ BE5 9 A FI<T4 ,ONE ( HIS EYES WAS CLOS$ & BLACK5$1 & SOME BLOOD FROM A SPLIT LIP HAD /A9$ HIS O!RWISE COMPLETELY SPOTLESS ROBE4 ,HIS FACE WAS FRI<T5+LY ANGRY & HE GRIPP$ ! WOOD5 RAIL ) ONE H& - 9 HIS O!R H& HE HELD A LONG /AFF - AS ?\< HE'D /EPP$ \T ONTO ! BALCONY 9 ORD] TO CALM D[N1 AL?\< IT DIDN'T LOOK AS ?\< HIS :ISK]Y COMPANION /&+ NEXT TO HIM WAS HELP+ MU* 9 ?IS ATTEMPT4 ,?IS SECOND P]SON1 DRESS$ 9 A GREAT BU% ( D>K GRE5 RAGS1 APPE>$ TO BE 9 FITS ( LAU<T] OV] ! FIR/ *AP'S PR$ICAM5T4 ,) HIS =K$ BE>D & ) A MASS ( *E/NUT CURLS B5EA? HIS BROAD-BRIMM$ LEA!R HAT1 IT LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS PRODD+ ! :ITE-ROB$ MAN 9 ! RIBS & CLAPP+ HIM UPON ! BACK1 NEI!R ( :I* ACTIVITIES SEEM$ LIKELY TO ALLEVIATE HIS BLACK-EY$ COMRADE'S FIL?Y MOOD4 

,JU/ !N A GU/ ( BREEZE MU/ HAVE BL[N D[N ! WALKWAY1 ) ! BE>D$ MAN'S CONFUSION ( GRE5 P5NANT RAGS ALL FLUTT]+ WILDLY AS A CONSEQU5CE4 ,MI*AEL WAS />TL$ TO DISCOV] ?AT EA* FLAPP+ SCRAP WAS L9$ UPON ITS UND]SIDE ) SILK ( BRILLIANT CRIMSON4 ,AS ! W9D DI/URB$ ! LAU<+ FIGURE'S TATT]S !Y FL>$ UPW>DS1 RIPPL+ 9 AB&ON1 SO ?AT ! EFFECT WAS LIKE A LEAFY %RUB ?AT HAD SPONTANE\SLY & SUDD5LY BUR/ 9TO FLAME4 ,IT WAS A WOND]1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T1 ?AT ! MAN'S LEA!R HAT HAD NOT BL[N (F AS WELL4 ,PROBABLY IT WAS HELD 9 PLACE ) CORD TI$ UND]NEA? HIS :ISK]$ *9 MU* LIKE ! HEADGE> WORN BY ,SPANI% PRIE/S1 :I* IT RESEMBL$4 

,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS 9 DANG] ( BECOM+ 5GROSS$ 9 ?IS PLACE'S DETAILS ONCE AGA91 & L[]$ HIS GAZE FROM ! CR['S-NE/ P]*ES OV]HEAD BACK D[N TO ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 ,%E WAS BY N[ QUITE SOME WAY 9 FRONT ( HIM & ,MI*AEL FELT A SURGE ( PANIC AS HE RAN TO CAT* H] UP4 ,HE KNEW ?AT IF HE LO/ SI<T ( H] IT W\LD BE ! WAY IT WAS 9 DREAMS1 :]E HE C\LD NEV] F9D ! PEOPLE ?AT HE'D PROMIS$ HE W\LD MEET4 

,HE OV]TOOK H] JU/ AS %E WAS COM+ TO ! 5D ( ! LONG BO>DWALK1 ) ! LA/ L9E ( ! 9SET VATS REA*+ AWAY ON EI!R SIDE ( H]4 ,A QUICK PEEP 9TO ONE ( !SE REVEAL$ ANO!R A]IAL VIEW ( A BACK G>D5 NOT HIS [N1 DESPITE SOME SUP]FICIAL SIMIL>ITIES4 ,S9CE IT WAS RI<T AT ONE 5D ( ! MILE-LONG R[1 HE WOND]$ IF IT MI<T BE ! BACK G>D5 ( ! CORN] H\SE1 :]E ,&REW'S ,ROAD RAN PA/ ! FOOT ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,MI*AEL HAD NO TIME TO POND] ?IS IDEA1 S9CE ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS ALREADY M>*+ \T BEYOND ! 5DLESS GRID ( AP]TURES TO :]E ! WOOD5 FLOORBO>DS 5D$1 SOME:AT />TL+LY1 9 A RAIS$ CURB MADE ( WORN GRAY BRICK & !N A BROAD /RIP ( DI/RESS$ & FRACTUR$ PAV+ SLABS1 JU/ LIKE ! ONES ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 

,ACROSS !SE FLAG/ONES1 FAC+ ,MI*AEL & ! BUNNY-COLL>$ LITTLE GIRL1 ! L[E/ LEVEL ( ! MON/] >CADE'S B\ND+ WALL CONFRONT$ !M1 A L5G?Y T]RACE MADE FROM DISP>ATE BRICK BUILD+S ?AT W]E CLE>LY NOT 9T5D$ TO BE /&+ SIDE BY SIDE ) ONE ANO!R4 ,TWO OR ?REE ( !M RESEMBL$ H\SES FROM HIS /REET BUT *ANG$1 AS IF !Y'D BE5 REMEMB]$ 9CORRECTLY1 SO ?AT ONE HAD GOT ITS FRONT DOOR HALFWAY UP ! WALL ON ! FIR/ FLOOR1 ) ALMO/ TW5TY /ONE /EPS RIS+ TO IT RA!R ?AN ! NORMAL ?REE4 ,ANO!R HAD ! NETTLE-FR+$ E>? 5TRANCE ( A RABBIT HOLE :]E ! BRICK HOLL[ ( ! BOOT-SCRAPE %\LD HAVE BE51 AT PAVEM5T LEVEL D[N TO ONE SIDE ( ! DOOR/EPS4 ,9 AMONG !SE HAUNT+LY FAMILI> YET DI/ORT$ H\SE-FRONTS !RE W]E O!R ALMO/-RECOGNIZABLE CON/RUCTIONS1 ?\< ! PLACES !Y REM9D$ ,MI*AEL ( DID NOT BELONG 9 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,ONE ( !M BORE A /RONG RESEMBLANCE TO ! S*OOL C>ETAK]'S H\SE UP AT ! TOP 5D ( ,SPR+ ,LANE1 ) BLACK IRON RAIL+S F5C+ (F A D[N/AIRS W9D[ ?AT WAS SET P]HAPS A FOOT BACK FROM ! /REET4 ,BESIDE ?IS WAS A SECTION ( ! S*OOL WALL :I* 5CLOS$ ! ALWAYS-LOCK$ >*$ 5TRANCEWAY ?AT L$ 9TO ! JUNIORS' PLAYGR\ND4 

,SET BETWE5 ?IS ODD ASSORTM5T ( LOCATIONS1 :I* AT LEA/ W]E ALL FROM ! SAME NEI<BORHOOD1 WAS ONE HALF-GLASS DOOR ) A DISPLAY W9D[ NEXT TO IT ?AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T MORE PROP]LY BELONG$ 9 ! T[N C5T]4 ,MORE PRECISELY1 IT BELONG$ 9 ! REAL-LIFE ,EMPORIUM ,>CADE1 ?AT DIM-LIT 9CL9E RIS+ FROM ! FANCY SCROLL+ IRONWORK ( ITS GATEWAY ON ! ,M>KET ,SQU>E4 ,! %OP ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT1 NE/L$ 9CONGRU\SLY AMONG ! DISPLAC$ H\SES1 WAS AN ALMO/ P]FECT DUPLICATE ( ,*A/]LA9E'S ,JOKE1 ,NOVELTY @& ,TOY ,%OP1 HALFWAY UP ! RI<T SIDE ( ! >CADE'S SLOPE AS Y\ ASC5D$4 ,! WIDE W9D[ ) ! %OP'S NAME 9 ANTIQUE GOLD LETT]+ ABOVE IT1 AS HE SAW IT N[1 WAS BIGG] ?AN IT %\LD BE & ! WORDS UPON ! SIGN SEEM$ TO BE WRIGGL+ 9TO DIFF]5T ORD]S AS HE WAT*$1 BUT IT WAS DEF9ITELY ,*A/]LA9E'S1 OR AT LEA/ AN APPROXIMATION ( ! PLACE4 0,REALI/ *ANES0 WAS :AT ! %OP APPE>$ TO BE CALL$ AT ! MOM5T1 ?\< :5 HE LOOK$ BACK IT SEEM$ TO READ 0,HAIL'S ANCE/]04 ,H[ LONG HAD HE BE5 ABLE TO READ1 ANYWAY8 ,REG>DLESS1 ,MI*AEL WAS SO TAK5 BY SURPRISE AT ?IS FAMILI> /ORE 9 SU* AN UNFAMILI> SETT+ ?AT HE ?\<T HE'D ASK ! GIRL AB\T IT AS !Y WALK$ ! LA/ FEW Y>DS ( FLOORBO>DS TO ! B\ND>Y ( ! MASSIVE PASSAGEWAY4 

0,>E WE 9 ! ,EUPHORIUM ,>CADE1 LIKE ON ! M>KET8 ,?AT PLACE !RE LOOKS LIKE ! ,*OKE @& ,JOY ,%OP40 

,PHYLLIS SQU9T$ 9 ! VAGUE DIRECTION ?AT ONE BAGGY SLEEVE ( ,MI*AEL'S DRESS+ G[N WAS PO9T+4 

0,:AT1 Y] MEAN ,! ,SNAIL ,RACES80 

,MI*AEL LOOK$ BACK AT ! %OP 9 QUE/ION & DISCOV]$ ?AT 0,! ,SNAIL ,RACES0 WAS 9DE$ ! NAME ?AT ! E/ABLI%M5T WAS TRAD+ UND] AT ?AT 9/ANT4 ,HE & ,PHYLLIS W]E M\NT+ ! CURB ?AT $G$ ! WOOD5 ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 AS %E'D REF]R$ TO ! HUGE HALL1 SO ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS CLOSE 5\< TO SEE ! M]*&ISE ON %[ )9 ! #d-WATT-BULB-LI<T+ ( ! W9D[4 ,:AT HE'D TAK5 TO BE ,MAT*BOX C>S ALL /&+ ON A PODIUM ( ! R$-&-YELL[ C>DBO>D BOXES ?AT !Y CAME 91 SU* AS W\LD HAVE BE5 DISPLAY$ AT ! REAL ,*A/]LA9E'S1 W]E 9 FACT LIFE-SIZ$ PA9T$ REPLICAS ( SNAILS4 ,EA* /OOD UPON ITS LITTLE 9DIVIDUAL BOX1 ! WAY ?AT ! TOY C>S & LORRIES W\LD HAVE DONE1 BUT N[ ! PACKAG+ HAD GOT A PICTURE LABEL %[+ ! SPECIFIC MODEL SNAIL RE/+ ON TOP ( IT4 ,! REPRODUCTION MOLLUSKS ALL HAD %ELLS ?AT HAD BE5 CU/OMIZ$ OR PA9T$ 9 ! /YLE ( ACTUAL ,MAT*BOX C>S ?AT HE HAD SE51 SO ?AT ONE WAS 9 NAVY BLUE ) 0,PICK=D'S0 9 :ITE LETT]+ ACROSS IT1 :ILE ANO!R HAD ! SNAIL ITSELF 9 PILL>-BOX R$ ) A T9Y CURL$-UP FIREMAN'S HOSE SET ON ITS BACK :]E NORMALLY ! SPIRAL %ELL W\LD BE4 ,LOOK+ BACK UP AT ! SIGN ABOVE ! W9D[1 ,MI*AEL SAW ?AT IT /ILL READ AS 0,! ,SNAIL ,RACES01 SO P]HAPS HE HAD BE5 WRONG AB\T ! LETT]S *ANG+4 ,PROBABLY ?AT'S :AT ! SIGN HAD SAID ! :OLE TIME HE'D BE5 SCRUT9IZ+ IT4 ,/ILL1 ALL ?IS MADE NO DIFF]5CE TO HIS BASIC PO9T1 :I* HAD BE5 ?AT ! PLACE RESEMBL$ ,*A/]LA9E'S ,ALADD9'S CAVE ( NOVELTIES1 UP ! ,EMPORIUM ,>CADE4 ,MI*AEL TURN$ BACK TO ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] - !Y W]E WALK+ OV] ! BROAD RIBBON ( CRACK$ PAVEM5T N[ - & /UBBORNLY RE/AT$ HIS ASS]TION4 

0,YES1 ,! ,SNAIL ,RACES4 ,IT LOOKS LIKE ! %Y-TOP 9 ! >CADE ON ! M>KET4 ,WIZ ?AT :]E WE >E80 

,V5T+ A HEAVY SI< ?AT S\ND$ PUT-UPON & OBLIGAT$1 ,PHYLLIS HALT$ 9 H] TRACKS & GAVE HIM :AT H] TONE ( VOICE MADE CLE> W\LD BE H] F9AL EXPLANATION4 

0,NO4 ,Y] KN[ IT'S NOT4 ,! >CADE :AT Y\ MEAN1 ?AT'S ,DAYN/AIRS4 ,LOVELY AS IT WIZ1 IT'S A FLAT PLAN COMP>$ ) ?IS ONE40 

,PHYLLIS GE/UR$ TO ! PLANE ( FLOOR-B\ND W9D[S /RET*+ (F BEH9D !M & ! HI< GLASS CEIL+ OV]HEAD :]E ORIGAMI CL\DS UNFOLD$ MY/IFY+LY AGA9/ A FIELD ( P]FECT IRIDESC5T BLUE4 

0,9 FACT1 ! 'OLE ( ,DAYN/AIRS WIZ A FLAT PLAN ( :AT'S ,UP/AIRS4 ,N[1 ?IS >CADE :AT WE'VE GOT UP ']E1 OV] ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 ?AT'S MADE FROM ! SAME /UFF AS !SE ,OLD ,BUILD+S :AT WE'RE COM+ TO40 

,%E SWUNG H] /ICK-?9 >M >\ND SO ?AT H] TROPHY-NECKLACE SWI%$ REPULSIVELY & 9DICAT$ ! LONG1 MUDDL$ T]RACE FAC+ !M ACROSS ! FISSUR$ PAV+ SLABS4 

0,ALL ?IS WIZ MADE FROM PEOPLE'S DREAMS :AT 'AVE BUILT UP4 ,ALL ( ! PEOPLE :AT LIV$ H]EAB\TS ,DAYN/AIRS1 OR ALL !M :AT PASS$ ?R\<1 ALL 'AV9' DREAMS ABAYT ! SAME /REETS1 ! SAME BUILD+S4 ,& ALL ( 'UM DREAM ! PLACES A BIT DIFF]5T1 & EA* DREAM !Y 'AVE1 IT LEAVES A K9D ( RESIDUE UP ']E1 A K9D ( SCUM :AT =MS A DREAM-CRU/1 ALL MADE \T ( '\SES1 %OPS & AV5UES :AT PEOPLE 'AVE REMEMB]$ WRONG4 ,IT'S LIKE :5 ALL ! DEAD %RIMPS BUILD UP 9TO CORAL REEFS & ?AT4 ,IF Y] SEE SOMEONE UP ']E :O LOOKS HYPNOTIZ$1 WALK9' ABAYT 9 JU/ !IR UND]PANTS OR NI<T-?+S1 IT'S A SAFE BET ?AT IT'S SOMEONE :O'S ASLEEP & DREAM9'40 

,H]E %E PAUS$ & LOOK$ D[N ?\<TFULLY AT ,MI*AEL1 /&+ !RE 9 HIS PAJAMAS1 DRESS+ G[N & SLIPP]S4 

0,AL?\< ,I C\LD SAY ! SAME ?+ AB\T Y\1 BUT ,I JU/ SAW Y] *OKE TO DEA?40 

,OH4 ,?AT4 ,HE'D ALMO/ PUT ?AT :OLE UNPLEASANT BUS9ESS FROM HIS M9D1 & FRANKLY WI%$ ?AT ,PHYLLIS WASN'T QUITE SO BLUNT AB\T ! FACT ?AT HE WAS REC5TLY DECEAS$4 ,IT WAS A BIT DEPRESS+1 & ! FACT ( IT /ILL FRI<T5$ HIM4 ,IGNOR+ HIS DI/RESS$ W9CE1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] C>RI$ ON H] MORBID MONOLOGUE4 

0,I MEAN1 IF Y] WIZ DEAD1 !N ,I'D 'AVE ?\<T Y]'D 'AVE BE5 9 Y] FAVORITE CLO!S :AT Y] REMEMB]$4 ,UNLESS Y] PAJAMAS WIZ Y] FAVORITE CLO!S1 Y] LAZY LITTLE BUGG]40 

,HE WAS %OCK$4 ,NOT BY H] IMPLICATION ?AT HE WAS BONE IDLE - 9DE$1 HIS PAJAMAS W]E HIS FAVORITE CLO!S - BUT BY ! FACT ?AT %E HAD SWORN 9 ,HEAV51 :]E HE'D NOT HAVE ?\<T ?AT ?IS W\LD BE ALL[$4 ,PHYLLIS CONT9U$1 BLI!LY UNCONC]N$4 

0,BUT !N1 IF Y] WIZ DEAD1 :Y WIZ NOBODY !RE TO PULL Y] UP & DU/ Y] DAYN EXCEPT = ME8 ,NO1 Y] A FUNNY LITTLE F\RP5NY FUN]AL1 Y\ >E4 ,!RE'S SUMMAT AB\T Y] :AT'S NOT RI<T4 ,COME ON4 ,WE BETT] GET Y] TO ! ,WORKS & LET ! BUILD]S 'AVE A LOOK AT Y]4 ,KEEP UP & DON'T GET LOR/ 9 ALL ! DREAM]Y-SC5]Y40 

,LOR/4 ,! SAME WAY ,MI*AEL'S MOM PRON\NC$ ! LETT] 'O' 9 LO/ OR FRO/ OR CO/ OR ANY WORD REMOTELY SIMIL>4 0,DON'T GET LOR/40 0,WE'VE 'AD SOME FROR/40 0 ',[ MU* IS ALL ?AT GUNN] COR/80 ,NOT ONLY WAS HIS ESCORT DEF9ITELY FROM ! ,BOR\<S1 %E WAS ALMO/ C]TA9LY FROM D[N ! BOTTOM 5D ( IT1 NE> ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,HE'D NEV] HE>D ( ANY ,PA9T]S R\ND :]E HE LIV$1 UNLESS ,PHYLLIS HAD LIV$ LONG BE=E HIS TIME1 ( C\RSE4 ,MI*AEL WAS NOT ALL[$ A BREA!R TO CONSID] ?IS1 H[EV]4 ,TRUE TO H] WORD1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS ALREADY SKIPP+ (F ACROSS ! MOSS-SEAM$ PAV+ /ONES )\T A BACKW>D GLANCE TO SEE IF HE WAS FOLL[+4 ,HE %UFFL$ DUTIFULLY 9 H] WAKE1 NOT ABLE TO RUN PROP]LY )\T ! DANG] ( HIS SLIPP]S COM+ (F4 

,AS HE SLAPP$ AWKW>DLY ACROSS ! SLABS HE SAW ?AT !RE W]E OP5+S LET 9TO ! T]RACE ON ! F> SIDE ( ! B\ND+ PAVEM5T1 PASSAGES ?AT HE PRESUM$ L$ DEEP] 9TO ! HEAP$-UP CONFUSION ( DREAM >*ITECTURE4 ,HIS COMPANION1 ) H] HYDRA-HEAD$ RABBIT /OLE FLAIL+ AB\T H]1 WAS AB\T TO DISAPPE> 9TO ONE SU* D>K *9K1 AN ALLEYWAY ?AT RAN (F FROM ! H\SE-FRONTS RI<T BETWE5 ! PLACE ) ITS FRONT DOOR POSITION$ HALFWAY UP ITS WALL & ! FACADE ( ! REFIGUR$ ,JOKE ,%OP4 ,PICK+ UP HIS PACE ,MI*AEL TRAIL$ AFT] H]1 H] P9K-&-NAVY BANN] FLUTT]+ AHEAD1 LEAD+ HIM ON4 

,! ALLEY1 :5 HE REA*$ IT1 WAS EXACTLY LIKE ! N>R[ JITTY ?AT RAN FROM ,SPR+ ,LANE TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 ALL ALONG ! BACK ( ,MI*AEL'S H\SE-R[4 ,IT WAS COBBL$ JU/ ! SAME & $G$ ) WE$S1 & HE C\LD EV5 SEE ! GRAY RO( ( ! /ABLE ) ITS MISS+ SLATES 9 NEXT DOOR'S Y>D1 ! PLACE ?AT ,D\G ,MC,GE>Y KEPT HIS LORRY1 BUT VIEW$ FROM ! BACK4 ,! MAJOR DIFF]5CE WAS ?AT ON HIS RI<T1 :]E !RE %\LD BE ! WIRE F5CE & H$G][ AT ! BOTTOM ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S PLAY+ FIELDS1 !RE WAS N[ A :OLE R[ ( H\SES ) !IR LAT*-GATES & !IR BACK-Y>D WALLS ) ! RE> W9D[S ( ! R$ BRICK DWELL+S LOOM+ UP BEYOND4 0,SC>LETWELL ,T]RACE0 CAME 9TO HIS M9D1 BUT WAS AS QUICKLY GONE AGA94 ,ALREADY ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS SOME DI/ANCE D[N ! TRANS=M$ ALLEYWAY & %[$ NO SIGN ( SLACK5+ H] PACE OR C>+ MU* IF HE GOT LEFT BEH9D4 ,HE PADD$ AFT] H] OV] ! COBBLES ( ! %AD[$ CREVICE ?AT 9 REAL LIFE OR 9 DREAMS HAD ALWAYS MADE HIM APPREH5SIVE4 

,ON EA* SIDE A CORRIDOR ( BACK WALLS HEMM$ HIM 91 ! ONES ON ,MI*AEL'S RI<T COMPLETELY UNFAMILI> TO HIM & EV5 ! ONES UPON HIS LEFT MU* ALT]$ FROM !IR C\NT]P>TS ALONG ! RE> ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,HE V5TUR$ A GLANCE UPW>D AT ! SKY ABOVE ! ALLEY & DISCOV]$ ?AT ?IS WAS NO LONG] ! UNE>?LY PICTURE-PO/C>D BLUE ?AT HE'D ADMIR$ ?R\< ! GLASS RO( ( ! >CADE1 NOR W]E !RE CL\DS ( R>EFI$ GEOMETRY UNCR9KL+ AS !Y SLID ACROSS IT4 ,?IS1 9/EAD1 WAS A GRAY SLICE ( ,BOR\<S FIRMAM5T ?AT MADE ! SPIRITS S9K1 FULFILL+ AS IT DID ! USUAL PESSIMI/IC =ECA/4 ,MI*AEL WAS AL>M$ AT JU/ H[ SUDD5LY ?IS COLOR-*ANGE HAD ALT]$ ! :OLE MOOD ( HIS EXP]I5CE4 ,9/EAD ( BE+ SOMEONE ON A DAZZL+ ADV5TURE1 HE FELT ORPHAN$ & B]EFT1 FELT PITIFUL & LONELY LIKE A LO/ *ILD \T 9 HIS PAJAMAS PA/ HIS B$ TIME1 TRUDG+ D[N A MIS]ABLE BACK 5TRY & EXPECT+ DRIZZLE4 ,EXCEPT HE WAS WORSE ?AN LO/4 ,HE WAS ALREADY DEAD4 

,ANXI\SLY1 ,MI*AEL CA/ HIS EYES BACK D[N FROM ! BLEAK HEAV5S VISIBLE BETWE5 ! RA9SP\TS & ! *IMNEYPOTS & F\ND ?AT1 TO HIS HORROR1 HE'D BE5 DAWDL+4 ,! LITTLE GIRL WAS N[ MU* FUR!R (F FROM HIM ALONG ! ALLEY ?AN %E'D BE5 BE=E1 %RUNK5 BY DI/ANCE TO ! SIZE %E WAS :5 HE'D ?\<T ( H] AS A CORN]-FAIRY1 :I* N[ SEEM$ LIKE H\RS AGO4 ,HE REASSUR$ HIMSELF ?AT IF HE JU/ RAN FA/] & C\LD MANAGE NOT TO TAKE HIS EYES (F H] AGA91 !N HE'D 9EVITABLY CAT* UP ) H]4 

,RUNN+ ) HIS GAZE FIX$ /RAI<T AHEAD1 H[EV]1 MEANT ?AT ,MI*AEL WASN'T LOOK+ PROP]LY :]E HE WAS GO+4 ,HE CAU<T ! PLAID TOE ( HIS SLIPP] 9 A SUDD5 HOLE FROM :I* A COBBLE/ONE HAD BE5 PRIZ$ LOOSE & PIT*$ ABRUPTLY =W>DS ON HIS H&S & KNEES4 ,AL?\< ! R\ND$ /ONES FELT H>D & SOLID ?R\< ! ?9 MAT]IAL ( HIS PAJAMAS1 ,MI*AEL WAS AGREEABLY SURPRIS$ TO F9D ?AT HIS FALL HADN'T REALLY HURT HIM4 ,IT HAD SC>$ HIM & UPSET HIM SLI<TLY1 BUT HE FELT NO PA91 NOR W]E !RE ANY 9JURIES ?AT HE C\LD SEE4 ,ONE KNEE ( HIS /RIP$ TR\S]S HAD GOT RA!R WET & DIRTY1 BUT ! FABRIC WASN'T TORN &1 ALL 9 ALL1 HE ?\<T HE'D GOT (F LI<TLY4 

,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 ?\<1 WAS GONE4 

,EV5 BE=E HE'D LIFT$ UP HIS EYES TO F9D ! ALLEY EMPTY SAVE = HIM HE'D KN[N %E W\LDN'T BE !RE ) ! C]TA9 FATALISM ?AT HE'D FELT BE=E 9 NI<TM>ES1 9 ?OSE DREAMS :]E ! ONE ?+ Y\'RE MO/ AFRAID ( IS ! ONE ?+ ?AT Y\ KN[ IS GU>ANTE$ TO HAPP54 

,ALL >\ND HIM WAS ! SOOTY1 WEA!R$ BRICKWORK ( ! JITTY1 ) ON ,MI*AEL'S RI<T :AT SEEM$ TO BE ! RE> WALL ( A FACTORY OR W>EH\SE 9T]RUPT+ ! LONG RUN ( WA%+-L9E-FE/OON$ BACK Y>DS4 ,WAS ?IS 0! ,WORKS0 ! GIRL HAD M5TION$ AS !IR DE/9ATION8 ,A BLACK WIRE ME% C\LD JU/ AB\T BE SE5 ?R\< ! ?ICK DU/ ( ?IS E/ABLI%M5T'S HI<1 ISOLAT$ W9D[S1 & A RU/+ PULLEY-:EEL /UCK \T BESIDE ! GAT$ WOOD5 PLAT=M ( :AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T MU/ BE A LOAD+-BAY4 ,! EMPTY ALLEY /RET*$ BE=E HIM1 A MU* GREAT] DI/ANCE ?AN HE C\LD RECALL ITS MORTAL C\NT]P>T EXT5D+1 & HE DIDN'T ?9K ?AT ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] W\LD HAVE REA*$ ! F> 5D ( IT BE=E HE'D LOOK$ UP1 EV5 ALL[+ = HIS CLUMSY TUMBLE4 ,IT SEEM$ MU* MORE LIKELY TO HIM ?AT %E'D TURN$ (F FROM ! DISMAL PASSAGEWAY 9TO A DOOR OR GATE ?AT OP5$ 9 ! FACTORY'S RE> ON HIS RI<T SIDE4 

,KEEP+ ?IS HOPEFUL NOTION 9 HIS M9D HE /OLE A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! ALLEY'S PA?WAY1 LIKE A COBBL$ /REAMB$ 9 ! OV]CA/ GRAY LI<T1 UNTIL HE WAS >\ND ! PO9T HE ?\<T ! GIRL HAD BE5 :5 HE'D LA/ SI<T$ H]4 ,BETWE5 ! BLUNT /ONES ( ! ALLEY FLOOR SAGE-COLOR$ GRASS POK$ UP & !RE W]E ! SAME M9UTE SCRAPS ( REFUSE ?AT HE W\LD HAVE ORD9>ILY EXPECT$ TO BE !RE3 AN UNTIPP$ CIG>ETTE 5D1 A BE]-BOTTLE CAP ?AT HAD BE5 D5T$ 9 ITS MIDDLE BY A BOTTLE-OP5]1 SOME *IPS ( BROK5 GLASS4 ,! BOTTLE-TOP HAD 0,MASK-,MASK0 PR9T$ ON IT :]E !RE %\LD HAVE BE5 ! BREW]Y'S NAME1 & ! GLASS FRAGM5TS SEEM$ ON CLOSE 9SPECTION TO BE %>DS FROM BROK5 SOAP-BUBBLES1 BUT ,MI*AEL DOGG$LY REFUS$ TO PAY !SE ?+S ATT5TION4 ,HE TROD SL[LY ONW>D1 LOOK+ = AN OP5+ 9 ! WALL1 A DOOR OR GAP ?AT ,PHYLLIS MI<T HAVE VANI%$ 9TO1 & AT LA/ HE F\ND ONE4 

,SET 9TO ! RE> FACE ( ! FACTORY OR W>EH\SE WAS A COV]$ /AIRWAY1 MADE ( OLD & FOOT-WORN /ONE ?AT RAN UP FROM BEH9D A B>R$ IRON GATE ?AT /OOD AJ>1 HALF OP5 ON ! O!RWISE DES]T$ ALLEYWAY4 ,! ODD >RANGEM5T SEEM$ FAMILI>1 & REM9D$ ,MI*AEL ( A GAT$ FLI<T ( /EPS ?AT HE'D ONCE SE5 9 ,M>EFAIR1 OPPOSITE ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 ,HE'D ASK$ HIS MOM AB\T IT & %E'D RECOLLECT$ ) A %UDD] H[1 DUR+ H] GIRLHOOD1 ,DORE5 & H] BE/ FRI5D ,KELLY ,MAY HAD CLIMB$ ! OLD /ONE /AIRCASE = A D>E1 ONLY TO F9D A T[]-ROOM ?AT WAS EMPTY SAVE = DEAD LEAVES & 0A GRET BIG NE/ ( E>WIGS04 ,MI*AEL WASN'T FOND ( E>WIGS1 S9CE HIS SI/] HAD ONCE TOLD HIM H[ !Y GOT 9 PEOPLE'S E>S & ATE /RAI<T ?R\< !IR BRA9S UNTIL !Y REA*$ ! W>M P9K DAYLI<T FILT]+ ?R\< ! O!R E>DRUM4 ,ALMA HAD PROVID$ HELPFUL S\ND EFFECTS TO ILLU/RATE :AT HE W\LD HE> DUR+ ! WEEK OR SO IT TOOK = ! DET]M9$ BUG TO TUNNEL ?R\< HIS T\SL$ 9FANT HEAD3 0,MUN*1 MUN* 444 CREEP1 CREEP1 CREEP 444 MUN*1 MUN*1 MUN* 444 CREEP1 CREEP1 CREEP40 

,ON ! O!R H& ?IS DAUNT+ /AIRWAY SEEM$ LIKE HIS BE/ *ANCE ( CAT*+ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 :O1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T REALLY LIKE H] MU*1 WAS ! ONE P]SON 9 ?IS RUN-D[N P>ADISE ?AT ,MI*AEL KNEW ! NAME (4 ,IF HE C\LDN'T F9D H]1 HE'D BE LO/ & DEAD4 ,) ?IS 9 M9D HE SUMMON$ ALL HIS PLUCK & PULL$ ! IRON GATE A LITTLE FUR!R OP5 SO ?AT HE C\LD SLIP 9SIDE4 ,! B> HE WRAPP$ HIS F+]S R\ND WAS GRITTY & ABRASIVE TO ! T\* & HAD A K9D ( MILD /+ TO ITS TEXTURE4 ,OP5+ HIS H& HE F\ND ?AT IT HAD LEFT A TOILET-SME> ( RU/ ACROSS HIS PALM4 ,IT SMELL$ ( /EW$ TEA4 

,SUCK+ 9 HIS TUMMY SO AS NOT TO GET ! RU/ & MUCK ON HIS PAJAMAS HE SLID ?R\< ! GAP ?AT HE HAD MADE BETWE5 ! GATE & ITS BRICK FRAME4 ,ONCE ,MI*AEL WAS 9SIDE HE PULL$ ! RAIL$ GATE %UT BEH9D HIM )\T REALLY KN[+ :Y4 ,P]HAPS IT WAS TO COV] UP ! FACT HE'D BROK5 9 & HE WAS TRESPASS+1 OR POSSIBLY IT JU/ MADE HIM FEEL SAF] KN[+ NO?+ C\LD CREEP UP ! /AIRS BEH9D HIM )\T ,MI*AEL HE>+ ! GATE GRAT+ OP5 D[N BEL[4 ,HE TURN$ & PE]$ UNC]TA9LY 9TO ! D>KNESS ?AT BEGAN JU/ SIX /EPS UP4 ,9 NORMAL CIRCUM/ANCES HE SUPPOS$ HIS BREA?+ W\LD BE TREMUL\S & %ALL[1 HIS HE>T HAMM]+1 BUT ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ BELAT$LY ?AT HIS HE>T WASN'T DO+ ANY?+ AT ALL & HE WAS ONLY DRAW+ BREA? :5 HE REMEMB]$ TO1 MORE \T ( HABIT ?AN NECESSITY4 ,AT LEA/ HE DIDN'T HAVE A SORE ?ROAT ANYMORE1 HE TOLD HIMSELF CONSOL+LY AS HE BEGAN TO M\NT ! /AIRS4 ,?AT HAD BE5 REALLY GETT+ ON HIS N]VES4 

,HE HAD BE5 CLIMB+ 9 ! D>K = A FEW M9UTES :5 IT /RUCK HIM ?AT ?IS =AY UP ! /AIRCASE HAD BE5 A DISA/R\SLY BAD IDEA4 ,HIS SLIPP]-%OD FEET CRUN*$1 ) EV]Y RIS+ /EP1 ?R\< A DETRITUS ?AT FELT LIKE DEAD1 BRITTLE LEAVES BUT C\LD AS WELL HAVE BE5 BLACK DRIFTS ( E>WIG-HUSKS4 ,TO MAKE ?+S WORSE1 ! /AIRS ?AT HE'D EXPECT$ TO BE /RAI<T TURN$ \T TO BE A W9D+ SPIRAL1 =C+ ,MI*AEL TO PROCE$ MORE SL[LY 9 ! BLACKNESS1 ) HIS LEFT H& RE/+ ON ! TURRET WALL & FOLL[+ ITS CONT\R AS HE /UMBL$ UPW>DS1 RE/+ LI<TLY1 9 CASE !RE W]E SLUGS OR O!R CRAWL+ ?+S HE DIDN'T WANT TO ACCID5TALLY /ICK HIS F+]S 94 

,HOP+ HE'D SOON GET TO ! TOP1 ,MI*AEL CONT9U$ HIS ASC5T BEYOND ! PO9T :]E ! IDEA ( TURN+ R\ND & GO+ BACK BECAME UNBE>ABLE4 ,FIVE M9UTES MORE ( CRUN*+ UPW>DS ?R\< ! D>KNESS1 ?\<1 CONV9C$ HIM ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY TOP1 ?AT HE HAD SE5 ! LA/ ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] & ?AT ?IS WAS H[ HE WAS CONDEMN$ TO SP5D ,ET]NITY1 ALONE & CLIMB+ ?R\< AN 5DLESS BLACK\T ) ! POSSIBILITY ( E>WIGS4 ,MUN*1 MUN*4 ,CREEP1 CREEP1 CREEP4 ,:AT HAD HE DONE1 9 HIS ?REE YE>S1 TO M]IT PUNI%M5T LIKE ?IS8 ,WAS IT :5 HIM & ,ALMA KILL$ ?OSE ANTS8 ,DID AN ANT-MURD] C\NT AGA9/ Y\ :5 IT CAME TO ! H]EAFT]8 ,WORRI$ N[1 HE C>RI$ ON HIS HALT+ PROGRESS UPW>D1 HAV+ NO IDEA :AT ELSE TO DO4 ,HIS ONLY O!R PLAN WAS TO />T CRY+1 BUT HE ?\<T HE'D SAVE ?AT UNTIL LAT] ON1 :5 ?+S GOT DESP]ATE4 

,AS IT TURN$ \T1 ?IS WAS R\<LY N9E /EPS LAT]4 ,MI*AEL MISS$ HIS MOM1 HIS GRAN1 HIS DAD4 ,HE EV5 MISS$ HIS SI/]4 ,HE MISS$ #a#g1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,HE MISS$ HIS LIFE4 ,HE WAS JU/ TRY+ TO DECIDE :I* /EP HE %\LD SIT WEEP+ ON UNTIL ! 5D ( TIME :5 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT ! PIT* BLACK UP AHEAD ( HIM APPE>$ TO HAVE A GRAYI% QUALITY AB\T IT4 ,?IS MI<T BE1 HE ?\<T1 BECAUSE HIS EYES W]E GRADUALLY ADJU/+ TO ! D>K1 OR IT MI<T MEAN ?AT !RE WAS LI<T A LITTLE FUR!R ON4 ,5C\RAG$1 HE R5EW$ HIS CLAMB] UP ?R\< PE>LY GLOOM :]E !RE HAD PREVI\SLY BE5 ONLY OPAQUE BLACK4 ,TO HIS DELI<T HE C\LD SOON EV5 SEE ! SPIRAL /AIRWAY HE WAS CLIMB+1 & WAS MU* RELIEV$ TO F9D ?AT ! CRISP =MS HE HAD BE5 CRUN*+ ?R\< W]E NEI!R LEAVES NOR E>WIGS4 ,!Y W]E ! WAX PAP] WRAPP]S ?AT Y\ GOT ON 9DIVIDUAL C\<-SWEETS1 HUNDR$S ( !M1 LITT]+ ! /EPS4 ,EA* ONE HAD ! WORD ',TUNES' 9 T9Y1 *]RY-COLOR$ WRIT+1 ?IS REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES ON EV]Y CRUMPL$ SCRAP4 

,TURN+ A F9AL B5D HE SAW A DOOR-%AP$ OP5+ ?R\< :I* WEAK MORN+ LI<T WAS FALL+1 ONLY A FEW /EPS ABOVE4 ,) ! M$IC9AL P9K BLOSSOMS ( ! C\<-SWEET WRAPP]S FLUTT]+ UP >\ND HIS HEELS HE BROKE 9TO A RUN UP !SE LA/ /AIRS1 EAG] TO BE ON LEVEL FLOOR+ & ABLE ONCE MORE TO SEE :]E HE WAS GO+4 

,IT WAS A LONG 9T]IOR CORRIDOR1 PA9T$ PALE GRE5 TO HALFWAY UP ITS HI< WALLS & ) /A9$ & V>NI%$ BO>DS =M+ ITS FLOOR4 ,IT WAS ! SORT ( PASSAGEWAY ?AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T BELONG$ 9SIDE A S*OOL OR HOSPITAL1 ONLY MU* L(TI]1 SO ?AT EV5 AN ADULT W\LD FEEL *ILD-SIZ$ BY COMP>ISON4 ,ALONG EA* ( ITS SIDES ! HALL HAD W9D[S :I* W]E LETT+ 9 ! WA%$-\T DAYLI<T1 ?\< !SE W]E POSITION$ TOO F> UP = ,MI*AEL TO SEE \T ?R\<4 ,?OSE UPON HIS RI<T1 IF HE LOOK$ UP ?R\< !M1 REVEAL$ ONLY ! SAME DRAB1 LEAD5 SKY ?AT HE HAD SE5 \TSIDE OV] ! ALLEYWAY4 ,! R[ ( W9D[S ON HIS LEFT1 ALT]NATIVELY1 SEEM$ TO LOOK 9 ON SOME SORT ( W>D OR CLASSROOM4 ,SOME:]E 9DOORS1 ANYWAY1 ( :I* ,MI*AEL C\LD ONLY GLIMPSE ! BEAMS & BO>DS ?AT =M$ ITS PO9T$ CEIL+4 ,! HALLWAY WAS EMPTY SAVE = TWO OR ?REE BIG METAL RADIATORS1 PA9T$ 9 ! SAME D>K GRE5 Y\ SAW UPON ELECTRIC JUNCTION BOXES1 SPAC$ \T D[N ! L5G? ( ! HU%$ CORRIDOR4 ,!RE WAS ! SMOKY1 BIT+ SC5T ( RUBB] & ! SMELL ( P[D] PA9T1 LIKE TOXIC FL\R4 ,:ATEV] ?IS PLACE WAS1 IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ! FACTORY OR W>EH\SE HE'D PRESUM$ IT TO BE :5 HE WAS \TSIDE1 AL?\< AFT] ! TWI/S & TURNS ( ! UNLI<T$ /AIRWAY ,MI*AEL WASN'T EV5 C]TA9 ?AT HE WAS 9 ! SAME BUILD+ ANYMORE4 ,! ONLY ?+ HE KNEW = SURE WAS ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY SIGN ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 

,PROBABLY ! BE/ ?+ ?AT HE C\LD HAVE DONE W\LD HAVE BE5 TO DESC5D ! LAMPLESS /EPS BACK TO ! ALLEYWAY1 TO SEE IF HE C\LD F9D H] !RE1 BUT ,MI*AEL F\ND HE C\LDN'T FACE ! PROSPECT ( ANO!R HOODW9K$ FUMBLE ?R\< ! D>KNESS1 & ESPECIALLY NOT ONE ?AT 5TAIL$ GO+ D[N/AIRS ?IS TIME1 ) A GREAT] RISK ( TRIPP+ UP & FALL+4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ = IT EXCEPT TO CONT9UE ONW>DS1 D[N ! SIL5T & PUNCTURE-REPAIR-KIT-P]FUM$ CORRIDOR TO ITS F> 5D4 

,ALONG ! WAY HE ?\<T ( :I/L+ TO KEEP HIS SPIRITS UP1 BUT REALIZ$ ?AT HE HADN'T YET LE>N$ ANY TUNES4 ,BESIDES1 HE C\LDN'T :I/LE4 ,AS ANO!R WAY ( 9T]RUPT+ ! OPPRESSIVE QUIET HE TRAIL$ HIS F+]NAILS ACROSS ! *UNKY UPRI<T B>S ( ! HUGE RADIATORS :5 HE PASS$ !M4 ,ICY TO ! T\*1 !Y 9DICAT$ ?AT ! HEAT+ SY/EM !Y W]E P>T ( HAD BE5 TURN$ (F = ! SUMM]4 ,FUR!RMORE1 TO HIS SURPRISE1 ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ ?AT EA* HOLL[ %AFT ( METAL HAD BE5 TUN$ BY SOME MEANS TO PRODUCE AN 9DIVIDUAL NOTE4 ,EA* RADIATOR WAS EQUIPP$ ) SEV5 B>S1 & :5 HE LET HIS F+]S WIPE ACROSS ! FIR/ SU* R[ ( PIPES IT PLAY$ ! OP5+ P>T ( 0,TW9KLE1 ,TW9KLE1 ,LITTLE ,/>01 ONE ( ! ONLY MELODIES FAMILI> 9 HIS ?US-F> LIMIT$ EXP]I5CE ( MUSIC4 ,BO? 9TRIGU$ & *>M$ BY ?IS HE HURRI$ ON TO ! NEXT RADIATOR1 FUR!R D[N ! HALL1 :I* TURN$ \T TO BE TUN$ SO ?AT IT PLAY$ ! 0,H[ ,I WOND] :AT Y\ >E0 P>T :5 HE BRU%$ IT4 

,BY ! TIME HE'D GOT TO 0,UP ABOVE ! WORLD SO HI<0 ,MI*AEL WAS AT ! PASSAGEWAY'S F> 5D :]E1 HAV+ REA*$ A CORN]1 IT TURN$ %>PLY TO ! LEFT4 ,AS CAUTI\S & AS /EAL?Y AS AN ,9DIAN SC\T HE PE]$ >\ND ?IS B5D & SAW ONLY ANO!R /RET* ( EMPTY L&+ )\T ANY?+ TO DIFF]5TIATE IT FROM ! FIR/4 ,IT HAD ! SAME WOOD FLOORBO>DS & ! SAME WALLS1 PALE GRE5 AT ! BOTTOM1 *ALKY :ITE ABOVE4 ,! R[ ( HI<-SET W9D[S ON HIS RI<T LOOK$ UP ONTO A DRE>Y FLEECE ( SKY :ILE ?OSE UPON HIS LEFT LOOK$ UP 9TO ! RAFT]S ( ! W>D OR S*OOLROOM ?AT HE WASN'T TALL 5\< TO SEE 9TO4 ,ON ! PLUS SIDE1 H[EV]1 !RE W]E ?REE MORE RADIATORS1 & ?IS L5G? ( CORRIDOR APPE>$ TO 5D NOT ) ANO!R CORN] BUT ) A :ITE WOOD5 DOOR1 CLOS$ %UT BUT HOPEFULLY NOT LOCK$4 

,! FIR/ ( ! ?REE RADIATORS ?AT HE CAME UPON PLAY$ 0,LIKE A DIAMOND 9 ! SKY0 :5 ,MI*AEL DREW HIS TAUT & /IFF5$ F+]TIPS ACROSS IT1 AS IF HE W]E /RUMM+ AN 9DU/RIAL H>P4 ,! NEXT TWO1 AS HE HAD BY !N ANTICIPAT$1 CLANG$ \T ! LA/ C\PLET ?AT COMPLET$ ! REFRA9 BY E*O+ ITS OP5+ L9ES1 ) ! CONCLUD+ 0,H[ ,I WOND] :AT Y\ >E0 ONLY A DOZ5 PACES FROM ! CLOS$ DOOR 9 :I* ! LONG PASSAGE T]M9AT$4 ,N]V\SLY1 HE TIPTO$ OV] TO IT !N REA*$ UP HIS H& TO TURN ! PLA9 BRASS KNOB & F9D \T :AT EXI/$ ON ! F> SIDE4 ,H[ HE WOND]$ :AT IT WAS4 

,IT WASN'T LOCK$4 ,?AT MU* AT LEA/ WAS 9 HIS FAVOR1 BUT HE /ILL REEL$ BACK FROM ALL ! UNEXPECT$ BRI<TNESS & FRE% AIR ?AT RU%$ 9 ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR TO OV]:ELM HIM4 ,BL9K+1 HE /EPP$ \T 9TO A FA9T REFRE%+ BREEZE & F\ND ?AT HE WAS ON A BALCONY1 ITS BLACK WOOD RAIL+ RUNN+ LEFT TO RI<T 9 FRONT ( HIM1 COLOR$ AS IF ) A PROTECTIVE COAT ( PIT*4 ,WALK+ ACROSS TO ?IS & GAZ+ \T BETWE5 ITS RAILS1 ,MI*AEL WAS LOOK+ D[N ON A VA/ HALL1 ITS MANY-LEVEL$ F> WALL A FULL MILE AWAY4 ,! HALL'S FLOOR WAS DIVID$ UP 9TO A SPRAWL+ GRID ( SUNK5 AP]TURES ?AT LOOK$ LIKE W9D[S ?AT HAD BE5 ]RONE\SLY 9/ALL$ 9 ! WRONG SURFACE4 ,UP ABOVE ?IS PLA9 ( HOLES1 \T ?R\< ! GLASS TIL$ RO( ( A ,VICTORIAN >CADE1 FACET$ CL\DS UNFOLD$ LANGUIDLY 9TO IMPOSSIBILITY AGA9/ ! BACKGR\ND ( AN UNSURPASSABLE AZURE4 ,HE WAS BACK 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 OR AT LEA/ ON ! BALU/RADE-$G$ WALKWAYS OV]LOOK+ !M4 ,C\LD ?AT BE RI<T8 ,HE DIDN'T ?9K HE'D MADE 5\< TURNS TO HAVE COME ALMO/ FULL CIRCLE1 BUT !N ?AT LONG SPIRAL /AIRCASE HAD CONFUS$ HIM SO HE DIDN'T KN[ 9 :I* DIRECTION HE WAS HEAD+4 

,LOOK+ TO HIS LEFT ALONG ! ELEVAT$ WALKWAY HE C\LD SEE A DI/ANT FIGURE :O WAS /RID+ RESOLUTELY (F ACROSS ! BO>DS AWAY FROM HIM4 ,HE HOP$ = A BRIEF 9/ANT IT WAS ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 BUT NO MORE ?AN ?AT4 ,= ONE ?+1 ! RETREAT+ P]SON WAS MU* TALL] ?AN ! LITTLE GIRL HAD BE54 ,ALSO1 DESPITE ! LONGI% HAIR & LONG :ITE FROCK ?AT !Y W]E WE>+1 !Y W]E CLE>LY MALE4 ,! MAN /ALK+ AWAY ALONG ! BALCONY WAS P[]FULLY-BUILT & B>EFOOT1 & HELD ONE H& TO HIS FACE AS ?\< HE NURS$ SOME 9JURY4 ,9 HIS O!R H& HE HELD A SL5D] ROD OR /AFF ?AT ?UDD$ ON ! PLANKS AT EV]Y /EP4 ,) A SLI<T />T1 ,MI*AEL RECALL$ ! ANGRY-LOOK+ MAN ) ! SPLIT LIP & ! BLACK EYE :O HE'D GLIMPS$ FROM ! FLOOR BEL[ :5 HE WAS CROSS+ IT ) ,PHYLLIS4 ,?IS WAS ! SAME P]SON1 SURELY8 ,HIM1 OR SOMEONE V]Y LIKE HIM4 

,MI*AEL !N REMEMB]$ ?AT !RE HAD BE5 SOMEONE ELSE /&+ 9 CONV]SATION ) ! :ITE-ROB$ BRAWL]1 SOMEONE :O HAD :ISK]S & A COAT ( GRE5 RAGS ) A BRI<T R$ L9+4 ,FROM ! PRICKL+ ( HIS NECK HE KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS :O W\LD BE BEH9D HIM :5 HE TURN$ >\ND1 EV5 BE=E ! CRACK$ BR[N LEA!R VOICE SPOKE FROM JU/ OV] ,MI*AEL'S T>TAN %\LD]4 

0,WELL1 N[4 ,IT'S A <O/LY LITTLE FIDGET-MIDGET40 

,MI*AEL %UFFL$ R\ND RELUCTANTLY1 ) HIS PLAID SLIPP]S MOV+ LIKE ! H&S ( A DISORI5T$ CLOCK4 

,! RUDDY & BE:ISK]$ GIANT1 :O CLE>LY HAD A GOOD FOOT-&-A-HALF ON EV5 ,MI*AEL'S /RAPP+ DAD1 WAS LEAN+ ) ONE ELB[ ON ! PIT*-/A9$ RAIL+1 SMOK+ A CLAY PIPE4 ,HIS BROAD-BRIMM$ PRIE/'S HAT ?REW A B& ( BLACKNESS OV] DEEP-SET CR9KLY EYES ?AT ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ) A GR[+ FEEL+ ( UNEAS9ESS W]E TWO 5TIRELY DIFF]5T COLORS1 ONE LIKE 9LAID RUBY & ! O!R A REPTILIAN GRE54 ,!Y GL9T$ LIKE IMPOSSIBLY OLD ,*RI/MAS BAUBLES FROM ! %AD[S ( A HEAVY1 /RAGGL+ BR[1 ABOVE A HOOK$ NOSE ) A B5D ?AT TURN$ ALMO/ /RAI<T D[NW>D1 LIKE AN EAGLE'S BEAK4 ,! MAN'S SK91 ON HIS L[] FACE & HIS B>E >MS :]E !Y PROTRUD$ FROM HIS COAT ( RAGS1 WAS SUNBURN$ & SME>$ H]E & !RE ) BLOT*ES ( :AT LOOK$ LIKE T> OR MOTOR OIL4 ,HE SMELL$ ( COAL & /EAM & BOIL]-ROOMS1 & UND]NEA? HIS FLAPP+ RAGS W]E D>K GRE5 BRIT*ES & /IT*$ BOOTS ( WELL-TANN$ LEA!R4 ,?\< HIS M\? C\LD NOT BE SE5 AMONG ! BRASSY TANGLES ( HIS BE>D & HIS MU/A*E1 Y\ C\LD TELL HE WAS GR9N+ FROM ! WAY HIS *EEKS BUN*$ 9TO %9Y BALLS ( SUN-SCOR*$ FLE% & BROK5 VE9S4 ,HE PUFF$ ON HIS CLAY PIPE1 :I* ,MI*AEL SAW N[ HAD ! FEATURES ( A SCREAM+ MAN C>V$ ON ITS B[L1 & LET A WISP ( VIOLET SMOKE TWI/ UPW>D FROM ! BALCONY BE=E HE SPOKE AGA94 

0,Y\ LOOK LO/1 LITTLE BOY4 ,OH DE>1 OH DE>4 ,WE CAN'T HAVE ?AT1 N[1 CAN WE80 

,! MAN'S VOICE WAS WORRY+LY DEEP & CREAK$ LIKE SOME GREAT PREHI/ORIC MON/] OP5+ ITS W+S4 ,MI*AEL DECID$ ?AT HE'D BETT] ACT AS IF ?IS W]E A NORMAL CONV]SATION ) SOMEBODY :O WAS (F]+ DIRECTIONS4 ,NOTIC+ ?AT ON HIS RI<T W]E MORE ( ! HI< W9D[S ?AT HE'D SE5 :5 9 ! CORRIDOR1 HE FEIGN$ AN 9T]E/ 9 !M ) A VOICE ?AT WAS EMB>RASS+LY HI< & PIP+ AFT] ! MAN'S GR[N-UP GR[L4 

0,?AT'S RI<T4 ,I'M LO/4 ,CAN Y\ SEE 9 ?OSE W9D[S = ME SO ?AT ,I'LL KN[ :]E ,I AM80 

,! BE>D$ FELL[ FR[N$ 9 PUZZLEM5T1 !N DID AS HE'D BE5 ASK$ & GLANC$ 9 ?R\< ! W9D[S ?AT LOOK$ \T ONTO ! BALCONY4 ,HAV+ ?US SATISFI$ HIMSELF1 HE ONCE MORE TURN$ TO /UDY ,MI*AEL4 

0,LOOKS LIKE IT'S ! NE$LEWORK-ROOM ?AT'S UP/AIRS AT ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 ONLY A FAIR BIT BIGG]4 ,I HANG \T R\ND H]E BECAUSE ,I'M V]Y FOND ( H&ICRAFT4 ,IT'S ONE ( MY GREAT SPECIALTIES4 ,I'M ALSO RA!R GOOD AT SUMS40 

,HE COCK$ HIS CURLY1 BU%Y HEAD UPON ONE SIDE SO ?AT HIS HAT-BRIM TIPP$ D[N AT A SLANT & SUCK$ ONCE MORE UPON HIS PIPE1 A GRAY FOG BRIMM+ FROM HIS FLE%Y LIPS AS HE OP5$ HIS M\? TO SPEAK4 

0,BUT Y\ DON'T QUITE ADD UP TO ANY?+ ?AT ,I'M FAMILI> )4 ,COME1 LITTLE *AP4 ,TELL ME Y\R NAME40 

,MI*AEL WAS NOT COMPLETELY C]TA9 HE %\LD TRU/ ?IS /RANG] ) HIS NAME1 BUT C\LDN'T ?9K ( A CONV9C+ ALIAS 9 TIME4 ,BESIDES1 IF HE WAS F\ND \T 9 A LIE HE MI<T GET 9TO TR\BLE4 

0,MY FAME'S ,MI*AEL ,W>R540 

,! TALL MAN TOOK A /EP BACK ) HIS MISMAT*$ EYES WID5+ 9 :AT SEEM$ TO BE HONE/ SURPRISE4 ,! TRAIL+ TRIANGLES ( CLO? ?AT =M$ HIS COAT SUDD5LY FLUTT]$ UPW>D TO REVEAL ! R$ SILK L9+ ( !IR UND]SIDES SO ?AT HE LOOK$ AS ?\< HE HAD BE5 BRIEFLY SET ON FIRE1 AL?\< ,MI*AEL HAD FELT NO GU/ ( W9D4 ,) AN 9CREAS+ S5SE ?AT ALL ( ?IS WAS GO+ BADLY WRONG1 HE UND]/OOD ?AT IT HAD NOT BE5 BREEZE ?AT MOV$ ! OLD MAN'S COAT1 BUT MORE AN ACTION LIKE A PEACOCK RUFFL+ ITS FEA!RS 9 DISPLAY4 ,EXCEPT ?AT ?IS W\LD MEAN ! TWO-TON$ SCRAPS ( CLO? W]E P>T ( HIM4 

0,Y\'RE ,MI*AEL ,W>R58 ,Y\'RE ! ONE TO BLAME = ALL ?IS TR\BLE80 

,:AT8 ,MI*AEL WAS /UNN$1 BO? ?AT HIS NAME WAS KN[N UP H]E & ?AT ALREADY HE HAD BE5 ACCUS$ ( SOME?+ :I*1 FROM H[ IT S\ND$1 WAS QUITE S]I\S4 ,BRIEFLY1 HE ?\<T ( TRY+ TO RUN AWAY BE=E ! MAN C\LD GRAB HIM & SUBJECT HIM TO SOME PUNI%M5T = HIS UNKN[N TRANSGRESSION1 BUT ! BIG BLOKE JU/ ?REW BACK HIS HEAD & />T$ LAU<+ HE>TILY1 :I* RA!R TOOK ! W9D FROM ,MI*AEL'S SAILS4 ,IF HE'D CAUS$ TR\BLE LIKE ! TATT]$ MAN HAD SAID1 H[ WAS ?AT FUNNY8 

,BREAK+ (F HIS GALE ( LAU<T] = A MOM5T1 HE GAZ$ D[N AT ,MI*AEL ) :AT LOOK$ LIKE DANG]\S AMUSEM5T FLA%+ 9 HIS JADE & G>NET EYES4 

0,WAIT 'TIL ,I TELL ! LADS4 ,!Y'LL BE 9 FITS4 ,OH1 ?IS IS GOOD4 ,?IS IS EXTREMELY GOOD40 

,HE ONCE AGA9 BEGAN TO RO> ) MIR?1 BUT ?IS TIME1 :5 HE TIPP$ HIS HEAD BACK 9 A GUTTURAL & HE>TY GUFFAW HIS BROAD LEA!R HAT SLIPP$ (F TO HANG D[N ON HIS %\LD]S BY ! CORD ?AT HE HAD KNOTT$ UND]NEA? HIS *94 

,! MAN HAD HORNS4 ,BR[N-:ITE LIKE DIRTY IVORY !Y POK$ UP FROM ! CURLS & R+LETS ( HIS HAIRL9E1 ?ICK1 /UBBY PROTUB]ANCES ONLY A FEW 9*ES LONG4 ,?IS WAS ! TIME1 ,MI*AEL DECID$1 TO />T CRY+4 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT ! HORN$ APP>ITION ) TE>S WELL+ 9 HIS EYES1 & :5 HE SPOKE IT WAS ) AN ACCUS+ SNIVEL1 S\ND+ W\ND$ BY ! MEAN TRICK ?AT ! MAN HAD PLAY$ UPON HIM4 

0,Y\'RE ! DEVIL40 

,?IS SEEM$ TO *OKE (F ! CO>SE1 UPRO>I\S LAU<T]4 ,! MAN LOOK$ AT ,MI*AEL ) HIS EYEBR[S RAIS$ 9 ALMO/ COMICAL BEMUSEM5T1 AS IF HE WAS DREADFULLY SURPRIS$ ?AT ,MI*AEL %\LD HAVE EV] ?\<T ?AT HE WAS ANYBODY ELSE4 

0,WELL 444 YES4 ,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I AM40 

,HE CR\*$ D[N ON HIS HAUN*ES UNTIL HIS UNN]V+ GAZE WAS LEVEL ) ?AT ( ! LITTLE BOY1 :O /OOD !RE ROOT$ TO ! SPOT ) FE>4 ,! HORN$ MAN LEAN$ HIS HEAD A LITTLE CLOS] 9 TO ,MI*AEL ) A LAZY SMILE & N>R[$ HIS JEWEL$ EYES 9QUISITIVELY4 

0,:Y8 ,:]E DID Y\ ?9K Y\ W]E80 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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