shan, darren - cirque du freak - a living nightmare.doc

8/10/2019 Shan, Darren - Cirque Du Freak - A Living Nightmare.doc

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I st#ted w%th tht tle #om the $st o# two #esons. 5ne w%ll &ecome o&+%ous s th%s &oo)

unolds. The othe# #eson %s0

This is a true story.

I don't e6$ect !ou to &el%e+e me 4 I wouldn't &el%e+e %t m!sel % I hdn't l%+ed %t 4 &ut %t%s. E+e#!th%n" I desc#%&e %n th%s &oo) h$$ened( 7ust s I tell %t.

The th%n" &out #el l%e %s( when !ou do someth%n" stu$%d( %t no#mll! costs !ou. In &oo)s(

the he#oes cn m)e s mn! m%st)es s the! l%)e. It doesn't mtte# wht the! do( &ecusee+e#!th%n" wo#)s out %n the end. The!'ll &et the &d "u!s nd $ut th%n"s #%"ht nd

e+e#!th%n" ends u$ cool.

In #el l%e( +cuum clene#s )%ll s$%de#s. I !ou c#oss &us! #od w%thout loo)%n"( !ou "etwhc)ed &! c#. I !ou ll out o t#ee( !ou e) some &ones.

Rel l%e's nst!. It's c#uel. It doesn't c#e &out he#oes nd h$$! end%n"s nd the w!

th%n"s should &e. In #el l%e( &d th%n"s h$$en. Peo$le d%e. F%"hts #e lost. E+%l oten w%ns.

I 7ust wnted to m)e tht cle# &eo#e I &e"n.

5ne mo#e th%n"0 m! nme %sn't #ell! D##en Shn. E+e#!th%n"'s t#ue %n th%s &oo)(excepto# nmes. I'+e hd to chn"e them &ecuse 8 well( &! the t%me !ou "et to the end( !ou'llunde#stnd.

I h+en't usedany#el nmes( not m%ne( m! s%ste#'s( m! #%ends( o# teche#s. No&od!'s. I'mnot e+en "o%n" to tell !ou the nme o m! town o# count#!. I don't d#e.

An!w!( tht's enou"h o n %nt#oduct%on. I !ou'#e #ed!( let's &e"%n. I th%s we#e mde*u$ sto#!( %t would &e"%n t n%"ht( w%th sto#m &low%n" nd owls hoot%n" nd #ttl%n" no%ses

unde# the &ed. But th%s %s #el sto#!( so I h+e to &e"%n whe#e %t #ell! st#ted.

It st#ted %n to%let.


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IWAS IN T1E BAT1R553t school( s%tt%n" down on the to%let( humm%n" son". I hd m!

$nts on. I'd come %n ne# the end o En"l%sh clss( eel%n" s%c). 3! teche#( 3#. Dlton( %s

"#et &out th%n"s l%)e tht. 1e's sm#t nd )nows when !ou'#e )%n" nd when !ou'#e&e%n" se#%ous. 1e too) one loo) t me when I #%sed m! hnd nd s%d I ws %ll( thennodded h%s hed nd told me to "o to the &th#oom.

9Th#ow u$ whte+e#'s m)%n" !ou s%c)( D##en(9 he s%d( 9then "et !ou# &eh%nd &c) %nhe#e.9

I w%sh e+e#! teche# ws s unde#stnd%n" s 3#. Dlton.

In the end( I d%dn't "et s%c)( &ut st%ll elt 2ues!( so I st!ed on the to%let. I he#d the &ell

#%n" o# the end o clss nd e+e#!&od! cme #ush%n" out on the%# lunch e). I wnted to

7o%n them &ut )new 3#. Dlton would &e n"#! % he sw me %n the !#d so soon. 1e doesn't"et md % !ou t#%c) h%m &ut he "oes 2u%et nd won't s$e) to !ou o# wh%le( nd tht's

lmost wo#se thn &e%n" shouted t.

So( the#e I ws( humm%n"( wtch%n" m! wtch( w%t%n". Then I he#d someone cll%n" m!

nme.

9D##en- 1e!( D##en- 1+e !ou llen %n o# wht:9

I "#%nned. It ws Ste+e Leo$#d( m! &est #%end. Ste+e's #el lst nme ws Leon#d( &ute+e#!one clled h%m Ste+e Leo$#d. And not 7ust &ecuse the nmes sound l%)e. Ste+e

used to &e wht m! mom clls 9 w%ld ch%ld.9 1e #%sed hell whe#e+e# he went( "ot %nto%"hts( stole #om sto#es. 5ne d! 4 he ws st%ll %n st#olle# 4 he ound sh#$ st%c) nd

$#odded $ss%n" women w%th %t ;no $#%,es o# "uess%n" whe#e he stuc) %t-


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9No(9 I s%d.

9Do !ou th%n) !ou'#e "onn:9

93!&e(9 I s%d. Then I lened o#w#d ll o sudden nd mde s%c) no%se. Bluu#"h-But Ste+e Leo$#d )new me too well to &e ooled.

9/%+e m! &oots $ol%sh wh%le !ou'#e down the#e(9 he s%d( nd lu"hed when I $#etendedto s$%t on h%s shoes nd #u& them w%th sheet o to%let $$e#.

9D%d I m%ss n!th%n" %n clss:9 I s)ed( s%tt%n" u$.

9Nh(9 he s%d. 9The usul c#$.9

9D%d !ou do !ou# h%sto#! homewo#):9 I s)ed.

9It doesn't h+e to &e done unt%l tomo##ow( does %t:9 he s)ed( "ett%n" wo##%ed. Ste+e's

lw!s o#"ett%n" &out homewo#).

9The d! te# tomo##ow(9 I told h%m.

95h(9 he s%d( #el6%n". 9E+en &ette#. I thou"ht 89

1e sto$$ed nd #owned. 91old on(9 he s%d. 9Tod!'s Thu#sd!. The d! te# tomo##owwould &e 89

9/ot !ou-9 I !elled( $unch%n" h%m on the shoulde#.

95w-9 he shouted. 9Tht hu#t.9 1e #u&&ed h%s #m &ut I could tell he wsn't #ell! hu#t.

9A#e !ou com%n" out:9 he s)ed then.

9I thou"ht I'd st! %n he#e nd dm%#e the +%ew(9 I s%d( len%n" &c) on the to%let set.

9=u%t 7o)%n"(9 he s%d. 9We we#e down %+e*one when I cme %n. We'#e $#o&&l! s%6 o#se+en down now. We need !ou.9 1e ws tl)%n" &out socce#. We $l! "me e+e#!

luncht%me. 3! tem no#mll! w%ns &ut we'd lost lot o ou# &est $l!e#s. D+e 3o#"n

o)e h%s le". Sm Wh%te t#nse##ed to nothe# school when h%s m%l! mo+ed. And Dnn!

Cu#t%n hd sto$$ed $l!%n" socce# %n o#de# to s$end lunch hn"%n" out w%th She%l Le%"h(the "%#l he l%)es. Id%ot-

I'm ou# &est o#w#d. The#e #e &ette# deende#s nd m%d%elde#s( nd Tomm! >ones %s the&est "ol)ee$e# %n the whole school. But I'm the onl! one who cn stnd u$ #ont nd sco#e

ou# o# %+e t%mes d! w%thout %l.

95)!(9 I s%d( stnd%n". 9I'll s+e !ou. I'+e sco#ed ht t#%c) e+e#! d! th%s wee). It would

&e $%t! to sto$ now.9


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We $ssed the olde# "u!s smo)%n" #ound the s%n)s s usul nd hu##%ed to m! loc)e# so Icould chn"e %nto m! clets. I used to h+e "#et $%#( wh%ch I won %n w#%t%n"

com$et%t%on. But the lces sn$$ed ew months "o nd the #u&&e# lon" the s%des st#ted

to ll o. And then m! eet "#ew- The $%# I h+e now #e o)!( &ut the!'#e not the sme.

We we#e down e%"ht*th#ee when I "ot on the %eld. It wsn't #el %eld( 7ust lon" st#etch

o "#ss w%th $%nted "ol$osts t e%the# end. Whoe+e# $%nted them ws totl %d%ot. 1e

$ut the c#oss too h%"h t one end nd too low t the othe#-

9Ne+e# e#( 1otshot Shn %s he#e-9 I shouted s I #n onto the %eld. A lot o $l!e#s

lu"hed o# "#oned( &ut I could see m! temmtes $%c)%n" u$ nd ou# o$$onents "#ow%n"wo##%ed.

I mde "#et st#t nd sco#ed two "ols %ns%de m%nute. It loo)ed l%)e we m%"ht come

&c) to d#w o# w%n. But t%me #n out. I I'd ##%+ed e#l%e# we'd h+e &een o)!( &ut the&ell #n" 7ust s I ws h%tt%n" m! st#%de( so we lost n%ne*se+en.

As we we#e le+%n" the %eld( Aln 3o##%s #n tow#d us( $nt%n" nd #ed*ced. The!'#em! th#ee &est #%ends0 Ste+e Leo$#d( Tomm! >ones( nd Aln 3o##%s. We must &e the

we%#dest ou# $eo$le %n the whole wo#ld( &ecuse onl! one o us Ste+e hs n%c)nme.

9Loo) wht I ound-9 Aln !elled( w+%n" so""! $%ece o $$e# #ound unde# ou# noses.

9Wht %s %t:9 Tomm! s)ed( t#!%n" to "#& %t.

9It's 89 Aln &e"n( &ut sto$$ed when 3#. Dlton shouted t us.

9You ou#- Ins%de-9 he #o#ed.

9We'#e com%n"( 3#. Dlton-9 Ste+e #o#ed &c). Ste+e %s 3#. Dlton's +o#%te nd "ets

w! w%th stu tht the #est o us couldn't do. L%)e when he uses swe#wo#ds somet%mes %nh%s sto#%es. I I $ut %n some o the wo#ds Ste+e hs( I'd h+e &een )%c)ed out lon" "o.

But 3#. Dlton hs sot s$ot o# Ste+e( &ecuse he's s$ec%l. Somet%mes he's %ll%nt %nclss nd "ets e+e#!th%n" #%"ht( wh%le othe# t%mes he cn't e+en s$ell h%s own nme. 3#.

Dlton s!s he's somewht o nidiot savant( wh%ch men he's stu$%d "en%us-

An!w!( e+en thou"h he's 3#. Dlton's $et( not e+en Ste+e cn "et w! w%th show%n" u$lte o# clss. So whte+e# Aln hd( %t would h+e to w%t. We t#ud"ed &c) to clss(

swet! nd t%#ed te# the "me( nd &e"n ou# ne6t lesson.

L%ttle d%d I )now tht Aln's m!ste#%ous $%ece o $$e# ws to chn"e m! l%e o#e+e#. Fo#

the wo#se-


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WE 1AD 3R. DALT5N"%n te# lunch( o# h%sto#!. We we#e stud!%n" Wo#ld W# II. I

wsn't too e6c%ted &out %t( &ut Ste+e thou"ht %t ws "#et. 1e lo+ed n!th%n" to do w%th)%ll%n" nd w#. 1e oten s%d he wnted to &e sold%e# o o#tune one who %"hts o#

mone! when he "#ew u$. And he ment %t-

We hd mth te# h%sto#!( nd %nc#ed%&l! 3#. Dlton o# th%#d t%me- 5u# usul mth

teche# ws out s%c)( so othe#s hd &een %ll%n" %n o# h%m s &est the! could ll d!.

Ste+e ws %n se+enth he+en. 1%s +o#%te teche#( th#ee clsses %n #ow- It ws the %#stt%me we'd hd 3#. Dlton o# mth( so Ste+e st#ted show%n" o( tell%n" h%m whe#e we

we#e %n the &oo)( e6$l%n%n" some o the t#%c)%e# $#o&lems s thou"h s$e)%n" to ch%ld.3#. Dlton d%dn't m%nd. 1e ws used to Ste+e nd )new e6ctl! how to hndle h%m.

No#mll! 3#. Dlton #uns t%"ht sh%$ h%s clsses #e un &ut we lw!s come out o them

h+%n" le#ned someth%n" &ut he wsn't +e#! "ood t mth. 1e t#%ed h#d &ut we could tellhe ws %n o+e# h%s hed( nd wh%le he ws &us! t#!%n" to come to "#%$s w%th th%n"s h%s hed

&u#%ed %n the mth &oo)( Ste+e &! h%s s%de m)%n" 9hel$ul9 su""est%ons the #est o us

&e"n to %d"et nd wh%s$e# to ech othe# nd $ss notes #ound.

I sent note to Aln( s)%n" to see the m!ste#%ous $%ece o $$e# he'd ou"ht %n. 1e

#eused t %#st to $ss %t #ound( &ut I )e$t send%n" notes nd %nll! he "+e %n. Tomm! s%ts

7ust two sets o+e# #om h%m( so he "ot %t %#st. 1e o$ened %t u$ nd &e"n stud!%n" %t. 1%sce l%t u$ wh%le he ws #ed%n" nd h%s 7w slowl! d#o$$ed. When he $ssed %t on to me

h+%n" #ed %t th#ee t%mes I soon sw wh!.

It ws l!e#( n d+e#t%s%n" $m$hlet o# some so#t o t#+el%n" c%#cus. The#e ws

$%ctu#e o wol's hed t the to$. The wol hd %ts mouth o$en nd sl%+ ws d#%$$%n"

#om %ts teeth. At the &ottom we#e $%ctu#es o s$%de# nd sn)e( nd the! loo)ed +%c%ous(too.

>ust &eneth the wol( %n &%" #ed c$%tl lette#s( we#e the wo#ds0


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CIRQUE DU FREAK

Underneath that, in smaller writing:

FOR ONE EE! ON"# $%R&UE 'U FRE(!))

*EE:

*%+E (N' *EER*( TE T%*T%N- T%N*)

TE *N(!E/O#) TE O"F0(N) -ERT( TEET)

"(RTEN $RE1*"E# (N' %* 1ERFOR0%N- *1%'ER

0('(0 O$T() ("E2(N'ER R%/*) TE /E(R'E' "('#)

(N* (N'*) R(0U* TO/E""%E* OR"'3* F(TTE*T 0(N)

Beneth ll tht ws n dd#ess whe#e !ou could &u! t%c)ets nd %nd out whe#e the showws $l!%n". And #%"ht t the &ottom( 7ust &o+e the $%ctu#es o the sn)e nd s$%de#0

NOT FOR TE F(%NTE(RTE') *O0E RE*TR%$T%ON* (11"#)

9C%#2ue Du F#e):9 I mutte#ed sotl! to m!sel. C%#2ue ws F#ench o# c%#cus 8 C%#cus o

F#e)s- Ws th%s 4rea5 show:- It loo)ed l%)e %t.

I &e"n #ed%n" the l!e# "%n( %mme#sed %n the d#w%n"s nd desc#%$t%ons o the

$e#o#me#s. In ct( I ws so %mme#sed( I o#"ot &out 3#. Dlton. I onl! #emem&e#ed h%m

when I #el%,ed the #oom ws s%lent. I loo)ed u$ nd sw Ste+e stnd%n" lone t the hedo the clss. 1e stuc) out h%s ton"ue t me nd "#%nned. Feel%n" the h%#s on the &c) o m!

nec) $#%c)le( I st#ed o+e# m! shoulde# nd the#e ws 3#. Dlton( stnd%n" &eh%nd me(

#ed%n" the l!e#( l%$s t%"ht.

9Wht %s th%s:9 he sn$$ed( sntch%n" the $$e# #om m! hnds.

9It's n d+e#t%sement( s%#(9 I nswe#ed.

9Whe#e'd !ou "et %t:9 he s)ed. 1e loo)ed #ell! n"#!. I'd ne+e# seen h%m th%s wo#)ed u$.

9Whe#e'd !ou "et %t:9 he s)ed "%n.

I l%c)ed m! l%$s ne#+ousl!. I d%dn't )now how to nswe#. I wsn't "o%n" to tell on Aln nd I

)new he wouldn't own u$ &! h%msel0 e+en Aln's &est #%ends )now he's not the +est %nthe wo#ld &ut m! m%nd ws stuc) %n low "e# nd I couldn't th%n) o #eson&le l%e.

Luc)%l!( Ste+e ste$$ed %n.

93#. Dlton( %t's m%ne(9 he s%d.


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9You#s:9 3#. Dlton &l%n)ed slowl!.

9I ound %t ne# the &us sto$( s%#(9 Ste+e s%d. 9Some old "u! th#ew %t w!. I thou"ht %t

loo)ed %nte#est%n"( so I $%c)ed %t u$. I ws "o%n" to s) !ou &out %t lte#( t the end o

clss.9

95h.9 3#. Dlton t#%ed not to loo) ltte#ed &ut I could tell he ws. 9Tht's d%e#ent.

Noth%n" w#on" w%th n %n2u%s%t%+e m%nd. S%t down( Ste+e.9 Ste+e st. 3#. Dlton stuc)

thum&tc) on the l!e# nd $%nned %t to the &ullet%n &o#d.

9Lon" "o(9 he s%d( t$$%n" the l!e#( 9the#e used to &e #el #e) shows. /#eed! con men

c#mmed mlo#med $eo$le %n c"es nd 89

9S%#( wht'smal4ormedmen:9 some&od! s)ed.

9Someone who doesn't loo) o#d%n#!(9 3#. Dlton s%d. 9A $e#son w%th th#ee #ms o# twonoses? some&od! w%th no le"s? some&od! +e#! sho#t o# +e#! tll. The con men $ut these

$oo# $eo$le who we#e no d%e#ent #om !ou o# me( e6ce$t %n loo)s on d%s$l! nd clled

them #e)s. The! ch#"ed the $u&l%c to st#e t them( nd %n+%ted them to lu"h nd tese.The! t#eted the so*clled #e)s l%)e n%mls. P%d them l%ttle( &et them( d#essed them %n

#"s( ne+e# llowed them to wsh.9

9Tht's c#uel(9 Del%n P#%ce "%#l ne# the #ont s%d.

9Yes(9 he "#eed. 9F#e) shows we#e c#uel( monst#ous c#et%ons. Tht's wh! I "ot n"#!when I sw th%s.9 1e to#e down the l!e#. 9The! we#e &nned !e#s "o( &ut e+e#! so oten

!ou'll he# #umo# tht the!'#e st%ll "o%n" st#on".9

9Do !ou th%n) the C%#2ue Du F#e) %s #el #e) show:9 I s)ed.

3#. Dlton stud%ed the l!e# "%n( then shoo) h%s hed.

9I dou&t %t(9 he s%d. 9P#o&&l! 7ust c#uel ho6. St%ll(9 he dded( 9% %twas#el( I ho$e

no&od! he#e would d#em o "o%n".9

95h( no( s%#(9 we ll s%d 2u%c)l!.

9Becuse #e) shows we#e te##%&le(9 he s%d. 9The! $#etended to &e l%)e $#o$e# c%#cuses

&ut the! we#e cess$%ts o e+%l. An!&od! who went to one would &e 7ust s &d s the $eo$le#unn%n" %t.9

9You'd h+e to &e #ell! tw%sted to wnt to "o to one o those(9 Ste+e "#eed. And then heloo)ed t me( w%n)ed( nd mouthed the wo#ds0 9We'#e "o%n"-9


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STEVE PERSADED 3R. DALT5Nto let h%m )ee$ the l!e#. 1e s%d he wnted %t o# h%s

&ed#oom wll. 3#. Dlton wsn't "o%n" to "%+e %t to h%m &ut then chn"ed h%s m%nd. 1e cuto the dd#ess t the &ottom &eo#e hnd%n" %t o+e#.

Ate# school( the ou# o us me( Ste+e( Aln 3o##%s( nd Tomm! >ones met outs%de nd

stud%ed the "loss! l!e#.

9It's "ot to &e )e(9 I s%d.

9Wh!:9 Aln s)ed.

9The! don't llow #e) shows n!mo#e(9 I told h%m. 9Wol*men nd sn)e*&o!s we#e

outlwed !e#s "o. 3#. Dlton s%d so.9

9It's not )e(9 Aln %ns%sted.

9Whe#e'd !ou "et %t:9 Tomm! s)ed.

9I stole %t(9 Aln s%d sotl!. 9It &elon"s to m! &%" othe#.9 Aln's &%" othe# ws Ton!3o##%s( who used to &e the school's &%""est &ull! unt%l he "ot th#own out. 1e's hu"e nd

men nd u"l!.

9Youstole#omTony:-:9 I "s$ed. 91+e !ou "ot deth w%sh:9

91e won't )now %t ws me(9 Aln s%d. 91e hd %t %n $%# o $nts tht m! mothe# th#ew

%n the wsh%n" mch%ne. I stuc) &ln) $%ece o $$e# %n when I too) th%s out. 1e'll th%n)the %n) "ot wshed o.9

9Sm#t(9 Ste+e s%d.

9Whe#e d%d Ton! "et %t:9 I s)ed.

9The#e ws "u! $ss%n" them out %n n lle!(9 Aln s%d. 95ne o the c%#cus $e#o#me#s( 3#. C#e$sle!.9

9The one w%th the s$%de#:9 Tomm! s)ed.

9Yeh(9 Aln nswe#ed( 9onl! he d%dn't h+e the s$%de# w%th h%m. It ws n%"ht nd Ton!

ws on h%s w! &c) #om .9 Ton!'s not old enou"h to "et se#+ed %n s( &ut hn"s#ound w%th olde# "u!s who &u! d#%n)s o# h%m. 93#. C#e$sle! hnded the $$e# to Ton!

nd told h%m the!'#e t#+el%n" #e) show who $ut on sec#et $e#o#mnces %n towns nd

c%t%es c#oss the wo#ld. 1e s%d !ou hd to h+e l!e# to &u! t%c)ets nd the! onl! "%+e


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them to $eo$le the! t#ust. You'#e not su$$osed to tell n!one else &out the show. I onl!

ound out &ecuse Ton! ws %n h%"h s$%#%ts the w! he "ets when he d#%n)s nd couldn't)ee$ h%s mouth shut.9

91ow much #e the t%c)ets:9 Ste+e s)ed.

9Twent!*th#ee doll#s ech(9 Aln s%d.

9Twent!*th#ee doll#s-9 we ll shouted.

9No&od!'s "o%n" to $! twent!*th#ee &uc)s to see &unch o #e)s-9 Ste+e sno#ted.

9I would(9 I s%d.

93e( too(9 Tomm! "#eed.

9And me(9 Aln dded.

9Su#e(9 Ste+e s%d( 9&utwedon't h+e twent!*th#ee &uc)s to th#ow w!. So %t's cdem%c(%sn't %t:9

9Wht doesacademicmen:9 Aln s)ed.

9It mens we cn't o#d the t%c)ets( so %t doesn't mtte# % we would &u! them o# not(9

Ste+e e6$l%ned. 9It's es! to s! !ouwould&u! someth%n" % !ou )now !oucan3t.9

9I'd lo+e to "o(9 Tomm! s%d sdl!. 9It sounds "#et.9 1e stud%ed the $%ctu#e "%n.

93#. Dlton d%dn't th%n) too much o %t(9 Aln s%d.

9Tht's wht I men(9 Tomm! s%d. 9I Dlton doesn't l%)e %t( %t must &e su$e#. An!th%n"

tht dults hte %s no#mll! wesome.9

9A#e we su#e we don't h+e enou"h:9 I s)ed. 93!&e the! h+e d%scounts o# ch%ld#en.9

9I don't th%n) ch%ld#en #e llowed %n(9 Aln s%d( &ut he told me how much he hd n!w!.

9E%"ht*%t!.9

9I'+e "ot e%"hteen doll#s e6ctl!(9 Ste+e s%d.

9I h+e ten doll#s nd o#t! cents(9 Tomm! s%d.

9And I h+e twel+e doll#s nd th%#t! cents(9 I told them. 9Tht's mo#e thn o#t!*n%ne

doll#s %n ll(9 I s%d( dd%n" %t u$ %n m! hed. 9We "et ou# llownce tomo##ow. I we $ool

ou# 89

9But the t%c)ets #e ne#l! sold out(9 Aln %nte##u$ted. 9The %#st show ws !este#d!. It


11/122

%n%shes Tuesd!. I we "o( %t'll h+e to &e tomo##ow n%"ht o# Stu#d!( &ecuse ou# $#ents

won't let us out n! othe# n%"ht. The "u! who "+e Ton! the l!e# s%d the t%c)ets o# &oththose n%"hts we#e lmost "one. We'd h+e to &u! them ton%"ht.9

9Well( so much o# tht(9 I s%d( $utt%n" on +e ce.

93!&e not(9 Ste+e s%d. 93! mom )ee$s wd o mone! %n 7# t home. I could &o##ow

some nd $ut %t &c) when we "et ou# llownce 89

9You men stel:9 I s)ed.

9I men6orrow(9 he sn$$ed. 9It's onl! stel%n" % !ou don't $ut %t &c). Wht do !ou s!:9

91ow would we "et the t%c)ets:9 Tomm! s)ed. 9It's school n%"ht. We wouldn't &e let

out.9

9I cn sne) out(9 Ste+e s%d. 9I'll &u! them.9

9But 3#. Dlton sn%$$ed o the dd#ess(9 I #em%nded h%m. 91ow w%ll !ou )now whe#e to"o:9

9I memo#%,ed %t.9 1e "#%nned. 9Now( #e we "onn stnd he#e ll n%"ht m)%n" u$ e6cuses(o# #e we "onn "o o# %t:9

We loo)ed t ech othe#( then one &! one nodded s%lentl!.

9R%"ht(9 Ste+e s%d. 9We hu##! home( "#& ou# mone!( nd meet &c) he#e. Tell !ou#

$#ents !ou o#"ot &oo) o# someth%n". We'll lum$ the mone! to"ethe# nd I'll dd the #est

#om the $ot t home.9

9Wht % !ou cn't stel I men( '&o##ow(' the mone!:9 I s)ed.

1e sh#u""ed. 9Then the del's o. But we won't )now unless we t#!. Now hu##!-9

W%th tht( he s$#%nted w!. 3oments lte#( m)%n" u$ ou# m%nds( Tomm!( Aln( nd I #n(too.


12/122

T1E FREA@ S15W WASll I could th%n) &out tht n%"ht. I t#%ed o#"ett%n" %t &ut couldn't(not e+en when I ws wtch%n" m! +o#%te TV shows. It sounded so we%#d0 sn)e*&o!(

wol*mn( $e#o#m%n" s$%de#. I ws es$ec%ll! e6c%ted &! the s$%de#.

3om nd Dd d%dn't not%ce n!th%n" ws u$( &ut Ann%e d%d. Ann%e %s m! !oun"e# s%ste#.She cn &e so#t o nno!%n" &ut most o the t%me she's cool. She doesn't #un to 3om tell%n"

on me % I m%s&eh+e( nd she )nows how to )ee$ sec#et.

9Wht's w#on" w%th !ou:9 she s)ed te# d%nne#. We we#e lone %n the )%tchen( wsh%n"

the d%shes.

9Noth%n"'s w#on"(9 I s%d.

9Yes the#e %s(9 she s%d. 9You'+e &een ct%n" we%#d ll n%"ht.9

I )new she'd )ee$ s)%n" unt%l she "ot the t#uth( so I told he# &out the #e) show.

9It sounds "#et(9 she "#eed( 9&ut the#e's no w! !ou'd "et %n.9

9Wh! not: 9I s)ed.

9I &et the! don't let ch%ld#en %n. It sounds l%)e "#own*u$ )%nd o show.9

9The! $#o&&l! wouldn't let t l%)eyou%n(9 I s%d nst%l!( 9&ut me nd the othe#s would&e o)!.9 Tht u$set he#( so I $olo"%,ed. 9I'm so##!(9 I s%d. 9I d%dn't men tht. I'm 7ust

nno!ed &ecuse !ou'#e $#o&&l! #%"ht. Ann%e( I'd "%+e n!th%n" to "o-9

9I'+e "ot m)eu$ )%t I could lend !ou(9 she s%d. 9You cn d#w on w#%n)les nd stu.It'd m)e !ou loo) olde#.9

I sm%led nd "+e he# &%" hu"( wh%ch %s someth%n" I don't do +e#! oten. 9Thn)s( s%s(9 Is%d( 9&ut %t's o)!. I we "et %n( we "et %n. I we don't( we don't.9

We d%dn't s! much te# tht. We %n%shed d#!%n" nd hu##%ed %nto the TV #oom. Dd "othome ew m%nutes lte#. 1e wo#)s on &u%ld%n" s%tes ll o+e# the $lce( so he's oten lte.

1e's "#um$! somet%mes &ut ws %n "ood mood tht n%"ht nd swun" Ann%e #ound %n

c%#cle.

9An!th%n" e6c%t%n" h$$en tod!:9 he s)ed( te# he'd s%d hello to 3om nd "%+en he#

)%ss.

9I sco#ed nothe# ht t#%c) t lunch(9 I told h%m.

9Rell!:9 he s%d. 9Tht's "#et. Well done.9

We tu#ned the TV down wh%le Dd ws et%n". 1e l%)es $ece nd 2u%et when he ets( nd


13/122

oten s)s us 2uest%ons o# tells us &out h%s d! t wo#).

Lte#( 3om went to he# #oom to wo#) on he# stm$ l&ums. She's se#%ous stm$

collecto#. I used to collect( too( when I ws !oun"e# nd mo#e es%l! mused.

I $o$$ed u$ o see % she hd n! new stm$s w%th e6ot%c n%mls o# s$%de#s on them. Shed%dn't. Wh%le I ws the#e( I s)ed he# &out #e) shows.

93om(9 I s%d( 9h+e !ou e+e# &een to #e) show:9

9A wht:9 she s)ed( concent#t%n" on the stm$s.

9A #e) show(9 I #e$eted. 9W%th &e#ded ld%es nd wol*men nd sn)e*&o!s.9

She loo)ed u$ t me nd &l%n)ed. 9A sn)e*&o!:9 she s)ed. 9Wht on E#th %s sn)e*

&o!:9

9It's 89 I sto$$ed when I #el%,ed I d%dn't )now. 9Well( tht doesn't mtte#(9 I s%d. 91+e

!ou e+e# &een to one:9

She shoo) he# hed. 9No. The!'#e %lle"l.9

9I the! we#en't(9 I s%d( 9nd one cme to town( would !ou "o:9

9No(9 she s%d( sh%+e#%n". 9Those so#ts o th%n"s #%"hten me. Bes%des( I don't th%n) %twould &e %# to the $eo$le %n the show.9

9Wht do !ou men:9 I s)ed.

91ow wouldyoul%)e %t(9 she s%d( 9% !ou we#e stuc) %n c"e o# $eo$le to loo) t:9

9I'm not #e)-9 I s%d hu%l!.

9I )now.9 She lu"hed nd )%ssed m! o#ehed. 9You'#e m! l%ttle n"el.9

93om( don't-9 I "#um&led( w%$%n" m! o#ehed w%th m! hnd.

9S%ll!.9 She sm%led. 9But %m"%ne !ou hd two heds o# ou# #ms( nd some&od! stuc)

!ou on d%s$l! o# $eo$le to m)e un o. You wouldn't l%)e tht( would !ou:9

9No(9 I s%d( shul%n" m! eet.

9An!w!( wht's ll th%s &out #e) show:9 she s)ed. 91+e !ou &een st!%n" u$ lte(

wtch%n" ho##o# %lms:9

9No(9 I s%d.


14/122

9Becuse !ou )now !ou# dd doesn't l%)e !ou wtch%n" 89

9I wsn't st!%n" u$ lte( o)!:9 I shouted. It's #ell! nno!%n" when $#ents don't l%sten.

95)!( 3%ste# /#um$!(9 she s%d. 9No need to shout. I !ou don't l%)e m! com$n!( "o

downst%#s nd hel$ !ou# the# weed the "#den.9

I d%dn't wnt to "o( &ut 3om ws u$set tht I'd shouted t he#( so I let nd went down to

the )%tchen. Dd ws com%n" %n #om the &c) nd s$otted me.

9So th%s %s whe#e !ou'+e &een h%d%n".9 1e chuc)led. 9Too &us! to hel$ the old mn

ton%"ht:9

9I ws on m! w!(9 I told h%m.

9Too lte(9 he s%d( t)%n" o h%s wo#)&oots. 9I'm %n%shed.9

I wtched h%m $utt%n" on h%s sl%$$e#s. 1e hs hu"e eet. 1e we#s s%,e twel+e shoes- When

I ws !oun"e#( he used to stnd me on h%s eet nd wl) me #ound. It ws l%)e &e%n" ontwo lon" s)te&o#ds.

9Wht #e !ou do%n" now:9 I s)ed.

9W#%t%n"(9 he s%d. 3! dd hs $en $ls ll o+e# the wo#ld( %n Ame#%c( Aust#l%( Russ%(

nd Ch%n. 1e s!s he l%)es to )ee$ %n touch w%th h%s "lo&l ne%"h&o#s( thou"h I th%n) %t's7ust n e6cuse to "o %nto h%s stud! o# n$-

Ann%e ws $l!%n" w%th dolls nd stu. I s)ed % she wnted to come to m! #oom o#

"me o tenn%s us%n" soc) o# &ll nd shoes o# #c)ets( &ut she ws too &us! ##n"%n"he# dolls o# $#etend $%cn%c.

I went to m! #oom nd d#""ed down m! com%c &oo)s. I h+e &unch o cool com%c&oo)s*uperman, /atman, *piderman( nd*pawn. *pawn3sm! +o#%te. 1e's su$e#he#o

who used to &e demon %n hell. Some o the*pawncom%cs #e $#ett! sc#!( &ut tht's wh! I

lo+e them.

I s$ent the #est o the n%"ht #ed%n" com%c &oo)s nd $utt%n" them %n o#de#. I used to sw$

w%th Tomm!( who hs hu"e collect%on( &ut he )e$t s$%ll%n" d#%n)s on the co+e#s nd

c#um&s &etween the $"es( so I sto$$ed.

3ost n%"hts I "o to &ed &! ten( &ut 3om nd Dd o#"ot &out me( nd I st!ed u$ unt%l

ne#l! ten*th%#t!. Then Dd sw the l%"ht %n m! #oom nd cme u$. 1e $#etended to &en"#! &ut he wsn't #ell!. Dd doesn't m%nd too much % I st! u$ lte. 3om's the one who

n"s me &out tht.

9Bed(9 he s%d( 9o# I'll ne+e# &e &le to w)e !ou %n the mo#n%n".9


15/122

9>ust m%nute( Dd(9 I told h%m( 9wh%le I $ut m! com%cs w! nd ush m! teeth.9

95)!(9 he s%d( 9&ut m)e %t 2u%c).9

I stuc) the com%cs %nto the%# &o6 nd stued %t &c) u$ on the shel o+e# m! &ed.

I $ut on m! $7ms nd went to ush m! teeth. I too) m! t%me( ush%n" slowl!( nd %t

ws lmost ele+en when I "ot %nto &ed. I l! &c)( sm%l%n". I elt +e#! t%#ed nd )new I'd ll

slee$ %n cou$le o seconds. The lst th%n" I thou"ht &out ws the C%#2ue Du F#e). Iwonde#ed wht sn)e*&o! loo)ed l%)e( nd how lon" the &e#ded ld!'s &e#d ws( nd

wht 1ns 1nds nd /e#th Teeth d%d. 3ost o ll( I d#emed &out the s$%de#.

T1E NET 35RNIN/( T533Y( Aln( nd me w%ted outs%de the "tes o# Ste+e( &ut the#e

ws no s%"n o h%m &! the t%me the &ell #n" o# clss( so we hd to "o %n.


16/122

9I &et he's h%d%n"(9 Tomm! s%d. 91e couldn't "et the t%c)ets nd now he doesn't wnt toce us.9

9Ste+e's not l%)e tht(9 I s%d.

9I ho$e he %n"s the l!e# &c)(9 Aln s%d. 9E+en % we cn't "o( I'd l%)e to h+e the l!e#.

I'd st%c) %t u$ o+e# m! &ed nd 89

9You couldn't st%c) %t u$( stu$%d-9 Tomm! lu"hed.

9Wh! not: 9Aln s)ed.

9Becuse Ton! would see %t(9 I told h%m.

95h !eh(9 Aln s%d "luml!.

I ws m%se#&le %n clss. We hd "eo"#$h! %#st( nd e+e#! t%me 3#s. =u%nn s)ed me

2uest%on( I "ot %t w#on". No#mll! "eo"#$h!'s m! &est su&7ect( &ecuse I )now so much&out %t #om when I used to collect stm$s.

91d lte n%"ht( D##en:9 she s)ed when I "ot m! %th 2uest%on w#on".

9No( 3#s. =u%nn(9 I l%ed.

9I th%n) !ou d%d.9 She sm%led. 9The#e #e mo#e &"s unde# !ou# e!es thn %n the locl

su$e#m#)et-9 E+e#!&od! lu"hed t tht 3#s. =u%nn d%dn't c#c) 7o)es +e#! oten nd I

d%d( too( e+en thou"h I ws the &utt o the 7o)e.

The mo#n%n" d#""ed( the w! %t does when !ou eel let down o# d%s$$o%nted. I s$ent the

t%me %m"%n%n" the #e) show. I mde*&el%e+e I ws one o the #e)s( nd the owne# o the

c%#cus ws nst! "u! who wh%$$ed e+e#!&od!( e+en when the! "ot stu #%"ht. All the#e)s hted h%m( &ut he ws so &%" nd men( no&od! s%d n!th%n". nt%l one d! he

wh%$$ed me once too oten( nd I tu#ned %nto wol nd &%t h%s hed o- E+e#!&od!

chee#ed nd I ws mde the new owne#.

It ws $#ett! "ood d!d#em.

Then( ew m%nutes &eo#e lunch( the doo# o$ened nd "uess who wl)ed %n: Ste+e- 1%smothe# ws &eh%nd h%m nd she s%d someth%n" to 3#s. =u%nn( who nodded nd sm%led.

Then 3#s. Leon#d let nd Ste+e st#olled o+e# to h%s set nd st down.

9Whe#e we#e !ou:9 I s)ed %n u#%ous wh%s$e#.

9At the dent%st's(9 he s%d. 9I o#"ot to tell !ou I ws "o%n".9

9Wht &out 89


17/122

9Tht's enou"h( D##en(9 3#s. =u%nn s%d. I shut u$ %nstntl!.

At #ecess( Tomm!( Aln( nd I lmost smothe#ed Ste+e. We we#e shout%n" nd $ull%n" t

h%m t the sme t%me.

9D%d !ou "et the t%c)ets:9 I s)ed.

9We#e !ou #ell! t the dent%st's:9 Tomm! wnted to )now.

9Whe#e's m! l!e#:9 Aln s)ed.

9Pt%ence( &o!s( $t%ence(9 Ste+e s%d( $ush%n" us w! nd lu"h%n". 9/ood th%n"s come

to those who w%t.9

9Come on( Ste+e( don't mess #ound w%th us(9 I told h%m. 9D%d !ou "et them o# not:9

9Yes nd no(9 he s%d.

9Wht doesthatmen:9 Tomm! sno#ted.

9It mens I h+e some "ood news( some &d news( nd some c#,! news(9 he s%d. 9Wh%chdo !ou wnt to he# %#st:9

9$ra7ynews:9 I s)ed( $u,,led.

Ste+e $ulled us o to one s%de o the !#d( chec)ed to m)e su#e no one ws #ound( then

&e"n s$e)%n" %n wh%s$e#.

9I "ot the mone!(9 he s%d( 9nd sne)ed out t se+en o'cloc)( when 3om ws on the

$hone. I hu##%ed c#oss town to the t%c)et &ooth( &ut do !ou )now who ws the#e when I

##%+ed:9

9Who:9 we s)ed.

93#. Dlton-9 he s%d. 91e ws the#e w%th cou$le o $ol%cemen. The! we#e d#""%n"

smll "u! out o the &ooth %t ws onl! smll shed( #ell! when suddenl! the#e ws th%s

hu"e &n" nd &%" cloud o smo)e co+e#ed them ll. When %t cle#ed( the smll "u! hd

d%s$$e#ed.9

9Wht d%d 3#. Dlton nd the $ol%ce do:9 Aln s)ed.

9E6m%ned the shed( loo)ed #ound &%t( then let.9

9The! d%dn't see !ou:9 Tomm! s)ed.

9No(9 Ste+e s%d. 9I ws well h%dden.9


18/122

9So !ou d%dn't "et the t%c)ets(9 I s%d sdl!.

9I d%dn't s! tht(9 he cont#d%cted me.

9Yougotthem:9 I "s$ed.

9I tu#ned to le+e(9 he s%d( 9nd ound the smll "u! &eh%nd me. 1e ws t%n!( nd d#essed

%n lon" clo) tht co+e#ed h%m #om hed to toe. 1e s$otted the l!e# %n m! hnd( too) %t(nd held out the t%c)ets. I hnded o+e# the mone! nd 89

9You "ot them-9 we #o#ed del%"htedl!.

9Yes(9 he &emed. Then h%s ce ell. 9But the#e ws ctch. I told !ou the#e ws &d

news( #emem&e#:9

9Wht %s %t:9 I s)ed( th%n)%n" he'd lost them.

91e onl! sold me two(9 Ste+e s%d. 9I hd the mone! o# ou#( &ut he wouldn't t)e %t. 1ed%dn't s! n!th%n"( 7ust t$$ed the $#t on the l!e# &out 'some #est#%ct%ons(' then hnded

me c#d tht s%d the C%#2ue Du F#e) onl! sold two t%c)ets $e# l!e#. I oe#ed h%m e6t#

mone! I hd lmost hund#ed doll#s totl &ut he wouldn't cce$t %t.9

91e onl! sold !outwot%c)ets:9 Tomm! s)ed( d%sm!ed.

9But tht mens 89 Aln &e"n.

985nl! two o us cn "o(9 Ste+e %n%shed. 1e loo)ed #ound t us "#%ml!. 9Two o us w%ll

h+e to st! t home.9

IT WAS FRIDAY AFTERN55N( the end o the school wee)( the st#t o the wee)end( nd

e+e#!&od! ws lu"h%n" nd #unn%n" home s 2u%c)l! s the! could( del%"hted to &e

#ee.Except ce#t%n m%se#&le ou#some who hun" #ound the school!#d( loo)%n" l%)e the

end o the wo#ld hd ##%+ed. The%# nmes: Ste+e Leon#d( Tomm! >ones( Aln 3o##%s( ndme( D##en Shn.

9It's not %#(9 Aln moned. 9Who e+e# he#d o c%#cus onl! lett%n" !ou &u! two t%c)ets:

It's stu$%d-9

We ll "#eed w%th h%m( &ut the#e ws noth%n" we could do &out %t &ut stnd #ound

)%c)%n" the "#ound w%th ou# eet( loo)%n" &ummed out.


19/122

F%nll!( Aln s)ed the 2uest%on tht ws on e+e#!&od!'s m%nd.

9So( who "ets the t%c)ets:9

We loo)ed t ech othe# nd shoo) ou# heds unce#t%nl!.

9Well( Ste+ehasto "et one(9 I s%d. 91e $ut %n mo#e mone! thn the #est o us( nd he went

to &u! them( so he hs to "et one( "#eed:9

9A"#eed(9 Tomm! s%d.

9A"#eed(9 Aln s%d. I th%n) he would h+e #"ued &out %t( e6ce$t he )new he wouldn't

w%n.

Ste+e sm%led nd too) one o the t%c)ets. 9Who "oes w%th me:9 he s)ed.

9I ou"ht %n the l!e#(9 Aln s%d 2u%c)l!.

9Fo#"et tht-9 I told h%m. 9Ste+e should "et to choose.9

9Not on !ou# l%e-9 Tomm! lu"hed. 9You'#e h%s &est #%end. I we let h%m $%c)( he'll $%c)!ou. I s! we %"ht o# %t. I h+e &o6%n" "lo+es t home.9

9No w!-9 Aln s2ue)ed. 1e's smll nd ne+e# "ets %nto %"hts.

9I don't wnt to %"ht e%the#(9 I s%d. I'm no cow#d &ut I )new I wouldn't stnd chnce

"%nst Tomm!. 1%s dd tu"ht h%m how to &o6 nd the! h+e the%# own $unch%n" &". 1e

would h+e loo#ed me %n the %#st #ound.

9Let's $%c) st#ws o# %t(9 I s%d( &ut Tomm! d%dn't wnt to. 1e hs te##%&le luc) nd ne+e#

w%ns n!th%n" l%)e tht.

We #"ued &out %t &%t mo#e( unt%l Ste+e cme u$ w%th n %de. 9I )now wht to do(9 he

s%d( o$en%n" h%s school &". 1e to#e two sheets o $$e# out o note&oo) nd( us%n" h%s#ule#( c#eull! cut them %nto smll $%eces( ech one #ou"hl! the sme s%,e s the t%c)et.

Then he "ot h%s em$t! lunch &" nd dum$ed the $$e# %ns%de.

91e#e's how %t wo#)s(9 he s%d( hold%n" u$ the second t%c)et. 9I $ut th%s %n( s2uee,e the &"shut( nd sh)e %t #ound( o)!:9 We nodded. 9You stnd s%de &! s%de nd I'll th#ow the

$%eces o $$e# o+e# !ou# heds. Whoe+e# "ets the t%c)et w%ns. 3e nd the w%nne# w%ll "%+e

the othe# two the%# mone! &c) when we cn o#d %t. Is tht %# enou"h( o# doessome&od! h+e &ette# %de:9

9Sounds "ood to me(9 I s%d.

9I don't )now(9 Aln "#um&led. 9I'm the !oun"est. I cn't 7um$ s h%"h s 89


20/122

9=u%t !$$%n"(9 Tomm! s%d. 9%3mthe smllest( nd I don't m%nd. Bes%des( the t%c)et m%"htcome out on the &ottom o the $%le( lot down low( nd &e %n 7ust the #%"ht $lce o# the

sho#test $e#son.

9All #%"ht(9 Aln s%d. 9But no sho+%n".9

9A"#eed(9 I s%d. 9No #ou"h stu.9

9A"#eed.9 Tomm! nodded.

Ste+e s2uee,ed the &" nd "+e %t "ood lon" sh)e. 9/et #ed!(9 he told us.

We stood &c) #om Ste+e nd l%ned u$ %n #ow. Tomm! nd Aln we#e s%de &! s%de( &ut I

)e$t out o the w! so I'd h+e #oom to sw%n" &oth #ms.

95)!(9 Ste+e s%d. 9I'll th#ow e+e#!th%n" %n the %# on the count o th#ee. All set:9 We

nodded. 95ne(9 Ste+e s%d( nd I sw Aln w%$%n" swet #om #ound h%s e!es. 9Two(9

Ste+e s%d( nd Tomm!'s %n"e#s tw%tched. 9Th#ee-9 Ste+e !elled( nd he 7e#)ed o$en the&" nd tossed the $$e# h%"h u$ %nto the %#.

A ee,e cme lon" nd &lew the $%eces o $$e# st#%"ht t us. Tomm! nd Aln st#ted!ell%n" nd "#&&%n" w%ldl!. It ws %m$oss%&le to see the t%c)et %n mon" the sc#$s o

$$e#.

I ws &out to st#t "#&&%n"( when ll o sudden I "ot n u#"e to do someth%n" st#n"e. It

sounds c#,!( &ut I'+e lw!s &el%e+ed %n ollow%n" n u#"e o# hunch.

So wht I d%d ws( I shut m! e!es( stuc) out m! hnds l%)e &l%nd mn( nd w%ted o#someth%n" m"%cl to h$$en.

As I'm su#e !ou )now( usull! when !ou t#! someth%n" !ou'+e seen %n mo+%e( %t doesn'two#). L%)e % !ou t#! do%n" wheel%e w%th !ou# &%)e( o# m)%n" !ou# s)te&o#d 7um$ u$

%n the %#. But e+e#! once %n wh%le( when !ou lest e6$ect %t( someth%n" cl%c)s.

Fo# second I elt $$e# &low%n" &! m! hnds. I ws "o%n" to "#& t %t &ut someth%n" told

me %t wsn't t%me. Then( second lte#( +o%ce %ns%de me !elled( 9N5W-9

I closed m! hnds #ell! st.

The w%nd d%ed down nd the $%eces o $$e# d#%ted to the "#ound. I o$ened m! e!es nd

sw Aln nd Tomm! down on the%# )nees( se#ch%n" o# the t%c)et.

9It's not he#e-9 Tomm! s%d.

9I cn't %nd %t n!whe#e-9 Aln shouted.


21/122

The! sto$$ed se#ch%n" nd loo)ed u$ t me. I hdn't mo+ed. I ws stnd%n" st%lls m!

hnds closed t%"ht.

9Wht's %n !ou# hnds( D##en:9 Ste+e s)ed sotl!.

I st#ed t h%m( un&le to nswe#. It ws l%)e I ws %n d#em( whe#e I couldn't mo+e o#s$e).

91e doesn't h+e %t(9 Tomm! s%d. 91e cn't h+e. 1e hd h%s e!es shut.9

93!&e so(9 Ste+e s%d( 9&ut the#e'ssomething%n those %sts o h%s.9

95$en them(9 Aln s%d( "%+%n" me sho+e. 9Let's see wht !ou'#e h%d%n".9

I loo)ed t Aln( then Tomm!( then Ste+e. And then( +e#! slowl!( I o$ened m! #%"ht %st.

The#e ws noth%n" the#e.

3! he#t nd stomch d#o$$ed. Aln sm%led nd Tomm! st#ted loo)%n" down t the"#ound "%n( t#!%n" to %nd the m%ss%n" t%c)et.

9Wht &out the othe# hnd:9 Ste+e s)ed.

I ",ed down t m! let %st. I'd lmost o#"otten &out tht one- Slowl!( e+en slowe# thn

the %#st t%me( I o$ened %t.

The#e ws $%ece o "#een $$e# smc)*d& %n the m%ddle o m! hnd( &ut %t ws l!%n"

cedown( nd s%nce the#e ws noth%n" on %ts &c)( I hd to tu#n %t o+e#( 7ust to &e su#e. And

the#e %t ws( %n #ed nd &lue lette#s( the m"%cl nme0

CIR=E D FREA@.

I hd %t. The t%c)et ws m%ne. I ws "o%n" to the #e) show w%th Ste+e.

9YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS----9 I sc#emed( nd $unched the %# w%th m! %st. I'd won-

T1E TIC@ETS WERE F5Rthe Stu#d! show( wh%ch ws 7ust s well( s%nce %t "+e me

chnce to tl) to m! $#ents nd s) % I could st! o+e# t Ste+e's Stu#d! n%"ht.


22/122

I d%dn't tell them &out the #e) show( &ecuse I )new the! would s! no % the! )new

&out %t. I elt &d &out not tell%n" the whole t#uth( &ut t the sme t%me( I hdn't #ell! told l%e0 ll I'd done ws )ee$ m! mouth shut.

Stu#d! couldn't "o 2u%c)l! enou"h o# me. I t#%ed )ee$%n" &us!( &ecuse tht's how !ou

m)e t%me $ss w%thout not%c%n"( &ut I )e$t th%n)%n" &out the C%#2ue Du F#e) ndw%sh%n" %t ws t%me to "o. I ws $#ett! "#um$!( wh%ch ws odd o# me on Stu#d!( nd

3om ws "ld to see me "o when %t ws t%me to le+e o# Ste+e's.

Ann%e )new I ws "o%n" to the #e) show nd s)ed me to %n" he# &c) someth%n"(

$hoto % $oss%&le( &ut I told he# cme#s we#en't llowed ;%t s%d so on the t%c)et< nd I

d%dn't h+e enou"h mone! o# T*sh%#t. I told he# I'd &u! he# $%n % the! hd them( o# $oste#( &ut she'd h+e to )ee$ %t h%dden nd not tell 3om nd Dd whe#e she "ot %t % the!

ound %t.

Dd d#o$$ed me o t Ste+e's t s%6 o'cloc). 1e s)ed wht t%me I wnted to &e $%c)ed u$%n the mo#n%n". I told h%m noon % tht ws o)!.

9Don't wtch ho##o# mo+%es( o)!:9 he s%d &eo#e he let. 9I don't wnt !ou com%n" homew%th n%"htm#es.9

95h( Dd-9 I "#oned. 9E+e#!one %n m! clss wtches ho##o# mo+%es.9

9L%sten(9 he s%d( 9I don't m%nd n old &lc)*nd*wh%te %lm( o# one o the less sc#!

D#cul mo+%es( &ut none o these nst! new ones( o)!:9

95)!(9 I $#om%sed.

9/ood mn(9 he s%d( nd d#o+e o.

I hu##%ed u$ to the house nd #n" the doo#&ell ou# t%mes( wh%ch ws m! sec#et s%"nl to

Ste+e. 1e must h+e &een stnd%n" 7ust %ns%de( &ecuse he o$ened the doo# #%"ht w! ndd#""ed me %n.

9A&out t%me(9 he "#owled( then $o%nted to the st%#s. 9See tht h%ll:9 he s)ed( s$e)%n"l%)e sold%e# %n w# %lm.

9Yes( s%#(9 I s%d( cl%c)%n" m! heels to"ethe#.

9We h+e to t)e %t &! dwn.9

9A#e we us%n" #%les o# mch%ne "uns( s%#:9 I s)ed.

9A#e !ou c#,!:9 he )ed. 9We'd ne+e# &e &le to c##! mch%ne "un th#ou"h ll tht

mud.9 1e nodded t the c#$et.

9R%les %t %s( s%#(9 I "#eed.


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9And % we'#e t)en(9 he w#ned me( 9s+e the lst &ullet o# !ou#sel.9

We st#ted u$ the st%#s l%)e cou$le o sold%e#s( %#%n" %m"%n#! "uns t %m"%n#!

enem%es. It ws ch%ld%sh( &ut "#et un. Ste+e 9lost9 le" on the w! nd I hd to hel$ h%m

to the to$. 9You m%"ht h+e t)en m! le"(9 he shouted #om the to$ o the st%#s( 9nd !oum%"ht t)e m! l%e( &ut !ou'll ne+e# t)e m! count#!-9

It ws st%##%n" s$eech. At lest( %t st%##ed 3#s. Leon#d( who cme u$ #om the downst%#sl%+%n" #oom to see wht the #c)et ws. She sm%led when she sw me nd s)ed % I wnted

n!th%n" to et o# d#%n). I d%dn't. Ste+e s%d he'd l%)e some c+%# nd chm$"ne( &ut %t

wsn't unn! the w! he s%d %t( nd I d%dn't lu"h.

Ste+e doesn't "et lon" w%th h%s mom. 1e l%+es lone w%th he# h%s dd let when Ste+e ws

+e#! !oun" nd the!'#e lw!s #"u%n" nd shout%n". I don't )now wh!. I'+e ne+e# s)ed

h%m. The#e #e ce#t%n th%n"s !ou don't d%scuss w%th !ou# #%ends % !ou'#e &o!s. /%#ls cntl) &out stu l%)e tht( &ut % !ou'#e &o! !ou h+e to tl) &out com$ute#s( socce#( w#(

nd so on. P#ents #en't cool.

91ow w%ll we sne) out ton%"ht:9 I s)ed %n wh%s$e# s Ste+e's mom went &c) %nto the

l%+%n" #oom.

9It's o)!(9 Ste+e s%d. 9She's "o%n" out.9 1e oten clled he#she%nsted o0om. 9She'll

th%n) we'#e %n &ed when she "ets &c).9

9Wht % she chec)s:9

Ste+e lu"hed nst%l!. 9Ente# m! #oom w%thout &e%n" s)ed: She wouldn't d#e.9

I d%dn't l%)e Ste+e when he tl)ed l%)e tht( &ut I s%d noth%n" %n cse he went %nto one o

h%s moods. I d%dn't wnt to do n!th%n" tht m%"ht s$o%l the show.

Ste+e d#""ed out some o h%s ho##o# com%cs nd we #ed them out loud. Ste+e hs "#et

com%c &oo)s( wh%ch #e onl! ment o# dults. 3! mom nd dd would h%t the #oo % the!

)new &out them-

Ste+e lso hs &unch o old m",%nes nd &oo)s &out monste#s nd +m$%#es nd

we#ewol+es nd "hosts.

9Does st)e h+e to &e mde out o wood:9 I s)ed when I'd %n%shed #ed%n" D#cul

com%c.

9No(9 he s%d. 9It cn &e metl o# %+o#!( e+en $lst%c( s lon" s %t's h#d enou"h to "o #%"ht

th#ou"h the he#t.9

9And tht w%ll )%ll +m$%#e:9 I s)ed.


24/122

9E+e#! t%me(9 he s%d.

I #owned. 9But !ou told me !ou h+e to cut o the%# heds nd stu them w%th "#l%c nd

th#ow them %n #%+e#.9

9Some &oo)s s! !ou h+e to(9 he "#eed. 9But tht's to m)e su#e !ou )%ll the +m$%#e'ss$%#%t s well s %ts &od!( so %t cn't come &c) s "host.9

9Cn +m$%#e come &c) s "host:9 I s)ed( e!es w%de.

9P#o&&l! not(9 Ste+e s%d. 9But % !ou hd the t%me( nd wnted to m)e su#e( cutt%n" o

the hed nd "ett%n" #%d o %t would &e wo#th do%n". You don't wnt to t)e n! chncesw%th +m$%#es( do !ou:9

9No(9 I s%d( sh%+e#%n". 9Wht &out we#ewol+es: Do !ou need s%l+e# &ullets to )%ll them:9

9I don't th%n) so(9 Ste+e s%d. 9I th%n) no#ml &ullets cn do the 7o&. You m%"ht h+e to use

lots o them( &ut the! should wo#).9

Ste+e )nows e+e#!th%n" the#e %s to )now &out ho##o# cts. 1e's #ed e+e#! so#t o ho##o#

&oo) the#e %s. 1e s!s e+e#! sto#! hs t lest some t#uth %n %t( e+en % most #e mde u$.

9Do !ou th%n) the wol*mn t the C%#2ue Du F#e) %s we#ewol:9 I s)ed.

Ste+e shoo) h%s hed. 9F#om wht I'+e #ed(9 he s%d( 9the wol*men %n #e) shows #eno#mll! 7ust +e#! h%#! "u!s. Some o them #e mo#e l%)e n%mls thn $eo$le( nd et l%+e

ch%c)ens nd stu( &ut the!'#e not we#ewol+es. A we#ewol would &e no "ood %n show(

&ecuse %t cn onl! tu#n %nto wol when the#e's ull moon. E+e#! othe# n%"ht( %t would &e

no#ml "u!.9

95h(9 I s%d. 9Wht &out the sn)e*&o!: Do !ou 89

91e!(9 he lu"hed( 9s+e the 2uest%ons o# lte#. The shows lon" "o we#e te##%&le. The

owne#s used to st#+e the #e)s nd )ee$ them loc)ed u$ %n c"es nd t#et them l%)e d%#t.

But I don't )now wht th%s one w%ll &e l%)e. The! m%"ht not e+en &e #el #e)s0 the! m%"htonl! &e $eo$le %n costumes.9

The #e) show ws &e%n" held t $lce ne# the othe# s%de o town. We hd to le+e

sho#tl! te# n%ne o'cloc)( to m)e su#e we "ot the#e %n t%me. We could h+e "ot c&(e6ce$t we'd used most o ou# llownce to #e$lce the csh Ste+e too) #om h%s mom.

Bes%des( %t ws mo#e un wl)%n". It ws s$oo)%e#-

We told "host sto#%es s we wl)ed. Ste+e d%d most o the tl)%n"( &ecuse he )nows w!

mo#e thn me. 1e ws %n ##e o#m. Somet%mes he o#"ets the ends o sto#%es( o# "ets nmes

m%6ed u$( &ut not ton%"ht. It ws &ette# thn &e%n" w%th Ste$hen @%n"-

It ws lon" wl)( lon"e# thn we thou"ht( nd we lmost d%dn't m)e %t on t%me. We hd


25/122

to #un the lst 2u#te#*m%le. We we#e $nt%n" l%)e do"s when we "ot the#e.

The +enue ws n old thete# tht used to show mo+%es. I'd $ssed %t once o# tw%ce %n the

$st. Ste+e told me once tht %t ws shut down &ecuse &o! ell o the &lcon! nd "ot

)%lled. 1e s%d %t ws hunted. I s)ed m! dd &out %t( nd he s%d %t ws $c) o l%es. It's

h#d somet%mes to )now whethe# !ou should &el%e+e the sto#%es !ou# dd tells !ou o# theones !ou# &est #%end tells !ou.

The#e ws no nme outs%de the doo#( nd no c#s $#)ed ne#&!( nd no w%t%n" l%ne. Westo$$ed out #ont nd &ent o+e# unt%l we "ot ou# eth &c). Then we stood nd loo)ed t

the &u%ld%n". It ws tll nd d#) nd co+e#ed %n 7""ed "#! stones. Lots o the w%ndows

we#e o)en( nd the doo# loo)ed l%)e "%nt's o$en mouth.

9A#e !ou su#e th%s %s the $lce:9 I s)ed( t#!%n" not to sound sc#ed.

9Th%s %s wht %t s!s on the t%c)ets(9 Ste+e s%d nd chec)ed "%n( 7ust to &e su#e. 9Ye$(th%s %s %t.9

93!&e the $ol%ce ound out nd the #e)s hd to mo+e on(9 I s%d. 93!&e the#e %sn't n!show ton%"ht.9

93!&e(9 Ste+e s%d.

I loo)ed t h%m nd l%c)ed m! l%$s ne#+ousl!. 9Wht do !ou th%n) we should do:9 I s)ed.

1e st#ed &c) t me nd hes%tted &eo#e #e$l!%n". 9I th%n) we should "o %n(9 he %nll!

s%d. 9We'+e come th%s #. It'd &e s%ll! to tu#n &c) now( w%thout )now%n" o# su#e.9

9I "#ee(9 I s%d( nodd%n". Then I ",ed u$ t the sc#! &u%ld%n" nd "ul$ed. It loo)ed l%)ethe so#t o $lce !ou sw %n ho##o# mo+%e( whe#e lots o $eo$le "o %n &ut don't come out.

9A#e !ou sc#ed:9 I s)ed Ste+e.

9No(9 he s%d( &ut I could he# h%s teeth chtte#%n" nd )new he ws l!%n". 9A#eyou839he

s)ed.

9Cou#se not(9 I s%d. We loo)ed t ech othe# nd "#%nned. We )new we we#e &oth te##%%ed(

&ut t lest we we#e to"ethe#. It's not so &d &e%n" sc#ed % !ou'#e not lone.

9Shll we ente#:9 Ste+e s)ed( t#!%n" to sound chee#ul.

93%"ht s well(9 I s%d.

We too) dee$ eth( c#ossed ou# %n"e#s( then st#ted u$ the ste$s ;the#e we#e n%ne stone

ste$s led%n" u$ to the doo#( ech one c#c)ed nd co+e#ed w%th moss< nd went %n.


26/122

WE F5ND 5RSELVES STANDIN/%n lon"( d#)( cold co##%do#. I hd m! 7c)et on( &ut

sh%+e#ed n!w!. It ws #ee,%n"-

9Wh! %s %t so cold:9 I s)ed Ste+e. 9It ws w#m outs%de.9

95ld houses #e l%)e tht(9 he told me.

We st#ted to wl). The#e ws l%"ht down &! the othe# end( so the #the# %n we "ot( the

%"hte# %t &ecme. I ws "ld o# tht. I don't th%n) I could h+e mde %t othe#w%se0 %t wouldh+e &een too sc#!-

The wlls we#e sc#tched nd sc#%&&led on( nd &%ts o the ce%l%n" we#e l)!. It ws

c#ee$! $lce. It would h+e &een &d enou"h %n the m%ddle o the d!( &ut th%s ws teno'cloc)( onl! two hou#s w! #om m%dn%"ht-

9The#e's doo# he#e(9 Ste+e s%d nd sto$$ed. 1e $ushed %t 7# nd %t c#e)ed loudl!. Ilmost tu#ned nd #n. It sounded l%)e the l%d o co%n &e%n" tu""ed o$en-

Ste+e showed no e# nd stuc) h%s hed %n. 1e s%d noth%n" o# ew seconds( wh%le h%se!es "ot used to the d#)( then he $ulled &c). 9It's the st%#s u$ to the &lcon!(9 he s%d.

9Whe#e the )%d ell #om:9 I s)ed.

9Yes.9

9Do !ou th%n) we should "o u$:9 I s)ed.

1e shoo) h%s hed. 9I don't th%n) so. It's d#) u$ the#e( no s%"n o n! so#t o l%"ht. We'll t#!

%t % we cn't %nd nothe# w! %n( &ut I th%n) 89

9Cn I hel$ !ou &o!s:9 some&od! s%d &eh%nd us( nd we ne#l! 7um$ed out o ou# s)%ns-

We tu#ned #ound 2u%c)l! nd the tllest mn %n the wo#ld ws stnd%n" the#e( "l#%n"

down on us s % we we#e cou$le o #ts. 1e ws so tll( h%s hed lmost touched the

ce%l%n". 1e hd hu"e &on! hnds nd e!es tht we#e so d#)( the! loo)ed l%)e two &lc)cols stuc) %n the m%ddle o h%s ce.

9Isn't %t #the# lte o# two l%ttle &o!s l%)e !ou#sel+es to &e out nd &out:9 he s)ed. 1%s

+o%ce ws s dee$ nd c#o)! s #o"'s( &ut h%s l%$s h#dl! seemed to mo+e. 1e wouldh+e mde "#et +ent#%lo2u%st.

9We 89 Ste+e &e"n( &ut hd to sto$ nd l%c) h%s l%$s &eo#e he could cont%nue. 9We'#e


27/122

he#e to see the C%#2ue Du F#e)(9 he s%d.

9(re!ou:9 The mn nodded slowl!. 9Do !ou h+e t%c)ets:9

9Yes(9 Ste+e s%d( nd showed h%s.

9Ve#! "ood(9 the mn mutte#ed. Then he tu#ned to me nd s%d0 91ow &out !ou( D##en:

Do !ou h+e t%c)et:9

9Yes(9 I s%d( #ech%n" %nto m! $oc)et. Then I sto$$ed ded %n m! t#c)s.e 5new my

name- I "lnced t Ste+e nd he ws sh)%n" %n h%s sne)e#s.

The tll mn sm%led. 1e hd &lc) teeth nd some we#e m%ss%n"( nd h%s ton"ue ws d%#t!

shde o !ellow. 93! nme %s 3#. Tll(9 he s%d. 9I own the C%#2ue Du F#e).9

91ow d%d !ou )now m! #%end's nme:9 Ste+e s)ed +el!.

3#. Tll lu"hed nd &ent down( so he ws e!e&ll*to*e!e&ll w%th Ste+e. 9I )now lots o

th%n"s(9 he s%d sotl!. I )now !ou# nmes. I )now whe#e !ou l%+e. I )now !ou don't l%)e!ou# momm! o# !ou# ddd!.9 1e tu#ned to ce me nd I too) ste$ &c). 1%s eth stn)

to the h%"h he+ens. 9I )now !ou d%dn't tell !ou# $#ents !ou we#e com%n" he#e. And I

)now how !ou won !ou# t%c)et.9

9ow:9 I s)ed. 3! teeth we#e sh)%n" so much( I wsn't su#e % he he#d me o# not. I he

d%d( he dec%ded not to nswe#( &ecuse ne6t he stood u$ nd tu#ned w! #om us.

9We must hu##!(9 he s%d( &e"%nn%n" to wl). I thou"ht he would t)e "%nt ste$s( &ut he

d%dn't( he too) sho#t ones. 9The show %s &out to &e"%n. E+e#!one else %s $#esent nd seted.

You #e lte( &o!s. You'#e luc)! we d%dn't st#t w%thout !ou.9

1e tu#ned co#ne# t the end o the co##%do#. 1e ws onl! two o# th#ee ste$s %n #ont o us(

&ut when we tu#ned the co#ne#( he ws s%tt%n" &eh%nd lon" t&le co+e#ed w%th &lc)cloth tht #eched down to the loo#. 1e ws we#%n" tll #ed ht now( nd $%# o

"lo+es.

9T%c)ets( $lese(9 he s%d. 1e #eched out( too) them( o$ened h%s mouth( $ut the t%c)ets %n(

then chewed them to $%eces nd swllowed-

9Ve#! well(9 he s%d. 9You m! "o %n now. We no#mll! don't welcome ch%ld#en( &ut I cnsee !ou #e two %ne( cou#"eous !oun" men. We w%ll m)e n e6ce$t%on.9

The#e we#e two &lue cu#t%ns %n #ont o us( d#wn c#oss the end o the hll. Ste+e nd meloo)ed t ech othe# nd "ul$ed.

9Do we wl) st#%"ht on:9 Ste+e s)ed.

95 cou#se(9 3#. Tll s%d.


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9Isn't the#e ld! w%th lshl%"ht:9 I s)ed.

1e lu"hed. 9I !ou wnt someone to hold !ou# hnd(9 he s%d( 9!ou should h+e ou"ht

&&!s%tte#-9

Tht mde me md nd I o#"ot o# moment how #%d I ws. 9All #%"ht(9 I sn$$ed(

ste$$%n" o#w#d( su#$#%s%n" Ste+e. 9I tht's the w! %t %s 89 I wl)ed o#w#d 2u%c)l! nd

$ushed $st the cu#t%ns.

I don't )now wht those cu#t%ns we#e mde o( &ut the! elt l%)e s$%de#we&s. I sto$$ed

once I $ssed them. I ws %n sho#t co##%do# nd nothe# $%# o cu#t%ns we#e d#$edc#oss the wlls ew !#ds %n #ont. The#e ws sound &eh%nd nd then Ste+e ws &! m!

s%de. We could he# no%ses on the othe# s%de o the cu#t%ns.

9Do !ou th%n) %t's se:9 I s)ed.

9I th%n) %t's se# to "o o#w#d thn &c)w#d(9 he nswe#ed. 9I don't th%n) 3#. Tll would

l%)e %t % we tu#ned &c).9

91ow do !ou th%n) he )new ll tht stu &out us: 9I s)ed.

91e must &e &le to #ed m%nds(9 Ste+e #e$l%ed.

95h(9 I s%d( nd thou"ht &out tht o# ew seconds. 91e ne#l! sc#ed the l%e out ome(9 I dm%tted.

93e( too(9 Ste+e s%d.

Then we ste$$ed o#w#d.

It ws hu"e #oom. The ch%#s hd &een #%$$ed out o the thete# lon" "o( &ut dec) ch%#shd &een set u$ %n the%# $lce. We loo)ed o# em$t! sets. The ent%#e thete# ws $c)ed(

&ut we we#e the onl! ch%ld#en the#e. I could eel $eo$le wtch%n" us nd wh%s$e#%n".

The onl! s$ces we#e %n the ou#th #ow #om the #ont. We hd to ste$ o+e# lots o le"s to

"et the#e nd $eo$le we#e "#um&l%n". When we st down( we #el%,ed the! we#e "ood sets(

&ecuse we we#e #%"ht %n the m%ddle nd no&od! tll ws %n #ont o us. We hd $e#ect

+%ew o the st"e nd could see e+e#!th%n".

9Do !ou th%n) the! sell $o$co#n:9 I s)ed.

9At #e) show:9 Ste+e sno#ted. 9/et #el- The! m%"ht sell sn)e e""s nd l%,#d e!es(

&ut I'll &et n!th%n" !ou l%)e the! don't sell $o$co#n-9

The $eo$le %n the thete# we#e m%6ed &unch. Some we#e d#essed st!l%shl!( othe#s %n

swetsu%ts. Some we#e s old s the h%lls( othe#s 7ust ew !e#s olde# thn Ste+e nd me.


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Some chtted con%dentl! to the%# com$n%ons nd &eh+ed s thou"h t socce# "me(

othe#s st 2u%etl! %n the%# ch%#s nd ",ed #ound ne#+ousl!.

Wht e+e#!one sh#ed ws loo) o e6c%tement.

I could see %t %n the%# e!es( the sme l%"ht tht ws sh%n%n" %n Ste+e's nd m%ne. We llsomehow )new tht we we#e %n o# someth%n" s$ec%l( the l%)es o wh%ch we'd ne+e# seen

&eo#e.

Then &unch o t#um$ets &lew nd the whole $lce went 2u%et. The t#um$ets &lew o# "es

nd "es( "ett%n" loude# nd loude#( nd e+e#! l%"ht went out unt%l the thete# ws $%tch

&lc). I &e"n to "et sc#ed "%n( &ut %t ws too lte to le+e.

All o sudden( the t#um$ets sto$$ed nd the#e ws s%lence. 3! e#s we#e #%n"%n" nd o#

ew seconds I elt d%,,!. Then I #eco+e#ed nd st u$ st#%"ht %n m! set.

Somewhe#e h%"h u$ %n the thete#( someone sw%tched on "#een l%"ht nd the st"e l%t u$.

It loo)ed ee#%e- Fo# &out m%nute noth%n" else h$$ened. Then two men cme out( $ull%n"

c"e. It ws on wheels nd co+e#ed w%th wht loo)ed l%)e hu"e &e#s)%n #u". When the!"ot to the m%ddle o the st"e the! sto$$ed( d#o$$ed the #o$es( nd #n &c) %nto the w%n"s.

Fo# ew seconds mo#e s%lence. Then the t#um$ets &lew "%n( th#ee sho#t &lsts. The #u"cme l!%n" o the c"e nd the %#st #e) ws #e+eled.

Tht ws when the sc#em%n" &e"n.

T1ERE WAS N5 NEEDo# the sc#em%n". The #e) ws $#ett! shoc)%n"( &ut he ws ch%ned

u$ %ns%de the c"e. I th%n) the $eo$le who sc#emed d%d %t o# un( the w! $eo$le sc#em

on #olle# coste#( not &ecuse the! we#e ctull! #%d.

It ws the wol*mn. 1e ws +e#! u"l!( w%th h%# ll o+e# h%s &od!. 1e onl! wo#e $%ece o

cloth #ound h%s m%ddle( l%)e T#,n( so we could see h%s h%#! le"s nd &ell! nd &c) nd

#ms. 1e hd lon" &ush! &e#d( wh%ch co+e#ed most o h%s ce. 1%s e!es we#e !ellownd h%s teeth we#e #ed.

1e shoo) the s o the c"e nd #o#ed. It ws $#ett! #%"hten%n". Lots mo#e $eo$lesc#emed when he #o#ed. I ne#l! sc#emed m!sel( e6ce$t I d%dn't wnt to loo) l%)e

&&!.

The wol*mn went on sh)%n" the s nd 7um$%n" #ound( &eo#e clm%n" down. When

he ws s%tt%n" on h%s &c)s%de( the w! do"s do( 3#. Tll wl)ed on nd s$o)e.


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9Ld%es nd "entlemen(9 he s%d( nd e+en thou"h h%s +o%ce ws low nd c#o)!(

e+e#!&od! could he# wht he ws s!%n"( 9welcome to the C%#2ue Du F#e)( home o thewo#ld's most #em#)&le humn &e%n"s.

9We #e n nc%ent c%#cus(9 he went on. 9We h+e tou#ed o# %+e hund#ed !e#s( %n"%n"

the "#otes2ue to "ene#t%on te# "ene#t%on. 5u# l%neu$ hs chn"ed mn! t%mes( &ut ne+e#ou# %m( wh%ch %s to stound nd te##%! !ou- We $#esent cts &oth #%"hten%n" nd &%,##e(

cts !ou cn %nd nowhe#e else %n the wo#ld.

9Those who #e es%l! sc#ed should le+e now(9 he w#ned. 9I'm su#e the#e #e $eo$le

who cme ton%"ht th%n)%n" th%s ws 7o)e. 3!&e the! thou"ht ou# #e)s would &e $eo$le

%n ms)s( o# h#mless m%s%ts.This is not so- E+e#! ct !ou see ton%"ht %s #el. Ech$e#o#me# %s un%2ue. And none #e h#mless.9

Tht ws the end o h%s s$eech nd he wl)ed ost"e Two $#ett! women %n sh%n! su%ts

cme on ne6t nd unloc)ed the doo# o the wol*mn's c"e. A ew $eo$le loo)ed sc#ed&ut no&od! let.

The wol*mn ws !$$%n" nd howl%n" when he %#st cme out o the c"e( unt%l one othe ld%es h!$not%,ed h%m w%th he# %n"e#s. The othe# ld! s$o)e to the c#owd.

9You must &e +e#! 2u%et(9 she s%d %n o#e%"n ccent. 9The wol*mn w%ll not &e &le tohu#t !ou s lon" s we cont#ol h%m( &ut loud sound could w)e h%m u$( nd then he would

&e dedl!-9

When the! we#e #ed!( the! ste$$ed down #om the st"e nd wl)ed the h!$not%,ed wol*

mn th#ou"h the thete#. 1%s h%# ws d%#t! "#! colo# nd he wl)ed w%th stoo$( %n"e#s

hn"%n" down #ound h%s )nees.

The ld%es st!ed &! h%s s%de nd w#ned $eo$le to &e 2u%et. The! let !ou st#o)e h%m % !ou

wnted( &ut !ou hd to do %t "entl!. Ste+e #u&&ed h%m when he went &! &ut I ws #%d he

m%"ht w)e u$ nd &%te me( so I d%dn't.

9Wht d%d %t eel l%)e:9 I s)ed( s 2u%etl! s I could.

9It ws s$%)!(9 Ste+e #e$l%ed( 9l%)e hed"eho".9 1e l%ted h%s %n"e#s to h%s nose nd

sn%ed. 9It smells st#n"e( too( l%)e &u#n%n" #u&&e#.9

The wol*mn nd ld%es we#e &out hlw! down the #ows o sets when the#e ws &%"BAN/- I don't )now wht mde the no%se( &ut suddenl! the wol*mn &e"n #o#%n" nd he

sho+ed the ld%es w! #om h%m.

Peo$le sc#emed nd those ne#est h%m le$ed #om the%# sets nd #n. 5ne womn wsn't

2u%c) enou"h( nd the wol*mn le$ed on he# nd d#""ed he# to the "#ound. She ws

sc#em%n" t the to$ o he# lun"s( &ut no&od! t#%ed to hel$ he#. 1e #olled he# o+e# onto he#&c) nd ed h%s teeth. She stuc) hnd u$ to $ush h%m w!( &ut he "ot h%s teeth on %t

nd6it it o44-


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A cou$le o $eo$le %nted when the! sw tht nd &unch mo#e &e"n !ell%n" nd#unn%n". Then( out o nowhe#e( 3#. Tll $$e#ed &eh%nd the wol*mn nd w#$$ed h%s

#ms #ound h%m. The wol*mn st#u""led o# ew seconds( &ut 3#. Tll wh%s$e#ed

someth%n" %n h%s e# nd he #el6ed. Wh%le 3#. Tll led h%m &c) to the st"e( the women %n

the su%ts clmed down the c#owd nd told them to #etu#n to the%# sets.

Wh%le the c#owd hes%tted( the womn w%th the &%tten*o hnd went on sc#em%n". Blood

ws $um$%n" out o the end o he# w#%st( co+e#%n" the "#ound nd othe# $eo$le. Ste+e nd Iwe#e st#%n" t he#( ou# mouths w%de o$en( wonde#%n" % she ws "o%n" to d%e.

3#. Tll #etu#ned #om the st"e( $%c)ed u$ the se+e#ed hnd( nd "+e loud wh%stle. Two$eo$le %n &lue #o&es w%th hoods o+e# the%# heds #n o#w#d. The! we#e sho#t( not much

&%""e# thn me o# Ste+e( &ut w%th th%c) #ms nd le"s nd lots o muscles. 3#. Tll st the

womn u$ nd wh%s$e#ed someth%n" %n he# e#. She sto$$ed sc#em%n" nd st st%.

3#. Tll too) hold o the w#%st( then #eched %nto h%s $oc)et nd too) out smll own

lethe# $ouch. 1e o$ened %t w%th h%s #ee hnd nd s$#%n)led s$#)l! $%n) $owde# onto the

&leed%n" w#%st. Then he stuc) the hnd "%nst %t nd nodded to the two $eo$le %n the &luesu%ts. The! $#oduced $%# o needles nd lods o o#n"e st#%n". And then( to the

m,ement o e+e#!&od! %n the thete#( the! st#ted to st%tch the hnd &c) onto the w#%st-

The $eo$le %n &lue #o&es st%tched o# %+e o# s%6 m%nutes. The womn d%dn't eel n! $%n(

e+en thou"h the%# needles we#e "o%n" %n nd out o he# lesh( ll the w! #ound the w#%st.

When %n%shed( the! $ut the%# needles nd unused th#ed w! nd #etu#ned to whe#e+e#the!'d come #om. The%# hoods ne+e# sl%$$ed #om the%# ces( so I couldn't tell % the! we#e

men o# women. When the!'d "one( 3#. Tll let "o o the womn's hnd nd ste$$ed &c).

93o+e !ou# %n"e#s(9 he s%d. The womn st#ed t h%m &ln)l!. 93o+e !ou# %n"e#s-9 hes%d "%n( nd th%s t%me she "+e them w%""le.

The! mo+ed-

E+e#!&od! "s$ed. The womn st#ed t the %n"e#s s thou"h she d%dn't &el%e+e the! we#e

#el. She "+e them nothe# w%""le. Then she stood nd l%ted the hnd &o+e he# hed. Sheshoo) %t s h#d s she could( nd %t ws s "ood s new- You could see the st%tches &ut

the#e ws no mo#e &lood nd the %n"e#s seemed to &e wo#)%n" %ne.

9You w%ll &e o)!(9 3#. Tll told he#. 9The st%tches w%ll ll out te# cou$le o d!s. Itw%ll &e %ne te# tht.9

93!&e tht's not "ood enou"h-9 someone shouted( nd &%" #ed*ced mn ste$$edo#w#d. 9I'm he# hus&nd(9 he s%d( 9nd I s! we should "o to docto# nd then the

$ol%ce- You cn't let w%ld n%ml l%)e tht out %nto c#owd- Wht % he'd &%tten he# hed

o:9

9Then she would &e ded(9 3#. Tll s%d clml!.


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9L%sten( &uste#(9 the hus&nd &e"n( &ut 3#. Tll %nte##u$ted.

9Tell me( s%#(9 3#. Tll s%d( 9whe#e we#eyouwhen the wol*mn ws ttc)%n":9

90e:9 the mn s)ed.

9Yes(9 3#. Tll s%d. 9You #e he# hus&nd. You we#e s%tt%n" &es%de he# when the &est

esc$ed. Wh! d%d !ou not le$ to he# #escue:9

9Well( I 8 The#e ws no t%me 8 I couldn't 8 I wsn't 89

No mtte# wht he s%d( the hus&nd couldn't w%n( &ecuse the#e ws onl! one t#ue nswe#0

he hd &een #unn%n" w!( loo)%n" te# h%msel.

9L%sten to me(9 3#. Tll s%d. 9I "+e %# w#n%n". I s%d th%s show could &e dn"e#ous.Th%s %s not n%ce( se c%#cus whe#e noth%n" "oes w#on". 3%st)es cn nd do h$$en( nd

somet%mes $eo$le end u$ lot wo#se o thn !ou# w%e. Tht's wh! th%s show %s &nned.

Tht's wh! we must $l! %n old thete#s %n the m%ddle o the n%"ht. 3ost o the t%me( th%n"s"o smoothl! nd no&od! "ets hu#t. But we cnnot "u#ntee !ou# set!.9

3#. Tll tu#ned #ound %n c%#cle nd seemed to loo) e+e#!&od! %n the e!e wh%le tu#n%n".9We cnnot "u#nteeany6ody3sset!(9 he #o#ed. 9Anothe# cc%dent l%)e th%s %s unl%)el!(

&ut %tcouldh$$en. 5nce "%n I s!( % !ou #e #%d( le+e. Le+e now( &eo#e %t %s too

lte-9

A ew $eo$le d%d le+e. But most st!ed to see the #est o the show( e+en the womn who

ne#l! lost he# hnd.

9Do !ou wnt to "o:9 I s)ed Ste+e( hl*ho$%n" he'd s! !es. I ws e6c%ted &ut sc#ed s

well.

9A#e !ou c#,!:9 he s%d. 9Th%s %s "#et-#oudon't wnt to "o( do !ou:9

9No w!(9 I l%ed( nd sl$$ed on sh)! l%ttle sm%le.

I onl! I hdn't &een so sc#ed o loo)%n" l%)e cow#d- I could h+e let nd e+e#!th%n"

would h+e &een %ne. But no( I hd to ct l%)e &%" mn nd s%t %t out to the end. I !ou

onl! )new how mn! t%mes I'+e w%shed s%nce then tht I'd led w%th ll the s$eed %n m!&od! nd ne+e# loo)ed &c) 8

AS S55N AS 3R. TALLhd let the st"e nd we'd settled &c) %nto ou# sets( the second


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swllow%n" %t w%th d#%n) o wte#. Then he te the s$oons nd o#)s. 1e tw%sted them u$

%nto c%#cles w%th h%s hnds( $o$$ed them %nto h%s mouth( nd let them sl%de down. 1e s%dh%s teeth we#en't st#on" enou"h to te# th#ou"h metl.

Ate# tht( he swllowed lon" metl ch%n( then $used to ctch h%s eth. 1%s &ell!

&e"n #um&l%n" nd sh)%n". I d%dn't )now wht ws "o%n" on( unt%l he "+e he+e nd Isw the to$ o the ch%n come out o h%s mouth.

As the ch%n cme out( I sw tht the s$oons nd o#)s we#e w#$$ed #ound %t- 1e hdmn"ed to $o)e the ch%n th#ou"h the hoo$s %ns%de h%s &ell!. It ws un&el%e+&le.

When Rhmus let the st"e( I thou"ht no&od! could to$ such n ct.

I ws w#on"-

AC5PLE 5F PE5PLE%n the &lue*hooded #o&es cme #ound te# Rhmus Two&ell%es(sell%n" "%ts. The#e ws some #ell! cool stu( l%)e chocolte models o the nuts nd &olts

tht Rhmus te( nd #u&&e# dolls o Ale6nde# R%&s tht !ou could &end nd st#etch. And

the#e we#e cl%$$%n"s o the wol*mn's h%#. I &ou"ht some o tht0 %t ws tou"h nd w%#!(

sh#$ s )n%e.

9The#e w%ll &e mo#e no+elt%es lte#(9 3#. Tll nnounced #om the st"e( 9so don't s$end ll

!ou# mone! #%"ht w!.9

91ow much %s the "lss sttue:9 Ste+e s)ed. It ws the sme )%nd tht Rhmus Two&ell%es

hd eten. The $e#son %n the &lue hood d%dn't s! n!th%n"( &ut stuc) out s%"n w%th the$#%ce on %t. 9I cn't #ed(9 Ste+e s%d. 9W%ll !ou tell me how much %t costs:9

I st#ed t Ste+e nd wonde#ed wh! he ws l!%n". The $e#son %n the hood st%ll d%dn't s$e).Th%s t%me he ;o# she< shoo) h%s hed 2u%c)l! nd mo+ed on &eo#e Ste+e could s) n!th%n"

else.

9Wht ws tht &out:9 I s)ed.

Ste+e sh#u""ed. 9I wnted to he# %t s$e)(9 he s%d( 9to see % %t ws humn o# not.9

95 cou#se %t's humn(9 I s%d. 9Wht else could %t &e:9

9I don't )now(9 he s%d. 9Tht's wh! I ws s)%n". Don't !ou th%n) %t's st#n"e tht the!)ee$ the%# ces co+e#ed ll the t%me:9

93!&e the!'#e sh!(9 I s%d.


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1%s nme ws 1ns 1nds. 1e &e"n &! tell%n" us &out h%s the#( who'd &een &o#nw%thout le"s. 1ns's the# le#ned to "et #ound on h%s hnds 7ust s well s othe# $eo$le

could on the%# eet( nd hd tu"ht h%s ch%ld#en h%s sec#ets.

1ns then st down( $ulled u$ h%s le"s( nd w#$$ed h%s eet #ound h%s nec). 1e stood onh%s hnds( wl)ed u$ nd down the st"e( then ho$$ed o nd chllen"ed ou# men $%c)ed

t #ndom to #ce. The! could #ce on the%# eet? he'd #ce on h%s hnds. 1e $#om%sed

o "old to n!one who could &et h%m.

The! used the %sles o the thete# s #cet#c)( nd des$%te h%s d%sd+nt"e( 1ns &et

the ou# men es%l!. 1e cl%med he could s$#%nt hund#ed !#ds %n e%"ht seconds on h%shnds( nd no&od! %n the thete# dou&ted h%m. Ate#w#d he $e#o#med some %m$#ess%+e

"!mnst%c ets( $#o+%n" tht $e#son could mn"e 7ust s well w%thout le"s s w%th them.

1%s ct wsn't es$ec%ll! e6c%t%n" &ut %t ws en7o!&le.

The#e ws sho#t $use te# 1ns hd let( then 3#. Tll cme out. 9Ld%es nd

"entlemen(9 he s%d( 9ou# ne6t ct %s nothe# un%2ue nd $e#$le6%n" one. It cn lso &e 2u%te

dn"e#ous( so I s) tht !ou m)e no no%se nd do not cl$ unt%l !ou #e told %t %s se.9

The whole $lce went 2u%et. Ate# wht hd h$$ened w%th the wol*mn e#l%e#( no&od!

needed to &e told tw%ce-

When %t ws 2u%et enou"h( 3#. Tll wl)ed o the st"e. 1e shouted out the nme o the

ne6t #e) s he went( &ut %t ws sot shout0 93#. C#e$sle! nd 3dm 5ct-9

The l%"hts went down low nd c#ee$!*loo)%n" mn wl)ed onto the st"e. 1e ws tll

nd th%n( w%th +e#! wh%te s)%n nd onl! smll c#o$ o o#n"e h%# on the to$ o h%s hed.

1e hd l#"e sc# #unn%n" down h%s let chee). It #eched to h%s l%$s nd mde %t loo) l%)eh%s mouth ws st#etch%n" u$ the s%de o h%s ce.

1e ws d#essed %n d#)*#ed clothes nd c##%ed smll wooden c"e( wh%ch he $ut on t&le. When he ws set( he tu#ned nd ced us. 1e &owed nd sm%led. 1e loo)ed e+en

sc#%e# when he sm%led( l%)e c#,! clown %n ho##o# mo+%e I once sw- Then he st#ted to

e6$l%n &out the ct.

I m%ssed the %#st $#t o h%s s$eech &ecuse I wsn't loo)%n" t the st"e. I ws wtch%n"

Ste+e. You see( when 3#. C#e$sle! wl)ed out( the#e hd &een totl s%lence( e6ce$t o# one

$e#son who hd "s$ed loudl!.

*teve.

I st#ed cu#%ousl! t m! #%end. 1e ws lmost s wh%te s 3#. C#e$sle! nd ws sh)%n"

ll o+e#. 1e'd e+en d#o$$ed the #u&&e# model o Ale6nde# R%&s tht he'd &ou"ht.

1%s e!es we#e %6ed on 3#. C#e$sle!( s thou"h "lued to h%m( nd s I wtched h%m wtch

the #e)( the thou"ht tht c#ossed m! m%nd ws0 91e loo)s l%)e he's seen "host-9


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"IT IS N5T TREtht ll t#ntuls #e $o%sonous(9 3#. C#e$sle! s%d. 1e hd dee$ +o%ce.

I mn"ed to te# m! e!es w! #om Ste+e nd t#%ned them on the st"e. 93ost #e sh#mless s the s$%de#s !ou %nd n!whe#e %n the wo#ld. And those wh%chare$o%sonous

no#mll! onl! h+e enou"h $o%son %n them to )%ll +e#! smll c#etu#es.

9But some #e dedl!-9 he went on. 9Some cn )%ll mn w%th one &%te. The! #e ##e( nd

onl! ound %n e6t#emel! #emote #es( &ut the! do e6%st.

9I h+e one such s$%de#(9 he s%d nd o$ened the doo# o the c"e. Fo# ew seconds

noth%n" h$$ened( &ut then the l#"est s$%de# I hd e+e# seen c#wled out. It ws "#een nd

$u#$le nd #ed( w%th lon" h%#! le"s nd &%" t &od!. I wsn't #%d o s$%de#s( &ut th%sone loo)ed te##%!%n".

The s$%de# wl)ed o#w#d slowl!. Then %ts le"s &ent nd %t lowe#ed %ts &od!( s thou"h

w%t%n" o# l!.

93dm 5ct hs &een w%th me o# se+e#l !e#s(9 3#. C#e$sle! s%d. 9She l%+es # lon"e#

thn o#d%n#! s$%de#s. The mon) who sold he# to me s%d some o he# )%nd l%+e to &e twent!o# th%#t! !e#s old. She %s n %nc#ed%&le c#etu#e( &oth $o%sonous nd %ntell%"ent.9

Wh%le he ws s$e)%n"( one o the &lue*hooded $eo$le led "ot onto the st"e. It wsm)%n" #%"htened &let%n" no%se nd )e$t t#!%n" to #un. The hooded $e#son t%ed %t to the

t&le nd let.

The s$%de# &e"n mo+%n" when %t sw nd he#d the "ot. It c#e$t to the ed"e o the t&le(

whe#e %t sto$$ed( s % w%t%n" n o#de#. 3#. C#e$sle! $#oduced sh%n! t%n wh%stle he

clled %t lute #om h%s $nts $oc)et nd &lew ew sho#t notes. 3dm 5ct %mmed%tel!

le$ed th#ou"h the %# nd lnded on the "ot's nec).

The "ot "+e le$ when the s$%de# lnded( nd &e"n &let%n" loudl!. 3dm 5ct too)

no not%ce( hun" on( nd mo+ed ew %nches close# to the hed. When she ws #ed!( sheed he# n"s nd sun) them dee$ %nto the "ot's nec)-

The "ot #o,e nd %ts e!es went w%de. It sto$$ed &let%n" nd( ew seconds lte#( to$$led

o+e#. I thou"ht %t ws ded( &ut then #el%,ed %t ws st%ll eth%n".

9Th%s lute %s how I cont#ol 3dm 5ct(9 3#. C#e$sle! s%d( nd I loo)ed w! #om the

llen "ot. 1e w+ed the lute slowl! &o+e h%s hed. 9Thou"h we h+e &een to"ethe# such lon" t%me( she %s not $et( nd would su#el! )%ll me % I e+e# lost %t.

9The "ot %s $#l!,ed(9 he s%d. 9I h+e t#%ned 3dm 5ct not to )%ll out#%"ht w%th he#%#st &%te. The "ot would d%e %n the end( % we let %t the#e %s no cu#e o# 3dm 5ct's &%te


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&ut we shll %n%sh %t 2u%c)l!.9 1e &lew on the lute nd 3dm 5ct mo+ed u$ the "ot's

nec) unt%l she ws stnd%n" on %ts e#. She ed he# n"s "%n nd &%t. The "ot sh%+e#ed(then went totll! st%ll.

It ws ded.

3dm 5ct d#o$$ed #om the "ot nd c#wled tow#d the #ont o the st"e. The $eo$le

%n the #ont #ows &ecme +e#! l#med nd some 7um$ed to the%# eet. But the! #o,e t

sho#t commnd #om 3#. C#e$sle!.

9'Do not mo+e-9 he h%ssed. 9Remem&e# !ou# e#l%e# w#n%n"0 sudden no%se could men

deth-9

3dm 5ct sto$$ed t the ed"e o the st"e( then stood on he# two &c) le"s( 7ust l%)e

do"- 3#. C#e$sle! &lew sotl! on h%s lute nd she &e"n wl)%n" &c)w#d( st%ll on two

eet. When she #eched the ne#est le" o the t&le( she tu#ned nd cl%m&ed u$.

9You w%ll &e se now(9 3#. C#e$sle! s%d( nd the $eo$le %n the #ont #ows st down "%n(

s slowl! nd 2u%etl! s the! could. 9But $lese(9 he dded( 9do not m)e n! loud no%ses(&ecuse % !ou do( she m%"ht come te#me.9

I don't )now % 3#. C#e$sle! ws #ell! sc#ed( o# % %t ws $#t o the ct( &ut he loo)ed#%"htened. 1e w%$ed the slee+e o h%s #%"ht #m o+e# h%s o#ehed( then $lced the lute

&c) %n h%s mouth nd wh%stled st#n"e l%ttle tune.

3dm 5ct coc)ed he# hed( then $$e#ed to nod. She c#wled c#oss the t&le unt%l she

ws %n #ont o 3#. C#e$sle!. 1e lowe#ed h%s #%"ht hnd( nd she c#e$t u$ h%s #m. The

thou"ht o those lon" h%#! le"s c#ee$%n" lon" h%s lesh mde me swet ll o+e#. And

Ili5eds$%de#s- Peo$le who we#e #%d o them must h+e &een ne#+ousl! chew%n" the%ns%des o the%# chee)s to $%eces.

When she "ot to the to$ o h%s #m( she scuttled lon" h%s shoulde#( u$ h%s nec)( o+e# h%se#( nd d%dn't sto$ unt%l she #eched the to$ o h%s hed( whe#e she lowe#ed he# &od!. She

loo)ed l%)e unn! )%nd o ht.

Ate# wh%le( 3#. C#e$sle! &e"n $l!%n" the lute "%n. 3dm 5ct sl%d down the othe#

s%de o h%s ce( lon" the sc#( nd wl)ed #ound unt%l she ws stnd%n" u$s%de down on

h%s ch%n. Then she s$un st#%n" o we& nd d#o$$ed down on %t.

She ws hn"%n" &out th#ee %nches &elow h%s ch%n now( nd slowl! &e"n #oc)%n" #om

s%de to s%de. Soon she ws sw%n"%n" &out le+el w%th h%s e#s. 1e# le"s we#e tuc)ed %n( nd

#om whe#e I ws s%tt%n" she loo)ed l%)e &ll o wool.

Then( s she mde n u$w#d sw%n"( 3#. C#e$sle! th#ew h%s hed &c) nd she went l!%n"

st#%"ht u$ %nto the %#. The th#ed sn$$ed nd she tum&led #ound nd #ound. I wtchedhe# "o u$( then come down. I thou"ht she'd lnd on the loo# o# the t&le( &ut she d%dn't.

Insted( she lnded %n 3#. C#e$sle!'s mouth-


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9Ste+e( wht's w#on":9 I s)ed.

1e d%dn't nswe#.

9Ste+e:9

9Ssshhh-9 he sn$$ed( nd wouldn't s! nothe# wo#d unt%l 3#. C#e$sle! hd let. 1e

wtched the odd*loo)%n" mn wl) &c) to the w%n"s. Then he tu#ned to me nd "s$ed0

9Th%s %s m,%n"-9

9The s$%de#:9 I s)ed. 9Itwas"#et. 1ow do !ou th%n) 89

9I'm not tl)%n" &out the s$%de#-9 he sn$$ed. 9Who c#es &out s%ll! old #chn%d: I'm

tl)%n" &out 3# 8 C#e$sle!.9 1e $used &eo#e s!%n" the mn's nme( s thou"h he'd

&een &out to cll h%m someth%n" d%e#ent.

93#. C#e$sle!:9 I s)ed( conused. 9Wht ws so "#et &out h%m: All he d%d ws $l! the

lute.9

9You don't unde#stnd(9 Ste+e s%d n"#%l!. 9You don't )now who he #ell! %s.9

9Andyoudo:9 I s)ed.

9Yes(9 he s%d( 9s mtte# o ct I do.9 1e #u&&ed h%s ch%n nd st#ted loo)%n" wo##%ed

"%n. 9I 7ust ho$e he doesn't )now I )now. I he does( we m%"ht ne+e# m)e %t out o he#el%+e 89

T1ERE WAS AN5T1ER BREA@te# 3#. C#e$sle! nd 3dm 5ct's ct. I t#%ed "ett%n"

Ste+e to tell me mo#e &out who the mn ws( &ut h%s l%$s we#e seled. All he s%d ws0 9Ih+e to th%n) &out th%s.9 Then he closed h%s e!es( lowe#ed h%s hed( nd thou"ht h#d.


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The! we#e sell%n" mo#e cool stu du#%n" the e)0 &e#ds l%)e the &e#ded ld!'s( models

o 1ns 1nds( nd( &est o ll( #u&&e# s$%de#s tht loo)ed l%)e 3dm 5ct. I &ou"ht two(one o# me nd one o# Ann%e. The! we#en't s "ood s the #el th%n" &ut the!'d h+e to do.

The! we#e lso sell%n" cnd! we&s. I &ou"ht s%6 o those( us%n" u$ the lst o m! mone!(

nd te two wh%le w%t%n" o# the ne6t #e) to come out. The! tsted l%)e cotton cnd!. Istuc) the second one o+e# m! l%$s nd l%c)ed t %t the sme w! 3#. C#e$sle! hd.

The l%"hts went down nd e+e#!&od! settled &c) %nto the%# sets. /e#th Teeth ws ne6tu$. She ws &%" womn w%th th%c) le"s( th%c) #ms( th%c) nec)( nd th%c) hed.

9Ld%es nd "entlemen( I m /e#th Teeth-9 she s%d. She sounded st#%ct. 9I h+e thest#on"est teeth %n the wo#ld- When I ws &&!( m! the# $ut h%s #%n"e#s %n m! mouth(

$l!%n" w%th me( nd I &%t two o them o-9

A ew $eo$le lu"hed( &ut she sto$$ed them w%th u#%ous loo). 9I m not comed%n-9she sn$$ed. 9I !ou lu"h t me "%n( I w%ll come down nd &%te !ou# nose o-9 Tht

sounded $#ett! unn!( &ut no&od! d#ed chuc)le.

She s$o)e +e#! loudl!. E+e#! sentence ws shout nd ended %n n e6clmt%on m#);-


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sled"ehmme# t the ch%sel.

The mn #%sed the sled"ehmme# h%"h &o+e h%s hed nd ou"ht %t down. I thou"ht he

ws "o%n" to smsh he# ce o$en nd so d%d lots o othe#s( 7ud"%n" &! the "s$s nd $eo$le

co+e#%n" the%# e!es w%th the%# hnds.

But /e#th ws no ool. She swun" out o the w! nd the sled"ehmme# slmmed %nto the

loo#. She st u$ nd s$t the ch%sel out o he# mouth. 91h-9 she sno#ted. 91ow c#,! do

!ou th%n) I m:9

5ne o the &lue*hoods cme out nd too) the sled"ehmme# #om the mn. 9I onl! clled

!ou u$ to show the sled"ehmme# %s #el-9 she told h%m. 9Now(9 she s%d to those o us %nthe ud%ence( 9wtch-9

She l! &c) "%n nd stuc) the ch%sel %n he# mouth. The &lue*hood w%ted moment(

then #%sed the sled"ehmme# h%"h nd swun" %t down( ste# nd h#de# thn the mn hd.It st#uc) the to$ o the ch%sel nd the#e ws %e#ce no%se.

/e#th st u$. I e6$ected to see teeth ll%n" out o he# mouth( &ut when she o$ened %t nd#emo+ed the ch%sel( the#e wsn't s much s c#c) to &e seen- She lu"hed nd s%d0 91h-

You thou"ht I hd &%tten o mo#e thn I could chew-9

She let the second +oluntee# "o to wo#)( the one w%th the smlle# hmme# nd ch%sel. She

w#ned h%m to &e c#eul o he# "ums( then let h%m $os%t%on the ch%sel on he# teeth nd

whc) w! t %t. 1e ne#l! hmme#ed h%s #m o( &ut he wsn't &le to h#m he# teeth.

The th%#d +oluntee# t#%ed sw%n" them o w%th the elect#%c sw. 1e #n the sw #om one

s%de o he# mouth to the othe#( nd s$#)s we#e l!%n" e+e#!whe#e( &ut when he $ut %t down

nd the dust cle#ed( /e#th's teeth we#e s wh%te( "lem%n"( nd sol%d s e+e#.

The Tw%st%n" Tw%ns( S%+e nd See#s( cme on te# he#. The! we#e %dent%cl tw%ns nd

the! we#e conto#t%on%sts l%)e Ale6nde# R%&s. The%# ct %n+ol+ed tw%st%n" the%# &od%es#ound ech othe# so the! loo)ed l%)e one $e#son w%th two #onts %nsted o &c)( o# two

u$$e# &od%es nd no le"s. The! we#e s)%llul nd %t ws $#ett! %nte#est%n"( &ut dull

com$#ed to the #est o the $e#o#me#s.

When S%+e nd See#s we#e %n%shed( 3#. Tll cme out nd thn)ed us o# com%n". I

thou"ht the #e)s would come out "%n nd l%ne u$ %n #ow( &ut the! d%dn't. Insted( 3#.

Tll s%d we could &u! mo#e stu t the &c) o the hll on ou# w! out. 1e s)ed us toment%on the show to ou# #%ends. Then he thn)ed us "%n o# com%n" nd s%d tht the

show ws o+e#.

I ws l%ttle d%s$$o%nted tht %t hd ended so we)l!( &ut %t ws lte nd I su$$ose the

#e)s we#e t%#ed. I "ot to m! eet( $%c)ed u$ the stu I'd &ou"ht( nd tu#ned to s!

someth%n" to Ste+e.

1e ws loo)%n" &eh%nd me( u$ t the &lcon!( h%s e!es w%de. I tu#ned to see wht he ws


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somewhe#e once tht sn)es cn't he#( &ut cn eel sounds.

The sn)e*&o! shuled l%ttle &%t to h%s let( then h%s #%"ht. The sn)e's hed ollowed h%m

&ut d%dn't lun"e. The &o! c#e$t close# to the sn)e( unt%l he ws w%th%n %ts #n"e. I e6$ected

%t to st#%)e nd )%ll h%m( nd I wnted to sc#em t h%m to #un.

But the sn)e*&o! )new wht he ws do%n". When he ws close enou"h he #eched out nd

t%c)led the sn)e &eneth %ts ch%n w%th h%s we%#d we&&ed %n"e#s. Then he &ent o#w#d nd

)%ssed %t on the nose-

The sn)e w#$$ed %tsel #ound the &o!'s nec). It co%led &out h%m cou$le o t%mes(

le+%n" %ts t%l d#$ed o+e# h%s shoulde# nd down h%s &c) l%)e sc#.

The &o! st#o)ed the sn)e nd sm%led. I thou"ht he ws "o%n" to wl) th#ou"h the c#owd(

lett%n" the #est o us #u& %t( &ut he d%dn't. Insted he wl)ed o+e# to the s%de o the thete#(

w! #om the $th to the doo#. 1e unw#$$ed the sn)e nd $ut %t down on the loo#( thent%c)led %t unde# %ts ch%n once mo#e.

The mouth o$ened w%de th%s t%me( nd I sw %ts n"s. The sn)e*&o! l! down on h%s &c) sho#t d%stnce w! #om the sn)e( then &e"n w#%""l%n" tow#d %t-

9No(9 I s%d sotl! to m!sel. 9Su#el! he's not "o%n" to 89

But !es( he stuc) h%s hed %n the sn)e's w%de*o$en mouth-

The sn)e*&o! st!ed %ns%de the mouth o# ew seconds( then slowl! esed out. 1e

w#$$ed the sn)e #ound h%m once mo#e( then #olled #ound nd #ound unt%l the sn)e

co+e#ed h%m com$letel!( e6ce$t o# h%s ce. 1e mn"ed to ho$ to h%s eet nd "#%n. 1e

loo)ed l%)e #olled*u$ c#$et-

9And tht( ld%es nd "entlemen(9 s%d 3#. Tll #om the st"e &eh%nd us( 9#ell! %s the

end.9 1e sm%led nd le$ed #om the st"e( +n%sh%n" %n m%d%# %n $u o smo)e. When %tcle#ed( I sw h%m &! the &c) o the thete#( hold%n" the e6%t cu#t%ns o$en.

The $#ett! ld%es nd m!ste#%ous &lue*hooded $eo$le we#e stnd%n" to h%s let nd #%"ht(the%# #ms %lled w%th t#!s ull o "ood%es. I ws so##! I hdn't s+ed some o m! mone!.

Ste+e s%d noth%n" wh%le we we#e w%t%n". I could tell #om the se#%ous loo) on h%s ce

tht he ws st%ll th%n)%n"( nd #om $st e6$e#%ence I )new the#e ws no $o%nt t#!%n" to tl)to h%m. When Ste+e went %nto one o h%s moods( noth%n" could 7olt h%m out o %t.

When the #ows &eh%nd us hd cle#ed out( we mde ou# w! to the &c) o the thete#. Iou"ht the stu I'd &ou"ht w%th me. I lso lu""ed Ste+e's "%ts( &ecuse he ws so w#$$ed

u$ %n h%s thou"hts( he would h+e d#o$$ed them o# let them &eh%nd.

3#. Tll ws stnd%n" t the &c)( hold%n" the cu#t%ns o$en( sm%l%n" t e+e#!one. The

sm%le w%dened when we $$#oched.


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9Well( &o!s(9 he s%d( 9d%d !ou en7o! the show:9

9It ws &ulous-9 I s%d.

9You we#en't sc#ed:9 he s)ed.

9A l%ttle(9 I dm%tted( 9&ut no mo#e thn n!&od! else.9

1e lu"hed. 9You'#e tou"h $%#(9 he s%d.

The#e we#e $eo$le &eh%nd us( so we hu##%ed on( not wnt%n" to hold them u$. Ste+e loo)ed#ound when we ente#ed the sho#t co##%do# &etween the two sets o cu#t%ns( then lened

o+e# nd wh%s$e#ed %n m! e#0 9/o &c) &! !ou#sel.9

9Wht:9 I s)ed( sto$$%n". The $eo$le who hd &een &eh%nd us we#e chtt%n" w%th 3#.Tll( so the#e ws no #ush.

9You he#d(9 he s%d.

9Wh! should I: 9I s)ed.

9Becuse I'm not com%n"(9 he s%d. 9I'm st!%n". I don't )now how th%n"s w%ll tu#n out( &ut

I h+e to st!. I'll ollow !ou home lte#( te# I'+e 89 1%s +o%ce t#%led o nd he $ulled

me o#w#d.

We $ushed $st the second set o cu#t%ns nd ente#ed the co##%do# w%th the t&le( the one

co+e#ed &! the lon" &lc) cloth. The $eo$le hed o us hd the%# &c)s to us. Ste+e loo)ed

o+e# h%s shoulde#( to m)e su#e no&od! could see( then d%+ed unde#neth the t&le nd h%d&eh%nd the cloth-

9Ste+e-9 I h%ssed( wo##%ed he ws "o%n" to "et us %nto t#ou&le.

9/o on-9 he h%ssed &c).

9But !ou cn't (9 I &e"n.

9Do wht I s!-9 he sn$$ed. 9/o( 2u%c)( &eo#e we'#e cu"ht.9

I d%dn't l%)e %t &ut wht else could I do: Ste+e sounded l%)e he'd "o c#,! % I d%dn't o&e!

h%m. I'd seen Ste+e "et %nto %e#ce #"es &eo#e nd he wsn't someone !ou wnted to mess

w%th when he ws n"#!.

I st#ted wl)%n"( tu#ned the co#ne#( nd &e"n down the lon" co##%do# led%n" to the #ont

doo#. I ws wl)%n" slowl!( th%n)%n"( nd the $eo$le %n #ont "ot #the# hed. I "lncedo+e# m! shoulde# nd sw the#e ws st%ll no&od! &eh%nd me.


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And then I s$otted the doo#.

It ws the one we'd sto$$ed &! on ou# w! %n( the one led%n" u$ to the &lcon!. I $used

when I #eched %t nd chec)ed &eh%nd one lst t%me. No&od! the#e.

95)!(9 I s%d to m!sel( 9I'm st!%n"- I don't )now wht Ste+e's u$ to( &ut he's m! &est#%end. I he "ets %nto t#ou&le( I wnt to &e the#e to hel$ h%m out.9

Beo#e I could chn"e m! m%nd( I o$ened the doo#( sl%$$ed th#ou"h( shut %t 2u%c)l! &eh%ndme( nd stood %n the d#)( m! he#t &et%n" s st s mouse's.

I stood the#e o# lon" t%me( l%sten%n" wh%le the lst o the ud%ence %led out. I could he#the%# mu#mu#s s the! d%scussed the show %n hushed( #%"htened( &ut e6c%ted tones. Then

the! we#e "one nd the $lce ws 2u%et. I thou"ht I'd &e &le to he# no%ses #om %ns%de the

thete#( $eo$le clen%n" u$ nd $utt%n" the ch%#s &c) %n $lce( &ut the whole &u%ld%n" ws

s s%lent s "#+e!#d.

I cl%m&ed the st%#s. 3! e!es hd "otten used to the d#) nd I could see $#ett! well. The

st%#s we#e old nd c#e)! nd I ws hl*#%d the! would sn$ unde# m! eet nd sendme hu#tl%n" to m! deth( &ut the! held.

When I #eched the to$ I d%sco+e#ed I ws stnd%n" %n the m%ddle o the &lcon!. It ws+e#! dust! nd d%#t! u$ the#e( nd cold( too. I sh%+e#ed s I c#e$t down tow#d the #ont.

I hd "#et +%ew o the st"e. The l%"hts we#e st%ll on nd I could see e+e#!th%n" %n$e#ect det%l. No&od! ws #ound( not the #e)s( not the $#ett! ld%es( not the &lue*hoods

not Ste+e. I st &c) nd w%ted.

A&out %+e m%nutes lte#( I s$otted shdow c#ee$%n" slowl! tow#d the st"e. It $ulled%tsel u$( then stood nd wl)ed to the cente#( whe#e %t sto$$ed nd tu#ned #ound.

It ws Ste+e.

1e st#ted tow#d the let w%n"( then sto$$ed nd set o tow#d the #%"ht. 1e sto$$ed

"%n. I could see h%m chew%n" on h%s n%ls( t#!%n" to dec%de wh%ch w! to "o.

Then +o%ce cme #om h%"h &o+e h%s hed. 9A#e !ou loo)%n" o#me:9 %t s)ed. A %"u#e

swoo$ed down onto the st"e( %ts #ms out to %ts s%des( lon" #ed clo) lot%n" &eh%nd %t

l%)e $%# o w%n"s.

Ste+e lmost 7um$ed out o h%s s)%n when the %"u#e h%t the st"e nd #olled %nto &ll. I

to$$led &c)w#d( te##%%ed. When I #ose to m! )nees "%n( the %"u#e ws stnd%n" nd Iws &le to m)e out %ts #ed clothes( o#n"e h%#( $le s)%n( nd hu"e sc#.

3#. C#e$sle!-

Ste+e t#%ed s$e)%n"( &ut h%s teeth we#e chtte#%n" too much.


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9I sw !ou wtch%n" me(9 3#. C#e$sle! s%d. 9You "s$ed loud when !ou %#st sw me.Wh!:9

9B*&*&*&ecuse I )n*)n*)now who !ou *#e(9 Ste+e stutte#ed( %nd%n" h%s +o%ce.

9I m L#ten C#e$sle!(9 the c#ee$!*loo)%n" mn s%d.

9No(9 Ste+e #e$l%ed. 9I )now who !oureally#e.9

95h:9 3#. C#e$sle! sm%led( &ut the#e ws no humo# %n %t. 9Tell me( l%ttle &o!(9 he snee#ed(

9who m I(really:9

9You# #el nme %s Vu# 1o#ston(9 Ste+e s%d( nd 3#. C#e$sle!'s 7w d#o$$ed %n

ston%shment. And then Ste+e s%d someth%n" else( nd m! 7w d#o$$ed( too.

9#ou3re a vampire(9 he s%d( nd the s%lence tht ollowed ws s lon" s %t ws te##%!%n".

3R. CREPSLEY ;5R VR 15RST5N( % tht ws h%s #el nme< sm%led. 9So(9 he s%d( 9I h+e

&een d%sco+e#ed. I should not &e su#$#%sed. It hd to h$$en e+entull!. Tell me( &o!( who

sent !ou:9

9No&od!(9 Ste+e s%d.

3#. C#e$sle! #owned. 9Come( &o!(9 he "#owled( 9do not $l! "mes. Who #e !ouwo#)%n" o#: Who $ut !ou onto me nd wht do the! wnt:9

9I'm not wo#)%n" o# n!&od!(9 Ste+e %ns%sted. 9I'+e "ot lots o &oo)s nd m",%nes thome &out +m$%#es nd monste#s. The#e ws $%ctu#e o !ou %n one o them.9

9Apicture:9 3#. C#e$sle! s)ed sus$%c%ousl!.

9A $%nt%

shan, darren - cirque du freak - a living nightmare.doc

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