apocalypse of ice chapter 16
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TRANSCRIPT
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!