The Ducks of Doom Volume1

8/13/2019 The Ducks of Doom Volume1

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THE DUCKS OF DOOMChapters 1-30An Internet Serialby Rbert Arth!r S"ith###$%!&'para%e$&"

ras"ithr(yah$&"

THE DUCKS OF DOOM #as a )00) In%epen%ent e-*'s +inalist$

Cpyri,ht )000-)00.Rbert Arth!r S"ith.All ri,hts reser/e%$

Chapter 1 Fe""e Fatale

S"e peple thin' %!&'s spen% all + their ti"e +latin, ar!n% in

pn%s. !a&'in, at the nei,hbrs an% %rin'in, li"e +i22ers$This "i,ht be tr!e n ther planets. b!t nt n T&'#rl%$Thin,s are %i++erent n T&'#rl%. a #rl% that spran, int

eisten&e #hen an alien pene% the #rn, %r in the 4ran% I"perialChinese resta!rant$

Any#ay. %!&'s. bein, etre"ely &le/er at %is,!ise an% s!bter+!,e.ha/e in/ente% %e&ys$

De&ys l' 5!st li'e %!&'s. b!t they aren6t$ They6re bits + painte%#%$ They #ere %esi,ne% t +lat ar!n% in pn%s all %ay. +lin,

h!"ans. #hile the real %!&'s t' /er the #rl% an% be,an r!nnin,lar,e &rpratins$

7eple in the 'n# &an al#ays tell the %i++eren&e bet#een a %!&'an% a %e&y$ Real %!&'s ha/e +eet$

I+ y! %n6t belie/e the part ab!t %!&'s r!nnin, lar,e&rpratins. ta'e a l' at y!r #n #r'pla&e$ Unless. + &!rse. y!#r' at h"e8 then y! sh!l% ea"ine ther "e"bers + y!r +a"ilyt "a'e s!re they %n6t ha/e any +eathers$

I+ y! +in% !t ne r "re + y!r +a"ily "e"bers is really a %!&'.be ,rate+!l$ D!&'s #ill l' a+ter y! #hen the aliens in/a%e$

*!t that6s anther stry8 #e6ll tal' ab!t it s"e ther ti"e$

Any#ay. there6s n sha"e in #r'in, +r a %!&'$ 9! ha/e tre"e"ber. it #as a %!&' #h sa/e% the #rl% +r" a +ate #rse than%eath$

This is h# it happene%$A ln, ti"e a,. a "il%-"annere% %!&' by the na"e + Ma&'lin

Ma&'lin #as snea'in, a pee' at the &enter+l% + MODE: RAI:ROADER"a,a2ine an% thin'in, ab!t a sessin #ith his train lay!t. #henthere #as a 'n&' n the %r + his &n%$

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;h &an that be< Ma&'lin #n%ere%$ He hate% interr!ptins #henhe #as thin'in, ab!t his trains$ He ha% a really neat "%el + theS!thern 7a&i+i&. %#n ar!n% In%i. Cali+rnia. #ith se/eral +r!it-pa&'in, plants. %2ens + re+ri,eratr &ars. an% a lt + ,l+ &!rses$

Any#ay. y!6re prbably #n%erin, #hat Ma&'lin #as %in, at

h"e at ni,ht. instea% + tilin, a#ay in a st!++y &!bi&le li'e e/eryneelse. +r&e% t #r' /erti"e 5!st t 'eep his 5b$An% #here %i% he ,et the lt +r this ni&e &n% /erl'in, a par'

near M!nt 7leasant. a bl&' a#ay +r" 4er,e6s Trains. a hbby shp'n#n in e/ery &rner + the &i/ili2e% #rl%It6s a +eat!re.> he #!l% tell peple. #hen they

&"plaine% ab!t this aspe&t + his &hara&ter$*e neat. be pre&ise. an% y!6ll ne/er be srry$ That #as Ma&'lin6s

philsphy$;h &!l% be 'n&'in, a+ter "i%ni,ht< he #n%ere%$ Espe&ially

sin&e it6s S&ary 7!"p'in E/e. a ti"e #hen all ,% little &hil%ren ares!ppse% t be in be%. s the S&ary 7!"p'in &an &"e %#n the&hi"ney an% lea/e b!n%les + D!r!" #heat tie% in ribbns$

He peere% thr!,h the peephle. b!t all he sa# #as *arthl"e#


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A!,!st!s Hpenthrasher6s %r a&rss the hall$Hpenthrasher #as nt the srt + persn #h 'n&'e% n %rs.

nly t +lee in pani& be+re anyne sptte% hi"$ Hpenthrasher :IKEDt be seen8 he #as a philsphy pr+essr. an% as y! 'n#.philsphy pr+essrs ha/e %!bts ab!t their #n eisten&e$ This is

be&a!se nb%y e/er &alls the" !p t +i br'en philsphies$ It6s alittle li'e the Mayta, "an$$$$;e6ll tal' ab!t that s"e ther ti"e$Ma&'lin. by the #ay. #asn6t the srt + %!&' #h pene% his %r

a+ter "i%ni,ht +r !nseen stran,ers$ 9! ne/er 'n# #hat y!6re ,in,t ,et #hen y! pen y!r %r late at ni,ht it &!l% be s"ene%an,er!s. li'e an ar"a%ill r a +reelan&e tele"ar'eter$

*!t s"ethin, &han,e% Ma&'lin6s "in% that ni,ht8 s"e "ysteri!s+r&e penetrate% the bri,ht. r%erly re,ins + his brain. sprea%in, alittle %ar'ness$

He &"pse% his +a&e int a spe&ial 6Hi. ""8 ni&e t see y!?6

s"ile. in &ase it really #as his ""$ Then he pene% the %r. an% thes"ile +r2e n his +a&e$A +e""e +atale steppe% !t + the sha%#s$=# that6s a si"ple thin, t say8 A +e""e +atale steppe% !t + the

sha%#s$ 6S #hat?6 y! "i,ht be sayin, t y!rsel+$ Fe""e +atalesare al#ays steppin, !t + the sha%#s8 it6s #hat they % best$

;ell. ne + the thin,s they % best$This +e""e +atale. h#e/er. #as %i++erent$She #ipe% a bit + *la&' Ma,i& &h&late +r" her bea' an% &&'e%

a hip at Ma&'lin. bl#in, e/ery +!se in his brain$Ma&'lin ne/er ha% a &han&e$ He ,a2e% at her in a st!pr. ta'in, in

her slin'y re% %ress. her r!by earrin,s. an% her re% hi,h heels$>Hell Ma&'lin.> she sai% in a thraty /i&e$ >My na"e is All!ra$ I6/e

&"e t in/ite y! t a little party$>Ma&'lin #as st!pe+ie%$ >@!a&'.> he sai%$All!ra "/e% a little &lser$ Her re% %ress "a%e slin'y nises all

/er her %!&'y +r"$ Her bea' pene% sli,htly an% an eti& %r +#il% ri&e an% &h&late iss!e% +rth$

It #asn6t parti&!larly #ar" in Ma&'lin6s &n% that ni,ht. b!t he +elta s!%%en ht +lash as he #at&he% All!ra6s +la"e-&lre% hair stir ,entlyin the !p%ra+t +r" her internal &n/e&tin /en$

A s"all /i&e in the ba&' + his "in% #arne% hi" t be &are+!l

6Dn6t , there? She6s %an,er!s$ 9!r "" #!l%n6t li'e her$ Stayh"e an% play #ith y!r trains?6

*!t Ma&'lin #as beyn% help n#$ He #as a %ra'e pssesse%8 thenly thin, that "attere% t hi" #as the se%!&ti/e All!ra. a /isin +slin'iness l!rin, hi" %#n a +rbi%%en tra&' int a "ysteri!s t!nnel$

She p!t an ar" thr!,h his$ He trie% %esperately t thin' +s"ethin, &har"in, an% #itty t say. b!t all he &!l% "ana,e #as.>D y! li'e br&&li

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All!ra ,a/e hi" a little pe&' n the &hee' as i+ t say. 6I6% %anythin, +r a &!p + br&&li.> an% Ma&'lin6s brain epl%e%$

He #as hers n#8 he #!l% +ll# her any#here$At least !ntil his "" &alle%$The Hipppta"!s + Fate ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER ) THE SMOOCH OF FATE

Ma&'lin ha% n i%ea #hy All!ra #!l% be intereste% in a shy. "il%-"annere% %!&'$

7erhaps she6% "ista'en hi" +r his s#ashb!&'lin, an&estr. the&lr+!l 4iseppe Ma&'lin$

4iseppe. a Flrentine ,an,ster inhabitin, the early renaissan&e.ha% been the srt + %!&' #h 'ne# ea&tly #hat t % #hen"ysteries happene% t hi"$

On&e. #hile n a tra%e "issin t S&tlan%. he6% been 'i%nappe% byS&ttish eistentialists$ He6% &"e t sell real estate8 he #as ++erin, aspe&ial %eal n a s!n'en pia22a. a splen%i% pla&e +r raisin, sheep.#ith its ab!n%an&e + tan,y #ater. an% its ,ently ripplin, +eat!res$

The S&ts %i%n6t 'n# #hat t "a'e + hi". espe&ially #hen they,t a better l' at his hat. #hi&h. in typi&al renaissan&e style. l'e%li'e a %ente% &'ie tin. s they p!t hi" thr!,h the In!isitin + theHa,,is$ They ,a/e hi" a tartan sash. a 'ilt. an% a set + ba,pipes. an%tl% hi" t play 6S&tlan% the *ra/e6$

4iseppe ha% ne/er hear% + 6S&tlan% the *ra/e6$ Fr all he 'ne#. it"i,ht ha/e been a %&!"entary n ha,,is$ S. al#ays a !i&' thin'er.

he playe% 6H# M!&h is That D,,ie in the ;in%#H# "!&h is that %,,eee in the #in%#< The ne #ith the#a,,ely tale$$$$ >

In the en%. the S&ts li'e% the sn, s "!&h. they "a%e 4iseppe a&lan &hie+tain. ,a/e hi" the stan%ar% nine s!are +eet + ,ra2in, lan%.

a ,eneti&ally "%i+ie% . ther#ise 'n#n as a ba,pipe. an% painte%hi" bl!e$

E/en n#. n the blaste% heaths an% par'in, lts + S&tlan%. i+y! listen /ery &are+!lly. y! &an hear the "!rn+!l #ail + 4iseppe6sba,pipes. an% a ,hstly S&ttish &hir sin,in,. >H# "!&h is that%,,eee in the #in%#$$$$$>

*!t en!,h + Ma&'lin6s &lr+!l an&estr$All!ra #as ,r#in, i"patient #hile Ma&'lin %ithere%$ S#eepin, hi"

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!p in her ar"s. she &arrie% hi" ++ t the ele/atr. hel% hi" ti,htly#hile they %es&en%e% the t#enty +lrs t the lbby. then bre hi"past the astnishe% %r"an t her #aitin, Harley-Da/i%sn$

Ma&'lin. #h pani&'e% at the si,ht + "ere ten-spee% bi'es. #asterri+ie%$

*!t All!ra s"ile% in/itin,ly. an% #hen she +lashe% a bit + slin'yna!,htiness thr!,h the slit in her re% %ress. all th!,ht + %an,er +le%+r" Ma&'lin6s "in%$

@!i&'ly he 5!"pe% !p behin% her. hel% n +r %ear li+e. an% a#aythey spe%$

There #as an %r + s#a"p ,rass ab!t her that %r/e hi" #il%$S!%%enly he %i%n6t &are any"re8 he &!l% +a&e any %an,er as ln, asit in/l/e% hl%in, nt an e&itin, %!&'?

It #as a terri+yin, ri%e thr!,h the ,ri%l&'e% streets + %#nt#nTrnt$ A %2en ti"es. Ma&'lin bra&e% hi"sel+ +r instant %eath. nlyt +in% hi"sel+. ""ents later. still inta&t an% +a&in, an e/en s&arier

instant %eath$At last. All!ra /eere% ++ the ra% nt a narr# path#ay that le%thr!,h a 4thi& +rest in the heart + Trnt6s sinister +inan&ial%istri&t$

Ma&'lin ,lan&e% ab!t ner/!sly as they #ea/e% their #ay thr!,ha "a2e + spr!&e. pine. an% "aple trees$

*an'ers an% +inan&ial a%/isrs hte% li'e #ls in the treetps.#hile a&&!ntants s#pe% thr!,h the ,l" in sear&h + prey$

S!%%enly the path t' a t!rnin, an% Ma&'lin +!n% hi"sel+ n the!n'e"pt ,r!n%s + a 4thi& "ansin8 a h!l'in,. s"ber pile + stnesthat see"e% t har% the sha%#s. ,atherin, %ar'ness int itsel+ li'e a

"ali,nant entity br%in, n %estr!&tin$A si,n in +rnt sai% City Hall$ All "a5r &re%it &ar%s a&&epte%$>;e6re nt ,in, in there. are #e Ma&'lin sai% ner/!sly. his

han% n his #allet$All!ra slin'e% &lser an% t!&he% his +rehea%. b!rnin, a hle

thr!,h his s'!ll$>=.> she "!r"!re%$Ma&'lin breathe% a si,h + relie+ an% th!,ht ab!t s"&hin, #ith

his ne# +rien%$>9OU are?> sai% All!ra$>I a"

All!ra t!&he% Ma&'lin6s bea'$ >O+ &!rse y! are. s#eetie.> shesai%$ >That6s #hy I br!,ht y! here$>

Ma&'lin &!l%n6t belie/e his ears$>9! br!,ht "e here +r this he s!a#'e%$ >9! ha% this e/il

pile + stnes in "in% all aln,< 9! !se% y!r +e"inine #iles t #"e a#ay +r"$$$+r"-->

>9!r ty trains sai% All!ra$Ma&'lin bl!she%$ >They aren6t tys.> he sai%$ >They6re "%els$ :i'e


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in "!se!"s$ E/erythin, is realisti&$ The 47 s#it&hers. +r instan&e.ha/e %yna"i& bra'es$>

>D y! really thin' I !se% +e"inine #iles sai% All!ra. &!ppin, hisbea' in her han%s$ >All I %i% #as as' y! t &"e #ith "e$>

Ma&'lin #as n +ire #ith passin$ At the sa"e ti"e. he #as

tre"blin, #ith +ear$ It #as /ery &n+!sin,$>9! %i%n6t 5!st as' "e.> he sai%$ >9! slin'e%$>That6s be&a!se I li'e y!.> #hispere% All!ra$ >I6ll be #aitin, +r y!

!tsi%e. #hen y!6re +inishe%$>>Finishe% #hat>Bl% #ants t "eet y!$ He6s the ne #h sent +r y!$>At the "entin + this na"e. Ma&'lin6s bl% t!rne% t i&e$ >Bl%

he ,aspe%$ >As in Bl% Irnbea'. the e/il "ayr + Trnt>Shhh?> All!ra t!&he% his +eathers8 then she 'isse% hi". an% their

bea's &la&'e% t,ether in +iery passin$>Ohhhh$$$$> she "ane%$

Ma&'lin +elt his D=A thrbbin,$ Reasn an% l,i& seepe% !t + hisbrain li'e "tr il +r" a &ra&'e% bl&'$ He 'ne# he #as +a&in,terrible %an,er. b!t he6% % anythin, All!ra as'e% + hi"$ He &!l%n6thelp hi"sel+8 he #ante% t be near her. he #ante% t t!&h her an%s"&h #ith her$

!st then. the +rnt %r &rea'e% pen. an% a "ysteri!s +i,!resteppe% !t int the eerie ,l# + the +rest$

>Bl% #ill see y! n#.> it sai%$Ma&'lin ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER 3 *EAUT9 MARKS

The "ysteri!s +i,!re appra&he% Ma&'lin thr!,h the sha%#s$ It#as the stran,est l'in, %!&' he6% e/er seen$ There #ere +eathers. +&!rse$ EBER9O=E has +eathers$ There #ere t# bl%sht eyes. an%there #as a bea' t#iste% int a hi%e!s ,ri"a&e. #ith a bit + %rl nthe en%$

The &reat!re6s "l%y ,reen +eathers #ere set ++ by a "l%y ,reen&r%!ry s!it blt&he% #ith prt-#ine stains$ He #re shes thatl'e% li'e #a++le irns. an% a "l%y bl!e b#ler hat t , #ith his,reen s!it$

;hen he t!rne% t sh# his pr+ile. Ma&'lin ,li"pse% an enr"!sb!l,e hi,h !p n his ba&'$

The stran,er thr!st his "ttle%. bl!e-,reen +a&e at Ma&'lin$>D y! see anythin, !n!s!al ab!t "e he hisse%$ >H""">Un!s!al !a&'e% Ma&'lin$ >U"$$$IS there s"ethin,One bl%sht eye s!inte% s!spi&i!sly at hi"$ >The na"e is

7ly%r.> the stran,er ,r#le%$ >I a" Bl% Irnbea'6s a&lyte an%&hie+ +inan&ial ++i&er$>


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>H# % y! % sai% Ma&'lin$ >I6"-->>En!,h s"all tal'$> 7ly%r sai%. &/erin, his ears$ >Dn6t in+li&t

y!r persnal histry. ane&%tes. %rea"s an% a"bitins n "e$ I %n6te/en #ant t 'n# the na"es + peple #h %ie s !i&'ly in there$>

Ma&'lin ha% the stran,est +eelin, s"ethin, ba% #as ,in, t

happen t hi"$ He l'e% ar!n% +r All!ra. b!t she #as ,ne$ She6%"elte% a#ay int the sha%#s li'e a bitterly %isappinte% %ate$Then he nti&e% a pair + eyes #at&hin, hi" +r" %eep #ithin a

s!spi&i!sly #l+-li'e pat&h + %eeper sha%#$ S"ethin, ,littere% neither si%e. li'e t# r!by earrin,s &at&hin, a stray bit + li,ht. an%there #as a srt + bea'iness ab!t the +rnt + this b5e&t$

My i"a,inatin is playin, tri&'s n "e. Ma&'lin th!,ht$ S!rely that&an6t be All!ra?

>:ts + stran,e thin,s in the #%s.> sai% 7ly%r. ,rinnin,hi%e!sly at hi"$ >She6ll be there #hen y! ,et ba&'$ IF y! ,et ba&'$Ha. ha. ha. ha. ha. ha?>

Ma&'lin s"ile% plitely. t sh# that he li'e% a 5'e as "!&h asanyb%y else. b!t in#ar%ly he #as tre"!l!s an% perplee%$ Hesense% hstility e"anatin, +r" 7ly%r$

H# &!l% he "a'e 7ly%r li'e hi"Than' y! +r ta'in, the tr!ble t lea% "e t the %r.> Ma&'lin

sai% t 7ly%r. still tryin, t be li'e%$ >It6s tr!e #hat they say. isn6t it86%!&'s + a +eather sti&' t,ether?6>

This ,a"bit %i%n6t #r' at all$ In +a&t. it enra,e% 7ly%r$>Are y! &allin, "e a %!&' he hisse%$>7ar%n sai% Ma&'lin$ >9!6re nt a %!&'>O+ &!rse nt. y! i%it? I6" a &anar%$>>Oh. I see.> Ma&'lin sai% ner/!sly$ >;hat6s a &anar%?>>Canar% is Fren&h +r S!pre"e *ein,. y! +l?>Ma&'lin #as at a lss +r #r%s$ Frt!nately. they6% rea&he% the

%r$ 7ly%r tre it pen #ith an irritable ,est!re. re/ealin, anenr"!s hall#ay$

Fla"bea! line% the "arble #alls$ In the ,hastly. shi+tin, li,ht.Ma&'lin ,li"pse% a re&eptin area #ith a +e# ner/!s petitinersrttin, n #%en ben&hes$

A tre"r #ent thr!,h hi"8 he #ishe% he #ere at h"e in his &2yapart"ent. peratin, his "!se!"-!ality "%el railra%$

At this /ery ""ent. instea% + tryin, t in,ratiate hi"sel+ #ith a


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hi%e!s a&lyte. he &!l% be s#it&hin, little +rei,ht &ars in the yar% atB!lt!re6s *rea'+ast$ Or he &!l% be tal'in, n the phne t 4la%ysKin%Heart. the nly real +rien% he6% e/er ha%$

4la%ys #as a ,entle. &arin, %!&' #h al#ays listene% t Ma&'lin6sstries ab!t s#it&h "trs that 'ept b!rnin, !t. an% +rei,ht &ars that

'ept %erailin,$ She hel% his han% #hen he #as sa%. 'ept hi" &"pany.let hi" play #ith her &ay"ans. an% listene% patiently t his tales +#e$

S he6% re5e&te% her as a ,irl+rien%$Ma&'lin th!,ht anyb%y #h #as intereste% in HIM #as either a

lser. r se&retly plttin, a nasty s!rprise$He #as %eeply absrbe% in these +as&inatin, th!,hts #hen. all at

n&e. he hear% a stran,e. ha!ntin, s!n%$It #as 4iseppe. his terri+yin, an&estr. ,nashin, his bill$A ,hstly /i&e #hispere% insi%e Ma&'lin6s s'!ll >Fr,et ab!t

bein, li'e%. ye #ee ;illie #i"py? Sell this 7ly%r +l s"e real

estate$ ;e still #n that s!n'en pia22a$>This #as +ll#e% by ,hstly ba,pipes. an% a +e# "!rn+!l S&ttish/i&es sin,in,. >H# "!&h is that %,,eee in the #in%#8 the ne #iththe #a,,ely tail$$$$>

Ma&'lin #as starin, in hrrr at a spe&tral ha,,is. #hen 7ly%rbr'e int his re/erie$

>;hat are y! l'in, at the a&lyte snarle%$S!%%enly Ma&'lin reali2e% the spe&tral ha,,is ha% been

s!peri"pse% n 7ly%r6s h!"p$>:i'e "y h!"p. % y! 7ly%r #hispere%$>9es I %. /ery "!&h.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >It6s$$$!"$$$nble$ It +ills !t

y!r 5a&'et /ery ni&ely$>7ly%r leere% an% t#it&he%. an% sh' his 'nbby +ists at

Ma&'lin$ >S y! DO thin' I ha/e a h!"p he hisse%$ >I s!ppse y!thin' I6" a nthin, b!t a &a"el #ith an entire &anar% pn% st!++e% inta h!"p. in &ase I ha/e t &rss a %esert?>

>4% ,rie+. n?> e&lai"e% Ma&'lin. s#eatin, n#$ >The th!,htne/er &rsse% "y "in%?>

>This thin, n "y ba&' is a "le.> sai% 7ly%r$>U""$$$y! "!st be /ery pr!% + it.> sai% Ma&'lin$>Any ti"e I #ant. I &an ha/e it re"/e%$ I6" nly 'eepin, it

be&a!se +e"ales +in% it irresistible$ They &"e a+ter "e in %r/es?

Masses + the"?>>I see.> sai% Ma&'lin$>9! ,et t &hse #hen y! , int the a&lyte b!siness.> sai%

7ly%r$ >It6s either a "n'6s l r a bi, "le$>>9! "a%e a #ise &hi&e.> sai% Ma&'lin$>I &hse bth. b!t I nly !se the l in b!%,et "eetin,s. #hen #e

ha/e sa&ri+i&es an% behea%in,s$ =asty thin,s. ls? They "a'e "ebrea' !t in spts$ An% they attra&t "asses + ar"a%ills$ MASSES +


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the"? A h!"p is "!&h better. %n6t y! thin'>9es. "!&h?> sai% Ma&'lin$ Then he &lappe% a han% /er his bea'$ >I

"ean-->>Aha?> sai% 7ly%r tri!"phantly$ >S y! DO thin' I ha/e a

h!"p?>

Ma&'lin #ipe% the spray +r" his +a&e an% l'e% ar!n%%esperately +r All!ra$>:'in, +r help. are #e 5eere% 7ly%r$ >Thin' y!r s"ar"y

All!ra6s ,in, t leap thr!,h a staine% ,lass #in%#. ta'e y! in herar"s. an% &arry y! a#ay t sa+ety. % #e

>=. I-->>That slat? That +l22y? She thin's she6s s spe&ial. slin'in, ar!n%

the "aster. sh#in, her an'les. "in&in, an% pran&in, li'e ahipppta"!s?>

7ly%r be,an slin'in, ar!n% the r". "in&in, an% pran&in,li'e a hipppta"!s. battin, his eyes. an% p!&'erin, his bea'$

>Kiss "e. y! +l?> he raspe%$Then a %eep. p#er+!l /i&e sai%. >That #ill %. 7ly%r$ 9! "ays&rat&h y!r +leas s"e ther ti"e8 #e ha/e #r' t % n#$>

The rttin, tapayers ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER B:OD STAKES A C:AIMMa&'lin +!n% hi"sel+ trans+ie% by the penetratin, ,a2e + a /ery

tall %!&' %resse% in a bla&' +r&' &at. bla&'. st/epipe tr!sers. an% abla&' &ape$

It #as the "ayr + Trnt?Ma&'lin ha% hear% + hi". + &!rse. b!t he6% al#ays ass!"e% Bl%

#as a re"te. "ythi&al +i,!re li'e Mar,aret That&her$In real li+e. he #as "re +ri,htenin, than a "ere pliti&ian$His starin, re% eyes #ere set int a bne-#hite +a&e. li'e t# %rps

+ Tabas& sa!&e n S&arlett O6Hara6s #e%%in, %ress$ His bea',li""ere% in the +li&'erin, li,ht. l'in, e/ery bit as %ea%ly as a thespi'e !pn #hi&h a ban'r!pt6s petitin +r &le"en&y is s'e#ere%$

He slippe% a bl%-re% s"art phne int a p&'et + his +r&' &at.an% t#it&he% his bea' in #hat "i,ht ha/e been a s"ile. r a s!""nst an ee&!tiner$

Then he t!rne% t 7ly%r$>7ly%r>9es. "aster$>>4 an% prepare a sna&' +r !r ,!est$ In the A,ny R". I thin'$

An% this ti"e. try t re"e"ber--the sil/er#are ,es n the table. =OTin !r ,!ests$>

>9es. "aster$>>The ha,,is. I thin'$ ;e6ll ha/e that. aln, #ith bl% p!%%in,.


10/87

bl% sa!sa,e. an% the spe&ial t"at sa!&e$>>9es. "aster$>>Anythin, y! %n6t !n%erstan%. l' it !p in the Martha Ste#art

b'$>7ly%r &rabbe% thr!,h the %r. an e/il l' n his +a&e$

Ma&'lin #at&he% !neasily as the a&lyte &l!"pe% a#ay$ 7ly%r#as nasty. b!t at least his nastiness #as ratinal$ It ha% s"ethin, t% #ith sel+-estee"$

There #as nthin, ratinal ab!t Bl%$An% #here #as All!raS Ma&'lin8 #e "eet at last?> Bl% sai%$ >Bl% Irnbea' at y!r

ser/i&e$ I6/e been l'in, +r#ar% t this$ I 'n# y!r an&estr$>>9! % sai% Ma&'lin. ""entarily st!nne%$ >;hi&h neBl%6s bea' t#it&he%$ >9! ha/e nly ne an&estr$>>Oh y! "ean 4iseppe?> Ma&'lin sai% !i&'ly$ >*!t he %ie%

&ent!ries a,?>

Bl% &lse% his eyes +r a ""ent$ ;hen he pene% the" a,ain.they #ere bi,,er$ >9es.> he sai%$ >I "eant t say. M9 an&estr. Bl%2illethe Reptile. 'ne# hi"$>

>Oh. ,%?> sai% Ma&'lin. ,reatly relie/e%$ >;e6re pra&ti&ally +a"ily.then$

S!rely this p#er+!l %!&' #!l%n6t h!rt a %es&en%ant + the "anhis an&estr ha% 'n#n an% l/e%?

>Bl%2ille an% Ma&'lin l/e% the sa"e S&ttish prin&ess.> sai%Bl%$ >A &ertain :enre M&*ea!ty$>

>That6s #n%er+!l?> sai% Ma&'lin$ >It6s li'e a r"an&e n/el$ :i'e;I=D I= THE ;I::O;S$>

>;I=D I= THE ;I::O;S is nt a r"an&e n/el.> Bl% snappe%$>It6s a b' ab!t psy&hti& ta%s an% the "istreat"ent + #easels$>

Ma&'lin %e&i%e% t 'eep his "!th sh!t$ E/eryb%y #as s t!&hyar!n% here? H# he #ishe% he #as ba&' h"e #ith 4la%ys Kin%Heart?

Dear. %ear 4la%ys$ S 'in% hearte%. s lyal. an% her &ay"ans #ere'ay t. as ln, as they staye% in the pn% in her li/in, r" an%$$$$

Bl% &leare% his thrat$ >Bl%2ille an% Ma&'lin l/e% :enre #ith arare. !nearthly passin$ My an&estr6s passin #as "re #rthy thany!r an&estr6s passin. + &!rse$>

>This is s %ra"ati& an% ei,hteenth-&ent!ry?> sai% Ma&'lin. tryin,t in,ratiate hi"sel+ #ith this ne# b5e&t + terrr$ >H# %i% they #r'

it !t>*a%ly.> sai% Bl%$ >One %ay. in an atte"pt t a/i% sa/a,e

&n+li&t. the t# ri/als !r,e% :enre t &hse$ She #as "!&h tsensiti/e +r this$ She &!l%n6t bear the th!,ht + in+li&tin, pain an%srr#$ She l/e% bth s!itrs #ith a "a% passin$>

>I l/e this stry?> sai% Ma&'lin$ >Des it ha/e a happy en%in,>It %es nt?> sai% Bl%$ >The bea!te!s :enre. !nable t +a&e the

prspe&t + h!rtin, either + her s!itrs. thre# hersel+ in +rnt + a

11/87

+lyin, ha,,is at the Hi,hlan% ,a"es$>>That6s a"a2in,.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >It sh!l% be a "/ie-->>It #as hrrible.> sai% Bl%$ >Hrrible? I ,rie/e%$$$I "ean "y

an&estr ,rie/e% +r #ee's$ He #as in&nslable$ I. B:OD IRO=*EAK.a" in&nslable +r hi"$>

>I6" s srry.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >Ha/e y! trie% ,rie+ &!nselin,< 9!&!l% &he&' in the yell# pa,es$$$$>A l' +r" Bl% silen&e% hi"$ >It ,ets #rse.> Bl% sai%$ >In the

"i%st + "y an&estr6s terrible ,rie+. 9OUR an&estr trea&her!sly%r/e a sta'e thr!,h his heart an% b!rne% his entrails in a pttin,she%$>

>Oh "y?> s!ea'e% Ma&'lin$ >I6" s!re he %i%n6t "ean t?>>It #as in+a"!s? My an&estr ne/er ,t /er it$ He "pe% ar!n%

+r ;EEKS br%in, n it? He s#re he #!l% ne/er rest !ntil hisene"y #as pai% ba&' in +!ll. an% he b!n% all + his %es&en%ants by atre"en%!s ath t #rea' a terrible /en,ean&e n 4iseppe6s

%es&en%ants$>>U"". I sh!l% be ,in,.> Ma&'lin sai%$>Ha. ha. ha?> sai% Bl%$ >En!,h s"all tal'$ That6s nt #hy I in/ite%

y! here$>>It isn6t sai% Ma&'lin. still eyein, the %r$>*!t #hat is a "eetin, #ith!t s!stenan&e Bl% sai%$ >The

spillin, + bl% t sy"bli2e !r !n%yin, +rien%ship$>Ma&'lin +elt the Tabas&-sa!&e eyes s&r&hin, his +eathers +r a

""ent r t#. then Bl% prpelle% hi" by sheer +r&e + #ill thr!,ha s"all %r. int a +ree2in, &l% "eetin, hall$

There #as an enr"!s stne table. s!itable +r l!n&h r a

sa&ri+i&e$>This is #here the b!%,et &""ittee "eets.> sai% Bl%$The table #as set +r ne$H# Ma&'lin #ishe% he #ere #ith 4la%ys? She6% be in her little

,ar%en n#. #ith her hn Deere tra&tr. plantin, D!r!" #heat$ Orperhaps she6% be in her ,ara,e. &leanin, !t the &ay"an stables$

4la%ys6s &ay"ans #ere al#ays ppin, /er e/erythin,$ They&!l%n6t see" t ,rasp the i%ea + +l!sh tilets$ *!t Ma&'lin %i%n6t"in%$ The &ay"ans #ere 'ay$ They #ere +!n-l/in, &reat!res$

Fl!++y. +r instan&e. li'e% t bite peple6s +in,ers ++. b!t e/eryneal#ays la!,he%$ It #as 5!st play+!lness$

Any#ay. Ma&'lin #as really s!rprise% at h# "!&h he "isse%4la%ys$

Then he nti&e% that Bl% ha% stppe% t a%"ire an enr"!sprtrait + a %!&'$

At +irst Ma&'lin th!,ht it #as 5!st anther brin, an&estral prtrait+ a %!&' #ith +an,s8 #hen he "/e% a little &lser. h#e/er. he sa#that it #as a ,r,e!s +e"ale$

She ha% +l#in,. ,l%en l&'s. an% #re a ,a!2y. r"an&e-n-the

12/87

"rs style + %ress$She als ha% hn'in, ,reat #ebbe% +eet--the bi,,est #ebs Ma&'lin

ha% e/er seen$ 9! &!l% s!r+ a&rss the Atlanti& O&ean n #ebs li'ethse$

>*ea!ti+!l. isn6t she?> sai% Bl%$

>U"". yes> sai% Ma&'lin$ >That #as the #r% I #as sear&hin, +r$>>=ti&e anythin, else ab!t herMa&'lin &!l%n6t help hi"sel+$ *e+re he &!l% &lap his han%s /er

his bea'. he bl!rte% !t. >Her +eet$$$$>>9ES sai% Bl% in a +rsty /i&e$A %" prepare% itsel+ +r Ma&'lin$ Hi,h ab/e. in the Celestial

Sphere. the Hipppta"!s leane% +r#ar% in her r&'in, &hair. #aitin,+r his net #r%s$

>U". they6re s$$$!intessentially FEET?> he "ana,e% t say$ >The/ery essen&e + +t%"$ Eternal +r"s s!&h as 7lat i"a,ine%. b!tne/er sa#$ I. h#e/er. n# ha/e the pri/ile,e + /ie#in,-->

>Dn6t ,et any i%eas$ She6s ta'en$>>She is>That is :enre M&*ea!ty$>>Really ,aspe% Ma&'lin$ >She + the +lyin, ha,,is>In%ee%.> sai% Bl%$ >She #as l/e% by "y an&estr. #h #as

&r!elly an% trea&her!sly sta'e% by a /ile. sli"y. ar"a%ill-li'e +ien%.'n#n t the #rl% as 4iseppe Ma&'lin$>

Ma&'lin +elt n &""ent n his part #as &alle% +r$>I hate ar"a%ills.> sai% Bl%$ >C"e? Sit?>Then he nti&e% the table settin,$7ly%r ha% #r'e% !i&'ly. b!t nt #ell$

>Di%n6t y! &ns!lt Martha Ste#art rare% Bl%$ >The #ater ,lass,es HERE? Use the &rystal. nt this plasti& Da++y D!&' ,lass$ =# ,an% +et&h the &n%i"ents +r the bl% p!%%in,$>

7ly%r ,a/e Ma&'lin an e/il l' as he "a%e his #ay !t the%r$

>9! %n6t %eser/e the &rystal.> he hisse%$ >I %n6t li'e #astin, it n%!&'s #h are ab!t t DIE$>

Ma&'lin slippe% !neasily int a bi,. leather &hair. st!%%e% #ithri/ets an% #ire% t a set + &ils an% &ylin%ers n a si%ebar%$ Hepi&'e% !p a li"e +i22er #ith tre"blin, han%s$

Bl% st% behin% his &hair. as silent an% #at&h+!l as a Ben!s

+lytrap$Then Ma&'lin nti&e% "/e"ent !tsi%e a #in%#$ A +ri,htenin,

shape peere% in at hi" +r" the e%,e + the +rest$The shape #as /a,!ely #l+-li'e. #ith a bea'y srt + "!22le an%

t# r!by earrin,s$>A #l+?> Ma&'lin s!a#'e%$>;hat sai% Bl%$ >Oh. that6s nt a #l+8 it6s a bi,. +!rry %!&'$>The #l+ eye% Ma&'lin #ith an epressin that see"e% t i"ply a


13/87

&ertain !r,en&y$ It "a%e hi" thin' + All!ra +r s"e reasn$ Ha% the#l+ eaten All!ra an% p!t n her earrin,s= sir$$$I "ean B:OD.> he

sta""ere%$;hen he l'e% ba&'. the #l+ ha% ,ne$ 7erhaps it ha% ne/er

really been there$7erhaps Ma&'lin. hi"sel+. #asn6t there$ It #as all a tri&' + the

"in%$ S"ethin, t % #ith hn :&'e. an% the ass&iatin + i%eas$ I+y! start #ith an i%ea + ba,pipes. +r instan&e. y! #in% !p by apr&ess + ass&iatin #ith the Flyin, S&ts"an. a b#l + M&*#el6s

In+la""able 7rri%,e. an% a %ea% s!i%$>Eat?> sai% Bl%$ >Mean#hile. I #ill tell y! #hy I in/ite% y! here$>Ma&'lin ,lan&e% %#n at his /ittles$ *l% p!%%in,$ 4%ness h#

it ree'e%? An% it "/e%. t. as th!,h s"e ra/en!s parasite #ass#i""in, e&ite%ly ar!n% the b#l. 5!st #aitin, +r the pprt!nity tleap int a /ital part + Ma&'lin6s pl!"bin, an% bite it$

>I #ant y! t b!il% a "%el railra% +r "e.> sai% Bl%$H!h sai% Ma&'lin$ He #as s astnishe%. all th!,ht + ,!lpin,

%#n the p!%%in, +le% +r" his brain$A&t!ally he ha%n6t been thin'in, + that. b!t$$$$>9es.> sai% Bl%$ >I6/e ha% "y eye n y! +r a ln, ti"e$ I rea%

y!r entire series + arti&les in RAI:ROAD MODE: CRAFTSMA= nb!il%in, a "%el + the Sp'ane Internatinal. in&l!%in, the sa#"illsat Ce!r %6Alene. the *nner6s Ferry bri%,e. an% the &rssin, pint atthe Cana%ian br%er$>

>9! %i% ,aspe% Ma&'lin. please% an% terri+ie%$>It #as brilliant?> sai% Bl%$ = ne &!l% ha/e %ne it better$ =t

Renir. nt D!ns S&t!s8 nt e/en Ry R,ers$>Ma&'lin #as e"barrasse%$ >;ell. "aybe nt Renir r D!ns

S&t!s.> he sai%$ >*!t Ry R,ers &!l% ha/e %ne it$ I al#ays srt +li'e% his the"e sn, 6Happy trails t y!. !ntil #e "eet a,ain--6>

>Dale E/ans #rte that.> sai% Bl%$ >Any#ay. en!,h s"all tal'? I

#ant y! t b!il% "e an ea&t repli&a + a +a"!s "%el railra%$>>H"".> sai% Ma&'lin. #ipin, the spray +r" his ne&'$ >U"-->*e+re Ma&'lin &!l% st!tter anther syllable. Bl% tsse% hi" a

&py + SMA:: RAI:ROADS 9OU CA= *UI:D$ It +ell pen n a %!ble-pa,e sprea% +eat!rin, a tiny HO train lay!t n a -+t by -+t sheet +ply#%$

>I6" s!re y! 'n# this lay!t.> sai% Bl%$ >It6s the "%el railra%4r%n Barney &""issine%. a,es a,. t %isplay his line + "%el

14/87

railra% e!ip"ent$ It #as in Ma&y6s shp #in%#$>>Oh. EBER9O=E 'n#s THAT "%el railra%.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >*!t I

%n6t see-->>I #ant y! t b!il% it pre&isely as it is %epi&te% here.> sai% Bl%$ I

;A=T IT EACT I= EBER9 DETAI:? DO =OT FAI: ME$>

Ma&'lin #ipe% anther spray + %rplets +r" the ba&' + his ne&'$>U". s"e + the str!&t!res an% e!ip"ent "ay be har% t +in%-->>Mney is n b5e&t.> sai% Bl%$ >9! #ill ha/e e/erythin, y!

nee%$>>E/erythin,Ma&'lin #as terri+ie%. as !s!al$ *!t i+ there6s ne thin, that ,ets a

"%el railra%er6s bl% !p. it6s the ++er + !nli"ite% +!n%s t b!il% anentirely ne# "%el railra%$

>A&&!ra&y is &r!&ial? I ha/e etra %ra#in,s an% plans$ :enre+resa# e/erythin,$>

>She %i%E/erythin,?> sai% Bl%$ >It #as an a&t + p!re psy&hi& ,eni!s$There #ere n railra%s in her ti"e. + &!rse$ =ne #hatse/er$>

>That6s hrrible?> sai% Ma&'lin$>I 'n#$ I +!n% it--"y A=CESTOR. that is--+!n% it in&n/enient$

*!t the ra%iant an% bea!ti+!l :enre #as nt s easily th#arte% by"ere te"pral +r&es$ She ha% a /isin$

>I see.> sai% Ma&'lin. ya#nin,$ The "in!te anyb%y starte% tal'in,ab!t their %rea"s r /isins. he n%%e% ++$

A /ilent sha'in, #'e hi" !p$>C"+y sai% Bl%. t#istin, his bea' in an e/il si"!la&r!" + a

,rin$Ma&'lin n%%e% /i,r!sly t #ar% ++ e/il$>4%.> sai% Bl%$ >:enre. + &!rse. #as !nable t &nstr!&t the

"%el railra% hersel+. nt ha/in, any tra&'. s#it&hes. r rllin, st&'8h#e/er she ha% the presen&e + "in% t re&r% her /isin be+re she"et the +ate+!l ha,,is$>

>4sh?> sai% Ma&'lin$>7re&isely$ :enre +resa# e/erythin,. e/en plasti& ba,,ies +r le+t-

/er ha,,is$ ;hen I thin' s "!&h intelli,en&e. s "!&h ra%iantbea!ty #as %estrye% in a split se&n% by a +lyin, HA44IS. an% allbe&a!se y!r an&estr &!l%n6t a%"it that he ha% lst !t t the better

%ra'e?>>I6" terribly srry.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >I6" s!re it #as all "y +a!lt$ I6"

nt #rthy$>>Any#ay.> sai% Bl%$ >I"a,ine "y s!rprise #hen I %is&/ere% the

s!r&e + her /isin--the +a"!s 4r%n Barney "%el railra%$>>*!t i+ it6s alrea%y been b!ilt--> sta""ere% Ma&'lin$>It %esn6t &!nt.> sai% Bl%$ >In art. Ma&'lin. intentin is

e/erythin,$ The ri,inal b!il%ers &!l% nt ha/e 'n#n they #ere

15/87

hnrin, the "e"ry + a rare an% ra%iant "ai%en$ Hen&e. the littletrain lay!t re"aine% "erely a "%el. la&'in, in "a,i&$>

>4sh.> sai% Ma&'lin$>9OU. h#e/er. K=O;I=4 FU:: ;E:: the si,ni+i&an&e + this

"%el. #ill hnr :enre #ith e/ery pie&e + tra&' y! sti&' t,ether-->

>A&t!ally--> sai% Ma&'lin$>S"ethin, n y!r "in% sai% Bl%. h/erin, li'e a ,!illtinebla%e /er Ma&'lin6s tre"blin, +ra"e$

>U"". n.> sai% Ma&'lin$>4%. be&a!se this is i"prtant$ The "%el railra% #ill be a

trib!te t :enre$ It "!st be per+e&t$ It "!st be lai% !t ea&tly as y!see it here$ I #ill pr/i%e all + the +!n%in, y!6ll nee%$ All!ra #ill ta'e&are + the %etails$>

>All!raBl% leane% &lser$ There #as a s"ell + %ea% thin,s ab!t hi"$

:n,-%ea% thin,s. li'e an&ient e,,s. an% bits + pi22a lst !n%er the

s+a in the TB r"$>9! li'e All!ra. %n6t y!?> Bl% sai%$Ma&'lin #as e"barrasse%$>C"e n. Ma&'lin?> sai% Bl%$ >*e a %ra'e? A%"it it--y! li'e

All!ra a lt$>Ma&'lin +!n% hi"sel+ &"pelle% by the i"pla&able +r&e + Bl%6s

#ill. as th!,h he #ere a balln bein, s!ee2e% by a &hil%6s r!thless+in,ers$

>9es.> he ,aspe%$ >I li'e her$ I :IKE HER?>Then a s"all /i&e #hispere% insi%e his hea%$ =O. Ma&'lin? ;hat

ab!t 4la%ys Kin%Heart< 9! &an6t % this t her?

Bl%6s bea' t#iste% in an e/il ,rin$>4%?> he sai%$ >*e&a!se y! #ill be seein, a lt + All!ra$ She #ill

be y!r assistant$ Tell her #hat y! nee%$ Mney. s!pplies. ,rie+&!nselin,$ Anythin, at all? D y! a,ree t these ter"s

Ma&'lin 'ne# he ha% a &hi&e pain+!l %eath. r lts + +!n b!il%in,a neat little train lay!t$

>I &an b!y anythin, I nee% he sai%. preten%in, nt t shi/er #ithe&ite"ent an% terrr$

>9es$ Anythin, e&ept ar"a%ills$ I #n6t ha/e any ar"a%ills n"y "%el railra%$>

>A,ree%.> sai% Ma&'lin. #n%erin, #hat an ar"a%ill #as$ S"e

srt + #in,e% &reat!re nati/e t trpi&al &li"es. perhaps$ Or a 'in% +stri&h$

>4%.> sai% Bl%$ >It is %ne$> He trie% s"ilin, a,ain$ It #as aneerie thin, t see$ He ,t the &!r/e + the bea' ri,ht. b!t there #ass"ethin, s!btly #rn,$ Ma&'lin ha% seen pit /ipers #ith "re +eelin,in their s"iles$ That #as 5!st be+re they ate the "!se. + &!rse$

*!t he really ;AS e&ite%$ An !nli"ite% b!%,et. an% All!ra at hissi%e$ ;hat &!l% , #rn,< :ts + %!&'s sl% their s!ls t the %e/il$ It

16/87

happene% e/ery %ay$ :' at the st&' "ar'et?All at n&e. ,hstly ba,pipes br'e int Ma&'lin6s train + th!,ht.

an% a "!rn+!l S&ttish &hir &hante%. >H# "!&h is that %,,eeee inthe #in%#$$$$>

Then a +a"iliar. harsh /i&e &!t thr!,h the +e/er "ist in Ma&'lin6s

brain$>Dn6t e/en thin' ab!t t!rnin, hi" %#n. la%%ie?>Ma&'lin re&,ni2e% his an&estr at n&e$>9! %n6t thin' I sh!l% ba&' ++. an&estr he sai%$>O&h? ;hat a #ee brain it has? :isten t "e. ;ee ;illie ;i"py8

Bl% is plttin, s"ethin, nasty. an% I #ant it all +r "esel+$>>9! "ean the "%el railra%. an&estr>Bl% %esn6t &are a ht ab!t little ty trains?> sai% 4iseppe$

>He6s ,t s"e tri&' !p his slee/e$>>MODE: RAI:ROADS ARE =OT TO9S?> sai% Ma&'lin pee/ishly$

>They6re "!se!" arti+a&ts$>

4iseppe i,nre% this !tb!rst$ E/eryne i,nre% Ma&'lin6s!tb!rsts. a&t!ally. be&a!se they #ere al#ays ab!t h# his ty trains#eren6t really tys they #ere "!se!" pie&es$

>I #ant y! t play aln, #ith l% Tinbea'.> sai% 4iseppe$ >Dea&tly as he tells y! t %. b!t reprt t "e$>

>;hy is this "%el railra% s i"prtant t :enre. an&estr< I"ean. she6s %ea%. a+ter all$ She "!st be pretty b!sy$>

>9! "ean *i, ;ebs< Oh. aye8 she6s b!sy en!,h. la%%ie8 she #as,in, !t #ith El/is. the last I hear%$>

Ma&'lin #as hrri+ie%$ >She6s DATI=4 s"eb%y< I+ Bl% Irnbea'hears + this-->

>Dn6t y! #rry ab!t l% Tinbea'. la%%ie? I ha/e bi, plans$ The#rl% is ,in, t be a "!&h %i++erent pla&e #hen I6" thr!,h #ith it$Ha. ha. ha. ha. ha?>

Ma&'lin th!,ht this #as s"e srt + 5'e. s he i,nre% it$>Hp t it. la%%ie.> sai% 4iseppe$ > All!ra is #aitin,--she + the trn

s'irt an% the &he&'b'$ Tell her t b!y hersel+ a %e&ent S&ttish 'ilt$They %n6t tear s easily. an% y! &an !se the" as #eapns in apin&h$>

>An&estr*!t 4iseppe #as ,ne. /anishin, int the #ailin, s'irl + the pipes

an% the "!rn+!l &hant + the ,hstly S&ttish &hir sin,in,. >H#

"!&h is that %,,eee in the #in%#$$$$>Ma&'lin ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER A::URA6S F:AME

An !npleasant /i&e startle% Ma&'lin !t + his ,hastly re/erie$>Are y! ,in, t eat that bl% p!%%in,. r are y! 5!st ,in, t

17/87

p!'e all /er itIt #as 7ly%r$ He + the "le$>U". #!l% y! li'e it sai% Ma&'lin$>Ts'? ;astrel? :!&'y +r y! I &an6t bear #aste$>7ly%r snat&he% !p the b#l. s!&'e% !p the entire p!%%in, in

ne &ltte% "ass. ,!lpe% it %#n. an% ate the b#l$Then he s"a&'e% his bea'$>Deli&i!s appeti2er.> he sai%. ,larin, h!n,rily at Ma&'lin$ >*!t I

+in% I6" still ra/en!s$>A bit + bl% %rippe% +r" the en% + his bea'. splatterin, the la&y

#hite table &lth$ His breath stan' + an&ient ha,,ises$In a +lash. Ma&'lin #as &la#in, at the +rnt %r. tryin, t ,et it

pen$At the s!n% + 7ly%r6s appra&hin, +tsteps. he t!rne%$>U""$$$> he sai%$ >Bl% as'e% "e t ,et starte% n his "%el

railra% ri,ht a#ay$ It6s /ery i"prtant t hi"$>

>IS it sai% 7ly%r. &rabbin, &lser$>9es. he #as /ery &lear ab!t it$ He sai% he6% 'ill anyne #hinter+ere%$ AFTER he ate the"$>

Ma&'lin #as a /ery pr liar$ He bl!she%. &!,he%. sh!++le% his+eet. blin'e%. an% nearly bl!rte% !t the tr!th$

7ly%r s"ile%$ >Sh!l%n6t tell lies. i+ I #as y!.> he sai%$ >The llyFat :la"a6s #at&hin,$ He 'n#s #h6s been ba% r ,%$>

7ly%r #as !ite &lse n#$ There #as a terri+i& s"ell + "l%ybr&&li ab!t hi"$ Ma&'lin #n%ere% i+ it #as "eant t 'eep the el/esa#ay$

>I %n6t 'n# #hy the "aster &hse 9OU.> hisse% 7ly%r$

>A=9*OD9 &an set !p ty trains$ 9! 5!st , t a ty stre. b!y a ni&eset #ith an en,ine. s"e &ars. a bit + tra&'. an% a p#er pa&'$ A &hil%&!l% % it?>

>Thse aren6t ,% en!,h +r seri!s "%elin,.> sai% Ma&'lin$>The tra&' isn6t t s&ale. an% the en,ines aren6t the best !ality$ 9!ha/e t #eather e/erythin, an% a%% %etails. an%-->

>S"arty pants?> hisse% 7ly%r$ >Are y! sayin, I &!l%n6t set !pa ni&e ty train< Are y! sayin, peple #ith "les &an6t b!il% "%elrailra%s< 7EO7:E ;ITH MO:ES ARE=6T AS 4OOD AS EBER9O=E E:SE

>It6s ,t nthin, t % #ith "les.> Ma&'lin sai%$>ARE 9OU A MO:E-IST. 9OU CROM;E::IA=? DO 9OU *UR=

ACO:9TES AT THE STAKEA han% rea&he% +r Ma&'lin6s thrat$ A bit + ily %rl lea'e% +r"

7ly%r6s bea'$Ma&'lin trie% +ranti&ally t pen the %r. b!t it #!l% nly b!%,e a

+ra&tin + an in&h r s be+re stppin,$ Then. t late. he reali2e% he#as bl&'in, it$

He #as %"e%? He #as ab!t t be pl!n,e% int the spe&tral#rl% #here his +ier&e an&estr #!l% be #aitin, #ith a 'iller ha,,is$


18/87

There #as n es&ape any#here$Ma&'lin6s last th!,ht #as + 4la%ys Kin%Heart in her r!bber bts

an% her &/eralls. %is&reetly sptte% #ith &ay"an pp$ Oh h# he"isse% her? He e/en "isse% Fl!++y$

I+ nly he6% resiste% the slin'y All!ra? I+ nly he ha%n6t &ast his eyes

n the slit !p the si%e + her re% %ress?Then a s!%%en. terri+yin, ,r#l startle% hi" !t + his terrr$ Thee/il 7ly%r +r2e$ One + his +an,s %rppe% !t an% he stpe% tpi&' it !p$ In that instant. a staine% ,lass #in%# shattere% as th!,h ab"b ha% been tsse% thr!,h it. an% a +i,!re leape% int the ,l"yhall$

It #as All!ra?Ma&'lin ,ape% at her in astnish"ent$ She6% &han,e% int a bi, +!r

&at. +!rry bts an% ,l/es. an% a +!r hat that see"e% t &/er all +her +a&e an% ne&'$

There #as a slit !p the si%e + her &at. re/ealin, the slit !p the

si%e + her s'irt. #hi&h re/eale% a +!rry an'le that stirre% !p Ma&'lin6sbl% e/en n#. as he &rin,e% in the sha%# + the !nspea'able7ly%r$

7ly%r release% his ,rip an% t!rne% t hiss at the intr!%er$>There6s A=OTHER "le-ist?> he sh!te%$ >Keep a#ay +r" "e. y!

/"p?>;ith that. he blte% !t + the r"$Ma&'lin sa,,e% #ith relie+$ He &!l% hear the e/il a&lyte6s /i&e

e&hin, %#n the hall$ >I6ll s!e an% I6ll s!e an% I6ll s!e$$$$>All!ra ,ently p!lle% Ma&'lin a#ay +r" the +rnt %r an% pene% it

+r hi"$

Her "tr&y&le ,lea"e% in the ni,ht air li'e the Flyin, S&ts"an$>4 an% #ait n the Harley.> she sai%. in a thraty /i&e$ >I6ll be !t

in a se&n%$ There6s s"ethin, I ha/e t %$>Ma&'lin beye% at n&e$ He &!l% see eyes #at&hin, hi" in the

eerie phsphres&en&e + the 4thi& +rest$ He &li"be% ner/!sly ntthe bi, "tr&y&le an% trie% t "a'e hi"sel+ in/isible$

All th!,ht + 4la%ys Kin%Heart ha% +le% +r" his heart$ His brainsh' an% tre"ble% #ith +e/erish th!,hts + the slin'y. +!rry All!ra$

Then All!ra &a"e !t + the h!se an% slin'e% nt the Harley$She6% %is&ar%e% her +!rs an% #as &la% nly in her s&arlet %ress--the+a"!s ne #ith the slit$ Ma&'lin &!l%n6t see her an'le. b!t an i"a,e

+ it +lashe% thr!,h his t!rb!lent "in%$ He &!l% thin' + nthin, else$Stp this nnsense? he th!,ht$ She %esn6t #ant y!8 she #ants

y!r "%el railra%in, s'ills$ Dn6t let her &rr!pt y!? Sh# a littleba&'bne? Ha. ha. ha. ha. ha. ha?

That #as an in#ar% la!,h. + &!rse$ Intr/erts rarely la!,h !tl!%. !nless they6/e been int the s&t&h$ An% e/en then. it6s !s!ally athin. barely a!%ible la!,h. li'e the s!n% a s"all ani"al "i,ht "a'e inthe sa+ety + its b!rr#. a+ter a +e# ,lasses + ale$

19/87

There6s n sha"e in bein, an intr/ert. by the #ay$ *i, t!,h ,!ysli'e Rbin H% an% his Merry Men "ay ha/e spent a lt + ti"ela!,hin,. b!t l' #hat happene% t THEM? They ne/er eiste%?

An% #hat ab!t Attila the H!n? He #as the !intessential intr/ert8he spent all + his ti"e n his hrse be&a!se he #as t shy t "in,le

#ith stran,ers$ In +a&t. he #as s pain+!lly shy. he 'ille% anyne #h#asn6t a H!n s he #!l%n6t ha/e t "a'e s"all tal'$ Dn6t tell MEintr/erts are #eenies?

Any#ay. All!ra starte% the Harley. an% they rare% a#ay. !t + theeerie +rest an% thr!,h the sinister +inan&ial %istri&t$

A+ter a brie+. terri+yin, ri%e. they p!lle% !p !tsi%e Ma&'lin6s &n%$All!ra leape% %#n an% tie% !p her stea"in, Harley$

Ma&'lin st% a#'#ar%ly at the %r. #ishin, he #as the strn,.silent type. li'e Clint East%!&'$ He6% bl%ly sei2e the ""ent. in/iteAll!ra !p t his &n%. an% ++er her a se%!&ti/e li"e +i22er$

The "ere th!,ht + it "a%e hi" s#eat #ith aniety$

>U"$$$h# % y! li'e y!r br&&li he as'e%$ >Stea"e% r +rie%All!ra i,nre% this &n!n%r!" an% t!&he% the ,lass entran&e%r. #hi&h pppe% pen as i+ by "a,i&8 then she str%e past theastnishe% se&!rity ,!ar% an% ra&e% !p the t#enty +lrs t Ma&'lin6sapart"ent$

Ma&'lin p!++e% aln, s"e %istan&e behin% her. arri/in, eha!ste%an% be#il%ere% at his %r. #hi&h #as alrea%y pen$

He +!n% All!ra insi%e$ She sla""e% the %r sh!t behin% hi".then sei2e% hi" an% hel% hi" ti,htly in her ar"s$

>Kiss "e. y! %ra'e?> she breathe%. an% their bea's &lashe%t,ether$

It #as a ln,. passinate 'iss$ An% it #as pain+!l. t. be&a!seAll!ra #as trea%in, n Ma&'lin6s +eet. an% she ha% pretty ,% #ebs nher$ =t in :enre *i, ;ebs6 lea,!e. + &!rse. b!t they #ere a&nsi%erable si2e$

Then she release% hi". an% he sl!"pe% ba&' a,ainst the %r$>;#sers?> he "!r"!re%$At the sa"e ti"e. a %ar' th!,ht &rsse% his "in%. +illin, hi" #ith

star' terrr. an e"tin nt !n+a"iliar t hi"$>U"$$$ab!t Bl%$$$$> he sta""ere%$ >;ill he ehibit the srt +

5eal!sy that lea%s t a&ts + /ilent retrib!tinAll!ra #as astnishe%$ >Bl%< eal!s Then she thre# ba&' her

hea% an% la!,he%$ >Ha. ha. ha. ha. ha. ha. ha$>Ma&'lin #aite% plitely !ntil the last 6ha6 ha% +a%e% a#ay$>I ta'e it that "eans 6n6 he sai%$Fr ans#er. All!ra &!ppe% Ma&'lin6s +a&e in her han%s$ >:isten t

"e. "y little %!&'lin,.> she sai% thratily$ >Bl% is %an,er!s$ Keepy!r %istan&e +r" hi" an% % nthin, t an,er hi"$ I6ll ta'e the"eetin,s?>

>I #n6t +ail hi".> Ma&'lin sai% ner/!sly. an% n&e a,ain. he

20/87

th!,ht + 4la%ys Kin%Heart$H# he #ishe% he &!l% be #ith 4la%ys ri,ht n#?Then All!ra t' hi" in her ar"s. an% his trea&her!s ,lan%s

%elete% 4la%ys +r" shrt-ter" "e"ry$>9!6re s &!%%ly?> All!ra #hispere%$ >:i'e a te%%y %!&'$>

Ma&'lin 'isse% her ,ently n the bea'. an% they !a&'e% +r a ti"e$>Dn6t #rry ab!t Bl%.> she sai%$ >;e ha/e a b!sinesspartnership. nthin, "re$ I 'ill peple. an% Bl% %rin's their bl%$ It6sa pri/ately #ne% b!siness$ ;e 'eep e"tins !t + it be&a!se I6"nt /ery ,% at sharin, p#er$ I !s!ally tear peple t pie&es #henthey %isa,ree #ith "e$>

>U". it6s a ,% thin, #e a,ree.> sai% Ma&'lin$ He la!,he%ner/!sly$ There #as s"ethin, %%ly e&itin, ab!t All!ra$

She 'isse% hi" a,ain$>It6s %i++erent #ith y!.> she sai% thratily$ >;e ha/e the sa"e

b!siness "%el$>

>;e %!st then. there #as a 'n&' at the %r$Ma&'lin sti++ene%$ It ha% t be 4la%ys? = ne else e/er &alle% n

hi". e&ept the &!lt peple +r" the #eir% te"ple %#n the street. a+e# %esperate pliti&ians. the peple +r" %#nstairs yellin, ab!t his/er+l#in, bath t!b. an% the r!bber %!&'ie sales"an$

There #as anther 'n&' at the %r$Ma&'lin ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER G EBI: TO=9 CAD

Mean#hile. 4la%ys ha% been #rryin,$She ha%n6t hear% +r" Ma&'lin +r se/eral h!rs. an% this bthere%

her$Ma&'lin #as the srt + %!&' y! spent a lt + ti"e #rryin, ab!t$

A +e# h!rs a#ay +r" hi". an% !estins starte% pppin, !p li'e+ire&ra&'ers #hy is he s !iet< Has he ,l!e% his bea' sh!t #ith "%elrailra% ,l!e a,ain< Has he eaten s"ethin, nasty;hat a %!&'?> he "!r"!re%$4la%ys 'ne# at n&e he &!l%n6t be tal'in, ab!t HER$

>She "et "e. Stran,er. !pn li+e6s r!,h #ay. An% l!re% "et#ar%s s#eet %eath$$$$> sai% the ,!ar%$>There6s n nee% t be li'e that?> sai% 4la%ys$ >A&t sensibly. #ear a

,% pair + r!bber bts. %ress #ar"ly in layers. an% there6s nthin,y! &an6t a&&"plish$>

Then she b!n%e% !p the steps #ith Fl!++y at her ba&'$ She t'the stairs be&a!se Fl!++y &&asinally ,t ner/!s n ele/atrs an% atethe ther passen,ers$

On&e she rea&he% Ma&'lin6s %r. she ,a/e it a ,%. sharp rap$>;n6t Ma&'lin be s!rprise%?> she &h!&'le%. an% Fl!++y ,i,,le% an%

hisse%$

There #as a +aint s!n% + /i&es &"in, +r" #ithin. b!t the %rre"aine% &lse%$>I #n%er i+ he6s #ith a &lient.> sai% 4la%ys$Fl!++y snappe% his 5a#s as i+ t say. ;hat6s a &lient< D y! eat

the" #ith ,arli& r #ith "int


24/87

>9! &an &!nt n !s. Bl%.> sai% :py$:py #as ani!s t re%ee" hi"sel+ a+ter bt&hin, his last

"issin. #hi&h ha% been nthin, "re than a shppin, epe%itin tpi&' !p r!taba,as$

Certain /a"pires ha/e an !na&&!ntable taste +r r!taba,as$

Re%e"ptin. by the #ay. is nt !s!ally ass&iate% #ith the #ishes an%%esires + an a,ent-+-e/il %resse% in bla&' 5a&'et an% bla&' pants. an%+estne% #ith a 9an'ees &ap$

A "re a&&!rate ter". perhaps. "i,ht be &!rryin, +a/r$>9!. De".> sai% Bl%. >#ill %is,!ise y!rsel+ as a h&'ey player

an% +ll# Ma&'lin n his %aily r!n%s$>>A h&'ey player sai% De"$ >;hat6s h&'ey. Bl%De" ha% "ana,e% t ,et thr!,h a Cana%ian &hil%h% #ith!t

nti&in, h&'ey$ That tells y! a lt ab!t hi"$>It6s a +r" + "rtal &"bat.> Bl% eplaine%$ >9!6ll +in%

e/erythin, y! nee% at a sprtin, ,%s shp$ S'ates. pa%s. %%-

l'in, shrt pants. s#eaters. an% a ,alie6s "as'$ 9! "!st #ear a,alie6s "as' s Ma&'lin #n6t re&,ni2e y!$>De" #as perplee%$ >;n6t peple nti&e the ,alie6s "as'.

Bl%>This is Cana%a. y! +l? Th!san%s + h&'ey players #al' the

streets e/ery %ay. l'in, +r p!&'s$ = ne #ill nti&e y!$>>;hat ab!t "e. Bl% sai% Her"an$ >;hat sh!l% I %>9!. Her"an. #ill %is,!ise y!rsel+ as an eistentialist. an%

bser/e Ma&'lin +r" s"e &n/enient si%e#al' &a+e$>>Ri,ht. Bl%$ ;hat6s an eistentialist l' li'e these %aysAt these #r%s. De" hel% !p his han%$ He 'ne# all ab!t

eistentialis"8 in +a&t. he 'ne# a little ab!t e/ery s!b5e&t ECE7Th&'ey$

Bl% sh' his hea%. i,nrin, De"6s han%$ It #as hpeless?Hpeless?

>Eistentialists &arry ba,!ettes.> he sai%$ >*i, nes$ An% they re&itepetry8 !s!ally their #n$>

De" !r,ently #a/e% his han%$>;hat is it Bl% %e"an%e%$>!st a th!,ht. bss$ *e&a!se I #as a see%y a&a%e"i& be+re I

be&a"e a see%y ,an, "e"ber. I 'n# a thin, r t# ab!teistentialis"$ In +a&t I 'n# "re ab!t eistentialis" than I % ab!t

h&'ey$ I sh!l% be the ne #h preten%s t be an eistentialist$>>This is a %e"&ra&y. De"8 y! % #hat I tell y! t %$ *esi%es.

&a+ eistentialists are all st!%ents8 i+ any + the" +!n% !t that y!ha% a&t!ally rea% b's n the s!b5e&t. they6% 'n# y! #ere a +a'e$>

De" #ith%re# his b5e&tins8 years + eperien&e as an a&a%e"i&ha% ta!,ht hi" the tr!th + this. a+ter all$

*esi%es. #hile it #as tr!e he ha% n&e been a see%y a&a%e"i&.he6% ,i/en it !p +r a li+e + a%/ent!re. an% ha% +r+eite% all per's an%

25/87

app!rtenan&es + his +r"er li+e$=# it #as :py6s t!rn$Bl% eye% hi" th!,ht+!lly +r a ""ent$ Then he sai%. >9!.

:py. #ill %is,!ise y!rsel+ as an alien$ This #ill %istra&t anyne #h"i,ht ther#ise s!spe&t De" r Her"an$>

:py #as p!22le%$ >;hat % aliens l' li'e. Bl%Bl% &nsi%ere% this +r a ""ent$> They6re ,reen. !s!ally.> hesai%$ >They6re /ery s"th an% bal%$ :i'e a ,reen Frsty *its the I&eMan$>

>I6ll , ri,ht a#ay. Bl%.> sai% :py$ >I6ll be the best ,reen Frsty*its y!6/e e/er seen$>

Bl% si,he%$ H# ha% it &"e t this< he #n%ere%$Then he %is"isse% his three s!br%inates #ith a pere"ptry #a/e$He ha% a hea%a&he n#$ There #as t "!&h bl% in ther

peple. an% nt en!,h in HIM$He #ith%re# t the inner re&esses + his &rypt. #here he

&nte"plate% a &an%le-lit pi&t!re + :enre M&*ea!ty$>*y the *ear% + Clepatra. h# I a%re y!?> he si,he%$ >*!t #hy.;H9 %i% y! +resee a "%el railra% that nly Ma&'lin &!l% b!il%sephine &a"e the an,ry reply$ >I6" +iin, this na!,hty&"p!ter?>

27/87

7hilip #in'e% at Fl!++y$ >sephine is a &rabby. %i&tatrial hrrr. b!t#e all ha/e !r little +a!lts.> he sai%$ >9! %n6t ha/e t &all "eE"perr. by the #ay8 5!st 7hilip #ill %$ I hate +r"ality$>

Then he l'e% at Fl!++y$>I %n6t s!ppse y! 'n# anythin, ab!t ele&tr-sh&' "a&hines sai% Fl!++y$>:i'e this sai% 7hilip. stret&hin, !t n the table$ >My ,%ness8 it

%es see" t #r'$ ;!l% y! be a ,% +ell# an% % !p the straps+r "e$>

Fl!++y a,ree% t help. e/en th!,h he +elt "iserable an% !n#ante%$He a%5!ste% the straps ar!n% 7hilip6s an'les an% #rists$

>;n%er+!l?> sai% 7hilip$ >;hy %i%n6t I thin' + thisFl!++y be%iently #ent t the &ntrl panel$ Anythin, t bli,e a+ell# &reat!re in nee%?

>Tell "e #hat y! see. l% &hap.> sai% 7hilip$It6s !ite si"ple.> sai% Fl!++y$ >There6s a le/er #ith three psitins$

HI4H. BER9 HI4H. an% the last ne is a pi&t!re + a /e,etable$ *r&&li.I thin'$>

>E&ellent?> sai% 7hilip$ >4 +r the /e,etable. l% +ell#?>Fl!++y rea&he% +r the le/er. b!t in that instant. 7hilip ha% a s!%%en

inspiratin$>=8 #ait?> he sh!te%$ >I6/e 5!st th!,ht + s"ethin,$ Aren6t I

s!ppse% t be the ne at the &ntrls

*!t it #as t late$ Fl!++y ha% p!she% the le/er all the #ay !p t*ROCCO:I$ Ele&tri&ity &ra&'le%$ A #in%# shattere%$ The a' %rpppe% pen an% sephine yelle% an ins!lt$

Then the li,hts #ent !t$>;h %i% that?> rare% sephine. in a /i&e that shattere% anther

#in%#$ >;he/er it #as8 I6ll %ise"b#el hi"$ =# the ther &"p!ter&rashe%$ I lst a #ee'6s #rth + patient re&r%s$ I #as s!ppse% te"ail the" t 7rn Aestheti& 7r%!&tins this a+ternn$>

>It #asn6t "e.> #hine% 7hilip$

sephine !ttere% an ath$ >=# I ha/e t reinstall Ma&rhar% An,stan% , thr!,h the #hle a&ti/atin pr&ess a,ain.> she sai%$ >An% itne/er #r's$>

7hilip st% at the %r. r!bbin, his han%s t,ether$>I #as a ba% by. #asn6t I. sephine?> he sai%$ >;ill there be

p!nish"ent>=t =O;? I6" b!sy8 I ha/e t reinstall the s+t#are$ Dn6t bther

"e !ntil I6" +inishe%$ A=D DO=6T MAKE A=9 =OISE?>

28/87

7hilip tipte% ba&' t his ele&tr-sh&' table. ble# a#ay a p!++ +s"'e. an% #in'e% at Fl!++y$

>She has her little !ir's. b!t she6s /ery %is&ipline%.> he sai%$ >She"a'es the trains r!n n ti"e$>

Then he le% Fl!++y t his little &rner ++i&e. #hi&h &nsiste% + a

%es'. t# +l%in, &hairs. a pi&'le barrel. a tent. a #hite r&'in, hrse. alar,e #all "ap entitle%. 6The Real *attle + ;aterl J;ellin,tn :st.an% a pi&t!re + sephine in &"bat +ati,!es$

7hilip sat behin% his %es' an% "tine% t Fl!++y t sit n ther&'in, hrse$

AHA? th!,ht Fl!++y$ =# #e6re ,ettin, s"e#here8 the analysis isstartin,$

>H# ln, ha/e y! been a &ay"an 7hilip as'e%$>All "y li+e.> sai% Fl!++y$>Aha?> sai% 7hilip$ >U"". h# % y! +eel ab!t bein, a &ay"anFl!++y ha% t thin' ab!t that ne$ In spite + his ,rie+ an% %espair

an% really terrible +eelin,s ab!t bein, re5e&te% by 4la%ys Kin%Heart.he #as ,ettin, intereste%$>It +eels$$$s&aly.> he sai%$>Des it n#< AHA? Tell "e ab!t y!r +a"ily$ D y! ha/e siblin,

ri/alries>T#el/e.> sai% Fl!++y$>Really sai% 7hilip. l'in, &lsely at Fl!++y$ >That6s a bit

e&essi/e. %n6t y! thin'AHA?> sai% 7hilip$ >Hate the" all % y!< That eplains e/erythin,?

H# ln, ha/e y! =OT 'ept in t!&h>Sin&e "y !n&le ate the"$>Fl!++y &!l% see 7hilip6s eyes ,r#in, #i%er$ Ha% he sai% s"ethin,

inapprpriate< Di% this "ean he #as a l!nati&I see.> sai% 7hilip$ >An% h# ln, ha/e y! hate% y!r !n&le>I %n6t hate hi"$ He #as /ery ,% t "e$ He ta!,ht "e h# t

s#ell !p an% hiss at peple$>>Really< Can I seeKin%-hearte% Fl!++y. al#ays rea%y t bli,e. e/en in the "i%st + his

terrible ,rie+ an% %espair. ,a/e an e&ellent %e"nstratin + s#ellin,an% hissin,$

7hilip #ipe% the "ist!re +r" his +a&e$>4%.> he sai%$ >H# ln, ha/e y! hate% y!r "ther>I %n6t hate "y "ther.> sai% Fl!++y$ >She !se% t ba'e &h&late

&hip &'ies an% p!t the" in "y l!n&h b. n tp + the spa""ersan% tele"ar'eters$>

>I see$ Is there anyb%y in y!r +a"ily y! DO hate. an% i+ s. h#ln, ha/e y! hate% the"

>I li'e all the s!r/i/rs$>

29/87

>That is a /ery seri!s %el!sin$ I re&""en% three years +treat"ent. #ith an ptin t rene#$ 7lease trans+er y!r assets t "ya&&!nt in L!ri&h be+re y! lea/e$ sephine #ill help y! #ith thepaper#r'$>

>*!t #hat ab!t 4la%ys

>;h is 4la%ys>:/ely 4la%ys Kin%Heart. "y "istress #h re5e&te% "e +r an e/il&a% #h #ants t sell "e t a #allet +a&try$>

7hilip ya#ne%$>*rin,?> he sai%$ >I li'e the ther %el!sin better$ The 4la%ys thin,

has been %ne$ *etrayal. l!st. ra,e. %espair. 5eal!sy these are all!ite nr"al +eelin,s an% y! sh!l% 5!st rela an% en5y the"$ =te/eryb%y has as "!&h +!n as y! %$ 7ay n y!r #ay !t. please$=ET 7ATIE=T$>

The %r pene% an% sephine p!she% a lla"a int the r"$>He6s a bit shy. 7hilip$>

>Ab!t that p!nish"ent-->>=t n#? I6" b!sy?>Fl!++y le+t in %espair$ =t nly #as he still trappe% in an,st. ,rie+

an% really a#+!l +eelin,s. he6% 5!st learne% they #ere nr"al an%tri/ial$

E/eryne li'es t be interestin, an% spe&ial. e/en &ay"ans$*!t t be tl% that y!6re 5!st r%inary. a bit + tri/ia &a!,ht in li+e6s

r!bble. #as a ,hastly bl# t the pr. belea,!ere% Fl!++y$= #n%er 4la%ys ha% aban%ne% hi"?At least Tny Ca% #as interestin,$ He ha% all thse #allets an%

shes an% thin,s$

;hat t %< ;hat t %?Then Fl!++y th!,ht + the l% &ay"an "ai" ;hen in %!bt8 eat

s"ene?Frt!nately. he 5!st happene% t be passin, the Happy *b6s F!n

Ti"e The"e 7ar' as this th!,ht &&!rre% t hi"$S he #ent in$Mean#hile. 4la%ys Kin%Heart yelle%. >9! &a%?>. an% Tny Ca%

la!,he% #i&'e%ly as the Orient Epress appra&he%$4la%ys ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER 11 F:UFF9 TO THE RESCUE

Fl!++y %/e int the pl !tsi%e the T!nnel + :/e in Happy *b6sF!n Ti"e The"e 7ar' an% i""e%iately be,an eatin, &!st"ers$

The &r#% l/e% it$>Hey. l' at that?> a little ,irl sh!te%$ >Is there ,nna be a &ar

&hase t< Are thse real b%y parts in real bl%< Cl? ;here6s the&ntrller< Can I play. "!""y< H!h< Can I< 7lease

30/87

>=t n#. %ear$ 9!r +ather an% I are ,ettin, a %i/r&e$>>;AHH? I ne/er ,et t % anythin,? 9! #n6t let "e play the slts.

I6" nt s!ppse% t play the "ar'et e/er. e/er a,ain. an% n# THIS?>Fl!++y6s %espair intensi+ie%. #hi&h nly ,es t sh# that +ast +%

ne/er satis+ies the !n%erlyin, an,st %ri/in, all epi& appetites$

>H# &!l% she aban%n "e?> he "ane%. #eepin, &ay"an tears$4la%ys. "ean#hile. #as in %ire straits$ She &!l% see the hea%li,ht+ the appra&hin, train as it +lashe% aln, the tra&'s li'e the eye + apirati&al t!&an$

;here #as her +aith+!l Fl!++y< Ha% he been "a%e int #alletsOh. ,% ne?> sneere% Tny Ca%$ >=# y! s!n% li'e Hei%i? 4i/e

it !p an% thin' + Fl!++y. +l%e% !p in "y ba&' p&'et. #ith thse littleplasti& thin,ies that hl% pi&t!res + sntty 'i%s$>

That %i% it? 4la%ys p!rse% her bea' a,ain an% this ti"e she ,a/e ither all$

It #as a s!n% !nli'e any hear% n T&'#rl% be+re r sin&e$Tny Ca%6s steely 5a# i"plants shattere% an% his +illin,s &ra&'e%

31/87

pen. spillin, "er&!ry int his ,!llet$An% thirty "iles a#ay. in Happy *b6s F!n Ti"e The"e 7ar'. Fl!++y

li+te% his hea%$>4la%ys he bell#e%$ >Is that y!< Can s!&h thin,s beThere #as n ans#erin, bell#. b!t 4la%ys har%ly e/er bell#e%.

s that %i%n6t "ean anythin,$An% yet. Fl!++y &!l% ha/e s#rn he6% hear% her spe&ial &all$S!%%enly it &a"e a,ain. s!n%in, li'e the a,ni2e% #histle + an

alien strappe% t a &hair. +r&e% t #at&h thirty &ar &""er&ials in ar#$

Fl!++y6s heart sare%$ It ha% t be 4la%ys? ;h else in the 'n#n!ni/erse &!l% "ana,e a s!n% li'e that. #ith!t arti+i&ials!pple"ents?

4la%ys #as in tr!ble? :/ely 4la%ys Kin%Heart #as in peril?S"e peple thin' a &ay"an6s st!bby ar"s an% le,s "i,ht nt be

the best appen%a,es +r a thirty-"ile r!n$ *!t #hen thse st!bby ar"s

an% le,s are #rappe% ar!n% the &ntrls + a ht-#ire%. #ar s!rpl!sHarrier. #at&h !t?:!&'ily a Harrier 5!st happene% t be par'e% in the par'in, lt +ree

ten-%llarh!rn in-!t pri/ile,espr' at yr #n ris' nt respnsible+r any %a"a,es$

Stealin, a #ar s!rpl!s Harrier is nt /ery ni&e. + &!rse. espe&ially#hen it has a >*aby n *ar%> sti&'er st!&' t the 7lei,las. b!t thisHarrier beln,e% t a psy&hpath #h ha% p!r&hase% it ille,ally +r" anei,hbrh% ,!n shp$

In a +lash. Fl!++y #as !p. !p an% a#aaay. an% ""ents later. he#as /er the rail#ay tra&'s$

Then. a+ter &are+!lly a%5!stin, the a!tpilt t steer the Harrierba&' t the nearest &rp &ir&le. Fl!++y e5e&te%$

The astnishe% Tny Ca% %!&'e% as the Harrier b!22e% hi"$;h &an say #hat e/il th!,hts &!rse% thr!,h his "in%-perhaps

he th!,ht it #as the U$S$ Ca/alry &"e t res&!e 4la%ys Kin%Heart5!st be+re the train "l%e% her t the rails$

;hen he reali2e% it #asn6t hn ;ayne an% the bys. he ,rpe% +rhis pistl. b!t Fl!++y #as t !i&' +r hi"$ In se&n%s. the bi, &ay"anha% eaten Tny Ca%6s #eapn an% sli&e% thr!,h the rpes bin%in, thel/ely 4la%ys Kin%Heart t the tra&'s$

;ith!t a ""ent6s hesitatin. 4la%ys leape% t her +eet.

s#eepin, Fl!++y int her ar"s an% 5!"pin, +r" the tra&'s 5!st as theOrient Epress rare% past. b!n% +r O"aha. =ebras'a$

The Orient Epress. by the #ay. n# ser/es "st + T&'#rl%.+illin, a /i% le+t by the bi, na"es in railra%in, #hen they aban%ne%passen,er ser/i&e$

Any#ay. Tny Ca%. 'n#in, the 5i, #as !p. %rppe% t his 'nees.#hi"perin, an% be,,in,$

>It6s nt "y +a!lt.> he #aile%$ >;e6re all /i&ti"s here? I #as stresse%


32/87

!t8 there6s t "!&h press!re in the "%ern #rl%$>>I +r,i/e y!.> sai% 4la%ys$ >9! "ay , n#$>Tny Ca% ,ape% at her in a"a2e"ent$ There6s ne brn e/ery

"in!te. he th!,ht$Then Fl!++y ate hi"$

>=O Fl!++y? *a%. *AD?> sai% 4la%ys$ >Spit hi" !t?>Fl!++y spat !t the ba%ly %a"a,e% Ca%. an% h!n, his hea% insha"e$ *!t 4la%ys &!l%n6t be an,ry at hi" +r ln,. an%. shrtlya+ter#ar%s. the t# +rien%s #ent h"e. ar" in ar". sin,in, 6H# M!&his That D,,ie in the ;in%#

That :la"a6s E/e. there #ere spe&ially bi, :la"a6s E/e st&'in,s/er the &hi"ney in the Kin%Heart h!sehl%. aln, #ith a Feast + theHappy Can%les +r Fl!++y. be&a!se he #asn6t a lla"a belie/er--he+ll#e% the rit!als + the Ca"els + the =e,e/$

The Feast + the Happy Can%les isn6t a bi, %eal t the &a"els. b!tFl!++y #as a ,% sprt an% helpe% %e&rate the :la"a Tree + y. an%

e&lai"e% /er the :la"a6s E/e ha,,is an% the M&*#el6s In+la""able7rri%,e$9! "i,ht thin' a "arria,e an% %i/r&e. an% bein, tie% t the

railra% tra&'s #ere a stri'e a,ainst 4la%ys in the "arria,e "ar'et$This #!l% be tr!e i+ there really #as s!&h a thin, as the "arria,e

"ar'et. an% i+ 4la%ys &are% ab!t it$A&t!ally. "arria,e hasn6t been ar!n% all that ln,8 it6s still a #r'

in pr&ess$Oh s!re. there #ere !n%!bte%ly s"e =ean%erthals pairin, ++ in

the %ays be+re trans&ntinental railra%s. b!t they %i%n6t , thr!,h abi, +!ss #ith #e%%in, %resses an% bri%es"ai%s. an% #h6s-,t-the-

,r" an% s!&h$All + the parties in/l/e% ,t t,ether #ith their la#yers in a bi,

&a/e. %rle% /er a lt + tra%e ,%s li'e bear6s teeth. s&t&h#his'ey. an% Captain Lap &"i&s. an% hashe% !t a pren!ptiala,ree"ent$

They si,ne% ea&h ther6s +lint bla%es. sa&ri+i&e% a #ly "a""th.an% that #as that$

The priests 5!"pe% !p an% %#n se/en ti"es. rattlin, their bes+ bnes t sh# #hat +ine +ell#s they #ere. then e/eryb%y ,t%r!n' n +er"ente% "a""th "il'$

It #asn6t &alle% "arria,e it #as &alle% 6Man. ;"an M/e Int

Sa"e 7la&e. T :ate T ;n%er ;hy6$M%ern "arria,e %e/elpe% %!rin, the Fran&-7r!ssian #ar as a

"eans + thin'in, ab!t s"ethin, else$Any#ay. 4la%ys6s +irst "arria,e #as nt /ery ni&e$She %i%n6t tr!st %ra'es a+ter that$ ;hene/er a %ra'e as'e% her t

share a ha,,is #ith hi". she ea"ine% his shes. his belt. his #alletan% his ,l/es t "a'e s!re they ha%n6t been &ay"ans in anther li+e$

E/en i+ there #asn6t s "!&h as a #hi++ + &ay"an n hi". #h


33/87

'ne#:isten t "e.> she si,he%$ >4 an% ,et ba&' int y!r be%s an%

t"rr# ni,ht I6ll ta'e y! t the %ri/e-in$ O'ay;ell they #ere all e&ite% ab!t that? It #as al#ays a treat.

hea%in, !t in the bi, br&&li tr!&'. the ne #ith the spe&ial &ay"an!arters in ba&'$

The net ni,ht. there #as "!&h 5y as they all trie% t rea% theTORO=TO 4:O*E N MAI: "/ie ,!i%e /er 4la%ys6s sh!l%er. an% they

all e&lai"e% at the ra&y pi&t!res$They %e&i%e% n the ne# a"es *n% "/ie. the ne in #hi&h the&ay"ans sa/e *n%. a"es *n%. +r" a #i&'e% %!&' #h #ants ts"&h hi" t %eath$

=t that 4la%ys ha% anythin, a,ainst s"&hin,? She th!,ht it"i,ht be +!n. in "%eratin$ Or "aybe nt ea&tly in "%eratin$

*!t i+ y! pai% any attentin t the "/ies. y!6% thin' peple %i%it all the ti"e$

Hnest t 7ete. i+ peple %i% as "!&h s"&hin, in real li+e as they% in the "/ies. there6% be n ti"e +r ++i&e pliti&s. tra++i& 5a"s. r+illin, !t ta +r"s$ M%ern &i/ili2atin as #e 'n# it #!l% &llapse$

Frt!nately. real %!&'s %n6t bther #ith all + that s"&hin,8they ha/e hea%a&hes an% +ati,!e instea%$

Any#ay. the /ery net ni,ht. 4la%ys t' the &ay"ans t the %ri/e-in$

The little nes #ere terribly e&ite%. 5!"pin, !p an% %#n in theba&' li'e &reat!res +r" the bla&' la,n$

Fl!++y. + &!rse. #as "!&h l%er an% "re %i,ni+ie%. an% r%e inthe +rnt besi%e the l/ely 4la%ys$

There #as a ln, line t ,et int the %ri/e-in that ni,ht. be&a!se it#as #ar". an% + &!rse the ne# a"es *n% #as playin,. an% there#ere a lt + y!n, !n-"arrie%s #h #ante% a little !iet ti"e t

the"sel/es t % &rss#r% p!22les t,ether an% %is&!ss ean-7a!lSartre an% his %% interpretatin + He,el$

;hen they +inally ,t in an% +!n% a pla&e #ith spea'ers that#r'e%. 4la%ys set !t t b!y ,%ies$

Un+rt!nately. the pp&rn "a&hine in the sna&' bar #as br'en$=# i+ there6s ne thin, &ay"ans really l/e it6s pp&rn$ The little

nes #ere heart-br'en8 e/eryne in the %ri/e-in &!l% hear theirsbbin,$

35/87

It #as at this pint in ti"e that the Hipppta"!s + Fate steppe%in$

S"e peple "i,ht say it #as 5!st a &in&i%en&e$ They %n6tbelie/e in the Hipppta"!s + Fate$ They la!,h at Fate$

These are the srt + peple #h play ,l+ in th!n%er str"s.

#earin, &pper #eather/anes n their hea%s t see #hi&h #ay the#in% is bl#in,$Any#ay. that6s en!,h ab!t Fate$It s happene% that. #hile the little nes #ere h#lin, in %espair.

Ma&'lin #as par'e% in the net spt in his beat !p l% 7i&'ar% TrilbiteCr#n E%#ar%ian. the ne #ith a b!ilt-in "%el railra% as an ptinaletra--y!r &hi&e + Santa Fe r Unin 7a&i+i&$

That6s nt "!&h + a &hi&e in "y pinin. I "ean--#hat ab!t theFlri%a East Cast. r the Kettle Balley an% s"ile%$Her s"ile %a22le% Ma&'lin$ It #ent strai,ht thr!,h his shell +

in&"peten&e t the %eeper in&"peten&e e"anatin, +r" his heart$Strn, +eelin,s epl%e% insi%e hi"$Un+rt!nately. Ma&'lin ha% little eperien&e #ith strn, +eelin,s. s

he %i%n6t 'n# #hat they #ere$ He th!,ht a %rea%+!l %isease ha%in/a%e% his syste" an% he #as rapi%ly %yin,. b!t he %i% li'e 4la%ys6ss"ile$

Fl!++y. #h #as s!spi&i!s + all %ra'es sin&e the epis%e + therail#ay tra&'. the rpe. an% the &ay"an #allets ,r!nte% his appr/al$

The y!n, &ay"ans s&rea"e% an% &heere%. >Hray +r the #eir%-l'in, %!&' #ith his #n pp&rn "a&hine #h6s ,in, t ,i/e !s allthe pp&rn #e &an eat an% "aybe s"e li&ri&e sti&'s t. an% s"e

li"e +i22ers$>Chil%ren. 7:EASE?> sai% 4la%ys. e"barrasse%$Then she s"ile% at Ma&'lin a,ain$ >9! 'n# h# &hil%ren are

#hen they ,et e&ite%.> she sai%$Ma&'lin s"ile% t sh# he 'ne#$ He th!,ht the little nes #ere a

bit stran,e l'in,. b!t all &hil%ren l'e% stran,e t hi"$As +r Fl!++y. #h 'ne# sai% Ma&'lin$ Then he t!rne% bri,ht re% an% +ell silenta,ain$

4la%ys t!rne% bri,ht re% t$>;e #ere 5!st passin, by.> she sai%$ >On !r #ay t the

&n/enien&e stre$ ;e #n%ere% i+ y! nee%e% anythin,$$$$>

Ma&'lin trie% t thin' ab!t this. b!t he &!l%n6t ,et his "in% pastan i"a,e + Fl!++y pi&'in, !p a !art + "il' an% a %2en e,,s atHappy *b6s Cn/enien&e Stre$

>;!l% y! li'e t &"e in he sai%$ >I #as 5!st ,in, t bil s"er!taba,as$>

>Oh. #e %n6t #ant t %ist!rb$>>9! #!l%n6t be$$$$>There #as a &latterin, nise in the 'it&hen$ They bth r!she% insi%e

an% %is&/ere% Fl!++y stan%in, at the 'it&hen &!nter. #earin, a tallen,ineer6s &ap. stirrin, a &ltte% "ass + ha,,is an% a%%in, a pin&h +salt$

>Fl!++y?> s!a#'e% 4la%ys$ >;here are y!r "anners< This is nt!r 'it&hen?>Fl!++y ,rinne% hrribly. sh#in, a bit + spina&h st!&' bet#een his

teeth$Or perhaps it #as a bit + s"ene6s slee/e$>7lease +r,i/e hi".> 4la%ys sai%$ >He l/es &'in,? He6s rea%

%2ens + &'b's$ O!r 'it&hen is +!ll + stran,e herbs an% spi&es$>>That6s 'ay.> sai% Ma&'lin. relie/e% t be tal'in, ab!t s"ethin,.

anythin, at all$There is nthin, "re terri+yin, t a shy persn than a ,ap in a

r!nnin, &n/ersatin. r a s!%%en. !nepe&te% en&!nter #ith an

a&!aintan&e$ The +ranti& sear&hin, +r a tpi&. any tpi&. has t beseen t be belie/e%$

=# Ma&'lin &!l% play the hst. ++erin, li"e +i22ers an% &h&late&hip &'ies. sh#in, 4la%ys his /ast library + b's ab!t trains. his&"plete &lle&tin + MODE: RAI:ROADER "a,a2ines. an% at the /eryen% + the t!r. his h!,e "%el railra% e"pire$

4la%ys #as a#estr!&'$She6% ne/er "et anyb%y as stran,e as Ma&'lin be+re$An% yet. she #as %ra#n t hi"$ She &!l% +eel hersel+ +allin,.

+allin,$Stp it. she #arne% hersel+$ Re"e"ber Tny Ca% an% the rail#ay

tra&'s?*!t n# that she ha% seen Ma&'lin at his "st /!lnerable. in his

Th"as the Tan' En,ine slippers an% his T-shirt #ith the pi&t!re + the:ittle En,ine That C!l%. it #asn6t s easy t brea' a#ay$

He #as a little t +!ssy an% pre&ise. b!t ea&h t his #n$E/erythin, #as neatly st#e% a#ay--all + his tins + M&*#el6sEpl%in, Ha,,is. his &ans + M&*#el6s In+la""able 7rri%,e. an% therein+r&e% steel &ntainers + M&*#el6s R&'et *ran% *eans$


39/87

I+ Ma&'lin #ante% neat an% pre&ise. that #as 'ay #ith 4la%ys?As +r Ma&'lin. his heart #as a&hin, an% thrbbin, #ith p#er+!l

+eelin,s$*!t as y! 'n#. Ma&'lin ha% little eperien&e + p#er+!l +eelin,s$

He #as &n/in&e% it #as a near-%eath eperien&e. an% "a%e a "ental

nte t ha/e a &!p + li&ri&e tea be+re ,in, t be%$>;!l% y! li'e t stay +r s!pper he sai%$>Oh #e &!l%n6t?> sai% 4la%ys$ >I nly #ante% t--I "ean--#e

&!l%n6t-->>There6s plenty.> sai% Ma&'lin$ >There6s #ay t "!&h ha,,is +r

5!st ne persn in a M&*#el6s tin$>4la%ys l'e% at Fl!++y. an% Fl!++y l'e% pinte%ly at the ha,,is$

He #as a%%in, ther thin,s n#8 a bit + hrsera%ish. s"e re,an. alittle ,r!n% pepper$

>It6s /ery 'in% + y!.> sai% 4la%ys$ >I &an6t stay ln,8 the little nesare alne in the h!se$>

>;ill they be 'ay sai% Ma&'lin$>They6ll be +ine +r n#$ I le+t the" #at&hin, &artns n TB$ The%rs are pen s they &an ,et s"e +resh air$>

Ma&'lin #as astnishe%$ >Aren6t y! #rrie% ab!t brea'-ins hesai%$

Ma&'lin #rrie% ab!t brea'-ins all the ti"e$ His &lle&tin + l&'san% alar" syste"s #as al"st as etensi/e as his &lle&tin +"iniat!re rllin, st&'$

9! ha% t #rry #hen y! ha% a &"plete set + MODE:RAI:ROADER "a,a2ines? The &ity #as +!ll + !ns&r!p!l!s &lle&trs#h6% stp at nthin, t ,et their han%s n his pre&i!s "a,a2ines$

An% i+ a thie+ e/er n&e ,l""e% his eyes n Ma&'lin6s ri,inal.Barney D&'si%er s#it&h l&"ti/e. p!r&hase% at Un&le Dn6s HbbyShp in Cal,ary. in1G. it #!l% %isappear in a +lash. t be sl% ++ ts"e e/il &lle&tr in S#it2erlan%. r O"aha. =ebras'a$

*!t 4la%ys #as !n&n&erne%$>The little nes en5y brea'-ins.> she sai%$ >It ,i/es the" a &han,e

+ %iet$>Ma&'lin th!,ht 4la%ys #as the stran,est %!&' he6% e/er "et. b!t

+r s"e reasn. he #as %ra#n t her$ He +!n% hi"sel+ t!&hin, hersh!l%er as they #ent int the %inin, r"8 then he ner/!slysnat&he% his han% a#ay$

Fl!++y ha% %ne #n%ers$ The Ri 4ran%e sil/er#are ,lea"e% nthe Erie :a&'a#anna table&lth$ The plasti& Th"as the Tan' En,ine,lasses ha% been &leane%. an% Fl!++y ha% set !t Ma&'lin6s best plates.the nes #ith an i"a,e + the +a"!s 4reat =rthern "!ntain ,at$

There #ere bttles + li"e +i22er. an% there #as a platter +bea!ti+!lly %ne ha,,is. #ith ra# br&&li +r appeti2ers$

It #as "a,ni+i&ent?Ma&'lin &"pli"ente% Fl!++y$ The bi, &ay"an t!rne% bri,ht re%


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#ith e"barrass"ent an% sh!++le% his +eet$Then he ,rinne%$It #as a splen%i% +east$Ma&'lin &!l%n6t re"e"ber a ti"e #hen he6% been s happy$ He

tl% !tra,e!s 5'es. an% 4la%ys la!,he% an% la!,he%$

Fl!++y tl% 5'es that #ere a&t!ally +!nny$;hen it #as /er. Fl!++y retire% t the bal&ny. #here he ate a b+ &i,ars an% a%"ire% the ptential sna&'s #al'in, n the si%e#al'bel#$

4la%ys an% Ma&'lin sat in the li/in, r" an% listene% t railra%sn,s$

It #as a bi, s+a. b!t s"eh#. they +!n% the"sel/es sittin, &lset,ether in the "i%%le$

4la%ys ha% a +resh. &!ntry-,irl s"ell--a b!!et "a%e !p + thes&ent + &ay"an stables. I/ry sap. an% + hnesty. tr!th. inte,rityan% p!rity$

Ma&'lin l'e% #n%erin,ly at her. an% she l'e% #n%erin,ly athi"$Their bea's t!&he%$He p!t a han% n her sh!l%er$4la%ys sn!,,le% &lser$Ma&'lin &lse% his eyes$ She +elt s #ar". s &lean. s s&aly$$$$>HUH he sai%. an% his eyes pppe% pen$There #as Fl!++y. sittin, bet#een the". ,rinnin, happily$>Oh "y ,%ness. l' at the ti"e?> sai% 4la%ys$ >I6" a+rai% #e

ha/e t ,8 #e ha/e t &he&' n the little nes$ I+ I %n6t sh# !p sn.they6ll ,et ner/!s an% start eatin, the nei,hbrs$>

Ma&'lin ,t t his +eet$ Fl!++y #ent n ahea% an% #aite% by theele/atr. in &ase any interestin, sna&'s ,t ++$

4la%ys lin,ere% in the %r#ay$>I really. really en5ye% tni,ht.> she sai%$On&e a,ain. their bea's t!&he%8 then. i"p!lsi/ely. she thre# her

ar"s ar!n% hi" an% 'isse% hi"$At last she br'e a#ay$Ma&'lin6s heart #as beatin, s +ast. he th!,ht the ha,,is ha%

bl&'e% an artery$4la%ys #a/e% ,%bye an% #ent %#n the hall t 5in Fl!++y. #h

#as hl%in, the ele/atr$ Fl!++y %i%n6t "in% ta'in, ele/atrs n&e he6%

eaten a b + &i,ars$The &i,ars "a%e hi" +eel rele/ant$Ma&'lin #at&he% in a %a2e. #a/in, as his s#eetheart %isappeare%

int the ele/atr$ Stran,e ba,pipe "!si& +ille% his hea%. an% a ,hstly&hir &hante% s"ethin, ab!t an en&hante% e/enin, an% a stran,era&rss a &r#%e% r"$

4la%ys. "ean#hile. #as tr!ble%. an% !n&ertain$ She #n%ere% i+she6% been t +r#ar%$


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;hat #ill he thin' + "e. she #rrie%$ He6s prbably sayin, thi"sel+. 6That h!ssy? I6ll ne/er let her play #ith "y trains a,ain?6

This is nt h# y! re+er t a sessin #ith a "%el railra%. as y!'n#$ It &annt be stresse% en!,h "%el railra%s are nt ty trains.an% y! % =OT play #ith the"$ 9! O7ERATE the"$

*!t the l/ely 4la%ys %i%n6t "ean any har"8 n ne ha% ta'en thetr!ble t eplain this t her$It #as Ma&'lin6s 5b. really. b!t he +l!bbe% it$Any#ay. 4la%ys #as ner/!s an% #rrie%. b!t she als +elt li,ht-

hea%e%. happy. an% &are+ree$It #as /ery &n+!sin,$That ni,ht. a+ter t!&'in, in the little nes. she sat !p late #ith

Fl!++y. %rin'in, li"e +i22ers an% #at&hin, the Dis&/ery Channel$>9! li'e hi". %n6t y! Fl!++y?> she sai%$Fl!++y th!"pe% his tail an% hisse%$Dn6t let anyne tell y! &ay"ans aren6t s"art$ They 'n# #hat

they li'e$ An% they6re psy&hi& t$There are %2ens + stries ab!t &ay"ans #hse #ners le+th"e an% +r,t t brin, the" aln,. r &ay"ans transprte% ,reat%istan&es by a&&i%ent. #h +!n% their #ay h"e #ith nthin, "rethan a &ell phne #ith 47S. an% a Bisa &ar% t ,!i%e the"$

Any#ay. 4la%ys an% Ma&'lin sa# ea&h ther !ite a lt a+ter that$Ma&'lin still %i%n6t 'n# #hat his +eelin,s #ere. r e/en that they

a&t!ally #ere +eelin,s. b!t his "% al#ays bri,htene% #hen he sa#4la%ys. r #hen he tal'e% t her n the phne$

4la%ys be,an t %ress !p a bit "re. an% she "a%e s!re t &leanthe &ay"an pp +r" her bts be+re she "et Ma&'lin$

Thin,s #ere "/in, aln, ni&ely !ntil that +ate+!l ""ent in thee/er-"/in, present. #hen 4la%ys hear% l# /i&es as she #as ab!tt 'n&' n Ma&'lin6s %r$

*!t that6s nt a pleasant #ay t en% !r little &hapter ab!ten&hante% e/enin,s an% stran,ers a&rss &r#%e% r"s. s #e6llsa/e it +r the net peratin, sessin$

Fl!++y ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER 1 STA=D *9 9OUR DUCK

The blss"in, relatinship bet#een 4la%ys an% Ma&'lin "i,htha/e en%e% at the %r + Ma&'lin6s apart"ent in a bit + 'it&hen sin'%ra"a. #ith the l/ely 4la%ys Kin%Heart t!rnin, a#ay. ,rie+-stri&'en.+r" the a#+!l si,ht + her s#eetheart in the slin'y All!ra6s &l!t&hes$

In +a&t. she ha% t!rne% a#ay an% #as n the /ery pint + steppin,!t + Ma&'lin6s li+e +re/er. #hen he +ainte%$ She hear% the&hara&teristi& th!"p + a +allin, Ma&'lin--a ,ra&eless s!n%. li'e a sa&'+ Kap' %rppin,$


42/87

4la%ys #hirle% ar!n%$All!ra. she + the +a"!s re% %ress #ith the slit !p the si%e. ,rinne%

slin'ily at her$>9! #in the &'ie--this ti"e.> sai% All!ra. an% she leape% !t the

#in%#. sli%in, %#n a &n/enient rpe t her i"patient Harley-

Da/i%sn$4la%ys sh' her hea%$>There6s s"ethin, %% ab!t that %!&'.> she sai% t hersel+$Fl!++y ,r#le% irritably be&a!se he6% "isse% !t n a /ery ,%

sna&'$ S"eb%y ha% e/en ,ne t the tr!ble + &!ttin, a slit in there% plasti& #rappin, t /ent stea" #hile the %eli&a&y #as bein,"i&r#a/e%$

Fl!++y har%ly e/er !se% the "i&r#a/e$ He pre+erre% ,% l%+ashine% st/es #ith r,ani& +ire$

The ne ti"e Fl!++y ha% trie% t heat !p a b#l + M&*#el6sIn+la""able 7rri%,e in the "i&r#a/e. it ha% epl%e%$ A pie&e +

sli%i+ie% prri%,e ha% blaste% strai,ht !p thr!,h a GG that ha% beenpassin, l# /erhea%$One &hap n the GG ha% been tra!"ati2e% #hen a l!"p +

&harre% prri%,e ha% sht strai,ht !p !t + the tilet 5!st as he #asab!t t %epsit hi"sel+ n the seat. b!t it ha% "isse% hi" by an in&han% /anishe% thr!,h the &eilin,$

Frt!nately the air&ra+t #as +lyin, /ery &lse t the ,r!n%.be&a!se the &aptain #as a+rai% + hei,hts$

It #as nly a "atter + "in!tes be+re a bra/e +li,ht atten%ant #asable t ta'e the &ntrls an% lan% sa+ely in a &learin, in the 4thi&+rest. in the heart + Trnt6s sinister +inan&ial %istri&t$

7ly%r an% Bl% #el&"e% the %a2e% passen,ers #ith a spt +bl% p!%%in, an% s"e ni&ely pa&'a,e% &pies + Bl%6s b'EBER9THI=4 IS TAA*:E$

S y! sh!l% al#ays be &are+!l #hat y! p!t in a "i&r#a/e$Any#ay. Fl!++y r!she% t the #in%#. b!t All!ra #as alrea%y

2"in, a#ay n her Harley. beltin, !t her +a/rite sn, as she r%e++ int the s!nset 6H# "!&h is that %,,ie in the #in%#$$$$6

4la%ys t!rne% her attentin t the &"atse Ma&'lin. hl%in, a /ial+ s"ellin, salts !n%er his nse t re/i/e hi"$ A bitter %r + /ine,ar-+rie% br&&li #a+te% +r" the little t!be. brin,in, tears t her eyes$

Ma&'lin6s eyeli%s +l!ttere%$

>4la%ys$$$$> he "!r"!re%$ >4la%ys$$$I$$$:IKE y!$$$At these #r%s. 4la%ys6s heart "elte%$ >This is the %ra'e +r "e.>

she sai%$ > = ne is ,in, t ta'e Ma&'lin a#ay +r" "e$ A %ra'e nt#rth +i,htin, +r is a %ra'e t be &herishe%$>

There #as a sn!++lin, s!n% +r" the 'it&hen$ Fl!++y t!rne% a#ay+r" the st/e. #here he #as #hippin, !p a !i&' pasta. an% #eptpenly$ >Oh that6s s %eeply a++e&tin,.> he sbbe%$

Fr" s"e#here else &a"e anther s!n%. a ,hstly #ailin, +


43/87

ba,pipes. an% the +aint s!n% + a S&ttish &hir sin,in, 6H# "!&h isthat %,,ie in the #in%#$$$$6

Then a harsh /i&e see"e% t &"e +r" e/ery#here at n&e$>O&h? Are ye s!re y!6re nt relate% t 4iseppe Ma&'lin it sai%$

>I thin' ye are. lassie$ There "!st ha/e been a "ista'e in the n!rsery$

S"ene "ie% !p a per+e&tly ,% Ma&'lin ,irl &hil% #ith a nit#it +a by &hil%$ ;e ha/e "!&h t tal' ab!t?>The ,hstly /i&e +a%e%. b!t nt be+re 4la%ys &a!,ht a ,li"pse +

the shi""erin, +r" + a t!,h l% %ra'e in a 'ilt an% a t!ni&$He #as ,ne in an instant. b!t 4la%ys ha% the stran,est +eelin,

she6% be seein, hi" a,ain$Ma&'lin stirre%$ At the sa"e ti"e. there #as a 'n&' at the %r$4la%ys ans#ere% it. an% a %!&' in a Trnt Maple :ea+s ,alie

!t+it #bble% in n his s'ates. s!pprtin, hi"sel+ #ith his sti&'$It #as De". a&t!ally. his +a&e #as hi%%en by a ,alie6s "as' that

l'e% li'e the &aterpillar in A:ICE I= ;O=DER:A=D$

>Anyne seen any h&'ey p!&'s in here he sai%$>4%ness. I %n6t thin' s.> sai% 4la%ys$ >:et "e &he&' "y p!rse$>She ,lan&e% thr!,h her p!rse #hile the ,alie #bble% +!rther

int the r". peerin, at Ma&'lin$Fl!++y &he&'e% his /inyl brie+&ase +r h&'ey p!&'s. b!t all he +!n%

#ere his laptp &"p!ter. si tins + &rne% bee+. a &an + sar%ines.t#el/e bes + :i&ri&e Allsrts. a b + Di,esti/e *is&!its. MelissaManners n ;HAT =OT TO DO AT 7ARTIES. an assrt"ent + *arbaraCartlan% r"an&e n/els. a b' n the ,reat &he+s + T!s&any. a #a%+ Italian lira +r" his t!r + the resta!rants + Flren&e. an% si bes+ &i,ars$

;hen 4la%ys l'e% !p +r" her p!rse. she sa# that the ,alie#as 'neelin, besi%e Ma&'lin. l'in, /ery #rrie%$

>Is he 'ay he as'e% ani!sly$>He6ll be +ine a+ter he6s ha% a spt + tea$>>*een #r'in, t har% n his "%el railra%. I ,!ess>Are y! a +rien% + Ma&'lin6s sai% 4la%ys$>=$ =. I$$$I lst all "y p!&'s. that6s #hy I6" here. ,in, %r t

%r$>>*!t y! 'ne# ab!t his "%el railra%$$$$>>Oh that? E/eryb%y has a "%el railra%$ They6re /ery ,% +r

y!r ner/es$ I+ Ma&'lin is +eelin, &lse t %eath. he sh!l% i""e%iately

start #r' n a ne# ne$ 7erhaps an ea&t repli&a + the lay!t 4r%nBarney &""issine% t %isplay his line + "%el railra% e!ip"ent$9! "i,ht ha/e seen at Ma&y6s$ Any#ay. %!&'s #h ne/er #r' n"%el railra%s ten% t %ie BER9 9OU=4$>

>They % sai% 4la%ys$>S!re? :a&' + "%el railra%in, #ea'ens the i""!ne syste"$>S!%%enly De" be&a"e a#are + Fl!++y6s +as&inate% attentin. an%

he #bble% ba&' t the %r as !i&'ly as he &!l%$


44/87

>4tta ,.> he sai% ner/!sly$ >Ha/e t +in% s"e p!&'s$ It6s reallyhar% playin, h&'ey #ith!t a p!&'$ 9! &an6t s&re any ,als. s y!5!st beat !p the ther players$>

Then he &lse% the %r$>My ,%ness. #hat a stran,e +ell#.> sai% 4la%ys$ >I hpe he +in%s

s"e p!&'s$ He &ertainly #as ner/!s$>She str'e% Fl!++y. #h p!rre% l!%ly an% #ent ba&' t the 'it&hent &he&' n his pasta$

Ma&'lin #as +!lly a#a'e n#$>M!st #r' n "%el railra%.> he "!r"!re%$>=t be+re y! ha/e a &!p + tea.> sai% 4la%ys$Ma&'lin t!rne% t her. re"e"berin,$>4la%ys$$$$> he &ra'e%$>H!sh.> she sai%. pattin, his hea%$ >I6/e alrea%y "a%e !p "y "in%

ab!t y!$ = slin'y is ,in, t ta'e y! a#ay +r" "e$>She helpe% hi" t the %inin, r" table. #hi&h Fl!++y ha% set #ith

Unin 7a&i+i& &rystal. sil/er &an%lesti&'s. an% 4reat =rthern nap'ins$They ha% a #n%er+!l %inner. an% a+ter#ar%s. retire% t the st!%y.#here Fl!++y ser/e% &app!&&ins. an% ate a b + &i,ars$

=# at last. Ma&'lin !nb!r%ene% hi"sel+. tellin, 4la%ys e/erythin,ab!t Bl% an% All!ra. lea/in, !t nthin,. e&ept the parts that "a%ehi" l' ba%$

4la%ys patte% hi" n the hea%$She +elt "!&h better n# that she6% "a%e her +ate+!l %e&isin$ She

#as a little #rrie% ab!t h# they6% han%le Bl% Irnbea'. b!t she6%+i,!re it !t$

Fl!++y ne/er #rrie% ab!t han%lin, /illains--he 5!st ate the"$

Ma&'lin #as srt + happy. th!,h ani!s peple are ne/er reallyhappy$ Happiness #rries the" t "!&h$

All!ra ha% a ba% +eelin, ab!t this$$$$

CHA7TER 1 DEMO6S *AD DA9De" #as in a tr!ble% state #hen he le+t Ma&'lin6s &n%$This #as nthin, ne# +r De"8 he #as a /ery tr!ble% %!&'--he

%i%n6t li'e h&'ey /ery "!&h$9! "i,ht be #n%erin, ab!t hi"8 y! "i,ht be as'in, y!rsel+

#h this De" per

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The Ducks of Doom Volume1