evernight 01 - evernight.pdf

8/14/2019 Evernight 01 - Evernight.pdf

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CCLAUDIALAUDIAGGRAYRAY

EEVERNIGHTVERNIGHT


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IINDEXNDEX

AARGUMENTRGUMENT

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Chapter 5Chapter 5

Chapter 6Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 7

Chapter 8Chapter 8

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Chapter 10Chapter 10











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AARGUMENTRGUMENT

A boardin !"hoo# $here nothin i! $hat it

!ee%!&

T$o 'o(n peop#e attra"ted b' a %aneti" )or"e&

A dar* and danero(! !e"ret&

And an on#' "ertaint'+

To i,e it!e#) to the #o,e i! to p#a' $ith )ire-
http://www.worldlingo.com/SjGle6L4544_aOCtu5ouVDfDWc0tRe2AC/msowin11?service=WorldLingo_ES-EN&lcidFrom=3082&lcidTo=1033&lcidUI=1033&t=355D940A-5D70-1DE7-1B0F-A9F5B3C9E993#Indice


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Chapter 1Chapter 1

ra the )ir!t da' o) "#a!!. that i! to !a'. the #a!t opport(nit' to e!"ape&

/t did not ha,e a *nap!a"* $ith an e%eren"' re!er,e. nor an en#ared

%onedero $ith $hi"h to b(' a ti"*et o) airp#ane to $here o(t!ide. nor a

)riend to %e hopin to %e in the !treet in a "ar $ith the %otor in %ar"h& /n

!(%%ar'+ it #a"*ed $hi"h the %aorit' o) peop#e in it! hea#th' (d%ent$o(#d "a## a p#an&

itho(t e%baro. / in the A"ade%' a,e e(a#. did not thin* to ha,e #e)t

Midniht b' an'thin o) the $or#d&

The di% #iht o) the da$n ai%ed in the horion $hi#e / tried to be "ontained "att#e

tender! and re%o,ed a hea,' b#a"* er!e'& To tho!e ho(r! the %ornin and the

heiht to $hi"h $e $ere. it $a! "o#d e,en in epte%ber& / too* !he#ter the hair in a

%on*e' a! (i"*#' a! po!!ib#e done and / $ore %o(ntain boot!& /n !pite o) the

i%portant thin that it $a! not to %a*e noi!e. it did not ha,e to $orr' to %e be"a(!e

%' parent! a$o*e& The' $ere not indeed %adr(adore!. !o to !pea*& The' )e## dead

in the bed (nti# it !o(nded the a$a*ener and )or that !ti## the' $ere #e)t a pair o)

ho(r!&

The one that pro,ided a ood ad,antae to %e&

To the other !ide o) the $indo$ o) %' dor%itor'. the !tone aro'#e oaded to

%e $ith the #an"e $hi#e it !%i#ed to %e $ith a )a"e )#an*ed b' pro%inent e'eteeth&

/ too* the a"*et "att#e and / re%o,ed the #an(ae to hi%&

E(a# 'o( #i*e to be h(n there o(t!ide. in the a!tion o) the a%n one! /

%(r%(red& in"e it ta*e! ad,antae o) to 'o(&

/ %ade the bed be)ore oin to %e& Nor%a##' the' %(!t be (pon %e !o that it

doe! it. b(t thi! ti%e the' did not ha,e nor that to !a' it to %e& The' $o(#d a#read'

ha,e eno(h $ith the atta"* that $a! oin to i,e the% #ater and / tho(ht that

!tret"hin "o#"ha it $o(#d re"on"i#e a po(ito to %e $ith the%& A#tho(h %o!t

probab#e it $a! that the' did not !hare thi! point o) ,ie$ . / did it an'$a'& /t $a!

ho##o$in the pi##o$! $hen. o) !(dden %o,e%ent. / re%e%bered !o%ethin !trane

$ith a! %("h ,i,idne!! a! i) it had !ti## not $a*ed (p. !o%ethin that had drea%ed

that !a%e niht+A color flower bleeds.

E
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The wind howled between the trees that surrounded to me, whipping the branches in all

directions. In the stop, the sky encapotaba of stormy clouds. I separated the hair, that

punished the face to me. Single it wanted to watch the flower.

The petals, perlados of rain, red were lived, languid ones and sharpened, like those of some

tropical orqudeas. ithout embargo, the flower was lo!ana and completely open, caught ofthe branch, like a rose. "e was most e#otic and fascinating than it had never seen. It had to be

mine.

' $hat it %ade %e !ha*e that %e%or': in#e it $a! a drea%& / breathed deep

and / "on"entrated %'!e#)& /t $a! ho(r to !tart o))&

/t had !to"*%ar*et prepared; it had )i##ed the pre,io(! niht to it $ith hard#'

)o(r thin!+ a !(n boo*. #a!!e! and a )e$ ti"*et! b' )ina# &A& had to o (nti#

Ri,erton. "#o!e!t to the "i,i#iation than it had b' the one& That to %e $o(#d

%aintain o""(pied a## the da'&To !ee. it $a! not !a,in %e o) ho(!e. in !erio(!. #i*e $hen 'o( brea* 'et and 'o(

a!!(%e a ne$ identit' and. / do not *no$ at #ea!t. 'o( are (nited to a "ir"(! or

!o%ethin th(!& No. one $a! a de"#aration o) prin"ip#e!& /t had oppo!ed %e )ro% the

)ir!t %o%ent to the idea that %' parent! had #et #i%p!e that $e $o(#d enter the

A"ade%' Midniht. the' #i*e pro)e!!or! and / eat !t(dent& e had #i,ed in he

hi%!e#) p(eb#e"ito a## the #i)e. / had one to he hi%!e#) !"hoo# $ith the !a%e peop#e

!in"e !he $a! )i,e 'ear! o#d and !he $anted that !he "ontin(ed bein th(!& There i!

peop#e $ho% it #i*e! to *no$ !traner! and %a*e! )riend! $ith )a"i#it'. b(t / ne,er /

ha,e been th(!& ' no %ean!&

/! pe"(#iar. $hen peop#e "a## to 'o( ti%id. (!(a##' it !%i#e!& A! i) it %ade ra"e.

a! i) one $a! one o) tho!e odd habit! that 'o( end (p #o!in $hen 'o( be"o%e

reater. #i*e the ho##o$! that 'o( ha,e #e)t bet$een the teeth $hen tho!e o) %i#* )a##

to 'o(& /) the' *ne$ $hat one )ee#! $hen not on#' one i! $hi"h it "o!t! to 'o( to

brea* the i"e. b(t o) bein ti%id rea##'. the' $o(#d not !%i#e& The' $o(#d thin* it

t$i"e i) the' *ne$ that that !en!ation tie! do$n the !to%a"h to 'o(. or it %a*e! 'o(

!$eat the hand!. or it pre,ent! to !a' !o%ethin 'o( that ha! !en!e& /t doe! not %a*e

an' ra"e&

M' parent! had ne,er !%i#ed $hen !a'in it& The' *ne$ %e ,er' $e## and )or

that rea!on a#$a'! / tho(ht that the' (nder!tood to %e- (nti# the' de"ided that.

$ith !i


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/ $a! ad,an"in o) )ini!hin nai#! b' the !%a## apart%ent )or the tea"hin !ta))

$ho %' )a%i#' had (!ed d(rin that #a!t %onth& / heard the !#iht !nore! o) %'

%other a)ter the "#o!ed door o) the dor%itor' o) %' parent!& / p(t the briand to the

!ho(#der. t(rned the *nob !#o$#' and / bean to #o$er the !tair!& e #i,ed in the one

!top on the to$er! o) Midniht. and / *no$ that that !o(nd! %ore e


8/222

The niht%are $a! beinnin to !ee% %ore rea# than the rea#it'& /ntran(i#a. /

o""(rred the ret(rn and / thre$ to r(n& / %o,ed a$a' o) the %eado$! and /

di!appeared in the )ore!t&

oon e,er'thin $i## )ini!h. / $a! !aid. openin to %e to pa!!ae bet$een

hoara!"a and the )a##en bran"he! o) the pine!. that "r(@an (nder %' )eet& A#tho(ha! !oon a! there $ere h(ndred! o) %eter! (nti# the )ore door. it had the !en!ation to

be %("h %ore )ar& The den!e )o obtained that it !ee%ed a! i) a#read' it )o(nd %e in

the heart o) the )ore!t& M' parent! $i## a$a*e and the' $i## rea#ie o) $hi"h / a%

not& ' ai% the' $i## in"#(de(nder!tand that / "annot !(pport it. that "annot )or"e

to %e& The' $i## #ea,e to #oo* )or to %e and. it i! $orth. $i## et (p!et %("h b' the%

to ha,e !"ared in thi! $a'. b(t the' $i## (nder!tand it& /n the end a#$a'! the' end

(p (nder!tandin it. no: And !oon $e $i## o a$a'& e $i## #ea,e the A"ade%'

Midniht and $e $i## ne,er ret(rn %ore&

/t had the heart ra%pant& /n!tead o) "o%)ortin to %e. ea"h !tep that %o,ed a$a'

o) the A"ade%' Midniht to %e p(t %' deter%ination on appro,a#& e)ore. $hen

e#aboratin the p#an. $a! ood !i%i#arit' to %e idea. a! i) o(t!ide in)a##ib#e. b(t that

$a! rea# and %e it )o(nd !in#e in the )ore!t. no$ enterin to %e in the thi"*ne!!.

!he $a! not !o !a)e& Berhap! it $a! )#eein )or an'thin& And i) the' draed to %e

o) ret(rn o) a## $a'!:

A thunderclap e#ploded. The pulse was accelerated to me. I returned the back to 'idnight

definitively and observed the flower that shook in its branch. The wind took a petal to him. I

introduced the hands between the thorns, I felt that they laceraban the skin painfully to me,but that did not stop to me( she was determined.

/ thre$ to r(n to$ard! the ea!t. bein tried to p(t #and o) b' %ean! bet$een

Midniht and. $hi#e %' niht%are in!i!ted on a""o%pan'in to %e& /t $a! that

p#a"e& /t p(t the end hair! to %e. it %ade %e )ee# an


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The' ha,e ta(ht de)enderte. / tho(ht& A!!(%e! that 'o( *no$ $hat to do in

!it(ation! #i*e thi! Nothin re%e%bered. "o(#d not thin* abo(t an'thin& The

bran"he! tore the !#ee,e! o) %' a"*et and the' en#i!ted in the hair t()t! that had

#oo!en to %e o) the %on*e'& / en"o(ntered o,er a !tone and / bit the #an(ae. b(t /

"ontin(ed r(nnin& The %an $a! %ore and %ore "#o!e. too %("h& /t had toa""e#erate. b(t it "o(#d not&

Ah / !ho(ted a!ph'


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/t $a! !h(t (p&

/ dropped the head aain!t the ro(nd. #oo!en !ihed& / too* the hand! to the e'e!

and / tihtened (nti# !eein the% it a## red one& ti## it ta!ted o) the b#ood in the

%o(th and the heart bar*ed to %e $ith a! %("h )or"e that $a! a! i) the "he!t !hoo*&

A #itt#e and / pi!! abo,e. perhap! the on#' thin %ore that it had #a"*ed !o that that!it(ation $a! %ore h(%i#iatin o) $hi"h a#read' it $a! o) in "a!e& itho(t e%baro.

/ #i%ited %'!e#) to breathe deep. #itt#e b' #itt#e. (nti# / )e#t $ith )or"e! to et (p it!e#)&

The t'pe )o##o$ed %' !ide&

' $hat 'o( ha,e thro$n %e to the ro(nd: / $a! ab#e to a!* to hi%&

/ tho(ht that $e had to p(t to (! (nder "o,er and to hide to (! o) $ho $a!

per!i(iIndote. o) $hi"h in the end !he ha! t(rned o(t to be. thi!- nobod'&

/t !ee%ed e%barra!!ed eno(h&

The head bent and / $at"hed it $ith tran(i##it' )or the )ir!t ti%e& The tr(th i! that

it had not had ti%e to )i< to %e to an'thin+ $hen )ir!t $hi"h 'o( thin* o) it i! that

he i! a pirado a!!a!!in. 'o( do not p(t 'o(r!e#) to ana#'e the detai#!& / rea#ied

abo(t $hi"h one $a! not an ad(#t %an. !in"e it had be#ie,ed& A#tho(h he $a! hih

and $ide o) ba"*!. $a! 'o(n. perhap! o) %' !a%e ae& The ra"e hi% had e


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The heart oe! 'o( to tho(!and! per ho(r K("a! %(r%(red& /t ret(rned to

$at"h to %e $ith in(i!idore! e'e! and / p(t %'!e#) ner,o(!. a#tho(h b' di))erent

rea!on!& ond. i) 'o( did not r(n be"a(!e it per!e"(ted !o%ebod' to 'o(. then !o

that 'o( ran o) that $a': e"a(!e to %e it did not !ee% to %e that 'o( $ere doin

)ootin indeed&/t $o(#d ha,e #ain to hi% i) %e !o%e "redib#e e


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/ #e)t ,er' $orth' the ho(!e in that $e #i,ed and arri,ed (nti#- the end o) the

ba"* patio. !o / de"ided to re!i!t then"e !a%e& / re%ained a## the da' o(t!ide. (nti# it

bean to rain& /t had not been happened to ta*e an (%bre##a to %e&

A $onder)(# p#an& / !ihed&

/ *no$ /t. i! patheti"& / ret(rned to enter ho(!e. !oa*ed and $ith !to%a"h a"he

a)ter "ra%%in do$n #i*e t$ent' Dreo!. and %' %other. one ,er' inte##ient #ad'

a#tho(h re%o,e! to %e )ro% (i"io. pretended that it had not happened an'thin&

K("a! !hran* o) !ho(#der!& (!t #i*e 'o(r parent! $i## do& Ho( *no$ it. no:

No$ 'e!&

o it $a! di!appointed that a *not in the throat $a! done to %e& /n )a"t / o)

"ro!!ed ar%! had *no$n )ro% the beinnin ho$ !he $a! oin to )ini!h that. b(t

"o(#d not ha,e #e)t; perhap! !in#e it had done it !o that patent had #e)t %'

)r(!tration be)ore to !end a %e!!ae to %' parent!&

At that %o%ent K("a! it did a (e!tion to %e that %e #e)t di!p#a"ed+

L(iere! irte o) here rea##':

Ho( ta#* abo(t to- to )#ee: To rea##' e!"ape to %e:

K("a! areed. and !ee%ed that !he ,er' !aid it in !erio(!& A#tho(h it "o(#d not

be& (re#' that had a!*ed to i,e ba"* it %e %e to the rea#it'&

No. / do not $ant / ad%itted to the end& / $i## ret(rn and / $i## prepare %'!e#)

to o to / !trained #i*e a ood ir#&Another ti%e that !%i#e&

Nobod' )or"e! to 'o( to "o%portarte #i*e a ood ir#&

/t! $a' to !a' "o%)orted it to %e&

/t i! that- The A"ade%' Midniht- / do not *no$ i) / o that i! to !a' to )it in

thi! p#a"e&

/ $o(#d not $orr' )or that rea!on& /t "an that i! not !o bad not to )ini!h )ittin in

thi! p#a"e&

/t $at"hed to %e )i


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need#e! o) pine o) er!e'& /t %(!t not ha,e pre"ipitated in dra$in "on"#(!ion! to

%e. b(t it "o(#d the in!tin"t to %e& / )ee# it&

/t doe! not pa!! an'thin. rea##'& / a#read' *no$ that 'o( $anted to he#p %e& /t

re)erred to %e that $hat 'o( did be)ore !eein %e& The pre!entation doe! not bein

(nti# $ithin ho(r! and i! ,er' ear#'& The' !aid to the% to the !t(dent! $ho arri,edon the ten&

Dne ha! ne,er o""(rred %e $e## to )o##o$ the nor%!&

That bean to !ee% to %e intere!tin&

Then- Ho( are a %adr(adora per!on. o) $ho% the' ri!e o) a (%p b' the

%ornin!:

Nor b' / !ho$. / ha,e !ti## not #ain do$n& A "apti,atin !%i#e Fad and it had

a#read' i,en a""o(nt %e o) $hi"h it *ne$ ho$ to (!e it& And it did not %atter to

%e& ' a## $a'!. %' %other "o(#d not a""o%pan' to %e& /t i! o(t!ide. $e "o(#d !a'

that o) trip o) b(!ine!!e!& / too* the train no"t(rna# and / de"ided to arri,e on )oot. to

*no$ $hat #and $a! abo,e and- to re!"(e da%!e#! in hard!hip!&

hen re%e%berin to $hat !peed had r(n behind %e and to in"#(de(nder!tand

that it had %ade it to !a,e the #i)e to %e. the approa"h o) the %e%or' "haned

"o%p#ete#'+ a## %' )ear! ,ani!hed and / !%i#ed&

' $hat 'o( "o%e to Midniht: To %e he i! "a##ed on to %e to dip in rea!e b'

%' parent!. b(t !(re#' 'o( "o(#d o to an' other !ite& To the one be!t one& Ki*e- /

do not *no$. an'one&

K("a! did not !ee% to *no$ ho$ $hat to re!pond& /t $a! !eparatin the bran"he!

$hi#e $e #aid $a' b' the )ore!t !o that the' did not i,e %e in the )a"e& e)ore the

!tep had ne,er "#eared %e&

/t i! a ,er' #on hi!tor'&

/ a% not in a h(rr' to ret(rn& /n addition. !ti## the' are #e)t )o(r ho(r! (nti# the

pre!entation&

K("a! in"#ined the head. b(t !he did not !eparate the #an"e )ro% %e& There $a!

!o%ethin do(bt#e!!#' !ed("ti,e in that %o,e%ent. a#tho(h !he $a! not !(re that

he tried to prod("e that e))e"t& /t had an a#%o!t identi"a# "o#or o) e'e! to the one o)

the i,' that re$ in the to$er! o) Midniht&

/t i! that a#!o it i! a !pe"ie! o) !e"ret&

/ *no$ to *eep !e"ret& That i! to !a'. 'o( are oin to %aintain thi! !(be"t b' %e

pri,i#'. no: / ta#* abo(t the one to #ea,e r(nnin and to die to %e o) )ear-

/ $i## not te## it to an'bod'& To the end o) !e"ond! o) he!itation. K("a! )ini!hed

!in"erndo!e& An an"e!tor doe! abo(t one h(ndred )i)t' 'ear! %ine tried to enter

the boardin !"hoo#& /t "o(#d !a' that it !(!pended& K("a! #a' do$n to #a(h. and


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$a! a! i) the #iht o) the !(n had b(r!t in bet$een the tree!& Jor that rea!on it

depend! on %e to "#ean the honor o) the )a%i#'&

/t i! not (!t& Ho( $o(#d not ha,e to ha,e to %a*e a## 'o(r de"i!ion! ba!ed on

$hi"h he %ade or #et do&

Not a##. #et! to %e "hoo!e the !o"*!&

/ !%i#ed $hen the pernera ro!e to tea"h the !o"* to rho%b(!e! that !ho$ed b'

(pon the hea,' b#a"* boot&

' $hat the' !(!pended 'o(r retatara $hat i!:

K("a! !hoo* the head !ad#'&

The )ir!t $ee* $a! )o(ht in d(e#&

A d(e#: Co%e. !o%ebod' in!(#ted it! honor: / tried to re%e%ber $hat it had

#earned on the d(e#! in no,e#! and the ro%anti" )i#%!& hat $a! "#ear i! that thehi!tor' o) K("a! $a! de)initi,e#' %("h %ore intere!tin $ho %ine& Dr $a! b' a ir#:

e"a(!e it %(!t ,er' $e## ha,e ta*en ad,antae o) the ti%e to *no$ a ir# in the

)ir!t da'! o) !"hoo#&

K("a! !topped. a! i) a""o(nt )ini!hed o""(rrin o) $hi"h it $a! the )ir!t da' o)

"#a!! and he a#read' had *no$n one& / )e#t an i%p(#!e. a! i) !o%ethin ph'!i"a##'

thre$ o) %e to$ard! hi%. b(t then K("a! ret(rned the head and nai#ed the #an"e in

the to$er! o) Midniht. that $ere !een bet$een the bran"he! o) the pine!& /t $a! #i*e

i) the b(i#din there $ere ,i"ti%& /t "o(#d ha,e been b' an' thin& Then the' $ere )o(ht in d(e# to the "hane

%ini% & A""ordin to the )a%i#iar #eend. the other t'pe bean. a#tho(h the tr(th i!

that it i,e! e(a#& hat %atter! i! that it !(r,i,ed. b(t not $itho(t be)ore brea*in

one o) the !ho$ $indo$! o) the #obb'&

Ah. !(re i! one $ith "r'!ta#! / a% tran!parent and it did not *no$ !o that&

No$ a#read' 'o( *no$ it& in"e then. Midniht )a%i#' "#o!ed the door! to hi%

to %e&

Unti# no$&

Unti# no$ it areed& And it doe! not %atter to %e& / be#ie,e that here / $i##

#earn %an' thin!. b(t that doe! not %ean that it %(!t to %e p#ea!e $hat / !ee&

e"a(!e / a% not !(re that / #i*e nothin / "on)e!!ed to hi%& E


15/222

$ere tr'in to !a,e the #i)e. had per"ei,ed !o%ethin $i#d $at"hin (nder that

)a"ade&

/ #i*e the aro'#e!. the %o(ntain and the p(re air& That i! e,er'thin&

Ho( #i*e the aro'#e!:

/ #i*e that the %on!ter! are !%a##er than /&

Me it had ne,er rai!ed it that $a'&

e had arri,ed at i! "onti(o(! o) the %eado$!& The !(n !hone $ith )or"e and /

had the !en!ation o) $hi"h the !"hoo# $o*e (p and it $a! prepared to re"ei,e the

!t(dent! and to de,o(r the% thro(h the ,a(#ted !tone entran"e&

/ ha,e pa,or to Fi% / "on)e!!ed&

ti## it i! not too %("h behind !"hed(#e )or #ea,in r(nnin. ian"a it !aid $ith

a## tran(i##it'&

/ do not $ant to o o(t r(nnin. b(t / either do not $ant to be !(rro(nded b'

!traner!& hen / a% $ith peop#e that / do not *no$ / a% in"apab#e to !pea*. to a"t

$ith nor%a#it' or o) bein i %'!e#)- o that 'o( !%i#e:

Then to %e it !ee%! to %e that 'o( ha,e not had %an' prob#e%! to !pea* $ith

%e&

/ b#in*ed. !(rpri!ed& K("a! $a! riht& Fo$ $a! po!!ib#e:

ith 'o(- / !(ppo!e that- / be#ie,e that 'o( !"ared !o %("h to %e that $ent

the )ear to %e o) b#o$ / !ta%%ered&

Eh. be"a(!e i) it $or*!&

He!& itho(t e%baro. / had the !en!ation o) $hi"h $a! !o%ethin %ore& The

!traner! "ontin(ed i,in pani" %e. b(t he $a! not a !traner& /t had #et be it a!

!oon a! / in"#(ded(nder!tood that it had tried to !a,e the #i)e to %e& /t had the

!en!ation to *no$ K("a! )ro% a#$a'!. a! i) there $a! been $aitin )or it! arri,a#

d(rin 'ear!& / %(!t ret(rn be)ore %' parent! rea#ie o) $hi"h / a% not&

Ho( do not #ea,e prea"h to 'o(&

The' $i## not do it&

K("a! did not !ee% !o !a)e. b(t !he areed and !he %o,ed a$a'& /t $a! #o!t

bet$een the !hade! $hi#e / entered a #iht $a##&

e !ee o(r!e#,e! thi! $a'&

/ rai!ed the hand to !a' ood b'e to hi%. b(t K("a! a#read' had one a$a'& /t had

di!appeared !ii#o!a%ente in the )ore!t&


16/222

Chapter 2Chapter 2

o#,@a to pro%ote the #on !pira# !tair"a!e (nti# arri,in at the #a!t )#oor o)

the to$er. !ti## tre%b#' be"a(!e o) the adrena#in (n#oadin& Thi! ti%e / did

not bother %'!e#) in not %a*in noi!e& / #et !#ip to the ro(nd the briand

$ho too* to the !ho(#der and / "o##ap!ed in the !o)a& / had had #e)t a )e$

#ea,e! entan#ed in the hair and / bean to ta*e o)) the%& ian"a: M' %other #e)t her dor%itor'. tiein the be#t o) the dre!!in o$n&

o%no#ienta !%i#ed to %e& Ho( ha,e %adr(ado to o to i,e a !tro##. heart:

He! / an!$ered. $ith a !ih& No #oner it $a! $orth the tro(b#e to %o(nt a

dra%ati" !"ene&

M' )ather #e)t ne


17/222

$o(#d t(rn to %e a ,er' hand!o%e $o%an. b(t that i! $hat (!(a##' the' !a' a## the

parent!&

e o to darte !o%ethin to ha,e brea*)a!t %' %other !aid. oin to the

*it"hen& Dr a#read' 'o( ha,e ta*en !o%ethin:

No. !ti## no&

/ rea#ied that it $o(#d not ha,e been a bad idea to ha,e eaten !o%ethin be)ore

%' reat e!"ape. r(@an the (t! to %e& /) K("a! $ere not pri!oner to %e. at tho!e

%o%ent! !he $o(#d be ,aando b' the )ore!t $ith a h(ner o) $o#) and one #on

#on $a#* (nti# Ri,erton ahead& #iht p#an o) )#iht&

At that %o%ent. the i%ae o) K("a! "a%e both to the %ind r(!hin it!e#) on %e

and ro##in bet$een the ra!! and the #ea,e!& /t had i,en a death !"are %e and /

!hoo* $hen re%e%berin it. a#tho(h no$ )or di))erent rea!on! a))#(ent&

iha(n"h& M' )ather !ee%ed ,er' !erio(! and / $at"hed it $ith "(#pabi#it'

)ee#in& Berhap! had (e!!ed $hat it $a! thin*in: /%%ediate#' /

in"#(ded(nder!tood that !he $a! ret(rnin %e paranoi"a. a#tho(h $a! do(bt#e!!

that %' )ather did not !%i#e $hen he !eated to %' !ide& / *no$ that it i! not $hat

'o( $i!h %ore. b(t Midniht i! i%portant )or 'o(&

/t $a! he hi%!e#) t'pe o) "har the one that it a,e %e $hen !he $a! !%a## be)ore

ha,in to !$a##o$ the !'r(p to %e )or the "o(h&

/ do not $ant to ret(rn to ha,e thi! "on,er!ation no$&

Adrin. dIa#a pea"e)(##'& M' %other tended a #a!! to %e be)ore ret(rnin to

the *it"hen. $here there $a! !o%ethin )r'in it!e#) in a )r'in pan& /n addition. #i*e

none!pabi#e%o!. $e are oin to arri,e behind !"hed(#e at the %eetin o) the

pre,io(! tea"hin !ta)) (pon pre!ent%ent&

M' )ather "on!(#ted the ho(r and r(%b#ed&

' $hat the' p(t the!e thin! !o !oon: A! i) to !o%ebod' it de!ired to #o$er to

hi% there do$n to the!e ho(r!&

Fo$ %("h rea!on 'o( ha,e it %(r%(red&

Jor the%. an' ho(r be)ore the noon $a! too %("h !oon& Ne,erthe#e!!. the' had

$or*ed o) pro)e!!or! !in"e / had %e%or'. $itho(t in the %ornin )orettin nor a

!in#e da' it! #on )iht $ith the eiht&

The' )ini!hed preparin it!e#) $hi#e it too* the brea*)a!t. "ra"*ed a )e$ o*e! to

%e $ith intention to ani%ate to %e and the' #e)t !in#e !ittin %e to the tab#e& Then

ood& Eno(h a)ter the' #o$er the !tair! and the !%a## hand! o) the "#o"* "ra$#ed

!ii#o!a! to$ard! the ho(r o) the pre!entation. / )o##o$ed in the "hair& / be#ie,e that it

tried to "on,in"e to %e that. $hi#e did not )ini!h the brea*)a!t to %e. it $o(#d not

ha,e to o to *no$ a## tho!e ne$ peop#e&


18/222

The )a"t that K("a! $a! a%on the% an e


19/222

/ ret(rned to #o$er the !tep!& /t a,e e(a# the ti%e! that that $a' had done.

a#$a'! had the !en!ation o) $hi"h it $o(#d )a## ro##in b' the $orn a$a' !tair! (nti#

the #a!t !tep& iht $hi"h 'o( are idiot preo"(pndote b' niht%are! $ith $ithered

)#o$er! or "aerte b' the !tair!. / !aid %'!e#)& More terror@)i"o $aited !o%ethin to

%e eno(h&/ arri,ed do$n and / $ent to the #obb'& That !a%e %ornin. %ore ear#'.

e,er'thin $ere in !i#en"e. #i*e in a "athedra#& At tho!e %o%ent!. it $a! )ine!!ed o)

peop#e and their ,oi"e! re!onated thro(ho(t& /n !pite o) the b(##i"io. / had the

!en!ation o) $hi"h %' !tep! re!o(nded in the roo% be"a(!e !e,era# peop#e be"a%e

!i%(#taneo(!#' to$ard! %e; it $a! a! i) e,er'bod' had be"o%e to $at"h the

intr(der. a! i) it too* h(n to the ne"* a neon !ina# that !aid+ TFE NE DNE&

The !t(dent!. re(nited in ro(p! o) peop#e too %("h tihtened !o that he "o(#d

enter (!t arri,ed. (i"*#' ret(rned their a#i,e dar* e'e! to$ard! %e& /t $a! #i*e i)

the' e,en "o(#d )ee# the terri)ied )#(tterin o) %' heart& A## the' !ee%ed to %e e(a#.

a "#ear $a' and doe! not need. b(t b' the per)e"tion that !hared& To a## the ir#! the

hair !hone to the%. or too* !%a## "hane to it on !ho(#der! or athered in p(#"ro

%on*e'& A## the bo'! !ee%ed !a)e o) ,ioro(! the%!e#,e! and. $ith !%i#e! that

!er,ed to the% a! %a!*!& E,er'bod' dre!!ed the (ni)or%+ er!Ii!. !*irt!. a"*et! and

tro(!er! in a## the po!!ib#e ,ariation!+ ra'!. red. to pi"t(re!. b#a"*& A## too* the

!hie#d o) the e%broidered "ro$ and the' !hone it a! i) o(t!ide the b#aon o) it!

)a%i#'& A## $a!ted !e"(rit'. !(periorit' and di!dain& / )e#t the heat that a,e o)) there

!tandin (p. in the peripher' o) the !ta'. "hanin )ro% a )oot to another one.

(n"o%)ortab#e&

Nobod' !a#(ted to %e&

The enera# %(r%(r ret(rned to pre,ai# i%%ediate#'& ' the !iht. the

de!arbada! ne$ ir#! did not de!er,e %ore than %o%ent! o) attention& /t had the

"hee*! inited b' the !ha%e. be"a(!e it $a! ob,io(! that a#read' it had done

!o%ethin bad#'. a#tho(h $a! not ab#e to i%aine $hat "o(#d be& Berhap! Dr had

)e#t. (!t a! /. $ho in )a"t $a! not oin to )it there:

/ $ondered %'!e#) $here !he $o(#d be K("a!& / e


20/222

Underneath the a"*et. a#tho(h (pon the er!e'. it !o too* open to a ha$aiana !hirt

o) "o#or! "hi##one! that the' are de!aitaban in the pen(%bra o) Midniht& A#!o

there $a! a ir# o) ,er' dar* and "ortito hair. !o !hort that it !ee%ed a bo'& The

hair"(t $a! not !e#)a!!(red and 'o(th)(#. b(t that it a,e the i%pre!!ion o) to it to

ha,e %ade it $ith a raor a! better it had !ee%ed to hi%& The (ni)or%. t$o !tat(re!reater. h(n to hi% o) !ho(#der!& he $a! a! i) peop#e !eparated )ro% her. a! i) !he

repe##ed an ener' )ie#d& A! i) o(t!ide in,i!ib#e& The !a%benito o) in!ini)i"ant had

h(n hi% e,en be)ore the )ir!t "#a!!&

That ho$ "o(#d be !o !a)e: Then be"a(!e a#!o it had happened to %e to %e& /t $a!

"at"hed in the peripher' o) the %(#tit(de. !(a!hed b' the ra"*et. inti%idated b' the

!tone #obb' and a! #o!t a! it "o(#d be&

Attention

The ret(%bante ,oi"e bro*e the b(##i"io and it red("ed it to !i#en"e& A## $ebe"a%e to the ti%e to$ard! the end o) the reat #obb'. $here Mr!& ethan'. the

dire"tor. had rai!ed the e!trado one&

he $a! a hih $o%an. o) ab(ndant dar* hair that too* athered in "oote. #i*e

the $o%en o) the ?i"torian ti%e& /t $a! i%po!!ib#e to (e!! it! ae to %e& /t $ore a

)ini!hin nai# b#o(!e that $a! "#o!ed $ith a "#a!p o#den in the ne"*& /) 'o( "on!ider

that !e,erit' i! !'non'%o(! o) bea(t'. there $o(#d not be an'bod' %ore attra"ti,e

than !he& /t had *no$n it $hen %' parent! and / $e !ett#ed in the #odin! o) the

tea"hin !ta)). and then a #itt#e had a#read' inti%idated %e. a#tho(h / "o%%ited

%'!e#) to re%e%ber that a! !oon a! it *ne$ it&

/n an' "a!e. at tho!e %o%ent! it !ti## !ee%ed %ore i%po!in& hen !eein

$here(pon i%%edia"' and )a"i#it' it i%po!ed the order in that )(## roo% o) peop#e

the !a%e $ho had e


21/222

Jor the "a!e. a#read' it "o(#d ha,e painted $ith aero!o# in ianti" red #etter!+

DME DJ HDU HDU D NDT J/T FERE& The ne$ po#i"' o) ad%i!!ion! $a!

$itho(t do(bt the per!on in "hare o) the pre!en"e o) the !(r)i!ta and the ir# o) the

!hort hair& ' the !iht. not e,en one "on!idered !t(dent! o) Midniht tr(e. b(t

that !o#e#' repre!ented an ed("ati,e e>/. and th(! it i! a! one hope! that the' beha,e& Ne,erthe#e!!. that doe! not

%ean that Midniht #a"*! nor%!& The po!ition that $e o""(pied de%and! to (! to

%aintain !tri"te!t o) the di!"ip#ine!& e $aited )or %("h o) 'o(&

/t did not "o%%ent $hi"h $o(#d be the reper"(!!ion! in the "a!e o) !*ippin the

nor%!. b(t it )eared to %e %("h that the p(ni!h%ent! !in#e $o(#d be the appetier&

The hand! !$eated to %e& he $a! %ore and %ore !onroada and it had the

i%pre!!ion that it "a##ed the attention #i*e a )#are& /t had pro%i!ed to %e to be !tron

and not to a##o$ that peop#e inti%idated to %e. b(t the $ord! the $ind ta*e! to

the%& The hih "ei#in! and the $a##! o) the reat #obb' !ee%ed to "#o!e the%!e#,e!

on %e& / e,en )e#t that / $itho(t air bean to ha,e #e)t&

M' %other )i


22/222

/ a#$a'! !(rro(nded a## the roo% %aintainin the !t("* ba"* to the $a##& / #oo*ed

)or it bet$een the %(#tit(de $ith de!peration. 'earnin )or to $at"h a !par*#e o) the

o#den bro$n hair o) K("a!. it! $ide ba"*! or tho!e e'e! reen dar*& /) / #oo*ed )or it

and he #oo*ed )or to %e %e. !ooner or #ater $e had to )ind (!& To $eihin o) the

pani" that to %e the %a!i)i"a"ione! o) peop#e. and %' tenden"' "a(!ed to e


23/222

The !*in o) Batri"e had the tona#it' )ro% a ri,er to the da$n. an e


24/222

. He! "#ear& /t! !%i#e $a! a! etIrea a! a## the re#ated one to her. )ro% the

pea"h#i*e brihtne!! o) it! #ip! to the per)(%e and the boat! o) #a"(er o) "are)(##'

ordered nai#! in the dre!!in tab#e& Co(rtne' and / *ne$ in $iter#and the #a!t

$inter& ith ?idette / %ade )riend!hip $hen / $a! in Bari!& And toether Gene,ie,e

and / !pent a !(%%er in the Caribbean& a! in anto To%!: E(a# it $a! ina%ai"a& Not it a))#(ent %e%or'&

M' onehor!e to$n !ee%ed %ore in!ipid to %e than e,er&

Ah. then 'o(- 'o( are a""(!to%ed to !("h %o,ero! in "ir"#e!&

More or #e!!& Kitt#e behind !"hed(#e. Batri"e !ee%ed to rea#ie the

(n"o%)ortab#e thin that )e#t to %e& A#!o the' $i## )ini!h bein 'o(r!&

Fope)(##' !he $a! a! !a)e a! 'o(&

Ho( $i## a#read' !ee it& Batri"e #i,ed in a $or#d in $hi"h the inter%inab#e

!(%%er! in the tropi"a# $ere $ithin rea"h o) a##& /t $a! i%po!!ib#e to %e to i%aine

that !o%eda' it "o%pri!ed o) that& Cono"e! !o%ebod' here: /n addition to a 'o(r

parent!. "#ear&

in#e to peop#e that / ha,e *no$n thi! %ornin&

The one that added the apab(##ante a%o(nt o) t$o peop#e+ K("a! and Batri"e&

e $i## ha,e #on ti%e to %a*e )riend!hip! Batri"e $ith de"i!ion a!!(red.

)o##o$in $ith the di!trib(tion o) hi! thin!+ hand*er"hie)! o) "o#or !i#* i,or'.

a,erae! o) bro$n tona#it' or ra' do,e& here tho(ht to !hine tho!e !o e#eant

thin!: Berhap! Batri"e $a! (ni%ainab#e to tra,e# $itho(t the%& The' ha,e !aid to

%e that Midniht i! the per)e"t p#a"e $here to *no$ %en&

Cono"er %en:

a#t! $ith !o%ebod':

/t $a! oin to !pea* to hi% o) K("a!. b(t / !topped& / do not *no$ $hat it had

happened bet$een (! in the )ore!t. b(t $a! !(re that it %eant !o%ethin;

ne,erthe#e!!. $hi"h )e#t t(rned o(t to %e too ne$ to !hare it&

/ did not #ea,e an' )ian" in %' to$n / #i%ited %'!e#) to re!pond&/t *ne$ a## the bo'! o) the in!tit(te !in"e !he $a! !%a## and !ti## it re%e%bered

the% $ith it! a%e! o) "on!tr("tion! or e%p#a!tando %e p#a!ti#ina in the hair. the

t'pe o) thin! that $a! ab#e to pre,ent hi% to one to ha,e !o%e %ini%(% ro%anti"

in"#ination b' !o%e o) the%&

Jian"- Batri"e repeated. !%i#in $itho(t bein ab#e to a,oid it. a! i) the $ord

had !(rpri!ed to hi% b' it! nai,ete&

Not . one $a! not %a*in )(n o) o) %e& Jro% hi! point o) ,ie$. / $a! too 'o(n

and ine


25/222

Batri"e: / a% Co(rtne'& The ir# "a##ed at the !a%e ti%e to the door that opened

it. "on,in"ed that it $o(#d be $e#"o%e&

he $a! e,en %ore hand!o%e than Batri"e+ b#ond hair that a#%o!t arri,ed to hi%

at the $ai!t and tho!e )#e!h' #ip! that !in#e / had !een in the !("tion 'o(n peop#e

!tar o) the te#e,i!ion $hi"h thin! #i*e the "o#eno "o(#d be a##o$ed& The !a%e !*irtthat to %e h(n (nti# the *nee! $itho(t ra"e !o%e to %e. "a(!ed that their #e!

!ee%ed *i#o%etri"&

Dh. 'o(r roo% i! )ar better that %ine& En"hant! to Me

A## the roo%! pra"ti"a##' "a%e bein e(a#+ a dor%itor' the (ite reat thin to

i,e "apa"it' to t$o peop#e. $hite !trained iron bed! and dre!!in tab#e! o) $ood

"ar,ed to ea"h !ide& D(r $indo$ a,e riht to one o) the tree! that re$ near

Midniht. b(t b' the other!. / $a! not ab#e to (e!! $hat had o(r roo% o) !pe"ia#&

Unti# / )e## in the a""o(nt o) !o%ethin& e are %ore near the $a!hba!in! / !aid&

Co(rtne' and Batri"e $at"hed to %e )i


26/222

The e


27/222

The kiss!he $a! one o) %' )a,o(rite $or*!& Q#i%t a#$a'! / had #i*ed !in"e %'

%other ta(ht her boo*! to %e o) art )or the )ir!t ti%e& /t $a! !(rpri!in ho$ it

obtained i#ded o) the !e%ent! and the #ine!. and / #i*ed the bea(t' o) tho!e pa#e

)a"e! that !ho$ed in the *a#eido!"opi" i%ae! that "reated& Ne,erthe#e!!. the #a%ina

had re"ei,ed another %eanin !(dden#'& /t had ne,er paid too %("h attention to the$a' in $hi"h the pair $a! e%bra"ed+ the %an in"#ined to$ard! her. )ro% the !top.

a! i) an ine


28/222

Mr!& ethan' !aid that )ina##' the' had )ini!hed rea"ondi"ionar the #aboratorie!

%' )ather !aid bet$een !("*! and !("*!& / hope to )ind the %o%ent )or thro$in a

#oo* to the% be)ore the !t(dent!. not it o to bein $ho the e(ip%ent i! !o %odern

that it doe! not *no$ to (!e it&

' that / tea"h hi!tor' %' %other an!$ered& The pa!t it doe! not "hane. !in#ei! e


29/222

L(erIi! to #et pretend that a## thi! ha! to do $ith %at(rin: / prote!ted& /t i! not

b' that and 'o( *no$ it& Dne i! $hi"h 'o( $ant )or %e and are deter%ined to

!a#iro! $ith 'o(r a! %("h i) / #i*e a! i) no&

/ ro!e and %e a!ide )ro% the tab#e& /n!tead o) p(ttin to %e in %' roo% in !ear"h

o) %' !$eater !hirt. / too* the a"*et o) point o) %' %other $ho had h(n in theper"hero and %e / p(t it& A#tho(h a! !oon a! $e $ere in a(t(%n. in #and! o) the

!"hoo# it $a! "o#d $hen the !(n $a! p(t&

M' parent! did not a!* to %e $here he $ent& /t $a! an o#d nor%+ that that it $a!

on the ,ere o) ettin (p!et had to %a*e a pa(!e in the %idd#e o) the di!"(!!ion. to

#ea,e to i,e a ret(rn and !oon to ret(rn and to !a' $hat had to !a'& ' ,er'

di!p#ea!ed that $e $ere. the !tro## a#$a'! $or*ed&

D) )a"t. / $a! $ho "reated the r(#e& /t $a! happened to %e $ith nine 'ear!. )or

that rea!on it *ne$ that the !(be"t o) the %at(rit' $a! not the tr(e prob#e%&The (nea!ine!! that prod("ed the $or#d to %e $hi"h it !(rro(nded to %e. the

deep "on,i"tion o) $hi"h did not e


30/222

(re#' it !%e##! a pre'& Dne $i## not o a$a' i) it thin*! that !o%ethin "an )a##

to hi%&

Ki*e i) it $anted to i,e the rea!on %e. a (i"* )#(tterin !hoo* the bran"he! o,er

o(r head! and the dar* !i#ho(ette o) one #e"h(a $a! !ent in per)orated to$ard! the

ro(nd& Jriht)(# $hine! "on,in"ed to (! that a raton"ito or a !%a## !(irre# it)ini!hed be"o%in hi! !(pper& Ke"h(a o,er"a%e the too )a!t )#iht to be ab#e to !ee

it& M' )ather and / re%ained $at"hin& /t *ne$ that it had to ad%ire the h(ntin

do$rie! o) #e"h(a. b(t / "o(#d not a,oid to )ee# pit' b' the %o(!e&

/ )ee# i) there a% too abr(pt !i%i#arit' to 'o( %' )ather apo#oied& Ho( are a

,er' %at(re 'o(n per!on and it %(!t not ha,e !(e!ted the oppo!ite&

/t doe! not pa!! an'thin& /n addition. / a#!o are #o!t the !tirr(p!& / a#read' *no$

that it i! not $orth the tro(b#e to di!"(!! the one to "o%e to (! here& At #ea!t at thi!

point&M' )ather !%i#ed to %e a))e"tionate#'&

ian"a. a#read' 'o( *no$ that 'o(r %other and / ne,er tho(ht po!!ib#e that $e

"o(#d tenerte&

/ a#read' *no$ it&

' )a,or. aain "har it on the 'o(n %ira"#e no&

/n $hate,er 'o( appeared in o(r #i,e!. $e bean to dedi"ate to 'o( in bod' and

!o(# to (!& Berhap! too %("h& And that i! )a(#t o(r!. not 'o(r!&

Bapa. p#ea!e& /t adored to %' )a%i#'. !in#e $e three be)ore the $or#d& / re(e!t

to 'o( that 'o( do not !pea* o) it a! i) o(t!ide !o%ethin bad&

No. he i! not that& /t !ee%ed !ad. and / a!*ed %'!e#) )or the )ir!t ti%e i) in )a"t

to hi% it #i*ed ea!t p#a"e& (t e,er'thin "hane!. heart. and the !ooner 'o( a""ept

it. better than better&

/ *no$ /t- and / )ee# it. i! that !ti## / a% doin %e to the idea& The (t!

r(ieron to Me and / $rin*#ed the no!e& / "an ret(rn to $ar% (p the !(pper to %e:

/ a!*ed. e!peranada&

/ ha,e the !#iht !(!pi"ion that 'o(r %other "an ha,e ordered a#read' o) that&

/ndeed& e pa!!ed an e,enin p#ea!ant& / de"ided that %ore it $a! $orth to %e to

pa!! it $e## to %e $hi#e it "o(#d& To%%' or!e' rep#a"ed G#enn Mi##er and !oon

Jitera#d arri,ed the t(rn to hi% at Fer& e "hatted and $e o*ed on thin!

$itho(t i%portan"e+ )i#%!. prora%! o) te#e,i!ion and a## that in $hi"h %' parent!

$o(#d not #o!e nor a %in(te i) not o(t!ide b' %e. a#tho(h tried to o*e on the

!"hoo# in a pair o) o""a!ion!&

Ho( are oin to *no$ $onder)(# peop#e %' %other pro%i!ed to %e&


31/222

/ !hoo* the head thin*in abo(t Co(rtne'& Fard#' the' had !pent ho(r! and !he

$a! a#read' one o) the peop#e #e!! $onder)(# than it had *no$n in a## %' #i)e&

Fo$ 'o( *no$ it:

/ *no$ /t&

Fo$: No$ 'o( !ee the )(t(re: / %ade )(n o)&

A))e"tion. %e 'o( had not !aid it& And $hat other thin! predi"t! the )ort(ne

te##er: %' )ather a!*ed. ri!in to "hane the di!"& The %an "ontin(ed "on!er,in

hi! ,in'# "o##e"tion& / $o(#d #i*e to hear it&

M' %other )o##o$ed the a%e to hi% and !he too* the )iner! to !iene! #i*e a

'p!' predi"tin the )(t(re&

/ be#ie,e that ian"a $i## *no$- bo'!&

The )a"e o) K("a! appeared in %' %ind and the p(#!e $a! a""e#erated to %e& M'parent! inter"haned a #an"e& /! that %' beat! $ere heard )ro% the other end o) the

roo%: Berhap! he $a! that&

e"a(!e / hope that the' are hand!o%e / o*ed&

e"a(!e / hope that not too %("h %' )ather !aid. and a## $e #a' do$n to #a(h+

%' parent! $ith de!ire. / tr'in to hide %aripo!i##a! that the' re,o#oteaban in %'

!to%a"h&

/t )e#t !trane not to !pea* to %e to the% o) K("a!& /t a#$a'! to#d e,er'thin the%

$hat happened in %' #i)e& Ne,erthe#e!!. K("a! $a! di))erent and to !pea* o) hi%$o(#d be bro*en the !pe##& /t $anted that K("a! "ontin(ed bein at the %o%ent a

!e"ret. th(! "o(#d *eep it to %e )or !in#e %e&

Fe $anted that K("a! be#oned to %e !in#e to %e&


32/222

Chapter 3Chapter 3

or the (ni)or% ha! done 'o( to !ie. tr(th: Batri"e "o%%ented.

!%oothin it!e#) the !*irt $hi#e $e prepared o(r!e#,e! )or the )ir!t da' o)

"#a!!&

Fo$ had not i,en a""o(nt %e be)ore: The #eiti%ate !t(dent! o)

Midniht had !ent their (ni)or%! to a tai#or !o that !he p(t to the% to the!hirt! thi! $a' or the !*irt! o,er there and to obtain that the' $ere e#eant and

)a,ore"edore! in ti%e o) ra%p#one! and a!e


33/222

a#tho(h did not ha,e an'thin better either than to do- (nti# / !a$ K("a!& The

#iht that $a! !trained thro(h )ro!ted "r'!ta# o) the "orridor! bathed o) brone it!

o#den bro$n hair& To the prin"ip#e / tho(ht that it had !een (!. b(t "ontin(ed

$a#*in $itho(t ettin o(t o) !tep&

/ o(t#ined a !%i#e&

e !ee o(r!e#,e! !oon. i! $orth: / !aid to hi% to Batri"e. %o,in a$a' to %e o)

her& Batri"e !hran* o) !ho(#der! $hi#e !he #oo*ed )or other )riend! $ith tho!e $ho to

ta*e a $a#*& K("a! / "a##ed it&

Nor at #ea!t it !ee%ed o@r%e& /t did not $ant to p(t to %e to !ho(t. !o / tihtened

the !tep to i,e rea"h hi%& /t $ent in oppo!ite dire"tion o) %ine o) the !iht it

$o(#d not be in )a,or in the "#a!! o) %' %other. b(t it $a! arraned to r(n the ri!*

o) arri,in behind !"hed(#e&

K("a! / in!i!ted. thi! ti%e (pper&

Dne be"a%e eno(h to !ee $ho "a##ed it and !oon it $at"hed hi! aro(nd. a! i) it

$orried to hi% that !o%ebod' heard to (!&

Eh. ho$ i! e,er'thin:

here $a! %' prote"tor o) the )ore!t: The bo' $ho% he had ahead not to#erated

a! i) he $orried abo(t %e. b(t a! i) he did not *no$ %e& A#tho(h in )a"t it did not

*no$ %e. tr(th: e had !po*en a !in#e ti%e and in the )ore!t. $hen it had tried to

!a,e the #i)e to %e and / had than*ed )or it %a*in hi% !h(t (p& in#e be"a(!e /

tho(ht that that $a! the beinnin o) !o%ethin did not %ean that o(t!ide&

D) )a"t. it a,e the i%pre!!ion that it did not *no$ %e ab!o#(te#' an'thin& K("a!

ret(rned the head a !e"ond. )#eetin#' reeted $ith the hand and a head e!t(re to

%e . #i*e $hen !o%ebod' reet! to a $e##*no$n an'one. and "ontin(ed $a#*in

(nti# !he di!appeared bet$een the %(#tit(de&

There it $a!. )ini!hed i,in p(%p*in! to %e& / $ondered %'!e#) ho$ it $a!

po!!ib#e that it (nder!tood the bo'! !ti## #e!! than $hat be#ie,ed&

The $a!hba!in o) the ir#! o) that p#ant $a! "#o!e. !o / !trained %'!e#) in one o)

the "o%part%ent! and / re"o,ered a! / "o(#d in!tead o) thro$in to %e to "r'& hathad done bad#': /n !pite o) !trane it that had been o(r )ir!t en"o(nter. K("a! and /

had ended (p %aintainin a "on,er!ation a! inti%ate a! tho!e that !he had $ith %'

better )riend!& Berhap! it did not *no$ %("h o) bo'!. b(t it $a! "on,in"ed that $e

had "onne"ted& /t had %i!ta*en to %e& /t ret(rned to be !in#e in Midniht and it )e#t

%("h to %e $or!e than be)ore&

hen )ina##' / had "a#%ed. / #e)t r(nnin to$ard! the "#a!! o) %' %other. to

$ho% near#' / arri,e behind !"hed(#e& /t th(ndered aain!t to %e $ith the #an"e

and / !hran* o) !ho(#der! and / ot #a' %'!e#) in one o) the $ritin de!*! o) the #a!t

ro$& Then it happened o) i%%ediate o) the $a' %other to the $a' pro)e!!or&


34/222

e !ee. $ho $o(#d *no$ to !a' !o%ethin to %e on the $ar o) /ndependen"e:

/t oined the hand! and it $at"hed e


35/222

na%e!. the date! and the p#a"e!& / a% "on,in"ed that %an' o) 'o( a#read' 'o( 'o(

*no$ the%& Ne,erthe#e!!. 'o( %(!t #earn to di!tin(i!h the di))erent interpretation!

that ha,e o""(rred to the hi!tori"a# e,ent! a#on o) the "ent(rie!& That i! the on#'

$a' to ha,e a per!pe"ti,e that re!i!t! the pa!!ae o) ti%e. and i! in that in $hi"h thi!

'ear $e $i## "enter reat part o) o(r e))ort!&Beop#e in"#ined to$ard! ahead. opened her boo*! and $at"hed %' "o%p#ete#'

)a!"inated %other& Then. / in"#(ded(nder!tood that %ore it $a! $orth to %e to p(t

to %e to ta*e note!. #i*e a## the other!& /t "an $hi"h it #o,ed %e %ore than to. b(t

$o(#d not do(bt in !ear"hin to %e )ir!t i) it had to do it&

The ho(r happened )#'in& The !t(dent! did not #et %a*e hi% (e!tion! to p(t it

to te!t and the an!$er! "on,in"ed to the%& hi#e the' too* note!. their pen! %o,ed

at a !peed that ne,er had be#ie,ed po!!ib#e and. in %ore than an o""a!ion. / )e#t that

in"#ine entered to %e the )iner!& Unti# that %o%ent it had not )a##en in the

"o%petiti,e thin that $a! oin to be %' "o%panion!& No. it i! not ab!o#(te#'

"ertain. it $a! e,ident that the' $ere "o%petiti,e a! )ar a! the #o,in "#othe!.

po!!e!!ion! and preten!ion!& That ,ora"it' h(n in the air that !(rro(nded the%& /n

$hi"h it had not )a##en $a! that a#!o the' $ere oin to be it in "#a!!& /t a,e e(a# o)

that one treated. in Midniht e,er'bod' $anted to be the be!t one in e,er'thin&

/n ai%. a #itt#e pre!!(re donOt %ention it-

Ho(r %other i! )anta!ti" Batri"e. %o,ed. in the "orridor. a)ter "#a!! !aid to %e& /t

ha! a #oba# ,i!ion. 'o( *no$ $hat / ta#* abo(t: That he i! not nothin narro$ o)

!iht!& The tr(th. i! ,er' #itt#e peop#e th(!&

. He! ood- / hope to !ee% %e to her& o%eda'&

At that Co(rtne' %o%ent it do(b#ed the "orner& /t too* the athered b#ond hair in

a ,er' ten!e "o#eta that %ade hi% bend the e'ebro$! $ith a !ti## %ore di!dain)(# air&

Batri"e p(t it!e#) ten!e& ' the !iht. to a""ept %e to it! !ide did not i%p#' to ha,e to

de)end to %e in )ront o) Co(rtne'. !o / prepared %'!e#) to re"ei,e it! arroant

"o%%entar' o) t(rn& Ne,erthe#e!!. it "o(#d !a' that it !%i#ed to %e. a#tho(h $a!

e,ident that Co(rtne' tho(ht that it $a! bein %("h %ore *ind o) $hi"h it

de!er,ed to %e&

Thi! )inde. "e#ebration it !aid& at(rda'& Ne


36/222

The do(bt that a!!a(#ted on the dan"e! to %e had pre,ented %e to re!pond to

Co(rtne'. $ho did not "#ear e'e to %e. "#ear#' anno'in b' not ha,in to %e

e


37/222

/t "o!t to %e to a""(!to% %e to other pro)e!!or! and %i!!ed the (n%anner#ine!!

and the pro


38/222

he $a! !(re that i) had *no$n Ra(e# in an' other !ite. $e $o(#d ha,e

di!"o,ered that $e had %("h in "o%%on& Ne,erthe#e!!. $ith bad#' $hi"h it )e#t %e

b' her. it do(bted that it o to %a*e no ood %e be %ore $ith !o%ebod' depre!!ed

than /&

A#tho(h a#!o it $a! "on,in"ed that / $o(#d not be nor !(n* ha#) o) o) $hi"h $a!i) it had been ab#e to in"#(de(nder!tand $hat had happened bet$een K("a! and /&

e $ent toether to the "#a!! o) Che%i!tr' o) pro)e!!or /$erebon. b(t $e !eated

one in ea"h end o) the "#a!!roo%& hen it $a! not "on"entrated tr'in to de"ipher

the "#o!ed Nierian a""ent o) the pro)e!!or. it dedi"ated to !end to %e to hi%

%iradita! di!(i!ed& D(r e'e! ne,er $ere neither be)ore nor a)ter "#a!!. and it ne,er

$ent to %e& trane!t o) e,er'thin it $a! that K("a! did not ha,e an' prob#e% in

!pea*in $ith an'bod'& And a hair at the ti%e o) !toppin the )eet to hi% $a! not

"(t on that p(t a##ito. pedanti" or at an' ti%e "r(de. i! to !a'. pra"ti"a##' a## tho!e

that )itted in the protot'pe Midniht&

' e


39/222

Eri"h hated K("a!& Co(rtne' hated K("a!& Batri"e hated K("a!& Rea!on $h' /

*ne$. pra"ti"a##' e,er'bod' in the A"ade%' Midniht hated to K("a! e


40/222

To )ir!t ?i!ta. the' $ere not di))erent )ro% an' other ro(p o) ado#e!"ent! $ho

had #e)t to a%(!e it!e#). b(t !o%ethin ,ibrated in the air that $or!ened %' !en!e!.

!o%ethin that added to ten!ion to it! %o,e%ent! and "r(e#t' to %o!t o) the !%i#e!&

Then. / re%e%bered $hat it had tho(ht $hen *no$in K("a! in the )ore!t d(rin

o(r )ir!t and )riht)(# en"o(nter+ $hen $at"hin at "ertain peop#e. !o%eti%e!!o%ethin $i#d (nder the !(r)a"e i! per"ei,ed& That then !a%e one $a! $hat )e#t

there&

o%ebod' had p(t %(!i" in it! radi(!. !%ooth hipnotiante and& /t did not *no$

the !iner and the' did not !in in En#i!h& Batri"e did not ta*e in di!appearin

bet$een hi! "ir"#e o) )riend!hip!. !o / re%ained p#anted and !in#e there. $itho(t

*no$in ho$ $hat to do $ith the hand!&

Me / p(t the% in the po"*et!: No. th(! / $i## ha,e dot o) !t(pid idiot& Bono the

ar%! in ar!: Co%e a#read'. a! i) it $a! otten (p!et or !o%ethin th(!: No ond. to

e,en thin* abo(t thi! i! patheti"&

Eh. he##o a#thaar !a#(ted to %e&

Dne had approa"hed to %e b' the ba"*. )or that rea!on it had not !een it "o%e& /t

$ore a b#a"* a"*et o) be)ore and a bott#e in the hand& The bon)ire bathed the )a"e to

hi% $ith a $ar% #iht& /t had the "(r#ed hair. a !(are a$ and hea,' e'ebro$!& /t

!ee%ed a hard t'pe. a *i##er. !o%ebod' %ore )a%i#iaried $ith the )i!t! that $ith the

$ord!& Ne,erthe#e!!. it! #an"e %ade a""e!!ib#e and e,en attra"ti,e. be"a(!e in it!

e'e! the ta#ent $a! a#!o (e!!ed to inte##ien"e and & /n addition. it! !%i#e #a"*ed

"r(e#t'&

L(iere! a beer: ti## the' are&

No. th(! it i! $e##& To $eihin o) the dar* that $a!. !(re#' that o""(rred to

a""o(nt o) that %e !onroaba& / do not ha,e the ae&

That did not ha,e the ae: A! i) there it o to %atter to hi% to !o%ebod'& /t %(!t

to %e ha,e h(n to the ne"* a po!ter that rarita !aid. to !a,e $or* to the%&

a#thaar !%i#ed. b(t it did not !ee% to be in re)#< %n it!e#) o) %e&

e)ore. the "hi#dren (!ed to drin* $ine $ith their parent! d(rin the %ea#!& Andthe do"tor! re"o%%ended the $o%en $ho!e "hi#dren did not !("* the !())i"ient

thin that the' a,e a #itt#e the% beer #i*e additiona# )eedin&

That $a! be)ore&

Ho( are riht& /t did not in!i!t and / rea#ied o) $hi"h he $a! not nothin

dr(n*& / bean to re#a


41/222

Ho( / noti"e it. / o behind !o%ethin& a#thaar had to !ee the )a"e that / p(t

be"a(!e it #a' do$n to #a(h. a !erio(! ())a$ and e!tent=rea& Ho(r %other !aid

that a#read' !he had i,en "#a!!e! 'o( be)ore. )or that rea!on $anted that 'o( a,e a

)e$ ad,i"e %e. to *no$ o) $hat "oea )oot& / %(!t )ind o(t the !e"ret! o) %'

pro)e!!or&/ de"ided that to %' %other it $o(#d not %atter to hi% that one "o(nted the%&

Then he $o(#d not be bad that 'o( paid attention $hen it i! ba#an"ed on the

)eet&

hen it i! ba#an"ed:

He!. that (!(a##' %ean! that it i! %o,ed. that i! !o%ethin intere!t! %("h to hi%&

And i) to her it intere!t! to hi%. it thin*! that a#!o it $o(#d ha,e intere!arte 'o(&

The one that %ean! that it $i## #ea,e in the e


42/222

Co(rtne' !#id to the hand! $ith !%oothne!! on the a"*et o) a#thaar. o(t#inin

it! po$er)(# ph'!i"i!t $ith the %o,e%ent o) the )iner!& / en,ied it& Not b' it! !tar

a!pe"t. nor b' it! "ontinenta# trip!. b(t b' their i%p(den"e& /) in the )ore!t it had

been !ent ha#) o) $ith K("a!. i) it had to("hed it or (!ed the "o%%entar' on the ir#

ood to tontear $ith hi%. perhap! $o(#d not beha,e a! i) $e $ere t$o !traner!&The ,oi"e o) Co(rtne' bro*e thro(h bet$een %' )anta!ie!&

Ho( are not doin an'thin. no. a#thaar:

/ a% !pea*in $ith ian"a&

Co(rtne' be"a%e to $at"h to %e& The #on b#ond hair. that #oo!e arri,ed to hi% at

the $ai!t. $a,ed $hen tippin the head&

o%e$hat intere!tin Tiene! that to !hare. ian"a:

/- hat a!!(%ed that it had to !a': A#tho(h an' thin $o(#d ha,e been

better than $hat / !aid+ Then no&

Then it $i## not %atter to 'o( that %e it ta*e! it a$hi#e. tr(th:

/t bean to thro$ o) hi% $itho(t $aitin )or an an!$er& a#thaar $at"hed to %e

$ith intention and / in"#(ded(nder!tood that i) / !aid !o%ethin. a#tho(h o(t!ide

a !in#e $ord. he $o(#d !top& Ne,erthe#e!!. / re%ained p#anted there a! pa!%arote

!eein ho$ the' $ent a$a'&

A pair o) peop#e dro$ned a i#e& / $at"hed a !ide and / !a$ Eri"h. and in !pite

o) the ,a"i##atin !hade! that the #iht o) the bon)ire proe"ted. it $o(#d p(t the hand

in the )ire that $a! indi"atin to %e&

Me a!ide )ro% there $ith the intention to di!appear o) the %ap (nti# )indin

Batri"e or to $ho% it "o(#d "on!ider %ini%(%#' $ar%& Ne,erthe#e!!. ea"h !tep that

%o,ed a$a' to %e o) other %ade %e )ee# better and. be)ore i,in a""o(nt %e.

a#read' it had one to %e o) the "e#ebration&

/) it had not e!"ab(##ido %e a)ter the to("h o) i!. it $o(#d ha,e r(n (nti# the door

and it $o(#d ha,e rai!ed the dor%itor'. b(t / !topped in ti%e $hen re%e%berin

that at tho!e %o%ent! it $a! o(t!ide the #a$& o / $ent to the "enador. to the $e!t o)

#and! o) the boardin !"hoo#. to tran(i#ie to %e and to p#an the entran"e&

/t $a! rai!in the !tep! $hen / !a$ to !o%ebod'. a#tho(h at the o(t!et / did not

re"onie $ho $a!& /t $a! the one $ho $a!. had bino"(#ar! p#a"ed in )ront o) the

)a"e& / identi)ied it $hen the %oon i##(%inated it! "obrio hair&

K("a!:

Eh. he##o. ian"a& ti## it too* !e"ond! in !eparatin to the bino"(#ar! and

!onre@r%e& Brett' niht )or a "e#ebration&

/ re%ained $at"hin the pri!%! bino"(#ar&

hat 'o( do:


43/222

Ho( $hat 'o( "reate: / a% !p'in on to tho!e o) the "e#ebration %e e!pet=

a#%o!t $ith the !a%e abr(ptne!! that in the "orridor. (nti# !he $at"hed %e at the

)a"e& / had to !ee% to hi% ,er' de!o#ate. be"a(!e it a!*ed to %e $ith reater

!%oothne!!+ Ho( are $e##:

He!. it doe! not pa!! an'thin& / a% a bread in ra,'. b(t / a% $e##&

K("a! #a' do$n to #a(h&

/ ha,e a#read' !een that 'o( ha,e needed ti%e )or irte& Fa! bothered Ho(

!o%ebod':

No. the tr(th i! that no. b(t it i! that $a! a #itt#e- o,er$he#%ed& Ho( a#read'

*no$ $hat it happen! to %e $ith the !traner!&

e"a(!e 'o( ha,e done $e##. 'o( do not beat $ith the%&

Ho( do not !a' to %e& / re%ained $at"hin the pri!%! bino"(#ar& in#e!o%ebod' $ith e


44/222

/ id not $ant to ha,e #e)t to !ee ho$ 'o( )e## in the "#a$! o) that peop#e. a a!

!$eet ir# a! 'o(& Main#' $itho(t bein ab#e to do nothin on the %atter& /t

!(rpri!ed the )ee#in to Me $here(pon it !aid it& ti## the' !eparated a )e$ %eter! to

(!. b(t ne,er it had had the !en!ation to be !o near !o%ebod'& hen / !a$ 'o( #ea,e

r(nnin. / in"#(ded(nder!tood that e,er'thin $a! not #o!t& CrIe%e. / a% not %e%ber o) that ro(p / in!i!ted& / be#ie,e that the' in,ited

%e to the !in#e "e#ebration to re)#< %n it!e#) o) %e& / ha,e one !o#e#' be"a(!e.

ood. be"a(!e / !a' that behind !"hed(#e or ear#' / $i## ha,e to *no$ peop#e& Ho(

$ere the on#' )riend $ho had and tho(ht that he had to 'o( #o!t&

K("a! (nited the hand! aro(nd one o) the adorn%ent! in )or% o) !"ro##! o) the

"enador and / did the !a%e. !o that $e $ere #e)t the one ne


45/222

needed to et to !hare that "o%p#i"it'& Ne,erthe#e!!. a#read' it happened to %e $ith

K("a!&

/ re%e%bered the i%p(den"e o) Co(rtne' and / de"ided that / a#!o "o(#d be. #i*e

%ini%(%. !ent ha#) o) that !he& A#tho(h ne,er one had o""(rred %e $e## to

e!tab#i!h "on,er!ation. / tried it+

Ho( ta*e $e## $ith 'o(r "o%panion o) roo%:

ith ?i": K("a! o(t#ined a !#iht !%i#e& Fe i! not bad. #i*e roo% "o%panion at

#ea!t& A #itt#e (n"on!"io(!& A "#o$n& (t he i! a #ea# (n"#e&

The $ord "#o$n %ade %e thin* that it *ne$ to $ho% it ta#*ed abo(t&

?i" are the bo' $ho ta*e! ha$aiana! !hirt!. tr(th:

That !a%e one&

e ha,e not !po*en. b(t it !ee%! #i*eab#e&

/t i! /t& E(a# $e "o(#d #ea,e a da' a## toether one!&

The heart a,e an (p!et %e&

Fe $o(#d not be bad. b(t- /t $o(#d pre)er to !pend %ore ti%e $ith 'o( / !ent

%'!e#)&

D(r #an"e! $ere and / had the !en!ation o) $hi"h $e had "ro!!ed !o%e t'pe o)

#ine& That $a! ood or $a! bad:

e "o(#d- (t- o that K("a! ,a"i##ated: ian"a. / hope that $e are )riend!&/ #i*e. b(t it i! not ood idea that 'o( pa!! too %("h ti%e $ith %e& Ho( ha,e a#read'

!een that / a% not indeed the %o!t pop(#ar bo' o) the "a%p(!& / a% not here )or

%a*in )riend!&

And 'o( are )or %a*in ene%': ' ho$ 'o( )iht Eri"h and. !o%eti%e! it

!ee%! it&

Bre)erir@a! that o(t!ide )riend o) Eri"h:

Eri"h $a! a !t(pid idiot one o) reater %ar* and both $e *ne$ it&

No. "#ear that no& in#e it i! that !o%eti%e! it !ee%! that. / do not *no$. that'o( are #oo*in )or )iht& That i! to !a'. rea##' 'o( hate !o %("h: /t i! not that to %e /

#i*e. b(t i! that to 'o(- /t i! a! i) not e,en 'o( "o(#d !(pport to breathe he hi%!e#)

air&

/ tr(!t %' in!tin"t&

/t $a! not oin to di!"(!! it to it&

Fe i! better not to ha,e the% aain!t i) 'o( "an a,oid it&

ian"a. i) 'o( and /- /) $e-


46/222

/) $e $hat: / i%ained tho(!and! o) an!$er! to that (e!tion and / #i*ed a##

a#%o!t& D(r #an"e! $ere inter#a"ed $ith a! %("h )or"e that !ee%ed i%po!!ib#e to

i,e o)) the%& /) the pa!!ion o) K("a! $ere !$eepin e,en $hen it did not o

dire"ted to$ard! %e. $hen / $a! hi! obe"ti,e #i*e at tho!e %o%ent!. $hi#e !he

!t(died (nti# the #a!t "enti%eter o) %' )a"e. he)tin hi! $ord! be)ore to prono(n"ethe% in hih ,oi"e "(t the breathin to %e&

/t "o(#d not !(pport that the' %ade the i%po!!ib#e #i)e b' %' )a(#t $a! ab#e to

!a' to the ai% K("a!& And the' $o(#d ha,e ended (p doin it&

a! prote"tin to %e: Jro% not to ha,e been a !o,erein !t(pidit'. it $o(#d ha,e

been enterne"edor&

abe!: / do not be#ie,e that it ha! no !o"ia# "redibi#it' that 'o( "an r(in&

Ho( are not !o !a)e&

Ho( are not !o to(do&

e re%ained %o%ent! in !i#en"e& The #iht o) the %oon $a! !trained bet$een the

#ea,e! o) the enredadera& K("a! $a! the eno(h )en"e to be ab#e to re"onie hi!

)raran"e. !o%ethin that re%e%bered to "edar and pine to %e. #i*e the )ore!t that

!(rro(nded to (!. a! i) o) !o%e $a' he "o%pri!ed o) that dar* p#a"e&

/ ha,e entan#ed /t e,er'thin. tr(th: K("a! !ee%ed e%barra!!ed a#%o!t !o a!

/& / a% not "(!to%ar'&

To !pea* $ith ir#!: / a!*ed. ar"hin an e'ebro$&

ith the a!pe"t that had K("a!. it "o!t %("h to be#ie,e to %e to hi%& Ne,erthe#e!!.

do(bt o) it! !in"erit' did not )it $hen it areed $ith the head& The brihtne!! and

na(htine!! had di!appeared o) it! #an"e&

/ ha,e !pent %an' 'ear! oin o) here )or there. tra,e#in )ro% a p#a"e to

another one& hene,er it too* a))e"tion to hi% !o%ebod'. it di!appeared !(dden#'

o) %' !ide& / be#ie,e that / ha,e #earned to %aintain the di!tan"e! $ith peop#e&

Ho( %ade Me )ee# #i*e a !t(pid idiot one b' to ha,e tr(!ted 'o(&

Ho( do not )ee# th(!& The prob#e% i! %ine and it $o(#d a#!o not !(pport thato(t!ide 'o(r!&

/t had a#$a'! tho(ht that the )a"t to ha,e pa!!ed a## %' #i)e in a p(eb#e"ito had

"ontrib(ted to not *no$in ho$ ho$ to to#erate to %e in )ront o) !traner!&

Ne,erthe#e!!. a)ter hearin K("a! / in"#(ded(nder!tood that a tra,e#in e


47/222

/ hideit did not rep#a"e K("a! to %e. b(t i%%ediate#' it re%ained in !i#en"e.

%editatin& Good. e


48/222

Chapter 4Chapter 4

/ be(eathed to %' (arter (!t in ti%e to p(t to %e (nder !heet! be)ore

Batri"e a""o%panied b' Mr!& ethan' entered& The )i(re o) the dire"tor

!tood o(t aain!t the $ea* #iht o) the "orridor. rea!on $h' !in#e / "o(#d

di!tin(i!h it! !i#ho(ette&

A#read' 'o( *no$ the nor%!. Batri"e it !aid in ,oi"e #o$. a#tho(hdo(bt#e!!#' !erio(!& To !a' that it inti%idated $o(#d be to re%ain !hort. and that

that not e,en $a! / to $ho% it repri%anded& Ho( %(!t in"#(de(nder!tand that the

nor%! are )or obe'in the%& e "annot in the heat o) $a#* r(nnin b' the )ie#d

niht& hat $o(#d !a' peop#e: The !t(dent! $o(#d de!%adrar@an the%!e#,e! and

"o(#d happen a traed'& /! "#ear:

Batri"e areed and the door $a! "#o!ed o) b#o$& / !traihtened %'!e#)&

Fa! one ,er' bad#': / a!*ed to hi% in a $hi!per&

No. !in#e a #itt#e r(= Batri"e $hi#e he bean to (ndre!!& e had been one$ee* "hanin to (! in the !a%e roo%. b(t %e it "ontin(ed i,in !ha%e %e& To her

no& /n )a"t. not e,en it #et $at"h to %e $hi#e the !hirt too* o)) pre"ipitada%ente& (t

!ti## 'o( o dre!!ed

Ah. 'e!&

/t tho(ht that 'o( had one a$a' o) the "e#ebration&

/ did /t. b(t- / "o(#d not enter the !"hoo#& The' $ere o) patro#& oon the'

rea#ied $here 'o( $ere and the' #e)t tootin& / ha,e arri,ed three %in(te! be)ore

'o(&Batri"e !hran* o) !ho(#der! $hen "ro("hin it!e#) to ather the paa%a!& / did

$hat / "o(#d to "hane $itho(t ret(rnin to %e& The "on,er!ation had been )ini!hed

and / had #ain !(""e!!)(##' to %' roo%%ate )or the )ir!t ti%e&

("h ti%e %(!t to hi% ha,e e


49/222

hi#e it ret(rned to p(t %e (nder !heet!. / re"a##ed to %ind and / de"ided that

perhap! it $a! thro$in the be##! to the )#iht& The tho(ht! a"ted ha!ti#' in %' head

and the' pre,ented %e to !#eep& / !%i#ed to hi% to the pi##o$&

Fe i! %ine&

/ ha,e heard that #a!t niht $a! a "e#ebration %' )ather !aid. #ea,in in )ront o)

%e a ha%b(rer and "hip!; $e $ere !eated to the tab#e o) %' )a%i#'&

F(%- / an!$ered $ith the )(## potato %o(th& / )ini!hed !$a##o$in and

%a!"(##I+ That i! to !a'. that ha! !aid to %e&

M' parent! inter"haned a #an"e and / had the i%pre!!ion that he e,en did ra"e

to the%& hat #ihtenin&

/t $o(#d be )ir!t o) the %an' $ee*#' !(pper! o) (nda'!& A## a#on $hi"h it "o(#d

happen $ith %' )a%i#' in the #odin! o) the tea"hin !ta)) in!tead o) !(rro(nded

b' !t(dent! o) Midniht. )or %e it $a! in,erted a))#(ent ti%e& A#tho(h the' tried to

a"t o) the po!!ib#e %o!t in)or%a# $a'. $a! ea!' to (e!! that %' parent! had %i!!ed

to %e a! %("h a! / to the%& (*e E##inton !o(nded in the %(!i" e(ip%ent and. in

!pite o) the paterna# interroation. the $or#d ret(rned to re"o,er it! order&

Not 'o( de!%adra!tei! %("h. tr(th: ' the !iht %' %other had de"ided to

inore the )a"t that / had denied %' attendan"e to thi! "e#ebration& in#e there $a!

beer and %(!i". rea!on $h' the' ha,e !aid to %e&

/ do not *no$ an'thin o) the !(be"t / an!$ered. $itho(t den'in it& That i! to

!a'. !in#e / $a! abo(t )i)teen %in(te! in the "e#ebration&

/t i,e! (!t a! !in#e one $a! beer! the head !aid to %' )ather !ha*in. in the

dire"tion o) %' %other& The nor%! are )or )(#)i##in the%. Ce#ia& A thin i! the #and

o) the !"hoo#. b(t and i) the $ee* that "o%e! i,e! the% to o to the "it': ian"a

doe! not $orr' to %e. b(t !o%e o) the other!-

/ a% not aain!t the nor%!. b(t it i! nor%a# that the !t(dent! o) reater ae rebe#

the%!e#,e! )ro% ti%e to ti%e aain!t the%& Another de!#i $itho(t i%portan"e i!

better to ha,e !o%e )ro% ti%e to ti%e that in"ident %ore !erio(!& M' %other

be"a%e to$ard! %e& hi"h i! 'o(r !(bet pre)erred (nti# no$: Ho(r!. $hi"h i! oin to be: / re!ponded. and / $at"hed it #i*e %eanin i)

rea##' it tho(ht that it $a! oin to be a! idiot a! to re!pond another thin& Dne #a'

do$n to #a(h&

/n addition to %ine& M' %other re!ted the "hin in the hand. !*ippin to the

b(##)ither the nor% o) not p(ttin the e#bo$! on the tab#e& Berhap! En#i!h: Ho(

ha,e a#$a'! #i*ed %("h&

Not $ith Mr!& ethan'&

The "o%%entar' did not $in an' a))e"tion to %e&


50/222

e"a(!e he ta*e! "are o) $hi"h he !a'! to 'o( %' )ather $ith !e,erit' !aid& /t #e)t

the #a!!e! on the tab#e o) oa* $ith abr(ptne!!. th(%p& Thin* o) it ,er' !erio(!#'&

/diot $hat had been. b(t !he $a! it! )e%a#e #eader& hat $o(#d happen i) the

,oi"e ran o) $hi"h her da(hter $ent that $a' !pea*in bad#' o) the dire"tor:Berhap! it $o(#d ha,e to #et thin* !in#e abo(t %e to ,ar'&

/ $i## %a*e an e))ort / pro%i!ed to hi%&

/ *no$ that 'o( $i## do it&

M' %other "o,ered %' hand $ith her!&

Monda' / entered the "#a!! o) En#i!h de"ided to %a*e b#ot"h and "o(nt! ne$& /t

did #itt#e that $e had be(n to !pea* o) %'tho#o' and )o#"#ore in Kiterat(re. t$o

!(be"t! that a#$a'! / had #i*ed& /) there $ere !o%e area in $hi"h to be ab#e to

de%on!trate %' aptit(de! to Mr!& ethan'. $a! indeed that&

A#tho(h it $a! !een that it $a! not oin to be ab#e to de%on!trate nothin to

hi%&

/ !(ppo!e that re#ati,e#' )e$ o) 'o( 'o( $i## ha,e read o(r )o##o$in boo* o)

!t(d' it !aid. a! it $a! di!trib(tin b' the "#a!! a boo* batter' o) !o)t "o,er& Mr!&

ethan' a#$a'! !%e##ed o) #a,ender& Je%inine. b(t ,er' penetratin& Ne,erthe#e!!. /

i%aine that pra"ti"a##' a## $i## ha,e heard !pea* o) hi%&

The boo*! arri,ed (nti# %' $ritinde!* and / too* a (nit o) r"(#a. o) ra%

to*er&

?a%pire!: / heard that Ra(e# %(r%(red in the ro$ o) oppo!ite&

Nothin to prono(n"e tho!e $ord! %ore. the air !ee%ed to #oad it!e#) o)

e#e"tri"it'&

/! there !o%e prob#e% $ith the boo*. 'o(n #ad' ?ara!: Mr!& ethan' !pat at

hi%. nai#in it! $at"hed bri##iant o) bird rapa in Ra(e#. $ho a,e the i%pre!!ion

o) to ha,e pre)erred to bite the #an(ae be)ore openin the %o(th& a##! $ere

#ea,in hi% to the on#' er!e' the !"hoo# that it had. to that a#!o $ere bein !pent

hi% the e#bo$!&

No. #ad'&

Then it doe! not !ee% it& B#ea!e. 'o(n #ad' Ra(e#. i#(%@neno!& Mr!& ethan'

"ro!!ed it!e#) o) ar%!. en"hanted $ith the $a' to #ead the !it(ation& /t had !trane#'

)(rro$ed hea,' nai#! and& /) !he )ind! that the "andina,ian !aa! on iant %on!ter!

are de!er,in o) their attention. !o that not the% no,e#! on ,a%pire!:

Ra(e# $a! #o!t re!ponded $hat re!ponded& he $o(#d tr' to an!$er and the

pro)e!!or $o(#d r(in her ar(%ent. $hate,er o(t!ide. and th(! $e "o(#d thro$

a#%o!t a## the ho(r& That $a! the entertain%ent $a' that Mr!& ethan' had "ho!end(rin her "#a!!e!+ it "ho!e to !o%ebod' to that to tort(re. enera##' )or de#iht o)


51/222

the !t(dent! $ho!e po$er)(# )a%i#ie! )e#t an ob,io(! predi#e"tion& Mo!t !en!ib#e it

$o(#d ha,e been to *eep !i#en"e and to #ea,e to that da' Ra(e# $a! the head o)

T(r* o) Mr!& ethan'. b(t / "o(#d not re!i!t&

/ rai!ed the hand. ti%id#'& Mr!& ethan' a! !oon a! !he $at"hed to %e&

He!. 'o(n #ad' D#i,ier:

ith e,er'thin. r"(#a i! not a ,er' ood boo*. no: A## the' $at"hed

di!t(rbed to %e. !(rpri!ed o) $hi"h !o%ebod' in addition to Ra(e# $a! had bo#d

to "ontradi"t Mr!& ethan'& /t ha! a ,er' )#o$er' #an(ae and %an' #etter! $ithin

other #etter!&

/ a#read' !ee that !o%ebod' di!appro,e! the !t'#e to epi!to#ar that !o %an'

di!tin(i!hed a(thor! (!ed d(rin "ent(rie! >?/// and >/>& The repi(eteo o) the

hee#! o) the !hoe! o) Mr!& ethan' on the ti#ed ro(nd re!onated $ith e


52/222

the )i"tion that to one Mr!& ethan' o) %eat and bone& The ho!t! are e,en %ore

(ni,er!a# in )o#"#ore that the ,a%pire!& And Fenr' a%e! i! better $riter than ra%

to*er&

Ho(n #ad' D#i,ier. $hen 'o( are $ho 'o( prora% the "#a!!e!. "an bein b'

the ho!t!& The !harpened ,oi"e o) the pro)e!!or "o(#d ha,e "(t the "r'!ta#& / had torepre!! a tre%or $hen !eein to han it o,er %e %ore i%pert(rbab#e than a

aro'#e& Fere one $i## bein b' the ,a%pire!& e $i## #earn ho$ the' ha,e

per"ei,ed the% di))erent "(#t(re! thro(ho(t hi!tor'. )ro% re%ote ti%e! to toda'& /)

it )ind! it borin. it an@%e!e. $e $i## not ta*e %("h in arri,in at the ho!t!. $i##

ad,an"e eno(h e


53/222

Ja!t / $hi!pered to hi% to the ti%e that he e!"ab(##@a b' the "orridor that it

had #e)t "#o!e %ore&

A#tho(h the !(pport o) a#thaar had rai!ed the !pirit to %e. "ontin(ed )ee#in

to %e )ata# a)ter the "on)rontation $ith Mr!& ethan'. !o / de"ided to i,e to a "ortito

!tro## b' the arden! in !ear"h o) a #itt#e )re!h air and tran(i##it' be)ore eatin&Berhap! it "o(#d eno' %in(te! !o#o&

' %i!)ort(ne. / $a! not the (ni(e one to $hi"h hi% the !a%e idea had been

happened+ it $a! $ere !e,era# !t(dent! ta*in a $a#* $hi#e the' #i!tened to %(!i" or

the' "hatted& / repaired in a ro(p o) !eated ir#! to the !hade& ' the !iht no o)

the% ret(rned to it! dor%itor' to eat and. $hi#e it !a$ the% "("hi"hear bet$een the

!hade! proe"ted b' one o) the o#d e#% tree!. it $a! happened to %e that !(re#' the'

$o(#d be to diet. thin*in abo(t ai#e o) a(t(%n&

in#e there $a! a per!on $ent there $ho% de!ired to !ee to %e& / re%e%bered ito) the )ir!t da' and / re"onied it b' the de!"ription o) K("a!&

?i" / "a##ed it&

?i" it !%i#ed to %e&

Eh

An'one $o(#d !a' that Ira%o! o#d )riend! in!tead o) bein the )ir!t ti%e $ho $e

!po*e& /t! !%ooth hair o) o#den bro$n "o#or !ho$ed be#o$ the "ap o) the Bhi##ie!

and too* %p3 $ith a printed ho(!in o) "o#or !pira#! reen orane and&

Fe##o. 'o( ha,e !een K("a!: / a!*ed to hi%. $hen one approa"hed %e to trote

and one too* o)) the earpie"e!

That (n"#e i! (%bao& /n the $or#d o) ?i". to be in )a,or h(%%ed o) the !iht

he $a! )(#)i##in& /t $a! oin to pirar the% to it o) the roo% o) !t(d' $hen / o and

/ !a' to hi%+ D'e. $hat 'o( do& And it oe! and he !a'! to %e that i) hi% / "an

"o,er and that. no: Good. be"a(!e that did (nti# no$. b(t 'o( are not oin to

e


54/222

/ be#ie,e that / a% oin to o""(r a !tro## that $a' / !aid& in#e / a% oin to

$a#* a$hi#e. eh: / a% not oin to do nothin in indi,id(a#&

Top ?i" an!$ered. areein $ith the head a! i) / had !aid !o%ethin rea##'

inte##ient& Ho( ha,e pi##ado it&

hi#e it dire"ted to %e $ith a## par!i%on' to$ard! the arae. #i*e that doe! not

$ant the thin. it $a! thin*in abo(t that ?i" $ere not indeed a #iht. a#tho(h

!ee%ed a !%art bo'& At #ea!t he $a! not the t'pi"a# !t(dent o) Midniht& Nobod'

paid attention to %e $hen / %o,ed a$a' o) the other!; that $a! the ood thin )or

!ee%in in,i!ib#e. that 'o( "o(#d di!appear a! i) 'o( $ere it&

/n that part there $a! no )ore!t in $hi"h to be ab#e to !he#ter. !in#e the e


55/222

/ #oo!en a #ihtenin !ih and both $e #a' do$n to #a(h&

ond. i) 'o( are arraned to !a' it to %e. then "annot be !o bad&

M' %other doe! not #et !a' that !in#e !he $i## !in the a(thoriation !o that !he

"an o to Ri,erton at(rda'! i) "oat an e


56/222

/ "r(%p#ed (p %'!e#) bet$een the b#an*et!. b(t it did not !er,e donOt %ention it&

The a(t(%n a#read' had adorned "r'!ta#! $ith )ro!t& /t $o(#d not ha,e %ore

re%ed' than to #ater #o$er hea,' edred=n o) the !(perior !he#) o) %' "#o!et& A! o)

that %o%ent. it $a! oin to be %ore "o%p#i"ated not to die to %e o) "o#d&

The #iht "ontin(ed bein ten(o(! and da$n and / *ne$ that it did a$hi#e that ithad a%ane"ido& Re)(n)(ando. / !traihtened %'!e#) and / re!ined %'!e#) to be

$idea$a*e& /t "o(#d ha,e re%o,ed edred=n and to ha,e tried to !"rat"h a )e$ ho(r!

o) drea%. b(t it had to )ini!h i,in a #a!t re,ie$ hi% to the $or* on r"(#a or

)a"in to %e on"e aain the $rath o) Mr!& ethan'& o / p(t the dre!!in o$n and /

happened o) )ini!hin nai#! ne


57/222

had the no!e reddened o) a! %("h "r'in& / need that 'o( !a' to %e i) 'o( thin* that

/ a% ret(rnin to %e "ra'&

A (ite rare re(e!t indi))erent#' o) $ho% it did it. $hen. $here or ho$&

Cree! that the!e ,o#,iIndote "ra': / a!*ed to hi%. $ith "a(tion&

Berhap!:

To Ra(e# a di))i"(#t i#e e!"aped to hi% and that a,e "on)iden"e %e+ i) he

$ere ab#e to !ee an a%(!ed !ide hi%. then it $a! probab#e that it did not pa!!

an'thin to hi% b(rden!& / aro(nd thre$ a #an"e to %'. b(t the bath $a! e%pt'& To

tho!e ho(r!. $e "o(#d be !(re that $e $o(#d ha,e the $a!hba!in! )or !in#e (!

d(rin a ood !hort $hi#e&

Tiene! niht%are! or !o%ethin th(!:

?a%pire!. b#a"* #a'er!. e'eteeth and a## the )i!hin& /t pretended that it $a! edre)#< %n& Nobod' $o(#d !a' that to $hi"h no #oner oe! to par,(#ario the'

"o(#d "ontin(e i,in hi% to )ear the ,a%pire!. b(t in %' drea%!- ian"a. i!

horrib#e&

The niht pre,io(! to that the "#a!!e! bean / had a niht%are on a $ithered

)#o$er / !aid& /t $anted to di!tra"t it !o that it #et thin* abo(t it! niht%are! and /

tho(ht that perhap! it $o(#d he#p in !o%ethin to !hare %ine. a#tho(h it )e#t an

idiot one #itt#e to %e "o%%entin it in hih ,oi"e& /t $a! a or(@dea. or an iri! or

!o%ethin th(! that %ar"hitaba in the %idd#e o) a !tor%& /t a,e !o %("h repe#P!

%e. that / "o(#d not re%o,e it )ro% the head in a## the da'&

/ either "annot (itr%e#o! o) the head& Tho!e died hand!. "at"hin to %e-

in#e 'o( thin* abo(t tho!e thin! b' the $or* o) r"(#a / !aid& The $ee*

that "o%e! or $e $i## ha,e ended ra% to*er. or 'o( $i## !ee it&

/ a#read' *no$ it. / a% not idiot. b(t / $i## ha,e niht%are! $ith other thin!& /

ne,er )ee# !a)e& /t i! a! i) a#$a'! there $a! a per!on. a pre!en"e. !o%ebod'.

!o%ethin that b#o!!o%in on %e& o%ethin )riht)(#& Ra(e# in"#ined to$ard!

%e and !he $hi!pered to %e+ Ne,er 'o( ha,e had the !en!ation o) $hi"h in thi!

!"hoo# there i! !o%ethin- bad:

Co(rtne'. !o%eti%e! / an!$ered. tr'in to o*e&

/ do not ta#* abo(t that t'pe o) badne!!. b(t to rea##' the ,oi"e !hoo* to hi%&

Cree! in ad#':

Nobod' that (e!tion had ne,er done %e. b(t the an!$er *ne$&

He!&

/ heard that Ra(e# !$a##o$ed !a#i,a and $e re%ained $at"hin a #itt#e $hi#e

$itho(t *no$in ho$ $hat to !a' to (!& /t *ne$ that it had to "ontin(e ani%atin it.b(t the inten!it' o) it! )ear )or"ed to %e to pa' attention to hi%&


58/222

A#$a'! / ha,e the !en!ation Fere o) $hi"h the' ob!er,e to %e it "o%%ented&

To a## ho(r!& E,en $hen / a% !in#e& / *no$ that it !ee%! o) "ra' peop#e. b(t i!

tr(th& o%eti%e! / ha,e the !en!ation o) $hi"h the niht%are! "ontin(e a#tho(h

!he i! $idea$a*e& / a#read' hear thin! #ate at niht. !"rat"he! and b#o$! in the ti#e

roo)& hen / $at"h a)ter the $indo$. / !$ear to 'o( that !o%eti%e! / !ee a !hadeenterin it!e#) in the )ore!t& And the !(irre#!- Ho( ha,e !een the%. no: There are

dead !(irre#! thro(ho(t&

/ ha,e !een a pair&

("h ti%e $a! the a(t(%na# "o#d o) the ,enti#ated and o#d bath $hi"h "a(!ed that

it !hoo* to %e. b(t a#!o "o(#d ha,e been the )ear o) Ra(e#&

o%e ti%e 'o( ha,e )e#t !a)e here:

/ do not )ee# !a)e. b(t / do not be#ie,e that he i! nothin rare / an!$ered

bet$een !ta%%erin!& A#tho(h. !(re rare it %eant di))erent thin! !top!a""ordin to $ho%& /t i! thi! !"hoo#. thi! !ite& The !tone aro'#e!. b(i#din. the

"o#d- And the at%o!phere& A## that %a*e! %e )ee# o(t!ide p#a"e& in#e& And

!"ared&

Midniht ab!orb! the #i)e to 'o(& Ra(e# ed re)#< %n it!e#) $ea*#'& Ho( !ee

/t: To ab!orb the #i)e& Ki*e the ,a%pire!&

The one that 'o( need i! to re!t / !aid $ith )ir%ne!!. re%e%berin %e to %'

%other& o%ethin o) re!t and to "hane o) readin!&

The one to re!t doe! not !o(nd bad& Cree! that the n(r!e o) the !"hoo# $o(#di,e tab#et! %e to !#eep:

/ do not be#ie,e that here there i! in)ir%ar'& Ra(e# $rin*#ed the no!e.

oppo!ed& (t !(re#' 'o( $i## be ab#e to b(' the% in dr(!tore $hen $e o to

Ri,erton / !(e!ted&

/ !(ppo!e& /n an' "a!e it i! a ood idea& A pa(!e id and !oon it !%i#ed to %e.

$ith the tear)(# e'e!& Than*! to #i!ten to %e& / a#read' *no$ that it !ee%! o) "ra'

peop#e&

/ !hoo* the head&

/n ab!o#(te& A! a#read' there a% !a'in to 'o(. Midniht p(t! the end hair!&

r(!tore Ra(e# in #o$ ,oi"e !aid. atherin hi! thin! to ret(rn to hi!

dor%itor'& Tab#et! to !#eep& Th(! / $i## !#eep in !pite o) e,er'thin&

To $eihin o) $hat:

A#tho(h it "ontin(e! bein noi!e! in the ti#e roo)& he $a! ,er' !erio(!. had

adopted the e


59/222

Eno(h ti%e a)ter Ra(e# ret(rned to hi! bed. / )o##o$ed !in#e in the $a!hba!in.

!ha*in&


60/222

Chapter 5Chapter 5

or%a#%ente it $o(#d be i%po!!ib#e to ta*e o)) o) in )ront o) the %irror a

ir# $ho i! to prepare )or hi! )ir!t appoint%ent. b(t $hen the niht

arri,ed )ro% Jrida'. the one o) the e!"ape to Ri,erton. Batri"e !o $a!

o""(pied $at"hin it!e#) that )or the "a!e !he "o(#d to %e ha,e dre!!ed in

the dar*& /t $a! bein e


61/222

Nor $hi"h the' had to (! #o"*ed (p in a "ae. ian"a& /n addition. that hairdo

doe! not )a,or an'thin to 'o(&

/ !ihed&

Either / to it *no$ it. or !ee !=#ita&

/t hope!&

Batri"e p(t it!e#) behind %e. (ndid the (ne(a# braid! that had been ab#e to

entreteer $ith %an' e))ort! and pa!!ed the )iner! bet$een the t()t! o) hair& oon it

athered the hair to %e in a #oo!e and ,er' #o$ %on*e'. and a )e$ t()t! #oo!en and

the' )e## to %e on the )a"e& e#)a!!(red. b(t $ith !t'#e. a! a#$a'! it had $anted to

ta*e it& hen !eein the tran!)or%ation in the %irror. / tho(ht that a#%o!t it

!ee%ed that the' had )i


62/222

"o%panion; and !o%ethin had to e


63/222

?i" it areed ,er' !erio(! and / had to "o,er the %o(th to %e $ith the hand to

hide a !%i#e&

/t i! to !a'. that K("a! and / $a! not rea##' !in#e (nti# $e $ere not ta*in a $a#*

b' the %ain !treet o) Ri,erton. to a !in#e app#e o) the "ine%a& oth $e $ere #ad

%("h $hen $e !a$ $hat it had anno(n"ed in the %ar(ee&

SSuspicion it read& ire"ted b' A#)red Fit"h"o"*. a eni(!&

ith Car' Grant& hen K("a! $at"hed to %e. / added+ Ho( ha,e 'o(r

pre)eren"e! and / the% %ine&

There $ere %ore !t(dent! tee%in b' the #obb'. !o%ethin that !(re#' %ore $a!

re#ated $here(pon Ri,erton did not o))er too %an' entertain%ent! that $ith

!(dden#' and rene$ed intere!t in Car' Grant& Ne,erthe#e!!. to (! it intere!ted to (!

rea##'. (nti# $e ,eri)ied at #ea!t $ho $ere the pro)e!!or! $ho $o(#d do o)

"o%panion! in the "ine%a&

CrIe%e. !o $e are !(rpri!ed a! 'o( %' %other !aid&

e $ere "on,in"ed that 'o( $o(#d o to to%arte !o%ethin& M' )ather had

pa!!ed hi% the ar% thro(h !ho(#der! to %' %other. a! i) he $a! hi! appoint%ent

and not abo(t o(r!& e $ere a## p#anted in )ront o) the po!ter o) the #obb' and oan

Jontaine $at"hed to (! )i


64/222


65/222

Ho( !pea* a! i) ne,er 'o( had )e#t #i*e in ho(!e no$here&

Unti# no$ no&

/ $at"hed it $ith !*epti"i!%&

Ho( )ee# #i*e in ho(!e in Midniht: Co%e a#read'&

Dne $eih! !%i#e appeared !#o$#' in the )a"e o) K("a!&

/t did not re)er Midniht to %e&

At that %o%ent the #iht! o) the "ine%a bean to #o$er o) inten!it'. and than*

hea,en!. be"a(!e i) not !(re#' it $o(#d ha,e i,en to !a' !o%e tri,ia#it' %e in!tead

o) eno'in the %o%ent&

Suspicionhe $a! one o) the )i#%! o) Car' Grant $ho had not !een& The $o%an.

oan Jontaine. %arried $ith Car' a#tho(h he $a! an irre!pon!ib#e one and $a!ted

%("h %one'. b(t did an'$a' be"a(!e Grant $a! the b(#* o) Car'. and that ood$a! $orth to re%ain $itho(t $hite& To K("a! it did not !ee% to "on,in"e %'

rea!onin to hi%&

Ho( do not thin* that he i! a #itt#e !trane that he in,e!tiate! on poi!on!: it

$hi!pered to %e& ho !t(die! poi!on! a! i) it $a! a pa!ti%e: /t ad%it! at #ea!t that it

ha! a a #itt#e rare entertain%ent&

A %an $ith that p#ant "annot be an a!!a!!in / in!i!ted&

Fa! !aid to Ho( !o%eti%e! that 'o( tr(!t peop#e too %("h (i"*#':

That 'o( !treet!&

/ a,e "odao hi% and !e,era# pop"orn (%ped o) !to"*%ar*et& /t $a! eno'in

the )i#%. b(t !ti## %ore to be !o near K("a!& Fe $a! in"redib#e %("h that $e "o(#d

!a' $itho(t openin the %o(th to (!. !in#e $e needed one a%(!ed "a(tio(! one /

a,oid or the nat(ra# $a' in $hi"h o(r hand! $ere "#o!e and it inter#a"ed it! )iner!

$ith %ine& /t "are!!ed the pa#% to %e o) the hand $ith it! th(%b. dra$in "ir"(#ito!

and i) that !in#e one a#read' $ere !())i"ient !o that %e de!bo"ara the heart. $hat

had to )ee# bet$een their ar%!:

To the end one de%on!trated that it $a! not %i!ta*en+ b' the Car' !iht it !t(diedpoi!on! to "o%%it !(i"ide and th(! to a,oid that the poor $o%an oan Jontaine had

to #oad $ith the debt!& he in!i!ted on $hi"h the' $o(#d )ind a !o#(tion and the'

$ent a$a' toether in "ar& K("a! !hoo* the head $ith the )(!ed one o) the #a!t

ta*in&

/t i! not the tr(e end. 'o( *no$: Fit"h"o"* $anted that he $a! the "(#prit. b(t

the !t(d' )or"ed to hi% to !a,e to Car' Grant in the end !o that it #i*ed the p(b#i"&

/) one )ini!he! th(!. it i! the tr(e end / in!i!ted& The' inited the #iht!

%o%ent!. be)ore the beinnin o) the )o##o$in !e!!ion& e o to another !ite. i!$orth: ti## it i! #e)t a ood !hort $hi#e be)ore $e %(!t ret(rn to the b(!&


66/222

K("a! thre$ a #oo* (p$ard! and / (e!!ed that !he did not %atter %ini%(% to

%o,e a$a' a #itt#e to hi% the $at"h%en to pater to (!&

e o&

e too* a $a#* b' the !%a## %ain !treet o) Ri,erton. $here it a,e the i%pre!!ion

that there $a! !tore or no re!ta(rant that $a! not ta*en to the a!!a(#t b' the re)(ee!

)ro% the A"ade%' Midniht& K("a! and / happened in !i#en"e. #oo*in )or ahead

$hat rea##' !he de!ired to (!+ a p#a"e $here to be !in#e& The idea that K("a! $anted

a #itt#e pri,a"' )or both %o,ed to %e and inti%idated !i%(#taneo(!#'& The niht

re)re!hed and the a(t(%na# #ea,e! did not #et $hi!per $hi#e $e too* a $a#* b' the

!ide$a#*. !endin to (! $at"hed di!(i!ed $itho(t hard#' inter"hanin a $ord&

' ai%. riht $hen happenin the b(!!tation. that de#i%ited the end o) the %ain

!treet. $hen do(b#in the "orner $e )o(nd o#d pier@a that it !ee%ed inta"t )ro%

the da' o) hi! ina((ration. that had been in 1961&/n ti%e to re(e!t one $ho#e one. $e too* pie"e! to (! o) pia !in#e o) "hee!e

and a re)re!h%ent and $e $ent to a "o%part%ent& e be)ore !eated the one other in

a tab#e $ith a tab#e "#oth to red and $hite pi"t(re! and a bott#e o) "hianti "o,ered

$ith $a< o) %e#ted "and#e& /n the ra%o#a o) the "orner it !o(nded to a !on o) E#ton

ohn o) be)ore / had been born&

/ #i*e the!e !ite! K("a! !aid& The' rea##' !ee%. a! i) a !o(ndin ro(p had not

de!ined (nti# the #a!t detai#&

To %e a#!o& A#tho(h i) %e it had re(e!ted it (nti# hi% it $o(#d ha,e !aid that/ #i*ed to eat ep#ant! in the %oon& Ne,erthe#e!!. in thi! "a!e in parti"(#ar it $a!

!a'in the tr(th& Fere 'o( "an re#aarte and be 'o( 'o(r!e#)&

To be 'o( 'o(r!e#)- K("a! !%i#ed. a#tho(h it !(dden#' !ee%ed to be to

*i#o%eter! o) there. a! i) tho!e $ord! had %ade hi% ra"e b' $hi"h !in#e he *ne$&

o%ethin that $o(#d ha,e to be ea!ier o) $hi"h i! in )a"t&

/t *ne$ to $hat one ta#*ed abo(t&

e $ere pra"ti"a##' !in#e in pier@a& in#e there $a! another o""(pied tab#e. to

$hi"h )o(r t'pe! !eated that !ee%ed to ha,e )ini!hed $or*in in a $or*& The' hadthe t!hirt! "o,ered $ith p#a!ter d(!t and a pair o) e%pt' ar! o) beer atte!ted that

a#read' the' $ere dr(n*& The' $ere ed re)#< %n ,er' hih o) it! o$n o*e!. b(t

it a,e %e e(a#& /n )a"t. that !er,ed to %e a! e


67/222

he $a! !(re that K("a!. "ine)i#o. $o(#d aree. b(t $a! not th(!&

The %aorit' o) the ir#! o) in!ti $o(#d be pirrar@an b' "ine%a !tar! that !ti##

%ade )i#%!& Dr b' !o%ebod' o) te#e&

/ a,e a %o(th)(# hi% to %' pie"e o) pia and o) %o%ent! too %("h / $a! ro##ed

tr'in to !o#,e an e%barra!!in !it(ation re#ated to e


68/222

The' $ant !epararte o) the re!t o) the $or#d. )or that rea!on the' ha,e ta(ht to

'o( to appre"iate the thin! that the' #i*e the%. $hat it doe! not a!!(%e that the'

#i*e the ir#! o) 'o(r ae&

/ A% the one that / de"ide $hat / #i*e and $hat no& / )e#t that the rae inited

the "hee*! to %e& Nor%a##' a#$a'! it ended (p "r'in $hen !o it $a! otten (p!et.b(t thi! ti%e $a! deter%ined not to !pi## nor a !in#e tear& /n addition. it i! to '

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