apocalypse of ice chapter 16

PreviouslyonAnApocalypseofIce:

“Hello,”thenewcomersaid.“WillStark?”

“Yes,”Willsaid.“What’syourname?”

“IndiaVeBnari.”Theyshookhands.“I’manaDorney.”

Spencerlookedathiscardsandsmiled.“I’llalsoseeifIcanintroduceyoutomygrandson,Teagan.He’sbeensayinghe’dliketomeetyoubeforethiswholebusinessstarted.”

“So,you’reaskingmetobreakWillout?”

“PreDymuch.Youandanyoneelsewecanget.”Arthurpaused.“Doyouthinkitcouldwork?”

“You’llneedtohide,”oneofthetwinsexplainedtoWill.

“Andnobody’sbeDeratfindingaplacetohidethanthesimselves,”theothertwinsaid.

“No.”Willshookhishead.“Iamnotgoingbacktocollege.”

“Youseethewayyou’rerefusing?”Lilyasked.“That’showweknowPiperwillneverlookforyouthere.”

“Thoseweretheworstyearsofmylife.Exceptfor—“Really,whichwasworse?Lifeinawindowless,floor‐lessboxwithoutanythingheneeded,orPiper?

Willlookedathimselfinthebathroommirror.Lilyhaddefinitelydoneagoodjobassemblinghisdisguise.HesBllhadthesameface,buttheyhadchangedeverythingabouthimthattheycouldfeasiblychangewithouttheassistanceofacreepy‐soundingdevicecalledaplasBcsurgerymachine.

“HernameisNymeria,”heheardDesayasifshespokethroughafog.“She’sthereasonI’mlivingherenow.Thesimselfhouse…Bmedoesn’tmovethesamewaywhenyou’rethere.It’snotgoodforachild.AndSpencerdidn’twantmetobealone.”

“He’llbeabeDerfatherthanme,”Willsaid.Hesobbedagain,fullyunderstandingeverythingPiperhadtakenfromhim.

Thiswasn’tthefirstBmethatMeghadseenavisionlikethis.Occasionally,thetangibleworldwoulddropoutfromaroundher,givingwaytoajumbleofimagesthatflashedbyinseconds.AlmostallofthemseemedtohavesomethingtodowithMegandherfamily,butbeyondthat,shedidn’talwaysunderstandthevisions.Shealsohadn’tconsciouslyrealizedthattheywouldstopherfromhearinginaddiBontoseeing.

Itdidn’tmaDer.Shehadseenherdaddy,andhewasbackhomewiththem!

Consideringthatitlookedliketheywerepreparingtokickdownthedoor,Sabrielopenedit.

“Wehaveawarrant—“Kevinstartedtosay.

“Didn’tIjusttellyouthattheonlywayyou’researchingthisplaceisovermydeadbody?”

“—toarrestWillStarkandtoarrestanyonewhomaybeharboringhim,”EllenconBnued.“Andincaseyouwerethinkingaboutgoingoverourheadsagain,wehavebeengivenallauthorityfromtheLawtoconductthissearchandtotakeanyonewhoobstructsitintocustody.”

Janhaddiscoveredoneofthelisteningdevicesineachroom,eveninthebathrooms.Thesearchershadn’tbeenverycreaBveabouthidingthem.Ineveryroomwithabedroom,theywereunderbeds.Inthebathrooms,thedeviceslurkedbehindtoilets.Ineachoftheotherrooms,thesearchershadputthemintodrawers.

Onebyone,Jandisabledthem.

“Aretheyallturnedoff?”Sabrielaskedheroverbreakfasta]erGemmaandMeghadgonetoschool.

Jannodded.

“Good.Becauseit’sBmeforustohaveacoupofourown.”

Arthursmiled.“Idon’tknowhowlongI’vebeenwaiBngforyoutosaythat.”

“Wehavetostoptryingtoworkwithasystemboundtoworkagainstus,”Sabrielexplained.“UncleBrandondidn’ttrytoworkwiththeoldorder.Hewroteawholenewcodeoflawsandtoldeveryone,‘thisishowit’sgoingtobefromnowon.’Weneedtodothesamething.”

“Ursulacouldn’tcometodaybecausethey’rewatchingthehouse,”Teaganreported,“butshesaystomakePiperwishhe’dneverbeenbornandthatshehopeshisheadisexplodingalready.”

Arthursmiledathermessage.“Issheallright?”

“Fine.Beinginhidingcan’tknockherdown.”

TodistractPiperonthedaythatFerdandMaghelpedWillescape,UrsulahadwalkedintoPiper’semptyofficeanddeclaredherselftheLaw.PiperrespondedbychargingUrsulawithbeinganaccomplicetocriminalescapeandsendinghertothelocaljail.Ofcourse,shedidn’tstaythereforverylong,becauseFerdandMagalsohelpedherescape,butshealsohadtohide.

“I’msurprisedittookthemthisliMleNmetorealizetheyweren’tpickinganythinguponthemicrophones,”Sabrielsaid.“Jandisabledthem...someNmeearlythismorning?Andthenatnoon,EllenBolton’sstandingonthecornerstaringatthehouse.”

“JustinNmetoseewhoyouweregoingtocallwhenthephoneswentup,”Indypointedout.

SabrielconsideredpotenNaltrouble,thenshookherhead.“It’sTuesday.Nothing’ssuspiciousaboutlargenumbersofpeopleshowinguponTuesdays.Everyonehastheirfriendsoverwheneverit’spossible.”

“ButtheyaregoingtonoBceifwekeepcomingaroundherealltheBme.Sowe’dbeDerdowhatweneedtodotoday,ifit’spossible.”

Thesixofthemworkedinnear‐silenceforthenextfiVeenminutes,readingoverthedocumentandoccasionallymakingmarksonit.

“How’stheplaycomingalong?”TeaganaskedArthur.

“PreMywell.I’vegotoneofthesupporNngroles,soI’msNllworkingmywayup.Sabriel’sdoingbeMer,though.ShegotnamedMostValuablePlayeronherteam.”

“SNllnowherenearwhereIshouldbe,though.”Shecrossedthroughasentenceonherpage.“Thatunderthecriminallaw,wepresumethatallarrestedareinnocentofthecrimeschargedunBlanofficeroftheLawprovesthemguilty.ThatneedstoberewriMen.Whowrotethatpackofgibberish?”

“Thatwasyou,”Arthursaid.

Shelookedup,surprised.“Me?Noway.Thatsoundsridiculous.”

“Well,itwasn’tme.”

“MaybeitwasUncleBrandonandoneofusjusttranscribeditwithoutthinking.”

“Ormaybeyoualwayswantedtowritelikeyouwereborninanothercentury,”Magjoked.

“Itlookslikeyouhaven’tstartedcapitalizingrandomleMersorreplacingyours’swithf’s,though,”FerdconNnued.“That’sgood.”

“Thelinedoesneedtostayin,though,”Sabrielsaid.“Justassomethingthatmakessense.InnocenceunNlprovenguiltywasalwaysimportant.ItseemedtohavegonemissingwhenthegoonsarrestedWill.”

“Ilikethispart,”Teagansaid.Heclearedhisthroat.“TheLawwillbeappointedbythepreviousLawandissubjecttoapprovalbyamajorityvoteofthepeopleofWinterfell.BetweenoneandthreeindividualscanserveasLawsimultaneously.TheLawwillserveforlife,unlessremovedbymajorityvote.”

“EspeciallythepartabouthowyoustopbeingtheLaw,”Magsaid.

“Yeah.That’sthewholereasonwhyyou’redoingthis.”

“Whatisthereasonyou’redoingthis?”Indyasked.

“TogetridofPiper,obviously,”Sabrielsaid.

Indypausedbeforeresponding.“Igetthat.Butyou’retryingtomakepeoplefollowyou,andtheymightnotfollowyoujustforthat.Piperholdsontopeoplenotjustbecauseofapathy,butbecausehehasathemethathooksthemin:Evenifyou’renotaStark,youhaveaparttoplaymovingforwardfromtheApocalypse.Weneedatheme,too.”

“Whatdoyoumeanby‘theme?’”

“Somethingthattellspeoplewhytheyshouldcareaboutwhatyou’rewriNng.Onesentence,maybejustonephraseorword,thattheyrememberwhenthey’veforgoMenjustwhatthisdocumentsays.”

“FreeWill,”Arthursaid.“Butthatdoesn’tmeananythingtoanyonebutus.”

“Hey,itdoestous!”Ferdprotested.

“Becausewe’rebeMer,”Sabrielsaid.

“Why?”Indyaskedher.

“Forstarters,we’renotabunchofcorrupt,twisty,sonsof—"

“That’snotgoingtohelp.Theyshouldknowwhatwe’renot,buttheydon’tknowwhatwedostandfor.”

Upstairs,Lyrastartedcrying.

Sabrielrolledhereyes.“ThisiswhyIalwayshatedwriNng.AndwithLyrahollering—isn’tJansupposedtobelookingaVerthekids?”

“Theirsleepschedulesareallruined,”Arthursaid.“SheprobablyjustputLiraeltobed.”

“Thesetwoaregoingtogrowupandstartsleepingatnightliketherestofus,right?SomeNmesIwonder.Okay.Weneedtofocus.”

Thekidsalsotookadvantageofthephonesbeingup.MegwentinsidetocallValenNnewhileGemmastayedoutsidewithKayMorgan,whoMeghadbroughthomefromschool.

Shetriedtalkingtohim,butheactednervous.

“What’sthemaMer?DoIscareyou?”Gemmadecidedit’dbekindoffunifshecouldscaresomeone.

“No,”helied.“I—Idon’thaveenoughbodypointstobehere.MymumsaysI’mgoingtogetaMackedbybadguysandIwon’tbeabletofightthemunNlIhavetenbodypoints.”

“That’sstupid,”Gemmatoldhim.“Youdon’tneedbodypointstofightrealbadguys.”SheleVoutthepartwhereshedidn’tknowhowtofightrealbadguys.

Kaycrossedhisarms.“Didyoujustcallmymotherstupid?”

“Yeah.Hassheevenseenarealbadguy?”

“Mymother’swaysmarterthanyou!You’rejustababy!”

“Youdon’twanthertogetanyolder,”MeginformedValenNne.“MyliMlesisterswerequietwhentheywerebabies,butnowtheycryalltheNmeandMomhastoteachthemtowalkandstuff.AndAuntandUnclearealwaysbusy.”

“Well,she’sgebngoldertoday,andIhavetobeatherbirthdayparty.”

“Abirthdayparty!Thatmeanscake!Willyoubringmesome?”

“Maybe.DependsonwhetherMommanagestoinviteanyoneelsetoeatallofit.”

“ButIbroughtcakeforyouyesterday.”Megscratchedherhead.“That’snotfair.”

“Youhadtwocakes.That’stwiceasmuchcake,”ValenNnesaid,demonstraNngherknowledgeofthelowerendofthemulNplicaNontable.“It’seasierforyoutobringmecake.”

“Butifthere’slesscake,thenitmeansyou’reabeMerfriendifyousaveapieceforme.”

“I’mnotababy!”theyheardGemmayellingatKay.

Megthoughtfast.Shequicklyformedasnowball,tookaim,andthrew.IthitGemmaontheback.

“Comeandgetme!”Megran.GemmaandKayfollowed,butValenNnestoppedtostartonastashofsnowballs.

Theydidn’thaveanyteamsatfirst,butKaydecidedhewantedtobeonValenNne’steambecauseshehadmoresnowballs.ThenGemmadecidedtobeontheirteambecauseMegwastoonicetobeanygoodinafight.KayimmediatelyswitchedtoMeg’steambecausehesNllhadn’tforgivenGemmaforinsulNnghismom.

ItwasonlyamaMerofNmebeforeoneofthesnowballsaccidentally‐onpurposehitEllen.

“Hey!”Sheturnedaround,grimacing.“Whichoneofyoudidthat?”

Theystoodsilentlyforawhile.ThenValenNnepointedatKay.

KaypointedatGemma.

GemmapointedatMeg.

Megrealizedshedidn’thaveanyoneleVtopointat.

“Idon’tknowwhodidit,”shesaid,“butitwasn’tme.Iwasmakingmoresnowballs.”

“Oneofyoumusthavedoneit.”Ellenlookedatthefourkids,thenfocusedonValenNneandKay.“Whatareyournames?”

“I’mCarloMa,”ValenNnetoldher.“What’syours?”

“El—that’snot—“

“Whyareyouhere?”

“It’sabouttheirfather.”EllengesturedinGemmaandMeg’sdirecNon.

“Thenwhydoyoucareifoneofusthrewasnowballatyou?”ValenNne’seyesgotverybig.“Anditwasn’tme.”

“BecauseIamanofficeroftheLaw,”Ellentoldthem,“andIdeserveyourrespect.”

“No—ow,”GemmacomplainedasMegsteppedonherfoot.

“Ithoughtthrowingsnowballswasn’tacrime,”ValenNnesaid.

“It’snot.”Butshewantedittobe.“Whydon’tthetwoofyoujustgohometoyourparents.Andasforyoutwo—“EllenlookedatGemmaandMeg.

“Shesaidtotellyouthatweneedtolearnproperrespectforlaw,”Megreported.

“Andsomeotheruseless—“Gemmabegan.

“Oh,andthatwemightbecomegoodciN—ci—abigword—“

“StopinterrupNngme,Meg!”

“Sorry.”

Janpacedbackandforth.“Youneedtobemorecarefulwhenofficersarewatchingyou.Evenwhenyoucan’tseethemwatchingyou,youneedtobemorecareful.”

“Whenarewegoingtobesafe?”Megasked.

“Whenyourdaddycomeshome.”Itwaseasierthansayingshedidn’tknow.

Janpacedbackandforth.“Youneedtobemorecarefulwhenofficersarewatchingyou.Evenwhenyoucan’tseethemwatching“Andwhen’sthatgoingtobe?”Gemmascoffed.“Youkeepsayinghe’sgoingtocomehome.Idon’tseehim.”

“ButyousNllhavetobecareful!”JanlookedatMegforsupport,butsawherotherdaughterstaringintospaceagain.“Meg?Areyouevenlisteningtome?”

“Youthrewthesnowball?”Megasked.

“Yeah,Idid.AndI’mnotsorry.”Gemmathrewupherarmsasiftoaskwhatelseshewassupposedtodo.

“Thenwhydidyoupointatmewhenthatwomanaskedwhothrewit?”

“Becauseit’snoneofherbusinesswhothrewitatheruglyass!”

“Gemma!Language!”

“AuntSabrielsaysworse.”

“Justgoupstairsanddoyourhomework,”Jantoldthekids.Sheshookherheadoncetheyhaddisappeared.Gemma’smouthwasgebngworseandworse,andMegjustplainunnervedher.WerethetoddlersgoingtogrowuptobeanybeMer?Rightnow,itdidn’tseemlikeit.

Willdidlookolderthantheotherstudents,butnotoldenoughtoturnanyheads.TimesweresNllhard.Peopledidn’talwaysleaveforcollegewhentheyweresupposedto.Theydidn’talwaysreturnfromcollegewhentheyweresupposedto,either.

LilyhadsetWillupinamostlyblueone‐storyhouseontheedgeofcampuswithallthenecessaryfurnitureandnotmuchelse.Thereweretwosinglebeds,soshemusthavegivenWillaroommate.HewantedtotrustLily’sjudgment,butcouldn’tdoitcompletely.Justoneroommatewouldbeenoughtogivehimawayifitwasthewrongone.

Willlookedaroundagaintocheckthatnoonehadfollowedhim.Hehadlockedthedoor,butlocksdidn’talwaysprotectyou.MaybetheyhaddecidedtowaitunNlhefeltsafetospringoutoftheshadowsandhaulhimbacktoWinterfell.No,thehousepracNcallysparkled.NoonehadsetforthinitbeforeWill,unlesstheyhidtheirtracks‐‐

Thedoorbellrang.Willjumped.Herealizedheshouldprobablyanswerit.ButwhatifPiper’shenchmenhadfinallycomeforhim?Heneededtocalmdown.Hecouldlookoutthewindowtocheckwhohadcometohisdoor.Butifyoucouldseesomeone,thenthatpersoncouldseeyou.

Calmdown,hetoldhimself.Noonehasrecognizedyouexceptforthepeoplewhoyouwantto.Buttheyalwaysfigureitout.AndwhocanseepastthedisguisebeMerthantheonewhostaredyouinthefacefortwowholedays?

Thedoorbellrangagain.

Willlookedoutthewindow.Shortredhairandayellowjacket.NooneherecognizedasworkingforPiper.Justbecausehedidn’trecognize—

No.Lilywouldn’tsendhimsomeonewhowasgoingtobetrayhim.NotintenNonally.

Enough.Willmadehimselfopenupthedoor.“Areyou—myroommate?”

“Iguessso.”Theredheadextendedhishand.“SullivanLivingston.”

“SeanCooper.”HehadpracNcedthatinthemirror.Nowwhat?“Er,comein.”

“Thanks.”Sullivantookoffhiscoatandchangedintoayellowllamatop.Willknewhehadseenthisguybefore.Sohemustbeokay,right?“DoIknowyou?”

“Idon’tknow,”Willanswered.“Probablynot.Ijustgothere.”

“What’syourmajor?”

“Physics.”Whenhearrived,Willdecidedthathewouldusecollegetolearnthethingshehadn’tmanagedtopickupthefirstNmearound.AbeMerunderstandingofelectricitywouldhelphimworkthroughtheproblemofthephonelines.“Yours?”

“Drama,”Sullivantoldhim.

“Soyouwanttobeanactor?”

Sullivanshookhishead.“That’smyfiancé’sdepartment.IthoughtIwantedtodothat,butIdiscoveredI’dratherlearntocook.Haven’tchangedmajors,though.MyadvisorsaidIsNllhavetoknowhowtomarketmyselfifI’mgoingtobeacelebritychef.”

ItwasagoodthingthatSullivanhadkepttalking.Willhadbeenabouttosay,Yeah,mybrother’sanactor.

Wait.

WilltookacloserlookatSullivan.Sullivan.Fiancewhowasanactor.Ofcourse.Ofallthestudentsatthisuniversity,LilyhadchosenWill’sfuturebrother‐in‐lawtobehisroommate.

Maybeeverythingwasgoingtobeokay.

“Fourfeet,fiveandahalfinches.”Arthursmiled.“You’regoingtobetall!”

Megfrowned.“HowtallisDaddy?”

“Fivefootnine,Ithink.AliMletallerthanme.”

“SoIhave…”Megtriedtoworkoutthemathandfigureouthowmuchshortershehadbeenthanherdadinhervision.“Aboutafoottogo.Maybemore.Can’tIgrowfaster?”

Arthurshookhishead.“It’snotgoodforyoutogrowtoofast.Onceyou’reaboutfourteenorso,you’llprobablybeastallasyouwanttobe.”

“ButIwanttobetallnowsoDaddywillcomeback.”

Arthurchangedthesubject:“Doeseverythingthatyouseeinthefuturehappen?”

“Idon’tknowyet.Therehasn’tbeenNme.ButIknowitwill.”

“So—“Hestared.

“I’makidnow.Ican’ttellyouifsomethingisgoingtohappenifI’veseenithappeningwhenI’mateenager.ButIjustknowit’sgoingtohappen.”

“Okay.”Arthurdidn’tknowanymoreaboutraisingakidwithspecialpowersthanJandid,butitwasn’tanyweirderthanpeoplecomingbackfromthedeadwhenyoustoppedandthoughtaboutit.AsforSabriel,shejustwantedtoknowifMegeversawanythingthatwouldhelpthembeatPiper.

“IthinkIsawDaddytoday,”Megmused.“ButIwasn’tsure.”

“Wasithappeningnow?”

“Yeah.”

“Ifitishim,wecan’tknowwhereheis,Meg,”Arthurremindedher.“OtherwisetheauthoriNesmightfindoutfromus.”

Megslumped.“Okay.”

“TesBng.TesBng.Isthison?”theyheardGemmasayfromdownstairs.

“Itshouldn’tbeon,”Megcomplained.“It’s6am.”

“It’snotfair,”Gemmaproclaimed.“NobodypaysaMenNontome.AuntSabriel’salwaysatthecomputer,andshesaysit’simportantandshecan’ttakeabreak.WheneverLyraandLiraelcry,oneofthegrownupscomesrunning,buttheydon’tcareifIwanttoplay!

“ButtheyalllikeMeg!Theyallcomerunningwhenshewantssomeonetomeasureheragain,likeshe’sgrownafootinthelastday,becauseshethinksDaddy’sgoingtocomehometomorrowbecauseofherstupidvisions.”Gemmatookadeepbreath,thenshouted,“DADDY’SNOTCOMINGHOME!STOPLYING!”

Arthurshookhishead.“I’llgotalktoher.”

“It’sokay,”Megsaid,tryingtokeepthefrownoffherface.“Iknewshedidn’tlikeme.”

Arthurwasabouttosaysomethingabouthowsiblingsshouldgetalong.ThenherememberedthewaySabrielusedtofightwithWill.“She’sdoingthisbecauseshewantsaMenNon.I’llgotalktoher.”

“It’syou?”GemmaaskedArthur.“Ithoughtsomeonewasgoingtocomeyellatme.”

“Iwasn’tgoingtoyellatyou,”Arthursaid.

“Yeah,becauseyoucan’tyellatanybody.”

“ButIwasgoingtoaskyoutoturnthemicrophoneoff,”ArthurconNnued.

“Youweresupposedtohearme.”Gemmacrossedherarmsagain.Doingthatmadeyoulooktough.

“Whatdoyouwant?”heruncleasked.

Gemmacouldhavesaidsomanythings.ShewantedtobequeenofWinterfell,soeveryonewouldlistentoherandpayaMenNontoherandhavetodowhatshesaid.Shewantedtonothavesisters.ShewantedtobeasportsstarlikeAuntSabriel.Shewantedeveryonetobetellingthetruthwhentheysaidherdadwascominghome.

“Iwantyoutotellmeastory,”shesaid.“Atruestory.NotoneofthoseonceuponaNmestories.”

“Okay,”Arthursaid.Hesatdownnexttothepodium.

“Andyouhavetofinishit.”Gemmasatdown.

Arthurthoughtaboutwhatstorytotell.“Yourauntwantedtobetheheirofthisfamily,”hebegan.

“What’sanheir?”

“Theleaderofthefamily.”

“ButAuntSabrielistheleaderofthefamily.”

Gemmahadapoint.“Theheirisalsotheonewhogetsmarriedandhaskids.”ThismightnotbeagoodNmetotalktoGemmaaboutmovingout.

“Oh.So…Daddywastheheir?”

“HesNllistheheir.”

Gemmafrowned.“Isaid,noonceuponaNmestories.”

“Butheis,”Arthursaid.“Youdon’tstopbeingheir.Onceyouhaveit,youkeepitunNlyougiveittooneofyourkids.”

“Buthe’snotheretobeheir.”Gemmagotup.“Thisstory’sstupid.I’mgoingtoeatbreakfast.”

Arthurwatchedhergo.HehadthoughthewasfinallygebngthroughtoGemma,buthe’dhitadeadendagainwhenitallturnedbacktoWillbeingaway.ItallturnedbacktoWillbeingawayintheend.

Arthurstaredatthecomputer.“ItallturnsbacktoWill…”herepeated,tryingtovocalizetheidea.

Then,hesatdownandstartedtowrite.

TothepeopleofWinterfell.Yourfreedomisatrisk.Yourfamiliesareatrisk….

“Natalie!”

Silence.Wherewas—

Right.Piperhadfiredher.Ofcoursehehadfiredher,hetoldhimself,quashingthevoicethatsaidyoujustgotridofherbecauseshewasthebearerofbadnews.ShehadletUrsulaFitzhughtakeherinandletWillescape,aVerall.Someonehadtobepunished.

NowPiperneededanewassistant.Hehadtoomuchworktodoonhisownandtoofewhecouldtrusttheworkto.LucianeededtostaywhereshewasasthenewEducaNonMinister.PipermighthaveabeMer‐qualifiedmediapersoninEdwardGrey,whowaswatchingArthurStarkasabonus.Eventhen,thatcouldn’treplaceanassistant.TheBoltonsweren’tgoodformuchbeyondsimpletasks.MaybetheStarkshaditrightwithtwopeopletodotheworkoftheLaw.

Perhapshehadgonetoofar.MaybeheshouldhavestayedinpoliNcsinsteadoftryingtodobothpoliNcsandlawatthesameNme.MaybearresNngWillforSansa’smurderhadn’tbeennecessary.Hecouldhavejustaseasilyarrestedoneoftheothers.Forplumbbob’ssake,whydidtheyhavetokillherinthefirstplace?Theyweresupposedtobetoonicetobloodytheirhands.True,Piperhadplannedforit,butitwouldhavebeensomuchlessmessytheotherway.ExceptforhavingSansayappinginhisearaboutherdelusionsofgrandeur.

No.Piperhadtogothisfar.Hehadtokeepgoing.AslongastheStarkswerearound,theywouldtrytostophim.Theyalwayshad.Theywouldthrowaroundtheweightoftheirfamilynametoshutdownanyideathatcameoutofhismouth.BrandonStarkhadneverlistenedtoPiperifhecouldhelpit.

TheplancouldsNllsucceed,hetoldhimself.Theirheirmightnotbebroken,buthewasontherunandindisgrace.TheBoltonswouldfindWilleventually.Oncetheydid,itwouldallbeover.

Someoneknocked.Whowasit?ThenherememberedthatEllenwassupposedtoreport.“Comein.”

Sheenteredandclosedthedoor.

PiperaskedthequesNonthathealwaysopenedwith:“Haveyoufoundhim?”

“No.I’vetriedtheAmanas,theFitzhughs—“

“AndisKevinwatchingtheStarkhousenow?”

“Yes.”

“Good.ConNnue.”

“We’vetriedtheAmanas,theFitzhughs,andtheMorgans,”EllenconBnued.“NosignofWillanywhere.Theyalldeniedhavingseenhim.”

“Andyoubelievedthem.Seeifthewiresturnupanything.Didyoutrythesimselves?”

“WhenIwenttotheirhouse,theystartedgoingonaboutinterdimensionallaw.”

Didshehaveanyspine?“Simselveshavenoauthoritytorefusetocooperatewithlawenforcement.Whataretheygoingtodo?Dragmeintointerdimensionalcourt?Searchtheirhouseanyway.”

“Fine,”shesaid.

“Andstartsearchingallthehouses.Youdon’thavetowirethemuplikeyoudidtheothers.Justsearch.Idon’tcareifthey’veeverhadanythingtodowithWillortheStarkfamily.Iwantyoutofindhim.”

“Piper—”

“IbelievethoseweresufficientlyclearinstrucNons.Ihaveapressconference.Ifyouneedmorehelp,I’llbebackaVerwards.”

Afewminuteslater,Pipersurveyedthecrowd.Well,atleastUrsulaFitzhughwasmissing.ButthereweresNlltoomanypeoplepresent.PriyaRamaswamiwassNllthererepresenNngthefecklessWinterfellTimes.Shewouldn’treportonanything.Pipermightevenbeabletobringherin.Butwhowastheteenageboysibnginthemiddle?And—simselves.Threesimselvesinthefrontrow.

“GoodaVernoon,”headdressedthem.“ThefugiNveWillStarkissNllatlarge.Asyourecall,hewastakenintocustodyfivedaysagoforthemurderofSansaStark.RegreMably,heescapedthreedaysago.Ifyousee—“

Then,Piperhadtoducktoavoidgebnghitintheheadbyabaseball.

Whenhelookedup,hesawtheteenagerglaringathim.“That’sforscaringmymom!”theboyyelledbeforerunningfromtheroom.

Piperscannedhismemoryforanythinghecouldchargethekidwith.Disorderlyconductwoulddo.Butwhowasthekid?Itdidn’tmaMernow.Keeptalking.

“WeareconducNngacity‐widemanhuntforMr.Stark.Photographsofhimarebeingdistributedtoallyourhomes.Ifyouseeadark‐skinnedman,aliMletallerthanaverage,withaboutchin‐lengthredhair,keeptabsonhimandcalllawenforcement.Donotapproachhim.Heisextremelydangerous.”

ShouldhemenNonthehomevisits?No.ThatmightwarnWill.“IurgeyoualltofullycooperatewithlawenforcementinthisinvesNgaNon.RememberthatweneedyourassistancetomakeWinterfellasafercommunity.Myworkinthisofficeisnothingwithoutyourhelp.

“NoquesNonstoday.”Whoknewwhatthesimselvesmightsay?“HaveagoodaVernoon.”

Lilyrosefromherchair.“Interdimensionallaw—“

“Isaid,noquesNons,”Piperinterrupted.

“NotaquesNon.Thereisaninterdimensionalcourt.Andtheydon’ttendtoassumeyou’reinnocentoverthere.LookupwhathappenedtoJoeGrundstromsomeNme.”

“Joe—Idon’tcarewhoheis.Youlivehere.You’resubjecttomylaw.Youshouldconcernyourselfwithwhetheryou’recomplyingwithit.”Theyhadtobehidingsomethinginthathouse.“Goodbye,MissSimself.”

ValenNnelikedtothinkthatshewasalwaysintheknow.Shewasn’tMeg,butshehadhereartotheground,andsheknewthatpeoplelikedtosaythingswhenshewasaround.WhentheysawpigtailsandapreMypinkdress,theydidn’tthinkthatthegirlwearingthemhadamindofherown.Theydidn’tthinkshewouldturnouttobeanythingbuttotallynice.

Butthatdidn’tmeansheunderstoodeverythingthatsheheard.Like,ifhermomwantedtobeapolicewoman,andthepeoplewhocametothehousewerealsopolice,thenwhywashermomscaredofthem?

“Justbecausepeoplearecopsdoesn’tmeanthey’regood,”BriManyexplained.“Actually,alotofthemarebad.”

“Liketheoneswhowantedtolookatourhouse?”ValenNneasked.

“Yes.”

“Whyaresomanyofthembad?“

“Becauseit’sroMenatthecore.TheLawisbad,sothepeoplewhoenforcethelawarealsogoingtobemean.He’snotevensupposedtobetheLaw,”BriManytoldher.“Yourcousinsweresupposedtodoit.”

“Thegrown‐upones?”

“Right.”

“Buthekilledthatwoman,”ValenNnesaid.

“No.”BriManyshookherhead.“WillwasnevergoingtobetheLaw.Andheneverkilledanybody,ValenBne.”

“Thenwhodid?Becausekidsatschoolaresayinghedidit.”

BriManyshookherhead.Shedidn’tliketothinkofJulianasakiller.Shedidn’twanttoteachValenNnethatmurderwasokay.“Idon’tknow.ButWill’sinnocent.Thatpostertheysentaroundisn’ttrue.”

“Maybetheymadethewholethingup!”ValenNneproposed.“Becausethey’remeanliars!”

“Theydid.”BriManynodded.“Andthat’swhyyouhavetobecarefularoundanyofthem.Will’sinnocent,andhe’scomingback,butwehavetopretendthathe’snotwhileallofthemarearound.”

“Sowhatiftheyaskyoutodosomethingbadwhenyoudon’twantto?”ValenNneasked.

BriManythoughtaboutit.“Dependsonhowbad.IsNllhaven’tgivenuponworkingforthemaVeryouandCarlaareoldenough.I’vealwayswantedtobeapolicewoman,andIcan’tchangethat.ButtheStarksaretheonlyotherfamilywehave.Ican’tturnonthem.”

Unfortunately,theyhadn’tbeencarefulenough.

Afewhourslater,MegwalkeduptotheAmanahouseandrangthedoorbell.Shehadbeenpubngthisoff,butitwasNmetotellValenNne.

ValenNnecameoutsideandgaveherahug.“Hi!Ididn’tthinkI’dseeyoutoday!”

“Iwantedtocomeoverandsayhibeforeyourbirthday,”Meganswered,huggingherback.“Ican’tbelieveyou’realmostateenager!”

“Meneither!Iwantyoutogrowupwithme.You’remybestfriend.”

“You’remybestfriend,too.”Meg’ssmilewidened.Shehadabestfriend!Itdidn’tmaMerwhetherGemmalikedherornotnow,becauseValenNneAmanawasherbestfriend.

Anditwashappeningjustasshehadseenit!TheuniversecouldbesooutofjointsomeNmes.Thingsthatdidn’tmakesensehappeneddaily.ButwheneveraneventhappenedaccordingtoMeg’sforesight,shefelttheworldsnapbackintoitsproperorder,asifherfragmentedvisionformedacompletewhole.

AlotofNmes,theproperorderofthingswasn’tfair.

Atthechesstable,Megscratchedherforehead.“Ihavetotalkaboutyourfuture.”

“Youcouldn’thavetoldmethatpeoplewerecomingtosearchmyhouse?"ValenNneaskedher.“Orthattheteacherwasgoingtoyellatmefortalkinginclass?”

“Ididn’tseethat.Idon’tseeeverything.ButIknowyouwere—orwillbehidingupstairswithCarla.Youlookedscared.Andyouwereateenager.”

“DidIhavegoodclothes?”ValenNneasked.

“HowamIsupposedtorememberwhatyouwerewearing?”

“Meg,thisisimportant.IfIwasinachickensuitorsomekindofgoththing,I’dwanttoknow.”

“Ithoughtitwasmoreimportanttotellyousomethingscarywashappening,”Megsaid.

“Butyoudon’tknowwhatwasgoingon,doyou?”ValenNneasked.

“No,”Megtoldher.“Itjustfeelsbad.”

“Great.”ValenNnelookedatthechessboard.“I’mgoingtobehidingupstairs,andIdon’tevenknowwhysoIcanchangeit.”

“Youcan’tchangeit.”

“Thenwhyareyoutellingme?”

Megfrowned.“Ithoughtyouwantedtoknow.”

WhileMegplayedchesswithValenNne,GemmaplayedMaryMackwithNymeriaFitzhugh.

“Ilikeyourhouse,”Nymeriasaid.

“Why?”Gemmaasked.“Ibetyouit’sjustlikeyourhouse.”

“It’s…it’sjustcool.”Nymeriawonderedwhatitwasliketolivehere.Hermomhadtoldherthatherotherdad(nottheonewhotaughthertowalk,buttheonewhoshedidn’tremember)usedtoliveinthishousebeforethepoliceliedabouthimkillingsomeoneandtookhimaway.Thepeopleinthehousewereherfamily,justlikehermomanddadandbabybrother.

“Yeah,itis.Wanttoseethemahjongtable?”

“Yeah!”Nymeriaexclaimed.

Theywentupstairs,whereJanwasholdingLyraandtalkingtoheraboutsomethingthatsoundedscience‐y.“AreyouGemma’sfriend?”sheasked.

Nymerianodded.“I’mNymeria.”

“I’mGemma’smom.LyraandLiraelaregrowinguptonight,”JanremindedGemma.“Canyoustayforcake,Ny—“

“Nai‐meria,”shesoundedout.“Ihavetogohomebeforeit’sdark.”

Inthenextroom,theysawSabrieltypingonthecomputer.“Whatareyouworkingon?”Gemmaasked.“CanIhelp?”

“FinishingtheconsNtuNon,”Sabrielanswered.Shelookedawayfromthecomputer.“Itshouldbereadytogoouttonight.”

“CanIhelp?”Gemmarepeated.

“Haveyoudoneyourhomework?”Sabrielasked.

“No.Ijustgothome.”

“Gemma,youneedtodoyourhomeworkbeforeyoucanhelpme,”Sabrieltoldher.

“ButAuntSabriel—“

“Andit’snotnicetobringpeoplebacktoyourhousetoplayandthenignorethem,”SabrielconNnued.“Acoupleofredhandsgames,birthdays,andhomework.Thenyoucanhelpmewiththespelling.”

“ButIdon’twanttohelpwithspelling!Icanwrite!”

Sabrieltriedtoputthisinawaythatherniececouldunderstand.“Proofreadingisimportant,Gemma.Thinkabouthowstupidit’dlookifitwentoutwithabunchofspellingmistakes.Now,whydon’tyouplaywithyourfriend?”Gemmadidn’thaveanyfriends,asfarasSabrielcouldtell.Maybeafriendwouldhelpher.

ValenNnedecidedthatbeingateenagerhadstoppedbeingfunoncehermomhaddecideditmeantshewasoldenoughtotakecareofthebaby.AtleastCarlawasfinallytoilettrained,buthersistersNllwasn’tfinishedlearninghowtotalk,andValenNnedidn’twanttoplaycharismabunnywithher.

Sheputonahappyface.“It’sokay,Carla.Youdon’thavetocry.”

Thetoddlerkeptonshrieking.ValenNneliVedherfromthecrib.Howwasthekidsoheavy?

“Comeon,wanttoplay—“

Thedoorbellrang.ValenNne’sthoughtsflashedtoMeg’svision.Thenursery.WithCarla.Scared.Whatwasabouttohappen?Shedecidedtostayinthenurseryandlisten,ifshecouldwithCarlashrieking.

“Mrs.Amana.”Piperwalkedinwithoutsomuchasaby‐your‐leave.“Youhavealovelyhome.”

“Thankyou,”BriManysaid.“Er—why—whatbringsyouhere?”

“TodiscussyourpotenNalcandidacyasamemberofWinterfell’spoliceforce.”Pipersmiled.“GivenyourchildcareresponsibiliNes,IthoughtitwouldbebesttohavethismeeNngatyourhome.”

“I—“Thatmadesense,andyetatthesameNme,itdidn’t.Howhadhefoundoutshewantedtojointhepolice?

“Forthemostpart,youseemlikeagoodcandidate,Mrs.Amana.ConscienNous.CommiMedtochangingWinterfellforthebeMer.ButIhaveonemajorconcern:yourloyalty.”

“Why?”

“Ishouldhavethoughtitobvious.Yourfamily.”

BriManydidn’tsayanything.ShewascaughtbetweenwonderinghowPiperknewandquesNoningherlifeNmeambiNontoenterthepoliceforce.Couldshepossiblydogoodfromwithinagroupasbadasthis?“Whataboutthem?”

“YoudobelieveWillisinnocent.Don’tyou?”

“I—“Shehesitated.

“IfIweretogiveyouanordertoarresthim,wouldyoudoit?”

Whatifshesaidno?ThatwouldjustgetBriManyandherchildrenfurtherintotrouble.“Yes.”

“Good.Now,Iwon’tbegivingyouanyorderstoarresthim.ButIwillneedyoutokeepaneyeonhisfamilyformeandreportback.Canyoudothat?”

Shenodded.

“Thenwelcometothepoliceforce,Mrs.Amana.”

“Mr.Morgan?”Thepoundingcameonthedoor.

Jocelynopenedit.“Mr.Morgan?Whatdoyouwantwithmyson?”

“IwantyoutoteachhimbeMermanners,”EllenBoltontoldher.“HeshouldknowbeMerthantobesodisrupNveandunruly.”

“What’sgoingon?”Kayasked,enteringtheroom.

“Kay,whatdidyoudoatthepressconferencetoday?”Jocelynaskedhim.

“KayMorgan,you’reunderarrestforassaultanddisorderlyconduct.”EllenhandcuffedKay.“Comewithme.Anightinlockupmightteachyoumanners.”

“I’monlysorrythatthebaseballdidn’thithim!”KayshoutedashefollowedEllenoff.

Meanwhile,Kevinwasontherun.AVerthreehoursofwatching,twoghostscares,andonebladderaccident,hehadhadenoughofStarksforthenight.Someoneelsecouldtakeover.

Oncehedisappeared,FerdandMagwalkedaroundthecorner,whistling.

“Iwishwe’dgoMentotrythenewbombs,Ferd.”

“Wewill,Mag.Thiswasmorefun.”

TheyopenedthemailboxandsiVedtheirwaythroughthepapers,leavingthebillsbehindandpickingouttheunmarkedmanilaenvelopethatcontainedthecopiesofthenewconsNtuNon.

“Let’sgivethemhell,”theybothsaid.

NextNmeonAnApocalypseofIce:

+TakinganinterludefromthePiperplottofocusonabigproblemthatwillconfrontgen5.+Willdoesn’tseMleintolifeatcollegeaseasilyashehadhoped.+Heirshipannouncement!

Gueststarring:

+FerdinandPenguino(ThePenguinoLegacy)+IndiaVeNnari(TheVeBnariDualegacy)+MagellanPenguino(ThePenguinoLegacy)+SpencerFitzhugh(TheFitzhughLegacy)+TeaganFitzhugh(TheMorganLegacy)+UrsulaFitzhugh(AVillainousApocalypse)

ThankstoRose,Pen,andDeforhelpingmewiththedraVofthischapter!

“WEWON’THAVEOURSNOWBALLFIGHTONTHISSIDEOFTHEHOUSE!”

YouwillifIreloadthegame.:P

HappySimming!