golden lilly

8/11/2019 Golden Lilly

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e of ContentsChapter

1Chapter

2Chapter

3Chapter

4Chapter

5Chapter

6Chapter

7Chapter

8Chapter

9Chapter

10Chapter

11Chapter

12Chapter

13Chapter

14Chapter

14Chapter

15Chapter

16Chapter

17Chapter

18Chapter

19Chapter

20Chapter

21Chapter


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22Chapter

23Chapter

24RAZORBILL

Richee !ea" is the #estsein$ a%thor of the &a'pire Aca"e'( series) A ifeon$ rea"er*

Richee has a+a(s ha" a partic%ar fascination +ith fo,ore) -hen shecan act%a( tear

hersef a+a( fro' #oo,s .either rea"in$ or +ritin$ the'/* she eno(s #a" reait( &*

traein$* tr(in$ interestin$ coc,tais an" shoppin$ for "ressesthat she har"( eer +ears)

he is a sefprofesse" coee a""ict* r%ns on a noct%rna sche"%e* an" has a passion for a

thin$s +ac,( an" h%'oro%s) Richee isori$ina( fro' !ichi$an #%t no+ ies in eatte in

the A)+++)richee'ea")co'Boo,s #( Richee !ea"BLOOLI: ;OL LILIC&A!=IR ACA!or '(

#ea%tif% son* +ho +as #orn the "a( I nishe" this)

Chapter 1

!O =O=L -OL >I #ein$ e" into an %n"er$ro%n" #%n,er on a stor'( ni$ht

scar() ot 'e)hin$s I co%" epain a+a( an" "ene +ith "ata "i"nt fri$hten 'e) hat

+as +h( I ,ept sient( recitin$ facts to '(sef as I "escen"e" "eeper an" "eeper

#eo+street ee) he #%n,er +as a reic of the Co" -ar* #%it as protection in a ti'e

+hen peope tho%$ht n%cear 'issies +ere aro%n" eer( corner)On the s%rface* the

#%i"in$ cai'e" to ho%se an optica s%pp( store) hat +as a front) ot scar( at a) An" the

stor'D i'p( a nat%ra pheno'enon ofat'ospheric fronts cashin$) An" rea(* if (o% +ere

$oin$ to +orr( a#o%t $ettin$ h%rt in a stor'* then $oin$ %n"er$ro%n" +as act%a( prett(

s'art)o* no) his see'in$( o'ino%s o%rne( "i"nt fri$hten 'e in the east) er(thin$

+as #%it on reasona#e facts an" o$ic) I co%" "ea +ith that) It +as the rest of'( o# I

ha" a pro#e' +ith)An" rea(* 'a(#e that +as +h( stor'( %n"er$ro%n" trips "i"nt faEe

'e) -hen (o% spent 'ost of (o%r "a(s iin$ a'on$ a'pires an" haf a'pires*

ferr(in$the' to $et #oo"* an" ,eepin$ their eistence secret fro' the rest of the +or" F

+e* ,eepin$ their eistence secret fro' the rest of the +or" F +e* it ,in" of$ae (o% a

%niG%e perspectie on ife) I" +itnesse" #oo"( a'pire #attes an" seen 'a$ica feats

that "ee" eer( a+ of ph(sics I ,ne+) !( ife +as a constantstr%$$e to ho" #ac, '(

terror of the %nepaina#e an" tr( "esperate( to n" a +a( to epain it)H-atch (o%r

step* '( $%i"e to" 'e as +e +ent "o+n (et another Ji$ht of concrete stairs) er(thin$

I" seen so far +as concreteKthe +as* Joor* an" ceiin$)he $ra(* ro%$h s%rface a#sor#e"

the J%orescent i$ht that atte'pte" to i%'inate o%r +a() It +as "rear( an" co"* eerie in


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its stiness) he $%i"e see'e" to $%ess'( tho%$hts) H-ee 'a"e 'o"ications an"

epansions since this +as ori$ina( #%it)


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ocia a'on$ the Ache'ists an" ha" earne" his position thro%$h "ecisieaction an" a

erce +or, ethic) :e" a+a(s see'e" ar$er than ife +hen I +as (o%n$er* erce(

con"ent an" a+einspirin$) o+* he see'e" to #e afrai" of 'e*+hich 'a"e no sense)

-asnt he an$r(D After a* I +as the one responsi#e for his son #ein$ arreste" an" oc,e"

a+a( #( the Ache'ists)HI appreciate (o% co'in$ a the +a( o%t here* he a""e"* once a

fe+ 'o'ents of a+,+ar" sience ha" passe") HI ,no+ its a on$ ro%n"trip* especia( on

a+ee,en")HIts no pro#e' at a* sir* I sai"* hopin$ I so%n"e" con"ent) HI' happ( to

hep +ith F +hateer (o% nee") I sti +on"ere" +hat eact( that co%" #e)+on"ere"

+hat eact( that co%" #e)

+on"ere" +hat eact( that co%" #e):e st%"ie" 'e for a fe+ secon"s an" $ae a c%rt

no")H


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share") -e +ere a secret ar'(* %r,in$ in the sha"o+s of o%r feo+ h%'ans)he three of

the' +ere a ho"in$ cip#oar"s an" starin$ at one of the +as) hat +as +hen I notice"

+hat this roo's p%rpose +as) A +in"o+ in the +a oo,e"thro%$h to another roo'* one

'%ch 'ore #ri$ht( it than this one)An" ?eith arne +as in that roo'):e "arte" %p to the

$ass separatin$ %s an" #e$an #eatin$ on it) !( heart race"* an" I too, a fe+ fri$htene"

steps #ac,* certain he +as co'in$ after 'e) It too, 'e a'o'ent to reaiEe he co%"nt

act%a( see 'e) I reae" si$ht() &er( si$ht() he +in"o+ +as a one+a( 'irror) :e

presse" his han"s to the +in"o+ +as a one+a( 'irror) :e presse" his han"s to the $ass*

$ancin$ frantica( #ac, an" forth at the faces he ,ne+ +ere there #%t co%"nt

see)H=ease* pease* he crie") HLet 'e o%t) =ease et 'e o%t of here)?eith oo,e" a itte

scra$$ier than the ast ti'e I" seen hi'):is hair +as %n,e'pt an" appeare" as tho%$h it

ha"nt #een c%t in o%r 'onth apart) :e +ore a pain $ra( %'ps%it* the ,in" (o% sa+ on

prisoners or 'entapatients* that re'in"e" 'e of the concrete in the ha) !ost noticea#e

of a +as the "esperate* terrie" oo, in his e(esKor rather* e(e) ?eith ha" ost one of his

e(esin a a'pire attac, that I ha" secret( hepe" orchestrate) one of the Ache'ists

,ne+ a#o%t it* %st as none of the' ,ne+ a#o%t ho+ ?eith ha" rape" '( o"ersister Car()I

"o%#te" o' arne +o%"e praise" 'e for '( H"e"ication if he" ,no+n a#o%t '(

si"eine reen$e act) eein$ the state ?eith +as in no+* I fet a itte #a"for hi'Kan"

especia( #a" for o'* +hose face +as e" +ith ra+ pain) I sti "i"nt fee #a" a#o%t +hat

I" "one to ?eith* ho+eer) ot the arrest or the e(e) =%tsi'p(* ?eith arne +as a #a"

person)HI' s%re (o% reco$niEe ?eith* sai" one of the Ache'ists +ith a cip#oar") :er

$ra( hair +as +o%n" into a ti$ht* neat #%n)H


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-hat +as a partic%ar concern +ere the tri$oiKei* ,ier a'piresK+ho co%" %re

h%'ans into serit%"e +ith pro'ises of i''ortait()

i,e %s) -hat +as a partic%ar concern +ere the tri$oiKei* ,ier a'piresK+ho co%"

%re h%'ans into serit%"e +ith pro'ises of i''ortait()en the peacef% !oroi an" their

haf h%'an co%nterparts* the "ha'pirs* +ere re$ar"e" +ith s%spicion) -e +or,e" +ith

those atter t+o $ro%ps a ot* an" eentho%$h +e" #een ta%$ht to re$ar" the' +ith

"is"ain* it +as an ineita#e fact that so'e Ache'ists not on( $re+ cose to !oroi an"

"ha'pirs F #%t act%a(starte" to i,e the')act%a( starte" to i,e the')he craE( thin$

+asK"espite his cri'e of sein$ a'pire #oo"K?eith +as one of the ast peope I" thin,

of +hen it ca'e to $ettin$ too frien"( +ith a'pires):e" 'a"e his "isi,e of the'

perfect( o#io%s to 'e a n%'#er of ti'es) Rea(* if an(one "esere" to #e acc%se" of

attach'ent to a'pires FF +e* it +o%" #e 'e)One of the other Ache'ists* a 'an +ith

'irrore" s%n$asses han$in$ artf%( o his coar* too, %p the ect%re) H


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=a' prin$s +ere sti fresh in '( 'in") :e" san"ere" 'e an" 'a"e '( ife 'isera#e

inan eort to coer %p his #oo" sca') :e" aso horri#( treate" the a'pires an"

"ha'pirs +e +ere in char$e of oo,in$ after) It 'a"e 'e G%estion +ho the rea'onsters

+ere)I "i"nt ,no+ eact( +hat happene" at Ree"%cation Centers) M%"$in$ fro' ?eiths

reaction* it +as pro#a#( prett( #a") here +as a part of 'e that +o%" haeoe" to te

the Ache'ists to sen" hi' #ac, there for (ears an" neer et hi' see the i$ht of "a() :is

cri'es "esere" seere p%nish'entKan" (et* I +asnt s%re the( "esere" this partic%ar

p%nish'ent)HI thin, F I thin, ?eith arne is corr%pt* I sai" at ast)H:es sesh an"

i''ora) :e has no concern for others an" h%rts peope to f%rther his o+n en"s) :es

+iin$ to ie* cheat* an" stea to $et +hat he +ants) Ihesitate" #efore contin%in$)HB%t F I

"ont thin, hes #een #in"e" to +hat a'pires are) I "ont thin, hes too cose to the' or

in "an$er of fain$ in +ith the' in the f%t%re) hat #ein$ sai"* Iaso "ont thin, he sho%"

#e ao+e" to "o Ache'ist +or, for the foreseea#e f%t%re)-hether that +o%" 'ean

oc,in$ hi' %p or %st p%ttin$ hi' on pro#ation is %p to (o%) :is past actions sho+ he

"oesnt ta,e o%r 'issions serio%s(* #%t thats#eca%se of seshness) ot #eca%se of an

%nnat%ra attach'ent to the') :e F +e* to #e #%nt* is %st a #a" person)ience 'et

'e* sae for the frantic scra+in$ of pens as the cip#oar" Ache'ists 'a"e their notes) I

"are" a $ance at o'* afrai" of +hat I" see after co'pete(trashin$ his son) o '(

astonish'ent* o' oo,e" F reiee") An" $ratef%) In fact* he see'e" on the er$e of

tears) Catchin$ '( e(e* he 'o%the"* han, (o%)A'aEin$) I ha" %st procai'e" ?eith to #e

a horri#e h%'an #ein$ in eer( +a( possi#e) B%t none of that 'attere" to his father* so

on$ as I "i"nt acc%se ?eith of#ein$ in ea$%e +ith a'pires) I co%"e cae" ?eith a

'%r"erer* an" o' +o%" hae pro#a#( sti #een $ratef% if it 'eant ?eith +asnt ch%''(

+ith theene'()It #othere" 'e an" a$ain 'a"e 'e +on"er +ho the rea 'onsters +ere in

a of this) he $ro%p I" eft #ac, in =a' 'onsters +ere in a of this) he $ro%p I" eft#ac,

in =a' prin$s +as a h%n"re" ti'es 'ore 'ora than ?eith)Hhan, (o%* !iss a$e* sai"

;ra( B%n* nishin$ %p her notes) H


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essentia) hisKseein$ ?eithKha" #een the reap%rpose of '( crossco%ntr( trip)As +e

+a,e" #ac, "o+n the ha+a(* so'ethin$ ca%$ht '( attention that I ha"nt notice"

#efore) One of the "oors ha" a fair a'o%nt of sec%rit( on itK'ore sothan the roo' I" %st

#een in)Aon$ +ith the i$hts an" ,e(pa"* there +as aso a car" rea"er)At the top of the

"oor +as a "ea"#ot that oc,e" fro' o%tsi"e)othin$ fanc(* #%t it +as cear( 'eant to

,eep +hateer +as #ehin" the "oor insi"e)I stoppe" in spite of '(sef an" st%"ie" the

"oor for a fe+ 'o'ents) hen* I ,ept +a,in$* ,no+in$ #etter than to sa( 'o'ents) hen*

I ,ept +a,in$* ,no+in$#etter than to sa( an(thin$) ;oo" Ache'ists "i"nt as,

G%estions)Ze,e* seein$ '( $aEe* ca'e to a hat) :e $ance" at 'e* then the "oor* an"

then #ac, at 'e) Ho (o% +ant F "o (o% +ant to see +hats in thereD :is e(es

"arte"G%ic,( to the "oor +e" e'er$e" fro') :e +as o+ran,in$* I ,ne+* an" cear(

feare" $ettin$ in tro%#e +ith the others) At the sa'e ti'e* there +as an ea$ernessthat

s%$$este" he +as ecite" a#o%t the secrets he ,ept* secrets he co%"nt share +ith others)

I +as a safe o%tet)HI $%ess it "epen"s on +hats in there* I sai")HIts the reason for +hat

+e "o* he sai" '(sterio%s() Ha,e a oo,* an" (o% %n"erstan" +h( o%r $oas are so

i'portant) eci"in$ to ris, it* he Jashe" a car"oer the rea"er an" then p%nche" in

another on$ co"e) A i$ht on the "oor t%rne" $reen* an" he si" open the "ea"#ot) I"

hafepecte" another "i' roo'* #%t thei$ht +as so #ri$ht insi"e* it a'ost h%rt '( e(es) I

p%t a han" %p to '( forehea" to shie" '(sef)HIts a t(pe of i$ht therap(* Ze,e epaine"

apoo$etica()H


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thin) ?eeps insistin$ on#oo")H-hat F +hat is heD I as,e"* %na#e to ta,e '( e(es o of

Lia') It +as a si( G%estion* of co%rse) Lia' +as cear( h%'an* an" (et F there +as

so'ethin$a#o%t hi' that +asnt ri$ht)HA corr%pt so% +ho +ants to #e tri$oi* sai" Ze,e)

Ho'e $%ar"ians fo%n" hi' serin$ those 'onsters an" "eiere" hi' to %s) -ee trie"

to reha#iitate hi'#%t +ith no %c,) :e ,eeps $oin$ on an" on a#o%t ho+ $reat the tri$oi

are an" ho+ he $et #ac, to the' one "a( an" 'a,e %s pa() In the 'eanti'e* he $et

#ac,to the' one "a( an" 'a,e %s pa() In the 'eanti'e* he "oes his #est to preten" hes

one of the')HOh* sai" Lia'* +ith a s( s'ie* HI +i #e one of the') he( +i re+ar" '(

o(at( an" s%erin$) he( +i a+a,en 'e* an" I +i #eco'e po+erf% #e(on"

(o%r'inisc%e 'orta "rea's) I +i ie foreer an" co'e for (o%Ka of (o%) I +i feast on

(o%r #oo" an" saor eer( "rop)


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h%'an)H%re)Ze,e e" 'e #ac, to the o%n$e) he pot I" 'a"e +as sti hot) I "%'pe" o%t

'( o" coee an" po%re" so'e ne+) As I "i"* the "oor #%rst open* an" a "istra%$hto'

arne ca'e in):e see'e" s%rprise" to see an(one here an" p%she" past %s* sittin$ on

the co%ch an" #%r(in$ his face in his han"s) Ze,e an" I echan$e" %ncertain oo,s)H!r)

arne* I #e$an) HAre (o% o,a(D:e "i"nt ans+er 'e ri$ht a+a() :e ,ept his face

coere"* his #o"( sha,in$ +ith sient so#s) I +as a#o%t to eae +hen he his #o"( sha,in$

+ith sient so#s) I +asa#o%t to eae +hen he oo,e" %p at 'e* tho%$h I $ot the feein$ he

+asnt act%a( seein$ 'e) Hhe( "eci"e"* he sai") Hhe( "eci"e" a#o%t ?eith)HArea"(D

I as,e"* starte") Ze,e an" I ha" on( spent a#o%t e 'in%tes +ith Lia')o' no""e"

'orose() Hhe(re sen"in$ hi' #ac, F #ac, to Ree"%cation)I co%"nt #eiee it) HB%t I

F #%t I to" the'N I to" the' hes not in ea$%e +ith a'pires) :e #eiees +hat F the

rest of %s #eiee) It +as his choices that +ere#a")HI ,no+) B%t the( sai" +e cant ta,e the

ris,) en if ?eith see's i,e he "oesnt care a#o%t the'Keen if #eiees he "oesntKthe

fact re'ains he sti set %p a"ea +ith one) he(re +orrie" that +iin$ness to $o into that

,in" of partnership 'i$ht s%#conscio%s( inJ%ence hi') Best to ta,e care of thin$s

no+)he(re F the(re pro#a#( ri$ht) his is for the #est) hat i'a$e of ?eith po%n"in$

on the $ass an" #e$$in$ not to $o #ac, Jashe" thro%$h '( 'in") HI'sorr(* !r) arne)

o's "istra%$ht $aEe foc%se" on 'e a itte #it 'ore) Hont apoo$iEe* ("ne()


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'ana$e" a s'ie as I p%she" "o+n a '( fears) Hhan, (o%* sir* I sai") HI "o +hat I can)

Chapter 2I I L= :A I;:) =art of it +as si'p( the ti'e chan$e) !( Ji$ht

#ac, to =a' prin$s +as sche"%e" for si in the 'ornin$K+hich +as threein the 'ornin$

in the ti'e Eone '( #o"( sti tho%$ht it +as in) eepin$ see'e" pointess)An"* of co%rse*

there +as the teen(tin( fact that it +as ,in" of har" to rea after eer(thin$ I" +itnesse"

oer at the Ache'ist #%n,er) If I +asnt enisionin$Lia's frea,( e(es* then I +as

repa(in$ the constant +arnin$s I" hear" a#o%t those +ho $ot too cose to a'pires)It

"i"nt hep the sit%ation that I ha" an in#o f% of 'essa$es fro' the $an$ in =a' prin$s)

or'a(* I chec,e" '( e'ai a%to'atica( on '( phone +hen I +aso%t an" a#o%t) o+*

in '( hote roo'* starin$ at the ario%s 'essa$es* I fo%n" '(sef e" +ith "o%#t) -ere

these tr%( professionaD -ere the( too frien"(D i"the( #%r the ines of Ache'ist

protocoD After seein$ +hat ha" happene" to ?eith* it +as 'ore o#io%s than eer that it

"i"nt ta,e '%ch to $et in tro%#e +ith '(or$aniEation)One 'essa$e +as fro' Mi* +ith a

s%#ect ine rea"in$@ An$eine F si$h) his +asnt a s%rprise to 'e* an" I "i"nt An$eine F

si$h) his +asnt a s%rprise to 'e*an" I "i"nt #other rea"in$ it (et) An$eine a+es* a

"ha'pir recr%ite" to #e Mis roo''ate an" proi"e an etra a(er of sec%rit(* ha" ha" a

itte tro%#e ttin$ intoA'#er+oo") he +as a+a(s in tro%#e for so'ethin$* an" I ,ne+

+hateer it +as this ti'e* there +as nothin$ I co%" "o a#o%t it ri$ht no+)Another 'essa$e

+as fro' An$eine hersef) I aso "i"nt rea" it) he s%#ect +as@ RA :IN O >


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+asnt '( responsi#iit()


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'essa$e@ :o+ "o (o% ,no+ a#o%t 24601D Iref%se to #eiee (o% rea" the #oo,)


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$%esse") !a(#e he +asnt Hin the 'oo" for research to"a()H=artia(* sai" i'itri) H-ere

aso 'issin$ o%r contro s%#ect) ""ie sai" he ha" so'e conJict an" co%"nt 'a,e it) !(

fro+n "eepene") H-hat conJict co%"""ie haeD ""ie +as intense( "e"icate" too)

A"rian so'eti'es cae" hi' 'inii'itri) Atho%$h ""ie +as $oin$ to hi$h schoo an"

co'petin$ assi$n'ents%st i,e 'e* I ,ne+ he" "rop an( ho'e+or, in an instant to hep

o%t +ith the $reater $oo") I co%" thin, of on( one thin$ that +o%" ta,e prece"ence

oerhepin$ n" a Hc%re for #ein$ tri$oi) !( heart s%""en( race")HIs Mi o,a(D he ha"

to #e) o'eone +o%" hae to" 'e* ri$htD ""ies 'ain p%rpose in =a' prin$sKan"

'ineK+as to ,eep her safe) If she +as in "an$er* it+o%" tr%'p eer(thin$ ese)Hhes

ne* sai" i'itri) HI ta,e" to her this 'ornin$) I' not s%re +hats $oin$ on* #%t ""ie

+o%"nt #e a+a( +itho%t $oo" reason)reason)HI s%ppose not* I '%r'%re"* sti

concerne")H


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'e) :erface +as ine" +ith +orr(* +hich co%"nt #o"e +e)HI' so $a" (o%re #ac,* she

sai") HI tr%st (o% ha" a $oo" fa'i( isitDH


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hat +as "eiere" +ith a pointe" oo, at An$eine)he "ha'pir $ir %'pe" o her #e"*

face f%rio%s an" #%e e(es Jashin$) HIt +asnt '( fa%tN hat -eathers +o'an +as

co'pete( o%t of ineN she ecai'e"* a

he "ha'pir $ir %'pe" o her #e"* face f%rio%s an" #%e e(es Jashin$) HIt +asnt '(

fa%tN hat -eathers +o'an +as co'pete( o%t of ineN she ecai'e"* asi$ht so%thern

"ra+ in her +or"s)her +or"s)A G%ic, scan of An$eine sho+e" nothin$ too concernin$) :er

eans +ere threa"#are #%t "ecent* as +as her shirt) en her 'op of stra+#err( #on"e

hair +asta'e for a chan$e* tie" #ac, in a pon(tai)H-hat on earth "i" (o% +ear that $ot

her so %pset thenD I as,e")co+in$* An$eine +ent to her "resser an" pro"%ce" a pair of

ean shorts +ith the 'ost ra$$e" he' I" eer seen) I tho%$ht the(" %nrae #efore '(

e(es) he(+ere aso so short that I +o%"nt hae #een s%rprise" if the( sho+e"

%n"er+ear +hen she +ore the')H-here "i" (o% $et thoseDAn$eine a'ost oo,e" pro%")

HI 'a"e the')H-ith +hat* a hac,sa+DHI ha" t+o pairs of eans* she sai" pra$'atica()

HIt +as so hot o%t* I $%re" I 'i$ht as +e t%rn one into shorts)Hhe %se" a ,nife fro' the

cafeteria* sai" Mi hepf%()HCo%"nt n" the scissors* epaine" An$eine)!( #e") -here

+as '( #e"DH!rs) -eathers 'entione" so'ethin$ a#o%t an in"ecent shirt too* I

sai")HOh* sai" Mi) Hhat +as 'ine)I fet '( e(e#ro+s rise) H-hatD I ,no+ (o% "ont o+n

an(thin$ Qin"ecent) Before An$eine ha" co'e aon$ a 'onth a$o* Mi an" I ha" #een

roo''ates)HIts not* a$ree" Mi) Hcept* its not rea( An$eines siEe) I $ance" #et+een

the t+o $irs an" %n"erstoo") Mi +as ta I $ance" #et+een the t+o $irs an"%n"erstoo") Mi

+as ta an" si'* i,e 'ost !oroi* +ith a $%re '%ch coete" a'on$ h%'an fashion

"esi$ners* a $%re I +o%"e ,ie" to hae) Mi ha" een "oneso'e 'o"ein$) -ith that

$%re ca'e a 'o"est chest) An$eines chest F +as not so 'o"est) If she +ore a tan, top

in Mis siEe* I i'a$ine" the shirts str%ct%rainte$rit( +o%" in"ee" #e stretche" to in"ecent

i'its)HMi +ears that tan, top a the ti'e an" "oesnt $et in tro%#e* sai" An$eine

"efensie() HI $%re" there +o%"nt #e a pro#e' if I #orro+e" it)!( hea" +as startin$

to h%rt) ti* I s%ppose" this +as #etter than the ti'e An$eine ha" #een ca%$ht 'a,in$

o%t +ith a $%( in the #o(s #athroo') H-e) his iseasi( e") -e can $oK+e* I can $o

since (o%re st%c, hereKan" $et (o% so'e cothes in (o%r siEe toni$ht)HOh* An$eine

sai"* s%""en( t%rnin$ 'ore %p#eat* H(o% "ont hae to) ""ies han"in$ it)If not for Mi

no""in$ aon$* I +o%"e tho%$ht it +as a o,e)H""ieD ""ies #%(in$ (o%

cothesDAn$eine si$he" happi() HIsnt that nice of hi'D iceD o* #%t I %n"erstoo" +h(

""ie +o%" "o it) ;ettin$ "ecent cothes for An$eine +as the ast thin$ hepro#a#(

+ante" to "o* #%t he +o%" "o it) Li,e 'e* he %n"erstoo" "%t()An" no+ I co%" $%ess +h(

""ie ha" cancee" the eperi'entsKan" #een a$%e a#o%t his reasons for "oin$ so)Ii''e"iate( too, o%t '( ce phone an" cae" hi') :e ans+ere" ri$ht a+a(* i,e a+a(s) I


17/208

+as certain he +as neer 'ore than three feet fro' his phone at ati'es) H:eo*

("ne()'ore than three feet fro' his phone at a ti'es) H:eo* ("ne();a" (o%re #ac,)

:e pa%se") Hor +hatDhe $est%re" to+ar" the "oor) H>or An$eine) I

sho%" hae "one #etter at ,eepin$ her o%t of tro%#e) I a'ost s'ie") Hhats not (o%r

o#)H


18/208

approachin$* a $rin on his tanne" face) :e +as a senior i,e 'e an" ha" pic,e" %p the

!e#o%rne nic,na'e after one of o%rteachers proe" incapa#e of re'e'#erin$ !erose)

:onest(* +ith a these na'es* it +as a +on"er I ,ne+ +ho I +as an('ore)H:e(* re(* I

sai") re( +as a #ona "e hi$h schoo foot#a starK#%t aso prett( #rain(* no 'atter ho+

'%ch he trie" to hi"e it) -e $ot aon$ +e as a res%t* an"'( hep in restorin$ his athetic

stat%s ast 'onth ha" $one a on$ +a( to raise '( stoc, in his e(es) A #ac,pac, h%n$ on

one of his sho%"ers) HAre (o% na($oin$ to nish that che' a# +rite%pDHrien"s of 'ine here* ?ristin an" M%ia* ha" #een tr(in$ to train 'e %p in the

s%#teties of hi$h schoo socia ife) One of their chief essons +as that +hat peope

sai"+asnt a+a(s +hat the( 'eantKpartic%ar( in ro'antic 'atters)HAre (o% F are (o%

as,in$ 'e o%tD I as,e"* ta,en a#ac,)his +as the ast thin$ I nee"e" ri$ht no+) :o+

sho%" I respon"D ho%" I sa( (esD ho%" I sa( noD I" ha" no i"ea hepin$ hi' +ith

che'istr( ho'e+or,+o%" #e so a%rin$) I sho%"e 'a"e hi' "o it on his o+n)re(

oo,e" as starte" #( the tho%$ht as I +as) H-hatD o)Of co%rse not)Hhan, ;o"* I sai") I

i,e" re(* #%t I ha" no interest in "atin$ hi'Kor $%rin$ o%t +hat the appropriate +a( to

sa( Hno +o%" #e)

han, ;o"* I sai") I i,e" re(* #%t I ha" no interest in "atin$ hi'Kor $%rin$ o%t +hat

the appropriate +a( to sa( Hno +o%" #e):e shot 'e a +r( oo,) H


19/208

$oin$ o on %naero#ic s) aero#ic respiration* an" I +as thin,in$* Qi$%re" it +as safer that +a()H=ro#a#() I sat "o+n on a #ench an" riJe" thro%$h his

p%rchases) Means* ,ha,is* a fe+ soi" coore" shirts) he( +ere er( practica* er( '%ch

so'ethin$ anononsense $%( i,e ""ie +o%" pic, o%t) I approe") Hhe siEe act%a( oo,s

ri$ht);oo" e(e) -e hae to sen" (o% o%t shoppin$ 'ore often)HIf thats +hat I hae to

"o* he sai"* face serio%s) I co%"nt hep #%t a%$h in s%rprise)HI +as o,in$) I p%t the

shirts #ac, in the #a$) HI ,no+ that co%"nt hae #een f%n) ""ies face $ae nothin$

a+a() HOh* co'e on) Its o,a()


20/208

"atin$ !oroi or "ha'pirs +as strict( ta#oo) -e" na( "eci"e" it +o%" #e i'possi#e to

,eep Mi fro' a socia ife* an"she s+ore nothin$ serio%s or ph(sica +as $oin$ on #et+een

her an" !icah) he( %st spent a ot of ti'e to$ether) An" Jirte" incessant() :e "i"nt

,no+ the tr%tha#o%t her* #%t I +on"ere" at +hat point he" +ant 'ore fro' their

reationship) ""ie ,ept insistin$ it +as #etter for Mi to hae a cas%a reationship +ith a

h%'anthan one +ith an H%n+orth( "ha'pir i,e hi'* #%t I ,ne+ it ha" to #e tort%ro%s)HOf

co%rse not* sai" ""ie sharp() HIts not Mi I +ant to aoi") Its An$eine)HAn$eineD -hats

she "one no+D""ie ran a han" thro%$h his hair in fr%stration) :is +as a san"( #on"* not

far fro' '( o+n* +hich +as a "ar, $o") he si'iarit( 'a"e it eas( to pass o%rseeso

as t+ins) Hhe +ont eae 'e aoneN hes a+a(s "roppin$ these s%$$estie co''ents

+hen I' aro%n" F an" she +ont stop starin$ at 'e) Li,e* (o%+o%"nt thin, that" #e

creep(* #%t it is) hes a+a(s +atchin$) An" I cant aoi" her #eca%se shes +ith Mi a ot of

the ti'e* an" I hae to ,eep Mi safe) I tho%$ht#ac, on recent interactions) HAre (o% s%re

(o%re rea"in$ this ri$htD Ie neer notice" an(thin$)Hhats #eca%se (o% "ont notice

that ,in" of thin$* he sai")H


21/208

intereste")Hhats eas( in theor(* he sai") Hot so '%ch in person)Hee's eas( to

'e)""ie +as s,eptica) Hhats #eca%se (o%e neer ha" to "o it);oin$ to A"rians +as

a ot easier than it once ha" #een for 'e) :is apart'ent %se" to #eon$ to ?eith an" +as

aso the site +here a !oroi na'e" Lee an" t+otri$oi ha" "ie") hose +ere har"

'e'ories to sha,e) he Ache'ists ha" oere" the apart'ent to 'e* since I" aso ta,en

on f% responsi#iit( for apart'ent to'e* since I" aso ta,en on f% responsi#iit( for =a'

prin$s* #%t I" (ie"e" it to A"rian) I ha"nt #een s%re I +ante" to ie there* an" he"

#een prett( "esperatefor his o+n pace) -hen I" seen ho+ happ( the apart'ent 'a"e

hi'* I ,ne+ I" 'a"e the ri$ht choice)A"rian opene" the "oor #efore +e" #are( ha" a

chance to ,noc,) Hhe caar(N han, ;o")I hi" a s'ie as ""ie an" I steppe" insi"e) he

rst thin$ that a+a(s hit 'e a#o%t this pace +as the s%nn( (eo+ paint A"rian ha" p%t %p

on the +as) :e +asconince" it hepe" the 'oo" an" ha" +arne" %s not to G%estion his

Hartistic sensi#iities) he fact that the (eo+ cashe" prett( terri#( +ith his secon"han"

pai"f%rnit%re +as apparent( irreeant) Or 'a(#e I %st +asntHartistic eno%$h to

appreciate it) onetheess* I act%a( fo%n" the erratic st(e co'fortin$) It #ore itte

rese'#ance to ?eiths "ecoratin$* 'a,in$ it a itte easier to#ot o%t the eents of that

a+f% ni$ht) o'eti'es* +hen I oo,e" aro%n" the iin$ roo'* '( #reath +o%" catch as

isions of the icio%s tri$oi attac, an" Lees"eath ha%nte" 'e) A"rians sta'p on the

apart'ent +as i,e i$ht chasin$ a+a( the $r%eso'e sha"o+s of the past)o'eti'es +hen

I +as "o+n* A"rians personait( ha" a si'iar eect)Hice #o%se* a$e* he to" 'e*

"ea"pan) HIt rea( #rin$s o%t the ,ha,i in (o%r pants):is sarcas' asi"e* he oo,e"

s%pre'e( "ei$hte" to see %s):e ha" the ta* ean #%i" that 'ost !oroi $%(s "i"* aon$

+ith their t(pica( pae .tho%$h not tri$oipae/ s,in) I hate" to a"'it it* #%t he +as 'ore

$oo"oo,in$than he ha" an( ri$ht to #e) :e it* #%t he +as 'ore $oo"oo,in$ than he ha"

an( ri$ht to #e) :e +ore his "ar, #ro+n hair st(ish( 'ess( an" ha" e(es thatso'eti'es

see'e" too $reen to #e rea) A"rian ha" on one of those #%tton%p printe" shirts that +ere

tren"( +ith $%(s ate(* +ith a #%e pattern on it I i,e") :es'ee" i,e he" #een s'o,in$

recent(* +hich I "i"nt i,e)i'itri an" on(a +ere sittin$ at the ,itchen ta#e $oin$ oer a#%nch of papers +ith han"+ritten notes on the') he papers +ere ,in" of haphaEar"(

scattere"aro%n"* +hich 'a"e 'e +on"er ho+ '%ch +or, the( co%" rea( #e

acco'pishin$) I +o%" hae ha" those pa$es neat( stac,e" an" or$aniEe" #( topic)H;a"

(o%re #ac,* ("ne(* sai" on(a) HIe nee"e" a itte fe'ae s%pport here) he

prettiness of her re" hair an" hi$h chee, #ones +as tainte" #( the fact thatshe sho+e"

her fan$s +hen she s'ie") !ost !oroi +ere ta%$ht ear( to aoi" that* to preent

"etection fro' h%'ans) on(a ha" no G%a's a#o%t "oin$ it inpriate) It sti #%$$e"

'e)i'itri s'ie" at 'e) It 'a"e his area"( han"so'e face een 'ore so* an" I ,ne+

that HZen 'aster +is"o' +asnt the reason Rose ha" faen for hi') HI'$%essin$ (o%


22/208

"i"nt ta,e a nap)Hoo '%ch to "o* I sai")on(a $ae ""ie a c%rio%s oo,) H-ee #een

+on"erin$ +here (o% +ere)HB%s( at A'#er+oo"* sai" ""ie a$%e() :e" 'entione" in

the car that it 'i$ht #e #est if An$eines in"iscretion an" his force" shoppin$ +erent

'entione")H


23/208

con"%ctin$ a si"e eperi'enton ho+ ci$arettes an" $in act%a( con"%ctin$ a si"e

eperi'ent on ho+ ci$arettes an" $in increase charis'a) As (o% 'i$ht $%ess* the res%ts

are oo,in$ er(pro'isin$)i'itri arche" an e(e#ro+) H-ait* $o #ac,) i" (o% sa( har" at

+or,Di'itris tone +as i$ht an" pa(f%* an" a$ain* I +as str%c, #( the "o%#e stan"ar"

here) If I" 'a"e that co''ent* A"rians response +o%"e #een so'ethin$i,e*

HA#so%te(* a$e) I pro#a#( +in the o#e =riEe for this) B%t for A"rian* i'itris +or"s

+ere a ca to #atte) I sa+ a $int of so'ethin$ har" in A"rianse(es* a stirrin$ of so'e o"

pain* an" it #othere" 'e)hat +asnt his +a() :e a+a(s ha" a s'ie an" a G%ip* een if

the( +ere often irreerent or inappropriate) I" $otten %se" to that) I ,in" of i,e" it)I

$ance" at A"rian +ith a s'ie that I hope" oo,e" $en%ine* rather than a "esperate

atte'pt to proi"e "istraction)HResearch* h%hD I tho%$ht (o% +ere a $a'#in$ 'an) It

too, A"rian a fe+ 'o'ents to "ra$ his $aEe fro' i'itri an" it on 'e) HIe #een

,no+n to ro the"ice no+ an" then* he sai" +ari() H-h(DI shr%$$e") Ho reason) M%st

+on"erin$ if (o%" p%t (o%r charis'a research on ho" an" step %p for a chaen$e) If (o%

+ent t+ent(fo%r ho%rs +itho%t ci$arettes*I" "rin, a can of pop) Re$%ar pop) he +hoe

can)I sa+ the $i''er of A"rians earier s'ie ret%rnin$) H


24/208

i'itri* $ettin$ %s #ac, on trac,)HRi$ht* sai" A"rian) Hhis is e 'in%tes of a%a#e

research +aste") p for 'ore f%n* CastieD I ,no+ ho+ '%ch (o% oe sittin$ aro%n")

Beca%se the( +eretr(in$ to n" so'ethin$ specia a#o%t i'itri* on(a an" A"rian +o%"

often sit the t+o "ha'pirs si"e #( si"e an" st%"( their a%ras in ne "etai) heir hope

+asthat i'itris tri$oi conersion ha" eft so'e si$n that +o%" hep epain the

i''%nit( to #ein$ t%rne" a$ain) It +as a ai" i"ea* tho%$h not so'ethin$ thatso'eone as

actie as ""ie eno(e"):e "i"nt co'pain* of co%rse) ""ie +ore a oo, as to%$h an"

"eter'ine" as i'itri) He 'e +hat (o% nee")H-e +ant to "o another a%ra st%"(* sai"

on(a) Loo,e" i,e poor ""ie +o%" #e "oin$ so'e 'ore sittin$ aro%n") HLast ti'e +e

foc%se" on an( si$n of spirit)his ti'e* +e +ant to sho+ #oth of (o% so'e pict%res an" see

if the( tri$$er an( coor chan$es in (o%r a%ras) I no""e" in approa) A ot of

ps(choo$icaeperi'ents atte'pte" si'iar techniG%es* tho%$h the( %s%a( 'onitore"

ph(sioo$ica responses instea" of '(stica a%ras)HI sti sa( its a +aste* sai" A"rian)

Hhe(re #oth "ha'pirs* #%t that "oesnt 'ean +e can ass%'e an( "ierent reactions

the( hae are #eca%se Bei,o +as atri$oi) er(ones %niG%e)er(ones $oin$ to

respon" "ierent( to pict%res of ,ittens or spi"ers) !( o" 'anD :e hates ,ittens)

spi"ers) !( o" 'anD :e hates ,ittens)H-ho co%" hate ,ittensD as,e" ""ie)A"rian

'a"e a face) H:es aer$ic)HA"rian* sai" on(a) H-ee area"( #een oer this) I respect

(o%r opinion #%t sti thin, +e can earn a ot) I +as act%a( i'presse" that A"rian ha" an

opinion)o far* I" ,in" of fet i,e he +as %st $oin$ aon$ +ith eer(thin$ on(a an"

i'itri to" hi' to "o an" that he "i"nt $ie these eperi'ents '%ch tho%$ht)

An"*atho%$h I +asnt fa'iiar +ith the a%ras that s%rro%n"e" a iin$ creat%res* I co%"

%n"erstan" his point that in"ii"%a "ierences +o%" thro+ o their research)HA "ata is

%sef% in this case* sai" i'itri) Hspecia( since +e haent fo%n" an(thin$ so far) -e

,no+ theres so'ethin$ "ierent a#o%t for'er tri$oi) -ecant r%e o%t an( chance to

o#sere it)A"rians ips ti$htene"* an" he 'a"e no f%rther protest)!a(#e it +as #eca%se

he fet oerr%e"* #%t I ha" a feein$ it +as #eca%se he %st "i"nt +ant to en$a$e +ith

i'itri)-ith the attention o 'e* I sette" into the iin$ roo' +ith a #oo, an" trie" to sta(a+a,e) he( "i"nt nee" 'e) I" si'p( co'e to ,eep ""ie co'pan()Occasiona(* I"

chec, the others pro$ress) i'itri an" ""ie +atche" as on(a Jippe" thro%$h "ierent

i'a$es on her aptop) In t%rn* A"rian an" on(a+atche" the "ha'pirs cose( an" 'a"e

notes on paper) I a'ost +ishe" I co%" see the #an"s of coor an" i$ht an" +on"ere" if

there rea( +ere an( noticea#e"ierences)t%"(in$ ""ie an" i'itri* I so'eti'es +o%"

notice a chan$e in facia epression +hen partic%ar( c%te or horric i'a$es in facia

epression +hen partic%ar(c%te or horric i'a$es sho+e" %p on the screen* #%t for the

'ost part their +or, re'aine" a '(ster( to 'e)C%rio%s* I +a,e" oer to on(a +hen the(

+ere a#o%t haf+a( thro%$h) H-hat "o (o% seeD I as,e" in a o+ oice)HCoors* she sai")


25/208

Hhinin$ aro%n" a iin$ thin$s) ""ie an" i'itri hae "ierent coors* #%t the( hae the

sa'e reactions) he chan$e" the pict%re on thescreen to one of a factor( spiin$ #ac,

s'o,e into an other+ise cear s,() Heither of the' i,e this) heir a%ras "i' an" t%rn

tro%#e") he Jippe" to the neti'a$e* a s'ie on her ips) hree ,ittens appeare" on the

screen)HAn" no+ the( +ar' %p) Aection is er( eas( to spot in an a%ra) o far* the( react

in nor'a +a(s) heres no si$n in i'itris a%ra that hes "ierent fro'""ie) I ret%rne"

to the co%ch)After a co%pe of ho%rs* on(a cae" a hat) HI thin, +ee seen +hat +e

nee"e" to) han, (o%* ""ie)H:app( to hep* he sai"* risin$ fro' his chair an"

stretchin$):e see'e" reiee" #oth that it +as oer an" that it ha" inoe" so'ethin$

si$ht( 'ore interestin$ than starin$ o into space) :e +as actie an" ener$etic*

an""i"nt i,e captiit()HAtho%$h F +ee $ot a fe+ other i"eas* she a""e") Ho (o%

thin, (o% $%(s can po+er thro%$h a itte on$erD at%ra(* she as,e" %st as I +as

(a+nin$)""ie re$ar"e" 'e +ith s('path() HI sta(* #%t (o% "ont hae to) ;o seep) I

$et a ri"e ho'e)Ho* no* I sai"* stiJin$ a secon" (a+n) HI "ont 'in") -hat are (o%r

other i"easDHI +as hopin$ to "o so'ethin$ si'iar +ith ""ie an" i'itri* she epaine")

Hcept this ti'e* +e" %se so%n"s instea" of i'a$es) hen I" i,e to see ho+

the(respon" to "irect contact +ith spirit)HI thin, thats a $oo" i"ea* I sai"* not rea( s%re

+hat that ast one +o%" entai) H;o for it) I +ait) on(a $ance" aro%n" an" see'e" to

notice I +asnt the on(one +ho oo,e" tire") H!a(#e +e sho%" $et so'e foo" rst) ""ie

#ri$htene" %p at that)

I $o* I oere") It +as a si$n of '( pro$ress that a'pires ta,in$ a#o%t Hfoo" no

on$er 'a"e 'e h(perentiate) I ,ne+ she "i"nt 'ean #oo"* not if the"ha'pirs an" I

+ere #ein$ inoe") Besi"es* there +as no fee"er aro%n") >ee"ers +ere h%'ans +ho

+iin$( $ae #oo" to !oroi for the hi$h it pro"%ce")er(one here ,ne+ #etter than to

een o,e a#o%t that aro%n" 'e) Hheres a $oo" hai carr(o%t pace a fe+ #oc,s

a+a()HI hep* sai" A"rian ea$er()HI hep* sai" on(a) Hhe ast ti'e (o% ran an

erran"* (o% +ere $one t+o ho%rs) A"rian sco+e" #%t "i"nt "en( the char$e) HO%r a%ra

o#serations hae #eeni"entica an(+a()


26/208

s'ie" at her) HAn" here I tho%$ht A"rian +as the on( one +ho $ot ca#in feer fro' the

+or, (o% $%(s "o)H:e %st co'pains the 'ost* she epaine") H-hich is ,in" of f%nn(

since he aso pro#a#( $ets o%t the 'ost* #et+een his casses an" his ci$arette #rea,s)

I"near( for$otten a#o%t the t+o art casses A"rian +as ta,in$ at a oca coe$e) :e %s%a(

,ept his atest proects on "ispa(* #%t there" #een none in the iin$ roo'ate() I ha"nt

reaiEe" %nti that 'o'ent ho+ '%ch I 'isse" the') I 'i$ht $ie hi' a har" ti'e* #%t

so'eti'es those artistic $i'pses into the +a( he tho%$ht +erefascinatin$)on(a $ae 'e

a #rief recap of her +e""in$ pans as +e +a,e" the short "istance to the hai resta%rant)

:er reationship +ith "ha'pir !i,hai anner +as ,in" ofepic on a ot of ees* I s%ppose")

>irst* "ha'pirs an" !oroi "i"nt $enera( $et inoe" in serio%s reationships) s%a(* the(

+ere %st cas%a aairs that res%te"in the repro"%ction of 'ore "ha'pirs) In a""ition to

the scan"a of een #ein$ inoe"* !i,hai ha" act%a( +ante" to h%nt "o+n on(a +hen

she +as a tri$oi tofree her fro' that t+iste" state) Rose ha" atte'pte" the sa'e +ith

i'itri* #eiein$ "eath +as #etter than #ein$ a tri$oi)+ith i'itri* #eiein$ "eath +as

#etter than #ein$ a tri$oi)!i,hai ha" faie"* #%t their oe ha" re'aine" stea"fast

eno%$h thro%$h the or"ea that +hen she" "ee" the o""s an" #een restore"* the("

i''e"iate( $otten#ac, to$ether) I co%"nt een #e$in to i'a$ine oe i,e that)H-ere

sti "eci"in$ on Jo+ers* she contin%e") H:("ran$eas or iies) I' $%essin$ I ,no+ +hat

(o%r ote is for)HAct%a(* I" sa( h("ran$eas) I' aro%n" too 'an( iies area"()he

a%$he" at that an" s%""en( ,net near a Jo+er #e" e" +ith $a"ioas) H!ore than (o%

,no+) here are iies seepin$ in this #e")Hhe(re o%t of season* I pointe"

o%t)Hothin$s eer o%t of season) on(a $ance" aro%n" coert( an" then reste" her

n$ers on the earth) !o'ents ater* "ar, $reen shoots appeare"* $ro+in$ taeran" taer

%nti a re" tr%'pet i( opene" %p on top) HAh) Re") Ache'ists ones are +hiteKoh* are (o%

o,a(DI ha" #ac,e" %p so far on the si"e+a, that I" near( +a,e" into the street) H


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#ri$ht coors* fascinate" chi"ren an" inspire" to%rists to stop for photo ops) on(a +as

easi( "istracte" #( the ario%s pantsan" trees that the cit( %se" to #ea%tif( the

streets)en +itho%t spirits a#iit( to aect iin$ thin$s* she +as sti G%ite the

$ar"ener)H:e( (o%N "er !eroseNI t%rne" an" +ince" +hen I sa+ Lia itefano stri"in$

to+ar" 'e) Lia +as a fashion "esi$ner +ith a shop here in "o+nto+n =a' prin$s) I

ha"nt reaiEe" +e+ere stan"in$ "irect( across fro' her store) If I ha"* I +o%"e +aite"

insi"e the resta%rant)Lia +as short #%t ha" an oer+he'in$ presence* enhance" #( the

Ja'#o(ant $(ps( st(e she often chose for her persona attire)HIe #een cain$ (o% for

+ee,s* she sai"* once she reache" o%r si"e of the street) H-h( "ont (o% ans+erDHIe

#een rea( #%s(* I sai" strai$htface")

hh%h) Lia p%t her han"s on her hips an" trie" to stare 'eHhh%h) Lia p%t her han"s

on her hips an" trie" to stare 'e "o+n* +hich +as ,in" of a'aEin$ since I +as taer)H-hen are (o% $oin$ to et (o%r sister 'o"e for'e a$ainDH!iss itefano* I sai"

patient(* HIe to" (o% #efore) he cant "o it an('ore) O%r parents "ont i,e it) O%r

rei$ion "oesnt ao+ faces to #e photo$raphe")Last 'onth* Mis r%n+a(perfect #%i" an"

$or$eo%s* etherea feat%res ha" attracte" Lias attention) eein$ as hain$ (o%r pict%re

ta,en en 'asse +as ,in" of a #a"+a( to sta( in hi"in$* +e" on( a$ree" to et Mi +a, in

Lias fashion sho+ #eca%se a the 'o"es +ore &enetian 'as,s) Lia ha" #een on 'e eer

since to et Mi'o"e a$ain) It +as har" #eca%se I ,ne+ Mi +ante" to* #%t she %n"erstoo" as

+e as I "i" that her safet( ca'e rst) Cai'in$ +e +ere part of so'e o#sc%re rei$ionha"

often epaine" a+a( o%r +eir" #ehaiors to others* so I" $%re" it +o%" $et Lia o '(

#ac,) It ha"nt)HI neer hear fro' these parents of (o%rs* Lia sai") HIe +atche" (o%r

fa'i() I see ho+ it is)


28/208


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oo,e" %nco'forta#e %n"er the scr%tin()hen* I sa+ a sier( shi''er r%n oer his #o"() I

steppe" #ac,* a'aEe"Kan" %nnere"Kat seein$ a ph(sica 'anifestation of a'aEe"K

an" %nnere"Kat seein$a ph(sica 'anifestation of spirit) he( repeate" the process on

i'itri* +ith the sa'e res%ts) Apparent(* on an %nseen ee* thin$s +ere the sa'e too)

here +asnothin$ nota#e a#o%t i'itris response) A of the' too, this in stri"e as part of

the scientic process* #%t seein$ that 'a$ic act%a( e'#race the t+o 'en ha"creepe" 'e

o%t)As ""ie an" I "roe #ac, to A'#er+oo" that ni$ht* I fo%n" '(sef sittin$ as far a+a(

fro' hi' as I co%" in the car* as tho%$h resi"%a 'a$ic 'i$ht ea, oer an"to%ch 'e) :e

chatte" +ith 'e in o%r %s%a* frien"( +a(* an" I ha" to +or, har" to hi"e '( feein$s)

oin$ so 'a"e 'e fee $%it() his +as ""ie* after a) !(frien") he 'a$ic* een if it

co%"e h%rt 'e* +as on$ since $one)A $oo" ni$ht of seep +ent a on$ +a(s to sha,e

#oth '( aniet( an" $%it* eain$ the 'a$ic a "istant 'e'or( +hen I +o,e an" prepare"

for casses the net "a()en tho%$h #ein$ at A'#er+oo" +as an assi$n'ent* I" ,in" of

co'e to oe the eite schoo) I" #een ho'eschooe" #efore this* an" +hie '( "a" ha"

certain(ta%$ht to%$h c%rric%%'* he" neer $one #e(on" +hat he fet +as necessar()

:ere* een if I s%rpasse" +hat '( casses +ere earnin$* there +ere pent( of

teachersrea"( to enco%ra$e 'e to p%sh farther) I ha"nt #een ao+e" to $o to coe$e* #%t

this +as a nice s%#stit%te)Before I co%" $et on to it* I ha" to chaperone a trainin$ session

+ith ""ie an" An$eine) en tho%$h he 'i$ht +ant to aoi" her* he +o%"ntKnot +ith

Missafet( on the ine)An$eine +as part of Mis "efense) I sette" "o+n in the $rass

An$eine +as part of Mis "efense) I sette" "o+n in the $rass +ith a c%p of coee* sti

+on"erin$ ifhe +asnt %st i'a$inin$ An$eines interest) I" recent( acG%ire" a onec%p

coee 'a,er for '( "or' roo'* an" +hie it co%"nt co'pare to a coee shop* it

ha"$otten 'e thro%$h a n%'#er of ro%$h 'ornin$s) A (a+n s'othere" '( $reetin$ as Mi

sat "o+n #esi"e 'e)H""ie neer trains 'e an('ore* she sai" +istf%(* as +e +atche"

the spectace) ""ie +as tr(in$ to patient( epain to An$eine that hea"#%ttin$* +hie

s%ita#ein a #ar #ra+* +as not a+a(s the #est tactic +ith tri$oi)HI' s%re he +i if he $ets

'ore ti'e* I sai"* tho%$h I +asnt s%re at a) o+ that he co%" a"'it his feein$s for Mi tohi'sef* he +as nero%s a#o%t to%chin$ hertoo '%ch) hat* an" a chiaro%s part of hi'

"i"nt +ant Mi ris,in$ hersef an(+a() It +as ironic #eca%se Mis erceness in +antin$ to

earn sef"efense .rare in a!oroi/ +as +hat ha" attracte" hi' to her)HAn$eine +as

recr%ite" as protection) :es $ot to 'a,e s%re she can han"e it)HI ,no+) I %st fee i,e

eer(ones tr(in$ to co""e 'e) he fro+ne") HIn =* !icah +ont et 'e "o an(thin$)

After I ha" a that tro%#e startin$ o%t* hes no+paranoi" I h%rt '(sef) I ,eep tein$ hi'

I' ne* that it +as %st the s%n F #%t +e* he ,eeps %'pin$ in) Its s+eet F #%t it "ries

'e craE( so'eti'es)HIe notice" it* I a"'itte") I +as in the sa'e = cass) HI "ont

thin, thats +h( ""ie +ont train (o%* tho%$h) :e ,no+s (o% can "o it) :es pro%" that


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(o% canF he %st thin,s that if (o% can "o it) :es pro%" that (o% can F he %st thin,s that

if hes "oin$ his o#* (o% sho%"nt hae to earn) ?in" of +eir" o$ic)Ho* I $et it) :er

earier "is'a( shifte" to approa as she t%rne" #ac, to the trainin$ session) H:es so

"e"icate" F an"* +e* $oo" at +hat he "oes)Hhe ,nees an eas( +a( to "isa#e

so'eone* ""ie to" An$eine) Hspecia( if (o%re ca%$ht +itho%t a +eapon an" hae to

KH-hen are (o% $oin$ to teach 'e to sta,e or "ecapitateD she interr%pte"* han"s on

her hips) HA the ti'e* its hit here* "o"$e this* #ah* #ah* #ah) I nee" topractice ,iin$

tri$oi)Ho* (o% "ont) ""ie +as the pict%re of patience an" #ac, in the "eter'ine"*

rea"( 'o"e I ,ne+ so +e) H


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herar's)An$eine too, the opport%nit( to ean #ac, into hi' an" #r%sh her #o"(

s%$$estie( a$ainst his) !( e(es +i"ene") O,a()!a(#e he +asnt i'a$inin$ thin$s)H:e(N

:e eapt #ac,+ar"s* a oo, of horror on his face)H=a( attentionN


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"ress) Ah* that epaine" +h( the( +ere co'in$ to 'e) An interie+)An(thin$ ese the(

co%" hae p%e" fro' a fashion 'a$aEine)An" +hie I co%" a"'it that I pro#a#( +as the

a%thorit( on s%ch practica 'atters F +e* I +as ,in" of "isappointe" that +as +hat I"

#een s%''one" for)H-hat coor are the(DHhe #aEers re"* an" the "ress is na() I

st%"ie" ?ristin* ta,in$ in her feat%res) On her +rist +as a scar* the re'nant of an insi"io%s

tattoo I" hepe" re'oe*#ac, +hen ?eiths sha"( tattoo rin$ ha" r%n ra'pant) Ho the

"ress)-ait F is it a "ress (o%" +ear to ch%rch or to a ni$htc%#DHCh%rch* she sai"* not

so%n"in$ happ( a#o%t it)Hress for s%re then* I sai")?ristin Jashe" a tri%'phant oo, at

M%ia) HeeD I to" (o% thats +hat she" sa()M%ia oo,e" "o%#tf%) Hhe #aEers 'ore f%n)

Its #ri$ht re")H


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"%ties for a ni$ht) It +o%" neer +or,* of co%rse) -e" #e o%t at a 'oie* an" I" pro#a#(

$et tete" to co'e coer %p a tri$oi sa(in$)his 'oo" +asnt %nco''on for 'e* an" it

#e$an i$htenin$ as I starte" '( schoo "a() I fe into the rh(th' of '( sche"%e*

co'forta#e in its fa'iiarit()eachers a+a(s assi$ne" the 'ost +or, oer +ee,en"s* an" I

+as pease" to #e a#e to t%rn in a that I" "one on '( pane ri"es) nfort%nate(* '( ast

cass ofthe "a( "eraie" a the pro$ress of '( 'oo") Act%a(* cass +asnt the ri$ht +or") It

+as an in"epen"ent st%"( I ha" +ith '( histor( teacher* !s) er+ii$er)!s) er+ii$er ha"

recent( reeae" hersef to #e a 'a$ic %ser* a +itch of sorts or +hateer those peope

referre" to the'sees as) Ache'ists ha" hear" r%'ors of

!s) er+ii$er ha" recent( reeae" hersef to #e a 'a$ic %ser* a +itch of sorts or

+hateer those peope referre" to the'sees as) Ache'ists ha" hear" r%'ors ofthe'*

#%t it +as nothin$ +e ha" a ot of eperience +ith or facts a#o%t) o o%r ,no+e"$e* on(

!oroi +ie"e" 'a$ic) -e %tiiEe" it in o%r i( tattoosK+hich ha"trace a'o%nts of a'pire

#oo"K#%t the tho%$ht of h%'ans pro"%cin$ it in the sa'e +a( +as craE( an"

t+iste")hat +as +h( it +as s%ch a s%rprise +hen !s) er+ii$er not on( reeae" hersef

to 'e ast 'onth #%t aso en"e" %p ,in" of tric,in$ 'e into +ie"in$ a spe) Itha" eft 'e

shoc,e" an" een feein$ "irt() !a$ic +as not for h%'ans to %se) -e ha" no ri$ht to

'anip%ate the +or" i,e that it +as a h%n"re" ti'es +orse than+hat on(a ha" "one to

the re" i( on the street) !s)er+ii$er insiste" I ha" a nat%ra anit( for 'a$ic an" ha"

oere" to train 'e) -h( she +ante" this* eact(* I +asnt s%re)he" $one on an" on

a#o%t the potentia I ha"* #%t I co%" har"( #eiee she" +ant to train 'e +itho%t a

reason of her o+n) I ha"nt $%re" o%t +hat that 'i$ht#e* #%t it "i"nt 'atter)I" ref%se"

her oer) o* she" fo%n" a +or,aro%n")H!iss !e#o%rne* ho+ '%ch on$er "o (o% thin,

(o% #e on the ?i'#a #oo,D she cae" fro' her "es,) re( ha" pic,e" %p H!e#o%rne

fro' her* #%t %ni,ehi'* she see'e" to constant( for$et that +asnt '( act%a na'e) he

+as in her forties* +ith 'o%s( #ro+n hair an" a perpet%a( c%nnin$ $int in her e(es)I

oo,e" %p fro' '( +or,* forcin$ poiteness) H+o 'ore "a(s) hree at 'ost)H!a,e s%re to

transate a three of the seep of spes* she sai") Hach has its o+n n%ances)Hhere are

fo%r seep spes in this #oo,* I correcte")HAre thereD she as,e" innocent() HI' $a" to

see the(re 'a,in$ an i'pression)'a,in$ an i'pression)I hi" a sco+) :ain$ 'e cop(

an" transate spe #oo,s for research +as ho+ she ta%$ht 'e) I co%"nt hep #%t earn the

tets as I rea" the') I hate" that I" #eenensnare"* #%t it +as too ate in the schoo (ear to

transfer o%t) Besi"es* I co%" har"( co'pain to the a"'inistration that I +as #ein$ force"

to earn 'a$ic)o* I "%tif%( copie" her spe #oo,s an" spo,e as itte as possi#e "%rin$

o%r ti'e to$ether) !ean+hie* I si''ere" +ith resent'ent) he +as +e a+are of'("isco'fort #%t 'a"e no atte'pts to aeiate the tension* eain$ %s in a stae'ate)


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On( one thin$ #ri$htene" those sessions)HLoo, at that) Its #een near( t+o ho%rs since

'( ast capp%ccino) Its a +on"er I can f%nction) -o%" (o% #e ,in" eno%$h to r%n to

pencersD hat sho%" nish%s o%t for the "a() he ast #e ha" r%n$ fteen 'in%tes a$o*

#%t I" #een p%ttin$ in so'e oerti'e)I +as area"( cosin$ the spe #oo, #efore she

nishe" spea,in$) -hen I" #e$%n as her assistant* I" resente" the constant erran"s)

o+* I oo,e" for+ar" to theescape) ot to 'ention '( o+n caeine )-hen I reache"

the coee shop* I fo%n" re( +as %st startin$ his shift* +hich +as $reatKnot %st #eca%se

he +as a frien"( face* #%t #eca%se it 'eant "isco%nts):e #e$an 'a,in$ '( or"er #efore I

een pace" it since he ,ne+ the "ri #( no+)Another #arista oere" to hep* an" re( $ae

hi' 'etic%o%s instr%ctions on +hat to "o)H,inn( ania atte* sai" re(* $ra##in$ the

cara'e for !s)H,inn( ania atte* sai" re(* $ra##in$ the cara'e for !s)er+ii$ers

capp%ccino) Hhats s%$arfree s(r%p an" s,i')ont 'ess it %p) he can sni o%t s%$ar

an" 2 'i, a 'ie a+a() I s%ppresse" a s'ie) !a(#e I co%"nt reea Ache'ist secrets

to '( frien"s* #%t it +as niceto ,no+ the( at east ,ne+ '( coee preferences #ac,+ar"s

an" for+ar"s)he other #arista* +ho oo,e" to #e o%r a$e* $ae re( a "ro oo,) HI' +e

a+are of +hat s,inn( 'eans)Hice attention to "etai* I tease" re() HI "i"nt ,no+ (o%

care")H:e(* I ie to sere* he sai") HBesi"es* I nee" (o%r hep toni$ht +ith that a# +rite

%p fro' che')


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'eet (o%)H


36/208

H-as I ri$ht* or +as I ri$htDHA#o%t +hatD I as,e"* tho%$h I ha" a feein$ I ,ne+

+hatHA#o%t +hatD I as,e"* tho%$h I ha" a feein$ I ,ne+ +hat +as co'in$)HA#o%t

Bra("en #ein$ (o%r so% 'ate)

I to" (o%KHI ,no+* I ,no+) ine) I tet (o% +hen I $et

#ac, toni$ht) -e 'a,e it happen)Hhan,s) An" I $ie Bra("en a ta,in$to so he

"oesnt tr( an(thin$ on h%rs"a()!( 'in" +as sti f% of Latin an" ha,espeare) Hr(

+hatD re( shoo, his hea") H:onest(* !e#o%rne* I "ont ,no+ re( shoo, his hea")

H:onest(*!e#o%rne* I "ont ,no+ ho+ (o%e s%rie" this on$ in the +or" +itho%t

'e)HOh* I sai"* #%shin$) Hhat) ;reat) o+ I ha" so'ethin$ ese to +orr( a#o%t)re(

scoe") HBet+een (o% an" 'e* Bra("ens pro#a#( the ast $%( in the +or" (o% hae to


37/208


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no ti'e for hiso,es)I sai" $oo"#(e an" hea"e" o to '( st%"( $ro%p* +hich* than,f%(*

+as prett( "e"icate" an" $ot a ot of +or, "one) B%t +hen I 'et %p +ith re( at the

i#rar(ater* he +as ess than foc%se") :e co%"nt stop $oin$ on an" on a#o%t ho+ #riiant

he +as in $ettin$ Bra("en an" 'e to$ether)Hhis "ate hasnt een happene"* an" I'

area"( tire" of it* I sai") I sprea" re(s a# paper+or, o%t on the ta#e #efore %s)he

n%'#ers an" for'%as +ere co'fortin$* far 'ore concrete an" or"er( than the '(steries

of socia interaction) I tappe" the a# assi$n'ent +ith '( pen) H=a(attention) -e "ont

hae a ot a# assi$n'ent +ith '( pen) H=a( attention) -e "ont hae a ot of ti'e):e

shr%$$e" o '( concerns) HCant (o% %st nish itDHoN I eft eno%$h ti'e so that (o%

co%" "o it (o%rsef) I hep* #%t thats it)re( +as intei$ent eno%$h to $%re o%t 'ost of

it on his o+n)sin$ 'e +as %st another +a( for hi' to "o"$e oo,in$ s'art):e et the

"ate $o an" foc%se" on the +or,) I tho%$ht I +as free of Bra("en interro$ation %nti* %st

as +ere +rappin$ %p* Mi an" !icah ca'e stroin$ #(* han" inhan")he( +ere +ith a $ro%p

of other peope* +hich "i"nt s%rprise 'e) !icah +as eas($oin$ an" pop%ar* an" Mi ha"

inherite" a ar$e circe of frien"s #( $oin$ o%t+ith hi') :er e(es spar,e" +ith happiness

as so'eone in the $ro%p to" a f%nn( stor( that 'a"e the' a a%$h) I co%"nt hep a

s'ie '(sef) his +as a far cr(fro' +hen Mi ha" rst co'e to A'#er+oo" an" #een

treate" as an o%tcast for %n%s%a oo,s an" o"" #ehaiors) he +as thriin$ +ith this ne+

socia stat%s)!a(#e it +o%" hep her e'#race her ro(a #ac,$ro%n") !( s'ie fa"e" +hen

Mi p%e" !icah a+a( fro' the $ro%p an" h%rrie" oer to o%r ta#e) :er ea$erepression

+orrie" 'e)HIs it tr%eD she as,e") Ho (o% hae a "ateDH>or the oe ofK(o% ,no+ its

tr%eN An" (o% to" A"rian* "i"nt (o%D I $ae her a pointe" oo,) heir ps(chic #on"

+asnt actie 100 percent of the ti'e* #%t

>or the oe ofK(o% ,no+ its tr%eN An" (o% to" A"rian* "i"nt (o%D I $ae her a

pointe" oo,) heir ps(chic #on" +asnt actie 100 percent of the ti'e* #%tso'ethin$ to"

'e she ,ne+ a#o%t his earier phone ca to 'e) -hen the #on" +asHon* she co%" see

into his 'in"* o#serin$ #oth his feein$s an" actions) It on( +or,e" one +a(* ho+eer)

A"rian ha" no s%ch actions) It on( +or,e" one +a(*ho+eer) A"rian ha" no s%ch insi$ht)

he t%rne" sheepish)H


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ta,in$ (o%D o'e+here $oo"D i$ht on the to+nD >anc( "innerD!icah an" I ha" an

a+eso'e ti'e at aton ea) Its so prett()


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+ith hi') oo '%ch epos%re 'eant the !oroi "issi"entsco%" n" Mi) B%t +h( +o%" re(

fee that +a(* tooD :is cai's that she +as too (o%n$ +ere so%n"* I s%ppose"* #%t there

+as so'ethin$ a$%e( %nsettin$a#o%t the echan$e) he +a( he" +atche" her +a,

a+a( +as too +eir") B%t then* +hat other reason asi"e fro' concern co%" he haeDhe

nor'ait( of the net co%pe of "a(s +as +eco'eKnor'ait( #ein$ reatie aro%n" here*

of co%rse) A"rian ,ept sen"in$ 'e e'ais* as,in$ 'e to resc%e hi' .+hie aso oerin$

%nsoicite" "atin$ a"ice/) !s)er+ii$er contin%e" her passie a$$ressie atte'pts to

teach 'e 'a$ic) ""ie contin%e" in his erce "e"ication to Mi) An" An$eine contin%e" her

notsos%#tea"ances on ""ie)After +atchin$ her Hacci"enta( spi her +ater #otte a

oer her +hite shirt at practice +ith hi' one "a(* I ,ne+ so'ethin$ +o%" hae to #e

"one* no 'atter+hat ""ie ha" sai" a#o%t his persona ife) Li,e so 'an( a+,+ar" an"

%npeasant tas,s in o%r cohort* I ha" a feein$ I +as the one +ho +o%" hae to "o it)

I$%re" this +o%" #e so'e sort of stern* hearttoheart ta, a#o%t the proper +a( to soicit

so'eones attention* #%t on the ni$ht of '( "ate +ith Bra("en* it +assoon 'a"e cear to

'e that I +as apparent( the ast person +ho sho%" #e $iin$ "atin$ a"ice)H


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+ant)HoN o '( reief* Mi p%t the "ress a+a() A fe+ 'o'ents ater* she pro"%ce" a ne+

n")H-hat a#o%t thisD he he" %p a han$er carr(in$ a on$ +hite tan, top 'a"e of i$ht*

crin,( 'ateria +ith a scoop nec,ine)?ristin $ance" at An$eine) Hhin, (o% co%" 'a,e

the nec,ine o+erDHhe nec,ines o+ eno%$h area"() An" thats not a shirt (o% +ear on

its o+n* I proteste") HIts 'eant to #e t%c,e" in %n"er a #aEer)M%ia rose fro' the chair)

he tosse" her hair this +as serio%s #%siness) Ho* no F this 'i$ht +or,) he too, the

shirt fro' Mi an" ai" it across the eans I" seto%t) he st%"ie" it for a fe+ 'o'ents an"

then ret%rne" to '( cosetK+hich +as apparent( free $a'e for eer(one) After a G%ic,

search* she p%e" o%t a s,inn(eather #et +ith a tan sna,es,in pattern) HI tho%$ht I

re'e'#ere" (o% +earin$ this) he ai" the #et oer the +hite shirt an" steppe" #ac,)

After a #it 'orescr%tin(* she $ae it a no" of approa) he others cro+"e" in to

oo,)H;oo" e(e* sai" ?ristin)H:e(* I fo%n" the shirt* Mi re'in"e" her)HI cant +ear the

shirt aone* I sai") I hope" '( protests coere" %p '( aniet() :a" I rea( #een that o on

the (eo+ shirtD I" #een certain it +as "ate

I cant +ear the shirt aone* I sai") I hope" '( protests coere" %p '( aniet() :a" I

rea( #een that o on the (eo+ shirtD I" #een certain it +as "ateappropriate) :o+ +as I

$oin$ shirtD I" #een certain it +as "ateappropriate) :o+ +as I $oin$ to s%rie toni$ht if I

co%"nt een "ress ri$htDHIf (o% +ant to p%t a #aEer on oer it in this +eather* #e '(

$%est* sai" M%ia) HB%t I "ont thin, (o% hae to +orr( a#o%t it sho+in$ too '%ch) his

+o%"nt een#e +orth !rs)-eatherss notice)Heither +o%" the (eo+ #o%se* I pointe"

o%t)he( "eci"e" '( cothin$ +as a "one "ea an" 'oe" on to hair an" 'a,e%p a"ice) I

"re+ the ine there) I +ore 'a,e%p eer( "a(Ker( nice* er( epensie'a,e%p appie"

to 'a,e the 'ost of '( feat%res in a +a( that 'a"e it oo, as tho%$h I "i"nt een hae

'a,e%p on) I +asnt $oin$ to chan$e that nat%ra oo,* no'atter ho+ a"a'ant( M%ia

s+ore pin, e(e sha"o+ +o%" #e Hhot)one of the' p%t %p '%ch of a $ht on '( hair) It

+as c%rrent( in a a(ere" c%t that +ent %st past '( sho%"ers) here +as eact( one +a(

it co%" #e st(e"*+orn "o+n +ith the a(ers caref%( arran$e" +ith a hair "r(er) An( other

st(e oo,e" 'ess(* an" of co%rse* I area"( ha" it in the perfect con$%ration to"a()

opoint 'essin$ +ith a $oo" thin$)Besi"es* I thin, the( +ere a too ecite" that I" a$ree"

to +ear the +hite tan, topKonce I" trie" it on to erif( that it +asnt transparent)!( on(

no" to e+er( +as '( itte $o" cross) I fastene" it aro%n" '( nec, an" sai" a sient

pra(er that I" $et thro%$h this)Atho%$h Ache'ists %se" crosses a ot* +e +erent eact(

part of an( tra"itiona Christian faith or practice) -e ha" o%r o+n rei$io%s serices an"

#eiee" in;o"* that :e +as a $reat force of $oo"ness an" i$ht that inf%se" eer( #it of

the %nierse) -ith a that responsi#iit(* :e pro#a#( "i"nt care '%ch a#o%t one $ir$oin$

on a "ate* #%t 'a(#e :e co%" spare a secon" to 'a,e s%re it +asnt too painf%)he( a


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traipse" "o+n the stairs +ith 'e +hen the ti'e ca'e for Bra("en to pic, 'e %p) .Act%a(*

it +as a itte earier than the appointe" ti'e* #%t I hate" #ein$ate)/ he $irs ha" a co'e

%p +ith reasons for nee"in$ to 'eet hi'* fro' Mis HIts a fa'i( thin$ to ?ristins HI can

spot an asshoe in e secon"s) I +asntcon"ent in that ast one* seein$ as she" once

spec%ate" that ?eith 'i$ht #e a $oo" catch)A of the' +ere aso f% of %nsoicite"

a"ice)Hor" !%stan$) I near( s+oone") I''e"iate(* I reache" o%t an" ran '( han" aon$ the

cars s'ooths%rface) Hice* I sai") HBran" ne+* net 'o"e (ear) hese ne+ ones +i


43/208

neer G%ite hae the character of the cassics* #%t the( certain( 'a,e %p for it in

f%eecono'( an" safet()Bra("en oo,e" peasant( s%rprise") Hor haf a secon"* I

tho%$ht he epecte" 'e to "rie)!a(#e #eca%se I i,e" cars so '%chD B%t then* he

opene" the "oor an" I reaiEe" he +as +aitin$ for 'e to $et in) I "i"* tr(in$ to re'e'#er

the ast ti'e a $%( ha"opene" a car "oor for 'e) !( conc%sion@ neer)inner +asnt fast

foo"* #%t it +asnt an(thin$ fanc( either) I +on"ere" +hat M%ia an" ?ristins opinion +o%"

#e on that) -e +on"ere" +hat M%ia an" ?ristinsopinion +o%" #e on that) -e ate at a er(

Caifornia t(pe of cafP* that sere" a or$anic san"+iches an" saa"s) er( 'en% ite'

see'e" to feat%re aoca"o)HI +o%"e ta,en (o% so'e+here nicer* he to" 'e) HB%t I

"i"nt +ant to ris, #ein$ ate) he par,s a fe+ #oc,s a+a(* so +e sho%" #e a#e to $et a

$oo" spot) IF I hope thats o,a(D :e s%""en( oo,e" nero%s) It +as s%ch a contrast to

the con"ence he ha" sho+n +hen ta,in$ a#o%t ha,espeare) I ha" to a"'it* it +as,in"

of reass%rin$) I fo%n" '(sef reain$ a itte #it) HIf its not* I n" a #etter paceKHo*

this is $reat* I to" hi'* $ancin$ aro%n" the cafPs #ri$ht( it "inin$ roo') It +as one of

those paces +here +e or"ere" at a co%nter an" then #ro%$ht an%'#er to o%r ta#e)HI"

rather #e ear(* an(+a() :e" pai" for a of o%r foo") I trie" to 'a,e sense of the "atin$

r%es '( frien"s ha" #o'#ar"e" 'e +ith) H-hat "o I o+e (o% for '(tic,etD I as,e"

tentatie()Bra("en oo,e" s%rprise") Hothin$) Its on 'e) :e s'ie" tentatie(

#ac,)Hhan, (o%* I sai") o* he +as pa(in$) hat +o%" 'a,e ?ristin happ(* atho%$h it

'a"e 'e a itte %neas(Kthro%$h no fa%t of his) -ith the Ache'ists* I +asa+a(s the one

pic,in$ %p the #is an" han"in$ the paper+or,) I +asnt %se" to so'eone ese "oin$ it) I

$%ess I %st ha" tro%#e sha,in$ that feein$ that I ha" tota,e care of eer(thin$ #eca%se

no one ese co%" "o it ri$ht)ri$ht)Aca"e'ics ha" a+a(s #een a #reeEe for 'e) B%t at

A'#er+oo"* earnin$ ho+ to han$ o%t +ith peope '( o+n a$e in a nor'a +a( ha" #eena '%ch 'ore"ic%t tas,) I" $otten #etter* #%t it +as sti a str%$$e tr(in$ to $%re o%t

the proper thin$s to sa( to '( peers) -ith Bra("en* there +ere no s%ch pro#e's) -eha"

an en"ess s%pp( of topics* #oth of %s ea$er to p%t forth a +e ,ne+ on an(thin$ an"

eer(thin$) !ost of the 'ea +as spent "isc%ssin$ the intricacies of theor$anic

certication process) It +as prett( a+eso'e)ro%#e ca'e +hen* as +e +ere nishin$ %p*

Bra("en as,e" if I +ante" to $et "essert #efore +e eft) I froEe* s%""en( in a "ie''a) Mi

ha" sai" to 'a,e s%re Ior"ere" eno%$h to not co'e across as a cheap "ate) -itho%t een

thin,in$ a#o%t it* I" or"ere" an inepensie saa"Ksi'p( #eca%se it so%n"e" $oo")-as I

no+ on the hoo, to or"er 'ore so I" see' i,e so'eone Bra("en ha" to +or, forD -as


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this +orth #rea,in$ a '( o+n r%es a#o%t s%$ar an" "essertD An"honest(* +hat "i" Mi

,no+ a#o%t "atin$ etiG%ette an(+a(D :er ast #o(frien" ha" #een ho'ici"a* an" her

c%rrent one +as o#iio%s to the fact that she +as aa'pire)Hh* no than, (o%* I sai" at

ast) HI" rather 'a,e s%re +e $et to the par, on ti'e):e no""e" as he rose fro' the

ta#e an" $ae 'e another s'ie) HI +as thin,in$ the sa'e thin$) !ost peope "ont see'

to thin, p%nct%ait( is that i'portant)HI'portantD Its essentia* I sai") HI' a+a(s at

east ten 'in%tes ear()'in%tes ear()Bra("ens $rin +i"ene") HI ai' for fteen) o te

(o% the tr%th F I rea( "i"nt +ant "essert an(+a() :e he" the "oor open for 'e as +e

steppe" o%tsi"e) HI tr(to aoi" $ettin$ too '%ch s%$ar)I near( ca'e to a stan"sti in

astonish'ent) HI tota( a$reeK#%t '( frien"s a+a(s $ie 'e a har" ti'e a#o%t it)

Bra("en no""e") Hhere are a sorts of reasons) =eope %st "ont $et it* tho%$h)I +a,e"

to the par,* st%nne") o one ha" eer %n"erstoo" 'e so G%ic,( an" easi() It +as i,e he

ha" rea" '( 'in")=a' prin$s +as a "esert cit(* e" +ith on$ stretches of san"( istas

an" star,* roc,( 'o%ntain faces) B%t it +as aso a cit( that 'an,in" ha" #een shapin$ for

aon$ ti'e* an" 'an( pacesKA'#er+oo"* for ea'peKha" #een $ien %sh* $reen

'a,eoers in "eance of the nat%ra ci'ate) his par, +as no eception) It+as a h%$e

epanse of $reen a+n* rin$e" +ith eaf( "eci"%o%s trees instea" of the %s%a pa's) A

sta$e ha" #een set %p at one en"* an" peope +ere area"(see,in$ o%t the #est spots) -e

chose one in the sha"e that ha" a $reat ie+ of the sta$e) Bra("en too, o%t a #an,et to

sit on fro' his #ac,pac,* aon$ +ith a +orn

see,in$ o%t the #est spots) -e chose one in the sha"e that ha" a $reat ie+ of the sta$e)

Bra("en too, o%t a #an,et to sit on fro' his #ac,pac,* aon$ +ith a +orncop( of Anton(

an" Ceopatra) It +as 'ar,e" %p +ith notes an" stic,( ta#s)Hi" (o% #rin$ (o%r o+nD he

as,e" 'e)Ho* I sai") I co%"nt hep #%t #e i'presse") HI "i"nt #rin$ 'an( #oo,s fro'

ho'e +hen I 'oe" here) :e hesitate"* as tho%$h %ns%re he sho%" sa( +hat he+as

thin,in$) Ho (o% +ant to rea" aon$ +ith 'ineD thin,in$) Ho (o% +ant to rea" aon$

+ith 'ineD I" honest( $%re" I +o%" %st +atch the pa(* #%t theschoar in 'e co%"

certain( see the per,s of hain$ the ori$ina tet aon$) I +as aso c%rio%s a#o%t +hat ,in"

of notes he" 'a"e) It +as on( after I" sai" (esthat I reaiEe" +h( he +as nero%s)

Rea"in$ aon$ +ith hi' 'eant +e ha" to sit er(* er( cose to$ether)HI +ont #ite* he

sai"* s'iin$ +hen I "i"nt 'oe ri$ht a+a()hat #ro,e the tension* an" +e 'ana$e" to

'oe into positions that ao+e" %s #oth to see the #oo, +ith a'ost no to%chin$) here

+as no aoi"in$ o%r ,nees#r%shin$ one another* #%t +e #oth ha" eans on* an" it "i"nt

'a,e 'e fee i,e '( irt%e +as at sta,e) Aso* I co%"nt hep #%t notice he s'ee" i,e

coeeK'(faorite ice) hat +asnt a #a" thin$) ot #a" at a)ti* I +as er( conscio%s of#ein$ so cose to so'eone) I "i"nt thin, I +as $ettin$ an( ro'antic i#es) !( p%se "i"nt


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race '( heart "i"nt J%tter) !ost( I +asa+are that this +as the cosest I" sat to an(one*

'a(#e in '( ife) I +asnt %se" to sharin$ '( persona space so '%ch)I soon for$ot a#o%t

that as the pa( starte") Bra("en 'i$ht not i,e ha,espeare perfor'e" in 'o"ern

cothin$* #%t I tho%$ht the( "i" an a"'ira#e o#) >oo+in$aon$ +ith the tet* +e ca%$ht a

co%pe of spots +here the actors 'esse" %p a ine) -e shot each other secret* tri%'phant

oo,s* $eef% that +e +ere in onso'ethin$ others "i"nt ,no+ a#o%t) I ,ept %p +ith

Bra("ens annotations too* no""in$ at so'e an" sha,in$ '( Bra("ens annotations too*

no""in$ at so'e an"sha,in$ '( hea" at others) I co%"nt +ait %nti +e "isc%sse" this on

the ri"e ho'e)-e +ere a eanin$ for+ar" intent( "%rin$ Ceopatras "ra'atic "eath

scene* intense( foc%se" on her ast ines) O to '( si"e* I hear" the crin,in$ of paper)

Ii$nore" it an" eane" for+ar" f%rther) he paper crin,e" a$ain* this ti'e '%ch

o%"er)Loo,in$ oer* I sa+ a $ro%p of $%(s sittin$ near#( +ho appeare" to #e a#o%t

coe$ea$e") !ost of the' +ere +atchin$ the perfor'ance* #%t one +as ho"in$ anite'

+rappe" in a #ro+n paper #a$) he #a$ +as too #i$ for the o#ect an" ha" #een roe"

"o+n seera ti'es) :e $ance" aro%n" nero%s(* tr(in$ to #e "iscreetan" %nro the paper

in s'a #atches) It +as o#io%s that +as act%a( 'a,in$ 'ore noise than if he" %st $one

for it an" %nroe" it a at once)his +ent on for another 'in%te* an" #( then* a fe+ others

near#( +ere $ancin$ oer at hi') :e na( 'ana$e" to open the #a$ an" then* sti in

so+ 'otion*caref%( o+ere" his han" insi"e) I hear" the pop of a cap an" the $%(s face

it %p in tri%'ph) ti ,eepin$ the o#ect conceae"* he ifte" the #a$ to his 'o%th

an""ran, o%t of +hat +as er( o#io%s( a #otte of #eer or so'e other acoho) It ha"

#een prett( apparent ri$ht a+a( fro' the #a$ shape)I cappe" a han" oer '( 'o%th* in

an atte'pt to s'other '( a%$hter) :e re'in"e" 'e so '%ch of A"rian) I co%" a#so%te(

see A"rian s'%$$in$ in acoho toan eent i,e this an" then $oin$ to a sorts of pains to

#e coert* thin,in$ that if he %st "i" eer(thin$ so+( eno%$h* no one +o%" catch on to

hi') A"rian*eer(thin$ so+( eno%$h* no one +o%" catch on to hi') A"rian* too* +o%"

pro#a#( hae the 'isfort%ne of openin$ the #otte ri$ht in the 'i""e of the pa(s'ost

tense scene) I co%" een pict%re a si'iar( "ei$hte" oo, on his face* one that sai"* oone ,no+s +hat I' "oin$N -hen* of co%rse* +e a ,ne+) I "i"nt,no+ +h( it 'a"e 'e

a%$h* #%t it "i")Bra("en +as too foc%se" on the pa( to notice) HOoh* he +hispere" to

'e) Hhis is a $oo" partK+here her han"'ai"ens ,i the'sees)he t+o of %s ha"

pent( to "e#ate an" ana(Ee on the +a( #ac, to A'#er+oo") I +as a'ost "isappointe"

+hen his car p%e" %p to '( "or') As +e sat there* IreaiEe" +e" co'e to another critica

"atin$ 'iestone) -hat +as the correct proce"%re hereD -as he s%ppose" to ,iss 'eD -as

I s%ppose" to et hi'D :a" that#een the rea price of '( saa"DBra("en see'e" nero%s

too* an" I #race" '(sef for the +orst) -hen I oo,e" "o+n at '( han"s in '( ap* I

notice" the( +ere sha,in$)


46/208


47/208

A"rian)HRea(D A"rian +as sti h%n$ %p on the en" of '( "ate) H:is han"DI si$he" an"

san, #ac, into a see, eather sofa) Carences I si$he" an" san, #ac, into a see, eather

sofa) Carences ho%se a+a(s re'in"e" 'e of so'estereot(pica ha%nte" 'anor fro' the

o%tsi"eK#%t insi"e it +as 'o"ern an" +e f%rnishe")HLoo,* it %st happene"Ko,a(* (o%

,no+ +hatD eer 'in")his is none of (o%r #%siness) M%st et it $o) B%t so'ethin$ in

A"rians epression to" 'e he +o%" not* in fact* #e ettin$ it $o an(ti'e soon)H-ith a

that re"hot passion* its a +on"er (o% $%(s can sta( a+a( fro' each other* sai" A"rian*

"ea"pan) HIs there $oin$ to #e a secon" "ateD""ie an" An$eine oo,e" at 'e

epectant() I hesitate")his +as infor'ation I ha"nt $ien %p to M%ia an" ?ristin* ar$e(

#eca%se it ha" on( %st #een arran$e") H


48/208

s%ppose" it +as hi') s%a( he on( +ore it insi"e* #%t so'eti'es* I" see it o%tsi"e too)

I" 'entione" this o"" +ar"ro#e choice to A"rian a co%pe of +ee,sa$o@ HIsnt i'itri

hotD A"rians response ha"nt #een entire( %nepecte"@H-e* (eah* accor"in$ to 'ost

+o'en* at east) i'itris face +as the pict%re of poiteness as he a""resse" Carences

concerns) HI "ont #eiee theres an(thin$

-e* (eah* accor"in$ to 'ost +o'en* at east) i'itris face +as the pict%re of

poiteness as he a""resse" Carences concerns) HI "ont #eiee theres an(thin$+ron$

+ith the ones (o% hae* i'itri sai") Her(thin$ is seae" %p prett( ti$ht()Ho it

see's* sai" Carence o'ino%s() HB%t (o% "ont ,no+ ho+ reso%rcef% the( are) I' not

#ehin" the ti'es* (o% ,no+) I ,no+ there are a sorts oftechnoo$ies o%t there that (o% can

p%t in) Li,e asers that te (o% if so'eones #rea,in$ in) i'itri arche" an e(e#ro+) H


49/208

a#o%t)Carence 'et her e(es* an" after a fe+ secon"s* a s'ie so+( sprea" oer his face

as +e) :is ri$i" post%re sac,ene")H


50/208

iet Co,e in the ,itchen)on(a eane" for+ar"* an ea$er $int in her e(e) Hi'itri an" I

+ere ta,in$ an" reaiEe" theres so'ethin$ o#io%s +ee #een 'issin$) Act%a(* I sho%"

sa(aoi"in$* #%t not p%rs%in$ it +o%" #e a +aste)H-hats thatD as,e" A"rian)HBoo"*

sai" i'itri)I +ince") I "i"nt i,e it +hen this topic ca'e %p) It re'in"e" 'e of eact(

+hat ,in" of peope I +as +ith)HO#io%s(* theres so'ethin$ a#o%t restore" tri$oi that

protects the'K%s* he sai") H-ee oo,e" for 'a$ica si$ns* #%t the ans+er 'i$ht #e

'ore ph(sica)An" fro' the report I rea"* the tri$oi ha" tro%#e "rin,in$ LKhis #oo")

i'itri ha" #een a#o%t to sa( Lee* #%t ha" a'en"e" his choice o%t of respect forCarence)

he o" 'ans "aEe"* happ( oo, 'a"e it har" to te if he %n"erstoo" +hat +e +ere

"isc%ssin$ at a)Hhe( co'paine" a#o%t it* I a$ree") HB%t that "i"nt see' to stop the'

fro' "rin,in$ it) tri$oi co%" #e forci#( create" if a tri$oi "raine" a icti's #oo"

an"then fe" tri$oi #oo" #ac, to hi' or her) Lee ha" as,e" tri$oi to "o this for hi'* #%t

a "rainin$ hi' ha" achiee" +as "eath)H-e" i,e to ta,e a sa'pe of i'itris #oo" an"

then co'pare it to (o%rs* ""ie* sai" on(a) HBoo" can ho" a sorts of 'a$ica

properties* +hich 'i$ht sho+%s ho+ to $ht tri$oi)I ,ept '( face as #an, as possi#e*

pra(in$ no one +o%" notice 'e) Boo" can ho" a sorts of 'a$ica properties)notice 'e)

Boo" can ho" a sorts of 'a$ica properties):opef%(* in a this ta,* no one +o%" reca

the '(ster( of +h( '( #oo" +as inepica#( reotin$ to tri$oi) An" rea(* +h( sho%"

the(D I" neer #eenrestore") I +asnt a "ha'pir) here +as no reason at a the(" +ant

'e in these eperi'ents) An" (et* if that +as tr%e* +h( +as I s%""en( s+eatin$DH-e can

sen" it to a a# for the che'ica part an" tr( to rea" an( 'a$ica properties o it too*

on(a contin%e") he so%n"e" apoo$etic* #%t ""ie "i"nt oo,concerne")Ho pro#e'*

he sai") H-hateer (o% nee") :e 'eant it too* I ,ne+) Losin$ #oo" +as a 'iion ti'es

easier for hi' than #ein$ inactie) Besi"es* he pro#a#(ost 'ore #oo" in "ai( practice

than he" een nee" to $ie %p for this eperi'ent)HIf (o% nee" another "ha'pir* sai"

An$eine) Hor no+* I" rather not ta,e (o% a+a( fro' (o%r

schoo+or,) Its ess i'portant for ""ie since hes area"( $ra"%ate"* #%t (o% sho%" ,eep

%p +ith it) An$eineoo,e" %nhapp( a#o%t that) he" ha" a n%'#er of "ic%ties +ith her

casses* not to 'ention so'e o%tri$ht e'#arrass'entsKi,e +hen she" #een as,e" to

createa 'ap e'#arrass'entsKi,e +hen she" #een as,e" to create a 'ap of Centra

A'erica an" ha" sho+n %p +ith one of e#ras,a an" ?ansas) he p%t on a coc,(face* #%t I

,ne+ A'#er+oo" oer+he'e" her so'eti'es)Mi oine" %s* oo,in$ #ri$ht an" refreshe")


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I"ea(* !oroi "ran, #oo" eer( "a() he( co%" s%rie on this t+icea+ee, sche"%e* #%t

I" notice" that Mi $re+tire" an" r%n"o+n the farther she $ot fro' fee"in$s)H


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(o%Kitera( an" $%ratie() I pa( (o% $as 'one()HIts Bra("en* an" +here in the +or"

+o%" (o% $et $as 'one(D A"rian ie" on a er( ti$ht ao+ance his father $ae hi') It

+as part of +h( A"rian +as ta,in$coe$e casses* in the hopes that he" $et nancia ai"

net se'ester an" hae a #it 'ore of an inco'e) I a"'ire" that* tho%$h if +e +ere a

act%a( sti in =a'prin$s co'e Man%ar(* it" 'ean the !oroi ha" so'e serio%s poitica

pro#e's)HI F I" c%t #ac, on thin$s to co'e %p +ith the etra 'one(* he sai" after a fe+

'o'ents of hesitation)I "i"nt #other hi"in$ '( s%rprise) Hhin$s 'ost i,e( 'eant

acoho an" ci$arettes* +hich +as +here his 'ea$er ao+ance %s%a( +ent) HRea(D I

as,e")H


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that ast partKearnin$ his "a"s approaK+as #i$$er than A"rian +as ettin$ on) I ,ne+

a a#o%t +hat it +as i,e to hae a father +ho contin%a( %"$e"* +ho' nothin$ +aseer

$oo" eno%$h for) I %n"erstoo" as +e the +arrin$ e'otions F ho+ one "a( (o% co%" sa(

(o% "i"nt care* (et #e (earnin$ for approa the net)An" I certain( %n"erstoo" 'other(

attach'ent) One of the har"est parts of #ein$ in =a' prin$s +as the "istance fro' '(

'o' an" sisters)H-h( 'eD I #%rte" o%t) I ha"nt 'eant to to%ch on those earier

G%estions* #%t I s%""en( co%"nt hep '(sef) here +as too '%ch tension here* too

'%che'otion) H


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to the others an" then "eci"e" to see, o%t '( iet Co,e after a) I in$ere" +ith it in the

,itchen for a +hie* eanin$a$ainst the $ranite co%ntertops an" starin$ a#sent'in"e"( at

the #riiant copper pots han$in$ fro' the ceiin$) -h( ha" I a$ree" to "rie A"rianD -hat

+as ita#o%t hi' that 'ana$e" to crac, a the propriet( an" o$ic I #%it '( ife aro%n"D I

%n"erstoo" +h( I often ha" a soft spot for Mi) he re'in"e" 'e of '( (o%n$ersister* Zoe)

B%t A"rianD :e Mi) he re'in"e" 'e of '( (o%n$er sister* Zoe) B%t A"rianD :e +asnt i,e

an(one I ,ne+) In fact* I +as fair( certain there +as noone in the entire +or" G%ite i,e

A"rian Iash,o)I "ea(e" so on$ that +hen I ret%rne" to the iin$ roo'* A"rian +as on

his +a( #ac, too) I sat "o+n on the co%ch* n%rsin$ the ast of '( iet Co,e)

on(a#ri$htene" %pon seein$ 'e)H("ne(* +e %st ha" a +on"erf% i"ea) !a(#e I +asnt

a+a(s the G%ic,est in pic,in$ %p socia c%es* #%t I "i" notice this +on"erf% i"ea +as

a""resse" to 'e*an" not A"rian an" 'e)H-e +ere %st ta,in$ a#o%t the reports fro' the

ni$ht of the F inci"ent) he $ae Carence a 'eanin$f% oo,* an" I no""e" in

%n"erstan"in$) HBoth the !oroian" the Ache'ists sai" the tri$oi ha" tro%#e +ith (o%r

#oo" too* correctD I stiene"* not i,in$ this at a) It +as a conersation I" ie" in fear of)

he tri$oi+ho" ,ie" Lee ha"nt %st ha" Htro%#e +ith '( #oo") Lees ha" taste"

stran$e to the') !ine ha" #een "is$%stin$) he one +ho" trie" to "rin, fro' 'e

ha"nt#een a#e to toerate it at a) he" een spit it o%t)H


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it +as)H=erhaps* sai" on(a) HB%t theres no har' "one in chec,in$) :er face +as ai$ht

+ith this ne+ i"ea) I hate" t%rnin$ her "o+n F #%t '( principes on this'atter +ere too

stron$) It +as eer(thin$ I" #een raise" to #eiee)HI thin, its a +aste of ti'e* I sai")

H-e ,no+ spirit has to #e inoe"* an" I hae no connection to that)HI "o thin, it +o%"

#e hepf%* she sai") H=ease)HI "o thin, it +o%" #e hepf%* she sai") H=ease) :epf%D

>ro' her point of ie+* (es) he +ante" to r%e o%t eer( possi#iit() B%t '( #oo" ha"

nothin$ to "o+ith tri$oi conersions) It co%"nt)HI F I" rather not) A ta'e response*

consi"erin$ the e'otions ch%rnin$ insi"e 'e) !( heart +as startin$ to race* an" the +as

+ere sti cosin$ in on 'e) !(aniet( increase" as I +as isite" #( an o" feein$* the a+f%

reaiEation that I +as o%tn%'#ere" here at Carences) hat it +as 'e an" a roo'f% of

a'pires an""ha'pirs) nnat%ra creat%res) nnat%ra creat%res +ho +ante" '( #oo" F

i'itri st%"ie" 'e c%rio%s() HIt +ont h%rt* if thats +hat (o%re afrai" of) -e "ont nee"

an( 'ore than +hat a "octor +o%" ta,e)I shoo, '( hea" a"a'ant() Ho)HBoth on(a

an" I hae trainin$ in this sort of thin$* he a""e"* tr(in$ to reass%re 'e) H


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threat) :e co%" #e HsteriiEe" an" reease"* +ith no fear of hi' fain$ pre( to

thecorr%ption of tri$oi) I ,ne+ aso that on(a an" the others +ere r%nnin$ into +as +ith

their research) he( co%"nt n" an( reason for +hat ha" 'a"e Leei'perio%s to t%rnin$

tri$oi)At the sa'e ti'e* "espite the +orthiness of the ca%se* I sti fet sta%nch( oppose"

to $iin$ %p '( o+n #oo") I rea( +as afrai" that "oin$ so +o%" s%#ect 'e to'ore an"

'ore eperi'ents) An" I %st co%"nt face that) here +as nothin$ specia a#o%t 'e) I

ha"nt %n"er$one a 'assie transfor'ation ia spirit) Lee an" Iha"nt ha" an(thin$ in

co''on) I +as the sa'e as an( other h%'an* an( other Ache'ist) I %st apparent( sa'e

as an( other h%'an* an( other Ache'ist) I %stapparent( ha" #a" tastin$ #oo"* +hich

+as ne #( 'e)He 'e a#o%t the char' spe* !s) er+ii$er sai" one afternoon) It +as a

fe+ "a(s after Carences* an" I +as sti '%in$ oer those eents een +hie

ostensi#("oin$ +or, in her in"epen"ent st%"()I oo,e" %p fro' the #oo, in front of 'e)

H-hich ariantDhe charis'a one or the 'eta oneDhe +as sittin$ at her "es, an" s'ie"

at 'e) H>or so'eone so a$ainst a of this* (o% certain( earn +e) he 'eta one) hat ha"

#een a recent spe I" ha" toearn) It +as fresh in '( 'in"* #%t I 'a"e s%re to si$h heai(

an" et her ,no+ in a passie a$$ressie +a( ho+ inconenient this +as for 'e) HIt ao+s

the casterto hae shortter' contro of so'eone) he caster has to create a ph(sica

a'%et that he or she +ears F I fro+ne" as I consi"ere" that part of the spe) HAn"

thenrecite a short incantation on the person #ein$ controe") !s) er+ii$er p%she" her

$asses %p her nose) H-h( the hesitationDhe notice" eer( sip) I "i"nt +ant to en$a$e

in this* #%t she +as '( teacher* an" this +as part of '( assi$n'ent so on$ as I +as st%c,

in this 'isera#e session)HIt "oesnt 'a,e sense)-e* none of it 'a,es sense* of co%rse)

B%t o$ica(* I" thin, (o% nee" so'ethin$ tan$i#e to %se on the ictKs%#ect) !a(#e

the(" hae to +ear an a'%et) Or"rin, so'ethin$) Its har" for 'e to #eiee the caster is

the on( one +ho nee"s enhance'ent)I fee i,e the( +o%" nee" to connect +ith the

s%#ect)H


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&a'piresco%" si'p( +ie" it %nai"e") his spe reG%ire" a ph(sica co'ponent* #%t

!s)er+ii$er ha" to" 'e that +as nor'a for h%'ans) he sai" 'a$ic +as in#orn for

!oroi #%t that +e ha" to +rest it fro' the +or") o 'e* that %st see'e" i,e'ore reason

+h( h%'ans ha" no #%siness "a##in$ in s%ch aairs)H-hat the( "o isnt ri$ht either* I

sai"* in a rare ac,no+e"$'ent of the !oroi +ith her) I "i"nt i,e that the a#iities I fo%n"

so t+iste" an" +ron$ +ere ae$e"(+ithin h%'an reach too) Ho one sho%" hae that ,in"

of po+er oer another)another):er ips G%ir,e") H


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co%nter those +ho +o%" %se the 'a$ic for sesh an" nefario%s reasons)he #e ran$*

freein$ 'e) I stoo" %p an" $athere" '( thin$s to$ether) Horr(* !s) er+ii$er) I' Jattere"

that (o% thin, I' s%ch an %pstan"in$ person* #%t I'area"( ca%$ht %p in one epic #atte

of $oo" ers%s ei) I "ont nee" another) #atte of $oo" ers%s ei) I "ont nee" another)

I eft o%r session feein$ #othtro%#e" an" an$r( an" hope" the net t+o 'onths of this

se'ester +o%" spee" #() If this Ache'ist 'ission contin%e" into net (ear* then creatie

+ritin$ orso'e other eectie +o%" #eco'e a er( ia#e choice for '( sche"%e) It +as a

sha'e too #eca%se I" rea( oe" !s)er+ii$er +hen I rst 'et her) he +as #riiant an"

,ne+ her s%#ect areaKhistor(* not 'a$icKan" ha" enco%ra$e" 'e in that) If she"

sho+n the sa'eenth%sias' for teachin$ 'e histor( as she "i" 'a$ic* +e +o%"nt hae

en"e" %p in this 'ess)!( "inners +ere %s%a( spent +ith M%ia an" ?ristin or Hthe fa'i()

oni$ht +as a fa'i( ni$ht) I fo%n" ""ie an" An$eine area"( at a ta#e +hen I

entere"asts cafeteria* an" as %s%a* he see'e" $ratef% for '( presence)H-e* +h( notD

An$eine +as sa(in$ as I sat "o+n +ith '( tra() It +as Chinese foo" ni$ht* an" she he"

chopstic,s* +hich see'e" i,e a #a" i"ea) I" trie" toteach her ho+ to %se the' once* +ith

no %c,) he" $otten an$r( an" sta##e" an e$$ro so har" that the stic,s ha" #ro,en)HI

%st F +e* its not '( thin$* ""ie sai"* cear( $ropin$ for an ans+er to +hateer her

G%estion +as a#o%t) HI' not $oin$ at a) -ith an(one)HMi +i #e there +ith !icah*

pointe" o%t An$eine s(()H-ont (o% nee" to co'e ,eep an e(e on her since its not at

the schooD""ies ans+er +as a paine" oo,)H-hat are (o% ta,in$ a#o%tD I na(

as,e")Hhe :ao+een ance* sai" An$eine)Hhe :ao+een ance* sai" An$eine)hat

+as ne+s to 'e) Hheres a :ao+een anceD ""ie "ra$$e" hi'sef fro' his 'iser( to

$ie 'e a s%rprise" oo,) H:o+ "o (o% not ,no+D here are si$nseer(+here) I stirre"

aro%n" '( stea'e" e$eta#es) Hhe( '%st not #e an(+here Ie #een)""ie $est%re"

+ith his for, to so'ethin$ #ehin" 'e) %rnin$* I oo,e" #ac, to+ar" the foo" ine I" %st

#een in) here* han$in$ a#oe it on the +a* +as anenor'o%s #anner that rea"

:ALLO- AC) It iste" the "ate an" ti'e an" +as "ecorate" +ith #a"( "ra+n

p%'p,ins)H:%h* I sai")H:o+ can (o% 'e'oriEe entire #oo,s #%t 'iss so'ethin$ i,ethatD as,e" An$eine)HBeca%se ("ne(s #rain on( recor"s Q%sef% infor'ation* ""ie

sai" +ith a s'ie) I "i"nt "en( it)Hont (o% thin, ""ie sho%" $oD p%she" An$eine) H:e

nee"s to +atch o%t for Mi) An" if he $oes* +e 'i$ht as +e $o to$ether)""ie shot 'e a

"esperate oo,* an" I trie" to n" hi' a +a( o%t of this) H-e* (eah* of co%rse he $o F

especia( if its osite) he #anner 'entione" so'een%e I" neer hear" of)-e" seen

no si$n of the !oroi +ho +ere after Mi* #%t an %n,no+n pace presente" ne+ "an$ers)

Inspiration hit) HB%t thats the thin$) :e #e on"%t() :e spen"the +hoe ti'e chec,in$

the pace o%t* +atchin$ for '(sterio%s peope) It" #e a +aste for hi' to* %h* $o +ith (o%)


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$%ar"ian po,er face) B%t ""ie +asnt i'itri(et* an" I co%" see the faintest si$ns of pain

an" on$in$)-h( "i" he "o this to hi'sefD :e" ref%se" to te Mi ho+ he fet) :e too, the

no#e stance that he +as her protector an" nothin$ 'ore) o'e part of 'e

co%"%n"erstan" that) -hat I co%"nt %n"erstan" +as +h( he ,ept tort%rin$ hi'sef #(

en"orsin$ her $oin$ o%t +ith his roo''ate* of a peope) en +ith his han$%poer !icah

an" !ason* ""ie +as forcin$ hi'sef to constant( +atch the $ir he +ante" +ith so'eone

ese)I ha" no reata#e eperience* #%t it ha" to #e a$oniEin$)""ie ca%$ht '( e(e an"

$ae a s'a sha,e of his hea") Let it $o* he see'e" to #e sa(in$) ont +orr( a#o%t 'e)

I #e ne)An$eine soon pipe" in +ith 'ore ta, a#o%t the "ance* interro$atin$ Mi an"

!icah a#o%t +hether the(" #e $oin$) he aso #ro%$ht %p her pans to $o H+ith""ie)

hat p%e" hi' o%t of his 'eancho( 'oo"* an" atho%$h I ,ne+ she anno(e" hi'* I

+on"ere" if that +as #etter than contin%a( #ein$ tor'ente" #( Mi an"!icahs

reationship)Of co%rse* the conersation ca'e to a hatKas "i" ""ies pro#e'K+hen

!icah fro+ne" an" pointe" o%t +hat the rest of %s ha" 'isse") H-h( +o%" (o% $o tothe

"ance to$etherDArent (o% $%(s co%sinsD""ie* Mi* an" I froEe) Another coer stor( 'ess

%p) I co%"nt #eiee this ha" no+ sippe" past 'e t+ice) I sho%" hae 'entione" this as

soon as An$eine#ro%$ht %p the "ance)In the schoos e(es* +e +ere a reate")

oD as,e" An$eine* 'issin$ the point)""ie ceare" his throat) H'* thir" co%sins) B%t

sti) -ere not rea( $oin$ to$ether) Its 'ore of a o,e) hat eectie( ,ie" the topic*

an" he co%"nt heps'iin$ tri%'phant()Bra("en pic,e" 'e %p i''e"iate( after schoo

the net "a( so that +e co%" 'a,e the +in"'i to%r on ti'e) !s) er+ii$er ha" een et

'e $o a fe+ 'in%tesear(* after pro'isin$ I" $et her a capp%ccino on o%r +a( #ac, to

A'#er+oo") I +as ecite" to see Bra("en an" the to%r* (et as I $ot into his car* I fet a

#riefpan$ of "o%#t) i" I hae an( #%siness "oin$ these sorts of f%n* persona actiitiesD

specia( no+ that the coer stor( ha" sippe" a co%pe of ti'es) !a(#e I +asspen"in$ too

'%ch ti'e on 'e an" not eno%$h on the 'ission)Bra("en ha" ots to te 'e a#o%t the

"e#ate co'petition he" atten"e" oer the +ee,en") -e ana(Ee" so'e of the 'ore

"ic%t topics he" co'e across an"a%$he" at the eas( ones that ha" st%'pe" the

opposin$ tea') I" feare" "atin$ for (ears #%t +as a$ain peasant( s%rprise" at ho+ eas(

it +as to ta, to #%t +asa$ain peasant( s%rprise" at ho+ eas( it +as to ta, to hi') It +as

a ot i,e the ha,espearean o%tin$@ an en"ess so%rce of topics that +e #oth ,ne+ ots

a#o%t) It+as the rest of the eperience that sti eft 'e %nsette"Kthe H"ate st%) he

"atin$ #oo,s I" rea" since o%r ast o%tin$ 'ost( a"ise" on +hen to hae se* +hich+as

co'pete( %seess since I ha" (et to $%re o%t ho"in$ han"s)he $iant +in"'is +ere

prett( i'pressie) he( "i"nt hae the see, #ea%t( of cars that I oe"* #%t I fet the

sa'e a+e at the en$ineerin$ the( represente") o'eof the +in"'is +ere oer a h%n"re"


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feet ta* +ith #a"es haf the siEe of a foot#a e") !o'ents i,e these 'a"e 'e 'are at

h%'an in$en%it()-ho nee"e" 'a$ic +hen +e co%" create these ,in"s of +on"ersDO%r

to%r $%i"e +as a cheer( $ir in her 'i"t+enties +ho cear( oe" her o# an" a that +in"

ener$( represente") he ,ne+ a sorts of triia a#o%t itK#%t notG%ite eno%$h to satisf(

Bra("en)H:o+ "o (o% a""ress the ener$( inecienc( that co'es fro' the t%r#ines

nee"in$ +in" spee"s that fa into s%ch a narro+ ran$eDhen@ H-hats (o%r response to

st%"ies sho+in$ that si'p( i'proin$ the ters in the conersion of fossi f%es +o%"

res%t in ess car#on "ioi"e e'issions thanthis sort of ener$( pro"%ctionDAn" ater@ HCan

+in" po+er rea( #e treate" as a ia#e option +henKafter consi"erin$ the cost of

constr%ction an" other 'aintenanceKcons%'ers en" %p pa(in$'ore than the( other

'aintenanceKcons%'ers en" %p pa(in$ 'ore than the( +o%" for tra"itiona for's of

eectricit(D I co%"nt #e certain* #%t I thin, o%r $%i"e+rappe" %p the to%r ear() he

enco%ra$e" so'e of the other to%rists to co'e #ac, an(ti'e #%t sai" nothin$ as Bra("en

an" I +a,e" past her)Hhat +o'an +as sa"( %ninfor'e"* he to" 'e* once +e +ere #ac,

on the hi$h+a()Hhe ,ne+ pent( a#o%t the +in"'is an" their faciit(* I pointe" o%t) HI'

$%essin$ the atest controersies %st "ont $et #ro%$ht %p '%ch on these to%rs) Or*

Ipa%se"* s'iin$* Hho+ to "ea +ith* %'* forcef% to%rists)HI +as forcef%D he as,e"*

see'in$ e$iti'ate( s%rprise") :e ha" $otten so ca%$ht %p in his i"eas that he "i"nt

een reaiEe it)It +as en"earin$)I trie" not to a%$h) H


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societ(s #een "epen"ent on) pectin$ it to #e as costecient as so'ethin$ thats #een

aro%n" '%ch* '%ch on$er is naVe)HB%tK

-e cant "en( that the cost is +orth the #enets) Ci'ate chan$e is increasin$(

#eco'in$ a pro#e'* an" +in"s re"%ce" car#on "ioi"e e'issions co%" hae asi$nicant

i'pact)>%rther'oreKan" 'ost i'portant(K+in" is rene+a#e) It "oesnt 'atter if other

so%rces are cheap if the(re $oin$ to r%n o%t on %s)o%t on %s)HB%tKH-e nee" to #e

pro$ressie an" oo, to+ar"s +hats $oin$ to sae %s ater) o foc%s strict( on +hats cost

ecient no+K+hie i$norin$ the conseG%encesKis shortsi$hte" an" +i %ti'ate( ea" to

the "o+nfa of the h%'an race) hose +ho thin, other+ise are on( perpet%atin$

thepro#e'* %ness the( can co'e %p +ith other so%tions) !ost "ont) he( %st co'pain)

hats +h( (o%re +ron$)I pa%se" to catch '( #reath an" then "are" a $ance at

Bra("en) :e +as +atchin$ the roa"* #%t his e(es +ere i'possi#( +i"e) I "ont thin, heco%" hae #een'ore shoc,e" if I" sappe" hi') I''e"iate(* I #erate" '(sef for +hat

I" sai") ("ne(* +h( "i"nt (o% %st #at (o%r e(eashesDHBra("enD I as,e" tentatie(

+hen a'o

golden lilly

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