,*APT] #i 
,P>TN]S 9 ,KNITT+1 ,A,D #age 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,AU?OR 3 ,NEIL ,RI*>D ,MAC,K9NON ,GAIMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,P>TN]S 9 ,KNITT+1 ,A,D #age 

,9SIDE ! HEADS ( [LS & WEASELS !RE >E JEWELS ?AT WILL EFFECT A CURE = AGUE1 = COLIC4 ,LI<TN+ IS ! SP5D ( ,GOD ?AT /RIKES AN A% TREE1 :]E ,HIS SE$S GR[ UP1 ) R\ND$ HEADS & SL5D] TAILS1 BETWE5 ! ROOTS4 ,A WOMAN OR A MAN MAY TAKE !SE SP5D+S 9 !IR M\?1 & AFT] HAVE ! ,SI<T1 SO ?AT !Y MAY PUT ALL !IR ?\<TS 9TO A FIRE1 TO TRAVEL ) ITS SMOKE T[>DS ! SKY4 ,H]E !Y WILL MEET ) /ORK OR H]ON ?AT WILL BE> !M UP UNTIL ! ,GREAT ,CA!DRAL MAY BE APPREH5D$1 ) ITS P]FECT VAULT$ CEIL+S =M$ FROM NAU<T BUT ,LAW & ,NUMB]4 ,I HAVE SWALL[$ MY [N PISS1 & ,I HAVE SE5 !SE ?+S4 

,NOT YET AN H\R S9CE1 ,MR ,DANKS1 ! ,M9I/] ( ,ALL ,SA9TS CAME ) ,BOOK & BAILIFFS TO ! CELL ,I %>E ) ,M>Y1 AFT] :I* !Y BR\<T US \T & HUNG US FROM A GALL[S AT ! T[N'S ,NOR? GATE UNTIL WE W]E NE> DEAD1 \R GIZZ>DS ALL BUT CRU%$4 ,CUT D[N1 WE W]E NEXT TE!R$ H]E4 ,WE>+ \R ROPE-BURNS N[ LIKE GLORI\S *A9S ( (FICE1 WE >E SAT HALF-CONSCI\S & RESPL5D5T ON \R K9DL+ ?RONE4 

,TI$ H]E BESIDE ME1 ,M>Y'S SMALL1 W>M H& IS 9 MY [N4 ,%E IS NO MORE AFRAID ?AN ,I1 SOO!D BY A BREEZE COME FROM ! T]RACES 9VISIBLE1 MADE TRANQUIL 9 ?AT MAUVE LI<T FOGG+ !IR NI<T PA/URES4 ,EV5 W]E \R ?ROATS NOT SO CON/RICT$ BY \R LYN*+ TO D5Y US SPEE*1 NO WORD NE$ PASS BETWE5 ! TWO ( US ?AT WE MAY KN[ !SE ?+S4 ,IT IS ! SAME ,REALM1 ! SAME ?\<T ( ,REALM1 :]E ?\<T ( ,REALM IS ,REALM ITSELF4 ,!Y'RE GO+ TO BURN ME1 & ,I'M NOT YET TW5TY-FIVE4 

,ACROSS ! COLD ,M>* FIELDS ! BIRDS >E BUILD+ SOME?+ DELICATE & T]RIBLE FROM /R+S ( S\ND1 FROM PLAY ( E*O4 ,WE TWO >E ! LA/ ?AT %ALL BE MURD]$ ?US BY FIRE 9 ,5GL&4 ,?IS WE HAVE BE5 TOLD BY ,IMPS & ?+S ( COLOR ?AT ABIDE 9 HI<] T[NS :]E ALL ! DAYS >E ONE1 :]E >E NO YE/]DAYS NOR YET TOMORR[S4 ,AFT] ?IS1 NO MORE ( HUMAN TALL[ R\ND A WICK ( PETTICOAT4 ,NO MORE ! FAIR *EEK R\G$ BY BLI/]4 

,N[ ,I SL[LY RAISE MY WEI<T$ LIDS UNTIL BO? EYES >E OP51 JU/ AS 9 ?AT 9/ANT ,M>Y DOES ! SAME BESIDE ME4 ,SEE+ ?IS1 ! GA!R$ H]D BEYOND \R PYRE MAKE L\D GASPS ( AMAZEM5T & /EP BACK1 !IR /Y-BORN FACES ILL ) T]ROR4 ,WID[ ,PEAK1 :O SAID %E'D HE>D US TALK ( KILL+ ,MRS ,WISE1 N[ DRAWS A CROSS UPON H] WI!R$ TIT & SPITS1 :ILE ,P>SON ,DANKS COMM5CES READ+ L\DLY FROM HIS MO?-WORN BOOK1 HIS WORDS LIKE SMUTS ( A% WIP$ ON ! MORN+4 

,IF Y\ ONLY KNEW1 Y\ B>N-APES1 :AT IT WAS Y\ BURN$ H]E4 ,IT IS NOT = ME ,I SAY ?IS1 BUT = ,M>Y1 :O IS BEAUTIFUL :]E ,I AM PLA94 ,IF Y\ MI<T SEE ! CORN]S ( H] EYES :5 %E IS SAY+ SOME?+ COMICAL !N Y\ W\LD KN[ H]4 ,IF Y\ KNEW ! /RONG TA/E 9 H] CUNT :5 %E HAS NOT YET WOK5 ( A MORN+1 Y\ W\LD LOOK AWAY 9 %AME & QU5* Y\R TOR*ES4 ,CAPTUR$ 9 H] LADYHAIR1 MY DRIBBLE TURN$ TO JEWELS & EA* ONE HAD A WAT]-PA9T$ MANSION ( HOMUNCULI T9Y & BRI<T )9 IT4 ,:5 %E WALKS UP /AIRS IT IS LIKE SONG1 & AT ! TIME ( EA* MON?'S BLOOD %E MAY SPEAK 9 ! TONGUE ( CATS1 BUT !N1 :AT ( IT8 ,IT IS ALL ( ?IS AS NO?+4 ,PUT A LI<T TO IT1 R5D] IT ALL TO C9D]1 H] R$ HAIR1 ! DRAW+S ?AT %E MAKES4 

,I WILL ADMIT ?AT WE HAVE HAD ! CONV]SATION ( ?OSE N9E ,DUKES RUL+ ,HELL4 ,HAV+ N[ SE5 ?AT PLACE IT HOLDS NO FE> = ME1 = IT IS BEAUTIFUL1 & AT ITS M\? >E PRECI\S /ONES4 ,IT IS BUT ,HEAV5'S FACE :5 LOOK$ UPON BY ! DECEIV$ & FE>FUL1 & 9 ALL MY TRADE ) ITS ,AMBASSADORS ,I HAVE DISCOV]$ !M TO BE AS G5TLEM51 BO? GR& & FAIR ( MANN]4 ,BELIAL IS LIKE A TOAD ( WONDR\S GLASS ) MANY EYES R+$ ON HIS BR[4 ,HE IS PR(\ND & YET UNKN[ABLE1 :ILE ,ASMODAY IS MORE LIKE AN EXQUISITE WEB ( PATT]N ?AT SURR\NDS ! HEAD3 WRY1 FI]CE1 & SKILL$ 9 ! MA!MATIC >TS4 ,DESPITE !IR WRA? & !IR CAPRICE !Y >E NOT BAD SO MU* AS O!R TO US1 & >E MORE ?AN PRETTY 9 !IR FA%ION1 ?AT Y\ %\LD BE 5VI\S ( ?OSE :O LOOK UPON SU* M>VEL\S AFFAIRS ( ,NATURE4 

,N[ A ?ICK-BR[$ MAN ,I DO NOT KN[ /EPS =W>D ) HIS TOR* & T\*ES IT TO KNOTT$ RAGS & /RAW !RE AT ! K9DL+'S $GE4 ,WE CLOSE \R EYES & SI<4 ,NOT LONG1 MY LOVE4 ,NOT F> TO GO4 ,! UNSE5 BALCONIES >E NOT SO HI< ABOVE US N[4 

,WE MET EA* O!R :5 ,I WAS F\RTE5 & CAME FROM ,COTT]/OCK TO ,\NDLE UP ! ROAD BECAUSE MY P>5TS WANT$ QUIT ( ME4 ,M>Y WAS JU/ ! SAME AGE1 PALE & FRECKL$1 ) BIG LEGS & >MS4 ,%E LET ME HIDE \T 9 H] DAD'S BACK Y>D ?OSE FIR/ COLD MON?S1 & SOME NI<TS 9 H] ROOM1 IF IT %\LD PASS H] SI/] & H] BRO!R W]E NOT !RE4 ,WE'D GO AB\T ! T[N & PLAY SU* GAMES4 ,) EV5+ DRAW+ 9 WE'D D>E EA* O!R 9TO /&+ !RE B5EA? ! ,TALBOT ,HOTEL'S COBBL$ PASSAGE1 LEAD+ TO ! D>K Y>D AT ! RE>4 ,WE'D SWE> WE HE>D ! <O/ ( OLD ,QUE5 ,M>Y ?AT HAD SLEPT !RE ON ! NI<T BE=E !Y TOOK H] HEAD1 WALK+ ! UP/AIRS L&+ ) IT TUCK$ B5EA? H] >M4 ,SQUEAL4 ,HUG \RSELVES !RE 9 ! GLOOM4 

,SOMETIMES WE'D V5TURE \T ACROSS ! PISS-&-ALE-WA%$ FLAGG+ ( ! Y>D & ?R\< TO ,DRUMM+WELL ,LANE1 AT ! ,TALBOT'S RE>4 ,WE'D /& & LI/5 AT ! ,DRUMM+ ,WELL ITSELF1 ?AT MADE A S\ND MU* LIKE A DRUM ! NI<T BE=E ,K+ ,*>LES DI$ & AT O!R TIMES BESIDE1 AS ) ! DEA? ( ,CROMWELL4 ,WE W\LD COCK \R E>S & HOLD \R BREA?1 ?\< NO S\ND EV] CAME4 

,WE'D RUN \T 9 ! FIELDS TO HIDE AMONG ! WILD LABURNUM1 & 9 FANCY W\LD BE SAVAGE1 BLUE-ASS$ M5 COME FROM ! ,AFRICAS1 ?AT CRAWL$ HALF-NAK$ ) F]OCI\S1 DROLL EXPRESSIONS !RE BETWE5 ! DR[S+1 NODD+ /EMS4 ,WE /UCK \R F+]S UP EA* O!R & W\LD LAU< AT FIR/1 BECOME !REAFT] HOT & GRAVE4 ,WE F\ND A DEAD %REW1 /IFF & ) A GLOSS AS ?\< ITS DEA? W]E BUT A COAT ( V>NI%1 & ONE AFT]NOON ,I WAT*$ H] PIDDLE 9 ! C[SLIPS1 CLOS$ MY EYES UPON ! WAV]+ SKEW] ( PLAIT$ GOLD ?AT BOR$ A SOPP+ HOLE !RE 9 ! SOIL B5EA? H]1 BUT HE>D /ILL ITS PITT]+ MUSIC & SAW YET ITS BRAID$ /REAM )9 MY ?\<TS4 

,N[ COMES ! FIR/ KISS ( ! SMOKE1 A HUSB&'S LOV+ PECK UPON ! NOSE1 & JU/ AS ) A HUSB& WE BO? KEEP \R EYES %UT :ILE IT'S GO+ ON4 ,TIME SOON 5\< = HIM TO %OVE HIS S\R & *OK+ TONGUE HALF D[N \R GULLETS4 ,RAW & SMOLD]+ NETTLE-BITE CURLS !RE BEH9D \R CR++ NO/RILS1 & ,I HOPE ! FAGOTS >E NOT GRE5 & DAMP1 OR LIKEWISE SL[ TO BURN1 = :5 \R COV5ANT WAS MADE1 ! ,BLACK-,FAC$ ,MAN SAID ?AT WE %\LD NOT KN[ ! FIRES ( PUNI%M5T4 ,A :I/L+ SIL5CE FOAMS UP 9 MY E>S1 AS IF AT SOME UNFA?OMABLE APPROA*1 BUT SWIFTLY DIES AWAY1 SUBDU$ AMID ! PAP]Y CRACKL+ ?AT IS ALL AB\T US N[4 ,HU%1 ,M>Y ,PHILLIPS1 & BE NOT AFRAID1 = WE W]E MADE A PROMISE1 Y\ & ,I4 

,WE F\ND A LIVELIHOOD ?AT SUIT$ ME1 & ALSO F\ND A LITTLE ROOM 9 ,B5EFIELD :]E ,I MI<T LODGE ?OSE NEXT T5 YE>S1 ?\< H>DLY DID A DAY GO BY WE W]E NOT 9 EA* O!R'S COMPANY4 ,AS WE GREW UP1 ! GREAT ADV5TURE ?AT !RE WAS BETWE5 US SEEM$ ALMO/ \R CORACLE1 ?AT C>RI$ US AWAY 9 TIME FROM ?AT LABURNUM C\NTRY1 FULL ( <O/S & SECRET GAMES1 TO CA/ US UP AMONG ! SULK+ ISL&S ?AT >E M54 

,WE WALL[$ 9 !M1 M51 ?OSE NEXT FEW YE>S1 DIDN'T WE1 ,M>Y8 ,AL?\< ,I CONFESS ,I DID MORE WALL[+ ?AN Y\1 Y\ DID NOT GO )\T Y\R %>E4 ,DIT*-DIGG]S1 SEXTONS1 PUBLICANS1 & SLAU<T]M5 /ILL ) ! /9K ( KILL+ ON !IR H&S4 ,!Y B\<T US SMALL BE] 9 ! FRONT B> ( ! ,TALBOT2 TOOK US UP AGA9/ ! JETTY WALL JU/ AS !Y'D TAKE A PISS :ILE ON !IR /UMBLE-FOOT$ J\RNEY BACK TO WIFE & HE>?4 ,BECAUSE ( ?IS1 ,I DID NOT (T5 SLEEP ) !M1 BUT :5 ,I DID ,I WAS SURPRIS$3 IF !Y >E NOT AWAKE1 !Y >E MU* S(T] TO ! T\*1 & MORE LIKE WOM54 ,:AT A PITY1 !N1 ?AT !Y %\LD EV] /IR4 

,YET /IR !Y DID4 ,!Y'D RISE BE=E ME1 GONE BE=E MY EYES W]E OP5 PROP]LY1 & :5 ,I'D SEE !M WALK+ ( A ,SUNDAY ) !IR FAMILIES ONLY ! WIVES W\LD LOOK AT ME1 !IR FACES H>D4 ,IF !SE %\LD GLIMPSE ME LAT] 9 ! M>KET1 GA!R$ 9 !IR TWOS & ?REES1 !Y'D CALL \T AFT] ME1 ',!RE GOES A :ORE'1 OR ELSE !Y'D TEA* !IR LITTLE ONES TO TAUNT ME1 CRY+1 ',%AW ! :ORE' & ',/RUMPET ,NELL' :]EV] ,I %\LD WALK4 ,H[ IS IT ?AT ! PLEASANT1 SIMPLE ?+ ( KNOBS 9 NOT*ES MI<T PROVOKE SU* SCORN1 & %AME1 & MIS]Y8 ,:Y MU/ WE TAKE \R BE+'S SWEETE/ P>T & MAKE IT YET ANO!R FL9T ON :I* TO G\GE \RSELVES8 

,N[ COMES A CURI\S ?+4 ,%IFT+ AGA9/ MY BONDS1 ,I ONCE AGA9 HAVE CAUSE TO OP5 UP MY EYES1 :]EON ,I F9D ?AT EV]Y?+ IS /OPP$4 ,! WORLD1 ! SMOKE1 ! CL\DS1 ! CR[DS & LEAP+ FLAMES1 ALL ( IT /ILL & )\T MOTION4 ,/OPP$4 

,H[ /RANGE & *>M+ IS ?IS REALM ) MOVEM5T FL$1 H[ P]FECTLY CORRECT4 ,! DRAGON FRILLS ( FROZ5 SMOKE1 UPON 9SPECTION1 HAVE A BEAUTY ?AT IS LO/ TO NORMAL SI<T1 ) SMALL] FRILLS ID5TICAL 9 %APE ?AT BLOSSOM1 F]N-LIKE1 FROM ! TWI/+ MO!R COIL4 ,TO ?9K ?AT ,I HAD NEV] NOTIC$4 

,LOOK+ D[N1 ,I FEEL ONLY A MILD SURPRISE TO NOTE ?AT WE >E BURN+1 ME & ,M>Y BO? ALIKE4 ,:Y1 !SE DRAB SKIRTS ( \RS HAVE NEV] LOOK$ SO F9E AS !Y DO N[1 AWA% ) FIRE & LI<T & COLOR2 RUBY-HUNG ) FLAMES ?AT DO NOT MOVE4 ,!RE IS NO HURT1 NOR EV5 W>M?1 AL?\< ,I SEE ONE ( MY FEET TO BE SCOR*$ BLACK4 ,9/EAD ( PA9 !RE IS A PASS+ SADNESS1 = ,I HAVE BELIEV$ MY FEET TO BE ! PRETTIE/ P>T ( ME1 ?\< ,M>Y SAYS %E LIKES MY %\LD]S & MY NECK4 ,:5 WE HAVE BE5 UNDRESS$ ( =M WE %ALL WALK TRULY NAK$ FROM \R A%ES1 & !RE %ALL BE NOT A P>T ( US ?AT IS NOT BEAUTIFUL4 

,?\< %E IS /RANGL$ F> BEYOND ! PO9T ( SPEE*1 ,I CAN HE> ,M>Y'S VOICE 9SIDE ME SAY+ ,EL9OR1 OH ,EL9OR1 & BIDD+ ME LOOK DEEP 9SIDE ! FLAMES ?AT HAVE 9 SOME WAY )\T ANY SEEM+ MOVEM5T RIS5 TO MY BOSOM LIKE F]OCI\S H]ALDRY4 

,I />E AT !SE 9V]T$ ICICLES ( GOLD & LI<T1 & 9 EA* ONE !RE IS A MOM5T1 T9Y & COMPLETE1 TRAPP$ 9 ! %IMM]+ AMB]4 ,H]E'S MY FA!R1 LEA!R+ MY MO!R AS %E /OOPS ACROSS ! KIT*5 TABLE H[L+1 ?IS SE5 AS IF ?R\< AN OP5 DOOR4 ,H]E IS ! DREAM ,I HAD :5 ,I WAS LITTLE1 ( AN 5DLESS H\SE FILL$ ) MORE BOOKS ?AN !RE >E 9 ! WORLD4 ,H]E'S :5 ,I CUT MY %\LD] OP5 ON A NAIL & H]E ! DEAD %REW1 WAX$ & *ILL4 

,B5EA? ! BASE ( EV]Y FLAME !RE IS A /ILL1 CLE> ABS5CE2 A MY/]I\S GAP BETWE5 ! DEA? ( SUB/ANCE & ! BIR? ( LI<T1 ) TIME ITSELF SUSP5D$ 9 ?IS VOID ( TRANS=MATION1 ?IS PAUSE BETWE5 TWO ELEM5TS4 ,I UND]/& IT N[1 ?AT !RE HAS ONLY EV] BE5 ONE FIRE1 ?AT BLAZ$ BE=E ! WORLD BEGAN & %ALL NOT BE PUT \T UNTIL ! WORLD IS DONE4 ,I SEE MY FELL[S 9 ! FLAME1 ! UNBORN & ! DEAD4 ,I SEE ! GA%-NECK$ LITTLE BOY4 ,I SEE ! RAGG$ MAN ?AT SITS )9 A SKULL ( BLAZ+ IRON4 ,I ALMO/ KN[ !M1 ALMO/ HAVE A S5SE ( :AT !Y MEAN1 LIKE LETT]S 9 A B>B>\S ALPHABET4 

,IT WAS ALL = A JOKE AT FIR/1 ! PICTURE DRAWN ) PIG-BLOOD & ! C&LE4 ,WE DID NOT SUPPOSE ?AT IT W\LD COME TO ANY?+1 NOR BE ACCOMPLI%$ ) SU* FE>FUL EASE4 ,SOME NAMES W]E SAID AL\D1 & 9 ! F9I% !RE W]E ANSW]S COME AS FROM AN OBSCURE PLACE2 FROM \T A LIVELY FOG DESC5D$ 9 \R ?\<TS4 ,?IS WAS 9 ,FEBRU>Y ( LA/ YE>1 :5 ALL ! PONDS W]E CAUL$ & FROZ54 

,%IV]+ B>E1 WE SQUATT$ 9 MY P9*$ UP ROOM & LI/5$ TO ! NOVEL WORDS WE HE>D 9SIDE \RSELVES1 ?IS HE>+ BE+ ( A K9D ?AT CANNOT BE ACCOMPLI%$ ) ! E>S1 ?AT IS SOMETIMES MORE LIKE A DRIFT ( MOOD OR VISION ?AN IT IS LIKE SPEE*4 ,IT TOLD US MANY ?+S4 

,WE >E ALL1 EA* ( US1 ! /++1 BLOODY FRAGM5TS ( A ,GOD ?AT WAS TORN 9TO PIECES BY ! BIR?-WAIL ( ,ET]NITY4 ,:5 ALL ! DAYS >E DONE1 ,%E :O IS ,BRIDE & ,MO!R UNTO ALL ( US %ALL GA!R EV]Y SCRAP ( SCATT]$ BE+ UP 9TO ONE PLACE1 :]E WE %ALL KN[ AGA9 :AT WE KNEW AT ! />T ( ?+S1 BE=E ?AT DREADFUL SUND]+4 ,ALL BE+ IS DIVID$ BETWE5 ?AT :I* IS1 OR ELSE ?AT :I* IS NOT4 ,( !SE ! LA/ IS GREAT]1 & HAS MORE IMPORTANCE4 ,TO KN[ ?\<T IS TO BE 9 ANO!R C\NTRY4 ,EV]Y?+ IS ACTUAL4 ,EV]Y?+4 

,AT FIR/ NAU<T BUT A VOICE )91 ! ,BLACK-,FAC$ ,MAN BECAME APP>5T 9 SMALL MEASURES4 ,FIR/ WE HAD A S5SE ( SOMEONE SITT+ 9 ! EMPTY *AIR ?AT /OOD UP 9 ONE CORN] ( MY ROOM1 BUT :5 WE LOOK$ !RE W\LD BE NO ONE !RE4 ,AT L5G? WE C\LD BO? MAKE HIM \T BY LOOK+ FROM ! CORN]S ( \R EYES1 ?\< IF WE GAZ$ ON HIM DIRECTLY HE'D BE GONE4 

,HE WAS BO? TALL & T]RIBLE1 ) HAIR & :ISK]S LIKE A BEA/1 HIS EYES A BRI<T & PALE GOAT-YELL[ 9 ! PA9T$ LAMP-BLACK ( HIS FACE4 ,A D>K & PURPLE LI<T HUNG ALL AB\T HIM1 & IT SEEM$ AS IF HIS FLE% WAS EV]Y:]E EMBROID]$ ) TATTOO1 9 COIL+ L9ES LIKE S]P5TS OR A NEW CALLIGRAPHY4 ,?+S ?AT W]E EI!R BRAN* OR ANTL] SPR\T$ FROM HIS HEAD UPON EA* SIDE1 & :5 HE SPOKE 9SIDE \R ?\<TS HIS VOICE WAS DEEP 5\< TO MAKE ! AIR GR[ COLD4 ,HE TOLD US ?AT WE MU/ /RET* \T \R H&S1 BUT ONLY ,I D>E DO IT1 ,M>Y BE+ TOO AFRAID4 

,I /OOD !RE = SOME MOM5TS ) MY H& ?RU/ \T1 & AT ! />T FELT NO?+ SAVE = FOOLI%4 ,PRES5TLY1 H[EV]1 ,I C\LD FEEL ! FA9TE/ T\* ( SOME?+ MU* LIKE F+]S WRAPP$ AB\T MY [N1 & V]Y COLD 9TO ! B>GA94 ,:5 HE SPOKE1 IT WAS TO ME ALONE1 = :5 ,M>Y & ,I DISCUSS$ ?+S LAT] %E CONFESS$ TO HE>+ NO?+ AT ?IS PO9T4 

,HE SAID1 ',EL9OR ,%AW1 BE NOT AFRAID ( ME1 = ,I AM ONE ( ! ,CREATION1 AS >E Y\ Y\RSELVES4' 

,HE NEXT SAID SOME?+ ?AT ,I DID NOT UND]/&1 & ASK$ ?AT HE MI<T BORR[ SOME?+ FROM US = A YE> & TWO MON?S4 ,IT WAS NOT A SOLID ?+ ?AT HE DESIR$1 BUT RA!R SOME?+ IMMAT]IAL1 SO ?AT AT FIR/ ,I GREW AFRAID1 BELIEV+ ?AT HE ASK$ ME = MY ,S\L4 ,HE REASSUR$ ME1 TELL+ ME HE ASK$ = NO?+ SAVE ! M]E ,IDEA ( ME1 = :I* HE HAD SOME USE ,I C\LD NOT FA?OM1 & ?IS ONLY = A LITTLE TIME4 ,EV5 ON ?IS1 MY DEA? DAY1 ,I AM YET UNABLE TO MAKE \T H[ ! ,IDEA ( ME MI<T BE ( VALUE1 OR TO :OM4 

,HE PROMIS$ 9 RETURN ?AT HE W\LD TELL US H[ TO CALL UP ,IMPS & HAVE !IR CONV]SATION & OB$I5CE4 ,FUR!R TO ?IS1 HE PROMIS$ ?AT WE %\LD NOT FEEL ! FLAMES ( ,HELL OR PUNI%M5T4 

,I AM NOT C]TA9 H[ ! PIECE ( P>*M5T WAS OBTA9$ :]EON WE MADE \R M>KS 9 BLOOD TO SEAL ! B>GA94 ,= A TIME ,I ?\<T \R VISITOR HIMSELF PRODUC$ IT1 ?\< FROM :]E ,I CANNOT ?9K S9CE HE WAS NAK$4 ,N[ IT SEEMS TO ME AS IF IT MAY HAVE BE5 !RE 9 MY ROOM A :ILE BE=E HE CAME1 =GOTT5 UNTIL ON ?AT NI<T WE *ANC$ UPON IT4 ,HE 9SI/$ ?AT WE SIGN 9 BLOOD1 SAY+ ?AT EV]Y HUMAN FUNCTION & ITS FLUID >E POSSESS$ ( AWESOME P[]1 ATTRACTIVE TO ?OSE SPIRITS :O DO NOT !MSELVES POSSESS A BODY & ?US F9D SU* SUB/ANCE NOVEL4 ,GO+ ON FROM ?IS1 HE SAID ?AT WE MI<T LET SU* ,IMPS AS WE %\LD SUMMON SUCKLE ON ! JUICES ( \R SEX1 :I* W\LD PLACATE !M1 CAUS+ !M TO FAVOR US4 ,HE SAID ?IS )\T ANY WICK$NESS1 AS IF TO HIM !RE WAS NO %AME 9 SU* AN ACT1 AL?\< ,I BLU%$1 AS DID MY ,M>Y :5 ,I TOLD IT TO H]4 

,:AT IT WAS ?AT HAPP5$ NEXT ,I CANNOT SAY4 ,9 MY CONFESSION ,I HAVE SAID ! ,BLACK-,FAC$ ,MAN CAME ) US BO? TO B$1 & HAD HIS WAY ) US1 & ?IS IS V]Y LIKE :AT DID OCCUR1 BUT 9 ANO!R S5SE ( ?+S FROM ?AT WE >E ACCU/OM$ TO4 ,I AM NOT SURE ?AT HE WAS EV] !RE 9 B$ ) US AS WE \RSELVES W]E !RE1 9 FLE%1 OR ?AT ! ?+S WE ?\<T HE DID ) US WE DID NOT1 AFT] ALL1 DO TO EA* O!R4 ,YET BO? ( US FELT HIM !RE ) US 9 ?AT DELIRI\S %IFT & TANGLE1 ?AT 9T5SITY ( PRES5CE NO?+ LIKE A MAN :I* PU%$ 9SIDE US1 ICE-COLD YET EXCIT+4 

,WE W]E \TSIDE ( TIME ) HIM4 ,\R B$ WAS EV]Y B$ :]E MAN OR WOMAN EV] BIR!D OR FUCK$ OR DI$4 ,:5 ,M>Y LICK$ MY BOTTOM %E C\LD SEE A CURI\S FL[] ( LI<T SPREAD \T FROM IT SO ?AT WE LAU<$1 BUT 9 \R ?\<TS HIS VOICE SAID TO US1 ',SEE ?IS ,ROSE ( ,P[]4 ,!RE IS ONE SET BESIDE EA* ( ! BODY'S GATES1' :]EUPON WE BECAME MORE SOB]4 

,:5 WE REA*$ \R ,JOY !RE WAS A MOM5T UNLIKE ANY?+ :]E ALL ! WORLD WAS GONE1 NOR EV] HAD BE5 !RE1 BUT 9/EAD ONLY ! MO/ P]FECT :IT5ESS1 & WE W]E ! :IT5ESS1 & WE W]E EA* O!R MADE SUBLIME1 & WE W]E NO?+4 ,AFT]W>DS1 IF !RE C\LD TRULY BE AN AFT]W>DS ( SU* A ?+1 WE SLEPT UNTIL ! MORN+ :5 WE WOKE TO F9D \RSELVES ALONE ) A DEAD C&LE & A BLOODI$ P>*M5T4 

,N[ MY >MS & %\LD]S >E AFLAME4 ,BESIDE ME1 UND] ,M>Y'S SKIRTS1 ,I HE> ! HISS & SIZZLE ( H] SCOR*+ LOVE-HAIR2 SECRET1 HOLY ANIMAL BADGE ( \R K9D4 ,H[ GLORI\S IT MU/ LOOK N[1 FEA!R$ ) SPL5DID FIRES & LIKE A VISION4 ,I W\LD RUB MY FACE UPON IT1 DR5* MY *9 ) SP>KS 9/EAD ( SPITTLE4 ,I W\LD WOR%IP IT4 ,I W\LD ADORE IT4 ,/ILL !RE IS NO PA94 

,! ?+S WE W]E ACCUS$ (1 ?AT WE DID1 9 SC>CE MORE ?AN A YE>1 KILL FIFTE5 *ILDR51 EI<T M5 & SIX WOM5 ) \R DIABOLIC >T2 ?AT 9 LIKE MANN] DID WE ALSO RID ! WORLD ( =TY PIGS1 A HUNDR$ %EEP & ?IRTY C[S1 :I* BY MY RECKON+ SUGGE/S ?AT WE BEWIT*$ ?REE BEA/S A WEEK4 ,ALSO1 !RE W]E SOME EI<TE5 HORSES ?AT ,I HAD =GOT4 ,ALL AB\T ,\NDLE1 & AS F> AS ,B5EFIELD & ,S\?WICK1 NOT AN ANT WAS /EPP$ UPON )\T IT BE+ HELD ?AT WE W]E BY SOME MEANS RESPONSIBLE = ! POOR MITE'S DEMISE4 ,:5 !Y HAD QUITE RUN \T ( MURD]S TO ACCUSE US (1 !Y TOOK TO LI/+ \R MORE M9OR S9S1 E/ABLI%+ ?AT WE W]E B$FELL[S & ALSO 'P>TN]S 9 KNITT+'1 :I* GAVE US MU* CAUSE = M]RIM5T4 

,:AT WAS IT ?AT WE KNITT$ ) \R WAX & CLAY1 \R LITTLE P9S8 ,IF ,I AM HONE/1 MO/ ( IT WAS LITTLE ELSE BUT SELFI% 5T]TA9M5T1 ?\< AS WE CAME TO KN[ MORE ( ! ,SUP]IOR ,REALM IT T\*$ US1 ?AT WE W]E BO? MADE MORE REV]5T4 ,YET /ILL WE GIGGL$1 B5T ABOVE \R KNITT+1 & WE CA/ (F CURSE & *>M 9 5DLESS R[S1 & PURL$ WORD 9TO WOND]4 

,W\LD ?AT WE MI<T TELL ! HALF ( IT1 ! ,IMPS WE CALL$ & MANY HI<] CREATURES ( ?AT K9D BESIDE4 ,AS ,I HAVE SAID BE=E1 ! EASE ( IT IS FRI<TFUL1 IF ONE IS BUT %[N4 ,WE HAD F\R K9DS ( ,IMP B\ND TO \R CALL1 ALL ( A DIFF]5T USEFULNESS & COLOR4 ,SOME ( !M W]E 9TRICATE & R$1 & !SE HAD KN[L$GE ( BO? ,>T & DIV]SE O!R MATT]S4 ,SOME W]E DUN1 & %AP$ LIKE DECORAT$ EELS1 OR ELSE LIKE TORSOS ?AT HAD TAILS1 & ?\< !Y DID NOT SEEM SO CLEV] AS ! O!RS1 9 !IR SWIM & FLICK] WE C\LD HE> EA* O!R'S ?\<TS1 & ON !IR RIPPLES S5D \R DREAMS ACROSS ! WORLD4 

,SOME ,IMPS W]E BLACK1 ) %9Y SK9 :]E9 WAS ,ALL ( ?+S REFLECT$1 AS )9 A MIRROR4 ,!SE W]E %AP$ LIKE M51 ?\< SMALL] BY A MEASURE1 & W]E US$ = PROPHECY1 OR SEE+ FROM AF>4 ,GLEAM+ UPON !IR BR[ WE SAW ! D>K TIME GONE BE=E1 & KNEW ! DAYS ( FALL+ FIRE TO COME WRIT ON !IR EBON BELLIES4 

,! :ITE ,IMPS W]E LIKE F]RETS1 OR P]HAPS LIKE SL5D] CATS ) T9Y H&S LIKE ?OSE ( AG$ M51 & SOME?+ ( AN OLD MAN'S FACE AB\T !IR FEATURES ALSO4 ,!SE HAD NO PURPOSE SAVE = H>M4 ,WE DID NOT USE !M4 ,NOT ?AT (T51 ANYROAD4 

,! ?+ ) ,IMPS IS ?AT !Y MU/ BE GIV5 WORK TO DO AT ALL TIMES1 LE/ !Y %\LD GR[ BOR$ ) MORTAL COMPANY & TAKE !IR LEAVE4 ,IT IS MOREOV] ONLY RI<T !Y BE REW>D$ = EA* TASK1 :I* B\NTY ME & ,M>Y W\LD DISP5SE FLAT ON \R BACKS !RE 9 ! *ALK R+ ) \R FROCKS UP & \R KNEES AP>T4 ,AFT] WE'D DONE IT1 WE W]E ALWAYS TIR$4 ,WE C\LD NOT SEE !M AS !Y LAPP$ BETWE5 \R ?I<S1 BUT ONLY SOMETIMES FEEL !M1 SUCK+ ON \R LITTLE BUTTONS4 

7,ON ?AT MIS]ABLE NI<T :5 ,BILLY ,BOSS & ,JACKY ,S\?WEL1 ,CON/ABLES ! PAIR ( !M1 W]E S5T = US1 WE W]E EXAM9$4 ,ALL ! M5 !RE PRES5T LOOK$ UPON ?OSE LITTLE BUTTONS1 :]E WE SAID \R ,IMPS HAD SUCKL$ US1 & SEEM$ V]Y AMAZ$1 AS IF !Y HAD NOT SE5 SU* ?+S BE=E4 ,DESCRIB+ !M1 !Y SAID !Y W]E LIKE TEATS OR PIECES ( R$ FLE% !RE 9 \R PRIVY P>TS4 ,I PITY !IR POOR WIVES1 IF WIVES !Y HAVE47 

,AP>T FROM ,IMPS1 WE CALL$ UP CREATURES ( A GREAT PECULI>ITY1 ?AT >E LIKE MON/R\S DOGS1 SOMETIMES CALL$ ,%AGFOALS4 ,!Y HAVE BURN+ EYES1 & SOME >E V]Y OLD4 ,!Y LIVE NE> CROSSROADS1 OR AT BRIDGES1 :]E ?+S HAVE A *OICE TO !M & :]E ! VEIL BETWE5 :AT IS & :AT IS NOT GR[S WORN & ?READB>E1 R5D+ EASILY4 

,!SE HAVE A K9D ( PUP1 MU* SMALL] & MORE HIDE\S TO BEHOLD1 BE+ BO? BLACK & BL9D1 ) LONG & QUE/+ TONGUES4 ,!IR PRES5CE PUTS AN AIR ( FE> AB\T ?+S1 BUT ?IS ?ICK5S 9TO AN EXQUISITE1 %OCK+ PLEASURE IF !Y %\LD BE T\*$4 ,WE S5T A PAIR ( !M TO ,BESSY ,EVANS :5 %E SAID %E HAD NO FUN 9 LIFE1 & LOOK AT ALL ! ?ANKS WE GOT4 

,I /ILL REMEMB] IT1 ?AT MORN+ /OOD 9 H] FRONT Y>D ) ,M>Y1 ,BESSY GO+ ON AB\T H] ,JOHN & H[ HE HADN'T T\*$ H] = A YE>1 & SLEPT (F 9 A DIFF]5T ROOM AWAY FROM H]4 ,WE SAID %E WAS A FOOL TO LIVE SO WRET*$LY1 AT :I* %E ASK$ US IF WE W\LD S5D SOME?+ TO H] ?AT W\LD DO H] GOOD4 ,WE SWORE TO DO \R BE/1 & ?AT NEXT MORN+ :5 WE MET ) H] %E SEEM$ A DIFF]5T WOMAN1 TELL+ US H[ 9 ! NI<T %E DREAM$ TWO ?+S LIKE MOLES HAD COME 9TO H] B$ & SUCKL$ AT H] L[] P>TS1 BO? FRONT & BACK1 :I* %E 9=M$ US WAS BO? SOME:AT FRI<T5+1 & YET AT ONCE AGREEABLE4 ,LAT]1 :5 %E GAVE EVID5CE AGA9/ US1 %E SWORE ?AT !SE NI<TLY VISITS MADE H] SO AFRAID %E HAD TO S5D = ,MR ,DANKS ! ,M9I/]1 :O CAME UP TO H] ROOM ON SEV]AL EV5+S1 :]E !Y PRAY$ TOGE!R ?AT ! CREATURES MI<T BE BANI%$4 

,F\R NI<TS6 ,BY H] [N ADMISSION1 ?AT'S H[ LONG ! ?ANKLESS C[ TOOK PLEASURE ) \R SUBTLE PUPS BE=E %E ?\<T TO CALL A ,M9I/]1 & ONLY !N BECAUSE WE W\LD NOT S5D !M ANY MORE & %E DESIR$ A MAN UP 9 H] ROOM TO TAKE !IR PLACE4 ,F\R NI<TS6 

,I'LL TELL Y\ ?IS1 ?\< MO/LY ,I LIKE M5 ! LEA/1 !RE'S TIMES ,I C>E = WOM5 NOT AT ALL4 ,:5 ,I ?9K ( ! ?+S WE DID = !M 9 SYMPA?Y BECAUSE !Y %>$ \R SEX1 & H[ !Y ALL RU%$ TO ACCUSE US ONCE ! *OPP] FELL4 ,:5 !Y HAD MUFF9S 9 !IR OV5S & W]E YET UNW$1 OR IF !Y ?\<T !IR MAN WAS B$D+ ) ANO!R1 !N IT WAS A DIFF]5T /ORY4 ,!N IT WAS ALL ',NELL1 GET RID ( IT = ME'1 OR ',M>Y1 MAKE H] FATT] ?AN A PIG & BR+ HIM BACK'4 ,WE CUR$ !IR BABIES ( ! CR\P & *>M$ W>TS 9TO BE+ ON ! COCKS ( FAI?LESS M54 ,WE S5T BLUE GEMS ( LI<T TO EASE !IR CRAMPS :5 !Y W]E BAD & GAVE !M SCRIPTS TO W>D (F ?OSE :O RAPE & ROB4 ,WE RAV$ & PROPHESI$ & READ ! FUTURE 9 !IR TURDS4 

,BUT DID WE KILL8 

,I ?9K WE DID4 ,OLD ,MO!R ,WISE AT LEA/ &1 YES1 P]HAPS ! ,IREL& BOY4 ,I CANNOT SAY WE DID NOT MEAN TO1 = WE SURELY DID :5 WE CALL$ \R 5*ANTM5TS D[N1 BUT = MY [N P>T ,I REGRET IT N[4 ,ANG]1 RES5TM5T1 SPITE & ALL SU* COMMON WORLDLY MOODS >E DANG]\S LUXURIES ?AT ONE :O WORKS ! ,>T CANNOT AF=D4 ,!Y WILL RETURN TO Y\1 LIKE />V+ DOGS4 ,!Y WILL EAT EV]Y?+4 

,) ,MRS ,WISE1 IT WAS BECAUSE %E W\LD NOT SELL US BUTT]MILK1 ?\< !RE WAS MORE TO IT ?AN ?AT4 ,= ONE ?+1 %E KEPT COMPANY ) ALL ! RAT-JAW$ VILLAGE WIVES ?AT CALL$ US :ORE1 & %>$ 9 ?AT OP9ION ) !M1 ?IS BECAUSE ,BOB ,WISE1 H] HUSB&1 PUT HIS H& 9SIDE MY BOSOM & WAS KISS+ ME :5 HE GOT DRUNK ! ,PL[ ,DAY BE=E LA/4 

,IT IS FUNNY N[ ,I ?9K ( IT3 HE WAS DRESS$ UP = ,PL[ ,DAY 9 ! CO/UME ( ! ,WIT* ,MAN1 AS SOMEBODY ALWAYS DOES EA* YE>4 ,HIS FACE WAS PA9T$ BLACK1 & HE HAD TWIGS & BRAN*ES TI$ AB\T HIS HEAD LIKE HORNS1 = SU* IS ! TRADITION4 ,I ASK$ HIM IF HE WAS WE>+ HORNS BECAUSE HIS WIFE WAS 9 ! HAY ) SOMEONE ELSE1 TO :I* HE ANSW]$ ?AT HE DID NOT C>E :]E %E MI<T BE SO LONG AS HE HAD ME 9/EAD1 & AFT] KISS$ ME ON ! M\? & GRABB$ MY TIT A LITTLE :ILE4 ,?\< HE WAS /\T & CO>SE & NO:]E NE> SO TALL1 :Y DID ,I NOT ?9K ( ,BOB ,WISE'S FANCY DRESS :5 FIR/ WE FET*$ ! ,BLACK-,FAC$ ,MAN8 ,:AT IS ! MEAN+ ( ?IS SIMIL>ITY1 & :Y HAVE ,I NOT ?\<T UPON IT UNTIL N[8 

,NO MATT]4 ,:5 HIS WIFE REFUS$ TO GIVE US BUTT]MILK %E CALL$ ME ALL ! H>LOTS UND]NEA? ! SUN 9TO ! B>GA91 SO ?AT ,I GREW ANGRY & REMEMB]$ ALL ! TIMES ,I'D WALK$ BETWE5 ! /ALLS AT ,\NDLE ,M>KET ) !IR %RIEKS & JIBES /ILL R++ 9 MY BURN+ E>S & ME TOO SC>$ & FULL ( RAGE TO ANSW] BACK4 ,I /ORM$ HOME1 COM+ 9TO ,M>Y'S ROOM TO WAKE H] LIKE HUNDR$ ( BRICKS 9 HI< W9D1 & ,I WAS SO CROSS ?AT = A TIME %E C\LD NOT MAKE \T ANY?+ ,I SAID4 ,:5 ,I WAS MADE A LITTLE CALM]1 ,I PREP>$ AN EFFIGY ( WAX ?AT WAS /UCK FULL ) P9S1 & ,M>Y CALL$ A :ITE ,IMP LIKE A /OAT ) BABY'S H&S ?AT ANSW]$ TO ! NAME ( ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB1 OR SOMETIMES1 :5 IT FANCI$1 ,JEL]A/A4 ,?IS APPE>$1 TALK+ AT TIMES 9 ,5GLI% BUT MORE (T5 9 A TONGUE WE ?\<T WAS ,GREEK4 ,IT SUPP$ ! NECT> FROM ! ,ROSE ( ,LI<T AT ,M>Y'S LO9S & NEXT WAS *>G$ ) ! DELIV]Y ( ?OSE HURTS B\ND 9TO MY TALL[ MANNEQU91 PI]C$ LIKE A M>TYR1 ALMO/ LO/ FROM SI<T 9SIDE A H$GE-PIG BALL ( NAIL & BODK94 ,?IS WAS 9 ! AFT]NOON4 

,?AT EV5+1 ,WID[ ,PEAK CAME BY TO VISIT4 ,?\< H] HUSB&'S NAME WAS ,PE>CE %E IS CALL$ ,WID[ ,PEAK BECAUSE H] HAIR HAS GONE BACK AT ! SIDES JU/ AS IT DOES ) M5 9 LAT] LIFE1 TO MAKE A PO9T 9 FRONT4 ,%E HAD COME 9 TO ASK IF WE MI<T GIVE H] LUCK ) M5 9 ! ,NEW ,YE>1 ?IS BE+ ,NEW ,YE>'S ,EVE1 BUT ?\< WE WROTE A *>M = H] %E W\LD NOT LEAVE1 & WAS /ILL SITT+ ) US :5 \R DOOR BLEW OP5 AS ! *UR* CLOCK *IM$ = MIDNI<T4 ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB CAME 91 RETURN$ FROM :]E HE HAD BE5 S5T1 & SLID ACROSS ! FLOOR TO LEAP 9 ,M>Y'S LAP1 :]E HE 5JOY$ ! W>M? & SC5T4 

,! WID[ GAZ$ 9 FASC9AT$ T]ROR AT ! ,IMP & !N W\LD LOOK AWAY AS IF %E WAS NOT SURE JU/ :AT IT WAS ?AT %E C\LD SEE1 OR EV5 IF %E C\LD SEE ANY?+ AT ALL4 ,IT MADE US SMILE TO SEE H] SO DISCOMFIT$1 S9CE %E HAD LONG \T/OPP$ H] WELCOME1 & ,I ?9K ?AT ,M>Y HOP$ TO FRI<T5 H] (F ALTOGE!R :5 %E SAID1 PO9T+ TO ME1 ',SEE !RE1 ! WIT* ?AT'S KILL$ OLD ,MO!R ,WISE BY MAK+ FIR/ A DOLL ( WAX1 !N /ICK+ IT ) P9S6' ,WID[ ,PEAK LEFT SOON AFT] ?IS1 & WE BO? LAU<$ AT IT1 & DID NOT ?9K ?AT !RE W]E F> MORE PRUD5T ?+S WE MI<T HAVE SAID4 

,WE LE>N$ NEXT DAY ?AT AFT] TAK+ LEAVE ( US ! WID[ HAD GONE /RAI<T ACROSS TO ,MO!R ,WISE'S H\SE1 FIR/-FOOT+1 :]E %E F\ND ! WOMAN TO BE 9 GREAT PA91 SO ?AT %E V]Y %ORTLY AFT] MIDNI<T DI$ ( IT1 ,GOD RE/ H] MEAN & DISAPPO9T$ S\L4 ,I DO NOT FEEL SO BAD = H] AS ,I FEEL OV] LITTLE ,*>LIE ,IREL&1 :O ,I ?9K WE KILL$ ! WEEK BE=E4 

,! TWO DEA?S W]E NOT UNCONNECT$4 ,9 ! CASE ( ,MRS ,WISE1 ,M>Y MADE USE ( ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB :5 MY WAX DOLL & P9S W\LD NO D\BT HAVE MADE %ORT WORK ( ! JOB ALONE4 ,%E DID ?IS1 & 9DE$ WAS GLAD TO DO IT SO ?AT %E MI<T F9D WORK = ! ,IMP & KEEP HIM HAPPY1 = IT IS A FACT ?AT ,IMPS WILL /RAY OR BECOME SNAPPI% IF !Y >E NOT EV] 9 EMPLOY1 :I* EX]CISE APPE>S TO MAKE !M /RONG]4 ,BE+ /RONG] !Y DEM& MORE WORK1 & SO ON4 ,ONCE Y\'VE CALL$ !M UP1 IT IS A DIFFICULTY KN[+ :AT TO SET !M TO1 WEEK AFT] WEEK4 

,M>Y HAD FIR/ CALL$ ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB A LITTLE PRIOR TO ,*RI/MAS1 :5 LIKE ME ) ,MRS ,WISE %E WAS CAU<T 9 A FIT ( TEMP]4 ,?IS HAD BE5 BR\<T ON BY ,*>LIE ,IREL& :O1 ) O!R LADS HIS AGE1 W\LD HANG AB\T 9 ,S\?WICK VILLAGE1 :]E WE (T5 WALK$4 ,M>Y HAD GONE TO ,S\?WICK LOOK+ = A HAM ?AT WE MI<T BOIL UP = \R D9N]1 & ON COM+ \T ! BUT*]'S WAS SURR\ND$ BY A GANG ( BOYS1 ) ,*>LIE ,IREL& AT ! HEAD ( !M4 ,URG$ BY HIS FELL[S1 HE CALL$ H] AN OLD WIT* & A :ORE & ASK$ IF %E W\LD GOBBLE ON HIS W9KLE = A F>?+4 

,I HAVE NEV] SE5 H] 9 A MOOD SO BLOODY AS :5 %E GOT HOME ?AT NI<T4 ,%E DID NOT SPEAK A WORD1 BUT W5T 9TO H] ROOM :]E FIR/1 AFT] A SIL5CE1 ,I C\LD HE> H] MAK+ NOISES AS IF %E W]E FRIGG+ (F1 & !N C\LD HE> H] TALK+ 9 A L[ VOICE1 ?\< TO :AT ,I DID NOT KN[4 ,SOME TIME W5T BY BE=E %E W\LD OP5 ! DOOR1 AT :I* %E WAS REVEAL$ /OOD NAK$ ) ! SLEEK :ITE WEASEL CREATURE :ISP]+ 9 ,FR5* AS IT COIL$ !RE AB\T H] HEELS1 BE=E NEXT D>T+ FROM ! ROOM & !NCE ! H\SE1 GONE FROM \R SI<T4 

,WE DID NOT SEE ! ,IMP AGA9 ?AT NI<T1 & ,M>Y TOLD ME ?AT %E HAD 9/RUCT$ IT TO J\RNEY UP ! D>K & EMPTY LANES & F9D ! ,IREL&S' H\SE 9 ,S\?WICK1 :]E IT WAS TO WORRY AT ! BOY'S 9SIDES1 AFFLICT+ !M ) GRIPES & PA9S4 ,! ?\<T ( HIS DISCOM=T TOOK ! $GE FROM (F H] WRA?1 & BO? ( US BELIEV$ ?AT WAS ! LA/ ( IT UNTIL ! EV5+ AFT]1 :5 ! BABY-F+]$ CREATURE CAME ONCE MORE TO US4 

,IT PAC$ & *ATT]$ 9 A MULTITUDE ( TONGUES BE=E \R HE>?1 & SEEM$ AT FIR/ TO SULK & !N BECOME 5RAG$ :5 WE DID NOT SET WORK = IT TO DO4 ,IT GL>$ AT US ) HATEFUL EYES OR TUGG$ \R SKIRTS ) HOT1 S(T LITTLE H&S & W\LD NOT LEAVE DESPITE \R PLEAS & \R COMM&S ?AT IT %\LD DO SO4 ,NEXT IT />T$ UP TO RAIL AT US 9 ,5GLI%1 :5 IT TOLD US ?AT WE MU/ N[ CALL IT ,JEL]A/A1 & ?AT IT W\LD NOT P]MIT US SLEEP UNTIL WE F\ND A TASK 9 KEEP+ ) ITS NATURE4 

,9 ! SMALL H\RS ( ! MORN+1 ) MY SPIRIT AT ITS L[E/1 ,I BEGG$ ,M>Y TO CONTRIVE AN ]R& = ! BEA/ LE/ ,I GO MAD &1 WEAK5+ TO SEE MY WEAKNESS1 %E CONS5T$4 ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB 7OR ,JEL]A/A7 WAS ONCE MORE S5T \T TO NIBBLE ON ! B[ELS ( ! UNLUCKY *ILD &1 AS WE LAT] HE>D1 CAUSE HIM TO UTT] NOISES LIKE A DOG4 ,:5 ON ! NEXT NI<T FOLL[+ ! CREATURE CAME TO VISIT US AGA9 IT WAS MORE BIG & MORE P]SI/5T1 LEAV+ US NO *OICE BUT TO DIRECT IT ONCE AGA9 TO ,S\?WICK & ! ,IREL& HOME4 

,?IS TIME IT CAME BACK ALMO/ /RAI<T AWAY1 )9 ! H\R1 & SEEM$ BO? FURI\S & VEX$4 ,IT TOLD US1 SOMETIMES FALL+ 9TO O!R LANGUAGES \T ( EXASP]ATION1 ?AT ! P>5TS ( ! *ILD1 NO D\BT ADVIS$ BY 9T]F]+ BUSYBODIES1 HAD FILL$ UP A /ONE J> ) ! BOY'S PEE 9TO :I* !Y HAD DROPP$ P9S & NE$LES MADE ( IRON BE=E !Y BURI$ IT B5EA? !IR FIRE-HE>?4 ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB1 = REASONS ?AT ! ,IMP C\LD NOT EXPLA91 WAS /OPP$ FROM GO+ 9 ! H\SE BY ?IS PROTECTION1 & HAD SO RETURN$ TO US TO KEEP US UP ALL NI<T ) HORRID TWEAKS & TUGS & =EIGN PHRASES ( COMPLA9T4 

,NEXT DAY1 WE BO? W5T BLE>Y & CONTRITE TO SEE ! MO!R ( ! BOY1 :]E WE CONFESS$ \R CRIME & BEGG$ H] DIG ! BOTTLE UP & GIVE US IT :I*1 FOOLI%LY1 ONCE WE HAD PROMIS$ ?AT H] SON W\LD AFT]W>DS BE LEFT UN9JUR$1 %E AGRE$ TO DO4 ,?AT NI<T ! :ITE ,IMP ,JEL]A/A KILL$ ,*>LES ,IREL& 9 HIS B$ :ILE WE SLEPT S\ND AS NEWBORN BABES4 ,WE US$ ! P9S & NE$LES ?AT WE'D F\ND 9SIDE ! J> ( PISS TO SEE TO ,MO!R ,WISE ?AT FOLL[+ WEEK1 :]EAFT] ,SUCK-,MY-,?UMB SEEM$ SATISFI$1 SO ?AT WE HAVE NOT SE5 HIM S9CE ?AT TIME4 

,?OSE W]E \R MURD]S4 ,?OSE ,I WILL LAY CLAIM TO1 BUT NO MORE4 ,WE DID NOT KILL ! ,GORHAM *ILD1 NOR /RIKE ! ,WID[ ,BR\<TON LAME BECAUSE %E HAD D5I$ US PEASECODS4 ,NO MORE DID WE /RIKE D[N ,JOHN ,WEBB'S C>?ORSE :5 HE SAID ?AT WE W]E WIT*ES1 = HIS HORSE DI$ LONG BE=E WE FIR/ MET ) ! ,BLACK-,FAC$-,MAN4 ,WE W]E NOT WIT*ES !N1 NOR W]E WE CALL$ AS SU*1 BUT ONLY :ORES4 ,ASIDE FROM ?AT ! HORSE WAS OLD & ROTT+ :]E IT /OOD4 ,:O W\LD EXHAU/ !MSELVES BY US+ ,SORC]Y TO KILL IT1 :5 A /RONG W9D W\LD AS WELL SUFFICE8 

,M9D Y\1 :5 ,BOSS & ,S\?WEL CAME TO CALL ON US WE READILY CONFESS$ TO ALL !SE ?+S1 AS IF WE HAD A *OICE 9 IT4 ,!Y %OV$ US BO? AB\T & MADE US CRY & TOLD US ?AT IF WE DID NOT CONFESS WE %\LD BE KILL$1 :]EAS IF WE W\LD [N TO ',LIZBE? ,GORHAM'S MURD] & SOME O!RS WE %\LD BE SET FREE4 ,?\< WE DID NOT BELIEVE ! LA/ P>T ( !IR PROMISE1 WE BELIEV$ ! FIR/ & SO MADE FULL ACC\NT ( ALL \R DE$S1 BO? REAL & O!RWISE4 

,9 TIME !RE WAS A SORT ( ,TRIAL1 ?\< SO GREAT WAS ! BAD OP9ION RAIS$ AGA9/ US1 ) ,BOB ,WISE & ,*>LIE ,IREL&'S MO!R WAIL+ FROM ! GALL]Y1 ITS \TCOME WAS MADE PLA9 BE=E IT HAD BEGUN1 :]EAFT] MATT]S W]E CONCLUD$ ) AN UNDUE HA/E & WE W]E TAK5 TO ,NOR?AMPTON ,JAIL !RE TO AWAIT \R BURN+4 

,BY ?AT TIME1 WE HAD NOT ANY REASON TO PRET5D1 NOR CALL \R ,P[] TO RE91 & :ILE WE W]E LOCK$ UP WE CURS$ & LAU<$ BO? DAY & NI<T1 & BR\<T AB\T ! MO/ AL>M+ SC5ES4 

,!RE WAS AN AFT]NOON :5 VISITORS W]E LET 9TO ! JAIL TO SEE ! SI<TS2 TO ?RILL & %UDD] AT ! 9MATES 9 !IR WRET*$NESS4 ,A MAN CALL$ ,LAXON & HIS WIFE HAD COME ESPECIALLY TO VIEW ! FAM\S WIT*ES :O W]E TO BE BURN$4 ,BO? ( !M /OOD SOME TIME \TSIDE \R CELL &1 ?\< ! HUSB& HAD NOT MU* TO SAY1 HIS WIFE WAS FULL ( GOOD ADVICE4 ,%E MADE SOME V]Y PI\S TALK AB\T ! ]ROR ( \R WAYS1 & TOLD US ?AT \R SITUATION PROV$ ! ,DEVIL HAD DES]T$ US AS HE DID ALL :O FOLL[$ HIM4 

,IT MAY BE EASILY IMAG9$ ?AT ,I SOON WAS TIR$ ) ,MRS ,LAXON'S C\NSEL1 & SO HAD REC\RSE TO MUTT] C]TA9 NAMES & ABJURATIONS 9 ! ,ANGEL ,TONGUE1 SO ?AT ) BUT A M9UTE OR SO PASS$ ! WOMAN'S SKIRTS & SMOCK BEGAN TO RISE 9TO ! AIR1 ?\< BO? %E & H] HUSB& MADE L\D CRIES & TRI$ TO /OP !M FLOAT+ UPW>DS 9 ?IS MANN]1 UNTIL ALL H] CLO?+ WAS TURN$ 9SIDE \T ABOVE H] HEAD & %E WAS %[N 9 ALL H] NAK$NESS4 ,BO? ME & ,M>Y LAU<$ TO SEE ?IS1 & ,I TOLD ! WOMAN ?AT ,I'D PROV$ %E WAS A LI>4 

,SOME DAYS AFT]1 WE W]E /ILL 9 FITS AB\T ! LOOK ON ,MR ,LAXON'S FACE1 & KICK$ UP SU* A NOISE IT BR\<T ! ,KEEP] ( ! ,PRISON TO \R CELL1 :O ?REAT5$ US ) IRONS4 ,WE SAID ! ,GORGO & ! ,MORMO AT HIM1 AFT] :I* HE WAS COMPELL$ TO TE> (F ALL HIS CLO?+ & DANCE NAK$ 9 ! PRISON Y>D AN H\R OR MORE UNTIL HE FELL EXHAU/$ ) ! FOAM DRI$ :ITE UPON HIS LIPS4 

,WE HAD \R FUN1 & AT ! 5D ( IT !Y FET*$ US \T & BURN$ US BO? TO DU/4 ,!Y HAD A /RONG] ,MAGIC4 ,?\< !IR BOOKS & WORDS W]E LIFELESS1 DRE> & NOT SO PRETTY AS \R [N1 !Y HAD A GREAT] HEAV9ESS1 & SO AT LA/ !Y DRAGG$ US D[N4 ,\R ,>T CONC]NS ALL ?AT MAY *ANGE OR MOVE 9 LIFE1 BUT ) !IR 5DLESS WRIT !Y SEEK TO MAKE LIFE /ILL1 ?AT SOON IT %ALL BE SUFFOCAT$1 CRU%$ B5EA? !IR MANUSCRIPTS4 ,= MY P>T1 ,I W\LD SOON] HAVE ! ,FIRE4 ,AT LEA/ IT DANCES4 ,PASSION IS NOT /RANGE TO IT4 

,I LOOK AB\T & SEE ?AT IT IS LAT]1 & ! SKY IS D>K N[1 :5 NOT LONG AGO IT WAS ! MORN+4 ,:]E HAVE ALL ! CR[D DEP>T$ TO8 ,M>Y & ,I >E ALMO/ GONE2 A SULL51 P[D]$ GL[] AMONG ! COOL+ A%4 ,TOMORR[1 LITTLE GIRLS WILL DANCE BETWE5 \R RIBS1 ! B[$ BONES *>R$ & HEAP$ LIKE P>$-(F NAILS FROM DIRTY GIANTS4 ,!Y WILL S+1 & KICK UP GRAY & SUFFOCAT+ CL\DS ( US1 & IF ! W9D %\LD BL[ \R FRAGM5TS 9TO SOMEONE'S EYE1 :Y1 !N !RE MAY BE TE>S4 

,! EMB]S W9K \T1 ONE BY ONE4 ,SOON1 !Y >E GONE4 ,SOON1 ONLY ! ,IDEA ( US REMA9S4 ,T5 YE>S AGO 9 ! LABURNUM FIELD WE LOOK 9TO EA* O!R'S EYES & HOLD \R BREA?4 ,A BEETLE TICKS1 D[N 9 ! GRASS4 ,WE'RE WAIT+4 

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