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7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-formidable-glass 1/26
THE FORMIDABLE GLASS-AND-STEEL STRUCTURE ROSE FROM its p osition on
Front Street like a glittering neele
t!rea ing t!e sk"# T!ere $ere %& t"-se'en (oors to t!e Metrop ole) Ma n!a
tta n*s +ost
e,p ensi'e ne$ o$nto$n ono+ini.+ to$er# T!e top+ost (oor) t!e %& t"-
se'ent!)
onta ine t!e +ost l.,.rio.s a p a rt+ent o& a ll/ t!e Metrop ole p ent!o.se)
a +a sterp iee o&
sleek 0la k-a n-$!ite esign# Too ne$ to !a 'e ga t!ere .st "et) its 0a
re +a r0le (oors
re(ete 0a k t!e sta rs 'isi0le t!ro.g! t!e enor+o.s (oor-to-eiling
$ino$s# T!e $ino$
gla ss $a s p er&etl" tra nsl.ent) p ro'iing s.! a o+p lete ill.sion t!a t
t!ere $a s not!ing
0et$een t!e 'ie$er a n t!e 'ie$ t!a t it !a 0een kno$n to in.e
'ertigo e'en in t!ose
.na &ra i o& !eig!ts#
Fa r 0elo$ ra n t!e sil'er ri00on o& t!e Ea st Ri'er) 0ra elete 0" s!ining
0riges) (eke
0" 0oa ts a s s+a ll a s ("sp eks) sp litting t!e s!ining 0a nks o& lig!t t!a t $ereMa n!a tta n a n
Brookl"n on eit!er sie# On a lea r nig!t t!e ill.+ina te Sta t.e o& Li0ert"
$a s 1.st 'isi0le
to t!e so.t!20.t t!ere $a s &og tonig!t) a n Li0ert" Isla n $a s !ien
0e!in a $!ite
0a nk o& +ist#
Ho$e'er sp eta .la r t!e 'ie$) t!e +a n sta ning in &ront o& t!e $ino$
in*t look
p a rti.la rl" i+p resse 0" it# T!ere $a s a &ro$n on !is na rro$) a seti
&a e a s !e t.rne
a$a " &ro+ t!e gla ss a n stroe a ross t!e (oor) t!e !eels o& !is 0oots
e!oing a ga inst t!e
7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass
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+a r0le# 3Aren*t "o. rea " "e t45 !e e+a ne) ra king a !a n t!ro.g!
!is sa lt-$!ite !a ir#
36e*'e 0een !ere nea rl" a n !o.r#5
T!e 0o" kneeling on t!e (oor looke .p a t !i+) ner'o.s a n p et.la nt#
3It*s t!e +a r0le#
It*s +ore soli t!a n I t!o.g!t# It*s +a king it !a r to ra$ t!e p enta gra+#5
3So skip t!e p enta gra+#5 Up lose it $a s ea sier to see t!a t esp ite !is
$!ite !a ir) t!e
+a n $a sn*t ol# His !a r &a e $a s se'ere 0.t .nline) !is e"es lea r a n stea
"#
T!e 0o" s$a llo$e !a r a n t!e +e+0ra no.s 0la k $ings p rotr.ing
&ro+ !is na rro$
s!o.ler 0la es 7!e !a .t slits in t!e 0a k o& !is eni+ 1a ket to a
o++oa te t!e+8
(a p p e ner'o.sl"# 3T!e p enta gra+ is a neessa r" p a rt o& a n" e+on-
ra ising rit.a l# 9o.
kno$ t!a t) sir# 6it!o.t it:5
36e*re not p rotete# I kno$ t!a t) "o.ng Elia s# B.t get on $it! it# I*'e
kno$n $a rloks
$!o o.l ra ise a e+on) !a t !i+ .p ) a n isp a t! !i+ 0a k to !ell
in t!e ti+e it*s ta ken
"o. to ra$ !a l& a & i'e-p ointe sta r#5
T!e 0o" sa i not!ing) onl" a tta ke t!e +a r0le a ga in) t!is ti+e $it!
rene$e .rgen"#
S$ea t rip p e &ro+ !is &ore!ea a n !e p .s!e !is !a ir 0a k $it! a
!a n $!ose %ngers
$ere onnete $it! elia te $e0like +e+0ra nes# 3Done)5 !e sa i a t la st)sitting 0a k on
!is !eels $it! a ga sp # 3It*s one#5
3Goo#5 T!e +a n so.ne p lea se# 3Let*s get sta rte#5
3M" +one"25
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3I tol "o.# 9o.*ll get "o.r +one" a&te r I ta lk to Agra+on) not 0e&ore#5
Elia s got to !is &eet a n s!r.gge !is 1a ket o;# Desp ite t!e !oles !e*
.t in it) it still
o+p resse !is $ings .no+&orta 0l"< &ree) t!e" stret!e a n e,p a ne
t!e+sel'es)
$a & ting a 0ree=e t!ro.g! t!e .n'entila te roo+# His $ings $ere t!e olor
o& a n oil slik/
0la k t!rea e $it! a ra in0o$ o& i=="ing olors# T!e +a n looke a$a " &ro+
!i+) a s i& t!e
$ings isp lea se !i+) 0.t Elia s in*t see+ to notie# He 0ega n irling t!e p
enta gra+ !e*
ra$n) irling it o.nterlok$ise a n !a nting in a e+on la ng.a ge t!a tso.ne like t!e
ra kle o& & la+es#
6it! a so.n like a ir 0eing s.ke &ro+ a tire) t!e o.tline o& t!e p enta
gra+ s.enl"
0.rst into (a+es# T!e o=en !.ge $ino$s a st 0a k a o=en 0.rning re(ete
%'e-p ointe
sta rs#
So+et!ing $a s +o'ing insie t!e p enta gra+) so+et!ing &or+less a n 0la
k# Elia s $a s
!a nting +ore >.ikl" no$) ra ising !is $e00e !a ns) tra ing elia te
o.tlines on t!e a ir
$it! !is %ngers# 6!ere t!e" p a sse) 0l.e %re ra kle# T!e +a n o.ln*t
sp ea k C!t!onia n)
t!e $a rlok la ng.a ge) $it! a n" (.en") 0.t !e reogni=e eno.g! o& t!e
$ors to
.nersta n Elia s*s rep ea te !a nt/ Agra+on) I s .++on t!e e # O.t o&
t!e s pae s 0e t$e e n t!e
$orls ) I s .++on t!e e #
T!e +a n sli a !a n into !is p oket# So+et!ing !a r a n ol a n +eta lli
+et t!e to.!
7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass
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o& !is & ingers# He s+ile#
Elia s !a stop p e $a lking# He $a s sta ning in &ront o& t!e p enta gra+
no$) !is 'oie
rising a n &a lling in a stea " !a nt) 0l.e %re ra kling a ro.n !i+ like
lig!tning# S.enl"
a p l.+e o& 0la k s+oke rose insie t!e p enta gra+< it sp ira le .p$a r)
sp rea ing a n
solii&"ing# T$o e"es !.ng in t!e s!a o$ like 1e$els a .g!t in a sp ier*s $e0#
3 6!o !as alle +e !e re aros s t!e $orls 45 Agra+on e+a ne in a
'oie like s!a ttering
gla ss# 3 6!o s .++ons +e 45
Elia s !a stop p e !a nting# He $a s sta ning still in &ront o& t!e p enta
gra+2still e,ep t
&or !is $ings) $!i! 0ea t t!e a ir slo$l"# T!e a ir sta nk o& orrosion a n 0.rning#
3Agra+on)5 t!e $a rlok sa i# 3I a+ t!e $a rlok Elia s# I a+ t!e one $!o
!a s s.++one
"o.#5
For a +o+ent t!ere $a s silene# T!en t!e e+on la .g!e) i& s+oke a n
0e sa i to la .g!#
T!e la .g! itsel& $a s a .sti a s a i# 3 Fooli s ! $arlok)5 Agra+on $!ee=e# 3
Fooli s ! 0o"#5
39o. a re t!e &oolis! one) i& "o. t!ink "o. a n t!rea ten +e)5 Elia s sa i)
0.t !is 'oie
tre+0le like !is $ings# 39o. $ill 0e a p risoner o& t!a t p enta gra+) Agra+on)
.ntil I relea se
"o.#5
3 6i ll I45 T!e s+oke s.rge &or$a r) &or+ing a n re-&or+ing itsel& # A
tenril took t!e
s!a p e o& a !.+a n !a n a n stroke t!e ege o& t!e 0.rning p enta
gra+ t!a t onta ine it#
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T!en) $it! a s.rge) t!e s+oke seet!e p a st t!e ege o& t!e sta r) p o.re o'er
t!e 0orer like
a $a 'e 0rea !ing a le'ee# T!e (a+es g.ttere a n ie a s Elia s)
srea+ing) st.+0le
0a k$a r# He $a s !a nting no$) in ra p i C!t!onia n) sp ells o& onta
in+ent a n
0a nis!+ent# Not!ing !a p p ene< t!e 0la k s+oke-+a ss a+e on ine,ora
0l") a n no$ it $a s
sta rting to !a 'e so+et!ing o& a s!a p e2a +a l&or+e) enor+o.s) !ieo.s
s!a p e) its glo$ing
e"es a ltering) ro.ning to t!e si=e o& sa .ers) sp illing a rea &.l lig!t#
T!e +a n $a t!e $it! i+p a ssi'e interest a s Elia s srea+e a ga in a nt.rne to r.n# He
ne'er rea !e t!e oor# Agra+on s.rge &or$a r) !is a rk +a ss ra s!ing
o$n o'er t!e
$a rlok like a s.rge o& 0oiling 0la k ta r# Elia s str.ggle &ee0l" &or a
+o+ent .ner t!e
onsla .g!t2a n t!en $a s still#
T!e 0la k s!a p e $it!re$) lea 'ing t!e $a rlok l"ing ontorte on t!e +a r0le &
loor#
3I o !op e)5 sa i t!e +a n) $!o !a ta ken t!e ol +eta l o01et o.t o& !is p
oket a n $a s
to"ing $it! it il") 3t!a t "o. !a 'en*t one a n"t!ing to !i+ t!a t $ill
rener !i+ .seless to
+e# I nee !is 0loo) "o. see#5
Agra+on t.rne) a 0la k p illa r $it! ea l" ia+on e"es# T!e" took in
t!e +a n in t!e
e,p ensi'e s.it) !is na rro$) .nonerne &a e) t!e 0la k Ma rks o'ering
!is skin) a n t!e
glo$ing o01et in !is !a n# 3 9o. pai t!e $arlok !i l to s .++on +e 4
An "o. i not te ll
!i + $!at I o.l o45
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39o. g.ess orretl")5 sa i t!e +a n#
Agra+on sp oke $it! gr.ging a +ira tion# 3 T!at $as le 'e r#5
T!e +a n took a step to$a r t!e e+on# 3I a+ 'er" le'er# An I*+ a lso "o.r
+a ster no$#
I !ol t!e Morta l C.p # 9o. +.st o0e" +e) or &a e t!e onse>.enes#5
T!e e+on $a s silent a +o+ent# T!en it sli to t!e gro.n in a +oker"
o& o0eisa ne2
t!e losest a rea t.re $it! no rea l 0o" o.l o+e to kneeling# 3 I a+ at
"o.r s e r'i e ) +"
Lor:45
T!e sentene ene p olitel") on a >.estion#
T!e +a n s+ile# 39o. +a " a ll +e ?a lentine#5
I
A SEASON IN HELL
I 0e li e 'e I a+ i n He ll) t!e re &ore I a+#
2Art!.r Ri+0a .
@
?ALENTINE*S ARRO6
3ARE 9OU STILL MAD4 5
Ale) lea ning a ga inst t!e $a ll o& t!e ele'a tor) gla re a ross t!e s+a ll
sp a e a t a e# 3I*+
not +a #5
3O!) "es "o. a re#5 a e gest.re a .singl" a t !is step 0rot!er) t!en "elp
e a s p a in s!ot
.p !is a r+# E'er" p a rt o& !i+ !.rt &ro+ t!e t!.+p ing !e* ta ken t!a t a &
ternoon $!en !e*
rop p e t!ree (oors t!ro.g! rotte $oo onto a p ile o& sra p +eta l#
E'en !is %ngers $ere
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0r.ise# Ale) $!o* onl" reentl" p .t a$a " t!e r.t!es !e* !a to .se a & ter
!is %g!t $it!
A00a on) in*t look +.! 0etter t!a n a e &elt# His lot!es $ere o'ere
in +. a n !is
!a ir !.ng o$n in la nk) s$ea t" strip s# T!ere $a s a long .t o$n t!e sie o&
!is !eek#
3I a+ not)5 Ale sa i) t!ro.g! !is teet!# 3.st 0ea .se "o. sa i ra gon
e+ons $ere
e,tint25
3I sa i +ostl" e,tint#5
Ale 1a 00e a %nger to$a r !i+# 3Mostl" e,tint)5 !e sa i) !is 'oie
tre+0ling $it! ra ge)
3is NOT ETINCT ENOUGH#5
3I see)5 sa i a e# 3I*ll 1.st !a 'e t!e+ !a nge t!e entr" in t!e
e+onolog" te,t0ook &ro+
a l+ost e,tint* to not e,tint eno.g! &or Ale# He p re&ers !is +onsters
rea ll") rea ll"
e,tint# * 6ill t!at +a ke "o. !a p p "45
3Bo"s) 0o"s)5 sa i Isa 0elle) $!o* 0een e,a+ining !er &a e in t!e ele'ator*s +irrore
$a ll# 3Don*t %g!t#5 S!e t.rne a$a " &ro+ t!e gla ss $it! a s.nn" s+ile#
3All rig!t) so it $a s
a little +ore a tion t!a n $e $ere e,p eting) 0.t I t!o.g!t it $a s &.n#5
Ale looke a t !er a n s!ook !is !ea # 3Ho$ o "o. +a na ge ne 'e r to get +.
on "o.45
Isa 0elle s!r.gge p !ilosop !ia ll"# 3I*+ p .re a t !ea rt# It rep els t!e irt#5
a e snorte so lo.l" t!a t s!e t.rne on !i+ $it! a &ro$n# He $iggle
!is +.-a ke
& ingers a t !er# His na ils $ere 0la k resents# 3Filt!" insie a n o.t#5
Isa 0elle $a s a 0o.t to rep l" $!en t!e ele'a tor gro.n to a !a lt $it! t!e
so.n o&
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sree!ing 0ra kes# 3Ti+e to get t!is t!ing %,e)5 s!e sa i) "a nking t!e
oor op en# a e
&ollo$e !er o.t into t!e entr"$a ") a lrea " looking &or$a r to s!.king
!is a r+or a n
$ea p ons a n step p ing into a !ot s!o$er# He* on'ine !is step si0lings
to o+e !.nting
$it! !i+ esp ite t!e &a t t!a t neit!er o& t!e+ $a s entirel" o+&orta 0le
going o.t on t!eir
o$n no$ t!a t Hoge $a sn*t t!ere to gi'e t!e+ instr.tions# B.t a e !a
$a nte t!e
o0li'ion o& %g!ting) t!e !a rs! i'ersion o& killing) a n t!e istra tion o&
in1.ries# An
kno$ing !e $a nte it) t!e"* gone a long $it! it) ra$ling t!ro.g! %lt!"
eserte s.0$a "
t.nnels .ntil t!e"* &o.n t!e Dra gonia e e+on a n kille it# T!e t!ree
o& t!e+ $orking
toget!er in p er&et .nison) t!e $a " t!e" a l$a "s !a # Like &a+il"#
He .n=ip p e !is 1a ket a n sl.ng it o'er one o& t!e p egs !a nging on
t!e $a ll# Ale $a s
sitting on t!e lo$ $ooen 0en! ne,t to !i+) kiking o; !is +.k-o'ere0oots# He $a s
!.++ing t.nelessl" .ner !is 0rea t!) letting a e kno$ !e $a sn*t t!at a
nno"e# Isa 0elle
$a s p .lling t!e p ins o.t o& !er long a rk !a ir) a llo$ing it to s!o$er
o$n a ro.n !er#
3No$ I*+ !.ngr")5 s!e sa i# 3I $is! Mo+ $ere !ere to ook .s so+et!ing#5
3Better t!a t s!e isn*t)5 sa i a e) .n0.kling !is $ea p ons 0elt# 3S!e* a
lrea " 0e
s!rieking a 0o.t t!e r.gs#5
39o.*re rig!t a 0o.t t!a t)5 sa i a ool 'oie) a n a e s$.ng a ro.n) !is
!a ns still a t !is
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0elt) a n sa$ Ma r"se Lig!t$oo) !er a r+s &ole) sta ning in t!e oor$a "#
S!e $ore a sti;
0la k tra 'eling s.it a n !er !a ir) 0la k a s Isa 0elle*s) $a s ra$n 0a k
into a t!ik rop e t!a t
!.ng !a l&$a " o$n !er 0a k# Her e"es) a gla ia l 0l.e) s$ep t o'er t!e
t!ree o& t!e+ like a
tra king sea r!lig!t#
3Mo+5 Isa 0elle) reo'ering !er o+p os.re) ra n to !er +ot!er &or a !.g#
Ale got to !is
&eet a n 1oine t!e+) tr"ing to !ie t!e &a t t!a t !e $a s still li+p ing#
a e stoo $!ere !e $a s# T!ere !a 0een so+et!ing in Ma r"se*s e"es a s
!er ga =e !a
p a sse o'er !i+ t!a t &ro=e !i+ in p la e# S.rel" $!a t !e !a sa i $a
sn*t t!at 0a # T!e"
1oke a 0o.t !er o0session $it! t!e a nti>.e r.gs a ll t!e ti+e2
36!ere*s Da 45 Isa 0elle a ske) step p ing 0a k &ro+ !er +ot!er# 3An Ma ,45
T!ere $a s a n a l+ost i+p erep ti0le p a .se# T!en Ma r"se sa i) 3Ma , is
in !is roo+# An
"o.r &a t!er) .n&ort.na tel") is still in Alia nte# T!ere $a s so+e 0.sinesst!ere t!a t re>.ire
!is a ttention#5
Ale) genera ll" +ore sensiti'e to +oos t!a n !is sister) see+e to !esita
te# 3Is so+et!ing
$rong45
3I o.l a sk "o. t!a t#5 His +ot!er*s tone $a s r"# 3Are "o. li+p ing45
3I:5
Ale $a s a terri0le lia r# Isa 0elle p ike .p &or !i+) s+oot!l"/ 36e !a
a r.n-in $it! a
Dra gonia e e+on in t!e s.0$a " t.nnels# B.t it $a s not!ing#5
3An I s.p p ose t!a t Grea ter De+on "o. &o.g!t la st $eek) t!a t $a s not!ing
too45
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E'en Isa 0elle $a s silene 0" t!a t# S!e looke to a e) $!o $is!e s!e !a n*t#
3T!a t $a sn*t p la nne &or#5 a e $a s !a 'ing a !a r ti+e onentra ting#
Ma r"se !a n*t
greete !i+ "et) !a n*t sa i so +.! a s !ello) a n s!e $a s still looking
a t !i+ $it! e"es
like 0l.e a ggers# T!ere $a s a !ollo$ &eeling in t!e p it o& !is sto+a !
t!a t $a s 0eginning
to sp rea # S!e* ne'er looke a t !i+ like t!is 0e&ore) no +a tter $!a t
!e* one# 3It $a s a
+ista ke25
3a e5 Ma ,) t!e "o.ngest Lig!t$oo) s>.ee=e !is $a " a ro.n Ma r"se a
n a rte into
t!e roo+) e'a ing !is +ot!er*s rea !ing !a n# 39o.*re 0a k 9o.*re a ll
0a k#5 He t.rne in
a irle) grinning a t Ale a n Isa 0elle in tri.+p !# 3I t!o.g!t I !ea r t!e ele'a
tor#5
3An I t!o.g!t I tol "o. to sta " in "o.r roo+)5 sa i Ma r"se#
3I on*t re+e+0er t!a t)5 sa i Ma ,) $it! a serio.sness t!a t +a e e'en
Ale s+ile# Ma ,
$a s s+a ll &or !is a ge2!e looke a 0o.t se'en20.t !e !a a sel& -onta
ine gra 'it" t!a t)
o+0ine $it! !is o'ersi=e gla sses) ga 'e !i+ t!e a ir o& so+eone oler#
Ale rea !e o'er
a n r.e !is 0rot!er*s !a ir) 0.t Ma , $a s still looking a t a e) !is e"es
s!ining# a e &elt
t!e ol %st len!e in !is sto+a ! rela , e'er so slig!tl"# Ma , !a a l$a
"s !ero-$ors!ip e
!i+ in a $a " t!a t !e in*t $ors!ip !is o$n oler 0rot!er) p ro0a 0l"
0ea .se a e $a s &a r
+ore tolera nt o& Ma ,*s p resene# 3I !ea r "o. &o.g!t a Grea ter De+on)5
!e sa i# 36a s it
a$eso+e45
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3It $a s : i& &erent)5 a e !ege# 3Ho$ $a s Alia nte45
3It $a s a$e s o+e # 6e sa$ t!e oolest st.;# T!ere*s t!is !.ge a r+or" in
Alia nte a n t!e"
took +e to so+e o& t!e p la es $!ere t!e" +a ke t!e $ea p ons# T!e"
s!o$e +e a ne$ $a "
to +a ke sera p ! 0la es too) so t!e" la st longer) a n I*+ going to tr" to
get Hoge to s!o$
+e25
a e o.ln*t !elp it< !is e"es (ike insta ntl" to Ma r"se) !is e,p ression
inre.lo.s# So
Ma , in*t kno$ a 0o.t Hoge4 Ha n*t s!e tol !i+4
Ma r"se sa$ !is look a n !er lip s t!inne into a kni&elike line# 3T!a t*s
eno.g!) Ma ,#5 S!e
took !er "o.ngest son 0" t!e a r+#
He ra ne !is !ea to look .p a t !er in s.rp rise# 3B.t I*+ ta lking to a e25
3I a n see t!a t#5 S!e p .s!e !i+ gentl" to$a r Isa 0elle# 3Isa 0elle) Ale) ta ke
"o.r 0rot!er
to !is roo+# a e)52t!ere $a s a tig!tness in !er 'oie $!en s!e sp oke
!is na+e) a s i&
in'isi0le a i $ere r"ing .p t!e s"lla 0les in !er +o.t!23get "o.rsel& lea ne
.p a n +eet
+e in t!e li0ra r" a s soon a s "o. a n#5
3I on*t get it)5 sa i Ale) looking &ro+ !is +ot!er to a e) a n 0a k a ga in#
36!a t*s going
on45
a e o.l &eel ol s$ea t sta rt .p a long !is sp ine# 3Is t!is a 0o.t +" &a t!er45
Ma r"se 1erke t$ie) a s i& t!e $ors 3+" &a t!er5 !a 0een t$o sep a ra
te sla p s# 3T!e
li 0rar")5 s!e sa i) t!ro.g! len!e teet!# 36e*ll is.ss t!e +a tter t!ere#5
Ale sa i) 36!a t !a p p ene $!ile "o. $ere gone $a sn*t a e*s &a .lt# 6e $ere
a ll in on it#
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An Hoge sa i25
36e*ll is.ss Hoge la ter a s $ell#5 Ma r"se*s e"es $ere on Ma ,) !er tone $a
rning#
3B.t) Mot!er)5 Isa 0elle p roteste# 3I& "o.*re going to p .nis! a e) "o. s!o.l p
.nis! .s a s
$ell# It $o.l onl" 0e &a ir# 6e a ll i e,a tl" t!e sa+e t!ings#5
3No)5 sa i Ma r"se) a & ter a p a .se so long t!a t a e t!o.g!t p er!a p s
s!e $a sn*t going to
sa " a n"t!ing a t a ll# 39o. in*t#5
3R.le n.+0er one o& a ni+e)5 Si+on sa i# He sa t p rop p e .p a ga inst a p ile
o& p illo$s a t t!e
&oot o& !is 0e) a 0a g o& p ota to !ip s in one !a n a n t!e T? re+ote
in t!e ot!er# He $a s
$ea ring a 0la k T-s!irt t!a t sa i I BLOGGED 9OUR MOM a n a p a ir o&
1ea ns $it! a !ole rip p e in
one knee# 3Ne'er sre$ $it! a 0lin +onk#5
3I kno$)5 Cla r" sa i) ta king a p ota to !ip a n .nking it into t!e a n o&
ip 0a la ne on
t!e T? tra " 0et$een t!e+# 3For so+e rea son t!e"*re a l$a "s $a " 0etter %g!terst!a n +onks
$!o a n see#5 S!e p eere a t t!e sreen# 3Are t!ose g."s a ning45
3T!a t*s not a ning# T!e"*re tr"ing to kill ea ! ot!er# T!is is t!e g."
$!o*s t!e +orta l
ene+" o& t!e ot!er g.") re+e+0er4 He kille !is a # 6!" $o.l t!e" 0e a
ning45
Cla r" r.n!e a t !er !ip a n sta re +eita ti'el" a t t!e sreen) $!ere
a ni+a te s$irls
o& p ink-a n-"ello$ lo.s rip p le 0et$een t!e %g.res o& t$o $inge +en)
$!o (oa te
a ro.n ea ! ot!er) ea ! l.t!ing a glo$ing sp ea r# E'er" one in a
$!ile one o& t!e+
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$o.l sp ea k) 0.t sine it $a s a ll in a p a nese $it! C!inese s.0titles) it
in*t la ri&" +.!#
3T!e g." $it! t!e !a t)5 s!e sa i# 3He $a s t!e e'il g."45
3No) t!e !a t g." $a s t!e a # He $a s t!e +a gia l e+p eror) a n t!a
t $a s !is !a t o&
p o$er# T!e e'il g." $a s t!e one $it! t!e +e!a nia l !a n t!a t ta lks#5
T!e telep !one ra ng# Si+on set t!e 0a g o& !ip s o$n a n +a e a s i&
to get .p a n
a ns$er it# Cla r" p .t !er !a n on !is $rist# 3Don*t# .st lea 'e it#5
3B.t it +ig!t 0e L.ke# He o.l 0e a lling &ro+ t!e !osp ita l#5
3It*s not L.ke)5 Cla r" sa i) so.ning +ore s.re t!a n s!e &elt# 3He* a ll
+" ell) not "o.r
!o.se#5
Si+on looke a t !er a long +o+ent 0e&ore sinking 0a k o$n on t!e r.g
0esie !er# 3I&
"o. sa " so#5 S!e o.l !ea r t!e o.0t in !is 'oie) 0.t a lso t!e .nsp
oken a ss.ra ne) I 1 .s t
$ant "o. to 0e !app"# S!e $a sn*t s.re 3!a p p "5 $a s a n"t!ing s!e $a s
likel" to 0e rig!t no$)
not $it! !er +ot!er in t!e !osp ita l !ooke .p to t.0es a n 0leep ing +a
!ines) a n L.ke
like a =o+0ie) sl.+p e in t!e !a r p la sti !a ir ne,t to !er 0e# Not
$it! $orr"ing a 0o.t
a e a ll t!e ti+e a n p iking .p t!e p !one a o=en ti+es to a ll t!e
Instit.te 0e&ore setting
it 0a k o$n) t!e n.+0er still .nia le# I& a e $a nte to ta lk to !er) !e o.l
a ll#
Ma "0e it !a 0een a +ista ke to ta ke !i+ to see oel"n# S!e* 0een so
s.re t!a t i& !er
+ot!er o.l 1.st !ea r t!e 'oie o& !er son) !er %rst0orn) s!e* $a ke
.p # B.t s!e !a n*t#
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a e !a stoo sti; a n a$k$a r 0" t!e 0e) !is &a e like a p a inte a
ngel*s) $it! 0la nk
ini;erent e"es# Cla r" !a %na ll" lost !er p a tiene a n s!o.te a t !i+)
a n !e* s!o.te
0a k 0e&ore stor+ing o;# L.ke !a $a t!e !i+ go $it! a linia l sort o&
interest on !is
e,!a .ste &a e# 3T!a t*s t!e %rst ti+e I*'e seen "o. a t like sister a n
0rot!er)5 !e*
re+a rke#
Cla r" !a sa i not!ing in resp onse# T!ere $a s no p oint telling !i+ !o$
0a l" s!e
$a nte a e not to 0e !er 0rot!er# 9o. o.ln*t rip o.t "o.r o$n DNA) no+a tter !o$
+.! "o. $is!e "o. o.l# No +a tter !o$ +.! it $o.l +a ke "o. !app"#
B.t e'en i& s!e o.ln*t >.ite +a na ge !a p p ") s!e t!o.g!t) a t lea st !ere in
Si+on*s !o.se)
in !is 0eroo+) s!e &elt o+&orta 0le a n a t !o+e# S!e* kno$n !i+ long
eno.g! to
re+e+0er $!en !e !a a 0e s!a p e like a %re tr.k a n LEGOs p ile
in a orner o& t!e
roo+# No$ t!e 0e $a s a &.ton $it! a 0rig!tl" strip e >.ilt t!a t !a
0een a p resent &ro+
!is sister) a n t!e $a lls $ere p la stere $it! p osters o& 0a ns like Rok
Soli a na a n
Step p ing Ra =or# T!ere $a s a r.+ set $ege into t!e orner o& t!e roo+
$!ere t!e LEGOs
!a 0een) a n a o+p .ter in t!e ot!er orner) t!e sreen still &ro=en on
a n i+a ge &ro+
6orl o& 6a rra & t# It $a s a l+ost a s &a+ilia r a s 0eing in !er o$n
0eroo+ a t !o+e2$!i!
no longer e,iste) so a t lea st t!is $a s t!e ne,t 0est t!ing#
7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass
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3More !i0is)5 sa i Si+on gloo+il"# All t!e !a ra ters on-sreen !a
t.rne into in!-
!ig! 0a 0" 'ersions o& t!e+sel'es a n $ere !a sing ea ! ot!er a ro.n
$a 'ing p ots a n
p a ns# 3I*+ !a nging t!e !a nnel)5 Si+on a nno.ne) sei=ing t!e re+ote#
3I*+ tire o& t!is
a ni+e# I a n*t tell $!a t t!e p lot is a n no one e'er !a s se,#5
3O& o.rse t!e" on*t)5 Cla r" sa i) ta king a not!er !ip # 3Ani+e is
$!oleso+e &a+il"
enterta in+ent#5
3I& "o.*re in t!e +oo &or less $!oleso+e enterta in+ent) $e o.l tr" t!e
p orn
!a nnels)5 Si+on o0ser'e# 36o.l "o. ra t!er $a t! T!e 6i t!e s o& Bre
as t$i k or As I La"
Di anne 45
3Gi'e +e t!a t5 Cla r" gra 00e &or t!e re+ote) 0.t Si+on) !ortling) !a a lrea
" s$it!e
t!e T? to a not!er !a nnel#
His la .g!ter 0roke o; a 0r.p tl"# Cla r" looke .p in s.rp rise a n sa$ !i+sta ring 0la nkl"
a t t!e T?# An ol 0la k-a n-$!ite +o'ie $a s p la "ing2Dra.la# S!e*
seen it 0e&ore) $it!
!er +ot!er# Bela L.gosi) t!in a n $!ite-&a e) $a s on-sreen) $ra p p e
in t!e &a+ilia r
!ig!-olla re loa k) !is lip s .rle 0a k &ro+ !is p ointe teet!# 3I ne'er
rink : $ine)5 !e
intone in !is t!ik H.nga ria n a ent#
3I lo'e !o$ t!e sp ier$e0s a re +a e o.t o& r.00er)5 Cla r" sa i) tr"ing
to so.n lig!t#
39o. a n tota ll" tell#5
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B.t Si+on $a s a lrea " on !is &eet) rop p ing t!e re+ote onto t!e 0e# 3I*ll 0e
rig!t 0a k)5
!e +.ttere# His &a e $a s t!e olor o& $inter sk" 1.st 0e&ore it ra ine#
Cla r" $a t!e !i+
go) 0iting !er lip !a r2it $a s t!e %rst ti+e sine !er +ot!er !a gone
to t!e !osp ita l t!a t
s!e* rea li=e +a "0e Si+on $a sn*t too !app" eit!er#
To$eling o; !is !a ir) a e rega re !is re(etion in t!e +irror $it! a
>.i==ia l so$l# A
!ea ling r.ne !a ta ken a re o& t!e $orst o& !is 0r.ises) 0.t it !a n*t
!elp e t!e s!a o$s
.ner !is e"es or t!e tig!t lines a t t!e orners o& !is +o.t!# His !ea a!e a n !e &elt
slig!tl" i=="# He kne$ !e s!o.l !a 'e ea ten so+et!ing t!a t +orning) 0.t
!e* $oken .p
na .sea te a n p a nting &ro+ nig!t+a res) not $a nting to p a .se to ea t)
1.st $a nting t!e
relea se o& p !"sia l a ti'it") to 0.rn o.t !is rea+s in 0r.ises a n s$ea t#
Tossing t!e to$el a sie) !e t!o.g!t longingl" o& t!e s$eet 0la k tea
Hoge .se to 0re$
&ro+ t!e nig!t-0loo+ing (o$ers in t!e green!o.se# T!e tea !a ta ken a$a
" !.nger p a ngs
a n 0ro.g!t a s$i& t s.rge o& energ"# Sine Hoge*s isa p p ea ra ne) a
e !a trie 0oiling
t!e p la nts* lea 'es in $a ter to see i& !e o.l p ro.e t!e sa+e e;et)
0.t t!e onl" res.lt
$a s a 0itter) a s!"-ta sting li>.i t!a t +a e !i+ ga g a n sp it#
Ba re&oot) !e p a e into t!e 0eroo+ a n t!re$ on 1ea ns a n a lea n
s!irt# He p .s!e
0a k !is $et 0lon !a ir) &ro$ning# It $a s too long a t t!e +o+ent) &a
lling into !is e"es2
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so+et!ing Ma r"se $o.l 0e s.re to !ie !i+ a 0o.t# S!e a l$a "s i# He
+ig!t not 0e t!e
Lig!t$oos* 0iologia l son) 0.t t!e"* trea te !i+ like it sine t!e"* a op
te !i+ a t a ge
ten) a & ter t!e ea t! o& !is o$n &a t!er# T!e s .ppos e ea t!) a e
re+ine !i+sel& ) t!a t
!ollo$ &eeling in !is g.ts res.r&a ing a ga in# He* &elt like a 1a k-o*-la
ntern &or t!e p a st &e$
a "s) a s i& !is g.ts !a 0een "a nke o.t $it! a &ork a n .+p e in a !ea p
$!ile a grinning
s+ile sta "e p la stere on !is &a e# He o& ten $onere i& a n"t!ing !e*
0elie'e a 0o.t !is
li&e) or !i+sel& ) !a e'er 0een tr.e# He* t!o.g!t !e $a s a n orp !a n2
!e $a sn*t# He*
t!o.g!t !e $a s a n onl" !il2!e !a a sister#
Clar"# T!e p a in a+e a ga in) stronger# He p .s!e it o$n# His e"es &ell
on t!e 0it o&
0roken +irror t!a t la " a top !is resser) still re(eting green 0o.g!s a n
a ia+on o& 0l.e
sk"# It $a s nea rl" t$ilig!t no$ in Iris/ T!e sk" $a s a rk a s o0a lt#C!oking on
!ollo$ness) a e "a nke !is 0oots on a n !ea e o$nsta irs to t!e li0ra r"#
He $onere a s !e la ttere o$n t!e stone step s 1.st $!a t it $a s t!a t Ma r"se
$a nte to
sa " to !i+ a lone# S!e* looke like s!e* $a nte to !a .l o; a n s+a k
!i+# He o.ln*t
re+e+0er t!e la st ti+e s!e* la i a !a n on !i+# T!e Lig!t$oos $eren*t gi'en
to orp ora l
p .nis!+ent2>.ite a !a nge &ro+ 0eing 0ro.g!t .p 0" ?a lentine) $!o*
onote a ll sorts
o& p a in&.l a stiga tions to eno.ra ge o0eiene# a e*s S!a o$!.nter skin
a l$a "s !ea le)
7/23/2019 The Formidable Glass
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o'ering a ll 0.t t!e $orst o& t!e e'iene# In t!e a "s a n $eeks a & ter
!is &a t!er ie a e
o.l re+e+0er sea r!ing !is 0o" &or sa rs) &or so+e +a rk t!a t $o.l
0e a token) a
re+e+0ra ne to tie !i+ p !"sia ll" to !is &a t!er*s +e+or"#
He rea !e t!e li0ra r" a n knoke one 0e&ore p .s!ing t!e oor op en#
Ma r"se $a s
t!ere) sitting in Hoge*s ol !a ir 0" t!e %re# Lig!t strea+e o$n t!ro.g!
t!e !ig!
$ino$s a n a e o.l see t!e to.!es o& gra " in !er !a ir# S!e $a s
!oling a gla ss o& re
$ine< t!ere $a s a .t-gla ss ea nter on t!e ta 0le 0esie !er#
3Ma r"se)5 !e sa i#
S!e 1.+p e a little) sp illing so+e o& t!e $ine# 3a e# I in*t !ea r "o. o+e
in#5
He in*t +o'e# 3Do "o. re+e+0er t!a t song "o. .se to sing to Isa 0elle a n
Ale2$!en
t!e" $ere little a n a &ra i o& t!e a rk2to get t!e+ to &a ll a sleep 45
Ma r"se a p p ea re ta ken a 0a k# 36!a t a re "o. ta lking a 0o.t45
3I .se to !ea r "o. t!ro.g! t!e $a lls)5 !e sa i# 3Ale*s 0eroo+ $a s ne,t to
+ine t!en#5
S!e sa i not!ing#
3It $a s in Fren!)5 a e sa i# 3T!e song#5
3I on*t kno$ $!" "o.* re+e+0er so+et!ing like t!a t#5 S!e looke a t !i+
a s i& !e*
a .se !er o& so+et!ing#
39o. ne'er sa ng to +e#5
T!ere $a s a 0a rel" p erep ti0le p a .se# T!en) 3O!) "o.)5 s!e sa i# 39o.
$ere ne'er a &ra i
o& t!e a rk#5
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36!a t kin o& ten-"ea r-ol is ne'er a &ra i o& t!e a rk45
Her e"e0ro$s $ent .p # 3Sit o$n) ona t!a n)5 s!e sa i# 3No$#5
He $ent) 1.st slo$l" eno.g! to a nno" !er) a ross t!e roo+) a n t!re$
!i+sel& into one
o& t!e $ing-0a k !a irs 0esie t!e esk# 3I* ra t!er "o. in*t a ll +e ona t!a
n#5
36!" not4 It*s "o.r na+e#5 S!e looke a t !i+ onsieringl"# 3Ho$ long !a
'e "o.
kno$n45
3no$n $!a t45
3Don*t 0e st.p i# 9o. kno$ e,a tl" $!a t I*+ a sking "o.#5 S!e t.rne !er
gla ss in !er
& ingers# 3Ho$ long !a 'e "o. kno$n t!a t ?a lentine is "o.r &a t!er45
a e onsiere a n isa re se'era l resp onses# Us.a ll" !e o.l get
!is $a " $it!
Ma r"se 0" +a king !er la .g!# He $a s one o& t!e onl" p eop le in t!e
$orl $!o o.l +a ke
!er la .g!# 3A0o.t a s long a s "o. !a 'e#5
Ma r"se s!ook !er !ea slo$l"# 3I on*t 0elie'e t!a t#5
a e sa t .p stra ig!t# His !a ns $ere in %sts $!ere t!e" reste on t!e
!a ir a r+s# He
o.l see a slig!t tre+or in !is %ngers) $onere i& !e* e'er !a it
0e&ore# He in*t t!ink
so# His !a ns !a a l$a "s 0een a s stea " a s !is !ea rt0ea t# 39o. on*t 0e li e
'e +e45
He !ea r t!e inre.lit" in !is o$n 'oie a n $ine in$a rl"# O& o.rses!e in*t
0elie'e !i+# T!a t !a 0een o0'io.s &ro+ t!e +o+ent s!e !a a rri'e !o+e#
3It oesn*t +a ke sense) a e# Ho$ o.l "o. not kno$ $!o "o.r o$n &a t!er is45
3He tol +e !e $a s Mi!a el 6a "la n# 6e li'e in t!e 6a "la n o.ntr" !o.se25
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3A nie to.!)5 sa i Ma r"se) 3t!a t# An "o.r na+e4 6!a t*s "o.r rea l na+e45
39o. kno$ +" rea l na+e#5
3ona t!a n# I kne$ t!a t $a s ?a lentine*s son*s na+e# I kne$ Mi!a el !a
a son na+e
ona t!a n too# It*s a o++on eno.g! S!a o$!.nter na+e2I ne'er t!o.g!t
it $a s stra nge
t!e" s!a re it) a n a s &or Mi!a el*s 0o"*s +ile na+e) I ne'er in>.ire#
B.t no$ I a n*t
!elp $onering# 6!a t $a s Mi!a el 6a "la n*s son*s rea l +ile na+e4
Ho$ long !a
?a lentine 0een p la nning $!a t !e $a s going to o4 Ho$ long i !e kno$
!e $a s going to
+.rer ona t!a n 6a "la n245 S!e 0roke o;) !er e"es %,e on a e# 39o.
ne'er looke
like Mi!a el) "o. kno$)5 s!e sa i# 3B.t so+eti+es !ilren on*t look like
t!eir p a rents# I
in*t t!ink a 0o.t it 0e&ore# B.t no$ I a n see ?a lentine in "o.# T!e $a
" "o.*re looking a t
+e# T!a t e& ia ne# 9o. on*t a re $!a t I sa ") o "o.45
B.t !e i a re# All !e $a s goo a t $a s +a king s.re s!e o.ln*t see it# 36o.l
it +a ke a
i& &erene i& I i45
S!e set t!e gla ss o$n on t!e ta 0le 0esie !er# It $a s e+p t"# 3An "o.
a ns$er >.estions
$it! >.estions to t!ro$ +e o;) 1.st like ?a lentine a l$a "s i# Ma "0e I
s!o.l !a 'e
kno$n#5
3Ma "0e not!ing# I*+ still e,a tl" t!e sa+e p erson I*'e 0een &or t!e p a st
se'en "ea rs#
Not!ing*s !a nge a 0o.t +e# I& I in*t re+in "o. o& ?a lentine 0e&ore) I
on*t see $!" I
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$o.l no$#5
Her gla ne +o'e o'er !i+ a n a$a " a s i& s!e o.ln*t 0ea r to look
iretl" a t !i+#
3S.rel" $!en $e ta lke a 0o.t Mi!a el) "o. +.st !a 'e kno$n $e o.ln*t
p ossi0l" !a 'e
+ea nt "o.r &a t!er# T!e t!ings $e sa i a 0o.t !i+ o.l ne'er !a 'e a p p lie to
?a lentine#5
39o. sa i !e $a s a goo +a n#5 Anger t$iste insie !i+# 3A 0ra 'e S!a
o$!.nter# A
lo'ing &a t!er# I t!o.g!t t!a t see+e a .ra te eno.g!#5
36!a t a 0o.t p !otogra p !s4 9o. +.st !a 'e seen p !otogra p !s o& Mi!a el
6a "la n a n
rea li=e !e $a sn*t t!e +a n "o. a lle "o.r &a t!er#5 S!e 0it !er lip #
3Help +e o.t !ere)
a e#5
3All t!e p !otogra p !s $ere estro"e in t!e Up rising# T!a t*s $!a t "o. tol
+e# No$ I
$oner i& it $a sn*t 0ea .se ?a lentine !a t!e+ a ll 0.rne so no0o" $o.l
kno$ $!o $a s
in t!e Cirle# I ne'er !a a p !otogra p ! o& +" &a t!er)5 a e sa i) a n
$onere i& !e
so.ne a s 0itter a s !e &elt#
Ma r"se p .t a !a n to !er te+p le a n +a ssa ge it a s i& !er !ea
$ere a !ing# 3I a n*t
0elie'e t!is)5 s!e sa i) a s i& to !ersel& # 3It*s insa ne#5
3So on*t 0elie'e it# Belie'e +e )5 a e sa i) a n &elt t!e tre+or in !is !a ns
inrea se#
S!e rop p e !er !a n# 3Don*t "o. t!ink I $ant to45 s!e e+a ne) a n
&or a +o+ent !e
!ea r t!e e!o in !er 'oie o& t!e Ma r"se $!o* o+e into !is 0eroo+ a
t nig!t $!en !e
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$a s ten "ea rs ol a n sta ring r"-e"e a t t!e eiling) t!inking o& !is &a
t!er2a n s!e* sa t
0" t!e 0e $it! !i+ .ntil !e* &a llen a sleep 1.st 0e&ore a$n#
3I in*t kno$)5 a e sa i a ga in# 3An $!en !e a ske +e to o+e $it! !i+ 0a
k to Iris)
I sa i no# I*+ still !ere# Doesn*t t!a t o.nt &or a n"t!ing45
S!e t.rne to look 0a k a t t!e ea nter) a s i& onsiering a not!er rink)
t!en see+e to
isa r t!e iea # 3I $is! it i)5 s!e sa i# 3B.t t!ere a re so +a n" rea
sons "o.r &a t!er +ig!t
$a nt "o. to re+a in a t t!e Instit.te# 6!ere ?a lentine is onerne) I a
n*t a ;or to tr.st
a n"one !is in& l.ene !a s to.!e#5
3His in(.ene to.!e "o.)5 a e sa i) a n insta ntl" regrette it a t t!e
look t!a t (a s!e
a ross !er &a e#
3 An I rep .ia te !i+)5 sa i Ma r"se# 3Ha 'e "o.4 Co.l "o.45 Her 0l.e
e"es $ere t!e
sa+e olor a s Ale*s) 0.t Ale !a ne'er looke a t !i+ like t!is# 3Tell +e"o. !a te !i+)
a e# Tell +e "o. !a te t!a t +a n a n e'er"t!ing !e sta ns &or#5
A +o+ent p a sse) a n a not!er) a n a e) looking o$n) sa$ t!a t !is
!a ns $ere so
tig!tl" %ste t!a t t!e kn.kles stoo o.t $!ite a n !a r like t!e 0ones in
a %s!*s sp ine# 3I
a n*t sa " t!a t#5
Ma r"se s.ke in !er 0rea t!# 3 6!" not45
36!" a n*t "o. sa " t!a t "o. tr.st +e4 I*'e li'e $it! "o. a l+ost !a l&
+" li&e# S.rel" "o.
+.st kno$ +e 0etter t!a n t!a t45
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39o. so.n so !onest) ona t!a n# 9o. a l$a "s !a 'e) e'en $!en "o. $ere
a little 0o"
tr"ing to p in t!e 0la+e &or so+et!ing "o.* one $rong on Isa 0elle or
Ale# I*'e onl" e'er
+et one p erson $!o o.l so.n a s p ers.a si'e a s "o.#5
a e ta ste op p er in !is +o.t!# 39o. +ea n +" &a t!er#5
3T!ere $ere onl" e'er t$o kins o& p eop le in t!e $orl &or ?a lentine)5 s!e
sa i# 3T!ose
$!o $ere &or t!e Cirle a n t!ose $!o $ere a ga inst it# T!e la tter $ere
ene+ies) a n t!e
&or+er $ere $ea p ons in !is a rsena l# I sa$ !i+ tr" to t.rn ea ! o& !is
&riens) e'en !is o$n
$i&e) into a $ea p on &or t!e Ca .se2a n "o. $a nt +e to 0elie'e !e
$o.ln*t !a 'e one t!e
sa+e $it! !is o$n son45 S!e s!ook !er !ea # 3I kne$ !i+ 0etter t!a n
t!a t#5 For t!e %rst
ti+e) Ma r"se looke a t !i+ $it! +ore sa ness t!a n a nger# 39o. a re a n
a rro$ s!ot iretl"
into t!e !ea rt o& t!e Cla 'e) a e# 9o. a re ?a lentine*s a rro$# 6!et!er "o. kno$
it or not#5
Cla r" s!.t t!e 0eroo+ oor on t!e 0la ring T? a n $ent to look &or
Si+on# S!e &o.n !i+
in t!e kit!en) 0ent o'er t!e sink $it! t!e $a ter r.nning# His !a ns $ere
0ra e on t!e
ra ining 0oa r#
3Si+on45 T!e kit!en $a s a 0rig!t) !eer&.l "ello$) t!e $a lls eora te
$it! &ra+e
!a lk a n p enil sket!es Si+on a n Re0ea !a one in gra e s!ool#
Re0ea !a so+e
ra$ing ta lent) "o. o.l tell) 0.t Si+on*s sket!es o& p eop le a ll looke like p a
rking +eters
$it! t.& ts o& !a ir#
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He in*t look .p no$) t!o.g! s!e o.l tell 0" t!e tig!tening o& !is
s!o.ler +.sles
t!a t !e* !ea r !er# S!e $ent o'er to t!e sink) la "ing a !a n lig!tl" on
!is 0a k# S!e &elt
t!e s!a rp n.0s o& !is sp ine t!ro.g! t!e t!in otton T-s!irt a n $onere
i& !e* lost
$eig!t# S!e o.ln*t tell 0" looking a t !i+) 0.t looking a t Si+on $a s like
looking in a
+irror2$!en "o. sa$ so+eone e'er" a ") "o. in*t a l$a "s notie s+a ll
!a nges in t!eir
o.t$a r a p p ea ra ne# 3Are "o. oka "45
He t.rne t!e $a ter o& & $it! a !a r 1erk o& !is $rist# 3S.re# I*+ & ine#5
S!e la i a %nger a ga inst t!e sie o& !is !in a n t.rne !is &a e to$a
r !er# He $a s
s$ea ting) t!e a rk !a ir t!a t la " a ross !is &ore!ea st.k to !is skin) t!o.g!
t!e a ir o+ing
t!ro.g! t!e !a l& -op en kit!en $ino$ $a s ool# 39o. on*t look & ine# 6a s it t!e
+o'ie45
He in*t a ns$er#
3I*+ sorr"# I s!o.ln*t !a 'e la .g!e) it*s 1.st25
39o. on*t re+e+0er45 His 'oie so.ne !oa rse#
3I:5 Cla r" tra ile o;# T!a t nig!t) looking 0a k) see+e a long !a =e o&
r.nning) o& 0loo
a n s$ea t) o& s!a o$s gli+p se in oor$a "s) o& &a lling t!ro.g! sp a e# S!e
re+e+0ere t!e
$!ite &a es o& t!e 'a+p ires) like p a p er .to.ts a ga inst t!e a rkness)
a n re+e+0ere a e
!oling !er) s!o.ting !oa rsel" into !er ea r# 3Not rea ll"# It*s a 0l.r#5
His ga =e & like p a st !er a n t!en 0a k# 3Do I see+ i& &erent to "o.45 !e a
ske#
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S!e ra ise !er e"es to !is# His $ere t!e olor o& 0la k o;ee2not rea ll"
0la k) 0.t a ri!
0ro$n $it!o.t a to.! o& gra " or !a =el# Di !e see+ i;erent4 T!ere
+ig!t !a 'e 0een a n
e,tra to.! o& on%ene in t!e $a " !e !el !i+sel& sine t!e a " !e*
kille A00a on) t!e
Grea ter De+on< 0.t t!ere $a s a lso a $a riness a 0o.t !i+) a s i& !e $ere $a
iting or $a t!ing
&or so+et!ing# It $a s so+et!ing s!e !a notie a 0o.t a e a s $ell#
er!a p s it $a s onl"
t!e a$a reness o& +orta lit"# 39o.*re still Si+on#5
He !a l& -lose !is e"es a s i& in relie& ) a n a s !is e"ela s!es lo$ere)s!e sa$ !o$ a ng.la r
!is !eek0ones looke# He !a lost $eig!t) s!e t!o.g!t) a n $a s a 0o.t
to sa " so $!en !e
lea ne o$n a n kisse !er#
S!e $a s so s.rp rise a t t!e &eel o& !is +o.t! on !ers t!a t s!e $ent
rigi a ll o'er)
gra 00ing &or t!e ege o& t!e ra ining 0oa r to s.p p ort !ersel& # S!e i
not) !o$e'er) p .s!
!i+ a$a ") a n lea rl" ta king t!is a s a sign o& eno.ra ge+ent) Si+on
sli !is !a n 0e!in
!er !ea a n eep ene t!e kiss) p a rting !er lip s $it! !is# His +o.t!
$a s so& t) so& ter t!a n
a e*s !a 0een) a n t!e !a n t!a t .p p e !er nek $a s $a r+ a n
gentle# He ta ste like
sa lt#
S!e let !er e"es &a ll s!.t a n &or a +o+ent (oa te i==il" in t!e a
rkness a n t!e !ea t)
t!e &eel o& !is %ngers +o'ing t!ro.g! !er !a ir# 6!en t!e !a rs! ring o&
t!e telep !one .t
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t!ro.g! !er a =e) s!e 1.+p e 0a k a s i& !e* p .s!e !er a$a ") t!o.g!
!e !a n*t +o'e#
T!e" sta re a t ea ! ot!er &or a +o+ent) in $il on&.sion) like t$o p
eop le %ning
t!e+sel'es s.enl" tra nsp orte to a stra nge la nsa p e $!ere not!ing $a s
&a+ilia r#
Si+on t.rne a$a " %rst) rea !ing &or t!e p !one t!a t !.ng on t!e $a ll
0esie t!e sp ie
ra k# 3Hello45 He so.ne nor+a l) 0.t !is !est $a s rising a n &a lling &a
st# He !el t!e
reei'er o.t to Cla r"# 3It*s &or "o.#5
Cla r" took t!e p !one# S!e o.l still &eel t!e p o.ning o& !er !ea rt in !er t!roat) like t!e
(.ttering $ings o& a n inset tra p p e .ner !er skin# It*s L.ke ) alli ng
&ro+ t!e !os pi tal#
So+e t!i ng*s !appe ne to +" +ot!e r#
S!e s$a llo$e# 3L.ke4 Is it "o.45
3No# It*s Isa 0elle#5
3Isa 0elle45 Cla r" looke .p a n sa$ Si+on $a t!ing !er) lea ning a gainst t!e sink# T!e
& l.s! on !is !eeks !a &a e# 36!" a re "o.2I +ea n) $!a t*s .p 45
T!ere $a s a !it! in t!e ot!er girl*s 'oie) a s i& s!e* 0een r"ing# 3Is a e
t!ere45
Cla r" a t.a ll" !el o.t t!e p !one so s!e o.l sta re a t it 0e&ore 0ringing
t!e reei'er
0a k to !er ea r# 3a e4 No# 6!" $o.l !e 0e !ere45
Isa 0elle*s a ns$ering 0rea t! e!oe o$n t!e p !one line like a ga sp #
3T!e t!ing is : !e*s
gone #5