last call at the nightshade lounge excerpt

7242019 Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge Excerpt

httpslidepdfcomreaderfulllast-call-at-the-nightshade-lounge-excerpt 119

LAST CALL

A T T H E

N I G H T S H A D E

L O U N G E



12

CHAPTER ONE

Bailey Chen was taking care of some serious business

ldquoHellordquo She plugged a 1047297nger into her non-cell-phone ear

ldquoJess Are you still there I was just saying that I think Divinylrsquosdoing some really interesting things with their business modelmdashrdquo

ldquoYuprdquo said a perky-sounding female ldquoThatrsquos great So you

probably know wersquoremdashrdquo

ldquolsquoA revolutionary return to revolving musicrsquordquo Bailey recited

ldquolsquoThe company thatrsquos bringing the retro sound of vinyl to the con-

venience of a mobile platformrsquo I think thatrsquos really uhmdashrdquo She cast

around for the right word Cool Awesome What could you really

say about an audio-1047297lter app that took sharp clear mp983091s and re-ren-

dered them into record-styled hiss- and pop-1047297lled playback

Anything she reminded herself anything as long as it landed

her an interview

ldquo really innovativerdquo Bailey said ldquoAnd Irsquod love to come in

and talk with yourdquo

She heard a crackle on the line and Bailey wondered for a split

second if it was an intentional throwback designed into Divinylrsquos

corporate phone system or just a side eff ect of her shitty cell

reception

ldquoTotallyrdquo Jess said ldquoGod can you believe we havenrsquot talked

since like high school We have so much to catch up onrdquo

ldquoOhrdquo Bailey said ldquoUm yeahrdquo



13

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

Bailey could believe they hadnrsquot talked since like high school

because they hadnrsquot talked that much in high school But maybe Jess

was one of those people who had dramatically changed in college

Besides if Bailey landed the job Jess would probably be her 1047297rst

office friend They could do business-lady things like go out for

chopped salads Or even better make an intern bring them chopped

salads which they would eat in their spacious window-1047297lled corner

offices while planning total domination of their market sector (And

maybe online-shopped for statement necklaces because it was after

all their lunch break)

Bailey smiled If shersquod ever had a mental picture of success that

was it lunch delivery ruthless business sense and power jewelryldquoBaileyrdquo

ldquoSorry Jess Irsquom here So do you have any time coming up this

week ormdashrdquo

ldquoBaileyrdquo

This time her name was not coming from the phone Zane

Whelanrsquos shaggy-haired head appeared over the end of the bar his

square eyeglasses gleaming ldquoThere you arerdquo

Shit ldquoUm gotta gordquo Bailey chirped into her phone ldquobut

callmebackwhenyougetachmdashrdquo

Zane frowned ldquoAre you talking to someonerdquo

ldquoHydrangeasrdquo Bailey said quickly

ldquoHuhrdquo

ldquoHydrangeas wisterias oleander rhododendron and anthur-

iumrdquo Bailey said nodding to the trivia emcee gamely grinning

down at a clipboard from behind her microphone ldquoFive of uh the

most common poisonous plantsrdquo

ldquoAnthuriumrdquo Zane blinked ldquoThat sounds like something

from a B movierdquo

Bailey pocketed her phone ldquoWell itrsquos realrdquo

The emcee paced the bar 1047298oor shooting pleading glances at



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

14

each team ldquoCome on guysrdquo she said with microphone-added re-

verb ldquoI only need 1047297ve Yoursquove still got twenty seconds left tomdashyes

Yourdquo

The captain of a team of yuppies had leapt to his feet ldquoOleander

poinsettia dandelmdashrdquo

But just as he said ldquodandelionrdquo a buzzer drowned him out

ldquoDuhrdquo Bailey said under her breath ldquoDandelions are ediblerdquo

ldquoReallyrdquo Zane said

ldquoTheyrsquore good in saladsrdquo

ldquoSorryrdquo The emcee shook her head like a rueful gameshow

host ldquoDandelions may not taste great but they are not poisonous

Theyrsquore actuallymdashrdquoBailey mouthed the rest of the sentence ldquomdashedible and good

in saladsrdquo

ldquoWowrdquo Zane tapped out a few polite claps ldquoIrsquom impressedrdquo

ldquoOh um donrsquot berdquo Bailey said praying he wouldnrsquot ask about

the phone call ldquoPoinsettias arenrsquot toxic to humans unless you eat

like 1047297ve hundred leaves She should have called him on that onerdquo

ldquoHey ease up Not everyone in this barrsquos an Ivy League

graduaterdquo

Bailey 1047298ushed ldquoI didnrsquot meanmdashrdquo

But Zane was grinning ldquoBecause that distinction is the exclu-

sive territory of our smartest barbackrdquo

He patted her shoulder and Bailey tried not to cringe

ldquoRightrdquo she said ldquoThanksrdquo

ldquoAnd as the smartest barback at the Nightshade Loungerdquomdash

Zane went onmdashldquoyou really should know better than to go sit on

the 1047298oor during a busy shiftrdquo

ldquoIrsquom sorry Irsquom sorryrdquo Bailey rushed to say ldquoI just had to uh

the music mdashrdquo

ldquoMusicrdquo Zane shook his head ldquoBailey that jukebox has

probably been here since the sixties It totally doesnrsquot work You



15

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

know thatrdquo

ldquoRightrdquo Bailey said Sometimes it felt like nothing worked at

the Nightshade Lounge except Bailey And Zane of course

Zane gave the jukebox a fond pat on its cracked glass ldquoAnyway

Donrsquot slack on me okayrdquo

ldquoIrsquom notrdquo Bailey protested If there was one thing she wasnrsquot it

was a slacker ldquoIrsquom justmdashrdquo

ldquoLook Bailey I told my uncle you could do this job with no

experiencerdquo Zane said ldquoAnd you can do it But if you donrsquot rdquo

He cleared his throat and continued in a low voice ldquoI donrsquot want to

have to 1047297re you the 1047297rst weekrdquo

Bailey could only nod She wanted to explainmdash Sorry Zane thatIrsquom not only looking for the 1047297rst opportunity to ditch the job you pulled

major strings to get me but also doing it while on the clockmdash but instead

gave him the truncated version ldquoSorry Yuprdquo

ldquoGoodrdquo Zane smiled Hersquod shown up to work wearing what

he always wore a slim old three-piece suit complete with loose-

ly knotted tie and rumpled dress shirt which made him look like

a Swinging London modster about to zip off on a candy-colored

scooter ldquoAnd in return Irsquoll continue to pay you and act as your

bene1047297cent overlordrdquo

ldquoMore glassesrdquo Trina the redheaded bartender who was

Zanersquos counterweight that night yelled at them from the other end

ldquoSometime this century pleaserdquo she added ldquoNot those glasses Zane

You already made that joke like 1047297ve minutes agordquo

Zane crammed his spectacles back onto his face ldquoI still think

itrsquos funnyrdquo

ldquoOn itrdquo Bailey said glad for the abrupt end to the conversa-

tion She scooted along in the narrow space behind them calling

out ldquoOn your back On your backrdquo as she passed After depositing

a freshly cleaned stack of old fashioned glasses by Trinarsquos side she

glanced at the garnish tray





17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

983089 Keep bartenders supplied with a steady stream of clean

glasses while removing the used ones

2 Make sure each garnish tray is well stocked at all times

3 Regularly check the garbage taking it out before it

over 1047298ows

(Bailey did her best work when she could prioritize everything

preferably in list form)

At the height of a rush however her list was far more likely to

look like this

983089 DO EVERYTHING

2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE

All night every night she never stopped moving No matter

how on top of the situation she was there was always another 1047297re

to put out

And then there were the customers They started the evening

pleasant enough But a few rounds had the same eff ect as a trip to

Pinocchiorsquos Pleasure Island anyone could turn into an ass

ldquoSo thatrsquoll be a martini for merdquo one of the hard-core trivia

enthusiasts slurred at her awhile later She leaned over the bar and

gazed down at Bailey with glassy eyes

Bailey greeted the girl with a patient smile ldquoIrsquom sorry but Irsquom

just a bar-backrdquo she said ldquoI canrsquot makemdashrdquo

ldquomdashtwo glasses of whiskey with icerdquo the girl continued ldquoAnd

for Trevmdashhey Trev What do you wantrdquo

A few paces away Trev muttered

ldquoOh yeahrdquo said the girl ldquoA Long Island iced teardquo With her lazy



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18

boozy diction the order came out lawn-ilan-icy

Bailey doubled down on her outward customer friendliness

even as her internal patience evaporated ldquoIrsquom sorry marsquoamrdquo she

said again ldquobut Imdashrdquo

Zane appeared like magic ldquoLadiesrdquo he said smoothly position-

ing himself between his barback and members of the ldquoWreck Your

Privilegerdquo trivia team ldquoI know a thing or two about making a de-

cent Long Island Why donrsquot you leave it to merdquo

His performance felt increasingly unreal as Bailey watched The

Zane shersquod always known had been clumsy and awkward but ap-

parently a lot changed when you hadnrsquot seen someone for 1047297ve years

This version of Zane eff ortlessly charmed his customers entertain-ing them while he mixed their drinks with the showy vigor of

a stage magician

Speaking of people whorsquove changed since high school she thought

and then squashed the notion as quickly as it appeared Yes high

school Zane had been the kind of guy who couldnrsquot admit to his

feelings for his best friend Bailey until a couple of beers at Luke

Perezrsquos graduation party had loosened his tongue and Baileyrsquos

pants Yes talking to Zane two weeks ago had been a catch-up ses-

sion even more awkward than her theoretical upcoming ldquoplease

give me a jobrdquo chat with Jess But no overall things were 1047297ne Zane

and Bailey were friends again and it wasnrsquot too awkward (which

was good) Hersquod even given her a job to help get her parents off

her back (which was even better) And if the only side eff ect was

her own sudden terminal uncoolness well so be it She probably

deserved it

ldquoYou knowrdquo Bailey said ldquoitrsquod probably help if you taught me

how to make drinks Just for when you or Trina are too busyrdquo The

bar lifestyle had wreaked havoc on her sleep schedule and her social

life and the pay truly sucked but calling herself a bartender was at

least kind of cool and would sound less embarrassing when she got



19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

around to having friends again

Zane shook his head ldquoNo dicerdquo he said ldquoNo off ense but yoursquore

not readyrdquo

ldquoNot readyrdquo Bailey was incredulous ldquoWhat happened to

smartest barbackrdquo

ldquoYoursquore also our only barbackrdquo Zane said ldquoAnd right now

thatrsquos where I need you Okayrdquo

Bailey tried not to scowl ldquoOkayrdquo

Zane nodded his head toward the blank spot behind him that

Trina shouldrsquove been occupying ldquoItrsquos gonna be a little busy for

a bitrdquo he said ldquoTrinarsquos stepping out for a smokerdquo

Ah yes Bailey thought Wouldnrsquot be an evening at the Nightshadewithout one of the sta ff taking a suspiciously long smoke break right at

the height of the rush All the bartenders even Zane usually excused

themselves during shifts leaving Bailey and the remaining bartender

to hold down the fortmdashwhich 1047297ne drinking and smoking did kind

of go hand in hand But as far as she could tell none of the loungersquos

staff smoked no tobacco smell no yellow teeth no pack-size faded

spot on their pockets

ldquoZanerdquo she asked slowly ldquodo you have a lightrdquo

ldquoHuh No Whyrdquo

Interesting Bailey thought ldquoNo reasonrdquo she said ldquoWhat do you

need me to dordquo

Zane winced ldquoIrsquom sorry to askmdashrdquo

Baileyrsquos heart sank Zane had no poker face Whatever he was

about to say it wasnrsquot going to be pretty But unfortunately ldquonot

prettyrdquo was her job

ldquoWhat is itrdquo she said ldquoSpit it outrdquo

ldquoFunny you should use that phrasingrdquo Zane said ldquoSomeone

mustrsquove been feeling a little ah soft-boiled Womenrsquos bathroommdashrdquo

ldquoHow badrdquo

Zane smiled weakly ldquoShe almost made itrdquo



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20

ldquoHey Suit guyrdquo yelled a Cubs fan ldquoWersquore thirsty over hererdquo

Zane nodded to him ldquoSorryrdquo he said ldquoReally sorryrdquo And then

he was off grabbing a shaker and glass of ice as he went

Bailey spent a half hour scrubbing the bathroom to a service-

able shine though she knew full well someone would undo all her

work the second she put the mop and bucket away She probably

couldrsquove gotten to the bar faster by half-assing the job but being

detail oriented was so entwined in her DNA that she couldnrsquot leave

things un1047297nished no matter how stupid or gross they were By

the time she rejoined Zane on the line that goddamn bathroom

sparkled

The trivia game was winding down as Bailey slipped behindthe bar and even though shersquod 1047298itted in and out all night she still

mentally answered more questions than most of the teams faltering

only in classic literature So I havenrsquot read every book Bailey thought

Trivia was just a test of fact retention and her brain was as absorbent

as a sponge

Also she thought as she replenished the plastic straws with-

out being asked Irsquom a self-starter Think of what I could do in the right

environment

With a bang that rattled the glasses on the shelves Trina re-

turned from her smoke break (decidedly not smelling of cigarettes

Bailey noted) and more and people 1047297ltered out By a half hour from

closing only a few customers remained Zane sent Trina home early

leaving just him and Bailey to close up

ldquoThat was funrdquo he said as if theyrsquod just stepped off the best

roller coaster ever

Bailey looked at him sidelong estimating whether sufficient

distance separated her from his insanity

ldquoOh come onrdquo he said ldquoYou didnrsquot have a fun night in the

trenchesrdquo He playfully dropped into a boxerrsquos crouch and swiped

at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

ldquoThey didnrsquot box in the trenchesrdquo she said ldquoThey used long-

range bombardment weapons Can you mime a howitzerrdquo

ldquoAs soon as I learn what that isrdquo he said ldquoYoursquore telling me

you donrsquot get anything out of the rush times Not even a trickle of

adrenalinerdquo

ldquoZane adrenalinersquos something your body makes to stop you

from dying horriblyrdquo She plunked down a martini glass which he

snatched right up and dried off In tandem they worked with as-

sembly-line efficiency ldquoAnd nordquo she said ldquoitrsquos not fun Jobs arenrsquot

supposed to be Thatrsquos why theyrsquore jobsrdquo

ldquoTheyrsquore not supposed to be but that doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot

be rightrdquoBailey grunted

ldquoWell heyrdquo he said ldquoYou wanna come out tonight Me and

some of the other bartenders around town like to stop in at Nerorsquos

Griddlemdashyou remember Nerorsquos rightrdquo

Bailey barely had time to nod

ldquoAnd yoursquove gotta meet this buddy of mine who works down

in Boystown and more important my girlfmdashrdquo

At that Bailey snapped to attention but Zane was frowning at

his phone Whatever he was reading had snuff ed out his smile

ldquoWhat is itrdquo she said more curious about his trailed-off sen-

tence than whatever was on his phone Only one word started with

girlf and it wasnrsquot one shersquod ever heard Zane use about himself

ldquoI have to gordquo Zane crammed his phone back into his pocket

He looked serious even grim as if he were barely aware that Bailey

was still there and then reached for supplies lime juice triple sec

a bottle of tequila that he produced from under the counter

ldquoHeyrdquo Bailey cried ldquoWe just cleaned thosemdashrdquo

ldquoI need you to close up Baileyrdquo Zane slapped the lid on his

now-full shaker which he started to shake with a weirdly exact

rhythm rattling the ice cubes against the metal sides in a seven-point



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22

beat He grabbed a margarita glass dipped the rim in water and then

jammed it into the salt dish and twisted He strained the contents

of the shaker into the salt-rimmed glass then dropped in one of the

last remaining lime wedges The lime bobbed a bit against the cubes

and in the low bar light the glass seemed to be glowing green

Zane snatched up the drink took a few deep gulps and

squeezed his eyes against what looked like a brain freeze ldquoYou

know the drillrdquo he said ldquoSet the dishwasher clean out the trays and

give the counters a good polish The rest of it we can handle when

we open tomorrow night Just lock up when yoursquore done and get

home safe okayrdquo

Bailey frowned ldquoWhatrsquos going onrdquoldquoDonrsquot worry about it Wersquoll do breakfast another midnightrdquo

ldquoButmdashrdquo

Zane was already vaulting over the bar and headed for the

door When he yanked it open Bailey caught a glimpse of someone

standing outside an angular woman with dreadlocks The moment

the woman saw Zane she took off running and the two of them

sped off into the night

The doors swung shut again leaving Bailey alone in the quiet

empty bar

Angry a little pissed off and too late into the night to call Jess

to pin down an interview she slammed the dishwasher shut rattling

every glass and cup inside She trudged back into the front to polish

off the counter seriously ready to call it a night Starting at Zanersquos

end she moved her rag in small circles systematically eliminating

any hint of grime or spillage Everywhere her towel went it stayed

until the surface beneath was a varnished brown mirror

As she made her way to Trinarsquos end something caught her eye

a small hole in the space beneath the counter As she approached

she realized it wasnrsquot just a hole it was a gap between panels that

looked like it could slide open She pushed it wide openmdashit must



23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

have been designed to stay 1047298ush with the wall when closedmdashand

found a row of six small bottles four clearish two pale browny All

the elementary liquorsmdashvodka tequila gin rum (light and dark)

and whiskeymdashand all with the same labelmdashnot Jack Danielrsquos or

Seagramrsquos or anything she recognized but one with no name and

a logo of two interlocked C s

She reached for one popped the cork and took a sniff vodka

The good stuff as far as she could tell Her 1047297rst instinct was to put

it right back after all it was Nightshade inventory and hidden in

a secret compartment besides Instead she grabbed a spare glass

some ice and the carton of orange juice in the mini-fridge under

the sink Zane had a strict no-drinking policy while on the job butthis hardly counted And after tonight shersquod fucking earned it

Not ready yet she thought as the ice cracked under her mea-

sured shot of vodka What was to be ready for Look at me now Zane

Irsquom making a drink and Irsquom managing Having 1047297lled the glass with

orange juice she stuck in a straw gave it a quick stir and replaced

the bottle shutting the secret compartment and promising herself

shersquod ask Zane or Trina tomorrow what the hell that was about

Then she turned and admired the fruit of her labors a freshly made

screwdriver

The drink gleamed cheerfully on the counter just as Zanersquos

margarita had Bailey squinted upward Maybe a bulb was out

or one of the neon signs was leaking (could they leak) making

the tainted air cast everything in an extra-glittery glow Whatever

Drinks were for drinking not for gawking at and so thatrsquos exactly

what Bailey did

Bailey had had screwdrivers before Usually they were slapdash

concoctions little more than orange juice and vodka splashed to-

gether inside a red Solo cup But this one was no dorm room spe-

cial rather than clash the vodka and orange juice harmonized The

drink was sweet and tangy and cold and the liquid burned just the



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24

right amount on the way down Bailey had intended to take only

small sips but when she pulled the glass away from her lips she was

surprised to see shersquod already downed half

Well she thought as the delicious feeling spread from her stom-

ach to her toes Irsquoll have to drink more screwdrivers

When she swung out the front door ten minutes later she

felt even warmer inside Warm but not tipsy or clumsy Refreshed

Curiously refreshed Probably the best shersquod ever felt postshift She

jammed her key into the door to lock up like the dutiful employee

she was Except somehow she really jammed it because when she

turned the key it stuck Shersquod completely bent it

ldquoShitrdquoBailey stared at her hand wondering how shersquod manage to

warp a solid piece of metal when she had trouble opening twist-off

beers Prepared to struggle she dug in her heels and yanked but the

key came out so easily she stumbled backward Stunned and a little

woozy she stared at the crooked key in her palm then daintily took

it in her 1047297ngertips and slowly tentatively bent it upward The metal

yielded to her hands The key was utterly straight and good as new

No harm done Bailey told herself She dropped her keys into

a jacket pocket and started to stroll home wishing she knew how to

whistle so she could complete the picture

Ravenswood had been a rough little neighborhood on the

North Side when her parents moved in but gentri1047297cation set in

during the twenty-odd years since Now it felt like a suburb that had

been swallowed whole and unchewed by a big city Damen Avenue

where the Nightshade Lounge sat on the corner of Leland was as

business district-y as the neighborhood got lined with closed-for-

the-night shops a few parked cars and the occasional tree In the

distance a late-night Brown Line train trundled along its elevated

track Sunnyside Avenue where she was headed and where she now

livedmdashagainmdashwith her parents was quiet with squat houses set



25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

behind small well-kept lawns and raised front porches Everywhere

people hung up the city 1047298ag of Chicagomdashtwo blue stripes on white

with four red stars in the middlemdashas if city hall was afraid that peo-

ple this far north would forget where they were living

As Bailey turned onto Leland she felt the hairs prick on the

back of her neck She wasnrsquot weird about walking by herselfmdash

this was her home turf after all and she possessed an above-aver-

age amount of street smarts thanks to a mandatory girls-only ses-

sion during orientation week called ldquoSisters Self-Defendinrsquo It for

Ourselvesrdquo But while Damen was the main drag with streetlights

and shop windows and potential witnesses Leland was more seclud-

ed especially after last call Despite the warm September night sheshivered and quickened her pace glancing over her shoulder No

onersquos there she told herself Just a few more blocks

But the more she walked the more certain she was that she

was hearing something a skittering noise down the block some-

thing rustling through the leaves on the ground Bailey thought it

was probably a rat or a raccoon but then again she wasnrsquot sure she

knew this neighborhood anymore Maybe there were muggers now

Vaguely recalling her instructorrsquos method for self-defendinrsquo it Bailey

whipped out her keys brandishing them like tiny daggers between

her knuckles

ldquoI can hear yourdquo she said a little shakily ldquoI know yoursquore thererdquo

Con 1047297dence lets your attacker know yoursquore not an easy target the

instructor had told them Remember the acronym S-A-F-E stay alert

announce f-something

Shit what was F Focus Well she was trying to Bailey pivoted

but saw nothing distinct enough to focus on

But she could hear it

And then it came out of the darkness Whatever was following

her wasnrsquot just another hungover coed in gym shorts It didnrsquot even

look human too low to the ground eyes too yellow Glowing yellow



983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26

ldquoGood boyrdquo Bailey said keys held high ldquoNice bmdashrdquo

But it wasnrsquot a dog It was something awful that shersquod never

seen before

Before she could scream something rammed into her hard and

dense like a cannonball to the ribs Her head smacked the pave-

ment her elbow skinned across asphalt The not-a-dog was heavy

on top of her a horrible squirming four-legged thing the size of

a German shepherd with a head like a protruding tumor and limbs

covered in naked ropes of salmon-colored muscle

Bailey scrambled under it the world spinning from alcohol and

adrenaline The thing was pawing at her with stubby feet and she

couldnrsquot keep it off couldnrsquot wrestle away couldnrsquot escapeOh God she thought Irsquom going to die Here on the streets of

Ravenswood less than half a mile from where shersquod grown up less

than half a block from where shersquod just scrubbed a toilet

No Bailey thought No No The slimy weight on her chest

was too heavy for her to draw breath for a scream and the world

was going fuzzy around her God no This was how it ended not

with a bang but with a minimum-wage job and a heap of student

debt Bailey cringed and with all her dizzied nauseated might she

mustered up one stupid single and probably 1047297nal thought

Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard

It worked She pushed the thing away with the soles of her

sneakers and before she had time to think sprang to her feet closed

her eyes and threw the hardest punch of her life

It was ugly and clumsy and her 1047297st hooked around the thingrsquos

side instead of slamming it head-on But her knuckles met 1047298esh and

in a spray of black blood its head caved in like a rotted pumpkin

ldquoShitrdquo Bailey yelped and leapt back The remains of the an-

imal-thingrsquos body splatted to the concrete Smoke curled up from

the edges of its limbs as if it were a leaf catching 1047297re and the night



27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

air 1047297lled with a thick chemical stench Bailey coughed shielding her

eyes and before she even had time to worry about how to scrape

the nasty mess off the pavement the thingrsquos body collapsed with an

abrupt squelch

Bailey jumped back from the puddle out of the street and cast

around wildly for something else A pack A 1047298ock Another pair of

yellow eyes But she saw nothing Just a quiet street and a 1047297zzing

pool of dead-smelling something

She clamped her bloodstained hands over her mouth and

smothered a scream The screwdriver roiled inside her Her arms

and legs shook like it was below freezing and her heart squeezed

painfully with every breathShe wasnrsquot safe She wasnrsquot safe and she was going to be sick

Terri1047297ed and trembling Bailey did what she apparently did

best she 1047298ed back home



$ ()+ - )0)1234

The Screwdriver $amp () +amp $-(- () (0+ 1+ampamp+$ 1-$(+amp+$

$ampamp ()(ampamp )amp++ -(

0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49

20+ 3$+4$+$ )amp+ )5 1-$(+ampamp6 7)( 1-3 -amp 8+58 3)3(-9 20)80 )amp+ 3-ampamp)( )+$+ (0+ 7)$

(-amp3+ )5 - lt83 7amp -amp - )) 0+-$( amp (0+ 5+ )5 - 1-$(+amp+$= )33-)amp -$+ 40+amp (0+ 1+( ()amp3 8$+ 1$-4amp9 gtamp

(0 +-$(7+amp(= (0+ 3$+4$+$ $+7-amp 8amp7-(30+9-$(+amp+$ 5-)$ (0 3)3(- 5)$ 7$- $+-)amp9 gt( amp

$++amp( -$+ 5+4= 30+-= -amp +- )1(-amp-1+ amp - 18( (0+7)( $+7)(+ -3+9 gt( 3-amp 1+ 7A+ lt83= amp (0+ ++amp( (0-()amp+ 0- 1++amp 3-80( 5-(5))(+ 40+ -) 1+amp 3)amp+amp+amp( 4(0amp -$76 $+-30 )5 - 58 ()3+ 1-$9 amp (0)80 (0+-1(+ $-amp(+ 1 (0+ $)+$ $+-$-()amp )5 )(0+$ 1-()amp7- $+lt8$+ +-$ )5 (+- $-3(3+ () 7-(+$= $amp+$ )5 (0+

3$+4$+$ 0-+ 5)8amp (0-( 0((amp (0amp +$ 0-$ amp (0+5-3+ 8amp( (0+ + $-(0+$ ($-0(5)$4-$9

( 15 4Bamp5)$(8amp-(+= $+3)$ )5 )- amp (0+ $+-3)8( +$- -$+-$+C 0)4++$= ( 8+ amp)4amp () -(+ 1-3 () -( +-( (0+



$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1

$ ()A)2455BA() 45B (+C 4 4 4lt+)D5lt+ 7) 4 5)lt) ()+1 (47)$ + () 2)2 40 +)1 5) 54)4 (6 E145+C 1)7)$8 F12++455B 2+$+55)2 0147 $6CG1G1+( )1)5 C1+$ 41 E44)$ lt42 5$4 0462 $)42G1B 7)2++5 6$) $ 1)$41+lt) H6 lt+) +$ $1)C()+C

E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +

() $225)IC$ 40 () 345+$( lt5+)1 L$+7+1 365$+ (4 )G461C)2 +$ I+I65+4 74C$ () lt51B7) () 1+)2 40+C( + () K7)1+ =)lt456+48 F(46C( () )-E1)$$5B 041GI2) +$ 6$) + 4E) I5) (+$ (41$)7) 4652 01)H6)5B I)2+$E()2 +( 1+4$ 40 lt42 4 E145 () 01+C)$ 40 (+$)7E7)$ 2 144 46 561+C 1)7)$8

125 67)04

F() 54C+$+5 2+00+65B 40 E1426+C 7$$ H6++)$ 40 41GC) M6+) $+2)5+)2 +$ 6$) 041 7B B)1$ $ I1)2+C61+4$+B 2 5+5) )5$)8 N $O 6+5 () 7+2G)+)()61B 2 () 2lt) 40 +2)$E1)2 1)01+C)1)2 16+C$B$)7$ ( I1)2)1$ )1) I5) 4 +41E41) + 1)C6515B+4 ()+1 1)E)14+1)$8 P41 I)$ 1)$65$ 01)$(G$H6))Q)2 M6+) +$1)477)2)2R +0 4) +$ lt+5I5) )2 41C) M6+) +(+$ (+C()1 lt+7+ L 4) +$ E1)0)1I5) 4 $212 C14G

)1B I45)$ 41 14$8 N +$ 64 (4 1))2 (+$ E1+G 651 47I++4 I6 () 7) gt$1)21+lt)1 $ 4+)2 IBP1)2)1+ S))2$ P541+2 I1)2)1 (4 5+7)2 ( () 6$)2() 21+ 4 ()5E (+7 1)74lt) 0147 (+$ I4 (+( $1) ((2 16$)2 +4 E5)8



12

CHAPTER ONE

Bailey Chen was taking care of some serious business

ldquoHellordquo She plugged a 1047297nger into her non-cell-phone ear

ldquoJess Are you still there I was just saying that I think Divinylrsquosdoing some really interesting things with their business modelmdashrdquo

ldquoYuprdquo said a perky-sounding female ldquoThatrsquos great So you

probably know wersquoremdashrdquo

ldquolsquoA revolutionary return to revolving musicrsquordquo Bailey recited

ldquolsquoThe company thatrsquos bringing the retro sound of vinyl to the con-

venience of a mobile platformrsquo I think thatrsquos really uhmdashrdquo She cast

around for the right word Cool Awesome What could you really

say about an audio-1047297lter app that took sharp clear mp983091s and re-ren-

dered them into record-styled hiss- and pop-1047297lled playback

Anything she reminded herself anything as long as it landed

her an interview

ldquo really innovativerdquo Bailey said ldquoAnd Irsquod love to come in

and talk with yourdquo

She heard a crackle on the line and Bailey wondered for a split

second if it was an intentional throwback designed into Divinylrsquos

corporate phone system or just a side eff ect of her shitty cell

reception

ldquoTotallyrdquo Jess said ldquoGod can you believe we havenrsquot talked

since like high school We have so much to catch up onrdquo

ldquoOhrdquo Bailey said ldquoUm yeahrdquo



13

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141














week ormdashrdquo

ldquoBaileyrdquo








ldquoHuhrdquo






from a B movierdquo





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

14



Yourdquo










in saladsrdquo






graduaterdquo















15

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

know thatrdquo

























itrsquos funnyrdquo










17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





over 1047298ows




look like this


2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE



to put out















983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





13

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141














week ormdashrdquo

ldquoBaileyrdquo








ldquoHuhrdquo






from a B movierdquo





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

14



Yourdquo










in saladsrdquo






graduaterdquo















15

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

know thatrdquo

























itrsquos funnyrdquo










17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





over 1047298ows




look like this


2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE



to put out















983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

14



Yourdquo










in saladsrdquo






graduaterdquo















15

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

know thatrdquo

























itrsquos funnyrdquo










17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





over 1047298ows




look like this


2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE



to put out















983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





15

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141

know thatrdquo

























itrsquos funnyrdquo










17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





over 1047298ows




look like this


2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE



to put out















983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04







17

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





over 1047298ows




look like this


2 RIGHT NOW

3 OR ELSE



to put out















983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

18













a stage magician













deserved it








19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





19

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141



not readyrdquo



















need me to dordquo








ldquoHow badrdquo




983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

20











sparkled





as a sponge



environment







roller coaster ever





at the air



21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





21

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





adrenalinerdquo





























983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

22











home safe okayrdquo


ldquoButmdashrdquo







empty bar














23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





23

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




















screwdriver






what Bailey did








983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

24


































25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





25

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141





















her knuckles













983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





983152983137983157983148 983147983154983157983141983143983141983154

26



seen before


















Fuck That Shit

And she kicked Hard












27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





27

983148983137983155983156 983139983137983148983148 983137983156 983156983144983141 983150983145983143983144983156983155983144983137983140983141 983148983151983157983150983143983141




abrupt squelch













$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





$ ()+ - )0)1234



0 1234 )amp++ 256-(47 83ampamp 28

927

$ampamp 4lt55) -26-(47+ 28

)amp++ -( 245) =3gt -4 25 57 +49









$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04





$ ()+ - )0)1234

$ () +$ )-+$)) $ 0+1$ )$)2 + 345+$( 4612467)$8 942 2+7+6+lt) 40 () =6$$+ $ gt)1


E14E)1+)$ I)+C 7+$) 041 ()5+C 4)$834$GJ546 lt42 0462 +$ B 4 K7)1+ $(41)$ +


125 67)04



last call at the nightshade lounge excerpt

Documents