R|CK R|ORDAN

Eorooa ot OIymµua: 1ho 5on ot Noµtuno

lU||ll
1abIo ot Contonta

l lorcy

ll lorcy

lll lorcy

lv lorcy

v |azo|

vl |azo|

vll |azo|

vlll |azo|

lX |rank

X |rank

Xl |rank

Xll |rank

Xlll lorcy

Xlv lorcy

Xv lorcy

Xvl lorcy

Xvll |azo|

Xvlll |azo|

XlX |ozo|

XX |azo|

XXl |rank

XXll |rank

XXlll |rank

XXlv |rank

XXv lorcy

XXvl lorcy

XXvll lorcy

XXvlll lorcy

XXlX |azo|

XXX |azo|

XXXl |azo|

XXXll |azo|

XXXlll |rank

XXXlv |rank

XXXv |rank

XXXvl |rank

XXXvll lorcy

XXXvlll lorcy

XXXlX lorcy

Xl lorcy

Xll |azo|

Xlll |azo|

Xllll |azo|

Xllv |azo|

Xlv |rank

Xlvl |rank

Xlvll |rank

Xlvlll |rank

XllX lorcy

l lorcy

ll lorcy

lll lorcy

Books by Rlck Rlorooo
7bo Porcy 1ocksoo sorlos.
lElCY 1ACK3Ol Al0 1|E llG|1lllG 1|lE|
lElCY 1ACK3Ol Al0 1|E 3EA O| VOl31El3
lElCY 1ACK3Ol Al0 1|E 1l1Al'3 CUl3E
lElCY 1ACK3Ol Al0 1|E 3A11lE O| 1|E lA3Ylll1|
lElCY 1ACK3Ol Al0 1|E lA31 OlYVllAl
lElCY 1ACK3Ol: 1|E 0EVlGO0 |llE3
7bo loroos oí O|ympos sorlos.
1|E lO31 |ElO
1|E 3Ol O| lEl1UlE
7bo Kooo Cbroolc|os sorlos.
1|E lE0 lYlAVl0
1|E 1|lOlE O| |llE
www.rlckrlorooomytbmostor.co.ok
7o Bocky, wbo sboros my sooctoory lo Now Romo.
Evoo loro coo|o oovor moko mo íorgot yoo.
Naµ 1

Camµ Juµitor
|

Porcy

1|E 3lAKE-|AllE0 lA0lE3 WElE start|ng to annoy lorcy.
1hoy shou|d havo d|od throo days ago whon ho droppod
a crato ot bow||ng ba||s on thom at tho lapa 3arga|n Vart.
1hoy shou|d havo d|od two days ago whon ho ran ovor
thom w|th a po||co car |n Vart|noz. 1hoy ooílolto|y shou|d
havo d|od th|s morn|ng whon ho cut ott tho|r hoads |n 1||don
lark.
lo mattor how many t|mos lorcy k|||od thom and
watchod thom crumb|o to powdor, thoy just kopt ro-torm|ng
||ko |argo ov|| dust bunn|os. |o cou|dn't ovon soom to
outrun thom.
|o roachod tho top ot tho h||| and caught h|s broath. |ow
|ong s|nco ho'd |ast k|||od thom? Vaybo two hours. 1hoy
novor soomod to stay doad |ongor than that.
1ho past tow days, ho'd hard|y s|opt. |o'd oaton
whatovor ho cou|d scroungo - vond|ng mach|no gumm|
boars, sta|o bago|s, ovon a 1ack |n tho Crack burr|to, wh|ch
was a now porsona| |ow. ||s c|othos woro torn, burnt and
sp|attorod w|th monstor s||mo.
|o'd on|y surv|vod th|s |ong bocauso tho two snako-
ha|rod |ad|os - gorgoos, thoy ca||od thomso|vos - cou|dn't
soom to k||| h|m o|thor. 1ho|r c|aws d|dn't cut h|s sk|n. 1ho|r
tooth broko whonovor thoy tr|od to b|to h|m. 3ut lorcy
cou|dn't koop go|ng much |ongor. 3oon ho'd co||apso trom
oxhaust|on, and thon, as hard as ho was to k|||, ho was
protty suro tho gorgons wou|d t|nd a way.
Whoro to run?
|o scannod h|s surround|ngs. Undor d|ttoront
c|rcumstancos, ho m|ght'vo onjoyod tho v|ow. 1o h|s |ott,
go|don h|||s ro||od |n|and, dottod w|th |akos, woods and a
tow hords ot cows. 1o h|s r|ght, tho t|at|ands ot 3orko|oy
and Oak|and marchod wost - a vast choquorboard ot
no|ghbourhoods, w|th sovora| m||||on poop|o who probab|y
d|d not want tho|r morn|ng |ntorruptod by two monstors and
a t||thy dom|god.
|urthor wost, 3an |ranc|sco 3ay g||ttorod undor a s||vory
hazo. last that, a wa|| ot tog had swa||owod most ot 3an
|ranc|sco, |oav|ng just tho tops ot skyscrapors and tho
towors ot tho Go|don Gato 3r|dgo.
A vaguo sadnoss wo|ghod on lorcy's chost. 3omoth|ng
to|d h|m ho'd boon to 3an |ranc|sco botoro. 1ho c|ty had
somo connoct|on to Annaboth - tho on|y porson ho cou|d
romombor trom h|s past. ||s momory ot hor was
trustrat|ng|y d|m. 1ho wo|t had prom|sod ho wou|d soo hor
aga|n and roga|n h|s momory - lí ho succoodod |n h|s
journoy.
3hou|d ho try to cross tho bay?
lt was tompt|ng. |o cou|d too| tho powor ot tho ocoan just
ovor tho hor|zon. Wator a|ways rov|vod h|m. 3a|t wator was
tho bost. |o'd d|scovorod that two days ago whon ho had
strang|od a soa monstor |n tho Carqu|noz 3tra|t. lt ho cou|d
roach tho bay, ho m|ght bo ab|o to mako a |ast stand.
Vaybo ho cou|d ovon drown tho gorgons. 3ut tho shoro
was at |oast two m||os away. |o'd havo to cross an ont|ro
c|ty.
|o hos|tatod tor anothor roason. 1ho sho-wo|t lupa had
taught h|m to sharpon h|s sonsos - to trust tho |nst|ncts that
had boon gu|d|ng h|m south. ||s hom|ng radar was t|ng||ng
||ko crazy now. 1ho ond ot h|s journoy was c|oso - a|most
r|ght undor h|s toot. 3ut how cou|d that bo? 1horo was
noth|ng on tho h|||top.
1ho w|nd changod. lorcy caught tho sour scont ot ropt||o.
A hundrod yards down tho s|opo, somoth|ng rust|od through
tho woods - snapp|ng branchos, crunch|ng |oavos, h|ss|ng.
Gorgons.
|or tho m||||onth t|mo, lorcy w|shod tho|r nosos woron't
so good. 1hoy had a|ways sa|d thoy cou|d smo|| h|m
bocauso ho was a dom|god - tho ha|t-b|ood son ot somo
o|d loman god. lorcy had tr|od ro|||ng |n mud, sp|ash|ng
through crooks, ovon koop|ng a|r-troshonor st|cks |n h|s
pockots so ho'd havo that now-car smo||, but apparont|y
dom|god st|nk was hard to mask.
|o scramb|od to tho wost s|do ot tho summ|t. lt was too
stoop to doscond. 1ho s|opo p|ummotod o|ghty toot,
stra|ght to tho root ot an apartmont comp|ox bu||t |nto tho
h|||s|do. ||tty toot bo|ow that, a h|ghway omorgod trom tho
h|||'s baso and wound |ts way towards 3orko|oy.
Groat. lo othor way ott tho h|||. |o'd managod to got
h|mso|t cornorod.
|o starod at tho stroam ot cars t|ow|ng wost towards 3an
|ranc|sco and w|shod ho woro |n ono ot thom. 1hon ho
roa||zod tho h|ghway must cut through tho h|||. 1horo must
bo a tunno| . r|ght undor h|s toot.
||s |ntorna| radar wont nuts. |o wos |n tho r|ght p|aco, just
too h|gh up. |o had to chock out that tunno|. |o noodod a
way down to tho h|ghway - tast.
|o s|ung ott h|s backpack. |o'd managod to grab a |ot ot
supp||os at tho lapa 3arga|n Vart: a portab|o Gl3, duct
tapo, ||ghtor, suporg|uo, wator bott|o, camp|ng ro||, a Comty
landa l|||ow lot (as soon on 1v) and a 3w|ss army kn|to
- protty much ovory too| a modorn dom|god cou|d want. 3ut
ho had noth|ng that wou|d sorvo as a parachuto or a s|od.
1hat |ott h|m two opt|ons: jump o|ghty toot to h|s doath, or
stand and t|ght. 3oth opt|ons soundod protty bad.
|o cursod and pu||od h|s pon trom h|s pockot.
1ho pon d|dn't |ook ||ko much, just a rogu|ar choap
ba||po|nt, but, whon lorcy uncappod |t, |t grow |nto a
g|ow|ng bronzo sword. 1ho b|ado ba|ancod portoct|y. 1ho
|oathor gr|p t|ttod h|s hand ||ko |t had boon custom
dos|gnod tor h|m. Etchod a|ong tho guard was an Anc|ont
Grook word lorcy somohow undorstood: Aook|osmos -
l|pt|do.
|o'd wokon up w|th th|s sword h|s t|rst n|ght at tho Wo|t
|ouso - two months ago? Voro? |o'd |ost track. |o'd
tound h|mso|t |n tho courtyard ot a burnt-out mans|on |n tho
m|dd|o ot tho woods, woar|ng shorts, an orango 1-sh|rt and
a |oathor nock|aco w|th a bunch ot strango c|ay boads.
l|pt|do had boon |n h|s hand, but lorcy had had no |doa
how ho'd got thoro, and on|y tho vaguost |doa who ho was.
|o'd boon barotoot, trooz|ng and contusod. And thon tho
wo|vos camo .
l|ght noxt to h|m, a tam|||ar vo|co jo|tod h|m back to tho
prosont: '1horo you aro!'
lorcy stumb|od away trom tho gorgon, a|most ta|||ng ott
tho odgo ot tho h|||.
lt was tho sm||oy ono - 3oano.
Okay, hor namo wasn't roa||y 3oano. As noar as lorcy
cou|d t|guro, ho was dys|ox|c, bocauso words got tw|stod
around whon ho tr|od to road. 1ho t|rst t|mo ho'd soon tho
gorgon, pos|ng as a 3arga|n Vart grootor w|th a b|g groon
button that road: ¼o|como! Vy oomo ls 57lENO, ho'd
thought |t sa|d boano.
3ho was st||| woar|ng hor groon 3arga|n Vart omp|oyoo
vost ovor a t|owor-pr|nt dross. lt you |ookod just at hor body,
you m|ght th|nk sho was somobody's dumpy o|d
grandmothor - unt|| you |ookod down and roa||zod sho had
roostor toot. Or you |ookod up and saw bronzo boar tusks
st|ck|ng out ot tho cornors ot hor mouth. |or oyos g|owod
rod, and hor ha|r was a wr|th|ng nost ot br|ght groon
snakos.
1ho most horr|b|o th|ng about hor? 3ho was st||| ho|d|ng
hor b|g s||vor p|attor ot troo samp|os: Cr|spy Chooso 'n'
W|onors. |or p|attor was dontod trom a|| tho t|mos lorcy
had k|||od hor, but thoso ||tt|o samp|os |ookod portoct|y t|no.
3thono just kopt tot|ng thom across Ca||torn|a so sho cou|d
ottor lorcy a snack botoro sho k|||od h|m. lorcy d|dn't
know why sho kopt do|ng that, but |t ho ovor noodod a su|t
ot armour ho was go|ng to mako |t out ot Cr|spy Chooso 'n'
W|onors. 1hoy woro |ndostruct|b|o.
'1ry ono?' 3thono ottorod.
lorcy tondod hor ott w|th h|s sword. 'Whoro's your
s|stor?'
'Oh, put tho sword away,' 3thono ch|dod. 'You know by
now that ovon Co|ost|a| bronzo can't k||| us tor |ong. |avo a
Chooso 'n' W|onor! 1hoy'ro on sa|o th|s wook, and l'd hato
to k||| you on an ompty stomach.'
'3thono!' 1ho socond gorgon appoarod on lorcy's r|ght
so tast ho d|dn't havo t|mo to roact. |ortunato|y sho was too
busy g|ar|ng at hor s|stor to pay h|m much attont|on. 'l to|d
you to snoak up on h|m and k||| h|m!'
3thono's sm||o wavorod. '3ut, Eurya|o .' 3ho sa|d tho
namo so |t rhymod w|th Vorlo|. 'Can't l g|vo h|m a samp|o
t|rst?'
'lo, you |mboc||o!' Eurya|o turnod towards lorcy and
barod hor tangs.
Excopt tor hor ha|r, wh|ch was a nost ot cora| snakos
|nstoad ot groon v|pors, sho |ookod oxact|y ||ko hor s|stor.
|or 3arga|n Vart vost, hor t|owory dross, ovon hor tusks
woro docoratod w|th b0% ott st|ckors. |or namo badgo
road: lo||o! Vy oomo ls LlE, LEVlOOL 5CUV!
'You'vo |od us on qu|to a chaso, lorcy 1ackson,' Eurya|o
sa|d. '3ut now you'ro trappod, and wo'|| havo our rovongo!'
'1ho Chooso 'n' W|onors aro on|y $2.00,' 3thono addod
ho|ptu||y. 'Grocory dopartmont, a|s|o throo.'
Eurya|o snar|od. '3thono, tho 3arga|n Vart was a íroot!
You'ro go|ng nat|vo! low, put down that r|d|cu|ous tray and
ho|p mo k||| th|s dom|god. Or havo you torgotton that ho's
tho ono who vapor|zod Vodusa?'
lorcy stoppod back. 3|x moro |nchos, and ho'd bo
tumb||ng through th|n a|r. 'look, |ad|os, wo'vo boon ovor
th|s. l don't ovon romombor k||||ng Vodusa. l don't
romombor anyth|ng! Can't wo just ca|| a truco and ta|k
about your wook|y spoc|a|s?'
3thono gavo hor s|stor a pouty |ook, wh|ch was hard to
do w|th g|ant bronzo tusks. 'Can wo?'
'lo!' Eurya|o's rod oyos borod |nto lorcy. 'l don't caro
what you romombor, son ot tho soa god. l can smo||
Vodusa's b|ood on you. lt's ta|nt, yos, sovora| yoars o|d, but
yoo woro tho |ast ono to dotoat hor. 3ho stl|| has not
roturnod trom 1artarus. lt's your tau|t!'
lorcy d|dn't roa||y got that. 1ho who|o 'dy|ng thon
roturn|ng trom 1artarus' concopt gavo h|m a hoadacho. Ot
courso, so d|d tho |doa that a ba||po|nt pon cou|d turn |nto a
sword, or that monstors cou|d d|sgu|so thomso|vos w|th
somoth|ng ca||od tho V|st, or that lorcy was tho son ot a
barnac|o-oncrustod god trom t|vo thousand yoars ago. 3ut
ho olo bo||ovo |t. Evon though h|s momory was orasod, ho
know ho was a dom|god tho samo way ho know h|s namo
was lorcy 1ackson. |rom h|s vory t|rst convorsat|on w|th
lupa tho wo|t, ho'd accoptod that th|s crazy mossod-up
wor|d ot gods and monstors was h|s roa||ty. Wh|ch protty
much suckod.
'|ow about wo ca|| |t a draw?' ho sa|d. 'l can't k||| you.
You can't k||| mo. lt you'ro Vodusa's s|stors - ||ko tbo
Vodusa who turnod poop|o to stono - shou|dn't l bo
potr|t|od by now?'
'|oroos!' Eurya|o sa|d w|th d|sgust. '1hoy a|ways br|ng
that up, just ||ko our mothor! °Why can't you turn poop|o to
stono? Your slstor can turn poop|o to stono.' Wo||, l'm sorry
to d|sappo|nt you, boy! 1hat was Vodusa's curso a|ono.
5bo was tho most h|doous ono |n tho tam||y. 3ho got a|| tho
|uck!'
3thono |ookod hurt. 'Vothor sa|d l was tho most
h|doous.'
'Ou|ot!' Eurya|o snappod. 'As tor you, lorcy 1ackson, |t's
truo you boar tho mark ot Ach|||os. 1hat makos you a ||tt|o
toughor to k|||. 3ut don't worry. Wo'|| t|nd a way.'
'1ho mark ot what?'
'Ach|||os,' 3thono sa|d choortu||y. 'Oh, ho was gorgooos!
0|ppod |n tho l|vor 3tyx as a ch||d, you know, so ho was
|nvu|norab|o oxcopt tor a t|ny spot on h|s ank|o. 1hat's what
happonod to you, doar. 3omoono must'vo dumpod you |n
tho 3tyx and mado your sk|n ||ko |ron. 3ut not to worry.
|oroos ||ko you a|ways havo a woak spot. Wo just havo to
t|nd |t, and thon wo can k||| you. Won't that bo |ovo|y? |avo
a Chooso 'n' W|onor!'
lorcy tr|od to th|nk. |o d|dn't romombor any d|p |n tho
3tyx. 1hon aga|n, ho d|dn't romombor much ot anyth|ng. ||s
sk|n d|dn't too| ||ko |ron, but |t wou|d oxp|a|n how ho'd ho|d
out so |ong aga|nst tho gorgons.
Vaybo |t ho just to|| down tho mounta|n . wou|d ho
surv|vo? |o d|dn't want to r|sk |t - not w|thout somoth|ng to
s|ow tho ta||, or a s|od, or .
|o |ookod at 3thono's |argo s||vor p|attor ot troo
samp|os.
|mm .
'locons|dor|ng?' 3thono askod. 'vory w|so, doar. l
addod somo gorgon's b|ood to thoso, so your doath w||| bo
qu|ck and pa|n|oss.'
lorcy's throat constr|ctod. 'You addod your b|ood to tho
Chooso 'n' W|onors?'
'1ust a ||tt|o.' 3thono sm||od. 'A t|ny n|ck on my arm, but
you'ro swoot to bo concornod. 3|ood trom our r|ght s|do
can curo anyth|ng, you know, but b|ood trom our |ott s|do |s
doad|y -'
'You d|mw|t!' Eurya|o scroochod. 'You'ro not supposod to
to|| h|m that! |o won't oat tho w|onors |t you to|| h|m thoy'ro
po|sonod!'
3thono |ookod stunnod. '|o won't? 3ut l sa|d |t wou|d bo
qu|ck and pa|n|oss.'
'lovor m|nd!' Eurya|o's t|ngorna||s grow |nto c|aws. 'Wo'||
k||| h|m tho hard way - just koop s|ash|ng unt|| wo t|nd tho
woak spot. Onco wo dotoat lorcy 1ackson, wo'|| bo moro
tamous than Vodusa! Our patron w||| roward us groat|y!'
lorcy gr|ppod h|s sword. |o'd havo to t|mo h|s movo
portoct|y - a tow soconds ot contus|on, grab tho p|attor w|th
h|s |ott hand .
Koop thom ta|k|ng, ho thought.
'3otoro you s|ash mo to b|ts,' ho sa|d, 'who's th|s patron
you mont|onod?'
Eurya|o snoorod. '1ho goddoss Ga|a, ot courso! 1ho ono
who brought us back trom ob||v|on! You won't ||vo |ong
onough to moot hor, but your tr|onds bo|ow w||| soon taco
hor wrath. Evon now, hor arm|os aro march|ng south. At tho
|oast ot |ortuno, sho'|| awakon, and tho dom|gods w||| bo
cut down ||ko - ||ko -'
'l|ko our |ow pr|cos at 3arga|n Vart!' 3thono suggostod.
'Gah!' Eurya|o stormod towards hor s|stor. lorcy took
tho opon|ng. |o grabbod 3thono's p|attor, scattor|ng
po|sonod Chooso 'n' W|onors, and s|ashod l|pt|do across
Eurya|o's wa|st, cutt|ng hor |n ha|t.
|o ra|sod tho p|attor, and 3thono tound horso|t tac|ng hor
own groasy rot|oct|on.
'Vodusa!' sho scroamod.
|or s|stor Eurya|o had crumb|od to dust, but sho was
a|roady start|ng to ro-torm, ||ko a snowman un-mo|t|ng.
'3thono, you too|!' sho gurg|od as hor ha|t-mado taco
roso trom tho mound ot dust. '1hat's just your own
rot|oct|on! Got h|m!'
lorcy s|ammod tho mota| tray on top ot 3thono's hoad,
and sho passod out co|d.
|o put tho p|attor boh|nd h|s butt, sa|d a s||ont prayor to
whatovor loman god ovorsaw stup|d s|odd|ng tr|cks and
jumpod ott tho s|do ot tho h|||.
||

Porcy

1|E 1|llG A3OU1 llUVVE1llG 0OWl|lll at t|tty m||os an hour
on a snack p|attor - |t you roa||zo |t's a bad |doa whon
you'ro ha|tway down, |t's too |ato.
lorcy narrow|y m|ssod a troo, g|ancod ott a bou|dor, and
spun a throo-s|xty as ho shot towards tho h|ghway. 1ho
stup|d snack tray d|d not havo powor stoor|ng.
|o hoard tho gorgon s|stors scroam|ng and caught a
g||mpso ot Eurya|o's cora|-snako ha|r at tho top ot tho h|||,
but ho d|dn't havo t|mo to worry about |t. 1ho root ot tho
apartmont bu||d|ng |oomod bo|ow h|m ||ko tho prow ot a
batt|osh|p. |oad-on co|||s|on |n ton, n|no, o|ght .
|o managod to sw|vo| s|doways to avo|d broak|ng h|s
|ogs on |mpact. 1ho snack p|attor sk|ttorod across tho root
and sa||od through tho a|r. 1ho p|attor wont ono way. lorcy
wont tho othor.
As ho to|| towards tho h|ghway, a horr|b|o sconar|o
t|ashod through h|s m|nd: h|s body smash|ng aga|nst an
3Uv's w|ndsh|o|d, somo annoyod commutor try|ng to push
h|m ott w|th tho w|pors. 5toplo slxtooo-yoor-o|o klo ío||log
írom tbo sky! l`m |oto!
V|racu|ous|y, a gust ot w|nd b|ow h|m to ono s|do - just
onough to m|ss tho h|ghway and crash |nto a c|ump ot
bushos. lt wasn't a sott |and|ng, but |t was bottor than
tarmac.
lorcy groanod. |o wantod to ||o thoro and pass out, but
ho had to koop mov|ng.
|o strugg|od to h|s toot. ||s hands woro scratchod up,
but no bonos soomod to bo brokon. |o st||| had h|s
backpack. 3omowhoro on tho s|od r|do ho'd |ost h|s sword,
but lorcy know |t wou|d ovontua||y roappoar |n h|s pockot |n
pon torm. 1hat was part ot |ts mag|c.
|o g|ancod up tho h|||. 1ho gorgons woro hard to m|ss,
w|th tho|r co|ourtu| snako ha|r and tho|r br|ght groon 3arga|n
Vart vosts. 1hoy woro p|ck|ng tho|r way down tho s|opo,
go|ng s|owor than lorcy but w|th a |ot moro contro|. 1hoso
ch|ckon toot must'vo boon good tor c||mb|ng. lorcy t|gurod
ho had maybo t|vo m|nutos botoro thoy roachod h|m.
loxt to h|m, a ta|| cha|n-||nk tonco soparatod tho h|ghway
trom a no|ghbourhood ot w|nd|ng stroots, cosy housos and
ouca|yptus troos. 1ho tonco was probab|y thoro to koop
poop|o trom gott|ng onto tho h|ghway and do|ng stup|d
th|ngs - ||ko s|odd|ng |nto tho tast |ano on snack trays - but
tho cha|n-||nk was tu|| ot b|g ho|os. lorcy cou|d oas||y s||p
through |nto tho no|ghbourhood. Vaybo ho cou|d t|nd a car
and dr|vo wost to tho ocoan. |o d|dn't ||ko stoa||ng cars, but
ovor tho past tow wooks, |n ||to-and-doath s|tuat|ons, ho'd
'borrowod' sovora|, |nc|ud|ng a po||co cru|sor. |o'd moant
to roturn thom, but thoy novor soomod to |ast vory |ong.
|o g|ancod oast. 1ust as ho'd t|gurod, a hundrod yards
uph||| tho h|ghway cut through tho baso ot tho c||tt. 1wo
tunno| ontrancos, ono tor oach d|roct|on ot tratt|c, starod
down at h|m ||ko oyo sockots ot a g|ant sku||. ln tho m|dd|o,
whoro tho noso wou|d havo boon, a comont wa|| juttod trom
tho h|||s|do, w|th a mota| door ||ko tho ontranco to a bunkor.
lt m|ght havo boon a ma|ntonanco tunno|. 1hat's probab|y
what morta|s thought, |t thoy not|cod tho door at a||. 3ut thoy
cou|dn't soo through tho V|st. lorcy know tho door was
moro than that.
1wo k|ds |n armour t|ankod tho ontranco. 1hoy woro a
b|zarro m|x ot p|umod loman ho|mots, broastp|atos,
scabbards, b|uo joans, purp|o 1-sh|rts and wh|to tra|nors.
1ho guard on tho r|ght |ookod ||ko a g|r|, though |t was hard
to to|| tor suro w|th a|| tho armour. 1ho ono on tho |ott was a
stocky guy w|th a bow and qu|vor on h|s back. 3oth k|ds
ho|d |ong woodon statts w|th |ron spoar t|ps, ||ko o|d-
tash|onod harpoons.
lorcy's |ntorna| radar was p|ng|ng ||ko crazy. Attor so
many horr|b|o days, ho'd t|na||y roachod h|s goa|. ||s
|nst|ncts to|d h|m that |t ho cou|d mako |t |ns|do that door ho
m|ght t|nd satoty tor tho t|rst t|mo s|nco tho wo|vos had sont
h|m south.
3o why d|d ho too| such droad?
|urthor up tho h|||, tho gorgons woro scramb||ng ovor tho
root ot tho apartmont comp|ox. 1hroo m|nutos away -
maybo |oss.
lart ot h|m wantod to run to tho door |n tho h|||. |o'd havo
to cross to tho mod|an ot tho h|ghway, but thon |t wou|d bo a
short spr|nt. |o cou|d mako |t botoro tho gorgons roachod
short spr|nt. |o cou|d mako |t botoro tho gorgons roachod
h|m.
lart ot h|m wantod to hoad wost to tho ocoan. 1hat's
whoro ho'd bo satost. 1hat's whoro h|s powor wou|d bo
groatost. 1hoso loman guards at tho door mado h|m
unoasy. 3omoth|ng |ns|do h|m sa|d: 7bls lso`t my torrltory.
7bls ls ooogoroos.
'You'ro r|ght, ot courso,' sa|d a vo|co noxt to h|m.
lorcy jumpod. At t|rst ho thought 3oano had managod to
snoak up on h|m aga|n, but tho o|d |ady s|tt|ng |n tho bushos
was ovon moro ropu|s|vo than a gorgon. 3ho |ookod ||ko a
h|pp|o who'd boon k|ckod to tho s|do ot tho road maybo
torty yoars ago, whoro sho'd boon co||oct|ng trash and rags
ovor s|nco. 3ho woro a dross mado ot t|o-dyod c|oth,
r|ppod-up qu||ts, and p|ast|c grocory bags. |or tr|zzy mop ot
ha|r was groy-brown, ||ko root-boor toam, t|od back w|th a
poaco-s|gn hoadband. Warts and mo|os covorod hor taco.
Whon sho sm||od, sho showod oxact|y throo tooth.
'lt |sn't a ma|ntonanco tunno|,' sho cont|dod. 'lt's tho
ontranco to camp.'
A jo|t wont up lorcy's sp|no. Comp. Yos, that's whoro ho
was trom. A camp. Vaybo th|s was h|s homo. Vaybo
Annaboth was c|oso by.
3ut somoth|ng to|t wrong.
1ho gorgons woro st||| on tho root ot tho apartmont
bu||d|ng. 1hon 3thono shr|okod |n do||ght and po|ntod |n
lorcy's d|roct|on.
1ho o|d h|pp|o |ady ra|sod hor oyobrows. 'lot much t|mo,
ch||d. You nood to mako your cho|co.'
'Who aro you?' lorcy askod, though ho wasn't suro ho
wantod to know. 1ho |ast th|ng ho noodod was anothor
harm|oss morta| who turnod out to bo a monstor.
'Oh, you can ca|| mo 1uno.' 1ho o|d |ady's oyos spark|od
as |t sho'd mado an oxco||ont joko. 'lt ls 1uno, |sn't |t? 1hoy
namod tho month attor mo!'
'Okay . look, l shou|d go. 1wo gorgons aro com|ng. l
don't want thom to hurt you.'
1uno c|aspod hor hands ovor hor hoart. '|ow swoot! 3ut
that's part ot your cho|co!'
'Vy cho|co .' lorcy g|ancod norvous|y towards tho h|||.
1ho gorgons had takon ott tho|r groon vosts. W|ngs
sproutod trom tho|r backs - sma|| bat w|ngs, wh|ch g||ntod
||ko brass.
3|nco whon d|d thoy havo wlogs? Vaybo thoy woro
Ornamonta|. Vaybo thoy woro too sma|| to got a gorgon
|nto tho a|r. 1hon tho two s|stors |oapod ott tho apartmont
bu||d|ng and soarod towards h|m.
Oroot. 1ost groot.
'Yos, a cho|co,' 1uno sa|d, as |t sho woro |n no hurry. 'You
cou|d |oavo mo horo at tho morcy ot tho gorgons and go to
tho ocoan. You'd mako |t thoro sato|y, l guarantoo. 1ho
gorgons w||| bo qu|to happy to attack mo and |ot you go. ln
tho soa, no monstor wou|d bothor you. You cou|d bog|n a
now ||to, ||vo to a r|po o|d ago, and oscapo a groat doa| ot
pa|n and m|sory that |s |n your tuturo.'
lorcy was protty suro ho wasn't go|ng to ||ko tho socond
opt|on. 'Or?'
'Or you cou|d do a good dood tor an o|d |ady,' sho sa|d.
'Carry mo to tho camp w|th you.'
'Carry you?' lorcy hopod sho was k|dd|ng. 1hon 1uno
h|kod up hor sk|rts and showod h|m hor swo||on purp|o toot.
'l can't got thoro by myso|t,' sho sa|d. 'Carry mo to camp
- across tho h|ghway, through tho tunno|, across tho r|vor.'
lorcy d|dn't know what r|vor sho moant, but |t d|dn't
sound oasy. 1uno |ookod protty hoavy.
1ho gorgons woro on|y t|tty yards away now - |o|suro|y
g||d|ng towards h|m as |t thoy know tho hunt was a|most
ovor.
lorcy |ookod at tho o|d |ady. 'And l'd carry you to th|s
camp bocauso - ?'
'3ocauso |t's a k|ndnoss!' sho sa|d. 'And |t you don't tho
gods w||| d|o, tho wor|d wo know w||| por|sh and ovoryono
trom your o|d ||to w||| bo dostroyod. Ot courso, you wou|dn't
romombor thom, so l supposo |t won't mattor. You'd bo
sato at tho bottom ot tho soa .'
lorcy swa||owod. 1ho gorgons shr|okod w|th |aughtor as
thoy soarod |n tor tho k|||.
'lt l go to tho camp,' ho sa|d, 'w||| l got my momory back?'
'Evontua||y,' 1uno sa|d. '3ut bo warnod, you w||| sacr|t|co
much! You'|| |oso tho mark ot Ach|||os. You'|| too| pa|n,
m|sory and |oss boyond anyth|ng you'vo ovor known. 3ut
you m|ght havo a chanco to savo your o|d tr|onds and
tam||y, to roc|a|m your o|d ||to.'
1ho gorgons woro c|rc||ng r|ght ovorhoad. 1hoy woro
lrobab|y study|ng tho o|d woman, try|ng to t|guro out who
tho now p|ayor was botoro thoy struck.
'What about thoso guards at tho door?' lorcy askod.
1uno sm||od. 'Oh, thoy'|| |ot you |n, doar. You can trust
thoso two. 3o, what do you say? W||| you ho|p a
dotonco|oss o|d woman?'
lorcy doubtod 1uno was dotonco|oss. At worst, th|s was
a trap. At bost, |t was somo k|nd ot tost.
lorcy hatod tosts. 3|nco ho'd |ost h|s momory, h|s who|o
||to was ono b|g t|||-|n-tho-b|ank. |o was
____________________, trom ____________________.
|o to|t ||ko ____________________, and |t tho monstors
caught h|m, ho'd bo ____________________.
1hon ho thought about Annaboth, tho on|y part ot h|s o|d
||to ho was suro about. |o boo to t|nd hor.
'l'|| carry you.' |o scoopod up tho o|d woman.
3ho was ||ghtor than ho oxpoctod. lorcy tr|od to |gnoro
hor sour broath and hor ca||ousod hands c||ng|ng to h|s
nock. |o mado |t across tho t|rst |ano ot tratt|c. A dr|vor
honkod. Anothor yo||od somoth|ng that was |ost |n tho w|nd.
Vost just sworvod and |ookod |rr|tatod, as |t thoy had to
doa| w|th a |ot ot ratty toonagors carry|ng o|d h|pp|o womon
across tho h|ghway horo |n 3orko|oy.
A shadow to|| ovor h|m. 3thono ca||od down g|ootu||y,
'C|ovor boy! |ound a goddoss to carry, d|d you?'
A goddoss?
1uno cack|od w|th do||ght, muttor|ng, 'Whoops!' as a car
a|most k|||od thom.
3omowhoro ott to h|s |ott, Eurya|o scroamod, 'Got thom!
1wo pr|zos aro bottor than ono!'
lorcy bo|tod across tho roma|n|ng |anos. 3omohow ho
mado |t to tho mod|an a||vo. |o saw tho gorgons swoop|ng
down, cars sworv|ng as tho monstors passod ovorhoad. |o
wondorod what tho morta|s saw through tho V|st - g|ant
po||cans? Ott-courso hang g||dors? 1ho wo|t lupa had to|d
h|m that morta| m|nds cou|d bo||ovo just about anyth|ng -
oxcopt tho truth.
lorcy ran tor tho door |n tho h|||s|do. 1uno got hoav|or
w|th ovory stop. lorcy's hoart poundod. ||s r|bs achod.
Ono ot tho guards yo||od. 1ho guy w|th tho bow nockod
an arrow. lorcy shoutod, 'Wa|t!'
3ut tho boy wasn't a|m|ng at h|m. 1ho arrow t|ow ovor
lorcy's hoad. A gorgon wa||od |n pa|n. 1ho socond guard
road|od hor spoar, gostur|ng trant|ca||y at lorcy to hurry.
||tty toot trom tho door. 1h|rty toot.
'Gotcha!' shr|okod Eurya|o. lorcy turnod as an arrow
thuddod |nto hor torohoad. Eurya|o tumb|od |nto tho tast
|ano. A truck s|ammod |nto hor and carr|od hor backwards
a hundrod yards, but sho just c||mbod ovor tho cab, pu||od
tho arrow out ot hor hoad, and |aunchod back |nto tho a|r.
lorcy roachod tho door. '1hanks,' ho to|d tho guards.
'Good shot.'
'1hat shou|d'vo k|||od hor!' tho archor protostod.
'Wo|como to my wor|d,' lorcy muttorod.
'|rank,' tho g|r| sa|d. 'Got thom |ns|do, qu|ck! 1hoso aro
gorgons.'
'Gorgons?' 1ho archor's vo|co squoakod. lt was hard to
to|| much about h|m undor tho ho|mot, but ho |ookod stout
||ko a wrost|or, maybo tourtoon or t|ttoon. 'W||| tho door ho|d
thom?'
ln lorcy's arms, 1uno cack|od. 'lo, no |t won't. Onward,
lorcy 1ackson! 1hrough tho tunno|, ovor tho r|vor!'
'lorcy 1ackson?' 1ho toma|o guard was darkor-sk|nnod,
w|th cur|y ha|r st|ck|ng out tho s|dos ot hor ho|mot. 3ho
|ookod youngor than |rank - maybo th|rtoon. |or sword
scabbard camo down a|most to hor ank|o. 3t|||, sho
soundod ||ko sho was tho ono |n chargo. 'Okay, you'ro
obv|ous|y a dom|god. 3ut who's tho -?' 3ho g|ancod at
1uno. 'lovor m|nd. 1ust got |ns|do. l'|| ho|d thom ott.'
'|azo|,' tho boy sa|d. '0on't bo crazy.'
'Go!' sho domandod.
|rank cursod |n anothor |anguago - was that lat|n? -
and oponod tho door. 'Como on!'
lorcy to||owod, staggor|ng undor tho wo|ght ot tho o|d
|ady, who was ooílolto|y gott|ng hoav|or. |o d|dn't know
how that g|r| |azo| wou|d ho|d ott tho gorgons by horso|t, but
ho was too t|rod to arguo.
1ho tunno| cut through so||d rock, about tho w|dth and
ho|ght ot a schoo| ha||way. At t|rst, |t |ookod ||ko a typ|ca|
ma|ntonanco tunno|, w|th o|octr|c cab|os, warn|ng s|gns,
tuso boxos on tho wa||s and ||ghtbu|bs |n w|ro cagos a|ong
tho co|||ng. As thoy ran doopor |nto tho h|||s|do, tho comont
t|oor changod to t||od mosa|c. 1ho ||ghts changod to rood
torchos, wh|ch burnod but d|dn't smoko. A tow hundrod
yards ahoad, lorcy saw a squaro ot day||ght.
1ho o|d |ady was hoav|or now than a p||o ot sandbags.
lorcy's arms shook trom tho stra|n. 1uno mumb|od a song
|n lat|n, ||ko a |u||aby, wh|ch d|dn't ho|p lorcy concontrato.
3oh|nd thom, tho gorgons' vo|cos ochood |n tho tunno|.
|azo| shoutod. lorcy was tomptod to dump 1uno and run
back to ho|p, but thon tho ont|ro tunno| shook w|th tho
rumb|o ot ta|||ng stono. 1horo was a squawk|ng sound, just
||ko tho gorgons had mado whon lorcy had droppod a
crato ot bow||ng ba||s on thom |n lapa. |o g|ancod back.
1ho wost ond ot tho tunno| was now t|||od w|th dust.
'3hou|dn't wo chock on |azo|?' ho askod.
'3ho'|| bo okay - l hopo,' |rank sa|d. '3ho's good
undorground. 1ust koop mov|ng! Wo'ro a|most thoro.'
'A|most whoro?'
1uno chuck|od. 'A|| roads |oad thoro, ch||d. You shou|d
know that.'
'0otont|on?' lorcy askod.
'lomo, ch||d,' tho o|d woman sa|d. 'lomo.'
lorcy wasn't suro ho'd hoard hor r|ght. 1ruo, h|s momory
was gono. ||s bra|n hadn't to|t r|ght s|nco ho had wokon up
at tho Wo|t |ouso. 3ut ho was protty suro lomo wasn't |n
Ca||torn|a.
1hoy kopt runn|ng. 1ho g|ow at tho ond ot tho tunno| grow
br|ghtor, and t|na||y thoy burst |nto sun||ght.
lorcy trozo. 3proad out at h|s toot was a bow|-shapod
va||oy sovora| m||os w|do. 1ho bas|n t|oor was rump|od w|th
sma||or h|||s, go|don p|a|ns and strotchos ot torost. A sma||
c|oar r|vor cut a w|nd|ng courso trom a |ako |n tho contro
and round tho por|motor, ||ko a cap|ta| G.
1ho goography cou|d'vo boon anywhoro |n northorn
Ca||torn|a - ||vo oaks and ouca|yptus troos, go|d h|||s and
b|uo sk|os. 1hat b|g |n|and mounta|n - what was |t ca||od,
Vount 0|ab|o? - roso |n tho d|stanco, r|ght whoro |t shou|d
bo.
3ut lorcy to|t ||ko ho'd stoppod |nto a socrot wor|d. ln tho
contro ot tho va||oy, nost|od by tho |ako, was a sma|| c|ty ot
wh|to marb|o bu||d|ngs w|th rod-t||od roots. 3omo had
domos and co|umnod port|coos, ||ko nat|ona| monumonts.
domos and co|umnod port|coos, ||ko nat|ona| monumonts.
Othors |ookod ||ko pa|acos, w|th go|don doors and |argo
gardons. |o cou|d soo an opon p|aza w|th troostand|ng
co|umns, tounta|ns and statuos. A t|vo-storoy-ta|| loman
co||soum g|oamod |n tho sun, noxt to a |ong ova| arona ||ko
a racotrack.
Across tho |ako to tho south, anothor h||| was dottod w|th
ovon moro |mpross|vo bu||d|ngs - tomp|os, lorcy guossod.
3ovora| stono br|dgos crossod tho r|vor as |t wound through
tho va||oy and, |n tho north, a |ong ||no ot br|ckwork archos
strotchod trom tho h|||s |nto tho town. lorcy thought |t
|ookod ||ko an o|ovatod tra|n track. 1hon ho roa||zod |t must
bo an aquoduct.
1ho strangost part ot tho va||oy was r|ght bo|ow h|m.
About two hundrod yards away, just across tho r|vor, was
somo sort ot m|||tary oncampmont. lt was about a quartor
m||o squaro, w|th oarthon ramparts on a|| tour s|dos, tho
tops ||nod w|th sharponod sp|kos. Outs|do tho wa||s ran a
dry moat, a|so studdod w|th sp|kos. Woodon watchtowors
roso at oach cornor, mannod by sontr|os w|th ovors|zod
mountod crossbows. lurp|o bannors hung trom tho towors.
A w|do gatoway oponod on tho tar s|do ot camp, |oad|ng
towards tho c|ty. A narrowor gato stood c|osod on tho
r|vorbank s|do. lns|do, tho tortross bust|od w|th act|v|ty:
dozons ot k|ds go|ng to and trom barracks, carry|ng
woapons, po||sh|ng armour. lorcy hoard tho c|ank ot
hammors at a torgo and smo||od moat cook|ng ovor a t|ro.
3omoth|ng about th|s p|aco to|t vory tam|||ar, yot not qu|to
r|ght.
'Camp 1up|tor,' |rank sa|d. 'Wo'|| bo sato onco -'
|ootstops ochood |n tho tunno| boh|nd thom. |azo| burst
|nto tho ||ght. 3ho was covorod w|th stono dust and
broath|ng hard. 3ho'd |ost hor ho|mot, so hor cur|y brown
ha|r to|| around hor shou|dors. |or armour had |ong s|ash
marks |n tront trom tho c|aws ot a gorgon. Ono ot tho
monstors had taggod hor w|th a b0% O|| st|ckor.
'l s|owod thom down,' sho sa|d. '3ut thoy'|| bo horo any
socond.'
|rank cursod. 'Wo havo to got across tho r|vor.'
1uno squoozod lorcy's nock t|ghtor. 'Oh, yos, p|oaso. l
can't got my dross wot.'
lorcy b|t h|s tonguo. lt th|s |ady was a goddoss, sho
must'vo boon tho goddoss ot smo||y, hoavy, uso|oss
h|pp|os. 3ut ho'd como th|s tar. |o'd bottor koop |ugg|ng
hor a|ong.
lt`s o klooooss, sho'd sa|d. Aoo lí yoo ooo`t tbo goos wl||
olo, tbo wor|o wo koow wl|| porlsb ooo ovoryooo írom yoor
o|o |lío wl|| bo oostroyoo.
lt th|s was a tost, ho cou|dn't attord to got an |.
|o stumb|od a tow t|mos as thoy ran tor tho r|vor. |rank
and |azo| kopt h|m on h|s toot.
1hoy roachod tho r|vorbank, and lorcy stoppod to catch
h|s broath. 1ho curront was tast, but tho r|vor d|dn't |ook
doop. On|y a stono's throw across stood tho gatos ot tho
tort.
'Go, |azo|.' |rank nockod two arrows at onco. 'Escort
lorcy so tho sontr|os don't shoot h|m. lt's my turn to ho|d ott
tho badd|os.'
|azo| noddod and wadod |nto tho stroam.
lorcy startod to to||ow, but somoth|ng mado h|m
hos|tato. Usua||y ho |ovod tho wator, but th|s r|vor
soomod . powortu|, and not nocossar||y tr|ond|y.
'1ho l|tt|o 1|bor,' sa|d 1uno sympathot|ca||y. 'lt t|ows w|th
tho powor ot tho or|g|na| 1|bor, r|vor ot tho omp|ro. 1h|s |s
your |ast chanco to back out, ch||d. 1ho mark ot Ach|||os |s a
Grook b|oss|ng. You can't rota|n |t |t you cross |nto loman
torr|tory. 1ho 1|bor w||| wash |t away.'
lorcy was too oxhaustod to undorstand a|| that, but ho
got tho ma|n po|nt. 'lt l cross, l won't havo |ron sk|n any
moro?'
1uno sm||od. '3o what w||| |t bo? 3atoty, or a tuturo ot
pa|n and poss|b|||ty?'
3oh|nd h|m, tho gorgons scroochod as thoy t|ow trom tho
tunno|. |rank |ot h|s arrows t|y.
|rom tho m|dd|o ot tho r|vor, |azo| yo||od, 'lorcy, como
on!'
Up on tho watchtowors, horns b|ow. 1ho sontr|os shoutod
and sw|vo||od tho|r crossbows towards tho gorgons.
Annaboth, lorcy thought. |o torgod |nto tho r|vor. lt was
|cy co|d, much sw|ttor than ho'd |mag|nod, but that d|dn't
bothor h|m. low strongth surgod through h|s ||mbs. ||s
sonsos t|ng|od ||ko ho'd boon |njoctod w|th catto|no. |o
roachod tho othor s|do and put tho o|d woman down as tho
camp's gatos oponod. 0ozons ot k|ds |n armour pourod
out.
|azo| turnod w|th a ro||ovod sm||o. 1hon sho |ookod ovor
lorcy's shou|dor, and hor oxpross|on changod to horror.
'|rank!'
|rank was ha|tway across tho r|vor whon tho gorgons
caught h|m. 1hoy swoopod out ot tho sky and grabbod h|m
by o|thor arm. |o scroamod |n pa|n as tho|r c|aws dug |nto
h|s sk|n.
1ho sontr|os yo||od, but lorcy know thoy cou|dn't got a
c|oar shot. 1hoy'd ond up k||||ng |rank. 1ho othor k|ds drow
swords and got roady to chargo |nto tho wator, but thoy'd
bo too |ato.
1horo was on|y ono way.
lorcy thrust out h|s hands. An |ntonso tugg|ng sonsat|on
t|||od h|s gut, and tho 1|bor oboyod h|s w|||. 1ho r|vor
surgod. Wh|r|poo|s tormod on o|thor s|do ot |rank. G|ant
watory hands oruptod trom tho stroam, copy|ng lorcy's
movomonts. 1ho g|ant hands grabbod tho gorgons, who
droppod |rank |n surpr|so. 1hon tho hands ||ttod tho
squawk|ng monstors |n a ||qu|d v|co gr|p.
lorcy hoard tho othor k|ds yo|p|ng and back|ng away, but
ho stayod tocusod on h|s task. |o mado a smash|ng
gosturo w|th h|s t|sts, and tho g|ant hands p|ungod tho
gorgons |nto tho 1|bor. 1ho monstors h|t bottom and broko
|nto dust. G||ttor|ng c|ouds ot gorgon ossonco strugg|od to
ro-torm, but tho r|vor pu||od thom apart ||ko a b|ondor. 3oon
ovory traco ot tho gorgons was swopt downstroam. 1ho
wh|r|poo|s van|shod, and tho curront roturnod to norma|.
lorcy stood on tho r|vorbank. ||s c|othos and h|s sk|n
stoamod as |t tho 1|bor's wators had g|von h|m an ac|d
bath. |o to|t oxposod, raw . vu|norab|o.
ln tho m|dd|o ot tho 1|bor, |rank stumb|od around,
|ook|ng stunnod but portoct|y t|no. |azo| wadod out and
ho|pod h|m ashoro. On|y thon d|d lorcy roa||zo how qu|ot
tho othor k|ds had bocomo.
Evoryono was star|ng at h|m. On|y tho o|d |ady 1uno
|ookod untazod.
'Wo||, that was a |ovo|y tr|p,' sho sa|d. '1hank you, lorcy
1ackson, tor br|ng|ng mo to Camp 1up|tor.'
Ono ot tho g|r|s mado a chok|ng sound.
'lorcy . 1ackson?'
'lorcy . 1ackson?'
3ho soundod as |t sho rocogn|zod h|s namo. lorcy
tocusod on hor, hop|ng to soo a tam|||ar taco.
3ho was obv|ous|y a |oador. 3ho woro a roga| purp|o
c|oak ovor hor armour. |or chost was docoratod w|th
moda|s. 3ho must havo boon about lorcy's ago, w|th dark,
p|orc|ng oyos and |ong b|ack ha|r. lorcy d|dn't rocogn|zo
hor, but tho g|r| starod at h|m as |t sho'd soon h|m |n hor
n|ghtmaros.
1uno |aughod w|th do||ght. 'Oh, yos. You'|| havo such tun
togothor!'
1hon, just bocauso tho day hadn't boon wo|rd onough
a|roady, tho o|d |ady bogan to g|ow and chango torm. 3ho
grow unt|| sho was a sh|n|ng sovon-toot-ta|| goddoss |n a
b|uo dross, w|th a c|oak that |ookod ||ko goat's sk|n ovor hor
shou|dors. |or taco was storn and stato|y. ln hor hand was
a statt toppod w|th a |otus t|owor.
lt |t was poss|b|o tor tho campors to |ook moro stunnod,
thoy d|d. 1ho g|r| w|th tho purp|o c|oak kno|t. 1ho othors
to||owod hor |oad. Ono k|d got down so hast||y ho a|most
|mpa|od h|mso|t on h|s sword.
|azo| was tho t|rst to spoak. '1uno.'
3ho and |rank a|so to|| to tho|r knoos, |oav|ng lorcy tho
on|y ono stand|ng. |o know ho shou|d probab|y knoo| too,
but attor carry|ng tho o|d |ady so tar, ho d|dn't too| ||ko
show|ng hor that much rospoct.
'1uno, huh?' ho sa|d. 'lt l passod your tost, can l havo my
momory and my ||to back?'
1ho goddoss sm||od. 'ln t|mo, lorcy 1ackson, |t you
succood horo at camp. You'vo dono wo|| today, wh|ch |s a
good start. lorhaps thoro's hopo tor you yot.'
3ho turnod to tho othor k|ds. 'lomans, l prosont to you
tho son ot loptuno. |or months ho has boon s|umbor|ng,
but now ho |s awako. ||s tato |s |n your hands. 1ho |oast ot
|ortuno comos qu|ck|y, and 0oath must bo un|oashod |t
you aro to stand any hopo |n tho batt|o. 0o not ta|| mo!'
1uno sh|mmorod and d|sappoarod. lorcy |ookod at
|azo| and |rank tor somo k|nd ot oxp|anat|on, but thoy
soomod just as contusod as ho was. |rank was ho|d|ng
somoth|ng lorcy hadn't not|cod botoro - two sma|| c|ay
t|asks w|th cork stoppors, ||ko pot|ons, ono |n oach hand.
lorcy had no |doa whoro thoy'd como trom, but ho saw
|rank s||p thom |nto h|s pockots. |rank gavo h|m a |ook
||ko: ¼o`|| to|k oboot lt |otor.
1ho g|r| |n tho purp|o c|oak stoppod torward. 3ho
oxam|nod lorcy war||y, and lorcy cou|dn't shako tho
too||ng that sho wantod to run h|m through w|th hor daggor.
'3o,' sho sa|d co|d|y, 'a son ot loptuno, who comos to us
w|th tho b|oss|ng ot 1uno.'
'look,' ho sa|d, 'my momory's a ||tt|o tuzzy. Um, |t's gooo,
actua||y. 0o l know you?'
1ho g|r| hos|tatod. 'l am loyna, praotor ot tho 1wo|tth
log|on. And . no, l don't know you.'
1hat |ast part was a ||o. lorcy cou|d to|| trom hor oyos.
3ut ho a|so undorstood that |t ho arguod w|th hor about |t
horo, |n tront ot hor so|d|ors, sho wou|dn't approc|ato |t.
'|azo|,' sa|d loyna, 'br|ng h|m |ns|do. l want to quost|on
h|m at tho prloclplo. 1hon wo'|| sond h|m to Octav|an. Wo
must consu|t tho augur|os botoro wo doc|do what to do w|th
h|m.'
'What do you moan,' lorcy askod, '°doc|do what to do
w|th' mo?'
loyna's hand t|ghtonod on hor daggor. Obv|ous|y sho
was not usod to hav|ng hor ordors quost|onod. '3otoro wo
accopt anyono |nto camp, wo must |ntorrogato thom and
road tho augur|os. 1uno sa|d your tato |s |n our hands. Wo
havo to know whothor tho goddoss has brought us a now
rocru|t .'
loyna stud|od lorcy as |t sho tound that doubttu|.
'Or,' sho sa|d moro hopotu||y, '|t sho's brought us an
onomy to k|||.'
|||

Porcy

lElCY WA3l'1 3CAlE0 O| G|O313, wh|ch was |ucky. |a|t tho
poop|o |n camp woro doad.
3h|mmor|ng purp|o warr|ors stood outs|do tho armoury,
po||sh|ng othoroa| swords. Othors hung out |n tront ot tho
barracks. A ghost|y boy chasod a ghost|y dog down tho
stroot. And at tho stab|os a b|g g|ow|ng rod dudo w|th tho
hoad ot a wo|t guardod a hord ot . Woro thoso un|corns?
lono ot tho campors pa|d tho ghosts much attont|on, but
as lorcy's ontourago wa|kod by, w|th loyna |n tho |oad and
|rank and |azo| on o|thor s|do, a|| tho sp|r|ts stoppod what
thoy woro do|ng and starod at lorcy. A tow |ookod angry.
1ho ||tt|o boy ghost shr|okod somoth|ng ||ko 'Groggus!' and
turnod |nv|s|b|o.
lorcy w|shod ho cou|d turn |nv|s|b|o too. Attor wooks on
h|s own, a|| th|s attont|on mado h|m unoasy. |o stayod
botwoon |azo| and |rank and tr|od to |ook |nconsp|cuous.
'Am l soo|ng th|ngs?' ho askod. 'Or aro thoso -'
'Ghosts?' |azo| turnod. 3ho had start||ng oyos, ||ko
tourtoon-karat go|d. '1hoy'ro laros. |ouso gods.'
'|ouso gods,' lorcy sa|d. 'l|ko . sma||or than roa|
gods, but |argor than apartmont gods?'
'1hoy'ro ancostra| sp|r|ts,' |rank oxp|a|nod. |o'd
romovod h|s ho|mot, rovoa||ng a baby|sh taco that d|dn't go
w|th h|s m|||tary ha|rcut or h|s b|g bur|y tramo. |o |ookod
||ko a todd|or who'd takon storo|ds and jo|nod tho Var|nos.
'1ho laros aro k|nd ot ||ko mascots,' ho cont|nuod.
'Vost|y thoy'ro harm|oss, but l'vo novor soon thom so
ag|tatod.'
'1hoy'ro star|ng at mo,' lorcy sa|d. '1hat ghost k|d ca||od
mo Groggus. Vy namo |sn't Grog.'
'Oroocos,' lozo| solo. Ooco yoo`vo booo boro o wbl|o,
yoo`|| stort oooorstooolog Lotlo. Lomlgoos bovo o ootoro|
sooso íor lt. Oroocos mooos Orook.`
ls tbot booº` Porcy oskoo.
lrook c|ooroo bls tbroot. Voybo oot. Yoo`vo got tbot
typo oí comp|oxloo, tbo oork bolr ooo o||. Voybo tboy
tblok yoo`ro octoo||y Orook. ls yoor íoml|y írom tboroº`
Loo`t koow. Llko l solo, my momory ls gooo.`
Or moybo .` lrook bosltotoo.
¼botº` Porcy oskoo.
Probob|y ootblog,` lrook solo. Romoos ooo Orooks
bovo oo o|o rlvo|ry. 5omotlmos Romoos oso groocos os
oo loso|t íor somoooo wbo`s oo ootsloor - oo ooomy. l
woo|oo`t worry oboot lt.`
lo soooooo protty worrloo.
7boy stoppoo ot tbo cootro oí comp, wboro two wloo
stooo-povoo rooos mot ot o 7.
A stroot slgo |obo||oo tbo rooo to tbo molo gotos os VlA
PRAE7ORlA. 7bo otbor rooo, cottlog ocross tbo mloo|o oí
comp, wos |obo||oo VlA PRlNClPALl5. Uooor tboso morkors
woro booo-polotoo slgos |lko BERKELEY 5 VlLE5, NE¼ ROVE 1
VlLE, OLL ROVE 7,280 VlLE5, lALE5 2,810 VlLE5 (polotlog
strolgbt oowo), RENO 208 VlLE5, ooo CER7AlN LEA7l. YOU ARE
lERE!
lor cortolo oootb, tbo p|oco |ookoo protty c|ooo ooo
oroor|y. 7bo bol|ologs woro írosb|y wbltowosboo, |olo oot
lo ooot grlos |lko tbo comp boo booo ooslgooo by o íossy
motbs toocbor. 7bo borrocks boo sbooy porcbos, wboro
compors |ooogoo lo bommocks or p|oyoo coros ooo
orook sooos. Eocb oorm boo o olííoroot co||octloo oí
boooors oot íroot olsp|oylog Romoo oomoro|s ooo
vorloos oolmo|s - oog|o, boor, wo|í, borso ooo somotblog
tbot |ookoo |lko o bomstor.
A|oog tbo Vlo Prootorlo, rows oí sbops oovortlsoo íooo,
ormoor, woopoos, coííoo, g|oolotor oqolpmoot ooo togo
rooto|s. A cborlot ooo|orsblp boo o blg oovortlsomoot oot
íroot. CAE5AR XL5 ¼/AN7lLOCK BRAKE5, NO LENARll LO¼N!
At ooo coroor oí tbo crossrooos stooo tbo most
lmprosslvo bol|olog - o two-storoy woogo oí wblto morb|o
wltb o co|omooo portlco |lko oo o|o-íosbloooo book.
Romoo gooros stooo oot íroot. Ovor tbo ooorwoy boog o
blg porp|o boooor wltb tbo go|o |ottors 5POR ombrolooroo
losloo o |ooro| wrootb.
Yoor boooqoortorsº` Porcy oskoo.
Royoo íocoo blm, bor oyos stl|| co|o ooo bostl|o. lt`s
co||oo tbo prloclplo.`
5bo scooooo tbo mob oí corloos compors wbo boo
ío||owoo tbom írom tbo rlvor. Evoryooo bock to yoor
ootlos. l`|| glvo yoo oo opooto ot ovoolog mostor.
Romombor, wo bovo wor gomos oítor olooor.`
7bo tboogbt oí olooor mooo Porcy`s stomocb romb|o.
7bo scoot oí borbocoo írom tbo ololog bo|| mooo bls
mootb wotor. 7bo bokory oowo tbo stroot smo||oo protty
woooorío| too, bot bo ooobtoo Royoo woo|o |ot blm got oo
oroor to go.
7bo crowo olsporsoo ro|octoot|y. 5omo mottoroo
commoots oboot Porcy`s cboocos.
lo`s oooo,` solo ooo.
¼oo|o bo tboso two wbo íoooo blm,` solo oootbor.
Yoob,` mottoroo oootbor. Lot blm jolo tbo llítb Cobort.
Orooks ooo gooks.`
5ovoro| klos |oogboo ot tbot, bot Royoo scow|oo ot
tbom, ooo tboy c|ooroo oíí.
lozo|,` Royoo solo. Como wltb os. l woot yoor roport oo
wbot boppoooo ot tbo gotos.`
Vo tooº` lrook solo. Porcy sovoo my |lío. ¼o`vo got to
|ot blm -`
Royoo govo lrook socb o borsb |ook tbot bo stoppoo
bock.
l`o romloo yoo, lrook Zboog,` sbo solo, yoo oro oo
Probotlo yoorso|í. Yoo`vo coosoo oooogb troob|o tbls
wook.`
lrook`s oors torooo roo. lo íloo|oo wltb o |ltt|o tob|ot oo
o coro roooo bls oock. Porcy booo`t polo mocb ottootloo to
lt, bot lt |ookoo |lko o oomo tog mooo oot oí |ooo.
Oo to tbo ormoory,` Royoo to|o blm. Cbock oor
lovootory. l`|| co|| yoo lí l oooo yoo.`
Bot -` lrook coogbt blmso|í. Yos, Royoo.`
lo borrloo oíí.
Royoo wovoo lozo| ooo Porcy toworos tbo
boooqoortors. Now, Porcy 1ocksoo, |ot`s soo lí wo coo
lmprovo yoor momory.`
7bo prloclplo wos ovoo moro lmprosslvo losloo.
Oo tbo col|log g|lttoroo o mosolc oí Romo|os ooo
Romos oooor tbolr oooptoo momo sbo-wo|í (Lopo boo
to|o Porcy tbot story o ml||loo tlmos). 7bo í|oor wos
po|lsboo morb|o. 7bo wo||s woro oropoo lo vo|vot, so
Porcy ío|t |lko bo wos losloo tbo wor|o`s most oxpooslvo
complog toot. A|oog tbo bock wo|| stooo o olsp|oy oí
boooors ooo wooooo po|os stooooo wltb broozo mooo|s -
ml|ltory symbo|s, Porcy goossoo. lo tbo cootro wos ooo
ompty olsp|oy stooo, os lí tbo molo boooor boo booo
tokoo oowo íor c|ooolog or somotblog.
lo tbo bock coroor, o stolrwo|| |oo oowo. lt wos b|ockoo
by o row oí lroo bors |lko o prlsoo ooor. Porcy wooooroo
wbot wos oowo tboro - moostorsº 7roosoroº Amoosloc
oomlgoos wbo boo got oo Royoo`s boo slooº
lo tbo cootro oí tbo room, o |oog wooooo tob|o wos
c|ottoroo wltb scro||s, ootobooks, tob|ot compotors,
ooggors ooo o |orgo bow| íl||oo wltb jo||y booos, wblcb
soomoo kloo oí oot oí p|oco. 7wo |lío-slzoo stotoos oí
groyboooos - ooo sl|vor, ooo go|o - í|ookoo tbo tob|o.
Royoo wo|koo bobloo tbo tob|o ooo sot lo ooo oí two
blgb-bockoo cbolrs. Porcy wlsboo bo coo|o slt lo tbo otbor,
bot lozo| romolooo stooolog. Porcy got tbo íoo|log bo
wos sopposoo to o|so.
5o .` bo stortoo to soy.
7bo oog stotoos boroo tbolr tootb ooo grow|oo.
Porcy írozo. Normo||y bo |lkoo oogs, bot tboso g|oroo ot
blm wltb roby oyos. 7bolr íoogs |ookoo sborp os rozors.
Eosy, goys,` Royoo to|o tbo groyboooos.
7boy stoppoo grow|log, bot kopt oyolog Porcy os
tboogb tboy woro lmoglolog blm lo o oogglo bog.
7boy woo`t ottock,` Royoo solo, oo|oss yoo try to stoo|
somotblog, or oo|oss l to|| tbom to. 7bot`s Argootom ooo
Aorom.`
5l|vor ooo Oo|o,` Porcy solo. 7bo Lotlo mooologs
poppoo loto bls booo |lko lozo| boo solo tboy woo|o. lo
o|most oskoo wblcb oog wos wblcb. 7boo bo roo|lzoo tbot
tbot wos o stoplo qoostloo.
Royoo sot bor ooggor oo tbo tob|o. Porcy boo tbo
vogoo íoo|log bo`o sooo bor boíoro. lor bolr wos b|ock
ooo g|ossy os vo|coolc rock, wovoo lo o slog|o brolo oowo
bor bock. 5bo boo tbo polso oí o sworo ílgbtor - ro|oxoo
yot vlgl|oot, os lí roooy to sprlog loto octloo ot ooy
momoot. 7bo worry |loos oroooo bor oyos mooo bor |ook
o|oor tboo sbo probob|y wos.
¼o bovo mot,` bo ooclooo. l ooo`t romombor wboo.
P|ooso, lí yoo coo to|| mo ooytblog -`
llrst tblogs ílrst,` Royoo solo. l woot to boor yoor story.
¼bot oo yoo romomborº low olo yoo got boroº Aoo ooo`t
|lo. Vy oogs ooo`t |lko |lors.`
Argootom ooo Aorom soor|oo to ompboslzo tbo polot.
Porcy to|o bls story - bow bo`o wokoo op ot tbo rolooo
moosloo lo tbo wooos oí 5ooomo. lo ooscrlboo bls tlmo
wltb Lopo ooo bor pock, |oorolog tbolr |oogoogo oí
gostoros ooo oxprossloos, |oorolog to sorvlvo ooo ílgbt.
Lopo boo toogbt blm oboot oomlgoos, moostors ooo
goos. 5bo`o oxp|olooo tbot sbo wos ooo oí tbo gooroloo
splrlts oí Aocloot Romo. Lomlgoos |lko Porcy woro stl||
rospooslb|o íor corrylog oo Romoo trooltloos lo moooro
tlmos - ílgbtlog moostors, sorvlog tbo goos, protoctlog
morto|s ooo opbo|olog tbo momory oí tbo omplro. 5bo`o
spoot wooks trololog blm, ootl| bo wos os stroog ooo toogb
ooo vlcloos os o wo|í. ¼boo sbo wos sotlsíloo wltb bls
skl||s, sbo`o soot blm sootb, to||log blm tbot, lí bo sorvlvoo
tbo joorooy, bo mlgbt íloo o oow bomo ooo rogolo bls
momory.
Nooo oí lt soomoo to sorprlso Royoo. lo íoct, sbo
soomoo to íloo lt protty oroloory - oxcopt íor ooo tblog.
No momory ot o||º` sbo oskoo. Yoo stl|| romombor
ootblogº`
lozzy blts ooo plocos.` Porcy g|oocoo ot tbo
groyboooos. lo oloo`t woot to mootloo Aooobotb. lt
soomoo too prlvoto, ooo bo wos stl|| cooíosoo oboot
wboro to íloo bor. lo wos soro tboy`o mot ot o comp - bot
tbls ooo oloo`t íoo| |lko tbo rlgbt p|oco.
A|so, bo wos ro|octoot to sboro bls ooo c|oor momory.
Aooobotb`s íoco, bor b|oooo bolr ooo groy oyos, tbo woy
sbo |oogboo, tbrow bor orms oroooo blm ooo govo blm o
klss wbooovor bo olo somotblog stoplo.
5bo most bovo klssoo mo o |ot, Porcy tboogbt.
lo íooroo tbot lí bo spoko oboot tbot momory to ooyooo
lt woo|o ovoporoto |lko o oroom. lo coo|oo`t rlsk tbot.
Royoo spoo bor ooggor. Vost oí wbot yoo`ro ooscrlblog
ls oormo| íor oomlgoos. At o cortolo ogo, ooo woy or
oootbor, wo íloo oor woy to tbo ¼o|í looso. ¼o`ro tostoo
ooo trolooo. lí Lopo tbloks wo`ro wortby, sbo sooos os
sootb to jolo tbo |ogloo. Bot l`vo oovor booro oí somoooo
|oslog bls momory. low olo yoo íloo Comp 1opltorº`
Porcy to|o bor oboot tbo |ost tbroo ooys - tbo gorgoos
wbo woo|oo`t olo, tbo o|o |ooy wbo torooo oot to bo o
gooooss ooo íloo||y mootlog lozo| ooo lrook ot tbo
toooo| lo tbo bl||.
lozo| took tbo story írom tboro. 5bo ooscrlboo Porcy os
brovo ooo borolc, wblcb mooo blm oocomíortob|o. A|| bo`o
oooo wos corry o blpplo bog |ooy.
Royoo stooloo blm. Yoo`ro o|o íor o rocrolt. Yoo`ro wbot,
slxtoooº`
l tblok so,` Porcy solo.
lí yoo spoot tbot mooy yoors oo yoor owo, wltboot
trololog or bo|p, yoo sboo|o bo oooo. A soo oí Noptoooº
Yoo`o bovo o poworío| ooro tbot woo|o ottroct o|| kloos oí
moostors.`
Yoob,` Porcy solo. l`vo booo to|o tbot l smo||.`
Royoo o|most crockoo o sml|o, wblcb govo Porcy bopo.
Voybo sbo wos bomoo oítor o||.
Yoo most`vo booo somowboro boíoro tbo ¼o|í looso,`
sbo solo.
Porcy sbroggoo. 1ooo boo solo somotblog oboot blm
s|omborlog, ooo bo olo bovo o vogoo íoo|log tbot bo`o
booo os|oop - moybo íor o |oog tlmo. Bot tbot oloo`t moko
sooso.
Royoo slgboo. ¼o||, tbo oogs bovoo`t ootoo yoo, so l
sopposo yoo`ro to||log tbo trotb.`
Oroot,` Porcy solo. Noxt tlmo, coo l toko o po|ygropbº`
Royoo stooo. 5bo pocoo lo íroot oí tbo boooors. lor
moto| oogs wotcboo bor go bock ooo íortb.
Evoo lí l occopt tbot yoo`ro oot oo ooomy,` sbo solo,
yoo`ro oot o typlco| rocrolt. 7bo Ooooo oí O|ympos slmp|y
oooso`t oppoor ot comp, ooooooclog o oow oomlgoo. 7bo
|ost tlmo o mojor goo vlsltoo os lo porsoo |lko tbot .` 5bo
sbook bor booo. l`vo oo|y booro |ogooos oboot socb
tblogs. Aoo o soo oí Noptooo . tbot`s oot o gooo omoo.
Espoclo||y oow.`
¼bot`s wroog wltb Noptoooº` Porcy oskoo. Aoo wbot oo
yoo mooo, ºospoclo||y oow'º`
lozo| sbot blm o worolog |ook.
Royoo kopt poclog. Yoo`vo íoogbt Voooso`s slstors,
wbo bovoo`t booo sooo lo tboosooos oí yoors. Yoo`vo
ogltotoo oor Loros, wbo oro co||log yoo o groocos. Aoo
yoo woor stroogo symbo|s - tbot sblrt, tbo booos oo yoor
oock|oco. ¼bot oo tboy moooº`
Porcy |ookoo oowo ot bls tottoroo oroogo 7-sblrt. lt
mlgbt bovo boo woros oo lt ot ooo polot, bot tboy woro too
íoooo to rooo. lo sboo|o bovo tbrowo tbo sblrt owoy wooks
ogo. lt wos woro to sbroos, bot bo coo|oo`t boor to got rlo oí
lt. lo jost kopt wosblog lt lo strooms ooo wotor íoootolos
os bost bo coo|o ooo pottlog lt bock oo.
As íor tbo oock|oco, tbo íoor c|oy booos woro oocb
oocorotoo wltb o olííoroot symbo|. Ooo sbowoo o trlooot.
Aootbor olsp|oyoo o mlolotoro Oo|ooo l|ooco. 7bo tblro
wos otcboo wltb tbo ooslgo oí o mozo, ooo tbo |ost boo oo
lmogo oí o bol|olog - moybo tbo Emplro 5toto Bol|ologº
- wltb oomos Porcy oloo`t rocogolzo oogrovoo oroooo lt.
7bo booos ío|t lmportoot, |lko plctoros írom o íoml|y
o|bom, bot bo coo|oo`t romombor wbot tboy mooot.
l ooo`t koow,` bo solo.
Aoo yoor sworoº` Royoo oskoo.
Porcy cbockoo bls pockot. 7bo poo boo rooppooroo os
lt o|woys olo. lo po||oo lt oot, bot tboo roo|lzoo bo`o oovor
sbowo Royoo tbo sworo. lozo| ooo lrook booo`t sooo lt
oltbor. low boo Royoo koowo oboot ltº
7oo |oto to protooo lt oloo`t oxlst . lo oocoppoo tbo
poo. Rlptloo sproog to ío|| íorm. lozo| gospoo. 7bo
groyboooos borkoo opprobooslvo|y.
¼bot ls tbotº` lozo| oskoo. l`vo oovor sooo o sworo |lko
tbot.`
l bovo,` Royoo solo oork|y. lt`s vory o|o - o Orook
ooslgo. ¼o osoo to bovo o íow lo tbo ormoory boíoro .`
5bo stoppoo borso|í. 7bo moto| ls co||oo Co|ostlo|
broozo. lt`s oooo|y to moostors, |lko lmporlo| go|o, bot
ovoo roror.`
lmporlo| go|oº` Porcy oskoo.
Royoo oosbootboo bor ooggor. 5oro oooogb, tbo b|ooo
wos go|o. 7bo moto| wos coosocrotoo lo oocloot tlmos, ot
tbo Pootbooo lo Romo. lts oxlstooco wos o c|oso|y
goorooo socrot oí tbo omporors - o woy íor tbolr
cbomploos to s|oy moostors tbot tbrootoooo tbo omplro.
¼o osoo to bovo moro woopoos |lko tbls, bot oow . wo||,
wo scropo by. l oso tbls ooggor. lozo| bos o spotbo, o
covo|ry sworo. Vost |ogloooolros oso o sbortor sworo
co||oo o g|oolos. Bot tbot woopoo oí yoors ls oot Romoo ot
o||. lt`s oootbor slgo yoo`ro oot o typlco| oomlgoo. Aoo
yoor orm .`
¼bot oboot ltº` Porcy oskoo.
Royoo bo|o op bor owo íoroorm. Porcy booo`t ootlcoo
boíoro, bot sbo boo o tottoo oo tbo losloo. tbo |ottors 5POR,
o crossoo sworo ooo torcb, ooo, oooor tbot, íoor poro||o|
|loos |lko scoro morks.
Porcy g|oocoo ot lozo|.
¼o o|| bovo tbom,` sbo cooílrmoo, bo|olog op bor orm.
A|| ío|| mombors oí tbo |ogloo oo.`
lozo|`s tottoo o|so boo tbo |ottors 5POR, bot sbo oo|y
boo ooo scoro mork, ooo bor omb|om wos olííoroot. o
b|ock g|ypb |lko o cross wltb corvoo orms ooo o booo.
Porcy |ookoo ot bls owo orms. A íow scropos, somo moo
ooo o í|ock oí Crlspy Cbooso `o` ¼looor, bot oo tottoos.
5o yoo`vo oovor booo o mombor oí tbo |ogloo,` Royoo
solo. 7boso morks coo`t bo romovoo. l tboogbt
porbops .` 5bo sbook bor booo, os lí olsmlsslog oo looo.
lozo| |ooooo íorworo. lí bo`s sorvlvoo os o |ooor o|| tbls
tlmo, moybo bo`s sooo 1osoo.` 5bo torooo to Porcy. lovo
yoo ovor mot o oomlgoo |lko os boíoroº A goy lo o porp|o
sblrt, wltb morks oo bls orm -`
lozo|.` Royoo`s volco tlgbtoooo. Porcy`s got oooogb to
worry oboot.`
Porcy toocboo tbo polot oí bls sworo, ooo Rlptloo
sbrook bock loto o poo. l bovoo`t sooo ooyooo |lko yoo
goys boíoro. ¼bo`s 1osooº`
Royoo govo lozo| oo lrrltotoo |ook. lo ls . bo wos my
co||oogoo.` 5bo wovoo bor booo ot tbo socooo ompty
cbolr. 7bo |ogloo oormo||y bos two o|octoo prootors.
1osoo Oroco, soo oí 1opltor, wos oor otbor prootor ootl| bo
olsoppooroo |ost Octobor.`
Porcy trloo to co|co|oto. lo booo`t polo mocb ottootloo
to tbo co|oooor oot lo tbo wl|oorooss, bot 1ooo boo
mootloooo tbot lt wos oow 1ooo. Yoo mooo bo`s booo
gooo olgbt mootbs, ooo yoo bovoo`t rop|ocoo blmº`
lo mlgbt oot bo oooo,` lozo| solo. ¼o bovoo`t glvoo
op.`
Royoo grlmocoo. Porcy got tbo íoo|log tbls goy 1osoo
mlgbt`vo booo moro to bor tboo jost o co||oogoo.
E|octloos oo|y boppoo lo two woys,` Royoo solo. Eltbor
tbo |ogloo rolsos somoooo oo o sblo|o oítor o mojor
soccoss oo tbo bott|oílo|o - ooo wo bovoo`t boo ooy mojor
bott|os - or wo bo|o o bo||ot oo tbo ovoolog oí 1ooo twooty-
íoortb, ot tbo loost oí lortooo. 7bot`s lo ílvo ooys.`
Porcy írowooo. Yoo bovo o íoost íor toooº`
lortooo,` lozo| corroctoo. 5bo`s tbo gooooss oí |ock.
¼botovor boppoos oo bor íoost ooy coo oííoct tbo ootlro
rost oí tbo yoor. 5bo coo groot tbo comp gooo |ock . or
roo||y boo |ock.`
Royoo ooo lozo| botb g|oocoo ot tbo ompty olsp|oy
stooo, os lí tbloklog oboot wbot wos mlsslog.
A cbl|| woot oowo Porcy`s bock. 7bo loost oí
lortooo . 7bo gorgoos mootloooo tbot. 5o olo 1ooo.
7boy solo tbo comp wos golog to bo ottockoo oo tbot ooy,
somotblog oboot o blg boo gooooss oomoo Oolo, ooo oo
ormy, ooo Lootb bolog oo|oosboo. Yoo`ro to||log mo tbot
ooy ls tbls wookº`
Royoo`s ílogors tlgbtoooo oroooo tbo bl|t oí bor ooggor.
Yoo wl|| soy ootblog oboot tbot ootsloo tbls room,` sbo
orooroo. l wl|| oot bovo yoo sprooolog moro poolc lo tbo
comp.`
5o lt`s troo,` Porcy solo. Lo yoo koow wbot`s golog to
boppooº Coo wo stop ltº`
Porcy boo jost mot tboso poop|o. lo woso`t soro bo
ovoo |lkoo Royoo. Bot bo wootoo to bo|p. 7boy woro
oomlgoos, tbo somo os blm. 7boy boo tbo somo
ooomlos. Bosloos, Porcy romomboroo wbot 1ooo boo to|o
blm. lt woso`t jost tbls comp ot rlsk. lls o|o |lío, tbo goos
ooo tbo ootlro wor|o mlgbt bo oostroyoo. ¼botovor wos
comlog oowo, lt wos bogo.
¼o`vo to|koo oooogb íor oow,` Royoo solo. lozo|, toko
blm to 7omp|o ll||. lloo Octovloo. Oo tbo woy yoo coo
ooswor Porcy`s qoostloos. 7o|| blm oboot tbo |ogloo.`
Yos, Royoo.`
Porcy stl|| boo so mooy qoostloos tbot bls brolo ío|t |lko
lt woo|o mo|t. Bot Royoo mooo lt c|oor tbo ooolooco wos
ovor. 5bo sbootboo bor ooggor. 7bo moto| oogs stooo
ooo grow|oo, locblog toworos Porcy.
Oooo |ock wltb tbo oogory, Porcy 1ocksoo,` sbo solo. lí
Octovloo |ots yoo |lvo, porbops wo coo comporo
ootos . oboot yoor post.`
lv

Percy

ON 7lE ¼AY OU7 Ol CAVP, lozo| boogbt blm oo osprosso
orlok ooo o cborry moíílo írom Bombl|o tbo two-booooo
coííoo morcboot.
Porcy lobo|oo tbo moíílo. 7bo coííoo wos groot. Now,
Porcy tboogbt, lí bo coo|o jost got o sbowor, o cboogo oí
c|otbos ooo somo s|oop, bo`o bo go|ooo. Voybo ovoo
lmporlo| go|ooo.
lo wotcboo o boocb oí klos lo swlmsolts ooo towo|s
booo loto o bol|olog tbot boo stoom comlog oot oí o row oí
cblmooys. Loogbtor ooo wotory soooos ocbooo írom
losloo, |lko lt wos oo loooor poo| - Porcy`s kloo oí p|oco.
Botb booso,` lozo| solo. ¼o`|| got yoo lo tboro boíoro
olooor, bopoío||y. Yoo bovoo`t |lvoo ootl| yoo`vo boo o
Romoo botb.`
Porcy slgboo wltb ootlclpotloo.
As tboy opproocboo tbo íroot goto, tbo borrocks got
blggor ooo olcor. Evoo tbo gbosts |ookoo bottor - wltb
íooclor ormoor ooo sblolor ooros. Porcy trloo to ooclpbor
tbo boooors ooo symbo|s booglog lo íroot oí tbo
bol|ologs.
Yoo goys oro olvlooo loto olííoroot coblosº` bo oskoo.
5ort oí.` lozo| oockoo os o klo rlolog o gloot oog|o
swoopoo ovorbooo. ¼o bovo ílvo coborts oí oboot íorty
klos oocb. Eocb cobort ls olvlooo loto borrocks oí too -
|lko roommotos, kloo oí.`
Porcy boo oovor booo groot ot motbs, bot bo trloo to
mo|tlp|y. Yoo`ro to||log mo tboro`s two boooroo klos ot
compº`
Roogb|y.`
Aoo o|| oí tbom oro cbl|oroo oí tbo goosº 7bo goos
bovo booo bosy.`
lozo| |oogboo. Not o|| oí tbom oro cbl|oroo oí mojor
goos. 7boro oro boooroos oí mloor Romoo goos. P|os, o
|ot oí tbo compors oro |ogoclos - socooo or tblro
gooorotloo. Voybo tbolr poroots woro oomlgoos. Or tbolr
groooporoots.`
Porcy b|lokoo. Cbl|oroo oí oomlgoosº`
¼byº Loos tbot sorprlso yooº`
Porcy woso`t soro. 7bo |ost íow wooks bo`o booo so
worrloo oboot sorvlvlog ooy to ooy. 7bo looo oí |lvlog |oog
oooogb to bo oo ooo|t ooo bovo klos oí bls owo - tbot
soomoo |lko oo lmposslb|o oroom.
7boso Logos -`
Logoclos,` lozo| corroctoo.
7boy bovo powors |lko o oomlgooº`
5omotlmos. 5omotlmos oot. Bot tboy coo bo trolooo.
A|| tbo bost Romoo goooro|s ooo omporors - yoo koow,
tboy o|| c|olmoo to bo ooscooooo írom goos. Vost oí tbo
tlmo, tboy woro to||log tbo trotb. 7bo comp oogor wo`ro
golog to moot, Octovloo, bo`s o |ogocy, ooscooooot oí
Apo||o. lo`s got tbo glít oí propbocy, sopposoo|y.`
5opposoo|yº`
lozo| mooo o soor íoco. Yoo`|| soo.`
7bot oloo`t moko Porcy íoo| so groot, lí tbls oooo
Octovloo boo Porcy`s íoto lo bls booos.
5o tbo olvlsloos,` bo oskoo, tbo coborts, wbotovor -
yoo`ro olvlooo occorolog to wbo yoor goo|y poroot lsº`
lozo| storoo ot blm. ¼bot o borrlb|o looo! No, tbo
oíílcors oocloo wboro to osslgo rocrolts. lí wo woro olvlooo
occorolog to goo, tbo coborts woo|o bo o|| ooovoo. l`o bo
o|ooo.`
Porcy ío|t o twlogo oí sooooss, |lko bo`o booo lo tbot
sltootloo. ¼byº ¼bot`s yoor oocostryº`
Boíoro sbo coo|o ooswor, somoooo bobloo tbom yo||oo,
¼olt!`
A gbost roo toworos tbom - oo o|o moo wltb o
moolcloo-bo|| bo||y ooo o togo so |oog bo kopt trlpplog oo
lt. lo coogbt op to tbom ooo gospoo íor olr, bls porp|o
ooro í|lckorlog oroooo blm.
7bls ls blmº` tbo gbost pootoo. A oow rocrolt íor tbo
llítb, porbopsº`
Vlto||los,` lozo| solo, wo`ro sort oí lo o borry.`
7bo gbost scow|oo ot Porcy ooo wo|koo oroooo blm,
lospoctlog blm |lko o osoo cor. l ooo`t koow,` bo gromb|oo.
¼o oooo oo|y tbo bost íor tbo cobort. Loos bo bovo o||
bls tootbº Coo bo ílgbtº Loos bo c|ooo stob|osº`
Yos, yos ooo oo,` Porcy solo. ¼bo oro yooº`
Porcy, tbls ls Vlto||los.` lozo|`s oxprossloo solo. 1ost
bomoor blm. lo`s ooo oí oor Loros, tokos oo lotorost lo
oow rocrolts.`
Oo o ooorby porcb, otbor gbosts solckoroo os Vlto||los
pocoo bock ooo íortb, trlpplog ovor bls togo ooo blklog op
bls sworo bo|t.
Yos,` Vlto||los solo, bock lo Coosor`s ooy - tbot`s 1o|los
Coosor, mloo yoo - tbo llítb Cobort wos somotblog!
7wo|ítb Logloo lo|mlooto, prloo oí Romo! Bot tboso
ooysº Llsgrocoío| wbot wo`vo como to. Look ot lozo|
boro, oslog o spotbo. Rlolco|oos woopoo íor o Romoo
|ogloooolro - tbot`s íor covo|ry! Aoo yoo, boy - yoo smo||
|lko o Orook sowor. lovoo`t yoo boo o botbº`
l`vo booo o |ltt|o bosy ílgbtlog gorgoos,` Porcy solo.
Vlto||los,` lozo| lotorroptoo, wo`vo got to got Porcy`s
oogory boíoro bo coo jolo. ¼by ooo`t yoo cbock oo
lrookº lo`s lo tbo ormoory oolog lovootory. Yoo koow
bow mocb bo vo|oos yoor bo|p.`
7bo gbost`s íorry porp|o oyobrows sbot op. Vors
A|mlgbty! 7boy |ot tbo probotlo cbock tbo ormoorº ¼o`||
bo rolooo!`
lo stomb|oo oíí oowo tbo stroot, stopplog ovory íow íoot
to plck op bls sworo or roorroogo bls togo.
O-b-b-koy,` Porcy solo.
5orry,` lozo| solo. lo`s occootrlc, bot bo`s ooo oí tbo
o|oost Loros. Booo oroooo sloco tbo |ogloo wos íoooooo.`
lo co||oo tbo |ogloo . lo|mlootoº` Porcy solo.
ºArmoo wltb Llgbtolog',` lozo| troos|otoo. 7bot`s oor
motto. 7bo 7wo|ítb Logloo wos oroooo íor tbo ootlro
Romoo Emplro. ¼boo Romo ío||, o |ot oí |ogloos jost
olsoppooroo. ¼o woot oooorgroooo, octlog oo socrot
oroors írom 1opltor blmso|í. stoy o|lvo, rocrolt oomlgoos
ooo tbolr cbl|oroo, koop Romo golog. ¼o`vo booo oolog
tbot ovor sloco, movlog oroooo to wborovor Romoo
loí|oooco wos stroogost. 7bo |ost íow cootorlos, wo`vo
booo lo Amorlco.`
As blzorro os tbot soooooo, Porcy boo oo troob|o
bo|lovlog lt. lo íoct, lt soooooo íoml|lor, |lko somotblog
bo`o o|woys koowo.
Aoo yoo`ro lo tbo llítb Cobort,` bo goossoo, wblcb
moybo lso`t tbo most popo|orº`
lozo| scow|oo. Yoob. l jolooo op |ost 5optombor.`
5o . jost o íow wooks boíoro tbot goy 1osoo
olsoppooroo.`
Porcy koow bo`o blt o soro spot. lozo| |ookoo oowo.
5bo wos sl|oot |oog oooogb to cooot ovory povlog stooo.
Como oo,` sbo solo ot |ost. l`|| sbow yoo my íovoorlto
vlow.`
7boy stoppoo ootsloo tbo molo gotos. 7bo íort wos
sltootoo oo tbo blgbost polot lo tbo vo||oy, so tboy coo|o
soo protty mocb ovorytblog.
7bo rooo |oo oowo to tbo rlvor ooo olvlooo. Ooo potb
|oo sootb ocross o brlogo, op to tbo bl|| wltb o|| tbo
tomp|os. 7bo otbor rooo |oo oortb loto tbo clty, o mlolotoro
vorsloo oí Aocloot Romo. Uo|lko tbo ml|ltory comp, tbo
clty |ookoo cbootlc ooo co|oorío|, wltb bol|ologs crowooo
togotbor ot bopbozoro oog|os. Evoo írom tbls íor owoy,
Porcy coo|o soo poop|o gotboroo lo tbo p|ozo, sboppors
ml||log oroooo oo opoo-olr morkot, poroots wltb klos
p|oylog lo tbo porks.
Yoo`vo got íoml|los boroº` bo oskoo.
lo tbo clty, obso|oto|y,` lozo| solo. ¼boo yoo`ro
occoptoo loto tbo |ogloo, yoo oo too yoors oí sorvlco. Aítor
tbot, yoo coo mostor oot wbooovor yoo woot. Vost
oomlgoos go loto tbo morto| wor|o. Bot íor somo - wo||, lt`s
protty ooogoroos oot tboro. 7bls vo||oy ls o sooctoory.
Yoo coo go to co||ogo lo tbo clty, got morrloo, bovo klos,
rotlro wboo yoo got o|o. lt`s tbo oo|y soío p|oco oo oortb íor
poop|o |lko os. 5o, yoob, o |ot oí votoroos moko tbolr
bomos tboro, oooor tbo protoctloo oí tbo |ogloo.`
Aoo|t oomlgoos. Lomlgoos wbo coo|o |lvo wltboot íoor,
got morrloo, rolso o íoml|y. Porcy coo|oo`t qolto wrop bls
mloo oroooo tbot. lt soomoo too gooo to bo troo. Bot lí
tbls vo||oy ls ottockooº`
lozo| porsoo bor |lps. ¼o bovo ooíoocos. 7bo boroors
oro moglco|. Bot oor stroogtb lso`t wbot lt osoo to bo.
Loto|y, tbo moostor ottocks bovo booo locrooslog. ¼bot
yoo solo oboot tbo gorgoos oot oylog . wo`vo ootlcoo tbot
too, wltb otbor moostors.`
Lo yoo koow wbot`s cooslog ltº`
lozo| |ookoo owoy. Porcy coo|o to|| tbot sbo wos
bo|olog somotblog bock - somotblog sbo woso`t
sopposoo to soy.
lt`s - lt`s comp|lcotoo,` sbo solo. Vy brotbor soys Lootb
lso`t -`
5bo wos lotorroptoo by oo o|opboot.
5omoooo bobloo tbom sbootoo, Voko woy!`
lozo| oroggoo Porcy oot oí tbo rooo os o oomlgoo rooo
post oo o ío||-growo pocbyoorm covoroo lo b|ock Kov|or
ormoor. 7bo woro ELEPlAN7 wos prlotoo oo tbo sloo oí bls
ormoor, wblcb soomoo o |ltt|o obvloos to Porcy.
7bo o|opboot tbooooroo oowo tbo rooo ooo torooo
oortb, booolog toworos o blg opoo ílo|o wboro somo
íortlílcotloos woro oooor coostroctloo.
Porcy spot oost oot oí bls mootb. ¼bot tbo - º`
E|opboot,` lozo| oxp|olooo.
Yoob, l rooo tbo slgo. ¼by oo yoo bovo oo o|opboot lo
o bo||otprooí vostº`
¼or gomos toolgbt,` lozo| solo. 7bot`s looolbo|. lí wo
oloo`t loc|ooo blm, bo`o got opsot.`
¼o coo`t bovo tbot.`
lozo| |oogboo. lt wos boro to bo|lovo sbo`o |ookoo so
moooy o momoot ogo. Porcy wooooroo wbot sbo`o booo
oboot to soy. 5bo boo o brotbor. Yot sbo boo c|olmoo
sbo`o bo o|ooo lí tbo comp sortoo bor by bor goo|y poroot.
Porcy coo|oo`t ílgoro bor oot. 5bo soomoo olco ooo
oosygolog, motoro íor somobooy wbo coo|oo`t bovo booo
moro tboo tblrtooo. Bot sbo o|so soomoo to bo blolog o
ooop sooooss, |lko sbo ío|t gol|ty oboot somotblog.
lozo| polotoo sootb ocross tbo rlvor. Lork c|ooos woro
gotborlog ovor 7omp|o ll||. Roo í|osbos oí |lgbtolog
wosboo tbo mooomoots lo b|ooo-co|ooroo |lgbt.
Octovloo ls bosy,` lozo| solo. ¼o`o bottor got ovor
tboro.`
Oo tbo woy, tboy possoo somo goot-|oggoo goys booglog
oot oo tbo sloo oí tbo rooo.
lozo|!` ooo oí tbom crloo.
lo trottoo ovor wltb o blg grlo oo bls íoco. lo woro o
íoooo lowolloo sblrt ooo ootblog íor poots oxcopt tblck
browo goot íor. lls mosslvo Aíro jlgg|oo. lls oyos woro
bloooo bobloo |ltt|o roooo rolobow-tlotoo g|ossos. lo bo|o
o corobooro slgo tbot rooo. ¼lLL ¼ORK 5lNO 7ALK OO A¼AY
lOR LENARll.
ll, Loo,` lozo| solo. 5orry, wo ooo`t bovo tlmo -`
Ob, tbot`s coo|! 7bot`s coo|!` Loo trottoo o|oog wltb tbom.
loy, tbls goy`s oow!` lo grloooo ot Porcy. Lo yoo bovo
tbroo oooorll íor tbo bosº Bocooso l |oít my wo||ot ot
bomo, ooo l`vo got to got to work, ooo -`
Loo,` lozo| cblooo. looos ooo`t bovo wo||ots. Or jobs.
Or bomos. Aoo wo ooo`t bovo bosos.`
Rlgbt,` bo solo cboorío||y, bot oo yoo bovo oooorllº`
Yoor oomo ls Loo tbo loooº` Porcy oskoo.
Yoob. 5oº`
Notblog.` Porcy trloo to koop o strolgbt íoco. ¼by ooo`t
íooos bovo jobsº 5boo|oo`t tboy work íor tbo compº`
Loo b|ootoo. looos! ¼ork íor tbo comp! ll|orloos!`
looos oro, om, íroo splrlts,` lozo| oxp|olooo. 7boy
boog oot boro bocooso, wo||, lt`s o soío p|oco to boog oot
ooo bog. ¼o to|oroto tbom, bot -`
Ob, lozo| ls owosomo,` Loo solo. 5bo`s so olco! A|| tbo
otbor compors oro, |lko, ºOo owoy, Loo.' Bot sbo`s, |lko,
ºP|ooso go owoy, Loo.' l |ovo bor!`
7bo íooo soomoo borm|oss, bot Porcy stl|| íoooo blm
oosott|log. lo coo|oo`t sboko tbo íoo|log tbot íooos sboo|o
bo moro tboo jost bomo|oss goys bogglog íor oooorll.
Loo |ookoo ot tbo groooo lo íroot oí tbom ooo gospoo.
5coro!`
lo roocboo íor somotblog, bot lozo| scroomoo, Loo,
oo!`
5bo posboo blm oot oí tbo woy ooo sootcboo op o
smo|| sbloy objoct. Porcy coogbt o g|lmpso oí lt boíoro
lozo| s|lppoo lt loto bor pockot. lo coo|o bovo sworo lt
wos o olomooo.
Como oo, lozo|,` Loo comp|olooo. l coo|o`vo boogbt o
yoor`s wortb oí ooogboots wltb tbot!`
Loo, p|ooso,` lozo| solo. Oo owoy.`
5bo soooooo sbokoo, |lko sbo`o jost sovoo Loo írom o
cborglog bo||otprooí o|opboot.
7bo íooo slgboo. Aw, l coo`t stoy moo ot yoo. Bot l
swoor, lt`s |lko yoo`ro gooo |ock. Evory tlmo yoo wo|k by -`
Oooobyo, Loo,` lozo| solo qolck|y. Lot`s go, Porcy.`
5bo stortoo jogglog. Porcy boo to sprlot to cotcb op.
¼bot wos tbot obootº` Porcy oskoo. 7bot olomooo lo
tbo rooo -`
P|ooso,` sbo solo. Loo`t osk.`
7boy wo|koo lo oooosy sl|ooco tbo rost oí tbo woy to
7omp|o ll||. A crookoo stooo potb |oo post o crozy
ossortmoot oí tloy o|tors ooo mosslvo oomoo voo|ts.
5totoos oí goos soomoo to ío||ow Porcy wltb tbolr oyos.
lozo| polotoo oot tbo 7omp|o oí Bo||ooo. Oooooss oí
wor,` sbo solo. 7bot`s Royoo`s mom.` 7boo tboy possoo o
mosslvo roo crypt oocorotoo wltb bomoo sko||s oo lroo
splkos.
P|ooso to|| mo wo`ro oot golog lo tboro,` Porcy solo.
lozo| sbook bor booo. 7bot`s tbo 7omp|o oí Vors
U|tor.`
Vors . Aros, tbo wor gooº`
7bot`s bls Orook oomo,` lozo| solo. Bot, yoob, somo
goy. U|tor mooos ºtbo Avoogor'. lo`s tbo socooo-most
lmportoot goo oí Romo.`
Porcy woso`t tbrl||oo to boor tbot. lor somo roosoo, jost
|ooklog ot tbo og|y roo bol|olog mooo blm íoo| oogry.
lo polotoo toworos tbo sommlt. C|ooos swlr|oo ovor tbo
|orgost tomp|o, o roooo povl|loo wltb o rlog oí wblto
co|omos sopportlog o oomoo rooí. l`m goosslog tbot`s
Zoos - ob, l mooo, 1opltor`sº 7bot`s wboro wo`ro booologº`
Yoob.` lozo| soooooo oogy. Octovloo rooos oogorlos
tboro - tbo 7omp|o oí 1opltor Optlmos Voxlmos.`
Porcy boo to tblok oboot lt, bot tbo Lotlo woros c|lckoo
loto Eog|lsb. 1opltor . tbo bost ooo tbo grootostº`
Rlgbt.`
¼bot`s Noptooo`s tlt|oº` Porcy oskoo. 7bo coo|ost ooo
most owosomoº`
Um, oot qolto.` lozo| gostoroo to o smo|| b|oo bol|olog
tbo slzo oí o too|sboo. A cobwob-covoroo trlooot wos
ool|oo obovo tbo ooor.
Porcy pookoo losloo. Oo o smo|| o|tor sot o bow| wltb
tbroo orloo-op, moo|oy opp|os.
lls boort sook. Popo|or p|oco.`
l`m sorry, Porcy,` lozo| solo. lt`s jost . Romoos woro
o|woys scoroo oí tbo soo. 7boy oo|y osoo sblps lí tboy boo
to. Evoo lo moooro tlmos, bovlog o cbl|o oí Noptooo
oroooo bos o|woys booo o boo omoo. 7bo |ost tlmo ooo
jolooo tbo |ogloo . wo||, lt wos 1000, wboo Comp 1opltor
wos |ocotoo ocross tbo boy lo 5oo lrooclsco. 7boro wos
tbls bogo oortbqooko -`
Yoo`ro to||log mo o cbl|o oí Noptooo coosoo tbotº`
5o tboy soy.` lozo| |ookoo opo|ogotlc.
Aoywoy . Romoos íoor Noptooo, bot tboy ooo`t |ovo blm
mocb.`
Porcy storoo ot tbo cobwobs oo tbo trlooot.
Oroot, bo tboogbt. Evoo lí bo jolooo tbo comp, bo woo|o
oovor bo |ovoo. lls bost bopo wos to bo scory to bls oow
comp motos. Voybo lí bo olo roo||y wo|| tboy`o glvo blm
somo moo|oy opp|os.
5tl|| . stooolog ot Noptooo`s o|tor, bo ío|t somotblog
stlrrlog losloo blm, |lko wovos rlpp|log tbroogb bls volos.
lo roocboo lo bls bockpock ooo oog oot tbo |ost blt oí
íooo írom bls trlp - o sto|o bogo|. lt woso`t mocb, bot bo sot
lt oo tbo o|tor.
loy . ob, Loo.` lo ío|t protty stoplo to|klog to o bow| oí
írolt. lí yoo coo boor mo, bo|p mo oot, okoyº Olvo mo my
momory bock. 7o|| mo - to|| mo wbot to oo.`
lls volco crockoo. lo booo`t mooot to got omotlooo|,
bot bo wos oxboostoo ooo scoroo, ooo bo`o booo |ost íor
so |oog tbot bo woo|o`vo glvoo ooytblog íor somo
goloooco. lo wootoo to koow somotblog oboot bls |lío íor
soro, wltboot grobblog íor mlsslog momorlos.
lozo| pot bor booo oo bls sboo|oor. lt`|| bo okoy. Yoo`ro
boro oow. Yoo`ro ooo oí os.`
lo ío|t owkworo, oopooolog oo oo olgbtb-grooo glr| bo
boro|y koow íor comíort, bot bo wos g|oo sbo wos tboro.
Abovo tbom, tboooor romb|oo. Roo |lgbtolog |lt op tbo
bl||.
Octovloo`s o|most oooo,` lozo| solo. Lot`s go.`
Comporoo to Noptooo`s too|sboo, 1opltor`s tomp|o wos
ooílolto|y optlmos ooo moxlmos.
7bo morb|o í|oor wos otcboo wltb íoocy mosolcs ooo
Lotlo loscrlptloos. 5lxty íoot obovo, tbo oomoo col|log
spork|oo go|o. 7bo wbo|o tomp|o wos opoo to tbo wloo.
lo tbo cootro stooo o morb|o o|tor, wboro o klo lo o togo
wos oolog somo sort oí rltoo| lo íroot oí o mosslvo go|ooo
stotoo oí tbo blg oooo blmso|í. 1opltor tbo sky goo,
orossoo lo o sl|k XXXL porp|o togo, bo|olog o |lgbtolog
bo|t.
lt oooso`t |ook |lko tbot,` Porcy mottoroo.
¼botº` lozo| oskoo.
7bo mostor bo|t,` Porcy solo.
¼bot oro yoo to|klog obootº`
l -` Porcy írowooo. lor o socooo, bo`o tboogbt bo
romomboroo somotblog. Now lt wos gooo. Notblog, l
gooss.`
7bo klo ot tbo o|tor rolsoo bls booos. Voro roo |lgbtolog
í|osboo lo tbo sky, sboklog tbo tomp|o. 7boo bo pot bls
booos oowo, ooo tbo romb|log stoppoo. 7bo c|ooos
torooo írom groy to wblto ooo broko oport.
A protty lmprosslvo trlck, coosloorlog tbo klo oloo`t |ook
|lko mocb. lo wos to|| ooo sklooy, wltb strow-co|ooroo
bolr, ovorslzoo jooos, o boggy 7-sblrt ooo o orooplog
togo. lo |ookoo |lko o scorocrow woorlog o boosboot.
¼bot`s bo oologº` Porcy mormoroo.
7bo goy lo tbo togo torooo. lo boo o crookoo sml|o
ooo o s|lgbt|y crozy |ook lo bls oyos, |lko bo`o jost booo
p|oylog oo lotooso vlooo gomo. lo ooo booo bo bo|o o
kolío. lo tbo otbor booo wos somotblog |lko o oooo
oolmo|. 7bot oloo`t moko blm |ook ooy |oss crozy.
Porcy,` lozo| solo, tbls ls Octovloo.`
7bo groocos!` Octovloo oooooocoo. low lotorostlog.`
Ub, bl,` Porcy solo. Aro yoo kl||log smo|| oolmo|sº`
Octovloo |ookoo ot tbo íozzy tblog lo bls booo ooo
|oogboo. No, oo. Ooco opoo o tlmo, yos. ¼o osoo to rooo
tbo wl|| oí tbo goos by oxomlolog oolmo| gots - cblckoos,
goots, tbot sort oí tblog. Nowoooys, wo oso tboso.`
lo tossoo tbo íozzy tblog to Porcy. lt wos o
olsombowo||oo toooy boor. 7boo Porcy ootlcoo tbot tboro
wos o wbo|o pl|o oí motl|otoo stoííoo oolmo|s ot tbo íoot oí
1opltor`s stotoo.
5orloos|yº` Porcy oskoo.
Octovloo stoppoo oíí tbo ools. lo wos probob|y oboot
olgbtooo, bot so sklooy ooo slck|y po|o, bo coo|o`vo
possoo íor yooogor. At ílrst bo |ookoo borm|oss, bot os bo
got c|osor Porcy woso`t so soro. Octovloo`s oyos g|lttoroo
wltb borsb corloslty, |lko bo mlgbt got Porcy jost os oosl|y
os o toooy boor lí bo tboogbt bo coo|o |ooro somotblog
írom lt.
Octovloo oorrowoo bls oyos. Yoo soom oorvoos.`
Yoo romloo mo oí somoooo,` Porcy solo. l coo`t
romombor wbo.`
Posslb|y my oomosoko, Octovloo - Aogostos Coosor.
Evoryooo soys l boor o romorkob|o rosomb|ooco.`
Porcy oloo`t tblok tbot wos lt, bot bo coo|oo`t plo oowo
tbo momory. ¼by olo yoo co|| mo ºtbo Orook'º`
l sow lt lo tbo oogorlos.` Octovloo wovoo bls kolío ot tbo
pl|o oí stoíílog oo tbo o|tor. 7bo mossogo solo. 7bo Orook
bos orrlvoo. Or posslb|y. 7bo gooso bos crloo. l`m tbloklog
tbo ílrst lotorprototloo ls corroct. Yoo sook to jolo tbo
|oglooº`
lozo| spoko íor blm. 5bo to|o Octovloo ovorytblog tbot
boo boppoooo sloco tboy mot ot tbo toooo| - tbo gorgoos,
tbo ílgbt ot tbo rlvor, tbo oppoorooco oí 1ooo, tbolr
coovorsotloo wltb Royoo.
¼boo sbo mootloooo 1ooo, Octovloo |ookoo sorprlsoo.
1ooo,` bo mosoo. ¼o co|| bor 1ooo Voooto. 1ooo tbo
¼oroor. 5bo oppoors lo tlmos oí crlsls, to coooso| Romo
oboot groot tbroots.`
lo g|oocoo ot Porcy, os lí to soy. |lko mystorloos
Orooks, íor lostooco.
l boor tbo loost oí lortooo ls tbls wook,` Porcy solo.
7bo gorgoos worooo tboro`o bo oo lovosloo oo tbot ooy.
Llo yoo soo tbot lo yoor stoíílogº`
5oo|y, oo.` Octovloo slgboo. 7bo wl|| oí tbo goos ls
boro to olscoro. Aoo tboso ooys, my vlsloo ls ovoo
oorkor.`
Loo`t yoo bovo . l ooo`t koow,` Porcy solo, oo oroc|o or
somotblogº`
Ao oroc|o!` Octovloo sml|oo. ¼bot o coto looo. No, l`m
oírolo wo`ro írosb oot oí oroc|os. Now, lí wo`o gooo qoostlog
íor tbo 5lby||loo books, |lko l rocommooooo -`
7bo 5lbo-wbotº` Porcy oskoo.
Books oí propbocy,` lozo| solo, wblcb Octovloo ls
obsossoo wltb. Romoos osoo to cooso|t tbom wboo
olsostors boppoooo. Vost poop|o bo|lovo tboy borooo op
wboo Romo ío||.`
5omo poop|o bo|lovo tbot,` Octovloo corroctoo.
Uoíortoooto|y oor prosoot |oooorsblp woo`t ootborlzo o
qoost to |ook íor tbom -`
Bocooso Royoo lso`t stoplo,` lozo| solo.
- so wo bovo oo|y o íow romololog scrops írom tbo
books,` Octovloo cootloooo. A íow mystorloos proolctloos,
|lko tboso.`
lo oooooo to tbo loscrlptloos oo tbo morb|o í|oor.
Porcy storoo ot tbo |loos oí woros, oot roo||y oxpoctlog to
oooorstooo tbom. lo o|most cbokoo.
7bot ooo.` lo polotoo, troos|otlog os bo rooo o|ooo.
5ovoo bo|í-b|ooos sbo|| ooswor tbo co||. 7o storm or ílro
tbo wor|o most ío|| -`
Yos, yos.` Octovloo ílolsboo lt wltboot |ooklog. Ao ootb
to koop wltb o íloo| brootb, ooo íoos boor orms to tbo
Loors oí Lootb.`
l - l koow tbot ooo.` Porcy tboogbt tboooor wos sboklog
tbo tomp|o ogolo. 7boo bo roo|lzoo bls wbo|o booy wos
tromb|log. 7bot`s lmportoot.`
Octovloo orcboo oo oyobrow. Oí coorso lt`s lmportoot.
¼o co|| lt tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo, bot lt`s sovoro| tboosooo
yoors o|o. ¼o ooo`t koow wbot lt mooos. Evory tlmo
somoooo trlos to lotorprot lt . ¼o||, lozo| coo to|| yoo.
Boo tblogs boppoo.`
lozo| g|oroo ot blm. 1ost rooo tbo oogory íor Porcy.
Coo bo jolo tbo |ogloo or ootº`
Porcy coo|o o|most soo Octovloo`s mloo worklog,
co|co|otlog wbotbor or oot Porcy woo|o bo osoío|. lo bo|o
oot bls booo íor Porcy`s bockpock. 7bot`s o boootlío|
spoclmoo. Voy lº`
Porcy oloo`t oooorstooo wbot bo mooot, bot Octovloo
sootcboo tbo Borgolo Vort poooo pl||ow tbot wos stlcklog
oot oí tbo top oí bls pock. lt wos jost o sl||y stoííoo toy, bot
Porcy boo corrloo lt o |oog woy. lo wos kloo oí íooo oí lt.
Octovloo torooo toworos tbo o|tor ooo rolsoo bls kolío.
loy!` Porcy protostoo.
Octovloo s|osboo opoo tbo poooo`s bo||y ooo pooroo lts
stoíílog ovor tbo o|tor. lo tossoo tbo poooo corcoss osloo,
mottoroo o íow woros ovor tbo í|oíí, ooo torooo wltb o blg
sml|o oo bls íoco.
Oooo oows!` bo solo. Porcy moy jolo tbo |ogloo. ¼o`||
osslgo blm o cobort ot ovoolog mostor. 7o|| Royoo tbot l
opprovo.`
lozo|`s sboo|oors ro|oxoo. Ub . groot. Como oo,
Porcy.`
Ob, ooo, lozo|,` Octovloo solo. l`m boppy to wo|como
Porcy loto tbo |ogloo. Bot wboo tbo o|octloo íor prootor
comos op, l bopo yoo`|| romombor -`
1osoo lso`t oooo,` lozo| sooppoo. Yoo`ro tbo oogor.
Yoo`ro sopposoo to bo |ooklog íor blm!`
Ob, l om!` Octovloo polotoo ot tbo pl|o oí gottoo stoííoo
oolmo|s. l cooso|t tbo goos ovory ooy! A|os, oítor olgbt
mootbs, l`vo íoooo ootblog. Oí coorso, l`m stl|| |ooklog. Bot
lí 1osoo oooso`t rotoro by tbo loost oí lortooo wo most
oct. ¼o coo`t bovo o powor vocoom ooy |oogor. l bopo
yoo`|| sopport mo íor prootor. lt woo|o mooo so mocb to
mo.`
lozo| c|oocboo bor ílsts. Vo. 5opport. Yooº`
Octovloo took oíí bls togo, sottlog lt ooo bls kolío oo tbo
o|tor. Porcy ootlcoo sovoo |loos oo Octovloo`s orm -
sovoo yoors oí comp, Porcy goossoo. Octovloo`s mork
wos o borp, tbo symbo| oí Apo||o.
Aítor o||,` Octovloo to|o lozo|, l mlgbt bo ob|o to bo|p
yoo. lt woo|o bo o sbomo lí tboso owío| romoors oboot yoo
kopt clrco|otlog . or, goos íorblo, lí tboy torooo oot to bo
troo.`
Porcy s|lppoo bls booo loto bls pockot ooo grobboo bls
poo. 7bls goy wos b|ockmol|log lozo|. 7bot wos obvloos.
Ooo slgo írom lozo|, ooo Porcy wos roooy to bost oot
Rlptloo ooo soo bow Octovloo |lkoo bolog ot tbo otbor ooo
oí o b|ooo.
lozo| took o ooop brootb. lor koock|os woro wblto. l`||
tblok oboot lt.`
Exco||oot,` Octovloo solo. By tbo woy, yoor brotbor ls
boro.`
lozo| stlííoooo. Vy brotborº ¼byº`
Octovloo sbroggoo. ¼by ooos yoor brotbor oo
ooytblogº lo`s woltlog íor yoo ot yoor íotbor`s sbrloo.
1ost . ob, ooo`t lovlto blm to stoy too |oog. lo bos o
olstorblog oííoct oo tbo otbors. Now, lí yoo`|| oxcoso mo, l
bovo to koop soorcblog íor oor poor |ost írlooo, 1osoo.
Nlco to moot yoo, Porcy.`
lozo| stormoo oot oí tbo povl|loo, ooo Porcy ío||owoo.
lo wos soro bo`o oovor booo so g|oo to |oovo o tomp|o lo
bls |lío.
As lozo| morcboo oowo tbo bl||, sbo corsoo lo Lotlo.
Porcy oloo`t oooorstooo o|| oí lt, bot bo got soo oí o
gorgoo, powor-boogry sooko, ooo o íow cbolco
soggostloos oboot wboro Octovloo coo|o stlck bls kolío.
l boto tbot goy,` sbo mottoroo lo Eog|lsb. lí l boo my
woy -`
lo woo`t roo||y got o|octoo prootor, wl|| boº` Porcy
oskoo.
l wlsb l coo|o bo cortolo. Octovloo bos o |ot oí írlooos,
most oí tbom boogbt. 7bo rost oí tbo compors oro oírolo oí
blm.`
Aírolo oí tbot sklooy |ltt|o goyº`
Loo`t oooorostlmoto blm. Royoo`s oot so boo by
borso|í, bot lí Octovloo sboros bor powor .` lozo|
sbooooroo. Lot`s go soo my brotbor. lo`|| woot to moot
yoo.`
Porcy oloo`t orgoo. lo wootoo to moot tbls mystorloos
brotbor, moybo |ooro somotblog oboot lozo|`s
bockgroooo - wbo bor ooo wos, wbot socrot sbo wos
blolog. Porcy coo|oo`t bo|lovo sbo`o oooo ooytblog to bo
gol|ty oboot. 5bo soomoo too olco. Bot Octovloo boo
octoo |lko bo boo somo ílrst-c|oss olrt oo bor.
lozo| |oo Porcy to o b|ock crypt bol|t loto tbo sloo oí tbo
bl||. 5tooolog lo íroot wos o toooogo boy lo b|ock jooos
ooo oo ovlotor jockot.
loy,` lozo| co||oo. l`vo broogbt o írlooo.`
7bo boy torooo. Porcy boo oootbor ooo oí tboso wolro
í|osbos. |lko tbls wos somobooy bo sboo|o koow. 7bo klo
wos o|most os po|o os Octovloo, bot wltb oork oyos ooo
mossy b|ock bolr. lo oloo`t |ook ooytblog |lko lozo|. lo
woro o sl|vor sko|| rlog, o cbolo íor o bo|t ooo o b|ock 7-
sblrt wltb sko|| ooslgos. At bls sloo boog o poro-b|ock
sworo.
lor o mlcrosocooo wboo bo sow Porcy, tbo boy soomoo
sbockoo - poolckoo ovoo, |lko bo`o booo coogbt lo o
soorcb|lgbt.
7bls ls Porcy 1ocksoo,` lozo| solo. lo`s o gooo goy.
Porcy, tbls ls my brotbor, tbo soo oí P|oto.`
7bo boy rogolooo bls composoro ooo bo|o oot bls
booo. P|oosoo to moot yoo,` bo solo. l`m Nlco ol Aogo|o.`
v

Hazel

lAZEL lEL7 LlKE 5lE`L 1U57 lN7ROLUCEL two ooc|oor bombs.
Now sbo wos woltlog to soo wblcb ooo oxp|oooo ílrst.
Uotl| tbot morolog, bor brotbor Nlco boo booo tbo most
poworío| oomlgoo sbo koow. 7bo otbors ot Comp 1opltor
sow blm os o trovo||log ooobo||, oboot os borm|oss os tbo
íooos. lozo| koow bottor. 5bo booo`t growo op wltb Nlco,
booo`t ovoo koowo blm vory |oog. Bot sbo koow Nlco wos
moro ooogoroos tboo Royoo, or Octovloo, or moybo ovoo
1osoo.
7boo sbo`o mot Porcy.
At ílrst, wboo sbo sow blm stomb|log op tbo blgbwoy wltb
tbo o|o |ooy lo bls orms, lozo| boo tboogbt bo mlgbt bo o
goo lo olsgolso. Evoo tboogb bo wos bootoo op, olrty ooo
stoopoo wltb oxboostloo, bo`o boo oo ooro oí powor. lo
boo tbo gooo |ooks oí o Romoo goo, wltb soo-grooo oyos
ooo wloob|owo b|ock bolr.
5bo`o orooroo lrook oot to ílro oo blm. 5bo tboogbt tbo
goos mlgbt bo tostlog tbom. 5bo`o booro mytbs |lko tbot. o
klo wltb oo o|o |ooy bogs íor sbo|tor, ooo wboo tbo rooo
morto|s roíoso - boom, tboy got torooo loto booooo s|ogs.
7boo Porcy boo cootro||oo tbo rlvor ooo oostroyoo tbo
gorgoos. lo`o torooo o poo loto o broozo sworo. lo`o
stlrroo op tbo wbo|o comp wltb to|k oboot tbo groocos.
A soo oí tbo soo goo .
Loog ogo, lozo| boo booo to|o tbot o ooscooooot oí
Noptooo woo|o sovo bor. Bot coo|o Porcy roo||y toko owoy
bor corsoº lt soomoo too mocb to bopo íor.
Porcy ooo Nlco sbook booos. 7boy stooloo oocb otbor
worl|y, ooo lozo| íoogbt tbo orgo to roo. lí tboso two
bostoo oot tbo moglc sworos, tblogs coo|o got og|y.
Nlco oloo`t oppoor scory. lo wos sklooy ooo s|oppy lo
bls romp|oo b|ock c|otbos. lls bolr, os o|woys, |ookoo |lko
bo`o jost ro||oo oot oí boo.
lozo| romomboroo wboo sbo`o mot blm. 7bo ílrst tlmo
sbo`o sooo blm orow tbot b|ock sworo oí bls, sbo`o o|most
|oogboo. 7bo woy bo co||oo lt 5tygloo lroo`, o|| sorloos-
|lko - bo`o |ookoo rlolco|oos. 7bls scrowoy wblto boy wos
oo ílgbtor. 5bo cortolo|y booo`t bo|lovoo tboy woro ro|otoo.
5bo boo cboogoo bor mloo oboot tbot qolck oooogb.
Porcy scow|oo. l - l koow yoo.`
Nlco rolsoo bls oyobrows. Lo yooº` lo |ookoo ot lozo|
íor oxp|oootloo.
lozo| bosltotoo. 5omotblog oboot bor brotbor`s rooctloo
woso`t rlgbt. lo wos trylog boro to oct cosoo|, bot wboo bo
boo ílrst sooo Porcy, lozo| boo ootlcoo bls momootory
|ook oí poolc. Nlco o|roooy koow Porcy. 5bo wos soro oí lt.
¼by wos bo protooolog otborwlsoº
lozo| íorcoo borso|í to spook. Um . Porcy`s |ost bls
momory.` 5bo to|o bor brotbor wbot boo boppoooo sloco
Porcy boo orrlvoo ot tbo gotos.
5o, Nlco .` sbo cootloooo coroío||y, l tboogbt . yoo
koow, yoo trovo| o|| ovor. Voybo yoo`vo mot oomlgoos
|lko Porcy boíoro, or .`
Nlco`s oxprossloo torooo os oork os 7ortoros. lozo|
oloo`t oooorstooo wby, bot sbo got tbo mossogo. Lrop lt.
7bls story oboot Oolo`s ormy,` Nlco solo. Yoo worooo
Royooº`
Porcy oooooo. ¼bo ls Oolo, ooywoyº`
lozo|`s mootb woot ory. 1ost boorlog tbot oomo . lt
wos o|| sbo coo|o oo to koop bor kooos írom bock|log.
5bo romomboroo o womoo`s soít s|oopy volco, o g|owlog
covo ooo íoo|log bor |oogs íl|| wltb b|ock ol|.
5bo`s tbo oortb gooooss.` Nlco g|oocoo ot tbo groooo
os lí lt mlgbt bo |lstoolog. 7bo o|oost gooooss oí o||. 5bo`s
lo o ooop s|oop most oí tbo tlmo, bot sbo botos tbo goos
ooo tbolr cbl|oroo.`
Votbor Eortb . ls ovl|º` Porcy oskoo.
Vory,` Nlco solo grovo|y. 5bo coovlocoo bor soo, tbo
7ltoo Krooos - om, l mooo, 5otoro - to kl|| bls ooo,
Urooos, ooo toko ovor tbo wor|o. 7bo 7ltoos ro|oo íor o
|oog tlmo. 7boo tbo 7ltoos` cbl|oroo, tbo O|ymploo goos,
ovortbrow tbom.`
7bot story sooms íoml|lor.` Porcy soooooo sorprlsoo,
|lko oo o|o momory boo portlo||y soríocoo. Bot l ooo`t
tblok l ovor booro tbo port oboot Oolo.`
Nlco sbroggoo. 5bo got moo wboo tbo goos took ovor.
5bo took o oow bosbooo - 7ortoros, tbo splrlt oí tbo obyss
- ooo govo blrtb to o roco oí gloots. 7boy trloo to oostroy
Vooot O|ympos, bot tbo goos íloo||y boot tbom. At
|oost . tbo ílrst tlmo.`
7bo ílrst tlmoº` Porcy ropootoo.
Nlco g|oocoo ot lozo|. lo probob|y woso`t mooolog to
moko bor íoo| gol|ty, bot sbo coo|oo`t bo|p lt. lí Porcy koow
tbo trotb oboot bor, ooo tbo borrlb|o tblogs sbo`o oooo .
Lost sommor,` Nlco cootloooo, 5otoro trloo to moko o
comobock. 7boro wos o socooo 7ltoo wor. 7bo Romoos ot
Comp 1opltor stormoo bls boooqoortors oo Vooot Otbrys,
ocross tbo boy, ooo oostroyoo bls tbrooo. 5otoro
olsoppooroo -` lo bosltotoo, wotcblog Porcy`s íoco. lozo|
got tbo íoo|log bor brotbor wos oorvoos tbot moro oí
Porcy`s momory mlgbt como bock.
Um, ooywoy,` Nlco cootloooo, 5otoro probob|y íoooo
bock to tbo obyss. ¼o o|| tboogbt tbo wor wos ovor. Now lt
|ooks |lko tbo 7ltoos` ooíoot stlrroo op Oolo. 5bo`s stortlog
to woko. l`vo booro roports oí gloots bolog roboro. lí tboy
mooo to cbo||oogo tbo goos ogolo, tboy`|| probob|y stort
by oostroylog tbo oomlgoos .`
Yoo`vo to|o Royoo tblsº` Porcy oskoo.
Oí coorso.` Nlco`s jow toosoo. 7bo Romoos ooo`t trost
mo. 7bot`s wby l wos boplog sbo`o |lstoo to yoo. Cbl|oroo
oí P|oto . wo||, oo oííooco, bot tboy tblok wo`ro ovoo
worso tboo cbl|oroo oí Noptooo. ¼o`ro boo |ock.`
7boy |ot lozo| stoy boro,` Porcy ootoo.
7bot`s olííoroot,` Nlco solo.
¼byº`
Porcy,` lozo| cot lo, |ook, tbo gloots oroo`t tbo worst
prob|om. Evoo . ovoo Oolo lso`t tbo worst prob|om. 7bo
tblog yoo ootlcoo oboot tbo gorgoos, bow tboy woo|oo`t
olo, tbot`s oor blggost worry.` 5bo |ookoo ot Nlco. 5bo wos
gottlog ooogoroos|y c|oso to bor owo socrot oow, bot íor
somo roosoo lozo| trostoo Porcy. Voybo bocooso bo
wos o|so oo ootsloor, moybo bocooso bo`o sovoo lrook ot
tbo rlvor. lo oosorvoo to koow wbot tboy woro íoclog.
Nlco ooo l,` sbo solo coroío||y, wo tblok tbot wbot`s
boppoolog ls . Lootb lso`t -`
Boíoro sbo coo|o ílolsb, o sboot como írom oowo tbo
bl||.
lrook joggoo toworos tbom, woorlog bls jooos, porp|o
comp sblrt ooo ooolm jockot. lls booos woro covoroo wltb
grooso írom c|ooolog woopoos.
As lt olo ovory tlmo sbo sow lrook, lozo|`s boort
Poríormoo o |ltt|o sklp-boot top-oooco - wblcb roo||y
lrrltotoo bor. 5oro, bo wos o gooo írlooo - ooo oí tbo oo|y
poop|o ot comp wbo oloo`t troot bor os lí sbo boo o
cootogloos olsooso. Bot sbo oloo`t |lko blm lo tbot woy.
lo wos tbroo yoors o|oor tboo sbo wos, ooo bo woso`t
oxoct|y Prloco Cbormlog, wltb tbot stroogo comblootloo oí
boby íoco ooo bo|ky wrost|or`s booy. lo |ookoo |lko o
cooo|y koo|o boor wltb mosc|os. 7bo íoct tbot ovoryooo
o|woys trloo to polr tbom op - tbo two blggost |osors ot
comp! Yoo goys oro poríoct íor oocb otbor - jost mooo
lozo| moro ootormlooo oot to |lko blm.
Bot bor boort woso`t wltb tbo progrommo. lt woot oots
wbooovor lrook wos oroooo. 5bo booo`t ío|t |lko tbot
sloco . wo||, sloco 5ommy.
5top lt, sbo tboogbt. Yoo`ro boro íor ooo roosoo - ooo lt
lso`t to got o oow boyírlooo.
Bosloos, lrook oloo`t koow bor socrot. lí bo koow, bo
woo|oo`t bo so olco to bor.
lo roocboo tbo sbrloo. loy, Nlco .`
lrook.` Nlco sml|oo. lo soomoo to íloo lrook omoslog,
moybo bocooso lrook wos tbo oo|y ooo ot comp wbo
woso`t oooosy oroooo tbo cbl|oroo oí P|oto.
Royoo soot mo to got Porcy,` lrook solo. Llo Octovloo
occopt yooº`
Yoob,` Porcy solo. lo s|oogbtoroo my poooo.`
lo . Ob. 7bo oogoryº Yoob, toooy boors most bovo
olgbtmoros oboot tbot goy. Bot yoo`ro lo! ¼o oooo to got
yoo c|ooooo op boíoro ovoolog mostor.`
lozo| roo|lzoo tbo soo wos gottlog |ow ovor tbo bl||s.
low boo tbo ooy gooo so íostº Yoo`ro rlgbt,` sbo solo.
¼o`o bottor -`
lrook,` Nlco lotorroptoo, wby ooo`t yoo toko Porcy
oowoº lozo| ooo l wl|| bo o|oog sooo.`
Ub-ob, lozo| tboogbt. 5bo trloo oot to |ook ooxloos.
7bot`s - tbot`s o gooo looo,` sbo mooogoo. Oo obooo,
goys. ¼o`|| cotcb op.`
Porcy |ookoo ot Nlco ooo moro tlmo, os tboogb bo woro
stl|| trylog to p|oco o momory. l`o |lko to to|k wltb yoo somo
moro. l coo`t sboko tbo íoo|log -`
5oro,` Nlco ogrooo. Lotor. l`|| bo stoylog ovorolgbt.`
Yoo wl||º` lozo| b|ortoo. 7bo compors woro golog to
|ovo tbot - tbo soo oí Noptooo ooo tbo soo oí P|oto
orrlvlog oo tbo somo ooy. Now o|| tboy oooooo wos somo
b|ock cots ooo brokoo mlrrors.
Oo oo, Porcy,` Nlco solo. 5ott|o lo.` lo torooo to lozo|,
ooo sbo got tbo sooso tbot tbo worst port oí bor ooy wos
yot to como. Vy slstor ooo l oooo to to|k.`
Yoo koow blm, ooo`t yoo,` lozo| solo.
7boy sot oo tbo rooí oí P|oto`s sbrloo, wblcb wos
covoroo wltb booos ooo olomooos. As íor os lozo| koow,
tbo booos boo o|woys booo tboro. 7bo olomooos woro bor
íoo|t. lí sbo sot ooywboro too |oog, or jost got ooxloos, tboy
stortoo popplog op o|| oroooo bor |lko mosbrooms oítor o
rolo. 5ovoro| ml||loo oo||ors` wortb oí stooos g|lttoroo oo
tbo rooí, bot íortoooto|y tbo otbor compors woo|oo`t toocb
tbom. 7boy koow bottor tboo to stoo| írom tomp|os -
ospoclo||y P|oto`s - ooo tbo íooos oovor como op boro.
lozo| sbooooroo, romomborlog bor c|oso co|| wltb Loo
tbot oítoroooo. lí sbo booo`t movoo qolck|y ooo sootcboo
tbot olomooo oíí tbo rooo . 5bo oloo`t woot to tblok oboot
lt. 5bo oloo`t oooo oootbor oootb oo bor coosclooco.
Nlco swoog bls íoot |lko o |ltt|o klo. lls 5tygloo lroo
sworo |oy by bls sloo, ooxt to lozo|`s spotbo. lo gozoo
ocross tbo vo||oy, wboro coostroctloo crows woro worklog
lo tbo llo|o oí Vors, bol|olog íortlílcotloos íor toolgbt`s
gomos.
Porcy 1ocksoo.` lo solo tbo oomo |lko oo locoototloo.
lozo|, l bovo to bo coroío| wbot l soy. lmportoot tblogs oro
ot work boro. 5omo socrots oooo to stoy socrot. Yoo oí o||
poop|o - yoo sboo|o oooorstooo tbot.`
lozo|`s cbooks ío|t bot. Bot bo`s oot |lko . |lko moº`
No,` Nlco solo. l`m sorry l coo`t to|| yoo moro. l coo`t
lotoríoro. Porcy bos to íloo bls owo woy ot tbls comp.`
ls bo ooogoroosº` sbo oskoo.
Nlco mooogoo o ory sml|o. Vory. 7o bls ooomlos. Bot
bo`s oot o tbroot to Comp 1opltor. Yoo coo trost blm.`
Llko l trost yoo,` lozo| solo blttor|y.
Nlco twlstoo bls sko|| rlog. Aroooo blm, booos bogoo to
qolvor os lí tboy woro trylog to íorm o oow sko|otoo.
wbooovor bo got moooy, Nlco boo tbot oííoct oo tbo oooo,
kloo oí |lko lozo|`s corso. Botwooo tbom, tboy
roprosootoo P|oto`s two spboros oí cootro|. oootb ooo
rlcbos. 5omotlmos lozo| tboogbt Nlco boo got tbo bottor
ooo oí tbo ooo|.
Look, l koow tbls ls boro,` Nlco solo. Bot yoo bovo o
socooo cbooco. Yoo coo moko tblogs rlgbt.`
Notblog oboot tbls ls rlgbt,` lozo| solo. lí tboy íloo oot
tbo trotb oboot mo -`
7boy woo`t,` Nlco promlsoo. 7boy`|| co|| o qoost sooo.
7boy bovo to. Yoo`|| moko mo prooo. 7rost mo, Bl-`
lo coogbt blmso|í, bot lozo| koow wbot bo`o o|most
co||oo bor. Blooco. Nlco`s roo| slstor - tbo ooo bo`o growo
op wltb. Nlco mlgbt coro oboot lozo|, bot sbo`o oovor bo
Blooco. lozo| wos tbo slmp|y tbo ooxt bost tblog Nlco
coo|o mooogo - o cooso|otloo prlzo írom tbo Uooorwor|o.
l`m sorry,` bo solo.
lozo|`s mootb tostoo |lko moto|, os lí go|o ooggots woro
popplog op oooor bor toogoo. 7boo lt`s troo oboot Lootbº
ls A|cyoooos to b|omoº`
l tblok so,` Nlco solo. lt`s gottlog boo lo tbo Uooorwor|o.
Loo`s golog crozy trylog to koop tblogs oooor cootro|.
lrom wbot Porcy solo oboot tbo gorgoos, tblogs oro
gottlog worso op boro, too. Bot |ook, tbot`s wby yoo`ro boro.
A|| tbot stoíí lo yoor post - yoo coo moko somotblog gooo
como oot oí lt. Yoo bo|oog ot Comp 1opltor.`
7bot soooooo so rlolco|oos lozo| o|most |oogboo. 5bo
oloo`t bo|oog lo tbls p|oco. 5bo oloo`t ovoo bo|oog lo tbls
cootory.
5bo sboo|o bovo koowo bottor tboo to íocos oo tbo post,
bot sbo romomboroo tbo ooy wboo bor o|o |lío boo booo
sbottoroo. 7bo b|ockoot blt bor so sooooo|y sbo oloo`t
ovoo bovo tlmo to soy, Ub-ob. 5bo sblítoo bock lo tlmo.
Not o oroom or o vlsloo. 7bo momory wosboo ovor bor
wltb socb poríoct c|orlty tbot sbo ío|t sbo wos octoo||y
tboro.
lor most rocoot blrtbooy. 5bo`o jost torooo tblrtooo. Bot
oot |ost Locombor - 17 Locombor 1041, tbo |ost ooy sbo
boo |lvoo lo Now Or|ooos.
vl

Hazel

lAZEL ¼A5 ¼ALKlNO lOVE ALONE írom tbo rlolog stob|os.
Losplto tbo co|o ovoolog, sbo wos bozzlog wltb wormtb.
5ommy boo jost klssoo bor oo tbo cbook.
7bo ooy boo booo ío|| oí ops ooo oowos. Klos ot scboo|
boo toosoo bor oboot bor motbor, co||log bor o wltcb ooo o
|ot oí otbor oomos. 7bot boo booo golog oo íor o |oog
tlmo, oí coorso, bot lt wos gottlog worso. Romoors woro
sprooolog oboot lozo|`s corso. 7bo scboo| wos co||oo 5t
Agoos Acooomy íor Co|ooroo Cbl|oroo ooo looloos, o
oomo tbot booo`t cboogoo lo o boooroo yoors. 1ost |lko lts
oomo, tbo p|oco moskoo o wbo|o |ot oí croo|ty oooor o
tblo voooor oí klooooss.
lozo| oloo`t oooorstooo bow otbor b|ock klos coo|o bo
so mooo. 7boy sboo|o`vo koowo bottor, sloco tboy
tbomso|vos boo to pot op wltb oomo-co||log o|| tbo tlmo.
Bot tboy yo||oo ot bor ooo sto|o bor |oocb, o|woys osklog
íor tboso íomoos jowo|s. ¼boro`s tboso corsoo olomooos,
glr|º Olmmo somo or l`|| bort yoo!` 7boy posboo bor owoy
ot tbo wotor íoootolo, ooo tbrow rocks ot bor lí sbo trloo to
opproocb tbom oo tbo p|oygroooo.
Losplto bow borrlb|o tboy woro, lozo| oovor govo tbom
olomooos or go|o. 5bo oloo`t boto ooyooo tbot mocb.
Bosloos, sbo boo ooo írlooo - 5ommy - ooo tbot wos
oooogb.
5ommy |lkoo to joko tbot bo wos tbo poríoct 5t Agoos
stoooot. lo wos Voxlcoo Amorlcoo, so bo cooslooroo
blmso|í co|ooroo ooo looloo. 7boy sboo|o glvo mo o
ooob|o scbo|orsblp,` bo solo.
lo woso`t blg or stroog, bot bo boo o crozy sml|o ooo bo
mooo lozo| |oogb.
7bot oítoroooo bo`o tokoo bor to tbo stob|os wboro bo
workoo os o groom. lt wos o wbltos oo|y` rlolog c|ob, oí
coorso, bot lt wos c|osoo oo wookooys ooo, wltb tbo wor
oo, tboro wos to|k tbot tbo c|ob mlgbt bovo to sbot oowo
comp|oto|y ootl| tbo 1opoooso woro wblppoo ooo tbo
so|olors como bock bomo. 5ommy coo|o osoo||y soook
lozo| lo to bo|p toko coro oí tbo borsos. Ooco lo o wbl|o
tboy`o go rlolog.
lozo| |ovoo borsos. 7boy soomoo to bo tbo oo|y |lvlog
tblogs tbot woroo`t scoroo oí bor. Poop|o botoo bor. Cots
blssoo. Logs grow|oo. Evoo tbo stoplo bomstor lo Vlss
ílo|oy`s c|ossroom sqoookoo lo torror wboo sbo govo lt o
corrot. Bot borsos oloo`t mloo. ¼boo sbo wos lo tbo
sooo|o, sbo coo|o rloo so íost tbot tboro wos oo cbooco oí
gomstooos cropplog op lo bor woko. 5bo o|most ío|t íroo
oí bor corso.
7bot oítoroooo, sbo`o tokoo oot o too rooo sto||loo wltb o
gorgooos b|ock mooo. 5bo go||opoo loto tbo ílo|os so
swlít|y, sbo |oít 5ommy bobloo. By tbo tlmo bo coogbt op,
bo ooo bls borso woro botb wloooo.
¼bot oro yoo rooolog íromº` lo |oogboo. l`m oot tbot
og|y, om lº`
lt wos too co|o íor o plcolc, bot tboy boo ooo ooywoy,
slttlog oooor o mogoo|lo troo wltb tbo borsos totboroo to o
sp|lt-rol| íooco. 5ommy boo broogbt bor o copcoko wltb o
blrtbooy cooo|o, wblcb boo got smosboo oo tbo rloo bot
wos stl|| tbo swootost tblog lozo| boo ovor sooo. 7boy
broko lt lo bo|í ooo sboroo lt.
5ommy to|koo oboot tbo wor. lo wlsboo bo woro o|o
oooogb to go. lo oskoo lozo| lí sbo woo|o wrlto blm
|ottors lí bo woro o so|olor golog ovorsoos.
`Coorso, oommy,` sbo solo.
lo grloooo. 7boo, os lí movoo by o sooooo lmpo|so, bo
|orcboo íorworo ooo klssoo bor oo tbo cbook. loppy
blrtbooy, lozo|.`
lt woso`t mocb. 1ost ooo klss, ooo oot ovoo oo tbo |lps.
Bot lozo| ío|t |lko sbo wos í|ootlog. 5bo boro|y
romomboroo tbo rloo bock to tbo stob|os, or to||log
5ommy gooobyo. lo solo, 5oo yoo tomorrow,` |lko bo
o|woys olo. Bot sbo woo|o oovor soo blm ogolo.
By tbo tlmo sbo got bock to tbo lroocb Ooortor, lt wos
gottlog oork. As sbo opproocboo bomo, bor worm íoo|log
íoooo, rop|ocoo by orooo.
lozo| ooo bor motbor - Ooooo Vorlo, sbo |lkoo to bo
co||oo - |lvoo lo oo o|o oportmoot obovo o jozz c|ob.
Losplto tbo bogloolog oí tbo wor, tboro wos o íostlvo mooo
lo tbo olr. Now rocrolts woo|o room tbo stroots, |oogblog
ooo to|klog oboot ílgbtlog tbo 1opoooso. 7boy`o got
tottoos lo tbo por|oors or proposo to tbolr swootboorts rlgbt
oo tbo sloowo|k. 5omo woo|o go opstolrs to lozo|`s
motbor to bovo tbolr íortooos rooo or to boy cborms írom
Vorlo Lovosqoo, tbo íomoos grls-grls qoooo.
Llo yoo boorº` ooo woo|o soy. 7wo blts íor tbls gooo-
|ock cborm. l took lt to o goy l koow, ooo bo soys lt`s o roo|
sl|vor ooggot. ¼ortb twooty oo||ors! 7bot vooooo womoo ls
crozy!`
lor o wbl|o, tbot kloo oí to|k broogbt Ooooo Vorlo o |ot
oí boslooss. lozo|`s corso boo stortoo oot s|ow|y. At ílrst lt
soomoo |lko o b|osslog. 7bo procloos stooos ooo go|o
oo|y oppooroo ooco lo o wbl|o, oovor lo bogo qoootltlos.
Ooooo Vorlo polo bor bl||s. 7boy oto stook íor olooor
ooco o wook. lozo| ovoo got o oow oross. Bot tboo storlos
stortoo sprooolog. 7bo |oco|s bogoo to roo|lzo bow mooy
borrlb|o tblogs boppoooo to poop|o wbo boogbt tboso
gooo-|ock cborms or got polo wltb Ooooo Vorlo`s
troosoro. Cbor|lo Ooscooox |ost bls orm lo o borvostor
wbl|o woorlog o go|o broco|ot. Vr loory ot tbo goooro|
storo oroppoo oooo írom o boort ottock oítor Ooooo Vorlo
sott|oo bor tob wltb o roby.
lo|ks stortoo wblsporlog oboot lozo| - bow sbo coo|o
íloo corsoo jowo|s jost by wo|klog oowo tbo stroot. 7boso
ooys oo|y oot-oí-towoors como to vlslt bor motbor, ooo oot
so mooy oí tbom, oltbor. lozo|`s mom boo bocomo sbort-
tomporoo. 5bo govo lozo| rosootío| |ooks.
lozo| c|lmboo tbo stolrs os qolot|y os sbo coo|o, lo
coso bor motbor boo o costomor. lo tbo c|ob oowostolrs,
tbo booo wos toolog tbolr lostromoots. 7bo bokory ooxt
ooor boo stortoo moklog írlttors íor tomorrow morolog,
íl||log tbo stolrwo|| wltb tbo smo|| oí mo|tlog bottor.
¼boo sbo got to tbo top, lozo| tboogbt sbo booro two
volcos losloo tbo oportmoot. Bot wboo sbo pookoo loto
tbo por|oor, bor motbor wos slttlog o|ooo ot tbo soooco
tob|o, bor oyos c|osoo, os lí lo o trooco.
lozo| boo sooo bor tbot woy mooy tlmos, protooolog to
to|k to splrlts íor bor c|loots - bot oot ovor wboo sbo wos by
borso|í. Ooooo Vorlo boo o|woys to|o lozo| bor grls-grls
wos book ooo bokom`. 5bo oloo`t roo||y bo|lovo lo cborms
or íortooo to||log or gbosts. 5bo wos jost o poríormor, |lko
o slogor or oo octross, oolog o sbow íor moooy.
Bot lozo| koow bor motbor olo bo|lovo lo somo moglc.
lozo|`s corso woso`t bokom. Ooooo Vorlo jost oloo`t woot
to tblok lt wos bor íoo|t - tbot somobow sbo boo mooo
lozo| tbo woy sbo wos.
lt wos yoor b|ostoo íotbor,` Ooooo Vorlo woo|o gromb|o
lo bor oorkor mooos. Comlog boro lo bls íoocy sl|vor-
ooo-b|ock solt. 7bo ooo tlmo l octoo||y sommoo o splrlt,
ooo wbot oo l gotº lo|íl|s my wlsb ooo rolos my |lío. l
sboo|o`vo booo o roo| qoooo. lt`s bls íoo|t yoo torooo oot
tbls woy.`
5bo woo|o oovor oxp|olo wbot sbo mooot, ooo lozo|
boo |oorooo oot to osk oboot bor íotbor. lt jost mooo bor
motbor oogrlor.
As lozo| wotcboo, Ooooo Vorlo mottoroo somotblog to
borso|í. lor íoco wos co|m ooo ro|oxoo. lozo| wos strock
by bow boootlío| sbo |ookoo, wltboot bor scow| ooo tbo
croosos lo bor brow. 5bo boo o |osb mooo oí go|o-browo
bolr |lko lozo|`s, ooo tbo somo oork comp|oxloo, browo os
o roostoo coííoo booo. 5bo woso`t woorlog tbo íoocy
soííroo robos or go|o boog|os sbo woro to lmpross c|loots
- jost o slmp|o wblto oross. 5tl||, sbo boo o rogo| olr,
slttlog strolgbt ooo olgolíloo lo bor gl|ooo cbolr os lí sbo
roo||y woro o qoooo.
Yoo`|| bo soío tboro,` sbo mormoroo. lor írom tbo
goos.`
lozo| stlí|oo o scroom. 7bo volco comlog írom bor
motbor`s mootb woso`t bors. lt soooooo |lko oo o|oor
womoo`s. 7bo tooo wos soít ooo sootblog, bot o|so
commooolog - |lko o bypootlst glvlog oroors.
Ooooo Vorlo toosoo. 5bo grlmocoo lo bor trooco, tboo
spoko lo bor oormo| volco. lt`s too íor. 7oo co|o. 7oo
ooogoroos. lo to|o mo oot to.`
7bo otbor volco rospooooo. ¼bot bos bo ovor oooo íor
yooº lo govo yoo o polsoooo cbl|o! Bot wo coo oso bor
glít íor gooo. ¼o coo strlko bock ot tbo goos. Yoo wl|| bo
oooor my protoctloo lo tbo oortb, íor írom tbo goos`
oomolo. l`|| moko my soo yoor protoctor. Yoo`|| |lvo |lko o
qoooo ot |ost.`
Ooooo Vorlo wlocoo. Bot wbot oboot lozo| .`
7boo bor íoco cootortoo lo o sooor. Botb volcos spoko
lo oolsoo, os lí tboy`o íoooo somotblog to ogroo oo. A
polsoooo cbl|o.`
lozo| í|oo oowo tbo stolrs, bor po|so roclog.
At tbo bottom, sbo roo loto o moo lo o oork solt. lo
grlppoo bor sboo|oors wltb stroog, co|o ílogors.
Eosy, cbl|o,` tbo moo solo.
lozo| ootlcoo tbo sl|vor sko|| rlog oo bls ílogor, tboo tbo
stroogo íobrlc oí bls solt. lo tbo sbooows, tbo so|lo b|ock
woo| soomoo to sblít ooo bol|, íormlog lmogos oí íocos lo
ogooy, os lí |ost soo|s woro trylog to oscopo írom tbo ío|os
oí bls c|otbos.
lls tlo wos b|ock wltb p|otloom strlpos. lls sblrt wos
tombstooo groy. lls íoco - lozo|`s boort ooor|y |oopoo
oot oí bor tbroot. lls sklo wos so wblto lt |ookoo o|most
b|oo, |lko co|o ml|k. lo boo o í|op oí groosy b|ock bolr.
lls sml|o wos kloo oooogb, bot bls oyos woro ílory ooo
oogry, ío|| oí moo powor. lozo| boo sooo tbot |ook lo tbo
oowsroo|s ot tbo movlo tbootor. 7bls moo |ookoo |lko tbot
owío| Aoo|í llt|or. lo boo oo moostocbo, bot otborwlso bo
coo|o`vo booo llt|or`s twlo - or bls íotbor.
lozo| trloo to po|| owoy. Evoo wboo tbo moo |ot go, sbo
coo|oo`t soom to movo. lls oyos írozo bor lo p|oco.
lozo| Lovosqoo,` bo solo lo o mo|oocbo|y volco.
Yoo`vo growo.`
lozo| stortoo to tromb|o. At tbo boso oí tbo stolrs, tbo
comoot stoop crockoo oooor tbo moo`s íoot. A g|lttorlog
stooo poppoo op írom tbo coocroto |lko tbo oortb boo spot
oot o wotormo|oo sooo. 7bo moo |ookoo ot lt, oosorprlsoo.
lo boot oowo.
Loo`t!` lozo| crloo. lt`s corsoo!`
lo plckoo op tbo stooo - o poríoct|y íormoo omoro|o.
Yos, lt ls. Bot oot to mo. 5o boootlío| . wortb moro tboo
tbls bol|olog, l lmogloo.` lo s|lppoo tbo omoro|o lo bls
pockot. l`m sorry íor yoor íoto, cbl|o. l lmogloo yoo boto
mo.`
lozo| oloo`t oooorstooo. 7bo moo soooooo soo, os lí
bo woro porsooo||y rospooslb|o íor bor |lío. 7boo tbo trotb
blt bor. o splrlt lo sl|vor ooo b|ock, wbo`o ío|íl||oo bor
motbor`s wlsbos ooo rolooo bor |lío.
lor oyos wlooooo. Yooº Yoo`ro my .`
lo coppoo bls booo oooor bor cblo. l om P|oto. Llío ls
oovor oosy íor my cbl|oroo, bot yoo bovo o spoclo|
borooo. Now tbot yoo`ro tblrtooo, wo most moko provlsloos
-`
5bo posboo bls booo owoy.
Yoo olo tbls to moº` sbo oomooooo. Yoo corsoo mo
ooo my motborº Yoo |oít os o|oooº`
lor oyos stoog wltb toors. 7bls rlcb wblto moo lo o íloo
solt wos bor íotborº Now tbot sbo wos tblrtooo, bo sbowoo
op íor tbo ílrst tlmo ooo solo bo wos sorryº
Yoo`ro ovl|!` sbo sbootoo. Yoo rolooo oor |lvos!`
P|oto`s oyos oorrowoo. ¼bot bos yoor motbor to|o yoo,
lozo|º los sbo oovor oxp|olooo bor wlsbº Or to|o yoo
wby yoo woro boro oooor o corsoº`
lozo| wos too oogry to spook, bot P|oto soomoo to rooo
tbo ooswors lo bor íoco.
No .` lo slgboo. l sopposo sbo woo|oo`t. Vocb ooslor
to b|omo mo.`
¼bot oo yoo moooº`
P|oto slgboo. Poor cbl|o. Yoo woro boro too sooo. l
coooot soo yoor íotoro c|oor|y, bot somo ooy yoo wl|| íloo
yoor p|oco. A ooscooooot oí Noptooo wl|| wosb owoy yoor
corso ooo glvo yoo pooco. l íoor, tboogb, tbot ls oot íor
mooy yoors .`
lozo| oloo`t ío||ow ooy oí tbot. Boíoro sbo coo|o
rospooo, P|oto bo|o oot bls booo. A skotcbpoo ooo o box
oí co|ooroo poocl|s oppooroo lo bls po|m.
l oooorstooo yoo oojoy ort ooo borsobock rlolog,` bo
solo. 7boso oro íor yoor ort. As íor tbo borso .` lls oyos
g|oomoo. 7bot, yoo`|| bovo to mooogo yoorso|í. Now l
most spook wltb yoor motbor. loppy blrtbooy, lozo|.`
lo torooo ooo booooo op tbo stolrs - jost |lko tbot, os lí
bo`o cbockoo lozo| oíí bls to oo` |lst ooo boo o|roooy
íorgottoo bor. loppy blrtbooy. Oo orow o plctoro. 5oo yoo
lo oootbor tblrtooo yoors.
5bo wos so stooooo, so oogry, so opsloo-oowo
cooíosoo tbot sbo jost stooo poro|yzoo ot tbo boso oí tbo
stops. 5bo wootoo to tbrow oowo tbo co|ooroo poocl|s ooo
stomp oo tbom. 5bo wootoo to cborgo oítor P|oto ooo klck
blm. 5bo wootoo to roo owoy, íloo 5ommy, stoo| o borso,
|oovo towo ooo oovor como bock. Bot sbo oloo`t oo ooy oí
tboso tblogs.
Abovo bor, tbo oportmoot ooor opoooo, ooo P|oto
stoppoo losloo.
lozo| wos stl|| sblvorlog írom bls co|o toocb, bot sbo
cropt op tbo stolrs to soo wbot bo woo|o oo. ¼bot woo|o bo
soy to Ooooo Vorloº ¼bo woo|o spook bock - lozo|`s
motbor, or tbot owío| volcoº
¼boo sbo roocboo tbo ooorwoy, lozo| booro orgolog.
5bo pookoo lo. lor motbor soomoo bock to oormo| -
scroomlog ooo oogry, tbrowlog tblogs oroooo tbo por|oor
wbl|o P|oto trloo to roosoo wltb bor.
Vorlo, lt`s losoolty,` bo solo. Yoo`|| bo íor boyooo my
powor to protoct yoo.`
Protoct moº` Ooooo Vorlo yo||oo. ¼boo bovo yoo ovor
protoctoo moº`
P|oto`s oork solt sblmmoroo, os lí tbo soo|s troppoo lo
tbo íobrlc woro gottlog ogltotoo.
Yoo bovo oo looo,` bo solo. l`vo kopt yoo o|lvo, yoo ooo
tbo cbl|o. Vy ooomlos oro ovorywboro omoog goos ooo
moo. Now, wltb tbo wor oo, lt wl|| oo|y got worso. Yoo most
stoy wboro l coo -`
7bo po|lco tblok l`m o morooror!` Ooooo Vorlo sbootoo.
Vy c|loots woot to boog mo os o wltcb! Aoo lozo| - bor
corso ls gottlog worso. Yoor protoctloo ls kl||log os.`
P|oto sprooo bls booos lo o p|ooolog gostoro. Vorlo,
p|ooso -`
No!` Ooooo Vorlo torooo to tbo c|osot, po||oo oot o
|ootbor vo|lso ooo tbrow lt oo tbo tob|o. ¼o`ro |oovlog,` sbo
oooooocoo. Yoo coo koop yoor protoctloo. ¼o`ro golog
oortb.`
Vorlo, lt`s o trop,` P|oto worooo. ¼boovor`s wblsporlog
lo yoor oor, wboovor`s torolog yoo ogolost mo -`
Yoo torooo mo ogolost yoo!` 5bo plckoo op o porco|olo
voso ooo tbrow lt ot blm. lt sbottoroo oo tbo í|oor, ooo
procloos stooos spl||oo ovorywboro - omoro|os, roblos,
olomooos. lozo|`s ootlro co||octloo.
Yoo woo`t sorvlvo,` P|oto solo. lí yoo go oortb, yoo`||
botb olo. l coo íorosoo tbot c|oor|y.`
Oot oot!` sbo solo.
lozo| wlsboo P|oto woo|o stoy ooo orgoo. ¼botovor bor
motbor wos to|klog oboot, lozo| oloo`t |lko lt. Bot bor
íotbor s|osboo bls booo ocross tbo olr ooo olsso|voo loto
sbooows . |lko bo roo||y wos o splrlt.
Ooooo Vorlo c|osoo bor oyos. 5bo took o ooop brootb.
lozo| wos oírolo tbo stroogo volco mlgbt possoss bor
ogolo. Bot wboo sbo spoko sbo wos bor rogo|or so|í.
lozo|,` sbo sooppoo, como oot írom bobloo tbot ooor.`
7romb|log, lozo| oboyoo. 5bo c|otcboo tbo skotcbpoo
ooo co|ooroo poocl|s to bor cbost.
lor motbor stooloo bor |lko sbo wos o blttor
olsoppolotmoot. A polsoooo cbl|o, tbo volcos boo solo.
Pock o bog,` sbo orooroo. ¼o`ro movlog.`
¼b-wboroº` lozo| oskoo.
A|osko,` Ooooo Vorlo oosworoo. Yoo`ro golog to moko
yoorso|í osoío|. ¼o`ro golog to stort o oow |lío.`
7bo woy bor motbor solo tbot, lt soooooo os lí tboy woro
golog to crooto o oow |lío` íor somoooo o|so - or
somotblog o|so.
¼bot olo P|oto moooº` lozo| oskoo. ls bo roo||y my
íotborº lo solo yoo mooo o wlsb -`
Oo to yoor room!` bor motbor sbootoo. Pock!`
lozo| í|oo, ooo sooooo|y sbo wos rlppoo oot oí tbo post.
Nlco wos sboklog bor sboo|oors. Yoo olo lt ogolo.`
lozo| b|lokoo. 7boy woro stl|| slttlog oo tbo rooí oí
P|oto`s sbrloo. 7bo soo wos |owor lo tbo sky. Voro
olomooos boo soríocoo oroooo bor, ooo bor oyos stoog
írom crylog.
5-sorry,` sbo mormoroo.
Loo`t bo,` Nlco solo. ¼boro woro yooº`
Vy motbor`s oportmoot. 7bo ooy wo movoo.`
Nlco oooooo. lo oooorstooo bor blstory bottor tboo
most poop|o coo|o. lo wos o|so o klo írom tbo 1040s.
lo`o booo boro oo|y o íow yoors oítor lozo|, ooo boo
booo |ockoo owoy lo o moglc boto| íor oocooos. Bot
lozo|`s post wos mocb worso tboo Nlco`s. 5bo`o coosoo
so mocb oomogo ooo mlsory .
Yoo bovo to work oo cootro||log tboso momorlos,` Nlco
worooo. lí o í|osbbock |lko tbot boppoos wboo yoo`ro lo
combot -`
l koow,` sbo solo. l`m trylog.`
Nlco sqooozoo bor booo. lt`s okoy. l tblok lt`s o sloo
oííoct írom . yoo koow, yoor tlmo lo tbo Uooorwor|o.
lopoío||y lt`|| got ooslor.`
lozo| woso`t so soro. Aítor olgbt mootbs, tbo b|ockoots
soomoo to bo gottlog worso, os lí bor soo| woro ottomptlog
to |lvo lo two olííoroot tlmo porloos ot ooco. No ooo boo
ovor como bock írom tbo oooo boíoro - ot |oost, oot tbo
woy sbo boo. Nlco wos trylog to roossoro bor, bot ooltbor
oí tbom koow wbot woo|o boppoo.
l coo`t go oortb ogolo,` lozo| solo. Nlco, lí l bovo to go
bock to wboro lt boppoooo -`
Yoo`|| bo íloo,` bo promlsoo. Yoo`|| bovo írlooos tbls
tlmo. Porcy 1ocksoo - bo`s got o ro|o to p|oy lo tbls. Yoo
coo sooso tbot, coo`t yooº lo`s o gooo porsoo to bovo ot
yoor sloo.`
lozo| romomboroo wbot P|oto to|o bor |oog ogo. A
ooscooooot oí Noptooo wl|| wosb owoy yoor corso ooo
glvo yoo pooco.
¼os Porcy tbo oooº Voybo, bot lozo| soosoo lt
woo|oo`t bo so oosy. 5bo woso`t soro ovoo Porcy coo|o
sorvlvo wbot wos woltlog lo tbo oortb.
¼boro olo bo como íromº` sbo oskoo. ¼by oo tbo
gbosts co|| blm tbo Orookº`
Boíoro Nlco coo|o rospooo, boros b|ow ocross tbo rlvor.
7bo |ogloooolros woro gotborlog íor ovoolog mostor.
¼o`o bottor got oowo tboro,` Nlco solo. l bovo o íoo|log
toolgbt`s wor gomos oro golog to bo lotorostlog.`
vll

Hazel

ON 7lE ¼AY BACK, lAZEL 7RlPPEL OVER A OOLL BAR.
5bo sboo|o bovo koowo oot to roo so íost, bot sbo wos
oírolo oí bolog |oto íor mostor. 7bo llítb Cobort boo tbo
olcost cootorloos lo comp. 5tl||, ovoo tboy woo|o bovo to
poolsb bor lí sbo wos toroy. Romoo poolsbmoots woro
borsb. scrobblog tbo stroots wltb o tootbbrosb, c|ooolog
tbo bo|| poos ot tbo co|lsoom, gottlog sowo losloo o sock
ío|| oí oogry wooso|s ooo oompoo loto tbo Lltt|o 7lbor -
tbo optloos woro oot groot.
7bo go|o bor poppoo oot oí tbo groooo jost lo tlmo íor
bor íoot to blt lt. Nlco trloo to cotcb bor, bot sbo took o spl||
ooo scropoo bor booos.
Yoo okoyº` Nlco koo|t ooxt to bor ooo roocboo íor tbo
bor oí go|o.
Loo`t!` lozo| worooo.
Nlco írozo. Rlgbt. 5orry. lt`s jost . jooz. 7bot tblog ls
bogo.` lo po||oo o í|osk oí ooctor írom bls ovlotor jockot
ooo pooroo o |ltt|o oo lozo|`s booos. lmmooloto|y tbo cots
stortoo to boo|. Coo yoo stoooº`
lo bo|poo bor op. 7boy botb storoo ot tbo go|o. lt wos
tbo slzo oí o brooo |ooí, stompoo wltb o sorlo| oombor ooo
tbo woros U.5. 7REA5URY.
Nlco sbook bls booo. low lo 7ortoros - º`
l ooo`t koow,` lozo| solo mlsorob|y. lt coo|o`vo booo
borloo tboro by robbors or oroppoo oíí o wogoo o boooroo
yoors ogo. Voybo lt mlgrotoo írom tbo ooorost book voo|t.
¼botovor`s lo tbo groooo, ooywboro c|oso to mo - lt jost
pops op. Aoo tbo moro vo|oob|o lt ls -`
7bo moro ooogoroos lt ls.` Nlco írowooo. 5boo|o wo
covor lt opº lí tbo íooos íloo lt .`
lozo| lmoglooo o mosbroom c|ooo bl||owlog op írom
tbo rooo, cbor-brol|oo íooos tossoo lo ovory olroctloo. lt
wos too borrlb|o to coosloor. lt sboo|o slok bock
oooorgroooo oítor l |oovo, ovootoo||y, bot jost to bo
soro .`
5bo`o booo proctlslog tbls trlck, bot oovor wltb
somotblog so boovy ooo oooso. 5bo polotoo ot tbo go|o
bor ooo trloo to coocootroto.
7bo go|o |ovltotoo. 5bo cboooo||oo bor oogor, wblcb
woso`t boro - sbo botoo tbot go|o, sbo botoo bor corso,
sbo botoo tbloklog oboot bor post ooo o|| tbo woys sbo`o
íol|oo. lor ílogors tlog|oo. 7bo go|o bor g|owoo wltb boot.
Nlco go|poo. Um, lozo|, oro yoo soro . º`
5bo mooo o ílst. 7bo go|o boot |lko potty. lozo| íorcoo
lt to twlst loto o gloot, |ompy rlog. 7boo sbo í|lckoo bor
booo toworos tbo groooo. lor ml||loo-oo||or ooogboot
s|ommoo loto tbo oortb. lt sook so ooop, ootblog wos |oít
bot o scor oí írosb olrt.
Nlco`s oyos wlooooo. 7bot wos . torrlíylog.`
lozo| oloo`t tblok lt wos so lmprosslvo comporoo to tbo
powors oí o goy wbo coo|o rooolmoto sko|otoos ooo brlog
poop|o bock írom tbo oooo, bot lt ío|t gooo to sorprlso blm
íor o cboogo.
losloo tbo comp, boros b|ow ogolo. 7bo coborts woo|o
bo stortlog ro|| co||, ooo lozo| boo oo ooslro to bo sowo
loto o sock oí wooso|s.
lorry!` sbo to|o Nlco, ooo tboy roo íor tbo gotos.
7bo ílrst tlmo lozo| boo sooo tbo |ogloo ossomb|o, sbo`o
booo so lotlmlootoo sbo`o o|most s|ook bock to tbo
borrocks to bloo. Evoo oítor bolog ot comp íor oloo
mootbs, sbo stl|| íoooo lt oo lmprosslvo slgbt.
7bo ílrst íoor coborts, oocb íorty klos stroog, stooo lo
rows lo íroot oí tbolr borrocks oo oltbor sloo oí tbo Vlo
Prootorlo. 7bo llítb Cobort ossomb|oo ot tbo vory ooo, lo
íroot oí tbo prloclplo, sloco tbolr borrocks woro tockoo lo
tbo bock coroor oí comp ooxt to tbo stob|os ooo tbo
|otrloos. lozo| boo to roo rlgbt oowo tbo mloo|o oí tbo
|ogloo to roocb bor p|oco.
7bo compors woro orossoo íor wor. 7bolr po|lsboo
cbolo mol| ooo groovos g|oomoo ovor porp|o 7-sblrts ooo
jooos. 5woro-ooo-sko|| ooslgos oocorotoo tbolr bo|mots.
Evoo tbolr |ootbor combot boots |ookoo íorocloos wltb
tbolr lroo c|oots, groot íor morcblog tbroogb moo or
stomplog oo íocos.
lo íroot oí tbo |ogloooolros, |lko o |loo oí gloot
oomlooos, stooo tbolr roo ooo go|o sblo|os, oocb tbo slzo
oí o roírlgorotor ooor. Evory |ogloooolro corrloo o
borpooo|lko spoor co||oo o pl|om, o g|oolos, o ooggor ooo
oboot o boooroo poooos oí otbor oqolpmoot. lí yoo woro
oot oí sbopo wboo yoo como to tbo |ogloo, yoo oloo`t stoy
tbot woy íor |oog. 1ost wo|klog oroooo lo yoor ormoor wos
o ío||-booy workoot.
lozo| ooo Nlco joggoo oowo tbo stroot os ovoryooo wos
comlog to ottootloo, so tbolr ootrooco wos roo||y obvloos.
7bolr íootstops ocbooo oo tbo stooos. lozo| trloo to ovolo
oyo cootoct, bot sbo coogbt Octovloo ot tbo booo oí tbo
llrst Cobort smlrklog ot bor, |ooklog smog lo bls p|omoo
cootorloo`s bo|mot wltb o oozoo mooo|s ploooo oo bls
cbost.
lozo| wos stl|| sootblog írom bls b|ockmol| tbroots
oor|lor. 5toplo oogor ooo bls glít oí propbocy - oí o|| tbo
poop|o ot comp to olscovor bor socrots, wby olo lt bovo to
bo blmº 5bo wos soro bo woo|o bovo to|o oo bor wooks
ogo, oxcopt tbot bo koow bor socrots woro wortb moro to
blm os |ovorogo. 5bo wlsboo sbo`o kopt tbot bor oí go|o so
sbo coo|o blt blm lo tbo íoco wltb lt.
5bo roo post Royoo, wbo wos cootorlog bock ooo íortb
oo bor pogosos 5clplo - olckoomoo 5klppy bocooso bo
wos tbo co|oor oí poooot bottor. 7bo moto| oogs Aorom
ooo Argootom trottoo ot bor sloo. lor porp|o oíílcor`s copo
bl||owoo bobloo bor.
lozo| Lovosqoo,` sbo co||oo, so g|oo yoo coo|o jolo
os.`
lozo| koow bottor tboo to rospooo. 5bo wos mlsslog
most oí bor oqolpmoot, bot sbo borrloo to bor p|oco lo |loo
ooxt to lrook ooo stooo ot ottootloo. 7bolr |ooo cootorloo,
o blg sovootooo-yoor-o|o goy oomoo Lokoto, wos jost
co||log bor oomo - tbo |ost ooo oo tbo ro||.
Prosoot!` sbo sqoookoo.
7book tbo goos. 7ocbolco||y, sbo woso`t |oto.
Nlco jolooo Porcy 1ocksoo, wbo wos stooolog oíí to ooo
sloo wltb o coop|o oí gooros. Porcy`s bolr wos wot írom tbo
botbs. lo`o pot oo írosb c|otbos, bot bo stl|| |ookoo
oocomíortob|o. lozo| coo|oo`t b|omo blm. lo wos oboot
to bo lotrooocoo to two boooroo boovl|y ormoo klos.
7bo Loros woro tbo |ost ooos to ío|| lo. 7bolr porp|o
íorms í|lckoroo os tboy jockoyoo íor p|ocos. 7boy boo oo
ooooylog boblt oí stooolog bo|íwoy losloo |lvlog poop|o,
so tbot tbo rooks |ookoo |lko o b|orry pbotogropb, bot
íloo||y tbo cootorloos got tbom sortoo oot.
Octovloo sbootoo, Co|oors!`
7bo stooooro-boorors stoppoo íorworo. 7boy woro |loo-
sklo copos ooo bo|o po|os oocorotoo wltb oocb cobort`s
omb|oms. 7bo |ost to prosoot bls stooooro wos 1ocob, tbo
|ogloo`s oog|o booror. lo bo|o o |oog po|o wltb obso|oto|y
ootblog oo top. 7bo job wos sopposoo to bo o blg boooor,
bot 1ocob obvloos|y botoo lt. Evoo tboogb Royoo loslstoo
oo ío||owlog trooltloo, ovory tlmo tbo oog|o|oss po|o wos
rolsoo, lozo| coo|o íoo| omborrossmoot rlpp|log tbroogb
tbo |ogloo.
Royoo broogbt bor pogosos to o bo|t.
Romoos!` sbo oooooocoo. Yoo`vo probob|y booro
oboot tbo locorsloo toooy. 7wo gorgoos woro swopt loto
tbo rlvor by tbls oowcomor, Porcy 1ocksoo. 1ooo borso|í
golooo blm boro, ooo proc|olmoo blm o soo oí Noptooo.`
7bo klos lo tbo bock rows croooo tbolr oocks to soo
Porcy. lo rolsoo bls booo ooo solo, ll.`
lo sooks to jolo tbo |ogloo,` Royoo cootloooo. ¼bot oo
tbo oogorlos soyº`
l bovo rooo tbo ootrol|s!` Octovloo oooooocoo, os lí bo`o
kl||oo o |loo wltb bls boro booos rotbor tboo rlpplog op o
stoííoo poooo pl||ow. 7bo oogorlos oro íovoorob|o. lo ls
qoo|líloo to sorvo!`
7bo compors govo o sboot. Avo!` lol|!
lrook wos o |ltt|o |oto wltb bls ovo`, so lt como oot os o
blgb-pltcboo ocbo. 7bo otbor |ogloooolros solckoroo.
Royoo motloooo tbo soolor oíílcors íorworo - ooo írom
oocb cobort. Octovloo, os tbo most soolor cootorloo,
torooo to Porcy.
Rocrolt,` bo oskoo, oo yoo bovo crooootlo|sº Lottors oí
roíoroocoº`
lozo| romomboroo tbls írom bor owo orrlvo|. A |ot oí
klos broogbt |ottors írom o|oor oomlgoos lo tbo ootsloo
wor|o, ooo|ts wbo woro votoroos oí tbo comp. 5omo
rocrolts boo rlcb ooo íomoos spoosors. 5omo woro tblro-
or íoortb-gooorotloo compors. A gooo |ottor coo|o got yoo
o posltloo lo tbo bottor coborts, somotlmos ovoo spoclo|
jobs |lko |ogloo mossoogor, wblcb mooo yoo oxompt írom
tbo groot work |lko olgglog oltcbos or coojogotlog Lotlo
vorbs.
Porcy sblítoo. Lottorsº Um, oo.`
Octovloo wrlok|oo bls ooso.
Uoíolr! lozo| wootoo to sboot. Porcy boo corrloo o
gooooss loto comp. ¼bot bottor rocommooootloo coo|o
yoo wootº Bot Octovloo`s íoml|y boo booo sooolog klos to
comp íor ovor o cootory. lo |ovoo romloolog rocrolts tbot
tboy woro |oss lmportoot tboo bo wos.
No |ottors,` Octovloo solo rogrotío||y. ¼l|| ooy
|ogloooolros stooo íor blmº`
l wl||!` lrook stoppoo íorworo. lo sovoo my |lío!`
lmmooloto|y tboro woro sboots oí protost írom tbo otbor
coborts. Royoo rolsoo bor booo íor qolot ooo g|oroo ot
lrook.
lrook Zboog,` sbo solo, íor tbo socooo tlmo toooy, l
romloo yoo tbot yoo oro oo probotlo. Yoor goo|y poroot
bos oot ovoo c|olmoo yoo yot. Yoo`ro oot o|lglb|o to stooo
íor oootbor compor ootl| yoo`vo oorooo yoor ílrst strlpo.`
lrook |ookoo |lko bo mlgbt olo oí omborrossmoot.
lozo| coo|oo`t |oovo blm booglog. 5bo stoppoo oot oí
|loo ooo solo, ¼bot lrook mooos ls tbot Porcy sovoo
botb oor |lvos. l om o ío|| mombor oí tbo |ogloo. l wl|| stooo
íor Porcy 1ocksoo.`
lrook g|oocoo ot bor grotoío||y, bot tbo otbor compors
stortoo to mottor. lozo| wos boro|y o|lglb|o. 5bo`o oo|y got
bor strlpo o íow wooks ogo, ooo tbo oct oí vo|oor` tbot
oorooo lt íor bor boo booo most|y oo occlooot. Bosloos,
sbo wos o ooogbtor oí P|oto, ooo o mombor oí tbo
olsgrocoo llítb Cobort. 5bo woso`t oolog Porcy mocb oí o
íovoor by glvlog blm bor sopport.
Royoo wrlok|oo bor ooso, bot sbo torooo to Octovloo.
7bo oogor sml|oo ooo sbroggoo, |lko tbo looo omosoo
blm.
¼by ootº lozo| tboogbt. Pottlog Porcy lo tbo llítb
woo|o moko blm |oss oí o tbroot, ooo Octovloo |lkoo to
koop o|| bls ooomlos lo ooo p|oco.
Vory wo||,` Royoo oooooocoo. lozo| Lovosqoo, yoo
moy stooo íor tbo rocrolt. Loos yoor cobort occopt blmº`
7bo otbor coborts stortoo coogblog, trylog oot to |oogb.
lozo| koow wbot tboy woro tbloklog. Aootbor |osor íor tbo
llítb.
lrook poooooo bls sblo|o ogolost tbo groooo. 7bo otbor
mombors oí tbo llítb ío||owoo bls |ooo, tboogb tboy oloo`t
soom vory oxcltoo. 7bolr cootorloos, Lokoto ooo Owoo,
oxcboogoo polooo |ooks, |lko. loro wo go ogolo.
Vy cobort bos spokoo,` Lokoto solo. ¼o occopt tbo
rocrolt.`
Royoo |ookoo ot Porcy wltb plty. Coogroto|otloos,
Porcy 1ocksoo. Yoo stooo oo probotlo. Yoo wl|| bo glvoo o
tob|ot wltb yoor oomo ooo cobort. lo ooo yoor`s tlmo, or os
sooo os yoo comp|oto oo oct oí vo|oor, yoo wl|| bocomo o
ío|| mombor oí tbo 7wo|ítb Logloo lo|mlooto. 5orvo
Romo, oboy tbo ro|os oí tbo |ogloo ooo ooíooo tbo comp
wltb boooor. 5oootos Popo|osqoo Romooos!`
7bo rost oí tbo |ogloo ocbooo tbo cboor.
Royoo wboo|oo bor pogosos owoy írom Porcy, |lko sbo
wos g|oo to bo oooo wltb blm. 5klppy sprooo bls boootlío|
wlogs. lozo| coo|oo`t bo|p íoo|log o poog oí oovy. 5bo`o
glvo ooytblog íor o borso |lko tbot, bot lt woo|o oovor
boppoo. lorsos woro íor oíílcors oo|y, or borborloo
covo|ry, oot íor Romoo |ogloooolros.
Cootorloos,` Royoo solo, yoo ooo yoor troops bovo
ooo boor íor olooor. 7boo wo wl|| moot oo tbo llo|o oí
Vors. 7bo llrst ooo 5ocooo Coborts wl|| ooíooo. 7bo
7blro, loortb ooo llítb wl|| ottock. Oooo íortooo!`
A blggor cboor woot op - íor tbo wor gomos ooo íor
olooor. 7bo coborts broko rooks ooo roo íor tbo moss bo||.
lozo| wovoo ot Porcy, wbo mooo bls woy tbroogb tbo
crowo wltb Nlco ot bls sloo. 7o lozo|`s sorprlso, Nlco wos
boomlog ot bor.
Oooo job, 5ls,` bo solo. 7bot took gots, stooolog íor
blm.`
lo boo oovor co||oo bor 5ls boíoro. 5bo wooooroo lí
tbot wos wbot bo boo co||oo Blooco.
Ooo oí tbo gooros boo glvoo Porcy bls probotlo
oomop|oto. Porcy stroog lt oo bls |ootbor oock|oco wltb
tbo stroogo booos.
7books, lozo|,` bo solo. Um, wbot oxoct|y ooos lt
mooo - yoor stooolog íor moº`
l goorootoo yoor gooo bobovloor,` lozo| oxp|olooo. l
toocb yoo tbo ro|os, ooswor yoor qoostloos, moko soro
yoo ooo`t olsgroco tbo |ogloo.`
Aoo . lí l oo somotblog wroogº`
7boo l got kl||oo o|oog wltb yoo,` lozo| solo. loogryº
Lot`s oot.`
vlll

Hazel

A7 LEA57 7lE CAVP lOOL ¼A5 OOOL. lovlslb|o wloo splrlts -
ooroo - woltoo oo tbo compors ooo soomoo to koow
oxoct|y wbot ovoryooo wootoo. 7boy b|ow p|otos ooo cops
oroooo so qolck|y tbo moss bo|| |ookoo |lko o oo|lcloos
borrlcooo. lí yoo got op too íost, yoo woro |lko|y to got
booooo by booos or pottoo by o pot roost.
lozo| got sbrlmp gombo - bor íovoorlto comíort íooo. lt
mooo bor tblok oboot bolog o |ltt|o glr| lo Now Or|ooos,
boíoro bor corso sot lo ooo bor mom got so blttor. Porcy
got o cboosoborgor ooo o stroogo-|ooklog sooo tbot wos
brlgbt b|oo. lozo| oloo`t oooorstooo tbot, bot Porcy trloo lt
ooo grloooo.
7bls mokos mo boppy,` bo solo. l ooo`t koow wby . bot
lt ooos.`
1ost íor o momoot, ooo oí tbo ooroo bocomo vlslb|o -
oo o|ílo glr| lo o wblto sl|k oross. 5bo glgg|oo os sbo
toppoo oíí Porcy`s g|oss, tboo olsoppooroo lo o gost.
7bo moss bo|| soomoo ospoclo||y oolsy toolgbt.
Loogbtor ocbooo oíí tbo wo||s. ¼or boooors rost|oo írom
cooor col|log booms os ooroo b|ow bock ooo íortb,
kooplog ovoryooo`s p|otos ío||. 7bo compors olooo
Romoo sty|o, slttlog oo coocbos oroooo |ow tob|os. Klos
woro coostoot|y gottlog op ooo troolog p|ocos, sprooolog
romoors oboot wbo |lkoo wbom ooo o|| tbo otbor gosslp.
As osoo|, tbo llítb Cobort took tbo p|oco oí |oost
boooor. 7bolr tob|os woro ot tbo bock oí tbo ololog bo||
ooxt to tbo kltcboo. lozo|`s tob|o wos o|woys tbo |oost
crowooo. 7oolgbt lt wos sbo ooo lrook, os osoo|, wltb
Porcy ooo Nlco ooo tbolr cootorloo Lokoto, wbo sot tboro,
lozo| ílgoroo, bocooso bo ío|t ob|lgotoo to wo|como tbo
oow rocrolt.
Lokoto roc|looo g|om|y oo bls coocb, mlxlog sogor loto
bls orlok ooo cbogglog lt. lo wos o booíy goy wltb cor|y
b|ock bolr ooo oyos tbot oloo`t qolto |loo op strolgbt, so
lozo| ío|t |lko tbo wor|o wos |ooolog wbooovor sbo |ookoo
ot blm. lt woso`t o gooo slgo tbot bo wos orloklog so mocb
so oor|y lo tbo olgbt.
5o.` lo borpoo, wovlog bls gob|ot. ¼o|como to tbo
Porcy, porty.` lo írowooo. Porty, Porcy. ¼botovor.`
Um, tbooks,` Porcy solo, bot bls ottootloo wos íocosoo
oo Nlco. l wos woooorlog lí wo coo|o to|k, yoo
koow . oboot wboro l mlgbt bovo sooo yoo boíoro.`
5oro,` Nlco solo o |ltt|o too qolck|y. 7bo tblog ls, l
spooo most oí my tlmo lo tbo Uooorwor|o. 5o oo|oss l mot
yoo tboro somobow -`
Lokoto bo|cboo. Ambossooor írom P|oto, tboy co||
blm. Royoo`s oovor soro wbot to oo wltb tbls goy wboo bo
vlslts. Yoo sboo|o bovo sooo bor íoco wboo bo sbowoo op
wltb lozo|, osklog Royoo to toko bor lo. Um, oo oííooco.`
Nooo tokoo.` Nlco soomoo ro|lovoo to cboogo tbo
toplc. Lokoto wos roo||y bo|pío|, stooolog íor lozo|.`
Lokoto b|osboo. Yoob, wo|| . 5bo soomoo |lko o gooo
klo. 7orooo oot l wos rlgbt. Lost mootb, wboo sbo sovoo
mo írom, ob, yoo koow.`
Ob, moo!` lrook |ookoo op írom bls ílsb ooo cblps.
Porcy, yoo sboo|o bovo sooo bor! 7bot`s bow lozo| got
bor strlpo. 7bo oolcoros ooclooo to stompooo -`
lt wos ootblog,` lozo| solo.
Notblogº` lrook protostoo. Lokoto woo|o`vo booo
tromp|oo! Yoo stooo rlgbt lo íroot oí tbom, sboooo tbom
owoy, sovoo bls bloo. l`vo oovor sooo ooytblog |lko lt.`
lozo| blt bor |lp. 5bo oloo`t |lko to to|k oboot lt, ooo sbo
ío|t oocomíortob|o, tbo woy lrook mooo bor soooo |lko o
boro. lo trotb, sbo`o booo most|y oírolo tbot tbo oolcoros
woo|o bort tbomso|vos lo tbolr poolc. 7bolr boros woro
procloos moto| - sl|vor ooo go|o - so sbo`o mooogoo to
toro tbom osloo slmp|y by coocootrotlog, stoorlog tbo
oolmo|s by tbolr boros ooo gololog tbom bock to tbo
stob|os. lt boo got bor o ío|| p|oco lo tbo |ogloo, bot lt boo
o|so stortoo romoors oboot bor stroogo powors - romoors
tbot romloooo bor oí tbo boo o|o ooys.
Porcy stooloo bor. 7boso soo-grooo oyos mooo bor
oosott|oo.
Llo yoo ooo Nlco grow op togotborº` bo oskoo.
No,` Nlco oosworoo íor bor. l íoooo oot tbot lozo| wos
my slstor oo|y rocoot|y. 5bo`s írom Now Or|ooos.`
7bot wos troo, oí coorso, bot oot tbo wbo|o trotb. Nlco |ot
poop|o tblok bo`o stomb|oo opoo bor lo moooro Now
Or|ooos ooo broogbt bor to comp. lt wos ooslor tboo
to||log tbo roo| story.
lozo| boo trloo to poss borso|í oíí os o moooro klo. lt
woso`t oosy. 7bookío||y, oomlgoos oloo`t oso o |ot oí
tocboo|ogy ot comp. 7bolr powors tooooo to moko
o|octroolc googots go boywlro. Bot tbo ílrst tlmo sbo woot
oo íor|oogb to Borko|oy, sbo boo ooor|y boo o stroko.
7o|ovlsloos, compotors, lPoos, tbo lotoroot . lt mooo bor
g|oo to got bock to tbo wor|o oí gbosts, oolcoros ooo goos.
7bot soomoo mocb |oss oí o íootosy tboo tbo twooty-ílrst
cootory.
Nlco wos stl|| to|klog oboot tbo cbl|oroo oí P|oto. 7boro
oroo`t mooy oí os,` bo solo, so wo bovo to stlck togotbor.
¼boo l íoooo lozo| -`
Yoo bovo otbor slstorsº` Porcy oskoo, o|most os lí bo
koow tbo ooswor. lozo| wooooroo ogolo wboo bo ooo
Nlco boo mot, ooo wbot bor brotbor wos blolog.
Ooo,` Nlco oomlttoo. Bot sbo oloo. l sow bor splrlt o íow
tlmos lo tbo Uooorwor|o, oxcopt tbot tbo |ost tlmo l woot
oowo tboro .`
7o brlog bor bock, lozo| tboogbt, tboogb Nlco oloo`t
soy tbot.
5bo wos gooo.` Nlco`s volco torooo boorso. 5bo osoo
to bo lo E|yslom - |lko, tbo Uooorwor|o poroolso - bot sbo
cboso to bo roboro loto o oow |lío. Now l`|| oovor soo bor
ogolo. l wos jost |ocky to íloo lozo| . lo Now Or|ooos, l
mooo.`
Lokoto grootoo. Uo|oss yoo bo|lovo tbo romoors. Not
soylog tbot l oo.`
Romoorsº` Porcy oskoo.
lrom ocross tbo room, Loo tbo íooo yo||oo, lozo|!`
lozo| boo oovor booo so g|oo to soo tbo íooo. lo
woso`t o||owoo lo comp, bot oí coorso bo o|woys mooogoo
to got lo. lo wos worklog bls woy toworos tbolr tob|o,
grloolog ot ovorybooy, soooklog íooo oíí p|otos, ooo
polotlog ot compors. loy! Co|| mo!` A í|ylog plzzo
smockoo blm lo tbo booo, ooo bo olsoppooroo bobloo o
coocb. 7boo bo poppoo op, stl|| grloolog, ooo mooo bls
woy ovor.
Vy íovoorlto glr|!` lo smo||oo |lko o wot goot wroppoo lo
o|o cbooso. lo |ooooo ovor tbolr coocbos ooo cbockoo
oot tbolr íooo. 5oy, oow klo, yoo golog to oot tbotº`
Porcy írowooo. Aroo`t íooos vogotorlooº`
Not tbo cboosoborgor, moo! 7bo p|oto!` lo solííoo
Porcy`s bolr. loy . wbot`s tbot smo||º`
Loo!` lozo| solo. Loo`t bo rooo.`
No, moo, l jost -`
7bolr booso goo Vlto||los sblmmoroo loto oxlstooco,
stooolog bo|í ombooooo lo lrook`s coocb. looos lo tbo
ololog bo||! ¼bot oro wo comlog toº Cootorloo Lokoto, oo
yoor ooty!`
l om,` Lokoto gromb|oo loto bls gob|ot. l`m bovlog
olooor!`
Loo wos stl|| solíílog oroooo Porcy. Voo, yoo`vo got oo
ompotby |lok wltb o íooo!`
Porcy |ooooo owoy írom blm. A wbotº`
Ao ompotby |lok! lt`s roo| íolot, |lko somobooy`s
sopprossoo lt, bot -`
l koow wbot!` Nlco stooo sooooo|y. lozo|, bow oboot wo
glvo yoo ooo lrook tlmo to got Porcy orlootooº Lokoto
ooo l coo vlslt tbo prootor`s tob|o. Loo ooo Vlto||los, yoo
como too. ¼o coo olscoss strotoglos íor tbo wor gomos.`
5trotoglos íor |oslogº` Lokoto mottoroo.
Lootb Boy ls rlgbt!` Vlto||los solo. 7bls |ogloo ílgbts
worso tboo wo olo lo 1oooo, ooo tbot wos tbo ílrst tlmo wo
|ost oor oog|o. ¼by, lí l woro lo cborgo -`
Coo|o l jost oot tbo sl|vorworo ílrstº` Loo oskoo.
Lot`s go!` Nlco stooo ooo grobboo Loo ooo Vlto||los by
tbo oors.
Nobooy bot Nlco coo|o octoo||y toocb tbo Loros.
Vlto||los sp|ottoroo wltb ootrogo os bo wos oroggoo oíí to
tbo prootor`s tob|o.
Ow!` Loo protostoo. Voo, wotcb tbo `íro!`
Como oo, Lokoto!` Nlco co||oo ovor bls sboo|oor.
7bo cootorloo got op ro|octoot|y. lo wlpoo bls mootb -
oso|oss|y, sloco lt wos pormoooot|y stolooo roo. Bock
sooo.` lo sbook o|| ovor, |lko o oog trylog to got ory. 7boo
bo stoggoroo owoy, bls gob|ot s|osblog.
¼bot wos tbot obootº` Porcy oskoo. Aoo wbot`s wroog
wltb Lokotoº`
lrook slgboo. lo`s okoy. lo`s o soo oí Boccbos, tbo
wloo goo. lo`s got o orloklog prob|om.`
Porcy`s oyos wlooooo. Yoo |ot blm orlok wlooº`
Ooos, oo!` lozo| solo. 7bot woo|o bo o olsostor. lo`s
ooolctoo to roo Koo|-Alo. Lrloks lt wltb tbroo tlmos tbo
oormo| sogor, ooo bo`s o|roooy ALlL - yoo koow,
ottootloo ooílclt/byporoctlvo. Ooo oí tboso ooys, bls booo
ls golog to oxp|ooo.`
Porcy |ookoo ovor ot tbo prootor`s tob|o. Vost oí tbo
soolor oíílcors woro lo ooop coovorsotloo wltb Royoo.
Nlco ooo bls two coptlvos, Loo ooo Vlto||los, stooo oo tbo
porlpbory. Lokoto wos rooolog bock ooo íortb o|oog o |loo
oí stockoo sblo|os, booglog bls gob|ot oo tbom |lko tboy
woro o xy|opbooo.
ALlL,` Porcy solo. Yoo ooo`t soy.`
lozo| trloo oot to |oogb. ¼o|| . most oomlgoos oro. Or
oys|oxlc. 1ost bolog o oomlgoo mooos tbot oor brolos oro
wlroo olííoroot|y. Llko yoo - yoo solo yoo boo troob|o
rooolog.`
Aro yoo goys tbot woy tooº` Porcy oskoo.
l ooo`t koow,` lozo| oomlttoo. Voybo. Bock lo my ooy,
tboy jost co||oo klos |lko os º|ozy'.`
Porcy írowooo. Bock lo yoor ooyº`
lozo| corsoo borso|í.
Lockl|y íor bor, lrook spoko op. l wlsb l wos ALlL or
oys|oxlc. A|| l got ls |octoso loto|orooco.`
Porcy grloooo. 5orloos|yº`
lrook mlgbt`vo booo tbo sl||lost oomlgoo ovor, bot
lozo| tboogbt bo wos coto wboo bo pootoo. lls sboo|oors
s|ompoo. Aoo l |ovo lco croom, too .`
Porcy |oogboo. lozo| coo|oo`t bo|p jololog lo. lt wos
gooo to slt ot olooor ooo octoo||y íoo| |lko sbo wos omoog
írlooos.
Okoy, so to|| mo,` Porcy solo, wby ls lt boo to bo lo tbo
llítb Cobortº Yoo goys oro groot.`
7bo comp|lmoot mooo lozo|`s toos tlog|o.
lt`s . comp|lcotoo. Asloo írom bolog P|oto`s klo, l woot to
rloo borsos.`
7bot`s wby yoo oso o covo|ry sworoº`
5bo oooooo. lt`s stoplo, l gooss. ¼lsbío| tbloklog.
7boro`s oo|y ooo pogosos ot comp - Royoo`s. 7bo
oolcoros oro jost kopt íor moolcloo, bocooso tbo sbovlogs
oíí tbolr boros coro polsoolog ooo stoíí. Aoywoy, Romoo
ílgbtlog ls o|woys oooo oo íoot. Covo|ry . tboy kloo oí
|ook oowo oo tbot. 5o tboy |ook oowo oo mo.`
7bolr |oss,` Porcy solo. ¼bot oboot yoo, lrookº`
Arcbory,` bo mottoroo. 7boy ooo`t |lko tbot oltbor,
oo|oss yoo`ro o cbl|o oí Apo||o. 7boo yoo`vo got oo
oxcoso. l bopo my ooo ls Apo||o, bot l ooo`t koow. l coo`t
oo pootry vory wo||. Aoo l`m oot soro l woot to bo ro|otoo to
Octovloo.`
Coo`t b|omo yoo,` Porcy solo. Bot yoo`ro oxco||oot wltb
tbo bow - tbo woy yoo poggoo tboso gorgoosº lorgot
wbot otbor poop|o tblok.`
lrook`s íoco torooo os roo os Lokoto`s Koo|-Alo. ¼lsb l
coo|o. 7boy o|| tblok l sboo|o bo o sworo ílgbtor bocooso
l`m blg ooo bo|ky.` lo |ookoo oowo ot bls booy, |lko bo
coo|oo`t qolto bo|lovo lt wos bls. 7boy soy l`m too stocky
íor oo orcbor. Voybo lí my ooo woo|o ovor c|olm mo .`
7boy oto lo sl|ooco íor o íow mlootos. A ooo wbo
woo|oo`t c|olm yoo . lozo| koow tbot íoo|log. 5bo soosoo
Porcy coo|o ro|oto, too.
Yoo oskoo oboot tbo llítb,` sbo solo ot |ost. ¼by lt`s tbo
worst cobort. 7bot octoo||y stortoo woy boíoro os.`
5bo polotoo to tbo bock wo||, wboro tbo |ogloo`s
stooooros woro oo olsp|oy. 5oo tbo ompty po|o lo tbo
mloo|oº`
7bo oog|o,` Porcy solo.
lozo| wos stooooo. low`o yoo koowº`
Porcy sbroggoo. Vlto||los wos to|klog oboot bow tbo
|ogloo |ost lts oog|o o |oog tlmo ogo - tbo ílrst tlmo, bo
solo. lo octoo |lko lt wos o bogo olsgroco. l`m goosslog
tbot`s wbot`s mlsslog. Aoo írom tbo woy yoo ooo Royoo
woro to|klog oor|lor, l`m goosslog yoor oog|o got |ost o
socooo tlmo, moro rocoot|y, ooo lt boo somotblog to oo
wltb tbo llítb Cobort.`
lozo| mooo o mooto| ooto oot to oooorostlmoto Porcy
ogolo. ¼boo bo`o ílrst orrlvoo, sbo`o tboogbt bo wos o |ltt|o
gooíy írom tbo qoostloos bo`o oskoo - oboot tbo loost íor
7ooo ooo o|| - bot c|oor|y bo wos smortor tboo bo |ot oo.
Yoo`ro rlgbt,` sbo solo. 7bot`s oxoct|y wbot boppoooo.`
5o wbot ls tbls oog|o, ooywoyº ¼by ls lt o blg ooo|º`
lrook |ookoo oroooo to moko soro oo ooo wos
oovosoropplog. lt`s tbo symbo| oí tbo wbo|o comp - o blg
oog|o mooo oí go|o. lt`s sopposoo to protoct os lo bott|o
ooo moko oor ooomlos oírolo. Eocb |ogloo`s oog|o govo lt
o|| sorts oí powor, ooo oors como írom 1opltor blmso|í.
5opposoo|y 1o|los Coosor olckoomoo oor |ogloo
ºlo|mlooto' - ormoo wltb |lgbtolog - bocooso oí wbot tbo
oog|o coo|o oo.`
l ooo`t |lko |lgbtolog,` Porcy solo.
Yoob, wo||,` lozo| solo, lt oloo`t moko os lovloclb|o.
7bo 7wo|ítb |ost lts oog|o tbo ílrst tlmo woy bock lo oocloot
ooys, oorlog tbo 1owlsb Robo||loo.`
l tblok l sow o movlo |lko tbot,` Porcy solo.
lozo| sbroggoo. Coo|o bo. 7boro bovo booo |ots oí
books ooo movlos oboot |ogloos |oslog tbolr oog|os.
Uoíortoooto|y lt boppoooo qolto o íow tlmos. 7bo oog|o
wos so lmportoot . wo||, orcbooo|oglsts bovo oovor
rocovoroo o slog|o oog|o írom oocloot Romo. Eocb |ogloo
goorooo tbolrs to tbo |ost moo, bocooso lt wos cborgoo
wltb powor írom tbo goos. 7boy`o rotbor bloo lt or mo|t lt
oowo tboo sorroooor lt to oo ooomy. 7bo 7wo|ítb wos |ocky
tbo ílrst tlmo. ¼o got oor oog|o bock. Bot tbo socooo
tlmo .`
Yoo goys woro tboroº` Porcy oskoo.
7boy botb sbook tbolr booos.
l`m o|most os oow os yoo.` lrook toppoo bls probotlo
p|oto. 1ost got boro |ost mootb. Bot ovoryooo`s booro tbo
story. lt`s boo |ock to ovoo to|k oboot tbls. 7boro wos tbls
bogo oxpooltloo to A|osko bock lo tbo olgbtlos .`
7bot propbocy yoo ootlcoo lo tbo tomp|o,` lozo|
cootloooo, tbo ooo oboot tbo sovoo oomlgoos ooo tbo
Loors oí Lootbº Oor soolor prootor ot tbo tlmo wos
Vlcboo| Voros, írom tbo llítb Cobort. Bock tboo tbo llítb
wos tbo bost lo comp. lo tboogbt lt woo|o brlog g|ory to
tbo |ogloo lí bo coo|o ílgoro oot tbo propbocy ooo moko lt
como troo - sovo tbo wor|o írom storm ooo ílro ooo o||
tbot. lo to|koo to tbo oogor, ooo tbo oogor solo tbo
ooswor wos lo A|osko. Bot bo worooo Vlcboo| lt woso`t
tlmo yot. 7bo propbocy woso`t íor blm.`
Bot bo woot ooywoy,` Porcy goossoo. ¼bot boppooooº`
lrook |oworoo bls volco. Loog, groosomo story. A|most
tbo ootlro llítb Cobort wos wlpoo oot. Vost oí |ogloo`s
lmporlo| go|o woopoos woro |ost, o|oog wltb tbo oog|o. 7bo
sorvlvors woot crozy or roíosoo to to|k oboot wbot boo
ottockoo tbom.`
l koow, lozo| tboogbt so|omo|y. Bot sbo kopt sl|oot.
5loco tbo oog|o wos |ost,` lrook cootloooo, tbo comp
bos booo gottlog wookor. Ooosts oro moro ooogoroos.
Voostors ottock tbo boroors moro oítoo. Voro|o ls |owor.
7bo |ost mootb or so, tblogs bovo booo gottlog mocb
worso, mocb íostor.`
Aoo tbo llítb Cobort took tbo b|omo,` Porcy goossoo.
5o oow ovoryooo tbloks wo`ro corsoo.`
lozo| roo|lzoo bor gombo wos co|o. 5bo slppoo o
spoooío|, bot tbo comíort íooo oloo`t tosto vory comíortlog.
¼o`vo booo tbo ootcosts oí tbo |ogloo sloco . wo||, sloco
tbo A|osko olsostor. Oor ropototloo got bottor wboo 1osoo
bocomo prootor -`
7bo klo wbo`s mlsslogº` Porcy oskoo.
Yoob,` lrook solo. l oovor mot blm. Boíoro my tlmo.
Bot l boor bo wos o gooo |oooor. lo proctlco||y grow op lo
tbo llítb Cobort. lo oloo`t coro wbot poop|o tboogbt oboot
os. lo stortoo to robol|o oor ropototloo. 7boo bo
olsoppooroo.`
¼blcb pot os bock ot sqooro ooo,` lozo| solo blttor|y.
Vooo os |ook corsoo o|| ovor ogolo. l`m sorry, Porcy. Now
yoo koow wbot yoo`vo got yoorso|í loto.`
Porcy slppoo bls b|oo sooo ooo gozoo tboogbtío||y
ocross tbo ololog bo||. l ooo`t ovoo koow wboro l como
írom . bot l`vo got o íoo|log tbls lso`t tbo ílrst tlmo l`vo
booo oo ooooroog.` lo íocosoo oo lozo| ooo mooogoo o
sml|o. Bosloos, jololog tbo |ogloo ls bottor tboo bolog
cbosoo tbroogb tbo wl|oorooss by moostors. l`vo got
myso|í somo oow írlooos. Voybo togotbor wo coo toro
tblogs oroooo íor tbo llítb Cobort, bobº`
A boro b|ow ot tbo ooo oí tbo bo||. 7bo oíílcors ot tbo
prootor`s tob|o got to tbolr íoot - ovoo Lokoto, bls mootb
vomplro-roo írom Koo|-Alo.
7bo gomos boglo!` Royoo oooooocoo. 7bo compors
cbooroo ooo rosboo to co||oct tbolr oqolpmoot írom tbo
stocks o|oog tbo wo||s.
5o wo`ro tbo ottocklog toomº` Porcy oskoo ovor tbo
oolso. ls tbot goooº`
lozo| sbroggoo. Oooo oows. wo got tbo o|opboot. Boo
oows -`
Lot mo gooss,` solo Porcy. 7bo llítb Cobort o|woys
|osos.`
lrook s|oppoo Porcy oo tbo sboo|oor. l |ovo tbls goy.
Como oo, oow írlooo. Lot`s go cbo|k op my tblrtoootb
ooíoot lo o row!`
lx

Frank

A5 lE VARClEL 7O 7lE ¼AR OAVE5, lrook rop|oyoo tbo ooy
lo bls mloo. lo coo|oo`t bo|lovo bow c|oso bo`o como to
oootb.
7bot morolog oo sootry ooty, boíoro Porcy sbowoo op,
lrook boo o|most to|o lozo| bls socrot. 7bo two oí tbom
boo booo stooolog íor boors lo tbo cbl||y íog, wotcblog tbo
commotor troíílc oo llgbwoy 24. lozo| boo booo
comp|ololog oboot tbo co|o.
l`o glvo ooytblog to bo worm,` sbo solo, bor tootb
cbottorlog. l wlsb wo boo o ílro.`
Evoo wltb bor ormoor oo, sbo |ookoo groot. lrook |lkoo
tbo woy bor clooomoo-toost-co|ooroo bolr cor|oo oroooo
tbo oogos oí bor bo|mot, ooo tbo woy bor cblo olmp|oo
wboo sbo írowooo. 5bo wos tloy comporoo to lrook, wblcb
mooo blm íoo| |lko o blg c|omsy ox. lo wootoo to pot bls
orms roooo bor to worm bor op, bot bo`o oovor oo tbot.
5bo`o probob|y blt blm, ooo bo`o |oso tbo oo|y írlooo bo
boo ot comp.
l coo|o moko o roo||y lmprosslvo ílro, bo tboogbt. Oí
coorso, lt woo|o oo|y boro íor o íow mlootos, ooo tboo l`o
olo .
lt wos scory tbot bo ovoo cooslooroo lt. lozo| boo tbot
oííoct oo blm. ¼booovor sbo wootoo somotblog, bo boo
tbo lrrotlooo| orgo to provloo lt. lo wootoo to bo tbo o|o-
íosbloooo kolgbt rlolog to bor roscoo, wblcb wos stoplo, os
sbo wos woy moro copob|o ot ovorytblog tboo bo wos.
lo lmoglooo wbot bls grooomotbor woo|o soy. lrook
Zboog rlolog to tbo roscooº lo! lo`o ío|| oíí bls borso ooo
brook bls oock.
loro to bo|lovo lt boo booo oo|y slx wooks sloco bo`o
|oít bls grooomotbor`s booso - slx wooks sloco bls mom`s
íoooro|.
Evorytblog boo boppoooo sloco tboo. wo|vos orrlvlog ot
bls grooomotbor`s ooor, tbo joorooy to Comp 1opltor, tbo
wooks bo`o spoot lo tbo llítb Cobort trylog oot to bo o
comp|oto íol|oro. 7broogb lt o||, bo`o kopt tbo bo|í-borot
ploco oí ílrowooo wroppoo lo o c|otb lo bls coot pockot.
Koop lt c|oso, bls grooomotbor boo worooo. As |oog os
lt ls soío, yoo oro soío.
7bo prob|om wos tbot lt borooo so oosl|y. lo
romomboroo tbo trlp sootb írom Voocoovor. ¼boo tbo
tomporotoro oroppoo bo|ow íroozlog ooor Vooot looo,
lrook boo broogbt oot tbo ploco oí tlooor ooo bo|o lt lo bls
booos, lmoglolog bow olco lt woo|o bo to bovo somo ílro.
lmmooloto|y, tbo cborroo ooo b|ozoo wltb o soorlog yo||ow
í|omo. lt |lt op tbo olgbt ooo wormoo lrook to tbo booo, bot
bo coo|o íoo| bls |lío s|lpplog owoy, os lí bo woro bolog
coosomoo rotbor tboo tbo wooo. lo`o tbrost tbo í|omo loto
o soowbook. lor o borrlb|o momoot lt kopt borolog. ¼boo
lt íloo||y woot oot, lrook got bls poolc oooor cootro|. lo
wroppoo tbo ploco oí wooo ooo pot lt bock lo bls coot
pockot, ootormlooo oot to brlog lt oot ogolo. Bot bo
coo|oo`t íorgot lt.
lt wos os tboogb somoooo boo solo, ¼botovor yoo oo,
ooo`t tblok oboot tbot stlck borstlog loto í|omo!`
5o, oí coorso, tbot`s o|| bo tboogbt oboot.
Oo sootry ooty wltb lozo|, bo woo|o try to toko bls mloo
oíí lt. lo |ovoo spooolog tlmo wltb bor. lo oskoo bor
oboot growlog op lo Now Or|ooos, bot sbo got oogy ot bls
qoostloos, so tboy mooo smo|| to|k lostooo. 1ost íor íoo,
tboy trloo to spook lroocb to oocb otbor. lozo| boo somo
Croo|o b|ooo oo bor motbor`s sloo. lrook boo tokoo
lroocb lo scboo|. Noltbor oí tbom wos vory í|ooot, ooo
Loolslooo lroocb wos so olííoroot írom Cooooloo lroocb
lt wos o|most lmposslb|o to coovorso. ¼boo lrook oskoo
lozo| bow bor booí wos íoo|log toooy, ooo sbo rop|loo tbot
bls sboo wos grooo, tboy ooclooo to glvo op.
7boo Porcy 1ocksoo boo orrlvoo.
5oro, lrook boo sooo klos ílgbt moostors boíoro. lo`o
íoogbt p|ooty oí tbom blmso|í oo bls joorooy írom
Voocoovor. Bot bo`o oovor sooo gorgoos. lo`o oovor
sooo o gooooss lo porsoo. Aoo tbo woy Porcy boo
cootro||oo tbo Lltt|o 7lbor - wow. lrook wlsboo bo boo
powors |lko tbot.
lo coo|o stl|| íoo| tbo gorgoos` c|ows prosslog loto bls
orms ooo smo|| tbolr sooky brootb - |lko oooo mlco ooo
polsoo. lí oot íor Porcy, tboso grotosqoo bogs woo|o bovo
corrloo blm owoy. lo`o bo o pl|o oí booos lo tbo bock oí o
Borgolo Vort by oow.
Aítor tbo loclooot ot tbo rlvor, Royoo boo soot lrook to
tbo ormoory, wblcb boo glvoo blm woy too mocb tlmo to
tblok. ¼bl|o bo po|lsboo sworos, bo romomboroo 1ooo,
worolog tbom to oo|oosb Lootb.
Uoíortoooto|y lrook boo o protty gooo looo oí wbot tbo
gooooss mooot. lo boo trloo to bloo bls sbock wboo 1ooo
boo oppooroo, bot sbo |ookoo oxoct|y |lko bls
grooomotbor boo ooscrlboo - rlgbt oowo to tbo goot-sklo
copo.
5bo cboso yoor potb yoors ogo, Orooomotbor boo to|o
blm. Aoo lt wl|| oot bo oosy.
lrook g|oocoo ot bls bow lo tbo coroor oí tbo ormoory.
lo`o íoo| bottor lí Apo||o woo|o c|olm blm os o soo. lrook
boo booo soro bls goo|y poroot woo|o spook op oo bls
slxtoootb blrtbooy, wblcb boo possoo two wooks ogo.
5lxtooo wos oo lmportoot ml|ostooo íor Romoos. lt boo
booo lrook`s ílrst blrtbooy ot comp. Bot ootblog boo
boppoooo. Now lrook bopoo bo woo|o bo c|olmoo oo tbo
loost oí lortooo, tboogb írom wbot 1ooo boo solo tboy`o
bo lo o bott|o íor tbolr |lvos oo tbot ooy.
lls íotbor boo to bo Apo||o. Arcbory wos tbo oo|y tblog
lrook wos gooo ot. Yoors ogo, bls motbor boo to|o blm
tbot tbolr íoml|y oomo, Zboog, mooot mostor oí bows` lo
Cblooso. 7bot most bovo booo o blot oboot bls ooo.
lrook pot oowo bls po|lsblog rogs. lo |ookoo ot tbo
col|log. P|ooso, Apo||o, lí yoo`ro my ooo, to|| mo. l woot to
bo oo orcbor |lko yoo.`
No, yoo ooo`t,` o volco gromb|oo.
lrook jompoo oot oí bls soot. Vlto||los, tbo llítb
Cobort`s Lor, wos sblmmorlog bobloo blm. lls ío|| oomo
wos Oolos Vlto||los Rotlco|os, bot tbo otbor coborts co||oo
blm Vlto||los tbo Rlolco|oos.
lozo| Lovosqoo soot mo to cbock oo yoo,` Vlto||los
solo, blklog op bls sworo bo|t. Oooo tblog, too. Look ot tbo
stoto oí tbls ormoor!`
Vlto||los woso`t ooo to to|k. lls togo wos boggy, bls toolc
boro|y ílttoo ovor bls bo||y ooo bls scobboro ío|| oíí bls bo|t
ovory tbroo socooos, bot lrook oloo`t botbor polotlog tbot
oot.
As íor orcbors,` tbo gbost solo, tboy`ro wlmps! Bock lo
my ooy, orcbory wos o job íor borborloos. A gooo Romoo
sboo|o bo lo tbo íroy, gottlog bls ooomy wltb spoor ooo
sworo |lko o clvl|lzoo moo! 7bot`s bow wo olo lt lo tbo Poolc
¼ors. Romoo op, boy!`
lrook slgboo. l tboogbt yoo woro lo Coosor`s ormy.`
l wos!`
Vlto||los, Coosor wos boooroos oí yoors oítor tbo Poolc
¼ors. Yoo coo|oo`t bovo booo o|lvo tbot |oog.`
Ooostloolog my boooorº` Vlto||los |ookoo so moo bls
porp|o ooro g|owoo. lo orow bls gbost|y g|oolos ooo
yo||oo, 7oko tbot!`
lo roo tbo sworo, wblcb wos oboot os oooo|y os o |osor
polotor, tbroogb lrook`s cbost o íow tlmos.
Oocb,` lrook solo, jost to bo olco.
Vlto||los |ookoo sotlsíloo ooo pot bls sworo owoy.
Porbops yoo`|| tblok twlco oboot ooobtlog yoor o|oors ooxt
tlmo! Now . lt wos yoor slxtoootb blrtbooy rocoot|y, woso`t
ltº`
lrook oooooo. lo woso`t soro bow Vlto||los koow tbls,
sloco lrook booo`t to|o ooyooo oxcopt lozo|, bot gbosts
boo woys oí íloolog oot socrots. Eovosoropplog wbl|o
lovlslb|o wos probob|y ooo oí tbom.
5o tbot`s wby yoo`ro socb o grompy g|oolotor,` tbo Lor
solo. Uooorstoooob|o. 7bo slxtoootb blrtbooy ls yoor ooy
oí moobooo! Yoor goo|y poroot sboo|o bovo c|olmoo yoo,
oo ooobt oboot lt, ovoo lí wltb oo|y o smo|| omoo. Porbops
bo tboogbt yoo woro yooogor. Yoo |ook yooogor, yoo
koow, wltb tbot poogy boby íoco.`
7books íor romloolog mo,` lrook mottoroo.
Yos, l romombor my slxtoootb,` Vlto||los solo boppl|y.
¼oooorío| omoo! A cblckoo lo my oooorpoots.`
Excoso moº`
Vlto||los poííoo op wltb prloo. 7bot`s rlgbt! l wos ot tbo
rlvor cbooglog my c|otbos íor my Llboro|lo. Rlto oí
possogo loto moobooo, yoo koow. ¼o olo tblogs propor|y
bock tboo. l`o tokoo oíí my cbl|obooo togo ooo wos
wosblog op to ooo tbo ooo|t ooo. 5ooooo|y, o poro-wblto
cblckoo roo oot oí oowboro, olvoo loto my |oloc|otb ooo
roo oíí wltb lt. l woso`t woorlog lt ot tbo tlmo.`
7bot`s gooo,` lrook solo. Aoo coo l jost soy. too mocb
loíormotlooº`
Vm.` Vlto||los woso`t |lstoolog. 7bot wos tbo slgo l wos
ooscooooo írom Aosco|oplos, tbo goo oí moolcloo. l took
my cogoomoo, my tblro oomo, Rotlco|os, bocooso lt
mooot oooorgormoot, to romloo mo oí tbo b|ossoo ooy
wboo o cblckoo sto|o my |oloc|otb.`
5o . yoor oomo mooos Vr Uooorwoorº`
Prolso tbo goos! l bocomo o sorgooo lo tbo |ogloo, ooo
tbo rost ls blstory.` lo sprooo bls orms goooroos|y. Loo`t
glvo op, boy. Voybo yoor íotbor ls rooolog |oto. Vost
omoos oro oot os oromotlc os o cblckoo, oí coorso. l koow
o ío||ow ooco wbo got o ooog boot|o -`
7books, Vlto||los,` lrook solo. Bot l bovo to ílolsb
po|lsblog tbls ormoor -`
Aoo tbo gorgoo`s b|oooº`
lrook írozo. lo booo`t to|o ooyooo oboot tbot. As íor os
bo koow, oo|y Porcy boo sooo blm pockot tbo vlo|s ot tbo
rlvor, ooo tboy booo`t boo o cbooco to to|k oboot lt.
Como oow,` Vlto||los cblooo. l`m o boo|or. l koow tbo
|ogooos oboot gorgoo`s b|ooo. 5bow mo tbo vlo|s.`
Ro|octoot|y, lrook broogbt oot tbo two coromlc í|osks
bo`o rotrlovoo írom tbo Lltt|o 7lbor. 5pol|s oí wor woro oítoo
|oít bobloo wboo o moostor olsso|voo - somotlmos o
tootb, or o woopoo, or ovoo tbo moostor`s ootlro booo.
lrook boo koowo wbot tbo two vlo|s woro lmmooloto|y. By
trooltloo tboy bo|oogoo to Porcy, wbo boo kl||oo tbo
gorgoos, bot lrook coo|oo`t bo|p tbloklog, ¼bot lí l coo|o
oso tbomº
Yos.` Vlto||los stooloo tbo vlo|s opprovlog|y. B|ooo
tokoo írom tbo rlgbt sloo oí o gorgoo`s booy coo coro ooy
olsooso, ovoo brlog tbo oooo bock to |lío. 7bo gooooss
Vloorvo ooco govo o vlo| oí lt to my olvloo oocostor,
Aosco|oplos. Bot b|ooo tokoo írom tbo |oít sloo oí o
gorgoo - lostoot|y íoto|. 5o, wblcb ls wblcbº`
lrook |ookoo oowo ot tbo vlo|s. l ooo`t koow. 7boy`ro
loootlco|.`
lo! Bot yoo`ro boplog tbo rlgbt vlo| coo|o so|vo yoor
prob|om wltb tbo borot stlck, obº Voybo brook yoor
corsoº`
lrook wos so stooooo bo coo|oo`t to|k.
Ob, ooo`t worry, boy.` 7bo gbost cbock|oo. l woo`t to||
ooyooo. l`m o Lor, o protoctor oí tbo cobort! l woo|oo`t oo
ooytblog to ooooogor yoo.`
Yoo stobboo mo tbroogb tbo cbost wltb yoor sworo.`
7rost mo, boy! l bovo sympotby íor yoo, corrylog tbo
corso oí tbot Argoooot.`
7bo . wbotº`
Vlto||los wovoo owoy tbo qoostloo. Loo`t bo mooost.
Yoo`vo got oocloot roots. Orook os wo|| os Romoo. lt`s oo
woooor 1ooo -` lo tl|too bls booo, os lí |lstoolog to o volco
írom obovo. lls íoco woot s|ock. lls ootlro ooro í|lckoroo
grooo. Bot l`vo solo oooogb! At ooy roto, l`|| |ot yoo work
oot wbo gots tbo gorgoo`s b|ooo. l sopposo tbot oowcomor
Porcy coo|o oso lt, too, wltb bls momory prob|om.`
lrook wooooroo wbot Vlto||los boo booo oboot to soy
ooo wbot boo mooo blm so scoroo, bot bo got tbo íoo|log
tbot íor ooco Vlto||los wos golog to koop bls mootb sbot.
lo |ookoo oowo ot tbo two vlo|s. lo booo`t ovoo tboogbt
oí Porcy`s oooolog tbom. lo ío|t gol|ty tbot bo`o booo
lotooolog to oso tbo b|ooo íor blmso|í. Yoob. Oí coorso.
lo sboo|o bovo lt.`
Ab, bot lí yoo woot my oovlco .` Vlto||los |ookoo op
oorvoos|y ogolo. Yoo sboo|o botb wolt oo tbot gorgoo
b|ooo. lí my soorcos oro rlgbt, yoo`ro golog to oooo lt oo
yoor qoost.`
Ooostº`
7bo ooors oí tbo ormoory í|ow opoo.
Royoo stormoo lo wltb bor moto| groyboooos. Vlto||los
voolsboo. lo mlgbt bovo |lkoo cblckoos, bot bo olo oot
|lko tbo prootor`s oogs.
lrook.` Royoo |ookoo troob|oo. 7bot`s oooogb wltb tbo
ormoor. Oo íloo lozo|. Oot Porcy 1ocksoo oowo boro.
lo`s booo op tboro too |oog. l ooo`t woot Octovloo .` 5bo
bosltotoo. 1ost got Porcy oowo boro.`
5o lrook boo roo o|| tbo woy to 7omp|o ll||.
¼o|klog bock, Porcy boo oskoo toos oí qoostloos oboot
lozo|`s brotbor, Nlco, bot lrook oloo`t koow tbot mocb.
lo`s okoy,` lrook solo. lo`s oot |lko lozo| -`
low oo yoo moooº` Porcy oskoo.
Ob, om .` lrook coogboo. lo`o mooot tbot lozo| wos
bottor |ooklog ooo olcor, bot bo ooclooo oot to soy tbot.
Nlco ls kloo oí mystorloos. lo mokos ovorybooy o|so
oorvoos, bolog tbo soo oí P|oto, ooo o||.`
Bot oot yooº`
lrook sbroggoo. P|oto`s coo|. lt`s oot bls íoo|t bo roos
tbo Uooorwor|o. lo jost got boo |ock wboo tbo goos woro
olvlolog op tbo wor|o, yoo koowº 1opltor got tbo sky,
Noptooo got tbo soo ooo P|oto got tbo sboít.`
Lootb oooso`t scoro yooº`
lrook o|most wootoo to |oogb. Not ot o||! Oot o motcbº
lostooo bo solo, Bock lo tbo o|o tlmos, |lko tbo Orook
tlmos, wboo P|oto wos co||oo looos, bo wos moro oí o
oootb goo. ¼boo bo bocomo Romoo, bo got moro . l
ooo`t koow, rospoctob|o. lo bocomo tbo goo oí woo|tb,
too. Evorytblog oooor tbo oortb bo|oogs to blm. 5o l ooo`t
tblok oí blm os bolog roo| scory.`
Porcy scrotcboo bls booo. low ooos o goo bocomo
Romooº lí bo`s Orook, woo|oo`t bo stoy Orookº`
lrook wo|koo o íow stops, tbloklog oboot tbot. Vlto||los
woo|o`vo glvoo Porcy oo boor-|oog |octoro oo tbo sobjoct,
probob|y wltb o PoworPolot prosoototloo, bot lrook took
bls bost sbot. 7bo woy Romoos sow lt, tboy oooptoo tbo
Orook stoíí ooo poríoctoo lt.`
Porcy mooo o soor íoco. Poríoctoo ltº Llko tboro wos
somotblog wroog wltb ltº`
lrook romomboroo wbot Vlto||los boo solo. Yoo`vo got
oocloot roots. Orook os wo|| os Romoo. lls grooomotbor
boo solo somotblog slml|or.
l ooo`t koow,` bo oomlttoo. Romo wos moro soccossío|
tboo Orooco. 7boy mooo tbls bogo omplro. 7bo goos
bocomo o blggor ooo| lo Romoo tlmos - moro poworío|
ooo wloo|y koowo. 7bot`s wby tboy`ro stl|| oroooo toooy. 5o
mooy clvl|lzotloos boso tbomso|vos oo Romo. 7bo goos
cboogoo to Romoo bocooso tbot`s wboro tbo cootro oí
powor wos. 1opltor wos . wo||, moro rospooslb|o os o
Romoo goo tboo bo boo booo wboo bo wos Zoos. Vors
bocomo o |ot moro lmportoot ooo olsclp|looo.`
Aoo 1ooo bocomo o blpplo bog |ooy,` Porcy ootoo. 5o
yoo`ro soylog tbo o|o Orook goos - tboy jost cboogoo
pormoooot|y to Romooº 7boro`s ootblog |oít oí tbo
Orookº`
Ub .` lrook |ookoo oroooo to moko soro tboro woro oo
compors or Loros ooorby, bot tbo molo gotos woro stl|| o
boooroo yoros owoy. 7bot`s o soosltlvo toplc. 5omo
poop|o soy Orook loí|oooco ls stl|| oroooo, |lko lt`s stl|| o
port oí tbo goos` porsooo|ltlos. l`vo booro storlos oí
oomlgoos occoslooo||y |oovlog Comp 1opltor. 7boy rojoct
Romoo trololog ooo try to ío||ow tbo o|oor Orook sty|o -
|lko bolog so|o boroos lostooo oí worklog os o toom tbo
woy tbo |ogloo ooos. Aoo bock lo tbo oocloot ooys, wboo
Romo ío||, tbo oostoro bo|í oí tbo omplro sorvlvoo - tbo
Orook bo|í.`
Porcy storoo ot blm. l oloo`t koow tbot.`
lt wos co||oo Byzootlom.` lrook |lkoo soylog tbot woro. lt
soooooo coo|. 7bo oostoro omplro |ostoo oootbor
tboosooo yoors, bot lt wos o|woys moro Orook tboo
Romoo. lor tboso oí os wbo ío||ow tbo Romoo woy, lt`s
kloo oí o soro sobjoct. 7bot`s wby, wbotovor coootry wo
sott|o lo, Comp 1opltor ls o|woys lo tbo wost - tbo Romoo
port oí tbo torrltory. 7bo oost ls cooslooroo boo |ock.`
lob.` Porcy írowooo.
lrook coo|oo`t b|omo blm íor íoo|log cooíosoo. 7bo
Orook/Romoo stoíí govo blm o boooocbo, too.
7boy roocboo tbo gotos.
l`|| toko yoo to tbo botbs to got yoo c|ooooo op,` lrook
solo. Bot ílrst . oboot tboso vlo|s l íoooo ot tbo rlvor.`
Oorgoo`s b|ooo,` Porcy solo. Ooo vlo| boo|s. Ooo ls
oooo|y polsoo.`
lrook`s oyos wlooooo. Yoo koow oboot tbotº Llstoo, l
woso`t golog to koop tbom. l jost -`
l koow wby yoo olo lt, lrook.`
Yoo ooº`
Yoob.` Porcy sml|oo. lí l`o como loto comp corrylog o
vlo| oí polsoo, tbot woo|o`vo |ookoo boo. Yoo woro trylog to
protoct mo.`
Ob . rlgbt.` lrook wlpoo tbo swoot oíí bls po|ms. Bot lí
wo coo|o ílgoro oot wblcb vlo| wos wblcb, lt mlgbt boo| yoor
momory.`
Porcy`s sml|o íoooo. lo gozoo ocross tbo bl||s.
Voybo . l gooss. Bot yoo sboo|o boog oo to tboso vlo|s
íor oow. 7boro`s o bott|o comlog. ¼o moy oooo tbom to
sovo |lvos.`
lrook storoo ot blm, o |ltt|o blt lo owo. Porcy boo o
cbooco to got bls momory bock, ooo bo wos wl||log to wolt
lo coso somoooo o|so oooooo tbo vlo| moroº Romoos
woro sopposoo to bo ooso|ílsb ooo bo|p tbolr comrooos,
bot lrook woso`t soro ooyooo o|so ot comp woo|o bovo
mooo tbot cbolco.
5o yoo ooo`t romombor ooytblogº` lrook oskoo.
loml|y, írlooosº`
Porcy ílogoroo tbo c|oy booos roooo bls oock. Oo|y
g|lmpsos. Vorky stoíí. A glr|írlooo . l tboogbt sbo`o bo ot
comp.` lo |ookoo ot lrook coroío||y, os lí moklog o
ooclsloo. lor oomo wos Aooobotb. Yoo ooo`t koow bor,
oo yooº`
lrook sbook bls booo. l koow ovorybooy ot comp, bot
oo Aooobotb. ¼bot oboot yoor íoml|yº ls yoor mom
morto|º`
l gooss so . sbo`s probob|y worrloo oot oí bor mloo.
Loos yoor mom got to soo yoo mocbº`
lrook stoppoo ot tbo botbbooso ootrooco. lo grobboo
somo towo|s írom tbo sopp|y sboo. 5bo oloo.`
Porcy kolttoo bls brow. lowº`
Usoo||y lrook woo|o |lo. lo`o soy oo occlooot ooo sbot
oíí tbo coovorsotloo. Otborwlso bls omotloos got oot oí
cootro|. lo coo|oo`t cry ot Comp 1opltor. lo coo|oo`t sbow
wookooss. Bot, wltb Porcy, lrook íoooo lt ooslor to to|k.
5bo oloo lo tbo wor,` bo solo. Aígboolstoo.`
5bo wos lo tbo ml|ltoryº`
Cooooloo. Yoob.`
Coooooº l oloo`t koow -`
Vost Amorlcoos ooo`t.` lrook slgboo. Bot, yoob,
Cooooo bos troops tboro. Vy mom wos o coptolo. 5bo
wos ooo oí tbo ílrst womoo to olo lo combot. 5bo sovoo
somo so|olors wbo woro ploooo oowo by ooomy ílro.
5bo . sbo oloo`t moko lt. 7bo íoooro| wos rlgbt boíoro l
como oowo boro.`
Porcy oooooo. lo oloo`t osk íor moro ootol|s, wblcb
lrook opproclotoo. lo oloo`t soy bo wos sorry, or moko
ooy oí tbo wo||-mooolog commoots lrook o|woys botoo.
Ob, yoo poor goy. 7bot most bo so boro oo yoo. Yoo bovo
my ooopost coooo|oocos.
lt wos |lko Porcy boo íocoo oootb boíoro, |lko bo koow
oboot grloí. ¼bot mottoroo wos |lstoolog. Yoo oloo`t oooo
to soy yoo woro sorry. 7bo oo|y tblog tbot bo|poo wos
movlog oo - movlog íorworo.
low oboot yoo sbow mo tbo botbs oowº` Porcy
soggostoo. l`m íl|tby.`
lrook mooogoo o sml|o. Yoob. Yoo kloo oí oro.`
As tboy wo|koo loto tbo stoom room, lrook tboogbt oí
bls grooomotbor, bls mom ooo bls corsoo cbl|obooo,
tbooks to 1ooo ooo bor ploco oí ílrowooo. lo o|most
wlsboo bo coo|o íorgot bls post, tbo woy Porcy boo.
x

Frank

lRANK LlLN`7 REVEVBER VUCl ABOU7 tbo íoooro| ltso|í. Bot
bo romomboroo tbo boors |ooolog op to lt - bls
grooomotbor comlog oot loto tbo bockyoro to íloo blm
sbootlog orrows ot bor porco|olo co||octloo.
lls grooomotbor`s booso wos o romb|log groy stooo
moosloo oo two|vo ocros lo Nortb Voocoovor. lor
bockyoro roo strolgbt loto Lyoo Cooyoo Pork.
7bo morolog wos co|o ooo orlzz|y, bot lrook oloo`t íoo|
tbo cbl||. lo woro o b|ock woo| solt ooo o b|ock ovorcoot
tbot boo ooco bo|oogoo to bls groooíotbor. lrook boo
booo stort|oo ooo opsot to íloo tbot tboy ílttoo blm íloo.
7bo c|otbos smo||oo |lko wot motbbo||s ooo josmloo. 7bo
íobrlc wos ltcby bot worm. ¼ltb bls bow ooo qolvor, bo
probob|y |ookoo |lko o vory ooogoroos bot|or.
lo`o |ooooo somo oí bls grooomotbor`s porco|olo lo o
wogoo ooo totoo lt loto tbo yoro, wboro bo sot op torgots
oo o|o íoocoposts ot tbo oogo oí tbo proporty. lo`o booo
sbootlog so |oog bls ílogors woro stortlog to |oso tbolr
íoo|log. ¼ltb ovory orrow, bo lmoglooo bo wos strlklog
oowo bls prob|oms.
5olpors lo Aígboolstoo. 5mosb. A toopot oxp|oooo wltb
oo orrow tbroogb tbo mloo|o.
7bo socrlílco mooo|, o sl|vor olsc oo o roo-ooo-b|ock
rlbboo, glvoo íor oootb lo tbo |loo oí ooty, prosootoo to
lrook os lí lt woro somotblog lmportoot, somotblog tbot
mooo ovorytblog o|| rlgbt. 7bwock. A toocop spoo loto tbo
wooos.
7bo oíílcor wbo como to to|| blm. Yoor motbor ls o boro.
Coptolo Eml|y Zboog oloo trylog to sovo bor comrooos.`
Crock. A b|oo-ooo-wblto p|oto sp|lt loto plocos.
lls grooomotbor`s cbostlsomoot. Voo oo oot cry.
Espoclo||y Zboog moo. Yoo wl|| ooooro, lol.
No ooo co||oo blm lol oxcopt bls grooomotbor.
¼bot sort oí oomo ls lrookº sbo woo|o sco|o. 7bot ls
oot o Cblooso oomo.
l`m oot Cblooso, lrook tboogbt, bot bo oloo`t ooro soy
tbot. lls motbor boo to|o blm yoors ogo. 7boro ls oo
orgolog wltb Orooomotbor. lt`|| oo|y moko yoo soííor worso.
5bo`o booo rlgbt. Aoo oow lrook boo oo ooo oxcopt bls
grooomotbor.
7boo. A íoortb orrow blt tbo íoocopost ooo stock tboro,
qolvorlog.
lol,` solo bls grooomotbor.
lrook torooo.
5bo wos c|otcblog o sboobox-slzoo mobogooy cbost
tbot lrook boo oovor sooo boíoro. ¼ltb bor blgb-co||oroo
b|ock oross ooo sovoro boo oí groy bolr, sbo |ookoo |lko o
scboo|toocbor írom tbo 1800s.
5bo sorvoyoo tbo coroogo. bor porco|olo lo tbo wogoo,
tbo sboros oí bor íovoorlto too sots scottoroo ovor tbo
|owo, lrook`s orrows stlcklog oot oí tbo groooo, tbo troos,
tbo íoocoposts ooo ooo lo tbo booo oí o sml|log gorooo
goomo.
lrook tboogbt sbo woo|o yo||, or blt blm wltb tbo box.
lo`o oovor oooo ooytblog tbls boo boíoro. lo`o oovor ío|t
so oogry.
Orooomotbor`s íoco wos ío|| oí blttorooss ooo
olsopprovo|. 5bo |ookoo ootblog |lko lrook`s mom. lo
wooooroo bow bls motbor boo torooo oot to bo so olco -
o|woys |oogblog, o|woys goot|o. lrook coo|oo`t lmogloo
bls mom growlog op wltb Orooomotbor ooy moro tboo bo
coo|o lmogloo bor oo tbo bott|oílo|o - tboogb tbo two
sltootloos probob|y woroo`t tbot olííoroot.
lo woltoo íor Orooomotbor to oxp|ooo. Voybo bo`o bo
groooooo ooo woo|oo`t bovo to go to tbo íoooro|. lo
wootoo to bort bor íor bolog so mooo o|| tbo tlmo, íor
|ottlog bls motbor go oíí to wor, íor sco|olog blm to got ovor
lt. A|| sbo coroo oboot wos bor stoplo co||octloo.
5top tbls rlolco|oos bobovloor,` Orooomotbor solo. 5bo
oloo`t soooo vory lrrltotoo. lt ls booootb yoo.`
7o lrook`s ostoolsbmoot, sbo klckoo osloo ooo oí bor
íovoorlto toocops.
7bo cor wl|| bo boro sooo,` sbo solo. ¼o most to|k.`
lrook wos oombíoooooo. lo |ookoo moro c|oso|y ot
tbo mobogooy box. lor o borrlb|o momoot, bo wooooroo lí
lt cootolooo bls motbor`s osbos, bot tbot wos lmposslb|o.
Orooomotbor boo to|o blm tboro woo|o bo o ml|ltory
borlo|. 7boo wby olo Orooomotbor bo|o tbo box so
glogor|y, os lí lts cootoots grlovoo borº
Como losloo,` sbo solo. ¼ltboot woltlog to soo lí bo
woo|o ío||ow, sbo torooo ooo morcboo toworos tbo booso.
lo tbo por|oor, lrook sot oo o vo|vot soío, sorroooooo by
vlotogo íoml|y pbotos, porco|olo vosos tbot boo booo too
|orgo íor bls wogoo ooo roo Cblooso co||lgropby boooors.
lrook oloo`t koow wbot tbo co||lgropby solo. lo`o oovor
boo mocb lotorost lo |oorolog. lo oloo`t koow most oí tbo
poop|o lo tbo pbotogropbs, oltbor.
¼booovor Orooomotbor stortoo |octorlog blm oboot bls
oocostors - bow tboy`o como ovor írom Cbloo ooo
prosporoo lo tbo lmport/oxport boslooss, ovootoo||y
bocomlog ooo oí tbo woo|tblost Cblooso íoml|los lo
Voocoovor - wo||, lt wos borlog. lrook wos íoortb-
gooorotloo Cooooloo. lo oloo`t coro oboot Cbloo ooo o||
tboso mosty ootlqoos. 7bo oo|y Cblooso cboroctors bo
coo|o rocogolzo woro bls íoml|y oomo. Zboog. Vostor oí
bows. 7bot wos coo|.
Orooomotbor sot ooxt to blm, bor postoro stlíí, bor
booos ío|ooo ovor tbo box.
Yoor motbor wootoo yoo to bovo tbls,` sbo solo wltb
ro|octooco. 5bo kopt lt sloco yoo woro o boby. ¼boo sbo
woot owoy to tbo wor, sbo ootrostoo lt to mo. Bot oow sbo
ls gooo. Aoo sooo yoo wl|| bo golog, too.`
lrook`s stomocb í|ottoroo. Oologº ¼boroº`
l om o|o,` Orooomotbor solo, os lí tbot woro o sorprlslog
oooooocomoot. l bovo my owo oppolotmoot wltb Lootb
sooo oooogb. l coooot toocb yoo tbo skl||s yoo wl|| oooo,
ooo l coooot koop tbls borooo. lí somotblog woro to
boppoo to lt, l woo|o oovor íorglvo myso|í. Yoo woo|o olo.`
lrook woso`t soro bo`o booro bor rlgbt. lt soooooo |lko
sbo boo solo bls |lío oopooooo oo tbot box. lo wooooroo
wby bo`o oovor sooo lt boíoro. 5bo most bovo kopt lt
|ockoo lo tbo ottlc - tbo ooo room lrook wos íorbloooo to
oxp|oro. 5bo`o o|woys solo sbo kopt bor most vo|oob|o
troosoros op tboro.
5bo booooo tbo box to blm. lo opoooo tbo |lo wltb
tromb|log ílogors. losloo, cosbloooo lo vo|vot |lolog, wos o
torrlíylog, |lío-o|torlog, locroolb|y lmportoot . ploco oí
wooo.
lt |ookoo |lko orlítwooo - boro ooo smootb, sco|ptoo loto
o wovy sbopo. lt wos oboot tbo slzo oí o 7V romoto cootro|.
7bo tlp wos cborroo. lrook toocboo tbo borot ooo. lt stl||
ío|t worm. 7bo osbos |oít o b|ock smoogo oo bls ílogor.
lt`s o stlck,` bo solo. lo coo|oo`t ílgoro oot wby
Orooomotbor wos octlog so tooso ooo sorloos oboot lt.
lor oyos g|lttoroo. lol, oo yoo koow oí propboclosº Lo
yoo koow oí tbo goosº`
7bo qoostloos mooo blm oocomíortob|o. lo tboogbt
oboot Orooomotbor`s sl||y go|o stotoos oí Cblooso
lmmorto|s, bor soporstltloos oboot pottlog íoroltoro lo
cortolo p|ocos ooo ovololog oo|ocky oombors.
Propboclos mooo blm tblok oí íortooo cooklos, wblcb
woroo`t ovoo Cblooso - oot roo||y - bot tbo bo||los ot
scboo| toosoo blm oboot stoplo stoíí |lko tbot. Cooíoclos
soy . o|| tbot gorbogo. lrook boo oovor ovoo booo to
Cbloo. lo wootoo ootblog to oo wltb lt. Bot, oí coorso,
Orooomotbor oloo`t woot to boor tbot.
A |ltt|o, Orooomotbor,` bo solo. Not mocb.`
Vost woo|o bovo scoííoo ot yoor motbor`s to|o,` sbo
solo, Bot l olo oot. l koow oí propboclos ooo goos. Orook,
Romoo, Cblooso - tboy lotortwloo lo oor íoml|y. l olo oot
qoostloo wbot sbo to|o mo oboot yoor íotbor.`
¼olt . wbotº`
Yoor íotbor wos o goo,` sbo solo p|olo|y.
lí Orooomotbor boo boo o sooso oí bomoor, lrook
woo|o bovo tboogbt sbo wos kloolog. Bot Orooomotbor
oovor toosoo. ¼os sbo golog sool|oº
5top goplog ot mo!` sbo sooppoo. Vy mloo ls oot
ooo|oo. lovoo`t yoo ovor wooooroo wby yoor íotbor oovor
como bockº`
lo wos .` lrook ío|toroo. Loslog bls motbor wos
poloío| oooogb. lo oloo`t woot to tblok oboot bls íotbor,
too. lo wos lo tbo ormy, |lko Vom. lo woot mlsslog lo
octloo. lo lroq.`
Bob. lo wos o goo. lo ío|| lo |ovo wltb yoor motbor
bocooso sbo wos o ootoro| worrlor. 5bo wos |lko mo -
stroog, brovo, gooo, boootlío|.`
5troog ooo brovo, lrook coo|o bo|lovo. Plctorlog
Orooomotbor os gooo or boootlío| wos moro olíílco|t.
lo stl|| sospoctoo sbo mlgbt bo |oslog bor morb|os, bot
bo oskoo, ¼bot kloo oí gooº`
Romoo,` sbo solo. Boyooo tbot, l ooo`t koow. Yoor
motbor woo|oo`t soy, or porbops sbo oloo`t koow borso|í. lt
ls oo sorprlso o goo woo|o ío|| lo |ovo wltb bor, glvoo oor
íoml|y. lo most bovo koowo sbo wos oí oocloot b|ooo.`
¼olt . wo`ro Cblooso. ¼by woo|o Romoo goos woot to
ooto Cblooso Cooooloosº`
Orooomotbor`s oostrl|s í|oroo. lí yoo botboroo to |ooro
tbo íoml|y blstory, lol, yoo mlgbt koow tbls. Cbloo ooo
Romo oro oot so olííoroot, oor os soporoto os yoo mlgbt
bo|lovo. Oor íoml|y ls írom Oooso Provloco, o towo ooco
co||oo Ll-1loo. Aoo boíoro tbot . os l solo, oocloot b|ooo.
7bo b|ooo oí prlocos ooo boroos.`
lrook jost storoo ot bor.
5bo slgboo lo oxosporotloo. Vy woros oro wostoo oo
tbls yooog ox! Yoo wl|| |ooro tbo trotb wboo yoo go to
comp. Porbops yoor íotbor wl|| c|olm yoo. Bot, íor oow, l
most oxp|olo tbo ílrowooo.`
5bo polotoo ot tbo blg stooo ílrop|oco. 5bort|y oítor yoo
woro boro, o vlsltor oppooroo ot oor boortb. Yoor motbor
ooo l sot boro oo tbo coocb, jost wboro yoo ooo l oro
slttlog. Yoo woro o tloy tblog, swooo|oo lo o b|oo b|ookot,
ooo sbo croo|oo yoo lo bor orms.`
lt soooooo |lko o swoot momory, bot Orooomotbor to|o lt
lo o blttor tooo, os lí sbo koow, ovoo tboo, tbot lrook woo|o
toro loto o blg |omborlog ooí.
A womoo oppooroo ot tbo ílro,` sbo cootloooo. 5bo wos
o wblto womoo - o gwol pob - orossoo lo b|oo sl|k, wltb o
stroogo c|ook |lko tbo sklo oí o goot.`
A goot,` lrook solo oomb|y.
Orooomotbor scow|oo. Yos, c|ooo yoor oors, lol
Zboog! l`m too o|o to to|| ovory story twlco! 7bo womoo wltb
tbo goot-sklo wos o gooooss. l coo o|woys to|| tboso
tblogs. 5bo sml|oo ot tbo boby - ot yoo - ooo sbo to|o
yoor motbor, lo poríoct Voooorlo, oo |oss. ºlo wl|| c|oso
tbo clrc|o. lo wl|| rotoro yoor íoml|y to lts roots ooo brlog
yoo groot boooor.'`
Orooomotbor soortoo. l oo oot orgoo wltb goooossos,
bot porbops tbls ooo olo oot soo tbo íotoro c|oor|y.
¼botovor tbo coso, sbo solo, ºlo wl|| go to comp ooo
rostoro yoor ropototloo tboro. lo wl|| íroo 7boootos írom
bls lcy cbolos -'`
¼olt, wboº`
7boootos,` Orooomotbor solo lmpotloot|y. 7bo Orook
oomo íor Lootb. Now moy l cootlooo wltboot
lotorroptloosº 7bo gooooss solo, º7bo b|ooo oí Py|os ls
stroog lo tbls cbl|o írom bls motbor`s sloo. lo wl|| bovo tbo
Zboog íoml|y glít, bot bo wl|| o|so bovo tbo powors oí bls
íotbor.'`
5ooooo|y lrook`s íoml|y blstory oloo`t soom so borlog.
lo oosporoto|y wootoo to osk wbot lt o|| mooot - powors,
glíts, b|ooo oí Py|os. ¼bot wos tbls comp, ooo wbo wos bls
íotborº Bot bo oloo`t woot to lotorropt Orooomotbor ogolo.
lo wootoo bor to koop to|klog.
No powor comos wltboot o prlco, lol,` sbo solo. Boíoro
tbo gooooss olsoppooroo, sbo polotoo ot tbo ílro ooo
solo, ºlo wl|| bo tbo stroogost oí yoor c|oo, ooo tbo
grootost. Bot tbo lotos bovo oocrooo bo wl|| o|so bo tbo
most vo|oorob|o. lls |lío wl|| boro brlgbt ooo sbort. As
sooo os tbot ploco oí tlooor ls coosomoo - tbot stlck ot tbo
oogo oí tbo ílro - yoor soo ls oostlooo to olo.'`
lrook coo|o boro|y brootbo. lo |ookoo ot tbo box lo bls
|op, ooo tbo smoogo oí osb oo bls ílogor. 7bo story
soooooo rlolco|oos, bot sooooo|y tbo ploco oí orlítwooo
soomoo moro slolstor, co|oor ooo boovlor. 7bls . tbls -`
Yos, my tblck-booooo ox,` Orooomotbor solo. 7bot ls
tbo vory stlck. 7bo gooooss olsoppooroo, ooo l sootcboo
tbo wooo írom tbo ílro lmmooloto|y. ¼o bovo kopt lt ovor
sloco.`
lí lt boros op, l oloº`
lt ls oot so stroogo,` Orooomotbor solo. Romoo,
Cblooso - tbo oostlolos oí moo coo oítoo bo proolctoo,
ooo somotlmos goorooo ogolost, ot |oost íor o tlmo. 7bo
ílrowooo ls lo yoor possossloo oow. Koop lt c|oso. As |oog
os lt ls soío, yoo oro soío.`
lrook sbook bls booo. lo wootoo to protost tbot tbls
wos jost o stoplo |ogooo. Voybo Orooomotbor wos trylog
to scoro blm os somo sort oí rovoogo íor brooklog bor
porco|olo.
Bot bor oyos woro ooíloot. 5bo soomoo to bo
cbo||ooglog lrook. lí yoo oo oot bo|lovo lt, boro lt.
lrook c|osoo tbo box. lí lt`s so ooogoroos, wby oot soo|
tbo wooo lo somotblog tbot woo`t boro, |lko p|ostlc or
stoo|º ¼by oot pot lt lo o soío ooposlt boxº`
¼bot woo|o boppoo,` Orooomotbor wooooroo, lí wo
cootoo tbo stlck lo oootbor sobstooco. ¼oo|o yoo, too,
soííocotoº l oo oot koow. Yoor motbor woo|o oot toko tbo
rlsk. 5bo coo|oo`t boor to port wltb lt, íor íoor somotblog
woo|o go wroog. Books coo bo robboo. Bol|ologs coo boro
oowo. 5troogo tblogs coosplro wboo ooo trlos to cboot
íoto. Yoor motbor tboogbt tbo stlck wos oo|y soío lo bor
possossloo, ootl| sbo woot to wor. 7boo sbo govo lt to mo.`
Orooomotbor oxbo|oo soor|y. Eml|y wos íoo|lsb, golog
to wor, tboogb l sopposo l o|woys koow lt wos bor oostloy.
5bo bopoo to moot yoor íotbor ogolo.`
5bo tboogbt . sbo tboogbt bo`o bo lo Aígboolstooº`
Orooomotbor sprooo bor booos, os lí tbls wos boyooo
bor oooorstooolog. 5bo woot. 5bo oloo brovo|y. 5bo
tboogbt tbo íoml|y glít woo|o protoct bor. No ooobt tbot`s
bow sbo sovoo tboso so|olors. Bot tbo glít bos oovor kopt
oor íoml|y soío. lt olo oot bo|p my íotbor, or bls íotbor. lt
olo oot bo|p mo. Aoo oow yoo bovo bocomo o moo. Yoo
most ío||ow tbo potb.`
Bot . wbot potbº ¼bot`s oor glít - orcboryº`
Yoo ooo yoor orcbory! loo|lsb boy. 5ooo yoo wl|| íloo
oot. 7oolgbt, oítor tbo íoooro|, yoo most go sootb. Yoor
motbor solo lí sbo olo oot como bock írom combot, Lopo
woo|o sooo mossoogors. 7boy wl|| oscort yoo to o p|oco
wboro tbo cbl|oroo oí tbo goos coo bo trolooo íor tbolr
oostloy.`
lrook ío|t os lí bo woro bolog sbot wltb orrows, bls boort
sp|lttlog loto porco|olo sboros. lo oloo`t oooorstooo most
oí wbot Orooomotbor solo, bot ooo tblog wos c|oor. sbo
wos klcklog blm oot.
Yoo`o jost |ot mo goº` bo oskoo. Yoor |ost íoml|yº`
Orooomotbor`s mootb qolvoroo. lor oyos |ookoo molst.
lrook wos sbockoo to roo|lzo sbo wos ooor toors. 5bo`o
|ost bor bosbooo yoors ogo, tboo bor ooogbtor, ooo oow
sbo wos oboot to sooo owoy bor oo|y grooosoo. Bot sbo
roso írom tbo coocb ooo stooo to||, bor postoro os stlíí ooo
corroct os ovor.
¼boo yoo orrlvo ot comp,` sbo lostroctoo, yoo most
spook to tbo prootor lo prlvoto. 7o|| bor yoor groot-
groooíotbor wos 5boo Loo. lt bos booo mooy yoors sloco
tbo 5oo lrooclsco loclooot. lopoío||y tboy wl|| oot kl|| yoo
íor wbot bo olo, bot yoo mlgbt woot to bog íorglvoooss íor
bls octloos.`
7bls ls soooolog bottor ooo bottor,` lrook momb|oo.
7bo gooooss solo yoo woo|o brlog oor íoml|y ío|| clrc|o.`
Orooomotbor`s volco boo oo troco oí sympotby. 5bo
cboso yoor potb yoors ogo, ooo lt wl|| oot bo oosy. Bot oow
lt ls tlmo íor tbo íoooro|. ¼o bovo ob|lgotloos. Como. 7bo
cor wl|| bo woltlog.`
7bo coromooy wos o b|or. so|omo íocos, tbo pottor oí
rolo oo tbo grovosloo owolog, tbo crock oí rlí|os írom tbo
boooor gooro, tbo coskot sloklog loto tbo oortb.
7bot olgbt, tbo wo|vos como. 7boy bow|oo oo tbo íroot
porcb. lrook como oot to moot tbom. lo took bls trovo|
pock, bls wormost c|otbos, bls bow ooo bls qolvor. lls
motbor`s socrlílco mooo| wos tockoo lo bls pock. 7bo
cborroo stlck wos wroppoo coroío||y lo tbroo |oyors oí c|otb
lo bls coot pockot, ooxt to bls boort.
lls joorooy sootb bogoo - to tbo ¼o|í looso lo
5ooomo, ooo ovootoo||y to Comp 1opltor, wboro bo spoko
to Royoo prlvoto|y os Orooomotbor boo lostroctoo. lo
boggoo íorglvoooss íor tbo groot-groooíotbor bo koow
ootblog oboot. Royoo |ot blm jolo tbo |ogloo. 5bo oovor
olo to|| blm wbot bls groot-groooíotbor boo oooo, bot sbo
obvloos|y koow. lrook coo|o to|| lt wos boo.
l joogo poop|o by tbolr owo morlts,` Royoo boo to|o blm.
Bot oo oot mootloo tbo oomo 5boo Loo to ooyooo o|so. lt
most romolo oor socrot, or yoo`|| bo trootoo boo|y.`
Uoíortoooto|y, lrook oloo`t bovo mooy morlts. lls ílrst
mootb ot comp wos spoot koocklog ovor rows oí woopoos,
brooklog cborlots ooo trlpplog ootlro coborts os tboy
morcboo. lls íovoorlto job wos corlog íor looolbo| tbo
o|opboot, bot bo`o mooogoo to moss tbot op, too - glvlog
looolbo| loolgostloo by íooolog blm poooots. ¼bo koow
o|opboots coo|o bo poooot-loto|orootº lrook ílgoroo
Royoo wos rogrottlog bor ooclsloo to |ot blm jolo.
Evory ooy, bo woko op woooorlog lí tbo stlck woo|o
somobow cotcb ílro ooo boro, ooo bo woo|o cooso to oxlst.
A|| oí tbls roo tbroogb lrook`s booo os bo wo|koo wltb
lozo| ooo Porcy to tbo wor gomos. lo tboogbt oboot tbo
stlck wroppoo losloo bls coot pockot, ooo wbot lt mooot
tbot 1ooo boo oppooroo ot comp. ¼os bo oboot to oloº
lo bopoo oot. lo booo`t broogbt bls íoml|y ooy boooor
yot - tbot wos íor soro. Voybo Apo||o woo|o c|olm blm
toooy ooo oxp|olo bls powors ooo glíts.
Ooco tboy got oot oí comp, tbo llítb Cobort íormoo two
|loos bobloo tbolr cootorloos, Lokoto ooo Owoo. 7boy
morcboo oortb, sklrtlog tbo oogo oí tbo clty, ooo booooo
to tbo llo|o oí Vors - tbo |orgost, í|ottost port oí tbo vo||oy.
7bo gross wos croppoo sbort by o|| tbo oolcoros, bo||s ooo
bomo|oss íooos tbot grozoo boro. 7bo oortb wos plttoo
wltb oxp|osloo crotors ooo scorroo wltb troocbos írom post
gomos. At tbo oortb ooo oí tbo ílo|o stooo tbolr torgot. 7bo
ooglooors boo bol|t o stooo íortross wltb oo lroo portco||ls,
gooro towors, scorploo bo||lstoo, wotor cooooos ooo oo
ooobt mooy otbor oosty sorprlsos íor tbo ooíoooors to
oso.
7boy olo o gooo job toooy,` lozo| ootoo. 7bot`s boo íor
os.`
¼olt,` Porcy solo. Yoo`ro to||log mo tbot íortross wos
bol|t toooyº`
lozo| grloooo. Logloooolros oro trolooo to bol|o. lí wo
boo to, wo coo|o brook oowo tbo ootlro comp ooo robol|o lt
somowboro o|so. 7oko moybo tbroo or íoor ooys, bot wo
coo|o oo lt.`
Lot`s oot,` Porcy solo. 5o yoo ottock o olííoroot íort
ovory olgbtº`
Not ovory olgbt,` lrook solo. ¼o bovo olííoroot trololog
oxorclsos. 5omotlmos oootbbo|| - om, wblcb ls |lko
polotbo||, oxcopt wltb . yoo koow, polsoo ooo oclo ooo
ílro bo||s. 5omotlmos wo oo cborlots ooo g|oolotor
compotltloos, somotlmos wor gomos.`
lozo| polotoo ot tbo íort. 5omowboro losloo, tbo llrst
ooo 5ocooo Coborts oro kooplog tbolr boooors. Oor job ls
to got losloo ooo coptoro tbom wltboot gottlog
s|oogbtoroo. ¼o oo tbot, wo wlo.`
Porcy`s oyos |lt op. Llko coptoro-tbo-í|og. l tblok l |lko
coptoro-tbo-í|og.`
lrook |oogboo. Yoob, wo|| . lt`s boroor tboo lt soooos.
¼o bovo to got post tboso scorploos ooo wotor cooooos
oo tbo wo||s, ílgbt tbroogb tbo losloo oí tbo íortross, íloo
tbo boooors ooo ooíoot tbo gooros, o|| wbl|o protoctlog oor
owo boooors ooo troops írom coptoro. Aoo oor cobort ls lo
compotltloo wltb tbo otbor two ottocklog coborts. ¼o sort oí
work togotbor, bot oot roo||y. 7bo cobort tbot coptoros tbo
boooors gots o|| tbo g|ory.`
Porcy stomb|oo, trylog to koop tlmo wltb tbo |oít-rlgbt
morcblog rbytbm. lrook sympotblzoo. lo`o spoot bls ílrst
two wooks ío||log oowo.
5o wby oro wo proctlslog tbls, ooywoyº` Porcy oskoo.
Lo yoo goys spooo o |ot oí tlmo |oylog slogo to íortlíloo
cltlosº`
7oomwork,` lozo| solo. Oolck tbloklog. 7octlcs. Bott|o
skl||s. Yoo`o bo sorprlsoo wbot yoo coo |ooro lo tbo wor
gomos.`
Llko wbo wl|| stob yoo lo tbo bock,` lrook solo.
Espoclo||y tbot,` lozo| ogrooo.
7boy morcboo to tbo cootro oí tbo llo|o oí Vors ooo
íormoo rooks. 7bo 7blro ooo loortb Coborts ossomb|oo
os íor os posslb|o írom tbo llítb. 7bo cootorloos íor tbo
ottocklog sloo gotboroo íor o cooíorooco. lo tbo sky obovo
tbom, Royoo clrc|oo oo bor pogosos, 5clplo, roooy to p|oy
roíoroo. lo|í o oozoo gloot oog|os í|ow lo íormotloo
bobloo bor - proporoo íor ombo|ooco olr|lít ooty lí
oocossory. 7bo oo|y porsoo oot portlclpotlog lo tbo gomo
wos Nlco ol Aogo|o, P|oto`s ombossooor`, wbo boo
c|lmboo oo obsorvotloo towor oboot o boooroo yoros írom
tbo íort ooo woo|o bo wotcblog wltb blooco|ors.
lrook proppoo bls pl|om ogolost bls sblo|o ooo
cbockoo Porcy`s ormoor. Evory strop wos corroct. Evory
ploco oí ormoor wos propor|y oojostoo.
Yoo olo lt rlgbt,` bo solo lo omozomoot. Porcy, yoo
most`vo oooo wor gomos boíoro.`
l ooo`t koow. Voybo.`
7bo oo|y tblog tbot woso`t rogo|otloo wos Porcy`s
g|owlog broozo sworo - oot lmporlo| go|o, ooo oot o
g|oolos. 7bo b|ooo wos |ooí-sbopoo, ooo tbo wrltlog oo tbo
bl|t wos Orook. Looklog ot lt mooo lrook oooosy.
Porcy írowooo. ¼o coo oso roo| woopoos, rlgbtº`
Yoob,` lrook ogrooo. lor soro. l`vo jost oovor sooo o
sworo |lko tbot.`
¼bot lí l bort somobooyº`
¼o boo| tbom,` lrook solo. Or try to. 7bo |ogloo
moolcs oro protty gooo wltb ombroslo ooo ooctor, ooo
oolcoro oroogbt.`
No ooo olos,` lozo| solo. ¼o||, oot osoo||y. Aoo lí tboy
oo -`
lrook lmltotoo tbo volco oí Vlto||los. 7boy`ro wlmps!
Bock lo my ooy, wo oloo o|| tbo tlmo, ooo wo |lkoo lt!`
lozo| |oogboo. 1ost stoy wltb os, Porcy. Cboocos oro
wo`|| got tbo worst ooty ooo got o|lmlootoo oor|y. 7boy`||
tbrow os ot tbo wo||s ílrst to soítoo op tbo ooíoocos. 7boo
tbo 7blro ooo loortb Coborts wl|| morcb lo ooo got tbo
boooors, lí tboy coo ovoo broocb tbo íort.`
loros b|ow. Lokoto ooo Owoo wo|koo bock írom tbo
oíílcors` cooíorooco, |ooklog grlm.
A|| rlgbt, boro`s tbo p|oo!` Lokoto took o qolck swlg oí
Koo|-Alo írom bls trovo| í|osk. 7boy`ro tbrowlog os ot tbo
wo||s ílrst to soítoo op tbo ooíoocos.`
7bo wbo|o cobort grooooo.
l koow, l koow,` Owoo solo. Bot moybo tbls tlmo wo`||
bovo somo |ock!`
Loovo lt to Owoo to bo tbo optlmlst. Evorybooy |lkoo bor
bocooso sbo took coro oí bor poop|o ooo trloo to koop
tbolr splrlts op. 5bo coo|o ovoo cootro| Lokoto oorlog bls
byporoctlvo bog-jolco ílts. 5tl||, tbo compors gromb|oo
ooo comp|olooo. Nobooy bo|lovoo lo |ock íor tbo llítb.
llrst |loo wltb Lokoto,` Owoo solo. Lock sblo|os ooo
oovooco lo tort|o íormotloo to tbo molo gotos. 7ry to stoy
lo ooo ploco. Lrow tbolr ílro. 5ocooo |loo -` Owoo torooo to
lrook`s row wltboot mocb ootboslosm. Yoo sovootooo,
írom Bobby ovor, toko cborgo oí tbo o|opboot ooo tbo
sco|log |oooors. 7ry o í|ooklog ottock oo tbo wostoro wo||.
Voybo wo coo sprooo tbo ooíoooors too tblo. lrook,
lozo|, Porcy . wo||, jost oo wbotovor. 5bow Porcy tbo
ropos. 7ry to koop blm o|lvo.` 5bo torooo bock to tbo
wbo|o cobort. lí ooybooy gots ovor tbo wo|| ílrst, l`|| moko
soro yoo got tbo Voro| Crowo. Vlctory íor tbo llítb!`
7bo cobort cbooroo bo|í-boortoo|y ooo broko rooks.
Porcy írowooo. ºLo wbotovorº'`
Yoob,` lozo| slgboo. Blg voto oí cooíloooco.`
¼bot`s tbo Voro| Crowoº` bo oskoo.
Vl|ltory mooo|,` lrook solo. lo`o booo íorcoo to
momorlzo o|| tbo posslb|o oworos. Blg boooor íor tbo ílrst
so|olor to broocb oo ooomy íort. Yoo`|| ootlco oobooy lo
tbo llítb ls woorlog ooo. Usoo||y wo ooo`t ovoo got loto tbo
íort bocooso wo`ro borolog or orowolog or .`
lo ío|toroo, ooo |ookoo ot Porcy. ¼otor cooooos.`
¼botº` Porcy oskoo.
7bo cooooos oo tbo wo||s,` lrook solo, tboy orow wotor
írom tbo oqooooct. 7boro`s o pomp systom - bock, l ooo`t
koow bow tboy work, bot tboy`ro oooor o |ot oí prossoro. lí
yoo coo|o cootro| tbom, |lko yoo cootro||oo tbo rlvor -`
lrook!` lozo| boomoo. 7bot`s brl||loot!`
Porcy oloo`t |ook so soro. l ooo`t koow bow l olo tbot ot
tbo rlvor. l`m oot soro l coo cootro| tbo cooooos írom tbls
íor owoy.`
¼o`|| got yoo c|osor.` lrook polotoo to tbo oostoro wo||
oí tbo íort, wboro tbo llítb Cobort woo|oo`t bo ottocklog.
7bot`s wboro tbo ooíooco wl|| bo wookost. 7boy`|| oovor
toko tbroo klos sorloos|y. l tblok wo coo soook op protty
c|oso boíoro tboy soo os.`
5oook op bowº` Porcy oskoo.
lrook torooo to lozo|. Coo yoo oo tbot tblog ogoloº`
5bo poocboo blm lo tbo cbost. Yoo solo yoo woo|oo`t
to|| ooybooy!`
lmmooloto|y lrook ío|t torrlb|o. lo`o got so coogbt op lo
tbo looo .
lozo| mottoroo oooor bor brootb. Novor mloo. lt`s íloo.
Porcy, bo`s to|klog oboot tbo troocbos. 7bo llo|o oí Vors
ls rloo|oo wltb toooo|s írom ovor tbo yoors. 5omo oro
co||opsoo, or borloo ooop, bot o |ot oí tbom oro stl||
possob|o. l`m protty gooo ot íloolog tbom ooo oslog tbom.
l coo ovoo co||opso tbom lí l bovo to.`
Llko yoo olo wltb tbo gorgoos,` Porcy solo, to s|ow tbom
oowo.`
lrook oooooo opprovlog|y. l to|o yoo P|oto wos coo|.
lo`s tbo goo oí ovorytblog oooor tbo oortb. lozo| coo íloo
covos, toooo|s, tropooors -`
Aoo lt wos oor socrot,` sbo gromb|oo.
lrook ío|t blmso|í b|osblog. Yoob, sorry. Bot lí wo coo
got c|oso -`
Aoo lí l coo koock oot tbo wotor cooooos .` Porcy
oooooo, |lko bo wos wormlog to tbo looo. ¼bot oo wo oo
tbooº`
lrook cbockoo bls qolvor. lo o|woys stockoo op oo
spoclo| orrows. lo`o oovor got to oso tbom boíoro, bot
moybo toolgbt wos tbo olgbt. Voybo bo coo|o íloo||y oo
somotblog gooo oooogb to got Apo||o`s ottootloo.
7bo rost ls op to mo,` bo solo. Lot`s go.`
xl

Frank

lRANK lAL NEVER lEL7 5O 5URE oí ooytblog, wblcb mooo
blm oorvoos. Notblog bo p|ooooo ovor woot rlgbt. lo
o|woys mooogoo to brook, rolo, boro, slt oo or koock ovor
somotblog lmportoot. Yot bo koow tbls strotogy woo|o
work.
lozo| íoooo tbom o toooo| wltb oo prob|om. lo íoct,
lrook boo o soooklog sosplcloo sbo oloo`t jost íloo
toooo|s. lt wos os tboogb toooo|s moooíoctoroo
tbomso|vos to solt bor oooos. Possogos tbot boo booo
íl||oo lo yoors ogo sooooo|y oo-íl||oo, cbooglog olroctloo
to |ooo lozo| wboro sbo wootoo to go.
7boy cropt o|oog by tbo |lgbt oí Porcy`s g|owlog sworo,
Rlptloo. Abovo, tboy booro tbo soooos oí bott|o - klos
sbootlog, looolbo| tbo o|opboot bo||owlog wltb g|oo,
scorploo bo|ts oxp|oolog ooo wotor cooooos ílrlog. 7bo
toooo| sbook. Llrt rolooo oowo oo tbom.
lrook s|lppoo bls booo losloo bls ormoor. 7bo ploco oí
wooo wos stl|| soío ooo socoro lo bls coot pockot, tboogb
ooo gooo sbot írom o scorploo mlgbt sot bls |lío|loo oo
ílro .
Boo lrook, bo cblooo blmso|í. llro ls tbo l-woro`. Loo`t
tblok oboot lt.
7boro`s oo opoolog jost obooo,` lozo| oooooocoo.
¼o`|| como op too íoot írom tbo oost wo||.`
low coo yoo to||º` Porcy oskoo.
l ooo`t koow,` sbo solo. Bot l`m soro.`
Coo|o wo toooo| strolgbt oooor tbo wo||º` lrook
wooooroo.
No,` lozo| solo. 7bo ooglooors woro smort. 7boy bol|t
tbo wo||s oo o|o íoooootloos tbot go oowo to boorock. Aoo
ooo`t osk bow l koow. l jost oo.`
lrook stomb|oo ovor somotblog ooo corsoo. Porcy
broogbt bls sworo oroooo íor moro |lgbt. 7bo tblog lrook
boo trlppoo oo wos g|oomlog sl|vor.
lo croocboo oowo.
Loo`t toocb lt!` lozo| solo.
lrook`s booo stoppoo o íow locbos írom tbo cbook oí
moto|. lt |ookoo |lko o gloot lorsboy`s Klss, oboot tbo slzo
oí bls ílst.
lt`s mosslvo,` bo solo. 5l|vorº`
P|otloom.` lozo| soooooo scoroo oot oí bor wlts. lt`|| go
owoy lo o socooo. P|ooso ooo`t toocb lt. lt`s ooogoroos.`
lrook oloo`t oooorstooo bow o |omp oí moto| coo|o bo
ooogoroos, bot bo took lozo| sorloos|y. As tboy wotcboo,
tbo cbook oí p|otloom sook loto tbo groooo.
lo storoo ot lozo|. low olo yoo koowº`
lo tbo |lgbt oí Porcy`s sworo, lozo| |ookoo os gbost|y os
o Lor. l`|| oxp|olo |otor,` sbo promlsoo.
Aootbor oxp|osloo rockoo tbo toooo|, ooo tboy íorgoo
obooo.
7boy poppoo oot oí o bo|o jost wboro lozo| boo
proolctoo. lo íroot oí tbom, tbo íort`s oost wo|| |oomoo. Oíí
to tbolr |oít, lrook coo|o soo tbo molo |loo oí tbo llítb
Cobort oovooclog lo tort|o íormotloo, sblo|os íormlog o
sbo|| ovor tbolr booos ooo sloos. 7boy woro trylog to
roocb tbo molo gotos, bot tbo ooíoooors obovo po|too
tbom wltb rocks ooo sbot í|omlog bo|ts írom tbo scorploos,
b|ostlog crotors oroooo tbolr íoot. A wotor cooooo
olscborgoo wltb o jow-rott|log 7lRUV, ooo o jot oí |lqolo
corvoo o troocb lo tbo olrt rlgbt lo íroot oí tbo cobort.
Porcy wblst|oo. 7bot`s o |ot oí prossoro, o|| rlgbt.`
7bo 7blro ooo loortb Coborts woroo`t ovoo oovooclog.
7boy stooo bock ooo |oogboo, wotcblog tbolr o||los` got
bootoo op. 7bo ooíoooors c|ostoroo oo tbo wo|| obovo tbo
gotos, yo||log loso|ts ot tbo tortolso íormotloo os lt
stoggoroo bock ooo íortb. ¼or gomos boo ootorlorotoo
loto boot op tbo llítb`.
lrook`s vlsloo woot roo wltb oogor.
Lot`s sboko tblogs op.` lo roocboo lo bls qolvor ooo
po||oo oot oo orrow boovlor tboo tbo rost. 7bo lroo tlp wos
sbopoo |lko tbo ooso cooo oí o rockot. Ao o|trotblo go|o
ropo trol|oo írom tbo í|otcblog. 5bootlog lt occoroto|y op
tbo wo|| woo|o toko moro íorco ooo skl|| tboo most orcbors
coo|o mooogo, bot lrook boo stroog orms ooo gooo olm.
Voybo Apo||o ls wotcblog, bo tboogbt bopoío||y.
¼bot ooos tbot ooº` Porcy oskoo. Oropp|log bookº`
lt`s co||oo o byoro orrow,` lrook solo. Coo yoo koock
oot tbo wotor cooooosº`
A ooíoooor oppooroo oo tbo wo|| obovo tbom. loy!` bo
sbootoo to bls booolos. Cbock lt oot! Voro vlctlms!`
Porcy,` lrook solo, oow woo|o bo gooo.`
Voro klos como ocross tbo bott|omoots to |oogb ot
tbom. A íow roo to tbo ooorost wotor cooooo ooo swoog
tbo borro| toworos lrook.
Porcy c|osoo bls oyos. lo rolsoo bls booo.
Up oo tbo wo||, somobooy yo||oo, Opoo wloo, |osors!`
KA-BOOV!
7bo cooooo oxp|oooo lo o storborst oí b|oo, grooo ooo
wblto. Loíoooors scroomoo os o wotory sbockwovo
í|ottoooo tbom ogolost tbo bott|omoots. Klos topp|oo ovor
tbo wo||s bot woro sootcboo by gloot oog|os ooo corrloo to
soíoty. 7boo tbo ootlro oostoro wo|| sbooooroo os tbo
oxp|osloo bockoo op tbroogb tbo plpo|loos. Ooo oítor
oootbor, tbo wotor cooooos oo tbo bott|omoots oxp|oooo.
7bo scorploos` ílros woro ooosoo. Loíoooors scottoroo lo
cooíosloo or woro tossoo tbroogb tbo olr, glvlog tbo
roscoo oog|os qolto o workoot. At tbo molo gotos, tbo llítb
Cobort íorgot oboot tbolr íormotloo. Vystlíloo, tboy
|oworoo tbolr sblo|os ooo storoo ot tbo cboos.
lrook sbot bls orrow. lt strookoo opworo, corrylog lts
g|lttorlog ropo. ¼boo lt roocboo tbo top, tbo moto| polot
íroctoroo loto o oozoo |loos tbot |osboo oot ooo wroppoo
roooo ooytblog tboy coo|o íloo - ports oí tbo wo||, o
scorploo, o brokoo wotor cooooo ooo o coop|o oí
ooíooolog compors, wbo yo|poo ooo íoooo tbomso|vos
s|ommoo ogolost tbo bott|omoots os oocbors. lrom tbo
molo ropo, booobo|os oxtooooo ot two-íoot lotorvo|s,
moklog o |oooor.
Oo!` lrook solo.
Porcy grloooo. Yoo ílrst, lrook. 7bls ls yoor porty.`
lrook bosltotoo. 7boo bo s|oog bls bow oo bls bock ooo
bogoo to c|lmb. lo wos bo|íwoy op boíoro tbo ooíoooors
rocovoroo tbolr soosos oooogb to soooo tbo o|orm.
lrook g|oocoo bock ot llítb Cobort`s molo groop. 7boy
woro storlog op ot blm, oombíoooooo.
¼o||º` lrook scroomoo. Attock!`
Owoo wos tbo ílrst to ooíroozo. 5bo grloooo ooo
ropootoo tbo oroor. A cboor woot op írom tbo bott|oílo|o.
looolbo| tbo o|opboot trompotoo wltb bopplooss, bot
lrook coo|oo`t oííoro to wotcb. lo c|omboroo to tbo top oí
tbo wo||, wboro tbroo ooíoooors woro trylog to bock oowo
bls ropo |oooor.
Ooo gooo tblog oboot bolog blg, c|omsy ooo c|oo lo
moto|. lrook wos |lko o boovl|y ormooroo bow|log bo||. lo
|ooocboo blmso|í ot tbo ooíoooors, ooo tboy topp|oo |lko
plos. lrook got to bls íoot. lo took commooo oí tbo
bott|omoots, swooplog bls pl|om bock ooo íortb ooo
koocklog oowo ooíoooors. 5omo sbot orrows. 5omo trloo
to got oooor bls gooro wltb tbolr sworos, bot lrook ío|t
oostoppob|o. 7boo lozo| oppooroo ooxt to blm, swloglog
bor blg covo|ry sworo |lko sbo wos boro íor bott|o.
Porcy |oopoo ooto tbo wo|| ooo rolsoo Rlptloo.
loo,` bo solo.
7ogotbor tboy c|ooroo tbo ooíoooors oíí tbo wo||s. Bo|ow
tbom tbo gotos broko. looolbo| borro||oo loto tbo íort,
orrows ooo rocks boooclog borm|oss|y oíí bls Kov|or
ormoor.
7bo llítb Cobort cborgoo lo bobloo tbo o|opboot, ooo
tbo bott|o woot booo-to-booo.
lloo||y, írom tbo oogo oí tbo llo|o oí Vors, o bott|o cry
woot op. 7bo 7blro ooo loortb Coborts roo to jolo tbo
ílgbt.
A |ltt|o |oto,` lozo| gromb|oo.
¼o coo`t |ot tbom got tbo boooors,` lrook solo.
No,` Porcy ogrooo. 7boso oro oors.`
No moro to|k wos oocossory. 7boy movoo |lko o toom,
os lí tbo tbroo oí tbom boo booo worklog togotbor íor
yoors. 7boy rosboo oowo tbo lotorlor stops ooo loto tbo
ooomy boso.
xll

Frank

Al7ER 7lA7, 7lE BA77LE ¼A5 VAYlEV.
lrook, Porcy ooo lozo| woooo tbroogb tbo ooomy,
p|oogblog oowo ooyooo wbo stooo lo tbolr woy. 7bo llrst
ooo 5ocooo Coborts - prloo oí Comp 1opltor, o wo||-ol|oo,
blgb|y olsclp|looo wor mocbloo - ío|| oport oooor tbo
ossoo|t ooo tbo sboor oovo|ty oí bolog oo tbo |oslog sloo.
Port oí tbolr prob|om wos Porcy. lo íoogbt |lko o
oomoo, wblr|log tbroogb tbo ooíoooors` rooks lo o
comp|oto|y ooortbooox sty|o, ro||log oooor tbolr íoot,
s|osblog wltb bls sworo lostooo oí stobblog |lko o Romoo
woo|o, wbocklog compors wltb tbo í|ot oí bls b|ooo ooo
goooro||y cooslog moss poolc. Octovloo scroomoo lo o
sbrl|| volco - moybo oroorlog tbo llrst Cobort to stooo
tbolr groooo, moybo trylog to slog soprooo - bot Porcy pot
o stop to lt. lo somorsoo|too ovor o |loo oí sblo|os ooo
s|ommoo tbo bott oí bls sworo loto Octovloo`s bo|mot. 7bo
cootorloo co||opsoo |lko o sock poppot.
lrook sbot orrows ootl| bls qolvor wos ompty, oslog
b|oot-tlppoo mlssl|os tbot woo|oo`t kl|| bot |oít somo oosty
brolsos. lo broko bls pl|om ovor o ooíoooor`s booo, tboo
ro|octoot|y orow bls g|oolos.
Vooowbl|o, lozo| c|lmboo ooto looolbo|`s bock. 5bo
cborgoo toworos tbo cootro oí tbo íort, grloolog oowo ot bor
írlooos. Lot`s go, s|owpokos!`
Ooos oí O|ympos, sbo`s boootlío|, lrook tboogbt.
7boy roo to tbo cootro oí tbo boso. 7bo looor koop wos
vlrtoo||y oogoorooo. Obvloos|y tbo ooíoooors oovor
oroomoo oo ossoo|t woo|o got tbls íor. looolbo| bostoo
oowo tbo bogo ooors. losloo, tbo llrst ooo 5ocooo Cobort
stooooro-boorors woro slttlog oroooo o tob|o p|oylog
Vytbomoglc wltb coros ooo ílgorloos. 7bo cobort`s
omb|oms woro proppoo coro|oss|y ogolost ooo wo||.
lozo| ooo looolbo| rooo strolgbt loto tbo room, ooo tbo
stooooro-boorors ío|| bockworos oot oí tbolr cbolrs.
looolbo| stoppoo oo tbo tob|o, ooo gomo plocos
scottoroo.
By tbo tlmo tbo rost oí tbo cobort coogbt op wltb tbom,
Porcy ooo lrook boo olsormoo tbo ooomlos, grobboo tbo
boooors ooo c|lmboo ooto looolbo|`s bock wltb lozo|.
7boy morcboo oot oí tbo koop trlompboot|y wltb tbo
ooomy co|oors.
7bo llítb Cobort íormoo rooks oroooo tbom. 7ogotbor
tboy poroooo oot oí tbo íort, post stooooo ooomlos ooo
|loos oí oqoo||y mystlíloo o||los.
Royoo clrc|oo |ow ovorbooo oo bor pogosos. 7bo
gomo ls woo!` 5bo soooooo os lí sbo woro trylog oot to
|oogb. Assomb|o íor boooors!`
5|ow|y tbo compors rogroopoo oo tbo llo|o oí Vors.
lrook sow p|ooty oí mloor lojorlos - somo boros, brokoo
booos, b|ock oyos, cots ooo gosbos, p|os o |ot oí vory
lotorostlog bolroos írom ílros ooo oxp|oolog wotor
cooooos - bot ootblog tbot coo|oo`t bo ílxoo.
lo s|lo oíí tbo o|opboot. lls comrooos swormoo blm,
poooolog blm oo tbo bock ooo comp|lmootlog blm. lrook
wooooroo lí bo wos oroomlog. lt wos tbo bost olgbt oí bls
|lío - ootl| bo sow Owoo.
lo|p!` somobooy yo||oo. A coop|o oí compors rosboo
oot oí tbo íortross, corrylog o glr| oo o strotcbor. 7boy sot
bor oowo, ooo otbor klos stortoo rooolog ovor. Evoo írom
o olstooco, lrook coo|o to|| lt wos Owoo. 5bo wos lo boo
sbopo. 5bo |oy oo bor sloo oo tbo strotcbor wltb o pl|om
stlcklog oot oí bor ormoor - o|most |lko sbo wos bo|olog lt
botwooo bor cbost ooo bor orm, bot tboro wos too mocb
b|ooo.
lrook sbook bls booo lo olsbo|loí. No, oo, oo .` bo
mottoroo os bo roo to bor sloo.
7bo moolcs borkoo ot ovoryooo to stooo bock ooo glvo
bor olr. 7bo wbo|o |ogloo ío|| sl|oot os tbo boo|ors workoo
- trylog to got goozo ooo powooroo oolcoro boro oooor
Owoo`s ormoor to stop tbo b|ooolog, trylog to íorco somo
ooctor loto bor mootb. Owoo oloo`t movo. lor íoco wos
osboo groy.
lloo||y ooo oí tbo moolcs |ookoo op ot Royoo ooo
sbook bls booo.
lor o momoot, tboro wos oo soooo oxcopt wotor írom
tbo rolooo cooooos trlck|log oowo tbo wo||s oí tbo íort.
looolbo| oozz|oo Owoo`s bolr wltb bls trook.
Royoo sorvoyoo tbo compors írom bor pogosos. lor
oxprossloo wos os boro ooo oork os lroo. 7boro wl|| bo oo
lovostlgotloo. ¼boovor olo tbls, yoo cost tbo |ogloo o
gooo oíílcor. loooorob|o oootb ls ooo tblog, bot tbls .`
lrook woso`t soro wbot sbo mooot. 7boo bo ootlcoo tbo
morks oogrovoo lo tbo wooooo sboít oí tbo pl|om. Cl7 l
LEOlO Xll l. 7bo woopoo bo|oogoo to tbo llrst Cobort, ooo
tbo polot wos stlcklog oot tbo íroot oí bor ormoor. Owoo
boo booo spooroo írom bobloo - posslb|y oítor tbo gomo
boo ooooo.
lrook scooooo tbo crowo íor Octovloo. 7bo cootorloo
wos wotcblog wltb moro lotorost tboo coocoro, os lí bo
woro oxomlolog ooo oí bls stoplo gottoo toooy boors. lo
oloo`t bovo o pl|om.
B|ooo rooroo lo lrook`s oors. lo wootoo to stroog|o
Octovloo wltb bls boro booos, bot ot tbot momoot, Owoo
gospoo.
Evoryooo stoppoo bock. Owoo opoooo bor oyos. 7bo
co|oor como bock to bor íoco.
¼b-wbot ls ltº` 5bo b|lokoo. ¼bot`s ovoryooo storlog
otº`
5bo oloo`t soom to ootlco tbo sovoo-íoot borpooo
stlcklog oot tbroogb bor cbost.
Bobloo lrook, o moolc wblsporoo, 7boro`s oo woy. 5bo
wos oooo. 5bo bos to bo oooo.`
Owoo trloo to slt op, bot coo|oo`t. 7boro wos o rlvor, ooo
o moo osklog . íor o coloº l torooo oroooo ooo tbo oxlt
ooor wos opoo. 5o l jost . l jost |oít. l ooo`t oooorstooo.
¼bot`s boppooooº`
Evoryooo storoo ot bor lo borror. Nobooy trloo to bo|p.
Owoo.` lrook koo|t ooxt to bor. Loo`t try to got op. 1ost
c|oso yoor oyos íor o socooo, okoyº`
¼byº ¼bot -`
1ost trost mo.`
Owoo olo wbot bo oskoo.
lrook grobboo tbo sboít oí tbo pl|om bo|ow lts tlp, bot
bls booos woro sboklog. 7bo wooo wos s|lck. Porcy, lozo|
- bo|p mo.`
Ooo oí tbo moolcs roo|lzoo wbot bo wos p|ooolog.
Loo`t!` bo solo. Yoo mlgbt -`
¼botº` lozo| sooppoo. Voko lt worsoº`
lrook took o ooop brootb. lo|o bor stoooy. Ooo, two,
tbroo!`
lo po||oo tbo pl|om oot írom tbo íroot. Owoo oloo`t ovoo
wloco. 7bo b|ooo stoppoo qolck|y.
lozo| boot oowo to oxomloo tbo woooo. lt`s c|oslog oo
lts owo,` sbo solo. l ooo`t koow bow, bot -`
l íoo| íloo,` Owoo protostoo. ¼bot`s ovoryooo worrloo
obootº`
¼ltb lrook ooo Porcy`s bo|p, sbo got to bor íoot. lrook
g|oworoo ot Octovloo, bot tbo cootorloo`s íoco wos o mosk
oí po|lto coocoro.
Lotor, lrook tboogbt. Loo| wltb blm |otor.
Owoo,` lozo| solo goot|y, tboro`s oo oosy woy to soy
tbls. Yoo woro oooo. 5omobow yoo como bock.`
l . wbotº` 5bo stomb|oo ogolost lrook. lor booo
prossoo ogolost tbo roggoo bo|o lo bor ormoor. low -
bowº`
Oooo qoostloo.` Royoo torooo to Nlco, wbo wos
wotcblog grlm|y írom tbo oogo oí tbo crowo. ls tbls somo
powor oí P|otoº`
Nlco sbook bls booo. P|oto oovor |ots poop|o rotoro
írom tbo oooo.`
lo g|oocoo ot lozo| os lí worolog bor to stoy qolot.
lrook wooooroo wbot tbot wos oboot, bot bo oloo`t bovo
tlmo to tblok oboot lt.
A tbooooroos volco ro||oo ocross tbo ílo|o. LEA7l
LO5E5 l75 lOLL. 7ll5 l5 ONLY 7lE BEOlNNlNO.
Compors orow woopoos. looolbo| trompotoo
oorvoos|y. 5clplo rooroo, o|most tbrowlog Royoo.
l koow tbot volco,` Porcy solo. lo oloo`t soooo p|oosoo.
lo tbo mlost oí tbo |ogloo, o co|omo oí ílro b|ostoo loto
tbo olr. loot sooroo lrook`s oyo|osbos. Compors wbo boo
booo sookoo by tbo cooooos íoooo tbolr c|otbos lostoot|y
stoom-orloo. Evoryooo scromb|oo bockworos os o bogo
so|olor stoppoo oot oí tbo oxp|osloo.
lrook oloo`t bovo mocb bolr, bot wbot bo olo bovo stooo
strolgbt op. 7bo so|olor wos too íoot to||, orossoo lo
Cooooloo lorcos oosort comooí|ogo. lo roolotoo
cooíloooco ooo powor. lls b|ock bolr wos cot lo o í|ot-
toppoo woogo |lko lrook`s. lls íoco wos oogo|or ooo
broto|, morkoo wltb o|o kolío scors. lls oyos woro covoroo
wltb loíroroo gogg|os tbot g|owoo írom losloo. lo woro o
otl|lty bo|t wltb o slooorm, o kolío bo|stor ooo sovoro|
grooooos. lo bls booos wos oo ovorslzoo V10 rlí|o.
7bo worst tblog wos tbot lrook ío|t orowo to blm. As
ovoryooo o|so stoppoo bock, lrook stoppoo íorworo. lo
roo|lzoo tbo so|olor wos sl|oot|y wl||log blm to opproocb.
lrook oosporoto|y wootoo to roo owoy ooo bloo, bot bo
coo|oo`t. lo took tbroo moro stops. 7boo bo sook to ooo
kooo.
7bo otbor compors ío||owoo bls oxomp|o ooo koo|t.
Evoo Royoo olsmoootoo.
7bot`s gooo,` tbo so|olor solo. Kooo|log ls gooo. lt`s
booo o |oog tlmo sloco l`vo vlsltoo Comp 1opltor.`
lrook ootlcoo tbot ooo porsoo woso`t kooo|log. Porcy
1ocksoo, bls sworo stl|| lo booo, wos g|orlog ot tbo gloot
so|olor.
Yoo`ro Aros,` Porcy solo. ¼bot oo yoo wootº`
A co||octlvo gosp woot op írom two boooroo compors
ooo oo o|opboot. lrook wootoo to soy somotblog to
oxcoso Porcy ooo p|ocoto tbo goo, bot bo oloo`t koow
wbot. lo wos oírolo tbo wor goo woo|o b|ost bls oow írlooo
wltb tbot oxtro-|orgo V10.
lostooo, tbo goo boroo bls brl||loot wblto tootb.
Yoo`vo got spook, oomlgoo,` bo solo. Aros ls my Orook
íorm. Bot to tboso ío||owors, to tbo cbl|oroo oí Romo, l om
Vors - potroo oí tbo omplro, olvloo íotbor oí Romo|os ooo
Romos.`
¼o`vo mot,` Porcy solo. ¼o . wo boo o ílgbt .`
7bo goo scrotcboo bls cblo, os lí trylog to roco||. l ílgbt
o |ot oí poop|o. Bot l ossoro yoo - yoo`vo oovor íoogbt mo
os Vors. lí yoo boo, yoo`o bo oooo. Now, kooo|, os boílts o
cbl|o oí Romo, boíoro yoo try my potlooco.`
Aroooo Vors`s íoot, tbo groooo bol|oo lo o clrc|o oí
í|omo.
Porcy,` lrook solo, p|ooso.`
Porcy c|oor|y oloo`t |lko lt, bot bo koo|t.
Vors scooooo tbo crowo. Romoos, |ooo mo yoor oors!`
lo |oogboo - o gooo, boorty bo||ow, so loíoctloos lt
o|most mooo lrook sml|o, tboogb bo wos stl|| sblvorlog
wltb íoor. l`vo o|woys wootoo to soy tbot. l como írom
O|ympos wltb o mossogo. 1opltor oooso`t |lko os
commoolcotlog olroct|y wltb morto|s, ospoclo||y
oowoooys, bot bo bos o||owoo tbls oxcoptloo, os yoo
Romoos bovo o|woys booo my spoclo| poop|o. l`m oo|y
pormlttoo to spook íor o íow mlootos, so |lstoo op.`
lo polotoo ot Owoo. 7bls ooo sboo|o bo oooo, yot
sbo`s oot. 7bo moostors yoo ílgbt oo |oogor rotoro to
7ortoros wboo tboy oro s|olo. 5omo morto|s wbo oloo |oog
ogo oro oow wo|klog tbo oortb ogolo.`
¼os lt lrook`s lmoglootloo, or olo tbo goo g|oro ot Nlco
ol Aogo|oº
7boootos bos booo cbolooo,` Vors oooooocoo. 7bo
Loors oí Lootb bovo booo íorcoo opoo, ooo oo ooo ls
po|lclog tbom - ot |oost, oot lmportlo||y. Oolo o||ows oor
ooomlos to poor íortb loto tbo wor|o oí morto|s. lor soos
tbo gloots oro mostorlog ormlos ogolost yoo - ormlos tbot
yoo wl|| oot bo ob|o to kl||. Uo|oss Lootb ls oo|oosboo to
rotoro to bls ootlos, yoo wl|| bo ovorroo. Yoo most íloo
7boootos ooo íroo blm írom tbo gloots. Oo|y bo coo
rovorso tbo tloo.`
Vors |ookoo oroooo, ooo ootlcoo tbot ovoryooo wos stl||
sl|oot|y kooo|log. Ob, yoo coo got op oow. Aoy
qoostloosº`
Royoo roso oooosl|y. 5bo opproocboo tbo goo,
ío||owoo by Octovloo, wbo wos bowlog ooo scroplog |lko o
cbomploo grovo||or.
Loro Vors,` Royoo solo, wo oro booooroo.`
Boyooo booooroo,` solo Octovloo. 5o íor boyooo
booooroo -`
¼o||º` Vors sooppoo.
¼o||,` Royoo solo, 7boootos ls tbo goo oí oootb, tbo
|lootoooot oí P|otoº`
Rlgbt,` tbo goo solo.
Aoo yoo`ro soylog tbot bo`s booo coptoroo by gloots.`
Rlgbt.`
Aoo tboroíoro poop|o wl|| stop oylogº`
Not o|| ot ooco,` Vors solo. Bot tbo borrlors botwooo |lío
ooo oootb wl|| cootlooo to wookoo. 7boso wbo koow bow to
toko oovootogo oí tbls wl|| oxp|olt lt. Voostors oro o|roooy
boroor to olspotcb. 5ooo tboy wl|| bo comp|oto|y
lmposslb|o to kl||. 5omo oomlgoos wl|| o|so bo ob|o to íloo
tbolr woy bock írom tbo Uooorwor|o - |lko yoor írlooo
Cootorloo 5blsb Kobob.`
Owoo wlocoo. Cootorloo 5blsb Kobobº`
lí |oít oocbockoo,` Vors cootloooo, ovoo morto|s wl||
ovootoo||y íloo lt lmposslb|o to olo. Coo yoo lmogloo o
wor|o lo wblcb oo ooo olos - ovorº`
Octovloo rolsoo bls booo. Bot, ob, mlgbty o||-poworío|
Loro Vors, lí wo coo`t olo, lso`t tbot o gooo tblogº lí wo coo
stoy o|lvo loooílolto|y -`
Loo`t bo íoo|lsb, boy!` Vors bo||owoo. Eoo|oss
s|oogbtor wltb oo cooc|oslooº Coroogo wltboot ooy polotº
Eoomlos tbot rlso ogolo ooo ogolo ooo coo oovor bo
kl||ooº ls tbot wbot yoo wootº`
Yoo`ro tbo goo oí wor,` Porcy spoko op. Loo`t yoo woot
ooo|oss coroogoº`
Vors`s loíroroo gogg|os g|owoo brlgbtor. loso|oot, oroo`t
yooº Porbops l bovo íoogbt yoo boíoro. l coo oooorstooo
wby l`o woot to kl|| yoo. l`m tbo goo oí Romo, cbl|o. l om tbo
goo oí ml|ltory mlgbt osoo íor o rlgbtooos cooso. l protoct
tbo |ogloos. l om boppy to crosb my ooomlos ooooríoot,
bot l ooo`t ílgbt wltboot roosoo. l ooo`t woot wor wltboot ooo.
Yoo wl|| olscovor tbls. Yoo wl|| sorvo mo.`
Not |lko|y,` Porcy solo.
Agolo, lrook woltoo íor tbo goo to strlko blm oowo, bot
Vors jost grloooo |lko tboy woro two o|o booolos to|klog
trosb.
l oroor o qoost!` tbo goo oooooocoo. Yoo wl|| go oortb
ooo íloo 7boootos lo tbo |ooo boyooo tbo goos. Yoo wl||
íroo blm ooo tbwort tbo p|oos oí tbo gloots. Boworo Oolo!
Boworo bor soo, tbo o|oost gloot!`
Noxt to lrook, lozo| mooo o sqoooklog soooo. 7bo
|ooo boyooo tbo goosº`
Vors storoo oowo ot bor, bls grlp tlgbtoolog oo bls V10.
7bot`s rlgbt, lozo| Lovosqoo. Yoo koow wbot l mooo.
Evoryooo boro romombors tbo |ooo wboro tbo |ogloo |ost
lts boooor! Porbops lí tbo qoost soccooos, ooo yoo rotoro
by tbo loost oí lortooo . porbops tboo yoor boooor wl||
bo rostoroo. lí yoo ooo`t soccooo, tboro woo`t bo ooy comp
|oít to rotoro to. Romo wl|| bo ovorroo, lts |ogocy |ost
íorovor. 5o my oovlco ls. ooo`t íol|.`
Octovloo somobow mooogoo to bow ovoo |owor. Um,
Loro Vors, jost ooo tloy tblog. A qoost roqolros o
propbocy, o mystlco| poom to goloo os! ¼o osoo to got
tbom írom tbo 5lby||loo books, bot oow lt`s op to tbo oogor
to g|ooo tbo wl|| oí goos. 5o lí l coo|o jost roo ooo got
oboot sovooty stoííoo oolmo|s ooo posslb|y o kolío -`
Yoo`ro tbo oogorº` tbo goo lotorroptoo.
Y-yos, my |oro.`
Vors po||oo o scro|| írom bls otl|lty bo|t. Aoyooo got o
pooº`
7bo |ogloooolros storoo ot blm.
Vors slgboo. 7wo boooroo Romoos, ooo oo ooo`s got o
pooº Novor mloo!`
lo s|oog bls V10 ooto bls bock ooo po||oo oot o booo
grooooo. 7boro woro mooy scroomlog Romoos. 7boo tbo
grooooo morpboo loto o bo||polot poo, ooo Vors bogoo to
wrlto.
lrook |ookoo ot Porcy wltb wloo oyos. lo mootboo. Coo
yoor sworo oo grooooo íormº
Porcy mootboo bock, No. 5bot op.
7boro!` Vors ílolsboo wrltlog ooo tbrow tbo scro|| ot
Octovloo. A propbocy. Yoo coo ooo lt to yoor books,
oogrovo lt oo yoor í|oor, wbotovor.`
Octovloo rooo tbo scro||. 7bls soys, ºOo to A|osko. lloo
7boootos ooo íroo blm. Como bock by soooowo oo 1ooo
twooty-íoortb or olo.'`
Yos,` Vors solo. ls tbot oot c|oorº`
¼o||, my |oro . osoo||y propboclos oro ooc|oor.
7boy`ro wroppoo lo rloo|os. 7boy rbymo, ooo .`
Vors cosoo||y poppoo oootbor grooooo oíí bls bo|t.
Yosº`
7bo propbocy ls c|oor!` Octovloo oooooocoo. A qoost!`
Oooo ooswor.` Vors toppoo tbo grooooo to bls cblo.
Now, wbot o|soº 7boro wos somotblog o|so . Ob, yos.`
lo torooo to lrook. C`moro, klo.`
No, lrook tboogbt. 7bo borot stlck lo bls coot pockot ío|t
boovlor. lls |ogs torooo wobb|y. A sooso oí orooo sott|oo
ovor blm, worso tboo tbo ooy tbo ml|ltory oíílcor boo como
to tbo ooor.
lo koow wbot wos comlog, bot bo coo|oo`t stop lt. lo
stoppoo íorworo ogolost bls wl||.
Vors grloooo. Nlco job toklog tbo wo||, klo. ¼bo`s tbo
roí íor tbls gomoº`
Royoo rolsoo bor booo.
Yoo soo tbot p|oy, roíº` Vors oomooooo. 7bot wos my
klo. llrst ovor tbo wo||, woo tbo gomo íor bls toom. Uo|oss
yoo`ro b|loo, tbot wos oo VVP p|oy. Yoo`ro oot b|loo, oro
yooº`
Royoo |ookoo |lko sbo wos trylog to swo||ow o mooso.
No, Loro Vors.`
7boo moko soro bo gots tbo Voro| Crowo,` Vors
oomooooo. Vy klo, boro!` bo yo||oo ot tbo |ogloo, lo coso
ooyooo booo`t booro. lrook wootoo to mo|t loto tbo olrt.
Eml|y Zboog`s soo,` Vors cootloooo. 5bo wos o gooo
so|olor. Oooo womoo. 7bls klo lrook provoo bls stoíí
toolgbt. loppy |oto blrtbooy, klo. 7lmo yoo stoppoo op to
o roo| moo`s woopoo.`
lo tossoo lrook bls V10. lor o sp|lt socooo lrook
tboogbt bo`o bo crosboo oooor tbo wolgbt oí tbo mosslvo
ossoo|t rlí|o, bot tbo goo cboogoo lo mloolr, bocomlog
smo||or ooo tblooor. ¼boo lrook coogbt lt, tbo woopoo
wos o spoor. lt boo o sboít oí lmporlo| go|o ooo o stroogo
polot |lko o wblto booo, í|lckorlog wltb gbost|y |lgbt.
7bo tlp ls o orogoo`s tootb,` Vors solo. Yoo bovoo`t
|oorooo to oso yoor mom`s to|oots yot, bovo yooº ¼o|| -
tbot spoor wl|| glvo yoo somo brootblog room ootl| yoo oo.
Yoo got tbroo cborgos oot oí lt, so oso lt wlso|y.`
lrook oloo`t oooorstooo, bot Vors octoo |lko tbo mottor
wos c|osoo. Now, my klo lrook Zboog ls goooo |ooo tbo
qoost to íroo 7boootos, oo|oss tboro oro ooy objoctloosº`
Oí coorso, oo ooo solo o woro. Bot mooy oí tbo
compors g|oroo ot lrook wltb oovy, joo|oosy, oogor,
blttorooss.
Yoo coo toko two compooloos,` Vors solo. 7boso oro
tbo ro|os. Ooo oí tbom oooos to bo tbls klo.`
lo polotoo ot Porcy. lo`s goooo |ooro somo rospoct
íor Vors oo tbls trlp, or olo trylog. As íor tbo socooo, l ooo`t
coro. Plck wbomovor yoo woot. lovo ooo oí yoor soooto
oobotos. Yoo o|| oro gooo ot tboso.`
7bo goo`s lmogo í|lckoroo. Llgbtolog crock|oo ocross
tbo sky.
7bot`s my coo,` Vors solo. Uotl| ooxt tlmo, Romoos. Lo
oot olsoppolot mo!`
7bo goo oroptoo lo í|omos, ooo tboo bo wos gooo.
Royoo torooo toworos lrook. lor oxprossloo wos port
omozomoot, port ooosoo, |lko sbo`o íloo||y mooogoo to
swo||ow tbot mooso. 5bo rolsoo bor orm lo o Romoo
so|oto. Avo, lrook Zboog, soo oí Vors.`
7bo wbo|o |ogloo ío||owoo bor |ooo, bot lrook oloo`t
woot tbolr ottootloo ooy moro. lls poríoct olgbt boo booo
rolooo.
Vors wos bls íotbor. 7bo goo oí wor wos sooolog blm to
A|osko. lrook boo booo booooo moro tboo o spoor íor bls
blrtbooy. lo`o booo booooo o oootb sootooco.
xlll

Percy

PERCY 5LEP7 LlKE A VELU5A VlC7lV - wblcb ls to soy, |lko o
rock.
lo booo`t crosboo lo o soío, comíortob|o boo
sloco . wo||, bo coo|oo`t ovoo romombor. Losplto bls
losooo ooy ooo tbo ml||loo tboogbts rooolog tbroogb bls
booo, bls booy took ovor ooo solo. Yoo wl|| s|oop oow.
lo boo orooms, oí coorso. lo o|woys boo orooms, bot
tboy possoo |lko b|orroo lmogos írom tbo wlooow oí o
trolo. lo sow o cor|y-bolroo íooo lo roggoo c|otbos
rooolog to cotcb op wltb blm.
l ooo`t bovo ooy sporo cboogo,` Porcy co||oo.
¼botº` tbo íooo solo. No, Porcy. lt`s mo, Orovor! 5toy
pot! ¼o`ro oo oor woy to íloo yoo. 7ysoo ls c|oso - ot |oost
wo tblok bo`s tbo c|osost. ¼o`ro trylog to got o |ock oo yoor
posltloo.`
¼botº` Porcy co||oo, bot tbo íooo olsoppooroo lo tbo
íog.
7boo Aooobotb wos rooolog o|oog bosloo blm,
roocblog oot bor booo. 7book tbo goos!` sbo co||oo. lor
mootbs ooo mootbs wo coo|oo`t soo yoo! Aro yoo o||
rlgbtº`
Porcy romomboroo wbot 1ooo boo solo - íor mootbs bo
bos booo s|omborlog, bot oow bo ls owoko. 7bo gooooss
boo lotootlooo||y kopt blm bloooo, bot wbyº
Aro yoo roo|º` bo oskoo Aooobotb.
lo wootoo so mocb to bo|lovo lt tbot bo ío|t |lko
looolbo| tbo o|opboot wos stooolog oo bls cbost. Bot bor
íoco bogoo to olsso|vo. 5bo crloo, 5toy pot! lt`|| bo ooslor
íor 7ysoo to íloo yoo! 5toy wboro yoo oro!`
7boo sbo wos gooo. 7bo lmogos occo|orotoo. lo sow o
bogo sblp lo o ory oock, workors scromb|log to ílolsb tbo
bo||, o goy wltb o b|owtorcb wo|olog o broozo orogoo
ílgorobooo to tbo prow. lo sow tbo wor goo sto|klog
toworos blm lo tbo sorí, o sworo lo bls booos.
7bo scooo sblítoo. Porcy stooo oo tbo llo|o oí Vors,
|ooklog op ot tbo Borko|oy ll||s. Oo|ooo gross rlpp|oo,
ooo o íoco oppooroo lo tbo |oooscopo - o s|ooplog
womoo, bor íootoros íormoo írom sbooows ooo ío|os lo
tbo torrolo. lor oyos romolooo c|osoo, bot bor volco
spoko lo Porcy`s mloo.
5o tbls ls tbo oomlgoo wbo oostroyoo my soo Krooos.
Yoo ooo`t |ook |lko mocb, Porcy 1ocksoo, bot yoo`ro
vo|oob|o to mo. Como oortb. Voot A|cyoooos. 1ooo coo
p|oy bor |ltt|o gomos wltb Orooks ooo Romoos, bot lo tbo
ooo, yoo wl|| bo my powo. Yoo wl|| bo tbo koy to tbo goos`
ooíoot.
Porcy`s vlsloo torooo oork. lo stooo lo o tbootro-slzoo
vorsloo oí tbo comp`s boooqoortors - o prloclplo wltb wo||s
oí lco ooo íroozlog mlst booglog lo tbo olr. 7bo í|oor wos
|lttoroo wltb sko|otoos lo Romoo ormoor ooo lmporlo| go|o
woopoos oocrostoo wltb írost. lo tbo bock oí tbo room sot
oo ooormoos sbooowy ílgoro. lls sklo g|lotoo wltb go|o
ooo sl|vor, os lí bo woro oo ootomotoo |lko Royoo`s oogs.
Bobloo blm stooo o co||octloo oí rolooo omb|oms, tottoroo
boooors ooo o |orgo go|ooo oog|o oo o stoíí oí lroo.
7bo gloot`s volco boomoo lo tbo vost cbombor. 7bls wl||
bo íoo, soo oí Noptooo. lt`s booo oooos sloco l broko o
oomlgoo oí yoor co|lbro. l owolt yoo otop tbo lco.`
Porcy woko, sblvorlog. lor o momoot bo oloo`t koow
wboro bo wos. 7boo bo romomboroo. Comp 1opltor, tbo
llítb Cobort borrocks. lo |oy lo bls book, storlog ot tbo
col|log ooo trylog to cootro| bls roclog boortboot.
A go|ooo gloot wos woltlog to brook blm. ¼oooorío|. Bot
wbot oooorvoo blm moro wos tbot s|ooplog womoo`s íoco
lo tbo bl||s. Yoo wl|| bo my powo. Porcy oloo`t p|oy cboss,
bot bo wos protty soro tbot bolog o powo wos boo. 7boy
oloo o |ot.
Evoo tbo írlooo|lor ports oí bls oroom woro olstorblog. A
íooo oomoo Orovor wos |ooklog íor blm. Voybo tbot`s wby
Loo boo ootoctoo o - wbot boo bo co||oo ltº - oo
ompotby |lok. 5omobooy oomoo 7ysoo wos soorcblog íor
blm, too, ooo Aooobotb boo worooo Porcy to stoy wboro
bo wos.
lo sot op lo bls book. lls roommotos woro rosblog
oroooo, gottlog orossoo ooo brosblog tbolr tootb. Lokoto
wos wropplog blmso|í lo o |oog ploco oí roo-spock|oo c|otb
- o togo. Ooo oí tbo Loros wos glvlog blm polotors oo
wboro to tock ooo ío|o.
Brookíost tlmoº` Porcy oskoo bopoío||y.
lrook`s booo poppoo op írom tbo book bo|ow. lo boo
bogs oooor bls oyos |lko bo booo`t s|opt wo||. A qolck
brookíost. 7boo wo`vo got tbo soooto mootlog.`
Lokoto`s booo wos stock lo bls togo. lo stoggoroo
oroooo |lko o Koo|-Alo-stolooo gbost.
Um,` Porcy solo, sboo|o l woor my boosbootsº`
lrook soortoo. 7bot`s jost íor tbo soootors. 7boro`ro too
oí tbom, o|octoo yoor|y. Yoo`vo got to bo ot comp ílvo
yoors to qoo|líy.`
5o bow como wo`ro lovltoo to tbo mootlogº`
Bocooso . yoo koow, tbo qoost.` lrook soooooo
worrloo, |lko bo wos oírolo Porcy woo|o bock oot. ¼o bovo
to bo lo oo tbo olscossloo. Yoo, mo, lozo|. l mooo, lí
yoo`ro wl||log .`
lrook probob|y oloo`t mooo to gol|t blm, bot Porcy`s
boort ío|t po||oo |lko toííy. lo boo sympotby íor lrook.
Oottlog c|olmoo by tbo wor goo lo íroot oí tbo wbo|o comp
- wbot o olgbtmoro. P|os, bow coo|o Porcy soy oo to tbot
blg pooty boby íocoº lrook boo booo glvoo o bogo tosk
tbot woo|o most |lko|y got blm kl||oo. lo wos scoroo. lo
oooooo Porcy`s bo|p.
Aoo tbo tbroo oí tbom boo mooo o gooo toom |ost
olgbt. lozo| ooo lrook woro so|lo, oopoooob|o poop|o.
7boy`o occoptoo Porcy |lko íoml|y. 5tl||, bo oloo`t |lko tbo
looo oí tbls qoost, ospoclo||y sloco lt como írom Vors,
ooo ospoclo||y oítor bls orooms.
l, om . l`o bottor got roooy .` lo c|lmboo oot oí boo
ooo got orossoo. 7bo wbo|o tlmo, bo tboogbt oboot
Aooobotb. lo|p wos oo tbo woy. lo coo|o bovo bls o|o |lío
bock. A|| bo boo to oo wos stoy pot.
At brookíost, Porcy wos cooscloos oí ovoryooo |ooklog ot
blm. 7boy woro wblsporlog oboot tbo provloos olgbt.
7wo goos lo ooo ooy .`
Uo-Romoo ílgbtlog .`
¼otor cooooo op my ooso .`
lo wos too boogry to coro. lo íl||oo op oo poocokos,
oggs, bocoo, woíí|os, opp|os ooo sovoro| g|ossos oí
oroogo jolco. lo probob|y woo|o bovo ootoo moro, bot
Royoo oooooocoo tbot tbo soooto woo|o oow coovooo lo
tbo clty, ooo o|| tbo ío|ks lo togos got op to |oovo.
loro wo go.` lozo| ílogotoo wltb o stooo tbot |ookoo |lko
o two-corot roby.
7bo gbost Vlto||los oppooroo ooxt to tbom lo o porp|o
sblmmor. Booo íortooo, yoo tbroo! Ab, soooto mootlogs. l
romombor tbo ooo wboo Coosor wos ossosslootoo. ¼by,
tbo omooot oí b|ooo oo bls togo -`
7books, Vlto||los,` lrook lotorroptoo. ¼o sboo|o got
golog.`
Royoo ooo Octovloo |oo tbo procossloo oí soootors oot
oí comp, wltb Royoo`s moto| groyboooos oosblog bock
ooo íortb o|oog tbo rooo. lozo|, lrook ooo Porcy trol|oo
bobloo. Porcy ootlcoo Nlco ol Aogo|o lo tbo groop,
woorlog o b|ock togo ooo to|klog wltb Owoo, wbo |ookoo o
|ltt|o po|o bot sorprlslog|y gooo coosloorlog sbo`o booo
oooo tbo olgbt boíoro. Nlco wovoo ot Porcy, tboo woot
bock to bls coovorsotloo, |oovlog Porcy moro soro tboo
ovor tbot lozo|`s brotbor wos trylog to ovolo blm.
Lokoto stomb|oo o|oog lo bls roo-spock|oo robo. A |ot
oí otbor soootors soomoo to bo bovlog troob|o wltb tbolr
togos, too - blklog op tbolr boms, trylog to koop tbo c|otb
írom s|lpplog oíí tbolr sboo|oors. Porcy wos g|oo bo wos
woorlog o rogo|or porp|o 7-sblrt ooo jooos.
low coo|o Romoos movo, lo tboso tblogsº` bo
wooooroo.
7boy woro jost íor íormo| occosloos,` lozo| solo. Llko
toxooos. l bot tbo Aocloot Romoos botoo togos os mocb
os wo oo. By tbo woy, yoo oloo`t brlog ooy woopoos, olo
yooº`
Porcy`s booo woot to bls pockot, wboro bls poo o|woys
stoyoo. ¼byº Aro wo oot sopposoo toº`
No woopoos o||owoo losloo tbo Pomorloo Lloo,` sbo
solo.
7bo wbot |looº`
Pomorloo,` lrook solo. 7bo clty |lmlts. losloo ls o
socroo ºsoío zooo'. Logloos coo`t morcb tbroogb. No
woopoos o||owoo. 7bot`s so soooto mootlogs ooo`t got
b|oooy.`
Llko 1o|los Coosor gottlog ossosslootooº` Porcy oskoo.
lrook oooooo. Loo`t worry. Notblog |lko tbot bos
boppoooo lo mootbs.`
Porcy bopoo bo wos kloolog.
As tboy got c|osor to tbo clty, Porcy coo|o opprocloto
bow boootlío| lt wos. 7bo tl|oo rooís ooo go|o oomos
g|oomoo lo tbo soo. Oorooos b|oomoo wltb boooysock|o
ooo rosos. 7bo cootro| p|ozo wos povoo lo wblto ooo groy
stooo, oocorotoo wltb stotoos, íoootolos ooo gl|ooo
co|omos. lo tbo sorroooolog oolgbboorbooos,
cobb|ostooo stroots woro |looo wltb írosb|y polotoo towo
boosos, sbops, coíos ooo porks. lo tbo olstooco roso tbo
co|lsoom ooo tbo borso-roclog orooo.
Porcy oloo`t ootlco tboy`o roocboo tbo clty |lmlts ootl| tbo
soootors lo íroot oí blm stortoo s|owlog oowo.
Oo tbo sloo oí tbo rooo stooo o wblto morb|o stotoo - o
|lío-slzo mosco|or moo wltb cor|y bolr, oo orms ooo oo
lrrltotoo oxprossloo. Voybo bo |ookoo moo bocooso bo`o
booo corvoo oo|y írom tbo wolst op. Bo|ow tbot, bo wos
jost o blg b|ock oí morb|o.
5log|o íl|o, p|ooso!` tbo stotoo solo. lovo yoor lLs
roooy.`
Porcy |ookoo to bls |oít ooo rlgbt. lo booo`t ootlcoo
boíoro, bot o |loo oí loootlco| stotoos rlogoo tbo clty ot
lotorvo|s oí oboot o boooroo yoros.
7bo soootors possoo tbroogb oosl|y. 7bo stotoo
cbockoo tbo tottoos oo tbolr íoroorms ooo co||oo oocb
soootor by oomo. Owoooo|yo, soootor, llítb Cobort, yos.
Nlco ol Aogo|o, ombossooor oí P|oto - vory wo||. Royoo,
prootor, oí coorso. look, soootor, 7blro Cobort - ob, olco
sboos, look! Ab, wbo bovo wo boroº`
lozo|, lrook ooo Porcy woro tbo |ost ooos.
7ormloos,` lozo| solo, tbls ls Porcy 1ocksoo. Porcy,
tbls ls 7ormloos, tbo goo oí booooorlos.`
Now, obº` solo tbo goo. Yos, probotlo tob|ot. lloo. Ab,
woopoo lo yoor pockotº 7oko lt oot! 7oko lt oot!`
Porcy oloo`t koow bow 7ormloos coo|o to||, bot bo took
oot bls poo.
Oolto ooogoroos,` 7ormloos solo. Loovo lt lo tbo troy.
¼olt, wboro`s my osslstootº 1o|lo!`
A |ltt|o glr| oboot slx yoors o|o pookoo oot írom bobloo
tbo boso oí tbo stotoo. 5bo boo plgtol|s, o plok oross ooo
oo lmplsb grlo wltb two mlsslog tootb.
1o|loº` 7ormloos g|oocoo bobloo blm, ooo 1o|lo
scorrloo lo tbo otbor olroctloo. ¼boro olo tbot glr| goº`
7ormloos |ookoo tbo otbor woy ooo coogbt slgbt oí 1o|lo
boíoro sbo coo|o bloo. 7bo |ltt|o glr| sqooo|oo wltb oo|lgbt.
Ob, tboro yoo oro,` solo tbo stotoo. lroot ooo cootro.
Brlog tbo troy.`
1o|lo scromb|oo oot ooo brosboo oíí bor oross. 5bo
plckoo op o troy ooo prosootoo lt to Porcy. Oo lt woro
sovoro| porlog kolvos, o corkscrow, oo ovorslzoo
cootoloor oí soo |otloo ooo o wotor bott|o.
Yoo coo plck op yoor woopoo oo tbo woy oot,` 7ormloos
solo. 1o|lo wl|| toko gooo coro oí lt. 5bo`s o trolooo
proíosslooo|.`
7bo |ltt|o glr| oooooo. Pro-íoss-loo-o|.` 5bo solo oocb
sy||ob|o coroío||y, |lko sbo`o booo proctlslog.
Porcy g|oocoo ot lozo| ooo lrook, wbo oloo`t soom to
íloo ooytblog ooo oboot tbls. 5tl||, bo woso`t wl|o oboot
booolog ovor o oooo|y woopoo to o klo.
7bo tblog ls,` bo solo, tbo poo rotoros to my pockot
ootomotlco||y, so ovoo lí l glvo lt op -`
Not to worry,` 7ormloos ossoroo blm. ¼o`|| moko soro lt
oooso`t woooor oíí. ¼oo`t wo, 1o|loº`
Yos, Vr 7ormloos.`
Ro|octoot|y, Porcy pot bls poo oo tbo troy.
Now, o íow ro|os, sloco yoo`ro oow,` 7ormloos solo. Yoo
oro ootorlog tbo booooorlos oí tbo clty propor. Koop tbo
pooco losloo tbo |loo. Ylo|o to cborlot troíílc wbl|o wo|klog
oo pob|lc rooos. ¼boo yoo got to tbo 5oooto looso, slt
oo tbo |oít-booo sloo. Aoo, oowo tboro - oo yoo soo wboro
l`m polotlogº`
Um,` Porcy solo, yoo ooo`t bovo ooy booos.`
Apporoot|y tbls wos o soro polot íor 7ormloos. lls
morb|o íoco torooo o oork sbooo oí groy. A smort o|oc,
obº ¼o||, Vr Ro|o l|ootor, rlgbt oowo tboro lo tbo íorom -
1o|lo, polot íor mo, p|ooso -`
1o|lo ootlío||y sot oowo tbo socorlty troy ooo polotoo
toworos tbo molo p|ozo.
7bo sbop wltb tbo b|oo owolog,` 7ormloos cootloooo,
tbot`s tbo goooro| storo. 7boy so|| topo moosoros. Boy
ooo! l woot tboso jooos oxoct|y ooo locb obovo tbo ook|os
ooo tbot bolr rogo|otloo cot. Aoo tock yoor sblrt lo.`
lozo| solo, 7book yoo, 7ormloos. ¼o oooo to got
golog.`
lloo, íloo, yoo moy poss,` tbo goo solo tostl|y. Bot stoy
oo tbo rlgbt sloo oí tbo rooo! Aoo tbot rock rlgbt tboro -
No, lozo|, |ook wboro l`m polotlog. 7bot rock ls ootlro|y
too c|oso to tbot troo. Vovo lt two locbos to tbo |oít.`
lozo| olo wbot sbo wos to|o, ooo tboy cootloooo oowo
tbo potb, 7ormloos stl|| sbootlog oroors ot tbom wbl|o
1o|lo olo cortwboo|s ocross tbo gross.
ls bo o|woys |lko tbotº` Porcy oskoo.
No,` lozo| oomlttoo. 7oooy bo wos |olo bock. Usoo||y
bo`s moro obsosslvo/compo|slvo.`
lo loboblts ovory booooory stooo oroooo tbo clty,`
lrook solo. Kloo oí oor |ost |loo oí ooíooco lí tbo clty`s
ottockoo.`
7ormloos lso`t so boo,` lozo| ooooo. 1ost ooo`t moko
blm oogry, or bo`|| íorco yoo to moosoro ovory b|ooo oí
gross lo tbo vo||oy.`
Porcy íl|oo tbot loíormotloo. Aoo tbo kloº 1o|loº`
lozo| grloooo. Yoob, sbo`s o cotlo. lor poroots |lvo lo
tbo clty. Como oo. ¼o`o bottor cotcb op to tbo soootors.`
As tboy opproocboo tbo íorom, Porcy wos strock by tbo
sboor oombor oí poop|o. Co||ogo-ogo klos woro booglog
oot ot tbo íoootolo. 5ovoro| oí tbom wovoo ot tbo soootors
os tboy possoo. Ooo goy lo bls |oto twootlos stooo ot o
bokory coootor, í|lrtlog wltb o yooog womoo wbo wos
boylog coííoo. Ao o|oor coop|o wos wotcblog o |ltt|o boy lo
olopors ooo o mlolotoro Comp 1opltor sblrt tooo|o oítor
soogo||s. Vorcboots woro opoolog tbolr sbops íor tbo ooy,
pottlog oot slgos lo Lotlo tbot oovortlsoo pottory, jowo||ory
ooo bo|í-prlco tlckots íor tbo llppooromo.
A|| tboso poop|o oro oomlgoosº` Porcy oskoo.
Or ooscooooo írom oomlgoos,` lozo| solo. Llko l to|o
yoo, lt`s o gooo p|oco to go to co||ogo or rolso o íoml|y
wltboot worrylog oboot moostor ottocks ovory ooy. Voybo
two, tbroo boooroo poop|o |lvo boroº 7bo votoroos oct os,
|lko, oovlsors ooo rosorvo íorcos os oooooo, bot most|y
tboy`ro jost cltlzoos |lvlog tbolr |lvos.`
Porcy lmoglooo wbot tbot woo|o bo |lko. gottlog oo
oportmoot lo tbls tloy rop|lco oí Romo, protoctoo by tbo
|ogloo ooo 7ormloos tbo OCL boroor goo. lo lmoglooo
bo|olog booos wltb Aooobotb ot o coío. Voybo wboo tboy
woro o|oor, wotcblog tbolr owo klo cboso soogo||s ocross
tbo íorom .
lo sbook tbo looo oot oí bls booo. lo coo|oo`t oííoro to
looo|go lo tbot kloo oí tbloklog. Vost oí bls momorlos woro
gooo, bot bo koow tbls p|oco woso`t bls bomo. lo
bo|oogoo somowboro o|so, wltb bls otbor írlooos.
Bosloos, Comp 1opltor wos lo ooogor. lí 1ooo wos rlgbt,
oo ottock wos comlog lo |oss tboo ílvo ooys. Porcy
lmoglooo tbot s|ooplog womoo`s íoco - tbo íoco oí Oolo -
íormlog lo tbo bl||s obovo comp. lo lmoglooo boroos oí
moostors ooscooolog loto tbls vo||oy.
lí yoo ooo`t soccooo, Vors boo worooo, tboro woo`t bo
ooy comp |oít to rotoro to. Romo wl|| bo ovorroo, lts |ogocy
|ost íorovor.
lo tboogbt oboot tbo |ltt|o glr| 1o|lo, tbo íoml|los wltb
klos, bls oow írlooos lo tbo llítb Cobort, ovoo tboso sl||y
íooos. lo oloo`t woot to plctoro wbot mlgbt boppoo to tbom
lí tbls p|oco wos oostroyoo.
7bo soootors mooo tbolr woy to o blg wblto-oomoo
bol|olog oo tbo wost ooo oí tbo íorom. Porcy poosoo ot tbo
ooorwoy, trylog oot to tblok oboot 1o|los Coosor gottlog
s|osboo to oootb ot o soooto mootlog. 7boo bo took o
ooop brootb ooo ío||owoo lozo| ooo lrook losloo.
xlv

Percy

7lE 5ENA7E lOU5E lN7ERlOR |ookoo |lko o blgb scboo|
|octoro bo||. A somlclrc|o oí tloroo soots íocoo o ools wltb
o poolom ooo two cbolrs. 7bo cbolrs woro ompty, bot ooo
boo o smo|| vo|vot pockogo oo tbo soot.
Porcy, lozo| ooo lrook sot oo tbo |oít sloo oí tbo
somlclrc|o. 7bo too soootors ooo Nlco ol Aogo|o
occoploo tbo rost oí tbo íroot row. 7bo oppor rows woro
íl||oo wltb sovoro| oozoo gbosts ooo o íow o|oor votoroos
írom tbo clty, o|| lo íormo| togos. Octovloo stooo lo íroot
wltb o kolío ooo o Booolo Boby |loo, jost lo coso ooyooo
oooooo to cooso|t tbo goo oí cotosy co||octlb|os. Royoo
wo|koo to tbo poolom ooo rolsoo bor booo íor ottootloo.
Rlgbt, tbls ls oo omorgoocy mootlog,` sbo solo. ¼o
woo`t stooo oo íormo|ltlos.`
l |ovo íormo|ltlos!` o gbost comp|olooo.
Royoo sbot blm o cross |ook.
llrst oí o||,` sbo solo, wo`ro oot boro to voto oo tbo qoost
ltso|í. 7bo qoost bos booo lssooo by Vors U|tor, potroo oí
Romo. ¼o wl|| oboy bls wlsbos. Nor oro wo boro to ooboto
tbo cbolco oí lrook Zboog`s compooloos.`
A|| tbroo írom tbo llítb Cobortº` co||oo oot look írom
tbo 7blro. 7bot`s oot íolr.`
Aoo oot smort,` solo tbo boy ooxt to blm. ¼o koow tbo
llítb wl|| moss op. 7boy sboo|o toko somobooy gooo.`
Lokoto got op so íost bo spl||oo Koo|-Alo írom bls í|osk.
¼o woro p|ooty gooo |ost olgbt wboo wo wblppoo yoor
pooox, Lorry!`
Eooogb, Lokoto,` Royoo solo. Lot`s |oovo Lorry`s
pooox oot oí tbls. As qoost |oooor, lrook bos tbo rlgbt to
cbooso bls compooloos. lo bos cbosoo Porcy 1ocksoo
ooo lozo| Lovosqoo.`
A gbost írom tbo socooo row yo||oo, Absoroos! lrook
Zboog lso`t ovoo o ío|| mombor oí tbo |ogloo! lo`s oo
probotlo. A qoost most bo |oo by somoooo oí cootorloo
rook or blgbor. 7bls ls comp|oto|y -`
Coto,` Royoo sooppoo. ¼o most oboy tbo wlsbos oí
Vors U|tor. 7bot mooos cortolo . oojostmoots.`
Royoo c|oppoo bor booos, ooo Octovloo como íorworo.
lo sot oowo bls kolío ooo Booolo Boby ooo took tbo
vo|vot pockogo írom tbo cbolr.
lrook Zboog,` bo solo, como íorworo.`
lrook g|oocoo oorvoos|y ot Porcy. 7boo bo got to bls
íoot ooo opproocboo tbo oogor.
lt ls my . p|oosoro,` Octovloo solo, íorclog oot tbo |ost
woro, to bostow opoo yoo tbo Voro| Crowo íor bolog ílrst
ovor tbo wo||s lo slogo woríoro.` Octovloo booooo blm o
broozo boogo sbopoo |lko o |ooro| wrootb. A|so, by oroor
oí Prootor Royoo, to promoto yoo to tbo rook oí cootorloo.`
lo booooo lrook oootbor boogo, o broozo croscoot,
ooo tbo soooto oxp|oooo lo protost.
lo`s stl|| o problo!` ooo yo||oo.
lmposslb|o!` solo oootbor.
¼otor cooooo op my ooso!` yo||oo o tblro.
5l|ooco!` Octovloo`s volco soooooo o |ot moro
commooolog tboo lt boo tbo provloos olgbt oo tbo
bott|oílo|o. Oor prootor rocogolzos tbot oo ooo bo|ow tbo
rook oí cootorloo moy |ooo o qoost. lor gooo or l||, lrook
most |ooo tbls qoost - so oor prootor bos oocrooo tbot
lrook Zboog most bo mooo cootorloo.`
5ooooo|y Porcy oooorstooo wbot oo oííoctlvo spookor
Octovloo wos. lo soooooo roosooob|o ooo sopportlvo,
bot bls oxprossloo wos polooo. lo coroío||y croítoo bls
woros to pot o|| tbo rospooslbl|lty oo Royoo. 7bls wos bor
looo, bo soomoo to soy.
lí lt woot wroog, Royoo wos to b|omo. lí oo|y Octovloo
boo booo tbo ooo lo cborgo, tblogs woo|o bovo booo oooo
moro sooslb|y. Bot, o|os, bo boo oo cbolco bot to sopport
Royoo, bocooso Octovloo wos o |oyo| Romoo so|olor.
Octovloo mooogoo to coovoy o|| tbot wltboot soylog lt,
slmo|tooooos|y co|mlog tbo soooto ooo sympotblzlog wltb
tbom. lor tbo ílrst tlmo, Porcy roo|lzoo tbls scrowoy, íoooy-
|ooklog scorocrow oí o klo mlgbt bo o ooogoroos ooomy.
Royoo most bovo rocogolzoo tbls, too. A |ook oí
lrrltotloo í|osboo ocross bor íoco. 7boro ls oo opoolog íor
cootorloo,` sbo solo. Ooo oí oor oíílcors, o|so o soootor,
bos ooclooo to stop oowo. Aítor too yoors lo tbo |ogloo,
sbo wl|| rotlro to tbo clty ooo ottooo co||ogo. Owoo oí tbo
llítb Cobort, wo tbook yoo íor yoor sorvlco.`
Evoryooo torooo to Owoo, wbo mooogoo o brovo sml|o.
5bo |ookoo tlroo írom tbo provloos olgbt`s orooo|, bot o|so
ro|lovoo. Porcy coo|oo`t b|omo bor. Comporoo to gottlog
skoworoo wltb o pl|om, co||ogo soooooo protty gooo.
As prootor,` Royoo cootloooo, l bovo tbo rlgbt to
rop|oco oíílcors. l oomlt lt`s ooosoo| íor o compor oo
probotlo to rlso olroct|y to tbo rook oí cootorloo, bot l tblok
wo coo ogroo . |ost olgbt wos ooosoo|. lrook Zboog,
yoor lL, p|ooso.`
lrook romovoo tbo |ooo tob|ot írom roooo bls oock ooo
booooo lt to Octovloo.
Yoor orm,` Octovloo solo.
lrook bo|o op bls íoroorm. Octovloo rolsoo bls booos to
tbo boovoos. ¼o occopt lrook Zboog, 5oo oí Vors, to
tbo 7wo|ítb Logloo lo|mlooto íor bls ílrst yoor oí sorvlco.
Lo yoo p|oogo yoor |lío to tbo soooto ooo poop|o oí
Romoº`
lrook mottoroo somotblog |lko, Uo-ooo.` 7boo bo
c|ooroo bls tbroot ooo mooogoo. l oo.`
7bo soootors sbootoo, 5oootos Popo|osqoo
Romooos!`
llro b|ozoo oo lrook`s orm. lor o momoot bls oyos
íl||oo wltb torror, ooo Porcy wos oírolo bls írlooo mlgbt
poss oot. 7boo tbo smoko ooo í|omo oloo, ooo oow morks
woro sooroo ooto lrook`s sklo. 5POR, oo lmogo oí crossoo
spoors, ooo o slog|o strlpo, roprosootlog tbo ílrst yoor oí
sorvlco.
Yoo moy slt oowo.` Octovloo g|oocoo ot tbo ooolooco
os lí to soy. 7bls woso`t my looo, ío|ks.
Now,` Royoo solo, wo most olscoss tbo qoost.`
7bo soootors sblítoo ooo mottoroo os lrook rotorooo to
bls soot.
Llo lt bortº` Porcy wblsporoo.
lrook |ookoo ot bls íoroorm, wblcb wos stl|| stoomlog.
Yoob. A |ot.` lo soomoo mystlíloo by tbo boogos lo bls
booo - tbo cootorloo`s mork ooo tbo Voro| Crowo - |lko
bo woso`t soro wbot to oo wltb tbom.
loro.` lozo|`s oyos sbooo wltb prloo. Lot mo.`
5bo ploooo tbo mooo|s to lrook`s sblrt.
Porcy sml|oo. lo`o oo|y koowo lrook íor o ooy, bot bo
ío|t prooo oí blm, too. Yoo oosorvo lt, moo,` bo solo. ¼bot
yoo olo |ost olgbtº Notoro| |oooorsblp.`
lrook scow|oo. Bot cootorloo -`
Cootorloo Zboog,` co||oo Octovloo. Llo yoo boor tbo
qoostlooº`
lrook b|lokoo. Um . sorry. ¼botº`
Octovloo torooo to tbo soooto ooo smlrkoo, |lko, ¼bot
olo l to|| yooº
l wos osklog,` Octovloo solo |lko bo wos to|klog to o
tbroo-yoor-o|o, lí yoo bovo o p|oo íor tbo qoost. Lo yoo
ovoo koow wboro yoo oro gologº`
Um .`
lozo| pot bor booo oo lrook`s sboo|oor ooo stooo.
¼oroo`t yoo |lstoolog |ost olgbt, Octovlooº Vors wos
protty c|oor. ¼o`ro golog to tbo |ooo boyooo tbo goos -
A|osko.`
7bo soootors sqolrmoo lo tbolr togos. 5omo oí tbo
gbosts sblmmoroo ooo olsoppooroo. Evoo Royoo`s moto|
oogs ro||oo ovor oo tbolr bocks ooo wblmporoo.
lloo||y 5oootor Lorry stooo. l koow wbot Vors solo, bot
tbot`s crozy. A|osko ls corsoo! 7boy co|| lt tbo |ooo boyooo
tbo goos íor o roosoo. lt`s so íor oortb tbot tbo Romoo
goos bovo oo powor tboro. 7bo p|oco ls swormlog wltb
moostors. No oomlgoo bos como bock írom tboro o|lvo
sloco -`
5loco yoo |ost yoor oog|o,` Porcy solo.
Lorry wos so stort|oo, bo ío|| bock oo bls pooox.
Look,` Porcy cootloooo, l koow l`m oow boro. l koow yoo
goys ooo`t |lko to mootloo tbot mossocro lo tbo 1080s -`
lo mootloooo lt!` ooo oí tbo gbosts wblmporoo.
- bot ooo`t yoo got ltº` Porcy cootloooo. 7bo llítb
Cobort |oo tbot oxpooltloo. ¼o íol|oo, ooo wo bovo to bo
rospooslb|o íor moklog tblogs rlgbt. 7bot`s wby Vors ls
sooolog os. 7bls gloot, tbo soo oí Oolo, bo`s tbo ooo wbo
ooíootoo yoor íorcos tblrty yoors ogo. l`m soro oí lt. Now
bo`s slttlog op tboro lo A|osko wltb o cbolooo oootb goo,
ooo o|| yoor o|o oqolpmoot. lo`s mostorlog bls ormlos
ooo sooolog tbom sootb to ottock tbls comp.`
Roo||yº` Octovloo solo. Yoo soom to koow o |ot oboot
oor ooomy`s p|oos, Porcy 1ocksoo.`
Vost loso|ts Porcy coo|o sbrog oíí - bolog co||oo wook
or stoplo or wbotovor. Bot lt oowooo oo blm tbot Octovloo
wos co||log blm o spy - o troltor. 7bot wos socb o íorolgo
coocopt to Porcy, so oot wbo bo wos, bo o|most coo|oo`t
procoss tbo s|or. ¼boo bo olo, bls sboo|oors toosoo. lo
wos tomptoo to smock Octovloo oo tbo booo ogolo, bot bo
roo|lzoo Octovloo wos boltlog blm, trylog to moko blm
|ook oostob|o.
Porcy took o ooop brootb.
¼o`ro golog to cooíroot tbls soo oí Oolo,` bo solo,
moooglog to koop bls composoro. ¼o`|| got bock yoor
oog|o ooo oocbolo tbls goo .` lo g|oocoo ot lozo|.
7boootos, rlgbtº`
5bo oooooo. Lotos, lo Romoo. Bot bls o|o Orook oomo
ls 7boootos. ¼boo lt comos to Lootb . wo`ro boppy to |ot
blm stoy Orook.`
Octovloo slgboo lo oxosporotloo. ¼o||, wbotovor yoo
co|| blm . bow oo yoo oxpoct to oo o|| tbls ooo got bock
by tbo loost oí lortoooº 7bot`s tbo ovoolog oí tbo twooty-
íoortb. lt`s tbo twootlotb oow. Lo yoo ovoo koow wboro to
|ookº Lo yoo ovoo koow wbo tbls soo oí Oolo lsº`
Yos.` lozo| spoko wltb socb cortoloty tbot ovoo Porcy
wos sorprlsoo. l ooo`t koow oxoct|y wboro to |ook, bot l
bovo o protty gooo looo. 7bo gloot`s oomo ls A|cyoooos.`
7bot oomo soomoo to |owor tbo tomporotoro lo tbo
room by ílíty oogroos. 7bo soootors sblvoroo.
Royoo grlppoo bor poolom. low oo yoo koow tbls,
lozo|º Bocooso yoo`ro o cbl|o oí P|otoº`
Nlco ol Aogo|o boo booo so qolot tbot Porcy boo
o|most íorgottoo bo wos tboro. Now bo stooo lo bls b|ock
togo.
Prootor, lí l moy,` bo solo. lozo| ooo l . wo |oorooo o
|ltt|o oboot tbo gloots írom oor íotbor. Eocb gloot wos broo
spoclílco||y to opposo ooo oí tbo two|vo O|ymploo goos -
to osorp tbot goo`s oomolo. 7bo klog oí gloots wos
Porpbyrloo, tbo ootl-1opltor. Bot tbo o|oost gloot wos
A|cyoooos. lo wos boro to opposo P|oto. 7bot`s wby wo
koow oí blm lo portlco|or.`
Royoo írowooo. loooooº Yoo soooo qolto íoml|lor wltb
blm.`
Nlco plckoo ot tbo oogo oí bls togo. Aoywoy . tbo
gloots woro boro to kl||. Accorolog to propbocy, tboy coo|o
oo|y bo ooíootoo by goos ooo oomlgoos worklog
togotbor.`
Lokoto bo|cboo. 5orry, olo yoo soy goos ooo
oomlgoos . |lko, ílgbtlog sloo by slooº 7bot coo|o oovor
boppoo!`
lt bos boppoooo,` Nlco solo. lo tbo ílrst gloot wor, tbo
goos co||oo oo boroos to jolo tbom, ooo tboy woro
vlctorloos. ¼botbor lt coo|o boppoo ogolo, l ooo`t koow.
Bot wltb A|cyoooos . bo wos olííoroot. lo wos comp|oto|y
lmmorto|, lmposslb|o to kl|| by goo or oomlgoo, os |oog os
bo romolooo lo bls bomo torrltory - tbo p|oco wboro bo
wos boro.`
Nlco poosoo to |ot tbot slok lo. Aoo lí A|cyoooos bos
booo roboro lo A|osko -`
7boo bo coo`t bo ooíootoo tboro,` lozo| ílolsboo. Evor.
By ooy mooos. ¼blcb ls wby oor 1080s oxpooltloo wos
ooomoo to íol|.`
Aootbor roooo oí orgolog ooo sbootlog broko oot.
7bo qoost ls lmposslb|o!` sbootoo o soootor.
¼o`ro ooomoo!` crloo o gbost.
Voro Koo|-Alo!` yo||oo Lokoto.
5l|ooco!` Royoo co||oo. 5oootors, wo most oct |lko
Romoos. Vors bos glvoo os tbls qoost, ooo wo bovo to
bo|lovo lt ls posslb|o. 7boso tbroo oomlgoos most trovo|
to A|osko. 7boy most íroo 7boootos ooo rotoro boíoro tbo
loost oí lortooo. lí tboy coo rotrlovo tbo |ost oog|o lo tbo
procoss, so mocb tbo bottor. A|| wo coo oo ls oovlso tbom
ooo moko soro tboy bovo o p|oo.`
Royoo |ookoo ot Porcy wltboot mocb bopo. Yoo oo
bovo o p|ooº`
Porcy wootoo to stop íorworo brovo|y ooo soy, No, l
ooo`t!7bot wos tbo trotb, bot |ooklog oroooo ot o|| tbo
oorvoos íocos Porcy koow bo coo|oo`t soy lt.
llrst, l oooo to oooorstooo somotblog.` lo torooo
toworos Nlco. l tboogbt P|oto wos tbo goo oí tbo oooo.
Now l boor oboot tbls otbor goy, 7boootos, ooo tbo Loors
oí Lootb írom tbot propbocy - tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo.
¼bot ooos o|| tbot moooº`
Nlco took o ooop brootb. Okoy. P|oto ls tbo goo oí tbo
Uooorwor|o, bot tbo octoo| goo oí oootb, tbo ooo wbo`s
rospooslb|o íor moklog soro soo|s go to tbo oítor|lío ooo
stoy tboro - tbot`s P|oto`s |lootoooot, 7boootos. lo`s
|lko . wo||, lmogloo Llío ooo Lootb oro two olííoroot
coootrlos. Evorybooy woo|o |lko to bo lo Llío, rlgbtº 5o
tboro`s o goorooo boroor to koop poop|o írom crosslog
bock ovor wltboot pormlssloo. Bot lt`s o blg boroor, wltb
|ots oí bo|os lo tbo íooco. P|oto trlos to soo| op tbo
broocbos, bot oow ooos koop popplog op o|| tbo tlmo.
7bot`s wby bo oopooos oo 7boootos, wbo`s |lko tbo boroor
potro|, tbo po|lco.`
7boootos cotcbos soo|s,` Porcy solo, ooo ooports tbom
bock to tbo Uooorwor|o.`
Exoct|y,` Nlco solo. Bot oow 7boootos bos booo
coptoroo, cbolooo op.`
lrook rolsoo bls booo. Ub . bow oo yoo cbolo Lootbº`
lt`s booo oooo boíoro,` Nlco solo. lo tbo o|o ooys, o goy
oomoo 5lsypbos trlckoo Lootb ooo tloo blm op. Aootbor
tlmo, lorco|os wrost|oo blm to tbo groooo.`
Aoo oow o gloot bos coptoroo blm,` Porcy solo. 5o, lí
wo coo|o íroo 7boootos, tboo tbo oooo woo|o stoy ooooº`
lo g|oocoo ot Owoo. Um . oo oííooco.`
lt`s moro comp|lcotoo tboo tbot,` Nlco solo.
Octovloo ro||oo bls oyos. ¼by ooos tbot oot sorprlso
moº`
Yoo mooo tbo Loors oí Lootb,` Royoo solo, lgoorlog
Octovloo. 7boy oro mootloooo lo tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo,
wblcb soot tbo ílrst oxpooltloo to A|osko -`
Coto tbo gbost soortoo. ¼o o|| koow bow tbot torooo
oot! ¼o Loros romombor!`
7bo otbor gbosts gromb|oo lo ogroomoot.
Nlco pot bls ílogor to bls |lps. 5ooooo|y o|| tbo Loros
woot sl|oot. 5omo |ookoo o|ormoo, |lko tbolr mootbs boo
booo g|ooo togotbor. Porcy wlsboo bo boo tbot powor ovor
cortolo |lvlog poop|o . |lko Octovloo, íor lostooco.
7boootos ls oo|y port oí tbo so|otloo,` Nlco oxp|olooo.
7bo Loors oí Lootb . wo||, tbot`s o coocopt ovoo l ooo`t
comp|oto|y oooorstooo. 7boro oro mooy woys loto tbo
Uooorwor|o - tbo Rlvor 5tyx, tbo Loor oí Orpboos - p|os
smo||or oscopo rootos tbot opoo op írom tlmo to tlmo.
¼ltb 7boootos lmprlsoooo, o|| tboso oxlts wl|| bo ooslor to
oso. 5omotlmos lt mlgbt work to oor oovootogo ooo |ot o
írlooo|y soo| como bock - |lko Owoo boro. Voro oítoo, lt
wl|| boooílt ovl| soo|s ooo moostors, tbo soooky ooos wbo
oro |ooklog to oscopo. Now, tbo Loors oí Lootb - tboso
oro tbo porsooo| ooors oí 7boootos, bls íost |ooo botwooo
Llío ooo Lootb. Oo|y 7boootos ls sopposoo to koow wboro
tboy oro, ooo tbo |ocotloo sblíts ovor tbo ogos. lí l
oooorstooo corroct|y, tbo Loors oí Lootb bovo booo
íorcoo opoo. Oolo`s mloloos bovo solzoo cootro| oí tbom
-`
¼blcb mooos Oolo cootro|s wbo coo como bock írom
tbo oooo,` Porcy goossoo.
Nlco oooooo. 5bo coo plck ooo cbooso wbo to |ot oot -
tbo worst moostors, tbo most ovl| soo|s. lí wo roscoo
7boootos, tbot mooos ot |oost bo coo cotcb soo|s ogolo
ooo sooo tbom bo|ow. Voostors wl|| olo wboo wo kl|| tbom,
|lko tboy osoo to, ooo wo`|| got o |ltt|o brootblog room. Bot
oo|oss wo`ro ob|o to rotoko tbo Loors oí Lootb, oor
ooomlos woo`t stoy oowo íor |oog. 7boy`|| bovo oo oosy
woy bock to tbo wor|o oí tbo |lvlog.`
5o wo coo cotcb tbom ooo ooport tbom,` Porcy
sommoo op, bot tboy`|| jost koop comlog bock ocross.`
lo o ooprosslog ootsbo||, yos,` Nlco solo.
lrook scrotcboo bls booo. Bot 7boootos koows wboro
tbo ooors oro, rlgbtº lí wo íroo blm, bo coo rotoko tbom.`
l ooo`t tblok so,` Nlco solo. Not o|ooo. lo`s oo motcb íor
Oolo. 7bot woo|o toko o mosslvo qoost . oo ormy oí tbo
bost oomlgoos.`
loos boor orms to tbo Loors oí Lootb,` Royoo solo.
7bot`s tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo .` 5bo |ookoo ot Porcy,
ooo íor jost o momoot bo coo|o soo bow scoroo sbo wos.
5bo olo o gooo job oí blolog lt, bot Porcy wooooroo lí
sbo`o boo olgbtmoros oboot Oolo, too - lí sbo`o sooo
vlsloos oí wbot woo|o boppoo wboo tbo comp wos lovoooo
by moostors tbot coo|oo`t bo kl||oo. lí tbls boglos tbo
oocloot propbocy, wo ooo`t bovo rosoorcos to sooo oo
ormy to tboso Loors oí Lootb ooo protoct tbo comp. l coo`t
lmogloo ovoo sporlog sovoo oomlgoos -`
llrst tblogs ílrst.` Porcy trloo to soooo cooílooot, tboogb
bo coo|o íoo| tbo |ovo| oí poolc rlslog lo tbo room. l ooo`t
koow wbo tbo sovoo oro, or wbot tbot o|o propbocy mooos,
oxoct|y. Bot ílrst wo bovo to íroo 7boootos. Vors to|o os wo
oo|y oooooo tbroo poop|o íor tbo qoost to A|osko. Lot`s
coocootroto oo soccooolog wltb tbot ooo gottlog bock
boíoro tbo loost oí lortooo. 7boo wo coo worry oboot tbo
Loors oí Lootb.`
Yoob,` lrook solo lo o smo|| volco. 7bot`s probob|y
oooogb íor ooo wook.`
5o yoo oo bovo o p|ooº` Octovloo oskoo scoptlco||y.
Porcy |ookoo ot bls toommotos. ¼o go to A|osko os
íost os posslb|o .`
Aoo wo lmprovlso,` lozo| solo.
A |ot,` lrook ooooo.
Royoo stooloo tbom. 5bo |ookoo |lko sbo wos mooto||y
wrltlog bor owo obltoory.
Vory wo||,` sbo solo. Notblog romolos oxcopt íor os to
voto oo wbot sopport wo coo glvo tbo qoost -
troosportotloo, moooy, moglc, woopoos.`
Prootor, lí l moy,` Octovloo solo.
Ob, groot,` Porcy mottoroo. loro lt comos.`
7bo comp ls lo grovo ooogor,` Octovloo solo. 7wo goos
bovo worooo os wo wl|| bo ottockoo íoor ooys írom oow.
¼o most oot sprooo oor rosoorcos too tblo, ospoclo||y by
íooolog projocts tbot bovo o s|lm cbooco oí soccoss.`
Octovloo |ookoo ot tbo tbroo oí tbom wltb plty, os lí to
soy, Poor |ltt|o tblogs. Vors bos c|oor|y cbosoo tbo |oost
|lko|y cooolootos íor tbls qoost. Porbops tbot ls bocooso
bo coosloors tbom tbo most oxpoooob|o. Porbops Vors ls
p|oylog tbo |oog ooos. ¼botovor tbo coso, bo wlso|y oloo`t
oroor o mosslvo oxpooltloo, oor olo bo osk os to íooo tbolr
oovootoro. l soy wo koop oor rosoorcos boro ooo ooíooo
tbo comp. 7bls ls wboro tbo bott|o wl|| bo |ost or woo. lí
tboso tbroo soccooo, woooorío|! Bot tboy sboo|o oo so by
tbolr owo logooolty.`
Ao oooosy mormor possoo tbroogb tbo crowo. lrook
jompoo to bls íoot. Boíoro bo coo|o stort o ílgbt, Porcy
solo, lloo! No prob|om. Bot ot |oost glvo os
troosportotloo. Oolo ls tbo oortb gooooss, rlgbtº Oolog
ovor|ooo, ocross tbo oortb - l`m goosslog wo sboo|o ovolo
tbot. P|os, lt`|| bo too s|ow.`
Octovloo |oogboo. ¼oo|o yoo |lko os to cbortor yoo oo
oorop|oooº`
7bo looo mooo Porcy ooosooos. No. Alr trovo| . l
bovo o íoo|log tbot woo|o bo boo, too. Bot o boot. Coo yoo
ot |oost glvo os o bootº`
lozo| mooo o grootlog soooo. Porcy g|oocoo ovor. 5bo
sbook bor booo ooo mootboo, lloo. l`m íloo.
A boot!` Octovloo torooo to tbo soootors. 7bo soo oí
Noptooo woots o boot. 5oo trovo| bos oovor booo tbo
Romoo woy, bot bo lso`t mocb oí o Romoo!`
Octovloo,` Royoo solo storo|y, o boot ls |ltt|o oooogb to
osk. Aoo provlolog oo otbor olo sooms vory -`
7rooltlooo|!` Octovloo oxc|olmoo. lt ls vory trooltlooo|.
Lot os soo lí tboso qoostors bovo tbo stroogtb to sorvlvo
wltboot bo|p, |lko troo Romoos!`
Voro mottorlog íl||oo tbo cbombor. 7bo soootors` oyos
movoo bock ooo íortb botwooo Octovloo ooo Royoo,
wotcblog tbo tost oí wl||s.
Royoo strolgbtoooo lo bor cbolr. Vory wo||,` sbo solo
tlgbt|y. ¼o`|| pot lt to o voto. 5oootors, tbo motloo ls os
ío||ows. tbo qoost sbo|| go to A|osko. 7bo soooto sbo||
provloo ío|| occoss to tbo Romoo oovy oockoo ot
A|omooo. No otbor olo wl|| bo íortbcomlog. 7bo tbroo
oovootorors wl|| sorvlvo or íol| oo tbolr owo morlts. A|| lo
íovoorº`
Evory soootor`s booo woot op.
7bo motloo ls possoo.` Royoo torooo to lrook.
Cootorloo, yoor porty ls oxcosoo. 7bo soooto bos otbor
mottors to olscoss. Aoo, Octovloo, lí l moy cooíor wltb yoo
íor o momoot.`
Porcy wos locroolb|y g|oo to soo tbo soo|lgbt. lo tbot
oork bo||, wltb o|| tboso oyos oo blm, bo`o ío|t |lko tbo wor|o
wos rlolog oo bls sboo|oors - ooo bo wos íolr|y soro bo`o
boo tbot oxporlooco boíoro.
lo íl||oo bls |oogs wltb írosb olr.
lozo| plckoo op o |orgo omoro|o írom tbo potb ooo
s|lppoo lt lo bor pockot. 5o . wo`ro protty mocb toostº`
lrook oooooo mlsorob|y. lí oltbor oí yoo woots to bock
oot, l woo|oo`t b|omo yoo.`
Aro yoo kloologº` lozo| solo. Aoo po|| sootry ooty íor
tbo rost oí tbo wookº`
lrook mooogoo o sml|o. lo torooo to Porcy.
Porcy gozoo ocross tbo íorom. 5toy pot, Aooobotb boo
solo lo bls oroom. Bot lí bo stoyoo pot tbls comp woo|o bo
oostroyoo. lo |ookoo op ot tbo bl||s, ooo lmoglooo Oolo`s
íoco sml|log lo tbo sbooows ooo rlogos. Yoo coo`t wlo,
|ltt|o oomlgoo, sbo soomoo to soy. 5orvo mo by stoylog,
or sorvo mo by golog.
Porcy mooo o sl|oot vow. oítor tbo loost oí lortooo, bo
woo|o íloo Aooobotb. Bot, íor oow, bo boo to oct. lo
coo|oo`t |ot Oolo wlo.
l`m wltb yoo,` bo to|o lrook. Bosloos, l woot to cbock oot
tbo Romoo oovy.`
7boy woro oo|y bo|íwoy ocross tbo íorom wboo
somoooo co||oo, 1ocksoo!` Porcy torooo ooo sow
Octovloo jogglog toworos tbom.
¼bot oo yoo wootº` Porcy oskoo.
Octovloo sml|oo. A|roooy ooclooo l`m yoor ooomyº
7bot`s o rosb cbolco, Porcy. l`m o |oyo| Romoo.`
lrook soor|oo. Yoo bockstobblog, s|lmy -` Botb Porcy
ooo lozo| boo to rostrolo blm.
Ob, ooor,` Octovloo solo. loro|y tbo rlgbt bobovloor íor
o oow cootorloo. 1ocksoo, l oo|y ío||owoo yoo bocooso
Royoo cborgoo mo wltb o mossogo. 5bo woots yoo to
roport to tbo prloclplo wltboot yoor - ob - two |ockoys,
boro. Royoo wl|| moot yoo tboro oítor tbo soooto oojooros.
5bo`o |lko o prlvoto woro wltb yoo boíoro yoo |oovo oo
yoor qoost.`
¼bot obootº` Porcy solo.
l`m soro l ooo`t koow.` Octovloo sml|oo wlckoo|y. 7bo
|ost porsoo sbo boo o prlvoto to|k wltb wos 1osoo Oroco.
Aoo tbot wos tbo |ost tlmo l ovor sow blm. Oooo |ock ooo
gooobyo, Porcy 1ocksoo.`
xv

Percy

PERCY ¼A5 OLAL RlP7lLE lAL RE7URNEL to bls pockot.
1ooglog írom Royoo`s oxprossloo, bo tboogbt bo mlgbt
oooo to ooíooo blmso|í.
5bo stormoo loto tbo prloclplo wltb bor porp|o c|ook
bl||owlog, ooo bor groyboooos ot bor íoot. Porcy wos
slttlog lo ooo oí tbo prootor cbolrs tbot bo`o po||oo to tbo
vlsltor`s sloo, wblcb moybo woso`t tbo propor tblog to oo.
lo stortoo to got op.
5toy sootoo,` Royoo grow|oo. Yoo |oovo oítor |oocb.
¼o bovo o |ot to olscoss.`
5bo p|ookoo oowo bor ooggor so boro tbo jo||y-booo
bow| rott|oo. Aorom ooo Argootom took tbolr posts oo bor
|oít ooo rlgbt ooo ílxoo tbolr roby oyos oo Porcy.
¼bot`o l oo wroogº` Porcy oskoo. lí lt`s oboot tbo cbolr
-`
lt`s oot yoo.` Royoo scow|oo. l boto soooto mootlogs.
¼boo Octovloo gots to|klog .`
Porcy oooooo. Yoo`ro o worrlor. Octovloo ls o to|kor.
Pot blm lo íroot oí tbo soooto, ooo sooooo|y bo bocomos
tbo poworío| ooo.`
5bo oorrowoo bor oyos. Yoo`ro smortor tboo yoo |ook.`
Ooo, tbooks. l boor Octovloo mlgbt got o|octoo prootor,
ossomlog tbo comp sorvlvos tbot |oog.`
¼blcb brlogs os to tbo sobjoct oí ooomsooy,` Royoo
solo, ooo bow yoo mlgbt bo|p provoot lt. Bot boíoro l
p|oco tbo íoto oí Comp 1opltor lo yoor booos, wo oooo to
got o íow tblogs strolgbt.`
5bo sot oowo ooo pot o rlog oo tbo tob|o - o booo oí
sl|vor otcboo wltb o sworo-ooo-torcb ooslgo, |lko Royoo`s
tottoo. Lo yoo koow wbot tbls lsº`
7bo slgo oí yoor mom,` Porcy solo. 7bo . ob, wor
gooooss.` lo trloo to romombor tbo oomo bot bo oloo`t
woot to got lt wroog - somotblog |lko bo|ogoo. Or so|omlº
Bo||ooo, yos.` Royoo scrotlolzoo blm coroío||y. Yoo
ooo`t romombor wboro yoo sow tbls rlog boíoroº Yoo
roo||y ooo`t romombor mo or my slstor, ly||oº`
Porcy sbook bls booo. l`m sorry.`
lt woo|o`vo booo íoor yoors ogo.`
1ost boíoro yoo como to comp.`
Royoo írowooo. low olo yoo - º`
Yoo`vo got íoor strlpos oo yoor tottoo. loor yoors.`
Royoo |ookoo ot bor íoroorm. Oí coorso. lt sooms so
|oog ogo. l sopposo yoo woo|oo`t roco|| mo ovoo lí yoo
boo yoor momory. l wos jost o |ltt|o glr| - ooo ottooooot
omoog so mooy ot tbo spo. Bot yoo spoko wltb my slstor,
jost boíoro yoo ooo tbot otbor ooo, Aooobotb, oostroyoo
oor bomo.`
Porcy trloo to romombor. lo roo||y olo. lor somo
roosoo, Aooobotb ooo bo boo vlsltoo o spo ooo ooclooo
to oostroy lt. lo coo|oo`t lmogloo wby. Voybo tboy booo`t
|lkoo tbo ooop-tlssoo mossogoº Voybo tboy`o boo boo
moolcorosº
lt`s o b|ook,` bo solo. 5loco yoor oogs oroo`t ottocklog
mo, l bopo yoo`|| bo|lovo mo. l`m to||log tbo trotb.`
Aorom ooo Argootom soor|oo. Porcy got tbo íoo|log
tboy woro tbloklog, P|ooso |lo. P|ooso |lo.
Royoo toppoo tbo sl|vor rlog.
l bo|lovo yoo`ro slocoro,` sbo solo. Bot oot ovoryooo ot
comp ooos. Octovloo tbloks yoo`ro o spy. lo tbloks yoo
woro soot boro by Oolo to íloo oor wookoossos ooo
olstroct os. lo bo|lovos tbo o|o |ogooos oboot tbo
Orooks.`
O|o |ogooosº`
Royoo`s booo rostoo bo|íwoy botwooo bor ooggor ooo
tbo jo||y booos. Porcy boo o íoo|log tbot lí sbo mooo o
sooooo movo sbo woo|oo`t bo grobblog íor tbo coooy.
5omo bo|lovo Orook oomlgoos stl|| oxlst,` sbo solo,
boroos wbo ío||ow tbo o|oor íorms oí tbo goos. 7boro oro
|ogooos oí bott|os botwooo Romoo ooo Orook boroos lo
ro|otlvo|y moooro tlmos - tbo Amorlcoo Clvl| ¼or, íor
lostooco. l bovo oo prooí oí tbls ooo, lí oor Loros koow
ooytblog, tboy roíoso to soy. Bot Octovloo bo|lovos tbo
Orooks oro stl|| oroooo, p|ottlog oor oowoío||, worklog wltb
tbo íorcos oí Oolo. lo tbloks yoo oro ooo oí tbom.`
ls tbot wbot yoo bo|lovoº`
l bo|lovo yoo como írom somowboro,` sbo solo. Yoo`ro
lmportoot, ooo ooogoroos. 7wo goos bovo tokoo o spoclo|
lotorost lo yoo sloco yoo orrlvoo, so l coo`t bo|lovo yoo`o
work ogolost O|ympos . or Romo.` 5bo sbroggoo. Oí
coorso, l coo|o bo wroog. Porbops tbo goos soot yoo boro
to tost my joogomoot. Bot l tblok . l tblok yoo woro soot
boro to moko op íor tbo |oss oí 1osoo.`
1osoo . Porcy coo|oo`t go vory íor lo tbls comp wltboot
boorlog tbot oomo.
7bo woy yoo to|k oboot blm .` Porcy solo. ¼oro yoo
two o coop|oº`
Royoo`s oyos boroo loto blm - |lko tbo oyos oí o boogry
wo|í. Porcy boo sooo oooogb boogry wo|vos to koow.
¼o mlgbt bovo booo,` Royoo solo, glvoo tlmo.
Prootors work c|oso|y togotbor. lt`s commoo íor tbom to
bocomo romootlco||y lovo|voo. Bot 1osoo wos oo|y
prootor íor o íow mootbs boíoro bo olsoppooroo. Evor
sloco tboo, Octovloo bos booo postorlog mo, ogltotlog íor
oow o|octloos. l`vo roslstoo. l oooo o portoor lo powor - bot
l`o proíor somoooo |lko 1osoo. A worrlor, oot o scbomor.`
5bo woltoo. Porcy roo|lzoo sbo wos sooolog blm o
sl|oot lovltotloo.
lls tbroot woot ory. Ob . yoo mooo . ob.`
l bo|lovo tbo goos soot yoo to bo|p mo,` Royoo solo. l
ooo`t oooorstooo wboro yoo como írom, ooy moro tboo l
oooorstooo lt íoor yoors ogo. Bot l tblok yoor orrlvo| ls
somo sort oí ropoymoot. Yoo oostroyoo my bomo ooco.
Now yoo`vo booo soot to sovo my bomo. l ooo`t bo|o o
groogo ogolost yoo íor tbo post, Porcy. Vy slstor botos
yoo stl||, lt`s troo, bot loto broogbt mo boro to Comp
1opltor. l`vo oooo wo||. A|| l osk ls tbot yoo work wltb mo íor
tbo íotoro. l lotooo to sovo tbls comp.`
7bo moto| oogs g|oroo ot blm, tbolr mootbs írozoo lo
soor| mooo. Porcy íoooo Royoo`s oyos o |ot boroor to
moot.
Look, l`|| bo|p,` bo promlsoo. Bot l`m oow boro. Yoo`vo
got o |ot oí gooo poop|o wbo koow tbls comp bottor tboo l
oo. lí wo soccooo oo tbls qoost, lozo| ooo lrook wl|| bo
boroos. Yoo coo|o osk ooo oí tbom -`
P|ooso,` Royoo solo. No ooo wl|| ío||ow o cbl|o oí P|oto.
7boro`s somotblog oboot tbot glr| . romoors oboot wboro
sbo como írom . No, sbo woo`t oo. As íor lrook Zboog,
bo bos o gooo boort, bot bo`s bopo|oss|y ooïvo ooo
looxporloocoo. Bosloos, lí tbo otbors íoooo oot oboot bls
íoml|y blstory ot tbls comp -`
loml|y blstoryº`
7bo polot ls, Porcy, yoo oro tbo roo| powor oo tbls
qoost. Yoo oro o soosoooo votoroo. l`vo sooo wbot yoo
coo oo. A soo oí Noptooo woo|oo`t bo my ílrst cbolco, bot lí
yoo rotoro soccossío||y írom tbls mlssloo tbo |ogloo mlgbt
bo sovoo. 7bo prootorsblp wl|| bo yoors íor tbo toklog.
7ogotbor, yoo ooo l coo|o oxpooo tbo powor oí Romo. ¼o
coo|o rolso oo ormy ooo íloo tbo Loors oí Lootb, crosb
Oolo`s íorcos ooco ooo íor o||. Yoo woo|o íloo mo o vory
bo|pío| . írlooo.`
5bo solo tbot woro |lko lt coo|o bovo sovoro| mooologs,
ooo bo coo|o plck wblcb ooo.
Porcy`s íoot stortoo topplog oo tbo í|oor, ooxloos to roo.
Royoo . l`m booooroo, ooo o||. 5orloos|y. Bot l`vo got o
glr|írlooo. Aoo l ooo`t woot powor, or o prootorsblp.`
Porcy wos oírolo bo`o moko bor moo. lostooo sbo jost
rolsoo bor oyobrows.
A moo wbo toros oowo poworº` sbo solo. 7bot`s oot
vory Romoo oí yoo. 1ost tblok oboot lt. lo íoor ooys, l bovo
to moko o cbolco. lí wo oro to ílgbt oíí oo lovosloo, wo
most bovo two stroog prootors. l`o proíor yoo, bot lí yoo íol|
oo yoor qoost, or ooo`t como bock, or roíoso my
oííor . ¼o||, l`|| work wltb Octovloo. l mooo to sovo tbls
comp, Porcy 1ocksoo. 7blogs oro worso tboo yoo roo|lzo.`
Porcy romomboroo wbot lrook solo oboot tbo moostor
ottocks gottlog moro íroqooot. low booº`
Royoo`s ool|s oog loto tbo tob|o. Evoo tbo soooto
oooso`t koow tbo wbo|o trotb. l`vo oskoo Octovloo oot to
sboro bls oogorlos, or wo`o bovo moss poolc. lo`s sooo o
groot ormy morcblog sootb, moro tboo wo coo posslb|y
ooíoot. 7boy`ro |oo by o gloot -`
A|cyoooosº`
l ooo`t tblok so. lí bo ls tro|y lovo|oorob|o lo A|osko, bo`o
bo íoo|lsb to como boro blmso|í. lt most bo ooo oí bls
brotbors.`
Oroot,` Porcy solo. 5o wo`vo got two gloots to worry
oboot.`
7bo prootor oooooo. Lopo ooo bor wo|vos oro trylog to
s|ow tbom oowo, bot tbls íorco ls too stroog ovoo íor tbom.
7bo ooomy wl|| bo boro sooo - by tbo loost oí lortooo ot
tbo vory |otost.`
Porcy sbooooroo. lo`o sooo Lopo lo octloo. lo koow
o|| oboot tbo wo|í gooooss ooo bor pock. lí tbls ooomy wos
too poworío| íor Lopo, Comp 1opltor oloo`t stooo o cbooco.
Royoo rooo bls oxprossloo. Yos, lt`s boo, bot oot
bopo|oss. lí yoo soccooo lo brloglog bock oor oog|o, lí
yoo ro|ooso Lootb so wo coo octoo||y kl|| oor ooomlos,
tboo wo stooo o cbooco. Aoo tboro`s ooo moro
posslbl|lty .`
Royoo s|lo tbo sl|vor rlog ocross tbo tob|o. l coo`t glvo
yoo mocb bo|p, bot yoor joorooy wl|| toko yoo c|oso to
5oott|o. l`m osklog yoo íor o íovoor, wblcb moy o|so bo|p
yoo. lloo my slstor, ly||o.`
Yoor slstor . tbo ooo wbo botos moº`
Ob, yos,` Royoo ogrooo. 5bo woo|o |ovo to kl|| yoo. Bot
sbow bor tbot rlog os o tokoo írom mo, ooo sbo moy bo|p
yoo lostooo.`
Voyº`
l coo`t spook íor bor. lo íoct .` Royoo írowooo. lo íoct l
bovoo`t spokoo to bor lo wooks. 5bo`s gooo sl|oot. ¼ltb
tboso ormlos posslog tbroogb -`
Yoo woot mo to cbock oo bor,` Porcy goossoo. Voko
soro sbo`s okoy.`
Portlo||y, yos. l coo`t lmogloo sbo`s booo ovorcomo. Vy
slstor bos o poworío| íorco. lor torrltory ls wo|| ooíooooo.
Bot lí yoo coo íloo bor sbo coo|o oííor yoo vo|oob|o bo|p. lt
coo|o mooo tbo olííorooco botwooo soccoss ooo íol|oro
oo yoor qoost. Aoo lí yoo to|| bor wbot`s boppoolog boro -`
5bo mlgbt sooo bo|pº` Porcy oskoo.
Royoo oloo`t ooswor, bot Porcy coo|o soo tbo
oosporotloo lo bor oyos. 5bo wos torrlíloo, grosplog íor
ooytblog tbot coo|o sovo bor comp. No woooor sbo
wootoo Porcy`s bo|p. 5bo wos tbo oo|y prootor. 7bo
ooíooco oí tbo comp rostoo oo bor sboo|oors o|ooo.
Porcy took tbo rlog. l`|| íloo bor. ¼boro oo l |ookº ¼bot
kloo oí íorco ooos sbo bovoº`
Loo`t worry. 1ost go to 5oott|o. 7boy`|| íloo yoo.`
7bot oloo`t soooo oocooroglog, bot Porcy s|lppoo tbo
rlog ooto bls |ootbor oock|oco wltb bls booos ooo bls
probotlo tob|ot. ¼lsb mo |ock.`
llgbt wo||, Porcy 1ocksoo,` Royoo solo. Aoo tbook yoo.`
lo coo|o to|| tbo ooolooco wos ovor. Royoo wos bovlog
troob|o bo|olog borso|í togotbor, kooplog op tbo lmogo oí
tbo cooílooot commoooor. 5bo oooooo somo tlmo by
borso|í.
Bot ot tbo ooor oí tbo prloclplo, Porcy coo|oo`t roslst
torolog. low olo wo oostroy yoor bomo - tbot spo wboro
yoo |lvooº`
7bo moto| groyboooos grow|oo. Royoo sooppoo bor
ílogors to sl|ooco tbom.
Yoo oostroyoo tbo powor oí oor mlstross,` sbo solo.
Yoo írooo somo prlsooors wbo took rovoogo oo o|| oí os
wbo |lvoo oo tbo ls|ooo. Vy slstor ooo l . wo||, wo
sorvlvoo. lt wos olíílco|t. Bot lo tbo |oog roo l tblok wo oro
bottor oíí owoy írom tbot p|oco.`
5tl||, l`m sorry,` Porcy solo. lí l bort yoo, l`m sorry.`
Royoo gozoo ot blm íor o |oog tlmo, os lí trylog to
troos|oto bls woros. Ao opo|ogyº Not vory Romoo ot o||,
Porcy 1ocksoo. Yoo`o moko oo lotorostlog prootor. l bopo
yoo`|| tblok oboot my oííor.`
xvl

Percy

LUNCl lEL7 LlKE A lUNERAL PAR7Y. Evorybooy oto. Poop|o
to|koo lo bosboo tooos. Nobooy soomoo portlco|or|y
boppy. 7bo otbor compors kopt g|ooclog ovor ot Porcy
|lko bo wos tbo corpso oí boooor.
Royoo mooo o brloí spoocb wlsblog tbom |ock.
Octovloo rlppoo opoo o Booolo Boby ooo prooooocoo
grovo omoos ooo boro tlmos obooo, bot proolctoo tbo
comp woo|o bo sovoo by oo oooxpoctoo boro (wboso
loltlo|s woro probob|y OC7AVlAN). 7boo tbo otbor compors
woot oíí to tbolr oítoroooo c|ossos - g|oolotor ílgbtlog,
Lotlo |ossoos, polotbo|| wltb gbosts, oog|o trololog ooo o
oozoo otbor octlvltlos tbot soooooo bottor tboo o solcloo
qoost. Porcy ío||owoo lozo| ooo lrook to tbo Borrocks to
pock.
Porcy oloo`t bovo mocb. lo`o c|ooooo op bls bockpock
írom bls trlp sootb ooo boo kopt most oí bls Borgolo Vort
sopp|los. lo boo o írosb polr oí jooos ooo oo oxtro porp|o
7-sblrt írom tbo comp qoortormostor, p|os somo ooctor,
ombroslo, soocks, o |ltt|o morto| moooy ooo complog
sopp|los. At |oocb, Royoo boo booooo blm o scro|| oí
lotroooctloo írom tbo prootor ooo comp soooto.
5opposoo|y, ooy rotlroo |ogloooolros tboy mot oo tbo trlp
woo|o bo|p tbom lí sbowo tbo |ottor. lo o|so kopt bls
|ootbor oock|oco wltb tbo booos, tbo sl|vor rlog ooo tbo
probotlo tob|ot, ooo oí coorso bo boo Rlptloo lo bls
pockot. lo ío|ooo bls tottoroo oroogo 7-sblrt ooo |oít lt oo
bls book.
l`|| bo bock,` bo solo. lo ío|t protty stoplo to|klog to o 7-
sblrt, bot bo wos roo||y tbloklog oí Aooobotb, ooo bls o|o
|lío. l`m oot |oovlog íor gooo. Bot l bovo to bo|p tboso
goys. 7boy took mo lo. 7boy oosorvo to sorvlvo.`
7bo 7-sblrt oloo`t ooswor, tbookío||y.
Ooo oí tbolr roommotos, Bobby, govo tbom o rloo to tbo
boroor oí tbo vo||oy oo looolbo| tbo o|opboot. lrom tbo
bl||tops, Porcy coo|o soo ovorytblog bo|ow. 7bo Lltt|o
7lbor sookoo ocross go|ooo postoros wboro tbo oolcoros
woro grozlog. 7bo tomp|os ooo íoroms oí Now Romo
g|oomoo lo tbo soo|lgbt. Oo tbo llo|o oí Vors, ooglooors
woro boro ot work, po||log oowo tbo romolos oí |ost olgbt`s
íort ooo sottlog op borrlcooos íor o gomo oí oootbbo||. A
oormo| ooy íor Comp 1opltor - bot oo tbo oortboro
borlzoo, storm c|ooos woro gotborlog. 5booows movoo
ocross tbo bl||s, ooo Porcy lmoglooo tbo íoco oí Oolo
gottlog c|osor ooo c|osor.
¼ork wltb mo íor tbo íotoro, Royoo boo solo. l lotooo to
sovo tbls comp.
Looklog oowo ot tbo vo||oy, Porcy oooorstooo wby sbo
coroo so mocb. Evoo tboogb bo wos oow to Comp 1opltor,
bo ío|t o ílorco ooslro to protoct tbls p|oco. A soío bovoo
wboro oomlgoos coo|o bol|o tbolr |lvos - bo wootoo tbot to
bo port oí bls íotoro. Voybo oot tbo woy Royoo lmoglooo,
bot lí bo coo|o sboro tbls p|oco wltb Aooobotb .
7boy got oíí tbo o|opboot. Bobby wlsboo tbom o soío
joorooy. looolbo| wroppoo tbo tbroo qoostors wltb bls
trook. 7boo tbo o|opboot toxl sorvlco booooo bock loto tbo
vo||oy.
Porcy slgboo. lo torooo to lozo| ooo lrook ooo trloo to
tblok oí somotblog opboot to soy.
A íoml|lor volco solo, lLs, p|ooso.`
A stotoo oí 7ormloos oppooroo ot tbo sommlt oí tbo bl||.
7bo goo`s morb|o íoco írowooo lrrltob|y. ¼o||º Como
o|oog!`
Yoo ogoloº` Porcy oskoo. l tboogbt yoo jost goorooo
tbo clty.`
7ormloos boííoo. O|oo to soo yoo, too, Vr Ro|o l|ootor.
Normo||y, yos, l gooro tbo clty, bot íor lotorootlooo|
ooportoros l |lko to provloo oxtro socorlty ot tbo comp
boroors. Yoo roo||y sboo|o`vo o||owoo two boors boíoro
yoor p|ooooo ooportoro tlmo, yoo koow. Bot wo`|| bovo to
moko oo. Now, como ovor boro so l coo pot yoo oowo.`
Bot yoo ooo`t bovo -` Porcy stoppoo blmso|í. Ub, soro.`
lo stooo ooxt to tbo orm|oss stotoo. 7ormloos
cooooctoo o rlgoroos mooto| pot oowo.
Yoo soom to bo c|ooo,` 7ormloos ooclooo. Lo yoo
bovo ooytblog to ooc|oroº`
Yos,` Porcy solo. l ooc|oro tbls ls stoplo.`
lmpb! Probotlo tob|ot. Porcy 1ocksoo, llítb Cobort,
soo oí Noptooo. lloo, go. lozo| Lovosqoo, ooogbtor oí
P|oto. lloo. Aoy íorolgo corroocy or, obom, procloos
moto|s to ooc|oroº`
No,` sbo mottoroo.
Aro yoo soroº` 7ormloos oskoo. Bocooso |ost tlmo -`
No!`
¼o||, tbls ls o grompy boocb,` solo tbo goo. Ooost
trovo||ors! A|woys lo o rosb. Now, |ot`s soo - lrook Zboog.
Ab! Cootorlooº ¼o|| oooo, lrook. Aoo tbot bolrcot ls
rogo|otloo poríoct. l opprovo! Oíí yoo go, tboo, Cootorloo
Zboog. Lo yoo oooo ooy olroctloos toooyº`
No. No, l gooss oot.`
1ost oowo to tbo BAR7 stotloo,` 7ormloos solo ooywoy.
Cboogo trolos ot 7wo|ítb 5troot lo Ook|ooo. Yoo woot
lroltvo|o 5totloo. lrom tboro, yoo coo wo|k or toko tbo bos
to A|omooo.`
Yoo goys ooo`t bovo o moglco| BAR7 trolo or
somotblogº` Porcy oskoo.
Voglc trolos!` 7ormloos scoííoo. Yoo`|| bo wootlog yoor
owo socorlty |ooo ooo o poss to tbo oxocotlvo |ooogo
ooxt. 1ost trovo| soío|y, ooo wotcb oot íor Po|ybotos. 7o|k
oboot scoíí|ows - bob! l wlsb l coo|o tbrott|o blm wltb my
boro booos.`
¼olt - wboº` Porcy oskoo.
7ormloos mooo o strololog oxprossloo, |lko bo wos
í|oxlog bls ooooxlstoot blcops. Ab, wo||. 1ost bo coroío| oí
blm. l lmogloo bo coo smo|| o soo oí Noptooo o ml|o
owoy. Oot yoo go, oow. Oooo |ock!`
Ao lovlslb|o íorco klckoo tbom ocross tbo booooory.
¼boo Porcy |ookoo bock, 7ormloos wos gooo. lo íoct, tbo
ootlro vo||oy wos gooo. 7bo Borko|oy ll||s soomoo to bo
íroo oí ooy Romoo comp.
Porcy |ookoo ot bls írlooos. Aoy looo wbot 7ormloos
wos to|klog obootº ¼otcb oot íor . Po|ltlco| somotblog or
otborº`
Pob-LlB-ob-toosoº` lozo| soooooo oot tbo oomo
coroío||y. Novor booro oí blm.`
5oooos Orook,` lrook solo.
7bot oorrows lt oowo.` Porcy slgboo. ¼o||, wo probob|y
jost oppooroo oo tbo smo|| rooor íor ovory moostor wltblo
ílvo ml|os. ¼o`o bottor got movlog.`
lt took tbom two boors to roocb tbo oocks lo A|omooo.
Comporoo to Porcy`s |ost íow mootbs, tbo trlp wos oosy.
No moostors ottockoo. Nobooy |ookoo ot Porcy |lko bo
wos o bomo|oss wl|o cbl|o.
lrook boo storoo bls spoor, bow ooo qolvor lo o |oog
bog mooo íor skls. lozo|`s covo|ry sworo wos wroppoo lo o
booro|| s|oog oo bor bock. 7ogotbor tbo tbroo oí tbom
|ookoo |lko oormo| blgb scboo|ors oo tbolr woy to oo
ovorolgbt trlp. 7boy wo|koo to Rockrlogo 5totloo, boogbt
tbolr tlckots wltb morto| moooy, ooo boppoo oo tbo BAR7
trolo.
7boy got oíí lo Ook|ooo. 7boy boo to wo|k tbroogb somo
roogb oolgbboorbooos, bot oobooy botboroo tbom.
¼booovor tbo |oco| goog mombors como c|oso oooogb
to |ook lo Porcy`s oyos, tboy qolck|y vooroo owoy. lo`o
poríoctoo bls wo|í storo ovor tbo |ost íow mootbs - o |ook
tbot solo. lowovor boo yoo tblok yoo oro, l`m worso. Aítor
stroog|log soo moostors ooo rooolog ovor gorgoos lo o
po|lco cor, Porcy woso`t scoroo oí googs. Protty mocb
ootblog lo tbo morto| wor|o scoroo blm ooy moro.
lo tbo |oto oítoroooo, tboy mooo lt to tbo A|omooo
oocks. Porcy |ookoo oot ovor 5oo lrooclsco Boy ooo
brootboo lo tbo so|ty soo olr. lmmooloto|y bo ío|t bottor.
7bls wos bls íotbor`s oomolo. ¼botovor tboy íocoo, bo`o
bovo tbo oppor booo os |oog os tboy woro ot soo.
Lozoos oí boots woro mooroo ot tbo oocks - ovorytblog
írom ílíty-íoot yocbts to too-íoot ílsblog boots. lo scooooo
tbo s|lps íor somo sort oí moglc vosso| - o trlromo,
moybo, or o orogoo-booooo worsblp |lko bo`o sooo lo bls
orooms.
Um . yoo goys koow wbot wo`ro |ooklog íorº`
lozo| ooo lrook sbook tbolr booos.
l oloo`t ovoo koow wo boo o oovy.` lozo| soooooo os lí
sbo wlsboo tboro woso`t ooo.
Ob .` lrook polotoo. Yoo ooo`t tblok . º`
At tbo ooo oí tbo oock wos o tloy boot, |lko o ologby,
covoroo lo o porp|o torp. Embrolooroo lo íoooo go|o o|oog
tbo coovos wos 5.P.O.R.
Porcy`s cooíloooco wovoroo. No woy.`
lo oocovoroo tbo boot, bls booos worklog tbo koots |lko
bo`o booo oolog lt bls wbo|o |lío. Uooor tbo torp wos oo o|o
stoo| rowboot wltb oo oors. 7bo boot boo booo polotoo
oork b|oo ot ooo polot, bot tbo bo|| wos so crostoo wltb tor
ooo so|t lt |ookoo |lko ooo mosslvo oootlco| brolso.
Oo tbo bow, tbo oomo Pox wos stl|| roooob|o, |ottoroo lo
go|o. Polotoo oyos oroopoo soo|y ot tbo wotor |ovo|, os lí
tbo boot woro oboot to ío|| os|oop. Oo booro woro two
boocbos, somo stoo| woo|, oo o|o coo|or, ooo o moooo oí
íroyoo ropo wltb ooo ooo tloo to tbo moorlog. At tbo
bottom oí tbo boot, o p|ostlc bog ooo two ompty Coko
coos í|ootoo lo sovoro| locbos oí scommy wotor.
Bobo|o,` lrook solo. 7bo mlgbty Romoo oovy.`
7boro`s got to bo o mlstoko,` lozo| solo. 7bls ls o ploco
oí jook.`
Porcy lmoglooo Octovloo |oogblog ot tbom, bot bo
ooclooo oot to |ot lt got blm oowo. 7bo Pox wos stl|| o boot.
lo jompoo obooro, ooo tbo bo|| bommoo oooor bls íoot,
rospooolog to bls prosooco. lo gotboroo op tbo gorbogo
lo tbo coo|or ooo pot lt oo tbo oock. lo wl||oo tbo scommy
wotor to í|ow ovor tbo sloos ooo oot oí tbo boot. 7boo bo
polotoo ot tbo stoo| woo| ooo lt í|ow ocross tbo í|oor,
scrobblog ooo po|lsblog so íost, tbo stoo| bogoo to
smoko. ¼boo lt wos oooo, tbo boot wos c|ooo. Porcy
polotoo ot tbo ropo, ooo lt ootloo ltso|í írom tbo oock.
No oors, bot tbot oloo`t mottor. Porcy coo|o to|| tbot tbo
boot wos roooy to movo, jost owoltlog bls commooo.
7bls`|| oo,` bo solo. lop lo.`
lozo| ooo lrook |ookoo o |ltt|o stooooo, bot tboy
c|lmboo obooro. lozo| soomoo ospoclo||y oorvoos.
¼boo tboy boo sott|oo oo tbo soots, Porcy coocootrotoo,
ooo tbo boot s|lppoo owoy írom tbo oock.
1ooo wos rlgbt, yoo koow. 7bo s|oopy volco oí Oolo
wblsporoo lo Porcy`s mloo, stort|log blm so boo|y tbo boot
rockoo. Yoo coo|o bovo cbosoo o oow |lío lo tbo soo. Yoo
woo|o bovo booo soío írom mo tboro. Now lt`s too |oto.
Yoo cboso polo ooo mlsory. Yoo`ro port oí my p|oo, oow -
my lmportoot |ltt|o powo.
Oot oíí my sblp,` Porcy grow|oo.
Ub, wbotº` lrook oskoo.
Porcy woltoo, bot tbo volco oí Oolo wos sl|oot.
Notblog,` bo solo. Lot`s soo wbot tbls rowboot coo oo.`
lo torooo tbo boot to tbo oortb, ooo lo oo tlmo tboy
woro spooolog o|oog ot ílítooo koots, booolog íor tbo
Oo|ooo Ooto Brlogo.
xvll

Hazel

lAZEL lA7EL BOA75.
5bo got sooslck so oosl|y lt wos moro |lko soo p|ogoo.
5bo booo`t mootloooo tbls to Porcy. 5bo oloo`t woot to
moss op tbo qoost, bot sbo romomboroo bow borrlb|o bor
|lío boo booo wboo sbo ooo bor motbor boo movoo to
A|osko - oo rooos. Evorywboro tboy woot, tboy`o boo to
toko tbo trolo or o boot.
5bo`o bopoo bor coooltloo mlgbt bovo lmprovoo sloco
sbo`o como bock írom tbo oooo. Obvloos|y oot. Aoo tbls
|ltt|o boot, tbo Pox, |ookoo so mocb |lko tbot otbor boot
tboy`o boo lo A|osko. lt broogbt bock boo momorlos .
As sooo os tboy |oít tbo oock, lozo|`s stomocb stortoo
to cboro. By tbo tlmo tboy possoo tbo plors o|oog tbo 5oo
lrooclsco Emborcoooro, sbo ío|t so woozy sbo tboogbt
sbo wos bo||oclootlog. 7boy spoo by o pock oí soo |loos
|oooglog oo tbo oocks, ooo sbo sworo sbo sow oo o|o
bomo|oss goy slttlog omoog tbom. lrom ocross tbo wotor,
tbo o|o moo polotoo o booy ílogor ot Porcy ooo mootboo
somotblog |lko Loo`t ovoo tblok oboot lt.
Llo yoo soo tbotº` lozo| oskoo.
Porcy`s íoco wos roo lo tbo soosot. Yoob. l`vo booo boro
boíoro. l . l ooo`t koow. l tblok l wos |ooklog íor my
glr|írlooo.`
Aooobotb,` lrook solo. Yoo mooo, oo yoor woy to
Comp 1opltorº`
Porcy írowooo. No. Boíoro tbot.` lo scooooo tbo clty
|lko bo wos stl|| |ooklog íor Aooobotb ootl| tboy possoo
oooor tbo Oo|ooo Ooto Brlogo ooo torooo oortb.
lozo| trloo to sott|o bor stomocb by tbloklog oí p|oosoot
tblogs - tbo oopborlo sbo`o ío|t |ost olgbt wboo tboy`o woo
tbo wor gomos, rlolog looolbo| loto tbo ooomy koop,
lrook`s sooooo troosíormotloo loto o |oooor. lo`o |ookoo
|lko o olííoroot porsoo wboo bo`o sco|oo tbo wo||s, co||log
oo tbo llítb Cobort to ottock. 7bo woy bo`o swopt tbo
ooíoooors oíí tbo bott|omoots . lozo| boo oovor sooo
blm |lko tbot boíoro. 5bo`o booo so prooo to plo tbo
cootorloo`s boogo to bls sblrt.
7boo bor tboogbts torooo to Nlco. Boíoro tboy boo |oít,
bor brotbor boo po||oo bor osloo to wlsb bor |ock. lozo|
bopoo bo`o stoy ot Comp 1opltor to bo|p ooíooo lt, bot bo
solo bo`o bo |oovlog toooy - booolog bock to tbo
Uooorwor|o.
Loo oooos o|| tbo bo|p bo coo got,` bo solo. 7bo llo|os
oí Poolsbmoot |ook |lko o prlsoo rlot. 7bo lorlos coo
boro|y koop oroor. Bosloos . l`m golog to try to trock
somo oí tbo oscoplog soo|s. Voybo l coo íloo tbo Loors
oí Lootb írom tbo otbor sloo.`
Bo coroío|,` lozo| solo. lí Oolo ls goorolog tboso ooors
-`
Loo`t worry.` Nlco sml|oo. l koow bow to stoy bloooo.
1ost toko coro oí yoorso|í. 7bo c|osor yoo got to
A|osko . l`m oot soro lí lt`|| moko tbo b|ockoots bottor or
worso.`
7oko coro oí myso|í, lozo| tboogbt blttor|y. As lí tboro
wos ooy woy tbo qoost woo|o ooo wo|| íor bor.
lí wo íroo 7boootos,` lozo| to|o Nlco, l moy oovor soo
yoo ogolo. 7boootos wl|| sooo mo bock to tbo
Uooorwor|o .`
Nlco took bor booo. lls ílogors woro so po|o, lt wos boro
to bo|lovo lozo| ooo bo sboroo tbo somo goo|y íotbor.
l wootoo to glvo yoo o cbooco ot E|yslom,` bo solo.
7bot wos tbo bost l coo|o oo íor yoo. Bot oow l wlsb tboro
wos oootbor woy. l ooo`t woot to |oso my slstor.`
lo oloo`t soy tbo woro ogolo, bot lozo| koow tbot`s wbot
bo wos tbloklog. lor ooco, sbo oloo`t íoo| joo|oos oí
Blooco ol Aogo|o. 5bo jost wlsboo tbot sbo boo moro tlmo
wltb Nlco ooo bor írlooos ot comp. 5bo oloo`t woot to olo o
socooo tlmo.
Oooo |ock, lozo|,` bo solo. 7boo bo mo|too loto tbo
sbooows - jost |lko bor íotbor boo sovooty yoors boíoro.
7bo boot sbooooroo, jo|tlog lozo| bock to tbo prosoot.
7boy ootoroo tbo Poclílc corroots ooo sklrtoo tbo rocky
coost|loo oí Vorlo Coooty.
lrook bo|o bls skl bog ocross bls |op. lt possoo ovor
lozo|`s kooos |lko tbo soíoty bor oo oo omosomoot rloo,
wblcb mooo bor tblok oí tbo tlmo 5ommy boo tokoo bor to
tbo corolvo| oorlog Vorol Oros . 5bo qolck|y posboo tbot
momory osloo. 5bo coo|oo`t rlsk o b|ockoot.
Yoo okoyº` lrook oskoo. Yoo |ook qooosy.`
5ooslckooss,` sbo cooíossoo. l oloo`t tblok lt woo|o bo
tbls boo.`
lrook pootoo |lko lt wos somobow bls íoo|t. lo stortoo
olgglog lo bls pock. l`vo got somo ooctor. Aoo somo
crockors. Um, my grooomotbor soys glogor bo|ps . l
ooo`t bovo ooy oí tbot, bot -`
lt`s okoy.` lozo| mostoroo o sml|o. 7bot`s swoot oí yoo,
tboogb.`
lrook po||oo oot o so|tloo. lt sooppoo lo bls blg ílogors.
Crockor oxp|oooo ovorywboro.
lozo| |oogboo. Ooos, lrook . 5orry. l sboo|oo`t |oogb.`
Ub, oo prob|om,` bo solo sbooplsb|y. Oooss yoo ooo`t
woot tbot ooo.`
Porcy woso`t poylog mocb ottootloo. lo kopt bls oyos
ílxoo oo tbo sboro|loo. As tboy possoo 5tlosoo Boocb, bo
polotoo lo|ooo, wboro o slog|o moootolo roso obovo tbo
grooo bl||s.
7bot |ooks íoml|lor,` bo solo.
Vooot 7om,` lrook solo. Klos ot comp oro o|woys
to|klog oboot lt. Blg bott|o boppoooo oo tbo sommlt, ot tbo
o|o 7ltoo boso.`
Porcy írowooo. ¼oro oltbor oí yoo tboroº`
No,` lozo| solo. 7bot wos bock lo Aogost, boíoro l -
om, boíoro l got to comp. 1osoo to|o mo oboot lt. 7bo
|ogloo oostroyoo tbo ooomy`s po|oco ooo oboot o ml||loo
moostors. 1osoo boo to bott|o Krlos - booo-to-booo
combot wltb o 7ltoo, lí yoo coo lmogloo.`
l coo lmogloo,` Porcy mottoroo.
lozo| woso`t soro wbot bo mooot, bot Porcy olo romloo
bor oí 1osoo, ovoo tboogb tboy |ookoo ootblog o|lko. 7boy
boo tbo somo ooro oí qolot powor, p|os o kloo oí sooooss,
|lko tboy`o sooo tbolr oostloy ooo koow lt wos oo|y o mottor
oí tlmo boíoro tboy mot o moostor tboy coo|oo`t boot.
lozo| oooorstooo tbo íoo|log. 5bo wotcboo tbo soo sot
lo tbo ocooo, ooo sbo koow sbo boo |oss tboo o wook to
|lvo. ¼botbor or oot tbolr qoost soccooooo, bor joorooy
woo|o bo ovor by tbo loost oí lortooo.
5bo tboogbt oboot bor ílrst oootb, ooo tbo mootbs
|ooolog op to lt - bor booso lo 5oworo, tbo slx mootbs
sbo`o spoot lo A|osko, toklog tbot |ltt|o boot loto
Rosorroctloo Boy ot olgbt, vlsltlog tbot corsoo ls|ooo.
5bo roo|lzoo bor mlstoko too |oto. lor vlsloo woot
b|ock, ooo sbo s|lppoo bock lo tlmo.
7bolr rooto| booso wos o c|opbooro box sospooooo oo
pl|logs ovor tbo boy. ¼boo tbo trolo írom Aocborogo
ro||oo by, tbo íoroltoro sbook ooo tbo plctoros rott|oo oo
tbo wo||s. At olgbt, lozo| ío|| os|oop to tbo soooo oí lcy
wotor |opplog ogolost tbo rocks oooor tbo í|oorbooros. 7bo
wloo mooo tbo bol|olog crook ooo grooo.
7boy boo ooo room, wltb o bot p|oto ooo oo lcobox íor o
kltcboo. Ooo coroor wos cortolooo oíí íor lozo|, wboro sbo
kopt bor mottross ooo storogo cbost. 5bo`o ploooo bor
orowlogs ooo o|o pbotos oí Now Or|ooos oo tbo wo||s, bot
tbot oo|y mooo bor bomoslckooss worso.
lor motbor wos roro|y bomo. 5bo oloo`t go by Ooooo
Vorlo ooy moro. 5bo wos jost Vorlo, tbo blroo bo|p. 5bo`o
cook ooo c|ooo o|| ooy ot tbo oloor oo 7blro Avoooo íor
ílsbormoo, rol|rooo workors ooo tbo occoslooo| crow oí
oovy moo. 5bo`o como bomo smo||log |lko Ploo-5o| ooo
írloo ílsb.
At olgbt, Vorlo Lovosqoo woo|o troosíorm. 7bo Volco
took ovor, glvlog lozo| oroors, pottlog bor to work oo tbolr
borrlb|o projoct.
¼lotor wos tbo worst. 7bo Volco stoyoo |oogor bocooso
oí tbo coostoot oorkooss. 7bo co|o wos so lotooso tbot
lozo| tboogbt sbo woo|o oovor bo worm ogolo.
¼boo sommor como, lozo| coo|oo`t got oooogb soo.
Evory ooy oí sommor vocotloo, sbo stoyoo owoy írom
bomo os |oog os sbo coo|o, bot sbo coo|oo`t wo|k oroooo
towo. lt wos o smo|| commoolty. 7bo otbor klos sprooo
romoors oboot bor - tbo wltcb`s cbl|o wbo |lvoo lo tbo o|o
sbock by tbo oocks. lí sbo como too c|oso, tbo klos jooroo
ot bor or tbrow bott|os ooo rocks. 7bo ooo|ts woroo`t mocb
bottor.
lozo| coo|o`vo mooo tbolr |lvos mlsorob|o. 5bo
coo|o`vo glvoo tbom olomooos, poor|s or go|o. Up boro lo
A|osko, go|o wos oosy. 7boro wos so mocb lo tbo bl||s
lozo| coo|o`vo borloo tbo towo wltboot bo|í trylog. Bot sbo
oloo`t roo||y boto tbo |oco|s íor posblog bor owoy. 5bo
coo|oo`t b|omo tbom.
5bo spoot tbo ooy wo|klog tbo bl||s. 5bo ottroctoo
rovoos. 7boy`o cow ot bor írom tbo troos ooo wolt íor tbo
sbloy tblogs tbot o|woys oppooroo lo bor íootstops. 7bo
corso oovor soomoo to botbor tbom. 5bo sow browo
boors, too, bot tboy kopt tbolr olstooco. ¼boo lozo| got
tblrsty, sbo`o íloo o soowmo|t wotorío|| ooo orlok co|o,
c|ooo wotor ootl| bor tbroot bort. 5bo`o c|lmb os blgb os
sbo coo|o ooo |ot tbo soosbloo worm bor íoco.
lt woso`t o boo woy to poss tbo tlmo, bot sbo koow
ovootoo||y sbo`o bovo to go bomo.
5omotlmos sbo tboogbt oboot bor íotbor - tbot stroogo
po|o moo lo tbo sl|vor-ooo-b|ock solt. lozo| wlsboo bo`o
como bock ooo protoct bor írom bor motbor, moybo oso
bls powors to got rlo oí tbot owío| Volco. lí bo wos o goo, bo
sboo|o bo ob|o to oo tbot.
5bo |ookoo op ot tbo rovoos ooo lmoglooo tboy woro
bls omlssorlos. 7bolr oyos woro oork ooo mooloco|, |lko
bls. 5bo wooooroo lí tboy roportoo bor movomoots to bor
íotbor.
Bot P|oto boo worooo bor motbor oboot A|osko. lt wos o
|ooo boyooo tbo goos. lo coo|oo`t protoct tbom boro. lí bo
wos wotcblog lozo|, bo oloo`t spook to bor. 5bo oítoo
wooooroo lí sbo boo lmoglooo blm. lor o|o |lío soomoo
os olstoot os tbo roolo progrommos sbo |lstoooo to, or
Proslooot Roosovo|t to|klog oboot tbo wor. Occoslooo||y
tbo |oco|s woo|o olscoss tbo 1opoooso ooo somo ílgbtlog
oo tbo ootor ls|ooos oí A|osko, bot ovoo tbot soomoo íor
owoy - oot ooor|y os scory os lozo|`s prob|om.
Ooo ooy lo mlosommor, sbo stoyoo oot |otor tboo
osoo|, cboslog o borso.
5bo`o sooo lt ílrst wboo sbo boo booro o croocblog
soooo bobloo bor. 5bo torooo ooo sow o gorgooos too
rooo sto||loo wltb o b|ock mooo - jost |lko tbo ooo sbo`o
rloooo oo bor |ost ooy lo Now Or|ooos, wboo 5ommy boo
tokoo bor to tbo stob|os. lt coo|o`vo booo tbo somo borso,
tboogb tbot wos lmposslb|o. lt wos ootlog somotblog oíí
tbo potb, ooo íor o socooo lozo| boo tbo crozy
lmprossloo lt wos moocblog ooo oí tbo go|o ooggots tbot
o|woys oppooroo lo bor woko.
loy, ío||o,` sbo co||oo.
7bo borso |ookoo ot bor worl|y.
lozo| ílgoroo lt most bo|oog to somoooo. lt wos too wo||
groomoo, lts coot too s|ook íor o wl|o borso. lí sbo coo|o
got c|oso oooogb . ¼botº 5bo coo|o íloo lts owoorº
Rotoro ltº
No, sbo tboogbt. l jost woot to rloo ogolo.
5bo got wltblo too íoot, ooo tbo borso bo|too. 5bo spoot
tbo rost oí tbo oítoroooo trylog to cotcb lt - gottlog
mooooolog|y c|oso boíoro lt roo owoy ogolo.
5bo |ost trock oí tlmo, wblcb wos oosy to oo wltb tbo
sommor soo stoylog op so |oog. lloo||y sbo stoppoo ot o
crook íor o orlok ooo |ookoo ot tbo sky, tbloklog lt most bo
oroooo tbroo lo tbo oítoroooo. 7boo sbo booro o trolo
wblst|o írom oowo lo tbo vo||oy. 5bo roo|lzoo lt boo to bo
tbo ovoolog roo to Aocborogo, wblcb mooot lt wos too ot
olgbt.
5bo g|oroo ot tbo borso, grozlog poocoío||y ocross tbo
crook. Aro yoo trylog to got mo lo troob|oº`
7bo borso wblooloo. 7boo . lozo| most`vo lmoglooo
lt. 7bo borso spoo owoy lo o b|or oí b|ock ooo too, íostor
tboo íorkoo |lgbtolog - o|most too qolck íor bor oyos to
roglstor. lozo| oloo`t oooorstooo bow, bot tbo borso wos
ooílolto|y gooo.
5bo storoo ot tbo spot wboro tbo borso boo stooo. A
wlsp oí stoom cor|oo írom tbo groooo.
7bo trolo wblst|o ocbooo tbroogb tbo bl||s ogolo, ooo
sbo roo|lzoo bow mocb troob|o sbo wos lo. 5bo roo íor
bomo.
lor motbor woso`t tboro. lor o socooo lozo| ío|t
ro|lovoo. Voybo bor mom boo boo to work |oto. Voybo
toolgbt tboy woo|oo`t bovo to moko tbo joorooy.
7boo sbo sow tbo wrockogo. lozo|`s cortolo wos po||oo
oowo. lor storogo cbost wos opoo ooo bor íow c|otbos
strowo ocross tbo í|oor. lor mottross boo booo sbrooooo
os lí o |loo boo ottockoo lt. ¼orst oí o||, bor orowlog poo
wos rlppoo to plocos. lor co|ooroo poocl|s woro o||
brokoo. P|oto`s blrtbooy glít, lozo|`s oo|y |oxory, boo booo
oostroyoo. Ploooo to tbo wo|| wos o ooto lo roo oo tbo |ost
ploco oí orowlog popor, lo wrltlog tbot wos oot bor
motbor`s. ¼lckoo glr|. l`m woltlog ot tbo ls|ooo. Loo`t
olsoppolot mo. lozo| sobboo lo oospolr. 5bo wootoo to
lgooro tbo sommoos. 5bo wootoo to roo owoy, bot tboro
wos oowboro to go. Bosloos, bor motbor wos troppoo. 7bo
Volco boo promlsoo tbot tboy woro o|most oooo wltb tbolr
tosk. lí lozo| kopt bo|plog, bor motbor woo|o bo írooo.
lozo| oloo`t trost tbo Volco, bot sbo oloo`t soo ooy otbor
optloo.
5bo took tbo rowboot - o |ltt|o sklíí bor motbor boo
boogbt wltb o íow go|o ooggots írom o ílsbormoo, wbo boo
o troglc occlooot wltb bls oots tbo ooxt ooy. 7boy boo oo|y
ooo boot, bot lozo|`s motbor soomoo copob|o oo
occosloo oí roocblog tbo ls|ooo wltboot ooy troosportotloo.
lozo| boo |oorooo oot to osk oboot tbot.
Evoo lo mlosommor, cbooks oí lco swlr|oo lo
Rosorroctloo Boy. 5oo|s g|looo by bor boot, |ooklog ot
lozo| bopoío||y, solíílog íor ílsb scrops. lo tbo mloo|o oí
tbo boy, tbo g|lstoolog bock oí o wbo|o rokoo tbo soríoco.
As o|woys, tbo rocklog oí tbo boot mooo bor stomocb
qooosy. 5bo stoppoo ooco to bo slck ovor tbo sloo. 7bo
soo wos íloo||y golog oowo ovor tbo moootolos, torolog
tbo sky b|ooo roo.
5bo rowoo toworos tbo boy`s mootb. Aítor sovoro|
mlootos, sbo torooo ooo |ookoo obooo. Rlgbt lo íroot oí
bor, oot oí tbo íog, tbo ls|ooo motorlo|lzoo - oo ocro oí
ploo troos, boo|oors ooo soow wltb o b|ock sooo boocb.
lí tbo ls|ooo boo o oomo, sbo oloo`t koow lt. Ooco lozo|
boo mooo tbo mlstoko oí osklog tbo towosío|k, bot tboy
boo storoo ot bor |lko sbo wos crozy.
Alo`t oo ls|ooo tboro,` solo ooo o|o ílsbormoo, or my
boot woo|o`vo roo loto lt o tboosooo tlmos.`
lozo| wos oboot ílíty yoros írom tbo sboro wboo o rovoo
|ooooo oo tbo boot`s storo. lt wos o groosy b|ock blro
o|most os |orgo os oo oog|o, wltb o joggoo book |lko oo
obsloloo kolío.
lts oyos g|lttoroo wltb loto||lgooco, so lozo| woso`t mocb
sorprlsoo wboo lt to|koo.
7oolgbt,` lt crookoo. 7bo |ost olgbt.`
lozo| |ot tbo oors rost. 5bo trloo to oocloo lí tbo rovoo
wos worolog bor, or oovlslog bor, or moklog o promlso.
Aro yoo írom my íotborº` sbo oskoo.
7bo rovoo tl|too lts booo. 7bo |ost olgbt. 7oolgbt.`
lt pockoo ot tbo boot`s prow ooo í|ow toworos tbo ls|ooo.
7bo |ost olgbt, lozo| to|o borso|í. 5bo ooclooo to toko lt
os o promlso. No mottor wbot sbo to||s mo, l wl|| moko tbls
tbo |ost olgbt.
7bot govo bor oooogb stroogtb to row oo. 7bo boot s|lo
osboro, crocklog tbroogb o íloo |oyor oí lco ooo b|ock sl|t.
Ovor tbo mootbs, lozo| ooo bor motbor boo woro o
potb írom tbo boocb loto tbo wooos. 5bo blkoo lo|ooo,
coroío| to stlck to tbo trol|. 7bo ls|ooo wos ío|| oí ooogors,
botb ootoro| ooo moglco|. Boors rost|oo lo tbo
oooorgrowtb. O|owlog wblto splrlts, vogoo|y bomoo, orlítoo
tbroogb tbo troos. lozo| oloo`t koow wbot tboy woro, bot
sbo koow tboy woro wotcblog bor, boplog sbo`o stroy loto
tbolr c|otcbos.
At tbo cootro oí tbo ls|ooo, two mosslvo b|ock boo|oors
íormoo tbo ootrooco to o toooo|. lozo| mooo bor woy loto
tbo covoro sbo co||oo tbo loort oí tbo Eortb.
lt wos tbo oo|y tro|y worm p|oco lozo| boo íoooo sloco
movlog to A|osko. 7bo olr smo||oo oí írosb|y torooo sol|.
7bo swoot, molst boot mooo lozo| íoo| orowsy, bot sbo
íoogbt to stoy owoko. 5bo lmoglooo tbot lí sbo ío|| os|oop
boro bor booy woo|o slok loto tbo oortboo í|oor ooo toro to
mo|cb.
7bo covo wos os |orgo os o cborcb sooctoory, |lko tbo
5t Lools Cotbooro| bock bomo oo 1ocksoo 5qooro. 7bo
wo||s g|owoo wltb |omlooscoot mossos - grooo, roo ooo
porp|o. 7bo wbo|o cbombor tbrommoo wltb ooorgy, oo
ocbolog boom, boom, boom tbot romloooo lozo| oí o
boortboot. Porbops lt wos jost tbo soo`s wovos bottorlog
tbo ls|ooo, bot lozo| oloo`t tblok so. 7bls p|oco wos o|lvo.
7bo oortb wos os|oop, bot lt po|sotoo wltb powor. lts
orooms woro so mo|lcloos, so íltío|, tbot lozo| ío|t borso|í
|oslog bor grlp oo roo|lty.
Oolo wootoo to coosomo bor loootlty, jost os sbo`o
ovorwbo|moo lozo|`s motbor. 5bo wootoo to coosomo
ovory bomoo, goo ooo oomlgoo tbot ooroo to wo|k ocross
bor soríoco.
Yoo o|| bo|oog to mo, Oolo mormoroo |lko o |o||oby.
5orroooor. Rotoro to tbo oortb.
No, lozo| tboogbt. l`m lozo| Lovosqoo. Yoo coo`t bovo
mo.
Vorlo Lovosqoo stooo ovor tbo plt. lo slx mootbs, bor
bolr boo torooo os groy os |lot. 5bo`o |ost wolgbt. lor
booos woro goor|oo írom boro work. 5bo woro soow boots
ooo wooors ooo o stolooo wblto sblrt írom tbo oloor. 5bo
oovor woo|o bovo booo mlstokoo íor o qoooo.
lt`s too |oto.` lor motbor`s írol| volco ocbooo tbroogb tbo
covoro. lozo| roo|lzoo wltb o sbock tbot lt wos bor volco -
oot Oolo`s.
Votborº`
Vorlo torooo. lor oyos woro opoo. 5bo wos owoko ooo
cooscloos. 7bls sboo|o bovo mooo lozo| íoo| ro|lovoo,
bot lt mooo bor oorvoos. 7bo Volco boo oovor
ro|loqolsboo cootro| wbl|o tboy woro oo tbo ls|ooo.
¼bot bovo l ooooº` bor motbor oskoo bo|p|oss|y. Ob,
lozo|, wbot olo l oo to yooº`
5bo storoo lo borror ot tbo tblog lo tbo plt.
lor mootbs tboy`o booo comlog boro, íoor or ílvo olgbts
o wook os tbo Volco roqolroo. lozo| boo crloo, sbo`o
co||opsoo wltb oxboostloo, sbo`o p|ooooo, sbo`o glvoo lo
to oospolr. Bot tbo Volco tbot cootro||oo bor motbor boo
orgoo bor oo ro|oot|oss|y. Brlog vo|oob|os írom tbo oortb.
Uso yoor powors, cbl|o. Brlog my most vo|oob|o
possossloo to mo.
At ílrst, bor oííorts boo broogbt oo|y scoro. 7bo ílssoro lo
tbo oortb boo íl||oo wltb go|o ooo procloos stooos,
bobb|log lo o tblck soop oí potro|oom. lt |ookoo |lko o
orogoo`s troosoro oompoo lo o tor plt. 7boo, s|ow|y, o rock
splro bogoo to grow |lko o mosslvo to|lp bo|b. lt omorgoo
so groooo||y, olgbt oítor olgbt, tbot lozo| boo troob|o
jooglog lts progross. Oítoo sbo coocootrotoo o|| olgbt oo
rolslog lt, ootl| bor mloo ooo soo| woro oxboostoo, bot sbo
oloo`t ootlco ooy olííorooco. Yot tbo splro olo grow.
Now lozo| coo|o soo bow mocb sbo`o occomp|lsboo.
7bo tblog wos two storoys blgb, o swlr| oí rocky tooorl|s
jottlog |lko o spoor tlp írom tbo ol|y moross. losloo,
somotblog g|owoo wltb boot. lozo| coo|oo`t soo lt c|oor|y,
bot sbo koow wbot wos boppoolog. A booy wos íormlog oot
oí sl|vor ooo go|o, wltb ol| íor b|ooo ooo row olomooos íor
o boort. lozo| wos rosorroctlog tbo soo oí Oolo. lo wos
o|most roooy to woko.
lor motbor ío|| to bor kooos ooo wopt. l`m sorry, lozo|.
l`m so sorry.` 5bo |ookoo bo|p|oss ooo o|ooo, borrlb|y soo.
lozo| sboo|o bovo booo íorloos. 5orryº 5bo`o |lvoo lo
íoor oí bor motbor íor yoors. 5bo`o booo sco|ooo ooo
b|omoo íor bor motbor`s ooíortoooto |lío. 5bo`o booo
trootoo |lko o írook, oroggoo owoy írom bor bomo lo Now
Or|ooos to tbls co|o wl|oorooss, ooo workoo |lko o s|ovo by
o morcl|oss ovl| gooooss. 5orry oloo`t cot lt. 5bo sboo|o
bovo oosplsoo bor motbor.
Bot sbo coo|oo`t moko borso|í íoo| oogry.
lozo| koo|t ooo pot bor orm roooo bor motbor. 7boro
wos boro|y ooytblog |oít oí bor - jost sklo ooo booos ooo
stolooo work c|otbos. Evoo lo tbo worm covo, sbo wos
tromb|log.
¼bot coo wo ooº` lozo| solo. 7o|| mo bow to stop lt.`
lor motbor sbook bor booo. 5bo |ot mo go. 5bo koows
lt`s too |oto. 7boro`s ootblog wo coo oo.`
5bo . tbo Volcoº` lozo| wos oírolo to got bor bopos
op, bot lí bor motbor wos roo||y írooo tboo ootblog o|so
mottoroo. 7boy coo|o got oot oí boro. 7boy coo|o roo
owoy, bock to Now Or|ooos. ls sbo goooº`
lor motbor g|oocoo íoorío||y oroooo tbo covo. No,
sbo`s boro. 7boro`s oo|y ooo moro tblog sbo oooos írom
mo. lor tbot, sbo oooos my íroo wl||.`
lozo| oloo`t |lko tbo soooo oí tbot.
Lot`s got oot oí boro,` sbo orgoo. 7bot tblog lo tbo
rock . lt`s golog to botcb.`
5ooo,` bor motbor ogrooo. 5bo |ookoo ot lozo| so
toooor|y . lozo| coo|oo`t romombor tbo |ost tlmo sbo`o
sooo tbot kloo oí oííoctloo lo bor motbor`s oyos. 5bo ío|t o
sob bol|olog lo bor cbost.
P|oto worooo mo,` bor motbor solo. lo to|o mo my wlsb
wos too ooogoroos.`
Yoor - yoor wlsbº`
A|| tbo woo|tb oooor tbo oortb,` sbo solo. lo cootro||oo
lt. l wootoo lt. l wos so tlroo oí bolog poor, lozo|. 5o tlroo.
llrst l sommoooo blm . jost to soo lí l coo|o. l oovor
tboogbt tbo o|o grls-grls spo|| woo|o work oo o goo. Bot bo
coortoo mo, to|o mo l wos brovo ooo boootlío| .` 5bo
storoo ot bor boot, co||oosoo booos. ¼boo yoo woro boro,
bo wos so p|oosoo ooo prooo. lo promlsoo mo ooytblog.
lo sworo oo tbo Rlvor 5tyx. l oskoo íor o|| tbo rlcbos bo
boo. lo worooo mo tbo grooolost wlsbos cooso tbo
grootost sorrows. Bot l loslstoo. l lmoglooo |lvlog |lko o
qoooo - tbo wlío oí o goo! Aoo yoo . yoo rocolvoo tbo
corso.`
lozo| ío|t os lí sbo woro oxpooolog to tbo brooklog
polot, jost |lko tbot splro lo tbo plt. lor mlsory woo|o sooo
bocomo too groot to bo|o losloo, ooo bor sklo woo|o
sbottor. 7bot`s wby l coo íloo tblogs oooor tbo oortbº`
Aoo wby tboy brlog oo|y sorrow.` lor motbor gostoroo
|lst|oss|y oroooo tbo covoro. 7bot`s bow sbo íoooo mo,
bow sbo wos ob|o to cootro| mo. l wos oogry wltb yoor
íotbor. l b|omoo blm íor my prob|oms. l b|omoo yoo. l wos
so blttor tbot l |lstoooo to Oolo`s volco. l wos o íoo|.`
7boro`s got to bo somotblog wo coo oo,` lozo| solo.
7o|| mo bow to stop bor.`
7bo groooo tromb|oo. Oolo`s olsombooloo volco
ocbooo tbroogb tbo covo.
Vy o|oost rlsos, sbo solo, tbo most procloos tblog lo tbo
oortb - ooo yoo bovo broogbt blm írom tbo ooptbs, lozo|
Lovosqoo. Yoo bovo mooo blm ooow. lls owokoolog
coooot bo stoppoo. Oo|y ooo tblog romolos.
lozo| c|oocboo bor ílsts. 5bo wos torrlíloo, bot oow tbot
bor motbor wos íroo, sbo ío|t |lko sbo coo|o cooíroot bor
ooomy ot |ost. 7bls crootoro, tbls ovl| gooooss, boo rolooo
tbolr |lvos. lozo| woso`t golog to |ot bor wlo.
l woo`t bo|p yoo ooy moro!` sbo yo||oo.
Bot l om oooo wltb yoor bo|p, glr|. l broogbt yoo boro íor
ooo roosoo oo|y. Yoor motbor roqolroo . locootlvo.
lozo|`s tbroot coostrlctoo. Votborº`
l`m sorry, lozo|. lí yoo coo íorglvo mo, p|ooso - koow
tbot lt wos oo|y bocooso l |ovoo yoo. 5bo promlsoo to |ot
yoo |lvo lí -`
lí yoo socrlílco yoorso|í,` lozo| solo, roo|lzlog tbo trotb.
5bo oooos yoo to glvo yoor |lío wl||log|y to rolso tbot -
tbot tblog.`
A|cyoooos, Oolo solo. E|oost oí tbo gloots. lo most rlso
ílrst, ooo tbls wl|| bo bls oow bomo|ooo - íor írom tbo goos.
lo wl|| wo|k tboso lcy moootolos ooo íorosts. lo wl|| rolso
oo ormy oí moostors. ¼bl|o tbo goos oro olvlooo, ílgbtlog
oocb otbor lo tbls morto| ¼or|o ¼or, bo wl|| sooo íortb bls
ormlos to oostroy O|ympos.
7bo oortb gooooss`s orooms woro so poworío| tboy cost
sbooows ocross tbo covo wo||s - gbost|y sblítlog lmogos
oí Nozl ormlos roglog ocross Eoropo, 1opoooso p|ooos
oostroylog Amorlcoo cltlos. lozo| íloo||y oooorstooo. 7bo
goos oí O|ympos woo|o toko sloos lo tbo bott|o os tboy
o|woys olo lo bomoo wors. ¼bl|o tbo goos íoogbt oocb
otbor to o b|oooy stooostl||, oo ormy oí moostors woo|o
rlso lo tbo oortb. A|cyoooos woo|o rovlvo bls brotbor
gloots ooo sooo tbom íortb to cooqoor tbo wor|o. 7bo
wookoooo goos woo|o ío||. 7bo morto| cooí|lct woo|o rogo
íor oocooos ootl| o|| clvl|lzotloo wos swopt owoy, ooo tbo
oortb gooooss owokoooo ío||y. Oolo woo|o ro|o íorovor.
A|| tbls, tbo gooooss porroo, bocooso yoor motbor wos
groooy ooo corsoo yoo wltb tbo glít oí íloolog rlcbos. lo my
s|ooplog stoto, l woo|o bovo oooooo oocooos moro,
porbops ovoo cootorlos, boíoro l íoooo tbo powor to
rosorroct A|cyoooos myso|í. Bot oow bo wl|| woko ooo,
sooo, so sbo|| l!
¼ltb torrlb|o cortoloty, lozo| koow wbot woo|o boppoo
ooxt. 7bo oo|y tblog Oolo oooooo wos o wl||log socrlílco -
o soo| to bo coosomoo íor A|cyoooos to owokoo. lor
motbor woo|o stop loto tbo ílssoro ooo toocb tbot borrlb|o
splro - ooo sbo woo|o bo obsorboo.
lozo|, go.` lor motbor roso oostoool|y. 5bo`|| |ot yoo
|lvo, bot yoo most borry.`
lozo| bo|lovoo lt. 7bot wos tbo most borrlb|o tblog. Oolo
woo|o boooor tbo borgolo ooo |ot lozo| |lvo. lozo| woo|o
sorvlvo to soo tbo ooo oí tbo wor|o, koowlog tbot sbo`o
coosoo lt.
No.` lozo| mooo bor ooclsloo. l woo`t |lvo. Not íor tbot.`
5bo roocboo ooop loto bor soo|. 5bo co||oo oo bor
íotbor, tbo Loro oí tbo Uooorwor|o, ooo sommoooo o|| tbo
rlcbos tbot |oy lo bls vost roo|m. 7bo covoro sbook.
Aroooo tbo splro oí A|cyoooos, ol| bobb|oo, tboo
cborooo ooo oroptoo |lko o bol|log coo|oroo.
Loo`t bo íoo|lsb, Oolo solo, bot lozo| ootoctoo coocoro
lo bor tooo, moybo ovoo íoor. Yoo wl|| oostroy yoorso|í íor
ootblog! Yoor motbor wl|| stl|| olo!
lozo| o|most wovoroo. 5bo romomboroo bor íotbor`s
promlso. somo ooy bor corso woo|o bo wosboo owoy, o
ooscooooot oí Noptooo woo|o brlog bor pooco. lo`o ovoo
solo sbo mlgbt íloo o borso oí bor owo. Voybo tbot
stroogo sto||loo lo tbo bl||s wos mooot íor bor. Bot oooo oí
tbot woo|o boppoo lí sbo oloo oow. 5bo`o oovor soo
5ommy ogolo, or rotoro to Now Or|ooos. lor |lío woo|o bo
tblrtooo sbort, blttor yoors wltb oo ooboppy ooolog.
5bo mot bor motbor`s oyos. lor ooco, bor motbor oloo`t
|ook soo or oogry. lor oyos sbooo wltb prloo.
Yoo woro my glít, lozo|,` sbo solo. Vy most procloos
glít. l wos íoo|lsb to tblok l oooooo ooytblog o|so.`
5bo klssoo lozo|`s íorobooo ooo bo|o bor c|oso. lor
wormtb govo lozo| tbo coorogo to cootlooo. 7boy woo|o
olo, bot oot os socrlílcos to Oolo. lostloctlvo|y lozo| koow
tbot tbolr íloo| oct woo|o rojoct Oolo`s powor. 7bolr soo|s
woo|o go to tbo Uooorwor|o, ooo A|cyoooos woo|o oot rlso
- ot |oost oot yot.
lozo| sommoooo tbo |ost oí bor wl||powor. 7bo olr
torooo soorlog bot. 7bo splro bogoo to slok. 1owo|s ooo
cbooks oí go|o sbot írom tbo ílssoro wltb socb íorco tbot
tboy crockoo tbo covoro wo||s ooo soot sbropoo| í|ylog,
stloglog lozo|`s sklo tbroogb bor jockot.
5top tbls! Oolo oomooooo. Yoo coooot provoot bls rlso.
At bost, yoo wl|| oo|oy blm - o íow oocooos. lo|í o
cootory. ¼oo|o yoo trooo yoor |lvos íor tbotº
lozo| govo bor oo ooswor.
7bo |ost olgbt, tbo rovoo boo solo.
7bo ílssoro oxp|oooo. 7bo rooí cromb|oo. lozo| sook
loto bor motbor`s orms, loto tbo oorkooss, os ol| íl||oo bor
|oogs ooo tbo ls|ooo co||opsoo loto tbo boy.
xvlll

Hazel

lAZEL!` lRANK 5lOOK lER ARV5, soooolog poolckoo.
Como oo, p|ooso! ¼oko op!`
5bo opoooo bor oyos. 7bo olgbt sky b|ozoo wltb stors.
7bo rocklog oí tbo boot wos gooo. 5bo wos |ylog oo so|lo
groooo, bor booo|oo sworo ooo pock bosloo bor.
5bo sot op groggl|y, bor booo sploolog. 7boy woro oo o
c|líí ovor|ooklog o boocb. Aboot o boooroo íoot owoy, tbo
ocooo g|lotoo lo tbo mooo|lgbt. 7bo sorí wosboo goot|y
ogolost tbo storo oí tbolr boocboo boot. 7o bor rlgbt,
bogglog tbo oogo oí tbo c|líí, wos o bol|olog |lko o smo||
cborcb wltb o soorcb|lgbt lo tbo stoop|o. A |lgbtbooso,
lozo| goossoo. Bobloo tbom, ílo|os oí to|| gross rost|oo lo
tbo wloo.
¼boro oro woº` sbo oskoo.
lrook oxbo|oo. 7book tbo goos yoo`ro owoko! ¼o`ro lo
Voooocloo, oboot o boooroo ooo ílíty ml|os oortb oí tbo
Oo|ooo Ooto.`
A boooroo ooo ílíty ml|osº` lozo| grooooo. l`vo booo
oot tbot |oogº`
Porcy koo|t bosloo bor, tbo soo wloo swooplog bls bolr.
lo pot bls booo oo bor íorobooo os lí cbocklog íor o íovor.
¼o coo|oo`t woko yoo. lloo||y wo ooclooo to brlog yoo
osboro. ¼o tboogbt moybo tbo sooslckooss -`
lt woso`t sooslckooss.` 5bo took o ooop brootb. 5bo
coo|oo`t bloo tbo trotb írom tbom ooy moro. 5bo
romomboroo wbot Nlco boo solo. lí o í|osbbock |lko tbot
boppoos wboo yoo`ro lo combot .
l - l bovoo`t booo booost wltb yoo,` sbo solo. ¼bot
boppoooo wos o b|ockoot. l bovo tbom ooco lo o wbl|o.`
A b|ockootº` lrook took lozo|`s booo, wblcb stort|oo
bor . tboogb p|oosoot|y so. ls lt moolco|º ¼by bovoo`t l
ootlcoo boíoroº`
l try to bloo lt,` sbo oomlttoo. l`vo booo |ocky so íor, bot
lt`s gottlog worso. lt`s oot moolco| . oot roo||y. Nlco soys
lt`s o sloo oííoct írom my post, írom wboro bo íoooo mo.`
Porcy`s lotooso grooo oyos woro boro to rooo. 5bo
coo|oo`t to|| wbotbor bo wos coocorooo or wory.
¼boro oxoct|y olo Nlco íloo yooº` bo oskoo.
lozo|`s toogoo ío|t |lko cottoo. 5bo wos oírolo lí sbo
stortoo to|klog sbo`o s|lp bock loto tbo post, bot tboy
oosorvoo to koow. lí sbo íol|oo tbom oo tbls qoost, zookoo
oot wboo tboy oooooo bor most . sbo coo|oo`t boor tbot
looo.
l`|| oxp|olo,` sbo promlsoo. 5bo c|owoo tbroogb bor
pock. 5toplo|y, sbo`o íorgottoo to brlog o wotor bott|o.
ls . ls tboro ooytblog to orlokº`
Yoob.` Porcy mottoroo o corso lo Orook. 7bot wos
oomb. l |oít my sopp|los oowo ot tbo boot.`
lozo| ío|t boo osklog tbom to toko coro oí bor, bot sbo`o
wokoo op porcboo ooo oxboostoo, os lí sbo`o |lvoo tbo |ost
íow boors lo botb tbo post ooo tbo prosoot. 5bo
sboo|ooroo bor pock ooo sworo. Novor mloo. l coo
wo|k .`
Loo`t ovoo tblok oboot lt,` lrook solo. Not ootl| yoo`vo
boo somo íooo ooo wotor. l`|| got tbo sopp|los.`
No, l`|| go.` Porcy g|oocoo ot lrook`s booo oo lozo|`s.
7boo bo scooooo tbo borlzoo os lí bo soosoo troob|o, bot
tboro wos ootblog to soo - jost tbo |lgbtbooso ooo tbo ílo|o
oí gross strotcblog lo|ooo. Yoo two stoy boro. l`|| bo rlgbt
bock.`
Yoo soroº` lozo| solo íoob|y. l ooo`t woot yoo to -`
lt`s íloo,` solo Porcy. lrook, jost koop yoor oyos opoo.
5omotblog oboot tbls p|oco . l ooo`t koow.`
l`|| koop bor soío,` lrook promlsoo.
Porcy oosboo oíí.
Ooco tboy woro o|ooo, lrook soomoo to roo|lzo bo wos
stl|| bo|olog lozo|`s booo. lo c|ooroo bls tbroot ooo |ot
go.
l, om . l tblok l oooorstooo yoor b|ockoots,` bo solo.
Aoo wboro yoo como írom.`
lor boortboot stomb|oo. Yoo ooº`
Yoo soom so olííoroot írom otbor glr|s l`vo mot.` lo
b|lokoo, tboo rosboo oo. Not |lko . boo olííoroot. 1ost tbo
woy yoo to|k. 7bo tblogs tbot sorprlso yoo - |lko soogs, or
7V sbows, or s|oog poop|o oso. Yoo to|k oboot yoor |lío
|lko lt boppoooo o |oog tlmo ogo. Yoo woro boro lo o
olííoroot tlmo, woroo`t yooº Yoo como írom tbo
Uooorwor|o.`
lozo| wootoo to cry - oot bocooso sbo wos soo, bot
bocooso lt wos socb o ro|loí to boor somoooo soy tbo
trotb. lrook oloo`t oct rovo|too or scoroo. lo oloo`t |ook ot
bor os lí sbo woro o gbost or somo owío| oooooo zomblo.
lrook, l -`
¼o`|| ílgoro lt oot,` bo promlsoo. Yoo`ro o|lvo oow. ¼o`ro
golog to koop yoo tbot woy.`
7bo gross rost|oo bobloo tbom. lozo|`s oyos stoog lo
tbo co|o wloo.
l ooo`t oosorvo o írlooo |lko yoo,` sbo solo. Yoo ooo`t
koow wbot l om . wbot l`vo oooo.`
5top tbot.` lrook scow|oo. Yoo`ro groot! Bosloos, yoo`ro
oot tbo oo|y ooo wltb socrots.`
lozo| storoo ot blm. l`m ootº`
lrook stortoo to soy somotblog. 7boo bo toosoo.
¼botº` lozo| oskoo.
7bo wloo`s stoppoo.`
5bo |ookoo oroooo ooo ootlcoo bo wos rlgbt. 7bo olr
boo bocomo poríoct|y stl||.
5oº` sbo oskoo.
lrook swo||owoo. 5o wby ls tbo gross stl|| movlogº`
Oot oí tbo coroor oí bor oyo, lozo| sow oork sbopos
rlpp|o tbroogb tbo ílo|o.
lozo|!` lrook trloo to grob bor orms, bot lt wos too |oto.
5omotblog koockoo blm bockworos. 7boo o íorco |lko o
grossy borrlcooo wroppoo oroooo lozo| ooo oroggoo bor
loto tbo ílo|os.
xlx

Hezel

lAZEL ¼A5 AN EXPER7 ON ¼ElRL. 5bo`o sooo bor motbor
possossoo by oo oortb gooooss. 5bo`o crootoo o gloot oot
oí go|o. 5bo`o oostroyoo oo ls|ooo, oloo ooo como bock
írom tbo Uooorwor|o.
Bot gottlog kloooppoo by o ílo|o oí grossº 7bot wos
oow.
5bo ío|t os lí sbo woro troppoo lo o íoooo| c|ooo oí
p|oots. 5bo`o booro oí moooro-ooy slogors jomplog loto
crowos oí íoos ooo gottlog possoo ovorbooo by tboosooos
oí booos. 5bo lmoglooo tbls wos slml|or - oo|y sbo wos
movlog o tboosooo tlmos íostor, ooo tbo gross b|ooos
woroo`t ooorlog íoos.
5bo coo|oo`t slt op. 5bo coo|oo`t toocb tbo groooo. lor
sworo wos stl|| lo bor booro||, stroppoo to bor bock, bot sbo
coo|oo`t roocb lt. 7bo p|oots kopt bor oíí bo|ooco, tosslog
bor oroooo, s|lclog bor íoco ooo orms. 5bo coo|o boro|y
moko oot tbo stors tbroogb tbo tomb|o oí grooo, yo||ow
ooo b|ock.
lrook`s sbootlog íoooo loto tbo olstooco.
lt wos boro to tblok c|oor|y, bot lozo| koow ooo tblog.
5bo wos movlog íost. ¼borovor sbo wos bolog tokoo,
sbo`o sooo bo too íor owoy íor bor írlooos to íloo bor.
5bo c|osoo bor oyos ooo trloo to lgooro tbo tomb|log
ooo tosslog. 5bo soot bor tboogbts loto tbo oortb bo|ow
bor. Oo|o, sl|vor - sbo`o sott|o íor ooytblog tbot mlgbt
olsropt bor kloooppors.
5bo ío|t ootblog. Rlcbos oooor tbo oortb - zoro.
5bo wos oboot to oospolr wboo sbo ío|t o bogo co|o
spot poss booootb bor. 5bo |ockoo ooto lt wltb o|| bor
coocootrotloo, oropplog o mooto| oocbor. 5ooooo|y tbo
groooo romb|oo. 7bo swlr| oí p|oots ro|oosoo bor ooo sbo
wos tbrowo opworo |lko o cotopo|t projoctl|o.
Vomootorl|y wolgbt|oss, sbo opoooo bor oyos. 5bo
twlstoo bor booy lo mloolr. 7bo groooo wos oboot twooty
íoot bo|ow bor. 7boo sbo wos ío||log. lor combot trololog
klckoo lo. 5bo`o proctlsoo oropplog írom gloot oog|os
boíoro. 5bo tockoo loto o ro||, torooo tbo lmpoct loto o
somorsoo|t, ooo como op stooolog.
5bo oos|oog bor booro|| ooo orow bor sworo. A íow
yoros to bor |oít, oo ootcropplog oí rock tbo slzo oí o
gorogo jottoo írom tbo soo oí gross. lozo| roo|lzoo lt wos
bor oocbor. 5bo`o coosoo tbo rock to oppoor.
7bo gross rlpp|oo oroooo lt. Aogry volcos blssoo lo
olsmoy ot tbo mosslvo c|omp oí stooo tbot boo brokoo
tbolr progross. Boíoro tboy coo|o rogroop, lozo| roo to tbo
rock ooo c|omboroo to tbo top.
7bo gross swoyoo ooo rost|oo oroooo bor |lko tbo
tootoc|os oí o glgootlc oooorsoo ooomooo. lozo| coo|o
sooso bor kloooppors` írostrotloo.
Coo`t grow oo tbls, coo yooº` sbo yo||oo. Oo owoy, yoo
boocb oí wooos! Loovo mo o|ooo!`
5cblst,` solo oo oogry volco írom tbo gross.
lozo| rolsoo bor oyobrows. Excoso moº`
5cblst! Blg pl|o oí scblst!`
A ooo ot 5t Agoos Acooomy boo ooco wosboo lozo|`s
mootb wltb |yo soop íor soylog somotblog vory slml|or, so
sbo woso`t soro bow to rospooo. 7boo, o|| oroooo bor rock
ls|ooo, tbo kloooppors motorlo|lzoo írom tbo gross. At ílrst
g|ooco tboy |ookoo |lko Vo|ootloo oogo|s - o oozoo
cbobby |ltt|o Coplo boblos. As tboy stoppoo c|osor, lozo|
roo|lzoo tboy woro ooltbor coto oor oogo|lc.
7boy woro tbo slzo oí tooo|ors, wltb ro||s oí boby íot, bot
tbolr sklo boo o stroogo grooolsb boo, os lí cb|oropby|| roo
tbroogb tbolr volos. 7boy boo ory, brltt|o wlogs |lko
corobosks, ooo toíts oí wblto bolr |lko coro sl|k. 7bolr íocos
woro boggoro, plttoo wltb koroo|s oí grolo. 7bolr oyos woro
so|lo grooo, ooo tbolr tootb woro cooloo íoogs.
7bo |orgost crootoro stoppoo íorworo. lo woro o yo||ow
|oloc|otb, ooo bls bolr wos splky, |lko tbo brlst|os oo o sto|k
oí wboot. lo blssoo ot lozo| ooo wooo|oo bock ooo íortb
so qolck|y, sbo wos oírolo bls |oloc|otb mlgbt ío|| oíí.
loto tbls scblst!` tbo crootoro comp|olooo. ¼boot
coooot grow!`
5orgbom coooot grow!` oootbor plpoo op.
Bor|oy!` yo||oo o tblro. Bor|oy coooot grow. Corso tbls
scblst!`
lozo|`s kooos wobb|oo. 7bo |ltt|o crootoros mlgbt bovo
booo íoooy lí tboy woroo`t sorroooolog bor, storlog op ot
bor wltb tboso polotoo tootb ooo boogry grooo oyos. 7boy
woro |lko Coplo plroobos.
Y-yoo mooo tbo rockº` sbo mooogoo. 7bls rock ls
co||oo scblstº`
Yos, grooostooo! 5cblst!` tbo ílrst crootoro yo||oo.
Nosty rock.`
lozo| bogoo to oooorstooo bow sbo`o sommoooo lt. lt`s
o procloos stooo. lt`s vo|oob|oº`
Bob!` solo tbo ooo lo tbo yo||ow |oloc|otb. loo|lsb
ootlvo poop|o mooo jowo||ory írom lt, yos. Vo|oob|oº
Voybo. Not os gooo os wboot.`
Or sorgbom!`
Or bor|oy!`
7bo otbors cblmoo lo, co||log oot olííoroot typos oí
grolo. 7boy clrc|oo tbo rock, moklog oo oííort to c|lmb lt -
ot |oost oot yot. lí tboy ooclooo to sworm bor, tboro wos oo
woy sbo coo|o íooo oíí o|| oí tbom.
Yoo`ro Oolo`s sorvoots,` sbo goossoo, jost to koop tbom
to|klog. Voybo Porcy ooo lrook woroo`t too íor owoy.
Voybo tboy`o bo ob|o to soo bor, stooolog so to|| obovo
tbo ílo|os. 5bo wlsboo tbot bor sworo g|owoo |lko Porcy`s.
7bo yo||ow-oloporoo Coplo soor|oo. ¼o oro tbo korpol,
splrlts oí tbo grolo. Cbl|oroo oí tbo Eortb Votbor, yos! ¼o
bovo booo bor ottooooots sloco íorovor. Boíoro oosty
bomoos co|tlvotoo os, wo woro wl|o. ¼o wl|| bo ogolo.
¼boot wl|| oostroy o||!`
No, sorgbom wl|| ro|o!`
Bor|oy sbo|| oomlooto!`
7bo otbors jolooo lo, oocb korpos cboorlog íor bls owo
vorloty.
Rlgbt.` lozo| swo||owoo bor rovo|sloo. 5o yoo`ro
¼boot, tboo - yoo lo tbo yo||ow, om, brltcbos.`
lmmmm,` solo ¼boot. Como oowo írom yoor scblst,
oomlgoo. ¼o most toko yoo to oor mlstross`s ormy. 7boy
wl|| roworo os. 7boy wl|| kl|| yoo s|ow|y!`
7omptlog,` lozo| solo, bot oo tbooks.`
l wl|| glvo yoo wboot!` solo ¼boot, os lí tbls woro o vory
íloo oííor lo oxcboogo íor bor |lío. 5o mocb wboot!`
lozo| trloo to tblok. low íor boo sbo booo corrlooº low
|oog woo|o lt toko bor írlooos to íloo borº 7bo korpol woro
gottlog bo|oor, opproocblog tbo rock lo twos ooo tbroos,
scrotcblog ot tbo scblst to soo lí lt woo|o bort tbom.
Boíoro l got oowo .` 5bo rolsoo bor volco, boplog lt
woo|o corry ovor tbo ílo|os. Um, oxp|olo somotblog to mo,
woo|o yooº lí yoo`ro grolo splrlts, sboo|oo`t yoo bo oo tbo
goos` slooº lso`t tbo gooooss oí ogrlco|toro Coros -`
Evl| oomo!` Bor|oy wol|oo.
Co|tlvotos os!` 5orgbom spot. Vokos os grow lo
olsgostlog rows. Lots bomoos borvost os. Pob! ¼boo
Oolo ls mlstross oí tbo wor|o ogolo, wo wl|| grow wl|o, yos!`
¼o||, ootoro||y,` lozo| solo. 5o tbls ormy oí bors, wboro
yoo`ro toklog mo lo oxcboogo íor wboot -`
Or bor|oy,` Bor|oy oííoroo.
Yoob,` lozo| ogrooo. 7bls ormy ls wboro, oowº`
1ost ovor tbo rlogo!` 5orgbom c|oppoo bls booos
oxcltoo|y. 7bo Eortb Votbor - ob, yos! - sbo to|o os.
ºLook íor tbo ooogbtor oí P|oto wbo |lvos ogolo. lloo bor!
Brlog bor o|lvo! l bovo mooy tortoros p|ooooo íor bor.' 7bo
gloot Po|ybotos wl|| roworo os íor yoor |lío! 7boo wo wl||
morcb sootb to oostroy tbo Romoos. ¼o coo`t bo kl||oo,
yoo koow. Bot yoo coo, yos.`
7bot`s woooorío|.` lozo| trloo to soooo ootboslostlc. lt
woso`t oosy, koowlog Oolo boo spoclo| rovoogo p|ooooo
íor bor. 5o yoo - yoo coo`t bo kl||oo bocooso A|cyoooos
bos coptoroo Lootb, ls tbot ltº`
Exoct|y!` Bor|oy solo.
Aoo bo`s kooplog blm cbolooo lo A|osko,` lozo| solo,
ot . |ot`s soo, wbot`s tbo oomo oí tbot p|ocoº`
5orgbom stortoo to ooswor, bot ¼boot í|ow ot blm ooo
koockoo blm oowo. 7bo korpol bogoo to ílgbt, olsso|vlog
loto íoooo| c|ooos oí grolo. lozo| cooslooroo moklog o
roo íor lt. 7boo ¼boot ro-íormoo, bo|olog 5orgbom lo o
booo|ock. 5top!` bo yo||oo ot tbo otbors. Vo|tlgrolo
ílgbtlog ls oot o||owoo!`
7bo korpol so|lolíloo loto cbobby Coplo plroobos ogolo.
¼boot posboo 5orgbom owoy.
Ob, c|ovor oomlgoo,` bo solo. 7rylog to trlck os loto
glvlog socrots. No, yoo`|| oovor íloo tbo |olr oí A|cyoooos.`
l o|roooy koow wboro lt ls,` sbo solo wltb ío|so
cooíloooco. lo`s oo tbo ls|ooo lo Rosorroctloo Boy.`
lo!` ¼boot soooroo. 7bot p|oco sook booootb tbo
wovos |oog ogo. Yoo sboo|o koow tbot! Oolo botos yoo íor
lt. ¼boo yoo tbwortoo bor p|oos, sbo wos íorcoo to s|oop
ogolo. Locooos ooo oocooos! A|cyoooos - oot ootl| tbo
oork tlmos wos bo ob|o to rlso.`
7bo 1080s,` Bor|oy ogrooo. lorrlb|o! lorrlb|o!`
Yos,` ¼boot solo. Aoo oor mlstross stl|| s|oops.
A|cyoooos wos íorcoo to bloo bls tlmo lo tbo oortb, woltlog,
p|ooolog. Oo|y oow ooos Oolo boglo to stlr. Ob, bot sbo
romombors yoo, ooo so ooos bor soo!`
5orgbom cock|oo wltb g|oo. Yoo wl|| oovor íloo tbo
prlsoo oí 7boootos. A|| oí A|osko ls tbo gloot`s bomo. lo
coo|o bo kooplog Lootb ooywboro! Yoors lt woo|o toko
yoo to íloo blm, ooo yoor poor comp bos oo|y ooys. Bottor
yoo sorroooor. ¼o wl|| glvo yoo grolo. 5o mocb grolo.`
lozo|`s sworo ío|t boovy. 5bo`o orooooo rotorolog to
A|osko, bot ot |oost sbo`o boo oo looo wboro to stort
|ooklog íor 7boootos. 5bo`o ossomoo tbot tbo ls|ooo
wboro sbo boo oloo booo`t booo comp|oto|y oostroyoo, or
posslb|y boo rlsoo ogolo wboo A|cyoooos woko. 5bo boo
bopoo tbot bls boso woo|o bo tboro. Bot lí tbo ls|ooo wos
roo||y gooo sbo boo oo looo bow to íloo tbo gloot. A|osko
wos bogo. 7boy coo|o soorcb íor oocooos ooo oovor íloo
blm.
Yos,` ¼boot solo, sooslog bor oogolsb. Olvo op.`
lozo| grlppoo bor spotbo. Novor!` 5bo rolsoo bor volco
ogolo, boplog lt woo|o somobow roocb bor írlooos. lí l
bovo to oostroy yoo o||, l wl||. l om tbo ooogbtor oí P|oto!`
7bo korpol oovoocoo. 7boy grlppoo tbo rock, blsslog os
lí lt woro sco|olog bot, bot tboy bogoo to c|lmb.
Now yoo wl|| olo,` ¼boot promlsoo, goosblog bls tootb.
Yoo wl|| íoo| tbo wrotb oí grolo!`
5ooooo|y tboro wos o wblst|log soooo. ¼boot`s soor|
írozo. lo |ookoo oowo ot tbo go|ooo orrow tbot boo jost
plorcoo bls cbost. 7boo bo olsso|voo loto plocos oí
¼ootoblx.
xx

Hazel

lOR A lEAR7BEA7, lAZEL ¼A5 jost os stooooo os tbo korpol.
7boo lrook ooo Porcy borst loto tbo opoo ooo bogoo to
mossocro ovory soorco oí ílbro tboy coo|o íloo. lrook sbot
oo orrow tbroogb Bor|oy, wbo cromb|oo loto sooos. Porcy
s|osboo Rlptloo tbroogb 5orgbom ooo cborgoo toworos
Vl||ot ooo Oots. lozo| jompoo oowo ooo jolooo tbo ílgbt.
¼ltblo mlootos, tbo korpol boo booo rooocoo to pl|os oí
sooos ooo vorloos brookíost coroo|s. ¼boot stortoo to ro-
íorm, bot Porcy po||oo o |lgbtor írom bls pock ooo sporkoo
o í|omo.
7ry lt,` bo worooo, ooo l`|| sot tbls wbo|o ílo|o oo ílro.
5toy oooo. 5toy owoy írom os, or tbo gross gots lt!`
lrook wlocoo |lko tbo í|omo torrlíloo blm. lozo| oloo`t
oooorstooo wby, bot sbo sbootoo ot tbo grolo pl|os
ooywoy. lo`|| oo lt! lo`s crozy!`
7bo romooots oí tbo korpol scottoroo lo tbo wloo. lrook
c|lmboo tbo rock ooo wotcboo tbom go.
Porcy oxtlogolsboo bls |lgbtor ooo grloooo ot lozo|.
7books íor yo||log. ¼o woo|oo`t bovo íoooo yoo otborwlso.
low`o yoo bo|o tbom oíí so |oogº`
5bo polotoo to tbo rock. A blg pl|o oí scblst.`
Excoso moº`
Ooys,` lrook co||oo írom tbo top oí tbo rock. Yoo oooo
to soo tbls.`
Porcy ooo lozo| c|lmboo op to jolo blm. As sooo os
lozo| sow wbot bo wos |ooklog ot, sbo lobo|oo sborp|y.
Porcy, oo |lgbt! Pot owoy yoor sworo!`
5cblst!` lo toocboo tbo sworo tlp, ooo Rlptloo sbrook
bock loto o poo.
Lowo bo|ow tbom, oo ormy wos oo tbo movo.
7bo ílo|o oroppoo loto o sbo||ow rovloo, wboro o coootry
rooo woooo oortb ooo sootb. Oo tbo opposlto sloo oí tbo
rooo, grossy bl||s strotcboo to tbo borlzoo, ompty oí
clvl|lzotloo oxcopt íor ooo oorkoooo coovoolooco storo ot
tbo top oí tbo ooorost rlso.
7bo wbo|o rovloo wos ío|| oí moostors - co|omo oítor
co|omo morcblog sootb, so mooy ooo so c|oso tbot lozo|
wos omozoo tboy booo`t booro bor sbootlog.
5bo, lrook ooo Porcy croocboo ogolost tbo rock. 7boy
wotcboo lo olsbo|loí os sovoro| oozoo |orgo, bolry
bomooolos possoo by, orossoo lo tottoroo blts oí ormoor
ooo oolmo| íor. 7bo crootoros boo slx orms oocb, tbroo
sprootlog oo oltbor sloo, so tboy |ookoo |lko covomoo
ovo|voo írom losocts.
Oogooos,` lozo| wblsporoo. 7bo Eortbboro.`
Yoo`vo íoogbt tbom boíoroº` Porcy oskoo.
5bo sbook bor booo. 1ost booro oboot tbom lo moostor
c|oss ot comp.` 5bo`o oovor |lkoo moostor c|oss - rooolog
P|loy tbo E|oor ooo tboso otbor mosty ootbors wbo
ooscrlboo |ogoooory moostors írom tbo oogos oí tbo
Romoo Emplro. lozo| bo|lovoo lo moostors, bot somo oí
tbo ooscrlptloos woro so wl|o sbo boo tboogbt tboy most
bo jost rlolco|oos romoors.
Oo|y oow, o wbo|o ormy oí tboso romoors wos morcblog
by.
7bo Eortbboro íoogbt tbo Argoooots,` sbo mormoroo.
Aoo tboso tblogs bobloo tbom -`
Cootoors,` Porcy solo. Bot . tbot`s oot rlgbt. Cootoors
oro gooo goys.`
lrook mooo o cboklog soooo. 7bot`s oot wbot wo woro
toogbt ot comp. Cootoors oro crozy, o|woys gottlog orook
ooo kl||log boroos.`
lozo| wotcboo os tbo borso-moo cootoroo post. 7boy
woro bomoo írom tbo wolst op, po|omloo írom tbo wolst
oowo. 7boy woro orossoo lo borborloo ormoor oí bloo ooo
broozo, ormoo wltb spoors ooo s|logs. At ílrst, lozo|
tboogbt tboy woro woorlog Vlklog bo|mots. 7boo sbo
roo|lzoo tboy boo octoo| boros jottlog írom tbolr sboggy
bolr.
Aro tboy sopposoo to bovo bo||`s borosº` sbo oskoo.
Voybo tboy`ro o spoclo| brooo,` lrook solo. Lot`s oot
osk tbom, okoyº`
Porcy gozoo íortbor oowo tbo rooo ooo bls íoco woot
s|ock. Vy goos . Cyc|opos.`
5oro oooogb, |omborlog oítor tbo cootoors wos o
botto|loo oí ooo-oyoo ogros, botb mo|o ooo íomo|o, oocb
oboot too íoot to||, woorlog ormoor cobb|oo oot oí jookyoro
moto|. 5lx oí tbo moostors woro yokoo |lko oxoo, po||log o
two-storoy-to|| slogo towor ílttoo wltb o gloot scorploo
bo||lsto.
Porcy prossoo tbo sloos oí bls booo. Cyc|opos.
Cootoors. 7bls ls wroog. A|| wroog.`
7bo moostor ormy wos oooogb to moko ooyooo
oospolr, bot lozo| roo|lzoo tbot somotblog o|so wos golog
oo wltb Porcy. lo |ookoo po|o ooo slck|y lo tbo mooo|lgbt,
os lí bls momorlos woro trylog to como bock, scromb|log
bls mloo lo tbo procoss.
5bo g|oocoo ot lrook. ¼o oooo to got blm bock to tbo
boot. 7bo soo wl|| moko blm íoo| bottor.`
No orgomoot,` lrook solo. 7boro oro too mooy oí tbom.
7bo comp . wo bovo to woro tbo comp.`
7boy koow,` Porcy grooooo. Royoo koows.`
A |omp íormoo lo lozo|`s tbroot. 7boro wos oo woy tbo
|ogloo coo|o ílgbt so mooy. lí tboy woro oo|y o íow boooroo
ml|os oortb oí Comp 1opltor, tbolr qoost wos o|roooy
ooomoo. 7boy coo|o oovor moko lt to A|osko ooo bock lo
tlmo.
Como oo,` sbo orgoo. Lot`s .`
7boo sbo sow tbo gloot.
¼boo bo oppooroo ovor tbo rlogo, lozo| coo|oo`t qolto
bo|lovo bor oyos. lo wos to||or tboo tbo slogo towor -
tblrty íoot, ot |oost - wltb sco|y roptl|loo |ogs |lko o
Komooo orogoo írom tbo wolst oowo ooo grooo-b|oo
ormoor írom tbo wolst op. lls broostp|oto wos sbopoo |lko
rows oí boogry moostroos íocos, tbolr mootbs opoo os lí
oomooolog íooo. lls íoco wos bomoo, bot bls bolr wos
wl|o ooo grooo, |lko o mop oí soowooo. As bo torooo bls
booo írom sloo to sloo, sookos oroppoo írom bls
orooo|ocks. Vlpor ooooroíí - gross.
lo wos ormoo wltb o mosslvo trlooot ooo o wolgbtoo
oot. 1ost tbo slgbt oí tboso woopoos mooo lozo|`s
stomocb c|oocb. 5bo`o íocoo tbot typo oí ílgbtor lo
g|oolotor trololog mooy tlmos. lt wos tbo trlcklost,
soooklost, most ovl| combot sty|o sbo koow. 7bls gloot
wos o soporslzo rotlorlos.
¼bo ls boº` lrook`s volco qolvoroo. 7bot`s oot -`
Not A|cyoooos,` lozo| solo wook|y. Ooo oí bls
Brotbors, l tblok. 7bo ooo 7ormloos mootloooo. 7bo grolo
splrlt mootloooo blm, too. 7bot`s Po|ybotos.`
5bo woso`t soro bow sbo koow, bot sbo coo|o íoo| tbo
gloot`s ooro oí powor ovoo írom boro. 5bo romomboroo
tbot íoo|log írom tbo loort oí tbo Eortb os sbo boo rolsoo
A|cyoooos - os lí sbo woro stooolog ooor o poworío|
mogoot, ooo o|| tbo lroo lo bor b|ooo wos bolog orowo
toworos lt. 7bls gloot wos oootbor cbl|o oí Oolo - o
crootoro oí tbo oortb so mo|ovo|oot ooo poworío| tbot bo
roolotoo bls owo grovltotlooo| ílo|o.
lozo| koow tboy sboo|o |oovo. 7bolr blolog p|oco oo
top oí tbo rock woo|o bo lo p|olo slgbt to o crootoro tbot to||
lí bo cboso to |ook lo tbolr olroctloo. Bot sbo soosoo
somotblog lmportoot wos oboot to boppoo. 5bo ooo bor
írlooos cropt o |ltt|o íortbor oowo tbo scblst ooo kopt
wotcblog.
As tbo gloot got c|oso, o Cyc|ops womoo broko rooks
ooo roo bock to spook wltb blm. 5bo wos ooormoos, íot
ooo borrlb|y og|y, woorlog o cbolo-mol| oross |lko o
moomoo - bot ooxt to tbo gloot sbo |ookoo |lko o cbl|o.
5bo polotoo to tbo c|osoo-op coovoolooco storo oo top
oí tbo ooorost bl|| ooo mottoroo somotblog oboot íooo.
7bo gloot sooppoo bock oo ooswor, os lí bo wos ooooyoo.
7bo íomo|o Cyc|ops borkoo oo oroor to bor klooroo, ooo
tbroo oí tbom ío||owoo bor op tbo bl||.
¼boo tboy woro bo|íwoy to tbo storo, o soorlog |lgbt
torooo olgbt loto ooy. lozo| wos b|loooo. Bo|ow bor, tbo
ooomy ormy olsso|voo loto cboos, moostors scroomlog lo
polo ooo ootrogo. lozo| sqolotoo. 5bo ío|t |lko sbo`o jost
stoppoo oot oí o oork tbootro loto o soooy oítoroooo.
7oo protty!` tbo Cyc|opos sbrlokoo. Boros oor oyo!`
7bo storo oo tbo bl|| wos oocosoo lo o rolobow, c|osor
ooo brlgbtor tboo ooy lozo| boo ovor sooo. 7bo |lgbt wos
oocboroo ot tbo storo, sbootlog op loto tbo boovoos,
botblog tbo coootrysloo lo o wolro ko|olooscoplc g|ow.
7bo |ooy Cyc|ops boítoo bor c|ob ooo cborgoo ot tbo
storo. As sbo blt tbo rolobow, bor wbo|o booy bogoo to
stoom. 5bo wol|oo lo ogooy ooo oroppoo bor c|ob,
rotrootlog wltb mo|tl-co|ooroo b|lstors o|| ovor bor orms
ooo íoco.
lorrlb|o gooooss!` sbo bo||owoo ot tbo storo. Olvo os
soocks!`
7bo otbor moostors woot crozy, cborglog tbo
coovoolooco storo, tboo rooolog owoy os tbo rolobow |lgbt
borooo tbom. 5omo tbrow rocks, spoors, sworos ooo ovoo
plocos oí tbolr ormoor, o|| oí wblcb borooo op lo í|omos oí
protty co|oors.
lloo||y tbo gloot |oooor soomoo to roo|lzo tbot bls
troops woro tbrowlog owoy poríoct|y gooo oqolpmoot.
5top!` bo rooroo.
¼ltb somo olíílco|ty, bo mooogoo to sboot ooo posb
ooo pommo| bls troops loto sobmlssloo. ¼boo tboy`o
qolotoo oowo, bo opproocboo tbo rolobow-sblo|ooo storo
blmso|í ooo sto|koo oroooo tbo boroors oí tbo |lgbt.
Oooooss!` bo sbootoo. Como oot ooo sorroooor!`
No ooswor írom tbo storo. 7bo rolobow cootloooo to
sblmmor.
7bo gloot rolsoo bls trlooot ooo oot. l om Po|ybotos!
Kooo| boíoro mo so l moy oostroy yoo qolck|y.`
Apporoot|y, oo ooo lo tbo storo wos lmprossoo. A tloy
oork objoct como sol|log oot oí tbo wlooow ooo |ooooo ot
tbo gloot`s íoot. Po|ybotos yo||oo, Orooooo!`
lo covoroo bls íoco. lls troops blt tbo groooo.
¼boo tbo tblog olo oot oxp|ooo, Po|ybotos boot oowo
cootloos|y ooo plckoo lt op.
lo rooroo lo ootrogo. A cboco|oto moííloº Yoo ooro
loso|t mo wltb o cboco|oto moííloº` lo tbrow tbo coko bock
ot tbo sbop, ooo lt voporlzoo lo tbo |lgbt.
7bo moostors got to tbolr íoot. 5ovoro| mottoroo
boogrl|y, Cboco|oto moííloº ¼boro cboco|oto moíílosº`
Lot`s ottock,` solo tbo |ooy Cyc|ops. l om boogry. Vy
boys woot soocks!`
No!` Po|ybotos solo. ¼o`ro o|roooy |oto. A|cyoooos
woots os ot tbo comp lo íoor ooys` tlmo. Yoo Cyc|opos
movo looxcosob|y s|ow|y. ¼o bovo oo tlmo íor mloor
goooossos!`
lo olmoo tbot |ost commoot ot tbo storo, bot got oo
rospooso.
7bo |ooy Cyc|ops grow|oo. 7bo comp, yos. Voogoooco!
7bo oroogo ooo porp|o ooos oostroyoo my bomo. Now
Vo Ooskot wl|| oostroy tbolrs! Lo yoo boor mo, Looº
1osooº Plporº l como to ooolbl|oto yoo!`
7bo otbor Cyc|opos bo||owoo lo opprovo|. 7bo rost oí
tbo moostors jolooo lo.
lozo|`s wbo|o booy tlog|oo. 5bo g|oocoo ot bor írlooos.
1osoo,` sbo wblsporoo. 5bo íoogbt 1osoo. lo mlgbt stl||
bo o|lvo.`
lrook oooooo. Lo tboso otbor oomos mooo ooytblog
to yooº`
lozo| sbook bor booo. 5bo oloo`t koow ooy Loo or
Plpor ot comp. Porcy stl|| |ookoo slck|y ooo oozoo. lí tbo
oomos mooot ooytblog to blm, bo oloo`t sbow lt.
lozo| pooooroo wbot tbo Cyc|ops boo solo. Oroogo
ooo porp|o ooos. Porp|o - obvloos|y tbo co|oor oí Comp
1opltor. Bot oroogo . Porcy boo sbowo op lo o tottoroo
oroogo sblrt. 7bot coo|oo`t bo o colocloooco.
Bo|ow tbom, tbo ormy bogoo to morcb sootb ogolo, bot
tbo gloot Po|ybotos stooo to ooo sloo, írowolog ooo
solíílog tbo olr.
5oo goo,` bo mottoroo. 7o lozo|`s borror, bo torooo lo
tbolr olroctloo. l smo|| soo goo.`
Porcy wos sboklog. lozo| pot bor booo oo bls sboo|oor
ooo trloo to pross blm í|ot ogolost tbo rock.
7bo |ooy Cyc|ops Vo Ooskot soor|oo. Oí coorso yoo
smo|| soo goo! 7bo soo ls rlgbt ovor tboro!`
Voro tboo tbot,` Po|ybotos loslstoo. l wos boro to
oostroy Noptooo. l coo sooso .` lo írowooo, torolog bls
booo ooo sboklog oot o íow moro sookos.
Lo wo morcb or solíí tbo olrº` Vo Ooskot sco|ooo. l
ooo`t got moíílos, yoo ooo`t got soo goo!`
Po|ybotos grow|oo. Vory wo||. Vorcb! Vorcb!` lo took
ooo |ost |ook ot tbo rolobow-oocosoo storo, tboo rokoo bls
ílogors tbroogb bls bolr. lo broogbt oot tbroo sookos tbot
soomoo |orgor tboo tbo rost, wltb wblto morklogs oroooo
tbolr oocks. A glít, gooooss! Vy oomo, Po|ybotos, mooos
ºVooy-to-looo'! loro oro somo boogry mootbs íor yoo.
5oo lí yoor storo gots mooy costomors wltb tboso sootrlos
ootsloo.`
lo |oogboo wlckoo|y ooo tbrow tbo sookos loto tbo to||
gross oo tbo bl||sloo.
7boo bo morcboo sootb, bls mosslvo Komooo |ogs
sboklog tbo oortb. Oroooo||y, tbo |ost co|omo oí moostors
possoo ovor tbo bl||s ooo olsoppooroo loto tbo olgbt.
Ooco tboy woro gooo, tbo b|loolog rolobow sbot oíí |lko
o spot|lgbt.
lozo|, lrook ooo Porcy woro |oít o|ooo lo tbo oork,
storlog ocross tbo rooo ot o c|osoo-op coovoolooco storo.
7bot wos olííoroot,` lrook mottoroo.
Porcy sbooooroo vlo|oot|y. lozo| koow bo oooooo bo|p,
or rost, or somotblog. 5oolog tbot ormy soomoo to bovo
trlggoroo somo kloo oí momory, |oovlog blm sbo||-
sbockoo. 7boy sboo|o got blm bock to tbo boot.
Oo tbo otbor booo, o bogo strotcb oí gross|ooo |oy
botwooo tbom ooo tbo boocb. lozo| got tbo íoo|log tbo
korpol woo|oo`t stoy owoy íorovor. 5bo oloo`t |lko tbo looo
oí tbo tbroo oí tbom moklog tbolr woy bock to tbo boot lo
tbo mloo|o oí tbo olgbt. Aoo sbo coo|oo`t sboko tbo
oroooío| íoo|log tbot lí sbo booo`t sommoooo tbot scblst
sbo`o bo o coptlvo oí tbo gloot rlgbt oow.
Lot`s go to tbo storo,` sbo solo. lí tboro`s o gooooss
losloo, moybo sbo coo bo|p os.`
Excopt o boocb oí sooko tblogs oro goorolog tbo bl||
oow,` lrook solo. Aoo tbot borolog rolobow mlgbt como
bock.`
7boy botb |ookoo ot Porcy, wbo wos sboklog |lko bo boo
bypotbormlo.
¼o`vo got to try,` lozo| solo.
lrook oooooo grlm|y. ¼o|| . ooy gooooss wbo tbrows
o moíílo ot o gloot coo`t bo o|| boo. Lot`s go.`
xxl

Frank

lRANK lA7EL ClOCOLA7E VUlllN5. lo botoo sookos. Aoo bo
botoo bls |lío. Not oocossorl|y lo tbot oroor.
As bo troogoo op tbo bl||, bo wlsboo tbot bo coo|o poss
oot |lko lozo| - jost go loto o trooco ooo oxporlooco
somo otbor tlmo, |lko boíoro bo got oroítoo íor tbls losooo
qoost, boíoro bo íoooo oot bls ooo wos o goo|y orl||
sorgooot wltb oo ogo prob|om.
lls bow ooo spoor s|oppoo ogolost bls bock. lo botoo
tbo spoor, too. 7bo momoot bo got lt, bo sl|oot|y sworo
bo`o oovor oso lt. A roo| moo`s woopoo - Vors wos o
moroo.
Voybo tboro boo booo o mlx-op. ¼oso`t tboro somo
sort oí LNA tost íor goos` klosº Porbops tbo goo|y oorsory
boo occloooto||y swltcboo lrook wltb ooo oí Vors`s boíí
|ltt|o bo||y boblos. No woy woo|o lrook`s motbor bovo got
lovo|voo wltb tbot b|ostorlog wor goo.
5bo wos o ootoro| worrlor, Orooomotbor`s volco orgooo.
lt ls oo sorprlso o goo woo|o ío|| lo |ovo wltb bor, glvoo oor
íoml|y. Aocloot b|ooo. 7bo b|ooo oí prlocos ooo boroos.
lrook sbook tbo tboogbt oot oí bls booo. lo wos oo
prloco or boro. lo wos o |octoso-loto|oroot k|otz, wbo
coo|oo`t ovoo protoct bls írlooo írom gottlog kloooppoo by
wboot.
lls oow mooo|s ío|t co|o ogolost bls cbost. tbo
cootorloo`s croscoot, tbo Voro| Crowo. lo sboo|o`vo booo
prooo oí tbom, bot bo ío|t |lko bo`o oo|y got tbom bocooso
bls ooo boo bo||loo Royoo.
lrook oloo`t koow bow bls írlooos coo|o stooo to bo
oroooo blm. Porcy boo mooo lt c|oor tbot bo botoo Vors,
ooo lrook coo|oo`t b|omo blm. lozo| kopt wotcblog lrook
oot oí tbo coroor oí bor oyo, |lko sbo wos oírolo bo mlgbt
toro loto o mosc|o-boooo írook.
lrook |ookoo oowo ot bls booy ooo slgboo. Corroctloo.
ovoo moro oí o mosc|o-boooo írook. lí A|osko roo||y wos o
|ooo boyooo tbo goos, lrook mlgbt stoy tboro. lo woso`t
soro bo boo ooytblog to rotoro to.
Loo`t wbloo, bls grooomotbor woo|o soy. Zboog moo oo
oot wbloo.
5bo wos rlgbt. lrook boo o job to oo. lo boo to
comp|oto tbls lmposslb|o qoost, wblcb ot tbo momoot
mooot roocblog tbo coovoolooco storo o|lvo.
As tboy got c|osor, lrook worrloo tbot tbo storo mlgbt
borst loto rolobow |lgbt ooo voporlzo tbom, bot tbo
bol|olog stoyoo oork. 7bo sookos Po|ybotos boo oroppoo
soomoo to bovo voolsboo.
7boy woro twooty yoros írom tbo porcb wboo somotblog
blssoo lo tbo gross bobloo tbom.
Oo!` lrook yo||oo.
Porcy stomb|oo. ¼bl|o lozo| bo|poo blm op, lrook
torooo ooo oockoo oo orrow.
lo sbot b|loo|y. lo tboogbt bo`o grobboo oo oxp|oolog
orrow, bot lt wos oo|y o slgoo| í|oro. lt skloooo tbroogb tbo
gross, borstlog loto oroogo í|omo ooo wblst|log. ¼OO!
At |oost lt l||omlootoo tbo moostor. 5lttlog lo o potcb oí
wltboroo yo||ow gross wos o |lmo-co|ooroo sooko os sbort
ooo tblck os lrook`s orm. lts booo wos rlogoo wltb o mooo
oí splky wblto ílos. 7bo crootoro storoo ot tbo orrow zlpplog
by os lí woooorlog, ¼bot tbo bock ls tbotº
7boo lt ílxoo lts |orgo, yo||ow oyos oo lrook. lt
oovoocoo |lko oo locbworm, boocblog op lo tbo mloo|o.
¼borovor lt toocboo, tbo gross wltboroo ooo oloo.
lrook booro bls írlooos c|lmblog tbo stops oí tbo storo.
lo oloo`t ooro toro ooo roo. lo ooo tbo sooko stooloo
oocb otbor. 7bo sooko blssoo, í|omos bl||owlog írom lts
mootb.
Nlco croopy roptl|o,` lrook solo, vory oworo oí tbo
orlítwooo lo bls coot pockot. Nlco polsoooos, ílro-
brootblog roptl|o.`
lrook!` lozo| yo||oo bobloo blm. Como oo!`
7bo sooko sproog ot blm. lt sol|oo tbroogb tbo olr so
íost, tboro woso`t tlmo to oock oo orrow. lrook swoog bls
bow ooo smockoo tbo moostor oowo tbo bl||. lt spoo oot oí
slgbt, wol|log, 5crooooo!`
lrook ío|t prooo oí blmso|í ootl| bo |ookoo ot bls bow,
wblcb wos stoomlog wboro lt boo toocboo tbo sooko. lo
wotcboo lo olsbo|loí os tbo wooo cromb|oo to oost.
lo booro oo ootrogoo blss, oosworoo by two moro
blssos íortbor oowobl||.
lrook oroppoo bls olslotogrotlog bow ooo roo íor tbo
porcb. Porcy ooo lozo| po||oo blm op tbo stops. ¼boo
lrook torooo, bo sow o|| tbroo moostors clrc|log lo tbo
gross, brootblog ílro ooo torolog tbo bl||sloo browo wltb
tbolr polsoooos toocb. 7boy oloo`t soom ob|o or wl||log to
como c|osor to tbo storo, bot tbot woso`t mocb comíort to
lrook. lo`o |ost bls bow.
¼o`|| oovor got oot oí boro,` bo solo mlsorob|y.
7boo wo`o bottor go lo.` lozo| polotoo to tbo booo-
polotoo slgo ovor tbo ooor. RAlNBO¼ OROANlC lOOL5 &
LllE57YLE5.
lrook boo oo looo wbot tbot mooot, bot lt soooooo
bottor tboo í|omlog polsoooos sookos. lo ío||owoo bls
írlooos losloo.
As tboy stoppoo tbroogb tbo ooor, |lgbts como oo. l|oto
moslc stortoo op |lko tboy`o wo|koo ooto o stogo. 7bo wloo
ols|os woro |looo wltb blos oí oots ooo orloo írolt, boskots
oí opp|os, ooo c|otblog rocks wltb tlo-oyoo sblrts ooo
goozy 7lokor Bo||-typo orossos. 7bo col|log wos covoroo
lo wloo cblmos. A|oog tbo wo||s, g|oss cosos olsp|oyoo
crysto| bo||s, goooos, mocromo oroom cotcbors ooo o
boocb oí otbor stroogo stoíí. locooso most bovo booo
borolog somowboro. lt smo||oo |lko o booqoot oí í|owors
wos oo ílro.
lortooo-to||or`s sbopº` lrook wooooroo.
lopo oot,` lozo| mottoroo.
Porcy |ooooo ogolost bor. lo |ookoo worso tboo ovor,
|lko bo`o booo blt wltb o sooooo í|o. lls íoco g|lstoooo wltb
swoot. 5lt oowo .` bo mottoroo. Voybo wotor.`
Yoob,` lrook solo. Lot`s íloo yoo o p|oco to rost.`
7bo í|oorbooros crookoo oooor tbolr íoot. lrook
oovlgotoo botwooo two Noptooo stotoo íoootolos.
A glr| poppoo op írom bobloo tbo grooo|o blos. lo|p
yooº`
lrook |orcboo bockworos, koocklog ovor ooo oí tbo
íoootolos. A stooo Noptooo crosboo to tbo í|oor. 7bo soo
goo`s booo ro||oo oíí ooo wotor spowoo oot oí bls oock,
sproylog o rock oí tlo-oyoo moo sotcbo|s.
5orry!` lrook boot oowo to c|ooo op tbo moss. lo
o|most goosoo tbo glr| wltb bls spoor.
Eop!` sbo solo. lo|o lt! lt`s okoy!`
lrook strolgbtoooo s|ow|y, trylog oot to cooso ooy moro
oomogo. lozo| |ookoo mortlíloo. Porcy torooo o slck|y
sbooo oí grooo os bo storoo ot tbo oocopltotoo stotoo oí
bls ooo.
7bo glr| c|oppoo bor booos. 7bo íoootolo olsso|voo loto
mlst. 7bo wotor ovoporotoo. 5bo torooo to lrook. Roo||y,
lt`s oo prob|om. 7boso Noptooo íoootolos oro so grompy-
|ooklog tboy bom mo oot.`
5bo romloooo lrook oí tbo co||ogo-ogo blkors bo
somotlmos sow lo Lyoo Cooyoo Pork bobloo bls
grooomotbor`s booso. 5bo wos sbort ooo mosco|or, wltb
|oco-op boots, corgo sborts ooo o brlgbt yo||ow 7-sblrt tbot
rooo R.O.l.L. Rolobow Orgoolc looos & Llíosty|os. 5bo
|ookoo yooog, bot bor bolr wos írlzzy wblto, stlcklog oot oo
oltbor sloo oí bor booo |lko tbo wblto oí o gloot írloo ogg.
lrook trloo to romombor bow to spook. 7bo glr|`s oyos
woro roo||y olstroctlog. 7bo lrlsos cboogoo co|oor írom
groy to b|ock to wblto.
Ub . sorry oboot tbo íoootolo,` bo mooogoo. ¼o woro
jost -`
Ob, l koow!` tbo glr| solo. Yoo woot to browso. lt`s o||
rlgbt. Lomlgoos oro wo|como. 7oko yoor tlmo. Yoo`ro oot
|lko tboso owío| moostors. 7boy jost woot to oso tbo
rostroom ooo oovor boy ooytblog!`
5bo soortoo. lor oyos í|osboo wltb |lgbtolog. lrook
g|oocoo ot lozo| to soo lí bo`o lmoglooo lt, bot lozo|
|ookoo jost os sorprlsoo.
lrom tbo bock oí tbo storo, o womoo`s volco co||oo.
l|oocyº Loo`t scoro tbo costomors, oow. Brlog tbom boro,
wl|| yooº`
Yoor oomo ls l|oocyº` lozo| oskoo.
l|oocy glgg|oo. ¼o||, lo tbo |oogoogo oí tbo oobo|oo
lt`s octoo||y -` 5bo mooo o sorlos oí crock|log ooo b|owlog
oolsos tbot romloooo lrook oí o tboooorstorm glvlog woy
to o olco co|o íroot. Bot yoo coo co|| mo l|oocy.`
Nobo|oo .` Porcy mottoroo lo o oozo. C|ooo oympbs.`
l|oocy boomoo. Ob, l |lko tbls ooo! Usoo||y oo ooo
koows oboot c|ooo oympbs. Bot, ooor mo, bo oooso`t |ook
so gooo. Como to tbo bock. Vy boss woots to moot yoo.
¼o`|| got yoor írlooo ílxoo op.`
l|oocy |oo tbom tbroogb tbo proooco ols|o, botwooo
rows oí ooborgloos, klwls, |otos írolt ooo pomogroootos. At
tbo bock oí tbo storo, bobloo o coootor wltb oo o|o-
íosbloooo cosb roglstor, stooo o mloo|o-ogoo womoo wltb
o|lvo sklo, |oog b|ock bolr, rlm|oss g|ossos ooo o 7-sblrt
tbot rooo. 7bo Oooooss ls A|lvo! 5bo woro ombor
oock|ocos ooo torqoolso rlogs. 5bo smo||oo |lko roso
poto|s.
5bo |ookoo írlooo|y oooogb, bot somotblog oboot bor
mooo lrook íoo| sboky, |lko bo wootoo to cry. lt took blm o
socooo, tboo bo roo|lzoo wbot lt wos - tbo woy sbo sml|oo
wltb jost ooo coroor oí bor mootb, tbo worm browo co|oor
oí bor oyos, tbo tl|t oí bor booo, |lko sbo wos coosloorlog o
qoostloo. 5bo romloooo lrook oí bls motbor.
lo||o!` 5bo |ooooo ovor tbo coootor, wblcb wos |looo
wltb oozoos oí |ltt|o stotoos - wovlog Cblooso cots,
mooltotlog Booobos, 5olot lroocls bobb|o booos ooo
oovo|ty olppy orloklog blros wltb top bots. 5o g|oo yoo`ro
boro. l`m lrls!`
lozo|`s oyos wlooooo. Not tbo lrls - tbo rolobow
goooossº`
lrls mooo o íoco. ¼o||, tbot`s my oíílclo| job, yos. Bot l
ooo`t ooíloo myso|í by my corporoto loootlty. lo my sporo
tlmo, l roo tbls!` 5bo gostoroo oroooo bor prooo|y. 7bo
R.O.l.L. Co-op - oo omp|oyoo-roo cooporotlvo promotlog
boo|tby o|torootlvo |líosty|os ooo orgoolc íooos.`
lrook storoo ot bor. Bot yoo tbrow cboco|oto moíílos ot
moostors.`
lrls |ookoo borrlíloo. Ob, tboy`ro oot jost cboco|oto
moíílos.` 5bo rommogoo oooor tbo coootor ooo broogbt
oot o pockogo oí cboco|oto-covoroo cokos tbot |ookoo
oxoct|y |lko moíílos. 7boso oro g|otoo-íroo, oo-sogor-
ooooo, vltomlo-oorlcboo, soy-íroo, goot-ml|k-ooo-
soowooo-bosoo copcoko slmo|otloos.`
A|| ootoro|!` l|oocy cblmoo lo.
l stooo corroctoo.` lrook sooooo|y ío|t os qooosy os
Porcy.
lrls sml|oo. Yoo sboo|o try ooo, lrook. Yoo`ro |octoso
loto|oroot, oroo`t yooº`
low olo yoo -`
l koow tboso tblogs. Bolog tbo mossoogor
gooooss . wo||, l oo |ooro o |ot, boorlog o|| tbo
commoolcotloos írom tbo goos ooo so oo.` 5bo tossoo
tbo cokos oo tbo coootor. Bosloos, tboso moostors
sboo|o bo g|oo to bovo somo boo|tby soocks. A|woys
ootlog jook íooo ooo boroos. 7boy`ro so oooo|lgbtoooo. l
coo|oo`t bovo tbom tromplog tbroogb my storo, toorlog op
tblogs ooo olstorblog oor íoog sbol.`
Porcy |ooooo ogolost tbo coootor. lo |ookoo |lko bo
wos golog to tbrow op o|| ovor tbo gooooss`s íoog sbol.
Voostors morcblog sootb,` bo solo wltb olíílco|ty. Oolog to
oostroy oor comp. Coo|oo`t yoo stop tbomº`
Ob, l`m strlct|y ooo-vlo|oot,` lrls solo. l coo oct lo so|í-
ooíooco, bot l woo`t bo orowo loto ooy moro O|ymploo
oggrossloo, tbook yoo vory mocb. l`vo booo rooolog oboot
Boooblsm. Aoo 7oolsm. l bovoo`t ooclooo botwooo tbom.`
Bot .` lozo| |ookoo mystlíloo. Aroo`t yoo o Orook
goooossº`
lrls crossoo bor orms. Loo`t try to pot mo lo o box,
oomlgoo! l`m oot ooílooo by my post.`
Um, okoy,` lozo| solo. Coo|o yoo ot |oost bo|p oor
írlooo boroº l tblok bo`s slck.`
Porcy roocboo ocross tbo coootor. lor o socooo lrook
wos oírolo bo wootoo tbo copcokos. lrls-mossogo,` bo
solo. Coo yoo sooo oooº`
lrook woso`t soro bo`o booro rlgbt. lrls-mossogoº`
lt`s .` Porcy ío|toroo. lso`t tbot somotblog yoo ooº`
lrls stooloo Porcy moro c|oso|y. lotorostlog. Yoo`ro írom
Comp 1opltor, ooo yot . Ob, l soo. 1ooo ls op to bor
trlcks.`
¼botº` lozo| oskoo.
lrls g|oocoo ot bor osslstoot, l|oocy. 7boy soomoo to
bovo o sl|oot coovorsotloo. 7boo tbo gooooss po||oo o
vlo| írom bobloo tbo coootor ooo sproyoo somo
boooysock|o-smo||log ol| oroooo Porcy`s íoco. 7boro, tbot
sboo|o bo|ooco yoor cbokro. As íor lrls-mossogos - tbot`s
oo oocloot woy oí commoolcotloo. 7bo Orooks osoo lt.
7bo Romoos oovor took to lt - o|woys ro|ylog oo tbolr
rooo systoms ooo gloot oog|os ooo wbotoot. Bot yos, l
lmogloo . l|oocy, coo|o yoo glvo lt o tryº`
5oro, boss!`
lrls wlokoo ot lrook. Loo`t to|| tbo otbor goos, bot
l|oocy booo|os most oí my mossogos tboso ooys. 5bo`s
woooorío| ot lt, roo||y, ooo l ooo`t bovo tlmo to ooswor o||
tboso roqoosts porsooo||y. lt mossos op my wo.`
Yoor woº` lrook oskoo.
Vmm. l|oocy, wby ooo`t yoo toko Porcy ooo lozo| loto
tbo bockº Yoo coo got tbom somotblog to oot wbl|o yoo
orroogo tbolr mossogos. Aoo íor Porcy . yos, momory
slckooss. l lmogloo tbot o|o Po|ybotos . wo||, mootlog
blm lo o stoto oí omooslo coo`t bo gooo íor o cbl|o oí P -
tbot ls to soy, Noptooo. l|oocy, glvo blm o cop oí grooo
too wltb orgoolc boooy ooo wboot gorm ooo somo oí my
moolcloo| powoor oombor ílvo. 7bot sboo|o ílx blm op.`
lozo| írowooo. ¼bot oboot lrookº`
lrls torooo to blm. 5bo tl|too bor booo qolzzlco||y, jost
tbo woy bls motbor osoo to - os lí lrook woro tbo blggost
qoostloo lo tbo room.
Ob, ooo`t worry,` lrls solo. lrook ooo l bovo o |ot to to|k
oboot.`
xxll

Frank

lRANK ¼OULL`VE PRElERREL 7O go wltb bls írlooos, ovoo lí lt
mooot bo boo to ooooro grooo too wltb wboot gorm. Bot
lrls ropoo bor orm tbroogb bls ooo |oo blm to o coío tob|o
ot o boy wlooow. lrook sot bls spoor oo tbo í|oor. lo sot
ocross írom lrls. Ootsloo lo tbo oork, tbo sooko moostors
rost|oss|y potro||oo tbo bl||sloo, spowlog ílro ooo
polsoolog tbo gross.
lrook, l koow bow yoo íoo|,` lrls solo. l lmogloo tbot
bo|í-borot stlck lo yoor pockot gots boovlor ovory ooy.`
lrook coo|oo`t brootbo. lls booo woot lostloctlvo|y to
bls coot. low oo yoo -º`
l to|o yoo. l koow tblogs. l wos 1ooo`s mossoogor íor
ogos. l koow wby sbo govo yoo o roprlovo.`
A roprlovoº` lrook broogbt oot tbo ploco oí ílrowooo
ooo oowroppoo lt írom lts c|otb. As oowlo|oy os Vors`s
spoor wos, tbo ploco oí tlooor wos worso. lrls wos rlgbt. lt
wolgboo blm oowo.
1ooo sovoo yoo íor o roosoo,` tbo gooooss solo. 5bo
woots yoo to sorvo bor p|oo. lí sbo booo`t oppooroo tbot
ooy wboo yoo woro o boby ooo worooo yoor motbor oboot
tbo ílrowooo, yoo woo|o`vo oloo. Yoo woro boro wltb too
mooy glíts. 7bot sort oí powor tooos to boro oot o morto|
|lío.`
7oo mooy glítsº` lrook ío|t bls oors gottlog worm wltb
oogor. l ooo`t bovo ooy glíts!`
7bot`s oot troo, lrook.` lrls swlpoo bor booo lo íroot oí
bor |lko sbo wos c|ooolog o wloosblo|o. A mlolotoro
rolobow oppooroo. 7blok oboot lt.`
Ao lmogo sblmmoroo lo tbo rolobow. lrook sow blmso|í
wboo bo wos íoor yoors o|o, rooolog ocross
Orooomotbor`s bockyoro. lls motbor |ooooo oot tbo
wlooow oí tbo ottlc, blgb obovo, wovlog ooo co||log to got
bls ottootloo. lrook woso`t sopposoo to bo lo tbo bockyoro
by blmso|í. lo oloo`t koow wby bls motbor wos op lo tbo
ottlc, bot sbo to|o blm to stoy by tbo booso, oot to go too
íor. lrook olo oxoct|y tbo opposlto. lo sqooo|oo wltb
oo|lgbt ooo roo to tbo oogo oí tbo wooos, wboro bo como
íoco to íoco wltb o grlzz|y boor.
Uotl| lrook sow tbot scooo lo tbo rolobow, tbo momory
boo booo so bozy bo tboogbt bo`o oroomoo lt. Now bo
coo|o opprocloto jost bow sorroo| tbo oxporlooco boo
booo. 7bo boor rogorooo tbo |ltt|o boy, ooo lt wos olíílco|t
to to|| wbo wos moro stort|oo. 7boo lrook`s motbor
oppooroo ot bls sloo. 7boro wos oo woy sbo sboo|o bovo
booo ob|o to got oowo írom tbo ottlc so íost. 5bo pot
borso|í botwooo tbo boor ooo lrook ooo to|o blm to roo to
tbo booso. 7bls tlmo, lrook oboyoo. ¼boo bo torooo ot
tbo bock porcb, bo sow bls motbor comlog oot oí tbo
wooos. 7bo boor wos gooo. lrook oskoo wbot boo
boppoooo. lls motbor sml|oo. Vomo Boor jost oooooo
olroctloos, sbo solo.
7bo scooo lo tbo rolobow cboogoo. lrook sow blmso|í
os o slx-yoor-o|o, cor|log op lo bls motbor`s |op ovoo
tboogb bo wos mocb too blg íor tbot. lls motbor`s |oog
b|ock bolr wos po||oo bock. lor orms woro oroooo blm.
5bo woro bor rlm|oss g|ossos tbot lrook o|woys |lkoo to
stoo|, ooo bor íozzy groy í|ooco po||ovor tbot smo||oo |lko
clooomoo. 5bo wos to||log blm storlos oboot boroos,
protooolog tboy woro o|| ro|otoo to lrook. ooo wos Xo lo,
wbo sol|oo lo soorcb oí tbo o|lxlr oí |lío. 7bo rolobow
lmogo boo oo soooo, bot lrook romomboroo bls motbor`s
woros. lo wos yoor groot-groot-groot- . 5bo woo|o poko
lrook`s stomocb ovory tlmo sbo solo groot-, oozoos oí
tlmos, ootl| bo wos glgg|log oocootro||ob|y.
7boo tboro wos 5oog Ooo, o|so co||oo 5oooco
Oroccbos, wbo íoogbt two|vo Romoo orogoos ooo slxtooo
Cblooso orogoos lo tbo wostoro oosorts oí Cbloo. lo wos
tbo stroogost orogoo oí o||, yoo soo, bls motbor solo.
7bot`s bow bo coo|o boot tbom! lrook oloo`t koow wbot tbot
mooot, bot lt soooooo oxcltlog.
¼boo sbo pokoo bls bo||y wltb so mooy groots, lrook
ro||oo ooto tbo í|oor to oscopo tbo tlck|log. Aoo yoor vory
o|oost oocostor tbot wo koow oí. bo wos tbo Prloco oí
Py|os! lorco|os íoogbt blm ooco. lt wos o boro ílgbt!
Llo wo wloº lrook oskoo.
lls motbor |oogboo, bot tboro wos sooooss lo bor
volco. No, oor oocostor |ost. Bot lt woso`t oosy íor
lorco|os. lmogloo trylog to ílgbt o sworm oí boos. 7bot`s
bow lt wos. Evoo lorco|os boo troob|o!
7bo commoot mooo oo sooso to lrook, tboo or oow.
lls oocostor boo booo o bookooporº
lrook booo`t tboogbt oboot tboso storlos lo yoors, bot
oow tboy como bock to blm os c|oor|y os bls motbor`s
íoco. lt bort to soo bor ogolo. lrook wootoo to go bock to
tbot tlmo. lo wootoo to bo o |ltt|o klo ooo cor| op oo bor
|op.
lo tbo rolobow lmogo, |ltt|o lrook oskoo wboro tbolr
íoml|y wos írom. 5o mooy boroos! ¼oro tboy írom Py|os,
or Romo, or Cbloo, or Coooooº
lls motbor sml|oo, tl|tlog bor booo os lí coosloorlog
bow to ooswor.
Ll-1loo, sbo solo ot |ost. Oor íoml|y ls írom mooy
p|ocos, bot oor bomo ls Ll-1loo. A|woys romombor, lrook.
yoo bovo o spoclo| glít. Yoo coo bo ooytblog.
7bo rolobow olsso|voo, |oovlog jost lrls ooo lrook.
l ooo`t oooorstooo.` lls volco wos boorso.
Yoor motbor oxp|olooo lt,` lrls solo. Yoo coo bo
ooytblog.`
lt soooooo |lko ooo oí tboso stoplo tblogs poroots soy to
boost yoor so|í-ostoom - o woro-oot s|ogoo tbot coo|o bo
prlotoo oo lrls`s 7-sblrts, rlgbt o|oog wltb 7bo Oooooss ls
A|lvo! ooo Vy Otbor Cor ls o Voglc Corpot! Bot, tbo woy
lrls solo lt, lt soooooo |lko o cbo||oogo.
lrook prossoo bls booo ogolost bls poots pockot, wboro
bo kopt bls motbor`s socrlílco mooo|. 7bo sl|vor mooo||loo
wos co|o os lco.
l coo`t bo ooytblog,` lrook loslstoo. l`vo got zoro skl||s.`
¼bot bovo yoo trlooº` lrls oskoo. Yoo wootoo to bo oo
orcbor. Yoo mooogoo tbot protty wo||. Yoo`vo oo|y
scrotcboo tbo soríoco. Yoor írlooos lozo| ooo Porcy -
tboy`ro botb strotcboo botwooo wor|os. Orook ooo Romoo,
tbo post ooo tbo prosoot. Bot yoo oro strotcboo moro tboo
oltbor oí tbom. Yoor íoml|y ls oocloot - tbo b|ooo oí Py|os
oo yoor motbor`s sloo, ooo yoor íotbor ls Vors. No woooor
1ooo woots yoo to bo ooo oí bor sovoo boroos. 5bo woots
yoo to ílgbt tbo gloots ooo Oolo. Bot tblok oboot tbls. wbot
oo yoo wootº`
l ooo`t bovo ooy cbolco,` lrook solo. l`m tbo soo oí tbo
stoplo wor goo. l bovo to go oo tbls qoost ooo -`
lovo to,` lrls solo. Not woot to. l osoo to tblok |lko tbot.
7boo l got tlroo oí bolog ovoryooo`s sorvoot. lotcb gob|ots
oí wloo íor 1opltor. Lo|lvor |ottors íor 1ooo. 5ooo
mossogos bock ooo íortb ocross tbo rolobow íor ooyooo
wltb o go|ooo orocbmo.`
A go|ooo wbotº`
Not lmportoot. Bot l |oorooo to |ot go. l stortoo R.O.l.L.,
ooo oow l`m íroo oí tbot boggogo. Yoo coo |ot go, too.
Voybo yoo coo`t oscopo íoto. 5omo ooy tbot ploco oí
wooo wl|| boro. l íorosoo tbot yoo`|| bo bo|olog lt wboo lt
boppoos, ooo yoor |lío wl|| ooo -`
7books,` lrook mottoroo.
- bot tbot jost mokos yoor |lío moro procloos! Yoo ooo`t
bovo to bo wbot yoor poroots ooo yoor grooomotbor
oxpoct. Yoo ooo`t bovo to ío||ow tbo wor goo`s oroors, or
1ooo`s. Lo yoor owo tblog, lrook! lloo o oow potb!`
lrook tboogbt oboot tbot. 7bo looo wos tbrl||log. rojoct
tbo goos, bls oostloy, bls ooo. lo oloo`t woot to bo o wor
goo`s soo. lls motbor boo oloo lo o wor. lrook boo |ost
ovorytblog tbooks to o wor. Vors c|oor|y oloo`t koow tbo
ílrst tblog oboot blm. lrook oloo`t woot to bo o boro.
¼by oro yoo to||log mo tblsº` bo oskoo. Yoo woot mo
to obooooo tbo qoost, |ot Comp 1opltor bo oostroyooº Vy
írlooos oro coootlog oo mo.`
lrls sprooo bor booos. l coo`t to|| yoo wbot to oo, lrook.
Bot oo wbot yoo woot, oot wbot tboy to|| yoo to oo. ¼boro
olo cooíormlog ovor got moº l spoot ílvo ml||ooolo
sorvlog ovoryooo o|so, ooo l oovor olscovoroo my owo
loootlty. ¼bot`s my socroo oolmo|º No ooo botboroo to
glvo mo ooo. ¼boro oro my tomp|osº 7boy oovor mooo
ooy. ¼o||, íloo! l`vo íoooo pooco boro ot tbo co-op. Yoo
coo|o stoy wltb os, lí yoo woot. Bocomo o ROlLcoptor.`
A wbot, oowº`
7bo polot ls yoo bovo optloos. lí yoo cootlooo tbls
qoost . wbot boppoos wboo yoo íroo 7boootosº ¼l|| lt bo
gooo íor yoor íoml|yº Yoor írlooosº`
lrook romomboroo wbot bls grooomotbor boo solo. sbo
boo oo oppolotmoot wltb Lootb. Orooomotbor loíorlotoo
blm somotlmos, bot, stl||, sbo wos bls oo|y |lvlog íoml|y,
tbo oo|y porsoo o|lvo wbo |ovoo blm. lí 7boootos stoyoo
cbolooo op, lrook mlgbt oot |oso bor. Aoo lozo| -
somobow sbo boo como bock írom tbo Uooorwor|o. lí
Lootb took bor ogolo, lrook woo|oo`t bo ob|o to stooo lt.
Not to mootloo lrook`s owo prob|om. occorolog to lrls, bo
sboo|o bovo oloo wboo bo wos o boby. A|| tbot stooo
botwooo blm ooo Lootb wos o bo|í-borot stlck. ¼oo|o
7boootos toko blm owoy, tooº
lrook trloo to lmogloo stoylog boro wltb lrls, pottlog oo o
R.O.l.L. sblrt, so||log crysto|s ooo oroom cotcbors to
oomlgoo trovo||ors ooo |obblog g|otoo-íroo copcoko
slmo|otloos ot posslog moostors. Vooowbl|o, oo oooylog
ormy woo|o ovorroo Comp 1opltor.
Yoo coo bo ooytblog, bls motbor boo solo.
No, bo tboogbt. l coo`t bo tbot so|ílsb.
l bovo to go,` bo solo. lt`s my job.`
lrls slgboo. l oxpoctoo os mocb, bot l boo to try. 7bo
tosk obooo oí yoo . ¼o||, l woo|oo`t wlsb lt oo ooyooo,
ospoclo||y o olco boy |lko yoo. lí yoo most go, ot |oost l
coo oííor somo oovlco. Yoo`|| oooo bo|p íloolog 7boootos.`
Yoo koow wboro tbo gloots oro blolog blmº` lrook
oskoo.
lrls gozoo tboogbtío||y ot tbo wloo cblmos swoylog oo
tbo col|log. No . A|osko ls boyooo tbo goos` spboro oí
cootro|. 7bo |ocotloo ls sblo|ooo írom my slgbt. Bot tboro
ls somoooo wbo woo|o koow. 5ook oot tbo soor Pblooos.
lo`s b|loo, bot bo coo soo tbo post, prosoot ooo íotoro. lo
koows mooy tblogs. lo coo to|| yoo wboro 7boootos ls
bolog bo|o.`
Pblooos .` lrook solo. ¼oso`t tboro o story oboot
blmº`
lrls oooooo ro|octoot|y. lo tbo o|o ooys, bo commlttoo
borrlb|o crlmos. lo osoo bls glít oí slgbt íor ovl|. 1opltor
soot tbo borplos to p|ogoo blm. 7bo Argoooots -
loc|oolog yoor oocostor, by tbo woy -`
7bo prloco oí Py|osº`
lrls bosltotoo. Yos, lrook. 7boogb bls glít, bls
story . tbot yoo most olscovor oo yoor owo. 5oíílco lt to
soy, tbo Argoooots orovo owoy tbo borplos lo oxcboogo
íor Pblooos`s bo|p. 7bot wos oooos ogo, bot l oooorstooo
Pblooos bos rotorooo to tbo morto| wor|o. Yoo`|| íloo blm
lo Port|ooo, Orogoo, wblcb ls oo yoor woy oortb. Bot yoo
most promlso mo ooo tblog. lí bo`s stl|| p|ogooo by
borplos, oo oot kl|| tbom, oo mottor wbot Pblooos
promlsos yoo. ¼lo bls bo|p somo otbor woy. 7bo borplos
oro oot ovl|. 7boy`ro my slstors.`
Yoor slstorsº`
l koow. l ooo`t |ook o|o oooogb to bo tbo borplos` slstor,
bot lt`s troo. Aoo, lrook . tboro`s oootbor prob|om. lí
yoo`ro ootormlooo to |oovo, yoo`|| bovo to c|oor tboso
bosl|lsks oíí tbo bl||.`
Yoo mooo tbo sookosº`
Yos,` lrls solo. Bosl|lsk mooos º|ltt|o crowo', wblcb ls o
coto oomo íor somotblog tbot`s oot vory coto. l`o proíor oot
to bovo tbom kl||oo. 7boy`ro |lvlog crootoros, oítor o||. Bot
yoo woo`t bo ob|o to |oovo ootl| tboy`ro gooo. lí yoor írlooos
try to bott|o tbom . wo||, l íorosoo soo boo tblogs
boppoolog. Oo|y yoo bovo tbo obl|lty to kl|| tbo moostors.`
Bot bowº`
5bo g|oocoo oowo ot tbo í|oor. lrook roo|lzoo tbot sbo
wos |ooklog ot bls spoor.
l wlsb tboro wos oootbor woy,` sbo solo. lí yoo boo
somo wooso|s, íor lostooco. ¼ooso|s oro oooo|y to
bosl|lsks.`
lrosb oot oí wooso|s,` lrook oomlttoo.
7boo yoo wl|| bovo to oso yoor íotbor`s glít. Aro yoo
soro yoo woo|oo`t |lko to |lvo boro lostoooº ¼o moko
oxco||oot |octoso-íroo rlco ml|k.`
lrook roso. low oo l oso tbo spoorº`
Yoo`|| bovo to booo|o tbot oo yoor owo. l coo`t oovocoto
vlo|ooco. ¼bl|o yoo`ro oolog bott|o, l`|| cbock oo yoor
írlooos. l bopo l|oocy íoooo tbo rlgbt moolcloo| borbs.
7bo |ost tlmo, wo boo o mlx-op . ¼o||, l ooo`t tblok tboso
boroos wootoo to bo oolslos.`
7bo gooooss stooo. lor g|ossos í|osboo, ooo lrook
sow bls owo roí|octloo lo tbo |oosos. lo |ookoo sorloos
ooo grlm, ootblog |lko tbo |ltt|o boy bo`o sooo lo tboso
rolobow lmogos.
Ooo |ost blt oí oovlco, lrook,` sbo solo. Yoo`ro oostlooo
to olo bo|olog tbot ploco oí ílrowooo, wotcblog lt boro. Bot
porbops lí yoo oloo`t koop lt yoorso|í. Porbops lí yoo
trostoo somoooo oooogb to bo|o lt íor yoo .`
lrook`s ílogors cor|oo oroooo tbo tlooor. Aro yoo
oííorlogº`
lrls |oogboo goot|y. Ob, ooor, oo. l`o |oso lt lo tbls
co||octloo. lt woo|o got mlxoo op wltb my crysto|s, or l`o so||
lt os o orlítwooo poporwolgbt by occlooot. No, l mooot o
oomlgoo írlooo. 5omoooo c|oso to yoor boort.`
lozo|, lrook tboogbt lmmooloto|y. 7boro wos oo ooo
bo trostoo moro. Bot bow coo|o bo cooíoss bls socrotº lí
bo oomlttoo bow wook bo wos, tbot bls wbo|o |lío
oopooooo oo o bo|í-borot stlck . lozo| woo|o oovor soo
blm os o boro. lo`o oovor bo bor kolgbt lo ormoor. Aoo
bow coo|o bo oxpoct bor to toko tbot kloo oí borooo írom
blmº
lo wroppoo op tbo tlooor ooo s|lppoo lt bock loto bls
coot. 7books . tbooks, lrls.`
5bo sqooozoo bls booo. Loo`t |oso bopo, lrook.
Rolobows o|woys stooo íor bopo.`
5bo mooo bor woy toworos tbo bock oí tbo storo,
|oovlog lrook o|ooo.
lopo,` lrook gromb|oo. l`o rotbor bovo o íow gooo
wooso|s.`
lo plckoo op bls íotbor`s spoor ooo morcboo oot to íoco
tbo bosl|lsks.
xxlll

Frank

lRANK Vl55EL ll5 BO¼.
lo wootoo to stooo oo tbo porcb ooo sboot tbo
sookosírom o olstooco. A íow wo||-p|ocoo oxp|oolog
orrows, o íow crotors lo tbo bl||sloo - prob|om so|voo.
Uoíortoooto|y, o qolvor ío|| oí orrows woo|oo`t oo lrook
mocb gooo lí bo coo|oo`t sboot tbom. Bosloos, bo boo oo
looo wboro tbo bosl|lsks woro. 7boy`o stoppoo b|owlog ílro
os sooo os bo como ootsloo.
lo stoppoo oíí tbo porcb ooo |ovo||oo bls go|ooo spoor.
lo oloo`t |lko ílgbtlog op c|oso. lo wos too s|ow ooo bo|ky.
lo`o oooo okoy oorlog tbo wor gomos, bot tbls wos roo|.
7boro woro oo gloot oog|os roooy to sootcb blm op ooo
toko blm to tbo moolcs lí bo mooo o mlstoko.
Yoo coo bo ooytblog. lls motbor`s volco ocbooo lo bls
mloo.
Oroot, bo tboogbt. l woot to bo gooo wltb o spoor. Aoo
lmmooo to polsoo - ooo ílro.
5omotblog to|o lrook bls wlsb boo oot booo grootoo.
7bo spoor ío|t jost os owkworo lo bls booos.
Potcbos oí í|omo stl|| smoo|ooroo oo tbo bl||sloo. 7bo
ocrlo smoko borooo lo lrook`s ooso. 7bo wltboroo gross
croocboo oooor bls íoot.
lo tboogbt oboot tboso storlos bls motbor osoo to to|| -
gooorotloos oí boroos wbo boo bott|oo lorco|os, íoogbt
orogoos ooo sol|oo moostor-loíostoo soos. lrook oloo`t
oooorstooo bow bo coo|o bovo ovo|voo írom o |loo |lko
tbot, or bow bls íoml|y boo mlgrotoo írom Orooco tbroogb
tbo Romoo Emplro o|| tbo woy to Cbloo, bot somo
oosott|log looos woro stortlog to íorm. lor tbo ílrst tlmo, bo
stortoo to woooor oboot tbls Prloco oí Py|os, ooo bls groot-
groooíotbor 5boo Loo`s olsgroco ot Comp 1opltor, ooo
wbot tbo íoml|y powors mlgbt bo.
7bo glít bos oovor kopt oor íoml|y soío, Orooomotbor
boo worooo.
A roossorlog tboogbt os lrook bootoo polsoooos ílro-
brootblog oovl| sookos.
7bo olgbt wos qolot oxcopt íor tbo crock|o oí brosb ílros.
Evory tlmo o broozo mooo tbo gross rost|o, lrook tboogbt
oboot tbo grolo splrlts wbo`o coptoroo lozo|. lopoío||y
tboy`o gooo sootb wltb tbo gloot Po|ybotos. lrook oloo`t
oooo ooy moro prob|oms rlgbt oow.
lo cropt oowobl||, bls oyos stloglog írom tbo smoko.
7boo, oboot twooty íoot obooo, bo sow o borst oí í|omo.
lo cooslooroo tbrowlog bls spoor. 5toplo looo. 7boo
bo`o bo wltboot o woopoo. lostooo bo oovoocoo toworos
tbo ílro.
lo wlsboo bo boo tbo gorgoo`s b|ooo vlo|s, bot tboy
woro bock ot tbo boot. lo wooooroo lí gorgoo b|ooo coo|o
coro bosl|lsk polsoo . . . Bot ovoo lí bo boo tbo vlo|s ooo
mooogoo to cbooso tbo rlgbt ooo, bo ooobtoo bo`o bovo
tlmo to toko lt boíoro bo cromb|oo to oost |lko bls bow.
lo omorgoo lo o c|oorlog oí borot gross ooo íoooo
blmso|í íoco to íoco wltb o bosl|lsk.
7bo sooko roso op oo lts tol|. lt blssoo, ooo oxpooooo
tbo co||or oí wblto splkos roooo lts oock. Lltt|o crowo,
lrook romomboroo. 7bot`s wbot bosl|lsk` mooot. lo boo
tboogbt bosl|lsks woro bogo orogoo|lko moostors tbot
coo|o potrlíy yoo wltb tbolr oyos. 5omobow tbo roo|
bosl|lsk wos ovoo moro torrlb|o. As tloy os lt wos, tbls
oxtro-smo|| pockogo oí ílro, polsoo ooo ovl| woo|o bo
mocb boroor to kl|| tboo o |orgo, bo|ky |lzoro. lrook boo
sooo bow íost lt coo|o movo.
7bo moostor ílxoo lts po|o yo||ow oyos oo lrook.
¼by woso`t lt ottocklogº
lrook`s go|ooo spoor ío|t co|o ooo boovy. 7bo
orogootootb polot olppoo toworos tbo groooo o|| oo lts owo
- |lko o oowslog roo soorcblog íor wotor.
5top tbot.` lrook strogg|oo to |lít tbo spoor. lo`o bovo
oooogb troob|o jobblog tbo moostor wltboot bls spoor
ílgbtlog ogolost blm. 7boo bo booro tbo gross rost|o oo
oltbor sloo oí blm. 7bo otbor two bosl|lsks s|ltboroo loto
tbo c|oorlog.
lrook boo wo|koo strolgbt loto oo ombosb.
xxlv

Frank

lRANK 5¼EP7 ll5 5PEAR BACK ANL lOR7l. 5toy bock!` lls
volco soooooo sqoooky. l`vo got . om . omozlog
powors - ooo stoíí.`
7bo bosl|lsks blssoo lo tbroo-port bormooy. Voybo tboy
woro |oogblog.
7bo spoor tlp wos o|most too boovy to |lít oow, os lí tbo
joggoo wblto trloog|o oí booo wos trylog to toocb tbo oortb.
7boo somotblog c|lckoo lo tbo bock oí lrook`s mloo. Vors
boo solo tbo tlp wos o orogoo`s tootb. looo`t tboro booo
somo story oboot orogoo`s tootb p|ootoo lo tbo grooooº
5omotblog bo`o rooo lo moostor c|oss ot comp .º
7bo bosl|lsks clrc|oo blm, toklog tbolr tlmo. Voybo tboy
woro bosltotlog bocooso oí tbo spoor. Voybo tboy jost
coo|oo`t bo|lovo bow stoplo lrook wos.
lt soomoo |lko mooooss, bot lrook |ot tbo spoor tlp
orop. lo orovo lt loto tbo groooo. Crock.
¼boo bo |lítoo lt oot, tbo tlp wos gooo - brokoo oíí lo tbo
olrt.
¼oooorío|. Now bo boo o go|ooo stlck.
5omo crozy port oí blm wootoo to brlog oot bls ploco oí
ílrowooo. lí bo wos golog to olo ooywoy, moybo bo coo|o
sot oíí o mosslvo b|ozo - loclooroto tbo bosl|lsks, so ot
|oost bls írlooos coo|o got owoy.
Boíoro bo coo|o got op tbo coorogo, tbo groooo
romb|oo ot bls íoot. Llrt spowoo ovorywboro, ooo o
sko|oto| booo c|owoo tbo olr. 7bo bosl|lsks blssoo ooo
bockoo op.
lrook coo|oo`t b|omo tbom. lo wotcboo lo borror os o
bomoo sko|otoo crow|oo oot oí tbo groooo. lt took oo í|osb
os lí somoooo woro poorlog go|otlo ovor lts booos,
covorlog tbom lo g|owlog, troosporoot groy sklo. 7boo
gbost|y c|otbos oovo|opoo lt - o tlgbt 7-sblrt, como poots
ooo ormy boots. Evorytblog oboot tbo crootoro wos groy.
groy c|otbos oo groy í|osb oo groy booos.
lt torooo toworos lrook. lts sko|| grloooo booootb oo
oxprossloo|oss groy íoco. lrook wblmporoo |lko o poppy.
lls |ogs sbook so boo|y bo boo to sopport blmso|í wltb tbo
spoor sboít. 7bo sko|otoo worrlor wos woltlog, lrook
roo|lzoo - woltlog íor oroors.
Kl|| tbo bosl|lsks!` bo yo|poo. Not mo!`
7bo sko|oto| worrlor |oopoo loto octloo. lo grobboo tbo
ooorost sooko ooo, tboogb bls groy í|osb bogoo to smoko
oo cootoct, bo stroog|oo tbo bosl|lsk wltb ooo booo ooo
í|oog oowo lts |lmp booy. 7bo otbor two bosl|lsks blssoo
wltb rogo. Ooo sproog ot lrook, bot bo koockoo lt osloo
wltb tbo bott oí bls spoor.
7bo otbor sooko bo|cboo ílro olroct|y lo tbo sko|otoo`s
íoco. 7bo worrlor morcboo íorworo ooo stompoo tbo
bosl|lsk`s booo oooor bls boot.
lrook torooo toworos tbo |ost bosl|lsk, wblcb wos cor|oo
ot tbo oogo oí tbo c|oorlog stooylog tbom. lrook`s lmporlo|
go|o spoor sboít wos stoomlog bot, oo|lko bls bow, lt oloo`t
soom to bo cromb|log írom tbo bosl|lsk`s toocb. 7bo
sko|otoo worrlor`s rlgbt íoot ooo booo woro s|ow|y
olsso|vlog írom polsoo. lls booo wos oo ílro, bot
otborwlso bo |ookoo protty gooo.
7bo bosl|lsk olo tbo smort tblog. lt torooo to í|oo. lo o
b|or oí motloo, tbo sko|otoo po||oo somotblog írom bls
sblrt ooo í|oog lt ocross tbo c|oorlog, lmpo|log tbo bosl|lsk
lo tbo olrt. lrook tboogbt lt wos o kolío. 7boo bo roo|lzoo lt
wos ooo oí tbo sko|otoo`s owo rlbs.
lrook wos g|oo bls stomocb wos ompty. 7bot . tbot
wos gross.`
7bo sko|otoo stomb|oo ovor to tbo bosl|lsk. lt po||oo oot
lts rlb ooo osoo lt to cot oíí tbo crootoro`s booo. 7bo
bosl|lsk olsso|voo loto osbos. 7boo tbo sko|otoo
oocopltotoo tbo otbor two moostor corcossos ooo klckoo
o|| tbo osbos to olsporso tbom. lrook romomboroo tbo
two gorgoos lo tbo 7lbor - tbo woy tbo rlvor boo po||oo
oport tbolr romolos to koop tbom írom ro-íormlog.
Yoo`ro moklog soro tboy ooo`t como bock,` lrook
roo|lzoo. Or s|owlog tbom oowo, ooywoy.`
7bo sko|otoo worrlor stooo ot ottootloo lo íroot oí lrook.
lts polsoooo íoot ooo booo woro most|y gooo. lts booo wos
stl|| borolog.
¼bot - wbot oro yooº` lrook oskoo. lo wootoo to ooo,
P|ooso ooo`t bort mo.
7bo sko|otoo so|otoo wltb lts stomp oí o booo. 7boo lt
bogoo to cromb|o, sloklog bock loto tbo groooo.
¼olt!` lrook solo. l ooo`t ovoo koow wbot to co|| yoo!
7ootb Vooº Booosº Oroyº`
As lts íoco olsoppooroo booootb tbo olrt, tbo worrlor
soomoo to grlo ot tbo |ost oomo - or moybo tbot wos jost
lts sko|oto| tootb sbowlog. 7boo lt wos gooo, |oovlog lrook
o|ooo wltb bls polot|oss spoor.
Oroy,` bo mottoroo. Okoy . bot .`
lo oxomlooo tbo tlp oí bls spoor. A|roooy, o oow
orogoo tootb wos stortlog to grow oot oí tbo go|ooo sboít.
Yoo got tbroo cborgos oot oí lt, Vors boo solo, so oso lt
wlso|y.
lrook booro íootstops bobloo blm. Porcy ooo lozo| roo
loto tbo c|oorlog. Porcy |ookoo bottor, oxcopt bo wos
corrylog o tlo-oyoo moo sotcbo| írom R.O.l.L. - ooílolto|y
oot bls sty|o. Rlptloo wos lo bls booo. lozo| boo orowo bor
spotbo.
Aro yoo okoyº` sbo oskoo.
Porcy torooo lo o clrc|o, |ooklog íor ooomlos. lrls to|o
os yoo woro oot boro bott|log tbo bosl|lsks by yoorso|í,
ooo wo woro, |lko, ¼botº ¼o como os íost os wo coo|o.
¼bot boppooooº`
l`m oot soro,` lrook oomlttoo.
lozo| croocboo ooxt to tbo oortb wboro Oroy boo
olsoppooroo. l sooso oootb. Eltbor my brotbor bos booo
boro or . tbo bosl|lsks oro ooooº`
Porcy storoo ot blm lo owo. Yoo kl||oo tbom o||º`
lrook swo||owoo. lo o|roooy ío|t |lko oooogb oí o mlsílt
wltboot trylog to oxp|olo bls oow oooooo mloloo.
7broo cborgos. lrook coo|o co|| oo Oroy twlco moro.
Bot bo`o soosoo mo|ovo|ooco lo tbo sko|otoo. lt wos oo
pot. lt wos o vlcloos, oooooo kl||log íorco, boro|y cootro||oo
by tbo powor oí Vors. lrook got tbo íoo|log lt woo|o oo
wbot bo solo - bot lí bls írlooos boppoooo to bo lo tbo |loo
oí ílro, ob wo||. Aoo lí lrook wos o |ltt|o s|ow glvlog lt
olroctloos lt mlgbt stort kl||log wbotovor wos lo lts potb,
loc|oolog lts mostor.
Vors boo to|o blm tbo spoor woo|o glvo blm brootblog
room ootl| bo |oorooo to oso bls motbor`s to|oots. ¼blcb
mooot lrook oooooo to |ooro tboso to|oots - íost.
7books o |ot, Loo,` bo gromb|oo.
¼botº` lozo| oskoo. lrook, oro yoo okoyº`
l`|| oxp|olo |otor,` bo solo. Rlgbt oow, tboro`s o b|loo moo
lo Port|ooo wo`vo got to soo.`
xxv

Percy

PERCY ALREALY lEL7 LlKE 7lE |omost oomlgoo lo tbo blstory
oí |omo. 7bo bog wos tbo íloo| loso|t.
7boy`o |oít R.O.l.L. lo o borry, so moybo lrls booo`t
mooot tbo bog os o crltlclsm. 5bo`o qolck|y stoííoo lt wltb
vltomlo-oorlcboo postrlos, orloo írolt |ootbor, mocroblotlc
booí jorky ooo o íow crysto|s íor gooo |ock. 7boo sbo`o
sbovoo lt ot Porcy. loro, yoo`|| oooo tbls. Ob, tbot |ooks
gooo.
7bo booobog - sorry, mosco|loo occossory bog - wos
rolobow tlo-oyoo wltb o pooco symbo| stltcboo lo wooooo
booos ooo tbo s|ogoo log tbo ¼bo|o ¼or|o. Porcy
wlsboo lt solo log tbo Commooo. lo ío|t |lko tbo bog wos
o commoot oo bls mosslvo, locroolb|o oso|ossooss. As
tboy sol|oo oortb, bo pot tbo moo sotcbo| os íor owoy írom
blm os bo coo|o, bot tbo boot wos smo||.
lo coo|oo`t bo|lovo bow bo`o brokoo oowo wboo bls
írlooos boo oooooo blm. llrst, bo`o booo oomb oooogb to
|oovo tbom o|ooo wboo bo boo roo bock to tbo boot, ooo
lozo| boo booo kloooppoo. 7boo bo`o wotcboo tbot ormy
morcblog sootb ooo boo somo kloo oí oorvoos
brookoowo. Emborrosslogº Yoob. Bot bo coo|oo`t bo|p lt.
¼boo bo`o sooo tboso ovl| cootoors ooo Cyc|opos, lt boo
soomoo so wroog, so bockworos, tbot bo tboogbt bls booo
woo|o oxp|ooo. Aoo tbo gloot Po|ybotos . tbot gloot boo
glvoo blm o íoo|log tbo opposlto oí wbot bo ío|t wboo bo
stooo lo tbo ocooo. Porcy`s ooorgy boo orolooo oot oí
blm, |oovlog blm wook ooo íovorlsb, |lko bls losloos woro
oroolog.
lrls`s moolcloo| too boo bo|poo bls booy íoo| bottor, bot
bls mloo stl|| bort. lo`o booro storlos oboot ompotoos wbo
boo pbootom polos wboro tbolr mlsslog |ogs ooo orms
osoo to bo. 7bot`s bow bls mloo ío|t - |lko bls mlsslog
momorlos woro ocblog.
¼orst oí o||, tbo íortbor oortb Porcy woot, tbo moro tboso
momorlos íoooo. lo boo stortoo to íoo| bottor ot Comp
1opltor, romomborlog roooom oomos ooo íocos. Bot oow
ovoo Aooobotb`s íoco wos gottlog olmmor. At R.O.l.L.,
wboo bo`o trloo to sooo oo lrls-mossogo to Aooobotb,
l|oocy boo jost sbokoo bor booo soo|y.
lt`s |lko yoo`ro olo||log somobooy, sbo solo, bot yoo`vo
íorgottoo tbo oombor. Or somoooo ls jommlog tbo slgoo|.
5orry, ooor. l jost coo`t cooooct yoo.
lo wos torrlíloo tbot bo`o |oso Aooobotb`s íoco
comp|oto|y wboo bo got to A|osko. Voybo bo`o woko op
ooo ooy ooo oot romombor bor oomo.
5tl||, bo boo to coocootroto oo tbo qoost. 7bo slgbt oí
tbot ooomy ormy boo sbowo blm wbot tboy woro op
ogolost. lt wos oor|y lo tbo morolog oí 21 1ooo, oow. 7boy
boo to got to A|osko, íloo 7boootos, |ocoto tbo |ogloo`s
stooooro ooo moko lt bock to Comp 1opltor by tbo
ovoolog oí 24 1ooo. loor ooys. Vooowbl|o, tbo ooomy
boo oo|y o íow boooroo ml|os to morcb.
Porcy golooo tbo boot tbroogb tbo stroog corroots oíí
tbo oortboro Co|líorolo coost. 7bo wloo wos co|o, bot lt ío|t
gooo, c|oorlog somo oí tbo cooíosloo írom bls booo. lo
boot bls wl|| to posb tbo boot os boro os bo coo|o. 7bo bo||
rott|oo os tbo Pox p|oogboo lts woy oortb.
Vooowbl|o, lozo| ooo lrook troooo storlos oboot tbo
ovoots ot Rolobow Orgoolc looos. lrook oxp|olooo oboot
tbo b|loo soor Pblooos lo Port|ooo, ooo bow lrls boo solo
tbot bo mlgbt bo ob|o to to|| tbom wboro to íloo 7boootos.
lrook woo|oo`t soy bow bo boo mooogoo to kl|| tbo
bosl|lsks, bot Porcy got tbo íoo|log lt boo somotblog to oo
wltb tbo brokoo polot oí bls spoor. ¼botovor boo
boppoooo, lrook soooooo moro scoroo oí tbo spoor tboo
tbo bosl|lsks.
¼boo bo wos oooo, lozo| to|o lrook oboot tbolr tlmo
wltb l|oocy.
5o tbls lrls-mossogo workooº` lrook oskoo.
lozo| govo Porcy o sympotbotlc |ook. 5bo oloo`t
mootloo bls íol|oro to cootoct Aooobotb.
l got lo toocb wltb Royoo,` sbo solo. Yoo`ro sopposoo to
tbrow o colo loto o rolobow ooo soy tbls locoototloo, |lko O
lrls, gooooss oí tbo rolobow, occopt my oííorlog. Excopt
l|oocy kloo oí cboogoo lt. 5bo govo os bor - wbot olo sbo
co|| lt - bor olroct oomborº 5o l boo to soy, O l|oocy, oo
mo o so|lo. 5bow Royoo ot Comp 1opltor. l ío|t kloo oí
stoplo, bot lt workoo. Royoo`s lmogo oppooroo lo tbo
rolobow, |lko lo o two-woy vlooo co||. 5bo wos lo tbo botbs.
5coroo bor oot oí bor mloo.`
7bot l woo|o`vo polo to soo,` lrook solo. l mooo - bor
oxprossloo. Not, yoo koow, tbo botbs.`
lrook!` lozo| íooooo bor íoco |lko sbo oooooo olr. lt
wos oo o|o-íosbloooo gostoro, bot coto, somobow.
Aoywoy, wo to|o Royoo oboot tbo ormy, bot, |lko Porcy
solo, sbo protty mocb o|roooy koow. lt oooso`t cboogo
ooytblog. 5bo`s oolog wbot sbo coo to sboro op tbo
ooíoocos. Uo|oss wo oo|oosb Lootb, ooo got bock wltb tbo
oog|o -`
7bo comp coo`t stooo ogolost tbot ormy,` lrook
ílolsboo. Not wltboot bo|p.`
Aítor tbot, tboy sol|oo lo sl|ooco.
Porcy kopt tbloklog oboot Cyc|opos ooo cootoors. lo
tboogbt oboot Aooobotb, tbo sotyr Orovor ooo bls oroom
oí o gloot worsblp oooor coostroctloo.
Yoo como írom somowboro, Royoo boo solo.
Porcy wlsboo bo coo|o romombor. lo coo|o co|| íor
bo|p. Comp 1opltor sboo|oo`t bovo to ílgbt o|ooo ogolost
tbo gloots. 7boro most bo o||los oot tboro.
lo ílogoroo tbo booos oo bls oock|oco, tbo |ooo
probotlo tob|ot ooo tbo sl|vor rlog Royoo boo glvoo blm.
Voybo lo 5oott|o bo`o bo ob|o to to|k to bor slstor, ly||o.
5bo mlgbt sooo bo|p - ossomlog sbo oloo`t kl|| Porcy oo
slgbt.
Aítor o íow moro boors oí oovlgotlog, Porcy`s oyos
stortoo to oroop. lo wos oírolo bo`o poss oot írom
oxboostloo. 7boo bo coogbt o brook. A kl||or wbo|o
soríocoo ooxt to tbo boot, ooo Porcy strock op o mooto|
coovorsotloo wltb blm.
lt woso`t oxoct|y |lko to|klog, bot lt woot somotblog |lko
tbls. Coo|o yoo glvo os o rloo oortb, Porcy oskoo, |lko os
c|oso to Port|ooo os posslb|oº
Eot soo|s, tbo wbo|o rospooooo. Aro yoo soo|sº
No, Porcy oomlttoo. l`vo got o moo sotcbo| ío|| oí
mocroblotlc booí jorky, tboogb.
7bo wbo|o sbooooroo. Promlso oot to íooo mo tbls, ooo
l wl|| toko yoo oortb.
Loo|.
5ooo Porcy boo mooo o mokosblít ropo borooss ooo
stroppoo lt roooo tbo wbo|o`s oppor booy. 7boy spoo oortb
oooor wbo|o-powor, ooo ot lozo| ooo lrook`s loslstooco
Porcy sott|oo lo íor o oop.
lls orooms woro os olsjolotoo ooo scory os ovor.
lo lmoglooo blmso|í oo Vooot 7omo|pols, oortb oí
5oo lrooclsco, ílgbtlog ot tbo o|o 7ltoo stroogbo|o. 7bot
oloo`t moko sooso. lo booo`t booo wltb tbo Romoos wboo
tboy boo ottockoo, bot bo sow lt o|| c|oor|y. o 7ltoo lo
ormoor, Aooobotb ooo two otbor glr|s ílgbtlog ot Porcy`s
sloo. Ooo oí tbo glr|s oloo lo tbo bott|o. Porcy koo|t ovor
bor, wotcblog os sbo olsso|voo loto stors.
7boo bo sow tbo gloot worsblp lo lts ory oock. 7bo
broozo orogoo ílgorobooo g|lotoo lo tbo morolog |lgbt.
7bo rlgglogs ooo ormomoots woro comp|oto, bot
somotblog wos wroog. A botcb lo tbo oock wos opoo, ooo
smoko pooroo írom somo kloo oí oogloo. A boy wltb cor|y
b|ock bolr wos corslog os bo poooooo tbo oogloo wltb o
wroocb. 7wo otbor oomlgoos sqoottoo ooxt to blm,
wotcblog wltb coocoro. Ooo wos o toooogo goy wltb sbort
b|ooo bolr. 7bo otbor wos o glr| wltb |oog oork bolr.
Yoo roo|lzo lt`s tbo so|stlco,` tbo glr| solo. ¼o`ro
sopposoo to |oovo toooy.`
l koow tbot!` 7bo cor|y-bolroo mocboolc wbockoo tbo
oogloo o íow moro tlmos. Coo|o bo tbo ílzzrockots. Coo|o
bo tbo somopb|oogo. Coo|o bo Oolo mosslog wltb os
ogolo. l`m oot soro!`
low |oogº` tbo b|ooo goy oskoo.
7wo, tbroo ooysº`
7boy moy oot bovo tbot |oog,` tbo glr| worooo.
5omotblog to|o Porcy tbot sbo mooot Comp 1opltor.
7boo tbo scooo sblítoo ogolo.
lo sow o boy ooo bls oog roomlog ovor tbo yo||ow bl||s
oí Co|líorolo. Bot, os tbo lmogo bocomo c|ooror, Porcy
roo|lzoo lt woso`t o boy. lt wos o Cyc|ops lo roggoo jooos
ooo o í|oooo| sblrt. 7bo oog wos o sbomb|log moootolo oí
b|ock íor, oosl|y os blg os o rbloo. 7bo Cyc|ops corrloo o
mosslvo c|ob ovor bls sboo|oor, bot Porcy oloo`t íoo| tbot
bo wos oo ooomy. lo kopt yo||log Porcy`s oomo, co||log
blm . brotborº
lo smo||s íortbor owoy,` tbo Cyc|ops mooooo to tbo
oog. ¼by ooos bo smo|| íortborº`
ROOl!` tbo oog borkoo, ooo Porcy`s oroom cboogoo
ogolo.
lo sow o roogo oí soowy moootolos, so to|| tboy broko
tbo c|ooos. Oolo`s s|ooplog íoco oppooroo lo tbo sbooows
oí tbo rocks.
5ocb o vo|oob|o powo, sbo solo sootblog|y. Lo oot íoor,
Porcy 1ocksoo. Como oortb! Yoor írlooos wl|| olo, yos. Bot
l wl|| prosorvo yoo íor oow. l bovo groot p|oos íor yoo.
lo o vo||oy botwooo tbo moootolos |oy o mosslvo ílo|o oí
lco. 7bo oogo p|oogoo loto tbo soo, boooroos oí íoot
bo|ow, wltb sboots oí írost coostoot|y cromb|log loto tbo
wotor. Oo top oí tbo lco ílo|o stooo o |ogloo comp -
romports, moots, towors, borrocks, jost |lko Comp 1opltor
oxcopt tbroo tlmos os |orgo. At tbo crossrooos ootsloo tbo
prloclplo, o ílgoro lo oork robos stooo sbock|oo to tbo lco.
Porcy`s vlsloo swopt post blm, loto tbo boooqoortors.
7boro, lo tbo g|oom, sot o gloot ovoo blggor tboo
Po|ybotos. lls sklo g|lotoo go|o. Llsp|oyoo bobloo blm
woro tbo tottoroo, írozoo boooors oí o Romoo |ogloo,
loc|oolog o |orgo, go|ooo oog|o wltb lts wlogs sprooo.
¼o owolt yoo, tbo gloot`s volco boomoo. ¼bl|o yoo
íomb|o yoor woy oortb, trylog to íloo mo, my ormlos wl||
oostroy yoor procloos comps - ílrst tbo Romoos, tboo tbo
otbors. Yoo coooot wlo, |ltt|o oomlgoo.
Porcy |orcboo owoko lo co|o groy ooy|lgbt, rolo ío||log oo
bls íoco.
l tboogbt l s|opt boovl|y,` lozo| solo. ¼o|como to
Port|ooo.`
Porcy sot op ooo b|lokoo. 7bo scooo oroooo blm wos
so olííoroot írom bls oroom tbot bo woso`t soro wblcb wos
roo|. 7bo Pox í|ootoo oo oo lroo-b|ock rlvor tbroogb tbo
mloo|o oí o clty. loovy c|ooos boog |ow ovorbooo. 7bo
co|o rolo wos so |lgbt lt soomoo sospooooo lo tbo olr. Oo
Porcy`s |oít woro looostrlo| woroboosos ooo rol|rooo trocks.
7o bls rlgbt wos o smo|| oowotowo oroo - oo o|most cosy-
|ooklog c|ostor oí towors botwooo tbo books oí tbo rlvor
ooo o |loo oí mlsty íorostoo bl||s.
Porcy robboo tbo s|oop oot oí bls oyos. low olo wo got
boroº`
lrook govo blm o |ook |lko, Yoo woo`t bo|lovo tbls. 7bo
kl||or wbo|o took os os íor os tbo Co|omblo Rlvor. 7boo bo
possoo tbo borooss to o coop|o oí two|vo-íoot storgooos.`
Porcy tboogbt lrook boo solo sorgooos. lo boo tbls
wolro lmogo oí gloot ooctors lo scrobs ooo íoco mosks,
po||log tbolr boot opstroom. 7boo bo roo|lzoo lrook
mooot storgooos, |lko tbo ílsb. lo wos g|oo bo booo`t solo
ooytblog. ¼oo|o bovo booo omborrosslog, bls bolog soo
oí tbo soo goo ooo o||.
Aoywoy,` lrook cootloooo, tbo storgooos po||oo os íor
o |oog tlmo. lozo| ooo l took toros s|ooplog. 7boo wo blt
tbls rlvor -`
7bo ¼l||omotto,` lozo| oííoroo.
Rlgbt,` lrook solo. Aítor tbot, tbo boot kloo oí took ovor
ooo oovlgotoo os boro o|| by ltso|í. 5|oop okoyº`
As tbo Pox g|looo sootb, Porcy to|o tbom oboot bls
orooms. lo trloo to íocos oo tbo posltlvo. o worsblp mlgbt
bo oo tbo woy to bo|p Comp 1opltor. A írlooo|y Cyc|ops
ooo o gloot oog woro |ooklog íor blm. lo oloo`t mootloo
wbot Oolo boo solo. Yoor írlooos wl|| olo.
¼boo Porcy ooscrlboo tbo Romoo íort oo tbo lco, lozo|
|ookoo troob|oo.
5o A|cyoooos ls oo o g|oclor,` sbo solo. 7bot oooso`t
oorrow lt oowo mocb. A|osko bos boooroos oí tboso.`
Porcy oooooo. Voybo tbls soor oooo Pblooos coo to||
os wblcb ooo.`
7bo boot oockoo ltso|í ot o wborí. 7bo tbroo oomlgoos
storoo op ot tbo bol|ologs oí orlzz|y oowotowo Port|ooo.
lrook wlpoo tbo rolo oíí bls í|ot-top bolr.
5o oow wo íloo o b|loo moo lo tbo rolo,` lrook solo.
Yoy.`
xxvl

Percy

l7 ¼A5N`7 A5 lARL A5 7lEY`L 7lOUOl7. 7bo scroomlog ooo
tbo wooo wbockor bo|poo.
7boy`o broogbt |lgbtwolgbt Po|ortoc jockots wltb tbolr
sopp|los, so tboy booo|oo op ogolost tbo co|o rolo ooo
wo|koo íor o íow b|ocks tbroogb tbo most|y oosortoo
stroots. 7bls tlmo Porcy wos smort ooo broogbt most oí
bls sopp|los írom tbo boot. lo ovoo stoííoo tbo
mocroblotlc jorky lo bls coot pockot, lo coso bo oooooo to
tbrootoo ooy moro kl||or wbo|os.
7boy sow somo blcyc|o troíílc ooo o íow bomo|oss goys
booo|oo lo ooorwoys, bot tbo mojorlty oí Port|oooors
soomoo to bo stoylog loooors.
As tboy mooo tbolr woy oowo O|lsoo 5troot, Porcy
|ookoo |ooglog|y ot tbo ío|ks lo tbo coíos oojoylog coííoo
ooo postrlos. lo wos oboot to soggost tbot tboy stop íor
brookíost wboo bo booro o volco oowo tbo stroot yo||log.
lA! 7AKE 7lA7, 57UPlL CllCKEN5!` ío||owoo by tbo
rovvlog oí o smo|| oogloo ooo o |ot oí sqoowklog.
Porcy g|oocoo ot bls írlooos. Yoo tblok -º`
Probob|y,` lrook ogrooo.
7boy roo toworos tbo soooos.
7bo ooxt b|ock ovor, tboy íoooo o blg opoo porklog |ot
wltb troo-|looo sloowo|ks ooo rows oí íooo trocks íoclog tbo
stroots oo o|| íoor sloos. Porcy boo sooo íooo trocks
boíoro, bot oovor so mooy lo ooo p|oco. 5omo woro
slmp|o wblto moto| boxos oo wboo|s, wltb owologs ooo
sorvlog coootors. Otbors woro polotoo b|oo or porp|o or
po|ko-oottoo, wltb blg boooors oot íroot ooo co|oorío|
mooo booros ooo tob|os |lko oo-lt-yoorso|í sloowo|k coíos.
Ooo oovortlsoo Korooo/-Brozl|loo íosloo tocos, wblcb
soooooo |lko somo kloo oí top-socrot roolooctlvo colsloo.
Aootbor oííoroo sosbl oo o stlck. A tblro wos so||log ooop-
írloo lco-croom sooowlcbos. 7bo smo|| wos omozlog -
oozoos oí olííoroot kltcboos cooklog ot ooco.
Porcy`s stomocb romb|oo. Vost oí tbo íooo corts woro
opoo íor boslooss, bot tboro wos boro|y ooyooo oroooo.
7boy coo|o got ooytblog tboy wootoo! Loop-írloo lco
croom sooowlcbosº Ob, moo, tbot soooooo woy bottor
tboo wboot gorm.
Uoíortoooto|y, tboro wos moro boppoolog tboo jost
cooklog. lo tbo cootro oí tbo |ot, bobloo o|| tbo íooo trocks,
oo o|o moo lo o botbrobo wos rooolog oroooo wltb o wooo
wbockor, scroomlog ot o í|ock oí blro-|oolos wbo woro
trylog to stoo| íooo oíí o plcolc tob|o.
lorplos,` solo lozo|. ¼blcb mooos -`
7bot`s Pblooos,` lrook goossoo.
7boy roo ocross tbo stroot ooo sqooozoo botwooo tbo
Korooo/Brozl|loo trock ooo o Cblooso ogg-ro|| borrlto
voooor.
7bo bocks oí tbo íooo trocks woroo`t ooor|y os
oppotlzlog os tbo íroots. 7boy woro c|ottoroo wltb stocks oí
p|ostlc bockots, ovorí|owlog gorbogo coos, ooo mokosblít
c|otbos|loos boog wltb wot oproos ooo towo|s. 7bo porklog
|ot ltso|í wos ootblog bot o sqooro oí crockoo ospbo|t,
morb|oo wltb wooos. lo tbo mloo|o wos o plcolc tob|o pl|oo
blgb wltb íooo írom o|| tbo olííoroot trocks.
7bo goy lo tbo botbrobo wos o|o ooo íot. lo wos most|y
bo|o, wltb scors ocross bls íorobooo ooo o rlm oí strlogy
wblto bolr. lls botbrobo wos spottoroo wltb kotcbop, ooo
bo kopt stomb|log oroooo lo íozzy plok boooy s|lppors,
swloglog bls gos-poworoo wooo wbockor ot tbo bo|í-oozoo
borplos wbo woro bovorlog ovor bls plcolc tob|o.
lo wos c|oor|y b|loo. lls oyos woro ml|ky wblto, ooo
osoo||y bo mlssoo tbo borplos by o |ot, bot bo wos stl||
oolog o protty gooo job íooolog tbom oíí.
Bock, olrty cblckoos!` bo bo||owoo.
Porcy woso`t soro wby, bot bo boo o vogoo sooso tbot
borplos woro sopposoo to bo p|omp. 7boso |ookoo |lko
tboy woro storvlog. 7bolr bomoo íocos boo sookoo oyos
ooo bo||ow cbooks. 7bolr boolos woro covoroo lo moo|tlog
íootbors, ooo tbolr wlogs woro tlppoo wltb tloy, sbrlvo||oo
booos. 7boy woro roggoo bor|op socks íor orossos. As
tboy olvoo íor tbo íooo, tboy soomoo moro oosporoto tboo
oogry. Porcy ío|t sorry íor tbom.
¼llRRRR! 7bo o|o moo swoog bls wooo wbockor. lo
grozoo ooo oí tbo borplos` wlogs. 7bo borpy yo|poo lo polo
ooo í|ottoroo oíí, oropplog yo||ow íootbors os sbo í|ow.
Aootbor borpy clrc|oo blgbor tboo tbo rost. 5bo |ookoo
yooogor ooo smo||or tboo tbo otbors, wltb brlgbt-roo
íootbors. 5bo wotcboo coroío||y íor oo opoolog, ooo wboo
tbo o|o moo`s bock wos torooo sbo mooo o wl|o olvo íor
tbo tob|o. 5bo grobboo o borrlto lo bor c|owoo íoot, bot,
boíoro sbo coo|o oscopo, tbo b|loo moo swoog bls wooo
wbockor ooo smockoo bor lo tbo bock so boro tbot Porcy
wlocoo. 7bo borpy yo|poo, oroppoo tbo borrlto ooo í|ow oíí.
loy, stop lt!` Porcy yo||oo.
7bo borplos took tbot tbo wroog woy. 7boy g|oocoo ovor
ot tbo tbroo oomlgoos ooo lmmooloto|y í|oo. Vost oí tbom
í|ottoroo owoy ooo porcboo lo tbo troos oroooo tbo sqooro,
storlog oojoctoo|y ot tbo plcolc tob|o. 7bo roo-íootboroo
ooo wltb tbo bort bock í|ow oostoool|y oowo O|lsoo 5troot
ooo oot oí slgbt.
lo!` 7bo b|loo moo yo||oo lo trlompb ooo kl||oo tbo
powor oo bls wooo wbockor. lo grloooo vocoot|y lo
Porcy`s olroctloo. 7book yoo, stroogors! Yoor bo|p ls most
opproclotoo.`
Porcy blt bock bls oogor. lo booo`t mooot to bo|p tbo
o|o moo, bot bo romomboroo tbot tboy oooooo
loíormotloo írom blm.
Ub, wbotovor.` lo opproocboo tbo o|o goy, kooplog ooo
oyo oo tbo wooo wbockor. l`m Porcy 1ocksoo. 7bls ls -`
Lomlgoos!` tbo o|o moo solo. l coo o|woys smo||
oomlgoos.`
lozo| írowooo. Lo wo smo|| tbot booº`
7bo o|o moo |oogboo. Oí coorso oot, my ooor. Bot
yoo`o bo sorprlsoo bow sborp my otbor soosos bocomo
ooco l wos b|loooo. l`m Pblooos. Aoo yoo - wolt, ooo`t to||
mo -`
lo roocboo íor Porcy`s íoco ooo pokoo blm lo tbo oyos.
Ow!` Porcy comp|olooo.
5oo oí Noptooo!` Pblooos oxc|olmoo. l tboogbt l
smo||oo tbo ocooo oo yoo, Porcy 1ocksoo. l`m o|so o soo
oí Noptooo, yoo koow.`
loy . yoob. Okoy.` Porcy robboo bls oyos. 1ost bls
|ock bo wos ro|otoo to tbls grobby o|o oooo. lo bopoo o||
soos oí Noptooo oloo`t sboro tbo somo íoto. llrst, yoo stort
corrylog o moo sotcbo|. Noxt tblog yoo koow, yoo`ro
rooolog oroooo lo o botbrobo ooo plok boooy s|lppors,
cboslog cblckoos wltb o wooo wbockor.
Pblooos torooo to lozo|. Aoo boro . Ob my, tbo smo||
oí go|o ooo ooop oortb. lozo| Lovosqoo, ooogbtor oí
P|oto. Aoo ooxt to yoo - tbo soo oí Vors. Bot tboro`s moro
to yoor story, lrook Zboog -`
Aocloot b|ooo,` lrook mottoroo. Prloco oí Py|os. B|ob,
b|ob, b|ob.`
Porlc|ymooos, oxoct|y! Ob, bo wos o olco ío||ow. l |ovoo
tbo Argoooots!`
lrook`s mootb ío|| opoo. ¼-wolt. Porry wboº`
Pblooos grloooo. Loo`t worry. l koow oboot yoor íoml|y.
7bot story oboot yoor groot-groooíotborº lo oloo`t roo||y
oostroy tbo comp. Now, wbot oo lotorostlog groop. Aro yoo
boogryº`
lrook |ookoo |lko bo`o booo roo ovor by o trock, bot
Pblooos boo o|roooy movoo oo to otbor mottors. lo
wovoo bls booo ot tbo plcolc tob|o. lo tbo ooorby troos, tbo
borplos sbrlokoo mlsorob|y. As boogry os Porcy wos, bo
coo|oo`t stooo to tblok oboot ootlog wltb tboso poor blro
|oolos wotcblog blm.
Look, l`m cooíosoo,` Porcy solo. ¼o oooo somo
loíormotloo. ¼o woro to|o -`
- tbot tbo borplos woro kooplog my íooo owoy írom mo,`
Pblooos ílolsboo, ooo, lí yoo bo|poo mo, l`o bo|p yoo.`
5omotblog |lko tbot,` Porcy oomlttoo.
Pblooos |oogboo. 7bot`s o|o oows. Lo l |ook |lko l`m
mlsslog ooy moo|sº`
lo pottoo bls bo||y, wblcb wos tbo slzo oí oo
ovorloí|otoo boskotbo||.
Um . oo,` Porcy solo.
Pblooos wovoo bls wooo wbockor lo oo oxpooslvo
gostoro. A|| tbroo oí tbom oockoo.
7blogs bovo cboogoo, my írlooos!` bo solo. ¼boo l ílrst
got tbo glít oí propbocy, oooos ogo, lt`s troo 1opltor corsoo
mo. lo soot tbo borplos to stoo| my íooo. Yoo soo, l boo o
blt oí o blg mootb. l govo owoy too mooy socrots tbot tbo
goos wootoo kopt.` lo torooo to lozo|. lor lostooco,
yoo`ro sopposoo to bo oooo. Aoo yoo -` lo torooo to
lrook. Yoor |lío oopooos oo o borot stlck.`
Porcy írowooo. ¼bot oro yoo to|klog obootº`
lozo| b|lokoo |lko sbo`o booo s|oppoo. lrook |ookoo
|lko tbo trock boo bockoo op ooo roo ovor blm ogolo.
Aoo yoo,` Pblooos torooo to Porcy, wo|| oow, yoo ooo`t
ovoo koow wbo yoo oro! l coo|o to|| yoo, oí coorso,
bot . bo! ¼bot íoo woo|o tbot boº Aoo Brlglo
O`5boogboossy sbot Vl|os Arcbor lo 7bo Vo|toso lo|coo.
Aoo Lortb Vooor ls octoo||y Loko`s íotbor. Aoo tbo wlooor
oí tbo ooxt 5opor Bow| wl|| bo -`
Oot lt,` lrook mottoroo.
lozo| grlppoo bor sworo |lko sbo wos tomptoo to
pommo|-wblp tbo o|o moo. 5o yoo to|koo too mocb, ooo
tbo goos corsoo yoo. ¼by olo tboy stopº`
Ob, tboy oloo`t!` 7bo o|o moo orcboo bls bosby
oyobrows |lko, Coo yoo bo|lovo ltº l boo to moko o ooo|
wltb tbo Argoooots. 7boy wootoo loíormotloo, too, yoo soo.
l to|o tbom to kl|| tbo borplos, ooo l`o cooporoto. ¼o||, tboy
orovo tboso oosty crootoros owoy, bot lrls woo|oo`t |ot
tbom kl|| tbo borplos. Ao ootrogo! 5o tbls tlmo, wboo my
potroo broogbt mo bock to |lío -`
Yoor potrooº` lrook oskoo.
Pblooos govo blm o wlckoo grlo. ¼by, Oolo, oí coorso.
¼bo oo yoo tblok opoooo tbo Loors oí Lootbº Yoor
glr|írlooo boro oooorstooos. lso`t Oolo yoor potroo, tooº`
lozo| orow bor sworo. l`m oot bls - l ooo`t - Oolo ls oot
my potroo!`
Pblooos |ookoo omosoo. lí bo boo booro tbo sworo
bolog orowo, bo oloo`t soom coocorooo. lloo, lí yoo woot
to bo oob|o ooo stlck wltb tbo |oslog sloo, tbot`s yoor
boslooss. Bot Oolo ls woklog. 5bo`s o|roooy rowrlttoo tbo
ro|os oí |lío ooo oootb! l`m o|lvo ogolo, ooo lo oxcboogo
íor my bo|p - o propbocy boro, o propbocy tboro - l got
my íoooost wlsb. 7bo tob|os bovo booo torooo, so to
spook. Now l coo oot o|| l woot, o|| ooy |oog, ooo tbo
borplos bovo to wotcb ooo storvo.`
lo rovvoo bls wooo wbockor, ooo tbo borplos wol|oo lo
tbo troos.
7boy`ro corsoo!` tbo o|o moo solo. 7boy coo oot oo|y
íooo írom my tob|o, ooo tboy coo`t |oovo Port|ooo. 5loco
tbo Loors oí Lootb oro opoo, tboy coo`t ovoo olo. lt`s
boootlío|!`
Boootlío|º` lrook protostoo. 7boy`ro |lvlog crootoros.
¼by oro yoo so mooo to tbomº`
7boy`ro moostors!` Pblooos solo. Aoo moooº 7boso
íootbor-brolooo oomoos tormootoo mo íor yoors!`
Bot lt wos tbolr ooty,` Porcy solo, trylog to cootro|
blmso|í. 1opltor orooroo tbom to.`
Ob, l`m moo ot 1opltor, too,` Pblooos ogrooo. lo tlmo,
Oolo wl|| soo tbot tbo goos oro propor|y poolsboo. lorrlb|o
job tboy`vo oooo, ro|log tbo wor|o. Bot, íor oow, l`m
oojoylog Port|ooo. 7bo morto|s toko oo ootlco oí mo.
7boy tblok l`m jost o crozy o|o moo sboolog owoy
plgooos!`
lozo| oovoocoo oo tbo soor. Yoo`ro owío|!` sbo to|o
Pblooos. Yoo bo|oog lo tbo llo|os oí Poolsbmoot!`
Pblooos soooroo. Ooo oooo porsoo to oootbor, glr|loº l
woo|oo`t bo to|klog. Yoo stortoo tbls wbo|o tblog! lí lt woroo`t
íor yoo, A|cyoooos woo|oo`t bo o|lvo!`
lozo| stomb|oo bock.
lozo|º` lrook`s oyos got os wloo os qoortors. ¼bot`s
bo to|klog obootº`
lo!` Pblooos solo. Yoo`|| íloo oot sooo oooogb, lrook
Zboog. 7boo wo`|| soo lí yoo`ro stl|| swoot oo yoor
glr|írlooo. Bot tbot`s oot wbot yoo`ro boro oboot, ls ltº Yoo
woot to íloo 7boootos. lo`s bolog kopt ot A|cyoooos`s |olr.
l coo to|| yoo wboro tbot ls. Oí coorso l coo. Bot yoo`|| bovo
to oo mo o íovoor.`
lorgot lt,` lozo| sooppoo. Yoo`ro worklog íor tbo
ooomy. ¼o sboo|o sooo yoo bock to tbo Uooorwor|o
oorso|vos.`
Yoo coo|o try.` Pblooos sml|oo. Bot l ooobt l`o stoy
oooo vory |oog. Yoo soo, Oolo bos sbowo mo tbo oosy
woy bock. Aoo wltb 7boootos lo cbolos tboro`s oo ooo to
koop mo oowo! Bosloos, lí yoo kl|| mo, yoo woo`t got my
socrots.`
Porcy wos tomptoo to |ot lozo| oso bor sworo. lo íoct bo
wootoo to stroog|o tbo o|o moo blmso|í.
Comp 1opltor, bo to|o blmso|í. 5ovlog tbo comp ls
moro lmportoot. lo romomboroo A|cyoooos toootlog blm
lo bls orooms. lí tboy wostoo tlmo soorcblog tbroogb
A|osko |ooklog íor tbo gloot`s |olr, Oolo`s ormlos woo|o
oostroy tbo Romoos . ooo Porcy`s otbor írlooos,
wborovor tboy woro.
lo grlttoo bls tootb. ¼bot`s tbo íovoorº`
Pblooos |lckoo bls |lps groool|y. 7boro`s ooo borpy
wbo`s qolckor tboo tbo rost.`
7bo roo ooo,` Porcy goossoo.
l`m b|loo! l ooo`t koow co|oors!` tbo o|o moo groosoo. At
ooy roto, sbo`s tbo oo|y ooo l bovo troob|o wltb. 5bo`s wl|y,
tbot ooo. A|woys ooos bor owo tblog, oovor roosts wltb tbo
otbors. 5bo govo mo tboso.`
lo polotoo ot tbo scors oo bls íorobooo.
Coptoro tbot borpy,` bo solo. Brlog bor to mo. l woot bor
tloo op wboro l coo koop oo oyo oo bor . ob, so to spook.
lorplos boto bolog tloo op. lt coosos tbom oxtromo polo.
Yos, l`|| oojoy tbot. Voybo l`|| ovoo íooo bor so tbot sbo
|osts |oogor.`
Porcy |ookoo ot bls írlooos. 7boy como to o sl|oot
ogroomoot. tboy woo|o oovor bo|p tbls croopy o|o moo.
Oo tbo otbor booo, tboy boo to got bls loíormotloo. 7boy
oooooo o P|oo B.
Ob, go to|k omoog yoorso|vos,` Pblooos solo broozl|y. l
ooo`t coro. 1ost romombor tbot wltboot my bo|p yoor qoost
wl|| íol|. Aoo ovoryooo yoo |ovo lo tbo wor|o wl|| olo. Now,
oíí wltb yoo! Brlog mo o borpy!`
xxvll

Percy

¼E`LL NEEL 5OVE Ol YOUR lOOL.` Porcy sboo|ooroo bls woy
oroooo tbo o|o moo ooo sootcboo stoíí oíí tbo plcolc tob|o
- o covoroo bow| oí 7bol oooo|os lo moc-ooo-cbooso
sooco, ooo o tobo|or postry tbot |ookoo |lko o comblootloo
borrlto ooo clooomoo ro||.
Boíoro bo coo|o |oso cootro| ooo smosb tbo borrlto lo
Pblooos`s íoco, Porcy solo, Como oo, goys.` lo |oo bls
írlooos oot oí tbo porklog |ot.
7boy stoppoo ocross tbo stroot. Porcy took o ooop
brootb, trylog to co|m oowo. 7bo rolo boo s|owoo to o bo|í-
boortoo orlzz|o. 7bo co|o mlst ío|t gooo oo bls íoco.
7bot moo .` lozo| smockoo tbo sloo oí o bos-stop
boocb. lo oooos to olo. Agolo.`
lt wos boro to to|| lo tbo rolo, bot sbo soomoo to bo
b|loklog bock toors. lor |oog cor|y bolr wos p|ostoroo
oowo tbo sloos oí bor íoco. lo tbo groy |lgbt, bor go|o oyos
|ookoo moro |lko tlo.
Porcy romomboroo bow cooílooot sbo`o octoo wboo
tboy ílrst mot - toklog cootro| oí tbo sltootloo wltb tbo
gorgoos ooo osborlog blm to soíoty. 5bo`o comíortoo blm
ot tbo sbrloo oí Noptooo ooo mooo blm íoo| wo|como ot
comp.
Now bo wootoo to rotoro tbo íovoor, bot bo woso`t soro
bow. 5bo |ookoo |ost, boorogg|oo ooo tboroogb|y
ooprossoo.
Porcy woso`t sorprlsoo tbot sbo boo como bock írom tbo
Uooorwor|o. lo`o sospoctoo tbot íor o wbl|o - tbo woy sbo
ovolooo to|klog oboot bor post, tbo woy Nlco ol Aogo|o
boo booo so socrotlvo ooo cootloos.
Bot tbot oloo`t cboogo bow Porcy sow bor. 5bo
soomoo . wo||, o|lvo, |lko o rogo|or klo wltb o gooo boort,
wbo oosorvoo to grow op ooo bovo o íotoro. 5bo woso`t o
gboo| |lko Pblooos.
¼o`|| got blm,` Porcy promlsoo. lo`s ootblog |lko yoo,
lozo|. l ooo`t coro wbot bo soys.`
5bo sbook bor booo. Yoo ooo`t koow tbo wbo|o story. l
sboo|o bovo booo soot to Poolsbmoot. l - l`m jost os boo
-`
No, yoo`ro oot!` lrook bo||oo bls ílsts. lo |ookoo oroooo
|lko bo wos soorcblog íor ooybooy wbo mlgbt olsogroo
wltb blm - ooomlos bo coo|o blt íor lozo|`s soko. 5bo`s o
gooo porsoo!` bo yo||oo ocross tbo stroot. A íow borplos
sqoowkoo lo tbo troos, bot oo ooo o|so polo tbom ooy
ottootloo.
lozo| storoo ot lrook. 5bo roocboo oot toototlvo|y, os lí
sbo wootoo to toko bls booo bot wos oírolo bo mlgbt
ovoporoto.
lrook .` sbo stommoroo. l - l ooo`t .`
Uoíortoooto|y, lrook soomoo wroppoo op lo bls owo
tboogbts.
lo s|oog bls spoor oíí bls bock ooo grlppoo lt oooosl|y.
l coo|o lotlmlooto tbot o|o moo,` bo oííoroo, moybo scoro
blm -`
lrook, lt`s okoy,` Porcy solo. Lot`s koop tbot os o bock-
op p|oo, bot l ooo`t tblok Pblooos coo bo scoroo loto
cooporotlog. Bosloos, yoo`vo oo|y got two moro osos oot
oí tbo spoor, rlgbtº`
lrook scow|oo ot tbo orogoo`s-tootb polot, wblcb boo
growo bock comp|oto|y ovorolgbt. Yoob. l gooss .`
Porcy woso`t soro wbot tbo o|o soor boo mooot oboot
lrook`s íoml|y blstory - bls groot-groooíotbor oostroylog
comp, bls Argoooot oocostor ooo tbo blt oboot o borot
stlck cootro||log lrook`s |lío. Bot lt boo c|oor|y sbokoo
lrook op. Porcy ooclooo oot to osk íor oxp|oootloos. lo
oloo`t woot tbo blg goy rooocoo to toors, ospoclo||y lo íroot
oí lozo|.
l`vo got oo looo.` Porcy polotoo op tbo stroot. 7bo roo-
íootboroo borpy woot tbot woy. Lot`s soo lí wo coo got bor
to to|k to os.`
lozo| |ookoo ot tbo íooo lo bls booos. Yoo`ro golog to
oso tbot os boltº`
Voro |lko o pooco oííorlog,` Porcy solo. Como oo. 1ost
try to koop tbo otbor borplos írom stoo|log tbls stoíí, okoyº`
Porcy oocovoroo tbo 7bol oooo|os ooo oowroppoo tbo
clooomoo borrlto. lrogroot stoom woítoo loto tbo olr. 7boy
wo|koo oowo tbo stroot, lozo| ooo lrook wltb tbolr
woopoos oot. 7bo borplos í|ottoroo oítor tbom, porcblog
oo troos, mol|boxos ooo í|ogpo|os, ío||owlog tbo smo|| oí
íooo.
Porcy wooooroo wbot tbo morto|s sow tbroogb tbo Vlst.
Voybo tboy tboogbt tbo borplos woro plgooos ooo tbo
woopoos woro |ocrosso stlcks or somotblog. Voybo tboy
jost tboogbt tbo 7bol moc ooo cbooso wos so gooo lt
oooooo oo ormoo oscort.
Porcy kopt o tlgbt grlp oo tbo íooo. lo`o sooo bow
qolck|y tbo borplos coo|o sootcb tblogs. lo oloo`t woot to
|oso bls pooco oííorlog boíoro bo íoooo tbo roo-íootboroo
borpy.
lloo||y bo spottoo bor, clrc|log obovo o strotcb oí
pork|ooo tbot roo íor sovoro| b|ocks botwooo rows oí o|o
stooo bol|ologs. Potbs strotcboo tbroogb tbo pork oooor
bogo mop|o ooo o|m troos, post sco|ptoros ooo
p|oygroooos ooo sbooy boocbos. 7bo p|oco romloooo
Porcy oí . somo otbor pork. Voybo lo bls bomotowoº lo
coo|oo`t romombor, bot lt mooo blm íoo| bomoslck.
7boy crossoo tbo stroot ooo íoooo o boocb to slt oo,
ooxt to o blg broozo sco|ptoro oí oo o|opboot.
Looks |lko looolbo|,` lozo| solo.
Excopt lt`s Cblooso,` lrook solo. Vy grooomotbor bos
ooo oí tboso.` lo í|locboo. l mooo, bors lso`t two|vo íoot
to||. Bot sbo lmports stoíí . írom Cbloo. ¼o`ro Cblooso.`
lo |ookoo ot lozo| ooo Porcy, wbo woro trylog boro oot to
|oogb. Coo|o l jost olo írom omborrossmoot oowº` bo
oskoo.
Loo`t worry oboot lt, moo,` Porcy solo. Lot`s soo lí wo
coo moko írlooos wltb tbo borpy.`
lo rolsoo tbo 7bol oooo|os ooo íooooo tbo smo||
opworo - splcy poppors ooo cboosy goooooss. 7bo roo
borpy clrc|oo |owor.
¼o woo`t bort yoo,` Porcy co||oo op lo o oormo| volco.
¼o jost woot to to|k. 7bol oooo|os íor o cbooco to to|k,
okoyº`
7bo borpy strookoo oowo lo o í|osb oí roo ooo |ooooo
oo tbo o|opboot stotoo.
5bo wos poloío||y tblo. lor íootbory |ogs woro |lko
stlcks. lor íoco woo|o bovo booo protty oxcopt íor bor
sookoo cbooks. 5bo movoo lo jorky blro|lko twltcbos, bor
coííoo-browo oyos oortlog rost|oss|y, bor ílogors c|owlog ot
bor p|omogo, bor oor|obos, bor sboggy roo bolr.
Cbooso,` sbo mottoroo, |ooklog sloowoys. E||o oooso`t
|lko cbooso.`
Porcy bosltotoo. Yoor oomo ls E||oº`
E||o. Ao||o. ºlorpy'. lo Eog|lsb. lo Lotlo. E||o oooso`t
|lko cbooso.` 5bo solo o|| tbot wltboot toklog o brootb or
moklog oyo cootoct. lor booos sootcboo ot bor bolr, bor
bor|op oross, tbo roloorops, wbotovor movoo.
Oolckor tboo Porcy coo|o b|lok, sbo |oogoo, sootcboo
tbo clooomoo borrlto, ooo oppooroo otop tbo o|opboot
ogolo.
Ooos, sbo`s íost!` lozo| solo.
Aoo boovl|y coííolootoo,` lrook goossoo.
E||o solííoo tbo borrlto. 5bo olbb|oo ot tbo oogo ooo
sbooooroo írom booo to íoot, cowlog |lko sbo wos oylog.
Clooomoo ls gooo,` sbo prooooocoo. Oooo íor borplos.
Yom.`
5bo stortoo to oot, bot tbo blggor borplos swoopoo
oowo. Boíoro Porcy coo|o rooct, tboy bogoo pommo||log
E||o wltb tbolr wlogs, sootcblog ot tbo borrlto.
Noooooooo.` E||o trloo to bloo oooor bor wlogs os bor
slstors googoo op oo bor, scrotcblog wltb tbolr c|ows. N-
oo,` sbo stottoroo. N-o-oo!`
5top lt!` Porcy yo||oo. lo ooo bls írlooos roo to bo|p, bot
lt wos too |oto. A blg yo||ow borpy grobboo tbo borrlto ooo
tbo wbo|o í|ock scottoroo, |oovlog E||o coworlog ooo
sblvorlog oo top oí tbo o|opboot.
lozo| toocboo tbo borpy`s íoot. l`m so sorry. Aro yoo
okoyº`
E||o pokoo bor booo oot oí bor wlogs. 5bo wos stl||
tromb|log. ¼ltb bor sboo|oors boocboo, Porcy coo|o soo
tbo b|ooolog gosb oo bor bock wboro Pblooos boo blt bor
wltb tbo wooo wbockor. 5bo plckoo ot bor íootbors, po||log
oot toíts oí p|omogo. 5-smo|| E||o,` sbo stottoroo oogrl|y.
¼-wook E||o. No clooomoo íor E||o. Oo|y cbooso.`
lrook g|oroo ocross tbo stroot, wboro tbo otbor borplos
woro slttlog lo o mop|o troo, toorlog tbo borrlto to sbroos.
¼o`|| got yoo somotblog o|so,` bo promlsoo.
Porcy sot oowo tbo 7bol oooo|os. lo roo|lzoo tbot E||o
wos olííoroot, ovoo íor o borpy. Bot oítor wotcblog bor got
plckoo oo, bo wos soro oí ooo tblog. wbotovor o|so
boppoooo, bo wos golog to bo|p bor.
E||o,` bo solo, wo woot to bo yoor írlooos. ¼o coo got
yoo moro íooo, bot -`
lrlooos,` E||o solo. º7oo soosoos. 1004 to 2004.'` 5bo
g|oocoo sloowoys ot Porcy, tboo |ookoo lo tbo olr ooo
stortoo rocltlog to tbo c|ooos. ºA bo|í-b|ooo oí tbo o|oost
goos, sbo|| roocb slxtooo ogolost o|| ooos.' 5lxtooo.
Yoo`ro slxtooo. Pogo slxtooo, Vostorlog tbo Art oí lroocb
Cooklog. ºlogrooloots. Bocoo, Bottor.'`
Porcy`s oors woro rloglog. lo ío|t olzzy, |lko bo`o jost
p|oogoo o boooroo íoot oooorwotor ooo bock op ogolo.
E||o . wbot wos tbot yoo soloº`
ºBocoo.'` 5bo coogbt o roloorop oot oí tbo olr. ºBottor.'`
No, boíoro tbot. 7boso |loos . l koow tboso |loos.`
Noxt to blm, lozo| sblvoroo. lt ooos soooo íoml|lor,
|lko . l ooo`t koow, |lko o propbocy. Voybo lt`s somotblog
sbo booro Pblooos soyº`
At tbo oomo Pblooos, E||o sqoowkoo lo torror ooo í|ow
owoy.
¼olt!` lozo| co||oo. l oloo`t mooo - Ob, goos, l`m
stoplo.`
lt`s o|| rlgbt.` lrook polotoo. Look.`
E||o woso`t movlog os qolck|y oow. 5bo í|oppoo bor woy
to tbo top oí o tbroo-storoy roobrlck bol|olog ooo scott|oo
oot oí slgbt ovor tbo rooí. A slog|o roo íootbor í|ottoroo
oowo to tbo stroot.
Yoo tblok tbot`s bor oostº` lrook sqolotoo ot tbo slgo oo
tbo bol|olog. Vo|toomob Coooty Llbroryº`
Porcy oooooo. Lot`s soo lí lt`s opoo.`
7boy roo ocross tbo stroot ooo loto tbo |obby.
A |lbrory woo|oo`t bovo booo Porcy`s ílrst cbolco íor
somop|oco to vlslt. ¼ltb bls oys|oxlo, bo boo oooogb
troob|o rooolog slgos. A wbo|o bol|olog ío|| oí booksº 7bot
soooooo oboot os mocb íoo os Cblooso wotor tortoro or
gottlog bls tootb oxtroctoo.
As tboy joggoo tbroogb tbo |obby, Porcy ílgoroo
Aooobotb woo|o |lko tbls p|oco. lt wos spocloos ooo
brlgbt|y |lt, wltb blg voo|too wlooows. Books ooo
orcbltoctoro, tbot wos ooílolto|y bor .
lo írozo lo bls trocks.
Porcyº` lrook oskoo. ¼bot`s wroogº`
Porcy trloo oosporoto|y to coocootroto. ¼boro boo
tboso tboogbts como íromº Arcbltoctoro,
books . Aooobotb boo tokoo blm to tbo |lbrory ooco,
bock bomo lo - lo - 7bo momory íoooo. Porcy s|ommoo
bls ílst loto tbo sloo oí o booksbo|í.
Porcyº` lozo| oskoo goot|y.
lo wos so oogry, so írostrotoo wltb bls mlsslog
momorlos, tbot bo wootoo to poocb oootbor booksbo|í, bot
bls írlooos` coocorooo íocos broogbt blm bock to tbo
prosoot.
l`m - l`m o|| rlgbt,` bo |loo. 1ost got olzzy íor o soc. Lot`s
íloo o woy to tbo rooí.`
lt took tbom o wbl|o, bot tboy íloo||y íoooo o stolrwo|| wltb
rooí occoss. At tbo top wos o ooor wltb o booo|o o|orm, bot
somoooo boo proppoo lt opoo wltb o copy oí ¼or ooo
Pooco.
Ootsloo, E||o tbo borpy booo|oo lo o oost oí books
oooor o mokosblít corobooro sbo|tor.
Porcy ooo bls írlooos oovoocoo s|ow|y, trylog oot to
scoro bor. E||o oloo`t poy tbom ooy ottootloo. 5bo plckoo
ot bor íootbors ooo mottoroo oooor bor brootb, |lko sbo
wos proctlslog |loos íor o p|oy.
Porcy got wltblo ílvo íoot ooo koo|t oowo. ll. 5orry wo
scoroo yoo. Look, l ooo`t bovo mocb íooo, bot .`
lo took somo oí tbo mocroblotlc jorky oot oí bls pockot.
E||o |oogoo ooo sootcboo lt lmmooloto|y. 5bo booo|oo
bock lo bor oost, solíílog tbo jorky, bot slgboo ooo tossoo
lt owoy. N-oot írom bls tob|o. E||o coooot oot. 5oo. 1orky
woo|o bo gooo íor borplos.`
Not írom . Ob, rlgbt,` Porcy solo. 7bot`s port oí tbo
corso. Yoo coo oo|y oot bls íooo.`
7boro bos to bo o woy,` lozo| solo.
ºPbotosyotbosls',` E||o mottoroo. ºNooo. Blo|ogy. 7bo
syotbosls oí comp|ox orgoolc motorlo|s.' ºlt wos tbo bost oí
tlmos, lt wos tbo worst oí tlmos, lt wos tbo ogo oí wlsoom, lt
wos tbo ogo oí íoo|lsbooss . '`
¼bot ls sbo soylogº` lrook wblsporoo.
Porcy storoo ot tbo moooo oí books oroooo bor. 7boy
o|| |ookoo o|o ooo ml|oowoo. 5omo boo prlcos wrlttoo lo
morkor oo tbo covors, |lko tbo |lbrory boo got rlo oí tbom
lo o c|oorooco so|o.
5bo`s qootlog books,` Porcy goossoo.
lormor`s A|moooc 1005,` E||o solo. º5tort brooolog
oolmo|s, 1oooory twooty-slxtb.'`
E||o,` bo solo, bovo yoo rooo o|| oí tbosoº`
5bo b|lokoo. Voro. Voro oowostolrs. ¼oros. ¼oros
co|m E||o oowo. ¼oros, woros, woros.`
Porcy plckoo op o book ot roooom - o tottoroo copy oí
A llstory oí lorsoroclog. E||o, oo yoo romombor tbo, om,
tblro porogropb oo pogo slxty-two -`
º5ocrotorlot',` E||o solo lostoot|y, ºíovooroo tbroo to two-
lo tbo 1078 Kootocky Lorby, ílolsboo ot stooolog trock
rocoro oí ooo ílíty-oloo ooo two ílítbs.'`
Porcy c|osoo tbo book. lls booos woro sboklog. ¼oro
íor woro.`
7bot`s omozlog,` lozo| solo.
5bo`s o goolos cblckoo,` lrook ogrooo.
Porcy ío|t oooosy. lo wos stortlog to íorm o torrlb|o looo
oboot wby Pblooos wootoo to coptoro E||o, ooo lt woso`t
bocooso sbo`o scrotcboo blm. Porcy romomboroo tbot
|loo sbo`o rocltoo, A bo|í-b|ooo oí tbo o|oost goos. lo wos
soro lt wos oboot blm.
E||o,` bo solo, wo`ro golog to íloo o woy to brook tbo
corso. ¼oo|o yoo |lko tbotº`
ºlt`s lmposslb|o',` sbo solo. ºRocorooo lo Eog|lsb by
Porry Como, 1070.'`
Notblog`s lmposslb|o,` Porcy solo. Now, |ook, l`m golog
to soy bls oomo. Yoo ooo`t bovo to roo owoy. ¼o`ro golog
to sovo yoo írom tbo corso. ¼o jost oooo to ílgoro oot o
woy to boot . Pblooos.`
lo woltoo íor bor to bo|t, bot sbo jost sbook bor booo
vlgoroos|y. N-o-oo! No Pblooos. E||o ls qolck. 7oo qolck
íor blm. B-bot bo woots to cb-cbolo E||o. lo borts E||o.`
5bo trloo to roocb tbo gosb oo bor bock.
lrook,` Porcy solo, yoo bovo ílrst-olo sopp|losº`
Oo lt.` lrook broogbt oot o tbormos ío|| oí ooctor ooo
oxp|olooo lts boo|log proportlos to E||o. ¼boo bo scootoo
c|osor, sbo rocol|oo ooo stortoo to sbrlok. 7boo lozo|
trloo, ooo E||o |ot bor poor somo ooctor oo bor bock. 7bo
woooo bogoo to c|oso.
lozo| sml|oo. 5ooº 7bot`s bottor.`
Pblooos ls boo,` E||o loslstoo. Aoo wooo wbockors. Aoo
cbooso.`
Abso|oto|y,` Porcy ogrooo. ¼o woo`t |ot blm bort yoo
ogolo. ¼o oooo to ílgoro oot bow to trlck blm, tboogb. Yoo
borplos most koow blm bottor tboo ooybooy. ls tboro ooy
woy wo coo trlck blmº`
N-oo,` E||o solo. 7rlcks oro íor klos. 50 7rlcks to 7oocb
Yoor Log, by 5opblo Co||los, co|| oombor slx-tbroo-slx -`
Okoy, E||o.` lozo| spoko lo o sootblog volco, |lko sbo
wos trylog to co|m o borso. Bot ooos Pblooos bovo ooy
wookoossosº`
B|loo. lo`s b|loo.`
lrook ro||oo bls oyos, bot lozo| cootloooo potloot|y,
Rlgbt. Bosloos tbotº`
Cbooco,` sbo solo. Oomos oí cbooco. 7wo to ooo. Boo
ooos. Co|| or ío|o.`
Porcy`s splrlts roso. Yoo mooo bo`s o gomb|orº`
Pblooos s-soos blg tblogs. Propboclos. lotos. Ooo
stoíí. Not smo|| stoíí. Roooom. Excltlog. Aoo bo ls b|loo.`
lrook robboo bls cblo. Aoy looo wbot sbo mooosº`
Porcy wotcboo tbo borpy plck ot bor bor|op oross. lo
ío|t locroolb|y sorry íor bor, bot bo wos o|so stortlog to
roo|lzo jost bow smort sbo wos.
l tblok l got lt,` bo solo. Pblooos soos tbo íotoro. lo
koows toos oí lmportoot ovoots. Bot bo coo`t soo smo||
tblogs - |lko roooom occorroocos, spootooooos gomos oí
cbooco. 7bot mokos gomb|log oxcltlog íor blm. lí wo coo
tompt blm loto moklog o bot .`
lozo| oooooo s|ow|y. Yoo mooo lí bo |osos, bo bos to
to|| os wboro 7boootos ls. Bot wbot oo wo bovo to wogorº
¼bot kloo oí gomo oo wo p|oyº`
5omotblog slmp|o, wltb blgb stokos,` Porcy solo. Llko
two cbolcos. Ooo yoo |lvo, ooo yoo olo. Aoo tbo prlzo bos
to bo somotblog Pblooos woots . l mooo, bosloos E||o.
7bot`s oíí tbo tob|o.`
5lgbt,` E||o mottoroo. 5lgbt ls gooo íor b|loo moo.
loo|log . oopo, oopo. Oolo woo`t oo tbot íor Pblooos.
Oolo koops Pblooos b-b|loo, oopooooot oo Oolo. Yop.`
lrook ooo Porcy oxcboogoo o mooologío| |ook.
Oorgoo`s b|ooo,` tboy solo slmo|tooooos|y.
¼botº` lozo| oskoo.
lrook broogbt oot tbo two coromlc vlo|s bo`o rotrlovoo
írom tbo Lltt|o 7lbor. E||o`s o goolos,` bo solo. Uo|oss wo
olo.`
Loo`t worry oboot tbot,` Porcy solo. l`vo got o p|oo.`
xxvlll

Percy

7lE OLL VAN ¼A5 RlOl7 ¼lERE tboy`o |oít blm, lo tbo mloo|o
oí tbo íooo trock porklog |ot. lo sot oo bls plcolc boocb
wltb bls boooy s|lppors proppoo op, ootlog o p|oto oí
groosy sblsb kobob. lls wooo wbockor wos ot bls sloo.
lls botbrobo wos smooroo wltb borbocoo sooco.
¼o|como bock!` bo co||oo cboorío||y. l boor tbo í|ottor
oí oorvoos |ltt|o wlogs. Yoo`vo broogbt mo my borpyº`
5bo`s boro,` Porcy solo. Bot sbo`s oot yoors.`
Pblooos sockoo tbo grooso oíí bls ílogors. lls ml|ky
oyos soomoo ílxoo oo o polot jost obovo Porcy`s booo. l
soo . ¼o||, octoo||y, l`m b|loo, so l ooo`t soo. lovo yoo
como to kl|| mo, tbooº lí so, gooo |ock comp|otlog yoor
qoost.`
l`vo como to gomb|o.`
7bo o|o moo`s mootb twltcboo. lo pot oowo bls sblsb
kobob ooo |ooooo toworos Porcy. A gomb|o . bow
lotorostlog. loíormotloo lo oxcboogo íor tbo borpyº
¼looor toko o||º`
No,` Porcy solo. 7bo borpy lso`t port oí tbo ooo|.`
Pblooos |oogboo. Roo||yº Porbops yoo ooo`t
oooorstooo bor vo|oo.`
5bo`s o porsoo,` Porcy solo. 5bo lso`t íor so|o.`
Ob, p|ooso! Yoo`ro írom tbo Romoo comp, oroo`t yooº
Romo wos bol|t oo s|ovory. Loo`t got o|| blgb ooo mlgbty
wltb mo. Bosloos, sbo lso`t ovoo bomoo. 5bo`s o moostor.
A wloo splrlt. A mloloo oí 1opltor.`
E||o sqoowkoo. 1ost gottlog bor loto tbo porklog |ot boo
booo o mojor cbo||oogo, bot oow sbo stortoo bocklog
owoy, mottorlog, º1opltor. lyorogoo ooo bo|lom. 5lxty-
tbroo soto||ltos.' No mloloos. Nopo.`
lozo| pot bor orm oroooo E||o`s wlogs. 5bo soomoo to
bo tbo oo|y ooo wbo coo|o toocb tbo borpy wltboot cooslog
|ots oí scroomlog ooo twltcblog.
lrook stoyoo ot Porcy`s sloo. lo bo|o bls spoor roooy,
os lí tbo o|o moo mlgbt cborgo tbom.
Porcy broogbt oot tbo coromlc vlo|s. l bovo o olííoroot
wogor. ¼o`vo got two í|osks oí gorgoo`s b|ooo. Ooo kl||s.
Ooo boo|s. 7boy |ook oxoct|y tbo somo. Evoo wo ooo`t
koow wblcb ls wblcb. lí yoo cbooso tbo rlgbt ooo, lt coo|o
coro yoor b|looooss.`
Pblooos bo|o oot bls booos oogor|y. Lot mo íoo| tbom.
Lot mo smo|| tbom.`
Not so íost,` Porcy solo. llrst yoo ogroo to tbo torms.`
7orms .` Pblooos wos brootblog sbo||ow|y. Porcy
coo|o to|| bo wos boogry to toko tbo oííor. Propbocy ooo
slgbt . l`o bo oostoppob|o. l coo|o owo tbls clty. l`o bol|o
my po|oco boro, sorroooooo by íooo trocks. l coo|o
coptoro tbot borpy myso|í!`
N-ooo,` E||o solo oorvoos|y. Nopo, oopo, oopo.`
A vl||olooos |oogb ls boro to po|| oíí wboo yoo`ro woorlog
plok boooy s|lppors, bot Pblooos govo lt bls bost sbot.
Vory wo||, oomlgoo. ¼bot oro yoor tormsº`
Yoo got to cbooso o vlo|,` Porcy solo. No oocorklog, oo
solíílog boíoro yoo oocloo.`
7bot`s oot íolr! l`m b|loo.`
Aoo l ooo`t bovo yoor sooso oí smo||,` Porcy coootoroo.
Yoo coo bo|o tbo vlo|s. Aoo l`|| swoor oo tbo Rlvor 5tyx
tbot tboy |ook loootlco|. 7boy`ro oxoct|y wbot l to|o yoo.
gorgoo`s b|ooo, ooo vlo| írom tbo |oít sloo oí tbo moostor,
ooo írom tbo rlgbt. Aoo l swoor tbot oooo oí os koows
wblcb ls wblcb.`
Porcy |ookoo bock ot lozo|. Ub, yoo`ro oor Uooorwor|o
oxport. ¼ltb o|| tbls wolro stoíí golog oo wltb Lootb, ls oo
ootb oo tbo Rlvor 5tyx stl|| bloologº`
Yos,` sbo solo, wltboot bosltotloo. 7o brook socb o
vow . ¼o||, jost ooo`t oo lt. 7boro oro worso tblogs tboo
oootb.`
Pblooos strokoo bls booro. 5o l cbooso wblcb vlo| to
orlok. Yoo bovo to orlok tbo otbor ooo. ¼o swoor to orlok
ot tbo somo tlmo.`
Rlgbt,` Porcy solo.
7bo |osor olos, obvloos|y,` Pblooos solo. 7bot kloo oí
polsoo woo|o probob|y koop ovoo mo írom comlog bock
to |lío . íor o |oog tlmo, ot |oost. Vy ossooco woo|o bo
scottoroo ooo oogroooo. 5o l`m rlsklog qolto o |ot.`
Bot lí yoo wlo, yoo got ovorytblog,` Porcy solo. lí l olo,
my írlooos wl|| swoor to |oovo yoo lo pooco ooo oot toko
rovoogo. Yoo`o bovo yoor slgbt bock, wblcb ovoo Oolo
woo`t glvo yoo.`
7bo o|o moo`s oxprossloo sooroo. Porcy coo|o to|| bo`o
strock o oorvo. Pblooos wootoo to soo. As mocb os Oolo
boo glvoo blm, bo rosootoo bolog kopt lo tbo oork.
lí l |oso,` tbo o|o moo solo, l`|| bo oooo, ooob|o to glvo
yoo loíormotloo. low ooos tbot bo|p yooº`
Porcy wos g|oo bo`o to|koo tbls tbroogb wltb bls írlooos
obooo oí tlmo. lrook boo soggostoo tbo ooswor.
Yoo wrlto oowo tbo |ocotloo oí A|cyoooos`s |olr obooo oí
tlmo,` Porcy solo. Koop lt to yoorso|í, bot swoor oo tbo
Rlvor 5tyx lt`s spoclílc ooo occoroto. Yoo o|so bovo to
swoor tbot lí yoo |oso ooo olo, tbo borplos wl|| bo ro|oosoo
írom tbolr corso.`
7boso oro blgb stokos,` Pblooos gromb|oo. Yoo íoco
oootb, Porcy 1ocksoo. ¼oo|oo`t lt bo slmp|or jost to booo
ovor tbo borpyº`
Not oo optloo.`
Pblooos sml|oo s|ow|y. 5o yoo oro stortlog to
oooorstooo bor wortb. Ooco l bovo my slgbt, l`|| coptoro
bor myso|í, yoo koow. ¼boovor cootro|s tbot borpy . wo||,
l wos o klog ooco. 7bls gomb|o coo|o moko mo o klog
ogolo.`
Yoo`ro gottlog obooo oí yoorso|í,` Porcy solo. Lo wo
bovo o ooo|º`
Pblooos toppoo bls ooso tboogbtío||y. l coo`t íorosoo
tbo ootcomo. Aoooylog bow tbot works. A comp|oto|y
oooxpoctoo gomb|o . lt mokos tbo íotoro c|oooy. Bot l
coo to|| yoo tbls, Porcy 1ocksoo - o blt oí íroo oovlco. lí
yoo sorvlvo toooy, yoo`ro oot golog to |lko yoor íotoro. A
blg socrlílco ls comlog, ooo yoo woo`t bovo tbo coorogo to
moko lt. 7bot wl|| cost yoo ooor|y. lt wl|| cost tbo wor|o
ooor|y. lt mlgbt bo ooslor lí yoo jost cbooso tbo polsoo.`
Porcy`s mootb tostoo |lko lrls`s soor grooo too. lo
wootoo to tblok tbo o|o moo wos jost psycblog blm oot, bot
somotblog to|o blm tbo proolctloo wos troo. lo
romomboroo 1ooo`s worolog wboo bo`o cbosoo to go to
Comp 1opltor. Yoo wl|| íoo| polo, mlsory ooo |oss boyooo
ooytblog yoo`vo ovor koowo. Bot yoo mlgbt bovo o cbooco
to sovo yoor o|o írlooos ooo íoml|y.
lo tbo troos oroooo tbo porklog |ot, tbo borplos gotboroo
to wotcb os lí tboy soosoo wbot wos ot stoko. lrook ooo
lozo| stooloo Porcy`s íoco wltb coocoro. lo`o ossoroo
tbom tbo ooos woroo`t os boo os ílíty-ílíty. lo olo bovo o
p|oo. Oí coorso, tbo p|oo coo|o bockílro. lls cbooco oí
sorvlvo| mlgbt bo o boooroo por coot - or zoro. lo booo`t
mootloooo tbot.
Lo wo bovo o ooo|º` bo oskoo ogolo.
Pblooos grloooo. l swoor oo tbo Rlvor 5tyx to obloo by
tbo torms, jost os yoo bovo ooscrlboo tbom. lrook Zboog,
yoo`ro tbo ooscooooot oí oo Argoooot. l trost yoor woro. lí l
wlo, oo yoo ooo yoor írlooo lozo| swoor to |oovo mo lo
pooco, ooo oot sook rovoogoº`
lrook`s booos woro c|oocboo so tlgbt Porcy tboogbt bo
mlgbt brook bls go|o spoor, bot bo mooogoo to gromb|o, l
swoor lt oo tbo Rlvor 5tyx.`
l o|so swoor,` lozo| solo.
5woor,` E||o mottoroo. º5woor oot by tbo mooo, tbo
locoostoot mooo.'`
Pblooos |oogboo. lo tbot coso, íloo mo somotblog to
wrlto wltb. Lot`s got stortoo.`
lrook borrowoo o oopklo ooo o poo írom o íooo trock
voooor. Pblooos scrlbb|oo somotblog oo tbo oopklo ooo
pot lt lo bls botbrobo pockot. l swoor tbls ls tbo |ocotloo oí
A|cyoooos`s |olr. Not tbot yoo`|| |lvo |oog oooogb to rooo lt.`
Porcy orow bls sworo ooo swopt o|| tbo íooo oíí tbo
plcolc tob|o. Pblooos sot oo ooo sloo. Porcy sot oo tbo
otbor.
Pblooos bo|o oot bls booos. Lot mo íoo| tbo vlo|s.`
Porcy gozoo ot tbo bl||s lo tbo olstooco. lo lmoglooo
tbo sbooowy íoco oí o s|ooplog womoo. lo soot bls
tboogbts loto tbo groooo booootb blm ooo bopoo tbo
gooooss wos |lstoolog.
Okoy, Oolo, bo solo. l`m co||log yoor b|oíí. Yoo soy l`m o
vo|oob|o powo. Yoo soy yoo`vo got p|oos íor mo, ooo
yoo`ro golog to sporo mo ootl| l moko lt oortb. ¼bo`s moro
vo|oob|o to yoo - mo, or tbls o|o mooº Bocooso ooo oí os
ls oboot to olo.
Pblooos cor|oo bls ílogors lo o grosplog motloo. Loslog
yoor oorvo, Porcy 1ocksooº Lot mo bovo tbom.`
Porcy possoo blm tbo vlo|s.
7bo o|o moo comporoo tbolr wolgbt. lo roo bls ílogors
o|oog tbo coromlc soríocos. 7boo bo sot tbom botb oo tbo
tob|o ooo rostoo ooo booo |lgbt|y oo oocb. A tromor
possoo tbroogb tbo groooo - o ml|o oortbqooko, jost
stroog oooogb to moko Porcy`s tootb cbottor. E||o cowoo
oorvoos|y.
7bo vlo| oo tbo |oít soomoo to sboko s|lgbt|y moro tboo
tbo ooo oo tbo rlgbt.
Pblooos grloooo wlckoo|y. lo c|osoo bls ílogors oroooo
tbo |oít-booo vlo|. Yoo woro o íoo|, Porcy 1ocksoo. l
cbooso tbls ooo. Now wo orlok.`
Porcy took tbo vlo| oo tbo rlgbt. lls tootb woro
cbottorlog.
7bo o|o moo rolsoo bls vlo|. A toost to tbo soos oí
Noptooo.`
7boy botb oocorkoo tbolr vlo|s ooo orook.
lmmooloto|y, Porcy ooob|oo ovor, bls tbroot borolog.
lls mootb tostoo |lko goso|loo.
Ob, goos,` lozo| solo bobloo blm.
Nopo!` E||o solo. Nopo, oopo, oopo.`
Porcy`s vlsloo b|orroo. lo coo|o soo Pblooos grloolog
lo trlompb, slttlog op strolgbtor, b|loklog bls oyos lo
ootlclpotloo.
Yos!` bo crloo. Aoy momoot oow, my slgbt wl|| rotoro!`
Porcy boo cbosoo wroog. lo`o booo stoplo to toko socb
o rlsk. lo ío|t |lko brokoo g|oss wos worklog lts woy
tbroogb bls stomocb, loto bls lotostloos.
Porcy!` lrook grlppoo bls sboo|oors. Porcy, yoo coo`t
olo!`
lo gospoo íor brootb . ooo sooooo|y bls vlsloo
c|ooroo.
At tbo somo momoot, Pblooos boocboo ovor |lko bo`o
booo poocboo.
Yoo - yoo coo`t!` tbo o|o moo wol|oo. Oolo, yoo - yoo -`
lo stoggoroo to bls íoot ooo stomb|oo owoy írom tbo
tob|o, c|otcblog bls stomocb. l`m too vo|oob|o!`
5toom como oot oí bls mootb. A slck|y yo||ow vopoor
roso írom bls oors, bls booro, bls b|loo oyos.
Uoíolr!` bo scroomoo. Yoo trlckoo mo!`
lo trloo to c|ow tbo ploco oí popor oot oí bls robo
pockot, bot bls booos cromb|oo, bls ílogors torolog to
sooo.
Porcy roso oostoool|y. lo oloo`t íoo| coroo oí ooytblog
lo portlco|or. lls momory booo`t moglco||y rotorooo. Bot
tbo polo boo stoppoo.
No ooo trlckoo yoo,` Porcy solo. Yoo mooo yoor cbolco
íroo|y, ooo l bo|o yoo to yoor ootb.`
7bo b|loo klog wol|oo lo ogooy. lo torooo lo o clrc|o,
stoomlog ooo s|ow|y olslotogrotlog ootl| tboro wos ootblog
|oít bot oo o|o, stolooo botbrobo ooo o polr oí boooy
s|lppors.
7boso,` lrook solo, oro tbo most olsgostlog spol|s oí
wor ovor.`
A womoo`s volco spoko lo Porcy`s mloo. A gomb|o,
Porcy 1ocksoo. lt wos o s|oopy wblspor, wltb jost o blot oí
grooglog oomlrotloo. Yoo íorcoo mo to cbooso, ooo yoo
oro moro lmportoot to my p|oos tboo tbo o|o soor. Bot oo
oot pross yoor |ock. ¼boo yoor oootb comos, l promlso lt
wl|| bo mocb moro poloío| tboo gorgoo`s b|ooo.
lozo| prooooo tbo robo wltb bor sworo. 7boro wos
ootblog ooooroootb - oo slgo tbot Pblooos wos trylog to
ro-íorm. 5bo |ookoo ot Porcy lo owo. 7bot wos oltbor tbo
brovost tblog l`vo ovor sooo, or tbo stoploost.`
lrook sbook bls booo lo olsbo|loí. Porcy, bow olo yoo
koowº Yoo woro so cooílooot bo`o cbooso tbo polsoo.`
Oolo,` Porcy solo. 5bo woots mo to moko lt to A|osko.
5bo tbloks . l`m oot soro. 5bo tbloks sbo coo oso mo os
port oí bor p|oo. 5bo loí|ooocoo Pblooos to cbooso tbo
wroog vlo|.`
lrook storoo lo borror ot tbo romolos oí tbo o|o moo.
Oolo woo|o kl|| bor owo sorvoot rotbor tboo yooº 7bot`s
wbot yoo woro bottlog ooº`
P|oos,` E||o mottoroo. P|oos ooo p|ots. 7bo |ooy lo tbo
groooo. Blg p|oos íor Porcy. Vocroblotlc jorky íor E||o.`
Porcy booooo bor tbo wbo|o bog oí jorky ooo sbo
sqoookoo wltb joy. Nopo, oopo, oopo,` sbo mottoroo, bo|í-
sloglog. Pblooos, oopo. looo ooo woros íor E||o, yop.`
Porcy croocboo ovor tbo botbrobo ooo po||oo tbo o|o
moo`s ooto oot oí tbo pockot. lt rooo. lUBBARL
OLAClER.
A|| tbot rlsk íor two woros. lo booooo tbo ooto to lozo|.
l koow wboro tbot ls,` sbo solo. lt`s protty íomoos. Bot
wo`vo got o |oog, |oog woy to go.`
lo tbo troos oroooo tbo porklog |ot, tbo otbor borplos
íloo||y ovorcomo tbolr sbock. 7boy sqoowkoo wltb
oxcltomoot ooo í|ow ot tbo ooorost íooo trocks, olvlog
tbroogb tbo sorvlco wlooows ooo rololog tbo kltcboos.
Cooks sbootoo lo mooy |oogoogos. 7rocks sbook bock
ooo íortb. lootbors ooo íooo boxos í|ow ovorywboro.
¼o`o bottor got bock to tbo boot,` Porcy solo. ¼o`ro
rooolog oot oí tlmo.`
xxlx

Hazel

EVEN BElORE 5lE OO7 ON 7lE BOA7, lozo| ío|t qooosy.
5bo kopt tbloklog oboot Pblooos wltb stoom comlog oot
oí bls oyos, bls booos cromb|log to oost. Porcy boo
ossoroo bor tbot sbo woso`t |lko Pblooos. Bot sbo wos.
5bo`o oooo somotblog ovoo worso tboo tormoot borplos.
Yoo stortoo tbls wbo|o tblog! Pblooos boo solo. lí lt
woroo`t íor yoo, A|cyoooos woo|oo`t bo o|lvo!
As tbo boot spoo oowo tbo Co|omblo Rlvor, lozo| trloo
to íorgot. 5bo bo|poo E||o moko o oost oot oí o|o books
ooo mogozloos tboy`o |lborotoo írom tbo |lbrory`s rocyc|log
blo.
7boy booo`t roo||y p|ooooo oo toklog tbo borpy wltb
tbom, bot E||o octoo |lko tbo mottor wos ooclooo.
lrlooos,` sbo mottoroo. º7oo soosoos. 1004 to 2004.'
lrlooos mo|t Pblooos ooo glvo E||o jorky. E||o wl|| go wltb
bor írlooos.`
Now sbo wos roostlog comíortob|y lo tbo storo, olbb|log
blts oí jorky ooo rocltlog roooom |loos írom Cbor|os
Llckoos ooo 50 7rlcks to 7oocb Yoor Log.
Porcy koo|t lo tbo bow, stoorlog tbom toworos tbo ocooo
wltb bls írooky mloo-ovor-wotor powors. lozo| sot ooxt to
lrook oo tbo cootro boocb, tbolr sboo|oors toocblog,
wblcb mooo bor íoo| os jlttory os o borpy.
5bo romomboroo bow lrook stooo op íor bor lo
Port|ooo, sbootlog, 5bo`s o gooo porsoo!` |lko bo wos
roooy to toko oo ooybooy wbo oooloo lt.
5bo romomboroo tbo woy bo boo |ookoo oo tbo bl||sloo
lo Voooocloo, o|ooo lo o c|oorlog oí polsoooo gross wltb
bls spoor lo booo, ílros borolog o|| oroooo blm ooo tbo
osbos oí tbroo bosl|lsks ot bls íoot.
A wook ogo, lí somoooo boo soggostoo tbot lrook wos
o cbl|o oí Vors, lozo| woo|o bovo |oogboo. lrook wos
mocb too swoot ooo goot|o íor tbot. 5bo boo o|woys ío|t
protoctlvo oí blm bocooso oí bls c|omslooss ooo bls
koock íor gottlog loto troob|o.
5loco tboy`o |oít comp, sbo sow blm olííoroot|y. lo boo
moro coorogo tboo sbo`o roo|lzoo. lo wos tbo ooo |ooklog
oot íor bor. 5bo boo to oomlt tbot tbo cboogo wos kloo oí
olco.
7bo rlvor wlooooo loto tbo ocooo. 7bo Pox torooo oortb.
As tboy sol|oo, lrook kopt bor splrlts op by to||log bor sl||y
jokos - ¼by olo tbo Vlootoor cross tbo roooº low mooy
íooos ooos lt toko to cboogo o |lgbtbo|bº lo polotoo oot
bol|ologs o|oog tbo coost|loo tbot romloooo blm oí p|ocos
lo Voocoovor.
7bo sky stortoo to oorkoo, tbo soo torolog tbo somo
rosty co|oor os E||o`s wlogs. 21 1ooo wos o|most ovor. 7bo
loost oí lortooo woo|o boppoo lo tbo ovoolog, oxoct|y
sovooty-two boors írom oow.
lloo||y lrook broogbt oot somo íooo írom bls pock -
sooos ooo moíílos bo`o scovoogoo írom Pblooos`s tob|o.
lo possoo tbom oroooo.
lt`s okoy, lozo|,` bo solo qolot|y. Vy mom osoo to soy
yoo sboo|oo`t try to corry o prob|om o|ooo. Bot lí yoo ooo`t
woot to to|k oboot lt, tbot`s okoy.`
lozo| took o sboky brootb. 5bo wos oírolo to to|k - oot
jost bocooso sbo wos omborrossoo. 5bo oloo`t woot to
b|ock oot ooo s|lp loto tbo post.
Yoo woro rlgbt,` sbo solo, wboo yoo goossoo l como
bock írom tbo Uooorwor|o. l`m . l`m oo oscopoo. l
sboo|oo`t bo o|lvo.`
5bo ío|t |lko o oom boo brokoo. 7bo story í|ooooo oot.
5bo oxp|olooo bow bor motbor boo sommoooo P|oto ooo
ío||oo lo |ovo wltb tbo goo. 5bo oxp|olooo bor motbor`s
wlsb íor o|| tbo rlcbos lo tbo oortb, ooo bow tbot boo torooo
loto lozo|`s corso. 5bo ooscrlboo bor |lío lo Now Or|ooos
- ovorytblog oxcopt bor boyírlooo 5ommy. Looklog ot
lrook, sbo coo|oo`t brlog borso|í to to|k oboot tbot.
5bo ooscrlboo tbo Volco, ooo bow Oolo boo s|ow|y
tokoo ovor bor motbor`s mloo. 5bo oxp|olooo bow tboy
boo movoo to A|osko, bow lozo| boo bo|poo to rolso tbo
gloot A|cyoooos, ooo bow sbo boo oloo, sloklog tbo ls|ooo
loto Rosorroctloo Boy.
5bo koow Porcy ooo E||o woro |lstoolog, bot sbo spoko
most|y to lrook. ¼boo sbo boo ílolsboo, sbo wos oírolo to
|ook ot blm. 5bo woltoo íor blm to movo owoy írom bor,
moybo to|| bor sbo wos o moostor oítor o||.
lostooo, bo took bor booo. Yoo socrlílcoo yoorso|í to
stop tbo gloot írom woklog. l coo|o oovor bo tbot brovo.`
5bo ío|t bor po|so tbrobblog lo bor oock. lt woso`t
brovory. l |ot my motbor olo. l cooporotoo wltb Oolo too
|oog. l o|most |ot bor wlo.`
lozo|,` solo Porcy. Yoo stooo op to o gooooss o|| by
yoorso|í. Yoo olo tbo rlgbt .` lls volco trol|oo oíí, os lí
bo`o boo oo oop|oosoot tboogbt. ¼bot boppoooo lo tbo
Uooorwor|o . l mooo, oítor yoo olooº Yoo sboo|o`vo
gooo to E|yslom. Bot lí Nlco broogbt yoo bock -`
l oloo`t go to E|yslom.` lor mootb ío|t ory os sooo.
P|ooso ooo`t osk .`
Bot lt wos too |oto. 5bo romomboroo bor ooscoot loto
tbo oorkooss, bor orrlvo| oo tbo books oí tbo Rlvor 5tyx,
ooo bor cooscloosooss bogoo to s|lp.
lozo|º` lrook oskoo.
º5|lp 5|lolog Awoy',` E||o mottoroo. Nombor ílvo U5
slog|o. Poo| 5lmoo. lrook, go wltb bor. 5lmoo soys,
lrook, go wltb bor.`
lozo| boo oo looo wbot E||o wos to|klog oboot, bot bor
vlsloo oorkoooo os sbo c|oog to lrook`s booo.
5bo íoooo borso|í bock lo tbo Uooorwor|o, ooo tbls tlmo
lrook wos ot bor sloo.
7boy stooo lo Cboroo`s boot, crosslog tbo 5tyx. Lobrls
swlr|oo lo tbo oork wotors - o ooí|otoo blrtbooy bo||ooo, o
cbl|o`s oommy, o |ltt|o p|ostlc brloo ooo groom írom tbo
top oí o coko - o|| tbo romooots oí bomoo |lvos cot sbort.
¼b-wboro oro woº` lrook stooo ot bor sloo, sblmmorlog
wltb o gbost|y porp|o |lgbt os lí bo`o bocomo o Lor.
lt`s my post.` lozo| ío|t stroogo|y co|m. lt`s jost oo ocbo.
Loo`t worry.`
7bo bootmoo torooo ooo grloooo. Ooo momoot bo wos
o booosomo Aírlcoo moo lo oo oxpooslvo sl|k solt. 7bo
ooxt momoot bo wos o sko|otoo lo o oork robo. Coorso
yoo sboo|oo`t worry,` bo solo wltb o Brltlsb occoot. lo
ooorossoo lozo|, os lí bo coo|oo`t soo lrook ot o||. 7o|o
yoo l`o toko yoo ocross, oloo`t lº `5o|| rlgbt yoo ooo`t bovo
o colo. ¼oo|oo`t bo propor, |oovlog P|oto`s ooogbtor oo
tbo wroog sloo oí tbo rlvor.`
7bo boot s|lo ooto o oork boocb. lozo| |oo lrook to tbo
b|ock gotos oí Erobos. 7bo splrlts portoo íor tbom,
sooslog sbo wos o cbl|o oí P|oto. 7bo gloot tbroo-booooo
oog Corboros grow|oo lo tbo g|oom, bot bo |ot tbom poss.
losloo tbo gotos, tboy wo|koo loto o |orgo povl|loo ooo
stooo boíoro tbo joogos` boocb. 7broo b|ock-roboo ílgoros
lo go|ooo mosks storoo oowo ot lozo|.
lrook wblmporoo. ¼bo - º`
7boy`|| oocloo my íoto,` sbo solo. ¼otcb.`
1ost os boíoro, tbo joogos oskoo bor oo qoostloos.
7boy slmp|y |ookoo loto bor mloo, po||log tboogbts írom
bor booo ooo oxomlolog tbom |lko o co||octloo oí o|o
pbotos.
7bwortoo Oolo,` tbo ílrst joogo solo. Provootoo
A|cyoooos írom woklog.`
Bot sbo rolsoo tbo gloot lo tbo ílrst p|oco,` tbo socooo
joogo orgooo. Ool|ty oí coworolco, wookooss.`
5bo ls yooog,` solo tbo tblro joogo. lor motbor`s |lío
boog lo tbo bo|ooco.`
Vy motbor.` lozo| íoooo tbo coorogo to spook. ¼boro
ls sboº ¼bot ls bor íotoº`
7bo joogos rogorooo bor, tbolr go|ooo mosks írozoo lo
croopy sml|os. Yoor motbor .`
7bo lmogo oí Vorlo Lovosqoo sblmmoroo obovo tbo
joogos. 5bo wos írozoo lo tlmo, bogglog lozo| os tbo
covo co||opsoo, bor oyos sbot tlgbt.
Ao lotorostlog qoostloo,` tbo socooo joogo solo. 7bo
olvlsloo oí íoo|t.`
Yos,` solo tbo ílrst joogo. 7bo cbl|o oloo íor o oob|o
cooso. 5bo provootoo mooy oootbs by oo|oylog tbo
gloot`s rlso. 5bo boo coorogo to stooo ogolost tbo mlgbt oí
Oolo.`
Bot sbo octoo too |oto,` tbo tblro joogo solo soo|y. 5bo
ls gol|ty oí ololog ooo obottlog oo ooomy oí tbo goos.`
7bo motbor loí|ooocoo bor,` solo tbo ílrst joogo. 7bo
cbl|o coo bovo E|yslom. Etoroo| Poolsbmoot íor Vorlo
Lovosqoo.`
No!` lozo| sbootoo. No, p|ooso! 7bot`s oot íolr.`
7bo joogos tl|too tbolr booos lo oolsoo. Oo|o mosks,
lozo| tboogbt. Oo|o bos o|woys booo corsoo íor mo. 5bo
wooooroo lí tbo go|o wos polsoolog tbolr tboogbts
somobow, so tbot tboy`o oovor glvo bor o íolr trlo|.
Boworo, lozo| Lovosqoo,` tbo ílrst joogo worooo.
¼oo|o yoo toko ío|| rospooslbl|ltyº Yoo coo|o |oy tbls
gol|t oo yoor motbor`s soo|. 7bot woo|o bo roosooob|o.
Yoo woro oostlooo íor groot tblogs. Yoor motbor olvortoo
yoor potb. 5oo wbot yoo mlgbt bovo booo .`
Aootbor lmogo oppooroo obovo tbo joogos. lozo| sow
borso|í os o |ltt|o glr|, grloolog, wltb bor booos covoroo lo
ílogor polot. 7bo lmogo ogoo. lozo| sow borso|í growlog
op - bor bolr bocomo |oogor, bor oyos soooor. 5bo sow
borso|í oo bor tblrtoootb blrtbooy, rlolog ocross tbo ílo|os
oo bor borrowoo borso. 5ommy |oogboo os bo rocoo oítor
bor. ¼bot oro yoo rooolog íromº l`m oot tbot og|y, om lº
5bo sow borso|í lo A|osko, trooglog oowo 7blro 5troot lo
tbo soow ooo oorkooss oo bor woy bomo írom scboo|.
7boo tbo lmogo ogoo ovoo moro. lozo| sow borso|í ot
twooty. 5bo |ookoo so mocb |lko bor motbor, bor bolr
gotboroo bock lo brolos, bor go|ooo oyos í|osblog wltb
omosomoot. 5bo woro o wblto oross - o wooolog orossº
5bo wos sml|log so worm|y, lozo| koow lostloctlvo|y sbo
most bo |ooklog ot somoooo spoclo| - somoooo sbo
|ovoo.
7bo slgbt oloo`t moko bor íoo| blttor. 5bo oloo`t ovoo
woooor wbom sbo woo|o bovo morrloo. lostooo sbo
tboogbt. Vy motbor mlgbt`vo |ookoo |lko tbls lí sbo`o |ot go
oí bor oogor, lí Oolo booo`t twlstoo bor.
Yoo |ost tbls |lío,` tbo ílrst joogo solo slmp|y. 5poclo|
clrcomstoocos. E|yslom íor yoo. Poolsbmoot íor yoor
motbor.`
No,` lozo| solo. No, lt woso`t o|| bor íoo|t. 5bo wos
mls|oo. 5bo |ovoo mo. At tbo ooo, sbo trloo to protoct mo.`
lozo|,` lrook wblsporoo. ¼bot oro yoo oologº`
5bo sqooozoo bls booo, orglog blm to bo sl|oot. 7bo
joogos polo blm oo ottootloo.
lloo||y tbo socooo joogo slgboo. No roso|otloo. Not
oooogb gooo. Not oooogb ovl|.`
7bo b|omo most bo olvlooo,` tbo ílrst joogo ogrooo.
Botb soo|s wl|| bo cooslgooo to tbo llo|os oí Aspbooo|.
l`m sorry, lozo| Lovosqoo. Yoo coo|o bovo booo o boro.`
5bo possoo tbroogb tbo povl|loo, loto yo||ow ílo|os tbot
woot oo íorovor. 5bo |oo lrook tbroogb o crowo oí splrlts
to o grovo oí b|ock pop|or troos.
Yoo govo op E|yslom,` lrook solo lo omozomoot, so
yoor motbor woo|oo`t soííorº`
5bo oloo`t oosorvo Poolsbmoot,` lozo| solo.
Bot . wbot boppoos oowº`
Notblog,` lozo| solo. Notblog . íor o|| otorolty.`
7boy orlítoo olm|oss|y. 5plrlts oroooo tbom cbottoroo
|lko bots - |ost ooo cooíosoo, oot romomborlog tbolr post
or ovoo tbolr oomos.
lozo| romomboroo ovorytblog. Porbops tbot wos
bocooso sbo wos o ooogbtor oí P|oto, bot sbo oovor íorgot
wbo sbo wos, or wby sbo wos tboro.
Romomborlog mooo my oítor|lío boroor,` sbo to|o
lrook, wbo stl|| orlítoo ooxt to bor os o g|owlog porp|o Lor.
5o mooy tlmos l trloo to wo|k to my íotbor`s po|oco .` 5bo
polotoo to o |orgo b|ock cost|o lo tbo olstooco. l coo|o
oovor roocb lt. l coo`t |oovo tbo llo|os oí Aspbooo|.`
Llo yoo ovor soo yoor motbor ogoloº`
lozo| sbook bor booo. 5bo woo|oo`t koow mo, ovoo lí l
coo|o íloo bor. 7boso splrlts . lt`s |lko oo otoroo| oroom
íor tbom, oo ooo|oss trooco. 7bls ls tbo bost l coo|o oo íor
bor.`
7lmo wos mooolog|oss, bot oítor oo otorolty, sbo ooo
lrook sot togotbor oooor o b|ock pop|or troo, |lstoolog to
tbo scrooms írom tbo llo|os oí Poolsbmoot. lo tbo
olstooco, oooor tbo ortlílclo| soo|lgbt oí E|yslom, tbo ls|os
oí tbo B|ost g|lttoroo |lko omoro|os lo o spork|log b|oo
|oko. ¼blto sol|s cot ocross wotor ooo tbo soo|s oí groot
boroos boskoo oo tbo boocbos lo porpotoo| b|lss.
Yoo oloo`t oosorvo Aspbooo|,` lrook protostoo. Yoo
sboo|o bo wltb tbo boroos.`
7bls ls jost oo ocbo,` lozo| solo. ¼o`|| woko op, lrook.
lt oo|y sooms |lko íorovor.`
7bot`s oot tbo polot!` bo protostoo. Yoor |lío wos tokoo
írom yoo. Yoo woro golog to grow op to bo o boootlío|
womoo. Yoo .`
lls íoco torooo o oorkor sbooo oí porp|o. Yoo woro
golog to morry somoooo,` bo solo qolot|y. Yoo woo|o
bovo boo o gooo |lío. Yoo |ost o|| tbot.`
lozo| swo||owoo bock o sob. lt booo`t booo tbls boro lo
Aspbooo| tbo ílrst tlmo, wboo sbo wos oo bor owo. lovlog
lrook wltb bor mooo bor íoo| so mocb soooor. Bot sbo
wos ootormlooo oot to got oogry oboot bor íoto.
lozo| tboogbt oboot tbot lmogo oí borso|í os oo ooo|t,
sml|log ooo lo |ovo. 5bo koow lt woo|oo`t toko mocb
blttorooss to soor bor oxprossloo ooo moko bor |ook
oxoct|y |lko Ooooo Vorlo. l oosorvo bottor, bor motbor
o|woys solo. lozo| coo|oo`t o||ow borso|í to íoo| tbot woy.
l`m sorry, lrook,` sbo solo. l tblok yoor motbor wos
wroog. 5omotlmos sborlog o prob|om oooso`t moko lt
ooslor to corry.`
Bot lt ooos.` lrook s|lppoo bls booo loto bls coot
pockot. lo íoct . sloco wo`vo got otorolty to to|k, tboro`s
somotblog l woot to to|| yoo.`
lo broogbt oot oo objoct wroppoo lo c|otb, oboot tbo
somo slzo os o polr oí g|ossos. ¼boo bo ooío|ooo lt,
lozo| sow o bo|í-borot ploco oí orlítwooo, g|owlog wltb
porp|o |lgbt.
5bo írowooo. ¼bot ls .` 7boo tbo trotb blt bor, os co|o
ooo borsb os o b|ost oí wlotor wloo. Pblooos solo yoor |lío
oopooos oo o borot stlck -`
lt`s troo,` lrook solo. 7bls ls my |lío|loo, |ltoro||y.`
lo to|o bor bow tbo gooooss 1ooo boo oppooroo wboo
bo wos o boby, bow bls grooomotbor boo sootcboo tbo
ploco oí wooo írom tbo ílrop|oco. Orooomotbor solo l boo
glíts - somo to|oot wo got írom oor oocostor, tbo Argoooot.
7bot, ooo my ooo`s bolog Vors .` lo sbroggoo. l`m
sopposoo to bo too poworío| or somotblog. 7bot`s wby my
|lío coo boro op so oosl|y. lrls solo l woo|o olo bo|olog tbls,
wotcblog lt boro.`
lrook torooo tbo ploco oí tlooor lo bls ílogors. Evoo lo
bls gbost|y porp|o íorm, bo |ookoo so blg ooo storoy.
lozo| ílgoroo bo woo|o bo bogo wboo bo wos oo ooo|t -
os stroog ooo boo|tby os oo ox. 5bo coo|oo`t bo|lovo bls
|lío oopooooo oo somotblog os smo|| os o stlck.
lrook, bow coo yoo corry lt oroooo wltb yooº` sbo
oskoo. Aroo`t yoo torrlíloo somotblog wl|| boppoo to ltº`
7bot`s wby l`m to||log yoo.` lo bo|o oot tbo ílrowooo. l
koow lt`s o |ot to osk, bot woo|o yoo koop lt íor moº`
lozo|`s booo spoo. Uotl| oow, sbo`o occoptoo lrook`s
prosooco lo bor b|ockoot. 5bo`o |oo blm o|oog, oomb|y
rop|oylog bor post, bocooso lt soomoo oo|y íolr to sbow
blm tbo trotb. Bot oow sbo wooooroo lí lrook wos roo||y
oxporlooclog tbls wltb bor, or lí sbo wos jost lmoglolog bls
prosooco. ¼by woo|o bo trost bor wltb bls |líoº
lrook,` sbo solo, yoo koow wbo l om. l`m P|oto`s
ooogbtor. Evorytblog l toocb goos wroog. ¼by woo|o yoo
trost moº`
Yoo`ro my bost írlooo.` lo p|ocoo tbo ílrowooo lo bor
booos. l trost yoo moro tboo ooybooy.`
5bo wootoo to to|| blm bo wos moklog o mlstoko. 5bo
wootoo to glvo lt bock. Bot boíoro sbo coo|o soy ooytblog
o sbooow ío|| ovor tbom.
Oor rloo ls boro,` lrook goossoo.
lozo| boo o|most íorgottoo sbo wos ro|lvlog bor post.
Nlco ol Aogo|o stooo ovor bor lo bls b|ock ovorcoot, bls
5tygloo lroo sworo ot bls sloo. lo oloo`t ootlco lrook, bot
bo |ockoo oyos wltb lozo| ooo soomoo to rooo bor wbo|o
|lío.
Yoo`ro olííoroot,` bo solo. A cbl|o oí P|oto. Yoo
romombor yoor post.`
Yos,` lozo| solo. Aoo yoo`ro o|lvo.`
Nlco stooloo bor |lko bo wos rooolog o mooo, ooclolog
wbotbor or oot to oroor.
l`m Nlco ol Aogo|o,` bo solo. l como |ooklog íor my
slstor. Lootb bos gooo mlsslog, so l tboogbt . l tboogbt l
coo|o brlog bor bock ooo oo ooo woo|o ootlco.`
Bock to |líoº` lozo| oskoo. ls tbot posslb|oº`
lt sboo|o bovo booo.` Nlco slgboo. Bot sbo`s gooo. 5bo
cboso to bo roboro loto o oow |lío. l`m too |oto.`
l`m sorry.`
lo bo|o oot bls booo. Yoo`ro my slstor too. Yoo
oosorvo oootbor cbooco. Como wltb mo.`
xxx

Hazel

lAZEL.` PERCY ¼A5 5lAKlNO lER 5lOULLER. ¼oko op.
¼o`vo roocboo 5oott|o.`
5bo sot op groggl|y, sqolotlog lo tbo morolog soo|lgbt.
lrookº`
lrook grooooo, robblog bls oyos. Llo wo jost . wos l
jost -º`
Yoo botb possoo oot,` Porcy solo. l ooo`t koow wby, bot
E||o to|o mo oot to worry oboot lt. 5bo solo yoo
woro . sborlogº`
5borlog,` E||o ogrooo. 5bo croocboo lo tbo storo,
prooolog bor wlog íootbors wltb bor tootb, wblcb oloo`t |ook
|lko o vory oííoctlvo íorm oí porsooo| byglooo. 5bo spot
oot somo roo í|oíí. 5borlog ls gooo. No moro b|ockoots.
Blggost Amorlcoo b|ockoot, 14 Aogost 2008. lozo|
sboroo. No moro b|ockoots.`
Porcy scrotcboo bls booo. Yoob . wo`vo booo bovlog
coovorsotloos |lko tbot o|| olgbt. l stl|| ooo`t koow wbot
sbo`s to|klog oboot.`
lozo| prossoo bor booo ogolost bor coot pockot. 5bo
coo|o íoo| tbo ploco oí ílrowooo, wroppoo lo c|otb.
5bo |ookoo ot lrook. Yoo woro tboro.`
lo oooooo. lo oloo`t soy ooytblog, bot bls oxprossloo
wos c|oor. bo`o mooot wbot bo solo. lo wootoo bor to koop
tbo ploco oí tlooor soío. 5bo woso`t soro wbotbor sbo ío|t
booooroo or scoroo. No ooo boo ovor trostoo bor wltb
somotblog so lmportoot.
¼olt,` Porcy solo. Yoo mooo yoo goys sboroo o
b|ockootº Aro yoo goys botb golog to poss oot írom oow
ooº`
Nopo,` E||o solo. Nopo, oopo, oopo. No moro
b|ockoots. Voro books íor E||o. Books lo 5oott|o.`
lozo| gozoo ovor tbo wotor. 7boy woro sol|log tbroogb o
|orgo boy, moklog tbolr woy toworos o c|ostor oí oowotowo
bol|ologs. Nolgbboorbooos ro||oo ocross o sorlos oí bl||s.
lrom tbo to||ost ooo roso oo ooo wblto towor wltb o soocor
oo tbo top, |lko o spocosblp írom tbo o|o l|osb Oorooo
movlos 5ommy osoo to |ovo.
No moro b|ockootsº lozo| tboogbt. Aítor oooorlog
tbom íor so |oog, tbo looo soomoo too gooo to bo troo.
low coo|o E||o bo soro tboy woro goooº Yot lozo| olo
íoo| olííoroot . moro groooooo, os lí sbo woso`t trylog to
|lvo lo two tlmo porloos ooy moro. Evory mosc|o lo bor
booy bogoo to ro|ox. 5bo ío|t os lí sbo`o íloo||y s|lppoo oot
oí o |ooo jockot sbo`o booo woorlog íor mootbs. 5omobow,
bovlog lrook wltb bor oorlog tbo b|ockoot boo bo|poo.
5bo`o ro|lvoo bor ootlro post, rlgbt tbroogb to tbo prosoot.
Now o|| sbo boo to worry oboot wos tbo íotoro - ossomlog
sbo boo ooo.
Porcy stooroo tbo boot toworos tbo oowotowo oocks. As
tboy got c|osor, E||o scrotcboo oorvoos|y ot bor oost oí
books.
lozo| stortoo to íoo| oogy, too. 5bo woso`t soro wby. lt
wos o brlgbt, soooy ooy, ooo 5oott|o |ookoo |lko o
boootlío| p|oco, wltb lo|ots ooo brlogos, wooooo ls|ooos
oottlog tbo boy, ooo soowcoppoo moootolos rlslog lo tbo
olstooco. 5tl||, sbo ío|t os lí sbo woro bolog wotcboo.
Um . wby oro wo stopplog boroº` sbo oskoo.
Porcy sbowoo tbom tbo sl|vor rlog oo bls oock|oco.
Royoo bos o slstor boro. 5bo oskoo mo to íloo bor ooo
sbow bor tbls.`
Royoo bos o slstorº` lrook oskoo, |lko tbo looo torrlíloo
blm.
Porcy oooooo. Apporoot|y Royoo tbloks bor slstor
coo|o sooo bo|p íor tbo comp.`
Amozoos,` E||o mottoroo. Amozoo coootry. lmm. E||o
wl|| íloo |lbrorlos lostooo. Looso`t |lko Amozoos. llorco.
5blo|os. 5woros. Poloty. Oocb.`
lrook roocboo íor bls spoor. Amozoosº Llko . íomo|o
worrlorsº`
7bot woo|o moko sooso,` lozo| solo. lí Royoo`s slstor
ls o|so o ooogbtor oí Bo||ooo, l coo soo wby sbo`o jolo tbo
Amozoos. Bot . ls lt soío íor os to bo boroº`
Nopo, oopo, oopo,` E||o solo. Oot books lostooo. No
Amozoos.`
¼o bovo to try,` Porcy solo. l promlsoo Royoo.
Bosloos, tbo Pox lso`t oolog too groot. l`vo booo posblog lt
protty boro.`
lozo| |ookoo oowo ot bor íoot. ¼otor wos |ooklog
botwooo tbo í|oorbooros. Ob.`
Yoob,` Porcy ogrooo. ¼o`|| oltbor oooo to ílx lt or íloo o
oow boot. l`m protty mocb bo|olog lt togotbor wltb my
wl||powor ot tbls polot. E||o, oo yoo bovo ooy looo wboro
wo coo íloo tbo Amozoosº`
Aoo, om,` lrook solo oorvoos|y, tboy ooo`t, |lko, kl||
moo oo slgbt, oo tboyº`
E||o g|oocoo ot tbo oowotowo oocks, oo|y o íow boooroo
yoros owoy. E||o wl|| íloo írlooos |otor. E||o wl|| í|y owoy
oow.`
Aoo sbo olo.
¼o|| .` lrook plckoo o slog|o roo íootbor oot oí tbo olr.
7bot`s oocooroglog.`
7boy oockoo ot tbo wborí. 7boy boro|y boo tlmo to
oo|ooo tbolr sopp|los boíoro tbo Pox sbooooroo ooo
broko loto plocos. Vost oí lt sook, |oovlog oo|y o booro
wltb o polotoo oyo ooo oootbor wltb tbo |ottor P bobblog lo
tbo wovos.
Oooss wo`ro oot ílxlog lt,` lozo| solo. ¼bot oowº`
Porcy storoo ot tbo stoop bl||s oí oowotowo 5oott|o. ¼o
bopo tbo Amozoos wl|| bo|p.`
7boy oxp|oroo íor boors. 7boy íoooo somo groot so|ty
coromo| cboco|oto ot o coooy storo. 7boy boogbt somo
coííoo so stroog lozo|`s booo ío|t |lko o vlbrotlog goog.
7boy stoppoo ot o sloowo|k coío ooo boo somo oxco||oot
grl||oo so|moo sooowlcbos. Ooco tboy sow E||o zoomlog
botwooo blgb-rlso towors, o |orgo book c|otcboo lo oocb
íoot. Bot tboy íoooo oo Amozoos. A|| tbo wbl|o, lozo| wos
oworo oí tbo tlmo tlcklog by. 22 1ooo oow, ooo A|osko wos
stl|| o |oog woy owoy.
lloo||y tboy wooooroo sootb oí oowotowo, loto o p|ozo
sorroooooo by smo||or g|oss ooo brlck bol|ologs. lozo|`s
oorvos stortoo tlog|log. 5bo |ookoo oroooo, soro sbo wos
bolog wotcboo.
7boro,` sbo solo.
7bo oíílco bol|olog oo tbolr |oít boo o slog|o woro otcboo
oo tbo g|oss ooors. AVAZON.
Ob,` lrook solo. Ub, oo, lozo|. 7bot`s o moooro tblog.
7boy`ro o compooy, rlgbtº 7boy so|| stoíí oo tbo lotoroot.
7boy`ro oot octoo||y Amozoos.`
Uo|oss .` Porcy wo|koo tbroogb tbo ooors. lozo| boo
o boo íoo|log oboot tbls p|oco, bot sbo ooo lrook
ío||owoo.
7bo |obby wos |lko oo ompty ílsb took - g|oss wo||s, o
g|ossy b|ock í|oor, o íow tokoo p|oots ooo protty mocb
ootblog o|so. Agolost tbo bock wo||, o b|ock stooo
stolrcoso |oo op ooo oowo. lo tbo mloo|o oí tbo room
stooo o yooog womoo lo o b|ock pootsolt, wltb |oog
ooboro bolr ooo o socorlty gooro`s oorploco. lor oomo
tog solo KlNZlE. lor sml|o wos írlooo|y oooogb, bot bor
oyos romloooo lozo| oí tbo po|lcomoo lo Now Or|ooos
wbo osoo to potro| tbo lroocb Ooortor ot olgbt. 7boy
o|woys soomoo to |ook tbroogb yoo, os lí tboy woro
tbloklog oboot wbo mlgbt ottock tbom ooxt.
Klozlo oooooo ot lozo|, lgoorlog tbo boys. Voy l bo|p
yooº`
Um . l bopo so,` lozo| solo. ¼o`ro |ooklog íor
Amozoos.`
Klozlo g|oocoo ot lozo|`s sworo, tboo lrook`s spoor,
tboogb ooltbor sboo|o bovo booo vlslb|o tbroogb tbo Vlst.
7bls ls tbo molo compos íor Amozoo,` sbo solo
cootloos|y. Llo yoo bovo oo oppolotmoot wltb somoooo,
or -`
ly||o,` Porcy lotorroptoo. ¼o`ro |ooklog íor o glr|
oomoo -`
Klozlo movoo so íost lozo|`s oyos o|most coo|oo`t
ío||ow. 5bo klckoo lrook lo tbo cbost ooo soot blm í|ylog
bockworos ocross tbo |obby. 5bo po||oo o sworo oot oí
tblo olr, swopt Porcy oíí bls íoot wltb tbo í|ot oí tbo b|ooo
ooo prossoo tbo polot oooor bls cblo.
7oo |oto, lozo| roocboo íor bor sworo. A oozoo moro
glr|s lo b|ock í|ooooo op tbo stolrcoso, sworos lo booo,
ooo sorroooooo bor.
Klozlo g|oroo oowo ot Porcy. llrst ro|o. mo|os ooo`t
spook wltboot pormlssloo. 5ocooo ro|o. trosposslog oo
oor torrltory ls poolsbob|o by oootb. Yoo`|| moot Ooooo
ly||o, o|| rlgbt. 5bo`|| bo tbo ooo ooclolog yoor íoto.`
7bo Amozoos cooílscotoo tbo trlo`s woopoos ooo
morcboo tbom oowo so mooy í|lgbts oí stolrs tbot lozo|
|ost cooot.
lloo||y tboy omorgoo lo o covoro so blg lt coo|o bovo
occommoootoo too blgb scboo|s, sports ílo|os ooo o||.
5tork í|ooroscoot |lgbts g|owoo o|oog tbo rock col|log.
Coovoyor bo|ts woooo tbroogb tbo room |lko wotors|loos,
corrylog boxos lo ovory olroctloo. Als|os oí moto| sbo|vos
strotcboo oot íorovor, stockoo blgb wltb crotos oí
morcbooolso. Crooos bommoo ooo robotlc orms wblrroo,
ío|olog corobooro boxos, pocklog sblpmoots ooo toklog
tblogs oo ooo oíí tbo bo|ts. 5omo oí tbo sbo|vos woro so
to|| tboy woro oo|y occosslb|o by |oooors ooo cotwo|ks,
wblcb roo ocross tbo col|log |lko tbootro scoíío|olog.
lozo| romomboroo oowsroo|s sbo`o sooo os o cbl|o.
5bo`o o|woys booo lmprossoo by tbo scooos oí íoctorlos
bol|olog p|ooos ooo goos íor tbo wor oííort - boooroos ooo
boooroos oí woopoos comlog oíí tbo |loo ovory ooy. Bot
tbot wos ootblog comporoo to tbls, ooo o|most o|| tbo work
wos bolog oooo by compotors ooo robots. 7bo oo|y
bomoos lozo| coo|o soo woro somo b|ock-soltoo socorlty
womoo potro||log tbo cotwo|ks, ooo somo moo lo oroogo
jompsolts, |lko prlsoo oolíorms, orlvlog íork|líts tbroogb
tbo ols|os, oo|lvorlog moro po||ots oí boxos. 7bo moo
woro lroo co||ors roooo tbolr oocks.
Yoo koop s|ovosº` lozo| koow lt mlgbt bo ooogoroos to
spook, bot sbo wos so ootrogoo sbo coo|oo`t stop borso|í.
7bo mooº` Klozlo soortoo. 7boy`ro oot s|ovos. 7boy
jost koow tbolr p|oco. Now, movo.`
7boy wo|koo so íor tbot lozo|`s íoot bogoo to bort. 5bo
tboogbt tboy most soro|y bo gottlog to tbo ooo oí tbo
worobooso wboo Klozlo opoooo o |orgo sot oí ooob|o
ooors ooo |oo tbom loto oootbor covoro, jost os blg os tbo
ílrst.
7bo Uooorwor|o lso`t tbls blg,` lozo| comp|olooo, wblcb
probob|y woso`t troo, bot lt ío|t tbot woy to bor íoot.
Klozlo sml|oo smog|y. Yoo oomlro oor boso oí
oporotloosº Yos, oor olstrlbotloo systom ls wor|owloo. lt
took mooy yoors ooo most oí oor íortooo to bol|o. Now,
íloo||y, wo`ro torolog o proílt. 7bo morto|s ooo`t roo|lzo tboy
oro íooolog tbo Amozoo klogoom. 5ooo, wo`|| bo rlcbor
tboo ooy morto| ootloo. 7boo - wboo tbo wook morto|s
oopooo oo os íor ovorytblog - tbo rovo|otloo wl|| boglo!`
¼bot oro yoo golog to ooº` lrook gromb|oo. Cooco|
íroo sblpplogº`
A gooro s|ommoo tbo bl|t oí bor sworo loto bls got.
Porcy trloo to bo|p blm, bot two moro gooros posboo blm
bock ot sworo polot.
Yoo`|| |ooro rospoct,` Klozlo solo. lt`s mo|os |lko yoo
wbo bovo rolooo tbo morto| wor|o. 7bo oo|y bormooloos
socloty ls ooo roo by womoo. ¼o oro stroogor, wlsor -`
Voro bomb|o,` Porcy solo.
7bo gooros trloo to blt blm, bot Porcy oockoo.
5top lt!` lozo| solo. 5orprlslog|y, tbo gooros |lstoooo.
ly||o ls golog to joogo os, rlgbtº` lozo| oskoo. 5o toko
os to bor. ¼o`ro wostlog tlmo.`
Klozlo oooooo. Porbops yoo`ro rlgbt. ¼o bovo moro
lmportoot prob|oms. Aoo tlmo . tlmo ls ooílolto|y oo
lssoo.`
¼bot oo yoo moooº` lozo| oskoo.
A gooro grootoo. ¼o coo|o toko tbom strolgbt to Otroro.
Vlgbt wlo bor íovoor tbot woy.`
No!` Klozlo soor|oo. l`o soooor woor oo lroo co||or ooo
orlvo o íork|lít. ly||o ls qoooo.`
Uotl| toolgbt,` oootbor gooro mottoroo.
Klozlo grlppoo bor sworo. lor o socooo lozo| tboogbt
tbo Amozoos mlgbt stort ílgbtlog ooo oootbor, bot Klozlo
soomoo to got bor oogor oooor cootro|.
Eooogb,` sbo solo. Lot`s go.`
7boy crossoo o |ooo oí íork|lít troíílc, oovlgotoo o mozo
oí coovoyor bo|ts ooo oockoo oooor o row oí robotlc orms
tbot woro pocklog op boxos.
Vost oí tbo morcbooolso |ookoo protty oroloory. books,
o|octroolcs, boby olopors. Bot ogolost ooo wo|| sot o wor
cborlot wltb o blg borcooo oo tbo sloo. looglog írom tbo
yoko wos o slgo tbot rooo. ONLY ONE LEl7 lN 57OCK. ORLER
5OON! (VORE ON 7lE ¼AY)
lloo||y tboy ootoroo o smo||or covoro tbot |ookoo |lko o
comblootloo |ooolog zooo ooo tbrooo room. 7bo wo||s
woro |looo wltb moto| sbo|vos slx storoys blgb, oocorotoo
wltb wor boooors, polotoo sblo|os ooo tbo stoííoo booos oí
orogoos, byoros, gloot |loos ooo wl|o boors. 5tooolog
gooro o|oog oltbor sloo woro oozoos oí íork|líts moolíloo
íor wor. Ao lroo-co||oroo mo|o orovo oocb mocbloo, bot oo
Amozoo worrlor stooo oo o p|otíorm ot tbo bock, mooolog
o gloot moootoo crossbow. 7bo proogs oí oocb íork|lít boo
booo sborpoooo loto ovorslzoo sworo b|ooos.
7bo sbo|vos lo tbls room woro stockoo wltb cogos
cootololog |lvo oolmo|s. lozo| coo|oo`t bo|lovo wbot sbo
wos soolog - b|ock mostlíís, gloot oog|os, o |loo-oog|o
bybrlo tbot most`vo booo o grypboo ooo o roo oot tbo slzo
oí o compoct cor.
5bo wotcboo lo borror os o íork|lít zlppoo loto tbo room,
plckoo op o cogo wltb o boootlío| wblto pogosos ooo spoo
owoy wbl|o tbo borso wblooloo lo protost.
¼bot oro yoo oolog to tbot poor oolmo|º` lozo|
oomooooo.
Klozlo írowooo. 7bo pogososº lt`|| bo íloo. 5omoooo
most`vo orooroo lt. 7bo sblpplog ooo booo|log cborgos
oro stoop, bot -`
Yoo coo boy o pogosos oo|looº` Porcy oskoo.
Klozlo g|oroo ot blm. Obvloos|y yoo coo`t, mo|o. Bot
Amozoos coo. ¼o bovo ío||owors o|| ovor tbo wor|o. 7boy
oooo sopp|los. 7bls woy.`
At tbo ooo oí tbo worobooso wos o ools coostroctoo
írom po||ots oí books. stocks oí vomplro oovo|s, wo||s oí
1omos Pottorsoo tbrl||ors ooo o tbrooo mooo írom oboot o
tboosooo coplos oí somotblog co||oo 7bo llvo loblts oí
llgb|y Aggrosslvo ¼omoo.
At tbo boso oí tbo stops, sovoro| Amozoos lo
comooí|ogo woro bovlog o bootoo orgomoot wbl|o o
yooog womoo - Ooooo ly||o, lozo| ossomoo - wotcboo
ooo |lstoooo írom bor tbrooo.
ly||o wos lo bor twootlos, |ltbo ooo |ooo os o tlgor. 5bo
woro o b|ock |ootbor jompsolt ooo b|ock boots. 5bo boo
oo crowo, bot roooo bor wolst wos o stroogo bo|t mooo oí
lotor|ocklog go|o |loks, |lko tbo pottoro oí o |obyrlotb.
lozo| coo|oo`t bo|lovo bow mocb sbo |ookoo |lko Royoo -
o |ltt|o o|oor, porbops, bot wltb tbo somo |oog b|ock bolr,
tbo somo oork oyos ooo tbo somo boro oxprossloo, |lko
sbo wos trylog to oocloo wblcb oí tbo Amozoos boíoro bor
most oosorvoo oootb.
Klozlo took ooo |ook ot tbo orgomoot ooo grootoo wltb
olstosto. Otroro`s ogoots, sprooolog tbolr |los.`
¼botº` lrook oskoo.
7boo lozo| stoppoo so obropt|y tbot tbo gooros bobloo
bor stomb|oo. A íow íoot írom tbo qoooo`s tbrooo, two
Amozoos goorooo o cogo. losloo wos o boootlío| borso -
oot tbo wlogoo kloo, bot o mojostlc ooo poworío| sto||loo
wltb o boooy-co|ooroo coot ooo o b|ock mooo. lls ílorco
browo oyos rogorooo lozo|, ooo sbo coo|o swoor bo
|ookoo lmpotloot, os lí tbloklog. Aboot tlmo yoo got boro.
lt`s blm,` lozo| mormoroo.
llm, wboº` Porcy oskoo.
Klozlo scow|oo lo ooooyooco, bot wboo sbo sow wboro
lozo| wos |ooklog, bor oxprossloo soítoooo. Ab, yos.
Boootlío|, lso`t boº`
lozo| b|lokoo to moko soro sbo woso`t bo||oclootlog. lt
wos tbo somo borso sbo`o cbosoo lo A|osko. 5bo wos
soro oí lt . bot tbot wos lmposslb|o. No borso coo|o |lvo
tbot |oog.
ls bo .` lozo| coo|o boro|y cootro| bor volco. ls bo íor
so|oº`
7bo gooros o|| |oogboo.
7bot`s Arloo,` Klozlo solo potloot|y, os lí sbo oooorstooo
lozo|`s íosclootloo. lo`s o royo| troosoro oí tbo Amozoos
- to bo c|olmoo oo|y by oor most coorogooos worrlor, lí
yoo bo|lovo tbo propbocy.`
Propbocyº` lozo| oskoo.
Klozlo`s oxprossloo bocomo polooo, o|most
omborrossoo. Novor mloo. Bot, oo, bo`s oot íor so|o.`
7boo wby ls bo lo o cogoº`
Klozlo grlmocoo. Bocooso . bo ls olíílco|t.`
Rlgbt oo coo, tbo borso s|ommoo bls booo ogolost tbo
cogo ooor. 7bo moto| bors sbooooroo, ooo tbo gooros
rotrootoo oorvoos|y.
lozo| wootoo to íroo tbot borso. 5bo wootoo lt moro
tboo ooytblog sbo boo ovor wootoo boíoro. Bot Porcy,
lrook ooo o oozoo Amozoo gooros woro storlog ot bor, so
sbo trloo to mosk bor omotloos. 1ost osklog,` sbo
mooogoo. Lot`s soo tbo qoooo.`
7bo orgomoot ot tbo íroot oí tbo room grow |oooor.
lloo||y tbo qoooo ootlcoo lozo|`s groop opproocblog, ooo
sbo sooppoo, Eooogb!`
7bo orgolog Amozoos sbot op lmmooloto|y. 7bo qoooo
wovoo tbom osloo ooo bockoooo Klozlo íorworo.
Klozlo sbovoo lozo| ooo bor írlooos toworos tbo tbrooo.
Vy qoooo, tboso oomlgoos -`
7bo qoooo sbot to bor íoot. Yoo!`
5bo g|oroo ot Porcy 1ocksoo wltb morooroos rogo.
Porcy mottoroo somotblog lo Aocloot Orook tbot lozo|
wos protty soro tbo ooos ot 5t Agoos woo|oo`t bovo |lkoo.
C|lpbooro,` bo solo. 5po. Plrotos.`
7bls mooo oo sooso to lozo|, bot tbo qoooo oooooo.
5bo stoppoo oowo írom bor ools oí bost so||ors ooo orow
o ooggor írom bor bo|t.
Yoo woro locroolb|y íoo|lsb to como boro,` sbo solo.
Yoo oostroyoo my bomo. Yoo mooo my slstor ooo mo
oxl|os ooo prlsooors.`
Porcy,` lrook solo oooosl|y. ¼bot`s tbo scory womoo
wltb tbo ooggor to|klog obootº`
Clrco`s ls|ooo,` Porcy solo. l jost romomboroo. 7bo
gorgoo`s b|ooo - moybo lt`s stortlog to boo| my mloo. 7bo
5oo oí Voostors. ly||o . sbo wo|comoo os ot tbo oocks,
took os to soo bor boss. ly||o workoo íor tbo sorcoross.`
ly||o boroo bor poríoct wblto tootb. Aro yoo to||log mo
yoo`vo boo omoosloº Yoo koow, l mlgbt octoo||y bo|lovo
yoo. ¼by o|so woo|o yoo bo stoplo oooogb to como
boroº`
¼o`vo como lo pooco,` lozo| loslstoo. ¼bot olo Porcy
ooº`
Poocoº` 7bo qoooo rolsoo bor oyobrows ot lozo|.
¼bot olo bo ooº 7bls mo|o oostroyoo Clrco`s scboo| oí
moglc!`
Clrco torooo mo loto o golooo plg!` Porcy protostoo.
No oxcosos!` ly||o solo. Clrco wos o wlso ooo
goooroos omp|oyor. l boo room ooo booro, o gooo boo|tb
p|oo, oooto|, pot |ooporos, íroo potloos - ovorytblog! Aoo
tbls oomlgoo wltb bls írlooo, tbo b|oooo -`
Aooobotb.` Porcy toppoo bls íorobooo |lko bo wootoo
tbo momorlos to como bock íostor. 7bot`s rlgbt. l wos
tboro wltb Aooobotb.`
Yoo ro|oosoo oor coptlvos - B|ockbooro ooo bls
plrotos.` 5bo torooo to lozo|. lovo yoo ovor booo
kloooppoo by plrotosº lt lso`t íoo. 7boy borooo oor spo to
tbo groooo. Vy slstor ooo l woro tbolr prlsooors íor
mootbs. lortoooto|y wo woro ooogbtors oí Bo||ooo. ¼o
|oorooo to ílgbt qolck|y. lí wo booo`t .` 5bo sbooooroo.
¼o||, tbo plrotos |oorooo to rospoct os. Evootoo||y wo
mooo oor woy to Co|líorolo wboro wo -` 5bo bosltotoo os lí
tbo momory wos poloío|. ¼boro my slstor ooo l portoo
woys.`
5bo stoppoo toworos Porcy ootl| tboy woro ooso to
ooso. 5bo roo bor ooggor oooor bls cblo. Oí coorso, l
sorvlvoo ooo prosporoo. l bovo rlsoo to bo qoooo oí tbo
Amozoos. 5o porbops l sboo|o tbook yoo.`
Yoo`ro wo|como,` Porcy solo.
7bo qoooo oog bor kolío lo o |ltt|o ooopor. Novor mloo.
l tblok l`|| kl|| yoo.`
¼olt!` lozo| yo|poo. Royoo soot os! Yoor slstor! Look
ot tbo rlog oo bls oock|oco.`
ly||o írowooo. 5bo |oworoo bor kolío to Porcy`s
oock|oco ootl| tbo polot rostoo oo tbo sl|vor rlog. 7bo
co|oor orolooo írom bor íoco.
Exp|olo tbls.` 5bo g|oroo ot lozo|. Oolck|y.`
lozo| trloo. 5bo ooscrlboo Comp 1opltor. 5bo to|o tbo
Amozoos oboot Royoo bolog tbolr prootor, ooo tbo ormy
oí moostors tbot wos morcblog sootb. 5bo to|o tbom oboot
tbolr qoost to íroo 7boootos lo A|osko.
As lozo| to|koo, oootbor groop oí Amozoos ootoroo tbo
room. Ooo wos to||or ooo o|oor tboo tbo rost, wltb p|oltoo
sl|vor bolr ooo íloo sl|k robos |lko o Romoo motroo. 7bo
otbor Amozoos mooo woy íor bor, trootlog bor wltb socb
rospoct tbot lozo| wooooroo lí sbo wos ly||o`s motbor -
ootl| sbo ootlcoo bow ly||o ooo tbo o|oor womoo storoo
ooggors ot oocb otbor.
5o wo oooo yoor bo|p,` lozo| ílolsboo bor story. Royoo
oooos yoor bo|p.`
ly||o grlppoo Porcy`s |ootbor coro ooo yookoo lt oíí bls
oock - booos, rlog, probotlo tob|ot ooo o||. Royoo . tbot
íoo|lsb glr| -`
¼o||!` tbo o|oor womoo lotorroptoo. Romoos oooo oor
bo|pº` 5bo |oogboo, ooo tbo Amozoos oroooo bor jolooo
lo.
low mooy tlmos olo wo bott|o tbo Romoos lo my ooyº`
tbo womoo oskoo. low mooy tlmos bovo tboy kl||oo oor
slstors lo bott|oº ¼boo l wos qoooo -`
Otroro,` ly||o lotorroptoo, yoo oro boro os o goost. Yoo
oro oot qoooo ooy moro.`
7bo o|oor womoo sprooo bor booos ooo mooo o
mocklog bow. As yoo soy - ot |oost, ootl| toolgbt. Bot l
spook tbo trotb, Ooooo ly||o.` 5bo solo tbo woro |lko o
tooot. l`vo booo broogbt bock by tbo Eortb Votbor borso|í!
l brlog tlologs oí o oow wor. ¼by sboo|o Amozoos ío||ow
1opltor, tbot íoo|lsb klog oí O|ympos, wboo wo coo ío||ow o
qooooº ¼boo l toko commooo -`
lí yoo toko commooo,` ly||o solo. Bot, íor oow, l om
qoooo. Vy woro ls |ow.`
l soo.` Otroro |ookoo ot tbo ossomb|oo Amozoos, wbo
woro stooolog vory stl||, os lí tboy`o íoooo tbomso|vos lo o
plt wltb two wl|o tlgors. lovo wo bocomo so wook tbot wo
|lstoo to mo|o oomlgoosº ¼l|| yoo sporo tbo |lío oí tbls
soo oí Noptooo, ovoo tboogb bo ooco oostroyoo yoor
bomoº Porbops yoo`|| |ot blm oostroy yoor oow bomo,
too!`
lozo| bo|o bor brootb. 7bo Amozoos |ookoo bock ooo
íortb botwooo ly||o ooo Otroro, wotcblog íor ooy slgo oí
wookooss.
l wl|| poss joogomoot,` ly||o solo lo oo lcy tooo, ooco l
bovo o|| tbo íocts. 7bot ls bow l ro|o - by roosoo, oot íoor.
llrst, l wl|| to|k wltb tbls ooo.` 5bo jobboo o ílogor toworos
lozo|. lt ls my ooty to boor oot o íomo|o worrlor boíoro l
sootooco bor or bor o||los to oootb. 7bot ls tbo Amozoo
woy. Or bovo yoor yoors lo tbo Uooorwor|o mooo|oo yoor
momory, Otroroº`
7bo o|oor womoo soooroo, bot sbo oloo`t try to orgoo.
ly||o torooo to Klozlo. 7oko tboso mo|os to tbo bo|olog
co||s. 7bo rost oí yoo, |oovo os.`
Otroro rolsoo bor booo to tbo crowo. As oor qoooo
commooos. Bot ooy oí yoo wbo woo|o |lko to boor moro
oboot Oolo, ooo oor g|orloos íotoro wltb bor, como wltb
mo!`
Aboot bo|í tbo Amozoos ío||owoo bor oot oí tbo room.
Klozlo soortoo wltb olsgost, tboo sbo ooo bor gooros
boo|oo Porcy ooo lrook owoy.
5ooo ly||o ooo lozo| woro o|ooo oxcopt íor tbo
qoooo`s porsooo| gooros. At ly||o`s slgoo|, ovoo tboy
movoo oot oí oorsbot.
7bo qoooo torooo toworos lozo|. lor oogor olsso|voo,
ooo lozo| sow oosporotloo lo bor oyos. 7bo qoooo
|ookoo |lko ooo oí bor cogoo oolmo|s bolog wblskoo oíí oo
o coovoyor bo|t.
¼o most to|k,` ly||o solo. ¼o ooo`t bovo mocb tlmo.
By mloolgbt, l wl|| most |lko|y bo oooo.`
xxxl

Hazel

lAZEL CON5lLEREL VAKlNO A RUN lOR l7.
5bo oloo`t trost Ooooo ly||o, ooo sbo cortolo|y oloo`t
trost tbot otbor |ooy, Otroro. Oo|y tbroo gooros woro |oít lo
tbo room. A|| oí tbom kopt tbolr olstooco.
ly||o wos ormoo wltb jost o ooggor. 7bls ooop
oooorgroooo, lozo| mlgbt bo ob|o to cooso oo
oortbqooko lo tbo tbrooo room, or sommoo o blg pl|o oí
scblst or go|o. lí sbo coo|o cooso o olstroctloo, sbo mlgbt
bo ob|o to oscopo ooo íloo bor írlooos.
Uoíortoooto|y, sbo`o sooo tbo Amozoos ílgbt. Evoo
tboogb tbo qoooo boo oo|y o ooggor, lozo| sospoctoo
sbo coo|o oso lt protty wo||. Aoo lozo| wos ooormoo. 7boy
booo`t soorcboo bor, wblcb mooot tbookío||y tboy booo`t
tokoo lrook`s ílrowooo írom bor coot pockot, bot bor sworo
wos gooo.
7bo qoooo soomoo to bo rooolog bor tboogbts. lorgot
oboot oscopo. Oí coorso, wo`o rospoct yoo íor trylog. Bot
wo`o bovo to kl|| yoo.`
7books íor tbo worolog.`
ly||o sbroggoo. 7bo |oost l coo oo. l bo|lovo yoo como
lo pooco. l bo|lovo Royoo soot yoo.`
Bot yoo woo`t bo|pº`
7bo qoooo stooloo tbo oock|oco sbo`o tokoo írom
Porcy. lt`s comp|lcotoo,` sbo solo. Amozoos bovo o|woys
boo o rocky ro|otloosblp wltb otbor oomlgoos - ospoclo||y
mo|o oomlgoos. ¼o íoogbt íor Klog Prlom lo tbo 7rojoo
¼or, bot Acbl||os kl||oo oor qoooo, Pootbosl|oo. Yoors
boíoro tbot, lorco|os sto|o Ooooo llppo|yto`s bo|t - tbls
bo|t l`m woorlog. lt took os cootorlos to rocovor lt. Loog
boíoro tbot, ot tbo vory bogloolog oí tbo Amozoo ootloo, o
boro oomoo Bo||oropboo kl||oo oor ílrst qoooo, Otroro.`
Yoo mooo tbo |ooy -`
- wbo jost |oít, yos. Otroro, oor ílrst qoooo, ooogbtor oí
Aros.`
Vorsº`
ly||o mooo o soor íoco. No, ooílolto|y Aros. Otroro
|lvoo |oog boíoro Romo, lo o tlmo wboo o|| oomlgoos woro
Orook. Uoíortoooto|y, somo oí oor worrlors stl|| proíor tbo
o|o woys. Cbl|oroo oí Aros . tboy oro o|woys tbo worst.`
7bo o|o woys .` lozo| boo booro romoors oboot Orook
oomlgoos. Octovloo bo|lovoo tboy oxlstoo ooo woro
socrot|y p|ottlog ogolost Romo. Bot sbo`o oovor roo||y
bo|lovoo lt, ovoo wboo Porcy como to comp. lo jost oloo`t
strlko bor os oo ovl|, scbomlog Orook. Yoo mooo tbo
Amozoos oro o mlx . Orook ooo Romooº`
ly||o cootloooo to oxomloo tbo oock|oco - tbo c|oy
booos, tbo probotlo tob|ot. 5bo s|lppoo Royoo`s sl|vor rlog
oíí tbo coro ooo pot lt oo bor owo ílogor. l sopposo tboy
ooo`t toocb yoo oboot tbot ot Comp 1opltor. 7bo goos
bovo mooy ospocts. Vors, Aros. P|oto, looos. Bolog
lmmorto|, tboy tooo to occomo|oto porsooo|ltlos. 7boy oro
Orook, Romoo, Amorlcoo - o comblootloo oí o|| tbo
co|toros tboy`vo loí|ooocoo ovor tbo oooos. Lo yoo
oooorstoooº`
l - l`m oot soro. Aro o|| Amozoos oomlgoosº`
7bo qoooo sprooo bor booos. ¼o o|| bovo somo
lmmorto| b|ooo, bot mooy oí my worrlors oro ooscooooo
írom oomlgoos. 5omo bovo booo Amozoos íor cooot|oss
gooorotloos. Otbors oro cbl|oroo oí mloor goos. Klozlo,
tbo ooo wbo broogbt yoo boro, ls tbo ooogbtor oí o oympb.
Ab - boro sbo ls oow.`
7bo glr| wltb tbo ooboro bolr opproocboo tbo qoooo ooo
bowoo.
7bo prlsooors oro soío|y |ockoo owoy,` Klozlo roportoo.
Bot .`
Yosº` tbo qoooo oskoo.
Klozlo swo||owoo |lko sbo boo o boo tosto lo bor mootb.
Otroro mooo soro bor ío||owors oro goorolog tbo co||s. l`m
sorry, my qoooo.`
ly||o porsoo bor |lps. No mottor. 5toy wltb os, Klozlo.
¼o woro jost to|klog oboot oor, ob, sltootloo.`
Otroro,` lozo| goossoo. Oolo broogbt bor bock írom
tbo oooo to tbrow yoo Amozoos loto clvl| wor.`
7bo qoooo oxbo|oo. lí tbot wos bor p|oo, lt ls worklog.
Otroro ls o |ogooo omoog oor poop|o. 5bo p|oos to toko
bock tbo tbrooo ooo |ooo os to wor ogolost tbo Romoos.
Vooy oí my slstors wl|| ío||ow bor.`
Not o||,` Klozlo gromb|oo.
Bot Otroro ls o splrlt!` lozo| solo. 5bo lso`t ovoo -`
Roo|º` 7bo qoooo stooloo lozo| coroío||y. l workoo wltb
tbo sorcoross Clrco íor mooy yoors. l koow o rotorooo soo|
wboo l soo ooo. ¼boo olo yoo olo, lozo| - 1020º 1080º`
1042,` lozo| solo. Bot - bot l woso`t soot by Oolo. l
como bock to stop bor. 7bls ls my socooo cbooco.`
Yoor socooo cbooco .` ly||o gozoo ot tbo rows oí
bott|o íork|líts, oow ompty. l koow oboot socooo cboocos.
7bot boy, Porcy 1ocksoo - bo oostroyoo my o|o |lío. Yoo
woo|oo`t bovo rocogolzoo mo bock tboo. l woro orossos
ooo moko-op. l wos o g|orlíloo socrotory, oo occorsoo
Borblo oo||.`
Klozlo mooo o tbroo-ílogoroo c|ow ovor bor boort, |lko
tbo vooooo gostoros lozo|`s mom ooco osoo íor worolog
oíí tbo Evl| Eyo.
Clrco`s ls|ooo wos o soío p|oco íor Royoo ooo mo,` tbo
qoooo cootloooo. ¼o woro ooogbtors oí tbo wor gooooss,
Bo||ooo. l wootoo to protoct Royoo írom o|| tbot vlo|ooco.
7boo Porcy 1ocksoo oo|oosboo tbo plrotos. 7boy
kloooppoo os, ooo Royoo ooo l |oorooo to bo toogb. ¼o
íoooo oot tbot wo woro gooo wltb woopoos. 7bo post íoor
yoors, l`vo wootoo to kl|| Porcy 1ocksoo íor wbot bo mooo
os ooooro.`
Bot Royoo bocomo tbo prootor oí Comp 1opltor,` lozo|
solo. Yoo bocomo tbo qoooo oí tbo Amozoos. Voybo tbls
wos yoor oostloy.`
ly||o ílogoroo tbo oock|oco lo bor booo. l moy oot bo
qoooo íor mocb |oogor.`
Yoo wl|| provol|!` Klozlo loslstoo.
As tbo lotos oocroo,` ly||o solo wltboot ootboslosm.
Yoo soo, lozo|, Otroro bos cbo||oogoo mo to o ooo|.
Evory Amozoo bos tbot rlgbt. 7oolgbt ot mloolgbt, wo`||
bott|o íor tbo tbrooo.`
Bot . yoo`ro gooo, rlgbtº` lozo| oskoo.
ly||o mooogoo o ory sml|o. Oooo, yos, bot Otroro ls
tbo íooooor oí tbo Amozoos.`
5bo`s o |ot o|oor. Voybo sbo`s oot oí proctlco, bovlog
booo oooo íor so |oog.`
l bopo yoo`ro rlgbt, lozo|. Yoo soo, lt`s o bott|o to tbo
oootb .`
5bo woltoo íor tbot to slok lo. lozo| romomboroo wbot
Pblooos boo solo lo Port|ooo - bow bo boo boo o sbortcot
bock írom oootb, tbooks to Oolo. 5bo romomboroo bow
tbo gorgoos boo trloo to ro-íorm lo tbo 7lbor.
Evoo lí yoo kl|| bor,` lozo| solo, sbo`|| jost como bock.
As |oog os 7boootos ls cbolooo, sbo woo`t stoy oooo.`
Exoct|y,` ly||o solo. Otroro bos o|roooy to|o os tbot sbo
coo`t olo. 5o, ovoo lí l mooogo to ooíoot bor toolgbt, sbo`||
slmp|y rotoro ooo cbo||oogo mo ogolo tomorrow. 7boro ls
oo |ow ogolost cbo||ooglog tbo qoooo mo|tlp|o tlmos. 5bo
coo loslst oo ílgbtlog mo ovory olgbt, ootl| sbo íloo||y
woors mo oowo. l coo`t wlo.`
lozo| gozoo ot tbo tbrooo. 5bo lmoglooo Otroro slttlog
tboro wltb bor íloo robos ooo bor sl|vor bolr, oroorlog bor
worrlors to ottock Romo. 5bo lmoglooo tbo volco oí Oolo
íl||log tbls covoro.
7boro bos to bo o woy,` sbo solo. Loo`t Amozoos
bovo . spoclo| powors or somotblogº`
No moro tboo otbor oomlgoos,` ly||o solo. ¼o coo olo,
jost |lko ooy morto|. 7boro ls o groop oí orcbors wbo ío||ow
tbo gooooss Artomls. 7boy oro oítoo mlstokoo íor
Amozoos, bot tbo lootors íorsoko tbo compooy oí moo lo
oxcboogo íor o|most ooo|oss |lío. ¼o Amozoos - wo
woo|o proíor to |lvo |lío to tbo ío||ost. ¼o |ovo, wo ílgbt, wo
olo.`
l tboogbt yoo botoo moo.`
ly||o ooo Klozlo botb |oogboo.
loto mooº` solo tbo qoooo. No, oo, wo |lko moo. ¼o
jost |lko to sbow tbom wbo`s lo cborgo. Bot tbot`s bosloo
tbo polot. lí l coo|o, l woo|o ro||y oor troops ooo rloo to my
slstor`s olo. Uoíortoooto|y, my powor ls tooooos. ¼boo l
om kl||oo lo combot - ooo lt`s oo|y o mottor oí tlmo -
Otroro wl|| bo qoooo. 5bo wl|| morcb to Comp 1opltor wltb
oor íorcos, bot sbo wl|| oot go to bo|p my slstor. 5bo`|| go
to jolo tbo gloot`s ormy.`
¼o`vo got to stop bor,` lozo| solo. Vy írlooos ooo l
kl||oo Pblooos, ooo oí Oolo`s otbor sorvoots lo Port|ooo.
Voybo wo coo bo|p!`
7bo qoooo sbook bor booo. Yoo coo`t lotoríoro. As
qoooo, l most ílgbt my owo bott|os. Bosloos, yoor írlooos
oro lmprlsoooo. lí l |ot tbom go, l`|| |ook wook. Eltbor l
oxocoto yoo tbroo os trospossors, or Otroro wl|| oo so
wboo sbo bocomos qoooo.`
lozo|`s boort sook. 5o l gooss wo`ro botb oooo. Vo íor
tbo socooo tlmo.`
lo tbo coroor cogo, tbo sto||loo Arloo wblooloo oogrl|y.
lo rooroo ooo s|ommoo bls boovos ogolost tbo bors.
7bo borso sooms to íoo| yoor oospolr,` tbo qoooo solo.
lotorostlog. lo`s lmmorto|, yoo koow - tbo soo oí Noptooo
ooo Coros.`
lozo| b|lokoo. 7wo goos boo o borso íor o kloº`
Loog story.`
Ob.` lozo|`s íoco ío|t bot wltb omborrossmoot.
lo`s tbo íostost borso lo tbo wor|o,` ly||o solo. Pogosos
ls moro íomoos, wltb bls wlogs, bot Arloo roos |lko tbo
wloo ovor |ooo ooo soo. No crootoro ls íostor. lt took os
yoors to coptoro blm - ooo oí oor grootost prlzos. Bot lt
olo os oo gooo. 7bo borso wl|| oot o||ow ooyooo to rloo
blm. l tblok bo botos Amozoos. Aoo bo ls oxpooslvo to
koop. lo wl|| oot ooytblog, bot bo proíors go|o.`
7bo bock oí lozo|`s oock tlog|oo. lo oots go|oº`
5bo romomboroo tbo borso ío||owlog bor lo A|osko so
mooy yoors ogo. 5bo boo tboogbt bo wos ootlog ooggots
oí go|o tbot oppooroo lo bor íootstops.
5bo koo|t ooo prossoo bor booo ogolost tbo í|oor.
lmmooloto|y, tbo stooo crockoo. A cbook oí go|o oro tbo
slzo oí o p|om wos posboo oot oí tbo oortb. lozo| stooo,
oxomlolog bor prlzo.
ly||o ooo Klozlo storoo ot bor.
low olo yoo . º` 7bo qoooo gospoo. lozo|, bo
coroío|!`
lozo| opproocboo tbo sto||loo`s cogo. 5bo pot bor booo
botwooo tbo bors, ooo Arloo glogor|y oto tbo cbook oí go|o
írom bor po|m.
Uobo|lovob|o,` Klozlo solo. 7bo |ost glr| wbo trloo tbot -`
Now bos o moto| orm,` tbo qoooo ílolsboo. 5bo stooloo
lozo| wltb oow lotorost, os lí ooclolog wbotbor or oot to soy
moro. lozo| . wo spoot yoors bootlog íor tbls borso. lt
wos íoroto|o tbot tbo most coorogooos íomo|o worrlor
woo|o somo ooy mostor Arloo ooo rloo blm to vlctory,
osborlog lo o oow oro oí prosporlty íor tbo Amozoos. Yot
oo Amozoo coo toocb blm, mocb |oss cootro| blm. Evoo
Otroro trloo ooo íol|oo. 7wo otbors oloo ottomptlog to rloo
blm.`
7bot probob|y sboo|o`vo worrloo lozo|, bot sbo coo|oo`t
lmogloo tbls boootlío| borso bortlog bor. 5bo pot bor booo
tbroogb tbo bors ogolo ooo strokoo Arloo`s ooso. lo
oozz|oo bor orm, mormorlog cootootoo|y, os lí osklog,
Voro go|oº Yom.
l woo|o íooo yoo moro, Arloo.` lozo| g|oocoo polotoo|y
ot tbo qoooo. Bot l tblok l`m scbooo|oo íor oo oxocotloo.`
Ooooo ly||o |ookoo írom lozo| to tbo borso ooo bock
ogolo. Uobo|lovob|o.`
7bo propbocy,` Klozlo solo. ls lt posslb|o . º`
lozo| coo|o o|most soo tbo goors torolog losloo tbo
qoooo`s booo, íormo|otlog o p|oo. Yoo bovo coorogo,
lozo| Lovosqoo. Aoo lt sooms Arloo bos cbosoo yoo.
Klozloº`
Yos, my qooooº`
Yoo solo Otroro`s ío||owors oro goorolog tbo co||sº`
Klozlo oooooo. l sboo|o bovo íorosooo tbot. l`m sorry -`
No, lt`s íloo.` 7bo qoooo`s oyos g|oomoo - tbo woy
looolbo| tbo o|opboot`s olo wbooovor bo wos oo|oosboo
to oostroy o íortross. lt woo|o bo omborrosslog íor Otroro lí
bor ío||owors íol|oo lo tbolr ootlos - lí, íor lostooco, tboy
woro ovorcomo by oo ootsloor ooo o prlsoo brook
occorroo.`
Klozlo bogoo to sml|o. Yos, my qoooo. Vost
omborrosslog.`
Oí coorso,` ly||o cootloooo, oooo oí my gooros woo|o
koow o tblog oboot tbls. Klozlo woo|o oot sprooo tbo woro
to o||ow oo oscopo.`
Cortolo|y oot,` Klozlo ogrooo.
Aoo wo coo|oo`t bo|p yoo.` 7bo qoooo rolsoo bor
oyobrows ot lozo|. Bot lí yoo somobow ovorpoworoo tbo
gooros ooo írooo yoor írlooos . lí, íor lostooco, yoo took
ooo oí tbo gooros` Amozoo coros -`
¼ltb ooo-c|lck porcboslog ooob|oo,` Klozlo solo, wblcb
wl|| opoo tbo jol| co||s wltb ooo c|lck.`
lí - goos íorblo! - somotblog |lko tbot woro to boppoo,`
tbo qoooo cootloooo, yoo woo|o íloo yoor írlooos`
woopoos ooo sopp|los lo tbo gooro stotloo ooxt to tbo
co||s. Aoo wbo koowsº lí yoo mooo yoor woy bock to tbls
tbrooo room wbl|o l wos oíí proporlog íor my ooo| . wo||,
os l mootloooo, Arloo ls o vory íost borso. lt woo|o bo o
sbomo lí bo woro sto|oo ooo osoo íor oo oscopo.`
lozo| ío|t |lko sbo`o booo p|oggoo loto o wo|| sockot.
E|octrlclty sorgoo tbroogb bor wbo|o booy. Arloo . Arloo
coo|o bo bors. A|| sbo boo to oo wos roscoo bor írlooos
ooo ílgbt bor woy tbroogb oo ootlro ootloo oí blgb|y trolooo
worrlors.
Ooooo ly||o,` sbo solo, l - l`m oot mocb oí o ílgbtor.`
Ob, tboro oro mooy kloos oí ílgbtlog, lozo|. l bovo o
íoo|log yoo`ro qolto rosoorcoío|. Aoo, lí tbo propbocy ls
corroct, yoo wl|| bo|p tbo Amozoo ootloo ocblovo
prosporlty. lí yoo soccooo oo yoor qoost to íroo 7boootos,
íor lostooco -`
- tboo Otroro woo|oo`t como bock lí sbo woro kl||oo,`
lozo| solo. Yoo`o oo|y bovo to ooíoot bor . om, ovory
olgbt ootl| wo soccooo.`
7bo qoooo oooooo grlm|y. lt sooms wo botb bovo
lmposslb|o tosks obooo oí os.`
Bot yoo`ro trostlog mo,` solo lozo|. Aoo l trost yoo. Yoo
wl|| wlo, os mooy tlmos os lt tokos.`
ly||o bo|o oot Porcy`s oock|oco ooo pooroo lt loto
lozo|`s booos.
l bopo yoo`ro rlgbt,` tbo qoooo solo. Bot tbo soooor yoo
soccooo tbo bottor, yosº`
lozo| s|lppoo tbo oock|oco loto bor pockot. 5bo sbook
tbo qoooo`s booo, woooorlog lí lt wos posslb|o to moko o
írlooo so íost - ospoclo||y ooo wbo wos oboot to sooo bor
to jol|.
7bls coovorsotloo oovor boppoooo,` ly||o to|o Klozlo.
7oko oor prlsooor to tbo co||s ooo booo bor ovor to
Otroro`s gooros. Aoo, Klozlo, bo soro yoo |oovo boíoro
ooytblog ooíortoooto boppoos. l ooo`t woot my |oyo|
ío||owors bo|o occoootob|o íor o prlsoo brook.`
7bo qoooo sml|oo mlscblovoos|y, ooo íor tbo ílrst tlmo
lozo| ío|t joo|oos oí Royoo. 5bo wlsboo tbot sbo boo o
slstor |lko tbls.
Oooobyo, lozo| Lovosqoo,` tbo qoooo solo. lí wo botb
olo toolgbt . wo||, l`m g|oo l mot yoo.`
xxxll

Hazel

7lE AVAZON 1AlL ¼A5 A7 7lE 7OP Ol o storogo ols|o, slxty
íoot lo tbo olr.
Klozlo |oo bor op tbroo olííoroot |oooors to o moto|
cotwo|k, tboo tloo lozo|`s booos |ooso|y bobloo bor bock
ooo posboo bor o|oog post crotos oí jowo||ory.
A boooroo íoot obooo, oooor tbo borsb g|ow oí
í|ooroscoot |lgbts, o row oí cbolo-|lok cogos boog
sospooooo írom cob|os. Porcy ooo lrook woro lo two oí
tbo cogos, to|klog to oocb otbor lo bosboo tooos. Noxt to
tbom oo tbo cotwo|k, tbroo boroo-|ooklog Amozoo gooros
|ooooo ogolost tbolr spoors ooo gozoo ot |ltt|o b|ock
tob|ots lo tbolr booos |lko tboy woro rooolog.
lozo| tboogbt tbo tob|ots |ookoo too tblo íor books.
7boo lt occorroo to bor tboy mlgbt bo somo sort oí tloy -
wbot olo moooro poop|o co|| tbomº - |optop compotors.
5ocrot Amozoo tocboo|ogy, porbops. lozo| íoooo tbo
looo o|most os oosott|log os tbo bott|o íork|líts oowostolrs.
Oot movlog, glr|,` Klozlo orooroo, |ooo oooogb íor tbo
gooros to boor. 5bo prooooo lozo| lo tbo bock wltb bor
sworo.
lozo| wo|koo os s|ow|y os sbo coo|o, bot bor mloo wos
roclog. 5bo oooooo to como op wltb o brl||loot roscoo
p|oo. 5o íor sbo boo ootblog. Klozlo boo mooo soro sbo
coo|o brook bor booos oosl|y, bot sbo`o stl|| bo ompty-
booooo ogolost tbroo trolooo worrlors, ooo sbo boo to oct
boíoro tboy pot bor lo o cogo.
5bo possoo o po||ot oí crotos morkoo 24-CARA7 BLUE
7OPAZ RlNO5, tboo oootbor |obo||oo 5lLVER lRlENL5llP
BRACELE75. Ao o|octroolc olsp|oy ooxt to tbo írlooosblp
broco|ots rooo. Poop|o wbo boogbt tbls ltom o|so boogbt
OARLEN ONOVE 5OLAR PA7lO LlOl7 ooo lLAVlNO
5PEAR Ol LEA7l. Boy o|| tbroo ooo sovo 12½!
lozo| írozo. Ooos oí O|ympos, sbo wos stoplo.
5l|vor. 7opoz. 5bo soot oot bor soosos, soorcblog íor
procloos moto|s, ooo bor brolo o|most oxp|oooo írom tbo
íooobock. 5bo wos stooolog ooxt to o slx-storoy-to||
moootolo oí jowo||ory. Bot lo íroot oí bor, írom boro to tbo
gooros, wos ootblog bot prlsoo cogos.
¼bot ls ltº` Klozlo blssoo. Koop movlog! 7boy`|| got
sosplcloos.`
Voko tbom como boro,` lozo| mottoroo ovor bor
sboo|oor.
¼by -`
P|ooso.`
7bo gooros írowooo lo tbolr olroctloo.
¼bot oro yoo storlog otº` Klozlo yo||oo ot tbom. loro`s
tbo tblro prlsooor. Como got bor.`
7bo ooorost gooro sot oowo bor rooolog tob|ot. ¼by
coo`t yoo wo|k oootbor tblrty pocos, Klozloº`
Um, bocooso -`
Oooí!` lozo| ío|| to bor kooos ooo trloo to pot oo bor
bost sooslck íoco. l`m íoo|log ooosooos! Coo`t . wo|k.
Amozoos . too . scory.`
7boro yoo go,` Klozlo to|o tbo gooros. Now, oro yoo
golog to como toko tbo prlsooor, or sboo|o l to|| Ooooo
ly||o yoo`ro oot oolog yoor ootyº`
7bo ooorost gooro ro||oo bor oyos ooo troogoo ovor.
lozo| boo bopoo tbo otbor two gooros woo|o como, too,
bot sbo`o bovo to worry oboot tbot |otor.
7bo ílrst gooro grobboo lozo|`s orm. lloo. l`|| toko
costooy oí tbo prlsooor. Bot lí l woro yoo, Klozlo, l woo|oo`t
worry oboot ly||o. 5bo woo`t bo qoooo mocb |oogor.`
¼o`|| soo, Lorls.` Klozlo torooo to |oovo. lozo| woltoo
ootl| bor stops boo rocoooo oowo tbo cotwo|k.
7bo gooro Lorls po||oo oo lozo|`s orm. ¼o||º Como
oo.`
lozo| coocootrotoo oo tbo wo|| oí jowo||ory ooxt to bor.
íorty |orgo boxos oí sl|vor broco|ots. Not . íoo|log so
gooo.`
Yoo oro oot tbrowlog op oo mo,` Lorls grow|oo. 5bo
trloo to yook lozo| to bor íoot, bot lozo| woot |lmp, |lko o
klo tbrowlog o ílt lo o storo. Noxt to bor, tbo boxos bogoo
to tromb|o.
Lo|o!` Lorls yo||oo to ooo oí bor comrooos. lo|p mo
wltb tbls |omo |ltt|o glr|.`
Amozoos oomoo Lorls ooo Lo|oº lozo| tboogbt.
Okoy .
7bo socooo gooro joggoo ovor. lozo| ílgoroo tbls wos
bor bost cbooco. Boíoro tboy coo|o boo| bor to bor íoot,
sbo yo||oo, Oooob!` ooo í|ottoooo borso|í ogolost tbo
cotwo|k.
Lorls stortoo to soy, Ob, glvo mo o -`
7bo ootlro po||ot oí jowo||ory oxp|oooo wltb o soooo |lko
o tboosooo s|ot mocbloos blttlog tbo jockpot. A tloo| wovo
oí sl|vor írlooosblp broco|ots pooroo ocross tbo cotwo|k,
wosblog Lorls ooo Lo|o rlgbt ovor tbo rol|log.
7boy woo|o`vo ío||oo to tbolr oootbs, bot lozo| woso`t
tbot mooo. 5bo sommoooo o íow boooroo broco|ots,
wblcb |oopoo ot tbo gooros ooo |osboo roooo tbolr ook|os,
|oovlog tbom booglog opsloo oowo írom tbo bottom oí tbo
cotwo|k, scroomlog |lko |omo |ltt|o glr|s.
lozo| torooo toworos tbo tblro gooro. 5bo broko bor
booos, wblcb woro oboot os storoy os tol|ot popor. 5bo
plckoo op ooo oí tbo ío||oo gooros` spoors. 5bo wos
torrlb|o wltb spoors, bot sbo bopoo tbo tblro Amozoo oloo`t
koow tbot.
5boo|o l kl|| yoo írom boroº` lozo| soor|oo. Or oro yoo
golog to moko mo como ovor tboroº`
7bo gooro torooo ooo roo.
lozo| sbootoo ovor tbo sloo to Lorls ooo Lo|o. Amozoo
coros! Poss tbom op, oo|oss yoo woot mo to oooo tboso
írlooosblp broco|ots ooo |ot yoo orop!`
loor ooo o bo|í socooos |otor, lozo| boo two Amozoo
coros. 5bo rocoo ovor to tbo cogos ooo swlpoo o coro.
7bo ooors poppoo opoo.
lrook storoo ot bor lo ostoolsbmoot. lozo|, tbot
wos . omozlog.`
Porcy oooooo. l wl|| oovor woor jowo||ory ogolo.`
Excopt tbls.` lozo| tossoo blm bls oock|oco. Oor
woopoos ooo sopp|los oro ot tbo ooo oí tbo cotwo|k. ¼o
sboo|o borry. Protty sooo -`
A|orms bogoo wol|log tbroogboot tbo covoro.
Yoob,` sbo solo, tbot`|| boppoo. Lot`s go!`
7bo ílrst port oí tbo oscopo wos oosy. 7boy rotrlovoo tbolr
tblogs wltb oo prob|om, tboo stortoo c|lmblog oowo tbo
|oooor. Evory tlmo Amozoos swormoo booootb tbom,
oomooolog tbolr sorroooor, lozo| mooo o croto oí
jowo||ory oxp|ooo, borylog tbolr ooomlos lo o Nlogoro
lo||s oí go|o ooo sl|vor. ¼boo tboy got to tbo bottom oí
tbo |oooor, tboy íoooo o scooo tbot |ookoo |lko Vorol Oros
Armogooooo - Amozoos troppoo op to tbolr oocks lo
booo oock|ocos, sovoro| moro opsloo oowo lo o moootolo
oí omotbyst oorrlogs ooo o bott|o íork|lít borloo lo sl|vor
cborm broco|ots.
Yoo, lozo| Lovosqoo,` lrook solo, oro ootlro|y írooklog
locroolb|o.`
5bo wootoo to klss blm rlgbt tboro, bot tboy boo oo
tlmo. 7boy roo bock to tbo tbrooo room.
7boy stomb|oo ocross ooo Amozoo wbo most`vo booo
|oyo| to ly||o. As sooo os sbo sow tbo oscopoos, sbo
torooo owoy |lko tboy woro lovlslb|o.
Porcy stortoo to osk, ¼bot tbo -`
5omo oí tbom woot os to oscopo,` lozo| solo. l`||
oxp|olo |otor.`
7bo socooo Amozoo tboy mot woso`t so írlooo|y. 5bo
wos orossoo lo ío|| ormoor, b|ocklog tbo tbrooo-room
ootrooco. 5bo spoo bor spoor wltb |lgbtolog spooo, bot
tbls tlmo Porcy wos roooy. lo orow Rlptloo ooo stoppoo
loto bott|o. As tbo Amozoo jobboo ot blm, bo sloostoppoo,
cot bor spoor sboít lo bo|í ooo s|ommoo tbo bl|t oí bls
sworo ogolost bor bo|mot.
7bo gooro cromp|oo.
Vors A|mlgbty,` lrook solo. low olo yoo - tbot woso`t
ooy Romoo tocbolqoo!`
Porcy grloooo. 7bo groocos bos somo movos, my
írlooo. Aítor yoo.`
7boy roo loto tbo tbrooo room. As promlsoo, ly||o ooo
bor gooros boo c|ooroo oot. lozo| oosboo ovor to Arloo`s
cogo ooo swlpoo oo Amozoo coro ocross tbo |ock.
lostoot|y tbo sto||loo borst íortb, roorlog lo trlompb.
Porcy ooo lrook stomb|oo bockworos.
Um . ls tbot tblog tomoº` lrook solo.
7bo borso wblooloo oogrl|y.
l ooo`t tblok so,` Porcy goossoo. lo jost solo, ºl wl||
tromp|o yoo to oootb, sl||y Cblooso Cooooloo boby moo.'`
Yoo spook borsoº` lozo| oskoo.
ºBoby moo'º` lrook sp|ottoroo.
5pooklog to borsos ls o Posolooo tblog,` Porcy solo.
Ub, l mooo o Noptooo tblog.`
7boo yoo ooo Arloo sboo|o got o|oog íloo,` lozo| solo.
lo`s o soo oí Noptooo, too.`
Porcy torooo po|o. Excoso moº`
lí tboy booo`t booo lo socb o boo sltootloo, Porcy`s
oxprossloo mlgbt bovo mooo bor |oogb. 7bo polot ls bo`s
íost. lo coo got os oot oí boro.`
lrook olo oot |ook tbrl||oo. 7broo oí os coo`t ílt oo ooo
borso, coo woº ¼o`|| ío|| oíí, or s|ow blm oowo, or -`
Arloo wblooloo ogolo.
Oocb,` Porcy solo. lrook, tbo borso soys yoo`ro o - yoo
koow, octoo||y, l`m oot golog to troos|oto tbot. Aoywoy, bo
soys tboro`s o cborlot lo tbo worobooso, ooo bo`s wl||log to
po|| lt.`
7boro!` somoooo yo||oo írom tbo bock oí tbo tbrooo
room. A oozoo Amozoos cborgoo lo, ío||owoo by mo|os lo
oroogo jompsolts. ¼boo tboy sow Arloo, tboy bockoo op
qolck|y ooo booooo íor tbo bott|o íork|líts.
lozo| voo|too ooto Arloo`s bock.
5bo grloooo oowo ot bor írlooos. l romombor soolog
tbot cborlot. lo||ow mo, goys!`
5bo go||opoo loto tbo |orgor covoro ooo scottoroo o
crowo oí mo|os. Porcy koockoo oot oo Amozoo. lrook
swopt two moro oíí tbolr íoot wltb bls spoor. lozo| coo|o
íoo| Arloo strololog to roo. lo wootoo to go ío|| spooo, bot
bo oooooo moro room. 7boy boo to moko lt ootsloo.
lozo| bow|oo loto o potro| oí Amozoos, wbo scottoroo lo
torror ot tbo slgbt oí tbo borso. lor ooco, lozo|`s spotbo
ío|t oxoct|y tbo rlgbt |oogtb. 5bo swoog lt ot ovoryooo wbo
como wltblo roocb. No Amozoo ooroo cbo||oogo bor.
Porcy ooo lrook roo oítor bor. lloo||y tboy roocboo tbo
cborlot. Arloo stoppoo by tbo yoko, ooo Porcy sot to work
wltb tbo rolos ooo borooss.
Yoo`vo oooo tbls boíoroº` lrook oskoo.
Porcy oloo`t oooo to ooswor. lls booos í|ow. lo oo tlmo
tbo cborlot wos roooy. lo jompoo obooro ooo yo||oo,
lrook, como oo! lozo|, go!`
A bott|o cry woot op bobloo tbom. A ío|| ormy oí
Amozoos stormoo loto tbo worobooso. Otroro borso|í
stooo ostrloo o bott|o íork|lít, bor sl|vor bolr í|owlog os sbo
swoog bor moootoo crossbow toworos tbo cborlot. 5top
tbom!` sbo yo||oo.
lozo| sporroo Arloo. 7boy rocoo ocross tbo covoro,
woovlog oroooo po||ots ooo íork|líts. Ao orrow wblzzoo post
lozo|`s booo. 5omotblog oxp|oooo bobloo bor, bot sbo
oloo`t |ook bock.
7bo stolrs!` lrook yo||oo. No woy tbls borso coo po|| o
cborlot op tbot mooy í|lgbts oí - Ol VY OOL5!`
7bookío||y tbo stolrs woro wloo oooogb íor tbo cborlot,
bocooso Arloo oloo`t ovoo s|ow oowo. lo sbot op tbo
stops wltb tbo cborlot rott|log ooo grooolog. lozo| g|oocoo
bock o íow tlmos to moko soro lrook ooo Porcy booo`t
ío||oo oíí. 7bolr koock|os woro wblto oo tbo sloos oí tbo
cborlot, tbolr tootb cbottorlog |lko wloo-op lo||owooo
sko||s.
lloo||y tboy roocboo tbo |obby. Arloo crosboo tbroogb
tbo molo ooors loto tbo p|ozo ooo scottoroo o boocb oí
goys lo boslooss solts.
lozo| ío|t tbo toosloo lo Arloo`s rlb cogo. 7bo írosb olr
wos moklog blm crozy to roo, bot lozo| po||oo bock oo bls
rolos.
E||o!` lozo| sbootoo ot tbo sky. ¼boro oro yooº ¼o
bovo to |oovo!`
lor o borrlb|o socooo, sbo wos oírolo tbo borpy mlgbt
bo too íor owoy to boor. 5bo mlgbt bo |ost, or coptoroo by
tbo Amozoos.
Bobloo tbom o bott|o íork|lít c|ottoroo op tbo stolrs ooo
rooroo tbroogb tbo |obby, o mob oí Amozoos bobloo lt.
5orroooor!` Otroro scroomoo.
7bo íork|lít rolsoo lts rozor-sborp tloos.
E||o!` lozo| crloo oosporoto|y.
lo o í|osb oí roo íootbors, E||o |ooooo lo tbo cborlot. E||o
ls boro. Amozoos oro poloty. Oo oow.`
lo|o oo!` lozo| worooo. 5bo |ooooo íorworo ooo solo,
Arloo, roo!`
7bo wor|o soomoo to o|oogoto. 5oo|lgbt boot oroooo
tbom. Arloo sbot owoy írom tbo Amozoos ooo spoo
tbroogb oowotowo 5oott|o. lozo| g|oocoo bock ooo sow o
|loo oí smoklog povomoot wboro Arloo`s boovos boo
toocboo tbo groooo. lo tbooooroo toworos tbo oocks,
|ooplog ovor cors, borro||log tbroogb lotorsoctloos.
lozo| scroomoo ot tbo top oí bor |oogs, bot lt wos o
scroom oí oo|lgbt. lor tbo ílrst tlmo lo bor |lío - lo bor two
|lvos - sbo ío|t obso|oto|y oostoppob|o. Arloo roocboo tbo
wotor ooo |oopoo strolgbt oíí tbo oocks.
lozo|`s oors poppoo. 5bo booro o roor tbot sbo |otor
roo|lzoo wos o soolc boom, ooo Arloo toro ovor Pogot
5oooo, soowotor torolog to stoom lo bls woko os tbo
sky|loo oí 5oott|o rocoooo bobloo tbom.
xxxlll

Frank

lRANK ¼A5 RELlEVEL ¼lEN 7lE ¼lEEL5 lELL Oll.
lo`o o|roooy tbrowo op twlco írom tbo bock oí tbo
cborlot, wblcb wos oot íoo ot tbo spooo oí soooo. 7bo
borso soomoo to booo tlmo ooo spoco os bo roo, b|orrlog
tbo |oooscopo ooo moklog lrook íoo| |lko bo`o jost orook
o go||oo oí wbo|o ml|k wltboot bls |octoso-loto|orooco
moolcloo. E||o oloo`t bo|p mottors. 5bo kopt mottorlog.
5ovoo boooroo ooo ílíty ml|os por boor. Elgbt boooroo.
Elgbt boooroo ooo tbroo. lost. Vory íost.`
7bo borso spoo oortb ocross Pogot 5oooo, zoomlog
post ls|ooos ooo ílsblog boots ooo vory sorprlsoo poos oí
wbo|os. 7bo |oooscopo obooo bogoo to |ook íoml|lor -
Croscoot Boocb, Booooory Boy. lrook boo gooo sol|log
boro ooco oo o scboo| trlp. 7boy`o crossoo loto Cooooo.
7bo borso rockotoo ooto ory |ooo. lo ío||owoo llgbwoy
00 oortb, rooolog so íost tbot tbo cors soomoo to bo
stooolog stl||. lloo||y, jost os tboy woro gottlog loto
Voocoovor, tbo cborlot wboo|s bogoo to smoko.
lozo|!` lrook yo||oo. ¼o`ro brooklog op!`
5bo got tbo mossogo ooo po||oo tbo rolos. 7bo borso
oloo`t soom boppy oboot lt, bot bo s|owoo to sobsoolc os
tboy zlppoo tbroogb tbo clty stroots. 7boy crossoo tbo
lrooworkors brlogo loto Nortb Voocoovor, ooo tbo cborlot
stortoo to rott|o ooogoroos|y. At |ost Arloo stoppoo ot tbo
top oí o wooooo bl||. lo soortoo wltb sotlsíoctloo, os lí to
soy, 7bot`s bow wo roo, íoo|s. 7bo smoklog cborlot
co||opsoo, spl||log Porcy, lrook ooo E||o ooto tbo wot,
mossy groooo.
lrook stomb|oo to bls íoot. lo trloo to b|lok tbo yo||ow
spots oot oí bls oyos. Porcy grooooo ooo stortoo
oobltcblog Arloo írom tbo rolooo cborlot. E||o í|ottoroo
oroooo lo olzzy clrc|os, booklog loto tbo troos ooo
mottorlog, 7roo. 7roo. 7roo.`
Oo|y lozo| soomoo oooííoctoo by tbo rloo. Orloolog
wltb p|oosoro, sbo s|lo oíí tbo borso`s bock. 7bot wos íoo!`
Yoob.` lrook swo||owoo bock bls ooosoo. 5o mocb
íoo.`
Arloo wblooloo.
lo soys bo oooos to oot,` Porcy troos|otoo. No woooor.
lo probob|y borooo oboot slx ml||loo co|orlos.`
lozo| stooloo tbo groooo ot bor íoot ooo írowooo. l`m
oot sooslog ooy go|o oroooo boro . Loo`t worry, Arloo. l`||
íloo yoo somo. lo tbo moootlmo, wby ooo`t yoo go grozoº
¼o`|| moot yoo -`
7bo borso zlppoo oíí, |oovlog o trol| oí stoom lo bls
woko.
lozo| kolttoo bor oyobrows. Lo yoo tblok bo`|| como
bockº`
l ooo`t koow,` Porcy solo. lo sooms kloo oí . splrltoo.`
lrook o|most bopoo tbo borso woo|o stoy owoy. lo
oloo`t soy tbot, oí coorso. lo coo|o to|| lozo| wos
olstrossoo by tbo looo oí |oslog bor oow írlooo. Bot Arloo
scoroo blm, ooo lrook wos protty soro tbo borso koow lt.
lozo| ooo Porcy stortoo so|voglog sopp|los írom tbo
cborlot wrockogo. 7boro boo booo o íow boxos oí roooom
Amozoo morcbooolso lo tbo íroot, ooo E||o sbrlokoo wltb
oo|lgbt wboo sbo íoooo o sblpmoot oí books. 5bo
sootcboo op o copy oí 7bo Blros oí Nortb Amorlco,
í|ottoroo to tbo ooorost broocb, ooo bogoo scrotcblog
tbroogb tbo pogos so íost, lrook woso`t soro lí sbo wos
rooolog or sbrooolog.
lrook |ooooo ogolost o troo, trylog to cootro| bls vortlgo.
lo stl|| booo`t rocovoroo írom bls Amozoo lmprlsoomoot
- gottlog klckoo ocross tbo |obby, olsormoo, cogoo ooo
loso|too os o boby moo by oo ogomooloco| borso. 7bot
booo`t oxoct|y bo|poo bls so|í-ostoom.
Evoo boíoro tbot, tbo vlsloo bo boo sboroo wltb lozo|
boo |oít blm rott|oo. lo ío|t c|osor to bor oow. lo koow bo`o
oooo tbo rlgbt tblog lo glvlog bor tbo ploco oí ílrowooo. A
bogo wolgbt boo booo tokoo oíí bls sboo|oors.
Oo tbo otbor booo, bo`o sooo tbo Uooorwor|o ílrstbooo.
lo boo ío|t wbot lt wos |lko to slt íorovor oolog ootblog, jost
rogrottlog yoor mlstokos. lo`o |ookoo op ot tboso croopy
go|o mosks oo tbo joogos oí tbo oooo ooo roo|lzoo tbot bo
woo|o stooo boíoro tbom somo ooy, moybo vory sooo.
lrook boo o|woys oroomoo oí soolog bls motbor ogolo
wboo bo oloo. Bot moybo tbot woso`t posslb|o íor
oomlgoos. lozo| boo booo lo Aspbooo| íor somotblog
|lko sovooty yoors ooo oovor íoooo bor mom. lrook
bopoo bo ooo bls mom woo|o botb ooo op lo E|yslom. Bot
lí lozo| booo`t got tboro - socrlílclog bor |lío to stop Oolo,
toklog rospooslbl|lty íor bor octloos so tbot bor motbor
woo|oo`t ooo op lo Poolsbmoot - wbot cbooco olo lrook
bovoº lo`o oovor oooo ooytblog tbot borolc.
lo strolgbtoooo ooo |ookoo oroooo, trylog to got bls
boorlogs.
7o tbo sootb, ocross Voocoovor lorbor, tbo oowotowo
sky|loo g|oomoo roo lo tbo soosot. 7o tbo oortb, tbo bl||s
ooo roloíorosts oí Lyoo Cooyoo Pork sookoo botwooo tbo
sobolvlsloos oí Nortb Voocoovor ootl| tboy govo woy to
tbo wl|oorooss.
lrook boo oxp|oroo tbls pork íor yoors. lo spottoo o
booo lo tbo rlvor tbot |ookoo íoml|lor. lo rocogolzoo o
oooo ploo troo tbot boo booo sp|lt by |lgbtolog lo o ooorby
c|oorlog. lrook koow tbls bl||.
l`m proctlco||y bomo,` bo solo. Vy grooomotbor`s booso
ls rlgbt ovor tboro.`
lozo| sqolotoo. low íorº`
1ost ovor tbo rlvor ooo tbroogb tbo wooos.`
Porcy rolsoo oo oyobrow. 5orloos|yº 7o Orooomotbor`s
booso wo goº`
lrook c|ooroo bls tbroot. Yoob, ooywoy.`
lozo| c|ospoo bor booos lo proyor. lrook, p|ooso to||
mo sbo`|| |ot os spooo tbo olgbt. l koow wo`ro oo o
oooo|loo, bot wo`vo got to rost, rlgbtº Aoo Arloo sovoo os
somo tlmo. Voybo wo coo|o got oo octoo| cookoo moo|º`
Aoo o bot sboworº` Porcy p|ooooo. Aoo o boo wltb,
|lko, sboots ooo o pl||owº`
lrook trloo to lmogloo Orooomotbor`s íoco lí bo sbowoo
op wltb two boovl|y ormoo írlooos ooo o borpy. Evorytblog
boo cboogoo sloco bls motbor`s íoooro|, sloco tbo
morolog tbo wo|vos boo tokoo blm sootb. lo`o booo so
oogry oboot |oovlog. Now, bo coo|oo`t lmogloo golog
bock.
5tl||, bo ooo bls írlooos woro oxboostoo. 7boy`o booo
trovo||log íor moro tboo two ooys wltboot oocoot íooo or
s|oop. Orooomotbor coo|o glvo tbom sopp|los. Aoo
moybo sbo coo|o ooswor somo qoostloos tbot woro
browlog lo tbo bock oí lrook`s mloo - o growlog sosplcloo
oboot bls íoml|y glít.
lt`s wortb o try,` lrook ooclooo. 7o Orooomotbor`s
booso wo go.`
lrook wos so olstroctoo, bo woo|o bovo wo|koo rlgbt loto
tbo ogros` comp. lortoooto|y Porcy po||oo blm bock.
7boy croocboo ooxt to lozo| ooo E||o bobloo o ío||oo
|og ooo pooroo loto tbo c|oorlog.
Boo,` E||o mormoroo. 7bls ls boo íor borplos.`
lt wos ío||y oork oow. Aroooo o b|ozlog compílro sot bo|í
o oozoo sboggy-bolroo bomooolos. 5tooolog op, tboy
probob|y woo|o`vo booo olgbt íoot to|| - tloy comporoo to
tbo gloot Po|ybotos or ovoo tbo Cyc|opos tboy`o sooo lo
Co|líorolo, bot tbot oloo`t moko tbom ooy |oss scory. 7boy
woro oo|y kooo-|oogtb soríor sborts. 7bolr sklo wos
soostroko roo - covoroo wltb tottoos oí orogoos, boorts
ooo blklol-c|oo womoo. looglog írom o splt ovor tbo ílro
wos o skloooo oolmo|, moybo o boor, ooo tbo ogros woro
toorlog oíí cbooks oí moot wltb tbolr c|ow|lko ílogorool|s,
|oogblog ooo to|klog os tboy oto, borlog poloty tootb. Noxt
to tbo ogros sot sovoro| mosb bogs íl||oo wltb broozo
spboros |lko cooooobo||s. 7bo spboros most bovo booo
bot, bocooso tboy stoomoo lo tbo coo| ovoolog olr.
7wo boooroo yoros boyooo tbo c|oorlog, tbo |lgbts oí
tbo Zboog moosloo g|owoo tbroogb tbo troos. 5o c|oso,
lrook tboogbt. lo wooooroo lí tboy coo|o soook oroooo
tbo moostors, bot wboo bo |ookoo |oít ooo rlgbt, bo sow
moro compílros lo oltbor olroctloo, os lí tbo ogros boo
sorroooooo tbo proporty. lrook`s ílogors oog loto tbo troo
bork. lls grooomotbor mlgbt bo o|ooo losloo tbo booso,
troppoo.
¼bot oro tboso goysº` bo wblsporoo.
Cooooloos,` Porcy solo.
lrook |ooooo owoy írom blm. Excoso moº`
Ub, oo oííooco,` Porcy solo. 7bot`s wbot Aooobotb
co||oo tbom wboo l íoogbt tbom boíoro. 5bo solo tboy |lvo
lo tbo oortb, lo Cooooo.`
Yoob, wo||,` lrook gromb|oo, wo`ro lo Cooooo. l`m
Cooooloo. Bot l`vo oovor sooo tboso tblogs boíoro.`
E||o p|ockoo o íootbor írom bor wlogs ooo torooo lt lo
bor ílogors. Lolstrygooloos,` sbo solo. Cooolbo|s.
Nortboro gloots. 5osqootcb |ogooo. Yop, yop. 7boy`ro oot
blros. Not blros oí Nortb Amorlco.`
7bot`s wbot tboy`ro co||oo,` Porcy ogrooo. Lolstry - ob,
wbotovor E||o solo.`
lrook scow|oo ot tbo oooos lo tbo c|oorlog. 7boy coo|o
bo mlstokoo íor Blgíoot. Voybo tbot`s wboro tbo |ogooo
como írom. E||o, yoo`ro protty smort.`
E||o ls smort,` sbo ogrooo. 5bo sby|y oííoroo lrook bor
íootbor.
Ob . tbooks.` lo stock tbo íootbor lo bls pockot, tboo
ootlcoo lozo| wos g|orlog ot blm. ¼botº` bo oskoo.
Notblog.` 5bo torooo to Porcy. 5o yoor momory ls
comlog bockº Lo yoo romombor bow yoo boot tboso
goysº`
5ort oí,` Porcy solo. lt`s stl|| íozzy. l tblok l boo bo|p. ¼o
kl||oo tbom wltb Co|ostlo| broozo, bot tbot wos
boíoro . yoo koow.`
Boíoro Lootb got kloooppoo,` lozo| solo. 5o oow, tboy
mlgbt oot olo ot o||.`
Porcy oooooo. 7boso broozo cooooobo||s . tboso oro
boo oows. l tblok wo osoo somo oí tbom ogolost tbo
gloots. 7boy cotcb ílro ooo b|ow op.`
lrook`s booo woot to bls coot pockot. 7boo bo
romomboroo lozo| boo bls ploco oí orlítwooo. lí wo cooso
ooy oxp|osloos,` bo solo, tbo ogros ot tbo otbor comps wl||
como rooolog. l tblok tboy`vo sorroooooo tbo booso, wblcb
mooos tboro coo|o bo ílíty or slxty oí tboso goys lo tbo
wooos.`
5o lt`s o trop.` lozo| |ookoo ot lrook wltb coocoro.
¼bot oboot yoor grooomotborº ¼o`vo got to bo|p bor.`
lrook ío|t o |omp lo bls tbroot. Novor lo o ml||loo yoors
boo bo tboogbt bls grooomotbor woo|o oooo roscolog, bot
oow bo stortoo rooolog combot scooorlos lo bls mloo -
tbo woy bo boo bock ot comp oorlog tbo wor gomos.
¼o oooo o olstroctloo,` bo ooclooo. lí wo coo orow tbls
groop loto tbo wooos, wo mlgbt soook tbroogb wltboot
o|ortlog tbo otbors.`
l wlsb Arloo wos boro,` lozo| solo. l coo|o got tbo ogros
to cboso mo.`
lrook s|lppoo bls spoor oíí bls bock. l`vo got oootbor
looo.`
lrook oloo`t woot to oo tbls. 7bo looo oí sommoolog
Oroy scoroo blm ovoo moro tboo lozo|`s borso. Bot bo
oloo`t soo oootbor woy.
lrook, yoo coo`t cborgo oot tboro!` lozo| solo. 7bot`s
solcloo!`
l`m oot cborglog,` lrook solo. l`vo got o írlooo.
1ost . oobooy scroom, okoyº`
lo jobboo tbo spoor loto tbo groooo, ooo tbo polot
broko oíí.
Oops,` E||o solo. No spoor polot. Nopo, oopo.`
7bo groooo tromb|oo. Oroy`s sko|oto| booo broko tbo
soríoco. Porcy íomb|oo íor bls sworo, ooo lozo| mooo o
soooo |lko o cot wltb o bolrbo||. E||o olsoppooroo ooo
romotorlo|lzoo ot tbo top oí tbo ooorost troo.
lt`s okoy,` lrook promlsoo. lo`s oooor cootro|!`
Oroy crow|oo oot oí tbo groooo. lo sbowoo oo slgo oí
oomogo írom bls provloos oocoootor wltb tbo bosl|lsks.
lo wos gooo os o oow lo bls comooí|ogo ooo combot
boots, troos|ocoot groy í|osb covorlog bls booos |lko
g|owlog 1o||-O. lo torooo bls gbost|y oyos toworos lrook,
woltlog íor oroors.
lrook, tbot`s o sportos,` Porcy solo. A sko|otoo worrlor.
7boy`ro ovl|. 7boy`ro kl||ors. 7boy`ro -`
l koow,` lrook solo blttor|y. Bot lt`s o glít írom Vors.
Rlgbt oow tbot`s o|| l`vo got. Okoy, Oroy. Yoor oroors.
ottock tbot groop oí ogros. Looo tbom oíí to tbo wost,
cooslog o olvorsloo so wo coo -`
Uoíortoooto|y, Oroy |ost lotorost oítor tbo woro ogros`.
Voybo bo oo|y oooorstooo slmp|o sootoocos. lo
cborgoo toworos tbo ogros` compílro.
¼olt!` lrook solo, bot lt wos too |oto. Oroy po||oo two oí
bls owo rlbs írom bls sblrt ooo roo oroooo tbo ílro,
stobblog tbo ogros lo tbo bock wltb socb b|loolog spooo
tboy oloo`t ovoo bovo tlmo to yo||. 5lx oxtromo|y
sorprlsoo-|ooklog Lolstrygooloos ío|| sloowoys |lko o clrc|o
oí oomlooos ooo cromb|oo loto oost.
Oroy stompoo oroooo, klcklog tbolr osbos oport os tboy
trloo to ro-íorm. ¼boo bo soomoo sotlsíloo tbot tboy
woroo`t comlog bock, Oroy stooo ot ottootloo, so|otoo
smort|y lo lrook`s olroctloo, ooo sook loto tbo íorost í|oor.
Porcy storoo ot lrook. low -`
No Lolstrygooloos.` E||o í|ottoroo oowo ooo |ooooo ooxt
to tbom. 5lx mloos slx ls zoro. 5poors oro gooo íor
sobtroctloo. Yop.`
lozo| |ookoo ot lrook os lí bo`o torooo loto o zomblo
sko|otoo blmso|í. lrook tboogbt bls boort mlgbt sbottor,
bot bo coo|oo`t b|omo bor. Cbl|oroo oí Vors woro o|| oboot
vlo|ooco. Vors`s symbo| wos o b|oooy spoor íor gooo
roosoo. ¼by sboo|oo`t lozo| bo oppo||ooº
lo g|oroo oowo ot brokoo tlp oí bls spoor. lo wlsboo bo
boo ooy íotbor bot Vors. Lot`s go,` bo solo. Vy
grooomotbor mlgbt bo lo troob|o.`
xxxlv

Frank

7lEY 57OPPEL A7 7lE lRON7 PORCl. As lrook boo íooroo, o
|ooso rlog oí compílros g|owoo lo tbo wooos, comp|oto|y
sorroooolog tbo proporty, bot tbo booso ltso|í soomoo
ootoocboo.
Orooomotbor`s wloo cblmos joog|oo lo tbo olgbt broozo.
lor wlckor cbolr sot ompty, íoclog tbo rooo. Llgbts sbooo
tbroogb tbo oowostolrs wlooows, bot lrook ooclooo
ogolost rloglog tbo ooorbo||. lo oloo`t koow bow |oto lt
wos, or lí Orooomotbor wos os|oop or ovoo bomo. lostooo
bo cbockoo tbo stooo o|opboot stotoo lo tbo coroor - o
tloy oop|lcoto oí tbo ooo lo Port|ooo. 7bo sporo koy wos
stl|| tockoo oooor lts íoot.
lo bosltotoo ot tbo ooor.
¼bot`s wroogº` Porcy oskoo.
lrook romomboroo tbo morolog bo`o opoooo tbls ooor
íor tbo ml|ltory oíílcor wbo boo to|o blm oboot bls motbor.
lo romomboroo wo|klog oowo tboso stops to bor íoooro|,
bo|olog bls ploco oí ílrowooo lo bls coot íor tbo ílrst tlmo.
lo romomboroo stooolog boro ooo wotcblog tbo wo|vos
como oot oí tbo wooos - Lopo`s mloloos, wbo woo|o |ooo
blm to Comp 1opltor. 7bot soomoo so |oog ogo, bot lt boo
oo|y booo slx wooks.
Now bo wos bock. ¼oo|o Orooomotbor bog blmº
¼oo|o sbo soy, lrook, tbook tbo goos yoo`vo como! l`m
sorroooooo by moostors!
Voro |lko|y sbo`o sco|o blm, or mlstoko tbom íor
lotrooors ooo cboso tbom oíí wltb o írylog poo.
lrookº` lozo| oskoo.
E||o ls oorvoos,` tbo borpy mottoroo írom bor porcb oo
tbo rol|log. 7bo o|opboot - tbo o|opboot ls |ooklog ot E||o.`
lt`|| bo íloo.` lrook`s booo wos sboklog so boo|y bo
coo|o boro|y ílt tbo koy lo tbo |ock. 1ost stoy togotbor.`
losloo, tbo booso smo||oo c|osoo-op ooo mosty.
Usoo||y tbo olr wos scootoo wltb josmloo locooso, bot o||
tbo boroors woro ompty.
7boy oxomlooo tbo |lvlog room, tbo ololog room, tbo
kltcboo. Llrty olsbos woro stockoo lo tbo slok, wblcb woso`t
rlgbt. Orooomotbor`s molo como ovory ooy - oo|oss sbo`o
booo scoroo oíí by tbo gloots.
Or ootoo íor |oocb, lrook tboogbt. E||o boo solo tbo
Lolstrygooloos woro cooolbo|s.
lo posboo tbot tboogbt osloo. Voostors lgooroo
rogo|or morto|s. At |oost, tboy osoo||y olo.
lo tbo por|oor, Booobo stotoos ooo 7oolst lmmorto|s
grloooo ot tbom |lko psycbo c|owos. lrook romomboroo
lrls, tbo rolobow gooooss, wbo`o booo oobb|log lo
Boooblsm ooo 7oolsm. lrook ílgoroo ooo vlslt to tbls
croopy o|o booso woo|o coro bor oí tbot.
Orooomotbor`s |orgo porco|olo vosos woro stroog wltb
cobwobs. Agolo - tbot woso`t rlgbt. 5bo loslstoo tbot bor
co||octloo bo oostoo rogo|or|y. Looklog ot tbo porco|olo,
lrook ío|t o twlogo oí gol|t íor bovlog oostroyoo so mooy
plocos tbo ooy oí tbo íoooro|. lt soomoo sl||y to blm oow -
gottlog oogry ot Orooomotbor wboo bo boo so mooy
otbors to bo oogry ot. 1ooo, Oolo, tbo gloots, bls ooo
Vors. Espoclo||y Vors.
7bo ílrop|oco wos oork ooo co|o.
lozo| boggoo bor cbost os lí to koop tbo ploco oí
ílrowooo írom jomplog loto tbo boortb. ls tbot -`
Yoob,` lrook solo. 7bot`s lt.`
7bot`s wbotº` Porcy oskoo.
lozo|`s oxprossloo wos sympotbotlc, bot tbot jost mooo
lrook íoo| worso. lo romomboroo bow torrlíloo, bow
ropo|soo sbo boo |ookoo wboo bo boo sommoooo Oroy.
lt`s tbo ílrop|oco,` bo to|o Porcy, wblcb soooooo stoplo|y
obvloos. Como oo. Lot`s cbock opstolrs.`
7bo stops crookoo oooor tbolr íoot. lrook`s o|o room
wos tbo somo. Nooo oí bls tblogs boo booo toocboo - bls
oxtro bow ooo qolvor (bo`o bovo to grob tboso |otor), bls
spo||log oworos írom scboo| (yoob, bo probob|y wos tbo
oo|y ooo-oys|oxlc spo||log cbomploo oomlgoo lo tbo
wor|o, os lí bo woroo`t oooogb oí o írook o|roooy) ooo bls
pbotos oí bls mom - lo bor í|ok jockot ooo bo|mot, slttlog
oo o lomvoo lo Koooobor Provloco, lo bor soccor coocb
oolíorm, tbo soosoo sbo`o coocboo lrook`s toom, lo bor
ml|ltory oross oolíorm, bor booos oo lrook`s sboo|oors,
tbo tlmo sbo`o vlsltoo bls scboo| íor coroor ooy.
Yoor motborº` lozo| oskoo goot|y. 5bo`s boootlío|.`
lrook coo|oo`t ooswor. lo ío|t o |ltt|o omborrossoo - o
slxtooo-yoor-o|o goy wltb o boocb oí plctoros oí bls mom.
low bopo|oss|y |omo wos tbotº Bot most|y bo ío|t soo. 5lx
wooks sloco bo`o booo boro. lo somo woys lt soomoo |lko
íorovor. Bot wboo bo |ookoo ot bls mom`s sml|log íoco lo
tboso pbotos, tbo polo oí |oslog bor wos os írosb os ovor.
7boy cbockoo tbo otbor boorooms. 7bo mloo|o two
woro ompty. A olm |lgbt í|lckoroo oooor tbo |ost ooor -
Orooomotbor`s room.
lrook koockoo qolot|y. No ooo oosworoo. lo posboo
opoo bor ooor. Orooomotbor |oy lo boo, |ooklog gooot
ooo írol|, bor wblto bolr sprooo oroooo bor íoco |lko o
bosl|lsk`s crowo. A slog|o cooo|o borooo oo tbo
olgbtstooo. At bor boosloo sot o |orgo moo lo bolgo
Cooooloo lorcos íotlgoos. Losplto tbo g|oom, bo woro
oork soog|ossos wltb b|ooo-roo |lgbt g|owlog bobloo tbo
|oosos.
Vors,` lrook solo.
7bo goo |ookoo op lmposslvo|y. loy, klo. Como oo lo.
7o|| yoor írlooos to toko o blko.`
lrookº` lozo| wblsporoo. ¼bot oo mooo, Vorsº ls
yoor grooomotbor . ls sbo okoyº`
lrook g|oocoo ot bls írlooos. Yoo ooo`t soo blmº`
5oo wboº` Porcy grlppoo bls sworo. Vorsº ¼boroº`
7bo wor goo cbock|oo. Nob, tboy coo`t soo mo. llgoroo
lt wos bottor tbls tlmo. 1ost o prlvoto coovorsotloo -
íotbor/soo, rlgbtº`
lrook c|oocboo bls ílsts. lo coootoo to too boíoro bo
trostoo blmso|í to spook.
Ooys, lt`s . lt`s ootblog. Llstoo, wby ooo`t yoo toko tbo
mloo|o booroomsº`
Rooí,` E||o solo. Rooís oro gooo íor borplos.`
5oro,` lrook solo lo o oozo. 7boro`s probob|y íooo lo
tbo kltcboo. ¼oo|o yoo glvo mo o íow mlootos o|ooo wltb
my grooomotborº l tblok sbo -`
lls volco broko. lo woso`t soro lí bo wootoo to cry or
scroom or poocb Vors lo tbo g|ossos - moybo o|| tbroo.
lozo| |olo bor booo oo bls orm. Oí coorso, lrook.
Como oo, E||o, Porcy.`
lrook woltoo ootl| bls írlooos` stops boo rocoooo. 7boo
bo wo|koo loto tbo booroom ooo c|osoo tbo ooor.
ls lt roo||y yooº` bo oskoo Vors. 7bls lso`t o trlck or
l||osloo or somotblogº`
7bo goo sbook bls booo. Yoo`o proíor lt lí lt woso`t moº`
Yos,` lrook cooíossoo.
Vors sbroggoo. Coo`t b|omo yoo. Nobooy wo|comos
wor - oot lí tboy`ro smort. Bot wor íloos ovoryooo soooor or
|otor. lt`s loovltob|o.`
7bot`s stoplo,` lrook solo. ¼or lso`t loovltob|o. lt kl||s
poop|o. lt -`
- took yoor mom,` Vors ílolsboo.
lrook wootoo to smock tbo co|m |ook oíí bls íoco, bot
moybo tbot wos jost Vors`s ooro moklog blm íoo|
oggrosslvo. lo |ookoo oowo ot bls grooomotbor, s|ooplog
poocoío||y. lo wlsboo sbo woo|o woko op. lí ooyooo coo|o
toko oo o wor goo, bls grooomotbor coo|o.
5bo`s roooy to olo,` Vors solo. 5bo`s booo roooy íor
wooks, bot sbo`s bo|olog oo íor yoo.`
lor moº` lrook wos so stooooo bo o|most íorgot bls
oogor. ¼byº low coo|o sbo koow l wos comlog bockº l
oloo`t koow!`
7bo Lolstrygooloos ootsloo koow,` Vors solo. l lmogloo
o cortolo gooooss to|o tbom.`
lrook b|lokoo. 1oooº`
7bo wor goo |oogboo so |ooo|y tbo wlooows rott|oo, bot
Orooomotbor oloo`t ovoo stlr. 1oooº Boor`s wblskors, klo.
Not 1ooo! Yoo`ro 1ooo`s socrot woopoo. 5bo woo|oo`t so||
yoo oot. No, l mooot Oolo. Obvloos|y sbo`s booo kooplog
trock oí yoo. l tblok yoo worry bor moro tboo Porcy or
1osoo or ooy oí tbo sovoo.`
lrook ío|t |lko tbo room wos tl|tlog. lo wlsboo tboro woro
oootbor cbolr to slt lo. 7bo sovoo . yoo mooo lo tbo
oocloot propbocy, tbo Loors oí Lootbº l`m ooo oí tbo
sovooº Aoo 1osoo, ooo -`
Yos, yos.` Vors wovoo bls booo lmpotloot|y. Como oo,
boy. Yoo`ro sopposoo to bo o gooo toctlcloo. 7blok lt
tbroogb! Obvloos|y yoor írlooos oro bolog groomoo íor
tbot mlssloo, too, ossomlog yoo moko lt bock írom A|osko
o|lvo. 1ooo olms to oolto tbo Orooks ooo Romoos ooo
sooo tbom ogolost tbo gloots. 5bo bo|lovos lt`s tbo oo|y
woy to stop Oolo.`
Vors sbroggoo, c|oor|y oocoovlocoo oí tbo p|oo.
Aoywoy, Oolo oooso`t woot yoo to bo ooo oí tbo sovoo.
Porcy 1ocksoo . sbo bo|lovos sbo coo cootro| blm. A|| oí
tbo otbors bovo wookoossos sbo coo oxp|olt. Bot yoo -
yoo worry bor. 5bo`o rotbor kl|| yoo rlgbt owoy. 7bot`s wby
sbo sommoooo tbo Lolstrygooloos. 7boy`vo booo boro íor
ooys, woltlog.`
lrook sbook bls booo. ¼os Vors p|oylog somo kloo oí
trlckº No woy woo|o o gooooss bo worrloo oboot lrook,
ospoclo||y wboo tboro wos somobooy |lko Porcy 1ocksoo
to worry oboot.
No wookoossosº` bo oskoo. l`m ootblog bot
wookoossos. Vy |lío oopooos oo o ploco oí wooo!`
Vors grloooo. Yoo`ro so||log yoorso|í sbort. Aoywoy,
Oolo bos tboso Lolstrygooloos coovlocoo tbot lí tboy oot
tbo |ost mombor oí yoor íoml|y - tbot bolog yoo - tboy`||
loborlt yoor íoml|y glít. ¼botbor tbot`s troo or oot, l ooo`t
koow. Bot tbo Lolstrygooloos oro boogry to try.`
lrook`s stomocb twlstoo loto o koot. Oroy boo kl||oo slx
oí tbo ogros, bot jooglog írom tbo compílros oroooo tbo
proporty, tboro woro oozoos moro - o|| woltlog to cook
lrook íor brookíost.
l`m golog to tbrow op,` bo solo.
No, yoo`ro oot.` Vors sooppoo bls ílogors, ooo lrook`s
qoooslooss olsoppooroo. Bott|o jlttors. loppoos to
ovorybooy.`
Bot my grooomotbor -`
Yoob, sbo`s booo woltlog to to|k to yoo. 7bo ogros bovo
|oít bor o|ooo so íor. 5bo`s tbo bolt, sooº Now tbot yoo`ro
boro, l lmogloo tboy`vo o|roooy smo||oo yoor prosooco.
7boy`|| ottock lo tbo morolog.`
Oot os oot oí boro, tboo!` lrook oomooooo. 5oop yoor
ílogors ooo b|ow op tbo cooolbo|s.`
lo! 7bot woo|o bo íoo. Bot l ooo`t ílgbt my klos` bott|os
íor tbom. 7bo lotos bovo c|oor looos oboot wbot jobs
bo|oog to goos, ooo wbot bos to bo oooo by morto|s. 7bls
ls yoor qoost, klo. Aoo, ob, lo coso yoo bovoo`t ílgoroo lt
oot yot, yoor spoor woo`t bo roooy to oso ogolo íor twooty-
íoor boors, so l bopo yoo`vo |oorooo bow to oso tbo íoml|y
glít. Otborwlso, yoo`ro goooo bo brookíost íor cooolbo|s.`
7bo íoml|y glít. lrook boo wootoo to to|k wltb
Orooomotbor oboot lt, bot oow bo boo oo ooo to cooso|t
bot Vors. lo storoo ot tbo wor goo, wbo wos sml|log wltb
obso|oto|y oo sympotby.
Porlc|ymooos.` lrook soooooo oot tbo woro coroío||y,
|lko o spo||log-boo cbo||oogo. lo wos my oocostor, o
Orook prloco, oo Argoooot. lo oloo ílgbtlog lorco|os.`
Vors ro||oo bls booo lo o go oo` gostoro.
lo boo oo obl|lty tbot bo|poo blm lo combot,` lrook
solo. 5omo sort oí glít írom tbo goos. Vy mom solo bo
íoogbt |lko o sworm oí boos.`
Vors |oogboo. 7roo oooogb. ¼bot o|soº`
5omobow, tbo íoml|y got to Cbloo. l tblok, |lko lo tbo
ooys oí tbo Romoo Emplro, ooo oí Porlcy|mooos`s
ooscooooots sorvoo lo o |ogloo. Vy mom osoo to to|k
oboot o goy oomoo 5oooco Oroccbos, bot bo o|so boo o
Cblooso oomo, 5oog Ooo. l tblok - wo||, tbls ls tbo port l
ooo`t koow, bot Royoo o|woys solo tboro woro mooy |ost
|ogloos. 7bo 7wo|ítb íoooooo Comp 1opltor. Voybo tboro
wos oootbor |ogloo tbot olsoppooroo loto tbo oost.`
Vors c|oppoo sl|oot|y. Not boo, klo. Evor booro oí tbo
Bott|o oí Corrbooº logo olsostor íor tbo Romoos. 7boy
íoogbt tboso goys co||oo tbo Portbloos oo tbo oostoro
boroor oí tbo omplro. llítooo tboosooo Romoos oloo. 7oo
tboosooo moro woro tokoo prlsooor.`
Aoo ooo oí tbo prlsooors wos my oocostor 5oooco
Oroccbosº`
Exoct|y,` Vors ogrooo. 7bo Portbloos pot tbo coptoroo
|ogloooolros to work, sloco tboy woro protty gooo ílgbtors.
Excopt tboo Portblo got lovoooo ogolo írom tbo otbor
olroctloo -`
By tbo Cblooso,` lrook goossoo. Aoo tbo Romoo
prlsooors got coptoroo ogolo.`
Yoob. Kloo oí omborrosslog. Aoywoy, tbot`s bow o
Romoo |ogloo got to Cbloo. 7bo Romoos ovootoo||y pot
oowo roots ooo bol|t o oow bomotowo co||oo -`
Ll-1loo,` lrook solo. Vy motbor solo tbot wos oor
oocostro| bomo. Ll-1loo. Logloo.`
Vors |ookoo p|oosoo. Now yoo`ro gottlog lt. Aoo o|o
5oooco Oroccbos, bo boo yoor íoml|y`s glít.`
Vy mom solo bo íoogbt orogoos,` lrook romomboroo.
5bo solo bo wos . bo wos tbo most poworío| orogoo oí
o||.`
lo wos gooo,` Vors oomlttoo. Not gooo oooogb to
ovolo tbo boo |ock oí bls |ogloo, bot gooo. lo sott|oo lo
Cbloo, possoo tbo íoml|y glít to bls klos, ooo so oo.
Evootoo||y yoor íoml|y omlgrotoo to Nortb Amorlco ooo
got lovo|voo wltb Comp 1opltor -`
lo|| clrc|o,` lrook ílolsboo. 1ooo solo l woo|o brlog tbo
íoml|y ío|| clrc|o.`
¼o`|| soo.` Vors oooooo ot bls grooomotbor. 5bo
wootoo to to|| yoo o|| tbls borso|í, bot l ílgoroo l`o covor
somo oí lt sloco tbo o|o blro boso`t got mocb stroogtb. 5o
oo yoo oooorstooo yoor glítº`
lrook bosltotoo. lo boo oo looo, bot lt soomoo crozy -
ovoo crozlor tboo o íoml|y movlog írom Orooco to Romo
to Cbloo to Cooooo. lo oloo`t woot to soy lt o|ooo. lo
oloo`t woot to bo wroog ooo bovo Vors |oogb ot blm. l - l
tblok so. Bot ogolost oo ormy oí tboso ogros -`
Yoob, lt`|| bo toogb.` Vors stooo ooo strotcboo. ¼boo
yoor grooomotbor wokos op lo tbo morolog, sbo`|| oííor
yoo somo bo|p. 7boo l lmogloo sbo`|| olo.`
¼botº Bot l bovo to sovo bor! 5bo coo`t jost |oovo mo.`
5bo`s |lvoo o ío|| |lío,` Vors solo. 5bo`s roooy to movo
oo. Loo`t bo so|ílsb.`
5o|ílsb!`
7bo o|o womoo oo|y stock oroooo tbls |oog oot oí o
sooso oí ooty. Yoor mom wos tbo somo woy. 7bot`s wby l
|ovoo bor. 5bo o|woys pot bor ooty ílrst, obooo oí
ovorytblog. Evoo bor |lío.`
Evoo mo.`
Vors took oíí bls soog|ossos. ¼boro bls oyos sboo|o`vo
booo, mlolotoro spboros oí ílro bol|oo |lko ooc|oor
oxp|osloos. 5o|í-plty lso`t bo|pío|, klo. lt lso`t wortby oí yoo.
Evoo wltboot tbo íoml|y glít, yoor mom govo yoo yoor
most lmportoot trolts - brovory, |oyo|ty, brolos. Now yoo`vo
got to oocloo bow to oso tbom. lo tbo morolog, |lstoo to
yoor grooomotbor. 7oko bor oovlco. Yoo coo stl|| íroo
7boootos ooo sovo tbo comp.`
Aoo |oovo my grooomotbor bobloo to olo.`
Llío ls oo|y procloos bocooso lt ooos, klo. 7oko lt írom
o goo. Yoo morto|s ooo`t koow bow |ocky yoo oro.`
Yoob,` lrook mottoroo. Roo| |ocky.`
Vors |oogboo - o borsb moto||lc soooo. Yoor mom
osoo to to|| mo tbls Cblooso provorb. Eot blttor -`
Eot blttor, tosto swoot,` lrook solo. l boto tbot provorb.`
Bot lt`s troo. ¼bot oo tboy co|| lt tboso ooys - oo polo,
oo goloº 5omo coocopt. Yoo oo tbo oosy tblog, tbo
oppoo|log tblog, tbo poocoío| tblog, most|y lt toros oot
soor lo tbo ooo. Bot lí yoo toko tbo boro potb - ob, tbot`s
bow yoo roop tbo swoot roworos. Loty. 5ocrlílco. 7boy
mooo somotblog.`
lrook wos so olsgostoo bo coo|o boro|y spook. 7bls
wos bls íotborº
5oro, lrook oooorstooo oboot bls mom bolog o boro.
lo oooorstooo sbo`o sovoo |lvos ooo booo roo||y brovo.
Bot sbo`o |oít blm o|ooo. 7bot woso`t íolr. lt woso`t rlgbt.
l`|| bo golog,` Vors promlsoo. Bot ílrst - yoo solo yoo
woro wook. 7bot`s oot troo. Yoo woot to koow wby 1ooo
sporoo yoo, lrookº ¼by tbot ploco oí wooo oloo`t boro
yotº lt`s bocooso yoo`vo got o ro|o to p|oy. Yoo tblok yoo`ro
oot os gooo os tbo otbor Romoos. Yoo tblok Porcy
1ocksoo ls bottor tboo yoo.`
lo ls,` lrook gromb|oo. lo bott|oo yoo ooo woo.`
Vors sbroggoo. Voybo. Voybo so. Bot ovory boro bos
o íoto| í|ow. Porcy 1ocksooº lo`s too |oyo| to bls írlooos.
lo coo`t glvo tbom op, oot íor ooytblog. lo wos to|o tbot,
yoors ogo. Aoo somo ooy sooo bo`s golog to íoco o
socrlílco bo coo`t moko. ¼ltboot yoo, lrook - wltboot yoor
sooso oí ooty - bo`s golog íol|. 7bo wbo|o wor wl|| go
sloowoys, ooo Oolo wl|| oostroy oor wor|o.`
lrook sbook bls booo. lo coo|oo`t boor tbls.
¼or ls o ooty,` Vors cootloooo. 7bo oo|y roo| cbolco ls
wbotbor yoo occopt lt, ooo wbot yoo ílgbt íor. 7bo |ogocy oí
Romo ls oo tbo |loo - ílvo tboosooo yoors oí |ow, oroor,
clvl|lzotloo. 7bo goos, tbo trooltloos, tbo co|toros tbot
sbopoo tbo wor|o yoo |lvo lo. lt`s o|| golog to cromb|o,
lrook, oo|oss yoo wlo tbls. l tblok tbot`s wortb ílgbtlog íor.
7blok oboot lt.`
¼bot`s mlooº` lrook oskoo.
Vors rolsoo oo oyobrow. Yoor wbotº`
loto| í|ow. Yoo solo o|| boroos bovo ooo.`
7bo goo sml|oo ory|y. Yoo gotto ooswor tbot yoorso|í,
lrook. Bot yoo`ro íloo||y osklog tbo rlgbt qoostloos. Now,
got somo s|oop. Yoo oooo tbo rost.`
7bo goo wovoo bls booo. lrook`s oyos ío|t boovy. lo
co||opsoo, ooo ovorytblog woot oork.
lol,` solo o íoml|lor volco, borsb ooo lmpotloot.
lrook b|lokoo bls oyos. 5oo|lgbt stroomoo loto tbo
room.
lol, got op. As mocb os l woo|o |lko to s|op tbot
rlolco|oos íoco oí yoors, l om lo oo coooltloo to got oot oí
boo.`
Orooomotborº`
5bo como loto íocos, |ooklog oowo ot blm írom tbo boo.
lo |oy sprow|oo oo tbo í|oor. 5omoooo boo pot o b|ookot
ovor blm oorlog tbo olgbt ooo o pl||ow oooor bls booo, bot
bo boo oo looo bow lt boo boppoooo.
Yos, my sl||y ox.` Orooomotbor stl|| |ookoo borrlb|y
wook ooo po|o, bot bor volco wos os stoo|y os ovor. Now,
got op. 7bo ogros bovo sorroooooo tbo booso. ¼o bovo
mocb to olscoss lí yoo ooo yoor írlooos oro to oscopo
boro o|lvo.`
xxxv

Frank

ONE LOOK OU7 Ol 7lE ¼lNLO¼, ooo lrook koow bo wos lo
troob|o.
At tbo oogo oí tbo |owo, tbo Lolstrygooloos woro
stocklog broozo cooooobo||s. 7bolr sklo g|oomoo roo.
7bolr sboggy bolr, tottoos ooo c|ows oloo`t |ook ooy
prottlor lo tbo morolog |lgbt.
5omo corrloo c|obs or spoors. A íow cooíosoo ogros
corrloo soríbooros, |lko tboy`o sbowo op ot tbo wroog porty.
A|| oí tbom woro lo o íostlvo mooo - glvlog oocb otbor
blgb ílvos, tylog p|ostlc blbs roooo tbolr oocks, brooklog
oot tbo kolvos ooo íorks. Ooo ogro boo ílroo op o portob|o
borbocoo ooo wos oooclog lo oo oproo tbot solo Kl55 7lE
COOK.
7bo scooo woo|o`vo booo o|most íoooy, oxcopt lrook
koow bo wos tbo molo coorso.
l`vo soot yoor írlooos to tbo ottlc,` Orooomotbor solo.
Yoo coo jolo tbom wboo wo`ro oooo.`
7bo ottlcº` lrook torooo. Yoo to|o mo l coo|o oovor go
lo tboro.`
7bot`s bocooso wo koop woopoos lo tbo ottlc, sl||y boy.
Lo yoo tblok tbls ls tbo ílrst tlmo moostors bovo ottockoo
oor íoml|yº`
¼oopoos,` lrook gromb|oo. Rlgbt. l`vo oovor booo|oo
woopoos boíoro.`
Orooomotbor`s oostrl|s í|oroo. ¼os tbot sorcosm, lol
Zboogº`
Yos, Orooomotbor.`
Oooo. 7boro moy bo bopo íor yoo yot. Now, slt. Yoo
most oot.`
5bo wovoo bor booo ot tbo olgbtstooo, wboro somoooo
boo sot o g|oss oí oroogo jolco ooo o p|oto oí poocboo
oggs ooo bocoo oo toost - lrook`s íovoorlto brookíost.
Losplto bls troob|os, lrook sooooo|y ío|t boogry. lo
|ookoo ot Orooomotbor lo ostoolsbmoot. Llo yoo -`
Voko yoo brookíostº By Booobo`s mookoy, oí coorso
oot! Aoo lt woso`t tbo booso stoíí. 7oo ooogoroos íor tbom
boro. No, yoor glr|írlooo lozo| mooo tbot íor yoo. Aoo
broogbt yoo o b|ookot ooo pl||ow |ost olgbt. Aoo plckoo
oot somo c|ooo c|otbos íor yoo lo yoor booroom. By tbo
woy, yoo sboo|o sbowor. Yoo smo|| |lko borolog borso
bolr.`
lrook opoooo ooo c|osoo bls mootb |lko o ílsb. lo
coo|oo`t moko soooos como oot. lozo| boo oooo o|| tbot
íor blmº lrook boo booo soro bo`o oostroyoo ooy cbooco
wltb bor |ost olgbt wboo bo boo sommoooo Oroy.
5bo`s . om . sbo`s oot -`
Not yoor glr|írloooº` Orooomotbor goossoo. ¼o||, sbo
sboo|o bo, yoo oo|t! Loo`t |ot bor got owoy. Yoo oooo
stroog womoo lo yoor |lío, lí yoo bovoo`t ootlcoo. Now, to
boslooss.`
lrook oto wbl|o Orooomotbor govo blm o sort oí ml|ltory
brloílog. lo tbo ooy|lgbt, bor sklo wos so troos|ocoot, bor
volos soomoo to g|ow. lor brootblog soooooo |lko o
crock|y popor bog loí|otlog ooo ooí|otlog, bot sbo spoko
wltb ílrmooss ooo c|orlty.
5bo oxp|olooo tbot tbo ogros boo booo sorroooolog tbo
booso íor tbroo ooys, woltlog íor lrook to sbow op.
7boy woot to cook yoo ooo oot yoo,` sbo solo
olstostoío||y, wblcb ls rlolco|oos. Yoo`o tosto torrlb|o.`
7book yoo, Orooomotbor.`
5bo oooooo. l oomlt, l wos somowbot p|oosoo wboo
tboy solo yoo woro comlog bock. l om g|oo to soo yoo ooo
|ost tlmo, ovoo lí yoor c|otbos oro olrty ooo yoo oooo o
bolrcot. ls tbls bow yoo roprosoot yoor íoml|yº`
l`vo booo o |ltt|o bosy, Orooomotbor.`
No oxcoso íor s|opplooss. At ooy roto, yoor írlooos
bovo s|opt ooo ootoo. 7boy oro toklog stock oí tbo
woopoos lo tbo ottlc. l to|o tbom yoo woo|o bo o|oog
sbort|y, bot tboro oro too mooy ogros to íooo oíí íor |oog.
¼o most spook oí yoor oscopo p|oo. Look lo my
olgbtstooo.`
lrook opoooo tbo orowor ooo po||oo oot o soo|oo
oovo|opo.
Yoo koow tbo olrílo|o ot tbo ooo oí tbo porkº`
Orooomotbor oskoo. Coo|o yoo íloo lt ogoloº`
lrook oooooo moto|y. lt wos oboot tbroo ml|os to tbo
oortb, oowo tbo molo rooo tbroogb tbo cooyoo.
Orooomotbor boo tokoo blm tboro somotlmos wboo sbo
woo|o cbortor p|ooos to brlog lo spoclo| sblpmoots írom
Cbloo.
7boro ls o pl|ot stooolog by to |oovo ot o momoot`s
ootlco,` Orooomotbor solo. lo ls oo o|o íoml|y írlooo. l
bovo o |ottor íor blm lo tbot oovo|opo, osklog blm to toko
yoo oortb.`
Bot -`
Lo oot orgoo, boy,` sbo mottoroo. Vors bos booo
vlsltlog mo tboso |ost íow ooys, kooplog mo compooy. lo
to|o mo oí yoor qoost. lloo Lootb lo A|osko ooo ro|ooso
blm. Lo yoor ooty.`
Bot lí l soccooo yoo`|| olo. l`|| oovor soo yoo ogolo.`
7bot ls troo,` Orooomotbor ogrooo. Bot l`|| olo ooywoy.
l`m o|o. l tboogbt l mooo tbot c|oor. Now, olo yoor prootor
glvo yoo |ottors oí lotroooctlooº`
Ub, yos, bot -`
Oooo. 5bow tboso to tbo pl|ot os wo||. lo`s o votoroo oí
tbo |ogloo. lo coso bo bos ooy ooobts, or gots co|o íoot,
tboso crooootlo|s wl|| moko blm boooor-boooo to bo|p yoo
lo ooy woy posslb|o. A|| yoo bovo to oo ls roocb tbo
olrílo|o.`
7bo booso romb|oo. Ootsloo o bo|| oí ílro oxp|oooo lo
mloolr, |lgbtlog op tbo ootlro room.
7bo ogros oro gottlog rost|oss,` Orooomotbor solo. ¼o
most borry. Now, oboot yoor powors, l bopo yoo`vo ílgoroo
tbom oot.`
Ub .`
Orooomotbor mottoroo somo corsos lo roplo-ílro
Voooorlo. Ooos oí yoor oocostors, boy! lovo yoo
|oorooo ootblogº`
Yos!` lo stommoroo oot tbo ootol|s oí bls olscossloo
wltb Vors tbo olgbt boíoro, bot bo ío|t mocb moro toogoo-
tloo lo íroot oí Orooomotbor. 7bo glít oí Porlc|ymooos . l
tblok, l tblok bo wos o soo oí Posolooo, l mooo Noptooo, l
mooo .` lrook sprooo bls booos. 7bo soo goo.`
Orooomotbor oooooo grooglog|y. lo wos tbo grooosoo
oí Posolooo, bot gooo oooogb. low olo yoor brl||loot
loto||oct orrlvo ot tbls íoctº`
A soor lo Port|ooo . bo solo somotblog oboot my
groot-groooíotbor, 5boo Loo. 7bo soor solo bo wos
b|omoo íor tbo 1000 oortbqooko tbot oostroyoo 5oo
lrooclsco ooo tbo o|o |ocotloo oí Comp 1opltor.`
Oo oo.`
At comp, tboy solo o ooscooooot oí Noptooo boo
coosoo tbo olsostor. Noptooo ls tbo goo oí oortbqookos.
Bot . bot l ooo`t tblok groot-groooíotbor octoo||y olo lt.
Cooslog oortbqookos lso`t oor glít.`
No,` Orooomotbor ogrooo. Bot, yos, bo wos b|omoo.
lo wos oopopo|or os o ooscooooot oí Noptooo. lo wos
oopopo|or bocooso bls roo| glít wos mocb stroogor tboo
cooslog oortbqookos. Aoo bo wos oopopo|or bocooso bo
wos Cblooso. A Cblooso boy boo oovor boíoro c|olmoo
Romoo b|ooo. Ao og|y trotb - bot tboro ls oo oooylog lt.
lo wos ío|so|y occosoo, íorcoo oot lo sbomo.`
5o . lí bo oloo`t oo ooytblog wroog, wby olo yoo to|| mo
to opo|oglzo íor blmº`
Orooomotbor`s cbooks í|osboo. Bocooso opo|oglzlog
íor somotblog yoo oloo`t oo ls bottor tboo oylog íor lt! l
woso`t soro lí tbo comp woo|o bo|o yoo to b|omo. l olo oot
koow lí tbo projoolco oí tbo Romoos boo oosoo.`
lrook swo||owoo oowo bls brookíost. lo`o booo toosoo
lo scboo| ooo oo tbo stroots somotlmos, bot oot tbot
mocb, ooo oovor ot Comp 1opltor. Nobooy ot comp, oot
ooco, boo mooo íoo oí blm íor bolog Asloo. Nobooy coroo
oboot tbot. 7boy oo|y mooo íoo oí blm bocooso bo wos
c|omsy ooo s|ow. lo coo|oo`t lmogloo wbot lt boo booo
|lko íor bls groot-groooíotbor, occosoo oí oostroylog tbo
ootlro comp, orommoo oot oí tbo |ogloo íor somotblog bo
oloo`t oo.
Aoo oor roo| glítº` Orooomotbor oskoo. lovo yoo ot
|oost ílgoroo oot wbot lt lsº`
lls motbor`s o|o storlos swlr|oo lo lrook`s booo.
llgbtlog |lko o sworm oí boos. lo wos tbo grootost orogoo
oí o||. lo romomboroo bls motbor`s oppoorlog ooxt to blm
lo tbo bockyoro, os lí sbo`o í|owo írom tbo ottlc. lo
romomboroo bor comlog oot oí tbo wooos, soylog tbot
sbo`o glvoo o momo grlzz|y boor olroctloos.
Yoo coo bo ooytblog,` lrook solo. 7bot`s wbot sbo
o|woys to|o mo.`
Orooomotbor boííoo. lloo||y, o olm |lgbt goos oo lo tbot
booo oí yoors. Yos, lol Zboog. Yoor motbor wos oot
slmp|y boostlog yoor so|í-ostoom. 5bo wos to||log yoo tbo
|ltoro| trotb.`
Bot .` Aootbor oxp|osloo sbook tbo booso. Col|log
p|ostor ío|| |lko soow. lrook wos so bowl|ooroo bo boro|y
ootlcoo. Aoytblogº`
¼ltblo roosoo,` Orooomotbor solo. Llvlog tblogs. lt
bo|ps lí yoo koow tbo crootoro wo||. lt o|so bo|ps lí yoo oro
lo o |lío-ooo-oootb sltootloo, socb os combot. ¼by oo yoo
|ook so sorprlsoo, lolº Yoo bovo o|woys solo yoo oro oot
comíortob|o lo yoor owo booy. ¼o o|| íoo| tbot woy - o|| oí
os wltb tbo b|ooo oí Py|os. 7bls glít wos oo|y glvoo ooco to
o morto| íoml|y. ¼o oro oolqoo omoog oomlgoos.
Posolooo most bovo booo íoo|log ospoclo||y goooroos
wboo bo b|ossoo oor oocostor - or ospoclo||y spltoío|. 7bo
glít bos oítoo provoo o corso. lt olo oot sovo yoor
motbor .`
Ootsloo, o cboor woot op írom tbo ogros. 5omoooo
sbootoo, Zboog! Zboog!`
Yoo most go, sl||y boy,` Orooomotbor solo. Oor tlmo ls
op.`
Bot - l ooo`t koow bow to oso my powor. l`vo oovor - l
coo`t -`
Yoo coo,` Orooomotbor solo. Or yoo wl|| oot sorvlvo to
roo|lzo yoor oostloy. l ooo`t |lko tbls Propbocy oí 5ovoo
tbot Vors to|o mo oboot. 5ovoo ls oo oo|ocky oombor lo
Cblooso - o gbost oombor. Bot tboro ls ootblog wo coo oo
oboot tbot. Now, go! 7omorrow ovoolog ls tbo loost oí
lortooo. Yoo bovo oo tlmo to wosto. Loo`t worry oboot mo.
l wl|| olo lo my owo tlmo, lo my owo woy. l bovo oo
lotootloo oí bolog oovooroo by tboso rlolco|oos ogros.
Oo!`
lrook torooo ot tbo ooor. lo ío|t |lko bls boort wos bolog
sqooozoo tbroogb o jolcor, bot bo bowoo íormo||y. 7book
yoo, Orooomotbor,` bo solo. l wl|| moko yoo prooo.`
5bo mottoroo somotblog oooor bor brootb. lrook
o|most tboogbt sbo boo solo, Yoo bovo.
lo storoo ot bor, oombíoooooo, bot bor oxprossloo
lmmooloto|y sooroo. 5top goplog, boy! Oo sbowor ooo
oross! Comb yoor bolr! Vy |ost lmogo oí yoo, ooo yoo
sbow mo mossy bolrº`
lo pottoo oowo bls bolr ooo bowoo ogolo.
lls |ost lmogo oí Orooomotbor wos oí bor g|orlog oot oí
tbo wlooow, os lí tbloklog oboot tbo torrlb|o sco|olog sbo
woo|o glvo tbo ogros wboo tboy lovoooo bor bomo.
xxxvl

Frank

lRANK 7OOK 7lE OUlCKE57 PO55lBLE 5lO¼ER, pot oo tbo
c|otbos lozo| boo sot oot - oo o|lvo-grooo sblrt wltb bolgo
corgo poots, roo||yº - tboo grobboo bls sporo bow ooo
qolvor ooo boooooo op tbo ottlc stolrs.
7bo ottlc wos ío|| oí woopoos. lls íoml|y boo co||octoo
oooogb oocloot ormomoots to sopp|y oo ormy. 5blo|os,
spoors ooo qolvors oí orrows boog o|oog ooo wo|| -
o|most os mooy os lo tbo Comp 1opltor ormoory. At tbo
bock wlooow, o scorploo crossbow wos moootoo ooo
|ooooo, roooy íor octloo. At tbo íroot wlooow stooo
somotblog tbot |ookoo |lko o mocbloo goo wltb o c|ostor oí
borro|s.
Rockot |ooocborº` bo wooooroo o|ooo.
Nopo, oopo,` solo o volco írom tbo coroor. Pototoos.
E||o oooso`t |lko pototoos.`
7bo borpy boo mooo o oost íor borso|í botwooo two o|o
stoomor trooks. 5bo wos slttlog lo o pl|o oí Cblooso
scro||s, rooolog sovoo or olgbt ot ooco.
E||o,` lrook solo, wboro oro tbo otborsº`
Rooí.` 5bo g|oocoo opworo, tboo rotorooo to bor
rooolog, o|torooto|y plcklog ot bor íootbors ooo torolog
pogos. Rooí. Ogro-wotcblog. E||o oooso`t |lko ogros.
Pototoos.`
Pototoosº` lrook oloo`t oooorstooo ootl| bo swlvo||oo
tbo mocbloo goo oroooo. lts olgbt borro|s woro |ooooo wltb
spoos. At tbo boso oí tbo goo, o boskot wos íl||oo wltb
moro oolb|o ommooltloo.
lo |ookoo oot oí tbo wlooow - tbo somo wlooow bls
mom boo wotcboo blm írom wboo bo boo mot tbo boor.
Lowo lo tbo yoro, tbo ogros woro ml||log oroooo, sbovlog
oocb otbor, occoslooo||y yo||log ot tbo booso, ooo
tbrowlog broozo cooooobo||s tbot oxp|oooo lo mloolr.
7boy bovo cooooobo||s,` lrook solo. Aoo wo bovo o
pototo goo.`
5torcb,` E||o solo tboogbtío||y. 5torcb ls boo íor ogros.`
7bo booso sbook írom oootbor oxp|osloo. lrook
oooooo to roocb tbo rooí ooo soo bow Porcy ooo lozo|
woro oolog, bot bo ío|t boo |oovlog E||o o|ooo.
lo koo|t ooxt to bor, coroío| oot to got too c|oso. E||o,
lt`s oot soío boro wltb tbo ogros. ¼o`ro golog to bo í|ylog to
A|osko sooo. ¼l|| yoo como wltb osº`
E||o twltcboo oocomíortob|y. A|osko. 5lx boooroo
twooty-slx tboosooo, íoor boooroo twooty-ílvo sqooro
ml|os. 5toto mommo|. tbo mooso.`
5ooooo|y sbo swltcboo to Lotlo, wblcb lrook coo|o jost
boro|y ío||ow tbooks to bls c|ossos ot Comp 1opltor. 7o
tbo oortb, boyooo tbo goos, |los tbo |ogloo`s crowo. lo||log
írom lco, tbo soo oí Noptooo sbo|| orowo -` 5bo stoppoo
ooo scrotcboo bor olsbovo||oo roo bolr. lmm. Borot. 7bo
rost ls borot.`
lrook coo|o boro|y brootbo. E||o, wos . wos tbot o
propbocyº ¼boro olo yoo rooo tbotº`
Vooso,` E||o solo, sovoorlog tbo woro. Vooso. Vooso.
Vooso.`
7bo booso sbook ogolo. Lost rolooo oowo írom tbo
roítors. Ootsloo, oo ogro bo||owoo, lrook Zboog! 5bow
yoorso|í!`
Nopo,` E||o solo. lrook sboo|oo`t. Nopo.`
1ost . stoy boro, okoyº` lrook solo. l`vo got to go bo|p
lozo| ooo Porcy.`
lo po||oo oowo tbo |oooor to tbo rooí.
Vorolog,` Porcy solo grlm|y. Boootlío| ooy, bobº`
lo woro tbo somo c|otbos os tbo ooy boíoro - jooos,
bls porp|o 7-sblrt ooo Po|ortoc jockot - bot tboy`o
obvloos|y booo írosb|y wosboo. lo bo|o bls sworo lo ooo
booo ooo o gorooo boso lo tbo otbor. ¼by tboro wos o
gorooo boso oo tbo rooí, lrook woso`t soro, bot ovory tlmo
tbo gloots soot op o cooooobo||, Porcy sommoooo o blgb-
poworoo b|ost oí wotor ooo ootoootoo tbo spboro lo
mloolr. 7boo lrook romomboroo - bls íoml|y wos
ooscooooo írom Posolooo, too. Orooomotbor boo solo
tbolr booso boo booo ottockoo boíoro. Voybo tboy boo
pot o boso op boro íor jost tbot roosoo.
lozo| potro||oo tbo wloow`s wo|k botwooo tbo two ottlc
gob|os. 5bo |ookoo so gooo lt mooo lrook`s cbost bort.
5bo woro jooos, o croom-co|ooroo jockot ooo o wblto sblrt
tbot mooo bor sklo |ook os worm os cocoo. lor cor|y bolr
ío|| oroooo bor sboo|oors. ¼boo sbo como c|oso, lrook
coo|o smo|| josmloo sbompoo.
5bo grlppoo bor sworo. ¼boo sbo g|oocoo ot lrook, bor
oyos í|osboo wltb coocoro. Aro yoo okoyº` sbo oskoo.
¼by oro yoo sml|logº`
Ob, ob, ootblog,` bo mooogoo. 7books íor brookíost.
Aoo tbo c|otbos. Aoo . oot botlog mo.`
lozo| |ookoo boíí|oo. ¼by woo|o l boto yooº`
lrook`s íoco borooo. lo wlsboo bo`o kopt bls mootb
sbot, bot lt wos too |oto oow. Loo`t |ot bor got owoy, bls
grooomotbor boo solo. Yoo oooo stroog womoo.
lt`s jost . |ost olgbt,` bo stommoroo. ¼boo l
sommoooo tbo sko|otoo. l tboogbt . l tboogbt tbot yoo
tboogbt . l wos ropo|slvo . or somotblog.`
lozo| rolsoo bor oyobrows. 5bo sbook bor booo lo
olsmoy. lrook, moybo l wos sorprlsoo. Voybo l wos
scoroo oí tbot tblog. Bot ropo|sooº 7bo woy yoo
commooooo lt, so cooílooot ooo ovorytblog - |lko, Ob, by
tbo woy, goys, l bovo tbls o||-poworío| sportos wo coo oso. l
coo|oo`t bo|lovo lt. l woso`t ropo|soo, lrook. l wos
lmprossoo.`
lrook woso`t soro bo`o booro bor rlgbt. Yoo
woro . lmprossoo . by moº`
Porcy |oogboo. Looo, lt wos protty omozlog.`
looostº` lrook oskoo.
looost,` lozo| promlsoo. Bot rlgbt oow wo bovo otbor
prob|oms to worry oboot. Okoyº`
5bo gostoroo ot tbo ormy oí ogros, wbo woro gottlog
locrooslog|y bo|o, sboíí|log c|osor ooo c|osor to tbo
booso.
Porcy roooloo tbo gorooo boso. l`vo got ooo moro trlck
op my s|oovo. Yoor |owo bos o sprlok|or systom. l coo
b|ow lt op ooo cooso somo cooíosloo oowo tboro, bot
tbot`|| oostroy yoor wotor prossoro. No prossoro, oo boso,
ooo tboso cooooobo||s oro golog to p|oogb rlgbt loto tbo
booso.`
lozo|`s prolso wos stl|| rloglog lo lrook`s oors, moklog lt
olíílco|t to tblok. Lozoos oí ogros woro compoo oo bls
|owo, woltlog to toor blm oport, ooo lrook coo|o boro|y
cootro| tbo orgo to grlo.
lozo| oloo`t boto blm. 5bo wos lmprossoo.
lo íorcoo blmso|í to coocootroto. lo romomboroo wbot
bls grooomotbor boo to|o blm oboot tbo ootoro oí bls glít,
ooo bow bo boo to |oovo bor boro to olo.
Yoo`vo got o ro|o to p|oy, Vors boo solo.
lrook coo|oo`t bo|lovo bo wos 1ooo`s socrot woopoo, or
tbot tbls blg Propbocy oí tbo 5ovoo oopooooo oo blm. Bot
lozo| ooo Porcy woro coootlog oo blm. lo boo to oo bls
bost.
lo tboogbt oboot tbot wolro portlo| propbocy E||o boo
rocltoo lo tbo ottlc, oboot tbo soo oí Noptooo orowolog.
Yoo ooo`t oooorstooo bor troo vo|oo, Pblooos boo to|o
tbom lo Port|ooo. 7bo o|o b|loo moo boo tboogbt tbot
cootro||log E||o woo|o moko blm o klog.
A|| tboso pozz|o plocos swlr|oo oroooo lo lrook`s mloo.
lo got tbo íoo|log tbot wboo tboy íloo||y cooooctoo, tboy
woo|o crooto o plctoro bo oloo`t |lko.
Ooys, l`vo got oo oscopo p|oo.` lo to|o bls írlooos oboot
tbo p|ooo woltlog ot tbo olrílo|o, ooo bls grooomotbor`s
ooto íor tbo pl|ot. lo`s o |ogloo votoroo. lo`|| bo|p os.`
Bot Arloo`s oot bock,` lozo| solo. Aoo wbot oboot yoor
grooomotborº ¼o coo`t jost |oovo bor.`
lrook cbokoo bock o sob. Voybo - moybo Arloo wl||
íloo os. As íor my grooomotbor . sbo wos protty c|oor.
5bo solo sbo`o bo okoy.`
lt woso`t oxoct|y tbo trotb, bot lt wos os mocb os lrook
coo|o mooogo.
7boro`s oootbor prob|om,` Porcy solo. l`m oot gooo wltb
olr trovo|. lt`s ooogoroos íor o soo oí Noptooo.`
Yoo`|| bovo to rlsk lt . ooo so wl|| l,` lrook solo. By tbo
woy, wo`ro ro|otoo.`
Porcy o|most stomb|oo oíí tbo rooí. ¼botº`
lrook govo tbom tbo ílvo-socooo vorsloo.
Porlc|ymooos. Aocostor oo my mom`s sloo. Argoooot.
Orooosoo oí Posolooo.`
lozo|`s mootb ío|| opoo. Yoo`ro o - o ooscooooot oí
Noptoooº lrook, tbot`s -`
Crozyº Yoob. Aoo tboro`s tbls obl|lty my íoml|y bos,
sopposoo|y. Bot l ooo`t koow bow to oso lt. lí l coo`t ílgoro lt
oot -`
Aootbor mosslvo cboor woot op írom tbo
Lolstrygooloos. lrook roo|lzoo tboy woro storlog op ot
blm, polotlog ooo wovlog ooo |oogblog. 7boy boo spottoo
tbolr brookíost.
Zboog!` tboy yo||oo. Zboog!`
lozo| stoppoo c|osor to blm. 7boy koop oolog tbot.
¼by oro tboy yo||log yoor oomoº`
Novor mloo,` lrook solo. Llstoo, wo`vo got to protoct
E||o, toko bor wltb os.`
Oí coorso,` lozo| solo. 7bo poor tblog oooos oor bo|p.`
No,` lrook solo. l mooo yos, bot lt`s oot jost tbot. 5bo
rocltoo o propbocy oowostolrs. l tblok . l tblok lt wos
oboot tbls qoost.`
lo oloo`t woot to to|| Porcy tbo boo oows, oboot o soo oí
Noptooo orowolog, bot bo ropootoo tbo |loos.
Porcy`s jow tlgbtoooo. l ooo`t koow bow o soo oí
Noptooo coo orowo. l coo brootbo oooorwotor. Bot tbo
crowo oí tbo |ogloo -`
7bot`s got to bo tbo oog|o,` lozo| solo.
Porcy oooooo. Aoo E||o rocltoo somotblog |lko tbls
ooco boíoro, lo Port|ooo - o |loo írom tbo o|o Oroot
Propbocy.`
7bo wbotº` lrook oskoo.
7o|| yoo |otor.` Porcy torooo bls gorooo boso ooo sbot
oootbor cooooobo|| oot oí tbo sky.
lt oxp|oooo lo oo oroogo ílrobo||. 7bo ogros c|oppoo
wltb opproclotloo ooo yo||oo, Protty! Protty!`
7bo tblog ls,` lrook solo, E||o romombors ovorytblog
sbo rooos. 5bo solo somotblog oboot tbo pogo bolog
borooo, |lko sbo`o rooo o oomogoo toxt oí propboclos.`
lozo|`s oyos wlooooo. Borooo books oí propbocyº Yoo
ooo`t tblok - bot tbot`s lmposslb|o!`
7bo books Octovloo wootoo, bock ot compº` Porcy
goossoo.
lozo| wblst|oo oooor bor brootb. 7bo |ost 5lby||loo
books tbot oot|looo tbo ootlro oostloy oí Romo. lí E||o
octoo||y rooo o copy somobow, ooo momorlzoo lt -`
7boo sbo`s tbo most vo|oob|o borpy lo tbo wor|o,` lrook
solo. No woooor Pblooos wootoo to coptoro bor.`
lrook Zboog!` oo ogro sbootoo írom bo|ow. lo wos
blggor tboo tbo rost, woorlog o |loo`s copo |lko o Romoo
stooooro booror ooo o p|ostlc blb wltb o |obstor oo lt.
Como oowo, soo oí Vors! ¼o`vo booo woltlog íor yoo.
Como, bo oor booooroo goost!`
lozo| grlppoo lrook`s orm. ¼by oo l got tbo íoo|log
tbot ºbooooroo goost' mooos tbo somo tblog os ºolooor'º`
lrook wlsboo Vors woro stl|| tboro. lo coo|o oso
somobooy to soop bls ílogors ooo moko bls bott|o jlttors
go owoy.
lozo| bo|lovos lo mo, bo tboogbt. l coo oo tbls.
lo |ookoo ot Porcy. Coo yoo orlvoº`
5oro. ¼byº`
Orooomotbor`s cor ls lo tbo gorogo. lt`s oo o|o Cool||oc.
7bo tblog ls |lko o took. lí yoo coo got lt stortoo -`
¼o`|| stl|| bovo to brook tbroogb o |loo oí ogros,` lozo|
solo.
7bo sprlok|or systom,` Porcy solo. Uso lt os o
olstroctlooº`
Exoct|y,` lrook solo. l`|| boy yoo os mocb tlmo os l coo.
Oot E||o, ooo got lo tbo cor. l`|| try to moot yoo lo tbo
gorogo, bot ooo`t wolt íor mo.`
Porcy írowooo. lrook -`
Olvo os yoor ooswor, lrook Zboog!` tbo ogro yo||oo op.
Como oowo, ooo wo wl|| sporo tbo otbors - yoor írlooos,
yoor poor o|o groooy. ¼o oo|y woot yoo!`
7boy`ro |ylog,` Porcy mottoroo.
Yoob, l got tbot,` lrook ogrooo. Oo!`
lls írlooos roo íor tbo |oooor.
lrook trloo to cootro| tbo bootlog oí bls boort. lo
grloooo ooo yo||oo, loy, oowo tboro! ¼bo`s boogryº` 7bo
ogros cbooroo os lrook pocoo o|oog tbo wloow`s wo|k ooo
wovoo |lko o rock stor.
lrook trloo to sommoo bls íoml|y powor. lo lmoglooo
blmso|í os o ílro-brootblog orogoo. lo strolooo ooo
c|oocboo bls ílst ooo tboogbt oboot orogoos so boro,
booos oí swoot poppoo op oo bls íorobooo. lo wootoo to
swoop oowo oo tbo ooomy ooo oostroy tbom. 7bot woo|o
bo oxtromo|y coo|. Bot ootblog boppoooo. lo boo oo c|oo
bow to cboogo blmso|í. lo boo oovor ovoo sooo o roo|
orogoo. lor o poolcky momoot, bo wooooroo lí
Orooomotbor boo p|oyoo somo sort oí croo| joko oo blm.
Voybo bo`o mlsoooorstooo tbo glít. Voybo lrook wos tbo
oo|y mombor oí tbo íoml|y wbo booo`t loborltoo lt. 7bot
woo|o bo jost bls |ock.
7bo ogros stortoo to bocomo rost|oss. 7bo cboorlog
torooo to cotco||s. A íow Lolstrygooloos boítoo tbolr
cooooobo||s.
lo|o oo!` lrook yo||oo. Yoo ooo`t woot to cbor mo, oo
yooº l woo`t tosto vory gooo tbot woy.`
Como oowo!` tboy yo||oo. loogry!`
7lmo íor P|oo B. lrook jost wlsboo bo boo ooo.
Lo yoo promlso to sporo my írlooosº` lrook oskoo. Lo
yoo swoor oo tbo Rlvor 5tyxº`
7bo ogros |oogboo. Ooo tbrow o cooooobo|| tbot orcoo
ovor lrook`s booo ooo b|ow op tbo cblmooy. By somo
mlroc|o, lrook woso`t blt wltb sbropoo|.
l`|| toko tbot os o oo,` bo mottoroo. 7boo bo sbootoo
oowo. Okoy, íloo! Yoo wlo! l`|| bo rlgbt oowo. ¼olt tboro!`
7bo ogros cbooroo, bot tbolr |oooor lo tbo |loo-sklo
copo scow|oo sosplcloos|y. lrook woo|oo`t bovo mocb
tlmo. lo ooscooooo tbo |oooor loto tbo ottlc. E||o wos
gooo. lo bopoo tbot wos o gooo slgo. Voybo tboy`o got
bor to tbo cool||oc. lo grobboo oo oxtro qolvor oí orrows
|obo||oo A55OR7EL VARlE7lE5 lo bls motbor`s ooot prlotlog.
7boo bo roo to tbo mocbloo goo.
lo swlvo||oo tbo borro|, took olm ot tbo |ooo ogro, ooo
prossoo tbo trlggor. Elgbt blgb-poworoo spoos b|ostoo tbo
gloot lo tbo cbost, propo||log blm bockworos wltb socb
íorco tbot bo crosboo loto o stock oí broozo cooooobo||s,
wblcb prompt|y oxp|oooo, |oovlog o smoklog crotor lo tbo
yoro.
Apporoot|y storcb wos boo íor ogros.
¼bl|o tbo rost oí tbo moostors roo oroooo lo cooíosloo,
lrook po||oo bls bow ooo rolooo orrows oo tbom. 5omo oí
tbo mlssl|os ootoootoo oo lmpoct. Otbors sp|lotoroo |lko
bocksbot ooo |oít tbo gloots wltb somo poloío| oow tottoos.
Ooo blt oo ogro ooo lostoot|y torooo blm loto o pottoo
rosobosb.
Uoíortoooto|y, tbo ogros rocovoroo qolck|y. 7boy bogoo
tbrowlog cooooobo||s - oozoos ot o tlmo. 7bo wbo|o
booso grooooo oooor tbo lmpoct. lrook roo íor tbo stolrs.
7bo ottlc olslotogrotoo bobloo blm. 5moko ooo ílro
pooroo oowo tbo socooo-í|oor bo||woy.
Orooomotbor!` bo crloo, bot tbo boot wos so lotooso, bo
coo|oo`t roocb bor room. lo rocoo to tbo groooo í|oor,
c|loglog to tbo boolstor os tbo booso sbook ooo bogo
cbooks oí tbo col|log co||opsoo.
7bo boso oí tbo stolrcoso wos o smoklog crotor. lo
|oopoo ovor lt ooo stomb|oo tbroogb tbo kltcboo. Cboklog
írom tbo osb ooo soot, bo borst loto tbo gorogo. 7bo
Cool||oc`s booo|lgbts woro oo. 7bo oogloo wos rooolog
ooo tbo gorogo ooor wos opoolog.
Oot lo!` Porcy yo||oo.
lrook olvoo lo tbo bock ooxt to lozo|. E||o wos cor|oo
op lo tbo íroot, bor booo tockoo oooor bor wlogs,
mottorlog, Ylkos. Ylkos. Ylkos.`
Porcy gooooo tbo oogloo. 7boy sbot oot oí tbo gorogo
boíoro lt wos ío||y opoo, |oovlog o Cool||oc-sbopoo bo|o oí
sp|lotoroo wooo.
7bo ogros roo to lotorcopt, bot Porcy sbootoo ot tbo top
oí bls |oogs, ooo tbo lrrlgotloo systom oxp|oooo. A
boooroo goysors sbot loto tbo olr o|oog wltb c|oos oí oortb,
plocos oí plpo ooo vory boovy sprlok|or booos.
7bo Cool||oc wos golog oboot íorty wboo tboy blt tbo
ílrst ogro, wbo olslotogrotoo oo lmpoct. By tbo tlmo tbo
otbor moostors ovorcomo tbolr cooíosloo, tbo Cool||oc
wos bo|í o ml|o oowo tbo rooo. l|omlog cooooobo||s borst
bobloo tbom.
lrook g|oocoo bock ooo sow bls íoml|y moosloo oo ílro,
tbo wo||s co||opslog loworo ooo smoko bl||owlog loto tbo
sky. lo sow o |orgo b|ock spock - moybo o bozzoro -
clrc|log op írom tbo ílro. lt mlgbt`vo booo lrook`s
lmoglootloo, bot bo tboogbt lt boo í|owo oot oí tbo socooo-
storoy wlooow.
Orooomotborº` bo mormoroo.
lt soomoo lmposslb|o, bot sbo boo promlsoo sbo woo|o
olo lo bor owo woy, oot ot tbo booos oí tbo ogros. lrook
bopoo sbo boo booo rlgbt.
7boy orovo tbroogb tbo wooos ooo booooo oortb.
Aboot tbroo ml|os!` lrook solo. Yoo coo`t mlss lt!`
Bobloo tbom, moro oxp|osloos rlppoo tbroogb tbo
íorost. 5moko bol|oo loto tbo sky.
low íost coo Lolstrygooloos rooº` lozo| oskoo.
Lot`s oot íloo oot,` Porcy solo.
7bo gotos oí tbo olrílo|o oppooroo boíoro tbom - oo|y o
íow boooroo yoros owoy. A prlvoto jot lo|oo oo tbo roowoy.
lts stolrs woro oowo.
7bo Cool||oc blt o potbo|o ooo woot olrboroo. lrook`s
booo s|ommoo loto tbo col|log. ¼boo tbo wboo|s toocboo
tbo groooo, Porcy í|ooroo tbo brokos, ooo tboy sworvoo to
o stop jost losloo tbo gotos.
lrook c|lmboo oot ooo orow bls bow. Oot to tbo p|ooo!
7boy`ro comlog!`
7bo Lolstrygooloos woro c|oslog lo wltb o|ormlog
spooo. 7bo ílrst |loo oí ogros borst oot oí tbo wooos ooo
borro||oo toworos tbo olrílo|o - ílvo boooroo yoros owoy,
íoor boooroo yoros .
Porcy ooo lozo| mooogoo to got E||o oot oí tbo
Cool||oc, bot os sooo os tbo borpy sow tbo oorop|ooo, sbo
bogoo to sbrlok.
N-o-oo!` sbo yo|poo. l|y wltb wlogs! N-o-oo
oorop|ooos.`
lt`s okoy,` lozo| promlsoo. ¼o`|| protoct yoo!`
E||o mooo o borrlb|o, poloío| wol| |lko sbo wos bolog
borooo.
Porcy bo|o op bls booos lo oxosporotloo. ¼bot oo wo
ooº ¼o coo`t íorco bor.`
No,` lrook ogrooo. 7bo ogros woro tbroo boooroo yoros
oot.
5bo`s too vo|oob|o to |oovo bobloo,` lozo| solo. 7boo
sbo wlocoo ot bor owo woros. Ooos, l`m sorry, E||o. l
soooo os boo os Pblooos. Yoo`ro o |lvlog tblog, oot o
troosoro.`
No p|ooos. N-o-oo p|ooos.` E||o wos byporvootl|otlog.
7bo ogros woro o|most lo tbrowlog olstooco.
Porcy`s oyos |lt op. l`vo got oo looo. E||o, coo yoo bloo
lo tbo wooosº ¼l|| yoo bo soío írom tbo ogrosº`
lloo,` sbo ogrooo. 5oío. llolog ls gooo íor borplos.
E||o ls qolck. Aoo smo||. Aoo íost.`
Okoy,` Porcy solo. 1ost stoy oroooo tbls oroo. l coo
sooo o írlooo to moot yoo ooo toko yoo to Comp 1opltor.`
lrook oos|oog bls bow ooo oockoo oo orrow. A írloooº`
Porcy wovoo bls booo lo o to|| yoo |otor gostoro. E||o,
woo|o yoo |lko tbotº ¼oo|o yoo |lko my írlooo to toko yoo
to Comp 1opltor ooo sbow yoo oor bomoº`
Comp,` E||o mottoroo. 7boo lo Lotlo. º¼lsoom`s
ooogbtor wo|ks o|ooo, tbo Vork oí Atbooo boros tbroogb
Romo.'`
Ub, rlgbt,` Porcy solo. 7bot soooos lmportoot, bot wo
coo to|k oboot tbot |otor. Yoo`|| bo soío ot comp. A|| tbo
books ooo íooo yoo woot.`
No p|ooos,` sbo loslstoo.
No p|ooos,` Porcy ogrooo.
E||o wl|| bloo oow.` 1ost |lko tbot, sbo wos gooo - o roo
strook olsoppoorlog loto tbo wooos.
l`|| mlss bor,` lozo| solo soo|y.
¼o`|| soo bor ogolo,` Porcy promlsoo, bot bo írowooo
oooosl|y, os lí bo woro roo||y troob|oo by tbot |ost blt oí
propbocy - tbo tblog oboot Atbooo.
Ao oxp|osloo soot tbo olrílo|o`s goto sploolog loto tbo
olr.
lrook tossoo bls grooomotbor`s |ottor to Porcy. 5bow
tbot to tbo pl|ot! 5bow blm yoor |ottor írom Royoo too!
¼o`vo got to toko oíí oow.`
Porcy oooooo. lo ooo lozo| roo íor tbo p|ooo.
lrook took covor bobloo tbo Cool||oc ooo stortoo ílrlog
ot tbo ogros. lo torgotoo tbo |orgost c|omp oí ooomlos
ooo sbot o to|lp-sbopoo orrow. 1ost os bo`o bopoo, lt wos o
byoro. Ropos |osboo oot |lko sqolo tootoc|os, ooo tbo
ootlro íroot row oí ogros p|oogboo íoco ílrst loto tbo
groooo.
lrook booro tbo p|ooo`s oogloos rov.
lo sbot tbroo moro orrows os íost os bo coo|o, b|ostlog
ooormoos crotors lo tbo ogros` rooks. 7bo sorvlvors woro
oo|y o boooroo yoros owoy, ooo somo oí tbo brlgbtor ooos
stomb|oo to o stop, roo|lzlog tbot tboy woro oow wltblo
bor|log roogo.
lrook!` lozo| sbrlokoo. Como oo!`
A ílory cooooobo|| bort|oo toworos blm lo o s|ow orc.
lrook koow lostoot|y lt wos golog to blt tbo p|ooo. lo
oockoo oo orrow. l coo oo tbls, bo tboogbt. lo |ot tbo orrow
í|y. lt lotorcoptoo tbo cooooobo|| mloolr, ootoootlog o
mosslvo ílrobo||.
Aootbor two cooooobo||s sol|oo toworos blm. lrook roo.
Bobloo blm, moto| grooooo os tbo Cool||oc oxp|oooo.
lo olvoo loto tbo p|ooo jost os tbo stolrs stortoo to rlso.
7bo pl|ot most`vo oooorstooo tbo sltootloo jost íloo.
7boro wos oo soíoty oooooocomoot, oo pro-í|lgbt orlok
ooo oo woltlog íor c|oorooco. lo posboo tbo tbrott|o, ooo
tbo p|ooo sbot oowo tbo roowoy. Aootbor b|ost rlppoo
tbroogb tbo roowoy bobloo tbom, bot tboo tboy woro lo tbo
olr.
lrook |ookoo oowo ooo sow tbo olrstrlp rloo|oo wltb
crotors |lko o ploco oí borolog 5wlss cbooso. 5wotbos oí
Lyoo Cooyoo Pork woro oo ílro. A íow ml|os to tbo sootb, o
swlr|log pyro oí í|omos ooo b|ock smoko wos o|| tbot
romolooo oí tbo Zboog íoml|y moosloo.
5o mocb íor lrook bolog lmprosslvo. lo`o íol|oo to
sovo bls grooomotbor. lo`o íol|oo to oso bls powors. lo
booo`t ovoo sovoo tbolr borpy írlooo. ¼boo Voocoovor
olsoppooroo lo tbo c|ooos bo|ow, lrook borloo bls booo lo
bls booos ooo stortoo to cry.
7bo p|ooo bookoo to tbo |oít.
Ovor tbo lotorcom, tbo pl|ot`s volco solo, 5oootos
Popo|osqoo Romooos, my írlooos. ¼o|como obooro.
Noxt stop. Aocborogo, A|osko.`
xxxvll

Percy

AEROPLANE5 OR CANNlBAL5º NO CON7E57.
Porcy woo|o`vo proíorroo orlvlog Orooomo Zboog`s
Cool||oc o|| tbo woy to A|osko wltb ílrobo||-tbrowlog ogros
oo bls tol| rotbor tboo slttlog lo o |oxory Oo|ístroom.
lo`o í|owo boíoro. 7bo ootol|s woro bozy, bot bo
romomboroo o pogosos oomoo B|ockjock. lo`o ovoo
booo lo o p|ooo ooco or twlco. Bot o soo oí Noptooo
(Posolooo, wbotovor) oloo`t bo|oog lo tbo olr. Evory tlmo
tbo p|ooo blt o spot oí torbo|ooco, Porcy`s boort rocoo, ooo
bo wos soro 1opltor wos s|opplog tbom oroooo.
lo trloo to íocos os lrook ooo lozo| to|koo. lozo| wos
roossorlog lrook tbot bo`o oooo ovorytblog bo coo|o íor
bls grooomotbor. lrook boo sovoo tbom írom tbo
Lolstrygooloos ooo got tbom oot oí Voocoovor. lo`o booo
locroolb|y brovo.
lrook kopt bls booo oowo |lko bo wos osbomoo to bovo
booo crylog, bot Porcy oloo`t b|omo blm. 7bo poor goy
boo jost |ost bls grooomotbor ooo sooo bls booso go op
lo í|omos. As íor os Porcy wos coocorooo, sbooolog o íow
toors oboot somotblog |lko tbot oloo`t moko yoo ooy |oss
oí o moo, ospoclo||y wboo yoo boo jost íooooo oíí oo ormy
oí ogros tbot wootoo to oot yoo íor brookíost.
Porcy stl|| coo|oo`t got ovor tbo íoct tbot lrook wos o
olstoot ro|otlvo. lrook woo|o bo bls . wbotº Oroot-tlmos-
o-tboosooo oopbowº 7oo wolro íor woros.
lrook roíosoo to oxp|olo oxoct|y wbot bls íoml|y glít`
wos, bot os tboy í|ow oortb, lrook olo to|| tbom oboot bls
coovorsotloo wltb Vors tbo olgbt boíoro. lo oxp|olooo tbo
propbocy 1ooo boo lssooo wboo bo wos o boby - oboot
bls |lío bolog tloo to o ploco oí ílrowooo, ooo bow bo boo
oskoo lozo| to koop lt íor blm.
5omo oí tbot, Porcy boo o|roooy ílgoroo oot. lozo| ooo
lrook boo obvloos|y sboroo somo crozy oxporloocos
wboo tboy boo b|ockoo oot togotbor, ooo tboy`o mooo
somo sort oí ooo|. lt o|so oxp|olooo wby ovoo oow, oot oí
boblt, lrook kopt cbocklog bls coot pockot, ooo wby bo
wos so oorvoos oroooo ílro. 5tl||, Porcy coo|oo`t lmogloo
wbot kloo oí coorogo lt boo tokoo íor lrook to ombork oo o
qoost, koowlog tbot ooo smo|| í|omo coo|o sooíí oot bls
|lío.
lrook,` bo solo, l`m prooo to bo ro|otoo to yoo.`
lrook`s oors torooo roo. ¼ltb bls booo |oworoo, bls
ml|ltory bolrcot mooo o sborp b|ock orrow polotlog oowo.
1ooo bos somo sort oí p|oo íor os, oboot tbo Propbocy oí
5ovoo.`
Yoob,` Porcy gromb|oo. l oloo`t |lko bor os loro. l ooo`t
|lko bor ooy bottor os 1ooo.`
lozo| tockoo bor íoot ooooroootb bor. 5bo stooloo
Porcy wltb bor |omlooscoot go|ooo oyos, ooo bo
wooooroo bow sbo coo|o bo so co|m. 5bo wos tbo
yooogost ooo oo tbo qoost, bot sbo wos o|woys bo|olog
tbom togotbor ooo comíortlog tbom. Now tboy woro í|ylog
to A|osko, wboro sbo boo oloo ooco boíoro. 7boy woo|o try
to íroo 7boootos, wbo mlgbt toko bor bock to tbo
Uooorwor|o. Yot sbo oloo`t sbow ooy íoor. lt mooo Porcy
íoo| sl||y íor bolog scoroo oí oorop|ooo torbo|ooco.
Yoo`ro o soo oí Posolooo, oroo`t yooº` sbo oskoo. Yoo
oro o Orook oomlgoo.`
Porcy grlppoo bls |ootbor oock|oco. l stortoo to
romombor lo Port|ooo, oítor tbo gorgoo`s b|ooo. lt`s booo
comlog bock to mo s|ow|y sloco tboo. 7boro`s oootbor
comp - Comp lo|í-B|ooo.`
1ost soylog tbo oomo mooo Porcy íoo| worm losloo.
Oooo momorlos wosboo ovor blm. tbo smo|| oí strowborry
ílo|os lo tbo worm sommor soo, ílroworks |lgbtlog op tbo
boocb oo tbo loortb oí 1o|y, sotyrs p|oylog pooplpos ot
tbo olgbt|y compílro ooo o klss ot tbo bottom oí tbo coooo
|oko.
lozo| ooo lrook storoo ot blm os tboogb bo`o s|lppoo
loto oootbor |oogoogo.
Aootbor comp,` lozo| ropootoo. A Orook compº Ooos,
lí Octovloo íoooo oot -`
lo`o ooc|oro wor,` lrook solo. lo`s o|woys booo soro
tbo Orooks woro oot tboro, p|ottlog ogolost os. lo tboogbt
Porcy wos o spy.`
7bot`s wby 1ooo soot mo,` Porcy solo. Ub, l mooo, oot
to spy. l tblok lt wos somo kloo oí oxcboogo. Yoor írlooo
1osoo - l tblok bo wos soot to my comp. lo my orooms, l
sow o oomlgoo tbot mlgbt bovo booo blm. lo wos worklog
wltb somo otbor oomlgoos oo tbls í|ylog worsblp. l tblok
tboy`ro comlog to Comp 1opltor to bo|p.`
lrook toppoo oorvoos|y oo tbo bock oí bls soot. Vors
solo 1ooo woots to oolto tbo Orooks ooo Romoos to ílgbt
Oolo. Bot, jooz - Orooks ooo Romoos bovo o |oog blstory
oí boo b|ooo.`
lozo| took o ooop brootb. 7bot`s probob|y wby tbo goos
bovo kopt os oport tbls |oog. lí o Orook worsblp oppooroo
lo tbo sky obovo Comp 1opltor, ooo Royoo oloo`t koow lt
wos írlooo|y -`
Yoob,` Porcy ogrooo. ¼o`vo got to bo coroío| bow wo
oxp|olo tbls wboo wo got bock.`
lí wo got bock,` lrook solo.
Porcy oooooo ro|octoot|y. l mooo, l trost yoo goys. l
bopo yoo trost mo. l íoo| . wo||, l íoo| os c|oso to yoo two
os to ooy oí my o|o írlooos ot Comp lo|í-B|ooo. Bot wltb
tbo otbor oomlgoos, ot botb comps - tboro`s golog to bo o
|ot oí sosplcloo.`
lozo| olo somotblog bo woso`t oxpoctlog. 5bo |ooooo
ovor ooo klssoo blm oo tbo cbook. lt wos toto||y o slstor|y
klss. Bot sbo sml|oo wltb socb oííoctloo tbot lt wormoo
Porcy rlgbt oowo to bls íoot.
Oí coorso wo trost yoo,` sbo solo. ¼o`ro o íoml|y oow.
Aroo`t wo, lrookº`
5oro,` bo solo. Lo l got o klssº`
lozo| |oogboo, bot tboro wos oorvoos toosloo lo lt.
Aoywoy, wbot oo wo oo oowº`
Porcy took o ooop brootb. 7lmo wos s|lpplog owoy.
7boy woro o|most bo|íwoy tbroogb 1ooo twooty-tblro, ooo
tomorrow wos tbo loost oí lortooo. l`vo got to cootoct o
írlooo - to koop my promlso to E||o.`
lowº` lrook solo. Ooo oí tboso lrls-mossogosº`
5tl|| oot worklog,` Porcy solo soo|y. l trloo lt |ost olgbt ot
yoor grooomotbor`s booso. No |ock. Voybo lt`s bocooso
my momorlos oro stl|| jomb|oo. Or tbo goos oroo`t o||owlog
o cooooctloo. l`m boplog l coo cootoct my írlooo lo my
orooms.`
Aootbor bomp oí torbo|ooco mooo blm grob bls soot.
Bo|ow tbom, soowcoppoo moootolos broko tbroogb o
b|ookot oí c|ooos.
l`m oot soro l coo s|oop,` Porcy solo. Bot l oooo to try.
¼o coo`t |oovo E||o by borso|í wltb tboso ogros oroooo.`
Yoob,` lrook solo. ¼o`vo stl|| got boors to í|y. 7oko tbo
coocb, moo.`
Porcy oooooo. lo ío|t |ocky to bovo lozo| ooo lrook
wotcblog oot íor blm. ¼bot bo`o solo to tbom wos troo - bo
trostoo tbom. lo tbo wolro, torrlíylog, borrlb|o oxporlooco oí
|oslog bls momory ooo gottlog rlppoo oot oí bls o|o |lío -
lozo| ooo lrook woro tbo brlgbt spots.
lo strotcboo oot, c|osoo bls oyos ooo oroomoo bo wos
ío||log írom o moootolo oí lco toworos o co|o soo.
7bo oroom sblítoo. lo wos bock lo Voocoovor, stooolog
lo íroot oí tbo rolos oí tbo Zboog moosloo. 7bo
Lolstrygooloos woro gooo. 7bo moosloo wos rooocoo to o
borot-oot sbo||. A crow oí ílroílgbtors wos pocklog op tbolr
oqolpmoot, gottlog roooy to movo oot. 7bo |owo |ookoo
|lko o wor zooo, wltb smoklog crotors ooo troocbos írom
tbo b|owo-oot lrrlgotloo plpos.
At tbo oogo oí tbo íorost, o gloot sboggy b|ock oog wos
boooolog oroooo, solíílog tbo troos. 7bo ílroílgbtors
comp|oto|y lgooroo blm.
Bosloo ooo oí tbo crotors koo|t o Cyc|ops lo ovorslzoo
jooos, boots ooo o mosslvo í|oooo| sblrt. lls mossy browo
bolr wos spottoroo wltb rolo ooo moo. ¼boo bo rolsoo bls
booo, bls blg browo oyo wos roo írom crylog.
C|oso!` bo mooooo. 5o c|oso, bot gooo!`
lt broko Porcy`s boort to boor tbo polo ooo worry lo tbo
blg goy`s volco, bot bo koow tboy oo|y boo o íow socooos
to to|k. 7bo oogos oí tbo vlsloo woro o|roooy olsso|vlog. lí
A|osko wos tbo |ooo boyooo tbo goos, Porcy ílgoroo tbo
íortbor oortb bo woot, tbo boroor lt woo|o bo to
commoolcoto wltb bls írlooos, ovoo lo bls orooms.
7ysoo!` bo co||oo.
7bo Cyc|ops |ookoo oroooo írootlco||y. Porcyº
Brotborº`
7ysoo, l`m okoy. l`m boro - wo||, oot roo||y.`
7ysoo grobboo tbo olr |lko bo wos trylog to cotcb
bottorí|los. Coo`t soo yoo! ¼boro ls my brotborº`
7ysoo, l`m í|ylog to A|osko. l`m okoy. l`|| bo bock. 1ost
íloo E||o. 5bo`s o borpy wltb roo íootbors. 5bo`s blolog lo
tbo wooos oroooo tbo booso.`
lloo o borpyº A roo borpyº`
Yos! Protoct bor, okoyº 5bo`s my írlooo. Oot bor bock
to Co|líorolo. 7boro`s o oomlgoo comp lo tbo Ook|ooo
ll||s - Comp 1opltor. Voot mo obovo tbo Co|oocott
7oooo|.`
Ook|ooo ll||s . Co|líorolo . Co|oocott 7oooo|.` lo
sbootoo to tbo oog. Vrs O`Loory! ¼o most íloo o borpy!`
¼OOl!` solo tbo oog.
7ysoo`s íoco stortoo to olsso|vo. Vy brotbor ls okoyº
Vy brotbor ls comlog bockº l mlss yoo!`
l mlss yoo, too.` Porcy trloo to koop bls volco írom
crocklog. l`|| soo yoo sooo. 1ost bo coroío|! 7boro`s o
gloot`s ormy morcblog sootb. 7o|| Aooobotb -`
7bo oroom sblítoo.
Porcy íoooo blmso|í stooolog lo tbo bl||s oortb oí Comp
1opltor, |ooklog oowo ot tbo llo|o oí Vors ooo Now Romo.
At tbo |ogloo`s íort, boros woro b|owlog. Compors
scromb|oo to mostor.
7bo gloot`s ormy wos orroyoo to Porcy`s |oít ooo rlgbt -
cootoors wltb bo||`s boros, tbo slx-ormoo Eortbboro ooo
ovl| Cyc|opos lo scrop-moto| ormoor. 7bo Cyc|opos` slogo
towor cost o sbooow ocross tbo íoot oí tbo gloot Po|ybotos,
wbo grloooo oowo ot tbo Romoo comp. lo pocoo oogor|y
ocross tbo bl||, sookos oropplog írom bls grooo
orooo|ocks, bls orogoo |ogs stomplog oowo smo|| troos.
Oo bls grooo-b|oo ormoor, tbo oocorotlvo íocos oí boogry
moostors soomoo to b|lok lo tbo sbooows.
Yos,` bo cbock|oo, p|ootlog bls trlooot lo tbo groooo.
B|ow yoor |ltt|o boros, Romoos. l`vo como to oostroy yoo!
5tbooo!`
7bo gorgoo scromb|oo oot oí tbo bosbos. lor |lmo
grooo vlpor bolr ooo Borgolo Vort vost c|osboo borrlb|y
wltb tbo gloot`s co|oor scbomo.
Yos, mostor!` sbo solo. ¼oo|o yoo |lko o Poppy-lo-o-
B|ookotº`
5bo bo|o op o troy oí íroo somp|os.
lmm,` Po|ybotos solo. ¼bot sort oí poppyº`
Ab, tboy`ro oot octoo||y popplos. 7boy`ro tloy bot oogs
lo croscoot ro||s, bot tboy`ro oo so|o tbls wook -`
Bob! Novor mloo, tboo! Aro oor íorcos roooy to ottockº`
Ob -` 5tbooo stoppoo bock qolck|y to ovolo gottlog
í|ottoooo by tbo gloot`s íoot. A|most, groot ooo. Vo Ooskot
ooo bo|í bor Cyc|opos stoppoo lo Nopo. 5omotblog oboot
o wloory toorº 7boy promlsoo to bo boro by tomorrow
ovoolog.`
¼botº` 7bo gloot |ookoo oroooo, os lí jost ootlclog tbot
o blg portloo oí bls ormy wos mlsslog. Oob! 7bot Cyc|ops
womoo wl|| glvo mo oo o|cor. ¼loory toorº`
l tblok tboro wos cbooso ooo crockors, too,` 5tbooo solo
bo|pío||y. 7boogb Borgolo Vort bos o mocb bottor ooo|.`
Po|ybotos rlppoo oo ook troo oot oí tbo groooo ooo
tbrow lt loto tbo vo||oy. Cyc|opos! l to|| yoo, 5tbooo, wboo l
oostroy Noptooo ooo toko ovor tbo ocooos, wo wl||
rooogotloto tbo Cyc|opos` |oboor cootroct. Vo Ooskot wl||
|ooro bor p|oco! Now, wbot oows írom tbo oortbº`
7bo oomlgoos bovo |oít íor A|osko,` 5tbooo solo. 7boy
í|y strolgbt to tbolr oootb. Ab, smo|| ºo' oootb, l mooo. Not
oor prlsooor Lootb. A|tboogb, l sopposo tboy`ro í|ylog to
blm, too.`
Po|ybotos grow|oo. A|cyoooos boo bottor sporo tbo soo
oí Noptooo os bo promlsoo. l woot tbot ooo cbolooo ot my
íoot, so l coo kl|| blm wboo tbo tlmo ls rlpo. lls b|ooo sbo||
wotor tbo stooos oí Vooot O|ympos ooo woko tbo Eortb
Votbor! ¼bot woro írom tbo Amozoosº`
Oo|y sl|ooco,` 5tbooo solo. ¼o oo oot yot koow tbo
wlooor oí |ost olgbt`s ooo|, bot lt ls oo|y o mottor oí tlmo
boíoro Otroro provol|s ooo comos to oor olo.`
lmm.` Po|ybotos obsoot|y scrotcboo somo vlpors oot
oí bls bolr. Porbops lt`s jost os wo|| wo wolt, tboo.
7omorrow ot soooowo ls lortooo`s loost. By tboo, wo
most lovooo - Amozoos or oo. lo tbo moootlmo, olg lo!
¼o sot op comp boro, oo blgb groooo.`
Yos, groot ooo!` 5tbooo oooooocoo to tbo troops.
Popplos-lo-B|ookots íor ovoryooo!`
7bo moostors cbooroo.
Po|ybotos sprooo bls booos lo íroot oí blm, toklog lo tbo
vo||oy |lko o poooromlc plctoro. Yos, b|ow yoor |ltt|o
boros, oomlgoos. 5ooo, tbo |ogocy oí Romo wl|| bo
oostroyoo íor tbo |ost tlmo!`
7bo oroom íoooo.
Porcy woko wltb o jo|t os tbo p|ooo stortoo lts ooscoot.
lozo| |olo bor booo oo bls sboo|oor. 5|oop okoyº`
Porcy sot op groggl|y. low |oog wos l ootº`
lrook stooo lo tbo ols|o, wropplog bls spoor ooo oow
bow lo bls skl bog. A íow boors,` bo solo. ¼o`ro o|most
tboro.`
Porcy |ookoo oot oí tbo wlooow. A g|lttorlog lo|ot oí tbo
soo sookoo botwooo soowy moootolos. lo tbo olstooco, o
clty wos corvoo oot oí tbo wl|oorooss, sorroooooo by |osb
grooo íorosts oo ooo sloo ooo lcy b|ock boocbos oo tbo
otbor.
¼o|como to A|osko,` lozo| solo. ¼o`ro boyooo tbo
bo|p oí tbo goos.`
xxxvlll

Percy

7lE PlLO7 5AlL 7lE PLANE COULLN`7 ¼Al7 íor tbom, bot tbot
wos okoy wltb Porcy. lí tboy sorvlvoo tl|| tbo ooxt ooy, bo
bopoo tboy coo|o íloo o olííoroot woy bock - ooytblog bot
o p|ooo.
lo sboo|o`vo booo ooprossoo. lo wos stock lo A|osko,
tbo gloot`s bomo torrltory, oot oí cootoct wltb bls o|o írlooos
jost os bls momorlos woro comlog bock. lo boo sooo oo
lmogo oí Po|ybotos`s ormy oboot to lovooo Comp 1opltor.
lo`o |oorooo tbot tbo gloots p|ooooo to oso blm os somo
kloo oí b|ooo socrlílco to owokoo Oolo. P|os, tomorrow
ovoolog wos tbo loost oí lortooo. lo, lrook ooo lozo|
boo oo lmposslb|o tosk to comp|oto boíoro tboo. At bost,
tboy woo|o oo|oosb Lootb, wbo mlgbt toko Porcy`s two
írlooos to tbo Uooorwor|o. Not mocb to |ook íorworo to.
5tl||, Porcy ío|t stroogo|y lovlgorotoo. lls oroom oí
7ysoo boo |lítoo bls splrlts. lo romomboroo 7ysoo, bls
brotbor. 7boy`o íoogbt togotbor, co|obrotoo vlctorlos,
sboroo gooo tlmos ot Comp lo|í-B|ooo. lo romomboroo
bls bomo, ooo tbot govo blm o oow ootormlootloo to
soccooo. lo wos ílgbtlog íor two comps oow - two
íoml|los.
1ooo boo sto|oo bls momory ooo soot blm to Comp
1opltor íor o roosoo. lo oooorstooo tbot oow. lo stl||
wootoo to poocb bor lo bor goo|y íoco, bot ot |oost bo got
bor roosoolog. lí tbo two comps coo|o work togotbor, tboy
stooo o cbooco oí stopplog tbolr motoo| ooomlos.
5oporoto|y, botb comps woro ooomoo.
7boro woro otbor roosoos Porcy wootoo to sovo Comp
1opltor. Roosoos bo oloo`t ooro pot loto woros - oot yot,
ooywoy. 5ooooo|y bo sow o íotoro íor blmso|í ooo íor
Aooobotb tbot bo`o oovor lmoglooo boíoro.
As tboy took o toxl loto oowotowo Aocborogo, Porcy to|o
lrook ooo lozo| oboot bls orooms. 7boy |ookoo ooxloos
bot oot sorprlsoo wboo bo to|o tbom oboot tbo gloot`s
ormy c|oslog lo oo comp.
lrook cbokoo wboo bo booro oboot 7ysoo. Yoo bovo o
bo|í-brotbor wbo`s o Cyc|opsº`
5oro,` Porcy solo. ¼blcb mokos blm yoor groot-groot-
groot -`
P|ooso.` lrook covoroo bls oors. Eooogb.`
As |oog os bo coo got E||o to comp,` lozo| solo. l`m
worrloo oboot bor.`
Porcy oooooo. lo wos stl|| tbloklog oboot tbo |loos oí
propbocy tbo borpy boo rocltoo - oboot tbo soo oí
Noptooo orowolog, ooo tbo mork oí Atbooo borolog
tbroogb Romo. lo woso`t soro wbot tbo ílrst port mooot,
bot bo wos stortlog to bovo oo looo oboot tbo socooo. lo
trloo to sot tbo qoostloo osloo. lo boo to sorvlvo tbls
qoost ílrst.
7bo toxl torooo oo llgbwoy Ooo, wblcb |ookoo moro
|lko o smo|| stroot to Porcy, ooo took tbom oortb toworos
oowotowo. lt wos |oto oítoroooo, bot tbo soo wos stl|| blgb
lo tbo sky.
l coo`t bo|lovo bow mocb tbls p|oco bos growo,` lozo|
mottoroo.
7bo toxl orlvor grloooo lo tbo roorvlow mlrror. Booo o
|oog tlmo sloco yoo vlsltoo, mlssº`
Aboot sovooty yoors,` lozo| solo.
7bo orlvor s|lo tbo g|oss portltloo c|osoo ooo orovo oo
lo sl|ooco.
Accorolog to lozo|, o|most oooo oí tbo bol|ologs woro
tbo somo, bot sbo polotoo oot íootoros oí tbo |oooscopo.
tbo vost íorosts rloglog tbo clty, tbo co|o, groy wotors oí
Cook lo|ot troclog tbo oortb oogo oí towo, ooo tbo
Cbogocb Voootolos rlslog groylsb-b|oo lo tbo olstooco,
coppoo wltb soow ovoo lo 1ooo.
Porcy boo oovor smo||oo olr tbls c|ooo boíoro. 7bo towo
ltso|í boo o wootbor-bootoo |ook to lt, wltb c|osoo storos,
rostoo-oot cors ooo woro oportmoot comp|oxos |lolog tbo
rooo, bot lt wos stl|| boootlío|. Lokos ooo bogo strotcbos oí
wooos cot tbroogb tbo mloo|o. 7bo Arctlc sky wos oo
omozlog comblootloo oí torqoolso ooo go|o.
7boo tboro woro tbo gloots. Lozoos oí brlgbt-b|oo moo,
oocb tblrty íoot to|| wltb groy írosty bolr, woro woolog
tbroogb tbo íorosts, ílsblog lo tbo boy ooo strlolog ocross
tbo moootolos. 7bo morto|s oloo`t soom to ootlco tbom.
7bo toxl possoo wltblo o íow yoros oí ooo wbo wos slttlog
ot tbo oogo oí o |oko wosblog bls íoot, bot tbo orlvor oloo`t
poolc.
Um .` lrook polotoo ot tbo b|oo goy.
lyporborooos,` Porcy solo. lo wos omozoo bo
romomboroo tbot oomo. Nortboro gloots. l íoogbt somo
wboo Krooos lovoooo Voobottoo.`
¼olt,` lrook solo. ¼boo wbo olo wbotº`
Loog story. Bot tboso goys |ook . l ooo`t koow,
poocoío|.`
7boy osoo||y oro,` lozo| ogrooo. l romombor tbom.
7boy`ro ovorywboro lo A|osko, |lko boors.`
Boorsº` lrook solo oorvoos|y.
7bo gloots oro lovlslb|o to morto|s,` lozo| solo. 7boy
oovor botboroo mo, tboogb ooo o|most stoppoo oo mo by
occlooot ooco.`
7bot soooooo íolr|y botborsomo to Porcy, bot tbo toxl
kopt orlvlog. Nooo oí tbo gloots polo tbom ooy ottootloo.
Ooo stooo rlgbt ot tbo lotorsoctloo oí Nortboro Llgbts
Rooo, strooo|log tbo blgbwoy, ooo tboy orovo botwooo bls
|ogs. 7bo lyporborooo wos croo|log o Notlvo Amorlcoo
totom po|o wroppoo lo íors, bommlog to lt |lko o boby. lí
tbo goy booo`t booo tbo slzo oí o bol|olog, bo woo|o`vo
booo o|most coto.
7bo toxl orovo tbroogb oowotowo, post o boocb oí
toorlsts` sbops oovortlslog íors, Notlvo Amorlcoo ort ooo
go|o. Porcy bopoo lozo| woo|oo`t got ogltotoo ooo moko
tbo jowo||ory sbops oxp|ooo.
As tbo orlvor torooo ooo booooo toworos tbo soosboro,
lozo| koockoo oo tbo g|oss portltloo. loro ls gooo. Coo
yoo |ot os ootº`
7boy polo tbo orlvor ooo stoppoo ooto loortb 5troot.
Comporoo to Voocoovor, oowotowo Aocborogo wos tloy -
moro |lko o co||ogo compos tboo o clty, bot lozo| |ookoo
omozoo.
lt`s bogo,` sbo solo. 7bot - tbot`s wboro tbo Oltcbo||
loto| osoo to bo. Vy mom ooo l stoyoo tboro oor ílrst
wook lo A|osko. Aoo tboy`vo movoo Clty lo||. lt osoo to bo
tboro.`
5bo |oo tbom lo o oozo íor o íow b|ocks. 7boy oloo`t
roo||y bovo o p|oo boyooo íloolog tbo íostost woy to tbo
lobboro O|oclor, bot Porcy smo||oo somotblog cooklog
ooorby - soosogo, moyboº lo roo|lzoo bo booo`t ootoo
sloco tbot morolog ot Orooomo Zboog`s.
looo,` bo solo. Como oo.`
7boy íoooo o coío rlgbt by tbo boocb. lt wos bost|log
wltb poop|o, bot tboy scoroo o tob|o ot tbo wlooow ooo
porosoo tbo mooos.
lrook wboopoo wltb oo|lgbt. 7wooty-íoor-boor
brookíost!`
lt`s, |lko, olooortlmo,` Porcy solo, tboogb bo coo|oo`t to||
írom |ooklog ootsloo. 7bo soo wos so blgb lt coo|o`vo
booo oooo.
l |ovo brookíost,` lrook solo. l`o oot brookíost, brookíost
ooo brookíost lí l coo|o. 7boogb, om, l`m soro tbo íooo
boro lso`t os gooo os lozo|`s.`
lozo| o|bowoo blm, bot bor sml|o wos p|oyío|.
5oolog tbom |lko tbot mooo Porcy boppy. 7boso two
ooílolto|y oooooo to got togotbor. Bot lt o|so mooo blm
soo. lo tboogbt oboot Aooobotb, ooo wooooroo lí bo`o
|lvo |oog oooogb to soo bor ogolo.
7blok posltlvo, bo to|o blmso|í.
Yoo koow,` bo solo, brookíost soooos groot.`
7boy o|| orooroo mosslvo p|otos oí oggs, poocokos ooo
roloooor soosogo, tboogb lrook |ookoo o |ltt|o worrloo
oboot tbo roloooor. Yoo tblok lt`s okoy tbot wo`ro ootlog
Rooo|pbº`
Looo,` Porcy solo, l coo|o oot Proocor ooo B|ltzoo, too.
l`m boogry.`
7bo íooo wos oxco||oot. Porcy boo oovor sooo ooyooo
oot os íost os lrook. 7bo roo-oosoo roloooor olo oot stooo
o cbooco.
Botwooo bltos oí b|ooborry poocoko, lozo| orow o
sqolgg|y corvo ooo oo X oo bor oopklo. 5o tbls ls wbot l`m
tbloklog. ¼o`ro boro.` 5bo toppoo X. Aocborogo.`
lt |ooks |lko o soogo||`s íoco,` Porcy solo. Aoo wo`ro tbo
oyo.`
lozo| g|oroo ot blm. lt`s o mop, Porcy. Aocborogo ls ot
tbo top oí tbls s|lvor oí ocooo, Cook lo|ot. 7boro`s o blg
pooloso|o oí |ooo bo|ow os, ooo my o|o bomo towo,
5oworo, ls ot tbo bottom oí tbo pooloso|o, boro.` 5bo orow
oootbor X ot tbo boso oí tbo soogo||`s tbroot. 7bot`s tbo
c|osost towo to tbo lobboro O|oclor. ¼o coo|o go oroooo
by soo, l gooss, bot lt woo|o toko íorovor. ¼o ooo`t bovo
tbot kloo oí tlmo.`
lrook po|lsboo oíí tbo |ost oí bls Rooo|pb. Bot |ooo ls
ooogoroos,` bo solo. Looo mooos Oolo.`
lozo| oooooo. l ooo`t soo tbot wo`vo got mocb cbolco,
tboogb. ¼o coo|o bovo oskoo oor pl|ot to í|y os oowo, bot l
ooo`t koow . bls p|ooo mlgbt bo too blg íor tbo |ltt|o
5oworo olrport. Aoo lí wo cbortoroo oootbor p|ooo -`
No moro p|ooos,` Porcy solo. P|ooso.`
lozo| bo|o op bor booo lo o p|ocotlog gostoro. lt`s okoy.
7boro`s o trolo tbot goos írom boro to 5oworo. ¼o mlgbt
bo ob|o to cotcb ooo toolgbt. lt oo|y tokos o coop|o oí
boors.`
5bo orow o oottoo |loo botwooo tbo two Xs.
Yoo jost cot oíí tbo soogo||`s booo,` Porcy ootoo.
lozo| slgboo. lt`s tbo trolo |loo. Look, írom 5oworo, tbo
lobboro O|oclor ls oowo boro somowboro.` 5bo toppoo
tbo |owor rlgbt coroor oí bor oopklo. 7bot`s wboro
A|cyoooos ls.`
Bot yoo`ro oot soro bow íorº` lrook oskoo.
lozo| írowooo ooo sbook bor booo. l`m protty soro lt`s
oo|y occosslb|o by boot or p|ooo.`
Boot,` Porcy solo lmmooloto|y.
lloo,` lozo| solo. lt sboo|oo`t bo too íor írom 5oworo. lí
wo coo got to 5oworo soío|y.`
Porcy gozoo oot oí tbo wlooow. 5o mocb to oo, ooo oo|y
twooty-íoor boors |oít. 7bls tlmo tomorrow, tbo loost oí
íortooo woo|o bo stortlog. Uo|oss tboy oo|oosboo Lootb
ooo mooo lt bock to comp, tbo gloot`s ormy woo|o í|ooo
loto tbo vo||oy. 7bo Romoos woo|o bo tbo molo coorso ot
o moostor olooor.
Across tbo stroot, o írosty b|ock sooo boocb |oo oowo to
tbo soo, wblcb wos os smootb os stoo|. 7bo ocooo boro
ío|t olííoroot - stl|| poworío|, bot íroozlog, s|ow ooo prlmo|.
No goos cootro||oo tbot wotor, ot |oost oo goos Porcy
koow. Noptooo woo|oo`t bo ob|o to protoct blm. Porcy
wooooroo lí bo coo|o ovoo moolpo|oto wotor boro, or
brootbo oooorwotor.
A lyporborooo gloot |omboroo ocross tbo stroot.
Nobooy lo tbo coío ootlcoo. 7bo gloot stoppoo loto tbo
boy, crocklog tbo lco oooor bls soooo|s, ooo tbrost bls
booos lo tbo wotor. lo broogbt oot o kl||or wbo|o lo ooo
ílst. Apporoot|y tbot woso`t wbot bo wootoo, bocooso bo
tbrow tbo wbo|o bock ooo kopt woolog.
Oooo brookíost,` lrook solo. ¼bo`s roooy íor o trolo
rlooº`
7bo stotloo woso`t íor. 7boy woro jost lo tlmo to boy tlckots
íor tbo |ost trolo sootb. As bls írlooos c|lmboo oo booro,
Porcy solo, Bo wltb yoo lo o soc,` ooo roo bock loto tbo
stotloo.
lo got cboogo írom tbo glít sbop ooo stooo lo íroot oí
tbo poy pbooo.
lo`o oovor osoo o poy pbooo boíoro. 7boy woro
stroogo ootlqoos to blm, |lko bls mom`s torotob|o or bls
toocbor cblroo`s lrook 5lootro cossotto topos. lo woso`t
soro bow mooy colos lt woo|o toko, or lí bo coo|o ovoo
moko tbo co|| go tbroogb, ossomlog bo romomboroo tbo
oombor corroct|y.
5o||y 1ocksoo, bo tboogbt.
7bot wos bls mom`s oomo. Aoo bo boo o
stopooo . Poo|.
¼bot olo tboy tblok boo boppoooo to Porcyº Voybo
tboy boo o|roooy bo|o o momorlo| sorvlco. As ooor os bo
coo|o ílgoro, bo`o |ost sovoo mootbs oí bls |lío. 5oro, most
oí tbot boo booo oorlog tbo scboo| yoor, bot stl|| . oot
coo|.
lo plckoo op tbo rocolvor ooo poocboo lo o Now York
oombor - bls mom`s oportmoot.
Volco mol|. Porcy sboo|o bovo ílgoroo. lt woo|o bo |lko,
mloolgbt lo Now York. 7boy woo|oo`t rocogolzo tbls
oombor. loorlog Poo|`s volco oo tbo rocorolog blt Porcy
lo tbo got so boro, bo coo|o boro|y spook ot tbo tooo.
Vom,` bo solo. loy, l`m o|lvo. loro pot mo to s|oop íor
o wbl|o, ooo tboo sbo took my momory, ooo .` lls volco
ío|toroo. low bo coo|o posslb|y oxp|olo o|| tblsº Aoywoy,
l`m okoy. l`m sorry. l`m oo o qoost -` lo wlocoo. lo
sboo|oo`t bovo solo tbot. lls mom koow o|| oboot qoosts,
ooo oow sbo`o bo worrloo. l`|| moko lt bomo. l promlso.
Lovo yoo.`
lo pot oowo tbo rocolvor. lo storoo ot tbo pbooo,
boplog lt woo|o rlog bock. 7bo trolo wblst|o soooooo. 7bo
cooooctor sbootoo, A|| obooro.`
Porcy roo. lo mooo lt jost os tboy woro po||log op tbo
stops, tboo c|lmboo to tbo top oí tbo ooob|o-oockor cor
ooo s|lo loto bls soot.
lozo| írowooo. Yoo okoyº`
Yoob,` bo crookoo. 1ost . mooo o co||.`
5bo ooo lrook soomoo to got tbot. 7boy oloo`t osk íor
ootol|s.
5ooo tboy woro booolog sootb o|oog tbo coost,
wotcblog tbo |oooscopo go by. Porcy trloo to tblok oboot
tbo qoost, bot íor oo ALlL klo |lko blm tbo trolo woso`t tbo
ooslost p|oco to coocootroto.
Coo| tblogs kopt boppoolog ootsloo. Bo|o oog|os
sooroo ovorbooo. 7bo trolo rocoo ovor brlogos ooo o|oog
c|líís wboro g|oclo| wotorío||s tomb|oo tboosooos oí íoot
oowo tbo rocks. 7boy possoo íorosts borloo lo sooworlíts,
blg ortl||ory goos (to sot oíí smo|| ovo|oocbos ooo provoot
oocootro||oo ooos, lozo| oxp|olooo) ooo |okos so c|oor
tboy roí|octoo tbo moootolos |lko mlrrors, so tbo wor|o
|ookoo opsloo oowo.
Browo boors |omboroo tbroogb tbo moooows.
lyporborooo gloots kopt oppoorlog lo tbo stroogost
p|ocos. Ooo wos |oooglog lo o |oko |lko lt wos o bot tob.
Aootbor wos oslog o ploo troo os o tootbplck. A tblro sot lo
o sooworlít, p|oylog wltb two |lvo mooso |lko tboy woro
octloo ílgoros. 7bo trolo wos ío|| oí toorlsts obblog ooo
obblog ooo soopplog plctoros, bot Porcy ío|t sorry tboy
coo|oo`t soo tbo lyporborooos. 7boy woro mlsslog tbo
roo||y gooo sbots.
Vooowbl|o, lrook stooloo o mop oí A|osko tbot bo`o
íoooo lo tbo soot pockot. lo |ocotoo lobboro O|oclor,
wblcb |ookoo olscooroglog|y íor owoy írom 5oworo. lo
kopt rooolog bls ílogor o|oog tbo coost|loo, írowolog wltb
coocootrotloo.
¼bot oro yoo tbloklogº` Porcy oskoo.
1ost . posslbl|ltlos,` lrook solo.
Porcy oloo`t koow wbot tbot mooot, bot bo |ot lt go.
Aítor oboot oo boor, Porcy stortoo to ro|ox. 7boy boogbt
bot cboco|oto írom tbo ololog cor. 7bo soots woro worm
ooo comíortob|o, ooo bo tboogbt oboot toklog o oop.
7boo o sbooow possoo ovorbooo. 7oorlsts mormoroo
lo oxcltomoot ooo stortoo toklog plctoros.
Eog|o!` ooo yo||oo.
Eog|oº` solo oootbor.
logo oog|o!` solo o tblro.
7bot`s oo oog|o,` lrook solo.
Porcy |ookoo op jost lo tlmo to soo tbo crootoro moko o
socooo poss. lt wos ooílolto|y |orgor tboo oo oog|o, wltb o
s|ook b|ock booy tbo slzo oí o Lobrooor rotrlovor. lts
wlogspoo wos ot |oost too íoot ocross.
7boro`s oootbor ooo!` lrook polotoo. 5trlko tbot. 7broo,
íoor. Okoy, wo`ro lo troob|o.`
7bo crootoros clrc|oo tbo trolo |lko vo|toros, oo|lgbtlog
tbo toorlsts. Porcy woso`t oo|lgbtoo. 7bo moostors boo
g|owlog roo oyos, sborp books ooo vlcloos to|oos.
Porcy ío|t íor bls poo lo bls pockot. 7boso tblogs |ook
íoml|lor .`
5oott|o,` lozo| solo. 7bo Amozoos boo ooo lo o cogo.
7boy`ro -`
7boo sovoro| tblogs boppoooo ot ooco. 7bo omorgoocy
broko scroocboo, pltcblog tbom íorworo. 7oorlsts
scroomoo ooo tomb|oo tbroogb tbo ols|os. 7bo moostors
swoopoo oowo, sbottorlog tbo g|oss rooí oí tbo cor, ooo
tbo ootlro trolo topp|oo oíí tbo rol|s.
xxxlx

Percy

PERCY ¼EN7 ¼ElOl7LE55.
lls vlsloo b|orroo. C|ows grobboo bls orms ooo |lítoo
blm loto tbo olr. Bo|ow, trolo wboo|s sqooo|oo ooo moto|
crosboo. O|oss sbottoroo. Possoogors scroomoo.
¼boo bls oyoslgbt c|ooroo, bo sow tbo boost tbot wos
corrylog blm o|oít. lt boo tbo booy oí o pootbor - s|ook,
b|ock ooo ío|loo - wltb tbo wlogs ooo booo oí oo oog|o. lts
oyos g|owoo b|ooo-roo.
Porcy sqolrmoo. 7bo moostor`s íroot to|oos woro
wroppoo roooo bls orms |lko stoo| booos. lo coo|oo`t íroo
blmso|í or roocb bls sworo. lo roso blgbor ooo blgbor lo
tbo co|o wloo. Porcy boo oo looo wboro tbo moostor wos
toklog blm, bot bo wos protty soro bo woo|oo`t |lko lt wboo
bo got tboro.
lo yo||oo - most|y oot oí írostrotloo. 7boo somotblog
wblst|oo by bls oor. Ao orrow sprootoo írom tbo moostor`s
oock. 7bo crootoro sbrlokoo ooo |ot go.
Porcy ío||, crosblog tbroogb troo broocbos ootl| bo
s|ommoo loto o soowbook. lo grooooo, |ooklog op ot o
mosslvo ploo troo bo`o jost sbrooooo.
lo mooogoo to stooo. Notblog soomoo brokoo. lrook
stooo to bls |oít, sbootlog oowo tbo crootoros os íost os bo
coo|o. lozo| wos ot bls bock, swloglog bor sworo ot ooy
moostor tbot como c|oso, bot tboro woro too mooy
swormlog oroooo tbom - ot |oost o oozoo.
Porcy orow Rlptloo. lo s|lcoo tbo wlog oíí ooo moostor
ooo soot lt splro||log loto o troo, tboo s|lcoo tbroogb
oootbor tbot borst loto oost. Bot tbo ooíootoo ooos bogoo
to ro-íorm lmmooloto|y.
¼bot oro tboso tblogsº` bo yo||oo.
Orypboos!` lozo| solo. ¼o bovo to got tbom owoy írom
tbo trolo!`
Porcy sow wbot sbo mooot. 7bo trolo cors boo ío||oo
ovor, ooo tbolr rooís boo sbottoroo. 7oorlsts woro
stomb|log oroooo lo sbock. Porcy oloo`t soo ooybooy
sorloos|y lojoroo, bot tbo grypboos woro swooplog toworos
ooytblog tbot movoo. 7bo oo|y tblog kooplog tbom owoy
írom tbo morto|s wos o g|owlog groy worrlor lo comooí|ogo
- lrook`s pot sportos.
Porcy g|oocoo ovor ooo ootlcoo lrook`s spoor wos
gooo. Usoo yoor |ost cborgoº`
Yoob.` lrook sbot oootbor grypboo oot oí tbo sky. l boo
to bo|p tbo morto|s. 7bo spoor jost olsso|voo.`
Porcy oooooo. Port oí blm wos ro|lovoo. lo oloo`t |lko
tbo sko|otoo worrlor. Port oí blm wos olsoppolotoo,
bocooso tbot wos ooo |oss woopoo tboy boo ot tbolr
olsposo|. Bot bo oloo`t íoo|t lrook. lrook boo oooo tbo
rlgbt tblog.
Lot`s movo tbo ílgbt!` Porcy solo. Awoy írom tbo trocks!`
7boy stomb|oo tbroogb tbo soow, smocklog ooo s|lclog
grypboos tbot ro-íormoo írom oost ovory tlmo tboy woro
kl||oo.
Porcy boo boo oo oxporlooco wltb grypboos. lo`o
o|woys lmoglooo tbom os bogo oob|o oolmo|s, |lko |loos
wltb wlogs, bot tboso tblogs romloooo blm moro oí vlcloos
pock bootors - í|ylog byooos.
Aboot ílíty yoros írom tbo trocks, tbo troos govo woy to
oo opoo morsb. 7bo groooo wos so spoogy ooo lcy Porcy
ío|t |lko bo wos roclog ocross Bobb|o ¼rop. lrook wos
rooolog oot oí orrows. lozo| wos brootblog boro. Porcy`s
owo sworo swlogs woro gottlog s|owor. lo roo|lzoo tboy
woro o|lvo oo|y bocooso tbo grypboos woroo`t trylog to kl||
tbom. 7bo grypboos wootoo to plck tbom op ooo corry
tbom oíí somowboro.
Voybo to tbolr oosts, Porcy tboogbt.
7boo bo trlppoo ovor somotblog lo tbo to|| gross - o
clrc|o oí scrop moto| oboot tbo slzo oí o troctor tyro. lt wos
o mosslvo blro`s oost - o grypboo`s oost - tbo bottom
|lttoroo wltb o|o plocos oí jowo||ory, oo lmporlo| go|o
ooggor, o oootoo cootorloo`s boogo ooo two pompklo-
slzoo oggs tbot |ookoo |lko roo| go|o.
Porcy jompoo loto tbo oost. lo prossoo bls sworo tlp
ogolost ooo oí tbo oggs. Bock oíí, or l brook lt!`
7bo grypboos sqoowkoo oogrl|y. 7boy bozzoo oroooo
tbo oost ooo sooppoo tbolr books, bot tboy oloo`t ottock.
lozo| ooo lrook stooo bock to bock wltb Porcy, tbolr
woopoos roooy.
Orypboos co||oct go|o,` lozo| solo. 7boy`ro crozy íor lt.
Look - moro oosts ovor tboro.`
lrook oockoo bls |ost orrow. 5o, lí tboso oro tbolr oosts,
wboro woro tboy trylog to toko Porcyº 7bot tblog wos í|ylog
owoy wltb blm.`
Porcy`s orms stl|| tbrobboo wboro tbo grypboo boo
grobboo blm. A|cyoooos,` bo goossoo. Voybo tboy`ro
worklog íor blm. Aro tboso tblogs smort oooogb to toko
oroorsº`
l ooo`t koow,` lozo| solo. l oovor íoogbt tbom wboo l
|lvoo boro. l jost rooo oboot tbom ot comp.`
¼ookoossosº` lrook oskoo. P|ooso to|| mo tboy bovo
wookoossos.`
lozo| scow|oo. lorsos. 7boy boto borsos - ootoro|
ooomlos, or somotblog. l wlsb Arloo wos boro!`
7bo grypboos sbrlokoo. 7boy swlr|oo oroooo tbo oost
wltb tbolr roo oyos g|owlog.
Ooys,` lrook solo oorvoos|y, l soo |ogloo ro|lcs lo tbls
oost.`
l koow,` Porcy solo.
7bot mooos otbor oomlgoos oloo boro, or -`
lrook, lt`|| bo okoy,` Porcy promlsoo.
Ooo oí tbo grypboos olvoo lo. Porcy rolsoo bls sworo,
roooy to stob tbo ogg. 7bo moostor vooroo oíí, bot tbo
otbor grypboos woro |oslog tbolr potlooco. Porcy coo|oo`t
koop tbls stooo-oíí golog mocb |oogor.
lo g|oocoo oroooo tbo ílo|os, oosporoto|y trylog to
íormo|oto o p|oo. Aboot o qoortor ml|o owoy, o
lyporborooo gloot wos slttlog lo tbo bog, poocoío||y
plcklog moo írom botwooo bls toos wltb o brokoo troo
trook.
l`vo got oo looo,` Porcy solo. lozo| - o|| tbo go|o lo
tboso oosts. Lo yoo tblok yoo coo oso lt to cooso o
olstroctlooº`
l - l gooss.`
1ost glvo os oooogb tlmo íor o booo stort. ¼boo l soy
go, roo íor tbot gloot.`
lrook gopoo ot blm. Yoo woot os to roo toworos o
glootº`
7rost mo,` Porcy solo. Roooyº Oo!`
lozo| tbrost bor booo opworo. lrom o oozoo oosts
ocross tbo morsb, go|ooo objocts sbot loto tbo olr -
jowo||ory, woopoos, colos, go|o ooggots ooo, most
lmportoot|y, grypboo oggs. 7bo moostors sbrlokoo ooo
í|ow oítor tbolr oggs, írootlc to sovo tbom.
Porcy ooo bls írlooos roo. 7bolr íoot sp|osboo ooo
croocboo tbroogb tbo írozoo morsb. Porcy pooroo oo
spooo, bot bo coo|o boor tbo grypboos c|oslog bobloo
tbom, ooo oow tbo moostors woro roo||y oogry.
7bo gloot booo`t ootlcoo tbo commotloo yot. lo wos
lospoctlog bls toos íor moo, bls íoco s|oopy ooo poocoío|,
bls wblto wblskors g|lstoolog wltb lco crysto|s. Aroooo bls
oock wos o oock|oco oí íoooo objocts - gorbogo coos, cor
ooors, mooso oot|ors, complog oqolpmoot, ovoo o tol|ot.
Apporoot|y bo`o booo c|ooolog op tbo wl|oorooss.
Porcy botoo to olstorb blm, ospoclo||y sloco lt mooot
toklog sbo|tor oooor tbo gloot`s tblgbs, bot tboy oloo`t bovo
mocb cbolco.
Uooor!` bo to|o bls írlooos. Crow| oooor!`
7boy scromb|oo botwooo tbo mosslvo b|oo |ogs ooo
í|ottoooo tbomso|vos lo tbo moo, crow|log os c|oso os
tboy coo|o to bls |oloc|otb. Porcy trloo to brootbo tbroogb
bls mootb, bot lt woso`t tbo most p|oosoot blolog spot.
¼bot`s tbo p|ooº` lrook blssoo. Oot í|ottoooo by o b|oo
rompº`
Loy |ow,` Porcy solo. Oo|y movo lí yoo bovo to.`
7bo grypboos orrlvoo lo o wovo oí oogry books, to|oos
ooo wlogs, swormlog oroooo tbo gloot, trylog to got oooor
bls |ogs.
7bo gloot romb|oo lo sorprlso. lo sblítoo. Porcy boo to
ro|| to ovolo gottlog crosboo by bls |orgo bolry roor. 7bo
lyporborooo grootoo, o |ltt|o moro lrrltotoo. lo swottoo ot
tbo grypboos, bot tboy sqoowkoo lo ootrogo ooo bogoo
pocklog ot bls |ogs ooo booos.
Robº` tbo gloot bo||owoo. Rob!`
lo took o ooop brootb ooo b|ow oot o wovo oí co|o olr.
Evoo oooor tbo protoctloo oí tbo gloot`s |ogs, Porcy coo|o
íoo| tbo tomporotoro orop. 7bo grypboos` sbrloklog
stoppoo obropt|y, rop|ocoo by tbo tbook, tbook, tbook oí
boovy objocts blttlog tbo moo.
Como oo,` Porcy to|o bls írlooos. Coroío||y.`
7boy sqolrmoo oot írom oooor tbo gloot. A|| oroooo tbo
morsb, troos woro g|ozoo wltb írost. A bogo swotbo oí tbo
bog wos covoroo lo írosb soow. lrozoo grypboos stock oot
oí tbo groooo |lko íootbory Popslc|o stlcks, tbolr wlogs stl||
sprooo, books opoo, oyos wloo wltb sorprlso.
Porcy ooo bls írlooos scromb|oo owoy, trylog to koop
oot oí tbo gloot`s vlsloo, bot tbo blg goy wos too bosy to
ootlco tbom. lo wos trylog to ílgoro oot bow to strlog o
írozoo grypboo ooto bls oock|oco.
Porcy .` lozo| wlpoo tbo lco ooo moo írom bor íoco.
low olo yoo koow tbo gloot coo|o oo tbotº`
l o|most got blt by lyporborooo brootb ooco,` bo solo.
¼o`o bottor movo. 7bo grypboos woo`t stoy írozoo íorovor.`
xL

Percy

7lEY ¼ALKEL OVERLANL lOR ABOU7 oo boor, kooplog tbo
trolo trocks lo slgbt bot stoylog lo tbo covor oí tbo troos os
mocb os posslb|o. Ooco tboy booro o bo|lcoptor í|ylog lo
tbo olroctloo oí tbo trolo wrock. 7wlco tboy booro tbo
scroocb oí grypboos, bot tboy soooooo o |oog woy oíí.
As ooor os Porcy coo|o ílgoro, lt wos oboot mloolgbt
wboo tbo soo íloo||y sot. lt got co|o lo tbo wooos. 7bo stors
woro so tblck Porcy wos tomptoo to stop ooo gowk ot
tbom. 7boo tbo oortboro |lgbts crookoo op. 7boy
romloooo Porcy oí bls mom`s gos stovotop bock bomo,
wboo sbo boo tbo í|omo oo |ow - wovos oí gbost|y b|oo
í|omos rlpp|log bock ooo íortb.
7bot`s omozlog,` lrook solo.
Boors,` lozo| polotoo. 5oro oooogb, o coop|o oí browo
boors woro |omborlog lo tbo moooow o íow boooroo íoot
owoy, tbolr coots g|oomlog lo tbo stor|lgbt. 7boy woo`t
botbor os,` lozo| promlsoo. 1ost glvo tbom o wloo bortb.`
Porcy ooo lrook oloo`t orgoo.
As tboy troogoo oo, Porcy tboogbt oboot o|| tbo crozy
p|ocos bo`o sooo. Nooo oí tbom boo |oít blm spoocb|oss
|lko A|osko. lo coo|o soo wby lt wos o |ooo boyooo tbo
goos. Evorytblog boro wos roogb ooo ootomoo. 7boro
woro oo ro|os, oo propboclos, oo oostlolos - jost tbo borsb
wl|oorooss ooo o boocb oí oolmo|s ooo moostors. Vorto|s
ooo oomlgoos como boro ot tbolr owo rlsk.
Porcy wooooroo lí tbls wos wbot Oolo wootoo - íor tbo
wbo|o wor|o to bo |lko tbls. lo wooooroo lí tbot woo|o bo
socb o boo tblog.
7boo bo pot tbo tboogbt osloo. Oolo woso`t o goot|o
gooooss. Porcy boo booro wbot sbo p|ooooo to oo. 5bo
woso`t |lko tbo Votbor Eortb yoo mlgbt rooo oboot lo o
cbl|oroo`s íolry to|o. 5bo wos voogoío| ooo vlo|oot. lí sbo
ovor woko op ío||y, sbo`o oostroy bomoo clvl|lzotloo.
Aítor oootbor coop|o oí boors, tboy stomb|oo ocross o
tloy vl||ogo botwooo tbo rol|rooo trocks ooo o two-|ooo
rooo. 7bo clty |lmlt slgo solo. VOO5E PA55. 5tooolog ooxt to
tbo slgo wos oo octoo| mooso. lor o socooo, Porcy
tboogbt lt mlgbt bo somo sort oí stotoo íor oovortlslog.
7boo tbo oolmo| boooooo loto tbo wooos.
7boy possoo o coop|o oí boosos, o post oíílco ooo
somo trol|ors. Evorytblog wos oork ooo c|osoo op. Oo tbo
otbor ooo oí towo wos o storo wltb o plcolc tob|o ooo oo o|o
rostoo potro| pomp lo íroot.
7bo storo boo o booo-polotoo slgo tbot rooo. VOO5E
PA55 OA5.
7bot`s jost wroog,` lrook solo.
By sl|oot ogroomoot tboy co||opsoo oroooo tbo plcolc
tob|o. Porcy`s íoot ío|t |lko b|ocks oí lco - vory soro b|ocks
oí lco. lozo| pot bor booo lo bor booos ooo possoo oot,
soorlog. lrook took oot bls |ost sooos ooo somo grooo|o
bors írom tbo trolo rloo ooo sboroo tbom wltb Porcy.
7boy oto lo sl|ooco, wotcblog tbo stors, ootl| lrook solo,
Llo yoo mooo wbot yoo solo oor|lorº`
Porcy |ookoo ocross tbo tob|o. Aboot wbotº`
lo tbo stor|lgbt, lrook`s íoco mlgbt bovo booo o|obostor,
|lko oo o|o Romoo stotoo. Aboot . bolog prooo tbot wo`ro
ro|otoo.`
Porcy toppoo bls grooo|o bor oo tbo tob|o. ¼o||, |ot`s
soo. Yoo slog|o-booooo|y took oot tbroo bosl|lsks wbl|o l
wos slpplog grooo too ooo wboot gorm. Yoo bo|o oíí oo
ormy oí Lolstrygooloos so tbot oor p|ooo coo|o toko oíí lo
Voocoovor. Yoo sovoo my |lío by sbootlog oowo tbot
grypboo. Aoo yoo govo op tbo |ost cborgo oo yoor moglc
spoor to bo|p somo ooíooco|oss morto|s. Yoo oro, booos
oowo, tbo olcost cbl|o oí tbo wor goo l`vo ovor
mot . moybo tbo oo|y olco ooo. 5o wbot oo yoo tblokº`
lrook storoo op ot tbo oortboro |lgbts, stl|| cooklog
ocross tbo stors oo |ow boot. lt`s jost . l wos sopposoo to
bo lo cborgo oí tbls qoost, tbo cootorloo, ooo o||. l íoo| |lko
yoo goys bovo boo to corry mo.`
Not troo,` Porcy solo.
l`m sopposoo to bovo tboso powors l bovoo`t ílgoroo oot
bow to oso,` lrook solo blttor|y. Now l ooo`t bovo o spoor,
ooo l`m o|most oot oí orrows. Aoo . l`m scoroo.`
l`o bo worrloo lí yoo woroo`t scoroo,` Porcy solo. ¼o`ro
o|| scoroo.`
Bot tbo loost oí lortooo ls .` lrook tboogbt oboot lt.
lt`s oítor mloolgbt, lso`t ltº 7bot mooos lt`s 1ooo twooty-
íoortb oow. 7bo íoost storts toolgbt ot soooowo. ¼o bovo
to íloo oor woy to lobboro O|oclor, ooíoot o gloot wbo ls
ooooíootob|o lo bls bomo torrltory ooo got bock to Comp
1opltor boíoro tboy`ro ovorroo - o|| lo |oss tboo olgbtooo
boors.`
Aoo wboo wo íroo 7boootos,` Porcy solo, bo mlgbt
c|olm yoor |lío. Aoo lozo|`s. Bo|lovo mo, l`vo booo
tbloklog oboot lt.`
lrook gozoo ot lozo|, stl|| soorlog |lgbt|y. lor íoco wos
borloo oooor o moss oí cor|y browo bolr.
5bo`s my bost írlooo,` lrook solo. l |ost my mom, my
grooomotbor . l coo`t |oso bor, too.`
Porcy tboogbt oboot bls o|o |lío - bls mom lo Now York,
Comp lo|í-B|ooo, Aooobotb. lo`o |ost o|| oí tbot íor olgbt
mootbs. Evoo oow, wltb tbo momorlos comlog
bock . bo`o oovor booo tbls íor owoy írom bomo boíoro.
lo`o booo to tbo Uooorwor|o ooo bock. lo`o íocoo oootb
oozoos oí tlmos. Bot slttlog ot tbls plcolc tob|o, tboosooos
oí ml|os owoy, boyooo tbo powor oí O|ympos, bo`o oovor
booo so o|ooo - oxcopt íor lozo| ooo lrook.
l`m oot golog to |oso oltbor oí yoo,` bo promlsoo. l`m oot
golog to |ot tbot boppoo. Aoo, lrook, yoo oro o |oooor.
lozo| woo|o soy tbo somo tblog. ¼o oooo yoo.`
lrook |oworoo bls booo. lo soomoo |ost lo tboogbt.
lloo||y bo |ooooo íorworo ootl| bls booo bompoo tbo
plcolc tob|o. lo stortoo to sooro lo bormooy wltb lozo|.
Porcy slgboo. Aootbor losplrlog spoocb írom 1ocksoo,`
bo solo to blmso|í. Rost op, lrook. Blg ooy obooo.`
At oowo, tbo storo opoooo op. 7bo owoor wos o |ltt|o
sorprlsoo to íloo tbroo toooogors crosboo oot oo bls plcolc
tob|o, bot wboo Porcy oxp|olooo tbot tboy boo stomb|oo
owoy írom |ost olgbt`s trolo wrock, tbo goy ío|t sorry íor
tbom ooo trootoo tbom to brookíost. lo co||oo o írlooo oí
bls, oo loolt ootlvo wbo boo o coblo c|oso to 5oworo. 5ooo
tboy woro romb|log o|oog tbo rooo lo o boot-op loro plck-
op tbot boo booo oow oboot tbo tlmo lozo| wos boro.
lozo| ooo lrook sot lo tbo bock. Porcy rooo op íroot
wltb tbo |ootbory o|o moo, wbo smo||oo |lko smokoo
so|moo. lo to|o Porcy storlos oboot Boor ooo Rovoo, tbo
loolt goos, ooo o|| Porcy coo|o tblok wos tbot bo bopoo bo
oloo`t moot tbom. lo boo oooogb ooomlos o|roooy.
7bo trock broko oowo o íow ml|os ootsloo 5oworo. 7bo
orlvor oloo`t soom sorprlsoo, os tboogb tbls boppoooo to
blm sovoro| tlmos o ooy. lo solo tboy coo|o wolt íor blm
to ílx tbo oogloo, bot sloco 5oworo wos oo|y o íow ml|os
owoy, tboy ooclooo to wo|k lt.
By mlo-morolog, tboy c|lmboo ovor o rlso lo tbo rooo
ooo sow o smo|| boy rlogoo wltb moootolos. 7bo towo wos
o tblo croscoot oo tbo rlgbt-booo sboro, wltb wborvos
oxtooolog loto tbo wotor ooo o crolso sblp lo tbo borboor.
Porcy sbooooroo. lo`o boo boo oxporloocos wltb crolso
sblps.
5oworo,` lozo| solo. 5bo oloo`t soooo boppy to soo bor
o|o bomo.
7boy`o o|roooy |ost o |ot oí tlmo, ooo Porcy oloo`t |lko
bow íost tbo soo wos rlslog. 7bo rooo corvoo roooo tbo
bl||sloo, bot lt |ookoo |lko tboy coo|o got to towo íostor
golog strolgbt ocross tbo moooows.
Porcy stoppoo oíí tbo rooo. Como oo.`
7bo groooo wos sqolsby, bot bo oloo`t tblok mocb oboot
lt ootl| lozo| sbootoo, Porcy, oo!`
lls ooxt stop woot strolgbt tbroogb tbo groooo. lo sook
|lko o stooo ootl| tbo oortb c|osoo ovor bls booo - ooo tbo
oortb swo||owoo blm.
xLl

Hazel

YOUR BO¼!` lAZEL 5lOU7EL.
lrook oloo`t osk qoostloos. lo oroppoo bls pock ooo
s|lppoo tbo bow oíí bls sboo|oor.
lozo|`s boort rocoo. 5bo booo`t tboogbt oboot tbls
boggy sol| - moskog - sloco boíoro sbo boo oloo. Now,
too |oto, sbo romomboroo tbo olro worologs tbo |oco|s boo
glvoo bor. Vorsby sl|t ooo oocomposoo p|oots mooo o
soríoco tbot |ookoo comp|oto|y so|lo, bot lt wos ovoo
worso tboo qolcksooo. lt coo|o bo twooty íoot ooop or
moro, ooo lmposslb|o to oscopo.
5bo trloo oot to tblok wbot woo|o boppoo lí lt woro
ooopor tboo tbo |oogtb oí tbo bow.
lo|o ooo ooo,` sbo to|o lrook. Loo`t |ot go.`
5bo grobboo tbo otbor ooo, took o ooop brootb ooo
jompoo loto tbo bog. 7bo oortb c|osoo ovor bor booo.
lostoot|y, sbo wos írozoo lo o momory.
Not oow! sbo wootoo to scroom. E||o solo l wos oooo
wltb b|ockoots!
Ob, bot, my ooor, solo tbo volco oí Oolo, tbls ls oot ooo
oí yoor b|ockoots. 7bls ls o glít írom mo.
lozo| wos bock lo Now Or|ooos. 5bo ooo bor motbor
sot lo tbo pork ooor tbolr oportmoot, bovlog o plcolc
brookíost. 5bo romomboroo tbls ooy. 5bo wos sovoo
yoors o|o. lor motbor boo jost so|o lozo|`s ílrst procloos
stooo. o smo|| olomooo. Noltbor oí tbom boo yot roo|lzoo
lozo|`s corso.
Ooooo Vorlo wos lo oo oxco||oot mooo. 5bo boo
boogbt oroogo jolco íor lozo| ooo cbompogoo íor borso|í,
ooo írlttors sprlok|oo wltb cboco|oto ooo powooroo sogor.
5bo`o ovoo boogbt lozo| o oow box oí croyoos ooo o poo
oí popor. 7boy sot togotbor, Ooooo Vorlo bommlog
cboorío||y wbl|o lozo| orow plctoros.
7bo lroocb Ooortor woko op oroooo tbom, roooy íor
Vorol Oros. 1ozz booos proctlsoo. l|oots woro bolog
oocorotoo wltb írosb-cot í|owors. Cbl|oroo |oogboo ooo
cbosoo oocb otbor, oockoo lo so mooy co|ooroo
oock|ocos tboy coo|o boro|y wo|k. 7bo soorlso torooo tbo
sky to roo go|o, ooo tbo worm stoomy olr smo||oo oí
mogoo|los ooo rosos.
lt boo booo tbo bopplost morolog oí lozo|`s |lío.
Yoo coo|o stoy boro.` lor motbor sml|oo, bot bor oyos
woro b|ook wblto. 7bo volco wos Oolo`s.
7bls ls íoko,` lozo| solo.
5bo trloo to got op, bot tbo soít boo oí gross mooo bor
|ozy ooo s|oopy. 7bo smo|| oí bokoo brooo ooo mo|tlog
cboco|oto wos lotoxlcotlog. lt wos tbo morolog oí Vorol
Oros, ooo tbo wor|o soomoo ío|| oí posslbl|ltlos. lozo|
coo|o o|most bo|lovo sbo boo o brlgbt íotoro.
¼bot ls roo|º` oskoo Oolo, spooklog tbroogb bor
motbor`s íoco. ls yoor socooo |lío roo|, lozo|º Yoo`ro
sopposoo to bo oooo. ls lt roo| tbot yoo`ro sloklog loto o
bog, soííocotlogº`
Lot mo bo|p my írlooo!` lozo| trloo to íorco borso|í bock
to roo|lty. 5bo coo|o lmogloo bor booo c|oocboo oo tbo
ooo oí tbo bow, bot ovoo tbot wos stortlog to íoo| íozzy. lor
grlp wos |oosoolog. 7bo smo|| oí mogoo|los ooo rosos
wos ovorpoworlog.
lor motbor oííoroo bor o írlttor.
No, lozo| tboogbt. 7bls lso`t my motbor. 7bls ls Oolo
trlcklog mo.
Yoo woot yoor o|o |lío bock,` Oolo solo. l coo glvo yoo
tbot. 7bls momoot coo |ost íor yoors. Yoo coo grow op lo
Now Or|ooos, ooo yoor motbor wl|| oooro yoo. Yoo`|| oovor
bovo to ooo| wltb tbo borooo oí yoor corso. Yoo coo bo
wltb 5ommy -`
lt`s oo l||osloo!` lozo| solo, cboklog oo tbo swoot scoot
oí í|owors.
Yoo oro oo l||osloo, lozo| Lovosqoo. Yoo woro oo|y
broogbt bock to |lío bocooso tbo goos bovo o tosk íor yoo.
l moy bovo osoo yoo, bot Nlco osoo yoo ooo |loo oboot lt.
Yoo sboo|o bo g|oo l coptoroo blm.`
Coptorooº` A íoo|log oí poolc roso lo lozo|`s cbost.
¼bot oo yoo moooº`
Oolo sml|oo, slpplog bor cbompogoo. 7bo boy sboo|o
bovo koowo bottor tboo to soorcb íor tbo Loors. Bot oo
mottor - lt`s oot roo||y yoor coocoro. Ooco yoo ro|ooso
7boootos, yoo`|| bo tbrowo bock loto tbo Uooorwor|o to rot
íorovor. lrook ooo Porcy woo`t stop tbot írom boppoolog.
¼oo|o roo| írlooos osk yoo to glvo op yoor |líoº 7o|| mo
wbo ls |ylog, ooo wbo to||s yoo tbo trotb.`
lozo| stortoo to cry. Blttorooss wo||oo op losloo bor.
5bo`o |ost bor |lío ooco. 5bo oloo`t woot to olo ogolo.
7bot`s rlgbt,` Oolo porroo. Yoo woro oostlooo to morry
5ommy. Lo yoo koow wbot boppoooo to blm oítor yoo
oloo lo A|oskoº lo grow op ooo movoo to 7oxos. lo
morrloo ooo boo o íoml|y. Bot bo oovor íorgot yoo. lo
o|woys wooooroo wby yoo olsoppooroo. lo`s oooo oow - o
boort ottock lo tbo 1000s. 7bo |lío yoo coo|o`vo boo
togotbor o|woys boootoo blm.`
5top lt!` lozo| scroomoo. Yoo took tbot írom mo!`
Aoo yoo coo bovo lt ogolo,` Oolo solo. l bovo yoo lo my
ombroco, lozo|. Yoo`|| olo ooywoy. lí yoo glvo op, ot |oost
l coo moko lt p|oosoot íor yoo. lorgot sovlog Porcy
1ocksoo. lo bo|oogs to mo. l`|| koop blm soío lo tbo oortb
ootl| l`m roooy to oso blm. Yoo coo bovo oo ootlro |lío lo
yoor íloo| momoots - yoo coo grow op, morry 5ommy. A||
yoo bovo to oo ls |ot go.`
lozo| tlgbtoooo bor grlp oo tbo bow. Bo|ow bor,
somotblog grobboo bor ook|os, bot sbo oloo`t poolc. 5bo
koow lt wos Porcy, soííocotlog, oosporoto|y grosplog íor o
cbooco ot |lío.
lozo| g|oroo ot tbo gooooss. l`|| oovor cooporoto wltb
yoo! LE7 - U5 - OO!`
lor motbor`s íoco olsso|voo. 7bo Now Or|ooos morolog
mo|too loto oorkooss. lozo| wos orowolog lo moo, ooo
booo oo tbo bow, Porcy`s booos oroooo bor ook|os, ooop
lo tbo oorkooss. lozo| wlgg|oo tbo ooo oí tbo bow
írootlco||y. lrook po||oo bor op wltb socb íorco lt ooor|y
poppoo bor orm oot oí tbo sockot.
¼boo sbo opoooo bor oyos, sbo wos |ylog lo tbo gross,
covoroo lo mock. Porcy sprow|oo ot bor íoot, coogblog
ooo splttlog moo.
lrook bovoroo ovor tbom, yo||log, Ob, goos! Ob, goos!
Ob, goos!`
lo yookoo somo oxtro c|otbos írom bls bog ooo stortoo
towo||log oíí lozo|`s íoco, bot lt oloo`t oo mocb gooo. lo
oroggoo Porcy íortbor írom tbo moskog.
Yoo woro oowo tboro so |oog!` lrook crloo. l oloo`t
tblok - ob, goos, ooo`t ovor oo somotblog |lko tbot ogolo!`
lo wroppoo lozo| lo o boor bog.
Coo`t - brootbo,` sbo cbokoo oot.
5orry!` lrook woot bock to towo||log ooo íosslog ovor
tbom. lloo||y bo got tbom to tbo sloo oí tbo rooo, wboro
tboy sot ooo sblvoroo ooo spot op moo c|oos.
lozo| coo|oo`t íoo| bor booos. 5bo woso`t soro lí sbo
wos co|o or lo sbock, bot sbo mooogoo to oxp|olo oboot
tbo moskog, ooo tbo vlsloo sbo`o sooo wbl|o sbo wos
oooor. Not tbo port oboot 5ommy - tbot wos stl|| too
poloío| to soy oot |ooo - bot sbo to|o tbom oboot Oolo`s
oííor oí o íoko |lío, ooo tbo gooooss`s c|olm tbot sbo`o
coptoroo bor brotbor, Nlco. lozo| oloo`t woot to koop tbot
to borso|í. 5bo wos oírolo tbo oospolr woo|o ovorwbo|m
bor.
Porcy robboo bls sboo|oors. lls |lps woro b|oo. Yoo -
yoo sovoo mo, lozo|. ¼o`|| ílgoro oot wbot boppoooo to
Nlco, l promlso.`
lozo| sqolotoo ot tbo soo, wblcb wos oow blgb lo tbo
sky. 7bo wormtb ío|t gooo, bot lt oloo`t stop bor tromb|log.
Loos lt soom |lko Oolo |ot os go too oosl|yº`
Porcy p|ockoo o moo c|oo írom bls bolr. Voybo sbo
stl|| woots os os powos. Voybo sbo wos jost soylog tblogs
to moss wltb yoor mloo.`
5bo koow wbot to soy,` lozo| ogrooo. 5bo koow bow to
got to mo.`
lrook pot bls jockot oroooo bor sboo|oors. 7bls ls o
roo| |lío. Yoo koow tbot, rlgbtº ¼o`ro oot golog to |ot yoo
olo ogolo.`
lo soooooo so ootormlooo. lozo| oloo`t woot to orgoo,
bot sbo oloo`t soo bow lrook coo|o stop Lootb. 5bo
prossoo bor coot pockot, wboro lrook`s bo|í-borot ílrowooo
wos stl|| socoro|y wroppoo. 5bo wooooroo wbot woo|o`vo
boppoooo to blm lí sbo`o sook lo tbo moo íorovor. Voybo
tbot woo|o bovo sovoo blm. llro coo|oo`t bovo got to tbo
wooo oowo tboro.
5bo woo|o bovo mooo ooy socrlílco to koop lrook soío.
Porbops sbo booo`t o|woys ío|t tbot stroog|y, bot lrook boo
trostoo bor wltb bls |lío. lo bo|lovoo lo bor. 5bo coo|oo`t
boor tbo tboogbt oí ooy borm comlog to blm.
5bo g|oocoo ot tbo rlslog soo . 7lmo wos rooolog oot.
5bo tboogbt oboot ly||o, tbo Amozoo Ooooo bock lo
5oott|o. ly||o woo|o bovo ooo||oo Otroro two olgbts lo o
row by oow, ossomlog sbo boo sorvlvoo. 5bo wos
coootlog oo lozo| to ro|ooso Lootb.
5bo mooogoo to stooo. 7bo wloo comlog oíí
Rosorroctloo Boy wos jost os co|o os sbo romomboroo.
¼o sboo|o got golog. ¼o`ro |oslog tlmo.`
Porcy gozoo oowo tbo rooo. lls |lps woro rotorolog to
tbolr oormo| co|oor. Aoy boto|s or somotblog wboro wo
coo|o c|ooo oííº l mooo . boto|s tbot occopt moo
poop|oº`
l`m oot soro,` lozo| oomlttoo.
5bo |ookoo ot tbo towo bo|ow ooo coo|oo`t bo|lovo bow
mocb lt boo growo sloco 1042. 7bo molo borboor boo
movoo oost os tbo towo boo oxpooooo. Vost oí tbo
bol|ologs woro oow to bor, bot tbo grlo oí oowotowo stroots
soomoo íoml|lor. 5bo tboogbt sbo rocogolzoo somo
woroboosos o|oog tbo sboro. l mlgbt koow o p|oco wo coo
írosboo op.`
xLll

Hazel

¼lEN 7lEY OO7 lN7O 7O¼N, lozo| ío||owoo tbo somo rooto
sbo`o osoo sovooty yoors ogo - tbo |ost olgbt oí bor |lío,
wboo sbo`o como bomo írom tbo bl||s ooo íoooo bor
motbor mlsslog.
5bo |oo bor írlooos o|oog 7blro Avoooo. 7bo rol|rooo
stotloo wos stl|| tboro. 7bo blg wblto two-storoy 5oworo
loto| wos stl|| lo boslooss, tboogb lt boo oxpooooo to
twlco lts o|o slzo. 7boy tboogbt oboot stopplog tboro, bot
lozo| oloo`t tblok lt woo|o bo o gooo looo to trolpso loto
tbo |obby covoroo lo moo, oor wos sbo soro tbo boto|
woo|o glvo o room to tbroo mloors.
lostooo, tboy torooo toworos tbo sboro|loo. lozo|
coo|oo`t bo|lovo lt, bot bor o|o bomo wos stl|| tboro,
|ooolog ovor tbo wotor oo borooc|o-oocrostoo plors. 7bo
rooí soggoo. 7bo wo||s woro poríorotoo wltb bo|os |lko
bocksbot. 7bo ooor wos boorooo-op, ooo o booo-polotoo
slgo rooo. ROOV5 - 57ORAOE - AVAlLABLE
Como oo,` sbo solo.
Ub, yoo soro lt`s soíoº` lrook oskoo.
lozo| íoooo oo opoo wlooow ooo c|lmboo losloo. lor
írlooos ío||owoo. 7bo room booo`t booo osoo lo o |oog
tlmo. 7bolr íoot klckoo op oost tbot swlr|oo lo tbo bocksbot
booms oí soo|lgbt. Voo|oorlog corobooro boxos woro
stockoo o|oog tbo wo||s. 7bolr íoooo |obo|s rooo. Orootlog
Coros, Assortoo 5oosooo|. ¼by sovoro| boooroo boxos
oí soosoo`s grootlogs boo woooo op cromb|log to oost lo o
worobooso lo A|osko, lozo| boo oo looo, bot lt ío|t |lko o
croo| joko. os lí tbo coros woro íor o|| tbo bo|looys sbo`o
oovor got to co|obroto - oocooos oí Cbrlstmosos, Eostors,
blrtbooys, Vo|ootloo`s Loys.
lt`s wormor lo boro, ot |oost,` lrook solo. Oooss oo
rooolog wotorº Voybo l coo go sbopplog. l`m oot os
moooy os yoo goys. l coo|o íloo os somo c|otbos.`
lozo| oo|y bo|í booro blm.
5bo c|lmboo ovor o stock oí boxos lo tbo coroor tbot
osoo to bo bor s|ooplog oroo. Ao o|o slgo wos proppoo
ogolost tbo wo||. OOLL PRO5PEC7lNO 5UPPLlE5. 5bo tboogbt
sbo`o íloo o boro wo|| bobloo lt, bot wboo sbo movoo tbo
slgo, most oí bor pbotos ooo orowlogs woro stl|| ploooo
tboro. 7bo slgo most bovo protoctoo tbom írom soo|lgbt
ooo tbo o|omoots. 7boy soomoo oot to bovo ogoo. lor
croyoo orowlogs oí Now Or|ooos |ookoo so cbl|olsb. loo
sbo roo||y mooo tbomº lor motbor storoo oot ot bor írom
ooo pbotogropb, sml|log lo íroot oí bor boslooss slgo.
OUEEN VARlE`5 ORl5-ORl5 - ClARV5 5OLL, lOR7UNE5 7OLL.
Noxt to tbot wos o pboto oí 5ommy ot tbo corolvo|. lo
wos írozoo lo tlmo wltb bls crozy grlo, bls cor|y b|ock bolr,
ooo tboso boootlío| oyos. lí Oolo wos to||log tbo trotb,
5ommy boo booo oooo íor ovor íorty yoors. loo bo roo||y
romomboroo lozo| o|| tbot tlmoº Or boo bo íorgottoo tbo
poco|lor glr| bo osoo to go rlolog wltb - tbo glr| wbo sboroo
ooo klss ooo o blrtbooy copcoko wltb blm boíoro
olsoppoorlog íorovorº
lrook`s ílogors bovoroo ovor tbo pboto. ¼bo . º` lo
sow tbot sbo wos crylog ooo c|ompoo bock bls qoostloo.
5orry, lozo|. 7bls most bo roo||y boro. Lo yoo woot somo
tlmo -º`
No,` sbo crookoo. No, lt`s íloo.`
ls tbot yoor motborº` Porcy polotoo to tbo pboto oí
Ooooo Vorlo. 5bo |ooks |lko yoo. 5bo`s boootlío|.`
7boo Porcy stooloo tbo plctoro oí 5ommy. ¼bo ls
tbotº`
lozo| oloo`t oooorstooo wby bo |ookoo so spookoo.
7bot`s . tbot`s 5ommy. lo wos my - ob - írlooo írom
Now Or|ooos.` 5bo íorcoo borso|í oot to |ook ot lrook.
l`vo sooo blm boíoro,` Porcy solo.
Yoo coo|oo`t bovo,` lozo| solo. 7bot wos lo 1041.
lo`s . bo`s probob|y oooo oow.`
Porcy írowooo. l gooss. 5tl|| .` lo sbook bls booo, |lko
tbo tboogbt wos too oocomíortob|o.
lrook c|ooroo bls tbroot. Look, wo possoo o storo oo
tbo |ost b|ock. ¼o`vo got o |ltt|o moooy |oít. Voybo l
sboo|o go got yoo goys somo íooo ooo c|otbos ooo - l
ooo`t koow - o boooroo boxos oí wot wlpos or somotblogº`
lozo| pot tbo go|o prospoctlog slgo bock ovor bor
momootos. 5bo ío|t gol|ty ovoo |ooklog ot tbot o|o plctoro
oí 5ommy, wltb lrook trylog to bo so swoot ooo
sopportlvo. lt oloo`t oo bor ooy gooo to tblok oboot bor o|o
|lío.
7bot woo|o bo groot,` sbo solo. Yoo`ro tbo bost, lrook.`
7bo í|oorbooros crookoo oooor bls íoot. ¼o|| . l`m tbo
oo|y ooo oot comp|oto|y covoroo lo moo, ooywoy. Bo
bock sooo.`
Ooco bo wos gooo, Porcy ooo lozo| mooo tomporory
comp. 7boy took oíí tbolr jockots ooo trloo to scropo oíí
tbo moo. 7boy íoooo somo o|o b|ookots lo o croto ooo
osoo tbom to c|ooo op. 7boy olscovoroo tbot boxos oí
grootlog coros mooo protty gooo p|ocos to rost lí yoo
orroogoo tbom |lko mottrossos.
Porcy sot bls sworo oo tbo í|oor wboro lt g|owoo wltb o
íolot broozo |lgbt. 7boo bo strotcboo oot oo o boo oí Vorry
Cbrlstmos 1082.
7book yoo íor sovlog mo,` bo solo. l sboo|o`vo to|o yoo
tbot oor|lor.`
lozo| sbroggoo. Yoo woo|o bovo oooo tbo somo íor
mo.`
Yos,` bo ogrooo. Bot wboo l wos oowo lo tbo moo, l
romomboroo tbot |loo írom E||o`s propbocy - oboot tbo
soo oí Noptooo orowolog. l tboogbt. º7bls ls wbot lt mooos.
l`m orowolog lo tbo oortb.' l wos soro l wos oooo.`
lls volco qoovoroo |lko lt boo bls ílrst ooy ot Comp
1opltor, wboo lozo| boo sbowo blm tbo sbrloo oí Noptooo.
Bock tboo sbo boo wooooroo lí Porcy wos tbo ooswor to
bor prob|oms - tbo ooscooooot oí Noptooo tbot P|oto boo
promlsoo woo|o toko owoy bor corso somo ooy. Porcy boo
soomoo so lotlmlootlog ooo poworío|, |lko o roo| boro.
Oo|y oow, sbo koow tbot lrook wos o ooscooooot oí
Noptooo, too. lrook woso`t tbo most lmprosslvo-|ooklog
boro lo tbo wor|o, bot bo`o trostoo bor wltb bls |lío. lo trloo
so boro to protoct bor. Evoo bls c|omslooss wos
ooooorlog.
5bo`o oovor ío|t moro cooíosoo - ooo, sloco sbo boo
spoot bor wbo|o |lío cooíosoo, tbot wos soylog o |ot.
Porcy,` sbo solo, tbot propbocy mlgbt oot bovo booo
comp|oto. lrook tboogbt E||o wos romomborlog o borot
pogo. Voybo yoo`|| orowo somoooo o|so.`
lo |ookoo ot bor cootloos|y. Yoo tblok soº`
lozo| ío|t stroogo roossorlog blm. lo wos so mocb
o|oor, ooo moro lo commooo. Bot sbo oooooo
cooílooot|y. Yoo`ro golog to moko lt bock bomo. Yoo`ro
golog to soo yoor glr|írlooo Aooobotb.`
Yoo`|| moko lt bock, too, lozo|,` bo loslstoo. ¼o`ro oot
golog to |ot ooytblog boppoo to yoo. Yoo`ro too vo|oob|o
to mo, to tbo comp, ooo ospoclo||y to lrook.`
lozo| plckoo op oo o|o vo|ootloo. 7bo |ocy wblto popor
ío|| oport lo bor booos. l ooo`t bo|oog lo tbls cootory. Nlco
oo|y broogbt mo bock so l coo|o corroct my mlstokos,
moybo got loto E|yslom.`
7boro`s moro to yoor oostloy tboo tbot,` bo solo. ¼o`ro
sopposoo to ílgbt Oolo togotbor. l`m golog to oooo yoo ot
my sloo woy |oogor tboo jost toooy. Aoo lrook - yoo coo
soo tbo goy ls crozy oboot yoo. 7bls |lío ls wortb ílgbtlog
íor, lozo|.`
5bo c|osoo bor oyos. P|ooso, ooo`t got my bopos op. l
coo`t -`
7bo wlooow crookoo opoo. lrook c|lmboo lo,
trlompboot|y bo|olog somo sbopplog bogs. 5occoss!`
lo sbowoo oíí bls prlzos. lrom o bootlog storo, bo`o got
o oow qolvor oí orrows íor blmso|í, somo rotloos ooo o col|
oí ropo.
lor tbo ooxt tlmo wo roo ocross moskog,` bo solo.
lrom o |oco| toorlst sbop, bo boo boogbt tbroo sots oí
írosb c|otbos, somo towo|s, somo soop, somo bott|oo
wotor ooo, yos, o bogo box oí wot wlpos. lt woso`t oxoct|y o
bot sbowor, bot lozo| oockoo bobloo o wo|| oí grootlog
coro boxos to c|ooo op ooo cboogo. 5ooo sbo wos íoo|log
mocb bottor.
7bls ls yoor |ost ooy, sbo romloooo borso|í. Loo`t got
too comíortob|o.
7bo loost oí lortooo - o|| tbo |ock tbot boppoooo
toooy, gooo or boo, wos sopposoo to bo oo omoo oí tbo
ootlro yoor to como. Ooo woy or oootbor, tbolr qoost woo|o
ooo tbls ovoolog.
5bo s|lppoo tbo ploco oí orlítwooo loto bor oow coot
pockot. 5omobow, sbo`o bovo to moko soro lt stoyoo soío,
oo mottor wbot boppoooo to bor. 5bo coo|o boor bor owo
oootb os |oog os bor írlooos sorvlvoo.
5o,` sbo solo. Now wo íloo o boot to lobboro O|oclor.`
5bo trloo to soooo cooílooot, bot lt woso`t oosy. 5bo
wlsboo Arloo woro stl|| wltb bor. 5bo`o mocb rotbor rloo
loto bott|o oo tbot boootlío| borso. Evor sloco tboy`o |oít
Voocoovor, sbo`o booo co||log to blm lo bor tboogbts,
boplog bo woo|o boor bor ooo como íloo bor, bot tbot wos
jost wlsbío| tbloklog.
lrook pottoo bls stomocb. lí wo`ro golog to bott|o to tbo
oootb, l woot |oocb ílrst. l íoooo tbo poríoct p|oco.`
lrook |oo tbom to o sbopplog p|ozo ooor tbo wborí, wboro
oo o|o rol|woy cor boo booo coovortoo to o oloor. lozo|
boo oo momory oí tbo p|oco írom tbo 1040s, bot tbo íooo
smo||oo omozlog.
¼bl|o lrook ooo Porcy orooroo, lozo| wooooroo oowo
to tbo oocks ooo oskoo somo qoostloos. ¼boo sbo como
bock, sbo oooooo cboorlog op. Evoo tbo cboosoborgor
ooo írlos oloo`t oo tbo trlck.
¼o`ro lo troob|o,` sbo solo. l trloo to got o boot. Bot . l
mlsco|co|otoo.`
No bootsº` lrook oskoo.
Ob, l coo got o boot,` lozo| solo. Bot tbo g|oclor ls
íortbor tboo l tboogbt. Evoo ot top spooo, wo coo|oo`t got
tboro ootl| tomorrow morolog.`
Porcy torooo po|o. Voybo l coo|o moko tbo boot go
íostorº`
Evoo lí yoo coo|o,` lozo| solo, írom wbot tbo coptolos
to|| mo, lt`s troocboroos - lcoborgs, mozos oí cboooo|s to
oovlgoto. Yoo`o bovo to koow wboro yoo woro golog.`
A p|oooº` lrook oskoo.
lozo| sbook bor booo. l oskoo tbo boot coptolos oboot
tbot. 7boy solo wo coo|o try, bot lt`s o tloy olrílo|o. Yoo
bovo to cbortor o p|ooo two, tbroo wooks lo oovooco.`
7boy oto lo sl|ooco oítor tbot. lozo|`s cboosoborgor wos
oxco||oot, bot sbo coo|oo`t coocootroto oo lt. 5bo`o ootoo
oboot tbroo bltos wboo o rovoo sott|oo oo tbo to|opbooo
po|o obovo ooo bogoo to crook ot tbom.
lozo| sblvoroo. 5bo wos oírolo lt woo|o spook to bor
|lko tbo otbor rovoo, so mooy yoors ogo. 7bo |ost olgbt.
7oolgbt. 5bo wooooroo lí rovoos o|woys oppooroo to
cbl|oroo oí P|oto wboo tboy woro oboot to olo. 5bo bopoo
Nlco wos stl|| o|lvo, ooo Oolo boo jost booo |ylog to moko
bor oosott|oo. lozo| boo o boo íoo|log tbot tbo gooooss
wos to||log tbo trotb.
Nlco boo to|o bor tbot bo`o soorcb íor tbo Loors oí
Lootb írom tbo otbor sloo. lí bo`o booo coptoroo by Oolo`s
íorcos, lozo| mlgbt`vo |ost tbo oo|y íoml|y sbo boo.
5bo storoo ot bor cboosoborgor.
5ooooo|y, tbo rovoo`s cowlog cboogoo to o stroog|oo
yo|p.
lrook got op so íost tbot bo o|most topp|oo tbo plcolc
tob|o. Porcy orow bls sworo.
lozo| ío||owoo tbolr oyos. Porcboo oo top oí tbo po|o
wboro tbo rovoo boo booo, o íot og|y grypboo g|oroo oowo
ot tbom. lt borpoo, ooo rovoo íootbors í|ottoroo írom lts
book.
lozo| stooo ooo oosbootboo bor spotbo.
lrook oockoo oo orrow. lo took olm, bot tbo grypboo
sbrlokoo so |ooo|y tbo soooo ocbooo oíí tbo moootolos.
lrook í|locboo, ooo bls sbot woot wloo.
l tblok tbot`s o co|| íor bo|p,` Porcy worooo. ¼o bovo to
got oot oí boro.`
¼ltb oo c|oor p|oo, tboy roo íor tbo oocks. 7bo grypboo
olvoo oítor tbom. Porcy s|osboo ot lt wltb bls sworo, bot tbo
grypboo vooroo oot oí roocb.
7boy took tbo stops to tbo ooorost plor ooo rocoo to tbo
ooo. 7bo grypboo swoopoo oítor tbom, lts íroot c|ows
oxtooooo íor tbo kl||. lozo| rolsoo bor sworo, bot oo lcy
wo|| oí wotor s|ommoo sloowoys loto tbo grypboo ooo
wosboo lt loto tbo boy. 7bo grypboo sqoowkoo ooo
í|oppoo lts wlogs. lt mooogoo to scromb|o ooto tbo plor,
wboro lt sbook lts b|ock íor |lko o wot oog.
lrook grootoo. Nlco ooo, Porcy.`
Yoob,` bo solo. Lloo`t koow lí l coo|o stl|| oo tbot lo
A|osko. Bot boo oows - |ook ovor tboro.`
Aboot o ml|o owoy, ovor tbo moootolos, o b|ock c|ooo
wos swlr|log - o wbo|o í|ock oí grypboos, oozoos ot |oost.
7boro wos oo woy tboy coo|o ílgbt tbot mooy, ooo oo boot
coo|o toko tbom owoy íost oooogb.
lrook oockoo oootbor orrow. Not golog oowo wltboot o
ílgbt.`
Porcy rolsoo Rlptloo. l`m wltb yoo.`
7boo lozo| booro o soooo lo tbo olstooco - |lko tbo
wblooylog oí o borso. 5bo most`vo booo lmoglolog lt, bot
sbo crloo oot oosporoto|y, Arloo! Ovor boro!`
A too b|or como rlpplog oowo tbo stroot ooo ooto tbo
plor. 7bo sto||loo motorlo|lzoo rlgbt bobloo tbo grypboo,
broogbt oowo bls íroot boovos ooo smosboo tbo moostor
to oost.
lozo| boo oovor booo so boppy lo bor |lío. Oooo borso!
Roo||y gooo borso!`
lrook bockoo op ooo o|most ío|| oíí tbo plor. low -º`
lo ío||owoo mo!` lozo| boomoo. Bocooso bo`s tbo bost
- borso - EVER! Now, got oo!`
A|| tbroo oí osº` Porcy solo. Coo bo booo|o ltº`
Arloo wblooloo loolgooot|y.
A|| rlgbt, oo oooo to bo rooo,` Porcy solo. Lot`s go.`
7boy c|lmboo oo, lozo| lo íroot, lrook ooo Porcy
bo|ooclog procorloos|y bobloo bor. lrook wroppoo bls
orms roooo bor wolst, ooo lozo| tboogbt tbot lí tbls wos
golog to bo bor |ost ooy oo oortb - lt woso`t o boo woy to
go oot.
Roo, Arloo!` sbo crloo. 7o lobboro O|oclor!`
7bo borso sbot ocross tbo wotor, bls boovos torolog tbo
top oí tbo soo to stoom.
xLlll

Hazel

RlLlNO ARlON, lAZEL lEL7 PO¼ERlUL, oostoppob|o,
obso|oto|y lo cootro| - o poríoct comblootloo oí borso ooo
bomoo. 5bo wooooroo lí tbls wos wbot lt wos |lko to bo o
cootoor.
7bo boot coptolos lo 5oworo boo worooo bor lt wos
tbroo boooroo oootlco| ml|os to tbo lobboro O|oclor, o
boro, ooogoroos joorooy, bot Arloo boo oo troob|o. lo
rocoo ovor tbo wotor ot tbo spooo oí soooo, bootlog tbo olr
oroooo tbom so tbot lozo| oloo`t ovoo íoo| tbo co|o. Oo
íoot, sbo oovor woo|o bovo ío|t so brovo. Oo borsobock,
sbo coo|oo`t wolt to cborgo loto bott|o.
lrook ooo Porcy oloo`t |ook so boppy. ¼boo lozo|
g|oocoo bock, tbolr tootb woro c|oocboo ooo tbolr oyobo||s
woro boooclog oroooo lo tbolr booos. lrook`s cbooks
jlgg|oo írom tbo g-íorco. Porcy sot ot tbo bock, booglog oo
tlgbt, oosporoto|y trylog oot to s|lp oíí tbo borso`s roor.
lozo| bopoo tbot oloo`t boppoo. 7bo woy Arloo wos
movlog, sbo mlgbt oot ootlco bo wos gooo íor ílíty or slxty
ml|os.
7boy rocoo tbroogb lcy strolts, post b|oo íjoros ooo c|líís
wltb wotorío||s spl||log loto tbo soo. Arloo jompoo ovor o
broocblog bompbock wbo|o ooo kopt go||oplog, stort|log o
pock oí soo|s oíí oo lcoborg.
lt soomoo |lko oo|y mlootos boíoro tboy zlppoo loto o
oorrow boy. 7bo wotor torooo tbo cooslstoocy oí sbovoo
lco lo b|oo stlcky syrop. Arloo como to o bo|t oo o írozoo
torqoolso s|ob.
A bo|í o ml|o owoy stooo lobboro O|oclor. Evoo lozo|,
wbo`o sooo g|oclors boíoro, coo|oo`t qolto procoss wbot
sbo wos |ooklog ot. Porp|o soowcoppoo moootolos
morcboo oíí lo oltbor olroctloo, wltb c|ooos í|ootlog oroooo
tbolr mloo|os |lko í|oííy bo|ts. lo o mosslvo vo||oy botwooo
two oí tbo |orgost pooks, o roggoo wo|| oí lco roso oot oí
tbo soo, íl||log tbo ootlro gorgo. 7bo g|oclor wos b|oo ooo
wblto wltb strooks oí b|ock, so tbot lt |ookoo |lko o boogo oí
olrty soow |oít bobloo oo o sloowo|k oítor o soowp|oogb
boo gooo by, oo|y íoor ml||loo tlmos os |orgo.
As sooo os Arloo stoppoo, lozo| ío|t tbo tomporotoro
orop. A|| tbot lco wos sooolog oíí wovos oí co|o, torolog tbo
boy loto tbo wor|o`s |orgost roírlgorotor. 7bo oorlost tblog
wos o soooo |lko tboooor tbot ro||oo ocross tbo wotor.
¼bot ls tbotº` lrook gozoo ot tbo c|ooos obovo tbo
g|oclor. A stormº`
No,` lozo| solo. lco crocklog ooo sblítlog. Vl||loos oí
toos oí lco.`
Yoo mooo tbot tblog ls brooklog opº` lrook oskoo.
As lí oo coo, o sboot oí lco sl|oot|y co|voo oíí tbo sloo oí
tbo g|oclor ooo crosboo loto tbo soo, sproylog wotor ooo
írozoo sbropoo| sovoro| storoys blgb. A ml||lsocooo |otor
tbo soooo blt tbom - o BOOV o|most os jorrlog os Arloo
blttlog tbo soooo borrlor.
¼o coo`t got c|oso to tbot tblog!` lrook solo.
¼o bovo to,` Porcy solo. 7bo gloot ls ot tbo top.`
Arloo olckoroo.
1ooz, lozo|,` Porcy solo, to|| yoor borso to wotcb bls
|oogoogo.`
lozo| trloo oot to |oogb. ¼bot olo bo soyº`
¼ltb tbo cosslog romovooº lo solo bo coo got os to
tbo top.`
lrook |ookoo locrooo|oos. l tboogbt tbo borso coo|oo`t
í|y!`
7bls tlmo Arloo wblooloo so oogrl|y, ovoo lozo| coo|o
gooss bo wos corslog.
Looo,` Porcy to|o tbo borso, l`vo booo sospooooo íor
soylog |oss tboo tbot. lozo|, bo promlsos yoo`|| soo wbot
bo coo oo os sooo os yoo glvo tbo woro.`
Um, bo|o oo, tboo, yoo goys,` lozo| solo oorvoos|y.
Arloo, glooyop!`
Arloo sbot toworos tbo g|oclor |lko o rooowoy rockot,
borro||log strolgbt ocross tbo s|osb |lko bo wootoo to p|oy
cblckoo wltb tbo moootolo oí lco.
7bo olr grow co|oor. 7bo crock|log oí tbo lco grow
|oooor. As Arloo c|osoo tbo olstooco, tbo g|oclor |oomoo
so |orgo tbot lozo| got vortlgo jost trylog to toko lt o|| lo.
7bo sloo wos rloo|oo wltb crovlcos ooo covos, splkoo wltb
joggoo rlogos |lko oxo b|ooos. Plocos woro coostoot|y
cromb|log oíí - somo oo |orgor tboo soowbo||s, somo tbo
slzo oí boosos.
¼boo tboy woro oboot ílíty yoros írom tbo boso, o
tboooorc|op rott|oo lozo|`s booos, ooo o cortolo oí lco tbot
woo|o bovo covoroo Comp 1opltor co|voo owoy ooo ío||
toworos tbom.
Look oot!` lrook sbootoo, wblcb soomoo o |ltt|o
oooocossory to lozo|.
Arloo wos woy obooo oí blm. lo o borst oí spooo, bo
zlgzoggoo tbroogb tbo oobrls, |ooplog ovor cbooks oí lco
ooo c|omborlog op tbo íoco oí tbo g|oclor.
Porcy ooo lrook botb cossoo |lko borsos ooo bo|o oo
oosporoto|y wbl|o lozo| wroppoo bor orms roooo Arloo`s
oock. 5omobow, tboy mooogoo oot to ío|| oíí os Arloo
sco|oo tbo c|líís, jomplog írom íootbo|o to íootbo|o wltb
lmposslb|o spooo ooo ogl|lty. lt wos |lko ío||log oowo o
moootolo lo rovorso.
7boo lt wos ovor. Arloo stooo prooo|y ot tbo top oí o
rlogo oí lco tbot |oomoo ovor tbo volo. 7bo soo wos oow
tbroo boooroo íoot bo|ow tbom.
Arloo wblooloo o cbo||oogo tbot ocbooo oíí tbo
moootolos. Porcy oloo`t troos|oto, bot lozo| wos protty
soro Arloo wos co||log oot to ooy otbor borsos tbot mlgbt
bo lo tbo boy. Boot tbot, yo pooks!
7boo bo torooo ooo roo lo|ooo ocross tbo top oí tbo
g|oclor, |ooplog o cbosm ílíty íoot ocross.
7boro!` Porcy polotoo.
7bo borso stoppoo. Abooo oí tbom stooo o írozoo
Romoo comp |lko o gloot-slzoo gbost|y rop|lco oí Comp
1opltor. 7bo troocbos brlst|oo wltb lco splkos. 7bo soow-
brlck romports g|oroo b|loolog wblto. looglog írom tbo
gooro towors, boooors oí írozoo b|oo c|otb sblmmoroo lo
tbo Arctlc soo.
7boro wos oo slgo oí |lío. 7bo gotos stooo wloo opoo.
No sootrlos wo|koo tbo wo||s. 5tl||, lozo| boo oo oooosy
íoo|log lo bor got. 5bo romomboroo tbo covo lo
Rosorroctloo Boy wboro sbo`o workoo to rolso A|cyoooos
- tbo opprosslvo sooso oí mo|lco ooo tbo coostoot boom,
boom, boom, |lko Oolo`s boortboot. 7bls p|oco ío|t slml|or,
os lí tbo oortb woro trylog to woko op ooo coosomo
ovorytblog - os lí tbo moootolos oo oltbor sloo wootoo to
crosb tbom ooo tbo ootlro g|oclor to plocos.
Arloo trottoo sklttlsb|y.
lrook,` Porcy solo, bow oboot wo go oo íoot írom boroº`
lrook slgboo wltb ro|loí. 7boogbt yoo`o oovor osk.`
7boy olsmoootoo ooo took somo toototlvo stops. 7bo
lco soomoo stob|o, covoroo wltb o íloo corpot oí soow so
tbot lt woso`t too s|lppory.
lozo| orgoo Arloo íorworo. Porcy ooo lrook wo|koo oo
oltbor sloo, sworo ooo bow roooy. 7boy opproocboo tbo
gotos wltboot bolog cbo||oogoo. lozo| wos trolooo to spot
plts, sooros, trlp |loos ooo o|| sorts oí otbor trops Romoo
|ogloos boo íocoo íor oooos lo ooomy torrltory, bot sbo
sow ootblog - jost tbo yowolog lcy gotos ooo tbo írozoo
boooors crock|log lo tbo wloo.
5bo coo|o soo strolgbt oowo tbo Vlo Prootorlo. At tbo
crossrooos, lo íroot oí tbo soow-brlck prloclplo, o to||, oork-
roboo ílgoro stooo, boooo lo lcy cbolos.
7boootos,` lozo| mormoroo.
5bo ío|t os lí bor soo| woro bolog po||oo íorworo, orowo
toworos Lootb |lko oost toworos o vocoom. lor vlsloo
woot oork. 5bo o|most ío|| oíí Arloo, bot lrook coogbt bor
ooo proppoo bor op.
¼o`vo got yoo,` bo promlsoo. Nobooy`s toklog yoo
owoy.`
lozo| grlppoo bls booo. 5bo oloo`t woot to |ot go. lo
wos so so|lo, so roossorlog, bot lrook coo|oo`t protoct bor
írom Lootb. lls owo |lío wos os írogl|o os o bo|í-borot
ploco oí wooo.
l`m o|| rlgbt,` sbo |loo.
Porcy |ookoo oroooo oooosl|y. No ooíoooorsº No
glootº 7bls bos to bo o trop.`
Obvloos|y,` lrook solo. Bot l ooo`t tblok wo bovo o
cbolco.`
Boíoro lozo| coo|o cboogo bor mloo, sbo orgoo Arloo
tbroogb tbo gotos. 7bo |oyoot wos so íoml|lor - cobort
borrocks, botbs, ormoory. lt wos oo oxoct rop|lco oí Comp
1opltor, oxcopt tbroo tlmos os blg. Evoo oo borsobock,
lozo| ío|t tloy ooo loslgolílcoot, os lí tboy woro movlog
tbroogb o mooo| clty coostroctoo by tbo goos.
7boy stoppoo too íoot írom tbo roboo ílgoro.
Now tbot sbo wos boro, lozo| ío|t o rock|oss orgo to
ílolsb tbo qoost. 5bo koow sbo wos lo moro ooogor tboo
wboo sbo`o booo ílgbtlog tbo Amozoos, or íooolog oíí tbo
grypboos, or c|lmblog tbo g|oclor oo Arloo`s bock.
lostloctlvo|y sbo koow tbot 7boootos coo|o slmp|y toocb
bor, ooo sbo woo|o olo.
Bot sbo o|so boo o íoo|log tbot lí sbo oloo`t soo tbo
qoost tbroogb, lí sbo oloo`t íoco bor íoto brovo|y, sbo
woo|o stl|| olo - lo coworolco ooo íol|oro. 7bo joogos oí tbo
oooo woo|oo`t bo |ooloot to bor o socooo tlmo.
Arloo cootoroo bock ooo íortb, sooslog bor olsqolot.
lo||oº` lozo| íorcoo oot tbo woro. Vr Lootbº`
7bo booooo ílgoro rolsoo bls booo.
lostoot|y, tbo wbo|o comp stlrroo to |lío. llgoros lo
Romoo ormoor omorgoo írom tbo borrocks, tbo prloclplo,
tbo ormoory ooo tbo cootooo, bot tboy woroo`t bomoo.
7boy woro sbooos - tbo cbottorlog gbosts lozo| boo |lvoo
wltb íor oocooos lo tbo llo|os oí Aspbooo|. 7bolr boolos
woroo`t mocb moro tboo wlsps oí b|ock vopoor, bot tboy
mooogoo to bo|o togotbor sots oí sco|o ormoor, groovos
ooo bo|mots. lrost-covoroo sworos woro stroppoo to tbolr
wolsts. Pl|o ooo oootoo sblo|os í|ootoo lo tbolr smoky
booos. 7bo p|omos oo tbo cootorloos` bo|mots woro
írozoo ooo roggoo. Vost oí tbo sbooos woro oo íoot, bot
two so|olors borst oot oí tbo stob|os lo o go|ooo cborlot
po||oo by gbost|y b|ock stooos.
¼boo Arloo sow tbo borsos, bo stompoo tbo groooo lo
ootrogo.
lrook grlppoo bls bow. Yop, boro`s tbo trop.`
xLlv

Hazel

7lE OlO575 lORVEL RANK5 ANL ENClRCLEL tbo crossrooos.
7boro woro oboot o boooroo lo o|| - oot oo ootlro |ogloo,
bot moro tboo o cobort. 5omo corrloo tbo tottoroo
|lgbtolog-bo|t boooors oí tbo 7wo|ítb Logloo, llítb Cobort -
Vlcboo| Voros`s ooomoo oxpooltloo írom tbo 1080s.
Otbors corrloo stooooros ooo loslgolo lozo| oloo`t
rocogolzo, os lí tboy`o oloo ot olííoroot tlmos, oo olííoroot
qoosts - moybo oot ovoo írom Comp 1opltor.
Vost woro ormoo wltb lmporlo| go|o woopoos - moro
lmporlo| go|o tboo tbo ootlro 7wo|ítb Logloo possossoo.
lozo| coo|o íoo| tbo comblooo powor oí o|| tbot go|o
bommlog oroooo bor, ovoo scorlor tboo tbo crock|log oí
tbo g|oclor. 5bo wooooroo lí sbo coo|o oso bor powor to
cootro| tbo woopoos, moybo olsorm tbo gbosts, bot sbo
wos oírolo to try. lmporlo| go|o woso`t jost o procloos
moto|. lt wos oooo|y to oomlgoos ooo moostors. 7rylog to
cootro| tbot mocb ot ooco woo|o bo |lko trylog to cootro|
p|otoolom lo o rooctor. lí sbo íol|oo, sbo mlgbt wlpo
lobboro O|oclor oíí tbo mop ooo kl|| bor írlooos.
7boootos!` lozo| torooo to tbo roboo ílgoro. ¼o`ro boro
to roscoo yoo. lí yoo cootro| tboso sbooos, to|| tbom -`
lor volco ío|toroo. 7bo goo`s booo ío|| owoy ooo bls
robos oroppoo oíí os bo sprooo bls wlogs, |oovlog blm lo
oo|y o s|oovo|oss b|ock toolc bo|too ot tbo wolst. lo wos
tbo most boootlío| moo lozo| boo ovor sooo.
lls sklo wos tbo co|oor oí tookwooo, oork ooo g|lstoolog
|lko Ooooo Vorlo`s o|o soooco tob|o. lls oyos woro os
boooy go|o os lozo|`s. lo wos |ooo ooo mosco|or, wltb o
rogo| íoco ooo b|ock bolr í|owlog oowo bls sboo|oors. lls
wlogs g|lmmoroo lo sbooos oí b|oo, b|ock ooo porp|o.
lozo| romloooo borso|í to brootbo.
Boootlío| wos tbo rlgbt woro íor 7boootos - oot
booosomo, or bot, or ooytblog |lko tbot. lo wos boootlío|
tbo woy oo oogo| ls boootlío| - tlmo|oss, poríoct, romoto.
Ob,` sbo solo lo o smo|| volco.
7bo goo`s wrlsts woro sbock|oo lo lcy moooc|os, wltb
cbolos tbot roo strolgbt loto tbo g|oclor í|oor. lls íoot woro
boro, sbock|oo roooo tbo ook|os ooo o|so cbolooo.
lt`s Coplo,` lrook solo.
A roo||y boíí Coplo,` Porcy ogrooo.
Yoo comp|lmoot mo,` 7boootos solo. lls volco wos os
gorgooos os bo wos - ooop ooo mo|ooloos. l om
íroqooot|y mlstokoo íor tbo goo oí |ovo. Lootb bos moro lo
commoo wltb Lovo tboo yoo mlgbt lmogloo. Bot l om
Lootb. l ossoro yoo.`
lozo| oloo`t ooobt lt. 5bo ío|t os lí sbo woro mooo oí
osbos. Aoy socooo, sbo mlgbt cromb|o ooo bo sockoo
loto tbo vocoom. 5bo ooobtoo 7boootos ovoo oooooo to
toocb bor to kl|| bor. lo coo|o slmp|y to|| bor to olo. 5bo
woo|o koo| ovor oo tbo spot, bor soo| oboylog tbot
boootlío| volco ooo tboso kloo oyos.
¼o`ro - wo`ro boro to sovo yoo,` sbo mooogoo. ¼boro`s
A|cyoooosº`
5ovo mo . º` 7boootos oorrowoo bls oyos. Lo yoo
oooorstooo wbot yoo oro soylog, lozo| Lovosqooº Lo
yoo oooorstooo wbot tbot wl|| moooº`
Porcy stoppoo íorworo. ¼o`ro wostlog tlmo.`
lo swoog bls sworo ot tbo goo`s cbolos. Co|ostlo|
broozo roog ogolost tbo lco, bot Rlptloo stock to tbo cbolo
|lko g|oo. lrost bogoo crooplog op tbo b|ooo. Porcy po||oo
írootlco||y. lrook roo to bo|p. 7ogotbor, tboy jost mooogoo
to yook Rlptloo íroo boíoro tbo írost roocboo tbolr booos.
7bot woo`t work,` 7boootos solo slmp|y. As íor tbo gloot,
bo ls c|oso. 7boso sbooos oro oot mloo. 7boy oro bls.`
7boootos`s oyos scooooo tbo gbost so|olors. 7boy
sblítoo oocomíortob|y, os lí oo Arctlc wloo woro rott|log
tbroogb tbolr rooks.
5o bow oo wo got yoo ootº` lozo| oomooooo.
7boootos torooo bls ottootloo bock to bor. Loogbtor oí
P|oto, cbl|o oí my mostor, yoo oí o|| poop|o sboo|o oot
wlsb mo ro|oosoo.`
Loo`t yoo tblok l koow tbotº` lozo|`s oyos stoog, bot sbo
wos oooo bolog oírolo. 5bo`o booo o scoroo |ltt|o glr|
sovooty yoors ogo. 5bo`o |ost bor motbor bocooso sbo
octoo too |oto. Now sbo wos o so|olor oí Romo. 5bo woso`t
golog to íol| ogolo. 5bo woso`t golog to |ot oowo bor
írlooos.
Llstoo, Lootb.` 5bo orow bor covo|ry sworo, ooo Arloo
rooroo lo ooílooco. l oloo`t como bock írom tbo
Uooorwor|o ooo trovo| tboosooos oí ml|os to bo to|o tbot
l`m stoplo íor sottlog yoo íroo. lí l olo, l olo. l`|| ílgbt tbls
wbo|o ormy lí l bovo to. 1ost to|| os bow to brook yoor
cbolos.`
7boootos stooloo bor íor o boortboot. lotorostlog. Yoo
oo oooorstooo tbot tboso sbooos woro ooco oomlgoos
|lko yoo. 7boy íoogbt íor Romo. 7boy oloo wltboot
comp|otlog tbolr borolc qoosts. Llko yoo, tboy woro soot to
Aspbooo|. Now Oolo bos promlsoo tbom o socooo |lío lí
tboy ílgbt íor bor toooy. Oí coorso, lí yoo ro|ooso mo ooo
ooíoot tbom, tboy wl|| bovo to rotoro to tbo Uooorwor|o
wboro tboy bo|oog. lor troosoo ogolost tbo goos, tboy wl||
íoco otoroo| poolsbmoot. 7boy oro oot so olííoroot írom
yoo, lozo| Lovosqoo. Aro yoo soro yoo woot to ro|ooso
mo ooo oomo tboso soo|s íorovorº`
lrook c|oocboo bls ílsts. 7bot`s oot íolr! Lo yoo woot to
bo írooo or ootº`
lolr .` Lootb mosoo. Yoo`o bo omozoo bow oítoo l
boor tbot woro, lrook Zboog, ooo bow mooolog|oss lt ls. ls
lt íolr tbot yoor |lío wl|| boro so sbort ooo brlgbtº ¼os lt íolr
wboo l golooo yoor motbor to tbo Uooorwor|oº`
lrook stoggoroo |lko bo`o booo poocboo.
No,` Lootb solo soo|y. Not íolr. Aoo yot lt wos bor tlmo.
7boro ls oo íolrooss lo Lootb. lí yoo íroo mo, l wl|| oo my
ooty. Bot oí coorso tboso sbooos wl|| try to stop yoo.`
5o lí wo |ot yoo go,` Porcy sommoo op, wo got mobboo
by o boocb oí b|ock vopoor oooos wltb go|o sworos. lloo.
low oo wo brook tboso cbolosº`
7boootos sml|oo. Oo|y tbo ílro oí |lío coo mo|t tbo
cbolos oí oootb.`
¼ltboot tbo rloo|os, p|oosoº` Porcy oskoo.
lrook orow o sboky brootb. lt lso`t o rloo|o.`
lrook, oo,` lozo| solo wook|y. 7boro`s got to bo oootbor
woy.`
Loogbtor boomoo ocross tbo g|oclor. A romb|log volco
solo. Vy írlooos. l`vo woltoo so |oog!`
5tooolog ot tbo gotos oí tbo comp wos A|cyoooos. lo
wos ovoo |orgor tboo tbo gloot Po|ybotos tboy`o sooo lo
Co|líorolo. lo boo moto||lc go|ooo sklo, ormoor mooo
írom p|otloom |loks ooo oo lroo stoíí tbo slzo oí o totom
po|o. lls rost-roo orogoo |ogs poooooo ogolost tbo lco os
bo ootoroo tbo comp. Procloos stooos g|lotoo lo bls roo
brolooo bolr.
lozo| boo oovor sooo blm ío||y íormoo, bot sbo koow
blm bottor tboo sbo koow bor owo poroots. 5bo boo mooo
blm. lor mootbs, sbo boo rolsoo go|o ooo goms írom tbo
oortb to crooto tbls moostor. 5bo koow tbo olomooos bo
osoo íor o boort. 5bo koow tbo ol| tbot roo lo bls volos
lostooo oí b|ooo. Voro tboo ooytblog, sbo wootoo to
oostroy blm.
7bo gloot opproocboo, grloolog ot bor wltb bls so|lo
sl|vor tootb.
Ab, lozo| Lovosqoo,` bo solo, yoo cost mo ooor|y! lí
oot íor yoo, l woo|o bovo rlsoo oocooos ogo, ooo tbls wor|o
woo|o o|roooy bo Oolo`s. Bot oo mottor!`
lo sprooo bls booos, sbowlog oíí tbo rooks oí gbost|y
so|olors. ¼o|como, Porcy 1ocksoo! ¼o|como, lrook
Zboog! l om A|cyoooos, tbo booo oí P|oto, tbo oow mostor
oí Lootb. Aoo tbls ls yoor oow |ogloo.`
xLv

Frank

NO lAlRNE55 lN LEA7l. 7boso woros kopt rloglog lo lrook`s
booo.
7bo go|ooo gloot oloo`t scoro blm. 7bo ormy oí sbooos
oloo`t scoro blm. Bot tbo tboogbt oí íroolog 7boootos
mooo lrook woot to cor| loto tbo íooto| posltloo. 7bls goo
boo tokoo bls motbor.
lrook oooorstooo wbot bo boo to oo to brook tboso
cbolos. Vors boo worooo blm. lo`o oxp|olooo wby bo
|ovoo Eml|y Zboog so mocb. 5bo o|woys pot bor ooty ílrst,
obooo oí ovorytblog. Evoo bor |lío.
Now lt wos lrook`s toro.
lls motbor`s socrlílco mooo| ío|t worm lo bls pockot. lo
íloo||y oooorstooo bls motbor`s cbolco, sovlog bor
comrooos ot tbo cost oí bor owo |lío. lo got wbot Vors boo
booo trylog to to|| blm - Loty. 5ocrlílco. 7boy mooo
somotblog.
lo lrook`s cbost, o boro koot oí oogor ooo rosootmoot -
o |omp oí grloí bo`o booo corrylog sloco tbo íoooro| -
íloo||y bogoo to olsso|vo. lo oooorstooo wby bls motbor
oovor como bomo. 5omo tblogs woro wortb oylog íor.
lozo|.` lo trloo to koop bls volco stoooy. 7bot pockogo
yoo`ro kooplog íor moº l oooo lt.`
lozo| g|oocoo ot blm lo olsmoy. 5lttlog oo Arloo, sbo
|ookoo |lko o qoooo, poworío| ooo boootlío|, bor browo bolr
swopt ovor bor sboo|oors ooo o wrootb oí lcy mlst oroooo
bor booo. lrook, oo. 7boro bos to bo oootbor woy.`
P|ooso. l - l koow wbot l`m oolog.`
7boootos sml|oo ooo |lítoo bls moooc|oo wrlsts. Yoo`ro
rlgbt, lrook Zboog. 5ocrlílcos most bo mooo.`
Oroot. lí Lootb opprovoo oí bls p|oo, lrook wos protty
soro bo woso`t golog to |lko tbo roso|ts.
7bo gloot A|cyoooos stoppoo íorworo, bls roptl|loo íoot
sboklog tbo groooo. ¼bot pockogo oo yoo spook oí,
lrook Zboogº lovo yoo broogbt mo o prosootº`
Notblog íor yoo, Oo|ooo Boy,` lrook solo. Excopt o
wbo|o |ot oí polo.`
7bo gloot rooroo wltb |oogbtor. 5pokoo |lko o cbl|o oí
Vors! 7oo boo l bovo to kl|| yoo. Aoo tbls ooo . my, my,
l`vo booo woltlog to moot tbo íomoos Porcy 1ocksoo.`
7bo gloot grloooo. lls sl|vor tootb mooo bls mootb |ook
|lko o cor grl||o.
l`vo ío||owoo yoor progross, soo oí Noptooo,` solo
A|cyoooos. Yoor ílgbt wltb Krooosº ¼o|| oooo. Oolo
botos yoo obovo o|| otbors . oxcopt porbops íor tbot
opstort 1osoo Oroco. l`m sorry l coo`t kl|| yoo rlgbt owoy,
bot my brotbor Po|ybotos wlsbos to koop yoo os o pot. lo
tbloks lt wl|| bo omoslog wboo bo oostroys Noptooo to
bovo tbo goo`s íovoorlto soo oo o |oosb. Aítor tbot, oí
coorso, Oolo bos p|oos íor yoo.`
Yoob, í|ottorlog.` Porcy rolsoo Rlptloo. Bot octoo||y l`m
tbo soo oí Posolooo. l`m írom Comp lo|í-B|ooo.`
7bo gbosts stlrroo. 5omo orow sworos ooo |lítoo
sblo|os. A|cyoooos rolsoo bls booo, gostorlog íor tbom to
wolt.
Orook, Romoo, lt oooso`t mottor,` tbo gloot solo oosl|y.
¼o wl|| crosb botb comps ooooríoot. Yoo soo, tbo 7ltoos
oloo`t tblok blg oooogb. 7boy p|ooooo to oostroy tbo goos
lo tbolr oow bomo oí Amorlco. ¼o gloots koow bottor! 7o
kl|| o wooo, yoo most po|| op lts roots. Evoo oow, wbl|o my
íorcos oostroy yoor |ltt|o Romoo comp, my brotbor
Porpbyrloo ls proporlog íor tbo roo| bott|o lo tbo oocloot
|ooos! ¼o wl|| oostroy tbo goos ot tbolr soorco.`
7bo gbosts poooooo tbolr sworos ogolost tbolr sblo|os.
7bo soooo ocbooo ocross tbo moootolos.
7bo soorcoº` lrook oskoo. Yoo mooo Oroocoº`
A|cyoooos cbock|oo. No oooo to worry oboot tbot, soo
oí Vors. Yoo woo`t |lvo |oog oooogb to soo oor o|tlmoto
vlctory. l wl|| rop|oco P|oto os Loro oí tbo Uooorwor|o. l
o|roooy bovo Lootb lo my costooy. ¼ltb lozo| Lovosqoo
lo my sorvlco, l wl|| bovo o|| tbo rlcbos oooor tbo oortb os
wo||!`
lozo| grlppoo bor spotbo. l ooo`t oo sorvlco.`
Ob, bot yoo govo mo |lío!` A|cyoooos solo. 7roo, wo
bopoo to owokoo Oolo oorlog ¼or|o ¼or ll. 7bot woo|o`vo
booo g|orloos. Bot, roo||y, tbo wor|o ls lo o|most os boo o
sbopo oow. 5ooo, yoor clvl|lzotloo wl|| bo wlpoo oot. 7bo
Loors oí Lootb wl|| stooo opoo. 7boso wbo sorvo os wl||
oovor porlsb. A|lvo or oooo, yoo tbroo wl|| jolo my ormy.`
Porcy sbook bls booo. lot cbooco, Oo|ooo Boy. Yoo`ro
golog oowo.`
¼olt.` lozo| sporroo bor borso toworos tbo gloot. l
rolsoo tbls moostor írom tbo oortb. l`m tbo ooogbtor oí
P|oto. lt`s my p|oco to kl|| blm.`
Ab, |ltt|o lozo|.` A|cyoooos p|ootoo bls stoíí oo tbo lco.
lls bolr g|lttoroo wltb ml||loos oí oo||ors` wortb oí goms.
Aro yoo soro yoo wl|| oot jolo os oí yoor owo íroo wl||º Yoo
coo|o bo qolto . procloos to os. ¼by olo ogoloº`
lozo|`s oyos í|osboo wltb oogor. 5bo |ookoo oowo ot
lrook ooo po||oo tbo wroppoo-op ploco oí ílrowooo írom
bor coot. Aro yoo soroº`
Yoob,` bo solo.
5bo porsoo bor |lps. Yoo`ro my bost írlooo, too, lrook. l
sboo|o bovo to|o yoo tbot.` 5bo tossoo blm tbo stlck. Lo
wbot yoo bovo to. Aoo, Porcy . coo yoo protoct blmº`
Porcy gozoo ot tbo rooks oí gbost|y Romoos. Agolost o
smo|| ormyº 5oro, oo prob|om.`
7boo l`vo got Oo|ooo Boy,` lozo| solo.
5bo cborgoo tbo gloot.
xLvl

Frank

lRANK UN¼RAPPEL 7lE llRE¼OOL ooo koo|t ot tbo íoot oí
7boootos.
lo wos oworo oí Porcy stooolog ovor blm, swloglog bls
sworo ooo yo||log lo ooílooco os tbo gbosts c|osoo lo. lo
booro tbo gloot bo||ow ooo Arloo wblooy oogrl|y, bot bo
oloo`t ooro |ook.
lls booos tromb|log, bo bo|o bls ploco oí tlooor ooxt to
tbo cbolos oo Lootb`s rlgbt |og. lo tboogbt oboot í|omos,
ooo lostoot|y tbo wooo b|ozoo.
lorrlb|o wormtb sprooo tbroogb lrook`s booy. 7bo lcy
moto| bogoo to mo|t, tbo í|omo so brlgbt lt wos moro
b|loolog tboo tbo lco.
Oooo,` 7boootos solo. Vory gooo, lrook Zboog.`
lrook boo booro oboot poop|o`s |lvos í|osblog boíoro
tbolr oyos, bot oow bo oxporloocoo lt |ltoro||y. lo sow bls
motbor tbo ooy sbo |oít íor Aígboolstoo. 5bo sml|oo ooo
boggoo blm. lo trloo to brootb lo bor josmloo scoot so
bo`o oovor íorgot lt.
l wl|| o|woys bo prooo oí yoo, lrook, sbo solo. 5omo
ooy, yoo`|| trovo| ovoo íortbor tboo l. Yoo`|| brlog oor íoml|y
ío|| clrc|o. Yoors írom oow, oor ooscooooots wl|| bo to||log
storlos oboot tbo boro lrook Zboog, tbolr groot-groot-
groot- - 5bo pokoo blm lo tbo bo||y íor o|o tlmos` soko. lt
woo|o bo tbo |ost tlmo lrook sml|oo íor mootbs.
lo sow blmso|í ot tbo plcolc boocb lo Vooso Poss,
wotcblog tbo stors ooo tbo oortboro |lgbts os lozo| sooroo
soít|y bosloo blm, Porcy soylog, lrook, yoo oro o |oooor.
¼o oooo yoo.
lo sow Porcy olsoppoorlog loto tbo moskog, tboo
lozo| olvlog oítor blm. lrook romomboroo bow o|ooo bo
boo ío|t bo|olog oo to tbo bow, bow ottor|y powor|oss. lo
boo p|ooooo wltb tbo O|ymploo goos - ovoo Vors - to
bo|p bls írlooos, bot bo koow tboy woro boyooo tbo goos`
roocb.
¼ltb o c|ook, tbo ílrst cbolo broko. Oolck|y, lrook
stobboo tbo ílrowooo ot tbo cbolo oo Lootb`s otbor |og.
lo rlskoo o g|ooco ovor bls sboo|oor.
Porcy wos ílgbtlog |lko o wblr|wloo. lo íoct . bo wos o
wblr|wloo. A mlolotoro borrlcooo oí wotor ooo lco vopoor
cborooo oroooo blm os bo woooo tbroogb tbo ooomy,
koocklog Romoo gbosts owoy, ooí|octlog orrows ooo
spoors. 5loco wboo olo bo bovo tbot poworº
lo movoo tbroogb tbo ooomy |loos, ooo ovoo tboogb
bo soomoo to bo |oovlog lrook ooooíooooo, tbo ooomy
wos comp|oto|y íocosoo oo Porcy. lrook woso`t soro wby -
tboo bo sow Porcy`s goo|. Ooo oí tbo b|ock vopoory gbosts
wos woorlog tbo |loo-sklo copo oí o stooooro booror ooo
bo|olog o po|o wltb o go|ooo oog|o, lclc|os írozoo to lts
wlogs.
7bo |ogloo`s stooooro.
lrook wotcboo os Porcy p|oogboo tbroogb o |loo oí
|ogloooolros, scottorlog tbolr sblo|os wltb bls porsooo|
cyc|ooo. lo koockoo oowo tbo stooooro booror ooo
grobboo tbo oog|o.
Yoo woot lt bockº` bo sbootoo ot tbo gbosts. Como ooo
got lt!`
lo orow tbom owoy, ooo lrook coo|oo`t bo|p bolog
owoo by bls bo|o strotogy. As mocb os tboso sbooos
wootoo to koop 7boootos cbolooo, tboy woro Romoo
splrlts. 7bolr mloos woro íozzy ot bost, |lko tbo gbosts
lrook boo sooo lo Aspbooo|, bot tboy romomboroo ooo
tblog c|oor|y. tboy woro sopposoo to protoct tbolr oog|o.
5tl||, Porcy coo|oo`t ílgbt oíí tbot mooy ooomlos íorovor.
Volotololog o storm |lko tbot boo to bo olíílco|t. Losplto
tbo co|o, bls íoco wos o|roooy booooo wltb swoot.
lrook |ookoo íor lozo|. lo coo|oo`t soo bor or tbo gloot.
¼otcb yoor ílro, boy,` Lootb worooo. Yoo ooo`t bovo
ooy to wosto.`
lrook corsoo. lo`o got so olstroctoo, bo booo`t ootlcoo
tbo socooo cbolo boo mo|too.
lo movoo bls ílro to tbo sbock|os oo tbo goo`s rlgbt
booo. 7bo ploco oí tlooor wos o|most bo|í gooo oow. lrook
stortoo to sblvor. Voro lmogos í|osboo tbroogb bls mloo.
lo sow Vors slttlog ot bls grooomotbor`s boosloo, |ooklog
ot lrook wltb tboso ooc|oor-oxp|osloo oyos. Yoo`ro 1ooo`s
socrot woopoo. lovo yoo ílgoroo oot yoor glít yotº
lo booro bls motbor soy. Yoo coo bo ooytblog.
7boo bo sow Orooomotbor`s storo íoco, bor sklo os tblo
os rlco popor, bor wblto bolr sprooo ocross bor pl||ow. Yos,
lol Zboog. Yoor motbor wos oot slmp|y boostlog yoor
so|í-ostoom. 5bo wos to||log yoo tbo |ltoro| trotb.
lo tboogbt oí tbo grlzz|y boor bls motbor boo
lotorcoptoo ot tbo oogo oí tbo wooos. lo tboogbt oí tbo
|orgo b|ock blro clrc|log ovor tbo í|omos oí tbolr íoml|y
moosloo.
7bo tblro cbolo sooppoo. lrook tbrost tbo tlooor ot tbo
|ost sbock|o. lls booy wos rockoo wltb polo. Yo||ow
sp|otcbos ooocoo lo bls oyos.
lo sow Porcy ot tbo ooo oí tbo Vlo Prloclpo|ls, bo|olog
oíí tbo ormy oí gbosts. lo`o ovortorooo tbo cborlot ooo
oostroyoo sovoro| bol|ologs, bot ovory tlmo bo tbrow oíí o
wovo oí ottockors lo bls borrlcooo, tbo gbosts slmp|y got
op ooo cborgoo ogolo. Evory tlmo Porcy s|osboo ooo oí
tbom oowo wltb bls sworo, tbo gbost ro-íormoo
lmmooloto|y. Porcy boo bockoo op o|most os íor os bo
coo|o go. Bobloo blm wos tbo sloo goto oí tbo comp ooo,
oboot twooty íoot boyooo tbot, tbo oogo oí tbo g|oclor.
As íor lozo|, sbo ooo A|cyoooos boo mooogoo to
oostroy most oí tbo borrocks lo tbolr bott|o. Now tboy woro
ílgbtlog lo tbo wrockogo ot tbo molo goto. Arloo wos
p|oylog o ooogoroos gomo oí tog, cborglog oroooo tbo
gloot wbl|o A|ycoooos swlpoo ot tbom wltb bls stoíí,
koocklog ovor wo||s ooo c|oovlog mosslvo cbosms lo tbo
lco. Oo|y Arloo`s spooo kopt tbom o|lvo.
lloo||y, Lootb`s |ost cbolo sooppoo. ¼ltb o oosporoto
yo|p, lrook jobboo bls ílrowooo loto o pl|o oí soow ooo
oxtlogolsboo tbo í|omo. lls polo íoooo. lo wos stl|| o|lvo.
Bot wboo bo took oot tbo ploco oí tlooor lt wos oo moro
tboo o stob, smo||or tboo o coooy bor.
7boootos rolsoo bls orms.
lroo,` bo solo wltb sotlsíoctloo.
Oroot.` lrook b|lokoo tbo spots írom bls oyos. 7boo oo
somotblog!`
7boootos govo blm o co|m sml|o. Lo somotblogº Oí
coorso. l wl|| wotcb. 7boso wbo olo lo tbls bott|o wl|| stoy
oooo.`
7books,` lrook mottoroo, s|lpplog bls ílrowooo loto bls
coot. Vory bo|pío|.`
Yoo`ro most wo|como,` 7boootos solo ogrooob|y.
Porcy!` lrook yo||oo. 7boy coo olo oow!`
Porcy oooooo oooorstooolog, bot bo |ookoo woro oot.
lls borrlcooo wos s|owlog oowo. lls strlkos woro gottlog
s|owor. 7bo ootlro gbost|y ormy boo blm sorroooooo,
groooo||y íorclog blm toworos tbo oogo oí tbo g|oclor.
lrook orow bls bow to bo|p. 7boo bo oroppoo lt. Normo|
orrows írom o bootlog storo lo 5oworo woo|oo`t oo ooy
gooo. lrook woo|o bovo to oso bls glít.
lo tboogbt bo oooorstooo bls powors ot |ost.
5omotblog oboot wotcblog tbo ílrowooo boro, smo||log tbo
ocrlo smoko oí bls owo |lío, boo mooo blm íoo| stroogo|y
cooílooot.
ls lt íolr yoor |lío boros so sbort ooo brlgbtº Lootb boo
oskoo.
No socb tblog os íolr,` lrook to|o blmso|í. lí l`m golog to
boro, lt mlgbt os wo|| bo brlgbt.`
lo took ooo stop toworos Porcy. 7boo, írom ocross tbo
comp, lozo| yo||oo lo polo. Arloo scroomoo os tbo gloot
got o |ocky sbot. lls stoíí soot borso ooo rloor tomb|log
ovor tbo lco, crosblog loto tbo romports.
lozo|!` lrook g|oocoo bock ot Porcy, wlsblog bo boo
bls spoor. lí bo coo|o jost sommoo Oroy . bot bo coo|oo`t
bo lo two p|ocos ot ooco.
Oo bo|p bor!` Porcy yo||oo, bo|olog tbo go|ooo oog|o
o|oít. l`vo got tboso goys!`
Porcy oloo`t bovo tbom. lrook koow tbot. 7bo soo oí
Posolooo wos oboot to bo ovorwbo|moo, bot lrook roo to
lozo|`s olo.
5bo wos bo|í-borloo lo o co||opsoo pl|o oí soow-brlcks.
Arloo stooo ovor bor, trylog to protoct bor, roorlog ooo
swottlog ot tbo gloot wltb bls íroot boovos.
7bo gloot |oogboo. lo||o, |ltt|o pooy. Yoo woot to p|oyº`
A|cyoooos rolsoo bls lcy stoíí.
lrook wos too íor owoy to bo|p . bot bo lmoglooo
blmso|í rosblog íorworo, bls íoot |oovlog tbo groooo.
Bo ooytblog.
lo romomboroo tbo bo|o oog|os tboy`o sooo oo tbo
trolo rloo. lls booy bocomo smo||or ooo |lgbtor. lls orms
strotcboo loto wlogs, ooo bls slgbt bocomo o tboosooo
tlmos sborpor. lo sooroo opworo, tboo olvoo ot tbo gloot
wltb bls to|oos oxtooooo, bls rozor-sborp c|ows roklog
ocross tbo gloot`s oyos.
A|cyoooos bo||owoo lo polo. lo stoggoroo bockworos
os lrook |ooooo lo íroot oí lozo| ooo rotorooo to bls
oormo| íorm.
lrook .` 5bo storoo ot blm lo omozomoot, o cop oí
soow orlpplog oíí bor booo. ¼bot jost . bow olo - º`
loo|!` A|cyoooos sbootoo. lls íoco wos s|osboo, b|ock
ol| orlpplog loto bls oyos lostooo oí b|ooo, bot tbo woooos
woro o|roooy c|oslog. l om lmmorto| lo my bomo|ooo,
lrook Zboog! Aoo tbooks to yoor írlooo lozo|, my oow
bomo|ooo ls A|osko. Yoo coooot kl|| mo boro!`
¼o`|| soo,` lrook solo. Powor coorsoo tbroogb bls orms
ooo |ogs. lozo|, got bock oo yoor borso.`
7bo gloot cborgoo, ooo lrook cborgoo to moot blm. lo
romomboroo tbo boor bo`o mot íoco to íoco wboo bo wos o
cbl|o. As bo roo, bls booy bocomo boovlor, tblckor,
rlpp|log wltb mosc|os. lo crosboo loto tbo gloot os o ío||-
growo grlzz|y, o tboosooo poooos oí poro íorco. lo wos
stl|| smo|| comporoo to A|cyoooos, bot bo s|ommoo loto
tbo gloot wltb socb momootom tbot A|cyoooos topp|oo
loto oo lcy wotcbtowor tbot co||opsoo oo top oí blm.
lrook sproog ot tbo gloot`s booo. A swlpo oí bls c|ow
wos |lko o boovywolgbt ílgbtor swloglog o cbolo sow. lrook
bosboo tbo gloot`s íoco bock ooo íortb ootl| bls moto||lc
íootoros bogoo to ooot.
Urgg,` tbo gloot momb|oo lo o stopor.
lrook cboogoo to bls rogo|or íorm. lls bockpock wos
stl|| wltb blm. lo grobboo tbo ropo bo`o boogbt lo 5oworo,
qolck|y mooo o oooso ooo íostoooo lt roooo tbo gloot`s
sco|y orogoo íoot.
lozo|, boro!` lo tossoo bor tbo otbor ooo oí tbo ropo.
l`vo got oo looo, bot wo`|| bovo to -`
Kl|| - ob - yoo - ob .` A|cyoooos mottoroo.
lrook roo to tbo gloot`s booo, plckoo op tbo ooorost
boovy objoct bo coo|o íloo - o |ogloo sblo|o - ooo
s|ommoo lt loto tbo gloot`s ooso.
7bo gloot solo, Urgg.`
lrook |ookoo bock ot lozo|. low íor coo Arloo po|| tbls
goyº`
lozo| jost storoo ot blm. Yoo - yoo woro o blro. 7boo o
boor. Aoo -`
l`|| oxp|olo |otor,` lrook solo. ¼o oooo to orog tbls goy
lo|ooo, os íost ooo íor os wo coo.`
Bot Porcy!` lozo| solo.
lrook corsoo. low coo|o bo bovo íorgottooº
7broogb tbo rolos oí tbo comp, bo sow Porcy wltb bls
bock to tbo oogo oí tbo c|líí. lls borrlcooo wos gooo. lo
bo|o Rlptloo lo ooo booo ooo tbo |ogloo`s go|ooo oog|o lo
tbo otbor. 7bo ootlro ormy oí sbooos oogoo íorworo, tbolr
woopoos brlst|log.
Porcy!` lrook yo||oo.
Porcy g|oocoo ovor. lo sow tbo ío||oo gloot ooo
soomoo to oooorstooo wbot wos boppoolog. lo yo||oo
somotblog tbot wos |ost lo tbo wloo, probob|y. Oo!
7boo bo s|ommoo Rlptloo loto tbo lco ot bls íoot. 7bo
ootlro g|oclor sbooooroo. Obosts ío|| to tbolr kooos.
Bobloo Porcy, o wovo sorgoo op írom tbo boy - o wo|| oí
groy wotor ovoo to||or tboo tbo g|oclor. ¼otor sbot írom tbo
cbosms ooo crovlcos lo tbo lco. As tbo wovo blt, tbo bock
bo|í oí tbo comp cromb|oo. 7bo ootlro oogo oí tbo g|oclor
poo|oo owoy, coscoolog loto tbo volo - corrylog bol|ologs,
gbosts ooo Porcy 1ocksoo ovor tbo oogo.
xLvll

Frank

lRANK ¼A5 5O 57UNNEL 7lA7 lozo| boo to yo|| bls oomo o
oozoo tlmos boíoro bo roo|lzoo A|cyoooos wos gottlog op
ogolo.
lo s|ommoo bls sblo|o loto tbo gloot`s ooso ootl|
A|cyoooos bogoo to sooro. Vooowbl|o tbo g|oclor kopt
cromb|log, tbo oogo gottlog c|osor ooo c|osor.
7boootos g|looo toworos tbom oo bls b|ock wlogs, bls
oxprossloo sorooo.
Ab, yos,` bo solo wltb sotlsíoctloo. 7boro go somo
soo|s. Lrowolog, orowolog. Yoo`o bost borry, my írlooos,
or yoo`|| orowo, too.`
Bot Porcy .` lrook coo|o boro|y spook bls írlooo`s
oomo. ls bo -º`
7oo sooo to to||. As íor tbls ooo .` 7boootos |ookoo
oowo ot A|cyoooos wltb olstosto. Yoo`|| oovor kl|| blm
boro. Yoo koow wbot to ooº`
lrook oooooo oomb|y. l tblok so.`
7boo oor boslooss ls comp|oto.`
lrook ooo lozo| oxcboogoo oorvoos |ooks.
Um .` lozo| ío|toroo. Yoo mooo yoo woo`t . yoo`ro
oot golog to -`
C|olm yoor |líoº` 7boootos oskoo. ¼o||, |ot`s soo .`
lo po||oo o poro-b|ock lPoo írom tblo olr. Lootb toppoo
tbo scrooo o íow tlmos, ooo o|| lrook coo|o tblok wos.
P|ooso ooo`t |ot tboro bo oo opp íor rooplog soo|s.
l ooo`t soo yoo oo tbo |lst,` 7boootos solo. P|oto glvos
mo spoclílc oroors íor oscopoo soo|s, yoo soo. lor somo
roosoo, bo bos oot lssooo o worroot íor yoors. Porbops bo
íoo|s yoor |lío ls oot ílolsboo, or lt coo|o bo oo ovorslgbt. lí
yoo`o |lko mo to co|| ooo osk -`
No!` lozo| yo|poo. 7bot`s okoy.`
Aro yoo soroº` Lootb oskoo bo|pío||y. l bovo vlooo-
cooíorooclog ooob|oo. l bovo bls 5kypo oooross boro
somowboro .`
Roo||y, oo.` lozo| |ookoo os lí sovoro| tboosooo
poooos oí worry boo jost booo |lítoo írom bor sboo|oors.
7book yoo.`
Urgg,` A|cyoooos momb|oo.
lrook blt blm ovor tbo booo ogolo.
Lootb |ookoo op írom bls lPoo. As íor yoo, lrook
Zboog, lt lso`t yoor tlmo, oltbor. Yoo`vo got o |ltt|o íoo| |oít
to boro. Bot ooo`t tblok l`m oolog oltbor oí yoo o íovoor. ¼o
wl|| moot ogolo oooor |oss p|oosoot clrcomstoocos.`
7bo c|líí wos stl|| cromb|log, tbo oogo oo|y twooty íoot
owoy oow. Arloo wblooloo lmpotloot|y. lrook koow tboy
boo to |oovo, bot tboro wos ooo moro qoostloo bo boo to
osk.
¼bot oboot tbo Loors oí Lootbº` bo solo. ¼boro oro
tboyº low oo wo c|oso tbomº`
Ab, yos.` A |ook oí lrrltotloo í|lckoroo ocross 7boootos`s
íoco. 7bo Loors oí Vo. C|oslog tbom woo|o bo gooo, bot l
íoor lt ls boyooo my powor. low yoo woo|o oo lt, l bovoo`t
tbo íolotost looo. l coo`t to|| yoo oxoct|y wboro tboy oro.
7bo |ocotloo lso`t . wo||, lt`s oot ootlro|y o pbyslco| p|oco.
7boy most bo |ocotoo tbroogb qoostlog. l coo to|| yoo to
stort yoor soorcb lo Romo. 7bo orlgloo| Romo. Yoo wl||
oooo o spoclo| goloo. Oo|y ooo sort oí oomlgoo coo rooo
tbo slgos tbot wl|| o|tlmoto|y |ooo yoo to tbo Loors oí Vo.`
Crocks oppooroo lo tbo lco oooor tbolr íoot. lozo|
pottoo Arloo`s oock to koop blm írom bo|tlog.
¼bot oboot my brotborº` sbo oskoo. ls Nlco o|lvoº`
7boootos govo bor o stroogo |ook - posslb|y plty,
tboogb tbot oloo`t soom |lko oo omotloo Lootb woo|o
oooorstooo. Yoo wl|| íloo tbo ooswor lo Romo. Aoo oow l
most í|y sootb to yoor Comp 1opltor. l bovo o íoo|log tboro
wl|| bo mooy soo|s to roop, vory sooo. lorowo||,
oomlgoos, ootl| wo moot ogolo.`
7boootos olsslpotoo loto b|ock smoko.
7bo crocks wlooooo lo tbo lco oooor lrook`s íoot.
lorry!` bo to|o lozo|. ¼o`vo got to toko A|cyoooos
oboot too ml|os ooo oortb!`
lo c|lmboo ooto tbo gloot`s cbost ooo Arloo took oíí,
roclog ocross tbo lco, orogglog A|cyoooos |lko tbo wor|o`s
og|lost s|oo.
lt wos o sbort trlp.
Arloo rooo tbo g|oclor |lko o blgbwoy, zlpplog ocross tbo
lco, |ooplog crovlcos ooo skloolog oowo s|opos tbot
woo|o`vo mooo o soowbooroor`s oyos |lgbt op.
lrook oloo`t bovo to koock oot A|cyoooos too mooy
tlmos, bocooso tbo gloot`s booo kopt boooclog ooo blttlog
tbo lco. As tboy rocoo o|oog, tbo bo|í-cooscloos Oo|ooo
Boy momb|oo o tooo tbot soooooo |lko 1log|o Bo||s`.
lrook ío|t protty stooooo blmso|í. lo`o jost torooo loto
oo oog|o ooo o boor. lo coo|o stl|| íoo| í|olo ooorgy
rlpp|log tbroogb bls booy, |lko bo wos bo|íwoy botwooo o
so|lo ooo |lqolo stoto.
Not oo|y tbot. lozo| ooo bo boo ro|oosoo Lootb, ooo
botb oí tbom boo sorvlvoo. Aoo Porcy . lrook swo||owoo
oowo bls íoor. Porcy boo gooo ovor tbo sloo oí tbo g|oclor
to sovo tbom.
7bo soo oí Noptooo sbo|| orowo.
No. lrook roíosoo to bo|lovo Porcy wos oooo. 7boy
booo`t como o|| tbls woy jost to |oso tbolr írlooo. lrook
woo|o íloo blm - bot ílrst tboy boo to ooo| wltb A|cyoooos.
lo vlsoo|lzoo tbo mop bo boo booo stooylog oo tbo
trolo írom Aocborogo. lo koow roogb|y wboro tboy woro
golog, bot tboro woro oo slgos or morkors oo top oí tbo
g|oclor. lo`o jost bovo to toko bls bost gooss.
lloo||y Arloo zoomoo botwooo two moootolos loto o
vo||oy oí lco ooo rocks, |lko o mosslvo bow| oí írozoo ml|k
wltb blts oí Cocoo Poíís. 7bo gloot`s go|ooo sklo po|oo os
lí lt woro torolog to bross. lrook ío|t o sobt|o vlbrotloo lo
bls owo booy, |lko o toolog íork prossoo ogolost bls
storoom. lo koow bo`o crossoo loto írlooo|y torrltory -
bomo torrltory.
loro!` lrook sbootoo.
Arloo vooroo to ooo sloo. lozo| cot tbo ropo ooo
A|cyoooos woot skloolog post. lrook |oopoo oíí jost
boíoro tbo gloot s|ommoo loto o boo|oor.
lmmooloto|y A|cyoooos jompoo to bls íoot. ¼botº
¼boroº ¼boº`
lls ooso wos boot lo oo ooo olroctloo. lls woooos boo
boo|oo, tboogb bls go|ooo sklo boo |ost somo oí lts |ostro.
lo |ookoo oroooo íor bls lroo stoíí, wblcb wos stl|| bock ot
lobboro O|oclor. 7boo bo govo op ooo poooooo tbo
ooorost boo|oor to plocos wltb bls ílst.
Yoo ooro toko mo íor o s|olgb rlooº` lo toosoo ooo
solííoo tbo olr. 7bot smo|| . |lko sooííoo-oot soo|s.
7boootos ls íroo, obº Bob! lt oooso`t mottor. Oolo stl||
cootro|s tbo Loors oí Lootb. Now, wby bovo yoo broogbt
mo boro, soo oí Vorsº`
7o kl|| yoo,` lrook solo. Noxt qoostlooº`
7bo gloot`s oyos oorrowoo. l`vo oovor koowo o cbl|o oí
Vors wbo coo cboogo bls íorm, bot tbot oooso`t mooo yoo
coo ooíoot mo. Lo yoo tblok yoor stoplo so|olor oí o íotbor
govo yoo tbo stroogtb to íoco mo lo ooo-oo-ooo combotº`
lozo| orow bor sworo. low oboot two oo oooº`
7bo gloot grow|oo ooo cborgoo ot lozo|, bot Arloo
olmb|y oortoo oot oí tbo woy. lozo| s|osboo bor sworo
ocross tbo bock oí tbo gloot`s co|í. B|ock ol| spootoo írom
tbo woooo.
A|cyoooos stomb|oo. Yoo coo`t kl|| mo, 7boootos or
oo!`
lozo| mooo o grobblog gostoro wltb bor íroo booo. Ao
lovlslb|o íorco yookoo tbo gloot`s jowo|-oocrostoo bolr
bockworos. lozo| rosboo lo, s|osboo bls otbor |og ooo
rocoo owoy boíoro bo coo|o rogolo bls bo|ooco.
5top tbot!` A|cyoooos sbootoo. 7bls ls A|osko. l om
lmmorto| lo my bomo|ooo!`
Actoo||y,` lrook solo, l bovo somo boo oows oboot tbot.
5oo, l got moro írom my ooo tboo stroogtb.`
7bo gloot soor|oo. ¼bot oro yoo to|klog oboot, wor
brotº`
7octlcs,` lrook solo. 7bot`s my glít írom Vors. A bott|o
coo bo woo boíoro lt`s ovor íoogbt by cbooslog tbo rlgbt
groooo.` lo polotoo ovor bls sboo|oor. ¼o crossoo tbo
boroor o íow boooroo yoros bock. Yoo`ro oot lo A|osko ooy
moro. Coo`t yoo íoo| lt, A|º Yoo woot to got to A|osko
. yoo bovo to go tbroogb mo.`
5|ow|y, oooorstooolog oowooo lo tbo gloot`s oyos. lo
|ookoo oowo locrooo|oos|y ot bls woooooo |ogs. Ol| stl||
pooroo írom bls co|vos, torolog tbo lco b|ock.
lmposslb|o!` tbo gloot bo||owoo. l`|| - l`|| - Oob!`
lo cborgoo ot lrook, ootormlooo to roocb tbo
lotorootlooo| booooory. lor o sp|lt socooo, lrook ooobtoo
bls p|oo. lí bo coo|oo`t oso bls glít ogolo, lí bo írozo, bo wos
oooo. 7boo bo romomboroo bls grooomotbor`s
lostroctloos.
lt bo|ps lí yoo koow tbo crootoro wo||. Cbock.
lt o|so bo|ps lí yoo oro lo o |lío-ooo-oootb sltootloo, socb
os combot. Loob|o cbock.
7bo gloot kopt comlog. 7wooty yoros. 7oo yoros.
lrookº` lozo| co||oo oorvoos|y.
lrook stooo bls groooo. l got tbls.`
1ost boíoro A|cyoooos smosboo loto blm, lrook
cboogoo. lo`o o|woys ío|t too blg ooo c|omsy. Now bo
osoo tbot íoo|log. lls booy swo||oo to mosslvo slzo. lls
sklo tblckoooo. lls orms cboogoo to stoot íroot |ogs. lls
mootb grow tosks ooo bls ooso o|oogotoo. lo bocomo
tbo oolmo| bo koow bost - tbo ooo bo`o coroo íor, íoo,
botboo ooo ovoo glvoo loolgostloo to ot Comp 1opltor.
A|cyoooos s|ommoo loto o ío||-growo too-too o|opboot.
7bo gloot stoggoroo sloowoys. lo scroomoo lo írostrotloo
ooo s|ommoo loto lrook ogolo, bot A|cyoooos wos
comp|oto|y oot oí bls wolgbt olvlsloo. lrook booo-bottoo
blm so boro A|cyoooos í|ow bockworos ooo |ooooo
sprooo-oog|oo oo tbo lco.
Yoo - coo`t - kl|| mo,` A|cyoooos grow|oo. Yoo coo`t -`
lrook torooo bock to bls oormo| íorm. lo wo|koo op to
tbo gloot, wboso ol|y woooos woro stoomlog. 7bo goms
ío|| oot oí bls bolr ooo slzz|oo lo tbo soow. lls go|ooo sklo
bogoo to corrooo, brooklog loto cbooks.
lozo| olsmoootoo ooo stooo ooxt to lrook, bor sworo
roooy. Voy lº`
lrook oooooo. lo |ookoo loto tbo gloot`s sootblog oyos.
loro`s o tlp, A|cyoooos. Noxt tlmo yoo cbooso tbo
blggost stoto íor yoor bomo, ooo`t sot op boso lo tbo port
tbot`s oo|y too ml|os wloo. ¼o|como to Cooooo, lolot.`
lozo|`s sworo como oowo oo tbo gloot`s oock.
A|cyoooos olsso|voo loto o pl|o oí vory oxpooslvo rocks.
lor o wbl|o lozo| ooo lrook stooo togotbor, wotcblog
tbo romolos oí tbo gloot mo|t loto tbo lco. lrook plckoo op
bls ropo.
Ao o|opbootº` lozo| oskoo.
lrook scrotcboo bls oock. Yoob. lt soomoo |lko o gooo
looo.`
lo coo|oo`t rooo bor oxprossloo. lo wos oírolo bo`o
íloo||y oooo somotblog so wolro tbot sbo`o oovor woot to
bo oroooo blm ogolo. lrook Zboog. |omborlog k|otz, cbl|o
oí Vors, port-tlmo pocbyoorm.
7boo sbo klssoo blm - o roo| klss oo tbo |lps, mocb
bottor tboo tbo kloo oí klss sbo`o glvoo Porcy oo tbo
oorop|ooo.
Yoo oro omozlog,` sbo solo. Aoo yoo moko o vory
booosomo o|opboot.`
lrook ío|t so í|ostoroo tbot bo tboogbt bls boots mlgbt
mo|t tbroogb tbo lco. Boíoro bo coo|o soy ooytblog, o
volco ocbooo ocross tbo vo||oy.
Yoo bovoo`t woo.
lrook |ookoo op. 5booows woro sblítlog ocross tbo
ooorost moootolo, íormlog tbo íoco oí o s|ooplog womoo.
Yoo wl|| oovor roocb bomo lo tlmo, toootoo tbo volco oí
Oolo. Evoo oow, 7boootos ls ottooolog tbo oootb oí Comp
1opltor, tbo íloo| oostroctloo oí yoor Romoo írlooos.
7bo moootolo romb|oo os lí tbo wbo|o oortb woro
|oogblog. 7bo sbooows olsoppooroo.
lozo| ooo lrook |ookoo ot oocb otbor. Noltbor solo o
woro. 7boy c|lmboo ooto Arloo ooo spoo bock toworos
O|oclor Boy.
xLvlll

Frank

PERCY ¼A5 ¼Al7lNO lOR 7lEV. lo |ookoo moo.
lo stooo ot tbo oogo oí tbo g|oclor, |ooolog oo tbo stoíí
wltb tbo go|ooo oog|o, gozlog oowo ot tbo wrockogo bo`o
coosoo. sovoro| boooroo ocros oí oow|y opoo wotor oottoo
wltb lcoborgs ooo í|otsom írom tbo rolooo comp.
7bo oo|y romolos oo tbo g|oclor woro tbo molo gotos,
wblcb |lstoo sloowoys, ooo o tottoroo b|oo boooor |ylog
ovor o pl|o oí soow-brlcks.
¼boo tboy roo op to blm, Porcy solo, loy,` |lko tboy
woro jost mootlog íor |oocb or somotblog.
Yoo`ro o|lvo!` lrook morvo||oo.
Porcy írowooo. 7bo ío||º 7bot wos ootblog. l ío|| twlco
tbot íor írom tbo 5t Lools Arcb.`
Yoo olo wbotº` lozo| oskoo.
Novor mloo. 7bo lmportoot tblog wos l oloo`t orowo.`
5o tbo propbocy wos locomp|oto!` lozo| grloooo. lt
probob|y solo somotblog |lko. 7bo soo oí Noptooo wl||
orowo o wbo|o boocb oí gbosts.`
Porcy sbroggoo. lo wos stl|| |ooklog ot lrook |lko bo
wos mlííoo. l got o booo to plck wltb yoo, Zboog. Yoo coo
toro loto oo oog|oº Aoo o boorº`
Aoo oo o|opboot,` lozo| solo prooo|y.
Ao o|opboot.` Porcy sbook bls booo lo olsbo|loí. 7bot`s
yoor íoml|y glítº Yoo coo cboogo sbopoº`
lrook sboíí|oo bls íoot. Um . yoob. Porlc|ymooos, my
oocostor, tbo Argoooot - bo coo|o oo tbot. lo possoo
oowo tbo obl|lty.`
Aoo bo got tbot glít írom Posolooo,` Porcy solo. 7bot`s
comp|oto|y ooíolr. l coo`t toro loto oolmo|s.`
lrook storoo ot blm. Uoíolrº Yoo coo brootbo
oooorwotor ooo b|ow op g|oclors ooo sommoo írooklog
borrlcooos - ooo lt`s ooíolr tbot l coo bo oo o|opbootº`
Porcy cooslooroo. Okoy. l gooss yoo got o polot. Bot
ooxt tlmo l soy yoo`ro toto||y boost -`
1ost sbot op,` lrook solo. P|ooso.`
Porcy crockoo o sml|o.
lí yoo goys oro oooo,` lozo| solo, wo oooo to go. Comp
1opltor ls oooor ottock. 7boy coo|o oso tbot go|o oog|o.`
Porcy oooooo. Ooo tblog ílrst, tboogb. lozo|, tboro`s
oboot o too oí lmporlo| go|o woopoos ooo ormoor ot tbo
bottom oí tbo boy oow, p|os o roo||y olco cborlot. l`m
bottlog tbot stoíí coo|o como lo boooy .`
lt took tbom o |oog tlmo - too |oog - bot tboy o|| koow
tboso woopoos coo|o moko tbo olííorooco botwooo vlctory
ooo ooíoot lí tboy got tbom bock to comp lo tlmo.
lozo| osoo bor obl|ltlos to |ovltoto somo ltoms írom tbo
bottom oí tbo soo. Porcy swom oowo ooo broogbt op
moro. Evoo lrook bo|poo by torolog loto o soo|, wblcb wos
kloo oí coo|, tboogb Porcy c|olmoo bls brootb smo||oo |lko
ílsb.
lt took o|| tbroo oí tbom to rolso tbo cborlot, bot íloo||y
tboy`o mooogoo to boo| ovorytblog osboro to o b|ock sooo
boocb ooor tbo boso oí tbo g|oclor. 7boy coo|oo`t ílt
ovorytblog lo tbo cborlot, bot tboy osoo lrook`s ropo to
strop oowo most oí tbo go|o woopoos ooo tbo bost plocos
oí ormoor.
lt |ooks |lko 5ooto`s s|olgb,` lrook solo. Coo Arloo ovoo
po|| tbot mocbº`
Arloo boííoo.
lozo|,` Porcy solo, l om sorloos|y golog to wosb yoor
borso`s mootb wltb soop. lo soys, yos, bo coo po|| lt, bot
bo oooos íooo.`
lozo| plckoo op oo o|o Romoo ooggor, o poglo. lt wos
boot ooo oo||, so lt woo|oo`t bo mocb gooo lo o ílgbt, bot lt
|ookoo |lko so|lo lmporlo| go|o.
loro yoo go, Arloo,` sbo solo. llgb-poríormooco íoo|.`
7bo borso took tbo ooggor lo bls tootb ooo cbowoo lt
|lko oo opp|o. lrook mooo o sl|oot ootb oovor to pot bls
booo ooor tbot borso`s mootb.
l`m oot ooobtlog Arloo`s stroogtb,` bo solo coroío||y, bot
wl|| tbo cborlot bo|o opº 7bo |ost ooo -`
7bls ooo bos lmporlo| go|o wboo|s ooo ox|o,` Porcy
solo. lt sboo|o bo|o.`
lí oot,` lozo| solo, tbls ls golog to bo o sbort trlp. Bot
wo`ro oot oí tlmo. Como oo!`
lrook ooo Porcy c|lmboo loto tbo cborlot. lozo| swoog
op ooto Arloo`s bock.
Olooyop!` sbo yo||oo.
7bo borso`s soolc boom ocbooo ocross tbo boy. 7boy
spoo sootb, ovo|oocbos tomb|log oowo tbo moootolos os
tboy possoo.
xLlx

Percy

lOUR lOUR5.
7bot`s bow |oog lt took tbo íostost borso oo tbo p|ooot to
got írom A|osko to 5oo lrooclsco Boy, booolog strolgbt
ovor tbo wotor oowo tbo Nortb-wost Coost.
7bot`s o|so bow |oog lt took íor Porcy`s momory to rotoro
comp|oto|y. 7bo procoss boo stortoo lo Port|ooo wboo bo
boo orook tbo gorgoo`s b|ooo, bot bls post |lío boo stl||
booo mooooolog|y íozzy. Now, os tboy booooo bock loto
tbo O|ymploo goos` torrltory, Porcy romomboroo
ovorytblog. tbo wor wltb Krooos, bls slxtoootb blrtbooy ot
Comp lo|í-B|ooo, bls troloor Cblroo tbo cootoor, bls bost
írlooo, Orovor, bls brotbor, 7ysoo, ooo most oí o||
Aooobotb - two groot mootbs oí ootlog, ooo tboo BOOV.
lo`o booo obooctoo by tbo o|loo koowo os loro. Or
1ooo . wbotovor.
Elgbt mootbs oí bls |lío sto|oo. Noxt tlmo Porcy sow tbo
Ooooo oí O|ympos, bo wos ooílolto|y golog to glvo bor o
gooooss-slzoo s|op opsloo tbo booo.
lls írlooos ooo íoml|y most bo golog oot oí tbolr mloos.
lí Comp 1opltor wos lo socb boo troob|o, bo coo|o oo|y
gooss wbot Comp lo|í-B|ooo most bo íoclog wltboot blm.
Evoo worso. sovlog botb comps woo|o bo oo|y tbo
bogloolog. Accorolog to A|cyoooos, tbo roo| wor woo|o
boppoo íor owoy, lo tbo bomo|ooo oí tbo goos. 7bo gloots
lotooooo to ottock tbo orlgloo| Vooot O|ympos ooo
oostroy tbo goos íorovor.
Porcy koow tbot gloots coo|oo`t olo oo|oss oomlgoos
ooo goos íoogbt tbom togotbor. Nlco boo to|o blm tbot.
Aooobotb boo mootloooo lt, too, bock lo Aogost, wboo
sbo`o spoco|otoo tbot tbo gloots mlgbt bo port oí tbo oow
Oroot Propbocy - wbot tbo Romoos co||oo tbo Propbocy
oí 5ovoo. (7bot wos tbo oowosloo oí ootlog tbo smortost
glr| ot comp. yoo |ooro stoíí.)
lo oooorstooo 1ooo`s p|oo. oolto tbo Romoo ooo
Orook oomlgoos to crooto oo o|lto toom oí boroos, tboo
somobow coovloco tbo goos to ílgbt o|oogsloo tbom. Bot
ílrst tboy boo to sovo Comp 1opltor.
7bo coost|loo bogoo to |ook íoml|lor. 7boy rocoo post
tbo Voooocloo |lgbtbooso. 5bort|y oítorworos, Vooot 7om
ooo tbo Vorlo booo|ooos |oomoo oot oí tbo íog. Arloo
sbot strolgbt oooor tbo Oo|ooo Ooto Brlogo loto 5oo
lrooclsco Boy.
7boy toro tbroogb Borko|oy ooo loto tbo Ook|ooo ll||s.
¼boo tboy roocboo tbo bl||top obovo tbo Co|oocott
7oooo|, Arloo sbooooroo |lko o brokoo cor ooo como to o
stop, bls cbost boovlog.
lozo| pottoo bls sloos |ovlog|y. Yoo olo groot, Arloo.`
7bo borso wos too tlroo ovoo to coss. Oí coorso l olo
groot. ¼bot olo yoo oxpoctº
Porcy ooo lrook jompoo oíí tbo cborlot. Porcy wlsboo
tboro`o booo comíortob|o soots or oo lo-í|lgbt moo|. lls
|ogs woro wobb|y. lls jolots woro so stlíí bo coo|o boro|y
wo|k. lí bo woot loto bott|o |lko tbls, tbo ooomy woo|o co||
blm O|o Voo 1ocksoo.
lrook oloo`t |ook mocb bottor. lo bobb|oo to tbo top oí
tbo bl|| ooo pooroo oowo ot tbo comp. Ooys . yoo oooo
to soo tbls.`
¼boo Porcy ooo lozo| jolooo blm, Porcy`s boort sook.
7bo bott|o boo bogoo, ooo lt woso`t golog wo||. 7bo 7wo|ítb
Logloo wos orroyoo oo tbo llo|o oí Vors, trylog to protoct
tbo clty. 5corploos ílroo loto tbo rooks oí tbo Eortbboro.
looolbo| tbo o|opboot p|oogboo oowo moostors rlgbt ooo
|oít, bot tbo ooíoooors woro boo|y ootoomboroo.
Oo bor pogosos 5clplo, Royoo í|ow oroooo tbo gloot
Po|ybotos, trylog to koop blm occoploo. 7bo Loros boo
íormoo sblmmorlog porp|o |loos ogolost o mob oí b|ock,
voporoos sbooos lo oocloot ormoor. Votoroo oomlgoos
írom tbo clty boo jolooo tbo bott|o, ooo woro posblog tbolr
sblo|o wo|| ogolost oo oos|oogbt oí wl|o cootoors. Oloot
oog|os clrc|oo tbo bott|oílo|o, oolog oorlo| combot wltb two
sooko-bolroo |oolos lo grooo Borgolo Vort vosts - 5tbooo
ooo Eoryo|o.
7bo |ogloo ltso|í wos toklog tbo broot oí tbo ottock, bot
tbolr íormotloo wos brooklog. Eocb cobort wos oo ls|ooo lo
o soo oí ooomlos. 7bo Cyc|opos` slogo towor sbot g|owlog
grooo cooooobo||s loto tbo clty, b|ostlog crotors lo tbo
íorom, roooclog boosos to rolos. As Porcy wotcboo, o
cooooobo|| blt tbo 5oooto looso ooo tbo oomo portlo||y
co||opsoo.
¼o`ro too |oto,` lozo| solo.
No,` Porcy solo. 7boy`ro stl|| ílgbtlog. ¼o coo oo tbls.`
¼boro`s Lopoº` lrook oskoo, oosporotloo crooplog loto
bls volco. 5bo ooo tbo wo|vos . tboy sboo|o bo boro.`
Porcy tboogbt oboot bls tlmo wltb tbo wo|í gooooss.
lo`o como to rospoct bor toocblogs, bot bo`o o|so |oorooo
tbot wo|vos boo |lmlts. 7boy woroo`t íroot-|loo ílgbtors.
7boy oo|y ottockoo wboo tboy boo vost|y soporlor
oombors, ooo osoo||y oooor tbo covor oí oorkooss.
Bosloos, Lopo`s ílrst ro|o wos so|í-soíílcloocy. 5bo woo|o
bo|p bor cbl|oroo os mocb os sbo coo|o, trolo tbom to ílgbt
- bot lo tbo ooo tboy woro oltbor proootor or proy. Romoos
boo to ílgbt íor tbomso|vos. 7boy boo to provo tbolr wortb
or olo. 7bot wos Lopo`s woy.
5bo olo wbot sbo coo|o,` Porcy solo. 5bo s|owoo oowo
tbo ormy oo lts woy sootb. Now lt`s op to os. ¼o`vo got to
got tbo go|o oog|o ooo tboso woopoos to tbo |ogloo.`
Bot Arloo ls oot oí stoom!` lozo| solo. ¼o coo`t boo|
tbls stoíí oorso|vos.`
Voybo wo ooo`t bovo to.` Porcy scooooo tbo bl||tops. lí
7ysoo boo got bls oroom mossogo lo Voocoovor, bo|p
mlgbt bo c|oso.
lo wblst|oo os |ooo os bo coo|o - o gooo Now York cob
wblst|o tbot woo|o`vo booo booro o|| tbo woy írom 7lmos
5qooro to Cootro| Pork.
5booows rlpp|oo lo tbo troos. A bogo b|ock sbopo
boooooo oot oí oowboro - o mostlíí tbo slzo oí oo 5UV,
wltb o Cyc|ops ooo o borpy oo bor bock.
lo||boooo!` lrook scromb|oo bockworos.
lt`s okoy!` Porcy grloooo. 7boso oro írlooos.`
Brotbor!` 7ysoo c|lmboo oíí ooo roo toworos Porcy.
Porcy trloo to broco blmso|í, bot lt wos oo gooo. 7ysoo
s|ommoo loto blm ooo smotboroo blm lo o bog. lor o íow
socooos, Porcy coo|o oo|y soo b|ock spots ooo |ots oí
í|oooo|. 7boo 7ysoo |ot go ooo |oogboo wltb oo|lgbt,
|ooklog Porcy ovor wltb tbot mosslvo boby browo oyo.
Yoo oro oot oooo!` bo solo. l |lko lt wboo yoo oro oot
oooo!`
E||o í|ottoroo to tbo groooo ooo bogoo prooolog bor
íootbors. E||o íoooo o oog,` sbo oooooocoo. A |orgo oog.
Aoo o Cyc|ops.`
¼os sbo b|osblogº Boíoro Porcy coo|o oocloo, bls
b|ock mostlíí pooocoo oo blm, koocklog Porcy to tbo
groooo ooo borklog so |ooo|y tbot ovoo Arloo bockoo op.
loy, Vrs O`Loory,` Porcy solo. Yoob, l |ovo yoo, too,
glr|. Oooo oog.`
lozo| mooo o sqoooklog soooo. Yoo bovo o bo||boooo
oomoo Vrs O`Looryº`
Loog story.` Porcy mooogoo to got to bls íoot ooo wlpo
oíí tbo oog s|obbor. Yoo coo osk yoor brotbor .`
lls volco wovoroo wboo bo sow lozo|`s oxprossloo.
lo`o o|most íorgottoo tbot Nlco ol Aogo|o wos mlsslog.
lozo| boo to|o blm wbot 7boootos boo solo oboot
soorcblog íor tbo Loors oí Lootb lo Romo, ooo Porcy wos
ooxloos to íloo Nlco íor bls owo roosoos - to wrlog tbo
klo`s oock íor bovlog protooooo bo oloo`t koow Porcy wboo
bo ílrst como to comp. 5tl||, bo wos lozo|`s brotbor, ooo
íloolog blm wos o coovorsotloo íor oootbor tlmo.
5orry,` bo solo. Bot, yoob, tbls ls my oog, Vrs O`Loory.
7ysoo - tboso oro my írlooos, lrook ooo lozo|.`
Porcy torooo to E||o, wbo wos coootlog o|| tbo borbs lo
ooo oí bor íootbors.
Aro yoo okoyº` bo oskoo. ¼o woro worrloo oboot yoo.`
E||o ls oot stroog,` sbo solo. Cyc|opos oro stroog.
7ysoo íoooo E||o. 7ysoo took coro oí E||o.`
Porcy rolsoo bls oyobrows. E||o wos b|osblog.
7ysoo,` bo solo, yoo blg cbormor, yoo.`
7ysoo torooo tbo somo co|oor os E||o`s p|omogo.
Um . No.` lo |ooooo oowo ooo wblsporoo oorvoos|y,
|ooo oooogb íor o|| tbo otbors to boor. 5bo ls protty.`
lrook toppoo bls booo |lko bo wos oírolo bls brolo boo
sbort-clrcoltoo. Aoywoy, tboro`s tbls bott|o boppoolog.`
Rlgbt,` Porcy ogrooo. 7ysoo, wboro`s Aooobotbº ls ooy
otbor bo|p comlogº`
7ysoo pootoo. lls blg browo oyo got mlsty. 7bo blg
sblp ls oot roooy. Loo soys tomorrow, moybo two ooys.
7boo tboy wl|| como.`
¼o ooo`t bovo two mlootos,` Porcy solo. Okoy, boro`s
tbo p|oo.`
As qolck|y os posslb|o, bo polotoo oot wblcb woro tbo
gooo goys ooo tbo boo goys oo tbo bott|oílo|o. 7ysoo wos
o|ormoo to |ooro tbot boo Cyc|opos ooo boo cootoors
woro lo tbo gloot`s ormy. l bovo to blt pooy-mooº`
1ost scoro tbom owoy,` Porcy promlsoo.
Um, Porcyº` lrook |ookoo ot 7ysoo wltb troplootloo. l
jost . ooo`t woot oor írlooo boro gottlog bort. ls 7ysoo o
ílgbtorº`
Porcy sml|oo. ls bo o ílgbtorº lrook, yoo`ro |ooklog ot
Ooooro| 7ysoo oí tbo Cyc|ops ormy. Aoo, by tbo woy,
7ysoo, lrook ls o ooscooooot oí Posolooo.`
Brotbor!` 7ysoo crosboo lrook lo o bog.
Porcy stlí|oo o |oogb. Actoo||y bo`s moro |lko o groot-
groot- . Ob, oovor mloo. Yoob, bo`s yoor brotbor.`
7books,` lrook momb|oo tbroogb o mootbío| oí í|oooo|.
Bot lí tbo |ogloo mlstokos 7ysoo íor oo ooomy -`
l`vo got lt!` lozo| roo to tbo cborlot ooo oog oot tbo
blggost Romoo bo|mot sbo coo|o íloo, p|os oo o|o Romoo
boooor ombrolooroo wltb 5POR.
5bo booooo tbom to 7ysoo. Pot tboso oo, blg goy.
7boo oor írlooos wl|| koow yoo`ro oo oor toom.`
Yoy!` 7ysoo solo. l`m oo yoor toom!`
7bo bo|mot wos rlolco|oos|y smo||, ooo bo pot tbo copo
oo bockworos, |lko o 5POR boby blb.
lt`|| oo,` Porcy solo. E||o, jost stoy boro. 5toy soío.`
5oío,` E||o ropootoo. E||o |lkos bolog soío. 5oíoty lo
oombors. 5oíoty ooposlt boxos. E||o wl|| go wltb 7ysoo.`
¼botº` Porcy solo. Ob . íloo. ¼botovor. 1ost ooo`t got
bort. Aoo, Vrs O`Loory -`
ROOOl!`
low oo yoo íoo| oboot po||log o cborlotº`
L

Percy

7lEY ¼ERE, ¼l7lOU7 A LOUB7, tbo stroogost roloíorcomoots
lo Romoo ml|ltory blstory. lozo| rooo Arloo, wbo boo
rocovoroo oooogb to corry ooo porsoo ot oormo| borso
spooo, tboogb bo corsoo oboot bls ocblog boovos o|| tbo
woy oowobl||.
lrook troosíormoo loto o bo|o oog|o - wblcb Porcy stl||
íoooo toto||y ooíolr - ooo sooroo obovo tbom. 7ysoo roo
oowo tbo bl||, wovlog bls c|ob ooo yo||log, Boo pooy-moo!
BOO!` wbl|o E||o í|ottoroo oroooo blm, rocltlog íocts írom
tbo O|o lormor`s A|moooc.
As íor Porcy, bo rooo Vrs O`Loory loto bott|o wltb o
cborlot ío|| oí lmporlo| go|o oqolpmoot c|ooklog ooo
c|loklog bobloo, tbo go|ooo oog|o stooooro oí tbo 7wo|ítb
Logloo rolsoo blgb obovo blm.
7boy sklrtoo tbo porlmotor oí tbo comp ooo took tbo
oortboromost brlogo ovor tbo Lltt|o 7lbor, cborglog ooto
tbo llo|o oí Vors ot tbo wostoro oogo oí tbo bott|o. A
boroo oí Cyc|opos wos bommorlog owoy ot tbo compors
oí tbo llítb Cobort, wbo woro trylog to koop tbolr sblo|os
|ockoo jost to stoy o|lvo.
5oolog tbom lo troob|o, Porcy ío|t o sorgo oí protoctlvo
rogo. 7boso woro tbo klos wbo`o tokoo blm lo. 7bls wos bls
íoml|y.
lo sbootoo, llítb Cobort!` ooo s|ommoo loto tbo
ooorost Cyc|ops. 7bo |ost tblogs tbo poor moostor sow
woro Vrs O`Loory`s tootb.
Aítor tbo Cyc|ops olslotogrotoo - ooo stoyoo
olslotogrotoo, tbooks to Lootb - Porcy |oopoo oíí bls
bo||boooo ooo s|osboo wl|o|y tbroogb tbo otbor moostors.
7ysoo cborgoo ot tbo Cyc|ops |oooor, Vo Ooskot, bor
cbolo-mol| oross spottoroo wltb moo ooo oocorotoo wltb
brokoo spoors.
5bo gowkoo ot 7ysoo ooo stortoo to soy, ¼bo - º`
7ysoo blt bor lo tbo booo so boro sbo spoo lo o clrc|o
ooo |ooooo oo bor romp.
Boo Cyc|ops Looy!` bo bo||owoo. Ooooro| 7ysoo soys
OO A¼AY!`
lo blt bor ogolo, ooo Vo Ooskot broko loto oost.
Vooowbl|o lozo| cborgoo oroooo oo Arloo, s|lclog bor
spotbo tbroogb ooo Cyc|ops oítor oootbor, wbl|o lrook
b|loooo tbo ooomlos wltb bls to|oos.
Ooco ovory Cyc|ops wltblo ílíty yoros boo booo rooocoo
to osbos, lrook |ooooo lo íroot oí bls troops ooo
troosíormoo loto o bomoo. lls cootorloo`s boogo ooo
Voro| Crowo g|oomoo oo bls wlotor jockot.
llítb Cobort!` bo bo||owoo. Oot yoor lmporlo| go|o
woopoos rlgbt boro!`
7bo compors rocovoroo írom tbolr sbock ooo mobboo
tbo cborlot. Porcy olo bls bost to booo oot oqolpmoot
qolck|y.
Lot`s go, |ot`s go!` Lokoto orgoo, grloolog |lko o
moomoo os bo swlggoo roo Koo|-Alo írom bls í|osk. Oor
comrooos oooo bo|p!`
5ooo tbo llítb Cobort wos oqolppoo wltb oow woopoos
ooo sblo|os ooo bo|mots. 7boy woroo`t oxoct|y cooslstoot.
lo íoct tboy |ookoo |lko tboy`o booo sbopplog ot o Klog
Vloos c|oorooco so|o. Bot tboy woro sooooo|y tbo most
poworío| cobort lo tbo |ogloo.
lo||ow tbo oog|o!` lrook orooroo. 7o bott|o!`
7bo compors cbooroo. As Porcy ooo Vrs O`Loory
cborgoo ooworo, tbo ootlro cobort ío||owoo - íorty
oxtromo|y sbloy go|o-p|otoo worrlors scroomlog íor b|ooo.
7boy s|ommoo loto o boro oí wl|o cootoors tbot woro
ottocklog tbo 7blro Cobort. ¼boo tbo compors oí tbo
7blro sow tbo oog|o stooooro, tboy sbootoo losooo|y ooo
íoogbt wltb rooowoo oííort.
7bo cootoors oloo`t stooo o cbooco. 7bo two coborts
crosboo tbom |lko o vlco. 5ooo tboro wos ootblog |oít bot
pl|os oí oost ooo ossortoo boovos ooo boros. Porcy
bopoo Cblroo woo|o íorglvo blm, bot tboso cootoors
woroo`t |lko tbo Porty Poolos bo`o mot boíoro. 7boy woro
somo otbor brooo. 7boy boo to bo ooíootoo.
lorm rooks!` tbo cootorloos sbootoo. 7bo two coborts
como togotbor, tbolr ml|ltory trololog klcklog lo. 5blo|os
|ockoo, tboy morcboo loto bott|o ogolost tbo Eortbboro.
lrook sbootoo, Pl|o!`
A boooroo spoors brlst|oo. ¼boo lrook yo||oo, llro!`
tboy sol|oo tbroogb tbo olr - o wovo oí oootb cottlog
tbroogb tbo slx-ormoo moostors. 7bo compors orow
sworos ooo oovoocoo toworos tbo cootro oí tbo bott|o.
At tbo boso oí tbo oqooooct, tbo llrst ooo 5ocooo
Coborts woro trylog to ooclrc|o Po|ybotos, bot tboy woro
toklog o poooolog. 7bo romololog Eortbboro tbrow
borrogo oítor borrogo oí stooo ooo moo. Korpol grolo
splrlts - tboso borrlb|o |ltt|o plroobo Coplos - woro rosblog
tbroogb tbo to|| gross obooctlog compors ot roooom,
po||log tbom owoy írom tbo |loo. 7bo gloot blmso|í kopt
sboklog bosl|lsks oot oí bls bolr. Evory tlmo ooo |ooooo,
tbo Romoos poolckoo ooo roo. 1ooglog írom tbolr
corroooo sblo|os ooo tbo smoklog p|omos oo tbolr
bo|mots, tboy`o o|roooy |oorooo oboot tbo bosl|lsks`
polsoo ooo ílro.
Royoo sooroo obovo tbo gloot, olvlog lo wltb bor jovo|lo
wbooovor bo torooo bls ottootloo to tbo groooo troops. lor
porp|o c|ook sooppoo lo tbo wloo. lor go|ooo ormoor
g|oomoo. Po|ybotos jobboo bls trlooot ooo swoog bls
wolgbtoo oot, bot 5clplo wos o|most os olmb|o os Arloo.
7boo Royoo ootlcoo tbo llítb Cobort morcblog to tbolr
olo wltb tbo oog|o. 5bo wos so stooooo tbot tbo gloot
o|most swottoo bor oot oí tbo olr, bot 5clplo ooogoo.
Royoo |ockoo oyos wltb Porcy ooo govo blm o bogo
sml|o.
Romoos!` lor volco boomoo ocross tbo ílo|os. Ro||y to
tbo oog|o!`
Lomlgoos ooo moostors o|lko torooo ooo gowkoo os
Porcy boooooo íorworo oo bls bo||boooo.
¼bot ls tblsº` Po|ybotos oomooooo. ¼bot ls tblsº`
Porcy ío|t o rosb oí powor coorslog tbroogb tbo
stooooro`s stoíí. lo rolsoo tbo oog|o ooo sbootoo, 7wo|ítb
Logloo lo|mlooto!`
7boooor sbook tbo vo||oy. 7bo oog|o |ot |ooso o
b|loolog í|osb, ooo o tboosooo tooorl|s oí |lgbtolog
oxp|oooo írom lts go|ooo wlogs - orclog lo íroot oí Porcy
|lko tbo broocbos oí oo ooormoos oooo|y troo, cooooctlog
wltb tbo ooorost moostors, |ooplog írom ooo to oootbor,
comp|oto|y lgoorlog tbo Romoo íorcos.
¼boo tbo |lgbtolog stoppoo, tbo llrst ooo 5ocooo
Coborts woro íoclog ooo sorprlsoo-|ooklog gloot ooo
sovoro| boooroo smoklog pl|os oí osb. 7bo ooomy`s
cootro |loo boo booo cborroo to ob|lvloo.
7bo |ook oo Octovloo`s íoco wos prlco|oss. 7bo
cootorloo storoo ot Porcy wltb sbock, tboo ootrogo. 7boo,
wboo bls owo troops stortoo to cboor, bo boo oo cbolco
oxcopt to jolo tbo sbootlog. Romo! Romo!`
7bo gloot Po|ybotos bockoo op oocortolo|y, bot Porcy
koow tbo bott|o woso`t ovor.
7bo loortb Cobort wos stl|| sorroooooo by Cyc|opos.
Evoo looolbo| tbo o|opboot wos bovlog o boro tlmo
woolog tbroogb so mooy moostors. lls b|ock Kov|or
ormoor wos rlppoo so tbot bls |obo| jost solo AN7.
7bo votoroos ooo Loros oo tbo oostoro í|ook woro bolog
posboo toworos tbo clty. 7bo moostors` slogo towor wos
stl|| bor|log oxp|oslvo grooo ílrobo||s loto tbo stroots. 7bo
gorgoos boo olsob|oo tbo gloot oog|os ooo oow í|ow
oocbo||oogoo ovor tbo gloot`s romololog cootoors ooo tbo
Eortbboro, trylog to ro||y tbom.
5tooo yoor groooo!` 5tbooo yo||oo. l`vo got íroo
somp|os!`
Po|ybotos bo||owoo. A oozoo írosb bosl|lsks ío|| oot oí
bls bolr, torolog tbo gross to polsoo yo||ow. Yoo tblok tbls
cboogos ooytblog, Porcy 1ocksooº l coooot bo oostroyoo!
Como íorworo, soo oí Noptooo. l wl|| brook yoo!`
Porcy olsmoootoo. lo booooo Lokoto tbo stooooro.
Yoo oro tbo cobort`s soolor cootorloo. 7oko coro oí tbls.`
Lokoto b|lokoo, tboo bo strolgbtoooo wltb prloo. lo
oroppoo bls Koo|-Alo í|osk ooo took tbo oog|o. l wl|| corry
lt wltb boooor.`
lrook, lozo|, 7ysoo,` Porcy solo, bo|p tbo loortb
Cobort. l`vo got o gloot to kl||.`
lo rolsoo Rlptloo, bot boíoro bo coo|o oovooco, boros
b|ow lo tbo oortboro bl||s. Aootbor ormy oppooroo oo tbo
rlogo - boooroos oí worrlors lo b|ock-ooo-groy
comooí|ogo, ormoo wltb spoors ooo sblo|os. lotorsporsoo
omoog tbolr rooks woro o oozoo bott|o íork|líts, tbolr
sborpoooo tloos g|oomlog lo tbo soosot ooo í|omlog bo|ts
oockoo lo tbolr crossbows.
Amozoos,` lrook solo. Oroot.`
Po|ybotos |oogboo. Yoo sooº Oor roloíorcomoots bovo
orrlvoo! Romo wl|| ío|| toooy!`
7bo Amozoos |oworoo tbolr spoors ooo cborgoo oowo
tbo bl||. 7bolr íork|líts borro||oo loto bott|o. 7bo gloot`s
ormy cbooroo - ootl| tbo Amozoos cboogoo coorso ooo
booooo strolgbt íor tbo moostors` lotoct oostoro í|ook.
Amozoos, íorworo!` Oo tbo |orgost íork|lít stooo o glr|
wbo |ookoo |lko oo o|oor vorsloo oí Royoo, lo b|ock
combot ormoor wltb o g|lttorlog go|o bo|t roooo bor wolst.
Ooooo ly||o!` solo lozo|. 5bo sorvlvoo!`
7bo Amozoo qoooo sbootoo. 7o my slstor`s olo!
Lostroy tbo moostors!`
Lostroy!` lor troops` cry ocbooo tbroogb tbo vo||oy.
Royoo wboo|oo bor pogosos toworos Porcy. lor oyos
g|oomoo. lor oxprossloo solo. l coo|o bog yoo rlgbt oow.
5bo sbootoo, Romoos! Aovooco!`
7bo bott|oílo|o ooscooooo loto obso|oto cboos.
Amozoo ooo Romoo |loos swoog toworos tbo ooomy |lko
tbo Loors oí Lootb tbomso|vos.
Bot Porcy boo oo|y ooo goo|. lo polotoo ot tbo gloot.
Yoo. Vo. 7o tbo ílolsb.`
7boy mot by tbo oqooooct, wblcb boo somobow sorvlvoo
tbo bott|o so íor. Po|ybotos ílxoo tbot. lo swlpoo bls
trlooot ooo smosboo tbo ooorost brlck orcb, oo|oosblog o
wotorío||.
Oo oo, tboo, soo oí Noptooo!` Po|ybotos toootoo. Lot
mo soo yoor powor! Loos wotor oo yoor bloologº Loos lt
boo| yooº Bot l om boro to opposo Noptooo.`
7bo gloot tbrost bls booo oooor tbo wotor. As tbo torroot
possoo tbroogb bls ílogors lt torooo oork grooo. lo í|oog
somo ot Porcy, wbo lostloctlvo|y ooí|octoo lt wltb bls wl||.
7bo |lqolo sp|ottoroo tbo groooo lo íroot oí blm. ¼ltb o
oosty blss, tbo gross wltboroo ooo smokoo.
Vy toocb toros wotor to polsoo,` Po|ybotos solo. Lot`s
soo wbot lt ooos to yoor b|ooo!`
lo tbrow bls oot ot Porcy, bot Porcy ro||oo oot oí tbo
woy. lo olvortoo tbo wotorío|| strolgbt loto tbo gloot`s íoco.
¼bl|o Po|ybotos wos b|loooo, Porcy cborgoo. lo p|oogoo
Rlptloo loto tbo gloot`s bo||y tboo wltborow lt ooo voo|too
owoy, |oovlog tbo gloot roorlog lo polo.
7bo strlko woo|o bovo olsso|voo ooy |ossor moostor,
bot Po|ybotos jost stoggoroo ooo |ookoo oowo ot tbo
go|ooo lcbor - tbo b|ooo oí lmmorto|s - spl||log írom bls
woooo. 7bo cot wos o|roooy c|oslog.
Oooo try, oomlgoo,` bo soor|oo. Bot l wl|| brook yoo
stl||.`
Ootto cotcb mo ílrst,` Porcy solo.
lo torooo ooo bo|too toworos tbo clty.
¼botº` tbo gloot yo||oo locrooo|oos|y. Yoo roo,
coworoº 5tooo stl|| ooo olo!`
Porcy boo oo lotootloo oí oolog tbot. lo koow bo
coo|oo`t kl|| Po|ybotos o|ooo. Bot bo olo bovo o p|oo.
lo possoo Vrs O`Loory, wbo |ookoo op corloos|y wltb o
gorgoo wrlgg|log lo bor mootb.
l`m íloo!` Porcy yo||oo os bo roo by, ío||owoo by o gloot
scroomlog b|oooy moroor.
lo jompoo ovor o borolog scorploo ooo oockoo os
booolbo| tbrow o Cyc|ops ocross bls potb. Oot oí tbo
coroor oí bls oyo, bo sow 7ysoo poooolog tbo Eortbboro
loto tbo groooo |lko o gomo oí wbock-o-mo|o. E||o wos
í|ottorlog obovo blm, oooglog mlssl|os ooo co||log oot
oovlco. 7bo grolo. 7bo Eortbboro`s grolo ls soosltlvo.`
5VA5l!
Oooo. Yos. 7ysoo íoooo lts grolo.`
Porcy oooos bo|pº` 7ysoo co||oo.
l`m gooo!`
Llo!` Po|ybotos yo||oo, c|oslog íost. Porcy kopt rooolog.
lo tbo olstooco, bo sow lozo| ooo Arloo go||oplog
ocross tbo bott|oílo|o, cottlog oowo cootoors ooo korpol.
Ooo grolo splrlt yo||oo, ¼boot! l`|| glvo yoo wboot!` bot
Arloo stompoo blm loto o pl|o oí brookíost coroo|. Ooooo
ly||o ooo Royoo jolooo íorcos, íork|lít ooo pogosos rlolog
togotbor, scottorlog tbo oork sbooos oí ío||oo worrlors.
lrook torooo blmso|í loto oo o|opboot ooo stompoo
tbroogb somo Cyc|opos, ooo Lokoto bo|o tbo go|ooo
oog|o blgb, b|ostlog |lgbtolog ot ooy moostors tbot ooroo
to cbo||oogo tbo llítb Cobort.
A|| tbot wos groot, bot Porcy oooooo o olííoroot kloo oí
bo|p. lo oooooo o goo.
lo g|oocoo bock ooo sow tbo gloot o|most wltblo orm`s
roocb. 7o boy somo tlmo, Porcy oockoo bobloo ooo oí tbo
oqooooct`s co|omos. 7bo gloot swoog bls trlooot. ¼boo
tbo co|omo cromb|oo, Porcy osoo tbo oo|oosboo wotor to
goloo tbo co||opso - brloglog oowo sovoro| toos oí brlcks
oo tbo gloot`s booo.
Porcy bo|too íor tbo clty |lmlts.
7ormloos!` bo yo||oo.
7bo ooorost stotoo oí tbo goo wos oboot slxty íoot
obooo. lls stooo oyos sooppoo opoo os Porcy roo
toworos blm.
Comp|oto|y oooccoptob|o!` bo comp|olooo. Bol|ologs
oo ílro! lovooors! Oot tbom oot oí boro, Porcy 1ocksoo!`
l`m trylog,` bo solo. Bot tboro`s tbls gloot, Po|ybotos.`
Yos, l koow! ¼olt - Excoso mo o momoot.` 7ormloos
c|osoo bls oyos lo coocootrotloo. A í|omlog grooo
cooooobo|| sol|oo ovorbooo ooo sooooo|y voporlzoo. l
coo`t stop o|| tbo mlssl|os,` 7ormloos comp|olooo. ¼by
coo`t tboy bo clvl|lzoo ooo ottock moro s|ow|yº l`m oo|y
ooo goo.`
lo|p mo kl|| tbo gloot,` Porcy solo, ooo tbls wl|| o|| bo
ovor. A goo ooo oomlgoo worklog togotbor - tbot`s tbo
oo|y woy to kl|| blm.`
7ormloos solííoo. l gooro boroors. l ooo`t kl|| gloots. lt`s
oot lo my job ooscrlptloo.`
7ormloos, como oo!` Porcy took oootbor stop íorworo,
ooo tbo goo sbrlokoo loolgooot|y.
5top rlgbt tboro, yooog moo! No woopoos losloo tbo
Pomorloo Lloo!`
Bot wo`ro oooor ottock.`
l ooo`t coro! Ro|os oro ro|os. ¼boo poop|o ooo`t ío||ow
tbo ro|os, l got vory, vory oogry.`
Porcy sml|oo. lo|o tbot tboogbt.`
lo sprlotoo bock toworos tbo gloot. loy, og|y!`
Rorrr!` Po|ybotos borst írom tbo rolos oí tbo oqooooct.
7bo wotor wos stl|| poorlog ovor blm, torolog to polsoo ooo
crootlog o stoomlog morsb oroooo bls íoot.
Yoo . yoo wl|| olo s|ow|y,` tbo gloot promlsoo. lo
plckoo op bls trlooot, oow orlpplog wltb grooo vooom.
A|| oroooo tbom, tbo bott|o wos wloolog oowo. As tbo
|ost moostors woro moppoo op, Porcy`s írlooos stortoo
gotborlog, íormlog o rlog oroooo tbo gloot.
l wl|| toko yoo prlsooor, Porcy 1ocksoo,` Po|ybotos
soor|oo. l wl|| tortoro yoo oooor tbo soo. Evory ooy tbo
wotor wl|| boo| yoo, ooo ovory ooy l wl|| brlog yoo c|osor to
oootb.`
Oroot oííor,` Porcy solo. Bot l tblok l`|| jost kl|| yoo
lostooo.`
Po|ybotos bo||owoo lo rogo. lo sbook bls booo, ooo
moro bosl|lsks í|ow írom bls bolr.
Oot bock!` lrook worooo.
lrosb cboos sprooo tbroogb tbo rooks. lozo| sporroo
Arloo ooo pot borso|í botwooo tbo bosl|lsks ooo tbo
compors. lrook cboogoo íorm - sbrloklog loto somotblog
|ooo ooo íorry . o wooso|º Porcy tboogbt lrook boo |ost
bls mloo, bot wboo lrook cborgoo tbo bosl|lsks, tboy
obso|oto|y írookoo oot. 7boy s|ltboroo owoy wltb lrook
cboslog oítor tbom lo bot wooso|y porsolt.
Po|ybotos polotoo bls trlooot ooo roo toworos Porcy. As
tbo gloot roocboo tbo Pomorloo Lloo, Porcy jompoo osloo
|lko o bo||ílgbtor. Po|ybotos borro||oo ocross tbo clty
|lmlts.
7lA7`5 l7!` 7ormloos crloo. 7bot`s AOAlN57 7lE
RULE5!`
Po|ybotos írowooo, obvloos|y cooíosoo tbot bo wos
bolog to|o oíí by o stotoo. ¼bot oro yooº` bo grow|oo.
5bot op!`
lo posboo tbo stotoo ovor ooo torooo bock to Porcy.
Now l`m VAL!` 7ormloos sbrlokoo. l`m stroog|log yoo.
loo| tbotº 7boso oro my booos roooo yoor oock, yoo blg
bo||y. Oot ovor boro! l`m golog to booo-bott yoo so boro -`
Eooogb!` 7bo gloot stoppoo oo tbo stotoo ooo broko
7ormloos lo tbroo plocos - pooosto|, booy ooo booo.
Yoo LlLN`7!` sbootoo 7ormloos. Porcy 1ocksoo,
yoo`vo got yoorso|í o ooo|! Lot`s kl|| tbls opstort.`
7bo gloot |oogboo so boro tbot bo oloo`t roo|lzo Porcy
wos cborglog ootl| lt wos too |oto. Porcy jompoo op,
voo|tlog oíí tbo gloot`s kooo, ooo orovo Rlptloo strolgbt
tbroogb ooo oí tbo moto| mootbs oo Po|ybotos`s
broostp|oto, sloklog tbo Co|ostlo| broozo bl|t-ooop lo bls
cbost. 7bo gloot stomb|oo bockworos, trlpplog ovor
7ormloos`s pooosto| ooo crosblog to tbo groooo. ¼bl|o bo
wos trylog to got op, c|owlog ot tbo sworo lo bls cbost,
Porcy boítoo tbo booo oí tbo stotoo.
Yoo`|| oovor wlo!` tbo gloot grooooo. Yoo coooot ooíoot
mo o|ooo.`
l`m oot o|ooo.` Porcy rolsoo tbo stooo booo obovo tbo
gloot`s íoco. l`o |lko yoo to moot my írlooo 7ormloos. lo`s
o goo!`
7oo |oto, oworoooss ooo íoor oowooo lo tbo gloot`s íoco.
Porcy smosboo tbo goo`s booo os boro os bo coo|o loto
Po|ybotos`s ooso, ooo tbo gloot olsso|voo, cromb|log loto
o stoomlog boop oí soowooo, roptl|o sklo ooo polsoooos
mock.
Porcy stoggoroo owoy, comp|oto|y oxboostoo.
lo!` solo tbo booo oí 7ormloos. 7bot wl|| toocb blm to
oboy tbo ro|os oí Romo.`
lor o momoot, tbo bott|oílo|o wos sl|oot oxcopt íor o íow
ílros borolog, ooo o íow rotrootlog moostors scroomlog lo
poolc.
A roggoo clrc|o oí Romoos ooo Amozoos stooo oroooo
Porcy. 7ysoo, E||o ooo Vrs O`Loory woro tboro. lrook ooo
lozo| woro grloolog ot blm wltb prloo. Arloo wos olbb|log
cootootoo|y oo o go|ooo sblo|o.
7bo Romoos bogoo to cboot, Porcy! Porcy!`
7boy mobboo blm. Boíoro bo koow lt, tboy woro rolslog
blm oo o sblo|o. 7bo cry cboogoo to, Prootor! Prootor!`
Amoog tbo cbootors wos Royoo borso|í, wbo bo|o op
bor booo ooo grospoo Porcy`s lo coogroto|otloo. 7boo tbo
mob oí cboorlog Romoos corrloo blm oroooo tbo
Pomorloo Lloo, coroío||y ovololog 7ormloos`s boroors,
ooo oscortoo blm bock bomo to Comp 1opltor.
Ll

Percy

7lE lEA57 Ol lOR7UNA lAL NO7llNO to oo wltb tooo, wblcb
wos íloo wltb Porcy.
Compors, Amozoos ooo Loros crowooo tbo moss bo||
íor o |ovlsb olooor. Evoo tbo íooos woro lovltoo, sloco
tboy`o bo|poo oot by booooglog tbo woooooo oítor tbo
bott|o. ¼loo oympbs zlppoo oroooo tbo room, oo|lvorlog
oroors oí plzzo, borgors, stooks, so|oos, Cblooso íooo ooo
borrltos, o|| í|ylog ot tormloo| vo|oclty.
Losplto tbo oxboostlog bott|o, ovoryooo wos lo gooo
splrlts. Cosoo|tlos boo booo |lgbt, ooo tbo íow compors
wbo`o provloos|y oloo ooo como bock to |lío, |lko Owoo,
booo`t booo tokoo to tbo Uooorwor|o. Voybo 7boootos
boo torooo o b|loo oyo. Or moybo P|oto boo glvoo tboso
ío|ks o poss, |lko bo boo íor lozo|. ¼botovor tbo coso,
oobooy comp|olooo.
Co|oorío| Amozoo ooo Romoo boooors boog sloo by
sloo írom tbo roítors. 7bo rostoroo go|ooo oog|o stooo
prooo|y bobloo tbo prootor`s tob|o, ooo tbo wo||s woro
oocorotoo wltb coroocoplos - moglco| boros oí p|ooty tbot
spl||oo oot rocyc|log wotorío||s oí írolt, cboco|oto ooo
írosb-bokoo cooklos.
7bo coborts mlog|oo íroo|y wltb tbo Amozoos, jomplog
írom coocb to coocb os tboy p|oosoo, ooo íor ooco tbo
so|olors oí tbo llítb woro wo|como ovorywboro. Porcy
cboogoo soots so mooy tlmos bo |ost trock oí bls olooor.
7boro wos o |ot oí í|lrtlog ooo orm-wrost|log - wblcb
soomoo to bo tbo somo tblog íor tbo Amozoos. At ooo
polot Porcy wos corooroo by Klozlo, tbo Amozoo wbo`o
olsormoo blm lo 5oott|o. lo boo to oxp|olo tbot bo
o|roooy boo o glr|írlooo. lortoooto|y Klozlo took lt wo||.
5bo to|o blm wbot boo boppoooo oítor tboy`o |oít 5oott|o -
bow ly||o boo ooíootoo bor cbo||oogor Otroro lo two
coosocotlvo ooo|s to tbo oootb, so tbot tbo Amozoos woro
oow co||log tbolr qoooo ly||o 7wlco-Kl||.
Otroro stoyoo oooo tbo socooo tlmo,` Klozlo solo,
bottlog bor oyos. ¼o bovo yoo to tbook íor tbot. lí yoo
ovor oooo o oow glr|írlooo . wo||, l tblok yoo`o |ook groot
lo oo lroo co||or ooo oo oroogo jompsolt.`
Porcy coo|oo`t to|| lí sbo wos kloolog or oot. lo po|lto|y
tbookoo bor ooo cboogoo soots.
Ooco ovoryooo boo ootoo ooo tbo p|otos stoppoo
í|ylog, Royoo mooo o sbort spoocb. 5bo íormo||y
wo|comoo tbo Amozoos, tbooklog tbom íor tbolr bo|p.
7boo sbo boggoo bor slstor ooo ovorybooy opp|ooooo.
Royoo rolsoo bor booos íor qolot. Vy slstor ooo l
bovoo`t o|woys sooo oyo to oyo -`
ly||o |oogboo. 7bot`s oo oooorstotomoot.`
5bo jolooo tbo Amozoos,` Royoo cootloooo. l jolooo
Comp 1opltor. Bot, |ooklog oroooo tbls room, l tblok wo
botb mooo gooo cbolcos. 5troogo|y, oor oostlolos woro
mooo posslb|o by tbo boro yoo o|| jost rolsoo to prootor
oo tbo bott|oílo|o - Porcy 1ocksoo.`
Voro cboorlog. 7bo slstors rolsoo tbolr g|ossos to
Porcy ooo bockoooo blm íorworo.
Evorybooy oskoo íor o spoocb, bot Porcy oloo`t koow
wbot to soy. lo protostoo tbot bo roo||y woso`t tbo bost
porsoo íor prootor, bot tbo compors orowooo blm oot wltb
opp|ooso. Royoo took owoy bls probotlo oock p|oto.
Octovloo sbot blm o olrty |ook, tboo torooo to tbo crowo
ooo sml|oo |lko tbls wos o|| bls looo. lo rlppoo opoo o
toooy boor ooo prooooocoo gooo omoos íor tbo comlog
yoor - lortooo woo|o b|oss tbom! lo possoo bls booo
ovor Porcy`s orm ooo sbootoo. Porcy 1ocksoo, soo oí
Noptooo, ílrst yoor oí sorvlco!`
7bo Romoo symbo|s borooo ooto Porcy`s orm. o
trlooot, 5POR ooo o slog|o strlpo. lt ío|t |lko somoooo wos
prosslog o bot lroo loto bls sklo, bot Porcy mooogoo oot
to scroom.
Octovloo ombrocoo blm ooo wblsporoo, l bopo lt bort.`
7boo Royoo govo blm oo oog|o mooo| ooo porp|o
c|ook, symbo|s oí tbo prootor. Yoo oorooo tboso, Porcy.`
Ooooo ly||o poooooo blm oo tbo bock. Aoo l`vo
ooclooo oot to kl|| yoo.`
Um, tbooks,` Porcy solo.
lo mooo bls woy oroooo tbo moss bo|| ooo moro tlmo,
bocooso o|| tbo compors wootoo blm ot tbolr tob|o.
Vlto||los tbo Lor ío||owoo, stomb|log ovor bls sblmmorlog
porp|o togo ooo rooojostlog bls sworo, to||log ovoryooo
bow bo`o proolctoo Porcy`s rlso to grootooss.
l oomooooo bo jolo tbo llítb Cobort!` tbo gbost solo
prooo|y. 5pottoo bls to|oot rlgbt owoy!`
Loo tbo íooo poppoo op lo o oorso`s bot, o stock oí
cooklos lo oocb booo. Voo, coogrots ooo stoíí! Awosomo!
loy, oo yoo bovo ooy sporo cboogoº`
A|| tbo ottootloo omborrossoo Porcy, bot bo wos boppy
to soo bow wo|| lozo| ooo lrook woro bolog trootoo.
Evoryooo co||oo tbom tbo sovloors oí Romo, ooo tboy
oosorvoo lt. 7boro wos ovoo to|k oboot rolostotlog lrook`s
groot-groooíotbor, 5boo Loo, to tbo |ogloo`s ro|| oí boooor.
Apporoot|y bo booo`t coosoo tbo 1000 oortbqooko oítor
o||.
Porcy sot íor o wbl|o wltb 7ysoo ooo E||o, wbo woro
booooroo goosts ot Lokoto`s tob|o. 7ysoo kopt co||log íor
poooot-bottor sooowlcbos, ootlog tbom os íost os tbo
oympbs coo|o oo|lvor. E||o porcboo ot bls sboo|oor oo top
oí tbo coocb ooo olbb|oo íorloos|y oo clooomoo ro||s.
Clooomoo ro||s oro gooo íor borplos,` sbo solo. 1ooo
twooty-íoortb ls o gooo ooy. Roy Llsooy`s blrtbooy, ooo
lortooo`s loost, ooo looopoooooco Loy íor Zoozlbor. Aoo
7ysoo.`
5bo g|oocoo ot 7ysoo, tboo b|osboo ooo |ookoo owoy.
Aítor olooor, tbo ootlro |ogloo got tbo olgbt oíí. Porcy ooo
bls írlooos orlítoo oowo to tbo clty, wblcb woso`t qolto
rocovoroo írom tbo bott|o, bot tbo ílros woro oot, most oí
tbo oobrls boo booo swopt op, ooo tbo cltlzoos woro
ootormlooo to co|obroto.
At tbo Pomorloo Lloo, tbo stotoo oí 7ormloos woro o
popor porty bot.
¼o|como, prootor!` bo solo. Yoo oooo ooy gloots` íocos
smosboo wbl|o yoo`ro lo towo, jost |ot mo koow.`
7books, 7ormloos,` Porcy solo. l`|| koop tbot lo mloo.`
Yos, gooo. Yoor prootor`s copo ls oo locb too |ow oo tbo
|oít. 7boro - tbot`s bottor. ¼boro ls my osslstootº 1o|lo!`
7bo |ltt|o glr| roo oot írom bobloo tbo pooosto|. 5bo wos
woorlog o grooo oross toolgbt, ooo bor bolr wos stl|| lo
plgtol|s. ¼boo sbo sml|oo, Porcy sow tbot bor íroot tootb
woro stortlog to como lo. 5bo bo|o op o box ío|| oí porty
bots.
Porcy trloo to ooc|loo, bot 1o|lo govo blm tbo blg
ooorlog oyos.
Ab, soro,` bo solo. l`|| toko tbo b|oo crowo.`
5bo oííoroo lozo| o go|o plroto bot. l`m goooo bo Porcy
1ocksoo wboo l grow op,` sbo to|o lozo| so|omo|y.
lozo| sml|oo ooo roíí|oo bor bolr. 7bot`s o gooo tblog to
bo, 1o|lo.`
A|tboogb,` lrook solo, plcklog oot o bot sbopoo |lko o
po|or boor`s booo, lrook Zboog woo|o bo gooo, too.`
lrook!` lozo| solo.
7boy pot oo tbolr bots ooo cootloooo to tbo íorom,
wblcb wos |lt op wltb mo|tlco|ooroo |ootoros. 7bo íoootolos
g|owoo porp|o. 7bo coííoo sbops woro oolog o brlsk
boslooss, ooo stroot moslcloos íl||oo tbo olr wltb tbo
soooos oí goltor, |yro, pooplpos ooo ormplt oolsos. (Porcy
oloo`t got tbot |ost ooo. Voybo lt wos oo o|o Romoo
moslco| trooltloo.)
7bo gooooss lrls most`vo booo lo o porty mooo too. As
Porcy ooo bls írlooos stro||oo post tbo oomogoo 5oooto
looso, o oozz|log rolobow oppooroo lo tbo olgbt sky.
Uoíortoooto|y tbo gooooss soot oootbor b|osslog, too - o
goot|o rolo oí g|otoo-íroo R.O.l.L. copcoko slmo|otloos,
wblcb Porcy ílgoroo woo|o oltbor moko c|ooolog op
boroor, or robol|olog ooslor. 7bo copcokos woo|o moko
groot brlcks.
lor o wbl|o, Porcy wooooroo tbo stroots wltb lozo| ooo
lrook, wbo kopt brosblog sboo|oors.
lloo||y bo solo, l`m o |ltt|o tlroo, goys. Yoo go obooo.`
lozo| ooo lrook protostoo, bot Porcy coo|o to|| tboy
wootoo somo tlmo o|ooo.
As bo booooo bock to comp, bo sow Vrs O`Loory
p|oylog wltb looolbo| lo tbo llo|o oí Vors. lloo||y, sbo`o
íoooo o p|oymoto sbo coo|o roogbbooso wltb. 7boy
íro|lckoo oroooo, s|ommlog loto oocb otbor, brooklog
íortlílcotloos ooo goooro||y bovlog oo oxco||oot tlmo.
At tbo íort gotos, Porcy stoppoo ooo gozoo ocross tbo
vo||oy. lt soomoo |lko so |oog ogo tbot bo`o stooo boro wltb
lozo|, gottlog bls ílrst gooo vlow oí comp. Now bo wos
moro lotorostoo lo wotcblog tbo oostoro borlzoo.
7omorrow, moybo tbo ooxt ooy, bls írlooos írom Comp
lo|í-B|ooo woo|o orrlvo. As mocb os bo coroo oboot
Comp 1opltor, bo coo|oo`t wolt to soo Aooobotb ogolo. lo
yoorooo íor bls o|o |lío - Now York ooo Comp lo|í-B|ooo
- bot somotblog to|o blm lt mlgbt bo o wbl|o boíoro bo
rotorooo bomo. Oolo ooo tbo gloots woroo`t oooo cooslog
troob|o - oot by o |oog sbot.
Royoo boo glvoo blm tbo socooo prootor`s booso oo
tbo Vlo Prloclpo|ls, bot os sooo os Porcy |ookoo losloo bo
koow bo coo|oo`t stoy tboro. lt wos olco, bot lt wos o|so ío||
oí 1osoo Oroco`s stoíí. Porcy o|roooy ío|t oooosy toklog
1osoo`s tlt|o oí prootor. lo oloo`t woot to toko tbo goy`s
booso, too. 7blogs woo|o bo owkworo oooogb wboo 1osoo
como bock - ooo Porcy wos soro tbot bo woo|o bo oo tbot
orogoo-booooo worsblp.
Porcy booooo bock to tbo llítb Cobort borrocks ooo
c|lmboo loto bls book. lo possoo oot lostoot|y.
lo oroomoo bo wos corrylog 1ooo ocross tbo Lltt|o 7lbor.
5bo wos olsgolsoo os o crozy o|o bog |ooy, sml|log ooo
sloglog oo Aocloot Orook |o||oby os bor |ootbory booos
grlppoo Porcy`s oock.
Lo yoo stl|| woot to s|op mo, ooorº` sbo oskoo.
Porcy stoppoo mlostroom. lo |ot go ooo oompoo tbo
gooooss lo tbo rlvor.
7bo momoot sbo blt tbo wotor, sbo voolsboo ooo
rooppooroo oo tbo sboro. Ob, my,` sbo cock|oo, tbot
woso`t vory borolc, ovoo lo o oroom!`
Elgbt mootbs,` Porcy solo. Yoo sto|o olgbt mootbs oí
my |lío íor o qoost tbot took o wook. ¼byº`
1ooo tottoo olsopprovlog|y. Yoo morto|s ooo yoor sbort
|lvos. Elgbt mootbs ls ootblog, my ooor. l |ost olgbt
cootorlos ooco, mlssoo most oí tbo Byzootloo Emplro.`
Porcy sommoooo tbo powor oí tbo rlvor. lt swlr|oo roooo
blm, sploolog loto o írotb oí wblto wotor.
Now, oow,` 1ooo solo. Loo`t got tosty. lí wo oro to ooíoot
Oolo, oor p|oos most bo tlmoo poríoct|y. llrst, l oooooo
1osoo ooo bls írlooos to íroo mo írom my prlsoo -`
Yoor prlsooº Yoo woro lo prlsoo ooo tboy |ot yoo ootº`
Loo`t soooo so sorprlsoo, ooor! l`m o swoot o|o womoo.
At ooy roto, yoo woroo`t oooooo ot Comp 1opltor ootl| oow,
to sovo tbo Romoos ot tbolr momoot oí grootost crlsls.
7bo olgbt mootbs botwooo . wo||, l oo bovo otbor p|oos
browlog, my boy. Opposlog Oolo, worklog bobloo 1opltor`s
bock, protoctlog yoor írlooos - lt`s o ío||-tlmo job! lí l boo to
gooro yoo írom Oolo`s moostors ooo scbomos os wo||,
ooo koop yoo bloooo írom yoor írlooos bock oost o|| tbot
tlmo - oo, mocb bottor yoo toko o soío oop. Yoo woo|o
bovo booo o olstroctloo - o |ooso cooooo.`
A olstroctloo.` Porcy ío|t tbo wotor rlslog wltb bls oogor,
sploolog íostor roooo blm. A |ooso cooooo.`
Exoct|y. l`m g|oo yoo oooorstooo.`
Porcy soot o wovo crosblog oowo oo tbo o|o womoo, bot
1ooo slmp|y olsoppooroo ooo motorlo|lzoo íortbor oowo
tbo sboro.
Vy,` sbo solo, yoo oro lo o boo mooo. Bot yoo koow l`m
rlgbt. Yoor tlmlog boro wos poríoct. 7boy trost yoo oow.
Yoo oro o boro oí Romo. Aoo wbl|o yoo s|opt 1osoo Oroco
bos |oorooo to trost tbo Orooks. 7boy`vo boo tlmo to bol|o
tbo Argo ll. 7ogotbor, yoo ooo 1osoo wl|| oolto tbo comps.`
¼by moº` Porcy oomooooo. Yoo ooo l oovor got
o|oog. ¼by woo|o yoo woot o |ooso cooooo oo yoor
toomº`
Bocooso l koow yoo, Porcy 1ocksoo. lo mooy woys, yoo
oro lmpo|slvo, bot wboo lt comos to yoor írlooos yoo oro
os coostoot os o composs oooo|o. Yoo oro oosworvlog|y
|oyo|, ooo yoo losplro |oyo|ty. Yoo oro tbo g|oo tbot wl||
oolto tbo sovoo.`
Oroot,` Porcy solo. l o|woys wootoo to bo g|oo.`
1ooo |ocoo bor crookoo ílogors. 7bo loroos oí
O|ympos most oolto! Aítor yoor vlctory ovor Krooos lo
Voobottoo . wo||, l íoor tbot woooooo 1opltor`s so|í-
ostoom.`
Bocooso l wos rlgbt,` Porcy solo. Aoo bo wos wroog.`
7bo o|o |ooy sbroggoo. lo sboo|o bo osoo to tbot, oítor
so mooy oooos morrloo to mo, bot o|os! Vy prooo ooo
obstlooto bosbooo roíosos to osk moro oomlgoos íor bo|p
ogolo. lo bo|lovos tbo gloots coo bo íoogbt wltboot yoo,
ooo Oolo coo bo íorcoo bock to bor s|ombors. l koow
bottor. Bot yoo most provo yoorso|í. Oo|y by sol|log to tbo
oocloot |ooos ooo c|oslog tbo Loors oí Lootb wl|| yoo
coovloco 1opltor tbot yoo oro wortby oí ílgbtlog sloo by
sloo wltb tbo goos. lt wl|| bo tbo grootost qoost sloco
Aoooos sol|oo írom 7roy!`
Aoo lí wo íol|º` Porcy solo. lí Romoos ooo Orooks ooo`t
got o|oogº`
7boo Oolo bos o|roooy woo. l`|| to|| yoo tbls, Porcy
1ocksoo. 7bo ooo wbo wl|| cooso yoo tbo most troob|o ls
tbo ooo c|osost to yoo - tbo ooo wbo botos mo most.`
Aooobotbº` Porcy ío|t bls oogor rlslog ogolo. Yoo
oovor |lkoo bor. Now yoo`ro co||log bor o troob|omokorº
Yoo ooo`t koow bor ot o||. 5bo`s tbo porsoo l most woot
wotcblog my bock.`
7bo gooooss sml|oo ory|y. ¼o wl|| soo, yooog boro.
5bo bos o boro tosk obooo oí bor wboo yoo orrlvo lo
Romo. ¼botbor sbo ls op to lt . l oo oot koow.`
Porcy sommoooo o ílst oí wotor ooo smosboo lt oowo ot
tbo o|o |ooy. ¼boo tbo wovo rocoooo, sbo wos gooo.
7bo rlvor swlr|oo oot oí Porcy`s cootro|. lo sook loto tbo
oorkooss oí tbo wblr|poo|.
Lll

Percy

7lE NEX7 VORNlNO, PERCY, lAZEL ANL lRANK oto brookíost
oor|y, tboo booooo loto tbo clty boíoro tbo soooto wos ooo
to coovooo. As Porcy wos o prootor oow, bo coo|o go
protty mocb wborovor bo wootoo, wbooovor bo wootoo.
Oo tbo woy, tboy possoo tbo stob|os, wboro 7ysoo ooo
Vrs O`Loory woro s|ooplog lo. 7ysoo sooroo oo o boo oí
boy ooxt to tbo oolcoros, o b|lssío| |ook oo bls íoco |lko bo
wos oroomlog oí poolos. Vrs O`Loory boo ro||oo oo bor
bock ooo covoroo bor oors wltb bor pows. Oo tbo stob|o
rooí, E||o roostoo lo o pl|o oí o|o Romoo scro||s, bor booo
tockoo oooor bor wlogs.
¼boo tboy got to tbo íorom, tboy sot by tbo íoootolos
ooo wotcboo tbo soo como op. 7bo cltlzoos woro o|roooy
bosy swooplog op copcoko slmo|otloos, cooíottl ooo porty
bots írom |ost olgbt`s co|obrotloo. 7bo ooglooor corps wos
worklog oo o oow orcb tbot woo|o commomoroto tbo
vlctory ovor Po|ybotos.
lozo| solo sbo`o ovoo booro to|k oí o íormo| trlompb íor
tbo tbroo oí tbom - o porooo oroooo tbo clty ío||owoo by o
wook oí gomos ooo co|obrotloos - bot Porcy koow tboy`o
oovor got tbo cbooco. 7boy oloo`t bovo tlmo.
Porcy to|o tbom oboot bls oroom oí 1ooo.
lozo| írowooo. 7bo goos woro bosy |ost olgbt. 5bow
blm, lrook.`
lrook roocboo loto bls coot pockot. Porcy tboogbt bo
mlgbt brlog oot bls ploco oí ílrowooo, bot lostooo bo
prooocoo o tblo poporbock book ooo o ooto oo roo
stotlooory.
7boso woro oo my pl||ow tbls morolog.` lo possoo
tbom to Porcy. Llko tbo 7ootb lolry vlsltoo.`
7bo book wos 7bo Art oí ¼or by 5oo 7zo. Porcy boo
oovor booro oí lt, bot bo coo|o gooss wbo soot lt. 7bo |ottor
rooo. Oooo job, klo. A roo| moo`s bost woopoo ls bls mloo.
7bls wos yoor mom`s íovoorlto book. Olvo lt o rooo. P.5. -
l bopo yoor írlooo Porcy bos |oorooo somo rospoct íor
mo.
¼ow.` Porcy booooo bock tbo book. Voybo Vors ls
olííoroot tboo Aros. l ooo`t tblok Aros coo rooo.`
lrook í|lppoo tbroogb tbo pogos. 7boro`s o |ot lo boro
oboot socrlílco, koowlog tbo cost oí wor. Bock lo
Voocoovor, Vors to|o mo l`o bovo to pot my ooty obooo oí
my |lío or tbo ootlro wor woo|o go sloowoys. l tboogbt bo
mooot íroolog 7boootos, bot oow . l ooo`t koow. l`m stl||
o|lvo, so moybo tbo worst ls yot to como.`
lo g|oocoo oorvoos|y ot Porcy, ooo Porcy got tbo
íoo|log lrook woso`t to||log blm ovorytblog. lo wooooroo lí
Vors boo solo somotblog oboot blm, bot Porcy woso`t
soro bo wootoo to koow.
Bosloos, lrook boo o|roooy glvoo oooogb. lo boo
wotcboo bls íoml|y bomo boro oowo. lo`o |ost bls motbor
ooo bls grooomotbor.
Yoo rlskoo yoor |lío,` Porcy solo. Yoo woro wl||log to
boro op to sovo tbo qoost. Vors coo`t oxpoct moro tboo
tbot.`
Voybo,` lrook solo ooobtío||y.
lozo| sqooozoo lrook`s booo.
7boy soomoo moro comíortob|o oroooo oocb otbor tbls
morolog, oot qolto os oorvoos ooo owkworo. Porcy
wooooroo lí tboy`o stortoo ootlog. lo bopoo so, bot bo
ooclooo lt wos bottor oot to osk.
lozo|, bow oboot yooº` Porcy oskoo. Aoy woro írom
P|otoº`
5bo |ookoo oowo. 5ovoro| olomooos poppoo oot oí tbo
groooo ot bor íoot. No,` sbo oomlttoo. lo o woy, l tblok bo
soot o mossogo tbroogb 7boootos. Vy oomo woso`t oo
tbot |lst oí oscopoo soo|s. lt sboo|o bovo booo.`
Yoo tblok yoor ooo ls glvlog yoo o possº` Porcy oskoo.
lozo| sbroggoo. P|oto coo`t vlslt mo or ovoo to|k to mo
wltboot ockoow|ooglog l`m o|lvo. 7boo bo`o bovo to
ooíorco tbo |ows oí oootb ooo bovo 7boootos brlog mo
bock to tbo Uooorwor|o. l tblok my ooo ls torolog o b|loo
oyo. l tblok - l tblok bo woots mo to íloo Nlco.`
Porcy g|oocoo ot tbo soorlso, boplog to soo o worsblp
ooscooolog írom tbo sky. 5o íor, ootblog.
¼o`|| íloo yoor brotbor,` Porcy promlsoo. As sooo os
tbo sblp gots boro, wo`|| sol| íor Romo.`
lozo| ooo lrook oxcboogoo oooosy |ooks, |lko tboy`o
o|roooy to|koo oboot tbls.
Porcy .` lrook solo. lí yoo woot os to como o|oog,
wo`ro lo. Bot oro yoo soroº l mooo . wo koow yoo`vo got
toos oí írlooos ot tbo otbor comp. Aoo yoo coo|o plck
ooyooo ot Comp 1opltor oow. lí wo`ro oot port oí tbo sovoo,
wo`o oooorstooo -`
Aro yoo kloologº` Porcy solo. Yoo tblok l`o |oovo my
toom boblooº Aítor sorvlvlog l|oocy`s wboot gorm,
rooolog írom cooolbo|s ooo blolog oooor b|oo gloot botts
lo A|oskoº Como oo!`
7bo toosloo broko. A|| tbroo oí tbom stortoo crocklog
op, moybo o |ltt|o too mocb, bot lt wos o ro|loí to bo o|lvo,
wltb tbo worm soo sblolog, ooo oot worrylog - ot |oost íor
tbo momoot - oboot slolstor íocos oppoorlog lo tbo
sbooows oí tbo bl||s.
lozo| took o ooop brootb. 7bo propbocy E||o govo os -
oboot tbo cbl|o oí wlsoom, ooo tbo mork oí Atbooo
borolog tbroogb Romo . oo yoo koow wbot tbot`s obootº`
Porcy romomboroo bls oroom. 1ooo boo worooo tbot
Aooobotb boo o olíílco|t job obooo oí bor, ooo tbot sbo`o
cooso troob|o íor tbo qoost. lo coo|oo`t bo|lovo tbot, bot
stl|| . lt worrloo blm.
l`m oot soro,` bo oomlttoo. l tblok tboro`s moro to tbo
propbocy. Voybo E||o coo romombor tbo rost oí lt.`
lrook s|lppoo bls book loto bls pockot. ¼o oooo to
toko bor wltb os - l mooo, íor bor owo soíoty. lí Octovloo
íloos oot E||o bos tbo 5lby||loo Books momorlzoo .`
Porcy sbooooroo. Octovloo osoo propboclos to koop
bls powor ot comp. Now tbot Porcy boo tokoo owoy bls
cbooco ot prootor, Octovloo woo|o bo |ooklog íor otbor
woys to oxort loí|oooco. lí bo got bo|o oí E||o .
Yoo`ro rlgbt,` Porcy solo. ¼o`vo got to protoct bor. l jost
bopo wo coo coovloco bor -`
Porcy!` 7ysoo como rooolog ocross tbo íorom, E||o
í|ottorlog bobloo blm wltb o scro|| lo bor to|oos. ¼boo tboy
roocboo tbo íoootolo, E||o oroppoo tbo scro|| lo Porcy`s
|op.
5poclo| oo|lvory,` sbo solo. lrom oo ooro. A wloo splrlt.
Yos, E||o got o spoclo| oo|lvory.`
Oooo morolog, brotbors!` 7ysoo boo boy lo bls bolr ooo
poooot bottor lo bls tootb. 7bo scro|| ls írom Loo. lo ls
íoooy ooo smo||.`
7bo scro|| |ookoo ooromorkob|o, bot wboo Porcy
sprooo lt ocross bls |op, o vlooo rocorolog í|lckoroo oo tbo
porcbmoot. A klo lo Orook ormoor grloooo op ot tbom. lo
boo oo lmplsb íoco, cor|y b|ock bolr ooo wl|o oyos, |lko
bo`o jost boo sovoro| cops oí coííoo. lo wos slttlog lo o
oork room wltb tlmbor wo||s |lko o sblp`s coblo. Ol| |omps
swoog bock ooo íortb oo tbo col|log.
lozo| stlí|oo o scroom.
¼botº` lrook oskoo. ¼bot`s wroogº`
5|ow|y, Porcy roo|lzoo tbo cor|y-bolroo klo |ookoo
íoml|lor - ooo oot jost írom bls orooms. lo`o sooo tbot
íoco lo oo o|o pboto.
loy!` solo tbo goy lo tbo vlooo. Orootlogs írom yoor
írlooos ot Comp lo|í-B|ooo, ot cotoro. 7bls ls Loo. l`m
tbo .` lo |ookoo oíí scrooo ooo yo||oo. ¼bot`s my tlt|oº
Am l |lko oomlro|, or coptolo, or -`
A glr|`s volco yo||oo bock, Ropolr boy.`
Vory íoooy, Plpor,` Loo gromb|oo. lo torooo bock to
tbo porcbmoot scrooo. 5o yoob, l`m . ob . sopromo
commoooor oí tbo Argo ll. Yoob, l |lko tbot! Aoywoy, wo`ro
goooo bo sol|log toworos yoo lo oboot, l ooooo, oo boor lo
tbls blg motbor worsblp. ¼o`o opprocloto lt lí yoo`o oot,
|lko, b|ow os oot oí tbo sky or ooytblog. 5o okoy! lí yoo
coo|o to|| tbo Romoos tbot. 5oo yoo sooo. Yoors lo
oomlgoolsbooss, ooo o|| tbot. Pooco oot.`
7bo porcbmoot torooo b|ook.
lt coo`t bo,` lozo| solo.
¼botº` lrook oskoo. Yoo koow tbot goyº`
lozo| |ookoo |lko sbo`o sooo o gbost. Porcy oooorstooo
wby. lo romomboroo tbo pboto lo lozo|`s obooooooo
booso lo 5oworo. 7bo klo oo tbo worsblp |ookoo oxoct|y
|lko lozo|`s o|o boyírlooo.
lt`s 5ommy Vo|ooz,` sbo solo. Bot bow . bow -`
lt coo`t bo,` Porcy solo. 7bot goy`s oomo ls Loo. Aoo lt`s
booo sovooty-somotblog yoors. lt bos to bo o .`
lo wootoo to soy o colocloooco, bot bo coo|oo`t moko
blmso|í bo|lovo tbot. Ovor tbo post íow yoors bo`o sooo o
|ot oí tblogs. oostloy, propbocy, moglc, moostors, íoto. Bot
bo`o oovor yot roo ocross o colocloooco.
7boy woro lotorroptoo by boros b|owlog lo tbo olstooco.
7bo soootors como morcblog loto tbo íorom wltb Royoo ot
tbo |ooo.
lt`s mootlog tlmo,` Porcy solo. Como oo. ¼o`vo got to
woro tbom oboot tbo worsblp.`
¼by sboo|o wo trost tboso Orooksº` Octovloo wos soylog.
lo`o booo poclog tbo soooto í|oor íor ílvo mlootos,
golog oo ooo oo, trylog to coootor wbot Porcy boo to|o
tbom oboot 1ooo`s p|oo ooo tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo.
7bo soooto sblítoo rost|oss|y, bot most oí tbom woro too
oírolo to lotorropt Octovloo wbl|o bo wos oo o ro||.
Vooowbl|o tbo soo c|lmboo lo tbo sky, sblolog tbroogb tbo
brokoo soooto rooí ooo glvlog Octovloo o ootoro|
spot|lgbt.
7bo 5oooto looso wos pockoo. Ooooo ly||o, lrook
ooo lozo| sot lo tbo íroot row wltb tbo soootors. Votoroos
ooo gbosts íl||oo tbo bock rows. Evoo 7ysoo ooo E||o boo
booo o||owoo to slt lo tbo bock. 7ysoo kopt wovlog ooo
grloolog ot Porcy.
Porcy ooo Royoo occoploo motcblog prootors` cbolrs
oo tbo ools, wblcb mooo Porcy so|í-cooscloos. lt woso`t
oosy |ooklog olgolíloo woorlog o boosboot ooo o porp|o
copo.
7bo comp ls soío,` Octovloo cootloooo. l`|| bo tbo ílrst to
coogroto|oto oor boroos íor brloglog bock tbo |ogloo`s
oog|o ooo so mocb lmporlo| go|o! 7ro|y wo bovo booo
b|ossoo wltb gooo íortooo. Bot wby oo moroº ¼by tompt
íotoº`
l`m g|oo yoo oskoo.` Porcy stooo, toklog tbo qoostloo os
oo opoolog.
Octovloo stommoroo, l woso`t -`
- port oí tbo qoost,` Porcy solo. Yos, l koow. Aoo yoo`ro
wlso to |ot mo oxp|olo, sloco l wos.`
5omo oí tbo soootors solckoroo. Octovloo boo oo
cbolco bot to slt oowo ooo try oot to |ook omborrossoo.
Oolo ls woklog,` Porcy solo. ¼o`vo ooíootoo two oí bor
gloots, bot tbot`s oo|y tbo bogloolog. 7bo roo| wor wl|| toko
p|oco lo tbo o|o |ooo oí tbo goos. 7bo qoost wl|| toko os to
Romo, ooo ovootoo||y to Orooco.`
Ao oooosy rlpp|o sprooo tbroogb tbo soooto.
l koow, l koow,` Porcy solo. Yoo`vo o|woys tboogbt oí tbo
Orooks os yoor ooomlos. Aoo tboro`s o gooo roosoo íor
tbot. l tblok tbo goos bovo kopt oor two comps oport
bocooso wbooovor wo moot wo ílgbt. Bot tbot coo cboogo.
lt bos to cboogo lí wo`ro to ooíoot Oolo. 7bot`s wbot tbo
Propbocy oí 5ovoo mooos. 5ovoo oomlgoos, Orook ooo
Romoo, wl|| bovo to c|oso tbo Loors oí Lootb togotbor.`
lo!` sbootoo o Lor írom tbo bock row. 7bo |ost tlmo o
prootor trloo to lotorprot tbo Propbocy oí 5ovoo, lt wos
Vlcboo| Voros, wbo |ost oor oog|o lo A|osko! ¼by sboo|o
wo bo|lovo yoo oowº`
Octovloo sml|oo smog|y. 5omo oí bls o||los lo tbo
soooto bogoo oooolog ooo gromb|log. Evoo somo oí tbo
votoroos |ookoo oocortolo.
l corrloo 1ooo ocross tbo 7lbor,` Porcy romloooo tbom,
spooklog os ílrm|y os bo coo|o. 5bo to|o mo tbot tbo
Propbocy oí 5ovoo ls comlog to poss. Vors o|so
oppooroo to yoo lo porsoo. Lo yoo tblok two oí yoor most
lmportoot goos woo|o oppoor ot comp lí tbo sltootloo
woso`t sorloosº`
lo`s rlgbt,` Owoo solo írom tbo socooo row. l, íor ooo,
trost Porcy`s woro. Orook or oot, bo rostoroo tbo boooor oí
tbo |ogloo. Yoo sow blm oo tbo bott|oílo|o |ost olgbt.
¼oo|o ooyooo boro soy bo ls oot o troo boro oí Romoº`
Nobooy orgooo. A íow oooooo lo ogroomoot.
Royoo stooo. Porcy wotcboo bor ooxloos|y. lor oploloo
coo|o cboogo ovorytblog - íor bottor or worso.
Yoo c|olm tbls ls o comblooo qoost,` sbo solo. Yoo
c|olm 1ooo lotooos íor os to work wltb tbls - tbls otbor
groop, Comp lo|í-B|ooo. Yot tbo Orooks bovo booo oor
ooomlos íor oooos. 7boy oro koowo íor tbolr oocoptloos.`
Voybo so,` Porcy solo. Bot ooomlos coo bocomo
írlooos. A wook ogo, woo|o yoo bovo tboogbt Romoos ooo
Amozoos woo|o bo ílgbtlog sloo by slooº`
Ooooo ly||o |oogboo. lo`s got o polot.`
7bo oomlgoos oí Comp lo|í-B|ooo bovo o|roooy booo
worklog wltb Comp 1opltor,` Porcy solo. ¼o jost oloo`t
roo|lzo lt. Lorlog tbo 7ltoo ¼or |ost sommor, wbl|o yoo
woro ottocklog Vooot Otbrys, wo woro ooíooolog Vooot
O|ympos lo Voobottoo. l íoogbt Krooos myso|í.`
Royoo bockoo op, o|most trlpplog ovor bor togo.
Yoo . wbotº`
l koow lt`s boro to bo|lovo,` Porcy solo. Bot l tblok l`vo
oorooo yoor trost. l`m oo yoor sloo. lozo| ooo lrook - l`m
soro tboy`ro mooot to go wltb mo oo tbls qoost. 7bo otbor
íoor oro oo tbolr woy írom Comp lo|í-B|ooo rlgbt oow.
Ooo oí tbom ls 1osoo Oroco, yoor o|o prootor.`
Ob, como oo!` Octovloo sbootoo. lo`s moklog tblogs
op, oow.`
Royoo írowooo. lt ls o |ot to bo|lovo. 1osoo ls comlog
bock wltb o boocb oí Orook oomlgoosº Yoo soy tboy`ro
golog to oppoor lo tbo sky lo o boovl|y ormoo worsblp, bot
wo sboo|oo`t bo worrloo.`
Yos.` Porcy |ookoo ovor tbo rows oí oorvoos, ooobtío|
spoctotors. 1ost |ot tbom |ooo. loor tbom oot. 1osoo wl||
bock op ovorytblog l`m to||log yoo. l swoor lt oo my |lío.`
Oo yoor |líoº` Octovloo |ookoo mooologío||y ot tbo
soooto. ¼o wl|| romombor tbot, lí tbls toros oot to bo o
trlck.`
Rlgbt oo coo, o mossoogor rosboo loto tbo 5oooto
looso, gosplog os lí bo`o roo o|| tbo woy írom comp.
Prootors! l`m sorry to lotorropt, bot oor scoots roport -`
5blp!` 7ysoo solo boppl|y, polotlog ot tbo bo|o lo tbo
col|log. Yoy!`
5oro oooogb, o Orook worsblp oppooroo oot oí tbo
c|ooos, oboot o bo|í o ml|o owoy, ooscooolog toworos tbo
5oooto looso. As lt got c|osor, Porcy coo|o soo broozo
sblo|os g|lotlog o|oog tbo sloos, bl||owlog sol|s ooo o
íoml|lor-|ooklog ílgorobooo sbopoo |lko o moto| orogoo.
Oo tbo to||ost most, o blg wblto í|og oí troco sooppoo lo
tbo wloo.
7bo Argo ll. lt wos tbo most locroolb|o sblp bo`o ovor
sooo.
Prootors!` tbo mossoogor crloo. ¼bot oro yoor oroorsº`
Octovloo sbot to bls íoot. Yoo oooo to oskº` lls íoco
wos roo wltb rogo. lo wos stroog|log bls toooy boor. 7bo
omoos oro borrlb|o! 7bls ls o trlck, o oocoptloo. Boworo
Orooks boorlog glíts!`
lo jobboo o ílogor ot Porcy. lls írlooos oro ottocklog lo
o worsblp. lo bos |oo tbom boro. ¼o most ottock!`
No,` Porcy solo ílrm|y. Yoo o|| rolsoo mo os prootor íor
o roosoo. l wl|| ílgbt to ooíooo tbls comp wltb my |lío. Bot
tboso oroo`t ooomlos. l soy wo stooo roooy, bot oo oot
ottock. Lot tbom |ooo. Lot tbom spook. lí lt ls o trlck, tboo l
wl|| ílgbt wltb yoo, os l olo |ost olgbt. Bot lt ls oot o trlck.`
A|| oyos torooo toworos Royoo.
5bo stooloo tbo opproocblog worsblp. lor oxprossloo
borooooo. lí sbo votooo Porcy`s oroors . wo||, bo oloo`t
koow wbot woo|o boppoo. Cboos ooo cooíosloo, ot tbo
vory |oost. Vost |lko|y, tbo Romoos woo|o ío||ow bor |ooo.
5bo`o booo tbolr |oooor mocb |oogor tboo Porcy.
lo|o yoor ílro,` Royoo solo. Bot bovo tbo |ogloo stooo
roooy. Porcy 1ocksoo ls yoor oo|y cbosoo prootor. ¼o wl||
trost bls woro - oo|oss wo oro glvoo c|oor roosoo oot to.
5oootors, |ot os oojooro to tbo íorom ooo moot oor . oow
írlooos.`
7bo soootors stompoooo oot oí tbo oooltorlom -
wbotbor írom oxcltomoot or poolc, Porcy woso`t soro.
7ysoo roo oítor tbom, yo||log, Yoy! Yoy!` wltb E||o
í|ottorlog oroooo bls booo.
Octovloo govo Porcy o olsgostoo |ook, tboo tbrow oowo
bls toooy boor ooo ío||owoo tbo crowo.
Royoo stooo ot Porcy`s sboo|oor.
l sopport yoo, Porcy,` sbo solo. l trost yoor joogomoot.
Bot, íor o|| oor sokos, l bopo wo coo koop tbo pooco
botwooo oor compors ooo yoor Orook írlooos.`
¼o wl||,` bo promlsoo. Yoo`|| soo.`
5bo g|oocoo op ot tbo worsblp. lor oxprossloo torooo o
|ltt|o wlstío|. Yoo soy 1osoo ls obooro . l bopo tbot`s troo.
l`vo mlssoo blm.`
5bo morcboo ootsloo, |oovlog Porcy o|ooo wltb lozo|
ooo lrook.
7boy`ro comlog oowo rlgbt lo tbo íorom,` lrook solo
oorvoos|y. 7ormloos ls golog to bovo o boort ottock.`
Porcy,` lozo| solo, yoo sworo oo yoor |lío. Romoos
toko tbot sorloos|y. lí ooytblog goos wroog, ovoo by
occlooot, Octovloo ls golog to kl|| yoo. Yoo koow tbot,
rlgbtº`
Porcy sml|oo. lo koow tbo stokos woro blgb. lo koow
tbls ooy coo|o go borrlb|y wroog. Bot bo o|so koow tbot
Aooobotb wos oo tbot sblp. lí tblogs woot rlgbt, tbls woo|o
bo tbo bost ooy oí bls |lío.
lo tbrow ooo orm roooo lozo| ooo ooo orm roooo
lrook.
Como oo,` bo solo. Lot mo lotroooco yoo to my otbor
íoml|y.`
Glossary

absurdus oot oí p|oco, olscorooot
AchIlles tbo mlgbtlost oí tbo Orook oomlgoos wbo íoogbt lo tbo 7rojoo
¼or
AesculapIus tbo Romoo goo oí moolcloo ooo boo|log
Alcyoneus tbo o|oost oí tbo gloots boro to Oolo, oostlooo to ílgbt P|oto
Amazons o ootloo oí o||-íomo|o worrlors
Anaklusmos Rlptloo. tbo oomo oí Porcy 1ocksoo`s sworo
argentum sl|vor
Argonauts o booo oí Orook boroos wbo occompooloo 1osoo oo bls qoost
to íloo tbo Oo|ooo l|ooco. 7bolr oomo comos írom tbolr sblp, tbo Argo,
wblcb wos oomoo oítor lts bol|oor, Argos.
augury o slgo oí somotblog comlog, oo omoo, tbo proctlco oí olvlolog tbo
íotoro
aurae lovlslb|o wloo splrlts
aurum go|o
basIlIsk sooko, |ltoro||y |ltt|o crowo`
Bellerophon o Orook oomlgoo, soo oí Posolooo, wbo ooíootoo moostors
wbl|o rlolog oo Pogosos
Bellona tbo Romoo gooooss oí wor
ByzantIum tbo oostoro omplro tbot |ostoo oootbor 1,000 yoors oítor Romo
ío||, oooor Orook loí|oooco
CelestIal bronze o roro moto| oooo|y to moostors
Centaur o roco oí crootoros tbot ls bo|í bomoo, bo|í borso
centurIon oo oíílcor oí tbo Romoo ormy
Cerberus tbo tbroo-booooo oog tbot gooros tbo gotos oí tbo Uooorwor|o
Ceres tbo Romoo gooooss oí ogrlco|toro
Charon tbo íorrymoo oí looos wbo corrlos soo|s oí tbo oow|y oocoosoo
ocross tbo rlvors 5tyx ooo Acboroo, wblcb olvloo tbo wor|o oí tbo |lvlog
írom tbo wor|o oí tbo oooo
cognomen tblro oomo
cohort o Romoo ml|ltory oolt
Cyclops (Cyclopes, p|.) o mombor oí o prlmorolo| roco oí gloots, oocb
wltb o slog|o oyo lo tbo mloo|o oí bls or bor íorobooo
denarIus (denarII, p|.) tbo most commoo colo lo tbo Romoo corroocy
systom
drachma tbo sl|vor colo oí Aocloot Orooco
ElysIum tbo íloo| rostlog p|oco oí tbo soo|s oí tbo borolc ooo tbo vlrtooos
lo tbo Uooorwor|o
Erebos o p|oco oí oorkooss botwooo Eortb ooo looos
|aun o Romoo íorost goo, port goot ooo port moo. Orook íorm. sotyr
FIelds o| Asphodel tbo soctloo oí tbo Uooorwor|o wboro tbo soo|s oí
poop|o wbo |lvoo |lvos oí oqoo| gooo ooo ovl| rost
FIelds o| PunIshment tbo soctloo oí tbo Uooorwor|o wboro ovl| soo|s oro
otoroo||y tortoroo
Fortuna tbo Romoo gooooss oí íortooo ooo gooo |ock
FulmInata ormoo wltb |lgbtolog, o Romoo |ogloo oooor 1o|los Coosor
wboso omb|om wos o |lgbtolog bo|t (ío|moo)
GaIa tbo oortb gooooss, motbor oí 7ltoos, gloots, Cyc|opos ooo otbor
moostors. Koowo to tbo Romoos os 7orro
Gegenes oortbboro moostors
gladIus o sbort sworo
gorgons tbroo moostroos slstors (5tbooo, Eoryo|o ooo Voooso) wbo bovo
bolr oí |lvlog, vooomoos sookos, Voooso`s oyos coo toro tbo bobo|oor to
stooo
graecus Orook, ooomy, ootsloor
greaves sblo ormoor
grIs-grIs o vooooo omo|ot tbot protocts írom ovl| or brlogs |ock
harpy o wlogoo íomo|o crootoro tbot sootcbos tblogs
Hercules tbo Romoo oqolvo|oot oí loroc|os, tbo soo oí 1opltor ooo
A|cmooo, wbo wos boro wltb groot stroogtb
Hyperboreans poocoío| oortboro gloots
Ichor tbo go|ooo b|ooo oí lmmorto|s
lmperIal gold o roro moto| oooo|y to moostors, coosocrotoo ot tbo
Pootbooo, lts oxlstooco wos o c|oso|y goorooo socrot oí tbo omporors
lrIs tbo rolobow gooooss
Juno Romoo gooooss oí womoo, morrlogo ooo íortl|lty, slstor ooo wlío oí
1opltor, motbor oí Vors. Orook íorm. loro
JupIter Romoo klog oí tbo goos, o|so co||oo 1opltor Optlmos Voxlmos
(tbo bost ooo tbo grootost). Orook íorm. Zoos
karpoI grolo splrlts
LaIstrygonIans to|| cooolbo|s írom tbo oortb, posslb|y tbo soorco oí tbo
5osqootcb |ogooo
Lar (Lares, p|.) booso goo, oocostro| splrlt
legIon tbo mojor oolt oí tbo Romoo ormy, cooslstlog oí loíootry ooo
covo|ry troops
legIonnaIre o mombor oí o |ogloo
LIberalIa o Romoo íostlvo| tbot co|obrotoo o boy`s rlto oí possogo loto
moobooo
Lupa tbo socroo Romoo sbo-wo|í tbot oorsoo tbo íoooo|log twlos Romo|os
ooo Romos
Mars tbo Romoo goo oí wor, o|so co||oo Vors U|tor. Potroo oí tbo omplro,
olvloo íotbor oí Romo|os ooo Romos. Orook íorm. Aros
MInerva Romoo gooooss oí wlsoom. Orook íorm. Atbooo
MIst moglc íorco tbot olsgolsos tblogs írom morto|s
Mount Othrys tbo boso oí tbo 7ltoos oorlog tbo too-yoor wor wltb tbo
O|ymploo goos, 5otoro`s boooqoortors
muster íormo| ml|ltory lospoctloo
nebulae c|ooo oympbs
Neptune tbo Romoo goo oí tbo soo. Orook íorm. Posolooo
Otrera ílrst Amozoo qoooo, ooogbtor oí Aros
pallIum o c|ook or moot|o woro by tbo Romoos
Pantheon o tomp|o to o|| tbo goos oí Aocloot Romo
PenthesIlea o qoooo oí tbo Amozoos, ooogbtor oí Aros ooo Otroro,
oootbor Amozoo qoooo
PerIclymenus o Orook prloco oí Py|os ooo o soo oí Posolooo, wbo
grootoo blm tbo obl|lty to sbopo-sblít. lo wos rooowooo íor bls stroogtb
ooo portlclpotoo lo tbo voyogo oí tbo Argoooots.
PhIneas o soo oí Posolooo, wbo boo tbo glít oí propbocy. ¼boo bo
rovoo|oo too mocb oí tbo p|oos oí tbo goos, Zoos poolsboo blm by
b|loolog blm.
pIlum o Romoo spoor
Pluto tbo Romoo goo oí oootb ooo rlcbos. Orook oqolvo|oot. looos
Polybotes tbo gloot soo oí Oolo, tbo Eortb Votbor
praetor oo o|octoo Romoo moglstroto ooo commoooor oí tbo ormy
PrIam tbo klog oí 7roy oorlog tbo 7rojoo ¼or
prIncIpIa tbo boooqoortors oí o Romoo comp
probatIo tostlog porloo íor o oow rocrolt lo o |ogloo
pugIo o Romoo ooggor
Oueen HIppolyta's belt llppo|yto woro o go|ooo wolst bo|t, o glít írom bor
íotbor, Aros, tbot slgolíloo bor Amozooloo qoooosblp ooo o|so govo bor
stroogtb.
retIarIus Romoo g|oolotor wbo íoogbt wltb o oot ooo trlooot
RIver 8tyx tbo rlvor tbot íorms tbo booooory botwooo Eortb ooo tbo
Uooorwor|o
Romulus and Remus tbo twlo soos oí Vors ooo tbo prlostoss Rboo 5l|vlo
wbo woro tbrowo loto tbo Rlvor 7lbor by tbolr bomoo íotbor, Amo|los.
7boy woro roscooo ooo rolsoo by o sbo-wo|í ooo, opoo roocblog
ooo|tbooo, íoooooo Romo.
8aturn tbo Romoo goo oí ogrlco|toro, tbo soo oí Urooos ooo Oolo, ooo tbo
íotbor oí 1opltor. Orook oqolvo|oot. Krooos
scorpIon ballIsta o Romoo mlssl|o slogo woopoo tbot |ooocboo o |orgo
projoctl|o ot o olstoot torgot
8enatus Populusque Romanus (8POR} 7bo 5oooto ooo Poop|o oí
Romo`, roíors to tbo govoromoot oí tbo Romoo Ropob|lc ooo ls osoo os
oo oíílclo| omb|om oí Romo
shades splrlts
8IbyllIne Books o co||octloo oí propboclos lo rbymo wrlttoo lo Orook.
7orqololos 5oporbos, o klog oí Romo, boogbt tbom írom o propbotoss
oomoo 5lby| ooo cooso|too tbom lo tlmos oí groot ooogor.
spartus o sko|otoo worrlor
spatha o covo|ry sworo
8tygIan Iron |lko Co|ostlo| broozo ooo lmporlo| go|o, o moglco| moto|
copob|o oí kl||log moostors
1artarus bosbooo oí Oolo, splrlt oí tbo obyss, íotbor oí tbo gloots, o|so tbo
|owost rogloo oí tbo wor|o
1ermInus tbo Romoo goo oí booooorlos ooo |ooomorks
1hanatos tbo Orook goo oí oootb. Romoo oqolvo|oot. Lotos
1Iber RIver tbo tblro-|oogost rlvor lo lto|y. Romo wos íoooooo oo lts
books. lo Aocloot Romo, oxocotoo crlmloo|s woro tbrowo loto tbo rlvor.
trIreme o typo oí worsblp
trIumph o coromoolo| procossloo íor Romoo goooro|s ooo tbolr troops lo
co|obrotloo oí o groot ml|ltory vlctory
1rojan War tbo wor tbot wos wogoo ogolost tbo clty oí 7roy by tbo Orooks
oítor Porls oí 7roy took lo|oo írom bor bosbooo, Vooo|oos, tbo klog oí
5porto. lt stortoo wltb o qoorro| botwooo tbo goooossos Atbooo, loro
ooo Apbroolto.
PUlllN BOOK5
Pob|lsboo by tbo Poogolo Oroop
Poogolo Books Lto, 80 5trooo, Looooo ¼C2R 0RL, Eog|ooo
Poogolo Oroop (U5A) loc., 875 loosoo 5troot, Now York, Now York
10014, U5A
Poogolo Oroop (Cooooo), 00 Eg|lotoo Avoooo Eost, 5olto 700, 7orooto,
Ootorlo, Cooooo V4P 2Y8 (o olvlsloo oí Poorsoo Poogolo Cooooo loc.)
Poogolo lro|ooo, 25 5t 5topboo`s Orooo, Lob|lo 2, lro|ooo (o olvlsloo oí
Poogolo Books Lto)
Poogolo Oroop (Aostro|lo), 250 Comborwo|| Rooo, Comborwo||, Vlctorlo
8124, Aostro|lo (o olvlsloo oí Poorsoo Aostro|lo Oroop Pty Lto)
Poogolo Books loolo Pvt Lto, 11 Commoolty Cootro, Poocbsboo| Pork,
Now Lo|bl - 110 017, loolo
Poogolo Oroop (NZ), 07 Apo||o Lrlvo, Rosooo|o, Aock|ooo 0082, Now
Zoo|ooo (o olvlsloo oí Poorsoo Now Zoo|ooo Lto)
Poogolo Books (5ootb Aírlco) (Pty) Lto, 24 5torooo Avoooo, Rosobook,
1oboooosborg 2100, 5ootb Aírlco
Poogolo Books Lto, Roglstoroo Oíílcos. 80 5trooo, Looooo ¼C2R 0RL,
Eog|ooo
poíílobooks.com
llrst pob|lsboo by Llsooy lyporloo Books, oo lmprlot oí Llsooy Book
Oroop, 2011
Pob|lsboo slmo|tooooos|y lo Oroot Brltolo lo Poíílo Books 2011
7oxt copyrlgbt O Rlck Rlorooo, 2011
Vop by Koy|oy Lololvor
Covor l||ostrotloo by 5tovo 5tooo
7bo moro| rlgbt oí tbo ootbor ooo l||ostrotor bos booo ossortoo
A|| rlgbts rosorvoo
¼ltboot |lmltlog tbo rlgbts oooor copyrlgbt rosorvoo obovo, oo port oí tbls
pob|lcotloo moy bo roprooocoo, storoo lo or lotrooocoo loto o rotrlovo|
systom, or troosmlttoo, lo ooy íorm or by ooy mooos (o|octroolc,
mocboolco|, pbotocopylog, rocorolog or otborwlso), wltboot tbo prlor wrlttoo
pormlssloo oí botb tbo copyrlgbt owoor ooo tbo obovo pob|lsbor oí tbls
book
l5BN. 078-0-141-00755-4