an apocalypse of ice; chapter 10.1

PreviouslyonAnApocalypseofIce:

Everybodycelebrated!TheStarkfamilycouldfinallyeatasmuchastheywanted,andJulianhadfinallyopeneduptheschoolsandcollegestoeveryone.Therewasmuchrejoicingandsmustlinginvolved.

Buttherewastroubleonthehorizon.Willwasn’tquiteashappyabouttheopportunitytogotocollegeashethoughtheshouldhavebeen.Hehadneverlikedschool,butnowhelikeditevenless,andhestartedfearinggoingtoclass.MalfoundoutthatJulian’sgirlfriend,JanTellerman,wasaTheoristandstartedthinkingaboutarrangingamarriagebetweenJanandWill.AndwannabeCaptainHeroAliMeranadecideditwouldbeagoodideatoresurrectSansaStark.Consideringthatshe’splanningtogetbacktoheroldfamilyandtakeoverbyanymeansnecessary,nomaLerhowextreme,Aliappearstohavebeenwrongaboutthis.SansaiscallingherselfAlayneStoneandisprobablygoingtocausealotoftrouble.

Willhadn’tknownwhattoexpectwhenhewenttocollege,butpassingoutinthesandwhileconsideringhimselfluckytohavearoofoverhisheadwasnotonthelist.Hehadn’tevenhadanyalcohol.

Hehadbroughtafewitemswithhim,butthemoneyhehadwasbarelyenoughforwallsaroundhim,aroof,andatoilet.OldtownUniversitymighthavebeensomethingspecialinSansa’sday,butrightnowtheadministratorscouldn’thandletherushofstudentswhohadcomenowthatitwasopenagain.UncleJulianwasprobablytryingtocorrespondwiththeprofessorsanddeanstohelpthemout,butWinterfellwasalongwayfromOldtown,anditwasdifficulttocommunicateinthebestofQmes.

Hedeclaredthemathmajor,becausemathhadbeenoneofthefewthingsthatWilllikedinhighschool.Mathproblemsusuallyhadanswers,eventhoughhedidn’talwaysknowhowtofindthem.Willpreferredthattotryingtoscouroldbooksforanswersthatdidn’tseemtoexistandthathewouldn’trecognizeeveniftheydidexist.

Butcollegewasharderthanhehadeverthoughtitwouldbe,especiallybecausehecouldaffordsoliLle.Will’slifehadnarroweddowntostudying,eaQng,andtryingtogetsomesleepinthereclinerhehadpurchased.HewonderedifithadbeenlikethisforhisancestorswhentheyhadfirstreturnedtoWinterfell.

Buttherewerestrangephonecallsthatliveneduphisday.

“Whoareyou?”

“AlienaMerana—”

“Who’sthat?Andhowdidyougetmynumber?”

“That’snotimportant.Youmightbeindanger.SansaStarkhascomeback—”

“Wait.Areyouforreal?”Willasked.

“Yes!Isawhercomebackfromthedead!”

“No,youdidn’t.Peopledon’tcomebackfromthedead.THAT’SWHYTHEY’REDEAD.”

HetalkedforaliLlewhilelonger,justbecauseitwasinteresQngtotalksomebody,nomaLerhowcrazy.ThenhedecideditwasQmeforanap.

“WhatamIsupposedtodotogethimtobelieveme?”Alienaaskedherselfwhilesi\ngatthechessboard.SheunderstoodWill’sinsistencethatdeadwasdead.ThatwaswhatshehadalwaysthoughtunQlshehadreceivedthetelephone.Butthatwasn’ttrueanymore,andifshewasgoingtobeaheroinsteadofthebadguy,thenshewouldhavetogettheStarkfamilytobelieveherbeforeanyofthemhadarun‐inwithAlayneStone.

ShetriedtowarnanyoneshesawcomebythehousewhenAlaynewasoutofearshot,butitlookedlikeherwarningsweregoingovereveryone’sheads.

“Iwishitwasn’ttrue,”AlitoldChrisStarkasshefinishedtellingthestory.“ButIknowitis.Isawhercomeback.Andshe’sobsessedwithyourfamily.IfIdon’tfindawaytostopher,thenIdon’tknowwhatshe’lldotoyouinordertotakecontrolofWinterfellforherself.”

UnlikeWill,ChrisgavethetalesomeconsideraQon.

I’veseenalmostalloftheotherghosts,shethought.Eowynsuredoesliketoscareme.ButneverSansa.Julian’stheonlyonewho’sseenherhaun?ng.Andiftheycancomebackfrombeyondthegravethisway…whynotanotherway?

Chrisatleastseemedtobethinkingaboutit.

“IwishIknewwhetherIcouldbelieveyouornot,”shesaid.“There’snowaytoknow.Sansa’sbeendeadforlongenoughthatmostpeoplewhoknewherareprobablygone,too.Butit’spossible.Andifanyonelikethatcomesnearourfamily…”Whatwouldtheydo?“We’llprotectourselves.”

ButthingsinAliena’shousewerealiLlebitnormal.Alaynehadtakenajobasatestsubject.EventhoughAliwaswaryofle\ngAlayneoutofthehouse,theyhadtoearnmoney,anditwasbeLerforAlaynetohaveajobthantoleaveheraloneatthehouse.Whoknewwhatpiesshemightgetherfingersinthere?Atleastifshehadajob,otherpeoplewouldsQllbekeepinganeyeonher.

Forherpart,Alayneroseinhercareerquickly.A`erall,shehadbeenarenownedecologicalgurubefore,andshesQllrememberedafewthings.Ifshekeptonge\ngpromoted,shereasoned,maybeshewouldcometoherfamily’snoQce,andtheywouldrealizewhatshecoulddoforthem.

AndAlienawasinlove.Shewasn’tsureexactlyhowshehadmetJocelynMorgan,butsheknewthattheyhadbeenluckytofindeachother.TherewasjustsomethingaboutJocelynthatcompletelyenchantedAli.HalftheQme,itlookedlikeshewasdreamingofaplacewherelifewastenQmesbeLerthanitwashere.TheotherhalfoftheQme,itlookedlikeshewastryingtofindawaytobringthatperfectworldinherheadtolife.

“Idon’tknowhowtodoit,”JocelyntoldAlioverchessa`erAliaskedherabouttheperfectworldinhermind.Itsoundedlikeshewastalkingtosomeonefaroffinthedistance,butJocelynsoundedlikethatwhenshespoketoeveryone.“There’ssomuchwrongwiththisplace.Peoplearesocruel,andwhenyoufindsomeoneyoulike,sheslipsawayfromyoualltooo`en.”

“Andtheconstantsnow.”

JocelynblinkedafewQmes.“No,”shesaid.“ThesnowisbeauQful.Idon’twanttoseeaworldwithoutit.”

ShehadeventoldJocelynaboutthedebaclewithSansaStark,andshejustthoughtitwassweetthatshewaswillingtogosofartomakeabeLerworld.HowcouldAlibeluckyenoughthatsomeonelikeJocelynwouldbeinterestedinhera`erallthemistakesshehadmade?

SoonceAlitoldJocelynthatshelovedher,theygotmarriedrightaway.IfAliletherslipaway,whoknewiftheywouldeverfindeachotheragain,whenitwassodifficulttostayincontactwithanyoneouthere?Shehadtotakethischancewhileshecould,beforeJocelyncametohersensesandfoundsomeoneelsewhowasactuallygoodenoughforher.

Ofcourse,thingsweren’tgoingtobenormalaroundhereaslongasAlienahadaformerlydeadpersoninthehousemakingextremeplans,butatleastitfeltlikenowshecouldstarttoliveherlifeagain.

“Thekidsaregrowingupsoquickly,”MalobservedasChrisbeathimatmahjong.“Will’sofftocollege,andnowSabriel’sabouttobecomeateenagerandchooseheraspiraQon.Wasn’titjustyesterdaywhentheyweresmallenoughtopickup?”

“Iknow.IwasjusthelpingSabrielwithaspeechshehastogiveforschooltoday,andIwasthinkingabouthowshe’snotgoingtobesoliFleanymore.”

“Theyhavetogivespeechesforschoolnow?Backinmyday,itwasjustreadingandmathproblems.”

“Julianthoughtitwasagoodideatohelpkidswiththeircharisma.”

“Itis.Ishouldtellhimthatsome?me,ifhe’lltalktome.”

“Whywouldn’thetalktoyou?”

“He—”Malstarted.“WeneedtohaveafamilymeeQng.Jan’satheorist,andshecouldreallyhelpthefamily.Buttodothat—”

“Isee,”Chrissaid.Shecouldn’thelpthinkthatthiscouldhavebeenavoidedifshehadachievedherlifeQmewant,andshedidn’twanttothinkaboutresolvingtheconflict,soshechangedthesubject.“WhataspiraQondoyouthinkSabrielwillchoose?”

“IwashopingoneofthekidswouldpickFortune,”Malsaid.“Iknowwedon’thavetoworkashardtogetbyasweusedto,butourfamilyhasalwaysvaluedhardwork.”

“WillandArthurhadtochoosewhatwasrightforthem,though.Theywouldn’thavebeenhappyifthey’dpickedtheiraspiraQonstopleaseus.”

“Iknow.I’mjusthopingthekidsaregoingtobeasdedicatedtomakingthingsbeLeraroundhereaswewere.”

“Well,wehadalottodo,”Chrispointedout.“Laws,showers,food,andcollegewerenotsmallpotatoes.Theywon’thavetodoasmuchaswedid,butaslongastheystaycommiLedtothework,everythingshouldbefine.”

“Iknow.Ijusthope—youwonagain?”

“Yep.”Chrissmiled.

“HowdoyoukeepwinningthisgamewithoutcheaQng?”

Asusual,notenoughpeoplewerepayingaLenQontoSabrielasshegrewupafewhourslater.

But,unfortunately,shecouldn’tstopherselffromgrowingupunQlherdadandheruncletorethemselvesawayfromthemahjongtable,soshegrewupinthecorner.

AtleastIhavedecentclothes,Sabrielthought.ButwhatdoIwant?

Itdidn’ttakeverymuchthought.Sabrielwantedtobreakoutofthehouseandgoonadventures.ButheradventuresweregoingtobebeLerthaneverysingleoneherdadandgreat‐grandfatherhadeverbeenon.TherewassQllsomuchoftheworldyettodiscover,andshewasgoingtodoit.

Malhopedthateveryonewouldplayniceandcometotheconsensusthatwouldbebestforthefamily.ButashewaitedforJulianwithBrandonandChris,hehadafeelingthattheirdiscussionofmarryingJanintothefamilywouldbeanythingbutnice.JulianhadsaidthatheshouldhaveknownMalwasgoingtodothistohim.Itwasn’tasifMalwantedtohurtJulian,buthowcouldthefamilypassupthischance?

“AmIinsaneforeventhinkingthisisagoodidea?”heaskedChris.

“Notasinsaneasyoumightthink,”sheanswered.“It’sfarfromideal,butthere’ssomuchthatJancoulddowithourhelp.Notjustforus,butalsoforeveryoneinthecommunity.Thismarriageisatleastworthconsidering.”

“Considering?”Julianasked,takinghisseat.“You’vealreadydecidedtogoforwardwithit,haven’tyou?DoIevenhavetobehereforthis?”

“Yes,Julian,”Malsaid.“Wehaven’tmadeanydecisionsyet.Wejustthinkit’sworththinkingabout.”

“It’sdisgusQng,that’swhatitis.Thinkaboutit.You’retryingtosetWillupwithhisuncle’sgirlfriend.Isn’tthatincest?”

“No,”Brandonsaid.“WillandJanaren’trelatedbyblood.”

“Well,itshouldbe.”

Halfwaydownthestairstothesecondfloor,Sabrielheardherparentsandunclestalking.Shestoppedatthelandingtolisten.Wasittrue?Couldshebetheheir?Shehaddreamedthateveryonewouldrealizeshewasbestforthejob,butshehadneverthoughtitcouldbereal.

“Thiscouldbeoneofthebestthingsthateverhappenedtothefamily,though,”Malsuggested.

“TheonlywaythatthisisthebestthingforthefamilyisifI’mnotpartofthespecialliLle‘family’ofFortuneSimsthatyou’retalkingabout.OrifI’mnotsignificantenoughtobeinyourfamily—“

“Youareimportanttous,Julian.”

“You’resurenotacQnglikeit,Mal.AndwhataboutWill?I’mnotle\ngyoudothistohim,either.YoualwaystalkedaboutbeingabeLerparentthanMomandDad,andyouwalkedthewalkforawhile,butitlookslikeintheendyou’regoingtomakejustasbigofamistakeasthem,ifnotbigger.”

Malopenedandclosedhismouth,notknowinghowtorespondtothat.

“That’senough,Julian.”Chriscuthimoff.“Willcandecidewhathewantsforhimself.Ifhedecidesthatthisistooweirdforhim,that’shischoice.Butthismarriagehasadvantages.”

“Nameoneofthem.”

“Fine.She’salreadyalmostatthetopofhercareer,andshedoessomethingthatweweredesperatelyhopingtogetdoneduringourQmeleadingthefamily.RememberwhenBrandonandMaldecidedthatoneofthemwouldbeamadscienQstandtheotheronewouldbeacelebritychef?Well,noneofuseverbecamemadscienQsts,becausetherewereneveranywaystobreakintothefield.Janisinthefield,andshe’sgoodatwhatshedoes.”

“That’strue,”Malsaid,gladthatsomebodywassupporQnghimnow.“Andthentherearethethingswe’dbeabletodo.Notjustelse,buteveryoneelsewholivesinthiscommunity.Lights.Electronics.Andwe’dbeabletomoveout.”

“Good.SoIcoulddiealoneinsomehousesomewhereandnothavetowatchthetwoofthempawingateachother,”Juliansaid.

“DoyouhaveanythingproducQvetosay?”Brandonsnappedfromtheotherendofthetable.

“Ofcourseit’shardtofindajobandgetpromoted.Iknowthat,maybebeLerthananyofyou,”Juliansaid.“Butit’swhatwe’vealwaysdone.There’snoreasonwhyyoucan’tletWillmarrysomeonehelovesandletthatpersontopthecareer.”

“Hey,I’vegotabrilliantidea,”Brandonsaid.“IsthereanybodyelsewhocouldinventalltheseamazingcontrapQonswe’rethinkingabout?ThenwecanarrangeamarriagebetweenWillandthatpersonandavoidallofthis.”

“Well,myfriendBenjaminLongisamadscienQst,”Chrissaid.“IfSabrielwastheheir,shecouldmarryhim,andwecouldavoidallthisweirdness.”

“Butthat’snothowitworks,”Brandonsaid.“Thefirstbornsoninherits.IknowthatIdidn’twanttobetheheir,butIhadtheopQontodecidewhetherIwanteditornot.Wecan’tjustdisinheritWillwhilewe’resi\ngaroundthistable.”

SabrielheadedforthechessboardtopracQce.Shehadheardenough.

“Soyou’resayingweshouldjustgotoWillandaskhimifthisiswhathewants?”Malasked.

“Yes,”Brandonsaid.“He’salmostgrownup,andhecanmakethedecisionifhereallywantstobeheirorstepasideinSabriel’sfavor.It’snotideal,butitwillhelpus.”

“Fine,”Juliansaid.Itdidn’tlooklikeanyonewasgoingtobudge,andhewasasQredofsi\ngaroundthetableastherestofthem.Besides,Willwouldneveragreetothis.

“Inevermeantittogothisway,”MalsaidtoJulian.“I’msorry.”

“Ofcourseyoudidn’twantthis.”Juliandidn’tthinkthatMalwasouttogethim,buta`erlisteningtotheotherpeoplearoundthetabletalkabouthisrelaQonshipasifitmeantnothing,itdefinitelydidn’tfeellikehewaspartofthisfamily.

ThisQme,Sabrielwasn’tscowlingattheboardjustbecauseshehatedchess.Shehurt,andshedidn'twanttoshowit,eventhoughnobodywasaround."Itdoesn’tmaLer,"shetoldthewhiteknightacrosstheboardasshemoveditforwardtwospacesandonespacetotheright.StarQngbyadvancingtheking'spawnforwardtwospaceswasge\ngboring.

"Hey,Sable!"Arthursaid,si\ngdownattheboardacrossfromher."What'sup?”

"Nothing."Sheadvancedherqueen'spawn.

“Butyousaid‘Itdoesn’tmaLer.’”

“Nothingyou’dunderstand.”SabrielstressedthelastwordsothatArthurwouldbackoff.

“Okay.Whatever.”

OfcourseArthurhadbackedoff.HealwaysdideveryQmeshechallengedhim.ThatjustmadethiswholesituaQontenQmesworse.Hewouldjustwanttoplayapeacefulgameofchess,eventhoughhehatedchessalmostasmuchasher,andthatwasthelastthingshewantedtodo.Sabrielwantedafight.

“Whycan’tgirlsinheritWinterfell?”sheasked.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Ofcoursetheycan.”

“Onlywhentherearen’tanyboysaround.Grandmawasanonlychild,andourgreat‐grandmawouldhavebeensomepowerlessqueensomewhereifherbrothershadn’tbeenmurdered.Butyou’dneverthinkofthat,wouldyou?”

Arthurmovedapiece.“Doyouwanttobetheheir?IbetifyoutoldDad,he’dletyou.”

“That’snotthepoint.”

“Whatis?”

“Heshouldn’thavetoletme,”Sabrielsnappedback.“UncleBrandonsaidwhenhegaveittoDadthatitshouldgotothepersonwho’dbethebestatit,butapparentlyhedidn’treallymeanit,hewasonlysayingitbecauseheonlyhadbrothers—“

“Wait.Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“IoverheardourparentsandunclestalkingaboutwhotheyweregoingtomarryWillto.It’sreallysickandtwisted—youdon’twanttoknow.AndMomsaidthatoneofherfriendswasaMadScienQst,andthatIcouldmarryhimanditwouldn’tbesosickandtwisted.ButUncleBrandonsaidsomethingabouthowitshouldgotoWillfirst,becausehewasthefirstbornsonandWinterfellwashistoacceptorturndown—“

“Well,thatdoesn’tmean—“

“WouldyoustopinterrupQngme?”Arthurlookedawayfromher.Good.“God,someQmesIwishI’dhadafewmoresistersandauntsandafewlessbrothersanduncles.They’dunderstand.”

“I’mtryingtounderstand,Sabriel.”

“Youdon’tevenwanttobetheheir,”Okay,maybethatwasn’ttrue,butthatwasn’tthepoint.“You’dratherjustsitaroundinyourpajamas,gotoparQes,andplaymahjongallthelivelongdaya`eryoudowhatyouhavetodoforthefamily.”

“I’veneverthoughtaboutwhetherIwanttobeheir.”

“Becauseyoucan’tbetheheir.”Andthey’ds?llconsideryouoverme,eventhoughit’dbejustassickandtwistedifyoumarriedJan,andyou’dlikeitevenlessthanWillwould.Eventhoughyoushouldn’tbetheheirifyouwon’tjustfightback.

“Well,I’llaskyouagain—doyouwantto?”

ThisconversaQonwasstarQngalloveragain,butwithoneimportantdifference:SabrielhadpouredherheartouttoArthur,andhesQlldidn’tgetit.“I’lltellyouagain.”Shegotupfromthechair.“That’snotthepoint.”

Willhadabedandasink.Thiswasanimprovement.ButhavingacouplemorebasicameniQeswhileWillstudiedunQlhedroppeddidn’thurt.

Sure,theassignmentssQllfeltlikethey’dneverend.Apparently,Willwassupposedtohavelearnedsomethingcalledcalculusinschool.Hewasn’tsurehowhewassupposedtodothat,seeingastherehadn’tbeenanyschoolsunQlacoupleofdaysbeforehewasduetobecomeanadult,butallhisprofessorsassumedthatheknewhowtocalculatesomethingcalledaderivaQve.Hedidn’t.

ItalsowouldhavehelpedifhecouldreadthewordsandnumberswriLenonthepagesthatweresupposedtoexplaintheproblemstohim.Willhadtroublefocusing,andwhenheputhisassignmentbookawaytotakealookatitlater,henoQcedthathiseyeshurt.Whywasthathappeningtohimwhenheneededtofocusasmuchaspossible?

Alienahadn’tstoppedcallingtodangleherconspiracytheoriesinfrontofhim,andWillhadstartedtogettoknowherbeLer.Shedidn’treallyactlikeheexpectedacrazypersontoact.AlienajustseemedlikeanormalpersonwhowantedabeLerlifeforherself.Shedidn’trantorraveaboutanythingbutthesupposedreturnofSansaStark,goingbyAlayneStone.Couldsheberight?

“Nah.Can’tbe.”

WilldecidedtofreestyleforQpswhenhegotbackfromclassandcouldn’teventhinkaboutderivaQvesforanotherminute:

Theygotthesitua?on,theygotmefacingIcan’tliveanormallife,IwasraisedbythestripesSoIgoFabedownwiththehoodteamToomuchtelevisionwatchinggotmechasingdreams…TellmewhyarewesoblindtoseeThattheoneswehurtareyouandme

Hedidn’tgetanyQps,buthedidgettomeetagirlnamedCeleste.Willwouldhavelikedtomeetmoregirls,butbeingstuckinhisdormunabletocallanyoneandhavingtoteachhimselfcalculusreallydidanumberonone’sabilitytomeetpeople.

“Itissocoldouthere,”Willcomplained.“IknowI’msupposedtobeusedtoit,butIdon’tthinkIeverwillbe.”

“Idon’tthinkIwillbe,either,”Celestesaid.“Andthat’sgood.It’llkillyouifyouletit.”

TheytalkedforaliLlewhilelongerbeforeCelestehadtogotoclassandWillwentinsideforaninstantdrink.

Somewherealongtheline,whatWillwantedoutoflifehadchanged.Thethoughtofbeingacelebritycheflikehismomdidn’tseemasappealinganymore.Thatwouldjustmeanmorestudyinga`erhehaddonesomethingimportantforthefamily.Willwantedsomethingthatdidn’tmeanasmuchwork,andhewantedtohavealiLlefunandcompanionshipinsteadofconstantlygoingfrombedtorefrigeratortothepatchoffloorwithhisassignments.Thatwaswhyhewantedtomeetgirlsatcollege.Butwiththephonelinesdownsoo`en,itwasnexttoimpossibletostayincontactwithanyone.

Willwasn’tsleepingaswellasheusedto.Hehadnightmareswhereheneversawhisfamilyagainandwastrappedinthissmallhousewithoutwallpaperorfloorsfortherestofhislife.

Ishouldworkonmyassignment,hethought.Butfinishingthoselasttwentymathproblemsdidn’tappealtoWillatall.

Fivemoreminutes,hetoldhimself.FivemoreminutesandthenI’llgettowork.

“Well,snowman?”heasked.“It’sgottogetbeLer,right?”

“Hey,Sabriel,aboutearliertoday—”

“Justasecond.I’mlookingforajob.”

“Howharddoyouhavetolook?”Arthurasked.“There’snothinginthepaper.Andwhydoyouwantajob?Isn’tschoolandskillingenough?”

“Hmmm.VolunteeringinapoliQcalcampaign,”Sabrieltoldthepaper.“Soundslikethat’srightupmyalley.Andit’snotenoughforme,”shesaid,loweringthepapertolookatArthurandtryingnottosoundangry.“Iwanttogetoutofthehouse.Dadworkedatanembassybeforehestartedge\ngseriousaboutadventuring,andIwanttotrythat.Plus,it’snottooearlyformetostartonmyresume.”

“What’saresume?”

“Areyouserious?”

“Yes,Sabriel.Ireallyamaskingyouwhataresumeis.”

“AmIwrong,orareyoumorefocusedonRickyCormierthanyourprepara?onsforgoingtoOldtown?”

“…”

“IguessI’mnotwrong,then.”

“Sabriel,it’s…”Arthurtookabiteofhisgrilledcheesesandwichandwatchedhissisterfocusonthepaper.“Howdidyouknow?”

“HowdidIknow?YouspendmoreQmestaringathiminhistoryclassthanyoudotakingnotes.”

“Yeah,but…I’mnotsupposedtothinkaboutguysthatway,amI?”

“Whosays?”Sabrielshrugged.“Idon’tthinkaboutanybodythatway.”

“Comeon.Let’sworkonourbodypointstogethersothatDadwillactuallyletmegotothisjob.Idon’treallythinkI’dbeaFacked,buthe’sweirdaboutstufflikethat.”

Asexpected,Sabrielgainedherbodypoints.“See,Dad?”shemuLeredasshewalkeddownthesteps.“I’llshowyou.I’llshowallofyou.”

“Howdoesshedoit?I’malreadyboredoutofmymind,”Arthurcomplaineda`eranotherlongdayatschool.Hehadagazillionassignmentsforhiscollegeprepclasses,andhealsohadtokeepbuildinguphisskills.HavingagoodQmedidn’tseemtobeonanyone’sagendabuthisown.

Sabrieldidn’tknowtheanswertothatquesQon,either.ShehadspentthreehoursshufflingpaperaroundandtryingtogetphonelinesouttotalktoprospecQvedonors,anditwasevenmoreboringthanchess.Butshehadtodoit.Shehadtodosomethingifshewasgoingtostaysane.

“Nothingtodo,peoplewhodon’tbelievemewhenIsaythephonelinesaredown,andI’mworkingforacrook,”sheranted.“AndI’mcomingbackheretopeoplewhodon’trespectmeanddon’tthinkIhaveanythingtocontributetothefamily?Idon’tthinkso!”Sabrielclenchedherfists.Shedidn’tcareifanyoneheardher.Infact,partofherwantedthemtohearsothey’drethinkmakingWilltheheir.

Shehadthoughtge\ngajobandge\ngoutofthehousewouldmakethingsbeLer.Itwasn’t.

MalhadconsiderablymorejobsaQsfacQon,havingjustreceivedhisfinalpromoQon.Hereturnedfromhislatestmissionfeelinglikehewasontopoftheworld.

WhenWillreceivedaphonecallfromSpencerattheendofhissecondyearofcollegeaskingifhe’dliketocomevisit,WillgratefullyacceptedassoonasthesemesterendedandhecouldgettransportaQonfromOldtown.Therewereafewweeksbeforeclassesbegan,andhewasnotgoingtospendthoseweeksinhisfour‐wallshackifhecouldhelpit.Unfortunately,hewashavingtheusualtroublewiththephones,sohehadn’tbeenabletogeteverythinginordertoarrangeavisittohisfamily.

“Hey,Will!”Spencergreetedhim.HischeerfulnesswasaliLledisorienQng.“How’scollegetreaQngyou?”

A`erhoursoftransportaQon,Willwasinnomoodtomincewords.“Badly,”hesaid.“Idon’tknowwhyeveryoneelseinthefamilywantedtogosomuch.Iftheywerethere,theywouldhavehatedit,too.”

“I’msorrytohearthat,”Spencersaid.“Isitanythingthatbeingbackherecanhelp?”

“Notreally,”Willsighed.“Classsucks.Maybeitwouldn’tsucksomuchifitdidn’tconsumemyenQrelife.Thatandtryingtohaveagoodnight’ssleepandmakemyeyesstophurQng.Andit’snicethatyou’veinvitedmeoverandthatyou’rewillingtolistentomecomplain,butthingsaregoingtobejustasbadwhenclassesstartagain.”

“Well,Iknowthatifyoudon’ttalktosomeone,it’llonlygetworse,anditdoesn’tsoundlikeyouhaveverymanypeopletotalktooutthere,”SpencertoldWill.“MaybeyoureyeshurQngissomethingtotellyourdadabout,though.”

“Yeah.”Willdoubtedwhetherhisdadwouldbeabletohelp,famousdoctorornot.

“Well…whydon’tyoucomeinandrelaxforawhilebeforeyouhavetogobacktoOldtown?”Spencersuggested.“Standingouthereinthecoldisn’tgoingtodoyouanygood.Playsomedarts.Havesomethingtoeat.Dosomethingthatisn’taboutschoolforaliLlewhile.”

“Soundsgoodtome,”Willsaid.

Hestaredatthebulls‐eyeandgraspedthedart.Notroubleseeingthis.

Whilewalkingaroundtheneighborhood,SabrielthoughtshesawWillthroughoneofthewindowsofthehouse.Coulditreallybehim?Withouteventhinkingaboutwhattheconsequencesmightbe(thiswasanadventure,a`erall),Sabrielknockedonthedoor,whereshepromptlymetSpencerFitzhughanddiscoveredthatWillwasactuallythere.

“Sabriel!It’sgreattoseeyou!Yougottall!”Willsaidashissisterjoinedhimatthedartsgame.

“Idid!It’sagoodthing.Peopledon’ttrytopatmeontheheadanymore,”Sabrielsaid.“It’sgreattoseeyou,too.Wherehaveyoubeen?”

“Atcollege.”

“No,Imean,whyhaven’tyoucalled?”

“Samereasonwhynobodycalls.Ican’t,”Willexplained.“AllIgetwhenIpickupthephoneis‘ThisnumbercannotbereachedatthisQme.Pleasetryagainlater.’”

“Well,that’sdumb.”

Willdidn’tknowwhythisirritatedhimsomuch.Ofcourseitwasdumb.Butitwasjustthewaythingswere,andhecouldn’tdoanythingaboutitnow.

“Weren’tyougoingtocomehomeifyouwerehere?”Sabrielasked.

“Sable,I’vegottoheadbacktoOldtown,”Willexplained.“I’mstudyingalltheQme.Literally.AlltheQme.”

“That’sstupid.”Somehow,WillbeinginthishousemadeSabrieltooangrytothink.“YouthinkSpencerisimportantenoughtovisit,butnotyourownfamily?”

“Hecalledmeandaskedmetocomeover,”Willsaid.“Youhaven’t.WhatwasIsupposedtodo?”

“You’resupposedtocare,”Sabrielsaid,holdingthedartsinherhandandfocusingontheboard.Shedidn’twanttolookatWill.“You’resupposedtoatleasttry.”

“Iamtrying.I’mtryingharderthanI’veevertriedinmylife,justtogetby.Collegeishard,Sabriel.It’snotsomemagickingdomintheskylikeDadsays.”

“Huh.”SabrielwenttoretrieveherdartsandpointedatWill.“Youknow…”

WhenhadhisliLlesisterstartedbeingsuchacontrolfreak?Whathadhedonetooffendher,otherthannotcalling,whichwasn’tanopQon?Heshouldhaverealizedtherewassomethingwrongwithherwhenshewasatoddlerandshegotweirdaboutlearningtotalk.Whyhadhehelpedherdothat?Shewouldn’tshutupnow.

“Uh,hello?Areyouevenlisteningtome?”Sabrielwavedherle`handaroundintheair.

“Uh,yeah.”Willpaused.“Whatwereyousaying?”

“Youshoulddosomethingaboutthephones.You’vegottodosomethingforthefamily,right?Anditcan’tbefood,becauseMomdidthat.Somaybeitcanbephones.”

“Yeah.”Howwouldbegoaboutdoingthat,exactly?Willtookthedartsandstaredattheboardagain,feelingjustaboutasupsetashehadwhenheturnedupatthehouse.HenevershouldhavecomeanywherenearWinterfell.

A`erhefinishedmakingthesandwiches,Spencerle`themtothemselvesandheadedoutsidetomeetthebruneLewhohadwalkedby.

“Ihaven’tdecidedwhatIwanttodoyet,”Sabrielsaidastheysatdowntoeat.“I’mworkingonapoliQcalcampaignnow,butIdon’tlikeitthatmuch.”

“Well,what’syourlifeQmewant?”Willasked,hopingtosteertheconversaQontomorefriendlyground.HefeltlikehebarelyknewanythingaboutSabrielnowthatshewasateenager,andhewantedtofixthat.

“Adventure,ofcourse.Lotsofit.IamaStark,a`erall.But,likeyou,Ican’tdowhatIwant.”

WhatwouldyousayifItoldyouIwantedtowoohootwentywomen?Willthought.ThatI’mnotaStark?

“No.Iguessnot.Ihaven’tbeenabletodowhatIwantedeversinceIle`forcollege.”

Sabrielcouldn’ttakelisteningtohimanymore.“Oh,boohoo,”shesaid.

“What?”

“Everyone’sbeenwaiQngfortheopportunitytogotocollege.Dad,UncleBrandon,andGrandmawanteditsobadlythattheyhadmentalbreakdownswhentheycouldn’tgo.Everyone’sworkedashardastheycouldtomakethosedreamsintoarealityforyou.Whatareyoudoing?You’rethrowingthosedreamsaway!Andyou’retheheir!Whatkindofheirareyougoingtobe,ifyoudon’tvaluewhatyourancestorshavedoneforyou?”

“Onewhodoesn’tthinkthatlifeshouldbeallaboutwork!”Willstampedhisfootononeofthetablelegs.“SoIthinkthatweshouldn’thavetospendeverywakingminuteatwork,skilling,ortryingtomeetourmostbasicneeds.Ididn’tthinkthatwasacrime.”

“It’snotlikethingsaremagicallyperfectnowthatwehaveshowersandfoodagain.There’ssQllalottofix—”

“Iknow!IknowbeLerthanyoudo!I’malwayscold.I’vebeenpayingoffthemobfortwoyears,whichisalotharderwhenyou’renotsi\ngongeneraQonsofmoney.Ican’tcallout,eventhoughyoudon’tseemtobelieveme.Andmyonlyhopeofbeingabletokeepge\ngbyistoworkeveryminuteofeveryday.Don’ttellmethingsaremagicallyperfect.”

WilllookedoffinthedirecQonofOldtownasthelightstartedtofade.

ThewomanwhohadwalkedbythehouseintroducedherselfasAlayneStoneasSabrielwentbackhome,probablytodosomemoreofthatpreciousworkofhers.Willthought“totallyhotbruneLe.”

“Whatbroughtyouhere?”WillaskedAlayne.

“Astrokeofgoodluck,”shesaid.

“Goodluck?Beingaroundhere?I’mnotsureifI’ddescribeitthatway.”

“BeLerthanthealternaQve,”shesaid,headingovertothrowadart.“Winterfell’shardlytheworstplaceintheworld.”

“Iguess.”Willshrugged.A`erall,hecouldthinkofsomewherethatwasworse.

Theysatdownatthetablea`ertheirgame,andWillstartedexplainingthewayhisa`ernoonhadgone:escapingfromcollege,tryingtocooloff,andeventuallylosinghistemperwithSabriel.Hetalkedaboutbeingtheheirandaboutallthepressurehewasunder.Hetalkedabouthisstudiesandabouthowhecouldn’tseethewordsinfrontofhimsomeQmes.

Shejustlistenedwiththesamehalf‐smileonherface.

Specialgueststar:SpencerFitzhugh,TheFitzhughLegacy,bysmoothiequeen87

Musiccredit:“Gangsta’sParadise”‐Coolio

NextQmeonAnApocalypseofIce:

+Morecollegeshenanigans,orlackthereof.+Love+ThemaineventwillbetheresoluQonofthegeneraQon4heirship.Arthurdoesn’tseemtocareaboutit,butWillandSabrieldefinitelydo.HowwilleveryoneworkthingsoutwhenWillcomeshomeonTuesdaytovisit?WillIbeabletogetallthephotosthatIneed?:P

“LILY.WHYISTHISPICTURESTILLONYOURHARDDRIVE?DELETEITNOW!”

Hahahaha,never.:PHappySimming!