,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #d 
,! ,SC>LET ,WELL 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,! ,S,C,>,L,E,T ,W,E,L,L 

,/RAI<T D[N ! RABBIT HOLE1 & ?R\< ! W>DROBE DOOR3 IT SEEM$ TO ,MI*AEL AS IF ?IS WAS A COMPLETELY PROP] & TIME-HONOR$ WAY TO GET 9TO ANO!R WORLD1 AL?\< HE C\LDN'T = ! DEA? ( HIM HAVE TOLD Y\ :Y IT FELT LIKE ?AT4 ,P]HAPS HE JU/ REMEMB]$ SOME?+ SIMIL> FROM AN OLD /ORY ?AT HE'D ONCE HAD READ TO HIM1 OR ELSE HE WAS BECOM+ MORE ACCU/OM$ TO ! WAY ?+S HAPP5$ 9 ?IS CURI\S NEW PLACE ?AT HE WAS LO/ 94 

,AFT] ALL ! FUSS & FIREWORKS ( HIS KIDNAP BY ! HORRIFY+ ,SAM ,O',DAY & !N HIS RESCUE BY ! E]IE RAGAMUFF9S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 HE HAD DECID$ ?AT ! BE/ ?+ HE C\LD DO W\LD BE TO TREAT ! :OLE ?+ LIKE A DREAM4 ,ADMITT$LY1 IT WAS A DREAM ?AT SEEM$ TO C>RY ON = AN UNCOM=TABLE L5G? ( TIME1 A BIT LIKE GO+ 9TO Y\R BACK Y>D & F9D+ HALF A DOZ5 SOAP BUBBLES Y\'D BL[N ?REE DAYS BE=E /ILL ROLL+ R\ND !RE 9 ! DRA9-TRAP1 & 9 ,MI*AEL'S HE>T ( HE>TS HE KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS NOT A DREAM AT ALL4 ,/ILL1 ) ITS COLORS & ITS /RANG5ESS1 IT WAS EASY TO PRET5D ?AT HE WAS DREAM+1 :I* WAS BETT] ?AN REM9D+ HIMSELF EV]Y MOM5T ( HIS ACTUAL SITUATION1 ( ! FACT ?AT HE WAS DEAD & 9 A %ABBY-BUT-FAMILI> AFT]LIFE ) DEVILS & <O/-*ILDR5 EV]Y:]E1 OR ANYWAY1 ?AT'S :]E HE WAS = ! TIME BE+4 ,TREAT+ IT ALL LIKE A NI<TM>E OR A FAIRY /ORY WAS A LOT LESS BO!R4 

,M9D Y\1 ?AT WAS NOT ! SAME AS SAY+ IT WAS EF=TLESS4 ,HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS HAV+ TO WORK QUITE H>D TO IGNORE ALL ( ! ?+S ?AT TOLD HIM ?IS WAS MORE ?AN JU/ A DREAM ?AT HAD \T/AY$ ITS WELCOME1 SU* AS H[ REAL ALL ! PEOPLE SEEM$ TO BE4 ,DREAM-PEOPLE1 HE HAD F\ND1 W]E NO:]E NE> AS COMPLICAT$ AS REAL PEOPLE W]E1 NOR HALF AS UNPR$ICTABLE1 9 ?AT !Y G5]ALLY DID :AT Y\ EXPECT$ !M TO DO4 ,!RE NEV] SEEM$ TO BE MU* TO !M1 NOT 9 ,MI*AEL'S E/IMATION4 ,ALL ! PEOPLE HE HAD MET 9 ,MANS\L1 ON ! O!R H&1 SEEM$ JU/ AS MESSY & AS G5U9E AS HIS [N FAMILY OR NEI<BORS W]E4 ,! LADY :O HAD SAV$ HIM FROM ! DEMON1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 :O'D CALL$ H]SELF A DEA?MONG]1 %E'D BE5 AS REAL TO HIM AS HIS NAAN ,MAY4 ,9 FACT1 :5 ,MI*AEL ?\<T AB\T IT1 \T ( ! TWO WOM51 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS PROBABLY ! MO/ BELIEVABLE4 ,AS = ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG !Y W]E EV]Y BIT AS REAL AS A GRAZ$ KNEE1 ALONG ) ALL !IR SPECIAL SIGNALS & !IR %ORTCUTS & !IR SECRET D51 ALL ( ! FUNNY BITS & BOBS ?AT MADE !M :AT !Y W]E4 ,EV5 IF ALL ( ?IS DID SOMEH[ /ILL TURN \T TO BE A DREAM HE ?\<T ?AT HE'D BE BE/ (F /ICK+ ) ! DEAD KIDS1 :O AT LEA/ APPE>$ TO KN[ :AT !Y W]E DO+ & :O CLE>LY KNEW !IR WAY >\ND4 

,?IS <O/-SEAM ?\<1 ! LI<T FROM :I* BLAZ$ UPW>DS ?R\< A W>DROBE DOOR-SIZ$ HOLE 9 ! D5'S FLOOR1 ?AT FELT A BIT LIKE TRESPASS+4 ,IT FELT LIKE SOME?+ OLD] *ILDR5 MI<T GET Y\ TO DO JU/ SO'S Y\'D GET 9 TR\BLE4 ,DIDN'T ALL ! PHANTOMS D[N !RE M9D HAV+ A GANG ( HOOLIGANS RUNN+ >\ND & BO!R+ !M EV5 AFT] !Y W]E DEAD8 

,ON ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S ORD]S !Y ALL CLIMB$ D[N ?R\< ! GL[+ RECTANGLE1 ) ! GOOD-LOOK+ OLD] BOY CALL$ ,JOHN BE+ ! FIR/ ONE TO DESC5D4 ,MI*AEL SUPPOS$ ?AT ?IS WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE ,JOHN WAS ! TALLE/ & C\LD DROP MORE EASILY 9TO ! BLACK-&-:ITE WORLD UND]NEA?4 ,ONCE ,JOHN HAD F\ND HIS FEET BEL[1 HE W\LD BE ABLE TO REA* UP & HELP ! SMALL] MEMB]S ( ! GANG TO CLAMB] D[N BESIDE HIM4 ,! OLD-FA%ION$-LOOK+ BOY ) ALL ! FRECKLES & ! B[L] HAT W5T NEXT1 & !N ! SOB]-SID$ LITTLE GIRL ) GLASSES ?AT !Y CALL$ ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE4 ,! KID ) G+] HAIR :O ,MI*AEL ?\<T WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S LITTLE BRO!R FOLL[$ ,M>JORIE1 :I* LEFT JU/ HIM & ,PHYLLIS 9 ! TELEVISION FLICK] ( ! HIDE\T1 ) ! COLORLESS LI<T %9+ UP \T ( ! E>? TO MAKE ! LADIES ON ! COV] ( ,HEAL? @& ,EFFICI5CY LOOK GRAY & *ILLY4 

,MI*AEL ?\<T HE MI<T BE W>M+ TO ! BOSSY LITTLE ,DEAD ,DEAD GIRL1 ESPECIALLY S9CE %E'D COME BACK & SAV$ HIM FROM ?AT ROTT5 DEVIL1 & NOT JU/ AB&ON$ HIM LIKE HE'D EXPECT$ H] TO DO4 ,%E WAS ALL RI<T1 ,MI*AEL DECID$1 = A GIRL4 ,H[EV]1 AL?\< %E'D GONE UP 9 HIS OP9ION OV] ! LA/ H\R OR SO1 & EV5 ?\< HE'D GRADUALLY BE5 GETT+ US$ TO H[ H] SC>F ( RABBITS SMELL$1 HE F\ND ?AT BE+ 9 A CLOS$-9 SPACE SU* AS ! D5 ) H] WAS A BIT MU*4 ,BECAUSE ( ?IS1 HE DIDN'T MAKE A FUSS :5 ,PHYLLIS TOLD HIM ?AT HE WAS ! NEXT MAN D[N ! HOLE4 ,IT W\LD BE A RELIEF1 QUITE FRANKLY1 TO BE \T 9 ! FRE% AIR AGA91 EV5 IF ,MI*AEL DIDN'T REALLY NE$ TO BREA! IT QUITE AS URG5TLY AS HE MI<T ONCE HAVE DONE4 ,BE+ 9SIDE ! HIDE\T ) H] WAS LIKE BE+ BURI$ 9 A C(F9 FULL ( WEASELS4 

,PHYLLIS TOLD HIM TO GET D[N UPON HIS TUMMY & TO LET H] GRADUALLY L[] HIM BACKW>DS1 HOLD+ TI<T ONTO HIS T>TAN SLEEVES 9 CASE HE SLIPP$4 ,:5 HE WAS HALFWAY D[N & HAD HIS UPP] HALF /ILL POK+ UP 9TO ! D5 HE FELT /RONG H&S SUPPORT+ HIM FROM UND]NEA?4 ,HE TRU/$ !M 5\< TO LET HIS HEAD S9K D[N BEL[ ! LEVEL ( ! HIDE\T'S FLOOR1 /ILL CL++ TO ! H>D DIRT ( ! HOLE'S RIM ) HIS SWEATY PALMS4 

,IT WAS A BIT LIKE GO+ UND]WAT] SUDD5LY4 ,! LI<T LOOK$ DIFF]5T & IT *ANG$ ! WAY Y\ SAW ?+S1 SO ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS %>P & CRY/AL-CLE> BUT HADN'T GOT ITS COLORS 9 IT ANY LONG]4 ,?IS NEW LEVEL ( ! AFT]LIFE FELT DIFF]5T1 TOO1 AS ?\< IT W]E A LITTLE COLD]1 AL?\< ,MI*AEL DIDN'T ?9K ?AT WAS ! PROP] EXPLANATION4 ,IT WAS MORE AS IF :5 HE'D BE5 9 ! WORLD ,UP/AIRS !RE'D BE5 A /ICKY MEMORY ( SUMM] W>M?1 :]EAS D[N H]E !RE WASN'T ANY TEMP]ATURE AT ALL4 ,IT WASN'T HOT1 IT WASN'T COLD4 ,IT JU/ FELT A BIT NUMB4 ,! SAME WAS TRUE ) H[ ?+S SMELL$4 ,! DREADFUL NIFF ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S RABBITS VANI%$ AT ! MOM5T ,MI*AEL'S NOSE DROPP$ D[N BEL[ ! LEVEL ( ! HIDE\T FLOOR1 & HE DISCOV]$ ?AT HE WAS UNABLE TO SMELL ANY?+ AT ALL4 ,! REALM ?AT HE WAS BE+ DANGL$ 9TO HAD NO MORE SC5T ?AN A GLASS ( TAP-WAT]4 ,EV5 ! BACKGR\ND NOISES ( ! <O/-SEAM1 SWELL+ UP >\ND HIM1 S\ND$ JU/ LIKE HIS GRAN'S W9D-UP GRAMOPHONE MI<T DO IF IT W]E BE+ PLAY$ 9SIDE A C>DBO>D BOX4 

,! FIRM GRIP ( :AT PROV$ TO BE ,JOHN'S H&S MOV$ UP & >\ND ,MI*AEL'S TICKLI% MIDRIFF1 & ! NEXT ?+ ?AT HE REGI/]$ WAS BE+ SET D[N ON ! (F-:ITE GRASS ?AT GREW !RE 9 ! C\NTRY ( ! <O/S4 ,EV]Y?+ LOOK$ AS ?\< IT HAD BE5 DRAWN 9 ,9DIAN 9K OR *>COAL1 & TO HIS SURPRISE HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS ONCE MORE LEAV+ TRAILS BEH9D HIM AS HE MOV$1 ?\< !SE W]5'T ! FANCY W9E-R$ T>TAN PLUMES HE'D SPR\T$ :5 ! DEVIL TOOK HIM ON HIS FLI<T4 ,! FAD+ PICTURES HE WAS LEAV+ 9 HIS WAKE N[ LOOK$ AS S(T & GRAY AS PIGEON FEA!RS4 ,BL9K+1 HE PE]$ ALL >\ND AT ! ODD PLACE 9 :I* HE F\ND HIMSELF1 TRY+ TO MAKE HIS M9D UP IF HE LIK$ IT MU*4 ,COLORLESS D&ELIONS1 HE LE>N$1 LOOK$ QUITE UPSETT+1 :ILE ! :ITE WASPS /RIP$ LIKE FLY+ HUMBUGS LEFT HIM FEEL+ SLI<TLY QUEASY4 

,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 MEAN:ILE1 MADE A BIG DISPLAY ( HOLD+ ONTO H] PLA9 NAVY SKIRT1 N[ SIMPLY BLACK1 AS ,JOHN LIFT$ H] FROM ! D5 D[N TO ! HILLY WA/EL& :]E ! RE/ ( !M W]E /&+1 ) HIS EYES AV]T$ ?R\<\T 9 A G5TLEMANLY MANN]4 ,AS %E CAME D[N1 ,PHYLLIS DRAGG$ ONE CORN] ( ! C>PET REMNANT 9TO PLACE ACROSS ! GAP ABOVE H]1 ) ! W>DROBE DOOR ITSELF BE+ PRESUMABLY TOO HEAVY = A S+LE P]SON4 ,S9CE ! C>PET'S UND]SIDE ALREADY HAD AN 9DI/9CT & MURKY HUE1 ! 5TRANCE TO ! D5 WAS NEATLY CAM\FLAG$ AGA9/ ! CL\DY ,BOR\<S SKY ?AT IT APPE>$ TO BE SUSP5D$ 91 A JAGG$ HOLE CUT 9 ! AIR A FEW FEET UP ABOVE ! SP>SE TURF & UNEV5 GR\ND4 ,AS ,JOHN HELP$ ,PHYLLIS F9D H] FEET1 ,MI*AEL CONT9U$ TO 9SPECT ! />TL+ NEWSPAP]-COLOR$ K+DOM ?AT WAS ALL >\ND !M4 

,MI*AEL & ! O!R *ILDR5 SEEM$ TO BE 9 ! SAME SPOT AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S D5 HAD BE5 UP 9 ! DREAMY1 COLOR-DR5*$ WORLD ( ,MANS\L ?AT !Y'D JU/ CLIMB$ FROM1 BUT ! V]SION ( ! PLACE ?AT ,MI*AEL LOOK$ \T OV] N[ WAS V]Y DIFF]5T1 & NOT JU/ BECAUSE IT WAS ALL BLACK & :ITE & S\ND$ FLAT & HADN'T GOT A SMELL4 ,! ?+ ?AT MADE ! MO/ IMPRESSION ON HIM WAS ! DIFF]5CE 9 ! PLACE'S ATMOSPH]E4 ,IT MADE IT NE> 5\< IMPOSSIBLE = HIM TO KEEP UP ! PRET5SE ?AT HE WAS DREAM+1 BECAUSE ?IS FELT NO?+ LIKE A DREAM4 ,! L&SCAPE RUNN+ (F D[NHILL BE=E HIM WAS F> TOO LET-D[N & SAD NOT TO BE REAL4 

,! H\SES ?AT HAD /OOD !RE BETWE5 ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET & ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET W]E GONE2 ALL ( ! FOND & %9+ MEMORIES ( HOMES !Y'D PASS$ :ILE !Y W]E TRUDG+ UP ,SPR+ ,LANE & ALL ! DWELL+S ?AT W]E HALF PULL$ D[N & ?AT !Y'D HAD TO PICK !IR WAY ?R\< TO ! D]ELICT COMMUNAL Y>D :]E ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG KEPT !IR HIDD5 D54 ,ALL GONE4 ,N[ !RE W]E JU/ BLEA*$ WE$S & /RAGGL+1 SOOTY BU%ES RIS+ FROM ! HEAPS ( RUBBLE4 ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T EV5 SEE ! FA9TE/ L9ES TO %[ :]E ALL ! =M] WALLS & B\ND>IES HAD BE54 

,! :OLE ( ,COMPTON ,/REET1 :I* HAD BE5 R\<LY HALFWAY D[N ! SLOP+ WA/EL&1 HAD COMPLETELY VANI%$4 ,9 ITS PLACE WAS AN UNSURFAC$ TRACK ( GRAY & GLI/5+ MUD ?AT RAN ACROSS ! WILD]NESS FROM LEFT TO RI<T AS HE GAZ$ D[N ! HILL4 ,HE RECOGNIZ$ ! >EA N[1 :]EAS ! GL[+ /REETS ( ,MANS\L HAD SEEM$ UNFAMILI>3 ?IS WAS H[ ! PLACE HAD BE5 9 ,MI*AEL'S LIFETIME4 ,!SE W]E ! DEMOLI%$ BOMBSITE \TSKIRTS ( ! ,BOR\<S :]E HIS OLD] SI/] ,ALMA PLAY$1 & ?AT HE'D HE>D H] CALL '! ,BRICKS'4 

,HE HAD A FUNNY FEEL+1 AS IF HE W]E 9 A BLURRY PHOTOGRAPH FROM ?IS YE>1 #a#i#e#i1 A CREAS$ OLD PICTURE ?AT WAS BE+ LOOK$ AT BY SOMEBODY 9 A C5TURY FROM N[1 :5 HE & EV]YONE HE KNEW W\LD ALL BE GONE4 ,IT ALMO/ MADE HIM WANT TO CRY JU/ ?9K+ ( IT1 ( H[ QUICKLY EV]Y?+ WAS F9I%$ & H[ EV]YONE'S LIVES W]E AS GOOD AS OV] ) ALREADY1 FROM ! M9UTE !Y W]E BORN4 ,! COLOR-BL9D$ L&SCAPE DROPP$ AWAY FROM HIM T[>DS ! WE/1 :]E /&S ( NETTLES ?AT W]E ALMO/ BLACK RU/L$ & SWAY$ ON SLIDES ( SUNLIT MUD ?AT FL>$ ) DAZZL+ :ITE4 ,UNEASY1 ,MI*AEL TURN$ BACK TO ! MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 :O W]E ALL D[N ON SOLID GR\ND BY N[4 

,TO ,MI*AEL'S LEFT /OOD ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 :O LOOK$ LIKE %E ?\<T %E WAS ,NAPOLEON OR SOMEBODY1 /ROK+ H] *9 AS %E SURVEY$ H] TROOPS4 ,H] SMALL H&1 RAIS$ UP TO H] FACE1 LEFT GRAY & :ITE %APES ?R\< ! AIR BEH9D IT 9 A FAN ( O/RI* PLUMES4 

0,RI<T1 Y\ LOT4 ,BACK TO ,SPR+ ,LANE & ACROSS IT 9TO ,CRISP9 ,/REET4 ,WE'LL TAKE AYR 'ONOR>Y MEMB] = A WALK DAYN ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET TO 'IS '\SE 9 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,JOHN1 Y\ WALK UP ! FRONT & KEEP AN EYE AYT = R\< SLEEP]S4 ,BILL & ,REGGIE1 Y\ 'ANG BACK & DO ! SAME SO ?AT WE DUN'T GET ANY MAD <O/S COME UPON US FROM BEH9D4 ,REMEMB]1 !RE'S A LOT ( 'EM :AT WE'VE PLAY$ TRICKS ON1 UP & DAYN ! YE>S1 & !Y DON'T LIKE US4 ,MO/ ( 'EM >E '>MLESS1 BUT IF Y] SEE ,M>Y ,JANE OR OLD ,TOMMY ,MANGLE-!-,CAT !N RUN LIKE BILLY-OH4 ,WE'LL MEET UP LAT] ON ! ,MAYORHOLD1 :]E ! ,WORKS WIZ1 IF WE %\LD GET SEP>AT$40 

,MI*AEL ?\<T ?IS S\ND$ MORE AL>M+ ?AN ! PLEASANT /ROLL HE'D BE5 EXPECT+4 ,:AT1 HE WOND]$1 W]E R\< SLEEP]S8 ,ALSO1 :Y W\LD ANYONE BE CALL$ 0,MANGLE-!-,CAT08 ,NEV]!LESS1 HE FELL 9 ) ! O!R *ILDR5 AS !Y CLIMB$ ! SLANT+ WA/EL& ) ITS TE/-C>D TONES1 BACK UP T[>DS ALL ?AT WAS LEFT1 BY #a#i#e#i1 ( ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET4 ,HE TRI$ TO HAUL HIMSELF UP A P>TICUL>LY /EEP BIT ( ! SLOPE BY CLUT*+ AT A CLUMP ( B9DWE$1 BUT DISCOV]$ ?AT HIS F+]S PASS$ ?R\< ! :ITE TRUMPET BLOSSOMS & ! ?ICK GRAY VE9S ( CREEP] AS IF HE WAS MADE COMPLETELY \T ( CIG>ETTE SMOKE1 RA!R ?AN JU/ BE+ ! SAME COLOR AS IT AT ?AT MOM5T4 ,HE SUPPOS$ IT MADE S5SE IF ! WE$S W]E REAL & HE WAS <O/LY1 BUT !N :AT AB\T ! GR\ND ?AT HE WAS CLAMB]+ ON8 ,:Y DIDN'T HE & HIS NEW DEAD FRI5DS S9K D[N ?R\< IT TO ,AU/RALIA OR SOME:]E8 ,HE DECID$ TO ASK ,PHYLLIS1 :O WAS /RUGGL+ UP ! HILL AHEAD ( HIM4 

0,:AT MAKES ! FLAW BE SOLID :5 ! RE/ ( EV]Y?+ IS MI/RE\S80 

,HE PULL$ A FACE1 DISMAY$ TO F9D HIS TONGUE WAS PLAY+ UP AGA94 ,IT SEEM$ TO HAPP5 MO/ :5 HE WAS N]V\S1 & HE ?\<T ?AT IT WAS V]Y LIKELY ALL ?IS TALK ( MAD <O/S & CAT-MANGL]S ?AT WAS UPSETT+ HIM4 ,PHYLLIS SC[L$ BACK AT ,MI*AEL OV] ONE PALE WOOL5 %\LD] ( H] JUMP]1 :I* LOOK$ W>M GRAY EV5 ?\< HE KNEW ?AT IT WAS REALLY MILK%AKE P9K4 ,SMUDG$ AFT]-IMAGES W]E SMOK+ FROM H] BACK4 

0,Y] DON'T 'ALF ASK SOME SILLY QUE/IONS4 ,ALL !M ?+S GR[N AYT ! L&1 ALL ( ! '\SES & ! PEOPLE & NOT JU/ ! PLANTS & TREES1 !Y'RE ONLY ']E A LITTLE :ILE4 ,IT'S ONLY LIKE A MON?1 A YE>1 A C5TURY OR :AT-NOT1 & !Y'RE GONE4 ,! L+] ( 'EM '>DLY 'AS A *ANCE TO MAKE A REAL IMPRESSION ON ! WORLDS :AT >E ALL UP ABOVE4 ,SOME PLACES1 LIKE ,/4 ,PET]'S OR ! ',OLY ,SEPUL*] :AT 'AVE BE5 !RE = AGES1 IT CAN BE A /RUGGLE WALK9' ?R\< ! WALLS ( 'EM BECAUSE !Y'RE ?ICK5$ BY '[ LONG !Y'VE BE5 !RE4 ,!RE'S A BEE* TREE UP 9 ,%EEP ,/REET :AT'S BE5 !RE EI<T 'UNDR$ YE>S1 SO Y] CAN GIVE Y] 'EAD A NA/Y SMACK ON ?AT1 AN' ALL4 ,COMP>$ ) ?AT1 GOO9' ?R\< FACTORY WALLS OR !M 9 PEOPLE'S '\SES WIZ A PIECE O' CAKE4 ,Y\ JU/ PASS ?R\< 'EM LIKE Y] MADE FROM /EAM4 ,?IS SLOPE WE'RE WALK9' UP1 ?\<1 ?AT'S BE5 ']E = LIKE A MILLION YE>S1 SO IT FEELS SOLID EV5 TO A <O/4 ,N[1 KEEP Y] TRAP %UT 'TIL WE'RE UP ! 'ILL40 

,!Y CLIMB$ ON = A MOM5T OR TWO MORE1 & !N ! :OLE GANG REASSEMBL$ ON ! CRACK$ /ONE PAV+ SLABS ( ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET4 ,MI*AEL WAS PLEAS$ TO SEE ?AT ALL ! H\SES ON ! /REET'S F> SIDE HAD PEOPLE LIV+ 9 !M & W]E BE+ KEPT 9 GOOD CONDITION1 ) ! G5TLE RISE ( ,COOP] ,/REET /ILL RUNN+ UP TO ,BELB>N & ,/4 ,&REW'S ,*UR*1 AL?\< ! NE> SIDE ( ! /REET :]E HE /OOD ) ! O!R <O/-KIDS HAD ALL BE5 PULL$ D[N4 ,ABOVE ! /REET1 ! POLI%$ SILV] POT-LID ( ! SUN WAS BLAZ+ FROM A WIDE EXPANSE ( COOL GRAY SKY1 :I* ,MI*AEL ?\<T MI<T BE A SUMM] BLUE IF IT W]E LOOK$ AT BY ! LIV+4 ,LITTLE :ITE CL\DS /OOD \T FROM ! BACKGR\ND H]E & !RE1 AS IF DROPS ( P]OXIDE BLEA* HAD FALL5 ONTO BLOTT+ PAP]4 

,9 A TRAIL+ ?RONG ! GANG ( PHANTOM *ILDR5 MADE !IR WAY D[N ! OLD-FA%ION$ CRACKL+ NEWSREEL ( A /REET & BACK T[>DS ,SPR+ ,LANE1 EA* ) A R[ ( FAD+ LOOK-ALIKES ?AT /REAM$ ALONG BEH9D !M4 ,AS !Y'D BE5 9/RUCT$1 LITTLE ,BILL & ,REGGIE :AT'S-HIS-NAME BR\<T UP ! RE>1 :ILE ,PHYLLIS & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE WALK$ SIDE BY SIDE T[>DS ! MIDDLE ( ! L9E1 5GROSS$ 9 GIGGL+ FEMALE CONV]SATION ?AT WAS PUNCTUAT$ BY SWIFT1 FURTIVE GLANCES AT ! UNSUSPECT+ TALL LAD1 ,JOHN1 :O PAC$ ALONG 9 FRONT ( EV]YBODY4 

,MI*AEL TRI$ TO WALK ) ,M>JORIE & ,PHYLLIS SO ?AT HE'D HAVE SOMEBODY HE KNEW TO *ATT] ) BUT ,PHYLLIS TOSS$ H] FR+E1 CAUS+ H] RABBIT NECKLACE TO SW+ BACK & =?1 & TOLD HIM ?AT IT WAS 0A PRIVATE MATT]0 :AT !Y W]E DISCUSS+4 ,GIV5 ?AT HE WASN'T SURE YET :AT TO MAKE ( ! MIS*IEV\S ,BILL OR ! T\<-LOOK+ ,REGGIE1 ,MI*AEL HURRI$ TO CAT* UP ) ,JOHN1 :O /RODE ) A H]OIC BE>+ AT ! FRONT ( !IR RAGTAG P>ADE4 ,?IS OLDE/ MEMB] ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG APPE>$ TO ,MI*AEL TO BE A DEP5DABLE & DEC5T SORT ( LAD4 ,HE GLANC$ R\ND & GR9N$ AMIABLY AS ! PAJAMA-CLAD *ILD SCAMP]$ FROM BEH9D TO TROT ALONG BESIDE HIM4 

0,HELLO1 NIPP]4 ,PHYLLIS GIV5 Y\ Y\R M>*+ ORD]S1 HAS %E8 ,NEV] M9D4 ,Y\ KEEP ME COMPANY 9/EAD4 ,Y\ NEV] KN[1 IT MI<T BE WE C\LD LE>N A ?+ OR TWO (F ( EA* O!R40 

,MI*AEL DID A SORT ( D\BLE SKIP 9 ORD] TO KEEP UP ) ,JOHN'S LONG LEGS & GREAT] /RIDE4 ,HE LIK$ ! OLD] BOY A LOT4 ,= ONE ?+1 ,JOHN WAS ! FIR/ P]SON ?AT HE'D MET UP H]E :O SEEM$ AS ?\< HE W\LDN'T GET ANNOY$ IF ,MI*AEL ASK$ HIM ?+S4 ,MI*AEL DECID$ ?AT HE'D PUT IT TO ! TE/4 

0,:AT WIZ ?AT ,PHYLLIS SAID AB\T R\< SLEEP]S8 ,>E !RE BAD <O/S GO+ TO COME & GET US8 ,WIZ ?AT :AT Y\'RE LOOK+ \T =80 

,JOHN SMIL$ REASSUR+LY4 

0,!Y'RE NOT BAD <O/S1 NOT REALLY4 ,!Y'RE JU/ PEOPLE :O >5'T SLEEP+ S\NDLY 9 !IR AFT]LIVES BECAUSE ( ONE ?+ OR ANO!R4 ,!Y DON'T FANCY RUNN+ ?R\< !IR LIVES AGA91 & !Y DON'T FEEL RI<T GO+ UP/AIRS TO ,MANS\L4 ,SOME ( 'EM DON'T FEEL LIKE !Y'RE GOOD 5\<1 & SOME ( 'EM JU/ LIKE IT H]E :]E EV]Y?+'S FAMILI>1 EV5 IF IT'S ALL 9 BLACK & :ITE & !RE'S NO SMELL OR ANY?+40 

,! H&SOME BOY'S FACE TOOK ON A MORE S]I\S LOOK4 

0,!Y'RE H>MLESS = ! MO/ P>T1 ?AT SORT1 BUT !RE'S ONE OR TWO ( !M :O A9'T4 ,!RE'S ONES :O'VE BE5 D[N H]E A LONG TIME & IT'S S5T !M FUNNY1 EI!R ?AT OR !Y W]E FUNNY TO BEG9 )4 ,!N !RE'S ONES :O'VE GOT TOO FOND ( <O/-BOOZE1 ,PUCK'S ,HAT ,PUN* !Y CALL IT4 ,!Y'RE ! WOR/ TO LOOK AT4 ,!Y CAN'T HOLD !MSELVES TOGE!R PROP]LY1 SO !Y GET %APES & FACES ?AT >E MIX$ UP LIKE A JUMBLE SALE1 & !Y'RE =EV] FLY+ 9TO RAGES4 ,OLD ,MANGLE-!-,CAT1 HE'S ONE ( !M1 & ,I'LL TELL Y\ = NO?+1 IF A <O/ GIVES Y\ A ?ICK E> !N Y\'LL FEEL IT40 

,JOHN GAVE ,MI*AEL A S(T PROD 9 HIS LEFT %\LD] ) ONE F+] AS A DEMON/RATION1 & AL?\< IT DIDN'T HURT1 ! Y\NG] BOY C\LD SEE IT W\LD HAVE DONE IF ,JOHN HAD PUT MORE =CE BEH9D IT4 ,SATISFI$ HE'D MADE HIS PO9T1 ,JOHN NEXT UNTUCK$ HIS PHOSPHORESC5T %IRT TAILS FROM ! WAI/B& ( HIS KNEE-L5G? TR\S]S1 PULL+ UP ! G>M5T & ! PULLOV] HE WORE ABOVE IT TO REVEAL HIS BELLY4 ,JU/ BEL[ ! RIBCAGE ON ,JOHN'S RI<T-H& SIDE !RE WAS A DULL GRAY LI<T ?AT SEEM$ TO PULSE AT 9T]VALS B5EA? ! SK91 AS IF ,JOHN HAD A T9Y ROAD-LAMP FLA%+ 9 HIS /OMA*4 

0,?AT'S :]E ,M>Y ,JANE PUT 9 ! BOOT :5 WE'D BE5 PLAY+ TRICKS ON H]1 SOME :ILE BACK N[4 ,A <O/-BRUISE LIKE ?IS1 IT'LL FADE AWAY EV5TUALLY1 BUT ,I D>E SAY ?AT IF Y\ GOT 5\< ( 'EM AT ONCE1 Y\R SPIRIT MI<T BE DONE SOME DAMAGE ?AT'D BE A JOB TO FIX40 

,JOHN ROLL$ HIS %IRT BACK D[N & TUCK$ IT 94 ,! ACTION LEFT A *URN+ /ORM ( <O/LY H&S & CUFFS >\ND HIS WAI/B& ?AT DISP]S$ AFT] A MOM5T4 

,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET A FRONT DOOR OP5$ ) A MUT$ SQUEAK & A DISGRUNTL$-LOOK+ WOMAN 9 H] =TIES CAME \T ?R\< IT1 AS DID A BRIEF BUR/ ( WIRELESS-MUSIC PLAY+ FROM SOME:]E 9SIDE ! H\SE4 ,IT WAS A SONG ?AT ,MI*AEL RECOGNIZ$1 BY AN ,AM]ICAN4 ,HE ?\<T IT MI<T BE CALL$ SOME?+ LIKE 0,:AT ,DID ,DELLA ,WE>01 BUT IT WAS CUT (F AS ! WOMAN %UT ! DOOR BEH9D H] & !N BU/L$ D[N ! T]RACE A %ORT DI/ANCE1 ) >MS FOLD$ TRUCUL5TLY & H] D>K P]M$ HAIRDO BOBB+ LIKE A FE$+ BLACKBIRD4 ,CALL+ AT A NEI<BOR'S SOME DOORS D[N %E KNOCK$ UPON ! DOOR & WAS LET 9 ALMO/ IMM$IATELY BY A TALL LADY :OSE %ORT HAIR WAS EI!R BLOND OR GRAY4 ,NEI!R ( ! TWO WOM5 LEFT A TRAIL BEH9D !M AS !Y MOV$1 NOR SP>$ ! GANG ( *ILDR5 W&]+ BY UPON ! /REET'S F> SIDE A SECOND GLANCE4 

0,!Y'RE /ILL ALIVE1 SO !Y CAN'T SEE US10 ,JOHN REM>K$ CONSPIRATORIALLY4 0,! WAY ?AT Y\ CAN TELL WIZ ?AT !Y DON'T HAVE /REAM]S FOLL[+ BEH9D 'EM1 LIKE :AT WE'VE GOT40 ,H]E HE WAV$ ONE >M SO ?AT IT FANN$ \T LIKE A H& ( C>DS1 ! EXTRA LIMBS P]SI/+ = AN 9/ANT BE=E DISAPPE>+4 

0,IF Y\ SEE SOMEBODY )\T /REAM]S & IT LOOKS LIKE !Y CAN SEE Y\1 *ANCES >E IT'S SOMEONE :O'S ASLEEP & DREAM+4 ,Y\ DON'T GET AS MANY ( 'EM HANG+ R\ND ! <O/-SEAM AS Y\ DO ,UP/AIRS1 BUT EV]Y LITTLE :ILE Y\'LL GET A C\PLE ( 'EM :AT HAVE BLUND]$ D[N H]E & >E HAV+ ALL !IR DREAMS 9 BLACK & :ITE4 ,MO/ ( 'EM1 !Y'LL BE WE>+ JU/ !IR VE/ & PANTS OR !Y'LL BE 9 ! NUDE4 ,IF Y\ SEE SOMEONE DRESS$ :O'S LOOK+ AT Y\1 & !Y DON'T LEAVE ANY PICTURES :5 !Y MOVE1 IT'S ONE ( !M FEW *>ACT]S :AT >E ALIVE BUT CAN /ILL SEE ?+S4 ,IF !Y'RE DRUNK OR DOS$ ) DRUGS1 OR IF !Y'RE A BIT B>MY1 !N !Y'LL GLIMPSE Y\ SOMETIMES4 ,B>MY OR POETIC1 EI!R ONE WILL DO4 ,MO/ ( ! TIME !Y WON'T BE SURE !Y'VE REALLY SE5 Y\1 & !Y'LL LOOK AWAY40 

,WALK+ ALONG BY ,MI*AEL'S SIDE ) ,MI*AEL HURRY+ TO KEEP UP1 ,JOHN GAZ$ D[N AT ! PAVEM5T REEL+ BY B5EA? !IR FEET & FR[N$1 AS IF HE WAS RECALL+ SOME?+ ?AT HE DIDN'T LIKE4 

0,! PSY*ICS & ! SWAMIS1 !Y'RE ALL TO%4 ,!Y'LL LOOK /RAI<T ?R\< Y\ :ILE !Y TELL Y\R MOM H[ HAPPY & H[ COM=TABLE Y\ LOOK1 & H[ Y\ DIDN'T SUFF]4 ,Y\ CAN /& !RE SCREAM+ ',MOM1 ,I GOT BLEW UP & IT WIZ BLOODY HORRIBLE'1 BUT %E WON'T HE>4 ,NOR WIZZLE !Y1 ! PHONY BUGG]S4 

0,M9D Y\1 ONCE ,I W5T R\ND TO A SEANCE ?IS OLD GIRL WIZ ?R[+1 9 H] P>LOR4 ,%E WIZ FAK+ EV]Y?+ & TELL+ PEOPLE ?AT !IR LOV$ ONES WIZ BESIDE H] :5 !Y WIZN'T4 ,IT WAS ONLY ME1 ,I WIZ ! ONLY <O/ !RE1 SO ,I W5T & /OOD 9 FRONT ( H] & BL[ ME IF %E C\LDN'T SEE ME6 ,%E JU/ LOOK$ AT ME & %E BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,RI<T !RE & !N %E CALL$ ! SEANCE (F & S5T ! PEOPLE HOME4 ,%E PACK$ ! TABLE-TILT+ 9 JU/ AFT] ?AT4 ,%E NEV] HELD ANO!R MEET+1 & %E WIZ ! ONLY ONE ,I EV] MET :O ,I'D CALL G5U9E40 

,AHEAD ( !M ! TOP ( ,SPR+ ,LANE WAS APPROA*+ & ! ANCI5T /REET RAN (F D[NHILL UPON !IR RI<T1 :]E ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET TURN$ 9TO ,CRISP9 ,/REET ONCE IT HAD CROSS$ ! LANE4 ,! WA/E-GR\ND ?AT !Y WALK$ BESIDE HAD BE5 F5C$ (F ) CRISS-CROSS WIRE1 BEYOND :I* !Y C\LD SEE ! E>LY /AGES ( SOME BUILD+ WORK4 ,A BIG SIGN /OOD BEH9D ! WIRE1 PROPP$ ON A /EEL-PIPE SCAFFOLD+1 ) WORDS TO ! EFFECT ?AT ALL ! F5C$-9 GR\ND BELONG$ TO SOMEBODY CALL$ ,CLEAV]1 :O WAS PUTT+ UP A FACTORY SOMETIME SOON4 

,JOHN /ROLL$ ALONG BY ,MI*AEL'S SIDE1 KEEP+ HIM COMPANY1 ?\<TFULLY TAK+ %ORT] /RIDES SO ?AT ! Y\NG/] C\LD KEEP UP ) HIM MORE EASILY4 ,HE KEPT ON GLANC+ D[N AT ,MI*AEL ) A FA9T SMILE1 AS IF HE WAS PRIVATELY AMUS$ BY SOME?+ BUT WAS = ! MOM5T KEEP+ IT ALL TO HIMSELF4 ,AT LA/ HE SPOKE AGA94 

0,!Y TELL ME Y\R NAME'S ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,SO1 :OSE LAD >E Y\1 !N8 ,:AT'S Y\R DAD'S NAME8 ,IS IT ,WALT]80 

,MI*AEL WAS CONFUS$ BY ?IS1 & WOND]$ IF ! BIGG] BOY W]E MAK+ FUN ( HIM 9 SOME WAY ?AT HE WAS TOO Y\NG TO UND]/&4 ,HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,MY DAD'S CALL$ ,TOM40 

,JOHN BEAM$1 GIV+ ! SMALL] BOY A DISBELIEV+ LOOK ?AT WAS AT ! SAME TIME ADMIR+ & DELI<T$4 

0,:AT1 Y\'RE ,TOMMY ,W>R5'S SON8 ,WELL1 ,I'LL BE BL[$4 ,NONE ( US EV] ?\<T ?AT ,TOM W\LD M>RY1 ) HIM BE+ A LATE />T] LIKE HE WIZ4 ,H[ WIZ HE1 ,TOM8 ,HE'S HAPPY1 WIZ HE8 ,SETTL$ D[N & ?AT1 NOT LIV+ ) HIS MAM R\ND ,GRE5 ,/REET ANYMORE80 

,MI*AEL WAS FLABB]GA/$1 LOOK+ AT ! BIG LAD 9 BEWILD]M5T1 AS IF ,JOHN HAD PRODUC$ A FLOCK ( P>ROTS \T ( ?9 AIR4 

0,DID Y\ KN[ MY DAD80 

,! OLD] BOY LAU<$1 SW++ ONE LEG IDLY AS IF TO KICK A BOTTLE-TOP (F ( ! PAVEM5T1 ?\< HIS FOOT PASS$ ?R\< IT4 

0,BLIMEY1 ,I %\LD SAY SO6 ,I HUNG R\ND ) ,TOMMY & HIS BRO!RS ON ! GRE51 :5 WE WIZ KIDS4 ,HE'S A GOOD BLOKE1 Y\R DAD4 ,IF Y\ %\LD GET TOOK BACK TO LIFE LIKE EV]YBODY R\ND H]E SEEMS TO ?9K Y\ WIZZLE1 DON'T Y\ PLAY HIM UP TOO MU*1 AYE8 ,IT'S A DEC5T FAMILY :AT Y\ COME FROM1 SO DON'T LET 'EM D[N40 

,H]E ,JOHN BROKE (F & GAVE ! F5C$-(F >EA ?AT !Y W]E WALK+ PA/ A ?\<TFUL LOOK4 ,GRAY RA9 HUNG TREMBL+ ON ! GRAY WEAVE ( ! WIRE4 

0,Y\ KN[1 Y\R GR&DAD 444 NO4 ,NO1 IT'S Y\R FA!R'S GR&DAD1 Y\R GREAT-GR&DAD4 ,HE WIZ AN OLD T]ROR !Y CALL$ ,SN[Y4 ,HE TURN$ D[N AN (F] FROM ! MAN :OSE COMPANY WIZ PUTT+ UP ?IS BUILD+ H]E4 ,?IS FELL] SAID ?AT HE'D MAKE ,SN[Y A HALF-P>TN] 9 ! BUS9ESS1 ON CONDITION ,SN[Y KEPT \T ( ! PUB = ! NEXT =TNI<T4 ',C\RSE1 HE GOT TOLD :]E TO /ICK HIS CO-DIRECTOR%IP & ?AT WIZ ?AT4 ,HE WIZ A MAD OLD BUGG]1 ,SN[Y ,V]NALL1 BUT HE'D GOT ! P[] 9 HIM1 RI<T 5\<4 ,H[EV] POOR HE WIZ1 HE'D GOT ! P[] TO ?R[ AWAY A =TUNE JU/ LIKE ?AT40 

,FROM ,MI*AEL'S PO9T ( VIEW ?IS DIDN'T SEEM MU* ( A P[]1 NOT :5 COMP>$ TO FLY+1 SAY1 OR TURN+ TO A GIANT4 ,HE'D HAVE ASK$ ,JOHN TO EXPLA91 BUT BY ?AT PO9T !Y'D REA*$ ! CORN] ( ,SPR+ ,LANE1 UNREEL+ D[N FROM :]E !Y /OOD T[>DS ! COAL-Y>D & ! WE/1 :]E ,JOHN SUGGE/$ ?AT !Y WAIT UNTIL ! O!RS HAD CAU<T UP A BIT4 ,MI*AEL GAZ$ (F & D[N ! HILLSIDE AS HE :IL$ AWAY ! TIME4 

,EV5 )\T ITS DU/Y1 FAD$ COLORS1 ?IS WAS ! ,SPR+ ,LANE ?AT ,MI*AEL RECOGNIZ$1 ,SPR+ ,LANE AS IT WAS 9 ! SUMM] MON?S ( #aiei & NOT AS IT HAD BE5 9 ! BRI<T-T9T$ MEMORIES ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] OR ! O!R PEOPLE :O HAD LIV$ H]E LONG AGO4 ,= ONE ?+1 NE>LY ALL ! H\SES ON ! LANE'S F> SIDE HAD BE5 PULL$ D[N4 ,! HOMES ?AT HAD BE5 NE> ! UPP] 5D W]E GONE1 9CLUD+ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S & ! SWEET%OP ?AT HAD /OOD NEXT DOOR1 DEMOLI%$ TO MAKE ROOM = A LONG PAT* ( GRASS ?AT RAN ALONG ! TOP ,CRISP9 ,/REET $GE ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 JU/ A FEW /ONE /EPS UP FROM ! S*OOL'S CONCRETE PLAYGR\ND4 ,?IS WAS SIL5T & DES]T$ ON ACC\NT ( ! S*OOL HOLIDAYS4 

,! H\SES L[] D[N ! HILL1 ! ONES ?AT HAD BE5 /&+ 9 BETWE5 ,SC>LETWELL ,T]RACE AT ! BOTTOM ( ! SLOPE & ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE HALFWAY UP1 !SE HAD ALL DISAPPE>$1 AS HAD ! T]RACES !MSELVES4 ,! L[] PLAY+ FIELD ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL N[ REA*$ FROM ! OLD FACTORY :]E ! FEV] C>T HAD ONCE BE5 KEPT1 D[N TO ! JITTY-WAY ?AT RAN ALONG BEH9D ! H\SES ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,AL?\< ! VIEW WAS COZY & FAMILI>1 ,MI*AEL F\ND ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT IT 9 A DIFF]5T WAY1 AS SOMEBODY :O KNEW :AT HAD BE5 !RE BE=E & KNEW H[ MU* WAS GONE4 ,! GAPS BETWE5 ! BUILD+S DIDN'T LOOK AS IF !Y HAD BE5 PLANN$1 ! WAY !Y'D LOOK$ TO HIM BE=E1 BUT SEEM$ MORE LIKE REM9D]S ( SOME GREAT DISA/]4 

,MI*AEL UND]/OOD = ! FIR/ TIME ?AT HE'D BE5 LIV+ 9 A C\NTRY ?AT HAD NOT HAD TIME YET TO GET OV] BE+ 9 A W>1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T ?9K ?AT MANY ,G]MAN BOMBS HAD FALL5 ON ,NOR?AMPTON :ILE ALL ?AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,IT JU/ LOOK$ LIKE !Y HAD1 OR AS IF SOME?+ EV]Y BIT AS BAD HAD HAPP5$4 ,IT WAS FUNNY4 ,IF HE HADN'T SE5 ,MANS\L & SE5 H[ ,SPR+ ,LANE LOOK$ 9 PEOPLE'S HE>TS1 !N ALL ( ?IS W\LD SEEM NORMAL TO HIM1 9/EAD ( BE+ B>E & BROK5-LOOK+4 ,IT W\LD LOOK LIKE IT HAD ALWAYS BE5 ?IS WAY1 ) ALL ITS HOLES & EMPTY BITS4 

,! O!R *ILDR5 HAD BY !N CAU<T UP TO HIM & ,JOHN1 ) ,PHYLLIS & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE /ILL SMIRK+ SLYLY AS !Y :ISP]$ TO EA* O!R4 ,! BOY ,REGGIE1 9 HIS D5T$ B[L] HAT1 HAD ONCE MORE />T$ UP ! GAME ( KNUCKLES HE'D BE5 PLAY+ E>LI] ) ,PHYLLIS'S Y\NG BRO!R ,BILL1 AS !Y LAGG$ BACK BEH9D ! RE/ ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,G+] ,BILL WAS BLOND LIKE ,MI*AEL 9 ! <O/-SEAM1 :I* WAS COLORLESS AS A NEW ,MAGIC ,PA9T+ BOOK BE=E Y\'D BRU%$ ! WAT] ON4 ,AS ,BILL & ,REGGIE'S CL5*$ H&S HURTL$ D[N TO SMACK EA* O!R ON ! KNUCKLES1 ! TWO BOYS W]E BLOSSOM+ ) FI/S LIKE ANGRY MON/]S OR LIKE FUNNY GODS ?AT PEOPLE FROM ANO!R C\NTRY MI<T BELIEVE 94 ,MI*AEL WOND]$ BRIEFLY IF ?IS WAS ! REASON :Y SO MANY ?+S 9 LEG5DS HAD GOT EXTRA HEADS OR >MS1 BUT JU/ !N HIS ATT5TION WAS SEIZ$ BY A PASS+ BRI<T GRAY LADYBIRD1 SO ?AT ! IDEA TRAIL$ (F UNCOMPLET$4 

,ONCE !Y HAD REGR\P$1 ! <O/LY UR*9S CROSS$ ,SPR+ ,LANE & C>RI$ ON D[N ,CRISP9 ,/REET1 BESIDE ! WOV5 WIRE B\ND>Y ?AT F5C$ (F ! GRUBBY :ITE FUR ( ! S*OOL'S TOP LAWN4 ,IT WASN'T UNTIL ,BILL & ,REGGIE PLUNG$ /RAI<T ?R\< ! F5CE TO R\<-&-TUMBLE !RE UPON ! PALE & POORLY-LOOK+ GRASS ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS REM9D$ H[ HE N[ HAD ! ABILITY TO PASS ?R\< WALLS & ?+S4 ,HE WOND]$ :Y HE & ! O!RS KEPT SO /RICTLY UPON ONE SIDE ( ! WIRE P>TITION4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?AT IT WAS HABIT1 & DECID$ NOT TO TE/ IT \T BY JO9+ ,BILL & ,REGGIE4 ,IF HE WASN'T WALK+ ?R\< ?+S ALL ! TIME !N IT WAS EASI] TO PRET5D ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS NORMAL1 IF Y\ DIDN'T C\NT ! LACK ( COLOR OR ! BUR/ ( TW5TY H&S HE N[ APP>5TLY REQUIR$ TO QUIETLY PICK HIS NOSE4 

,AS !Y GOT NE>] TO ! SCUFF$ & SILV]Y METAL HURDLE ( ! CROSS+-B>RI] ?AT /OOD \TSIDE ! S*OOL'S TOP GATE1 ,MI*AEL GAZ$ OV] ,CRISP9 ,/REET TO ,H]B]T ,/REET2 !RE IT RAN (F UPHILL BETWE5 TWO PAT*ES ( TALL GRASS & RUBBLE :]E IT LOOK$ LIKE !RE HAD ONCE BE5 H\SES4 ,9 HIS ORD9>Y LIFE1 :EEL$ PA/ IT 9 HIS PU%*AIR BY HIS MOM ,DORE51 ,MI*AEL HAD ?\<T ?AT ,H]B]T ,/REET LOOK$ LIKE A RUN-D[N SORT ( /REET :]E RUN-D[N PEOPLE LIV$1 AL?\< IT MI<T HAVE BE5 ! NAME ?AT GAVE HIM ?AT IMPRESSION4 ,H]B]T ,/REET1 HE HALF-BELIEV$1 WAS :]E ! ,H]B]TS />T$ \T1 9CLUD+ NOT ONLY ! ,SCRUFFY ,H]B]TS & ! ,LAZY ,H]B]TS ?AT HIS DAD HAD (T5 M5TION$1 BUT ALSO !IR MORE SUCCESSFUL-S\ND+ RELATIVES1 ! ,CRAFTY ,H]B]TS4 ,?IS WAS AN IDEA :I* MORE ?AN LIKELY HAD BE5 PASS$ ON TO HIM1 LIKE AN EYELESS T$DY BE>1 BY HIS BIG SI/]4 

,?9K+ IDLY AB\T FAMILIES & :]E !Y />T$ \T1 9CLUD+ ALL ! ?+S ?AT ,JOHN HAD SAID AB\T HIS DAD & HIS GREAT-GR&DAD1 HE WAS />TL$ :5 ! BIG BOY GRABB$ HIM BY ! COLL> ( HIS DRESS+ G[N & PU%$ HIM FACE D[N ON ! GRASS-SEAM$ PAV+ /ONES4 ,JOHN DID ?IS ) SU* =CE ?AT = A SECOND ,MI*AEL'S FACE WAS %OV$ BEL[ ! SURFACE ( ! /REET1 :I* WAS AL>M+ UNTIL HE DISCOV]$ ?AT IT WASN'T REALLY A GREAT 9CONV5I5CE1 AL?\< !RE WASN'T MU* TO LOOK AT EXCEPT WORMS4 ,BOBB+ HIS HEAD BACK UP HE CAU<T ! TAIL-5D ( :AT ,JOHN WAS %\T+1 ) ! BIGG] BOY HIMSELF D[N ON ! GR\ND N[1 NEXT TO ,MI*AEL4 

0444 BODY GET D[N6 ,IT'S ,MALONE AT T5 O'CLOCK1 UP OV] ,AL?ORP ,/REET6 ,W]E ! SAME GRAY AS :AT ! PA? WIZ1 MORE OR LESS1 SO IF WE /AY /ILL HE WON'T SEE US1 BE+ RI<T UP 9 ! SKY LIKE ?AT40 

,AL?\< AFRAID TO MOVE A MUSCLE1 ,MI*AEL SL[LY TIPP$ HIS HEAD BACK SO ?AT HE C\LD PE] 9TO ! FIRMAM5T ABOVE !M4 

,AT FIR/1 HE MI/OOK IT = A SME> ( DIRTY SMOKE1 A DRIFT+ /A9 ( FACTORY BLACK ABOVE ! *IMNEYPOTS ?AT ROSE BETWE5 H]E & ! ,MAYORHOLD1 UPHILL TO ! EA/4 ,IT SCUDD$ OV] ! SLATE RO(TOPS LIKE A SMALL BUT VICI\SLY DET]M9$ ?UND]HEAD1 & ,MI*AEL WAS JU/ WOND]+ :Y ANYONE W\LD NAME A CL\D 0,MALONE0 :5 HE FIR/ NOTIC$ ! TWO YAPP+ T]RI]S ?AT IT WAS C>RY+ B5EA? ITS >MS4 

,IT WAS A MAN1 A DEAD MAN JUDG+ FROM ! SMUDGE ( PICTURE-PORTRAITS /UTT]+ BEH9D HIM 9 HIS WAKE AS HE PROGRESS$ ACROSS ! (F-:ITE HEAV5S4 ,HE WORE HOBNAIL BOOTS1 A %ABBY SUIT & LONG D>K COAT1 ! \TFIT TOPP$ (F BY A B[L] HAT LIKE ,REGGIE WORE1 ?\< A MU* SM>T] ONE ?AT LOOK$ MORE BUS9ESS-LIKE4 ,IT WAS ! FAD+ PLUME ( AFT]-IMAGES FROM ?IS DRAB CLO?+ ?AT HAD LOOK$ LIKE SMOKE :5 ,MI*AEL FIR/ SET EYES ON IT1 A FIL?Y AIRBORNE BLEMI% CAUS$ BY SOMEONE BURN+ TIRES4 ,H[EV]1 AS HE /UDI$ IT MORE CLOSELY ) ! BETT] EYESI<T ?AT HE'D HAD S9CE HE'D BE5 DEAD1 MORE & MORE HORRID DETAILS BECAME READILY APP>5T4 

,!RE WAS ! *AP'S FACE = ONE ?+1 A :ITE MASK SUSP5D$ 9 ! *URN+ BLACK /EAM ( HIS HEAD & BODY4 ,PALE1 ) SMALL GRAY WR9KLES :]E ! EYES %\LD BE1 ! <O/LY C\NT5ANCE WAS SMOO?LY %AV51 ALMO/ RUBB]Y1 ?AT ( A WELL-KEPT SIXTY-YE>-OLD MAN ) ABSOLUTELY NO EXPRESSION4 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ! DEADPAN FEATURES LOOK$ MORE FRI<T5+ ?AN DROLL4 ,!Y DIDN'T LOOK LIKE !Y'D REACT TO ANY?+1 NO MATT] H[ SWEET1 T]RIBLE OR SUDD5 IT MI<T BE4 ,! COLOR ( ! FELL['S HAIR WAS HIDD5 UND]NEA? A /REAM ( B[L] HATS1 BUT ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT IT WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY :ITE & OIL$1 LIKE FEA!RS FROM AN ALBATROSS4 

,NOT V]Y TALL YET WIRY 9 HIS BUILD1 ! MAN WAS UPRI<T AS HE MOV$ ACROSS ! SKY1 LEGS P$AL+ AS ?\< HE SAT A/RIDE AN UNSE5 BICYCLE1 OR AS ?\< HE W]E TREAD+ AIR4 ,EA* SWEEP & SW+ ( HIS LONG COAT HUNG !RE RECORD$ ON ! SPACE BEH9D HIM 9 A TONGUE ( T>RY VAPOR4 ,UND]NEA? HIS >MS HE CLUT*$ HIS PAIR ( DOGS1 ONE BLACK1 ONE :ITE1 LIKE ON ! LABEL ( ,GRAN'S :ISKEY BOTTLE1 :ILE UP FROM HIS JACKET POCKETS BOIL$ ! WRI?+ HEADS ( :AT ! HORROR-/RICK5 ,MI*AEL FIR/ TOOK TO BE SNAKES !N REALIZ$ W]E F]RETS1 NOT ?AT ?IS WAS ANY LESS DI/RESS+4 ,HE C\LD HE> !IR DI/ANT *EEPS ( ?REAT & PANIC1 EV5 9 AMONG ! />TL$ B>K+ ( ! T]RI]S1 DESPITE ! <O/-SEAM'S S\NDPRO(+ ?AT SUCK$ ! E*O \T ( EV]Y NOTE4 

0,:AT WIZ HE80 ,MI*AEL ASK$ ,JOHN 9 A :ISP] AS ! TWO ( !M LAY FACE D[N1 SIDE BY SIDE UPON ! TILES ( ,CRISP9 ,/REET4 ,! OLD] BOY KEPT HIS POETIC-LOOK+ EYES FIX$ WAT*FULLY UPON ! SMOLD]+ FIGURE PASS+ OV]HEAD AS HE REPLI$4 

0,HIM8 ,?AT'S ,MALONE1 ! ,BOR\<S' RATT]4 ,HE'S A FE>SOME MAN1 MAKE NO MI/AKE4 ,!Y SAY HE DOES A P>TY TRICK :]E HE'LL CAT* RATS & KILL 'EM ) HIS TEE?1 AL?\< ,I'VE NEV] SE5 HIM DO IT4 ,PHYLLIS /OLE HIS B[L] ONCE & PUT IT ON A GREAT BIG RAT4 ,ALL Y\ C\LD SEE WAS ?IS HAT ) A RAT'S TAIL SCUTTL+ D[N ! /REET1 & OLD ,MALONE GRAY 9 ! FACE AS HE W5T RUNN+ AFT] IT4 ,MALONE WIZ FURI\S4 ,HE SAID ?AT HE'D HANG ,PHYLLIS ) H] RABBIT-/R+ IF HE CAU<T UP ) H]1 & S\ND$ LIKE HE MEANT IT4 ,FROM ! WAY HE'S HEAD$1 ,I'D SAY HE'S JU/ COME \T ( ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,?AT'S ! PUB !Y HAUNT1 UP ON ! ,MAYORHOLD1 SO HE MI<T HAVE HAD A DR9K4 ,AT ANY RATE1 Y\'RE BE/ (F /E]+ CLE> ( HIM1 :E!R HE'S DRUNK OR SOB]4 ,) A BIT ( LUCK HE'S HEAD+ HOME TO ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET1 :]E HE LIV$1 & HE'LL BE PASS$ BY 9 A M9UTE4' 

,AS IT TURN$ \T1 ,JOHN WAS RI<T4 ,AL?\< HE MOV$ AS SL[ AS TREACLE1 ! DEAD RAT-CAT*] PROGRESS$ 9 A S\?-WE/]LY DIRECTION ?R\< ! A%5 ,BOR\<S' SKY1 CUTT+ ACROSS ! CORN] ( ! S*OOL'S TOP LAWN FROM ,CRISP9 ,/REET TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 FLOAT+ (F ABOVE ! MAISONETTES1 PA/ ,BA? ,/REET TO ! TANGL$ C\RTS & PASSAGES BEYOND4 ,! :9+ ( ! H\NDS GREW FA9T] AS !IR MA/]'S BLOT-LIKE %APE WAS %RUNK5 TO A SMUT1 A BREEZE-BORNE SPECK LIKE SOME?+ 9 Y\R EYE1 NO DIFF]5T FROM ! O!R BLACK FLAKES C>RI$ FROM ! RAILWAY /ATION4 

,CAUTI\SLY1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG CLIMB$ TO !IR FEET ONCE !Y W]E SURE HE WASN'T GO+ TO COME DOG-PADDL+ BACK ?R\< ! /ILL SUMM] AIR & P\NCE UPON !M4 ,BILL & ,REGGIE W]E BO? GIGGL+ AS !Y REM9ISC$ AB\T ! RAT-&-B[L] 9CID5T ?AT ,JOHN HAD M5TION$1 AL?\< ,PHYLLIS HAD A FA9TLY WORRI$ LOOK & FIDDL$ N]V\SLY ) H] LONG SC>F ( PUTREFY+ RABBIT PELTS4 ,ONLY ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE SEEM$ UNCONC]N$ BY ! EXP]I5CE1 DU/+ H] SKIRT D[N ) A BRISK EFFICI5CY & BRU%+ BITS ( <O/-GRIT FROM H] *UBBY KNEES AS %E /OOD UP4 ,MI*AEL WAS />T+ TO SEE ! BESPECTACL$ GIRL AS ! GANG'S MO/ /OIC MEMB]1 TAK+ EV]Y NEW EXP]I5CE 9 H] /UMPY /RIDE )\T COMPLA9T4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT ?IS MI<T BE AN \TLOOK ?AT CAME NATURALLY TO SOMEONE DR[N$ BE=E ! AGE ( SEV54 ,?+S W\LD PROBABLY SEEM RELATIVELY UNSURPRIS+ AFT] ?AT1 EV5 IF !Y W]E FLY+ RAT-CAT*]S4 

,AL?\< ! SI<T+ ( ,MALONE HAD EVID5TLY RATTL$ ,PHYLLIS1 %E /ILL MANAG$ TO MA9TA9 A TONE ( CALM AU?ORITY AS %E ADDRESS$ H] M54 

0,COME ON4 ,IF WE'RE TO F9D AYT ALL ! CLUES AN' EVID5CE ABAYT AYR REGIM5TAL MASCOT !N WE BETT] GET DAYN ,SC>LETWELL1 BE=E SOMEBODY ELSE COMES SAIL9' PA/40 

,MI*AEL FELL 9TO /EP BESIDE ! GANG AS !Y CONT9U$ ALONG ,CRISP9 ,/REET4 ,9 ! SQU>E HOLES :]E PAV+-TILES HAD BE5 PRIZ$ UP W]E PUDDLES1 %IMM]+ LIKE *IPS ( MIRROR ON A PANTOMIME PR9CESS'S BALL-G[N4 ,%UFFL+ 9 HIS SLIPP]S TO KEEP UP ) ,JOHN1 ,MI*AEL WAS UNABLE TO PUT ,MALONE ! RATT]'S REC5T A]IAL /ROLL \T ( HIS M9D4 

0,H[ WIZ HE FLY+1 RI<T UP 9 ! AIR LIKE ?AT80 

,! OLD] BOY FR[N$ QUIZZICALLY AT ,MI*AEL1 SO ?AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T HE MU/ HAVE SAID HIS WORDS ! WRONG WAY R\ND AGA94 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN8 ,MALONE'S A <O/4 ,<O/S DON'T HAVE ANY HEAV9ESS1 :AT !Y CALL MASS1 SO H]E 9 ! ?REE-SID$ WORLD ! PULL ( ?+S DON'T MAKE NO DIFF]5CE TO 'EM4 ,NOT MU*1 ANYWAY4 ,IT'S JU/ ! SAME = US LOT4 ,H]E1 GIVE ME Y\R H& & JUMP AS IF WE'RE 9 ! LONG-JUMP40 

,MI*AEL DID AS HE WAS TOLD4 ,TO HIS A/ONI%M5T HE F\ND ?AT HE & ,JOHN W]E SAIL+ ?R\< ! AIR 9 A SL[ >C :I*1 AT ITS SUMMIT1 TOOK !M HI<] ?AN ! F5C+ ( ! S*OOL Y>D TO !IR RI<T4 ,AS LI<T AS D&ELION CLOCKS !Y DRIFT$ BACK TO E>? AGA9 A FEW Y>DS FUR!R D[N ! /REET1 !IR AFT]-IMAGES LIKE KITE-TAILS SETTL+ BEH9D4 ,MI*AEL WAS SPEE*LESS ) DELI<T AT ?IS EXCIT+ NEW DISCOV]Y BUT NONE!LESS RESUM$ HIS NORMAL WALK+ /YLE !RE NEXT TO ,JOHN1 :O HAD BY N[ LET GO ( ,MI*AEL'S H&4 

0,!RE'S LOTS ( ?+S LIKE ?AT :AT Y\ CAN DO4 ,Y\ CAN JUMP (F A RO( & FALL SO SL[LY ?AT Y\ DON'T GET HURT4 ,OR Y\ CAN FLY LIKE OLD ,MALONE1 AL?\< !RE'S LOTS ( DIFF]5T WAYS ( DO+ IT4 ,MO/ PEOPLE PICK !IR FEET UP (F ! FLOOR UNTIL !Y'RE SORT ( LY+ 9 ! AIR1 !N DO A BREA/-/ROKE LIKE !Y'RE SWIMM+4 ,O!RS DO A DOGGY-PADDLE LIKE ,MALONE1 & SOME JU/ SWOOP AB\T LIKE BITS ( PAP] 9 ! W9D4 ,Y\'LL F9D ) ! MAJORITY ( <O/S1 ?\<1 ?AT !Y CAN'T BE BO!R$ FLY+ EV]Y:]E4 ,= ONE ?+1 IT'S TOO BLOODY SL[4 ,! AIR'S AS ?ICK AS M>MALADE4 ,Y\'RE FA/] WALK+1 OR ELSE RUNN+ 9 ! SPECIAL WAYS ?AT <O/S CAN RUN3 !RE'S SKIMM+ LIKE Y\'RE ON A FROZ5 SLIDE ?AT'S JU/ AN 9* ABOVE ! PAVEM5T1 OR !RE'S :AT WE CALL ! RABBIT RUN1 ON ALL F\RS SO ?AT JU/ Y\R KNUCKLES GRAZE ! GR\ND4 ,?AT'S A GOOD LAU<1 IF EV]YBODY'S 9 ! MOOD = IT1 BUT BY & L>GE IT'S SAF] WALK+4 ,Y\'VE GOT TIME TO SPOT ALL ! R\< SLEEP]S BE=E !Y SPOT Y\40 

,!Y W]E N[ AT ! 5D ( ,CRISP9 ,/REET1 :]E IT RAN OV] ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & TURN$ 9TO ,UPP] ,CROSS ,/REET4 ,JOHN 9SI/$ ?AT !Y WAIT AGA9 AT ?IS NEW JUNCTION = ! O!RS TO CAT* UP1 SO ,MI*AEL PRACTIC$ JUMP+ ON ! SPOT1 A*IEV+ ALTITUDES ( SEV]AL FEET BE=E ,JOHN ASK$ HIM1 G5IALLY1 TO PACK IT 94 ,FROM :]E !Y /OOD UPON !IR CORN]1 ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET WAS UNROLL$ D[N TO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD UPON !IR RI<T1 :ILE ON !IR LEFT IT SLOP$ UP 9 BETWE5 ! FAC+ T]RACES T[>DS ! COZY OLDNESS ( ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,MI*AEL ALWAYS ?\<T ( ?IS FAMILI> 5CLOSURE AS A SORT ( T[N SQU>E ?AT WAS MEANT = JU/ ! PEOPLE ( ! ,BOR\<S1 EV5 ?\< HE KNEW ?AT ! REAL ,M>KET ,SQU>E WAS FUR!R (F UPT[N4 

,/&+ !RE 9 HIS DROOL-SCOR*$ DRESS+ G[N1 !RE 9 ! DRAU<TBO>D-COLOR$ COPY ( HIS NEI<BORHOOD1 ! LITTLE BOY LOOK$ AT ! WEA!R$ BRICKWORK ( ! H\SES AT ! TOP ( ,SC>LETWELL & HAD A S5SE1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 ( H[ LONG EV]Y?+ HAD BE5 H]E BE=E HE'D BE5 BORN4 ,!RE WAS :AT ,JOHN HAD TOLD HIM AB\T PLAY+ ON ! GRE5 BEH9D ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* ) ,MI*AEL'S DAD :5 !Y'D BE5 BOYS4 ,HE HADN'T REALLY ?\<T BE=E AB\T HIS DAD HAV+ ONCE HAD A *ILDHOOD1 AL?\< N[ IT /RUCK HIM1 %OCK+LY & SUDD5LY1 ?AT EV]YONE MU/ HAVE BE5 LITTLE ONCE4 ,EV5 HIS DAD'S MOM1 HIS NAAN1 ,MAY1 %E'D HAVE BEGUN LIFE AS A T9Y BABY SOME:]E4 ,!N !RE WAS H] DAD1 ,MI*AEL'S GREAT-GR&FA!R1 :O ,JOHN HAD M5TION$1 :O WAS MAD & HAD ! P[] TO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY4 ,SN[Y1 HAD ,JOHN CALL$ HIM8 ,SN[Y MU/ HAVE BE5 A BOY ( ,MI*AEL'S AGE ONCE1 LONG AGO1 :O'D HAD A MO!R & A FA!R1 & SO ON & SO ON1 BACK TO TIMES HE'D HE>D AB\T 0:5 WE W]E LIV+ 9 ! TREES01 :I* HE'D ASSUM$ W]E PROBABLY ! ONES D[N 9 ,VICTORIA ,P>K4 ,MI*AEL />$ (F D[N ,SC>LETWELL1 BETWE5 ! MOD]N MAISONETTES OR FLATS ON ONE SIDE & ! PLAY+ FIELDS ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL UPON ! O!R1 FEEL+ AS IF HE W]E PE]+ D[N A REAL WELL1 ONE ?AT DROPP$ AWAY B5EA? HIM1 D[N ?R\< ALL ! MOMS & DADS & GR&MAS & GREAT-GR&DADS1 BACK ?R\< ALL ! DAYS & YE>S & HUNDR$-YE>S 9TO A SMELLY1 D>K PLACE ?AT WAS DAMP & E*OEY1 MY/]I\S & BOTTOMLESS4 

,ONCE ALL ! O!R DEAD KIDS HAD CAU<T UP & JO9$ !M ON ! CORN]1 ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL C>RI$ ON D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,FROM ! HILL'S TOP1 GAZ+ D[N ACROSS ! SQUEAK+ RAILWAY Y>DS T[>DS ,VICTORIA ,P>K & ,JIMMY'S ,5D1 ! VIEW WAS MU* ! SAME AS IT HAD BE5 UP 9 ,MANS\L1 EXCEPT ?AT H]E IT LOOK$ LIKE AN OLD SIL5T FILM1 SILV] LIKE FI%-SK91 )\T ALL ( ! REMEMB]$ W>M? & COLOR4 ,IT WAS ONLY :5 HE ?\<T AB\T ! WAY ?+S W\LD HAVE BE5 ONLY A LITTLE :ILE BACK1 9 HIS P>5TS' DAY1 ?AT IT OCCURR$ TO ,MI*AEL H[ MU* *ANGE ! DI/RICT MU/ HAVE SE5 9 ?OSE FEW YE>S4 

,JUDG+ FROM H[ HE'D HE>D HIS MOM & GRAN DESCRIBE IT1 ! :OLE BIG OBLONG ( GR\ND1 :I* /RET*$ FROM ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET TO ,SPR+ ,LANE & FROM ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD TO ,CRISP9 ,/REET1 HAD BE5 MU* SIMPLIFI$4 ,:]E ONCE ! BLOCK HAD BE5 A MAZE ( HOMES & Y>DS & BUS9ESSES1 N[ !RE W]E JU/ ! CLASSROOMS ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL %ELT]$ 9 A CONCRETE HOLL[ AT ! HILL'S CRE/ & A S+LE R[ ( H\SES AT ! BOTTOM ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ! T]RACE ?AT ,MI*AEL HAD LIV$ 9 :5 HE WAS ALIVE4 ,ALL ( ! L& BETWE5 WAS N[ BANK$ PLAY+ FIELDS1 ) ! EXCEPTION ( A SOLE SURVIV+ FACTORY OV] ON ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,A HUNDR$ W>EH\SES1 %$S1 PUBS1 HOMES ?AT HAD S]V$ = G5]ATIONS1 ALLEYWAYS = KISS+ C\PLES1 \TDOOR TOILETS & LAMPLI<T]'S %ORTCUTS HAD BE5 SWEPT AWAY TO LEAVE GRAY MEAD[S :]E ! :ITEWA% M>G9S ( ! FOOTBALL PIT* /OOD \T LIKE OLD SC>S4 ,AL?\< ?IS WAS ,SC>LETWELL AS ,MI*AEL KNEW IT1 SOME:]E ?AT SEEM$ ALWAYS TO HAVE BE5 ! WAY IT WAS & :]E HIS [N H\SE /ILL /OOD SAFE & S\ND1 HE HAD A SUDD5 T+L+ S5SE ( ALL ! NAMES & /ORIES ?AT HAD BE5 RUBB$ \T TO MAKE A PLACE :]E S*OOL-KIDS C\LD HAVE SACK RACES ON SPORTS DAY4 ,ALL ! PEOPLE ?AT W]E GONE1 & ALL ! ?+S !Y'D KN[N4 

,MI*AEL WAS WALK+ BESIDE ,JOHN1 /ILL1 AS !Y SAUNT]$ D[N ! WA%$-\T REPRODUCTION ( ! HILL4 ,NOT F> BEH9D !M1 ,PHYLLIS & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE W]E SNIGG]+ CONSPIRATORIALLY AGA9 & ,MI*AEL WOND]$ IF IT WAS AT HIM1 BUT !N HE ALWAYS WOND]$ ?AT ) GIRLS4 ,OR BOYS4 ,FOLL[+ AT ! RE>1 ,PHYLLIS'S LITTLE BRO!R ,BILL CONF]R$ 9 HU%$ TONES ) ! B[L]-CLAD BOY1 ,REGGIE1 TELL+ HIM :AT ,MI*AEL ?\<T WAS PROBABLY A DIRTY JOKE1 !N HAV+ TO EXPLA9 ! MOD]N P>TS ( IT ?AT ! ,VICTORIAN BOY OBVI\SLY DIDN'T GET4 ,MI*AEL C\LD HE> HIM SAY+ 0,WELL1 OKAY1 ! WOMAN 9 ! GAG'S NOT ,ELSIE ,TANN]1 !N4 ,:AT IF IT'S ,MRS4 ,BEETON80 ,MI*AEL DIDN'T KN[ ! FIR/ NAME1 BUT HE ?\<T ! SECOND HAD SOME?+ TO DO ) EI!R COOK]Y OR NURS+1 OR P]HAPS %E'D BE5 A MURD]]4 ,HE /RA9$ TO HE> ! F9I% ( ! /ORY1 :I* APPE>$ TO 9VOLVE EI!R ,ELSIE ,TANN] OR ELSE ,MRS4 ,BEETON ANSW]+ ! DOOR TO A DELIV]Y BOY :5 %E WAS NUDE & /RAI<T \T ( ! BA?1 BUT ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] TURN$ R\ND TO H] Y\NG] BRO!R & TOLD HIM TO KNOCK IT (F BE=E %E CL\T$ HIM4 ,!RE WAS A TI<TNESS 9 H] VOICE ?AT ,MI*AEL DIDN'T ?9K HAD BE5 !RE BE=E !Y'D HAD !IR NE> RUN-9 ) ,MALONE4 ,%E S\ND$ A BIT SC>$1 & 9 ! LI<T ( :AT HE'D HE>D AB\T ! FE>LESS PRANKS ?AT ,PHYLLIS PLAY$ ON <O/S1 ?IS PUZZL$ HIM4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT HE'D ASK ,JOHN4 

0,SO1 IF <O/S FRI<T5 ,PHYLLIS1 :Y DOES %E PLAY TRICKS ON !M8 ,IF %E WIZ TO LEAVE !M ALONE1 P]HAPS !Y WIZZLE DO ! SAME40 

,JOHN %OOK HIS HEAD1 SO ?AT = A BRIEF 9/ANT HE HAD ?REE ( !M4 ,HE & ! Y\NG] BOY W]E JU/ !N /ROLL+ PA/ ! S\? SIDE ( ! S*OOL'S TOP LAWN1 T[>DS ! /ONE PO/S ( ITS MA9 GATE1 FUR!R D[N4 

0,IT'S NOT ,PHYLLIS'S NATURE1 TO LEAVE <O/S ALONE4 ,I'LL TELL Y\1 %E KN[S H[ TO BE> A GRUDGE1 DOES ,PHYLLIS1 PA/ ! GRAVE IF NECESS>Y4 ,:AT IT WIZ1 :5 ,PHYLLIS WIZ A LIV+ GIRL1 %E WIZN'T SC>$ ( NO?+ EXCEPT <O/S4 ,EV5 IF ! <O/S WIZN'T REALLY !RE1 !Y PLAY$ UPON H] N]VES SO BAD ?AT %E MADE UP H] M9D TO ONE DAY HAVE REV5GE4 ,%E SWORE ?AT IF %E EV] GOT TO BE A <O/ H]SELF1 !N %E'D GIVE ALL ! O!R <O/S :AT =1 = SC>+ LITTLE *ILDR54 ,%E'D BE SU* A T]ROR ?AT ! <O/S W\LD ALL 5D UP AFRAID ( KIDS & NOT ! O!R WAY >\ND4 ,I HAVE TO SAY1 %E'S DONE A GOOD JOB SO F>1 EV5 IF !RE'S PLACES 9 ! ,BOR\<S WE CAN'T GO 9 CASE !Y LYN* H]40 

,JOHN & ,MI*AEL NE>$ ! 5TRANCE ( ! S*OOLY>D1 ) ITS [N IRON CROSS+ B>RI] /OOD !RE 9 FRONT ( IT1 ! GATES LOCK$ = ! SUMM] HOLIDAYS4 ,ACROSS ! ROAD FROM ?IS ! M\? ( ,L[] ,CROSS ,/REET OP5$1 RUNN+ S\? ALONG ! BOTTOM ( ! MAISONETTES TO CUT ACROSS ! SLOPE ( ,BA? ,/REET1 HEAD+ T[>DS ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* 9 ! BLURR$ SNAP%OT ( ! DI/ANCE4 ,D[N ?IS SIDE-/REET1 RUMBL+ T[>DS ! JUNCTION :]E IT MET ) ,SC>LETWELL1 !RE CAME A BAFFL+ ASSORTM5T ( FUZ$ BODY P>TS & CYCLE-:EELS ?AT ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T COME TO T]MS ) = A MOM5T4 ,IT APPE>$ TO BE A MAN 9 A D>K TRILBY1 RID+ ON A BICYCLE1 BUT ALL ! IMAGES ?AT HE LEFT TRAIL+ AFT] HIM HAD GOT !IR BLACK & :ITE REV]S$1 LIKE :5 Y\ SAW ! NEGATIVES ( PHOTOGRAPHS4 ,?IS1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T1 WAS SURELY A NOTORI\S & P]HAPS DANG]\S R\< SLEEP]4 ,HE TUGG$ H>D UPON ,JOHN'S SLEEVE & /AMM]$ ! AL>M1 AL?\< ! TALL LAD DIDN'T SEEM UNDULY WORRI$ BY ! APP>ITION4 ,AFT] A FEW MOM5TS ,MI*AEL UND]/OOD ! REASON :Y1 OR1 AT LEA/1 HE BEGAN TO UND]/& IT4 

,! GRUFF-LOOK+ FELL[ 9 ! TRILBY TURN$ LEFT AT ! CORN] & FREE-:EEL$ AWAY D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET ON HIS BICYCLE1 A CREAK+ OLD CONTRAPTION ?AT LOOK$ PONY-SIZ$ TO ,MI*AEL4 ,AS ! MAN ROLL$ (F D[NHILL HE LEFT NO PICTURES ( HIMSELF BEH9D1 :I* MEANT ?AT HE WAS /ILL A LIV+ P]SON4 ,! PECULI> ?+ ?AT ,MI*AEL HAD AT FIR/ MI/AK5 = A /R+ ( AFT]-IMAGES 9 NEGATIVE REMA9$1 UNMOV+1 AT ! 5D ( ,L[] ,CROSS ,/REET4 

,?IS TURN$ \T TO BE A COLOR$ MAN ) :ITE HAIR1 ALSO SAT A/RIDE A BICYCLE1 :O APPE>$ FLEET+LY FAMILI> TO ! LITTLE BOY4 ,HAD ,MI*AEL GLIMPS$ A PICTURE ( ?IS OLD *AP SOME:]E REC5TLY1 AN IMAGE ON A CIRCUS PO/] OR A /A9$-GLASS W9D[ OR SOME?+ LIKE ?AT8 ,! BLACK MAN *ANG$ HIS GRIP UPON ! H&LEB>S1 & ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ A BRIEF FLURRY ( TOO MANY F+]S1 FROM :I* HE D$UC$ ?IS CYCLI/ WAS ! <O/1 & NOT ! O!R ONE4 ,:5 ,MI*AEL HAD FIR/ NOTIC$ HIM APPROA*+ ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 HE MU/ HAVE BE5 RID+ HIS <O/-BICYCLE SO ?AT HE OCCUPI$ ! SAME SPACE AS ! TRILBY-SPORT+ :ITE MAN1 :I* EXPLA9$ H[ !Y'D SEEM$ ALL MIX$ UP TOGE!R4 ,LOOK+ CLOS]1 ,MI*AEL ALSO REALIZ$ ?AT ! BLACK MAN'S BIKE 7:I* PULL$ A TWO-:EEL$ C>T BEH9D IT7 HAD :ITE TIRES MADE \T ( ROPE1 RA!R ?AN ! BLACK RUBB] ONES ?AT HAD BE5 ON ! LIV+ RID]'S VEHICLE4 ,?IS HAD PROBABLY HELP$ GIVE HIM ! IMPRESSION ?AT ONE CYCLI/ WAS A REV]S$ COPY ( ! O!R1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 

,AS !Y BO? APPROA*$ ! S*OOL GATE & ITS F+]-WORN GUNMETAL CROSS+ B>RI]1 ,JOHN DUCK$ HIS HEAD TO :ISP] AN ASIDE TO ,MI*AEL1 :O WAS DILIG5TLY %UFFL+ ALONG BESIDE HIM4 

0,?AT BLOKE :O JU/ RODE (F D[N ! HILL1 ! LIV+ FELL[ ) ! TRILBY ON1 HE WIZ ! ONE Y\ %\LD BE SC>$ ( \T ( !M TWO4 ,HE'S ,GEORGE ,BLACKWOOD1 :O R5TS HALF ! H\SES 9 ! ,BOR\<S \T1 & HALF ! WOM5 TOO4 ,BIT ( A GANG/]1 ,BLACKWOOD WIZ1 COLLECT+ R5T & HIS CUT ( ! TAK+S FROM ! PRO/ITUTES4 ,HE'S GOT A LOT ( H>D M5 :O HE PAYS TO BACK HIM UP4 ',S\L ( ! ,HOLE'1 WE CALL HIS TYPE UP H]E4 ,HE'S ONE ( !M :]E Y\ CAN SEE ! FIR/ SIGNS ( A K9D ( EMPT9ESS ?AT GETS 9TO A PLACE & TURNS IT ROTT540 

,MI*AEL DIDN'T HAVE ! FIR/ IDEA :AT ,JOHN WAS ON AB\T4 ,HE M]ELY NODD$ WISELY SO ?AT HIS PALE R+LETS BLOOM$ D\BLE-EXPOS$ 9TO A LAMB-:ITE CATK9-BU%1 & LET ! OLD] LAD CONT9UE4 

0,EV]YBODY'S SC>$ ( ,BLACKWOOD4 ,! EXCEPTION1 FUNNILY 5\<1 WIZ Y\R NAAN1 ,MAY4 ,MAY ,W>R5 TREATS HIM JU/ ! SAME AS %E TREATS EV]YBODY ELSE1 :I* WIZ TO SAY %E TELLS HIM (F & SC>ES HIM /IFF ) A RI<T E>FUL & !N ASKS HIM IF HE WANTS A CUP ( TEA4 ,OLD ,BLACKWOOD LIKES H]4 ,HE RESPECTS H]1 Y\ CAN TELL4 ,& ,I'D NOT BE SURPRIS$ IF HIM & HIS Y\NG LADIES HADN'T NE$$ A GOOD DEA?MONG] AT TIMES OV] ! YE>S1 IF Y\ KN[ :AT ,I MEAN40 

,?\< ,MI*AEL DIDN'T1 HE TRI$ H>D TO LOOK AS ?\< HE DID4 ,! BIGG] BOY W5T ON4 

0,! COLOR$ FELL]1 ON ! O!R H&1 HE'S GOOD AS GOLD4 ,HIS NAME'S ,BLACK ,*>LEY & Y\ WON'T F9D ANYBODY MORE WELL-LIK$ ?R\<\T ,MANS\L4 ,! ,MAYOR ( ,SC>LETWELL1 ?AT'S :AT !Y CALL HIM4 ,IF Y\ LOOK CLOSE Y\ CAN SEE HE'S GOT HIS *A9 ( (FICE ON1 >\ND HIS NECK40 

,MI*AEL LOOK$ CLOS]1 AS 9/RUCT$1 & SAW ?AT ! BLACK *AP HAD 9DE$ GOT SOME?+ LIKE A R\< M$ALLION HANG+ D[N TO HIS :ITE %IRT-FRONT4 ,9 ITS WAY1 IT WAS AS MEMORABLE A PIECE ( NECKWE> AS ! SC>F ( RABBIT-HIDES ?AT ,PHYLLIS HAD GOT ON4 ,IT SEEM$ TO BE A T9 LID HANG+ FROM A LAVATORY *A91 BUT ) ! PALE GRAY METAL POLI%$ SO ?AT IT WAS BL9D+ :5 IT CAU<T ! SILV] ( ! SUNLI<T4 ,! OLD COLOR$ BLOKE WAS GAZ+1 NOT UNK9DLY1 AT ! GANG ( KIDS AS !Y APPROA*$ ! JUNCTION1 OBVI\SLY WAIT+ !RE UPON HIS FUNNY-LOOK+ BICYCLE SO HE C\LD TALK TO !M4 ,MI*AEL SPOKE FROM ! CORN] ( HIS M\? TO ,JOHN1 9 MU* ! WAY ?AT T\< ,AM]ICANS TALK$ 9 ! FILMS Y\ SAW ON TELLY4 

0,WIZ HE A R\< SLEEP]80 

,JOHN DISMISS$ ! NOTION ) A WAVE1 A DOZ5 H&S 9 GRAY-:ITE LIKE ! PAGES ( A FANN$-?R\< BOOK4 

0,NAH4 ,NOT ,BLACK ,*>LEY4 ,! R\< SLEEP]S1 = ! MO/ P>T1 HANG AB\T H]E 9 ! <O/-SEAM BECAUSE !Y DON'T ?9K !Y'D LIKE IT 9 ,MANS\L1 UP 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<4 ,I'VE HE>D SOME SAY AS ! <O/-SEAM'S PURGATORY1 BUT IF IT WIZ1 IT'S ONE ?AT PEOPLE *OSE !MSELVES4 ,IT'S NOT LIKE ?AT ) ,*>LEY4 ,HE'S LIKE US1 HE COMES & GOES EXACTLY AS HE PLEASES4 ,HE'S AS HAPPY ,UP/AIRS AS HE WIZ D[N H]E1 & IF HE'S PASS+ ?R\< ?IS LAY] IT'S BECAUSE HE WANTS TO1 JU/ LIKE US4 ,:AT'S MORE1 HE'S ONE ( ! FEW <O/S1 ALONG ) ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 ?AT ,PHYLLIS %[S RESPECT =1 SO !RE'S NO BAD BLOOD BETWE5 ,BLACK ,*>LEY & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 JU/ = A *ANGE40 

,!Y W]E N[ D[N BESIDE ! CROSS+ B>RI]1 \TSIDE ! PADLOCK$ GATES ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL4 ,JOHN RAIS$ ONE H& & CALL$ ACROSS ! ROAD TO ! OLD BLACK MAN ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,HE HAD TO %\T A BIT TO GET HIS VOICE TO C>RY 9 ! DEAD5$ ATMOSPH]E ( ?AT UNUSUAL HALF-WORLD1 :]E !RE WASN'T EV5 ANY COLOR TO ! S\ND4 

0,:AT HO1 ,BLACK ,*>LEY4 ,H['S DEA? TREAT+ Y\1 !N80 

,ALL ! O!R *ILDR5 HAD BY ?IS PO9T REA*$ ! S*OOL GATES1 CAT*+ UP ) ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL1 & W]E CALL+ !IR [N GREET+S TO ! PHANTOM CYCLI/4 ,! BLACK RID] LAU<$ & %OOK HIS TI<T :ITE CURLS 9TO A PHOSPHORESC5T BLUR1 AS ?\< 9 AMIABLE RESIGNATION AT ! SI<T ( ! DEAD UR*9S4 ,EASILY DI/RACT$1 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT A W9DBORNE %EET ( NEWSPAP] WAS LEAV+ A :OLE MAGAZ9E ( AFT]-IMAGES BEH9D IT AS IT TUMBL$ (F D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,HE SUPPOS$ IT MU/ BE A <O/-NEWSPAP]1 <O/-RUBBI% SNAT*$ UP BY ! FA9T <O/ ( A BREEZE HE ?\<T HE FELT ON HIS B>E NECK & ANKLES4 ,PUTT+ IT \T ( HIS M9D HE TURN$ HIS FULL ATT5TION BACK TO ! OLD COLOR$ MAN :O SAT ACROSS ! /REET A/RIDE :AT LOOK$ LIKE HOME-MADE TRANSPORT4 

0,MY ET]NAL LIFE BE TREAT9' ME JU/ F9E1 ?ANK9' Y\ K9DLY1 MA/] ,JOHN4 ,I'M JU/ H]E C>RY9' \T ! DUTIES :AT ,I GOT AS ,MAYOR O' ,SC>LETWELL1 W>N+ ! LOCAL DEAD FOLKS AB\T ?IS BAD WEA!R WE GOT COM9' UP & TELL9' 'EM TO GET !YSELVES 9DOORS1 BUT N[ ,I'M MORE CONC]N$ AB\T Y\ LITTLE \TLAWS1 GETT9' UP TO TR\BLE ALL ! TIME4 ,MISS ,PHYLLIS1 DON'T Y\ PLAY NO /UNTS ON ANY O' !M G5TLEM5 :AT TAKES !IR LIQUOR AT ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,!Y'S A R\< CREW1 SO TAKE MY ADVICE AN' KEEP AWAY FROM 'EM40 

,HE GLANC$ >\ND AT ALL ! O!R *ILDR51 AS IF C\NT+ HEADS & MAK+ SURE !Y W]E ALL PRES5T & CORRECT4 

0,MISS ,M>JORIE & ,MA/] ,BILL1 HELLO TO Y\1 & TO OLD ,REGGIE ,GOT-,HIS-,HAT-,ON ,I CAN SEE /OOD UP ! BACK !RE4 ,& :O'S ?IS Y\NG FELL] :AT Y\'RE NO D\BT LEAD9' 9TO WICK$ WAYS80 

,MI*AEL REALIZ$ BELAT$LY ?AT ! GOOD-NATUR$ <O/ WAS TALK+ AB\T HIM4 ,PHYLLIS *IM$ 9 ON HIS BEHALF & 9TRODUC$ HIM TO ,BLACK ,*>LEY4 

0,?IS WIZ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & 'E *OK$ UPON A PEP1 OR SO 'E SAYS4 ,I FAYND 'IM 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? ) NO ONE !RE TO MEET 'IM1 SO ,I TOOK 'IM UND]NEA? ME W+4 ,HE'S BE5 NO?+ BUT TR\BLE EV] S9CE4 ,FIR/ 'E GOT KIDNAPP$ BY A DEVIL1 !N WE FAYND AYT ?AT 'E'D />T$ A BIG FI<T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S1 & N[ IT TURNS AYT 'E'LL BE COME BACK TO LIFE BY ,FRIDAY4 ,IT'S A LOT ( BO!R1 BUT ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG >E LOOK+ 9TO IT4 ,WE'VE BR\<T HIM DAYN ']E1 :]E 'E LIV$1 SO ?AT WE CAN 9VE/IGATE 'IS MURD]-MY/]Y40 

,MI*AEL PIP$ UP H]E 9 PROTE/4 

0,I C\<$ ON A *OKE-DROP1 SO ,I WIZZN'T MURD]$40 

,PHYLLIS TURN$ TO />E AT HIM4 ,%E CLE>LY DIDN'T MU* LIKE BE+ 9T]RUPT$4 

0 ',[ DO Y\ KN[8 ,:AT ) ALL ! BO!R :AT Y] CAUSE1 ,I'D BE SURPRIS$ IF SOMEBODY W]5'T PLANN+ TO GET RID ( Y]4 ,IF ,I W]E Y] MOM1 ,I'D BE %OV+ C\<-SWEETS DAYN Y] ?ROAT )\T UNWRAPP+ 'EM OR EV5 BO!R+ TO TAKE !M AYT ! PACKET6 ,ANYWAY1 WE'RE ! DETECTIVES & Y] ONLY ! DEAD BODY :AT WE'RE TRY+ TO SOLVE ! KILL+ (1 SO Y\ KEEP QUIET & DON'T GET 9 ! WAY ( AYR 9QUIRIES1 OR WE'LL 'AVE Y\ BOOK$ = WA/+ POLICE TIME & Y\'LL BE PUT 9 PRISON40 

,MI*AEL1 EV5 ?\< HE'D DI$ ?IS MORN+1 HADN'T BE5 BORN YE/]DAY & WAS BEG9N+ TO CAT* ON ?AT ALMO/ ALL ( ,PHYLLIS'S AU?ORITY WAS JU/ A GAME & A PRET5SE4 ,HE TOOK NO NOTICE ( H]1 HIS ATT5TION CAU<T 9/EAD BY :AT HE ?\<T MU/ BE A :OLE FLOCK ( <O/-PIGEONS ?AT W]E PASS+ OV]HEAD T[>DS ! FOOT ( ,SC>LETWELL4 ,EA* ( ! DEAD BIRDS DREW A FLUTT]+ QUEUE ( GRAY POTATO-PR9TS BEH9D IT1 DOZ5S ( LONG SMOKY ?READS UNRAVEL+ T[>DS ! WE/1 :]E ! BLAN*$ SUN WAS SL[LY SETTL+ ABOVE A BURNI%$ /EEL-5GRAV+ ( ! RAILWAY Y>DS4 ,MI*AEL WAS MORE 9TRIGU$ BY ! IDEA ?AT BIRDS & ANIMALS W5T ,UP/AIRS :5 !Y DI$ ?AN HE WAS 9 REPLY+ TO :AT ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ SAID1 & ANYWAY1 IT WAS AT ?AT PO9T ?AT ,BLACK ,*>LEY 9T]V5$1 REPLY+ = HIM4 

0,N[1 ,MISS ,PHYLLIS1 DON'T Y\ TEASE ! *ILD LIKE ?AT4 ,DID Y\ SAY H[ HE'D />T$ A BIG RUCKUS 9 BETWE5 ! BUILD]S80 

,! BLACK <O/ WAS />+ H>D AT ,PHYLLIS N[4 ,%E NODD$4 ,SOME?+ ) VE9$ W+S ?AT LOOK$ LIKE AN 5ORM\S BAT SAIL$ PA/1 B\NC+ 9 %ORT HOPS D[N ! HILL & LEAV+ PICTURES ( ITSELF BEH9D IT1 MAK+ ,MI*AEL JUMP UNTIL HE REALIZ$ IT WAS JU/ ! <O/ ( SOMEBODY'S UMBRELLA4 ,SATISFI$ ?AT ,PHYLLIS WASN'T HAV+ FUN ) HIM1 ,BLACK ,*>LEY C>RI$ ON4 

0,!N ?IS BOY IS ! ONE :AT ,I'VE BE5 HE>9' AB\T4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 DID Y\ SAY8 ,! WAY ,I HE>D1 HE PLAYS SOME P>T 9 ?AT BIG CAP/ONE C]EMONY :AT ! BUILD]S TALK AB\T1 !IR ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN LIKE !Y CALLS IT4 ,?AT'S H[ COME ! PLAY]S AT ! TABLE GOT UPSET :5 ?IS *ILD'S TRILLI>D-BALL GOT PLAC$ 9 DREADFUL DANG]1 & ?AT'S H[ COME TWO ( 'EM WIZ FI<T9'4 ,IT'S !IR BATTLE :AT !Y HAVE UP ON ! ,MAYORHOLD CAUS9' ALL ?IS W9D :AT'S COM9'1 :AT ,I'M W>N9' FOLKS AB\T40 

,ALL ( ! <O/-KIDS EXCEPT ,MI*AEL SUDD5LY LOOK$ WORRI$4 ,REGGIE TOOK HIS B[L] HAT (F AS IF HE W]E AT A FUN]AL1 QUE/ION+ ,BLACK ,*>LEY ANXI\SLY 9 HIS PECULI>LY-ACC5T$ & TWANGY VOICE4 

0,GAWD LOVE US4 ,!RE'S NOT GUNNA BE A <O/-/ORM1 WIZ !RE80 

,*>LEY NODD$1 GRAVELY & EMPHATICALLY4 

0,I FE> SO1 MA/] ,REGGIE1 & Y\ B9 R\ND !SE P>TS LONG]'N :AT ,I HAVE1 SO Y\ KN[ :AT HAPP5S :5 !M <O/-W9DS />T UP BL[9'4 ,MY ADVICE IS GET Y\RSELF 9SIDE & GET ,UP/AIRS1 OR UP TO SOMETIME :]E ! WEA!R A9'T SO BAD4 ,& Y\ MAKE SURE AS Y\ LOOK AFT] MA/] ,MI*AEL H]E1 BECAUSE IF ?IS WIZ :AT ! BUILD]S DO :5 HE'S JU/ PUT 9 DANG]1 ,I DON'T WANNA ?9K AB\T ! WAY !Y'D TAKE IT IF'N Y\ %\LD GET HIM HURT40 

,A BLACK CAT SKITT]$ Y[L+ PA/1 PULL+ BEH9D IT A HALF-KNITT$ SOCK ( TRAIL+ IMAGES & FOLL[$ BY ! T9KL+ <O/ ( A PALE ALE BOTTLE4 ,BUZZ+ %OELACE ?READS /IT*$ !MSELVES ?R\< ! AIR ?AT ,MI*AEL F9ALLY CONCLUD$ W]E A PAIR ( PHANTOM FLIES4 ,BLACK ,*>LEY PICK$ ONE FOOT UP (F ! GR\ND DECISIVELY & SET IT ON A P$AL4 ,MI*AEL WAS SURPRIS$ TO NOTICE ?AT ! COLOR$ MAN HAD BLOCKS ( WOOD /RAPP$ UND]NEA? HIS %OES4 

0,I GOT ME DEAD FOLKS ,I %\LD W>N AB\T ! /ORM 9 ,BELLB>N & >\ND ,/4 ,&REW'S ,*UR*1 SO ,I CAN'T WAIT >\ND H]E ANYMORE4 ,Y\ GET Y\RSELVES \T ( H>M'S WAY1 & LOOK AFT] ?AT LITTLE BOY4 ,HE'S GOT IMPORTANT WAG]S RID9' ON HIM40 

,) ?AT1 ! DET]M9$-LOOK+ <O/ TROD D[N UPON HIS UPRAIS$ P$AL & ! BICYCLE-&-C>T ROLL$ OV] ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & AWAY UPHILL1 ) FAD+ LIK5ESSES ( ITS :ITE :EELS B[L+ ALONG BEH9D IT 9 A LONG /R+ ( ,OLYMPIC HOOPS4 ,BLACK ,*>LEY RODE AWAY FROM !M1 9TO ! W9D ?AT WAS N[ CLE>LY RIS+1 RUFFL+ ! <O/ ( EV]YBODY'S HAIR4 ,TO ,MI*AEL ! OLD COLOR$ FELL[ SEEM$ /RANGELY H]OIC1 P$AL+ HIS ROPE-:EEL$ JUNK-C>T LIKE A CR[-BLACK H]ALD ( ! COM+ /ORM4 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG SEEM$ TO /& ROOT$ TO ! SPOT = SEV]AL MOM5TS AFT] HIS DEP>TURE1 GOGGL+ AT EA* O!R ) WIDE1 ANXI\S EYES4 ,ABOVE !M ALL1 A SQUAWK+ /ATIC-PATT]N ( D>K /RIPES ?AT MI<T HAVE BE5 A PHANTOM BUDG]IG> BLEW PA/1 AS DID A <O/LY UND]TAK]'S TOP HAT ) A DOVE-GRAY HATB& RIBBON RIPPL+ 9 ITS WAKE AMONG ! RU% ( AFT]-PICTURES4 ,AT LA/1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] BROKE ! SIL5CE ) A PANICK$ BUT COMM&+ YELP4 

0,<O/-/ORM6 ,Y\ 'E>D 'IM6 ,EV]YBODY RABBIT-RUN1 DAYN TO ! '\SE :AT'S ON ! CORN]60 

,) A SUDD5NESS ?AT FRANKLY />TL$ ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS DROPP$ ONTO ALL F\RS & RAC$ (F D[N ! HILL ) ! MO/ PUZZL+ GAIT ?AT HE HAD EV] SE54 ,TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ! SL[1 TREACLE-LIKE QUALITY ?AT <O/-SEAM AIR POSSESS$1 ,PHYLLIS WAS ABLE TO SKIM LI<TLY D[N ! SLOPE ) JU/ H] SCAMP]+ KNUCKLES GRAZ+ ON ! SURFACE ( ! ROAD1 PROPELL$ BY CIRCL+ BACK LEGS ?AT B>ELY NE$$ T\* ! GR\ND !MSELVES4 ,IT WAS A SORT ( RABBIT-MOVEM5T1 HE SUPPOS$1 EXPLA9+ ! MANEUV]'S NAME1 AL?\< TO ,MI*AEL IT LOOK$ MORE LIKE H[ HE ?\< BABOONS MI<T RUN1 EXCEPT = ALL ! TRAIL+ REPRODUCTIONS ?AT MADE ,PHYLLIS LOOK LIKE A LONG LOCOMOTIVE ?AT HAD :EELS MADE \T ( SK9NY LITTLE GIRL'S LEGS4 ,TO HIS GREAT AL>M1 FIR/ ,M>JORIE !N ,BILL & ,REGGIE FOLL[$ ,PHYLLIS'S EXAMPLE1 CR\*+ D[N !N B\ND+ (F D[NHILL ) A SURPRIS+ SPE$4 ,HE WAS JU/ />T+ TO GET WORRI$ AB\T BE+ LEFT BEH9D BY ALL ! DEAD KIDS :5 HE NOTIC$ ,JOHN1 :O'D HUNG BACK TO LOOK AFT] HIM & :O WAS N[ 5C\RAG+ ! SMALL] BOY TO TRY ! RABBIT-RUN HIMSELF4 

0,COME ON1 IT'S EASY4 ,Y\'LL SOON GET ! HANG ( IT4 ,JU/ GET D[N ON ALL F\RS !N LIFT Y\R FEET UP SO Y\'RE WALK+ ON Y\R H&S40 

,MI*AEL SQU9T$ UPHILL 9TO ! GA!R+ W9D4 ,! SKY ABOVE ! ,MAYORHOLD AT ! TOP ( ,SC>LETWELL WAS SPECKL$ BY :AT ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ) A LUR* ( HORROR WAS <O/-DEBRIS1 SOME ( IT COMPRIS$ ( FLAIL+ ANIMALS & PEOPLE1 & ALL ( IT BL[+ RAPIDLY T[>DS !M4 ,HE NE$$ NO FUR!R URG+4 ,DROPP+ D[N ONTO HIS HAUN*ES & !N LIFT+ UP HIS FEET AS HE'D BE5 TOLD1 ,MI*AEL SOON F\ND HIMSELF B[L+ ALONG LIKE /RIPY FLANNEL TUMBLEWE$4 ,ONLY HIS H&S W]E SCRABBL+ ACROSS ! GRITTY SURFACE ( ! ROAD B5EA? HIM AS HE SCUTTL$ D[N ! HILL AFT] ! O!R *ILDR51 HEAD+ = ! CORN] AT ! BOTTOM :]E ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD MET ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 

,JOHN HAD BE5 CORRECT4 ,?IS ME?OD ( GETT+ >\ND WASN'T JU/ EASY1 IT WAS ALSO MASSIVE FUN4 ,IT SEEM$ LIKE SU* A NATURAL WAY TO TRAVEL1 EF=TLESSLY RU%+ ?R\< ! /REETS ) Y\R BACK LEGS SIZZL+ ALONG BEH9D Y\ LIKE GRAY ,CA!R9E ,:EELS1 KICK+ UP <O/-GRIT 9 A %[] ( WELD+-SP>KS4 ,HE TOOK TO IT SO READILY & F\ND ! =M ( MOVEM5T SO SURPRIS+LY FAMILI> ?AT ,MI*AEL WOND]$ IF HE HAD AN 9/9CT = IT4 ,WAS ?IS H[ HIS FAMILY HAD WALK$ ONCE1 BACK :5 !Y'D REPORT$LY BE5 0LIV+ 9 ! TREES01 POSSIBLY 9 ,VICTORIA ,P>K8 ,IT C]TA9LY MADE HIS DESC5T ( ,SC>LETWELL 9TO A ?RILL+ RIDE1 ! (F-:ITE FLATS FLICK]+ BY ON ONE SIDE ) !IR R\ND$ BALCONIES ?AT MADE HIM ?9K ( GO+ TO ! PICTURES1 & ! BLEAK S*OOL PLAY+ FIELDS ?AT SME>$ PA/ ON ! O!R4 

,HE WAS />T+ TO 5JOY IT :5 ! <O/ ( AN OLD BU/$ >M*AIR SPOIL$ ALL ?AT BY SOM]SAULT+ ?R\< ! AIR ABOVE HIM1 FOLL[$ BY TWO /ONY-FAC$ BUT OBVI\SLY EMB>RASS$ PHANTOM MONKS & A :OLE %[] ( <O/LY BIRD'S-NE/S1 BROK5 DECK*AIRS1 P5CILS1 FAG-5DS1 ANTS1 BOOKS ?AT HAD PICTURES ( B>E LADIES 91 *IPP$ BA?ROOM TILES & SPECTRAL B>S ( SOAP1 EA* HURTL+ OBJECT ) A FUM+ TRAIL ( AFT]-IMAGES BEH9D IT1 LIKE A SW>M ( ANGRY BURN+ BEES4 ,! PROSPECT ( ?IS WAVE ( HAUNT$ %RAPNEL OV]TAK+ HIM REM9D$ ,MI*AEL1 =CEFULLY1 ( ! <O/-SQUALL ?AT SURG$ BEH9D !M & :I* !Y W]E TRY+ TO GET AWAY FROM4 ,HE DECID$ ?AT HE'D BETT] TAKE ?IS RABBIT-RUNN+ BUS9ESS F> MORE S]I\SLY1 R$\BL+ HIS EF=TS AS HE TORE D[NHILL T[>DS ! O!R DEAD KIDS1 :O W]E GA!R+ NE> ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET'S BOTTOM CORN]4 

,AS HE SL[$ & /UMBL$ TO A HALT BESIDE !M ) <O/ C9D]S1 T(FEE WRAPP]S & LO/ PLIMSOLLS :I/L+ PA/ HIS E>S1 HE NOTIC$ ?AT !Y HADN'T CONGREGAT$ AT ! JUNCTION ) ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ! T]RACE :]E HE'D LIV$ & DI$1 BUT W]E 9/EAD A H\SE OR TWO UP FROM ! CORN]1 HUDDL+ BESIDE ! LONG BRICK WALL ( A BACK Y>D BELONG+ TO ONE ( ! HOMES 9 ! %ORT R[ BETWE5 ! JITTY-M\? & ! MA9 ROAD4 ,! DEAD GANG'S HAIR & CLO?+ FLAPP$ & RIPPL$ LIKE GRAY SIGNAL-FLAGS & !Y W]E CLUT*+ AT EA* O!R'S JUMP]S AS !Y TRI$ TO KEEP FROM BE+ BL[N AWAY4 

,BUCKETS & BOAT]S C>T-:EEL$ BY ABOVE !M2 AFT]LIFE COAL-DU/ 9 A CL\D ?AT TURN$ ! SKY BLACK EV5 ?\< Y\ C\LD /ILL SEE ! CALM & SUNNY MORTAL AFT]NOON BEH9D IT ALL4 ,?R\< ! MIASMA1 ,MI*AEL C\LD MAKE \T SCORES ( UPROOT$ <O/-SEAM RESID5TS1 CURS+ OR WAIL+1 /RUGGL+ OR HANG+ !RE LIMP & RESIGN$ AS ! F]OCI\S WRAI?-W9D BL[+ FROM ! ,MAYORHOLD HURL$ !M ?R\< ! D>K5+ HEAV5S OV]HEAD1 ALL DRAGG+ !IR LA/ SEV]AL 9/ANTS 9 !IR WAKE LIKE ADV]TIS+ BANN]S1 *EAP ONES :]E !Y C\LDN'T AF=D COLOR4 ,HE SAW SEV]AL MONKS1 ALL HOLD+ H&S & GLID+ 9 =MATION1 & A CROSS OLD LADY 9 A DI/RICT NURSE'S \TFIT :O TRI$ TO >RE/ H] FLI<T BY GRABB+ AT ! TELEVISION A]IAL ( ! 5D H\SE AS IT :IZZ$ BY BEL[4 ,H] 9SUB/ANTIAL F+]S PASS$ /RAI<T ?R\< ! METAL LETT] ,H )\T EFFECT & %E WAS :IPP$ AWAY BY ! E!REAL HURRICANE T[>DS ! OV]EXPOS$ PHOTO ( ! TRA9 Y>DS & ! DE-GRE5$ P>K BEYOND4 ,/&+ 9 FRONT ( ,MI*AEL ) H] /R+ ( ROTT5 RABBITS BE+ TOSS$ AB\T 9 AN IMPOSSIBLE CONFUSION ( REPEAT$ E>S & TAILS & EYES1 ,PHYLLIS WAS %\T+ SOME?+ AT HIM ?R\< ! DEAD AC\/ICS ( ! <O/-SEAM & ! H[L+ WU!R ( ! GALE4 

0444 9 ?R\< ! WALL6 ,WE'VE GOT TO GET 9SIDE ! CORN] '\SE SO WE CAN ALL GET 'I<] UP1 AYT ( ?IS W9D60 

,! BLU/]+ =CE BEH9D HIM WAS PROPELL+ ,MI*AEL HALT+LY 9 ,PHYLLIS'S DIRECTION1 HIS PLAID SLIPP]S SLI!R+ UPON ! PAV+ SLABS B5EA? !M4 ,REA*+ BL9DLY HE CLUT*$ ON TO SOME?+ SOLID1 ONLY REALIZ+ AFT]W>DS ?AT IT WAS ,JOHN'S >M1 ) ! TALL LAD HAV+ /OOD PROTECTIVELY AT ,MI*AEL'S BACK TO %IELD ! Y\NG/] FROM ! E]IE BLIZZ>D4 ,) HIS =W>D SLIDE ?US HALT$1 ,MI*AEL GAP$ AT ,PHYLLIS 9 BEWILD]M5T4 ,JU/ PA/ H] HE C\LD SEE ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE AS ! BESPECTACL$ & TUBBY LITTLE GIRL ?REW H]SELF HEADLONG AT ! WALL ?AT !Y W]E %ELT]+ BESIDE1 ONLY TO DISAPPE> 9TO OR ?R\< ! MO!R-(-PE>L %E5 UPON ! BRICKWORK & BE GONE FROM SI<T4 ,PHYLLIS'S Y\NG] BRO!R ,BILL W5T NEXT & !N ! GANGL+ & FRECKL$ ,REGGIE1 CLUT*+ HIS HAT TI<T AGA9/ HIS *E/ SO ?AT IT WASN'T RIPP$ AWAY FROM HIM BY ! TYPHOON AS HE DUCK$ ?R\< ! WALL 9TO :ATEV] BACK Y>D WAS PRESUMABLY BEYOND4 ,MI*AEL WAS /ILL CONFUS$1 & CALL$ TO ,PHYLLIS OV] ! <O/-TEMPE/4 

0,BUT ?AT'S KNOT ! CORN] H\SE4 ,?AT'S SLUMBOGGY'S BACK-Y>D54 ,!RE'S ! CORN E> JU/ D[NHILL BEHIVE Y\40 

,PHYLLIS GL9T$ AT HIM1 SOME?+ 9 BETWE5 GL>+ & SQU9T+1 AS %E FAC$ 9TO ! FLICK]+ ?UND]/ORM ( DI/RESS$ APP>ITIONS ?AT W]E GU/+ /RAI<T T[>DS !M D[N ! ANCI5T HILL4 

0,?AT DAYN !RE'S :]E ! CORN] WIZ4 ,WE'RE CLIMB+ UP TO :5 ! CORN] WIZZLE BE 9 T5 OR TW5TY YE>S1 :]E 'OPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABOVE ?IS WEA!R4 ,N[1 COME ?R\< ! WALL ) US OR GET BL[N DAYN TO ,VICKY ,P>K ) ALL !M O!R SILLY BUGG]S4 ,I'M NOT GOT ! TIME TO /& ']E & DEBATE WI' Y]40 

,) ?AT %E JUMP$ 9TO ! JIGSAW PATT]N ( GRAY BRICKS & :ITI% MORT>1 VANI%+ 9TO ! WALL4 ,MI*AEL /OOD HESITAT+ = A MOM5T EV5 !N1 BE=E ,JOHN GRABB$ HIM BY ! SPIT-SCOR*$ COLL> ( HIS DRESS+ G[N & HURRI$ HIM T[>DS ! V]Y SOLID-LOOK+ B\ND>Y4 

0,DO AS %E SAYS = ONCE1 AYE1 ,TOMMY'S BOY8 ,IT'S = Y\R [N GOOD40 

,JOHN %OV$ ,MI*AEL AT & ?R\< ! WALL4 ,AL?\< HE CLOS$ HIS EYES 9/9CTIVELY JU/ PRIOR TO ! EXPECT$ IMPACT1 ?IS DID NOT %UT \T A BRIEF GLIMPSE ( EXACTLY :AT BRICKS LOOK$ LIKE FROM )91 ) ALL ! LITTLE CYL9D]S ( NO?+ :]E ! V5T HOLES W]E4 ,EM]G+ SPLUTT]+ & GASP+ ON ! O!R SIDE ) ,JOHN /EPP+ UNHURRI$LY \T ( ! WALL IMM$IATELY AFT] HIM1 ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ HE WAS 9 A L>GE ?\< FAIRLY PLA9 & B>E RE> Y>D1 ) JU/ A G>D5 %$1 A S+LE N>R[ FL[]B$ & A WA%+-L9E ) WOOD5 PROP & HANG+ %EETS TO OCCUPY ! MO/LY COBBLE-/ONE 5CLOSURE4 ,! HI< BRICK WALLS1 HAV+ /OOD 9 ?AT SPOT = SOME EI<TY TO A HUNDR$ YE>S1 S]V$ TO KEEP \T A FRACTION ( ! RAG+ <O/-TORNADO BOIL+ ?R\< ! ,BOR\<S1 ?\< NOT ALL ( IT BY ANY MEANS4 ,REV5ANT GRIME & LITT] SPUN 9 FRANTIC $DIES AT ! BACK Y>D'S CORN]S1 ! ATT5DANT AFT]-IMAGES SMUDG$ 9TO SOLID D\<NUT %APES BY ! ROTATION4 

,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS ALREADY ORGANIZ+ ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG 9TO :AT1 = ,MI*AEL1 WAS UNFA?OMABLE ACTION4 ,REGGIE /OOD !RE AT ! C5T] ( ! Y>D ) ,PHYLLIS P]*+ BALANC$ ON HIS %\LD]S LIKE !Y W]E BO? 9 A CIRCUS ACT4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HELD ,REGGIE'S B[L] HAT :ILE HE HAD BO? H&S CLASP$ >\ND ,PHYLLIS'S ANKLES1 /EADY+ H]4 ,! PLUCKY LITTLE DEAD GIRL 9 H] SC>F ( RANCID RABBITS /OOD !RE WOBBL+ ) BO? H] C>DIGAN-CLAD >MS RAIS$ UP ABOVE H] HEAD1 :]E %E MADE PAW+ MOTIONS ) H] H&S AS IF ATTEMPT+ TO DIG UPW>DS 9TO EMPTY NO?+ LIKE A MOLE ) NO S5SE ( DIRECTION4 ,LOOK+ CLOS]1 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT ! AIR >\ND H] CLAW+ F+]S SEEM$ TO B5D & QUIV]4 ,HE C\LD MAKE \T MOV+ B&S ( BLACK & :ITE LIKE TELEVISION 9T]F]5CE PATT]NS1 GLIMM]+ /RIPES SQUEEZ$ TOGE!R1 PU%$ TO ONE SIDE BY ! <O/-*ILD'S FRANTIC BURR[+4 ,HE DIMLY UND]/OOD FROM :AT ,PHYLLIS HAD SAID A MOM5T OR TWO PREVI\SLY ?AT %E WAS CLIMB+ UP ?R\< TIME TO 0:5 ! CORN] WIZZLE BE 9 T5 OR TW5TY YE>S01 & HE SUPPOS$ ! /RIPS ( WAV]+ :ITE & BLACK MI<T BE ! DAYS & NI<TS ?AT %E WAS =C$ TO TUNNEL UP ?R\<1 VELLUM MORN+S 9T]LEAV$ ) C>BON-PAP] D>KNESS4 ,CLE>+ AWAY M9UTES1 H\RS & YE>S LIKE LAY]S ( ONIONSK9 H] FLICK]+ H&S W]E GRAY ANEMONES ( F+]S4 ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ?AT ! MORE HE GOT TO KN[ ! (T5 BOSSY & UNFRI5DLY SELF-APPO9T$ LEAD] ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 ! MORE HE CAME TO LIKE H] & ADMIRE H]4 ,%E WAS SOMEONE Y\ C\LD C\NT ON1 SOMEONE ) RES\RCES4 

,9 ! W9DSWEPT Y>D ! O!R MEMB]S ( ! \TFIT LOOK$ ON AGITAT$LY AS ,PHYLLIS TEET]$ !RE ON ,REGGIE'S %\LD]S1 EXCAVAT+ ?9 AIR1 :ILE ABOVE A H[L+ TORR5T ( UNE>?LY JETSAM SEE!D & SKITT]$ ?R\< ! RECTANGLE ( SKY OV] !IR BRICK REFUGE4 ,!RE W]E UNCANNY IRON+-BO>DS ) !IR CROSS$ LEGS LEAV+ A /R+ ( FAD+ KISSES ?R\< ! AFT]NOON BEH9D !M1 A :OLE SET ( DOM9OES /RET*$ 9TO SPOTT$ LICORICE /ICKS BY ! >RAY ( VISUAL E*OES ?AT EA* ONE WAS DRAGG+1 SEV]AL MILLION SPL9T]S ( <O/-WOOD OR <O/-GLASS1 :OLE SPOOK-TREES ) WRAI?-SOIL RA9+ FROM !IR EXPOS$ ROOTS 9 WISPY PICTURE-/REAM]S1 TOPPL+ TATT]$ PETS & M5 & WOM51 A CONFETTI ( C>E5+ & COMPLA9+ %AD[-%APES1 ALL ! TORN PHANTOMS ( ,NOR?AMPTON4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ,PHYLLIS'S Y\NG BRO!R ,BILL APPE>$ TO HAVE DISCOV]$ SOME?+ NE/L+ 9 AN OBSCURE CORN] ( ! BRICKWORK4 

0,B+O6 ,!RE'S MAD-APPLES OV] ']E60 

,HIS VOICE WAS FA9T1 DAMP$ BY ! <O/-SEAM & SUBM]G$ B5EA? ! BAN%EE *ORUS ( ! RO>+ /ORM4 ,PE]+ 9TO ! JUNCTURE ( ! Y>D WALLS ?AT ! PREVI\SLY G+] BUT N[ A%5 SCAMP WAS PO9T+ TO1 ,MI*AEL C\LD SEE :AT LOOK$ LIKE TWO SMALL SLATE-GRAY FL[]S SPR\T+ FROM A FISSURE 9 ! CRUMBL+ MORT>4 ,ON FUR!R 9SPECTION HE WAS SLI<TLY UNN]V$ TO DISCOV] ?AT EA* PETAL WAS A NA/Y-LOOK+ LITTLE FIGURE ) A BIG HEAD & A PAIR ( GLITT]+ JET EYES4 ,BALANC+ AWKW>DLY ON ,REGGIE'S %\LD]S1 ,PHYLLIS FR[N$ D[N ANGRILY AT ,BILL & HIS DISCOV]Y4 

0,LEAVE 'EM ALONE1 Y\ NIT6 ,!Y'RE ELF-ONES1 SO !Y'LL GI' Y] BELLYA*E4 ,Y]'VE GOTTA LEAVE 'EM UNTIL !Y CAN RIP5 9TO FAIRIES4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I RECKON ,I'VE BROKE ?R\< UP ']E1 SO Y\ CAN CLIMB UP ,REGGIE'S BACK & 'ELP ME40 

,BILL AB&ON$ ! GRAY HORROR-BLOSSOMS & W5T GRUDG+LY TO DO HIS SI/]'S BIDD+1 & YET ,MI*AEL F\ND IT H>D TO TAKE HIS EYES (F ( ! ?+S ONCE !Y'D BE5 CALL$ TO HIS ATT5TION4 ,FROM ! %AD[$ ANGLE ( ! BACK Y>D'S CORN] HE C\LD FEEL ! MAN-BUDS WAT*+ HIM & S5S$ !Y W]E UNPLEASANTLY AW>E 9 !IR [N WAY4 ,MI*AEL C\LD NOT IMAG9E :AT K9D ( AW>5ESS ?AT MI<T BE1 :AT MURKY ?\<TS OR VEGETABLE DESIRES MI<T PASS ?R\< ALL ?OSE JO9$-TOGE!R HEADS1 & F\ND UPON REFLECTION ?AT HE WASN'T REALLY ?AT KE5 ON IMAG9+ IT ANYWAY4 ,RELUCTANTLY HE TORE HIS GAZE AWAY FROM ! DI/URB+ CORN]-FRUIT & TRI$ 9/EAD TO CONC5TRATE ON :AT ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E UP TO4 

,AS ! ESS5CE ( A SIDEBO>D TURN$ ELABORATE PIR\ETTES ?R\< ! JUNK-PEPP]$ MAEL/ROM %RIEK+ ABOVE ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 Y\NG ,BILL WAS OBEY+ ,PHYLLIS'S 9/RUCTIONS & WAS CLAMB]+ UP ,REGGIE'S BACK :ILE %$D+ PICTURE-COPIES 9 A SMOKY SQUIRREL-TAIL BEH9D HIM4 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT JU/ OV] ,PHYLLIS1 AT ! PO9T :]E %E'D BE5 SCRAP+ AT ! AIR SO FRANTICALLY1 !RE WAS N[ A R\ND PAT* ( SOLID BLACKNESS SLI<TLY WID] ?AN ! CIRCLE ( A DU/B94 ,BILL %9N$ ONTO ,REGGIE'S %\LD]S & !N />T$ CLIMB+ ,PHYLLIS1 :O WAS /&+ !RE AS WELL4 ,MI*AEL WAS WOND]+ H[ ! PUG-NOS$ ,VICTORIAN UR*9 C\LD SUPPORT ! LOAD :5 HE RECALL$ :AT ,JOHN HAD SAID AB\T H[ <O/S WEI<$ H>DLY ANY?+4 ,UPON CONSID]ATION1 HE SUPPOS$ ?AT ?IS WAS H[ ! FI]CE W9DS BLA/+ D[NHILL FROM ! ,MAYORHOLD C\LD UPROOT SEEM+LY HEAVY ?+S LIKE - HE GLANC$ UPW>DS AT ! SQU>E ( RU%+ SKY ABOVE !M ALL - LIKE PRAMS & TRAMPS & D\BLE B$S & ! BEWILD]$ SPIRITS ( 9V]T$ HORSES1 S5D+ !M ALL SPIRAL+ AWAY ACROSS ! BURNI%$ RAILWAY Y>DS 9TO ! SOOT-SMUDG$ :IT5ESS ( ! SUNSET4 ,MI*AEL WAT*$ AS ,BILL HAUL$ HIMSELF UP ONTO HIS SI/]'S BACK &1 9 A SQUIRM ( AFT]-IMAGES1 CONT9U$ CRAWL+ UPW>DS ?R\< ! D>K HOLE 9 ! AIR1 COMPLETELY VANI%+ FROM SI<T4 

,SWAY+ ON ,REGGIE'S %\LD]S1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] CRAN$ H] NECK TO LOOK D[N AT ! O!R DEAD KIDS ON ! COBBLE/ONES B5EA? H]4 

0,M>JORIE1 Y\'RE NEXT1 & !N ! NEW BOY40 

,! :OLE Y>D WAS RESONAT+ N[1 MAK+ ! M\RNFUL S\ND MILK-BOTTLES MAKE IF SOMEONE BL[S ACROSS ! NECK ( !M1 ?IS PLA9TIVE TONE MIX$ ) ! DEAF5+ BELL[ ( ! <O/-SQUALL SO ?AT ,PHYLLIS'S COMM&S W]E H>DLY AUDIBLE4 ,NEV]!LESS1 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE OB$I5TLY SCRAMBL$ OV] LANKY ,REGGIE & UP ,PHYLLIS1 HOLD+ ,REGGIE'S B[L] HAT BETWE5 H] CL5*$ TEE? AS %E DID SO1 VANI%+ 9TO ! SAME BLACK AP]TURE ?AT HAD CLAIM$ ,BILL JU/ MOM5TS E>LI]4 ,N[ IT WAS ,MI*AEL'S TURN4 

,CA/+ A D\BTFUL LOOK AT ,JOHN1 :O GAVE M]ELY A TI<T NOD 9 REPLY1 HE />T$ HIS ASC5T ( ,REGGIE & DISCOV]$ IT WAS ALL MU* EASI] ?AN HE'D ANTICIPAT$4 ,! NE>-WEI<TLESSNESS MEANT ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY NE$ TO HAUL HIMSELF LABORI\SLY UP1 H& OV] H&1 & ?AT HIS GRIP ON ,REGGIE'S DAMP JUMBLE-SALE COAT WAS ONLY NECESS>Y TO KEEP HIM FROM FLOAT+ (F 9TO ! SCREAM+ FLOOD ( SPECT]S BE+ DA%$ ACROSS ! DI/RICT BY ?IS SUP]NATURAL TEMPE/4 ,AS HE CLIMB$ ON OV] ,PHYLLIS ) HIS SMALL H&S CL5*$ 9 H] <O/-C>DIGAN1 HE SAW ?AT FROM CLOSE UP ! BLACK SPACE OV]HEAD WAS NOT COMPLETELY BLACK1 JU/ D>K1 AS IF IT L$ 9TO AN UNLIT ATTIC4 ,R\ND ! $GES ( ! SKY-HOLE HE C\LD SEE ! PATT]N ( ! BLACK & :ITE L9ES ?AT HE'D SPOTT$ E>LI]1 ! B&S ( NI<T & DAY N[ SQUEEZ$ 9TO A LUM9\S GRAY TRIM ( %IMM] AT ! A]IAL EXCAVATION'S RIM4 ,MORE />TL+LY1 AS HE REA*$ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S SUMMIT & />$ UP 9TO ! LI<TLESS OP5+1 HE C\LD SEE A QU>TET ( H&S EM]G+ FROM IT1 REA*+ D[N TO GRAB HIM 9 A FLURRY ( REPEAT$ CUFFS & ?UMBS & FIL?Y F+]NAILS4 

,BE=E HE'D HAD A *ANCE TO WORK \T :AT WAS GO+ ON HE WAS DRAGG$ UPW>D ?R\< A WRIGGL+ & KICK+ \TBUR/ ( HIMSELVES & PULL$ ACROSS ! SP>KL+ ?RE%OLD 9TO BLACKNESS4 ,SUDD5LY HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS SITT+ ON ! UP/AIRS L&+ ( A D>K & UNFAMILI> H\SE1 BETWE5 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & ,BILL4 ,BE=E !M 9 ! L&+'S FAD$ C>PET WAS A HOLE1 UP ?R\< :I* FL>$ ! PEWT]-COLOR$ RADIANCE ( ! <O/-SEAM1 %9+ UP TO GL9T ON WOOD5 BANI/]S & CR[D$ WALLPAP] ?AT WRI!D ) ROSES1 UND]-LI<T+ ! ?REE *ILDR5'S FACES AS !Y KNELT OR SAT >\ND ! BLAZ+ WELL-M\? GAP+ 9 ! FLOOR4 ,DRIFT+ UP \T ( ?IS CAME ! FA9T VOICE ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 

0,PULL ME UP NEXT1 !N ALL ( US CAN 'ELP ) ,JOHN & ,REGGIE40 

,FOLL[+ ,BILL & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE'S LEAD1 ,MI*AEL LEAN$ OV] ! HOLE'S RIM & SQU9T$ D[N 9TO ! GL>E4 ,B5EA? HIM WAS ! COBBL$ Y>D1 ) ,PHYLLIS SWAY+ AS %E /OOD ON ,REGGIE1 REA*+ UP T[>DS !M ) BO? H&S & AN AGGRIEV$ LOOK ON H] FACE4 ,! TRIO ( <O/-9FANTS CR\*+ ON ! SIL5T MIDNI<T L&+ TOOK H] BY ! WRI/S & PULL$ H] GOSSAM]-LI<T =M UP ?R\< ! %IMM]+ GAP1 ONTO ! C>PET+ & FLOORBO>DS !Y W]E CR\*+ ON4 

,PHYLLIS PE]$ 9TO ! GLOOM AB\T !M4 

0,BUGG]4 ,I'VE DUG UP TOO 'I<4 ,?IS IS UP 9 ! NO?+S4 ,NE' M9D1 AYE8 ,LET'S 'ELP UP ,JOHN & ,REGGIE & WE'LL WORK AYT :AT TO DO FROM !RE40 

,D[N 9 ! Y>D B5EA? !M1 ,JOHN HAD N[ TAK5 HIS PLACE UPON ! %\LD]S ( ! UNCOMPLA9+ ,REGGIE4 ,) A /ILL-SURPRIS+ LACK ( EF=T1 ! F\R SMALL] MEMB]S ( ! DEAD GANG :ISK$ HIM UP ONTO ! BO>DS BESIDE !M4 ,NEXT1 ALL FIVE ( !M CAU<T HOLD ( ,REGGIE AS ! FRECKLE-FAC$ ,VICTORIAN BOY1 LACK+ A HUMAN LADD]1 WAS COMPELL$ TO BUR/ UP ?R\< ! RADIANT OP5+ FROM A /&+ JUMP4 

,ONCE !Y W]E REUNIT$ ON ! /RIP ( GRAY & MOTTL$ C>PET+ !Y /OPP$ TO CAT* !IR WI/FUL MEMORY ( BREA?4 ,! OLD D>K ( ! UNKN[N H\SE AB\T !M TICK$ & CREAK$ & BUMP$ AT 9T]VALS ) MUFFL$ S\NDS ( HABITATION ON A L[] FLOOR1 & ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] RAIS$ A /REAM ( F+]S TO H] LIPS1 %OOT+ A W>N+ GLANCE AT H] COMPANIONS4 ,:5 %E SPOKE1 IT WAS AN URG5T :ISP]4 

0,DON'T MAKE ANY NOISE4 ,I'VE DUG US UP 9TO ! NO?+S BY MI/AKE1 :5 !RE'S A WAT*] LIV9' AT ! CORN]4 ,LET'S JU/ COV] UP ?IS 'OLE1 !N WE CAN PLAN AYR NEXT MOVE40 

,) A FR[N ( CONC5TRATION1 ,PHYLLIS />T$ SCRABBL+ H] SUDD5 MULTITUDE ( F+]S AT ! %IMM]+ $GES ( ! AP]TURE4 ,%E TEAS$ LONG /R&S ( C>PET-COLOR$ FUME \T FROM ! HOLE'S P]IMET] & COMB$ !M C>EFULLY ACROSS ! GAP 9 SPACE1 ?R\< :I* ! WALL$ 5CLOSURE D[N 9 #aiei C\LD /ILL BE SE51 ITS FLICK]+ ,LAUREL & ,H>DY LI<T ]UPT+ ?R\< ! L&+ FLOOR TO MAKE ! R+ ( *ILDR5'S FACES GL[ LIKE WEIRD !AT] MASKS4 ,BEL[1 ! <O/-TYPHOON /ILL RAG$ 9 ! DES]T$ Y>D1 FL++ ITS MULTIPLE-EXPOSURE PHANTOM DEBRIS ?R\< ! AIR 9 A BEWILD]+ PR(USION ?AT 9CLUD$ FI%+ TACKLE1 WAIL+ /ILLBORN KITT5S 9 A WICK] PICNIC HAMP]1 A COLLECTION ( DIV]SELY DECORAT$ BE]-MATS & ! ANGRY SPIRIT ( A SWAN ?AT HURTL$ PA/ B5EA? !M 9 A HISS+ P9:EEL TUMBLE ( EXPLOD+ :ITE ROSETTES4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & ,JOHN JO9$ 9 ) ,PHYLLIS'S ATTEMPT TO SPREAD ! SMOLD]+ FIB]S FROM ! RIM OV] ! OP5+1 SO ?AT 9 MOM5TS ! ILLUM9ATION FROM BEL[ WAS BROK5 9TO TRIANGLES & MIS%APES BY ! CRISSCROSS WEB ( SMOKY FILAM5TS !Y'D DRAGG$ ACROSS IT4 ,9/ANTS MORE & !SE REMA9+ *9KS W]E ALSO COV]$ OV]1 ) ! ?9 SP9DLES ( BRILLIANCE ?AT %ONE UP 9TO ! L&+'S D>KNESS SNUFF$ \T ONE BY ONE4 ,AT LA/ ! SIX ( !M W]E CR\*$ >\ND A PAT* ( C>PET UPON :I* ! RUDIM5T>Y FLORAL PATT]N WAS UN9T]RUPT$1 JU/ AS IF IT HADN'T BE5 A MASS ( VAPOR\S T5DRILS ONLY M9UTES E>LI]4 ,NOBODY W\LD HAVE KN[N ! TUNNEL 9TO #aiei HAD EV] BE5 !RE4 

,?\< ! ONLY S\RCE ( LI<T HAD BE5 OBLIT]AT$ BY ! MATT$ SUB/ANCE ( :ATEV] PRES5T DAY ?IS WAS1 ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ ?AT HE C\LD /ILL SEE ! LOOM+ BANI/]S & HIS COMPANIONS 9 SURPRIS+ DETAIL EV5 ?R\< ! UNREL5T+ GLOOM1 AS IF ! SC5E W]E PICK$ \T 9 F9E SILV] /IT*ES ON BLACK VELVET4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?AT S9CE <O/S MO/LY SEEM$ TO V5TURE \T AT NI<T1 IT FOLL[$ ?AT !Y PROBABLY C\LD SEE WELL 9 ! D>K1 ALONG ) ALL !IR O!R /RANGE ABILITIES4 ,PHYLLIS WAS TALK+ N[1 H] VOICE L[ & CONSPIRATORIAL1 H] CRAFTY FACE & DANGL+ RABBIT /OLE DRAWN ) ?9 T9SEL L9ES UPON ! BLACKNESS4 

0,RI<T4 ,I RECKON AS WE'RE UP 9 NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX4 ,WE CAN DIG DAYN AGA9 9TO ! FIFTIES IF WE WANT TO1 BUT ,I DON'T ?9K WE %\LD DO IT ']E1 NOT 9 ! CORN] '\SE4 ,?IS IS A SPECIAL PLACE1 & !RE'S SOMEBODY LIV9' DAYN/AIRS :O'S B9 PUT ']E TO TAKE C>E ( WAT*MAN DUTIES1 SO REMEMB]3 !Y CAN SEE US1 !Y CAN 'E> US4 ,!Y CAN GET US 9TO TR\BLE :AT'S SO BAD IT SETS ME TEE? ON $GE TO EV5 ?9K ABAYT IT40 

,MO/ ( ?IS WAS SAID ) ,PHYLLIS'S EYES FIX$ UNWAV]+LY UPON ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 AS IF IT W]E MA9LY = HIS B5EFIT4 ,HE FELT HE \<T TO SAY SOME?+1 OR AT LEA/ :ISP] IT4 

0,:9E WIZ ?IS CORN]-H[ A SPATIAL PLAYS80 

,HIS SYLLABLES W]E ACT+ UP AGA91 P]HAPS BECAUSE ! <O/-/ORM ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD SO REC5TLY ESCAP$ HAD LIT]ALLY RATTL$ HIM1 BUT EV]YBODY SEEM$ TO CAT* HIS G5]AL DRIFT1 P>TICUL>LY ,PHYLLIS4 ,MUMBL+ AN ASIDE TO ! EFFECT ?AT HE /ILL HADN'T F\ND HIS 0,LUCY-LIPS0 YET1 %E REPLI$ 9 A DRAMATICALLY HU%$ V]SION ( ! SCORNFUL TONE ?AT HE WAS />T+ TO IMAG9E WAS AFFECTIONATE4 

0,IT'S A SPECIAL PLACE BECAUSE IT'S LIKE AN '+E BETWE5 ! ,FIR/ & ,SECOND ,BOR\<S4 ,IT'S TO DO ) ?IS '\SE BE+ ON ! CORN] AT ! BOTTOM LEFT ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 :ILE ! ,WORKS :]E ALL ! BUILD]S GOO WIZ UP ON ! TOP RI<T1 :]E ! OLD ,TAYN ',ALL US$ TO BE4 ,9 ! F\R-SID$ WORLD1 !Y'RE FOLD$ UP SO ?AT !Y'RE ! SAME PLACE4 ,FROM ']E Y] CAN GOO /RAI<T UP TO ,MANS\L4 ,?IS IS :]E ! R\< SLEEP]S SOMETIMES COME1 IF !Y EV] GET UP ! N]VE TO LEAVE ! <O/-SEAM & TO MAKE !IR WAY ,UP/AIRS40 

,SEE+ ! ANSW]+ LOOK ( BLANK 9COMPREH5SION UPON ,MI*AEL'S FACE1 %E GAVE A SUBDU$ SI< & !N CLIMB$ TO H] FEET 9 A PR(USION ( REPEAT$ KNEES & ANKLE-SOCKS4 ,! O!R GANG-MEMB]S OB$I5TLY FOLL[$ SUIT1 ) ,MI*AEL GETT+ ! IDEA & ALSO /&+ UP1 A MOM5T OR TWO AFT] ALL ! RE/4 ,!RE 9 ! CURI\SLY SEE-?R\< %AD[S ( ! L&+1 ,PHYLLIS SEEM$ ONCE MORE TO BE ADDRESS+ ONLY HIM4 ,>\ND H] M\? ! %9Y P5CIL TRAC+S ON ! BLACKNESS ?AT W]E V]Y LIKELY DIMPLES FLICK]$ 9 & \T ( BE+ ) ! MOVEM5T ( H] :ISP]+ LIPS4 

0,I S'POSE ?AT S9CE Y] ']E1 Y] MI<T AS WELL SEE '[ IT WORKS4 ,IF ,I REMEMB] RI<T1 !Y'VE GOT A ,JACOB ,FLI<T 9 ! 5D B$ROOM1 JU/ ALONG ! L&9'4 ,WE'LL BE RI<T ABOVE ! FRONT ROOM1 :]E ! LOOK-\T'S MORE ?AN LIKELY SITT9' WAT*9' TELLY1 SO BE EXTRA QUIET & GOO ON TIPTOES4 ,WE'LL JU/ TAKE A QUICK PEEK1 !N WE'LL GOO DAYN/AIRS & AYT ! FRONT DOOR BE=E ANYBODY KN[S WE'RE ']E40 

,) ?IS ! LITTLE <O/-GIRL TURN$ AWAY & />T$ HEAD+ = ! F> 5D ( ! L&+1 WALK+ ) A COMICALLY EXAGG]AT$ TIPTOE MOTION LIKE A CAT 9 A C>TOON4 ,AS HE FELL 9 ) ! F\R O!R MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG BEH9D H]1 ,MI*AEL LOOK$ AB\T HIM1 TAK+ NOTE ( HIS SURR\ND+S4 ,REA*+ FROM ! /AIR-HEAD ?AT WAS SOME:]E TO HIS RE>1 ! UP/AIRS PASSAGEWAY L$ TO A CLOS$ DOOR AT ITS FUR!R 5D1 T[>DS :I* ,PHYLLIS WAS N[ /EAL?ILY ADVANC+4 ,UPON HIS RI<T W]E BANI/]S ?AT OV]LOOK$ ! D>K5$ /AIRCASE1 :ILE UPON HIS LEFT ! WALLPAP] WAS N[ ADORN$ ) A GORGE\S GILT FILIGREE ( TWI/+ ROSES1 :I* WAS JU/ ! WAY ITS FAD$ PATT]N LOOK$ TO ,MI*AEL'S <O/LY NEW NOCTURNAL VISION4 ,UP AHEAD ( HIM1 ,PHYLL ,PA9T] WALK$ ON TIPTOE AT ! HEAD ( A %ORT1 SL[LY DISAPPE>+ COLUMN ( ,PHYLL ,PA9T]S4 ,)\T BREAK+ /EP1 %E WALK$ 9TO ! CLOS$ DOOR1 DISAPPE>+ ?R\< IT ) H] QUEUE ( DUPLICATES PULL$ AFT] H] LIKE A GRAY TAIL4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE WAS NEXT TO /RIDE 9TO ! PANEL$ WOOD & \T ( SI<T1 FOLL[$ BY ,BILL & ,REGGIE4 ,) A G5TLE %OVE FROM ,JOHN1 :O WALK$ BEH9D HIM1 ,MI*AEL /EPP$ 9TO :AT TURN$ \T TO BE A BRIEF VISION ( :ORL$ GRA91 A FRACTION ( A SECOND 9 DURATION1 BE=E HE EM]G$ 9TO ! ROOM BEYOND4 ,MO/ PROBABLY ! DOOR HAD ONLY BE5 !RE A FEW YE>S1 :I* W\LD EXPLA9 :Y HE HAD B>ELY NOTIC$ PASS+ ?R\< IT4 

,ON ! O!R SIDE1 !RE W]E FA9T COLORS TO ! WAV]+ LI<T ?AT FELL 9 CURTA9S1 DAPPL+ ! ROOM1 DELICATE P9KS & GRE5S & VIOLETS ?AT W]E ! FIR/ HUES HE'D SE5 S9CE 5T]+ ! <O/-SEAM4 ,ONLY AS HE /OOD !RE ) ! O!R PHANTOM *ILDR51 GAZ+ AWE/RUCK 9 ! PA9T$ UND]WAT] %IMM]1 DID HE REALIZE H[ MU* HE'D MISS$ BLUE & ORANGE :IL/ HE'D W&]$ ?R\< ! BLACK & :ITE /REETS ( ?IS HALF-WORLD4 ,!Y W]E LIKE BE/ FRI5DS HE HADN'T MET 9 AGES4 

,MI*AEL & ! <O/ GANG W]E N[ OBVI\SLY 9 A B$ROOM1 NOT UNLIKE HIS MOM & DAD'S BACK D[N 9 #a#i#e#i1 EXCEPT ?AT ALL ! FURNI%+S & FITT+S LOOK$ A BIT WRONG & HE C\LDN'T SEE A *AMB]-POT B5EA? ! B$4 ,!RE WAS A DA9TY B$SIDE TABLE1 AL?\< :]E Y\ MI<T EXPECT TO F9D A T9 AL>M-CLOCK TICK+ REASSUR+LY !RE WAS 9/EAD A FLAT BOX4 ,IT WAS R\<LY BOOK-SIZ$ & UPON ITS BLACK FRONT $GE HAD NUMB]S MADE ( /RAI<T :ITE L9ES1 A LITTLE LIKE ! NUM]ALS ?AT HE'D SE5 PEOPLE FA%ION FROM SPILL$ MAT*/ICKS DUR+ IDLE MOM5TS4 #b#c3 #ae WAS H[ IT READ AT PRES5T1 ) ! TWO DOTS 9 ! MIDDLE BL9K+ ON & (F1 & 444 NO4 ,NO1 IT WAS #b#c3 #a#f4 ,HE'D EVID5TLY BE5 MI/AK54 ,AFT] />+ AT ?IS CRYPTIC MESSAGE = A :ILE & WOND]+ :AT IT MEANT1 ,MI*AEL AT LA/ ?\<T TO LOOK UP T[>DS ! S\RCE ( ! PALE RA9B[ LI<T ?AT BA!D ! ROOM :]E HE & HIS DEAD FRI5DS W]E TRESPASS+4 

,UP 9 ! F> RI<T CORN] ( ! CEIL+ WAS AN OP5+1 P]HAPS ! 5TRANCE TO A L(T & R\<LY F\R FEET SQU>E4 ,?IS BLAZ$ ) PURE & UNDILUT$ COLOR LIKE A JAZZY MOD]N PA9T+1 SPLA%+ A PALE E*O ( ITS VIVID %ADES ONTO ! GRAY & UPTURN$ FACES ( ! SPECT]-*ILDR5 GA!R$ !RE BEL[4 ,IMM$IATELY B5EA? ?IS DAZZL+ PANEL AN IMPOSSIBLY CRAMP$ FLI<T ( /EPS DESC5D$ TO ! B$ROOM FLOOR1 ) BO? ITS ANGLE & ITS %ALL[ TREAD MORE LIKE A LADD] ?AN A /AIRCASE4 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT BO? ! W9D[ TO ANO!R WORLD & ! /RANGE RUNG-/AIRS UND]NEA? IT LOOK$ LIKE !Y W]E MADE FROM SOME?+ DIFF]5T TO ! ORD9>Y ROOM ?AT !SE W]E SITUAT$ 94 ,!Y LOOK$ LIKE !Y W]E MADE FROM <O/-/UFF1 & HE D\BT$ ?AT !Y W\LD BE VISIBLE TO ORD9>Y PEOPLE4 ,/&+ NEXT TO HIM ) %IV]+ B&S ( WAT]Y ROSE & TURQUOISE SLIPP+ OV] ! %>P CONT\RS ( H] FACE1 ,PHYLLIS EXPLA9$ :AT ! FLUORESC5T TRAPDOOR WAS 9 TONES SO HU%$ ?AT !Y W]E B>ELY AUDIBLE4 

0,IT'S :AT !Y CALL A CROOK-DOOR1 & ?AT /AIRWAY UND]NEA? IT WIZ A ,JACOB ,FLI<T4 ,IT LEADS /RAI<T TO ! ,WORKS1 UP 9 ,MANS\L4 ,?AT'S :Y Y] CAN SEE ALL ! COLORS EV]Y:]E4 ,IT'S BE5 9 PLACE ']E ON ?IS CORN] OR NE>BY S9CE ,SAXON TIMES1 EV] S9CE ']E-ABAYTS BECAME A PROP] SETTLEM5T4 ,IT'S AN IMPORTANT 5TRY TO ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 & ?AT'S :Y !RE'S ALWAYS BE5 SOMEBODY ']E TO SIT WAT* ON ! GATE & KEEP IT SAFE4 ,! ONES :AT M9D ! CORN] BETWE5 ONE WORLD & ! O!R1 !Y'RE A SC>Y BUN* ( CU/OM]S :AT WE CALL ,V]NALLS4 ,!Y'RE LIKE DEA?MONG]S3 !Y'RE 'UMAN1 BUT !Y'RE HALF-,UP/AIRS EV5 BE=E !Y'VE KICK$ ! BUCKET40 

,MI*AEL1 GAZ+ UP 5TRANC$ 9TO ! BRI<T-DY$ PORTAL ( ,MANS\L1 V5TUR$ A DREAMY 9T]JECTION H]E4 

0,MY DAD'S MOM WAS CALL$ ,V]NALL BEF\R %E GOT W$DL$40 

,IT WAS AS IF SOMEBODY HAD DROPP$ A SN[BALL D[N ! BACK ( ,PHYLLIS'S GRAY C>DIGAN4 ,=GETT+ ALL H] ADMONITIONS TO KEEP QUIET %E YELP$ 9 %E] A/ONI%M5T4 

0,Y\ :AT8 ,WELL1 ?AT'S :Y ALL ( ?IS IS 'APP5+1 !N6 ,?AT'S :Y Y] DIE & !N COME BACK TO LIFE4 ,?AT'S :Y ! BUILD]S 'AD A FI<T1 ?AT'S :Y ! DEVIL PICK$ ON Y]1 ?AT'S :Y ,BLACK ,*>LEY SAID ABATE ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN1 & ?AT'S :Y Y] FAMILY WIZ D[N ']E NE> ,SC>LETWELL6 ,IT'S 9 Y\R ANCE/ORS4 ,IT'S 9 Y\R BLOOD4 ,:Y WIZN'T ,I TOLD ALL ?IS SOON]80 

,/&+ ABSOLUTELY /ILL 9 ! WEIRDLY-ILLUM9AT$ B$ROOM ) CONFETTI-COLOR$ LI<T FALL+ >\ND !M1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E ALL />+ N]V\SLY AT ,PHYLLIS N[4 ,LOOK+ A LITTLE %EEPI% = SOME REASON1 ,JOHN REA*$ \T 9 AN >RAY ( PULLOV]-CLAD >MS & PLAC$ ONE H& UPON ,PHYLLIS'S %\LD]4 

0,DON'T BLAME HIM1 ,PHYLL4 ,TO BE HONE/1 ,I KNEW ?AT HIS NAAN HAD BE5 A ,V]NALL1 BUT ,I NEV] ?\<T TO BR+ IT UP4 ,BESIDES1 IT'S NOT LIKE EV]YBODY :O'S RELAT$ TO ?AT FAMILY %>ES !IR CALL+1 WIZ IT8 ,MO/ ( !M >E ORD9>Y PEOPLE40 

,PHYLLIS GL>$ AT ,JOHN 9DIGNANTLY & WAS APP>5TLY AB\T TO ANSW] :5 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HISS$ URG5TLY FROM :]E %E /OOD BESIDE ! B$ROOM'S DRESS+ TABLE4 ,MI*AEL NOT$ ?AT NEI!R ! T9T$ RADIANCE NOR ! BESPECTACL$ & TUBBY <O/-*ILD W]E REFLECT$ 9 ITS MIRROR4 

0,%U%1 ! PAIR ( Y\6 ,I ?9K ,I JU/ HE>D SOME?+ MOVE40 

,9 ! T5SE & EXAGG]AT$ HU% ?AT FOLL[$ ,M>JORIE'S ANN\NCEM5T1 !Y C\LD ALL MAKE \T ! RHY?MIC GRUNT ( FLOORBO>DS AS SOMEBODY SL[LY CROSS$ ! ROOM B5EA?4 ,!RE CAME ! RATTLE ( AN OP5+ DOOR & !N A VOICE CAME DRIFT+ UP ! /AIRS1 RE$Y & HI< ) AGE YET /ILL SP9E-T+L+ 9 ITS EFFECT4 

0,IS !RE SOMEBODY UP !RE8 ,WOE BETIDE IF IT'S ALL Y\ DEAD LITTLE BUGG]S TREAD+ <O/-MESS R\ND MY H\SE60 

,FOOT/EPS1 SL[ & DELIB]ATE1 BEGAN TO M\NT T[>DS ! L&+ FROM ! PASSAGEWAY D[N/AIRS1 ! SQUEAK ( EV]Y TREAD ATT5D$ BY ! S\ND ( LABOR$ BREA?+4 ,MI*AEL HAD NO FLE% TO CREEP OR BLOOD TO RUN COLD1 BUT AS HE /OOD ) HIS NEW FRI5DS 9 ! PA/EL LI<T ?AT DRIZZL$ FROM ! OP5+ ABOVE1 HE FELT AN AFT]LIFE EQUIVAL5T TO BO? ( ?OSE S5SATIONS1 A SICK RIPPLE 9 ! PHANTOM FIB] ( HIS BE+4 ,! UNE>?LY PRES5CE CLIMB+ EV] CLOS] ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! CLOS$ B$ROOM DOOR WAS ! /RANGE CORN]-KEEP]1 NOT 5TIRELY HUMAN1 :O C\LD GET !M 9TO DIFFICULTIES ?AT SET PLUCKY ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S TEE? ON $GE TO EV5 ?9K AB\T4 ,?\< HE HAD (T5 HE>D HIS P>5TS OR HIS GRAN USE ! EXPRESSION 'WOE BETIDE' BE=E1 HE'D NEV] PREVI\SLY HE>D IT UTT]$ ) AN 9TONATION ?AT CONVEY$ SO CLE>LY :AT IT MEANT3 A SEA ( WOE1 A *URN+ TIDE ( TR\BLES REA*+ TO ! GRAY HORIZON4 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT HE WAS PROBABLY AB\T AS SC>$ AS HE C\LD GET1 & !N BELAT$LY REMEMB]$ ?AT ! /AIRS & L&+ ALONG :I* ! E]IE WAT*MAN WAS APPROA*+ HAD BE5 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S PLANN$ ESCAPE-R\TE4 ,!N HE WAS AB\T AS SC>$ AS HE C\LD GET4 

,IT LOOK$ LIKE ,PHYLLIS & ! O!R KIDS HAD REALIZ$ !IR PR$ICAM5T AT R\<LY ! SAME MOM5T ?AT IT HAD OCCURR$ TO ,MI*AEL4 ,PHYLLIS'S EYES D>T$ R\ND ! B$ROOM ) ITS SETTL+ RA9B[-%]BET LI<T1 LOOK+ = HID+ PLACES OR AN EXIT ( SOME SORT1 F9ALLY N>R[+ TO SLITS ( /]N DET]M9ATION4 

0,QUICK6 ,AYT ?R\< ! WALL60 

,RA!R ?AN BO!R+ TO SAY :I* WALL %E MEANT1 ! <O/-GANG'S SELF-APPO9T$ BOSS L$ BY EXAMPLE1 RUNN+ FULL TILT AT ! PULL$-TO CURTA9S ( A W9D[ OPPOSITE ! B$ROOM DOOR1 A FAD+ TRAIL ( LITTLE GIRLS ) FLAIL+ RABBIT-SC>VES PURSU+ H]4 ,)\T AN 9/ANT'S HESITATION ,PHYLLIS FLUNG H]SELF \T ?R\< ! HANG+ DRAPES1 :I* DIDN'T EV5 TREMBLE AS %E VANI%$ 9TO !M & \T ( SI<T4 ,MI*AEL REMEMB]$1 ) A />T1 ?AT !Y W]E UP/AIRS4 ,!RE'D BE NO FLOOR ON ! F> SIDE ( ?AT \T] B$ROOM WALL1 ONLY A DROP TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET D[N BEL[4 ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ AS GOOD AS JUMP$ (F ( ! RO(4 ,MORE WORRY+LY1 EV]YBODY ELSE WAS FOLL[+ H] LEAD4 ,FIR/ LITTLE ,BILL1 !N ,REGGIE & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 *>G$ AT ! CURTA9$ W9D[ OR AT ! DULL WALLPAP] TO EI!R SIDE ( IT1 HURL+ !MSELVES \T ?R\< ! WALL 9TO ! %E] DROP & ! NI<T BEYOND4 ,AS USUAL1 IT WAS ,JOHN :O'D HUNG BACK TO MAKE SURE ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS ALL RI<T4 

0,COME ON1 KID4 ,DON'T BE FRI<T5$ ( ! DROP4 ,I TOLD Y\1 ?+S DON'T FALL AS QUICKLY H]E40 

,\T PA/ ! B$ROOM DOOR1 ! CREAK+ FOOT/EPS W]E N[ COM+ D[N ! L&+1 DRAW+ CLOS] ) ! RAGG$ BREA?+ ?AT WAS !IR ACCOMPANIM5T4 ,CLE>LY DECID+ !RE WAS NO TIME TO LET ,MI*AEL REA* HIS [N DECISION1 ,JOHN SCOOP$ UP ! NI<T-CLO!D 9FANT UND]NEA? ONE >M & RAN T[>DS ! WALL ?AT !IR COMPANIONS HAD ALREADY DISAPPE>$ ?R\<4 ,/RET*$ 9TO A MANY-LEGG$ T>TAN C5TIP$E ( BLURR+ MOTION1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T HE HE>D ! DOORKNOB TURN BEH9D !M AS ,JOHN LEAP$ T[>DS ! CURTA9S4 

,!RE WAS A BRIEF FLA% ( 9SUB/ANTIAL L951 VAPOR\S GLASS1 & !N !Y W]E BO? TUMBL+ LIKE SMOLD]+ BLOSSOM ?R\< A LAMP-LIT D>KNESS4 ,AS ! OLD] BOY HAD PROMIS$ IT WAS AN UNUSUALLY SL[ DESC5T1 AS IF SUBM]G$ 9 GLUE4 ,AL?\< ! O!R *ILDR5 HAD ALL PLUNG$ \T ?R\< ! WALL 9TO ! NI<T MOM5TS BE=E1 ,MI*AEL C\LD SEE ?AT ,M>JORIE1 ! LA/ TO JUMP1 HAD NOT YET REA*$ ! GR\ND4 ,%E FELL ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET 9 A WAT]FALL ( SPOIL$ & /REAKY SNAP%OTS1 /\T LEGS B5D+ 9 A BULGE ( *UBBY KNEE AS %E T\*$ D[N UPON ! PAV+ SLABS BEL[4 ,MI*AEL SUPPOS$ ?AT HE & ,JOHN MU/ HAVE ! SAME SP5T-FIREWORK PLUME ( PICTURES DRIBBL+ BEH9D !M AS !Y SANK D[N ?R\< ! VISC\S %AD[S1 ,JOHN'S LONG LIMBS ALREADY BRAC+ = ! NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT4 

,FROM ! MOM5T ?AT !Y'D LEFT ! B$ROOM ) ITS HAZE ( COLOR !Y HAD BE5 ONCE MORE IMM]S$ 9 ! BLACK1 GRAY & IVORY L&SCAPE ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,EV5 SO1 TO ,MI*AEL !RE APPE>$ TO BE A SICKLY T+E AB\T ! LAMPLI<T1 GIV+ ! IMPRESSION ?AT IT WASN'T ! CLEAN :ITE ELECTRIC GLEAM ?AT HE WAS US$ TO4 ,HE & ,JOHN W]E ALMO/ AT ! 5D ( !IR LANGUID TRAJECTORY1 AB\T TO BUMP D[N ON ! GRITTY SLOPE ( ,SC>LETWELL :]E !IR F\R FRI5DS W]E WAIT+1 GAZ+ UP AT ! DESC5D+ PAIR ) EAG]1 ANXI\S EYES4 ,!RE WAS ! FA9TE/ %UDD] AS ,JOHN'S SCUFF$-TOE %OES CONNECT$ ) ! GR\ND1 & !N ,MI*AEL WAS BE+ SET D[N ON ! PAVEM5T ) ! O!R *ILDR54 ,/ILL A LITTLE DIZZY FROM ! BREA?LESS PACE ( !IR ESCAPE HE HADN'T HAD A *ANCE TO GET HIS BE>+S YET1 & ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] DIDN'T SEEM 9CL9$ TO GIVE HIM ONE4 

0,COME ON4 ,LET'S GET AWAY FROM ']E 9 CASE !Y COME AYT AFT] US4 ,WE'LL 'AVE TIME TO ?9K OV] ALL ?IS ,V]NALL BUS9ESS LAT]4 ,WE CAN 'EAD T[>DS ! ,MAYORHOLD ?R\< ! FLATS & ALLEYS1 SO WE %AN'T BE SPOTT$ /RUGGL+ BACK UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET IF ! WAT*] /EPS AYTSIDE TO 'AVE A NOSE ABAYT40 

,%E FIX$ ON ! DISORI5T$ ,MI*AEL BY ONE T>TAN SLEEVE & />T$ DRAGG+ HIM ACROSS ! /REET T[>DS ! ',P,R,E,S,S ,K,N,I,V,E,S' FACTORY ON ,BA? ,/REET'S BLUNT$ CORN] 7AL?\< ! FAMILI> SIGN WAS = SOME REASON MISS+71 ) ! O!R <O/-KIDS %UFFL+ ALONG 9 A LOOSE CLU/] ?AT HAD HIM & ,PHYLLIS AT ITS C5T]4 ,SOME?+ WASN'T RI<T4 

,HE PE]$ ACROSS ! MIDNI<T /REET 9 ! DIRECTION !Y W]E HEAD$ & = A BRIEF MOM5T HE WAS LO/4 ,:Y WAS ?IS BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET SUDD5LY SO WIDE8 ,IT SEEM$ TO JU/ FAN \T UNB\ND$1 & ,MI*AEL WAS WOND]+ :Y HE C\LD SEE SO F> UP ! D>K L5G? ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD T[>DS ! /ATION :5 HE REALIZ$ ?AT ! T]RAC$ H\SES OPPOSITE ! ONE ?AT !Y W]E FLEE+ HAD COMPLETELY DISAPPE>$4 ,ONLY A SWA! ( TURF WAS /RET*$ BETWE5 ! MA9 ROAD & A LONG BLANK WALL SOME DI/ANCE FUR!R UP ! HILL4 ,! UNEXPECT$ GRASSY EMPT9ESS1 :]E ?+S ?AT LOOK$ LIKE MON/R\S BIRDCAGES ON :EELS LAY TOPPL$ MIS]ABLY ON !IR SIDES AT 9T]VALS1 WAS SOMEH[ HORRIFY+4 ,MI*AEL />T$ TO ASK ,PHYLLIS :AT WAS GO+ ON1 BUT %E JU/ M>*$ HIM OV] ! DES]T$ /REET ) GREAT] URG5CY4 

0,IT'S NO?9' NE$ CONC]N Y]4 ,Y\ JU/ 'URRY UP & COME ) US 444 & DON'T LOOK BACK 9 CASE ! WAT*]'S PE]9' AYT !IR W9D[ & !Y SEE Y] FACE40 

,?IS LA/ BIT S\ND$ LIKE AN OV]-CLEV] AFT]?\<T1 :I* MEANT IT S\ND$ LIKE A LIE1 OR AS ?\< ,PHYLLIS HAD SOME O!R REASON :Y %E DIDN'T WANT HIM TO TURN R\ND4 ,TOGE!R ) ! WAY ?AT ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG CR[D$ 9 AB\T HIM AS IF %IELD+ SOME?+ FROM HIS SI<T1 H] BLU/]+ TONE MADE ,MI*AEL MORE CONV9C$ ?AN EV] ?AT SOME?+ WAS WRONG4 ,9 M\NT+ PANIC1 HE PULL$ FREE FROM ,PHYLLIS'S TI<T GRIP UPON HIS >M & :EEL$ >\ND SO ?AT HE C\LD LOOK BACK T[>DS ! H\SE NE> ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET'S BOTTOM CORN]1 FROM :I* !Y HAD JU/ ESCAP$4 ,:AT C\LD !RE BE AB\T ! PLACE ?AT WAS SO DREADFUL NO ONE WANT$ HIM TO SEE IT8 

,LOOK+ SOLEMN1 ,REGGIE & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE FELL BACK TO EI!R SIDE SO ?AT ,MI*AEL C\LD GAZE BETWE5 !M AT ! BUILD+ !Y'D SO REC5TLY VACAT$4 ,IT /OOD SIL5T1 ) A WEAK LI<T FILT]+ ?R\< ! CURTA9S PULL$ ACROSS ITS D[N/AIRS W9D[4 ,IF Y\ DIDN'T C\NT ! FACT ?AT IT SEEM$ BIGG]1 LIKE TWO H\SES KNOCK$ TOGE!R 9TO ONE1 !N O!R ?AN ! DETAIL ( IT BE+ SITUAT$ 9 A SPACE :]E ,MI*AEL KNEW AN EMPTY Y>D HAD BE5 9 #a#i#e#i1 IT LOOK$ COMPLETELY NORMAL4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ ODD OR T]RIBLE AB\T ! RESID5CE ITSELF ?AT HE C\LD SEE4 ,IT WAS JU/ EV]Y?+ EXCEPT ! H\SE ?AT WAS ALL ODD & WRONG & T]RIBLE1 ?AT WAS ALL GONE4 

,! T]RAC$ R[ ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD BETWE5 ,SPR+ ,LANE & ,SC>LETWELL1 :]E ,MI*AEL & HIS FAMILY & ALL !IR NEI<BORS LIV$1 HAD VANI%$4 ,!RE WAS JU/ ! BOTTOM F5CE & H$GES ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S PLAY+ FIELDS & !N ANO!R PAT* ( EMPTY GRASS BE=E Y\ REA*$ ! PAVEM5T & ! ROAD IMM$IATELY BEYOND4 ,SAVE = A FEW SMALL TREES ! D\BLE-SIZ$ H\SE NE> ! CORN] /OOD ALONE ON ! B5I<T$ FR+E ( GR\ND1 A S+LE EYETOO? /ILL REMA9+ :5 ! JAW ITSELF HAD ROTT$ D[N TO NO?+4 ,FROM :]E ,MI*AEL /OOD AMONG ! O!R PHANTOM *ILDR51 HALFWAY OV] ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 HE C\LD SEE ! LITTLE MEAD[ ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 :I* NE/L$ AT ! FOOT ( ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE 444 OR RA!R1 HE C\LD SEE ! PLACE ! MEAD[ HAD BE51 ! LA/ TIME HE'D LOOK$4 ,SAVE = A BORD]+ FR+E ( TREES !RE W]E N[ ONLY R[S ( GIANT LORRIES HULK+ 9 ! D>K1 MU* BIGG] ?AN ! VEGETABLE TRUCK ?AT ! MAN NEXT DOOR HAD TRI$ TO TAKE HIM (F TO HOSPITAL 9SIDE4 ,!SE EA* LOOK$ LIKE TWO TANKS PIL$ UP ON TOP ( ONE ANO!R1 OR P]HAPS A MOBILE BRAN* ( ,WOOLWOR?'S4 ,SPAC$ \T ALONG ! MA9 ROAD 9TO ! TW9KL+ BLACKNESS ( ! DI/ANCE !RE W]E ?+S ?AT LOOK$ LIKE /REETLI<TS 9 A DREAM1 IMPOSSIBLY TALL METAL /EMS EA* FL[]+ AT ! TOP 9TO TWO SEP>ATE OBLONG LAMPS4 ,! SICKL9ESS ,MI*AEL HAD NOTIC$ 9 ! LI<T+ E>LI] SEEM$ CONC5TRAT$ R\ND !SE LANT]NS 9 UNHEAL?Y HALOS1 :I* SUGGE/$ ?AT !Y W]E ITS S\RCE4 ,!IR WAN RAYS FELL UPON ! SLUMB]+ TRUCKS & ON ! GLI/5+ T>MAC ( ! EMPTY ROADWAY1 ON ! :ISP]+ C>PET ?AT HAD GR[N ACROSS ! FLOORBO>DS ( HIS MISS+ BIR?PLACE1 HIS EVAPORAT$ /REET4 ,! PLACE HE'D LIV$4 ,! PLACE HE'D DI$4 

,?IS WAS :AT ,PHYLLIS & ! O!RS HADN'T WANT$ HIM TO SEE4 ,HIS HOLY GR\ND1 EXCEPT = ! ONE S+LE H\SEHOLD ?AT 9CONGRU\SLY REMA9$1 HAD BE5 RAZ$ FLAT4 ,HIS DEVA/AT$ WAIL C\LD BE HE>D BLOCKS AWAY BY ?OSE :O W]5'T ALIVE1 DESPITE ! /AGNANT SONIC CURR5TS ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,FILL$ ) 5DLESS LOSS ! WR5*+ CRY UNLAC$ ! NI<T1 SPLITT+ ! DEAD WORLD 5D TO 5D1 :ILE ALL >\ND ! LIV+ ,BOR\<S SLEPT ON UNAW>E & DREAM$ ! TR\BL$ HUSKS ( ITS DISGRACEFUL FUTURE4 

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

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

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