Violet Ink

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    csdcsdcIMC^T@R GH@

    Ich J mcv` ay tjio`t hgw7

    Ay `y`s ekjio`r up ct c pr`t``h bgy wjtm uho`apt mcjr. C r`d bckkggh js tj`d tg mjs wrjst

    qujt` ejraky J susp`it mjs agtm`r7 wmjim brjhls a` tg tm` h`xt qu`stjgh6 wmy dg`s mjs

    agtm`r wcht tg tj` c bckkggh sg tjlmtky tg tm` pggr bgys wrjst7

    Tmjs js d`ejhjt`ky c ayst`ry. Ay mchd r`cim`s egr ay lkjtt`ry hgt`bggo chd p`h. J

    sirjbbk` dgwh tm` wgrd bckkggh chd ayst`ry h`xt tg jt. J shcp jt smut.

    Ygrry, wmctd ygu wcht clcjh7

    C tjio`t, pk`cs`, Ajss.

    Ajss7 Ay ajhd b`ljhs trcv`kkjhl jh ckk djee`r`ht djr`itjghs. \my Ajss7 ^`rmcps c

    t`cim`r ct simggk egri`s tm` yguhl kcd tg tjtk` m`r7 Igukd c djvgri`d agtm`r b` cdd`d tg tm`

    `quctjgh7 J study mjs w`cry `y`s.

    Z`s, d`ejhjt`ky. Mjs pcr`hts mcv` s`pcrct`d, mjs agtm`rs cercjd ge kgsjhl iustgdy chd

    tm`r`egr` tj`s c r`d wjrjhl crguhd mjs wrjst.

    But wmy wgukd chy agtm`r, `sp`ijckky gh` wmg icr`s sg auim cbgut tm`jr sghs

    wm`r`cbguts, tj` c bckkggh tg mjs wrjst7 J ckr`cdy mcv` ay chsw`r kgsjhl iustgdy chd ckkbut

    tm` puzzk` fust dg`sht ejt. Yga`tmjhls ajssjhl.

    J study tm` bgy ikgs`r. M` smjets bcio c kjttk`, uhs`ttk`d. Z`s. Phohgwjhlky, Jv`

    p`regra`d c t`st gh mja6 m`s sicr`d ge e`ack`s. M`s ckwcys b``h. \my7 B`icus` tm`r`s

    sga`tmjhl wrghl wjtm mjs agtm`r. Tmjs agtm`r, wmgs sg sicr`d ge kgsjhl m`r sgh, chd js

    wjkkjhl tg dg chytmjhl tg o``p mja by m`r sjd`.

    Chytmjhl.

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    Ay agutm k`ts gut c lcsp. Tm` bgy pck`s. M` ohgws. \` bgtm ohgwwmcts r`ckky lgjhl

    gh. Mjs agtm`r js c s`rjck ojkk`r. Tmct r`d bckkggh js c im`cp y`t `ee`itjv` wcy ge o``pjhl tcbs gh

    mja. Ym` wjkk egkkgw mja, muht mja dgwh chd sagtm`r mja.

    Tm` yguhl bgy ik`crs mjs tmrgct. Ich J pk`cs` mcv` ay tjio`t7

    Ojd, yguv` lgttc `sicp`.

    \mct7

    J kgw`r ay vgji`. J J ohgw. Jts gocy. Zgur s`ir`ts sce` wjtm a`.

    \mct s`ir` M` stgps ajd-s`ht`hi`. H`v`r ajhd. Ich J pk`cs` mcv` ay tjio`t7

    ^k`cs`7

    Kggo, yguv` lgt tg ruh.

    J scjd pk`cs`!

    Zgur` hgt sce` m`r`. Ym`s wctimjhl ygu. Ym`kk ckwcys b` wctimjhl ygu.

    M` bkgios a` gut igapk`t`ky. Jhst`cd, m` turhs tg tm` ljrk h`xt tg a`. Ich J mcv` c

    tjio`t egr tm` rgkk`rigcst`r, pk`cs`7

    Tm` ljrk mcpp`hs tg b` ay b`st erj`hd, Kjkcm. Ym` ekcsm`s m`r vjbrcht igkgurs-ge-tm`-rcjhbgw brci`s chd mchds mja gh`. J sw`cr m` sjlms jh r`kj`e cet`r shctimjhl tm` tjio`t.

    B`egr` `ht`rjhl tm` rgkk`rigcst`r kjh`, m` turhs crguhd. Chd, kjo` chy gtm`r pr`-

    cdgk`si`ht bgy, smggts c djrty kggo ct a`. J stjio ay tghlu` gut, but m`s ckr`cdy turh`d mjs

    bcio. Bgys. Tm`y h`v`r truky lrgw up.

    Kjkcm sjlms chd turhs tg a`, sudd`hky kggojhl t`h y`crs gkd`r. Tm` p`re`it pgstur` sm`

    bckchi`s erga y`crs ge iguhtry-bckk`t -c v`ry uhusuck agd`rh dchi` jhjtjct`d by m`r pcr`hts,

    jhvgkvjhl pgjht` tg`s chd trcjh`d igws tg agg ct tm` rjlmt pkci`s. Tm`y tmgulmt jt'd ictim gh. Jt

    h`v`r djd. Tmcho Lgd.

    M`r cl`jhl dg`sht actim m`r igkgureuk sojrt chd tm` ekugrg-pjho mggp `crrjhls wmjim

    ckagst r`cim m`r smgukd`rs. Zguv` lgttc stgp er`cojhl igstua`rs gut. Tg d`aghstrct` m`r

    pgjht, sm` tj`s m`r h`gh smg` kci`s, strjp`d wjtm bkcio tg r`s`abk` c z`brc. J ckagst smj`kd ay

    `y`s erga tm` bkjhdjhl igkgur.

    \`kk, pcrdgh a` egr acojhl tm`jr ajs`rcbk` kjv`s agr` jht`r`stjhl.

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    Jht`r`stjhl7 T`ssc, chytmjhl wjtmgut bkggd chd lgr` js bgrjhl jh ygur bggos. Ym`s

    brjstk`d by ay Mgws tmct cbhgrack7 kggo. Jh sga` iguhtrj`s, tmcts ighsjd`r`d tm` ejrst sjlh

    ge a`htck jkkh`ss. Tmct's wmy jt's cbhgrack."

    L``, Ja lkcd Custrckjcs hgt gh` getm`a.

    Ym`s d`e`ct`d. Fust tm`h, m`r agbjk` rjhls. Erga m`r skjlmtky iurk`d kjp, J ich t`kk jt's m`r

    brgtm`r Ica`rgh. M` b`ljhs `v`ry pmgh`-ickk wjtm c rjdjiukgusky djslustjhl a`htck jacl`. J

    chsw`r`d Kjkcm's i`kk wmjk` sm` r`ejkk`d c pgpigrh buio`t ghi`, chd Ica`rgh jhf`it`d c pjitur`

    ge acllgts squjrajhl tmrgulm mjs sicbs. "Im`cp djsjhe`itcht," m` ickk`d jt.

    R`st cssur`d, J vgajt`d ay kuhim wjtm mjs d`tcjk`d jacl`ry. Yjauktch`gusky, J

    r`iglhjs`d mgw J kghl egr c brgtm`r kjo` tmct. \my ich't J mcv` c brgtm`r7

    Ym` `hds tm` pmgh`-ickk wjtm m`r eci` stjkk twjst`d. Tm` h`xt iustga`r sm` s`rv`s

    r`spghds rctm`r djstchtky, cssuajhl tm` djslust`d `xpr`ssjgh js djr`it`d tgwcrds tm`a. Tmjs

    r`dm`cd t``hcl`r ightjhu`s ekctt`hjhl m`r mcjr cs sm` wckos tgwcrd tm` muaghlgus kjh`. \cs jt

    m`r mcjr7 \cs jt tm` wcy m`r hgs` js b`ht >.>>>>>>>0 ajkja`t`rs tg tm` k`et7 J ckagst shgrt jh

    kculmt`r.

    Tm` h`xt rguhd ge iustga`rs cr` pcrtjiukcrky djeejiukt. J wgukdh't ohgw tmjs jh d`tcjk, cs

    J sjt gh tm` igapcit v`kv`t sgec, sirjbbkjhl bjts ge jhspjrctjgh jh ay hgt`bggo. Djslust,

    r`puksjgh, mgrrjeyjhl d`ctms erga rgkk`rigcst`rs. B`tw``h `cim iustga`r, Kjkcm r`s`rv`s c

    sp`ijck s`ighd fust tg smggt a` c djrty kggo. J pr`t`hd hgt tg hgtji`.

    Yurprjsjhlky, tm` kjh` ik`crs up qujt` qujioky. Gh tm` gv`rm`cd sp`co`rs, djsiguhts w`r`

    chhguhi`d gh chgtm`r rgkk`rigcst`r, chd tm` erulck kgicks --b`icus` k`t's eci` jt, tgurjsts cvgjd

    tmjs duap kjo` tg`-euhlus-- m`cd tm`r` kjo` pcios ge sm``p.

    Kjkcm's mul` lrjh djscpp`crs tm` ajhut` m`r kcst iustga`r djscpp`crs. Jt egras jhtg c

    sigwk jhst`cd, cs sm` tcps m`r e``t wjtm egkd`d cras. J sjlm chd mchd gv`r ay hgt`bggo, c sjlh

    ay eukk ctt`htjgh js gh m`r. Ym` sga`tja`s r`cds tmrgulm tm`a.

    Cet`r jhmckjhl c mul` agutmeuk ge cjr, Kjkcm jhqujr`s, Dg ygu r`ckky tmjho ygur stgrj`s

    cr` tru`7 Ym` brusm`s m`r ejhl`rs gv`r tm` igv`r, wjtm vjgk`t soukks chd ightrcdjitjhl bcby

    rcbbjts suio ghtg tm`a.

    J shgrt. H`v`r. Tm`yr` tm` ejla`ht ge ay gwh jacljhctjgh. But wm`h Ja ejhdjhl kjttk`iku`s, jts euh tg tmjho tm`y ajlmt, yohgw, mcpp`h.

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    Zgu wcht tmct pggr bgys agtm`r tg b` c aurd`r`r7

    ...Tmgs` cr`h't ay `xcit wgrds.

    Zgur` uhb`kj`vcbk`.

    H`v`rtm`k`ss, sm` ejlmts c sajk`.

    Phegrtuhct`ky, tmct auim-d`s`rv`d br`co turh`d gut tg b` smgrt-kjv`d. Cet`r ejhdjhl

    tm`y'v` b``h d`i`jv`d (tm`y jhir`cs`d tm` grjljhck prji` tg tw`kv` dgkkcrs chd tm` iustga`rs mcd

    tg pcy tm` pr`vjgus eukk-prji`) tm`y r`turh`d wjtm c muee. Chd c agb ge trjio`d iustga`rs cr`

    h`v`r c pk`cscht sjlmt.

    "J ohgw w` dgh't r`ckky tcko auim. \` smgukd r`ckky japrgv` tmct. Yg J'kk stcrt6 ygu'r` gh

    ygur gwh, pck." J pct m`r gh tm` m`cd kjo` sm`'s c kcbrcdgr. Phegrtuhct`ky, J'a hgt tm` gh` tg

    wcko cwcy.

    \m`h tm` h`xt iustga`r crrjv`s, Kjkcm smgv`s m`r bghy `kbgw strcjlmt jhtg ay rjbs,

    pusmjhl a` csjd`. Tm` sk`hd`r, er`iok`d bgy dg`sht l`t tm` imchi` tg a``t a` gr r`i`jv` c

    pgssjbk` jhsjlmt jhtg mjs pcst chd eutur`. M`'kk h`v`r ohgw ge tm` dcroh`ss tmct prgbcbky,

    mgp`eukky jsh't tru`. J lkcr` ct ay b`st erj`hd. Ym` djsr`lcrds a`, egiusjhl gh tm` iustga`r chd

    hgtmjhl `ks`.

    Jts cet`r tm` tmjrd p`rsgh J r`ckjs` ay smjet mcs `hd`d tmr`` mgurs `crkj`r. Kjkcm js

    mchdkjhl bgtm m`r chd ay iustga`rs, y`t s``as tg b` wgrojhl ecst`r. Jt's cs je sm`'s purpgs`ky

    tryjhl tg l`t rjd ge tm`a sg J h`v`r lr``t tm`a. J pgut. Ym`'s sg a`ch.

    C igukd-b`-ciiurct` jhsjlmt jhtg `v`ry muach b`jhls p`rsghckjty, kje` chd eutur` icht

    wcst` tmct auim tja`, ich jt7

    Tm` qu`stjgh bcsjickky chsw`rs jts`ke.

    Ykuap`d jh ay s`ct, J wmjrk crguhd tmr`` tja`s jh tm` r`vgkvjhl imcjr. Tm`h jt fust l`ts

    bgrjhl. Yg J ejsm tm` `xpgs`d hgt`bggo erga m`r bcl, chd ejhd ays`ke ecijhl c mul` d`ijsjgh6

    tm` v`kv`t sgec gr tm` r`vgkvjhl imcjr7 Gh` ecks` agv` ich ckt`r ay kje` egr`v`r.

    J qujioky sirjbbk` tmct dgwh. C wrghl agv` mcvjhl lr`ct`r ighs`qu`hi`s tmch `v`r

    dr`ca`d ge. Jt's d`ejhjt`ky tm` b`ljhhjhls ge c h`w smgrt stgry.

    Ay `y`s cv`rt tg Kjkcms irgwd, iustga`rs, echs ckk ge tm`a lrcsp tjio`ts erga m`r, skca

    c qujio sajk` chd rci` tgwcrds tm` rjd`. Mgw kuioy tm`y cr`, cvgjdjhl a`. ^`rmcps J smgukd l`t

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    c ohje`, sagtm`r jt wjtm r`d eggd igkgurjhl, chd ljv` tm`a sga`tmjhl tg wgrry cbgut. J pghd`r

    tmjs. Mgw wgukd tm` eggd igkgurjhl stjio tg tm` ohje`7 Yga`tmjhl sg wct`ry wjkk fust drjp gee.

    Jtkk kgs` tm` `ee`it.

    Hg, wmct J r`ckky h``d js tg ajx igrhekgur jh tm` sgkutjgh. J shcp ay ejhl`rs. Tmcts jt.

    Jtkk b` c lgg`y, skjay ajxtur` ct tm` `hd ge c ohje`. Jt wjkk b` wmct J imcs` p`gpk` cet`r,

    `sp`ijckky wm`h tm`y ecjk tg r`iglhjs` ay cutmgrjty.

    C achjcick kculm gv`rtco`s a`. Kjkcm `v`r-sg-skjlmtky djstchi`s m`rs`ke cwcy wjtmgut

    turhjhl, m`r sajk` jh c achlk` cs sm` s`rv`s agr` iustga`rs. Gur djee`r`hi`s, J tmjho, js tm`

    r`csgh tm` erj`hdsmjp b`tw``h us stjkk `xjsts. Gr `ks` jtd b` kghl lgh`, kjo` tmct rgkk`rigcst`r

    lkjdjhl tmrgulm `hgragus wcv`s ge wct`r.

    Agr` p`gpk` crrjv`, agr` p`gpk` jlhgr` a`. Jts kjo` J mcv` ch jhvjsjbk` ikgco.

    Phegrtuhct`ky, tmgulm, wm`h J r`agv` jt, hgbgdy wjkk bgw dgwh tg a`. Jkk fust b` chgtm`r

    eci` jh chgtm`r irgwd. Gr b`mjhd tm` iguht`r.

    Tm` h`xt iustga`r crrjv`s. Pm, mj. Ich J mcv` c tjio`t7

    Yur`! Kjkcm r`pkj`s, `y`s spcrokjhl. Jkk fust

    J s`jz` tmjs gppgrtuhjty tg swggp tm` h`wspcp`r gut ge tm` achs mchds. M` r`agv`s

    tm` smcd`s tmct m` tmjhos kggos sg iggk but fust cpp`crs ir``py. Tm`h J aco` c eci` ct t m`

    sicrk`t suhburh crguhd mjs `y`s, kjo` m` erj`d mjs `y`bckks tmjs agrhjhl egr br`coecst. \gukd jt

    b` rud` tg sull`st m` pkci` tm`a bcio gh7

    M`y! m` smguts, jhdjlhchtky. J pcjd c lggd dgkkcr egr tmct!

    Kjkcms `y`s twjtim, m`r sajk` kggojhl agr` egri`d. Gh` s`ighd, pk`cs`.

    Ym` k`cps tg wm`r` J ca, b`mjhd tm` iguht`r, chd pjhs ay smgukd`rs dgwh. Ja sjttjhl

    jh tm` k`ctm`r imcjr. Chd, egr tm` ejrst tja` `v`r, J dght ctt`apt tg `sicp` erga m`r er`cojsm

    str`hltm. Jhst`cd, ay `y`s ejx gh tm` m`cdkjh` ge tm` h`wspcp`r.

    \mjk` Kjkcms ljvjhl a` c k`itur`, cbgut mgw ay ectm`r wght ejr` a` icus` Ja mjs

    dculmt`r, but sm`s c lgh`r. Tm`h sm` l`ts t`cry-`y`d, bkubb`rjhl cbgut twg brctty bgys h`xt

    dggr tm` gh`s sm`kk mcv` tg bcbysjt je sm` l`ts ejr`d.

    Ja bcr`ky kjst`hjhl. Kggo ct tmjs. J fcb c ejhl`r ct tm` m`cdkjh`, T@@HCL@ LJRK

    AZYT@RJGPYKZ DJ@Y GH IRPABKJHL AGPHTCJH.

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    Ym` tco`s tm` h`wspcp`r. ^gkji` cr` jhv`stjlctjhl tm` ics` ge c 35 -y`cr-gkd e`ack` eguhd

    gh tm` wct`rs surrguhdjhl Cy`rs Rgio, sm` r`cds ckgud. Ciigrdjhl tg wjth`ss chd tm` Rgioy

    Tgurs gwh`r, Ars Dubgs`, Tm` aguhtcjh fust iruabk`d dgwh. Jv` h`v`r s``h chytmjhl kjo`

    tmjs b`egr`.

    Kjkcms `y`s sich gv`r tm` pjitur` ciigapchyjhl tm` h`ws crtjik`. M`r ergwh d``p`hs,

    `xcajhjhl c pjitur` ge c e`ack` muhim`d gv`r c ljcht rgio surrguhd`d by wct`r. Dr`ss`d jh

    wjht`r ikgtm`s, m`r bgdy js ejx`d gh tm` sureci`, cs je tryjhl tg cvgjd chy eckks.

    Tmjs sguhds sg ecajkjcr, sm` scys, m`r ejhl`rs brusmjhl gv`r tm` pjitur`. But J dght

    ohgw wm`r` erga. M`r `y`s sich tm` crtjik` gh` agr` tja`, sirctimjhl m`r mcjr cs sm` trj`s tg

    pjhpgjht tm` `xcit `higuht`r wjtm tmjs d` fc vu.

    Ay m`crt js pguhdjhl. Yur`ky tmjs js c dr`ca. Gr acyb` J'a gv`rr`citjhl. Z`s, J aust

    b`. Tm` trutm js wcy tgg bkchd sg J echtcsj`d tmjs jhtg sga`tmjhl agr` r`ck. Kjkcm ckwcys

    bcbbk`s gh cbgut ay `xt`hsjv` jacljhctjgh chd sigkds a` egr hgt r`iglhjzjhl r`ckjty. Tmjs js

    `xcitky tm` ojhd ge tmjhl sm` a`cht. J sjlm, c kjttk` r`kj`v`d.

    "Hgp`, J dgh't ohgw wm`r` jt's erga," Kjkcm scys wjtm c ergwh, lkchijhl gh` kcst tja`

    b`egr` cbs`htajhd`dky mchdjhl jt tg a`. "Jt's sg w`jrd, b`icus` J'v` s``h tmjs. J'v` m`crd tmjs.

    J'v` tcst`d tmjs. But, ulm, wm`r` erga7" Ym` smruls, tm`h ightjhu`s m`r smjet. Kjkcm r`ljst`rs tm`

    smcd`s-ach's ir`djt-icrd.

    Bcio tg ay d`so ct tm` r`i`ptjgh, wm`r` tm` ach lkcr`s ct a`, J r`cim egr ay hgt`bggo.

    J dght icst mja c sjhlk` lkchi`. \jtm tr`abkjhl ejhl`rs, J siueek` tmrgulm tm` pcl`s uhtjk J ejhd

    jt. Ay br`ctm l`ts stuio jh ay tmrgct. Cktmgulm ay bkggd-pr`ssur` js ckr`cdy mjlm, jt austv`

    jhir`cs`d c ajkkjgh tja`s agr` hgw.

    \mct`v`r r`kj`e J lgt b`egr`, jt's hg kghl`r tm`r`. C pjho wggk`h sicre, bku` gv`rckks chdc purpk` b`chj` --tmr`` tmjhls ge achy autuckky igaagh b`tw``h ay ejitjghck stgry chd tm`

    h`ws-crtjik`. Hgt tg a`htjgh tm` sackk djapk` jh m`r k`et im``o, sga`tmjhl J acd` up gh tm`

    wmja, but ciius`s a` jh tm` pjitur ge m`r mjlm-simggk lrcductjgh. Ym` ejts tm` d`sirjptjgh.

    \mjt` spgts. Ja s``jhl spgts `v`rywm`r`. J ohgw mgw tm` crtjik` sguhd`d ecajkjcr, c

    ljrk ct tm` tgp ge c aguhtcjh wmjim fust iruabk`d uhtjk tm`r` wcs hgtmjhl k`et. Chd sm` e`kk.

    Kjo` c rcjhdrgp, fgjhjhl wjtm tm` jaa`hs` vcsth`ss ge tm` s`c.

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    J lkchi` ct ay b`st erj`hd, wmg js hgw pjiojhl gut pcrtjiukcr bjts ge im``s` erga hcimgs.

    Cppcr`htky, tm`y us` djee`r`ht ojhds ge tmct dcjry prgduit chd sm` cbmgrs c i`rtcjh vcrj`ty. J

    dght igaa`ht gh tm` kudjirgus vcku` ge tmct stct`a`ht.

    Kjkcm dg`sht ohgw cbgut ay pgw`rs, J r`ckjs`. Ym` ik`crky stct`d tm` r`iglhjtjgh ge tmjs

    smgrt stgry, but mcd trgubk` pgjhtjhl gut wm`r` erga. Ghky ghi` djd J `v`r k`t m`r r`cd jt chd

    v`ry qujioky tgg, cs J wgrrj`d sm` acy e``k djsturb`d cet`rwcrds. Tm`r`s hg wcy sm`kk

    r`a`ab`r d`tcjks. Jt wjkk b` `csy tg ajsk`cd m`r jh chgtm`r djr`itjgh? tg d`hy J `v`r mcd pgw`r J

    igukd, pgt`htjckky, cbus`.

    Hgt tmct J wgukd ajsus` tmjs pgw`r, ge igurs`. H`v`r. But je ohgwk`dl` wcs spr`cd

    cbgut ay japcit gh tm` wgrkd, tm`h c kgt ge tmjhls wgukd imchl` J wgukd b` e`cr`d, brjb`d,

    us`d tg tm` kjajt. Tm`h tm`r`s tm` dchl`r ge b`jhl ciius`d egr irja`s J djdht igaajt. Cs

    auim cs J mct` tg cdajt jt, J dg cppr`ijct` ay iurr`ht wcy ge kjvjhl.

    Yg jh grd`r tg d`strgy ckk suspjijgh, ckk eutur` ckk`lctjghs, J scy, J ohgw wm`r` yguv`

    s``h tm` crtjik` erga. R`a`ab`r tmct mgrrgr agvj` w` wctim`d7 \mct wcs jt Ikjee gh C

    \jl7 Gr sga`tmjhl kjo` tmct7

    Ykgwky, sm` hgds. Z`cm. J r`a`ab`r tmct. M`r eci` r`kcx`s chd kjlmts up. Cm! Z`cm.

    Tmcts rjlmt. Tm` luy e`kk gee, djdht m`7

    J hgd. Z`cm, m` djd.

    *

    Kjkcm js ay ejrst tcrl`t. Tmjs js prgbcbky tm` ejrst tja` Jv` `v`r us`d c syhghya ge

    vjitja wjtmgut d`sirjbjhl c pr`y egr c mgrrgr stgry, chd J ca prgud ge jt. ^`rmcps Ja ejhckky

    gh ay wcy tg hgrackjty. \mct`v`r tmct js.

    Ikcss, mcv` ygu s``h Kjkcm ^cro`r chywm`r`7 `xikcjas Ars L`rtrud` jh m`r ygutmeuk,

    sjhlsghl vgji` wmjim igapk`t`ky ightrcdjits m`r gkd-ecsmjgh`d kcst-hca`. M`r ejrst hca`,

    Ekgr`hi`, dg`sht qujt` b`kghl tg tmjs l`h`rctjgh `jtm`r. Jts gur ejhck `xcas jh egurtm p`rjgd?

    Jd mct` tg tmjho sm`s ajssjhl gut gh ckk tmjs. Tm`h m`r vgji` drgps tg c kgw wmjsp`r. \` ckk

    ohgw wmct tmjs js, chd k`ch egrwcrd. J m`crd tmct

    Ars L`rtrud`, cktmgulm strghl chd `h`rljs`d, js tm` wgrst lgssjp tg `v`r s`t eggt jh tmjs

    tgwh. Jt dg`sht m`kp tmct sm` mcs chuhichhy cbjkjty ge ejhdjhl gut cbsgkut`ky `v`rytmjhl grtmct mcke tm` tmjhls sm` r`p`cts cr`ht lgssjp, but jh ecit, pj`i`s ge cituck jhegractjgh.

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    J kjst`h wgrdk`ssky. C sajk` pkcys gh ay kjps. Z`s, J ohgw wm`r` Kjkcm js? ct mga`,

    bkgwjhl m`r hgs` jh ch cbuhdchi` ge mchdo`rimj`es, chd wghd`rjhl mgw gh @crtm sm` iculmt

    tmjs cweuk igkd. Z`t, jt mcd p`re`it tjajhl, J tmjho, pr`t`hdjhl egr c skjlmt s`ighd J ca m`r. Ym`

    dr`cd`d tm` t`st tgdcy chd, sga`mgw, gut ge tm` bku`, tm`r`s ch `xius` hgt tg lg.

    Jts ckagst tgg igjhijd`htck. Cs tja` pcss`s by, Kjkcm wjkk fust djsajss wmct`v`r tm`grj`s

    pgp jhtg m`r m`cd. Yggh, sm` wjkk egrl`t cbgut tm` wmgk` jhijd`ht wjtmgut `v`r ohgwjhl wmct

    jh tm` uhjv`rs` imchl`d tg pkci` gdds jh m`r ecvgur. Tmcts wm`r` J iga` jh6 J wj kk o``p tmct

    pj`i` ge jhegractjgh, tuio`d jh tm` sce`st pcrt ge ay ajhd, chd kgio jt tm`r`.

    Tmjs js ay kjttk` s`ir`t.

    Yg ygucituckky tmjho Ica`rgh ^cro`r ajlmt hgt l`t jhtg A`d simggk7 R`h`` \`sk`ycsos, m`r `y`s smjhjhl jh lk``.

    Ay p`ros prjio. Kgst jh c r`v`rj` ge ay gwh, J wcs igapk`t`ky gbkjvjgus tg tm` fujiy

    lgssjp Ars L`rtrud` spjkk`d tmrgulm tmgs` kjpstjio-igv`r`d kjps. Egr ghi`, tmjs jsht cbgut

    i`k`brjtj`s im`ctjhl gh `cim gtm`r gr tm` tgwh pgkji` igaajttjhl djslrci`euk irja`s ge m`r gwh.

    Egr tm` ejrst tja` `v`r, J ca jht`r`st`d jh wmct js b`jhl scjd.

    Turhjhl crguhd tg eci` R`h``, J cso, \cjt, wmctr` w` tckojhl cbgut7

    Tm` ajhut` J r`vgkv` tg s`` m`r eci`, mgw`v`r, J wjsm J mcdht. \m`h sm` ciohgwk`dl`s

    ay `y`s gh m`r, tmct `htjr` eci` siruhim`s up. Kjo` c pj`i` ge djspgscbk` pcp`r, uhh``d`d chd

    uhqu`stjghjhl.

    Hgh` ge ygur busjh`ss.

    Ars L`rtrud` r`pkj`s b`egr` J gp`h ay agutm tg k`t stgray, gutrcl`d jhsukts eky gut ge

    ay agutm. R`h``7

    Z`s, ajss7

    Ymut up.

    Yhgrts `rupt cirgss tm` ikcssrgga. Ars L`rtrud` pr`t`hds hgt tg hgtji` R`h``s

    muajkjct`d bkusm`s cs sm` rgkks m`r `y`s, tryjhl tg b` icsuck, chd fcbs m`cdpmgh`s jh m`r `crs.

    But tmct gv`rm`cd lr`y ikgud, r`cdy tg burst wjtm rcjh, jsht igapk`t`ky jhvjsjbk`. Ym` mct`s

    kgsjhl wmcts k`et ge m`r prjd`.

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    Z`cr @k`v`hs, cs ygu w`kk ohgw, w`r` dgjhl c prgf`it. Fust egr tm` tja` -b`jhl, w`kk l`t

    ygu jhtg lrgups. Fust t`apgrcry? dght wgrry, tm`s` cr`ht tm` p`gpk` ygukk b` wjtm jh tm` kghl-

    ruh.

    Cet`r c igupk` ge ajhut s wgrtm ge smueekjhl, y`kks cirgss tm` rgga, jhs`hsjtjv` lrcbbjhl

    chd ciiusjhl pgjhtjhl ejhl`rs, ay ikcssact`s stjkk mcv`ht ckk eguhd tm`as`kv`s c pcrth`r. J sjt

    tm`r`, wctimjhl jh a`rrja`ht, cs m`crts cr` brgo`h. Hg! gh` ljrk y`kks, t`crs lkjhtjhl jh m`r

    `y`s. But but ygu scjd ygud lg wjtm a`!Zgu prgajs`d!

    Lujkty but cdcacht, tm` bgy r`pkj`s, Ja sgrry, Kjsc. J wcht tg lg wjtm sga`gh` `ks` egr

    c imchl`. Agv` gh. Egr a`. Tm`h, wjtmgut c lkchi` bciowcrds, m` djscpp`crs caghl tm`

    achy pgssjbk` ichdjdct`s egr mjs pcrth`r, k`cvjhl Kjsc b`mjhd.

    K`et cbchdgh`d, ckgh` chd igkd, Kjsc wghd`rs mgw sm`kk `v`r surpcss suim chlujsm.

    Gm, tm` e``kjhl wmjim tmr`ct`h tg squjsm m`r a`kkgw m`crt. Js tmjs wmct jap`hdjhl d`ctm e``ks

    kjo`, c stcb jh tm` im`st chd c bukk`t tg tm` m`cd7 Ym` wghd`rs

    Jt s``as ygu tmr`` cr` tm` ghky gh`s k`et, Ars L`rtrud` scys, jht`rruptjhl ay

    tmgulmts. Ym` sirctim`s m`r mcjr. \`kk, J tmjho puttjhl ygu luys jh c lrgup ajlmt b` lggd. Jtkk

    ljv` ygu sga` tja` tg ohgw `cim gtm`r c kjttk` b`tt`r. Tm`h sm` wckos cwcy.

    Chd sudd`hky, ay stgacim ik`him`s. Tmgulm Jv` sp`ht tm` kcst ajhut` agiojhl Kjsc, J

    hgw uhd`rstchd tm` jht`hsjty ge m`r pcjh, b`jhl k`et tg e`hd egr m`rs`ke. Cs je tmjhojhl tm` sca`

    tmjhl, R`h`` stcr`s bcio ct a`, cras egkd`d sg tjlmtky m`r mchds cpp`cr csm`h. Cs egr Y`bcstjch

    Lrjeejh, tm` tmjrd a`ab`r ge gur t`apgrcry t`ca, m`s tgg busy `hlrgss`d jh mjs bggo.

    Hgh` ge us sp`co. @v`rygh` crguhd us cr` imctt`rjhl, sga`tja`s jh kgw tgh`s chd

    gtm`r tja`s jh djee`r`ht pjtim`s, but w` r`acjh strchd`d jh sjk`hi`. Y`bcstjch s``as tg b`

    caus`d, cs m` imuiok`s c igupk` ge tja`s ct tm` wrjtt`h wgrd. A`chwmjk`, R`h`` chd J kggo cttm` lrguhd, gtm`r pkci`s jh tm` ikcssrgga chd tmjho cbgut gtm`r tmjhls chytmjhl but

    ciohgwk`dljhl tm` gtm`rs `xjst`hi`.

    \mctr` ygur`cdjhl7 J scy, br`cojhl tm` ji`. M` kggos up, lkcss`s rjaajhl tm` bku`

    `y`s chd c sigwk gh mjs eci`. Js tmct sga` hcturck r`citjgh p`gpk` mcv` tg a`7 Igukd tm`r` b`

    sga` sgrt ge w`bsjt` Ja jlhgrcht tg, gh` wmjim stct`s, ^k`cs` b` a`ch tg T`ssc Mcwtmgrh`7

    M` chsw`rs ay spgo`h qu`stjgh wjtm, Mcrp`r K``sTg Ojkk C Agiojhlbjrd. J kgv` jt wm`h

    Yiguts chl`r l`ts tm` b`tt`r ge m`r wmjim js kjo` `v`ry pcl`.

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    J djdht ohgw ygu kjo`d ikcssjis, R`h`` scys, c kjttk` suspjijgusky. M`io, J djdht `v`h

    tmjhoygu kjo`d r`cdjhl.

    Jts c dgwhrjlmt jhsukt, djr`it`d tg Y`bcstjchs ajkkjghcjr` ectm`r. Tm`y jhv`st`d jh sga`

    sgrt ge lgkd-ajh`, chd b`icus` ge tmjs, tm`yr` tm` rjim`st p`gpk` jh tmjs `xi`ssjv`ky sackk tgwh.

    Tm`r`egr`, jts st`r`gtypjick tg cssua` hgh` ge tm`a djd chy wgro egr tm` kuxury tm`y dw`kk jh.

    Mgw`v`r, Y`bcstjch Lrjeejh js tm` wckojhl-tckojhl `pjtga` ge rjim skgbs. Igabjh`d wjtm

    cweuk lrcd`s, purpgs`euk ecjkur`s jh spgrt chd tm` wcy m` bgcsts cbgut wctimjhl c ajhjaua ge

    sjx mgurs ge t`k`vjsjgh `v ry dcy, jts djeejiukt hgt tg pjh tmct crim`typ` gh mja.

    Tmjs jhsukt m` wcv`s gee, surprjsjhl bgtm R`h`` chd a` cs w` bgtm ighsjd`r mja c

    spgjkt brct wjtm `v`rytmjhl mchd`d tg mja gh c sjkv`r pkctt`r. H`jtm`r djd J, cr` mjs sjapk`wgrds.

    Jt dg`sht tco`c l`hjus tg hgtji` tmct gv`rm`cd ikgud gh tgp ge R`h``s m`cd. Fust kjo`

    mgw jts gbvjgus, wjtmgut Y`bcstjch `v`r scyjhl agr` tmch tmr`` wgrds, tmct tm`r`s c d``p`r

    a`chjhl tg tmct stct`a`ht. Tm`r` js sga`tmjhl m`s o``pjhl s`ir`t.

    Imggs` c p`rsgh tg b` c m`rg chd c p`rsgh tg b` c vjkkcjh, Ars L`rtrud` scys,

    lrjhhjhl. Tmjs js lgjhl tg b` cw`sga`. Tm`h sm` turhs tg us, tm` ghky trjg jh c rgga-eukk ge

    pcjrs, chd wjtm c ecdjhl sajk` sm` scys, Gh` ge ygukk b` tm` vjkkcjh, chgtm`r gh` c m`rg chd

    w`kk mcv` sga`gh` wmgs h`utrck.

    Tm` egur ge us ohgw jtkk kggo pctm`tji, ir`ctjhl c pkcy wjtm c h`utrck p`rsgh jh jt cs

    tm`ykk mcv` hg sjlhjejicht p`rsghckjty gr imcrcit`r. Z`t, w` dght vgji` tmjs ckgud.

    Jkk b` tm` m`rg, scys R`h``.

    Hg, J wjkk! Y`bcstjch jht`rrupts. Tm`h m` pgjhts tg tm` bggo. \mg`v`rs mgkdjhl tm`

    bggo l`ts tg d`ijd` ejrst.

    But tmcts hgt ecjr!

    Kje` jsht ecjr. Sugtjhl Cttjius Ejhim djr`itky,'Tm`yr` ulky, but tmgs` cr` tm` ecits ge

    Jh tmct spkjt-s`ighd, wm`r` Y`bcstjch js tgg busy qugtjhl pg`tji kjt`rctur` chd

    pr`t`hdjhl tg b` c kgt sacrt`r tmch mjs icpcbjkjtj`s, R`h`` lrcbs tm` bggo. Gm kggo. Lu`ss J

    l`t tg d`ijd` ejrst.

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    Y`bcstjchs eci` turhs c dchl`rgus smcd` ge r`d. J lukp. M` chd R`h`` cr`ht tgg ecr

    cpcrt? tm`y mcv` prjd` wmjim js tgg `csjky d`strgy`d. H`jtm`r ge tm`a cr` `v`r r`cdy tg ljv` up

    tm`jr djlhjty. Hgt egr chgtm`r p`rsgh. Chd tm` ecit tmct R`h``s c ljrk wght stgp Y`bcstjch

    erga b`ctjhl m`r up s`hs`k`ss.

    D`ijdjhl tm` icrp`t js tgg hji` tg b` rujh`d wjtm bkggd-stcjhs s`rjgusky, tmcts tm` ghky

    r`csgh J wjkk `v`r gbf`it tg c w`kk-d`s`rv`d d`agkjtjgh ge R`h``s hgh-`xjst`ht brcjhssg J st`p

    jh. M`y, m`y. Bgtm ge ygu icka ygur ecras. Mgw bgutJ b` tm` m`rg7 Gocy7 Z`cm7 Zgu tgg

    cr` tcojhl tmjs wcy tgg s`rjgusky. \` wght `v`h b` jh tm`s` lrgups tgagrrgw.

    Tm`y bgtm stcr` ct a`. Tm`h Y`bcstjch sjlms, stctjhl sga`tmjhl cbgut hgt ajhdjhl

    wmjim`v`r imcrcit`rs k`et, k`t jt b` h`utrck gr vjkkcjh.

    \` dght mcv` ecras, R`h`` shcps, turhjhl m`r bcio tg a`.

    Ja tgg caus`d tg b` chlry. Ym` fust mcs tg mcv` tm` kcst wgrd. Ay mchd tjlmt`hs

    crguhd ay lr`y-kjd p`hijk, tmgulmts rcijhl erga gh` sjd` tg ay brcjh tg tm` gtm`r. J wghd`r

    wmct jtd b` kjo`, wrjtjhl c stgry wm`r` tm` R`h``s tm` acjh imcrcit`r. Acyb` sga`tmjhl

    subtk`. Hgt sga`tmjhl tgg m`cvy, but fust `hgulm tg murt m`r egr tm` uhickk`d egr wcy sm`s

    tr`ct`d a`.

    Tm`h J k`t lg. Ge tm` p`hijk chd ge tm` p`rjkgus tmgulmts ijriukctjhl ay ajhd. Hg, J

    icht wrjt` mgrrgr stgrj`s chyagr`. Tmct pcrt ge ay kje` js gv`r? J ca c h`w v`rsjgh ge tm` sca`

    p`rsgh hgw. Murtjhl p`gpk` smgukdht b` c d`sjr` chyagr`. J hg kghl`r e``k igap`kk`d.

    Tm` k`ssgh ightjhu`s. \` try pj`ijhl tgl`tm`r c igupk` ge si`h`s jhvgkvjhl c p`re`it

    m`rg chd vjkkcjh. Ikcss ekj`s qujioky.

    But ay ajhd o``ps wchd`rjhl tg tm` ighi`pt ge usjhl c kje`kghl `h`ay cs tm` acjh

    imcrcit`r jh ay h`xt smgrt-stgry, wmjk` cksg ohgwjhl ay d`ijsjghs ich p`rach`htky ckt`r m`r

    kje`.

    \mct je7

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    csdcsdcIMC^T@R TMR@@

    Tm` bkcho pj`i` ge pcp`r sjts gh tm` tcbk`. Hgt tgra`htjhl, tgrturjhl. But tm`

    jhchjact` gbf`it lrjhs ct a`, skyky, ohgwjhl `xcitky mgw auim suee`rjhl J `hdur`. Mgw ich J

    pgssjbky wrjt` c stgry wmjim jsht mgrrgr7

    Ay `htjr` kje`, erga tm` aga`ht Ica`rgh ciijd`htckky smgwics`d c mgrrgr agvj`

    r`vgkv`d crguhd tm` uhcppr`ijct`d l`hr`. @v`h ay @hlkjsm t`cim`r put c lgkd`h stjio`r gh ay

    wgro bcio jh tmjrd lrcd`. ^`rmcps tmct wcs du` tg jhdjr`it brjb`ry erga ay ectm`r, wmg mcs

    `hgulm pgw`r tg rcjs` m`r mgurky wcl`, but tm` stjio`r ichhgt kj`.

    Yudd`hky lgjhl igkd-smgukd`r tco`s `v`ry jhim ge wjkkpgw`r. Tm` p`h kyjhl h`xt tg tm`

    pj`i` ge bkcho pcp`r, ejkk`d tg tm` tgp wjtm bkcio jho. Je J sirjbbk` dgwh ay tmgulmts, jd`cs,

    ighi`pts, tm`h p`rmcps Jkk stgp e``kjhl sg r`stk`ss. Tmct e``kjhl ge jhschjty wjkk ecd`. Fust ghi` .

    Ghi` agr`.

    C pjitur` ekcsm`s jh ay ajhd. Gh` ge tm` yguhl ljrk gh tm` rgio aguhtcjh, `xp`itjhl

    hgtmjhl agr` tmch c ekjasy, gut-ge-tm`-grdjhcry wcy ge mcvjhl euh. Jt `hd`d jh d`ctm. C

    igjhijd`hi`, sga` p`gpk` acy ikcja, r`lcrdjhl ay mgrrjeji pr`djitjgh ge tm` ciijd`ht. \mct

    Jd scy, mgw`v`r, js tmct tm` wmgk` jhijd`hwcs ay dgjhl.

    \jtmgut c kggo bciowcrds J ohgw tm` t`aptctjgh wjkk swckkgw a` je J dgJ skca tm`

    dggr b`mjhd a`. Tm`h ightjhu` dgwh tm` mckkwcy, cpp`crjhl hgrack wjtm ay strcjlmt pgstur`

    chd kchoy ejlur`, but hgt mjhtjhl ct tm` wjkd prchijhl ge ay m`crt. J ightrgk tm` kjv`s ge p`gpk` J

    dght ohgw.

    Js jt djsturbjhl tmct ay m`crt dg`sht b`ct jh e`cr, but rctm`r, sga`tmjhl `ks`7 C strchl`

    sgrt ge `xijt`a`ht. Jt puts a` ct uh`cs`, ohgwjhl ay ightrgk dg`sht erjlmt`h a`. Chy gtm`r

    hgrack muach wgukd vchjsm caghl tmjh cjr, ek`` tg chgtm`r iguhtry gr s``o c tm`rcpjst. A`7

    Ja e``kjhl p`re`itky hgrack, kjo` hgtmjhl mcs imchl`d. Ja hgt sicr`d. Hgt ct ckk.

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    Ct br`coecst, J lgbbk` dgwh c lkcss ge grchl` fuji` wjtm c sjd`-pkctt`r ge k`etgv`r imjio`h

    wjhls. Auas tgg busy djsiussjhl busjh`ss gh tm` pmgh` tg sigkd a`. J kjio ay ejhl`rs cet`r tm`

    a`ck, ay stgacim e``kjhl hgtji`cbky m`cvj`r, chd b`ljh tg sgrt gut ay cssjlha`hts chd `xca

    tja`tcbk`.

    Kjkcm, J jacljh`, acy hgt iga` tg simggk egr c wmjk`. Tm` eku J lcv` m`r wcs pcrtjiukcrky

    strghl chd ohgio`d ckk tm` `h`rly gut ge m`r. J e``k c kjttk` lujkty. Ct tm` sca` tja`, J ca prgud

    ge ay ciigapkjsma`ht. Ay b`st erj`hd hgw mcs tm` b`st gppgrtuhjty tg study b`egr` dgjhl m`r

    `xcas? jts sg wgrtm c igupk` ge djrty tjssu`s chd c mjlm t`ap`rctur`.

    Ay kjttk` sjst`r, Chhj`, `ht`rs tm` ojtim`h wjtm c mul` lrjh. Lu`ss wmct, T`ssc7 J wgh c

    ight`st! Er`` yglmurt, sm` scys, r`cdjhl tm` hutrjtjgh kcb`k wjtm cpprgvck. M`r squcr`-erca`d

    lkcss`s skjp dgwh m`r hgs`, chd sm` pukks tm`a bcio up. Chd ghky s`v`hty-tmr`` ickgrj`s, tgg.

    J rgkk ay `y`s. ^`rmcps tmjs jsht tm` b`st sjbkjhl -tg-sjbkjhl jht`rcitjgh, but citjghs kjo`

    tm`s` icht b` m`kp`d. @sp`ijckky wm`h Chhj` wgh c purpk` t`ddy b`cr tmr`` dcys clg, eguhd

    t`h dgkkcrs gh tm` lrguhd tm` dcy b`egr`mchd wcs tm` ajkkjghtm `htrcht jh c kgtt`ry prjz` drcw

    kcst aghtm, r`suktjhl jh r`i`jv` tw`hty-ejv` dgkkcrs.

    Kuio egkkgws m`r crguhd kjo` c sackk, m`kpk`ss puppy. Jts sjio`hjhl.

    Chh, ygur`wcy tgg yguhl tg wgrry cbgut ygur w`jlmt.

    Ym` `y`s tm` `apty imjio`h bgh`s jh erght ge a`. Tm`h purs`s m`r tmjh kjps. Tmcts

    egur-muhdr`d ickgrj`s. Rjlmt tm`r`. \mct js wrghl wjtm ygu7

    D`kjb`rct`ky, J m`cd tgwcrds tm` erjdl`, swjhljhl tm` dggr gp`h chd e`cstjhl gh c pj`i`

    ge brgo`h imgigkct`. J im`w wjtm ch gp`h agutm, ckkgwjhl tm` stjioy ajxtur` tg igct ay t``tm

    jh c r`puksjv` wcy. Chhj` l`ts tm` r`citjgh J `xp`it, cs sm` stcll`rs m`r sojhhy k`ls tg tm`

    ojtim`h tcbk` chd burj`s m`r m`cd dgwh.

    Lrgss, sm` igapkcjhs, bchljhl m`r ejsts gh tm` tcbk`. Fust wm`h Ja cbgut tg sajk`

    lrcijgusky, chgtm`r irja` igaajtt`d, Chhj` cdds, Tmcts, kjo`, twg -muhdr`d ickgrj`s. Rjlmt

    tm`r`.

    Chd tm` trjuapm ecd`s. J sjlm. @v`h wm`h J wjh tmjs, wjtm ay sjst`r, js tg djslust m`r

    b`yghd wgrds tm` kjttk` rcsick ckwcys ejhds c wcy tg wjh. Je jtd b``h chygh` but m`r, tmjs

    wgukd b` ch cdajrcbk` trcjt.

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    33 R`csghs \my J (Y`bcstjch Lrjeejh) Ymgukd B` Tm` M`rg. J aco` c eci` ct tm` tjtk`. Tmct

    eci` o``ps `xpchdjhl, d`pjitjhl agr` djsb`kj`e cs J soja tmrgulm tm` tmr``-pcl`d, sackk-eght

    sirjpt. R`csghs rchljhl erga mjs dcsmjhlky lggd kggos wmjim J strghlky djsclr`` wjtm, cs mjs

    dcro iurks cr` sg tmjh m`s ckagst bckdtg tm` pjtjeuk r`csghjhl b`mjhd mjs pcr`hts djvgri` chd

    mgw m`s h`v`r b``h tm` sca`.

    Jh ckk mgh`sty, J mcv` hg jd`c mgw tmjs r`kct`s tg mja b`jhl c m`rg. @cim ecit l`ts

    wgrs` chd wgrs`, cddjhl c kjttk` bjt ge `htjr`ky ajsuhd`rstggd sykkgljsas djd ygu ohgw agsqujtgs

    cr` cttrcit`d tg tm` igkgur bku`7 J mcv` bku` `y`s. Tm`r`egr`, J smgukd b` c m`rgtg tm` cweuk

    puhs suim cs J kjo` ygur mcjr gh ygur bcd mcjr dcys. Zgu ajlmt `v`h ickk a` c mcjr-g.

    Jts sg qujroy, strchl`ky jacljhctjv` chd dgh` jh c sackk caguht ge tja`, J mcv` tg

    sajk`. Chd cdajr` jt c kjttk` bjt. But tm`h tm` sajk` vchjsm`s, cs J r`a`ab`r mgw Y`bcstjch mcs

    dgh` tmjs ckk jh c hjlmt. Mjs `htjr` hjlmt wcs d`djict`d tg sga`tmjhl sg utt`rky stupjd.

    Zgu ohgw mgw ygu w`r` c kjttk` s`ke-ighsijgus b`egr`7

    M` smruls. Tm` lrjh gh mjs agutm smgws jts ckk c fgo`. Z`t, J e``k cs je m`s tm` gh`

    rjdjiuk`d cs tm` caguht sp`ht gh tmjs kjst wcs wcst`d. Igapk`t`ky chd utt`rky wcst`d.

    J smgv` tm` pcp`rs jh mjs mchds. ^k`cs` ightjhu` e``kjhl wgrtmk`ss. Zgu d`s`rv` jt.

    Zgur` mgrrjbk`. Chd mcv` c m`crt ge ji`, m` ickks cet`r a`, but J dght turh crguhd.

    Jv` b``h ickk`d wgrs`. Chd `v`h tm`h, jt djdht murt. Egr sga` r`csgh, wgrds mgh`stky

    icht murt a`. Hgt kjo` ohjv`s gr sjkv`r bukk`ts. Gr sacsm`d lkcss jhf`itjhl jhtg ay sojh ct suim

    c tchtckjzjhl sp``d, J b`iga` uhighsijgus. Tmcts wmct r`ck pcjh js. \mct cr` wgrds jh

    igapcrjsgh7

    J dght stct` tmjs jh @hlkjsm, tmgulm, wm`h gur tgpji ge djsiussjgh js gur eutur` lgcks.

    J wcht tg b` c mgrrgr wrjt`r, J scy, chd hgbgdy kggos surprjs`d.

    Dght wgrry, R`h`` sh``rs. Zgu ckr`cdy mcv` tm` kggo egr jt.

    J lkchi` ct Y`bcstjch, wmg's busjky jhdukljhl jh chgtm`r bggo. Hgbgdy iga`s tg ay

    d`e`hi`. Tmjs J dght ajhd, but wmct wgrrj`s a` js mgw `v`rybgdy js clcjhst a`. Jt e``ks kjo`

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    sga` uhspgo`h ruk`. \mct dg`sht bgtm`r a` jsht tm` jsgkctjgh, but ay kcio ge ohgwk`dl`

    b`mjhd ay citjghs wmjim icus`d jt.

    Tm`h ay kjps iurv` jhtg c sajk`. Acyb` je J l`t c p`h chd pcp`r, Jkk fust r`wrjt` ay

    `htjr` kje`. Aco` ckk tmgs` surrguhdjhl a` jhe`rjgr by d`agkjsmjhl tm`jr ajhjctur` brcjhs chd

    lgbbkjhl tm`a, ek`sm chd `y`bckks. Ppgh r`ckjsjhl ay agrbjd echtcsj`s cr` icusjhl a` tg ik`him

    ay ejst, J r`k`cs` jt, c kjttk` dcz`d.

    Y`bcstjch puts mjs bggo dgwh. R`h``, dght ygu tmjho tmjs js euhhy7 M` mchds m`r

    tm` tmr`` pcl`s ge r`csghs ljv`h tg a` b`egr`.

    Ym` lrjhs. Zgu wrgt` tm`s`7

    Yur` djd.

    Tm`yr` ojhdc cw`sga`.

    J ohgw.

    J rgkk ay `y`s. Dg ygu mcv` c pgjht7

    T`ssc djdht kjo` tm`a, Y`bcstjch scys, hgt bgtm`rjhl tg kggo jh ay djr`itjgh. C skjlmt

    lrjaci` gv rtco`s mjs eci`, cs je scyjhl, \mct cr` w` lghhc dg wjtm m`r7

    Ym` h`v`r kjo`s chytmjhl hgrack, R`h`` autt`rs.

    Ja stjkk m`r`, J jht`rf`it. Tm`y bgtm turh tg a`, ecijck `xpr`ssjghs uhimchl`d.

    \mct7

    Hgtmjhl, tm`y scy jh uhjsgh, brjlmt pmgh`y sajk`s gh tm`jr eci`s.

    J ich sce`ky stct` tmct wmct`v`r ighv`rsctjgh `ximchl`d b`tw``h tmgs` twg js uhohgwh

    tg a`. Acyb` jts b`st je J dght ohgw. Hg, J icht ighvjhi` ays`ke ge tmjs. J h``d tg ohgw.

    Iurjgsjty bgjks jh ay stgacim, r`cdy tg skcsm gut chd d`strgy `v`rytmjhl jh jts pctm. Fust kjo`

    tm` iut` kjttk` ljhl`r ojtt`h jt cttcio`d.

    But J acjhtcjh c sajk`. Gr sga`tmjhl r`s`abkjhl jt, chywcy. Tm` k`ssghs ekj`s by

    wjtmgut chy acfgr djsruptjghs uhtjk, ejhckky, tm` b`kk rjhls. @v`rybgdy rusm`s gut ge tm`

    ikcssrgga kjo` trceeji jh tm` ijty. Y`bcstjch chd R`h``, mgw`v`r, tco` tm`jr tja` `xjtjhl.

    H`jtm`r ge tm`a hgtji` Ja trcjkjhl b`mjhd tm`a.

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    Ym`s r`ckky w`jrd, R`h`` scys cs tm`y st`p jhtg tm` mckkwcy. Hgt tmct Jv` `v`r a`t c

    hgrack p`rsgh, but sm`s sg

    Djee`r`ht.

    J wcs lgjhl tg scy strchl`. Ym` shgrts. \mg wchts tg b` c mgrrgr wrjt`r, chywcy7

    Y`bcstjch dg`sht scy chytmjhl. M` o``ps wckojhl. Chd fust wm`h J tmjho tm`

    ighv`rsctjgh mcs `hd`d, tmct m` wght ightrjbut` chytmjhl agr`, mjs wgrds er``z` a`6

    Yga`bgdy wjtm c pcst kjo` m`rs.

    Tm`y o``p wckojhl. J ca k`et b`mjhd, sueegict`d wjtm igheusjgh.

    WWWWW

    C/H6 Ay wrjtjhl's c kjttk` rusty hgw? sgrry egr tmct. Yimggk, J sw`cr, wjkk b` tm` d`ctm a` (chd ay

    wrjtjhl)

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    csdcsdcIMC^T@R EGPR

    \mct gh @crtm js Y`bcstjch tckojhl cbgut7 Tmjs tmgulmt ijriukct`s ay ajhd tmrgulm

    r`p`tjtjv` agtjghs uhtjk J ejhckky kgl ghtg ay igaput`r, r`cdy tg jhv`stjlct` ay pcst. J lrjaci`.

    Psuckky, tm`s` egras ge prjvciy jhtrusjgh cr` cppkjicbk` wm`h Ja tryjhl tg ejhd gut cbgut

    sga`gh` `ks`. But wmct je tm` p`rsgh J k`cst ohgw jh tm` wgrkd jsht c strchl`r gr ch

    ciqucjhtchi`7

    \mct je jts a`7

    Tm` kjbrcrjch strgkkjhl erga cjsk` tg cjsk` ljv`s a` c qujio tmuabs up, mcppy tg s``

    p`gpk` studyjhl. Acyb` je sm` oh`w cbgut ay jhv`stjlctjgh, sm` wgukdht b` sg tmrjkk`d. J

    ightjhu` typjhl jhtg tm` igaput`r, chd wjtm c lkchi` gv`r ay smgukd`r, J aco` sur` tm`r`s hg -

    gh` b`mjhd a`.

    Mcwtmgrh` ecajky J typ` jh. \m`h c wmgk` kjst ge l`h`rji r`sukts iga`s up, jhikudjhl

    tmgs` ge i`k`brjtj`s, J ikcrjey jt tg ay tgwh hca`. Tm`h wjtm c d``p br`ctm, J jhsp`it tg tm`

    r`sukts.

    Mcke ge tm`a b`kghl tg gtm`rs p`gpk` J mcv` hg ohgwk`dl` gebut gtm`rs b`kghl tg

    tm` Mcwtmgrh` hca`. Ckk ge tm` sjt` r`sukts b`kghl tg ay ectm`r pgsjhl jh vcrjgus egras ge

    pgsjtjv` wcys. Yga` ge tm`a, m`s mgkdjhl tm` bcby chd lrjhhjhl wjd`ky ct tm` ica`rc, chd jh

    gtm`rs, m` mcs tm` lrgga`d eci`, p`re`it uprjlmt pgstur` chd d`achdjhl y`t w`kigajhl mchd

    l`stur`s.

    J rgkk ay `y`s ct tm` h`xt bchh`r. Ugt` egr Tja Mcwtmgrh` egr Acygr? m` ich imchl` tm`

    tgwh.Cs J lr`w up wctimjhl ay ectm`rs citjghs chd cbjkjtj`s, J ohgw egr c ecit m` icht `v`h

    imchl` ay cttjtud`, k`t ckgh` ch `htjr` tgwh. M`s ckwcys ickk`d a` strchl` b`mjhd ay bcio,

    trj`d tg `hegri` puhjsma`hts wjtm hg r`sukt chd, cet`r tcojhl ciiguht ckk mjs ecjkur`s, fust k`et

    a` ckgh`. Phegrtuhct`ky, jt tco`s c kgt agr` tmch hg t`k`vjsjgh egr c aghtm tg stgp a` erga

    r`cdjhl mgrrgr hgv`ks.

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    \m`h djd J kcst s`` mja7 J dght ohgw. M`s ckwcys gut tryjhl tg prgagt` mjs icapcjlh.

    Chd wm`h m`s hgt dgjhl tmct, m`s mjttjhl tm` pubs jh tm` ijty, igapk`t`ky h`lk`itjhl mjs

    ecajky. Je m` r`a`ab`rs us ct ckk, tmct js. Mjs vjsjts cr` ckwcys spgrcdji, chd tm` acfgrjty ge

    tm`a cr` sm``pjsm, d`a`chjhl vjsjts wm`r` m` r`qu`sts agh`y tg ightjhu` mjs icapcjlh.

    Tm`h m` k`cv`s. Hgt b`egr` ljvjhl a` chd Chhj` c wcry pct gh tm` m`cd, cs je

    susp`itjhl w`r` mjs ecajky gr hgt. M` usuckky djscpp`crs b`egr` J r`spghd, jhdjlhchtky tg tm`

    uhcso`d qu`stjgh, tmct J tgg qu`stjgh mjs pkci` jh tm` ecajky. Tmct J mct` ay agtm`r egr ckwcys

    mchdjhl gv`r agh`y, mcrd-`crh`d agh`y ct t`h dgkkcrs ch mgur erga iguhs`kkjhl, chd m`

    k`cv`s wjtmgut c wgrd. M` dg`sht mcv` tg scy chytmjhl agr`.

    Jts ygu, R`h`` scys, spgttjhl a` erga cecr.

    Cs icr`eukky cs pgssjbk`, J ikgs` tm` brgws`r sir``h, iursjhl ays`ke egr hgt ikgsjhl jt

    `crkj`r. Z`cm, jts a`. Chy r`csgh ygur` m`r`7

    Ym` hcrrgws m`r `y`s. Dg ygu mcv` c prgbk`a7

    Hgrackky, J wgukdv` k`t m`r spjt gut v`hga. R`h``, erga prjgr ohgwk`dl`, dg`sht

    mcv` tm` `csj`st kje`. Cppcr`htky m`r ectm`r chd lrchdagtm`r dj`d wjtmjh c spch ge gh` w``o.

    Ym`s ckwcys b``h bjtt`r chd uhh`i`sscrjky uherj`hdky b`egr`, but jts hgtmjhl igapcr`d tg tm`

    dcll`rs sm` smggts a` hgw.

    But tgdcy, cs bjtt`r cs sm` js, J scy, Z`cm, J dg. Cs jt turhs gut , ygu ohgw agr` cbgut

    a` tmch J dg.

    Tm`r`. Jv` scjd jt. Chd, fust cs J susp`it`d, sm` d`hj`s tmjs. \mct cr` ygu tckojhl

    cbgut7

    Dght pkcy duab, J scy, ay vgji` rjsjhl. Tm` kjbrcrjch, wmg wcs sg im``ry wjtm a`

    studyjhl, hgw sigwks. J kgw`r tm` vgkua` ge ay vgji`. \` bgtm ohgw Y`bcstjchs scjd

    sga`tmjhl tg ygu. Hgw, ckk Ja csojhl js wmct ygu ohgw.

    Y`bcstjch7 Cr` ygu ojddjhl a`7 Jv` h`v`r tcko`d tg tmct luy b`sjd`s @hlkjsm, chd J

    dght pkch gh jt. @v`r.

    J smrul, tryjhl hgt tg smgw tm` wrctm bgjkjhl jht`rhckky. Mcv` jt ygur wcy, tm`h, J

    wmjsp`r, gajhgusky. Fust dght b` surprjs`d je sga`tmjhl bcd mcpp`hs tg ygu

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    Cr` ygu tmr`ct`hjhl a`7 sm` scys, m`r `y`s ekcsmjhl wjtm chl`r but kjps iurkjhl jhtg ch

    caus`d sajk`. Egr hgt t`kkjhl ygu sga`tmjhl Jdght ohgw7

    Hgt ay `xcit wgrds. Tm` kjbrcrjch smusm`s a`. J stchd tg k`cv`. B`egr` J dg, J k`t ay

    kcst wgrds mchl jh tm` cjr. But je tmcts mgw ygu wchhc s`` jt, tm`h y`cm. Ja tmr`ct`hjhl ygu.

    *

    Durjhl ikcss, tm` t`cim`r ightjhu`s lgjhl tmrgulm tm` rgkk. Ym` d`aghstrct`s igaagh

    ajstco`s p`gpk` aco` jh @hlkjsm chd csos a`chjhleuk qu`stjghs. Gr sga`tmjhl kjo` tmct. J

    dght ohgw, b`icus` Ja tgg busy lkcrjhl ct Y`bcstjch jh erght ge a`.

    Mjs a`ssy schdy mcjr kggos djrtj`r, kjo` jt mcsht b``h wcsm`d. J a co` c eci`. Ge igurs`

    mjs uho`apt-s`ke djsr`lcrds tm` h``d tg wcsm mcjr m`s c bgy, cet`r ckk. Chd wctimjhl mja bury

    mjs eci` jh Tm` Ictim`r Jh tm` Ry` aco`s a` r`ckjs` m`s cksg c bggowgra hg h``d egr mylj`h`

    wm`h imcrcit`rs cr` zggajhl crguhd kjo` c vciuua ik`ch`r.

    Jts ghky wm`h gr t`cim`r csos us tg l`t jhtg lrgups dg J stchd up. Chd strjd` strcjlmt

    gv`r tg Y`bcstjch, wmg dg`sht hgtji` ay pgw`reuk pcijhl.

    M` fuaps c kjttk` wm`h J scy, J ohgw wmct ygu scjd y`st`rdcy.

    Ikgsjhl tm` bggo, cddjhl c bggoacro jh tm` imgs`h pcl`, m` skgwky kjets mjs `y`s tg a`.

    Mjs `y`s ekjtt`r dgwhwcrds c kjttk`, cs je Ja sga` sgrt ge jab`ijk` m` icht bgtm`r wjtm. \mct

    dg ygu wcht7

    J ohgw wmct ygu scjd cbgut a`. Tg R`h``.

    J dght tcko tg R`h``.

    Tm` saul, ygu cr` tm` irczy gh` kggo ckagst aco`s a` puhim mja strcjlmt jh tm`

    eci`. But J stgp ays`ke. Cet`r ckk, J mcv` ay p`h egr tmjhls kjo` tmct. \my rjso l`ttjhl jhtg

    trgubk` wm`h tm` sca` r`sukt ich mcpp`h, but chghyagusky7 Hgbgdy ich trci` c sudd`h truio

    ruhhjhl Y`bcstjch gv`r bcio tg a`. Jts sjapky jkkgljick.

    Tmct js, uhk`ss sga`gh` js tg p``o ct ay hgt`bggo chd ejhd c pctt`rh. Jhstjhitjv`ky, ay

    mchd lkjd`s gv`r tg tm` pgio`t ge ay sojrt, sga`mgw r`kj`v`d ct tm` pr`s`hi` ge tm` bggo. Ay

    s`ir`t js sce`. Egr hgw, chywcy.

    Tmcts wmct R`h`` scjd, J r`pky. But ygu djd y`st`rdcy. J ohgw jt. J ohgw ygu.

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    Yjajkcr tg R`h``s citjghs pr`vjgusky tgdcy, mjs `y`s hcrrgw. Jhtg sackk, ciiusjhl skjts.

    Zgu dght ohgw a`. Tm`h, imchljhl tm` subf`it erga tm` ik`crky tguimy gh`, m` cdds, \my

    dg ygu icr` je J djd, chywcy7

    Tm`r`s c kggo m` ljv`s a`. Hgtmjhl cbgut tm` wgrds tm`as`kv`s, but tm` wcy tm`yr`

    scjd, tm` wcy mjs ecijck `xpr`ssjghs cr` pubkjijs`d. J ich t`kk je ygur` kyjhl.Jt smgukdht actt`r.

    @v`h je J dg kj` tg mja, m` icht egri` a` tg ciohgwk`dl` tm` trutm. Acyb` m` ohgws b`jhl

    mgh`st jsht gh` ge ay o`y trcjts, b`icus` tm` `xpr`ssjgh jht`hsjej`s.

    Phtjk J ejhckky ljv` jh tg tm` stcr`. B`icus` J icht stchd sga`gh` `ks` ohgwjhl a`

    b`tt`r tmch J dg.

    Tg ay cstghjsma`ht, m` kculms. Gm, w` ohgw gurs`kv`s tm` k`cst. Zgu ohgw tmctrjlmt7 Ja tgg stuhh`d tg r`spghd tg tmct stct`a`ht. Tcojhl ay chsw`r cs c hg, m`

    ightjhu`s, J stjkk dght ohgw wmct ygur` tckojhl cbgut. But tm` hgtjgh w`r` e`d, tm` jd`c tmct

    w`r` tm` gh`s wmg ohgws gurs`kv`s b`st, js igapk`t`ky ecks`. \`r` strchl`rs. \` ejhd gut h`w

    tmjhls `v`ry dcy.

    Zgu smgukd stgp r`cdjhl. Jts a`ssjhl up ygur brcjh.

    Tm` wmgk` ikcss js `hlcl`d jh c djsiussjgh caghlst tm`as`kv`s. @v`h gur @hlkjsm

    t`cim`r js gh m`r e``t, m`kpjhl c igupk` ge pupjks wjtm tm`jr `sscy. Jh smgrt, hgbgdy hgtji`s tm`

    ighv`rsctjgh b`tw``h twg p`gpk` wmg smgukdht b` tckojhl. Acyb` b`icus` w`r` sg djee`r`ht.

    Gr acyb` b`icus` w`r` wcy tgg sjajkcr? agr` tmch Jd kjo` tg cdajt.

    Acyb` ygu ich stgp mcrcssjhl a` egr sga`tmjhl J djdht dg7

    Hgt b`egr` ygu cdajt ygu ohgw sga`tmjhl cbgut a` J dght.

    Gm7 \`r` pkcyjhl tmjs lca` hgw7 J ohgw`v`rytmjhl tmct ygu dght. \m`r` dg ygu

    wcht a` tg stcrt7

    T`kk a` cbgut ay pcst, tm`h.

    J tgkd ygu, J dghtohgw.

    Kjcr.

    M` smruls. Tm`h m` r`gp`hs mjs bggo, chl`rjhl a` wjtm tm` icsuckh`ss ge mjs ejhl`rs cs

    m` ightjhu`s r`cdjhl, cs je gur `htjr` ighv`rsctjgh djdht mcpp`h. Chl`r crjs`s agr` strghlky

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    wm`h m` kjios tm` pcl`, r`cdy tg m`cd tg tm` h`xt gh`. Tm` ikcssrgga crguhd a`, stjkk

    drgwhjhl jh imctt`r, wgukd h`v`r ohgw ge tmjs ighv`rsctjgh.

    Tg tm`a, Y`bcstjch chd J cr`ht tckojhl. Gur ighv`rsctjgh h`v`r mcpp`h`d. Fust kjo` ay

    pcst. But J ohgw c kjttk` tgg w`kktm` djee`r`hi` b`tw``h r`ckjty chd ejitjgh. Tm`yr` hgt tm`

    vjitja? J ca. Ge kgsjhl ays`ke jh c wgrkd wm`r` Ja k`et jh tm` dcro, sga`wm`r` J ca

    ighsjd`r`d strchl` chd, qujt` erchoky, uhwcht`d.

    \jtm c bgw`d m`cd chd ik`him`d mchd, J skuap gv`r tg ay d`so. Ay `y` ictim`s gh tm`

    wctim gh Y`bcstjchs mchd, chd egkkgws jt cs m` ekjios tg tm` h`xt pcl`. M` mcs jhsukt`d a`.

    ^`rmcps hgt wjtm wgrds, but wjtm sjk`hi` chd tm` cit ge pr`t`hdjhl hgtmjhl mcs mcpp`h`d.

    Ay mchds eckk gh tm` vjgk`t p`h jh tm` pgio`t ge ay sojrt. Jts strchl`, b`icus` J dghtr`a`ab`r puttjhl jt jh tmjs agrhjhl. Cs ecr cs Ja ighi`rh`d, ghky ay hgt`bggo wcs tm`r`.

    R`lcrdk`ss, Ja tmchoeuk egr sga`tmjhl tg wrjt` wjtm, chd tm` sjhjst`r chd ayst`rjgus vjgk`t

    jhir`cs`s tm` pgsjtjvjty ge ay citjgh.

    Chd J b`ljh ay stgry. Hgt c pcrtjiukcrky jacljhctjv` gh`, cs mgrrgr dgkks cr` c

    pm`hga`hgh caghl dcro agvj`s, but tm` imcrcit`rs cr` vjvjd. Tm`y e``k sg r`ck. Tm`y kggo sg

    r`ck. Acyb` tmjs js b`icus` tm` acjh imcrcit`r, strcjlmt brgwh mcjr chd egr`v`ragr` ergwhjhl,

    ikgs`ky r`s`abk`s sga`gh` jh ay kje`. Yga`gh` wmg dg`sht d`s`rv` igaegrt. K`ts fust ickk m`r

    @h``.

    M`r pcr`hts egri` @h`` tg ik`ch gut tm` cttji. Cet`r auim lruabkjhl chd bcrlcjhjhl,

    sm` kgs`s tm` bcttk`, chd b`ljhs smueekjhl tmrgulm tm` achy bgx`s. Jts ecjr tg scy sm` rusm`s tg

    l`t tm` fgb dgh`, fust tg r`turh tg m`r pr`vjgus `hlcl`a`ht cbsgkut`ky hgtmjhl. Mgw`v`r, c

    sackk, pgri`kcjh m`cd stjiojhl gut erga tm` h`cr`st bgx ictim`s m`r `y`.

    C wcra a`agry. Yuaa`r cet`rhgghs ge kczjh`ss chd irjsp br``z`s. Yurrguhd`d byerj`hds chd ecajky, c pcrtjiukcr cuhty ohgwjhl @h``s s`v`h-y`cr-gkd s`kes kgv` egr dgkks. Tmjs

    b`cutjeuk dgkk, dr`cdkgios saggtm cs sjko chd `y`s bku` cs tm` ik`cr soy, strjo`s c wcv` ge

    hgstckljc. Mgw sjapk` tmgs` dcys s``a`d. Dcys wm`r` sm` mcd purpgs`.

    Ckk tm` wcratm vchjsm`s wm`h tm` dgkk b`ljhs agvjhl. Ykgwky, wjtm m`ety `y`kjds chd jh

    c mjlm, sjhlsghl vgji`, jt scys, Tm`r`s sga`tmjhl ygu smgukd ohgw cbgut tmct hjlmt.

    ^crchgrack tck`s ge c k`l`hd, c wgach wmg wcht`d tg l`t rjd ge c dgkk chd c prgpm`iy.

    \grds cbgut tm` ljet b`jhl hgtmjhl smgrt ge c burd`h chd tmr`cts surrguhdjhl tm` sackk,

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    d`kjict` ejlur`? @h`` ichhgt b`kj`v` wmct sm` js m`crjhl. Jh ecit, tm` wmgk` hgtjgh ge c tckojhl

    dgkk js tm` ejrst iku` tmct, jh ecit, tmjs js c djv`rsjgh erga r`ckjty.

    Je ygu wcht tg k`cv`, @h`` ejhckky scys, m`r mchds smcojhl. \my dght ygu7

    Ja trcpp`d.

    Trcpp`d7 \my icht ygu fust fuap gut ge tm` wjhdgw7

    B`icus` Ja muach. Tm` dgkks `y`s kjlmt up. Tmgs` dr`cdkgios, tmgs` ik`cr `y`s chd

    tm` `htjr` ejlur` turhs jhtg sga`tmjhl ecajkjcr? jhtg sga`gh` ecajkjcr. J ca Y`bcstjch, tm`

    dgkk ejhckky scys, lkcssy `y`s smjhjhl erga bgtm t`crs chd m`kpk`ssh`ss. Chd J ich h`v`r `sicp`.

    ^k`cs`d wjtm ay agst r`i`ht wgro, J cttcim c bggoacro tg tm` h`xt bkcho pcl`. Tm`r`s

    hg ohgwjhl wm`h jhspjrctjgh wjkk strjo`. Ajlmt cs w`kk b` pr`pcr`d egr jt.

    \m`h ay t`cim`r kggos dgwh, cras egkd`d, J swckkgw.

    T`ssc, ich ygu kjst tmr`` imcrcit`r trcjts ge Ar Dcriy7 Cs je tg cdd tg tm` pr`ssur`, sm`

    cksg stct`s, Jv` b``h tckojhl cbgut jt egr tm` kcst gh` mgur. Zgu aust mcv` sga`tmjhl.

    Hgws prgbcbky hgt tm` b`st tja` tg `xpkcjh tmct J mct` Fch` Cust`hs hgv`ks. Jts

    hgtmjhl p`rsghck. But jt wgukdv` b``h c auim b`tt`r `hdjhl je Fch` chd @kjzcb`tm egulmt egr

    Ar Dcriy, chd, drgwh`d by tm`jr bjtt`rsw``t chd uhighdjtjghck kgv`, m` dj`d ge c m`crt cttcio.

    Kjkcm djsclr``s wjtm ay vj`wpgjht egr sga` r`csgh, chd lcv` a` c djrty kggo egr igapk`t`ky

    dcacljhl m`r ecvgurjt` bggo ge ckk tja`.

    Jt s``as J ich h`v`r wjh.

    Ygrry, ajss, J auabk`. Lgt hgtmjhl.

    Y`` a` cet`r ikcss, T`ssc.

    Ikcss ekcsm`s pcst. J try ay b`st tg o``p up. Chd aco` c a`htck hgt` tg r`cd tm` wmgk`

    suaacry ge ^rjd` chd ^r`fudji` egr tm` upigajhl `xca, b`icus` je J sjt dgwh tg `v`h r`cd tm`

    igv`r, Jkk b` bgr`d. \my djdht tm`y cdd sup`rhcturck `k`a`hts jhtg tm` bggo7 Jt wgukdv`

    ighstruit`d c agr` jht`r`stjhl pkgt chd ljv`h gppgrtuhjtj`s egr tm` citjv` jacljhctjgh.

    @v`rybgdy k`cv`s jh erght ge a`. Tm`y tcko, jlhgrjhl ay pr`s`hi` igapk`t`ky. Phtjk J

    ca tm` kcst gh` k`et jh tm` ikcss.

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