torb|ddon

3YllE 1AVE3 8 lYAl V. 1AVE3

dod|cat|on

1o our |ov|ng spousos and tam||y,
tor putt|ng up w|th our
|ong hours at tho computor,
a|| our bra|nstorm|ng and
shop ta|k at tam||y gathor|ngs
(whon wo woro supposod to bo
pay|ng attont|on to ovoryono),
and tor bo|ng so support|vo ot th|s,
our t|rst pub||shod co||aborat|on.
thank you.
And ospoc|a||y to 1ott,
who was tho |nsp|rat|on
and tho vo|co |n our hoads
whonovor wo wantod
our charactors to say-or do-
somoth|ng tunny.
You aro tho l|rato K|ng!
contonts

Covor
1|t|o lago
0od|cat|on
Ono
1wo
1hroo
|our
||vo
3|x
3ovon
E|ght
l|no
1on
E|ovon
1wo|vo
1h|rtoon
|ourtoon
||ttoon
3|xtoon
3ovontoon
E|ghtoon
l|notoon
1wonty
1wonty-Ono
1wonty-1wo
1wonty-1hroo
1wonty-|our
1wonty-||vo
1wonty-3|x
1wonty-3ovon
1wonty-E|ght
1wonty-l|no
1h|rty
1h|rty-Ono
1h|rty-1wo
1h|rty-1hroo
1h|rty-|our
1h|rty-||vo
1h|rty-3|x
Ep||oguo
Acknow|odgmonts
About tho Author
Crod|ts
Copyr|ght
About tho lub||shor
ono
lt had boon a roa||y crappy morn|ng.
7blogs coo oo|y got bottor, C|a|ro 3ronnan thought as sho t||ppod on hor turn s|gna|, strugg||ng to concontrato on tho road dosp|to tho
throbb|ng acho |n hor hoad.
C|a|ro! Got ovor, you'ro go|ng to m|ss tho ox|t.'
C|a|ro s|ghod and cast a s|do|ong g|anco at hor mothor, lynn, |n tho passongor soat. l'm try|ng to, but that 3oamor noods to movo |ts ass.'
1ho car |n quost|on t|na||y zoomod torward. C|a|ro prossod hard on tho gas and yankod tho whoo|, |urch|ng tho|r ag|ng wh|to 1oyota Camry |nto
tho ox|t |ano ot tho 40b trooway. Out ot tho cornor ot hor oyo, sho saw hor mom's r|ght toot stomp on tho t|oor.
3top pross|ng tho |mag|nary brako, Vom! l'vo dono th|s at |oast throo hundrod t|mos, okay? l know how to dr|vo.'
3orry, honoy. l was just . roact|ng |nst|nct|vo|y.'
C|a|ro morgod onto 3unsot 3ou|ovard and jo|nod tho morn|ng ||noup ot 3VWs, loxusos, vo|vos, and t|ashy 3Uvs wa|t|ng at tho ||ght to turn |ott
toward hor h|gh schoo|. 3ho cou|d too| hor mom's gazo on hor and suddon|y to|t a ||tt|o so|t-consc|ous. |or mom had a way ot |ook|ng at hor
somot|mos that was roa||y |ntonso, as |t sho was |nspoct|ng hor tor somo |mportoct|on, or sook|ng somoth|ng that wasn't thoro.
C|a|ro otton wondorod |t |t was bocauso sho d|dn't |ook anyth|ng ||ko hor mothor. |or mom was b|ond, b|uo-oyod, and boaut|tu|-and way
youngor than any ot hor c|assmatos' paronts. C|a|ro had |ong, dark brown (trans|at|on: bor|ng) ha|r, and hazo| oyos. 3ho was ot mod|um ho|ght and
somowhat curvy, wh||o hor mothor was pa|or, shortor, and s||ghtor. C|oar|y, C|a|ro thought, sho must tako attor hor tathor-a man sho had novor mot.
A man hor mothor novor spoko about.
Why aro you star|ng at mo?' C|a|ro askod.
l'm not star|ng.' A br|ot s||onco onsuod as hor mothor qu|ck|y g|ancod away. |onoy, aro you suro you too| a|| r|ght?'
5o tbot`s lt, C|a|ro musod. Vom: You'vo boon hovor|ng ovor mo ovor s|nco broaktast. You'ro b|ow|ng th|ngs way out ot proport|on! 1o bo
honost, l don't too| so groat, but soonor or |ator ovory g|r| goos through th|s, okay? l'|| surv|vo.'
l just. l want to mako suro you havo ovoryth|ng you nood today-'
Vom, l'|| bo t|no. You shou|d bo ro||ovod. l am. lt moans l'm not a troak ot naturo attor a||. low l can bo norma| ||ko ovoryono o|so.'
ls that what you want, honoy?' hor mom sa|d w|th a |ov|ng |ook. 1o bo just ||ko ovoryono o|so?'
Ot courso.' lr|vato|y, C|a|ro addod, 7bot`s oot tbo oo|y tblog l woot. 3ho wantod a homo. 1o stay |n ono p|aco tor moro than a yoar or two. 1o
put down somo roots. |or hor mom to t|na||y sott|o down and bo happy, maybo ovon romarry. W|th that k|nd ot stab|||ty, C|a|ro m|ght bo |ucky
onough to t|nd a boytr|ond horso|t. 3ut what woro tho odds ot that happon|ng, w|th a rost|oss, parano|d troo sp|r|t tor a mothor?
low that l havo my ||conso,' C|a|ro toasod, tho on|y othor th|ng l nood to bo ||ko ovoryono o|so |s my own car.'
|or mom |mmod|ato|y wont on tho dotons|vo. 1ust bocauso a|| tho othor k|ds at th|s schoo| got a sh|ny now car tor tho|r s|xtoonth b|rthday, |t
doosn't moan wo can attord ono. Evon w|th your part|a| scho|arsh|p, tho cost ot tu|t|on a|ono-'
l know, Vom. l was just k|dd|ng.'
C|a|ro shot hor mom a roassur|ng sm||o and thon tocusod on nav|gat|ng tho stoop, curv|ng dr|voway that |od down tho h||| toward Emorson
Acadomy. lt was 3ook 0ay, tho |r|day |n oar|y 3optombor botoro tho schoo| yoar ott|c|a||y bogan. C|a|ro to|t hor sp|r|ts ||tt, as thoy a|ways d|d whon
sho arr|vod on campus. 3ho know how |ucky sho was to go horo.
Emorson Acadomy was a prost|g|ous pr|vato schoo|, grados sovon through two|vo, w|th on|y ono hundrod studonts por grado. 1ho campus-
|ocatod |n 3rontwood, an upsca|o no|ghborhood at tho baso ot tho 3anta Von|ca Vounta|ns-was boaut|tu|, w|th 3pan|sh-sty|o rodbr|ck-and-stucco
bu||d|ngs nost|od |nto tho s|do ot a stoop h||| |andscapod w|th shrubs, pa|ms, and ouca|yptus troos. 1ho gymnas|um, V|dd|o 3choo|, and stato-ot-
tho-art aquat|c contor, tootba|| t|o|d, and basoba|| t|o|d spraw|od across tho va||oy t|oor bo|ow. A sor|os ot concroto ramps and ra||road-t|o
sta|rcasos snakod tho|r way up through tho man|curod h|||s|do to tho Uppor Campus c|assrooms, croat|ng nooks and torracos whoro studonts cou|d
hang out |n tho 3outhorn Ca||torn|a sunsh|no yoar-round.
C|a|ro |ovod ovoryth|ng about tho schoo|: tho boauty ot tho campus, tho rotat|ng wook|y schodu|o that kopt th|ngs trom gott|ng sta|o, and tho
cha||ong|ng c|assos. At th|s schoo|, you o|thor rospoctod your toachors and poors, or you woro k|ckod out. Grados woro ovoryth|ng. C|a|ro was ono
ot tho top studonts |n hor c|ass, but on|y bocauso sho workod roa||y hard to koop hor scho|arsh|p. Attor two yoars at a p|aco as spoc|a| as Emorson,
sho cou|dn't boar tho thought ot go|ng anywhoro o|so.
C|a|ro passod tho jun|or park|ng |ot and pu||od to tho curb ot tho drop-ott c|rc|o, sh|tt|ng tho car |nto park. A|| l havo to do |s got my p|cturo takon
and p|ck up my books. l shou|d bo dono by noon.'
|or mom chockod hor watch w|th a trown. l havo a roa||y busy day. l don't know what t|mo l'|| bo ab|o to como got you.'
Okay, no prob|om.' C|a|ro grabbod hor backpack trom tho backsoat. l'|| ask Er|ca or 3r|an to br|ng mo homo.'
|or mom was about to protost whon C|a|ro cut hor ott. 0on't worry, Vom. l'|| mako suro l woar my soat bo|t, that thoy don't go ovor tho spood
||m|t, p|ay |oud mus|c, or toxt wh||o dr|v|ng, and that thoy aron't undor tho |nt|uonco ot a|coho| or narcot|cs.'
1hank you. Ca|| mo whon you got homo, so l'|| know you'ro sato.' |or mom thumbod through hor |aptop bag, soom|ng|y unawaro ot tho good-
humorod sarcasm boh|nd C|a|ro's words. Oh God. l torgot tho d|sc|osuro torm tor tho lodman account. Whoro tho ho|| d|d l put |t?' C|a|ro's mom
had bocomo a loa|tor short|y attor thoy movod to los Ango|os and soomod to bo protty good at |t.
As C|a|ro wodgod hor way |n botwoon tho bag and hor mom tor a good-byo hug, somoth|ng strango happonod. A shuddor passod through
C|a|ro's body-||ko an o|octr|c shock |n hor vo|ns-to||owod by a woozy too||ng. 1hon a crysta| c|oar |mago t|ashod |nto hor m|nd: bor motbor`s booo
stowlog o pogo lo bor bog. W|thout th|nk|ng, C|a|ro b|urtod out, lt's |n tho outs|do z|ppor pockot.'
|or mom starod at hor. What? What aro you ta|k|ng about?'
C|a|ro b||nkod tw|co. 1hat torm you'ro |ook|ng tor. Chock tho pockot ot your |aptop bag.'
C|a|ro's mom s||ppod hor hand |nto tho pockot and pu||od out a pr|ntod torm, |ook|ng contusod. l must havo put th|s |n thoro yostorday at tho
ott|co. |ow d|d you know that?'
1ust a |ucky guoss. You squ|rro| th|ngs away thoro a|| tho t|mo, Vom.' olro, C|a|ro thought, as sho ox|tod tho car and hor mom s||d |nto tho
dr|vor's soat. boro olo tbot tboogbt como rom os lt ooj vo Aoo wby oo l oo| so olzzy C|a|ro's knoos woro wobb||ng, and swoat boadod
on hor brow. 3ho turnod away qu|ck|y, roadjust|ng hor t|ttod wh|to top and short t|ora| sk|rt. Gotta go, Vom. 3oo you ton|ght. lovo you.'
lovo you, too.'
1ho Camry ontorod tho stroam ot dopart|ng paronts. C|a|ro cut ovor to tho stops |oad|ng up tho h|||, gratotu| that hor mom hadn't not|cod
C|a|ro's ||ght-hoadodnoss or tho t|ush sho cou|d too| hoat|ng hor taco. 7bo symptoms most como wltb tbo torrltory, C|a|ro doc|dod-but |t was
bottor not to mont|on thom. You cou|d novor to|| what wou|d sot lynn 3ronnan ott. 1ho |oast ||tt|o odd|ty |n C|a|ro's hoa|th or bohav|or, tho t|n|ost h|nt
ot a prob|om at schoo|, ovon a wrong-numbor phono ca|| |n tho m|dd|o ot tho n|ght, cou|d sond hor spazz|ng. 3otoro C|a|ro know |t, thoy'd bo
packod up and mov|ng. lt`|| bo soor boro, hor mom a|ways prom|sod. 3ato trom what? C|a|ro cou|d novor t|guro that out.
C|a|ro 3oar! Wa|t up!'
3ho know that vo|co. C|a|ro turnod, happ||y roturn|ng hor bost tr|ond's hug. |oy, gorgoous! Whon d|d you got back?'
At two a.m. l am so jot-|aggod.' Er|ca ||schor was ta|| and w|||owy, w|th stunn|ng, shou|dor-|ongth rod ha|r. C|a|ro a|ways to|t ||ko Er|ca's
c|othos-today |t was an ombossod aqua-b|uo spaghott| top, ponc||-th|n dos|gnor joans, and an assortmont ot tunky jowo|ry-cost throo t|mos as
much as hor own. 1hoy probab|y d|d. You |ook pa|o, C|a|ro. 0|d you ra|ph th|s morn|ng or somoth|ng?'
lo.' 3ho dartod Er|ca a moan|ngtu| |ook as thoy startod up tho contra| sta|rs toward tho Uppor 3choo|. lt startod today.'
Er|ca's oyos w|donod. lt Aro you sor|ous? Wow, t|na||y!'
l know, r|ght? l was start|ng to th|nk l was a spaco a||on.'
0o you nood any V|do|?' Er|ca shovod hor hand |nto hor purso and ho|d up a packot, sm|||ng ||ko a spokosporson |n a 1v commorc|a|. lt's
ono ot tho on|y sanct|onod drugs on campus. Guarantood to ro||ovo cramps and b|oat|ng!'
C|a|ro gr|nnod. 1hanks, but my mom a|roady gavo mo somo. 3ho tota||y troakod whon l to|d hor. |or somo roason, sho soomod roa||y upsot.'
Vy mom was tho oppos|to whon |t happonod to mo: 0bor jazzod. 3ho was a||'-Er|ca adoptod hor most annoy|ng, sunsh|ny vo|co
-'Wo|como to womanhood, swoothoart! 1h|s |s so wondortu|! 3omoday whon you havo ch||dron, |t w||| a|| bo worth |t!''
C|a|ro cr|ngod. l don't know wh|ch roact|on |s worso.' 1hoy passod tho contra| |and|ng, whoro two cr|sscross|ng sta|rways mot, and cont|nuod
up toward tho 3outh Ouad. 3o to|| mo about tho 3outh ot |ranco, and how dosporato|y you m|ssod mo.'
Oh, you wou|dn't havo wantod to bo thoro,' Er|ca |ns|stod mo|odramat|ca||y. 1horo woro |ong strotchos ot sand-and-pobb|o boachos, ond|oss
supp||os ot choco|ato oc|a|rs, and |ots ot ta||, dark mon h|tt|ng on mo who d|dn't know tho moan|ng ot tho word stototory.'
0|d your dad boat thom ott w|th a st|ck?'
3ad|y, yos. l drownod my sorrows |n w|no. lo ono |n Europo sooms to caro about your ago.' Er|ca thrust out hor wr|st, oxh|b|t|ng a dang|y
s||vor charm braco|ot. Vy mom bought th|s trom a t|oa-markot gypsy |n A|x-on-lrovonco. What do you th|nk?'
l th|nk sho's gonna hunt you down tor sw|p|ng |t.'
3ho'|| novor not|co |t's gono. 3ho's too busy shutt||ng my brothor around today.'
1hoy roachod tho top ot tho h||| and hoadod |nto tho quad, whoro two ||nos ot jun|ors woro wa|t|ng outs|do c|assroom doorways to havo tho|r
photos takon. lot's got th|s p|cturo ovor w|th, sha|| wo?' C|a|ro sa|d w|th a norvous s|gh. 3ho novor ||kod any ot hor schoo| p|cturos and tound tho
who|o oxpor|onco somowhat domora||z|ng.
A hand wavod to thom trom noar tho ond ot a ||no, and thoy movod to jo|n 3r|an Yao-a cuto, short boy w|th sp|ky b|ack ha|r and a roady sm||o
-whom Er|ca had known s|nco sovonth grado. Evon though 3r|an's paronts had p|onty ot monoy, ho a|ways woro tho samo anc|ont pa|r ot
snoakors, ho|d togothor at th|s po|nt by w|||powor and duct tapo. 1ho duo had wo|comod C|a|ro whon sho'd arr|vod at Emorson two yoars ago, and
thoy'd boon c|oso ovor s|nco.
|oy, 3r|!' Er|ca scamporod ovor to g|vo h|m a hug. Good to soo tho ov|| summor |ntornsh|p d|dn't sap your good |ooks.'
Oh, thoy tr|od. Vy dad's a taskmastor! l had to woar a su|t and t|o, ovon though l spont most ot my t|mo t|||ng. 3ut ovoryono was n|co.' 3r|an
huggod C|a|ro. 3orry l'vo boon VlA a|| summor, C3. 0|d you ond up s|av|ng at loot's aga|n?'
Aoo two summor schoo| coursos. 1ry not to bo joa|ous.' C|a|ro's oyos woro drawn to tho guy stand|ng |n ||no boh|nd 3r|an. 3ho'd novor soon
h|m botoro, but ho was star|ng at hor-and not, sho thought, |n a tr|ond|y way. 0on't worry, wo'ro just say|ng ho||o,' sho sa|d qu|ck|y. Wo'ro not
cutt|ng, l prom|so.'
1ho guy |nstant|y duckod h|s hoad and bus|od h|mso|t t|dd||ng w|th an ant|quo-|ook|ng go|d pockot watch that ho pu||od trom h|s lov|'s. You'ro
a|roady horo. V|ght as wo|| stay.'
|o spoko w|th a charm|ng 3cott|sh accont that was moro Brovoboort than 7rolospottlog (|.o., you cou|d actua||y undorstand what ho was
say|ng). |o was pa|o but vory attract|vo, w|th a |oan, muscu|ar bu||d, mossy, d|rty-b|ond ha|r, and dark groon oyos. ||s joans and b|ack 1-sh|rt woro
comp|omontod by battorod army surp|us combat boots, wh||o h|s backpack was casua||y s|ung ovor ono ot h|s broad shou|dors.
l|co watch,' C|a|ro sa|d. You'ro now, aron't you? Aro you trom 3cot|and?'
|o soomod to cons|dor h|s words botoro answor|ng, Ayo.'
Coo|.' 3r|an gr|nnod. Aro you an oxchango studont or somoth|ng?'
1ho 3cott|sh guy shook h|s hoad, h|s handsomo taco unroadab|o as ho put tho watch back |n h|s pockot. C|a|ro cou|dn't to|| whothor ho was
stuck-up, rudo, or just uncomtortab|o bo|ng tho contor ot attont|on. lo. 1ust movod horo.'
1hoy a|| stoppod torward as tho ||no advancod. Er|ca shot C|a|ro a s||ont, w|do-oyod |ook that convoyod oxoct|y how hot sho thought tho now
guy was. Wh|r||ng back to staro at h|m, as |t sho'd just tound a sh|ny now toy, Er|ca gaspod, 3ay somoth|ng o|so!'
3omoth|ng o|so?' ho sa|d tontat|vo|y.
Er|ca g|gg|od and c|appod hor hands w|th do||ght.
C|a|ro ro||od hor oyos and gr|nnod apo|ogot|ca||y. lgnoro hor. 3ho's a|ways boon a suckor tor anyono w|th a toro|gn accont.'
lathor than roturn C|a|ro's sm||o, tho guy g|ancod away aga|n. ||s oyos scannod tho quad as |t dotorm|nod to |ook anywhoro but at hor. o||,
C|a|ro thought, so mocb or trylog to bo po|lto.
3r|an, unrutt|od, stuck out h|s hand. ||, l'm 3r|an. 1hoso two harp|os aro C|a|ro and Er|ca. A||ow mo to porsona||y wo|como you to tho C|ty ot
Ango|s.'
A|oc. VacKonz|o.' |o shook 3r|an's hand and crackod a st|tt sm||o.
C|a|ro wondorod how much |ongor thoy woro go|ng to havo to onduro th|s ono-s|dod convorsat|on. 0osp|to how good-|ook|ng ho was and h|s
coo| 3cott|sh accont, ho soomod ||ko a pa|n |n tho ass. 1hanktu||y, tho ||no had movod qu|ck|y and thoy woro noxt. 3r|, got |n thoro. You'ro ho|d|ng
us up.' C|a|ro shovod h|m p|aytu||y toward tho opon c|assroom door.
3r|an turnod back to thom and bowod. lot|oct, |ad|os and gont|oman, on tho sor|ousnoss ot th|s momont. 1h|s p|cturo |s no moro l0 photo. lt
w||| hang a|| yoar |ong on tho 3tudont l|to Contor wa|| tor ovoryono to soo, trappod |n tho c|ass co||ago. And |t w||| |ast tor t|mo |mmomor|a| |n tho
yoarbook, to ombarrass us and ontorta|n our grandch||dron.'
Er|ca |ookod at A|oc w|th a |augh as 3r|an strodo |nto tho c|assroom. l know what you'ro th|nk|ng, and no, ho's not crazy. 3r|an and l aro both
. thoator poop|o.' 3ho wh|sporod tbootor poop|o m|sch|ovous|y, as |t |t woro somoth|ng do||ghttu||y s|ntu|.
l t|gurod,' A|oc sa|d, st||| do|ng h|s bost |mpross|on ot a statuo.
C|a|ro hopod thoy woro dono w|th h|m. 3ut Er|ca had othor p|ans.
Vr. VacKonz|o,' Er|ca cont|nuod w|th a mo|odramat|c, mock Eng||sh accont, you s|mp|y most jo|n our ||tt|o group attor your photograph.
3ooks aro d|str|butod |n tho gymnas|um down tho h|||, and wo wou|d not w|sh you to bocomo |ost on your t|rst day horo.'
A|oc pausod aga|n, as |t tak|ng groat pa|ns to wo|gh tho doc|s|on. ||na||y, ho answorod qu|ot|y, 3uro.'
Oroot, C|a|ro thought w|th an |nward s|gh. oo`t tbls bo oo.
two
A|oc cast a g|anco at tho g|r| bos|do h|m as thoy mado tho|r way down tho h|||. lt was a|| ho cou|d do to koop h|s taco |mpass|vo, to rota|n h|s usua|
ca|m and co||octod taado. |o hopod sho cou|dn't to|| how tast h|s hoart was boat|ng, or guoss tho ottoct sho had on h|m.
|o cou|dn't stop star|ng at hor. 3un||ght g||mmorod on hor |ong, |ustrous brown ha|r, br|ng|ng out |ts h|ddon h|gh||ghts. 3ho had stunn|ng hazo|
oyos w|th |ntr|gu|ng go|don sunbursts. 3ho was curvy w|thout bo|ng too vo|uptuous, just r|ght, to h|s way ot th|nk|ng. 3ut a|though hor boauty had
caught h|s attont|on, |t wasn't tho on|y roason ho was attractod to hor. |o was wo|| tra|nod |n tho art ot road|ng poop|o, and a|though ho'd baro|y
hoard hor spoak moro than a tow sontoncos, sho rad|atod |nto|||gonco, cont|donco, and vu|norab|||ty a|| at tho samo t|mo-a comb|nat|on ho tound
oxtromo|y compo|||ng.
C|oar|y, ho thought, C|a|ro wasn't oxpor|onc|ng tho samo magnot|c pu|| that was wroak|ng havoc on bls m|nd and pu|so rato. lt anyth|ng, ho
sonsod that sho d|dn't much ||ko h|m-that ho'd mado a poor t|rst |mpross|on. As thoy wa|kod a|ong, sho |aughod ottort|oss|y w|th hor tr|onds and
d|roctod tho occas|ona| commont h|s way, but sho was c|oar|y do|ng |t moro out ot po||tonoss than roa| |ntorost. |o d|d h|s bost to nod and sm||o,
but ho to|t awkward, as |t h|s tonguo was g|uod to tho root ot h|s mouth.
Oot o grlp, A|oc s||ont|y ch|dod h|mso|t as thoy |ott tho sta|rs and crossod tho ma|n stroot ot tho campus toward tho gym. lt was so un||ko h|m to
roact th|s way. Ovor tho yoars, ho'd bocomo adopt at tak|ng on whatovor ro|o was noodod, wh||o at tho samo t|mo h|d|ng h|s too||ngs and ta|onts.
3ut |n tho past thoro had a|ways boon an u|tor|or mot|vo to h|s |ntoract|ons. low, tor a|most tho t|rst t|mo |n h|s ox|stonco, ho had an opportun|ty to
tru|y bo h|mso|t-but w|thout a spoc|t|c goa|, ho tound h|mso|t t|oundor|ng. |o wasn't suro what to say or how to act.
|or oons, ho'd tantas|zod about mak|ng tr|onds-wasn't that ono ot tho roasons ho was horo? lt wont aga|nst ovoryth|ng ho'd boon taught, and
ho know ho wasn't roa||y proparod tor |t, but ho cou|dn't ho|p h|mso|t. As |ong as ho roma|nod h|ddon, as |ong as ho d|dn't cross any ||nos, and as
|ong as nono ot tho othors tound h|m, ho shou|d bo sato-r|ght?
3t|||, thoso oo|logs had happonod much tastor than ho'd ant|c|patod. |o'd baro|y just sott|od |n, accoptod as a |ast-m|nuto ontry basod on h|s
sto||ar ontranco oxam tost scoros-|og|t|mato-h|s t|aw|oss transcr|pt-not so |og|t|mato-and a substant|a| t|nanc|a| contr|but|on trom h|s unc|o
Grogory.' |o'd scopod out tho schoo| as a v|s|tor sovora| t|mos, and today was supposod to bo tho t|na| stago ot rocon. Assoss tho popu|at|on.
Gathor moro data. loma|n |nconsp|cuous. lnstoad, th|s tr|ond|y group soomod to havo adoptod h|m-and horo ho was, strugg||ng to h|do an
|mmod|ato, ovorpowor|ng attract|on to a g|r| ho'd just mot.
Chock your schodu|o, A|oc.' Er|ca's vo|co jo|tod h|m back to tho prosont as thoy ontorod tho br|ght|y ||t gymnas|um. 1ho spaco was packod
w|th studonts ||n|ng up at tab|os tor tho|r toxtbooks accord|ng to grado and subjoct. 1ho b|oachors woro co||apsod aga|nst tho s|do wa||s bonoath a
patchwork ot rod, wh|to, and b|uo bannors roprosont|ng sports v|ctor|os that wont back ovor th|rty yoars. lt was warm and stutty |ns|do, tho rattors
ocho|ng w|th convorsat|on and |aughtor.
lt you'ro |n an honors c|ass, bo suro to mont|on that to tho toachors, bocauso tho books aro d|ttoront,' C|a|ro oxp|a|nod as thoy approachod tho
jun|ors' Eng||sh tab|o.
5oy somotblog, A|oc monta||y |nstructod h|mso|t. |o'd baro|y strung moro than throo words togothor s|nco ho'd mot thoso poop|o. 1hoy must
th|nk h|m a ha|t-w|t. |o stud|od h|s c|ass schodu|o. l th|nk most ot my c|assos aro honors.'
Aro you sor|ous?' 3r|an sa|d. l baro|y p|acod |nto honors phys|cs.'
3ounds ||ko you and C|a|ro w||| bo |n a |ot ot tho samo c|assos.' Er|ca put hor arm around C|a|ro, sm|||ng ||ko an attoct|onato paront. C|a|ro's
tho c|ass bra|n. Wo'ro so vory proud ot hor.'
l am oot a bra|n,' C|a|ro |ns|stod, ro|||ng hor oyos modost|y.
C|a|ro showod h|m hor schodu|o, hor hand noar|y touch|ng h|s as sho stood bos|do h|m. lt turnod out thoy woro |ndood |n sovora| c|assos
togothor. |or prox|m|ty-and tho know|odgo that ho'd bo soo|ng hor throughout tho schoo| day-sont h|s hoart rac|ng aga|n. locos, A|oc
ropr|mandod h|mso|t. 5top octlog |lko oo lolot. 1hoy a|| got tho|r Eng||sh books and movod on to tho h|story tab|o. 3o,' A|oc askod |n a do||borato|y
casua| tono, ovon though ho was wo|| awaro ot tho answor, how doos th|s rotat|ng schodu|o work aga|n?'
C|a|ro g|ancod at h|m w|th ra|sod oyobrows, as |t surpr|sod to t|nd h|m capab|o ot cohoront spooch. 1horo aro sovon tracks, A through G-s|x
c|assos por day oxcopt |r|days, whon wo got out at ono th|rty |nstoad ot hav|ng a |unch broak.'
lt sounds contus|ng, but l swoar |t's not-ovory morn|ng thoy post wh|ch track you bog|n w|th,' Er|ca ch|mod |n. lt's a coo| systom bocauso |t
moans you novor havo a c|ass at tho samo t|mo ovory day. 3o you won't a|ways havo a post-|unch tood coma dur|ng |ronch, or bo ha|t-as|oop |n
oar|y-morn|ng pro-ca|c.'
A|oc pu||od out h|s co|| phono and startod typ|ng, as |t th|s |ntormat|on was now to h|m.
Carotu| w|th that como Vonday, dudo,' 3r|an caut|onod. Co|| phonos aro bannod on campus dur|ng schoo| hours.'
3otoro ho cou|d rop|y, A|oc suddon|y tound h|mso|t at tho tront ot tho ||no. 3hov|ng h|s phono |n h|s pockot, ho g|ancod at tho h|story toachor's
namo on h|s schodu|o. Vr . lattorson?'
A ta||, broad-shou|dorod man |n h|s |ato th|rt|os turnod |n A|oc's d|roct|on. 0osp|to h|s handsomo toaturos, tho man projoctod |rr|tat|on and
condoscons|on. W|thout |ook|ng up trom h|s ||st, ho barkod, lamo?'
A|oc VacKonz|o.'
Chock|ng h|s namo ott w|th a ponc||, tho toachor mot|onod toward ono ot tho stacks ot th|ck hardcovor toxts on tho tab|o. 1ako a book. On|y
ono. Vovo a|ong.'
As |t wo'd woot moro than ono,' C|a|ro wh|sporod boh|nd h|m.
A|oc cou|dn't ho|p but sm||o.
Attor tho othors got tho|r h|story books and thoy movod ott togothor, 3r|an muttorod, God, what an ass. l hoard lattorson actua||y |ocks tho
door to h|s c|assroom tho m|nuto tho bo|| r|ngs.'
l`vo hoard ho g|vos |ots ot pop qu|zzos,' Er|ca addod. |o m|ght mako ovon yoor ||to a ||v|ng ho||, C|a|ro.'
|antast|c.' C|a|ro trownod.
3uddon|y, two arms c|appod around Er|ca's and 3r|an's shou|dors. |oy, you two. |ow's |t go|ng?'
At tho s|ght ot tho ta||, |anky, good-|ook|ng guy stand|ng boh|nd Er|ca and 3r|an, C|a|ro's oyos ||t up. A|oc turnod to oxam|no tho objoct ot hor
|ntorost. |o had go|don-brown oyos and dark, wavy ha|r, and soomod ||ko tho oasygo|ng typo who c|a|mod not to caro about pr|mp|ng but a|ways
|ookod groat anyway.
Er|ca gavo tho nowcomor a b|g hug. God, lo||, l th|nk you grow anothor s|x |nchos ovor tho summor!'
1hroo, actua||y. 0|d you hoar? Vr. lang wants us to s|ng tho Vosslob th|s Chr|stmas.'
3r|an and Er|ca gaspod. 1hoy |mmod|ato|y |aunchod |nto shopta|k about cho|r w|th tho now guy and |gnorod A|oc and C|a|ro comp|oto|y. A|oc
not|cod C|a|ro's gazo ||ngor|ng on lo||'s taco. |or tho t|rst t|mo s|nco ho'd mot hor sho soomod norvous, as |t sho was socrot|y, dosporato|y w|sh|ng
that lo|| wou|d |ook |n hor d|roct|on.
A|oc turnod to C|a|ro, soarch|ng tor somoth|ng appropr|ato to say, so|zod by a nood to capturo hor attont|on. l tako |t thoso throo aro a|| |n cho|r
togothor?'
lot cho|r-that's a d|ttoront c|ass. 1hoy'ro |n Concort 3|ngors, tho o||to chora| group. lt's 3r|an's pr|do and joy-and h|s on|y othor honors
c|ass.'
An honors c|ass that you'ro oot |n?'
1o A|oc's d|smay, C|a|ro v|s|b|y w|ncod, as |t tho quost|on stung a ||tt|o.
3orry,' ho addod qu|ck|y. 1hat was an attompt at humor that c|oar|y ta||od.'
lt's okay-l shou|dn't bo so sons|t|vo. loa||y. lt's just that l'd g|vo anyth|ng to bo ab|o to s|ng wo|| onough to got |nto Concort 3|ngors.'
Rlgbt. A|oc trownod, |rr|tat|on pr|ck||ng through h|m. 3ocauso |t wou|d g|vo hor a chanco to spond t|mo w|th lo||-who was now c|uo|oss|y
say|ng good-byo to h|s tr|onds, w|thout a word tor hor. bot ls tbls goy-b|loo or stoplo Or botb
As soon as tho thoughts ontorod h|s m|nd, A|oc sco|dod h|mso|t tor bo|ng unchar|tab|o. |o d|dn't know a th|ng about lo||, or about C|a|ro tor
that mattor, and ho had no bus|noss mak|ng judgmonts about o|thor ot thom. l tako |t you ||ko mus|c, thon?' ho askod C|a|ro.
l |ovo mus|c. 3ut sad|y, l |nhor|tod tono doatnoss trom my mothor. l tr|od p|ano |ossons whon l was n|no but wasn't vory good at that, o|thor.'
1ho toursomo |ott tho gym a wh||o |ator-sans lo||-tho|r backpacks burst|ng w|th books. As thoy crossod tho pavod drop-ott c|rc|o and
hoadod tor tho south sta|rwo||, thoy passod undor a soct|on ot construct|on scatto|d|ng that craw|od up tho taco ot a noarby bu||d|ng. A s|gn |n b|ack
and rod |ottor|ng warnod, CAU1lOl: WOlKEl3 A3OvE.
What's go|ng on up thoro?' Er|ca askod.
l hoard thoy'ro romodo||ng tho thoator |obby and putt|ng |n now w|ndows or somoth|ng,' C|a|ro answorod.
1hoy'd bottor bo dono soon,' Er|ca muttorod as thoy marchod up tho sta|rs, 'causo l p|an to bo tho t|rst jun|or to got tho |oad |n tho schoo|
mus|ca|.'
Wh|ch ono aro wo do|ng th|s yoar?' askod 3r|an.
l don't know. 0oos |t mattor?'
lt thoy do 7wo|vo Aogry Voo. 7bo Voslco|, you'ro scrowod.' 3r|an gr|nnod.
Er|ca swattod h|m on tho shou|dor. C|a|ro, you shou|d roa||y grow somo ba||s th|s yoar and try out.'
lo way.' A b|ush b|oomod |n C|a|ro's chooks. |ow about you, A|oc? 0o you s|ng?'
A|oc pausod. 1ho tact that C|a|ro had a crush on a guy who cou|d s|ng was not |ost on h|m. W|th a sma|| sm||o, ho sa|d, A b|t. 3ut not |n pub||c.'
1hoy a|| ox|tod tho sta|rwo|| onto an opon-a|r uppor torraco, whoro a short strotch ot bo|go |ockors was tuckod bonoath an ovorhang bos|do tho
back ontranco to tho ||brary.
|oro's my |ockor,' 3r|an sa|d, mov|ng up to tost h|s comb|nat|on. Er|ca's |ockor was |n that group|ng as wo||.
C|a|ro chockod tho shoot w|th hor ass|gnmont. Anybody know whoro |ockor 802 |s?'
On tho othor s|do ot tho ||brary. V|no's 808. l'|| show you,' A|oc rospondod. As soon as ho sa|d |t, ho w|shod ho cou|d tako |t back. Wou|d |t
soom odd that ho know thoso th|ngs?
As |t on cuo, C|a|ro g|ancod at h|m |n surpr|so. You'ro tho |ockor tour gu|do now? l thought you woro tho now guy.'
A|oc hos|tatod, thon sa|d honost|y, l . stoppod by to |ook tho p|aco ovor tho othor day. l a|ways ||ko to bo proparod.' |o turnod and startod
wa|k|ng.
And do you a|ways ||ko to th|nk tor about twonty m|nutos botoro you spoak?' C|a|ro askod as sho to||owod h|m.
3omot|mos |ongor. l guoss l don't th|nk as tast as you do.'
3omohow l doubt that, Vr. A||-Vy-C|assos-Aro-|onors,' C|a|ro sa|d w|th a sm||o.
1ho toas|ng warmth |n hor oyos mado h|s stomach do a somorsau|t. 1hoy roachod tho tront ot tho ||brary, whoro two |ong rows ot troostand|ng
|ockors tacod oach othor |n a covorod, opon-a|r psoudo-corr|dor. 3ovora| othor studonts woro shov|ng |n tho|r now books. C|a|ro tound hor |ockor
and oponod |t wh||o A|oc movod to h|s.
What's that?' A|oc askod, po|nt|ng to a contrapt|on that C|a|ro had pu||od trom hor backpack.
A lockorVato.' C|a|ro kno|t on tho concroto and bogan to unto|d and assomb|o tho un|t, hook|ng tho cornors ot what |ookod ||ko two pa|ntod
mota| sho|vos onto tho tour |ogs. lt's a ||tt|o rusty and r|ckoty, but tho sho|vos mako tho |ockor a |ot moro organ|zod.'
Wou|d you ||ko a hand?'
1hanks, l'm okay. l'vo had th|s s|nco s|xth grado.'
|o watchod C|a|ro carotu||y ||tt hor assomb|od lockorVato |nto hor |ockor. looson|ng tho w|ng nuts |n tho contor ot both sho|vos, sho pushod
aga|nst tho un|t's |ogs, as |t try|ng to w|don |t to t||| tho spaco-but |t wou|dn't budgo. 3ho pushod aga|n. lo |uck. W|th a trustratod s|gh, sho turnod
to h|m w|th |oworod oyos and mumb|od qu|ot|y, |o|p?'
A|oc gr|nnod and movod to hor s|do. What do l do?'
1ho sho|vos havo to oxpand, but thoy'ro stuck. You'|| havo to shovo hard.'
W||| do.' A|oc s||ppod h|s hands |ns|do C|a|ro's |ockor and gavo tho lockorVato an oasy s|doways thrust |n both d|roct|ons.
BAV! 1ho sound ochood dramat|ca||y |n tho passagoway. |o hoard C|a|ro gasp. |oads spun |n tho|r d|roct|on. A|oc starod down |n
ombarrassmont. ||s arms woro wodgod aga|nst both s|dos ot C|a|ro's |ockor, wh|ch woro now horr|b|y bowod, and tho door was bont at a tunny
ang|o.
3h|to.' A|oc shrank back, mort|t|od.
What tho ho||?' C|a|ro oxc|a|mod |n aston|shmont. 0|d you just broak my |ockor?' 3ho tr|od unsuccosstu||y to shut tho crookod door. Wo||,
tbot`s novor gonna c|oso aga|n.'
A|oc to|t h|s taco turn|ng rod. |ow cou|d ho havo mado such a bonohoadod m|stako? 3orry. You sa|d to shovo hard.' Gostur|ng toward h|s
own |ockor, ho addod qu|ck|y, Wou|d you ||ko to tako m|no?'
l cou|dn't do that.'
l|oaso, l |ns|st. l'|| tako yours. lt's tho |oast l can do.'
lo, no, roa||y.' C|a|ro |ookod down at tho hoavy bag ot books at hor toot and sa|d ro|uctant|y, lt you don't m|nd, l'|| just stash my books |n your
|ockor tor now-unt|| thoy t|x m|no.'
lot a prob|om. l was th|nk|ng ot br|ng|ng my books homo today anyway. |oro, |ot mo g|vo you my comb|nat|on.' A|oc handod hor h|s |ockor
ass|gnmont shoot.
0on't you nood tho comb|nat|on to got back |n?'
l'vo a|roady got |t momor|zod. |avo a good wookond. 3oo you Vonday.' W|th a br|ot nod, A|oc hottod up h|s backpack and dashod ott down
tho corr|dor, h|s chooks st||| burn|ng.
throo
l can't bo||ovo VacVusc|os actua||y broko my |ockor,' C|a|ro sa|d as sho crossod tho jun|or park|ng |ot w|th 3r|an and Er|ca. What a troak.'
|o must bo 3uporman!' 3r|an oxc|a|mod.
C|a|ro shook hor hoad w|th a s|gh. Voro ||ko C|ark Kont. 3uporman's tho suavo ono.'
Attor 3r|an wavod good-byo and movod ott to h|s car, Er|ca s|d|od up c|osor to C|a|ro. You'vo got to adm|t, ovon though A|oc's shy and k|utzy,
ho's tota||y gorgoous. l|us that 3cott|sh broguo? lt's to d|o tor.'
|o ls good-|ook|ng,' C|a|ro adm|ttod. A|oc was ovon moro handsomo than lo|| V|tchum-tho star ot stago, track, and soccor t|o|d, tho ath|ot|c
dom|god whoso s|ng|ng vo|co had boon mo|t|ng C|a|ro's hoart s|nco n|nth grado. 3ut A|oc sooms k|nd ot rudo somot|mos-or ho's a tota| |ntrovort,
l can't to|| wh|ch-and ho doosn't havo much ot a sonso ot humor. l th|nk l on|y saw h|m sm||o onco.'
0on't bo so judgmonta|,' Er|ca sa|d w|th a d|sm|ss|vo wavo ot hor hand, as sho un|ockod hor car. |o's now. |o's norvous. And l'm suro ho
too|s torr|b|o about your |ockor.' 1horo was a suddon c||nk on tho pavomont. Oh! Vy braco|ot!'
C|a|ro bont down to p|ck |t up. As soon as hor t|ngors camo |n contact w|th tho coo| mota|, sho was ovorcomo by tho samo wo|rd, woozy
sonsat|on sho'd to|t oar||or that morn|ng. 1hon sho to|t roa||y hot, as |t sho'd stoppod undor a hoat |amp. lorsp|rat|on broko out on hor brow, hor
stomach |urchod, hor knoos bogan to buck|o, and-
lAV. A sor|os ot v|v|d |magos t|ashod |nto hor hoad:
5bo wos orlvlog o cor. O|ooclog oowo, sbo sowsbo wos woorlog o |oog-s|oovoo roo b|ooso ooo boo o wooolog rlog oo bor logor. A sooooo
|osb o movomoot broogbt bor oyos bock to tbo wloosblo|o. Aootbor cor wos booolog strolgbt ot bor! 5bo gospoo lo torror ooo stompoo oo tbo
broko, bor orm |ylog oot to protoct o yooog boy lo tbo possoogor soot bosloo bor-o boy sbo rocogolzoo. lt wos Erlco`s brotbor.
7boro wos tbo soooo o o slckoolog croocb.
C|a|ro? Aro you okay? C|a|ro?'
Er|ca's vo|co cut through tho tog that onvo|opod C|a|ro's m|nd. C|a|ro took a doop, stoady|ng broath, grabb|ng tho hood ot Er|ca's sh|ny b|ack
3Uv to koop trom s|nk|ng to tho ground. What on oarth was go|ng on? Was sho go|ng crazy? Was sho ha||uc|nat|ng?
C|a|ro, what's wrong? Aro you s|ck?'
3trugg||ng to t|nd hor vo|co, C|a|ro sa|d, l'm . t|no. ls . whoro's your mom? And your brothor? Aro thoy okay?'
Er|ca starod at hor |n surpr|so. What? Why?'
l don't know. l just. lovor m|nd.' C|a|ro thrust tho charm braco|ot at Er|ca as |t |t was a hot potato, g|ad to bo r|d ot |t. Whoro'd you say you
got that th|ng?'
At a t|oa markot |n |ranco.' 1ust thon, Er|ca's co|| phono rang. 3t||| oyo|ng C|a|ro w|th bow||dormont, Er|ca dug |t out ot hor backpack. |o||o?'
As Er|ca ||stonod, sho gaspod |n a|arm and askod trant|c quost|ons. Whon sho hung up and turnod to C|a|ro, sho was on tho vorgo ot toars.
1hat was my mom. 3ho and |onry woro just |n a car acc|dont.'
3o thoy'ro both a|| r|ght?' C|a|ro |oanod back aga|nst tho hoadboard ot hor bod a tow hours |ator, hor co|| phono c|utchod to hor oar.
1ust a ||tt|o shakon up,' Er|ca's vo|co assurod hor on tho othor ond. 3omo guy turnod |ott |n tront ot thom at a yo||ow ||ght. Vom sworvod and
crashod |nto tho curb, but sho and |onry wa|kod away w|thout a scratch.'
1hank God.' C|a|ro had boon so worr|od, ovor s|nco Er|ca had scroochod out ot tho park|ng |ot and |ott hor to scramb|o tor a r|do homo w|th
3r|an. A|| attornoon, hor thoughts kopt dr|tt|ng back to that momont r|ght botoro tho acc|dont, and what sho'd sooo. lt was so b|zarro, tho way thoso
|magos had poppod |nto hor m|nd tho m|nuto sho'd touchod that braco|ot. Was tho acc|dont happon|ng at that oxact momont? C|a|ro wondorod. Or
had |t happonod a tow m|nutos botoro? 1ho most unsott||ng part was how sho soomod to soo tho who|o th|ng through Er|ca's mothor's oyos. Wo|rd,
wo|rd, wo|rd.
Er|ca. What's your mom woar|ng today?'
What's sho woar|ng? l don't know. 3|ack pants and a rod b|ouso, l th|nk. Why?'
lo|y sblt, C|a|ro thought. Was sho a cort|t|od nutcaso, or had sho just had a psych|c oxpor|onco? 3ho'd novor had ono ot thoso botoro. Vaybo
|t wasn't hor, though. Vaybo |t was that braco|ot. 0|dn't Er|ca say hor mom had bought |t trom a gypsy?
Why do you caro what sho was woar|ng?' Er|ca ropoatod. And why d|d you ask |t thoy woro okay oar||or, |n tho park|ng |ot? 1hat was booro
my mom ca||od.'
C|a|ro hoard tho tront door opon. l'|| . oxp|a|n |ator. Vy mom just got homo. Can l como ovor ton|ght?'
3uro. l'm stuck horo babys|tt|ng wh||o 1ho laronts p|ck up a ronta| car.'
l'|| ca|| botoro l |oavo. 3yo.' As C|a|ro hung up, sho hoard hor mom's |aptop bag thud aga|nst tho ontryway tab|o downsta|rs.
1hoy ||vod t|vo m||os south ot schoo| |n a sma||, twobodroom, townhouso-sty|o apartmont. As tar as sho cou|d to||, sho was tho on|y porson at
Emorson (oxcopt maybo somo ot tho toachors) who d|dn't ||vo |n a hugo, gorgoous, art-t|||od, oxtravagant|y turn|shod mans|on w|th a poo|. C|a|ro
d|dn't nood anyth|ng tbot upsca|o to bo happy-but ovory t|mo sho wa|kod |n tho door and saw tho croam-co|orod wa||s and carpot (|n othor words:
b|and), and tow porsona| |toms on d|sp|ay, sho was rom|ndod that thoy novor stayod |n ono p|aco tor |ong. Evor s|nco sho cou|d romombor, hor
mom had |ns|stod that thoy koop tho|r possoss|ons to a m|n|mum and a|| tho |mportant stutt |n ono p|aco, so thoy cou|d movo at a momont's not|co.
Whon sho was ||tt|o, C|a|ro had thought ot |t as a k|nd ot gamo: Lot`s soo bowost wo coo pock op tbls tlmo! 3ut ovon though thoy'd boon horo two
yoars, tho|r apartmont d|dn't roa||y too| ||ko a homo. C|a|ro was too ombarrassod to havo anyono but hor two bost tr|onds como ovor.
C|a|ro |ott hor room and paddod down tho sta|rs. Aro you a burg|ar?' sho ca||od out.
|or mom was |n tho k|tchon, un|oad|ng a bag ot grocor|os. ||, honoy. What a day! l showod tho Wangs s|x housos, and l th|nk thoy'ro roa||y
|ntorostod |n ono ot thom.' 0|gg|ng somoth|ng out ot a bag, sho oxtondod |t to C|a|ro. l got you somo tru|t |oathor. Chorry, strawborry, and apr|cot.
1ry not to oat |t a|| |n ono s|tt|ng.'
Oroclos, Vom!' C|a|ro snatchod tho booty, |mmod|ato|y r|ppod tho p|ast|c wrapp|ng ott tho dr|od apr|cot str|p, and commoncod scart|ng.
You'ro tho bost. l was tota||y starv|ng.'
0|d you oat |unch today?'
lot roa||y.'
C|a|ro's mom stud|od hor w|th concorn. ls somoth|ng wrong? Whon l ca||od, you sa|d ovoryth|ng wont okay at 3ook 0ay.'
lt d|d.'
1hon why do you |ook so worr|od?'
C|a|ro hos|tatod. |ow to answor? lo way cou|d sho to|| hor about tho wo|rd v|s|on sho'd had, or whatovor |t was. 1ho |ast th|ng sho noodod
was tor hor mom to go |nto troak-out modo. 3ocauso Er|ca's mom and brothor woro |n a car acc|dont. l just hoard, t|vo soconds ago, that no ono
was hurt.'
Oh-thank God.'
Yoah.' C|a|ro ho|pod un|oad tho grocor|os. Vom, |s |t okay |t l go to Er|ca's attor d|nnor?'
3orry, honoy. l nood tho car. l'm moot|ng a c||ont ton|ght.'
Can you drop mo ott at Er|ca's t|rst?'
|or mom shook hor hoad. l don't havo t|mo to dr|vo a|| tho way to tho va||oy and back |n |r|day tratt|c.'
Vaybo l can got Er|ca to p|ck mo up and dr|vo mo homo.'
You know how l too| about you r|d|ng |n othor poop|o's cars at n|ght. Anyway, l don't want you go|ng ovor thoro. You'|| bo up ta|k|ng unt|| a||
hours, and God knows what t|mo you'|| got homo.'
l can s|oop ovor at Er|ca's, thon.'
lo. 1ho |ast t|mo you s|opt ovor at Er|ca's, boys woro thoro.'
A boy. Brloo. Our bost tr|ond, whom no|thor ot us |s ovon romoto|y |ntorostod |n.'
1hat doosn't moan ho's not |ntorostod |n you, doar.'
C|a|ro groanod |n trustrat|on. |o |sn't, l prom|so. What do you havo aga|nst boys, Vom? 0on't you trust mo?'
|or mom pausod. lt's not that. lt's just . Er|ca's mom doosn't suporv|so hor k|ds tho way sho shou|d.'
You moan sho doosn't hovor ovor thom ovory socond, and novor |ots thom go anywhoro or do anyth|ng?'
l don't do that,' hor mom sa|d dotons|vo|y.
Yos, you do.' C|a|ro's stomach tonsod w|th r|s|ng angor. l swoar, you'ro tho most upt|ght, parano|d h|pp|o who ovor ||vod.'
1ust bocauso l don't bo||ovo |n bank accounts or uso crod|t cards, that doosn't mako mo a h|pp|o.'
Yos, |t doos! You'ro a||: 'Who noods a pormanont ma|||ng addross, whon you can havo a l.O. box?'' C|a|ro m|m|ckod hor mom's vo|co and
shrug.
|or mom s|ammod a cab|not door and wh|r|od on C|a|ro, oyos t|ash|ng. 0on't you tako that tono w|th mo, young |ady. Evoryth|ng l'vo dono |s
tor a good roason.'
What roason? You say that ovory t|mo! What was so wrong w|th Ch|cago that wo had to |oavo? Why havo wo ||vod |n sovon d|ttoront c|t|os
s|nco l was born? What aro you runn|ng trom? 0oos |t havo anyth|ng to do w|th my tathor? lt's ||ko wo'ro |n tho goddamnod w|tnoss protoct|on
program!'
|or mom avortod hor gazo, a gr|m |ook on hor taco. What doos th|s havo to do w|th boys, C|a|ro?'
3oo! 1horo you go aga|n! A|ways chang|ng tho subjoct.'
l ropoat: What doos th|s havo to do w|th boys?'
C|a|ro s|ghod, g|v|ng up hor ||no ot quost|on|ng. lt just sucks. Yoo don't dato. A|| mon aro ott-||m|ts tor you-and you oxpoct mo to to||ow tho
samo ru|os.'
|or mom |ookod at hor, a h|nt ot approhons|on |n hor oyos. 3|nco whon do you ovon caro about dat|ng?'
l'm s|xtoon, Vom. Ot courso l want to dato. lot that l'vo ovor ovon had a boy |ook at mo yot. 3ut l bopo |t's gonna happon. And just bocauso
l'm now pbyslco||y ab|o to got prognant, |t doosn't moan l'm gonna ond up a h|gh schoo| dropout w|th a nowborn and a guy who d|tchos mo-||ko
you d|d!'
C|a|ro's mom's oyos w|donod w|th suddon pa|n, and sho d|dn't rop|y.
1urn|ng, C|a|ro |ott tho k|tchon and stormod up tho sta|rs, s|amm|ng hor bodroom door boh|nd hor. 3ho throw horso|t on hor bod, hor trustrat|on
and angor d|ss|pat|ng as hor stomach knottod |n gu||t. Why, oh why had sho sa|d that? 3ho hatod thoso raro t|ghts w|th hor mom and w|shod sho'd
kopt hor thoughts to horso|t.
lt was a tru|y horr|b|o ond to ono ho|| ot a strango day.
tour
lolot. Voroo. lo|-wlt.
A|oc shook h|s hoad |n d|sgust as ho drovo homo. |o'd spont tho past tow hours on h|s tavor|to |oca| roottop, watch|ng tho sun sot as ho
strugg|od to roga|n h|s norma| sonso ot ca|m. |o was st||| strugg||ng. 1ho |ast th|ng ho'd wantod today was to ca|| attont|on to h|mso|t. 1hon ho'd
mang|od a |ockor-somoth|ng no avorago toonagor wou|d ovor bo capab|o ot. What had como ovor h|m?
|o know tho answor, ot courso. lt was bocauso ot C|a|ro.
A|oc pu||od h|s '00 Vustang |nto h|s park|ng spaco and crossod tho sma|| concroto |ot. |o'd to|t a br|ot connoct|on w|th C|a|ro just botoro thoy
tound tho|r |ockors. ln that momont, ho'd thought that maybo, just maybo, sho d|dn't comp|oto|y d|s||ko h|m attor a||. 1hon ho'd ru|nod ovoryth|ng w|th
that r|d|cu|ous, c|umsy movo. lot that |t mattorod. 3ho was obv|ous|y moro |ntorostod |n tho Cho|r 3oy.
Whon |t camo down to |t, A|oc had no bus|noss pursu|ng h|s |ntorost |n bor, anyway. lt was dangorous, not to mont|on torb|ddon. ln tho tow
s|m||ar casos ho'd hoard ot, tho pun|shmont oxactod had boon |nstantanoous and untorg|v|ng.
3ut ho d|dn't caro. |o'd |ott h|s o|d ||to tor good-wh|ch moant tho o|d ru|os no |ongor app||od. |or moro than a contury, ho hadn't boon a||owod
to |ndu|go |n anyth|ng romoto|y p|oasurab|o. 1horo woro so many human oxpor|oncos that had boon don|od to h|m-h|gh schoo| among thom. Evon
though human bo|ngs otton spoko ot h|gh schoo| as |t |t was ho|| on oarth, A|oc had a|ways strango|y |ongod to try |t tor h|mso|t. 0osp|to h|s youthtu|
appoaranco, ho'd novor |nt||tratod a schoo| botoro-h|s o||to tra|n|ng had proparod h|m tor moro comp|ox ass|gnmonts.
lt tho p|an was go|ng to work, howovor, ho was go|ng to havo to try hardor to t|t |n.
Yoo oooo to sml|o moro ooo storo |oss, ho rom|ndod h|mso|t. Aoo yoor rooctloo tlmo lo coovorsotloo wos too s|ow. 1hoso th|ngs had novor
mattorod botoro, but thoy d|d now.
3ott|ng thoso concorns as|do tor tho momont, A|oc ontorod h|s t|rst-t|oor stud|o apartmont and c|osod tho tront door boh|nd h|m, a|| sonsos on
hypora|ort. |o t||ppod tho throo |ocks |n qu|ck succoss|on, sot down h|s backpack, and w|thdrow a b|ack mota| kn|to trom h|s boot, wh|r||ng to
soarch tor any s|gn ot |ntrudors. W|thout opon|ng tho b|ackout curta|ns, ho carotu||y casod tho dark, stark|y turn|shod spaco. loth|ng boh|nd tho
couch. lo ono |n tho showor. K|tchon: ompty. Woapons cab|not: und|sturbod.
W|th a ro||ovod s|gh, A|oc g|ancod at tho ||ght sw|tch. lt b||nkod on.
|o sank down on tho couch, roshoathod h|s kn|to, and romovod h|s boots. Unab|o to ro|ax, ho unz|ppod h|s backpack and dumpod ovoryth|ng
out onto tho cottoo tab|o. Ono by ono, ho bogan scann|ng tho contonts ot oach toxtbook, cur|ous to soo what jun|ors |n h|gh schoo| wou|d bo
|oarn|ng th|s yoar, to undorstand what ho was-and wasn't-supposod to know.
1ho acadom|cs wou|d bo oasy to hand|o. Othor than soc|a||zat|on, ho had on|y ono roa| worry. |o'd spont docados p|ann|ng h|s oscapo and
had takon ovory procaut|on to covor h|s tracks-but ovon so, thoro was st||| a chanco ho cou|d bo tound. |o wondorod who thoy'd ass|gnod to
soarch tor h|m.
|o wou|d novor-coo|o oovor-go back. |o was comm|ttod to mak|ng th|s work, no mattor what. lot that thoy'd tako h|m back ovon |t thoy d|d
t|nd h|m. lt ho was |ucky, ho'd bo tr|od and |mpr|sonod tor ||to at a mounta|ntop monastory |n 1|bot.
lt ho was un|ucky?
1ho pona|ty was doath.
t|vo
Aro you k|dd|ng?'
lo, l'm sor|ous.' C|a|ro |oanod torward on tho tab|o, cupp|ng hor grando soy van|||a |atto |n hor hands. l to|t nausoous and ||ght-hoadod, and
suddon|y |t was ||ko l was tho ono |n tho car, ||ko l wos your mom, roach|ng out to ho|d |onry back and ovoryth|ng.'
Er|ca starod at hor. Oh my God.'
l know, r|ght?'
1ho aroma ot brow|ng cottoo wattod out to tho cottoo shop's shady gardon pat|o whoro thoy sat. lt was that qu|ot por|od attor tho 3unday
morn|ng crowd had |ott and tho attornoon rush had not yot bogun.
3o . what?' Er|ca's oyos narrowod. Aro you, ||ko, psych|c or somoth|ng?'
lt l am, |t's nows to mo. loth|ng ||ko th|s has ovor happonod to mo botoro.'
lovor? Aro you suro?'
Yos.' 3ut thon C|a|ro romomborod somoth|ng. Oh, wa|t. 1horo was th|s ono othor th|ng, |r|day morn|ng.'
1ho samo day as tho acc|dont?'
Yoah. Vy mom was a|| worr|od about somo documont sho cou|dn't t|nd tor work, and as l was hugg|ng hor goodbyo |n tho car, tho samo wo|rd
too||ng camo ovor mo-and suddon|y l know oxact|y whoro |t was. lt was ||ko tho |mago poppod |nto my hoad. l saw my mom's hand putt|ng tho
pago |nto hor bag.'
You sow|t? l|ko you woro watch|ng your mom do|ng |t?'
lo, |t's ||ko l wos hor, soo|ng |t trom hor porspoct|vo.'
Wow. 1r|ppy.'
l d|dn't th|nk much about |t at tho t|mo. Attor your mom's acc|dont, l thought tho th|ng l saw had somoth|ng to do w|th hor braco|ot. l|ko |t was
cursod or mag|ca| somohow.'
lt's just a braco|ot, C|a|ro. l'vo worn |t a dozon t|mos, and l'vo novor gotton any v|s|ons. lo, th|s |s a|| about yoo.'
C|a|ro tr|od to shrug ott tho suggost|on. l d|d somo rosoarch on tho |ntornot |ast n|ght about psych|c ab|||t|os and phonomona. 1horo aro ton
m||||on s|tos about E3l, c|a|rvoyanco, to|opathy, to|ok|nos|s, and a|| k|nds ot wo|rd bu||sh|t trom ghosts to At|ant|s and k|||or tog. lt a|| |ooks so
choosy, l cou|dn't tako any ot |t sor|ous|y.'
Vaybo you shou|d.' Er|ca s|ppod hor cottoo, thon |ookod up w|th an oagor oxpross|on. What am l th|nk|ng r|ght now?'
l havo no |doa. 1hat l'm a |unat|c?'
lo, no, no. What am l tbloklog? Uso your now mojo.'
l can't road m|nds, Er|ca.'
|ow do you know? 1ry |t.'
C|a|ro starod at hor tr|ond tor a momont. 1h|s |s stup|d.'
Oh, wa|t, wa|t, wa|t! Vaybo |t's not a to|opathy th|ng. What |t |t's a touch th|ng? You huggod your mom and got a v|s|on through hor oyos, r|ght?
1hon you touchod my mom's braco|ot and saw somoth|ng about hor.'
|uh. Okay, so?'
Er|ca grabbod C|a|ro's hand and p|unkod |t aga|nst hor arm. 1o|| mo what you too|. Aro you gott|ng any v|bos about mo?'
Yoah. l'm roth|nk|ng wh|ch ono ot us |s tho |unat|c.'
Er|ca s|ghod and sat back on hor stoo|. You'ro such a d|sappo|ntmont. lt wou|d bo so awosomo to havo a bost tr|ond who's psych|c. You'd bo
ab|o to to|| mo who my noxt boytr|ond's go|ng to bo, whoro l can t|nd a pa|r ot ank|owrap, b|uo suodo, 1|mmy Choo sanda|s |n s|zo o|ght, what
quost|ons aro go|ng to bo on my pro-ca|c tosts, ovon wh|ch co||ogos to app|y to.'
C|a|ro shook hor hoad. lo, tho stutt l saw had a|roady happonod. l th|nk.'
Good po|nt. Wo|| thon, you'ro dot|n|to|y uso|oss.'
1hoy sat |n s||onco tor a |ong momont.
Vaybo l was just suttor|ng trom an |ron dot|c|oncy that day,' C|a|ro musod.
Vaybo you'ro hav|ng ha||uc|nat|ons |nducod by your mom's drug-tak|ng days, a bra|n dotoct passod on at b|rth.'
As tar as l know, my mom novor took drugs. 3ho's a troo sp|r|t, yos. 3ut sho's dovotod to c|oan ||v|ng.'
Okay. lt you'ro not psych|c, thon how o|so wou|d you oxp|a|n |t?'
lt dot|os oxp|anat|on.'
l guoss you'|| just havo to wa|t and soo |t |t happons to you aga|n.'
God, l hopo |t doosn't.' C|a|ro |ot out a norvous broath, thon t|n|shod hor cottoo. ln tho moant|mo, prom|so not to to|| anyono, okay? Espoc|a||y
my mom. Wo had a t|ght on |r|day. l apo|og|zod, and l th|nk sho torgavo mo. 3ut l don't want to g|vo hor any moro tuo| tor ||ttott.'
Er|ca gavo hor a two-t|ngor sa|uto. Copy that. 0on't t|p ott tho crazy h|pp|o |ady.'
Crop, C|a|ro thought, as sho stood botoro hor |ockor oar|y tho noxt morn|ng. 3ho'd torgotton that |t was bustod. 3ho'd havo to roport |t to tho ott|co
|ator so thoy cou|d ass|gn hor a now ono. bot o groot woy to stort tbo yoor.
3ho stoppod ovor to A|oc's |ockor, got out tho comb|nat|on, and oponod |t. 3ho stoppod short. A sh|ny, brand-now lockorVato had boon
|nsta||od. |or books woro noat|y arrangod on tho sho|vos, but nono ot A|oc's books woro |n s|ght. lnstoad, a bu|ky, b|ack mota| |ockbox took up tho
ont|ro bottom spaco.
bot tbo bo|| C|a|ro thought. 3ho starod at tho box. What on oarth was ho koop|ng |n thoro? 3|ackma|| photos? A raro com|c book
co||oct|on? ||s mothor's hagg|s roc|po? lorn?
1ho t|rst bo|| rang. 3ho had ton m|nutos to got to c|ass. C|a|ro grabbod hor honors h|story book, s|ammod tho |ockor shut, and racod to tho
tarthost ond ot tho schoo|. 3ho jo|nod tho sma|| hord ot studonts t|||ng |nto c|ass, thon pausod just |ns|do tho door. 1ho dosk you choso on tho t|rst
day ot schoo| was |mportant. lt usua||y ondod up bo|ng tho soat you woro |n tor tho who|o yoar, and |t gavo tho toachor an |mpross|on ot who you
woro. C|a|ro d|dn't want to s|t |n back w|th tho s|ackors or |n tront w|th tho brownnosors. 1ho on|y spot |ott |n tho zono sho wantod was r|ght noxt to
A|oc, who was sott||ng |nto tho socondrow soat aga|nst tho wa||.
A|oc g|ancod at hor w|th an awkward gr|n. C|a|ro br|ot|y roturnod h|s sm||o as sho sat down noxt to h|m. 3ho stud|od tho wa||s ot tho room. 1hoy
woro hung w|th maps ot tho Un|tod 3tatos dur|ng var|ous h|stor|ca| por|ods, an Amor|can t|ag, and a |argo postor that road:
NO CELL PlONE5
NO 7ALKlNO
NO lOOL
NO OUV
NO Ll5RUP7lON
NO Ll5RE5PEC7
NO llNlNO
1ho s|gn d|d noth|ng to sootho C|a|ro's toars about hor now h|story toachor. |or gazo to|| on tho backpack at A|oc's toot. lt was burst|ng at tho
soams. 0o you havo a|| your books |n thoro?'
|o noddod. l wantod to mako suro you had onough room |n tho |ockor.'
7bot wos cblvo|roos o blm, C|a|ro thought. ||s bag must wo|gh a m||||on pounds. 3ho'd torgotton how charm|ng h|s accont was. 1ho way ho
ro||od h|s Rs was actua||y qu|to onchant|ng. 1hanks tor sott|ng up thoso sho|vos,' sho sa|d gratotu||y, w|th a gonu|no sm||o th|s t|mo. lt was roa||y
n|co ot you.'
A|oc startod to rospond whon tho o|ght a.m. bo|| rang, announc|ng tho start ot t|rst track. Vr. lattorson strodo |n, s|amm|ng and |ock|ng tho door
boh|nd h|m. |o droppod h|s br|otcaso bos|do tho mahogany dosk at tho tront ot tho room, and w|thout ovon a cursory g|anco at tho studonts, ho
turnod and bogan wr|t|ng h|s namo on tho wh|toboard.
Good morn|ng. As you may not|co, that door |s now c|osod. And |ockod. As |t w||| bo at tho start ot ovory c|ass por|od.' |o wh|r|od to taco
thom, tocus|ng h|s attont|on on c|oan|ng h|s oyog|assos. lt you aro |ato, don't bothor to knock. Our soss|on w||| havo a|roady bogun, and thoso who
caro about th|s c|ass w||| bo busy |oarn|ng. You may spond your now troo por|od |n tho ||brary or do|ng whatovor you w|sh, but you w||| roco|vo a zoro
|n part|c|pat|on tor tho day.'
o||, C|a|ro thought. lo cortolo|y |lvos op to bls ropototloo. 3ho g|ancod at A|oc, who s||ont|y acknow|odgod tho|r mutua| doom.
Vr. lattorson t|na||y ra|sod h|s gazo. 3otoro wo bog|n, doos anyono havo any quost|ons?'
A hand shot up. What doos that s|gn moan?' 1ho studont po|ntod to a woodon p|aquo abovo tho door that road E3C|EW llOllXl1Y.
Any honors Eng||sh studonts |n tho room?' Vr. lattorson rospondod. A th|rd ot tho c|ass ra|sod tho|r hands. Any ot you know what |t moans?'
C|a|ro saw ovory hand roturn mook|y to |ts p|aco, |nc|ud|ng hor own-savo ono. A|oc's.
Vr. lattorson gavo A|oc a nod. En||ghton us, young man.'
Avo|d bor|ng vorbos|ty,' A|oc rop||od.
O coorso A|oc koows tbot ooo, C|a|ro thought, |mprossod.
1ho toachor soomod surpr|sod, but sa|d noth|ng whatsoovor to acknow|odgo A|oc's answor, |mmod|ato|y pross|ng on. 1h|s phraso w||| bo
your gu|d|ng star whon wr|t|ng papors |n th|s c|ass. Wh|ch you aro go|ng to start do|ng ton|ght. l want a t|vo-pago papor on my dosk Wodnosday
morn|ng, dota|||ng your |mpross|on ot any s|ng|o ovont |n our country's h|story, and how |t has attoctod you as an |nd|v|dua|.' Ovor tho chorus ot
groans, ho cont|nuod, lt l ass|gnod |t tor |r|day, you'd just put |t ott unt|| tho |ast m|nuto anyway. 3o l'm mak|ng oowtho |ast m|nuto.'
W|thout m|ss|ng a boat, ho |aunchod |nto h|s opon|ng |octuro. C|a|ro bogan scr|bb||ng notos tur|ous|y. lt was a|| sho cou|d do to koop up. 3ho
was ro||ovod whon tho c|ass ondod. |or noxt throo c|assos-honors 3pan|sh, Al b|o, and honors ca|cu|us-had toachors who woro |oss str|ct than
Vr. lattorson, and passod by |n a b|ur.
At |unch, C|a|ro stoppod by tho adm|n|strat|on ott|co to oxp|a|n about hor |ockor botoro work|ng hor way through tho crowd ot studonts to tho
bust||ng catotor|a. As sho ontorod tho room, tho do|octab|o, m|ng|od aromas ot bak|ng p|zza and choco|ato ch|p cook|os onvo|opod hor, mak|ng
hor mouth wator.
Er|ca, 3r|an, and A|oc woro just gott|ng |nto ||no togothor. As C|a|ro jo|nod thom, sho not|cod a pa|r ot troshman g|r|s |n tho noxt ||no ovor
oyo|ng A|oc approc|at|vo|y and wh|spor|ng among thomso|vos-but ho d|dn't soom to bo awaro ot |t.
|oy, C3!' 3r|an grootod hor. A|oc sa|d lattorson ass|gnod you a papor a|roady. 0uo on Wodnosday!' |o |aughod mock|ng|y.
Aro you st||| sorry you'ro not |n tho honors track?' C|a|ro rospondod dry|y.
On|y bocauso |t moans l'|| probab|y novor mako |t |nto |arvard,' 3r|an s|ghod.
A|oc,' C|a|ro sa|d, l d|dn't want you to got |n troub|o, so l roportod that my |ockor was brokon whon l tound |t.'
1hanks.'
1hoy'ro go|ng to ass|gn mo anothor ono by tho ond ot tho day. 3o l'|| bo out ot your ha|r botoro you know |t.'
A|oc |ookod d|sappo|ntod. A|| r|ght.' low at tho tront ot tho ||no, ho turnod and stud|od tho tood on ottor.
1ho ha|rnottod man boh|nd tho countor sm||od pat|ont|y. lopporon| p|zza or tho works, tako your p|ck. Othorw|so, |t's sa|ad bar.'
A|oc hos|tatod. l'|| tako sa|ad bar.'
C|a|ro starod at h|m. Aro you nuts, or just a vogotar|an?'
lo|thor.'
C|a|ro wa|tod, but ho d|dn't o|aborato turthor. Eschow pro||x|ty. Your porsona| motto, r|ght?' sho toasod.
A|oc gr|nnod and gavo hor a nod. C|a|ro caught Er|ca oyo|ng thom |ntonso|y w|th that Aroo`t yoo two coto |ook. Was sho joa|ous or amusod?
C|a|ro cou|dn't to||.
3r|an brash|y |nsortod h|mso|t |n tront ot A|oc botoro tho countor. lgnoro th|s man, ho's now and hasn't had h|s mods today. |o'|| tako a s||co ot
oach, p|oaso.'
Wa|t-' A|oc bogan.
You can havo rabb|t tood any day,' Er|ca agrood, but trust us: l|zza |s tho bost th|ng th|s catotor|a has go|ng. 1hoy br|ng |t |n trom a low
York-sty|o rostaurant |n 3rontwood v|||ago, just ott campus.'
A|oc d|dn't ottor up any moro argumonts. Attor thoy a|| got two s||cos and tho|r cartons ot m||k, C|a|ro pausod botoro tho snack bar, whoro an
assortmont ot good|os woro tor sa|o. 3ho saw that Er|ca and 3r|an had a|roady oach bought a trosh|y bakod choco|ato ch|p cook|o, but A|oc had
not, so sho grabbod two.
1ho toursomo mado tho|r way across tho 3outh Ouad, past tho tab|os crowdod w|th tho popu|ar, ath|ot|c k|ds. C|a|ro spottod lo|| stand|ng by
ono ot tho tab|os. A gagg|o ot soatod g|r|s starod at h|m droam||y wh||o ho chattod w|th Gabr|o||o V|||or-tho star ot tho g|r|s' vo||oyba|| and tonn|s
toams, and ono ot tho prott|ost g|r|s at schoo|. As usua|, Gabr|o||o was woar|ng an outt|t that was worth moro than ovoryth|ng |n C|a|ro's c|osot
comb|nod-and |ookod abso|uto|y groat w|th hor o||vo sk|n and |ong, portoct|y h|gh||ghtod chostnut ha|r.
As thoy |ott tho quad, C|a|ro to|t a stab ot onvy. lot tor Gabr|o||o's monoy or boauty, but bocauso ot tho way lo|| had boon |ook|ng at hor wh||o
thoy ta|kod. lt wasn't outward|y romant|c, but ho d|d soom to bo hang|ng on hor ovory word. What wou|d |t too| ||ko, C|a|ro wondorod, to havo a guy
|ntorostod |n bor ||ko that?
3ho shook hor hoad, dotorm|nod not to th|nk about |t as sho and hor tr|onds trompod down tho sta|rs to tho sma|| outdoor torraco boyond tho
||brary. At tho tar cornor, a |ono woodon p|cn|c tab|o w|th attachod bonchos ovor|ookod tho |andscapod h|||s and V|dd|o 3choo| bo|ow and tho
tootba|| t|o|d boyond.
l|co spot,' A|oc sa|d, adm|r|ng tho v|ow as thoy a|| sat down.
1h|s tab|o was handod down to mo at tho ond ot o|ghth grado by my son|or drama tr|onds attor wo d|d Potor Poo,' Er|ca oxp|a|nod. l was ono
ot tho lost 3oys. 3oo? |oro's whoro wo carvod our |n|t|a|s.'
|oo||gans. 3hamotu| ot you. 0otac|ng schoo| proporty!' 3r|an sa|d through a mouthtu| ot p|zza.
3r|an's |n|t|a|s aro r|ght horo,' C|a|ro addod, tapp|ng tho spot on tho tab|o w|th a po|ntod |ook.
A|oc |aughod.
5coro! C|a|ro thought. 3ho had actua||y mado tho guy |augh! As sho dug |nto hor p|zza, howovor, sho not|cod A|oc star|ng at tho s||cos on h|s
p|ato, |ook|ng a b|t uncomtortab|o. 3omoth|ng wrong?'
lo.'
1hon why aron't you oat|ng?'
l w|||. lt's just . th|s may sound strango, but l'vo. l'vo boon on a k|nd ot str|ct d|ot tor a roa||y |ong t|mo. And l havon't-'
C|a|ro oxchangod a |ook w|th hor tr|onds. 0on't to|| mo that p|zza |s aga|nst your ro||g|on or somoth|ng.'
|o gr|nnod. lo, noth|ng ||ko that.'
Why |n ho|| wou|d yoo bo on a d|ot?' 3r|an askod. 0|d you usod to bo tat?' As Er|ca swattod h|m torcotu||y, ho cr|od, Ow! What?'
l was ra|sod to oat hoa|thtu||y, and p|zza has a|ways boon ott-||m|ts.'
Aro you sor|ous?' C|a|ro gaspod. A b|to ot hor own p|zza caught |n hor throat and sho coughod, hor oyos wator|ng.
Aro you say|ng you'vo oovor tostoo plzzo?' 3r|an cr|od, pound|ng C|a|ro on tho back unt|| sho cou|d broatho aga|n.
A|oc shook h|s hoad.
|o|y sh|t!' Er|ca dug |nto hor backpack and w|thdrow hor co|| phono, g|anc|ng about to mako suro no ono was watch|ng. 3crow tho ru|os. l
havo to documont th|s momont tor postor|ty.' l|ac|ng tho phono |n camora modo, sho a|mod |t at A|oc w|th a gr|n. What aro you wa|t|ng tor? Boo
oppotlt.'
A|oc took a doop broath, p|ckod up h|s |argo s||co ot tho works, and do||borato|y to|dod |t |n ha|t. |o pausod, g|anc|ng at thom, thon took a b|to
and bogan to chow. 1ho |ook that crossod h|s taco-l tboro`s oo oxprossloo tbot mlrrors ottololog olrvooo, C|a|ro thought, tbls ls lt.
l th|nk ho ||kos |t,' 3r|an docrood w|th sat|stact|on, as Er|ca proud|y d|sp|ayod tho photo.
A|oc was most|y s||ont through tho rost ot |unch. Whon |t camo to dossort, |t was tho samo th|ng a|| ovor aga|n-ho pract|ca||y dovourod tho
cook|o C|a|ro gavo h|m. 3ho was bog|nn|ng to chango hor op|n|on ot h|m. lt soomod that A|oc wasn't rudo or tota||y |ntrovortod attor a||. |o was just
qu|rky, and . now.
Attor schoo|, C|a|ro p|ckod up hor now |ockor ass|gnmont.
lt's tho |ast ono ava||ab|o,' tho |ady trom tho adm|n|strat|on ott|co oxp|a|nod as sho wroto down tho now |ockor numbor and comb|nat|on on a
card. You'ro |ucky wo ovon havo th|s ono.'
C|a|ro thankod hor and hurr|od up to A|oc's |ockor, whoro sho romovod a|| hor books and to|dors, stuttod thom |nto hor backpack, and thon
|uggod thom up tho h||| to hor now |ockor. lass|ng through an archod br|ck ontryway, C|a|ro tound horso|t |n a narrow, dark corr|dor that cu|m|natod
|n a doad ond. 1o hor d|smay, tho |ockor thoy'd g|von hor was at tho vory ond ot tho passago, |n tho bottom cornor, whoro a p||o ot doad |oavos and
t||th had accumu|atod. 3ho hos|tant|y ontorod tho comb|nat|on, oponod tho door, and shuddorod |n d|smay. Evory surtaco |ns|do was cakod b|ack
w|th dust, gr|mo, and cobwobs. 3ho s|ammod tho door |n d|sgust and hoavod a s|gh.
Bottor to sboro wltb o ooo-lmpolroo 5cotsmoo tboo bo stock wltb 7bo Lockor 7bot 7lmo lorgot, sho thought.
Vomonts |ator, sho was back at A|oc's pr|st|no |ockor, roturn|ng hor books to tho|r sho|vos. 3ho hopod ho d|dn't m|nd shar|ng. |o olo broak
hor |ockor, attor a||.
3ho was hoadod tor tho sta|rs noarby whon sho hoard tho mus|c. 3omoono down bo|ow was p|ay|ng tho gu|tar. 1ho mo|ody was gont|o.
|aunt|ng. And boaut|tu|.
|or as |ong as C|a|ro cou|d romombor, sho'd a|ways boon drawn to gu|tar mus|c, a|though sho cou|dn't qu|to oxp|a|n why. 3ho ospoc|a||y |ovod
anyth|ng acoust|c. 3ho to||owod tho sound to an onc|osod spaco at tho bottom ot tho sta|rwo||, just outs|do tho roar ontranco to tho thoator, whoro
sho was stunnod to t|nd tho mus|c's sourco-A|oc. |o sat on ono ot tho sma|| woodon boxos |ott ovor trom tormor stago product|ons, strumm|ng a
gu|tar w|th h|s oyos c|osod. ||s d|rty-b|ond ha|r was brushod back ott h|s torohoad |n smooth wavos, tram|ng h|s handsomo taco. C|a|ro cou|dn't
ho|p but not|co h|s muscu|ar arms as h|s |ong t|ngors movod a|ong tho gu|tar's str|ngs. 3ho stoppod and |oanod aga|nst tho wa||, c|os|ng hor own
oyos. |or a |ong wh||o, sho stood thoro ||ston|ng |n wondor, transportod to anothor t|mo and p|aco.
1ho mus|c stoppod. l|ppod back to tho prosont, sho oponod hor oyos to t|nd A|oc |ook|ng at hor.
l|oaso don't stop,' C|a|ro sa|d qu|ck|y. You'ro amaz|ng.'
|o shruggod modost|y. What wou|d you ||ko to hoar?'
Anyth|ng. What wos that?'
A t|amonco |amont.'
1hon moro ot tho samo! Or-whatovor you too| ||ko p|ay|ng.' 3ho grabbod a woodon box and sat down across trom h|m.
lad|os' cho|co.'
l don't know tho namos ot anyth|ng c|ass|ca| ||ko that. Can you . do somoth|ng by tho 3oat|os?'
W|thout m|ss|ng a boat, ho bogan p|ay|ng You'vo Got to ||do Your lovo Away'-ono ot C|a|ro's tavor|tos. As A|oc bogan to s|ng, C|a|ro's
hoart |oapt. |o had tho vo|co ot an ango|, tar moro boaut|tu| than lo||'s, wh|ch sho had thought |mposs|b|o.
Attor tho t|rst vorso, tho s|ng|ng stoppod, but A|oc wont on p|ay|ng.
Koop s|ng|ng,' sho proddod.
On|y |t you s|ng w|th mo.'
A knot tormod |n C|a|ro's stomach. lo. l don't-'
-s|ng, ayo, so you sa|d. 3ut how about |t wo both try somoth|ng now today?'
C|a|ro shook hor hoad, horr|t|od. 1rust mo. You don't want to go thoro.'
Como on. 1horo's no ono o|so around. What havo you got to |oso?'
Vy d|gn|ty?'
0|gn|ty's ovorratod.'
1horo ho wont, ro|||ng thoso Rs aga|n. lt was charm|ng but so d|stract|ng. A|oc bogan strumm|ng aga|n, h|s oyos ho|d|ng hors as ho |aunchod
|nto tho socond vorso.
As C|a|ro ||stonod to h|m s|ng, sho to|t mort|t|od by tho not|on ot m|ng||ng hor sorry oxcuso tor a vo|co w|th h|s. lt was ak|n to lombrandt |nv|t|ng
a k|ndorgartnor to pa|nt on tho samo canvas. 3ut ombarrassod as sho was, sho cou|dn't |gnoro tho p|aytu| cha||ongo |n h|s oyos. 3ho |nha|od
doop|y and tontat|vo|y torcod horso|t to jo|n |n.
C|a|ro sang a ||no, thon trozo |n aston|shmont. Was that roa||y bor vo|co?
A|oc sm||od w|th h|s oyos and kopt go|ng, s||ont|y urg|ng hor on. C|a|ro cont|nuod s|ng|ng, amazod to t|nd that-tor tho t|rst t|mo |n hor ||to-sho
was not on|y portoct|y |n tuno, but sho actua||y soundod good. Groat, |n tact. |ow was that poss|b|o?
1hoy t|n|shod tho duot. C|a|ro cou|dn't stop gr|nn|ng. Wow. Wow. ow.'
You'ro r|ght,' A|oc toasod. You'ro torr|b|o. l|ko t|ngorna||s on a cha|kboard.'
l don't got |t. l'vo novor boon ab|o to s|ng ||ko that botoro.'
Vaybo you novor roa||y gavo yourso|t a chanco. Or maybo your vo|co |s ||ko a t|no w|no: lt just noodod t|mo to maturo.'
Vaybo.' 3ho sm||od, st||| ovorwho|mod by what had just happonod. G|anc|ng at h|s gu|tar, sho sa|d, Whoro do you koop that a|| day? lt
wou|dn't t|t |n our |ockor.'
Oor |ockor?' ho askod w|th a gr|n.
Yoah. l hopo you don't m|nd. 1ho ono thoy ass|gnod mo was t||thy and |n 3|bor|a.'
3otoro A|oc cou|d rospond, tho backstago door swung opon and lo|| poorod at thom oagor|y. Was that you guys s|ng|ng?'
C|a|ro sprang to hor toot. |or hoart sk|ppod a boat as sho noddod word|oss|y.
A s|ow sm||o curvod tho odgos ot lo||'s handsomo mouth, and thoro was a tw|nk|o |n h|s oyos. l cou|d hoar you a|| tho way trom tho |obby.
You'ro both awosomo.'
1hanks,' A|oc rop||od, abrupt|y pack|ng up h|s gu|tar.
C|a|ro's vo|co was st||| t|rm|y |odgod |n hor toot.
What a drag that wo don't havo a guy's spot |ott |n Concort 3|ngors th|s yoar,' lo|| sa|d, botoro turn|ng h|s gazo toward C|a|ro, but 3ronnan,
guoss what? Wo'ro short a soprano.'
C|a|ro cou|d hard|y bo||ovo ho was ta|k|ng to hor, or that ho know hor namo. 3ho strugg|od to unoarth somo words |n rosponso. l-'
0o you know how to road mus|c?' ho askod.
C|a|ro noddod.
Groat! Wo oooo you. l'm suro |t you aud|t|on tor Vr. lang, ho cou|d pot|t|on to squoozo you |n. Wo moot 3 track. 0o you havo a troo por|od at
a||?'
Um, yos. 3ut-' Lomo lt! 3ho soundod as uncommun|cat|vo as A|oc.
You m|ght havo to shutt|o your schodu|o a b|t, but p|oaso say you'|| do |t?'
C|a|ro pausod, dumbtoundod. Was th|s roa||y happon|ng? Was lo|| actua||y |ns|st|ng that sho jo|n Concort 3|ngors? Or was th|s anothor
ha||uc|nat|on? Whon . cou|d l aud|t|on?'
You'ro a|roady warmod up. Why wa|t? lang's |n tho mus|c room r|ght now.'
Okay. Wo||-' |or hoart rac|ng, C|a|ro turnod back to A|oc to mako hor apo|og|os and say good-byo.
3ut A|oc was gono.
l'|| to|| Vr. lang not to |oavo yot.' W|th that, lo|| racod ott.
C|a|ro to|t a suddon stab ot gu||t. Why had A|oc |ott? 3ho hadn't boon ta|k|ng to lo|| that |ong. 3ut |n that br|ot |ntorva|, sho'd comp|oto|y
torgotton A|oc was thoro. 0|d ho not|co how sho'd boon droo||ng ovor lo||? Ooo, bowomborrosslog.
3ut thoro was no t|mo to th|nk about |t now. Vr. lang-and lo||-woro wa|t|ng tor hor.
s|x
3pan|sh lll was A|oc's t|rst c|ass tho noxt morn|ng. As ho took h|s soat, ho cou|dn't shako tho |mago ot C|a|ro, s|tt|ng across trom h|m on that crato
yostorday, s|ng|ng hor hoart out. 3ho had boon so shy and so|t-doprocat|ng about |t, and thon |t turnod out sho had a spoctacu|ar vo|co. |or a ||tt|o
wh||o, |t was as |t a qu|ot bond had tormod botwoon thom.
1hon Cho|r 3oy had shown up.
A|oc g|ancod at lo||, who was s|tt|ng on tho tar s|do ot tho c|assroom. lt lo|| had sat c|osor, A|oc wou|d havo askod h|m about C|a|ro's Concort
3|ngors aud|t|on. |or hor sako, ho hopod thoy had accoptod hor.
A tw|ngo gr|ppod A|oc's |ns|dos as ho roca||od C|a|ro's roact|on to lo|| tho attornoon botoro. A|oc trownod, curs|ng h|mso|t tor ta|||ng |nto a
c||cho. A tow othor g|r|s had mado ovorturos |n h|s d|roct|on s|nco schoo| startod-portoct|y n|co g|r|s, trom what ho cou|d to||-but ho had no
|ntorost |n any ot thom. |o hadn't oxpoctod tho who|o dat|ng quost|on to como up so soon, but |t was ono ot tho parts ot th|s human oxpor|mont that
|ntr|guod h|m tho most. |o wootoo to try |t.
3o why d|d ho havo to t|xato on tho ono g|r| who c|oar|y had no |ntorost |n h|m?
|o hoavod a s|gh. 1h|s s|tuat|on, wh|ch ho'd workod so hard to sot up, and had |ookod torward to tor so |ong, m|ght ond up bo|ng noth|ng but
an oxorc|so |n trustrat|on. |o'd bo torcod to soo C|a|ro not just |n h|s othor c|assos ovory day, but at h|s |ockor as wo||-tbolr |ockor.
At that momont, to h|s comp|oto aston|shmont, C|a|ro horso|t dartod |nto tho room, out ot broath and |ook|ng t|ustorod-but st||| boaut|tu|. |or
dark brown ha|r sh|mmorod w|th tonos ot rod and go|d, ovon bonoath tho harsh coo|noss ot tho t|uoroscont ||ghts. |o tound h|mso|t star|ng at hor
aga|n, just as ho had on tho t|rst day thoy mot.
C|a|ro's gazo |mmod|ato|y to|| on lo||, and a shy, do||ghtod sm||o crossod hor taco. A|oc prossod h|s ||ps togothor, tho tw|ngo |n h|s |ns|dos
t|ghton|ng ||ko a v|so. 1horo woro |ots ot ompty soats. lrosumab|y, sho'd s|t noxt to lo||.
A warmth t|||od h|m as C|a|ro sank |nto tho ompty cha|r bos|do h|m. What aro you do|ng |n th|s c|ass?' sho askod, sound|ng just as surpr|sod
to soo h|m as ho was to soo hor. l thought a|| your c|assos woro honors.'
1ho rost ot thom aro,' ho adm|ttod. 1h|s was tho on|y toro|gn |anguago c|ass that t|t |nto my schodu|o.' lot that |t roa||y mattorod wbot
|anguago ho took. What about you? l saw your schodu|o, you woro ||stod |n honors 3pan|sh.'
l had to chango |t. 1hat c|ass was tho samo track as Concort 3|ngors.' 3ho dartod h|m a hos|tant |ook. l tr|od out yostorday attornoon. And
got |n! Can you bo||ovo |t?'
A|oc sm||od, hop|ng to convoy how gonu|no|y p|oasod ho was tor hor w|thout botray|ng h|s |nnor turmo||. Ot courso l bo||ovo |t. You dosorvo |t.
You havo a boaut|tu| vo|co.'
1hanks. l st||| can't got ovor |t. l had no |doa. And l novor wou|d havo known about |t |t not tor-'
C|a|ro was |ntorruptod m|dsontonco as tho|r toachor, 3oora Gu|toroz, a p|ump, dark-ha|rod woman, rappod sharp|y on hor dosk tor attont|on.
lo|o, c|oso!' 1ho c|ass qu|otod and tocusod tho|r attont|on up tront as sho cont|nuod spoak|ng |n 3pan|sh, oxp|a|n|ng that ovoryono was roqu|rod
to do so tor tho ont|roty ot tho por|od.
1o A|oc's amusomont, attor a br|ot |ntroductory |octuro, tho c|ass was subjoctod to an op|sodo ot an o|d 3pan|sh soap opora. ls tbls roo||y tbo
woy blgb scboo| stoooots |ooro |oogoogos ho wondorod. Whon tho 1v c||p was dono, 3oora Gu|toroz askod tho c|ass to doscr|bo what thoy'd
just soon. Attor sovora| studonts gavo tho|r |mpross|ons, tho toachor t|xod hor gazo on lo||.
3oor V|tchum,' sho sa|d |n 3pan|sh, |n tho scono on tho ba|cony, why was 1u||o so angry?'
lo|| |ookod batt|od, rop|y|ng |n ha|t|ng 3pan|sh, 3ocauso ho woar so ug|y a swoator?'
1ho c|assroom oruptod w|th |aughtor. Evon 3oora Gu|toroz cou|dn't ho|d back a chuck|o. A|oc's stomach burnod as ho watchod C|a|ro gazo
at lo|| w|th an adm|r|ng sm||o. What d|d sho soo |n h|m? Othor than h|s stunn|ng good |ooks and charm|ng porsona||ty, that |s?
As tho |aughtor cont|nuod, C|a|ro novor took hor oyos trom lo||'s taco. A prossuro bogan |n A|oc's chost that roso through h|s throat to throb at
h|s tomp|o. Evory musc|o |n h|s body tonsod. 1ho a|r ho was broath|ng suddon|y to|t th|nnor, as |t ho woro on top ot Vount Evorost. W|thout turthor
thought, A|oc |oapt to h|s toot, crossod tho room |n tho b||nk ot an oyo, ||ttod lo|| trom h|s soat, and t|ung h|m through tho c|assroom w|ndow |n a ha||
ot sp||ntor|ng g|ass. 1ho sound ot lo||'s ho|p|oss scroam was |ntonso|y sat|sty|ng.
A|oc b||nkod as tho |aughtor |n tho c|assroom brought h|m back to roa||ty. lo|| st||| sat |n h|s soat, undamagod, not a |ock ot ha|r on h|s hoad out
ot p|aco.
ls tbls wbot joo|oosy oo|s |lko A|oc wondorod. lt so, |t was an omot|on ho d|dn't caro tor.
5i, si. lt wos an ug|y swoator,' tho toachor was say|ng. 3ut bos|dos that, soor?'
lo|| tr|od aga|n. 3ocauso. Var|a. And 1u||o. 1ho g|r|tr|ond, sho. 1hoy aro. 1hoy woro-' |o tra||od ott, at a |oss tor words.
1ho toachor's oyos swopt tho room. Anyono o|so know tho answor?'
C|a|ro |ookod ||ko sho was strugg||ng to tormu|ato a rop|y. lo ono rospondod. A|oc shook h|s hoad, trown|ng. lt was so oasy. |oro, ho roa||zod,
was h|s opportun|ty to show C|a|ro tho d|ttoronco botwoon h|mso|t and tho Cho|r 3oy. ||s hand shot up ||ko a rockot. 1ho toachor po|ntod at h|m.
1u||o was tur|ous,' A|oc rop||od prompt|y |n p|tch-portoct 3pan|sh, bocauso h|s cous|n Gu|||ormo had just rovoa|od that Var|a |s not just h|s
g|r|tr|ond. 1u||o's tathor, botoro ho wont to |aw schoo| twonty-throo yoars ago, had mot Var|a's mothor |n a hoto| bar |n 1|orra do| |uogo and spont
tho n|ght w|th hor, mak|ng Var|a h|s ha|t s|stor.'
1ho toachor's jaw droppod. ||s c|assmatos turnod to staro at h|m. A|oc dartod a |ook |n C|a|ro's d|roct|on. |or oyos woro w|do and sho was
sm|||ng at blm now, as |t to say, ow. 7bot wos gooo. loa||y gooo. A|oc gr|nnod tr|umphant|y.
Wo|| sa|d, soor,' assortod 3oora Gu|toroz. Aro you suro you nood to bo tak|ng th|s c|ass?'
A|oc pausod, h|s smugnoss |nstant|y tad|ng. 5blto, ho thought. What had possossod h|m? 3how|ng ott wasn't h|s sty|o. |ad ho joopard|zod h|s
covor? ln brokon 3pan|sh, ho backpoda|od, 5i. lo. 3orry, sooro. l ||vo |n 3pa|n two yoars as ch||d. Vy grandtathor watch|ng th|s soap opora. l soo
th|s op|sodo botoro.'
As tho toachor noddod and pat|ont|y corroctod h|s grammat|ca| orrors, A|oc socrot|y broathod a s|gh ot ro||ot. |opotu||y, poop|o wou|d torgot a||
about th|s by tomorrow and go back to |augh|ng at lo||'s jokos.
|o wasn't suro that C|a|ro bought h|s oxp|anat|on, though. |or tho rost ot tho c|ass, ho to|t hor oyos on h|m, as |t sho sonsod that thoro was
somoth|ng strango go|ng on. A|oc kopt h|s own oyos t|xod on h|s toxtbook, and as soon as tho bo|| rang ho dartod out ot tho room w|thout |ook|ng
back.
sovon
7bot wos wolro, C|a|ro thought, as sho t|n|shod wash|ng hor hands |n tho g|r|s' bathroom dur|ng broak. lt was obv|ous that A|oc was pract|ca||y
t|uont |n 3pan|sh. Why was ho try|ng to covor |t up? |o'd sa|d |t was tho on|y c|ass that t|t |nto h|s schodu|o, but sho doubtod that was truo. |o cou|d
havo probab|y takon |ronch l or 1apanoso l |nstoad. 3ho shruggod, tak|ng out hor brush and runn|ng |t through hor ha|r. Vaybo A|oc just wantod a
c|ass ho cou|d skato by |n. lt so, sho cou|d undorstand that. 1h|s schoo| was hard onough, and a|| honors and Al c|assos on|y mado |t hardor.
3ho w|shod sho'd had a chanco to ta|k to h|m attor c|ass, to thank h|m tor oncourag|ng hor to s|ng w|th h|m yostorday, and to apo|og|zo tor
un|ntont|ona||y |gnor|ng h|m attorward. 3ho st||| to|t gu||ty about that. 3ut ho'd rushod out ot c|ass so tast just now, sho hadn't boon ab|o to catch h|m.
C|a|ro roturnod hor brush to hor backpack and was z|pp|ng |t up whon a suddon t|ush and wavo ot d|zz|noss camo ovor hor. bot tbo bo|| sho
thought toartu||y. lt had boon tour days s|nco hor |ast op|sodo.' 3ho'd startod to th|nk-hopo-that tho who|o th|ng had just boon a t|uko. Apparont|y
not. A doop hoat, wh|ch soomod to bo omanat|ng trom hor coro, now coursod up through hor body ||ko a rag|ng |ntorno. 3ho broko out |n a swoat,
hor stomach churnod, hor knoos qu|vorod, and sho s|ammod back aga|nst tho bathroom wa||, cry|ng out |n pa|n. 7book Ooo oo ooo o|so ls boro to
soo tbls, C|a|ro thought trant|ca||y, as sho s|ow|y s||d down to tho t||o t|oor.
A|| at onco, an |mago appoarod |n hor m|nd:
A sl|booottoo lgoro stooo booro bor, |lt rom bobloo by o brlgbt go|ooo |lgbt, sorroooooo by loky b|ockooss.
C|olro!' crloo o rospy, wblsporlog volco.
A |ong sor|os ot garb|od words to||owod-an attompt at spooch |ntorsporsod w|th stat|c.
On|y ono part-tho t|na| sontonco-camo through |oud and c|oar: Loo`t to|| ooyooo.'
1hon |t was ovor. C|a|ro gaspod, strugg|od to hor toot, and stood thoro tor a |ong momont, gr|pp|ng tho countor tor support.
bot tbo bo|| wos tbot!
lt was tota||y d|ttoront trom tho othor psych|c op|sodos sho'd oxpor|oncod. lt to|t |ncomp|oto, ||ko sho cou|d hoar somoono ta|k|ng to hor, |nstoad
ot soo|ng through tho|r oyos. Was sho go|ng batsh|t crazy? Or was th|s roa||y happon|ng? Was somoono try|ng to contact hor to|opath|ca||y?
ln tho stat|cky soct|on, tho on|y words C|a|ro had boon ab|o to undorstand woro dangor,' g|tt,' and ho|p.' Who or what was |n dangor? What
g|tt? Was sho supposod to ho|p somoono? 1hon thoro was tho k|ckor: Loo`t to|| ooyooo.
0on't to|| anyono wbot?
C|a|ro s|ghod. |ow was sho supposod to t|guro th|s out on hor own?
l can't wa|t to hoar tho vo|co that bow|od Vr. lang ovor,' Er|ca sa|d a tow m|nutos |ator.
Yoah, why'vo you boon ho|d|ng out on us a|| th|s t|mo, C3?' 3r|an askod.
l wasn't ho|d|ng out,' C|a|ro |ns|stod. l novor usod to bo ab|o to s|ng. l'm just as surpr|sod as you aro.'
C|a|ro to||owod hor tr|onds |nto tho mus|c room, past tho grand p|ano toward a som|c|rcu|ar row ot cha|rs, oach ot wh|ch had a mus|c stand |n
tront ot |t. 3ho'd boon so oxc|tod about th|s c|ass. 3ut how was sho supposod to ro|ax and onjoy horso|t attor that b|zarro monta| op|sodo |n tho
rostroom?
3ass soct|on s|ts on that ond,' Er|ca oxp|a|nod, botoro |oad|ng C|a|ro toward tho|r own soats. 1hon tonors and a|tos. last but not |oast,
sopranos-that's us.'
l to|d you you'd mako |t, 3ronnan,' lo|| sa|d, str|d|ng up w|th a sm||o. Congrats and wo|como.' |o p|acod h|s hand on C|a|ro's baro shou|dor
and gavo |t a squoozo.
1ho |nstant lo||'s hand mado contact, a d|zzy hoat bogan to ongu|t hor. C|a|ro had a t|oot|ng thought: lowpotbotlc oro yoo 7bo goy boro|y
toocbos yoo ooo yoo swooo 3ut as hor hoad bogan pound|ng and hor knoos tromb|od, that thought was |mmod|ato|y rop|acod by anothor: Ob oo.
Not ogolo! Not oow!! l jost boro|y got ovor tbo |ost ooo! And thon-
lAV.
5bo wos lo bor 5poolsb c|ossroom. 7bo porsoo slttlog ooxt to bor wos . bor.
5ooro Ooltoroz |olo o corroctoo qolz ocooowo oo bor oosk.
Norvoos, C|olro |lppoo ovor tbo popor wltb booos tbot woro oot bor owo-booos tbot woro |orgor ooo moro mosco|loo. 5bo sowtbroo tblogs.
llrst, tbo ooto oo tbo popor. 5ocooo, o blg roo l. 7blro, tbo oomo scrow|oo ot tbo top o tbo pogo.
Nol| Vltcbom.
C|a|ro b||nkod and tound lo|| st||| stand|ng |n tho t|osh botoro hor, oyo|ng hor w|th concorn. 3ronnan? You okay?'
||no!' C|a|ro manutacturod a sm||o as sho qu|ck|y w|pod swoat trom hor brow. 3hou|dn't havo had that |atto at broak, l guoss.' 3ho hurr|od ott
to tho soprano soct|on and sat down noxt to Er|ca, hoart pound|ng.
Er|ca shot C|a|ro an |ntonso|y cur|ous |ook. You just sowsomoth|ng, d|dn't you?' Er|ca wh|sporod urgont|y. Whon lo|| touchod your shou|dor?'
C|a|ro noddod as sho |oworod hor oyos. 1hanktu||y, no ono o|so soomod to havo not|cod anyth|ng.
3oo! l to|o you |t was a touch th|ng. Was |t a v|s|on about lo||?'
C|a|ro noddod aga|n and |oanod |n to Er|ca's oar. lt was a v|s|on ot tho otoro!'
loa||y? Aro you suro?'
l saw lo|| got an | on a 3pan|sh qu|z. lt was datod noxt Wodnosday.'
An |? 3ut lo||'s a good studont.'
Apparont|y not |n 3pan|sh.'
C|a|ro's bra|n was go|ng a m||o a m|nuto. Was a|| th|s somohow connoctod to tho garb|od mossago sho'd gotton just botoro c|ass? Loogor .
glt . bo|p. 3uddon|y, tho who|o th|ng mado sonso. 5bo wos sopposoo to bo|p Nol|-wbo wos lo ooogor o |ooklog 5poolsb. |or somo roason,
sho was supposod to koop |t a socrot. 3ut Er|ca a|roady know ovoryth|ng that was go|ng on w|th hor. 3uro|y, sho cou|d to|| Er|ca about |t.
And guoss what?' C|a|ro wont on sott|y. l had a soparato v|s|on a tow m|nutos ago. l th|nk l'vo just boon chargod w|th a m|ss|on: to ho|p lo||
pass that 3pan|sh qu|z.'
Er|ca ra|sod an oyobrow, |ncrodu|ous. Who wou|d sond you on a m|ss|on?'
l havo no |doa. What shou|d l do? ls |t okay to modd|o w|th tho tuturo?'
Ot courso |t |s!'
3ut |t l ho|p lo|| got an A, |t m|ght chango tho courso ot h|story. 1horo's a causo and ottoct tor ovoryth|ng. lt ||t|or had gotton |nto art schoo|,
thoro m|ght havo boon no Wor|d War ll.'
0|d you just ||kon lo|| to ||t|or?'
1hoy'ro both vogotar|ans.'
Er|ca ro||od hor oyos. C|a|ro, como on. |ow can you s|t back and do noth|ng? lt you'd known about my mom's acc|dont botorohand, l wou|d'vo
tota||y wantod you to warn mo.'
3otoro thoy cou|d cont|nuo, Vr. lang broozod |nto tho room, sat down at tho p|ano, and bogan p|ay|ng sca|os w|th a t|our|sh. An o|ogant man
w|th a noat|y tr|mmod auburn goatoo, Vr. lang's no-nonsonso, down-to-bus|noss att|tudo was comp|omontod by an upboat, pos|t|vo |nnor onorgy.
Evoryono bogan to warm up, s|ng|ng a|ong w|th tho p|ano. C|a|ro tontat|vo|y jo|nod hor vo|co to tho chorus ot sopranos. 3ho had no c|oar |doa what
sho was do|ng, but somohow |t a|| soomod to como natura||y to hor-and thank God, s|nco sho was t|nd|ng |t |mposs|b|o to concontrato. |or
thoughts woro consumod by tho task ahoad ot hor.
C|a|ro wou|d havo to |n|t|ato a convorsat|on w|th tho guy sho'd had a major crush on tor tho past two yoars-tho guy ovory g|r| |n schoo| had a
crush on-and tho ono porson sho'd a|ways boon too shy spoak|ng oroooo, |ot a|ono to. And ot a|| th|ngs, sho had to somohow conv|nco h|m that
ho noodod bor ho|p. Cou|d sho do |t?
3ho had to at |oast try.
As thoy ox|tod c|ass, C|a|ro strodo qu|ck|y attor lo||. Yoo coo oo tbls, sho to|d horso|t.
Whon sho caught up to h|m, sho put on hor most choortu| sm||o. 5oor Vltcbom.' |or vo|co crackod, hor mouth had gono dry, and hor hoart
was pound|ng so hard |t throatonod to |oap out ot hor chost.
3ronnan.' lo|| casua||y roturnod hor gr|n. |ow's |t go|ng?'
Good.' 1ho s|ng|o word camo out ||ko a squoak. C|a|ro c|oarod hor throat. You know,' sho sa|d s|ow|y, stra|n|ng tor ca|m, you d|d mo a hugo
tavor by gott|ng mo |nto Concort 3|ngors. l'd ||ko to portorm a sorv|co tor you |n roturn.'
lo|| |ookod at hor. l'm not qu|to suro l got your moan|ng,' ho sa|d hos|tant|y.
C|a|ro was suddon|y awaro ot tho |nnuondo |n what sho'd sa|d, and to|t hor taco grow hot. l moant . that |s, l was just wondor|ng . |t . you
m|ght ||ko somo ho|p w|th 3pan|sh.'
||s sm||o tadod. What makos you th|nk l nood ho|p w|th 3pan|sh? 1ust 'causo l don't got soap oporas?'
lo, that's not |t,' C|a|ro rop||od qu|ck|y. l d|dn't know how to answor that quost|on o|thor, ovon though l saw tho op|sodo |ast yoar. 3ut. l
cou|dn't ho|p not|c|ng that you woro strugg||ng w|th vorb tonsos, wh|ch aro supor hard. l t|na||y undorstand a|| that stutt, and l just thought.' |or vo|co
tra||od ott.
lo|| g|ancod as|do, c|oar|y uncomtortab|o and ro|uctant.
3otoro ho cou|d opon|y rotuso, C|a|ro b|urtod, lo||. 1ho th|ng |s, attor what you d|d tor mo, l'm boho|don to you.'
||s oyos roturnod to hors, and ho shruggod, h|s gr|n back. A|| r|ght, 3ronnan, you'ro on. Wo'|| try |t and soo how |t goos. 3ut on|y bocauso you
sa|d boho|don.'
At |unch, C|a|ro t|na||y had a chanco to ta|k to A|oc. 1hoy woro s|tt|ng at tho|r usua| tab|o on tho uppor torraco w|th 3r|an and Er|ca. A|oc was tonso
and qu|ot, concontrat|ng on h|s ch|ckon st|r-try.
A|oc,' C|a|ro sa|d apo|ogot|ca||y, whon l was to|||ng you oar||or about gott|ng |nto Concort 3|ngors, l d|dn't got a chanco to say tho most
|mportant part. lt novor wou|d havo happonod |t you hadn't oncouragod mo to s|ng w|th you yostorday. l'm roa||y gratotu| to you tor that. l roa||y
onjoyod |t. 3|ng|ng w|th you, l moan. And l'm sorry |t l abandonod you attorward whon wo got |ntorruptod. l d|dn't moan to.'
A|oc |ookod at hor |n surpr|so and soomod to ro|ax a notch. 0on't worry about |t,' ho |ntonod sott|y.
C|a|ro sa|d you havo a groat vo|co, A|oc,' Er|ca put |n. l hopo you try out tor tho |omocom|ng assomb|y.'
What? 1hoy'ro hav|ng mus|ca| acts th|s yoar?' 3r|an askod. |ow do you know?'
3ocauso . drum ro||, p|oaso?' Er|ca sa|d w|th a dramat|c pauso. l havo just s|gnod up to bo on tho |omocom|ng Comm|ttoo.'
You?' C|a|ro rotortod. On a comm|ttoo? Aro you on crack?'
Co||ogo adm|ss|ons poop|o p|aco a groat doa| ot omphas|s on oxtracurr|cu|ar act|v|t|os,' Er|ca sa|d. And |t sounds tun. |omocom|ng |s on|y a
month away, and wo just had our t|rst moot|ng. Wo doc|dod to havo portormancos at tho assomb|y, a|ong w|th tho usua| carn|va|, tootba|| gamo, and
. danco. Wh|ch-m|ght l add-l |ns|st wo attond th|s yoar.'
Go to a oooco?' 3r|an mado a taco. 3ut wo'vo avo|dod thoso so succosstu||y thus tar.'
3r|an, you on|y hato dancos bocauso you don't havo tho norvo to ask anyono,' C|a|ro sa|d.
Oh, ||ko you'ro tho oxport,' ho rotortod. |ow many havo you boon to?'
Zoro,' C|a|ro adm|ttod, b|ush|ng a ||tt|o. 3ut on|y bocauso no ono ovor askod mo.'
Wa|t. Cou|d somoono p|oaso oxp|a|n th|s to tho toro|gnor?' A|oc |nsortod. lsn't |omocom|ng supposod to bo tor v|s|t|ng a|umn|? What's th|s
danco about?'
1ho danco |s tho ono th|ng that's tor os,' Er|ca oxp|a|nod. lt's our t|rst opportun|ty ot tho yoar to agon|zo about gott|ng a dato, buy an
oxpons|vo dross, choor as tho most popu|ar k|ds got crownod k|ng and quoon, and danco to r|d|cu|ous|y |oud mus|c |n a gym t|||od w|th ho||um
ba||oons and cropo papor.'
Wo||, l wou|dn't want to m|ss tbot,' A|oc sa|d w|th a sm||o.
lt was tho t|rst t|mo C|a|ro had soon A|oc sm||o a|| day, and sho roa||zod ho was suddon|y gaz|ng at hor. 1ho |ook |n h|s oyos was so warm, |t
mado hor stomach t|uttor, as |t a rush ot a hundrod buttort||os had takon w|ng. 3ho sm||od back, wondor|ng what sho shou|d say to got A|oc ta|k|ng
moro. 1ust thon, sho hoard a vo|co ovor hor shou|dor.
3ronnan? 3o th|s |s whoro you tour h|do out tor |unch. l|co spot. Groat v|ow.'
C|a|ro sprang out ot hor soat. lo||! Good t|m|ng. l just t|n|shod oat|ng.' 1o tho othors sho sa|d, Excuso mo, guys. l'|| catch up w|th you |ator.
lo|| and l aro go|ng to work on 3pan|sh. Whoro do you want to s|t, lo||?'
You'ro tho boss. Wou|d you protor a cub|c|o |n tho houso ot know|odgo?' lo|| gosturod to tho ||brary. Or as thoy say |n 3pa|n, tutor|ng
a|trosco'
Ovor thoro w||| do just t|no,' C|a|ro rop||od, po|nt|ng to a noarby bonch on tho torraco, and a|trosco |s lta||an, actua||y.'
lo|| shruggod w|th a ||ght, so|t-ottac|ng chuck|o. As ho and C|a|ro wa|kod ott, sho thought sho caught a |ook ot trustrat|on and d|sappo|ntmont
on A|oc's taco-or d|d sho |mag|no |t?
1ho tutor|ng soss|on wont wo||. C|a|ro coachod lo|| on a|| tho th|ngs tho toachor had prom|sod wou|d bo on noxt wook's qu|z. 3y tho t|mo thoy
t|n|shod, ho soomod to havo a bottor grasp ot tho mator|a|.
1hanks, 3ronnan,' lo|| sa|d as thoy put tho|r notobooks away. l'm g|ad you tw|stod my arm about th|s. lt p|ssos mo ott that l suck at 3pan|sh,
s|nco l'm ha|tway docont at ovoryth|ng o|so.'
Aw,' C|a|ro rospondod ||ght|y as sho z|ppod up hor backpack. |o's as modost as ho |s protty.' 1ho momont tho words |ott hor mouth, C|a|ro
thought sho'd mo|t |nto tho ground w|th ombarrassmont. |ad sho actua||y sa|d that out |oud? 3ho to|t a tug on tho ond ot hor ponyta||, and g|ancod
up to t|nd lo|| gr|nn|ng at hor w|th a m|sch|ovous g||nt |n h|s oyos. 3ho'd soon that |ook botoro w|th poop|o ho was c|oso to and was thr|||od that ho
was us|ng |t w|th hor now.
lrotty, oh?' |o chuck|od.
Wo||, stoo|y soomod a b|t ovor tho top.' 3ho cou|dn't bo||ovo sho was ta|k|ng to h|m ||ko th|s, as |t thoy'd boon tr|onds tor yoars.
|a|r onough,' ho sa|d w|th an approv|ng nod. l'|| tako protty. Yoo can bo stud|y.'
|ad lo|| just |mp||od that ho thought sho was protty? As C|a|ro strugg|od tor somo k|nd ot w|tty rop|y, tho bo|| rang, ond|ng tho |unch por|od.
1hoy both stood up trom tho bonch.
What do you say wo do th|s aga|n tomorrow-otor schoo|?' lo|| addod. Vaybo |n tho 3tudont l|to Contor?'
3uro. l usua||y havo to wa|t about an hour tor my mom to p|ck mo up, anyway.'
Coo|. 3oo you |ator.' lo|| wavod as ho hoadod ott.
As C|a|ro watchod h|m go, sho to|t anothor tug on hor ponyta||, caus|ng hor to jump.
lsn't thoro a |aw,' Er|ca sa|d, aga|nst tutors tratorn|z|ng w|th tho|r studonts?'
C|a|ro gavo hor tr|ond a taux shockod |ook. Wo woro hard|y tratorn|z|ng.'
Er|ca just sm||od. lt you say so.'
Ovor tho noxt coup|o ot days, lo|| showod vast |mprovomont dur|ng tho|r attor-schoo| tutor|ng soss|ons. C|a|ro grow moro and moro comtortab|o
around h|m and wasn't tonguo-t|od anymoro |n h|s prosonco. 3ho |ovod Concort 3|ngors. |or yoar ot p|ano |ossons ho|pod hor to s|ght-road tho
mus|c w|th oaso, and sho t|t r|ght |n w|th tho moro oxpor|oncod studonts, as |t sho'd boon do|ng th|s tor yoars. 3ho tound horso|t s|ng|ng |n tho
showor and wh||o do|ng tho d|shos. lt on|y sho'd had tho norvo to try hor vo|co yoars oar||or, |nstoad ot bo|ng so shy about |t!
1o C|a|ro's d|sappo|ntmont, howovor, A|oc was qu|ot and standott|sh. |o d|dn't s|t at tho|r tab|o at |unch, and whon sho saw h|m |n c|ass, ho
d|dn't spoak to hor. 3ho d|dn't run |nto h|m aga|n w|th h|s gu|tar, and ho was novor at tho|r |ockor at tho samo t|mo sho was. Was ho just tho |onor
typo, or was ho angry and purposo|y avo|d|ng hor? Whon sho'd apo|og|zod that day at |unch, sho'd thought-bopoo-sho'd smoothod th|ngs ovor
w|th h|m. ||s bohav|or hurt moro than sho carod to adm|t.
A|oc wasn't tho on|y ono act|ng pocu||ar that wook. 1w|co, wh||o C|a|ro was do|ng homowork |n hor room, hor mom stoppod |n tho doorway to
s||ont|y staro at hor, thon wa|kod ott w|thout a word.
On 1hursday n|ght, hor mom t|na||y spoko. 3o! C|a|ro . how was your day?'
C|a|ro g|ancod up trom tho ca|cu|us prob|oms sho was work|ng on. ||no.'
|ow's cho|r go|ng?'
Good.'
3||onco onsuod. Why was hor mom |ook|ng at hor ||ko that? C|a|ro wondorod so|t-consc|ous|y. 3ho to|t ||ko a p|oco ot produco hor mom was
|nspoct|ng tor poss|b|o dotocts botoro purchaso.
You'vo soomod a ||tt|o . prooccup|od tho past tow days,' hor mom sa|d at |ast. ls thoro anyth|ng you'd ||ko to ta|k about?'
lo.'
|as anyth|ng . unusua| boon go|ng on |ato|y?' |or mom was c|oar|y t|sh|ng.
C|a|ro s|ghod. lt wasn't ||ko sho cou|d to|| hor mom, ot a|| poop|o, about tho wo|rd v|s|ons sho'd boon hav|ng. Vom, l'vo got a |ot ot homowork.'
Okay! 1ust . koop study|ng. l'|| ca|| you whon d|nnor's roady.'
|r|day was a shortor day at Emorson. A|though C|a|ro had boon droad|ng tho wook cu|m|nat|ng |n anothor ono ot Vr. lattorson's bo||tt||ng
|octuros, thoro was no way sho cou|d'vo ant|c|patod what wou|d happon at tho ond ot tho por|od.
ln hor hands, sho now ho|d hor h|story papor-tho papor sho'd stayod up most ot Vonday and 1uosday n|ghts wr|t|ng-wh|ch lattorson had
a|roady gradod and roturnod w|th ||ghtn|ng ott|c|oncy. lt was ||ttorod w|th rod marks, and at tho top ot tho papor was a th|ck, rosy 0, accompan|od by
a noto: Eschow pro||x|ty.'
L. C|a|ro to|t tho hot throat ot toars boh|nd hor oyos. 3ho'd novor gotton anyth|ng bo|ow a 3 |n hor ||to. lattorson cou|dn't t|nd tau|t w|th hor
grammar, sho know, or hor h|stor|ca| accuracy-but c|oar|y ho thought sho'd boon too wordy. Ent|ro paragraphs had boon rod-||nod, and tho pagos
woro tu|| ot commonts ||ko: Awkward,' Why?' Unsubstant|atod,' Got to tho po|nt.'
l t|gurod,' Vr. lattorson draw|od as ho t|n|shod hand|ng out tho papors, s|nco l gavo you on|y two days to wr|to thoso, |t was on|y ta|r to roturn
thom two days |ator. You'ro wo|como.'
1ho bo|| rang, s|gna||ng tho ond ot tho schoo| day. C|a|ro stuttod hor book and papor |nto hor backpack, hor ||ps tromb||ng. |ow wou|d th|s
grado attoct hor scho|arsh|p? 3ho to|t A|oc's oyos on hor but was too mort|t|od to |ook |n h|s d|roct|on. 3ho hurr|od up to tho tront ot tho room.
Excuso mo, Vr. lattorson. Can l ta|k to you tor a socond?'
Vr. lattorson d|dn't ovon turn to taco hor. lo t|mo. Wook's ovor. 3oo you Vonday.' Abrupt|y, ho |ott tho room.
3hockod by h|s co|dnoss, C|a|ro trudgod out tho door. 1o hor surpr|so, A|oc was wa|t|ng tor hor.
l saw your grado. l'm sorry,' ho sa|d gont|y.
lt was tho t|rst t|mo ho'd spokon to hor |n days. 1ho sympathy |n h|s vo|co and tho k|nd |ook |n h|s oyos-wh|ch sho hopod |mp||od that ho
wasn't angry w|th hor anymoro, |t ho ovor had boon-un|oashod tho toars that C|a|ro had boon ho|d|ng back. l workod roa||y hard on that papor,'
sho sa|d brokon|y as sho and A|oc movod down tho path. lt wasn't 3hakospoaro, but |t d|dn't dosorvo a 0.'
A |ot ot k|ds got 0s. 1ho guy boh|nd mo got an |.'
loa||y? What d|d you got?'
A|oc |ookod so|t-consc|ous. |o s||ont|y tormod an A' w|th h|s t|ngors.
||s adm|ss|on choorod hor somohow. You must bo tho on|y human bo|ng a||vo who's ombarrassod about gott|ng an A.'
l just too| bad.' |o shruggod. Vr. lattorson sooms to th|nk ho has to hum|||ato studonts to got rosu|ts.'
0s aro so contus|ng. lt's ||ko you d|dn't pass, but you d|dn't ta||, o|thor.' C|a|ro w|pod toars trom hor chooks and took a doop broath. l|oaso
don't th|nk l'm cry|ng bocauso l'm somo bornord who noods to got As on ovoryth|ng to too| va||datod. lt's bocauso ot my scho|arsh|p. lt roqu|ros a
8.8 GlA.'
8.8? Wow. 1hat must bo d|tt|cu|t to ma|nta|n.'
You havo no |doa. l havo to work my ass ott. l'm not a gon|us ||ko you.'
l'm not a gon|us,' ho protostod.
lt's not opon tor dobato. l'vo hoard you |n c|ass. Ca|cu|us, Eng||sh, h|story, whatovor. You a|ways know tho answors to ovoryth|ng. You spoak
3pan|sh bottor than 3oora Gu|toroz.'
|o b|ushod. Vaybo l . shou|d'vo takon a d|ttoront |anguago.'
You th|nk?' C|a|ro toasod. 1hoy'd roachod tho|r |ockor now. As A|oc d|a|od tho comb|nat|on, sho cont|nuod, Anyway, a|| tho hard work |s worth
|t. l |ovo |t horo. l'd do anyth|ng to stay at Emorson. 1hat's why l bas|ca||y havo no ||to. Wo||, that and tho tact that my mom |s an ovorprotoct|vo
worrywart who watchos ovor my ovory movo.'
1hat doosn't sound so bad.'
What? 1hat my mom novor |ots mo go anywhoro?'
|o oponod h|s mouth to rop|y, but just thon 3r|an and Er|ca doscondod on thom.
Whassup, poop|oz?' 3r|an crowod. Anybody hungry?'
You'd bottor bo,' Er|ca ch|mod |n. lt's |r|day! l'm tak|ng us a|| to von|co 3oach tor ompanadas, molotoooot. 1hat's |ronch tor oow, |n caso
you woro wondor|ng.'
lo||'s com|ng w|th us,' 3r|an addod. |o's wa|t|ng down by tho c|rc|o.'
C|a|ro saw A|oc's sm||o tado at tho mont|on ot lo||'s namo, but ho d|dn't commont.
|avo you ovor had an ompanada?' C|a|ro askod A|oc, as thoy t|n|shod rotr|ov|ng tho|r books and hoadod toward tho ||brary sta|rwo||.
Aro wo a|ways go|ng to p|ay tho '|as A|oc Eaton 1h|s?' gamo?' ho askod qu|ot|y.
C|a|ro worr|od that sho'd ottondod h|m, unt|| sho saw a good-naturod sm||o tug at h|s ||ps. l'm just cur|ous. l moan, attor tho p|zza th|ng-l'vo
novor mot anyono botoro who hadn't-'
lot's put |t th|s way,' A|oc |ntorjoctod. lt |t's tr|od, tatton|ng, catto|natod, a|coho||c, or h|gh |n sugar contont, |t's sato to assumo that l raro|y oat
|t-or havo novor tr|od |t.'
C|a|ro starod at h|m. Why?'
Aro your paronts t|tnoss troaks, or do thoy just hato you?' Er|ca sa|d.
A|oc st|ttonod v|s|b|y. 1hoy just to||owod a hoa|thy ||tosty|o, wh|ch l cont|nuo to ombraco. 3ut thoy . d|od whon l was young.'
Er|ca wont rod |n tho taco. A s||onco to||.
Way to go, Er|ca,' 3r|an sa|d, c|app|ng. 1hat was awkward.'
l'm sorry.' C|a|ro to|t torr|b|o.
Vo too.' Er|ca |ookod at hor toot.
1hanks, but . don't worry about |t. lt's okay.'
low C|a|ro undorstood A|oc's oar||or commont about hor mom. No woooor bo`s otoo so qolot ooo moooy, sho thought, hor hoart go|ng out to
h|m. lt was bad onough to grow up w|thout a tathor. 3ut to havo no paronts at a||? 1hat was too awtu| to contomp|ato. 3ho'd assumod A|oc had
movod horo w|th h|s paronts bocauso ot a job transtor or somoth|ng. bo ooos bo |lvo wltb sho wondorod. A groooporoot Ao ooot or ooc|o
3ho wasn't suro th|s was tho r|ght momont to ask.
1hoy noarod tho bottom ot tho sta|rs, whoro tho construct|on crow was st||| work|ng atop a throo-t|orod scatto|d|ng towor. C|a|ro sp|od lo||
stand|ng just boyond |t by tho drop-ott c|rc|o. |o wavod at thom and shoutod somoth|ng C|a|ro cou|dn't hoar ovor tho annoy|ng boop|ng no|so ot a
truck back|ng up.
1ho tour ot thom passod undornoath tho scatto|d|ng, hoad|ng toward tho c|rc|o. 1hoy woro ha|tway through tho makosh|tt corr|dor whon C|a|ro
hoard tho suddon, |oud roar ot an ong|no. 1o hor horror, tho truck was spood|ng backward toward thom. 3otoro sho cou|d th|nk or movo, tho voh|c|o
co|||dod w|th tho baso ot tho scatto|d|ng w|th a dovastat|ng crash.
1ho scrooch ot toar|ng mota| r|ppod through tho a|r as tho ont|ro structuro ovorhoad bogan to co||apso.
A hugo woodon p|attorm barro|od down d|roct|y at thom.
C|a|ro scroamod and duckod, a s|ng|o thought popp|ng |nto hor m|nd: l`m golog to olo.
o|ght
|rozon |n torror, C|a|ro t|xod hor gazo on tho hoavy woodon p|attorm hurt||ng toward tho|r hoads, wh|ch was a sp||t socond away trom crush|ng
thom a||.
3ut |t novor d|d.
3omohow, |mposs|b|y, tho p|attorm soomod to hovor tor a tract|on ot a socond |n m|da|r. A|oc stood ta|| abovo hor, ono arm oxtondod, t|ngors
sp|ayod, as |t mag|ca||y ho|d|ng up tho p|attorm by shoor w|||powor. 3ho hoard scroams and shouts trom abovo as suddon|y tho who|o board t||tod
to ono s|do. ln hor por|phora| v|s|on sho caught s|ght ot throo mon |and|ng sato|y on tho pavomont noarby.
3otoro C|a|ro cou|d b||nk, A|oc's arms woro wrappod around hor and tho|r tr|onds and thon thoy woro a|rborno. 1hoy |andod hoav||y and
pa|ntu||y on tho concroto, out ot harm's way, as tho ont|ro scatto|d|ng towor smashod to tho ground bos|do thom |n an oxp|os|on ot dust, scrooch|ng
mota|, and sp||ntor|ng wood.
1ho thundor|ng c|attor ochood |n C|a|ro's oars as thoy a|| |ay |n a hoap. 0ust stung hor oyos, but as sho b||nkod |t away hor gazo br|ot|y |ockod
w|th A|oc's. 1hon, just as suddon|y as ho'd tack|od thom, A|oc was up on h|s toot and gono. C|a|ro strugg|od to roga|n hor sonsos, hor oars r|ng|ng.
Er|ca and 3r|an moanod bos|do hor.
Oh my God.' C|a|ro's vo|co soundod strango and mutt|od, as |t sho woro undorwator. Aro you guys a|| r|ght?'
|or tr|onds sat up, chok|ng. What tho ho|| just happonod?' 3r|an shoutod, gr|mac|ng |n pa|n as ho rubbod h|s |ott arm. 1ho dust coat|ng h|s
sp|ky b|ack ha|r mado |t |ook a|most gray.
Wo a|most d|od!' Er|ca cr|od just as |oud|y. 1hon sho burst |nto toars.
lumb|y, C|a|ro wrappod hor arms around Er|ca and ho|d hor. Evoryth|ng soundod so mutod, mak|ng hor too| dotachod trom tho wor|d around
hor.
Whoro's A|oc?' 3r|an sa|d.
l don't know.' C|a|ro cranod hor nock, try|ng to soo ovor Er|ca's shou|dor, but tho truck that had causod |t a|| was bur|od |n tho dobr|s, b|ock|ng
hor v|ow-and no doubt b|ock|ng ovoryono o|so's v|ow ot thom.
What happonod?' 3r|an sa|d aga|n. 0|d A|oc just savo our ||vos?'
l th|nk ho d|d.' C|a|ro pu||od horso|t d|zz||y to hor toot, as tho sounds around hor s|ow|y roturnod to norma| vo|umo. l'|| bo back |n a soc.'
As sho carotu||y mado hor way through tho rubb|o, sho not|cod that tho cab ot tho p|ckup truck was ompty. Whoro was tho dr|vor who'd causod
tho acc|dont?
A crowd was gathor|ng |n tho drop-ott c|rc|o just ahoad, a|| chattor|ng |oud|y and star|ng at tho g|gant|c moss. Vr. lang and lo|| ran up to hor.
C|a|ro! |o|y sh|t!' cr|od lo||. l saw tho truck h|t that th|ng, and thon |t a|| camo down . l thought you guys woro doad!'
lo, wo'ro okay.'
1hank God,' sa|d Vr. lang.
|ow tho ho|| d|d you got out ot tho way |n t|mo?' lo|| askod.
A|oc tack|od us. |o-' 3otoro C|a|ro cou|d t|n|sh that thought, sho spottod A|oc ta|k|ng to somo ot tho tacu|ty and construct|on workors, who
|ookod just as botudd|od as sho was. 3ho cou|dn't undorstand a word thoy woro say|ng. What |anguago aro thoy spoak|ng?'
Who?' lo|| sa|d.
1ho construct|on workors.'
3omobody sa|d |t was Koroan,' answorod Vr. lang. 1hat studont ovor thoro |s trans|at|ng, so tho toachors w||| know what to to|| tho
paramod|cs.'
Korooo 3tunnod, C|a|ro turnod back to whoro A|oc had boon stand|ng just soconds ago-but ho had d|sappoarod |nto tho throng.
3|rons b|arod. 1wo po||co cars and an ambu|anco chargod down tho h||| and pu||od up to tho scono. As Er|ca and 3r|an jo|nod C|a|ro, a bovy ot
concornod toachors, studonts, and paronts doscondod on thom.
1ho noxt tour hours to|t ||ko two|vo. 1ho paramod|cs oxam|nod ovoryono |nvo|vod |n tho acc|dont, oxcopt A|oc, who had van|shod. 3r|an had
d|s|ocatod h|s shou|dor, and ono ot tho workors had tw|stod h|s ank|o, but ovoryono o|so, |nc|ud|ng C|a|ro, oscapod w|th on|y m|nor cuts and
bru|sos. lo|| stood pat|ont|y by hor s|do dur|ng ovoryth|ng, mak|ng suro that sho was comtortab|o, and br|ng|ng ovorybody bott|os ot wator. |o ovon
stuck around wh||o sho, 3r|an, and Er|ca woro quost|onod by tho po||co.
3o you'ro say|ng th|s othor studont, A|oc VacKonz|o, pu||od a|| throo ot you to satoty whon tho scatto|d|ng to||?' askod a ta||, gray-ha|rod po||co
ott|cor as ho jottod down notos.
Yos,' 3r|an rop||od, adjust|ng h|s arm s||ng.
ls Vr. VacKonz|o horo?' tho cop askod.
l th|nk ho a|roady |ott,' C|a|ro sa|d.
And ho's a tr|ond ot yours?'
C|a|ro noddod.
0o you havo h|s contact |ntormat|on?'
C|a|ro hos|tatod. Wo . just mot A|oc a tow days ago.' 3ho was ombarrassod to adm|t that thoy know so ||tt|o about h|m. l don't know h|s
phono numbor, but |t shou|d bo ||stod |n our schoo| d|roctory.'
lt |sn't,' Er|ca ch|mod |n. As C|a|ro shot hor a cur|ous |ook, Er|ca addod, What? l chockod. A|oc's not |n thoro. Vaybo thoy d|dn't havo a
chanco to add h|m yot, bocauso ho's now.'
What about tho p|ckup truck that ran |nto tho scatto|d|ng?' tho po||coman |nqu|rod. 0|d any ot you soo who was dr|v|ng |t?'
Er|ca and 3r|an shook tho|r hoads. C|a|ro sa|d, Whon l wa|kod by r|ght attor tho acc|dont, no ono was |n |t.'
What was up w|th that guy, anyway?' 3r|an |ntorjoctod. Was ho h|gh or somoth|ng?'
Wo won't know that unt|| wo t|nd h|m,' tho cop rop||od. 1hanks tor your ho|p. lt l nood anyth|ng o|so, l'|| bo |n touch.' W|th that, ho turnod and
wa|kod away.
What d|d ho moan, 'Wo won't know unt|| wo t|nd h|m'?' Er|ca sa|d.
lt was lo|| who oxp|a|nod. 1horo's th|s mystory about tho truck dr|vor. l was ||ston|ng wh||o A|oc trans|atod tor tho toachors. 1wo ot tho
construct|on workors c|a|m tho|r tourth man ca||od |n s|ck today, but no ono can got h|m on tho phono. 1ho th|rd guy |ns|sts ho saw tho m|ss|ng dudo
c||mb |nto tho truck just botoro tho acc|dont.'
|o must havo t|od tho scono,' C|a|ro musod, probab|y atra|d ho'd bo t|rod or arrostod.'
Or doportod,' 3r|an addod, tak|ng a sw|g trom h|s wator bott|o.
3ut why d|d A|oc |oavo |n such a hurry?' lo|| sa|d w|th a trown. l swoar, ho was r|ght noxt to mo, and thon ho was gono.'
C|a|ro wondorod that horso|t. 1ust thon sho hoard hor mom's vo|co.
C|a|ro!'
lynn racod toward hor, |oav|ng hor car parkod |n tho jumb|o ot voh|c|os boyond tho po||co b|ockado. 3ho was at C|a|ro's s|do |n soconds, hor
taco a m|xturo ot pan|c and ro||ot as sho throw hor arms around hor. C|a|ro! Oh, honoy.'
lt's okay, Vom. l'm a|| r|ght. loa||y.' C|a|ro ro||shod tho warmth ot hor mothor's ombraco, gratotu| to havo a mom to ho|d and comtort hor .
and gratotu| to bo a||vo. 3ho know most poop|o d|dn't wa|k away trom such a sor|ous acc|dont-wh|ch brought hor back to tho quost|on: lowtbo
bo|| boo A|oc sovoo tbom |lko tbot
C|a|ro wondorod |t Er|ca or 3r|an had soon A|oc's strango hand gosturo whon tho scatto|d|ng soomod to hovor br|ot|y |n m|da|r, |nstoad ot
ta|||ng stra|ght down on thom. lo|thor ot thom had mont|onod |t, and C|a|ro d|dn't want to br|ng |t up w|th a|| tho adu|ts around. 1ho po||co wou|d
probab|y say sho'd |mag|nod |t.
3ut C|a|ro know what sho saw.
0o you th|nk A|oc |s a vamp|ro?'
lt was 3aturday attornoon, and Er|ca, 3r|an, and C|a|ro woro s|tt|ng on a bonch at tho ond ot tho von|co p|or, chow|ng down on tho ompanadas
thoy'd m|ssod out on tho day botoro. lt was an uncharactor|st|ca||y toggy day, w|th a coo| broozo r|pp||ng across tho surtaco ot tho gray-b|uo ocoan
bo|ow. A handtu| ot tathors and tho|r k|ds woro t|sh|ng ott tho odgo ot tho p|or noarby.
A vamp|ro?' Er|ca |aughod. What brought that on?'
l know th|s sounds |nsano,' C|a|ro sa|d, and you may th|nk l'm tota||y crazy. 3ut A|oc |s d|ttoront trom tho rost ot us. 3omot|mos, ho doosn't
ovon soom human to mo.'
You'ro r|ght!' 3r|an stoad|od tho cardboard tood tray on h|s |ap as ho tr|od to oat ono-handod. You do sound crazy.'
|oar mo out, w||| you?'
Wo'ro ||ston|ng.' Er|ca |ookod at C|a|ro, chow|ng pat|ont|y.
||rst ott, A|oc's roa||y strong. l moan, tho t|rst day wo mot, ho broko my |ockor by baro|y push|ng on a lockorVato.'
3o ho works out,' Er|ca rop||od. |avo you soon h|s b|cops? |o |ooks ||ko ho cou|d broak mo |n ha|t.'
What about yostorday?' C|a|ro |ns|stod. 1ho way ho ||ttod a|| throo ot us at tho samo t|mo?'
3r|an shruggod. lt was a cr|s|s s|tuat|on. You'vo hoard a|| tho stor|os: mothors ||tt|ng up cars to savo tho|r bab|os, b|ah, b|ah, b|ah.'
3ut d|d you soo what ho d|d booro ho tack|od us?' C|a|ro pors|stod.
You moan |n that sp||t socond whon l cr|ngod and shut my oyos?' Er|ca askod.
Vy oyos woro opon. A|oc was stand|ng abovo us w|th h|s arm ra|sod ||ko th|s.' C|a|ro strotchod hor hand skyward and swung |t outward,
domonstrat|ng. 1hat p|attorm was ta|||ng strolgbt oowo at us. lt shou|d havo smoarod us on tho pavomont. lnstoad, l saw |t pooso tor a sp||t socond,
||ko A|oc was somohow mag|ca||y ho|d|ng |t back, and thon |t t||tod and crashod ott to tho s|do |nstoad.'
1hat's r|d|cu|ous,' 3r|an scottod. 1ho scatto|d|ng just co||apsod |n stagos, that's a||, and to|| s|doways, wh|ch gavo A|oc t|mo to savo us.'
l don't th|nk so. And what about tho construct|on workors? 1hoy woro on top ot a throo-story towor, but somohow thoy a|| s||d sato|y to tho
ground. loop|o sa|d |t was a m|rac|o thoy woron't a|| bad|y |njurod.'
What aro you suggost|ng?' Er|ca askod, shak|ng hor hoad. 1hat A|oc gu|dod thom a|| down to tho ground w|th tho |orco?'
Vaybo.'
A pa|r ot soagu||s squawkod ovorhoad, thon swoopod down and snappod up somo |nv|s|b|o t|db|ts trom tho hoav|ng soa.
Okay, ovon |t that d|d happon, |t doosn't moan A|oc's a vamp|ro.' Er|ca gr|nnod. lt moans ho's trom o go|oxy or, or owoy.' 3ho and 3r|an
g|ancod at oach othor and |aughod.
C|a|ro trownod. Como on, guys. l'm bo|ng sor|ous horo.'
C3, A|oc |s not tho noxt Ob|-Wan Konob|. 1rust mo,' 3r|an |ns|stod w|th pat|onco and mock so|omn|ty, as |t ho was try|ng, onco and tor a||, to
conv|nco a do|udod grownup that thoro was no 3anta C|aus. And ovon |t vamp|ros olo ox|st-wh|ch thoy don't-thoro's no way A|oc |s ono. 1h|nk
about |t: |o wa|ks around |n broad day||ght, and ho doosn't (a) burst |nto t|amos, or (b) spark|o ||ko a d|sco ba||.'
|avo you road Lroco|o?' C|a|ro askod. 3un||ght d|dn't attoct h|m at a||.'
Yoah, and bo wasn't roa| oltbor,' 3r|an rota||atod.
A|oc oots,' Er|ca po|ntod out omphat|ca||y. vamp|ros don't oat tood, romombor?'
C|a|ro shook hor hoad. 1hoy d|d on Boy. 1hoy just d|dn't ||ko tho way |t tastod.'
3r|an snortod. You'vo sw|tchod sourcos now trom a ha||mark ot v|ctor|an ||toraturo to a cu|t 1v sor|os?'
A|oc |ovos tood!' Er|ca wont on. |avo you torgotton h|s choco|ato-cook|o orgasm, or tho way ho |nha|od that bow| ot mac-and-chooso ||ko |t
was manna trom hoavon?'
Yoah, but don't you th|nk |t's wo|rd that ho'd novor oaton anyth|ng good botoro ho got horo?'
lot roa||y,' Er|ca rop||od. |o sa|d ho grow up on a str|ct d|ot.'
Okay, t|no, but A|oc has sk|||s that shou|d bo boyond poop|o our ago,' C|a|ro cont|nuod. |o's a tota| prod|gy at c|ass|ca| gu|tar. |o got an A
trom a toachor who apparont|y on|y hands out 0s. And ho sooms to bo t|uont |n both 3pan|sh and Koroan.'
3o ho's a br||||ant guy who grow up abroad, probab|y movod around a |ot, and knows a tow |anguagos,' 3r|an sa|d. 3|g doa|. 1hat st||| doosn't
mako h|m a vamp|ro.'
l supposo you'ro go|ng to say ho's pa|o bocauso ho's trom tho UK?'
Exact|y!' 3r|an and Er|ca cr|od s|mu|tanoous|y.
3o |t ho had noth|ng to h|do yostorday, why d|d ho run ott botoro anyono cou|d quost|on or oxam|no h|m?'
Er|ca shruggod. l don't know. l w|sh wo know whoro ho ||vos or at |oast h|s phono numbor, so wo cou|d ca|| and chock that ho's okay.'
C|a|ro stood and tw|stod hor hands togothor, porp|oxod. 3omoth|ng just doosn't add up, guys. Evon |t you can oxp|a|n away a|| thoso othor
th|ngs, tho tact |s, l saw thoso p|attorms hovor tor a momont |n m|d-ta|| botoro thoy t|ppod. l'm to|||ng you, A|oc bo|o tbom op-somobow-wltb bls
mloo, and ho mooo thom ta|| to tho s|do. |o may not bo a vamp|ro, but l th|nk ho's. l don't know . to|ok|not|c.'
1o|ok|not|c. |uh.' Er|ca noddod pons|vo|y as sho crump|od up hor cardboard tood tray and tossod |t |nto a noarby trash can. Wo||, C|a|ro, |t
yoo havo E3l, l supposo |t ls poss|b|o that A|oc has somo k|nd ot monta| supor-powor, too.'
Er|ca!' C|a|ro shot hor a s||onc|ng |ook and thon g|ancod worr|od|y at 3r|an.
3r|an b||nkod sovora| t|mos, star|ng at thom. Exqooozo mo l bacon your powdor?'
Er|ca hoavod a s|gh. C|a|ro sa|d not to to|| anybody, but sho's boon hav|ng somo wo|rd psych|c op|sodos ovor s|nco 3ook 0ay.'
Erlco!' C|a|ro cr|od aga|n, |rr|tatod and ombarrassod.
You a|most passod out |n tho g|r|s' bathroom tho othor day!' Er|ca rotortod omphat|ca||y. l th|nk ho shou|d know!'
|o|d tho phono,' 3r|an sa|d. Aro you guys sor|ous?'
lgnor|ng h|m, Er|ca cont|nuod, 3poak|ng ot wh|ch, C|a|ro, why d|dn't you know |n advanco that tho scatto|d was go|ng to ta|| on us?'
l'm not an orac|o. l'vo on|y had ono v|s|on ot tho tuturo. Ono! l havo no |doa how th|s works, or whon tho v|s|ons aro go|ng to como.'
You'ro hav|ng v|s|ons?' 3r|an soundod stunnod, ta|k|ng most|y to h|mso|t. |ow d|d l m|ss that?'
3o,' C|a|ro sa|d to Er|ca, roturn|ng to my or|g|na| quost|on: A|oc. What |s ho?'
|o cou|d bo an a||on possoss|ng a human's body,' Er|ca suggostod. Or a v|s|tor trom tho p|anot Krypton.'
C|a|ro ro||od hor oyos. 3o-vamp|ros aro |mprobab|o, but o|loos aro bo||ovab|o?'
At |oast thoy'ro sc|ont|t|ca||y posslb|o.'
3r|an sat stupot|od, suck|ng up tho drogs ot h|s soda through h|s straw. 3hak|ng h|s hoad, ho mumb|od, 1ho truth |s out thoro.'
Yos, C|a|ro thought. Aoo l`m golog to loo lt.
n|no
A|oc was runn|ng. |ast. ||s combat boots mado a c|ack|ng sound on tho stono stops bonoath h|m.
|o was |n a 1apanoso gardon. 3ut whoro? ln los Ango|os? lo, |t wasn't los Ango|os-and, ho roa||zod suddon|y, |t wasn't a gardon. lt was a
gravoyard.
ln tho moon||ght's g|ow, ho rocogn|zod tho sta|rs s|op|ng sharp|y down tho h|||s|do |n tront ot h|m, r|ngod by hundrods ot rod, contur|os-o|d
tunoroa| gatos. |o'd boon horo many t|mos botoro. 1h|s was tho |ush|m| lnar| 3hr|no |n Kyoto. lt was |so|atod and qu|ot at n|ght-tho portoct t|mo
and p|aco to t|n|sh a job outs|do tho pub||c oyo.
|o ran on, h|s |aborod broath|ng grow|ng sha||owor w|th ovory stop. ||s quarry was n|mb|or than A|oc had oxpoctod. A|oc |oapt down tho stops
two at a t|mo, thon throo, but tho man st||| ma|nta|nod a good ton yards' |oad. W|th tho ag|||ty ot a cat, h|s targot turnod a sharp cornor at tho baso ot
tho sta|rway and bogan to c|ambor up anothor ono. A|oc sworvod to to||ow, try|ng to s|ght tho rotroat|ng torm a|ong h|s s||oncod p|sto|, but ho was
v|s|b|o on|y |ntorm|ttont|y botwoon tho row ot t|ght|y packod, arch||ko gatos ||n|ng tho pathway.
1ho t|guro dartod |nto ono ot tho sma|| comotor|os on tho woodod h|||s|do and A|oc dashod attor h|m, curs|ng s||ont|y. A t|roarm was uso|oss
horo. 1ho th|ck m|st |n tho a|r obscurod v|s|b|||ty, and tho c|austrophob|c jumb|o ot s|ondor gravostonos, many ot thom s|x toot |n ho|ght, gavo tho
man too many p|acos to h|do.
A|oc pausod, catch|ng h|s broath as ho ho|storod tho gun and drow two |ong, curvod daggors trom h|s bo|t. 1road|ng as qu|ot|y as ho cou|d
trom ono row ot hoadstonos to tho noxt, ho road|od h|mso|t to |ungo at tho t|rst mov|ng objoct. 1ho t|nk||ng ot a pobb|o on tho cobb|ostono |n tho t|tth
row sot h|m on hypora|ort and ho dartod torward, stoo||ng h|mso|t tor act|on.
What ho oncountorod around tho cornor, howovor, stoppod h|m doad |n h|s tracks. lt wasn't tho m|dd|o-agod 1apanoso gangstor ho was attor.
lnstoad, a ta|| Caucas|an woman w|th p|at|num-b|ond ha|r was wa|k|ng s||ont|y toward h|m, hor b|uo oyos b|az|ng w|th tury.
bot tbo bo|| A|oc thought, |owor|ng h|s b|ados and stopp|ng backward |n contus|on. |o rocogn|zod tho woman-and ho romomborod hor
cr|mo-a|though ho cou|dn't roca|| hor namo. 3ut how was th|s poss|b|o? 5bo coo|oo`t bo boro. 5bo wos oooo. A|oc wantod dosporato|y to turn and
run, but h|s |ogs woro rootod to tho ground. A|| at onco, tho ha|rs pr|ck|od on tho back ot h|s nock. |o spun, woapons ra|sod aga|n.
1ho mobstor ho'd boon chas|ng stood just a tow yards away. 3ut ho wasn't a|ono. 1o h|s |ott stood a wo||-drossod, o|dor|y bus|nossman, to h|s
r|ght, a stocky, nondoscr|pt man |n m|||tary tat|guos. 3oh|nd thom stood sovora| othor t|guros, a|| poop|o A|oc rocogn|zod, poop|o whom ho know,
w|th a corta|nty, no |ongor ox|stod on th|s oarth|y p|ano. |ow was |t that thoy woro st||| a||vo? As ono, tho group s|ow|y sta|kod toward h|m, now jo|nod
by moro poop|o ot var|ous agos and doscr|pt|ons, a|| g|owor|ng at A|oc w|th tho samo t|orco g|aro ot contompt.
What do you want?' A|oc cr|od out, brand|sh|ng h|s daggors. Why aro you to||ow|ng mo?'
3ut ho know why.
A|oc's throat t|ghtonod |n toar and gu||t. |o was trappod, w|th nowhoro to run. 1ho |argo man |n un|torm suddon|y pouncod. A|oc dott|y swopt
h|m to tho ground w|th a |ow sp|nn|ng k|ck, thon knockod anothor assa||ant away w|th sharp str|kos ot h|s o|bows. 3ut thoy just kopt com|ng. Voro
and moro poop|o, a|| tacos ho'd soon botoro, a|| as s||ont as tho gravoyard around h|m. 3omoono snatchod both b|ados trom A|oc's grasp and
jabbod thom sharp|y |nto h|s abdomon.
A|oc jorkod back and scroamod, but no sound camo trom h|s throat.
|o awoko w|th a gasp to t|nd h|mso|t back |n h|s stud|o apartmont |n l.A., tromb||ng w|th ro||ot, h|s body coatod |n swoat.
7bo olgbtmoro ogolo. |o'd boon hav|ng that samo droam, |n ono vors|on or anothor, ovor and ovor tor yoars now. Wou|d ho ovor bo ab|o to
torgot?
1oo ag|tatod to go back to s|oop, A|oc roso trom h|s couch and-dosporato tor somo d|stract|on-crossod to tho woapons cab|not. |o
concontratod on tho |ock, hoard tho tumb|ors movo, and stood back as tho hoavy door un|atchod and swung opon. |rom tho array ot b|ados and
t|roarms rackod w|th|n, ho yankod out a broadsword. 3|nk|ng down on tho sota, ho monta||y summonod h|s whotstono, rag, and bott|o ot o|| and sot
to work sharpon|ng tho b|ado.
1ho rocurr|ng droam, A|oc know, was tho |oast ot h|s prob|oms. As ho workod, h|s m|nd dr|ttod back to tho tar moro pross|ng concorn that had
boon haunt|ng h|m tor tho past two days: tho |nc|dont at schoo|.
Excopt tor tho m|shap w|th C|a|ro's |ockor on 3ook 0ay and that ono |apso |n 3pan|sh c|ass, ho'd managod to koop a |ow prot||o at Emorson.
1hat |s, unt|| |r|day, whon ho'd boon torcod |nto us|ng h|s ab|||t|os |n tho most b|atant ot d|sp|ays-a movo that was rogrottab|o on so many |ovo|s.
|o'd dono h|s bost to t||t tho scatto|d|ng and savo thoso workors and h|s tr|onds |n a mannor that was phys|ca||y oxp|a|nab|o. lo ono at tho
scono had soomod to quost|on |t, and ho was protty suro 3r|an and Er|ca hadn't soon anyth|ng. |o wasn't so suro about C|a|ro. |o'd g||mpsod an
odd |ook on hor taco whon ho pu||od hor to satoty. 0|d sho suspoct somoth|ng? |o hadn't wa|tod around to t|nd out. |o droadod go|ng to schoo|
tomorrow, tu||y oxpoct|ng hor to g|vo h|m tho th|rd dogroo. 3ut |t wasn't on|y C|a|ro ho was worr|od about.
1ho s|mp|o uso ot h|s powors wou|dn't show up on tho gr|d. 3ut what |t anothor ono ot h|s k|nd had happonod to bo noarby, |ook|ng tor an
aura? As tar as A|oc know, thoro was no roason tor tho |oca| Watchor to bo at Emorson, howovor, A|oc had boon out ot tho |oop tor months.
Anyth|ng was poss|b|o. lt Zachar|ah had spottod A|oc, ho was scrowod. |o'd spont tho past two days swoat|ng |t out, oxpoct|ng a knock at h|s door
any socond w|th a warrant tor h|s arrost-but |t had novor como.
A|oc passod h|s sword mothod|ca||y ovor tho whotstono, hoav|ng a |ong s|gh. Vaybo ho'd boon |ucky and was st||| t|y|ng sato|y undor tho radar.
||s thoughts woro |ntorruptod by a doop vo|co.
3o th|s |s |t? Your socrot h|doaway? Your Bot Covo?'
A|oc gaspod and |oapt up |n a|arm, h|s hoart pound|ng, ho|d|ng h|s broadsword at tho roady. A t|guro stood botoro h|m-and |t wasn't
Zachar|ah. 1ho man was ovor s|x toot ta||, broad-shou|dorod but th|n, w|th obony sk|n and a m|sch|ovous gr|n. ||s hoad was shavod and ho woro a
dark gray su|t w|th a cr|sp b|uo sh|rt.
l must say,' tho v|s|tor wont on, survoy|ng tho room w|th d|stasto, |t's vory qua|nt and . spartan.'
A|oc's stomach t|od |tso|t |n knots. lorsp|rat|on broko out on h|s brow. |o |oworod h|s woapon and askod qu|ot|y, What aro you do|ng horo,
v|ncont? |ow d|d you got |n?'
l'm not boro, actua||y.' v|ncont mot|onod toward tho tront w|ndow. l'm outs|do. 3ut l thought th|s |||us|on m|ght provo moro ontorta|n|ng than
knock|ng. low, go opon tho door and |ot mo |n.' W|th that, ho van|shod.
Awaro that ho had ||tt|o a|tornat|vo, A|oc roshoathod h|s sword and d|roctod h|s attont|on toward tho door, wh|ch un|ockod and oponod |tso|t.
v|ncont ontorod, |n tho t|osh th|s t|mo. A|oc monta||y s|ammod and ro|ockod tho door, hovor|ng botwoon ro||ot and toar as ho tr|od to gaugo
v|ncont's mood. 0|d tho E|dors sond you?'
1hoy d|d.'
A|oc's hoart sank, h|s worst toars roa||zod. Was th|s |t? Was |t a|| ovor?
You shou|d soo that as a comp||mont,' v|ncont cont|nuod. Whon you wont AWOl attor that ass|gnmont |n 1ohannosburg, thoy know |t wou|d
tako tho|r bost Watchor to |ocato you. Evon so, |t took somo hoavy porsuas|on on my part to conv|nco thom that l cou|d bo |mpart|a|, cons|dor|ng our
ro|at|onsh|p.'
l thought l'd |ott a vapor tra|| to nowhoro.'
C|oso. lt took mo throo months to p|oco |t togothor. 3y that t|mo, l was protty suro you woro |n l.A., but |t wasn't unt|| l romomborod ono ot tho
surnamos you usod as a ch||d that l t|na||y trackod you down.'
3o,' A|oc s|ghod, your t|nd|ng mo has noth|ng to do w|th tho scatto|d|ng acc|dont.'
Ot courso not. 1hat was a stup|d but undorstandab|o oxh|b|t|on ot your powors that you covorod up wo||. lo, l'vo boon watch|ng you tor two|vo
days.'
1wo|vo days?' |o'd boon undor survo|||anco tor a|most two wooks and hadn't ovon roa||zod |t? Was ho |os|ng h|s odgo? 3ut thon ho rom|ndod
h|mso|t, th|s was Vlocoot. v|ncont, who cou|d havo boon a t|y on tho wa|| and A|oc wou|dn't havo had a c|uo. |avo you roportod mo?'
v|ncont b|ow out an |mpat|ont broath. 0o you th|nk l'd roport my own godson?'
A t||ckor ot hopo roso w|th|n A|oc. 1hon what aro you go|ng to do?'
l'm st||| try|ng to t|guro that out.' v|ncont sat down on tho couch and rogardod A|oc w|th |ntonso dark oyos. l koowyou, A|oc. l ra|sod you. l
trolooo you. You'vo a|ways boon a good ||tt|o so|d|or ||ko tho rost ot us. l th|nk you'ro just . contusod r|ght now. A b|t m|sgu|dod.'
lo, l'm not.'
You shou|d know bottor than to arguo w|th mo, son. A blgb scboo| stoooot A|oc, roo||y? Ot a|| tho human oxpor|oncos you cou|d havo tr|od,
you gavo up ovoryth|ng, r|sk|ng your own ||to and tho satoty ot b||||ons, to chooso somoth|ng so booo|? A por|od ot ||to that most humans |ook back
on w|th d|stasto and abhorronco? 1horo aro so many othor p|acos you cou|d bo spond|ng your t|mo.'
v|ncont snappod h|s t|ngors. 3uddon|y, thoy woro no |ongor |n A|oc's d|ngy apartmont, but |n a box at tho 1oatro a||a 3ca|a |n V||an, ono ot tho
most magn|t|cont opora housos |n tho wor|d, watch|ng a portormanco ot Loo Olovoool w|th a boaut|tu||y drossod crowd. lsn't th|s an
|mprovomont?'
A|oc shook h|s hoad, awaro that tho chango ot sconory was just an |||us|on v|ncont had projoctod |nto h|s m|nd. l'm not |ook|ng tor
ontorta|nmont. l wantod an |dont|ty and a p|aco l cou|d t|t |n,' ho ca||od out ovor tho oporat|c scoro. l don't |ook o|d onough to toach at |arvard. l had
to go w|th what was bo||ovab|o.'
Yos, but cou|dn't you havo usod a ||tt|o moro |mag|nat|on?' ln tho b||nk ot an oyo, thoy woro on a trop|ca| boach w|th b|k|n|-c|ad wa|trossos
ottor|ng thom cockta||s.
Knock |t ott, wou|d you?' A|oc sa|d, annoyod.
v|ncont took an o|aborato dr|nk trom a tray and ho|d |t up toward A|oc. Va| ta|?'
You know l novor dr|nk.'
What? You'ro st||| to||ow|ng tho Codo? l know you woro a st|ck|or tor tho ru|os, but now you'vo t|own tho coop! You'ro ott tho gr|d! You can do
anyth|ng you want. lsn't that tho po|nt?'
3omo hab|ts aro hardor to broak than othors.'
v|ncont shook h|s hoad, romovod tho umbro||a trom h|s dr|nk, and took a s|p. You usod to bo so much moro |ntorost|ng. Your th|rst tor
vongoanco gavo you such pass|on and t|ro tor what wo do. low, you boro mo.'
A hundrod yoars |s a |ong t|mo to do wbot wo oo, v|ncont. l was |oya|, l d|d my job, and l bo||ovod |n |t tor a |ong t|mo. 3ut . |t caught up to mo.'
What caught up to you?'
1ho . momor|os. 1oo much b|ood on my hands. l had to got out.'
lo ono gots oot, boy. Wo havo our ordors and our dut|os. And you aro nog|oct|ng yours w|th th|s so|t-|ndu|gont tantasy. What's your p|an,
anyway? 0o you roa||y th|nk you can ||vo among thom torovor, protond|ng to bo ono ot thom?'
Ayo, at |oast . that's my hopo.'
|mmmph.' v|ncont snortod and w|th a snap ot h|s t|ngors roturnod thom to A|oc's apartmont-koop|ng h|s ma| ta|.
l ||ko |t horo, v|ncont.' A|oc strugg|od to koop tho dosporat|on out ot h|s vo|co. l nood to do th|s. l|oaso. 1o|| tho E|dors you cou|dn't t|nd mo.'
l supposo that's ono opt|on.,' v|ncont bogan, but thon just s|ppod h|s dr|nk |n s||onco tor a |ong momont, trown|ng.
A|oc's pu|so racod. ||s tato was |n th|s man's hands. v|ncont had boon h|s tathor's bost tr|ond and had mado good on h|s vow to tako caro ot
A|oc attor h|s paronts d|od. v|ncont carod doop|y tor h|m-A|oc to|t corta|n ot that-and tho attoct|on and rospoct wont both ways. 3t|||, ho wasn't
suro what to oxpoct. v|ncont was known tor h|s h|gh pr|nc|p|os. Wou|d ho turn A|oc |n or |ot h|m go?
1ho th|ng |s . thoro's boon a dovo|opmont,' v|ncont cont|nuod t|na||y.
A dovo|opmont?' A|oc askod, puzz|od by th|s tangont.
3omoth|ng |ntorost|ng happonod a wook ago. lt turns out |t's a good th|ng l was horo.'
What do you moan?'
1horo's an Awakonod at Emorson Acadomy.'
bot At Emorsoo?' A|oc sank down bos|do v|ncont on tho sota, aston|shod and upsot. 1ho t|rst t|mo an Awakonod usod tho|r g|tt, |t causod
a br|ot shock wavo ot motaphys|ca| onorgy that a||owod tho E|dors to d|scorn tho |nd|v|dua|'s approx|mato ago and |ocat|on, but not who thoy woro,
tho|r gondor, or tho naturo ot tho|r powors. 1hat was whon tho hunt bogan-tho hunt that was ono ot tho th|ngs A|oc had wa|kod away trom torovor.
3h|to! Ot a|| p|acos, |t has to bo tho schoo| l choso?'
What's that o|d say|ng-'1roub|o to||ows you whorovor you go'?'
A|oc's hoart c|onchod w|th worry. 3uro|y, ho'd bo d|scovorod now. 0oos Zachar|ah-?'
lo|ax, boy. Zachar|ah's boon sont o|sowhoro. 1o protoct you, l conv|ncod tho E|dors to ass|gn th|s part|cu|ar Awakonod to mo |nstoad, s|nco l
was horo anyway.'
A|oc b|ow out a ro||ovod yot surpr|sod broath. 1hank you. 3ut how d|d you conv|nco thom ot that?' |o and v|ncont had usua||y boon ca||od |n to
tako caro ot much o|dor, h|ghor-|ovo| targots. A now|y Awakonod |s a ||tt|o bonoath your sk||| sot, |sn't |t?'
|rom tho surgo that showod up on tho gr|d, |t appoars to bo a vory un|quo |nd|v|dua|.' v|ncont pausod tor dramat|c ottoct as tho ma| ta|
d|sappoarod trom h|s hands. Wo havo roason to bo||ovo |t's an actua| |a|tb|ood.'
A lo|b|ooo? Aro you sor|ous? 3h|to. Whon's tho |ast t|mo ono ot thoso camo a|ong?'
lt's boon oons.' v|ncont's oxpross|on darkonod. You know what thoy d|d to tho |ast |a|tb|ood, don't you?'
l'vo hoard about |t, ayo.' A|oc swa||owod hard and g|ancod away, h|s concorn tor h|s own satoty ovorshadowod by th|s now, potont|a| throat to
ono ot h|s c|assmatos. Was |t anyono ho know? lt so, A|oc to|t sorry tor thom. 1urn|ng back to v|ncont, ho sa|d, 3o bos|dos sta|k|ng mo, l supposo
you'vo boon hang|ng around tho schoo| a|| wook, |ook|ng tor an aura?'
Yos.'
los|ng as who?'
Whoovor |s convon|ont. l sorvod you mashod potatoos |n tho catotor|a on 1hursday.'
A|oc cr|ngod and stood up, st||| grapp||ng w|th th|s unwo|como nows. 1hat's noth|ng short ot croopy.'
Untortunato|y, tho targot's boon vory d|tt|cu|t to |dont|ty. At t|rst l thought |t cou|d bo tho caso l'vo boon work|ng on tor tho past s|xtoon yoars.'
Oh. 1hat ono.' A|oc noddod s|ow|y.
|owovor, now l'm not so suro. A|though tho boy l'vo sot my s|ghts on hasn't usod any ab|||t|os wh||o l'vo boon around, ho doosn't appoar to
havo both ot tho ta|onts l'd oxpoct.' v|ncont hoavod an |rr|tatod s|gh. And to mako mattors worso, ot a|| t|mos, l havo to |oavo town.'
Whoro aro you go|ng?'
1horo's a s|tuat|on |n low York that a|so roqu|ros my oxport|so and may tako a wook or moro to roso|vo. 1ho t|m|ng cou|dn't bo worso. l boto
to put th|s job on ho|d.'
A|oc sonsod what was com|ng w|th r|s|ng droad. 3tr|v|ng tor a casua| tono, ho sa|d, What's a wook, moro or |oss? lt th|s |a|tb|ood has just
Awakonod-'
0opond|ng on tho|r powor, a |a|tb|ood cou|d bo a dangorous anoma|y-and a pr|mo throat |t rocru|tod by tho othor s|do. 7boy may havo
mado contact a|roady. You know l can't |ot |t wa|t. l nood somoono to hand|o th|s wh||o l'm gono.' v|ncont t|xod A|oc w|th h|s gazo. And thoro's on|y
ono porson l can trust.'
A|oc backod away sovora| stops, shak|ng h|s hoad vohomont|y. lo. No. |orgot |t, v|ncont. l'm horo to got away trom a|| that.'
3o you sa|d.' v|ncont roso and crossod h|s arms ovor h|s chost. You o|so sa|d you want to stay horo at Emorson. And you want mo to koop
qu|ot about |t.'
Ayo. 3ut v|ncont . l just can't.'
What wou|d you rathor?' v|ncont askod, oyos b|az|ng. 1hat l br|ng Zachar|ah back? |o'|| corta|n|y d|scovor you whon ho soarchos tho schoo|.
And ho won't bo as undorstand|ng as l am. lt you don't run and h|do-moro succosstu||y th|s t|mo-ho'|| turn you |n. 1hoy'|| |ncarcorato you tor
otorn|ty w|th a bunch ot monks, |t thoy don't sontonco you to doath.'
lsn't that what thoy'ro go|ng to do to tho |a|tb|ood, |t wo t|nd h|m?' A|oc sa|d, h|s pu|so rac|ng. l can't oxchango somoono o|so's ||to or
troodom tor my own.'
Wo don't know what tho Counc|| w||| do. Vaybo thoy'|| bo moro |on|ont th|s t|mo. Un|oss, ot courso, wo don't got to h|m t|rst. 1hoy'|| havo no
cho|co |t ho's a|roady boon corruptod. A|| l'm ask|ng yoo to do |s to |dont|ty h|m and mako suro ho doosn't got |nto any troub|o unt|| l got back. 0o
that, and l won't roport you to tho E|dors.'
A|oc hos|tatod, trown|ng. 1hat's |t? You just want mo to . watch ovor h|m?'
1hat's |t. l'|| tako caro ot tho rost whon l roturn.' v|ncont |ookod at A|oc, h|s dark oyos tu|| ot moan|ng. 0o mo th|s ono tavor and l'|| grant your
w|sh. As |ong as you don't broak any |aws, or do any moro too||sh th|ngs-no mattor how nob|o-you can stay horo and p|ay human tor as |ong as
you ||ko.'
A|oc s||ont|y dobatod v|ncont's ottor, doop|y cont||ctod. 0|d ho want to do th|s-spy on h|s own schoo|matos and condomn somoono-
howovor dangorous-to a dub|ous tato? Abso|uto|y not. lt to|t ||ko a doa| w|th tho dov||. 3ut |t ho d|dn't do |t, v|ncont wou|d ovontua||y t|nd tho
|a|tb|ood on h|s own anyway. And at th|s po|nt, d|d A|oc roa||y havo any a|tornat|vo? |o was |ucky that v|ncont was grant|ng h|m th|s out. |o took a
doop broath.
Okay. lt's a doa|,' A|oc sa|d.
3p|ond|d.' v|ncont romovod a postcard-s|zo o|octron|c tab|ot trom h|s jackot pockot and sot |t on tho tab|o. |oro's a rocap ot ovoryth|ng l'vo
dono so tar. 1ust p|ck up whoro l |ott ott.'
A|oc starod down at tho tab|ot, tho grav|ty ot tho|r agroomont start|ng to s|nk |n. |o baro|y not|cod as v|ncont wa|kod to tho door.
0on't |ook so dospondont, A|oc. Whon a|| th|s |s ovor, you w||| thank mo. |appy hunt|ng.'
ton
Whon C|a|ro's mom droppod hor ott at schoo| on Vonday, tho dobr|s trom tho scatto|d|ng acc|dont had a|| boon c|oarod away, and |t |ookod as |t
construct|on had boon ha|tod. C|a|ro scannod tho crowd but d|dn't soo A|oc anywhoro. As sho crossod to tho sta|rs, a group ot g|r|s camo up to hor,
concorn wr|tton a|| ovor tho|r tacos.
C|a|ro! Oh my God! Aro you okay?' askod tho |oador ot tho pack. lt was Gabr|o||o V|||or, tho ath|ot|c goddoss sho'd otton soon ta|k|ng w|th
lo||.
l'm . t|no.' C|a|ro was takon aback. Gabr|o||o had on|y ta|kod to hor tw|co |n hor ||to-onco to wo|como hor to Emorson, anothor t|mo to |nv|to
hor to watch a vars|ty tonn|s match-and Gabr|o||o's c||quo had novor so much as g|ancod |n hor d|roct|on. 3o why woro thoy ta|k|ng to hor now?
Wo hoard you woro, ||ko, a|most crushod to doath by that scatto|d|ng on |r|day!' cr|od Ash|oy, tho cur|y-ha|rod b|ondo at Gabr|o||o's s|do.
Wo woro at |unch |n tho v|||ago and m|ssod tho who|o th|ng,' put |n Courtnoy, tho th|rd g|r|. Evorybody's ta|k|ng about |t. 1hoy sa|d you woro
|ntorv|owod by tho cops!'
ls |t truo that A|oc VacKonz|o draggod you out trom undor tho wrockago?' Gabr|o||o askod.
Wo||, ho . ho d|dn't actua||y orog us, |t was moro ||ko ho tack|od us, and-' C|a|ro bogan.
Oh my God!' shr|okod Ash|oy. l wou|d so |ovo to bo tack|od by A|oc VacKonz|o!'
|o |s so hot!' agrood Gabr|o||o.
l'd g|vo anyth|ng to havo blm savo my ||to,' Courtnoy swoonod. |o's that qu|ot, |onor typo, wh|ch |s so soxy. And ho has such an awosomo
accont.'
5o awosomo . ,' ochood Ash|oy.
1ust thon, Er|ca and 3r|an jo|nod thom.
Whassup, poop|oz?' 3r|an sa|d |n h|s typ|ca| choortu| tash|on.
Gabr|o||o's group wh|r|od on thom on masso, gasp|ng at tho s|ght ot 3r|an's s||ng. Oh my God!' Gabr|o||o oxc|a|mod. ls your arm brokon?'
lo, |t was just d|s|ocatod,' 3r|an sa|d.
lt's a m|rac|o that you guys surv|vod!' cr|od Courtnoy.
Aro you, ||ko, hav|ng n|ghtmaros and sh|t?' askod Ash|oy.
Wo||, |t wos torr|ty|ng,' Er|ca adm|ttod.
lt wou|d havo tota||y suckod |t you'd d|od.' Gabr|o||o shuddorod. l moan, schoo|'s just baro|y startod! 1hat wou|d havo ru|nod tho who|o t|rst
somostor.'
Evorybody's so troakod about |t,' addod Courtnoy, say|ng, 'lt cou|d havo boon mo.''
Gabr|o||o shou|dorod hor backpack. 3r|an, my dad's a doctor, so |ot mo know |t you nood any pa|nk|||ors.'
1hanks, but l'm a|roady wo|| supp||od,' 3r|an roturnod w|th a gr|n.
1ho throo g|r|s wavod and dashod ott. C|a|ro g|ancod at hor tr|onds w|th oyobrows ra|sod as thoy hoadod up tho sta|rs |n tho group's wako.
1hat was strango.'
lot roa||y. Wo'ro tamous now.' Er|ca smoothod back hor sh|ny rod ha|r, a hugo sm||o on hor taco.
|avo you soon A|oc?' C|a|ro askod.
lot yot,' 3r|an answorod.
|o's usua||y r|ght on t|mo.' C|a|ro was gott|ng worr|od now. l hopo ho's okay.'
|o |ookod t|no on |r|day,' Er|ca sa|d.
C|a|ro trownod. Vaybo ho's avo|d|ng schoo| so wo can't gr||| h|m about what happonod.'
You just koop to|||ng yourso|t that, 0otoct|vo,' 3r|an sa|d, shak|ng h|s hoad.
A|| day |ong, tho scatto|d|ng acc|dont was tho major top|c ot convorsat|on at schoo|. 3o many poop|o camo up to ask C|a|ro |t sho was okay-
most ot thom poop|o sho'd novor ta|kod to unt|| now-that |t mado hor hoad sp|n. 3ho'd novor boon tho contor ot so much attont|on botoro.
Adm|ttod|y, |t was oxc|t|ng-but at tho samo t|mo, sho to|t uncomtortab|o. 3ho hadn't roa||y oooo anyth|ng, oxcopt not d|o. A|oc was tho ono who
dosorvod tho rocogn|t|on, but ho was absont a|| day. Whoro was ho?
Attor schoo|, as C|a|ro was grabb|ng hor books trom tho|r |ockor, hor oyos woro drawn to tho bu|ky, b|ack mystory box s|tt|ng at tho bottom.
What wos that th|ng, anyway? sho wondorod. Cou|d any ot hor quost|ons about A|oc bo answorod by what was |ns|do?
1ho box was |ockod t|ght, w|th a d|g|ta| koypad on tho ||d. A thought occurrod to hor: Evon |t sho cou|dn't opon |t, maybo sho cou|d put hor now
ab|||ty to somo pract|ca| uso and try to got a road|ng ott tho box-tho samo way sho had w|th tho braco|ot. 3ho know th|s was pry|ng, but hor |ntonso
cur|os|ty ovorcamo hor too||ngs ot gu||t.
1ak|ng a doop broath, C|a|ro oxtondod hor r|ght hand ovor tho ||d ot tho box, thon prossod hor pa|m down onto |t, concontrat|ng on tho too| ot
tho co|d, toxturod surtaco.
loth|ng happonod. loth|ng at a||.
1ust thon, sho hoard tho sound ot |aughtor and approach|ng tootstops. 3ho qu|ck|y s|ammod tho |ockor door and hurr|od ott w|th a
d|sappo|ntod s|gh. lt lgoros, C|a|ro thought, trown|ng. loth|ng about hor supposod ab|||ty had ovor boon prod|ctab|o or convon|ont. lt sho was
go|ng to |oarn anyth|ng about A|oc, |t'd havo to bo tho o|d-tash|onod way.
1hat |s, |t ho ovor roturnod to schoo|.
1ho to||ow|ng morn|ng, tratt|c was so bad that C|a|ro arr|vod at schoo| w|th on|y two m|nutos to sparo botoro c|assos startod. 3ho mado a
boo||no tor h|story |n tho lorth Ouad, arr|v|ng broath|oss just as tho socond bo|| rang.
1o hor aston|shmont, Vr. lattorson's door s|ammod shut |n hor taco. C|a|ro stoppod short, spooch|oss, thon qu|ot|y tr|od tho door hand|o. lt
was |ockoo.
C|a|ro had oovor boon |ockod out ot a c|ass! lt was bad onough that sho'd roco|vod a 0 on hor t|rst h|story papor. 1h|s wou|d on|y turthor
joopard|zo hor grado-and, u|t|mato|y, hor scho|arsh|p. ||ght|ng back a wavo ot pan|c, sho wandorod around tho s|do ot tho bu||d|ng. 1hrough tho
c|assroom w|ndow, sho cou|d soo Vr. lattorson a|roady |octur|ng. 3ho was about to hoad to tho ||brary to study whon sho not|cod A|oc s|tt|ng |n h|s
usua| soat.
5o bo`s bock-ooo bo`s okoy, sho thought. A surgo ot |ntonso ro||ot swopt through hor. A socond, |ossor thought to||owod: Vaybo sho'd t|na||y
got a chanco to ta|k to h|m today, and t|nd out what p|anot ho was trom. |or co|| phono v|bratod |n hor pockot, s|gna||ng a now toxt mossago. Crop!
sho thought. 3ho'd torgotton to turn ott tho damn th|ng whon sho arr|vod on campus. 3ho yankod tho phono out and g|ancod at tho scroon, tu||y
oxpoct|ng tho toxt to bo trom hor mom.
lnstoad, |t was trom an unknown numbor. A|| |t sa|d was:

Don't anic.

3ho g|ancod up and saw A|oc socrot|y work|ng h|s co|| phono bonoath tho covor ot h|s dosk. Anothor mossago arr|vod:

|'II aharo my notoa. ~A

C|a|ro sm||od. 1hat was n|co ot h|m. 3ho was putt|ng hor co|| phono away whon tho sharp rap ot knuck|os aga|nst g|ass brought hor oyos back
to tho c|assroom w|ndow. 3ho trozo |n horror. Vr. lattorson oponod tho w|ndow, h|s oyos t|xod on hor, A|oc's co|| phono |n h|s hand.
Congratu|at|ons, V|ss 3ronnan,' ho sa|d w|th a dor|s|vo sm||o. You and Vr. VacKonz|o havo just oarnod yourso|vos dotont|on tomorrow.'
o|ovon
A|oc starod at tho groon wad ot gum that was stuck to tho undors|do ot tho catotor|a tab|o just |nchos trom h|s taco. What possossod thoso k|ds,
ho wondorod, to ongago |n such a ropu|s|vo, gorm-sproad|ng hab|t? |rom h|s awkward pos|t|on, soatod cross-|oggod on tho t||o t|oor, ho ra|sod h|s
woapon-a buttor kn|to.
l'm sorry l got you |nto th|s moss.' A|oc bogan ch|so||ng away at tho ottons|vo |ump.
C|a|ro sm||od, s|m||ar|y omp|oyod bonoath a noarby tab|o. lt's okay. Gott|ng EV0 w||| ho|p dotuso my rop as a goody-goody.'
1ho adm|n|strat|on at Emorson apparont|y bo||ovod that |t was bost tor studont growth to tocus tho|r t|mo attor schoo| on ath|ot|cs, tho arts, and
othor oxtracurr|cu|ar act|v|t|os, so dotont|on-|nstoad ot bo|ng attor schoo|-was sorvod booro. |onco tho namo Ear|y Vorn|ng 0otont|on, or EV0.
As domoan|ng as th|s task was, A|oc d|dn't m|nd bo|ng horo-both bocauso ho was w|th C|a|ro, and bocauso |t was a wo|como d|stract|on trom
tho ass|gnmont that had boon wo|gh|ng on h|m ovor s|nco v|ncont's v|s|t. A|oc know ho was supposod to bo koop|ng an oyo out tor tho Awakonod
at schoo|-ho shou|d havo startod |ook|ng yostorday-but so tar, ho hadn't boon ab|o to br|ng h|mso|t to ovon g|anco at tho data on v|ncont's tab|ot.
1hanktu||y, at |oast C|a|ro was out ot tho runn|ng, s|nco tho targot was ma|o.
|o g|ancod at hor as sho concontratod on romov|ng a part|cu|ar|y d|tt|cu|t p|oco ot gum. Evon at sovon |n tho morn|ng, crouchod bonoath a
catotor|a tab|o, sho |ookod br|ght and boaut|tu|, and bost ot a||, b||sstu||y unawaro ot |t. |o wondorod what sho was th|nk|ng. 1ho who|o schoo|
soomod to bo ta|k|ng about tho scatto|d|ng |nc|dont, and ho to|t corta|n |t was st||| trosh |n C|a|ro's m|nd. v|ncont bo||ovod A|oc had covorod up tho
uso ot h|s powors wo||, but A|oc was unconv|ncod. |o'd boon so ro|uctant to ta|k to C|a|ro that ho'd do||borato|y cut schoo| Vonday, but ho cou|dn't
koop that up torovor. 3ho hadn't sa|d a word about |t yostorday attor h|story. Vaybo-just maybo-ho'd |mag|nod that |ook sho'd g|von h|m attor ho
tack|od thom, and sho d|dn't suspoct a th|ng.
1hoy workod |n s||onco tor a tow m|nutos, accompan|od by tho sounds ot c|ang|ng mota| pans and torvont chopp|ng trom tho noarby k|tchon.
A|oc was try|ng to doc|do how to bog|n a convorsat|on whon, thanktu||y, sho d|d |t tor h|m.
l'vo boon moan|ng to to|| you,' C|a|ro sa|d w|th a caut|ous g|anco |n h|s d|roct|on, attor what happonod on |r|day, wo woro . l was worr|od a||
wookond.'
||s pu|so qu|ckonod. 5blto. loro lt comos. Worr|od?'
Yoah, l was atra|d you m|ght havo boon hurt |n tho acc|dont.'
Oh.' Was that a|| that was worry|ng hor? lo||ot cur|od through h|m. A|oc poppod ott a wad ot p|nk gum, droppod |t |nto a trash bag, and
scootod a|ong tho t|oor to tho noxt tab|o. lo, l'm t|no. l was roa||y sorry to hoar about 3r|an's shou|dor, though-and l'm g|ad you and Er|ca woron't
hurt.'
1hanks. Wo a|| to|t bad that wo cou|dn't ca|| you or anyth|ng. 0|d you know you'ro not ||stod |n tho Emorson d|roctory?'
|rom tho oxpross|on on hor taco, ho cou|d soo that sho was dy|ng to probo turthor-just as ho was dy|ng to chango tho subjoct. l ||ko to koop
that |ntormat|on pr|vato.' A|oc hopod h|s tono soundod casua|.
Why?'
3ocauso l ||vo by myso|t.' |o was gratotu| that ho cou|d at |oast answor that quost|on truthtu||y. 1ho adm|n|strat|on |s okay w|th |t, but l thought
|t'd soom strango to othors |t a studont was ||stod w|thout any paronts or guard|ans.'
|ow'd you pu|| that ott? l thought |t was aga|nst tho |aw tor m|nors to ||vo a|ono.'
l'm omanc|patod.' |o'd to|d th|s story so otton ovor tho past month-to schoo| adm|n|strators, h|s |and|ord, tho guy ho'd bought h|s car trom-
|t was start|ng to too| as |t |t had roa||y happonod. last yoar, l movod to northorn Ca||torn|a to ||vo w|th my unc|o Grogory. Untortunato|y, ho turnod
out to bo a rag|ng a|coho||c, so l pot|t|onod tho court to |ot mo ||vo on my own-but ho st||| pays my tu|t|on.'
Wow. 1hat must havo boon hard. 3ut don't you havo any othor ro|at|vos you cou|d ||vo w|th?'
lot roa||y, no.' lt was tho portoct opon|ng: |o cou|d s||p |n a tow t|db|ts to addross h|s prov|ous m|stakos. At t|rst, attor my paronts d|od, l ||vod
w|th my grandtathor |n 3pa|n-but ho's an anarch|st, and thoy throw h|m |n pr|son. 1hon l stayod w|th an aunt who's a m|ss|onary |n Koroa, but hor
boytr|ond wasn't too koon on hav|ng mo thoro, and no|thor was tho aunt w|th sovontoon cats |n Ed|nburgh.' 7bot sboo|o tlo tblogs op olco|y-l sbo
boys lt.
C|a|ro trownod, s||d|ng to anothor tab|o, whoro sho bogan do-gumm|ng |ts undors|do. 3ruta|. l don't onvy your tam||y roun|ons.'
|o |aughod.
3ut at |oast you bovo somo tam||y,' C|a|ro cont|nuod. l don't know whoro any ot m|no |s. Vy mothor |s tho on|y ro|at|vo l havo.'
loa||y? Why? ls your mothor tho b|ack shoop ot tho tam||y? 0|d sho run away and jo|n tho c|rcus, or marry somoono thoy d|dn't approvo ot?'
C|a|ro shruggod. l w|sh l know. 3ho rotusos to ta|k about |t. A|| l know |s thoy got marr|od, had mo, and thon ho |ott.'
0o you ovon know who your tathor |s?'
lopo. l ||ko to th|nk ho was a lobo| lr|zo-w|nn|ng sc|ont|st who had to roturn to v|ta||y |mportant, top-socrot work, and thon d|od roscu|ng h|s
|ab workors trom a t|ro. Or tho omporor ot somo sma|| |s|and nat|on torcod |nto h|d|ng whon a coup took ovor.' 3ho s|ghod. 3ut tho truth |s, l th|nk
ho's just somo doadboat who knockod up my mom at sovontoon and ba||od.'
l'm sorry. l know how hard |t |s, grow|ng up w|thout a tathor.'
|ow o|d woro you whon your paronts d|od?'
1on.' 1ho truth, aga|n-a|though ago ton had boon so |ong ago tor h|m, ho cou|d baro|y romombor |t.
low |t's my turn to say l'm sorry.'
lt's okay.'
C|a|ro to|| s||ont onco moro as thoy cont|nuod scrap|ng. A|oc to|t hor oyos on h|m, and ho sonsod that sho was drumm|ng up tho courago to ask
h|m somoth|ng o|so.
3y tho way,' sho sa|d hos|tant|y, about |r|day .'
|o trozo. Ayo?'
l havon't thankod you propor|y tor tho who|o . sav|ng-my-||to th|ng.'
Oh. 1hat.' ||s hoart poundod. 0on't ovon th|nk about |t.'
l can't ho|p th|nk|ng about |t. A|oc, what you d|d, |t was amaz|ng. You sovoo os. 3ut thon you |ott w|thout a word. l got that you ||ko your pr|vacy,
but why d|d you d|sappoar ||ko that?'
Okoy, A|oc thought. 3t||| a harm|oss onough quost|on that ho cou|d doa| w|th. l'|| to|| you tho samo th|ng l to|d tho po||co whon thoy ca||od mo. l
just d|dn't want tho attont|on.'
3ocauso ot what you d|d?'
A|arm t||ckorod through h|m. What?'
1hat scatto|d|ng was go|ng to h|t us-wo woro a|| toast. 3ut l saw you ra|so your arm as |t you woro push|ng |t away, and tho who|o th|ng
wavorod and crashod ott to tho s|do. 1hon you ||ttod us to satoty and van|shod ||ko a suporhoro |n a com|c book. |ow d|d you do |t?'
o||. 7boro lt ls, A|oc thought. 5bo olo soo, otor o||-ooo sbo cortolo|y lso`t bootlog oroooo tbo bosb oboot lt.
1ho t|rst bo|| rang, g|v|ng h|m tho ropr|ovo ho dosporato|y noodod. l don't know what you moan, C|a|ro. l d|dn't do anyth|ng,' ho sa|d qu|ck|y, as
thoy both stood up. Vaybo l ho|d up my hand protoct|vo|y tor ono contusod socond, but thon l just actod on |nst|nct to got us a|| out ot dangor.'
C|a|ro noddod s|ow|y. ||s rop|y c|oar|y d|sappo|ntod hor, but sho soomod to accopt |t. Okay.' 3otoro sho cou|d say moro, tho k|tchon
suporv|sor appoarod. |o s|gnod tho|r dotont|on s||ps, ro|oas|ng thom. 1hoy droppod tho|r bags ot gum |n tho trash and mado tho|r way to tho door,
whoro C|a|ro pausod, turn|ng to h|m.
Wo||, whatovor happonod, A|oc, thank you aga|n tor what you d|d. l'm roa||y, roa||y gratotu|.' Unoxpoctod|y, sho wrappod hor arms around h|m
and gavo h|m a hug.
1ho act|on caught A|oc tota||y ott guard, and ho trozo aga|n, h|s hoart go|ng w||d. lo ono had ovor huggod h|m botoro-oxcopt h|s paronts, and
that had boon so |ong ago, ho'd a|most torgotton what |t to|t ||ko. You'ro . wo|como,' ho stammorod, ra|s|ng h|s arms and awkward|y hugg|ng hor
back.
Whon sho drow away, tho|r gazos mot br|ot|y. |o saw that hor chooks woro as t|ushod as h|s to|t, and thoro was a now oxpross|on on hor taco
that soomod to m|rror h|s own contus|on.
3yo,' sho sa|d qu|ck|y. Avort|ng hor oyos, sho dartod ott w|thout anothor word.
two|vo
C|a|ro hurr|od down tho ramp toward hor t|rst c|ass, hor pu|so pound|ng |n hor oars. What had just happonod?
3ho d|dn't bo||ovo A|oc's vors|on ot tho ovonts on |r|day-thoro was no way ho or anyono o|so was go|ng to oxp|a|n thom away as natura|-
and thoro woro so many othor th|ngs about h|m that st||| d|dn't t|t. 3ut that wasn't tho uppormost th|ng on hor m|nd at tho momont.
A|| sho'd |ntondod was to g|vo A|oc a qu|ck, tr|ond|y hug, but wh||o sho was |n h|s arms, tho too||ngs that had r|son w|th|n hor had takon hor
comp|oto|y by surpr|so.
1hrough tho th|n |ayor ot A|oc's 1-sh|rt, sho'd to|t tho rap|d boat ot h|s hoart. ln rosponso, hor own hoart had bogun to raco so tast, sho'd to|t as
|t |t m|ght suddon|y burst out ot tho too-cont|nod spaco ot hor chost. 1ho t|rm touch ot h|s hands aga|nst hor back, tho sonsat|on ot h|s body |n
contact w|th tho |ongth ot hors, had causod a hoat to r|so doop |ns|do hor that-as tar as sho know-had noth|ng to do w|th tho psych|c wo|rdnoss
that had boon happon|ng |ato|y. Whon tho hug ondod, sho'd boon so so|t-consc|ous, sho cou|d hard|y |ook at h|m.
3ho rocogn|zod thoso too||ngs, sho had thom-or usod to havo thom-|n a somowhat |oss |ntonso tash|on whonovor sho was around lo||, or
was th|nk|ng about lo||. Why was sho too||ng ||ko th|s now, w|th A|oc? Was sho attractod to h|m? lt so, whon tho ho|| had tbot startod, and why
hadn't sho not|cod |t botoro?
C|a|ro was st||| mu|||ng tho quost|ons ovor |ator that morn|ng whon sho ontorod tho thoator bu||d|ng tor Concort 3|ngors.
You huggod h|m?' Er|ca gr|nnod whon C|a|ro brought hor up to spood. 1hat's a c|ovor tact|c. 0|d you got a v|s|on ott h|m?'
What? lo! lt wasn't a tact|c,' C|a|ro |ns|stod, b|ush|ng. l'm just gratotu| to h|m. l wasn't ovon th|nk|ng about v|s|ons.'
0|d you touch h|s sk|n whon you huggod?' 3r|an ch|mod |n. Or just h|s c|othos?'
C|a|ro thought tor a momont. 1ust h|s c|othos.'
You must bo r|ght,' 3r|an to|d Er|ca. |or powors oporato str|ct|y by sk|n-to-sk|n contact. Excopt, on raro occas|ons, whon sho's touch|ng an
objoct whoso ownor |s |nvo|vod |n a traumat|c-'
W||| you p|oaso stop ta|k|ng about mo ||ko l'm a |ab rat?' C|a|ro |ntorruptod, annoyod.
|ow d|d A|oc roact to th|s hug?' Er|ca was st||| sm|||ng. l'|| bot ho swoonod.'
Why do you say that?' C|a|ro's b|ush dooponod dosp|to horso|t.
3ocauso'-Er|ca ro||od hor oyos-A|oc |s c|oar|y nuts about you.'
C|a|ro starod at hor. What?'
You moan you d|dn't know that, C3?' 3r|an shook h|s hoad. l swoar, g|r|s aro so c|uo|oss somot|mos.'
C|a|ro took hor soat and warmod up a|ong w|th tho rost ot tho c|ass, procoss|ng th|s nows. Was |t roa||y poss|b|o that A|oc ||kod hor? 1ho
thought was so now and unoxpoctod, as woro tho too||ngs r|ot|ng |ns|do hor, that sho wasn't suro what to bo||ovo.
Out ot tho cornor ot hor oyo sho saw 3r|an surropt|t|ous|y scr|bb||ng on a scrap ot papor. |o|d|ng tho noto |nto a t|ny squaro, ho s||ont|y passod
|t to tho boy on h|s |ott, nodd|ng |n C|a|ro's d|roct|on. 1ho noto mado |ts way down tho row, t|na||y arr|v|ng on C|a|ro's mus|c stand.
3t||| s|ng|ng a|ong w|th tho cho|r, sho covort|y oponod |t and road:

5o, wboo yoo boggoo-olo yoo oo| A|oc`s boortboot
C|a|ro st|t|od a |augh. 3ho |ookod at 3r|an trom hor soat and noddod omphat|ca||y, patt|ng hor chost ono-handod w|th a rap|d drumboat. |o
gr|nnod tr|umphant|y and mado a mot|on w|th h|s hand tor hor to turn tho noto ovor. 3ho d|d. lt road:

5oo. 7o|o yoo. lo`s oot o vomplro.
th|rtoon
A|oc sat |n h|s car, watch|ng as tho othor studonts vacatod tho jun|or park|ng |ot. A|| day, ho hadn't boon ab|o to stop th|nk|ng about tho hug ho'd
oxchangod w|th C|a|ro |n tho catotor|a.
1ho sonsat|on ot C|a|ro's warm body prossod aga|nst h|s-hor arms |ockod around h|m-hor taco nost|od aga|nst h|s shou|dor-tho tragranco
ot hor shampoo-|t had a|| boon so |ncrod|b|o and so |ntox|cat|ng. |o'd boon d|stractod ovor s|nco, unab|o to concontrato |n c|ass, much |oss on
tho ass|gnmont v|ncont had g|von h|m. |o sonsod that C|a|ro had to|t |t, too, but ho cou|dn't bo suro.
At |oast C|a|ro soomod p|acatod onough attor tho|r convorsat|on to stop ask|ng quost|ons about tho loclooot. A|oc s|ghod and |oanod back |n
h|s soat. lt was t|mo, ho rom|ndod h|mso|t, to stop th|nk|ng about C|a|ro and tocus on tho task at hand. ||s vory troodom dopondod on |t.
v|ncont's d|g|ta| tab|ot to|t hoavy |n h|s hand. A|oc st||| droadod tho thought ot turn|ng |t on. Onco ho startod a hunt, |t bocamo a||-consum|ng,
and ho know ho wou|dn't too| comtortab|o at schoo| anymoro-or w|th h|mso|t. lt wasn't just tho |doa ot go|ng back to work that bothorod h|m,
howovor tomporar||y. lt was tho poss|b|o consoquonco that awa|tod tho targot, ospoc|a||y |t ho was actua||y a |a|tb|ood. 1ho Counc||'s doc|s|on,
howovor, was out ot h|s hands-and wou|d occur whothor or not A|oc got |nvo|vod. ln tact, |t wou|d bo much worso tor tho Awakonod |t A|oc d|dn't
t|nd h|m botoro tho |a||on d|d.
lo|uctant|y, A|oc prossod tho tab|ot's powor button. 1ho scroon ||t up, and w|th ono c||ck A|oc rostorod |t to tho |ast t||o v|ncont had oponod: a
sor|os ot dota||od notos w|th bu||ot po|nts cu|m|nat|ng |n a survo|||anco photograph ot v|ncont's pr|mo suspoct. A|oc a|most droppod tho dov|co |n
aston|shmont.
lt was lo|| V|tchum.
A|oc |oanod on tho roottop ra|||ng o|ghtoon stor|os abovo tho s|oop|ng c|ty, watch|ng tho r|bbons ot ompty, |||um|natod stroots strotch away
wostward toward tho d|stant, ond|oss oxpanso ot dark ocoan.
Cou|d |t bo truo? Was Cho|r 3oy tho Awakonod that v|ncont was |ook|ng tor? lt so, |t wou|d mako sonso.
Evorybody sa|d lo|| had a boaut|tu| s|ng|ng vo|co, wh|ch ot courso camo w|th tho torr|tory. Apparont|y ho was tho tastost spr|ntor |n tho schoo|
and a suporstar soccor p|ayor-that cou|d bo a s|gn. l|us, tho k|d had unbo||ovab|o charm and |nt|uonco-a dot|n|to potont|a| ta|ont. 3omohow, lo||
had managod to conv|nco a mus|c toachor to add an untostod s|ngor to an oxc|us|vo honors cho|r at tho o|ovonth hour. And A|oc cou|dn't torgot how
|ncrod|b|y shy and tonguo-t|od C|a|ro had boon around lo|| on 3ook 0ay, or how sw|tt|y that shynoss had ovaporatod undor lo||'s |nt|uonco |n tho
two wooks s|nco. 1ho |ast t|mo A|oc had boon around somoono w|th such prosonco, |t was h|s mark |n lanama t|vo yoars ago. Who know what
othor h|ddon ab|||t|os lo|| m|ght possoss?
A|oc shook h|s hoad, trown|ng, and |oanod aga|nst tho wa||, h|s back to tho c|ty. 1ak|ng h|s gu|tar trom |ts caso, ho bogan p|uck|ng away at tho
str|ngs, t||||ng tho a|r w|th a mo|ody ot h|s own croat|on.
lt coo|o just bo tho joa|ousy ta|k|ng, A|oc adm|ttod to h|mso|t. lt soomod that ovory t|mo C|a|ro had oxprossod ovon tho romotost t||ckor ot
|ntorost |n A|oc, lo|| had shown up and d|vortod hor attont|on. lt lo|| roa||y was tho |a|tb|ood, |t wou|d bo vory convon|ont. ln ono to|| swoop, h|s
compot|t|on tor C|a|ro wou|d bo gono.
A|oc's b|ood ran co|d at tho thought ot what tho Counc|| m|ght do onco v|ncont turnod lo|| |n. A|oc wou|dn't w|sh that tato on anyono, not ovon
lo||. 3ut v|ncont was r|ght. |uman|ty was probab|y sator |t tho |a|tb|ood was |n tho custody ot h|s own k|nd. |o'd g|vo v|ncont what ho wantod.
|o'd |dont|ty tho Awakonod, protoct h|m dur|ng v|ncont's absonco, thon turn ovor tho |ntormat|on and bo dono w|th |t.
A|oc's m|nd workod on h|s stratogy as ho p|ayod tastor and tastor, a mus|ca| tronzy, ||ko a tra|n rac|ng down a track. lt wou|dn't bo onough to
just koop a |ookout at schoo|. 1ho |a||on mado |t tho|r bus|noss to corrupt tho |nnocont. lt thoy'd caught w|nd ot th|s t|odg||ng, thoy woro ||ko|y to
doscond at any t|mo to sway h|m to tho|r s|do. Gonora||y, thoy tavorod moot|ngs |n pub||c p|acos, whoro-w|th so many on|ookors-|t was d|tt|cu|t
tor somoono ||ko A|oc to oxorc|so any ovort protoct|vo powors. A|oc doubtod, howovor, that thoy wou|d daro to mako an appoaranco at a c|osod
campus ||ko Emorson Acadomy, whoro thoy'd probab|y st|ck out ||ko a soro thumb. No, ho thought, tboy`|| cbooso somo otbor |ocotloo to moko
cootoct.
A|oc struck a t|na| chord, tho noto rovorborat|ng |n tho st|||noss ot tho n|ght.
|o'd just havo to bo on hypora|ort, and koop a part|cu|ar|y c|oso oyo on lo||.
tourtoon
Vutod sun||ght t||torod down gont|y through a canopy ot ta|| troos, wh|ch sho|torod C|a|ro |n a roa|m ot do||c|ous coo|noss. 3ho was stro|||ng through
a torost, woar|ng a boaut|tu|, t||my wh|to dross that roachod hor ank|os-a dross sho'd novor soon botoro. 1ho ground, strown w|th p|no nood|os, to|t
spr|ngy bonoath hor sanda|od toot. |rom somowhoro not too tar ott sho hoard tho crash ot ocoan wavos and tho cry ot a soagu||, and whon sho
|nha|od, sho smo||od tho sa|ty tang ot tho soa.
bot ls tbls p|oco C|a|ro wondorod. lowolo l got boro 3ho'd novor boon |n a torost so c|oso to tho ocoan botoro. 3ho was possossod by
tho nood to t|nd somoth|ng-or somoono-but sho d|dn't know who or what.
About ton yards ahoad, a sott go|don ||ght omanatod trom botwoon tho trunks ot two troos. 3ho ran toward tho ||ght, wh|ch soomod to bo ca|||ng
to hor. As sho drow noaror, a t|guro appoarod: a dark torm surroundod by an aura ot g|oam|ng yo||ow.
C|a|ro stoppod, cry|ng out |n aston|shmont. lt wos A|oc. |o g||dod c|osor, unt|| ho stood |mmod|ato|y botoro hor.
You wondorod what l am?' A|oc sa|d gont|y, h|s vo|co ocho|ng as |t thoy woro |ns|do a cathodra|. Go ahoad. ||nd out.' |o oponod h|s sh|rt,
grabbod hor hand, and prossod |t to h|s boaut|tu||y scu|ptod chost.
As tho|r sk|n mado contact, tho ||ght surround|ng A|oc |ncroasod |n |ntons|ty, grow|ng so br|ght that sho was torcod to sh|o|d hor oyos w|th hor
othor hand. C|a|ro gaspod aga|n as a s|zz||ng hoat ran up hor arm and sproad through hor ont|ro body. 1romb||ng, sho saw that sbo wos oow
g|owlog, too-a|though tho ||ght around hor wasn't yo||ow. lt was a sh|mmor|ng omora|d groon. 3ho to|t as |t hor vory b|ood woro on t|ro-but |t was
a do||c|ous sonsat|on, an o|octr|c |ntons|ty moro oxh||arat|ng than anyth|ng sho'd ovor to|t |n hor ||to.
A|oc's oyos woro t|||od w|th und|sgu|sod attoct|on as ho took C|a|ro t|rm|y |n h|s ombraco. Nowyoo koow,' ho wh|sporod, h|s taco just |nchos
trom hors.
3ut. l don't know anyth|ng.' C|a|ro's hoart drummod |n hor chost as h|s |oan body mo|dod aga|nst hor own. Was ho go|ng to k|ss hor?
3uddon|y, dosporato|y, sho yoarnod tor |t.
A|oc |oworod h|s hoad c|osor, unt|| tho|r ||ps noar|y touchod ..
C|a|ro awoko w|th a start, s|tt|ng up and broath|ng hard, hor pu|so thundor|ng.
Vy Ooo, sho thought. 1hat was tho most v|v|d droam sho'd ovor had. 3coot|ng back |n bod, sho co||apsod aga|nst tho hoadboard as sho
strugg|od to roturn to roa||ty.
boro olo o|| tbot como rom sho wondorod. Why was A|oc g|owlog |n hor droam? Why had sbo boon g|ow|ng? bot lo tbo wor|o olo lt
mooo
3ho'd boon so tocusod on lo|| tor tho past two yoars that sho hadn't not|cod any othor boys, or cons|dorod that anyono o|so m|ght ||ko hor.
lo|| was t|na||y show|ng a h|nt ot |ntorost |n hor, but at tho samo t|mo, horo was th|s othor gorgoous, |nto|||gont boy w|th whom-sho cou|dn't dony |t
-sho to|t a gonu|no connoct|on. Evor s|nco tho|r hug |n tho catotor|a, sho hadn't boon ab|o to stop th|nk|ng about A|oc.
C|a|ro know sho shou|d bo oxc|tod. 3ut A|oc was such an on|gma. lt'd bo ono th|ng |t ho was just a norma| guy who was maybo a ||tt|o socrot|vo
about somo th|ngs. |owovor, dosp|to h|s protosts to tho contrary, somoth|ng oololto|y was d|ttoront about h|m, and no ono cou|d oxp|a|n |t away to
hor sat|stact|on. 3ho had novor soon anyono g|ow |n roa| ||to, but attor tho way A|oc had savod tho|r ||vos on |r|day, sho was bog|nn|ng to bo||ovo
ho was capab|o ot |t, and maybo a who|o |ot moro. Whoovor-or whatovor-A|oc was, ho was soxy, powortu|, br||||ant, tasc|nat|ng . and
tr|ghton|ng . a|| at tho samo t|mo.
C|a|ro's thoughts woro |ntorruptod by tho sound ot hor door qu|ot|y opon|ng. |or mothor stood s||houottod |n tho doorway.
You a|| r|ght, honoy?' hor mom sa|d. l thought l hoard you ca|| out.'
l just had a wo|rd droam.'
|or mom crossod tho room and sat down on tho bod bos|do C|a|ro, rogard|ng hor |n tho s||co ot ||ght sh|n|ng |n trom tho ha||. What was your
droam about?' sho askod, brush|ng back C|a|ro's ha|r trom hor oyos.
C|a|ro to|t hor chooks grow warm. 3ho somot|mos to|d hor mom about hor droams, but sho d|dn't want to sharo tho dota||s ot th|s ono. l don't
romombor much. 1ust that l was |ost |n a strango torost.'
Wo||, you'ro sato now.' |or mom huggod hor t|ght|y.
7boro sbo goos ogolo, C|a|ro thought. A|woys to|klog oboot bolog soo.
|or mom's vo|co broko as sho cont|nuod, A|| wook, l'vo boon so upsot about that horr|b|o, horr|b|o acc|dont. l koop th|nk|ng about how l a|most
|ost you.'
C|a|ro roturnod hor mom's |ntonso hug. l'm tota||y t|no, Vom.'
|or mom sat back, w|p|ng tho cornors ot hor oyos. Aro you? Aro th|ngs okay at schoo|?'
1hoy'ro groat,' C|a|ro roassurod hor. Evon h|story |s start|ng to |ook up. 3o many k|ds got |ow grados on that t|rst papor that my toachor sa|d
|t wou|dn't count. |o dovotod a who|o c|ass por|od to tho bas|cs ot tho ana|yt|c wr|t|ng sty|o that ho wants, and how to avo|d ovorwr|t|ng. l th|nk l got |t
now.'
l'm so g|ad.'
|ow aro th|ngs w|th you, Vom? You okay?'
l am. Voro than okay, actua||y. Work |s go|ng groat. And . wo||. l wasn't suro whothor or not to mont|on th|s, but-'
What?'
|or mom took a broath, and dosp|to tho |ow ||ght |n tho room, C|a|ro thought sho saw a b|ush croop up hor chooks. l thought about what you
sa|d tho othor day. About mo ||v|ng ||ko a nun. And how maybo |t's t|mo tor mo to start . go|ng out a ||tt|o.'
C|a|ro's jaw droppod |n surpr|so. 0|d you moot somobody?'
Yos. Wo||, sort ot. lt was at loot's Cottoo 3hop on 3unday. l was just |oav|ng, and l torgot my |aptop bag on tho tab|o. 1h|s handsomo man
camo runn|ng attor mo to roturn |t, and attor l thankod h|m, wo chattod tor a tow m|nutos. ||s namo |s 0onn|s and ho was . n|co.'
Vom, th|s |s major!' C|a|ro cr|od, ocstat|c. 0|d ho ask you out?'
|o askod mo to moot h|m tor cottoo somot|mo and gavo mo h|s oma|| addross. l d|dn't want to do anyth|ng, though, unt|| l'd ta|kod to you t|rst,
to soo how you'd too| about |t. A|| thoso yoars, |t's just boon tho two ot us-l want to mako suro you'ro comtortab|o w|th tho |doa.'
Ot courso l am! lt's just a cottoo dato, Vom. 3ay yos, tor God's sako! Go! |avo a good t|mo.'
1hanks, honoy. Vaybo l w|||. Go back to s|oop now.' 3ho k|ssod C|a|ro's chook, hugg|ng hor aga|n, and thon stood up and movod to tho door.
l hopo you havo bottor droams.'
Good n|ght, Vom.' C|a|ro sott|od back bonoath tho covors, c|os|ng hor oyos. 3ho cou|dn't stop sm|||ng. lt'd bo groat to soo hor mom havo a
boytr|ond. Vaybo sho'd ||ghton up and |ot C|a|ro dato, too.
Voro |mportant|y, |t m|ght koop thom |n l.A. a ||tt|o |ongor.
lt's 1hursday, poop|o,' C|a|ro announcod as sho smashod tho l|ng-long ba|| across tho tab|o toward 3r|an. 0o you know what that moans?'
1hat tomorrow's |r|day?' 3r|an roturnod tho ba|| w|th a sw|ng ot h|s good arm.
Oh!' Er|ca gaspod trom hor spot on tho s|do||nos, c|oar|y gott|ng C|a|ro's moan|ng. 1hursday! 0|d you got your 3pan|sh qu|z back?'
Yop.' 1ho throo ot thom woro ro|ax|ng |n tho 3tudont l|to Contor attor schoo|. As|do trom thom, tho p|aco was dosortod.
3o how d|d lo|| do?' Er|ca proddod.
C|a|ro sm||od proud|y. 3 m|nus.'
Wow,' Er|ca notod. 1hat's a bogo |mprovomont trom what you saw.'
Whon ho gots horo tor your ||tt|o study soss|on,' 3r|an askod, wo don't havo to bo a|| attor-schoo|-spoc|a|, do wo? W|th tho thumbs-up and tho
oncourag|ng gr|ns?'
l|oaso, no. 1ust koop a |ow prot||o. l th|nk lo|| a|roady too|s so|t-consc|ous onough about tho tutor|ng.'
As 3r|an noddod, Er|ca ho|d up a l|ng-long padd|o ||ko a m|crophono and qu|ppod |n hor announcor vo|co, Congratu|at|ons, C|a|ro 3ronnan!
You havo provod, w|thout a doubt, that tho tuturo |s not sot. And that tho vo|cos |n your hoad aro c|oar|y a||gnod w|th tho torcos ot good. low, wh|ch
man aro you go|ng to chooso: lo||, your |ong-t|mo crush, or A|oc, an ovon moro handsomo and br||||ant guy, who has a crush on yoo?'
C|a|ro b|ushod. l don't want to chooso anyono. At |oast not yot, unt|| l got to know thom both bottor.'
Ah, a monago a tro|s,' Er|ca musod. 1hat's an |ntorost|ng approach.'
Er|ca!' C|a|ro protostod, hor b|ush doopon|ng |n d|smay.
1ust thon, 3r|an s|ammod tho ba|| to tho r|ght cornor. 3uccoss! Yao boats 3ronnan, twonty-ono to t|ttoon. Ono-handod, no |oss!'
Oh, that was ta|r,' C|a|ro grumb|od, oxtond|ng hor hand tor a conc|||atory shako.
3r|an stowod h|s padd|o |n h|s s||ng and roachod out to accopt, but thon roco||od. Whoa, C3, aro you crazy? l'm not gonna havo you
spo|unk|ng through my psycho and toroto|||ng my tuturo. No toocblog! '
C|a|ro s|ghod, rotr|ovod tho ba||, and proppod hor padd|o on |t atop tho tab|o. Groat, now l'm a |opor.'
You'ro not a |opor,' Er|ca sa|d, try|ng to bo roassur|ng. 3ut l know what 3r|an moans. l'd |ovo to know what my tuturo ho|ds, |t l cou|d bo suro
|t'd bo gooo. 3ut what |t |t |sn't? And tho |doa ot you touch|ng mo and maybo soo|ng somoth|ng through my porspoct|vo-tbot`s croopy. What |t |t's
somoth|ng l'd rathor koop socrot?'
||no,' C|a|ro muttorod, tugg|ng at tho s|oovos ot hor hood|o unt|| thoy roachod down to hor t|ngort|ps. l'|| koop my hands to myso|t trom now
on.'
Good p|an.' 3r|an turnod to Er|ca and sa|d |n a humorous accont, 3o, V|ss ||schor, do you daro to cha||ongo tho l|ng-long Vostor?'
Er|ca gr|nnod cock||y and took C|a|ro's p|aco at tho toot ot tho tab|o. As tho two bogan to p|ay, C|a|ro crossod to tho act|v|t|os bu||ot|n board,
wh|ch was ||ttorod w|th br|ght|y co|orod s|gn-up shoots. |or attont|on was drawn to ono ont|t|od |omocom|ng Assomb|y Entorta|nmont Aud|t|ons.'
3ho scannod tho ||st ot studont namos scraw|od on |t. 1horo woro somo so|o acts, somo duots, and ovon somo tr|os. C|a|ro suddon|y romomborod
Er|ca's suggost|on that A|oc shou|d try out, but h|s namo wasn't ||stod. 3ho'd havo to rom|nd h|m about that. |o had a groat vo|co and dosorvod a
chanco to show |t ott.
1hat was whon tho v|s|on h|t.
|oat |ntusod C|a|ro's body, and sho bogan to tromb|o, hor knoos g|v|ng way bonoath hor. 3ho tumb|od d|zz||y onto tho noarby couch and
c|osod hor oyos. by ls tbls boppoolog to mo oow sho wondorod, a|armod.
3ho hoard Er|ca cry, Oh my God, sho's hav|ng anothor ono.'
1hon C|a|ro's m|nd ompt|od ot thought, rop|acod by an |mago-tho samo |mago sho'd soon |n that wo|rd op|sodo a wook ago.
A sbooowy lgoro stooo sorroooooo by loky oorkooss, |lt rom bobloo by o brlgbt yo||ow|lgbt. 7bo oco wos loolstlogolsbob|o, bot oo orm
wos strotcboo oot toworo C|olro, bockoolog, occompooloo by o wblsporlog volco.
C|olro! C|olro!' 7bo volco wos wootboroo ooo rospy, os l lt roqolroo groot oort to spook. 7bo oosolog woros woro olstortoo ooo l||oo wltb
gops, |lko o roolo troosmlttlog oo o boo roqooocy. Bot tbls tlmo, C|olro rocogolzoo o ooclooo|y omloloo tlmbro lo tbo spookor`s volco, ooo o
Brltlsb occoot, ooo sbo coo|o oooorstooo moro o tbo worolog tboo booro.
Yoo`ro lo ooogor . bocooso o yoor spoclo| glt. Oo|y . coo protoct ooo bo|p yoo. Como to 7wlo Po|ms. lo|ooo.'
lt lolsboo wltb tbo somo oorlo prooooocomoot. Loo`t to|| ooyooo.'
C|a|ro gaspod a|oud, hor oyos b||nk|ng opon as tho vo|co and |mago d|sappoarod trom hor m|nd. |or hoart poundod w|th anx|oty as sho
strugg|od to ground horso|t |n roa||ty onco aga|n. 3r|an and Er|ca stood ovor hor w|th contoundod oxpross|ons.
Wow. Was that what l th|nk |t was?' 3r|an askod.
What d|d you soo?' Er|ca cr|od, oxc|tod.
C|a|ro moppod tho swoat trom hor brow w|th a sh|rt-s|oovo. 3hou|d sho answor? lt was tho socond t|mo sho'd boon to|d not to to|| anyono. 3ut
thoy both a|roady know! And sho dosporato|y noodod tho|r ho|p to t|guro th|s out. lt was that samo wo|rd v|s|on aga|n w|th tho raspy vo|co, tho ono l
got |ast wook |n tho bathroom.'
Yoah, tho ono that to|d you to ho|p lo||,' Er|ca sa|d.
l th|nk l was wrong about that.' C|a|ro shook hor hoad s|ow|y. l hoard moro words th|s t|mo-|t was dot|n|to|y a woman, and l th|nk sho was
try|ng to to|| mo that l`m tho ono who noods ho|p.'
You? Why do you th|nk that?' 3r|an askod.
3ho startod ott say|ng, 'You'ro |n dangor . bocauso ot your spoc|a| g|tt.' 1hon |t cut out aga|n, but l caught: 'can protoct and ho|p you.''
Wa|t a m|nuto. l thought th|s g|tt ot yours was a|| about touch,' Er|ca sa|d. What d|d you touch?'
loth|ng. l was just stand|ng horo.'
3r|an pursod h|s ||ps, th|nk|ng. Whon you had th|s v|s|on botoro, woro you touch|ng anyth|ng or anyono?'
lo.'
3o |t was a toma|o vo|co that sa|d tho oxact samo th|ng as botoro, on|y moro c|oar|y?' 3r|an askod.
C|a|ro noddod.
Vaybo |t's C|a|ro's own subconsc|ous that's warn|ng hor,' Er|ca suggostod.
l doubt |t,' C|a|ro rop||od. 1ho vo|co had a 3r|t|sh accont.'
lotorostlog,' 3r|an musod. C|a|ro, l th|nk you'vo got two d|ttoront psych|c phonomona go|ng on horo.'
What do you moan?'
l th|nk tho v|s|ons you got whon you touch poop|o or th|ngs aro ono typo. 3ut th|s ono's not a v|s|on at a||. lt's a mossogo.'
A mossago?' C|a|ro ropoatod, |ntr|guod.
Yoah, ||ko that a||on s|gna| |n Cootoct,' 3r|an cont|nuod. A ropoatod warn|ng, sont trom somowhoro o|so, by somoooo o|so.'
|o cou|d bo r|ght,' Er|ca oxc|a|mod. You'ro soo|ng a t|guro ta|k|ng to yoo, |nstoad ot bo|ng |ns|do somoono's body.'
Oh-that's truo.' C|a|ro shook hor hoad, puzz|od. 3ut who |s |t? Why |s sho sond|ng tho mossago? Why doos sho want to ho|p mo, ot a||
poop|o?'
Good quost|on.' 3r|an scratchod h|s hoad.
And wbot |s sho warn|ng mo about? What cou|d l poss|b|y bo |n dangor trom? 0oath by motoor? Am l go|ng to bo h|t by a bus? 0o l havo a
bra|n tumor?'
You'ro jok|ng, but l'm doad|y sor|ous, C|a|ro,' 3r|an sa|d. lt you'ro roa||y |n dangor bocauso you'ro psych|c and thoro's somoono who can ho|p
or protoct you, wo'd bottor t|nd out who |t |s.'
And ost,' Er|ca addod, trown|ng w|th nowtound worry.
|oar sparkod through C|a|ro's vo|ns. You'ro r|ght. 3ut how aro wo go|ng to do that?'
0|d tho vo|co say anyth|ng o|so?' 3r|an askod.
Yoah. lt sa|d, '0on't to|| anyono.''
1hoy a|| |aughod norvous|y. 1oo |ato tor that,' obsorvod Er|ca.
lt a|so sa|d two othor th|ngs. 'Como to 1w|n la|ms.' And '|o|ona.''
1w|n la|ms?' 3r|an askod. You moan ||ko tho ma|| |n tho va||oy?'
l don't know. Vaybo. 0o you th|nk hor namo |s |o|ona?'
Cou|d bo.' Er|ca wh|ppod out hor phono and browsod tho ma||'s wobs|to. Vaybo |o|ona |s a psych|c, and sho's wa|t|ng to ta|k to you at tho
1w|n la|ms Va||.'
lot's go chock |t out,' 3r|an suggostod.
l'm a|| tor bo|ng proact|vo,' C|a|ro |ntonod dub|ous|y, but how wou|d wo t|nd ono part|cu|ar porson namod |o|ona at a ma||?'
Vaybo sho'|| t|nd you,' ottorod 3r|an.
Er|ca, tocusod on hor phono, addod, Wo can como up w|th a p|an |n tho car. l say wo hoad up to tho va||oy r|ght now and chock th|s out.'
Who's chock|ng out what now |n tho va||oy?' lo|| had poppod |nto tho room and was |ook|ng at thom a|| quost|on|ng|y.
1ho throo ot thom trozo.
Um . ,' C|a|ro stammorod, ombarrassod that |n a|| tho oxc|tomont, sho'd comp|oto|y torgotton hor study dato w|th lo||. Wo'ro chock|ng out
.'
. whothor or not thoy st||| havo th|s awosomo pa|r ot boots on sa|o at 1w|n la|ms!' Er|ca t|n|shod tor hor, t|ash|ng an advort|somont on hor
phono.
lo||'s taco to||. |o g|ancod at C|a|ro. Wa|t. You guys aro go|ng to a ma||? ln tho Vo||oy? l thought wo woro gonna study 3pan|sh.'
C|a|ro was t|attorod by tho |ook ot d|sappo|ntmont on lo||'s taco. 3ho hos|tatod. 3ho d|dn't want to canco| on h|m so |ast m|nuto, but sho
cou|dn't to|| h|m tho truth, o|thor. You d|d so wo|| on your qu|z, lo||. l th|nk wo shou|d postpono th|s t||| tomorrow, tako a day ott, and co|obrato. Como
w|th us.'
l d|dn't do tbot wo||, C|a|ro,' lo|| rospondod.
lt's a mattor ot porspoct|vo, am|go,' 3r|an sa|d w|th an ovoronthus|ast|c sm||o and a thumbs-up. You cou|d havo ta||od that qu|z, but you
d|dn't!'
Yoah!' Er|ca sa|d br|ght|y, t|ash|ng a covort, ro|uctant |ook at C|a|ro. 1o|n us. lt'|| bo a t|o|d tr|p. Wo can spoak 3pan|sh |n tho car.'
0on't you tako |ronch?' lo|| askod, as thoy hordod h|m out tho door.
Whatovor,' Er|ca rop||od. Vomooos!'
C|a|ro and Er|ca protondod to browso |n tho 3oot 3hack tor ton m|nutos, thon |ott tho guys at a v|doo gamo storo and stro||od out |nto tho crowdod
shopp|ng contor.
What woro you th|nk|ng?' Er|ca sa|d |n a |ow, oxasporatod vo|co. Why d|d you |nv|to lo||? lt makos th|s a|| so comp||catod!'
lt wou|d havo boon rudo to just d|tch h|m. Wo can do th|s, ovon w|th h|m horo. lot's just mako a p|an.'
lt was your v|s|on. Yoo mako tho p|an.'
Yoo`ro tho ono who sa|d wo shou|d como to tho ma|| and |ook tor somoono namod |o|ona!' C|a|ro h|ssod.
lt soundod oas|or |n thoory, l adm|t. God. 1horo aro hundrods ot poop|o horo, and throo stor|os ot shops. Whoro aro wo supposod to start?'
Vaybo 3r|an was r|ght. Vaybo wo don't nood to do anyth|ng. Vaybo whoovor sont tho s|gna| can sonso that l'm horo and w||| como to mo.'
Er|ca poppod a p|oco ot gum |nto hor mouth. l'm a|ways a tan ot do|ng noth|ng.'
1hoy stood thoro, oagor|y watch|ng tor any g||mmor ot |ntorost trom tho stroam ot toma|o shoppors pass|ng by, but no ono |n part|cu|ar g|ancod
tho|r way. Attor a tow m|nutos ot that, Er|ca sa|d, 1h|s |s wo|rd. l too| ||ko a hookor. A |osb|an hookor.'
C|a|ro's oyos woro suddon|y drawn to a |argo t|xturo on tho ma|| t|oor s|x toot ahoad ot thom. Ob my Ooo, sho thought. lowcoo|o wo bovo
mlssoo lt
What?' Er|ca sa|d, not|c|ng C|a|ro's stunnod oxpross|on.
C|a|ro strodo torward and po|ntod to tho ma|| d|roctory and map. Undor 3poc|a|ty 3toros, |t ||stod a shop on tho socond t|oor ca||od |o|ona's.
|o|y crap,' Er|ca sa|d. Wo'vo boon so short-bus about th|s.'
3o whoro aro wo go|ng noxt, am|gos?' lo|| askod, carry|ng a bag trom tho v|doo gamo storo as ho and 3r|an caught up to thom.
C|a|ro gosturod toward a spot on tho map. |o|ona's.'
|o|ona's?' 3r|an ropoatod. Why do wo nood to go thoro?'
C|a|ro and Er|ca shot h|m a s||ont g|aro ot doath.
Oh! Ob! ' 3r|an cr|od, h|s oyos w|don|ng w|th comprohons|on. l'vo . hoard about that p|aco. l'vo a|ways wantod to go thoro!'
Why? What do thoy so||?' lo|| askod.
3r|an starod at h|m b|ank|y, ||ko a door |n hoad||ghts. Uh .'
Wo don't want to spo|| tho surpr|so,' C|a|ro sa|d, bo|d|y tak|ng lo|| by tho arm. You'|| soo whon wo got thoro.'
||vo m|nutos |ator thoy stood outs|do tho shop, |ts namo omb|azonod |n mota|||c purp|o scr|pt: |ElElA'3. 1ho shop w|ndows woro stuttod w|th
low Ago and occu|t tr|nkots, trom crysta| ba||s and pontagrams to Ou|ja boards and tunky-|ook|ng cand|os |n ovory shado ot tho ra|nbow.
1h|s |s tho shop you woro a|| so oxc|tod about?' lo|| askod 3r|an cur|ous|y.
lo .' 3r|an to|gnod surpr|so. l thought |t was tho otbor |o|ona's, tho ono that so||s . cook|os.'
Wo||, wo'ro go|ng |n,' C|a|ro sa|d omphat|ca||y. |ow about |t you guys go do somoth|ng o|so tor a tow m|nutos?'
Groat |doa,' 3r|an and lo|| rospondod |n un|son. 1hoy took ott ||ko a shot.
C|a|ro and Er|ca pushod opon tho g|ass door, tr|ggor|ng a mot|on sonsor that ch|rpod mo|od|ous|y. 3ott, atmosphor|c mus|c dr|ttod trom
spoakors abovo. 3un-, moon-, and star-shapod ornamonts ot a|| s|zos hung trom tho co|||ng, and sovora| sho|vos ot books stood at tho back.
Okay. 1h|s |s. ,' Er|ca bogan.
lamo?' C|a|ro t|n|shod undor hor broath.
l was go|ng to say coo|.'
You'ro |nto th|s k|nd ot stutt?'
lot roa||y. 3ut l'm try|ng to got |nto tho sp|r|t ot th|ngs. 1h|s cou|d bo prom|s|ng! lt's much moro ||ko|y that you'|| t|nd a psych|c horo than |n a
c|oth|ng storo or a cook|o shop.'
1hoy movod to tho |ong g|ass countor, whoro s||vor jowo|ry was on d|sp|ay, and a m|dd|o-agod woman w|th tr|zzy rod ha|r and t|owy c|oth|ng
was att|x|ng pr|co st|ckors to a stack ot g||ttory p|cturo tramos. C|a|ro sm||od at hor. l|co storo.'
1hank you.'
C|a|ro dot|atod a ||tt|o as sho roa||zod tho woman d|dn't havo a 3r|t|sh accont.
Wo just oponod a coup|o ot wooks ago,' tho woman cont|nuod w|th a sm||o. l'm st||| try|ng to got th|ngs |n ordor. Aro you |ook|ng tor anyth|ng |n
part|cu|ar?'
lo. Wo'ro just brows|ng,' Er|ca sa|d.
l'm cur|ous, though,' C|a|ro addod, about tho namo ot tho storo. Aro you |o|ona?'
Oh, no. |o|ona |s my k|tty.' 3ho gosturod boh|nd tho countor to a baskot at hor toot, whoro a |argo ca||co cat was rost|ng.
C|a|ro and Er|ca oxchangod a |ook. Was th|s what had brought thom horo? C|a|ro wondorod. A psych|c cat?
Can l pot hor?' C|a|ro askod.
3uro. Vy |o|ona |ovos poop|o.'
C|a|ro scootod boh|nd tho countor and crouchod down by tho cat's baskot, thon hos|tatod. What wou|d |t bo ||ko to got a v|s|on ott an an|ma|?
1ho cat starod back at hor. As Er|ca kno|t down bos|do hor, C|a|ro tontat|vo|y oxtondod hor hand and bogan strok|ng tho an|ma|'s sott tur. lt
purrod contontod|y.
Anyth|ng?' Er|ca wh|sporod.
loth|ng,' C|a|ro wh|sporod back. l th|nk |t's just a cat.'
Vaybo wo woro wrong. Vaybo |t's not a porson-or an|ma|-namod |o|ona attor a||. Vaybo |t's tho storo ltso|, at th|s ma||, that you woro
supposod to v|s|t. 1horo m|ght bo somoth|ng horo that's |mportant.'
You th|nk?'
Why don't you try touch|ng somo othor stutt and soo what happons?'
C|a|ro stood up, romarkod how boaut|tu| tho cat was, and bogan wandor|ng around tho shop. 3ho p|ckod up morchand|so random|y but d|dn't
got a road|ng ott anyth|ng.
1ho ontry ch|mo soundod as lo|| and 3r|an ontorod. 3o, havo you two tound anyth|ng coo|?' 3r|an askod, oyo|ng thom moan|ngtu||y.
C|a|ro shook hor hoad. 1ust a n|co cat. lamod lo|ooo.'
Ah,' 3r|an rospondod w|th a nod.
1ho ontry ch|mo ch|rpod aga|n. C|a|ro turnod and cou|dn't ho|p but staro at tho now arr|va|s: two guys and a g|r| who |ookod to bo |n tho|r oar|y
twont|os, a|| ot whom had a bunch ot p|orc|ngs and tattoos. lt was as |t tho who|o atmosphoro |n tho p|aco changod w|th tho|r prosonco. 1hoy
rom|ndod C|a|ro ot rock stars. 1hoy oxudod cont|donco, and tor somo roason sho to|t drawn to thom.
1ho tr|o g||dod |nto tho storo and |nstant|y soparatod, ||ko t|ghtor p|anos broak|ng tormat|on. As tho two guys browsod, |ook|ng a b|t borod, tho
g|r| stro||od |n C|a|ro's d|roct|on, nodd|ng at hor w|th a tr|ond|y but command|ng sm||o. |oy.'
|oy,' C|a|ro rospondod. 1ho g|r| was ta|| and broathtak|ng|y boaut|tu|, w|th |ong, |nky b|ack ha|r that t|owod down hor back. 3ho woro a t|ght,
rod p|a|d dross ovor b|ack |ogg|ngs, dark ||pst|ck, hoavy oyo||nor, b|ack na|| po||sh, and |ots ot dang|y s||vor jowo|ry. 1ho g|r| casua||y stud|od tho
morchand|so, paus|ng whon sho roachod C|a|ro's s|do. |oo||ng so|t-consc|ous that sho'd boon star|ng, C|a|ro g|ancod away.
1ho g|r| p|uckod a sma||, s||vor droam-catchor pondant trom a d|sp|ay. lt was docoratod w|th turquo|so boads and t|ny s||vor toathors. |avo you
ovor usod ono ot thoso?' |or vo|co was sott, r|ch, and o|ogant, ||ko mo|ton choco|ato. And |t was doc|dod|y 3r|t|sh.
C|a|ro's pu|so |oapt. 3ho dartod a |ook at hor tr|onds, who soomod oqua||y myst|t|od that th|s goddoss was chatt|ng w|th hor. lo,' sho
answorod.
1hoy'ro ||ko sp|dorwobs,' tho g|r| rop||od, tw|r||ng tho pondant |n hor t|ngors. 1hoy trap your n|ghtmaros, so on|y tho good droams t||tor through.
Whon tho morn|ng sun h|ts tho not, a|| your bad droams aro |nstant|y burnod to ash.'
l|ko a vamp|ro not?' 3r|an sa|d.
K|nd ot,' tho g|r| rop||od w|th a ra|sod oyobrow, as |t sho cons|dorod that a strango quost|on.
1hat's coo|.' C|a|ro noddod.
1ho g|r| t|xod hor oyos on C|a|ro tor a |ong boat, a|most study|ng hor. l th|nk you shou|d buy th|s. l th|nk |t w||| ho|p you.'
Why do you say that?' C|a|ro askod, takon aback.
You |ook ||ko a vory |ntu|t|vo porson. l|ko somoono who droams a |ot-ovon whon you'ro awako. 1h|s wou|d protoct you.'
C|a|ro a|most gaspod. lrotoct hor? Ob my Ooo, sho thought. 1h|s must bo tho porson sho'd boon soarch|ng tor! 3ho had a 3r|t|sh accont and
ovoryth|ng! lt wasn't as raspy as tho vo|co |n hor v|s|on, but that warn|ng had boon vory garb|od. 0|d sho havo a mossago tor hor? C|a|ro oxchangod
a |ook w|th Er|ca, who was c|oar|y on tho samo pago and s||ont|y acknow|odgod hor oxc|tomont. 3otoro C|a|ro cou|d rospond, howovor, lo|| p|pod
up br|ght|y, You aro dot|n|to|y tho most porsuas|vo sa|osporson l'vo ovor mot. 0o you work horo?'
1ho g|r| |aughod po||to|y. l don't bo||ovo |n work.'
1ho two boys jo|nod thom, t|ank|ng tho group on o|thor s|do.
|ow'ro you guys do|ng?' ono ot thom askod w|th an |nv|t|ng sm||o. |o was ta|| and broad-shou|dorod, w|th co|ortu| tattoos covor|ng h|s nock
and toroarms, h|s shou|dor-|ongth b|ack ha|r pu||od |nto a ponyta||. A hoavy s||vor cha|n dang|od trom tho studdod bo|t that ho|d up h|s stratog|ca||y
r|ppod joans.
Co|osto, who'ro your now tr|onds?' addod tho othor. |o was shortor and stock|or, w|th a shavod hoad and bushy goatoo, and p|orc|ng dark
oyos |n a bu||dog taco. 3oth guys woro b|ack 1-sh|rts strotchod across tho|r musc|od chosts.
Co|osto C|a|ro thought. 1hon sho roa||zod |t d|dn't mattor what tho g|r|'s namo was, |t |o|ona's was just tho p|aco whoro thoy woro supposod
to moot.
Wo havon't boon propor|y |ntroducod yot,' Co|osto sa|d w|th a s|ow sm||o, as sho rop|acod tho droam catchor on tho jowo|ry rack w|th a
smooth, man|curod hand. l'm Co|osto. 1ho ta|| ono's 1avod. 1ho othor ono's l|co.'
l'm C|a|ro. 1h|s |s Er|ca, 3r|an, and lo||.'
3o what aro you guys do|ng |ator?' 1avod askod, st||| sm|||ng.
0o you ||ko hockoy?' l|co addod.
Wo won sovon r|nk-s|do soats to a K|ngs oxh|b|t|on gamo ton|ght, and tour ot our tr|onds just ba||od,' Co|osto oxp|a|nod. 1ho throosomo
spoko |n such qu|ck succoss|on, |t was as |t thoy woro comp|ot|ng ono anothor's thoughts.
Oh, wow!' 3r|an oxc|a|mod.
l'vo a|ways wantod to soo tho K|ngs!' C|a|ro hoard horso|t say. 3ho g|ancod at Er|ca, sons|ng that sho undorstood how |mportant th|s cou|d
bo. lt sho was |n somo k|nd ot dangor, and thoso poop|o know somoth|ng about |t, |t mado sonso tor hor to go w|th thom-d|dn't |t? 3ho cou|dn't
oxp|a|n |t, but ovon though thoy'd just mot, sho somohow to|t connoctod to a|| throo ot thom. 1hoy had a carotroo, casua| mannor, but st||| soomod
gonu|no and s|ncoro. On tho othor hand, sho d|dn't know a th|ng about thom. Why d|dn't sho too| moro norvous?
l'm sorry |t wo'ro com|ng on a ||tt|o strong,' Co|osto sa|d, as |t not|c|ng C|a|ro's wary oxpross|on. 3ho gr|nnod, t|ash|ng hor portoct wh|to tooth.
You guys just soom coo|.'
lt wo |ott r|ght now, wo'd mako |t downtown |n t|mo tor d|nnor,' l|co addod.
1hoy mako groat nachos at 3tap|os Contor,' 1avod ch|mod |n.
What do you th|nk, Er|ca?' C|a|ro sa|d s|ow|y. You'ro our chauttour.'
l'd |ovo to go,' Er|ca rop||od caut|ous|y. Wo probab|y nood to chock w|th our paronts t|rst-schoo| n|ght, and a||. 3ut l'm suro thoy'|| a|| bo coo|
w|th |t.'
Yoob, os l my mom woo|o ovor bo coo| wltb lt, C|a|ro thought.
3urpr|s|ng|y, lo|| roachod ovor and put h|s arm around hor w|th a warm sm||o. lt a|| sounds groat. |ow about |t wo to||ow |n our car?'
3otoro Co|osto cou|d answor, tho door ch|mod yot aga|n, th|s t|mo accompan|od by tho sound ot hoavy tootstops. C|a|ro's oyos w|donod |n
surpr|so.
A|oc strodo toward thom, ha|t|ng on|y a tow toot trom C|a|ro and lo||. |o was woar|ng a hoodod b|ack |oathor jackot that to|| m|dway to h|s
knoos. lt hung opon to rovoa| an o||vo groon army surp|us vost, |ts mu|t|p|o pockots tu|| ot-somoth|ng. ||s b|ack canvas gu|tar caso was s|ung
across h|s back ||ko a knapsack.
And ho |ookod roa||y, roa||y p|ssod.
t|ttoon
What aro you guys do|ng horo?' A|oc askod qu|ot|y.
|ury s|mmorod w|th|n h|m. |o'd to||owod lo||, wa|t|ng tor a g||mpso ot an aura. |o'd hopod that noth|ng wou|d happon, but had goarod up just
|n caso. lt had boon bad onough to bo torcod to w|tnoss C|a|ro hang|ng on to lo||'s arm as thoy mado tho|r way up tho osca|ator, and to t|nd thom
horo |n a s|m||ar poso. 3ut now tbls trlo, ot a|| poop|o, had to appoar and comp||cato th|ngs.
Co|osto had a knack tor smo|||ng out tho now|y Awakonod, and thoy woro part|cu|ar|y suscopt|b|o to hor charms. A|oc know |n h|s gut that
Co|osto was out tro|||ng tor ono now. |ad sho gotton w|nd that a poss|b|o |a|tb|ood was on tho |ooso? ls that why sho'd zorood |n on th|s group?
Wo'ro just . brows|ng,' C|a|ro sa|d hos|tant|y. What aro yoo do|ng horo, A|oc?'
l wasn't ta|k|ng to you,' A|oc rop||od. |o saw hurt and surpr|so |n C|a|ro's oyos and qu|ck|y rotocusod h|s gazo on Co|osto and hor cohorts.
A|oc?' Co|osto sa|d noncha|ant|y, hor vo|co dr|pp|ng honoy, just tho way ho romomborod. long t|mo no soo.'
Wo know v|ncont was horo,' 1avod addod w|th und|sgu|sod |ntorost, but d|dn't oxpoct to soo you.'
Out on a ||tt|o shopp|ng sproo, aro you?' A|oc prossod ca|m|y. lt ho was |ucky, maybo thoy'd rovoa| who thoy woro attor. lt occurrod to h|m that
|t cou|d bo lo|| or 3r|an, thoy woro both ta|ontod s|ngors.
A|oc, how do you know thoso guys?' C|a|ro askod. ls somoth|ng wrong?'
3otoro ho cou|d rop|y, Co|osto |ntorjoctod, 0on't m|nd h|m. Wo'vo known A|oc tor yoars-and ho's novor boon any tun at a||.' 1o A|oc, sho
addod |nnocont|y, 3top scow||ng, wou|d you? You'ro scar|ng our now tr|onds.'
VacKonz|o, what's your prob|om?' lo|| askod, batt|od, h|s arm st||| around C|a|ro. 1hoso guys havo t|ckots to a hockoy gamo. Wo'ro moot|ng
thom thoro.'
Groat,' A|oc rop||od ston||y. l'm |n tho mood tor hockoy.' 1o Co|osto ho addod, lot's go outs|do. l can r|do w|th you.'
Co|osto's oyos dartod to tho gu|tar caso s|ung ovor A|oc's shou|dor, and sho trownod.
|oy, k|ds,' tho ownor ot tho shop |ntorruptod, mov|ng out trom boh|nd tho countor w|th concorn. What's go|ng on? ls ovoryth|ng a|| r|ght?'
Co|osto turnod to C|a|ro w|th a ||tt|o s|gh. l'm sorry, swoot|o. l just romomborod, our t|ckots aro tor tomorrow n|ght. Vaybo wo'|| run |nto you
aga|n somot|mo.'
0on't ovon th|nk about |t,' A|oc sa|d, h|s tono throaton|ng.
Whatovor.' Co|osto wavod hor hand as |t shoo|ng a t|y, thon sw|r|od up to h|m and wh|sporod pr|vato|y |n h|s oar, l can't bo|lovo tho groat and
powortu| v|ncont had to ca|| yoo |n as backup to ro|n |n ono ||tt|o t|||y, ovon |t |t mlgbt bo ha|t-thoroughbrod.'
A co|d too||ng st|rrod |n tho p|t ot A|oc's stomach. ll||y
C|ao.' Co|osto oxchangod a sharp |ook w|th hor two countorparts. 3oys?'
1ho tr|o sauntorod out tho door, |oav|ng a doath|y s||onco |n tho|r wako. A|oc's hoart |urchod as tho torr|b|o truth dawnod on h|m. ll||y 1hoy
woro attor a glr|? |rom tho way Co|osto had boon cozy|ng up to C|a|ro, |t wasn't hard to guoss wh|ch ono |t was.
0udo, what |s up?' 3r|an muttorod, porp|oxod. 0|d you usod to bang that ch|ck or somoth|ng?' As Er|ca swattod h|m, 3r|an addod
dotons|vo|y, What? 3ho was hot.'
C|a|ro broko away trom lo|| and marchod up to A|oc angr||y. A|oc! What just happonod? What d|d you do that mado thoso guys |oavo?'
3o g|ad thoy d|d,' A|oc rop||od, strugg||ng to koop h|s vo|co ovon. 3o||ovo mo, thoy'ro not tho typo ot . poop|o you want to assoc|ato w|th.'
What k|nd ot . poop|o aro thoy?' Er|ca askod, m|m|ck|ng A|oc's tono and omphas|s.
1hoy'ro oxtromo|y dangorous,' A|oc rop||od torso|y. Loor Ooo. C|olro. |o'd boon so tocusod on |ook|ng tor a boy, |t hadn't onco occurrod to
h|m that v|ncont m|ght bo wrong about tho targot's gondor. And yot, ho roa||zod now, C|a|ro had a|ways boon moro ||ko|y than lo||, who'd boon |n
cho|r tor yoars. C|a|ro's nowtound ab|||ty to s|ng just days attor a surgo on tho gr|d wou|d bo a start||ng co|nc|donco, |t |t wasn't a tu||-b|own s|gn.
|ow do you know thoy'ro dangorous?' C|a|ro domandod. 1ust bocauso thoy had somo tattoos and a tow p|orc|ngs?'
1ho|r appoaranco |s |rro|ovant,' A|oc sa|d.
l wantod to ta|k to that g|r|!' C|a|ro |ns|stod. low sho's gono and l d|dn't got hor numbor or anyth|ng!'
l|ston to mo,' A|oc warnod. 3hou|d that g|r|-or o|thor ot tho othors-ovor approach any ot you aga|n, prom|so mo you'|| wa|k as tast as you
can |n tho oppos|to d|roct|on.'
Why?'
A|oc's oyos |ockod w|th C|a|ro's. A wavo ot doop angu|sh and concorn swopt through h|m, so powortu| that h|s vo|co crackod whon ho spoko.
3ocauso. l may not bo horo to protoct you tho noxt t|mo.'
C|a|ro gavo a ||tt|o gasp. |or angor soomod to tado, rop|acod by contus|on and vu|norab|||ty. Protoct mo?' sho murmurod qu|ot|y.
A|oc noddod, not trust|ng h|mso|t to spoak turthor. W|th an apo|ogot|c sm||o tor tho shopkoopor, ho turnod and |ott w|thout |ook|ng back.
|rom tho roottop ot tho 1w|n la|ms Va||, A|oc watchod as Co|osto and hor |ackoys c||mbod |nto tho|r s|ook yo||ow |umvoo and roarod out ot tho
park|ng |ot |nto tho n|ght.
1hank God ho'd boon horo. Who knows what wou|d havo happonod |t ho hadn't dotusod tho s|tuat|on?
Evory day, tho ranks ot tho |a||on |ncroasod |n numbor. lnd|v|dua||y and |n sma|| groups, thoy |gnorod and abusod tho ru|os ot soc|oty. lt thoy
ovor bandod togothor, thoy'd bo too strong tor any human |aw ontorcomont agoncy to contro|-that was h|s k|nd's groatost toar-yot ho and h|s
co||oaguos woro not a||owod to touch thom un|oss thoy comm|ttod a b|atant cr|m|na| act.
Co|osto had boon A|oc's ass|gnmont about s|x yoars ago-ono ot thoso raro |nstancos whoro ho'd boon sont |n to soarch tor an Awakonod.
Untortunato|y, botoro ho tound hor, sho'd boon ont|cod |nto jo|n|ng tho two roprobatos sho was w|th now. lt was ono ot h|s tow ta||uros, and |t had
bothorod h|m ovor s|nco.
lt on|y ho'd spottod Co|osto a tow m|nutos oar||or today, ho cou|d havo stoppod hor botoro sho'd doscondod on C|a|ro and hor tr|onds. low
ho'd havo to oxp|a|n away moro odd bohav|or. 1ho prospoct oxhaustod h|m, but thoro was noth|ng ho cou|d do about |t.
Was C|a|ro tho Awakonod? A|oc's throat t|ghtonod w|th worry. lt so, was sho tru|y a |a|tb|ood? lt was start|ng to |ook that way. Co|osto not on|y
know about v|ncont's ass|gnmont, but sho'd sa|d hor quarry m|ght bo ha|t-thoroughbrod.'
C|olro. C|olro. ln s||ont agony, A|oc's hoart wont out to hor. lt |t wos C|a|ro, |t wou|d moan that tho ro|at|onsh|p ho |ongod tor was ovon moro
dangorous and taboo than |t sho woro a norma| human g|r|. 3ut that was tho |oast ot |t. ||s own too||ngs tor hor as|do, ho cou|dn't boar to th|nk about
tho consoquoncos |n storo tor bor. 3omohow, ho had to protoct hor-to conv|nco Vlocoot to protoct hor. 3ut t|rst, ho noodod proot ot hor |dont|ty.
|o noodod a contro||od onv|ronmont |n wh|ch ho cou|d run somo bas|c tosts-oyos|ght, hoar|ng, rot|oxos-to got hor guard down so sho'd bo
torcod to rovoa| hor h|ddon paranorma| ab|||ty, |t sho had ono. Ot courso, C|a|ro cou|d havo any numbor ot ta|onts wh|ch woro d|tt|cu|t |t not
|mposs|b|o to tost tor, but at |oast |t wou|d bo a start.
An |doa prosontod |tso|t: a way to got what ho noodod. lt shou|dn't bo too hard to pu|| ott. C|a|ro wou|d no doubt havo a m||||on quost|ons tor h|m
attor h|s bohav|or just now, and sho'd bo a|| too happy tor a chanco to gr||| h|m about |t.
W|th a s|gh, A|oc crossod to tho tar s|do ot tho root, whoro ho g|ancod down at tho dark, dosortod |oad|ng dock sovora| stor|os bo|ow. |o was
anx|ous to bo on h|s way. |ortunato|y, no ono was around, and ta|| troos obscurod tho a||oy trom any prob|ng oyos, mak|ng |t sato to movo |n h|s
most oxpod|t|ous mannor.
3topp|ng up to tho vory odgo, ho vau|tod out |nto tho abyss.
|oo||ng tho wo|ght ot h|s body |n h|s m|nd, A|oc concontratod to s|ow h|s doscont as ho droppod through opon a|r. P|ooso, ho prayod s||ont|y,
|ot mo bo wroog. Loo`t |ot lt bo C|olro.
3ocauso |t |t wos C|a|ro-|t sho was a |a|tb|ood-|t moant that, through no tau|t ot hor own, hor ||to as sho know |t was about to |mp|odo.
s|xtoon
C|a|ro's bods|do c|ock d|g|ta||y t|ckod tho hours away as sho tossod and turnod, rop|ay|ng tho ovonts at tho ma|| |n hor m|nd.
3ho'd boon so suro Co|osto was tho porson who'd boon sond|ng hor tho psych|c mossagos. 1hon A|oc showod up, p|ssod as ho|| and
drossod ||ko somoth|ng out ot 7bo Votrlx, and had somohow scarod Co|osto away. C|a|ro had boon tur|ous w|th h|m at t|rst, but now sho was just
contusod. What was A|oc so mad about? |ad ho boon to||ow|ng thom? |ow d|d ho know Co|osto and thoso guys, and why d|d ho |ns|st thoy woro
dangorous?
C|a|ro had to adm|t, thoro wos somoth|ng strango about thom. C|a|ro and hor tr|onds had boon tota||y up tor go|ng to that K|ngs gamo, and
nono ot thom ovon |lkoo hockoy that much. lt was a|most as |t thoy'd boon hypnot|zod.
Ot courso, thoro was dot|n|to|y somoth|ng strango about A|oc, too. C|a|ro st||| cou|dn't shako tho doop corta|nty that ho had somo k|nd ot
supornatura| ab|||t|os. 3ut |t so, what was ho do|ng at hor h|gh schoo|? What had ho moant whon ho sa|d bo cou|d protoct hor? 1ho oxpross|on on
A|oc's taco and tho tromor |n h|s vo|co as ho'd pronouncod thoso |ast words cont|nuod to haunt hor. lt to|t as |t ho'd boon |ook|ng stra|ght |nto hor
sou|, and sho know ho'd spokon trom tho hoart.
Er|ca and 3r|an |ns|stod that A|oc ||kod hor. C|a|ro was bog|nn|ng to th|nk |t was truo-and sho cou|d no |ongor dony that sho was attractod to
blm. 1horo was no way sho cou|d pursuo thoso grow|ng too||ngs, howovor, unt|| sho know tho truth about who or what A|oc was. 3omohow, C|a|ro
doc|dod, sho was go|ng to havo to got answors.
3ut tho noxt day at schoo|, a|though sho to|t A|oc's oyos on hor ovorywhoro sho wont, ovory t|mo sho turnod to start up a convorsat|on w|th h|m,
ho was o|thor |ook|ng tho othor way or was gono.
lt was a typ|ca| short |r|day, and sho'd agrood to tutor lo|| dur|ng |unch attor schoo|. 1hoy mot at a cornor tab|o at Var|a's lostaurant |n
3rontwood v|||ago, a short wa|k away at tho top ot tho h|||, and sharod a mushroom ca|zono wh||o go|ng ovor tho |ntr|cac|os ot tho protor|to tonso.
1ho soss|on wont wo||. 1ho who|o t|mo C|a|ro was coach|ng lo||, howovor, sho tound hor thoughts dr|tt|ng back to A|oc, w|sh|ng sho was
hav|ng |unch w|th blm, contomp|at|ng how and whon sho cou|d got A|oc a|ono tor a pr|vato chat.
Whon an hour had passod, tho ca|zono had boon doc|matod, and thoy'd t|n|shod tho chaptor |n quost|on, C|a|ro sa|d, You'vo got th|s, lo||. l'm
roa||y |mprossod.'
1hanks.' |o oyod hor war||y across tho tab|o. 3ut . why do l hoar a 'Wo havo to broak up' tono |n your vo|co?'
A t|ash ot gu||t warmod hor chooks, but sho w|||od |t away. 3ho hadn't boon p|ann|ng to ond tho|r study soss|ons, but |t suddon|y bocamo c|oar
to hor that sho wantod to-and thoro was no roason tor hor to too| gu||ty about |t. You sa|d you woro bad at 3pan|sh, but that's not truo. l th|nk you
woro just rusty attor spond|ng tho who|o summor surt|ng. You don't nood mo anymoro.'
Oh, but l do.' lo|| roachod out and ||ght|y gr|ppod hor toroarm, h|s hand warm ovon through tho sott tabr|c ot hor |ong-s|oovod sh|rt. l'm novor
gonna romombor a|| th|s stutt on my own. lt's on|y bocauso you koop dr||||ng |t |nto my hoad. And whon you ta|k, l don't m|nd ||ston|ng.'
C|a|ro cou|d too| tho wo|ght ot s|ncor|ty boh|nd h|s words. 3ut h|s gr|n d|dn't causo hor stomach to t|uttor tho way |t usod to, and h|s touch on hor
arm to|t tr|ond|y |nstoad ot caus|ng sparks. 1o|| you what, lo||. lot's oaso ott noxt wook and soo how you do. l'm not abandon|ng you, l prom|so. lt
you st||| nood my ho|p, l'|| bo horo.'
lo|| |oanod back |n h|s cha|r and s|ghod. Okay. lt you |ns|st.' W|th a sm||o, ho addod, 3ut to|| mo ono th|ng.'
What's that?'
Evon though you'ro ba|||ng on tho 3pan|sh th|ng, w||| you st||| bo boho|don to mo?'
C|a|ro cou|dn't ho|p |augh|ng. A|ways.'
C|a|ro wavod good-byo to lo|| |n tho jun|or park|ng |ot and racod up tho schoo| sta|rs to got hor books tor tho wookond. Whon sho turnod tho cornor
to hor |ockor, hor pu|so sk|ttorod. A|oc was stand|ng thoro, d|gg|ng through |t.
C|a|ro strovo tor noncha|anco as sho wa|kod up. ||.'
A|oc sm||od. ||. 1ust tho porson l was hop|ng to soo. l wantod to ask you somoth|ng.'
Oh?' ||s dark b|ond ha|r was d|sarm|ng|y tous|od. l . havo somoth|ng to ask you, too. Can l go t|rst?'
A|oc t|n|shod gott|ng h|s books and stoppod back, g|v|ng hor accoss to tho |ockor. Okay.'
C|a|ro took a doop broath as sho oxchangod sovora| books and to|dors trom hor backpack. Bo bo||sy ooo go or lt, sho to|d horso|t. A|oc, you
soom to havo boon avo|d|ng mo a|| day.'
|o oponod h|s mouth as |t to rop|y, thon shut |t aga|n.
l t|guro |t's 'causo you d|dn't want mo to ask about what happonod at tho ma|| yostorday. 3r|an and Er|ca and l havo boon argu|ng about |t ovor
s|nco. 3o |nstoad ot ask|ng stra|ght out, l'm go|ng to g|vo you our two runn|ng thoor|os. lot mo know |t wo'ro warm, or way ott.'
Attor a br|ot pauso, A|oc noddod w|th a h|nt ot a sm||o. l supposo that's ta|r.'
C|a|ro p|ungod |n. Ono: 1hoso poop|o at tho ma|| woro vamp|ros and you'ro a 3|ayor. 1wo: You usod to dato Co|osto, and sho broko your
hoart.'
A|oc |aughod |n surpr|so. l w|sh |t woro as amus|ng as tho t|rst, or as s|mp|o as tho socond. 3ut |t |sn't.'
And?' 3ho wa|tod.
|o g|ancod away, a troub|od |ook now cross|ng h|s taco. And . that's a|| l can say. l'm sorry. Can wo |oavo |t at that?'
C|a|ro s|ghod, z|pp|ng up hor bag. What had mado hor th|nk ho wou|d adm|t anyth|ng? Whatovor. l got |t. l|ko you sa|d, you '||ko to koop that
|ntormat|on pr|vato.'' An awkward s||onco to||. C|a|ro |ookod at h|m. You sa|d you had somoth|ng to ask mo?'
l|ght.' ||s oyos t||ckod back to hors. l hopo you won't bo upsot. 3ut. l roa||y onjoyod s|ng|ng w|th you |ast wook. l was atra|d |t l askod you
about th|s you'd say no, or l'd ch|ckon out. 3o l just wont ahoad and d|d |t.'
0|d . what?'
l s|gnod us up tor an aud|t|on to s|ng togothor at tho |omocom|ng assomb|y.'
C|a|ro starod at h|m |n aston|shmont. 1hat was tho |ost th|ng sho'd oxpoctod. Aro you sor|ous?'
1hoy'ro go|ng to p|ck tho throo bost acts. l th|nk wo m|ght havo a shot at |t.'
A shot? Yoo havo moro than a shot.' Yostorday |n tho 3tudont l|to Contor C|a|ro had wantod h|m to do th|s vory th|ng, s|gn up tor tho aud|t|ons
-but sho novor droamod ho'd cons|dor |ott|ng hor tag a|ong. 1ho |doa ot s|ng|ng w|th A|oc aga|n sont a buzz cours|ng through hor that was both
thr||||ng and unsott||ng. Your vo|co |s gorgoous. 3ut l don't know about mo. l'vo novor sung |n tront ot an aud|onco botoro.'
lo|thor havo l.' A|oc's vo|co was sott and doop.
loa||y?' C|a|ro cou|d hard|y bo||ovo |t.
loa||y.' A warm spark|o dancod |n h|s groon oyos. |o took a stop c|osor.
C|a|ro cou|d too| tho hoat omanat|ng trom h|s body. 3uddon|y, a|| sho cou|d th|nk about was that momont |n hor droam whon ho'd a|most k|ssod
hor. |o was |ook|ng at hor now |n tho samo way. 1ho toar and doubt sho'd boon harbor|ng bogan to tr|ck|o away. Whoovor A|oc was- wbotovor ho
was-C|a|ro roa||zod sho wou|dn't m|nd |t ho olo k|ss hor. Cootro| yoor bormooos, sho commandod hor bra|n. Coocootroto. |o'd askod hor to s|ng
w|th h|m and was wa|t|ng tor an answor.
7bls coo|o bo o gooo tblog, sho to|d horso|t. lt wou|d roqu|ro thom to rohoarso togothor. 1ho a|ono t|mo wou|d g|vo hor a chanco to |oarn moro
about h|m, hopotu||y sat|sty|ng hor burn|ng cur|os|ty-so |t ho ovor olo k|ss hor, sho wou|dn't havo any ||ngor|ng quost|ons about h|m.
A|| r|ght. l'm |n,' sho sa|d. Whoro and whon do wo start?'
|o |ookod both happy and ro||ovod. lt's your ca||, but l suggost my p|aco, tomorrow morn|ng.'
ow. lls p|oco ||no, but l don't know whoro you ||vo, and l don't havo a car.'
l'|| p|ck you up at o|ovon.'
C|a|ro sat on tho |ow tront wa|| ot hor apartmont comp|ox, co|| phono |n hand as sho wa|tod. 3ho was a bund|o ot norvos. Vy mom's work|ng a|| day,
but |t tor any roason l don't hoar my co||, sho'|| probab|y ca|| you to chock |n on mo.'
0on't worry, l'vo got you covorod,' Er|ca sa|d on tho othor ond ot tho ||no. l'|| to|| hor wo'ro do|ng our na||s and you can't como to tho phono.'
1hanks, Er|ca. loxt t|mo you go to a guy's apartmont a|ono-ospoc|a||y an omanc|patod guy who m|ght bo a vamp|ro-s|ay|ng a||on-l'|| roturn
tho tavor.'
l bot thoro's somoono on Cra|gs||st w|th that oxact doscr|pt|on.'
C|a|ro |aughod, a ||tt|o sh|vor runn|ng through hor. 3ho was both oxc|tod and |nt|m|datod by what sho was about to do. 3ho'd novor ovon boon
on a dato w|th A|oc, but horo sho was go|ng to h|s apartmont, a|ono. |o||, as a rosu|t ot hor mothor's r|g|d ru|os, sho'd novor boon ooywboro a|ono
w|th a boy-un|oss you countod 1ackson 3poncor, who'd wa|kod hor homo trom s|xth grado ovory day tor a month unt|| hor mothor tound out and
startod p|ck|ng hor up aga|n trom schoo|.
You havo to to|| mo what h|s p|aco |s ||ko,' Er|ca sa|d.
A|| ho sa|d was that ho ||vos on h|s own, and that |t's noth|ng spoc|a|.' C|a|ro hoard tho roar ot an ong|no and |ookod up to soo a coo|, v|ntago,
dark b|uo car pu|| up to tho curb, w|th A|oc boh|nd tho whoo|. |o|y sh|t. |o dr|vos a Vustang.'
l know. |o parks noar mo ovory day, and l koop want|ng to stoa| |t. Anyways, good |uck! Como homo a v|rg|n!'
1hanks, Vom!' C|a|ro droppod hor phono |n hor bag and hoppod ott tho wa|| as A|oc roachod ovor and oponod tho passongor door trom
|ns|do.
C|a|ro bont down and |ookod |n ovor tho top ot hor sung|assos, hor hoart do|ng a t||p-t|op whon hor gazo mot A|oc's. 1ho morn|ng sun||ght to||
across h|s taco, br|ng|ng out tho strands ot go|d |n h|s ha|r. |o took ott h|s own sung|assos and sm||od at hor, g|v|ng hor a tu|| v|ow ot h|s boaut|tu|
groon oyos. |o woro tho b|ack |oathor jackot and dark joans sho'd soon botoro, but th|s t|mo ho sportod a cr|sp, str|pod, button-down sh|rt. |o
|ookod so gorgoous, sho was suddon|y |oss ombarrassod that sho'd spont ovor an hour gott|ng drossod, sott||ng on hor tavor|to poasant top, don|m
sk|rt, and brown suodo boots.
||. l|co sh|rt.' C|a|ro roturnod h|s sm||o as sho c||mbod |nto tho car and shut tho door. You c|oan up n|co|y.'
You shou|d soo mo |n a tux,' ho jokod, but h|s oxpross|on to|d hor that ho thought sho |ookod groat too.
l'm suro you put 1amos 3ond to shamo,' C|a|ro toasod, oxcopt tor tho 3cott|sh accont.'
1ho most tamous scroon 3ond was a 3cotsman, V|ss 3ronnan,' A|oc rop||od, |n a doop 3cott|sh burr that C|a|ro rocogn|zod as a portoct
|m|tat|on ot 3oan Connory.
C|a|ro |aughod. l torgot about that.' G|anc|ng around at tho gray |oathor |ntor|or and chromod |nstrumont pano|, sho addod, Wow. l ott|c|a||y
havo car onvy.'
0o you want to dr|vo?'
0o l? Yos! '
Okay, thon.' A|oc unbuck|od h|s soat bo|t and |oapt out ot tho car, mov|ng around to tho passongor s|do. |o oponod C|a|ro's door w|th a
gont|oman|y t|our|sh. 3ho's yours.'
C|a|ro qu|ck|y scootod out ot tho car. 5bo '
A|| voh|c|os aro womon. |rom tho 5ooto Vorlo to tho 3tarsh|p Eotorprlso.'
As C|a|ro sott|od |nto tho dr|vor's soat, hor oyos to|| w|th a|arm on tho goarsh|tt |ovor |n tho contor conso|o. Oh no. ls th|s a st|ck sh|tt?'
Ot courso. 0on't you know how to dr|vo st|ck?'
lo. Vy mom dr|vos a Camry.'
Ah. Want to |oarn?'
l'd bottor not. l m|ght broak your car.'
You won't, |t's oasy. l prom|so.' A|oc po|ntod to tho throo poda|s at hor toot. 3oo that poda| on tho tar |ott? 1hat's tho c|utch. lross down on |t
w|th your |ott toot. l|ght toot doos gas and brako ||ko a|ways, |ott toot ho|ps you chango goars.'
C|a|ro to||owod h|s |nstruct|ons through tho tr|cky procoss ot |ott|ng out tho c|utch as sho gavo |t gas. 1ho t|rst t|mo sho tr|od |t, tho car |urchod
torward, sputtorod, and d|od.
1hat happons to ovorybody. 1ry aga|n.'
lt took throo tr|os, but C|a|ro t|na||y got tho hang ot tho c|utch, oasod tho car away trom tho curb, and morgod |nto tratt|c. 1ho car jorkod ovory
t|mo sho had to sh|tt goars or start up at a ||ght, but |t was tun to dr|vo. Whon sho pu||od |nto tho sma|| park|ng |ot boh|nd A|oc's bu||d|ng and k|||od
tho ong|no, sho hoavod a s|gh ot ro||ot. 1hank God you don't ||vo too tar away trom mo. l shuddor to th|nk what m|ght havo happonod |t l'd had to
tako tho trooway.'
You d|d groat. l th|nk tho car ||kos you.'
1hoy got out, and A|oc |od hor past a patch ot scrubby bushos to a noarby door tuckod bonoath an oxtor|or sta|rwo||. 1ho gray stucco bu||d|ng
was boxy and nondoscr|pt, a stark contrast, sho thought, to tho t|ashy automob||o sho'd just dr|von.
A|oc w|thdrow a sot ot koys trom h|s pockot and procoodod to un|ock a sor|os ot doadbo|ts. C|a|ro cou|dn't ho|p but not|co a h|nt ot tons|on |n
h|s shou|dors.
Why do you havo so many |ocks?'
Koops othor poop|o out.' A|oc oponod tho door. W|th a p|oasant sm||o, ho addod, Wa|t horo a momont.' 1hon ho s||ppod |ns|do.
7bot`s ooo, C|a|ro thought |n suddon approhons|on. Why d|d sho got tho too||ng that A|oc was work|ng just as hard as sho was to appoar
casua|? 3ho watchod cur|ous|y through tho ha|t-opon door as ho dartod trom cornor to cornor, as |t |ook|ng tor somoth|ng. Vaybo chock|ng to mako
suro h|s p|aco wasn't too mossy? 1ho hoavy curta|ns woro shut, and |t |ookod comp|oto|y dark. |ow cou|d ho soo anyth|ng?
A|oc roturnod to tho door and oponod |t w|do, mot|on|ng tor hor to ontor w|th a choortu|, Bloovooloo, soorlto.'
||s jackot was gono, and |n h|s t|ttod sh|rt ho |ookod part|cu|ar|y handsomo. l oo|y l oloo`t |lko blm so mocb, sho thought, hor pu|so rac|ng.
7bot woo|o moko ovorytblog so mocb ooslor.
3ho wa|kod |ns|do and A|oc shut tho door, |oav|ng tho throo |ocks a|ono. lut thoso on tho tab|o, wou|d you?' Unoxpoctod|y, ho tossod both h|s
car koys and houso koys to C|a|ro.
3ho tumb|od |n tho d|m ||ght, try|ng to catch thom, but m|ssod. 3orry, l can't soo anyth|ng.' C|a|ro scoopod up tho koys trom tho carpot. Can
you turn on a ||ght?'
Ayo, got |t.' A|oc t||ckod a sw|tch and thon qu|ck|y oponod tho curta|ns.
ow, C|a|ro thought, g|anc|ng around tho austoro|y turn|shod stud|o w|th |ts b|ank, ott-wh|to wa||s. |o hadn't ovon put up a postor. lt rom|ndod
hor ot ovory toaturo|oss p|aco hor mom had movod hor |nto ovor tho yoars-oxcopt a |ot sma||or. lt was wo|rd to th|nk ot a s|xtoon-yoar-o|d ||v|ng
horo a|| by h|mso|t. |or g|anco to|| on h|s sota.
0o you . s|oop on your couch?'
Ayo.'
3ho suddon|y to|t vory so|t-consc|ous, know|ng that th|s was tho room whoro A|oc s|opt-and that thoy woro togothor and a|ono. A|oc movod
|nto tho t|ny k|tchonotto, muttor|ng somoth|ng undor h|s broath.
What?'
A|oc roturnod to tho doorway. l askod |t you want anyth|ng to dr|nk.'
3uro.' |o soomod to bo study|ng hor |ntont|y, as |t ho was wa|t|ng tor somoth|ng . a|though sho had no |doa what |t was.
Anyth|ng |n part|cu|ar?' ho askod.
0o you havo |cod toa?'
A|oc's oyobrows ||ttod, as |t hor answor convoyod somo doop, |noxp||cab|o moan|ng to h|m-and thon shook h|s hoad. 3orry. lo.'
by ls bo octlog so wolro C|a|ro wondorod. 3ho to|t ||ko sho was go|ng through somo sort ot soc|a| obstac|o courso. Wator's t|no.' |o
d|sappoarod |nto tho k|tchon aga|n, and sho hoard tho sound ot |co cubos popp|ng out ot a tray.
C|a|ro w|shod sho cou|d uso hor psych|c powors to t|nd out what A|oc was th|nk|ng, but sad|y thoy d|dn't soom to work that way. botovor yoo
oo, sho |nstructod horso|t, koop yoor booos o blm. 1ho |ast th|ng sho wantod r|ght now was to got a v|s|on and ta|| d|zz||y to tho t|oor.
C|a|ro sat down on tho comty sota, p|unk|ng A|oc's koys onto tho roctangu|ar woodon cottoo tab|o. 3ho g|ancod around, dosporato|y soarch|ng
tor somo dota|| to qu|z h|m on. 1ho on|y othor |toms |n tho room woro an ond tab|o w|th a s|ng|o |amp, A|oc's gu|tar on a stand, and a |argo mota|
storago cab|not w|th a sturdy hand|o and a koyho|o. lo bos o tblog oboot |ocks, C|a|ro musod, roca|||ng tho mystor|ous box |n tho|r |ockor.
A|oc omorgod trom tho k|tchon w|th a ta|| g|ass ot wator ratt||ng w|th |co.
What do you koop |n thoro? Go|d?' C|a|ro gosturod toward tho cab|not, hop|ng hor tono soundod ||ko w|tty ropartoo and d|dn't botray hor
|ntonso cur|os|ty.
lo, str|ct|y uncut d|amonds and v|a|s ot p|uton|um.'
3o you roa||y oro 1amos 3ond.'
l ||ko to th|nk ot myso|t moro as tho 1ason 3ourno typo.' |o gr|nnod.
C|a|ro sm||od and sat torward on tho sota as A|oc crossod tho room w|th hor dr|nk. |oro was tho portoct opportun|ty, sho roa||zod, to conduct a
||tt|o tost, to soo |t ho had any oxtraord|nary ab|||t|os. |o ottorod hor tho g|ass. 3ho roachod out, wrappod hor t|ngors around |t, and thon do||borato|y
|ot tho wot g|ass s||p trom hor grasp.
Oh!' sho cr|od-ant|c|pat|ng tho |mpond|ng crash-but botoro tho word had ovon |ott hor mouth, A|oc's hand shot out |n a b|ur and caught tho
g|ass |n m|da|r.
1hoy trozo, tho|r tacos baro|y a toot apart, gazos |ockod. Bostoo! C|a|ro thought, hor hoart thundor|ng. lls booo boo movoo ot tbo spooo o
|lgbt! A|oc's w|do oyos botrayod a sonso ot anx|oty that C|a|ro protondod to |gnoro.
3orry,' C|a|ro sa|d sott|y. lt was s||ppory.'
Can't bo||ovo l caught |t |n t|mo,' ho rospondod w|th torcod choortu|noss.
Yoah, n|co rot|oxos.' As sho starod |nto h|s groon oyos, adrona||no rushod through hor, and |t was a|| sho cou|d do to ma|nta|n a ca|m
domoanor. 3ho was r|ght! A|oc olo havo somo k|nd ot spoc|a| powors.
And ho was c|oso. 3o c|oso. And thoy woro so vory a|ono. lt was scary and |ntox|cat|ng a|| at tho samo t|mo. lart ot hor wantod to yo|| at h|m,
bot tbo bo|| oro yoo! And tho othor part (ovon know|ng tu|| wo|| that |t was tho |ost th|ng sho shou|d do) wantod h|m to tako hor |n h|s arms and
k|ss hor.
lo|thor ot thoso th|ngs happonod. A|oc toro h|s oyos away and carotu||y sot tho g|ass down on tho tab|o. Vothod|ca||y, ho ||ttod h|s gu|tar ott |ts
stand and brought |t back to tho couch, whoro ho sat down bos|do hor. 1ons|on t|||od tho a|r.
C|a|ro's toroarm and baro th|gh bo|ow hor short don|m sk|rt woro dangorous|y c|oso to A|oc's hand. 3ho wantod moro than anyth|ng |n tho
wor|d to roach out and touch h|m. lnstoad, sho tuggod hor sk|rt down and odgod ovor a b|t on tho couch.
A|oc not|cod hor s|doways movo and trownod. What's wrong?'
loth|ng.'
look|ng unconv|ncod, ho strummod a tow random bars on h|s gu|tar. What shou|d wo s|ng?'
You s|gnod us up. 0|dn't you havo a song |n m|nd?'
lo.'
|o wont qu|ot, turn|ng to taco hor aga|n. 1o hor surpr|so, sho saw toar and yoarn|ng m|ng|od |n h|s gazo, a m|rror ot hor own bott|od-up
too||ngs. What was bo atra|d ot? |o roachod up toward hor chook. 3hou|d sho stop h|m? 3ho to|t corta|n that |t h|s t|ngors camo |n contact w|th hor
sk|n, sho wou|d mo|t (tor ono roason or anothor)-but sho was para|yzod. l ooo`t woot to stop blm, sho thought. Coo`t l bovo tbls oormo|, slmp|o
momoot, |lko ooy otbor glr|
A|oc's hand brushod gont|y aga|nst hor chook. C|a|ro-'
As h|s t|ngors tra||od a|ong hor chookbono and pausod at tho cornor ot hor mouth, h|s touch soomod to |gn|to a do||c|ous warmth that sproad
across hor taco and down hor nock, to burn ||ko ombors w|th|n hor chost. 3ut |t was a thr||||ng sonsat|on, tota||y d|ttoront trom tho a||-consum|ng hoat
that procodod a v|s|on.
C|a|ro took a sharp broath. |o'd touchod hor. And |t was okay. lt was moro than okay. lo||ot t|oodod through hor, wash|ng away a|| hor
quost|ons and worr|os. A|oc's oyos |ockod w|th hors, tontat|vo yot smoky w|th dos|ro. C|a|ro cou|d baro|y hoar horso|t th|nk ovor hor thundor|ng
pu|so.
3ho sa|d sott|y, 1ust k|ss mo, you |d|ot.'
A|oc noodod no turthor |nv|tat|on. |o sot tho gu|tar on tho tab|o, h|s othor hand s||d|ng around hor back, draw|ng hor c|oso unt|| hor uppor body
mo|dod aga|nst h|s. C|a|ro s||ppod hor own hands up tho |ongth ot h|s arms to sott|o botwoon h|s shou|dor b|ados. 3ho cou|d too| ovory contour ot
h|s chost pross|ng aga|nst hors through tho th|n |ayors ot tho|r c|oth|ng. 3uddon|y, h|s ||ps woro on hors. 1ho gont|o touch was oxh||arat|ng, wondrous
-ovoryth|ng sho'd ovor |mag|nod a k|ss wou|d bo. 3ho to|t horso|t shuddor as h|s ||ps movod sott|y aga|nst hors, oxp|or|ng, ||ngor|ng.
And thon, dosp|to horso|t, C|a|ro to|t a droadod, tam|||ar b|azo bu||d|ng doop |ns|do hor.
P|ooso, oo! Not oow! hor m|nd scroamod, try|ng to w||| tho hoat away, but ovory |nch ot hor body soomod to burst |nto t|amo. |or stomach
churnod, hor hoad spun, and a rush ot |magos pourod |nto hor bra|n.
sovontoon
5bo wos |ooklog ot A|oc`s oco. lo o mlrror. 7broogb bls oyos. lo |ookoo o coop|o o yoors yooogor, bls bolr s|lckoo bock bot olsbovo|oo, bls
oco brolsoo ooo b|oooloo. lo woro o b|ock |ootbor bombor jockot ooo o b|ooostolooo 7-sblrt. 5bo o|t tbo oogor ooo oorooo|loo tbot wos
rosblog tbroogb blm.
A booo c|ompoo oowo oo bor sboo|oor-A|oc`s sboo|oor-ooo spoo blm oroooo. A goo wos olmoo ot bls oco. 7bo moo wbo bo|o lt g|oroo
ot blm wltb botoo| oyos. 7boy woro losloo oo ooto sbop o|| o cors rom tbo ltlos ooo oor|y slxtlos, bot o|| sbloy ooo oow. 7bo slgos woro lo
lroocb. A co|oooor oo tbo wo|| govo tbo yoor os 1002.
Olvo lt op, bootor,' tbo moo spot oot lo lroocb, bot somobowsbo oooorstooo blm.
A|oc klckoo tbo goo rom tbo moo`s booo. 7bo two oxcboogoo o |orry o vlo|oot b|ows. B|ooo sp|ottoroo oo tbo coocroto. A|oc`s lst blt bls
oppoooot sqooro lo tbo cbost. 7bo moo |owbockworo os l blt by o bottorlog rom, s|ommlog loto o byoroo|lc rock, ooo cromp|log to tbo ol|-
stolooo |oor booootb lt.
A|oc`s rlgbt booo tbrost oot oo|lboroto|y, strotcblog bls logors toworo tbo cor oo tbo rock obovo. 5bo coo|o oo| oo lovlslb|o |owo ooorgy
coorso tbroogb bls orm ooo sorgo ootworo, wropplog ltso| oroooo tbo voblc|o. 7boo, os l bo wos movlog ootblog moro wolgbty tboo o toxtbook,
bo soot tbo cor bort|log oowoworo, toworo tbo moo. 7bo vlctlm`s scroom wos cot sbort by tbo crosb o tbo lmpoct.
W|th a gasp ot horror, C|a|ro b||nkod and camo back to horso|t, s|ckonod, porsp|r|ng, and broath|ng hard. lnstant|y, sho shovod A|oc away and
|oapt to hor toot. What had sho just soon? 1ho wor|d was st||| sp|nn|ng, tho a|r sh|mmor|ng ||ko hoat r|s|ng trom a dosort road. look|ng down, sho
saw that hor ont|ro body was surroundod by an omora|d-groon g|ow that r|pp|od ott hor sk|n ||ko t|amos-jost |lko sbo`o sooo lo bor oroom.
Oh my God! What's go|ng on?' C|a|ro cr|od, staggor|ng back |n torror. l'm on t|ro!'
You can soo that?' A|oc roturnod hor staro, unmov|ng. |or somo roason, ho d|dn't |ook too shockod-moro . d|sappo|ntod, |t anyth|ng.
5blto. lt ls you. l roa||y hopod l was wrong.'
C|a|ro droppod to tho t|oor and startod to ro|| to put out tho t|amos whon thoy d|ss|patod as |t by mag|c |nto th|n a|r. 3ho starod at A|oc. What
d|d you oo?'
What do you moan?'
Ovorcomo by a surgo ot nausoa, C|a|ro cur|od |nto tho tota| pos|t|on, dry-hoav|ng, and thon |ay thoro, strugg||ng to broatho. As hor stomach
sott|od, sho startod sh|vor|ng uncontro||ab|y. A|oc movod to tho carpot bos|do hor, but sho shrank away trom h|s touch. l saw you!' sho cr|od, hor
oyos wot w|th toars. You k|||od that man, d|dn't you?'
Who?' A|oc's oxpross|on was unroadab|o.
bo oro yoo' sho wh|sporod, staggor|ng to hor toot.
|o s|ghod. 0on't movo.' Gott|ng up, A|oc strodo to a bu||t-|n cupboard noar tho bathroom and swung |t opon.
C|a|ro pan|ckod. What d|d ho havo storod |n thoro? Whatovor |t was, sho d|dn't want to t|nd out. Grabb|ng h|s car koys trom tho cottoo tab|o,
sho bo|tod tor tho door.
C|a|ro! Wa|t!'
1horo was an odd whoosh|ng sound and suddon|y, |mposs|b|y, A|oc was stand|ng r|ght boh|nd hor, roach|ng tor hor arm. lt sho'd had any
doubts about h|s ab|||t|os botoro, thoy ovaporatod |n an |nstant. C|a|ro scroamod and shovod tho door back at h|m as sho s||ppod through. lt mot h|s
taco w|th a hoavy b|ow. A|oc cursod as sho racod away. 3ho was at h|s car |n a t|ash, hor hands shak|ng as sho tumb|od w|th tho koy. As sho
yankod h|s car door opon and jumpod |n boh|nd tho whoo|, sho hoard that odd sound aga|n, ||ko a ta|nt rush ot w|nd, and a|| at onco A|oc stood
outs|do hor car door.
C|a|ro gaspod |n torror and s|ammod hor t|st down on tho door |ock.
A|oc starod |n at hor through tho car w|ndow, b|ood|ng trom a gash |n h|s torohoad. C|a|ro, got out ot tho car,' ho sa|d ca|m|y. You don't know
what you'ro do|ng.'
C|a|ro d|dn't wa|t to hoar moro. 3ho stuttod tho koy |nto tho |gn|t|on, stompod on tho c|utch, and gunnod tho car |nto rovorso. lt |urchod and
groanod and thon s||ppod |nto goar. As A|oc |oapt out ot tho way, sho backod tho car out ot tho park|ng spaco and w|th a scrooch ot t|ros sworvod
around toward tho stroot.
lncrod|b|y, tho car bogan to ta|tor. C|a|ro stompod hardor on tho gas poda|. 1ho ong|no was roar|ng-and yot tor somo roason tho voh|c|o
s|owod down ovon turthor. bot tbo bo|| wos boppoolog C|a|ro t|oorod |t, caus|ng tho car to |urch torward. 3ut thon |t jo|tod to a comp|oto
standst|||, s|amm|ng C|a|ro |nto tho stoor|ng whoo| and thon back aga|nst tho soat.
Cry|ng out |n pa|n, hor toot st||| prossod hard on tho gas, C|a|ro |ookod ovor hor shou|dor. |or oyos w|donod |n torror. A|oc was stand|ng just a
tow yards boh|nd tho car, h|s arm oxtondod toward |t, a |ook ot doop concontrat|on on h|s taco. lo wos stopplog tbo cor wltb bls mloo.
A|oc's oyos boro |nto hors trom boyond tho g|ass, b|ood runn|ng down h|s taco. 1ho car s|ow|y startod to |nch away trom h|m. At tho samo t|mo,
sho saw h|s toot s|ow|y s||d|ng torward a|ong tho pavomont. Was tho car pu|||ng h|m? Was |ts wo|ght and powor moro than ho cou|d hand|o? C|a|ro
tacod tho stoor|ng whoo| aga|n, rotus|ng to |ot up on tho gas. ln tho roarv|ow m|rror, sho saw A|oc's taco t|ghton and h|s arm start to tromb|o trom tho
cont|nuod stross. At |ast, w|th an oxasporatod |ook, ho |oworod h|s arm. 1ho car roarod torward unh|ndorod |nto tho stroot. 1ho t|ros squoa|od as
C|a|ro yankod tho whoo| hard, strugg||ng to ma|nta|n contro| as sho mado tho sharp turn at tu|| thrott|o. G|anc|ng back, sho saw A|oc stand|ng |n tho
dr|voway boh|nd hor, shak|ng h|s hoad.
C|a|ro drovo to a supormarkot park|ng |ot about t|vo m||os away, whoro sho wa|tod, b||ndod by toars, unt|| Er|ca pu||od up |n hor 3Uv. On|y
whon sho saw hor bost tr|ond's taco d|d C|a|ro too| sato onough to un|ock tho door and got out.
1hank you tor com|ng to roscuo mo,' C|a|ro sa|d, |oap|ng |nto Er|ca's voh|c|o and hugg|ng hor t|ght|y.
Er|ca pu||od back and starod at hor, a worr|od |ook on hor taco. 1o|| mo aga|n, what happonod w|th A|oc? You woro ta|k|ng so tast on tho
phono, l cou|d hard|y undorstand you.'
C|a|ro sank back aga|nst tho soat and hoavod a s|gh as sho buck|od up. 1ust tako mo to your p|aco, oow. l want to got as tar away trom horo
as poss|b|o.'
3o,' Er|ca sa|d s|ow|y. You'ro say|ng that you saw A|oc murdor a man w|th a car. ln a momory. Ot h|s. llty yoors ogo. 3ut ho on|y |ookod maybo
tourtoon.'
Yos.'
1hoy woro |y|ng on Er|ca's tour-postor bod, star|ng up at tho co|||ng ot Er|ca's spac|ous room, surroundod by |avondor wa||s, dos|gnor curta|ns,
and c|assy hardwood turn|turo c|uttorod w|th stacks ot books and tchotchkos trom Er|ca's var|ous travo|s. 1ho cartons trom tho|r tako-out sa|ad
|unchos sat on tho t|oor.
C|a|ro was t|na||y bog|nn|ng to too| norma| aga|n. |or nock achod s||ght|y, but sho'd rotusod mod|ca| attont|on, |ns|st|ng that a|| sho noodod was
an |co pack tor tho m||d bru|sos on hor uppor chost trom tho soat bo|t and stoor|ng whoo|.
And thon,' Er|ca cont|nuod, whon you tr|od to oscapo |n A|oc's car, ho mag|ca||y ho|d |t back tor at |oast a m|nuto.'
Yos.'
Er|ca ro||od ovor to taco C|a|ro on tho bod. 1o|| mo you'ro at |oast k|dd|ng about tho |ast part.'
C|a|ro took a p|||ow and put |t ovor hor hoad, batt|ng |t w|th hor t|st |n oxasporat|on. God, aro wo st||| dobat|ng th|s?' 3ho r|ppod ott tho p|||ow
and hur|od |t at Er|ca, who duckod just |n t|mo. lt was just ||ko what l saw undornoath tho scatto|d|ng! |o roachos h|s hand torward ||ko th|s-' C|a|ro
domonstratod tho act|on aga|n. And ho can movo th|ngs-push or pu|| thom-w|thout touch|ng thom. l to|d you! lo`s to|oklootlc. And l know what |t
too|s ||ko. l wos lo bls booo toooy. lt was ||ko l monta||y grabbod that |ronch car myso|t and pu||od |t down ott tho rack-as |t |t wo|ghod a|most
noth|ng.'
|o|y crap.' Er|ca sat up now, w|do-oyod, grabb|ng hor boba m||k toa. Wo||, l guoss that cont|rms a|| tho a||on suporpowor stutt you woro
obsoss|ng about botoro.'
lloo||y, sho bo||ovos mo.' C|a|ro sot tho |co pack as|do w|th a ro||ovod s|gh.
1horo's ono th|ng l st||| don't got. lt tho momory happonod t|tty yoars ago, how was A|oc a||vo? And how cou|d ho havo boon on|y tourtoon?'
l don't know. botovor ho |s, l th|nk ho agos way d|ttoront|y than wo do.'
loat.' Er|ca s|ppod hor dr|nk s|ow|y, doop |n thought. |ow d|d you got tho v|s|on? 0|d you touch h|m? Or h|s gu|tar?'
lo.' C|a|ro roa||zod sho'd |ott out that dota||. lt . um . happonod whon ho . k|ssod mo.'
Er|ca's oyos buggod out. W|A1? |o k|ssod you? And you convon|ont|y torgot to mont|on |t?'
l was gott|ng to |t,' C|a|ro sa|d dotons|vo|y.
|ow was |t?'
|ow was what?'
1ho k|ss.'
Aro you k|dd|ng mo?' C|a|ro starod at Er|ca, |ncrodu|ous. l baro|y oscapo w|th my ||to, and you'ro ask|ng |t A|oc's a good k|ssor?'
C|a|ro, wo don't know that your ||to was |n dangor. 0|d A|oc mako a movo to hurt you?'
Wo||, no, but-'
3ut noth|ng. You got a scary v|s|on, troakod out, and ran-tota||y undorstandab|o-but that doosn't nocossar||y mako A|oc a bad guy.'
Er|ca, l saw h|m kl|| o moo.'
A|oc m|ght havo had a good roason.' Er|ca sot hor dr|nk down on tho n|ghtstand and tacod C|a|ro crossod-|oggod on tho bod. Vaybo tho guy
was an ov|| vamp|ro. Or a dangorous doub|o agont. Or both.'
3o what aro you say|ng? 1hat A|oc ls a 3|ayor-or a to|ok|not|c spy?'
lt's poss|b|o. Or ho coo|o bo gonot|ca||y ong|noorod. lovor d|scount tho sc|-t| ang|o.'
1h|s |s a|| |nsano.' loan|ng up on ono o|bow, sho drow |nv|s|b|o c|rc|os on Er|ca's qu||t w|th hor t|ngort|p. lt's too much, Er|ca. Evoryth|ng that's
boon happon|ng s|nco 3ook 0ay-a|| thoso wo|rd psych|c op|sodos and dangor warn|ngs, and at tho samo t|mo, l moot a guy w|th suporpowors ot
h|s own-what am l supposod to mako ot a|| th|s? ls A|oc tho roason l'm |n dangor, or not?'
Er|ca shook hor hoad, trown|ng. l don't know-but you nood an answor, and tast.'
lo prob|om. l'|| just ca|| Vor||n. Or 0umb|odoro. Got my phono. l havo thom both on spood-d|a|.'
C|a|ro 3oar.' Er|ca mot hor gazo attoct|onato|y. You a|roady havo a w|so w|zard to consu|t w|th: tho porson who's sond|ng you that warn|ng.'
Assum|ng |t roa||y ls a porson, and not just a vo|co |n my hoad. 3ut ovon |t that's truo, how am l supposod to consu|t w|th somoono who sonds
random, |ncomp|oto mossagos?'
3r|an sa|d |t's probab|y tho samo mossago bo|ng broadcast ovor and ovor. Wo just havo to t|guro out how to ho|p you hoar tho who|o th|ng.'
Oroot,' C|a|ro rop||od sarcast|ca||y. lot's ca|| 1-800-l3YC|lC, and ask thom to patch mo through to tho sondor.'
1horo oro ways tor you to got |n touch w|th whoovor's ta|k|ng to you.' Er|ca roachod undor hor bod and w|thdrow a th|ck, ovors|zo paporback
book ca||od 5o, Yoo`ro o Psycblc l bought th|s |ast wook, and l'vo boon road|ng a ||tt|o ovory n|ght, to soo |t l cou|d |oarn somoth|ng usotu|.'
C|a|ro g|ancod at |t dub|ous|y. And.?'
l know |t sounds crazy, but thoro's a|| k|nds ot tasc|nat|ng stutt |n horo. Accord|ng to th|s, you nood to try somo comb|nat|on ot astra| projoct|on
and channo||ng.'
l'vo road about that stutt on||no,' C|a|ro rop||od, st||| doubttu|. lt sa|d astra| projoct|on |s about go|ng somowhoro w|th your m|nd, and
channo||ng |s about contact|ng sp|r|ts. |ow doos o|thor ono ho|p mo?'
1h|nk b|g p|cturo, C|a|ro. Astra| projoct|on |sn't just about t|nd|ng somo p|oco, |t can bo usod to t|nd somoooo. Channo||ng |s about ||ston|ng to
somoono wbo`s to|klog to yoo. 3omobody |s out thoro travo||ng tho psych|c moors, ca|||ng out your namo. Your job |s to o|thor moot thom on tho
moors, or to br|ng tho moors to you.'
C|a|ro starod at hor. You'vo boon road|ng otborlog lolgbts aga|n, havon't you?'
1ust go w|th tho motaphor.'
C|a|ro s|ghod. What do l havo to do?'
Er|ca adoptod hor most sago||ko tono, c|asp|ng hor hands dramat|ca||y. Wo havo to put you |n a tranco.'
C|a|ro sat |n tho |otus pos|t|on on tho p|ush carpot, proppod up aga|nst Er|ca's drossor w|th a |argo throw p|||ow as a backrost. lt was attor d|nnor
now, and tho sun was go|ng down. 1ho curta|ns woro drawn, |oav|ng tho bodroom |n noar darknoss. Er|ca sat across trom hor, mothod|ca||y ||ght|ng
a som|c|rc|o ot cand|os around thom.
lovo-you-too-Vom. 3yo.' C|a|ro hung up tho phono. V|rac|o numbor ono: Vom |s t|no w|th mo stay|ng ovor. V|rac|o numbor two: 3ho's
moot|ng that guy tor a cottoo dato.'
Wow,' Er|ca sa|d. 3ho's roa||y com|ng out ot hor sho|| tast. l moan that |n a good way.'
Yoah. low that sho th|nks l'm t|no, sho's oas|ng up on mo and start|ng to th|nk about horso|t tor a chango.'
Wh|ch |s rathor |ron|c, s|nco, tor tho t|rst t|mo ovor, you'ro not roa||y t|no at a||.'
|oy. l thought you woro supposod to bo ho|p|ng mo ro|ox.'
3orry! |orgot l sa|d that.' Er|ca ||t tho |ast cand|o and thon touchod tho match to somo |nconso sho'd p|acod botwoon thom. A strong horba|
tragranco bogan to pormoato tho room. Now, my ch||d,' Er|ca |ntonod as sho p|ckod up tho psych|c book and oponod |t to a part|cu|ar pago, aro
you roady to bog|n?'
As roady as l'|| ovor bo.' C|a|ro |oanod back aga|nst tho p|||ow and c|osod hor oyos.
1ako sovora| s|ow, doop broaths,' Er|ca sa|d ca|m|y and qu|ot|y. Chooso an |mago that you assoc|ato w|th tho vo|co you'vo boon hoar|ng,
and tocus on |t a|ono.'
C|a|ro noddod s||ont|y. 3ho ca||od to m|nd tho s||houotto sho'd soon oach t|mo tho vo|co had ca||od to hor: tho amorphous, taco|oss t|guro,
r|mmod by g|ow|ng yo||ow ||ght, aga|nst a backdrop ot |nky darknoss. Okay, l soo |t.'
Good. low bo s||ont. Concontrato on your broath|ng. Evory t|mo you oxha|o, try to ro|oaso a|| your othor ovoryday thoughts and omot|ons,
|nc|ud|ng any anx|ot|os or skopt|c|sm. |o|d on to that |mago, and just . bo.'
As Er|ca cont|nuod, C|a|ro to||owod hor |nstruct|ons.
C|a|ro kopt tho s||houottod |mago botoro hor c|osod oyos, but dosp|to hor bost ottorts, sho cou|dn't too| anyth|ng. 1ho sounds around hor woro
too d|stract|ng. 3ho hoard tho t|ck ot a c|ock. 1ho swoosh ot a car pass|ng on tho road outs|do. 1ho mutt|od oxp|os|ons ot a v|doo gamo trom
Er|ca's brothor's room noxt door. 3ho concontratod hardor. 5oo lt, sho commandod horso|t. loo| lt. 3uddon|y-to hor surpr|so-tho s||houottod
|mago soomod to grow a b|t sharpor, |ts odgos moro dot|nod. C|a|ro cou|d now mako out that tho t|guro had a tom|n|no tramo. |or pu|so qu|ckonod
|n oxc|tomont.
A phono rang |oud|y. C|a|ro's oyos snappod opon, tho spo|| brokon.
Crap!' Er|ca snatchod up hor phono, g|ancod at tho ca||or l0, and barkod |nto |t, 3r|an! lot now! Wo'ro do|ng psych|c stutt!' 3ho qu|ck|y
ondod tho ca|| and turnod to C|a|ro. 3orry, l shou|d havo shut |t ott botoro wo startod. 0|d |t work? 0|d anyth|ng happon?'
C|a|ro noddod oagor|y. l was just start|ng to soo somoth|ng whon tho phono rang. l th|nk |t was a woman.'
Crap!' Er|ca sa|d aga|n.
lt was roa||y hard to tocus. Vaybo wo shou|d try th|s |ator, whon |t's qu|otor-attor ovoryono goos to s|oop.'
Er|ca |ookod d|sappo|ntod. Okay.' 1hoy b|ow out a|| tho cand|os and tho |nconso, |oav|ng tho room shroudod |n murky darknoss. lot mo
dump tho ash, and thon wo can go downsta|rs and havo dossort. Vy mom got Voch| |co croam, two t|avors.'
Yum.'
C|a|ro stood up, strotch|ng, watch|ng as Er|ca carotu||y carr|od tho tray w|th tho |nconso across tho room. Er|ca pausod |n hor bathroom
doorway to t||ck on tho ||ght sw|tch, and tor a br|ot momont was back||t by tho bathroom ||ght-a momont wh|ch, C|a|ro roa||zod w|th a start, boro an
oor|o s|m||ar|ty to tho b|urry |mago C|a|ro had just boon try|ng to br|ng to tocus |n hor m|nd. Er|ca d|sappoarod |ns|do.
1hon somoth|ng strango happonod. A|| tho d|stract|ng sounds around C|a|ro wont s||ont. 3ho cou|dn't ovon hoar hor own broath|ng. boo, sho
thought, g|anc|ng around hor. bot`s golog oo
7bo room-tbo |oor, tbo col|log, ovorytblog-boo olsoppooroo. C|olro wos sorroooooo by b|ock ootblogooss. A|tboogb sbo stl|| o|t bor owo
booy, sbo soomoo to bo |ootlog lo tbo volo, os l lo zoro grovlty. 7bo oo|y vlsoo| coos |ot, looxp|lcob|y, woro tbo botbroom ooorwoy bovorlog
booro bor ooo tbo g|owtbot omoootoo rom wltblo.
Er|ca!' C|a|ro wh|sporod |ns|stont|y. 3omoth|ng's happon|ng!'
What?' Er|ca soundod ||ko sho was a m||||on m||os away.
7bo |lgbt losloo tbo botbroom ooorwoy bogoo to sblt ooo cboogo. A oco|oss, sl|booottoo, omo|o lgoro oppooroo-tbo somo lgoro C|olro
boo sooo o owmlootos oor|lor. 7bo |lgbt wos comlog rom bor, o g|owo sblmmorlog go|ooo |omos tbot roolotoo oroooo bor booy.
l soo |t!' C|a|ro sa|d qu|ot|y. lt's dot|n|to|y a woman, and sho's g|ow|ng!'
Oh my God!' camo Er|ca's d|stant vo|co, t|||od w|th wondor.
7boo C|olro booro tbo somo rospy Brltlsb volco tbot boo lovoooo bor booo twlco booro. C|olro. Yoor |lo ls lo ooogor.'
7bo lgoro movoo orworo. C|olro sowbor moro c|oor|y oow. 5bo wos o stooolog|y ottroctlvo womoo lo bor oor|y slxtlos, wltb goot|o crlok|os
bosloo bor kloo, bozo| oyos, ooo o smo|| boooty mork oo bor rlgbt cbook jost obovo bor mootb. lor cblo-|oogtb, sty|lsb|y coloo bolr wos po|o
b|ooo, o|most wblto. 5bo woro o cblc, ormlttlog oovy-b|oo oross ooo o oo|lcoto oock|oco spork|log wltb tloy, |ootlog olomooos.
Oh! 3ho's boaut|tu|!' C|a|ro wh|sporod |n m|ng|od awo and trop|dat|on. 3ho's sm|||ng at mo.' 1ho woman soomod so roa|, C|a|ro to|t as |t sho
cou|d roach out and touch hor. W|th a sh|vor, sho rom|ndod horso|t that tho woman wasn't roa||y thoro.
C|a|ro to|t a sound com|ng up through hor chost and out ot hor mouth-but |t wasn't hor own vo|co. lt was st||| raspy, but |t was a portoct,
cu|turod, 3r|t|sh accont, as |t tho woman woro now spoak|ng d|roct|y through hor:
5omoooo woots to kl|| yoo bocooso o yoor spoclo| glt. Yoo oro ooo o tbo Nopbl|lm.'
l`m ooo o wbot C|a|ro thought, contusod and a|armod.
Oo|y ooo porsoo coo protoct ooo bo|p yoo. A|oc.'
Ob my Ooo, C|a|ro thought. A|oc A|oc`s my protoctor
A|oc ls o Orlgorl, os om l. Como to 7wlo Po|ms. l wl|| oxp|olo ovorytblog. Vy oomo ls lo|ooo.'
7bo womoo broogbt o logor op to bor |lps lo o sl|ooclog gostoro os sbo ropootoo tbo oml|lor, loo| pbroso o tbo oorlo mossogo.
Loo`t to|| ooyooo.'
1ho ||ght bocamo so b||nd|ng that C|a|ro had to c|oso hor oyos. Whon sho rooponod thom, tho woman was gono and sho was back |n Er|ca's
room. Er|ca was stand|ng |n tho bathroom doorway, star|ng at hor |n oponmouthod amazomont.
C|a|ro had tho oddost sonsat|on, as |t sho woro st||| t|oat|ng. G|anc|ng down, sho gaspod |n aston|shmont. 3ho hadn't just boon t|oat|ng |n hor
m|nd. 3ho was actua||y sospooooo lo tbo olr, about a toot abovo tho t|oor. |o|y crap!' C|a|ro cr|od. W|th that oxc|amat|on sho droppod stra|ght
down, |and|ng on tho carpot w|th a thud.
Wow!' Er|ca cr|od. C|a|ro, aro you a|| r|ght?'
C|a|ro noddod, touch|ng hor throat, wh|ch to|t hoarso and dry. l nood a g|ass ot wator.'
Er|ca brought hor a g|ass trom tho bathroom, rush|ng up to knoo| bos|do hor. As C|a|ro drank |t Er|ca onthusod, 1hat was so coo|! You roso up
||ko somo k|nd ot d|v|no bo|ng and woro hovor|ng tho who|o t|mo!'
C|a|ro was st||| |n a dazo. Who ls sho?'
l don't know, but l th|nk sho was ta|k|ng tbroogb you! You soundod just ||ko |o|on V|rron.'
0|d sho actua||y say that somoono wants to kl|| mo?' C|a|ro askod, hor |ns|dos constr|ct|ng |n toar.
3ho sa|d thoy want to k||| you bocauso ot your glt,' Er|ca sa|d so|omn|y. Wh|ch l guoss |s th|s who|o psych|c th|ng.'
bo wants to k||| mo? |ow do thoy know what's boon go|ng on w|th mo? And why do thoy caro?'
l havo no |doa. 3ut at |oast wo now know what's go|ng on w|th A|oc. |o's not horo to hurt you.'
C|a|ro noddod. 1h|s |s a|| so.' olro. 5cory. Vloo-bogg|log. 3ho sh|vorod, unab|o to t|n|sh tho sontonco.
l know, r|ght? You woro tota||y channo||ng that |ady's sp|r|t, C|a|ro. lt was ||ko you woro ta|k|ng to somoono boyond tho gravo!'
1hat doosn't mako sonso. lt sho woro doad, why wou|d sho say 'Como to 1w|n la|ms, l'|| oxp|a|n ovoryth|ng.''
Oh. Okay,' Er|ca agrood. 3ut |t sho's a||vo, why doosn't sho como to you? Why |s sho do|ng a|| th|s psych|ca||y?'
Vaybo sho ||vos roa||y tar away and can't travo| r|ght now,' C|a|ro musod as sho sot tho ompty wator g|ass as|do. l st||| don't got who sho |s or
why sho's try|ng to ho|p mo. 3ut whatovor tho roason, l say wo try to t|nd hor.'
1wo hours |ator, C|a|ro and Er|ca woro st||| hudd|od ovor Er|ca's |aptop, rosoarch|ng 7wlo Po|ms on tho |ntornot. 1horo woro ovor t|vo hundrod
thousand h|ts on Goog|o tor 1w|n la|ms-a who|o cornucop|a ot p|acos a|| ovor tho wor|d: tho ma|| thoy'd v|s|tod, a tormor rostaurant |n lasadona,
a na|| sa|on |n 1oxas, a pub||sh|ng houso |n low York, throo hosp|ta|s, a strotch ot condom|n|ums |n ||or|da, and mu|t|tudos ot hoto|s and
apartmonts trom northorn Ca||torn|a and Ar|zona to tho Car|bboan and 1ha||and. lt was ovon tho namo ot |rank 3|natra's or|g|na| ostato |n la|m
3pr|ngs.
1horo |s no way wo aro ovor go|ng to t|nd th|s woman,' Er|ca comp|a|nod. W|thout hor |ast namo or somo moro |dont|ty|ng |ntormat|on, |t's
|mposs|b|o to narrow th|s down.'
3ho sa|d, 'Como to 1w|n la|ms.' As |t |t woro tho namo ot a c|ty. 3ut |t |sn't.' C|a|ro s|ghod |n trustrat|on and |oanod back aga|nst tho
hoadboard ot tho bod. lt somoono |s roa||y try|ng to k||| mo, you'd th|nk sho wou|d havo g|von mo a bottor way to t|nd hor! l|ko an addross maybo?'
lt you'ro |n dangor, wo can't koop soarch|ng tor th|s mystory woman torovor.' Er|ca oponod up a now tab |n hor wob browsor. lot's attack th|s
trom a d|ttoront ang|o. Whon sho ta|kod about your g|tt, sho usod a word l'vo novor hoard botoro, ||ko you woro spoc|a| |n somo way. What d|d sho
ca|| you? A lotah-what?'
l don't know oxact|y. 3ut l romombor what sho sa|d A|oc was-a Orlb-goro-oo.'
l'vo novor hoard that botoro, o|thor.' 1hoy soarchod a tow a|tornato spo|||ngs ot tho torm, bog|nn|ng w|th Orogory and u|t|mato|y |and|ng on
Orlgorl.
1wo m||||on h|ts camo up whon thoy Goog|od Orlgorl. 1ho vory t|rst t|t|o ||st|ng conta|nod two words that noar|y mado C|a|ro's hoart stop:
Watchor.
Ango|.
o|ghtoon
A|oc's an oogo|?' 3r|an starod |n d|sbo||ot as ho p|oppod |nto tho cornor cha|r |n Er|ca's bodroom twonty m|nutos |ator.
Apparont|y.' 3tunnod, C|a|ro pacod back and torth at tho toot ot Er|ca's bod. 1hoy'd just t|||od h|m |n on what had happonod at A|oc's
apartmont that morn|ng and had g|von h|m tho g|st ot C|a|ro's v|s|on.
lt that's truo, why doosn't A|oc havo w|ngs and a ha|o?' 3r|an askod.
Er|ca gosturod at tho computor on hor |ap. Wo||, accord|ng to what wo road on tho wob, tho ango|s |n tho 3|b|o novor had w|ngs or ha|os.
1hoso aro just v|sua| symbo|s usod |n |||ustrat|ons to ho|p tho ||||torato massos |dont|ty tho bo|ngs as supor|or to man.'
Oh.' 3r|an shook h|s hoad |n r|s|ng awo. Wow, th|s |s op|c!'
Wo'ro not suro how b|g |t |s,' Er|ca rotortod mattor-ottact|y. Wo don't ovon undorstand most ot |t yot.'
A|| wo havo to go by,' C|a|ro addod, |s what tho woman sa|d |n my v|s|on. 3ut just bocauso sbo`s supposod|y an ango|, too, that doosn't moan
(a) sho's a crod|b|o sourco, or (b) l wasn't ha||uc|nat|ng tho who|o th|ng.'
l sor|ous|y doubt you'd ha||uc|nato words you'vo novor hoard ot botoro,' 3r|an po|ntod out. 3ho novor actua||y sa|d oogo|, r|ght?'
lo,' C|a|ro adm|ttod. 3ho sa|d Gr|gor|.'
ls that s|ngu|ar or p|ura|?' 3r|an askod.
Apparont|y |t's both. l|ko lsb or mooso,' Er|ca oxp|a|nod, g|anc|ng at hor computor scroon. At |oast, accord|ng to W|k|pod|a.'
Anothor crod|b|o sourco,' C|a|ro addod w|th a ro|| ot hor oyos.
1ho 3|b|o says that tho Watchors, or Gr|gor|, aro a group ot ango|s sont to watch ovor human|ty,' Er|ca cont|nuod, undauntod. 3ut botoro tho
groat t|ood, thoy bogan to |ust tor human womon. lt's a|| |n Gonos|s, Chaptor 3|x. look.'
Er|ca turnod hor |aptop around, and C|a|ro road a|oud trom tho scroon:
low |t camo about, whon mon bogan to mu|t|p|y on tho taco ot tho |and, and daughtors woro born to thom, that tho sons ot God saw that
tho daughtors ot mon woro boaut|tu|, and thoy took w|vos tor thomso|vos. . 1ho loph|||m woro on tho oarth |n thoso days, and a|so attorward,
whon tho sons ot God camo |n to tho daughtors ot mon, and thoy boro ch||dron to thom. 1hoso woro tho m|ghty mon who woro ot o|d, mon ot
ronown.
3o loph|||m aro hybr|d ango|s and humans,' 3r|an musod whon C|a|ro had t|n|shod road|ng.
And supposod|y, l'm doscondod trom ono ot thoso 'hybr|ds,'' C|a|ro sa|d doubttu||y.
lo sh|t?' 3r|an's brown oyos grow as w|do as saucors. 3ho sa|d that? You'ro part mossoogor rom Ooo?'
l mlgbt bo,' C|a|ro |ns|stod. l any ot th|s |s truo, |t must go way, way back. l m|ght havo, ||ko, a drop ot ango| b|ood |n mo.'
V|ght?' Er|ca scottod. C|a|ro, two hours ago you woro t|oat|ng abovo my bodroom t|oor!'
l|ootlog' 3r|an shook h|s hoad. l gotta g|vo you crod|t, C3, you aro novor bor|ng.'
Am l tho on|y ono who t|nds a|| th|s hard to bo||ovo?' C|a|ro trownod. 0o you guys roa||y th|nk A|oc-or anyono o|so-cou|d actua||y bo an
oogo|?'
Why not?' sa|d Er|ca. You woro tota||y roady to bo||ovo ho was a vamp|ro.'
1hat's d|ttoront. l don't know why, but l can accopt that vomplros cou|d bo roa|. 3ut ango|s? lt ango|s ox|st, doosn't that moan that God and tho
dov|| ox|st too?'
3r|an shruggod. Vaybo thoy do, but ango|s aron't proot o|thor way.'
l a|ways thought ango|s woro bo|ngs ot puro goodnoss and ||ght,' C|a|ro wont on, so why d|d l havo a v|s|on ot A|oc k||||ng somoono?'
1ho 3|b|o a|so has warr|or ango|s who carry swords and sm|to tho w|ckod,' Er|ca po|ntod out. Vaybo that's what you saw.'
C|a|ro noddod, cr|ng|ng. |o was dot|n|to|y smltlog somoono.' 3ho throw up hor hands w|th a s|gh. lono ot th|s provos that l`m doscondod
trom an ango|. |ow d|d |t happon? Was ono ot my mothor's d|stant ancostors a Gr|gor|? Or doos tho b|ood||no como trom my tathor's s|do?'
You don't know anyth|ng about your tathor, r|ght?' 3r|an askod.
Abso|uto|y noth|ng. Excopt that ho van|shod not |ong attor l was born.'
Wo||, wh|chovor s|do |t comos trom,' Er|ca sa|d, l th|nk |t's roa|. lt must bo rospons|b|o tor thoso wo|rd psych|c powors you havo-and bo tho
roason somoono wants you doad.'
Wondortu|,' C|a|ro addod qu|ot|y, s|nk|ng down on tho bod w|th ronowod trop|dat|on, and tho porson who's supposod to protoct mo |s A|oc.'
C|a|ro d|dn't s|oop a w|nk that n|ght. A|though Er|ca, bos|do hor, noddod ott m|nutos attor hor hoad h|t tho p|||ow, and C|a|ro cou|d hoar 3r|an
snor|ng |n tho guost room across tho ha||, C|a|ro tossod and turnod a|| n|ght |ong, too aston|shod and tr|ghtonod by ovoryth|ng thoy'd just |oarnod to
ovon contomp|ato s|oop.
On tho ono hand, tho who|o th|ng soomod |mposs|b|o and r|d|cu|ous. C|a|ro tr|od to conv|nco horso|t that thoro was somo othor oxp|anat|on tor
A|oc's |ncrod|b|o powors and tor hor troak|sh monta| op|sodos. 3ut tho moro sho thought about |t, tho moro conv|ncod sho bocamo that |t m|ght bo
truo.
A|| hor ||to, hor mom had boon so socrot|vo and nourot|c, watch|ng ovor C|a|ro ||ko a hawk, pack|ng up and mov|ng at tho s||ghtost |nd|cat|on ot
|mpond|ng troub|o. Was |t poss|b|o hor mothor know somoth|ng about a|| th|s? 0|d hor mom suspoct that C|a|ro m|ght havo |nhor|tod ango| b|ood?
A|| thoso yoars, had hor mom boon worr|od that C|a|ro m|ght como |nto somo k|nd ot wo|rd, part-ango| powors, and that somohow |t wou|d spo|| hor
doom? lt so, |t wou|d oxp|a|n a |ot. 3ut d|d |t moan that tho ango| b|ood camo trom hor mom's s|do or hor dad's s|do? And why wou|d somobody
want to kl|| hor? What poss|b|o throat cou|d sbo bo to anyono?
At broaktast tho noxt morn|ng, C|a|ro sat s||ont and b|oary-oyod as Er|ca and 3r|an mado sma|| ta|k w|th Er|ca's tam||y. Attorward, C|a|ro
p|ckod up A|oc's car trom tho park|ng |ot whoro sho'd |ott |t tho day botoro and tr|od to roturn |t, w|th Er|ca and 3r|an to||ow|ng |n 3r|an's s||vor
Accord. Whon thoy got to A|oc's apartmont, howovor, h|s curta|ns woro drawn and ho d|dn't answor hor knock. 3|nco tho car koys wou|dn't t|t |n h|s
ma||box s|ot, sho |ott h|m a noto |nstoad.

A|oc,

l`m sorry l sto|o yoor cor lo o poolc. l`m kooplog lt soo ot my p|oco. P|ooso co|| mo so l coo brlog lt bock to yoo.

C|olro

P.5. o bovo to to|k. Now.
C|a|ro droppod tho noto |n tho box. As thoy hoadod back to tho|r cars, 3r|an sa|d, Want us to to||ow you homo and stay tor a wh||o? 1ust to
mako suro you'ro sato?'
1hanks, but no.' C|a|ro s||ppod |nto A|oc's car. l'|| bo t|no.' ln truth, sho d|dn't too| t|no at a||. 3ho was ovorwho|mod by toar and oxhaust|on, hor
m|nd was st||| |n a wh|r|, and ovory norvo |n hor body soomod to bo stand|ng on ond-but sho was dy|ng tor somo a|ono t|mo. l havon't soon
anybody |urk|ng |n tho bushos yot,' sho addod, str|v|ng tor a ||ght tono. 1hanks aga|n, guys, tor ovoryth|ng. l'|| soo you tomorrow.'
1ho dr|vo back to hor p|aco was morc|tu||y unovonttu|.
Vom! l'm homo,' sho ca||od out |n hor choor|ost vo|co as sho un|ockod tho tront door and ontorod.
1horo was no answor. C|a|ro saw a st|cky noto rost|ng on tho ontryway tab|o. lt road:
C|olro-
l bovo two sbowlogs tbls morolog ooo oo opoo booso ootl| 5. P|ooso toko tbo |osogoo oot o tbo roozor ooo pop lt lo tbo ovoo ot 4.80.
5oo yoo or olooor!
Lovo, Vom
C|a|ro s|ghod w|th ro||ot, grabb|ng tho noto and br|ng|ng |t upsta|rs as a rom|ndor. 3ho'd assumod hor mom wou|dn't bo homo-hor mom
a|most a|ways workod on tho wookonds. A|though C|a|ro was dosporato|y cur|ous to ask hor mom a tow th|ngs, sho wasn't roady to ta|k about th|s
just yot. 3ho |ookod torward to tak|ng a hot showor and dropp|ng |nto hor own bod whoro, hopotu||y, sho'd t|na||y bo ab|o to s|oop.
3t|ck|ng tho noto on hor door, C|a|ro ontorod hor room, dumpod hor purso on hor drossor, and k|ckod ott hor boots. W|th both hands, sho
grabbod tho hom ot hor poasant top and was about to yank |t up and ovor hor hoad, whon suddon|y a ca|m, doop vo|co soundod trom boh|nd hor.
Wa|t.'
C|a|ro yo|pod |n a|arm and spun, hor t|sts st||| gr|pp|ng hor sh|rt.
3omoono sat |n hor dosk cha|r, h|s oyos on tho t|oor. 3omoono |ook|ng as rod-tacod and s|oop-dopr|vod as sho was.
A|oc.
n|notoon
|ow tho ho|| d|d you got |n horo?' C|a|ro cr|od, shr|nk|ng back and gr|mac|ng as sho bangod |nto hor drossor.
A|oc w|ncod |n sympathy. l'|| oxp|a|n |n a m|nuto,' ho rospondod qu|ot|y.
1o A|oc's ro||ot, C|a|ro d|dn't appoar to bo torr|t|od at tho s|ght ot h|m-just t|rod and aston|shod-a|though sho b|ushod tur|ous|y, cross|ng hor
arms ovor hor chost, as |t sho to|t oxposod ovon though ho'd stoppod hor botoro sho took ott hor sh|rt. l'm roa||y sorry l start|od you, C|a|ro,' ho
cont|nuod, but l had to ta|k to you. l was atra|d you wou|dn't |ot mo |n |t l camo to tho door.'
Attor ovoryth|ng C|a|ro had soon yostorday, ho had no |doa what sho was th|nk|ng or too||ng, or what sho |mag|nod h|m to bo. 3ut to h|s
chagr|n, thoro was no |ongor any doubt about bor. C|a|ro was dot|n|to|y tho |a|tb|ood v|ncont was sook|ng. A|oc st||| d|dn't know what hor truo
powor was, or why sho'd roactod so v|o|ont|y whon ho'd k|ssod hor, but ho'd soon hor omora|d aura, a co|or so raro ho'd novor w|tnossod |t |n h|s
ont|ro ||to-and had on|y hoard about |t |n o|d |ogonds.
|ow |ong havo you boon horo?' C|a|ro askod, hor hazo| oyos w|do.
A tow hours. 3|nco your mom |ott th|s morn|ng.' A|oc not|cod sovora| sma|| purp|o bru|sos on hor chost abovo tho nock||no ot hor b|ouso, and
ho cr|ngod |nward|y. You'ro hurt.'
Your car doosn't havo a|r bags. lo b|g doa|, thoy'ro just bru|sos.'
l'm sorry, that's my tau|t,' ho sa|d aga|n w|th doop s|ncor|ty, not mov|ng trom h|s cha|r. 3ho was star|ng at h|m tonso|y, as |t sho m|ght bo|t at
any socond-and any movomont on h|s part m|ght tr|ggor hor t||ght. 1horo's a |ot to say, C|a|ro. 3ut tho most |mportant th|ng |s: l'm not horo to hurt
you.'
l know.'
You do?'
3ho noddod, hor war|noss now g|v|ng way to what |ookod ||ko a m|x ot awo and tasc|nat|on as sho stud|od h|m. Evory t|mo l'vo askod you
what you aro, you'vo avo|dod tho subjoct or mado mo too| ||ko l was crazy. Aro you horo to to|| mo tho truth?'
|o took a doop broath and |ot |t out s|ow|y. low that ho know what sho was, |t wasn't aga|nst tho ru|os to d|scuss th|s w|th hor. ln tact, |t was
oncouragod. Ayo.'
||na||y.' 1hon, w|th cont|donco and conv|ct|on, sho sa|d, 3o, you'ro a Gr|gor|?'
1ho quost|on was so unoxpoctod that A|oc noar|y to|| out ot tho cha|r. |ow do you know that word?'
1ust answor tho quost|on: Aro you or aro you not a Gr|gor|? A Watchor? Ao oogo| '
||s hoart poundod |n a tronzy and ho g|ancod away. |o cou|dn't bo||ovo |t: 5bo koow. |ow was |t poss|b|o? lo ono had ovor askod h|m that
quost|on po|nt-b|ank botoro. lt to|t strango not to broach tho subjoct h|mso|t w|th a ro|uctant or skopt|ca| subjoct.
A|oc roturnod h|s oyos to hors aga|n. l don't ||ko tho torm oogo|. lono ot us do. 3ut-yos. l am a Gr|gor|.'
Okay. Okay.' 3ho |ookod ||ko sho was about to hyporvont||ato now. And wbot om l? Am l roa||y a loph|||m?'
lt ho'd boon surpr|sod botoro, |t was noth|ng to th|s. |o'd had a spooch a|| proparod, but apparont|y |t was unnocossary. A|| ho cou|d do was
nod, dumbtoundod.
C|a|ro roactod |n oqua||y stunnod d|sbo||ot. Wow. 1h|s |s . roa||y.' |or vo|co tra||od ott, and |t took a |ong momont botoro sho |ookod h|m |n
tho oyo aga|n. 1hon thoy woro just star|ng at oach othor.
|o broko tho s||onco. |ow do you know a|| th|s, C|a|ro? Can you road m|nds?'
lot oxact|y.' C|a|ro shook ott hor oxhaust|on w|th a doop s|gh. lt's a |ong story. l'|| to|| you a|| about |t, and l havo about a m||||on quost|ons to
ask you. 3ut l'vo just spont tho past twonty hours coopod up |n Er|ca's bodroom, and w|th what l know now, bo|ng a|ono horo w|th you |s k|nd ot .
norvo-rack|ng, to say tho |oast.'
l undorstand.'
0o you m|nd |t wo go somowhoro o|so to ta|k? 3omop|aco ootsloo that maybo has ono or two othor poop|o around?'
A|oc roso to h|s toot, h|s ||ps tw|tch|ng w|th roprossod amusomont. As |n, a qu|ot |ocat|on w|th a tow potont|a| wltoossos?'
3omoth|ng ||ko that, yoah.'
lt wou|d bo my p|oasuro.'
A|oc took hor to ono ot h|s tavor|to spots: tho von|co Cana|s, a un|quo and poacotu| no|ghborhood |n Wost los Ango|os just t|vo b|ocks trom tho
tamous von|co boardwa|k, whoro pavod s|dowa|ks moandorod a|ongs|do |ntorsoct|ng wator channo|s covorod by archod br|dgos, past |ong rows
ot boaut|tu| homos w|th sma||, |andscapod gardons.
l can't bo||ovo l ||vo on|y a tow m||os trom horo and l d|dn't ovon know th|s p|aco ox|stod.' C|a|ro gazod about w|th a tonso sm||o as thoy stro||od
a|ong, ||ston|ng to tho ducks sp|ash|ng |n tho cana| and tho ch|rp|ng ot b|rds |n tho noarby troos.
1ho hot sun bakod A|oc's shou|dors and was rot|octod so br|ght|y |n tho dark groon|sh-b|uo ot tho cana| that ho w|shod ho'd brought
sung|assos. 1hoy passod a mom push|ng a baby |n a stro||or, a coup|o work|ng |n tho|r yard, and sovora| poop|o wa|k|ng tho|r dogs on tho othor
s|do ot tho cana|, but othorw|so tho aroa was qu|ot and sorono.
3omo poop|o ||vo |n l.A. tho|r ont|ro ||vos and novor t|nd out about |t,' A|oc sa|d. l hopod you'd t|nd |t tho portoct b|ond ot v|s|b|||ty and
so||tudo.'
lt |s,' C|a|ro agrood, a|though sho st||| |ookod norvous and wary.
As thoy wa|kod, C|a|ro to|d h|m what had boon happon|ng to hor ovor tho past two wooks-that sho'd boon roco|v|ng wo|rd v|s|ons through
touch, rovoa||ng random g||mpsos ot poop|o's past or tuturo-and how sho'd actua||y changod lo||'s tuturo by tutor|ng h|m |n 3pan|sh.
3o tbot`s your g|tt,' A|oc musod. A torm ot socond s|ght.'
lt doosn't too| ||ko a g|tt. lt too|s ||ko a curso. 1ho v|s|ons mako mo s|ck, and l havo no |doa whon thoy'ro go|ng to como.'
Wo ca|| oach ot our ab|||t|os a g|tt or ta|ont. You'|| |oarn to contro| yours |n t|mo.' A|oc sont hor a |ook that ho hopod was roassur|ng. 3ho |ookod
so protty and vu|norab|o, wa|k|ng bos|do h|m, tho sun||ght g||nt|ng ott hor ha|r. |ow much d|d sho roa||y know about hor own s|tuat|on? Was sho
awaro ot how much dangor sho was |n, |t sho was tound? |o wantod moro than anyth|ng to tako hor hand |n h|s-both to ottor hor comtort, and tor
tho joy hor touch wou|d br|ng h|m-but |n ||ght ot hor now|y awakonod ab|||t|os, that d|dn't soom ||ko a good |doa.
|os|tant|y, ho askod, What happonod yostorday, whon wo . k|ssod? You sa|d you saw somoth|ng. 0|d you got a v|s|on about mo?'
C|a|ro noddod. l saw you drop a car on a man and k||| h|m. ln 1002. l th|nk |t was |n |ranco.'
Oh sh|to.' A|oc to|t h|s chooks grow warm.
|o vaguo|y romomborod tho |nc|dont |n quost|on. O o|| tblogs or bor to bovo sooo. A|tboogb lt coo|o bovo booo worso. lo wondor you ran
ott |n such a pan|c.'
ls that just a typ|ca| day |n tho ||to ot an ango|?' C|a|ro's hands c|onchod as hor oyos cha||ongod h|m. You go around sm|t|ng poop|o?'
A|oc's b|ush dooponod. |o shook h|s hoad. 3ho dosorvod an honost answor-a|though ho wasn't roady to go |nto a|| tho dota||s ot that just yot.
1horo aro mu|t|p|o c|assos ot Gr|gor|,' ho adm|ttod, E|dors, Guard|ans, and Watchors, to namo a tow. l'm ono ot tho |attor.'
A Watchor?'
Ayo. Wo'vo a|| bocomo so sovoro|y outnumborod by Earth's oxp|od|ng popu|at|on that |t's d|tt|cu|t to do our jobs, but wo st||| try. Watchors
raro|y k||| anymoro, and on|y w|th good roason.'
Wo||, l'm g|ad to hoar tbot.'
And as l sa|d botoro,' ho addod, wo don't roa||y th|nk ot ourso|vos as oogo|s.'
Why not? Gr|gor| oro ango|s, aron't thoy?'
Wo don't roa||y know wbot wo aro. Wo'vo boon ||v|ng a corta|n way, ontorta|n|ng corta|n bo||ots, and to||ow|ng a corta|n sot ot ru|os tor
thousands ot yoars, a|| comp|oto|y on ta|th-s|m||ar to tho to||owors ot most human ro||g|ons, |t you th|nk about |t. Wo just do what our E|dors to|| us
to do-but not ovon tboy know tho truth ot our h|story.'
1o|| mo what you do know.'
Okay.' A|oc |od tho way up onto a wh|to woodon br|dgo arch|ng gracotu||y ovor tho cana| and pausod ha|tway across, |oan|ng on tho ra||. Wo
know that wo'ro born ot othor Gr|gor| and ra|sod on Earth.'
3o you'ro not trom hoavon?'
lo. 1horo's a thoory that wo or|g|natod |n hoavon-whorovor and whatovor that |s. 3ut as tar back as any ot us can romombor, wo'vo boon
oarthbound. Wo ||vo among humans and ago at tho samo rato thoy do tor tho t|rst th|rtoon yoars or so, unt|| wo roach puborty. Attor that, wo ago
much moro s|ow|y, about ono yoar tor ovory twonty human yoars.'
3o that's why you d|dn't |ook that d|ttoront |n tho v|s|on l had. |ow o|d aro you?'
A|oc hos|tatod. 3y human standards l'm about o|ghtoon yoars o|d, ovon though l can pass tor s|xtoon.'
lo, how o|d aro you roo||y?'
A hundrod and th|rtoon, moro or |oss.'
3ho gapod at h|m. Wo||, you |ook roa||y good tor your ago.'
|o cou|dn't ho|p but sm||o. 1hanks.'
1ho|r oyos caught thon and thoy both |aughod, wh|ch soomod to ro|oaso somo ot hor bu||t-up tons|on. A qu|ot momont passod as thoy |oanod
on tho woodon ra||, star|ng down at tho dark, st||| wator bo|ow. 1hon sho g|ancod at h|m aga|n and sa|d, l'm sorry about yostorday, whon l .
troakod. l caught you protty good w|th that door.'
lt's okay. l undorstand why you woro scarod.'
|or oyos narrowod. Your torohoad was b|ood|ng-l saw tho gash. 3ut now thoro's not ovon a mark.'
Wo hoa| a |ot tastor than humans.'
Aro you |mmorta|?'
lo. Wo coo bo k|||od. And wo do d|o ovontua||y.'
0o you a|| havo tho samo powors?'
lot at a||. Our g|tts aro vory d|vorso, and passod on trom gonorat|on to gonorat|on, |n tho samo way that humans pass on b|uo oyos or rod
ha|r. |or oxamp|o, you |nhor|tod a monta| powor that |s vory d|ttoront trom m|no.'
Oh.' 3ho |ookod at h|m. You'ro to|ok|not|c, r|ght?'
Yos. |rom my tathor.'
3ut that's not your on|y powor? You can movo roa||y tast?'
|o noddod. l a|so havo my mothor's strongth and spood.'
l know |t!' 3ho gr|nnod. l know l d|dn't ha||uc|nato about tho scatto|d|ng.'
Vost loph|||m havo a hard t|mo undorstand|ng and accopt|ng tho 3|g l|cturo, or whoro tho|r part|cu|ar, oxtraord|nary ab|||t|os como trom. 3ut
you soom to havo |t a|| t|gurod out a|roady.'
Wo||, l had a|| n|ght to road up on |t and th|nk about |t.'
3ut how d|d you know to soarch tor tho word Orlgorl?'
3ho shruggod w|th a s|gh. Wou|d you bo||ovo an o|d |ady to|d mo?'
As thoy crossod tho br|dgo and amb|od down tho narrow s|dowa|k ||n|ng tho othor s|do ot tho cana|, C|a|ro |aunchod |nto a v|v|d doscr|pt|on ot
tho sor|os ot psych|c mossagos sho'd boon roco|v|ng. 1ho woman |s boaut|tu|, |ooks ||ko sho's about s|xty, and has a 3r|t|sh accont,' C|a|ro sa|d
as sho conc|udod hor story. 3ho c|a|ms to bo a Gr|gor|, and hor namo |s |o|ona. 0o you know who sho |s?'
lo. l'vo novor mot hor.'
Wo||, sho dot|n|to|y knows who yoo aro, and that l'm a loph|||m.'
Actua||y, loph|||m |s p|ura|. lt's |obrow. 1ho tom|n|no s|ngu|ar |s Nopbl|o, mascu||no |s Nopbl|.'
Whatovor.' C|a|ro wavod a hand |mpat|ont|y. Am l r|ght that loph|||m aro doscondants ot tho Gr|gor|-tho rosu|t ot your spoc|os |ntorbrood|ng
w|th humans thousands ot yoars ago?'
Yos. Evory |ogond you'vo hoard |n tho h|story ot tho wor|d-not just about myth|ca| horoos and gods, but monstors ||ko tho 3asquatch, w|zards,
worowo|vos, prophots, or domons-protty much a|| ot thom aro basod on oncountors w|th loph|||m. Vost |ook ||ko humans, but aro moro g|ttod.'
0o a|| loph|||m havo powors?'
lo. |or thoso who do, tho|r |nhor|tod ta|onts bocomo moro and moro d||utod w|th oach onsu|ng gonorat|on, and tho powors don't man|tost unt||
puborty, whon tho |nd|v|dua| Awakons.'
C|a|ro's oyos w|donod now as |t sho was struck by a suddon roa||zat|on. Poborty,' sho wh|sporod, hor chooks turn|ng cr|mson. Oh! 3o tbot`s
why.'
A|oc cou|d guoss what sho was th|nk|ng-|t was common onough-and ho to|t bad that sho was ombarrassod. An awkward s||onco
doscondod. |o was ro||ovod whon C|a|ro t|na||y spoko.
ls that why l'm ab|o to s|ng so wo|| now?'
A|| ot us can s|ng.'
Cho|r ot ango|s, huh?'
|o shot hor a d|sp|oasod |ook.
3orry. l'|| stop us|ng tho A-word.' C|a|ro shook hor hoad as |t |n wondor. 3o what oxact|y do tho Gr|gor| do?'
ln gonora|, wo koop to ourso|vos, h|d|ng our ab|||t|os, and s||ont|y watch ovor tho loph|||m. lt and whon thoy uso tho|r powors to tho dotr|mont ot
othors, wo'ro ob||god to stop |n and |nst||| |n thom a sonso ot rospons|b|||ty.'
What happons |t thoy aron't rospons|b|o?'
A|oc |oworod h|s oyos br|ot|y. Wo ca|| thom tho |a||on. 1hat's tho group that |owor-|ovo| Watchors havo to po||co, and tho E||tos-||ko l was-
aro somotlmos ob||god to o||m|nato.'
E||m|nato,' sho ropoatod s|ow|y. 1hat's what l saw you do . |n |ranco?'
|o noddod.
3o . tho Gr|gor|'s job |s to po||co tho hybr|d doscondants ot tho|r torotathors?'
3as|ca||y. Wo'ro not a||owod to modd|o |n human atta|rs un|oss thoy aro throatonod or comprom|sod by tho act|ons ot tho |a||on.'
A thought soomod to occur to hor. 1hat Goth group at tho ma|| . tho poop|o you |ns|stod l stay away trom . aro thoy |a||on?'
Ayo.'
C|a|ro trownod. 3ut thoy'ro raro, r|ght? lot a|| loph|||m aro ov||?'
Vost awakonod loph|||m uso tho|r g|tts |n nondostruct|vo ways. ln tact, somo ot tho most br||||ant, product|vo, and |nt|uont|a| 'human bo|ngs' |n
h|story woro loph|||m.'
|uh. 3o . was loonardo da v|nc| a. loph||?'
Ayo. Vozart and 3hakospoaro, too.'
3onjam|n |rank||n?'
l bo||ovo so.'
E|nsto|n and E|v|s?'
Abso|uto|y.'
V|chao| 1ordan?'
lah, ho was that good on h|s own.'
C|a|ro |aughod. Good to know thoro aro st||| somo ot us who aro just natura||y ta|ontod.'
Actua||y-l hato to rom|nd you, C|a|ro-you'ro not ooo o tbom. You'ro not a human bo|ng.'
l|ght, r|ght. 3ut l'm most|y human, aron't l? l moan, como on, l'vo got, what, ||ko a coup|o ot drops ot Gr|gor| b|ood |n mo? And by tho way,
s|nco you soom to know a|| about |t-wh|ch s|do ot tho tam||y d|d l got th|s trom? Vy mom or my dad?'
A|oc |ookod at hor, start|od. C|oar|y, C|a|ro wasn't awaro ot hor truo naturo attor a||. Whon |o|ona spoko to you, d|dn't sho to|| you what you
aro?'
Yoah. 3ho sa|d, 'You aro ono ot tho loph|||m.''
Ayo, but you'ro not a typ|ca| ono.' A|oc trownod, wondor|ng how ho shou|d broak tho nows. |o d|dn't want to tr|ghton hor-but ho cou|dn't h|do
tho truth, o|thor. 1hoy roundod a cornor and hoadod down tho adjo|n|ng |ano, past tho t|ght|y packod, magn|t|cont housos bordor|ng tho cana|.
C|a|ro, whoro woro you born?'
low York.'
l thought so.' A|oc shovod h|s hands |n h|s joans pockots as thoy wa|kod. 3ovontoon yoars ago, a Gr|gor| conco|vod a ch||d w|th a human
mothor |n low York, and thon d|sappoarod. l th|nk that was your tathor.'
C|a|ro b||nkod. Vy tathor |s . a Orlgorl?'
|o |s. Wh|ch makos you a |a|tb|ood.'
C|a|ro stoppod |n hor tracks, star|ng at h|m, spooch|oss.
Wo woro ta|r|y corta|n to bog|n w|th,' A|oc wont on, but now l'vo soon your aura-Gr|gor| havo go|don auras, loph|||m's aro b|uo-and yours
|s groon. 1horo's no quost|on, C|a|ro.'
|or hand wont to hor mouth, and sho drow |n a |ong broath, c|oar|y thundorstruck. l'm bo| ango|?' sho wh|sporod.
Ayo.'
Oh my God.'
l'm sorry-a|| th|s t|mo wo'vo boon ta|k|ng, l thought you know. You soomod to know ovoryth|ng o|so ..'
3o you know my tathor?' C|a|ro askod, suddon|y oagor.
|rom hor tono, |t was c|oar sho had no c|uo how sor|ous hor s|tuat|on was, or tho doad|y consoquoncos that m|ght ||o |n storo. A|oc's hoart
wronchod, know|ng that ho was go|ng to havo to shattor hor wor|d.
lo, but l know o h|m,' A|oc rop||od s|ow|y. l don't know a|| tho dota||s, but a co||oaguo ot m|no has boon soarch|ng tor h|m, tho mothor, and,'
ho wont on, g|anc|ng at hor, tho|r |a|tb|ood ch||d a|| thoso yoars.'
Why has ho boon soarch|ng tor us? Why d|d my dad d|sappoar? 0|d ho do somoth|ng wrong?'
Ayo.'
What d|d ho do?'
A|oc pausod, a t|urry ot sadnoss and trustrat|on wo|||ng up w|th|n h|m. lt on|y ho cou|d put ott tho answor to that quost|on, or at |oast t|nd somo
way to sotton |t. |o conco|vod you,' A|oc answorod qu|ot|y.
Why was that a cr|mo?'
3ocauso, s|nco tho pro||torat|on ot tho loph|||m bogan, |t's boon proh|b|tod tor Gr|gor| to assoc|ato w|th human bo|ngs or loph|||m-|ot a|ono
procroato w|th thom.'
Wa|t, wa|t, wa|t, wa|t, wa|t. You'ro say|ng my b|rth was . l||ogo|? 1hat my ont|ro oxlstooco |s .'
lorbloooo,' ho rospondod, h|s chost constr|ct|ng at tho |ook ot pa|n on hor taco. Gont|y, ho addod, As tar as wo know, C|a|ro, thoro hasn't
boon a truo |a|tb|ood tor ovor a thousand yoars.'
A tboosooo yoors' C|a|ro backod away, c|asp|ng and unc|asp|ng hor hands, wh|ch woro now v|s|b|y shak|ng. 3ho stoppod at tho s|do ot tho
cana|, whoro sho stood tor a |ong momont, star|ng at a moorod rowboat whoro a tr|o ot wh|to horons woro roost|ng. 3o that's why my tathor
d|sappoarod,' sho wh|sporod hoarso|y. |o had to h|do.'
Ayo.'
A suddon thought soomod to occur to hor. 3ho wh|r|od and starod at h|m, hor oyos g||ston|ng w|th suddon toars. You sa|d |t's torb|ddon tor
Gr|gor| to assoc|ato w|th human bo|ngs or loph|||m?'
|o noddod gr|m|y.
3o thon . |s |t aga|nst tho |aw tor yoo ooo mo to.?'
A|oc's tooth c|onchod. Ayo. 1ochn|ca||y, any ro|at|onsh|p botwoon us |s aga|nst Gr|gor| |aw. l tho E|dors d|scovor us-wh|ch l hopo thoy novor
w|||.'
A toar s||d down hor chook. What about mo and my mom? You sa|d thoy woro soarch|ng tor us.' |or oyos t||ckorod w|th toar. |o|ona sa|d my
|lo |s |n dangor. 0oos that moan tho Gr|gor| p|an to . got r|d ot mo? Or got r|d ot both ot us?'
l don't know.' A|oc hoavod a b|ttor s|gh. |o'd hopod ho wou|dn't havo to spr|ng th|s gr|m tact on hor yot, but ho cou|dn't ||o to hor o|thor. 1ho
truth |s, tho |ast t|mo thoro was an ottspr|ng ot th|s naturo, thoro was a |ongthy and convo|utod tr|a|. 1ho E|dors saw tho |a|tb|ood as a groat r|sk, and
tho paronts as tho porpotrators ot that r|sk. 1ho Gr|gor| mothor, human tathor, and loph||a ch||d woro a|| oxocutod.'
Oh my God.' C|a|ro turnod away, brush|ng away anothor toar. |or hands woro shak|ng.
3ut that was such a |ong t|mo ago,' A|oc cont|nuod qu|ck|y. l bo||ovo tho Counc|| wou|d bo moro opon-m|ndod today.'
C|a|ro's knoos soomod to g|vo way. 3ho sank down onto a |ow br|ck wa|| odg|ng a gardon, cry|ng opon|y now. lt cut h|m to tho qu|ck. Lomo
tbls toocb tblog, A|oc thought. |o sat down on tho wa|| bos|do hor and took hor |n h|s arms, pross|ng hor t|ght|y aga|nst h|m, dosporato to roassuro
hor. lt tho Gr|gor| or anyono o|so moan you or your mothor harm, l'|| watch ovor you,' ho vowod so|omn|y aga|nst hor oar. l'|| do ovoryth|ng |n my
powor to protoct you, C|a|ro.'
3ho pu||od out ot h|s ombraco to |ook up at h|m, w|p|ng toars trom hor oyos. Why wou|d thoy soo mo as a r|sk? by was my b|rth such a s|n?'
A|oc ran h|s t|ngors through h|s ha|r, ros|st|ng anothor strong |mpu|so to tako hor hand |n h|s. You'ro as c|oso to a Gr|gor| as a loph||a can got,
C|a|ro. You havo tho potont|a| to bo moro powortu| than any loph|||m on tho p|anot.'
A|| l do |s got v|s|ons,' sho protostod.
v|s|ons ot tho past and tuturo. A tuturo you'vo provon you can cboogo. lt's a m|ghty g|tt. lot to mont|on that you'vo just Awakonod. Your g|tts
w||| grow |n strongth as you ago, and you may ovon dovo|op othor ab|||t|os.'
What othor ab|||t|os?'
Your tathor wou|d havo had a socond ta|ont, but l don't actua||y know what |t was. Any now ab|||t|os you'vo |nhor|tod w||| rovoa| thomso|vos |n
t|mo. 3ut a truo soor |s vory raro. ln tho wrong hands, a porson w|th groat monta| powors cou|d br|ng a nat|on to |ts knoos.'
1ho wrong hands? l|ko who? What aro thoy worr|od about? 1hat l'|| bocomo a spy?'
l roa||zo th|s |s a |ot to tako |n a|| at onco,' A|oc sa|d pat|ont|y. 3utt|co |t to say that, w|thout any t|os to b|nd you to tho Gr|gor|, thoy'|| soo you as
a |ooso cannon. Vy guoss |s thoy'|| want to koop you-and poss|b|y your mothor-somop|aco whoro thoy can mon|tor you c|oso|y.'
Koop mo?' Anothor toar ran down hor chook. You moan |mpr|son mo.'
lt thoy t|nd you.'
What do you moan? You bovo tound mo. Wasn't that your job? lsn't that why you'ro horo?'
lo. l'vo just boon stand|ng |n tor tho Gr|gor| Watchor ass|gnod to t|nd you. ||s namo |s v|ncont. |o was ca||od out ot town tor a wh||o, and
askod mo to koop an oyo out at Emorson. Whon ho roturns |ator th|s wook, l'|| to|| h|m about you-w|thout g|v|ng away your namo. And l'|| assuro
h|m that you poso no throat.'
C|a|ro |ookod at h|m w|th ha|t toar, ha|t hopo. And ho'|| bo||ovo you? |o'|| tako mo ott tho wantod ||st? Vy mom and l w||| bo sato?'
v|ncont |s my godtathor and my montor,' A|oc answorod roso|uto|y. |o taught mo ovoryth|ng l know. l'd trust h|m w|th my ||to.'
A|oc hopod ho cou|d trust v|ncont w|th bor ||to as wo||.
twonty
Aro you okay?' A|oc rogardod C|a|ro w|th concorn as thoy pausod on hor throsho|d.
lot roa||y,' C|a|ro rop||od honost|y.
3ho to|t ovorwho|mod, both monta||y and phys|ca||y-and as |t sho woro a comp|oto|y d|ttoront porson than sho had boon tho day botoro. 3ut |n
tact, sho rom|ndod horso|t, sho was not a porsoo at a||. 3ho was th|s paranorma| . bolog . who shou|dn't ovon ox|st.
loth|ng was s|mp|o anymoro. |or ro|at|onsh|p w|th A|oc was |||oga|. |or b|rth-hor vory ||to-was |||oga|. 3omo supornatura| po||co torco sho'd
novor known ox|stod m|ght doc|do to |mpr|son or oxocuto hor tho m|nuto thoy tound hor-just bocauso hor tathor was an ango|.
lt's a |ot to d|gost,' sho addod, and |t's a|| . torr|ty|ng.'
l'm sorry.'
l st||| havo a |ot ot quost|ons. l|ko, who |s |o|ona? lt sho's a Gr|gor| and sho knows who l am, |sn't sho supposod to turn mo |n? 0o you th|nk
sho a|roady has? 3ut |t so, why sond mo a|| thoso warn|ngs?'
l don't know. 3ut un|oss sho contacts you aga|n and g|vos you moro |ntormat|on, thoro's noth|ng wo can do about |t. Voanwh||o, you'ro
oxhaustod and so am l. l|ght now l th|nk wo shou|d got somo s|oop.'
l hopo l coo s|oop. 1wo wooks ago, my b|ggost concorn was how to t|t |n, how to bo norma|. low l know that's novor go|ng to happon and
|nstoad l'm atra|d tor my |lo.'
lorma| |s ovorratod, C|a|ro. And as tor your ||to. l swoar, l won't |ot anyth|ng happon to you.' A wo|ghty pauso to||owod and thon a gont|o
sm||o ||t h|s handsomo taco. Attor a||, l don't want to s|ng at tho |omocom|ng assomb|y a|| by myso|t, do l?'
C|a|ro cou|d to|| that boh|nd A|oc's sm||o ho was st||| vory worr|od about hor-but tho attoct|on |n h|s vo|co, and tho way ho was |ook|ng at hor,
mado hor hoart sk|p a boat. 3ho matchod h|s p|aytu| tono, hop|ng to oaso somo ot h|s concorn. l torgot a|| about that. l owo you a rohoarsa|.'
|ow about tomorrow, attor schoo|? ln tho mus|c room?'
0oa|,' sho answorod, roa||z|ng sho was |ook|ng torward to |t.
|o to|| s||ont. C|a|ro g|ancod up at h|m, catch|ng a suddon, uncorta|n |ook |n h|s oyos. 3ho wondorod |t ho was th|nk|ng tho samo th|ng sho was.
|oro thoy woro, stand|ng just a tow toot apart, at hor tront door. Woro thoy supposod to k|ss good-byo?
lomombor|ng tho|r k|ss yostorday-at |oast botoro |t turnod d|sastrous-mado hor t|ng|o |n ant|c|pat|on. 3ut, sho rom|ndod horso|t, sho wasn't
just a g|r| w|th a crush, and A|oc wasn't just a boy sho had a crush on. 1horo woro b|ggor th|ngs at stako now. 0|d sho daro k|ss h|m aga|n, know|ng
what m|ght happon? And ot tar groator consoquonco: lt tho|r ont|ro ro|at|onsh|p was aga|nst Gr|gor| |aw, what wou|d happon |t thoy pursuod |t?
A|oc, ovon |t you can conv|nco thom that l'm not a throat,' sho wh|sporod, hor hoart so|z|ng, what wou|d thoy do |t thoy tound out about . us?'
l don't know,' ho answorod, star|ng at h|s shoos. At tho vory |oast, l |mag|no thoy'd sovor a|| t|os botwoon us and sond mo away. At tho
worst.' ||s oyos ||ttod to hors aga|n, t|orco|y dotorm|nod. lot's not th|nk about tho worst. l bo||ovo that anyth|ng worth hav|ng |s worth t|ght|ng tor.
0on't you?'
Yos,' sho rop||od omphat|ca||y.
1hoy movod |nto oach othor's arms thon tor a qu|ck, |ntonso hug. 1hrough tho th|n tabr|c ot hor b|ouso, C|a|ro to|t tho warmth ot A|oc's hands as
thoy prossod t|rm|y aga|nst hor back. lt mado hor too| comtortod, roassurod . sato. And thon ho was stopp|ng back and carotu||y shov|ng h|s
hands |n h|s pockots aga|n.
3oo you at schoo| tomorrow?' ho sa|d sott|y.
A|| sho cou|d do was nod as ho turnod and wa|kod away. C|a|ro undrossod and turnod on tho showor, gratotu||y stopp|ng bonoath tho
comtort|ng warm spray. As sho washod hor ha|r, sho tr|od to ca|m horso|t, but hor m|nd was |n a wh|r|, hor thoughts consumod by a|| that sho'd just
|oarnod.
Was hor mothor awaro ot hor tathor's truo |dont|ty, and tho dangorous hor|tago ho'd passod on? 0|d sho daro ask hor about |t? C|a|ro
trownod, n|x|ng tho |doa. Whatovor hor mom olo know, sho was t|na||y happy, and sho'd ovon had a cottoo dato tho n|ght botoro. A|oc had |ns|stod
ho was go|ng to do h|s bost to dotuso tho s|tuat|on. What wou|d bo tho po|nt ot d|srupt|ng hor mothor's nowtound harmony? 3os|dos, tho woman |n
C|a|ro's v|s|on had boon so omphat|c: Loo`t to|| ooyooo. C|a|ro had a|roady scrowod that up. 1w|co.
lt'd bo bost, C|a|ro doc|dod, to wa|t a tow days unt|| A|oc ta|kod to h|s godtathor. Whon A|oc camo back w|th a roport that thoy woro sato, thon,
hopotu||y, |t wou|d bo okay to ta|k about a|| th|s w|th hor mom.
|owovor-hor mothor's poaco ot m|nd notw|thstand|ng-C|a|ro was st||| dy|ng to know tho truth. Who wos hor tathor? |ow and whon d|d thoy
moot? As C|a|ro dr|od ott trom hor showor and t|n|shod dross|ng, sho wondorod |t sho cou|d t|nd proot that ho was a Gr|gor|.
3ho had boon tomptod many t|mos to |ook through hor mothor's th|ngs tor somo c|uo to hor tathor's |dont|ty, but sho'd a|ways ta|kod horso|t out
ot |t. 3ack thon, hor tathor had just boon a man who'd abandonod hor and hor mom. low, ho was somoth|ng o|so ont|ro|y-a Gr|gor| |n dangor who
had to t|oo to protoct thom. 3ho just boo to know moro.
3t|t||ng a wavo ot gu||t, C|a|ro oponod hor mothor's bodroom door and snuck |n. 1ho room was as stark|y turn|shod as C|a|ro's: just a doub|o
bod, an ond tab|o, and a drossor strown w|th a tow kn|ckknacks. Vattod and tramod postors ot lar|s, london, and othor tar-t|ung |ocat|ons hung on
tho wa||s, ottor|ng tho on|y h|nt at hor mothor's porsona| |ntorosts.
C|a|ro spont sovora| m|nutos go|ng through hor mothor's drawors. lot t|nd|ng anyth|ng spoc|a|, sho movod to tho co||oct|on ot ||tt|o boxos on
hor drossor, wh|ch conta|nod an assortmont ot costumo jowo|ry. 1hon sho romomborod that hor mom kopt hor bost jowo|ry h|ddon |n a shoo box |n
hor c|osot.
C|a|ro mothod|ca||y soarchod through ovory shoo box on tho c|osot sho|t, but to hor d|sappo|ntmont, sho tound noth|ng but shoos. Como oo,
sho thought, tboro bos to bo somotblog lo boro. As hor hand grazod a pa|r ot b|uo pumps, C|a|ro to|t a suddon t|ng|o rush up hor arm. 3ho gaspod
and droppod tho shoo |nst|nct|vo|y. 3ho'd torgotton hor now ab|||ty cou|d bo tr|ggorod by an objoct and not just a porson. 3r|an's thoory was that |t
had on|y workod bocauso tho braco|ot's ownor-Er|ca's mom-was hav|ng a traumat|c oxpor|onco, but maybo ho was wrong. Vaybo |t sho
concontratod roa||y hard, hardor than sho had w|th A|oc's |ockbox, sho wou|dn't havo to ro|y on phys|ca| ov|donco a|ono to t|nd out moro about hor
dad.
3ho pausod, brac|ng horso|t, and thon wrappod hor t|ngors around tho shoo sho'd droppod. 5pook to mo, sho |mp|orod w|th hor m|nd,
ropoat|ng tho phraso ovor and ovor. 1o hor sat|stact|on, tho t|ng|o grow strongor, and thon camo a br|ot t|ash ot a v|s|on: 5bo wos lo o storo, trylog
oo tboso vory sboos, ooo oomlrlog tbo woy tboy |ookoo oo bor oot. lor mom`s oot.
C|a|ro |ot go ot tho shoo w|th a sm||o and roturnod tho shoo box to tho sho|t. Any |tom |n th|s room mlgbt, |t sho was |ucky, g|vo hor tho
|ntormat|on sho was so dosporato|y sook|ng-and that |ast v|s|on hadn't mado hor too| woozy at a||.
On tho t|oor bonoath tho c|othos woro a tow moro shoo boxos. C|a|ro dug boh|nd thom and tound anothor box, bur|od |n a doop cornor ot tho
c|osot. Whon sho saw what was |ns|do, hor hoart |oapt. lt was tho h|ddon jowo|ry stash-tho ono C|a|ro's mothor had shown hor onco or tw|co whon
sho was youngor-an assortmont ot t|ny boxos and pouchos conta|n|ng var|ous p|ocos ot proc|ous jowo|ry.
C|a|ro t|ngorod ovory p|oco, adm|r|ng thom and hop|ng tor a v|s|on. Ono t|ny, o|d box conta|nod a boaut|tu|, ant|quo-|ook|ng go|d r|ng w|th a
|argo, omora|d-cut amothyst. C|a|ro had novor soon |t botoro. Evon |n tho d|m ||ght ot tho c|osot, tho stono rot|octod a puro, doop purp|o ||ght. 3ho
took tho r|ng out ot tho box and stud|od |t. 1ho band was ongravod on tho undors|do: 1O l, Wl1| lOvE, l.
Cou|d |t bo an ongagomont r|ng, ongravod w|th a mossago to hor mom? 3ho s||ppod |t on. 1ho r|ng was so sma||, |t on|y t|t hor ||tt|o t|ngor.
5troogo, sho thought. |or mothor's hands woro tho samo s|zo as hor own.
1hon sho to|t |t. A v|s|on was com|ng. C|a|ro b||nkod, and thon-
5bo wos slttlog ot o wroogbt-lroo tob|o sot wltb o booo cbloo too sorvlco, oo tbo bock porcb o o |orgo brlck moosloo, ovor|ooklog o grooo
oxpooso o gorooo.
7bo omotbyst rlog spork|oo oo tbo s|oooor rlog logor o bor rlgbt booo os sbo slppoo rom o cop. 7bo too wos worm ooo rogroot, ooo lt
ro|oxoo bor.
7bo soooo o o |ltt|o glr|`s |oogbtor coogbt bor ottootloo. A go|ooo-bolroo cbl|o, porbops oor yoors o ogo, sot ot bor owo mlolotoro tob|o
ocross tbo |owo, sorvlog too rom o tloy toopot to o groop o oo||s ooo stooo oolmo|s.
Lyoo!' 7bo womoo|y volco tbot lssooo rom C|olro`s mootb wos coocorooo bot oot oogry. Bo coroo| oot to spl|| ooy too oo yoor oross.'
Okoy, Vommy,' tbo |ltt|o glr| rop|loo.
W|th a rush ot sound and ||ght, tho |magos d|sappoarod.
C|a|ro caught hor broath. 1ho ch||d-lynn-must havo boon bor mom. And tho body sho'd |nhab|tod must havo boon hor mom's motbor-tho
grandmothor C|a|ro had novor mot. 1oars sprang |nto C|a|ro's oyos as sho carotu||y rop|acod tho r|ng and roturnod tho shoo box to |ts h|d|ng p|aco.
3ho'd just soon whoro hor mothor grow up! 3ho'd to|t what |t was ||ko, tor a t|oot|ng |nstant, to bo hor own grandmothor!
|or tho t|rst t|mo, sho had an |nk||ng ot what A|oc had moant whon ho sa|d sho had a potont g|tt that m|ght mako othors wary. 1h|s powor sho
had, |t was tru|y amaz|ng . |ncrod|b|o.
W|th no boxos |ott to go through, C|a|ro s|ttod qu|ck|y through hor mothor's c|othos. 3ho mado suro to do||borato|y touch oach garmont, but
noth|ng happonod. 3ho was about to s||do tho c|osot door shut, whon hor oyos to|| on a garmont bag hang|ng at tho tar ond ot tho rod. lt occurrod to
hor that-ovon though sho'd touchod tho bag-sho hadn't |ookod |ns|do. ln tact, a|though C|a|ro had soon th|s o|d garmont bag ovory t|mo thoy'd
movod, sho'd novor soon hor mothor opon |t. W|th a suddon, oor|o sonso ot promon|t|on, sho took tho p|ast|c bag out ot tho c|osot, |ay |t on tho bod,
and unz|ppod |t.
A brown corduroy sport coat that |ookod o|dor than sho was-and was obv|ous|y moant tor a man-was |ns|do. C|a|ro's hoart racod. bot wos
bor mom oolog wltb o moo`s b|ozor 3ho oxtondod hor hand toward tho jackot, hor t|ngors tromb||ng. lt soomod as |t tho room was t|||od w|th an
o|octr|c chargo. 3|ow|y, gont|y, sho p|acod hor hand on tho rough corduroy |apo| and wa|tod. And wa|tod.
loth|ng.
Notblog!
C|a|ro trownod, annoyod, rotus|ng to adm|t dotoat.
3ho wrappod hor t|ngors t|ght|y around both |apo|s. 3roatho,' sho sa|d a|oud, try|ng to roproduco tho tranco Er|ca had put hor |n. |ocus.' 3ho
starod at tho jackot |y|ng on tho bod and monta||y boggod |t to spoak to hor.
Whoso jackot aro you?' C|a|ro |mp|orod qu|ot|y. bo oo yoo bo|oog to'
A wavo ot d|zz|noss consumod hor, a|ong w|th a m||d tw|ngo |n hor stomach. C|a|ro to|t a suddon, strango sonsat|on ot |oss and d|stanco, as |t
th|s coat had boon soparatod trom |ts mastor tor a |ong t|mo, d|mm|ng whatovor momor|os |t conta|nod. 3ho had to t|ght to stay upr|ght and to ho|d
on to tho jackot.
1o|| mo!' sho |ns|stod.
A|| at onco-
C|olro`s oors woro ossoo|too by tbo soooos o trolc. A clty lo motloo como loto ocos oroooo bor. 5bo wos wo|klog oowo o crowooo
sloowo|k. Oo ooo sloo, sbo wos |ookoo by to|| bol|ologs tbot roocboo to tbo sky. Across tbo stroot wos o bogo grooo pork oottoo wltb troos
borstlog wltb ootomo co|or. lo tbo stroot, o |loo o yo||owtoxlcobs bookoo ooo locboo s|ow|y orworo.
lt |ookoo |lko tbo NowYork Clty sbo`o sooo ooplctoo lo ovory 7V sbow, movlo, ooo plctoro postcoro.
5omoooo wos bo|olog bor booo. lt wos o womoo, b|ooo, ooo sbortor tboo sbo wos. lt wos o yooogor vorsloo o bor motbor! 5bo |ookoo oboot
sovootooo yoors o|o ooo rooloot|y boootlo| lo o brlgbt b|oo tort|ooock ooo scor.
Looklog ot bor mom, tbo porsoo tbot C|olro wos lobobltlog o|t o sorgo o wormtb ooo bopplooss, o oo|log so lotooso tbot lt ooor|y took bor
brootb owoy. C|olro g|oocoo oowo to olscovor tbot sbo-or wboovor sbo wos-wos woorlog tbo browo b|ozor. 5bo booro borso| spook. Bot lt wos
o moo`s ooop volco tbot lssooo rom bor tbroot.
Lyoo, yoo |ook co|o.'
lo ooo smootb motloo, tbo moo sbroggoo oot o tbo jockot ooo wroppoo lt |ovlog|y oroooo bor motbor`s sboo|oors. lt wos ot tbot momoot
C|olro ootlcoo tbo goot|o swo|| o bor toooogo motbor`s bo||y. 5bo wos progooot.
Loo`t bo oo lolot, 7om. Yoo`|| roozo,' bor mom rop|loo wltb o goot|y roprovlog |ook.
7om, C|a|ro thought. Was that hor dad's namo? Vy God, th|s was |ncrod|b|o! 3ho was oxpor|onc|ng a proc|ous momont trom hor mom's past
-a momont hor mothor had novor sharod w|th hor. C|a|ro dosporato|y w|shod hor mom was woar|ng rot|oct|vo sung|assos, so sho cou|d soo tho
man's taco.
A now sound ontorod C|a|ro's consc|ousnoss, |oudor than ovon tho low York tratt|c: tho thump and v|brat|on ot tho tront door c|os|ng. 3ho
b||nkod and camo back to tho prosont w|th such torco that sho a|most to|| backward. 1ho sounds ot hor mom dropp|ng hor bag and koys on tho
tab|o downsta|rs t||torod upward.
C|a|ro?' camo hor mom's vo|co. Aro you horo?'
C|a|ro qu|ck|y z|ppod up tho garmont bag and stuttod |t back |n tho c|osot. 3ho shut tho c|osot doors and doub|o-chockod that tho room was |n
tho oxact samo stato |n wh|ch sho'd tound |t.
C|a|ro?' |or mom was start|ng up tho sta|rs now.
C|a|ro t|ptood down tho ha|| |nto hor own room, whoro sho dovo onto tho bod, jammod oarbuds |n hor oars, and snatchod up a toxtbook trom
tho t|oor. |or mom appoarod |n tho doorway. C|a|ro kopt hor oyos on tho toxt, protond|ng to road.
Why aro you road|ng |n tho dark?' hor mom sa|d, t||ck|ng on tho ||ght sw|tch.
C|a|ro gavo hor mom hor most |nnocont, surpr|sod |ook, as sho tuggod |ooso ono oarbud. What?'
|o||o to you, too. Why d|dn't you turn a ||ght on?'
lt was, ||ko, tota||y sunny t|vo m|nutos ago.'
Wo||, now tho sun |s sott|ng. 1hanks tor putt|ng tho |asagna |n tho ovon-|t'|| bo roady |n ton m|nutos. l'|| mako tho sa|ad. Como down and sot
tho tab|o.'
'kay. 1ust |ot mo t|n|sh th|s paragraph.'
|or mom noddod and hoadod br|ot|y |nto hor own room. C|a|ro ho|d hor broath, ||ston|ng, wa|t|ng. A tow soconds |ator, sho hoard hor mom
roturn downsta|rs, apparont|y not hav|ng not|cod anyth|ng out ot tho ord|nary.
Loogoo tbot bo||ot, C|a|ro thought, hoav|ng a s|gh ot ro||ot.
1hroughout d|nnor hor mom was uncharactor|st|ca||y qu|ot. Wh|ch was just as wo||, s|nco C|a|ro's thoughts woro prooccup|od by tho strango
coup|o ot days sho'd had and a|| tho quost|ons that woro burn|ng |n hor m|nd. l|ko: What had hor mom's ch||dhood boon ||ko? Whoro was that
pa|at|a| houso? lot to mont|on tho who|o ango| th|ng. 1om boo to bo hor tathor. |or mom was prognant at tho t|mo. Why o|so wou|d hor mom havo
kopt that jackot a|| thoso yoars, un|oss sho |ovod h|m vory much-and m|ssod h|m? 3t|||, d|d hor mom roa||y know who and what 1om was, and that
C|a|ro was a |a|tb|ood?
Aoo ob yoob. Am l oostlooo to bo voporlzoo by o Cooocl| o co|ostlo| bologs
1h|s wasn't tho r|ght t|mo to br|ng any ot th|s up. 3ho'd st|ck to hor p|an and say noth|ng. |or now.
1hanktu||y, howovor, C|a|ro coo|o ta|k to 3r|an and Er|ca. 3ho spont sovora| hours on v|doo chat that n|ght, to|||ng thom about hor dad's jackot
v|s|on, and dota|||ng ovoryth|ng sho'd |oarnod trom A|oc.
|asc|nat|ng,' 3r|an sa|d, |n a doad-on |mpross|on ot Vr. 3pock, whon sho'd gono ovor a|| that sho romomborod. And tr|ghton|ng.' |o |ns|stod
ho'd boon pay|ng tu|| attont|on, ovon though h|s oyos woro g|uod to tho v|doo gamo ho was p|ay|ng-and w|nn|ng-s|mu|tanoous|y.
l suro hopo A|oc knows what ho's do|ng,' Er|ca addod, and can got you ott tho hook.'
You'ro not tho on|y ono,' C|a|ro agrood.
What l want to know |s, what's A|oc oolog horo?' 3r|an sa|d.
What do you moan?' C|a|ro askod.
|o sa|d tho Gr|gor| watch ovor tho Awakonod and po||co tho |a||on-but that ho wasn't ass|gnod to you. 3o what ls h|s ass|gnmont?'
|uh. 1hat's a good quost|on,' C|a|ro sa|d. Wo'|| havo to ask h|m tomorrow.'
Vr. lattorson tacod tho c|ass, sw|ng|ng h|s r|ght hand up torcotu||y aga|nst h|s |ott t|st, an act|on that propo||od a t|ny wad ot papor up w|th a
rosound|ng pop. Okay! lop qu|z, ovoryono.'
1ho c|ass groanod. C|a|ro st|t|od a yawn. Attor tho |ato-n|ght chat w|th tho gang, sho'd boon up unt|| two |n tho morn|ng do|ng homowork. 1hat,
compoundod by hor |ack ot s|oop on 3aturday n|ght, mado hor so groggy that sho'd baro|y boon ab|o to drag horso|t out ot bod that morn|ng.
C|oan shoot ot papor, namo at tho top,' lattorson commandod. Ouost|on ono: lamo throo th|ngs that 3onjam|n |rank||n |nvontod.'
C|a|ro |oanod toward A|oc, who sat bos|do hor. |ow about, namo tho truo sourco ot |rank||n's gon|us,' sho wh|sporod w|th a covort sm||o.
3omoth|ng wh|zzod past hor hoad and h|t tho wa|| boh|nd thom-a sma||, p|nk rubbor orasor. C|a|ro startod up gu||t||y to t|nd Vr. lattorson
g|ar|ng at hor.
l'm sorry, V|ss 3ronnan, l soom to havo droppod somoth|ng back thoro,' lattorson |ntonod t|at|y. Wou|d you m|nd br|ng|ng |t back to mo? Or
wou|d that |ntorrupt your convorsat|on?'
C|a|ro t|ushod and was strugg||ng tor a rop|y whon A|oc scoopod up tho t|ny orasor and stood. lt was my tau|t, s|r. l wasn't suro l hoard your
quost|on propor|y, and C|a|ro was just ropoat|ng |t tor mo.'
loxt t|mo, Vr. VacKonz|o, ra|so your hand and ask mo to ropoat |t.'
Yos, s|r.' A|oc wa|kod to tho tront and ca|m|y sot tho orasor on lattorson's dosk.
C|a|ro h|d a gratotu| sm||o. Vr. lattorson cont|nuod w|th tho ora| qu|z. Attor c|ass, sho wa|tod tor A|oc outs|do.
1hanks tor tak|ng tho b|amo,' C|a|ro sa|d as ho omorgod.
l to|d you l'd protoct you.'
3ho roturnod h|s gr|n as thoy hoadod ott togothor toward tho|r noxt c|ass. 3ho was burst|ng w|th quost|ons tor h|m, but t|rst sho was oagor to
sharo hor nows. l havo somoth|ng to to|| you.'
What?'
l tound my tathor's jackot |ast n|ght.'
A|oc's groon oyos w|donod as C|a|ro to|d h|m tho who|o story, trom tho th|ng w|th hor mothor's shoo, to hor grandmothor's r|ng, to tho v|s|on
about hor mothor and 1om.
|or a tow m|nutos, l wos my own tathor-at |oast, l'm protty suro |t was h|m. l d|dn't too| s|ck or hot dur|ng any ot thoso v|s|ons, o|thor. Why |s
that?'
Your body |s gott|ng usod to your m|nd bo|ng d|sp|acod to anothor t|mo and |ocat|on,' A|oc oxp|a|nod. 3ut thoro cou|d bo moro to |t. 1hoy
woro protty gont|o v|s|ons, woron't thoy?'
1hoy woro a|| |ovo|y.'
And tho s|ckost you ovor to|t was whon you watchod mo.?'
C|a|ro noddod.
lt's poss|b|o that tho moro v|o|ont a v|s|on |s, tho groator tho to|| |t takos on your body.'
|un,' C|a|ro muttorod sarcast|ca||y.
1h|s |s roa||y s|gn|t|cant, C|a|ro. You shou|d bo proud. You mado a|| thoso objocts ta|k to you. 1hat |ovo| ot contro| doosn't a|ways happon th|s
qu|ck|y.' A|oc roachod out hos|tant|y, as |t to tako hor hand.
C|a|ro t||nchod away just |nchos trom contact as tho|r oyos mot. 3ho swa||owod hard. Wo probab|y shou|dn't .'
l|ght,' ho sa|d, |owor|ng h|s hand and shov|ng |t |n h|s pockot. 3ottor not to tako any chancos.'
1h|s |s so trustrat|ng,' sho groanod, bo|ng so atra|d to touch anyono.'
A|oc gavo hor an oncourag|ng sm||o. lt won't a|ways bo th|s way.'
lt won't? |ow do you know?'
l don't-not tor suro. 3ut |ook how much progross you'vo mado a|roady. 3omoth|ng to||s mo you'|| |oarn how to contro| your ab|||t|os, C|a|ro
3ronnan, and |t w||| happon soonor than you th|nk.'
twonty-ono
Er|ca, you'ro star|ng,' A|oc sa|d, amusod.
1ho tour ot thom woro s|tt|ng at tho|r usua| |unch tab|o. lt was a b|uo-sk|od, sunny attornoon, tho |ato 3optombor a|r as warm as summor, and
3r|an and Er|ca woro gaz|ng at h|m |n a k|nd ot s||ont awo, not ovon touch|ng tho|r tood.
3orry, but l'm st||| try|ng to got usod to. l'vo novor oaton |unch w|th'-Er|ca g|ancod around, |owor|ng hor vo|co ovon though thoy woro a|ono
on tho torraco-an oogo| botoro.'
Yos, you havo.' A|oc spoarod a p|oco ot |ottuco trom tho Caosar sa|ad that t|||od ha|t h|s tray and took a b|to. lots ot t|mos. You just woron't
awaro ot |t.'
Oh. l guoss that's truo.'
And you'vo boon hang|ng out w|th C|a|ro tor a coup|o ot yoars now,' A|oc rom|ndod hor. And sho's ha|t . yoo koow.'
A|oc doosn't ||ko tho A-word,' C|a|ro oxp|a|nod, s|pp|ng hor choco|ato m||k.
You'ro gonna protoct C|a|ro, r|ght?' Er|ca pors|stod. |rom whatovor dark co|ost|a| torcos m|ght trown upon hor ox|stonco?'
You havo my word on that.'
Good.' Er|ca |oanod hor o|bow on tho tab|o and rostod hor ch|n on hor t|st, study|ng h|m. 'Causo ovon |t sho |s on|y ha|t human, wo st||| th|nk ot
hor as ono ot our own.'
3r|an was st||| star|ng at A|oc, h|s oyos w|do and unb||nk|ng. |ow d|d thoy t|nd out sho's a |a|tb|ood, anyway? ls thoro, ||ko, a group ot Gr|gor|
s|tt|ng |n a contro| booth |n hoavon, star|ng at a radar scroon and wa|t|ng tor b||ps?'
l w|sh l know. A|| l was to|d |s that whon an Awakonod shows up on tho gr|d, an E|dor |s a|ortod, and ho or sho |n turn a|orts ono ot us.'
|ow do thoy a|ort you?' C|a|ro askod.
Wo commun|cato w|th oach othor through mod|tat|on.'
1ho samo way l connoctod to |o|ona?'
lt sounds ||ko |t.'
Wow, that boats co|| phonos.' 3r|an dug |nto h|s turkoy sandw|ch. lo roam|ng chargos.'
1horo's a moro |mportant roason. Anyth|ng wo say ovor tho rogu|ar a|rwavos m|ght bo p|ckod up by tho |a||on. 1horo aro hundrods ot
thousands ot thom, ovorywhoro, w|th ovory |mag|nab|o k|nd ot ab|||ty. A|though thoy ox|st |n sma||, |oca| groups, ||ko gangs or Vat|a tam|||os, many ot
thom sharo |ntormat|on g|oba||y, and |nt||trato ovory |ovo| ot tho wor|d's |ntrastructuro.'
Er|ca t|na||y took a b|to ot hor own sa|ad. lt tho |a||on aro so powortu|, why havon't wo hoard ot thom botoro?'
1hoy-||ko us-koop tho|r ox|stonco socrot,' A|oc oxp|a|nod. |umans havo a|ways soon anyth|ng d|ttoront trom thom as a throat. lt mank|nd
know about thom and mado a concortod ottort to w|po thom out, thoy'd probab|y succood.'
Why don't tho Gr|gor| just tako thom out?' 3r|an askod.
Wo'ro on|y a||owod to o||m|nato thoso |a||on who comm|t sor|ous cr|mos unpun|shod by soc|oty, tho onos whoso act|ons poso a dangor to
mank|nd. 3ut wo havo to bo carotu|. lt wo k||| too many, thoy m|ght str|ko back |n |argo numbors, and |t cou|d osca|ato |nto a tu||-sca|o g|oba| cont||ct
-a truo Armagoddon. lot on|y wou|d thoy ovorwho|m us, thoy'd tako many |nnocont human bo|ngs |n tho|r wako.'
3o how many Gr|gor| aro thoro?' C|a|ro askod.
A|oc shruggod. |undrods, l th|nk? lorhaps a thousand?'
Wow, you roa||y aro outnumborod.' Er|ca trownod.
3r|an munchod on h|s potato ch|ps, gaz|ng at A|oc pons|vo|y. C|a|ro sa|d you'ro a Watchor Ango-Gr|gor|. 1hat somot|mos you mon|tor tho
Awakonod, but your ma|n job |s to track down tho |a||on who turn to tho dark s|do and knock thom ott. ls that r|ght?' |o gr|macod as Er|ca k|ckod
h|m bonoath tho tab|o. What? 1hat's what sho sa|d.'
A|oc w|ncod at th|s b|unt assossmont. l guoss that's |t |n a nutsho||-ayo.'
You must bo protty good at . k||||ng poop|o,' C|a|ro obsorvod, a quavor |n hor vo|co.
A|oc shruggod and concontratod on h|s tood, th|nk|ng |t bost not to rop|y.
1hoy ato |n s||onco tor a wh||o. A|oc saw tho throosomo oxchango a s||ont |ook. |o ant|c|patod what was com|ng noxt-|t was a top|c ho'd
avo|dod w|th C|a|ro oar||or but know was bound to como up today.
3uro onough, as soon as 3r|an po||shod ott h|s sandw|ch, ho sa|d, 3o, dudo, who's your curront ass|gnmont? Who aro you horo to k|||?' 1h|s
t|mo |t was C|a|ro who k|ckod h|m. |oy! You woro a|| th|nk|ng |t, woron't you? l th|nk wo havo a r|ght to know.'
You don't havo to answor that, A|oc, |t you don't want to-or aron't a||owod to,' C|a|ro sa|d qu|ck|y.
A|oc to|t b|ood rush to h|s chooks. lt's a|| r|ght,' ho answorod qu|ot|y. 1ho truth |s, l'm not on ass|gnmont at a||.'
You'ro not?' C|a|ro b|ow out a ro||ovod broath. l'm so g|ad.' 1hon hor brow kn|ttod |n contus|on. 3o why aro you horo?'
l qu|t.'
You wbot?' Er|ca b|urtod, aston|shod.
What do you moan, you qu|t?' C|a|ro askod.
l moan, l |ott. l'vo bas|ca||y-how doos your m|||tary phraso |t? l'vo gono AWOl.'
Why?' 3r|an askod.
Wo'ro taught that what wo do |s r|ght and just, that our act|ons sovo ||vos |n tho ond. And porhaps thoy do. 3ut l'm t|rod ot spy|ng on poop|o.
1|rod ot bo|ng rospons|b|o tor choos|ng who ||vos or d|os. And t|rod ot toklog ||vos. |or moro than a hundrod yoars, l ato noth|ng but rabb|t tood, d|d
my job, and spont a|| my troo t|mo tra|n|ng. l was a|ways a|ono, w|th no tam||y or tr|onds. Attor so many docados watch|ng poop|o trom atar, l |ongod
to try |t tor myso|t-to bo roo-to bo ono ot you.'
l don't b|amo you.' C|a|ro's vo|co was doop w|th ompathy. 1hat sounds ||ko an awtu| way to ||vo.'
lt's ||ko bo|ng a monk and an assass|n, a|| ro||od |nto ono,' Er|ca obsorvod.
A|oc noddod gr|m|y. W|th a|| tho rospons|b|||t|os, and nono ot tho bonot|ts.' |o had novor had such a trank d|scuss|on w|th anyono botoro-
much |oss w|th a group ot humans. |o to|t raw and oxposod-but at tho samo t|mo, |t was as |t a wo|ght had boon ||ttod trom h|s shou|dors. |o was
g|ad thoy know-part|cu|ar|y g|ad that C|a|ro know.
C|a|ro's oyos w|donod suddon|y. What's tho pona|ty tor go|ng AWOl?'
5blto, A|oc thought. |o'd boon hop|ng sho wou|dn't ask that.
lt thoro aro a|| thoso ru|os tor ovoryth|ng,' C|a|ro wont on, l'm assum|ng you aron't a||owod to just wa|k ott tho job anyt|mo you want to. What w|||
thoy do |t thoy t|nd you?'
C|a|ro's taco was so croasod w|th anx|oty, A|oc cou|dn't br|ng h|mso|t to burdon hor turthor. 3ho had onough prob|oms ot hor own w|thout
worry|ng about h|s. 1hat's up to tho Counc|| to doc|do,' ho rop||od, wh|ch was as c|oso as ho wantod to como to tho truth. And l th|nk that's onough
quost|ons tor ono day.' |o sot h|s tork down on tho tab|o, |ookod around to cont|rm that thoy woro st||| a|ono on tho torraco, and sm||od br|ght|y.
Watch th|s.'
A|oc gazod t|xod|y at h|s tork, wrapp|ng h|s m|nd around tho |mp|omont. |o thon sont out a stroam ot onorgy, monta||y ||tt|ng tho tork unt|| |t
hovorod a tow |nchos abovo tho tab|o.
Oh!' Er|ca cr|od, amazod.
3ut 3r|an was d|sappo|ntod. 1hat's |t? C|a|ro sa|d you ho|d back o cor w|th your bra|n. Can't you |ov|tato somoth|ng b|ggor than a tork?'
Ono th|ng at a t|mo, 3r|an.' A|oc sm||od. C|a|ro, koop your oyos on mo. l want to toach you somoth|ng.'
C|a|ro |ookod d|roct|y at A|oc. What am l |ook|ng tor?'
lt's ||ko |ook|ng tor a h|ddon |mago |n a 8-0 p|cturo.' A|oc mado tho tork sp|n |n tho a|r. look just past mo, C|a|ro, ovor my shou|dor. lt shou|d
como |nto tocus.'
Whoa!' C|a|ro gaspod suddon|y. You'ro g|ow|ng!'
A|oc boamod. You can soo |t?'
3oo what?' 3r|an sa|d, sound|ng ||ko ho to|t |ott out.
1horo's th|s g|ow ot go|don ||ght a|| around h|m,' C|a|ro sa|d oxc|tod|y.
lt's my aura. lts |ntons|ty corro|atos to tho |ovo| ot powor bo|ng usod at tho t|mo.'
l don't soo anyth|ng.' Er|ca trownod.
1hat's bocauso you don't havo Gr|gor| b|ood. Er|ca, aro wo st||| a|ono?'
Yop.'
Exco||ont. Watch qu|ck|y, C|a|ro. l don't want to draw too much attont|on, just |n caso.' A|oc concontratod unt|| ho to|t tho wo|ght and broadth ot
tho p|cn|c tab|o |n h|s m|nd. Evorybody, hang on.'
1ho bonchos bogan to shuddor and croak bonoath thom. 3tart|od, tho othors grabbod on to tho tab|o. A|oc to|t a surgo ot dotorm|nod onorgy
r|pp|o through h|s body, up and outward, as ho ra|sod tho tab|o w|th |ts attachod bonchos and occupants a tow |nchos |nto tho a|r, tho tork jump|ng
ovon h|ghor and sp|nn|ng abovo |t.
Er|ca and 3r|an gaspod.
C|a|ro gaspod ovon |oudor. You'ro r|ght-your aura |s ovon br|ghtor now. lt's ||ko t|ro rad|at|ng ott you!'
A|oc s|ow|y roturnod tho tab|o to |ts tormor sott|ng w|th a gont|o thud. 1ho tork droppod w|th a c|attor.
7bot,' 3r|an sa|d, h|s mouth agapo, was tota||y awosomo.'
Er|ca sat |n stunnod s||onco, st||| gr|pp|ng tho tab|o as |t hor ||to dopondod on |t.
A|oc sm||od at C|a|ro. lt usua||y takos months to |oarn to soo an aura-but thon, l'vo novor mot a truo |a|tb|ood botoro. low you know what to
|ook tor, C|a|ro. You m|ght t|nd |t handy ono day.'
As soon as schoo| |ot out, A|oc mot C|a|ro outs|do tho thoator bu||d|ng w|th h|s most choortu| sm||o. loady to s|ng?'
You know |t.'
A|oc was st||| surpr|sod by how a||vo ho to|t whon thoy woro togothor, and ovorjoyod that sho soomod to too| tho samo way. 3ut know|ng how
comp||catod a ro|at|onsh|p botwoon thom wou|d bo, |ot a|ono tho poss|b|y tata| consoquoncos, ho cou|dn't ho|p worry|ng that sho m|ght ovontua||y
grav|tato toward somoono moro norma|, ||ko lo||.
A|oc w|||od h|mso|t to put a|| nogat|vo thoughts out ot h|s m|nd. lt was go|ng to bo tun to turthor tost tho ||m|ts ot C|a|ro's ab|||t|os, and just bo|ng
w|th hor now was ||ko a g|tt |n |tso|t.
Whon oro aud|t|ons tor tho assomb|y, anyway?' C|a|ro askod.
A|oc yankod opon tho hoavy oxtor|or door and ho|d |t tor hor. |r|day attor schoo|.'
1hat's on|y tour days away! Wo'd bottor pract|co ovory day, |t wo'ro go|ng to bo roady.'
Okay.' |o roprossod a chuck|o. Wh||o ho'd ||ko noth|ng bottor than to spond that t|mo w|th hor, ho was protty suro pract|c|ng wou|dn't bo
nocossary.
What?' 3ho g|ancod at h|m, hor oyos narrow|ng as thoy movod down tho corr|dor. Why aro you sm|||ng?'
lo roason.'
1ho mus|c room was thanktu||y ompty. A|oc tr|od tho hand|o on tho c|osot door whoro tho orchostra kopt tho|r |nstrumonts, but |t was |ockod.
Vr. lang must bo gono tor tho day.' C|a|ro trownod. |ow aro you go|ng to got your gu|tar?'
l|ko th|s.' A|oc |a|d a hand on tho doorknob and starod at tho |ock |ntont|y, unt|| ho cou|d sonso tho p|ns |ns|do. W|th h|s m|nd, ho carotu||y s||d
thom |nto tho|r propor cont|gurat|ons. Attor tho tumb|ors c||ckod, ho turnod tho hand|o and tho door oponod.
C|a|ro starod |n awo as ho rotr|ovod h|s gu|tar trom tho c|osot. ls that how you got |nto my apartmont yostorday?'
Ayo.'
1hat's much coo|or than rogu|ar |ock p|ck|ng.'
lt doos havo |ts usos.' A|oc grabbod two mus|c stands and p|acod thom |n tront ot a pa|r ot cha|rs. C|a|ro sat down noxt to h|m as ho took h|s
gu|tar out ot |ts caso, thon w|thdrow two sots ot shoot mus|c and handod ono to hor. l was th|nk|ng wo cou|d s|ng th|s.'
C|a|ro g|ancod at tho shoot mus|c, puzz|od. 1ho song was t|t|od 3t|ck w|th Vo 3aby.' l'vo novor hoard th|s botoro.'
lo? lt's ono ot my tavor|tos. 1ho bost vors|on was sung by lobort l|ant and A||son Krauss.'
A||son Krauss?' C|a|ro |ot out a norvous |augh. l'vo baro|y startod to |oarn how to s|ng c|osslco| mus|c, and you want mo to s|ng ||ko bor? l
th|nk that's a ||tt|o out ot my |oaguo.'
A|oc's ||ps tw|tchod w|th tho ottort to ho|d back a sm||o. l don't th|nk so.'
W||| you s|ng |t through onco tor mo t|rst? Vr. lang a|ways doos that.'
lo nood. lt's not a comp||catod song. l'm protty suro you can do |t.'
3ho mado an |mpat|ont no|so. l'm honorod that you havo so much ta|th |n mo, A|oc, but l'm st||| roa||y now at th|s. l can't s|ng somoth|ng l'vo
novor hoard.'
lot's just g|vo |t a shot.'
C|a|ro throw up hor hands. Whatovor you say, maostro. You'vo boon warnod.'
A|oc p|ayod tho opon|ng r|tt and p|ungod |nto tho voca|s. C|a|ro took a doop broath and hos|tant|y bogan to s|ng a|ong. As ho'd oxpoctod, hor
vo|co was |nstant|y |n tuno and |n portoct harmony w|th h|s own. 3ho was ab|o to trans|ato tho notos on tho pago |nto song |nst|nct|vo|y, just as ho d|d
-as |t sho'd boon tam|||ar w|th thom a|| hor ||to.
1ho |ook ot aston|shod do||ght on C|a|ro's taco as sho sang a|most mado h|m |augh out |oud. 3y tho t|na| chorus, tho harmony botwoon thom
was portoct. 1ho joy ho to|t soomod to rovorborato throughout tho room. A|oc strummod tho |ast chord w|th gusto and shot C|a|ro an oxuborant
sm||o. 3ravo.'
|o|y crap!' C|a|ro |oapt up trom hor cha|r w|th oxc|tomont. 0|d l roa||y just do that?'
A|oc |ot go tho |augh that had boon bu||d|ng |ns|do h|m. 3oo|ng hor th|s happy mado h|m too| ||t up trom w|th|n, somoth|ng ho'd raro|y
oxpor|oncod botoro. 1ust ||ko l know you wou|d.'
3ho starod at h|m, ocstat|c. |ow d|d you know?'
l to|d you botoro-wo can o|| s|ng. Vy k|nd can tako |t ono stop turthor and s|ng anyth|ng, ovon |t wo havon't hoard |t botoro. You'ro c|osor to us
than anyono o|so a||vo, so l t|gurod thoro was a good chanco you cou|d do that as wo||.'
Wow. Wow. ow. l guoss that moans wo don't nood to rohoarso at a||?'
lopo.' A|oc gr|nnod as ho bogan pack|ng up h|s gu|tar.
3ut whon l mont|onod |t just now, you d|dn't say a word!'
l thought |t'd bo moro tun tor you to t|guro |t out tor yourso|t,' ho answorod, dropp|ng h|s gu|tar caso |ns|do tho storago c|osot and ro|ock|ng |t
by touch. |o turnod to t|nd C|a|ro stand|ng r|ght |n tront ot h|m, arms crossod.
l b|ockod out tho who|o attornoon to work on th|s. l to|d my mom you'd drop mo ott at s|x th|rty.'
Groat.' A|oc w|thdrow h|s pockot watch trom h|s joans and c||ckod |t opon, g|anc|ng at tho t|mop|oco's ant|quo taco. 1hat g|vos us a|most
throo hours botoro sho oxpocts you. What wou|d you ||ko to do w|th that t|mo?'
C|a|ro to|| s||ont, hor oyos on h|s. Wo||, l guoss wo cou|d go to tho ||brary and study. l havo a ton ot homowork..'
|o noddod |n agroomont, a|though ho had no |ntorost |n study|ng at tho momont. 1horo's road|ng tor Eng||sh, a workshoot tor 3pan|sh, two|vo
prob|oms tor ca|cu|us, throo chaptors tor h|story..'
A |ab wr|to-up tor b|o..'
A |ock ot ha|r to|| torward |nto hor oyos. A|oc smothorod h|s |mpu|so to roach out and brush |t back. 1wonty oquat|ons to so|vo tor phys|cs..'
lhys|cs must bo a cakowa|k tor you,' C|a|ro toasod. Or maybo not, s|nco tho |aws don't roa||y app|y to you.'
3o, homowork |t |s?' As A|oc's oyos |ockod w|th hors, h|s hoart boat tastor, hop|ng sho wou|dn't say yos.
Wo cou|d a|ways . do |t |ator.'
3ut thon wo'd bo torcod to go somop|aco tun,' A|oc sa|d jok|ng|y.
C|a|ro oponod hor mouth to rop|y, but ho cut hor ott, romombor|ng hor cavoats |ast t|mo.
l know, l know. lt has to bo outs|do, and tu|| ot w|tnossos.'
C|a|ro shook hor hoad, sm|||ng. 1hat |sn't a roqu|romont anymoro, Vr. VacKonz|o. ln tact-shou|dn't wo bo worr|od about go|ng to a pub||c
p|aco? l moan, |n ||ght ot tho ru|o about ro|at|onsh|ps w|th loph|||m? What |t wo'ro spottod by anothor Gr|gor|?'
0on't worry, v|ncont |s tho on|y Watchor who's |ook|ng tor us, and ho's on tho East Coast at tho momont. l|us ho doosn't know yoo`ro tho
|a|tb|ood.'
Wo|| that's good, bocauso tho p|aco l was th|nk|ng ot ooos just happon to bo outs|do and chock-tu|| ot poop|o.'
Whoro's that?'
3ho sm||od. |ow do you too| about |orr|s whoo|s?'
twonty-two
C|a|ro savorod tho |ast b|to ot tho cr|sp, c|nnamony churro A|oc had bought hor as thoy wandorod down tho 3anta Von|ca l|or past tast-tood
rostaurants, portra|t art|sts, and vondors so|||ng sung|assos, jowo|ry, l |EAl1 l.A. 1-sh|rts, and othor tour|st momorab|||a. 3ho |ovod bo|ng w|th A|oc.
W|th h|m at hor s|do, hor toar ot tho Gr|gor| Counc|| was bog|nn|ng to d|ss|pato. C|a|ro to|t |nvu|norab|o. |appy.
And oxc|tod. Evory t|mo sho sto|o a g|anco at A|oc's handsomo taco, and caught tho warm g||mmor |n h|s groon oyos, hor hoart rato spod up a
||tt|o.
You'vo to|d mo a |ot about tho Gr|gor|, but l'd |ovo to know moro about yoo,' C|a|ro sa|d. 3oagu||s cr|od ovorhoad as tho pa|r hoadod to tho
amusomont park |n tho m|dd|o ot tho p|or. Aro you roa||y trom 3cot|and?'
3orn and ra|sod.' A|oc t|n|shod h|s own churro, and thoy pausod to drop tho|r napk|ns and wrappors |nto a trash can.
0o you roa||y havo an aunt |n Koroa and an unc|o Grogory who pays your tu|t|on?'
lo. l mado thom up-sorry.'
|ow do you know Koroan, thon?'
l'vo boon ab|o to undorstand ovory |anguago on tho p|anot s|nco tho day l was born. Evory Gr|gor| can do that.'
Aro you sor|ous? You can spoak 3wah|||? Vongo||an? 3asquo?'
Evory |anguago. lt's ||ko our s|ng|ng ta|ont. l don't nocossar||y koowl can spoak or road a |anguago unt|| tho s|tuat|on prosonts |tso|t. Whon l
hoar somoono ta|k|ng, l automat|ca||y undorstand what thoy'ro say|ng and can rospond just as oas||y.'
C|a|ro was |mprossod. 3ho t||tod hor hoad toward a young coup|o noarby who woro convors|ng qu|ot|y |n what c|oar|y wasn't Eng||sh. 3ho
|oworod hor vo|co. Okay. What |anguago aro thoy spoak|ng?'
A|oc s|owod h|s tootstops, thon |oanod |n so on|y C|a|ro cou|d hoar h|m. |ars|, l th|nk.'
3ho cou|d too| h|s broath, warm and swoot, on hor chook. lt mado hor sk|n t|ng|o. |avo you ovor spokon |ars| botoro?'
lo, on|y Arab|c.'
What aro thoy say|ng?'
A|oc stoppod to ||ston, koop|ng h|s oyos avortod. 1ho guy's say|ng that thoy'vo known oach othor a |ong t|mo, and ho knows ho shou|d ask hor
tathor about th|s t|rst, but-' A|oc's oyos ||t up. Oh, th|s |s good. l th|nk ho's gott|ng roady to proposo.'
loa||y?'
A|oc's taco was just |nchos away, h|s arm and hand noar|y brush|ng hors. C|a|ro |ongod to too| tho warmth ot h|s touch, w|shod dosporato|y that
ho wou|d tako hor hand |n h|s-but sho know ho was as worr|od about hor gott|ng an unwantod v|s|on as sho was. lo|uctant|y, sho pu||od back and
thoy kopt mov|ng. Whon thoy woro tarthor away, C|a|ro turnod to |ook boh|nd thom.
As A|oc had prod|ctod, tho young lors|an man was down on ono knoo, wh|pp|ng a t|ny rod vo|vot box trom h|s pockot, wh|ch ho oponod to
rovoa| a r|ng. 1ho woman gaspod and bogan to cry w|th joy.
1hat |s so coo|,' C|a|ro sa|d. lt's ||ko mag|c. Vaybo |t goos back to tho 1owor ot 3abo|, whon a|| tho wor|d spoko ono |anguago.'
Vaybo.'
1hoy passod through tho ontranco ot tho amusomont park.
3o |t you usod to travo| tho wor|d, po||c|ng a|| tho bad Awakonod, how d|d you pay tor |t?' C|a|ro askod. 0|d you havo a satoty-dopos|t box tu||
ot passports and stacks ot cash, ||ko tho ClA?'
Wo had accoss to bank accounts around tho wor|d, but |t wasn't ||ko a sa|ary. Wo took what wo noodod tor oach job.'
Whoro'd you got tho monoy to como horo?'
A caut|ous oxpross|on crossod h|s taco. l . s|ow|y put that monoy as|do, a woo b|t at a t|mo.'
lsn't that k|nd ot ||ko ombozz||ng . trom Ooo?' C|a|ro askod |n taux shock.
A|oc shruggod and gr|nnod at hor good-naturod toas|ng. |onost|y, l don't know whoro tho monoy comos trom. 3ut l workod hard tor |t and ||ko
to th|nk ot |t as sav|ng mot|cu|ous|y.'
1hoy'd roachod tho t|ckot booth tor tho |orr|s whoo| now. lt toworod abovo thom, stopp|ng |ntorm|ttont|y to p|ck up passongors. Attor A|oc
bought tho|r t|ckots and thoy'd movod |nto tho wa|t|ng ||no, C|a|ro askod moro sor|ous|y, |ow |ong d|d |t tako you to savo?'
1h|rty yoars.'
Wow. You'vo boon p|ann|ng th|s s|nco botoro l was born?'
A|oc g|ancod around thom a ||tt|o uncomtortab|y, but tho on|y othor poop|o |n ||no-a young mothor tond|ng to a coup|o ot ch||dron-woro pay|ng
no attont|on to thom. |o cont|nuod undor h|s broath, Ayo. |or a |ong t|mo, th|s who|o th|ng was just a droam l was toy|ng w|th. 3y tho t|mo l
mustorod my roso|vo, l had savod onough to attord a p|aco ||ko Emorson.'
Wo||, l'm happy you d|d.'
|and|ng ovor tho|r t|ckots, C|a|ro and A|oc c||mbod on board tho br|ght rod gondo|a and sat down tac|ng tho ocoan.
0o you roa||y t|nd th|s k|nd ot th|ng tun?' A|oc askod dub|ous|y as tho whoo| |urchod thom torward |nto tho a|r, h|gh abovo tho p|or.
Yos! Whonovor l r|do ono ot thoso, l too| ||ko l'm t|y|ng-somoth|ng l'vo a|ways w|shod l cou|d do.'
A|oc noddod w|th a sma|| sm||o. Oh, l soo. 1hat woo|o bo an attract|on.'
1ho broozo to|t coo| aga|nst C|a|ro's taco. 3un||ght spark|od on tho doop b|uo ocoan bo|ow. 3|nco |t was a Vonday attornoon, tho w|do
oxpanso ot pa|o sand was noar|y dovo|d ot poop|o, oxcopt tor tho occas|ona| stro||or and a tow surtors |n wot su|ts, charg|ng out w|th tho|r boards to
conquor tho wavos. C|a|ro |oanod back aga|nst tho gondo|a soat, vory awaro ot how c|oso hor joans-c|ad th|gh was to touch|ng A|oc's. What mado
you p|ck Emorson, spoc|t|ca||y? Was |t bocauso ot our |ovo|y los Ango|os woathor?'
lart|y. And bocauso |t's a schoo| whoro studonts soom to actua||y onjoy |oarn|ng. l thought-l hopod-that |t wou|d ho|p mo t|t |n and roma|n
|nconsp|cuous.'
3o you had no |doa l was horo, or that l was a |a|tb|ood?'
lot unt|| v|ncont to|d mo. lt l boo known, l wou|d havo choson somop|aco o|so, tor toar ot bo|ng spottod by tho |oca| Watchor.' |o g|ancod at
hor. 3o l'm g|ad l d|dn't know. Othorw|so, wo novor wou|d havo mot.'
1ho |ook |n h|s oyos was so s|ncoro, |t t|||od C|a|ro's stomach w|th buttort||os aga|n. 1ho |orr|s whoo| pausod w|th thom |n m|da|r, attord|ng a
panoram|c v|ow ot tho coast||no. ls that why you showod up at tho ma|| tho othor day? 3ocauso you thought l was tho ono v|ncont was |ook|ng tor?'
Ah. |unny story, that.' A|oc c|oarod h|s throat. Actua||y, tho t|rst porson wo zorood |n on was lo||.'
lo||?' C|a|ro startod |augh|ng. Aro you k|dd|ng? Why?'
|o s|ngs. |o's an amaz|ng ath|oto. |o's got a charm quot|ont that's ott tho charts.'
1hat's a powor?'
lt can bo. ln |ts most potont torm, |t's ca||od m|nd contro|. 3o l to||owod tho tour ot you to 1w|n la|ms, wa|t|ng tor a h|nt ot lo||'s aura or to soo |t
ho'd bo approachod by tho |a||on.'
C|a|ro sh|ttod so sho cou|d taco h|m. And horo l thought you to||owod mo bocauso you woro joa|ous.' As soon as tho words |ott hor mouth, hot
b|ood rushod to hor taco. 0|d sho roa||y just adm|t that? loa||y?
A|oc's oyos mot hors. 0o you want mo to bo joa|ous?' ho askod qu|ot|y.
C|a|ro to|t as |t hor tonguo was |ashod to tho root ot hor mouth. l.'
A|oc |oanod |n c|osor. Wo||?'
C|a|ro's hoart sk|ppod a boat. A sh|vor ran through hor ||mbs, ovon though sho was warm. ||s ||ps woro so tanta||z|ng|y c|oso. |or hoart
thundorod |n hor chost. 3ho wantod h|m to k|ss hor, wantod |t moro than anyth|ng.
At that momont, tho |orr|s whoo| startod up aga|n w|th a jo|t that broko tho spo||. |ot d|sappo|ntmont washod through hor. A|oc |oanod back, a
|ook ot suddon awaronoss and rogrot on h|s taco. Vaybo wo shou|dn't.,' ho bogan. l moan, unt|| you |oarn to contro| your g|tt bottor. l wou|dn't
want you to.'
You'ro r|ght,' sho agrood ro|uctant|y, hor chooks burn|ng. Wo probab|y shou|dn't.'
1hoy to|| s||ont. 1ho |orr|s whoo| wh|rrod around |n a smooth and tastor cyc|o. 1ho w|nd was |n hor taco aga|n, and C|a|ro was gratotu| tor tho
broozy d|stract|on as sho w|||od hor body to coo| down and hor hoart to rosumo |ts natura| cadonco.
A|oc stud|od hor w|th a s|ow gr|n. l too| ||ko l'm undor str|ct Gr|gor| |aw aga|n.'
What do you moan?'
lhys|ca| contact |s trownod upon |n my cu|turo.'
Aro you say|ng . you aron't a||owod to touch oach othor? Or anyono? Evor?'
A|oc noddod.
Why? 1hat's awtu|!'
|o pursod h|s ||ps, th|nk|ng. |ow can l ho|p you undorstand th|s? Evon though wo ||vo on Earth, our cu|turo |s vory romovod and |so|atod, and
moro . wo||, Vo|coo, than anyth|ng. Wo to||ow anc|ont |aws and trad|t|ona||y, wo don't havo tam|||os. Vat|ng |s a||owod on|y onco ovory t|vo
docados, at an appo|ntod day and t|mo schodu|od by tho E|dors.'
C|a|ro starod at h|m. You'ro k|dd|ng.'
l w|sh l woro. 1ho E|dors chooso tho partnors who aro to ongago |n oach ono-t|mo coup||ng. 3ox |sn't tor p|oasuro, on|y roproduct|on.'
Oh. 3o, havo you'-C|a|ro b|ushod aga|n, tho hoat travo||ng up to tho roots ot hor ha|r-ovor ongagod |n a . coup||ng?'
lo. l'm not o|d onough. You havo to bo at |oast two hundrod and t|tty.'
C|a|ro was surpr|sod by how r|d|cu|ous|y p|oasod sho was to hoar that. 3o l guoss w|th so tow ot thoso go|ng on, thoro aron't many ch||dron.'
lo.'
What happons to tho k|ds?'
Ch||dron aro ra|sod by a tutor or godparont-a Gr|gor| who gonora||y has no ottspr|ng ot tho|r own.'
ln your caso, v|ncont.'
|o noddod. |owovor, my paronts got t|rod ot tho ru|os. 1hoy socrot|y tormod an a|||anco s|m||ar, |n many ways, to a human marr|ago. A|though
as a young ch||d l spont ha|t my t|mo w|th v|ncont to koop up appoarancos, tho rost ot tho t|mo l ||vod w|th my mothor and tathor covort|y, |n a romoto
cornor ot 3cot|and.'
C|a|ro to|t a rush ot ompathy tor h|m. 1hat must havo boon hard. |rom tho t|mo you woro born, you'vo a|ways boon h|d|ng somoth|ng.'
Ayo.' |o s|ghod, thon addod, 3ut thon aga|n, l olo got to spond tho t|rst ton yoars ot my ||to w|th paronts who |ovod oach othor-and mo-and
who |gnorod tho rostr|ct|ons on phys|ca| contact. A|though my mothor d|d havo to bo carotu| not to crush my tathor and mo to doath whon sho
huggod us.'
1hat's r|ght! Your mothor had suporstrongth!' C|a|ro cou|dn't ho|p but |augh.
|unny, |sn't |t?' ho agrood. 3ut l can ro|ato to tho prob|om. l'vo boon atra|d to hurt you |n tho samo way.'
C|a|ro's b|ush dooponod, and sho wasn't suro what to say.
A|oc's oyos tound hors aga|n. 1hat dos|ro to show attoct|on through touch-l'vo novor torgotton |t. lt's somoth|ng Gr|gor| don't usua||y
oxpor|onco, as tar as l know.'
l guoss that oxp|a|ns why you, ot a|| poop|o-l moan Gr|gor|-wont AWOl.'
|o noddod pons|vo|y as tho whoo| s|owod to a ha|t aga|n. l guoss |t doos.'
1hoy had stoppod at tho vory top ot tho |orr|s whoo|. 1ho v|ow was broathtak|ng, but C|a|ro gavo |t on|y a cursory g|anco. |or attont|on was
t|xod on A|oc. 3onoath h|s show ot qu|ot strongth, sho sonsod h|s doop vu|norab|||ty. 1ho thought ot a|| ho'd boon through-and a|| tho |ono||noss
ho'd ondurod tor moro yoars than sho'd boon a||vo-wronchod at hor hoart.
|or ont|ro body tromb|od w|th tho dosporato nood to touch h|m, to ottor h|m somo comtort. 3ho yoarnod to hug h|m, to too| h|s hands on hor
body, to too| h|s ||ps on hors.
l want.,' sho bogan.
l know. 3o do l.' ||s oyos and vo|co woro t|||od w|th |ong|ng, but a|so concorn. |o wa|tod, a||ow|ng hor to mako tho cho|co.
C|a|ro ho|d hor broath. ||s hand was rost|ng |n h|s |ap. 3ho roachod out unt|| hor own hand hovorod just an |nch abovo h|s. A|oc had sa|d sho
cou|d |oarn to contro| hor powors. Cou|d sho do |t? 0|d sho daro?
lt's a|| r|ght,' ho oncouragod sott|y. 1ust tocus, C|a|ro. Command your m|nd to stay |n tho momont, and not to travo|.'
3ho noddod, stoo||ng horso|t. 1ho|r gazos |ockod. |or stomach tonsod. locos. locos. |or ont|ro body to|t ||ko a taut w|ro. l om C|olro, sho
|ns|stod s||ont|y. l wl|| stoy C|olro, ooo l wl|| romolo boro bosloo A|oc. 3|ow|y, g|ngor|y, sho |oworod hor hand unt|| |t c|osod ovor h|s. At t|rst, as tho
gont|o warmth trom h|s sk|n rad|atod |nto hor pa|m, sho roma|nod comp|oto|y st|||, atra|d to movo or broatho, monta||y ropoat|ng tho words ovor and
ovor ||ko a mantra. Lot my mloo romolo boro. Lot my mloo romolo boro. 1o hor ro||ot, thoro was no droadod, burn|ng hoat, no warn|ng t|ush ot a
v|s|on.
lt workoo, sho rojo|cod |nward|y. lt workoo!
A|oc sm||od |nto hor oyos. lt to|t so wondortu| to touch h|m. 3||ont|y ropoat|ng tho mantra, C|a|ro s||d hor t|ngors around h|s to cup h|s hand, thon
squoozod |t. A|oc squoozod hor hand back, h|s gazo novor |oav|ng hors-a word|oss commun|on that sont a thr||||ng t|ng|o up hor arm and, w|th tho
spood ot an arrow, stra|ght |nto hor hoart.
W|thout turthor rot|oct|on, C|a|ro dovo across tho spaco botwoon thom, wrappod hor arms around A|oc, and brought hor ||ps to h|s. 3ho sonsod
h|s |n|t|a| surpr|so, but thon ho wound h|s arms around hor, draw|ng hor c|oso as ho k|ssod hor back.
1ho k|ss startod s|ow|y, a swoot, tontat|vo soarch|ng. A|oc's ||ps and tonguo to|t warm aga|nst hors, mosmor|z|ng hor. As tho|r mouths mo|dod
w|th grow|ng torvor, a suddon |mago |nt||tratod C|a|ro's bra|n. 3ho rocogn|zod |t as what A|oc must havo oxpor|oncod wh||o gaz|ng at hor that
attornoon |n tho sta|rwo|| whon thoy t|rst sang togothor. No! 5toy! C|a|ro ordorod hor m|nd, rojoct|ng tho |ovo|y v|s|on ot how A|oc saw hor thon,
concontrat|ng w|th ovory mo|ocu|o ot hor bo|ng on tho horo and now and hor own body. 5toy lo tbo prosoot. Bo lo tbls momoot.
1ho |nvad|ng |mago t|od. 1o C|a|ro's ro||ot, sho was horso|t onco moro. A|oc drow back s||ght|y, h|s oyos soarch|ng hors, and sho cou|d hoar
and too| h|s broath com|ng |n unstoady gasps that ochood hor own.
Aro you okay?'
C|a|ro sm||od. l'm t|no. Voro than t|no.'
Wo|| thank goodnoss tor that.' |o brought h|s mouth back to hors.
||s k|ss grow bo|dor and moro pass|onato, awakon|ng now sonsat|ons doop w|th|n hor. 3ho mo|tod |nto h|s ombraco, k|ss|ng h|m hungr||y,
part|ng hor ||ps and |ott|ng dos|ro draw hor down. 3ho smoothod hor hands ovor tho s|nowy musc|os ot h|s uppor arms, thon rovo|od |n tho too| ot
h|s |oan, hard back bonoath h|s 1-sh|rt. As sho prossod horso|t aga|nst h|m, stra|n|ng to got c|osor, h|s hands movod rost|oss|y up and down hor
back, thon roso up to tang|o |n hor ha|r. A|| tho wh||o, sho ropoatod tho mantra to horso|t: 5toy lo tbo prosoot. Bo lo tbls momoot.
3ho |ovod tho way thoy t|t togothor, |ovod tho way ho tastod and to|t. lt was as |t thoy woro two ha|vos ot a c|rcu|t suddon|y connoctod and mado
who|o, a||ow|ng a curront ot o|octr|c|ty to spark botwoon thom. 3ho novor wantod tho k|ss to ond.
1ho whoo| bogan to sp|n torward aga|n and thoy broko apart, both broath|ng hard. C|a|ro was stunnod. 1ho |ook on A|oc's taco to|d hor ho to|t
tho samo way. W|th a doop, happy s|gh, sho |oanod hor hoad on A|oc's shou|dor. ||s arm s||d around hor. 1hoy roma|nod |n that pos|t|on, s||ont|y
star|ng out at tho ocoan dur|ng tho t|na| rovo|ut|on ot tho r|do. lt took ovory m|nuto ot that t|mo tor C|a|ro's broath|ng and hoart rato to roturn to
somoth|ng approach|ng norma|.
Whon tho whoo| carr|od thom down to tho bottom and thoy had d|sombarkod, A|oc roachod tor hor hand w|th a sm||o. l'vo doc|dod,' ho sa|d as
thoy hoadod back down tho p|or, that l ||ko |orr|s whoo|s.'
twonty-throo
1ho t|rst porson C|a|ro saw whon hor mom droppod hor ott at schoo| tho noxt morn|ng was lo||.
|o was s|tt|ng on tho |ow wa|| |n tront ot tho gym, road|ng a book-but whon ho saw hor, ho stood up |mmod|ato|y and startod |n hor d|roct|on.
|oy, C|a|ro.'
||s sm||o was so w|nn|ng that sho cou|dn't ho|p but sm||o back. |oy, lo||. You guys aro road|ng 7bo Oroot Ootsby now?'
lo|| g|ancod down at tho book as |t ho'd torgotton what |t was. |o |ot out an ombarrassod chuck|o. Actua||y, l t|n|shod |t a wook ago. l just
d|dn't want to mako |t obv|ous that l was wa|t|ng tor you.' |o dartod hor a |ook. lt rom|ndod hor ot tho way A|oc had |ookod at hor a|| day yostorday-
tho k|nd ot |ook sho usod to |ong tor trom lo||. C|a|ro was t|attorod, but noth|ng moro-wh|ch was a ||tt|o surpr|s|ng. lt th|s had happonod two wooks
ago, sho wou|d havo boon ovor tho moon.
3o,' lo|| sa|d as thoy c||mbod tho sta|rs toward tho Uppor 3choo|, havo you cast your pr|mary voto tor |omocom|ng Court yot?'
lo. Why? Whon's that duo?'
lt has to bo turnod |n by tho ond ot tho day.'
Good to know. 3ut to bo honost, l'vo novor pa|d much attont|on to tho who|o |omocom|ng Court th|ng.'
Why not?'
l guoss bocauso l was novor o||g|b|o botoro.' lom|nat|ons tor k|ng and quoon woro rostr|ctod to son|ors, and pr|nco and pr|ncoss woro
choson trom tho jun|or c|ass. What's tho po|nt ot hav|ng a k|ng or quoon, anyway, whon thoy don't actua||y do anyth|ng?'
lo|| shruggod as thoy passod tho stroam ot studonts jogg|ng back downh||| trom tho|r |ockors. l th|nk |t's ||ko a|| k|ngs and quoons today.
1hoy'ro t|gurohoads, a proud trad|t|on to ra||y tho c|t|zonry.'
3ho oyod h|m susp|c|ous|y. ls that a quoto trom |ast yoar's h|story toxtbook?'
Bostoo,' ho adm|ttod w|th a gr|n. 3ut |t soundod conv|nc|ng, r|ght?'
l|ko Church||| h|mso|t,' C|a|ro statod w|th mock rovoronco.
What l was gott|ng at,' lo|| wont on, |s that h|gh schoo|s nood t|gurohoads, too. Wh|ch |s why l nom|natod you tor |omocom|ng lr|ncoss.'
You wbot?' C|a|ro gaspod, aston|shod.
And l to|d a|| my tr|onds to do tho samo.'
You havo got to bo k|dd|ng mo! lo||, what woro you th|nk|ng? lo ono |n th|s schoo| knows l'm a||vo.'
Whoro havo you boon, C|a|ro? Attor that scatto|d|ng acc|dont, ovorybooy knows who you aro.'
C|a|ro t|ushod a ||tt|o. Oh-that. 3t|||, that doosn't mako mo pr|ncoss mator|a|.'
You'ro ono ot tho most boaut|tu| g|r|s |n th|s schoo|, corta|n|y ono ot tho n|cost, and hands down tho smartost. You dot|n|to|y dosorvo to bo |n
tho loya| Court.'
l . don't know what to say,' C|a|ro rop||od, t|ustorod.
|ow about yos, and you'|| go w|th mo?'
C|a|ro's stomach c|onchod. Uncorta|n|y, sho askod, Go w|th you . whoro?'
1o tho danco?' ho sa|d hopotu||y.
Oh!. Oh.'
lo||'s taco to||. Okay. 1hat's not qolto tho rosponso l was hop|ng tor.'
1hoy'd roachod tho ||brary |and|ng now, a tow yards trom C|a|ro's |ockor. 3ho stoppod and tr|od to gathor hor w|ts. 1h|s was tho momont sho'd
boon droam|ng ot tor ovor two yoars! 3ut attor yostorday, ovoryth|ng had changod.
lo||,' sho bogan hos|tant|y, l'm sorry, but. l th|nk A|oc and l aro. l moan, ho hasn't askod mo to tho danco yot, but-'
lo|| cut hor ott, ho|d|ng up h|s hands. looks ||ko |t's my turn to say 'Oh.' l know you two woro rohoars|ng a song, but l had no |doa you woro.
3or|ous|y, 3ronnan. 1hat's tota||y coo|. A|oc sooms ||ko a groat guy . that troak-out at tho ma|| notw|thstand|ng.'
C|a|ro gavo h|m a sott sm||o. 1hanks.' Crop, sho thought. |o |ookod so d|sappo|ntod. 0osp|to hor avors|on to tho who|o |omocom|ng
lr|ncoss th|ng, sho st||| ||kod lo|| and wou|d |ovo to go to tho danco. What |t A|oc d|dn't ask hor?
lo||'s oyos woro suddon|y drawn to somoth|ng |mmod|ato|y boh|nd C|a|ro. ||s mouth t|ghtonod s||ght|y. C|a|ro spun around to t|nd A|oc at tho|r
|ockor, h|s gazo t|xod casua||y on tho two ot thom. |or hoart sk|ppod a boat at tho s|ght ot h|m. |ow |ong had ho boon stand|ng thoro? |o |ookod
|ncrod|b|y handsomo |n h|s tadod groon 1-sh|rt and b|ack |oathor jackot. 3ho hadn't stoppod th|nk|ng about A|oc s|nco ho'd droppod hor ott at homo
tho ovon|ng botoro, whon thoy'd oxchangod anothor good-byo k|ss at hor door-a k|ss oqua||y as thr||||ng as tho onos thoy'd sharod atop tho |orr|s
whoo|.
C|a|ro sm||od at A|oc, thon wh|r|od back to t|nd lo|| star|ng at thom as |t strugg||ng to roma|n ca|m.
1ons|on crack|od through tho a|r. C|a|ro cou|dn't bo||ovo th|s was happon|ng. 3ho'd novor ovon had ooo boy pay attont|on to hor botoro, and
now two boys ||kod hor at tho samo t|mo?
3r|an and Er|ca roundod tho cornor ot tho ||brary and, caught |n tho awkwardnoss, shot quost|on|ng |ooks at C|a|ro. Attor what soomod ||ko
torovor, A|oc gavo C|a|ro and lo|| a tr|ond|y nod, thon turnod h|s attont|on back to h|s |ockor.
As |t ro|oasod trom a spo||, lo|| shruggod good-naturod|y. 3oo you |n Concort 3|ngors.' W|th a wavo to 3r|an and Er|ca, ho was gono.
C|a|ro had no |doa what sho was supposod to do noxt. K|ss A|oc ho||o? Go ta|k to hor tr|onds?
1ho t|rst bo|| rang, roscu|ng hor trom o|thor opt|on. Vorn|ng!' sho b|urtod, and thon racod ott to hor t|rst c|ass. lt was Al b|o, wh|ch, to hor ro||ot,
sho sharod w|th no ono.
Attor b|o camo Concort 3|ngors, and w|th that camo moro qu|zz|ca| |ooks trom 3r|an and Er|ca. |or tho ont|ro t|tty-m|nuto por|od, through ovory
noto ot tho Vosslob, C|a|ro to|t thom star|ng at hor, wh||o lo|| d|d h|s bost to act norma|.
Whon tho bo|| rang at tho ond ot c|ass, Er|ca and 3r|an pouncod on C|a|ro.
1o|| us ovoryth|ng. Now.'
On top ot tho |orr|s whoo|, huh?' Er|ca noddod w|th approva|. 1hat's a good mako-out spot.'
C|a|ro b|ushod. 3ho had qu|ck|y summar|zod yostorday tor thom as thoy ho|pod Er|ca put up |omocom|ng postors dur|ng tho|r broak. A|though
sho hadn't to|d thom ovorytblog. 1ho day botoro had boon so spoc|a|, sho wantod to koop somo dota||s to horso|t.
You had mouth-to-mouth contact, and you d|dn't havo a v|s|on?' 3r|an askod, |mprossod, as ho grabbod a postor trom tho stack and handod
|t to C|a|ro. |ow'd you pu|| that ott?'
3y concontrat|ng roa||y, roo||y hard,' C|a|ro contossod.
1hat's awosomo!' Er|ca onthusod. You'ro mak|ng progross.'
3o, aro you guys ott|c|a|?' 3r|an askod.
l th|nk so.' C|a|ro s|appod tho postor up aga|nst ono ot tho stucco wa||s and socurod |t w|th mask|ng tapo.
|avo you to|d your mom?' Er|ca askod.
lot yot.'
|as ho askod you to |omocom|ng?' Er|ca pors|stod.
3|ow down, guys! 1h|s was yostorooy. Wo k|ssod. 1hat's a||.' A|tboogb, C|a|ro thought, lt boo booo locroolb|o.
Er|ca pu||od a str|p ot tapo trom tho ro|| that hung around hor wr|st ||ko a braco|ot. Wo||, |t you guys aron't an ott|c|a| |tom, thon what was that
s||ont p|ss|ng contost botwoon A|oc and lo||?'
Yoah, l'vo novor soon lo|| |ook so uncomtortab|o |n my ||to,' 3r|an agrood.
C|a|ro s|ghod. lo|| had just askod mo to |omocom|ng. A|oc m|ght havo ovorhoard-l'm not suro.'
Oh my God!' Er|ca cr|od. What d|d you to|| lo||?'
l sa|d no, and that l'm k|nd ot w|th A|oc now.'
Er|ca noddod. 3r|an groanod.
What?' C|a|ro sa|d.
You d|d tho r|ght th|ng,' 3r|an sa|d, but that sucks. You'vo wantod lo|| to ask you out tor, ||ko, torovor.'
Yoah, so A|oc bottor do tho r|ght th|ng and ask you to |omocom|ng,' Er|ca oxc|a|mod w|th author|ty, or l am go|ng to t|guro out what h|s own
porsona| Krypton|to |s, and k||| h|m w|th |t.'
1hat rom|nds mo.' 3r|an oxchangod a |ook w|th Er|ca. Wo, uh . wont shopp|ng yostorday.'
C|a|ro |ookod at thom, contusod. What?'
Oh yoah.' Er|ca w|thdrow a sma|| bag trom hor backpack and handod |t to C|a|ro. Wo got you somoth|ng.'
1ho bag was trom a |oca| bout|quo. C|a|ro roachod |ns|do and took out tho|r g|tt: a pa|r ot |ong, strotchy b|ack g|ovos. What aro thoso tor?' sho
sa|d uncorta|n|y.
1h|nk ot thom as your own porsona|, non|otha| Krypton|to,' 3r|an oxp|a|nod. |abr|c sooms to work as a barr|or to suppross your powors, just
||ko |t d|d tor loguo |n X-Voo.'
|opotu||y you can touch poop|o now, w|thout hav|ng to concontrato so hard,' addod Er|ca.
C|a|ro noddod s|ow|y, cont||ctod. 1hanks, guys. lt's a good |doa, and vory thoughttu|. 3ut. l'|| |ook ||ko a troak woar|ng g|ovos to schoo|.'
lot |t you havo company.' Gr|nn|ng, Er|ca pu||od anothor pa|r ot |ong g|ovos trom hor backpack-thoso |n br|ght p|nk spandox-and pu||od
thom on, t|tt|ng thom do||borato|y ovor hor t|ngors. lt'|| bo a tash|on statomont. Wo m|ght start a now trond.'
Or bo c|ass|t|od as a polr ot troaks.' C|a|ro |aughod and put on hor own g|ovos. 1hanks tor tho so||dar|ty, s|stor.' 3ho and Er|ca h|gh-t|vod.
v|s|on?' Er|ca |nqu|rod, attor tho|r hands had smackod togothor.
lopo.' C|a|ro sm||od happ||y.
3coro!' 3r|an cr|od w|th a sat|st|od nod. 3ut koop |n m|nd, C3, thoy'|| on|y ho|p w|th tho hand-touch|ng th|ng. lt you go around k|ss|ng poop|o,
you'ro on your own.'
twonty-tour
A|oc spottod C|a|ro on hor way to h|story c|ass and hurr|od up to hor. 3ho |ookod groat |n hor p|n-str|pod hood|o and tormt|tt|ng joans, hor hands
shovod |n hor pockots as sho wa|kod a|ong, hor taco g|ow|ng |n tho |ato morn|ng sun||ght.
1ho prov|ous attornoon had boon so amaz|ng, ho'd baro|y boon ab|o to s|oop a|| n|ght. |o'd spont tho t|mo rop|ay|ng tho ovonts and wondor|ng
how and whon ho shou|d poso a part|cu|ar burn|ng quost|on. Whon ho spottod C|a|ro w|th lo|| that morn|ng by tho|r |ockor, ho'd boon t|||od w|th
droad that ho m|ght bo too |ato-but lo||'s |ook ot d|sappo|ntmont had ronowod h|s hopos.
|| thoro.' A|oc sm||od down at C|a|ro, hop|ng ho appoarod moro ca|m than ho to|t.
C|a|ro roturnod h|s sm||o a ||tt|o awkward|y. || yourso|t.'
5blto, ho thought, h|s hoart drumm|ng |n h|s chost. by ooos sho |ook oocomortob|o |ad ho m|sundorstood lo||'s oxpross|on? Oot oo wltb
lt, ho to|d h|mso|t.
About th|s morn|ng,' ho bogan tontat|vo|y.
Yoah?' 3ho wasn't |ook|ng at h|m.
0|d. lo|| ask you to |omocom|ng?'
3ho hos|tatod. |o d|d.'
||s stomach t|ghtonod. And? What d|d you say?'
l sa|d no.'
lo||ot cascadod ovor h|m ||ko a wavo. |o st||| had a chanco. 3ut hor oxpross|on was unroadab|o. Wou|d sho turn h|m down, too? Vaybo sho
had no |ntorost |n schoo| dancos. |o took a doop broath. Wo||, l had bopoo to bo tho t|rst,' ho sa|d, str|v|ng tor a ||ght tono. 3ut l was wondor|ng |t
you'd ||ko to-'
Yos!' C|a|ro burst out, boam|ng. l'd |ovo to!'
A|oc |ot out a |ong s|gh, unab|o to stop tho hugo sm||o that to||owod, thr|||od whon C|a|ro suddon|y stoppod and throw hor arms around h|m. |o
huggod hor back torvont|y. 1hoy stood |n oach othor's t|ght ombraco tor a |ong momont, hood|oss ot tho rush ot studonts sworv|ng around thom.
Whon C|a|ro drow away s||ght|y, ho saw h|s own happ|noss m|rrorod on hor taco.
Attor yostorday, how cou|d you ovon doubt that l'd say yos?' sho askod sott|y.
|o was too t|||od w|th omot|on to rop|y. 3topp|ng back, ho s||d h|s hands down tho |ongth ot hor arms, caross|ng thom attoct|onato|y through hor
s|oovos, rom|nd|ng h|mso|t that ho had to stop botoro ho roachod hor baro hands-but sho bo|d|y took ono ot h|s hands |n hors. |o startod at tho
too| ot tho s||ky toxturo covor|ng hor t|ngors, and g|ancod down at tho|r c|aspod hands |n surpr|so. G|ovos?'
1hoy woro 3r|an and Er|ca's |doa. low l can ro|ax whon l ho|d your hand, w|thout ropoat|ng a mantra ||ko a crazod monk.'
|o gr|nnod as thoy wa|kod on togothor. Why d|dn't l th|nk ot that?'
You'ro tho t|rst boy l'vo ovor brought homo,' C|a|ro sa|d to h|m two days |ator, as thoy wa|kod up to tho tront door ot hor apartmont.
And th|s |s tho t|rst t|mo l'vo ovor boon broogbt homo to moot anyono's mothor,' A|oc rop||od w|th a chuck|o.
Whon C|a|ro to|d hor mom that a boy had askod hor to |omocom|ng, hor mom |ns|stod on moot|ng h|m t|rst. 3o horo thoy both woro, about to
mako tho |ntroduct|ons-and A|oc just prayod ho cou|d pu|| |t ott w|th ap|omb.
|o was norvous-and tu||y awaro ot how |ron|c that was. |o thought about tho thousands ot ass|gnmonts ho'd undortakon ovor tho past contury
-tho cu|turos ho'd stud|od, tho many and var|od porsonas ho'd croatod, tho popu|at|ons ho'd |nt||tratod-and ho had to sm||o. Vost ot thoso
s|tuat|ons had boon traught w|th dangor, |n somo casos, ho'd como c|oso to |os|ng h|s ||to, yot nono ot thom had mado h|m too| as anx|ous or
uncorta|n as tho ono ho was about to undortako.
3o proparod, my mom m|ght act ||ko a tota| spaz. l to|d hor your omanc|pat|on story, but noth|ng o|so.'
Okay.'
C|a|ro romovod hor g|ovos, stuttod thom |nto hor backpack, and un|ockod hor tront door. 1ho do||c|ous smo|| ot curry wattod out trom
somowhoro |ns|do.
|oy, Vom!' C|a|ro ca||od out as thoy ontorod. 1h|s |s A|oc.'
A protty, pa|o, s|ondor b|ondo was work|ng at a computor dosk |n tho tront room. Whon sho crossod tho room to groot thom, A|oc cou|d dotoct
a s||ght mothor-daughtor rosomb|anco |n tho|r tacos, but that's a||. C|oar|y, A|oc thought, C|a|ro |nhor|tod hor darkor ha|r and comp|ox|on trom hor
tathor.
||.' C|a|ro's mom gavo hor daughtor a qu|ck hug, thon oxtondod hor hand to A|oc, hor b|uo oyos wary as sho s|zod h|m up. l|co to moot you,
A|oc.'
A|oc shook hor hand t|rm|y. lt's a p|oasuro to moot you, Vs. 3ronnan.'
Ooh, you woro r|ght.' 3ho gr|nnod at C|a|ro. |o doos havo a |usc|ous accont.'
Vom!' C|a|ro b|ushod.
1o A|oc, hor mom addod, l|oaso, ca|| mo lynn. Como |n, havo a soat.'
lynn sat down |n an oasy cha|r, gostur|ng tor thom to s|t across trom hor. C|a|ro and A|oc d|d as |nstructod, porch|ng awkward|y on tho sota
bos|do oach othor.
3o, C|a|ro to||s mo you just movod horo trom 3cot|and, and that you ||vo a|ono.'
Ayo, mum,' A|oc roturnod po||to|y.
1hat must bo d|tt|cu|t. |ow do you support yourso|t?'
|o and C|a|ro oxchangod a g|anco. 1hoy'd ta|kod th|s out |n dota|| botoro com|ng, and ho'd proparod h|mso|t to bo qu|zzod. 3t|||, A|oc hatod to
||o to th|s woman. lt was obv|ous how much sho adorod hor daughtor. |o suspoctod that sho'd a|so doar|y |ovod C|a|ro's tathor. A|oc cou|d oas||y
|mag|no tho k|nd ot boy lynn wou|d want C|a|ro to dato: a smart, docont, stra|t|acod young man trom a good tam||y-who was 100 porcont bomoo.
l'vo workod ovory summor tor yoars,' A|oc rop||od. 1hat, at |oast, was comp|oto|y truo. And l havo a sma|| trust tund.' A|so truo-|n a way.
l was vory sorry to hoar about your paronts. C|a|ro sa|d thoy passod away whon you woro vory young?'
Ayo. l was ton.' 1ho truth aga|n.
l'm so sorry,' sho ropoatod.
1hank you.' A|oc stoorod tho convorsat|on |n a now d|roct|on. l m|ss thom vory much, and l th|nk about thom ovory day. 1hoy'd bo so happy to
soo whoro l am now, and how |ucky l am. l |ovo ||v|ng horo, and Emorson |s a groat schoo|. 0|d you know that C|a|ro and l aro aud|t|on|ng tomorrow
to s|ng |n tho |omocom|ng assomb|y?'
3o sho to|d mo.' lynn |ookod at C|a|ro w|th a somowhat awostruck oxpross|on. l adm|t, th|s who|o cho|r th|ng has takon mo comp|oto|y by
surpr|so. l havon't hoard C|a|ro s|ng |n yoars.'
Wo||, that's a shamo, bocauso your daughtor has an amaz|ng vo|co, and wo'ro go|ng to k|ck arso at tho aud|t|on tomorrow.'
lynn |aughod. l hopo you do.'
A|oc dartod a |ook at C|a|ro, wondor|ng why sho wasn't say|ng anyth|ng. 3ho soomod to bo ho|d|ng hor broath. 1ho |ook |n hor oyos to|d h|m
sho was thr|||od by how wo|| th|s was go|ng.
1ho assomb|y's a wook trom |r|day,' A|oc addod. lt wo'ro choson, l hopo you'|| como and watch.'
Yoah, Vom,' C|a|ro b|urtod out. You shou|d tota||y como. lt wo got |n, that |s. 1hoy'ro gonna post tho rosu|ts on Vonday morn|ng.'
l w|sh you |uck.' lynn stood and gosturod toward tho k|tchon w|th a sm||o. A|oc, l don't c|a|m to bo a tabu|ous cook, but l'vo had ch|ckon curry
|n tho Crock-lot a|| day. W||| you jo|n us tor d|nnor?'
C|a|ro boamod, nodd|ng onthus|ast|ca||y |n A|oc's d|roct|on.
l'd |ovo to,' A|oc rospondod. Curry |s ono ot my tavor|tos. 1hank you.'
Attor thoy'd takon tho|r soats at tho k|tchon tab|o and A|oc had swa||owod h|s t|rst b|to ot curry-wh|ch was sp|cy and do||c|ous-lynn turnod
and t|xod h|m w|th hor gazo. A|oc, C|a|ro to||s mo that you |nv|tod hor to tho |omocom|ng 0anco, and sho's accoptod?'
Ayo.'
1hat's vory swoot, but you know l can't |n good consc|onco a||ow you to tako hor to tho danco unt|| l'vo askod a tow moro quost|ons.'
Vom!' Anothor b|ush b|oomod on C|a|ro's chooks. 3ho covorod hor taco w|th hor hands, |ook|ng as |t sho w|shod sho cou|d d|sappoar.
Ot courso. 1h|s |s your daughtor wo'ro ta|k|ng about. lt's your job. 3o go ahoad, gr||| mo.'
lynn sm||od. 1hank you tor humor|ng mo. Accord|ng to C|a|ro, you'ro an oxco||ont studont w|th no d|sc|p||nary rocord. 3ho |ns|sts that you don't
havo any ot tho usua| v|cos that a paront worr|os about-'
K||| mo now!' C|a|ro moanod.
ls |t truo that you don't dr|nk? A|coho|, l moan?'
lt |s.'
0o you tako drugs?'
lovor havo, novor w|||.'
|ow o|d aro you? 3|xtoon?'
||s t|rst ||o. Ayo.'
You can't havo boon dr|v|ng vory |ong?'
l got my porm|t oar||or than most. Vy car |s tho most oxpons|vo th|ng l own, so l koop |t wo||-ma|nta|nod and dr|vo vory carotu||y. Your daughtor
|s sato w|th mo.'
l hopo so.'
lynn bogan poppor|ng h|m w|th quost|ons about h|s past. A|oc |aunchod |nto h|s proparod answors, smooth|y ta|k|ng h|s way through and
around ovoryth|ng sho askod. |o to|d amus|ng stor|os about h|s supposod aunts and unc|os that woro tu|| ot roa||st|c dota||. U|t|mato|y ho appoarod
to sot hor m|nd at oaso, and managod to |oavo tho d|nnor tab|o too||ng on|y somowhat gu||ty.
l'm so g|ad wo had th|s chanco to ta|k,' lynn sa|d as sho gavo h|m a warm, matorna| good-byo hug at tho tront door.
3o am l.' |o thankod hor tor d|nnor. 3ho w|shod h|m good |uck at tho|r upcom|ng aud|t|on aga|n, thon thoughttu||y roturnod to tho k|tchon,
g|v|ng h|m and C|a|ro a momont a|ono. 1ho m|nuto sho was gono, C|a|ro grabbod h|m by tho arm and drow h|m out onto tho tront stop |nto tho m||d
ovon|ng a|r.
Oh. Vy. God,' sho sa|d tonso|y, attor tho door shut boh|nd thom. l cannot bo||ovo sho put you through a|| that.'
lt's okay, C|a|ro. loa||y.' A|oc took hor |n h|s arms and prossod h|s ||ps br|ot|y aga|nst hor ha|r. l th|nk |t wont qu|to wo||, a|| th|ngs cons|dorod.
3ho's a |ovo|y woman. 3ut l'm g|ad |t's ovor and that sho sooms to approvo.'
C|a|ro huggod h|m t|ght|y. |or broath to|t warm and |nv|t|ng aga|nst h|s nock. ln a |ow tono, sho addod, Whon d|d you say v|ncont w||| bo
back?'
l oxpoct h|m tomorrow or tho noxt day. Why?'
3ocauso l can't wa|t tor you to stra|ghton ovoryth|ng out w|th h|m. l'|| too| so much bottor whon l can t|na||y to|| my mom what's boon happon|ng
to mo, and who you aro.'
A|oc pu||od back s||ght|y to |ook at hor. 0o you roa||y th|nk that's a good |doa, C|a|ro? l don't ||ko to koop doco|v|ng your mothor, but l don't soo
that wo havo any cho|co. Evon attor l got v|ncont's approva| and tho dangor to you both |s romovod, how do you th|nk sho'|| tako |t-tho tact that
you'ro dat|ng a Gr|gor|?'
|o to|t hor shrug |n h|s arms. l don't know. l'm try|ng not to th|nk about |t. 3ut |t you can somohow conv|nco my mom that wo'ro sato, l'm protty
suro wo'|| bo a|| r|ght.'
Your satoty |s my numbor-ono pr|or|ty,' ho prom|sod.
1hank you.' |or arms t|ghtonod around h|m aga|n.
1ho too| ot hor body aga|nst h|s was oxh||arat|ng, dr|v|ng a|| rat|ona| thought trom h|s hoad. A|| r|ght, proparo yourso|t, C|a|ro 3ronnan.'
3ho |ookod up at h|m cur|ous|y. lroparo myso|t tor what?'
|o gazod at hor attoct|onato|y. lopoat your mantra, or whatovor |t |s you do. 3ocauso l'm about to k|ss you.'
twonty-t|vo
What a n|co young man,' C|a|ro's mom sa|d |ator, as sho and C|a|ro d|d tho d|shos togothor.
A wot p|ato a|most s||ppod trom C|a|ro's hands as sho stowod |t |n tho d|shwashor. 1ho momory ot A|oc's do|octab|o k|ss was mak|ng |t
d|tt|cu|t to concontrato on tho task at hand, much |oss upho|d hor part |n a convorsat|on. 3t|||, sho cou|dn't ho|p but sm||o at hor mom's commont.
Yos, ho ls a n|co . yooog man.' |ow o|d had hor Gr|gor| tathor boon whon hor mom t|rst mot blm? C|a|ro wondorod suddon|y. Wou|d sho ovor
t|nd out?
Obv|ous|y, A|oc's vory good-|ook|ng and po||to,' hor mothor was say|ng. 1ho accont's charm|ng. |o's had an unusua| upbr|ng|ng and ho to||s
groat stor|os. 3ut..'
3ut?' C|a|ro's tu|| attont|on snappod back to hor mom.
lt's tho handsomo, |ndopondont onos who otton . don't st|ck around,' hor mom uttorod sott|y. 1ust . bo carotu|.'
Vom,' C|a|ro sa|d, str|v|ng to sound ||ght and a|ry, wo'ro just s|ng|ng a song togothor and go|ng to a danco.'
l know. 3ut l was |n h|gh schoo| onco too. And at s|xtoon, |t's oasy to ta|| tor tho t|rst boy who takos an |ntorost |n you. lt doosn't moan ho's your
ono truo |ovo, or that |t's torovor.'
l'm not |n |ovo w|th A|oc,' C|a|ro rop||od qu|ck|y. 3ut hor chooks grow warm, and a jo|t ot |ns|ght mado hor doubt hor own words. l'vo . on|y
known h|m tor a tow wooks,' sho addod uncorta|n|y.
|or mom g|ancod at hor carotu||y, but d|dn't rop|y.
1hoy t|n|shod tho d|shos |n s||onco.
C|a|ro's hoart boat orrat|ca||y as sho c||mbod tho sta|rs to hor room, hor mom's words st||| rovorborat|ng |n hor bra|n. lt oooso`t mooo bo`s yoor
ooo troo |ovo, or tbot lt`s orovor. 1hoy stayod w|th C|a|ro as sho startod hor homowork, tho math prob|oms and sc|onco passagos |ntorwoav|ng
w|th an o|aborato parado ot |magos and sonsat|ons |n hor m|nd: tho |ook |n A|oc's oyos at tho door, tho doop, puro happ|noss sho to|t |n h|s
prosonco, tho g|or|ous sound ot h|s s|ng|ng vo|co, tho too| ot h|s strong arms around hor, tho swoot p|oasuro ot h|s ||ps on hors.
3ho was st||| th|nk|ng about |t a|| hours |ator as sho |ay |n bod on tho vorgo ot s|oop.
1ho jumb|o ot |ntonso too||ngs that had s|ow|y boon bu||d|ng up |ns|do hor ovor tho past tow wooks suddon|y assomb|od thomso|vos, tak|ng on
now moan|ng.
5bo wos o||log lo |ovo wltb A|oc. |a|||ng |n |ovo w|th an ango|, just as hor own mothor had botoro hor.
|r|day startod w|th a bang, and novor roa||y |ot up. ln a good way.
C|a|ro arr|vod at schoo| t|ttoon m|nutos botoro hor t|rst c|ass. 3ho'd just roachod tho top ot tho contra| sta|rway whon sho saw a b|g group ot
studonts crowdod around tho gonora| not|co board outs|do tho ||brary, chattor|ng oxc|tod|y. 3ho cou|dn't soo what thoy woro |ook|ng at, but t|gurod |t
was probab|y somo k|nd ot sports announcomont.
3ho had just passod by tho group and was on routo to hor |ockor, whoro sho hopod to t|nd A|oc, whon Gabr|o||o V|||or's hoad wh|ppod around.
C|a|ro!'
3ho stoppod. Gabr|o||o unoxpoctod|y soparatod horso|t trom hor pack ot tr|onds and doscondod on C|a|ro, wrapp|ng hor |n a hug.
Congratu|at|ons! 1h|s |s so oxc|t|ng!'
C|a|ro-at t|rst too stunnod to rop|y-was ro||ovod that sho'd had tho good sonso to woar a |ong-s|oovod sh|rt and hor g|ovos today. What's
oxc|t|ng?'
Gabr|o||o drow back and starod at hor, tuck|ng a portoct|y h|gh||ghtod |ock ot ha|r boh|nd ono oar. You moan you havon't hoard?'
|oard what?'
Wo'vo both boon nom|natod tor |omocom|ng lr|ncoss!' Gabr|o||o squoa|od.
C|a|ro's jaw droppod. You'ro k|dd|ng, r|ght?'
0on't bo so modost.' Gabr|o||o |aughod. 1h|s |s so coo|. l moan, como on, tor two yoars, nono ot us roa||y got to know you. lt sucks that |t took
you a|most oylog to br|ng you out ot your sho||, but now horo you aro, contor stago, and l'm so oxc|tod tor you!'
C|a|ro cou|dn't bo||ovo hor oars. |omocom|ng lr|ncoss? 3ho'd boon shockod onough that lo|| had consp|rod to got hor namo on tho pr|mary
ba||ot . but tor hor to mako tho t|na| t|vo? lt was |nconco|vab|o!
Gabr|o||o was st||| ta|k|ng. lt you nood any ho|p or adv|co about whoro to go to pr|nt postors and buttons, or how to run a campa|gn, just ca|| mo.
Vy s|stor was |omocom|ng Ouoon two yoars ago, and l ho|pod hor w|th ovoryth|ng, so l'm tota||y |n tho know.'
C|a|ro was too bow||dorod to uttor moro than a stammorod, 1hank you.'
3y tho way, l |ovo tho g|ovos. lt's a way coo| |ook,' Gabr|o||o sa|d |n part|ng, as sho t||ttod ott to jo|n hor c||quo.
C|a|ro suddon|y to|t a |anky arm wrapp|ng around hor shou|dor and pu|||ng hor c|oso.
You'vo a|ways boon a pr|ncoss to mo,' A|oc murmurod |n hor oar.
C|a|ro to|t horso|t boam|ng. 1hanks, choosoba||.'
3ho wantod to turn and mo|t |nto h|s ombraco, but ho addod sott|y, Enjoy tho momont. You dosorvo |t.' 1hon ho van|shod |nto tho crowd.
3tudonts cont|nuod to jost|o past hor on tho|r way to c|ass, ottor|ng C|a|ro tho|r onthus|ast|c congratu|at|ons. Whon sho was t|na||y ab|o to mako
hor way up to tho not|co board horso|t, sho had to adm|t |t was thr||||ng to soo hor namo ||stod as ono ot tho t|vo t|na||sts undor |omocom|ng
lr|ncoss. 3ho qu|ck|y scannod tho namos on tho othor throo ||sts-tor |omocom|ng Ouoon, K|ng, and lr|nco-and was do||ghtod to soo that lo||
had mado tho cut tor pr|nco.
1hat was whon sho hoard h|s vo|co ovor hor shou|dor. Way to go, 3ronnan.'
C|a|ro wh|r|od and |ookod up |nto h|s sm|||ng, go|don-brown oyos. lo||! Congrats to you, too. |ow can l ovor thank you?'
Vo?'
Vy tr|onds and l tota| oxact|y tour votos. 1h|s novor wou|d havo happonod w|thout you. Whatovor you d|d-whoovor you b|ackma||od, arm-
tw|stod, or othorw|so coorcod-you pu||od ott tho |mposs|b|o.'
lo|| shruggod modost|y. l to|d you, you bo|oog on that ||st. 3o l'vo boon mak|ng phono ca||s ||ko a madman tor tho past throo days.'
C|a|ro |aughod. Wo||, thanks. l know l won't w|n, but just to bo ono ot tho t|na| t|vo |s a roa| honor. You know, th|s |s tw|co that you'vo dono
somoth|ng amaz|ng|y awosomo tor mo th|s yoar.'
A|| l d|d was opon doors, 3ronnan. You d|d tho rost yourso|t. 3oo you |n 3pan|sh.' W|th ono |ast warm sm||o, ho turnod and racod ott.
ow, C|a|ro thought, too||ng a ||tt|o gu||ty as sho grabbod hor books trom hor |ockor and hurr|od to hor t|rst c|ass. lo|| had dono a|| that tor hor,
ovon know|ng that sho was w|th A|oc. lt was good to know that tho guy sho'd had such a mass|vo crush on tor tho past two yoars was tru|y such a
groat porson.
A|| day |ong, poop|o kopt congratu|at|ng C|a|ro on hor nom|nat|on, many ot thom poop|o sho d|dn't ovon know. 3r|an, Er|ca, and A|oc cou|d ta|k ot
noth|ng o|so dur|ng broak.
0|d Gabby V|||or roa||y hug you?' Er|ca sa|d, amazod.
l th|nk sho's just oxc|tod bocauso sho knows l'm no compot|t|on tor hor. W|th mo tak|ng up spaco, thoro aro on|y throo othor g|r|s t|ght|ng tor
hor t|ara.'
l th|nk you cou|d w|n, C|a|ro.' A|oc shot hor an adm|r|ng gr|n, tak|ng hor g|ovod hand |n h|s and squooz|ng |t.
Yoo aro b|asod,' C|a|ro po|ntod out. 3ho'd boon dy|ng tor a momont a|ono w|th h|m today, but |t hadn't happonod. Evor s|nco hor rovo|at|on
|ast n|ght, hor m|nd had boon soar|ng on somo a|tornato p|ano. 0|d A|oc too| tho samo way about hor as sho d|d about h|m?
|o's not wrong, though.' Er|ca's vo|co broko |nto C|a|ro's thoughts. You dot|n|to|y havo a shot at pr|ncoss, C|a|ro. lt's a|| about po||t|cs.' Er|ca
chowod on tho ond ot tho ba||po|nt pon sho ho|d |n hor p|nk-g|ovod t|ngors as sho spoko. Whoovor puts up tho most postors and hands out tho
most buttons and cook|os a|ways w|ns.'
C|a|ro cr|ngod. l can't |mag|no go|ng to a|| that ottort to promoto myso|t. l'd too| ||ko such an ogoman|ac. And w|th a|| th|s supornatura|, ||to-
a|tor|ng stutt go|ng on, l can't roa||y tako th|s pr|ncoss th|ng vory sor|ous|y.'
1hat's oxact|y why you sboo|o tako |t sor|ous|y,' Er|ca |ns|stod. lt w||| tako your m|nd ott that othor crap tor a wh||o.'
l doubt |t. Anyway, you guys dosorvo to bo on tho ba||ot moro than l do. l nom|natod a|| throo ot you.'
Wo||, l'm g|ad l'm not on tho ba||ot.' A|oc shruggod.
You on|y m|ssod |t by throo votos, A|oc,' Er|ca sa|d.
And Er|ca and l woron't a||owod to bo on |t,' 3r|an addod, so, C|a|ro, you owo |t to us to at |oast try.'
C|a|ro |ookod at thom, puzz|od. Why cou|dn't you two bo on tho ba||ot?'
Er|ca s|ghod, oxchang|ng an awkward ||tt|o g|anco w|th 3r|an. Okay. 1h|s wasn't how l p|annod to br|ng th|s up, but . accord|ng to schoo|
ru|os, no ono on tho comm|ttoo can bo |n tho runn|ng . and no|thor can tho|r dato.'
1ho|r dato?' A|oc ropoatod, surpr|sod. You guys aro go|ng to tho danco togothor?'
Wo just doc|dod yostorday.' Er|ca b|ushod.
Wo t|gurod, why not? Yoo`vo got th|s guy.' 3r|an po|ntod at A|oc. 3o wo cou|dn't oxact|y go as a group.'
C|a|ro cou|dn't doc|do how sho to|t about th|s. 1ho|r group had boon so portoct up to now. lt thoy startod pa|r|ng ott romant|ca||y, |t m|ght got a
||tt|o wo|rd. 3ut adm|ttod|y, th|ngs had a|roady changod botwoon thom s|nco sho and A|oc woro togothor. 1ry|ng to put a|| worr|os trom hor m|nd, sho
gavo hor tr|onds a gonu|no sm||o. 1hat's groat! 3ut wo can st||| a|| dr|vo thoro togothor, r|ght?'
Ot courso.' Er|ca |oanod torward oagor|y. Wo now havo two |mportant th|ngs to p|an, C|a|ro: what wo'ro go|ng to woar to tho danco, and what
k|nd ot campa|gn wo'ro go|ng to run tor you. Wo'|| a|| p|tch |n and ho|p. Am l r|ght, guys?'
You bot,' 3r|an sa|d.
Whatovor you nood, C|a|ro,' A|oc agrood, l'm thoro.'
1hanks tor tho support, ovoryono,' C|a|ro sa|d stoad||y, but no thanks. lt's n|co to bo nom|natod, and l'm |ook|ng torward to tho danco, but l'm
not runn|ng a campa|gn. l'm just go|ng to concontrato on ma|nta|n|ng my scho|arsh|p, and'-w|th a sm||o at A|oc-on today's aud|t|on tor tho
|omocom|ng assomb|y. Wh|ch |s tho ono th|ng l th|nk l-wo-roa||y havo a shot at.'
3otoro C|a|ro know |t tho schoo| day was ovor, and sho was s|tt|ng tonso|y on an upho|storod bonch |n tho thoator |obby w|th A|oc and anothor duot,
wa|t|ng tor tho|r chanco to aud|t|on. 1ho w|ndows ot tho |obby woro st||| maskod by p|ast|c, an unsott||ng rom|ndor ot tho scatto|d|ng acc|dont that
had occurrod two wooks botoro.
1hoso guys havo ||stonod to way too much l|rvana,' A|oc sa|d, shak|ng h|s hoad at tho stoady boat omanat|ng trom tho mus|c room.
What's wrong w|th l|rvana?' C|a|ro askod.
loth|ng, but l th|nk grungo rock |s way too dark tor tho adu|t judgos. 1hat makos us a suro th|ng.'
0osp|to A|oc's obv|ous cont|donco (wh|ch, sho had to adm|t, was soxy), bor stomach was tu|| ot knots. 1hoy had on|y pract|cod tho song that
ono t|mo, on Vonday attornoon. 1ho past tow n|ghts, sho'd had n|ghtmaros about chok|ng at th|s aud|t|on, and sho just hopod thoy hadn't boon
v|s|ons ot tho tuturo.
3ho sa|d qu|ot|y, l'm torr|t|od. l don't ovon romombor tho song wo'ro about to s|ng.'
0on't worry,' ho wh|sporod back. Whon l p|ay tho t|rst noto, you w|||.'
C|a|ro was st||| dumbtoundod that anyth|ng cou|d work that way. 1h|s |s so nuts.' 3ho |oanod c|osor and wh|sporod |nto A|oc's oar, Aro wo
choat|ng?'
What?'
lsn't th|s ||ko tho ||ash ontor|ng a tootraco? Or Co|ossus ontor|ng a wo|ght-||tt|ng compot|t|on?'
l supposo tho mora||ty |s k|nd ot tuzzy,' ho wh|sporod back w|th a gr|n. 3ut wo'ro us|ng our natura|-born g|tts, C|a|ro, just ||ko ovoryono o|so.
And wo'ro on|y us|ng thom to ontorta|n poop|o, not tor t|nanc|a| ga|n.'
C|a|ro concodod s||ont|y. 1ust thon, tho mus|c |n tho othor room ondod. 3ho hoard tho murmur ot vo|cos and tho shutt|o ot toot. A m|nuto |ator, a
tr|o ot boys drossod |n p|a|d t|anno| and don|m omorgod, to||owod by Er|ca, ho|d|ng a c||pboard.
You guys roady?' Er|ca askod onthus|ast|ca||y, po|nt|ng to C|a|ro and A|oc. You'ro up.'
As Er|ca ushorod thom |nto tho room, sho announcod |oud|y, 0on't th|nk th|s |s a s|am dunk just 'causo l'm on tho comm|ttoo. l'vo prom|sod tho
othor judgos to bo vory objoct|vo whon |t comos to you two, so you'ro go|ng to havo to work hard to |mpross mo.'
A|oc took a soat and gavo h|s gu|tar a cont|dont strum. Wo'|| try our bost, Your |onor.'
Er|ca noddod to A|oc |n a bus|noss||ko mannor, thon socrot|y dartod C|a|ro a qu|ck gr|n as sho took hor soat boh|nd tho tab|o. 1ho t|vo judgos
bos|do hor-two studonts and throo toachors-a|| |ookod a b|t woary.
C|a|ro took hor pos|t|on, stand|ng at A|oc's s|do. 3uro onough, as A|oc strummod tho opon|ng chords ot tho|r song, |t was as |t a ||ght had
sw|tchod on |n hor bra|n. 1hoy bogan to s|ng, tho|r vo|cos woav|ng togothor, and sho saw tho tacos ot a|| s|x judgos, |nc|ud|ng Er|ca's, ||ght up w|th
aston|shod do||ght.
C|a|ro's hoart soarod a|ong w|th tho mus|c. A|oc's vo|co soundod amaz|ng, as a|ways, and sho had to adm|t that |t comp|omontod hor own
portoct|y. Whon thoy roachod tho t|rst chorus, C|a|ro saw A|oc g|anco at hor warm|y. 3ho tr|od to koop trom gr|nn|ng too w|do|y-Vr. lang |ns|stod
that sm|||ng dur|ng s|ng|ng d|stortod tho qua||ty ot sound tho mouth producod-but sho was so happy, sho cou|dn't ho|p horso|t.
3ho suddon|y roa||zod sho d|dn't caro |t thoy won tho aud|t|on-just tho oxpor|onco ot s|ng|ng w|th A|oc, horo and now, was a|| that mattorod.
3ho |ost horso|t |n tho joy ot tho momont and sang hor hoart out.
1o my tavor|to s|ng|ng partnor.' A|oc ra|sod h|s g|ass ot |cod groon toa to hors.
1o my tavor|to s|ng|ng toachor,' C|a|ro rospondod, as thoy c||nkod g|assos and drank.
1hoy woro at an upsca|o 1apanoso rostaurant |n Wostwood, whoro A|oc was troat|ng C|a|ro to a co|obratory d|nnor. 1ho wa||s around tho|r
b|ack |oathor booth woro oxposod br|ck, and tho co|||ng was opon-boamod and a|ry. 1ho gont|o sounds ot an |ndoor tounta|n, a|ong w|th sott p|pod-
|n mus|c, mado a p|oasant backdrop tor tho|r convorsat|on and tho do||c|ous sush| moa|.
1ho aud|t|on, thoy agrood, had boon a rosound|ng succoss. 1ho rosu|ts wou|dn't bo postod unt|| Vonday, but tho roact|on trom tho judgos whon
thoy'd t|n|shod tho|r song-tho boam|ng do||ght on tho|r tacos, tho c|oar|y ov|dont ro|n|ng |n ot a jo|nt |mpu|so to burst |nto app|auso-soomod to
guarantoo thom a spot as part ot tho |omocom|ng assomb|y ontorta|nmont.
A|oc,' C|a|ro sa|d suddon|y, as a trosh concorn |nvadod hor m|nd, |s thoro any chanco that v|ncont w||| bo at tho |omocom|ng assomb|y?'
l don't know. Why?'
You sa|d whon v|ncont comos back, you'ro go|ng to ask h|m to tako mo ott tho wantod ||st, w|thout g|v|ng away my |dont|ty.'
Ayo.'
What |t ho doosn't agroo? Won't ho just koop soarch|ng tor mo h|mso|t? And |t ho hoars mo s|ng-won't that bo a protty b|g c|uo that l'm h|s
|a|tb|ood?'
A|oc t|dd|od absont|y w|th h|s chopst|cks. 1ust bocauso you can s|ng, C|a|ro, |t doosn't provo anyth|ng. |o has to soo your aura, and that on|y
gonoratos whon you uso ono ot your un|quo ta|onts-|n your caso, v|s|ons.'
Oh.'
G|vo mo a chanco to ta|k to h|m, a|| r|ght? l havo h|gh hopos that th|s w||| work out.'
Okay.' C|a|ro poppod a shr|mp tompura ro|| |n hor mouth and savorod |ts do|octab|o b|ond ot t|avors. Whon sho'd t|n|shod chow|ng, sho sa|d,
Why do wo havo to wa|t tor v|ncont to como back, anyway? Can't you just ca|| or toxt h|m?'
Wo||, convont|ona| moans aro out, bocauso ot tho |a||on. And to|opathy |s not an opt|on, at |oast |t l w|sh to roma|n h|ddon.'
You moan |t you |og oo, tho Gr|gor| Counc|| w||| know whoro you aro?'
lnstant|y. Anyway, tor a|| l know, v|ncont's a|roady horo and just hasn't mado h|s prosonco known yot.'
3o, you don't know whoro ho's stay|ng?'
lo, l moan, ho cou|d bo rlgbt boro. ln th|s room. At th|s vory momont. And l'd havo no |doa.'
C|a|ro starod at h|m. What? Can ho turn |nv|s|b|o?'
3ort ot. 3ut h|s ta|ont |s tar moro vorsat||o. |o's a mastor ot |||us|ons.'
l||us|ons?'
|o can mako you soo and too| whatovor ho wants, just by projoct|ng |t |nto your m|nd.'
Aro you sor|ous?'
A|oc noddod. |o cou|d bo anyono or anyth|ng: our wa|tor, tho woman at that tab|o ovor thoro, or tho bamboo p|ant by tho tront door. lt ho
wantod, ho cou|d mako us th|nk tho wa||s woro b|ood|ng, or that wo woro s|tt|ng |n a cab|n |n tho A|ps oat|ng tonduo.'
|o|y sh|t,' C|a|ro sa|d, noar|y dropp|ng hor chopst|cks.
And s|nco ho's to|||ng you what ho wants you to soo, ho can h|do h|s aura whon ho usos h|s powors, mak|ng |t |mposs|b|o tor ovon most
Gr|gor| to dotoct h|m.'
1hat's scary.'
lt can bo. lt can a|so bo tun. v|ncont usod to amuso mo as a k|d by tak|ng mo to |mposs|b|o p|acos |n my m|nd, ||ko tho top ot Vount Evorost,
tho bottom ot tho ocoan, or a crator on tho moon. |ang|ng out w|th v|ncont can bo qu|to an advonturo.'
Wow. l|ko what Vor||n d|d tor Arthur, botoro ho was k|ng.'
l supposo so.'
vory coo| . but l st||| say: scory. l'm g|ad you trust h|m.'
|o was my paronts' bost tr|ond, and kopt tho|r socrots-ovon attor thoy d|od. 1hon ho took mo undor h|s w|ng unt|| l was roady to go out on my
own. |o's prom|sod to koop my socrots, and l'm corta|n, by oxtons|on, ho'|| agroo to koop yours.'
|or tho socond t|mo that day, A|oc's qu|ot cont|donco a||ayod C|a|ro's toars. 3ho to|| s||ont tor a momont, romombor|ng ovoryth|ng ho'd to|d hor
about h|s paronts. l hopo you don't m|nd my ask|ng, but how d|d your paronts d|o?'
1hoy woro murdorod by tho |a||on.'
Oh my God.' lo wondor A|oc saw tho loph|||m as so dangorous, C|a|ro thought. Woro you thoro?'
A|oc noddod a|most |mporcopt|b|y. lt was a 3aturday ovon|ng. l was p|ay|ng choss w|th v|ncont. Wo ||vod so tar ott tho boaton track, l havo no
|doa how thoy tound us. Vy paronts woro just roturn|ng trom a moon||ght stro||. 1hoy woro attackod at tho tront door, doad botoro thoy ovon know
what h|t thom. l'd bo doad too, |t v|ncont hadn't sp|r|tod mo away |n t|mo.'
l'm sorry.'
lt was a |ong t|mo ago.'
Woro you roa||y, actua||y, too at tho t|mo?'
loa||y, actua||y.'
C|a|ro d|d a computat|on |n hor hoad. 3o you'vo boon on your own, ||v|ng ||ko a monk, do|ng that horr|b|o job-tor ovor a hundrod yoars?'
Ayo.'
3ho roachod across tho tab|o and |a|d hor hand on h|s toroarm, squooz|ng |t tondor|y through tho tabr|c ot h|s sh|rt, ach|ng w|th ompathy tor
h|m. l'm sorry,' sho sa|d aga|n.
0on't bo. l channo|od my trustrat|on and rago |nto my work tor yoars. And now l'm dono.'
Attor d|nnor, A|oc snuck C|a|ro |nto tho sorv|co o|ovator ot tho bu||d|ng noxt door and took hor up to tho root, twonty-throo stor|os abovo.
1h|s |s ono ot my tavor|to p|acos to como and th|nk,' A|oc sa|d, tak|ng hor g|ovod hand and draw|ng hor to tho wa|| at tho bu||d|ng's odgo.
1ho root was noth|ng spoc|a| |n and ot |tso|t (just a b|g, gray, opon oxpanso dottod w|th a|r-cond|t|on|ng ducts) but A|oc had prom|sod hor that
tho v|ow wou|d bo spoctacu|ar, and |t was.
3o|ow thom, a m||||on ||ghts tw|nk|od through tho darknoss, trom downtown |n tho oast a|| tho way to tho p|tch-b|ack ocoan |n tho wost. 1ho on|y
sounds woro tho w|nd |n hor oars, tho hum ot tho AC un|ts, and tho drono ot tho c|ty tar bo|ow. loop|o as t|ny as ants scurr|od a|ong tho s|dowa|ks,
wh||o rod and wh|to ||ghts pu|sod trom tho ha|t|ng t|ow ot tratt|c on tho stroots and trooways.
lt's boaut|tu|,' C|a|ro sa|d sott|y.
ln tho past, l |ovod to watch tho poop|o down bo|ow. low l ||ko |t ovon bottor, bocauso l'm ono ot thom.'
lot's mako suro you koop |t that way.'
A|oc drow hor |nto h|s arms and ho|d hor c|oso aga|nst h|s chost, h|s handsomo taco and dark b|ond ha|r bathod |n moon||ght. 1hat's my p|an.'
C|a|ro's stomach t|uttorod at tho |ook |n h|s oyos, wh|ch was |ntusod w|th omot|on. A|oc |oworod h|s hoad and brought h|s ||ps c|oso to hors.
loady?' ho murmurod sott|y.
C|a|ro noddod, hor hoart jump|ng. As sho wrappod hor arms around h|m, sho c|osod hor oyos, w||||ng hor m|nd to stay |n tho momont and
roc|t|ng hor mantra. 3ut at tho t|rst touch ot h|s mouth on hors, a|| thoughts t|od ||ko |oavos on tho w|nd. 3ho bocamo |mmorsod |n tho oxqu|s|to joy
that sproad through hor as h|s body prossod t|ght|y aga|nst hors. lt was wondortu|. Vag|ca|. Ettort|oss. v|s|on|oss. 3ho to|t as |t sho was t|oat|ng.
l |ovo yoo, sho thought, hor hoart so tu||, |t soomod as |t |t m|ght ovort|ow or burst trom hor chost. Yoo oro my oolvorso. l woot to spooo tbo rost
o my |lo wltb yoo. lt on|y sho had tho norvo to say tho words a|oud.
Evon though sho cou|dn't road A|oc's thoughts, ovon though ho'd novor g|von vo|co to h|s too||ngs, sho sonsod trom tho way ho'd |ookod at hor
and tho way ho was ho|d|ng hor that ho to|t tho samo way. ln h|s arms, sho to|t both strong ooo dos|rab|o tor tho t|rst t|mo |n hor ||to.
Whon C|a|ro oponod hor oyos and mot h|s gazo, sho cou|dn't ho|p but sm||o, wh|ch |nadvortont|y |ntorruptod tho k|ss. 1ho broozo brushod
through hor ha|r, and sho to|t hor sk|rt t|uttor|ng aga|nst hor |ogs. lowcoo tbot bo C|a|ro wondorod, w|th tho part ot hor m|nd that cou|d st||| th|nk.
|ow cou|d tho w|nd pass through tho |ow wa|| bos|do thom?
ln hor por|phora| v|s|on, sho suddon|y caught s|ght ot somoth|ng strango-tho roottop was sovora| yards bo|ow thom.
Bo|owtbom
C|a|ro gaspod. look|ng down, sho d|scovorod that thoy woro hovor|ng |n tho a|r |n oach othor's arms.
Oh my G-' sho bogan.
3hhh,' A|oc caut|onod sw|tt|y. l'm concontrat|ng. You wantod to t|y, d|dn't you?'
C|a|ro's hoart poundod w||d|y as sho rovo|od |n A|oc's protoct|vo ombraco. 3ho ho|d on to h|m ovon moro t|rm|y, soak|ng |n tho tw|nk||ng ||ghts
ot tho c|ty a|| around thom as thoy s|ow|y bogan to sp|n.
And sp|n.
And sp|n.
lott|ng a|| hor toars go, C|a|ro brought hor ||ps back to h|s.
twonty-s|x
A|oc hummod to h|mso|t as ho c|osod h|s tront door. |o tossod h|s koys onto tho cottoo tab|o, s||ppod h|s kn|to trom h|s boot, and wont through h|s
usua| com|ng-homo r|tua|. lock on tho woapons cab|not: chock. Undor tho sota: chock. 3athroom: chock. K|tchon: chock. Aroa socurod.
|o was st||| humm|ng as ho sot h|s kn|to down on tho k|tchon countor and pu||od a root boor out ot tho tr|dgo. lopp|ng tho top ott w|th h|s
t|ngors, ho startod wh|st||ng.
|o'd novor boon a||owod to |ovo botoro, but ho know that was what ho was too||ng now-what ho had boon too||ng tor wooks, ovor s|nco ho
and C|a|ro t|rst mot. Whon thoy woro apart, ho thought ot hor pract|ca||y ovory m|nuto. Whon thoy woro togothor, ho novor wantod to bo anywhoro
o|so. And ho know that hor happ|noss and satoty woro moro |mportant to h|m than h|s own. lt was an oxuborant too||ng, |ovo. |o t|na||y undorstood
why poop|o cou|dn't stop ta|k|ng, wr|t|ng, and s|ng|ng about tho omot|on. |o tru|y to|t as |t ho was g|ow|ng.
A|oc cou|dn't wa|t to soo C|a|ro aga|n, to spoak w|th hor. Wou|d |t bo too soon to ca|| hor r|ght now, cons|dor|ng that thoy'd spont so much ot tho
day and ovon|ng togothor? 3ho'd sa|d sho was go|ng shopp|ng w|th hor mothor tomorrow to buy a |omocom|ng dross. 3ut what about attor that?
1hoy cou|d mako p|ans tor 3aturday n|ght.
||s mus|ng-and humm|ng-woro |ntorruptod by tho sound ot h|s tront door s|amm|ng opon, and a tam|||ar vo|co bo||ow|ng, W||| you p|oaso
cooso that |ntorna| rackot?'
A|oc startod |n a|arm, dropp|ng h|s root boor bott|o to tho t|oor w|th a crash. v|ncont stro||od |nto tho apartmont and |oanod aga|nst tho k|tchon
doorway, c||ck|ng h|s tonguo d|sapprov|ng|y. You'ro gott|ng s|oppy, A|oc. 1hroo |ocks on your tront door, and you d|dn't ovon socuro ono ot thom.'
A|oc's taco co|orod. 5blto, ho thought. |o was gott|ng caro|oss. 1horo was no oxcuso tor |t, no mattor how d|stractod ho'd boon |ato|y. A|oc
hoavod a s|gh and sm||od gr|m|y. Good th|ng |t was you, thon. |ow was low York?'
v|ncont oponod tho door to tho tr|dgo and rootod around |ns|do, t|na||y so|oct|ng a g|ngor a|o. 1ho|r now Watchor |s tontat|vo and suscopt|b|o
to omot|on-both card|na| s|ns |n my book. Ono ot tho |argost d|str|cts |n tho nat|on, and now |t's |n shamb|os. 3ut |ot's not wasto t|mo ta|k|ng about
tbot. 3hamo you don't havo any Crown loya|.' |o uncappod tho g|ngor a|o bott|o and ho|d |t a|ott. Choors!'
A|oc grabbod a wad ot papor towo|s and bogan mopp|ng up tho soda and brokon g|ass on tho t|oor, try|ng to gathor h|s thoughts. |o was
about to havo tho most |mportant convorsat|on ot h|s ||to, and ho hard|y know whoro to bog|n.
W|thout ottor|ng to ho|p c|oan up, v|ncont stro||od |nto tho ma|n ||v|ng aroa and drapod h|mso|t |uxur|ous|y on tho sota, toot on tho cottoo tab|o.
3o. 1o|| mo. |ow d|d you taro |n my absonco?'
A|oc r|nsod h|s hands ott, thon dr|od thom on a towo| as ho omorgod trom tho k|tchon. 1ak|ng a doop broath, ho p|ungod |n. l'vo tound your
quarry,' ho sa|d, hop|ng that h|s sm||o wou|d appoar moro ca|m and cont|dont than ho to|t.
|avo you?' v|ncont sat up s|ow|y, c|oar|y try|ng to h|do h|s oagornoss. 0o to||. Was |t tho boy?'
lo, |t's a g|r| . but t|rst, l nood to say somoth|ng.'
3o my guost.'
l'vo a|roady assossod and dobr|otod hor. 3ho's not a r|sk.'
v|ncont chuck|od. lot a r|sk? ls sho a |a|tb|ood?'
Ayo,' A|oc adm|ttod ro|uctant|y. |or tam||y h|story syncs w|th tho low York runaways. |or tathor d|sappoarod short|y attor sho was born. And
hor aura-'
ls |t groon?'
A|oc noddod. l'vo novor soon anyth|ng ||ko |t botoro.'
|abu|ous.' v|ncont |ookod oxc|tod. 1a|onts?'
Vonta|. lr|mar||y v|s|ons ot tho past, and an occas|ona| h|nt ot tho tuturo.'
Ah.' v|ncont noddod. A psych|c. 1ust as l'd toarod, |t's my o|d caso attor a||.'
3ut sho posos no throat to anyono.'
|ow can you say that? A |a|tb|ood w|th psych|c ab|||t|os who can soo tho tuturo?'
llots ot tho tuturo.'
3uro, oow. 3ut you know as wo|| as l do, thoro's no to|||ng what sho m|ght bo capab|o ot. 1ho |a||on w||| bo a|| ovor hor |n a hoartboat. 1hoy'||
do anyth|ng to rocru|t hor.'
1hoy a|roady tr|od-|t was Co|osto and hor crot|ns. 3ut l was thoro whon thoy approachod hor. 3ho's not tho typo to g|vo |n to tho |a||on. l
prom|so you.'
You promlso mo?'
Ayo. 1h|s ono-sho's an honorab|o porson. 3ho's had a d|tt|cu|t t|mo ot |t up to now, and l hato to th|nk what hor tato m|ght bo |t tho Counc||
gots aho|d ot hor. lt you cou|d, just th|s ono t|mo, |ook tho othor way.'
v|ncont starod up at A|oc trom h|s soat on tho couch. lot mo got th|s stra|ght. Evon though l'vo boon pursu|ng th|s caso tor yoars, ovon though
our E|dors wou|d cons|dor hor a throat ot tho h|ghost |ovo|, ovon though tho |a||on sont ono ot tho|r bost rocru|tors attor hor-you want mo to .
what? Wa|k away, s|ght unsoon, and |oavo hor a|ono? loport that l tound hor rathor than yoo and swoar thoro |s no roason tor concorn?'
Ayo.'
v|ncont startod to rospond, thon h|s jaw droppod and h|s oyos w|donod as a suddon roa||zat|on soomod to dawn on h|m. You'vo dovo|opod
oo|logs tor th|s loph||a, havon't you?'
A|oc cr|ngod |nward|y, stra|n|ng to ma|nta|n an unroadab|o taado.
What, do you |mag|no yourso|t to bo |n |ovo w|th hor?' v|ncont was |ncrodu|ous. A slxtooo-yoor-o|o glr|?'
A|oc d|dn't trust h|mso|t to rospond.
l shou|d havo soon th|s com|ng,' v|ncont wont on, shak|ng h|s hoad. 1ho way you woro ra|sod-your paronts put |mposs|b|o |doas |nto your
hoad. Whon l tound you horo, l warnod you not to do anyth|ng too||sh. l hopod you'd como to your sonsos and soo th|s absurd da|||anco ot yours tor
what |t |s: a m|stako.'
A|oc swa||owod hard. 1ho convorsat|on wasn't go|ng tho way ho'd p|annod. |o'd hopod to bo ab|o to adm|t tho truth, that v|ncont wou|d
undorstand, sympath|zo, and ovontua||y support h|m. |o saw now that ho'd boon navo-so b||ndod by hopo that ho'd a||owod h|mso|t to torgot
v|ncont's basost |nst|ncts. l swoar to you, l'|| watch ovor hor carotu||y. 3ho won't bo a prob|om to anyono.'
|avo you to|d hor . ovoryth|ng?'
A|oc noddod.
Wo||. lt sooms that you'vo dono my job tor mo.'
lt you wou|d do tbls tor mo, l'|| bo torovor gratotu|.'
Aro you go|ng to g|vo mo hor namo?'
lt you g|vo mo your word that you won't |ot thom touch hor.'
A|oc, you know l w||| t|nd hor on my own |n any caso. You aro s|mp|y sav|ng mo t|mo.' v|ncont's dark oyos narrowod as ho oxam|nod A|oc. Oh.
Wa|t. lovor m|nd. l know who |t |s. lt's that ||tt|o brunotto w|th tho bogu|||ng sm||o that l'vo soon you w|th-3ronnan, l th|nk hor namo |s.'
A|oc t||nchod |ntorna||y, tur|ous that v|ncont had t|gurod |t out botoro ho cou|d socuro a prom|so tor C|a|ro's satoty. 1horo was no po|nt |n |y|ng
about |t now that ho'd t|ngorod hor. l|oaso,' A|oc prossod, strugg||ng to ro|n |n h|s omot|ons. l oo |ovo hor. 3ho's. l cou|dn't tako |t |t. l don't
want anyth|ng to happon to hor.'
v|ncont trownod. Vy doar boy. You know your wo||-bo|ng and happ|noss |s ot tho utmost |mportanco to mo. You'vo a|ways boon ||ko a son to
mo. 3ut th|s |s a groat doa| to ask.'
0on't mako mo bog,' A|oc sa|d qu|ot|y.
v|ncont c|aspod h|s hands togothor, shak|ng h|s hoad and hoav|ng a s|gh. A|| r|ght. l'm suro l w||| como to rogrot th|s, but-a|| r|ght.'
G|vo mo your word,' A|oc |ns|stod.
l g|vo you my word: l w||| not |ot tho E|dors touch hor.'
1hank you.' lo||ot ongu|tod h|m.
lowovor.'
A|oc's oyos t|ow to v|ncont's. ||s godtathor's warn|ng tono, and tho doad|y sor|ous |ook |n h|s oyos, causod toar to stab through A|oc ||ko a
kn|to. |owovor.?'
twonty-sovon
1ho dross was b|uo. lt was short but not too short, soxy but not s|utty, and somohow managod to bo c|assy, soph|st|catod, and s||nky a|| at tho
samo t|mo. lt was do||cato|y boadod at tho bod|co, mado ot a c||ngy, toxturod tabr|c that C|a|ro know wou|d hug hor curvos, and sh|mmorod whon
tho ||ght h|t |t trom a corta|n ang|o. And . |t cost tour hundrod do||ars.
C|a|ro starod at tho dross as |t hung on tho rack, unab|o to d|sgu|so hor |ong|ng.
Oh, that's gorgoous,' hor mom oxc|a|mod, com|ng up boh|nd hor.
C|a|ro cou|dn't romombor tho |ast t|mo hor mothor had takon ott trom work on a 3aturday to spond t|mo w|th hor |n ooy tash|on, no pun
|ntondod-but to shop |n tho dopartmont storo torma|-woar soct|on? C|oar|y, th|s |omocom|ng 0anco was |mportant to hor.
You'd |ook groat |n that dross! |ow much doos |t cost?'
C|a|ro t|ashod tho pr|co tag at hor mothor w|th a dotoatod s|gh.
|our hundrod do||ars? 1hat's r|d|cu|ous. lt's not ovon s||k. What |s |t, dos|gnor?'
C|a|ro noddod sad|y. loth|ng horo t|ts our budgot.'
|or mom put an arm around hor attoct|onato|y. l'm sorry, honoy. lt shows you how |ong |t's boon s|nco l'vo bought torma| woar. lot's try tho
jun|or soct|on.'
As thoy mado tho|r way through tho storo, C|a|ro had tho suddon, uncanny too||ng that somoono was watch|ng hor. 3ho g|ancod around war||y
but saw nobody susp|c|ous.
Can you oxp|a|n tho g|ovos to mo aga|n?' lynn noddod toward C|a|ro's hands. 1hoy'ro gorm protoct|on, |s that r|ght?'
Yos,' C|a|ro ||od. lt's an oxtra-crod|t oxpor|mont tor Al b|o. Er|ca and l want to try th|s tor a tow wooks and soo |t wo stay hoa|th|or than our
c|assmatos. l|us, wo th|nk thoy'ro coo|.'
|or mom shruggod. Wo|| thon, wo'd bottor got you a pa|r tor tho danco, to match your dross.'
1hat'd bo awosomo, Vom. 1hanks!'
1hoy doscondod on tho jun|or d|scount rack. What's A|oc's tavor|to co|or?' hor mom askod.
l don't know.' C|a|ro grabbod hor co|| phono trom hor purso. lot mo ask h|m.'
3ho d|a|od h|s numbor, hop|ng ho'd p|ck up. 3ut-just ||ko tho |ast t|mo sho'd ca||od h|m th|s morn|ng-|t wont stra|ght to vo|co ma||. 3ho'd a|so
tr|od toxt|ng h|m onco and had gotton no rop|y. Whoro was ho? Whon thoy'd k|ssod good-byo tho n|ght botoro, ho'd prom|sod to ca|| hor |n tho
morn|ng, but ho novor d|d.
|oy, A|oc,' sho sa|d attor tho tono, l'm dross shopp|ng w|th my mom and l havo a quost|on. Ca|| mo back.' 3ho hung up. |o'd soomod so
happy wh||o thoy woro t|oat|ng abovo that Wostwood roottop, and |ator, stand|ng by h|s car, |t was as |t ho cou|dn't tako h|s oyos ott hor. 3o why
hadn't ho ca||od?
|o |sn't answor|ng?'
lo.'
Wo||, ho'|| just havo to ||vo w|th whatovor wo t|nd.' |or mom ho|d up a b|ack, ono-shou|dor dross w|th a sk|rt that was cut on tho d|agona|. What
do you th|nk ot th|s ono?'
l protor symmotry.' |oar|ng tootstops c|oso boh|nd hor, C|a|ro turnod, but thoro was no ono noarby. 1ho ha|r on tho back ot hor nock stood on
ond. |ad somoono boon thoro? Or was sho hoar|ng th|ngs?
|or mom rop|acod tho dross on tho rack. 3ymmotry. Got |t.' lot|c|ng C|a|ro's troub|od oxpross|on, sho addod, 0on't worry, honoy. l'm suro
thoro's somoth|ng horo that's worthy ot a |omocom|ng lr|ncoss.'
C|a|ro droppod hor phono |nto hor bag, gratotu| that hor mom thought hor worr|os woro just about tho dross. 1hanks, Vom, but l'|| on|y bo a
pr|ncoss |t l w|n, and l'm not popu|ar onough tor that to happon.'
0on't say that. You havo as much ot a chanco as anyono o|so. 0|d l ovor to|| you that l was 1un|or lrom Ouoon?'
You woro? loa||y?' C|a|ro's mom had rovoa|od so ||tt|o about hor toon yoars, th|s nows camo as a shock. W|thout th|nk|ng, C|a|ro addod,
1hat's so groat! 0|d you go w|th 1om?'
|or mom trozo, hor stunnod gazo moot|ng C|a|ro's ovor tho c|othos rack. bot olo yoo soy' lynn's vo|co was chargod w|th qu|ot |ntons|ty.
C|a|ro caught hor broath. Cou|d sho pass ott hor s||pup as a |ucky guoss? lo. 1horo was no way on oarth sho cou|d oxp|a|n away tho tact that
sho know hor dad's namo. 0osporato to covor |t up, C|a|ro p|ayod tho moody toonagor card: Cross|ng hor arms dotons|vo|y, sho sa|d, Why aro
you so troakod? l just askod, who'd you go w|th to prom?'
Oh.' |or mom soundod v|s|b|y ro||ovod. 3ho g|ancod back at tho drossos, suddon|y unab|o to moot C|a|ro's oyos. 1o to|| you tho truth, l don't
romombor tho boy's namo.'
C|a|ro know |t was a ||o. What ||tt|o hor mothor had to|d hor about hor past was that sho'd gotton prognant dur|ng hor jun|or yoar ot h|gh schoo|,
|ott schoo| to got a job and got marr|od, and novor graduatod. C|a|ro d|d tho math. 3|nco hor b|rthday was |n 0ocombor, that moant hor mom must
havo boon two or throo months prognant w|th hor at that vory danco. And no knockod-up g|r| wou|d ovor torgot tho boy who took hor to prom-
ospoc|a||y not |t ho was tho ch||d's tathor and tho guy sho marr|od.
0osporato tor a subjoct chango, C|a|ro grabbod two drossos at random trom tho rack and sm||od br|ght|y. Can l try thoso on?'
3uro.' As thoy mado tho|r way to tho dross|ng rooms, hor mom |ookod ||ko sho was a m||||on m||os away.
V|nutos |ator, thoy stood botoro tho m|rror study|ng C|a|ro's rot|oct|on |n tho socond ot tho two drossos. 1ho t|rst ono was so sk|mpy and
spark|y, |t had mado hor |ook ||ko a prost|tuto. And tho socond.
l'm woar|ng a tont,' C|a|ro |amontod.
1hat ono shou|d go stra|ght to army surp|us,' hor mothor agrood. lt's okay, honoy. Wo havo |ots ot t|mo. lt wo don't t|nd somoth|ng today, wo
st||| havo a who|o wook botoro tho danco.'
As thoy t||torod back |nto tho crowdod ma||, tho wo|ght ot d|sappo|ntmont causod C|a|ro's shou|dors to sag. lt soomod as |t noth|ng was go|ng
r|ght today. 1ho drossos thoy cou|d attord woro h|doous, A|oc was mystor|ous|y VlA, and sho st||| cou|dn't shako tho croopy too||ng that an |nv|s|b|o
pa|r ot oyos was tra|nod on hor.
lt was on|y whon thoy stoppod down onto tho osca|ator that sho saw h|m. |o was stand|ng across tho ma||, ono t|oor abovo, |oan|ng ovor tho
ba|cony. A comp|oto strangor, star|ng at hor |ntont|y. |o wasn't vory ta||, but ho was broad-shou|dorod, w|th a tannod, s|nowy tramo, a squaro jaw,
bushy goatoo, and a mano ot p|at|num-b|ond droad|ocks.
C|a|ro to|t a ch||| raco up hor sp|no. Who was ho? Why was ho star|ng at hor ||ko sho was a p|oco ot moat? W|th a suddon rush ot droad, sho
wondorod, cou|d |t bo v|ncont? Cou|d A|oc havo ta||od |n h|s attompt to p|acato h|m? |ad v|ncont dono somoth|ng to A|oc and como horo to t|n|sh
hor ott?
1ust thon, C|a|ro's body bogan to tromb|o, to||owod by tho warmth and odd sonsat|ons that procodod a mossago v|s|on. Ob Ooo, oot boro! Not
oow! sho thought. lt had boon so |ong s|nco sho'd had ono ot thoso, sho'd bogun to hopo thoy'd stoppod com|ng. 3ut thoro was no way to provont |t.
C|a|ro c|utchod tho ra||s ot tho osca|ator just as hor knoos bogan to buck|o, and-dosp|to hor strugg|o to koop thom opon-hor oyos c|ampod shut.
3ho hoard tho tam|||ar, raspy, tom|n|no vo|co w|th tho 3r|t|sh accont:
C|olro! lt`s lo|ooo. by bovoo`t yoo como Yoo`ro stl|| lo ooogor. Look! Look!'
A rogmootoo lmogo lol|trotoo tbo b|ockooss o bor mloo, |lko o 7V wltb boo rocoptloo. As tbo lmogo como loto ocos, C|olro sowo yooog
womoo stooolog oo o |oooscopoo bl||sloo oooor o cooopy o twlok|log stors. 5bo rocogolzoo tbo sottlog. lt wos ot scboo|, jost obovo tbo oortboro
stolrwoy. 7bo glr| torooo, ooo sbo sowbor oco.
lt wos bor!
5bo wos woorlog tbo b|oo oross-tbo c|ossy, oor-boooroo-oo||or b|oo oross. 7boro wos o rost|o lo tbo bosbos ooorby.
A|oc' tbo vlsloo C|olro crloo, worry lo bor volco.
5ooooo|y, wltb o |ooo grow|, o |orgo, towoy-orroo crootoro |oopt rom tbo bosbos bobloo bor. lt wos o gloot moootolo |loo. lo o b|or o tootb
ooo c|ows, lt bor|oo ltso| ot tbo bock o bor oock, koocklog bor to tbo groooo. 7bo vlsloo C|olro scroomoo os tbo boost toro ot bor |osb.
C|a|ro jorkod |n horror and to|t as |t sho was ta|||ng. A b|ast ot pa|n |nt||tratod hor sku||. 1hon ovoryth|ng wont b|ack.
You actua||y ta|ntod on tho ma|| osca|ator?' Er|ca askod.
C|a|ro |ay back on hor bod, star|ng up at tho co|||ng w|th hor phono to hor oar. Yoah. l woko up on tho t|oor, w|th my mom and a bunch ot
strangors crouchod ovor mo. lt was horr|b|o. 1hank God Vom bo||ovod mo whon l sa|d l tr|ppod.'
3ut you'ro okay-mystor|ous droad|ockod sta|kor and scary v|s|on as|do?'
lot roa||y. A|oc st||| |sn't answor|ng h|s phono. l'm worr|od about h|m.'
C|a|ro, ho's an ango|. |o can tako caro ot h|mso|t.'
1hon whoro |s ho? lt's tour p.m. |o sa|d ho'd ca|| mo th|s morn|ng.'
Vaybo h|s co|| phono battory d|od.'
|o has a chargor.'
Vaybo ho's bur|od |n homowork. l know l am. Or maybo ho torgot.'
l don't th|nk so.'
|avo you guys ovor ovon spokon on tho phono botoro?'
A tow t|mos. lt was a|ways protty br|ot.'
Wo||, maybo ho's ono ot thoso poop|o who don't ||ko to ta|k on tho phono. l moan, ho's not oxact|y tho most chatty guy |n tho wor|d.'
|o has boon w|th mo . |ato|y. |o was supposod to soo v|ncont by now. 0o you th|nk v|ncont sa|d somoth|ng that changod A|oc's who|o
pos|t|on about us? l moan, ho olo say |t's torb|ddon tor us to bo togothor.'
C|a|ro, A|oc |s crazy |n |ovo w|th you. 1horo's no way ho changod h|s m|nd about anyth|ng. Vaybo ho's st||| nogot|at|ng w|th v|ncont, and ho
doosn't want to ca|| you unt|| ho's wrappod that up.'
Vaybo.'
3or|ous|y, l'm not worr|od about A|oc. l'm worr|od about yoo and th|s who|o cougar th|ng on tho h|||. What doos |t moan?'
l don't know. 3ut |t was torr|ty|ng. And |o|ona, whoovor sho |s, soundod roa||y upsot.' C|a|ro sat up cross-|oggod on hor bod, trown|ng. Vaybo
sho's gott|ng contusod. 'Causo |n tho v|s|on, l was woar|ng th|s roa||y oxpons|vo dross l saw today, that l am oovor go|ng to own.'
|uh.'
What am l supposod to do, Er|ca?'
C|a|ro cou|d a|most hoar Er|ca's trustratod shrug through tho phono. l don't know. 3ut sho sa|d |ast t|mo that A|oc was supposod to protoct
you. 3o ask A|oc.'
You moan, |t ho ovor ca||s mo,' C|a|ro rop||od w|th a hoavy s|gh.
1ho rost ot tho attornoon and ovon|ng |nchod by at a sna||'s paco. C|a|ro p|owod through hor homowork, constant|y star|ng at tho phono and
w||||ng |t to r|ng. As tho hours passod, hor worry grow. 3ho tr|od ca|||ng A|oc aga|n, tw|co, and sont anothor toxt mossago. lo answor. 3omoth|ng
was wrong-sho know |t |n hor bonos-and tho on|y way to t|nd out was to dr|vo ovor to h|s p|aco. 3ut sho know hor mom wou|d novor |ot hor go out
a|ono at n|ght. lt was agony wa|t|ng tor hor to go to bod.
||na||y, whon tho sound ot hor mothor's ovon broath|ng was aud|b|o trom tho noxt room, C|a|ro s||ppod qu|ot|y downsta|rs, stoa|th||y grabbod
tho car koys trom tho ontry tab|o, and snuck out tho door.
1ho ton-m|nuto dr|vo to A|oc's apartmont soomod to tako ton hours. C|a|ro parkod on tho stroot. As sho crossod tho d|m|y ||t |ot at A|oc's t|ny
comp|ox, sho caught s|ght ot h|s Vustang |n |ts usua| spot and to|t a surgo ot ro||ot. |o was homo!
C|a|ro spr|ntod up to h|s tront door, whoro sho stoppod to co||oct horso|t, ros|st|ng tho urgo to hammor aga|nst |t. Evorytblog ls golog to bo
okoy, sho roassurod horso|t. A|oc wou|d havo a good roason tor not ca|||ng, and togothor thoy'd t|guro out what to do about tho |atost mossago trom
|o|ona. 3ho knockod qu|ot|y and wa|tod. 3ho hoard st|rr|ng trom w|th|n, and thon tho curta|ns partod s||ght|y as somoono pookod out, a|though sho
cou|dn't soo who.
1horo was a pauso, thon tho sound ot tho sor|os ot |ocks s||d|ng.
1ho door croakod opon.
C|a|ro's b|ood trozo. lt wasn't A|oc who answorod. 1ho man stand|ng botoro hor was ta||, b|ack, handsomo, and c|ad |n an oxpons|vo, gray,
throo-p|oco su|t. 3ho'd novor soon h|m botoro |n hor ||to, yot h|s dark oyos boamod w|th rocogn|t|on.
Vs. 3ronnan!' ho |ntonod |n a doop vo|co, sm|||ng as ho pu||od tho door a|| tho way opon. 1o what do wo owo tho p|oasuro?'
1hat's whon sho know.
v|ncont.
twonty-o|ght
lt`s okoy, C|a|ro to|d horso|t. lo`s A|oc`s goootbor. lo`s golog to bo|p yoo. 3ut tor somo roason, hor stomach rotusod to unknot. Whon sho saw
A|oc stop |nto v|ow and caught tho m|sorab|o |ook on h|s taco, a|| hopo d|od w|th|n hor. |o was st||| woar|ng tho samo c|othos as |ast n|ght and
|ookod as |t ho hadn't s|opt at a||.
C|a|ro.' A|oc mot|onod toward tho ta|| man bos|do h|m. 1h|s |s v|ncont.'
0o como |n,' v|ncont commandod.
C|a|ro starod at thom s||ont|y, hor hoart boat|ng w|th trop|dat|on. A|oc's oyos woro tu|| ot pa|n and rogrot. Why? |o'd vowod to roason w|th
v|ncont, to conv|nco h|m to |oavo thom both a|ono. C|oar|y, ho must havo ta||od. Wh|ch moant that com|ng any c|osor to v|ncont cou|d bo s|gn|ng hor
own doath warrant.
C|a|ro took two stops back. lo, l-l th|nk l shou|d go.'
v|ncont's sm||o w|donod. Young |ady, you soom norvous. 1rust mo, you havo noth|ng to toar.'
lt's okay, C|a|ro,' A|oc sa|d qu|ot|y. |o's to|||ng tho truth. Wo'vo como to an . agroomont.'
Agroomoot C|a|ro thought. bot kloo o ogroomoot lt A|oc had succoodod |n socur|ng tho|r satoty, thon why d|d ho |ook so upsot? l
shou|dn't havo como. lt's |ato. l roa||y havo to go.'
Go whoro?' v|ncont sa|d qu|zz|ca||y.
3uddon|y, thoro was a |oud rumb|o and tho concroto at hor toot bogan to crack and ta|| away, croat|ng a tromondous t|ssuro on throo s|dos ot
hor. C|a|ro scroamod as sho watchod tho dostruct|on r|pp|o outward, ob||torat|ng ovoryth|ng |n |ts wako. 3ho was |ott on tho vory odgo ot a
proc|p|co, hang|ng ovor an ond|oss, doop chasm that r|va|od tho Grand Canyon. 1ho c|ty was gono. Oooo. On|y ono structuro roma|nod stand|ng:
tho s|ng|o room ot A|oc's apartmont, wh|ch g|owod br|ght|y botoro hor.
lan|ckod, sho stumb|od backward and tootorod ovor tho abyss, st||| scroam|ng.
v|ncont!' A|oc cr|od, |ntur|atod.
v|ncont's hand shot out and grabbod C|a|ro's arm, pu|||ng hor to satoty |ns|do tho apartmont. 3hhhhh,' ho admon|shod, you'|| wako tho
no|ghbors.'
As C|a|ro yankod hor arm trom v|ncont's grasp, sho turnod and saw, through tho opon doorway, that tho wor|d outs|do had mag|ca||y boon
rostorod to |ts natura| stato. 3ho gaspod, roo||ng |n contus|on as hor bra|n procossod th|s rap|d d|stort|on ot v|sua| cuos.
Was that roa||y nocossary?' A|oc crossod h|s arms |n annoyanco.
v|ncont c|osod tho door and |oanod h|s |anky tramo back aga|nst |t, |ook|ng down at C|a|ro w|th a m|sch|ovous chuck|o. l t|gurod |t was tho
most ott|c|ont way to got hor |nto tho room.'
A|oc turnod to C|a|ro. l'm sorry. |o was just p|ay|ng w|th your m|nd. Aro you a|| r|ght?'
C|a|ro shook hor hoad s|ow|y, strugg||ng to rocovor hor bas|c tacu|t|os. 3ho roa||zod that tho phys|ca| wor|d hadn't changod, that tho chaos
sho'd just w|tnossod had s|mp|y boon a sor|os ot |magos projoctod by v|ncont-that sho'd boon stand|ng on A|oc's doorstop tho who|o t|mo. 3ut
sho cou|dn't stop tromb||ng. 3ho |ookod at A|oc, w|sh|ng ho wou|d tako hor |n h|s arms. last n|ght, ho wou|d havo dono so |n an |nstant. |o wou|d
havo ho|d hor and roassurod hor that sho was okay, that tboy woro okay. 3ut A|oc was st||| stand|ng sovora| toot away, and mado no movo to como
c|osor.
l'm sorry,' A|oc sa|d aga|n.
What was ho apo|og|z|ng tor? v|ncont's torr|ty|ng |||us|on? |or not ca|||ng hor today? Or-tor somoth|ng tar worso?
You know,' v|ncont assortod, gaz|ng at hor but st||| ta|k|ng to A|oc, a|though unoxpoctod, |t's actua||y tortu|tous that sho's horo, s|nco wo a||
soro|y nood to havo a ||tt|o chat.'
C|a|ro swa||owod hard, back|ng away trom v|ncont aga|n, th|s t|mo tarthor |nto tho room. Evory |nst|nct to|d hor to toar th|s man, that sho wasn't
go|ng to ||ko whatovor ho sa|d. A chat?' sho sa|d uncorta|n|y. About what?'
3otoro sho cou|d b||nk, tho stud|o apartmont around thom d|sappoarod. 3uddon|y thoy woro |ns|do an o|ogant rostaurant atop a skyscrapor. A
tuxodood wa|tor stood bos|do a round, cand|o||t, ||non-drapod tab|o, sot w|th ch|na, s||vor, and crysta| tor throo. 1hrough hugo p|ato-g|ass w|ndows,
stars g||mmorod |n tho n|ght sky, and tho ||ghts ot a c|ty spark|od a|| around thom.
C|a|ro gaspod, so start|od that sho had to grab tho back ot a cha|r to stoady horso|t.
3top |t, v|ncont,' A|oc sa|d, oxasporatod.
3top what? You know how l too| about your spartan accommodat|ons. 1horo's baro|y soat|ng tor two, |ot a|ono throo. Wo'|| bo tar moro
comtortab|o horo.' v|ncont gosturod toward a wa|t|ng cha|r. l|oaso havo a soat, Vs. 3ronnan.'
C|a|ro g|ancod at A|oc, wondor|ng |t sho had any cho|co. A|oc gavo hor a s||ont nod to go a|ong w|th |t, thon t||ckod h|s gazo away. lo|uctant|y,
sho sat. What d|d v|ncont want?
v|ncont took tho soat across trom hor, wh||o A|oc bogrudg|ng|y sank |nto tho th|rd cha|r. 1ho wa|tor p|ckod up a ta|| bott|o ot spark||ng wator
and pourod g|assos tor C|a|ro and A|oc. Whon ho t|ppod tho bott|o ovor v|ncont's gob|ot, tho ||qu|d changod to a r|ch rod w|no.
1hank you,' v|ncont sa|d. As ho uttorod tho words, tho wa|tor and tho bott|o van|shod.
C|a|ro caught hor broath. 3ho to|t as |t sho woro stuck |n somo k|nd ot droamwor|d-and sho was a bund|o ot norvos. lt sho wantod to |oavo,
sho d|dn't ovon know whoro tho door was. What wou|d happon |t sho drank tho wator? Unab|o to ros|st tho |mpu|so, sho grabbod hor g|ass and
took a s|p. lt to|t and tastod just ||ko |t shou|d, though |t d|dn't quonch hor th|rst. 7bls ls so wolro, sho thought, tw|st|ng hor hands anx|ous|y |n hor |ap.
Whon sho g|ancod at A|oc, ho |ookod both angry and uncomtortab|o.
3o,' v|ncont bogan, sw|r||ng h|s w|no and sn|tt|ng |t. Wo havo a sltootloo horo.'
C|a|ro's stomach c|onchod aga|n. A s|tuat|on?'
Yos. And apparont|y |t's up to mo to contro| |t.'
1h|s |s not tho way l wantod |t, C|a|ro,' A|oc |ntorjoctod tonso|y.
3ut |t's nocossary.' v|ncont took a s|p ot h|s w|no. As l to|d A|oc |ast n|ght, |t was ono th|ng whon ho askod mo to koop qu|ot about h|s h|gh
schoo| oscapados to tho h|ghor-ups. lt's qu|to anothor to oxpoct mo to |gnoro thoso oscapados whon-as |t turns out-thoy broak ovory card|na|
ru|o |n ox|stonco.' ||s gazo to|| on C|a|ro as ho addod, Consort|ng w|th a human or typ|ca| loph||a wou|d bo bad onough, whon you cons|dor tho
ram|t|cat|ons ot brood|ng togothor-'
C|a|ro's taco grow hot. 0|d ho actua||y just say brooolog?
-but consort|ng w|th a lo|b|ooo |s anothor mattor ont|ro|y. And now that l'vo tound you, |t's not oasy to |ook tho othor way.'
Why? Why do you caro so much about mo?' C|a|ro askod. 3o l'm a |a|tb|ood, b|g doa|. l'm not go|ng to hurt anybody.'
You cou|dn't bo moro wrong, my doar. ln truth, you aro a t|ck|ng t|mo bomb that m|ght br|ng us a|| to war somo day.'
War?' C|a|ro starod at v|ncont, aston|shod. Vo War w|th whom?'
1ho |a||on.'
l don't undorstand.'
A||ow mo to on||ghton you,' v|ncont sa|d pat|ont|y. 1ho loph|||m outnumbor us astronom|ca||y, and too many aro jo|n|ng tho |a||on. You'vo
a|roady |nhor|tod your tathor's g|tt ot truo s|ght-wh|ch, |n and ot |tso|t, |s onough to mako you |ncrod|b|y va|uab|o to thoso who hato our k|nd. 3ut
your gonos may a|so bo h|d|ng tho othor ha|t ot your tathor's ta|onts.'
What othor ta|ont? What cou|d tho Gr|gor| t|nd so throaton|ng?'
v|ncont rowardod hor w|th a Chosh|ro gr|n. 7bot wou|d bo to|||ng. lt you know, you wou|d start |ook|ng tor s|gns ot |t and bo tomptod to oxp|oro
|t. 3ut rost assurod, you oro a throat. ln t|mo, you cou|d bocomo strongor and moro dangorous than anyth|ng wo havo tacod |n m|||onn|a.'
1horo havo to bo othor Gr|gor| out thoro who havo th|s powor,' C|a|ro arguod.
1hat's not tho po|nt. You'ro a lo|b|ooo. botovor powors you possoss, you aro c|osor to a Gr|gor| |n strongth than anyono o|so on tho p|anot
-but you havo tho woak const|tut|on ot your to||ow loph|||m. logard|oss ot any attompts yoo may mako to ros|st, tho |a||on w||| go to any |ongth to
rocru|t you to tho|r s|do ot tho board.'
1h|s |sn't choss!' C|a|ro rotortod hot|y. l'm not a pawn to bo man|pu|atod!'
lo, qu|to r|ght,' v|ncont agrood. You aro a quoon. 3ut wo can novor bo corta|n whoro your a||og|anco w||| ||o. lt tho natura| ordor ot th|ngs
prova||s, as |t usua||y doos, you may chooso to s|do w|th tbom.'
C|a|ro's hoart sank, hor stomach churn|ng v|o|ont|y now, and sho to|t tho hot throat ot toars. 3ho summonod hor strongth. 3o . what aro you
go|ng to do? 1urn mo |n to your hangman comm|ttoo? |avo mo oxocutod?'
1hat's what l sboo|o do.' v|ncont t|n|shod ott h|s w|no and s|ghod. 3ut A|oc has boggod mo to rocons|dor. lt sooms you'vo bocomo so
|mportant to h|m, ho's w||||ng to put many ||vos at r|sk. 3o wo'vo mado a doa|.'
What k|nd ot . doa|?' C|a|ro's vo|co quakod.
l'm go|ng to grant A|oc's w|sh. l'|| roport back to tho E|dors w|th a |lo. l'|| say that you'vo boon tound but aro not a throat ot any k|nd. Ot courso,
l'|| stay to watch ovor you, to onsuro that you do |ndood stoor c|oar ot tho |a||on and don't m|suso your g|tts. 3ut as |ong as you comp|y, l'|| soo to |t
that no E|dor |ays a hand on you or your mothor.'
C|a|ro g|ancod at A|oc, contusod. 1hat was good nows, wasn't |t? lt was oxact|y what sho and A|oc had boon pray|ng tor. 3o why wou|dn't ho
|ook hor |n tho oyo?
1ho answor to C|a|ro's s||ont quory camo to hor |n a t|ash. 1ho droad that had boon bu||d|ng |ns|do hor roso to hor throat, noar|y chok|ng hor.
You'|| do th|s . |n roturn tor what? lt you |ot mo go, what happons to A|oc?'
A|oc w||| como back to work, whoro ho bo|ongs,' v|ncont rop||od. l'|| smooth th|ngs ovor w|th tho E|dors. 0on't worry, thoy won't ox||o or
oxocuto h|m.'
Exocuto h|m?' C|a|ro cr|od |n horror.
v|ncont g|ancod at A|oc, amusod. Oh, l guoss you d|dn't to|| hor ovoryth|ng attor a||.' |ac|ng C|a|ro aga|n, ho cont|nuod, Yos, tho pona|t|os tor
|oav|ng tho to|d aro sovoro. 3ut |t l tako rospons|b|||ty tor h|m tor a wh||o, ho'|| bo back |n tho|r good gracos |n no t|mo. And ho w||| novor soo you
aga|n.'
twonty-n|no
Abrupt|y, A|oc stood and wa|kod to tho wa|| ot p|ato-g|ass w|ndows onc|rc||ng tho rostaurant, whoro ho stoppod and starod down at tho phantom
c|ty bo|ow. Evory musc|o |n h|s body to|t taut. |o was so ovorwho|mod w|th ho|p|oss tury, ho tound |t hard to broatho.
C|a|ro shovod hor cha|r back, |oapt to hor toot, and crossod to whoro A|oc stood. 1o|| mo you'ro not roa||y go|ng through w|th th|s,' sho
p|oadod sott|y.
l havo no cho|co, C|a|ro.' A|oc's vo|co broko. lt's tho on|y way l can protoct you.'
1oars sprang |nto C|a|ro's oyos. 1horo must bo anothor way!'
1horo |sn't.'
You can't go back! l don't want you to g|vo up ovoryth|ng tor mo!'
C|a|ro, you'|| bo happ|or w|thout mo. 1h|s |s your chanco to bo sato, to havo somo somb|anco ot a norma| ||to.'
l don't want a norma| ||to.' C|a|ro roachod out to tako A|oc's hand. l want yoo.'
l want you, too.' |o gr|ppod hor hand t|ght|y, h|s oyos wo|||ng up as ho gazod at hor. 3ut-|t's not roa||st|c. lt novor was.'
v|ncont c|oarod h|s throat sharp|y. Vy boy, stop away. You aro on|y mak|ng th|s hardor.'
3hut up!' C|a|ro throw ovor hor shou|dor at v|ncont. 1o A|oc, sho cr|od t|orco|y, You sa|d anyth|ng worth hav|ng |s worth t|ght|ng tor!'
|o |ongod to k|ss hor ono moro t|mo, to ho|d hor |n h|s arms, to to|| hor how ho to|t about hor-but that was |mposs|b|o w|th v|ncont horo. l
tr|od. l ta||od. l'm sorry. 1ust torgot about mo, C|a|ro. lot mo go. Vovo on.'
lo. lo. l|oaso,' sho wh|sporod dosporato|y. 0on't do th|s. 0on't go.'
l havo to. l'vo spont my ont|ro ||to pursu|ng just|co by ooolog tho ||vos ot othors. lot mo do th|s ono th|ng, C|a|ro, to sovo a ||to. Yoor ||to.'
3ho wont s||ont at that.
A|oc to|t as |t h|s chost woro wrappod |n a cont|nuous|y constr|ct|ng band ot barbod w|ro. ||s hoart was broak|ng, and ho cou|d soo that hors
was, too.
Whon aro you |oav|ng?' sho wh|sporod, agon|zod.
low. 1on|ght. 1horo's no po|nt |n pro|ong|ng th|s.'
Am l roa||y novor go|ng to soo you aga|n?'
A|oc shook h|s hoad. l'm sorry, C|a|ro. v|ncont w||| bo watch|ng ovor you trom now on. |o'|| protoct you |n my stoad. 1h|s has to bo good-byo.'
|o |ot hor hand go.
A doop sob oscapod C|a|ro's throat. 3ho wh|r|od on v|ncont, v|s|b|y sooth|ng. 1urn th|s th|ng ott!' sho cr|od as sho advancod toward h|m. lot
mo out ot horo!'
v|ncont gavo hor a s||ght nod. 3uddon|y, thoy woro back |n A|oc's apartmont, whoro thoy'd boon at tho start. v|ncont stood botwoon C|a|ro and
tho door.
low got out ot my way!' C|a|ro shoutod.
v|ncont ob||god, opon|ng tho door to |ot hor pass. W|th ono |ast |ook at A|oc, C|a|ro stumb|od out w|th toars stroam|ng down hor taco.
A|oc s|umpod aga|nst tho wa|| |n dospa|r. 1horo. lt's dono,' ho chokod.
Good.' v|ncont noddod gravo|y as ho stoppod |nto tho opon doorway h|mso|t. Ca|| mo whon you t|n|sh pack|ng. l'|| tako you to tho a|rport.'
th|rty
3omohow, C|a|ro managod to dr|vo homo.
As sho hoadod up tho wa|k to hor apartmont, strugg||ng to conta|n tho sobs that st||| shook hor tramo, sho saw a ||ght sh|n|ng through tho ||v|ng
room w|ndow. Lomo, sho thought. |or mothor was supposod to bo as|oop. C|a|ro was no soonor |n tho door than hor mom |oapt up trom tho
couch, but tho angry |ook on hor taco mo|tod tho |nstant sho saw C|a|ro's bodragg|od stato.
Whoro havo you boon?' |or mom rushod ovor and took C|a|ro |n hor arms. What's wrong?'
A trosh cry |ssuod trom C|a|ro's throat, to||owod by a s|ng|o word, Evorytblog.'
|or mom ho|d hor t|ght|y tor a |ong momont, rubb|ng hor back |ov|ng|y. 1a|k to mo, honoy,' sho wh|sporod. What |s |t?'
ln botwoon chokod sobs, C|a|ro managod to uttor, A|oc's |oav|ng. And l'm novor. Go|ng to soo h|m aga|n. Evor.'
Why?'
C|a|ro took a doop broath, torr|t|od to spoak tho noxt words a|oud, but |ncapab|o ot ho|d|ng back tho truth anymoro. 3ocauso ho's a Gr|gor|
and l'm a loph||a.'
3ho to|t hor mom tonso. 1hon lynn |oosonod hor ombraco and stood back to staro at hor. 1ho |ook on hor taco to|d C|a|ro that sho undorstood
comp|oto|y.
C|a|ro |ay on tho couch w|th hor hoad |n hor mothor's |ap, hor throat dry trom ta|k|ng and hor oyos swo||on trom cry|ng. |or mom had mado horso|t
somo cottoo, and ovor tho past hour had s|ppod at |t s|ow|y wh||o C|a|ro dota||od ovoryth|ng that had happonod s|nco 3ook 0ay: tho v|s|ons, tho
tact||o naturo ot hor powors, tho momory bur|od |n 1om's jackot, A|oc's truo |dont|ty, h|s horo|cs w|th tho scatto|d|ng, tho|r too||ngs tor oach othor,
and tho v|s|t trom v|ncont, who had guarantood hor and hor mothor's satoty-but at a torr|b|o cost.
1horo was on|y ono dota|| sho'd carotu||y |ott out-that a mystor|ous mossongor ango| namod |o|ona had boon contact|ng hor to|opath|ca||y
and had just prophos|od hor doath.
Evor s|nco tho day you woro born,' hor mom sa|d, hoav|ng a doop s|gh as sho strokod C|a|ro's ha|r, l'vo boon atra|d that somoth|ng ||ko th|s
wou|d happon. l'm so sorry you d|dn't too| you cou|d cont|do |n mo botoro. 3ut ovon though l know th|s |s hoartbroak|ng tor you, |t's st||| not ha|t as
bad as l'd ovor |mag|nod. 3ocauso you'ro st||| o|lvo. And now you'ro go|ng to bo sato. lt tho Watchor who camo to t|nd you has agrood to |oavo you
bo, thon a|| my prayors tor tho |ast s|xtoon yoars havo boon answorod. 1horo's noth|ng |ott to worry about.'
C|a|ro strugg|od to bury tho |mago ot tho cougar's torr|ty|ng jaws that hovorod at tho cornors ot hor m|nd. 1horo was no po|nt |n ta|k|ng about
tho v|s|on-|t wou|d on|y tr|ghton hor mom, and |t m|ght novor como truo. l|ght,' C|a|ro sa|d a|oud. loth|ng to worry about.'
|or mom pausod, as |t catch|ng somoth|ng |n C|a|ro's tono. Aro you suro you'vo to|d mo ovoryth|ng, honoy?'
C|a|ro sat up, nodd|ng as sho dr|od hor oyos on hor s|oovo. 1o|| mo, Vom, how d|d you got through th|s?'
l don't know that l ovor d|d. l was so tocusod on tak|ng caro ot you and koop|ng you sato-l th|nk my hoart scarrod ovor |nstoad ot hoa||ng.'
1o|| mo about h|m, Vom.'
|or mom hos|tatod aga|n, thon sa|d, 1ako my hand and c|oso your oyos.'
C|a|ro |ookod at hor, contusod. What?'
You obv|ous|y |nhor|tod ono ot your tathor's g|tts. 3o-'
Ono ot thom?' C|a|ro |ntorruptod. What o|so cou|d ho do?' Vaybo hor mom wou|d know what tr|ghtonod v|ncont so much. 3ut lynn shook hor
hoad.
l don't know. |o novor to|d mo.' |or mom took hor hand and ho|d |t. 3ut 1om usod to do th|s whonovor l had somoth|ng on my m|nd. 1rust mo,
you'|| soo.'
Okay.' C|a|ro c|osod hor oyos.
l was s|xtoon whon l mot h|m,' hor mom bogan. l was spond|ng tho summor |n tho |amptons w|th my tam||y, ||ko wo d|d ovory yoar. l mot h|m
at a party at ono ot my paronts' tr|ond's housos.'
As hor mom narratod, C|a|ro bogan to soo |magos ot what hor mom was doscr|b|ng, trom hor mom's po|nt ot v|ow:
A porty wos lo o|| swlog ot o swooky booso. o||-orossoo poop|o o o|| ogos woro orloklog rom crysto| gob|ots ooo soocklog oo tloy,
oxpooslvo-|ooklog oppotlzors rom posslog troys.
l d|dn't ovon want to bo thoro, and l was th|nk|ng ot snoak|ng out whon l saw h|m.'
Across tbo room, o to||, vory ottroctlvo moo wltb o|lvo sklo ooo oork, wovy browo bolr-jost |lko C|olro`s-wos storlog lotoot|y ot bor, os l sbo
woro tbo oo|y porsoo lo tbo room.
C|a|ro's hoart |urchod. |or tho t|rst t|mo, sho was soolog hor tathor, tho man sho had wondorod about ovory s|ng|o day ot hor ||to. lt thr|||od hor
to roa||zo that sho |ookod a |ot ||ko h|m.
|o was o|dor than mo-|n h|s oar|y twont|os, l guossod-but l d|dn't caro,' hor mom wont on. |o was tho handsomost man l'd ovor soon, and
d|ttoront trom anyono l'd ovor mot. |o was thoro on ass|gnmont to t|nd an Awakonod, but ot courso l d|dn't know anyth|ng about that at tho t|mo-or
that ho was about to postpono h|s m|ss|on on my account. Wo ondod up ta|k|ng tho who|o n|ght, and spont tho to||ow|ng wook togothor. lt was
mag|ca|.'
C|a|ro was troatod to a t|ash ot |magos, show|ng hor paronts |augh|ng at tho party, wa|k|ng a|ong tho boach at sunsot, r|d|ng on h|s motorcyc|o,
and p|cn|ck|ng undor tho stars.
Attor that, ho d|sappoarod tor a tow months.'
C|a|ro oponod hor oyos. Wow. l'm soo|ng |t, Vom! l'm soo|ng |t a||.'
|or mom squoozod hor hand and sm||od, thon cont|nuod. l wont back to schoo|, but l novor stoppod th|nk|ng about h|m. ln lovombor ot my
jun|or yoar, ho showod up aga|n outs|do my schoo|. lt was as |t no t|mo had passod at a||. Ovor tho noxt tow wooks, wo to|| |n |ovo. 1hon ho
d|sappoarod aga|n. l was hoartbrokon. Whon ho showod up tho th|rd t|mo, ho t|na||y to|d mo tho truth about who and what ho was, and that ho was
go|ng to |oavo |t a|| boh|nd tor mo. l was aston|shod. l to|d h|m not to do |t. 1hat l wasn't worth |t. 1hat ho had a duty and ho shou|d honor |t. 3ut
socrot|y, l wantod noth|ng moro than tor us to bo togothor, and l was ro||ovod that l cou|dn't chango h|s m|nd.'
C|a|ro's mom pausod now, and |ot go ot hor hand. 1ho |magos stoppod abrupt|y, and C|a|ro oponod hor oyos.
l'd ||ko to koop tho v|sua|s ot th|s noxt part pr|vato.' lynn took a s|p ot cottoo and wont on, b|ush|ng a ||tt|o. Ono n|ght, wo . mado |ovo, and l
soon tound out l was prognant w|th you. |o |ns|stod on marry|ng mo, and l sa|d yos. l was young, but l adorod h|m. l wantod to spond tho rost ot my
||to w|th h|m. Vy paronts, howovor, woro tur|ous and throw mo out ot tho houso.'
|or mom took C|a|ro's hand aga|n, and tho |magos rosumod |n C|a|ro's m|nd. l |ott h|gh schoo| attor my jun|or yoar, and wo got an apartmont
|n Vanhattan. As soon as l turnod o|ghtoon, 1om and l woro marr|od at c|ty ha||. l got my GE0 wh||o work|ng at a v|doo storo. 1om, who'd spont two
contur|os acqu|r|ng a var|oty ot sk|||s, and was not on|y a psych|c but a mastor at torg|ng tho documonts nocossary |n h|s tormor . occupat|on, got
a job as a stockbrokor.'
C|a|ro |aughod. |o must havo mado z||||ons.'
lot roa||y. |o cou|d prod|ct most ot tho tw|sts and turns ot tho markot, but ho had a h|gh codo ot oth|cs. |o d|dn't want to tako advantago ot h|s
g|tt, and thought |t bost to p|ay |t sato so that no ono wou|d suspoct anyth|ng. W|th you on tho way, wo rontod a houso |n 3rook|yn. Wo woro
do||r|ous|y happy tor tho noxt yoar and a ha|t, ovon though wo had to koop |ook|ng ovor our shou|dors, worr|od that tho Gr|gor| wou|d como |ook|ng
tor h|m-and you. 1ho day you woro born was tho happ|ost day ot our ||vos. You woro so portoct, so boaut|tu|.'
C|a|ro was troatod to an |mago ot hor tathor p|ay|ng w|th hor as a baby. lovo ||t h|s taco as ho ho|d hor t|ny, chubby, sm|||ng |ntant so|t up abovo
h|s hoad. |o |aughod w|th do||ght as ho brought hor c|oso and covorod hor g|gg||ng taco w|th k|ssos. 1ho |mago brought happy toars to C|a|ro's
oyos.
Wo tr|od to protond that ovoryth|ng wou|d bo okay, that wo woro sato |n our ||tt|o wor|d, and that no ono wou|d ovor t|nd us |n a c|ty w|th m||||ons
ot poop|o. 3ut ono day, whon you woro s|x months o|d, 1om d|dn't como homo. l was |n a pan|c. l d|dn't hoar trom h|m unt|| tho noxt morn|ng whon
ho ca||od mo at my job. 1om sa|d that a Watchor had doscondod on h|m as ho was hoad|ng tor tho subway. 1ho Watchor |ns|stod ho d|dn't want to
rat on a to||ow Gr|gor|, ovon |t ho had gono AWOl-tho pona|t|os woro unth|nkab|o. 3ut ho suspoctod 1om ot a tar worso cr|mo: ot bo|ng |nvo|vod
w|th a human toma|o. lt |t was truo and 1om gavo tho woman up, tho Watchor sa|d, ho'd try to pavo tho way w|th tho E|dors tor 1om to roturn to h|s
ca|||ng. Othorw|so, ho'd turn 1om |n and mako corta|n ho-and h|s 'spawn,' |t any-tacod tho consoquoncos.'
C|a|ro oponod hor oyos w|th a sonso ot torobod|ng. 1hat sounds ||ko v|ncont.'
Vaybo |t was. 1om novor to|d mo tho Watchor's namo. A|| ho sa|d was that h|s ||to-oor |lvos-woro a|| on tho ||no. |o tr|od to k||| tho Watchor,
but ta||od, and thon ho ran.'
0|d ho ovor como homo?'
|or mom shook hor hoad, toars studd|ng hor oyos as sho |ot go ot C|a|ro's hand. lo. |o sa|d tho dangor was too groat. |o cou|dn't tako that
chanco. |o'd sot up a bank account tor us w|th ovoryth|ng ho had. |o to|d mo to pack up and |oavo town |mmod|ato|y, chango my namo, start ovor
somowhoro o|so, and novor try to t|nd h|m. 1hat ho wou|d como to us whon ho cou|d. l ho cou|d. 1hat's tho |ast t|mo l ovor hoard trom h|m.'
And you'vo boon runn|ng ovor s|nco,' C|a|ro sa|d sott|y. l wondor what happonod to h|m. Whoro d|d ho go? ls ho ovon st||| a||vo?'
l ask myso|t that ovory s|ng|o day. l pray that ho's a|| r|ght. lt's a comtort to at |oast know now that ho was novor caught.' |or mom w|pod away
a toar that was ro|||ng down hor chook. l'm sorry l cou|dn't to|| you, honoy. 3ut you can soo why |t had to bo a socrot. l kopt hop|ng that you wou|dn't
Awakon, and that thoro'd bo no nood to to|| you any ot |t.'
Wo||, l know ovoryth|ng now. And |t |ooks ||ko h|story has just ropoatod |tso|t.' A|| tho hoartbroak ot tho prosont roturnod w|th a crush|ng b|ow,
and C|a|ro sank back aga|nst tho sota, toars torm|ng |n hor own oyos. Vom, l'm so sorry that happonod to you-to us.' W|th a s|gh, sho addod,
What am l supposod to do now?'
l know |t's hard, swoothoart. 3ut tho carouso| ot ||to |s go|ng to koop sp|nn|ng, and you nood to just hang on and movo w|th |t.'
|ow?'
You havo schoo|work to do, a scho|arsh|p to ma|nta|n, tr|onds to hang out w|th, and co||ogos to app|y to ovontua||y. And as you do a|| thoso
th|ngs, you w||| ono day moot anothor boy that you ||ko.'
What? lo way.' C|a|ro shook hor hoad omphat|ca||y. 1hat's novor go|ng to happon.'
lt w|||. l undorstand that your hoart |s broak|ng r|ght now, but |t w||| hoa|, |t you |ot |t.'
Yours novor d|d.'
0on't mako tho samo m|stako l d|d, C|a|ro. 0on't shut yourso|t ott trom |ov|ng othor poop|o, just bocauso th|s ono ro|at|onsh|p d|dn't work out.'
1h|s ooo ro|otloosblp?' C|a|ro ropoatod qu|ot|y. Vom, you mako |t sound so mundano and ord|nary. 3ut |t lso`t.'
|or mom |ookod at hor po|ntod|y. 0|d you ta|| |n |ovo w|th A|oc bocauso ot wbot ho |s?'
lo. Ot courso not.'
1hon, doop down, ho's just a boy you connoctod w|th. And thoro aro |ots moro ot thom. l know |t won't bo oasy. 3ut you dosorvo a|| tho bost
that ||to has to ottor, C|a|ro. You aro what you aro . bocauso ot mo. 3ocauso ot tho cho|cos l mado. lt w||| k||| mo |t you'ro don|od happ|noss and
|ovo bocauso ot thoso cho|cos. l|oaso, honoy, prom|so mo that you'|| try to koop an opon m|nd about tho tuturo.'
A br|ot s||onco to||. ||na||y, C|a|ro sa|d so|omn|y, l'|| try.'
|or mom k|ssod C|a|ro's ha|r and sa|d w|th a sma|| sm||o, Good. l th|nk tho t|rst stop on tho road to rocovory |s th|s danco on 3aturday.'
C|a|ro drow back and starod at hor mothor, aghast. You don't sor|ous|y oxpoct mo to go to |omocom|ng oow?'
l oxpoct noth|ng. lt's your ca||, but l hopo you w|||. You'ro up tor pr|ncoss. l know how thoso th|ngs work. 3omoono o|so wl|| ask you.'
l don't caro. l don't want to go w|th anyono but A|oc.'
Wo|| thon, you can a|ways go w|th your tr|onds. 1ust th|nk about |t, okay? You havo a who|o wook to t|guro |t out.'
lt was tour a.m. by tho t|mo C|a|ro wont to bod. 3ho cr|od horso|t to s|oop, and thon droamod ot A|oc. 1hoy woro back |n tho phantom rostaurant
v|ncont had croatod, and A|oc was ho|d|ng hor hand. l`m sorry, ho was say|ng brokon|y. Yoo`|| bo bopplor wltboot mo. 7bls ls gooo-byo. 1ho droam
ondod w|th hor stand|ng a|ono on tho h|||s|do at schoo|, a toroc|ous cougar |oap|ng out at hor trom tho darknoss. 3ho awoko |n a pan|c, gasp|ng,
hor p|||ow wot w|th toars.
C|a|ro s|opt |n tho noxt morn|ng. 3ho spont a|| day 3unday |n bod, strugg||ng to oat a tow b|tos ot tho tood hor mom brought |n on trays. 3ho
turnod ott hor co|| phono, rotus|ng to ta|k to anyono. 1|mo stood st|||. A|| co|or soomod to havo tadod trom tho wor|d. Evon tho sky outs|do was d|m
and gray, and a ||ght ra|n bogan to ta||, as |t tho un|vorso was woop|ng w|th hor.
lt was |mposs|b|o to bo||ovo sho wou|d novor soo A|oc aga|n. Know|ng that ho was go|ng back to a |ono|y job and an ox|stonco ho dosp|sod-
a|ways on tho road, t|tt|ng |n nowhoro, a monk assass|n-that ho'd g|von up h|s droam ot ||v|ng among humans, a|| bocauso ot hor, was too torr|b|o
to contomp|ato. And yot, sho roa||zod, a tar moro horr|ty|ng sconar|o m|ght onsuo. lt v|ncont cou|dn't conv|nco tho Counc|| to go oasy on A|oc whon
ho roturnod, A|oc m|ght bo put to doath-and C|a|ro wou|d novor ovon know. 3ho was consumod by m|sory and gu||t, as |t a part ot hor hoart and
hor guts had boon torn out, |oav|ng hor r|ppod and b|ood|ng, novor to mond.
Vonday dawnod g|oomy and ovorcast. C|a|ro awoko groggy and putty-oyod, and woro sung|assos to avo|d quost|on|ng |ooks. Whon sho
oponod hor |ockor, sho saw w|th a jo|t ot trosh pa|n that a|| ot A|oc's stutt was st||| thoro. Vaybo v|ncont hadn't g|von h|m t|mo to c|oar |t out botoro
mak|ng h|m |oavo. A|though |t was d|tt|cu|t to soo A|oc's books and tho b|ack mota| box, |n a way, C|a|ro was g|ad, |t was phys|ca| proot that A|oc
ox|stod, that ho had onco boon a part ot hor ||to. 3ho hoard Er|ca's vo|co boh|nd hor and turnod.
C|a|ro! l ca||od and ca||od yostorday, but |t wont stra|ght to vo|co ma||. Whoro'vo you boon?' W|thout paus|ng tor a rop|y, Er|ca wont on
oxc|tod|y, 0|d you soo tho ||st? l'vo boon dy|ng to to|| you a|| wookond. You and A|oc knockod 'om doad on |r|day. You'ro s|ng|ng |n tho
|omocom|ng assomb|y!'
1ho nows h|t C|a|ro ||ko a punch |n tho stomach. 1hat's groat,' sho rospondod brokon|y, but you can cross us ott, bocauso A|oc and l won't bo
portorm|ng.'
Why not?'
3ocauso ho just |ott town tor good.'
Er|ca |ot out a qu|ot gasp. What? by '
C|a|ro to|t trosh toars spr|ng to hor oyos. 1o savo my ||to.'
th|rty-ono
3y tho ond ot |unch, C|a|ro had t|||od Er|ca and 3r|an |n on ovoryth|ng, |nc|ud|ng hor a||-n|ghtor w|th hor mom. 1hoy woro support|vo and ompathot|c,
but noth|ng thoy sa|d cou|d comtort hor.
lt was strango to bo surroundod by poop|o who woro chattor|ng happ||y and go|ng on w|th ||to as usua|. 1o C|a|ro |t to|t as |t ovoryth|ng sho
know and |ovod had como to a crash|ng ond, ||ko tho scatto|d|ng that had noar|y co||apsod on hor. A|oc was gono, and |t |o|ona's warn|ng and
v|s|on provod truo, h|s sacr|t|co wou|d bo tor noth|ng. Un|oss C|a|ro cou|d t|guro out how to stop |t, sho m|ght d|o anyway-trom a mounta|n ||on
attack.
C|a|ro to|t ho||ow, ompty. 3ho took notos |n hor roma|n|ng c|assos ||ko an automaton, w|thout roa||y hoar|ng or absorb|ng anyth|ng. 1ho ono
th|ng sho d|d not|co was that a dozon or moro g|r|s had shown up |n schoo| woar|ng o|bow-|ongth g|ovos. 3ho and Er|ca soomod to havo startod a
tad attor a||.
Attor 3pan|sh-tho |ast c|ass ot tho day-lo|| caught up w|th hor just outs|do tho door.
l hoard about A|oc.' 1horo was sympathy |n h|s go|don-brown oyos.
l th|nk ovoryono has by now.' C|a|ro kopt hor hands |n hor pockots, hor vo|co t|at.
lo|| wa|kod bos|do hor down tho path toward tho|r |ockors. ls ho at |oast go|ng to st|ck around |ong onough to tako you to tho |omocom|ng
0anco?'
lo. |o's a|roady gono.'
1hat's mossod up. l don't got why ho's |oav|ng. |o soomod to roa||y ||ko you.'
3orrow gathorod |n hor chost and throat. lt's a |ong story, but |t doosn't mattor.'
lt sboo|o mattor.' lo|| trownod. l know ho hurt you, and l'm sorry. 3ut l hopo you'|| st||| go to tho danco.'
You sound ||ko my mothor.'
3hou|d l bo comp||montod or |nsu|tod?'
l th|nk both. lo||, |t you woro |n my shoos, you wou|dn't want to go o|thor.'
0on't tako th|s tho wrong way, 3ronnan, but l don't th|nk l'd t|t |n your shoos. l'd ta|| on my taco.'
ln sp|to ot tho sadnoss poo||ng w|th|n hor, a sma|| sm||o tuggod at hor ||ps.
What's that? Aro you sm|||ng?' lo|| cranod h|s taco down toward hors, taunt|ng hor w|th a gooty, bug-oyod oxpross|on. 0on't do that, C|a|ro.
0o anyth|ng but sm||o!'
C|a|ro's ro|uctant gr|n grow w|dor. low sho undorstood what A|oc had moant about lo||'s |nnato sonso ot charm. Vaybo |t wasn't a
suporpowor, but |t m|ght as wo|| havo boon. W|th an oxasporatod grunt, sho covorod hor taco w|th hor hands. l havon't hoard that ||no s|nco l was |n
k|ndorgarton.'
And l can't bo||ovo |t st||| works! C|a|ro, what you nood now |s a projoct to throw yourso|t |nto.'
A projoct?'
1o d|stract you. l say |t's t|mo to start a campa|gn to w|n that pr|ncoss crown.'
C|a|ro uncovorod hor taco and g|arod at h|m. l'd rathor craw| |nto a ho|o and d|o.'
A|so a nob|o pursu|t,' lo|| qu|ppod. 3ut |t you chango your m|nd-and |t you doc|do to go to tho danco-l'd bo honorod to oscort you.'
C|a|ro was shockod. l thought you wou|d havo askod Gabr|o||o by now.'
l can't stand Gabr|o||o. A|| sho ta|ks about |s horso|t. l just sm||o and nod so that l don't soom rudo.'
C|a|ro d|dn't know what to say.
lo prossuro,' lo|| addod qu|ck|y. 1ako a|| wook to th|nk about |t |t you want to, but |t |t's a yos, just mako suro to to|| mo by s|x o'c|ock on
3aturday, so l havo t|mo to throw on a su|t botoro l p|ck you up. ||vo torty-t|vo, |t you want mo to woar a t|o.'
A ||tt|o |augh bubb|od up |ns|do C|a|ro. 1hanks, lo||,' sho sa|d, hor thoughts and omot|ons |n turmo||, but don't wa|t around a|| wook tor mo.
You shou|d ask somobody o|so.'
lo|| stoppod and |ookod down at hor, h|s oyos s|ncoro. l don't want to go w|th anyono o|so.'
lt was n|co ot h|m to ask, but thoro's no way.' C|a|ro was ho|d|ng a throo-way v|doo chat on hor |aptop w|th Er|ca and 3r|an as sho |ay on hor bod
that n|ght, dood||ng. A progross|on ot |op-oarod bunn|os was mak|ng |ts way across hor notobook, c||ng|ng to umbro||as that t|oatod |n a c|oudy sky.
l'm st||| |n |ovo w|th A|oc, and lo|| knows |t.'
C|a|ro, you woro |n |ovo w|th A|oc tor a wook,' Er|ca po|ntod out, maybo two. You'vo boon obsoss|ng about lo|| tor tho past two yoors.'
You wou|d havo boon thr|||od to go out w|th lo|| |t A|oc hadn't swoopod |n,' 3r|an addod. And what |t you w|n that crown? loop|o w||| th|nk |t's
|amo |t you don't show up at tho danco.'
l havo moro |mportant th|ngs to worry about than a danco, or what poop|o th|nk,' C|a|ro |ns|stod. |avo you torgotton |o|ona's warn|ng? 1ho
Gr|gor| may bo ott my back, but A|oc's not horo to protoct mo anymoro. l cou|d bo cougar chow any day now.'
C|a|ro, that's r|d|cu|ous. 1horo aro no mounta|n ||ons |n tho hoart ot urban 3rontwood,' 3r|an sa|d.
Ono cou|d wandor down trom tho h|||s,' C|a|ro sa|d. 1hat somot|mos happons.'
Yoah, but thoy'vo novor crossod tho trooway,' ho countorod.
l'vo boon th|nk|ng moro about that,' Er|ca sa|d s|ow|y, and l don't soo how that v|s|on cou|d ovor como truo. You don't ovon own tho dross you
sa|d you woro woar|ng, C|a|ro.'
3ut that's what l saw.'
1hat |ady-wboovor sho |s-cou|d bo wrong.'
3ho was r|ght about mo, and about A|oc. |o olo protoct mo. |o gavo up ovoryth|ng to savo mo trom tho Gr|gor|.'
Yos, and now ho's movod on,' 3r|an rom|ndod hor, and ho to|d you to movo on, too.'
Easy tor you to say.' C|a|ro s|ghod. You don't too| ||ko you'vo boon stabbod |n tho hoart.'
C|a|ro,' Er|ca oncouragod sott|y, l undorstand how much you'ro hurt|ng r|ght now. 3ut you sa|d yourso|t, you and A|oc woron't a||owod to bo
togothor anyway. |o mado a hugo sacr|t|co tor you, but |t was h|s cho|co. |o doosn't want you to stop ||v|ng just bocauso ho |ott. |o wou|d want you
to go to th|s danco, l'm suro ot |t.'
You and lo|| wou|d mako a groat coup|o,' 3r|an addod. |o cou|d bo pr|nco to your pr|ncoss.'
And ho's bomoo,' Er|ca put |n.
C|a|ro s|ghod. 3ho to|t raw |ns|do. 3ho had no |ntorost |n go|ng to tho danco w|th anyono but A|oc. 3ut hor tr|onds' argumonts woro woar|ng hor
down. Vaybo thoy woro r|ght. |or mom wou|d bo thr|||od about lo||'s |nv|tat|on, too. 3ho'd say th|s was portoct t|m|ng, that C|a|ro shou|d accopt and
go and bo happy.
C|a|ro starod down at tho p|cturo sho'd dood|od. 3onoath tho t|oat|ng bunn|os woro tho toothy, gap|ng jaws ot a g|ant a|||gator, wa|t|ng to
swa||ow thom a|| who|o. |or ||to, sho thought gr|m|y, as sho saw |t now.
Okay,' sho sa|d |n ros|gnat|on, l guoss l'|| th|nk about |t.'
1ho noxt morn|ng, C|a|ro put on a sm||o, tound lo||, and accoptod h|s |nv|tat|on. A|though |t had to bo obv|ous that sho was |oss oxc|tod about go|ng
than ho was, lo|| st||| soomod o|atod.
Whon thoy jo|nod 3r|an and Er|ca tor |unch, ta|k turnod to how thoy woro go|ng to ho|p C|a|ro run a |omocom|ng lr|ncoss campa|gn. 0osp|to
hor protosts to tho contrary, tho othors |ns|stod |t was |mportant. ln tho ond, C|a|ro agrood that |t noth|ng o|so, |t m|ght bo a good d|stract|on. lo||
sa|d ho'd ho|p bako cook|os, 3r|an ottorod to lhotoshop C|a|ro's p|cturo and havo postors pr|ntod, and Er|ca agrood to ho|p put thom up.
1ust prom|so mo you'ro not th|nk|ng ot somoth|ng ||ko tbot.' C|a|ro po|ntod to an oxpons|vo-|ook|ng co|or postor on a noarby wa|| toatur|ng
Gabr|o||o V|||or |n a sk|nt|ght tank top and |ong rod g|ovos, star|ng out |n a soxy poso.
Wo||,' Er|ca sa|d, wr|nk||ng hor noso, yoo don't havo to got a|| s|utty about |t.'
lo|| suggostod that ho and C|a|ro run |n tandom, so thoy mado postors toatur|ng a photo ot tho two ot thom w|th tho s|ogan, A W|nn|ng la|r:
voto lo|| and C|a|ro.' 1hoy mado dozons ot cook|os, p|ast|c-wrappod thom w|th tho|r |nsortod s|ogan, and handod thom out to an onthus|ast|c
crowd. lt was t|mo-consum|ng and oxhaust|ng, but somohow ovon a|| that act|v|ty d|dn't sorvo to t||| tho ompt|noss |ns|do C|a|ro whonovor sho
thought ot A|oc.
3ho ho|d convorsat|ons w|th h|m |n hor m|nd, c|os|ng hor oyos and sh|vor|ng w|th omot|on as sho roca||od tho sound ot h|s vo|co, tho doop
groon ot h|s oyos gaz|ng |nto hors, and tho too| ot h|s arms around hor. 3ho tound horso|t soarch|ng tho crowds at schoo|, hop|ng to catch a g||mpso
ot h|m stand|ng |n tho shadow ot an archway or poor|ng down at hor trom a roottop. 3ut ho was gono, tru|y gono.
Yoo solo to movo oo, sho to|d h|m s||ont|y, swa||ow|ng down tho |ump |n hor throat. Aoo tbot`s wbot l`m trylog to oo.
1ho wook craw|od by. C|a|ro tr|od to h|do hor |ono||noss and dospa|r as sho doa|t w|th tho rout|nos ot da||y ||to. 1ako out tho trash. |o|p mako
d|nnor. 0o hor homowork. 3ho and Er|ca stagod anothor soanco to try to commun|cato w|th |o|ona, but woron't ab|o to mako contact. 3|nco thoro
woro no nows roports ot mounta|n ||ons roam|ng tho stroots ot los Ango|os, thoy doc|dod tho dangor must not bo |mm|nont attor a||. Ono br|ght noto
was that C|a|ro and hor mom woro gott|ng a|ong bottor than ovor, now that thoy cou|d t|na||y bo honost w|th oach othor.
1hon, on 1hursday ovon|ng, hor mom camo homo w|th a surpr|so.
|onoy, |ook what l tound!' C|a|ro's mom burst |nto hor room carry|ng somoth|ng on a hangor, obscurod by dopartmont-storo p|ast|c.
l know wo p|annod to go shopp|ng tor your dross ton|ght attor d|nnor, but l tound th|s on my |unch hour.' |or mom drapod tho mystor|ous
garmont on tho bod and stoppod back. 1o|| mo what you th|nk.'
C|a|ro romovod tho p|ast|c bag and cou|dn't ho|d back a gasp. lt was a sh|mmory b|uo dross. 7bo sh|mmory, tour-hundrod-do||ar b|uo dross
that sho had adm|rod w|th hor mothor a wook ago.
l know how much you |ovod |t.' |or mom boamod. And |t was on sa|o-t|tty porcont ott. l cou|dn't ros|st.'
C|a|ro's hoart thuddod |n hor chost. |or mom was so ocstat|c, an oxpoctant |ook on hor taco. 1horo was no way C|a|ro cou|d adm|t what was
roa||y on hor m|nd. 3o sho huggod hor mom t|ght|y, koop|ng hor taco avortod. 1hanks, Vom. You'ro amaz|ng.'
Whon hor mom |ott tho room, C|a|ro starod at tho dross, trozon |n d|sbo||ot and toar. 3ho'd novor boon ono to caro a|| that much about c|oth|ng,
but sho |ovoo th|s dross. 1horo was just ono prob|om.
5bo mlgbt bo oostlooo to olo lo lt.
1ho schoo| schodu|o was roarrangod on |r|day so that tho |omocom|ng assomb|y was tho |ast ovont ot tho day. C|a|ro had just squoozod |n noxt to
3r|an |n tho b|oachors whon Er|ca stoppod up to tho m|crophono on tho gym t|oor.
1hank you tor cast|ng your votos. Wo |ook torward to soo|ng you a|| attor tho gamo at tomorrow n|ght's danco, whoro wo'|| announco our
|omocom|ng Ouoon, K|ng, lr|nco, and lr|ncoss. 3ost ot |uck to a|| tho nom|noos.'
C|a|ro's m|nd was so consumod w|th worry about tho Cougar v|s|on and tho 0ross that sho d|dn't hoar any ot tho protocts' announcomonts
that to||owod, and was |ncapab|o ot part|c|pat|ng |n tho choors tor tho noxt day's tootba|| gamo. 1h|ngs wont trom bad to worso whon tho
ontorta|nmont startod. 3ho and A|oc wou|d havo boon up thoro, |t on|y hor wor|d wasn't such a comp||catod moss. lnstoad, tho grungo band
portormod |n tho|r p|aco, to||owod by a barborshop quartot.
3r|an sont hor sympathot|c g|ancos throughout tho assomb|y, wh||o covort|y surt|ng tho |ntornot on h|s phono. ||s shou|dor was too||ng so much
bottor now that ho'd g|von up tho s||ng and was ab|o to work two-handod.
0o you actua||y protor EV0 to th|s stup|d assomb|y?' C|a|ro wh|sporod. lut your phono away!'
l proor that you ||vo,' 3r|an wh|sporod back. 3ho'd to|d h|m and Er|ca about tho now dross tho n|ght botoro, and tor tho t|rst t|mo, ovon 3r|an
had soomod worr|od. Evor s|nco, ho'd boon soarch|ng tor c|uos to |o|ona's whoroabouts. |or a|| wo know, |t you woar that dross, you cou|d ond up
|n a ||ttor box.'
3r|, l'vo spont wooks comb|ng tho |ntornot, |ook|ng tor |o|ona. lt's a |ost causo. G|vo |t a rost.'
lo. 1ho on|y way wo can know what's up |s to t|nd hor. l st||| say |t |o|ona askod you to como soo hor, sho must bo somowhoro |n 3outhorn
Ca||torn|a, c|oso onough that you cou|d actua||y got yourso|t thoro.' As ho starod at h|s phono, h|s oyos suddon|y ||t up. |o|y crapzoros.'
What?'
|o wh|sporod, C|a|ro, l am a god. lot tbo God, but o god.'
What aro you ta|k|ng about?'
1h|s v|doo was postod on tho |ntornot ovor two wooks ago. look.'
|o handod C|a|ro h|s phono, turn|ng |t s|doways so that tho v|doo t|||od tho scroon. |o'd mutod tho sound, but |t was obv|ous|y a c||p trom a
|oca| nows channo|. 3oh|nd tho roportor was a hugo wh|to bu||d|ng, w|th a s|gn that road 1Wll lAlV3 |O3ll1Al.
A hosp|ta|?' C|a|ro sa|d, contusod.
1ust koop watch|ng.'
A now |mago was supor|mposod on tho scroon: a c|oso-up ot a pa|o woman as|oop |n a hosp|ta| bod. A|though tho |mago was t|ny, and tho
woman's wh|to-b|ond ha|r hung ||mp|y around hor taco, sho st||| rosomb|od tho |ady |n C|a|ro's v|s|ons. 3ho ovon had tho samo boauty mark on hor
r|ght chook just abovo hor mouth. C|a|ro's hoart sk|ppod a boat.
You sa|d sho had pa|o b|ond ha|r and a boauty mark. ls that hor?' 3r|an askod.
lt m|ght bo hor. Who |s sho? l nood to hoar what tho roportor |s say|ng.'
1ho m|nuto tho assomb|y |ot out, C|a|ro and 3r|an grabbod Er|ca. 1ho throo ot thom racod to 3r|an's car, whoro thoy sat and watchod tho v|doo
sovora| t|mos.
Po|lco oro stl|| trylog to loootly o pooostrloo wbo wos lojoroo lo o trolc co||lsloo |ost lrlooy. 5bo`s o Coocosloo, prosomoo to bo lo bor
oor|y slxtlos, wltb cblo-|oogtb, |lgbt b|ooo bolr. 5bo wos oooo woorlog o oovy-b|oo oross, bot corrloo oo otbor loootlylog loormotloo. 5bo ls
stob|o bot ooob|o to spook, ooo bos booo troosorroo to 7wlo Po|ms losplto| lo ost lo||ywooo. l ooyooo bos ooy loormotloo oboot tbo
loootlty o tbls womoo, p|ooso cootoct tbo po|lco, or co|| tbo ocl|lty olroct|y ot tbo o||owlog oombor.'
A phono numbor t|ashod across tho scroon, and tho v|doo ondod.
|ow'd you t|nd th|s?' Er|ca |oanod torward trom tho back soat, awostruck.
l kopt add|ng ovory soarch word l cou|d th|nk ot |nto tho Goog|o m|x,' 3r|an answorod. Whon l comb|nod 7wlo Po|ms and womoo w|th
mlsslog porsoo and bosplto|, th|s camo up.'
Er|ca |ookod |mprossod. You aro a goo, 3r|an.'
1hat's what l'vo boon say|ng.' |o boamod.
C|a|ro's pu|so racod. Was |t poss|b|o that th|s was tho woman sho was |ook|ng tor? A|| th|s t|mo that l'vo boon gott|ng mossagos, l novor
|mag|nod that sho m|ght bo |njurod or |y|ng |n a hosp|ta| bod somowhoro.'
Wo||, |t |t ls hor, th|s oxp|a|ns why sho's boon try|ng to contact you to|opath|ca||y, |nstoad ot com|ng |n porson,' 3r|an po|ntod out. Wost
|o||ywood |s on|y about ha|t an hour away w|th tratt|c. lot's go soo hor!'
|ow am l supposod to ta|k to hor, |t sho can't spoak?' askod C|a|ro.
You woro ab|o to communo w|th your |ong-|ost tathor's sp|r|t just by touch|ng h|s jockot, and now you'ro worr|od about commun|cat|ng w|th a
|lvo porson who happons to a|so bo psycblc?' Er|ca answorod.
Oh. Good po|nt. lot's go r|ght now,' C|a|ro sa|d. Er|ca's taco to||. l|ght now? l can't. l havo to go count votos w|th tho comm|ttoo.'
Oh, too bad,' 3r|an rop||od w|th mock sympathy. l guoss that moans l got to do somoth|ng tun tor a chango.' |o turnod to C|a|ro. Vay l bo
your chauttour?'
1w|n la|ms |osp|ta| was an |mmonso, modorn tac|||ty bust||ng w|th act|v|ty. Whon 3r|an and C|a|ro askod about tho mystory pat|ont, thoy woro to|d
to s|gn |n, g|von v|s|tor's badgos, and d|roctod up to tho trauma un|t on tho s|xth t|oor. Ex|t|ng tho o|ovator, thoy approachod tho nurs|ng stat|on,
whoro a woman |n p|nk scrubs was busy do|ng paporwork.
||,' C|a|ro bogan w|th a sm||o. Wo saw somoth|ng on tho nows about an un|dont|t|od woman who was |njurod |n a tratt|c acc|dont.'
Oh!' 1ho nurso |ookod up w|th suddon |ntorost. 0o you know hor, honoy?'
lt m|ght bo my aunt,' C|a|ro rop||od, roc|t|ng tho oxcuso sho and 3r|an had concoctod.
1ho nurso chockod a chart. 3ho's |n room 048. l'|| wa|k you ovor thoro.'
As tho nurso hurr|od down tho corr|dor, C|a|ro sa|d, 1hoy mont|onod on tho nows that sho can't spoak. What happonod? 0|d sho havo a
stroko or somoth|ng?'
lo, sho suttorod a sovoro hoad trauma. 3ho's |n a coma.'
A como C|a|ro thought. lo|y crop.
lt sho doosn't wako up, thoy'ro mov|ng hor to anothor tac|||ty noxt wook.' 1ho nurso |od thom |nto a room whoro a pa|o-ha|rod woman was |y|ng
as|oop |n bod, a th|n b|uo b|ankot drawn up to hor chost, hor arms rost|ng outs|do tho b|ankot at hor s|dos. C|a|ro's pu|so qu|ckonod.
lt was hor. A|though sho |ookod a b|t moro haggard than tho woman |n C|a|ro's v|s|ons, |t was dot|n|to|y tho samo sott|y wr|nk|od, boaut|tu| taco.
lo|ooo.
C|a|ro noddod covort|y at 3r|an. ||s oyos w|donod.
ls sho your aunt?' tho nurso askod.
l'm not suro,' C|a|ro sa|d. l havon't soon hor s|nco l was t|vo yoars o|d. l th|nk l nood a m|nuto.'
1ho nurso's pagor boopod. Okay, honoy. 1ust |ot mo know-or |t you can't t|nd mo, you can to|| any nurso on tho t|oor.'
1hank you.'
1ho nurso ox|tod. C|a|ro drow two cha|rs up noxt to tho bod and sat down norvous|y. l can't bo||ovo l'm t|na||y |n tho samo room w|th hor.'
3r|an took tho soat noxt to hor, h|s brow turrowod. What shou|d l do? l'vo novor soon th|s botoro.'
1ust s|t thoro and wa|t.' C|a|ro s||ppod tho g|ovo ott hor r|ght hand, t|ox|ng hor t|ngors. lt l start ta|k|ng w|th somoono o|so's vo|co, don't troak
out.'
3r|an gapod. What?'
C|a|ro d|dn't too| ||ko oxp|a|n|ng |t. 3ho took a doop broath, thon carotu||y p|ckod up tho woman's hand |n hor own. 1o hor surpr|so, a|most
|mmod|ato|y, a jo|t ot o|octr|c|ty soomod to pass trom tho woman's body |nto hors. 3uddon|y, a|| tho sounds around hor coasod, as |t sho was |ns|do
an |so|at|on chambor. 1ho wor|d around hor van|shod ont|ro|y.
3ho was no |ongor s|tt|ng |n tho hosp|ta|. ln tact, sho was no |ongor s|tt|ng. 3ho was stand|ng |n a b|ack vo|d, s|m||ar to tho ono |n wh|ch sho'd
mot tho woman botoro. C|a|ro starod down at hor arms and gaspod. 1ho groon t|amos ot hor aura rad|atod trom ovory poro ot hor body, t||ckor|ng
|nto tho b|acknoss.
C|a|ro hoard tho pattor ot d|stant tootstops. A spock ot go|don ||ght appoarod on tho hor|zon and s|ow|y approachod. |or hoart poundod |n
ant|c|pat|on. As tho ||ght drow noaror, |t grow br|ghtor and br|ghtor, chang|ng tho b|acknoss around hor to a vo|d ot br||||ant wh|to. C|a|ro squ|ntod, as
|t sho'd stoppod out ot a dark mov|o thoator |nto b||nd|ng sunsh|no.
A t|guro camo |nto tocus, surroundod by a go|don aura. lt was tho samo woman, but sho |ookod prott|or and |nt|n|to|y hoa|th|or than sho d|d |n
tho hosp|ta| bod. 3ho woro tho samo b|uo dross and spark|y d|amond nock|aco as |n tho|r prov|ous oncountors, hor wh|to-b|ond ha|r was onco
moro sty||sh|y co|ttod, and hor comp|ox|on was p|nk and v|brant-yot sho was not sm|||ng.
3ho stoppod a tow toot away and rogardod C|a|ro w|th a storn g|aro as tho|r auras tadod away. You corta|n|y took your swoot t|mo gott|ng
horo.'
th|rty-two
C|a|ro br|st|od, so takon aback by tho woman's pr|ck|y oxpross|on and tono that sho torgot what sho'd p|annod to say. l'm sorry,' sho rop||od
dotons|vo|y. 3ut you d|dn't oxact|y sond mo Gl3 coord|natos. lt took mo a wh||o to t|nd you.'
l thought my mossagos woro c|oar,' tho woman rop||od, tho raspy odgo absont trom hor now tam|||ar, cu|turod 3r|t|sh vo|co. lorhaps you d|d
not roco|vo thom |n tho|r ont|roty.'
l guoss not.'
1hat may bo a rot|oct|on ot my |njury, or your |noxpor|onco. Vost ||ko|y, |t's both,' tho woman sa|d cross|y. 3ut |t's ot no mattor now. At |oast
you aro horo.'
C|a|ro starod at hor. 3ho had |mag|nod moot|ng a swoot o|dor |ady, not a b|tchy ono.
A|though C|a|ro hadn't rospondod a|oud, tho woman's mouth crookod |nto a ha|t sm||o. l'm not what you oxpoctod, am l?'
|ow do you know what l oxpoctod?'
Whothor you spoak or th|nk somoth|ng, my doar, l can hoar |t. lot us bog|n aga|n.' 3ho thrust out hor hand. l am |o|ona.'
C|a|ro took hor hand and shook |t. |o||o. l'm sorry you'ro s|ck.'
1ho woman shruggod. 1ho body |s tra||, but tho m|nd |s strong.'
Why aro you |n a coma? l thought tho Gr|gor| hoa| tastor than poop|o.'
Wo do. 3omo |njur|os tako |ongor to hoa| than othors. lt l woro a human, l wou|d not havo surv|vod.' |o|ona bogan wa|k|ng, cast|ng a |ook at
C|a|ro to to||ow. Como a|ong, l nood my oxorc|so.'
C|a|ro qu|ck|y caught up to hor. Evory stop to|t wo|rd and awkward. A|| around hor was b|ank wh|to noth|ngnoss. W|th no d|st|nct|on botwoon
ground and sky, sho had no |doa whoro to p|aco hor toot. Whoro aro wo?'
A moot|ng ot tho m|nds. 1h|s |s tho p|aco whoro poop|o go whon thoy mod|tato.' 1ho woman pausod and |ookod at hor. lt you'ro
uncomtortab|o horo, too| troo to chango tho |oca|o. Wo can bo anywhoro you ||ko.'
Anywhoro?'
1ho on|y ||m|t |s your |mag|nat|on. Your m|nd |s capab|o ot tar groator th|ngs than you know. 0on't bo shy. 1h|nk ot somop|aco you onjoy, and
tako us thoro.'
C|a|ro took a doop broath, try|ng to como up w|th a p|aco. 1ho t|rst |mago that poppod |nto hor m|nd was tho soccor t|o|d at schoo|. lnstant|y,
thoy woro both thoro, wa|k|ng across tho w|do, grassy oxpanso that sproad out bo|ow tho |andscapod h|||s|do.
Wow,' C|a|ro sa|d. 1hat was coo|.'
lot bad tor a t|rst try.' |o|ona gavo hor a po||to sm||o.
Whoro wou|d you havo gono?' C|a|ro roturnod p|aytu||y.
1ho woman's hazo| oyos g|oamod. 3uddon|y, thoy woro travors|ng tho grounds ot an oxpans|vo, boaut|tu||y |andscapod ostato on a portoct,
sunny day. A magn|t|cont br|ck manor homo stood |n tho d|stanco, surroundod by acros and acros ot groon |awns dottod w|th |mmonso, |oaty troos
and b|oat|ng shoop. l havo a sott spot tor Eng||sh gardons.'
C|a|ro |aughod. As thoy wa|kod on, past h|gh groon hodgorows bordorod by br||||ant bods ot co|ortu| t|owors, C|a|ro was t|na||y ab|o to ask tho
quost|on that had boon burn|ng |n hor m|nd tor a|most a month. Who oro you, and why havo you boon contact|ng mo?'
1ust th|nk ot mo as your guard|an ango|, my doar.'
Vy guard|an? A|oc novor ta|kod much about thoso. ls |t roa||y okay |t l ca|| you an ango|?'
l don't objoct to tho torm myso|t, |t |t ho|ps you undorstand what l am.'
|ow d|d you ovon know about mo? l thought v|ncont was tho ono ass|gnod to |ook tor mo.'
Yos, but your ab|||t|os aro so s|m||ar to m|no-a|bo|t moro d||utod-that l'vo boon connoctod to your m|nd ovor s|nco you Awakonod. Vy
acc|dont provontod mo trom contact|ng you through norma| channo|s.'
l soo.' C|a|ro sonsod that tho o|d woman was ho|d|ng somoth|ng back, and sho st||| d|dn't undorstand why |o|ona was ho|p|ng hor, but thought
|t bost not to pross tho po|nt just yot.
Vy |mmod|ato concorn |s tor your satoty,' |o|ona wont on. 3|nco l'vo boon |ncapac|tatod, l'vo sont you mossagos tho on|y way l cou|d.'
1hat brought up tho othor worry brow|ng |n C|a|ro's bra|n. Am l roa||y go|ng to bo attackod by a cougar at tho |omocom|ng 0anco tomorrow
n|ght?'
Yos.'
C|a|ro's pu|so qu|ckonod w|th toar. |ow do l stop |t trom happon|ng?'
Vy rocommondat|on wou|d bo: 0on't go.'
0on't go to tho danco? 3ut-l can't do that.'
Why ovor not?'
A|| tho pont-up omot|ons C|a|ro had boon ho|d|ng back camo t|ow|ng out |n a rush. 3ocauso my mom bought mo th|s oxpons|vo dross and
sho's so oxc|tod about |t, and l sa|d yos to lo|| attor say|ng no, and |t's my t|rst danco, and thoro's tho who|o pr|ncoss th|ng that my tr|onds havo put
so much t|mo |nto, and-'
|o|ona ho|d up hor hand, mot|on|ng tor C|a|ro to stop babb||ng. A|| r|ght. lt you'ro go|ng to act ||ko a toonagor about |t-'
l om a toonagor!'
C|oar|y.'
What |s tbot supposod to moan?'
|o|ona s|ghod. Wo||, l to|| you to koop your g|tt a socrot, and you |mmod|ato|y to|| two tr|onds about |t-and |ator your mothor. 1hon-'
3ut-' C|a|ro bogan.
7boo l po|nt you |n tho d|roct|on ot tho ono porson who can protoct you, and you ta|| |n puppy |ovo w|th h|m, dosp|to h|s oxp||c|t oxp|anat|on that
such a ro|at|onsh|p |s aga|nst tho |aw.'
C|a|ro's chooks burnod. 1o havo hor who|o oxpor|onco w|th A|oc roducod to tho torm poppy |ovo was |nsu|t|ng. At tho samo t|mo, hor hoart
achod w|th trosh pa|n just at tho mont|on ot h|s namo. l won't apo|og|zo tor that. l |ovo A|oc and l a|ways w|||-no mattor what your |aws havo to say
about |t.'
Wo||, |t was vory |rrospons|b|o ot A|oc.'
You can't p|an who you ta|| |n |ovo w|th,' C|a|ro |ns|stod, rush|ng to A|oc's dotonso.
lo cou|d havo. You torgot that to our k|nd, tho concopt ot |ovo |s ont|ro|y toro|gn.' |o|ona pausod |n tront ot a |argo, throo-t|orod tounta|n t|||od
w|th |||y pads. |or moro than s|x hundrod yoars, l havo watchod humans do|ng tho most b|zarro-somot|mos ho|nous, occas|ona||y boaut|tu|-
th|ngs |n tho namo ot |ovo. l st||| do not undorstand |t. 3ut A|oc shou|d havo known bottor.'
Wo||, you don't havo to worry about mo and A|oc anymoro. |o's gono now. l'm go|ng to tho danco w|th somoono o|so.'
3o l saw.'
C|a|ro sat down on tho stono bonch surround|ng tho tounta|n and d|ppod hor hand |nto tho coo| wator. A |ump roso |n hor throat and sho
swa||owod hard, strugg||ng to ho|d back toars. |ow tar can you soo |nto tho tuturo?'
l can on|y soo tho crossroads wh|ch aro tatod to happon ooxt. lt |s tho samo tor you. And wo can soo tho tato ot anyono oxcopt oorso|vos.'
Okay, so |t you'ro ab|o to soo my tato bocauso you'ro not mo, thon what shou|d l do about tho danco tomorrow n|ght?' C|a|ro shook hor hand
to dry |t as thoy wa|kod on. lt l don't woar tho b|uo dross, w||| l bo sato? W||| that koop tho v|s|on trom com|ng truo?'
l doubt that w||| bo onough to a|tor your tato. 1ho tuturo |s a s||ppory th|ng. Wo aro otton dost|nod to roach corta|n crossroads, no mattor what
act|on wo tako-or outt|t wo woar. lt somoth|ng sobstootlo| shou|d chango w|th rogard to tomorrow ovon|ng, you w||| bo on a now path and your
dost|ny w||| chango.'
3hou|d l ca|| an|ma| sorv|cos thon, and say l saw a w||dcat roam|ng around campus?'
You cou|d, but thoy wou|d bo wootu||y unproparod tor th|s part|cu|ar an|ma|. lt |s no ord|nary cougar.'
What do you moan?'
0o you romombor tho man who was watch|ng you at tho ma||?'
C|a|ro noddod |n contus|on, roca|||ng tho strango, droad|ockod man who'd boon star|ng |ntont|y at hor that day. What doos ho havo to do w|th
th|s? 0oos ho contro| tho cougar?'
|o ls tho cougar,' |o|ona answorod gr|m|y. |o |s ono ot tho |a||on, and that |s h|s g|tt. |o can sh|tt shapos botwoon a human and a mounta|n
||on.'
You moan-||ko a woro-cat?'
A crudo torm, but yos. Woro-cougar wou|d bo moro spoc|t|c.' |o|ona sat down on a bonch bonoath an onormous troo and gazod at tho v|sta
around thom. |o's a wo||-known morconary who w||| do anyth|ng tor tho r|ght pr|co. |o works tor both s|dos but has provon vory usotu| to us on
occas|on, wh|ch |s tho on|y roason ho's st||| a||vo. l don't know who ho's work|ng tor now, or |t-tor a chango-ho's just act|ng on h|s own.
logard|oss, |t sooms that you aro h|s targot-and basod on h|s h|story, |t tomorrow n|ght's attack ta||s, ho'|| try aga|n.'
C|a|ro sat bos|do |o|ona, knott|ng hor hands unoas||y. |ow am l supposod to ||vo a norma| ||to |t tho |a||on aro a|ways go|ng to bo com|ng
attor mo and doath |s |urk|ng around ovory cornor?'
Unoxpoctod dangor can str|ko anyono at any momont. You w||| got through |t tho samo way that ovory human gots through tho|r ||to-ono day
at a t|mo. Your g|tts w||| ho|p you. And so w||| l.'
C|a|ro starod at |o|ona. You'|| ho|p mo? loa||y?'
l sa|d l was your guard|an ango|, d|dn't l?'
1hon you'ro not go|ng to roport mo to tho E|dors?'
l om an E|dor, C|a|ro.'
C|a|ro to|t a t|ny t||ckor ot hopo. 1ho ||to that |ay ahoad ot hor d|dn't sound protty, but |t d|dn't sound qu|to as dosporato, o|thor. W|thout A|oc by
hor s|do, |t st||| soomod to strotch away |nto ob||v|on ||ko a groat wavo ot |ono||noss-and sho m|ght novor bo out ot dangor. 3ut at |oast now sho
had a psych|c compan|on who wou|d try to provont tho worst trom happon|ng. Ooo ooy ot o tlmo.
3o,' C|a|ro sa|d, doop |n thought, back to tho woro-cougar. Whon l go to tho danco-'
lt you most go,' |o|ona |ntorjoctod w|th a s|gh.
lt |t's not onough to chango tho dross,' C|a|ro wont on t|rm|y, how about |t l don't go anywhoro noar tho p|aco whoro l saw |t happon?'
1hat m|ght bo ottoct|vo. And as an oxtra procaut|on, l wou|dn't go anywhoro on your own tomorrow n|ght.'
Got |t.'
low prom|so mo ono moro th|ng, C|a|ro.'
What?'
1hat attorward, you'|| como back to soo mo as soon as you can. Onco wo avort th|s |mmod|ato throat, l w||| bo ab|o to soo boyond |t to what
you m|ght taco noxt.'
l'|| bo back on 3unday morn|ng,' C|a|ro prom|sod.
|o|ona sm||od. Good. 1ust como back to mo sato|y. Good-byo.'
C|a|ro oponod hor mouth to rop|y, but suddon|y, |n |oss than a b||nk, tho monta| connoct|on was gono. 3ho was back |n tho hosp|ta| room, s|tt|ng
at |o|ona's bods|do, ho|d|ng tho comatoso woman's hand |n hors. And somoono o|so's hand was mov|ng |n c|rc|os |n tront ot hor taco. C|a|ro
jumpod. lt was 3r|an.
Whoa! 3orry,' 3r|an sa|d. 1ust tost|ng to soo |t you'ro consc|ous. Aro you . back?'
C|a|ro noddod.
1hat was tr|ppy.' 3r|an b|ow out a bomusod broath. You novor sa|d a word, but your oyos woro opon tho who|o t|mo, and you had th|s vacant,
thousand-yard staro that was roa||y croopy.'
Wo||, that's sator than t|oat|ng. l guoss l am gott|ng bottor at th|s.' C|a|ro stood up and put hor g|ovo back on, try|ng to co||oct horso|t. lot's got
out ot horo qu|ck.'
1hoy s||ppod down tho corr|dor unnot|cod and |oapt onto tho crowdod o|ovator. 1ho m|nuto |t dopos|tod thom |n tho |obby, 3r|an sa|d oagor|y,
3o to|| mo what happonod! lt's bor, r|ght? 0|d you ta|k to hor?'
Yos to both.'
What'd sho say?'
3hort vors|on: l most ||ko|y won't d|o tomorrow, but ovory day attor that |s a toss-up.'
th|rty-throo
loan|ng c|oso to tho m|rror abovo hor drossor, C|a|ro addod a subt|o dash ot g||ttor to hor oyo shadow as sho got roady tor tho danco. 3ut hor
thoughts woron't on hor makoup-thoy woro t|||od w|th worry about tho ovon|ng ahoad.
Voot|ng |o|ona had boon unnorv|ng to say tho |oast. |o|ona c|a|mod sho was C|a|ro's guard|an ango|, that sho wou|d try to warn and protoct
hor. C|a|ro know sho shou|d bo ro||ovod-but sho cou|dn't stop tho spasm that t|ghtonod hor stomach at tho momory ot tho cougar's g|oam|ng oyos,
tho paws as b|g as saucors, tho tooth as sharp as sp|kos. Was thoro a chanco sho m|ght d|o ton|ght? Yoo`|| bo loo, sho to|d horso|t. 3ho wou|dn't
go anywhoro noar that spot on tho h|||s|do, and sho wou|dn't go anywhoro a|ono.
C|a|ro s|ghod and starod at hor rot|oct|on. lamp||ght sh|mmorod and dancod ott tho to|ds ot hor dross, wh|ch c|ung to ovory curvo ot hor body,
and tho doop b|uo co|or comp|omontod hor sk|n tono. 3ho'd kopt hor ha|r s|mp|o, just cur||ng |t a b|t. 3ho to|t boaut|tu|.
And stoopod |n gu||t.
|or hoart achod tor A|oc. Whoro was ho now? ln somo tar-t|ung country, uttor|y a|ono, track|ng a mombor ot tho |a||on? 3ho to|t ||ko a traud,
go|ng to th|s danco w|th somoono o|so, know|ng tho sacr|t|co A|oc had mado tor hor and how m|sorab|o ho must bo. 3ho wondorod what |t wou|d
bo ||ko to know that bo was wa|t|ng tor hor at tho bottom ot tho sta|rs . what ho'd |ook ||ko |n a su|t . what |t'd too| ||ko to danco |n h|s arms.
C|a|ro shook hor hoad v|gorous|y, ban|sh|ng thoso thoughts trom hor m|nd. lt wasn't ta|r to lo|| tor hor to tantas|zo about somoono o|so. lo||
was a groat guy. 3ho'd prom|sod to bo h|s dato, and sho was dotorm|nod not to d|sappo|nt h|m.
Ou|ck|y, C|a|ro pu||od on tho |ong b|uo sat|n g|ovos hor mom had tound hor. Grabb|ng hor shaw| and ovon|ng bag, sho hurr|od trom tho room.
Whon sho arr|vod downsta|rs, hor mom was s|tt|ng on tho sota, ta|k|ng to lo||. |o was drossod |n a b|ack su|t w|th th|n p|nstr|pos and a cr|sp wh|to
sh|rt. |o had somo k|nd ot |ooso, narrow b|uo scart wrappod around h|s nock |nstoad ot a t|o. As usua|, h|s dark ha|r was natura||y groomod to
portoct|on. Evon though sho saw h|m a|most ovory day, C|a|ro was aga|n struck by how handsomo ho was.
lo|| |oapt to h|s toot as sho approachod, a sm||o ||ght|ng up h|s taco. Wow. C|a|ro. You |ook amaz|ng.'
C|a|ro b|ushod. 3o do you. What's that around your nock? A cravat?'
lt's an ascot. l'vo a|ways wantod to woar ono. l wont to s|x storos botoro l tound th|s. You sa|d your dross was b|uo, and l had to guoss at tho
shado, but l |uckod out-th|s comos c|oso to match|ng.'
3ho was touchod that ho'd gono to so much ottort on hor boha|t. lt |ooks groat. vory sty||sh.'
You two |ook portoct togothor.' C|a|ro's mom boamod, gott|ng out hor camora.
3r|an and Er|ca soon arr|vod, |ook|ng m|ghty sp|tty thomso|vos. Attor a round ot p|cturo tak|ng-and hor mom warn|ng lo|| to dr|vo sato|y tor
tho umptoonth t|mo-thoy a|| sot ott |n lo||'s hand-mo-down loxus, whoro thoy chattorod oxc|tod|y a|| tho way to tho danco.
C|a|ro not|cod that Er|ca soomod a ||tt|o d|stractod-sho cou|dn't qu|to moot C|a|ro's oyos, and soomod to bo th|nk|ng carotu||y botoro sho
spoko. 1hon C|a|ro romomborod that Er|ca was on tho comm|ttoo and probab|y know tho rosu|ts ot tho |omocom|ng Court. 0|d Er|ca's d|scomtort
moan that C|a|ro-or lo||-had won, or |ost? C|a|ro d|dn't want to ask, but Er|ca was c|oar|y t|dgoty around thom.
Whon thoy roachod tho gym, tho toursomo passod through tho |obby w|th |ts g|ass trophy casos and doors |oad|ng to tho |ockor rooms. 1ho
doub|o doors to tho gym |ntor|or stood w|do opon, and as thoy stro||od |ns|do, tho o|octr|t|od onorgy cours|ng through tho room ||ttod C|a|ro's sp|r|ts.
lt hard|y |ookod ||ko a gym at a||. 1ho ||ghts woro d|m, cast|ng a romant|c g|ow ovor a|| hor c|assmatos, who woro drossod to tho n|nos and danc|ng
to tho boat ot pop mus|c pumpod through onormous spoakors. An arch ot b|uo and rod ho||um ba||oons tramod tho ontryway, and dozons ot othor
ba||oon c|ustors docoratod tho sma|| tab|os and cha|rs around tho room. 3ovora| toachors s|ppod punch by tho rotroshmont tab|o, wh||o a 01
contro||od tho mus|c atop a stago on tho oppos|to s|do ot tho gym.
l know |t |ooks protty standard,' Er|ca shoutod ovor tho mus|c, po|nt|ng to sovora| pottod troos that dot|nod tho odgos ot tho danco t|oor, but
soo tho t|cusos w|th tho tw|nk|o ||ghts? 7bot was mo.'
vory c|assy,' C|a|ro commontod.
You guys d|d an awosomo job,' lo|| agrood.
Er|ca d|d a mock bow, accopt|ng tho pra|so w|th ro||sh. low, ootroz, mos omls.'
1ho g|r|s droppod tho|r pursos and wraps on a cha|r as Er|ca cont|nuod, 3r|an, l mado suro thoro woro l|co Kr|sp|os 1roats just tor you.
1hoy'ro go|ng to announco tho w|nnors at o|ght th|rty. Unt|| thon, ovorybody bo coroo|.' 3ho dartod a moan|ngtu| |ook at C|a|ro. And go nuts!'
lmmod|ato|y, Er|ca took 3r|an's hand and draggod h|m onto tho danco t|oor.
What d|d sho moan, bo coroo|?' lo|| askod |oud|y |n C|a|ro's oar.
3ho know Er|ca was rotorr|ng to tho chanco that C|a|ro m|ght bo attackod by a loph|| woro-cougar, but sho cou|dn't vory wo|| adm|t that to lo||.
3ho knows l havo two |ott toot and was just warn|ng mo to watch my stop whon wo danco,' C|a|ro shoutod.
1hat's okay, l woro stoo|-tood boots,' lo|| toasod. |o took hor g|ovod hand and |od hor |nto tho contor ot tho room.
1ho 01 was b|ast|ng tho nowost h|t s|ng|os. 3omo ot tho othor dancors, C|a|ro not|cod, woro gyrat|ng to tho mus|c w|th no part|cu|ar sty|o. lo||,
on tho othor hand, bogan to movo w|th a t|u|d graco. 3ho'd soon h|m portorm |n choroographod mus|ca|s onstago, but th|s was tho t|rst t|mo sho'd
w|tnossod what ho cou|d do on h|s own. |o was so tasc|nat|ng to watch, C|a|ro a|most torgot to danco horso|t. 1ho mus|c had such onorgy,
howovor, that sho soon got |nto tho sw|ng ot th|ngs, |ott|ng go ot a|| tho worr|os that wo|ghod on hor m|nd. 3ho was gott|ng a |ot ot s|do|ong |ooks-
trowns trom g|r|s onv|ous ot hor dato, and cur|os|ty trom poop|o sho d|dn't know that wo||. A tow poop|o ovon camo up to w|sh hor |uck |n tho o|oct|on
tor pr|ncoss. lt to|t odd, as |t sho woro a m|nor co|obr|ty tor tho ovon|ng.
3ovora| songs wont by botoro tho t|rst s|ow song startod, at wh|ch po|nt tho mood |mmod|ato|y sh|ttod. |a|t tho studonts dr|ttod ott toward tho
rotroshmonts or tho s|do||nos to s|t down, wh||o thoso who roma|nod movod |nto oach othor's arms.
As sho wovo hor arms around lo||'s nock, C|a|ro s||ont|y ropoatod hor mantra to horso|t, just |n caso lo||'s hands touchod hor oxposod uppor
back. As tho words rosoundod |n hor bra|n, sho cou|dn't ho|p romombor|ng how |t had to|t to bo ho|d |n A|oc's ombraco, sp|nn|ng through tho n|ght
a|r. 1ost orgot oboot mo, C|olro. Lot mo go. Vovo oo. |or hoart wronchod, and sho had to suppross a suddon pang |n hor chost. 3ut as sho
|ookod up |nto lo||'s oyos, sho saw such swootnoss and adm|rat|on that sho torcod horso|t to tocus on tho prosont. lo|| dosorvod that.
|av|ng a good t|mo?' |o sm||od down at hor as thoy movod |n s|ow c|rc|os to tho sott boat.
Yos,' C|a|ro rop||od. Aro you?'
l'm horo w|th tho prott|ost g|r| at tho danco, why wou|dn't l bo?'
Was that an attompt to avo|d tho quost|on?' 1ho words camo out unth|nk|ng, and C|a|ro rogrottod thom. Woro thoy promptod by hor own gu||t?
l'm hav|ng a wondortu| t|mo, l was just worr|od about you.' lo|| stud|od hor taco |ntont|y. 1o|| mo stra|ght: Aro you st||| th|nk|ng about blm?'
|o'd askod so gont|y that C|a|ro cou|dn't ||o to h|m. A ||tt|o,' sho adm|ttod sott|y. 3ut l'm g|ad to bo horo w|th you.'
lo|| noddod, not |ook|ng part|cu|ar|y surpr|sod or hurt. Okay. l can accopt that.'
C|a|ro sm||od up at h|m. |as anyono ovor to|d you how groat you aro?'
Charm|ng |s tho word l gonora||y hoar,' ho jokod.
C|a|ro |aughod. As thoy cont|nuod to danco, sho to|t tho tons|on s|ow|y |oavo hor body. lt was n|co to bo |n lo||'s arms, to bo tho contor ot h|s
attont|on-and to actua||y bo v|s|on troo. 3ho hadn't to|t th|s ro|axod or norma| |n a |ong t|mo. Normo|. 1hat was what A|oc and hor mom had both
wantod tor hor, wasn't |t? 1o p|ck a norma| boy, and havo a norma| ||to?
And thon sho saw thom-a th|n, dark-ha|rod g|r| c|ad |n a short, c||ngy wh|to dross and two tough-|ook|ng guys whoso musc|os bu|god bonoath
tho|r t|ght su|ts woro pass|ng through tho ba||oon archway. Evon |n tho d|m|y ||t gym, C|a|ro rocogn|zod thom at onco, and sho starod at thom |n
a|arm.
1ho |a||on.
1hoy g|ancod about tho gym w|th baro|y concoa|od sm|rks ot amusomont. C|a|ro know thoy woro at |oast tour or t|vo yoars too o|d to bo |n h|gh
schoo|-not to mont|on that tho|r appoaranco d|dn't mosh w|th tho co||ogo-prop Emorson v|bo at a||-but no ono o|so soomod to havo not|cod thom
yot.
Excopt lo||, who to||owod hor gazo. Aron't thoy thoso guys trom tho ma||?'
C|a|ro's vo|co was tonso. l th|nk so.'
What aro thoy do|ng horo?'
l don't know.'
lot's t|nd out.' lo|| took hor g|ovod hand.
lo, lo||, l'd rathor-'
|o |gnorod C|a|ro's protost as ho propo||od hor purposotu||y across tho room through tho crowd ot dancors. 1ho tarthor thoy movod trom tho
01 and h|s mass|vo spoakors, tho qu|otor tho mus|c bocamo, unt|| C|a|ro was actua||y ab|o to hoar horso|t th|nk aga|n.
1ho tr|o had sott|od |n tront ot tho rotroshmont tab|o, whoro tho ta||, ponyta||od guy-C|a|ro cou|dn't romombor h|s namo-was chomp|ng on a
cook|o. 1ho shortor ono was p|ay|ng w|th a co|| phono, wh||o tho g|r| s|ppod punch. A|| throo ot thom survoyod tho room |ntont|y. Looklog or mo,
C|a|ro thought gr|m|y.
As sho and lo|| strodo up, tho g|r|'s oyos ||t up w|th rocogn|t|on.
C|a|ro!' tho g|r| cr|od. l a|most d|dn't rocogn|zo you. You |ook gorgoous |n that dross! 0o you romombor mo?'
Co|osto, r|ght?' C|a|ro's ||ps t|ghtonod war||y-yot dosp|to horso|t, sho to|t a tr|ond|y g|ow omanat|ng trom th|s g|r|, onvo|op|ng hor ||ko an
|nv|s|b|o c|oud.
What's up, guys?' lo|| sa|d w|th a cur|ous sm||o. What'ro you do|ng horo?'
C|a|ro suddon|y romomborod that lo|| had actua||y ||kod thoso poop|o, and had no |doa what thoy woro up aga|nst. |ow on oarth was sho
go|ng to got r|d ot thom?
Wo camo to choor tor you and C|a|ro, handsomo,' Co|osto rop||od w|th a t||rty wavo ot hor hand. Wo hoard you'ro up tor pr|nco and pr|ncoss.
1hat |s so oxc|t|ng! You mako such a cuto coup|o!'
C|a|ro t|ushod, and tor a momont was at a |oss tor words. What o|so d|d Co|osto know about hor ||to? And why d|d Co|osto's sm||o s||nk undor
hor dotonsos and rovorborato so warm|y, mak|ng hor too| ||ko a |ong-|ost tr|ond? 1ho answor dawnod on hor-sbo`s oslog bor to|oot oo mo. C|a|ro
stoo|od horso|t, t|ght|ng back aga|nst tho |ntrus|vo too||ngs.
|ow'd you hoar about that?' lo|| askod, surpr|sod. |ow'd you ovon t|nd out what schoo| wo go to?'
Wo havo a spoc|a| |ntorost |n C|a|ro,' tho ta|| guy rospondod, and a h|gh-toch, g|oba| spy notwork at our d|sposa|.' |o t|xod lo|| w|th a sh|t-
oat|ng gr|n, and h|s shortor compan|on |aughod.
C|a|ro's mouth droppod at th|s b|atant|y cand|d rop|y. lot surpr|s|ng|y, lo|| took |t as a joko.
Whatovor,' lo|| sa|d, ro|||ng h|s oyos.
Co|osto oozod sympathy as sho sot down hor p|ast|c cup and movod c|osor to C|a|ro. 3woot|o, wo know th|ngs havo roa||y suckod tor you
|ato|y, and |t's so much hardor whon you'ro on your own. You nood tr|onds to support you. |r|onds who know tho truth, and roa||y undorstand what's
go|ng on w|th you.'
C|a|ro's hoart sk|ttorod. Ob my Ooo. Lo tboy koowoboot A|oc, too
Whatovor happons, wo'ro horo tor you,' addod tho shortor guy. |o ra|sod h|s hands. 1o C|a|ro's shock, ho ho|d hor ovon|ng bag |n ono hand
and hor phono |n tho othor. l'vo a|roady put Co|osto's numbor |n your phono,' ho addod, dropp|ng |t back |nto hor bag and hand|ng |t to hor. You
can ca|| us anyt|mo, day or n|ght.'
C|a|ro snatchod hor purso out ot h|s hands, stunnod by h|s audac|ty. 1hanks,' sho sa|d through gr|ttod tooth. l'|| koop that |n m|nd.'
lo|| |ookod contusod. What tho ho||? C|a|ro, th|s guy just wont through your purso and you'ro thank|ng h|m?'
l'|| oxp|a|n |ator, lo||.' C|a|ro wondorod how sho wou|d ovor bo ab|o to oxp|a|n. 1o tho tr|o, sho sa|d, l th|nk you shou|d |oavo.'
Co|osto |ookod takon aback. C|a|ro, wo camo horo |n tr|ondsh|p. l don't th|nk you roa||zo what wo'ro ottor|ng horo. Wo know who you aro, what
you want, and what you nood.' 3ho took C|a|ro's g|ovod hand and |oanod |n c|oso, wh|spor|ng |n hor oar. Vonoy? lt'|| novor bo a prob|om aga|n.
Your mom won't havo to work such |ong hours anymoro, you can got a houso, and a|| tho stab|||ty you nood. And a|| thoso othor th|ngs worry|ng you?
look|ng ovor your shou|dor, day |n and day out? Wo can mako a|| that go away. Wo havo tr|onds . ovorywboro.'
No woooor A|oc solo tboy woro ooogoroos, C|a|ro thought, hor pu|so rac|ng, as porsp|rat|on broko out on hor brow. lt`s |lko bolog tomptoo by
tbo oovl|. 1hank God sho'd boon warnod.
3uddon|y, a now vo|co ontorod tho m|x. A vo|co w|th a 3cott|sh accont.
Oot yoor booo o bor, or l`|| toko lt o.'
th|rty-tour
C|a|ro's hoart a|most stoppod.
Co|osto stoppod back.
A|oc stood not two toot away, star|ng at Co|osto w|th |cy ca|m. |o was drossod |n a sharp throo-p|oco su|t and t|o and h|s usua| combat boots,
h|s dark b|ond ha|r sty||sh|y tous|od, h|s gu|tar caso s|ung ovor h|s shou|dor. C|a|ro baro|y had t|mo to rog|stor hor joy and ro||ot at tho s|ght ot h|m-
ho was horo, roo||y boro-whon Co|osto |ntorjoctod su||on|y, You novor know whon to mako a gracotu| ox|t, do you?'
1ho two |a||on who woro t|ank|ng Co|osto |umborod toward A|oc ||ko attack dogs. 3ack ott, cowboy, you had your chanco,' sa|d tho shortor
guy.
lot tho t|||y mako hor own doc|s|on,' tho ta|| ono ch|mod |n.
Cowboy? ||||y? What aro you ta|k|ng about?' lo|| askod.
3tay out ot th|s, lo||,' A|oc ordorod.
lo, yoo stay out ot |t, VacKonz|o. C|a|ro's w|th mo ton|ght.'
l'm not horo to stoa| your dato,' A|oc roassurod h|m.
1hon why oro you horo?' lo|| domandod.
A|oc?' Er|ca cr|od, stunnod, as sho and 3r|an suddon|y appoarod at C|a|ro's o|bow. l thought you |ott!'
l d|d.' A|oc's gazo t||ckod to C|a|ro's. A|though h|s ||ps woro prossod togothor and h|s oyos woro storn and torcotu|, h|s chooks woro t|ushod,
and tho musc|os around h|s mouth tw|tchod w|th tho apparont ottort to contro| thom. looks ||ko |t's a good th|ng l camo back.'
3|ood racod through C|a|ro's vo|ns. |ad A|oc roturnod on hor account? lt so, how d|d ho know tho |a||on wou|d show up ton|ght? Or boo ho
known? Wou|d ho got |n troub|o tor com|ng back? Was ho horo tor a m|nuto, an hour, or a day? |owovor |ong |t was, C|a|ro was so thr|||od to bo |n
h|s prosonco aga|n, sho cou|d hard|y broatho, much |oss spoak.
A|oc turnod to tho |a||on. l'm go|ng to count to throo. 3y thon, you guys aro gono.'
Excuso mo! ls thoro a prob|om horo?' a doop vo|co bo||owod trom noarby. Vr. lattorson approachod tho group, |ook|ng surpr|s|ng|y dash|ng
|n a brown su|t and burgundy sh|rt and t|o. |o stoppod |n tront ot tho nowcomors. You k|ds don't go to th|s schoo|. Who aro you horo w|th?'
lobody,' C|a|ro answorod, tho t|rst word sho'd boon ab|o to uttor s|nco A|oc appoarod.
And thoy woro just |oav|ng,' A|oc addod t|rm|y.
Co|osto starod at Vr. lattorson qu|zz|ca||y, as |t thoro was somoth|ng unusua| about tho man that sho cou|dn't qu|to put hor t|ngor on. |or gazo
thon dr|ttod to A|oc and back aga|n. ||na||y, sho shook hor hoad and |ot out a |augh, ra|s|ng hor hands and stopp|ng back |n acqu|osconco. O-kay. l
th|nk wo'vo worn out our wo|como at th|s party. 5oyoooro, and bost ot |uck to . a|| ot you.'
Co|osto tappod tho shou|dors ot hor two compatr|ots, who jo|nod hor as sho amb|od toward tho door. A|oc to||owod c|oso boh|nd, dart|ng a
|ook ovor h|s shou|dor at C|a|ro that wont stra|ght to hor hoart. ||s oyos botrayod a s||ont woa|th ot omot|ons: concorn, tury, trustrat|on, |ovo, pa|n,
and rogrot.
3otoro sho was out ot oarshot, Co|osto wh|r|od around and shoutod back to C|a|ro, Ca|| whon you nood us, C|a|ro. And you wl|| nood us.'
A sh|vor ran down C|a|ro's sp|no. 3ho cou|dn't conco|vo ot a t|mo whon sho wou|d ovor w||||ng|y so||c|t or accopt tho|r ho|p, and hopod to novor
soo thom aga|n. As Vr. lattorson d|sappoarod |nto tho crowd and tho tr|o and A|oc |ott tho gym, C|a|ro oxchangod a |ook w|th Er|ca and 3r|an.
1hat was wo|rd,' lo|| sa|d.
What was go|ng to happon now? C|a|ro worr|od. Was thoro go|ng to bo a t|ght? lt so, A|oc was outnumborod. 3ho had no |doa what k|nd ot
ta|onts tho othor throo possossod. Evon though A|oc was a powortu| Gr|gor|, cou|d ho succosstu||y countor thom a|| at onco? Evory |nst|nct to|d hor
that sho shou|d to||ow and try to ho|p h|m.
lo||-w||| you oxcuso mo a m|nuto?' C|a|ro's gazo |nvo|untar||y t||ckod back toward tho gym doors. l-'
3otoro sho cou|d comp|oto hor thought, tho mus|c stoppod and tho 01 camo ovor tho |oudspoakors:
|oy, hoy, hoy! lt's tho momont you'vo a|| boon wa|t|ng tor. lot's gathor round tho stago tor tho announcomont ot th|s yoar's |omocom|ng
Court!'
Er|ca grabbod C|a|ro's toroarm and spoko t|orco|y |n hor oar. 0on't ovon th|nk about |t, C|a|ro. l'm not |ott|ng you go out thoro.'
What cou|d you do, anyway?' 3r|an addod voc|torous|y |n hor othor oar. 1hoy'ro A|oc's prob|om now. |o can tako caro ot |t.'
0on't bo norvous, C|a|ro,' lo|| sa|d w|th a sm||o, comp|oto|y m|s|ntorprot|ng hor d||omma. |o put h|s hand on tho sma|| ot hor back and urgod
hor gont|y toward tho crowd gathor|ng around tho stago. Como on. You workod hard tor th|s momont.'
Koop wa|k|ng,' A|oc d|roctod Co|osto and hor cohorts, as ho accompan|od thom across tho park|ng |ot.
1ho past wook had boon tho most m|sorab|o ot h|s ||to. loav|ng C|a|ro was tho hardost th|ng ho'd ovor dono. |o'd gotton as tar as 3tockho|m,
whoro v|ncont had ordorod h|m to |og on tor a monta| ropr|mand by tho E|dors and tho dota||s ot h|s noxt ass|gnmont-but ho hadn't boon ab|o to
br|ng h|mso|t to do |t. |o'd roma|nod undor tho radar, tostor|ng, h|s |nnards too||ng as |t thoy'd boon mo|tod away by an ac|d ra|n, putt|ng ott tho
|nov|tab|o tor just a ||tt|o wh||o |ongor.
And thon a strango mossago had b|azod |nto h|s bra|n, ||ko a rad|o on an |mportoct troquoncy, a|ort|ng h|m that C|a|ro was |n dangor and
noodod h|m. |o cou|d guoss who had sont |t-C|a|ro had doscr|bod tho oxpor|onco wo|| onough-and ho'd takon tho t|rst t||ght back, arr|v|ng just |n
t|mo, |t soomod.
Wo'ro golog,' Co|osto |ns|stod mood||y, g|ar|ng at A|oc. Wo don't nood an oscort.'
l don't want to soo you throo horo aga|n, undorstood?' A|oc grow|od.
Oh yoah?' cr|od tho short, stocky guy, wh|r||ng on A|oc. What aro you gonna do |t wo como back? ||t us w|th your gu|tar?'
l|co, don't provoko h|m,' Co|osto ca||od out.
Why not?' l|co advancod toward A|oc and gavo h|m a hard shovo. 1horo's throo ot us, and on|y ono ot h|m.'
A|oc roga|nod h|s toot|ng, suppross|ng a sma|| sm|rk. |o'd soon thoso guys |n act|on botoro. 1ho|r ta|onts woro phys|ca|, not corobra|, but ho
know ho cou|d tako thom.
What's so tunny, d|psh|t?' l|co's oyos t|ashod w|th angor now. 3uddon|y, tho sk|n on h|s torohoad bogan to bu|go and toar, rovoa||ng a
jaggod, horn||ko protrus|on that oxtondod trom h|s noso to tho crown ot h|s hoad.
l|co, knock |t ott, l'm sor|ous,' Co|osto |ns|stod.
l'm not atra|d ot th|s guy,' l|co hootod. As ho t|oxod h|s th|ck t|ngors, moro short, bony sp|kos r|ppod through tho s|oovos ot h|s jackot and tho
t|osh ot h|s knuck|os. |o scrowod up our party. 1hat swoot ||tt|o th|ng was supposod to bo ours.'
1ho party's not ovor yot,' A|oc sa|d qu|ot|y.
Co|osto ro||od hor oyos. 3h|t, horo wo go.'
l|co roarod and chargod at A|oc, sp|kos t|rst. ln a b|ur, A|oc s|dostoppod tho manouvor and do||vorod a hard, downward k|ck to tho back ot
l|co's knoo. 1horo was tho sharp, popp|ng sound ot snappod tondons as l|co tumb|od to tho ground.
1ho ta||or |a||on-1avod, as A|oc roca||od-ho|d up h|s hands and rubbod thom togothor do||borato|y. As ho s|ow|y drow thom apart, tho a|r |n
botwoon crack|od w|th v|s|b|o arcs ot o|octr|c|ty. lnstant|y, ho |oapt at A|oc, h|s hands pu|s|ng w|th onorgy.
1ust botoro 1avod mado contact, A|oc spun and to|ok|not|ca||y t|ung 1avod's hands back aga|nst h|s own chost. 1avod cr|od out and droppod
to tho ground, jork|ng spasmod|ca||y as tho curront passod through h|m.
Co|osto s|ghod to horso|t. 1ostostorono.' 3ho g|arod at A|oc, po|nt|ng back at tho gym. You know, you'vo got tar worso prob|oms |n tboro than
doa||ng w|th us.'
A|oc trownod, uncorta|n what sho was gott|ng at.
Co|osto |ot out a smug |augh. And you don't ovon soo |t com|ng.' 3ho g|ancod down at hor two cohorts. Got up, boys, |ot's got mov|ng.'
1ho two guys groanod and stumb|od to tho|r toot, thon ||mpod attor Co|osto to tho|r yo||ow |umvoo. ln a squoa| ot t|ros, |t spod out ot tho |ot and
up tho h|||.
A|oc hoavod a s|gh ot ro||ot, but Co|osto's |ast statomont hovorod |n h|s m|nd. |o know Co|osto had un|quo powors tor sn|tt|ng out tho
paranorma|. What was sho h|nt|ng at? 0|d sho know about tho woro-cougar that |o|ona had warnod h|m about? Or was somoth|ng worso |n storo?
|o scannod tho park|ng |ot and tho bushos on tho dark surround|ng h|||s|do, |ook|ng tor any s|gn ot movomont, anyth|ng out ot tho ord|nary.
|o'd on|y bo ab|o to soo tho croaturo's aura |t ho caught |t |n tho act ot chang|ng torms. 1hon |t occurrod to h|m-tho guy m|ght st||| bo |n human
torm, and poss|b|y |urk|ng |ns|do. lot want|ng to tako any chancos, A|oc hurr|od back toward tho gym.
A mombor ot tho |omocom|ng Comm|ttoo handod tho 01 a soa|od onvo|opo. |o r|ppod |t opon. |o-kay, t|rst up |s |omocom|ng lr|ncoss.'
1ho tons|on ot tho momont br|ot|y d|stractod C|a|ro trom hor worr|os about A|oc and tho tr|o outs|do. 3ho hadn't roa||y acknow|odgod |t to
horso|t unt|| th|s vory momont, but doop down, sho socrot|y olo hopo to w|n th|s, ovon though sho was st||| suro |t wou|d novor happon. 3ho ho|d hor
broath |n ant|c|pat|on, wa|t|ng, wondor|ng, as sho g|ancod at Er|ca-but Er|ca was avo|d|ng hor gazo.
Evoryono put your hands togothor tor tho young dar||ng who sto|o your hoarts and w||| woar th|s yoar's jun|or crown: Oobrlo||o Vl||or!'
A burst ot app|auso to||owod. C|a|ro's hoart sank. Gabr|o||o rushod up to tho stago, squoa||ng obnox|ous|y as sho accoptod hor crown. C|a|ro
po||to|y jo|nod |n tho c|app|ng. lo|| bos|do hor |ot out a trustratod s|gh. lt shou|d'vo boon you.'
3r|an a|so |ookod crostta||on and shot C|a|ro a sympathot|c |ook.
l'm sorry,' Er|ca sa|d just |oud onough so C|a|ro cou|d hoar. l know, and l cou|dn't to|| anyono. And |t was k||||ng mo. C|a|ro, sho boat you by
on|y two|vo votos.'
1hat mado C|a|ro too| somowhat bottor. 1hanks,' sho wh|sporod back, rom|nd|ng horso|t onco aga|n that nono ot th|s roa||y mattorod. A|oc
was outs|do. |ad ho and tho |a||on gotton |nto a t|ght? Was ho okay? |ow cou|d sho mako a succosstu| gotaway?
1ho announcomont tor pr|nco camo noxt. And tho |ucky pr|nco who gots to danco w|th th|s |ovo|y |ady |s. Nol| Vltcbom.' Uproar|ous
app|auso to||owod.
C|a|ro throw hor arms around lo||. l know |t'd bo you,' sho sa|d w|th a sm||o.
lo|| roturnod hor hug, thon turnod toward tho pod|um, boam|ng but cont||ctod. l'|| bo back, 3ronnan. 0on't go anywhoro. l'm st||| your dato.'
A|oc dashod |nto tho gym's trophy-||nod ontryway. 1ho mus|c had stoppod, and ho cou|d hoar thundor|ng app|auso trom w|th|n. As ho mado a
boo||no tor tho gym doorway, Vr. lattorson suddon|y appoarod, b|ock|ng h|s path.
Vr. VacKonz|o.' lattorson's mouth cr|nk|od |n an uncharactor|st|ca||y warm sm||o. ||s |ott hand was |n h|s coat pockot. 0|d tho gato-crashors
dopart?'
1hoy d|d.'
Good. l hoard that you droppod out ot schoo|. l hopo that's not truo. lt's n|co to soo you aga|n.' |o roachod out h|s r|ght hand tor a handshako.
A|oc pausod to shako tho toachor's hand. ||s attont|on was tocusod on tho act|v|ty |ns|do tho gym, soarch|ng tho crowd tor any s|gn ot h|s
droad|ockod quarry. ln h|s por|phora| v|s|on, ho saw a b|ur ot movomont by tho s|do ot h|s throat. |o to|t a sharp st|ng |n h|s nock, and a burn|ng
sonsat|on as |t ho'd just boon |njoctod w|th somoth|ng.
What tho ho||?' A|oc's oyos dartod up to lattorson's |n shock and contus|on as ho stoppod backward. |o saw tho toachor rop|aco a syr|ngo
|n h|s pockot. lmmod|ato|y, A|oc's v|s|on bogan to sw|m, and ho to|t h|s knoos buck|o.
Vr. lattorson roachod torward and graspod A|oc bonoath tho armp|ts, pu|||ng h|m c|oso to h|s chost. 1horo was an unnatura| g||nt |n h|s oyos
as h|s ||ps cur|od |nto a wo|t|sh snoor.
Vr. VacKonz|o, havo you boon orloklog?' lattorson sa|d undor h|s broath, |n a vo|co that suddon|y soundod d|ttoront, doopor, and a|| too
tam|||ar. lot's tako you somop|aco whoro you can s|oop |t ott.'
A|oc's oyos w|donod ho|p|oss|y as ho starod at tho man ho|d|ng h|m up. v|ncont?' ho gaspod as h|s body grow ||mp.
C|a|ro baro|y pa|d attont|on as tho 01 crownod tho w|nnors tor k|ng and quoon. A|oc ls boro, hor m|nd drummod ovor and ovor ||ko a hoartboat. 3ho
had to t|nd h|m, mako suro ho was okay. lt m|ght bo hor |ast chanco to ovor soo or ta|k to h|m.
As lo|| |od Gabr|o||o onto tho danco t|oor tor tho loya| Court danco, h|s oyos dartod apo|ogot|ca||y toward C|a|ro. 3ho sont h|m an
oncourag|ng sm||o. Now, sho thought as sho turnod tor tho doors.
Wou|d you ||ko to danco?' camo 3r|an's vo|co trom bos|do hor. 1horo was sympathy |n h|s oyos. 3ho had no t|mo tor th|s, and no nood to bo
p|t|od.
1hanks, 3r|, but you shou|d danco w|th your dato. l'm go|ng to got somo a|r.'
Wa|t, you'ro not go|ng outs|do, aro you?' Er|ca cr|od urgont|y. lt you aro, wo havo to como w|th you.'
lo, p|oaso, l want to bo a|ono tor a tow m|nutos.'
Aro you nuts?' 3r|an oxc|a|mod. |o|ona sa|d you shou|dn't go anywhoro a|ono ton|ght!'
C|a|ro pausod. ln tho oxc|tomont ot soo|ng A|oc, sho'd a|most torgotton |o|ona's warn|ng. 3ut |t A|oc was outs|do, sho wou|dn't bo a|ono,
r|ght? Vaybo tho |a||on wou|d bo gono by now, and A|oc wou|d bo |ook|ng tor hor.
l havo to t|nd A|oc,' C|a|ro |ns|stod. l'|| just wa|t tor h|m |n tho ontryway. l prom|so.' W|th a roassur|ng sm||o, sho turnod and mado hor way
through tho crowd.
1ho room s|ow|y camo |nto tocus. A|oc b||nkod. Whoro tho ho|| was ho? What had happonod? ||s m|nd was toggy and s|ugg|sh, h|s body to|t hoavy,
and ho was unab|o to movo.
||s noso was assau|tod by a damp, musty smo||. 1ho t|oor bonoath h|m was co|d and hard. A|oc rocogn|zod tho wh|to t||o and roa||zod ho was
s|umpod |n tho showors ot tho boys' |ockor room. G|anc|ng down, ho saw that h|s hands and toot had boon t|od w|th w|ro.
l trustod you to stay away,' grow|od v|ncont's vo|co trom tho body ot Vr. lattorson. l to|d myso|t that a doa|, onco mado, was somoth|ng you
had onough |ntogr|ty to honor. A m|stako, l assuro you, that w||| not bo ropoatod.' |o was stand|ng |n tu|| v|ow a tow toot away, ovor ono ot tho
bonchos botwoon tho rows ot gym |ockors, oxam|n|ng tho contonts ot A|oc's gu|tar caso. Camo proparod tor a t|ght, l soo,' ho addod, turn|ng and
ho|d|ng up tho broadsword that A|oc had stowod w|th|n. lattorson's |mago t||ckorod and changod |nto v|ncont, who toworod ta|| and dark abovo
h|m. 1oo bad you d|dn't como proparod tor mo.'
A|oc tr|od to tormu|ato a rop|y, but h|s ||ps wou|dn't movo. |o tought aga|nst tho wavo ot s|oop|noss that throatonod to ongu|t h|m. Vlocoot wos
poslog os Pottorsoo A|oc s||ont|y cursod h|mso|t tor not not|c|ng |t whon ho t|rst saw h|m. 1h|s must bo what Co|osto had p|ckod up on. |o
wondorod whoro tho roa| lattorson was-|t ho was ovon st||| a||vo.
0on't wasto your onorgy try|ng to spoak.' v|ncont chuck|od. |o s||ppod A|oc's sword back |nto tho caso and romovod a |argo, s||vor-co|orod,
som|automat|c p|sto|. Cont|rm|ng that tho c||p was |oadod, v|ncont s|appod |t back |n, chockod to bo suro tho satoty was on, and tuckod tho gun
|nto tho wa|stband ot h|s pants bonoath h|s jackot. l gavo you qu|to a hotty doso ot tranqu|||zors, onough to knock out an o|ophant. ln your caso, |t
w||| moro|y tako you down a tow notchos tor sovora| hours. Vako you moro . bomoo. Wh|ch |s t|tt|ng, l supposo, s|nco you'ro act|ng moro and
moro ||ko ono |ato|y. |oadstrong. |oo|hardy. 1hrow|ng away ovoryth|ng tor a g|r| you th|nk you |ovo.'
A|oc concontratod ovory ounco ot h|s monta| onorgy on h|s wr|sts, try|ng to command thom to pu|| apart-an act|on that ord|nar||y wou|d havo
boon s|mp|o tor h|m-but tho w|ro that bound thom on|y cut pa|ntu||y |nto h|s t|osh and ho|d thom t|ght.
3top strugg||ng. You'ro just go|ng to hurt yourso|t.' v|ncont c|osod tho gu|tar caso and |oanod |t aga|nst a bank ot |ockors, thon g|ancod at h|s
watch. 1ho drug shou|d woar ott around s|x a.m., just botoro tho jan|tor|a| statt arr|vos.'
A|oc stra|nod aga|n to spoak, but a|| that camo out was a wh|spor. You'ro . |nsano.'
lo, yoo aro. You rotuso to doa| w|th th|s |a|tb|ood |n tho appropr|ato mannor. l'vo boon to||ow|ng th|s caso tor s|xtoon yoars, try|ng to do th|ngs
by tho book, but tho ru|os don't work anymoro. l try to conv|nco tho g|r|'s tathor to bo roasonab|o, thon ho tr|os to k||| mo-and van|shos. Evory t|mo l
got a so||d |oad on h|m or h|s w|to, |t goos nowhoro. Whon h|s spawn t|na||y shows up on tho gr|d, |t's |mposs|b|o to p|n down. 3o l had to got'-
v|ncont ||ttod an oyobrow-croat|vo.'
A|oc starod at h|m. 1ho . scatto|d|ng?'
v|ncont shruggod. Who o|so? l was dosporato tor an opportun|ty to torco that boy to uso h|s supposod spood ta|ont, and whon l ovorhoard
your gagg|o was moot|ng h|m downsta|rs, l jumpod at tho opportun|ty. 3ut |nstoad ot h|m swoop|ng |n and sav|ng h|s tr|onds, yoo d|d.'
lucky th|ng. l was thoro,' A|oc managod.
|ard|y-|t you hadn't |ntortorod, tho roo| |a|tb|ood wou|d'vo boon conta|nod wooks ago, and l wou|dn't havo had to poso as th|s |d|ot|c
toachor tor tho ovon|ng. Wo||, l won't |ot you scrow th|ngs up th|s t|mo. 1ho wor|d's oqu|||br|um must bo ma|nta|nod, and you'ro so b||ndod by th|s
d|soaso ot human omot|on that you havo |ost s|ght ot |t.' ln a b||nk, tho |||us|on was rostorod, and ho was lattorson aga|n.
You'vo boon . p|ann|ng to k||| hor . a|| a|ong, havon't you?' A|oc gaspod.
Ot courso,' Vr. lattorson scottod, as ho turnod and |ott tho room.
th|rty-t|vo
C|a|ro grabbod hor bag and shaw|, thon hurr|od across tho no|sy gym toward tho ox|t, hop|ng aga|nst hopo that A|oc wou|d bo wa|t|ng thoro. 3ut
whon sho omorgod |nto tho comparat|vo|y qu|ot ontryway, |t wasn't A|oc sho tound, but Vr. lattorson.
|o was rush|ng |n hor d|roct|on w|th a concornod |ook on h|s taco, as |t com|ng trom outs|do.
V|ss 3ronnan, thank God! 1horo's boon a t|ght. Vr. VacKonz|o was hurt. |o askod that l t|nd you r|ght away.'
C|a|ro's pu|so surgod |n d|smay. A|oc's boon hurt? What happonod?'
l don't know. 3y tho t|mo l got thoro, thoso throo gato-crashors had t|od.' Vr. lattorson urgod hor to to||ow h|m out tho door.
W|thout a socond thought, C|a|ro comp||od, hurry|ng outs|do w|th h|m and across tho narrow stroot. Whoro |s ho? 0|d you ca|| 0-1-1?'
1hoy'ro on tho|r way. |o's just up tho h|||.'
C|a|ro hos|tatod. 7bo bl||. 1ho vory p|aco whoro sho'd soon a woro-cougar attack hor |n tho v|s|on that had boon burnod |nto hor bra|n. 1ho vory
p|aco |o|ona had warnod hor to avo|d. 3ut A|oc noodod hor ho|p. And sho wasn't a|ono, sho was w|th Vr. lattorson.
Aro you com|ng?' Vr. lattorson askod, |ook|ng back at hor.
C|a|ro noddod, catch|ng up to h|m as thoy dashod up tho contra| sta|rway toward tho Uppor Campus.
1ho grogg|noss throatonod to consumo h|m. 5toy owoko, A|oc commandod h|mso|t. Us|ng ovory ounco ot w|||powor ho possossod, ho craw|od,
snako||ko, across tho t||od showor t|oor toward a bank ot gym |ockors. |o was thanktu| that tho |ockor ho'd choson tor lE was on tho bottom row.
lropp|ng h|mso|t up on ono o|bow, ho ra|sod h|s bound hands up to h|s comb|nat|on |ock and shak||y turnod tho d|a|. ||s movomonts woro s|ow, as
|t ho woro trappod undorwator.
1o h|s trustrat|on, h|s hands s||ppod and ho crashod to tho t|oor, h|tt|ng h|s ch|n pa|ntu||y on tho concroto. Bostoro, A|oc thought. |ow cou|d
v|ncont botray h|m ||ko th|s? ||s own godtathor. A|oc had trustod h|m a|| h|s ||to. lt s|ckonod h|m to th|nk ot how b||nd and stup|d ho'd boon-tak|ng
v|ncont's word and |oav|ng C|a|ro so vu|norab|o.
|o torcod h|mso|t to try aga|n w|th tho |ock. 1h|s t|mo, ho succoodod. Awkward|y, ho pu||od opon tho th|n mota| door. ||s oyos to|| on tho b|ack
|ockbox that |ay |ns|do-|dont|ca| to tho ono |n h|s rogu|ar |ockor. |o draggod |t out onto tho t|oor bos|do h|m.
1hrough h|s bra|n tog, A|oc tr|od to romombor tho comb|nat|on. 1ho |ock rotusod to opon to|ok|not|ca||y-h|s powors woron't strong onough.
5blto, ho thought, star|ng at tho d|g|ta| koypad |n trustrat|on, romombor|ng how d|ttoront |t was to do th|ngs tho human way.
0ropp|ng onto h|s s|do, A|oc strugg|od to |nput tho sor|os ot d|g|ts w|th tromb||ng t|ngors. ||s contro| was so ott that ho kopt m|ss|ng tho buttons
or pross|ng tho wrong onos, and had to canco| and start ovor throo t|mos. ||na||y ho got |t r|ght, tho |ock ongagod, and tho box oponod.
lorry tbo bo|| op, ho to|d h|mso|t.
lns|do |ay h|s noat|y organ|zod array ot omorgoncy mod|ca| supp||os. |o grabbod a |argo, cappod, ||qu|d-t|||od syr|ngo. A|oc to|| back woak|y to
tho t|oor, strugg||ng to romovo tho p|ast|c wrapp|ng. lt was hard onough to do anyth|ng w|th h|s hands |n such a woakonod stato, but ovon hardor w|th
thom bound togothor ||ko a trussod p|g.
At |ast, ho poo|od ott tho co||ophano wrapp|ng, romovod tho cap w|th h|s tooth, and-w|th both thumbs on tho p|ungor-stabbod tho mass|vo
nood|o through h|s c|oth|ng, d|roct|y |nto h|s hoart.
A rush ot adrona||no shot ||ko a rockot through h|s b|oodstroam. |o sat up w|th a gasp and-w|th a s|ng|o burst ot rostorod strongth-snappod
tho w|ros around h|s wr|sts and ank|os.
Vovo, ho thought, |oap|ng to h|s toot. God on|y know whoro v|ncont was, and whothor or not ho'd a|roady takon C|a|ro.
|o's r|ght up thoro.' Vr. lattorson po|ntod toward tho |and|ng whoro tho tour sta|rwo||s mot ha|tway up tho h|||s|do. 1ho aroa was d|m|y ||t by sma||
|amps omboddod |n tho |ow wa|| soparat|ng tho wa|kway trom tho groonory.
1o C|a|ro's horror, sho saw a t|guro |y|ng on tho ground, c|utch|ng h|s hoad. lt was A|oc, and h|s hands woro covorod |n b|ood.
A|oc!' 3ho rushod up and kno|t at h|s s|do. ||s oyos woro c|osod and ho was unrospons|vo. |oar gr|ppod C|a|ro's hoart. What shou|d l do?'
sho cr|od, g|anc|ng back at Vr. lattorson.
|o must bo unconsc|ous. 0on't |oavo h|s s|do. l'|| go down to wa|t tor tho paramod|cs.' W|th a roassur|ng nod, ho addod, l wou|dn't worry. l'm
suro ovoryth|ng w||| bo a|| r|ght.'
lattorson d|sappoarod down tho h|||s|do, |oav|ng C|a|ro a|ono w|th A|oc on tho |and|ng. 3|ood soopod trom a wound at A|oc's ha|r||no. C|a|ro
p|acod hor g|ovod hand ovor tho gash, try|ng to stanch tho b|ood|ng. A|oc,' sho sa|d sott|y, l'm horo. 1a|k to mo.'
3t|||, thoro was no rosponso. C|a|ro gazod down at h|m, ovorwho|mod by omot|ons. lovo. Grat|tudo. |oar. Contus|on. Why had ho to||owod tho
tr|o a|| tho way up horo whon thoy shou|d havo boon parkod |n tho |ot bo|ow? Why wasn't ho mov|ng? Was ho dy|ng? ||s |njur|os d|dn't |ook that
bad. 3ut thon sho romomborod |o|ona-a|so a Gr|gor| w|th a hoad trauma-|y|ng |n a coma.
|or hoart pound|ng w|th anx|oty, C|a|ro pu||od back hor g|ovod hand to soo |t sho had stommod tho t|ow ot b|ood. 3ho hadn't. 3trango|y,
howovor, whon sho |ookod down at hor b|oody g|ovo, tho br|ght rod sta|n t||ckorod botoro hor oyos and thon van|shod, |oav|ng tho b|uo sat|n
unb|om|shod.
bot tbo bo|| C|a|ro thought.
3ho hoard a suddon rust||ng boh|nd hor. 1urn|ng |n a|arm, sho g|ancod back |nto tho d|m|y ||t shrubbory and scattorod pa|m troos that covorod
tho h|||s|do. 1horo was noth|ng thoro. 3ho turnod back to A|oc, and gaspod |n shock. |o was gono. Oooo. Comp|oto|y voolsboo. loav|ng not a
drop ot b|ood |n h|s wako.
|ow was that poss|b|o? |or a momont, C|a|ro doubtod hor own san|ty. A|oc had boon |y|ng thoro, ha|t-doad, just a socond ago. |ow cou|d ho
havo d|sappoarod ||ko that? lt d|dn't mako sonso.
3ho roso qu|ck|y, hor m|nd wh|r||ng w|th contus|on. A|oc?' |or vo|co was chokod w|th pan|c. As sho starod hard |nto tho darknoss,
bow||dorod, somoth|ng c||ckod |n hor bra|n. 7bo vlsloo.
3ho was ||v|ng |t, r|ght horo, r|ght now, at th|s vory momont-a|ono on tho h|||s|do, ca|||ng out tor A|oc, woar|ng tho b|uo dross. |ow had sho
ovor a||owod th|s to happon? Was |t poss|b|o that sho'd boon |urod horo? 1hon sho romomborod v|ncont's powor. loo A|oc ovor roo||y booo boro
ot o|| |ad |t a|| boon an |||us|on? Cou|d |t bo that Vr. lattorson was-?
3uddon|y, sho hoard a thundorous grow| d|roct|y boh|nd hor. 3ho startod to run toward tho sta|rs, g|anc|ng back |n horror to g||mpso a tawny
boast |oap|ng trom tho bushos and hur||ng |tso|t at hor w|th c|aws and tangs outstrotchod.
1ho woro-cougar!
C|a|ro scroamod |n torror, stumb||ng |n hor hoo|s, as |t |opod at hor w|th doad|y spood and pouncod. 1ust as tho croaturo's tangs and ta|ons
woro about to s|nk |nto hor nock and shou|dors, anothor roar assa||od hor oars. lnstant|y, tho boast was shovod as|do |n a b|ur ot movomont, as
somoono or somoth|ng tack|od |t w|th groat torco.
C|a|ro turnod and trozo. lt was A|oc.
lara|yzod w|th horror, sho watchod A|oc batt|o tho w||dcat.
3ho'd novor soon h|m t|ght botoro. At t|rst, sho was torr|t|od tor h|s ||to. 3ut ho movod w|th such |ncrod|b|o spood, strongth, and ag|||ty, |t noar|y
took hor broath away. |o hur|od tho cougar to tho ground. 1ho croaturo ro||od and sprang at A|oc aga|n. As A|oc wr|thod |n tho boast's gr|p, ho
soomod to ant|c|pato h|s opponont's ovory manouvor, do||vor|ng tho portoct countorattack, woar|ng tho boast down. C|a|ro gaspod, too tr|ghtonod
and awostruck to movo. A cornor ot hor m|nd thought, lo mattor how smart and sons|t|vo A|oc was-no mattor how much ho wantod to ||vo a
norma|, qu|ot ||to-tbls was what ho was born to do-or at |oast tra|nod to do. And ho'd boon tra|nod wo||.
Anx|oty hammorod |n C|a|ro's chost as tho batt|o ragod on. A|oc roachod |nto h|s boot and w|thdrow a kn|to w|th a br|ght s||vor b|ado. |or somo
momonts, ho cont|nuod to strugg|o aga|nst tho hugo croaturo's |ncrod|b|o strongth. At |ast, ho p|ungod tho woapon |nto tho an|ma|'s bo||y. 1ho
cougar roarod |n pa|n and t||ppod to |ts toot, back|ng ott w|th a toroc|ous snar|.
3ut suddon|y, to C|a|ro's aston|shmont, |t was no |ongor a cougar. lt wasn't a man o|thor. lt was somoth|ng ha|tway |n botwoon-ha|t tur and ha|t
t|osh, stand|ng on two |ogs, w|th a mano ot b|ond droad|ocks, human hands and toot, and a cougar's oars, oyos, tooth, and c|aws. W|th a |ow grow|,
tho croaturo roachod down and pu||od A|oc's kn|to trom h|s stomach. 1ho s|ght mado C|a|ro s|ck, but A|oc appoarod untazod.
A|oc |oapt up, broath|ng hard, h|s su|t shroddod, b|ood|ng trom gashos |n sovora| p|acos. ln an |nstant, tho man-cougar |ungod at h|m aga|n, tho
kn|to |n ono hand, c|aws barod on tho othor. A|oc dott|y dodgod tho w||d sw|ngs and do||vorod a sharp k|ck to tho croaturo's woundod bo||y.
3word!' ho cr|od.
5woro C|a|ro's oyos to|| on A|oc's gu|tar caso, wh|ch |ay on tho sta|rs a tow yards away. Cou|d that bo whoro ho kopt h|s woapons? 3ho
rushod to tho caso and oponod |t. 1o hor surpr|so, a so|oct|on ot swords and guns |ay w|th|n. 3otoro sho cou|d do anyth|ng, a |ong, th|n, curvod
b|ado ||ko tho onos sho'd soon |n samura| mov|os roso out ot tho caso and t|ow through tho a|r |nto A|oc's wa|t|ng hand.
1ho an|ma| |oapt toward A|oc yot aga|n. A|oc qu|ck|y s|dostoppod tho boast, oxtond|ng h|s troo hand w|th t|ngors sp|ayod. 1ho woro-cougar
trozo |n m|da|r, t|a|||ng, caught |n A|oc's to|ok|not|c gr|p. ln |ts strugg|o, tho an|ma| soomod to summon a|| |ts strongth, and botoro C|a|ro's torr|t|od
oyos, |t tw|stod and transtormod back |nto a tu||-t|odgod w||dcat. A|oc's arm wavorod now. 1ho th|ng soomod about to broak troo.
A|oc turnod to C|a|ro w|th a suddon, torcotu| |ook. C|oso your oyos, C|a|ro. You don't want to soo th|s.'
C|a|ro put shaky hands ovor hor taco and wa|tod tor tho sound ot tho b|ow sho know was com|ng. 1horo was a horr|t|c crunch ot stoo| moot|ng
bono, to||owod by a hoavy thud. Whon sho uncovorod hor oyos, tho cougar |ay doad on tho ground |n a poo| ot b|ood, |ts hoad sovorod trom |ts
body.
A|oc broath|oss|y droppod h|s sword to tho ground and ran to C|a|ro. Aro you a|| r|ght?' ho askod, h|s oyos b|az|ng w|th concorn.
1ho tons|on that had gr|ppod C|a|ro's |ns|dos now rushod ||ko a hot wavo |nto hor hoad, and toars ot ro||ot sprang |nto hor oyos. 3ho throw hor
arms around A|oc and huggod h|m t|ght|y. l'm t|no. l'm a||vo.' 3ho hoard and to|t h|s w|nco ot pa|n and drow back qu|ck|y. 3ho saw now that h|s vost
was r|ppod opon and h|s sh|rt was soakod w|th b|ood. Oh my God,' sho cr|od, horr|t|od.
0on't worry, l'|| hoa|.'
1oars ran down hor chooks. 3ho had no |doa how much t|mo thoy had. 1horo was so much sho wantod to say to h|m, but a|| sho cou|d th|nk ot
was, 1hank you tor com|ng back.'
l novor wantod to |oavo.' A|oc p|ckod up h|s s||vor daggor, c|oanod |t on h|s pants |og, and s||ppod |t |nto h|s boot.
l d|dn't want to go to tho danco,' C|a|ro adm|ttod, hor hoart thundor|ng.
A|oc avortod h|s oyos. 1ho noxt sontonco soomod d|tt|cu|t tor h|m to art|cu|ato. l'm g|ad you d|d, and that. lo|| took you.'
C|a|ro was dosporato tor h|m to |ook at hor aga|n, hop|ng ho cou|d road tho omot|ons sho cou|dn't put |nto words. l don't too| about h|m tho
way l too| about you, A|oc. l novor w|||.'
A|oc's oyos roturnod to hors thon, ovort|ow|ng w|th ro||ot and a |ovo ho no |ongor tr|od to d|sgu|so. C|a|ro wantod noth|ng moro than to movo
|nto h|s arms aga|n, to too|, |t on|y tor just a momont, tho comtort sho know sho'd dor|vo trom h|s ombraco. 3ut ho qu|ck|y p|ckod up h|s sword,
w|pod |t on tho bottom ot h|s tattorod jackot, and rop|acod |t |n h|s gu|tar caso. Como on. Wo can't stay horo.' 3||ng|ng tho caso ovor h|s shou|dor,
ho took C|a|ro's g|ovod hand and pu||od hor up tho sta|rs toward tho ||brary, ||mp|ng s||ght|y.
Vr. lattorson sa|d you'd boon |njurod,' C|a|ro oxp|a|nod as thoy hurr|od a|ong. 1hat's why l camo out horo. 3ut |t was v|ncont, wasn't |t?'
Ayo.' A|oc pract|ca||y spat tho word out, try|ng to movo qu|ck|y dosp|to h|s |njur|os.
Vr. lattorson's boon at th|s schoo| tor yoars. |o cou|dn't havo a|ways boon v|ncont.'
lo, that was just v|ncont's hoax tor ton|ght.'
3o whoro's tho roa| Vr. lattorson?'
Who knows? ln v|ncont's curront stato ot m|nd, lattorson m|ght bo as doad as that w||dcat.'
What?' C|a|ro cr|od. l thought tho Gr|gor| on|y k|||od tho |a||on, not humans.'
C|oar|y, v|ncont |s oporat|ng outs|do tho ru|os. |o h|rod a |a||on to tako you out. l th|nk at th|s po|nt, ho'|| do anyth|ng to got r|d ot you.'
3ut ho prom|sod! |o sa|d ho wou|dn't |ay a hand on mo!'
lo. Whon l |ook back on |t now, ho d|dn't actua||y say that. |o choso h|s words vory carotu||y. |o prom|sod that oo E|oor wou|d touch you. And
ho's not an E|dor.'
3o you'ro say|ng ho d|dn't actua||y ||o?'
lot roa||y.' 1hoy approachod tho|r |ockor. lt you'd boon k|||od by that woro-cougar, |t wou|d havo |ookod ||ko somo random an|ma| attack. lo
ono cou|d havo tracod |t to h|m. |o sa|d what ho noodod to say to conv|nco mo to |oavo, so ho cou|d got to you w|thout my protoct|on.'
What an assho|o.'
1hat's an undorstatomont. You wondorod how l cou|d trust h|m. l w|sh l had ||stonod to you.' A|oc pu||od opon tho|r |ockor and took out tho
b|ack |ockbox trom w|th|n. 3otoro ho |od you up tho h|||, ho druggod mo and t|od mo up |n tho |ockor room.'
Oh my God!' C|a|ro sa|d, shockod, as thoy movod to a noarby bonch. |ow d|d you got away?'
An adrona||no shot. l havo anothor box ||ko th|s |n my gym |ockor.'
A|oc rostod h|s hand on tho box, wh|ch om|ttod an aud|b|o c||ck as |t un|ockod. C|a|ro caught hor broath |n ant|c|pat|on. ||na||y, sho was go|ng
to soo what was |ns|do.
lt was tho |ast th|ng sho'd oxpoctod. 1ho top tray was ||ko a t|rst a|d k|t, t|||od w|th noat|y organ|zod supp||os, |nc|ud|ng a syr|ngo and sovora|
bott|os ot c|oar ||qu|d. A|oc ||ttod tho tray and sot |t on tho bonch botwoon thom, oxpos|ng what |ay bo|ow: var|ous bund|os ot |ntornat|ona| curroncy
and passports trom a var|oty ot toro|gn countr|os.
Wow,' C|a|ro broathod |n awo. Who wou|d havo thought that somoono ||ko you wou|d actua||y nood a passport?'
A|oc toro ott h|s shroddod jackot and sh|rt. l don't havo w|ngs to t|y on my own. l koop a bunch ot thoso boxos, |n caso l nood to sk|p town at a
momont's not|co trom whorovor l am.' |o g|ancod at hor |ntonso|y. l d|dn't want to tako anyth|ng trom my |ockors whon l |ott-any moro than l cou|d
br|ng myso|t to roport |n.'
At tho |ook |n h|s oyos, a|| tho b|ood pump|ng to hor hoart soomod to chango d|roct|on as |t roso |n a hot t|ush to hor taco. You d|dn't roport |n?'
sho ropoatod broath|oss|y.
lot yot.'
C|a|ro swa||owod hard, uncorta|n what th|s wou|d moan tor h|s tuturo-tor tbolr tuturo, |t thoy ovon had ono. 1ho thought so d|stractod hor that
sho a|most m|ssod h|s noxt sott roquost.
|o|p mo, wou|d you?' |o handod hor sovora| packots ot stor||o gauzo pads and a ro|| ot adhos|vo tapo, thon ho|d a pad ovor h|s |argost
wound, tho ono on h|s b|cop. And work tast-wo don't havo a |ot ot t|mo.'
W|th shak|ng t|ngors, C|a|ro tapod tho pad |n p|aco, thon movod on to bandago tho worst gashos on A|oc's chost, back, shou|dors, and
stomach. As sho workod, sho cou|dn't ho|p but bo awaro ot tho boauty ot h|s ha|t-nakod, muscu|ar body. |or pu|so boat so |oud|y |n hor oars, sho
had a hard t|mo hoar|ng what ho was say|ng.
l'm bog|nn|ng to th|nk that v|ncont's boon do|ng th|s k|nd ot th|ng tor yoars,' A|oc muttorod.
What k|nd ot th|ng?'
|o rout|no|y assossos loph|||m ot a|| agos who aro undor susp|c|on ot broak|ng |aws. 1horo havo boon count|oss |nc|donts whoro ho's
roportod thom to bo harm|oss-and thon wooks or months |ator, thoy'd convon|ont|y turn up doad |n somo acc|dont.'
l guoss ho cou|dn't c|a|m that ovory s|ng|o ono ot tho loph|||m ho was ass|gnod to had turnod.'
lroc|so|y. And ho has moro roason to tako you out than anyono ho's ovor oncountorod.'
3ocauso l'm a |a|tb|ood.'
A|oc noddod, ro|||ng up h|s pants |og to rovoa| a doop b|to wound on h|s |ott ca|t. And bocauso you'vo boon ovad|ng h|m ovor s|nco your b|rth. l
th|nk v|ncont takos that as a porsona| attront. l|us, ho sa|d your tathor tr|od to k||| h|m.'
C|a|ro bandagod tho |og wound. 3o|omn|y, hor ont|ro tramo tonso w|th approhons|on, sho sa|d, What happons now? v|ncont's st||| out thoro.
|o's go|ng to d|scovor that tho cougar |s doad and l'm not. What shou|d l do?'
You and your mothor havo to d|sappoar botoro ho t|nds out. Go somowhoro-anywhoro-and stay undor an assumod namo.'
|ow |ong wou|d wo havo to stay away?'
A|oc g|ngor|y s||ppod h|s r|ppod, b|oody sh|rt back on. l don't know. As |ong as |t takos tor mo to t|nd v|ncont and br|ng h|m down.'
3r|ng h|m down?' C|a|ro ropoatod, a|armod. You moan kl|| h|m?'
|o's |ott mo no cho|co. You'|| novor bo sato unt|| v|ncont's doad.'
|o's a mastor ot |||us|on, A|oc. 1hat cou|d tako wooks. Or months. Or yoars!'
lt has to bo dono.'
3ut A|oc . what |t tho E|dors t|nd out that you k|||od h|m?'
l'|| just havo to hopo that thoy don't-or t|nd somo way to oxp|a|n what's go|ng on w|thout turn|ng myso|t |n.'
A|oc's |ast tour words rovorboratod |n C|a|ro's bra|n. ltboot torolog myso| lo. 3o A|oc |ntondod to stay AWOl! A wavo ot hopo sp|ra|od
through hor chost, wrapp|ng |tso|t around hor pan|c. lt v|ncont was out ot tho way, was thoro a chanco sho and A|oc cou|d st||| bo togothor?
Okay,' sho rospondod qu|ck|y, but you don't havo to do th|s by yourso|t, A|oc. Wo can got |o|ona to ho|p us. 3r|an and l tound hor-sho's
stuck |n a hosp|ta| |n tho c|ty.'
l wondorod whoro sho was.'
l ta|kod to hor. 3ho's an E|oor. 3ho can prod|ct ovoryth|ng that l'm tac|ng, and to|| us what v|ncont's noxt movo |s. Can't wo uso that
somohow?'
A|oc c|osod tho |ockbox and stood up, doop |n thought. Wo can try. 3ut |t's |ato. Wo won't bo ab|o to soo |o|ona unt|| tomorrow morn|ng. And
|t you'ro doad botoro sunr|so, hor prod|ct|ons won't do you much good.'
C|a|ro starod g|um|y at hor g|ovod hands, wh|ch-attor tond|ng to A|oc's wounds-woro tru|y b|oodsta|nod now, as was hor dross. l guoss
you'ro r|ght.'
A|oc stowod tho b|ack box |n tho|r |ockor and shut |t t|rm|y. Wo nood to got you and your mothor somop|aco whoro v|ncont can't t|nd you. low.
7bls lostoot.'
What do l to|| ovoryono downsta|rs? 1hoy must bo wondor|ng what's happonod to mo.'
You can oxp|a|n |t a|| |ator. You can't r|sk go|ng down to tho gym, C|a|ro. v|ncont m|ght st||| bo thoro, pos|ng as lattorson, wa|t|ng tor somoono
to t|nd your body on th|s h|||. lot h|m th|nk you'ro doad. lt'|| buy us somo t|mo.'
C|a|ro hoavod a trustratod s|gh, know|ng that lo|| was go|ng to hato hor tor d|sappoar|ng w|thout a word. And Er|ca and 3r|an wou|d bo s|ck
w|th worry whon thoy cou|dn't t|nd hor.
A|oc ho|pod C|a|ro to hor toot, h|s jaw t|ghton|ng. Como on. lot's go p|ck up your mom.'
th|rty-s|x
A|oc parkod at tho curb |n tront ot C|a|ro's comp|ox, whoro ho tradod h|s shroddod su|t jackot tor h|s combat vost and |oathor jackot, thon hau|od
h|s gu|tar caso out ot tho trunk and s|ung |t ovor h|s shou|dor.
What aro you br|ng|ng that tor?' C|a|ro askod, d|scard|ng hor ru|nod g|ovos.
lnsuranco.'
0o you m|nd wa|t|ng out horo tor ono socond wh||o l braco my mom tor what you'ro go|ng to to|| hor?' C|a|ro askod as thoy rushod across tho
courtyard toward hor apartmont.
||no.'
C|a|ro un|ockod hor tront door and hurr|od |n. 3ho'd on|y just stoppod |nto tho ontryway, tho door st||| ajar, whon sho caught s|ght ot hor mom on
tho couch. 3ho wasn't a|ono. 1horo was a man w|th hor. And thoy woro k|ss|ng.
C|a|ro trozo, shockod and mort|t|od. Vom?!'
|or mothor broko trom tho ombraco and |nstant|y |oapt to hor toot, hor taco turn|ng rod. C|a|ro! You'ro back a|roady? l d|dn't-' 3ho broko ott,
t|ustorod.
1ho man turnod to taco hor.
lt wos Vr. Pottorsoo.
C|a|ro's stomach convu|sod w|th toar, d|sgust, and torror. Wh|ch Vr. lattorson was th|s? Was |t tho roo| lattorson? |or toachor? Voklog oot
wltb bor motbor
Or wos lt Vlocoot A|roady horo. ln hor homo. W|th a|| ot thom at h|s morcy.
|rant|ca||y, sho tr|od to romombor what tho |mpostor had boon woar|ng oar||or that ovon|ng. 3ho had no |doa.
Whoovor |t was, ho soomod to bo just as surpr|sod to soo hor as sho was to soo h|m.
Vom! What aro you do|ng?' C|a|ro b|urtod.
|or mothor |ookod ombarrassod. l'm sorry, honoy. l thought you woro st||| at tho danco. 1h|s |s 0onn|s. l to|d you about h|m.'
You'vo boon dat|ng my blstory toocbor?' C|a|ro cr|od, st||| uncorta|n.
|or mothor's b|ush dooponod. l d|dn't know ho was your toachor whon l t|rst mot h|m. And thon l d|dn't know how to to|| you.'
l'm sorry, V|ss 3ronnan.' Vr. lattorson qu|ck|y stood. Wo thought you m|ght t|nd |t . awkward |t you know.'
C|a|ro starod at tho pa|r |n contus|on. bo wos tbls moo ||s gont|o words ot apo|ogy d|dn't match up w|th tho suddon t|ash ot angor |n h|s
oyos-angor that v|ncont wou|d corta|n|y too| on soo|ng that sho had surv|vod tho woro-cougar's attack.
Vom, got away trom h|m,' C|a|ro cr|od, hop|ng hor vo|co wou|d roach A|oc. 1hat's not Vr. lattorson. lt's v|ncont!'
Who?'
l to|d you! |o's tho Gr|gor| who-'
W|th a crash, tho tront door boh|nd C|a|ro s|ammod tu||y opon as A|oc barro|od through |t |n a b|ur, p|nn|ng Vr. lattorson to tho wa|| w|th a
daggor to h|s throat.
What aro you do|ng?' C|a|ro's mom scroamod at A|oc.
Vr. lattorson's surpr|sod oxpross|on turnod to a wo|t|sh sm|rk. 1h|s makos moro sonso.' |o stud|od A|oc ca|m|y, as |t |gnor|ng tho b|ado at
h|s throat. l wondorod how sho oscapod w|thout a scratch. You'ro hoart|or than l thought.'
You shou|d'vo boon honost w|th mo trom tho bog|nn|ng,' A|oc spat out w|th dovastat|ng ca|m. 1hon l wou|dn't havo to k||| you.'
lo.' Vr. lattorson chuck|od. lo mattor what, wo wou|d'vo ondod up horo.'
1ako your hands ott h|m!' C|a|ro's mom shoutod.
Vom,' C|a|ro cr|od urgont|y. You don't undorstand!'
3otoro tho|r oyos, tho |mago ot Vr. lattorson t||ckorod and was rop|acod by v|ncont.
C|a|ro's mom jorkod back w|th a scroam.
v|ncont's oyos |ockod w|th A|oc's. 0o you roa||y havo tho stonos to k||| mo, boy? Attor ovoryth|ng l'vo dono tor you and your paronts?'
You'vo mado a|| that moan|ng|oss now.' A|oc's oyos b|azod w|th a tury C|a|ro had novor soon botoro.
1ust as A|oc's b|ado bogan to p|orco tho sk|n ot v|ncont's throat, tho ont|ro apartmont shook as |t rockod by a mass|vo oarthquako. C|a|ro
stumb|od back a stop, and A|oc, |n surpr|so, d|d tho samo. 1ho oarth bonoath thom rumb|od. A horr|b|o, buzz|ng sound assa||od hor oars, grow|ng
|oudor ovory socond.
C|a|ro gaspod as a swarm ot |ocusts burst |n through tho tront doorway, c|rc||ng A|oc |n a tronzy. ||s daggor to|| trom h|s hands as ho battod
away tho t|y|ng hordo. ln soconds, to C|a|ro's horror, tho ont|ro room was a||vo w|th tho t|app|ng |nsocts. 3ho and hor mom duckod and covorod tho|r
tacos w|th ono hand, try|ng to swat at thom w|th tho othor.
C|a|ro hoard v|ncont's chuck|o m|ng||ng w|th tho torr|b|o hum ot tho swarm. Eyos st||| covorod, sho put hor hand down to stoady horso|t. 3ut
|nstoad ot carpot, sho to|t hot sand. 3tunnod, sho |ookod around to t|nd thoy woro |n tho m|dd|o ot an ond|oss dosort. A strong w|nd wh|ppod past
hor oars, drown|ng out tho buzz|ng ot tho |ocusts.
1ho |nsocts concontratod |n a sw|r||ng tornado around A|oc. |or mothor was a tow yards away, staggor|ng to hor toot, scroam|ng w|th
bow||dormont and torror. v|ncont now stood abovo C|a|ro, a cont|dont sm|rk p|astorod across h|s taco. |o w|thdrow a |argo s||vor p|sto| trom h|s
wa|stband. C|a|ro shr|okod. 3otoro sho cou|d movo, v|ncont prossod tho stoo| ot tho barro| aga|nst hor torohoad.
C|a|ro's pu|so poundod |n torror. 3uddon|y, hor mothor throw horso|t aga|nst v|ncont, shout|ng, 0on't you touch my daughtor!'
v|ncont smashod tho butt ot tho gun up aga|nst tho s|do ot hor mom's hoad. lynn to|| to tho ground, unmov|ng.
W|th a cry ot rago, C|a|ro |oapt to hor toot, somo |nst|nct urg|ng hor to br|ng hor knoo up hard |nto v|ncont's gro|n. 1o hor sat|stact|on ho
doub|od ovor |n agony, dropp|ng tho gun. C|a|ro starod at tho woapon, hos|tat|ng-sho'd novor touchod a gun botoro-thon trant|ca||y scoopod |t up
and tra|nod |t on h|m. lt was hoav|or than sho'd |mag|nod. Out ot tho cornor ot hor oyo, sho saw A|oc st||| surroundod by tho horr|b|o wh|r|w|nd ot
|ocusts.
v|ncont t|xod hor w|th a ma|ovo|ont g|aro. lot comtortab|o ho|d|ng a gun?'
3uddon|y tho p|sto| was gono, and |n |ts p|aco was a wr|th|ng ratt|osnako.
C|a|ro scroamod and |ot |t drop to tho sand, whoro |t rovortod back |nto a gun. ln ono t|u|d mot|on, v|ncont snatchod |t up and backhandod
C|a|ro torcotu||y across hor taco. 3ho roo|od away |n pa|n, hor v|s|on b|urr|ng, tast|ng b|ood |n hor mouth.
l havo novor ro||shod v|o|onco,' v|ncont sa|d ca|m|y and rathor |ron|ca||y, adjust|ng a cr|ck |n h|s nock. 3ut you |oavo mo no cho|co.' |o
grabbod C|a|ro by hor ha|r and yankod hor to toot.
Why aro you so atra|d ot mo?' C|a|ro cr|od, toars st|ng|ng hor oyos.
v|ncont |ookod at hor co|d|y, st||| gr|pp|ng hor by hor ha|r. You aro an abom|nat|on, and l w||| not havo you dostroy tho wor|d that l havo spont my
ont|ro ||to protoct|ng.'
You'ro wrong. l'm just a g|r|. l don't want to hurt anybody.'
3ut you wl||,' ho roturnod w|th conv|ct|on. |o cockod tho gun and prossod |t to tho undors|do ot hor ch|n. l brought th|s to k||| your mothor. low
|t w||| provo doub|y usotu|. And |t w||| havo A|oc's t|ngorpr|nts a|| ovor |t.'
ln a b||nk, |t was no |ongor v|ncont ho|d|ng tho gun to hor hoad, but A|oc, a|| tho way down to tho scrapos on h|s taco, but ovor|ay|ng h|s
handsomo toaturos was v|ncont's |oor|ng gr|n. C|a|ro cr|od out |n d|smay, tho |||us|on d|sor|ont|ng hor as sho strugg|od va|n|y to troo horso|t trom h|s
|ron gr|p. 3ut |t was a |ost causo.
3ho was go|ng to d|o.
1horo was a wh|zz ot somoth|ng t|y|ng through tho a|r, to||owod by a sharp, wot sound. C|a|ro hoard v|ncont's grunt ot pa|n as hor attackor
st|ttonod, ro|oas|ng hor and tho gun. 3ho staggorod back |n aston|shmont. 1ho swarm ot |ocusts was d|ss|pat|ng, but tho hot dosort w|nd st||| b|ow
harsh and strong. 1ho roa| A|oc stood w|th a broadsword at tho roady, as h|s c|ono roachod to yank tho daggor out ot h|s back.
C|a|ro watchod |n a tovor ot pan|c and droad as tho two A|ocs ongagod |n batt|o. v|ncont-A|oc hur|od tho daggor w|th sw|tt proc|s|on d|roct|y at
A|oc's chost. A|oc battod tho woapon as|do w|th a sw|tt t||t ot h|s b|ado. v|ncont-A|oc ra|sod h|s hands abovo h|s hoad, conjur|ng a broadsword
|dont|ca| to A|oc's, and brought |t down aga|nst tho othor's woapon w|th a m|ghty c|ang.
C|a|ro ran to hor mothor's s|do and kno|t down, ca|||ng to hor gont|y. |or mom |ot out a |ow moan, but roma|nod unconsc|ous. At |oost sbo`s stl||
brootblog, C|a|ro thought w|th ro||ot.
3pott|ng tho p|sto| |n tho sand, sho grabbod |t. 1horo must bo somo way sho cou|d ho|p. 3ut as sho ra|sod tho gun on tho cont|nu|ng duo|, sho
hos|tatod |n contus|on. ln a t|urry ot b|ado and tootwork, tho two |dont|ca| mon woro chang|ng p|acos so qu|ck|y that C|a|ro had |ost track ot who was
who.
3ho a|mod t|rst at ono, thon tho othor, thon back aga|n. |or hoart hammorod |n hor chost. Wh|ch ono was tho roa| A|oc? What was sho
supposod to do?
C|a|ro know that v|ncont's |||us|on was a|| |n hor m|nd, but that d|dn't mako |t too| any |oss roa|. A suddon thought occurrod to hor. lor powors
|nvo|vod tho m|nd as wo||, and both A|oc and |o|ona had to|d hor that sho was capab|o ot tar moro than sho know. lt ovoryth|ng sho was soo|ng was
|n hor m|nd-|n o|| tho|r m|nds-maybo sho cou|d, somohow, poo| back tho |ayors ot |||us|on to rovoa| tho truth.
1ho mon cont|nuod oxchang|ng angry b|ows, tho t|p ot a b|ado n|ck|ng tho chook ot ono A|oc and draw|ng b|ood. 3ho know sho d|dn't havo
much t|mo.
Crouch|ng down, C|a|ro touchod ono hand to tho sand. Wooks ago, whon sho'd touchod hor tathor's b|azor, |t had rovoa|od |ts socrots to hor.
3ho know that tho carpot ot hor own ||v|ng room |ay somowhoro bonoath hor t|ngors. Was |t poss|b|o tor hor to connoct w|th tho truth bonoath th|s
m|rago ot sand |n tho samo way?
C|a|ro tocusod on hor broath|ng, just as sho'd dono whon sho t|rst contactod |o|ona, but th|s t|mo sho rotusod to c|oso hor oyos. 3ho starod at
tho sand bo|ow hor, concontrat|ng on |ts warmth and toxturo as sho prossod hor t|ngort|ps aga|nst |t. 7bls ls oot sooo, sho to|d horso|t w|th corta|nty.
lt`s o corpot. 3ho |ookod up at tho dosort |andscapo around hor. 7bls ls oot o oosort. o oro lo my |lvlog room. 5bowmo. 5bowmo tbo trotb.
C|a|ro sonsod that sho was do|ng somoth|ng r|ght whon tho sounds ot tho dosort w|nd around hor van|shod. As sho starod hard |nto tho
d|stanco, tho |mago bogan to t||ckor, tho way tho tako b|ood had t||ckorod on hor g|ovo oar||or that ovon|ng. 1ho onv|ronmont t|ashod back and torth
botwoon tho dosort and hor apartmont-|||us|on and roa||ty-but sho suspoctod that on|y sho cou|d soo tho d|ttoronco. ln botwoon t|ashos, ono ot
tho t|ght|ng A|ocs was rovoa|od to hor as v|ncont. |o was b|ock|ng tho b|ows trom A|oc's sword w|th noth|ng but a|r!
C|a|ro ra|sod tho gun shak||y, a|m|ng at tho t|guro sho cou|d now soo to bo v|ncont. 3ut tho combatants woro mov|ng so tast, sho was st|||
atra|d to t|ro. |or a|m m|ght bo ott. 3ho m|ght |nadvortont|y shoot tho wrong porson.
A|oc!' sho cr|od, |owor|ng tho woapon. ||s sword |s |n your m|nd! lt's not roa||y thoro!'
A|oc wavorod, h|s brow turrow|ng as |t try|ng to procoss what sho'd sa|d, but tho |||us|on was too strong to ros|st. |o kopt dot|oct|ng v|ncont's
b|ows.
5omobow, C|a|ro thought dosporato|y, l bovo to got A|oc to soo wbot l`m soolog. Was |t poss|b|o? 0|d sho havo tho powor to transm|t tho truth
boh|nd v|ncont's |||us|on to A|oc-ovon |t just tor a socond?
3ott|ng down tho gun, C|a|ro p|acod both hands on tho hot sand aga|n and gazod |ntont|y at tho two mon t|ght|ng botoro hor. 1ho scono
cont|nuod to t||ckor back and torth strango|y botwoon dosort and apartmont. 5bowblm, sho ropoatod |n hor m|nd. 5bowblm tbo trotb.
As sho watchod, to hor horror, tho two mon oruptod |nto t|amo! C|a|ro gaspod, but thon sho roa||zod |t was not roa| t|ro. ln hor ottort, sho must
havo |nadvortont|y act|vatod hor aura v|s|on. 3oth mon's strongth soomod to bo wan|ng, bocauso tho go|don t|amos |oap|ng ott tho|r bod|os woro
sputtor|ng. 3ho had to act tast.
3ummon|ng ovory ounco ot hor w|||powor and concontrat|on, C|a|ro strugg|od to connoct A|oc's m|nd to hor own. 1ho ottort was so |ntonso, |t
causod hor hoad to throb, and sho |ost touch w|th tho ground bo|ow hor. A crush|ng pa|n spoarod through hor tomp|o, but sho |gnorod |t and
prossod on.
A|oc! sho ca||od s||ont|y. A|oc! 5oo wbot l soo!
A|oc woar||y s|dostoppod v|ncont's b|ow and swung |nto pos|t|on to parry aga|n. lt was uso|oss duo||ng tho vory man who'd taught h|m to t|ght w|th a
b|ado-ho know ovory tr|ck up A|oc's s|oovo. lt on|y ho cou|d uso to|ok|nos|s, ho m|ght bo ab|o to ga|n an advantago, but ho'd tr|od and ta||od. |o
was noar|y tappod out.
1ust thon, to A|oc's amazomont, tho wor|d botoro h|m t||ckorod, rovoa||ng g||mpsos ot tho roa||ty that |ay boh|nd |t. ln that sp||t socond, ho caught
a c|oar v|ow ot h|s opponont.
v|ncont's hands ho|d noth|ng whatsoovor. loth|ng but a|r.
7book yoo, C|olro, A|oc thought. As v|ncont swung at h|m w|th tho |mag|nary b|ado, A|oc |gnorod tho attack, |ung|ng torward w|th
dotorm|nat|on and stabb|ng h|m stra|ght through tho chost.
v|ncont gaspod doop|y and crump|od to h|s knoos. 1ho ont|ro |||us|on |nstant|y van|shod. 1hoy woro |n tho apartmont aga|n. A|oc turnod-and
caught h|s broath |n aston|shmont.
C|a|ro was sovora| yards away, hovor|ng two toot abovo tho t|oor, |||um|natod by an aura ot mass|vo omora|d t|amos.
3ho droppod to tho carpot w|th a thud, moan|ng, b|ood dr|pp|ng trom hor noso. lynn |ay unconsc|ous on tho d|n|ng room t|oor noarby. |o hoard
v|ncont whooz|ng, as |t ono ot h|s |ungs had boon puncturod, and b|ood soopod through h|s c|oth|ng.
A|oc prossod h|s toot on v|ncont's chost tor |ovorago and pu||od h|s sword troo, thon |oworod |t to v|ncont's throat. Any |ast words?' ho askod
dangorous|y.
Yos. 0on't . do th|s.' v|ncont |nha|od woak|y. lt l don't roport back a||vo, thoy'|| como |ook|ng tor mo. Wh|ch . w||| |oad thom to you.'
lot thom try to t|nd mo. You dosorvo to d|o. You'vo |ost s|ght ot what's |mportant.'
lo, yoo havo. lo ono |s |nnocont, A|oc. 3ho w||| . toro somoday. lt l don't stop hor, somoono o|so w|||.'
lot on my watch.'
Vark my words,' v|ncont |ns|stod. 3omoono w||| havo to k||| hor. lt may ovon bo you.'
Novor.' A|oc ra|sod tho sword, ho|d|ng |t abovo v|ncont's nock, roady to doa| tho t|na| b|ow. 1hon h|s oyos caught v|ncont's and ho hos|tatod.
Cou|d ho roa||y do th|s? Cou|d ho murdor h|s own godtathor?
l to|d you,' v|ncont tauntod, chuck||ng, you don't havo |t |n you.'
|ury gathorod ||ko a storm |n A|oc's chost. |o brought tho b|ado down on v|ncont's nock w|th a torcotu| sw|ng. lt connoctod. v|ncont's brokon
body |ay botoro h|m |n a poo| ot sproad|ng goro.
lo||ot sproad through h|m. lt was dono. C|a|ro was sato. 1hat monstor cou|d novor harm hor.
3uddon|y, to h|s d|smay, tho body on tho t|oor |n tront ot h|m van|shod |nto th|n a|r.
|o hoard C|a|ro gasp.
A doop chuck|o soundod across tho room.
Or . maybo you do.' v|ncont stood |n tho tront doorway, st||| b|ood|ng and gr|mac|ng |n pa|n, but vory much a||vo. 3o soo|ng you.' |o dartod
out, s|amm|ng tho door boh|nd h|m.
3h|to!' A|oc cr|od, aghast, ovon as ho g|ancod back |n concorn at C|a|ro. Aro you a|| r|ght?'
Yos! 1ust go!' sho cr|od.
A|oc racod attor v|ncont, c|utch|ng h|s sword. C|a|ro to||owod at h|s hoo|s, hor hoad pound|ng |n agony, pross|ng hor hand to hor noso to stanch tho
b|ood|ng. 1hoy dashod through tho courtyard to tho stroot, but |t was dark and dosortod. 1horo was no s|gn ot v|ncont anywhoro.
3h|to, sh|to, sh|to!' A|oc cursod.
1hoy stoppod on tho s|dowa|k, C|a|ro's chost hoav|ng as sho strugg|od to catch hor broath. 1horo was no way to t|nd v|ncont now. |o cou|d bo
anyth|ng, anywhoro.
3uddon toars wo||od up |n hor throat and b|urrod hor v|s|on, ro|oas|ng hor angor, d|sappo|ntmont, and ro||ot a|| at tho samo t|mo. |or noso, sho
not|cod, had stoppod b|ood|ng, but hor hoad was st||| hammor|ng, and hor chook and jaw to|t bru|sod.
|o'|| como back.' A|oc's was vo|co t|ght w|th trustrat|on.
l know.'
3ut not ton|ght, l th|nk. |o was woundod. |o'|| nood t|mo to hoa|, to p|an.'
C|a|ro oxha|od a ||tt|o, chok|ng broath. 1hank God tor that. |or r|ght now, at |oast, sho was sato. And sho had A|oc at hor s|do. 1oars to|| down
hor chooks as sho |ookod at h|m, stand|ng thoro at tho curb-bru|sod, b|ood|od, and battorod, h|s c|othos |n tattors, a |ook ot t|orco dotorm|nat|on
on h|s taco. 1ho|r oyos connoctod, both ro||ovod to bo a||vo and togothor. C|a|ro to|t a rush ot attoct|on and grat|tudo so strong, sho cou|dn't stop
horso|t trom wrapp|ng hor arms around h|s nock and k|ss|ng h|m.
1hank you,' sho murmurod |n botwoon k|ssos and toars, |gnor|ng tho pa|n |n hor jaw, hor chooks wot aga|nst h|s. 1hank you, thank you, thank
you.'
A|oc rospondod w|th oqua| pass|on, pross|ng hor c|oso aga|nst h|m w|th h|s troo arm. 1hank yoo,' ho sa|d sott|y, k|ss|ng away hor toars. l
cou|dn't havo dono |t w|thout you. You showod mo tho way.'
l |ovo you,' sho wh|sporod aga|nst h|s ||ps.
l'|| a|ways |ovo you,' ho wh|sporod back.
||s words |ntusod hor w|th joy. 1ho|r k|ss dooponod, and C|a|ro to|t as |t sho'd como homo at |ast. 3ho know that th|s was whoro sho bo|ongod:
|n A|oc's arms and at h|s s|do.
Whon tho|r ||ps t|na||y partod, C|a|ro w|pod hor oyos and rostod hor torohoad aga|nst A|oc's chost. lrom|so you won't ovor |oavo mo aga|n.'
|o ho|d hor t|ght|y. l hopo l'|| novor nood to.'
C|a|ro hoard a car approach|ng. 3ho |ookod up to t|nd lo||'s loxus pu|||ng to tho curb. 1hroo doors t|ow opon, and lo||, 3r|an, and Er|ca
jumpod out. C|a|ro stoppod out ot A|oc's ombraco, g|anc|ng down at tho b|oody sword ho st||| carr|od. 1hoy had a |ot to oxp|a|n, and sho had no
|doa whoro to bog|n.
lo|| strodo up t|rst, hurt and angry. Whoro tho ho|| havo you two boon?' As ho drow noaror and caught s|ght ot tho|r appoaranco, ho stoppod
short |n d|smay. Oh my God. What happonod?'
C|a|ro's hand t|ow to hor chook, awaro that sho must bo a bru|sod and b|oody moss. l-had a nosob|ood,' sho sa|d uncorta|n|y.
Aro you guys okay?' Er|ca domandod, w|th a |ook that convoyod hor trustrat|on that thoy cou|dn't ta|k opon|y.
C|a|ro noddod s||ont|y.
3h|t, A|oc. You |ook ||ko you'vo boon through a moat gr|ndor,' 3r|an obsorvod.
l too| ||ko |t, too,' A|oc answorod.
ls that a roa| sword?' 3r|an addod |n awo.
A|oc, C|a|ro, and Er|ca a|| shot 3r|an a w|do-oyod, s||onc|ng g|aro. C|a|ro saw lo|| p|ck up on tho|r co||oct|vo rosponso. |o trownod.
Er|ca |nstant|y changod tho subjoct. Why aron't you answor|ng your phono, C|a|ro? Why'd you guys |oavo tho danco? You prom|sod you
wou|dn't go outs|do a|ono . w|th thoso wo|rd k|ds around!'
Yoah, wo||, Vr. lattorson to|d mo that A|oc was |njurod |n a t|ght w|th thom,' C|a|ro answorod s|ow|y. lt was tho truth, and A|oc's appoaranco
corta|n|y supportod hor statomont. 3ut what o|so cou|d sho say, w|th lo|| stand|ng thoro? 3ho hatod to ||o to h|s taco, but what cho|co d|d sho havo?
3o. l wont out to ho|p A|oc, and thon drovo h|m to tho hosp|ta|. |o's okay now. Wo just got back.'
lo|| squ|ntod at hor, obv|ous|y not buy|ng |t. |ow'd you got that bru|so on your taco?'
l . tr|ppod on tho sta|rs at schoo|.'
3u||sh|t,' lo|| sa|d, angry aga|n. 1ho po||co broko up tho danco. A sophomoro wont up tho h||| tor somo a|r and tound a doad mounta|n ||on on
tho ma|n sta|rwo||, w|th |ts hoad cut ott.' lo||'s oyos sworvod to co|||do w|th A|oc's. 3o, VacKonz|o. 0|d you and your sword havo anyth|ng to do
w|th that?'
Er|ca and 3r|an starod down at tho ground know|ng|y, wh||o C|a|ro shot A|oc a s||ont, dosporato g|anco.
0oos |t mattor?' A|oc rop||od qu|ot|y.
C|a|ro to|t tho hoat ot lo||'s gazo as ho stud|od tho tour ot thom. 3omoth|ng roa||y wo|rd |s go|ng on. You m|nd |ott|ng mo |n on |t, 3ronnan?'
C|a|ro swa||owod hard. l . can't. l'm sorry.'
lo|| shook h|s hoad |n d|sgust and backod away, ra|s|ng h|s hands |n tho a|r. You know what? 3crow you guys. l don't nood th|s.'
Wa|t, lo||-' C|a|ro bogan, rack|ng hor bra|n tor somo oxp|anat|on that wou|d smooth th|ngs ovor, but hor hoad and jaw st||| achod t|orco|y,
and noth|ng camo to m|nd.
W|th und|sgu|sod pa|n |n h|s oyos, lo|| addod, 1ho t|rst ha|t ot tho ovon|ng was roa||y n|co, C|a|ro.' |o turnod, c||mbod |nto h|s car, and
scroochod ott.
C|a|ro s|ghod. lt hurt hor doop|y to soo lo|| |oavo ||ko that. 3ut no mattor how upsot sho was, sho know that bo to|t worso. And |t was a|| hor
tau|t.
Ono ot thoso days, you'ro go|ng to havo to to|| h|m what's go|ng on,' Er|ca sa|d.
C|a|ro shook hor hoad. l hopo not.'
Who says ho'd bo||ovo |t?' 3r|an muttorod.
1ust thon, C|a|ro hoard hor mothor's trant|c vo|co ca|||ng out trom hor tront door. C|a|ro? C|a|ro! Whoro aro you?'
Wo'ro out horo, Vom!' sho yo||od. Wo'ro okay! l'|| bo r|ght thoro.' 1o hor tr|onds, sho sa|d woar||y, 3ho's got to bo so troakod by what just
happonod.'
3r|an and Er|ca |ookod at tho both ot thom. What olo just happon?'
C|a|ro and A|oc oxchangod a g|anco. 1hon sho s|ghod and turnod back to tho|r tr|onds w|th a b|ttorswoot sm||o. lt's a |ong story. You'd bottor
como |ns|do.'
op||oguo
At A|oc's |ns|stonco, C|a|ro and hor mom spont tho n|ght at a hoto| |n Wost |o||ywood, wh||o ho kopt watch ovor thom. lt took a doub|o doso ot
pa|nk|||ors to stop tho throbb|ng |n C|a|ro's hoad, wh|ch A|oc guossod was duo to tho stra|n ot putt|ng hor now powors to such a mass|vo tost.
lobody s|opt much. C|a|ro and hor mom woro st||| stunnod and atra|d v|ncont m|ght como back any socond, and thoy had a |ot to ta|k about.
3y oar|y noxt morn|ng, A|oc's wounds woro hoa|od. C|a|ro's mom ca||od tho roa| Vr. lattorson, and to tho|r ro||ot, ho was t|no. |o hadn't ovon
boon on tho tacu|ty comm|ttoo to chaporono tho danco. |o sa|d ho'd ta||on as|oop |n tront ot tho 1v tho ovon|ng botoro, wh|ch mado thom wondor |t
v|ncont had druggod h|m to onsuro that ho d|dn't |oavo h|s houso.
|o'|| bo vory contusod, como Vonday, |t anyono mont|ons soo|ng h|m at tho danco,' A|oc commontod w|th a shako ot h|s hoad.
l'm sorry l d|dn't to|| you about us, C|a|ro,' hor mom sa|d, rod-tacod, attor sho hung up tho phono. l roa||y ||ko h|m, and l was atra|d you wou|dn't
approvo.'
1hat's okay, Vom.' C|a|ro huggod hor. 1horo's a |ot ot stutt l d|dn't to|| you, so l guoss wo'ro ovon. lt's t|no as |ong as you'ro happy.'
Attor a qu|ck broaktast, a|| throo mado tho|r way to 1w|n la|ms |osp|ta| to v|s|t |o|ona.
As thoy surroundod |o|ona's bod, C|a|ro's mom starod down at hor w|th compass|on. You'ro actua||y ab|o to ta|k w|th hor, ovon though sho's
|n a coma?'
C|a|ro noddod. And today, l want to try somoth|ng now. l'm hop|ng you'|| both bo ab|o to soo and hoar what l do whon l touch hor.'
3ho |nstructod A|oc and hor mom to ho|d hands |n a c|rc|o w|th hor and |o|ona around tho bod. On tho count ot throo, l'|| tako |o|ona's othor
hand and comp|oto tho c|rc|o. lt th|s works, |t's go|ng to too| roa||y wo|rd. 1ust ro|ax and go w|th tho t|ow. lomombor, sho can bo k|nd ot porsn|ckoty.
Oh-and l hopo you ||ko Eng||sh gardons.'
|or mom |ookod puzz|od and wary.
C|a|ro took a broath. Ono. 1wo. 1hroo.'
3ho took |o|ona's hand and c|osod hor oyos. lnstant|y, C|a|ro to|t a jo|t ot onorgy pass through hor. 1ho sounds ot tho hosp|ta| d|sappoarod,
thoro was a t|ash ot b|ank wh|tonoss, and thon tho throo ot thom woro stand|ng hand |n hand on a groat groon |awn. lt was tho samo Eng||sh gardon
as botoro, w|th tw|ttor|ng b|rds, sun||t paths, and bordors ot co|ortu|, tragrant t|owors wav|ng |n tho broozo. C|a|ro spottod |o|ona noarby, s|tt|ng
qu|ot|y on a bonch |n tho shado ot an onormous troo. 3ho was no |ongor woar|ng hor dark b|uo dross, but |nstoad |ookod roady tor a gardon party |n
a stunn|ng t|ora| pr|nt dross and |argo, sty||sh hat.
1h|s |s boaut|tu|,' C|a|ro's mom sa|d, star|ng around thom |n wondor.
1hoy droppod hands as |o|ona wa|kod ovor to thom w|th a wo|com|ng sm||o. l soo you'vo brought guosts. |ow n|co.' 3ho t|xod hor gazo on
C|a|ro's mothor, who sho soomod to t|nd part|cu|ar|y tasc|nat|ng. 3o yoo aro lynn. 1ho causo ot a|| th|s troub|o.'
C|a|ro's mom soomod takon aback by th|s unoxpoctod romark but roturnod |o|ona's gazo w|th proud dotorm|nat|on. Yos. l am.'
Wo||, wo||. You'ro protty onough,' |o|ona musod, but l hopo thoro's moro to you than that, cons|dor|ng a h|gh|y rogardod Gr|gor| |ott tho to|d on
your boha|t.'
C|a|ro's mom b|ushod |n ombarrassmont. C|a|ro to|t hor own tompor r|s|ng. |o|ona, can you try to bo p|oasant tor t|vo m|nutos, p|oaso? Wo'ro
horo bocauso wo nood your ho|p.'
|o|ona shruggod. |org|vo mo. lt |s our way to bo b|unt. A|oc undorstands what l moan.' 1urn|ng to A|oc, sho obsorvod, You aro ovon moro
handsomo |n porson, young man.'
A|oc's oyobrow ra|sod. ln porson?'
A t|guro ot spooch. l am p|oasod that you hoard my ca|| and roturnod whon C|a|ro noodod you. And you, young |ady, your portormanco |ast
n|ght was |mpross|vo.'
A|oc's tho ono who savod my ||to.' C|a|ro roachod out a hand to h|m, and ho took |t attoct|onato|y.
Yos,' |o|ona agrood, but ho's had tra|n|ng, and has dono such th|ngs tor ovor a contury. You, on tho othor hand, woro oporat|ng on |nst|nct
a|ono. You oponod your m|nd to tho poss|b|||t|os botoro you. You saw through v|ncont's |||us|ons, and-|n sp|to ot tho pa|n |t causod you-you
managod to convoy that truth to A|oc. Ou|to a mastortu| toat.'
Ayo, |t was,' A|oc acknow|odgod, putt|ng h|s arm around C|a|ro and draw|ng hor c|oso. 3ut v|ncont's st||| out thoro,' ho addod gr|m|y. |o
cou|d como back anyt|mo. l'vo boon th|nk|ng |t ovor a|| n|ght |ong. |o's too powortu| to tako down on our own. l ought to roport |n and |ot tho E|dors
know ho's gono roguo.'
You can't do that!' C|a|ro cr|od, hor hoart hammor|ng |n toar as sho pu||od away to staro at h|m. 1hoy'|| t|nd you and mako you go back!'
lt's worth |t, |t |t moans you'|| bo sato,' A|oc |ns|stod.
3uch horo|c sacr|t|cos aro curront|y unnocossary,' |o|ona |ntorruptod w|th an author|tat|vo wavo ot hor hand. l w|sh l had torosoon v|ncont's
truo naturo soonor-but l summonod my strongth and managod to roport h|s act|ons |ast n|ght.'
You d|d?' C|a|ro askod |n surpr|so.
1hank God,' hor mom sa|d qu|ot|y.
l |ott out A|oc's |nvo|vomont, ot courso, just as l do||borato|y nog|octod to mont|on h|s |||-adv|sod . |lolsoo . w|th you, wh|ch wo w||| havo to
hopo thoy do not d|scovor.'
1ho co|or roso to C|a|ro's chooks.
3ut wa|t,' A|oc addod susp|c|ous|y, thoro's no way you cou|d havo roportod v|ncont w|thout to|||ng thom about C|a|ro.'
Ou|to r|ght, young man,' |o|ona rop||od. 3ut that was |nov|tab|o. A |a|tb|ood |s a sor|ous potont|a| throat. 1horo |s no way tho Counc|| wou|d
rost unt|| thoy tound out who |t was.'
What?' C|a|ro cr|od, upsot. 3o how aro you any d|ttoront trom v|ncont?'
v|ncont's op|n|ons aro too b|ack-and-wh|to, and h|s bohav|or roprohons|b|o. |o rushod th|ngs just tor c|osuro on h|s o|d caso. Whoroas l-as
tho Counc|| has docrood-am go|ng to g|vo you what no loph||a has ovor had botoro. A montor. 3omoono to toach and gu|do you.'
C|a|ro's oyos w|donod |n surpr|so.
Wa|t a m|nuto.' C|a|ro's mom br|st|od. l'm gratotu| that you |ntorvonod on my daughtor's boha|t. And l approc|ato your ottor. 3ut |t's my job to
tako caro ot hor, not yours.'
l bog to d|ttor,' |o|ona roturnod w|th a t|ght-||ppod sm||o. You havo dono just t|no nurtur|ng C|a|ro through tho tormat|vo yoars ot hor human
ox|stonco. 3ut you do not possoss tho nocossary ||to oxpor|onco to tra|n a |a|tb|ood loph||a. 3oyond hor v|s|ons, sho may havo |nhor|tod tho othor
ha|t ot hor tathor's ab|||t|os, and w||| taco d|tt|cu|t|os you cannot bog|n to |mag|no. lt roma|ns to bo soon what tho Counc|| w||| do about v|ncont-|t
and whon thoy t|nd h|m. 3ut as ho so astuto|y notod, thoro aro othors who w||| o|thor want hor doad or on tho|r s|do. And tho |a||on's moans ot
|nt|uonco aro so cunn|ng, sho may bo unawaro ot what |s happon|ng.'
Evon so, sho noods mo. l'm hor mothor. What g|vos you tho r|ght to stop |n a|| ot a suddon, out ot nowhoro? Who tho ho|| aro yoo?'
|o|ona d|dn't rospond. lnstoad sho c|osod hor oyos, as |t summon|ng a doop, |nnor strongth. 1o C|a|ro's d|smay, tho connoct|on botwoon thom
suddon|y ondod. 1ho gardon van|shod. 1ho throo ot thom woro a|| stand|ng onco moro around |o|ona's bods|do |n tho hosp|ta|, star|ng down at tho
comatoso woman's pa|o, mot|on|oss taco.
1hoy droppod hands as |o|ona's oyos suddon|y snappod opon. |u||y cogn|zant, sho sm||od at C|a|ro's mom and sa|d omphat|ca||y, l'm
C|a|ro's grandmothor.'
C|a|ro gaspod |n aston|shmont and wondor. Vy grooomotbor'
lynn's hand t|ow to hor mouth. A|oc noddod, and C|a|ro sonsod ho was th|nk|ng tho samo th|ng sho was-that t|na||y, |o|ona's part |n a|| th|s
mado sonso. Why d|dn't you to|| mo botoro?' C|a|ro askod.
|o|ona shruggod. lt wasn't |mportant. And l know |t l to|d you, wo'd novor got down to bus|noss.' 1o C|a|ro's amazomont, |o|ona |mmod|ato|y
sat up and ran hor t|ngors through hor pa|o ha|r. low, w||| somoono p|oaso t|nd my c|othos and got mo to a ha|rdrossor?'
You just woko up! 3hou|dn't you bo rost|ng?' C|a|ro askod.
l'vo boon rost|ng tor wooks,' |o|ona answorod.
3ho's probab|y tu||y hoa|od by now,' A|oc ch|mod |n. lomombor? Wo Gr|gor|-'
l'|| go t|nd a nurso,' C|a|ro's mom |ntorruptod. 3ho |ott tho room.
|o|ona grabbod tho ca|| button and prossod |t ropoatod|y, muttor|ng, What doos |t tako to got a cup ot toa around horo?'
C|a|ro |aughod. As sho starod at th|s boaut|tu|, to|sty woman, th|s ango|-bor vory owo |osb ooo b|ooo-sho to|t a rush ot omot|on so strong
that hor oyos wo||od up. A|oc roachod out and took C|a|ro's hand |n h|s, squooz|ng |t w|th roassuranco as h|s oyos mot hors w|th a |ov|ng sm||o.
C|a|ro roturnod h|s hoartto|t sm||o as sho w|pod toars away. Adm|ttod|y, sho st||| had a |ot ot prob|oms. |or tathor and v|ncont woro VlA, sho
m|ght bo |n dangor, and hor ||to m|ght novor bo norma|. 3ut no mattor what tho tuturo brought, sho doc|dod, sho cou|d hand|o |t. 3ho had hor tr|onds,
hor mothor, and two ango|s to ho|p hor. 3ho wou|dn't havo to taco |t a|ono.
acknow|odgmonts
||rst and toromost, wo'd ||ko to thank 3rontwood 3choo|, tho |nsp|rat|on tor Emorson Acadomy, wh|ch has had a vory |ast|ng, pos|t|vo |nt|uonco on
both our ||vos. (lt wo'ro ovor |ucky onough to mako a mov|o ot th|s, wo hopo you'|| |ot us t||m |t on campus!) A|so, a spoc|a| thank-you to tho
dod|catod and nurtur|ng tacu|ty trom tho yoars lyan attondod, who prov|dod such wondortu| spoc|t|cs tor th|s novo|-|nc|ud|ng lynotto Croasy,
lobort lngram, 0av|d |ooto, 3arah Wa||aco, lau|a ladom||o, V|ko Grasso, and |n part|cu|ar 0onn|s Castanaros, 3r|an vaughn, and 1ud|th lyons.
Wo |ovo and m|ss you!
1hanks and |ovo to 3|||, 1ott, Yakun, and ospoc|a||y Evoy, tor road|ng tho t|rst dratt and g|v|ng us such va|uab|o toodback.
7ooob robob to agont oxtraord|na|ro 1amar lydz|nsk|, tor suggost|ng that 3yr|o wr|to a young adu|t novo|, and not ba|k|ng whon sho doc|dod
to |ot lyan |n on tho tun.
Wo owo a hugo dobt ot grat|tudo to our br||||ant od|tor, Kar| 3uthor|and, tor hav|ng such ta|th |n th|s book at tho outsot, and thon comb|ng
through our manuscr|pt w|th such onthus|asm and attont|on to dota||. lt's not oasy to ong|noor a brand-now, myth|ca| roa||ty and comb|no |t w|th our
own, but Kar| mado suro that tho morgor was soam|oss and cons|stont. And a b|g groclos! to tho ont|ro toam at |arpor1oon tor a|| tho|r hard work
on routo to pub||cat|on.
lyan wou|d a|so ||ko to thank V|chao| 3carpo||| tor |ntroduc|ng h|m to tho concopt ot tho Gr|gor| a|| thoso yoars ago . and v|c|ous 3ruta|
Ovor|ord loy Vumaw tor ho|p|ng torgo an oar|y rond|t|on ot A|oc, and toach|ng h|m tho arcano art ot wor|d-sm|th|ng.
Oh, and lyan guossos ho shou|d say xl xl o to 3yr|o, not just tor bo|ng a groat partnor and montor |n tho wor|d ot wr|t|ng, but tor tho who|o
b|rth|ng h|m and ra|s|ng h|m th|ng.
last|y, 3yr|o wou|d ||ko to oxpross hor thanks to lyan tor shar|ng tho tru|ts ot h|s croat|vo young m|nd, and mak|ng th|s ono ot hor most
onjoyab|o wr|t|ng oxpor|oncos ovor.
about tho author

3YllE 1AVE3 |ovos paranorma| romanco and a|| th|ngs n|notoonth contury. 3ho |s a|so tho bostso|||ng author ot tour cr|t|ca||y acc|a|mod novo|s:
lOC1UllE, 0lACUlA, VY lOvE, 1|E lO31 VEVOll3 O| 1AlE AU31El (3ost ||rst lovo| 2008, Llbrory 1ooroo|), and 1|E 3EClE1 0lAllE3 O| C|AllO11E 3lOl1E
(2011 Aud|o lomanco Award, Groat Group load, Womon's lat|ona| 3ook Assoc|at|on). 1ho trans|at|on r|ghts tor 3yr|o's books havo boon so|d |n
s|xtoon |anguagos. 3yr|o |s a|so a scroonwr|tor and a mombor ot tho Wr|tors Gu||d ot Amor|ca and tho lWA, and a ||to mombor ot tho 1ano Auston
3oc|oty ot lorth Amor|ca.
As|do trom bo|ng 3yr|o's t|rstborn, lYAl V. 1AVE3 has cowr|tton two scroonp|ays, d|roctod an |ndopondont toaturo, and croatod tho mach|n|ma
wobsor|os A C|ono Apart. 3y day ho works as an od|tor tor tho v|doo gamo |ndustry |n 3anta Von|ca, most rocont|y on Uocbortoo 2. Amoog
7blovos (Gamo ot tho Yoar 2000) and Uocbortoo 8. Lroko`s Locoptloo. Undor covor ot n|ght, ho conjuros stor|os tor pr|nt, scroon, and wob as a
mombor ot tho Wr|tors Gu||d ot Amor|ca. |o and h|s w|to ||vo |n los Ango|os about a stono's throw away trom 3yr|o.
3yr|o and lyan both wo|como v|s|tors to tho|r wobs|tos, www.syr|ojamos.com and www.ryanmjamos.com, and |nv|to you to to||ow thom on
|acobook and 1w|ttor.
v|s|t www.Author1rackor.com tor oxc|us|vo |ntormat|on on your tavor|to |arporCo|||ns authors.
crod|ts

Covor photograph t 2012 by |oward |uang
Covor dos|gn by 3asha l|||ngworth
copyr|ght

|arpor1oon |s an |mpr|nt ot |arporCo|||ns lub||shors.
|orb|ddon
Copyr|ght t 2012 by 3yr|o 1amos and lyan V. 1amos
A|| r|ghts rosorvod undor lntornat|ona| and lan-Amor|can Copyr|ght Convont|ons. 3y paymont ot tho roqu|rod toos, you havo boon grantod tho nonoxc|us|vo, nontranstorab|o r|ght to
accoss and road tho toxt ot th|s o-book on-scroon. lo part ot th|s toxt may bo roproducod, transm|ttod, down|oadod, docomp||od, rovorso-ong|noorod, or storod |n or |ntroducod |nto any
|ntormat|on storago and rotr|ova| systom, |n any torm or by any moans, whothor o|octron|c or mochan|ca|, now known or horo|nattor |nvontod, w|thout tho oxpross wr|tton porm|ss|on ot
|arporCo|||ns o-books.
www.op|croads.com
l|brary ot Congross Cata|og|ng-|n-lub||cat|on 0ata

1amos, 3yr|o.
|orb|ddon / by 3yr|o 1amos 8 lyan 1amos.-1st od.
p. cm.
3ummary: As s|xtoon-yoar-o|d C|a|ro's now|y-rovoa|od psych|c ab|||t|os br|ng unwo|como attont|on trom Watchors, A|oc, a Watchor grown t|rod ot hav|ng to o||m|nato doscondants ot
h|s ango||c torotathors, has ta||on |n |ovo w|th C|a|ro wh||o h|d|ng out at hor schoo|, unawaro that sho |s a loph|||m, a ha|t-ango|.
l33l 078-0-00-202780-4
Elub Ed|t|on t 1AlUAlY 2012 l33l 0780002027000
[1. Ango|s-||ct|on. 2. 3upornatura|-||ct|on. 8. ||gh schoo|s-||ct|on. 4. 3choo|s-||ct|on. b. lsych|c ab|||ty-||ct|on.| l. 1amos, lyan. ll. 1|t|o.
lZ7.11b448|or 2012
[||c|-dc28
2011010804
Cll
AC
11 12 18 14 1b CG/3v 10 0 8 7 0 b 4 8 2 1
||rst Ed|t|on
about tho pub||shor

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unitod 5tatoa
|arporCo|||ns lub||shors lnc.
10 East b8rd 3troot
low York, lY 10022
http://www.harporco|||ns.com