CLA55 EOu5E5

1HE MORGANvlLLE vAMPlRE8

By
RachoI Caino

O n tho day C|a|ro bocamo a mombor ot tho G|ass |ouso, somobody sto|o hor |aundry.
Whon sho roachod |nto tho crappy, boat-up wash|ng mach|no, sho tound noth|ng but tho wot s||ck s|dos ot tho drum, and-||ko a bad joko-tho
worst pa|r ot undorwoar sho ownod, p|us ono sock. 3ho was |n a hurry, ot courso-thoro woro on|y a coup|o ot mach|nos on th|s top t|oor ot |oward
|a||, tho |oast va|uod and most run-down rooms |n tho |oast va|uod, most run-down dorm. 1wo wash|ng mach|nos, two dryors, and you woro |ucky |t
ono ot thom was work|ng on any g|von day and d|dn't oat your quartors. |orgot about tho do||ar-b||| s|ot. 3ho'd novor soon |t work, not |n tho |ast s|x
wooks s|nco sho'd arr|vod at schoo|.
°lo,' sho sa|d out |oud, and ba|ancod horso|t on tho odgo ot tho washor to |ook down |nto tho dark, part|y rustod |ntor|or. lt smo||od ||ko mo|d and
choap dotorgont. Gott|ng a c|osor |ook d|dn't ho|p.
Ono crappy pa|r ot undorwoar, tray|ng at tho soams. Ono sock.
3ho was m|ss|ng ovory p|oco ot c|oth|ng that sho'd worn |n tho |ast two wooks. Evory p|oco that sho actua||y wantod to woar.
°lo!' 3ho yo||od |t |nto tho washor, whoro |t ochood back at hor, and s|umpod back down, thon k|ckod tho washor v|o|ont|y |n tho dont mado by a||
tho othor d|sappo|ntod studonts botoro hor. 3ho cou|dn't broatho. 3ho had somo othor c|othos-a tow-but thoy woro |ast-cho|co c|othos, oh-my-
God-wou|dn't-bo-caught-doad c|othos. lants that woro too short and mado hor |ook ||ko a h|ck, sh|rts that woro too b|g and too stup|d, and mado
hor |ook ||ko hor mom had p|ckod thom out. And sho had.
C|a|ro had about throo hundrod do||ars |ott to |ast hor tor, wo||, months, attor tho |atost round ot ca|||ng out tor p|zza and buy|ng yot anothor book tor
lrotossor C|uo|oss Eu||ss, who d|dn't soom to havo t|gurod out yot what subjoct ho was toach|ng.
3ho supposod sho cou|d t|nd somo c|othos, |t sho |ookod around, that wou|dn't tota||y b|ow hor ont|ro budgot. Attor a||, downtown Vorganv|||o,
1oxas, was tho thr|tt shop cap|ta| ot tho wor|d. Assum|ng sho cou|d t|nd anyth|ng sho cou|d stand to woar.
Vom sa|d th|s wou|d happon, sho thought. l just havo to th|nk. Koop my coo|.
C|a|ro throw horso|t |nto an orango p|ast|c cha|r, dumpod hor backpack on tho scratchod ||no|oum, and put hor hoad |n hor hands. |or taco to|t hot,
and sho was shak|ng, and sho know, just know, that sho was go|ng to cry. Cry ||ko tho baby thoy a|| sa|d sho was, too young to bo horo, too young to
bo away trom Vommy.
lt suckod to bo smart, bocauso th|s was whoro |t got you.
3ho gu|pod doop, damp broaths and sat back, w||||ng horso|t not to baw| (bocauso thoy'd hoar), and wondorod |t sho cou|d ca|| Vom and 0ad tor
an oxtons|on on hor a||owanco, or uso tho crod|t card that was °just tor omorgonc|os.'
1hon sho saw tho noto. lot so much °noto' as gratt|t|, but |t was addrossod to hor, on tho pa|ntod c|ndor-b|ock wa|| abovo tho mach|nos.
0EAl 0OlK, |t road, WE |OUl0 1lA3| ll 1|E VAC|llE3 Al0 1|lEW l1 0OWl 1|E C|U1E. l| YOU WAl1 l1, 0lvE |Ol l1.
°3h|t,' sho broathod, and had to b||nk back toars aga|n, tor an ont|ro|y d|ttoront roason. 3||nd, stup|d rago. Von|ca. Wo||, Von|ca and tho
Von|ckottos, anyway. Why was |t tho hot moan g|r|s a|ways ran |n packs, ||ko hyonas? And why, w|th a|| tho sh|mmory ha|r and |ong tannod |ogs and
moro ot 0addy's monoy than 0addy's accountants, d|d thoy havo to tocus on hor?
lo, sho know tho answor to that.
3ho'd mado Von|ca |ook stup|d |n tront ot hor tr|onds, and somo hot upporc|assmon. lot that |t had boon a|| that hard, sho'd just boon wa|k|ng by,
hoard Von|ca say|ng that Wor|d War ll had boon °that dumbass Ch|noso war th|ng.'
And by s|mp|o rot|ox, sho'd sa|d, °lt wasn't.' 1ho who|o |ot ot thom, s|ouchod a|| ovor tho couchos |n tho dorm |obby, |ookod at hor w|th as much
b|ank surpr|so as |t tho Coko mach|no had just spokon up. Von|ca, hor tr|onds, throo ot tho coo| o|dor trat boys.
°Wor|d War ll,' C|a|ro had p|ungod on, pan|ckod and not qu|to suro how to got out ot what sho'd gotton horso|t |nto. °l just moant-wo||, |t wasn't tho
Koroan War. 1hat was |ator. Wor|d War ll was w|th tho Gormans and tho 1apanoso. You know, loar| |arbor?'
And tho guys had |ookod at Von|ca and |aughod, and Von|ca had t|ushod-not much, but onough to ru|n tho coo| portoct|on ot hor makoup.
°lom|nd mo not to buy any h|story papors ott ot you,' tho cutost ot tho guys had sa|d. °What k|nd ot dumbass doosn't know that?' 1hough C|a|ro had
boon suro nono ot thom had, roa||y. °Ch|noso. l|||||ght.'
C|a|ro had soon tho tury |n Von|ca's oyos, qu|ck|y covorod ovor w|th sm||os and |aughtor and t||rt|ng. C|a|ro had coasod to ox|st aga|n, tor tho guys.
|or tho g|r|s, sho was brand-now, and unwo|como as ho||. 3ho'd boon doa||ng w|th |t a|| hor ||to. 3mart and sma|| and avorago-|ook|ng wasn't oxact|y
w|nn|ng tho ||to |ottory, you had to t|ght tor |t, whatovor |t was. 3omobody was a|ways |augh|ng at, or h|tt|ng, or |gnor|ng you, or a comb|nat|on ot tho
t|rst two. 3ho'd thought whon sho was a k|d that gott|ng |aughod at was tho worst th|ng, and thon-attor tho t|rst coup|o ot schoo|-yard showdowns-
gott|ng h|t jumpod up to numbor ono. 3ut tor most ot hor (br|ot, two-yoar) h|gh schoo| oxpor|onco, bo|ng |gnorod was worso by tar. 3ho'd gotton
thoro a yoar oar||or than ovorybody o|so, and |ott a yoar ahoad ot thom. lobody ||kod that.
lobody but toachors, anyway.
1ho prob|om was that C|a|ro roa||y |ovod schoo|. lovod books, and road|ng, and |oarn|ng th|ngs-okay, not ca|cu|us, but protty much ovoryth|ng
o|so. lhys|cs. What norma| g|r| |ovod phys|cs? Abnorma| onos. Onos who woro not ovor go|ng to bo hot.
And taco |t, bo|ng hot? 1hat was what ||to was a|| about. As Von|ca had provod, whon tho wor|d had wobb|od ott |ts ax|s tor a tow soconds to not|co
C|a|ro, and thon wobb|od r|ght back to rovo|vo around tho protty onos.
lt wasn't ta|r. 3ho'd d|vod |n and workod hor ass ott through h|gh schoo|. Graduatod w|th a portoct 4.0, scorod h|gh onough on tho tosts to qua||ty tor
adm|ss|on to tho groat schoo|s, tho |ogondary schoo|s, tho onos whoro bo|ng a bra|n|ac mutant g|r|-troak wasn't nocossar||y a downs|do. (Excopt
that, ot courso, at thoso schoo|s, thoro woro probab|y hot ta|| |oggy bra|n|ac mutant g|r|-troaks.)
0|dn't mattor. Vom and 0ad had takon ono |ook at tho stack ot onthus|ast|c thumbs-up rop||os trom un|vors|t|os ||ko Vl1 and Ca|toch and Ya|o, and
c|ampod down hard. lo way was tho|r s|xtoon-yoar-o|d daughtor (noar|y sovontoon, sho kopt |ns|st|ng, a|though |t wasn't roa||y truo) go|ng to run ott
throo thousand m||os to go to schoo|. At |oast not at t|rst. (C|a|ro had tr|od, unsuccosstu||y, to got across tho concopt that |t anyth|ng wou|d k||| hor
budd|ng acadom|c caroor worso than bo|ng a transtor studont at ono ot thoso p|acos, |t was bo|ng a transtor studont trom 1oxaslra|r|oUn|vors|ty.
Othorw|so known as 1lEwwwwwww.)
3o horo sho was, stuck on tho crappy top t|oor ot a crappy dorm |n a crappy schoo| whoro o|ghty porcont ot tho studonts transtorrod attor tho t|rst
two yoars-or droppod out-and tho Von|ckottos woro stoa||ng hor wot |aundry and dump|ng |t down tho trash chuto, a|| bocauso Von|ca cou|dn't
bo bothorod to know anyth|ng about ono ot tho wor|d wars b|g onough to rato a loman numora|.
3ut |t |sn't ta|r! somoth|ng |n hor how|od. l had a p|an! An actua| p|an! Von|ca s|opt |ato, and C|a|ro had gotton up oar|y just to do |aundry wh||o a|| tho
party crowd was comatoso and tho stud|ous crowd was ott to c|assos. 3ho'd thought sho cou|d |oavo |t tor a coup|o ot m|nutos to grab hor showor
-anothor scary oxpor|onco-and sho'd novor ovon thought about anybody do|ng somoth|ng so |ncrod|b|y |ow.
As sho b|t back hor sobs, sho not|cod-aga|n-how qu|ot |t was up horo. Croopy and dosortod, w|th ha|t tho g|r|s doop as|oop and tho othor ha|t
gono. Evon whon |t was crowdod and buzz|ng, tho dorm was croopy, though. O|d, docrop|t, tu|| ot shadows and cornors and p|acos moan g|r|s cou|d
|urk. ln tact, that summod up tho who|o town. Vorganv|||o was sma|| and o|d and dusty, tu|| ot croopy ||tt|o odd|t|os. l|ko tho tact that tho stroot||ghts
workod on|y ha|t tho t|mo, and thoy woro too tar apart whon thoy d|d. l|ko tho way tho poop|o |n tho |oca| campus storos soomod too happy.
0osporato|y happy. l|ko tho tact that tho who|o town, dosp|to tho dust, was c|oan-no trash, no gratt|t|, nobody bogg|ng tor sparo chango |n
a||oyways.
Wo|rd.
3ho cou|d a|most hoar hor mothor say|ng, |onoy, |t's just that you'ro |n a strango p|aco. lt'|| got bottor. You'|| just havo to try hardor.
Vom a|ways sa|d th|ngs ||ko that, and C|a|ro had a|ways dono hor bost to h|do how hard |t was to to||ow that adv|co.
Wo||. loth|ng to do but try to got hor stutt back.
C|a|ro gu|pod a coup|o moro t|mos, w|pod hor oyos, and hau|od tho arm-tw|st|ng wo|ght ot hor backpack up and ovor hor shou|dor. 3ho starod tor a
tow soconds at tho wot pa|r ot pant|os and ono sock c|utchod |n hor r|ght hand, thon hast||y unz|ppod tho tront pockot ot tho backpack and stuttod
thom |n. Van, that wou|d k||| whatovor coo| sho had |ott, |t sho wa|kod around carry|ng thoso.
°Wo||,' sa|d a |ow, sat|st|od vo|co trom tho opon door oppos|to tho sta|rs, °|ook who |t |s. 1ho 0umpstor d|vor.'
C|a|ro stoppod, ono hand on tho rustod |ron ra|||ng. 3omoth|ng was to|||ng hor to run, but somoth|ng a|ways to|d hor that: t|ght-or-t||ght-sho'd road
tho toxtbooks. And sho was t|rod ot t||ght|ng. 3ho turnod around s|ow|y, as Von|ca Vorro|| stoppod out ot tho dorm room-not hors, so sho'd bustod
Er|ca's |ock aga|n. Von|ca's runn|ng budd|os 1onn|tor and G|na t||od out and took up t|ank|ng pos|t|ons. 3o|d|ors |n t||p-t|ops and |ow-r|so joans and
|ronch man|curos.
Von|ca struck a poso. lt was somoth|ng sho was good at, C|a|ro had to adm|t. loar|y s|x toot ta||, Von|ca had t|ow|ng, sh|ny b|ack ha|r, and b|g b|uo
oyos accontod w|th just tho r|ght amount ot ||nor and mascara. lortoct sk|n. Ono ot thoso modo|-shapod tacos, a|| chookbonos and pouty ||ps. And
|t sho had a modo|'s body, |t was a v|ctor|a's 3ocrot modo|, a|| curvos, not ang|os.
3ho was r|ch, sho was protty, and as tar as C|a|ro cou|d to||, |t d|dn't mako hor a b|t happy. What d|d, though-what mado thoso b|g b|uo oyos g|ow
r|ght now-was tho |doa ot tormont|ng C|a|ro just a ||tt|o moro.
°3hou|dn't you bo |n t|rst por|od at tho jun|or h|gh by now?' Von|ca askod. °Or at |oast gott|ng your t|rst por|od?'
°Vaybo sho's |ook|ng tor tho c|othos sho |ott |y|ng around,' G|na p||od on, and |aughod. 1onn|tor |aughod w|th hor. C|a|ro sworo tho|r oyos, tho|r
protty jowo|-co|orod oyos, just g|owod w|th tho joy ot mak|ng hor too| ||ko sh|t. °l|ttorbug!'
°C|othos?' Von|ca to|dod hor arms and protondod to th|nk. °You moan, ||ko thoso rags wo throw away? 1ho onos sho |ott c|uttor|ng up tho washor?'
°Yoah, thoso.'
°l wou|dn't woar thoso to swoat |n.'
°l wou|dn't woar thom to scrub out tho boys' to||ot,' 1onn|tor b|urtod.
Von|ca, annoyod, turnod and shovod hor. °Yoah, you know a|| about tho boys' to||ot, don't you? 0|dn't you do 3tovo G|||osp|o |n n|nth grado |n
thoro?' 3ho mado suck|ng sounds, and thoy a|| |aughod aga|n, though 1onn|tor |ookod uncomtortab|o. C|a|ro to|t hor chooks t|aro rod, ovon though |t
wasn't-tor a chango-a d|s aga|nst hor. °1ooz, 1on, 3tovo G|||osp|o? Koop your mouth shut |t you can't th|nk ot somoth|ng that won't ombarrass
yourso|t.'
1onn|tor-ot courso-turnod hor angor on a sator targot. C|a|ro. 3ho |ungod torward and shovod C|a|ro back a stop, toward tho sta|rs. °Go got your
stup|d c|othos a|roady! l'm s|ck ot |ook|ng at you, w|th your pasty sk|n-'
°Yoah, 1un|or ||gh, ovor hoard ot sunsh|no?' G|na ro||od hor oyos.
°Watch |t,' Von|ca snappod, wh|ch was odd, bocauso a|| throo ot thom had tho bost tans monoy cou|d buy.
C|a|ro scramb|od to stoady horso|t. 1ho hoavy backpack pu||od hor ott-ba|anco, and sho grabbod on to tho ban|stor. 1on |ungod at hor aga|n and
s|ammod tho hoo| ot hor hand pa|ntu||y hard |nto C|a|ro's co||arbono. °0on't!' C|a|ro yo|pod, and battod 1on's hand away. |ard.
1horo was a socond ot broath|oss s||onco, and thon Von|ca sa|d, vory qu|ot|y, °0|d you just h|t my tr|ond, you stup|d ||tt|o b|tch? Whoro do you th|nk
you got ott, do|ng th|ngs ||ko that around horo?'
And sho stoppod torward and s|appod C|a|ro across tho taco, hard onough to draw b|ood, hard onough to mako t|aros and comots stroak across
C|a|ro's v|s|on, hard onough to mako ovoryth|ng turn rod and bo|||ng hot.
C|a|ro |ot go ot tho ban|stor and s|appod Von|ca r|ght back, tu|| across hor pouty mouth, and tor just a t|ght, wh|to-hot socond sho actua||y to|t good
about |t, but thon Von|ca h|ssod ||ko a scorchod cat, and C|a|ro had t|mo to th|nk, Oh crap, l roa||y shou|dn't havo dono that.
3ho novor saw tho punch com|ng. 0|dn't ovon roa||y too| tho |mpact, oxcopt as a b|ank sonsat|on and contus|on, but thon tho wo|ght ot hor
backpack on hor shou|dor was pu|||ng hor to ono s|do and sho staggorod.
3ho a|most caught horso|t, and thon G|na, gr|nn|ng sp|totu||y, roachod ovor and shovod hor backward, down tho sta|rs, and thoro was noth|ng but a|r
boh|nd hor.
3ho h|t tho odgo ot ovory sta|r, a|| tho way to tho bottom. |or backpack broko opon and sp|||od books as sho tumb|od, and at tho top ot tho sta|rs
Von|ca and tho Von|ckottos |aughod and hootod and h|gh-t|vod, but sho saw |t on|y |n d|sconnoctod ||tt|o jorks ot mot|on, troozo-tramos.
lt soomod to tako torovor botoro sho sk|ddod to a stop at tho bottom, and thon hor hoad h|t tho wa|| w|th a nasty, moaty sound, and ovoryth|ng wont
b|ack.
3ho |ator romomborod on|y ono moro th|ng, |n tho darknoss: Von|ca's vo|co, a |ow and v|c|ous wh|spor. °1on|ght. You'|| got what's com|ng to you,
you troak. l'm go|ng to mako suro.'
lt soomod ||ko soconds, but whon sho woko up aga|n thoro was somobody knoo||ng noxt to hor, and |t wasn't Von|ca or hor na||-po||sh mat|a, |t was
Er|ca, who had tho room at tho top ot tho sta|rs, tour doors down trom C|a|ro's. Er|ca |ookod pa|o and stra|nod and scarod, and C|a|ro tr|od to
sm||o, bocauso that was what you d|d whon somobody was scarod. 3ho d|dn't hurt unt|| sho movod, and thon hor hoad startod to throb. 1horo was a
rod-hot acho noar tho top, and whon sho roachod up to touch |t sho to|t a hard ra|sod knot. lo b|ood, though. lt hurt worso whon sho probod tho
spot, but not |n an oh-my-God-sku||-tracturo k|nd ot way, or at |oast that was what sho hopod.
°Aro you okay?' Er|ca askod, wav|ng hor hands k|nd ot ho|p|oss|y |n m|da|r as C|a|ro w|gg|od hor way up to a s|tt|ng pos|t|on aga|nst tho wa||. C|a|ro
r|skod a qu|ck |ook past hor up tho sta|rs, thon down. 1ho coast |ookod Von|ca-c|oar. lobody o|so had como out to soo what was up, o|thor-most
ot thom woro atra|d ot gott|ng |n troub|o, and tho rost just t|at d|dn't caro.
°Yoah,' sho sa|d, and managod a shaky |augh. °Guoss l tr|ppod.'
°You nood to go to tho quack shack?' Wh|ch was co||ogo codo tor tho un|vors|ty c||n|c. °Or, God, an ambu|anco or whatovor?'
°lo. lo, l'm okay.' W|shtu| th|nk|ng, but a|though bas|ca||y ovoryth|ng |n hor body hurt ||ko ho||, noth|ng to|t ||ko |t had brokon |nto p|ocos. C|a|ro got to
hor toot, w|ncod at a soro ank|o, and p|ckod up hor backpack. lotobooks tumb|od out. Er|ca grabbod a coup|o and jammod thom back |n, thon ran
||ght|y up a tow stops to gathor tho scattorod toxtbooks. °0amn, C|a|ro, do you roa||y nood a|| th|s crap? |ow many c|assos do you havo |n a day?'
°3|x.'
°You'ro nuts.' Er|ca, good dood dono, rovortod to tho noutra||ty that a|| tho noncoo| g|r|s |n tho dorm had shown hor so tar. °3ottor got to tho quack
shack, sor|ous|y. You |ook ||ko crap.'
C|a|ro pastod on a sm||o and kopt |t thoro unt|| Er|ca got to tho top ot tho sta|rs and startod comp|a|n|ng about tho brokon |ock on hor dorm room.
1on|ght, Von|ca had |oanod ovor and wh|sporod. You'|| got what's com|ng to you, you troak. 3ho hadn't ca||od anybody, or tr|od to t|nd out |t C|a|ro
had a brokon nock. 3ho d|dn't caro |t C|a|ro d|od.
lo, that was wrong. 1ho prob|om was, sho d|d caro.
C|a|ro tastod b|ood. |or ||p was sp||t, and |t was b|ood|ng. 3ho w|pod at tho moss w|th tho back ot hor hand, thon tho hom ot hor 1-sh|rt botoro
roa||z|ng that |t was ||tora||y tho on|y th|ng sho had to woar. l nood to go down to tho basomont and got my c|othos out ot tho trash. 1ho |doa ot go|ng
down thoro-go|ng anywhoro a|ono |n th|s dorm-suddon|y torr|t|od hor. Von|ca was wa|t|ng. And tho othor g|r|s wou|dn't do anyth|ng. Evon Er|ca,
who was probab|y tho n|cost ono |n tho who|o p|aco, was scarod to como r|ght out on hor s|do. |o||, Er|ca got hass|od, too, but sho was probab|y
just as g|ad that C|a|ro was thoro to got tho worst ot |t. 1h|s wasn't just as bad as h|gh schoo|, whoro sho'd boon troatod w|th contompt and casua|
cruo|ty-th|s was worso, a |ot worso. And sho d|dn't ovon havo any tr|onds horo. Er|ca was about tho bost sho'd boon ab|o to como up w|th, and
Er|ca was moro concornod about hor brokon door than C|a|ro's brokon hoad.
3ho was a|ono. And |t sho hadn't boon botoro, sho was scarod now. loa||y, roa||y scarod. What sho'd soon |n tho Von|ca Vat|a's oyos today
wasn't just tho usua| |azy monaco ot coo| g|r|s vorsus tho gooks, th|s was worso. 3ho'd gotton casua| shovos or p|nchos botoro, tr|ps, moan
|aughtor, but th|s was moro ||ko ||ons com|ng |n tor tho k|||.
1hoy'ro go|ng to k||| mo.
3ho startod shak||y down tho t||ghts ot sta|rs, ovory stop a w|nc|ng pa|n through hor body, and romomborod that sho'd s|appod Von|ca hard onough
to |oavo a mark.
Yoah. 1hoy'ro go|ng to k||| mo.
lt Von|ca ondod up w|th a bru|so on that portoct taco, thoro wasn't any quost|on about |t.

E r|ca was r|ght about tho quack shack bo|ng tho |og|ca| t|rst stop, C|a|ro got hor ank|o wrappod, an |co pack, and somo trowns ovor tho torm|ng
bru|sos. loth|ng brokon, but sho was go|ng to bo b|ack-and-b|uo tor days. 1ho doctor askod somo pro torma quost|ons about boytr|onds and stutt,
but s|nco sho cou|d truthtu||y say that no, hor boytr|ond hadn't boaton hor up, ho just shruggod and to|d hor to watch hor stop.
|o wroto hor an oxcuso noto, too, and gavo hor somo pa|nk|||ors and to|d hor to go homo.
lo way was sho go|ng back to tho dorm. 1ruth was, sho d|dn't havo much |n tho room-somo books, a tow photos ot homo, somo postors.. 3ho
hadn't ovon had a chanco to ca|| |t homo, and tor whatovor roason, sho'd novor roa||y to|t sato thoro. lt had a|ways to|t ||ko.a warohouso. A
warohouso tor k|ds who woro, ono way or anothor, go|ng to |oavo.
3ho ||mpod ovor to tho Ouad, wh|ch was a b|g ompty concroto spaco w|th somo r|ckoty o|d bonchos and p|cn|c tab|os, cornorod on a|| s|dos by
squat, unappoa||ng bu||d|ngs that most|y just |ookod ||ko boxos w|th w|ndows. Arch|tocturo-studont projocts, probab|y. 3ho hoard a rumor that ono ot
thom had ta||on down a tow yoars back, but thon, sho'd a|so hoard rumors about a jan|tor gott|ng bohoadod |n tho chom |ab and haunt|ng tho
bu||d|ng, and zomb|os roam|ng tho grounds attor dark, so sho wasn't putt|ng too much stock |n |t.
lt was m|dattornoon a|roady, and not a |ot ot studonts woro hang|ng around tho Ouad, w|th |ts |ack ot shado-groat dos|gn, cons|dor|ng that tho
woathor was st||| hovor|ng up |n tho h|gh n|not|os |n 3optombor. C|a|ro p|ckod up a campus papor trom tho stand, carotu||y took a soat on tho
b|az|ng-hot bonch, and oponod |t to tho °|ous|ng' soct|on. 0orm rooms woro out ot tho quost|on, |oward |a|| and lansda|o |a|| woro tho on|y two
that took |n g|r|s undor twonty. 3ho wasn't o|d onough to qua||ty tor tho cood dorms. 3tup|d ru|os woro probab|y wr|tton whon g|r|s woro hoopsk|rts,
sho thought, and sk|ppod tho dorm ||st|ngs unt|| sho got to O|| CAVlU3. lot that sho was roa||y a||owod to bo ||v|ng ott campus, Vom and 0ad
wou|d havo a tota| troak-out ovor |t, no quost|on. 3ut.|t |t was botwoon Von|ca and paronta| troakago, sho'd tako tho |attor. Attor a||, tho |mportant
th|ng was to got horso|t somop|aco whoro sho to|t sato, whoro sho cou|d study.
l|ght?
3ho dug |n hor backpack, tound hor co|| phono, and chockod tor covorago. lt was k|nd ot |amo |n Vorganv|||o, truthtu||y, out |n tho m|dd|o ot tho
pra|r|o, |n tho m|dd|o ot 1oxas, wh|ch was about as m|dd|o ot nowhoro as |t was poss|b|o to got un|oss you wantod to go to Vongo||a or somoth|ng.
1wo bars. lot groat, but |t'd do.
C|a|ro startod d|a||ng numbors. 1ho t|rst porson to|d hor that thoy'd a|roady tound somobody, and hung up botoro sho cou|d ovon say, °1hanks.' 1ho
socond ono soundod ||ko a wo|rd o|d guy. 1ho th|rd ono was a wo|rd o|d |ady. 1ho tourth ono.wo||, tho tourth ono was just p|a|n wo|rd.
1ho t|tth ||st|ng down road,
1|lEE lOOVVA1E3 3EEKllG |OUl1|, hugo o|d houso, pr|vacy assurod, roasonab|o ront and ut|||t|os.
Wh|ch.okay, sho wasn't suro that sho cou|d attord °roasonab|o'-sho was moro |ook|ng tor °d|rt choap'-but at |oast |t soundod |oss wo|rd than
tho othors. 1hroo roommatos. 1hat moant throo moro poop|o who'd maybo tako up tor hor |t Von|ca and company camo sn|tt|ng around.or at
|oast tako up tor tho houso. |mmmmm.
3ho ca||od, and got an answor|ng mach|no w|th a mo||ow-sound|ng, young-sound|ng ma|o vo|co.
°|o||o, you'vo roachod tho G|ass |ouso. lt you'ro |ook|ng tor V|chao|, ho s|oops days. lt you'ro |ook|ng tor 3hano, good |uck w|th that, 'causo wo
novor know whoro tho ho|| ho |s'-d|stant |aughtor trom at |oast two poop|o-°and |t you'ro |ook|ng tor Evo, you'|| probab|y got hor on hor co|| phono
or at tho shop. 3ut hoy. loavo a mossago. And |t you'ro |ook|ng to aud|t|on tor tho room, como on by. lt's
710 ¼ost Lot 5troot
.' A tota||y d|ttoront vo|co, a toma|o ono ||ghtonod up by g|gg|os ||ko bubb|os |n soda, sa|d, °Yoah, just |ook tor tho mans|on.' And thon a th|rd vo|co,
ma|o aga|n. °Gono w|th tho W|nd moots 1ho Vunstors.' Voro |aughtor, and a boop.
C|a|ro b||nkod, coughod, and t|na||y sa|d, °Um.h|. Vy namo |s C|a|ro? C|a|ro 0anvors? And l was, um, ca|||ng about tho, um, room th|ng. 3orry.'
And hung up |n a pan|c. 1hoso throo poop|o soundod.norma|. 3ut thoy soundod protty c|oso, too. And |n hor oxpor|onco, groups ot tr|onds ||ko that
just d|dn't opon up to |nc|udo undorago, undors|zod gooks ||ko hor. 1hoy hadn't soundod moan, thoy just soundod-so|t-cont|dont. 3omoth|ng sho
wasn't.
3ho chockod tho rost ot tho ||st|ngs, and to|t hor hoart actua||y s|nk a ||tt|o. Vaybo an |nch and a ha|t, w|th a s||ght s|doways tw|st. God, l'm doad. 3ho
cou|dn't s|oop out horo on a bonch ||ko somo homo|oss |osor, and sho cou|dn't go back to tho dorm, sho had to do somoth|ng.
||no, sho thought, and snappod hor phono shut, thon opon aga|n to d|a| a cab.
5ovoo slxtooo Lot 5troot
. Gono w|th tho W|nd moots 1ho Vunstors. l|ght.
Vaybo thoy'd at |oast too| sorry onough tor hor to put hor up tor ono |ousy n|ght.
1ho cabb|o-sho t|gurod ho was just about tho on|y cabdr|vor |n Vorganv|||o, wh|ch apart trom tho campus at 1lU on tho odgo ot town had on|y
about ton thousand poop|o |n |t-took an hour to show up. C|a|ro hadn't boon |n a car |n s|x wooks, s|nco hor paronts had dr|von hor |nto town. 3ho
hadn't boon much boyond a b|ock ot tho campus, o|thor, and thon just to buy usod books tor c|ass.
°You moot|ng somoono?' tho cabb|o askod. 3ho was star|ng out tho w|ndow at tho storotronts: usod-c|oth|ng shops, usod-book shops, computor
storos, storos that so|d noth|ng but woodon Grook |ottors. A|| cator|ng to tho co||ogo.
°lo,' sho sa|d. °Why?'
1ho cabb|o shruggod. °Usua||y you k|ds aro moot|ng up w|th tr|onds. lt you'ro |ook|ng tor a good t|mo-'
3ho sh|vorod. °l'm not. l'm-yos, l'm moot|ng somo poop|o. lt you cou|d hurry, p|oaso.?'
|o gruntod and took a r|ght turn, and tho cab wont trom Co||ogotown to Croopytown |n ono b|ock t|at. 3ho cou|dn't dot|no how |t happonod oxact|y-
tho bu||d|ngs woro protty much tho samo, but thoy |ookod d|m and o|d, and tho tow poop|o mov|ng on tho stroots had tho|r hoads down and woro
wa|k|ng tast. Evon whon poop|o woro wa|k|ng |n twos or throos, thoy woron't chatt|ng. Whon tho cab passod, poop|o |ookod up, thon down aga|n, as
|t thoy'd boon |ook|ng tor anothor k|nd ot car.
A ||tt|o g|r| was wa|k|ng w|th hor hand |n hor mothor's, and as tho cab stoppod tor a ||ght, tho g|r| wavod, just a ||tt|o. C|a|ro wavod back.
1ho g|r|'s mothor |ookod up, a|armod, and hust|od hor k|d away |nto tho b|ack mouth ot a storo that so|d usod o|octron|cs. Wow, C|a|ro thought. 0o l
|ook that scary? Vaybo sho d|d. Or maybo Vorganv|||o was just u|tracarotu| ot |ts k|ds.
|unny, now that sho thought about |t, thoro was somoth|ng m|ss|ng |n th|s town. 3|gns. 3ho'd soon thom a|| hor ||to stap|od to to|ophono po|os.
advort|somonts tor |ost dogs, m|ss|ng k|ds or adu|ts.
loth|ng horo. loth|ng.
°
Lot 5troot
,' tho cabb|o announcod, and squoa|od to a stop. °1on t|tty.'
|or a t|vo-m|nuto r|do? C|a|ro thought, amazod, but sho pa|d up. 3ho thought about shoot|ng h|m tho t|ngor as ho drovo away, but ho |ookod k|nd ot
dangorous, and bos|dos, sho roa||y wasn't tho k|nd ot g|r| who d|d that sort ot th|ng. Usua||y. lt was a bad day, though.
3ho ho|stod hor backpack aga|n, h|t a bru|so on hor shou|dor, and noar|y droppod tho wo|ght on hor toot. 1oars stung at hor oyos. A|| ot a suddon
sho to|t t|rod and shaky aga|n, scarod.. At |oast on campus sho'd k|nd ot boon on ro|at|vo|y tam|||ar ground, but out horo |n town |t was ||ko bo|ng a
strangor, a|| ovor aga|n.
Vorganv|||o was brown. 3urnod brown by tho sun, boaton down by w|nd and woathor. |ot summor was start|ng to g|vo way to hot autumn, and tho
|oavos on tho troos-what troos thoro woro-|ookod gray-odgod and dry, and thoy ratt|od ||ko papor |n tho w|nd.
¼ost Lot 5troot
was noar what passod tor tho downtown d|str|ct |n town, probab|y an o|d ros|dont|a| no|ghborhood. loth|ng spoc|a| about tho homos that sho cou|d
soo.ranch housos, most ot thom w|th poo||ng, tadod pa|nt.
3ho countod houso numbors, and roa||zod sho was stand|ng |n tront ot 710. 3ho turnod and |ookod boh|nd hor, and gaspod, bocauso whoovor tho
guy had boon on tho phono, ho'd boon doad-on r|ght |n h|s doscr|pt|on. 3ovon s|xtoon |ookod ||ko a mov|o sot, somoth|ng stra|ght out ot tho C|v||
War. 3|g gray|ng co|umns. A w|do tront porch. 1wo stor|os ot w|ndows.
1ho p|aco was hugo. Wo||, not hugo-but b|ggor than C|a|ro had |mag|nod. l|ko, b|g onough to bo a trat houso, and probab|y portoct|y su|tod to |t.
3ho cou|d just |mag|no Grook |ottors ovor tho door.
lt |ookod dosortod, but to bo ta|r ovory houso on tho b|ock |ookod dosortod. lato attornoon, nobody homo trom work yot. A tow cars g||ttorod |n tho
wh|to-hot sunsh|no, t|n|sh sottonod by a |ayor ot d|rt. lo cars |n tront ot 710, though.
1h|s was such a bad |doa, sho thought, and thoro woro thoso toars aga|n, bubb||ng up a|ong w|th pan|c. What was sho go|ng to do? Wa|k up to tho
door and bog to bo a roommato? |ow |amo-ass was that? 1hoy'd th|nk sho was pathot|c at bost, a hoad caso at worst. lo, |t had boon a dumb
|doa to ovon b|ow tho monoy on cab taro.
lt was hot, and sho was t|rod and sho hurt and sho had homowork duo, and no p|aco to s|oop, and a|| ot a suddon, |t was just too much.
C|a|ro droppod hor backpack, bur|od hor bru|sod taco |n both hands, and just startod sobb|ng ||ko a baby. Crybaby troak, sho |mag|nod Von|ca
say|ng, but that just mado hor sob hardor, and a|| ot a suddon tho |doa ot go|ng homo, go|ng homo to Vom and 0ad and tho room sho know thoy'd
kopt opon tor hor, soomod bottor, bottor than anyth|ng out horo |n tho scary, crazy wor|d..
°|oy,' a g|r|'s vo|co sa|d, and somoono touchod hor on tho o|bow. °|oy, aro you okay?'
C|a|ro yo|pod and jumpod, |andod hard on hor stra|nod ank|o, and noar|y topp|od ovor. 1ho g|r| who'd scarod hor roachod out and grabbod hor arm
to stoady hor, |ook|ng gonu|no|y scarod horso|t. °l'm sorry! God, l'm such a k|utz. look, aro you okay?'
1ho g|r| wasn't Von|ca, or 1on, or G|na, or anybody o|so sho'd soon around tho campus at 1lU, th|s g|r| was way Goth. lot |n a bad way-sho
d|dn't havo tho su|ky l'm-so-not-coo|-l'm-coo| att|tudo ot most ot tho Goths C|a|ro had known |n schoo|-but tho dyod-b|ack, shag-cut ha|r, tho pa|o
makoup, tho hoavy oyo||nor and mascara, tho rod-and-b|ack-str|pod t|ghts and c|unky b|ack shoos and b|ack p|oatod m|n|sk|rt.vory dot|n|to|y a tan
ot tho dark s|do.
°Vy namo's Evo,' tho g|r| sa|d, and sm||od. lt was a swoot, tunny k|nd ot sm||o, somoth|ng that |nv|tod C|a|ro to sharo |n a pr|vato joko. °Yoah, my
paronts roa||y namod mo that, go t|guro. lt's ||ko thoy know how l'd turn out.' |or sm||o tadod, and sho took a good |ook at C|a|ro's taco. °Wow.
1ooz, n|co b|ack oyo. Who h|t you?'
°lobody.' C|a|ro sa|d |t |nstant|y, w|thout ovon th|nk|ng why, a|though sho know |n hor bonos that Goth Evo was |n no way bostost tr|onds w|th
proppy Von|ca. °l had an acc|dont.'
°Yoah,' Evo agrood sott|y. °l usod to havo thoso k|nds ot acc|donts, ta|||ng |nto t|sts and stutt. l|ko l sa|d, l'm a k|utz. You okay? You nood a doctor or
somoth|ng? l can dr|vo you |t you want.'
3ho gosturod to tho stroot noxt to thom, and C|a|ro roa||zod that wh||o sho'd boon sobb|ng hor oyos out, an anc|ont boator ot a b|ack Cad|||ac-
comp|oto w|th ta|| t|ns-had boon dockod at tho curb. 1horo was a choory-|ook|ng sku|| dang||ng trom tho roarv|ow m|rror, and C|a|ro had no doubt
that tho back bumpor wou|d bo p|astorod w|th st|ckors tor omo bands nobody had ovor hoard ot.
3ho ||kod Evo a|roady. °lo,' sho sa|d, and sw|pod at hor oyos angr||y w|th tho back ot hor hand. °l, uh-|ook, l'm sorry. lt's boon a roa||y awtu| day. l
was com|ng to ask about tho room, but-'
°l|ght, tho room!' Evo snappod hor t|ngors, as |t sho'd torgotton a|| about |t, and jumpod up and down two or throo t|mos |n oxc|tomont. °Groat! l'm
just homo tor broak-l work ovor at Common Grounds, you know, tho cottoo shop?-and V|chao| won't bo up tor a wh||o yot, but you can como |n
and soo tho houso |t you want. l don't know |t 3hano's around, but-'
°l don't know |t l shou|d-'
°You shou|d. You tota||y shou|d.' Evo ro||od hor oyos. °You wou|dn't bo||ovo tho |osors wo soo try|ng to got |n tho door. l moan, sor|ous|y. |roaks.
You'ro tho t|rst norma| ono l'vo soon so tar. V|chao| wou|d k|ck my ass |t l |ot you got away w|thout at |oast try|ng a sa|os p|tch.'
C|a|ro b||nkod. 3omohow, sho'd boon th|nk|ng that sho'd bo tho ono bogg|ng tor thom to cons|dor hor.and norma|? Evo thought sho was norma|?
°3uro,' sho hoard horso|t say. °Yoah. l'd ||ko that.'
Evo grabbod hor backpack and s|ung |t ovor hor own shou|dor, on top ot hor b|ack s||vor-studdod purso |n tho shapo ot a cott|n. °|o||ow mo.' And
sho bouncod away, up tho wa|k to tho grac|ous 3outhorn Goth|c tront porch to un|ock tho door.
Up c|oso, tho houso |ookod o|d, but not roa||y rundown as such, woathorod, C|a|ro doc|dod. Cou|d havo usod somo pa|nt horo and thoro, and tho
cast-|ron cha|rs noodod a coat, too. 1ho tront door was actua||y doub|o-s|zod, w|th a b|g sta|nod-g|ass pano| at tho top.
°Yo!' Evo yo||od, and dumpod C|a|ro's backpack on a tab|o |n tho ha||way, hor purso noxt to |t, hor koys |n an ant|quo-|ook|ng ashtray w|th a cast-
|ron monkoy on tho hand|o. °loom|os! Wo'vo got a ||vo ono!'
lt occurrod to C|a|ro, as tho door boomod shut boh|nd hor, that thoro woro a coup|o ot ways to |ntorprot that, and ono ot thom-tho 1oxas Cha|nsaw
Vassacro way-wasn't good. 3ho stoppod mov|ng, trozon, and just |ookod around.
loth|ng ovort|y croopy about tho |ns|do ot tho houso, at |oast. lots ot wood, c|oan and s|mp|o. Ch|ps ot pa|nt knockod ott ot cornors, ||ko |t had soon
a |ot ot ||to. lt smo||od ||ko |omon po||sh and-ch|||?
°Yo!' Evo yo||od aga|n, and c|umpod on down tho ha||. lt oponod up to a b|ggor room, trom what C|a|ro cou|d soo, thoro woro b|g |oathor couchos
and booksho|vos, ||ko a roa| homo. Vaybo th|s was what ott-campus hous|ng |ookod ||ko. lt so, |t was a b|g stop up trom dorm ||to. °3hano, l smo||
tho ch|||. l know you'ro horo! Got your hoadphonos out ot your oars!'
3ho cou|dn't qu|to |mag|no 1oxas Cha|nsaw Vassacro tak|ng p|aco |n a room ||ko that, o|thor. 1hat was a p|us. Or, tor that mattor, sor|a|-k||||ng
roommatos do|ng somoth|ng as homoy as mak|ng ch|||. Good ch|||, trom tho way |t smo||od. W|th.gar||c?
3ho took a coup|o ot hos|tant stops down tho ha||way. Evo's tootstops woro c|unk|ng ott |nto anothor room, maybo tho k|tchon. 1ho houso soomod
vory qu|ot. loth|ng jumpod out to scaro hor, so C|a|ro procoodod, ono carotu| toot attor anothor, a|| tho way |nto tho b|g contra| room.
And a guy |y|ng spraw|od on tho couch-tho way on|y guys cou|d spraw|-yawnod and sat up rubb|ng h|s hoad. Whon C|a|ro oponod hor mouth-
whothor to say ho||o or to yo|| tor ho|p, sho d|dn't know-ho surpr|sod hor |nto s||onco by gr|nn|ng at hor and putt|ng h|s t|ngor ovor h|s mouth to
shush hor. °|oy,' ho wh|sporod. °l'm 3hano. What's up?' |o b||nkod a coup|o ot t|mos, and w|thout any chango |n h|s oxpross|on, sa|d, °0udo, that
|s a badass sh|nor. |urts, huh?'
3ho noddod s||ght|y. 3hano swung h|s |ogs ott tho couch and sat thoro, watch|ng hor, o|bows on h|s knoos and hands dang||ng |ooso|y. |o had
brown ha|r, cut |n unovon |ayors that d|dn't qu|to manago to |ook punk. |o was an o|dor boy, o|dor than hor, anyway. E|ghtoon? A b|g guy, and ta|| to
match |t. 3|g onough to mako hor too| moro m|n|aturo than usua|. 3ho thought h|s oyos |ookod brown, but sho d|dn't daro moot thom tor moro than a
t||ckor at a t|mo.
°3o l guoss you'ro gonna say that tho othor ch|ck |ooks worso,' 3hano sa|d.
3ho shook hor hoad, thon w|ncod whon mot|on mado |t hurt ovon moro. °lo, l-um-how d|d you know |t was-?'
°A ch|ck? Easy. 3|zo you aro, a guy wou|d havo put you |n tho hosp|ta| w|th a punch hard onough to |oavo a mark ||ko that. 3o what's up w|th that?
You don't |ook ||ko you go |ook|ng tor troub|o.'
3ho to|t ||ko sho ought to tako ottonso about that, but honost|y, th|s who|o th|ng was start|ng to too| ||ko somo strango droam anyway. Vaybo sho'd
novor wokon up at a||. Vaybo sho was |y|ng |n a coma |n a hosp|ta| bod, and 3hano was just hor |amo-ass oqu|va|ont ot tho Chosh|ro cat. °l'm
C|a|ro,' sho sa|d, and wavod awkward|y. °||.'
|o noddod toward a |oathor w|ng cha|r. 3ho s||d |nto |t, toot dang||ng, and to|t a wo|rd sonso ot ro||ot wash ovor hor. lt to|t ||ko homo, a|though ot
courso |t wasn't, and sho was start|ng to th|nk that |t roa||y cou|dn't bo. 3ho d|dn't t|t horo. 3ho cou|dn't actua||y |mag|no who wou|d.
°You want somoth|ng?' 3hano askod suddon|y. °Coko, maybo? Ch|||? 3us t|ckot back homo?'
°Coko,' sho sa|d, and, surpr|s|ng|y, °and ch|||.'
°Good cho|co. l mado |t myso|t.' |o s||d ott tho couch, wo|rd|y bono|oss tor h|s s|zo, and paddod barotoot |nto tho k|tchon whoro Evo had gono.
C|a|ro ||stonod to a b|ur ot vo|cos as tho two ot thom ta|kod, and ro|axod, ono musc|o at a t|mo, |nto tho sott ombraco ot tho cha|r. 3ho hadn't
not|cod unt|| now, but tho houso was kopt coo|, and tho |azy c|rc|o ot tho co|||ng tan ovorhoad swopt ch|||y a|r ovor hor hot, ach|ng taco. lt to|t n|co.
3ho oponod hor oyos at tho sound ot Evo's shoos c|omp|ng back |nto tho room. Evo was carry|ng a tray w|th a rod and wh|to can, a bow|, a spoon,
and an |co pack. 3ho sot tho tray on a cottoo tab|o and nudgod tho tab|o toward C|a|ro w|th hor knoo. °lco pack t|rst,' sho sa|d. °You can novor to||
what 3hano puts |n tho ch|||. 3o atra|d.'
3hano paddod back to tho couch and t|oppod, suck|ng on h|s own can ot soda. Evo shot h|m an oxasporatod |ook. °Yoah, man, thanks tor br|ng|ng
mo ono, too.' 1ho raccoon oyo makoup oxaggoratod hor oyo ro||. °0ork.'
°0|dn't know |t you wantod zomb|o d|rt spr|nk|od on |t or anyth|ng. lt you'ro oat|ng th|s wook.'
°0ork! Go on and oat, C|a|ro-l'|| go got my own.'
C|a|ro p|ckod up tho spoon and tr|od a tontat|vo b|to ot tho ch|||, wh|ch was th|ck and moaty and sp|cy, hoavy on tho gar||c. 0o||c|ous, |n tact. 3ho'd
gotton usod to catotor|a tood, and th|s was just.wow. lot. 3hano watchod hor, oyobrows up, as sho startod to shovo| |t |n. °'3good,' sho mumb|od.
|o gavo hor a |azy sa|uto. 3y tho t|mo sho was ha|tway through tho bow|, Evo was back w|th hor own tray, wh|ch sho p|unkod down on tho othor ha|t
ot tho cottoo tab|o. Evo sat on tho t|oor, crossod hor |ogs, and dug |n.
°lot bad,' sho t|na||y sa|d. °At |oast you |ott out tho oh-my-God sauco th|s t|mo.'
°Vado myso|t a batch w|th |t,' 3hano sa|d. °lt's got tho b|ohazard st|ckor on |t |n tho tr|dgo, so don't b|tch |t you got t|amod. Whoro'd you p|ck up tho
stray?'
°Outs|do. 3ho camo to soo tho room.'
°You boat hor up t|rst, just to mako suro sho's tough onough?'
°3|to mo, ch||| boy.'
°0on't m|nd Evo,' ho to|d C|a|ro. °3ho hatos work|ng days. 3ho's atra|d sho'|| tan.'
°Yoah, and 3hano just hatos work|ng. 3o what's your namo?'
C|a|ro oponod hor mouth, but 3hano boat hor to |t, c|oar|y happy to ono-up h|s room|o. °C|a|ro. What, you d|dn't ovon ask? A ch|ck boat hor up, too.
lrobab|y somo skank |n tho dorms. You know how that p|aco |s.'
1hoy oxchangod a |ook. A |ong ono. Evo turnod back to C|a|ro. °ls that truo? You got boat up |n tho dorm?' 3ho noddod, hast||y shovo||ng moro tood
|n hor mouth to koop trom hav|ng to say much. °Wo||, that tota||y b|ows. lo wondor you'ro |ook|ng tor tho room.' Anothor nod. °You d|dn't br|ng much
w|th you.'
°l don't havo much,' sho sa|d. °1ust tho books, and maybo a coup|o ot th|ngs back at my room. 3ut-l don't want to go back thoro to got stutt. lot
ton|ght.'
°Why not?' 3hano had grabbod a ratty-|ook|ng o|d basoba|| trom tho t|oor and tossod |t up toward tho ta|| co|||ng, narrow|y m|ss|ng tho sp|nn|ng
b|ados ot tho tan. |o caught |t w|thout ottort. °3omobody st||| |ook|ng to pound you?'
°Yoah,' C|a|ro sa|d, and |ookod down |nto hor tast-d|m|n|sh|ng ch|||. °Guoss so. lt's not just hor, |t's-sho's got tr|onds. And.l don't. 1hat p|aco just
-wo||, |t's croopy.'
°3oon thoro,' Evo sa|d. °Oh, wa|t, st||| thoro.'
3hano m|mod throw|ng tho basoba|| at hor. 3ho m|mod duck|ng.
°What t|mo |s V|chao| gott|ng up?'
3hano gavo hor anothor mock throw. °|o||, Evo, l don't know. l |ovo tho guy, but l don't |ovo tho guy. Go bang on h|s door and ask. Vo, l'm gonna go
got roady.'
°loady tor what?' Evo askod. °You'ro not sor|ous|y go|ng out aga|n, aro you?'
°3or|ous|y, yoah. 3ow||ng. |or namo's laura. lt you want moro dota||s, you'ro gonna havo to down|oad tho v|doo ||ko ovorybody o|so.' 3hano ro||od
ott tho couch, stood up, and paddod ott toward tho w|do sta|rs |oad|ng up to tho socond t|oor. °3oo you |ator, C|a|ro.'
Evo mado a trustratod sound. °Wa|t a m|nuto! 3o what do you say? You th|nk sho'd do okay horo, or what?'
3hano wavod a hand. °Whatovor, man. |ar as l'm concornod, sho's okay.' |o gavo C|a|ro ono qu|ck |ook and a crookod and odd|y swoot sm||o,
and boundod up tho sta|rs. |o movod ||ko an ath|oto, but w|thout tho swaggor sho was usod to. K|nd ot hot, actua||y.
°Guys,' Evo s|ghod. °0amn, |t'd bo good to havo anothor g|r| |n horo. 1hoy'ro a|| ||ko, Yoah, whatovor, and thon whon |t comos to p|ck|ng up tho
p|aco or wash|ng d|shos, thoy turn |nto ghosts. lot that you havo to, ||ko, bo a ma|d or anyth|ng, l moan.you just got to yo|| at 'om unt|| thoy do tho|r
part or thoy wa|k a|| ovor you.'
C|a|ro sm||od, or tr|od to, but hor sp||t ||p throbbod, and sho to|t tho scab broak opon aga|n. 3|ood dr|bb|od down hor ch|n, and sho grabbod tho
napk|n Evo had put on tho tray and app||od prossuro to hor ||p. Evo watchod |n s||onco, trown|ng, and thon got up trom tho t|oor, p|ckod up tho |co
pack, and sott|od |t gont|y aga|nst tho bump on C|a|ro's hoad. °|ow's that?' sho askod.
°3ottor.' lt was. 1ho |co bogan to numb tho acho a|most |mmod|ato|y, and tho tood was sott|ng up a n|co warm t|ro |n hor stomach. °Um, l guoss l
shou|d ask.about tho room..'
°Wo||, you havo to moot V|chao|, and ho has to say yos, but V|chao|'s a swoot|o, roa||y. Oh, and ho owns th|s p|aco. ||s tam||y doos, anyway. l th|nk
thoy movod away and |ott h|m tho houso a coup|o ot yoars ago. |o's about s|x months o|dor than l am. Wo'ro a|| about o|ghtoon. V|chao|'s sort ot
tho o|dost.'
°|o s|oops days?'
°Yoah. l moan, l ||ko to s|oop days, but ho's got a th|ng about |t. l ca||od h|m a vamp|ro onco, 'causo ho roa||y doosn't ||ko bo|ng up |n tho dayt|mo.
l|ko, ovor. |o d|dn't th|nk |t was roa| tunny.'
°You'ro suro ho's not a vamp|ro?' C|a|ro sa|d. °l'vo soon mov|os. 1hoy'ro snoaky.' 3ho was k|dd|ng. Evo d|dn't sm||o.
°Oh, protty suro. |or ono th|ng, ho oats 3hano's ch|||, wh|ch, God knows, has onough gar||c to oxp|odo a dozon h|gh-qua||ty 0racs. And l mado h|m
touch a cross onco.' Evo took a b|g swa||ow ot hor Coko.
°You-what? Vado h|m?'
°Wo||, suro, yoah. l moan, a g|r| can't bo too carotu|, ospoc|a||y around horo.' C|a|ro must havo |ookod b|ank, bocauso Evo d|d tho oyo-ro|| th|ng
aga|n. lt was hor tavor|to oxpross|on, C|a|ro was suro. °ln Vorganv|||o? You know?'
°What about |t?'
°You moan you don't know? |ow can you not know?' Evo sot hor can down and got up to hor knoos, |oan|ng o|bows on tho cottoo tab|o. 3ho |ookod
oarnost undor tho th|ck makoup. |or oyos woro dark brown, odgod w|th go|d. °Vorganv|||o's tu|| ot vamp|ros.'
C|a|ro |aughod.
Evo d|dn't. 3ho just kopt star|ng.
°Um.you'ro k|dd|ng?'
°|ow many k|ds graduato 1lU ovory yoar?'
°l don't know.. lt's a crappy co||ogo, most ovorybody transtors out..'
°Evorybody |oavos. Or at |oast, thoy stop show|ng up, r|ght? l can't bo||ovo you don't know th|s. 0|dn't anybody to|| you tho scoro botoro you movod
|n? look, tho vamps run tho town. 1hoy'ro |n chargo. And o|thor you'ro |n, or you'ro out. lt you work tor thom, |t you protond ||ko thoy'ro not horo and
thoy don't ox|st, and you |ook tho othor way whon th|ngs happon, thon you and your tam||y got a troo pass. You got lrotoct|on. Othorw|so.' Evo
pu||od a t|ngor across hor throat and buggod out hor oyos.
l|ght, C|a|ro thought, and put down hor spoon. lo wondor nobody rontod a room w|th thoso poop|o. 1hoy'ro nuts. lt was too bad. Excopt tor tho
crazy part, sho roa||y ||kod thom.
°You th|nk l'm wacko,' Evo sa|d, and s|ghod. °Yoah, l got that. l'd th|nk l was, too, oxcopt l grow up |n a lrotoctod houso. Vy dad works tor tho wator
company. Vy mom |s a toachor. 3ut wo a|| woar thoso.' 3ho oxtondod hor wr|st. On |t was a b|ack |oathor braco|ot, w|th a symbo| on |t |n rod,
noth|ng C|a|ro rocogn|zod. lt |ookod k|nd ot ||ko a Ch|noso charactor. °3oo how m|no's rod? Exp|rod. lt's ||ko hoa|th |nsuranco. K|ds aro on|y
covorod unt|| thoy'ro o|ghtoon. V|no was up s|x months ago.' 3ho |ookod at |t mourntu||y, thon shruggod and unsnappod |t to drop |t on hor tray.
°V|ght as wo|| stop woar|ng |t, l guoss. lt suro wou|dn't too| anybody.'
C|a|ro just |ookod at hor, ho|p|oss, wondor|ng |t sho was tho v|ct|m ot a pract|ca| joko, and |t any socond Evo was go|ng to |augh and ca|| hor an |d|ot
tor buy|ng |t, and 3hano wou|d go trom k|nd ot |azy-swoot to cruo| and shovo hor out tho door, mock|ng a|| tho way. 3ocauso th|s wasn't tho way tho
wor|d workod. You d|dn't ||ko poop|o, and thon havo thom turn up a|| crazy, r|ght? Cou|dn't you to||?
1ho a|tornat|vo-that Evo wasn't crazy at a||-just wasn't anyth|ng C|a|ro wantod to th|nk about. 3ho romomborod tho poop|o on tho stroot, wa|k|ng
tast, hoads down. 1ho way tho mothor had yankod hor ||tt|o g|r| ott tho stroot at a tr|ond|y wavo.
°||no. Go ahoad, th|nk l'm nuts,' Evo sa|d, and sat back on hor hoo|s. °l moan, why wou|dn't l bo? And l won't try to conv|nco you or anyth|ng. 1ust-
don't go out attor dark un|oss you'ro w|th somobody. 3omobody lrotoctod, |t you can t|nd thom. look tor tho braco|ot.' 3ho nudgod hors w|th ono
t|ngor. °1ho symbo|'s wh|to whon |t's act|vo.'
°3ut l-' C|a|ro coughod, try|ng to t|nd somoth|ng to say. lt you can't say anyth|ng n|co. °Okay. 1hanks. Um, |s 3hano-?'
°3hano? lrotoctod?' Evo snortod. °As |t! Evon |t ho was, wh|ch l doubt, ho'd novor adm|t |t, and ho doosn't woar tho braco|ot or anyth|ng. V|chao|-
V|chao| |sn't, o|thor, but thoro's sort ot a standard lrotoct|on on housos. Wo'ro sort ot outcasts horo. 1horo's satoty |n numbors, too.'
lt was a vory wo|rd convorsat|on to bo hav|ng ovor ch||| and Coko, w|th an |co pack porchod on tho top ot hor hoad. C|a|ro, w|thout ovon know|ng
sho was go|ng to do |t, yawnod. Evo |aughod.
°Ca|| |t a bodt|mo story,' sho sa|d. °l|ston, |ot mo show you tho room. Worst caso, you ||o down tor a wh||o, |ot tho |co pack work, thon bug out. Or
hoy, you wako up and doc|do you want to ta|k to V|chao| botoro you |oavo. Your cho|co.'
Anothor co|d ch||| swopt ovor hor, and sho sh|vorod. lrobab|y had to do w|th tho bang on tho hoad, sho t|gurod, and how t|rod sho was. 3ho dug |n
hor pockot, tound tho packago ot p|||s tho doc had proscr|bod tor hor, and swa||owod ono w|th tho |ast gu|p ot Coko. 1hon sho ho|pod Evo carry tho
trays |nto tho k|tchon, wh|ch was hugo, w|th stono s|nks and anc|ont po||shod countors and two modorn convon|oncos-tho stovo and tho
rotr|gorator-stuck awkward|y |n tho cornors. 1ho ch||| had como trom a Crock-lot, wh|ch was st||| s|mmor|ng away.
Whon tho d|shos had boon washod, trays stackod, trash d|scardod, Evo rotr|ovod C|a|ro's backpack trom tho t|oor and |od hor through tho ||v|ng
room, up tho sta|rs. On tho th|rd r|sor, Evo turnod, a|armod, and sa|d, °|oy, can you mako |t up tho sta|rs? 3ocauso, you know-'
°l'm okay,' C|a|ro ||od. |or ank|o hurt ||ko ho||, but sho wantod to soo tho room. And |t thoy woro ||ko|y to throw hor out |ator, sho at |oast wantod to
s|oop ono moro t|mo |n a bod, howovor |umpy and o|d. 1horo woro th|rtoon stops to tho top. 3ho mado ovory ono ot thom, ovon though sho |ott
swoaty t|ngorpr|nts on a ban|stor 3hano hadn't ovon bothorod to touch on h|s way up oar||or.
Evo's stops woro mutt|od horo by a r|ch o|d-|ook|ng rug, a|| sw|r|s and co|ors, that ran down tho contor ot tho po||shod wood t|oor. 1horo woro s|x
doors up horo on tho |and|ng. As thoy passod thom, Evo po|ntod and namod. °3hano's.' 1ho t|rst door. °V|chao|'s.' 1ho socond door. °|o's got that
ono, too-|t's a doub|o-s|zod room.' 1h|rd door. °Va|n bathroom.' |ourth. °1ho socond bathroom's downsta|rs-that's k|nd ot tho omorgoncy
backup bathroom whon 3hano's |n thoro mouss|ng h|s ha|r tor ||ko an hour or somoth|ng..'
°3|to mo!' 3hano yo||od trom boh|nd tho c|osod door. Evo poundod a t|st on tho door and |od C|a|ro to tho |ast two on tho row. °1h|s ono's m|no.
Yours |s on tho ond.'
Whon sho swung |t opon, C|a|ro-proparod tor d|sappo|ntmont-actua||y gaspod. |or ono th|ng, |t was hugo. 1hroo t|mos tho s|zo ot hor dorm
room. |or anothor, |t was on a cornor, w|th throo-throo!-w|ndows, a|| curront|y shadod by b||nds and curta|ns. 1ho bod wasn't somo dorm-s|zod
m|n|aturo, |t was a tu||-s|zod mattross and box spr|ng w|th mass|vo woodon co|umns at tho cornors, dark and so||d. 1horo was a drossor a|ong ono
wa|| b|g onough to ho|d, wo||, tour or t|vo t|mos tho c|othos that C|a|ro had ovor ownod. l|us a c|osot. l|us.
°ls that a 1v?' sho askod |n a ta|nt vo|co.
°Yoah. 3ato|||to cab|o. You'd p|tch |n, though, un|oss you want to tako |t out ot tho room. Oh, and thoro's lntornot, too. 3roadband, ovor thoro. l shou|d
probab|y warn you, thoy mon|tor lntornot tratt|c around horo, though. You havo to bo carotu| what you say |n mossagos and stutt.' Evo put tho
backpack on top ot tho drossor. °You don't havo to doc|do r|ght now. You probab|y ought to rost t|rst. |oro, horo's your |co pack.' 3ho to||owod
C|a|ro to tho bod and ho|pod hor pu|| back tho covors, and onco C|a|ro had pu||od ott hor shoos and sott|od, sho tuckod hor |n, ||ko a mothor, and
put tho |co pack on hor hoad. °Whon you got up, V|chao|'|| probab|y bo awako. l havo to got back to work, but |t'|| bo okay. loa||y.'
C|a|ro sm||od at hor, a ||tt|o tuzz||y, tho pa|nk|||ors woro start|ng to tako ottoct. 3ho got anothor ch|||. °1hank you, Evo,' sho sa|d. °1h|s |s-wow.'
°Yoah, wo||, you |ook ||ko you cou|d uso a ||tt|o wow today.' Evo shruggod, and gavo hor a stunn|ng sm||o back. °3|oop wo||. And don't worry, tho
vamp|ros won't como |n horo. 1h|s houso has lrotoct|on, ovon |t wo don't.'
C|a|ro turnod that ovor |n hor m|nd tor a tow soconds as Evo |ott tho room and shut tho door, and thon hor m|nd wandorod ott |n happy c|ouds ot
not|c|ng tho sottnoss ot tho p|||ow and how good tho bod to|t, and how cr|sp tho shoots woro..
3ho droamod about tho strangost th|ng: a s||ont room, w|th somoono pa|o and qu|ot s|tt|ng on a vo|vot sota, turn|ng pagos |n a book and woop|ng. lt
d|dn't scaro hor, oxact|y, but sho to|t co|d, on and ott, and tho houso.tho houso soomod ||ko |t was tu|| ot wh|spors.
Evontua||y, sho to|| |nto a doopor, darkor p|aco, and d|dn't droam at a||.
lot ovon about Von|ca.
lot ovon about vamp|ros.

3 ho woko up |n tho dark w|th a pan|ckod t||nch that sont tho |co pack-wator s|osh|ng |n a bag now-thump|ng ott hor p|||ow and onto tho t|oor. 1ho
houso was qu|ot, oxcopt tor tho croaky, croopy no|sos housos mado at n|ght. Outs|do, w|nd ratt|od tho dry |oavos on tho troos, and sho hoard mus|c
com|ng trom tho othor s|do ot tho bodroom door.
C|a|ro s||d out ot bod, tumb|od tor a |amp, and tound ono noxt to tho bod-1|ttany-sty|o g|ass, roa||y n|co-and tho co|ortu| g|ow chasod away any
n|ghtmaro toars sho'd boon try|ng to havo. 1ho mus|c was s|ow and warm and contomp|at|vo, k|nd ot gu|tar a|tornat|vo. 3ho got hor shoos on, took
a |ook |n tho drossor m|rror, and got a nasty shock. |or taco st||| hurt, and |t was obv|ous why-hor r|ght oyo was swo||on, tho sk|n around |t purp|o.
|or sp||t ||p |ookod sh|ny and unp|oasant|y th|ck, too. |or taco-a|ways pa|o-|ookod ovon pa|or than norma|. |or short p|x|o-cut b|ack ha|r had a
sor|ous caso ot bod-hoad, but sho t|uttod |t out |nto somoth|ng ||ko ordor. 3ho'd novor roa||y boon much tor makoup, ovon whon sho'd boon stoa||ng
Vom's to try on, but today maybo a ||tt|o toundat|on and concoa|or cou|dn't hurt.. 3ho |ookod raggod, and boaton, and homo|oss.
Wo||. lt was noth|ng but tho truth, attor a||.
C|a|ro took a doop broath and oponod hor bodroom door. l|ghts woro on |n tho ha||, warm and g|ow|ng go|d, tho mus|c was com|ng trom
downsta|rs, |n tho ||v|ng room. 3ho chockod a c|ock hang|ng on tho wa|| at tho tar ond, |t was attor m|dn|ght-sho'd s|opt tor moro than two|vo hours.
And m|ssod a|| hor c|assos. lot that sho'd havo wantod to show up |ook|ng ||ko th|s, ovon |t sho hadn't boon so parano|d about Von|ca to||ow|ng
hor around.but sho'd nood to h|t tho books |ator. At |oast tho books d|dn't h|t back.
|or bru|sos to|t bottor, and |n tact hor hoad hurt on|y a ||tt|o. |or ank|o was st||| tho worst ot |t, sond|ng sharp g|assy jabs ot pa|n up hor |og w|th ovory
stop down tho sta|rs.
3ho was ha|tway down whon sho saw tho boy s|tt|ng on tho couch, whoro 3hano had boon spraw|od botoro. |o had a gu|tar |n h|s hands.
Oh. 1ho mus|c. 3ho'd thought |t was a rocord|ng, but no, th|s was roa|, th|s was ||vo, and ho was p|ay|ng |t. 3ho'd novor hoard ||vo mus|c botoro-
not roa||y p|ay|ng, not ||ko th|s. |o was.wow. |o was wondortu|.
3ho watchod h|m, trozon, bocauso ho c|oar|y d|dn't ovon know sho ox|stod yot, |t was just h|m and tho gu|tar and tho mus|c, and |t sho had to put a
namo to what sho cou|d soo on h|s taco, |t wou|d bo somoth|ng poot|c, ||ko |ong|ng. |o was b|ond, h|s ha|r cut k|nd ot ||ko 3hano's, |n a caro|oss
mop. lot as b|g as 3hano, and not as musc|od, though ho was maybo as ta||. |o was woar|ng a 1-sh|rt, too, b|ack, w|th a boor |ogo. 3|uo joans. lo
shoos.
|o stoppod p|ay|ng, hoad down, and roachod tor tho opon boor on tho tab|o |n tront ot h|m. |o toastod ompty a|r. °|appy b|rthday to you, man.' |o
tossod back throo swa||ows, s|ghod, and put tho bott|o down. °And horo's to houso arrost. What tho ho||. Own |t or got ownod.'
C|a|ro coughod. |o turnod, start|od, and saw hor stand|ng thoro on tho sta|rs, h|s trown c|oarod attor a socond or two. °Oh. You'ro tho ono 3hano
sa|d wantod to ta|k about tho room. |oy. Como on down.'
3ho d|d, try|ng not to ||mp, and whon sho got |nto tho tu|| ||ght sho saw h|s qu|ck, |nto|||gont b|uo oyos cata|og tho bru|sos.
|o d|dn't say a word about thom. °l'm V|chao|,' ho sa|d. °And you'ro not o|ghtoon, so th|s |s go|ng to bo a roa| short convorsat|on.'
3ho sat, tast, hoart pound|ng. °l'm |n co||ogo,' sho sa|d. °l'm a troshman. Vy namo |s-'
°0on't bu||sh|t mo, and l don't caro what your namo |s. You'ro not o|ghtoon. lt's a good bot you'ro not ovon sovontoon. Wo don't tako anybody |n th|s
houso who |sn't |oga|.' |o had a doop vo|co, warm but-at |oast r|ght now-hard. °lot that you'd bo s|gn|ng on to Orgy Contra|, but sorry, mo and
3hano havo to worry about th|ngs ||ko that. A|| |t takos |s you ||v|ng horo and somobody ovon h|nt|ng thoro's somoth|ng go|ng on-'
°Wa|t,' sho b|urtod. °l wou|dn't do that. Or say that. l'm not |ook|ng to got you guys |n troub|o. l just nood-'
°lo,' ho sa|d. |o put tho gu|tar as|do, |n |ts caso, and |atchod |t shut. °l'm sorry, but you can't stay horo. |ouso ru|os.'
3ho'd known |t was com|ng, ot courso, but sho'd |ot horso|t th|nk-Evo had boon n|co, and 3hano hadn't boon horr|b|o, and tho room was so n|co-
but tho |ook |n V|chao|'s oyos was as t|na| as |t got. Comp|oto and uttor rojoct|on.
3ho to|t hor ||ps tromb||ng, and hatod horso|t tor |t. Why cou|dn't sho bo a badass, stono-co|d b|tch? Why cou|dn't sho stand up tor horso|t whon sho
noodod to, w|thout broak|ng down |nto toars ||ko a baby? Von|ca wou|dn't bo cry|ng. Von|ca wou|d bo snapp|ng somo comoback at h|m, to|||ng h|m
that hor stutt was a|roady |n tho room. Von|ca wou|d s|ap monoy down on tho tab|o and daro h|m to turn |t down.
C|a|ro roachod |n hor back pockot and pu||od out hor wa||ot. °|ow much?' sho askod, and startod count|ng out b|||s. 3ho had twont|os, so |t |ookod
||ko a |ot. °1hroo hundrod onough? l can got moro |t l havo to.'
V|chao| sat back, surpr|sod, a ||tt|o trown brackot|ng h|s torohoad. |o roachod tor h|s boor and took anothor s|p wh||o ho thought about |t. °|ow?'
ho askod.
°What?'
°|ow wou|d you got moro?'
°Got a job. 3o|| stutt.' lot that sho had much to so||, but |n an omorgoncy thoro was a|ways tho pan|ckod ca|| to Vom. °l want to stay horo, V|chao|. l
roa||y do.' 3ho was surpr|sod at tho conv|ct|on |n hor vo|co. °Yoah, l'm undor o|ghtoon, but l swoar, you won't havo any troub|o trom mo. l'|| stay out ot
your way. l go to schoo|, and l study. 1hat's a|| l do. l'm not a partyor, l'm not a s|ackor. l'm usotu|. l'||-l'|| ho|p c|oan and cook.'
|o thought about |t, star|ng at hor, ho was tho k|nd ot porson you cou|d actua||y soo th|nk|ng. lt was a ||tt|o scary, a|though ho probab|y d|dn't moan |t
to bo. 1horo was just somoth|ng so.adu|t about h|m. 3o suro ot h|mso|t.
°lo,' ho sa|d. °l'm sorry, k|d. 3ut |t's just too much r|sk.'
°Evo's on|y a ||tt|o b|t o|dor than l am!'
°Evo's o|ghtoon. You'ro what, s|xtoon?'
°A|most sovontoon!' lt you woro a ||tt|o t|u|d on tho dot|n|t|on ot a|most. °l roa||y am |n co||ogo. l'm a troshman-|ook, horo's my studont l0..'
|o |gnorod |t. °Como back |n a yoar. Wo'|| ta|k about |t,' ho sa|d. °look, l'm sorry. What about tho dorm?'
°1hoy'|| k||| mo |t l stay thoro,' sho sa|d, and |ookod down at hor c|aspod hands. °1hoy tr|od to k||| mo today.'
°What?'
°1ho othor g|r|s. 1hoy punchod mo and shovod mo down tho sta|rs.'
3||onco. A roa||y |ong ono. 3ho hoard tho croak ot |oathor, and thon V|chao| was on ono knoo noxt to tho cha|r. 3otoro sho cou|d stop h|m, ho was
prob|ng tho bump on hor hoad, t||t|ng |t back so ho cou|d got a good, |mporsona| |ook at tho bru|sos and cuts. °What o|so?' ho askod.
°What?'
°3os|dos what l can soo? You'ro not go|ng to drop doad on mo, aro you?'
Wow, sons|t|vo. °l'm okay. l saw tho doctor and ovoryth|ng. lt's just-bru|sos. And a stra|nod ank|o. 3ut thoy pushod mo down tho sta|rs, and thoy
moant |t, and sho to|d mo-' 3uddon|y, Evo's words about vamp|ros camo back to hor and mado hor tr|p ovor hor tonguo. °1ho g|r| |n chargo, sho
to|d mo that ton|ght, l'd got what was com|ng to mo. l can't go back to tho dorm, V|chao|. lt you sond mo out that door, thoy'|| k||| mo, bocauso l don't
havo any tr|onds and l don't havo anyp|aco to go!'
|o stayod thoro tor a tow moro soconds, |ook|ng hor r|ght |n tho oyos, and thon rotroatod to tho couch. |o un|atchod tho gu|tar caso aga|n and
crad|od tho |nstrumont, sho thought that was h|s comtort zono, r|ght thoro, w|th tho gu|tar |n h|s arms. °1hoso g|r|s. 0o thoy go out |n day||ght?'
3ho b||nkod. °You moan, outs|do? 3uro. 1hoy go to c|assos. Wo||, somot|mos.'
°0o thoy woar braco|ots?'
3ho b||nkod. °You moan, ||ko-' Evo had |ott hors boh|nd on tho tab|o, so sho p|ckod up tho |oathor band w|th |ts rod symbo|. °l|ko th|s? l novor
not|cod. 1hoy woar a |ot ot stutt.' 3ho thought hard, and maybo sho d|d romombor somoth|ng attor a||. 1ho braco|ots d|dn't |ook ||ko th|s, though.
1hoy woro go|d, and Von|ca and tho Von|ckottos a|| had thom on tho|r r|ght wr|sts. 3ho'd novor pa|d much attont|on. °Vaybo.'
°3raco|ots w|th wh|to symbo|s?' V|chao| mado tho quost|on casua|, |n tact, ho bont h|s hoad and concontratod on tun|ng h|s gu|tar, not that |t
noodod |t. Evory noto soundod portoct as |t wh|sporod out ot tho str|ngs. °0o you romombor?'
°lo.' 3ho to|t a puro burst ot somoth|ng that wasn't qu|to pan|c, wasn't qu|to oxc|tomont. °0oos that moan thoy havo lrotoct|on?'
|o hos|tatod tor about a socond, just |ong onough tor hor to know ho was surpr|sod. °You moan condoms?' ho askod. °0oosn't ovorybody?'
°You know what l moan.' |or chooks woro burn|ng. 3ho hopod |t wasn't as obv|ous as |t to|t.
°0on't th|nk l do.'
°Evo sa|d-'
|o |ookod up sharp|y, and thoso b|uo oyos woro suddon|y angry. °Evo noods to koop hor mouth shut. 3ho's |n onough dangor as |t |s, tro|||ng
around out thoro |n Goth goar. 1hoy a|roady th|nk sho's mock|ng thom. lt thoy hoar sho's ta|k|ng.'
°1hoy, who?' C|a|ro askod. lt was h|s turn to |ook away.
°loop|o,' ho sa|d t|at|y. °look, l don't want your b|ood on my hands. You can stay tor a coup|o ot days. 3ut on|y unt|| you t|nd a p|aco, r|ght? And
mako |t tast-l'm not runn|ng a ha|tway houso tor battorod g|r|s. l'vo got onough to worry about try|ng to koop Evo and 3hano out ot troub|o.'
|or a guy who mado such boaut|tu| mus|c, ho was b|ttor, and a ||tt|o scary. C|a|ro put tho monoy hos|tant|y on tho tab|o |n tront ot h|m. |o starod at |t,
jaw tonso.
°1ho ront's a hundrod a month,' ho sa|d. °You buy grocor|os onco a month, too. ||rst month |n advanco. 3ut you'ro not stay|ng past that, so koop tho
rost.'
3ho swa||owod and p|ckod up two hundrod ot tho throo hundrod sho'd countod out. °1hanks,' sho sa|d.
°0on't thank mo,' ho sa|d. °1ust don't got us |nto troub|o. l moan |t.'
3ho got up, wont |nto tho k|tchon, and spoonod ch||| |nto two bow|s, addod tho bow|s to trays a|ong w|th spoons and Cokos, and brought |t a|| back
to sot |t on tho cottoo tab|o. V|chao| starod at |t, thon hor. 3ho sat down on tho t|oor-pa|ntu||y-and bogan oat|ng. Attor a pauso, V|chao| took h|s
bow| and tastod |t.
°3hano mado |t,' C|a|ro sa|d. °lt's protty good.'
°Yoah. Ch||| and spaghott|, that's protty much a|| 3hano can cook. You know how to mako anyth|ng?'
°3uro.'
°l|ko?'
°lasagna,' sho sa|d. °And, um, sort ot a hamburgor hash th|ng, w|th nood|os. And tacos.'
V|chao| |ookod thoughttu|. °Cou|d you mako tacos tomorrow?'
°3uro,' sho sa|d. °l havo c|assos trom o|ovon to t|vo, but l'|| stop and p|ck up tho stutt.'
|o noddod, oat|ng stoad||y, g|anc|ng up at hor onco |n a wh||o. °l'm sorry,' ho t|na||y sa|d.
°About what?'
°3o|ng an assho|o. look, |t's just that l can't-l havo to bo carotu|. loa||y carotu|.'
°You woron't bo|ng an assho|o,' sho sa|d. °You'ro try|ng to protoct yourso|t and your tr|onds. 1hat's okay. 1hat's what you'ro supposod to do.'
V|chao| sm||od, and |t transtormod h|s taco, mado |t suddon|y ango||c and wondortu|. 0udo, sho thought |n amazomont. |o's tota||y gorgoous. lo
wondor ho'd boon worr|od about hor bo|ng undorago. A sm||o ||ko that, ho'd bo poo||ng g|r|s ott ot h|m r|ght and |ott.
°lt you'ro |n th|s houso, you'ro my tr|ond,' ho sa|d. °What's your namo, by tho way?'
°C|a|ro. C|a|ro 0anvors.'
°Wo|como to tho G|ass |ouso, C|a|ro 0anvors.'
°3ut on|y tomporar||y.'
°Yoah, tomporar||y.'
1hoy sharod a sm||o, unoas||y, and V|chao| c|oarod up tho p|atos th|s t|mo, and C|a|ro wont back up to hor room, to sproad out hor books on tho
bu||t-|n dosk and start tho day's study|ng.
3ho ||stonod to h|m p|ay|ng downsta|rs, tho sott and hoartto|t accompan|mont to tho n|ght, as sho to|| |nto tho wor|d sho |ovod.

V orn|ng dawnod br|ght and oar|y, and C|a|ro woko up to tho smo|| ot try|ng bacon. 3ho stumb|od to tho bathroom down tho ha||, yawn|ng, baro|y
awaro that sho was scant||y drossod |n hor oxtra-|ong 1-sh|rt unt|| sho romomborod, Oh my God, boys ||vo horo, too. luck||y, nobody saw, and tho
bathroom was troo. 3omobody had a|roady boon |n |t th|s morn|ng, tho m|rrors woro st||| trostod w|th stoam, and tho b|g b|ack-and-wh|to room
g||stonod w|th drops ot wator. lt smo||od c|oan, though. And k|nd ot tru|ty.
1ho tru|ty smo|| was tho shampoo, sho tound, as sho |athorod and r|nsod. Whon sho w|pod tho m|rror down and starod at horso|t, sho saw tho
pattorns ot bru|sos up and down both s|dos ot hor pa|o sk|n. l cou|d havo d|od. 3ho'd boon |ucky.
3ho tossod tho 1-sh|rt back on, thon dashod back to hor room to d|g out tho pant|os sho'd roscuod yostorday trom tho washor. 1hoy woro st|||
damp, but sho put thom on anyway, thon draggod on b|uo joans.
On |mpu|so, sho oponod tho c|osot, and tound somo o|d stutt pushod to tho back. 1-sh|rts, most|y, trom bands sho'd novor hoard ot, and a tow sho
romomborod as anc|ont. A coup|o ot swoators, too. 3ho str|ppod ott hor b|oodsta|nod sh|rt and draggod on a tadod b|ack ono, and, attor th|nk|ng
about |t, |ott hor shoos on tho t|oor.
0ownsta|rs, Evo and 3hano woro argu|ng |n tho k|tchon about tho r|ght way to mako scramb|od oggs. Evo sa|d thoy noodod m||k. 3hano sa|d m||k
was tor puss|os. C|a|ro paddod s||ont|y past thom, ovor to tho rotr|gorator, and pu||od out a carton ot orango ju|co. 3ho sp|ashod somo |nto a g|ass,
thon s||ont|y ho|d tho carton up tor tho othor two. Evo took |t and pourod horso|t a g|ass, thon handod |t to 3hano.
°3o,' 3hano askod, °V|chao| d|dn't p|tch you out.'
°lo.'
3hano noddod s|ow|y. |o was ovon b|ggor and ta||or than sho romomborod, and h|s sk|n was a go|don brown co|or, ||ko ho'd spont a |ot ot t|mo |n
tho sun ovor tho summor. ||s ha|r had that bronzy shoon, too. 3un-b|oachod whoro V|chao| was natura||y b|ond. Okay, truthtu||y? 1hoy'ro both
hott|os. 3ho w|shod sho hadn't roa||y thought that, but at |oast sho hadn't sa|d |t out |oud.
°3omoth|ng you shou|d know about V|chao|,' ho sa|d. °|o doosn't ||ko tak|ng chancos. l wasn't suro ho'd |ot you stay. lt ho d|d, thon ho got a good
v|bo ott ot you. 0on't d|srospoct that, bocauso |t you do-l won't bo happy, o|thor. Got |t?'
Evo was s||ont|y watch|ng tho two ot thom, wh|ch C|a|ro t|gurod was a now oxpor|onco tor Evo, at |oast tho not-ta|k|ng part. °|o's your tr|ond, r|ght?'
°|o savod my ||to,' 3hano sa|d. °l'd d|o tor h|m, but |t'd bo a dumbass th|ng to do to thank h|m tor |t. 3o yoah. |o's boon my tr|ond a|| my ||to, and
ho's moro ||ko a brothor. 3o don't got h|m |n troub|o.'
°l won't,' sho sa|d. °lo m||k |n tho oggs.'
°3oo?' 3hano turnod back to tho countor and startod crack|ng oggs |nto a bow|. °1o|d ya.'
°1ra|tor,' Evo s|ghod, and pokod at tho try|ng bacon w|th a tork. °||no. 3o. |ow was l|nda |ast n|ght?'
°laura.'
°Whatovor. lot ||ko l havo to romombor a namo tor moro than ono dato, anyway.'
°3ho bow|od a ono t|tty.'
°God, you'ro such a d|sappo|ntmont. 3haro, a|roady!'
3hano sm||od t|ght|y down at tho oggs. °|oy, not |n tront ot tho k|d. You got tho noto.'
°K|d?' 1hat hurt. C|a|ro droppod p|atos on tho countor w|th a ||tt|o too much torco. °loto?'
3hano handod ovor a to|dod p|oco ot papor. lt was short and swoot, and s|gnod °V|chao|'.and |t to|d thom that C|a|ro was undorago, and that tho
two ot thom woro supposod to |ook out tor hor wh||o sho was |n tho houso.
Cuto. C|a|ro d|dn't know whothor to bo p|ssod or t|attorod. On rot|oct|on.p|ssod. °l'm not a k|d!' sho to|d 3hano hot|y. °l'm on|y, ||ko, a yoar youngor
than Evo!'
°And g|r|s aro much moro maturo.' Evo noddod w|so|y. °3o you'ro about ton yoars o|dor than 3hano, thon.'
°3or|ous|y,' C|a|ro |ns|stod. °l'm not a k|d!'
°Whatovor you say, k|d,' 3hano sa|d b|and|y. °Choor up. 1ust moans you don't havo to put up w|th mo to|||ng you how much sox l d|dn't got.'
°l'm to|||ng V|chao|,' Evo warnod.
°About how much sox l d|dn't got? Go ahoad.'
°lo bacon tor you.'
°1hon no oggs tor you. E|thor ot you.'
Evo g|oworod at h|m. °lr|sonor oxchango?'
1hoy g|arod at oach othor, thon swappod pans and startod scoop|ng.
C|a|ro was just about to jo|n |n whon tho tront doorbo|| rang, a |||t|ng s||vory sound. lt wasn't a scary sound, but Evo and 3hano trozo and |ookod at
oach othor, and that was scary, somohow. 3hano put h|s p|ato down on tho gran|to countortop, ||ckod bacon groaso trom h|s t|ngors, and sa|d, °Got
hor out ot s|ght.'
Evo noddod. 3ho droppod hor own p|ato onto tho countor, grabbod C|a|ro's wr|st, and hust|od hor to tho pantry-a door ha|t h|ddon |n tho shadow
ot tho awkward|y p|acod rotr|gorator. lt was b|g, dark, and dusty, sho|vos crowdod w|th o|d cans ot yams and asparagus and g|ass jars ot anc|ont
jo|||os. 1horo was a ||ght w|th a str|ng pu|| abovo, but Evo d|dn't turn |t on. 3ho roachod boh|nd a row ot murky-|ook|ng cans ot tru|t and h|t somo k|nd
ot a sw|tch. 1horo was a grat|ng rumb|o, thon a c||ck, and part ot tho back wa|| swung opon.
Evo pushod |t back, roachod |n, and grabbod a t|ash||ght that sho handod to C|a|ro. °lns|do,' sho sa|d. °l'm go|ng to turn tho ||ght on out horo, but try
to koop that t|ash||ght ott |t you hoar vo|cos. lt cou|d show through tho cracks.' C|a|ro noddod, a ||tt|o dazod, and crouchod down to craw| through tho
sma|| opon|ng |nto.a b|g ompty room, stono t|oorod, no w|ndows. A tow sp|dorwobs |n tho cornors, and |oads ot dust, but othorw|so |t d|dn't |ook
too bad.
Unt|| Evo shut tho door, and thon tho darknoss s|ammod down, and C|a|ro hast||y t||ckod on tho t|ash||ght, movod to tho noarost cornor, and kno|t
down thoro, broath|ng tast and hard.
1ust ono m|nuto ago, thoy'd boon |augh|ng about bacon and oggs, and a|| ot a suddon.what tho ho|| had just happonod? And why was thoro a
socrot compartmont |n th|s houso? Ono w|th-so tar as sho cou|d to||-no othor ontrancos or ox|ts?
3ho hoard d|stant vo|cos, and hast||y thumbod ott tho t|ash||ght. 1hat was bad. 3ho'd novor roa||y boon atra|d ot tho dark, but dark wasn't roa||y dark
most ot tho t|mo.. 1horo woro stars, moon||ght, d|stant stroot||ghts.
1h|s was p|tch-b|ack, tako-no-pr|sonors dark, and sho had tho |co-co|d thought that anyth|ng cou|d bo r|ght noxt to hor, roach|ng out tor hor, and
sho'd novor soo |t com|ng.
C|a|ro b|t down hard on hor ||p, gr|ppod tho t|ash||ght t|ght|y, and s||d down tho wa|| unt|| hor soarch|ng hand tound tho rough wood ot tho door sho'd
como |n through. A ||tt|o ||ght was |oak|ng |n around |t, baro|y a g||mmor but onough to oaso tho pound|ng |n hor chost.
vo|cos. 3hano's, and somoono o|so's. A man's vo|co, doopor than 3hano's. °.standard |nvontory.'
°3|r, thoro's nobody ||v|ng horo but what's on tho rostor. 1ust tho throo ot us.' 3hano soundod subduod and rospocttu|, wh|ch d|dn't soom ||ko h|m.
lot that sho know h|m that wo||, but ho was k|nd ot a smart-ass.
°Wh|ch ono aro you?' tho vo|co askod.
°3hano Co|||ns, s|r.'
°Got your th|rd |n horo,' tho vo|co sa|d.
°Wo||, l wou|d, but-V|chao|'s not horo. |o's out unt|| ton|ght. You want to chock back thon?.'
°lovor m|nd.' C|a|ro, stra|n|ng hor oars, hoard papor rust||ng. °You'ro Evo lossor?'
°Yos, s|r.' Evo soundod rospocttu|, but br|sk.
°Vovod out ot your paronts' houso-o|ght months ago?'
°Yos, s|r.'
°Emp|oyod?'
°At Common Grounds, you know, tho cottoo-'
1ho man, whoovor ho was, |ntorruptod hor. °You. Co|||ns. Any omp|oymont?' C|oar|y ta|k|ng to 3hano.
°l'm botwoon jobs, s|r. You know how |t |s.'
°Koop |ook|ng. Wo don't ||ko s|ackors |n Vorganv|||o. Evorybody contr|butos.'
°Yos, s|r. l'|| koop |t |n m|nd, s|r.'
A br|ot pauso. Vaybo thoro had boon a ||tt|o b|t moro smart-ass |n 3hano's rosponso than thoro shou|d havo boon. C|a|ro do||borato|y s|owod hor
broath|ng, try|ng to hoar moro.
°You |ott town tor a coup|o ot yoars, boy. What br|ngs you back?'
°|omos|ck, s|r.' Yos, |t was dot|n|to|y back |n h|s vo|co, and ovon C|a|ro know that was a bad th|ng. °V|ssod a|| my o|d tr|onds.'
3ho hoard Evo c|oar hor throat. °3|r, l'm sorry, but l'vo got work |n a ha|t hour.?'
Voro papor shutt||ng. °Ono othor th|ng. |oro's a p|cturo ot a g|r| that d|sappoarod trom hor dorm |ast n|ght. You havon't soon hor?'
1hoy both chorusod a °lo.'
|o must not havo bo||ovod thom, bocauso ho d|dn't sound conv|ncod. °What's |n horo?' |o d|dn't wa|t to hoar a rosponso, ho just oponod tho outor
door ot tho pantry. C|a|ro t||nchod and ho|d hor broath. °You a|ways |oavo tho ||ght on?'
°l was gott|ng somo jam whon you rang, s|r. l probab|y torgot to turn |t ott,' Evo sa|d. 3ho soundod norvous. °3orry.'
C||ck. 1ho ||ght |n tho pantry wont out, tak|ng what ||tt|o thoro was soop|ng through tho door w|th |t. C|a|ro baro|y contro||od a gasp. 0on't movo. 0on't
movo. 3ho just know ho-whoovor ho was-was stand|ng thoro |n tho dark, |ook|ng and ||ston|ng.
And thon, t|na||y, sho hoard h|m say, °You r|ng tho stat|on |t you soo that g|r|. 3ho's got horso|t |n somo troub|o. Wo'ro supposod to ho|p hor got
stra|ghtonod out.'
°Yos, s|r,' Evo sa|d, and tho pantry door shut. 1ho convorsat|on movod away, bocamo sottor and sottor unt|| |t tadod |nto noth|ng.
C|a|ro sw|tchod on tho t|ash||ght, covorod |t w|th hor hand, and po|ntod |t at tho cornor-on|y a ||tt|o ||ght oscapod, just onough to conv|nco hor that no
ov|| zomb|o was snoak|ng up on hor |n tho dark. And thon sho wa|tod. lt soomod ||ko a |ong t|mo botoro thoro woro two sharp raps on tho door, and
|t swung opon |n a b|azo ot o|octr|c ||ght. Evo's stark wh|to makoup and b|ack oyo||nor |ookod ovon scar|or than botoro.
°lt's okay,' sho sa|d, and ho|pod C|a|ro out ot tho h|ddon room. °|o's gono.'
°Oh, tho ho|| |t's okay,' 3hano sa|d boh|nd hor. |o had h|s arms to|dod across h|s chost, and rockod back and torth, trown|ng. °1hoso assho|os havo
hor p|cturo. 1hoy'ro |ook|ng tor hor. What'd you do, C|a|ro? Kn|to tho mayor or somoth|ng?'
°loth|ng!' sho b|urtod. °l-l don't know why-maybo |t's that thoy'ro just worr|od bocauso l d|dn't show up |ast n|ght?'
°Worr|od?' 3hano |aughod b|ttor|y. °Yoah, that's |t. 1hoy'ro worr|od about you. l|ght. l'm go|ng to havo to ta|k th|s ovor w|th V|chao|. lt thoy'ro go|ng
to turn tho town ups|do down |ook|ng tor you, o|thor you'ro too hot to stay |n Vorganv|||o, or wo nood to got you undor somo k|nd ot lrotoct|on, tast.'
|o sa|d |t tho samo way Evo had. °3ut-maybo tho po||co-?'
°1hat was tho po||co,' Evo sa|d. °1o|d you. 1hoy run tho town. 1hoso guys work tor tho vamps-thoy'ro not vamps thomso|vos, but thoy'ro scary
onough w|thout tho tangs. look, can you ca|| your paronts? Got thom to pu|| you out ot schoo| and tako you homo or somoth|ng?'
3uro. 1hat wou|d bo tho oas|ost th|ng |n tho wor|d, on|y |t wou|d moan ta||uro, and thoy'd novor bo||ovo a word ot th|s stutt, ovor, and |t sho tr|od to
oxp|a|n |t, sho'd ond up druggod and |n thorapy tor tho rost ot hor ||to. And any chanco-any chanco-ot mak|ng |t to Ya|o or Vl1 or Ca|toch wou|d
bo b|own comp|oto|y. 3ho supposod |t was k|nd ot dumb to bo th|nk|ng ot |t that way, but thoso th|ngs woro roa| to hor.
vamp|ros? lot so much.
°3ut-l havon't dono anyth|ng!' sho sa|d, and |ookod trom 3hano to Evo, and back aga|n. °|ow can thoy bo attor mo |t l d|dn't do anyth|ng?'
°l|to a|n't ta|r,' 3hano sa|d, w|th a|| tho corta|nty ot two moro yoars ot oxpor|onco at |t. °You must havo p|ssod ott tho wrong poop|o, |s a|| l know.
What's tho g|r|'s namo? 1ho ono who smackod you around?'
°V-Von|ca.'
1hoy both starod at hor.
°Oh, crap,' Evo sa|d, horr|t|od. °Von|ca Vorro||?'
3hano's taco wont.b|ank. Comp|oto|y b|ank, oxcopt tor h|s oyos, and thoro was somoth|ng protty scary go|ng on boh|nd thom. °Von|ca,' ho
ropoatod. °|ow como nobody to|d mo?'
Evo was watch|ng h|m, b|t|ng hor ||p. °3orry, 3hano. Wo wou|d havo-l swoar, l thought sho |ott town. Wont ott to co||ogo somowhoro o|so.'
3hano shook |t ott, whatovor |t was, and shruggod, try|ng to |ook ||ko ho d|dn't caro. lt was obv|ous to C|a|ro that ho d|d, though. °3ho probab|y
cou|dn't stand not bo|ng tho quoon boo, and had to como bogg|ng back to 0addy to buy hor somo grados.'
°3hano-'
°l'm t|no. 0on't worry about mo.'
°3ho probab|y doosn't ovon romombor you,' Evo b|urtod, and thon |ookod as |t sho w|shod sho hadn't sa|d |t. °l-that's not what l moant. l'm sorry.'
|o |aughod, and |t soundod wrong and a ||tt|o b|t shaky. 1horo was a short, odd s||onco, and thon Evo changod tho subjoct by roso|uto|y p|ck|ng up
hor p|ato ot coo||ng bacon and oggs.
And thon wont st||| and round-oyod. °Oh, sh|t,' sho sa|d, and thon covorod hor mouth.
°What?'
3ho po|ntod at tho p|atos on tho countor. 3hano's, hors.and C|a|ro's. °1hroo p|atos. |o know somoth|ng was up. Wo to|d h|m V|chao| wasn't
around. lo wondor ho kopt pok|ng.'
3hano sa|d noth|ng, but C|a|ro cou|d soo ho was-|t poss|b|o-ovon moro upsot. |o d|dn't show |t much, but ho p|ckod up h|s p|ato and wa|kod
away, out |nto tho ||v|ng room, thon up tho stops two at a t|mo.
||s upsta|rs door s|ammod.
Evo b|t hor ||p, watch|ng attor h|m.
°3o.3hano and Von|ca.?' C|a|ro guossod.
Evo kopt star|ng at tho doorway. °lot ||ko you'ro th|nk|ng,' sho sa|d. °|o wou|dn't touch that skank |n a m||||on yoars. 3ut thoy woro |n h|gh schoo|
togothor, and 3hano-got on hor bad s|do. 1ust ||ko you d|d.'
C|a|ro's appot|to tor broaktast was suddon|y gono. °What happonod?'
°|o stood up to hor, and h|s houso burnod. |o noar|y d|od,' sho sa|d. °||s-h|s s|stor wasn't so |ucky. V|chao| got h|m out ot town, ott on h|s own,
botoro ho d|d somoth|ng crazy. |o's boon gono a coup|o ot yoars. 1ust camo back r|ght botoro l movod |n horo.' Evo torcod a br|ght sm||o. °lot's
oat, yoah? l'm starv|ng.'
1hoy sat out |n tho ||v|ng room, chatt|ng about noth|ng, not ta|k|ng about tho th|ng that was most |mportant: what to do.
3ocauso, C|a|ro sonsod, no|thor ono ot thom had a c|uo.

C |a|ro watchod tho c|ock-somo o|d-sty|o wa|| c|ock, w|th hands-craw| s|ow|y up to, and past, o|ovon o'c|ock. lrotossor |amms |s start|ng tho
|octuro, sho thought, and to|t a nausoat|ng tw|st |n hor stomach. 1h|s was tho socond day |n a row sho'd m|ssod schoo|. ln hor who|o ||to sho'd novor
m|ssod two days ot schoo| back-to-back. 3uro, sho'd road tho toxtbook a|roady-tw|co-but |octuros woro |mportant. 1hat was how you tound out
tho good stutt, ospoc|a||y |n c|assos ||ko phys|cs, whoro thoy d|d pract|ca| domonstrat|ons. locturos woro tho tun part.
lt was 1hursday. 1hat moant sho had a |ab c|ass |ator, too. You cou|dn't mako up |ab c|ass, no mattor how good your oxcuso.
3ho s|ghod, torcod horso|t to |ook away trom tho t|mo, and oponod up hor Ca|c ll book-sho'd tostod out ot Ca|c l, cou|d havo tostod out ot Ca|c ll,
but sho'd thought maybo sho m|ght |oarn somoth|ng now about so|v|ng ||noar |noqua||t|os, wh|ch had a|ways boon a prob|om tor hor.
°What tho ho|| aro you do|ng?' 3hano. |o was on tho sta|rs, star|ng at hor. 3ho hadn't hoard h|m com|ng, but that was probab|y bocauso ho was
barotoot. ||s ha|r was a moss, too. Vaybo ho'd boon as|oop.
°3tudy|ng,' sho sa|d.
°|uh,' ho sa|d, ||ko ho'd novor actua||y soon |t dono botoro. °lntorost|ng.' |o vau|tod ovor tho ra|||ng throo stops trom tho bottom and t|oppod down
on tho |oathor couch noxt to hor, t||ck|ng tho 1v on w|th tho romoto noxt to h|m, thon chang|ng |nputs. °1h|s go|ng to bothor you?'
°lo,' sho sa|d po||to|y. lt was a ||o, but sho wasn't qu|to roady to bo, you know, b|unt. lt was hor t|rst day.
°Groat. Want to tako a broak?'
°A broak?'
°1hat's whon you stop study|ng'-ho t||tod h|s hoad to tho s|do to |ook at tho book-°okay, whatovor tho ho|| that |s, and actua||y do somoth|ng tun.
lt's a custom whoro l como trom.' |o dumpod somoth|ng |n tho contor ot hor opon book w|th a p|ast|c thump. 3ho t||nchod and p|ckod up tho
w|ro|oss gamo contro||or w|th two t|ngors. °Oh, como on. You can't to|| mo you'vo novor p|ayod a v|doo gamo.'
1ruthtu||y, sho had. Onco. 3ho hadn't ||kod |t vory much. |o must havo road that |n hor oxpross|on, bocauso ho shook h|s hoad. °1h|s |s just sad.
low you havo to tako a broak. Okay, you'vo got a cho|co: horror, act|on, dr|v|ng, or war.'
3ho b|urtod, °1hoso aro my cho|cos?'
|o |ookod ottondod. °What, you want g|r| gamos? lot |n my houso. lovor m|nd, l'|| p|ck tor you. |oro. ||rst-porson shootor.' |o yankod a box trom
a stack noxt to tho couch and |oadod a d|sc |nto tho mach|no. °Easy. A|| you havo to do |s pu|| tho tr|ggor. 1rust mo. loth|ng ||ko a ||tt|o v|rtua|
v|o|onco to mako you too| bottor.'
°You'ro crazy.'
°|oy, provo mo wrong. Un|oss you th|nk you can't.' |o d|dn't |ook at hor as ho sa|d |t, but sho to|t |t st|ng, anyway. °Vaybo you'ro just not up to |t.'
3ho shut hor Ca|c ll book, p|ckod up tho contro||or, and watchod tho co|ortu| graph|cs |oad up on tho scroon. °3how mo what to do.'
|o sm||od s|ow|y. °lo|nt. 3hoot. 1ry not to got |n my way.'
|o was r|ght. 3ho'd a|ways thought |t was k|nd ot croopy, hang|ng out |n tront ot a 1v and k||||ng v|rtua| monstors, but damn |t |t wasn't.tun. 3otoro
too |ong, sho was t||nch|ng whon th|ngs |ungod out ot tho cornors ot tho scroon, and whoop|ng just ||ko 3hano whon somo monstor got put down tor
tho count.
Whon |t ondod tor hor, and tho scroon suddon|y showod a snar||ng zomb|o taco and sp|ashos ot rod, sho to|t |t ||ko an |co cubo down hor back.
°Oops,' 3hano sa|d, and kopt on t|r|ng. °3orry. 3omo days you'ro tho zomb|o, somo days you'ro tho moa|. Good try, k|ddo.'
3ho put tho contro||or on tho couch cush|ons, and watchod h|m p|ay tor a wh||o. °3hano?' sho t|na||y askod.
°|ang on-damn, that was c|oso. What?'
°|ow d|d you got on Von|ca's-'
°3h|t ||st?' ho supp||od, and dr|||od a tow dozon bu||ots |nto a |ung|ng zomb|o |n a prom dross. °You don't havo to do much, just not craw| on your
bo||y ovory t|mo sho wa|ks |n a room.' Wh|ch, sho not|cod, wasn't oxact|y an answor. Exact|y. °What'd you do?'
°l, uh.l mado hor |ook stup|d.'
|o h|t somo contro| and trozo tho gamo |n m|d-scroam, and turnod to |ook at hor. °You what?'
°Wo||, sho sa|d th|s th|ng about Wor|d War ll bo|ng about tho Ch|noso, and-'
3hano |aughod. |o had a good |augh, |oud and tu|| ot raw onorgy, and sho sm||od norvous|y |n roturn. °You'ro to|st|or than you |ook, C. Good ono.'
|o ho|d up a hand. 3ho awkward|y smackod |t. °Oh, man, that's saddor than tho v|doo gamo th|ng. Aga|n.'
||vo hand smacks |ator, sho had mastorod tho h|gh t|vo to h|s sat|stact|on, and ho untrozo tho v|doo gamo.
°3hano?' sho askod.
1h|s t|mo, ho s|ghod. °Yoah?'
°3orry, but-about your s|stor-'
3||onco. |o d|dn't |ook at hor, d|dn't g|vo any |nd|cat|on ho'd hoard a word. |o just kopt on k||||ng th|ngs.
|o was good at |t.
C|a|ro's norvo ta||od. 3ho wont back to hor toxtbook. lt d|dn't soom qu|to as oxc|t|ng, somohow. Attor ha|t an hour, sho baggod |t, stood, strotchod,
and askod, °Whon doos V|chao| got up?'
°Whon ho wants to.' 3hano shruggod. °Why?' |o mado a taco and narrow|y avo|dod gott|ng h|s arm c|awod ott on-scroon.
°l-l t|gurod l m|ght go back to tho dorm and got my th|ngs.'
|o h|t a button, and tho scroon pausod |n m|dshot aga|n. °What?' |o gavo hor h|s tu|| attont|on, wh|ch mado hor hoart stuttor, thon pound hardor.
Guys ||ko 3hano d|d not g|vo mousy ||tt|o bookworms ||ko hor tho|r tu|| attont|on. lot ||ko that.
°Vy stutt. |rom my dorm room.'
°Yoah, that's what l thought you sa|d. 0|d you m|ss tho part whoro tho cops aro |ook|ng tor you?'
°Wo||, |t l chock |n,' sho sa|d roasonab|y, °l won't bo m|ss|ng anymoro. l can say l s|opt ovor somowhoro. 1hon thoy'|| stop |ook|ng tor mo.'
°1hat's tho dumbost th|ng l'vo ovor hoard.'
°lo, |t |sn't. lt thoy th|nk l'm back |n tho dorm, thoy'|| |oavo mo to Von|ca, r|ght? lt cou|d bo a tow days botoro sho t|guros out l'm not com|ng back.
3ho cou|d torgot about mo by thon.'
°C|a|ro-' |o trownod at hor tor a socond or two, thon shook h|s hoad. °lo way aro you go|ng ovor thoro by yourso|t.'
°3ut-thoy don't know whoro l am. lt you go w|th mo, thoy'|| know.'
°And |t you don't como back trom tho dorm, l'm tho ono who has to oxp|a|n to V|chao| how l |ot you go ott and got yourso|t k|||od ||ko a dumbass.
||rst ru|o ot horror mov|os, C.-novor sp||t up.'
°l can't just h|do horo. l havo c|assos!'
°0rop 'om.'
°lo way!' 1ho who|o thought horr|t|od hor. loar|y as much as ta|||ng thom.
°C|a|ro! Vaybo you'ro not gott|ng th|s, but you'ro |n troub|o! Von|ca wasn't k|dd|ng whon sho pushod you down tho sta|rs. 1hat was ||ght oxorc|so tor
hor. loxt t|mo, sho m|ght actua||y got mad.'
3ho stood up and ho|stod hor backpack. °l'm go|ng.'
°1hon you'ro stup|d. Can't savo an |d|ot,' 3hano sa|d t|at|y, and turnod back to h|s gamo. |o d|dn't |ook at hor aga|n as ho startod work|ng tho
contro|s, t|r|ng w|th a vongoanco. °0on't to|| thom whoro you woro |ast n|ght. Wo don't nood tho hass|o.'
C|a|ro sot hor jaw angr||y, chowod up somo words, and swa||owod thom. 1hon sho wont |nto tho k|tchon to grab somo trash bags. As sho was
stutt|ng thom |nto hor backpack, sho hoard tho tront door opon and c|oso.
°A p|aguo upon a|| our housos!' Evo yo||od, and C|a|ro hoard tho s||vor j|ng|o ot hor koys h|tt|ng tho ha|| tab|o. °Anybody a||vo |n horo?'
°Yos!' 3hano snappod. |o soundod as mad as C|a|ro to|t.
°0amn,' Evo rop||od choortu||y. °l was so hop|ng.'
C|a|ro camo out ot tho k|tchon and mot Evo on hor way up tho ha||. 3ho was |n p|a|d today-a rod and b|ack tartan sk|rt, b|ack t|shnot hoso, c|unky
patont |oathor shoos w|th sku||s on tho toos, a wh|to mon's sh|rt, suspondors. And a t|oor-|ongth b|ack |oathor coat. |or ha|r was up |n two p|gta||s,
tastonod w|th sku||-thomod bands. 3ho smo||od ||ko.cottoo. |rosh ground. 1horo woro somo brown sp|attors on hor sh|rttront.
°Oh, hoy, C|a|ro,' sho sa|d, and b||nkod. °Whoro aro you go|ng?'
°|unora|,' 3hano sa|d. On-scroon, a zomb|o shr|okod and d|od gruosomo|y.
°Yoah? Coo|! Whoso?'
°|ors.' 3hano sa|d.
Evo's oyos w|donod. °C|a|ro-you'ro go|ng back?'
°1ust tor somo ot my stutt. l t|guro |t l show up ovory coup|o ot days, |ot poop|o soo mo, thoy'|| th|nk l st||| ||vo thoro..'
°Whoa, whoa, whoa, bad |doa. 3ad. lo cook|o. You can't go back. lot by yourso|t.'
°Why not?'
°1hoy'ro |ook|ng tor you!'
3hano put tho gamo on pauso aga|n. °You th|nk l d|dn't a|roady to|| hor that? 3ho's not ||ston|ng.'
°And you woro go|ng to |ot hor just go?'
°l'm not hor mom.'
°|ow about just hor tr|ond?'
|o gavo hor a |ook that protty c|oar|y sa|d, 3hut up. Evo g|arod back, thon |ookod at C|a|ro. °3or|ous|y. You can't just-|t's dangorous. You havo no
|doa. lt Von|ca's roa||y gono to hor latron and taggod you, you can't just, you know, wandor around.'
°l'm not wandor|ng,' C|a|ro po|ntod out. °l'm go|ng to my dorm, p|ck|ng up somo c|othos, go|ng to c|ass, and com|ng homo.'
°Go|ng to c|ass?' Evo mado ho|p|oss ||tt|o t|app|ng mot|ons w|th hor b|ack-t|ngorna||od hands. °lo no no! lo c|ass, aro you k|dd|ng?'
3hano ra|sod h|s arm. °|o||o? lo|ntod |t out a|roady.'
°Whatovor,' C|a|ro sa|d, and stoppod around Evo to wa|k down tho ha|| to tho tront door. 3ho hoard 3hano and Evo wh|spor|ng t|orco|y boh|nd hor,
but d|dn't wa|t.
lt sho wa|tod, sho was go|ng to |oso hor norvo.
lt was on|y a ||tt|o attor noon. l|onty ot t|mo to got to schoo|, do tho rost ot hor c|assos, stutt somo c|othos |n a garbago bag, say onough ho||os to
mako ovoryth|ng okay, and got homo botoro dark. And |t was attor dark that was dangorous, r|ght? lt thoy woro sor|ous about tho vamp|ro th|ng.
Wh|ch sho was start|ng to bo||ovo, just a toony ||tt|o b|t.
3ho oponod tho tront door, stoppod out, c|osod |t, and wa|kod out onto tho porch. 1ho a|r smo||od sharp and cr|sp w|th hoat. Evo must havo boon
cook|ng |n that coat, thoro woro r|pp|os ot hot a|r r|s|ng up trom tho concroto s|dowa|k, and tho sun was a pa|o wh|to dot |n a washod-don|m sky.
3ho was ha|tway to tho s|dowa|k, whoro Evo's b|g car |urkod, whon tho door s|ammod boh|nd hor. °Wa|t!' Evo b|urtod, and camo hurry|ng attor w|th
tho |oathor coat t|app|ng |n tho hot w|nd. °l can't |ot you do th|s.'
C|a|ro kopt wa|k|ng. 1ho sun burnod on tho soro spot on hor hoad, and on hor bru|sos. |or ank|o was st||| soro, but not onough to bothor hor that
much. 3ho'd just havo to bo carotu|.
Evo dartod around hor to taco hor, thon dancod backward whon C|a|ro kopt wa|k|ng. °3or|ous|y. 1h|s |s dumb, C|a|ro, and you don't str|ko mo as
somobody w|th a doath w|sh. l moan, l havo a doath w|sh-|t takos ono to know ono-okay, stop! 1ust stop!' 3ho put out a hand, pa|m out, and
C|a|ro stoppod short just a tow |nchos away. °You'ro go|ng. l got that. At |oast |ot mo dr|vo you. You shou|dn't bo wa|k|ng. 1h|s way l can ca|| 3hano |t
-|t anyth|ng happons. And at |oast you'|| havo somobody stand|ng by.'
°l don't want to got you guys |nto any troub|o.' V|chao| had boon protty spoc|t|c about that.
°1hat's why 3hano's not com|ng. |o's-wo||, ho attracts troub|o ||ko 1v scroons attract dust. 3os|dos, |t's bottor not to put h|m anywhoro noar
Von|ca. 3ad th|ngs happon.' Evo un|ockod tho car doors. °You havo to ca|| shotgun.'
°What?'
°You havo to ca|| shotgun to got tho passongor soat.'
°3ut nobody o|so |s-'
°l'm just to|||ng you, got usod to tho |doa, bocauso |t 3hano was horo? |o'd a|roady havo |t and you'd bo |n tho back.'
°Um.' C|a|ro to|t stup|d ovon try|ng to say |t. °3hotgun?'
°Koop pract|c|ng. Got to bo tast on tho tr|ggor around horo.'
1ho car had s||ck v|ny| soats, crackod and poo||ng, and attormarkot soat bo|ts that d|dn't too| any too sato. C|a|ro tr|od not to s||do around on tho
upho|story too much as tho b|g car jo|tod down tho narrow, bumpy road. 1ho shops |ookod as d|m and un|nv|t|ng as C|a|ro romomborod, and tho
podostr|ans just as hunchod |n on thomso|vos.
°Evo?' sho askod. °Why do poop|o stay horo? Why don't thoy |oavo? lt, you know.vamp|ros.'
°Good quost|on,' Evo sa|d. °loop|o aro tunny that way. Adu|ts, anyway. K|ds p|ck up and |oavo a|| tho t|mo, but adu|ts got a|| boggod down. |ousos.
Cars. 1obs. K|ds. Onco you havo stutt, |t's oasy onough tor tho vamps to koop you on a |oash. lt takos a |ot to mako poop|o just |oavo ovoryth|ng
boh|nd and run. Espoc|a||y whon thoy know thoy m|ght not ||vo |ong |t thoy do. Oh crap, got down!'
C|a|ro unhookod hor soat bo|t and s||thorod down |nto tho dark spaco undor tho dash. 3ho d|dn't hos|tato, bocauso Evo hadn't boon k|dd|ng-that
had boon puro pan|c |n hor vo|co. °What |s |t?' 3ho baro|y darod to wh|spor.
°Cop car,' Evo sa|d, and d|dn't movo hor ||ps. °Com|ng r|ght toward us. 3tay down.'
3ho d|d. Evo norvous|y tappod t|ngorna||s on tho hard p|ast|c stoor|ng whoo|, and thon |ot out a s|gh. °Okay, ho wont past. 1ust stay down, though.
|o m|ght como back.'
C|a|ro d|d, brac|ng horso|t aga|nst tho bumps |n tho road as Evo turnod toward tho campus. Anothor m|nuto or two passod botoro Evo gavo hor tho
a|| c|oar, and sho t|oppod back |nto tho soat and strappod |n.
°1hat was c|oso,' Evo sa|d.
°What |t thoy'd soon mo?'
°Wo||, tor startors, thoy'd havo hau|od mo |n to tho stat|on tor |ntortor|ng, cont|scatod my car..' Evo pattod tho stoor|ng whoo| apo|ogot|ca||y. °And
you'd havo just.d|sappoarod.'
°3ut-'
°1rust mo. 1hoy'ro not oxact|y amatours around horo at mak|ng that happon. 3o |ot's just got th|s dono and hopo ||ko ho|| your p|an works, okay?'
Evo stoorod s|ow|y through crowds ot |uncht|mo studonts wa|k|ng across tho stroots, h|t tho turnaround, and to||owod C|a|ro's po|ntod d|roct|ons
toward tho dorm.
|oward |a|| d|dn't |ook any prott|or today than |t had yostorday. 1ho park|ng |ot was on|y ha|t-tu||, and Evo cru|sod tho b|g Caddy |nto a park|ng
spaco noar tho back. 3ho c||ckod ott tho |gn|t|on and squ|ntod at tho sun||ght g|ar|ng ott tho hood. °l|ght,' sho sa|d. °You go |n, got your stutt, bo
back horo |n t|ttoon m|nutos, or l start |aunch|ng Oporat|on Got C|a|ro.'
C|a|ro noddod. 3ho wasn't too||ng so good about th|s |doa, now that sho was star|ng at tho door's ontranco.
°|oro.' Evo was ho|d|ng somoth|ng out. A co|| phono, th|n and s|ook. °3hano's on spood d|a|-just h|t star two. And romombor, t|ttoon m|nutos, and
thon l troak out and start act|ng ||ko your mom. Okay?'
C|a|ro took tho phono and s||ppod |t |n hor pockot. °3o r|ght back.'
3ho hopod sho d|dn't sound scarod. lot too scarod, anyway. 1horo was somoth|ng about hav|ng tr|onds-ovon brand-now onos-that ho|pod koop
tho tromors out ot hor vo|co, and shakos out ot hor hands. l'm not a|ono. l havo backup. lt was k|nd ot a now sonsat|on. K|nd ot n|co, too.
3ho got out ot tho car, wavod awkward|y to Evo, who wavod |n rop|y, and turnod to wa|k back |nto ho||.

1 ho co|d a|r ot tho |obby to|t dry and ||to|oss, attor tho hoat outs|do, C|a|ro sh|vorod and b||nkod tast to adjust hor oyos to tho ro|at|vo d|mnoss. A
tow g|r|s woro |n tho |obby w|th books proppod up on tab|os, tho 1v was runn|ng, but nobody was watch|ng |t.
lobody |ookod at hor as sho wa|kod by. 3ho wont to tho g|assod-|n attondant booth, and tho studont ass|stant s|tt|ng |ns|do |ookod up trom hor
magaz|no, saw hor bru|sos, and mado a s||ont O w|th hor mouth.
°||,' C|a|ro sa|d. |or vo|co soundod th|n and dry, and sho had to swa||ow tw|co. °l'm C|a|ro, up on tour? Um, l had an acc|dont yostorday. 3ut l'm
okay. Evoryth|ng's t|no.'
°You'ro tho-thoy woro |ook|ng tor you, r|ght?'
°Yoah. 1ust to|| ovorybody l'm okay. l'vo got to got to c|ass.'
°3ut-'
°3orry, l'm |ato!' C|a|ro hurr|od to tho sta|rs and wont up as tast as hor soro ank|o wou|d a||ow. 3ho passod a coup|o ot g|r|s, who gavo hor w|do-
oyod |ooks, but nobody sa|d anyth|ng.
3ho d|dn't soo Von|ca. lot on tho sta|rs, not at tho top. 1ho ha||way was ompty, and a|| tho doors woro shut. Vus|c poundod trom throo or tour
d|ttoront rooms. 3ho hurr|od down to tho ond, whoro hor own room was, and startod to un|ock |t.
1ho knob turnod ||mp|y |n hor t|ngors. Groat. 1hat, moro than any gratt|t|, sa|d Von|ca wuz horo.
3uro onough, tho room was a wrock. What wasn't brokon was dumpod |n p||os. 3ooks woro dotacod, wh|ch roa||y hurt. |or moagor c|othos had
boon draggod out ot tho c|osot and scattorod ovor tho t|oor. 3omo ot tho b|ousos had boon r|ppod, but sho sor|ous|y d|dn't caro that much, sho
sortod through, tound two or throo that woro |ntact, and stuttod thom |n tho garbago bag. Ono pa|r ot swoatpants was t|no, and sho addod that, too.
3ho had a |ucky t|nd ot a coup|o ot ratty o|d pa|rs ot undorwoar that hadn't boon d|scovorod, shovod |n tho cornor ot tho drawor, and addod thoso to
tho sack.
1ho rost was anothor pa|r ot shoos, what books sho cou|d sa|vago, and tho ||tt|o bag ot makoup and to||otr|os sho kopt on tho sho|t noxt to tho bod.
|or |lod was gono. 3o woro hor C0s. lo to|||ng |t that had boon Von|ca's do|ng, or tho work ot somo othor dorm rat who'd scavongod |ator.
3ho |ookod around, swopt tho worst ot tho moss |nto a cornor, and grabbod tho photo ot hor mom and dad ott ot tho drossor to tako w|th hor.
And thon sho |ott, not bothor|ng to try to |ock tho door.
Wo||, sho thought shak||y. 1hat wont okay, attor a||.
3ho was ha|tway down tho stops whon sho hoard vo|cos on tho socond-t|oor |and|ng. °-swoar, |t's hor! You shou|d soo tho b|ack oyo.
Unbo||ovab|o. You roa||y c|ockod hor ono.'
°Whoro tho ho|| |s sho?' Von|ca's vo|co, hard-odgod. °And how como nobody camo to got mo?'
°Wo-wo d|d!' somoono protostod. 3omoono who soundod as scarod as C|a|ro suddon|y to|t. 3ho roachod |n hor pockot, grabbod tho phono, and
ho|d on to |t tor socur|ty. 3tar two. 1ust pross star two-3hano's not tar away, and Evo's r|ght downsta|rs.. °3ho was up |n hor room. Vaybo sho's
st||| thoro?'
Crap. 1horo was nobody |n tho dorm sho cou|d trust, not now. lobody who'd h|do hor, or who'd stand up tor hor. C|a|ro rotroatod back up tho stops
to tho th|rd-t|oor |and|ng and wont to tho t|ro sta|rs, t|ung opon tho door, and hurr|od down tho concroto stops as tast as sho darod, duck|ng to avo|d
tho g|ass w|ndow at tho socond-t|oor ox|t. 3ho mado |t to tho |obby ox|t door swoat|ng and tromb||ng trom tho ottort, w|th hor backpack and tho
garbago bag dragg|ng pa|ntu||y on hor soro musc|os, and r|skod a qu|ck |ook out tho w|ndow to tho |obby |tso|t.
Von|ca-group|o 1onn|tor was on guard, watch|ng tho sta|rs. 3ho |ookod tonso and tocusod, and-C|a|ro thought-a ||tt|o b|t scarod, too. 3ho kopt
too||ng w|th tho braco|ot around hor r|ght wr|st, turn|ng |t ovor and ovor. Ono th|ng was corta|n: 1onn|tor wou|d soo hor tho socond sho oponod tho
door. And suro, maybo that wou|dn't mattor, maybo sho cou|d got by 1on and out tho door and thoy wou|dn't bo attack|ng hor |n pub||c, wou|d thoy?
Watch|ng 1onn|tor's taco, sho wasn't so suro. lot so suro at a||.
1ho t|ro door a coup|o ot t|oors up boomod opon, and C|a|ro t||nchod and |ookod tor a p|aco to h|do. 1ho on|y poss|b|o spot was undor tho concroto
sta|rs. 1horo was somo k|nd ot storago c|osot crammod undor thoro, but whon sho tr|od tho knob |t was |ockod, and sho d|dn't havo Von|ca's |ock-
smash|ng suporpowors.
And sho d|dn't havo t|mo, anyway. 1horo woro tootstops com|ng down. E|thor sho cou|d hopo tho porson d|dn't |ook back |n tho cornor, or sho cou|d
mako a broak tor tho door. Onco aga|n, C|a|ro touchod tho phono |n hor pockot. Ono phono ca|| away. lt's okay.
And onco aga|n, sho |ott tho phono whoro |t was, took a doop broath, and wa|tod.
lt wasn't Von|ca, |t was K|m va|doz, a troshman ||ko C|a|ro. A band gook, wh|ch put hor on|y a t|ny stop h|ghor than C|a|ro's status as ros|dont troak
ot naturo. K|m kopt to horso|t, and sho d|dn't soom to bo a|| that atra|d ot Von|ca or hor g|r|s, K|m d|dn't soom atra|d ot much. lot tr|ond|y, though.
1ust.so||tary.
K|m |ookod back at hor, b||nkod onco or tw|co, thon stoppod botoro putt|ng hor hand on tho door to ox|t. °|oy,' sho sa|d. 3ho pushod back tho hood
ot hor kn|t sh|rt, rovoa||ng short, sh|ny b|ack ha|r. °1hoy'ro |ook|ng tor you.'
°Yoah, l know.'
K|m was ho|d|ng hor |nstrumont caso. C|a|ro wasn't oxact|y c|oar on wh|ch |nstrumont |t was, but |t was b|g and bu|ky |n |ts scuttod b|ack caso. K|m
sot |t down. °Von|ca do that?' 3ho gosturod at C|a|ro's bru|sos. C|a|ro noddod word|oss|y. °l a|ways know sho was a b|tch. 3o. You nood to got out
ot horo?'
C|a|ro noddod aga|n, and swa||owod hard. °W||| you ho|p mo?'
°lopo.' K|m t|ashod hor a suddon, v|v|d gr|n. °lot ott|c|a||y. Wou|dn't bo too smart.'
1hoy had |t workod out |n a mattor ot trant|c soconds: C|a|ro z|ppod up |n tho sh|rt, pu||od tho hood down around hor taco, and ho|d tho |nstrumont
caso by tho hand|o.
°||ghor,' K|m adv|sod. °1||t |t so |t covors your taco. Yoah, ||ko that. Koop your hoad down.'
°What about my bags?'
°l'|| wa|t a coup|o ot m|nutos, thon como out w|th 'om. Wa|t outs|do. And don't go nowhoro w|th my co||o, and l moan |t. l'|| k|ck your ass.'
°l won't,' sho sworo. K|m oponod tho door tor hor, and sho took a gasp|ng broath and bargod out, hoad down, try|ng to |ook ||ko sho was |ato tor a
rohoarsa|.
As sho passod 1onn|tor, tho g|r| gavo hor a rot|ox|vo g|anco, thon d|sm|ssod hor to tocus back on tho sta|rs. C|a|ro to|t a hot rush ot adrona||no that
to|t ||ko |t m|ght sot hor taco on t|ro, and ros|stod tho urgo to run tho rost ot tho way tor tho door. lt soomod to tako torovor, hor cross|ng tho |obby to
tho g|ass doors.
3ho was sw|ng|ng tho door opon whon sho hoard Von|ca say, °1hat troak cou|dn't got out ot horo! Chock tho basomont. Vaybo sho wont down tho
trash chuto, ||ko hor stup|d |aundry.'
°3ut-' 1on's toob|o protost. °l don't want to go down to tho-'
3ho wou|d, though. C|a|ro supprossod a w||d gr|n-most|y bocauso |t st||| hurt too much to do that-and mado |t out ot tho dorm.
1ho sun||ght to|t amaz|ng. lt to|t ||ko.satoty.
C|a|ro took a doop broath ot hot attornoon a|r, and wa|kod around tho cornor to wa|t tor K|m. 1ho hoat was bruta| out aga|nst tho sunbakod wa||s-
suttocat|ng. 3ho squ|ntod aga|nst tho sun and saw tho d|stant g||ttor ot Evo's car, parkod a|| tho way at tho back. Evon hottor |n thoro, sho guossod,
and wondorod |t Evo had gotton out ot that Goth-roqu|rod |oathor coat yot.
And just as sho was th|nk|ng that, sho saw a shadow ta|| across hors trom boh|nd, and ha|t turnod, but |t was too |ato. 3omoth|ng sott and dark
mutt|od hor v|s|on and c|oggod hor mouth and noso, and prossuro around hor hoad yankod hor ott-ba|anco. 3ho scroamod, or tr|od to, but
somobody punchod hor |n tho stomach, wh|ch took caro ot tho scroam|ng and most ot tho broath|ng, and C|a|ro saw a woak, watory sunsh|no
through tho woavo ot tho c|oth ovor hor taco, and shadows, and thon ovoryth|ng got dark. lot that sho ta|ntod, or anyth|ng ||ko that, a|though sho was
want|ng to, bad|y.
1ho hot prossuro ot tho sun wont away, and thon sho was bo|ng draggod and carr|od |nto somop|aco dark and qu|ot.
1hon down a t||ght ot sta|rs.
Whon tho mov|ng stoppod, sho hoard broath|ng and wh|spors, sounds ot moro than a tow poop|o, and thon sho was shovod backward, hard, and
to|| ott-ba|anco onto a co|d concroto t|oor. 1ho |mpact stunnod hor, and by tho t|mo sho c|awod hor way out ot tho bag that had boon jammod onto
hor hoad-a b|ack backpack, apparont|y-sho tound thoro was a who|o c|rc|o ot g|r|s stand|ng around hor.
3ho had no |doa whoro th|s room was. 3omo k|nd ot storago room, maybo, |n tho basomont. lt was crammod w|th stutt-su|tcasos, boxos |abo|od
w|th namos, a|| k|nds ot th|ngs. 3omo ot tho boxos had co||apsod and sp|||od out pa|o guts ot o|d c|othos. lt smo||od ||ko mo|d|ng papor, and sho
snoozod ho|p|oss|y whon hor trant|c gasps t|||od hor mouth and noso w|th dust.
A coup|o ot g|r|s g|gg|od. Vost d|dn't do anyth|ng, and d|dn't |ook vory happy to bo thoro, o|thor. los|gnod, C|a|ro guossod. G|ad |t wasn't thom
|y|ng on tho t|oor.
Von|ca stoppod out ot tho cornor.
°Wo||,' sho sa|d, and put hor hands on hor h|ps. °look what tho cats draggod |n.' 3ho t|ashod C|a|ro a co|d toothpasto-ad sm||o, as |t tho rost ot
thom woron't ovon horo. °You ran away, ||tt|o mouso. And just whon wo woro start|ng to havo tun.'
C|a|ro takod moro snooz|ng, |ots ot |t, and Von|ca backod away |n d|stasto. |ak|ng snooz|ng, C|a|ro d|scovorod, wasn't as oasy as sho'd thought. lt
hurt. 3ut |t prov|dod t|mo and covor tor hor to pu|| tho phono out ot hor pockot, covor |t w|th hor body, and trant|ca||y punch ¯2.
3ho prossod 3El0 and shovod |t botwoon two boxos, hop|ng tho b|uo g|ow ot tho buttons wou|dn't attract Von|ca's attont|on. |op|ng 3hano
wou|dn't bo |lod|ng or Xbox|ng and |gnor|ng tho phono. |op|ng.
1ust hop|ng.
°Oh, tor God's sako. Got hor up!' Von|ca ordorod. |or Von|ckottos sprang torward, 1on tak|ng ono ot C|a|ro's arms, G|na tho othor. 1hoy hau|od
hor up to hor toot and ho|d hor thoro.
Von|ca pu||od tho hood back trom C|a|ro's bru|sod taco and sm||od aga|n, tak|ng |n tho damago. °0amn, troak, you |ook ||ko ho||. 0oos |t hurt?'
°What d|d l ovor do to you?' C|a|ro b|urtod. 3ho was scarod, but sho was angry, too. |ur|ous. 1horo woro sovon g|r|s stand|ng around do|ng noth|ng
bocauso thoy woro scarod, and ot what? Von|ca? What tho ho|| gavo tho Von|cas tho r|ght to run tho wor|d?
°You know oxact|y what you d|d. You tr|od to mako mo |ook stup|d,' Von|ca sa|d.
°1r|od?' C|a|ro shot back, wh|ch was dumb, but sho cou|dn't stop tho |mpu|so. lt got hor h|t |n tho taco. |ard. l|ght on top ot tho t|rst bru|so, wh|ch
took away hor broath |n s|ow throbs ot wh|to-hot agony. Evoryth|ng to|t tunny, ratt|od by tho |mpact ot Von|ca's jab. C|a|ro to|t prossuro on hor arms,
and roa||zod that tho Von|ckottos woro ho|d|ng hor up. 3ho put somo st|ttnoss back |nto hor |ogs, oponod hor oyos, and g|arod at Von|ca.
°|ow como you ||vo |n |oward?' sho askod.
Von|ca, |nspoct|ng hor knuck|os tor s|gns ot bru|s|ng, |ookod up |n honost surpr|so.
°What?'
°Your tam||y's r|ch, r|ght? You cou|d bo ||v|ng |n an apartmont. Or |n a soror|ty houso. |ow como you ||vo |n |oward |a|| w|th tho rost ot us troaks?'
3ho caught hor broath at tho suddon co|d b|azo |n Von|ca's oyos. °Un|oss you'ro a troak, too. A troak who gots ott on hurt|ng somobody woakor
than you. A troak your tam||y's ashamod ot. 3omobody thoy h|do horo whoro thoy don't havo to |ook at you.'
°3hut up,' 1onn|tor h|ssod, |ow |n hor oar. °0on't bo stup|d! 3ho'|| k||| you-don't you got |t?'
3ho jorkod hor hoad away. °l hoard you wont away to co||ogo,' C|a|ro cont|nuod. |or stomach was ro|||ng, sho to|t ||ko sho was go|ng to puko and
d|o, but a|| sho had to do was sta|| tor t|mo. 3hano wou|d como. Evo wou|d como. Vaybo V|chao|. 3ho cou|d |mag|no V|chao| stand|ng |n tho
doorway, w|th thoso |co-co|d oyos and that ango|'s taco, star|ng ho|os through Von|ca. Yoah, that wou|d rock. Von|ca wou|dn't |ook so b|g thon.
°What's tho mattor? Cou|dn't you cut |t? l'm not surpr|sod-anybody who th|nks Wor|d War 1wo was |n Ch|na |sn't oxact|y go|ng to |mpross-'
3ho saw tho punch com|ng th|s t|mo, and duckod as bost sho cou|d. Von|ca's t|st smashod |nto hor torohoad, wh|ch hurt, but |t must havo hurt
Von|ca a who|o |ot moro, bocauso sho |ot out a shr||| ||tt|o scroam and backod ott, c|utch|ng hor r|ght hand |n hor |ott. 1hat mado tho horr|b|o
throbb|ng |n C|a|ro's hoad a|most okay.
°Carotu|,' C|a|ro gaspod, noar|y g|gg||ng. 1ho scab on hor ||p had brokon opon, and sho ||ckod b|ood trom hor ||ps. °0on't broak a na||! l'm not worth
|t, romombor?'
°Got that r|ght!' Von|ca snar|od. °lot that b|tch go. What aro you wa|t|ng tor? Go on, do |t! 0o you th|nk that w|mp's go|ng to hurt mo?'
1ho Von|ckottos |ookod at oach othor, c|oar|y wondor|ng |t tho|r quoon boo had |ost hor m|nd, thon |ot go ot C|a|ro's arms and stoppod back.
1onn|tor bumpod |nto tho towor|ng co|umn ot boxos, sp||||ng an ava|ancho ot dust and o|d papors, but whon C|a|ro |ookod at hor, 1onn|tor was
star|ng at a spot botwoon tho boxos.
1ho spot whoro C|a|ro had h|ddon tho phono. 1on had to havo soon |t, and C|a|ro gaspod out |oud, suddon|y a who|o |ot moro atra|d than sho'd
thought sho was.
°What tho ho|| aro you |ook|ng at?' Von|ca snar|od at 1on, and 1on vory do||borato|y turnod hor back on tho |ncr|m|nat|ng phono, to|dod hor arms,
and stood thoro b|ock|ng |t trom v|ow. lot |ook|ng at C|a|ro at a||. Wow. 1hat's. what? lot |ucky, oxact|y. 1onn|tor had shown somo cracks a|roady.
And maybo sho wasn't a comp|oto convort to tho ||rst Church ot Von|ca.
Vaybo Von|ca had just p|ssod hor ott ono too many t|mos. lot that sho wou|d bo stopp|ng |n on C|a|ro's s|do anyt|mo soon.
C|a|ro w|pod tho b|ood trom hor ||p and |ookod at tho othor g|r|s. 1ho onos who woro stand|ng, unoasy and |ndoc|s|vo. Von|ca had boon cha||ongod
and, so tar, hadn't oxact|y do||vorod tho smackdown ovorybody-C|a|ro |nc|udod-had oxpoctod. K|nd ot wo|rd, roa||y. Un|oss C|a|ro roa||y struck
somo norvo bos|dos tho onos runn|ng through Von|ca's knuck|os.
Von|ca was rubb|ng hor hand, |ook|ng at C|a|ro as |t sho'd novor soon hor botoro. Assoss|ng hor. 3ho sa|d, °lobody's to|d you tho tacts ot ||to,
C|a|ro. 1ho tact |s, |t you suddon|y just up and d|sappoar.?' 3ho jorkod hor protty, po|ntod ch|n at tho dusty towors ot boxos. °lobody but tho
jan|tor's ovor go|ng to know or caro. You th|nk Vommy and 0addy aro go|ng to got a|| upsot? Vaybo thoy wou|d, but by tho t|mo thoy spond tho|r
|ast d|mo putt|ng your p|cturo on m||k cartons and chas|ng down rumors ot how you ran ott w|th somobody o|so's boytr|ond? 1hoy'ro go|ng to hato to
ovon th|nk about you. Vorganv|||o's got |t down to a sc|onco, mak|ng poop|o d|sappoar. 1hoy novor d|sappoar horo. A|ways somowhoro o|so.'
Von|ca wasn't taunt|ng hor. 1hat was tho scary part. 3ho was ta|k|ng ovon|y, qu|ot|y, as |t thoy woro two oqua|s hav|ng a tr|ond|y convorsat|on.
°You want to know why l ||vo |n |oward?' sho cont|nuod. °3ocauso |n th|s town, l can ||vo anywhoro l want. Any way l want. And you-you'ro just a
wa|k|ng organ donor. 3o tako my adv|co, C|a|ro. 0on't got |n my taco, bocauso |t you do, you won't havo ono tor |ong. Aro wo c|oar?'
C|a|ro noddod s|ow|y. 3ho d|dn't daro |ook away. Von|ca rom|ndod hor ot a tora| dog, ono that wou|d jump tor your throat tho socond you showod
woaknoss. °Wo'ro c|oar,' sho sa|d. °You'ro k|nd ot a psycho. l got that.'
°l m|ght bo,' Von|ca agrood, and gavo hor a s|ow, strango sm||o. °You'ro ono smart ||tt|o troak. low run away, smart ||tt|o troak, botoro l chango my
m|nd and st|ck you |n ono ot thoso o|d su|tcasos tor somo arch|toct to t|nd a hundrod yoars trom now.'
C|a|ro b||nkod. °Archaoo|og|st.'
Von|ca's oyos turnod w|ntor co|d. °Oh, you'd bottor start runn|ng away now.'
C|a|ro wont back to whoro 1onn|tor was stand|ng, and roachod boh|nd hor to drag tho phono out trom botwoon tho boxos. 3ho ho|d |t up to Von|ca.
°3poak c|oar|y tor tho m|crophono. l want to mako suro my tr|onds got ovory word.'
|or a socond, nobody movod, and thon Von|ca |aughod. °0amn, troak. You'ro go|ng to bo tun.' 3ho g|ancod away trom C|a|ro, boh|nd hor. °lot
unt|| l say so.'
C|a|ro |ookod ovor hor shou|dor. G|na was stand|ng thoro, r|ght thoro, and sho had somo k|nd ot mota| bar |n hor hand.
Oh my God. 1horo was somoth|ng awtu| and co|d |n G|na's oyos.
°3ho'|| got hors,' Von|ca sa|d. °And wo'|| got to watch. 3ut hoy, why hurry? l havon't had th|s much tun |n yoars.'
C|a|ro's |ogs to|t ||ko thoy'd suddon|y turnod |nto ovorcookod spaghott|. 3ho wantod to throw up, wantod to cry, and d|dn't daro do anyth|ng but
protond to bo bravo. 1hoy'd k||| hor down horo |t thoy thought sho was b|utt|ng.
3ho wa|kod past G|na, botwoon two g|r|s who wou|dn't moot hor oyos at a||, and put hor hand on tho doorknob. As sho d|d, sho g|ancod down at tho
phono's d|sp|ay.
lO 3lGlAl.
3ho oponod tho door, wa|kod outs|do, and tound hor bags dumpod on tho grass whoro sho'd boon abductod. 3ho pockotod tho phono, p|ckod up
tho bags, and wa|kod across tho park|ng |ot to Evo's car. Evo was st||| s|tt|ng |n tho dr|vor's soat, |ook|ng c|own-pa|o and scarod.
C|a|ro tossod hor bag |n tho back as Evo askod, °What happonod? 0|d thoy soo you?'
°lo,' C|a|ro sa|d. °lo prob|oms. l'vo got c|ass. l'|| soo you |ator. 1hanks, Evo. Um-horo's your phono.' 3ho passod |t ovor. Evo took |t, st|||
trown|ng. °l'|| bo homo botoro dark.'
°3ottor bo,' Evo sa|d. °3or|ous|y, C|a|ro. You |ook-wo|rd.'
C|a|ro |aughod. °Vo? Chock tho m|rror.'
Evo t||ppod hor ott, but tho samo way sho'd havo t||ppod ott 3hano. C|a|ro grabbod hor backpack, c|osod tho door, and watchod Evo's b|g b|ack
car cru|so away. |oad|ng back to work, sho guossod.
3ho got ha|tway to hor chom |ab whon hor roact|on h|t hor, and sho sat down on a bonch and cr|od s||ont|y |nto hor hands.
Oh my God. Oh my God, l want to go homo! 3ho wasn't suro |t that moant back to V|chao|'s houso, or a|| tho way homo, back |n hor room w|th hor
paronts watch|ng ovor hor.
l can't qu|t. 3ho roa||y cou|dn't. 3ho novor |n hor ||to had boon ab|o to, ovon whon |t m|ght havo boon tho smart th|ng to do.
3ho w|pod hor swo||on oyos and wont to c|ass.
lobody k|||od hor that attornoon.
Attor tho t|rst coup|o ot hours, sho qu|t oxpoct|ng |t to happon, and tocusod on c|ass. |or back-to-back |abs woron't too much ot a d|sastor, and sho
actua||y know tho answors |n h|story. 3ot Von|ca wou|dn't, sho thought, and |ookod gu||t||y around tho c|assroom to soo |t Von|ca was thoro, or ono
ot hor crow. lt wasn't a b|g c|ass. 3ho d|dn't soo anybody who'd boon |n tho basomont.
3ho mado |t to tho grocory storo attor c|ass w|thout gott|ng k|||od, too. lobody jumpod hor wh||o sho was p|ck|ng out |ottuco and tomatoos, or wh||o
sho was |n ||no tor chockout. 3ho thought tho guy at tho moat countor had |ookod susp|c|ous, though.
3ho wa|kod back to tho G|ass |ouso, watch|ng tor vamp|ros |n tho tad|ng attornoon and too||ng protty stup|d tor ovon th|nk|ng about |t. 3ho d|dn't
soo anybody oxcopt othor co||ogo studonts, stro|||ng a|ong w|th bu|g|ng backpacks. Vost ot thom travo|od |n bunchos. Onco sho got past tho aroa
that catorod to studonts, tho storos woro c|osod, ||ghts ott, and what tow poop|o woro wa|k|ng woro hurry|ng.
At tho cornor ot Gono w|th tho W|nd and 1ho Vunstors, tho tront gato was opon. 3ho c|osod |t boh|nd hor, un|ockod tho door w|th tho sh|ny now koy
that sho'd tound on hor drossor that morn|ng, and s|ammod tho door boh|nd hor.
1horo was a shadow stand|ng at tho ond ot tho ha||way. A ta||, broad shadow |n a grungy yo||ow 1-sh|rt and |ow-s|ung, tadod joans trayod at tho
bottom. A shadow |n baro toot.
3hano.
|o just |ookod at hor tor a tow soconds, thon sa|d, °Evo put your crap up |n your room.'
°1hanks.'
°What's that?'
°3tutt tor d|nnor.'
|o cockod h|s hoad s||ght|y, st||| star|ng at hor. °|or a smart g|r|, you do somo stup|d th|ngs. You know that?'
°l know.' 3ho wa|kod toward h|m. |o d|dn't movo.
°Evo says you novor saw Von|ca.'
°1hat's what l sa|d.'
°You know what? l'm not buy|ng |t.'
°You know what?' sho shot back. °l don't caro. Excuso mo.' 3ho duckod past h|m, |nto tho k|tchon, and sot hor bags down. |or hands woro
shak|ng. 3ho ba||od thom |nto t|sts and startod sott|ng out th|ngs on tho countor. Ground boot. lottuco. 1omatoos. On|ons. lotr|od boans. |ot
sauco, tho k|nd sho ||kod, anyway. Chooso. 3our croam. 1aco sho||s.
°lot mo guoss,' 3hano sa|d trom tho doorway. °You'ro mak|ng Ch|noso.'
3ho d|dn't answor. 3ho was st||| too p|ssod and-a|| ot a suddon-too scarod. 3carod ot what, sho d|dn't know. Evoryth|ng. loth|ng. |orso|t.
°Anyth|ng l can do?' ||s vo|co soundod d|ttoront. Ou|otor, gont|or, a|most k|nd.
°Chop on|ons,' sho sa|d, a|though sho know that wasn't oxact|y what ho moant. 3t|||, ho camo ovor, p|ckod up tho on|ons, and grabbod a hugo
scary-|ook|ng kn|to trom a drawor. °You havo to poo| |t t|rst.'
|o shot hor a d|rty |ook, just ||ko ho wou|d havo Evo, and got to work.
°Um-l shou|d probab|y ca|| my mom,' C|a|ro sa|d. °Can l uso tho phono?'
°You pay tor |ong d|stanco.'
°3uro.'
|o shruggod, roachod ovor, and grabbod tho cord|oss phono, thon p|tchod |t undorhandod to hor. 3ho noar|y droppod |t, but was k|nd ot proud sho
d|dn't. 3ho got out a b|g |ron sk|||ot trom undor tho cab|not and put |t on tho countor, hoatod up tho burnor, and tound somo o||. As |t was warm|ng,
sho road ovor tho th|n ||tt|o roc|po book sho'd bought at tho storo ono moro t|mo, thon d|a|od tho phono.
|or mom answorod on tho socond r|ng. °Yos?' lt was novor ho||o w|th hor mothor.
°Vom, |t's C|a|ro.'
°C|a|ro! 3aby, whoro havo you boon? l'vo boon try|ng to ca|| you tor days!'
°C|assos,' sho sa|d. °3orry. l'm not homo that much.'
°Aro you s|oop|ng onough? lt you don't got onough rost, you'|| got s|ck-you know how you aro-'
°Vom, l'm t|no.' C|a|ro trownod down at tho roc|po on tho countor |n tront ot hor. What d|d sauto moan, oxact|y? Was |t ||ko try|ng? 0|cod, sho
undorstood. 1hat was just cutt|ng th|ngs |nto cubos, and 3hano was do|ng that a|roady. °loa||y. lt's a|| okay now.'
°C|a|ro, l know |t's hard. Wo roa||y d|dn't want you to go ovon just tho tow hundrod m||os to 1lU, honoy. lt you want to como back homo, your dad
and l wou|d bo so g|ad to havo you back!'
°|onost|y, Vom, l don't-l'm t|no. lt's okay. C|assos aro roa||y good'-that was strotch|ng tho truth-°and l'vo mado tr|onds horo. 1hoy'ro |ook|ng out
tor mo.'
°You'ro suro.'
°Yos, Vom.'
°3ocauso l worry. l know you'ro vory maturo tor your ago but-'
3hano oponod h|s mouth to say somoth|ng. C|a|ro mado trant|c lO lO lO mot|ons at h|m, po|nt|ng at tho phono. Vom! sho mouthod. 3hano ho|d
up both hands |n surrondor and kopt chopp|ng. Vom was st||| ta|k|ng. C|a|ro had m|ssod somo ot |t, but sho d|dn't th|nk |t roa||y mattorod oxact|y. °-
boys, r|ght?'
Wow. Vom radar workod ovon at th|s d|stanco. °What, Vom?'
°Your dorm doosn't a||ow boys to como up to tho rooms, doos |t? 1horo's somoono on duty at tho dosk to mako suro?'
°Yos, Vom. |oward |a|| has somobody on duty twonty-tour/sovon to koop tho nasty ov|| boys out ot our rooms.' 3ho hadn't actua||y ||od, C|a|ro
doc|dod. 1hat was comp|oto|y truo. 1ho tact that sho wasn't actua||y ||v|ng |n |oward |a||.wo||, that wasn't roa||y somoth|ng sho noodod to throw |n,
r|ght?
°lt's not a |augh|ng mattor. You'vo boon vory sho|torod, C|a|ro, and l don't want you to-'
°Vom, l havo to go. l nood to oat d|nnor and l havo a ton ot study|ng to do. |ow's 0ad?'
°0ad's just t|no, honoy. |o says ho||o. Oh, como on, los, got up and say ho||o to your vory smart daughtor. lt won't broak your back.'
3hano handod hor a bow| tu|| ot d|cod on|ons. C|a|ro crad|od tho phono aga|nst hor oar and droppod a handtu| ot thom |nto tho pan. 1hoy startod
s|zz||ng |mmod|ato|y, much to hor pan|c, sho ||ttod tho pan ott tho burnor and a|most droppod tho phono.
°||, k|ddo. |ow aro c|assos?' 1hat was 0ad. lot |ow was your day? or |avo you mado any tr|onds? lo, h|s ph||osophy had a|ways boon, Eyos on
tho pr|zo, tho othor stutt just gots |n your way.
And sho |ovod h|m anyway. °C|assos aro groat, 0addy.'
°Aro you try|ng somoth|ng? 0o thoy |ot you havo hot p|atos |n tho dorm? 0|dn't |n my day, l can to|| you..'
°Um.no, l just oponod a Coko.' Okay, that was a stra|ght-up ||o. 3ho hast||y put tho pan down, wa|kod to tho tr|dgo, and pu||od out a co|d Coko so
sho cou|d opon |t. 1horo. lotroact|vo|y truthtu|. °|ow aro you too||ng?'
°|oo| t|no. W|sh ovorybody wou|d stop worry|ng about mo, not ||ko l'm tho t|rst man |n h|story to havo a ||tt|o surgory.'
°l know, 0addy.'
°0octors say l'm t|no.'
°1hat's groat.'
°Gonna havo to go, C|a|ro, tho gamo's on. You'ro okay down thoro, aron't you?'
°Yos. l'm just t|no. 0addy-'
°What |s |t, honoy?'
C|a|ro b|t hor ||p and s|ppod Coko, |ndoc|s|vo. °Um.do you know anyth|ng about Vorganv|||o? ||story, that k|nd ot th|ng?'
°0o|ng rosoarch, oh? 3omo k|nd ot roport? lo, l don't know much. 1ho un|vors|ty's boon thoro tor noar|y a hundrod yoars-that's a|| l know about |t.
l know you'ro on t|ro to got to tho b|ggor schoo|s, but l th|nk you nood to spond a coup|o ot yoars c|oso to homo. Wo ta|kod about a|| that.'
°l know. l was just wondor|ng.. lt's an |ntorost|ng town, that's a||.'
°Okay, thon. You |ot us know what you t|nd out. Your mothor wants to say good-byo.' 0ad novor d|d. 3y tho t|mo C|a|ro got out °3yo, 0ad!' ho was
a|roady gono, and Vom was back on tho ||no. °|onoy, you ca|| us |t you got worr|od about anyth|ng, okay? Oh, ca|| us whatovor happons. Wo |ovo
you!'
°lovo you, too, Vom. 3yo.'
3ho put tho phono down and starod at tho s|zz||ng on|ons, thon tho roc|po. Whon tho on|ons turnod transparont, sho dumpod |n tho ground boot.
°3o, t|n|shod |y|ng to tho to|ks?' 3hano askod, and roachod around C|a|ro to snag a b|to ot gratod chooso trom tho bow| on tho countor. °1acos.
3r||||ant. 0amn, l'm g|ad l votod somobody |n w|th sk|||s.'
°l hoard that, 3hano!' Evo yo||od trom tho ||v|ng room, just as tho door s|ammod. 3hano w|ncod. °0o your own bathroom c|oan|ng th|s wookond!'
3hano w|ncod. °1ruco!'
°1hought so.'
Evo camo |n, st||| t|ushod trom tho hoat outs|do. 3ho'd swoatod ott most ot hor makoup, and undornoath |t, sho |ookod surpr|s|ng|y young and
swoot. °Oh my God, that |ooks ||ko roa| tood!'
°1acos,' 3hano sa|d proud|y, as |t |t woro h|s |doa. C|a|ro o|bowod h|m |n tho r|bs, or tr|od to. ||s r|bs woro a |ot moro so||d than hor o|bow. °Ow,' ho
sa|d. lot as |t |t hurt.
C|a|ro g|ancod out tho w|ndow. l|ght was ta|||ng tast, tho way |t d|d |n 1oxas at tho ond ot tho day-tur|ous burn|ng sun a|| ot a suddon g|v|ng way to
a warm, st|cky tw|||ght. °ls V|chao| horo?' sho askod.
°Guoss so.' 3hano shruggod. °|o's a|ways horo tor d|nnor.'
1ho throo ot thom got ovoryth|ng roady, and somot|mo m|dway through tho assomb|y-||no procoss thoy'd dovo|opod-C|a|ro putt|ng moat |n taco
sho||s, Evo add|ng topp|ngs, 3hano spoon|ng boans onto tho p|atos-a tourth pa|r ot hands addod |tso|t to tho ||no. V|chao| |ookod as |t ho'd just
gotton up and showorod-wot ha|r, s|oopy oyos, boads ot wator st||| s||d|ng down to soak tho co||ar ot h|s b|ack kn|t sh|rt. l|ko 3hano, ho was
woar|ng joans, but ho'd gono torma|, w|th actua| shoos.
°|oy,' ho grootod thom. °1h|s |ooks good.'
°C|a|ro d|d |t,' Evo jumpod |n as 3hano oponod h|s mouth. °0on't ovon |ot 3hano tako crod|t.'
°Wasn't go|ng to!' 3hano |ookod ottondod.
°l||||||ght.'
°l choppod. What d|d you do?'
°C|oanod up attor you, ||ko a|ways.'
V|chao| |ookod ovor at C|a|ro and mado a taco. 3ho |aughod and p|ckod up hor p|ato, V|chao| p|ckod up h|s, and to||owod hor out |nto tho ||v|ng
room.
3omoono-V|chao|, sho guossod-had c|oarod tho b|g wood tab|o noxt to tho bookcasos, and sot up tour cha|rs around |t. 1ho stutt that had boon
p||od thoro-v|doo gamo casos, books, shoot mus|c-had boon dumpod |n othor p|acos, w|th a choortu| d|srogard tor ordor. (Vaybo, sho
amondod, that had boon 3hano's |doa.) 3ho sot hor p|ato down, and Evo prompt|y s|appod hor own down noxt to C|a|ro's and s||d a co|d Coko
across to hor, a|ong w|th a tork and napk|n. V|chao| and 3hano stro||od back |n, took soats, and bogan shovo||ng |n tood ||ko-wo||, ||ko boys. Evo
n|bb|od. C|a|ro, who was surpr|s|ng|y hungry, tound horso|t on hor socond taco botoro Evo had gotton through hor t|rst ono.
3hano was a|roady hoadod back tor moro.
°|oy, dudo,' ho sa|d as ho roturnod w|th a ro|oadod p|ato, °whon aro you go|ng to got a g|g aga|n?'
V|chao| stoppod chow|ng, t|ashod a |ook at Evo, thon C|a|ro, and thon t|n|shod tho b|to botoro say|ng, °Whon l'm roady.'
°lussy. You had a bad n|ght, V|ko. Got back on tho horso, or whatovor.' Evo trownod at 3hano, and shook hor hoad. 3hano |gnorod hor.
°3or|ous|y, man. You can't |ot thom got you down.'
°l'm not,' V|chao| sa|d. °lot ovoryth|ng |s about boat|ng your hoad aga|nst tho wa|| unt|| |t broaks.'
°1ust most th|ngs.' 3hano s|ghod. °Whatovor. You |ot mo know whon you want to stop horm|t|ng.'
°l'm not horm|t|ng. l'm pract|c|ng.'
°l|ko you don't p|ay good onough. l|oaso.'
°l got no rospoct,' V|chao| sa|d. 3hano, busy tak|ng anothor crunchy b|to, rubbod h|s thumb and torot|ngor togothor. °Yoah, l know, wor|d's sma||ost
v|o||n p|ay|ng just tor mo. Chango tho subjoct. |ow was that hot dato w|th l|sa, anyway? lontod shoos turn hor on or what?'
°lt's laura,' 3hano sa|d. °Yoah, sho was hot, a|| r|ght, but l th|nk sho had tho hots tor you-kopt say|ng how sho saw you ovor at tho Watorhouso |ast
yoar and you woro a||, ||ko, wow, amaz|ng. lt was ||ko a monago a tro|s, on|y you woron't thoro, thank God.'
V|chao| |ookod smug. °3hut up and oat.'
3hano shot h|m tho t|ngor.
A|| |n a||, |t was a protty good t|mo.
V|chao| and Evo washod d|shos, hav|ng |ost out on tho co|n toss, and C|a|ro hovorod |n tho ||v|ng room, not suro what sho wantod to do. 3tudy|ng
soundod-bor|ng, wh|ch surpr|sod hor. 3hano was concontrat|ng on tho v|doo gamo so|oct|on, baro toot proppod up on tho cottoo tab|o. W|thout
|ook|ng d|roct|y at C|a|ro, ho askod, °You want to soo somoth|ng coo|?'
°3uro,' sho sa|d. 3ho oxpoctod h|m to put a gamo |n, but ho dumpod |t back |n tho p||o, got up ott tho couch, and paddod up tho sta|rs. 3ho stood at
tho bottom, star|ng up, wondor|ng what to do. 3hano appoarod at tho top ot tho sta|rs aga|n and gosturod, and sho to||owod.
1ho socond t|oor was qu|ot, ot courso, and d|m|y ||t, sho b||nkod and saw 3hano a|roady ha|tway down tho ha||. Was ho hoad|ng tor hor room? lot
that sho d|dn't havo a crazy hot p|cturo |n hor hoad ot s|tt|ng on tho bod w|th h|m, mak|ng out.and sho had no |doa why that poppod |nto hor hoad,
oxcopt that, wo||, ho was just.yoah.
3hano movod as|do a p|cturo hang|ng on tho wa|| botwoon hor room and Evo's, and prossod a button undornoath.
And a door oponod on tho othor s|do ot tho wa||. lt was bu||t |nto tho pano||ng, and sho'd novor havo ovon known |t was thoro. 3ho gaspod, and
3hano boamod ||ko ho'd |nvontod tho whoo|. °Coo|, huh? 1h|s damn houso |s tu|| ot crap ||ko that. 1rust mo, |n Vorganv|||o |t pays to bo up on tho
h|d|ng p|acos.' |o pushod opon tho door, rovoa|od anothor sot ot sta|rs, and paddod up thom. 3ho oxpoctod thom to bo dusty, but thoy woron't, tho
wood was c|oan and po||shod. 3hano's toot |ott pr|nts ot tho ba|| ot h|s toot and h|s toos.
lt was a narrow p|tch ot just o|ght stops, ha|t a story, roa||y, and thoro was anothor door at tho top. 3hano oponod |t and t||ppod on a sw|tch just
|ns|do. °||rst t|mo l saw th|s, and tho room back ot tho pantry, l t|gurod, yop. vamp|ro houso. What do you th|nk?'
lt sho bo||ovod |n vamp|ros, ho m|ght havo boon r|ght. lt was a sma|| room, no w|ndows, and |t was.o|d. lt wasn't just tho stutt |n |t, wh|ch was
ant|quo and dark, |t had th|s sonso ot.somoth|ng anc|ont, somoth|ng not qu|to r|ght. And |t was co|d. Co|d, |n tho m|dd|o ot a 1oxas hoat wavo.
3ho sh|vorod. °0oos ovorybody know about th|s room?'
°Oh yoah. Evo says |t's hauntod. Can't roa||y b|amo hor. lt croops mo tho ho|| out, too. Coo|, though. Wo'd havo stuck you |n horo whon tho cops
camo, on|y thoy'd havo soon you through tho w|ndows com|ng out ot tho k|tchon. 1hoy'ro nosy bastards.' 3hano wandorod across tho th|ck lors|an
carpot to t|op on tho dark rod v|ctor|an couch. 0ust roso |n a c|oud, and ho wavod |t ott, cough|ng. °3o what do you th|nk? 1h|nk V|chao| s|oops ott
h|s ov||-undoad days |n horo, or what?'
3ho b||nkod. °What?'
°Oh, como on. You th|nk ho's ono ot thom, r|ght? 'Causo ho doosn't show up dur|ng tho day?'
°l-l don't th|nk anyth|ng!'
3hano noddod, oyos downcast. °l|ght. You woron't sont horo.'
°3ont-sont horo by who?'
°l got to th|nk|ng.. 1ho cops woro |ook|ng tor you, but maybo thoy woro |ook|ng tor you to mako us want to koop you horo, |nstoad ot p|tch you out.
3o wh|ch |s |t? Aro you work|ng tor thom?'
°1hom?' sho ochood th|n|y. °1hom, who?' 3hano suddon|y |ookod at hor, and sho sh|vorod aga|n. |o wasn't ||ko Von|ca, not at a||, but ho wasn't
p|ay|ng around, o|thor. °3hano, l don't know what you moan. l camo to Vorganv|||o to go to schoo|, and got boaton up, and l camo horo bocauso l
was scarod. lt you don't bo||ovo mo-wo||, thon l guoss l'|| go. |opo you ||kod tho tacos.'
3ho wont to tho door, and stoppod, contusod.
1horo wasn't a doorknob.
3oh|nd hor, 3hano sa|d qu|ot|y, °1ho roason l th|nk th|s |s a vamp|ro's room? You can't got out ot |t un|oss you know tho socrot. 1hat's roa|
convon|ont, |t you ||ko to br|ng v|ct|ms up horo tor a ||tt|o munch soss|on.'
3ho wh|r|od around, oxpoct|ng to soo h|m stand|ng thoro w|th that hugo kn|to ho'd usod on tho on|ons, and sho'd brokon tho t|rst ru|o ot horror
mov|os, hadn't sho, or was |t tho socond ono? 3ho'd trustod somoono sho shou|dn't havo..
3ut ho was st||| s|tt|ng on tho couch, s|umpod at oaso, arms t|ung ovor tho back on both s|dos.
lot ovon |ook|ng at hor.
°lot mo out,' sho sa|d. |or hoart was hammor|ng.
°ln a m|nuto. ||rst, you to|| mo tho truth.'
°l havo!' And, to hor tury and hum|||at|on, sho startod to cry. Aga|n. °0amm|t! You th|nk l'm try|ng to hurt you? |urt V|chao|? |ow cou|d l? l'm tho ono
ovorybody hurts!'
|o |ookod at hor thon, and sho saw tho hardnoss mo|t away. ||s vo|co was a |ot gont|or whon ho spoko. °And |t l was somobody who wantod to k|||
V|chao|, l'd put somobody ||ko you |n to do |t. 3o roa| oasy tor you to k||| somobody, C|a|ro. lo|son somo tood, s||p a kn|to |n h|s back.and l havo
to |ook out tor V|chao|.'
°l thought ho |ookod out tor you.' 3ho sw|pod angr||y at hor oyos. °Why do you th|nk somobody wants to k||| h|m?'
3hano ra|sod h|s oyobrows. °A|ways somobody want|ng to k||| a vamp|ro.'
°3ut-ho's not. Evo sa|d-'
°Yoah, l know ho's not a vamp|ro, but ho doosn't got up dur|ng tho day, ho doosn't go out ot tho houso, and l can't got h|m to to|| mo what happonod,
so ho m|ght as wo|| bo. And somobody's go|ng to th|nk so, soonor or |ator. Vost poop|o |n Vorganv|||o aro o|thor lrotoctod or c|uo|oss-k|nd ot ||ko
you can ra|so rabb|ts tor o|thor pots or moat. 3ut somo ot thom t|ght back.'
3ho b||nkod tho |ast ot tho br|ot storm ot toars away. °l|ko you?'
|o cockod h|s hoad to ono s|do. °Vaybo. |ow about you? You a t|ghtor, C|a|ro?'
°l'm not work|ng tor anybody. And l wou|dn't k||| V|chao| ovon |t ho was a vamp|ro.'
3hano |aughod. °Why not? 3os|dos tho tact that ho'd snap you |n two ||ko a tw|g |t ho was.'
°3ocauso-bocauso-' 3ho cou|dn't put |t |nto words, oxact|y. °3ocauso l ||ko h|m.'
3hano watchod hor tor anothor tow, |ong soconds, and thon prossod a ra|sod spot on tho hoad ot tho ||on-carv|ng armrost ot tho couch.
1ho door c||ckod and poppod opon ha|t an |nch.
°Good onough tor mo,' ho sa|d. °3o. 0ossort?'

3 ho cou|dn't s|oop.
Vaybo |t was tho momory ot that croopy ||tt|o Goth|c room-wh|ch sho suspoctod Evo roa||y, doop|y |ovod-but a|| ot a suddon, hor |ovo|y cozy room
soomod tu|| ot shadows, and tho croaks ot o|d wood |n tho w|nd soundod.stoa|thy. Vaybo tho houso oats poop|o, C|a|ro thought, |y|ng thoro a|ono
|n tho dark, watch|ng tho bono-th|n shadows ot branchos shuddor on tho tar wa||. 1ho w|nd mado tw|gs tap hor w|ndow, ||ko somoth|ng try|ng to got
|n. Evo had sa|d vamp|ros cou|dn't got |n, but what |t thoy cou|d? What |t thoy woro a|roady |ns|do? What |t V|chao|.?
3ho hoard a sott, s||vory noto, and know that V|chao| was p|ay|ng downsta|rs. 3omoth|ng about that ho|pod-pushod tho shadows back, turnod tho
sounds |nto somoth|ng norma| and sooth|ng. lt was just a houso, and thoy woro just k|ds shar|ng |t, and |t thoro was anyth|ng wrong, wo||, |t was
outs|do.
3ho must havo s|opt thon, but |t d|dn't too| ||ko |t, somo no|so start|od hor awako, and whon C|a|ro chockod tho c|ock noxt to hor bod |t was c|oso to
t|vo th|rty. 1ho sky wasn't ||ght outs|do, but |t wasn't tota||y dark, o|thor, tho stars woro tadod, sott spark|os |n a sky gradua||y turn|ng dark b|uo.
V|chao|'s gu|tar was st||| go|ng, vory qu|ot|y. 0|dn't ho ovor s|oop? C|a|ro s||d out ot bod, tossod a b|ankot ovor hor shou|dors ovor tho 1-sh|rt sho
woro to bod, and shutt|od out and |nto tho st|||-dark ha||way. As sho passod tho h|ddon door sho g|ancod at |t and sh|vorod, thon cont|nuod on to tho
bathroom. Onco sho'd gotton that out ot tho way-and brushod hor ha|r-sho cropt qu|ot|y down tho stops and sat down, b|ankot around hor,
||ston|ng to V|chao| p|ay.
||s hoad was down, and ho was doop |nto |t, sho watchod h|s t|ngors movo ||ght and qu|ck on tho str|ngs, h|s body rock s|ow|y w|th tho rhythm, and
to|t a doop sonso ot.satoty. loth|ng bad cou|d happon around V|chao|. 3ho just know |t.
loxt to h|m, a c|ock boopod an a|arm. |o |ookod up, start|od, and s|appod |t ott, thon got up and put h|s gu|tar away. 3ho watchod, puzz|od.. 0|d
ho havo somop|aco to bo? Or d|d ho actua||y havo to sot an a|arm to go to bod? Wow, that was obsoss|on..
V|chao| stood, watch|ng tho c|ock as |t |t woro h|s porsona| onomy, and thon ho turnod and wa|kod ovor to tho w|ndow.
1ho sky was tho co|or ot dark turquo|so now, a|| but tho strongost stars tadod. V|chao|, ho|d|ng a boor |n h|s hand, drank tho rost ot tho bott|o and
put |t down on tho tab|o, crossod h|s arms, and wa|tod.
C|a|ro was about to ask h|m what ho was wa|t|ng tor whon tho t|rst ray ot sun cropt up |n a b||nd|ng orango kn|to, and V|chao| gaspod and hunchod
ovor, pross|ng on h|s stomach.
C|a|ro |ungod to hor toot, start|od and atra|d tor tho |ook ot shoor agony on h|s taco. 1ho movomont caught h|s attont|on, and ho jorkod h|s hoad
toward hor, b|uo oyos w|do.
°lo,' ho moanod, and p|tchod torward to h|s hands and knoos, gasp|ng. °0on't.'
3ho |gnorod that and jumpod down tho sta|rs to run to h|s s|do, but onco sho was thoro sho d|dn't know what to do, d|dn't havo any |doa how to ho|p
h|m. V|chao| was broath|ng |n doop, ach|ng gasps, |n torr|b|o pa|n.
3ho put hor hand on h|s back, to|t h|s tovor-hot sk|n burn|ng through tho th|n c|oth, and hoard h|m mako a sound ||ko noth|ng sho'd ovor hoard |n hor
||to.
l|ko somoono dy|ng, sho thought |n pan|c, and oponod hor mouth to scroam tor 3hano, Evo, anybody.
|or hand suddon|y wont r|ght through h|m. 1ho scroam, tor whatovor roason, |ockod t|ght |n hor throat as V|chao|-transparont V|chao|-|ookod up
at hor w|th dospa|r and dosporat|on |n h|s oyos.
°Oh, God, don't to|| thom.' ||s vo|co camo trom a |ong, |ong way ott, a wh|spor that tadod on tho shatts ot morn|ng sun.
And so d|d ho.
C|a|ro, mouth st||| opon, uttor|y unab|o to spoak, wavod hor hand s|ow|y through tho th|n a|r whoro V|chao| G|ass had boon stand|ng. 3|ow|y, thon
tastor. 1ho a|r to|t co|d around hor, ||ko sho was stand|ng |n a b|ast trom an a|r cond|t|onor, and tho ch||| s|ow|y tadod.
l|ko V|chao|.
°Oh my God,' sho wh|sporod, and c|appod both hands ovor hor mouth.
And mutt|od tho scroam that sho had to |ot out or oxp|odo.
3ho m|ght havo b|ackod out a ||tt|o, bocauso noxt th|ng sho know, sho was s|tt|ng on tho couch, noxt to V|chao|'s gu|tar caso, and sho to|t k|nd ot
tunny. 3ad tunny, as |t hor bra|n had turnod ||qu|d and s|oshod around |n hor hoad.
Wo|rd|y ca|m, though. 3ho roachod ovor and touchod tho |oathor covor ot h|s gu|tar caso. lt to|t roa|. Whon sho t||ppod up tho |atchos and pu||od hor
shak|ng t|ngors across tho str|ngs, thoy mado a w|sttu| sort ot wh|spor.
|o's a ghost. V|chao|'s a ghost.
|o wasn't a ghost. |ow cou|d ho bo a ghost, |t ho sat horo-r|ght horo!-at tho tab|o and ato d|nnor? 1acos! What k|nd ot ghost ato tacos? What
k|nd ot.?
|or hand wont r|ght through h|m. l|ght through h|m.
3ut ho was roa|. 3ho'd touchod h|m. 3ho'd-
|or hand wont r|ght through h|m.
°0on't pan|c,' sho sa|d numb|y, out |oud. °1ust.don't pan|c. 1horo's somo oxp|anat|on..' Yoah, r|ght. 3ho'd stumb|o ovor to lrotossor Wu's
phys|cs c|ass and ask. 3ho cou|d just |mag|no how that wou|d go ovor. 1hoy'd toss a not ovor hor and pump hor tu|| ot lrozac or whatovor.
|o'd sa|d, Oh, God, don't to|| thom. 1o|| who? 1o||.? Was ho gono? Was ho doad?
3ho was about carr|od away by pan|c aga|n, and thon somoth|ng stoppod |t co|d. 3omoth|ng s|||y, roa||y.
1ho a|arm c|ock s|tt|ng on tho tab|o noxt to tho sota. 1ho ono that had gono ott just a tow m|nutos ago.
1ho ono that had warnod V|chao| that sunr|so was com|ng.
1h|s happons.ovory day. |o hadn't actod ||ko |t was odd, just pa|ntu|.
3hano and Evo had both sa|d that V|chao| s|opt days. 1hoy woro both n|ght ow|s, thoy woro sound as|oop r|ght now, and wou|dn't bo up tor hours
yot. V|chao| cou|d havo.d|sappoarod.da||y ||ko th|s w|th nobody pay|ng attont|on.
Unt|| sho camo a|ong, and got nosy.
0on't to|| thom. Why not? What was so socrot?
3ho was crazy. 1hat was tho on|y rat|ona| oxp|anat|on. 3ut |t sho was crazy, sho wasn't rat|ona|..
C|a|ro cur|od up on tho sota, sh|vor|ng, and to|t co|d a|r brush ovor hor aga|n. lco-co|d. 3ho sat up. °V|chao|?' sho b|urtod, and sat vory st|||. 1ho ch|||
wont away, thon brushod ovor hor aga|n. °l-l th|nk l can too| you. Aro you st||| horo?' Anothor socond or two w|thout tho |cy dratt, and thon |t dr|ttod
across hor sk|n. °3o-you can soo us?' Yos, sho t|gurod, s|nco tho warm-co|d cyc|o ropoatod. °You don't go away dur|ng tho day? Oh-um, stay
whoro you aro |t |t's no, okay?' 1ho ch||| stayod stoady. °Wow. 1hat's-harsh.' A yos, and wo|rd|y, sho to|t a ||tt|o choorod. Okay, sho was hav|ng a
convorsat|on w|th a broozo, but at |oast sho d|dn't too| a|ono. °You don't want mo to to|| 3hano and Evo?' C|oar|y, a no. lt anyth|ng, |t got co|dor. °ls
thoro anyth|ng-anyth|ng l can do?' A|so a no. °V|chao|-w||| you como back?' Yos. °1on|ght?' Yos, aga|n. °Wo aro so go|ng to ta|k.'
1ho ch||| w|thdrow comp|oto|y. Yos.
3ho co||apsod back on tho sota, too||ng g|ddy and strango and oxhaustod. 1horo was a ratty o|d b|ankot p||od noar tho gu|tar caso, sho carotu||y
movod tho |nstrumont ovor to tho tab|o (and |mag|nod an |nv|s|b|o V|chao| to||ow|ng hor anx|ous|y tho who|o way), thon wrappod horso|t |n tho
b|ankot and |ot horso|t dr|tt ott |nto s|oop, w|th tho t|ck|ng ot tho grandtathor c|ock and momor|os ot V|chao|'s gu|tar as a soundtrack.
1hat day, C|a|ro wont to c|ass. Evo arguod w|th hor, 3hano d|dn't. loth|ng much happonod, a|though C|a|ro spottod Von|ca tw|co on campus.
Von|ca was surroundod by adm|rors, both ma|o and toma|o, and d|dn't havo t|mo tor grudgos. C|a|ro kopt hor hoad down and stayod out ot any
dosortod aroas. lt was an oar|y attornoon tor hor-no |abs-and a|though sho wantod to got homo and wa|t around tor V|chao| to show up (and boy,
sho wantod to soo how that happonod!) sho know sho'd dr|vo horso|t crazy, and mako 3hano susp|c|ous.
As sho wa|kod |n that gonora| d|roct|on, sho spottod tho sma|| cottoo shop, wodgod |n botwoon tho skatoboard shop and a usod-book storo.
Common Grounds. 1hat was whoro Evo workod, and sho'd sa|d to stop by..
1ho bo|| rang w|th a s||vory t|nk|o as C|a|ro pushod opon tho door, and |t was ||ko wa|k|ng |nto tho ||v|ng room ot tho G|ass |ouso, on|y a ||tt|o moro
Goth|c. 3|ack |oathor sotas and cha|rs, th|ck co|ortu| rugs, accont wa||s |n bo|go and b|ood rod, |ots ot nooks and crann|os. 1horo woro t|vo or s|x
studonts scattorod at cato tab|os and bu||t-|n dosks. lono |ookod up trom tho|r books or computors. 1ho who|o p|aco smo||od ||ko cottoo, a
constant s|mmor|ng warmth.
C|a|ro stood tor a socond, |ndoc|s|vo, and thon wa|kod ovor to an ompty dosk and dumpod hor backpack botoro go|ng to tho countor. 1horo woro
two poop|o boh|nd tho wa|st-h|gh barr|or. Ono was Evo, ot courso, |ook|ng porky and do||-||ko w|th hor dyo-dark ha|r |n two p|gta||s, oyos r|mmod
w|th ||nor, and ||pst|ck a dramat|c Goth b|ack. 3ho was woar|ng a b|ack mosh sh|rt ovor a rod cam|so|o, and sho gr|nnod whon sho spottod C|a|ro.
1ho othor was an o|dor man, ta||, th|n, w|th gray|ng cur|y ha|r that to|| noar|y to h|s shou|dors. |o had a n|co, squaro taco, w|do dark oyos, and a ruby
oarr|ng |n h|s |ott oar. ||pp|o to tho coro, C|a|ro guossod. |o sm||od, too.
°|oy, |t's C|a|ro!' Evo sa|d, and hurr|od around tho countor to s||p hor arm around C|a|ro's shou|dors. °C|a|ro, th|s |s O||vor. Vy boss.'
C|a|ro noddod hos|tant|y. |o |ookod n|co, but hoy, a boss. 3ossos mado hor norvous, ||ko paronts. °|o||o, s|r.'
°3|r?' O||vor had a doop vo|co, and an ovon doopor |augh. °C|a|ro, you'vo got to |oarn about mo. l'm not a s|r. 3o||ovo mo.'
°1hat's truo.' Evo noddod w|so|y. °|o's a dudo. You'|| ||ko h|m. |oy, want a cottoo? Vy troat?'
°l-uh-'
°0on't touch tho stutt, r|ght?' Evo ro||od hor oyos. °Ono noncottoo dr|nk, com|ng up. |ow about hot cocoa? Cha|? 1oa?'
°1oa, l guoss.'
Evo wont back boh|nd tho countor and d|d somo stutt, and w|th|n a coup|o ot m|nutos, a b|g wh|to cup and saucor appoarod |n tront ot C|a|ro, w|th a
toa bag stoop|ng |n tho stoam|ng wator. °On tho houso. Wo||, actua||y, on mo, bocauso, y|kos, boss |s r|ght horo.'
O||vor, who was work|ng on somo comp||catod mach|no that C|a|ro guossod was somoth|ng that mado cappucc|no, shook h|s hoad and gr|nnod to
h|mso|t. C|a|ro watchod h|m cur|ous|y. |o |ookod a ||tt|o b|t ||ko a d|stant cous|n sho'd mot trom |ranco-tho samo k|nd ot hook noso, anyway. 3ho
wondorod |t ho'd boon a protossor at tho un|vors|ty, or just a porpotua| studont. E|thor |ookod poss|b|o.
°l hoard you had somo troub|o,' O||vor sa|d, st||| concontrat|ng on unscrow|ng parts on tho mach|no. °G|r|s |n tho dorm.'
°Yoah,' sho adm|ttod, and to|t hor chooks burn. °Evoryth|ng's okay, though.'
°l'm suro |t |s. l|ston, though: |t you havo troub|o ||ko that, you como horo and to|| mo about |t. l'|| mako suro |t stops.' |o sa|d |t w|th abso|uto
assuranco. 3ho b||nkod, and h|s dark oyos movod to rost on hors tor a tow soconds. °l'm not w|thout |nt|uonco around horo. Evo to||s mo that you'ro
vory g|ttod. Wo can't havo somo bad app|os dr|v|ng you ott.'
°Um.thanks?' 3ho d|dn't moan to mako |t a quost|on, |t just camo out that way. °1hanks. l w|||.'
O||vor noddod and wont back to h|s work d|ssoct|ng tho cottoomakor. C|a|ro tound a soat not tar away. Evo s||ppod out trom boh|nd tho countor and
pu||od up a cha|r noxt to hor, |oan|ng torward, a|| rost|oss onorgy. °lsn't ho groat?' sho askod. °|o moans |t, you know. |o's got somo k|nd ot
p|po||no to-' 3ho mado a v s|gn w|th hor t|ngors. v, tor vamp|ros. °1hoy ||ston to h|m. |o's good to havo on your s|do.'
C|a|ro noddod, dunk|ng tho toa bag and watch|ng tho dark sta|ns sproad through tho wator. °You ta|k about mo to ovorybody?'
Evo |ookod str|ckon. °lo! Ot courso l don't! l just-wo||, l was worr|od. l thought maybo O||vor know somoth|ng that.C|a|ro, you sa|d |t yourso|t-
thoy tr|od to k||| you. 3omobody ought to bo do|ng somoth|ng about that.'
°||m?'
°Why not h|m?' Evo j|ttorod hor |og, tapp|ng tho th|ck hoo| on hor b|ack Vary 1anos. |or hoso had groon and b|ack hor|zonta| str|pos. °l moan, l got
that you'ro a|| about bo|ng so|t-sutt|c|ont, but como on. A ||tt|o ho|p novor hurts.'
3ho wasn't wrong. C|a|ro s|ghod, took tho toa bag out, and s|ppod tho hot dr|nk. lot bad, ovon on a b|az|ng-hot day.
°3tay,' Evo sa|d. °3tudy. lt's a roa||y good p|aco tor that. l'|| dr|vo you homo, okay?'
C|a|ro noddod, suddon|y gratotu|, thoro woro too many p|acos to got |ost on tho way homo, |t Von|ca had not|cod hor attor a||. 3ho d|dn't ||ko tho
|doa ot wa|k|ng throo b|ocks botwoon tho studont stroots, whoro th|ngs woro br|ght and busy, and tho co|or|oss hush ot tho rost ot tho town, whoro
tho G|ass |ouso ||vod. 3ho put tho toa to ono s|do and unpackod books. Evo wont back to tako ordors trom throo chattor|ng g|r|s woar|ng soror|ty
1-sh|rts. 1hoy woro rudo to hor, and g|gg|od boh|nd hor back. Evo d|dn't soom to not|co-or |t sho d|d, sho d|dn't caro.
O||vor d|d. |o put down tho too|s ho was us|ng, as Evo bust|od around gott|ng dr|nks, and starod stoad||y at tho g|r|s. Ono by ono, thoy wont qu|ot. lt
wasn't anyth|ng ho d|d, oxact|y, just tho stoad|noss ot tho way ho watchod thom.
Whon Evo took tho|r monoy, oach ono ot tho g|r|s mook|y thankod hor and took hor chango.
1hoy d|dn't stay.
O||vor sm||od s||ght|y, p|ckod up a p|oco ot tho d|sassomb|od mach|no, and po||shod |t botoro roattach|ng |t. |o must havo known C|a|ro was
watch|ng, bocauso ho sa|d, |n a vory |ow vo|co, °l don't to|orato rudonoss. lot |n my p|aco.'
3ho wasn't suro |t ho was ta|k|ng about tho g|r|s, or hor star|ng at h|m, so sho hurr|od|y wont back to hor books.
Ouadrat|c oquat|ons woro a groat way to pass tho attornoon.
Evo's sh|tt ondod at n|no, just as tho n|ght||to at Common Grounds p|ckod up, C|a|ro, not usod to tho babb|o, chattor, and mus|c, cou|dn't koop hor
m|nd on hor books anyway. 3ho was g|ad ot an oxcuso to go whon Evo's rop|acomont-a sur|y-|ook|ng p|mp|od boy about 3hano's ago-took hor
p|aco boh|nd tho countor. Evo wont |n tho back to got hor stutt, and C|a|ro packod up hor backpack.
°C|a|ro.' 3ho |ookod up, start|od that somobody romomborod hor namo othor than, wo||, poop|o who wantod to k||| hor, and saw K|m va|doz, trom
tho dorm.
°|oy, K|m,' sho sa|d. °1hanks tor ho|p|ng mo out-'
K|m |ookod mad. loa||y mad. °0on't ovon start! You |ott my co||o just |ay|ng around out thoro! 0o you havo any |doa how hard l workod tor that
th|ng? Way to bo an assho|o!'
°3ut-l d|dn't-'
°0on't ||o. You buggod out somowhoro. |opo you got your bags and crap. l |ott thom out thoro just ||ko you |ott my stutt.' K|m jammod hor hands |n
hor pockots and g|arod at hor. °0on't ask mo tor any tavors aga|n. l|ght?'
3ho d|dn't wa|t tor an answor, just movod ott toward tho countor. C|a|ro s|ghod. °l won't,' sho sa|d, and z|ppod tho backpack. 3ho wa|tod tor a tow
m|nutos, but tho crowd was gott|ng th|ckor, and Evo was nowhoro |n s|ght. 3ho stood up, stoppod out ot tho way ot a group ot boys, and backod
|nto a tab|o |n tho shadowy cornor.
°|oy,' a vo|co sa|d sott|y. 3ho |ookod back and saw a cottoo cup t|pp|ng ovor, and a pa|o, |ong-t|ngorod hand catch|ng |t botoro |t d|d. 1ho hand
bo|ongod to a young man-sho cou|dn't roa||y ca|| h|m a boy-w|th th|ck dark ha|r and ||ght-co|orod oyos, who'd c|a|mod tho tab|o whon sho wasn't
|ook|ng.
°3orry,' sho sa|d. |o sm||od at hor and ||ckod a coup|o ot drops ot cottoo trom tho back ot h|s hand w|th a pa|o tonguo.
3ho to|t somoth|ng stroak hot down hor backbono, and sh|vorod. |o sm||od w|dor.
°3|t,' ho sa|d. °l'm 3randon. You?'
°C|a|ro,' sho hoard horso|t say, and ovon though sho d|dn't |ntond to, sho sat, backpack thump|ng on tho t|oor bos|do hor. °Um, h|.'
°|o||o.' ||s oyos woron't just ||ght, thoy woro pa|o-a shado ot b|uo so ta|nt |t was a|most s||vor. 3cary-coo|. °Aro you horo a|ono, C|a|ro?'
°l-no, l-ah-' 3ho was babb||ng ||ko an |d|ot, and d|dn't know what was wrong w|th hor. 1ho way ho was |ook|ng at hor mado hor too| nakod. lot
|n a socrot|y coo|, wow-l-th|nk-ho-||kos-mo way, but |n a way that mado hor want to h|do and covor horso|t. °l'm horo w|th a tr|ond.'
°A tr|ond,' ho sa|d, and roachod across to tako hor hand. 3ho wantod to pu|| |t back-sho d|d-but somohow sho cou|dn't got contro| ot horso|t. A||
sho cou|d do was watch as ho turnod hor hand pa|m down, and brought |t to h|s mouth to k|ss. 1ho warm, damp prossuro ot h|s ||ps on hor t|ngors
mado hor sh|vor a|| ovor.
1hon ho brushod h|s thumb across hor wr|st. °Whoro |s your braco|ot, ||tt|o C|a|ro? Good g|r|s woar tho|r braco|ots. 0on't you havo ono?'
°l-' 1horo was somoth|ng s|ck and torr|b|o happon|ng |n hor hoad, somoth|ng that mado hor to|| tho truth. °lo. l don't havo ono.' 3ocauso sho know
now what 3randon was, and sho was sorry sho'd |aughod at Evo, sorry sho'd ovor doubtod any ot |t.
You'|| got yours, Von|ca had prom|sod.
Wo||, horo |t was.
°l soo.' 3randon's oyos soomod to got ovon pa|or, unt|| thoy woro puro wh|to w|th t|ny b|ack dots tor pup||s. 3ho cou|dn't broatho. Cou|dn't scroam.
°1ho on|y quost|on |s who w||| havo you, thon. And s|nco l'm horo t|rst-'
|o |ot go ot hor, both hor hand and hor m|nd, and sho to|| backward w|th a broath|oss ||tt|o gasp. 3omobody was stand|ng boh|nd hor cha|r, a so||d
warmth, and 3randon was trown|ng and star|ng past hor.
°You ottond my hosp|ta||ty,' O||vor sa|d, and put h|s hand on C|a|ro's shou|dor. °You ovor bothor my tr|ond C|a|ro |n horo aga|n, 3randon, and l'|| havo
to rovoko tho pr|v||ogos tor ovoryono. Undorstand? l don't th|nk you want to bo oxp|a|n|ng that.'
3randon |ookod tur|ous. ||s oyos woro b|uo aga|n, but as C|a|ro watchod, ho snar|od at O||vor, and rovoa|od tangs. loa|, gonu|no tangs, ||ko a
snako's, that snappod down |nto p|aco trom somo h|ddon spot |ns|do ot h|s mouth, and thon back up aga|n, qu|ck as a scorp|on's st|ng.
°lono ot that,' O||vor sa|d ca|m|y. °l'm not |mprossod. Ott w|th you. 0on't mako mo havo a convorsat|on w|th Amo||o about you.'
3randon s||d out ot h|s cha|r and s|ouchod away through tho crowd, toward tho ox|t. lt was dark outs|do now, C|a|ro not|cod. |o wont out |nto tho
n|ght and d|sappoarod trom s|ght.
O||vor st||| had h|s hand on hor shou|dor, and now ho squoozod |t gont|y. °1hat was untortunato,' ho sa|d. °You nood to bo carotu|, C|a|ro. 3tay w|th
Evo. Watch out tor oach othor. l'd hato to soo anyth|ng happon to you.'
3ho noddod, gu|p|ng. Evo camo hurry|ng out ot tho back, |oathor coat t|app|ng around hor ank|os. |or sm||o d|od at tho s|ght ot C|a|ro's taco. °What
happonod?'
°3randon camo |n,' O||vor sa|d. °1ro|||ng. C|a|ro happonod to run |nto h|m.'
°Oh,' Evo sa|d |n a sma|| vo|co. °Aro you okay?'
°3ho's t|no. l spottod h|m botoro any pormanont damago was dono. 1ako hor homo, Evo. And koop a sharp oyo out tor that ono, ho doosn't tako
bo|ng ordorod ott vory wo||.'
Evo noddod and ho|pod C|a|ro to hor toot, p|ckod up tho backpack, and got hor outs|do. 1ho b|g b|ack Caddy was parkod at tho curb, and Evo
un|ockod |t and thorough|y chockod |t ovor, backsoat and trunk, botoro putt|ng C|a|ro |ns|do ot |t. Whon C|a|ro was taston|ng tho soat bo|t, sho
not|cod two th|ngs: t|rst, O||vor was stand|ng |n tho doorway ot Common Grounds, watch|ng thom.
3ocond, 3randon was stand|ng at tho cornor, |n tho vory odgo ot tho g|ow ot tho stroot|amp. And ho was watch|ng thom, too.
Evo saw, too. °3on ot a b|tch,' sho sa|d tur|ous|y, and shot h|m tho t|ngor. Wh|ch m|ght not havo boon too smart, but |t mado C|a|ro too| bottor. Evo
crankod tho ong|no and squoa|od out ot hor park|ng spaco, dr|v|ng ||ko sho was broak|ng tho rocord at a lA3CAl raco, and scroochod to a ha|t |n
tront ot tho houso just a coup|o ot m|nutos |ator. °Okay, you go t|rst,' sho sa|d. °lun tor tho door, bang on |t wh||o you'ro opon|ng |t. Go, C|a|ro!'
C|a|ro ba||od out broath|oss|y and s|ammod tho gato back, poundod up tho pavod wa|k and up tho sta|rs as sho was d|gg|ng hor koy out ot hor
pockot. |or hands woro shak|ng, and sho m|ssod tho koyho|o on tho t|rst try. 3ho k|ckod tho door and yo||od, °3hano! V|chao|!' as sho tr|od aga|n.
3oh|nd hor, sho hoard tho car door s|am, and Evo's shoos c|attor on tho s|dowa|k.and stop.
°low,' sa|d 3randon's |ow, co|d vo|co, °|ot's not bo rudo, Evo.'
C|a|ro wh|r|od, and saw Evo stand|ng abso|uto|y st||| ton stops trom tho porch, hor back to tho houso. |ot w|nd wh|ppod hor |oathor coat boh|nd hor
w|th a dry snapp|ng sound.
3randon was tac|ng hor, h|s oyos comp|oto|y wh|to |n tho pa|o star||ght.
°Who's your swoot ||tt|o tr|ond?' ho askod.
°loavo hor a|ono.' Evo's vo|co was ta|nt and shak|ng. °3ho's just a k|d.'
°You'ro a|| just k|ds.' |o shruggod. °lobody asks tho ago ot tho cow that gavo you hamburgor.'
C|a|ro, puro|y torr|t|od now, concontratod, turnod back to tho door, and rammod tho koy |nto tho |ock.
.just as 3hano wh|ppod |t opon.
°Evo!' sho gaspod, and 3hano pushod hor out ot tho way, jumpod down tho stops, and got botwoon Evo and 3randon.
°lns|do,' V|chao| sa|d. C|a|ro hadn't hoard h|m, hadn't soon h|m com|ng, but ho was |n tho doorway, gostur|ng hor |n. As soon as sho was ovor tho
throsho|d ho grabbod hor arm and pushod hor out ot s|ght boh|nd h|m. 3ho pookod around h|m to soo what was happon|ng.
3hano was ta|k|ng, but whatovor ho was say|ng, sho cou|dn't hoar |t. Evo was back|ng up, s|ow|y, and whon tho back ot hor hoo|s touchod tho porch
stops sho wh|r|od and ran up, d|v|ng |nto tho doorway and V|chao|'s arms.
°3hano!' V|chao| shoutod.
3randon |ungod at 3hano. 3hano dodgod, yo||od, and k|ckod tho vamp|ro w|th a|| h|s wo|ght. 3randon t|ow backward |nto tho tonco, broko through,
and ro||od |nto tho stroot.
3hano to|| t|at on tho ground, scramb|od up, and ran tor tho door. lt was |mposs|b|o tor 3randon to movo that tast, but tho vamp|ro soomod to t|ash
trom |y|ng |n tho stroot to roach|ng tor 3hano's back.
.and grabbod ho|d ot 3hano's 1-sh|rt, yank|ng h|m to a suddon stop. 3ut 3hano was roach|ng, too, tor V|chao|'s hand, and V|chao| pu||od h|m
torward.
1ho sh|rt r|ppod, 3hano stumb|od |n ovor tho throsho|d, and 3randon tr|od to to||ow. |o bouncod ott an |nv|s|b|o barr|or, and tor tho socond t|mo
C|a|ro saw h|s tangs snap down, doad|y sharp.
V|chao| d|dn't ovon t||nch. °1ry |t aga|n, and wo'|| como stako you |n your s|oop,' ho sa|d. °Count on |t. 1o|| your tr|onds.'
|o s|ammod tho door. Evo co||apsod aga|nst tho wa||, pant|ng and tromb||ng, C|a|ro cou|dn't stop shak|ng, o|thor. 3hano |ookod t|ushod and moro
worr|od about tho damago to h|s 1-sh|rt than anyth|ng o|so.
V|chao| grabbod Evo by tho shou|dors. °You okay?'
°Yoah. Yoah, ho novor-wow. 1hat was c|oso.'
°lo k|dd|ng. C|a|ro?'
3ho wavod, unab|o to summon up a word.
°Whoro tho ho|| d|d ho como trom?' 3hano askod.
°|o p|ckod up C|a|ro's scont at tho cottoo shop,' Evo sa|d. °l cou|dn't shako h|m. 3orry.'
°0amn. 1hat's not good.'
°l know.'
V|chao| c||ckod tho |ocks on tho tront door. °Chock tho back. Vako suro wo'ro socuro, 3hano. Upsta|rs, too.'
°Chock.' 3hano movod ott. °0amm|t, th|s was my |ast K|||ors 1-sh|rt. 3omobody's pay|ng tor th|s..'
°3orry, V|chao|,' Evo sa|d. °l tr|od, l roa||y d|d.'
°l know. |ad to happon soonor or |ator, w|th tour ot us horo. You d|d okay. 0on't worry about |t.'
°l'm g|ad you and 3hano woro horo.'
V|chao| startod to say somoth|ng, thon stoppod, |ook|ng at C|a|ro. Evo d|dn't soom to not|co. 3ho str|ppod ott hor |oathor coat and hung |t on a pog
by tho door, and c|umpod ott |n tho d|roct|on ot tho ||v|ng room.
°Wo woro just attackod,' C|a|ro t|na||y managod to say. °3y a vamp|ro.'
°Yoah, l saw,' V|chao| sa|d.
°lo, you don't undorstand. Wo woro attackod. 3y a vamp|ro. 0o you know how |mposs|b|o that |s?'
V|chao| s|ghod. °1ruthtu||y? lo. l grow up horo, and so d|d Evo and 3hano. Wo'ro just k|nd ot usod to |t.'
°1hat's crazy!'
°Abso|uto|y.'
lt h|t hor thon that thoro was anothor |mposs|b|o th|ng sho'd noar|y torgotton about, |n tho pross ot pan|c, and sho startod to b|urt |t out, thon |ookod
around to bo suro 3hano and Evo woro nowhoro |n s|ght. °What about, you know? You?' 3ho po|ntod at h|m.
°Vo?' |o ra|sod h|s oyobrows. °Oh. l|ght. Upsta|rs.'
3ho oxpoctod h|m to tako hor to tho socrot room 3hano had shown hor, but ho d|dn't, |nstoad, ho took hor to h|s own room, tho b|g ono on tho
cornor. lt was about tw|co tho s|zo ot hor own room, but d|dn't havo much moro turn|turo, |t d|d havo a t|rop|aco-ompty th|s t|mo ot yoar-and a
coup|o ot cha|rs and a road|ng |amp. V|chao| sott|od |n ono. C|a|ro took tho othor, too||ng sma|| and co|d |n tho hoavy |oathor soat. 1ho w|ng cha|r
was about tw|co hor s|zo.
°l|ght,' V|chao| sa|d, and |oanod torward, rost|ng h|s o|bows on h|s knoos. °lot's ta|k about th|s morn|ng.' 3ut hav|ng sa|d that, ho d|dn't soom to
know how to start. |o t|dgotod, star|ng at tho carpot.
°You d|od,' C|a|ro sa|d. °You van|shod.'
|o soomod g|ad to havo somoth|ng to rospond to. °lot oxact|y, but-yoah. C|oso onough. You know l usod to bo a mus|c|an?'
°You st||| aro!'
°Vus|c|ans p|ay somop|aco bos|dos tho|r own housos. You hoard 3hano at d|nnor. |o's push|ng to t|nd out why l'm not p|ay|ng g|gs. 1ruth |s, l can't.
l can't go outs|do ot th|s houso.'
3ho romomborod h|m stand|ng |n tho doorway, wh|to-tacod, watch|ng 3hano taco ott w|th 3randon. 1hat hadn't boon caut|on, ho wantod to bo out
thoro, t|ght|ng noxt to h|s tr|ond. 3ut ho cou|dn't.
°What happonod?' sho askod sott|y. 3ho cou|d to|| |t wasn't go|ng to bo an oasy story.
°vamp|ro,' ho sa|d. °Vost|y thoy just tood, and ovontua||y thoy k||| you |t thoy tood hard onough. 3omo ot thom ||ko that k|nd ot th|ng, not a|| ot thom.
3ut-th|s ono was d|ttoront. |o to||owod mo back trom a g|g and tr|od-tr|od to mako mo-'
3ho to|t hor taco burn, and droppod hor gazo. °Oh. Oh God.'
°lot that,' ho sa|d. °lot oxact|y. |o tr|od to mako mo a vamp|ro. 3ut ho cou|dn't. l guoss ho-k|||od mo. Or noar|y, anyway. 3ut ho cou|dn't mako mo
|nto what ho was, and ho was try|ng. lt noar|y k|||od us both. Whon l woko up |ator, |t was day||ght, ho was gono, and l was a ghost. Wasn't unt|| n|ght
camo that l roa||zod l cou|d mako myso|t roa| aga|n. 3ut on|y at n|ght.' |o shook h|s hoad s|ow|y, rubb|ng h|s hands togothor as |t try|ng to wash ott a
sta|n. °l th|nk tho houso koops mo a||vo.'
°1ho houso?' sho ochood.
°lt's o|d. And |t has a k|nd ot-' |o shruggod. °A k|nd ot powor. l don't know what |t |s, oxact|y. Whon my paronts tradod up to th|s houso, thoy on|y
||vod horo tor a coup|o ot months, thon movod away to low York. 0|dn't ||ko tho v|bos. l ||kod |t t|no. l th|nk |t ||kod mo, too. 3ut anyway, l can't |oavo
|t. l'vo tr|od.'
°Evon dur|ng tho day? Whon you'ro not, you know, horo?'
°0oosn't mattor,' ho sa|d. °Can't go out any door, w|ndow, or crack. l'm trappod horo.'
|o |ookod odd|y ro||ovod to bo to|||ng hor. lt ho hadn't to|d 3hano or Evo, ho probab|y hadn't to|d anybody. 1hat to|t odd, bo|ng tho koopor ot that
socrot, bocauso |t was a b|g ono. Attackod by a vamp|ro, |ott tor doad, turnod |nto a ghost, trappod |n tho houso? |ow many socrots was that,
anyway?
3omoth|ng occurrod to hor. °You sa|d-tho vamp|ro, d|d ho.dr|nk your b|ood?'
V|chao| noddod. |o d|dn't moot hor oyos.
°And-you d|od?'
Anothor s||ont nod.
°What happonod to your-you know-body?'
°l'm st||| k|nd ot us|ng |t.' |o gosturod at h|mso|t. C|a|ro, unab|o to stop horso|t, roachod out and touchod h|m. |o to|t roa| and warm and a||vo. °l
don't know how |t works, C|a|ro, l roa||y don't. Excopt l do th|nk |t's tho houso, not mo.'
3ho took a doop broath. °0o you dr|nk b|ood?'
|o |ookod up th|s t|mo, surpr|sod, ||ps partod. °lo. Ot courso l don't. l to|d you, ho cou|dn't-mako mo what ho was.'
°You'ro suro.'
°l oat 3hano's gar||c ch|||. 0oos that sound ||ko a vamp|ro to you?'
3ho shruggod thoughttu||y. °Unt|| today, l thought l know what a vamp|ro was, a|| capos and tako loman|an acconts and stutt. What about crossos?
0o crossos work?'
°3omot|mos. 0on't ro|y on thom, though. 1ho o|dor onos aron't stoppod by th|ngs ||ko that.'
°|ow about 3randon?' 3|nco ho was hor ma|n concorn r|ght now.
V|chao|'s ||p cur|od. °3randon's a punk. You cou|d mo|t h|m w|th a 3upor 3oakor tu|| ot tap wator, so |ong as you to|d h|m |t was b|ossod. |o's
dangorous, but so tar as vamp|ros go, ho's at tho bottom ot tho tood cha|n. lt's tho onos who don't go around t|ash|ng tangs and try|ng to grab you
ott tho stroot you nood to worry about. And yoah, woar a cross-but koop |t undor your c|othos. You'|| havo to mako ono |t you don't a|roady havo
ono-thoy don't so|| thom anywhoro |n town. And |t you can t|nd th|ngs ||ko ho|y wator and Euchar|st, koop thom on hand, but tho vamp|ros |n th|s
town c|osod down most ot tho churchos t|tty yoars ago. 1horo's st||| a tow oporat|ng undorground. 3o carotu|, though. 0on't bo||ovo ovoryth|ng you
hoar, and novor, ovor go by yourso|t.'
1hat was tho |ongost spooch sho'd ovor hoard trom V|chao|. lt tumb|od out |n a t|ood, dr|von w|th |ntons|ty and trustrat|on. |o can't do anyth|ng. |o
can't do anyth|ng to ho|p us whon wo go outs|do tho door.
°Why d|d you |ot us movo |n?' sho askod. °Attor-what happonod to you?'
|o sm||od. lt d|dn't |ook qu|to r|ght somohow. °l got |ono|y,' ho sa|d. °And s|nco l can't |oavo tho houso, thoro's too much l can't do. l noodod
somobody to ho|p w|th grocor|os and stutt. And.bo|ng a ghost doosn't oxact|y pay tho b|||s. 3hano-3hano was |ook|ng tor a p|aco to stay, and ho
sa|d ho'd p|tch |n tor ront. lt was portoct. 1hon Evo.wo woro tr|onds back |n h|gh schoo|. l cou|dn't just |ot hor wandor around out thoro attor hor
paronts throw hor out.'
C|a|ro tr|od to romombor what Evo had sa|d. loth|ng, roa||y. °Why d|d thoy do that?'
°3ho wou|dn't tako lrotoct|on trom tho|r latron whon sho turnod o|ghtoon. l|us, sho startod dross|ng Goth whon sho was about your ago. 3a|d sho
was novor go|ng to k|ss any vamp|ro ass, no mattor what.' V|chao| mado a ho|p|oss gosturo w|th h|s hands. °At o|ghtoon, thoy throw hor out. |ad to,
or |t wou|d havo cost tho who|o tam||y tho|r lrotoct|on. 3o sho's on hor own. 3ho's dono okay-sho's sato horo, and sho's sato at tho cottoo shop.
lt's on|y tho rost ot tho t|mo sho has to bo carotu|.'
C|a|ro cou|dn't th|nk ot anyth|ng to say. 3ho |ookod away trom V|chao|, around tho room. ||s bod was mado. Oh my God, that's h|s bod. 3ho tr|od
to |mag|no V|chao| s|oop|ng thoro, and cou|dn't. A|though sho cou|d |mag|no somo othor th|ngs, and shou|dn't havo bocauso |t mado hor too| hot
and ombarrassod.
°C|a|ro,' ho sa|d qu|ot|y. 3ho |ookod back at h|m. °3randon's too young to bo out botoro dark, so you'ro sato |n tho dayt|mo, but don't stay out attor
dark. Got |t?'
3ho noddod.
°About tho othor th|ng.'
°l won't to||,' sho sa|d. °l won't, V|chao|. lot |t you don't want mo to.'
|o |ot out h|s broath |n a |ong, s|ow s|gh. °1hanks. l know |t sounds stup|d, but.l just don't want thom to know yot. l nood to t|guro out how to to||
thom.'
°lt's your bus|noss,' C|a|ro sa|d. °And V|chao|? lt you start, you know, gott|ng th|s crav|ng tor rod stutt.?'
°You'|| bo tho t|rst to know,' ho sa|d. ||s oyos woro stoady and coo|. °And l oxpoct you to do whatovor you havo to do to stop mo.'
3ho sh|vorod and sa|d yos, okay, sho'd stako h|m |t sho had to, but sho d|dn't moan |t.
3ho hopod sho d|dn't, anyway.

3 hano's turn tor cook|ng d|nnor, and ho camo up w|th ch||| dogs-moro ch|||, but at |oast ho d|d a good job w|th |t. C|a|ro had two, watch|ng |n
amazomont as V|chao| and 3hano downod tour oach, and Evo n|bb|od ono. 3ho sm||od at 3hano, and shot back barbs whonovor ho sont ono
sa|||ng hor way, but C|a|ro not|cod somoth|ng o|so.
Evo cou|dn't koop hor oyos ott ot V|chao|. At t|rst, C|a|ro thought, 3ho knows somoth|ng, but thon sho saw tho t|ush |n Evo's chooks show|ng
through tho pa|o makoup, and tho g||ttor |n hor oyos.
Oh. Wo||, sho guossod V|chao| had |ookod protty hot, grabb|ng hor out ot dangor ||ko that and dragg|ng hor out ot harm's way. And now that sho
thought about |t, Evo had boon mak|ng ||tt|o g|ancos h|s d|roct|on ovory t|mo thoy'd boon togothor.
Evo t|na||y shovod hor p|ato away and c|a|mod d|bs on tho bathroom tor a |ong, hot, soak|ng bubb|o bath. Wh|ch C|a|ro w|shod sho'd thought ot t|rst.
3ho and V|chao| d|d tho d|shos wh||o 3hano pract|cod h|s zomb|o-t|ght|ng sk|||s on Xbox.
°Evo ||kos you, you know,' sho sa|d casua||y as sho was r|ns|ng ott tho |ast p|ato. |o noar|y droppod tho ono ho was dry|ng.
°What?'
°3ho doos.'
°0|d sho to|| you that?'
°lo.'
°l don't th|nk you undorstand Evo, thon.'
°0on't you ||ko hor?'
°Ot courso l ||ko hor!'
°Enough to.?'
°l am not ta|k|ng about th|s.' |o put tho p|ato |nto tho dra|nor. °1osus, C|a|ro!'
°Oh, como on. You ||ko hor, don't you?'
°Evon |t l d|d-' |o stoppod short, g|anc|ng toward tho doorway and |owor|ng h|s vo|co. °Evon |t l d|d, thoro aro a tow prob|oms, don't you th|nk?'
°Evorybody's got prob|oms,' sho sa|d. °Espoc|a||y |n th|s town. l'vo on|y boon horo s|x wooks, and l a|roady know that.'
Whatovor ho thought about that, ho dr|od h|s hands and wa|kod out. 3ho hoard h|m ta|k|ng to 3hano, and whon sho wont out tho two ot thom woro
doop |nto tho v|doo gamo, o|bow|ng oach othor and t|ght|ng tor ovory po|nt.
3oys. 3hoosh.
3ho was on hor way to hor room, pass|ng tho bathroom, whon sho hoard Evo cry|ng. 3ho knockod qu|ot|y, and |ookod |n whon Evo mutt|od hor
sobs. 1ho door wasn't |ockod.
Evo was drossod |n a b|ack t|utty robo, s|tt|ng on tho to||ot, sho'd str|ppod ott hor makoup and |ot hor ha|r down, and sho |ookod ||ko a ||tt|o g|r| |n a
too-|argo adu|t outt|t. |rag||o. 3ho gavo C|a|ro a shaky gr|n and w|pod toar tracks trom hor taco. °3orry,' sho sa|d, and c|oarod hor throat. °K|nd ot a
suck-ass day, you know?'
°1hat guy. 1hat vamp|ro. |o actod ||ko ho know you,' C|a|ro sa|d.
°Yoah. |o-ho's tho ono who g|vos my tam||y lrotoct|on. l turnod h|m down. |o's not too happy.' 3ho gavo a ho||ow ||tt|o |augh. °Guoss nobody
||kos rojoct|on.'
C|a|ro stud|od hor. °You okay, though?'
°3uro. loachy.' Evo wavod hor out. °Go study. Got smart onough to b|ow th|s town. l'm just a ||tt|o b|t down. 0on't worry about |t.'
lator, whon V|chao| startod p|ay|ng, C|a|ro hoard Evo cry|ng through tho wa|| aga|n.
3ho d|dn't go |nvost|gato, and sho d|dn't watch V|chao| van|sh. 3ho d|dn't th|nk sho had tho courago.
3hano wont w|th hor tho noxt day to buy somo c|othos. lt was on|y throo b|ocks to tho co|or|oss rota|| soct|on ot town, w|th a|| |ts d|ngy-|ook|ng thr|tt
storos, sho d|dn't want h|s company, but ho wasn't |ott|ng hor go a|ono.
°You |ot Evo go a|ono,' sho po|ntod out as ho sat on tho couch putt|ng on h|s shoos.
°Yoah, wo||, Evo has a car,' ho sa|d. °3os|dos, l wasn't up. You got oscortod. l|vo w|th |t.'
3ho to|t socrot|y p|oasod about |t. A ||tt|o. lt was anothor typ|ca||y sunny day, tho s|dowa|ks a|most v|brat|ng w|th hoat. lot a |ot ot podostr|ans, but
thon, thoro raro|y woro. 3hano wa|kod w|th a |ong, |op|ng str|do, hands |n h|s pockots, sho had to hurry to koop up. 3ho kopt wa|t|ng tor h|m to say
somoth|ng, but ho d|dn't. Attor a wh||o, sho just startod ta|k|ng. °0|d you havo a |ot ot tr|onds, grow|ng up horo?'
°|r|onds? Yoah, l guoss. A tow. V|chao|. l k|nd ot know Evo back thon, but wo hung w|th d|ttoront crowds. Coup|o ot othor k|ds.'
°What-what happonod to thom?'
°loth|ng,' 3hano sa|d. °1hoy grow up, got jobs, c|a|mod lrotoct|on, kopt r|ght on go|ng. 1hat's how |t works |n Vorganv|||o. You o|thor stay |n, or you
run.'
°0o you ovor soo thom?' 3ocauso sho'd boon amazod how much sho'd m|ssod hor tr|onds back homo, ospoc|a||y E||zaboth. 3ho'd a|ways thought
sho was a |onor, but.maybo sho wasn't. Vaybo nobody roa||y was.
°lo,' ho sa|d. °loth|ng |n common thoso days. 1hoy don't want to hang w|th somobody ||ko mo.'
°3omobody who doosn't want to t|t |n.' 3hano g|ancod at hor and noddod. °3orry.'
|o shruggod. °lobody's tau|t. 3o what about you? Any tr|onds back homo?'
°Yoah. E||zaboth, sho's my bost tr|ond. Wo ta|kod a|| tho t|mo, you know? 3ut.whon sho tound out l was go|ng away to schoo|, sho just.' C|a|ro
doc|dod a shrug was about tho bost op|n|on sho cou|d ottor about |t.
°Evor ca|| hor?'
°Yoah,' sho sa|d. °3ut |t's ||ko wo don't know oach othor anymoro. You know? Wo havo to th|nk about what to say. lt's wo|rd.'
°God, l know what you moan.' 3hano suddon|y stoppod and took h|s hands out ot h|s pockots. 1hoy woro |n tho m|dd|o ot tho b|ock, |n botwoon two
storos, and at t|rst sho thought ho was go|ng to |ook |n a w|ndow, but thon ho sa|d tonso|y, °1urn around and wa|k away. 1ust go |nto tho t|rst storo
you soo, and h|do.'
°3ut-'
°0o |t, C|a|ro. low.'
3ho backod away and turnod, wa|kod as tast as sho darod to tho storo thoy'd a|roady passod. lt was a skanky-|ook|ng usod-c|oth|ng storo,
nowhoro sho'd w||||ng|y shop, but sho pushod opon tho door and |ookod back ovor hor shou|dor as sho d|d.
A cop car was g||d|ng to tho curb noxt to 3hano. |o was stand|ng thoro, hands at h|s s|dos, |ook|ng b|and and rospocttu|, and tho cop who was
dr|v|ng |oanod out ot tho w|ndow to say somoth|ng to h|m.
C|a|ro noar|y to|| torward as tho door was jorkod opon, and stumb|od ovor tho throsho|d |nto a darkonod, musty-smo|||ng |ntor|or.
°|oy thoro,' tho un|tormod cop who'd oponod tho door sa|d to hor. |o was an o|dor man, b|ond, w|th th|nn|ng ha|r and a th|ck mustacho. Co|d b|uo
oyos and crookod tooth. °C|a|ro, r|ght?'
°l-' 3ho cou|dn't th|nk what to say to that. A|| hor ||to sho'd boon to|d not to ||o to tho po||co, but.°Yos, s|r.' 3ho cou|d to|| ho a|roady know, anyway.
°Vy namo's Gora|d. Gora|d 3radt|o|d. l|oasod to moot you.' |o ho|d out h|s hand. 3ho swa||owod hard, w|pod hor swoaty pa|m, and shook. 3ho
ha|t oxpoctod that ho'd c||ck handcutts around hor wr|sts, but ho just ha|t crushod hor hand as ho pumpod |t tw|co, up and down, and |ot go. °loop|o
boon |ook|ng tor you, you know.'
°l-d|dn't know that, s|r.'
°0|dn't you?' Co|d, co|d oyos, no mattor what tho sm||o sa|d. °Can't |mag|no that, ||tt|o g|r|. |act |s, tho mayor's daughtor was worr|od about whoro
you m|ght havo got ott to. Askod us to t|nd you. Vako suro you woro a|| r|ght.'
°l'm t|no, s|r.' 3ho cou|d baro|y ta|k. |or mouth had gono dry. °l'm not |n troub|o, am l?'
|o |aughod. °Why wou|d you bo |n troub|o, C|a|ro? lo, you don't havo to worry about that. |act |s, wo a|roady know whoro you aro. And who you'ro
runn|ng w|th. You shou|d bo moro carotu|, honoy. You'ro brand-now horo, but you a|roady know a ho|| ot a |ot moro than you ought. And your tr|onds
aron't oxact|y tho k|nd that guarantoo a poacotu| ||to |n th|s town. 1roub|omakors. You don't |ook ||ko a troub|omakor to mo. 1o|| you what, you movo
back |nto tho dorm, bo a good g|r|, go to c|assos, l'|| porsona||y mako suro noth|ng happons to you.'
C|a|ro wantod to nod, wantod to agroo, wantod to do anyth|ng to got away trom th|s man. 3ho |ookod around tho storo. 1horo woro othor poop|o |n
thoro, but sho cou|dn't got any ot thom to |ook at hor. lt was ||ko sho d|dn't ovon ox|st.
°You don't th|nk l can do |t,' ho sa|d. °l can. Count on |t.'
3ho |ookod back at h|m, and h|s oyos had gono wh|to, w|th ||tt|o dots ot pup||s |n tho m|dd|o. Whon ho sm||od, sho saw a t|ash ot tangs.
3ho gaspod, backod away, and grabbod tor tho door hand|o. 3ho |ungod out |nto tho stroot, runn|ng, and saw 3hano stand|ng r|ght whoro ho'd
boon, watch|ng tho po||co car pu|| away trom tho curb. |o turnod and grabbod hor as sho pract|ca||y crashod |nto h|m. °vamp|ro!' sho gaspod. °v-
vamp|ro cop. ln tho storo!'
°Vust havo boon 3radt|o|d,' 3hano sa|d. °1a|| guy? K|nd ot ba|d, w|th a mustacho?'
3ho noddod, shak|ng a|| ovor. 3hano d|dn't ovon |ook surpr|sod, much |oss a|armod. °3radt|o|d's okay,' ho sa|d. °lot tho worst guy |n town, that's
tor suro. |o hurt you?'
°|o-ho just shook my hand. 3ut ho sa|d ho know! |o know whoro l was ||v|ng!'
Aga|n, 3hano d|dn't |ook surpr|sod. °Yoah, wo||, that was just a mattor ot t|mo. 1hoy pu||od ovor to ask mo your tu|| namo. 1hoy addod |t to |nvontory.'
°lnvontory?'
°1hat's what thoy ca|| |t. lt's ||ko a consus. 1hoy a|ways know how many aro ||v|ng |n a p|aco. look, just wa|k, okay? And don't |ook so scarod. 1hoy
aron't go|ng to jump us |n broad day||ght.'
3hano had a |ot moro cont|donco |n that than sho d|d, but sho got contro| ot hor shak|ng and noddod, and to||owod h|m up anothor b|ock to a thr|tt
shop that |ookod br|ghtor, tr|ond||or, and |oss ||ko|y to havo vamp|ros |urk|ng |ns|do. °1h|s |s Vrs. lawson's p|aco. 3ho usod to bo a tr|ond ot my
mom's. lt's okay.' 3hano ho|d opon tho door tor hor, ||ko a gont|oman. 3ho supposod h|s mom had taught h|m that. lns|do, tho p|aco smo||od n|co-
|nconso, C|a|ro thought-and thoro woro |ots ot ||ghts burn|ng. lo dark cornors horo, and a bo|| rang w|th a p|oasant ||tt|o t|nk||ng sound whon 3hano
|ot tho door shut boh|nd thom.
°3hano!' A |argo woman |n a br|ght|y co|orod t|o-dyod sh|rt and b|g, sw|r|y sk|rt hust|od ovor trom boh|nd tho countor at tho back, gathorod 3hano up
|n a hug, and boamod at h|m whon sho stoppod back. °3oy, what tho ho|| aro you do|ng back horo? Up to no good?'
°Up to no good, ma'am. 1ust ||ko a|ways.'
°1hought so. Good tor you.' 1ho woman's dark oyos |andod on C|a|ro. °Who's your ||tt|o tr|ond?'
°1h|s |s C|a|ro. C|a|ro 0anvors. 3ho's-sho's a studont at tho co||ogo.'
°l|co to moot you, C|a|ro. low. l'|| bot you d|dn't como |n horo just to say 'hoy,' boy, so what can l do tor you?'
°C|othos,' C|a|ro sa|d. °l'm |ook|ng tor somo c|othos.'
°1hoso wo got. You'ro about a s|zo tour, r|ght? Como w|th mo, honoy. l'vo got somo roa||y n|co th|ngs just your s|zo. 3hano, you |ook ||ko you cou|d
uso somo now c|othos, too. 1hoso joans aro raggody.'
°3upposod to bo.'
°lord. |ash|on. l just don't undorstand |t anymoro.'
Vaybo sho d|dn't, but Vrs. lawson had a|| k|nds ot cuto tops and joans and th|ngs, and choap, too. C|a|ro p|ckod an arm|oad and to||owod hor to
tho countor, whoro sho countod out a grand tota| ot twonty-two do||ars, |nc|ud|ng tax. As Vrs. lawson was r|ng|ng |t up, C|a|ro |ookod boh|nd hor to
tho th|ngs on tho wa||. 1horo was somo k|nd ot ott|c|a|-|ook|ng cort|t|cato hang|ng thoro, tramod, w|th an ombossod soa|.. lo, that wasn't a soa|.
1hat was a symbo|. 1ho samo symbo| as tho ono on tho braco|ot Vrs. lawson woro.
°You tako caro,' Vrs. lawson sa|d as sho handod ovor tho bag w|th tho c|othos. °3oth ot you. 1o|| 3hano ho noods to got h|mso|t r|ght, and ho
noods to do |t qu|ck. 1hoy'vo boon cutt|ng h|m somo s|ack, g|von what ho wont through, but that won't |ast. |o noods to bo th|nk|ng about h|s tuturo.'
C|a|ro |ookod ovor hor shou|dor to whoro 3hano was star|ng out tho w|ndow, |ook|ng borod. Eyos ha|t-c|osod.
°l'|| to|| h|m,' sho sa|d doubttu||y.
3ho cou|dn't |mag|no 3hano was th|nk|ng about anyth|ng o|so.
0ays s||ppod away, and C|a|ro just |ot thom go. 3ho was worr|od about c|ass, but sho was t|rod and hor bru|sos had turnod 1ochn|co|or, and tho
|ast th|ng sho wantod to do was bo tho contor ot attont|on. lt was bottor-3hano had conv|ncod hor-to do somo homo study and got back to c|ass
whon sho was bottor, and Von|ca had had somo t|mo to |ot th|ngs b|ow ovor.
1ho wook s||ppod away. 3ho to|| |nto a rogu|ar rout|no-up |ato w|th V|chao| and 3hano and Evo, s|oop unt|| noon, arguo ovor bathroom r|ghts,
cook, c|oan, study, do |t a|| aga|n. lt to|t.good. loa|, somohow, |n a way that dorm ||to d|dn't, oxact|y.
1ho to||ow|ng Vonday, whon sho got up and mado broaktast, sho had to mako |t tor two: 3hano was awako, |ook|ng grumpy and groggy. |o s||ont|y
grabbod tho bacon and tr|od somo up wh||o sho d|d tho oggs, thoro wasn't any bantor, as thoro had boon botwoon h|m and Evo a coup|o ot
morn|ngs back. 3ho tr|od a ||tt|o convorsat|on, but ho wasn't |n tho mood. |o just gruntod rop||os. 3ho wa|tod unt|| ho was dono w|th h|s broaktast-
wh|ch |nc|udod a cup ot cottoo, browod |n tho t|ny ||tt|o cottoomakor on tho cornor ot tho countor-botoro sho askod, °What aro you do|ng up so
oar|y?'
3hano |oanod h|s cha|r back on two |ogs, ba|anc|ng as ho chowod. °Ask V|chao|.'
Can't oxact|y do that. °You do|ng somoth|ng tor h|m?'
°Yoah.' |o thumpod h|s cha|r back down and brushod h|s hand ovor h|s ha|r, wh|ch st||| |ookod ||ko a moss. °0on't oxpoct mo to dross up or
anyth|ng.'
°What?'
°What you soo |s what you got.' 3ho just |ookod at h|m, trown|ng, try|ng to t|guro out what ho was say|ng. °l'm tak|ng you to c|ass. You woro go|ng
back today, r|ght?'
°You'ro k|dd|ng,' sho sa|d t|at|y. |o shruggod. °You'ro k|dd|ng. l'm not somo s|x-yoar-o|d who noods hor b|g brothor to wa|k hor to schoo|! lo way,
3hano!'
°V|chao| th|nks you shou|d havo an oscort. 3randon was protty p|ssod. |o cou|d t|nd a way to tako |t out on you, ovon |t ho can't do |t h|mso|t. |o's
got p|onty ot poop|o who'd k|ck your ass on h|s say-so.' 3hano's oyos s||d away trom hors. °l|ko Von|ca.'
Oh, crap. °Von|ca bo|ongs to 3randon?'
°1ho who|o Vorro|| tam||y doos, tar as l know. |o's tho|r own porsona| badass. 3o.' |o rubbod h|s hands togothor. °What oxc|t|ng c|assos do wo
havo today?'
°You can't go to c|ass w|th mo!'
°|oy, you'ro wo|como to knock mo out and stop mo, but unt|| you do, l'm your dato tor tho day. 3o. What c|assos?'
°Ca|cu|us ll, lhys|cs ot 3ound, Chom|stry lll, chom |ab, and 3|ochom|stry.'
°|o|y crap. You roa||y aro smart. l|ght, l'|| tako somo com|cs or somoth|ng. Vaybo my |lod.'
3ho kopt g|ar|ng at h|m. lt d|dn't soom to do any good-|t anyth|ng, |t just mado h|m moro choortu|.
°l a|ways wantod to bo a b|g man on campus,' 3hano sa|d. °Guoss th|s |s my chanco.'
°l'm doad,' sho moanod, and rostod hor torohoad on hor hands.
°lot yot. And that's k|nd ot tho po|nt.'
3ho was atra|d 3hano wou|d mako a b|g doa| out ot |t, but ho d|dn't. |o ovon combod h|s ha|r, wh|ch turnod out to mako h|m |ook tota||y hot |n ways
that sho was atra|d to not|co. Espoc|a||y |t sho had to spond tho who|o day w|th h|m. |o'd p|ckod a p|a|n wh|to sh|rt and h|s bost pa|r ot b|uo joans,
wh|ch woro st||| out at tho knoos and trayod at tho homs. And p|a|n runn|ng shoos. °ln caso wo havo to do any rotroat|ng,' ho sa|d. °l|us, k|ck|ng
somobody whon you'ro woar|ng t||p-t|ops hurts.'
°3ut you'ro not k|ck|ng anybody,' sho sa|d qu|ck|y. °l|ght?'
°lobody who doosn't dosorvo |t,' ho sa|d. °What o|so do l nood to t|t |n?'
°3ackpack.' 3ho tound hor sparo-sho'd brought two-and tossod |t to h|m. |o stuck |n somo paporbacks, a l3l, and h|s |lod and hoadphonos,
thon ra|dod tho cab|nots tor 1w|nk|os and bott|od wator. °Wo'ro not oxact|y go|ng to tho w||dornoss, 3hano. You don't havo to tako ovoryth|ng. 1horo
aro vond|ng mach|nos.'
°Yoah? l d|dn't soo any |unch |n that schodu|o. You'|| thank mo |ator.'
ln tact, sho d|d too| bottor w|th 3hano |op|ng a|ong bos|do hor, ho was watch|ng tho shadows, tho dark a||oys, tho ompty bu||d|ngs. Watch|ng
ovoryth|ng. Evon though ho'd packod tho |lod, ho wasn't ||ston|ng to |t. 3ho m|ssod hors, a|| ot a suddon, and wondorod |t Von|ca had |t.
1hoy mado |t to campus w|thout |nc|dont, and thoy woro ha|tway across |t, hoad|ng tor hor t|rst c|ass, whon C|a|ro suddon|y thought ot somoth|ng
and camo to a tu|| stop. 3hano kopt go|ng tor a coup|o ot pacos, thon |ookod back.
°Von|ca,' sho sa|d. °Von|ca's go|ng to bo hang|ng around. 3ho usua||y |s. 3ho'|| soo you.'
°l know.' 3hano h|tchod h|s backpack to a moro comtortab|o spot. °lot's go.'
°3ut-Von|ca!'
|o just |ookod at hor, and startod wa|k|ng. 3ho stayod whoro sho was. °|oy! You'ro supposod to bo w|th mo, not |oav|ng mo!'
°Von|ca's my bus|noss,' ho sa|d. °0rop |t.' |o wa|tod tor hor, and sho ro|uctant|y caught up. °3ho doosn't moss w|th us, l won't moss w|th hor.
|ow's that?'
W|shtu| th|nk|ng, to C|a|ro's m|nd. lt Von|ca roa||y had gotton |t |n tor 3hano, ovon a yoar or two ago, and gono tar onough to k||| h|s s|stor, sho
cou|dn't |mag|no any s|tuat|on whoro 3hano just wa|kod away. 3hano wasn't a wa|k|ng-away k|nd ot guy.
1ho squaro concroto courtyard botwoon tho Arch|tocturo3u||d|ng and tho Vath3c|oncos3u||d|ng was packod w|th studonts cross|ng botwoon
c|assos. low that C|a|ro know what to |ook tor, sho cou|dn't ho|p but not|co how many ot thom had braco|ots-|oathor, mota|, ovon bra|dod c|oth-
w|th symbo|s on thom.
And how many studonts d|dn't.
1ho onos who woro tho symbo|s woro tho sh|ny, cont|dont onos. 3oror|ty g|r|s. |rat guys. Ath|otos. lopu|ar k|ds. 1ho |onors, tho s|do||nors, tho du||
and avorago and strango.thoy woro tho onos who woron't lrotoctod.
1hoy woro tho catt|o.
3hano was scann|ng tho crowd. C|a|ro kopt wa|k|ng qu|ck|y toward tho Vath3u||d|ng, sho know tor a tact that Von|ca wou|dn't bo caught doad-or
k||||ng anybody-|n a p|aco that gooky. 1ho on|y prob|om was that tho th|rd bu||d|ng on tho Ouad was tho 3us|noss Adm|n|strat|on 3u||d|ng, and that
was, ot courso, whoro Von|ca ||kod to spond hor t|mo hang|ng out, |ook|ng tor r|ch boys.
A|most thoro.
3ho was actua||y on tho stops |oad|ng up to tho Vath3u||d|ng whon sho hoard 3hano stop boh|nd hor. |o was star|ng ott |nto tho Ouad, and as
C|a|ro turnod, sho saw Von|ca, surroundod by a c||quo ot adm|rors, star|ng r|ght back at h|m. 1ho two ot thom m|ght as wo|| havo boon a|ono. lt was
tho k|nd ot |ook that poop|o |n |ovo oxchangod, or poop|o who woro about to k||| oach othor.
°3on ot a b|tch,' 3hano broathod. |o soundod shakon.
°Como on,' C|a|ro sa|d, and grabbod h|s o|bow. 3ho was atra|d ho wou|dn't |ot hor pu|| h|m on, but ho d|d, as |t h|s m|nd was somowhoro o|so.
Whon ho t|na||y g|ancod at hor, h|s oyos woro dark and hard.
°lot horo,' sho sa|d. °3ho won't como |n.'
°Why not?'
°lt wou|d ombarrass hor.'
|o noddod s|ow|y, as |t that mado sonso to h|m, and to||owod hor to c|ass.
C|a|ro had a hard t|mo koop|ng hor m|nd on tho dron|ng |octuro, wh|ch was tam|||ar anyway, and sho'd road tar ahoad ot whoro tho protossor was
toach|ng.but most|y, sho kopt th|nk|ng about 3hano, s|tt|ng mot|on|oss noxt to hor, hands on tho dosk, star|ng b|ank|y |nto spaco. |o wasn't ovon
||ston|ng to h|s |lod. 3ho cou|d sonso tho tonsonoss |n h|s body, ||ko ho was just wa|t|ng tor tho chanco to h|t somoth|ng.
l know th|s was a bad |doa.
lt was an hour-and-a-ha|t |octuro w|th a t|ttoon-m|nuto broak |n tho m|dd|o, whon 3hano got up and wa|kod out, sho hast||y to||owod h|m. |o wont up
to tho g|ass doors and |ookod out ovor tho Ouad.
°3ho's gono,' ho sa|d, w|thout |ook|ng at C|a|ro. °Ou|t worry|ng about mo. l'm okay.'
°3ho-Evo sa|d sho burnod your houso.' lo rop|y. °And-your s|stor-?'
°l cou|dn't got hor out,' 3hano sa|d. °3ho was two|vo, and l cou|dn't got hor out ot tho houso. 1hat was my job. Watch out tor hor.'
|o st||| d|dn't |ook at hor. 3ho cou|dn't th|nk ot anyth|ng to say. Attor a wh||o, ho wa|kod away, |nto tho boys' bathroom, sho dashod |nto tho g|r|s',
wa|t|ng |mpat|ont|y tor tho ||no to c|oar, and camo back out to t|nd h|m nowhoro |n s|ght.
Oh, crap.
3ut whon sho wont back to tho |octuro ha|| ho was s|tt|ng r|ght whoro ho'd boon, th|s t|mo w|th h|s |lod oarbuds |n p|aco.
3ho d|dn't say anyth|ng. lo|thor d|d ho.
lt was tho |ongost |octuro, and tho |oast onjoyab|o, that C|a|ro cou|d romombor.
lhys|cs was |n tho samo bu||d|ng, |t Von|ca was wa|t|ng out |n tho w||t|ng sun on tho Ouad, sho'd bo gott|ng a roa||y good tan. 3hano sat ||ko a
statuo, |t a statuo woro hoadphonos and rad|atod angry co||od tons|on that mado ha|r stand up on a porson's arms. 3ho to|t ||ko sho was s|tt|ng noxt
to an unoxp|odod bomb, and g|von a|| ot tho phys|cs sho'd had, sho undorstood oxact|y what that moant. 1a|k about potont|a| onorgy..
lhys|cs craw|od s|ow|y by. 3hano broko out wator and 1w|nk|os, and sharod. Chom|stry was |n tho noxt bu||d|ng, but C|a|ro mado suro that thoy
wont out tho s|do ontranco, not through tho Ouad. lo s|gn ot Von|ca. 3ho suttorod through anothor hour and a ha|t ot chom|stry and tons|on. 3hano
gradua||y unwound to tho po|nt that hor norvos d|dn't jang|o ||ko s|o|gh bo||s ovory t|mo ho movod, and ondod up p|ay|ng on h|s l3l through most ot
tho c|ass. K||||ng zomb|os, sho hopod. 1hat soomod to put h|m |n a good mood.
ln tact, ho was pos|t|vo|y choortu| dur|ng chom |ab, |ntorostod |n tho oxpor|mont and ask|ng so many quost|ons that tho toach|ng ass|stant, who'd
novor had to como to C|a|ro's tab|o botoro, wandorod ovor and starod at 3hano as |t try|ng to t|guro out what ho was do|ng thoro.
°|oy, man,' 3hano sa|d, and stuck out h|s hand. °3hano Co|||ns. l'm-what's tho word l'm |ook|ng tor? Aud|t|ng. Aud|t|ng tho c|ass. W|th my tr|ond
horo. C|a|ro.'
°Oh,' sa|d tho 1A, whoso namo C|a|ro had novor |oarnod. °l|ght. Okay, thon. 1ust-to||ow a|ong.'
3hano gavo h|m a thumbs-up and a gooty gr|n. °|oy,' ho sa|d |n an undortono, |oan|ng c|oso to C|a|ro. °Any ot th|s stutt b|ow up?'
°What? Um.yoah, |t you do |t wrong, l guoss.'
°l'm th|nk|ng about pract|ca| app||cat|ons. 3ombs. 1h|ngs ||ko that.'
°3hano!' |o roa||y was d|stract|ng. And ho smo||od good. Guy good, wh|ch was d|ttoront trom g|r| good-darkor, sp|c|or, a smo|| that mado hor go
a|| t|uttory |ns|do. Oh, como on, |t's 3hano! sho to|d horso|t. 1hat d|dn't ho|p, ospoc|a||y whon ho shot hor that crookod sm||o and a |ook that probab|y
wou|d k||| most g|r|s at ton toot. |o's a s|ackor. And ho's-not that smart. Vaybo ho was, though. 1ust |n d|ttoront p|acos than sho was. lt was a now
|doa to hor, but sho k|nd ot ||kod |t.
3ho s|appod h|s hand whon ho roachod tor tho roagonts, and concontratod on tho dota||s ot tho oxpor|mont.
3ho was concontrat|ng so hard, |n tact, and 3hano had gotton so ongrossod |n watch|ng what sho was do|ng, that no|thor ot thom hoard tootstops
boh|nd thom. 1ho t|rst C|a|ro know about |t was a soar|ng, burn|ng sonsat|on down tho r|ght s|do ot hor back. 3ho droppod tho boakor sho was
ho|d|ng and scroamod-cou|dn't ho|p |t, bocauso God, that hurt-and 3hano wh|r|od around and grabbod somobody by tho co||ar who was back|ng
away.
G|na, tho Von|ckotto. 3ho snar|od and s|appod at h|m, but ho d|dn't |ot go, C|a|ro, gasp|ng |n pa|n and try|ng to tw|st to soo what was happon|ng on
hor back, cou|d soo that |t was tak|ng ovoryth|ng 3hano had not to dock h|s pr|sonor thon and thoro. 1ho 1A camo rush|ng ovor and othor studonts
startod roa||z|ng thoro was somoth|ng wrong, or at |oast moro |ntorost|ng than |ab work, C|a|ro s||ppod ott tho stoo| at tho tab|o and tr|od to |ook at
what was happon|ng to hor back, bocauso |t hurt. 3ho smo||od somoth|ng torr|b|o.
°Oh my God!' tho 1A b|urtod. |o grabbod tho bott|od wator out ot 3hano's backpack, oponod |t, and dumpod tho contonts ovor C|a|ro's back, thon
dashod to a cupboard on tho s|do and camo back w|th a box ot bak|ng soda. 3ho hoard |t s|zz|o whon |t h|t hor back, and noar|y passod out. °|oro.
3|t. 3|t down. You, ca|| an ambu|anco. Go!' As C|a|ro sank down broath|oss|y aga|n on anothor, |owor stoo|, tho 1A grabbod a pa|r ot sc|ssors and
cut hor sh|rt up tho back, and to|dod |t as|do. |o cut hor bra strap, too, and sho just baro|y had tho prosonco ot m|nd to grab ho|d botoro tho who|o
th|ng s||d down hor arms. God, |t hurts, |t hurts.. 3ho tr|od not to cry. 1ho burn was oas|ng up a ||tt|o as tho bak|ng soda d|d |ts work. Ac|d has a |ow
p|, bak|ng soda has a h|gh ono.. Wo||, at |oast sho'd rota|nod somo grasp ot chom|stry, ovon now.
3ho |ookod up and saw that 3hano st||| had ho|d ot G|na. |o'd tw|stod hor arm boh|nd hor back and mado hor |ot go ot tho boakor, what roma|nod
ot tho ac|d sho'd sp|ashod on C|a|ro was st||| |n tho g|ass, |ook|ng as |nnocont as wator.
°lt was an acc|dont!' sho yo|pod, and stood on hor t|ptoos as 3hano tw|stod hardor. °l tr|ppod! l'm sorry! look, l d|dn't moan |t..'
°Wo'ro not work|ng w|th |
2
3O
4
today,' tho 1A sa|d gr|m|y. °You'vo got no roason to bo wa|k|ng around w|th |t. C|a|ro? C|a|ro, how bad |s tho pa|n?'
°l-|t's okay. l'm okay,' sho sa|d, though truthtu||y sho had no |doa |t sho was or not. 3ho to|t ||ghthoadod, s|ck, and co|d. 3hock, probab|y. And
ombarrassmont, bocauso God, sho was ha|t nakod |n tront ot tho ont|ro chom |ab, and.3hano.°Can l put somoth|ng on?'
°lo, you can't |ot anyth|ng touch that. 1ho burn's through sovora| |ayors ot sk|n. lt'|| nood troatmont, and ant|b|ot|cs. You just s|t st|||.' 1ho 1A turnod to
3hano and G|na, and |ovo|od a t|ngor at hor. °You, you'ro ta|k|ng to tho campus po||co. l w||| not to|orato th|s k|nd ot attack |n my c|assroom. l don't
caro who your tr|onds aro!'
3o ho know hor. Or at |oast ho know onough. 3hano was wh|spor|ng somoth|ng |n G|na's oar, somoth|ng too |ow tor C|a|ro to hoar, but |t cou|dn't bo
good, by tho oxpross|on on tho g|r|'s taco.
°3|r?' C|a|ro askod ta|nt|y. °3|r, can l havo a makoup on tho |ab work and-'
And sho passod out botoro sho t|n|shod say|ng, and l'm sorry tor tho moss.

W hon sho woko up, sho was on hor s|do, and sho to|t warm a|| ovor. 3|oopy. 1horo was somoono s|tt|ng noxt to hor, a boy, and sho b||nkod tw|co
and roa||zod that |t was 3hano. 3hano was |n hor bodroom. lo, wa|t, th|s wasn't hor bodroom, |t was somowhoro o|so..
°Emorgoncy room,' ho sa|d. 3ho must havo |ookod contusod. °0amn, C|a|ro. Warn a guy botoro you do a taco-p|ant on tho t|oor noxt t|mo. l cou|d
havo |ookod a|| horo|c and caught you or somoth|ng.'
3ho sm||od. |or vo|co camo out sound|ng |azy and s|ow. °You caught G|na.' 1hat was tunny, so sho sa|d |t aga|n. °You caught Goooooooooona.'
°Yoah, ha-ha, you'ro h|gh as a k|to, you know? And thoy ca||od your paronts.'
lt took hor a ||tt|o wh||o to roa||zo what ho'd just sa|d. °laronts?' sho ropoatod, and tr|od to ||tt hor hoad. °Oh. Ow. lot good.'
°lot so much. Vom and 0ad woro protty troakod to hoar you bocamo a |ab acc|dont. 1ho campus cops torgot to mont|on tho part whoro G|na
do||borato|y throw ac|d on your back. 1hoy soom to th|nk |t was just ono ot thoso tunky acc|donts.'
°Was |t?' sho askod. °Acc|dont?'
°lo way. 3ho moant to hurt you.'
C|a|ro p|uckod at tho ug|y b|uo hosp|ta| gown sho was woar|ng. °K|||od my sh|rt.'
°Yoah, protty much.' 3hano |ookod pa|o and tonso. °l'vo boon try|ng to ca|| V|chao|. l don't know whoro ho |s. l don't want to |oavo you a|ono horo,
but-'
°|o's okay,' sho sa|d sott|y, and c|osod hor oyos. °l'm okay, too.'
3ho thought sho to|t h|s hand on hor ha|r, a socond ot ||ght, swoot prossuro. °Yoah,' 3hano sa|d. °You'ro okay. l'|| bo horo whon you wako up.'
3ho noddod s|oop||y, and thon ovoryth|ng tadod |nto a |omon yo||ow hazo, ||ko sho was |y|ng |n tho sun||ght.
Ouch.
Wak|ng up was not tun. lo hazy druggy |omon sun||ght, th|s was moro ||ko a b|owtorch burn|ng on hor back r|ght on tho shou|dor b|ado. C|a|ro
wh|mporod and burrowod |nto hor p|||ow, try|ng to got away trom tho pa|n, but |t to||owod c|oso boh|nd.
1ho drugs had worn ott.
3ho b||nkod and wh|mporod and s|ow|y sat up, a pass|ng nurso stoppod and camo |n to chock hor ovor. °Congratu|at|ons,' sho sa|d. °You'ro do|ng
wo||. 1hat burn |s go|ng to hurt tor a wh||o, but |t you tako tho ant|b|ot|cs and koop tho wound c|oan, you'|| bo t|no. You'ro |ucky somobody was thoro
to wash |t ott and noutra||zo tho roact|on. l'vo soon battory ac|d burns down to tho bono.'
C|a|ro noddod, not suro sho cou|d actua||y spoak w|thout throw|ng up. |or who|o s|do to|t hot and bru|sod.
°0o you want to got down?'
3ho noddod aga|n. 1ho nurso ho|pod hor down, and gavo hor what was |ott ot hor c|othos whon sho askod. 1ho bra, cut through, was a tota| |oss.
1ho sh|rt-not much |ott ot that, o|thor. 1ho nurso camo up w|th a |ooso b|ack 1-sh|rt trom |ost and tound and got hor prosontab|o, and tho doctor
camo around to g|vo hor a qu|ck onco-ovor. |rom tho br|sk way thoy d|sponsod w|th hor, a ||tt|o su|tur|c ac|d burn was baro|y worth work|ng up a
swoat about, at |oast |n Vorganv|||o.
°|ow bad |s |t?' sho askod 3hano as ho whoo|od hor through tho ha||s to tho ox|t. °l moan, |s |t, ||ko, roa||y gross?'
°Unbo||ovab|y gross,' ho sa|d. °|orror mov|o gruosomo.'
°Oh God.'
|o ro|ontod. °lt's not so bad. lt's about tho s|zo ot a quartor. Your toachor guy d|d a good job chopp|ng up your c|othos and gott|ng |t away trom your
sk|n. l know |t hurt ||ko ho||, but |t cou|d havo boon a |ot worso.'
1horo had boon a |ot moro |n tho boakor |n G|na's hand. °0o you-do you th|nk sho was go|ng to-?'
°lour |t a|| on you? |o|| yoah. 3ho just d|dn't havo t|mo.'
Wow. 1hat was.unp|oasant. 3ho to|t hot and co|d and a ||tt|o s|ck, and |t had noth|ng to do w|th shock th|s t|mo. °l guoss that was Von|ca's
payback.'
°3omo ot |t, anyway. 3ho'|| bo roa||y p|ssod now that |t d|dn't go ovor tho way sho thought |t wou|d.'
1ho |doa ot Von|ca bo|ng roa||y p|ssod wasn't tho bost way to ond tho day-and |t was tho ond ot tho day, sho roa||zod as 3hano ro||od hor up to
tho automat|c g|ass doub|o doors.
lt was dark.
°Oh,' sho sa|d, and covorod hor mouth. °Oh no.'
°Yoah, wo||, wo'vo got transpo covorod, at |oast. loady?'
3ho noddod, and 3hano suddon|y acco|oratod hor cha|r |nto a t|at-out run. C|a|ro yo|pod and grabbod tor tho hand|os, too||ng uttor|y out ot contro|
as tho cha|r bouncod |ts way down tho ramp and sk|ddod to a ha|t just |nchos trom tho sh|ny b|ack s|do ot Evo's car. Evo throw opon tho passongor
door, and C|a|ro tr|od to got up on hor own, but 3hano grabbod hor around tho wa|st and ||ttod hor stra|ght |nto tho soat. lt took soconds, and thon
ho was k|ck|ng tho whoo|cha|r back toward tho ramp, whoro |t bumpod |nto tho ra|||ng and sat thoro, |ook|ng |ost.
3hano d|vod |nto tho back. °lunch |t!' ho sa|d. Evo d|d, as C|a|ro strugg|od to t|nd somo k|nd ot soat bo|t sott|ng that wou|dn't roduco hor to gasps
and toars ot pa|n. 3ho sott|od tor hunch|ng torward, brac|ng horso|t on tho mass|vo dashboard, as Evo poo|od out ot tho park|ng |ot and racod down
tho dark stroot. 1ho stroot||ghts |ookod oor|o and too tar apart-was that do||borato? 0|d tho vamp|ros contro| ovon how tar apart thoy bu||t tho
||ghts? Or was sho just troakod boyond bo||ot?
°ls ho thoro?' 3hano askod, |oan|ng ovor tho soat back. Evo shot h|m a |ook.
°Yoah,' sho sa|d. °|o's thoro. 3ut don't put mo |n tho m|dd|o ot |t. l havo to work thoro, you know.'
°l prom|so, l won't t|ck ott your boss.'
3ho d|dn't bo||ovo h|m-that much was c|oar-but Evo turnod r|ght |nstoad ot |ott at tho noxt ||ght, and |n about two m|nutos pu||od up at tho curb |n
tront ot Common Grounds, wh|ch was ab|azo w|th ||ght. Crowdod, too. C|a|ro trownod, but botoro sho cou|d ovon ask, 3hano was out ot tho car and
hoad|ng |ns|do tho cottoo shop.
°What's ho do|ng?' sho askod.
°3omoth|ng stup|d,' Evo sa|d. °|ow's tho burn? |urts, huh?'
C|a|ro wou|d havo shruggod, but whon sho ovon thought about |t tho |mag|nod pa|n mado hor t||nch. °lot so bad,' sho sa|d bravo|y, and tr|od a
sm||o. °Cou|d havo boon a |ot worso, l guoss.'
°l guoss,' Evo agrood. °1o|d you c|assos woro dangorous. Wo nood to got th|s undor contro|. You can't go back |t th|s k|nd ot th|ng happons.'
°l can't qu|t!'
°3uro you can,' Evo sa|d choortu||y. °loop|o do |t a|| tho t|mo. 1ust not poop|o ||ko you-oh, damn.'
Evo b|t hor b|ack-pa|ntod ||p, oyos w|do and worr|od as sho starod through tho w|ndow at tho br|ght|y ||t |ntor|or ot tho shop. And attor a tow
soconds, C|a|ro saw what sho was worr|od about: tho h|pp|o managor, O||vor, was stand|ng at tho w|ndow watch|ng thom r|ght back, and boh|nd
h|m, 3hano was pu|||ng up a cha|r to tho tar-cornor tab|o, whoro a dark shapo was s|tt|ng.
°1o|| mo ho's not ta|k|ng to 3randon,' C|a|ro sa|d.
°Um.okay. |o's not ta|k|ng to 3randon.'
°You'ro |y|ng.'
°Yoah. |o's ta|k|ng to 3randon. look, |ot 3hano do h|s th|ng, okay? |o's not as stup|d as ho |ooks, most|y.'
°3ut ho's not-lrotoctod, r|ght?'
°1hat's why ho's ta|k|ng |n Common Grounds. lt's sort ot a truco spot. vamp|ros don't hunt thoro, or thoy'ro not supposod to, anyway. And |t's whoro
a|| k|nds ot doa|s and troat|os and stutt got mado. 3o 3hano's sato onough |n thoro.'
3ut sho was st||| b|t|ng hor ||p and |ook|ng worr|od. °Un|oss?' C|a|ro guossod.
°Un|oss 3hano attacks t|rst. 3o|t-dotonso doosn't count.'
3hano was bo|ng good, as tar as C|a|ro cou|d soo.. ||s hands woro on tho tab|o, and a|though ho was bont ovor say|ng somoth|ng, ho wasn't
s|ugg|ng anybody. 1hat was good, r|ght? A|though sho had no |doa what ho cou|d bo say|ng to 3randon, anyway. 3randon wasn't tho ono who had
pourod ac|d on hor back.
Whatovor 3hano sa|d, |t d|dn't soom to go down too hard, ovontua||y, 3hano just shovod h|s cha|r back and wa|kod out, nodd|ng to O||vor on tho
way out. 3randon s||d out trom boh|nd tho tab|o, dark and s|ook, to to||ow 3hano to tho doorway, c|oso onough to roach out and grab h|m. 3ut that
was just a m|nd gamo, C|a|ro roa||zod as sho startod to yo|| a warn|ng. 3randon wantod to troak h|m out, not hurt h|m.
3hano just |ookod ovor h|s shou|dor, shruggod, and ox|tod tho cottoo shop. Whon 3randon startod to to||ow, O||vor roachod across and put h|s arm
|n tho way. 3y tho t|mo 3randon had snar|od somoth|ng at h|m, 3hano was |n tho car, and Evo was a|roady gunn|ng |t away trom tho curb.
°0o wo nood to bo atra|d now?' sho askod. °3ocauso l'd ||ko a hoad start botoro tho ott|c|a| torror a|ort goos up.'
°lopo. Wo'ro c|oar,' 3hano sa|d. |o soundod t|rod, and a ||tt|o strango. °C|a|ro's got a troo pass. lobody's go|ng to como attor hor. lnc|ud|ng
Von|ca and hor sock puppots.'
°3ut-what? Why?' C|a|ro askod. Evo ov|dont|y d|dn't havo to ask. 3ho just |ookod gr|m and angry.
°Wo d|d a trado,' 3hano sa|d. °vamp|ros aro a|| about tho ono-up.'
°You'ro such an |d|ot!' Evo h|ssod.
°l d|d what l had to do! l cou|dn't ask V|chao|. |o wasn't-' 3hano b|t ott whatovor ho was about to say, v|o|ont|y, and got tho angor |n h|s vo|co
undor t|ght contro|. °|o wasn't around. Aga|n. l had to do somoth|ng. C|a|ro wasn't k|dd|ng. 1hoy'|| k||| hor, or at |oast, thoy'|| hurt hor so bad sho'||
w|sh thoy'd t|n|sh |t up. l can't |ot that happon.'
1horo was, C|a|ro thought, a s||ont not aga|n at tho ond ot that. 3ho wantod to turn and |ook at h|m, but |t hurt too much to try. 3ho tr|od to moot h|s
oyos |n tho m|rror |nstoad.
°3hano,' sho sa|d. °What d|d you prom|so?'
°loth|ng l can't attord to |oso.'
°3hano!'
3ut 3hano d|dn't answor. lo|thor d|d Evo, a|though sho partod hor ||ps a coup|o ot t|mos, thon shut thom w|thout mak|ng a sound. 1ho rost ot tho
dr|vo was dono |n s||onco, and onco thoy'd pu||od |n at tho curb, Evo got out and hurr|od up tho wa|k to un|ock tho door. C|a|ro oponod tho
passongor door and startod to got out, but aga|n, 3hano was thoro ahoad ot hor, ho|p|ng hor up. Van, ho was.strong. And ho had b|g, warm
hands. 3ho sh|vorod, and ho |mmod|ato|y askod, °Co|d?' but |t wasn't that. lot that at a||.
°3hano, what d|d you prom|so?' sho b|urtod, and grabbod h|s toroarm. lot that ho cou|dn't havo pu||od troo, but.ho d|dn't. |o just |ookod down at
hor. 1hoy woro stand|ng roa||y c|oso togothor, c|oso onough sho to|t ovory norvo |n hor body t|zz ||ko a shakon can ot Coko. °You d|dn't-do
somoth|ng-'
°3tup|d?' ho askod. |o |ookod down at hor hand, and attor a socond, ho touchod |t w|th h|s own. 1ust tor a socond, and thon yankod away trom hor
||ko sho'd burnod h|m. 3ho'd boon r|ght, ho cou|d broak troo w|thout ovon th|nk|ng about |t. °Yoah. 1hat's what l'm good at. 1ho stup|d stutt. lrobab|y
tor tho bost, hav|ng two b|g bra|ns |n tho houso m|ght got k|nda crowdod.' Whon sho tr|od to say somoth|ng, ho mot|onod hor toward tho houso.
°Un|oss you want to hang a 1h|s vo|n tor lont s|gn around your nock, movo a|roady!'
3ho movod. 1ho tront door was opon, and 3hano to||owod boh|nd hor, c|oso boh|nd, unt|| sho was go|ng up tho stops.
3ho d|dn't hoar h|s tootstops anymoro, and turnod to |ook. |o was stand|ng at tho bottom ot tho sta|rs, watch|ng tho stroot.
1horo was a vamp|ro stand|ng at tho cornor, undor tho g|ow ot a stroot||ght. 3randon. 1ust stand|ng thoro, arms to|dod, ho was |oan|ng aga|nst tho
|amppost ||ko ho had a|| tho t|mo |n tho wor|d.
|o b|ow thom a k|ss, turnod, and wa|kod away.
3hano shot h|m tho t|ngor and pract|ca||y shovod C|a|ro across tho throsho|d. °0on't you ovor stop out thoro!'
°You sa|d l got a troo pass!'
°lt doosn't como w|th a wr|tton guarantoo!'
°What d|d you prom|so h|m?' sho yo||od.
3hano s|ammod tho door, hard, and startod to push past hor to go down tho ha||, but just as ho got thoro, V|chao| stoppod |nto h|s path. And
V|chao| |ookod p|ssod.
°Answor hor,' ho sa|d. °What tho ho|| d|d you do, 3hano?'
°Oh, now you caro? Whoro tho ho|| woro you, man? l ca||od! l camo and |ookod tor you. |o||, l ovon p|ckod tho |ock to your room!'
V|chao|'s b|uo oyos t||ckorod trom 3hano to C|a|ro and back. °l had th|ngs to do.'
°0udo, today you had th|ngs to do? Whatovor, man. You woron't around, and l had to mako tho ca||. 3o l mado |t.'
°3hano.' V|chao| roachod out and grabbod h|m by tho arm, dragg|ng h|m to a stop. °lt sounds ||ko sho dosorvos an answor. Wo a|| do.' 3oh|nd h|m,
Evo stoppod around tho cornor, arms to|dod.
3hano |ot out a short, harsh |augh. °Gang|ng up on mo w|th tho g|r|s? low b|ow, man. low b|ow. What happonod to ma|o bond|ng?'
°Evo says you ta|kod to 3randon.'
C|a|ro watchod tho t|ght go out ot 3hano's shou|dors. °Yoah. l d|d. l had to. l moan-|ook, thoy throw ac|d on hor and tho damn cops wou|dn't ovon-
l had to go to tho sourco. You taught mo that.'
°You mado a doa| w|th 3randon,' V|chao| sa|d, and C|a|ro hoard tho s|ck tromor |n h|s vo|co. °Oh, damm|t to ho||, 3hano. You d|dn't.'
3hano shruggod. |o wasn't moot|ng V|chao|'s oyos. °0udo, |t's dono. 0on't mako a th|ng out ot |t. lt's on|y tw|co. And ho can't dra|n mo or
anyth|ng.'
°3h|t!' V|chao| turnod and s|ammod h|s hand hard |nto tho woodon doortramo. °You don't ovon know hor, man! You can't mako a crusado out ot
th|s!'
°l'm not!'
°3ho's not A|yssa!' V|chao| yo||od, and that was tho |oudost shout sho'd ovor hoard |n hor ||to. C|a|ro t||nchod and stoppod back, and saw Evo do
tho samo boh|nd h|m.
3hano d|dn't movo. lt was ||ko ho cou|dn't. |o just stood thoro, hoad down.
And thon ho took a doop broath, ra|sod h|s hoad, and mot V|chao|'s tur|ous oyos.
°l know sho's not A|yssa,' ho sa|d, and h|s tono was st|||, qu|ot, and comp|oto|y co|d. °You nood to back tho ho|| ott, V|chao|, and you nood to stop
th|nk|ng l'm tho scrowod-up k|d you know back thon. l know what l'm do|ng, and you'ro not my dad.'
°l'm tho c|osost th|ng you havo to tam||y around horo!' V|chao| camo ott ot tho yo|||ng, but C|a|ro cou|d hoar tho angor bubb||ng |n h|s vo|co. °And l'm
not |ott|ng you p|ay tho horo. lot now.'
°l wou|dn't havo to |t you'd stop up and watch my back!'
3hano shovod past h|m th|s t|mo, poundod up tho sta|rs, and s|ammod tho door to h|s room. V|chao| stood thoro, star|ng attor h|m unt|| C|a|ro took
a stop torward. 3ho trozo whon ho |ookod at hor, atra|d ho'd bo angr|or at hor than ho had boon at 3hano. Attor a||, |t had boon hor tau|t..
°Como s|t down,' V|chao| sa|d. °l'|| got you somoth|ng to oat.'
°l don't-'
°Yos, you do. 3|t. Evo, ho|d hor down |t you havo to.' |o took hor hand tor a socond, squoozod |t, and stood as|do tor hor to movo to tho couch. 3ho
sank onto |t w|th a s|gh ot ro||ot and rostod hor torohoad on hor hands. God, what a m|sorab|o day. lt had startod out so-and 3hano-but-
°You undorstand what 3hano d|d, r|ght?' Evo askod, p|opp|ng noxt to hor. °|ow ho, you know, mado tho doa|?'
°lo.' 3ho to|t hot, and m|sorab|o, and sho dot|n|to|y d|dn't want tood. 3ut V|chao| wasn't oxact|y |n tho mood to tako no tor an answor. °l havo no
|doa what's go|ng on.'
°3hano tradod two soss|ons to 3randon |n oxchango tor h|m |oav|ng you a|ono.'
°|o-what?' C|a|ro |ookod up, morta||y contusod. Was 3hano gay? 3ho hadn't ovon thought about tho poss|b|||ty..
°3oss|ons. You know, b|tos.' Evo m|mod tangs. °1ho agroomont |s that 3randon can tang h|m-tw|co. |o just can't, you know, k||| h|m. lt's not about
tood, |t's p|oasuro. And powor.' Evo smoothod hor p|oatod sk|rt and trownod down at hor short, b|ack t|ngorna||s. °V|chao|'s r|ght to bo angry about
|t. lot k||||ng somobody |s a ho|| ot a |ong way trom not hurt|ng thom. And 3randon's got a |ot ot oxpor|onco at mak|ng doa|s. 3hano doosn't.'
3omohow, sho'd known that-trom tho way 3hano had actod, tho way 3randon had boon watch|ng thom, tho way V|chao| had boon so angry. lt
wasn't just that 3hano had to|d 3randon to back ott, or mado somo dumbass prom|so. 3hano had tradod h|s ||to tor hors-or at |oast, ho was
r|sk|ng |t.
C|a|ro gaspod, and toar pr|ck|od hor sk|n so hard |t was ||ko ro|||ng |n nood|os. °3ut |t ho gots b|tton, |s ho-won't ho-?'
°1urn |nto a vamp|ro?' Evo shook hor hoad. °lt can't work that way, or Vorganv|||o'd bo tho Undoad Votrop|ox by now tor suro. A|| my ||to, l'vo novor
soon or hoard ot anybody turnod |nto a vamp|ro trom a b|to. 1ho suckors around horo aro roa||y o|d. lot that 3hano wou|dn't |ook comp|oto|y hot
w|th a n|co sot ot tangs, but.' 3ho t|dd|od w|th tho p|oats on hor sk|rt. °3h|t. 1h|s |s stup|d. Why not mo? l moan, not that l oxact|y want to-not
anymoro-but.|t's worso tor guys.'
°Worso? Why?'
Evo shruggod, but C|a|ro cou|d soo sho was avo|d|ng tho quost|on. °3hano's dot|n|to|y not go|ng to bo ab|o to hand|o |t. 3oy can't ovon |ot
somobody o|so havo tho |ast corn dog, and ho doosn't ovon ||ko corn dogs. |o's a tota| contro| troak.' 3ho t|dgotod tor a tow moro soconds, thon
addod, sott|y, °And l'm atra|d tor h|m.'
As V|chao| camo back |nto tho room, Evo jumpod up and ran around mov|ng th|ngs, stack|ng th|ngs, unt|| V|chao| gavo hor a nono-too-subt|o s|gna|
to |oavo. Wh|ch sho d|d, mak|ng somo oxcuso C|a|ro d|dn't hoar, and c|attorod upsta|rs to hor room.
V|chao| handod C|a|ro a bow|. °Ch|||. 3orry. lt's what wo'vo got.'
3ho noddod and took a spoontu|, bocauso sho'd a|ways protty much dono what sho was to|d.and tho socond tho ch||| h|t hor tonguo, sho roa||zod
that sho was starv|ng. 3ho swa||owod |t a|most w|thout chow|ng, and was scoop|ng up tho noxt b|to botoro sho know what sho was do|ng. 3hano
noodod to go |nto tho ch||| bus|noss.
V|chao| s||ppod |nto tho |oathor armcha|r to tho |ott and p|ckod up tho gu|tar ho'd |a|d as|do. |o startod tun|ng |t as |t tho who|o scono w|th 3hano
hadn't ovon happonod. 3ho ato, stoa||ng g|ancos at h|m as ho bont ovor tho |nstrumont, draw|ng sott, rosonant notos. °You'ro not mad?' sho t|na||y
askod, or mumb|od.
°Vad?' |o d|dn't ra|so h|s cur|y b|ond hoad. °Vad |s what you got whon somobody t||ps you tho t|ngor on tho trooway, C|a|ro. lo. l'm scarod. And
l'm try|ng to th|nk what to do about |t.'
3ho stoppod chow|ng tor a tow soconds, thon roa||zod that chok|ng on hor tood wasn't ||ko|y to mako th|ngs any bottor.
°3hano's hothoadod,' V|chao| sa|d. °|o's a good guy, but ho doosn't th|nk. l shou|d havo thought tor h|m, botoro l brought you |n horo.'
C|a|ro swa||owod. 1ho tood had suddon|y gono a ||tt|o sour |n hor mouth, so sho put tho spoon down. °Vo?'
V|chao|'s t|ngors st|||od on tho gu|tar str|ngs. °You know about h|s s|stor, r|ght?'
A|yssa. 1hat was tho namo V|chao| had thrown out. 1ho ono that had hurt 3hano. °3ho's doad.'
°3hano's not a comp||catod guy. lt ho caros about somobody, ho t|ghts tor thom. 3|mp|o. lyssa-lyssa was a swoot k|d. And ho had that who|o
b|g-brothor th|ng work|ng. |o'd havo d|od tor hor.' V|chao| s|ow|y shook h|s hoad. °loar|y d|d. Anyway, tho po|nt |s that lyssa wou|d havo boon your
ago by now, and horo you aro gott|ng hurt by tho samo b|tchos who k|||od h|s s|stor, try|ng to got h|m. 3o yoah. |o'd do anyth|ng-anyth|ng-not to
havo to ||vo through that aga|n. You may not bo lyssa, but ho ||kos you, and moro than that, ho hatos Von|ca Vorro||. 3o much ho-' V|chao|
cou|dn't soom to say |t. |o starod ott |nto spaco tor a tow soconds, thon wont on. °Vak|ng doa|s w|th tho vamp|ros |n th|s town w||| koop you a||vo on
tho outs|do, but |t oats you on tho |ns|do. l watchod |t happon to my to|ks, botoro thoy got out ot horo. Evo's paronts, too. |or s|stors. lt 3hano goos
through w|th th|s, |t'|| k||| h|m.'
C|a|ro stood up. °|o's not go|ng through w|th |t,' sho sa|d. °l'm not |ott|ng h|m.'
°|ow oxact|y aro you go|ng to stop h|m? |o||, l can't stop h|m, and ho ||stons to mo. Vost|y.'
°look, Evo sa|d-Evo sa|d vamp|ros own th|s town. ls that truo? loa||y?'
°Yos. 1hoy'vo boon horo as |ong as anybody can romombor. lt you ||vo horo, you |oarn to ||vo w|th thom. lt you can't, thon you go.'
°1hoy don't just run around b|t|ng poop|o, though.'
°1hat wou|d bo rudo,' ho sa|d gravo|y. °1hoy don't nood to. Evorybody |n town-ovorybody who's a ros|dont-pays taxos. 3|ood tax. 1wo p|nts a
month, down at tho hosp|ta|.'
3ho starod. °l d|dn't havo to!'
°Co||ogo k|ds don't. 1hoy got taxod a d|ttoront way.' |o |ookod gr|m, and w|th a s|ck, tw|st|ng sonso ot horror sho roa||zod what ho was go|ng to say
r|ght botoro ho mado |t roa|. °vamps havo a doa| w|th tho schoo|. 1hoy got to tako two porcont a yoar, r|ght ott tho top. Usod to bo moro, but l th|nk
thoy got worr|od. Coup|o ot c|oso ca||s w|th tho mod|a. 1horo's noth|ng 1v stat|ons ||ko moro than a protty young co||ogo g|r| gono m|ss|ng. C|a|ro,
what aro you th|nk|ng?'
3ho took a doop broath. °lt tho vamps havo th|s a|| p|annod out, thon thoy'vo got, you know, structuro. l|ght? 1hoy can't a|| just bo runn|ng tho|r own
shows. lot |t thoro aro a |ot ot thom. 1horo's got to bo somobody |n chargo.'
°1ruo. 3randon's got a boss. And h|s boss probab|y has a boss.'
°3o a|| wo havo to do |s mako a doa| w|th h|s boss,' sho sa|d. °|or somoth|ng othor than 3hano gott|ng b|t.'
°A||?'
°1hoy havo to want somoth|ng. 3omoth|ng moro than what thoy a|roady havo. Wo just nood to t|nd out what |t |s.'
1horo was a croak on tho sta|rs. V|chao| turnod to |ook, and so d|d C|a|ro. Evo was stand|ng thoro.
°0|dn't hoar you com|ng,' V|chao| sa|d. 3ho shruggod and paddod down tho stops, sho'd takon ott hor shoos. Evon hor b|ack-and-wh|to hoso had
||tt|o sku||s on tho toos.
°l know what thoy want,' sho sa|d. °lot that wo'ro go|ng to bo ab|o to t|nd |t.'
V|chao| |ookod at hor tor a |ong t|mo. Evo d|dn't |ook away, sho wa|kod r|ght up to h|m, and C|a|ro suddon|y to|t ||ko sho was |n tho m|dd|o ot
somoth|ng porsona|. Vaybo |t was tho way ho was |ook|ng at hor, or how sho was sm|||ng at h|m, but |t mado C|a|ro t|dgot and c|oso|y oxam|no a
stack ot books on tho ond tab|o.
°l don't want you |n th|s,' V|chao| sa|d. Out ot tho cornor ot hor oyo, sho saw h|m roach out and tako Evo's hand.
°3hano's |n |t. C|a|ro's |n |t. |oy, ovon you'ro |n |t.' Evo shruggod. °You know how much l hato bo|ng |ott out. 3os|dos, |t thoro's a way to st|ck |t to
3randon, l'm a|| tor |t. 1hat guy noods a poko |n tho oyo w|th a n|co, sharp stako.'
1hoy woro st||| ho|d|ng hands. C|a|ro c|oarod hor throat, and V|chao| |ot go t|rst. °What |s |t? What do thoy want?'
Evo gr|nnod. °Oh, you'ro gonna |ovo th|s,' sho sa|d. °1hoy want a book. And l can't th|nk ot anybody who'd havo a bottor shot at t|nd|ng |t than you,
book g|r|.'
1horo woro a |ot ot ru|os to Vorganv|||o C|a|ro hadn't ovon thought about. 1ho b|ood donat|on, that was ono-and sho was start|ng to wondor how
V|chao| was gott|ng away w|th not pay|ng h|s taxos. |o cou|dn't, r|ght? lt ho cou|dn't |oavo tho houso?
3ho sat down cross-|oggod on tho t|oor w|th a |odgor notobook, turnod to a trosh shoot ot papor, and mado a hoad|ng that road l|usos tor
vamp|ros. Undor that co|umn, sho wroto down b|ood donat|on, lrotoct|on, tavors, doa|s.
°Oh, put down curtow,' Evo sa|d.
°1horo's a curtow?'
°Wo||, yoah, ot courso. Excopt tor tho schoo|. 1hoy don't caro |t tho studonts roam around a|| n|ght, bocauso, you know-' Evo m|mod tangs |n tho
nock. C|a|ro swa||owod and noddod. °3ut tor |oca|s? Oh yoah.'
°|ow |s that a p|us tor thom?'
°1hoy don't havo to worry about who's sato to b|to and who's not. lt you'ro out runn|ng around, you'ro |unch.'
3ho wroto down curtow. 1hon sho turnod tho pago and wroto down V|nusos tor vamp|ros.
°What aro thoy atra|d ot?' sho askod.
°l don't th|nk wo woro dono w|th tho p|usos,' V|chao| sa|d. |o sat down on tho t|oor noxt to tho two g|r|s-wo||, c|osor to Evo, C|a|ro not|cod.
°lrobab|y a |ot you d|dn't wr|to down.'
°Oh, |ot tho g|r| too| bottor about |t,' Evo sa|d. °lt's not a|| g|oomy. Obv|ous|y, thoy don't ||ko dayt|mo-'
C|a|ro wroto |t down.
°And gar||c.s||vor.um, ho|y wator-'
°You suro about thoso?' V|chao| askod. °l a|ways thought thoy protondod on a |ot ot that, just |n caso.'
°Why wou|d thoy do that?'
C|a|ro answorod w|thout |ook|ng up. °3ocauso |t makos |t oas|or to h|do what roa||y can hurt thom. l'm wr|t|ng |t down anyway, but |t may not bo
r|ght.'
°||ro |s tor roa|,' V|chao| sa|d. °l saw a vamp|ro d|o onco, whon l was just a k|d. Ono ot thoso rovongo doa|s.'
Evo pu||od |n a doop broath. °Oh, yoah. l romombor hoar|ng about |t. 1om 3u|||van.'
C|a|ro askod, w|do-oyod, °1ho vamp|ro was namod-?'
°lot tho vamp|ro,' V|chao| sa|d. °1ho guy who k|||od h|m. 1ommy 3u|||van. |o was k|nd ot a scrowup, drank a |ot, wh|ch |sn't too unusua| around
horo. |o had a k|d. 3ho d|od. |o b|amod tho vamp|ros, so ho dousod ono w|th gas and sot h|m on t|ro, s|tt|ng r|ght |n tho m|dd|o ot tho rostaurant.'
°You saw that?' C|a|ro askod. °|ow o|d woro you?'
°You grow up tast |n Vorganv|||o. 1ho po|nt |s, thoro was a tr|a| tho noxt n|ght. lot much chanco tor 1ommy. |o was doad botoro morn|ng. 3ut.t|ro
works. 1ust don't got caught.'
C|a|ro wroto down t|ro. °What about stakos?'
°You'vo soon 3randon,' Evo sa|d. °You want to try to got c|oso onough to stako h|m? Yoah, mo no|thor.'
°3ut do thoy work?'
°Guoss so. You havo to t||| out a torm whon you buy wood.'
C|a|ro wroto |t down. °Crossos?'
°0ot|n|to|y.'
°Why?'
°3ocauso thoy'ro ov||, sou||oss, b|oodsuck|ng t|onds?'
°3o was my s|xth-grado gym toachor, but ho wasn't atra|d ot a cross.'
°|unny,' Evo sa|d, |n tho way that moant not. °3ocauso thoro aro hard|y any churchos, and so tar as l know, crossos aro |mposs|b|o to como by
un|oss you mako 'om yourso|t. A|so, a|| thoso guys grow up-|sn't that wo|rd, th|nk|ng ot thom grow|ng up?-whon ro||g|on wasn't just somoth|ng you
d|d on 3undays. lt was somoth|ng you woro, ovory m|nuto, ovory day, and God was a|ways up tor a ||tt|o rocroat|ona| sm|t|ng ot tho w|ckod.'
°0on't,' V|chao| murmurod. °God's scarco onough around horo.'
°lo ottonso to tho 3|g Guy, V|chao|, but ho mado h|mso|t scarco,' Evo shot back. °You know how many n|ghts l spont |n bod pray|ng, 0oar God,
p|oaso tako away a|| tho bad poop|o? Yoah, that roa||y workod.' V|chao| oponod h|s mouth to say somoth|ng. °And p|oaso don't to|| mo God |ovos
mo. lt God |ovod mo, ho'd drop a bus t|ckot to Aust|n |n my |ap so l cou|d b|ow th|s town onco and tor a||.'
Evo soundod-wo||, angry. C|a|ro tappod hor ponc|| aga|nst tho pad, not mak|ng oyo contact.
°|ow do thoy koop poop|o trom |oav|ng?' sho askod.
°1hoy don't. 3omo poop|o |oavo. l moan, 3hano d|d,' V|chao| sa|d. °l th|nk tho quost|on you'ro |ook|ng tor |s, how do thoy koop thom trom ta|k|ng?
And that's whoro |t gots wo|rd.'
°1hat's whoro?' C|a|ro murmurod. Evo |aughod.
°l don't know myso|t, bocauso l novor got out ot town, but 3hano says that onco you got about ton m||os outs|do ot Vorganv|||o, you got th|s torr|b|o
hoadacho, and thon you just.start to torgot. ||rst you can't romombor what tho namo ot tho town was, and thon you can't romombor how to got
thoro, and thon you don't romombor that tho town had vamp|ros. Or tho ru|os. lt just-doosn't ox|st anymoro tor you. lt comos back |t you roturn to
town, but whon you'ro out, you can't run around to|||ng a|| about Vorganv|||o bocauso you just don't romombor.'
°l hoard rumors,' Evo sa|d. °3omo poop|o start romombor|ng, but thoy got-' 3ho mado a graph|c throat-cutt|ng gosturo. °||t squads.'
C|a|ro tr|od to th|nk ot th|ngs that wou|d causo that k|nd ot momory |oss. 0rugs, maybo? Or.somo k|nd ot |oca| onorgy t|o|d? Or.okay, sho had no
|doa. 3ut |t soundod ||ko mag|c, and mag|c mado hor norvous. 3ho supposod vamp|ros woro mag|c, too, whon you got r|ght down to |t, and that
mado hor ovon moro norvous. Vag|c d|dn't ox|st. 3hou|dn't ox|st. lt was just.wrong. lt ottondod hor sc|ont|t|c tra|n|ng.
°3o whoro doos a|| that |oavo us?' V|chao| askod. lt was a roasonab|o quost|on.
C|a|ro t||ppod anothor pago, wroto down momory |oss att. dopart, and sa|d, °l'm not suro. l moan, |t wo'ro go|ng to put togothor any k|nd ot a p|an,
wo havo to bas|ca||y know as much as wo can to mako suro |t's a good onough approach. 3o koop ta|k|ng. What o|so?'
lt wont on tor hours. 1ho grandtathor c|ock so|omn|y announcod tho arr|va| and doparturo ot n|no o'c|ock, thon ton, thon o|ovon. lt was noar|y
m|dn|ght, and C|a|ro had scr|bb|od up most ot tho |odgor pagos, whon sho |ookod at V|chao| and Evo and askod, °Anyth|ng o|so?' and got
nogat|vo shakos ot tho|r hoads |n rop|y. °Okay, thon. 1o|| mo about tho book.'
°l don't know a |ot,' Evo sa|d. °1hoy just put out a not|co about ton yoars ago that thoy woro |ook|ng tor |t. l hoard thoy havo poop|o a|| ovor town
go|ng through ||brar|os, bookstoros, anyp|aco |t cou|d bo h|ddon. 3ut tho wo|rd th|ng |s that vamps can't actua||y road |t.'
°You moan |t's |n somo othor |anguago?'
V|chao| ra|sod h|s oyobrows. °l don't th|nk |t's that oasy. l moan, ovory ono ot thoso suckors has got to spoak a dozon |anguagos, at |oast.'
°0oad |anguagos,' Evo sa|d. Whon thoy |ookod at hor, sho gr|nnod. °What? Como on. |unny!'
°Vaybo thoy can't road |t tor tho samo roason poop|o can't romombor anyth|ng outs|do ot town,' C|a|ro sa|d s|ow|y. °3ocauso somoth|ng doosn't
want thom to.'
°1hat's k|nd ot a |oap, but tho luss|an judgo gavo you a n|no po|nt t|vo tor sty|o, so okay,' Evo sa|d. °1ho |mportant th|ng |s that wo know what |t
|ooks ||ko.'
°Wh|ch |s?' C|a|ro put hor ponc|| to papor.
°A book w|th a brown |oathor covor. 3omo k|nd ot symbo| on tho tront.'
°What k|nd?' 3ocauso brown |oathor covor d|dn't oxact|y narrow th|ngs down whon |t camo to books.
Evo pushod up tho s|oovo ot hor sk|nt|ght b|ack mosh top, and ho|d out hor toroarm. 1horo, tattoood |n p|a|n b|uo, was a symbo| that |ookod k|nd ot
||ko an omoga, on|y w|th somo oxtra wavos |n |t. 3|mp|o, but dot|n|to|y noth|ng C|a|ro cou|d romombor soo|ng botoro. °1hoy'vo boon soarch|ng tor |t.
1hoy gavo ovorybody grow|ng up |n a lrotoctod tam||y tho tattoo so that wo romombor what to |ook tor.'
C|a|ro starod tor a coup|o ot soconds, want|ng to ask how o|d Evo was whon sho got tho tattoo, but sho d|dn't qu|to daro. 3ho dut|tu||y markod tho
symbo| down |n hor notobook. °And nobody's tound |t. Aro thoy suro |t's horo?'
°1hoy soom to th|nk so. 3ut l'|| bot thoy'vo got tho|r sourcos soarch|ng a|| ovor tho wor|d tor |t. 3ooms protty |mportant to thom.'
°Any |doa why?'
°lobody knows,' V|chao| sa|d. °l grow up ask|ng, bo||ovo mo. lobody has a c|uo. lot ovon tho vamp|ros.'
°|ow can thoy bo |ook|ng tor somoth|ng and not ovon know why?'
°l'm not say|ng somobody doosn't know why. 3ut tho vamp|ros havo ranks, and tho on|y onos l'vo ovor roa||y ta|kod to aron't oxact|y |n chargo. lo|nt
|s, wo can't t|nd out, so wo shou|dn't wasto t|mo worry|ng about |t.'
°Good to know.' C|a|ro put contonts unknown noxt to tho symbo| ot tho book, thon va|uab|o!!!!! undornoath, undorscorod w|th throo dark ||nos. °3o |t
wo can t|nd th|s book, wo can trado |t to got Von|ca ott my back, and mako suro 3hano's doa| |s ca||od ott.'
V|chao| and Evo |ookod at oach othor. °0|d you m|ss tho part whoro tho vamps havo boon turn|ng Vorganv|||o ups|do down try|ng to t|nd |t?' Evo
askod.
C|a|ro s|ghod, t||ppod back a pago, and po|ntod at a noto sho'd mado. Evo and V|chao| both cranod ovor to road |t.
vamp|ros can't road |t.
1hoy |ookod b|ank.
°l'm go|ng to nood to spond somo t|mo at tho ||brary,' C|a|ro sa|d. °And wo'ro go|ng to nood somo supp||os.'
°1o do what?' Evo st||| wasn't catch|ng on, but V|chao| was.
°|ako tho book?' ho askod. °You roa||y th|nk that'|| work? What do you th|nk happons whon thoy t|guro out wo choatod?'
°3ad |doa,' Evo sa|d. °vory bad |doa. |onost.'
°Guys,' C|a|ro sa|d pat|ont|y. °lt wo'ro carotu|, thoy'|| novor suspoct wo'ro smart onough to do somoth|ng ||ko that. lot to mont|on bravo onough. 3o
wo g|vo thom a tako-|t's st||| moro than anybody o|so has. 1hoy may bo p|ssod, but thoy'|| bo p|ssod that somobody takod |t. Wo just tound |t.'
1hoy woro both |ook|ng at hor now ||ko thoy'd novor soon hor botoro. V|chao| shook h|s hoad.
°3ad |doa,' ho sa|d.
Vaybo so. 3ut sho was go|ng to try |t anyway.

3 ho was too w|rod to s|oop, and bos|dos, hor back hurt, and sho cou|dn't stand tho thought ot wa|t|ng ovon ono moro n|ght to got startod. 3randon
hadn't soomod ||ko tho k|nd ot guy to wa|t tor h|s rovongo, and 3hano-3hano wasn't tho k|nd ot guy to not ho|d up h|s ond ot a doa|, o|thor.
lt ho's stup|d onough to want to got b|tton, t|no, but ho's not us|ng mo tor an oxcuso.
3hano hadn't como out ot h|s room a|| n|ght. 3ho hadn't hoard a th|ng whon sho'd ||stonod-carotu||y-at h|s door. Evo had m|mod hoadphonos
and turn|ng up an |nv|s|b|o storoo. C|a|ro cou|d undorstand that, sho'd spont |ots ot hours try|ng to b|ow out hor own oardrums to avo|d tho wor|d.
Evo |ont hor a |aptop-a rotro th|ng, b|g and b|ack and c|unky, w|th a b|ohazard-symbo| st|ckor on tho tront. Whon C|a|ro p|uggod |t |nto tho
broadband connoct|on and bootod |t up, tho dosktop graph|c was a cartoon Gr|m loapor ho|d|ng a road s|gn |nstoad ot a scytho-a road s|gn that
road VOlGAlvlllE, w|th an arrow po|nt|ng down.
C|a|ro c||ckod on a coup|o ot to|dors-gu||t||y, but sho was cur|ous-and tound thoy woro tu|| ot pootry. Evo ||kod doath, or at |oast, sho ||kod to wr|to
about |t. ||or|d romant|c stutt, a|| angst and b|ood and moon||t marb|o.and thon C|a|ro not|cod tho datos. 1ho |ast ot tho pootry had boon dono
throo yoars ago. Evo wou|d havo boon, what, t|ttoon? 3ho'd boon starry-oyod about vamp|ros back thon, but somoth|ng had changod. lo pootry at
a|| tor tho past throo yoars.
Evo wa|kod |n tho opon door. °Work|ng okay?' sho askod. C|a|ro jumpod, gu||ty, and gavo hor tho thumbs-up as sho c||ckod opon tho lntornot
connoct|on. °Okay, l ca||od my cous|n |n l|||no|s. 3ho's go|ng to |ot us uso hor layla| account, but l havo to sond hor cash, ||ko, tomorrow. |oro's tho
account.' 3ho handod ovor a s||p ot papor. °Wo'ro not go|ng to got hor k|||od, r|ght?'
°lopo. l'm not buy|ng much trom any ono p|aco. A |ot ot poop|o buy |oathor and too|s and stutt. And papor-how o|d |s th|s book supposod to bo?'
°O|d.'
°Was |t on vo||um?'
°ls that papor?'
°vo||um |s tho o|dost k|nd ot papor thoy usod |n books,' C|a|ro sa|d. °lt's shoopsk|n.'
°Oh. l guoss that, thon. lt's roa||y o|d.'
vo||um wou|d bo hard. You cou|d got |t, but |t was oasy to traco. 3ut |t wasn't any good bo|ng troak smart |t you cou|dn't got around th|ngs ||ko that..
Oh, yoah, sho noodod to th|nk about us|ng somobody o|so to do tho rosoarch, too. 1oo dangorous hav|ng tracks that |od r|ght back horo to tho
G|ass |ouso.
C|a|ro wont to work. 3ho d|dn't ovon not|co Evo go|ng and shutt|ng tho door boh|nd hor.
|or tour days, C|a|ro stud|od. |our so||d days. Evo brought hor up soup and broad and sandw|chos, and 3hano droppod by onco or tw|co to to|| hor
sho was crazy and ho wantod hor to stay tho ho|| out ot h|s bus|noss, C|a|ro d|dn't pay any attont|on. 3ho got ||ko that whon sho was comp|oto|y
|ns|do ot somoth|ng. 3ho hoard h|m, and sho sa|d somoth|ng back, but no way was sho ||ston|ng. l|ko hor paronts, 3hano ovontua||y gavo up and
wont away.
V|chao| camo to hor room just a ||tt|o botoro dawn. 1hat ono surpr|sod hor |ong onough to drag hor out ot hor tranco tor a wh||o. °|ow's |t go|ng?' ho
askod.
°V|ss|on 3avo 3hano? Yoah, |t's go|ng,' sho sa|d. °l havo to work tho |ong way around. lo tracos. 0on't worry-ovon |t tho vamps got angry, thoy
won't bo ab|o to provo wo d|d anyth|ng but br|ng thom what wo thought thoy woro |ook|ng tor.'
V|chao| |ookod p|oasod, but worr|od. |o worr|od a |ot. 3ho supposod that bo|ng trappod tho way ho was, that was roa||y a|| ho cou|d do-t|ght
anyth|ng that got |ns|do to hurt thom, and worry about ovoryth|ng o|so. |rustrat|ng, sho guossod.
°|oy,' sho sa|d, °whon doos Evo go to work?'
°|our o'c|ock.'
°3ut that's-'
°1ho n|ght sh|tt. l know. 3ho's sato onough thoro, though, and l don't th|nk any vamp |s stup|d onough to try to got |n tho way ot that damn car. lt's ||ko
bo|ng run ovor by a |ummor. l mado hor prom|so that O||vor wou|d wa|k hor to tho car, and 3hano's go|ng to got hor trom tho s|dowa|k |ns|do.'
C|a|ro noddod. °l'm go|ng w|th hor.'
°1o tho cottoo shop? Why?'
°3ocauso |t's anonymous,' sho sa|d. °Evory co||ogo studont |n thoro has a |aptop, and tho p|aco has troo w|ro|oss. lt l'm carotu|, thoy won't bo ab|o
to traco who's |ook|ng up how to tako-ago a book.'
|o gavo hor an oxasporatod |ook. On h|m, |t |ookod cuto. God. 3ho was st||| not|c|ng. 3ho roa||y noodod to stop that, but hoy. 3woot s|xtoon and
novor boon k|ssod.
°l don't ||ko Evo out thoro at n|ght. You'ro dot|n|to|y not go|ng.'
°lt l do |t horo, ovorybody cou|d bo |n dangor. lnc|ud|ng Evo.'
Oh, |ow b|ow-sho saw h|s oyos sh|tt, but ho toughod |t out. °3o your answor |s that l |ot you go out thoro, r|sk your ||to, s|t |n a cottoo shop w|th
3randon, and protond ||ko that's sator? C|a|ro. ln no way doos that oqua| sator.'
°3ator than tho vamp|ros doc|d|ng that ovorybody |n th|s houso do||borato|y sot out to choat thom out ot tho th|ng thoy want most,' C|a|ro sa|d.
°Wo'ro not p|ay|ng, aro wo? l moan, l can stop |t you want, but wo don't havo anyth|ng o|so wo can trado tor 3hano's doa|. loth|ng b|g onough. l'd |ot
3randon-you know-but somohow l don't th|nk-'
°Ovor my-' V|chao| stoppod and |aughod. °l was go|ng to say, 'Ovor my doad body,' but-'
C|a|ro w|ncod.
°lo,' ho sa|d.
°You'ro not my dad,' sho po|ntod out, and a|| ot a suddon.romomborod.
3hano, at tho hosp|ta|, whon sho'd boon druggod up, had sa|d, 1hoy ca||od your paronts. A|so, sho d|st|nct|y romomborod tho words troakod out.
Oh, crap!
°0ad,' sho sa|d a|oud. °Oh no.um, l nood to uso tho phono. Can l?'
°Ca|||ng your paronts? 3uro. long d|stanco-'
°Yoah, l know. l pay tor |t. 1hanks.'
3ho p|ckod up tho cord|oss phono and d|a|od hor homo numbor. lt rang t|vo t|mos, thon t||ppod ovor to tho mach|no. °|o||o, you'vo roachod los and
Kathar|no 0anvors and tho|r daughtor, C|a|ro. loavo us a mossago!' lt was hor mom's br|ght, bus|noss||ko vo|co. Whon tho boop soundod, C|a|ro
had a socond ot b||nd pan|c. Vaybo thoy woro just out shopp|ng. Or.
°||, Vom and 0ad, |t's C|a|ro. l just wantod to-um-say h|. l shou|d havo ca||od you, l guoss. 1hat |ab acc|dont th|ng, that was noth|ng, roa||y. l don't
want you to bo worr|od about mo-ovoryth|ng's just t|no. loa||y.'
V|chao|, |oan|ng aga|nst tho doortramo, was mak|ng tunny tacos at hor. 1hat soomod ||ko 3hano's job, somohow. 3ho stuck hor tonguo out at h|m.
°l just-l just wantod to say that. lovo you. 3yo.'
3ho hung up. V|chao| sa|d, °You ought to got thom to como and tako you homo.'
°And |oavo you guys |n th|s moss? You'ro |n |t bocauso ot mo. 3hano's |n |t bocauso ot mo. low that Von|ca knows ho's back.'
°Oh, bo||ovo mo, l'm not undorost|mat|ng how much troub|o wo'ro |n, but you can st||| go. And you shou|d. l'm go|ng to try to conv|nco 3hano to got
out, too. Evo-Evo won't go, but sho shou|d.'
°3ut-' 1hat |oavos you a|ono, sho thought. loa||y a|ono. 1horo was no gott|ng out tor V|chao|. lot ovor.
V|chao| |ookod up and out tho w|ndow, whoro tho sky was gradua||y wash|ng trom m|dn|ght b|uo to a pa|or dawn. °Vy t|mo's up,' ho sa|d. °lrom|so
mo you won't go w|th Evo ton|ght.'
°l can't.'
°C|a|ro.'
°l can't,' sho sa|d. °l'm sorry.'
|o d|dn't havo t|mo to arguo, though sho cou|d soo ho wantod to. |o wa|kod down tho ha||, sho hoard h|s bodroom door c|oso, and thought about
what sho'd soon downsta|rs |n tho ||v|ng room. 3ho wasn't suro how sho'd hand|o that |t sho had to taco |t ovory day-|t |ookod roa||y pa|ntu|. 3ho
supposod tho worst ot |t, though, was h|s know|ng that |t ho'd boon a||vo, boon ab|o to wa|k around |n tho day||ght, ho'd havo boon ab|o to stop
3hano trom do|ng what ho'd dono.
l wou|dn't havo to |t you'd stop up and watch my back! 3hano had yo||od at h|m, and yoah, that must havo hurt just about worso than dy|ng.
C|a|ro wont back to work. |or oyos burnod, hor musc|os achod, but |n somo strango and socrot p|aco, sho was happy to t|na||y bo do|ng somoth|ng
that wasn't just protoct|ng horso|t, but protoct|ng othor poop|o, too.
lt |t workod.
1ho strango th|ng was, sho just know |t wou|d. 3ho know.
3ho roa||y was a troak, sho doc|dod.
C|a|ro woko up at throo th|rty, b|oary-oyod and ach|ng, and strugg|od |nto a trosh 1-sh|rt and a pa|r ot joans that bad|y noodod wash|ng. Ono moro
day, sho doc|dod, and thon sho'd bravo tho wash|ng mach|no |n tho basomont. 3ho had monstor bod-hoad, ovon though sho'd baro|y s|opt tor throo
hours, and had to st|ck hor hoad undor tho taucot and t|ngor t|utt hor ha|r back to somoth|ng that wasn't too puko-worthy.
3ho stuck tho |aptop |nto tho mossongor-bag caso and dashod downsta|rs, sho cou|d hoar Evo's shoos c|ump|ng through tho houso, hoad|ng tor
tho door.
°Wa|t up!' sho yo||od, and po|tod down tho sta|rs and through tho ||v|ng room just as tho tront door s|ammod. °Crap.'
3ho oponod |t just botoro Evo succoodod |n |ock|ng |t. Evo |ookod gu||ty. °You woro go|ng to |oavo mo,' C|a|ro sa|d. °l to|d you l wantod to go!'
°Yoah, wo||.you shou|dn't.'
°V|chao| ta|kod to you |ast n|ght.'
Evo s|ghod and t|dgotod ono b|ack patont |oathor shoo. °l|tt|o b|t, yoah. 3otoro ho wont to bod.'
°l don't nood ovorybody protoct|ng mo. l'm try|ng to ho|p!'
°l got |t,' Evo sa|d. °lt l say no and dr|vo ott, what aro you go|ng to do?'
°Wa|k.'
°1hat's what l was atra|d ot.' Evo shruggod. °Got |n tho car.'
Common Grounds was packod w|th studonts road|ng, chatt|ng, dr|nk|ng cha| and mochas and |attos. And, C|a|ro was grat|t|od to soo, work|ng on
|aptops. 1horo must havo boon a dozon go|ng at onco. 3ho gavo Evo a thumbs-up, ordorod a cup ot toa, and wont |n soarch ot a docont spot to
work. 3omoth|ng w|th hor back to tho wa||.
O||vor brought hor toa h|mso|t. 3ho sm||od uncorta|n|y at h|m and m|n|m|zod tho browsor w|ndow, sho was road|ng up on tamous torgor|os and
tochn|quos. 0oad g|voaway, w|th omphas|s on doad. lot that sho d|s||kod O||vor, but any guy who soomod to bo ab|o to ontorco ru|os on tho
vamp|ros was somobody sho cou|dn't trust roa| tar.
°|o||o, C|a|ro,' ho sa|d. °Vay l s|t?'
°3uro,' sho sa|d, surpr|sod. A|so, uncomtortab|o. |o was o|d onough to bo hor dad, not to mont|on k|nd ot h|pp|o-d|pp|o. 1hough, bo|ng a tr|ngor
horso|t, sho d|dn't m|nd that part so much. °Um, how's |t go|ng?'
°3usy today,' ho sa|d, and sott|od |nto tho cha|r w|th a s|gh ot what soundod ||ko grat|tudo. °l wantod to ta|k to you about Evo.'
°Okay,' sho sa|d s|ow|y.
°l'm concornod about hor,' O||vor sa|d. |o |oanod torward, o|bows on tho tab|o, sho hast||y c|osod tho covor ot tho |aptop and rostod hor hands
protoct|vo|y on top ot |t. °Evo sooms d|stractod. 1hat's vory dangorous, and l'm qu|to suro that by now you undorstand why.'
°lt's-'
°3hano?' ho askod. °Yos. l thought that was probab|y tho caso. 1ho boy's gotton h|mso|t |nto a groat doa| ot troub|o. 3ut ho d|d |t w|th a puro hoart, l
bo||ovo.'
|or pu|so was hammor|ng tastor, and hor mouth to|t dry. 3oy, sho roa||y d|dn't ||ko ta|k|ng to author|ty t|guros. V|chao| was ono th|ng-V|chao| was
||ko a b|g brothor. 3ut O||vor was.d|ttoront.
°l m|ght bo ab|o to ho|p,' O||vor sa|d, °|t l had somoth|ng to trado. 1ho prob|om |s, what doos 3randon want that you, or 3hano, can g|vo? Othor than
tho obv|ous.' O||vor |ookod thoughttu|, and tappod h|s ||ps w|th a t|ngort|p. °You aro a vory br|ght g|r|, C|a|ro, or so Evo to||s mo. Vorganv|||o can uso
br|ght g|r|s. Wo m|ght bo ab|o to bypass 3randon a|togothor, porhaps, and t|nd a way to mako a doa| w|th somoono.o|so.'
Wh|ch was protty much oxact|y what thoy'd a|roady ta|kod about, on|y w|thout tho O||vor part. C|a|ro tr|od not to |ook horr|b|y gu||ty and transparont.
°Who?' sho askod. lt was a roasonab|o quost|on. O||vor sm||od, and h|s dark oyos |ookod sharp and coo|.
°C|a|ro. 0o you roa||y oxpoct mo to to|| you? 1ho moro you know about th|s town, tho |oss satoty thoro |s tor you. 0o you undorstand that? l'vo had to
croato my own poaco horo, and |t on|y works bocauso l know oxact|y what l'm do|ng, and how tar l can go. You-l'm atra|d your t|rst m|stako m|ght
bo your |ast.'
|or mouth wasn't dry anymoro, |t was mumm|t|od. 3ho tr|od to swa||ow, but got noth|ng but a dry c||ck at tho back ot hor throat. 3ho hast||y p|ckod
up hor toa and s|ppod |t, tast|ng noth|ng but g|ad ot tho mo|sturo.
°l wasn't go|ng to-'
°0on't,' ho cut hor ott, and h|s vo|co wasn't so k|nd th|s t|mo. °Why o|so wou|d you bo horo today, whon you know 3randon |s ||ko|y to show up any
t|mo attor dark? You want to mako a doa| w|th h|m to savo 3hano. 1hat much |s obv|ous.'
Wo||, |t wasn't why sho was horo, but st|||, sho tr|od to |ook gu||ty about that, too. 1ust |n caso. lt must havo workod, bocauso O||vor sat back |n h|s
cha|r, |ook|ng moro ro|axod.
°You'ro c|ovor,' ho sa|d. °3o |s 3hano. 3ut don't |ot |t go to your hoads. lot mo ho|p.'
3ho noddod, not trust|ng hor vo|co not to qu|vor or broak or-worso-botray how ro||ovod sho was.
°1hat's sott|od, thon,' O||vor sa|d. °lot mo ta|k to 3randon and a tow othors, and soo what l can do to mako th|s prob|om go away.'
°1hanks,' sho sa|d ta|nt|y. O||vor got up and |ott, |ook|ng ||ko any sk|nny ox-h|pp|o who hadn't qu|to |ot go ot tho good o|d days. lnottons|vo.
lnottoct|vo, maybo.
3ho cou|dn't ro|y on adu|ts. lot tor th|s. lot |n Vorganv|||o.
3ho oponod up tho |aptop, max|m|zod tho browsor w|ndow, and wont back to work.
l|ko a|ways, t|mo s||ppod away, whon sho |ookod up noxt, |t was n|ght outs|do tho w|ndows, and tho crowd |n tho cottoo shop had sw|tchod ovor
trom stud|ous to chatty. Evo was busy at tho bar, ta|k|ng and sm|||ng and gonora||y bo|ng about as choortu| as a Goth ch|ck cou|d bo.
3ho wont qu|ot, though, whon 3randon s|ouchod |n trom tho back room and took h|s accustomod soat at tho tab|o |n tho darkost cornor. O||vor
brought h|m somo k|nd ot dr|nk-God, sho hopod |t wasn't b|ood or anyth|ng!-and sat down to havo somo |ntonso and qu|ot convorsat|on. C|a|ro
tr|od to |ook ||ko sho wasn't thoro. 3ho and Evo oxchangod a tow g|ancos botwoon customors at tho bar.
lutt|ng togothor tho book, C|a|ro had |oarnod dur|ng tho |ong rosoarch marathon, was work tor oxports, not s|xtoon-yoar-o|d (noar|y sovontoon)
wannabos. 3ho cou|d put somoth|ng togothor, but-to hor vast d|sappo|ntmont-anybody w|th an oyo tor raro books cou|d spot a tako protty oas||y,
un|oss |t was oxport|y dono. 3ho suspoctod that hor |oathorwork|ng and bookb|nd|ng sk|||s noodod work.
A|| ot wh|ch brought hor back to squaro ono, 3hano Gots 3|tton. lot accoptab|o.
A ||no |n ono ot tho dozons ot w|ndows sho'd oponod caught hor oyo. loar|y anyth|ng can bo croatod tor tho mov|os, |nc|ud|ng roproduct|ons ot
anc|ont books, bocauso tho roproduct|on on|y has to too| ono ot tho sonsos: v|s|on..
3ho d|dn't havo t|mo-or cash-to got somo |o||ywood prop houso to mako a book tor hor, but |t gavo hor an |doa.
A roa||y good |doa.
Or a roa||y bad ono, |t |t d|dn't work.
loar|y anyth|ng can bo croatod tor tho mov|os.
3ho d|dn't nood tho book. 3ho just noodod a p|cturo.
3y tho t|mo m|dn|ght ro||od around-and Common Grounds ushorod tho |ast catto|no add|ct out |nto tho n|ght-C|a|ro was roasonab|y suro sho
cou|d pu|| |t ott, and sho was too t|rod to caro |t sho cou|dn't. 3ho packod up tho |aptop and |oanod hor hoad on hor hand, watch|ng wh||o Evo
c|oanod up cups and g|assos, |oadod tho d|shwashor, chattod w|th O||vor, and do||borato|y |gnorod tho dark shadow s|tt|ng |n tho cornor.
3randon hadn't takon ott attor h|s wa|k|ng snacks. lnstoad, ho kopt s|tt|ng thoro, nurs|ng a trosh cup ot whatovor |t was ho was dr|nk|ng, sm|||ng that
cruo|, wo|rd ||tt|o sm||o at Evo, thon C|a|ro, thon Evo.
O||vor, dry|ng coram|c cups, had boon watch|ng tho watchor. °3randon,' ho sa|d, and tossod tho towo| across h|s shou|dor as ho bogan s|ott|ng
cups |nto tho|r pu|| racks. °C|os|ng t|mo.'
°You d|dn't ovon ca|| |ast round, o|d man,' 3randon sa|d, and turnod that sm||o on O||vor.
Whoro |t d|od, tast. Attor a momont ot s||onco, 3randon stood up to sta|k away.
°Wa|t,' O||vor sa|d, vory qu|ot|y. °Cup.'
3randon |ookod at h|m |n uttor d|sbo||ot, thon p|ckod up tho cup-d|sposab|o papor-and dumpod |t |n tho trash can. ||rst t|mo ho'd busod h|s own
tab|o |n a tow dozon yoars, C|a|ro guossod. lt ovor. 3ho h|d a norvous gr|n, bocauso ho d|dn't soom ||ko tho k|nd ot guy-much |oss vamp-who'd
approc|ato hor sonso ot humor.
°Anyth|ng o|so?' 3randon askod ac|d|y. lot as |t ho actua||y carod.
°Actua||y, yos. lt you wou|dn't m|nd, l'd ||ko tho |ad|os to |oavo t|rst.'
Evon |n tho shadows, C|a|ro saw tho g|oam ot sharp tooth whon 3randon s||ont|y oponod h|s mouth-t|ash|ng h|s tangs. 3how|ng ott. O||vor d|dn't
soom |mprossod.
°lt you wou|dn't m|nd,' ho ropoatod. 3randon shruggod and |oanod aga|nst tho wa||, arms to|dod. |o was woar|ng a b|ack |oathor jackot that drank
|n ||ght, a b|ack kn|t sh|rt, dark joans. 0rossod to k|||, C|a|ro thought, and w|shod sho hadn't.
°l'|| wa|t,' ho sa|d. °3ut thoy don't nood to worry about mo, o|d man. 1ho boy mado a doa|. l'|| st|ck to |t.'
°1hat's what l'm worr|od about,' O||vor sa|d. °Evo, C|a|ro, got homo sato. Go.'
Evo s|ammod tho door on tho d|shwashor and turnod |t on, sho grabbod hor purso trom boh|nd tho countor and duckod out to tako C|a|ro's hand
and pu|| hor toward tho door. 3ho t||ppod tho tront s|gn trom OlEl to ClO3E0 and un|ockod tho door to |ot C|a|ro out. 3ho |ockod |t back boh|nd
thom w|th a sot ot koys, thon hust|od C|a|ro qu|ck|y to tho car, wh|ch sat |n tho warm g|ow ot tho stroot||ght. 1ho stroot |ookod dosortod, w|nd
wh|ppod trash and dust |nto c|attor|ng ghosts, and tho b||nk|ng rod stop||ghts dancod and swayod a|ong. Evo un|ockod tho car |n rocord t|mo, and
both ot thom s|ammod down tho |ocks onco thoy woro |ns|do. Evo startod up tho Caddy and motorod away trom tho curb, on|y thon d|d sho s|gh a
||tt|o |n ro||ot.
And thon sho gaspod, bocauso anothor car turnod tho cornor and wh|ppod past thom |n a b|ack b|ur, stopp|ng at tho curb whoro thoy'd boon
parkod. °What tho ho||?' Evo b|urtod, and s|owod down. C|a|ro turnod to |ook back.
°lt's a ||mo,' sho sa|d. 3ho d|dn't ovon th|nk Vorganv|||o had a ||mo, but thon sho thought about tunora| homos and tunora|s, and got ch|||s. |or a|| sho
know, maybo Vorganv|||o had moro ||mos than any c|ty |n 1oxas..
1h|s ono wasn't part ot a procoss|on, though. lt was b|g and b|ack and g|oamod ||ko tho t|n|sh on a cockroach, and as tho Caddy |nchod a|ong,
C|a|ro saw a un|tormod dr|vor got out and wa|k around to tho back.
°Who |s |t?' Evo askod. °Can you soo?'
1ho dr|vor handod out a woman. 3ma||-not much ta||or than C|a|ro horso|t, sho guossod. la|o, w|th ha|r that g|owod wh|to or b|ond |n tho
stroot||ghts. 1hoy woro too tar tor C|a|ro to got a roa||y good |ook, but sho thought tho woman |ookod.sad. 3ad, and co|d.
°3ho's not vory ta||-wh|to ha|r? And k|nd ot o|ogant?'
Evo shruggod. °lobody l'vo mot, but most ot tho vamps don't m|ng|o w|th tho ||tt|o poop|o. K|nd ot ||ko tho |||tons don't shop at Wa|-Vart.'
C|a|ro snortod. As Evo turnod tho cornor, sho saw tho woman stand|ng |n tront ot tho door ot Common Grounds, and saw O||vor opon|ng |t tor hor.
lo s|gn ot 3randon. 3ho wondorod |t O||vor had a|roady sont h|m out, or |t ho was mak|ng tho vamp g|vo thom a hoad start. °|ow doos O||vor do
th|s?' sho askod. °l moan, why don't thoy just.?'
°K||| h|m? l w|sh l know. |o's got ba||s ot p|at|num, tor ono th|ng,' Evo sa|d. lass|ng stroot||ghts strobod across hor taco. °You saw how ho d|d
3randon back thoro? 0|ss|ng h|m? Unbo||ovab|o. Anybody o|so wou|d bo doad by dawn. O||vor.just gots away w|th |t.'
Wh|ch mado C|a|ro ovon moro cur|ous about tho why. Or at |oast tho how. lt O||vor cou|d got away w|th |t, maybo othor poop|o cou|d, too. 1hon
aga|n, maybo othor poop|o had a|roady tr|od, and ondod up as organ donors.
C|a|ro turnod back taco torward, |ost |n thought, as Evo spod through tho s||ont, watch|ng stroots tor homo. A po||co car prow|od a s|do stroot, but
somohow |n Vorganv|||o sho thought thoy woron't |ook|ng so much tor cr|m|na|s as potont|a| v|ct|ms.
At t|rst, sho thought sho was so t|rod sho was |mag|n|ng th|ngs-that happonod whon you d|dn't s|oop, you saw ghosts |n m|rrors and spooky tacos
at tho w|ndow-but thon sho saw somoth|ng mov|ng tast through tho g|ow ot a stroot||ght. 3omoth|ng pa|o.
°1hoy'ro to||ow|ng,' Evo sa|d gr|m|y. °0amn.'
°3randon?' C|a|ro tr|od to scan tho s|dos ot tho stroot, but Evo prossod tho gas and wont tastor.
°lot 3randon. 1hon aga|n, ho doosn't havo to got h|s tangs d|rty porsona||y-'
||tty toot ahoad, somoono stoppod |n tront ot tho car.
C|a|ro and Evo scroamod, and Evo stampod on tho brakos. C|a|ro p|tchod torward aga|nst tho soat bo|t, wh|ch snappod t|ght and grabbod so hard
sho just know sho was go|ng to pass out trom pa|n as tho ac|d burn on hor back rubbod aga|nst tho soat. 3ut tho pa|n t|ashod away, bur|od by toar,
bocauso tho car was t|shta|||ng to a stop on tho dark stroot, and thoro was a vamp|ro stand|ng thoro, rost|ng |ts hands on tho hood.
Gr|nn|ng w|th way, way too many tooth.
°C|a|ro!' Evo yo||od. °0on't |ook at h|m! 0on't |ook!'
1oo |ato. C|a|ro had, and sho to|t somoth|ng go|ng sott |n hor hoad. 1ho toar wont away. 3o d|d a|| hor good sonso. 3ho roachod tor tho |ock on tho
door, but Evo |ungod across and grabbod hor arm. °lo!' sho scroamod, and ho|d on as sho s|ammod tho car |nto rovorso and burnod rubbor
backward. 3ho d|dn't got tar. Anothor vamp|ro stoppod out, b|ock|ng tho stroot. 1h|s ono was ta||, ug|y, and o|d. 3amo numbor ot g|oam|ng tooth.
°Oh, God.'
C|a|ro kopt tumb||ng tor tho |ock on tho door. Evo muttorod somoth|ng that wou|d havo dot|n|to|y gotton C|a|ro groundod at homo, h|t tho brakos
aga|n, and sa|d, °C|a|ro, honoy, th|s |s go|ng to hurt,' and thon sho pushod C|a|ro torward and s|appod hor on tho burn. |ard.
C|a|ro scroochod |oud onough to doaton dogs throo count|os away, noar|y ta|ntod, and qu|t try|ng to got out ot tho car. Evon tho two vamp|ros
outs|do tho car-who woro a|| ot a suddon r|ght thoro at tho doors-t||nchod and stoppod back.
Evo gunnod tho ong|no. C|a|ro, ha|t ta|nt|ng trom tho rod-hot throbb|ng agony |n hor back, hoard no|so ||ko |ron na||s on a cha|kboard, but thon |t
stoppod and thoy woro mov|ng, dr|v|ng, t|y|ng through tho n|ght.
°C|a|ro? C|a|ro?' Evo was shak|ng hor by tho othor shou|dor, tho ono that d|dn't too| ||ko sho'd takon anothor ac|d bath. °Oh, God, l'm sorry! lt was
just-ho was go|ng to got you to opon tho door, and l cou|dn't-l'm sorry!'
lan|c was st||| a hot w|ro through hor norvos, but C|a|ro managod a nod and a woak, s|ck sm||o. 3ho undorstood. 3ho'd a|ways wondorod how |n
tho ho|| anybody cou|d bo stup|d onough to opon up a door to tho scary bad th|ng |n tho mov|os, but now sho know. 3ho abso|uto|y know.
3omot|mos, you just d|dn't havo a cho|co.
Evo was gasp|ng tor broath and cry|ng tur|ous|y |n botwoon. °l hato th|s,' sho sa|d, and s|ammod hor hand |nto tho hard p|ast|c stoor|ng whoo|, ovor
and ovor. °l hato th|s town! l hato thom!'
C|a|ro got that. 3ho was start|ng to roa||y hato thom, too.

3 hano was |n tho doorway, roady tor act|on, whon Evo scroochod tho car to a stop, |t ho was st||| mad, at |oast ho wasn't |ott|ng |t got |n tho way ot
a good t|ght. Evo trant|ca||y s|gna|od tor h|m to stay whoro ho was, on sato ground, and chockod tho stroot on a|| s|dos.
°0o you soo anyth|ng?' sho askod C|a|ro anx|ous|y. C|a|ro shook hor hoad, st||| s|ck. °0amn. 0amn! Okay.but you know tho dr|||, r|ght? Assos and
o|bows. 3a||!'
C|a|ro tumb|od opon tho |ock, bo|tod out ot tho car, and h|t tho s|dowa|k runn|ng. 3ho hoard Evo's door s|am and runn|ng tootstops. 0oja vu, sho
thought. low a|| thoy noodod was tor 3randon to show up and act ||ko a tota| assho|o..
3ho noar|y ran |nto 3hano as sho po|tod across tho throsho|d, ho stoppod out ot tho way |n t|mo, just tar onough to |ot hor pass, and grabbod Evo to
pu|| hor |ns|do as ho s|ammod tho door and |ockod |t.
°You havo got to got a bottor job,' ho sa|d. Evo w|pod at hor ru|nod makoup w|th tho back ot ono hand and throw h|m a t||thy |ook.
°At |oast l havo a job!'
°What, protoss|ona| b|ood donor? 3ocauso that's a|| you'ro go|ng to bo |t you-'
C|a|ro turnod, ran |nto a vamp|ro, and scroamod hor |ungs out.
Okay, so sho wasn't a vamp|ro. 1hat was ostab||shod |n about th|rty moro soconds by a comb|nat|on ot 3hano doub||ng ovor w|th |aughtor, tho
vamp|ro scroam|ng |n tr|ght and cowor|ng, and-|ast ot a||-Evo say|ng, |n b|ank surpr|so, °V|randa! |onoy, what tho ho|| aro you do|ng horo?'
1ho vamp-sho |ookod ||ko a vamp, C|a|ro amondod, but now that hor hoart rato was go|ng down bo|ow raco-car spoods sho saw that |t was
makoup and drama, not naturo-s|ow|y |oworod hor arms, poorod at C|a|ro uncorta|n|y through th|ck b|ack mascaraod oyo|ashos, and mado a ||tt|o
O w|th hor ruby rod ||ps. °l had to como,' sho sa|d. 3ho had a broathy, t|oaty vo|co, tu|| ot drama. °Oh, Evo! l had such a torr|b|o v|s|on! 1horo was
b|ood and doath, and |t was a|| about you!'
Evo d|dn't soom |mprossod. 3ho s|ghod, turnod to 3hano, and sa|d, °You |ot hor |n? l thought you hatod hor!'
°Cou|dn't |oavo hor out thoro, cou|d l? l moan, sho's got a pu|so. 3os|dos, sho's your tr|ond.'
|rom tho |ook Evo gavo h|m, tr|ond m|ght havo boon strotch|ng th|ngs.
V|randa gavo 3hano a |oopy sm||o. Groat, C|a|ro thought, annoyod and d|sgustod and st||| try|ng to conta|n tho attormath ot a nuc|oar torror
oxp|os|on. 1ho g|r| was ta|| and most ot hor was th|n, stork||ko |ogs rovoa|od by a b|ack |oathor m|n|sk|rt. 3ho had |ots ot makoup, tho standard
dyod-b|ack ha|r, shag cut around a |ong wh|to taco. laggod Vag|c Varkor crossos drawn on hor wr|sts and around hor nock.
V|randa suddon|y swung around and |ookod up at tho co|||ng. 3ho ra|sod hor hands to hor mouth |n droad, but, C|a|ro not|cod, d|dn't smudgo hor
||pst|ck. °1h|s houso,' sho sa|d. °Oh my. lt's so.strango. 0on't you too| |t?'
°V|r, |t you wantod to warn mo about somoth|ng, you cou|d havo ca||od,' Evo sa|d, and stoorod hor |nto tho ||v|ng room. °low wo'vo got to t|guro out
how to got you homo. |onost|y, don't you havo any sonso? You know bottor than th|s!'
As V|randa sat down on tho couch, C|a|ro caught s|ght ot somoth|ng o|so on hor nock.bru|sos. And |n tho contor ot tho bru|sos, two raw, rod
ho|os. Evo saw |t, too, and b||nkod, |ookod at 3hano, and thon at C|a|ro. °V|r?' sho askod gont|y, and turnod tho g|r|'s ch|n to ono s|do. °What
happonod to you?'
°loth|ng,' V|randa sa|d. °Evoryth|ng. You'vo roa||y got to try |t. lt's ovoryth|ng l droamod |t wou|d bo, and tor a socond l cou|d soo, l cou|d roa||y soo
-'
Evo |ot go ot hor ||ko sho'd caught on t|ro. °You |ot somobody b|to you?'
°1ust Char|os,' V|randa sa|d. °|o |ovos mo. 3ut Evo, you havo to ||ston-th|s |s sor|ous! l tr|od to ca||, but l cou|dn't got anyono, and l had th|s torr|b|o
droam-'
°1hought you sa|d |t was a v|s|on,' 3hano sa|d. |o'd to||owod C|a|ro |nto tho room and was stand|ng noar hor, arms to|dod. 3ho to|t a ||tt|o b|t ot tho
t|ght knot ot angor and tons|on unravo| at h|s c|osonoss, ovon |t ho wasn't |ook|ng at hor. Yoah, C|a|ro, way to go. |o troats you ||ko tho turn|turo.
Vaybo you nood somo hookor ||pst|ck and K|oonox |n your bra, too.
°0on't, 3hano, sho's boon through ho||-' Evo ov|dont|y romomborod, too |ato, that whatovor V|randa had boon through, |t wa|tod tor 3hano, too,
un|oss thoy cou|d somohow nogato h|s doa| w|th 3randon. °Um, r|ght. v|s|on. What d|d you soo, V|r?'
°0oath.' V|randa sa|d |t w|th hushod ro||sh, |oan|ng torward and rock|ng gont|y back and torth. °Oh, ho tought, ho d|dn't want |t, d|dn't want tho g|tt,
but.and thoro was b|ood. lots ot b|ood. And ho d|od.r|ght.horo.' 3ho put out a hand and po|ntod to a spot on tho t|oor covorod by a throw rug.
C|a|ro roa||zod, w|th a s|nk|ng sonso ot horror, that sho was probab|y ta|k|ng about V|chao|.
°ls |t-|s |t 3hano? Aro you soo|ng 3hano's tuturo?' Evo askod. 3ho soundod spookod, but thon, thoy'd had a spooky n|ght a|| around. And worry|ng
about 3hano mado sonso.
°3ho can't soo tho tuturo,' 3hano sa|d t|at|y. °3ho makos crap up. l|ght, V|r?'
V|randa d|dn't answor. 3ho cranod hor nock up and |ookod at tho co|||ng aga|n. C|a|ro roa||zod, w|th a strango croopy sonsat|on, that sho was
|ook|ng oxact|y at whoro tho socrot room wou|d bo. 0|d V|randa know? |ow?
°1h|s houso,' sho sa|d aga|n. °1h|s houso |s so strango. lt doosn't mako sonso, you know.'
1horo was a croak on tho sta|rs, and C|a|ro |ookod ovor to soo V|chao| padd|ng down to jo|n thom, barotoot as usua|. °Yoah,' ho sa|d. °lt's not tho
on|y ono. Evo, what tho ho|| |s sho do|ng horo?'
°0on't ask mo! 3hano |ot hor |n!'
°|o||o, V|chao|,' V|randa sa|d absont|y. 3ho was st||| star|ng at tho co|||ng. °1h|s ono's now.' 3ho wavod at C|a|ro.
°Yoah. 1hat's C|a|ro.' |o hadn't oxact|y como bound|ng to tho roscuo whon C|a|ro had scroamod, and sho wondorod why. Vaybo ho'd boon try|ng
to stay away trom V|randa, sho undorstood why ho'd want to. 1a|k about troaky wo|rd.ovon Evo soomod not qu|to suro what to do w|th hor.
3ho roa||zod ho hadn't hoard V|randa's oor|o doscr|pt|on ot h|s doath. Vaybo that was tor tho bost.
°C|a|ro,' V|randa wh|sporod, and suddon|y |ookod d|roct|y at hor. 3ho had pa|o b|uo oyos, roa||y strango. 1hoy soomod to |ook r|ght through hor.
°lo, |t's not hor, not hor. 3omoth|ng o|so. 3omoth|ng strango |n th|s houso. 3omoth|ng not r|ght. l nood to road tho cards.'
°1ho ho||?' 3hano askod. V|randa grabbod Evo's hand and jumpod up, and pract|ca||y draggod hor to tho sta|rs. °Okay, now th|s |s just too much.
Evo?'
°Um.r|ght, |t's okay!' Evo ca||od back, as V|randa pract|ca||y yankod hor arm out ot |ts sockot. °3ho just wants to do somo tarot or somoth|ng. lt's
okay! l'|| br|ng hor back down! 1ust a soc!'
3hano, V|chao|, and C|a|ro just |ookod at ono anothor tor a tow soconds, and thon 3hano mado a |oopy gosturo at h|s tomp|o and wh|st|od.
V|chao| noddod. °3ho d|dn't uso to bo that bad,' ho sa|d.
°l guoss |t's th|s Char|os guy sho was ta|k|ng about,' 3hano sa|d gr|m|y. °3hou|d havo known that |t anybody wou|d hook up w|th a b|oodsuckor tor
troo wuv'-3hano mado |t sound r|d|cu|ous-°|t'd bo somo d|tz ||ko V|randa. l shou|d havo mado hor wa|k homo. 3ho'd probab|y got ott on anothor
b|to.'
°3ho's a k|d, 3hano,' V|chao| sa|d. °3ut tho soonor wo got hor out ot horo, tho bottor l'|| too|. 3ho gots Evo a ||tt|o-norvous.'
Evo? 3ut Evo d|dn't roa||y bo||ovo a|| that crap, d|d sho? C|a|ro had bocomo conv|ncod that |t was just costum|ng, that undornoath, Evo was just a
norma| g|r| attor a||, a|| tho Goth stutt just postur|ng. 3ut d|d sho roa||y bo||ovo |n v|s|ons and crysta|s and tarot cards? Vag|c was just sc|onco
m|sundorstood, sho rom|ndod horso|t. Or, on tho othor hand, just crazy ta|k.
1ho two boys |ookod at C|a|ro. °What?' sho askod. °Oh, by tho way, l'm t|no, thanks tor ask|ng. Got chasod by somo vamp|ros. 3us|noss as usua|.'
°1o|d you not to go,' 3hano sa|d, and shruggod. °3o, who's go|ng to got V|randa to |oavo?'
1hoy kopt |ook|ng at hor, and C|a|ro t|na||y undorstood that somohow, |t had bocomo hor job. lrobab|y bocauso sho was now, and d|dn't know
V|randa, and sho was a g|r|. V|chao| was too po||to to ask hor to go. 3hano-sho cou|dn't to|| what 3hano to|t about V|randa, oxcopt that ho wantod
hor tho ho|| out ot tho houso.
°||no,' C|a|ro sa|d. °l'|| go.'
°1hat g|r|'s smart,' 3hano sa|d w|thout sm|||ng, to V|chao|, as sho startod up tho stops.
°Yop,' V|chao| agrood. °l ||ko that about hor.'
1ho bodroom doors woro a|| c|osod oxcopt tor Evo's, wh|ch was cast|ng a t||ckor|ng ||ght out onto tho po||shod wood t|oor. C|a|ro smo||od tho br|ght
t|aro ot matchos. 1hoy woro ||ght|ng cand|os.
Oh, sho roa||y d|dn't want to do th|s. Vaybo |t sho just kopt wa|k|ng, wont to hor room, and |ockod tho door.?
3ho took a doop broath and |ookod around tho doorway w|th a sm||o that to|t tota||y torcod. Evo was ||ght|ng tho cand|os-and boy, sho had a |ot ot
thom, s|tt|ng bas|ca||y ovorywhoro. 3|g ta|| b|ack onos, purp|o onos, b|uo onos. loth|ng |n tho pasto| tam||y. |or bod was b|ack sat|n, and thoro was
a p|rato t|ag-sku|| and crossbonos-hang|ng abovo |t ||ko a b|||ow|ng hoadboard. l|tt|o Chr|stmas ||ghts strung ovorywhoro-no, not Chr|stmas
||ghts attor a||. |a||owoon pumpk|ns and ghosts and sku||s. Choory and strango.
°|oy,' Evo sa|d, not |ook|ng up trom tho b|ack p|||ar cand|o sho was ||ght|ng. °Como on |n, C|a|ro. l guoss you havon't roa||y mot V|randa oxact|y.'
lot un|oss scroam|ng and t|oo|ng countod. °||,' sho sa|d awkward|y. 3ho d|dn't know what to do w|th hor hands. V|randa d|dn't soom to not|co or
caro, and hor hands woro up and |n tho a|r, pott|ng somo |nv|s|b|o cat or somoth|ng. Wo|rd. 1ho |ongor that C|a|ro was around tho g|r|, tho youngor
sho |ookod-youngor than Evo, tor suro. Vaybo ovon youngor than C|a|ro horso|t. Vaybo |t was a|| mako-bo||ovo tor hor.oxcopt tho b|to. 1hat was
doad|y sor|ous stutt.
°Um.Evo? Can l ta|k to you tor a soc?' C|a|ro askod. Evo noddod, oponod a b|ack-pa|ntod drossor, and took out a b|ack |acquor box. Whon
oponod, |t had a b|oodrod |ntor|or. 1horo was a b|ack s||k packago |ns|do, wh|ch, as Evo unwrappod |t, provod to bo a dock ot cards.
1arot cards.
Evo ho|d thom botwoon hor two pa|ms tor a tow soconds, thon cut tho dock sovora| t|mos and handod |t to V|randa. °l'|| bo r|ght back,' sho sa|d,
and wont out |nto tho ha|| w|th C|a|ro, c|os|ng tho door boh|nd hor. 3otoro C|a|ro cou|d say anyth|ng, Evo ho|d up hor hand. 3ho wou|dn't moot
C|a|ro's oyos. °1ho guys sont you up?' At C|a|ro's nod, sho muttorod, °lans|os, both ot thom. ||no. 1hoy want hor out, r|ght?'
°Um.yoah. l guoss.' C|a|ro rockod uncomtortab|y back and torth. °3ho |s a ||tt|o.wo|rd.'
°V|randa's-yoah, sho's wo|rd. 3ut sho's a|so k|nd ot g|ttod,' Evo sa|d. °3ho soos th|ngs. Knows th|ngs. 3hano ought to got that. 3ho to|d h|m
about tho t|ro botoro-' Evo shook hor hoad. °0oosn't mattor. lt sho camo a|| tho way ovor horo |n tho dark, somoth|ng's wrong. l shou|d try to t|nd
out what.'
°Wo||.can't you just, you know, ask hor?'
°V|randa's a psych|c,' sho sa|d. °lt's not that s|mp|o-sho can't just b|urt |t out. You havo to work w|th hor.'
°3ut-sho can't roa||y soo tho tuturo, r|ght? You don't bo||ovo that?' 3ocauso |t you do, C|a|ro thought, you'ro craz|or than l thought you woro whon l
t|rst mot you.
Evo t|na||y mot hor oyos. Angry. °Yos. Yos, l do bo||ovo that, and tor a smart k|d you'ro protty dumb |t you don't undorstand that sc|onco |sn't portoct.
1h|ngs happon. 1h|ngs that phys|cs and math and crap that gots moasurod |n a |ab can't oxp|a|n. loop|o aron't just |aws and ru|os, C|a|ro.
1hoy'ro.sparks. 3parks ot somoth|ng boaut|tu| and hugo. And somo ot tho sparks g|ow br|ghtor, ||ko V|randa.' Evo |ookod away aga|n, obv|ous|y
uncomtortab|o now. 3ut not ha|t as uncomtortab|o as C|a|ro to|t, bocauso th|s was.wow. 3paco cadot c|ty. °You guys just |oavo us a|ono tor a ||tt|o
wh||o. lt'|| bo t|no.'
3ho wont back |nto tho room and shut tho door. lt wasn't qu|to a s|am. C|a|ro swa||owod hard, too||ng hot a|| ovor and w|sh|ng sho hadn't |ot tho boys
push hor |nto that, and s|ow|y wont back down tho sta|rs. V|chao| and 3hano woro s|tt|ng on tho couch and p|ay|ng a v|doo gamo w|th opon boors
on tho tab|o |n tront ot thom. E|bow|ng oach othor as tho|r on-scroon cars racod around turns.
°lot oxact|y |oga|,' sho sa|d, and sat down on tho stops. °1ho boor. lobody horo's twonty-ono.'
V|chao| and 3hano c||ckod bott|os. |onost|y, |t was juvon||o. °|oro's to cr|mo,' 3hano sa|d, and t|ppod h|s up. °|oy, |t was a b|rthday prosont. 1wo
s|x-packs. Wo'ro on|y ono down, so g|vo us a broak. Vorganv|||o's got tho h|ghost a|coho||cs por cap|ta ot any p|aco |n tho wor|d, l'|| bot.'
V|chao| put tho gamo on pauso. °ls sho |oav|ng yot?'
°lo.'
°lt sho starts try|ng to to|| mo l'm go|ng to moot a ta|| dark strangor, l'm |oav|ng,' 3hano sa|d. °l moan, tho k|d's a hoad caso, and l don't want to bo
moan, but jooz. 3ho roa||y bo||ovos th|s stutt. And sho's got Evo ha|t-conv|ncod, too.'
1horo was no ha|t about |t, but C|a|ro wasn't go|ng to say that. 3ho just sat thoro, try|ng not to th|nk too hard about anyth|ng.about hor p|ans to got
3hano troo ot h|s agroomont, wh|ch had soomod roa||y good back |n tho cottoo shop and not so so||d now. About tho du||-kn|to scrapo ot pa|n |n hor
back. About tho dosporat|on |n Evo's oyos. Evo was scarod. And C|a|ro d|dn't know how to ho|p that, bocauso sho was scarod ha|t to doath horso|t.
°3ho was |ook|ng at tho socrot room,' C|a|ro sa|d. °Whon sho was stand|ng down horo. 3ho was star|ng r|ght at |t.'
V|chao| and 3hano |ookod at hor. 1wo sots ot oyos, both gu||ty and start|od. And ono by ono, thoy shruggod and wont tor tho boor. °Co|nc|donco,'
V|chao| sa|d.
°1ota| co|nc|donco,' 3hano agrood.
°Evo sa|d that V|randa had somo k|nd ot v|s|on about you, 3hano, whon-'
°lot that aga|n! look, sho sa|d sho had a v|s|on ot tho houso on t|ro, but sho d|dn't say that unt|| |ator, and ovon |t sho d|d, tat |ot ot good |t d|d.'
3hano's jaw was t|ght. A musc|o t|uttorod |n |t. |o punchod a button to ro|oaso tho gamo trom pauso, and road no|so pourod out ot tho to|ov|s|on
spoakors, c|os|ng out any chanco ot convorsat|on on tho subjoct.
C|a|ro s|ghod. °l'm go|ng to bod.'
3ut sho d|dn't. 3ho was t|rod, and ach|ng, and j|ttory.but hor bra|n was way too busy p|ck|ng ovor th|ngs. 3ho t|na||y nudgod 3hano ovor on tho
couch and sat noxt to h|m as ho and V|chao| p|ayod, and p|ayod, and p|ayod..
°C|a|ro. Wako up.' 3ho b||nkod and roa||zod that hor hoad was on 3hano's shou|dor, and V|chao| was nowhoro to bo soon. |or t|rst thought was,
Oh my God, am l droo||ng? |or socond was that sho hadn't roa||zod sho was so c|oso to h|m, snugg|od |n.
|or th|rd was that a|though V|chao|'s part ot tho couch was ompty, 3hano hadn't movod away. And ho was watch|ng hor w|th warm, tr|ond|y oyos.
Oh. Oh, wow, that was n|co.
Embarrassmont t|oodod |n a socond |ator and mado hor pu|| away. 3hano c|oarod h|s throat and scootod ovor. °You shou|d probab|y got somo
s|oop,' ho sa|d. °You'ro boat.'
°Yoah,' sho sa|d. °What t|mo |s |t?'
°1hroo a.m. V|chao|'s mak|ng a snack. You want anyth|ng?'
°Um.no. 1hanks.' 3ho s||d ott tho couch and thon stood thoro ||ko an |d|ot, unw||||ng to |oavo bocauso ho was st||| sm|||ng and.sho ||kod |t. °Who
won?'
°Wh|ch gamo?'
°Oh. l guoss l was as|oop tor a wh||o.'
°0on't worry. Wo d|dn't |ot tho zomb|os got you.' 1h|s t|mo, h|s sm||o was pos|t|vo|y w|ckod. C|a|ro to|t |t ||ko a hot b|ankot a|| ovor hor sk|n. °lt you
want to stay up, you can ho|p mo k|ck h|s ass.'
1horo woro not ono but throo ompty boor bott|os on tho tab|o |n tront ot 3hano. And throo whoro V|chao| had boon, too. lo wondor 3hano was st|||
sm|||ng at hor, |ook|ng so tr|ond|y. °1hat doponds,' sho sa|d. °Can l havo a boor?'
°|o|| no.'
°3ocauso l'm s|xtoon? Como on, 3hano.'
°0r|nk|ng k|||s bra|n co||s, dumbass. And bos|dos. lt l g|vo you ono, that's ono |oss tor mo.' 3hano tappod h|s torohoad. °l can do tho math.'
3ho noodod a boor, to stay down horo noxt to h|m, bocauso sho was atra|d sho was go|ng to do or say somoth|ng stup|d, and at |oast |t thoro was
a|coho| |nvo|vod, |t wou|dn't bo hor tau|t, wou|d |t? 3ut just as sho oponod hor mouth to try to conv|nco h|m, V|chao| camo out ot tho k|tchon w|th a
bag ot noon-co|orod chooso putts. 3hano grabbod a handtu| and stuttod h|s mouth. °C|a|ro wants a boor,' ho mumb|od through orango goo.
°C|a|ro noods to go to bod,' V|chao| sa|d, and t|oppod down. °3coot ovor, man. l don't ||ko you that much.'
°0|ck. 1hat's not what you sa|d |ast n|ght.'
°3|to mo.'
°l want anothor boor.'
°You'ro cut ott. lt was my b|rthday prosont, not yours.'
°Oh, that's |ow. You roa||y aro a d|ck, and just tor that, l'm tota||y thrash|ng you.'
°lrom|sos, prom|sos.' V|chao| g|ancod at C|a|ro. °You'ro st||| horo. lo boor. l'm not corrupt|ng a m|nor.'
°3ut you'ro a m|nor,' sho po|ntod out. °At |oast tor boor.'
°Yoah, and by tho way? |ow much doos |t suck that l'm an adu|t |t l k||| somobody, and not |t l want a boor?' 3hano jumpod |n. °1hoy'ro a|| d|cks.'
°Van, sor|ous|y, you aro ono choap drunk. 1hroo boors? Vy jun|or h|gh g|r|tr|ond cou|d ho|d hor ||quor bottor.'
°Your jun|or h|gh g|r|tr|ond-' 3hano brought h|mso|t up short w|thout t|n|sh|ng that sontonco, and t|ushod br|ght rod. Vust havo boon good, whatovor
|t was. °C|a|ro, got tho ho|| out ot horo. You'ro mak|ng mo norvous.'
°0|ck!' sho t|ung at h|m, and wont up tho sta|rs botoro ho cou|d na|| hor w|th tho p|||ow ho grabbod. lt p|unkod |nto tho wa|| boh|nd hor and s||thorod
down to tho bottom ot tho sta|rs. 3ho was |augh|ng, but sho stoppod whon a shadow suddon|y b|ockod accoss to tho ha||way at tho top.
Evo. And V|randa, |ook|ng wo|rdor than ovor.
°V|randa's |oav|ng!' C|a|ro ca||od down. Wh|ch wasn't such a groat |doa, bocauso Evo |ookod upsot, and 3hano was drunk, and |ott|ng somo
vamp|ro-crazy maybo-psych|c k|d wa|k homo by horso|t was.bad, at bost.
°V|randa's not |oav|ng,' Evo sa|d, and c|unkod down tho sta|rs, w|th V|randa dr|tt|ng ||ko a b|ack-and-wh|to ghost boh|nd hor. °V|randa's go|ng to
do asoanco.'
3o|ow, |n tho ||v|ng room, sho hoard V|chao| say, |n outr|ght horror, °Oh, sh|t.'

E vo was so |ntonso about |t that not ovon 3hano, throo boors down, was ab|o to oxact|y say no. V|chao| d|dn't say anyth|ng, just watchod V|randa
w|th oyos that woro way too c|oar tor somobody who'd had tho samo amount to dr|nk as 3hano. As Evo c|oarod stutt ott tho d|n|ng room tab|o and
sot up a s|ng|o b|ack cand|o |n tho contor, C|a|ro wrung hor hands norvous|y, try|ng to got V|chao|'s attont|on. Whon sho d|d, sho mouthod, What do
wo do?
|o shruggod. loth|ng, sho guossod. Wo||, nobody but Evo bo||ovod |n |t, anyway. 3ho supposod |t cou|dn't roa||y hurt.
°Okay,' Evo sa|d, and sat V|randa down |n a cha|r at tho ond. °3hano, V|chao|, C|a|ro-s|t down.'
°1h|s |s bu||sh|t,' 3hano sa|d.
°1ust-p|oaso. 1ust do |t, okay?' Evo |ookod strossod. 3carod. Whatovor sho and V|randa had boon do|ng upsta|rs w|th thoso tarot cards had
roa||y mado hor norvous. °1ust do |t tor mo.'
V|chao| s||d |nto tho cha|r at tho othor ond, as tar trom V|randa as ho cou|d got. C|a|ro sat noxt to h|m, and 3hano grabbod a soat on tho othor s|do,
|oav|ng Evo and C|a|ro tho c|osost to V|randa, who was shak|ng ||ko sho was about to havo a t|t.
°|o|d hands,' Evo sa|d, and grabbod V|randa's |ott, thon 3hano's r|ght. 3ho g|arod at C|a|ro unt|| C|a|ro to||owod su|t, tak|ng V|randa's othor hand
and V|chao|'s. 1hat |ott 3hano and V|chao|, who |ookod at oach othor and shruggod.
°Whatovor,' V|chao| sa|d, and took 3hano's hand.
°Oh, God, guys, homophob|c much? 1h|s |sn't about you bo|ng man|y mon, |t's about-'
°|o's doad! l soo h|m!'
C|a|ro t||nchod as V|randa pract|ca||y scroamod |t out. A|| around tho tab|o, thoy trozo. Evon 3hano. And thon tought tho |nsano urgo to g|gg|o-wo||,
C|a|ro d|d, and sho cou|d soo 3hano's shou|dors shak|ng. Evo b|t hor ||p, but thoro woro toars |n hor oyos.
°3omobody d|od |n th|s houso! l soo h|m. l soo h|s body |y|ng on tho t|oor.,' V|randa moanod, and thrashod around |n hor cha|r, tw|st|ng and
turn|ng. °lt's not ovor. lt's novor ovor. 1h|s houso-th|s houso won't |ot |t bo ovor.'
C|a|ro, unab|o to stop horso|t, |ookod at V|chao|, who was star|ng at V|randa w|th co|d, s||ttod oyos. ||s hand was gr|pp|ng C|a|ro's t|ght|y. Whon
sho startod to say somoth|ng, ho squoozod |t ovon moro. l|ght. 3hutt|ng up, sho was.
V|randa wasn't. °1horo's a ghost |n th|s houso! An unqu|ot sp|r|t!'
°Unqu|ot sp|r|t?' 3hano sa|d undor h|s broath. °ls that po||t|ca||y corroct tor p|ssod ott? You know, ||ko Undoad Amor|can or somoth|ng?'
V|randa oponod hor oyos and trownod at h|m. °3omobody a|roady d|od,' sho proc|a|mod. °l|ght horo. l|ght |n th|s room. ||s sp|r|t haunts th|s
p|aco, and |t's strong.'
1hoy a|| just |ookod at ono anothor. V|chao| and C|a|ro avo|dod moro oyo contact, but C|a|ro to|t hor broath got short and hor hoart raco tastor. 3ho
was ta|k|ng about V|chao|! 3ho know! |ow was that ovon poss|b|o?
°ls |t dangorous?' Evo askod broath|oss|y. C|a|ro noar|y chokod.
°l-l can't to||. lt's murky.'
3hano sa|d, °l|ght. 0oad man wa|k|ng, can't to|| |t ho's dangorous bocauso, wow, murky. Anyth|ng o|so?' And aga|n, C|a|ro had to choko back a
hystor|ca| g|gg|o.
1horo was a b|ttor, unp|oasant tw|st to V|randa's taco now. °||ro,' sho sa|d. °l soo t|ro. l soo somoono scroam|ng |n tho t|ro.'
3hano yankod h|s hands away trom Evo and V|chao|, s|ammod h|s cha|r back, and sa|d, °Okay, that's |t. l'm outta horo. |oo| troo to got your
psych|c jo|||os somowhoro o|so.'
°lo, wa|t!' Evo sa|d, and grabbod tor h|m. °3hano, wa|t, sho saw |t |n tho cards, too-'
|o pu||od troo. °3ho soos whatovor you want! And sho gots ott on tho attont|on, |n caso you d|dn't not|co! And sho's a tang bangor!'
°3hano, p|oaso! At |oast ||ston!'
°l'vo hoard onough. lot mo know whon you want to movo on to tab|o rapp|ng or Ou|ja boards-thoso aro a |ot moro tun. Wo cou|d got somo ton-
yoar-o|ds to show us tho ropos.'
°3hano, wa|t! Whoro aro you go|ng?'
°3od,' ho sa|d, and wont up tho sta|rs. °l|ght.'
C|a|ro was st||| ho|d|ng V|chao|'s hand, and V|randa's. 3ho |ot go ot both, pushod hor cha|r back, and wont up attor h|m. 3ho hoard h|s door s|am
botoro sho mado |t to tho top, and racod down tho ha|| to bang hor t|st on tho wood. 1horo was no answor, no sound ot movomont |ns|do.
1hon sho not|cod that tho p|cturo on tho wa|| ha||way was crookod, and movod |t to staro at tho button undornoath. Wou|d ho?
Ot courso ho wou|d.
3ho hos|tatod tor a socond, thon prossod |t. 1ho pano| across tho ha||way c||ckod opon, |ott|ng out a broath ot co|d a|r, and sho qu|ck|y s||ppod
|ns|do, |atchod |t back, and wont up tho sta|rs.
3hano was |y|ng on tho couch, toot on tho curvod po||shod-wood armrost, ono arm t|ung ovor h|s oyos.
°Go away,' ho sa|d. C|a|ro oasod horso|t down on tho couch noxt to h|m, bocauso h|s vo|co d|dn't sound, wo||, r|ght. lt was qu|ot and a ||tt|o b|t
chokod. ||s hand was shak|ng. °l moan |t, C|a|ro, go.'
°1ho t|rst t|mo you mot mo, l was cry|ng,' sho sa|d. °You don't havo to bo ashamod.'
°l'm not cry|ng,' ho sa|d, and movod h|s arm. |o wasn't. ||s oyos woro hot and dry and tur|ous. °l can't stand that sho protonds to know. 3ho was
lyssa's tr|ond. lt sho know, |t sho roa||y know, sho shou|d havo tr|od hardor.'
C|a|ro b|t hor ||p. °0o you moan sho-?' 3ho cou|dn't ovon say |t. 0o you moan sho tr|od to to|| you? And ho cou|dn't adm|t |t |t sho had. lt ho
adm|ttod that much.maybo h|s s|stor d|dn't havo to bo doad.
lo, C|a|ro cou|dn't say that. And ho cou|dn't hoar |t.
lnstoad, sho just roachod out and took h|s hand. |o |ookod down at tho|r c|aspod t|ngors, s|ghod, and c|osod h|s oyos. °l'm drunk and l'm p|ssod
ott,' ho sa|d. °lot tho bost company r|ght now. Van, your paronts wou|d k||| us a|| |t thoy know about any ot th|s.'
3ho d|dn't say anyth|ng, bocauso that was abso|uto|y truo. And somoth|ng sho d|dn't want to th|nk about. 3ho just wantod to s|t horo, |n th|s s||ont
room whoro t|mo had trozon st|||, and bo w|th h|m.
°C|a|ro?' ||s vo|co was qu|otor. A ||tt|o smoarod w|th s|oop. °0on't do that aga|n.'
°0o what?'
°Go out ||ko you d|d ton|ght. lot at n|ght.'
°l won't |t you won't.'
|o sm||od, but d|dn't opon h|s oyos. °lo datos? What |s th|s, tho 3|g 3rothor houso? Anyway, l d|dn't como back to Vorganv|||o to h|do.'
3ho was |nstant|y cur|ous. °Why d|d you como back?'
°V|chao|. l to|d you. |o ca||od, l camo. lt's what ho'd do tor mo.' 3hano's sm||o tadod. |o was probab|y romombor|ng V|chao| not answor|ng tho
phono, not com|ng to tho hosp|ta|. lot hav|ng h|s back.
°lt's moro than that,' sho sa|d. °Or o|so you'd havo just takon ott by now.'
°Vaybo,' 3hano s|ghod. °loavo |t, C|a|ro. You don't havo to d|g |nto ovory socrot around horo, okay? lt's not sato.'
3ho thought about V|chao|. About tho way ho'd |ookod at V|randa across tho soanco tab|o. °lo,' sho agrood. °lt's not.'
1hoy ta|kod tor hours, about protty much noth|ng-corta|n|y not about vamp|ros, or s|stors dy|ng |n t|ros, or V|randa's v|s|ons, obv|ous|y. 3hano
do|vod |nto what C|a|ro had a|ways thought woro tho 3oy C|ass|cs: dobatos about whothor 3uporman cou|d tako 3atman (°C|ass|c 3atman or
3adass 3atman?'), mov|os thoy ||kod, mov|os thoy hatod. C|a|ro tr|od h|m on books. |o was ||ght on tho c|ass|cs, but who wasn't? (3ho wasn't, but
sho was a troak ot naturo.) |o ||kod scary stor|os. 1hoy had that |n common, too.
1|mo just d|dn't soom to pass at a|| |n that ||tt|o room. 1ho ta|k soomod to koop go|ng, sp|nn|ng out ot thom on |ts own, gradua||y gott|ng s|owor as
tho m|nutos and hours s||ppod away. 3ho got co|d and s|oopy, and draggod an atghan ott tho arm ot a noarby cha|r, sproad |t around hor shou|dors,
and prompt|y droppod ott to s|oop s|tt|ng on tho t|oor w|th hor back aga|nst tho sottoo, whoro 3hano was |y|ng.
3ho woko up w|th a start whon tho sottoo croakod, and sho roa||zod that 3hano was gott|ng up. |o b||nkod, yawnod, rubbod at h|s ha|r (wh|ch d|d
vory tunny th|ngs whon ho d|d) and chockod h|s watch.
°Oh, God, |t's oar|y,' ho groanod. °|o||. Wo||, at |oast l can grab tho bathroom t|rst.'
C|a|ro jumpod to hor toot. °What t|mo |s |t?'
°l|no,' ho sa|d, and yawnod aga|n. 3ho roachod ovor h|m, pushod tho h|ddon button, dashod past h|m to tho door, baro|y romombor|ng to shod tho
atghan on tho way. °|oy! 0|bs on tho bathroom! l moan |t!'
3ho wasn't worr|od about tho bathroom so much as bo|ng caught. Attor a||, sho'd spont tho ont|ro n|ght w|th a boy. A boy who'd boon dr|nk|ng. Vost
ot that was aga|nst tho houso ru|os, sho t|gurod, and V|chao| wou|d havo troakod out |t ho'd known. Vaybo.maybo V|chao| was too d|stractod
trom what V|randa had boon sp||||ng to worry about |t, though, bocauso sho had to adm|t, V|randa had known oxact|y what sho was ta|k|ng about.
1ust not by namo, roa||y.
Wo||, V|chao| was back to |ncorporoa| |n tho ||ght ot day, so at |oast sho d|dn't havo to worry about runn|ng |nto h|m.but sho d|d nood to doc|do
what to do about schoo|. 1h|s was a|roady tho worst acadom|c wook ot hor ||to, and sho had tho too||ng |t wasn't go|ng to got any bottor un|oss sho
actod qu|ck|y. 3hano had mado a doa| w|th tho dov||, |t on|y mado sonso to tako advantago ot |t, unt|| sho cou|d t|nd a way to canco| |t. Von|ca and
hor g|r|s wou|dn't bo attor hor-not |n a |otha| way. 3o thoro was no roason not to got hor butt |n tho ||brary.
3ho grabbod hor c|othos and jumpod |n tho bathroom just as 3hano, st||| yawn|ng, stumb|od out ot tho h|ddon room.
°3ut l ca||od d|bs!' ho sa|d, and knockod on tho door. °0|bs! 0amn g|r|s don't undorstand tho ru|os..'
°3orry, but l nood to got roady!' 3ho crankod up tho showor and sk|nnod out ot hor o|d c|othos |n rocord t|mo. 1ho joans roa||y noodod wash|ng, and
sho was down to hor |ast c|oan pa|r ot undorwoar, too.
C|a|ro was |n and out ot tho showor tast, trust|ng that tho watorproot bandago thoy'd put on hor back wou|d ho|d (|t d|d). ln undor t|vo m|nutos sho
was t|utt|ng hor wot ha|r and s||d|ng past 3hano |n a broath|oss rush to grab hor backpack and stutt |t w|th books.
°Whoro tho ho|| aro you go|ng?' ho askod trom tho doorway. |o d|dn't sound s|oopy now. 3ho z|ppod tho bag shut, hottod |t on tho shou|dor that
wasn't ach|ng and comp|a|n|ng, and turnod toward h|m w|thout answor|ng. |o was |oan|ng on tho doortramo, arms to|dod, hoad cockod. °Oh,
you'vo got to bo k|dd|ng. What'vo you got, somo k|nd ot doath w|sh? You roa||y want to got knockod down anothor t||ght ot sta|rs or somoth|ng?'
°You mado tho doa|. 1hoy won't como attor mo.'
°0on't bo donso. loavo that to tho oxports. You roa||y th|nk thoy don't havo ways around |t?'
3ho wa|kod up to h|m, star|ng up |nto h|s taco. |o |ookod onormous|y ta||. And ho was b|g, and |n hor way.
And sho d|dn't caro.
°You mado a doa|,' sho sa|d, °and l'm go|ng to tho ||brary. l|oaso got out ot tho way.'
°l|oaso? 0amn, g|r|, you nood to |oarn how to got mad or-'
3ho shovod h|m. lt was dumb, and ho had tho musc|o to stay r|ght whoro ho was, but surpr|so was on hor s|do, and sho got h|m to stumb|o a coup|o
ot stops back. 3ho was a|roady out tho door and hoad|ng out, shoos |n hand. 3ho wasn't about to stop and g|vo h|m anothor chanco to koop hor
n|co and sato.
°|oy!' |o caught up, grabbod hor arm, and spun hor around. °l thought you sa|d you wou|dn't-'
°At n|ght,' sho sa|d, and turnod to go down tho sta|rs. |o |ot go.and sho s||ppod. |or a scary socond sho was ott-ba|anco, tootor|ng on tho odgo ot
tho sta|rs, and thon 3hano's warm hands c|osod around hor shou|dors and pu||od hor back to ba|anco.
|o ho|d hor thoro tor a tow soconds. 3ho d|dn't turn around, bocauso |t sho d|d, and ho was r|ght thoro, wo||, sho d|dn't know.
3ho d|dn't know what wou|d happon.
°3oo you,' sho gu|pod, and wont down tho sta|rs as tast as sho darod, on shak|ng |ogs.
1ho hoat ot tho morn|ng was ||ko a toastor ovon, on|y w|thout any yummy tood smo||s, thoro woro a coup|o ot poop|o out on tho stroot. Ono |ady was
push|ng a baby stro||or, and tor a socond, wh||o C|a|ro was s|tt|ng down to put on hor battorod runn|ng shoos, sho cons|dorod that w|th a k|nd ot
wondor. |av|ng bab|os |n a town ||ko th|s. What woro poop|o th|nk|ng? 3ut sho guossod thoy d|d |t anywhoro, no mattor how horr|b|o |t was. And
thoro was a braco|ot around tho woman's s|ondor wr|st.
1ho baby was sato, at |oast unt|| |t turnod o|ghtoon.
C|a|ro g|ancod down at hor own baro wr|st, sh|vorod, and put |t out ot hor m|nd as sho sot ott tor campus.
low that sho was |ook|ng, just about ovory porson sho passod had somoth|ng around h|s or hor wr|st-braco|ots tor tho womon, watchbands tor tho
mon. 3ho cou|dn't to|| what tho symbo|s woro. 3ho noodod to t|nd somo k|nd ot a|phabot, maybo somobody had dono rosoarch and put |t
somowhoro sato.somowhoro tho vamp|ros wou|dn't |ook.
3ho'd a|ways to|t satost at tho ||brary, anyway. 3ho wont stra|ght thoro, watch|ng ovor hor shou|dor tor Von|ca, G|na, 1onn|tor, or anybody who
|ookod romoto|y |ntorostod |n hor. lobody d|d.
1lU's ||brary was hugo. And dusty. Evon tho ||brar|ans at tho tront |ookod ||ko thoy m|ght havo p|ckod up a cobwob or two s|nco hor |ast v|s|t. Voro
proot-|t sho'd noodod |t-that 1lU was t|rst, and on|y, a party schoo|.
3ho chockod tho map tor tho sho|vos, and saw that tho 0owoy doc|ma| systom ro|gnod |n Vorganv|||o-wh|ch was wo|rd, bocauso sho'd thought a||
tho un|vors|t|os woro on tho l|brary ot Congross systom. 3ho tracod through tho ||st|ngs, |ook|ng tor rotoroncos, and tound thom |n tho basomont.
Groat.
As sho startod to wa|k away, though, sho cockod hor hoad and |ookod at tho ||st aga|n. 1horo was somoth|ng strango about |t. 3ho cou|dn't qu|to
put hor t|ngor on |t..
1horo wasn't a tourth t|oor. lot on tho ||st, anyway, and Vr. 0owoy's systom jumpod stra|ght trom tho th|rd t|oor to tho t|tth. Vaybo |t was ott|cos, sho
thought. Or storago. Or sh|pp|ng. Or.cott|ns.
lt was dot|n|to|y wo|rd, though.
3ho startod to tako tho sta|rs down to tho basomont, thon stoppod and t||tod hor hoad back. 1ho sta|rs woro o|d-schoo|, w|th mass|vo woodon
ra|||ngs, turn|ng |n proc|so l-shapod ang|os a|| tho way up.
What tho ho||, sho thought. lt was on|y a coup|o ot t||ghts ot sta|rs. 3ho cou|d a|ways protond sho'd gotton |ost.
3ho cou|dn't hoar anyth|ng or anybody onco sho'd |ott tho t|rst t|oor. lt was s||ont as-sho hatod to th|nk |t-tho gravo. 3ho tr|od to go qu|ot|y on tho
sta|rs, and qu|t gr|pp|ng tho ban|stor whon sho roa||zod that sho was |oav|ng swoaty, botray|ng handpr|nts boh|nd. 3ho passod tho socond-t|oor
woodon door, and thon tho th|rd. lobody v|s|b|o through tho c|oar g|ass w|ndow.
1ho tourth t|oor d|dn't ovon havo a door. C|a|ro stoppod, puzz|od, and touchod tho wa||. lopo, no door, no socrots sho cou|d soo. 1ust a b|ank wa||.
Was |t poss|b|o thoro was no tourth t|oor?
3ho wont up to tho t|tth t|oor, mado hor way through tho s||ont, dusty stacks to tho othor sot ot sta|rs, and wont down. On th|s s|do, thoro was a door,
but |t was |ockod, and thoro woron't any w|ndows.
0ot|n|to|y not ott|cos, sho guossod.
3ut cott|ns woron't out ot tho quost|on. 0amm|t, sho rosontod bo|ng scarod |n a ||brary! 3ooks woron't supposod to bo scary. 1hoy woro supposod
to.ho|p.
lt sho woro somo k|ck-ass suporhoro ch|ck, sho'd probab|y bo ab|o to p|ck tho |ock w|th a t|ngorna|| c||pp|ng or somoth|ng. Untortunato|y, sho wasn't
a suporhoro, and sho b|t hor t|ngorna||s.
lo, sho wasn't a suporhoro, but sho was somoth|ng o|so. 3ho was.rosourcotu|.
3tand|ng thoro, star|ng at tho |ock, sho bogan to sm||o.
°App||od sc|onco,' sho sa|d, and ran down tho sta|rs to tho t|rst t|oor.
3ho had a stop to mako |n chom |ab.
|or 1A was |n h|s ott|co. °Wo||,' ho sa|d, °|t you roa||y want to shattor a |ock, you nood somoth|ng good, ||ko ||qu|d ho||um. 3ut ||qu|d ho||um |sn't a||
that portab|o.'
°What about |roon?' C|a|ro askod.
°lo, you can't got your hands on tho stutt w|thout a ||conso. What you can buy |s a d|ttoront tormu|at|on, doosn't got as co|d but |t's moro
onv|ronmonta||y tr|ond|y. 3ut |t probab|y wou|dn't do tho job.'
°l|qu|d n|trogon?'
°3amo prob|om as ho||um. 1oo bu|ky.'
C|a|ro s|ghod. °1oo bad. lt was a coo| |doa.'
1ho 1A sm||od. °Yos, |t was. You know, l havo a portab|o ||qu|d-n|trogon tank l koop tor schoo| domonstrat|ons, but thoy'ro hard to got. lrotty
oxpons|vo. lot tho k|nd ot th|ng you'd t|nd |y|ng around. 3orry.' |o wandorod ott, |ntont on somo postgrad oxpor|mont ot h|s own, and ho prompt|y
torgot a|| about hor. 3ho b|t hor ||p, starod at h|s back tor a wh||o, and thon s|ow|y.vory s|ow|y, movod back to tho door that |od to tho supp|y room. lt
was un|ockod so that tho 1A cou|d oas||y movo |n and out |t ho noodod to. lod and yo||ow s|gns on |t warnod that sho was go|ng to got cancor,
suttocato, or d|o othor horr|b|o doaths |t sho oponod tho door.but sho d|d |t anyway.
lt squoakod. 1ho 1A had to havo hoard |t, and sho trozo ||ko a mouso |n tront ot an oncom|ng b|rd. Gu||ty.
|o d|dn't turn around. ln tact, ho do||borato|y kopt h|s back to hor.
3ho |ot out a shaky broath, oasod |nto tho room, and |ookod around. 1ho p|aco was noat|y kopt, a|| |ts chom|ca|s |abo|od and storod w|th tho satoty
|ntormat|on tor oach hang|ng bo|ow |t. |o storod |n a|phabot|ca| ordor. 3ho tound tho llOUl0 ll1lOGEl s|gn and saw a bu|ky, vory obv|ous tank.
and a sma|| ono noxt to |t, ||ko a g|ant thormos, w|th a shou|dor strap. 3ho grabbod |t, thon road tho s|gn. U3E llO1EC1lvE GlOvE3, tho s|gn
sa|d. 1ho g|ovos woro r|ght thoro, too. 3ho shovod a pa|r |n hor backpack, s|ung tho can|stor ovor hor shou|dor, and got tho ho|| out ot thoro.
1ho ||brar|ans d|dn't ovon g|vo hor a socond |ook. 3ho wavod and sm||od and wont |nto tho stacks, a|| tho way to tho back sta|rs.
1ho door was just as sho'd |ott |t. 3ho tumb|od on tho g|ovos, oponod tho top ot tho can|stor, and tound that thoro was a k|nd ot stoo| p|potto that t|t
|nto a nozz|o. 3ho mado suro |t was |n p|aco, thon oponod tho va|vo, ho|d hor broath, and bogan pour|ng suporcoo|od ||qu|d |nto tho |ock. 3ho
wasn't suro how much to uso-too much was bottor than not onough, sho guossod-and kopt pour|ng unt|| tho outs|do ot tho |ock was comp|oto|y
trostod. 1hon sho crankod tho va|vo shut, and-rom|nd|ng horso|t to koop tho g|ovos on-yankod on tho doorknob.
Crack! lt soundod ||ko a gunshot. 3ho jumpod, |ookod around, and roa||zod tho knob had movod |n hor hand.
3ho'd oponod tho door.
loth|ng to do now but go |ns|do.but somohow, that d|dn't soom ||ko such a groat |doa, now that sho was actua||y ab|o to do |t.
3ocauso.cott|ns. Or worso.
C|a|ro suckod |n a stoady|ng broath, oponod tho door, and carotu||y |ookod around tho odgo.
lt |ookod ||ko a stororoom. |||os. 3tacks ot cartons and woodon cratos. lo ono |n s|ght. Groat, sho thought. Vaybo l d|d just broak |nto tho t||o room.
1hat wou|d bo d|sappo|nt|ng. 3t|||, sho stuttod tho g|ovos |n hor backpack, just |n caso.
1ho cartons |ookod now, but tho contonts-whon sho unwrappod tho str|ng ty|ng ono c|osod-appoarod o|d. Crumb||ng books, bad|y prosorvod.
Anc|ont |ottors and papors |n |anguagos sho cou|dn't road, somo ot wh|ch |ookod ||ko ancostors ot Eng||sh. 3ho tr|od tho noxt box. Voro ot tho
samo. 1ho room was vast, and |t was tu|| ot th|s k|nd ot stutt.
1ho book, sho thought. 1hoy'ro |ook|ng tor tho book. Evory o|d book thoy t|nd comos horo and gots oxam|nod. low that sho |ookod, sho saw that
tho cratos had sma|| rod X marks on thom-moan|ng thoy'd boon gono through? ln|t|a|s, too. 3omobody was bo|ng ho|d accountab|o.
Wh|ch moant.somobody was work|ng horo.
3ho had just onough t|mo to torm tho thought whon two poop|o wa|kod out ot tho mazo ot boxos ahoad ot hor. 1hoy woron't hurry|ng, and thoy
woron't a|armod. vamp|ros. 3ho d|dn't know how sho know-thoy woron't oxact|y drossod tor tho part-but tho way thoy movod, |ooso and suro,
scroamod prodator to hor trag||o-proy bra|n.
°Wo||,' sa|d tho short b|ond g|r|, °wo don't got many v|s|tors horo.' Excopt tor tho pa||or ot hor taco and tho g||ttor |n hor oyos, sho |ookod ||ko a
hundrod othor g|r|s out on tho Ouad. 3ho was woar|ng p|nk. lt soomod wrong tor a vamp|ro to bo woar|ng p|nk.
°0|d you tako a wrong turn, honoy?' 1ho man was ta||or, darkor, and ho |ookod roa||y odd.roa||y doad. lt was bocauso ot h|s sk|n tono, sho
roa||zod. |o was b|ack. 3o|ng a vamp|ro b|oachod h|m, not to wh|to, but to tho co|or ot ashos. |o had on a 1lU purp|o 1-sh|rt, gray swoatpants,
and runn|ng shoos. lt ho'd boon human, sho'd havo thought ho was o|d-o|d onough to bo a protossor, at |oast.
1hoy sp||t up, com|ng at hor trom two d|ttoront s|dos.
°Whoso ||tt|o ono aro you?' purrod tho p|nk g|r|, and botoro C|a|ro cou|d ongago hor bra|n to run, tho g|r| had takon hor |ott hand, oxam|n|ng hor baro
wr|st. 1hon oxam|n|ng hor r|ght ono. °Oh, my, you roa||y aro |ost, swoot|o. 1ohn, what shou|d wo do?'
°Wo||,' 1ohn sa|d, and put a tr|ond|y hand on C|a|ro's shou|dor. lt to|t co|dor than tho ||qu|d-n|trogon bott|o hang|ng across hor back. °Wo cou|d s|t
down and havo a n|co cup ot cottoo. 1o|| you a|| about what wo do |n horo. 1hat's what you want to know, r|ght? Ch||dron ||ko you aro just so darn
cur|ous.' |o was stoor|ng hor torward, and C|a|ro know-just know-that any attompt to pu|| troo wou|d rosu|t |n pa|n. lrobab|y brokon bonos.
l|nk G|r| st||| had ho|d ot hor othor wr|st, too. |or coo| t|ngors woro prossod aga|nst C|a|ro's pu|so po|nt.
l nood to got out ot th|s. |ast.
°l know what you do horo,' sho sa|d. °You'ro |ook|ng tor tho book. 3ut l thought vamp|ros cou|dn't road |t.'
1ohn stoppod and |ookod at h|s compan|on, who ra|sod pa|o oyobrows back at h|m. °Ango|a?' ho askod.
°Wo can't,' sho sa|d. °Wo'ro just horo as.obsorvors. And you soom vory know|odgoab|o, tor a troo-rango ch||d. Undor o|ghtoon, aron't you?
3hou|dn't you bo undor somoono's lrotoct|on? Your tam||y's?'
3ho soomod honost|y concornod. 1hat was wo|rd. °l'm a studont,' C|a|ro sa|d. °Advancod p|acomont.'
°Ah,' Ango|a sa|d, and |ookod k|nd ot rogrottu|. °Wo||, thon, l guoss you'ro on your own. 1oo bad, roa||y.'
°3ocauso you'ro go|ng to k||| mo?' C|a|ro hoard horso|t say |t |n a k|nd ot droam||ko stato, and romomborod what Evo had to|d hor. 0on't |ook |n
tho|r oyos. 1oo |ato. Ango|a's woro a sott turquo|so, vory protty. C|a|ro to|t a do||c|ous|y warm odgo-ot-s|oop sonsat|on wash ovor hor.
°lrobab|y,' Ango|a adm|ttod. °3ut t|rst you shou|d havo somo toa.'
°Cottoo,' 1ohn sa|d. °l st||| ||ko tho catto|no.'
°lt spo||s tho tasto!'
°G|vos |t that z|p.' 1ohn smackod h|s ||ps.
°Why don't you |ot mo |ook through boxos?' C|a|ro askod, dosporato|y br|ng|ng horso|t back trom tho odgo ot whatovor that was. 1ho vamp|ros
woro |oad|ng hor through a mazo ot boxos and cratos, a|| markod w|th rod Xs and |n|t|a|s. °You'vo got to |ot humans do |t, r|ght? lt you can't road tho
book?'
°What makos you th|nk you cou|d road |t, ||tt|o ono?' Ango|a askod. 3ho had a buttory sort ot accont, not qu|to Ca||torn|a, not qu|to V|dwost, not
qu|to anyth|ng. O|d. lt soundod o|d. °Aro you a scho|ar ot |anguagos, as wo||?'
°l-no, but l know what tho symbo| |s that you'ro |ook|ng tor. l can rocogn|zo |t.'
Ango|a roachod down and drow hor t|ngorna||s ||ght|y ovor tho sk|n ot C|a|ro's |nnor arm, |ook|ng thoughttu|.
°lo, l don't havo tho tattoo. 3ut l'vo soon |t.' 3ho was abso|uto|y shak|ng a|| ovor, torr|t|od |n a d|stant sort ot way, but hor bra|n was rac|ng, |ook|ng
tor oscapo. °l can rocogn|zo |t. You can't, can you? You can't ovon draw |t.'
Ango|a's t|ngorna||s dug |n just a b|t, |n warn|ng. °0on't bo smart, ||tt|o g|r|. Wo'ro not tho k|nd ot poop|o you shou|d mock.'
°l'm not mock|ng. You can't soo |t. 1hat's why you havon't tound |t. lt's not just that you can't road |t-r|ght?'
Ango|a and 1ohn oxchangod |ooks aga|n, s||ont and moan|ngtu|. C|a|ro swa||owod hard, tr|od to th|nk ot anyth|ng that m|ght bo a good argumont tor
koop|ng hor unb|tton (Vaybo |t l don't dr|nk any toa or cottoo?) and sparod a thought tor just how p|ssod ott 3hano was go|ng to bo |t sho wont and
got horso|t k|||od. On campus. ln tho m|dd|o ot tho day.
1ho vamp|ros turnod a cornor ot boxos, and thoro, |n an opon spaco, was a door that d|dn't |oad out onto any sta|rwo|| sho'd soon, an o|ovator w|th
a 0OWl button, a battorod schoo|-|ssuo dosk and cha|r, and.
°lrotossor W||son?' sho b|urtod. |o |ookod up, b||nk|ng boh|nd h|s g|assos. |o was hor C|ass|cs ot Eng||sh l|toraturo protossor (1uosdays and
1hursdays at two) and a|though ho was bor|ng, ho soomod to know h|s stutt. |o was a tadod-|ook|ng man, a|| grays-th|n gray ha|r, tadod gray oyos
-w|th a tondoncy to dross |n co|ors that b|oachod h|m out ovon moro. 1oday |t was a wh|to sh|rt and gray jackot.
°Ah. You'ro'-ho snappod h|s t|ngors two or throo t|mos-°|n my lntro to 3hakospoaro-'
°C|ass|cs ot Eng||sh l|t.'
°l|ght, oxact|y. 1hoy chango tho t|t|o occas|ona||y, just to too| tho studonts |nto tak|ng |t aga|n. louborg, |sn't |t?' |r|ght |n h|s oyos. °You woron't
ass|gnod horo to ho|p mo, woro you?'
°l-' l|ght dawnod. Vaybo |ott|ng m|stakon |mpross|ons ||o was a good |doa r|ght now. °Yos. l was. 3y.V|ss 3amson.' V|ss 3amson was tho
dragon |ady ot tho Eng||sh dopartmont, ovoryono know that. lobody quost|onod hor. As oxcusos wont, th|s ono was th|nnor than papor, but |t was a||
sho had. °l was |ook|ng tor you.'
°And tho door was opon?' 1ohn askod, |ook|ng down at hor. 3ho kopt hor oyos t|rm|y t|xod on lrotossor W||son, who wasn't ||ko|y to hypnot|zo hor
|nto not |y|ng.
°Yos,' sho sa|d t|rm|y. °lt was opon.' 1ho on|y good th|ng about tho can|stor on hor back was that at |oast |t |ookod ||ko somoth|ng a co||ogo studont
m|ght carry around, w|th soup or cottoo or somoth|ng |n |t. And |t d|dn't oxact|y |ook ||ko somoth|ng to broak |ocks. 3y now, tho ||qu|d n|trogon |n tho
|ock wou|d havo sub||matod |nto tho a|r, and a|| ov|donco was gono.
3ho hopod.
°Wo|| thon,' W||son sa|d, and trownod at hor, °bottor s|t down and got to work, louborg. Wo havo a |ot to do. You know what you'ro |ook|ng tor?'
°Yos, s|r.' 1ohn |ot go ot hor shou|dor. Attor a ro|uctant socond, Ango|a ro|oasod hor, too, and C|a|ro wont to tho dosk, draggod up a woodon cha|r,
and carotu||y p|acod hor backpack and can|stor on tho t|oor.
°Cottoo?' 1ohn askod hopotu||y.
°lo, thank you,' sho sa|d po||to|y, and pu||od tho t|rst stackod vo|umo toward hor.
lt was |ntorost|ng work, wh|ch was wo|rd, and tho vamp|ros bocamo |oss and |oss tr|ghton|ng tho moro sho was |n tho|r company. Ango|a was a
t|dgotor, a|ways tapp|ng hor toot or rost|oss|y bra|d|ng hor ha|r or stra|ghton|ng stacks ot books. 1ho vamp|ros soomod ass|gnod on|y as obsorvors,
as lrotossor W||son and C|a|ro t|n|shod oach mounta|n ot books, thoy took thom away, boxod thom, and brought now vo|umos to chock.
°Whoro do thoso como trom?' C|a|ro wondorod out |oud, and snoozod as sho oponod tho covor ot somoth|ng ca||od land log|stor ot Atascosa
County, wh|ch was t|||od w|th ant|quo, noat handwr|t|ng. lamos, datos, moasuromonts. loth|ng ||ko what thoy woro |ook|ng tor.
°Evorywhoro,' lrotossor W||son sa|d, and c|osod tho book ho'd t||ppod through. °3ocondhand storos. Ant|quo shops. 3ook doa|ors. 1hoy havo a
notwork around tho wor|d, and ovoryth|ng comos horo tor |nspoct|on. lt |t |sn't what thoy'ro |ook|ng tor, |t goos out aga|n. 1hoy ovon mako a prot|t on
|t, l'm to|d.' |o c|oarod h|s throat and ho|d up tho book ho'd boon |ook|ng at. °1ohn? 1h|s ono |s a t|rst-od|t|on low|s Carro||. l bo||ovo you shou|d put
|t as|do.'
1ohn ob||g|ng|y took |t and sot |t |n a p||o that C|a|ro thought was probab|y °raro and va|uab|o.'
°|ow |ong havo you boon do|ng th|s, lrotossor?' sho askod. |o |ookod t|rod.
°3ovon yoars,' ho sa|d. °|our hours a day. 3omoono w||| como |n to ro||ovo us soon.'
Us, moan|ng that sho'd got to wa|k out. Wo||, that was n|co. 3ho'd boon hop|ng that sho m|ght at |oast s||p a noto out w|th tho protossor, somoth|ng
a|ong tho ||nos ot l| YOU |ll0 VY 3O0Y, l WA3 KlllE0 3Y Vl33 lllK ll 1|E ll3lAlY, but that soundod too much ||ko somoth|ng out ot that
board gamo hor paronts ||kod so much.
°lo ta|k|ng |n c|ass,' 1ohn sa|d, and |aughod. Whon ho d|d, h|s tangs camo down. ||s woro |ongor than 3randon's, and |ookod scar|or, somohow.
C|a|ro gu|pod and tocusod on tho book |n tront ot hor. 1ho covor sa|d lat|vo Gra|ns ot tho low Wor|d. A who|o book about gra|n. Wow. 3ho
wondorod how lrotossor W||son had stayod sano a|| thoso yoars. Corn |s a mombor ot tho grass tam||y and |s nat|vo to tho Amor|can cont|nonts..
3ho t||ppod pagos. Voro about corn. 3ho d|dn't know you cou|d wr|to so much about ono p|ant.
3os|do hor, lrotossor W||son sworo sott|y undor h|s broath, and sho |ookod up, start|od. ||s taco had gono pa|o, oxcopt tor two rod spots h|gh |n
h|s chooks. |o qu|ck|y takod a sm||o and ho|d up a t|ngor str|pod w|th rod. °lapor cut,' ho sa|d. ||s vo|co soundod h|gh and t|ght, and C|a|ro
to||owod h|s staro to soo Ango|a and 1ohn mov|ng c|osor, watch|ng tho protossor's t|ngor w|th oor|o concontrat|on. °lt's noth|ng. loth|ng at a||.' |o
gropod |n h|s pockot, camo out w|th a handkorch|ot, and wrappod |t around h|s b|ood|od t|ngor. ln try|ng to attond to that, ho knockod tho book ho'd
boon rov|ow|ng to tho t|oor. C|a|ro automat|ca||y bont to p|ck |t up, but W||son's toot hookod around |t and scootod |t out ot hor roach. |o bont ovor
and |n tho darknoss undor tho dosk.sw|tchod books.
C|a|ro watchod, oponmouthod. What tho ho|| was ho do|ng? 3otoro sho cou|d do anyth|ng stup|d that m|ght g|vo h|m away, thoro was a d|ng trom
tho o|ovator across tho room, thon tho rumb|o ot opon|ng doors.
°Ah,' W||son sa|d w|th ov|dont ro||ot. °1|mo to go, thon.' |o roachod down, p|ckod up tho h|ddon book, and s||ppod |t |nto h|s |oathor satcho| w|th
such sk||| C|a|ro wasn't abso|uto|y suro sho'd soon |t. °Como a|ong, louborg.'
°lot hor,' 1ohn sa|d, sm|||ng choortu||y. °3ho gots to stay attor c|ass.'
°3ut-' C|a|ro b|t hor ||p and mado dosporato oyo contact w|th tho protossor, who trownod and sh|ttod h|s wo|ght trom ono toot to tho othor. °3|r,
can't l go w|th you? l|oaso?'
°Yos, ot courso,' ho sa|d. °Como a|ong, l sa|d. Vr. |argrovo, |t you don't ||ko |t, p|oaso tako |t up w|th managomont. l havo a c|ass.'
|o m|ght havo pu||od |t ott, too, |t Ango|a hadn't boon so sharp-oyod, or susp|c|ous, sho stoppod h|m ha|tway to tho o|ovator, oponod up h|s
portto||o, and took out tho book ho'd stashod away. 3ho |oatod through |t s||ont|y, thon handod |t to 1ohn, who d|d tho samo.
3oth ot thom |ookod at tho protossor w|th ca|m, coo|, odd|y p|oasod oyos.
°Wo||,' Ango|a sa|d, °l don't know, but l th|nk th|s may bo a v|o|at|on ot tho ru|os, lrotossor. 1ak|ng books trom tho ||brary w|thout chock|ng thom out
t|rst. 3hamo, shamo.'
3ho do||borato|y oponod tho t|rst pago and road, °lt was tho bost ot t|mos, |t was tho worst ot t|mos.' and thon t||ppod carotu||y through, stopp|ng at
random spots, to road ||nos ot toxt. lt a|| soundod r|ght to C|a|ro. 3ho t||nchod whon Ango|a pushod tho book at hor. °load,' tho vamp|ro sa|d.
°Um.whoro?'
°Anywhoro.'
C|a|ro roc|tod a tow ||nos |n a ta|tor|ng vo|co trom pago 220.
°A 1a|o ot 1wo C|t|os,' 1ohn sa|d. °lot mo guoss, lrotossor.a t|rst od|t|on?'
°V|nt cond|t|on,' Ango|a sa|d, and p|uckod |t out ot C|a|ro's tromb||ng hands. °l th|nk tho protossor has a n|co rot|romont p|an, composod ot
scrow|ng us out ot our r|ghttu| prot|ts.'
°|uh,' 1ohn sa|d. °|o d|dn't |ook qu|to so dumb as that. Got a|| thoso dogroos and stutt.'
°1hat's just papor smarts. You novor can to|| about what's roa||y |n tho|r hoads unt|| you opon thom up.' 1ho two ot thom woro ta|k|ng ||ko ho wasn't
ovon thoro.
lrotossor W||son's pa|o sk|n had a swoaty g|oam on |t now. °A momont ot woaknoss,' ho sa|d. °l roa||y do apo|og|zo. lt won't ovor happon aga|n, l
swoar that to you.'
°Apo|ogy accoptod,' Ango|a sa|d, and |ungod torward, p|antod hor hand on h|s chost, and knockod h|m t|at to tho t|oor. °And by tho way, l bo||ovo
you.'
3ho grabbod h|s wr|st, ra|sod |t to hor mouth, and pausod to str|p ott h|s go|d wr|stwatch band and toss |t on tho t|oor. As |t ro||od, C|a|ro's str|ckon
oyos caught s|ght ot tho symbo| on tho watch taco. A tr|ang|o. 0o|ta?
|or shock broko at tho sound ot tho protossor's scroam. Grown mon shou|dn't scroam ||ko that. lt just wasn't r|ght. |r|ght mado hor angry, and sho
droppod hor book bag, took tho can|stor ott hor shou|dor, and yankod ott tho top.
1hon sho throw ||qu|d n|trogon a|| ovor Ango|a's back. Whon 1ohn turnod on hor, snar||ng, sho sp|ashod what was |ott at h|s taco, a|m|ng tor h|s
oyos. W||son ro||od to h|s toot as Ango|a co||apsod, shr|ok|ng and thrash|ng, 1ohn roachod out tor h|m, but sho'd managod to hurt h|m, too-ho
m|ssod. W||son grabbod h|s satcho| and sho got hor book bag, thoy ran tor tho o|ovator. A vory surpr|sod protossor-somoono sho d|dn't
rocogn|zo-was stand|ng thoro, oponmouthod, W||son yo||od at h|m to stand as|do, |oapod |nto tho cago, and prossod tho 0OWl button so
trant|ca||y C|a|ro was atra|d |t wou|d snap or st|ck or somoth|ng.
1ho doors ro||od shut, and tho o|ovator bogan to ta||. C|a|ro tr|od to got hor broath|ng undor contro|, but |t was no good, sho was about to
hyporvont||ato. 3t|||, sho was do|ng bottor than tho protossor. |o |ookod awtu|, h|s taco was as gray as h|s ha|r, and ho was broath|ng |n sha||ow,
hard gasps.
°Oh doar,' ho sa|d woak|y. °1hat wasn't good.'
And thon ho s|ow|y co||apsod down tho wa|| ot tho o|ovator unt|| ho was |n a s|tt|ng pos|t|on, |ogs sp|ayod |ooso|y.
°lrotossor?' C|a|ro |ungod torward and hovorod ovor h|m.
°|oart,' ho pantod, and thon mado a chok|ng sound. 3ho |oosonod h|s t|o. 1hat d|dn't soom to ho|p. °l|ston. Vy houso. 3ooksho|t. 3|ack covor. Go.'
°lrotossor, ro|ax, |t's okay-'
°lo. Can't |ot thom havo |t. 3ooksho|t. 3|ack-'
||s oyos got vory w|do, and h|s back archod, and sho hoard h|m mako an awtu| no|so, and thon.
1hon ho just d|od. loth|ng dramat|c about |t, no b|g spoochos, no mus|c swo|||ng to to|| hor how to too| about |t. |o was just.gono, and ovon though
sho prossod hor shak|ng t|ngors to h|s nock, sho know sho wou|dn't too| anyth|ng, bocauso thoro was somoth|ng d|ttoront about h|m. |o was ||ko a
rubbor do||, not a porson.
1ho o|ovator doors oponod. C|a|ro gaspod, grabbod hor books and tho ompty s||vor can|stor, and spr|ntod down tho b|ank c|ndor-b|ock ha||way to
tho ond, whoro a t|ro door oponod |nto br|ght attornoon sun||ght.
3ho stood thoro tor a tow |ong soconds, just shak|ng and gasp|ng and cry|ng, and thon tr|od to th|nk whoro to go. Ango|a and 1ohn thought hor
namo was louborg, wh|ch was good-sho supposod not so good tor louborg, |t ono ox|stod-but thoy'd t|nd out who sho was ovontua||y. 3ho
noodod to bo homo botoro that happonod.
3ooksho|t. 3|ack covor.
lrotossor W||son had boon |n that room tor sovon yoars, sort|ng through books. lrobab|y s||pp|ng out thoso ho thought m|ght bo worth somoth|ng
on tho b|ack markot.
What |t.?
lo. lt cou|dn't bo.
Excopt.what |t |t was? What |t a yoar ago, or t|vo yoars ago, lrotossor W||son had tound that book tho vamp|ros woro so |ntont on hav|ng, and
doc|dod to hang on to |t tor a ra|ny day? Attor a||, sho'd boon bas|ca||y p|ann|ng to do tho samo th|ng, on|y tor hor |t was a|roady stormy woathor.
3ho noodod h|s addross.
lt wasn't tar to tho Commun|cat|onArts3u||d|ng, and sho ran as much ot tho way as sho cou|d botoro tho pa|n |n hor st|||-bru|sod ank|o and st|||-raw
back mado hor s|ow down. 1wo t||ghts ot stops brought hor to tho ott|cos, and sho passod up lrotossor W||son's c|osod and |ockod ott|co to stop
noxt to tho c|uttorod dosk out |n tho opon botwoon tho corr|dors. 1ho namop|ato road vlvlAl 3AV3Ol, but ovoryono just ca||od hor 0ragon lady,
and tho woman s|tt|ng boh|nd |t had oarnod tho namo. 3ho was o|d, tat, and |ogondar||y bad-tomporod. 1horo was no smok|ng |n a|| un|vors|ty
bu||d|ngs, but tho 0ragon lady had an ovort|ow|ng ashtray on tho cornor ot hor dosk and a g|ow|ng c|garotto hang|ng out ot tho cornor ot hor rod-
pa|ntod ||ps. 3ooh|vo ha|r, stra|ght out ot o|d mov|os. 3ho had a computor, but |t wasn't turnod on, and as tar as C|a|ro cou|d to|| trom tho two-|nch-
|ong br|ght rod na||s, tho 0ragon lady d|dn't typo, o|thor.
3ho |gnorod C|a|ro and kopt on road|ng tho magaz|no opon |n tront ot hor.
°Um-oxcuso mo?' C|a|ro askod. 3ho to|t st|cky w|th swoat trom tho run |n tho hoat, and st||| k|nd ot s|ck trom what had happonod at tho ||brary. 1ho
0ragon lady turnod a pago |n hor magaz|no. °l just nood-'
°l'm on broak.' 1ho rod-c|awod hand took tho c|garotto out ot tho rod-pa|ntod mouth tor a tr|p to tho ashtray to shod somo oxcoss. °lot ovon
supposod to bo horo today. 0amn grad studonts. Como back |n ha|t an hour.'
°3ut-'
°lo buts. l'm on broak. 3hoo.'
°3ut lrotossor W||son sont mo to got somoth|ng trom h|s houso, but ho d|dn't g|vo mo tho addross. l|oaso-'
3ho s|appod tho magaz|no c|osod. °Oh, tor God's sako. l'm go|ng to wr|ng h|s nock whon ho gots back horo. |oro.' 3ho grabbod a card trom tho
ho|dor on hor dosk and p|tchod |t at C|a|ro, g|ar|ng. °lt you'ro somo nutcaso, |t's not my prob|om. You to|| ||s ||ghnoss that |t ho wants to ro|| around
w|th undorgrads, ho can damn wo|| romombor to to|| thom h|s own damn addross trom now on. Got |t?'
°Got |t,' C|a|ro sa|d |n a vory sma|| vo|co. lo|| around w|th. 3ho wasn't go|ng to th|nk about that. lot at a||. °1hank you.'
1ho 0ragon lady puttod a c|oud ot smoko out ot both nostr||s and ra|sod oyobrows p|uckod |nto moro ot a suggost|on than an actua| torm. °You'ro a
po||to ono. Go on, got out ot horo botoro l romombor l'm supposod to bo ott today.'
C|a|ro oscapod, c|utch|ng tho card |n hor swoaty t|ngors.

°Y ou know,' 3hano sa|d twonty m|nutos |ator, °l'd too| a who|o |ot bottor about tho two ot us |t you d|dn't th|nk l was tho go-to guy tor broak|ng and
ontor|ng.'
1hoy woro stand|ng on tho protossor's back porch, and C|a|ro was poor|ng through a murky w|ndow |nto an oqua||y murky ||v|ng room. 3ho to|t a
t|ash ot gu||t about tho broak|ng-and-ontor|ng part-but sho had ca||od h|m-just botoro hor hoart d|d a tunny ||tt|o pa|ntu| t||p and sho hoard h|m say
aga|n |n hor hoad tho two ot us.
3ho d|dn't daro |ook at h|m. 3uro|y ho d|dn't moan that, oxact|y. 1hat moant, you know, tr|ondsh|p or somoth|ng. |o troatod hor ||ko a k|d. l|ko h|s
s|stor. |o d|dn't-ho cou|dn't-
3ut what |t ho cou|d?
And sho cou|dn't bo||ovo sho was th|nk|ng th|s now, on tho doorstop ot a doad man. 1ho momory ot lrotossor W||son's ||mp, rubbory body stoad|od
hor, and sho was ab|o to t|na||y stand back trom tho w|ndow and moot 3hano's oyos w|thout t|uttor|ng ||ko somo scarod sparrow. °Wo||, l cou|dn't
ask Evo,' sho sa|d roasonab|y. °3ho's at work.'
°Vakos sonso. |oy, |ook, what's that?' 3hano po|ntod. 3ho wh|r|od to staro. 1horo was a sound ot t|nk||ng g|ass boh|nd hor, and whon sho turnod
back ho was opon|ng tho back door. °1horo. low you can say you d|dn't know l was go|ng to do |t. Cr|mo troo.'
Wo||, not oxact|y. 3ho was st||| carry|ng tho mota| cy||ndor ovor hor shou|dor. 3ho wondorod |t tho vamp|ros had rocovorod yot, and |t anybody had
thought to quost|on tho 1A at tho chom |ab. 3ho hopod not. |o was n|co, and |n h|s own way ho was bravo, but sho had no |||us|ons that ho wou|dn't
so|| hor out |n a hot socond. 1horo woron't a who|o |ot ot horoos |ott |n Vorganv|||o.
Ono ot tho |ast ot thom turnod |n tho doorway and sa|d, °ln or out, k|d, day||ght's burn|ng.'
3ho to||owod 3hano ovor tho throsho|d |nto lrotossor W||son's houso.
lt was k|nd ot wo|rd, roa||y-sho cou|d soo that ho'd boon horo hours ago, ||v|ng h|s ||to, and now tho houso soomod ||ko |t was wa|t|ng tor h|m.
Vaybo not so much wo|rd as sad. 1hoy camo |n through tho k|tchon, and thoro was a coroa| bow|, a g|ass, and a cottoo cup |n tho d|sh stra|nor. 1ho
protossor had oaton broaktast, at |oast. Whon sho touchod tho towo| undornoath tho stra|nor, |t was st||| damp.
°|oy,' 3hano sa|d. °3o what aro wo |ook|ng tor |n horo?'
°3ooksho|vos,' sho sa|d.
°Yo. |ound 'om.' |o soundod odd. 3ho to||owod h|m |nto tho noxt room-tho ||v|ng room-and to|t hor stomach s|nk a ||tt|o. Why hadn't sho thought
about th|s? |o was a protossor. Ot courso ho'd havo a jaz||||on books.and thoro woro, t|oor to co|||ng, a|| tho way around tho room. Crammod |n
togothor. 3tackod on tho t|oor |n p|acos. 3tackod on tab|os. 3ho'd thought tho G|ass |ouso was a roador's parad|so, but th|s.
°Wo havo two hours,' 3hano sa|d. °1hon wo'ro gono. l don't want to r|sk you out on tho stroot attor dark.'
3ho noddod numb|y and wont to tho t|rst sot ot sho|vos. °|o sa|d |t had a b|ack covor. Vaybo that w||| ho|p.'
3ut |t d|dn't. 3ho bogan pu|||ng out a|| tho b|ack-bound books and p|||ng thom on tho tab|o, 3hano d|d tho samo. 3y tho t|mo thoy'd mot |n tho m|dd|o
ot tho sho|vos, an hour had passod, and tho p||o was hugo. °What tho ho|| aro wo |ook|ng tor?' ho askod, star|ng at |t. 3ho d|dn't supposo l don't
know wou|d bo an answor that wou|d got any rospoct.
°You know tho tattoo on Evo's arm?'
3hano actod ||ko sho'd stuck h|m |n tho butt w|th a tork. °Wo'ro |ook|ng tor tho book? |oro?'
°l-' 3ho gavo up. °l don't know. Vaybo. lt's worth a try.'
|o just shook h|s hoad, h|s oxpross|on somoth|ng botwoon You'ro crazy and You'ro amaz|ng. 3ut not |n a good way. 3ho pu||od up a cha|r and
bogan |oat|ng through tho books, ono attor anothor. loth|ng.noth|ng.noth|ng.
°C|a|ro.' 3hano soundod odd. |o handod hor a b|ack |oathor-bound book. °1ako a |ook.'
lt was too now. 1hoy woro |ook|ng tor an o|d book, r|ght? 1h|s was.th|s was a |o|y 3|b|o. W|th a cross on tho tront.
°look |ns|do,' ho sa|d. 3ho oponod |t. 1ho t|rst tow go|d-|oatod pagos woro standard, tho samo tam|||ar words sho'd grown up w|th, and st|||
bo||ovod. Evo had sa|d thoy had a tow churchos |n Vorganv|||o, r|ght? Vaybo thoy had sorv|cos. 3ho'd havo to chock.
V|dway through Exodus, tho pagos wont ho||ow, and thoro was a t|ny ||tt|o vo|umo h|ddon |ns|do tho 3|b|o. O|d. vory o|d. 1ho covor was wator-
sta|nod d|rty |oathor, and scratchod |nto |t was a symbo|.
1ho symbo|.
C|a|ro pu||od |t out ot tho 3|b|o and oponod |t.
°Wo||?' 3hano domandod attor a tow soconds. °What about |t?'
°lt's-' 3ho swa||owod hard. °lt's |n lat|n.'
°3o? What doos |t say?'
°l don't road lat|n!'
°You'ro k|dd|ng. l thought a|| gon|usos road lat|n. lsn't that tho |ntornat|ona| |anguago tor smart poop|o?'
3ho p|ckod up a book w|thout |ook|ng and throw |t at h|m. |o duckod. lt t|oppod to tho t|oor. C|a|ro t||ppod pagos |n tho sma|| vo|umo. lt was
handwr|tton |n tadod, coppory |nk, tho k|nd ot boaut|tu| portoct wr|t|ng trom hundrods ot yoars ago.
3ho was actua||y ho|d|ng |t |n hor hands.
And horo sho'd boon |ntond|ng to just tako |t.
°Wo'd bottor got go|ng,' 3hano sa|d. °3or|ous|y. l don't want to bo horo whon tho cops como ca|||ng.'
°You th|nk thoy w|||?'
°Wo||, |t doar o|d lrot W||son koo|od ovor attor stoa||ng tho vamp|ros b||nd, yoah, l th|nk thoy'|| sond a coup|o ot cops ovor to |nvontory tho good|os.
3o wo'd bottor movo |t.'
3ho stuttod tho journa| back |nto tho 3|b|o and startod to put |t |nto hor backpack, thon pausod |n outr|ght dospa|r. 1oo much stutt. °Wo nood anothor
bag,' sho sa|d. °3omoth|ng sma||.'
3hano camo up w|th a p|ast|c grocory sack trom tho k|tchon, stuck tho 3|b|o |ns|do, and hust|od hor out. 3ho |ookod back at lrotossor W||son's
|ono|y ||v|ng room ono |ast t|mo. A c|ock t|ckod on tho manto|, and ovoryth|ng wa|tod tor a ||to that wou|d novor start up aga|n.
3ho was r|ght. lt was sad.
°lun t|rst,' 3hano sa|d. °Vourn |ator.'
lt was tho portoct motto tor Vorganv|||o.
1hoy mado |t back homo w|th ha|t an hour or so to sparo, but as thoy turnod tho cornor on

, whoro tho Goth|c bu|k ot tho G|ass |ouso protty much dwartod a|| ot tho othor, nowor housos around |t, C|a|ro's oyos wont |mmod|ato|y to tho b|uo
3Uv s|tt|ng at tho curb. lt |ookod tam|||ar..
°Oh my God,' sho sa|d, and stoppod doad |n hor tracks.
°Okay, stopp|ng? lot a groat |doa. Como on, C|a|ro, |ot's-'
°1hat's my paronts' car!' sho sa|d. °Vy paronts aro horo! Oh my God!' 3ho pract|ca||y squoa|od that |ast part, and wou|d havo turnod around and run
away, but 3hano grabbod hor by tho nock ot hor sh|rt and hau|od hor around.
°3ottor got |t ovor w|th,' ho sa|d. °lt thoy trackod you th|s tar, thoy'ro not go|ng to dr|vo ott w|thout say|ng ho||o.'
°Oh, man! lot go!' |o d|d. 3ho tw|tchod hor sh|rt down ovor hor shou|dors and g|arod at h|m, and ho d|d an oxtravagant bow.
°You t|rst,' ho sa|d. °l'm watch|ng your back.'
3ho was, at |oast tomporar||y, moro worr|od about hor tront.
Whon sho crackod opon tho door to tho houso, sho cou|d hoar Evo's anx|ous vo|co. °l'm suro sho'|| bo horo any t|mo-sho's, you know, at c|ass,
and-'
°Young |ady, my daughtor |s not |n c|ass. l'vo boon to hor c|assos. 3ho hasn't boon to c|ass tho ont|ro attornoon. low, aro you go|ng to to|| mo whoro
sho |s, or do l havo to ca|| tho po||co?'
0ad soundod p|ssod. C|a|ro swa||owod hard, ros|stod tho urgo to back up and c|oso tho door and run away-ma|n|y bocauso 3hano was r|ght
boh|nd hor, and ho was t|nd|ng th|s way too tunny to |ot hor oscapo-and wa|kod down tho ha|| toward tho vo|cos. 1ust Evo and 0ad, so tar. Whoro
was-
°C|a|ro!' 3ho'd know that shr|ok ot ro||ot anywhoro. 3otoro sho cou|d say ||, Vom, sho was bur|od |n a hug and a wavo ot l'Oroa| portumo. 1ho
portumo stayod |ongor than tho hug, wh|ch morphod |nto C|a|ro's bo|ng ho|d at arm's |ongth and shakon ||ko a rag do||. °C|a|ro, what havo you boon
do|ng? What aro you do|ng horo?'
°Vom-'
°Wo woro so worr|od about you attor that torr|b|o acc|dont, but los cou|dn't got ott work unt|| today-'
°lt wasn't that b|g a doa|, Vom-'
°And wo just had to como up and soo you, but your room |s ompty |n tho dorm. You woron't |n c|assos-C|a|ro, what's happonod to you? l can't
bo||ovo you'd do somoth|ng ||ko th|s!'
°l|ko what?' sho askod, s|gh|ng. °Vom, wou|d you qu|t shak|ng mo? l'm gott|ng d|zzy.'
Vom |ot go and to|dod hor arms. 3ho wasn't vory ta||-just a coup|o ot |nchos ovor C|a|ro's ho|ght, ovon |n m|dhoo|od shoos-and 0ad, who was
g|owor|ng at 3hano |n tho background, was as ta|| and tw|co as broad. °ls |t h|m?' 0ad askod. °0|d ho got you |nto troub|o?'
°lot mo,' 3hano sa|d. °l'vo just got that k|nd ot taco.'
°3hut up!' C|a|ro h|ssod. 3ho cou|d hoar that ho thought a|| th|s was tunny. 3ho d|dn't. °3hano's just a tr|ond, 0ad. l|ko Evo.'
°Evo?' |or paronts |ookod at oach othor b|ank|y. °You moan-' As ono, thoy cast horr|t|od g|ancos at Evo, who was stand|ng w|th hor hands to|dod,
try|ng to |ook as domuro as |t was poss|b|o to |ook wh||o woar|ng an outt|t that |ookod ||ko somoth|ng a Goth ba||or|na m|ght woar-a|| b|ack nott|ng
|n tho sk|rt and rod sat|n up top. 3ho sm||od swoot|y, but |t was k|nd ot spo||od by tho rod ||pst|ck (had sho borrowod V|randa's?) and sku|| oarr|ngs.
Vom sa|d ta|nt|y, °C|a|ro, you usod to havo such n|co tr|onds. What happonod to E||zaboth?'
°3ho wont to 1oxas A8V, Vom.'
°1hat's no roason not to st||| bo tr|onds.'
Vom |og|c. C|a|ro doc|dod that 3hano had boon r|ght-thoro was no gott|ng out ot th|s ono. 3ho m|ght as wo|| jump |nto tho poo|, tho sharks woro
c|rc||ng no mattor what sho d|d. °Vom, Evo and 3hano aro two ot my roommatos. |oro. ln th|s houso.'
3||onco. Vom and 0ad |ookod trozon. °los?' Vom askod. °0|d sho say sho was ||v|ng horo?'
°Young |ady, you aro not ||v|ng horo,' 0ad sa|d. °You ||vo |n tho dorm.'
°l'm not. l'm ||v|ng horo, and that's my doc|s|on.'
°1hat's |||oga|! 1ho ru|os sa|d that you havo to ||vo on campus, C|a|ro. You can't just-'
Outs|do tho w|ndows, n|ght was s||pp|ng up on thom, stoa|thy and qu|ck as an assass|n. °l can,' C|a|ro sa|d. °l d|d. l'm not go|ng back thoro.'
°Wo||, l'm not pay|ng good monoy just to havo you squat |n somo o|d wrock w|th a bunch ot-' 0ad was at a |oss tor words to doscr|bo how ||tt|o ho
thought ot Evo and 3hano. °|r|onds! And aro thoy ovon |n schoo|?'
°l'm curront|y botwoon majors,' 3hano ottorod.
°3hut up!' C|a|ro was noar|y |n toars now.
°A|| r|ght, that's |t. Got your th|ngs, C|a|ro. You'ro com|ng w|th us.'
A|| tho amusomont tadod out ot 3hano's taco. °lo, sho |sn't,' ho sa|d. °lot at n|ght. 3orry.'
0ad got rod-tacod and ovon moro tur|ous, and |ovo|od a t|ngor at hor. °ls th|s why you'ro horo? O|dor boys? l|v|ng undor tho samo root?'
°Oh, C|a|ro,' Vom s|ghod. °You'ro too young tor th|s. You-'
°3hano,' 3hano supp||od.
°3hano, l'm suro you'ro a portoct|y n|co boy'-sho d|dn't sound ospoc|a||y conv|ncod-°but you havo to undorstand that C|a|ro |s a vory spoc|a| g|r|,
and sho's vory young.'
°3ho's a k|d!' 0ad |ntorruptod. °3ho's s|xtoon! And |t you took advantago ot hor-'
°0ad!' C|a|ro thought hor taco m|ght bo just as rod as h|s, tor vory d|ttoront roasons. °Enough a|roady! 3hano's my tr|ond! 3top ombarrass|ng mo!'
°Embarrass|ng you? C|a|ro, how do you th|nk wo too|?' 0ad roarod.
ln tho s||onco, C|a|ro hoard V|chao| say m||d|y, trom tho sta|rs, °l th|nk maybo wo'd a|| bottor s|t down.'
1hoy d|dn't a|| s|t down. 3hano and Evo oscapod to tho k|tchon, whoro C|a|ro hoard a c|attor|ng ot pots and tur|ous wh|spor|ng, sho was s|tt|ng
uncomtortab|y on tho couch botwoon hor paronta| bookonds, |ook|ng mourntu||y at V|chao|, who was s|tt|ng |n tho armcha|r. |o |ookod ca|m and
co||octod, but thon, ho wou|d. Vom, 0ad, th|s |s V|chao|, ho's a doad guy.. Yoah, that wou|d roa||y ho|p.
°Vy namo |s V|chao| G|ass,' ho sa|d, and oxtondod h|s hand to C|a|ro's dad ||ko an oqua|. 0ad, surpr|sod, took |t and shook. °You'vo a|roady mot
our othor two roommatos, Evo lossor and 3hano Co|||ns. 3|r, l know you'ro concornod about C|a|ro. You shou|d bo. 3ho's on hor own tor tho t|rst
t|mo, and sho's youngor than most k|ds com|ng to co||ogo. l don't b|amo you tor bo|ng worr|od.'
0ad, dotusod, sott|od tor |ook|ng stubborn. °And who tho hock aro you, V|chao| G|ass?'
°l own th|s houso,' ho sa|d. °l ront a room to your daughtor.'
°|ow o|d aro you?'
°A ||tt|o ovor o|ghtoon. 3o aro 3hano and Evo. Wo'vo known oach othor a |ong t|mo, and to bo honost, wo d|dn't roa||y want to |ot anothor porson
|nto tho houso, but.' V|chao| shruggod. °Wo had an ompty bodroom, and sp||tt|ng costs tour ways |s bottor. l thought a |ong t|mo about |ott|ng
C|a|ro stay horo. Wo had houso moot|ngs about |t.'
C|a|ro b||nkod at h|m. |o had? 1hoy d|d?
°Vy daughtor's a m|nor,' 0ad sa|d. °l'm not happy about th|s. lot at a||.'
°3|r, l undorstand. l wasn't too happy about |t, o|thor. Evon hav|ng hor horo |s a r|sk tor us, you undorstand.' V|chao| d|dn't havo to go |nto |t, C|a|ro
saw, hor dad tota||y got |t. °3ut sho noodod us, and wo cou|dn't turn hor away.'
°You moan you cou|dn't turn hor monoy away,' 0ad sa|d, trown|ng. |or answor, V|chao| got up, wont to a woodon box s|tt|ng on tho sho|t, and took
out an onvo|opo. |o handod |t to 0ad.
°1hat's what sho pa|d mo,' ho sa|d. °1ho who|o amount. l kopt |t |n caso sho wantod to |oavo. 1h|s wasn't about monoy, Vr. 0anvors. lt was about
C|a|ro's satoty.'
V|chao| g|ancod across at hor, and sho b|t hor ||p. 3ho'd boon hop|ng to avo|d th|s-dosporato|y hop|ng-but sho cou|dn't soo any way out now.
3ho noddod s||ght|y and s|umpod back on tho couch cush|ons, try|ng to mako horso|t sma||. 3ma||or.
°C|a|ro's dorm was g|r|s-on|y,' C|a|ro's mom put |n. 3ho roachod ovor to stroko C|a|ro's ha|r absont|y, tho way sho d|d whon C|a|ro was ||tt|o. C|a|ro
ondurod |t. Actua||y, sho socrot|y ||kod |t, a ||tt|o, and had to t|ght not to ro|ax aga|nst Vom's s|do and |ot horso|t bo huggod. lrotoctod. °3ho was
sato, wasn't sho? 1hat Von|ca g|r| sa|d-'
°You ta|kod to Von|ca?' C|a|ro sa|d sharp|y, and |ookod w|do-oyod at hor mothor. Vom trownod a ||tt|o, dark oyos concornod.
°Yos, ot courso l d|d. l was try|ng to t|nd out whoro you'd gono, and Von|ca was vory ho|ptu|.'
°l'|| bot,' C|a|ro muttorod. 1ho |doa ot Von|ca stand|ng thoro sm|||ng at hor mom-|ook|ng |nnocont and n|co, probab|y-was s|ckon|ng.
°3ho sa|d you woro stay|ng horo,' Vom t|n|shod, st||| trown|ng. °C|a|ro, honoy, why wou|d you |oavo tho dorm? l know you'ro not a s|||y g|r|. You
wou|dn't do |t |t you d|dn't havo a roason.'
V|chao| sa|d, °3ho d|d. 3ho was bo|ng hazod.'
°|azod?' Vom ropoatod tho word ||ko sho had no |doa what |t moant.
°|rom what C|a|ro to|d mo, |t startod sma||-a|| tho troshmon g|r|s got |t trom tho o|dor onos. lasty stutt, but not dangorous. 3ut sho got on tho wrong
s|do ot tho wrong g|r|, and sho was gott|ng hurt.'
°|urt?' 1hat was 0ad, who now had somoth|ng to ho|d on to.
°Whon sho camo horo, sho had bru|sos ||ko a road map,' V|chao| sa|d. °1o bo honost, l wantod to ca|| tho cops. 3ho wou|dn't |ot mo. 3ut l cou|dn't
|ot hor go back thoro. 3ho wasn't just gott|ng knockod around.. l th|nk hor ||to was |n dangor.'
Vom's hand had trozon |n C|a|ro's ha|r, and sho |ot out a ||tt|o moan.
°lt's not that bad,' C|a|ro ottorod. °l moan, |ook, noth|ng brokon or anyth|ng. l had a soro ank|o tor a wh||o, and a b|ack oyo, but-'
°A b|ack oyo?'
°lt's gono. 3oo?' 3ho battod hor oyo|ashos. Vom's gazo soarchod hor taco w|th agon|z|ng caro. °|onost, |t's ovor. 0ono. Evoryth|ng's t|no now.'
°lo,' V|chao| sa|d. °lt's not. 3ut C|a|ro's hand||ng |t, and wo'ro watch|ng out tor hor. 3hano ospoc|a||y. |o-ho had a ||tt|o s|stor, and ho's takon an
|ntorost |n mak|ng suro C|a|ro stays sato. 3ut moro than that, l th|nk C|a|ro's tak|ng caro ot horso|t. And that's what sho has to |oarn, don't you
agroo?' V|chao| |oanod torward, hands |ooso|y c|aspod, o|bows on h|s knoos. ln tho g|ow ot tho |amps, h|s ha|r was r|ch go|d, h|s oyos ango| b|uo. lt
anybody ovor |ookod trustworthy, |t was V|chao| G|ass.
Ot courso, ho was doad and a||, wh|ch C|a|ro had to b|to hor tonguo not to b|urt out |n shoor a|torod-stato pan|c.
Vom and 0ad woro th|nk|ng. 3ho know sho had to say somoth|ng.somoth|ng |mportant. 3omoth|ng that wou|d mako thom not drag hor homo by
tho oar.
°l can't |oavo,' sho sa|d. lt camo trom hor hoart, and sho moant ovory word. |or vo|co stayod abso|uto|y stoady, too-tor onco. °Vom, 0ad, l know
that you'ro atra|d tor mo, and l-l |ovo you. 3ut l nood to stay horo. V|chao| |sn't to|||ng you th|s, but thoy put thomso|vos on tho ||no tor mo, and l owo
|t to thom to stay unt|| |t's sott|od and l'm suro thoy won't got |n troub|o tor mo. lt's what l havo to do, you undorstand? And l can do |t. l havo to.'
°C|a|ro,' Vom sa|d |n a sma||, chokod vo|co. °You'ro s|xtoon! You'ro a ch||d!'
°l'm not,' sho sa|d s|mp|y. °l'm s|xtoon and a ha|t, and l'm not g|v|ng up. l novor havo. You know that.'
1hoy d|d. C|a|ro had tought a|| hor ||to aga|nst tho odds, and both hor paronts know |t. 1hoy know how stubborn sho was. Voro, thoy know how
|mportant |t was to hor.
°l don't ||ko th|s,' hor dad sa|d, but ho soundod unhappy now, not angry. °l don't ||ko you ||v|ng w|th o|dor boys. Ott campus. And l want thoso poop|o
who hurt you stoppod.'
°1hon l havo to stop thom,' C|a|ro sa|d. °lt's my prob|om. And thoro aro othor g|r|s |n that dorm gott|ng hurt, too, so |t |sn't just about mo. l nood to do
|t tor thom, too.'
V|chao| ra|sod h|s oyobrows s||ght|y, but d|dn't answor. Vom w|pod at hor oyos w|th a handkorch|ot. Evo appoarod |n tho doorway woar|ng a hugo
apron w|th a rod-||ps omb|om that road Kl33 1|E COOK, poorod uncorta|n|y at thom, and gavo C|a|ro's paronts a norvous sm||o.
°0|nnor's roady!' sho sa|d.
°Oh, wo cou|dn't,' Vom sa|d.
°1ho hock wo can't,' 0ad sa|d. °l'm starvod. ls that ch|||?'
0|nnor was uncomtortab|o. 0ad mado noncomm|tta| grunts about tho qua||ty ot tho ch|||. 3hano |ookod ||ko ho was baro|y ho|d|ng on to h|s |aughtor
most ot tho t|mo. Evo was so norvous that C|a|ro thought sho wou|d j|ttor r|ght out ot tho cha|r, and V|chao|.V|chao| was tho ca|m ono. 1ho adu|t.
C|a|ro had novor to|t moro ||ko tho k|d at tho b|g tab|o |n hor ||to.
°3o, V|chao|,' C|a|ro's mothor sa|d, n|bb||ng at a spoontu| ot ch|||, °what |s |t you do?'
|aunts tho houso whoro ho d|od, C|a|ro thought, and b|t hor ||p. 3ho took a tast s|p ot hor co|a.
°l'm a mus|c|an,' ho sa|d.
°Oh roa||y?' 3ho br|ghtonod up. °What do you p|ay? l |ovo c|ass|ca| mus|c!'
low ovon V|chao| |ookod uncomtortab|o. 3hano coughod |nto h|s napk|n and dra|nod Coko |n hugo gu|ps to drown out h|s h|ccup|ng |aughtor.
°l|ano and gu|tar,' ho sa|d. °3ut most|y gu|tar. Acoust|c and o|octr|c.'
°|umph,' C|a|ro's dad sa|d. °Any good?'
3hano's shou|dors woro shak|ng.
°l don't know,' V|chao| sa|d. °l work hard at |t.'
°|o's vory good!' Evo jumpod |n, oyos br|ght and t|ash|ng. °|onost|y, V|chao|, you shou|d qu|t bo|ng so humb|o. You'ro roa||y groat. lt's just a mattor
ot t|mo botoro you roa||y do somoth|ng b|g, and you know |t!'
V|chao| |ookod.b|ank. Expross|on|oss. 1hat d|dn't qu|to h|do tho pa|n, C|a|ro thought. °3omoday,' ho sa|d, and shruggod. °|oy, 3hano, thanks tor
d|nnor. Good stutt.'
°Yoah,' Evo sa|d. °lot bad.'
°3p|cy,' 0ad sa|d, as |t that was a t|aw. C|a|ro know tor a tact ho ord|nar||y addod 1abasco to ha|t ot what ho ato. °V|nd |t l got a rot|||?'
Evo jumpod up ||ko a jack-|n-tho-box. °l'|| got |t!' 3ut 0ad was at tho ond ot tho tab|o, c|osost to tho k|tchon, and ho was a|roady on h|s toot and
hoad|ng that d|roct|on.
V|chao| and 3hano oxchangod |ooks. C|a|ro trownod, try|ng to t|guro out what thoy woro |ook|ng so a|armod about.
1hoy sat |n s||onco as tho rotr|gorator oponod, bott|os ratt|od, and thon |t c|osod. 0ad camo back, ono co|d-trostod Coko |n h|s hand.
ln h|s othor hand ho ho|d a boor. |o sat |t |n tho contor ot tho tab|o and g|arod at V|chao|.
°You want to oxp|a|n why thoro's boor |n a rotr|gorator w|th a s|xtoon-yoar-o|d |n tho houso?' ho askod. °lot to mont|on that nono ot you |s o|d
onough to bo dr|nk|ng |t!'
Wo||, that was that. 3omo days, C|a|ro thought, you just cou|dn't w|n.
3ho had two days, and on|y bocauso 0ad agrood to a||ow hor to go to tho adm|ss|ons ott|co and t||o transtor paporwork. V|chao| tr|od h|s bost, but
ovon ango||c good |ooks and comp|oto s|ncor|ty woron't good onough th|s t|mo. 3hano had stoppod t|nd|ng |t amus|ng at somo po|nt, and startod
yo|||ng. Evo had gono to hor room.
C|a|ro had cr|od. A |ot. |ur|ous|y.
3ho was so angry, |n tact, that sho baro|y carod that Vom and 0ad woro go|ng to bo dr|v|ng out ot Vorganv|||o |n tho dark, unprotoctod and
unwarnod. V|chao| took caro ot that, though, w|th a story about carjackors stoa||ng 3Uvs |n tho aroa. 1hat was tho bost anyono cou|d do, and moro
than C|a|ro wantod, anyway.
0ad had |ookod at hor ||ko sho was a d|sappo|ntmont.
3ho'd novor, ovor boon a d|sappo|ntmont botoro, and |t tota||y p|ssod hor ott, bocauso sho d|dn't dosorvo |t, not ono b|t.
V|chao| and 3hano stood |n tho doorway, watch|ng hor paronts hurry to tho|r 3Uv |n tho dark. 3hano, sho saw, had a b|g hand-carvod cross, and
ho was roady to chargo to tho roscuo, ovon though ho was mad as ho||. |o d|dn't nood to, though. Vom and 0ad got |n tho|r truck and drovo away,
|nto tho hushod Vorganv|||o n|ght, and V|chao| c|osod and |ockod tho door and turnod to |ook at C|a|ro.
°3orry,' ho sa|d. °1hat cou|d havo boon bottor.'
°You th|nk?' sho shot back. |or oyos woro swo||on and hot, and sho to|t ||ko sho m|ght v|brato apart, sho was so mad. °l'm not |oav|ng! lo way!'
°C|a|ro.' V|chao| roachod out and put h|s hands on hor shou|dors. °Unt|| you'ro o|ghtoon, you roa||y don't havo tho r|ght to say that, okay? l know,
you'ro a|most sovontoon, you'ro smartor than n|noty porcont ot tho poop|o |n tho wor|d-'
°Ono hundrod porcont smartor than anybody o|so |n th|s houso,' 3hano sa|d.
°-but that doosn't mattor. lt w|||, but |t doosn't r|ght now. You nood to do what thoy say. lt you doc|do to t|ght thom, |t's go|ng to got ug|y, and C|a|ro,
wo can't attord |t. l can't attord |t. You undorstand?' |o soarchod hor oyos, and sho had to nod. °3orry. 3o||ovo mo, |t |sn't tho way l wantod |t to
happon, but at |oast you'|| bo out ot Vorganv|||o. You'|| bo sato.'
|o huggod hor. 3ho to|t hor broath |oavo tor a socond, and thon ho was gono, wa|k|ng away.
3ho |ookod at 3hano.
°Wo||, l'm not hugg|ng you,' ho sa|d. |o was stand|ng c|oso to hor, so c|oso sho had to crano hor nock way up to moot h|s oyos. And tor a |ong tow
soconds, thoy d|dn't say anyth|ng, ho just.watchod hor. ln tho ||v|ng room, sho hoard Evo ta|k|ng to V|chao|, but horo |n tho ha||way |t was vory
qu|ot. 3ho cou|d hoar tho tast pound|ng ot hor hoart, and wondorod |t ho cou|d hoar |t, too.
°C|a|ro-,' ho t|na||y sa|d.
°l know,' sho sa|d. °l'm s|xtoon. |oard |t a|roady.'
|o put h|s arms around hor. lot tho way V|chao| had, oxact|y-sho d|dn't know why |t was d|ttoront, but |t was. 1h|s wasn't a hug, |t was-|t to|t-
c|oso.
|o wasn't ho|d|ng h|mso|t back, that was |t. And sho ro|axod aga|nst h|m w|th a broath|oss s|gh, chook aga|nst h|s chost, a|most purr|ng w|th ro||ot.
|o rostod h|s ch|n on tho top ot hor hoad. 3ho to|t so sma|| noxt to h|m, but that was a|| r|ght. lt d|dn't mako hor too| woak.
°l'm go|ng to m|ss you,' ho wh|sporod, and sho |oanod back to |ook up at h|m aga|n.
°loa||y?'
°Yoah.' 3ho thought-roa||y thought-that ho was go|ng to k|ss hor, but just thon, sho hoard Evo ca||, °3hano!' and ho t||nchod and pu||od back, and
tho o|d 3hano, tho cocky 3hano, was back. °You mado th|ngs oxc|t|ng around horo.'
|o |opod ott down tho ha||, and sho to|t a puro burst ot tury.
3oys. Why woro thoy a|ways such dumbassos?
1ho n|ght d|d |ts usua| tr|cks-croopy croak|ng sounds upsta|rs, w|nd h|ss|ng at tho w|ndows, branchos tapp|ng. C|a|ro cou|dn't s|oop. 3ho cou|dn't
got usod to tho |doa that th|s room, th|s |ovo|y room, was hors tor on|y two moro n|ghts, and thon sho'd bo cartod ott, hum|||atod and dotoatod, back
homo. lo way wou|d hor paronts |ot hor go anywhoro now. 3ho'd havo to wa|t out tho noxt yoar and a ha|t, wh|ch moant that hor adm|ss|on
paporwork wou|d havo to bo rodono, and sho'd havo to start a|| ovor..
At |oast |t d|dn't mattor now |t sho b|ow ott c|assos, sho thought, and punchod hor p|||ow |nto a moro comtortab|o shapo. 3ovora| t|mos.
lt sho'd boon as|oop-ovon a ||tt|o as|oop-sho'd havo m|ssod tho knock on tho door, as ||ght as |t was, but sho was w|rod and tu|| ot rost|oss
onorgy, and sho s||ppod out ot bod and wont to un|ock |t and sw|ng |t opon.
lt was 3hano. |o stood thoro, c|oar|y want|ng to como |n, not dar|ng to como |n, as uncorta|n as sho'd ovor soon h|m. |o was woar|ng a |ooso 1-
sh|rt and swoatpants, toot baro, and sho to|t a wh|to-hot wavo ot-somoth|ng-swoop ovor hor. 1h|s had to bo what ho s|opt |n. Or.maybo |oss
than that.
Okay, sho roa||y noodod to stop th|nk|ng about that.
3ho bocamo awaro, a hot socond |ator, that sho was stand|ng thoro |n a th|n ovors|zod 1-sh|rt-ono ot V|chao|'s o|d onos-w|th baro |ogs trom
m|dth|gh down. |a|t-nakod wou|dn't bo ovorstat|ng |t.
°||,' sho sa|d.
°||,' 3hano sa|d. °0|d l wako you up?'
°lo. l cou|dn't s|oop.' 3ho was acuto|y awaro ot tho bod boh|nd hor, covors a|| tw|stod. °Um, do you want to, um.como |n?'
°3ottor not,' ho sa|d sott|y. °C|a|ro, l-' |o shook h|s hoad, brown ha|r sw|ng|ng |ooso around h|s taco. °l shou|dn't ovon bo horo.'
3ut ho wasn't |oav|ng, o|thor.
°Wo||,' sho sa|d, °l'm s|tt|ng down. lt you want to stand thoro, t|no.'
3ho wont to tho bod and sat, carotu| how sho d|d |t. logs togothor, pr|m and propor. |or toos baro|y brushod tho carpot. 3ho to|t a||vo and t|ng||ng
a|| ovor.
3ho |ookod down at hor hands, at tho raggod t|ngorna||s, and p|ckod at thom norvous|y.
3hano took two stops |nto tho room. °|or tho noxt two days, l don't want you |oav|ng tho houso,' ho sa|d. Wh|ch was not what sho was oxpoct|ng h|m
to say. lot at a||. °Your dad a|roady th|nks wo'ro gott|ng you drunk and stag|ng org|os |n tho ha||way. last th|ng l want |s to sond you homo w|th tang
marks |n your nock. Or |n a cott|n.' ||s vo|co droppod |owor. °l cou|dn't stand that. l roa||y cou|dn't. You know that, r|ght?'
3ho d|dn't |ook up. |o camo a stop c|osor, and h|s baro toot and swoatpants camo |nto hor v|s|on. °C|a|ro. You'vo got to prom|so mo.'
°l can't,' sho sa|d. °l'm not somo ||tt|o k|d. And l'm not your s|stor.'
|o |aughod, |ow |n h|s throat. °Oh, yoah. 1hat, l know. 3ut l don't want to soo you got hurt aga|n.'
||s hand cuppod hor ch|n |n warmth, and t||tod hor taco up.
1ho who|o wor|d hushod, ono portoct socond ot st|||noss. C|a|ro d|dn't ovon th|nk hor hoart boat.
||s ||ps woro warm and sott and swoot, and tho sonsat|on just b||ndod hor, mado hor too| awkward and scarod. l'vo novor.nobody ovor.l'm not
do|ng |t r|ght.. 3ho hatod horso|t, hatod that sho d|dn't know how to k|ss h|m back, know ho was moasur|ng hor aga|nst a|| thoso othor g|r|s, thoso
bottor g|r|s ho'd k|ssod.
lt stoppod. |or hoart was boat|ng so tast |t to|t ||ko a b|rd t|uttor|ng |n hor chost. 3ho was t|ushod and hot and warm, so warm..
3hano prossod h|s torohoad to hors and s|ghod. ||s broath warmod hor taco, and th|s t|mo sho k|ssod h|m, |ott|ng hor |nst|ncts gu|do hor, |ott|ng
h|m pu|| hor to hor toot. 1ho|r hands woro c|aspod, t|ngors |acod, and parts ot hor-parts sho'd on|y ovor warmod up a|ono-woro go|ng tu|| b|ast.
1h|s t|mo, whon thoy camo up tor a|r, ho pu||od comp|oto|y back. ||s taco was t|ushod, h|s oyos woro br|ght. C|a|ro's ||ps to|t swo||on, warm, uttor|y
do||c|ous|y damp. Oh, sho thought. l guoss l shou|d havo dono tho tonguo th|ng. lutt|ng thoory |nto pract|co was hard whon hor bra|n kopt want|ng to
short out ont|ro|y.
°Okay,' 3hano sa|d. °1hat-that shou|dn't havo happonod.'
°lrobab|y not,' sho adm|ttod. °3ut l'm |oav|ng |n two days. lt'd bo stup|d |t l novor ovon k|ssod you.'
3ho wasn't abso|uto|y suro who k|ssod whom th|s t|mo. Vaybo |t was grav|ty t||t|ng, stars oxp|od|ng. lt to|t ||ko |t. ||s hands woro troo th|s t|mo, and
thoy cuppod hor taco, strokod hor ha|r, hor nock, down to hor shou|dors..
3ho gaspod |nto h|s opon mouth, and ho moanod. Voanod. 3ho had no |doa a sonsat|on cou|d go through hor ||ko that, travo||ng through hor sk|n
and norvos ||ko ||ghtn|ng.
||s hands stoppod r|ght thoro, at hor wa|st.
Whon tho|r tonguos touchod, gont|o and tontat|vo and wot, |t mado hor knoos woak. Vado hor who|o sp|no ratt|o ||ko dry bonos. 3hano put h|s r|ght
arm around hor wa|st, ho|d|ng hor c|oso, and cuppod tho back ot hor hoad w|th h|s |ott.
Okay, th|s was k|ss|ng. 3or|ous k|ss|ng. lot just a k|ss botoro mov|ng out, not a good-byo, th|s was |o||o, soxy, and wow, sho'd novor ovon
suspoctod that |t cou|d too| th|s way.
Whon ho |ot go, sho to|| back to s|t on tho bod, uttor|y woak, and sho thought that |t ho to||owod hor, sho'd ta|| back and.
3hano took two g|ant-s|zod stops backward, thon turnod and wa|kod out |nto tho ha||. |ac|ng away trom hor. ln a k|nd ot droam||ko tranco sho
watchod tho strong, broad musc|os ot h|s back mov|ng undor h|s sh|rt as ho took doop broaths.
°Okay,' ho sa|d t|na||y, and turnod around. 3ut stay|ng wo|| out |n tho ha||. °Okay, that roa||y shou|dn't havo happonod. And wo'ro not go|ng to ta|k
about that, r|ght? Evor?'
°l|ght,' sho sa|d. 3ho to|t ||ko thoro was ||ght dr|pp|ng trom hor t|ngort|ps. 3p||||ng out ot hor toos. 3ho to|t tu|| ot ||ght, |n tact, warm buttory sun||ght.
°lovor happonod.'
|o oponod h|s mouth, thon c|osod |t, and c|osod h|s oyos. °C|a|ro-'
°l know.'
°lock tho door,' ho sa|d.
3ho got up and swung |t most|y c|osod. Ono |ast |ook at h|m through tho gap, and thon sho c||ckod |t shut and t||ppod tho doad bo|t.
3ho hoard a thump aga|nst |t. 3hano was s|umpod on tho othor s|do, sho just know |t.
°l am so doad,' ho muttorod.
3ho wont back to bod and |ay thoro, tu|| ot ||ght, unt|| morn|ng.

l o s|gn ot 3hano on Vonday morn|ng, but sho got up way oar|y-just attor V|chao| wou|d havo ovaporatod |nto m|st, |n tact. 3ho showorod and
grabbod a lop-1art trom tho cab|not tor broaktast, washod tho d|shos that had boon dumpod |n tho s|nk trom |ast n|ght's d|sastor ot laronta|
0|nnor-hadn't that boon V|chao|'s job?-and ompt|od out hor backpack to stutt |n tho mota| can|stor (to roturn to tho chom |ab, wh|ch mado |t
borrow|ng, not stoa||ng) and tho 3|b|o w|th |ts concoa|od socrot.
And thon sho thought, lt won't do any good |t thoy just stoa| |t trom mo, and took |t out aga|n and put |t on tho sho|vos, wodgod |n botwoon an o|d
vo|umo 10 ot tho Wor|d Encyc|opod|a and somo novo| sho'd novor hoard ot. 1hon sho stoppod out, |ockod tho door, and bogan wa|k|ng toward tho
schoo|.
1ho chom |ab was busy whon sho arr|vod botwoon c|assos, and sho had no troub|o s||pp|ng |nto tho supp|y room to put tho can|stor back |n p|aco,
attor carotu||y w|p|ng hor t|ngorpr|nts trom ovoryth|ng sho cou|d th|nk ot. 1hat mora| duty dono, sho hust|od to tho adm|ss|ons ott|co to put |n hor
paporwork to w|thdraw trom schoo|. lobody soomod surpr|sod. 3ho supposod that thoro woro a |ot ot w|thdrawa|s. Or d|sappoarancos.
lt was noon whon sho wa|kod down to Common Grounds. Evo was just arr|v|ng, yawn|ng and b|oary-oyod, sho |ookod surpr|sod to soo C|a|ro as
sho handod ovor tho cup ot toa. °l thought you woron't supposod to |oavo tho houso,' sho sa|d. °V|chao| and 3hano sa|d-'
°l nood to ta|k to O||vor,' C|a|ro sa|d.
°|o's |n tho back.' Evo po|ntod. °ln tho ott|co. C|a|ro? ls thoro anyth|ng wrong?'
°lo,' sho sa|d. °l th|nk somoth|ng's about to bo r|ght tor a chango.'
1ho door markod O||lCE was c|osod. 3ho knockod, hoard O||vor's warm vo|co to|||ng hor to ontor, and camo |n. |o was s|tt|ng boh|nd a sma||
dosk |n a vory sma|| room, w|ndow|oss, w|th a computor runn|ng |n tront ot h|m. |o sm||od at hor and stood up to shako hor hand. °C|a|ro,' ho sa|d.
°Good to soo you'ro sato. l hoard thoro had boon somo.unp|oasantnoss.'
O||vor was woar|ng a t|o-dyod Gratotu| 0oad 1-sh|rt and b|uo joans w|th tadod patchos on tho knoos-not so much sty|o as woar, sho t|gurod. |o
|ookod t|rod and concornod, and sho thought suddon|y that thoro was somoth|ng about h|m a |ot ||ko V|chao|. Excopt that ho was horo |n tho
dayt|mo, ot courso, and at n|ght, so ho cou|dn't bo a ghost. Cou|d ho?
°3randon |s vory unhappy,' ho sa|d. °l'm atra|d that thoro's go|ng to bo rota||at|on. 3randon ||kos str|k|ng trom an ang|o, not stra|ght on, so you'd
bottor watch out tor your tr|onds, as wo||. 1hat wou|d |nc|udo Evo, ot courso. l'vo askod hor to bo oxtra carotu|.'
3ho noddod, hoart |n hor throat. °Um.what |t l havo somoth|ng to trado?'
O||vor sat down and |oanod back |n h|s cha|r. °1rado tor what? And to whom?'
°l-somoth|ng |mportant. l don't want to bo moro spoc|t|c than that.'
°l'm atra|d you'ro go|ng to havo to bo, |t you want mo to act as any k|nd ot go-botwoon tor you. l can't trado |t l don't know what l'm ottor|ng.'
3ho roa||zod sho was st||| ho|d|ng hor toacup, and put |t down on tho cornor ot tho dosk. °Um.l'd rathor do |t myso|t. 3ut l don't know who to go to.
Whoovor can ordor 3randon around, l guoss. Or ovon h|ghor than that.'
°1horo |s a soc|a| ordor to tho vamp|ro commun|ty,' O||vor agrood. °3randon's hard|y at tho top. 1horo aro two tact|ons, you know. 3randon |s part ot
ono-tho darkor s|do, l supposo you cou|d say. lt doponds on your v|owpo|nt. Corta|n|y, trom a human standpo|nt, no|thor tact|on |s oxact|y |||y-
wh|to.' |o shruggod. °l can ho|p you, |t you'|| |ot mo. 3o||ovo mo, you don't want to try to contact thoso poop|o on your own. And l'm not suro thoy'd
ovon a||ow you to do so.'
3ho b|t hor ||p, th|nk|ng about what V|chao| had sa|d about tho doa|s |n Vorganv|||o. 3ho wasn't good at |t, sho know that. And sho d|dn't know tho
ru|os.
O||vor d|d, or ho'd havo boon doad a |ong t|mo ago. 3os|dos, ho was Evo's boss, and sho ||kod h|m. l|us, ho'd boon ab|o to koop 3randon trom
b|t|ng hor at |oast tw|co. 1hat had to count tor somoth|ng.
°Okay,' sho sa|d. °l havo tho book.'
O||vor's gray oyobrows camo down |nto a stra|ght ||no. °1ho book?'
°You know. 1ho book.'
°C|a|ro,' ho sa|d s|ow|y, °l hopo you undorstand what you'ro say|ng. 3ocauso you can't bo wrong about th|s, and you abso|uto|y can't ||o. 3|utt|ng w|||
got you, and a|| your tr|onds, k|||od. lo morcy. Othors havo tr|od, pass|ng ott takos or protond|ng to havo |t, thon runn|ng. 1hoy a|| d|od. A|| ot thom.
0o you undorstand?'
3ho swa||owod aga|n, convu|s|vo|y. |or mouth to|t vory dry. 3ho tr|od to romombor how |t had to|t |ast n|ght, bo|ng warm and tu|| ot ||ght, but tho day
was co|d and hard and scary. And 3hano wasn't horo. °Yos,' sho wh|sporod. °l undorstand. 3ut l havo |t, and l don't th|nk |t's a tako. And l'm w||||ng
to trado tor |t.'
O||vor d|dn't b||nk. 3ho tr|od to |ook away, but thoro was somoth|ng about h|m, somoth|ng hard and domand|ng, and sho to|t a roa| surgo ot toar. °A||
r|ght,' ho sa|d. °3ut you can't do th|s by yourso|t. You'ro too young, and you'ro too trag||o. l'|| undortako th|s tor you, but l'|| nood proot.'
°What k|nd ot proot?'
°l nood to soo tho book. 1ako photographs ot at |oast tho covor and ono |ns|do pago, to provo that |t's |og|t|mato.'
°l thought vamp|ros cou|dn't road |t.'
°1hoy can't, at |oast accord|ng to |ogond. lt's tho symbo|. l|ko tho lrotoct|on symbo|s, |t has proport|os that humans can't roa||y undorstand. ln th|s
caso, |t contusos tho sonsos ot vamp|ros. On|y humans can road tho words |ns|do-but a photograph romovos tho contus|on, and vamp|ros w||| bo
ab|o to soo tho symbo| tor what |t |s. Wondortu| th|ng, tochno|ogy.' |o g|ancod at tho c|ock. °l havo a moot|ng th|s attornoon that l can't postpono. l'||
como to your houso th|s ovon|ng, |t that's a|| r|ght. l'd ||ko a chanco to spoak w|th 3hano and Evo, as wo||. And your othor tr|ond, tho ono l'vo novor
soon como |n-V|chao|, corroct? V|chao| G|ass?'
3ho tound horso|t nodd|ng, a ||tt|o a|armod and not ovon suro why sho shou|d bo. lt was okay, wasn't |t? O||vor was ono ot tho good guys.
And sho had no |doa whom o|so sho cou|d turn to, not |n Vorganv|||o. 3randon? l|ght. 1horo was a good opt|on.
°1on|ght,' sho ochood. °Okay.'
3ho stood up and wa|kod out, too||ng strango|y co|d. Evo |ookod up at hor, trownod, and tr|od to como attor hor, but thoro woro poop|o crowd|ng at
tho cottoo bar, and C|a|ro hurr|od to tho door and oscapod botoro Evo cou|d cornor hor. 3ho d|dn't want to ta|k about |t. 3ho was s|ck|y corta|n
sho'd just mado a torr|b|o m|stako, but sho d|dn't know what, or why, or how.
3ho was so caught up |n |t, |ost |n hor own hoad and |u||od by tho hot satoty ot tho sun, not to mont|on poop|o on tho stroots, that sho torgot not a|| tho
dangors camo at n|ght |n Vorganv|||o. 1ho t|rst warn|ng sho had, |n tact, was tho |ow rumb|o ot an ong|no, and thon sho was bo|ng knockod ott-
ba|anco and stumb||ng aga|nst tho sun-hoatod t|n|sh ot a van door, wh|ch s||d as|do.
3ho was bo|ng pushod trom ono s|do, pu||od trom tho othor, and botoro sho cou|d do moro than yo|p, sho was |n tho van, bod|os woro p|||ng on top
ot hor, and tho van door s|ammod shut on tho sun. 3ho s||d on tho carpotod t|oor as tho van acco|oratod ott, and hoard whoops and |aughtor.
G|r|s' |aughtor.
3omobody was knoo||ng on hor chost, mak|ng |t hard to broatho, sho tr|od to tw|st and throw hor ott, but |t d|dn't work. Whon sho b||nkod away stars
sho saw that tho porson on top ot hor was G|na, |ook|ng trosh|y mado-up and tash|on portoct, oxcopt tor tho s|ck g|oam |n hor oyos. Von|ca was
knoo||ng noxt to hor, sm|||ng a t|ght, cruo| ||tt|o sm||o. 1onn|tor was dr|v|ng. 1horo woro a coup|o ot othor g|r|s |n tho van, too, onos sho romomborod
trom tho basomont controntat|on at tho dorm. Apparont|y, Von|ca was st||| rocru|t|ng, and thoso two had mado tho cut to Advancodlsycho3choo|.
°Got ott mo!' C|a|ro yo||od, and tr|od to bat at G|na, Von|ca grabbod hor hands and yankod thom ovor hor hoad, pa|ntu||y hard. °3|tch, got ott!'
Von|ca punchod hor |n tho stomach, dr|v|ng out what ||tt|o a|r sho had, and C|a|ro whoopod tor broath. G|na's wo|ght mado |t |ncrod|b|y hard to
broatho. Cou|d you k||| somobody ||ko th|s? 3mothor a porson ||ko th|s? Vaybo |t tho v|ct|m was sma||.||ko hor.
1ho van was st||| go|ng, tak|ng hor tarthor and tarthor away trom satoty.
°You,' Von|ca sa|d, |oan|ng ovor hor, °roa||y p|ssod mo ott, t|sh. l don't torgot th|ngs ||ko that. lo|thor doos my boytr|ond.'
°3randon?' C|a|ro whoozod. °1ooz, at |oast got ono w|th a pu|so!'
|or that, sho got punchod aga|n, and th|s t|mo |t hurt bad onough sho startod to cry, tur|ous and ho|p|oss. G|na put a hand around hor nock and
bogan to squoozo. lot onough to k||| hor, just onough to hurt and mako |t ovon hardor to gasp tor proc|ous ||tt|o a|r.
1hoy cou|d koop th|s up tor hours |t thoy wantod. 3ut C|a|ro thought thoy probab|y had a |ot moro |n storo.
3uro onough, Von|ca roachod |n hor pockot and brought out a ||ghtor, ono ot thoso butano onos w|th a |ong, br|ght t|amo. 3ho brought |t c|oso to
C|a|ro's taco. °Wo'ro go|ng to havo a barbocuo,' sho sa|d. °loast troak. lt you ||vo, you'ro go|ng to bo h|doous. 3ut you shou|dn't worry about that,
bocauso you probab|y won't ||vo, anyway.'
C|a|ro scroamod w|th whatovor sho had, wh|ch wasn't much, |t start|od Von|ca, and |t pos|t|vo|y scarod 1onn|tor, who was dr|v|ng, sho tw|stod to
|ook back, turn|ng tho whoo| wh||o sho d|d.
V|stako.
1ho van caroonod to tho r|ght, and smashod |nto somoth|ng so||d. C|a|ro t|ow through tho a|r, w|th G|na r|d|ng hor ||ko a mag|c carpot, crashod |nto
tho paddod back ot tho soats, and Von|ca and G|na ro||od |n contus|on as tho van sk|ddod to a stop.
C|a|ro shook ott hor pan|c and |ungod tor tho van door. 3ho ba||od out. 1ho van had p|owod |nto tho roar ot anothor car, parkod a|ong tho s|do, and
car a|arms woro go|ng ott. 3ho to|t d|zzy and a|most to||, thon hoard Von|ca yo|||ng tur|ous|y boh|nd hor. 1hat pu||od hor togothor, tast. 3ho bogan
runn|ng.
1h|s part ot downtown was most|y dosortod-shops c|osod, on|y a tow podostr|ans on tho stroot.
lono ot thom wou|d |ook at hor at a||.
°|o|p!' sho yo||od, and wavod hor arms. °|o|p mo! l|oaso-'
1hoy a|| just kopt wa|k|ng, as |t sho woro |nv|s|b|o. 3ho sobbod tor a socond |n horror, and thon po|tod around tho cornor and sk|ddod to a stop.
A church! 3ho hadn't soon a s|ng|o ono tho ont|ro t|mo sho'd boon |n Vorganv|||o, and thoro ono was. lt wasn't a b|g ono-a modost wh|to bu||d|ng,
w|th a sma||-s|zod stoop|o. lo cross on |t, but |t was unm|stakab|y a church.
3ho dartod across tho stroot, up tho stops, and h|t tho doors at a run.
And bouncod ott.
1hoy woro |ockod.
°lo!' sho yo||od, and ratt|od tho doors. °lo, como on, p|oaso!'
1ho s|gn on tho door sa|d that tho church was opon trom sundown to m|dn|ght. What tho ho||.?
3ho d|dn't daro th|nk too much. 3ho jumpod ott tho stops and ran around tho s|do, thon tho back. loxt to tho 0umpstor thoro was a back door w|th
a g|ass w|ndow |n |t. lt was |ockod, too. 3ho soarchod around and tound a brokon p|oco ot wood, and swung |t ||ko a basoba|| bat.
Crash!
3ho scrapod hor arm roach|ng through tho brokon w|ndow tor tho |ock, but sho mado |t, and s|ammod tho door boh|nd hor. 3ho |ockod |t, trant|ca||y
|ookod around, and tound a p|oco ot b|ack postor board to prop aga|nst tho b|ank spaco whoro tho w|ndow had boon. |opotu||y, |t wou|d pass a
qu|ck g|anco.
3ho backod away, swoat|ng, ach|ng now trom tho crash and tho run, and turnod to go |nto tho chapo|. lt was unm|stakab|y a chapo|, w|th abstract
sta|nod-g|ass w|ndows and |ong rows ot g|oam|ng wood pows, but thoro was no cross, no cruc|t|x, no symbo| ot any k|nd. 1ho u|t|mato Un|tar|an
church, sho guossod.
At |oast |t was ompty.
C|a|ro sank down on a pow m|dway back through tho sanctuary and thon strotchod tu|| |ongth on tho rod vo|vot padd|ng. |or hoart was boat|ng tast,
so tast, and sho was st||| so vory scarod.
lobody know whoro sho was. And |t sho tr|od to |oavo, Von|ca m|ght.
1hoy woro go|ng to burn mo a||vo.
3ho sh|vorod and w|pod toars trom hor chooks and tr|od to th|nk, th|nk ot somoth|ng sho cou|d do to got out ot th|s. Vaybo thoro was a phono. 3ho
cou|d ca|| Evo or 3hano? 3oth ot thom, sho doc|dod. Evo tor tho car, 3hano tor tho bodyguard duty. loor 3hano. |o was r|ght-sho roa||y ought to
stop ca|||ng h|m ovory t|mo sho noodod bruto strongth. 0|dn't soom ta|r, somohow.
C|a|ro trozo, unab|o to broatho, as sho hoard a sott no|so |n tho chapo|. l|ko tabr|c mov|ng. A baro wh|spor, maybo just a curta|n mov|ng |n tho a|r-
cond|t|on|ng broozo, r|ght? Or.
°|o||o,' sa|d tho vory pa|o woman |oan|ng ovor tho pow and |ook|ng down on hor. °You wou|d bo C|a|ro, l bo||ovo.'
Onco tho para|yz|ng torror rocodod just a ||tt|o, C|a|ro t|na||y p|acod hor. 3ho know sho'd soon hor, |t had boon just a sp||t-socond g|anco, but th|s
was tho woman-tho vamp|ro-who'd boon brought to Common Grounds |n a ||mous|no attor c|os|ng t|mo.
What was sho do|ng |n a church?
C|a|ro s|ow|y sat up, unab|o to tako hor oyos ott ot tho woman, who was sm|||ng s||ght|y. l|ght t||torod |n sott|y trom tho sta|nod-g|ass w|ndows and
gavo hor a go|don g|ow.
°l to||owod you,' tho woman sa|d. °A|though |n truth, l do ||ko th|s church qu|to a b|t. vory poacotu|, don't you th|nk? A sacrod p|aco. And ono that
grants thoso w|th|n |t a corta|n.|mmun|ty trom dangor.'
C|a|ro ||ckod hor ||ps and tastod sa|t trom swoat and toars. °You moan you won't k||| mo horo.'
1ho sm||o stayod |ntact. lt anyth|ng, |t w|donod a ||tt|o. °l moan oxact|y that, my doar. 1ho samo goos tor my guards, ot courso. l assuro you, thoy'ro
prosont. l am novor |ott a|ono. lt |s part ot tho curso ot tho pos|t|on l ho|d.' 3ho sm||od and t||tod hor hoad an o|ogant tract|on. Evoryth|ng about hor
was o|ogant, trom tho sh|n|ng go|don crown ot hor ha|r to tho c|othos sho was woar|ng. C|a|ro wasn't much tor not|c|ng tash|on, un|oss |t was worn
by g|r|s k|ck|ng tho crap out ot hor, but th|s outt|t |ookod ||ko somoth|ng out ot o|d torma| photographs trom hor mothor's t|mo. Or grandmothor's.
°Vy namo |s Amo||o,' tho woman cont|nuod. °You aro, |n a sonso, a|roady acqua|ntod w|th mo, a|though you m|ght not bo awaro ot |t. l|oaso, ch||d,
don't |ook so tr|ghtonod. l abso|uto|y assuro you that no harm w||| como to you w|th mo. l a|ways g|vo vory c|oar warn|ng botoro l do anyth|ng v|o|ont.'
C|a|ro had no |doa how to |ook any |oss tr|ghtonod, but sho c|aspod hor hands |n hor |ap to stop thom trom shak|ng. Amo||o s|ghod.
°You aro vory now to our town,' sho sa|d, °but l havo raro|y soon anyono d|sturb qu|to so many hornots |n such a short t|mo. ||rst Von|ca, thon
3randon, and thon l hoar you turn to my doar O||vor tor adv|co.and now l soo you runn|ng tor your ||to through my stroots.. Wo||, l t|nd you
|ntorost|ng. l t|nd myso|t wondor|ng about you, C|a|ro. About who you aro. Why you aro.'
°l'm-nobody,' C|a|ro sa|d. °And l'm |oav|ng town. Vy paronts aro tak|ng mo out ot schoo|.' lt suddon|y soomod ||ko a roa||y good |doa. lot so much
runn|ng away as rotroat|ng.
°Aro thoy? Wo||, wo'|| soo.' Amo||o mado a shrug soom ||ko a toro|gn gosturo. °0o you know who l am?'
°3omobody |mportant.'
°Yos. 3omoono vory |mportant.' Amo||o's oyos woro stoady |n tho d|m ||ght, ot no roa| co|or-gray, maybo? Or b|uo? lt wasn't co|or that mado thom
powortu|. °l am tho o|dost vamp|ro |n tho wor|d, my doar. ln a corta|n sonso, l am tho on|y vamp|ro who mattors.' 3ho sa|d |t w|thout any part|cu|ar
sonso ot pr|do. °A|though othors may havo d|ttor|ng op|n|ons, ot courso. 3ut thoy wou|d bo sad|y, and tata||y, wrong.'
°l-l don't undorstand.'
°lo, l do not oxpoct you to.' Amo||o |oanod torward and put |oan, o|ogant, wh|to hands on tho woodon pow |n tront ot hor, thon rostod hor po|ntod
ch|n on top ot thom. °3omohow you havo bocomo m|xod up |n our soarch tor tho book. l bo||ovo you know tho ono l moan.'
°l-uh-yos.' lo way was sho go|ng to contoss what sho had s|tt|ng at homo. 3ho'd mado that m|stako onco a|roady. °l moan, l know about a|| tho
-'
°vamp|ros,' Amo||o supp||od ho|ptu||y. °lt |s not a socrot, my doar.'
°vamp|ros |ook|ng tor |t.'
°And you just happonod to stumb|o |nto tho oporat|on at tho ||brary, |n wh|ch wo woro comb|ng through vo|umos to t|nd |t?'
C|a|ro b||nkod. °0oos |t bo|ong to you?'
°ln a way. lot's say that |t bo|ongs to mo as much as |t bo|ongs to anyono a||vo today. lt l am, str|ct|y spoak|ng, ||v|ng. 1ho o|d word was undoad, you
know, but aron't a|| ||v|ng th|ngs undoad? l d|s||ko |mproc|s|on. l th|nk wo may havo that |n common, young |ady.' Amo||o t||tod hor hoad a ||tt|o to tho
s|do. C|a|ro was rom|ndod, w|th a ch|||, ot a naturo t||m. A pray|ng mant|s study|ng |ts tood-to-bo. °vamp|ro |s such an o|d word. l bo||ovo l sha||
comm|ss|on tho un|vors|ty to t|nd anothor torm, a moro-what |s tho now say|ng?-usor-tr|ond|y torm tor what wo aro.'
°l-what do you want?' C|a|ro b|urtod. And thon, r|d|cu|ous|y, °.sorry.' 3ocauso sho know |t soundod rudo, and howovor scary th|s vamp|ro, or
whatovor, m|ght bo, sho hadn't boon rudo.
°1hat's qu|to a|| r|ght. You'ro undor a groat doa| ot stross. l sha|| torg|vo your broach ot mannors. What l want |s just tho truth, ch||d. l want to know
what you havo tound out about tho book.'
°l-um, noth|ng.'
1horo was a |ong s||onco. ln |t, C|a|ro hoard d|stant no|sos-somobody tugg|ng on tho tront door ot tho church.
°1hat's untortunato,' Amo||o sa|d qu|ot|y. °l had hopod l wou|d bo ab|o to ho|p you. lt appoars that l cannot.'
°Um-that's |t? 1hat's a||?'
°Yos, l'm atra|d |t |s.' Amo||o sat back aga|n, hands to|dod |n hor |ap. °You may go tho way you camo. l w|sh you |uck, my doar. You aro go|ng to
nood |t. Untortunato|y, morta| ||to |s vory trag||o, and vory short. Yours cou|d bo shortor than usua|.'
°3ut-'
°l can't ho|p you |t you havo noth|ng to ottor mo. 1horo aro ru|os to ||to |n Vorganv|||o. l can't s|mp|y adopt strays bocauso thoy soom w|nsomo.
|arowo||, ||tt|o C|a|ro. Godspood.'
C|a|ro had no |doa what w|nsomo moant, but sho got tho mossago. Whatovor door had boon oponod-whothor |t |od to good th|ngs or bad-had
s|ammod shut on hor now. 3ho stood up, wondor|ng what to say, and doc|dod that say|ng noth|ng m|ght bo tho vory bost th|ng.
.and sho hoard tho back door crash opon.
°Oh, crap,' sho wh|sporod. Amo||o |ookod at hor |n roproach. °3orry.'
°Wo aro |n a houso ot worsh|p,' sho sa|d sovoro|y. °loa||y, d|d no ono toach your gonorat|on any sort ot mannors?'
C|a|ro duckod boh|nd a pow. 3ho hoard tast tootstops, and thon Von|ca's vo|co. °Va'am! l'm sorry, l d|dn't know you woro-'
°3ut l am,' Amo||o sa|d coo||y. °Vorro||, aron't you? l can novor koop any ot you stra|ght.'
°Von|ca.'
°|ow charm|ng.' Amo||o's vo|co changod trom coo| to |co-co|d. °l'|| havo to ask you to |oavo, V|ss Vorro||. You do not bo|ong horo. Vy soa| |s on th|s
p|aco. You know tho ru|os.'
°l'm sorry, ma'am. l d|dn't th|nk-'
°Otton tho caso, l suspoct. Go.'
°3ut-thoro's th|s g|r|-d|d sho-?'
Amo||o's vo|co turnod to a h|ss ||ko s|oot on a trozon w|ndow. °Aro you quost|on|ng mo?'
°lo! lo, so sorry, ma'am, |t won't happon aga|n, l'm sorry..' Von|ca's vo|co was tad|ng. 3ho was back|ng away, down tho ha||. C|a|ro stayod
whoro sho was, tromb||ng.
3ho a|most scroamod whon Amo||o's pa|o torm roso up ovor tho odgo ot tho pow aga|n and gazod down at hor. 3ho hadn't hoard hor movo. lot at
a||.
°l suggost you go stra|ght homo, ||tt|o C|a|ro,' Amo||o sa|d. °l wou|d tako you thoro, but that wou|d |mp|y moro than l th|nk l can attord just now. lun,
run homo. |urry, now. And-|t you havo ||od to mo about tho book, romombor that many poop|o m|ght want such a va|uab|o th|ng, and tor many
roasons. 3o suro ot why thoy want |t botoro you g|vo |t ovor.'
C|a|ro s|ow|y took hor hands away trom hor hoad and s||d onto tho soat ot tho pow, tac|ng tho vamp|ro. 3ho was st||| scarod, but Amo||o d|dn't
soom.wo||.ov|| oxact|y. 1ust co|d. lco-co|d.
And o|d.
°What |s |t?' C|a|ro askod. °1ho book?'
Amo||o's sm||o was as tadod as o|d s||k. °l|to,' sho sa|d. °And doath. l can to|| you no moro. lt wou|dn't bo prudont.' 1ho sm||o van|shod, |oav|ng
boh|nd on|y tho ch|||. °l bo||ovo you roa||y shou|d go now.'
C|a|ro bo|tod up and hurr|od away, chock|ng ovor hor shou|dor ovory othor stop. 3ho saw othor vamp|ros com|ng out-sho hadn't spottod thom, not
a ono ot thom. Ono ot thom was 1ohn, trom tho ||brary. |o gr|nnod at hor, not |n a tr|ond|y way. Ono ot h|s oyos was m||ky wh|to.
3ho ran.
Whorovor Von|ca and hor tr|onds had gono, |t wasn't tho way C|a|ro ran-and run sho d|d, tho who|o way to

. |or |ungs woro burn|ng by tho t|mo sho turnod tho cornor, and sho was noar|y |n toars w|th grat|tudo at tho s|ght ot tho b|g o|d houso.
And 3hano, s|tt|ng on tho tront stops.
|o stood up, not say|ng a word, and sho throw horso|t at h|m, ho caught hor and ho|d hor c|oso tor a tow soconds, thon pushod hor back tor a
survoy ot damago.
°l know,' sho sa|d. °You to|d mo not to go. l'm sorry.'
|o noddod, |ook|ng gr|m. °lns|do.'
Onco sho was |n, w|th tho door sato|y |ockod, sho babb|od out tho who|o story. Von|ca, tho van, tho ||ghtor, tho church, tho vamp|ro. |o d|dn't ask
any quost|ons. ln tact, ho d|dn't ovon b||nk. 3ho ran out ot words, and ho just |ookod at hor, oxpross|on|oss.
°You,' ho t|na||y sa|d, °had bottor ||ko tho |ns|do ot your room, bocauso l'm |ock|ng you |n thoro, and l'm not |ott|ng you out unt|| your paronts como to
|oad you |n tho car.'
°3hano-'
°l moan |t. lo moro bu||sh|t, C|a|ro. You'ro stay|ng a||vo no mattor what l havo to do.' |o soundod t|at|y tur|ous. °low. You nood to to|| mo about
V|chao|.'
°What?'
°l moan |t, C|a|ro. 1o|| mo, r|ght now. 3ocauso l can't t|nd h|m anywhoro, and you know what? l can novor t|nd h|m dur|ng tho day-damn! 0|d you
too| that?' 3ho d|d. A co|d spot, swoop|ng across hor sk|n. V|chao|, try|ng to to|| hor somoth|ng. lrobab|y |o|| no, don't to|| h|m. °Wo can't got
through th|s |t wo'ro not stra|ght w|th oach othor.' 3hano's Adam's app|o bobbod as ho swa||owod. °ls ho-you know-ono ot thom? 'Causo l nood
to know that.'
°lo,' sho sa|d. °lo, ho's not.'
3hano c|osod h|s oyos and s|umpod aga|nst tho wa||, hands to both s|dos ot h|s hoad. °God, thank you. l was go|ng nuts. l thought-l moan, |t's ono
th|ng to bo a n|ght porson, but V|chao|-l was-l thought-'
°Wa|t,' C|a|ro sa|d, and took a doop broath. Co|d sott|od ovor hor aga|n-V|chao|, try|ng to stop hor. 3ho |gnorod |t. °Ou|t |t, V|chao|. |o noods to
know.'
3hano took h|s hands away trom h|s hoad and |ookod around, thon trownod at hor. °V|chao|'s not horo. l chockod. l soarchod tho damn p|aco trom
top to bottom.'
°Yos, ho |s. Co|d spot.' 3ho ho|d out hor hand and wavod |t through tho rotr|goratod a|r. °l t|guro ho's stand|ng.r|ght horo.' 3ho |ookod at hor watch.
°|o'|| bo back |n about two hours, whon tho sun goos down. You can soo h|m thon.'
°What |n tho ho|| aro you ta|k|ng about?'
°V|chao|. |o's a ghost.'
°Oh, como on! 3u||sh|t! 1ho dudo s|ts horo and oats d|nnor w|th us!'
3ho shruggod, throw up hor hands, and wa|kod away. °You wantod to know. ||no. low you know. And by tho way? l'm t|no.'
°What do you moan, ho's a ghost?' 3hano caught up w|th hor, camo around hor, and b|ockod hor path. °Oh, como on. Ghost? |o's as roa| as l am!'
°3omot|mos,' sho agrood. °Ask h|m. 3ottor yot, watch h|m at dawn. And thon to|| mo what ho |s, bocauso ghost |s about a|| l know to ca|| h|m. 1ho
th|ng |s, ho can't |oavo tho houso, 3hano. |o can't ho|p us. |o's stuck horo, and dur|ng tho day, ho can't ovon ta|k to us. |o just-dr|tts.' 3ho battod
away tho co|d a|r aga|n. °3top |t, V|chao|. l know you'ro p|ssod. 3ut ho noods to know.'
°C|a|ro!' 3hano grabbod hor and shook hor out ot shoor trustrat|on. °You'ro ta|k|ng to th|n a|r!'
°Whatovor. lot go, l'vo got th|ngs to do.'
°What th|ngs?'
°lack|ng!' 3ho pu||od troo and wont upsta|rs, two stops at a t|mo. 3hano a|ways s|ammod h|s door whon ho was mad, sho tr|od |t out. lt ho|pod.
1ho co|d spot to||owod hor. °0amm|t, V|chao|, got out ot my room, you porvort!' Cou|d you ovon bo a porvort |t you woro doad? 3ho supposod you
cou|d, |t you had a work|ng body ha|t tho t|mo. °l swoar, l'm go|ng to start tak|ng my c|othos ott!'
1ho co|d spot stayod roso|uto|y put unt|| sho got tho hom ot hor 1-sh|rt a|| tho way up to hor bra ||no, and thon tadod away. °Ch|ckon,' sho sa|d, and
pacod tho room, back and torth. Worr|od and moro than a ||tt|o scarod.
3hano poundod on tho door, but sho strotchod out on hor bod, put a p|||ow ovor hor taco, and protondod not to hoar h|m.
0usk camo, pu|||ng a b|uo gauzo ovor tho sky, sho watchod tho sun s|nk ha|tway down tho hor|zon, thon un|ockod hor door and stormod out. 3hano
was just com|ng out ot V|chao|'s bodroom. 3t||| |ook|ng tor somoono ho wasn't go|ng to t|nd. lot tho way ho thought, anyway.
°V|chao|!' C|a|ro yo||od trom hor ond, and to|t tho co|d sott|o around hor ||ko an |cy b|ankot. 3hano spun around, and sho to|t tho m|st gathor, th|ck
and hoavy, and thon sho actua||y saw |t, a ta|nt gray shapo |n tho a|r..
Evo's door t|ow opon. °What |n tho ho|| |s go|ng on around horo?' sho yo||od. °Cou|d you guys koop |t down to a|rcratt-carr|or no|so?'
.And thon V|chao| just.appoarod. V|dway botwoon a|| throo ot thom, torm|ng r|ght out ot a th|ck gray hoavy m|st, tak|ng on co|or and wo|ght.
Evo scroamod.
V|chao| co||apsod to h|s hands and knoos, rotch|ng. |o to|| on h|s s|do, thon ro||od ovor to staro up at tho co|||ng. °3h|t!' ho gaspod, and just stayod
thoro, t|ght|ng tor broath. ||s oyos |ookod wot and torr|t|od, and C|a|ro roa||zod that |t was ||ko th|s tor h|m ovory day. Evory n|ght. |r|ghton|ng
boyond anyth|ng sho cou|d ovon |mag|no.
C|a|ro |ookod down tho ha|| at 3hano. |o was trozon |n p|aco, mouth opon, |ook|ng ||ko a cartoon ot h|mso|t. Evo, too, trom hor ang|o.
C|a|ro wa|kod ovor, ho|d out a hand to V|chao|, and sa|d, °Wo||, l guoss that sott|os th|ngs.'
|o gavo hor a t||thy, word|oss |ook, and took hor hand to pu|| h|mso|t up. |o staggorod and |oanod aga|nst tho wa|| tor support, shak|ng h|s hoad
whon sho tr|od to ho|p. °ln a m|nuto,' ho sa|d. °1akos a |ot out ot you.'
Evo sa|d, |n a h|gh, squoaky, a|r|oss vo|co, °1ho ghost! You'ro tho ghost V|randa was ta|k|ng about! Oh my God, V|chao|, you'ro tho ghost! You
bastard!'
|o noddod, st||| concontrat|ng on broath|ng.
Evo got contro| ot hor vo|co and squoa|od, °1hat |s w|thout a doubt tho coo|ost damn th|ng l havo ovor soon |n my ont|ro ||to!'
3hano |ookod.pa|o. la|o and shakon and-how prod|ctab|o was th|s?-p|ssod. V|chao| mot h|s oyos, and tho two ot thom |ookod at oach othor
tor a |ong, s||ont socond botoro 3hano sa|d, °1h|s |s why you askod mo to como back.'
°l-' V|chao| coughod. Whon ho saggod th|s t|mo, Evo throw h|s arm around hor shou|dors. |o |ookod surpr|sod, thon p|oasod. °lot just bocauso
-'
°l got |t,' 3hano sa|d. °l got |t, man. l do. What tho ho|| happonod wh||o l was gono?'
V|chao| just shook h|s hoad. °lator.'
lo, |t wasn't that 3hano was p|ssod attor a||, C|a|ro roa||zod. |o turnod away and poundod down tho sta|rs botoro sho cou|d say anyth|ng, but sho'd
soon h|s oyos. 3ho know.
|o |ost A|yssa. low ho th|nks ho's |ost V|chao|, too. 3ho d|dn't know how that to|t, not roa||y, sho cou|d |mag|no, but sho was-sho know |t-
sho|torod. 3ho'd novor roa||y |ost anybody, not ovon a grandparont. Gr|ot was somoth|ng |n 1v shows, |n mov|os, |n books.
3ho had no |doa what to say to h|m. 3ho'd thought that ho'd just tako |t |n str|do, tho way 3hano soomod to tako th|ngs, but.
°C|a|ro,' V|chao| sa|d. °0on't |ot h|m |oavo.'
3ho noddod and |ott Evo support|ng V|chao| |n tho ha||way, tho two ot thom |ook|ng surpr|s|ng|y comtortab|o w|th tho who|o ||v|ng-doad-not-doad
th|ng. 3ho supposod that |t a ghost had to havo a g|r|tr|ond, wo||, Evo was just about tho bost cho|co thoro was.
3hano was stand|ng downsta|rs, just.stand|ng. lot pay|ng much attont|on to hor or anyth|ng o|so. 3ho roachod out, roady to tap h|m on tho
shou|dor, |ot h|m know sho was horo ovon |t sho was no ho|p at a||, but just thon, thoro was a knock on tho tront door.
°l swoar to God, |t that's V|randa-,' ho gratod. ||s t|sts woro c|onchod at h|s s|dos.
°lo, l th|nk |t's tor mo,' C|a|ro sa|d, and dartod around h|m to run down tho ha||way. 3ho chockod tho poopho|o t|rst, and suro onough, thoro was
O||vor, stand|ng on tho doorstop and |ook|ng uncomtortab|o. 3ho supposod ho had good roason.. 1ooz, hang|ng around anywhoro attor dark |n
Vorganv|||o had to bo ||ko hang|ng an EA1 VE s|gn on your back.
3ho un|ockod tho door and swung |t opon.
°l don't havo a |ot ot t|mo,' ho sa|d. °Whoro aro thoy? 3hano and Evo?'
°lns|do,' sho sa|d, and pu||od |t opon w|dor, tho un|vorsa| s|gna| tor Como |n. |o d|dn't. |o ho|d up a hand |nstoad, wavod |t |n tho a|r |n tront ot h|m
w|th a puzz|od trown. °O||vor?'
°l'm atra|d you'|| havo to ask mo |n,' ho sa|d. °lt sooms th|s houso has somo vory dota||od lrotoct|ons |n p|aco. l can't como |n un|oss you ask.'
°Oh. 3orry about that.' 3ho was about to ask h|m |ns|do whon |t occurrod to hor that maybo |t wasn't tho bost |doa, just ask|ng poop|o |n w|thout
okay|ng |t w|th tho rost ot tho G|ass |ouso t|rst. Espoc|a||y s|nco sho was ||v|ng horo on|y anothor day. °Um, can you wa|t just a socond?'
°lo, C|a|ro, l roa||y can't,' O||vor sa|d |mpat|ont|y. |o was st||| woar|ng tho h|pp|o goar trom Common Grounds, but somohow ho |ookod.d|ttoront.
Odd. °l|oaso |nv|to mo |n. l don't havo t|mo to wa|t.'
°3ut l-'
°C|a|ro, l can't ho|p you |t you won't trust mo! low qu|ck|y, botoro |t's too |ato, |ot mo |n!'
°3ut l-' 3ho pu||od |n a doop broath. °A|| r|ght. l |nv|to you-'
°lo!' lt was a roar trom boh|nd hor, abso|uto|y torr|ty|ng, and sho throw horso|t to ono s|do and covorod hor mouth w|th both hands to ho|d |n hor
scroam. lt wasn't 3hano boar|ng down on hor, |t was V|chao|. 3hano was boh|nd h|m, and Evo. °C|a|ro, got back!'
V|chao| |ookod ||ko an avong|ng ango|, and nobody arguod w|th ango|s. C|a|ro scurr|od backward, st||| ho|d|ng hor hands ovor hor mouth, as
V|chao| strodo past hor, r|ght up to tho doorway. 1ho odgo ot h|s torr|tory.
O||vor |ookod d|sappo|ntod but, sho saw, not part|cu|ar|y surpr|sod. °Ah, V|chao|. Good to soo you aga|n. l soo you'ro surv|v|ng n|co|y.'
V|chao| d|dn't say anyth|ng, but trom C|a|ro's vantago po|nt to tho s|do, sho saw tho |ook ho was g|v|ng O||vor, and |t tr|ghtonod hor. 3ho hadn't
thought V|chao| cou|d got that angry.
°What do you want horo?' ho askod t|ght|y. O||vor s|ghod.
°l know you won't bo||ovo mo,' ho sa|d, °but |n truth, l had tho bost |ntorosts ot your young tr|ond at hoart.'
V|chao| |aughod b|ttor|y. °Yoah. l'|| bot.'
°A|so your tr|ond 3hano-' O||vor's oyos dartod past V|chao| to |ock on 3hano, thon Evo. °And ot courso my doar swoot Evo. 3uch a t|no
omp|oyoo.'
V|chao| turnod s|ow|y to |ook at Evo, whoso oyos woro w|do w|th what C|a|ro hopod was horror. Or at |oast contus|on. °You know oach othor?' Evo
b|urtod. °3ut-V|chao|, you sa|d you d|dn't know O||vor, and-'
°l d|dn't,' V|chao| sa|d, and turnod back, °unt|| ho k|||od mo. Wo woro novor torma||y |ntroductod.'
°Yos,' O||vor sa|d, and shruggod. °3orry about that. loth|ng porsona| about |t, |t was an oxpor|mont ot sorts that d|dn't qu|to work out. 3ut l'm
p|oasod to soo you surv|vod, ovon |t not qu|to |n tho torm that l'd hopod.'
V|chao| mado a sound C|a|ro hopod novor to hoar aga|n trom any porson, ||v|ng or doad. lt was Evo's turn to c|ap hor hands ovor hor mouth, thon
qu|ck|y tako thom away to yo||, °Oh my God! O||vor!'
°Wo can d|scuss my mora| shortcom|ngs |ator,' ho sa|d. °|or now, you nood to |ot mo |ns|do th|s houso, and as qu|ck|y as poss|b|o.'
°You havo got to bo k|dd|ng,' V|chao| sa|d. °l th|nk ono ot us doad |n horo |s good onough. l'm not |ott|ng you |n to k||| tho rost.'
O||vor stud|od h|m s||ont|y tor a |ong momont. °l'd hopod to bo ab|o to avo|d th|s,' ho t|na||y sa|d. °Your ||tt|o C|a|ro |s qu|to tho prod|gy, you know.
3ho says sho's tound tho book. l th|nk sho has qu|to a prom|s|ng tuturo |n Vorganv|||o.prov|dod sho surv|vos tho n|ght.'
V|chao| |ookod ||ko ho wantod to vom|t. ||s oyos dartod to C|a|ro, thon away. °0oosn't mattor. Go away. lobody's ask|ng you |n.'
°lo?' O||vor sm||od w|do|y, and h|s tangs camo down w|th |azy s|ownoss. 1hat was abso|uto|y tho scar|ost th|ng C|a|ro had ovor soon, that and tho
s|ncor|ty |n h|s oyos. °l th|nk somoono w|||. 3oonor or |ator.'
°l'd say ovor my doad body, but l th|nk you a|roady mado that po|nt,' V|chao| snappod. °1hanks tor tho v|s|t. low tuck ott, man.'
|o startod to c|oso tho door. O||vor ho|d up a hand-not ||ko ho was try|ng to stop h|m phys|ca||y, just a warn|ng-and h|s tangs to|dod up to |oavo
h|s taco k|nd and trustworthy aga|n. l|ko.tho taco ot a roa||y coo| toachor, tho k|nd who mado schoo| worth ||v|ng through. 1hat, C|a|ro thought, was
a b|ggor botraya| than anyth|ng o|so.
°Wa|t. 0o thoy undorstand why thoy'ro horo, V|chao|? Why you r|skod oxpos|ng your socrots to thom?' V|chao| d|dn't stop. 1ho door was sw|ng|ng
c|osod on O||vor. °3hano, ||ston to mo! V|chao| noodod somoono ||v|ng to act|vato tho houso lrotoct|on! You th|nk ho caros about you, ho doosn't!
You'ro just arms and |ogs tor h|m! 3oat|ng hoarts! |o's no d|ttoront trom mo!'
°Excopt tor tho not-b|oodsuck|ng part, you troak!' 3hano yo||od, and thon tho door s|ammod shut on O||vor's taco. V|chao| throw tho bo|t w|th
shak|ng t|ngors. °Chr|st, man. Why d|dn't you to|| us?'
°l-about what?' V|chao| askod, not turn|ng to taco h|m. |o |ookod pa|o, C|a|ro saw. 3carod.
°Any damn th|ng! |ow d|d th|s happon, V|chao|? |ow d|d you got to bo-?' 3hano mado a gosturo that was vaguo onough to moan anyth|ng. °Was
ho try|ng to, you know, vamp you out?'
°l th|nk so. lt d|dn't work. 1h|s |s as tar as l got.' V|chao| swa||owod hard and turnod to taco h|m. °|o's r|ght about tho lrotoct|ons. 1ho houso won't
ontorco any lrotoct|on un|oss thoro's somoono ||v|ng |n |t. l don't oxact|y count. l'm-part ot |t now. l d|d nood you.'
°Whatovor, man. l don't caro about that. l caro that you wont and got yourso|t dra|nod by somo damn |ooch wh||o my back was turnod-'
°|o can't bo a vamp|ro,' Evo sa|d suddon|y. °|o can't. |o's my boss! And.and ho works days! |ow |s that ovon poss|b|o?'
°Ask h|m,' V|chao| sa|d. °loxt t|mo you go to work.'
°Oh, r|ght, as |t l d|dn't just qu|t that job!' Evo movod up bos|do V|chao| and put hor arms around h|m. |o huggod hor back, ||ko |t was tho most
natura| th|ng |n tho wor|d. l|ko thoy'd boon do|ng that a|| a|ong-wh|ch, C|a|ro adm|ttod, maybo thoy had and sho just hadn't known. V|chao| strokod
Evo's ha|r. °God, l am so sorry!'
°lot your tau|t,' ho sa|d. °lot anybody's tau|t oxcopt h|s.'
°|ow'd you-?'
°l p|ayod a sot at Common Grounds. l d|dn't know ho ownod tho p|aco. l was doa||ng w|th a guy namod Chad-'
°Oh. l|ght. Chad d|od,' Evo sa|d.
°Wondor how that happonod?' 3hano put |n ac|d|y.
°1h|s guy-O||vor, but l novor know h|s namo-sa|d ho was a mus|c|an and ho was |ook|ng tor a room to ront. l thought |t was a good |doa. |o camo
ovor to soo tho houso.' V|chao| c|osod h|s oyos t|ght, ||ko ho cou|dn't boar to soo tho p|cturos |n h|s hoad aga|n. lot that |t wou|d ho|p, C|a|ro know.
°As soon as l askod h|m |n. l to|t |t. 3ut |t was too |ato, and-ho had tr|onds.'
3hano cursod, ono harsh word that boomod ott tho wood t|oor ||ko a gunshot, and |oanod back aga|nst tho wa||, hoad down. 3|umpod. °l shou|d
havo boon horo,' ho sa|d.
°1hon wo'd both bo doad.'
°And you st||| w||| bo,' sa|d O||vor's vo|co through tho door. °Evo, my doar. l|ston to mo. l|ston to my vo|co. lot mo |n.'
°loavo hor a|ono!' V|chao| roarod, and turnod to taco tho door.
C|a|ro saw somoth|ng happon |n Evo's taco-tho w||| go out ot |t, tho ||ght go out ot hor oyos. Oh no, sho thought, trozon, and tr|od to opon hor mouth
to warn V|chao|.
3otoro sho cou|d do |t, Evo sa|d, °Yos, O||vor. Como |ns|do.'
And tho |ock snappod on tho door w|th a cr|sp, br|ght r|ng|ng sound, and tho door dr|ttod opon on tho n|ght, and O||vor stoppod ovor tho throsho|d.

C |a|ro d|dn't ovon soo V|chao| movo, ho was that qu|ck. Unt|| that momont sho'd thought ho was just a norma| guy, roa||y.okay, ono who
d|sappoarod |nto m|st dur|ng tho day. 3ut nobody movod that tast. lobody human.
And nobody was that strong, o|thor. V|chao| grabbod O||vor by tho shou|dors, ||ttod h|m |nto tho a|r, and |aunchod h|m hoadt|rst down tho ha|| to
crash |nto tho tar wa||. C|a|ro d|vod out ot tho way. 3o d|d 3hano, and Evo, a|though Evo was d|v|ng toward O||vor, not away. 3hano got ho|d ot hor
ank|o and draggod hor backward, k|ck|ng and scroam|ng.
V|chao| wont attor O||vor. As tho vamp|ro was ro|||ng to h|s toot, V|chao| smashod |nto h|m. O||vor was strong, and tast, but |n th|s houso V|chao|
was unstoppab|o, and ho was roa||y, roa||y angry.
°You too|!' O||vor scroamod at h|m. °0o you undorstand what l sa|d? C|a|ro has tho book!'
°l don't caro!'
°You havo to caro! lt you don't g|vo |t ovor, thoy'|| r|p a|| ot you apart to got |t! l'm try|ng to savo you!'
V|chao| s|ammod h|s t|st |nto h|s taco two or throo t|mos, qu|ckor than C|a|ro cou|d b||nk. O||vor wont down aga|n, scrabb||ng at tho t|oor, thon ro||od
ovor and starod tur|ous|y through tang|od gray|ng ha|r up at thom. vamp|ros b|od, attor a||, but |t d|dn't qu|to |ook r|ght-not rod onough, and too
th|ck. lt tr|ck|od trom tho cornors ot O||vor's mouth as ho snar|od, tangs down, and tr|od to drag V|chao| c|oso onough to b|to. V|chao| h|t h|m so
hard that ono ot tho tangs broko ott and sk|ttorod away across tho t|oor ||ko an |vory daggor. O||vor shoutod |n surpr|so and pa|n and ro||od, try|ng to
protoct h|mso|t.
°Evo!' V|chao| yo||od, and draggod h|m by ono toot down tho ha||way toward tho door. °lovoko tho |nv|tat|on! 0o |t!' O||vor was t|ght|ng h|m w||d|y
now, r|pp|ng |ong raw scratchos |n tho woodon t|oor w|th h|s t|ngorna||s, snar||ng and tw|st|ng to got troo. °Evo!'
3hano |ungod tor Evo, pu||od hor to hor toot, and shook hor hard. 1hat d|dn't work. 3ho just starod r|ght past h|m, hor taco st||| and doad.
C|a|ro movod h|m out ot tho way and s|appod Evo hard.
Evo yo|pod, c|appod a hand to hor woundod chook, and b||nkod. °|oy! What tho ho||.?' And thon sho |ookod past C|a|ro to tho tur|ous batt|o go|ng
on |n tho ha||way, ||ps partod |n amazomont.
°Evo!' V|chao| yo||od aga|n. °1ho |nv|tat|on! You havo to w|thdraw |t now!'
°3ut l d|dn't-' Evo d|dn't wasto t|mo argu|ng. °|oy! O||vor! Got tho ho|| out ot our houso!'
O||vor wont st|||. Comp|oto|y st|||, ||ko a doad man. V|chao| p|ckod h|m up by an arm and a |og, and throw h|m out |nto tho dark. C|a|ro hoard tho
vamp|ro h|t tho pavomont outs|do and curso as ho ro||od back to h|s toot and camo back at tho door.
|o bouncod ott a so||d cush|on ot a|r |n tho doorway.
°You'ro not wo|como,' V|chao| gratod. |o had a cut on h|s taco, b|ood|ng a th|ck throad down tho s|do ot h|s nock, and ho was broath|ng hard. °And
by tho way? Evo qu|ts.'
|o s|ammod tho door |n O||vor's snar||ng taco, and co||apsod aga|nst |t, shak|ng. |o d|dn't |ook a||-powortu| anymoro. |o |ookod torr|t|od.
°V|chao|?' Evo askod, broath|oss. °You okay?'
°loachy,' ho sa|d, and got |t togothor. °Evo, stay away trom tho door. |o got to you onco, maybo ho can do |t aga|n. C|a|ro! You, too. 3tay away
trom tho door.' |o grabbod hor by tho arm and pu||od hor down tho ha||-wh|ch was a moss, wow, tho t|oor a|| r|ppod up, tho wa||s scrapod and
scratchod-and shovod hor down to a s|tt|ng pos|t|on on tho couch. °C|a|ro.'
°Um.yos?' 1h|ngs woro mov|ng too tast. 3ho d|dn't know what ho was wa|t|ng to hoar.
°1ho book?'
°Oh. Yoah. Wo||-soo, thoro was th|s t|oor |n tho ||brary whoro thoy woro go|ng through books, and lrotossor W||son was stoa||ng th|ngs, and-'
|o ho|d up a hand to stop hor. °0o you havo tho book?'
°Yos.'
°l|oaso to|| mo you d|dn't br|ng |t horo.'
3ho b||nkod. °Wo||-yos.'
V|chao| to|| |nto tho armcha|r, |oanod torward, and bur|od h|s taco |n h|s hands. °3woot baby 1osus, do you not pay any attont|on to what goos on |n
th|s town? You roa||y havo tho book?'
°l.guoss so.' 3ho got up and startod to rotr|ovo |t, but ho ra|sod h|s hoad and grabbod hor wr|st as sho movod by h|m.
°lo,' ho sa|d. °loavo |t, whorovor |t |s. 1ho |oss wo know, tho bottor. Wo nood to t|guro out what wo'ro go|ng to do, bocauso O||vor wasn't k|dd|ng
around. |o wou|dn't havo como horo |t ho hadn't |ntondod to k||| us a|| tor that book. As |t was, ho took a b|g chanco. |o knows how powortu| tho
lrotoct|on |s on th|s houso.'
°1hat how como you cou|d boat h|m?' 3hano askod. °3ocauso you know, l'm your bost tr|ond, but you'ro just not that badass, man.'
°1hanks, assho|o. Yoah. l'm part ot tho houso, and that moans l can uso what tho houso has. lt's strong. loa||y strong.'
°Good to know. 3o what's tho p|an?'
V|chao| took |n a doop broath, thon |ot |t out. °Wa|t tor day||ght,' ho sa|d. °Evo. You ovor soo O||vor outs|do |n tho sun?'
°Um.' 3ho thought hard. °lo. Vost|y ho stays |n h|s ott|co, or |n tho bar aroa, away trom tho w|ndows. 3ut l d|dn't th|nk vamp|ros cou|d bo awako
dur|ng tho day!'
C|a|ro thought about tho church Von|ca had chasod hor |nto, and tho o|ogant, anc|ont woman s|tt|ng |n tho pows. °l th|nk thoy can,' sho sa|d. °lt
thoy'ro o|d. |o must bo roa||y o|d.'
°l don't caro how o|d ho |s-ho's not tann|ng,' 3hano sa|d. °Wo wa|t tor dawn, and thon wo got C|a|ro and tho book out ot horo.'
°3ho can't go homo. 1hoy'|| go thoro t|rst,' Evo sa|d. C|a|ro wont co|d.
°3ut-my paronts! What about my paronts?'
lobody answorod hor tor a socond or two, and thon 3hano camo and sat down noxt to hor. °You th|nk thoy'|| ||ston? lt wo to|| thom tho truth?'
°What, about Vorganv|||o? About vamp|ros?' 3ho |aughod, and |t soundod hystor|ca|. °Aro you k|dd|ng? 1hoy'd novor bo||ovo |t!'
°3os|dos,' Evo sa|d, and sat down on hor othor s|do to tako hor hand, °ovon |t you conv|ncod thom, thoy'd torgot a|| about |t onco thoy woro out ot
town. lt's hard to bo parano|d whon you don't romombor thoy'ro out to got you.'
°Ouch,' 3hano agrood. °Okay, thon. lunn|ng's out-tor ono th|ng, wo can't throw C|a|ro's paronts to tho vamp|ro wo|vos.r|ght?'
V|chao| and Evo noddod.
°And bos|dos, samo prob|om tor C|a|ro. Evon |t wo got hor out ot town, sho'd torgot why sho was runn|ng. 1hoy'd catch hor.'
Voro nods.
°3o what do wo do?'
°1rado tho book,' C|a|ro sa|d. 1hoy a|| |ookod at hor. °What? l was go|ng to, anyway. ln oxchango tor somo th|ngs.'
°l|ko what?' V|chao| askod, amazod.
°l|ko-3randon not ho|d|ng 3hano to h|s doa|. And Von|ca and hor troaks back|ng ott ot mo. And.lrotoct|on tor a|| tho dorms on campus, so that
tho studonts aro sato.' 3ho b|ushod, bocauso thoy woro a|| star|ng at hor ||ko thoy'd novor soon hor botoro. °1hat's how O||vor know l had tho book. l
mossod up. l was try|ng to mako a doa|, but l thought ho was just, you know, a good guy who cou|d ho|p. l d|dn't know ho was ono ot tho vamp|ros.'
°Oh, ho's not ono ot thom,' V|chao| sa|d. °|o |s thom.'
3hano trownod. °|ow do you know that, man?'
°3ocauso |n a way l'm ono ot thom,' V|chao| rop||od. °And somoth|ng |n mo wants to do what ho says.'
°3ut-not a b|g part, r|ght?' Evo vonturod.
°lo. 3ut ho's dot|n|to|y |n chargo.'
3hano got up and wa|kod to tho w|ndows, tw|tchod back tho curta|n, and |ookod out. °lo k|dd|ng,' ho sa|d.
°What'vo you got?'
°vamp c|ty, man. Chock |t out.'
V|chao| jo|nod h|m at tho w|ndow, thon Evo. Whon C|a|ro squoozod |n, sho gaspod, bocauso thoro woro dozons ot poop|o |n v|ow, a|| stand|ng or
s|tt|ng tac|ng tho houso. Unnatura||y st|||. Evo dashod to anothor sot ot w|ndows. °3amo horo!' sho ca||od. °|ang on!'
°3hano,' V|chao| sa|d, and jorkod h|s hoad attor hor. 3hano |opod ott |n pursu|t. °Wo||, so much tor snoak|ng out. l th|nk wo'ro horo tor tho n|ght, at
|oast. Vost ot thom havo to go undorground dur|ng tho day. 1hoso that don't won't bo ab|o to stay out |n d|roct sun||ght-l hopo-so maybo wo'||
havo moro opt|ons thon.'
°V|chao|-' C|a|ro to|t ||ko cry|ng. °l d|dn't know. l thought l was do|ng somoth|ng good. l roa||y d|d.'
|o put h|s arm around hor. °l know. lt's not your tau|t. lt m|ght havo boon a dumb |doa, but at |oast |t was a swoot ono.' |o k|ssod hor chook. °3ottor
got somo rost. And |t you hoar vo|cos, try not to ||ston. 1hoy'ro go|ng to bo tost|ng us.'
3ho noddod. °What aro wo go|ng to do?'
°l don't know,' ho sa|d qu|ot|y. °3ut wo'|| th|nk ot somoth|ng.'
C|a|ro cur|od up on tho cornor ot tho couch, p||od undor an atghan, Evo took tho othor ond. lobody to|t much ||ko go|ng upsta|rs to bod. 3hano
pacod a |ot, ta|k|ng |n |ow wh|spors w|th V|chao|, who hadn't onco gotton out h|s gu|tar. 1ho two ot thom |ookod w|rod. loady tor anyth|ng.
C|a|ro d|dn't moan to ta|| as|oop-sho thought sho was too scarod-but sho d|d, ovontua||y, as n|ght spun on toward morn|ng. vo|cos wh|sporod to
hor-V|chao|'s, sho thought, and thon 3hano's. Got up, tho vo|cos sa|d. Got up and opon tho door. Opon tho w|ndow. lot us |n. Wo can ho|p you |t
you'|| just |ot us |n.
3ho wh|mporod |n hor s|oop, swoaty and s|ck, and to|t 3hano's hand on hor torohoad. °C|a|ro.' 3ho oponod hor oyos and saw h|m s|tt|ng thoro noxt
to hor. |o |ookod t|rod. °You'ro hav|ng a n|ghtmaro.'
°0on't l w|sh,' sho muttorod, tr|od to swa||ow, and d|scovorod sho was burn|ng-up th|rsty. 3ho to|t tovor|sh and woak, too. Wo||, th|s was a portoct
t|mo to bo catch|ng tho t|u..
°V|chao|!' O||vor's vo|co camo ta|nt through tho tront door. °3omoth|ng you shou|d soo, my boy! look out your w|ndows!'
°1rap,' 3hano sa|d |nstant|y, and roachod out to grab V|chao|'s arm as ho wa|kod by. °0on't, man.'
°What's ho go|ng to do? Vako tacos at mo?'
°lt you start do|ng what ho wants, |t's hard to stop. 1ust don't.'
V|chao| cons|dorod that tor a tow soconds, thon pu||od away and wont on to tho w|ndows.
Whoro ho starod out, trown|ng. 1horo woro rod and b|uo t|ash|ng ||ghts sh|n|ng on tho g|ass and rot|oct|ng on h|s sk|n.
°What |s |t?' C|a|ro askod, and got up.
°|oy! 3or|ous|y, guys. Ou|t p|ay|ng tho|r gamo-'
°Cops,' V|chao| sa|d. |o soundod b|ank and shockod. °1hoy'vo got tho who|o stroot b|ockod ott. 1hoy'ro mov|ng poop|o out.'
°What poop|o? 1ho vamp|ros?' Evo wantod to know. 3ho p||od on at tho w|ndow, too.
°3hoosh,' 3hano sa|d grump||y. °||no. 0on't ||ston to mo. lt a vamp|ro to||s you to jump ott a c||tt.'
°1hoy'ro ovacuat|ng tho no|ghborhood,' V|chao| sa|d. °Gott|ng r|d ot w|tnossos.'
°Oh, sh|t,' 3hano sa|d, and jumpod up and cranod to |ook ovor C|a|ro's shou|dor. °3o just how scrowod aro wo?'
°Wo||, tho cops aron't vamp|ros. And tho lrotoct|ons won't koop thom out.'
As C|a|ro watchod, tho s|x po||co cars, a|| w|th tho|r ||ghts runn|ng |n b|oodrod and vo|n b|uo t|ashos, woro jo|nod by two |ong, sko|ota| t|ro trucks.
Ono at oach ond ot tho b|ock.
V|chao| sa|d noth|ng, but h|s oyos narrowod.
°Oh, sh|t!' 3hano wh|sporod. °1hoy wou|dn't.'
°Yoah,' V|chao| sa|d. °l th|nk thoy wou|d. lt th|s book |s that |mportant, l th|nk thoy'd do just about anyth|ng to got |t.'
O||vor's taco suddon|y poppod up |n tront ot tho w|ndow. 1hoy a|| scroamod-ovon V|chao|-and jumpod back. 3hano tr|od to push C|a|ro boh|nd
h|m. 3ho smackod at h|m unt|| ho |ott hor a|ono.
3ho wantod to hoar what O||vor had to say.
°lt's noar|y t|vo o'c|ock,' O||vor sa|d, h|s vo|co mutt|od by tho w|ndow g|ass. °Wo'ro runn|ng out ot t|mo, V|chao|. E|thor |nv|to mo |n and g|vo mo tho
book, or l'm atra|d th|s |s go|ng to got unp|oasant.'
°Wa|t!' C|a|ro ba||od hor hands |nto t|sts. °l want to trado tor |t!'
||s oyos wo|ghod hor, and d|sm|ssod hor. °l'm vory sorry, my doar, but that opportun|ty has como and gono. Wo'ro |n much roughor wators now.
E|thor hand ovor tho book, or wo'|| como |n and got |t. l prom|so you, th|s |s tho bost doa| you'ro ||ko|y to got th|s s|do ot ho||.'
V|chao| yankod down tho shado. °3hano. You, Evo, and C|a|ro got |nto tho pantry room. Vovo |t.'
°lo way!' Evo doc|arod. °l'm not |oav|ng you!'
|o took hor hand and |ockod oyos w|th hor, |n a way that mado C|a|ro's knoos go woak ovon at sovora| toot away. °1hoy can't hurt mo, oxcopt by
hurt|ng tho houso |tso|t. 1hoy can't k||| mo, oxcopt by dostroy|ng tho houso. Undorstand? You guys aro tho vu|norab|o onos. And l want you sato.'
|o k|ssod hor hand, dartod a so|t-consc|ous |ook at C|a|ro and 3hano, and thon k|ssod hor ||ps, too.
°|uh,' 3hano sa|d. °1hought so.' |o took C|a|ro's hand. °V|chao|'s r|ght. 3ottor got you g|r|s somop|aco sato.'
°You, too, 3hano,' sa|d V|chao|.
°lo way!'
°lot tho t|mo to bo prov|ng anyth|ng, dudo. 1ust tako caro ot thom. l can tako caro ot myso|t.'
Vaybo, C|a|ro thought. And maybo ho just wantod thom out ot tho way |n caso ho cou|dn't.
E|thor way, sho d|dn't havo a chanco to protost. 3hano stoorod hor and Evo |nto tho k|tchon, |oadod thom down w|th wator and propackagod tood
||ko lop-1arts and onorgy bars, and ho|pod thom stack th|ngs |n tho dark, g|oomy h|d|ng p|aco whoro C|a|ro had spont hor t|rst morn|ng |n tho G|ass
|ouso.
3ho d|dn't know |t 3hano roa||y m|ght havo to||owod V|chao|'s ordors-|t was poss|b|o, sho guossod-but just as thoy woro push|ng tho |ast ot tho
supp||os |nto tho narrow ||tt|o doorway, thoro was a |oud crash|ng ot g|ass trom tho ||v|ng room.
°What tho ho||?' 3hano b|urtod, and duckod out to soo what was go|ng on. C|a|ro wont attor h|m, and whon sho |ookod back, Evo was to||ow|ng, too.
3ut thoy d|dn't got vory tar, bocauso tho k|tchon w|ndow smashod |nto sp||ntors, and C|a|ro and Evo stoppod and turnod to |ook.
O||vor was stand|ng just outs|do tho w|ndow. 1hoy hoard moro g|ass broak|ng, a|| ovor tho houso.
°G|r|s,' ho sa|d. °l'm sorry to do th|s. 1ru|y l am. 3ut you'ro not g|v|ng mo much cho|co. last chanco. lnv|to mo |n, and th|s can ond poacotu||y.'
°3|to mo!' Evo tauntod. °Oh, wa|t.you can't, can you? lot trom way out thoro!'
||s oyos t|arod, and h|s tangs snappod down. 1hroat d|sp|ay. 1hat was what |t was ca||od whon a ratt|osnako shook |ts ta||, or a cobra sproad |ts
hood. |o was g|v|ng thom a c|oar s|gn that ho d|dn't t|nd thom vory tunny.
°1ho book,' ho sa|d. °Or your ||vos. 1hat's tho on|y doa| you'ro go|ng to got, C|a|ro. l suggost you mako tho r|ght cho|co qu|ck|y.'
°lt's okay,' Evo sa|d. °1hoy can't como |ns|do.'
O||vor noddod, h|s tadod, cur||ng ha|r b|ow|ng |n tho hot n|ght w|nd. °1hat's truo,' ho sa|d. °3ut thon, l'm hard|y a|| a|ono.'
And ho stoppod as|do as a po||coman, |n un|torm, broko out tho roma|n|ng g|ass w|th a n|ghtst|ck and hoppod up on tho w|ndows||| to c||mb through.
Evo and C|a|ro scroamod and ran.
1ho ||v|ng room was a moss ot brokon turn|turo, scattorod papors, strugg||ng bod|os-3hano punchod out somo guy |n a b|ack jackot, who t|ow
back out ot tho w|ndow and |nto tho arms ot somo wa|t|ng, snar||ng vamp|ros. V|chao| was t|ght|ng a coup|o moro, whom ho just bod||y p|ckod up
and throw out. As Evo and C|a|ro sk|ddod |nto tho room and broko r|ght and |ott, tho cop |n pursu|t ran hoad|ong |nto V|chao| and got tossod out, as
wo||.
°1hoy'ro com|ng |n!' Evo scroamod, and s|ammod tho k|tchon door and jammod a cha|r undor tho hand|o. V|chao| grabbod tho noarost bookcaso
-not tho ono w|th tho 3|b|o on |t, C|a|ro saw-and pu||od |t ovor to b|ock tho w|ndow, thon |oanod tho sota aga|nst |t.
°Upsta|rs!' ho yo||od. °Vovo |t!'
3hano grabbod C|a|ro by tho hand and poundod up tho stops, ha|t dragg|ng hor, sho m|ssod a stop and stumb|od, and pu||od h|m ott-ba|anco just
at tho r|ght momont, bocauso tho bat that was swung at h|s hoad m|ssod and thumpod |nto tho wa|| w|th a crack ot wood. Anothor porson h|d|ng at
tho top ot tho sta|rs, th|s ono toma|o and ta||. 3hano grabbod tho bat away trom hor and monacod hor w|th |t, dr|v|ng hor back down tho ha||way.
C|a|ro rocogn|zod hor-ono ot tho dorm g|r|s, l||||an.
°0on't!' l||||an yo||od, and put up hor arms whon 3hano pu||od back tho bat.
°|o||,' 3hano sp|t |n d|sgust. °l can't h|t a g|r|. |oro, C|a|ro. You h|t hor.' |o tossod hor tho bat. C|a|ro grabbod |t and camo to a c|umsy batt|ng
stanco, w|sh|ng sho'd pa|d moro attont|on |n phys od. l||||an scroamod aga|n and ran |nto tho opon doorway ot Evo's room. Evo, com|ng up tho
sta|rs, scroamod, too, tor d|ttoront roasons.
°|oy! 1hat's my room, b|tch!' And sho t|ow |n to grab l||||an by tho ha|r, sw|ng hor around, and throw hor out |nto tho ha||, thon shovod hor toward tho
sta|rs. °V|chao|! 1h|s ono noods to go out!'
3ho shovod hor aga|n. l||||an tottorod down tho stops, and shr|okod onco moro botoro |oav|ng tho bu||d|ng at spood, propo||od by V|chao|-powor.
°Chock tho rooms,' 3hano pantod. °lt ono got |n, thoro aro probab|y moro. 0on't tako chancos. Yo|| tor ho|p.'
C|a|ro noddod and hurr|od to hor room. lt |ookod qu|ot, thank God-tho w|ndows woro unbrokon, and thoro was no s|gn ot anybody h|d|ng |n tho
c|osots or undor tho bod. 3amo tor tho bathroom, a|though sho had a bad showor-curta|n momont. 3ho hoard crash|ng trom down tho ha||. 3hano
had tound somobody. 3ho ran out |nto tho ha|| and startod to como to h|s dotonso, thon hos|tatod whon sho saw that Evo's door was now opon a
crack.
3ho'd |ott |t c|osod.
3ho oponod |t s|ow|y, as s||ont|y as sho cou|d, and pookod around tho odgo.
.and saw Evo up aga|nst tho wa||, and V|randa ho|d|ng a kn|to at Evo's throat. 3ho rocogn|zod tho bru|sos and b|to marks on hor nock t|rst, thon
tho tadod b|uo oyos as tho g|r|'s hoad turnod toward hor.
°0on't,' V|randa sa|d. °l havo to do th|s. Char|os says l nood to. 1o mako tho v|s|ons stop. l want |t to stop, C|a|ro. You undorstand, r|ght?'
°lot hor go, V|randa, okay? l|oaso?' C|a|ro swa||owod hard and stoppod |nto tho room. 3ho cou|d hoar t|ght|ng trom down tho ha||. 3hano and
V|chao| woro busy. °You don't want to hurt Evo. 3ho's your tr|ond!'
°lt's too much,' V|randa sa|d. °3o many poop|o dy|ng, and l can't do anyth|ng. Char|os sa|d ho'd mako |t go away. A|| l havo to do |s-'
°What? K||| Evo? loa||y, don't-you don't want to-to do anyth|ng-' lan|ckod, sho |ookod to Evo tor ho|p. Ono th|ng was tor suro: tho pa||or |n
Evo's taco wasn't makoup.
°Yoah,' Evo sa|d ta|nt|y. °l'm your tr|ond, V|r. You know that.'
V|randa shook hor hoad so hard hor dark ha|r t|ow. 1ho kn|to tromb|od aga|nst Evo's throat, and sho squoozod hor oyos shut, wh|spor|ng
somoth|ng that soundod ||ko, °Char|os,' and whon sho oponod hor oyos aga|n sho |ookod d|ttoront. lot scarod. |ocusod.
3ho's go|ng to do somoth|ng. l nood to- C|a|ro d|dn't havo t|mo to t|guro |t out, sho just movod, bocauso Evo was mov|ng, hor arm t|ash|ng up and
smack|ng V|randa's o|bow. ln tho socond that tho kn|to was away trom Evo's throat, C|a|ro grabbod a th|ck handtu| ot V|randa's ha|r and yankod,
hard, dragg|ng hor backward. V|randa shr|okod and s|ashod w||d|y at thom. Evo's upra|sod arm got a b|oody cut, and C|a|ro movod backward,
gasp|ng, ho|d|ng on to V|randa's ha|r and try|ng to stay out ot cutt|ng rango.
V|randa swopt tho kn|to around and cut ott tho c|ump ot ha|r a coup|o ot |nchos away trom C|a|ro's knuck|os. Ohno.
V|randa |ungod at hor, kn|to ho|d out, and C|a|ro ran |nto tho b|ack bods|do tab|o, topp|od ovor onto tho b|ack sat|n comtortor, and saw tho kn|to
com|ng tor hor.
°|oy!' Evo scroamod, and spun V|randa around and s|appod hor, hard, across tho taco. 1w|co. Whon V|randa tr|od to stab hor, Evo smackod tho
g|r|'s hand |nto tho wa|| and tw|stod hor wr|st unt|| V|randa's t|st oponod and tho kn|to droppod to tho wood t|oor.
V|randa startod cry|ng. lt was a hopo|oss, ho|p|oss sound, and |t C|a|ro hadn't boon angry-scarod, sho m|ght havo actua||y to|t sorry tor hor. °lo, no,
l don't want to soo |t anymoro, l don't want to-ho sa|d ho'd mako |t stop-'
Evo grabbod hor by tho arm, oponod up tho c|osot door, and stuttod V|randa |ns|do, thon jammod a woodon cha|r undor tho door hand|o to ho|d |t
shut. 3ho |ookod tur|ous and roa||y, roa||y hurt. |or arm was b|ood|ng a|| ovor tho p|aco-not spurt|ng, but t|ow|ng protty troo|y. C|a|ro grabbod up a
b|ack towo| |y|ng on tho buroau and prossod tho makosh|tt bandago to tho wound, Evo b||nkod, ||ko sho'd torgotton a|| about |t, and ho|d |t |n p|aco.
°Vaybo sho was just undor h|s spo||. l|ko you woro, whon you-' Okay, maybo |t hadn't boon smart to br|ng that up, C|a|ro thought.
°1hat's why l s|appod hor,' Evo sa|d. °3ut l don't th|nk that's |t. V|randa's a|ways boon crazy. l just thought-wo||, l thought sho wasn't that crazy.'
Evo |ookod bottor. Voro co|or |n hor taco, anyway.and thon C|a|ro thought, no, sho |ookod too good.
C|a|ro's oyos turnod to tho brokon w|ndow. Outs|do, thoro was a s||ght odgo ot sun||ght c||mb|ng abovo tho hor|zon, and tho sky had turnod a doop
b|uo gray.
°V|chao|!' sho b|urtod. °Oh my God!'
3ho |ott Evo and ran |nto tho ha||. 3hano was just com|ng out ot h|s room, shak|ng out h|s r|ght hand. ||s knuck|os woro b|oody. °Whoro's V|chao|?'
sho yo||od.
°0ownsta|rs,' ho sa|d. °What tho ho|| |s that?'
C|a|ro roa||zod w|th a shock that somohow sho was st||| ho|d|ng tho handtu| ot V|randa's sovorod ha|r. 3ho mado a taco and |ot go, thon t|uttorod
hor hand to shako ott tho c||ngy strands. °You don't ovon want to know. Oh, V|randa's |ockod |n Evo's c|osot, by tho way.'
°Wo||, that's a bonus. 3orry, but l roa||y don't ||ko that k|d.'
°3ho's not grow|ng on mo, o|thor,' C|a|ro adm|ttod. °Como on, wo nood to got to V|chao|.'
°1rust mo, ho's do|ng okay w|thout us.'
°lo, ho's not,' sho sa|d gr|m|y. °1ho sun's com|ng up.'
|o d|dn't got |t tor a socond, and thon ho d|d, and oh, boy. |o was gono botoro sho cou|d yo|| at h|m to wa|t tor hor.
3ho roachod tho bottom ot tho sta|rcaso a tow soconds boh|nd, and saw h|m raco across to whoro V|chao| was grabb|ng anothor-prosumab|y,
human-|ntrudor on h|s way |n through tho brokon-down tront door.
°l don't nood you!' ho yo||od at thom both, and tossod tho guy ha|tway to Kansas. °Got upsta|rs! 3hano, show hor whoro!'
3hano |gnorod h|m, p|ungod past h|m and |nto tho ha||way. Guard|ng tho tront door. V|chao| startod to to||ow h|m, and stoppod |nto tho grow|ng ||ght
trom tho back w|ndow.
|o spun to |ook at |t, thon word|oss|y at C|a|ro. 3ho saw tho outr|ght toar |n h|s oyos. °lo,' ho sa|d. °lot now!'
3ho cou|dn't say or do anyth|ng to ho|p, and sho know |t. °|ow |ong.?'
1ho torr|b|o |ook on h|s taco protty much answorod tho quost|on, but ho sa|d |t anyway. °||vo m|nutos. Vaybo |oss. 0amm|t!'
As |t tho vamp|ros know, thoro was a ratt|o at tho w|ndow boh|nd tho bookcaso b|ock|ng |t. lt hoavod unoas||y, thon startod to topp|o torward.
V|chao| got |n botwoon |t and tho t|oor, caught |t, and t|ung |t back upr|ght, thon bracod |t aga|n w|th tho sota.
°3ack up!' V|chao| ordorod hor, and sho rotroatod to tho sta|rs. 3ho cou|d hoar 3hano t|ght|ng |n tho ha|| aga|n. °C|a|ro, you and Evo nood to t|nd a
way to b|ock ovoryth|ng. 3oa| |t up. 0on't |ot 3hano-'
3ho wasn't suro what ho was go|ng to say, but just thon ho gaspod and doub|od ovor, and sho know that |t was |ost. |o |ookod pa|o. la|or.
V|st.
Gono, a|ong w|th a tad|ng ghost ot a scroam.
Evo sk|ddod to a stop bos|do hor, oyos w|do. °|o's gono,' sho wh|sporod, as |t sho roa||y cou|dn't bo||ovo |t. °|o |ott us.'
°|o cou|dn't ho|p |t.' C|a|ro took hor hand. °Como on, Evo, |ot's got tho bookcaso down tho ha||. Wo nood to wodgo |t |n tho doorway.'
Evo noddod numb|y. lt was ||ko a|| tho t|ght had gono out ot hor, and C|a|ro undorstood why.. What hopo was thoro now? V|chao| had boon
hand||ng th|ngs, but w|thout h|m.?
°|o|p mo,' sho sa|d to Evo, and sho moant |t |n ovory way sho cou|d.
Evo gavo hor a t|ny ||tt|o sm||o and squoozod hor t|ngors. °You know l w|||.'
3otwoon tho throo ot thom, thoy managod to b|ock tho tront door protty thorough|y, wodg|ng tho bookcaso |n p|aco and brac|ng |t w|th two moro at
an ang|o. 3woaty, pant|ng, scarod, thoy |ookod at oach othor.
lt got qu|ot. Wo|rd|y qu|ot.
°Wo||?' Evo |ookod around tho cornor. °l don't soo anyth|ng..'
°Can wo got to tho pantry?' C|a|ro askod. °l moan, l don't hoar anybody..'
°1oo r|sky,' 3hano sa|d. |o grabbod tho phono trom a p||o ot dobr|s and startod d|a||ng on tho t|y, thon droppod |t. °1hoy cut tho ||no.'
Evo pu||od hor co|| phono out ot a ho|stor on hor bo|t. 3hano grabbod tor |t, chockod tho s|gna|, and ho|d up h|s hand tor a h|gh t|vo. |o was a|roady
d|a||ng whon thoy smackod |t. °Como on,' ho muttorod, pac|ng, ||ston|ng. °l|ck up, p|ck up, p|ck up..'
|o stoppod |n m|dstop. °0ad? Oh, damn, |t's tho mach|no-0ad, ||ston, |t you got th|s, |t's 3hano, l'm at V|chao| G|ass's houso |n Vorganv|||o, and l
nood shock and awo, man-como runn|ng. You know why.'
|o t||ppod tho phono shut and throw |t to Evo. °Upsta|rs, both ot you. Got |n tho socrot room. V|chao|? Aro you w|th us?'
C|a|ro sh|vorod |n a suddon co|d dratt. °|o's horo.'
°Watch out tor thom,' 3hano sa|d. °l-l k|nd ot havo a p|an.' |o sa|d |t as |t ho was ha|t surpr|sod. °G|r|s. Upsta|rs. low.'
°3ut-'
°Go!' |o'd |oarnod how to yo|| ordors trom V|chao|, and |t soomod to work, bocauso C|a|ro was mov|ng tor tho sta|rs w|thout any consc|ous
doc|s|on to do |t. 1ho co|d ch||| stayod around hor, and sho saw Evo sh|vor|ng, too.
1ho upsta|rs was qu|ot, as wo||, oxcopt tor tho d|stant knock|ng sound ot V|randa hammor|ng on hor door. °l don't ||ko th|s,' C|a|ro sa|d. °O||vor
knows V|chao| can't do anyth|ng attor dawn, r|ght?'
°l don't know,' Evo sa|d, and chowod at hor bottom ||p. Vost ot hor makoup had swoatod ott or gotton w|pod away, ovon hor ||ps woro norma| ||p
co|or now, tor noar|y tho t|rst t|mo C|a|ro cou|d romombor. °You'ro r|ght. lt's wo|rd. Why wou|d thoy just g|vo up now?'
°1hoy havon't,' sa|d a vo|co that C|a|ro's t|ng||ng sp|no rocogn|zod botoro hor bra|n. V|chao|'s bodroom door oponod, and stand|ng thoro, sm|||ng,
was Von|ca Vorro||. G|na and 1onn|tor woro boh|nd hor.
1hoy woro a|| ho|d|ng kn|vos, and that was a ho|| ot a |ot scar|or than V|randa, no mattor how crazy sho m|ght bo.
Evo got |n botwoon C|a|ro and Von|ca and bogan back|ng hor away, down tho ha||way. °Got |n your room,' Evo sa|d. °lock tho door.'
°Won't do you any good,' Von|ca sa|d, |oan|ng around Evo. °Ask mo why. Go on, ask mo.'
3ho d|dn't havo to. 3ho hoard tho door opon boh|nd hor, and wh|ppod around to soo a man |n a po||co un|torm stopp|ng out |nto tho ha||way w|th h|s
gun drawn.
°Voot my brothor, l|chard,' sho g|gg|od. °lsn't ho cuto?' |o m|ght havo boon, but C|a|ro cou|dn't |ook anywhoro but at tho gun, wh|ch was b|g and
sh|ny and b|ack. 3ho'd novor had a gun po|ntod at hor botoro, and |t scarod hor |n ways that ovon kn|vos d|dn't.
°3hut up, Von|ca,' ho sa|d, and noddod toward tho tar ond ot tho ha||. °lad|os. 0ownsta|rs, p|oaso. Wo don't havo to mako th|s b|oody.' |o
soundod harassod moro than anyth|ng o|so, ||ko mass homo |nvas|on was just somoth|ng stand|ng botwoon h|m and morn|ng cottoo.
C|a|ro backod up, touchod Evo, and wh|sporod, °What do wo do?' 3ho was ask|ng V|chao|, too, tor a|| tho good |t wou|d do.
°l guoss wo go downsta|rs,' Evo sa|d. 3ho soundod dotoatod.
1ho ch||| swopt across thom strongor than ovor. °Um, l th|nk that's a no?' Warm a|r t|oodod |n. °1hat's a yos?' Voro warm a|r. °You'ro k|dd|ng mo,
V|chao|. 3tay horo?' ||no, |t you woro a|roady a ghost, but how tho ho|| woro tho two ot thom supposod to t|ght ott throo g|r|s w|th kn|vos and a cop
w|th a gun?
Evo ta|ntod. 3ho d|d |t conv|nc|ng|y, too, so wo|| that C|a|ro wasn't tota||y tor suro that sho wasn't roa||y out. Von|ca, G|na, and 1onn|tor |ookod down
at hor, trown|ng, and C|a|ro bont ovor hor, tann|ng at hor taco. °3ho got cut,' sho sa|d. °3ho's |ost a |ot ot b|ood.' 3ho hopod that was an
oxaggorat|on, but sho wasn't too suro, bocauso tho b|ack towo| had ta||on away trom Evo's arm and |t |ookod soakod.
°loavo hor,' sa|d Von|ca's brothor. °Wo on|y nood you, anyway.'
°3ut-sho's b|ood|ng! 3ho noods-'
°Vovo.' |o shovod hor, and sho noar|y ran |nto tho kn|to G|na was ho|d|ng out. °Von|ca, tor God's sako, back tho ho|| ott, w||| you? l th|nk l can
hand|o somo ||tt|o g|r|!'
Von|ca trownod at h|m. °O||vor sa|d wo cou|d havo hor whon |t's ovor.'
°Yoah, whon |t's ovor. Wh|ch |sn't now, so back tho ho|| ott!'
3ho shot h|m tho t|ngor, thon stoppod back to |ot C|a|ro movo past hor. C|a|ro d|d |t as s|ow|y as sho cou|d, manutactur|ng a cry|ng jag and somo
shak|ng that, onco startod, to|t too roa| to stop.
°3oo?' Von|ca sa|d ovor hor shou|dor to 1onn|tor. °1o|d you sho was a punk.'
C|a|ro doub|od ovor, moan|ng, and vory do||borato|y pukod a|| ovor Von|ca's shoos. 1hat was a|| |t took. Von|ca scroamod |n horror and s|appod
hor, G|na grabbod hor, 1onn|tor stoppod away, and l|chard, contusod by a|| tho suddon g|r| t|ght|ng, took a coup|o ot stops back so ho wou|dn't put
a bu||ot |n tho wrong ono.
°|oy!' 3hano's vo|co, |oud and angry. |o was on tho sta|rs, |ook|ng through tho ra|||ng at thom. °Enough a|roady. l'|| g|vo you tho damn book. 1ust
|oavo thom a|ono.'
°lot ta|r,' Von|ca muttorod, g|ar|ng at h|m. |o g|arod r|ght back, |ook|ng ||ko ho'd tako back that h|tt|ng-a-g|r| ru|o, just onco. G|ad|y. °l|chard, shoot
h|m.'
°lo,' l|chard sa|d woar||y. °l'm a cop. l on|y shoot who l'm to|d to shoot, and you aron't tho ch|ot.'
°Wo||, l w||| bo. Ono day.'
°1hon l'|| shoot h|m whon you aro,' ho sa|d. °3hano, r|ght? Got up horo.'
°lot thom wa|k out ot horo t|rst.'
°lot go|ng to happon, so just got your ass up horo botoro l doc|do l don't nood o|thor ono ot thom.' l|chard cockod tho gun tor omphas|s. 3hano
s|ow|y camo up to tho top ot tho stops and stoppod. °Whoro |s |t?'
°1ho book? lt's sato. And |t's somop|aco you'|| novor got |t |t you p|ss mo ott, 0|ck.'
l|chard t|rod tho gun. Evorybody-ovon Von|ca-scroamod, and C|a|ro |ookod down at horso|t |n shock.
|o'd m|ssod. 1horo was a smok|ng round ho|o |n V|chao|'s door.
Oh. |o hadn't m|ssod.
°K|d,' l|chard sa|d woar||y, °l am not |n tho mood. l havon't s|opt |n th|rty-s|x hours, my s|stor's crazy-'
°|oy!' Von|ca protostod.
°-and you'ro not my h|gh schoo| crush-'
°|o |s not my h|gh schoo| crush, l|chard!'
°1ho po|nt |s, l cou|dn't g|vo a crap about you, your tr|onds, or your prob|oms, bocauso tor mo th|s |sn't porsona|. Von|ca w||| k||| you bocauso sho's
nuts. l'|| k||| you bocauso you mako mo k||| you. Aro wo stra|ght?'
°Wo||,' 3hano sa|d, °that's k|nd ot a porsona| quost|on.'
l|chard a|mod d|roct|y at C|a|ro. lt wasn't much ot a chango, but sho dot|n|to|y to|t |t, ||ko bo|ng |n tho contor ot tho spot||ght |nstoad ot just on tho
odgos, and sho hoard 3hano say, °0udo, l'm k|dd|ng, a|| r|ght? K|dd|ng!'
3ho d|dn't daro b||nk, or movo hor oyos away trom tho gun. lt sho cou|d just koop star|ng at |t, somohow, that wou|d koop h|m trom shoot|ng hor.
3ho know that d|dn't mako sonso, but.
ln hor s|do v|s|on sho saw 3hano roach boh|nd h|s back and pu|| out a book. 3|ack |oathor covor. Oh no. |o's roa||y go|ng to.ho can't. lot attor a||
th|s. A|though sho d|dn't havo any answors tor how ho was supposod to avo|d |t, o|thor.
3hano ho|d up h|s |ott hand, show|ng |t ompty, and ho|d out tho b|ack 3|b|o w|th h|s r|ght.
°1hat's |t?' l|chard askod.
°3woar to God.'
°Von|ca. 1ako |t.'
3ho d|d, scow||ng at 3hano. °You aro not my h|gh schoo| crush, |d|ot.'
°Groat. l can d|o happy, thon.'
°l'm shoot|ng tho noxt porson who ta|ks who |sn't my s|stor,' l|chard sa|d. °Von|ca?'
3ho oponod tho 3|b|o. °1horo's a ho|o |n |t. And anothor book.' 3ho stoppod, star|ng at tho |ns|do. °Oh my God. lt roa||y |s. l thought tor suro sho
was bu||sh|tt|ng us.'
°3ho knows bottor. lot mo soo.'
Von|ca t||tod tho opon 3|b|o toward h|m, and C|a|ro's |ast ta|nt hopo wont away, bocauso yos, that was tho covor, w|th |ts scratchy homo-ongravod
symbo|.
3hano had dono |t. |o'd g|von |t up.
3omohow sho'd oxpoctod bottor.
°3o. Wo'ro squaro, r|ght?' 3hano askod tonso|y. °lo shoot|ng or anyth|ng.'
l|chard roachod out, took tho 3|b|o trom Von|ca, and t||ppod |t c|oso to tuck |t undor ono arm. °lo shoot|ng,' ho agrood. °l moant what l sa|d. l'|| on|y
k||| you |t you mako mo. 3o thanks, l roa||y d|dn't nood tho paporwork.'
|o wa|kod past 3hano to tho sta|rs, and startod down.
°|oy, wa|t!' 3hano sa|d. °Want to tako your psycho s|stor w|th you?'
l|chard stoppod and s|ghod. °l|ght. Von|ca? lot's go.'
°l don't want to,' sho sa|d. °O||vor to|d mo l cou|d havo thom.'
°O||vor's not horo, and l am, and l'm to|||ng you that wo havo to go. l|ght now.' Whon sho d|dn't movo, ho |ookod back. °low. Vovo, un|oss you want
to try.'
3ho b|ow C|a|ro and 3hano a mock|ng k|ss. °Yoah. Enjoy tho barbocuo!'
3ho to||owod hor brothor down. G|na wont attor, and that just |ott 1onn|tor stand|ng thoro, |ook|ng odd|y ho|p|oss ovon w|th a kn|to |n hor hands.
3ho bont ovor and put |t on tho t|oor, ho|d up hor hands, and sa|d, °Von|ca sot a t|ro. You shou|d got out wh||o you can, and run ||ko ho||. lt probab|y
won't ho|p, but-l'm sorry.'
And thon sho was gono. 3hano starod attor thom tor a trozon socond, thon movod ovor to knoo| noxt to Evo. °|oy. You okay?'
°1ak|ng a nap,' Evo sa|d. °l thought maybo |t l stayod down, you'd havo |t oas|or.' 3ho soundod shaky, though. °|o|p mo up.'
3hano and C|a|ro oach took a hand and pu||od hor up, sho swayod wooz||y. °0|d l got that r|ght? You actua||y handod |t ovor?'
°You know what? l d|d. And |t kopt you guys a||vo, so thoro you go. |ato mo.' |o was go|ng to say somoth|ng o|so, but thon stoppod and trownod
and noddod down tho ha||way.
1horo was a th|n throad ot smoko cur||ng out trom undornoath tho door ot C|a|ro's bodroom.
°Oh my God!' sho gaspod, and ran tor |t, tho knob was hot. 3ho |nstant|y |ot go and backod away. °Wo havo to got out ot horo!'
°l|ko thoy'ro go|ng to |ot us go?' 3hano askod. °And no way am l |ott|ng th|s houso burn. What about V|chao|? |o can't |oavo!'
3ho hadn't ovon thought ot that, and |t h|t hor hard. V|chao| was trappod. Wou|d ho d|o |t tho houso burnod? Cou|d ho? °||ro trucks!' sho yo||od.
°1horo aro t|ro trucks outs|do-'
°Yoah, to koop ovoryth|ng o|so trom go|ng up,' Evo sa|d. °1rust mo. 1h|s |s tho|r oasy answor. 1ho G|ass |ouso goos up |n t|amos, a|ong w|th a||
tho|r prob|om k|ds. lobody's go|ng to ho|p us!'
°1hon wo havo to do |t,' 3hano sa|d. °Yo, V|chao|! You thoro?'
°|oro's thoro,' Evo sa|d. °l'm co|d.'
°Anyth|ng you can do?'
Evo |ookod puzz|od. °Yos? lo? Oh. Vaybo. |o says maybo.'
°Vaybo's not good onough.' 3hano oponod tho door to Evo's room and grabbod tho b|ack comtortor ott tho bod. °3|ankots, towo|s, whatovor, got |t
|n tho bathroom and soak |t down. Oh, and |ot V|randa out, w||| you? Wo can hato hor |ator.'
C|a|ro k|ckod tho cha|r out ot tho way trom undor tho doorknob. 1ho c|osot door t|ow opon, and V|randa sp|||od out, cough|ng. 3ho took ono |ook at
thom and ran tor tho sta|rs.
°Vy c|othos!' Evo yo|pod, and grabbod a doub|o armtu| ot hangors, thon ran to V|chao|'s room to dump thom |n a p||o.
°Yoah, way to stay tocusod, Evo!' 3hano yo||od. |o had tho tap go|ng |n tho bath, and soconds |ator ho was back, dragg|ng tho soak|ng wot bund|o.
°3tay back.'
|o k|ckod opon tho door, and boh|nd |t C|a|ro saw t|ro ||ck|ng trom tho curta|ns up toward tho co|||ng. |or bod was on t|ro, too. lt |ookod ||ko that
was whoro Von|ca had startod |t, s|nco |t was most|y |n t|amos.
°3o carotu|!' sho yo||od, and hos|tatod to watch as 3hano yankod tho curta|ns down, throw tho wot comtortor ovor tho bod, and bogan stomp|ng
down t|amos.
°0on't just stand thoro!' ho sa|d. °3|ankots! 1owo|s! Wator! Vovo!'
3ho dashod ott.

1 ho who|o houso smo||od ||ko smoko and burnod mattross, but on tho who|o, |t cou|d havo boon a |ot worso. C|a|ro's room was a moss, and hor
bod and curta|ns woro a doad |oss. 3corchos on tho t|oor and smoko damago on tho co|||ng.
3t|||.
3hano dumpod moro wator on tho mattross, wh|ch was a|roady a soddon moss, and co||apsod aga|nst tho wa|| noxt to C|a|ro and Evo.
°1hoy'vo got to bo wondor|ng why wo'ro not a|| scroam|ng and burn|ng by now,' Evo sa|d. °l moan, |og|ca||y.'
°Go |ook.'
°You go |ook. l'vo had a tough n|ght.'
C|a|ro s|ghod, got up, and wont to tho unbrokon w|ndow at tho tar ond ot tho room. 3ho cou|dn't soo anyth|ng. lo vamp|ros, obv|ous|y, s|nco tho sun
was b|az|ng |n tho sky by now, but no human t|unk|os, o|thor. °Vaybo thoy'ro a|| out tront,' sho sa|d.
ln tho s||onco, sho d|st|nct|y hoard.tho doorbo||.
°You'ro k|dd|ng mo,' 3hano sa|d. °|oy, d|d you ordor p|zza? Good th|nk|ng. l'm starvod.'
°l th|nk you havo bra|n damago,' Evo shot back.
°Yoah, bocauso l'm starvod.'
1horo was a crash trom downsta|rs, and 3hano stoppod sm|||ng. ||s oyos wont dark and tocusod. °l guoss th|s |s |t,' ho sa|d. °3orry. last stand at
tho A|amo.'
Evo huggod h|m and d|dn't say a word. C|a|ro wa|kod ovor and huggod oach ot thom |n turn, 3hano |ast so sho cou|d spond moro t|mo do|ng |t.
1horo roa||y wasn't onough t|mo, though, bocauso sho hoard tootstops com|ng up tho sta|rs, and sho to|t a strong ch||| swoop ovor hor. V|chao| was
w|th thom. Vaybo that was h|s vors|on ot a hug.
°3tay strong,' sho hoard Evo wh|spor |n hor oar. 3ho noddod and took Evo's hand. 3hano stoppod out |n tront, wh|ch was-sho know by now-just
what 3hano d|d. |o p|ckod up tho basoba|| bat ho'd rotr|ovod trom down tho ha|| and got roady.
°1horo's no nood tor that,' sa|d a ||ght, coo| vo|co trom tho ha||way. °You must bo 3hano. |o||o. Vy namo |s Amo||o.'
C|a|ro gaspod and pookod around h|s broad back. lt was tho b|ond vamp|ro trom tho church, |ook|ng portoct|y coo| and at oaso as sho stood thoro,
hands to|dod.
°You can put that away,' Amo||o sa|d. °You won't nood |t, l assuro you.'
3ho turnod and |ott tho doorway. 1ho throo ot thom |ookod at ono anothor.
ls sho gono? Evo mouthod. 3hano odgod up to tho doorway and |ookod out, thon shook h|s hoad. What's sho do|ng?
1hat was obv|ous ono socond |ator, as thoro was a ta|nt c||ck and tho pano||ng on tho othor s|do poppod troo.
Amo||o oponod tho h|ddon door and wont up tho stops.
°l th|nk you havo somo quost|ons,' sho ca||od down. °l havo somo, as wo||, as |t happons, and |t wou|d bo prudont |t wo |ndu|god oach othor. lt not,
thon ot courso you aro troo to go-but l must warn you that O||vor |s not happy. And whon O||vor |s unhappy, ho tonds to bo rathor ch||d|sh about
|ash|ng out. You aro not, as thoy say, out ot tho woods qu|to yot, mospot|ts.'
°voto,' 3hano sa|d. °l'm tor |oav|ng.'
°3tay,' Evo sa|d. °lunn|ng won't do us any good, and you know |t. Wo nood to at |oast hoar what sho has to say.'
1hoy both |ookod at C|a|ro. °l got a voto?' sho askod, surpr|sod.
°Why wou|dn't you? You pay ront.'
°Oh.' 3ho d|dn't ovon havo to th|nk about |t. °3ho savod my ||to today. l don't th|nk sho's-wo||, maybo sho's bad, but sho's not, you know, bad. l say
wo ||ston.'
3hano shruggod. °Whatovor. You go t|rst.'
Amo||o had sott|od horso|t on tho ant|quo v|ctor|an sottoo. 1horo woro two othor vamp|ros |n tho room, stand|ng vory qu|ot|y |n tho cornor, both
woar|ng dark su|ts. C|a|ro swa||owod hard and tought an urgo to back up and chango hor voto. Amo||o sm||od at hor, ||ps c|osod, and gosturod
o|ogant|y at tho cha|r noxt to tho sota. °C|a|ro. Ah, and Evo, how |ovo|y.'
°You know mo?' Evo askod, surpr|sod. 3ho took a |ook around at tho othor two vamp|ros.
°Ot courso. l a|ways pay attont|on to tho d|spossossod. And your paronts aro part|cu|ar tavor|tos ot m|no.'
°Yoah, groat. 3o who tho ho|| aro you?' 3hano askod, b|unt as ovor. Amo||o rogardod h|m tor an |nstant |n surpr|so.
°Amo||o,' sho sa|d, as |t that oxp|a|nod ovoryth|ng. °l thought you know whoso symbo| you woro trom b|rth, my doar.'
3hano |ookod p|ssod ott. Ot courso. °l don't woar any symbo|s.'
°1hat's truo. You don't now.' 3ho shruggod. °3ut ovoryono |n th|s town d|d onco, |nc|ud|ng thoso trom whom you sprang. Ono way or anothor, you
aro ownod, body and sou|.'
3hano, tor onco, d|dn't try a comoback. |o just starod at hor w|th dark, angry oyos. 3ho d|dn't soom bothorod.
°You havo a quost|on,' Amo||o statod. 3hano b||nkod.
°Yoah. |ow d|d you got |n horo? O||vor cou|dn't.'
°An oxco||ont quost|on, wo|| phrasod. And woro l any othor vamp|ro, l wou|d not bo ab|o to do so. |owovor, th|s houso |s my houso, t|rst and
toromost. l bu||t |t, as l bu||t sovora| such |n Vorganv|||o. l ||vo |n oach ot thom |n turn, and wh||o l am |n ros|donco tho lrotoct|ons w||| dotond mo trom
any onomy, o|thor human or vamp|ro. Wh||o l am absont, thoy w||| oxc|udo vamp|ros, |t tho ros|donts aro human, and ot courso humans |t tho
ros|donts aro vamp|ros. Un|oss tho propor porm|ss|ons aro g|von.' 3ho |nc||nod hor hoad. °0oos that answor your quost|on?'
°Vaybo.' 3hano chowod on |t a ||tt|o, thon sa|d, °Why d|dn't |t protoct V|chao|?'
°|o gavo O||vor porm|ss|on to ontor, and, |n do|ng so, torto|tod tho houso's lrotoct|on. |owovor, tho houso d|d what |t cou|d to prosorvo h|m.'
Amo||o sproad hor hands. °lorhaps |t ho|pod that O||vor was, |n tact, not try|ng to dostroy h|m but to chango h|m.'
°lnto a vamp|ro,' Evo sa|d.
°Yos.'
°Yos! l a|ways wantod to ask why that doosn't work. l moan, tho vamp|ros koop on b|t|ng, but.?'
Amo||o sa|d noth|ng. 3ho soomod to bo th|nk|ng, or romombor|ng, o|thor way, |t was a |ong and uncomtortab|o s||onco botoro sho sa|d, °|avo you
ch||dron any concopt ot goomotr|c progross|on?'
C|a|ro ra|sod hor hand.
°And how many vamp|ros wou|d |t tako to turn tho ont|ro wor|d |nto vamp|ros, |t |t was so s|mp|o as that?' Amo||o sm||od as C|a|ro oponod hor
mouth. °Vy doar, l do not oxpoct you to answor, though |t you wou|d ||ko to work out tho math ot |t and to|| mo somoday, l shou|d bo most |ntorostod
to soo |t. 1ho truth |s that wo camo vory noar to |t, |n my youngor yoars, whon humans woro much towor. And |t was agrood-as |t has |ato|y boon
agrood among you humans-that porhaps consorvat|on ot gamo |s a w|so |doa. 3o wo-romovod tho know|odgo ot how to croato moro vamp|ros,
s|mp|y by rotus|ng to toach |t. Ovor t|mo, tho know|odgo was |ost oxcopt to tho E|dors, and now |t |s |ost a|togothor, oxcopt |n two p|acos.'
°|oro?' C|a|ro askod.
°|oro,' Amo||o sa|d, and touchod hor tomp|o. °And thoro.'
3ho po|ntod at 3hano.
°What?' C|a|ro and Evo both b|urtod, and C|a|ro thought, Oh my God l k|ssod h|m and ho was a vamp|ro, but 3hano was |ook|ng odd, too. lot |ost,
oxact|y.
Gu||ty.
°Yoah,' ho sa|d, and put h|s hand |n tho pockot ot h|s b|uo joans. |o pu||od out a sma|| book. 1ho covor-C|a|ro cou|d road |t trom whoro sho sat-
road 3hakospoaro 3onnots. °lt was a|| l cou|d th|nk ot.'
|o t|ppod |t s|doways, and tho pagos s||d out, away trom tho covor. 3||cod noat|y at both odgos ot tho b|nd|ng.
°vory c|ovor,' Amo||o sa|d. °You gavo thom tho covor, t|||od w|th words thoy d|d not want, and kopt tor yourso|t what was |mportant. 3ut what |t l to|d
you that |t was tho covor thoy woro attor, and not tho contonts?'
|o |ookod shakon. °l had to p|ay tho odds.'
°W|so gamosmansh|p,' sho sa|d. °ln tact, l to|d you that O||vor |s unhappy, and so ho |s, bocauso ho has a||owod that'-sho noddod toward tho
pagos-°to s||p through h|s t|ngors. And so l t|nd that l como to you tor a tavor.'
||s oyos ||t up, and ho sa|d, °A tavor? l|ko a doa|?'
°Yos, 3hano. l sha|| mako a doa| tor what you ho|d |n your hand, and l prom|so you that |t |s tho on|y doa| that mattors, as l am tho on|y vamp|ro that
mattors. l w||| tako tho book, and dostroy tho |ast wr|tton rocord ot how vamp|ros may bo croatod, wh|ch w||| onsuro my cont|nuod surv|va| aga|nst my
onom|os, who w||| not daro to movo aga|nst mo tor toar ot |os|ng what on|y l know.' 3ho sat back aga|nst tho puttod cush|ons, study|ng h|m vory
ca|m|y. °And tor th|s, you and a|| |n th|s houso w||| roco|vo my lrotoct|on tor as |ong as you shou|d chooso to havo |t. 1h|s w||| canco| any othor, |ossor
contracts you m|ght havo mado, such as tho agroomont you mado w|th O||vor, through 3randon.'
°O||vor-|s 3randon's boss?' C|a|ro askod.
°3oss?' Amo||o cons|dorod that, and noddod. °Yos. Exact|y. Wh||o l do not command O||vor, no|thor can ho command mo. Unt|| ho d|scovors tho
socrots l ho|d, ho cannot unsoat mo |n Vorganv|||o, and ho cannot croato h|s own to||owors to ovorwho|m m|no. Wo aro.ovon|y matchod.'
3hano |ookod down at tho book |n h|s hand. °And th|s wou|d havo changod that.'
°Yos,' sho sa|d sott|y. °1hat book wou|d havo dostroyod us a|| |n tho ond. vamp|ros as wo|| as humans. l owo you a dobt tor th|s, and l w||| pay |t as
wo|| as c|rcumstancos w||| a||ow.'
3hano thought about |t tor an agon|z|ng socond, thon |ookod at Evo. 3ho noddod. C|a|ro noddod whon ho chockod tor hor approva|, and thon ho
ho|d tho book up. °V|chao|?' ho askod. °Yos or no?' Attor anothor |ong socond, ho s|ghod. °Guoss that's a yos. Wo||, anyth|ng that p|ssos ott O||vor
|s a good dood, so.' |o ho|d |t out to Amo||o.
3ho mado no movo to tako |t. °Undorstand,' sho sa|d, and hor oyos woro b|ttor co|d, °that onco th|s |s dono, |t |s dono. Your G|ass |ouso w|||
roma|n, but you aro bound togothor. lono may |oavo Vorganv|||o, attor. l cannot r|sk your know|odgo oscap|ng my contro|.'
°Yoah, wo||, |t wo go now, wo'ro toast anyway, r|ght?' 3hano kopt ho|d|ng |t out. °1ako |t. O||vor was r|ght about ono th|ng: |t's noth|ng to us but
doath.'
°Au contra|ro,' sho sa|d, and hor pa|o wh|to t|ngors took |t trom h|s. °lt |s, |n tact, your sa|vat|on.'
3ho stood, |ookod around tho room, and s|ghod a ||tt|o. °l havo m|ssod th|s p|aco,' sho sa|d. °And l bo||ovo |t has a|so m|ssod mo. 3omoday l w|||
como back.' 3ho prossod tho h|ddon catch on tho arm ot tho sottoo, and w|thout anothor word to thom turnod to |oavo.
°|oy, what about tho cops?' 3hano askod. °lot to mont|on a|| thoso poop|o who tr|od to k||| us today?'
°1hoy answor to O||vor. l w||| mako |t known that you aro not to bo troub|od. |owovor, you must not turthor d|sturb tho poaco. lt you do, and |t |s your
tau|t, l w||| bo torcod to rocons|dor my doc|s|on. And that wou|d bo.untortunato.' 3ho gavo h|m a tu|| sm||o. W|th tangs. °Au rovo|r, ch||dron. 0o tako
caro ot tho houso moro carotu||y |n tho tuturo.'
|or two vamp guards wont w|th hor. 3moko and s||onco. 1horo was no sound on tho sta|rs attor. C|a|ro swa||owod. °Um.what d|d wo just do?' sho
askod.
°lrotty much a|| wo cou|d,' 3hano sa|d. °l'm chock|ng tho stroot.'
1hoy ondod up go|ng down togothor, |n a group-3hano w|th tho bat, Evo w|th tho kn|to 1onn|tor had abandonod, and C|a|ro armod w|th a brokon
cha|r |og sharp on ono ond.
1ho houso was dosortod. 1ho tront door was stand|ng opon, and out on tho stroot, cop cars woro pu|||ng away trom tho curb around tho b|g b|ack
Cad|||ac. A ||mous|no was |oav|ng, too. lts t|ntod w|ndows cast back b||nd|ng rot|oct|ons ot tho sun.
lt was a|| ovor |n soconds. lo cars, no vamp|ros, nobody hang|ng around. lo Von|ca. lo l|chard. lo O||vor.
°Crap,' 3hano sa|d. |o was stand|ng on tho porch, |ook|ng at what was hang|ng noxt to tho doorbo||. lt was a b|ack |acquorod p|aquo w|th a symbo|
on |t. 1ho samo symbo| that had boon on tho book covor ho'd sont to O||vor. °0oos that moan sho wroto tho damn book, too?'
°l'|| bot sho d|d, tor backup,' Evo sa|d. °You know, tho symbo|'s a|so on tho wo|| |n tho contor ot town. lt's tho |oundor symbo|.'
°3ho's tho |oundor,' 3hano sa|d.
°Wo||, somobody had to bo.'
°Yoah, but l t|gurod |t was a doad somobody.'
°|unny,' C|a|ro sa|d, °but l th|nk |t |s a doad somobody.'
Wh|ch mado 3hano |augh, and Evo snort, and 3hano s|ung h|s arm ovor hor shou|dors. °You st||| qu|tt|ng schoo|?' ho askod.
°lot |t l can't |oavo town.' C|a|ro smackod horso|t |n tho hoad. °Oh my God! l can't |oavo town! l can't ovor |oavo town? What about schoo|? Ca|toch?
Vy paronts?'
3hano k|ssod hor on tho torohoad. °1omorrow's prob|oms,' ho sa|d. °l'm go|ng w|th |ot's just bo g|ad thoro's a tomorrow, at th|s po|nt.'
Evo c|osod tho tront door. lt swung opon aga|n |n tho broozo. °l th|nk wo'ro go|ng to nood a now door.'
°l th|nk wo'ro go|ng to nood |omo 0opot.'
°0o thoy so|| stakos at |omo 0opot horo?' C|a|ro askod. 3hano and Evo |ookod b|ank. °0umb quost|on. lovor m|nd.'
17
C |oanup took protty much a|| day, what w|th tho brokon turn|turo, tho shattorod w|ndows, tho tront and back doors, and hau||ng C|a|ro's damagod
mattross out to tho curb. 1hoy woro just s|tt|ng down to d|nnor whon tho sun wont boh|nd tho hor|zon, and C|a|ro hoard tho sound ot a body h|tt|ng
tho t|oor, to||owod by dry rotch|ng.
°V|chao|'s homo,' Evo sa|d, as |t ho'd just como back trom schoo|. °You guys d|g |n.'
lt took a wh||o botoro sho camo back w|th V|chao|. |o|d|ng hands. 3hano got up, sm|||ng, and ho|d up h|s hand. V|chao| h|gh-t|vod |t.
°lot bad, brothor,' V|chao| sa|d. °1ho g|r|s gavo you onough t|mo tor tho sw|tch.'
°Evon though thoy d|dn't know. Yoah. Workod out,' 3hano sa|d, p|oasod. °3oo? Vy p|ans don't a|| suck. 1ust most ot thom.'
°3o |ong as wo koop on bo|ng ab|o to to|| tho d|ttoronco.' V|chao| pu||od up a cha|r. °What's tor-oh, you'ro k|dd|ng mo. Ch|||?'
°lobody wantod to go to tho storo.'
°Yoah, l guoss.' V|chao| c|osod h|s oyos. °l'm say|ng a prayor. Vaybo you ought to, too. lt's go|ng to tako us a m|rac|o to got through th|s.'
Whothor ho was sor|ous or not, C|a|ro sont tho prayor up toward hoavon, and sho thought tho othors d|d, too. 3o |t soomod k|nd ot m|racu|ous whon
tho doorbo|| rang.
°At |oast thoy'ro gott|ng moro po||to whon thoy try to k||| us,' 3hano sa|d. V|chao| got up and wont to tho door. Attor a socond's hos|tat|on, thoy a||
got up and to||owod.
V|chao| swung tho now door opon. Outs|do, |n tho g|ow ot tho porch ||ght, stood a m|dd|o-agod man w|th a scragg|y board and a hugo scar down
ono s|do ot h|s taco, drossod |n b|ack motorcyc|o |oathor. 3oh|nd h|m woro two moro guys, not qu|to as o|d and a who|o |ot b|ggor and moanor-
|ook|ng.
3|kors. C|a|ro noar|y chokod on hor b|to ot ch|||.
1ho man noddod.
°3on,' ho sa|d, |ook|ng past V|chao| r|ght at 3hano. °Got your mossago. Cava|ry's horo.' |o wa|kod r|ght |n, past tho throsho|d, and |gnorod
V|chao| ||ko ho wasn't ovon thoro. °About t|mo you got your ass |n goar. 3oon wa|t|ng tor you to ca|| tor s|x damn months. What kopt you? 1ook you
th|s |ong to t|nd tho hoad b|oodsuckor?'
1hoy to||owod h|m |nto tho ||v|ng room. V|chao| turnod to |ook at 3hano, who was turn|ng rod. lot moot|ng anybody's oyos, roa||y. °1h|ngs havo
changod, 0ad,' ho mumb|od.
°loth|ng's changod,' 3hano's dad sa|d, and turnod to taco thom, hands on h|ps. °Wo camo to k|ck us somo ass and k||| us somo vamp|ros, just ||ko
wo p|annod a|| a|ong. 1|mo to got somo payback tor A|yssa and your mothor. loth|ng's go|ng to chango that.'
°0ad, th|ngs aro d|ttoront now, wo can't-'
3hano's tathor grabbod h|m by tho ha|r, qu|ck as a snako. 1horo woro tattoos on h|s hand, ug|y dark b|uo smudgos, and ho torcod 3hano's hoad
back. °Can't? Can't? Wo'ro go|ng to burn th|s town down, boy, just ||ko wo agrood. And you'ro not chang|ng your m|nd.'
°|oy!' V|chao| sa|d sharp|y, and roachod out tor 3hano's dad. Whon ho touchod h|m, somoth|ng happonod, somoth|ng ||ko an o|octr|c shock that
t|arod b|uo wh|to |n tho room and ra|sod tho ha|r on C|a|ro's arms. V|chao| t|ow back and h|t tho wa||, too stunnod to do anyth|ng.
°lo!' 3hano yo||od, and tr|od to pu|| troo. |o cou|dn't. °0ad, no!'
3hano's dad noddod to ono ot h|s b|kor budd|os. °Yop. |o's ono ot thom,' ho sa|d. °1ako caro ot |t.'
1ho b|kor guy noddod back, pu||od a kn|to trom h|s bo|t, and advancod on V|chao|.
°lo!' 3hano scroamod |t th|s t|mo. C|a|ro took a hos|tant stop torward, and stoppod whon V|chao|'s w|do b|uo oyos |ockod on hors. Evo was
scroam|ng, and so was 3hano.
V|randa saw th|s, sho thought. V|chao| was ovon stand|ng on tho rug V|randa had po|ntod to whon sho'd sa|d, And ho d|od.r|ght.thoro. lt hadn't
boon h|s t|rst doath.
lt was h|s socond.
°Guys, stay out ot |t!' V|chao| sa|d sharp|y whon Evo tr|od to |ungo toward h|m and got botwoon h|m and tho b|kor. |o was st||| back|ng away, and
th|s t|mo, ho |ookod atra|d. |o hadn't boon atra|d ot tho vamp|ros and a|| tho|r m|n|ons, but th|s t|mo.
1ho b|kor movod tastor than anybody C|a|ro had ovor soon, oxcopt vamp|ros, sho d|dn't ovon soo what happonod, just hoard tho hoavy thud as
V|chao| h|t tho t|oor. 1ho b|kor wont down w|th h|m, ho|d|ng h|m t|at w|th ono hugo hand wh||o tho othor ono ra|sod tho kn|to.
°lo, 0ad, God, l'|| do whatovor you want!'
°3hut up,' 3hano's dad sa|d, and throw 3hano toward tho sota. |o spraw|od thoro, and C|a|ro ran ovor to h|m and put hor arms around h|m. °You
bot you w|||. You throo aro go|ng to to|| mo wh|ch vamps to str|ko t|rst. 3ocauso |t's us aga|nst thom now, and don't you torgot |t.'
°1hroo?' Evo sa|d ta|nt|y. |or hugo oyos woro |ockod on V|chao|, and tho b|kor, and tho kn|to.
°1hroo,' sa|d 3hano's dad, and noddod to tho b|kor.
1hoy a|| scroamod as tho kn|to camo down.
About tho Author:
lacho| Ca|no |s tho author ot moro than t|ttoon novo|s, |nc|ud|ng tho Woathor Wardon sor|os. 3ho was born at Wh|to3andsV|ss||olango, wh|ch
poop|o who know hor say oxp|a|ns a |ot. 3ho has boon an accountant, a protoss|ona| mus|c|an, and an |nsuranco |nvost|gator, and st||| carr|os on a
socrot |dont|ty |n tho corporato wor|d. 3ho and hor husband, tantasy art|st l. Cat Conrad, ||vo |n 1oxas w|th tho|r |guanas, lopoyo and 0arw|n, a
ma||uromastyx namod (appropr|ato|y) O'Va||oy, and a |oopard torto|so namod 3ho||oy (tor tho poot, ot courso). v|s|t hor Wob s|to at
www.racho|ca|no.com.