The Formidable Glass

7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-formidable-glass 1/26

THE FORMIDABLE GLASS-AND-STEEL STRUCTURE ROSE FROM its p osition on

Front Street like a glittering neele

t!rea ing t!e sk"# T!ere $ere %& t"-se'en (oors to t!e Metrop ole) Ma n!a

tta n*s +ost

e,p ensi'e ne$ o$nto$n ono+ini.+ to$er# T!e top+ost (oor) t!e %& t"-

se'ent!)

onta ine t!e +ost l.,.rio.s a p a rt+ent o& a ll/ t!e Metrop ole p ent!o.se)

a +a sterp iee o&

sleek 0la k-a n-$!ite esign# Too ne$ to !a 'e ga t!ere .st "et) its 0a

re +a r0le (oors

re(ete 0a k t!e sta rs 'isi0le t!ro.g! t!e enor+o.s (oor-to-eiling

$ino$s# T!e $ino$

gla ss $a s p er&etl" tra nsl.ent) p ro'iing s.! a o+p lete ill.sion t!a t

t!ere $a s not!ing

0et$een t!e 'ie$er a n t!e 'ie$ t!a t it !a 0een kno$n to in.e

'ertigo e'en in t!ose

.na &ra i o& !eig!ts#

Fa r 0elo$ ra n t!e sil'er ri00on o& t!e Ea st Ri'er) 0ra elete 0" s!ining

0riges) (eke

0" 0oa ts a s s+a ll a s ("sp eks) sp litting t!e s!ining 0a nks o& lig!t t!a t $ereMa n!a tta n a n

Brookl"n on eit!er sie# On a lea r nig!t t!e ill.+ina te Sta t.e o& Li0ert"

$a s 1.st 'isi0le

to t!e so.t!20.t t!ere $a s &og tonig!t) a n Li0ert" Isla n $a s !ien

0e!in a $!ite

0a nk o& +ist#

Ho$e'er sp eta .la r t!e 'ie$) t!e +a n sta ning in &ront o& t!e $ino$

in*t look

p a rti.la rl" i+p resse 0" it# T!ere $a s a &ro$n on !is na rro$) a seti

&a e a s !e t.rne

a$a " &ro+ t!e gla ss a n stroe a ross t!e (oor) t!e !eels o& !is 0oots

e!oing a ga inst t!e



+a r0le# 3Aren*t "o. rea " "e t45 !e e+a ne) ra king a !a n t!ro.g!

!is sa lt-$!ite !a ir#

36e*'e 0een !ere nea rl" a n !o.r#5

T!e 0o" kneeling on t!e (oor looke .p a t !i+) ner'o.s a n p et.la nt#

3It*s t!e +a r0le#

It*s +ore soli t!a n I t!o.g!t# It*s +a king it !a r to ra$ t!e p enta gra+#5

3So skip t!e p enta gra+#5 Up lose it $a s ea sier to see t!a t esp ite !is

$!ite !a ir) t!e

+a n $a sn*t ol# His !a r &a e $a s se'ere 0.t .nline) !is e"es lea r a n stea

"#

T!e 0o" s$a llo$e !a r a n t!e +e+0ra no.s 0la k $ings p rotr.ing

&ro+ !is na rro$

s!o.ler 0la es 7!e !a .t slits in t!e 0a k o& !is eni+ 1a ket to a

o++oa te t!e+8

(a p p e ner'o.sl"# 3T!e p enta gra+ is a neessa r" p a rt o& a n" e+on-

ra ising rit.a l# 9o.

kno$ t!a t) sir# 6it!o.t it:5

36e*re not p rotete# I kno$ t!a t) "o.ng Elia s# B.t get on $it! it# I*'e

kno$n $a rloks

$!o o.l ra ise a e+on) !a t !i+ .p ) a n isp a t! !i+ 0a k to !ell

in t!e ti+e it*s ta ken

"o. to ra$ !a l& a & i'e-p ointe sta r#5

T!e 0o" sa i not!ing) onl" a tta ke t!e +a r0le a ga in) t!is ti+e $it!

rene$e .rgen"#

S$ea t rip p e &ro+ !is &ore!ea a n !e p .s!e !is !a ir 0a k $it! a

!a n $!ose %ngers

$ere onnete $it! elia te $e0like +e+0ra nes# 3Done)5 !e sa i a t la st)sitting 0a k on

!is !eels $it! a ga sp # 3It*s one#5

3Goo#5 T!e +a n so.ne p lea se# 3Let*s get sta rte#5

3M" +one"25



3I tol "o.# 9o.*ll get "o.r +one" a&te r I ta lk to Agra+on) not 0e&ore#5

Elia s got to !is &eet a n s!r.gge !is 1a ket o;# Desp ite t!e !oles !e*

.t in it) it still

o+p resse !is $ings .no+&orta 0l"< &ree) t!e" stret!e a n e,p a ne

t!e+sel'es)

$a & ting a 0ree=e t!ro.g! t!e .n'entila te roo+# His $ings $ere t!e olor

o& a n oil slik/

0la k t!rea e $it! a ra in0o$ o& i=="ing olors# T!e +a n looke a$a " &ro+

!i+) a s i& t!e

$ings isp lea se !i+) 0.t Elia s in*t see+ to notie# He 0ega n irling t!e p

enta gra+ !e*

ra$n) irling it o.nterlok$ise a n !a nting in a e+on la ng.a ge t!a tso.ne like t!e

ra kle o& & la+es#

6it! a so.n like a ir 0eing s.ke &ro+ a tire) t!e o.tline o& t!e p enta

gra+ s.enl"

0.rst into (a+es# T!e o=en !.ge $ino$s a st 0a k a o=en 0.rning re(ete

%'e-p ointe

sta rs#

So+et!ing $a s +o'ing insie t!e p enta gra+) so+et!ing &or+less a n 0la

k# Elia s $a s

!a nting +ore >.ikl" no$) ra ising !is $e00e !a ns) tra ing elia te

o.tlines on t!e a ir

$it! !is %ngers# 6!ere t!e" p a sse) 0l.e %re ra kle# T!e +a n o.ln*t

sp ea k C!t!onia n)

t!e $a rlok la ng.a ge) $it! a n" (.en") 0.t !e reogni=e eno.g! o& t!e

$ors to

.nersta n Elia s*s rep ea te !a nt/ Agra+on) I s .++on t!e e # O.t o&

t!e s pae s 0e t$e e n t!e

$orls ) I s .++on t!e e #

T!e +a n sli a !a n into !is p oket# So+et!ing !a r a n ol a n +eta lli

+et t!e to.!



o& !is & ingers# He s+ile#

Elia s !a stop p e $a lking# He $a s sta ning in &ront o& t!e p enta gra+

no$) !is 'oie

rising a n &a lling in a stea " !a nt) 0l.e %re ra kling a ro.n !i+ like

lig!tning# S.enl"

a p l.+e o& 0la k s+oke rose insie t!e p enta gra+< it sp ira le .p$a r)

sp rea ing a n

solii&"ing# T$o e"es !.ng in t!e s!a o$ like 1e$els a .g!t in a sp ier*s $e0#

3 6!o !as alle +e !e re aros s t!e $orls 45 Agra+on e+a ne in a

'oie like s!a ttering

gla ss# 3 6!o s .++ons +e 45

Elia s !a stop p e !a nting# He $a s sta ning still in &ront o& t!e p enta

gra+2still e,ep t

&or !is $ings) $!i! 0ea t t!e a ir slo$l"# T!e a ir sta nk o& orrosion a n 0.rning#

3Agra+on)5 t!e $a rlok sa i# 3I a+ t!e $a rlok Elia s# I a+ t!e one $!o

!a s s.++one

"o.#5

For a +o+ent t!ere $a s silene# T!en t!e e+on la .g!e) i& s+oke a n

0e sa i to la .g!#

T!e la .g! itsel& $a s a .sti a s a i# 3 Fooli s ! $arlok)5 Agra+on $!ee=e# 3

Fooli s ! 0o"#5

39o. a re t!e &oolis! one) i& "o. t!ink "o. a n t!rea ten +e)5 Elia s sa i)

0.t !is 'oie

tre+0le like !is $ings# 39o. $ill 0e a p risoner o& t!a t p enta gra+) Agra+on)

.ntil I relea se

"o.#5

3 6i ll I45 T!e s+oke s.rge &or$a r) &or+ing a n re-&or+ing itsel& # A

tenril took t!e

s!a p e o& a !.+a n !a n a n stroke t!e ege o& t!e 0.rning p enta

gra+ t!a t onta ine it#



T!en) $it! a s.rge) t!e s+oke seet!e p a st t!e ege o& t!e sta r) p o.re o'er

t!e 0orer like

a $a 'e 0rea !ing a le'ee# T!e (a+es g.ttere a n ie a s Elia s)

srea+ing) st.+0le

0a k$a r# He $a s !a nting no$) in ra p i C!t!onia n) sp ells o& onta

in+ent a n

0a nis!+ent# Not!ing !a p p ene< t!e 0la k s+oke-+a ss a+e on ine,ora

0l") a n no$ it $a s

sta rting to !a 'e so+et!ing o& a s!a p e2a +a l&or+e) enor+o.s) !ieo.s

s!a p e) its glo$ing

e"es a ltering) ro.ning to t!e si=e o& sa .ers) sp illing a rea &.l lig!t#

T!e +a n $a t!e $it! i+p a ssi'e interest a s Elia s srea+e a ga in a nt.rne to r.n# He

ne'er rea !e t!e oor# Agra+on s.rge &or$a r) !is a rk +a ss ra s!ing

o$n o'er t!e

$a rlok like a s.rge o& 0oiling 0la k ta r# Elia s str.ggle &ee0l" &or a

+o+ent .ner t!e

onsla .g!t2a n t!en $a s still#

T!e 0la k s!a p e $it!re$) lea 'ing t!e $a rlok l"ing ontorte on t!e +a r0le &

loor#

3I o !op e)5 sa i t!e +a n) $!o !a ta ken t!e ol +eta l o01et o.t o& !is p

oket a n $a s

to"ing $it! it il") 3t!a t "o. !a 'en*t one a n"t!ing to !i+ t!a t $ill

rener !i+ .seless to

+e# I nee !is 0loo) "o. see#5

Agra+on t.rne) a 0la k p illa r $it! ea l" ia+on e"es# T!e" took in

t!e +a n in t!e

e,p ensi'e s.it) !is na rro$) .nonerne &a e) t!e 0la k Ma rks o'ering

!is skin) a n t!e

glo$ing o01et in !is !a n# 3 9o. pai t!e $arlok !i l to s .++on +e 4

An "o. i not te ll

!i + $!at I o.l o45



39o. g.ess orretl")5 sa i t!e +a n#

Agra+on sp oke $it! gr.ging a +ira tion# 3 T!at $as le 'e r#5

T!e +a n took a step to$a r t!e e+on# 3I a+ 'er" le'er# An I*+ a lso "o.r

+a ster no$#

I !ol t!e Morta l C.p # 9o. +.st o0e" +e) or &a e t!e onse>.enes#5

T!e e+on $a s silent a +o+ent# T!en it sli to t!e gro.n in a +oker"

o& o0eisa ne2

t!e losest a rea t.re $it! no rea l 0o" o.l o+e to kneeling# 3 I a+ at

"o.r s e r'i e ) +"

Lor:45

T!e sentene ene p olitel") on a >.estion#

T!e +a n s+ile# 39o. +a " a ll +e ?a lentine#5

I

A SEASON IN HELL

I 0e li e 'e I a+ i n He ll) t!e re &ore I a+#

2Art!.r Ri+0a .

@

?ALENTINE*S ARRO6

3ARE 9OU STILL MAD4 5

Ale) lea ning a ga inst t!e $a ll o& t!e ele'a tor) gla re a ross t!e s+a ll

sp a e a t a e# 3I*+

not +a #5

3O!) "es "o. a re#5 a e gest.re a .singl" a t !is step 0rot!er) t!en "elp

e a s p a in s!ot

.p !is a r+# E'er" p a rt o& !i+ !.rt &ro+ t!e t!.+p ing !e* ta ken t!a t a &

ternoon $!en !e*

rop p e t!ree (oors t!ro.g! rotte $oo onto a p ile o& sra p +eta l#

E'en !is %ngers $ere



0r.ise# Ale) $!o* onl" reentl" p .t a$a " t!e r.t!es !e* !a to .se a & ter

!is %g!t $it!

A00a on) in*t look +.! 0etter t!a n a e &elt# His lot!es $ere o'ere

in +. a n !is

!a ir !.ng o$n in la nk) s$ea t" strip s# T!ere $a s a long .t o$n t!e sie o&

!is !eek#

3I a+ not)5 Ale sa i) t!ro.g! !is teet!# 3.st 0ea .se "o. sa i ra gon

e+ons $ere

e,tint25

3I sa i +ostl" e,tint#5

Ale 1a 00e a %nger to$a r !i+# 3Mostl" e,tint)5 !e sa i) !is 'oie

tre+0ling $it! ra ge)

3is NOT ETINCT ENOUGH#5

3I see)5 sa i a e# 3I*ll 1.st !a 'e t!e+ !a nge t!e entr" in t!e

e+onolog" te,t0ook &ro+

a l+ost e,tint* to not e,tint eno.g! &or Ale# He p re&ers !is +onsters

rea ll") rea ll"

e,tint# * 6ill t!at +a ke "o. !a p p "45

3Bo"s) 0o"s)5 sa i Isa 0elle) $!o* 0een e,a+ining !er &a e in t!e ele'ator*s +irrore

$a ll# 3Don*t %g!t#5 S!e t.rne a$a " &ro+ t!e gla ss $it! a s.nn" s+ile#

3All rig!t) so it $a s

a little +ore a tion t!a n $e $ere e,p eting) 0.t I t!o.g!t it $a s &.n#5

Ale looke a t !er a n s!ook !is !ea # 3Ho$ o "o. +a na ge ne 'e r to get +.

on "o.45

Isa 0elle s!r.gge p !ilosop !ia ll"# 3I*+ p .re a t !ea rt# It rep els t!e irt#5

a e snorte so lo.l" t!a t s!e t.rne on !i+ $it! a &ro$n# He $iggle

!is +.-a ke

& ingers a t !er# His na ils $ere 0la k resents# 3Filt!" insie a n o.t#5

Isa 0elle $a s a 0o.t to rep l" $!en t!e ele'a tor gro.n to a !a lt $it! t!e

so.n o&



sree!ing 0ra kes# 3Ti+e to get t!is t!ing %,e)5 s!e sa i) "a nking t!e

oor op en# a e

&ollo$e !er o.t into t!e entr"$a ") a lrea " looking &or$a r to s!.king

!is a r+or a n

$ea p ons a n step p ing into a !ot s!o$er# He* on'ine !is step si0lings

to o+e !.nting

$it! !i+ esp ite t!e &a t t!a t neit!er o& t!e+ $a s entirel" o+&orta 0le

going o.t on t!eir

o$n no$ t!a t Hoge $a sn*t t!ere to gi'e t!e+ instr.tions# B.t a e !a

$a nte t!e

o0li'ion o& %g!ting) t!e !a rs! i'ersion o& killing) a n t!e istra tion o&

in1.ries# An

kno$ing !e $a nte it) t!e"* gone a long $it! it) ra$ling t!ro.g! %lt!"

eserte s.0$a "

t.nnels .ntil t!e"* &o.n t!e Dra gonia e e+on a n kille it# T!e t!ree

o& t!e+ $orking

toget!er in p er&et .nison) t!e $a " t!e" a l$a "s !a # Like &a+il"#

He .n=ip p e !is 1a ket a n sl.ng it o'er one o& t!e p egs !a nging on

t!e $a ll# Ale $a s

sitting on t!e lo$ $ooen 0en! ne,t to !i+) kiking o; !is +.k-o'ere0oots# He $a s

!.++ing t.nelessl" .ner !is 0rea t!) letting a e kno$ !e $a sn*t t!at a

nno"e# Isa 0elle

$a s p .lling t!e p ins o.t o& !er long a rk !a ir) a llo$ing it to s!o$er

o$n a ro.n !er#

3No$ I*+ !.ngr")5 s!e sa i# 3I $is! Mo+ $ere !ere to ook .s so+et!ing#5

3Better t!a t s!e isn*t)5 sa i a e) .n0.kling !is $ea p ons 0elt# 3S!e* a

lrea " 0e

s!rieking a 0o.t t!e r.gs#5

39o.*re rig!t a 0o.t t!a t)5 sa i a ool 'oie) a n a e s$.ng a ro.n) !is

!a ns still a t !is



0elt) a n sa$ Ma r"se Lig!t$oo) !er a r+s &ole) sta ning in t!e oor$a "#

S!e $ore a sti;

0la k tra 'eling s.it a n !er !a ir) 0la k a s Isa 0elle*s) $a s ra$n 0a k

into a t!ik rop e t!a t

!.ng !a l&$a " o$n !er 0a k# Her e"es) a gla ia l 0l.e) s$ep t o'er t!e

t!ree o& t!e+ like a

tra king sea r!lig!t#

3Mo+5 Isa 0elle) reo'ering !er o+p os.re) ra n to !er +ot!er &or a !.g#

Ale got to !is

&eet a n 1oine t!e+) tr"ing to !ie t!e &a t t!a t !e $a s still li+p ing#

a e stoo $!ere !e $a s# T!ere !a 0een so+et!ing in Ma r"se*s e"es a s

!er ga =e !a

p a sse o'er !i+ t!a t &ro=e !i+ in p la e# S.rel" $!a t !e !a sa i $a

sn*t t!at 0a # T!e"

1oke a 0o.t !er o0session $it! t!e a nti>.e r.gs a ll t!e ti+e2

36!ere*s Da 45 Isa 0elle a ske) step p ing 0a k &ro+ !er +ot!er# 3An Ma ,45

T!ere $a s a n a l+ost i+p erep ti0le p a .se# T!en Ma r"se sa i) 3Ma , is

in !is roo+# An

"o.r &a t!er) .n&ort.na tel") is still in Alia nte# T!ere $a s so+e 0.sinesst!ere t!a t re>.ire

!is a ttention#5

Ale) genera ll" +ore sensiti'e to +oos t!a n !is sister) see+e to !esita

te# 3Is so+et!ing

$rong45

3I o.l a sk "o. t!a t#5 His +ot!er*s tone $a s r"# 3Are "o. li+p ing45

3I:5

Ale $a s a terri0le lia r# Isa 0elle p ike .p &or !i+) s+oot!l"/ 36e !a

a r.n-in $it! a

Dra gonia e e+on in t!e s.0$a " t.nnels# B.t it $a s not!ing#5

3An I s.p p ose t!a t Grea ter De+on "o. &o.g!t la st $eek) t!a t $a s not!ing

too45



E'en Isa 0elle $a s silene 0" t!a t# S!e looke to a e) $!o $is!e s!e !a n*t#

3T!a t $a sn*t p la nne &or#5 a e $a s !a 'ing a !a r ti+e onentra ting#

Ma r"se !a n*t

greete !i+ "et) !a n*t sa i so +.! a s !ello) a n s!e $a s still looking

a t !i+ $it! e"es

like 0l.e a ggers# T!ere $a s a !ollo$ &eeling in t!e p it o& !is sto+a !

t!a t $a s 0eginning

to sp rea # S!e* ne'er looke a t !i+ like t!is 0e&ore) no +a tter $!a t

!e* one# 3It $a s a

+ista ke25

3a e5 Ma ,) t!e "o.ngest Lig!t$oo) s>.ee=e !is $a " a ro.n Ma r"se a

n a rte into

t!e roo+) e'a ing !is +ot!er*s rea !ing !a n# 39o.*re 0a k 9o.*re a ll

0a k#5 He t.rne in

a irle) grinning a t Ale a n Isa 0elle in tri.+p !# 3I t!o.g!t I !ea r t!e ele'a

tor#5

3An I t!o.g!t I tol "o. to sta " in "o.r roo+)5 sa i Ma r"se#

3I on*t re+e+0er t!a t)5 sa i Ma ,) $it! a serio.sness t!a t +a e e'en

Ale s+ile# Ma ,

$a s s+a ll &or !is a ge2!e looke a 0o.t se'en20.t !e !a a sel& -onta

ine gra 'it" t!a t)

o+0ine $it! !is o'ersi=e gla sses) ga 'e !i+ t!e a ir o& so+eone oler#

Ale rea !e o'er

a n r.e !is 0rot!er*s !a ir) 0.t Ma , $a s still looking a t a e) !is e"es

s!ining# a e &elt

t!e ol %st len!e in !is sto+a ! rela , e'er so slig!tl"# Ma , !a a l$a

"s !ero-$ors!ip e

!i+ in a $a " t!a t !e in*t $ors!ip !is o$n oler 0rot!er) p ro0a 0l"

0ea .se a e $a s &a r

+ore tolera nt o& Ma ,*s p resene# 3I !ea r "o. &o.g!t a Grea ter De+on)5

!e sa i# 36a s it

a$eso+e45



3It $a s : i& &erent)5 a e !ege# 3Ho$ $a s Alia nte45

3It $a s a$e s o+e # 6e sa$ t!e oolest st.;# T!ere*s t!is !.ge a r+or" in

Alia nte a n t!e"

took +e to so+e o& t!e p la es $!ere t!e" +a ke t!e $ea p ons# T!e"

s!o$e +e a ne$ $a "

to +a ke sera p ! 0la es too) so t!e" la st longer) a n I*+ going to tr" to

get Hoge to s!o$

+e25

a e o.ln*t !elp it< !is e"es (ike insta ntl" to Ma r"se) !is e,p ression

inre.lo.s# So

Ma , in*t kno$ a 0o.t Hoge4 Ha n*t s!e tol !i+4

Ma r"se sa$ !is look a n !er lip s t!inne into a kni&elike line# 3T!a t*s

eno.g!) Ma ,#5 S!e

took !er "o.ngest son 0" t!e a r+#

He ra ne !is !ea to look .p a t !er in s.rp rise# 3B.t I*+ ta lking to a e25

3I a n see t!a t#5 S!e p .s!e !i+ gentl" to$a r Isa 0elle# 3Isa 0elle) Ale) ta ke

"o.r 0rot!er

to !is roo+# a e)52t!ere $a s a tig!tness in !er 'oie $!en s!e sp oke

!is na+e) a s i&

in'isi0le a i $ere r"ing .p t!e s"lla 0les in !er +o.t!23get "o.rsel& lea ne

.p a n +eet

+e in t!e li0ra r" a s soon a s "o. a n#5

3I on*t get it)5 sa i Ale) looking &ro+ !is +ot!er to a e) a n 0a k a ga in#

36!a t*s going

on45

a e o.l &eel ol s$ea t sta rt .p a long !is sp ine# 3Is t!is a 0o.t +" &a t!er45

Ma r"se 1erke t$ie) a s i& t!e $ors 3+" &a t!er5 !a 0een t$o sep a ra

te sla p s# 3T!e

li 0rar")5 s!e sa i) t!ro.g! len!e teet!# 36e*ll is.ss t!e +a tter t!ere#5

Ale sa i) 36!a t !a p p ene $!ile "o. $ere gone $a sn*t a e*s &a .lt# 6e $ere

a ll in on it#



An Hoge sa i25

36e*ll is.ss Hoge la ter a s $ell#5 Ma r"se*s e"es $ere on Ma ,) !er tone $a

rning#

3B.t) Mot!er)5 Isa 0elle p roteste# 3I& "o.*re going to p .nis! a e) "o. s!o.l p

.nis! .s a s

$ell# It $o.l onl" 0e &a ir# 6e a ll i e,a tl" t!e sa+e t!ings#5

3No)5 sa i Ma r"se) a & ter a p a .se so long t!a t a e t!o.g!t p er!a p s

s!e $a sn*t going to

sa " a n"t!ing a t a ll# 39o. in*t#5

3R.le n.+0er one o& a ni+e)5 Si+on sa i# He sa t p rop p e .p a ga inst a p ile

o& p illo$s a t t!e

&oot o& !is 0e) a 0a g o& p ota to !ip s in one !a n a n t!e T? re+ote

in t!e ot!er# He $a s

$ea ring a 0la k T-s!irt t!a t sa i I BLOGGED 9OUR MOM a n a p a ir o&

1ea ns $it! a !ole rip p e in

one knee# 3Ne'er sre$ $it! a 0lin +onk#5

3I kno$)5 Cla r" sa i) ta king a p ota to !ip a n .nking it into t!e a n o&

ip 0a la ne on

t!e T? tra " 0et$een t!e+# 3For so+e rea son t!e"*re a l$a "s $a " 0etter %g!terst!a n +onks

$!o a n see#5 S!e p eere a t t!e sreen# 3Are t!ose g."s a ning45

3T!a t*s not a ning# T!e"*re tr"ing to kill ea ! ot!er# T!is is t!e g."

$!o*s t!e +orta l

ene+" o& t!e ot!er g.") re+e+0er4 He kille !is a # 6!" $o.l t!e" 0e a

ning45

Cla r" r.n!e a t !er !ip a n sta re +eita ti'el" a t t!e sreen) $!ere

a ni+a te s$irls

o& p ink-a n-"ello$ lo.s rip p le 0et$een t!e %g.res o& t$o $inge +en)

$!o (oa te

a ro.n ea ! ot!er) ea ! l.t!ing a glo$ing sp ea r# E'er" one in a

$!ile one o& t!e+



$o.l sp ea k) 0.t sine it $a s a ll in a p a nese $it! C!inese s.0titles) it

in*t la ri&" +.!#

3T!e g." $it! t!e !a t)5 s!e sa i# 3He $a s t!e e'il g."45

3No) t!e !a t g." $a s t!e a # He $a s t!e +a gia l e+p eror) a n t!a

t $a s !is !a t o&

p o$er# T!e e'il g." $a s t!e one $it! t!e +e!a nia l !a n t!a t ta lks#5

T!e telep !one ra ng# Si+on set t!e 0a g o& !ip s o$n a n +a e a s i&

to get .p a n

a ns$er it# Cla r" p .t !er !a n on !is $rist# 3Don*t# .st lea 'e it#5

3B.t it +ig!t 0e L.ke# He o.l 0e a lling &ro+ t!e !osp ita l#5

3It*s not L.ke)5 Cla r" sa i) so.ning +ore s.re t!a n s!e &elt# 3He* a ll

+" ell) not "o.r

!o.se#5

Si+on looke a t !er a long +o+ent 0e&ore sinking 0a k o$n on t!e r.g

0esie !er# 3I&

"o. sa " so#5 S!e o.l !ea r t!e o.0t in !is 'oie) 0.t a lso t!e .nsp

oken a ss.ra ne) I 1 .s t

$ant "o. to 0e !app"# S!e $a sn*t s.re 3!a p p "5 $a s a n"t!ing s!e $a s

likel" to 0e rig!t no$)

not $it! !er +ot!er in t!e !osp ita l !ooke .p to t.0es a n 0leep ing +a

!ines) a n L.ke

like a =o+0ie) sl.+p e in t!e !a r p la sti !a ir ne,t to !er 0e# Not

$it! $orr"ing a 0o.t

a e a ll t!e ti+e a n p iking .p t!e p !one a o=en ti+es to a ll t!e

Instit.te 0e&ore setting

it 0a k o$n) t!e n.+0er still .nia le# I& a e $a nte to ta lk to !er) !e o.l

a ll#

Ma "0e it !a 0een a +ista ke to ta ke !i+ to see oel"n# S!e* 0een so

s.re t!a t i& !er

+ot!er o.l 1.st !ea r t!e 'oie o& !er son) !er %rst0orn) s!e* $a ke

.p # B.t s!e !a n*t#



a e !a stoo sti; a n a$k$a r 0" t!e 0e) !is &a e like a p a inte a

ngel*s) $it! 0la nk

ini;erent e"es# Cla r" !a %na ll" lost !er p a tiene a n s!o.te a t !i+)

a n !e* s!o.te

0a k 0e&ore stor+ing o;# L.ke !a $a t!e !i+ go $it! a linia l sort o&

interest on !is

e,!a .ste &a e# 3T!a t*s t!e %rst ti+e I*'e seen "o. a t like sister a n

0rot!er)5 !e*

re+a rke#

Cla r" !a sa i not!ing in resp onse# T!ere $a s no p oint telling !i+ !o$

0a l" s!e

$a nte a e not to 0e !er 0rot!er# 9o. o.ln*t rip o.t "o.r o$n DNA) no+a tter !o$

+.! "o. $is!e "o. o.l# No +a tter !o$ +.! it $o.l +a ke "o. !app"#

B.t e'en i& s!e o.ln*t >.ite +a na ge !a p p ") s!e t!o.g!t) a t lea st !ere in

Si+on*s !o.se)

in !is 0eroo+) s!e &elt o+&orta 0le a n a t !o+e# S!e* kno$n !i+ long

eno.g! to

re+e+0er $!en !e !a a 0e s!a p e like a %re tr.k a n LEGOs p ile

in a orner o& t!e

roo+# No$ t!e 0e $a s a &.ton $it! a 0rig!tl" strip e >.ilt t!a t !a

0een a p resent &ro+

!is sister) a n t!e $a lls $ere p la stere $it! p osters o& 0a ns like Rok

Soli a na a n

Step p ing Ra =or# T!ere $a s a r.+ set $ege into t!e orner o& t!e roo+

$!ere t!e LEGOs

!a 0een) a n a o+p .ter in t!e ot!er orner) t!e sreen still &ro=en on

a n i+a ge &ro+

6orl o& 6a rra & t# It $a s a l+ost a s &a+ilia r a s 0eing in !er o$n

0eroo+ a t !o+e2$!i!

no longer e,iste) so a t lea st t!is $a s t!e ne,t 0est t!ing#



3More !i0is)5 sa i Si+on gloo+il"# All t!e !a ra ters on-sreen !a

t.rne into in!-

!ig! 0a 0" 'ersions o& t!e+sel'es a n $ere !a sing ea ! ot!er a ro.n

$a 'ing p ots a n

p a ns# 3I*+ !a nging t!e !a nnel)5 Si+on a nno.ne) sei=ing t!e re+ote#

3I*+ tire o& t!is

a ni+e# I a n*t tell $!a t t!e p lot is a n no one e'er !a s se,#5

3O& o.rse t!e" on*t)5 Cla r" sa i) ta king a not!er !ip # 3Ani+e is

$!oleso+e &a+il"

enterta in+ent#5

3I& "o.*re in t!e +oo &or less $!oleso+e enterta in+ent) $e o.l tr" t!e

p orn

!a nnels)5 Si+on o0ser'e# 36o.l "o. ra t!er $a t! T!e 6i t!e s o& Bre

as t$i k or As I La"

Di anne 45

3Gi'e +e t!a t5 Cla r" gra 00e &or t!e re+ote) 0.t Si+on) !ortling) !a a lrea

" s$it!e

t!e T? to a not!er !a nnel#

His la .g!ter 0roke o; a 0r.p tl"# Cla r" looke .p in s.rp rise a n sa$ !i+sta ring 0la nkl"

a t t!e T?# An ol 0la k-a n-$!ite +o'ie $a s p la "ing2Dra.la# S!e*

seen it 0e&ore) $it!

!er +ot!er# Bela L.gosi) t!in a n $!ite-&a e) $a s on-sreen) $ra p p e

in t!e &a+ilia r

!ig!-olla re loa k) !is lip s .rle 0a k &ro+ !is p ointe teet!# 3I ne'er

rink : $ine)5 !e

intone in !is t!ik H.nga ria n a ent#

3I lo'e !o$ t!e sp ier$e0s a re +a e o.t o& r.00er)5 Cla r" sa i) tr"ing

to so.n lig!t#

39o. a n tota ll" tell#5



B.t Si+on $a s a lrea " on !is &eet) rop p ing t!e re+ote onto t!e 0e# 3I*ll 0e

rig!t 0a k)5

!e +.ttere# His &a e $a s t!e olor o& $inter sk" 1.st 0e&ore it ra ine#

Cla r" $a t!e !i+

go) 0iting !er lip !a r2it $a s t!e %rst ti+e sine !er +ot!er !a gone

to t!e !osp ita l t!a t

s!e* rea li=e +a "0e Si+on $a sn*t too !app" eit!er#

To$eling o; !is !a ir) a e rega re !is re(etion in t!e +irror $it! a

>.i==ia l so$l# A

!ea ling r.ne !a ta ken a re o& t!e $orst o& !is 0r.ises) 0.t it !a n*t

!elp e t!e s!a o$s

.ner !is e"es or t!e tig!t lines a t t!e orners o& !is +o.t!# His !ea a!e a n !e &elt

slig!tl" i=="# He kne$ !e s!o.l !a 'e ea ten so+et!ing t!a t +orning) 0.t

!e* $oken .p

na .sea te a n p a nting &ro+ nig!t+a res) not $a nting to p a .se to ea t)

1.st $a nting t!e

relea se o& p !"sia l a ti'it") to 0.rn o.t !is rea+s in 0r.ises a n s$ea t#

Tossing t!e to$el a sie) !e t!o.g!t longingl" o& t!e s$eet 0la k tea

Hoge .se to 0re$

&ro+ t!e nig!t-0loo+ing (o$ers in t!e green!o.se# T!e tea !a ta ken a$a

" !.nger p a ngs

a n 0ro.g!t a s$i& t s.rge o& energ"# Sine Hoge*s isa p p ea ra ne) a

e !a trie 0oiling

t!e p la nts* lea 'es in $a ter to see i& !e o.l p ro.e t!e sa+e e;et)

0.t t!e onl" res.lt

$a s a 0itter) a s!"-ta sting li>.i t!a t +a e !i+ ga g a n sp it#

Ba re&oot) !e p a e into t!e 0eroo+ a n t!re$ on 1ea ns a n a lea n

s!irt# He p .s!e

0a k !is $et 0lon !a ir) &ro$ning# It $a s too long a t t!e +o+ent) &a

lling into !is e"es2



so+et!ing Ma r"se $o.l 0e s.re to !ie !i+ a 0o.t# S!e a l$a "s i# He

+ig!t not 0e t!e

Lig!t$oos* 0iologia l son) 0.t t!e"* trea te !i+ like it sine t!e"* a op

te !i+ a t a ge

ten) a & ter t!e ea t! o& !is o$n &a t!er# T!e s .ppos e ea t!) a e

re+ine !i+sel& ) t!a t

!ollo$ &eeling in !is g.ts res.r&a ing a ga in# He* &elt like a 1a k-o*-la

ntern &or t!e p a st &e$

a "s) a s i& !is g.ts !a 0een "a nke o.t $it! a &ork a n .+p e in a !ea p

$!ile a grinning

s+ile sta "e p la stere on !is &a e# He o& ten $onere i& a n"t!ing !e*

0elie'e a 0o.t !is

li&e) or !i+sel& ) !a e'er 0een tr.e# He* t!o.g!t !e $a s a n orp !a n2

!e $a sn*t# He*

t!o.g!t !e $a s a n onl" !il2!e !a a sister#

Clar"# T!e p a in a+e a ga in) stronger# He p .s!e it o$n# His e"es &ell

on t!e 0it o&

0roken +irror t!a t la " a top !is resser) still re(eting green 0o.g!s a n

a ia+on o& 0l.e

sk"# It $a s nea rl" t$ilig!t no$ in Iris/ T!e sk" $a s a rk a s o0a lt#C!oking on

!ollo$ness) a e "a nke !is 0oots on a n !ea e o$nsta irs to t!e li0ra r"#

He $onere a s !e la ttere o$n t!e stone step s 1.st $!a t it $a s t!a t Ma r"se

$a nte to

sa " to !i+ a lone# S!e* looke like s!e* $a nte to !a .l o; a n s+a k

!i+# He o.ln*t

re+e+0er t!e la st ti+e s!e* la i a !a n on !i+# T!e Lig!t$oos $eren*t gi'en

to orp ora l

p .nis!+ent2>.ite a !a nge &ro+ 0eing 0ro.g!t .p 0" ?a lentine) $!o*

onote a ll sorts

o& p a in&.l a stiga tions to eno.ra ge o0eiene# a e*s S!a o$!.nter skin

a l$a "s !ea le)



o'ering a ll 0.t t!e $orst o& t!e e'iene# In t!e a "s a n $eeks a & ter

!is &a t!er ie a e

o.l re+e+0er sea r!ing !is 0o" &or sa rs) &or so+e +a rk t!a t $o.l

0e a token) a

re+e+0ra ne to tie !i+ p !"sia ll" to !is &a t!er*s +e+or"#

He rea !e t!e li0ra r" a n knoke one 0e&ore p .s!ing t!e oor op en#

Ma r"se $a s

t!ere) sitting in Hoge*s ol !a ir 0" t!e %re# Lig!t strea+e o$n t!ro.g!

t!e !ig!

$ino$s a n a e o.l see t!e to.!es o& gra " in !er !a ir# S!e $a s

!oling a gla ss o& re

$ine< t!ere $a s a .t-gla ss ea nter on t!e ta 0le 0esie !er#

3Ma r"se)5 !e sa i#

S!e 1.+p e a little) sp illing so+e o& t!e $ine# 3a e# I in*t !ea r "o. o+e

in#5

He in*t +o'e# 3Do "o. re+e+0er t!a t song "o. .se to sing to Isa 0elle a n

Ale2$!en

t!e" $ere little a n a &ra i o& t!e a rk2to get t!e+ to &a ll a sleep 45

Ma r"se a p p ea re ta ken a 0a k# 36!a t a re "o. ta lking a 0o.t45

3I .se to !ea r "o. t!ro.g! t!e $a lls)5 !e sa i# 3Ale*s 0eroo+ $a s ne,t to

+ine t!en#5

S!e sa i not!ing#

3It $a s in Fren!)5 a e sa i# 3T!e song#5

3I on*t kno$ $!" "o.* re+e+0er so+et!ing like t!a t#5 S!e looke a t !i+

a s i& !e*

a .se !er o& so+et!ing#

39o. ne'er sa ng to +e#5

T!ere $a s a 0a rel" p erep ti0le p a .se# T!en) 3O!) "o.)5 s!e sa i# 39o.

$ere ne'er a &ra i

o& t!e a rk#5



36!a t kin o& ten-"ea r-ol is ne'er a &ra i o& t!e a rk45

Her e"e0ro$s $ent .p # 3Sit o$n) ona t!a n)5 s!e sa i# 3No$#5

He $ent) 1.st slo$l" eno.g! to a nno" !er) a ross t!e roo+) a n t!re$

!i+sel& into one

o& t!e $ing-0a k !a irs 0esie t!e esk# 3I* ra t!er "o. in*t a ll +e ona t!a

n#5

36!" not4 It*s "o.r na+e#5 S!e looke a t !i+ onsieringl"# 3Ho$ long !a

'e "o.

kno$n45

3no$n $!a t45

3Don*t 0e st.p i# 9o. kno$ e,a tl" $!a t I*+ a sking "o.#5 S!e t.rne !er

gla ss in !er

& ingers# 3Ho$ long !a 'e "o. kno$n t!a t ?a lentine is "o.r &a t!er45

a e onsiere a n isa re se'era l resp onses# Us.a ll" !e o.l get

!is $a " $it!

Ma r"se 0" +a king !er la .g!# He $a s one o& t!e onl" p eop le in t!e

$orl $!o o.l +a ke

!er la .g!# 3A0o.t a s long a s "o. !a 'e#5

Ma r"se s!ook !er !ea slo$l"# 3I on*t 0elie'e t!a t#5

a e sa t .p stra ig!t# His !a ns $ere in %sts $!ere t!e" reste on t!e

!a ir a r+s# He

o.l see a slig!t tre+or in !is %ngers) $onere i& !e* e'er !a it

0e&ore# He in*t t!ink

so# His !a ns !a a l$a "s 0een a s stea " a s !is !ea rt0ea t# 39o. on*t 0e li e

'e +e45

He !ea r t!e inre.lit" in !is o$n 'oie a n $ine in$a rl"# O& o.rses!e in*t

0elie'e !i+# T!a t !a 0een o0'io.s &ro+ t!e +o+ent s!e !a a rri'e !o+e#

3It oesn*t +a ke sense) a e# Ho$ o.l "o. not kno$ $!o "o.r o$n &a t!er is45

3He tol +e !e $a s Mi!a el 6a "la n# 6e li'e in t!e 6a "la n o.ntr" !o.se25



3A nie to.!)5 sa i Ma r"se) 3t!a t# An "o.r na+e4 6!a t*s "o.r rea l na+e45

39o. kno$ +" rea l na+e#5

3ona t!a n# I kne$ t!a t $a s ?a lentine*s son*s na+e# I kne$ Mi!a el !a

a son na+e

ona t!a n too# It*s a o++on eno.g! S!a o$!.nter na+e2I ne'er t!o.g!t

it $a s stra nge

t!e" s!a re it) a n a s &or Mi!a el*s 0o"*s +ile na+e) I ne'er in>.ire#

B.t no$ I a n*t

!elp $onering# 6!a t $a s Mi!a el 6a "la n*s son*s rea l +ile na+e4

Ho$ long !a

?a lentine 0een p la nning $!a t !e $a s going to o4 Ho$ long i !e kno$

!e $a s going to

+.rer ona t!a n 6a "la n245 S!e 0roke o;) !er e"es %,e on a e# 39o.

ne'er looke

like Mi!a el) "o. kno$)5 s!e sa i# 3B.t so+eti+es !ilren on*t look like

t!eir p a rents# I

in*t t!ink a 0o.t it 0e&ore# B.t no$ I a n see ?a lentine in "o.# T!e $a

" "o.*re looking a t

+e# T!a t e& ia ne# 9o. on*t a re $!a t I sa ") o "o.45

B.t !e i a re# All !e $a s goo a t $a s +a king s.re s!e o.ln*t see it# 36o.l

it +a ke a

i& &erene i& I i45

S!e set t!e gla ss o$n on t!e ta 0le 0esie !er# It $a s e+p t"# 3An "o.

a ns$er >.estions

$it! >.estions to t!ro$ +e o;) 1.st like ?a lentine a l$a "s i# Ma "0e I

s!o.l !a 'e

kno$n#5

3Ma "0e not!ing# I*+ still e,a tl" t!e sa+e p erson I*'e 0een &or t!e p a st

se'en "ea rs#

Not!ing*s !a nge a 0o.t +e# I& I in*t re+in "o. o& ?a lentine 0e&ore) I

on*t see $!" I



$o.l no$#5

Her gla ne +o'e o'er !i+ a n a$a " a s i& s!e o.ln*t 0ea r to look

iretl" a t !i+#

3S.rel" $!en $e ta lke a 0o.t Mi!a el) "o. +.st !a 'e kno$n $e o.ln*t

p ossi0l" !a 'e

+ea nt "o.r &a t!er# T!e t!ings $e sa i a 0o.t !i+ o.l ne'er !a 'e a p p lie to

?a lentine#5

39o. sa i !e $a s a goo +a n#5 Anger t$iste insie !i+# 3A 0ra 'e S!a

o$!.nter# A

lo'ing &a t!er# I t!o.g!t t!a t see+e a .ra te eno.g!#5

36!a t a 0o.t p !otogra p !s4 9o. +.st !a 'e seen p !otogra p !s o& Mi!a el

6a "la n a n

rea li=e !e $a sn*t t!e +a n "o. a lle "o.r &a t!er#5 S!e 0it !er lip #

3Help +e o.t !ere)

a e#5

3All t!e p !otogra p !s $ere estro"e in t!e Up rising# T!a t*s $!a t "o. tol

+e# No$ I

$oner i& it $a sn*t 0ea .se ?a lentine !a t!e+ a ll 0.rne so no0o" $o.l

kno$ $!o $a s

in t!e Cirle# I ne'er !a a p !otogra p ! o& +" &a t!er)5 a e sa i) a n

$onere i& !e

so.ne a s 0itter a s !e &elt#

Ma r"se p .t a !a n to !er te+p le a n +a ssa ge it a s i& !er !ea

$ere a !ing# 3I a n*t

0elie'e t!is)5 s!e sa i) a s i& to !ersel& # 3It*s insa ne#5

3So on*t 0elie'e it# Belie'e +e )5 a e sa i) a n &elt t!e tre+or in !is !a ns

inrea se#

S!e rop p e !er !a n# 3Don*t "o. t!ink I $ant to45 s!e e+a ne) a n

&or a +o+ent !e

!ea r t!e e!o in !er 'oie o& t!e Ma r"se $!o* o+e into !is 0eroo+ a

t nig!t $!en !e



$a s ten "ea rs ol a n sta ring r"-e"e a t t!e eiling) t!inking o& !is &a

t!er2a n s!e* sa t

0" t!e 0e $it! !i+ .ntil !e* &a llen a sleep 1.st 0e&ore a$n#

3I in*t kno$)5 a e sa i a ga in# 3An $!en !e a ske +e to o+e $it! !i+ 0a

k to Iris)

I sa i no# I*+ still !ere# Doesn*t t!a t o.nt &or a n"t!ing45

S!e t.rne to look 0a k a t t!e ea nter) a s i& onsiering a not!er rink)

t!en see+e to

isa r t!e iea # 3I $is! it i)5 s!e sa i# 3B.t t!ere a re so +a n" rea

sons "o.r &a t!er +ig!t

$a nt "o. to re+a in a t t!e Instit.te# 6!ere ?a lentine is onerne) I a

n*t a ;or to tr.st

a n"one !is in& l.ene !a s to.!e#5

3His in(.ene to.!e "o.)5 a e sa i) a n insta ntl" regrette it a t t!e

look t!a t (a s!e

a ross !er &a e#

3 An I rep .ia te !i+)5 sa i Ma r"se# 3Ha 'e "o.4 Co.l "o.45 Her 0l.e

e"es $ere t!e

sa+e olor a s Ale*s) 0.t Ale !a ne'er looke a t !i+ like t!is# 3Tell +e"o. !a te !i+)

a e# Tell +e "o. !a te t!a t +a n a n e'er"t!ing !e sta ns &or#5

A +o+ent p a sse) a n a not!er) a n a e) looking o$n) sa$ t!a t !is

!a ns $ere so

tig!tl" %ste t!a t t!e kn.kles stoo o.t $!ite a n !a r like t!e 0ones in

a %s!*s sp ine# 3I

a n*t sa " t!a t#5

Ma r"se s.ke in !er 0rea t!# 3 6!" not45

36!" a n*t "o. sa " t!a t "o. tr.st +e4 I*'e li'e $it! "o. a l+ost !a l&

+" li&e# S.rel" "o.

+.st kno$ +e 0etter t!a n t!a t45



39o. so.n so !onest) ona t!a n# 9o. a l$a "s !a 'e) e'en $!en "o. $ere

a little 0o"

tr"ing to p in t!e 0la+e &or so+et!ing "o.* one $rong on Isa 0elle or

Ale# I*'e onl" e'er

+et one p erson $!o o.l so.n a s p ers.a si'e a s "o.#5

a e ta ste op p er in !is +o.t!# 39o. +ea n +" &a t!er#5

3T!ere $ere onl" e'er t$o kins o& p eop le in t!e $orl &or ?a lentine)5 s!e

sa i# 3T!ose

$!o $ere &or t!e Cirle a n t!ose $!o $ere a ga inst it# T!e la tter $ere

ene+ies) a n t!e

&or+er $ere $ea p ons in !is a rsena l# I sa$ !i+ tr" to t.rn ea ! o& !is

&riens) e'en !is o$n

$i&e) into a $ea p on &or t!e Ca .se2a n "o. $a nt +e to 0elie'e !e

$o.ln*t !a 'e one t!e

sa+e $it! !is o$n son45 S!e s!ook !er !ea # 3I kne$ !i+ 0etter t!a n

t!a t#5 For t!e %rst

ti+e) Ma r"se looke a t !i+ $it! +ore sa ness t!a n a nger# 39o. a re a n

a rro$ s!ot iretl"

into t!e !ea rt o& t!e Cla 'e) a e# 9o. a re ?a lentine*s a rro$# 6!et!er "o. kno$

it or not#5

Cla r" s!.t t!e 0eroo+ oor on t!e 0la ring T? a n $ent to look &or

Si+on# S!e &o.n !i+

in t!e kit!en) 0ent o'er t!e sink $it! t!e $a ter r.nning# His !a ns $ere

0ra e on t!e

ra ining 0oa r#

3Si+on45 T!e kit!en $a s a 0rig!t) !eer&.l "ello$) t!e $a lls eora te

$it! &ra+e

!a lk a n p enil sket!es Si+on a n Re0ea !a one in gra e s!ool#

Re0ea !a so+e

ra$ing ta lent) "o. o.l tell) 0.t Si+on*s sket!es o& p eop le a ll looke like p a

rking +eters

$it! t.& ts o& !a ir#



He in*t look .p no$) t!o.g! s!e o.l tell 0" t!e tig!tening o& !is

s!o.ler +.sles

t!a t !e* !ea r !er# S!e $ent o'er to t!e sink) la "ing a !a n lig!tl" on

!is 0a k# S!e &elt

t!e s!a rp n.0s o& !is sp ine t!ro.g! t!e t!in otton T-s!irt a n $onere

i& !e* lost

$eig!t# S!e o.ln*t tell 0" looking a t !i+) 0.t looking a t Si+on $a s like

looking in a

+irror2$!en "o. sa$ so+eone e'er" a ") "o. in*t a l$a "s notie s+a ll

!a nges in t!eir

o.t$a r a p p ea ra ne# 3Are "o. oka "45

He t.rne t!e $a ter o& & $it! a !a r 1erk o& !is $rist# 3S.re# I*+ & ine#5

S!e la i a %nger a ga inst t!e sie o& !is !in a n t.rne !is &a e to$a

r !er# He $a s

s$ea ting) t!e a rk !a ir t!a t la " a ross !is &ore!ea st.k to !is skin) t!o.g!

t!e a ir o+ing

t!ro.g! t!e !a l& -op en kit!en $ino$ $a s ool# 39o. on*t look & ine# 6a s it t!e

+o'ie45

He in*t a ns$er#

3I*+ sorr"# I s!o.ln*t !a 'e la .g!e) it*s 1.st25

39o. on*t re+e+0er45 His 'oie so.ne !oa rse#

3I:5 Cla r" tra ile o;# T!a t nig!t) looking 0a k) see+e a long !a =e o&

r.nning) o& 0loo

a n s$ea t) o& s!a o$s gli+p se in oor$a "s) o& &a lling t!ro.g! sp a e# S!e

re+e+0ere t!e

$!ite &a es o& t!e 'a+p ires) like p a p er .to.ts a ga inst t!e a rkness)

a n re+e+0ere a e

!oling !er) s!o.ting !oa rsel" into !er ea r# 3Not rea ll"# It*s a 0l.r#5

His ga =e & like p a st !er a n t!en 0a k# 3Do I see+ i& &erent to "o.45 !e a

ske#



S!e ra ise !er e"es to !is# His $ere t!e olor o& 0la k o;ee2not rea ll"

0la k) 0.t a ri!

0ro$n $it!o.t a to.! o& gra " or !a =el# Di !e see+ i;erent4 T!ere

+ig!t !a 'e 0een a n

e,tra to.! o& on%ene in t!e $a " !e !el !i+sel& sine t!e a " !e*

kille A00a on) t!e

Grea ter De+on< 0.t t!ere $a s a lso a $a riness a 0o.t !i+) a s i& !e $ere $a

iting or $a t!ing

&or so+et!ing# It $a s so+et!ing s!e !a notie a 0o.t a e a s $ell#

er!a p s it $a s onl"

t!e a$a reness o& +orta lit"# 39o.*re still Si+on#5

He !a l& -lose !is e"es a s i& in relie& ) a n a s !is e"ela s!es lo$ere)s!e sa$ !o$ a ng.la r

!is !eek0ones looke# He !a lost $eig!t) s!e t!o.g!t) a n $a s a 0o.t

to sa " so $!en !e

lea ne o$n a n kisse !er#

S!e $a s so s.rp rise a t t!e &eel o& !is +o.t! on !ers t!a t s!e $ent

rigi a ll o'er)

gra 00ing &or t!e ege o& t!e ra ining 0oa r to s.p p ort !ersel& # S!e i

not) !o$e'er) p .s!

!i+ a$a ") a n lea rl" ta king t!is a s a sign o& eno.ra ge+ent) Si+on

sli !is !a n 0e!in

!er !ea a n eep ene t!e kiss) p a rting !er lip s $it! !is# His +o.t!

$a s so& t) so& ter t!a n

a e*s !a 0een) a n t!e !a n t!a t .p p e !er nek $a s $a r+ a n

gentle# He ta ste like

sa lt#

S!e let !er e"es &a ll s!.t a n &or a +o+ent (oa te i==il" in t!e a

rkness a n t!e !ea t)

t!e &eel o& !is %ngers +o'ing t!ro.g! !er !a ir# 6!en t!e !a rs! ring o&

t!e telep !one .t



t!ro.g! !er a =e) s!e 1.+p e 0a k a s i& !e* p .s!e !er a$a ") t!o.g!

!e !a n*t +o'e#

T!e" sta re a t ea ! ot!er &or a +o+ent) in $il on&.sion) like t$o p

eop le %ning

t!e+sel'es s.enl" tra nsp orte to a stra nge la nsa p e $!ere not!ing $a s

&a+ilia r#

Si+on t.rne a$a " %rst) rea !ing &or t!e p !one t!a t !.ng on t!e $a ll

0esie t!e sp ie

ra k# 3Hello45 He so.ne nor+a l) 0.t !is !est $a s rising a n &a lling &a

st# He !el t!e

reei'er o.t to Cla r"# 3It*s &or "o.#5

Cla r" took t!e p !one# S!e o.l still &eel t!e p o.ning o& !er !ea rt in !er t!roat) like t!e

(.ttering $ings o& a n inset tra p p e .ner !er skin# It*s L.ke ) alli ng

&ro+ t!e !os pi tal#

So+e t!i ng*s !appe ne to +" +ot!e r#

S!e s$a llo$e# 3L.ke4 Is it "o.45

3No# It*s Isa 0elle#5

3Isa 0elle45 Cla r" looke .p a n sa$ Si+on $a t!ing !er) lea ning a gainst t!e sink# T!e

& l.s! on !is !eeks !a &a e# 36!" a re "o.2I +ea n) $!a t*s .p 45

T!ere $a s a !it! in t!e ot!er girl*s 'oie) a s i& s!e* 0een r"ing# 3Is a e

t!ere45

Cla r" a t.a ll" !el o.t t!e p !one so s!e o.l sta re a t it 0e&ore 0ringing

t!e reei'er

0a k to !er ea r# 3a e4 No# 6!" $o.l !e 0e !ere45

Isa 0elle*s a ns$ering 0rea t! e!oe o$n t!e p !one line like a ga sp #

3T!e t!ing is : !e*s

gone #5

The Formidable Glass

Documents

Transcript of The Formidable Glass