rise- anna carey

8/12/2019 Rise- Anna Carey

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ONE

CHARLES RESTED HIS HAND FIRMLY ON MY BACK AS WE SPUN once, then again a o!n"the con#e $ato %, the g!e#t# &atching' I (e)t *% e%e# o$e hi# #ho!+"e , #tee+ing *%#e+ again#t hi##ho t - eath#' The choi #too" at the -ac( o the "o*e" ha++, t i++ing o!t the i #t ho+i"a% #ong# o the %ea ' .Me % *e % *e % *e % Ch i#t*a#,/ the% #ang, thei *o!th# *o$ing in !ni#on, .*e % *e %*e % *e % ' ' '/

.At +ea#t #*i+e,/ Cha +e# &hi#)e e" into *% nec( a# &e too( anothe t! n a o!n" the +oo ' .P+ea#e0/

.I1* #o %, I "i"n1t ea+i2e *% !nha))ine## &a# -othe ing %o!' I# thi# -ette 0/ I ai#e" *% chin, &i"ening *% e%e# a# I #*i+e" "i ect+% at hi*' A*e+"a Went&o th, an o+"e &o*an &ith a o!n", &a3%ace, #ta e" 4!i22ica++% a# &e )a##e" he ta-+e'

.Yo! (no& that1# not &hat I *eant,/ Cha +e# #ai"' We t! ne" 4!ic(+%, #o A*e+"a "i"n1t #ee' .It1# 5!#t ' ' ')eo)+e notice' The% ta+('/

.So +et the* notice,/ I #ai", tho!gh in t !th I &a# too e3ha!#te" to ea++% a g!e' Mo#t night# I a&o(e -e o e "a&n' St ange #ha"o &o!+" *o$e in, #! o!n"ing *e, an" I1" ca++ o Ca+e-, o getting he &a#gone'

The #ong " one" on' Cha +e# #)!n *e again a o!n" the +oo ' .Yo! (no& &hat I *eant,/ he #ai"' .Yo!co!+" at +ea#t t %'/

T %' That1# &hat he &a# a+&a%# a#(ing6 that I t % to *a(e a +i e o *%#e+ in#i"e the Cit%, that I t % to*o$e on o* Ca+e-1# "eath' Co!+"n1t I t % to get o!t o the to&e e$e % "a%, to &a+( o a e& ho! # in

the #!n0 Co!+"n1t I t % to )!t a++ that ha" ha))ene" -ehin" *e, -ehin" !#0 .I %o! &ant *e to #*i+e,/ I#ai", .then &e ) o-a-+% #ho!+"n1t ha$e thi# con$e #ation7not he e'/

We #ta te" to&a " the a ta-+e#, co$e e" &ith -+oo" e" c+oth, the & eath# #et !) a#cente )iece#' TheCit% ha" t an# o *e" in the )a#t e& "a%#' Light# &ent !) on the *ain oa", coi+ing a o!n" the +a*))o+e# an" t ee#' Fa(e )+a#tic i # ha" -een a##e*-+e" o!t#i"e the Pa+ace, thei thin - anche# -a+" in)+ace#' E$e %&he e I t! ne" the e &a# #o*e #t!)i", g inning #no&*an o a ga!"% -o& &ith go+" t i*'M% ne& *ai" ha" " e##e" *e in a e" $e+$et go&n, a# i I &e e )a t o the "8co '

It &a# t&o "a%# a te Than(#gi$ing, a ho+i"a% I1" hea " o -e o e -!t ne$e e3)e ience"' The King ha"#at at the +ong ta-+e, going on a-o!t ho& than( !+ he &a# o hi# ne& #on9in9+a&, Cha +e# Ha i#, theCit% o San"1# Hea" o De$e+o)*ent' He &a# than( !+ o the contin!e" #!))o t o the citi2en# o TheNe& A*e ica' He he+" hi# g+a## in the ai , hi# #ha"o&e" e%e# i3e" on *ine, in#i#ting that he &a# *o#tthan( !+ o o! e!nion' I co!+"n1t -e+ie$e hi*, not a te a++ that ha" t an#)i e"' He &a# a+&a%# &atching, &aiting o *e to #ho& an% #ign# o -et a%a+'

.I "on1t !n"e #tan" &h% %o! &ent th o!gh &ith it,/ Cha +e# &hi#)e e"' .What1# the )ointo a++ thi#0/

.What choice "o I ha$e0/ I #ai", +oo(ing a&a%, ho)ing to en" the con$e #ation' So*eti*e# I &on"e e" ihe &o!+" )!t it togethe , the eg!+a inte $ie I "i" &ith Regina+", &ho #at at *% athe 1# ta-+e, &o (ing a# hi# Hea" o P e##, -!t &a# #ec et+% Mo##, +ea"e o the e-e+ *o$e*ent' I e !#e" to #+ee) inthe #a*e -e" a# Cha +e#, &aiting !nti+ he +e t o the #!ite1# #itting a ea e$e % night' I he+" hi# han" on+%


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in )!-+ic, -!t a# #oon a# &e &e e a+one, I )!t a# *!ch "i#tance -et&een !# a# )o##i-+e' Di"n1t he ea+i2ethat the#e )a#t *onth#, hi# $e % *a iage, &e e a++ o #o*e othe )! )o#e0

The #ong en"e", the *!#ic gi$ing &a% to #catte e" c+a)#' The Pa+ace #ta ci c+e" the ta-+e# &ith )+ate# o ice" e" ca(e an" #tea*ing co ee' Cha +e# (e)t *% han" in hi# a# he +e" *e -ac( to the+ong -an4!et ta-+e &he e the King #at' M% athe &a# " e##e" o the )a t, hi# t!3e"o 5ac(et o)en,e$ea+ing a c i*#on c!**e -!n"' A o#e &a# )inne" to hi# +a)e+, the )eta+# &i+te" at the e"ge#' Mo###at t&o #eat# "o&n, a #t ange +oo( on hi# ace' He #too", g eeting *e' .P ince## :ene$ie$e,/ he #ai",o e ing *e hi# han"' .Ma% I ha$e thi# "ance0/

.I #!))o#e %o! &ant to ) % anothe 4!ote o* *e,/ I #ai", gi$ing hi* a ten#e #*i+e' .Co*e then; 5!#t"on1t #te) on *% toe# thi# ti*e'/ I e#te" *% han" in Mo##1#, #ta ting -ac( onto the +oo '

Mo## &aite" !nti+ &e &e e in the cente o the oo*, the nea e#t co!)+e t&o %a "# a&a%' Fina++% he#)o(e' .Yo!1 e getting -ette at thi#,/ he #ai" &ith a +a!gh' .Then again, I g!e## %o!1$e +ea ne" o* the*a#te '/ He +oo(e" "i e ent to"a%, nea +% !n ecogni2a-+e' It too( *e a *o*ent to ea+i2e &hat it &a#7he &a# #*i+ing'

.It1# t !e,/ I &hi#)e e", g+ancing at the in#i"e o hi# #+ee$e, &he e hi# c! +in( &a# th ea"e" th o!gh hi##hi t' I ha+ e3)ecte" to #ee the #*a++ )ac(et o )oi#on ne#t+e" again#t hi# & i#t' Ricin, he ha" ca++e" it'Mo## ha" -een &aiting *onth# o the #!-#tance,&hich &a# to -e #!))+ie" -% a e-e+ in the O!t+an"#'.Yo! contact ca*e th o!gh0/

Mo## g+ance" at the King1# ta-+e' M% a!nt Ro#e &a# #)ea(ing ani*ate"+% to the Hea" o Finance,ge#t! ing &ith he han"# a# *% athe +oo(e" on' .Bette ,/ he #ai"' .The i #t o the ca*)# &a#

+i-e ate"' The e$o+t ha# -eg!n' I got &o " o* the T ai+ thi# a te noon'/

It &a# the ne &e1" -een &aiting *onth# to hea ' No& that the -o%# in the +a-o ca*)# &e e ee, thee-e+# on the T ai+ &o!+" - ing the* into the ight' The e &a# #)ec!+ation that an a *% &a# o *ing inthe ea#t, co*)o#e" o #!))o te # o* the co+onie#' A #iegeon the Cit% co!+"n1t -e *o e than a e& &ee(# o ' .:oo" ne, then' Yo! ha$en1t hea " o* %o! contact, tho!gh,/ I #ai"'

.The% ) o*i#e" it o to*o o&,/ he #ai"' .I1++ ha$e to in" #o*e &a% to get it to %o!'/

.So it1# ha))ening'/ Tho!gh I ha" ag ee" to )oi#on *% athe 7I &a# the on+% one &ho ha" !ng!a "e"acce## to hi*7I co!+"n1t 4!ite co*) ehen" &hat it *eant to act!a++% go th o!gh &ith it' He &a#e#)on#i-+e o #o *an% "eath#, Ca+e-1# inc+!"e"' It #ho!+"1$e -een an ea#% choice; I #ho!+"1$e &ante" it*o e' B!t no& that it &a# c+o#e, a ho++o& ee+ing #) ea" o!t in the -otto* o *% #to*ach' He &a# *%athe , *% -+oo", the on+% othe )e #on &ho1" +o$e" *% *othe ' Ha" the e -een #o*e t !th to &hathe1" #ai", e$en no&, e$en in the &a(e o Ca+e-1# "eath0 Wa# it )o##i-+e he "i" +o$e *e0

We too( a #+o& +a) a o!n" the o!t#i"e o the -a++ oo* +oo , t %ing to (ee) o! #te)# +ight' M% e%e#+inge e" o a *o*ent on the King a# he +a!ghe" at #o*ething Cha +e# #ai"' .It1++ -e ini#he" in a e&

"a%#,/ Mo## &hi#)e e", hi# $oice -a e+% a!"i-+e o$e the *!#ic' I (ne& &hat it *eant' Fighting a+ongthe Cit% &a++#' Re$o+t# in the O!t+an"#' Mo e "eath' I co!+" #ti++ #ee the aint c+o!" o #*o(e that ha"a))ea e" &hen Ca+e- &a# #hot, co!+" #ti++ #*e++ the #tin( o -+oo" on the conc ete +oo o the ai )+ane


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hanga ' We1" -een ca!ght &hi+e e#ca)ing the Cit%, 5!#t *in!te# -e o e "e#cen"ing into the t!nne+# thee-e+# ha" "!g'

Mo## #ai" the%1" ta(en Ca+e- into c!#to"% a te he &a# &o!n"e"' The ) i#on "octo eco "e" the "eathat e+e$en thi t%9th ee that *o ning' I o!n" *%#e+ &atching the c+oc( at that ho! , &aiting o it to #to)o the *in!te on tho#e n!*-e #, the #econ" han" 4!iet+% ci c+ing' He1" +e t #o *!ch #)ace in *% +i e'The e3)an#i$e, ho++o& ee+ing #ee*e" i*)o##i-+e to i++ &ith an%thing e+#e' In the )a#t &ee(# I e+t it ine$e %thing I "i"' It &a# in the #hi ting c! ent o *% tho!ght#, the night# no& #)ent a+one,the #heet# -e#i"e *e co+"' Thi# i# &he e he !#e" to -e, I1" thin(' Ho& can I )o##i-+% +i$e &ith a++ thi#e*)t% #)ace0

.The #o+"ie # &on1t +et the Cit% -e ta(en,/ I #ai", -+in(ing -ac( a #!""en !#h o tea #' M% ga2e #ett+e"on *% athe , &ho ha" )!#he" hi# chai -ac( o* the ta-+e an" #too", &a+(ing ac o## the -a++ oo*' .It"oe#n1t *atte i he1# "ea" o not'/

Mo## #hoo( hi# hea" #+ight+%, #igna+ing that #o*eone &a# &ithin ea #hot' I g+ance" o$e *% #ho!+"e 'C+a a &a# "ancing &ith the Hea" o Finance 5!#t a e& eet a&a%' .Yo!1 e ight, the Pa+ace "oe# co*ea+i$e thi# ti*e o %ea ,/ Mo## #ai" +o!"+%' .We++ )!t, P ince##'/ He #te))e" a&a% o* *e a# the #ongen"e", e+ea#ing *% han" an" ta(ing a 4!ic( -o&'

A# &e &a+(e" o the "ance +oo , a e& )eo)+e in the c o&" a))+a!"e"' It too( *e a *o*ent to +ocate*% athe ' He &a# #tan"ing -% the -ac( e3it, hi# hea" ti+te" a# he #)o(e to a #o+"ie '

Mo## o++o&e" a te *e, an" &ithin a e& #te)# the #o+"ie 1# ace ca*e into $ie&' I ha"n1t #een hi* in*o e than a *onth, -!t hi# chee(# &e e #ti++ thin, hi# hai #ti++ c o))e" c+o#e to hi# #(!++' Hi# #(in &a# a

"ee) e""i#h - o&n o* the #!n' The Lie!tenant #ta e" at *e a# I too( *% #eat at the ta-+e' He+o&e e" hi# $oice, -!t -e o e the ne3t #ong #ta te" I co!+" hea hi* #a%ing #o*ething a-o!t the +a-oca*)#' He &a# he e to - ing ne o the e$o+t'

The King1# hea" &a# coc(e" #o hi# ea &a# +e$e+ &ith the Lie!tenant1# *o!th' I "i"n1t "a e +oo( at Mo##'In#tea" I (e)t *% e%e# on the *i o e" &a++ o))o#ite *e' F o* &he e I &a# #itting I co!+" #ee *%athe 1# e +ection in the g+a##' The e &a# a ne $o!#ne## in hi# e3) e##ion I1" ne$e #een -e o e' He he+"hi# chin in hi# han", hi# chee(# " aine" o a++ co+o '

Anothe #ong -egan, the con#e $ato % i++ing &ith the #o!n" o the choi ' .To the P ince##,/ Cha +e##ai", ho+"ing !) a thin +!te o ci"e ' I c+in(e" *% g+a## again#t hi#, thin(ing on+% o Mo##1# &o "#'

Within the &ee(, *% athe &o!+" -e "ea"'

TWO

AT FIRST I WASN1T CERTAIN WHAT I WAS HEARIN:; THE SOUND e3i#te" in the ha2% #)ace o" ea*#' I )!++e" the co$e # c+o#e , -!t the noi#e )e #i#te"' The oo* #+o&+% ca*e into oc!#, the &a " o-e an" chai # +it -% the #o t g+o& o* o!t#i"e' Cha +e# &a# #+ee)ing a# he a+&a%# "i" on the


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chai#e in the co ne , hi# eet hanging a e& inche# o the #ho t c!#hion' Whene$e I #a& hi* +i(e that,c! +e" !), hi# e3) e##ion #o tene" -% #+ee), g!i+t i))e" th o!gh *e' I ha" to e*in" *%#e+ &ho he &a#, &h% &e &e e -oth he e, an" that he &a#n1t an%thing to *e'

I #at !) an" +i#tene"' The #ha ), #)o a"ic #4!ea(ing o - a(e# &a# ainte o* #o high !), -!t!n*i#ta(a-+e' I1" hea " it a# &e *o$e" &e#t to&a " Ca+i ia an" on the +ong " i$e to the Cit% o San"' I &ent to the &in"o& an" +oo(e" o!t at the *ain oa", &he e a +ine o go$e n*ent


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)inche" *% toe# an" *a"e *e ee+ +i(e I &a# a++ing o &a "' .Yo! can1t +ea$e7it1# )a#t c! e&,/ Cha +e##ai", ea+i2ing &hat I &a# "oing' .The #o+"ie # &on1t +et %o! o!t'/

I g a--e" a #!it 5ac(et o* a hange , a+ong &ith the )ant# that &e e o+"e" !n"e neath' .The% &i++,/ I#ai", to##ing the* at hi* one -% one, .i %o!1 e &ith *e'/

He g+ance" at *e, then at the c+othe#, &hich &e e -a++e" !) again#t hi# che#t' S+o&+%, &itho!t a &o ",he &ent into the -ath oo* to change'

IT TOOK US NEARLY AN HOUR TO REACH THE HOSPITAL IN THE O!t+an"#' The $ehic+e# &e e#ti++ c+!#te e" on the *ain oa", #o a #o+"ie e#co te" !# -% oot' A# &e &a+(e", I (e)t *% hea" "o&n,*% e%e# on the #an"% )a$e*ent' The +a#t ti*e I1" -een in thi# a ea I &a# going to *eet Ca+e-' The #ti++night ha" en$e+o)e" *e, #)! e" on -% the )o##i-i+it% o a +i e togethe -e%on" the &a++#, the )o##i-i+it%o !#' No& the aint o!t+ine o the ai )o t o#e !) in the "i#tance' M% e%e# o!n" the hanga &he e &e1"#)ent the night' The thin )+ane -+an(et# ha" ) o$i"e" +itt+e ) otection o* the co+"' Ca+e- ha" - o!ght*% han" to hi# +i)#, (i##ing each inge -e o e &e e++ a#+ee) ' ' '

A 4!ea#%, !n#ett+e" ee+ing con#!*e" *e' I he+" the co+" ai in *% +!ng#, ho)ing it &o!+" )a##' A# &e*o$e" ! the into the O!t+an"# *% tho!ght# #hi te" o* Ca+e- to Pi)' The +a#t ti*e I1" #)o(en to *%ien"# &a# *onth# -e o e, on an .o icia+/ $i#it I1" negotiate" &ith *% athe ' I1" et! ne" to o!

Schoo+ to #ee the*, ag eeing to a"" e## the %o!nge #t!"ent# the e' Pi) an" I ha" #at 5!#t -e%on" the &in"o&+e## - ic( -!i+"ing, Pi) a))ing he (n!c(+e# again#t the #tone ta-+e !nti+ the% &e e )in(' She1" -een #o ang % &ith *e' It ha" -een *o e than t&o *onth# #ince I1" gi$en A "en the (e% to the Schoo+1##i"e e3it, the #a*e (e% Teache F+o ence ha" gi$en *e' B!t I ha"n1t hea " an%thing a-o!t an e#ca)eatte*)t' I &on"e e" i A "en #ti++ ha" it, concea+e" #o*e&he e a*ong he -e+onging#, o i it ha" -een

"i#co$e e"'

A# &e a)) oache" the ho#)ita+, the ai i++e" &ith the +o& )!tte ing o engine#' A o& o


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.P ince## :ene$ie$e,/ Cha +e# co ecte", ho+"ing !) a han" to #to) he '

I )!#he" )a#t, igno ing hi*' A te I &a# "i#co$e e" *i##ing the *o ning o the &e""ing, Beat ice ha"con e##e" to he+)ing *e +ea$e the Pa+ace' The King ha" th eatene" he an" he "a!ghte , &ho1" -een inone o the Schoo+# #ince #he &a# a -a-%' A ai" o he "a!ghte 1# +i e, Beat ice ha" to+" hi* &he e I &a# *eeting Ca+e-, e$ea+ing the +ocation o the i #t o th ee t!nne+# the e-e+# ha" -!i+t -eneath the &a++' She &a# the ea#on the%1" o!n" !# that *o ning, the ea#on &e1" -een ca!ght an" Ca+e- (i++e"' Iha"n1t #een he #ince'

.The e &a# a !*o at the cente ,/ Beat ice &ent on, he $oice nea +% a &hi#)e ' .I #a& #o*e o thet !c(# co*ing th o!gh an" o++o&e" the*' The%1 e the gi +# o* the Schoo+#0/ She )ointe" -ac( at the -!i+"ing, at the &in"o that &e e co$e e" &ith )+%&oo", he han" !n#tea"%' .I1* ight, a en1t I0/

The #o+"ie &ith the -i th*a ( #te))e" o &a "' .Yo! ha$e to +ea$e, o I1++ ha$e to a e#t %o! o -eingo!t )a#t c! e&'/

.Yo!1 e ight,/ I inte !)te"' The%1" !+ti*ate+% c+ea e" Beat ice o an% in$o+$e*ent &ith the "i##i"ent#,a te I a g!e" he ca#e to *% athe , in#i#ting #he (ne& +itt+e a-o!t Ca+e-, 5!#t that &e &e e )+anning on+ea$ing the Cit% togethe ' The%1" *o$e" he to the a"o)tion cente , &he e #he no& &o (e", ca ing o#o*e o the %o!nge#t chi+" en o* the -i thinginitiati$e' .That1# &h% &e1 e he e, too'/ I t! ne" to the#o+"ie ' .I &ante" to #ee *% ien"# o* the Schoo+'/

The &o*an #hoo( he hea"' .We can1t )e *it that'/ He &o "# &e e c+i))e", he e%e# ne$e +ea$ing*ine' De#)ite e o t# to (ee) the #to % containe", it e+t a# tho!gh a++ the #o+"ie # (ne& &hat ha"ha))ene"6 I ha" t ie" to e#ca)e &ith one o the "i##i"ent#' I (ne& o a t!nne+ -eing -!i+t -eneath the

&a++, an" I1" (e)t that in o *ation o* *% athe , "e#)ite the i#( it )o#e" to #ec! it%' None o the*t !#te" *e'

She )ointe" -ehin" *e at Cha +e# an" the *a+e #o+"ie &ho1" e#co te" !# to the ho#)ita+' .E#)ecia++%not &ith the* he e' Yo! ha$e to go'/

.The% &on1t co*e &ith !#,/ I in#i#te"'

A #ho te #o+"ie &ith a chi))e" ont tooth (e)t ) e##ing he th!*- "o&n on he a"io, i++ing the ai &ith #tatic' On the othe en" o the connection &e e the +o& *! *! ing# o a &o*an1# $oice, a#(ing ithe% &e e ea"% o he to )!++ anothe


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&aiting oo* &e e o$e t! ne", an" the thin, tatte e" ca )et #*e++e" o "!#t' .Bac( in %o! oo*#,+a"ie#,/ a &o*an1# $oice echoe" in the ha++&a%' A #ha"o& )a##e" on the &a++, then &a# gone'

So*eone ha" *a"e ha#t% atte*)t# to &i)e "o&n the +oo #, -!t it ha" on+% *o$e" the g i*e a o!n",co$e ing the ha++ ti+e &ith -+ac( #t ea(#' E4!i)*ent on o++ing *eta+ ac(# +ine" the ha++&a%, -e#i"e o+"*achine# co$e e" &ith )a)e #heet#' I t! ne" "o&n a #i"e co i"o , &he e an o+"e &o*an &ea ing ae" -+o!#e an" -+!e #+ac(# #too", #c i--+ing #o*ething "o&n on a c+i)-oa "' I #ta e" at the Teache 1#!ni o * I1" #een tho!#an"# o ti*e# at Schoo+, then at the &o*an1# na o& ace' It too( *e a *o*entto ea+i2e I "i"n1t (no& he 7#he *!#t1$e -een o* anothe aci+it%' .I1* +oo(ing o the gi +# o*Schoo+ ==,/ I #ai"' Fo %ea # I1" (no&n *% Schoo+ on+% -% it# geog a)hic coo "inate#, -e o e in"ing o!tthe Cit% ha" n!*-e # o the* a++'

Beat ice too( o "o&n the othe #i"e o the co i"o , )a!#ing in one "oo &a%, then the ne3t, +oo(ing ohe "a!ghte , Sa ah' I #ta te" )a#t the &o*an, into the "i*+% +it ho#)ita+ oo* -ehin" he ' Lo& cot#co$e e" the +oo , the thin c! tain " a&n' The gi +# &e e a++ %o!nge than i teen' Mo#t &e e c! +e" !) inthei !ni o * 5!*)e #, )i++e" cotton -+an(et# o$e thei -a e +eg#' The% ha"n1t e$en ta(en o thei

#hoe#'

.I1* not ce tain,/ the Teache #ai"' She #t!"ie" *% ace, -!t the e &a# no #ign o ecognition' In the#&eate an" #+ac(# I +oo(e" +i(e an% othe &o*an in#i"e the Cit%' .Not thi# +oo , -!t *a%-e !)#tai #'Ma% I a#( &hat %o!1 e "oing he e0/

I "i"n1t -othe to an#&e ' In#tea" I &a+(e" )a#t he , )!#hing into a #e)a ate co i"o -+oc(e" o -% "o!-+e "oo #' In the i #t oo* a gi + #at on the high -e" a the#t o* the &in"o&, anothe gi + on a!#te" *achine &ith &i e# #na(ing o!t o it' The -+on" gi + he+" a )a)e o t!ne9te++e in he han"#, +i(e

the one# &e ha" *a"e at Schoo+' When the% hea " *e the% 5!*)e" "o&n an" h! ie" !n"e thei -+an(et#'

I *o$e" 4!ic(+% "o&n anothe ha++, "o!-+e9chec(ing the oo*# on eithe #i"e o the co i"o 'Occa#iona++% a Teache #+e)t on one o the *!#t% ho#)ita+ -e"# o in a chai in the co ne ' None o the#t!"ent# &e e ) egnant' I (ne& the% ha" to ha$e ho!#e" the gi +# o* the -i thing initiati$e #e)a ate+%o* the e#t, -!t it &a# i*)o##i-+e to (no& &he e'

I an !) a #i"e #tai &e++' It &a# *o#t+% "a (, the hea"+ight# o* the


9/113

The #o+"ie &ent to the e"ge o the -ani#te an" )ee e" o$e , "o&n into the ho++o& #)acein the cente othe #tai #' .What "i" %o! #a%0/ #he a#(e", t! ning -ac( to *e' She he+" the -!tt o the i +e o!t, 5!#tinche# o* *% che#t, to ) e$ent *e o* going an% a the ' .Who a e %o!0/

I he+" !) *% han"#' .I1* :ene$ie$e7the King1# "a!ghte ' I &a# at the Schoo+ *%#e+ '/

The &o*an con#i"e e" *e' .The one &ith e" hai 0 F o* the Schoo+ in no the n Ne$a"a0/

I no""e", e*e*-e ing the cit% I1" #een on *a)#' I1" #)ent #o *an% %ea # e e ing to the Schoo+ -% it#coo "inate#, a# i it &e e the on+% thing that e3i#te" in that )+ace' No& it &a# ha " to thin( o it a# anact!a+ to&n &he e )eo)+e ha" +i$e" -e o e the )+ag!e, #o*e&he e #o*eone ca++e" ho*e' .Yo! (no&he 0/

Witho!t #a%ing an%thing #he !n+oc(e" the "oo an" &ent th o!gh it, +ea$ing eno!gh #)ace o *e to)a##' On+% one +ight &a# on in the +ong ha++' T&o e*a+e #o+"ie # &e e #tatione" a+ong the co i"o ' Oneg+ance" !) o* a tatte e" -oo( &ith a "ino#a! on the co$e 7#o*ething ca++e"

The 4!ea#%, +ight ee+ing in *% #to*ach et! ne" a# I g+ance" into the oo*# &he e the gi +# #+e)t' The% &e e a++ a o!n" *% age, #o*e a -it o+"e , thei #&o++en -e++ie# $i#i-+e -eneath the -+an(et#' The%co!+"n1t ha$e -een *o e than #i3 *onth# ) egnant7the gi +# &ho &e e ! the a+ong *!#t1$e -een"ee*e" too agi+e to *o$e'

No&, &ith the* #o c+o#e, I t ie" to (ee) the anta#ie# containe"' Ho& *an% ti*e# ha" I &a+(e" th o!ghthe Cit%, i*agining A "en -e#i"e *e, o #ta e" at the e*)t% #eat ac o## o* *e "! ing a te noon tea, &on"e ing &hat it &o!+" -e +i(e i Pi) &a# the e0 I #ti++ #et a#i"e a )o tion o *% choco+ate ca(e o!t oha-it, (no&ing it &a# R!-%1# a$o ite' I !n"e #too" &hat it *!#t1$e -een +i(e to co*e he e a te the)+ag!e, to -e one o the citi2en# &ho1" +o#t e$e % ien", e$e % *e*-e o thei a*i+%' M% ien"#1gho#t# o++o&e" *e a+&a%#, a))ea ing an" "i#a))ea ing &hen I +ea#t e3)ecte" the*'

.She1# -ac( the e,/ the #o+"ie #ai", ge#t! ing to a cot at the othe en" o the oo*, 5!#t -e+o& the &in"o&' I #too" o2en, +oo(ing at the gi +#1 ace#, thei e%e+i"# +!tte ing in #+ee)' >io+et, a "a (9hai e"gi + &ho1" +i$e" in the oo* -e#i"e !#, &a# t! ne" on he #i"e, he )i++o& t!c(e" -et&een he (nee#' I

ecogni2e" L%"ia, &ho1" #t!"ie" a t &ith *e' She1" *a"e #o *an% $e #ion# o the #a*e in( " a&ing7a &o*an in -e", a to&e+ ) e##e" to he no#e, t %ing to #to) the -+oo"'

It &a# +i(e &a+(ing th o!gh a " ea*#ca)e, the ace# a*i+ia -!t the ci c!*#tance# change"' I co!+"n1tco*) ehen" it, e$en (no&ing &hat I (ne&7e$en no&' I a)) oache" Pi)'

He hai ha" g o&n o!t, the &a$e# +oo#e a# the% e++ "o&n he -ac(' She &a# c! +e" a&a% o* *e,acing the &a++ -eneath the &in"o&, one han" e#ting on he #to*ach' .Pi)7&a(e !),/ I #ai", #itting onthe cot' I to!che" he e+-o&, #ta t+ing he '

.What1# & ong0/ She t! ne" he hea", an" he ace &a# #!""en+% $i#i-+e in the "i* +ight' The highchee(-one#, the thic(, "a ( - o that a+&a%# *a"e he +oo( #o #e io!#' It &a# Ma3ine, the gi + &ho1"#)ec!+ate" that the King &a# co*ing o o! g a"!ation, a te o$e hea ing a con$e #ation -et&eenTeache #' .E$e0/ #he a#(e", #itting !)' .What a e %o! "oing he e0/


10/113

.I tho!ght %o! &e e Pi),/ I #ai", #+i"ing -ac( on the "!#t% cot' .I "i"n1t ea+i2e'/

Ma3ine 5!#t #ta e" at *e' He #(in ha" a #t ange %e++o&i#h tint to it' The e &e e #o e# on he & i#t# &he e e#t aint# ha" -een' .The% +e t,/ #he #ai"' .Pi), R!-%, an" A "en' No one ha# #een the* in *o ethan th ee &ee(#'/

I #too", #ea ching the oo* once *o e, #t!"%ing the ace# o the gi +#, a# i +oo(ing t&ice co!+" change &hat &a# a+ ea"% a))a ent' Wh% ha"n1t I hea " ne o it0 Ha" *% athe (no&n an" (e)t it o* *e0

M% e%e# e++ o a *o*ent on Ma3ine, on the cotton ta)e" to the in#i"e o he e+-o&, co$e e" &ith " ie" -+oo"' I co!+"n1t - ing *%#e+ to a#( a-o!t &hat ha" ha))ene" in the -!i+"ing, a-o!t the 5o! ne% #he1"ta(en he e' I co!+"n1t ) eten" &e &e e c+o#e no&, thi# gi + I1" ta+(e" to on+% in )a##ing at Schoo+, to hea &hate$e go##i) &a# !n o+"ing in#i"e the co*)o!n" &a++#'

I t! ne" to go -!t #he #to))e" *e, he han" c+a*)ing "o&n on *% a *' .Yo! (ne&,/ #he #ai"' Sheti+te" he hea" to the #i"e, +oo(ing at *e a# i o the i #t ti*e' .That1# &h% %o! +e t' Yo! he+)e" the*e#ca)e, "i"n1t %o!0/

.I1* #o %/ &a# a++ I *anage"'

The #o+"ie #te))e" in#i"e the oo*, t %ing to ga!ge &hat &a# ha))ening' Ma3ine e+ea#e" *e, he e%e#" i ting to the i +e c+!tche" in the &o*an1# han"#' I t! ne" to go,#te))ing a o!n" the cot#, co$e ing *%ace &ith *% hai #o a# not to -e ecogni2e" -% the gi +# &ho #at !), #ta t+e" -% Ma3ine1# $oice' I "i"n1t

- eathe !nti+ I &a# o!t#i"e'

.Ho& &a# %o! ien"0/ the #o+"ie a#(e"'

M% han"# &e e #ha(ing' The ha++&a% #*e++e" +i(e a *i3t! e o "!#t an" che*ica+ c+eane ' .Than( %o!o %o! he+),/ I #ai", not an#&e ing the 4!e#tion' She o)ene" he *o!th to #a% #o*ething *o e, -!t I#ta te" "o&n the #tai #, not #to))ing !nti+ I hea " the "oo +oc( -ehin" *e'

The% &e e gone' It &a# &hat I1" &ante", -!t no& that the% &e e -e%on" the Schoo+ &a++# I ha" no &a% to each the*' Thei -e#t chance &a# Ca+i ia, that *!ch I (ne&, -!t it &o!+"1$e ta(en the* *o ethan th ee &ee(# to get the e' I "i"n1t (no& ho& Pi) o R!-% &o!+" -e a-+e to t a$e+, i A "en &a#) egnant, &hen the%1" +e t o ho&' Fo a *o*ent I &ante" to et! n to Ma3ine, to a#( he e$e %thing,

-!t he &o "# ca*e -ac( to *e' I ha" cho#en to he+) the*, e$en i it *eant +ea$ing othe # -ehin"' Who &a# I to go to he no&, to e3)ect he to he+) *e0 Who &a# I to e$en a#(0

At the -otto* o the #tai # I #)otte" Beat ice' She &a# c+!tching a gi + &ith #ho t, #t a&9co+o e" haithat &a# *e##% in the -ac(, a# i #he1" 5!#t &o(en !)' The gi +1# ace &a# )in(, he e%e# #&o++en' Beat iceoc(e" on he hee+#, )!++ing the gi + c+o#e , an" o a *o*ent, *% +one+ine## +i te"' .I o!n" he ,/ #he#ai", catching *% e%e' .Thi# i# *% Sa ah'/


11/113

THREE

.THESE ARE THE OLD ENCYCLOPEDIAS YOU ASKED FOR,/ MOSS #ai", )+acing the #tac( oha "co$e # in *% a *#, .an" one no$e+ I tho!ght %o!1" en5o%'/ The e &e e th ee$o+!*e# tota+, each t&oinche# thic(' .The one# that &e e *i##ing o* %o! co++ection' W an"


12/113

.Then &e 5!#t &ait0/

Mo## e#te" hi# inge on hi# - o&' .Once %o! athe #ho #ign# o i++ne##, %o!1++ ha$e to +ea$e theCit%, at +ea#t o a *onth o t&o, !nti+ the ighting #to)#' With the t oo)# o* the co+onie#, &e ha$e a -ette chance at en"ing the con +ict #&i t+%' When I1* #ett+e" a# the inte i* +ea"e , an" &e #et !)e+ection#, %o! can et! n' It1++ -e too "ange o!# o %o! he e in the *eanti*e' I (no& &he e %o!+o%a+tie# +ie, -!t it1# not #o*ething I can o &i++ #ha e &ith the *a5o it% o the e-e+#7not initia++%' It &o!+" -e too "ange o!#'/

I tho!ght o the e*aining t!nne+# -eneath the &a++' On+% one o the th ee ha" -een "i#co$e e" &henCa+e- &a# #hot' Mo## ha" o ten "e#c i-e" the +ocation# o the othe t&o, e*in"ing *e &he e the% &e ein ca#e o! connection &a# e$e "i#co$e e"' .That1# &hat the a"io an" the *a) a e o , then,/ I #ai"'.The (ni e' I1++ +ea$e the Cit% a# #oon a# he get# #ic('/ An%one &ho +i$e" in#i"e the &a++# &o!+" ecogni2e*e' I &a# the King1# hei , the gi + on the ont )age o the ne)a)e , on the e+ect ic #c een# thatho$e e" on the #i"e# o the +!3! % -!i+"ing#' In the &i+", I &o!+" -e #a e , +e## (no&n'

.The e1++ -e #o*e ) o$i#ion# &aiting o %o! &hen %o! +ea$e' Ma(e #! e to !#e the #o!tht!nne+'/ Mo##g+ance" "o&n at the ta-+e, #ta ing at the c !*-# o* the -+!e-e % #cone#' I1" )ic(e" the* a)a t,e)!+#e" -% the " %, +o! % #*e++' He +ic(e" one onto the +oo &ith hi# inge ' .A e& "a%#1 &o th,eno!gh to get %o! a&a% o* the Cit% &itho!t ha$ing to h!nt' An" )+ea#e7#ta% a&a% o* theho#)ita+ an" the gi +#, at +ea#t o no&'/

.Who to+" %o! I &a# the e0/

.One o the e-e+#' See*a7an o+"e #o+"ie , e" #t ea( in he hai '/ He #ta e" at *e, -!t I co!+"n1t

e*e*-e #eeing the &o*an the ) e$io!# night' .Yo! -eing the e ai#e# 4!e#tion#' Let1# (ee) &iththi# )+an'/

I #+i" the chai -ac( o* the ta-+e' .Whi+e e$e %one i# he e, *o$ing in o the #iege, I1* #!))o#e" to 5!#t +ee0 Won1t that con i * e$e %one1# #!#)icion#0/

.Once the ighting ha# #ett+e" an" I e#ta-+i#h #o*e cont o+ inte na++%, %o!1++ co*e -ac(' A *onth o t&o7that1# a++'/

.I I co*e -ac(,/ I #ai"' .Ho& can &e ) e"ict &hat1++ ha))en a te the #iege0/ Mo## #ee*e" con i"entthat once the ighting #to))e" an" the King &a# (i++e", the Cit% &o!+" nat! a++% *o$e to&a ""e*oc ac%; that a# each citi2en +ea ne" a-o!t the con"ition# at the +a-o ca*)# an" Schoo+#, e$en the#o+"ie # &o!+" t! n to&a " the e-e+#'

Mo## co$e e" *% han" &ith hi#' .The e1# +o"ging th o!gho!t Death >a++e%7the e-e+# ha$e hi""en#!))+ie# at a )oint ca++e" Sto$e)i)e We++#' The%1$e !#e" it a# a #to))ing )oint on thei &a% to the Cit%'The a"io co"e# I )a##e" a+ong a e& &ee(# ago &i++ -e the #a*e' We can "i#c!## it *o e once %o!athe i# #ic(, -!t it &i++ &o (' T !#t *e'/

I nea +% +a!ghe"' Co!+" the e -e a )+ace *o e o*ino!# #o!n"ing than Death >a++e%0 .What a-o!tC+a a0 An" Ro#e0 What &i++ ha))en to Cha +e# once the e-e+# ta(e )o&e 0/


13/113

Mo## ) e##e" hi# +i)# togethe ' .I can t % to o e the* ) otection, -!t the%1 e a##ociate" &ith %o!athe ' The%1$e +i$e" in the Pa+ace o %ea #7the%1 e ea#i+% ecogni2a-+e' Cha +e# ha# -een &o (ing othe King'/

.I can ta(e the* &ith *e,/ I #ai"' .The%1++ et! n &hen I can'/

.The +a#t ti*e #o*eone in the Pa+ace &a# to+" a-o!t the t!nne+#, t&o o o! *en &e e (i++e",/ Mo###ai"' He "i"n1t +oo( at *e a# he #)o(e' Wa# the e a #+ight acc!#ation in hi# tone, o ha" I i*agine" it0

.When0/ I a#(e", the oo* c+o#ing in on *e' .Ho& +ong -e o e &e #ee the e ect# o the )oi#on0/

Mo## g+ance" !) at the +oc(e" "oo ' The )a +o &a# 4!iet' S!n #t ea*e" th o!gh the &in"o&, +ighting!) the tin% "!#t )a tic+e# in the ai ' .A# #oon a# thi t%9#i3 ho! #, a# +ate a# #e$ent%9t&o' It "e)en"# onho& *an% )i++# he inge#t# an" ho& *!ch o the e3t act %o!1 e a-+e to get in#i"e the ca)#!+e#' It1++ #ta t &ith na!#ea an" $o*iting, #o*e a-"o*ina+ )ain' Within t&ent%9 o! ho! # the e1" -e"eh%" ation, ha++!cination, #ei2! e#7/ He #to))e", #t!"%ing *% ace' .What i# it0 Yo! "on1t +oo( &e++'/

I #too", " a&ing -ac( o* the ta-+e' The +oo -eneath *% eet e+t +e## ce tain' E$en the #+o&e#t,!++e#t - eath co!+"n1t ca+* the ten#ing o *% #to*ach' A #t ange, a++9con#!*ing #ic(ne## &a##o*e&he e -ehin" *% e%e# an" no#e, the 4!ea#ine## *o$ing th o!gh *e' .So*ething1# & ong,/ I*anage" to #a%'

Mo## o#e, hi# e%e# #canning the oo*, #ea ching the ha+ 9eaten )+ate# o oo", the tea, the g+a## o &ate ' .What a e %o! ee+ing0/ He &ent to the #i+$e t a% A+ina ha" -een a##e*-+ing an" #t!"ie" theoo", t! ning o$e the #cone in hi# han"#' .Di" %o! eat thi#0 Who - o!ght it to %o!0/

I co!+"n1t an#&e ' M% #(in &a# hot an" "a*)' The $ent# -+e& #co ching ai "o&n on *e' I too( o the#ha&+, -!t it &a# no !#e; I co!+"n1t e#ca)e the #ic(, #)inning ee+ing' I an to the "oo , i""+ing &ith thehan"+e !nti+ it ga$e' I "i"n1t get *o e than t&o #te)# -e o e I h!nche" o$e ' The #o! #)it ca*e o* *%*o!th an" hit the +oo , co$e ing it &ith a &ate % - o&n #)atte ' M% in#i"e# ten#e" again'

.E$e0/ I hea " C+a a1# $oice o* #o*e&he e "o&n the ha++' Then #he &a# co*ing to&a " *e' .He+)?So*eone ca++ the "octo ?/

FOUR

WHEN I AWOKE, CLARA WAS SITTIN: ON THE CHAISE IN THE co ne , the Cit% )a)e o+"e" o$ehe +a)' She &a# a#+ee), +eaning !) again#t the )i++o Cha +e# a+&a%# !#e", he hea" ti+te" to one #i"e' I+oo(e" "o&n at *% a *' A &a" o cotton &a# ta)e" o$e the in#i"e o *% e+-o&, an" a #*a++ e" "ot -+oo*e" in it# cente ' It co!+"n1t ha$e -een *o e than an ho! o t&o #ince the "octo ha" ta(en -+oo",eco "e" *% )!+#e, in#)ecte" *% th oat an" e%e# &ith the #a*e conica+ +ight the%1" ha" at Schoo+' I1"in#i#te" I &a# ine, an" I &a#' The na!#ea ha" "i##i)ate"' The ee+ing in *% han"# ha" et! ne"' Theon+% e*aining #%*)to*# &e e the e*)t% ten#ing o *% #to*ach an" the aint #o! ta#te on *% tong!e'


14/113

I hea " #o*eone o++ing a #e $ing ca t "o&n the ha++&a% o!t#i"e, the &hee+# #4!ea(ing !n"e the &eight' I #too", *% +eg# ee+ing &ea(e than I e3)ecte" a# I &a+(e" to the ca $e" &oo" -oo(#he+$e#,c o!ching "o&n -e#i"e the*' A++ th ee -oo(# &e e t!c(e" #a e+% on the -otto* #he+$e#, ight &he eMo## ha" )!t the* ho! # -e o e' I &hat he1" #!gge#te" &a# co ect, i #o*eone ha" t ie" to )oi#on *e,I1" nee" the* #oone than I1" tho!ght'

.Yo!1 e !) ' ' '/ C+a a !--e" he e%e#, then g+ance" at *% han", &he e *% inge # #ti++ e#te" on one othe #)ine#' .What a e %o! +oo(ing at0/

.Nothing,/ I #ai", #ett+ing into the c!#hion -e#i"e he ' .T %ing to "i#t act *%#e+ , that1# a++'/

C+a a )!t he han" on *% -ac(' .I1$e ne$e #een %o! +i(e that,/ #he #ai"' .Yo! #ca e" *e'/

.I ee+ -ette a+ ea"%,/ I #ai"' .The &o #t ha# )a##e"'/

She an he inge o$e the e"ge o the c!#hion, t acing a+ong the thin &hite )i)ing' .I1* g+a"' The%co!+"n1t each Cha +e#'/

.That "oe#n1t #! ) i#e *e,/ I #ai"' .He1# at a con#t !ction #ite in the O!t+an"#' He1++ -e gone !nti+#!n"o&n'/

He e3) e##ion change"' I i**e"iate+% e+t g!i+t% o #a%ing &hat I ha"7the #!-t+e ac(no&+e"g*entthat I (ne& hi# #che"!+e -ette than #he "i"' C+a a an" Cha +e# &e e the on+% t&o teenage # &ho1" -eenai#e" in the Pa+ace, an" #he1" a+&a%# ha -o e" ee+ing# o hi*' She1" *a"e *e ) o*i#e to te++ he i hee$e #)o(e o he ' .He ha#n1t #ai" an%thing %et,/ I o e e", t %ing to co* o t he ' .Yo! (no&, *o#t o theti*e &hen &e1 e ta+(ing &e1 e ighting' We1 e not e3act+% c+o#e'/ I co$e e" he han" &ith *% o&n an"

#he #*i+e", a #*a++, )in)oint "i*)+e a))ea ing in he chee('

.I *!#t #ee* #o oo+i#h to %o!,/ #he #ai" &ith a +a!gh' .I1* ca %ing on a e+ation#hi) in *% hea"'/

.Not at a++'/

Ho& *an% ti*e# ha" I #to))e" in Ca+i ia, i*agining Ca+e- &a# the e -e#i"e *e &hi+e I #at on the oc(#, &atching the &a$e# +a) at the #ho e0 Ho& *an% ti*e# ha" I +et *%#e+ -e+ie$e that he &a# #ti++ he e,in#i"e the Cit%, that he1" a))ea one "a%, &aiting o *e -% the Pa+ace ga "en#0 I #ti++ #)o(e to hi*, in

the 4!iet o the #!ite, #ti++ to+" hi* I &i#he" to go -ac( to e$e %thing -e o e' The e &e e ti*e# I ha" toe*in" *%#e+ that he &a# gone, that the "eath e)o t ha" -een i+e", that &hat ha" ha))ene" co!+"ne$e -e e$e #e"' Tho#e act# &e e *% on+% tethe to ea+it%'

Be o e I co!+" #a% an%thing *o e, the "oo o)ene", the King )!#hing into the oo* &itho!t #o *!ch a#a (noc(' He "i" thi# #o*eti*e#, a# i to e*in" *e that he o&ne" e$e % )a t o the Pa+ace' .I hea " &hat ha))ene",/ he #ai", t! ning to *e' I #at !) #t aight, a# the "octo ca*e in -ehin" hi*'

.It &a# nothing,/ I #ai", e$en tho!gh I &a#n1t %et #! e' Mo## ha" ta(en the e*nant# o - ea( a#t to the

O!t+an"#, t %ing to get an#&e # a-o!t &hat it containe"'

.Yo! th e& !) t&ice,/ he #ai"' .Yo!1 e "eh%" ate"' Yo! co!+" ha$e )a##e" o!t'/


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The "octo , a thin, -a+" *an, "i"n1t &ea a &hite coat a# the one# at Schoo+ "i"' In#tea" he &a# " e##e"in a )+ain -+!e #hi t an" g a% #+ac(#, +i(e an% othe o ice &o (e in the Cit% cente ' I1" -een to+" it &a##a e thi# &a%' E$en #i3teen %ea # a te the )+ag!e the e &e e ee+ing# o e#ent*ent to&a " #! $i$ing"octo #, 4!e#tion# o &hat the% (ne& an" &hen'

.Yo! athe &a# conce ne"' He1" a#(e" i it co!+" -e a ee*e gence o the $i !#,/ the "octo#ai", c!))ing hi# han"# togethe ' .I a##! e %o! it1# not'/

.Thi# ha# -eco*e #!ch an e$ent,/ I #ai", *% ga2e "a ting -et&een the*' .I ee+ a++ ight, ea++%'/

.It1++ ha))en again, tho!gh,/ the "octo #ai"' I #ta e" at hi*, con !#e"' .Na!#ea g a$i"a !*,/ he #ai",a# i that e3)+aine" #o*ething' .Mo#t )eo)+e ca++ it *o ning #ic(ne##'/

M% athe &a# #*i+ing, hi# e%e# gi$ing o a +oo( o 4!iet a*!#e*ent' He ca*e to&a " *e, )!++ing *e to#tan" a# he #4!ee2e" *% han"#' .Yo!1 e ) egnant'/

He h!gge" *e, the #ic(, hea$% #cent o hi# co+ogne #tinging *% +!ng#' I "i"n1t ha$e ti*e to ) oce## it' I

ha" to #*i+e, to -+!#h, to eign &hate$e 5o% I (ne& I &a# #!))o#e" to ee+' O co! #e thi# &a# &hat *%athe &ante"' In hi# e%e#, Cha +e# an" I ha" ina++% gi$en hi* an hei '

.Thi# i# ha))% ne' We *!#t go #ee Cha +e# in the O!t+an"#,/ *% athe &ent on' .Once %o!1 e ) o)e +% " e##e", co*e *eet *e -% the e+e$ato #'/ C+a a "i"n1t #a% an%thing' I "i"n1t "a e +oo( athe ; in#tea" I +i#tene" to he #+o&, !ne$en - eath#' It #o!n"e" +i(e #he &a# cho(ing'

.Yo!1++ ha$e to co*e in to the o ice thi# a te noon,/ the "octo contin!e"' .R!n #o*e te#t# to *a(e #! ee$e %thing i# no *a+' In the *eanti*e I1$e ha" the (itchen #toc( !) on #o*e ginge tea, #o*e c ac(e #

7+itt+e thing# to #ett+e %o! #to*ach' Yo! *a% ee+ a -it na!#eo!#, -!t #(i))ing *ea+# &i++ on+% *a(e it &o #e' An" a# %o! ) o-a-+% a+ ea"% (no&, %o! *a% in" it &ea # o o$e the co! #e o the "a%'/ He )!to!t hi# han" o *e to #ha(e' I ho)e" he "i"n1t notice *% co+" )a+*# o *% #ti , !nchanging #*i+e' It &a#n1t !nti+ he &a# gone, *% athe o++o&ing -ehin" hi*, that C+a a ina++% #)o(e'

.I tho!ght %o! "i"n1t +o$e hi*,/ #he &hi#)e e", he &o "# #+o&'

.I "on1t,/ I #ai"'

I1" #een C+a a ang % -e o e, co!+" ecogni2e ho& he ace change", he 5a& #et in a ha " e3) e##ion' B!tthi# &a# "i e ent' She t! ne" he -ac( to *e, *o$ing a o!n" the oo*, #ha(ing o!t he han"# a# it %ing to " % the*' .It1# not t !e, C+a a,/ I #ai"'

.Then &hat i# t !e0/ She #ta e" at *e, he e%e# &ate %'

I ha"n1t to+" an%one &hat ha" ha))ene" in the hanga &ith Ca+e-' It &a# the thing I et! ne" to &hene$e *% tho!ght# &an"e e"' I e*e*-e e" ho& hi# han"# e+t c a"+ing *% nec(, hi# inge #"ancing o$e *% #to*ach, the gent+e gi$e o hi# +i)# again#t *ine' Ho& o! -o"ie# *o$e" togethe , hi#

#(in ta#ting o #a+t an" #&eat' No& it e3i#te" in *e*o %, a )+ace that on+% I co!+" $i#it, &he e Ca+e- an"I &e e o e$e a+one'

I1" hea " the Teache #1 &a ning#, ha" e$ie&e" a++ the "ange # o ha$ing #e3 o .#+ee)ing &ith/ a *an'The% ha" to+" !#, in tho#e #ti++ c+a## oo*#, that e$en one ti*e co!+" - ing on a ) egnanc%' B!t in the


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*onth# #ince I1" +e t, I1" +ea ne" that nothing the%1" #ai" co!+" -e t !#te"' An" e$en i it &a# a hi""ent !th7e$en i it &a#n1t an e3agge ation o a+#i ication7it &o!+"n1t ha$e *atte e"' The e &a# no &a% to) e$ent ) egnanc% in#i"e the Cit%' The King ha" o -i""en it'

No&, #o *an% tho!ght# +e& th o!gh *% hea"6 That it &o!+" -e -ette i #he "i"n1t (no&' That it &o!+" -e #a e i #he "i"n1t (no&' That I &o!+" ee+ +one+ie i #he "i"n1t (no&, that I &o!+" -e in *o e "angei #he "i" (no&, that I &o!+" ee+ "eceit !+ i #he "i"n1t (no&' .Ca+e-,/ I #ai" ina++%' A# #oon a# *%athe eache" Cha +e# it &o!+" -e o$e an%&a%' .It &a# Ca+e-' I to+" %o! the t !th7I ha$e no inte e#t inCha +e#' I ne$e ha$e'/

She +et he han"# a++' .Ho& co*e %o! ne$e to+" *e0/ #he a#(e"' .When0/

.The +a#t night I +e t the Pa+ace,/ I #ai"' .T&o an" a ha+ *onth# ago'/

She &o ie" at the &ai#t o he " e##, )ic(ing at the "e+icate #titching' .Yo! athe can ne$e (no&,/#he #ai"'

I i*agine" *% athe 1# e3) e##ion &hen Cha +e# to+" hi* the t !th' Hi# *o!th &o!+" ten#e a# it a+&a%#"i" &hen he &a# ang %' The e1" -e that hint o #o*ething "a (e , then he &o!+" #et hi*#e+ ight,!--ing hi# han" "o&n hi# ace, a# i that one *otion ha" the )o&e to i3 hi# eat! e#' He &o!+" (i++*e' I e+t ce tain o it then, in the #ti++ne## o the oo*' I &a# !#e+e## to hi* no&' Since Ca+e-1# *! "ethe e &e e #o *an% 4!e#tion# a-o!t *e, a-o!t *% in$o+$e*ent in the -!i+"ing o the t!nne+#' Di" I #ti++ha$e connection# to the"i##i"ent#0 Ha" I -et a%e" hi* #ince Ca+e-1# "eath0 I &a# a++o&e" to +i$e in thePa+ace, (e)t a# an a##et, on+% -eca!#e I co!+" ) o"!ce a Ne& A*e ican o%a+ a*i+%' I &a# :ene$ie$e,the "a!ghte o* the Schoo+# &ho1" *a ie" hi# Hea" o De$e+o)*ent' When Cha +e# e$ea+e" the

t !th on+% &e (ne&, *% athe &o!+" in" a &a%' Ma%-e I1" "i#a))ea a te the Cit% ha" gone to #+ee), a##o*e o the "i##i"ent# ha"' The% co!+" #a% an%thing7an int !"e in the Pa+ace, a #!""en #ic(ne##' An%thing'

The e &a#n1t ti*e to e3)+ain it a++ to C+a a, to te++ he the &h%# an" ho' I (ne+t "o&n an" )!++e" thethic( -oo(# o* the #he+ , t!c(ing the tin% -ag into the #i"e )oc(et o *% " e##' I )!t the (ni e an" thea"io into *% )! #e, then #ta te" o!t o the oo*' I nee"e" to "o &hat Mo## ha" #ai", to go th o!gh

&ith thi#, -e o e I &a# "i#co$e e"' I &o!+" +ea$e the Cit% to"a% i I ha" to'

.Wh% "o %o! ha$e a (ni e0/ C+a a a#(e", #te))ing -ac(' .What a e %o! "oing0/

.I can1t e3)+ain it no&,/ I #ai" 4!ic(+%, a# I &ent to the "oo ' .I "on1t (no& &hat1# going to ha))en &hen*% athe in"# o!t, an" I nee" ) otection'/

.So %o!1 e - inging a (ni e ' ' ' to "o &hat0/

.I "on1t (no& &hat *% athe i# ca)a-+e o ,/ I #ai", #ha(ing *% hea"' .It1# 5!#t in ca#e'/

C+a a no""e" once -e o e I t! ne" o!t the "oo '

I (e)t the -ag t!c(e" tight+% !n"e *% a * a# I &ent "o&n the ha++' The #o+"ie 1# oot#te)# &e e#o*e&he e -ehin" *e, co*ing c+o#e a# I *o$e" to&a " *% athe 1# #!ite' I too( a "ee) - eath,i*agining &hat it &o!+" ha$e e+t +i(e i thing# ha" -een "i e ent, i I ha" o!n" o!t a-o!t the


17/113

) egnanc% in #o*e othe )+ace an" ti*e' I co!+"1$e -een ha))%, ha" Ca+e- -een a+i$e, ha" &e -een o!tin the &i+", at #o*e #to) on the T ai+' It co!+" ha$e -een one o tho#e !nc+o!"e", )e ect *o*ent#, a4!iet ea+i2ation #ha e" -et&een !#' In#tea" I e+t on+% " ea"' Ho& co!+" I ai#e a chi+" -% *%#e+ ,e#)ecia++% no&, in the *i"#t o a++ thi#0

M% athe e*e ge" o* hi# #!ite' .Pe ect ti*ing,/ he #ai"' He t! ne" to&a " the e+e$ato #, ge#t! ingo *e to o++o&'

A# I a)) oache" the "oo to hi# #!ite, I #+o&e", #&a++o&ing -ac( the #o! #)it that coate" *% tong!e' I) e##e" *% han" to *% ace, &i)ing at *% #(in, an" too( a "ee) - eath' Thi# &a# it'

I he+" one )a+* to *% *o!th an" ge#t! e" to&a " the "oo ' .P+ea#e, I thin( I *ight -e #ic( again'/ I"i"n1t *eet hi# ga2e' In#tea" I e#te" *% #ho!+"e again#t the "oo , &aiting o hi* to +et *e in#i"e'

.Ye#, o co! #e,/ he #ai", )!nching a e& n!*-e # in the (e%)a" -e+o& the +oc(' .

M% athe 1# #!ite &a# th ee ti*e# the #i2e o o! #, &ith a #)i a+ #tai ca#e that +e" to the !)#tai # #ittinga ea' A o& o &in"o o$e +oo(e" the Cit% -e+o&, &ith $ie #t etching o!t -e%on" the c! $e" &a++, &he e the +an" &a# i""+e" &ith - o(en -!i+"ing#' I t! ne", ta(ing in the *iniat! e *o"e+# that #at onthe c e"en2a -e#i"e the "oo ' The e &e e e+a-o ate &oo"en -oat# in g+a## -ott+e#, a++"i e ent co+o # an" #i2e#, thei can$a# #ai+# ai#e"' I1" -een in the #!ite on+% o! o i$e ti*e#, -!t e$e %ti*e I #t!"ie" the*, t %ing to !n"e #tan" &h% *% athe #)ent hi# ee ti*e )!tting togethe *iniat! e#hi)#' I &on"e e" i he o!n" it #ati# %ing to contain the* a++, the#e tin% &o +"# a+&a%# in hi# cont o+'

.I1++ 5!#t -e a *in!te,/ I #ai", #ta ting to&a " the -ath oo*' It &a# #ha e" &ith the *a#te #!ite, -!t the#econ" "oo &a# nea +% a+&a%# +oc(e"' I ) e##e" one i#t to *% *o!th, a# i #t !gg+ing to (ee) *%co*)o#! e' Then I !#he" into the *a -+e -ath oo*, than( !+ &hen I &a# ina++% a+one'

FIVE

I TWISTED ON THE TAP, LETTIN: THE COOL WATER RUN O>ER *% inge #' I +et o!t a e& +o!"co!gh# an" #ta te" on the na o& #et o " a&e #, #ea ching th o!gh the tin% )+a#tic -o3e# an" cani#te #'The & iting on #o*e o the +a-e+# ha" &o n o ' I )ic(e" o$e ta++ -ott+e# i++e" &ith &hite +i4!i", a )aio thic( *eta+ a2o #, a ho #ehai - !#h an" ha " #oa) !#e" to *a(e #ha$ing oa*' The e &e e o+"e" &hite to&e+# that #*e++e" o *int' Then, in the to) " a&e , I o!n" t&o a*-e 9co+o e" -ott+e#' Ahan"& itten +a-e+ &a# on each, &ith the "octo 1# #ignat! e #c a&+e" ac o## it'

The e3t act e+t hea$% in *% )oc(et' I e*)tie" the #hin% &hite ca)#!+e# onto the *a -+e co!nte an" -egan the &o (, )o))ing o)en th ee o the* an" #)i++ing thei in#i"e# into the #in(' The )o&"ec+!*)e" togethe an" &a# #&e)t a&a%, +oating a-o$e the " ain o a *o*ent -e o e it &a# #!c(e"!n"e '


18/113

I e*)tie" #o*e o the e3t act on the co!nte an" ) e##e" it in#i"e the ha " ca)#!+e, ca e !+ to (ee) ita&a% o* *% ace, a# Mo## ha" in#t !cte"' I )inche" one #i"e an" #+i" the ca) on, " o))ing it -ac(into the -ott+e' I &a# ha+ &a% th o!gh the #econ" one &hen *% athe (noc(e" on the "oo ' The #o!n"echoe" in the ho++o& oo*, ai#ing tin% -!*)# on *% a *#' .I# e$e %thing a++ ight0/ he a#(e"' The(no- t! ne" -!t +oc(e" in )+ace, e !#ing to o)en'

.

I - o!ght the* to *% chee(#, &i++ing the #o t, e" #(in -ac( to no *a+' .I ha$e to +ie "o&n,/ I #ai"' .I &on1t -e a-+e to *a(e it to the O!t+an"#' Not +i(e thi#'/

M% athe ti+te" hi# hea" to one #i"e, #t!"%ing *e' .I can1t go #ee Cha +e# a+one,/ he #ai"' .Co*e no&, it &i++ -e a 4!ic( $i#it' Yo!1++ -e -ac( &ithin the ha+ ho! '/ Hi# eat! e# ha "ene", an" I (ne& then it &a#n1t !) o "i#c!##ion' Hi# han" ca*e "o&n a o!n" *% a *, g!i"ing *e to&a " the "oo '

THE RIDE WAS ENDLESS' THE CAR LURCHED AT E>ERY CORNER, the ca-in thic( &ith the #*e++#o +eathe an" co+ogne' I o)ene" the &in"o&, t %ing to get #o*e ai , -!t the O!t+an"# he+" the " %#tench o "!#t an" a#h' M% han" &a# at *% &ai#t, ee+ing the#o t +e#h o *% -e++% o the *o!n" thatha" not %et a))ea e"' I (ne& I1" *i##e" *% )e io" an" ha" &on"e e" i it &a# )o##i-+e I &a# ) egnant, -!t e$e %thing in the )a#t *onth# ha" gone -% 4!ic(+%, #o*e&he e o!t#i"e *e'

Mo## ha" #to+en a tatte e" T9#hi t o* the -o3 o ite*# eco$e e" o* the ai )+ane hanga ' The e &a#a C on the tag, the a- ic thin o* #o *an% &ea #' A+one in the #!ite, Ca+e-1# #hi t -a++e" in *% han"#, I &a# ce tain that &hen he "ie" a )a t o *e ha" "ie" &ith hi*' I co!+"n1t ee+ an%*o e, not the &a% I ha" &hen he &a# he e, in#i"e the Cit%' The "a%# in the Pa+ace #ee*e" en"+e##, i++e" &ith #ti+te"con$e #ation an" )eo)+e &ho #a& *e on+% a# *% athe 1# "a!ghte , nothing *o e'

I )ic(e" at the thin #(in a o!n" *% inge nai+#, &atching a# the ca #)e" c+o#e to the con#t !ction #ite'The +i#t o #+ight# again#t Cha +e# too( on #igni icance no&' Thing# I1" "one o ha"n1t "one e+t +i(e*o e ea#on# he1" te++ *% athe the t !th' I1" -een the one to in#i#t he +ea$e the -e" that i #t night' Ico!+"n1t #tan" it &hen he +oo(e" at *e too *!ch, &hen he ta+(e" to *e too *!ch, &hen he ta+(e" to *%athe too *!ch, &hen he #ai" an%thing )o#iti$e a-o!t the egi*e' Tho!gh the e &e e *o*ent# &henthing# &e e -ea a-+e, *o#t o the ti*e &e #)ent togethe in the #!ite &a# *a (e" &ith hi# 4!e#tion#, hi#e o t, an" *% #i+ence o c itici#*'

.:ene$ie$e, I1* #)ea(ing to %o!,/ *% athe #ai"' I +inche" &hen he to!che" *% a *' .We1 e he e'/

The ca ha" #to))e" o!t#i"e a "e*o+ition #ite' The%1" to n "o&n an o+" hote+ that &a# !#e" a# a *o g!e"! ing the )+ag!e' It ha" -een -oa "e" !) o *o e than a "eca"e, the -one# o $icti*# #ti++ in#i"e' Ae& -!n"+e# o +o&e # #at on the g o!n"7&i+ting o#e#, "ai#ie# that &e e no& #h i$e+e" an" #ti '


19/113

The #ite &a# -+oc(e" o &ith )+%&oo" encing, -!t the e &e e o)ening# +ea"ing "o&n to the *a##i$ec ate in the ea th' I got o!t, &a+(ing to&a " a - ea( in the &a++' .:ene$ie$e,/ I hea " hi* ca++ -ehin"*e' .That1# not o %o! to #ee'/

A-o!t thi t% eet -e+o& the ea th &a# a giant )i+e o !--+e' A -!++"o2e )!#he" conc ete-ac(, again#tthe e"ge o the o!n"ation' Anothe c ane #at *otion+e##, it# giant %e++o& i#t +o&e e" to the g o!n"'Th o!gho!t the #ite, -o%# o* the +a-o ca*)# &e e c+ea ing - ic( an" a#h !#ing #ho$e+# an" &hee+-a o' The% &e e thinne than the -o%# I1" #een in#i"e the Cit% ) e$io!#+%' The e1" -een !*o #that &ith the +i-e ation o the ca*)#, the -o%# &ho1" -een he e at the ti*e &e e no& t a))e" an" &o (e" "o!-+% a# ha " to *a(e !) o the othe #'

One o the o+"e -o%# )ointe" at !# o* -e+o&' Cha +e# t! ne" an" #ta te" !) the inc+ine, )a!#ing o a*o*ent -% a tang+e" hea) o #tee+ o"# an" conc ete' He %e++e" #o*ething at t&o %o!nge -o%# &hoha" thei #hi t# o ' The% &e e "a ting a o!n" the a en" o the #ite, (ic(ing #o*ething' I #4!inte"again#t the #!n, #+o&+% *a(ing o!t the "a ( ho++o in it# #i"e' It &a# a h!*an #(!++'

I co$e e" *% no#e, o$e ta(en -% the " % #tench' I1" hea " h!n" e"# ha" -een -! ie" in#i"e the hote+,thei -o"ie# & a))e" in #heet# an" to&e+#' The e &e e !*o # that #o*e ha" #ti++ -een a+i$e, #! e ingo* the )+ag!e; that te i ie" a*i+% *e*-e # ha" +e t the* the e in thei +a#t ho! #' D!#t ha" #ett+e"

on e$e % #! ace &ithin a 4!a te o a *i+e' The )a$e*ent, the #! o!n"ing -!i+"ing#, the !#te" ca #that #at, &hee+# o , in a $acant)a (ing +ot7it &a# a++ co$e e" &ith a thin +a%e o g a%'

I (e)t *% hea" "o&n a# Cha +e# ca*e to&a " !#, &a+(ing !) the )+%&oo" a*) that ha" -een ancho e" to the #i"e o the "itch' I t!c(e" *% th!*- !n"e the #t a) o the -ag, e*in"ing *%#e+o it# content#' The nea e#t t!nne+ &a# #ti++ thi t% *in!te# a&a%, e$en i I an' The -e#t chance I ha" &a#

to ta(e the ca -ac( &ith *% athe an" e#ca)e &hen &e t! ne" onto the *ain oa"' The #o!th t!nne+ &o!+" -e 5!#t ten *in!te# o* the e' U#ing the a++e%# in the O!t+an"#, the e &a# a chance I co!+" +o#ethe #o+"ie # &ho o++o&e" *e, i I *o$e" 4!ic(+% eno!gh'

.We ha$e #o*e ne o %o!,/ *% athe ca++e" o!t &hen Cha +e# ca*e c+o#e ' The #ho!+"e # o hi# na$% 5ac(et &e e co$e e" &ith "!#t' He )!++e" o the %e++o& con#t !ction hat he &o e, c a"+ing it +i(e a -a-%'

He g+ance" o* *% athe to *e, then to the ca i"+ing -ehin" !#' The #o+"ie &a# #tan"ing o!t#i"e it,hi# i +e #+!ng o$e hi# #ho!+"e ' .It *!#t -e i*)o tant' I can1t e*e*-e a ti*e &hen :ene$ie$e $i#ite"

*e on a ) o5ect'/

The King e#te" hi# han" on *% -ac(, )!#hing *e o &a " e$e #o #+ight+%' .:o on, :ene$ie$e,/ he &hi#)e e"' .Te++ Cha +e# the ha))% ne'/ He &a# &atching *e, hi# e%e# i3e" on the #i"e o *% ace'

It &a# o$e no&, I co!+" #en#e it, a# *% ga2e *et Cha +e#1#' He +oo(e" at once ho)e !+ an" ne $o!#, a#he #*oothe" "o&n a t! t o -+ac( hai that ha" a++en in hi# e%e#' I i++e" *% +!ng#, ho+"ing it the e !nti+it &a# too *!ch to ta(e' .I1* ) egnant,/ I #ai", *% th oat tight' .The Cit% &i++ -e th i++e", I1* #! e'/

The -!++"o2e *o$e" a+ong the con#t !ction +oo -e+o&, a +o&, -ee)ing #o!n" i++ing the ai ' I e#te"*% han" on *% che#t, ee+ing *% hea t a+i$e -eneath *% - ea#t-one, the #tea"ine## o it ca+*ing *e'


20/113

.A# a* I'/ He ca*e to&a " *e, hi# a *# o$e *% #ho!+"e #, !nti+ I &a# ) e##e" tight+% again#t hi#che#t' I - eathe" in, *% -o"% #+o&+% e+a3ing, #ett+ing in -e#i"e hi*' He e#te" hi# han" on the -ac( o*% hea" #o gent+%, I ha" to -+in( -ac( tea #' .I1$e ne$e -een ha))ie '/

SIX

THE PARTY WAS STILL :OIN: ON, E>EN AFTER THE MUSICIANS ha" +e t o the night an" the+a#t o the c!)# an" #a!ce # ha" -een c+ea e" o* the ta-+e# in the )a +o ' M% athe &a# *o eani*ate" than I1" e$e #een hi*, ge#t! ing &ith hi# c %#ta+ g+a##, a*-+ing on to Ha o+" Po++ac(, anenginee in the Cit%' .It1# #o*ething to ce+e- ate,/ I hea " hi* #a%, a# Cha +e# an" I #ta te" o the "oo '

.In a ti*e &hen thing# a en1t a# ce tain,/ Ha o+" ag ee"'

At thi# the King &a$e" hi# han" "i#*i##i$e+%, a# i #&atting a&a% a +%' .Don1t -e+ie$e e$e %thing %o!hea ,/ he #ai"' .A e& iot# at the +a-o ca*)# a e ha "+% a th eat to the Cit%'/

I +inge e" the e o a *o*ent, &atching the* a# Cha +e# #)o(e &ith the Hea" o Finance' M% athe &ith#too" Ha o+"1# ) e#ence a *o*ent +onge -e o e e3c!#ing hi*#e+ ' The e ha" -een ta+( o the +a-oca*) iot# a++ night' In -et&een cong at!+ation#, )eo)+e *entione" !*o # a-o!t the +a-o ca*)#,a#(ing *% athe a-o!t the e-e+# o!t#i"e the Cit%' With e$e % 4!e#tion he +a!ghe" a +itt+e ha "e , *a"e

*o e o a #ho& o 5!#t ho& con i"ent he &a#' He ca++e" the* iot#, not #iege#, an" *a"e it #o!n" +i(e itha" on+% ha))ene" at one o t&o o the ca*)#'

.Rea"% to go0/ Cha +e# a#(e", o e ing *e hi# a *' I th ea"e" *ine th o!gh it a# &e #ta te" "o&n theha++' Neithe o !# #)o(e' In#tea" I +i#tene" to the #o!n" o o! oot#te)# an" the aint echo o the#o+"ie 1# -ehin" !#'

We got to the #!ite, the +oc( c+ic(ing #h!t -ehin" !#' I &atche" Cha +e# a# he *o$e" a o!n" the oo*,#+inging hi# #!it 5ac(et o$e the a *chai an" +oo#ening hi# tie' .Yo! "i"n1t ha$e to "o that to"a%,/ I

#ai"' Hi# -ac( &a# to&a " *e a# he #te))e" o!t o hi# #hoe#'

.O co! #e I "i",/ he #ai", )!#hing hi# hai o hi# ace' .I &a#n1t a-o!t to te++ %o! athe the t !th' Yo!(no& &hat (in" o )o#ition that &o!+"1$e )!t %o! in'/ He t! ne", an" o the i #t ti*e I notice" that hi#chee(# &e e #)+otch% an" )in(, a# i he1" 5!#t co*e in o*the co+"' .No one can in" o!t, :ene$ie$e7no one'/

.It1# not %o! ) o-+e* to i3,/ I #ai"' .I "i" thi#'/

A te &hat ha))ene" at the con#t !ction #ite, I1" gone to *% a))oint*ent &ith the "octo , then *etCha +e# at the ece)tion' The g atit!"e I1" e+t o hi* ha" +e##ene", gi$ing &a% to a (in" o 4!iete#ent*ent' He ha" #a$e" *e' He -e+ie$e" he ha", at +ea#t, an" I co!+" ee+ the i*)+ie" "e-t -et&een !#

&hene$e hi# han" o!n" *ine, hi# inge # c+a*)e" "o&n on *% )a+*' We1 e in thi# togethe , he#ee*e" to #a%' I &on1t +ea$e %o! no&'


21/113

He ) e##e" hi# )a+*# to hi# ace, then #hoo( hi# hea"' .I# thi# %o! &a% o than(ing *e0 I "i"n1t &antthi#, %o! (no&, &hen &e &e e *a ie"' I "i"n1t &ant to ee+ +i(e I &a# #o*e ho i-+e, #econ" choiceo ce" !)on %o!' I a* t %ing he e, an" I a+&a%# ha$e -een' Yo! co!+"1$e at +ea#t to+" *e -e o e %o!a*-!#he" *e at the #ite'/

.I "i"n1t (no& !nti+ thi# *o ning,/ I #ai"' I #te))e" a&a% o* the "oo , t %ing to (ee) *% $oice "o&n' I &a# than( !+' What he1" "one &a# (in" an" "ecent' He1" gi$en *e at +ea#t one *o e "a% in#i"e the Cit% &a++#, a chance to #)ea( &ith Mo## -e o e I e#ca)e"' B!t I ha" ne$e a#(e" o hi# he+)'

Cha +e# !--e" hi# o ehea"' .Yo! #)en" ho! # in the ga "en#, &a+(ing in ci c+e#, ta(ing the #a*e )athth ee ti*e# a# i it1# a+&a%# ne&' I #ee the &a% %o! #ta e o &hen &e1 e at "inne ' It1# +i(e %o!1 e in thi#!n#een &o +" that no one e+#e can each' I (no& %o! ha" ee+ing# o hi*7/

.I "i"n1t ha$e ee+ing# o hi*,/ I co ecte"' .I +o$e hi*'/

.Lo$e"' He1# gone,/ Cha +e# #ai"' M% &ho+e -o"% &ent igi", a# i he1" ) e##e" hi# inge # into a ne& - !i#e' .I "on1t +i(e &hat ha))ene" eithe , -!t I -e+ie$e %o! co!+" -e ha))%' I -e+ie$e that1# )o##i-+e#ti++'/

Not &ith %o!' The &o "# &e e #o c+o#e to co*ing o!t' I he+" the* #o*e&he e -ehin" *% teeth, t %ingnot to +a!nch the* !n(in"+%' I #t!"ie" Cha +e#1# ace, ho& o""+% ho)e !+ he +oo(e", hi# e%e# i3e" on*e, &aiting' Ye#, it &o!+" -e ea#ie i I e+t #o*ething o hi*' B!t I co!+"n1t igno e the #*a++, co&a "+%thing# a-o!t hi*' Ho& he a+&a%# #ai" .&hat ha))ene",/ a# i Ca+e-1# *! "e &e e #o*e !nco* o ta-+e"inne )a t% &e1" atten"e" &ee(# -e o e'

.I1* g ate !+ o &hat %o! "i" to"a%,/ I #ai"' .B!t it &on1t change ho& I ee+'/ Hi# e%e# i++e" #!""en+%an" he t! ne", ho)ing I &o!+"n1t #ee' I g a--e" hi# han" &itho!t thin(ing' I he+" it the e o a *o*ent,ee+ing the heat in hi# )a+*' E$en he e an" -% *% o&n "oing, it e+t #t ange an" o ce"' O! inge #"i"n1t nat! a++% o+" into each othe 1# the &a% Ca+e-1# an" *ine ha", the ea#e o it *a(ing it #ee* that &a# 5!#t the &a% inge # &e e #!))o#e" to -e7entang+e" o e$e &ith #o*eone e+#e1#' I +et go i #t, o!a *# " o))ing -ac( to o! #i"e#'

He #at on the e"ge o the -e", hi# e+-o on hi# (nee#, c a"+ing hi# hea" in hi# han"#' He &a# *o e!)#et than I1" e$e #een hi*' I #at "o&n -e#i"e hi*, &atching the #i"e o hi# ace, &aiting !nti+ he

t! ne" to *e' .Te++ *e thi#,/ he #ai" #o t+%' .Yo! &e e in$o+$e" &ith the e-e+#' I# &hat the%1 e #a%ingt !e0/

I i3e" *% ga2e on the +oo ' .What "o %o! *ean0/ I a#(e"'

.Ho& the% too( the +a-o ca*)#, an" the%1 e co*ing he e' The e a e a++ #o t# o !*o #7that the%1++ -! n the Cit%, that the e1# a h!ge action a+ ea"% in#i"e the &a++#'/ He +et hi# hea" a++ -ac( a# he #)o(e'.The% #a% e$e %one &ho &o (# o the King &i++ -e e3ec!te"' No one &i++ #! $i$e'/

I e*e*-e e" Mo##1# &a ning o the "i##i"ent# &ho1" -een e)o te" an" (i++e", #o*e to t! e" in#i"ethe Cit% ) i#on#' I co!+" not te++ Cha +e# an%thing7I &o!+"n1t' An" %et a# I #at the e, +i#tening to hi#!ne$en - eath#, I &i#he" the e &a# #o*e &a% I co!+" &a n hi*' I e#te" *% han" on hi# -ac(, ee+inghi# che#t e3)an" th o!gh hi# #hi t' .Yo! *ight1$e #a$e" *% +i e to"a%'/


22/113

.An" I &o!+" "o it again'/ He t! ne" an" &ent in the -ath oo*, the "oo c+o#ing tight+% -ehin" hi*' I#at, +i#tening to the ta) !nning, the " a&e # #+i"ing o)en, then -anging #h!t' He &o (e" o *% athe , 5!#t a# hi# athe ha"' In Mo##1# *in" he &a# no -ette than the King' B!t ight then he &a# 5!#tCha +e#, the )e #on &ho #to+e )eonie# o* the Pa+ace ga "en# -eca!#e he (ne& I +i(e" to ) e## the* in -oo(#' He hate" to*atoe# an" &a# t% annica+ a-o!t +o##ing, an" he #o*eti*e# he+" the #*e++ o thecon#t !ction #ite# in hi# hai , e$en a te a #ho&e '

I )!++e" on *% nightgo&n an" +a% !n"e the co$e #' He #ta%e" in the #ho&e o nea +% an ho! ' Then heina++% +i))e" o the +ight an" c! +e" !) on the +o!nge in the co ne , hi# - eath #+o&ing in #+ee)' Ie*aine" a&a(e, #t!"%ing the #ha"o on the &a++, t %ing to i*agine &hat it &o!+" -e +i(e to -e he e,in#i"e the Cit%, &hen the e-e+# ca*e' Ho& +ong &o!+" it ta(e the* to each the Pa+ace0 I i*agine" thete o o it, )ict! e" Cha +e# in the #tai &e++, hi# han"# -o!n"' What &o!+" he thin(, &hat &o!+" he #a% &hen the% ca*e o hi*0 The%1" (i++ hi*, I e+t ce tain o it no&'

M% +i*-# &ent co+"' I +a% the e, &i++ing *%#e+ to #ta% 4!iet, &i++ing *%#e+ to (ee) the #ec et# I1") o*i#e" to (ee)' B!t I (ne& #o*ething e+#e7)e ha)# 5!#t a# ce tain+%, the tho!ght tightening *%

+!ng#'

He "i"n1t "e#e $e it'

SEVEN

MY FATHER WASN1T AT BREAKFAST' I WAITED, LETTIN: THE SECOND han" *a(e it# #+o&+a) a o!n" the c+oc(, once an" again' T&o *in!te# )a##e"' He a+&a%# ca*e in at nine, not a #econ"+ate ' B!t #ti++ the e*)t% )+ate #at the e, the #i+$e &a e !nto!che"'

.


23/113

&a# a+ ea"% #ic(' It &a# the on+% ea#on he &o!+"n1t -e he e' Mo## ha" &ante" the )oi#oning to go!n"etecte" o a# +ong a# )o##i-+e' He1" ho)e" the i++ne## &o!+" con !#e the "octo #, an" &hi+e the% &e e !nning te#t# the e-e+# &o!+" *a(e thei &a% to&a " the Cit%'

.I1* going to go chec( on hi*,/ I #ai", g+ancing a o!n" the ta-+e' .Yo! can #ta t &itho!t !#'/

C+a a &atche" *e a# I +e t the oo*' I "i"n1t "a e +oo( at he ' In#tea" I (e)t *% e%e# on the "oo , thenthe ha++&a% in ont o *e, on the #)ot &he e it "ea"9en"e" at *% athe 1# #!ite' I a))e" *% (n!c(+e#

again#t the &oo", +etting *% han" e#t the e o a *o*ent,not 4!ite ea"% to go in#i"e' I hea " the aint*! *! o $oice#' Then the e &e e oot#te)# a# #o*eone a)) oache" the "oo '

The "octo o)ene" it 5!#t eno!gh #o I co!+" #ee hi# ace -!t not the oo* -ehin" hi*' Hi# g+a##e# ha"#+i" "o&n.Can I co*e in0/ I #te))e" o &a " -!t he he+" the "oo , not +etting *e in#i"e' He )!t !) one inge an""i#a))ea e" o a *o*ent, #h!tting it tight+% -ehin" hi*' The e &a# *o e *! *! ing' I hea " *%athe co!gh' Then the "oo #&!ng o)en again'

The #!ite +oo(e" the #a*e a# it ha" the "a% -e o e, e$e % #! ace #+ic( an" #hine", the &i"e )+ate9g+a## &in"o e3)o#ing the g+ea*ing Cit% -e+o&' B!t a #o! #tench ha" #ett+e" into e$e %thing' That #*e++7o ot an" #&eat7hit *e in an in#tant, #en"ing the -i+e i#ing !) the -ac( o *% th oat' I #&a++o&e" it"o&n, co$e ing *% no#e &ith *% han"'

The "octo #too" in the "oo &a% to *% athe 1# -e" oo*, &aiting o *e to co*e in#i"e' I - o!ght *%#ha&+ to *% ace a# I ente e" the "i* oo*' The c! tain# &e e o)en on+% an inch' A thin #+i$e o +ighte++ ac o## the +oo an" o$e the en" o the -e"' The $ent# -+e& a-o$e *e, *a(ing the oo* ee+

#*a++e , #t! ie , the #&eat a+ ea"% co$e ing the -ac( o *% nec('

M% athe &a# in -e", a# I1" ne$e #een hi*' Hi# na$% )a5a*a# ha" a " ie" %e++o& #tain on the +a)e+' Hi#e%e# &e e ha+ c+o#e", an" hi# #(in ha" a #t ange g a% h!e I1" #een on+% on the "%ing'

I c+o#e" *% e%e# an" et! ne" to the 4!iet o he oo*, to the ti*e I1" o)ene" *% *othe 1# "oo ' She1" -een #+ee)ing, he hea" t! ne" to one #i"e, the - !i#e# #) ea"ing o!t a+ong he hai +ine' B+oo" &a#c !#te" -+ac( a o!n" he no#e' I1" #ta te" to&a " he , &anting to c! + !) in the -e", to ha$e he t!c(he (nee# -eneath *ine the &a% #he a+&a%# "i" &hen #he he+" *e' I c+i*-e" onto the *att e## an" #he

a&o(e, )!#hing -ac( again#t the hea"-oa "' Yo! ha$e to +ea$e, #he #ai", - inging the -+an(et to heace' No&' When #he ina++% #h!t the "oo I hea " the +oc( #ett+e, then the #+o& #c a)e o the chai +eg#,a# #he " agge" it !n"e the "oo (no-'

.I1* "oing e$e %thing I can #o he1# co* o ta-+e,/ the "octo #ai"' He ti+te" hi# hea", &atching a# I"a--e" at *% e%e#' .It ha))ene" +ate +a#t night' It1# +i(e+% a $i !#' It1# not the )+ag!e, tho!gh, I cana##! e %o!'/

I #t!"ie" *% athe 1# +i)#, the #(in -+i#te ing at the co ne # o hi# *o!th' Hi# ace change", hi#

e3) e##ion ten#e a# he #t !gg+e" again#t #o*ething !n#een' I (ne& thi# &a# *% "oing7he &a# h! ting -eca!#e o *e' No&, in the *i"#t o it, I e+t +i(e I &a# #h in(ing into nothingne##' I1" gone into hi# #!itean" )oi#one" hi# *e"ication &hi+e he &aite" o!t#i"e the "oo , thin(ing I &a# #ic(' He e, +i(e thi#, he &a# 5!#t the *an &ho1" +o$e" *% *othe ' Who1" o!n" *e, a te a++ thi# ti*e, to te++ *e that'


24/113

I &ent to hi# #i"e, #ta ing at hi# han"#, the thic( -+!e $ein# -!+ging -eneath the #! ace o hi# #(in' One &a# #t!c( &ith a #*a++ t!-e, the -+oo" #ti++ &et -eneath the c+ea ta)e that he+" it the e' .It1# *e'/ I+eane" in #o he co!+" hea ' .I ca*e to #ee &hat &a# & ong'/

He t! ne" hi# hea" an" o)ene" hi# e%e#, hi# +i)# c! +ing into the ainte#t #*i+e' .

.


25/113

I #t!"ie" he -+oo" e" )o+i#h, the th!*-nai+ that &a# chi))e" in the co ne ' The ta-+e# #! o!n"ing !# &e e e*)t%, -!t nea +% i t% )eo)+e &e e #ti++ on the oo , +inge ing a te +!nch' An o+"e *an &ith i22%g a% hai #at a e& %a "# a&a%, occa#iona++% g+ancing at !#, then -ac( to hi# ne)a)e ' .I &a# !)#et %e#te "a%'/ I #h !gge"' .Yo! #ho!+"n1t ha$e #een &hat %o! "i"'/

She #at o &a ", -oth e+-o on the ta-+e, an" e#te" he ace in he han"#' .I "on1t (no& &hat e+#e Inee" to "o o %o! to t !#t *e' I1$e (e)t e$e % one o %o! #ec et#'/

I &atche" the t&o #o+"ie # -ehin" he ' The%1" o++o&e" !# he e an" &e e no& #itting at a ta-+e in theco ne o the e#ta! ant, eating the tin% t iang!+a #an"&iche# in one -ite' .It1# not that,/ I #ai" 4!iet+%'.I 5!#t can1t'/

The &ait e##, an o+"e &o*an &ith #c atche" g+a##e#, )a!#e" to e i++ o! c!)#' We &e e 4!iet &hi+e #he#too" the e, ho$e ing o$e !#' E$e % #o o ten )eo)+e t! ne" o* thei )+ate# to #ee &hat &e &e e "oing' We +oo(e" co*ica++% o$e " e##e" o +ate9a te noon tea, C+a a in a go&n that #) ea" o!t at the &ai#t,he o nate !-% ea ing# nea +% to!ching he #ho!+"e #' On A+ina1# in#i#tence *% hai &a# "one in c! +#,a -!n"+e o the* )inne" at the na)e o *% nec(' M% na$% go&n &a# #hee at the to), the *e#h #+ee$e#tight a o!n" *% a *#, ) o$i"ing +itt+e e+ie o* the g o&ing co+"' C+a a "i"n1t +oo( at *e, in#tea" &aiting !nti+ the &o*an #ta te" -ac( ac o## the oo '

She t! ne" a&a% o* the e#t o the ta-+e#, #ta ing o!t o$e the Cit%, ca e !+ #o no one &o!+" #ee heace' .Yo!1 e going to +ea$e, a en1t %o!'/ She #ai" it a# a #tate*ent, not a 4!e#tion, he e3) e##ion!n#tea"%'

.I can1t "o thi# no& ' ' '/ I #ta te", -!t *% $oice t ai+e" o a# I &atche" he ' She -it "o&n ha " on one o

he nai+#, t! ning it #i"e&a%#, a# i #he1" i) it o '

.I1* #o a ai"'/ She #ai" it #o +o& I co!+" -a e+% hea he '

So*ething in#i"e o *e - o(e' The% &o!+" a++ -e (i++e" he e i I +e t the*' Mo## &o!+" -ethe on+%one in#i"e the Pa+ace &ho co!+" #to) it, an" e$en then, I &on"e e" i he &o!+"' I co!+"n1t "o thi# again,the con#tant +oo(ing -ac(, i*agining the thing# I co!+" ha$e "one to #a$e the*' I +o&e e" *% hea",e#ting *% inge # on *% - o& to #hie+" *% ace' .We #ho!+"n1t ta+( he e,/ I #ai"'

It &a# #o *!ch ea#ie to +ea$e, &a#n1t it0 I #a& *% athe in *e, that 4!iet, co&a "+% #i"e o hi* thatha"n1t an#&e e" *% *othe 1# +ette #, that ha" +e t !# in that ho!#e, t a))e" -ehin" -a ica"e#, &aitingto "ie' The tho!ght i++e" *e &ith " ea"' He &o!+" -e &ith *e, a )a t o *e a+&a%#, &hethe he +i$e" o"ie"'

.I *ight not -e a-+e to ta(e %o!,/ I *!tte e"' .B!t I1++ -e ce tain %o!1 e #a e'/ I &o!+"n1t +ea$e !nti+Mo## ) o*i#e" the* ) otection7Cha +e#, C+a a, an" he *othe '

C+a a " o))e" he hea" -ac(, +etting he hai a++ a&a% o* he ace' He e%e# &e e g+a##%' .So it i#ha))ening' A++ the !*o # a e t !e'/

.I ) o*i#e I &on1t +et an%thing ha))en to %o!,/ I #ai", !na-+e to con i * it'

.Ho& +ong ha# it -een0/ She #hoo( he hea"' .Di" %o! e$e c!t contact &ith the"i##i"ent#0/


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I +et o!t a - eath, t %ing to #to) the t e*-+ing in *% han"#' .The e1# a contact in the Pa+ace &ho &i++in" %o! &hen it ha))en#' Yo! *othe an" Cha +e#, too' Wait o hi*'/

She +eane" o &a " an" the tea # ca*e a#t, to!ching "o&n on the *a -+e ta-+e' I e#te" *% han" onhe & i#t an" #4!ee2e", t %ing to te++ he e$e %thing !n#ai"' I &on1t +et the* h! t %o!' I &ante" to *o$e*% chai -e#i"e he , to o+" *% a *# a o!n" he #ho!+"e #, )!++ing he to *e' B!t it &a# too i#(% he e'It &o!+" -e too o-$io!# #he &a# c %ing, an" then the e &o!+" -e 4!e#tion#'

I #t!"ie" the &i#)# o ine hai that a+&a%# a*e" C+a a1# ace e$en tho!gh he *othe t ie" "e#)e ate+%to #*ooth the* -ac( &ith hai #) a%' He no#e &a# a +itt+e t! ne" !) at the en"' It co!+" -e *onth# !nti+I &a# -ac( in#i"e the Cit%' I &ante" to i3 he in *% *in" in a &a% I ha"n1t &ith A "en o Pi)' No& the%a))ea e" *o#t $i$i"+% in " ea*#' When I t ie" to e*e*-e #o*ething *o e #)eci ic7a ge#t! e, the#o!n" o thei $oice7I co!+"n1t' It (e)t getting ha "e , the *onth# )a##ing 4!ic(+% &itho!t &o " o*the*' I tho!ght o ta(ing a )hoto o C+a a, *a%-e one o !# that ha" !n in the ne)a)e in the )a#t &ee(#, *% a * th ea"e" th o!gh he # a# &e &a+(e" in the Pa+ace ga "en#'

Tonight, at *% ina+ *eeting &ith Mo##, I1" *a(e #! e the% &e e (e)t #a e'

C+a a #&i)e" he chee(# &ith the -ac(# o he han"#' .Thi# i# going to #o!n" c a2%,/ #he #ta te"'

.T % *e ' ' '/

At that he +i)# t&i#te" into a ha+ #*i+e' .The gi +# *% age &ho &e en1t o )hane" &e e ne$e e3act+%(een on #)en"ing ti*e &ith the King1# niece' The% !#e" to #a% I &a# #t!c(9!)'/

I #*i+e", e*e*-e ing the i #t ti*e I *et C+a a, ho& #he1" gi$en *e a 4!ic(, "i#ce ningonce9o$e ,

a##e##ing *% #hoe#, *% hai , an" *% " e## a# tho!gh it &e e on one o the #ho) *anne4!in#' .Nooo,/ I 5o(e"' .I "on1t -e+ie$e it'/

C+a a #*oothe" "o&n the thin - ai" that he+" -ac( he hai ' .Ma%-e I1* not #o #! ) i#e",/ #he #ai"'.B!t no& I can1t i*agine thing# &itho!t %o!'/

In the "a%# a te the &e""ing, C+a a ha" -een the one &ho1" - o!ght *% *ea+# into the #!ite, &hen Ie !#e" to #ee an%one e+#e' Tho#e i #t &ee(# #he1" ne$e once #)o(en a-o!t Cha +e#, no *atte hot ange it *!#t1$e -een to #ee hi* *a ie", to ha$e to +oo( on an"#*i+e a# he #&o e hi*#e+ to *e'

In#tea" #he c! +e" !) -e#i"e *e, he han" on *% -ac( a# I eco!nte" &hat ha" ha))ene" to Ca+e-'

.I1++ #ee %o! again,/ I #ai", -!t e$en then I (ne& ho& ha " it &o!+" -e'

She &i)e" he e%e#' .Yo!1 e ee+ing -ette 0/ #he a#(e", he ga2e " o))ing o a *o*ent to *%*i"#ection'

.It co*e# an" goe#'/ I t ie" not to +oo( at the ha+ 9eaten #an"&iche# on he )+ate, &he e a )a+e )iece ochic(en +a% e3)o#e", the *eat an" *a%onnai#e ta(ing on a hea$%, #ic(ening #*e++'

.An" Ca+e-0/ #he a#(e"'

I *o$e" *% )+ate to the e"ge o the ta-+e, a&a% o* *e' Late+% I "i"n1t ta+( a-o!t hi* a# *!ch,ea+i2ing it &a# i*)o##i-+e o an%one to !n"e #tan" &hat I e+t' That &a# &hat I e*e*-e e" *o#t


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a-o!t the "a%# a te he "ie"7the o-+igato % Ho& a e %o!0# that &e e e$e %&he e in the Cit%' Mo## an"C+a a ha" a#(e" &ith c+ea intention#, -!t e$en the #i*)+e#t t an#action#7the o)ening o a "oo , the)! cha#e o #o*ething &ithin the Pa+ace *a++7&o!+" e+icit the*, the innocent, ea#% 4!e#tion ta(ing on*o e &eight' With each an#&e I &a# )!#he" ! the into g ie , the #*a++, e*)t% e#)on#e# *a(ing *eee+ *o ea+one in *% +one+ine##'

.That co*e# an" goe#, too,/ I #ai"'

.M% *othe #ai" the%1++ (no& -% tonight,/ C+a a &ent on' .A-o!t the King'/

She )a!#e", &aiting o *% e)+%, -!t I 5!#t #hoo( *% hea"' .I can1t "i#c!## it,/ I &hi#)e e", *% ga2e"a ting ac o## the oo ' Both #o+"ie # &e e #tan"ing no&, thei han"# #hie+"ing thei e%e# a# the% +oo(e"o!t, o$e the Cit%' A e& )eo)+e at the #! o!n"ing ta-+e# o#e o* thei chai #, t %ing to #ee &hat the%#a&'

I o++o&e" thei ga2e -e%on" the &a++' In the "&in"+ing +ight it &a# ha " to "eci)he , -!t one )ointe" toan a ea o #an"9co$e e" -!i+"ing#' The a"io at hi# -e+t c ac(+e"' Fo the i #t ti*e I notice" that the to)o the St ato#)he e to&e ha" change"co+o #, a e", )!+#ing +ight a))ea ing at the ti) o the nee"+e'

So*ething -et&een the -!i+"ing# *o$e"' The #ha"o on the g o!n" change" a# the *en "a te" o*one -!i+"ing to the ne3t' The% co!+"n1t ha$e -een *o e than a ha+ 9*i+e-e%on" the Cit%' Ma%-e +e##' I+eane" in, t %ing to a+e t C+a a, &hen the i #t #hot# #o!n"e"' An e3)+o#ion &ent o on the othe #i"e othe &a++, the #*o(e -+ac(, -i++o&ing !) in a thic(, i))+ing #t ea*'

The &o*an -e#i"e !# )ointe" to the #o!the n O!t+an"#' Fig! e# "a te" "o&n the #t eet, #canning the -!i+"ing# o #o+"ie #' E$en o* !) high &e co!+" #ee thei a *# o!t#t etche" an" hea the )o))ing#o!n" o g!n i e a# the% *o$e" #&i t+% to&a " the cente o the Cit%' .The% a e in#i"e the &a++#,/ #he#ai"' .The%1$e gotten in#i"e'/

.That1# i*)o##i-+e,/ a *an -ehin" !# e#)on"e"' C+a a t! ne" to *e, #ea ching *% ace' I (ne& &hat#he &a# a#(ing' We e the e *o e t!nne+# +i(e the one Ca+e- ha" -een &o (ing on0 Wa# the e a &a% toget )a#t the &a++, "e#)ite &hat e$e %one tho!ght0 I no""e", a -a e+% )e ce)ti-+e %e#'

One #o+"ie *o$e" to the othe #i"e o the oo , -+oc(ing the e3it' The )eo)+e in the e#ta! ant &e eee i+% #ti++' A &o*an ha" o2en in the *i"#t o he con$e #ation, he +i)# #+ight+% )a te", he c!))e che" in the ai '

.So*eone he+) *e,/ the #o+"ie #ai", )ointing to the #e $ing ca t# an" ta-+e# #! o!n"ing the e3it' .Weha$e to *o$e the#e'/

He " agge" a ta-+e in ont o the #tai &e++ "oo #, -+oc(ing the on+% ent ance' B!t it &a#n1t !nti+ theothe #o+"ie #)o(e that an%one *o$e"'

.Co*e on, )eo)+e?/ he #ai", ai#ing hi# $oice to a %e++' .Can1t %o! #ee &hat1# ha))ening0 The Cit% i#

!n"e attac('/


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NINE

AN HOUR PASSED' THE AIR SMELLED OF SMOKE' FROM THE ROOFTOP &e co!+" #ee a i e#) ea"ing in the O!t+an"#, 5!#t -e%on" the o+" ai )+ane hanga #' Mo e e-e+# ha" *a"e it into the Cit%,ighting a+ong &ith the o))o#ition in#i"e' Sc ea*# o#e !) o* the *ain oa"' I (e)t *% e%e# on the#t eet# -e+o&, &atching )eo)+e "a t into -!i+"ing#, #o*e t %ing to *a(e it "o&n the St i), -ac( to thei

a)a t*ent#' E3)+o#ion# #o!n"e" a+ong the &a++' The at9tat9tat o *achine g!n# &a# #o con#tant I no+onge +inche"'

.Yo! #ai" &e ha" ti*e #ti++,/ C+a a &hi#)e e"' He han" &a# c+!tching *% & i#t, he inge # "igging in*% #(in a# &e +oo(e" o$e the Cit%'

.I tho!ght &e "i"'/ M% $oice &a# #t ange+% ca+*' The #o+"ie # e !#e" to +et !# *o$e the ta-+e# #tac(e"again#t the #tai &e++ "oo #, -+oc(ing the oo 1# on+% ent ance' Mo#t o the )eo)+e #too" at the ai+ing, &atching the ighting' Not *an% #)o(e' A &o*an ha" )!++e" o!t a ca*e a an" &a# ta(ing )ict! e#,)hotog a)hing the +a*e# that con#!*e" a &a eho!#e in the O!t+an"#'

:!n#hot# #o!n"e" #o*e&he e in the #o!the n )a t o the Cit%, &he e i e# -! ne", thei +a*e# ! ge"on -% the &in"' The e &e e h!n" e"# o!t#i"e the gate# no&, a g eat *a## o )eo)+e, i ing !) at the#o+"ie # #tatione" a+ong the &a++1# &atchto&e #' F o* &he e &e &e e &e co!+" #ee 5!#t a #+i$e o theno th gate an" the #!""en +a#h o e3)+o#ion# -e%on" it' The #i+ho!ette# -+en"e" togethe in theg o&ing "a (ne##, one in"i#ting!i#ha-+e o* the ne3t'

The o+"e *an &ith &hite hai &a# #itting &ith hi# -ac( h!nche", hi# a *# o+"e" on the ai+ing' Anothe *an, no *o e than o t%, #too" -e#i"e !#' .The%1++ ne$e *a(e it th o!ghthe gate#,/ he #ai"'.The e &a# an attac( i$e %ea # ago' A gang *a"e -o*-# &ithga#o+ine' It *!#t1$e -! ne" o an enti e"a%7the &ho+e no th en" o the &a++ &a# con#!*e"' E$en the% co!+"n1t get )a#t' Whate$e iot# a egoing on in the O!t+an"# #ho!+" -e cont o++e" &ithin a co!)+e o ho! #' No nee" to -e ightene"'/ He -o&e" #+ight+%, hi# e3) e##ion #o ea ne#t, a# i he a+one ha" the )o&e to ea##! e !#'

I t! ne" -ac(, t %ing to catch a g+i*)#e o the #o!the n en" o the &a++, &he e one o the e*ainingt!nne+# +a%' The *an &a# & ong7the e-e+# &o!+" *a(e it into the Cit%, i the% ha"n1t a+ ea"%' Mo##

ha" "e#c i-e" it in "etai+6 ho& the no th gate &o!+" -e attac(e" i #t, then, once the #o+"ie # ha" -eenca++e" to that e"ge o the &a++, anothe &a$e o e-e+# &o!+" *o$e th o!gh one o the e*aining t!nne+#an" into the O!t+an"#, - inging in a""itiona+ #!))+ie#' No& that the #iege ha" #ta te", I co!+"n1t -ece tain &hen the e-e+# &o!+" each the Cit% cente ' B!t i &e &e en1t -ac( in the Pa+ace, &ith Mo##, &hen the% #&e)t th o!gh, &e1" -oth -e "ea"'

I #ta te" to&a " the e3it, )!++ing C+a a &ith *e' .We nee" to +ea$e,/ I &hi#)e e" to he ' .I "on1t (no&ho& *!ch ti*e &e ha$e'/

A #*a++ c o&" ha" o *e" -% the e3it, )e))e ing the #o+"ie # &ith 4!e#tion#' A #ho t &o*an #too" inont o the*, he han"# ge#t! ing antica++%' No& that the #!n ha" #et, #he1" -o o&e" a #ho t e"

5ac(et o* the &aiting #ta to (ee) &a *' .B!t I ha$e to go,/ #he #ai", he $oice !ne$en' .M% #on# a e 5!#t t&o -+oc(# #o!th o he e' What i the e-e+# *a(e it th o!gh the gate0 What &i++ &e "o then0/


29/113

.The% &on1t *a(e it th o!gh the gate'/ The #o+"ie 1# hea" &a# co*)+ete+% #ha$e"' The #(in at the -ac(o hi# nec( ca*e togethe in thic(, )in( o+"#' .We1 e *o e conce ne" ight no& &iththe "i##i"ent# in#i"e the Cit%' It1# #a e he e than "o&n on the #t eet'/

Th ee *en #too" -e#i"e he , +i#tening' One eache" o$e the #o+"ie 1# a * an" )!#he" atthe to)o the *eta+ "oo , #eeing i it &o!+" gi$e' .:et -ac(?/ the othe #o+"ie %e++e"' He %an(e" the co++a othe *an1# #hi t, )!++ing hi* a&a%'

The *an #t !gg+e" ee o the #o+"ie 1# g i)' .We ha$e a*i+ie# &e nee" to get to' What i# it to %o! i &e &ant to +ea$e0/

.The%1 e ight,/ I #ai"' .Ho& +ong a e &e e3)ecte" to #ta% !) he e0/

The hea$% #o+"ie g+ance" #i"e&a%# at hi# co++eag!e' .The#e &e e %o! athe 1# o "e #'/ He +oo(e" +e##ce tain no&, a# a e& othe # *o$e" to&a " the e3it' .The% nee" )eo)+e o the oa" #o the


30/113

It &a# 4!iet a# &e #)i a+e" "o&n the #tai &e++, &atching o! eet, o! #te)# echoing on the conc ete' Ano+"e *an #to))e" in ont o *e, )anting, hi# han"# on hi# (nee#' A e& )eo)+e "a te" )a#t hi*, nea +%(noc(ing hi* o &a " a# the% "i"' .It1# a++ ight,/ I #ai", ta(ing hi* -% the a *' .One at a ti*e'/

We contin!e" "o&n !nti+ the #tai &e++ #)it !# o!t on the -otto* +oo o the eno$ate" hote+' The#) a&+ing +o--% &a# e*)t%' The o+" ga*ing *achine# &e e co$e e" &ith #heet#' Each e#ta! ant &a#c+o#e", "oo a te "oo +oc(e"' The c o&" "i#)e #e" th o!gh the *a2e o ha++&a%#, t %ing the "i e ente3it# &hi+e I &aite" o C+a a' .Than( %o!, P ince##,/ the o+"e *an #ai" a# he #ta te" th o!gh one o the"a ( ha++#' I &atche" hi* go !nti+ he &a# a tin% #)ec(, #&a++o&e" -% "a (ne##'

The #i+ence te i ie" *e' Be%on" the g+a## "oo # the *ain oa" &a# "e#o+ate e3ce)t o a +one,)a##ing


31/113

I g+ance" at the #(%, &atching the #*o(e i#e !) in a ha2e, -+an(eting the #ta #' The e &a# an o angeg+o& co*ing o* the no th, &he e the i e# g e& in the O!t+an"#' T&o g!n#hot# #o!n"e" in#!cce##ion, then a &o*an1# #c ea*'

.Whe e i# that #ho)0/ I a#(e" C+a a, h! %ing o!t ahea" o he ' I +oo(e" to the ea#t, &he e the #i"e#t eet# o)ene" !) to #to e# an" e#ta! ant#' .We )a##e" it one "a% &hi+e &e &e e &a+(ing, an" %o! #ai"e$e %one -o!ght c+othe# the e'/

.It1# 5!#t anothe -+oc('/ She )ointe" to the co ne ten %a "# ahea"' I #)e" !), !nning a# a#t a# I co!+"in the +ong #(i t, the t!++e !n"e )inning #c atching at *% +eg#' I "i"n1t #to) !nti+ I1" t! ne" onto the4!iet #i"e #t eet' The #ho) &a# 5!#t t&o "oo # in o* the oa"' I t ie" the "oo -!t it "i"n1t gi$e'

.The oc(#,/ I #ai", )ointing to the -!#he# that +ine" the *ain #t i)' The% &e e )+ante" -e#i"ethe #i"e&a+(, the "i t #! o!n"e" -% hea$% #tone#' .Pa## *e one'/

C+a a o!n" a +a ge oc( -% the -a#e o the oot# an" han"e" it to *e' I ai*e" at the cente o theg+a## "oo , +a!nching it th o!gh the &in"o& 5!#t a-o$e the han"+e' The g+a###hatte e" a o!n" it,#)+inte e" an" &hite, +i(e c !#he" ice' The a+a * #o!n"e", an e+ect ic ho&+ #o +o!" I e+t the $i- ation#in *% che#t' I !n+oc(e" the "oo an" an in#i"e, to&a " the -ac(, &he e #hi t# h!ng on a ac('

C+a a !n2i))e" the -ac( o *% go&n, he+)ing *e o!t o it' I )!++e" a -+ac( -+o!#e o the ac(, then#o*e t o!#e #' C+a a " e##e" 4!ic(+%, g a--ing anothe #hi t o* a hange an" #+i))ing on a )ai o#hoe#' A# #he (ne+t "o&n to tie the*, the a+a * contin!e" it# ho i-+e &ai+' I +oo(e" o!t the #hatte e""oo , #ca e" it &o!+" " a& attention, -!t on+% one )e #on "a te" )a#t' The% ha "+% g+ance" at the #to ea# the% an'

.The#e too,/ I #ai", g a--ing t&o hat# o* a ta-+e on o! &a% o!t' We )!++e" the* "o&n o$e o! e%e#an" i**e"iate+% I e+t *o e at ea#e, #te))ing -ac( onto the *ain oa"'

We an in #i+ence, o! hea"# "o&n, #ta ing at the )a$e*ent' Mo e g!n i e co!+" -e hea " #o*e&he e inthe no th, then an e3)+o#ion that c ac(e" an" o++e" +i(e th!n"e , #ha(inge$e %thing a o!n" !#' A &o*an an !) the *ain oa", co$e ing he ea # &ith he han"#' An o+"e *an &a# ight -ehin" he , hi# 5ac(et -+ac( &ith "i t, hi# ight )ant +eg i))e" at the (nee' The% #+o&e" "o&n a# the% )a##e"' The &o*an )ointe" o$e he #ho!+"e ' .The%1 e co*ing !) o* the #o!th,/ #he %e++e"' .The e a e h!n" e"#

o the*' Bo%# o* the ca*)#, too'/

The *an +inge e" at the co ne o a *o*ent, hi# &i e1# han" c+!tche" in hi#' .:oo" +!c( to %o! -oth'/

A i e ha" #ta te" in an o+" &a eho!#e' B+ac( #*o(e i))+e" !) o* a - o(en &in"o&, the ai #ha ) &ith the #*e++ o -! ne" )+a#tic' I &atche" the -en" in the oa" a# &e an, &aiting o the Pa+ace toa))ea -e%on" it' I co!+" hea C+a a1# - eath# -ehin" *e an" the "!++ #o!n" o he #hoe# on the)a$e*ent' S+o&+% it ca*e into $ie&' The +ight# -e+o& the #tat!e# ha" -een t! ne" o ,the #i+ho!ette# 5!#t $i#i-+e again#t the t ee#' The o!ntain# &e e #ti++' Do2en# o #o+"ie # +ine" the no th

en" o the *a++, the


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a)) oache"' .It1# :ene$ie$e,/ I #ai"' I )!++e" o *% hat, e$ea+ing *% ace' .C+a a an" I &e e t a))e" onthe othe en" o the oa"'/

One o the #o+"ie # )!++e" a +a#h+ight o* hi# -e+t, !nning it o$e the -+ac( )ant# an" -+o!#e# &e1"#to+en o* the #to e' He e#te" it o a *o*ent on *% ace, an" I #4!inte" again#t the +ighte" -ea*'.O! a)o+ogie#, P ince##,/ I hea " hi* #a%, e)eating it a# the ig! e# an to&a " !#' .We "i"n1tecogni2e %o! in tho#e c+othe#'/

The% e#co te" !# on -oth #i"e#, - inging !# into the Pa+ace1# *ain +oo , &he e the *a -+e #tat!e##too", the &o*en1# a *# ai#e" to the cei+ing in g eeting' B!t e$en a te &e &e e in the e+e$ato , i#inga-o$e the Cit%, the e &a# no #en#e o e+ie ' I tho!ght on+% o Mo##, o the a *% co*ing o* theco+onie#, &on"e ing &hen an" ho& I1" e#ca)e'

I SAT ON THE ED:E OF THE BATHTUB, THE RADIO IN MY HANDS' I1" co$e e" the #*a++ #)ea(e &ith a to&e+, a ai" Cha +e# &o!+" hea it o* the -e" oo*' He1" -een on a #ite in the O!t+an"# &henthe #iege -egan an" &a# ta(en -ac( in a go$e n*ent ca ' A -o%, no *o e than #i3teen, ha" th o&n a+a*ing -ott+e at a


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I he+" the a"io in *% han"#, not 4!ite -e+ie$ing it' The co+onie# &e en1t co*ing' In one "a%, &ith one"eci#ion, the e-e+# ha" +o#t tho!#an"# o #o+"ie #' What "i" thi# *ean o tho#e &ho1" a+ ea"% -eg!nighting0 What "i" thi# *ean o e$e %one in#i"e the Cit% &a++#0 Mo## ha" -een #o con i"ent the%1"co*e, that the%1" ) o$i"e the ina+ )!#h nee"e" to #ec! e the Cit%' E$e %thing #ee*e" +e## ce tain no&'

I #at the e, &aiting to ee+ #o*ething, an%thing, -!t *% in#i"e# e+t ho++o& an" co+"' M% han"# &e en!*- a# I #et the a"io "o&n' M% ) egnanc% #o*eti*e# #ee*e" *o e +i(e a con#tant, a++9con#!*ing#ic(ne## than a chi+" g o&ing in#i"e *e' B!t #ince the #iege -egan I ha"n1t e+t the hea$% na!#ea' Mo ethan eight ho! # ha" )a##e"' M% #to*ach &a#n1t ten#e an" t&i#te"' I "i"n1t ee+ an%thing, an" thatnothingne## #ca e" *e' The "octo 1# &o "# (e)t co*ing -ac( to *e' He1" #ai" it &a# #ti++ )o##i-+e to+o#e the chi+", that #t e## an" #t ain co!+" ca!#e it a++ to go a&a%'

I #too", *% (nee# +ight, an" &ent to the -ac( o the -ath oo*' Ste))ing onto the e"ge o the t!-, I co!+" 5!#t each the #*a++ *eta+ $ent nea the cei+ing' I1" ta(en one o the #c e o!t o the -otto* othe ci c!+a g ate, &hich no& #+i" to the ight, a o!n" an" !), +ea$ing oo* to each *% han" in' I)!++e" o!t the )+a#tic -ag ne#t+e" in the -ac( o the $ent' The g a% T9#hi t &a# -a++e" !) in#i"e it, #ec! e

in it# o&n #ec et )o!ch'

I he+" it in *% han"#, ee+ing the i))e" he* a+ong the -otto*, the tag that h!ng on -% a e& +oo#e#titche#, the +ette C in(e" in' Thi# *ight -e the +a#t thing I ha" o Ca+e-7the on+% ) oo he1" e3i#te" ata++' It #ee*e" #o #*a++ an" )athetic no&, #o *o*enta %' The th ea" &a# a+ ea"% co*ing a)a t at the#ea*#'

That &o "7+o#e7 e+t hea$ie than it e$e ha" -e o e' What i , a te &ee(# o ha$ing the-a-% &itho!t(no&ing, I1" a+ ea"% +o#t it0 Fo the i #t ti*e #ince I1" o!n" o!t a-o!t the ) egnanc% I &a# )!++e"

!n"e -% g ie , the (in" that too( ho+" o *e #!""en+% in the &ee(# a te Ca+e-1# "eath' Ho&e$e ha " it &o!+" -e to ha$e a chi+" -e%on" the Cit% &a++#, I &ante" it7it &a# a )a t o *e, o !#' An" &ithin a e&"a%#, #he &h% "i" I thin( it &a# a #he0 &o!+" -e the on+% a*i+% I ha"'

I co!+"n1t +o#e an% *o e' The e &a# #o +itt+e a+ ea"% o *e to ho+" on to' Mo## &a# gone' Ca+e- &a#"ea"' Within "a%# it &o!+" -e o$e , the Cit%, C+a a, an" the Pa+ace ece"ing -ehin" *e !nti+ I &a# -ac(in the &i+", a+one, &aiting ho& +ong7*onth#0 %ea #07to -e ca++e" -ac(' She &a# a++ I ha" +e t'

P+ea#e, I tho!ght, &i#hing o the i #t ti*e in "a%# that the #ic(ne## &o!+" co*e -ac(, that I &o!+" ee+

#o*ething7an%thing7again' I "i"n1t &ant to +o#e he ' I "i"n1t &ant to +o#e the )o##i-i+it% o &hat #he &o!+" -e, o &hat I co!+" -e o he ' I co!+"n1t no&' E$e % ti*e I )!#he" the i"ea o!t o *% hea" itet! ne", !nti+ I o!n" *%#e+ #itting on the &in"oi++, the T9#hi t in *% han"#' I ) e##e" the thina- ic to *% ace, t %ing to cont o+ *% - eath, -!t each one ca!ght #o*e&he e in#i"e *e' I #ta%e" the e+i(e that, in the 4!iet o the oo*, o ho! #, -a e+% a-+e to o ce hi# na*e )a#t *% +i)#6 .Ca+e-'/


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ELEVEN

.THE LIEUTENANT SAID THE SOLDIERS OUTNUMBER THEM th ee to one'/ A!nt Ro#e )!#he" heegg# a o!n" he )+ate, ) o""ing the* a+ong &ith he o (' It &a# the i #t ti*e I1" #een he &itho!t*a(e!)' The #(in -eneath he e%e# &a# a "!++ -+!e, he +a#he# -a e+% $i#i-+e'

.What *atte # i# &e1 e #a e he e,/ Cha +e# #ai"' .The e a e a h!n" e" #o+"ie # #! o!n"ing the Pa+ace,*a%-e *o e' No one i# getting into the to&e '/ He g+ance" #i"e&a%# at *e a# he #ai" it, a# i I

co!+" con i * it# t !th'

I #ta e" "o&n at the thin )iece o - ea" on *% )+ate an" the #*a++ )i+e o egg# -e#i"e it' M% a))etite ha"gone, -!t I #ti++ e+t nothing' M% athe ha" -een too i++ to #)ea( &ith *e the night -e o e, -!t theLie!tenant ha" a##! e" e$e %one the #iege &o!+" -e #!)) e##e" &ithin a "a% o t&o' The% &e e a+ ea"%ationing, tho!gh' No #!))+% t !c(# co!+" co*e in o* the O!t+an"#, #o the (itchen# ha" -een +oc(e"'One o the Pa+ace &o (e #, an o+"e , #)in"+% &o*an &ith g+a##e#, ha" -een gi$en the !n o t!nate ta#(o an#&e ing e4!e#t#'

We #at the e, )!#hing the oo" a o!n" o! )+ate#, +i#tening to the #o!n"# o the Cit% -e+o&' Theg!n#hot# co!+" #ti++ -e hea ", e$en o* the to) o the Pa+ace to&e ' E$e % no& an" then the ighting &a# inte !)te" -% a 4!ic(, ho++o& )o) that ai#e" goo#e -!*)# on *% a *#'

C+a a - o(e the #i+ence, he $oice tentati$e' .Ho& i# he0/ She "i"n1t "a e +oo( at *e a# #he #ai" it'

Ro#e (e)t he e%e# on he oo", +etting the o ( e#t o a *o*ent on the e"g

rise- anna carey

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