the keeper's journal (excerpts only)

7/30/2019 The Keeper's Journal (*EXCERPTS ONLY*)

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Jxojrpts frn`7

Saj Bjjpjr's GnurlkhEy Cjdcrj Ckhtnl (kbk Cjenrka NSnnhj)

Ennb #: dl taj Onhhjotdvj Nesjssdnls _kik

Ohue Hdiatanusj Adstnrdokh Un`kloj /Fk`dhy Jpdo Jcdtdnl

]kpjrekob D_EL7 491-;-:39;49-?6-;

J-Ennb D_EL7 491-;-459??9-65-5

Onpyrdiat Cjdcrj Ckhtnl. Khh rdiats rjsjrvjc.

Onvjr Krt7 S.H Ckvdsnl.

Ennb jxojrpts `ky lnt ej rjprncuojc dl wanhj nr dl pkrt wdtanut wrdttjl pjr`dssdnl. Ennb jxojrpts krj frn`

k wnrb nf fdotdnl. Kly rjsj`ehkloj tn kotukh pjrsnls hdvdli nr cjkc ds purjhy ondlodcjltkh.


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Jxojrpts frn` SAJ BJJ]JU_ GNZULKH Cjdcrj Ckhtnl (kbk Cjenrka N'Snnhj)

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5

KENZS "SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH"Saj Bjjpjr's Gnurlkh ey Cjdcrj Ckhtnl (kbk Cjenrka N'Snnhj) ds taj fdfta ennb dl taj

Onhhjotdvj Nesjssdnls _kik. Saj j-ennb jcdtdnl nf taj lnvjh wks rjhjksjc ey Ohue Hdiatanusj

]uehdsadli dl Cjoj`ejr 5=;5. Saj pkpjrekob jcdtdnl fnhhnwjc dl Gulj 5=;9.

_akllnl Hkrbdl ds fnrojc tn onlfrnlt cj`nls frn` ajr pkst, wadhj ajr ckuiatjr Klidjcdsonvjrs Onh` _uhhdvkl's gnurlkh dl taj nhc hdiatanusj bjjpjr's onttkij. Saj cdkry sajcs hdiat

nl taj adstnry ejtwjjl taj Hkrbdl klc _uhhdvkl fk`dhdjs, eut `ky ej tnn hktj tn stnp taj sdstjrs

nf @dbj _uhhdvkl frn` wrjkbdli vjlijkloj nl taj Hkrbdl fk`dhy fnr sdls klc trkijcdjs nf taj

pkst.

_akllnl Hkrbdl ds fnrojc tn onlfrnlt cj`nls frn` ajr pkst. Ajr yjkrhy vdsdt tn @dbj

_uhhdvkl's irkvjsdtj strkdls ajr `krrdkij tn _ontt ]kij, eut saj fdlcs ajrsjhf ulkehj klc

ulwdhhdli tn fnrijt @dbj's `j`nry.

_akllnl's ckuiatjr Klijhk ]kij fdlcs hnvj wdta ajr ljw enss Sn` Od`krjhhd, k Ljw Tnrb

Odty ljwspkpjr jcdtnr.

Yadhj nl kssdil`jlt, Klijhk cdsonvjrs Onh` _uhhdvkl's gnurlkh dl taj nhc hdiatanusj

bjjpjr's onttkij. Saj cdkry sajcs hdiat nl taj adstnry ejtwjjl taj Hkrbdl klc _uhhdvkl

fk`dhdjs, eut `ky ej tnn hktj tn stnp taj sdstjrs nf @dbj _uhhdvkl frn` wrjkbdli vjlijkloj

nl taj Hkrbdl fk`dhy fnr sdls klc trkijcdjs nf taj pkst.

Fnr `nrj, in tn7

attp7//cjdcrjckhtnl.on`/


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?

SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH7Jxojrpt frn` Oakptjr Nlj

Cjoj`ejr ;443

Hkrbdl Odty, @kdlj

_AKLLNL ]KIJ _SNNC NL taj ekhonly, crdlbdli dl taj spjotkouhkr vdjw takt `jt

ajr jyjs. _aj ljvjr tdrjc nf hnnbdli nut kornss taj vkst jxpklsj nf ajr fk`dhy's jstktj, nr

ejynlc tn Hkrbdl Odty. Dt wks ejst sjjl kt ldiat, wdta taj wdlbdli onlurektdnl nf hdiats

irnwdli ohnsjr ks taj odty irjw hkrijr. Dt wks k sdiat saj ejajhc ajr jltdrj hdfj, klc saj

`krvjhjc kt ajr innc fnrtulj. _aj bljw, wajl taj td`j ok`j, saj wnuhc cdj ajrj, tnn.

_aj wks lnw fnrty-fnur yjkrs nhc, eut akc oaklijc hdtthj nvjr taj hkst twjlty yjkrs.

Ajr akdr wks stdhh ckrb klc hnli, khtanuia saj bjpt dt dl Frjloa erkdcs `nst nf taj td`j, wdta

k fjw strklcs nf irky kt taj tj`phjs. _oklt kij hdljs kppjkrjc ulcjr ajr ckrb jyjs, klc nf

hktj saj akc tkbjl tn wjkrdli ihkssjs wadhj rjkcdli nr sjwdli. Anwjvjr, spjotkohjs sjj`jc

tn koojlt ajr innc hnnbs rktajr takl cjtrkot frn` taj`.

_aj stjppjc fnrwkrc klc hjkljc nvjr taj ekhonly rkdhdli. Sarnuia taj `nrldli `dst,saj onuhc sjj taj hdiatanusj nl Eklsajj ]ndlt. _aj bjpt ajr jyjs nl taj irky-erdob

hdiatanusj, lntdli dts ejkuty klc sdliuhkr sd`phdodty. Hnidstdokhhy, taj hdiatanusj onvjrjc

jdiat `dhjs nf sanrjhdlj. Ejsdcjs rnoby pktawkys, taj struoturj wks khsn surrnulcjc ey tkhh

wjjcs, ehujejrry pktoajs, ojckr trjjs klc hkrij pdlj stklcs. Dt wks khsn k hnnbnut pndlt fnr

wakhj wktoadli klc edrcdli, usukhhy ]uffdls on``nl tn taj krjk. Lnw takt taj hdiatanusj

wks kutn`ktjc, taj nhc ernlzj ejhh nloj usjc skt jloksjc nl taj hkwl nf taj bjjpjr's

onttkij. Dt akc kl jxojhhjlt vdjw frn` dts pjroa nl taj orjst nf k adhh.

_aj turljc klc wkhbjc ekob dltn ajr ejcrnn`, ohnsdli taj Frjloa cnnrs takt hjc tn

taj ekhonly. Dt wks onnh dlsdcj taj `klsdnl. _aj aurrdjc nvjr tn ajr ohnsjt klc irkeejc k

hdiat swjktjr.

Jvjry `nrldli, _akllnl klc ajr auseklc _ontt ]kij kwnbj jkrhy dl tajdr prdvktjsudtj kt taj Hkrbdl `klsdnl, khsn _akllnl's rnn`s dl ajr ynuta. _dloj tajdr twn oadhcrjl

wjrj irnwl, tajy wjrj kehj tn tkbj tajdr td`j ks tajy rjkcdjc taj`sjhvjs fnr taj cky. Saj

onuphj sakrjc k hkrij ejcrnn`, wdta kl kcgkojlt ektarnn` wjhh jqudppjc wdta k Gkouzzd,

ihkssjc-dl sanwjr klc sjvjrkh ohnsjts. Saj onultjr, wadoa anusjc cnuehj sdlbs klc k hnli

`drrnr ejhnw k pnrtanhj wdlcnw, khsn hjft rnn` fnr taj `kbdlis nf k frjsa pnt nf onffjj - taj

fdrst nrcjr nf taj cky fnr taj`.

_akllnl bjpt dt sd`phj. _aj prjfjrrjc taj crdp `jtanc nf erjwdli, sn saj usjc k

tjl-oup @r. Onffjj`koadlj. K hnli-td`j cjvntjj nf Oanob Fuhh n'Luts, saj irnulc taj onffjj

ejkls frjsa jvjry `nrldli. Zlcjrljkta taj sdlb wks k s`khh rjfrdijrktnr, wajrj saj

rj`nvjc k orjk` gui fuhh nf wanhj `dhb. _nnl, taj snulc nf hdiathy endhdli wktjr klc taj

krn`k nf frjsa onffjj fdhhjc taj rnn`.

Yajl taj erjw fdldsajc, saj rj`nvjc twn hkrij erjkbfkst oups frn` klntajr s`khh

oupenkrc ulcjr taj sdlb wdta skuojrs tn `ktoa. _aj phkojc taj` nl kl kltdquj pjwtjr trky,

khnli wdta taj ihkss onffjj pnt klc orjk` pdtoajr. Ydta jvjrytadli sjt nl taj trky, saj

okrrdjc dt ekob dltn taj ejcrnn`.

_akllnl sjt taj trky nl taj tkehj dl frnlt nf taj Frjloa cnnrs, npjldli taj sajjr

ourtkdls. _aj pnurjc twn oups nf onffjj, kccdli orjk` tn jkoa. _aj turljc krnulc klc wjlt


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3

tn ajhp _ontt `kbj tajdr ejc, ljkthy klc qudobhy, ks tajy cdc jvjry `nrldli ey rntj. _ontt

wks khrjkcy crjssjc dl ehuj gjkls klc k orjk` onhnrjc Drdsa bldt swjktjr. Aj hdt taj pdlj

hnis dl tajdr fdrjphkoj, wadoa ikvj taj rnn` k wkr` ihnw. _akllnl ihklojc kt taj ohnob

nvjr taj `klthj nf taj fdrjphkoj. Dt wks sdx-twjlty.

Dt akc ejjl slnwdli fnr ckys, eut tads `nrldli k hdiat `dst ehklbjtjc taj jstktj.

Frn` k sanrt cdstkloj kwky, taj fnianrl snulcjc kt Eklsajj ]ndlt. @n`jltkrdhy, tajswjjp nf taj hdiatanusj ejk` wjlt kornss taj hkwl. Dt sadljc ks dt akc dl taj pkst, tn wkrl

kpprnkoadli sadps nf cklijrnus fni.

_ontt sdppjc ads onffjj kpprjodktdvjhy. "Cjhdodnus ks khwkys, bdttjl," aj skdc tn ads

wdfj. "Dt ejkts trnnpdli cnwlstkdrs fnr `y fdrst oup nf gnj."

_akllnl s`dhjc. "Tnu sjj, lnt khh irjkt trkcdtdnls krj Dtkhdkl."

Aj irdlljc, jlgnydli ajr phkyfuh stke kt ads `ktjrlkh ajrdtkij. "Cnl't fnrijt," aj

pndltjc nut innc lkturjchy. "Yj akvj twn oadhcrjl wan pnssjss Dtkhdkl ehnnc."

"_n ynu rj`dlc `j jvjry cky," saj rjspnlcjc cryhy.

Sajy wjrj qudjt fnr k `dlutj ejfnrj _ontt spnbj kikdl. "Klidj aks k gne dltjrvdjw dl

Ljw Tnrb taj cky kftjr tn`nrrnw."

"D blnw, saj tnhc `j. Nur hdtthj ekey ds ajkcjc fnr taj Edi Kpphj."Aj hkuiajc. "_akl, Klijhk gust turljc twjlty-tarjj, ln hnlijr k ekey."

"_aj wdhh khwkys ej `y hdtthj ekey," _akllnl skdc stueenrlhy, fdldsadli ajr onffjj.

_aj rjkoajc kornss taj s`khh tkehj klc pnurjc ajrsjhf klntajr oup. "Dt's lnt ks df saj's k

wn`kl nf taj wnrhc, _ontt. Ljw Tnrb ds k edi phkoj."

"Df saj ijts k gne kt taj @klakttkl Ckdhy Gnurlkh, saj okl hdvj dl nur kpkrt`jlt ljkr

Ojltrkh ]krb," aj snntajc ads wdfj. "D'vj khrjkcy tkhbjc tn ajr kenut dt. _aj hnvjs taj fhkt,

klywky."

"_n`j fhkt. Dt aks sdx ejcrnn`s, fnr ajkvjl's skbj."

"Eut saj'hh ej skfj tajrj," aj dlsdstjc. "Ejsdcjs, wj cnl't blnw df saj'hh ijt taj gne."

"_aj'hh ijt taj gne," _akllnl prjcdotjc. "Klidj ds uldquj, klc dt sanws dl ajr wrdtdli.

Srust `j, tajy'hh adrj ajr."Saj onuphj wks qudjt kikdl. Sajy onltdlujc tn sdp tajdr onffjj klc wktoa taj rnhhdli

`dst nutsdcj tajdr wdlcnw. Saj `klthj ohnob nvjr taj fdrjphkoj struob sjvjl n'ohnob. _aj sjt

ajr oup nl taj tkehj. "D'hh in cnwlstkdrs klc stkrt erjkbfkst," saj skdc. "Yakt wnuhc ynu hdbj

tads nrldli>"

_ontt strjtoajc. "Yakt D'c rjkhhyhdbj ds tn orkwh ekob dltn ejc wdta ynu," aj tjksjc.

"Eut df ynu dlsdst nl rjkh fnnc, D'c hnvj k Cjlvjr n`jhjt wdta tnkst."

_aj s`dhjc. "Jksdjr cnlj takl skdc. D'hh in klc ijt stkrtjc. Nl ynur wky cnwl, wkbj

taj bdcs, wdhh ynu> Klidj hnvjs `y Cjlvjr n`jhjt."

Saj fnianrl snulcjc hnuchy kikdl. _akllnl stnnc klc rj`nvjc taj trky frn` taj

tkehj. "Yj sanuhc in nutsdcj kftjr erjkbfkst," saj suiijstjc tn ajr auseklc. "Hjt's wkhb

cnwl tn taj hdiatanusj dl taj `dst."Aj oauobhjc. "Tnu wklt tn vdsdt taj hdiatanusj bjjpjr's onttkij, cnl't ynu>"

_aj irdlljc. "Dt's stdhh supphdjc wdta oklchjs klc fdrjwnnc, khnli wdta k fjw entthjs

nf erklcy. Cnjsl't takt snulc hdbj k wnlcjrfuh wky tn spjlc taj rjst nf taj `nrldli>"

_ontt stnnc up. "Tnu'rj k sdob wn`kl, @rs. ]kij," aj skdc, rjkoadli nvjr tn tnuoa ajr

kr`. "Eut ynu akvj k cktj."

_aj hnnbjc nvjr ajr sanuhcjr ks saj hjft taj rnn`. "Tnu tkuiat `j jvjrytadli D

blnw." _aj wdlbjc kt ad`. "D'` k orjkturj nf ynur nwl `kbdli."


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:

Aj hkuiajc ks saj hjft taj rnn`. Sajl aj wkhbjc nvjr tn stklc dl frnlt nf taj Frjloa

cnnrs. Aj onuhc sjj taj nuthdlj nf taj K-frk`j onttkij dl taj cdstkloj, wajrj aj klc

_akllnl hdvjc fnr `nrj takl k cjokcj tn rkdsj tajdr oadhcrjl. Sajy rjturljc tn taj `klsdnl

sjvjl yjkrs kin, rjsu`dli nooupkloy nf _akllnl's nhc rnn`s. _ontt cdcl't prntjst, fjjhdli

on`prn`dsj wks nlj nf taj `kdl dlirjcdjlts nf k suoojssfuh `krrdkij. _akllnl kirjjc tn

hdvj dl taj onttkij tn `kbj ad` akppy krnulc taj td`j Gk`dj wks enrl, klc lnw dt wks ajrturl. _aj spjlt `nst nf ajr ckys kt taj `klsdnl, klywky. Saj anusj wks sn edi dt wks jksy

tn koadjvj k irjkt cjkh nf pjrsnlkh spkoj.

_ontt turljc kwky frn` taj cnnrs klc wjlt tn stklc dl frnlt nf taj fdrjphkoj,

rueedli ads aklcs tnijtajr fnr wkr`ta. _n`j tadlis ljvjr oaklijc, tanuia. Sajrj wks stdhh

ln ojltrkh ajktdli nl taj uppjr fhnnrs nf taj `klsdnl, taj onst ejdli prnadedtdvj, jvjl fnr

taj wjkhtay. Aj cdcl't `dlc takt, jdtajr. Saj fdrjphkoj prnvdcjc kcjquktj wkr`ta, ks cdc

taj ejc. Aj hnvjc tn aucchj ulcjr taj ehklbjts wdta ads wdfj jvjry `nrldli, klc aj ljvjr

tdrjc nf ejdli ohnsj tn ajr nl k ckdhy eksds. Sajy wjrj j`ntdnlkhhy dlsjpkrkehj nl kh`nst

jvjry hjvjh, ks df tajy wjrj nlj pjrsnl wdta nlj `dlc klc nlj ency. _aj sjj`jc kehj tn

fdxktj nl wakt aj ljjcjc klc wajl. Dt akc nlhy inttjl ejttjr ks taj yjkrs pkssjc. Saj

fjjhdlis nf hnvj irjw strnlijr dlstjkc nf wkldli wdta td`j._tjppdli fnrwkrc, aj irkeejc taj wrnuiat-drnl fdrjphkoj pnbjr klc stnbjc taj ehkzj

dl taj ajkrta. Saj fdrj hjkpt up fnr k `n`jlt, klc tajl sjtthjc dltn k stjkcy fhk`j.

Eut tajrj wks nlj uedqudtnus jhj`jlt dl tajdr `krrdkij takt rj`kdljc k snrj pndlt,

k onlstklt enlj nf onltjltdnl khtanuia tajy rkrjhy spnbj kenut dt. Nlj s`khh cjtkdh takt

khwkys stnnc ejtwjjl taj`, anwjvjr shdiat dt sjj`jc kt td`js. Dt wks nlj erdcij tajy akc

ejjl ulkehj tn ornss - taj nlhy nlj dl tajdr hnli rjhktdnlsadp nf ulonlcdtdnlkh hnvj.

"@dbj _uhhdvkl," _ontt tanuiat tn ad`sjhf ks aj stnbjc taj fdrj kikdl. "Yay ds dt, kftjr

khh tajsj yjkrs, ads ianst stdhh akults us> _akllnl rkrjhy tkhbs kenut dt, eut dt's khwkys tajrj.

Hdbj kl d`kij nlj okllnt tnuoa, nr jhd`dlktj. Dt's k pkrt nf ajrsjhf saj wdhh lnt sakrj. _aj

`diat tkhb kenut ad` nff klc nl, eut saj ljvjr injs cjjp tn tjhh `j anw saj fjht kenut ad`,

anw jvjlts frn` takt td`j truhy d`pkotjc ajr. Dt's k pkrt nf ajr saj bjjps tn ajrsjhf, klc D aktjdt." Aj pkusjc, taj drnly strdbdli ad` khh nf k succjl. "Df dt's truj, klc tajrj ds hdfj kftjr cjkta

dl ajkvjl, tajl takt snl nf k edtoa aks prnekehy jlgnyjc k innc hkuia khh tajsj yjkrs. Saj

kttjltdnl _uhhdvkl orkvjc frn` _akllnl wadhj aj wks khdvj aks wrjobjc akvno nl tansj aj hjft

dl ads wkbj fnr `nrj takl twjlty yjkrs."

_ontt stjppjc kwky frn` taj fdrjphkoj. Cds`dssdli _uhhdvkl frn` ads `dlc, aj

cjodcjc tncky wks fnr _akllnl klc ad`sjhf. Sajy wnuhc erjkbfkst wdta tajdr fk`dhy, klc

tajl tkbj k wkhb cnwl tn taj hdiatanusj. Aj wks khdvj klc _akllnl wks ads wdfj, taj

`ntajr nf ads oadhcrjl. Sansj wjrj tadlis taj pkst, nr taj ianst nf @dbj _uhhdvkl, onuhc

ljvjr tkbj kwky.

_`dhdli, aj rjphkojc taj pnbjr dl taj stklc ey taj fdrjphkoj klc hjft taj rnn`. Saj

`dst onltdlujc tn swdrh nutsdcj, koojltuktjc ey taj ehkstdli fnianrl klc taj swjjpdli sjkejkonl. Saj pdlj hnis dl taj ajkrta orkobhjc, wadhj edts nf wnnc klc ksa fjhh ulcjr taj

irktj, `kbdli k adssdli snulc.


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6

SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH7Jxojrpt frn` Oakptjr Fnur

Guhy ;44:

@klakttkl & Hkrbdl Odty, @kdlj

SN@ OD@KUJHHD KUUDVJC KS taj nffdojs nf taj @klakttkl Ckdhy Gnurlkh jkrhy nl

Saurscky `nrldli. Aj `kcj onffjj, klc tajl jltjrjc ads nffdoj. Aj ykwljc ks aj skt cnwl

dl ads hkrij jxjoutdvj oakdr. Aj rjojdvjc k tjhjpanlj okhh frn` Klidj taj prjvdnus kftjrlnnl.

_aj tnhc ad` jxodtjchy takt taj stnry wks nl, klc takt ajr "snurojs" cdcl't `dlc df aj

ejok`j dlvnhvjc. Sn` fjht sn`jwakt iudhty wajl Klidj dlfnr`jc ad` nf taj innc ljws,

eut aj stueenrlhy bjpt ads hdtthj sjorjt tn ad`sjhf. Aj cdc lnt wklt ajr tn blnw aj wks

kwkrj nf ajr fk`dhy, nr takt aj akc kl dlbhdli nf tajdr wjkhta klc dlfhujloj.

Aj sauffhjc k stkob nf pkpjrs nl ads cjsb. Ads huiikij fnr taj trdp wks khrjkcy dl taj

trulb nf ads okr. Ads fhdiat wks cuj tn hjkvj Ljw Tnrb kt nlj dl taj kftjrlnnl, krrdvdli dl

Eklinr kt twn-tadrty. Aj wks soajcuhjc tn tkbj k s`khh kdrphklj frn` Eklinr tn Hkrbdl Odty

kt tarjj-fdftjjl. Sn` s`dhjc ks aj rjokhhjc ads onlvjrsktdnl wdta Klidj frn` taj cky ejfnrj."Yay cn D akvj tn tkbj taj rdobjty gne nut nf Eklinr>" aj ksbjc ajr. "Cdcl't ynu rjlt

k okr dl Eklinr klc tajl crdvj tn Hkrbdl>"

"Tjs," saj rjphdjc. "Eut D blnw taj wky tn Hkrbdl hdbj taj ekob nf `y aklc, ynu cnl't.

Ejsdcjs, ynu wnl't kpprjodktj taj pjkojfuh sjrjldty nf taj krjk df ynu crdvj pkrt nf taj wky.

Tnu'rj usjc tn taj `kcljss nf Ljw Tnrb. Df ynu sjj Hkrbdl frn` taj sby, ynu'hh ijt taj

pdoturj."

"D'hh akvj ynu blnw takt D vkoktdnl dl Krdznlk sn`jtd`js," aj dlfnr`jc ajr.

"Yajl> Tnu ljvjr in nl vkoktdnl!" Sajy ekltjrjc fnr k fjw `nrj `dlutjs, klc tajl

Sn` ksbjc ajr pndltjchy7 "_n, wakt's ynur onlljotdnl tn taj snurojs> Tnu skdc wj'hh ej

stkydli wdta taj`."

Klidj wks qudjt fnr k `n`jlt, klc tajl rjspnlcjc7 "D akvj tn onlfjss, taj snurojskrj `y fk`dhy. Saj wn`kl dl taj stnry ds `y `ntajr." _aj pkusjc. "Hkrbdl Odty ds lk`jc

kftjr `y irjkt-irjkt-irjkt irklcfktajr Gnal Hkrbdl, wan fnulcjc taj vdhhkij dl ;169.

Ejfnrj ajr `krrdkij tn `y fktajr, `y @u`'s lk`j wks _akllnl Hkrbdl."

Sn` wadsthjc. "Lnw D ulcjrstklc ynur frjqujlt trdps an`j. Fnr kwadhj tajrj, D

tanuiat ynu wjrj dlvnhvjc dl crui sùiihdli nr sn`jtadli."

"Ujkh fully, Od`krjhhd," Klidj skdc cryhy. "Gust ej nl td`j, wdhh ynu> D'hh pdob ynu up kt

taj kdrpnrt."

"_n wj krjwj stkydli wdta ynur fk`dhy>"

"Tjs. @u` ds rjkcydli k spjodkh rnn` fnr ynu nl taj sjonlc fhnnr."

"Krj ynu surj tajy akvj jlnuia spkoj fnr `j>" Sn` ksbjc dllnojlthy.

Klidj hkuiajc. "Tjs, D'` surj. Tnu'hh gust akvj tn wkdt klc sjj, wnl't ynu>"

Sn` ok`j ekob tn taj prjsjlt kftjr rj`jèjrdli tajdr onlvjrsktdnl. Aj wks

hnnbdli fnrwkrc tn taj trdp, klc wnrbdli ohnsjhy wdta Klidj nl ajr stnry. Ydta kl jcdtnr's

sjlsj, aj bljw dt wks indli tn ej edi. Aj iktajrjc taj cktk aj onhhjotjc frn` ads prjvdnus

trdp tn Hkrbdl Odty, puttdli dt dl ads erdjf oksj. Aj wnlcjrjc anw taj sdtuktdnl wnuhc ulfnhc.

Aj wks jxodtjc kenut taj stnry, yjs, eut aj wks khsn dltrdiujc ey Klijhk ]kij.

"D'` tadrty-fdvj yjkrs nhc," aj ùsjc. "D'` ln hjoajr, eut D'` ln dllnojlt, jdtajr. D'vj


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9

ljvjr rjkhhy akc td`j tn ijt dlvnhvjc wdta k wn`kl nl k sjrdnus eksds, kt hjkst lnt wdta k

wn`kl hdbj Klidj." Aj `jltkhhy sannb ad`sjhf. Aj wks ejdli rdcdouhnus, klc aj bljw dt. Aj

akc blnwl Klidj fnr sdx `nltas. Lnt nloj dl khh takt td`j akc saj jvjr idvjl kly dlcdoktdnl

saj wks dltjrjstjc dl ad` ntajr takl nl k prnfjssdnlkh eksds. _n aj bjpt ads cdstkloj, akvdli

rjspjot fnr ajr jlcjkvnrs ks k euccdli gnurlkhdst. "Df Dakc `nrj frjj td`j," aj onltdlujc tn

tadlb. "@kyej dt wnuhc ej cdffjrjlt. Kt hjkst tads wky wj okl wnrb tnijtajr. D blnw saj's innc,eut dt okl't aurt tn akvj sn`jnlj nhcjrklc wdsjr ajhpdli ajr khnli."

Sn` irdlljc ks aj ohnsjc ads erdjf oksj. Aj wks klxdnus tn ijt stkrtjc. Lnt nlhy nl

taj sdldstjr stnry nf _akllnl Hkrbdl, eut khsn ulrkvjhdli taj fksodlktdli pjrsnl takt wks

Klijhk @krdk ]kij.

* * *

SN@ _JKSJC AD@_JHF IDLIJUHT dl taj sajhh-ehuj twdl-jlidlj Ojsslk kt taj

Eklinr Dltjrlktdnlkh Kdrpnrt. Sajrj wjrj nlhy twn ntajr pkssjlijrs ejsdcjs ad`, k onuphj

wan kppjkrjc tn ej tnurdsts. Sajy wjrj fhydli nl tn Ydsokssjt - "Yajrjvjr tajajhh takt ds,"

Sn` tanuiat ird`hy - kftjr taj stnp dl Hkrbdl Odty. Saj pdhnt wks k tkhh, ejkrcjc `kl wandltrncuojc ad`sjhf ks _jta @krbak`. Aj wks euhby, jksdhy hnkcdli taj huiikij nltn taj

s`khh phklj. Kftjr aj sjktjc ad`sjhf dl taj pdhnt's oakdr, aj ihklojc ekob kt Sn`.

"Tnu euobhjc dl>"

Sn` lnccjc. "Tjs. Anw fkr tn Hkrbdl Odty>"

"Anp, sbdp klc k gu`p," _jta rjphdjc, turldli ekob tn taj onltrnhs nf ads phklj.

"Hkrbdl ds nlhy fdftjjl `dlutjs kwky ey kdr. Ujhkx. Yj'hh ej tajrj ejfnrj ynu blnw dt."

Sn` rnhhjc ads jyjs, oajobdli tn `kbj surj ads sjkt ejht wks sjourj. Ejfnrj hnli, taj

s`khh phklj wks kdrenrlj. Aj irdppjc taj kr` rjsts nf ads sjkt ks taj phklj hjvjhjc nff. Aj

cdcl't okrj ùoa fnr s`khh phkljs, tajy `kcj ad` ljrvnus. Aj cjodcjc tn rjlt k okr tn ijt

ekob tn Eklinr wajl taj td`j ok`j. "Df ]kij onuhc sjj `j lnw," aj s`drbjc tn ad`sjhf.

"_aj'c tjksj `j ul`jrodfuhhy fnr k wjjb. On`j nl, Od`krjhhd, ijt k irdp."Aj hnnbjc nut taj wdlcnw nf taj phklj. Aj akc tn kc`dt taj vdjw wks spjotkouhkr.

@kdlj akc phjltdfuh pdlj trjjs. Sajy cnttjc taj hklcsokpj fnr ks fkr ks taj jyj onuhc sjj. Ks

taj Ojsslk fhjw nvjr k vdhhkij, Sn` lntdojc dts Ljw Jlihklc qukdltljss, ks df frn` k

cdffjrjlt kij. ]jkojfuhwks taj wnrc Klidj usjc. Dt wks akrc tn ejhdjvj aj wks ajkcdli dltn

k fk`dhy tn rjonrc k stnry takt wnuhc rjfutj taj ejkutdfuh trklqudhdty. Hkrbdl wks ùoa taj

sk`j ks taj vdhhkij aj skw frn` taj sby. Sn` trdjc tn jlvdsdnl taj trku`k klc anrrnr nf

_akllnl Hkrbdl's stnry ks dt ulfnhcjc twjlty yjkrs kin k`dcst suoa utnpdk. Dt wks cdffdouht

tn d`kidlj, eut dt wks truj. Klidj wks rkdsjc dl taj dcyhhdo surrnulcdlis, wadoa dl pkrt

jxphkdljc ajr onlfdcjloj klc jksj nf pjrsnlkhdty.

Sn` sjtthjc ekob dltn ads sjkt, stkrtdli tn rjhkx k hdtthj edt. Aj tanuiat erdjfhy fnr k

`n`jlt nl taj fdrst td`j aj `jt Klidj ]kij. Dt wks taj jlc nf Cjojèjr ;443. Aj wkshnnbdli fnr k ljw rjpnrtjr fnr ads pkpjr, kcvjrtdsdli hnokhhy fnr oklcdcktjs. Aj koojptjc sdx

kpphdoktdnls, Klidj's k`nli taj`. Koonrcdli tn ajr rjsu`j, saj on`phjtjc k fnur-yjkr

cjirjj dl gnurlkhds` kt Hkrbdl Odty Zldvjrsdty. _aj wnrbjc nl taj hnokh pkpjr taj jltdrj

td`j saj wjlt tn soannh, klc sue`dttjc fnur krtdohjs tn taj `kdl pkpjr dl Eklinr. Sarjj nf

taj` wjrj puehdsajc, twn nf wadoa wjrj nf hnokh dltjrjst, wadhj taj tadrc wks kenut k

trklsdjlt wan crdftjc tarnuia Hkrbdl Odty rdcdli taj rkdhs. Sn` wks d`prjssjc ey ajr pkpjr

orjcjltdkhs, sn aj rjqujstjc k fnr`kh dltjrvdjw.


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1

Lntadli onuhc akvj prjpkrjc ad` fnr Klidj's paysdokh prjsjloj. _aj wks ynuli, eut

akc k fdrj dl ajr jyjs Sn` khwkys hnnbjc fnr. _aj wks on`pnsjc curdli taj dltjrvdjw,

klswjrdli ads qujstdnls okh`hy klc dltjhhdijlthy, klc jvjl pnsjc k fjw nf ajr nwl kenut

taj pnhdodjs nf taj @klakttkl Ckdhy Gnurlkh. Yajl Sn` ksbjc ajr anw saj ajkrc kenut taj

gne npjldli, saj rjphdjc jksdhy7 "@y fktajr tkbjs k fjw nf taj Ljw Tnrb pkpjrs. D gust

akppjljc tn sjj taj kc, klc dt okuiat `y dltjrjst."Nl takt pkrtdouhkr cky dl Cjojèjr, Klidj wks wjkrdli k pdl-strdpjc crjss sudt wdta

bljj-hjlita ehkob hjktajr ennts. Sn` fnulc ajr kttdrj kttrkotdvj ks wjhh ks prkotdokh, ks dt

akc ejjl slnwdli takt cky. Ajr akdr wks hnnsj, eut onèjc ljkthy nff ajr fkoj. Saj hjlita

rjkoajc ajr `dc-ekob, ourhdli shdiathy kt taj jlcs. _aj akc nhdvj-tdltjc sbdl, wdta ejkutdfuh,

erdiat irjjl jyjs, hdbj taj jyjs nf k okt. _aj akc hnli, ehkob hksajs tn `ktoa ajr akdr, klc

wnrj nlhy hdiat jyj sakcnw klc soklt ehusa nl ajr oajjbs. Ajr lnsj wks s`khh, eut ajr hdps

wjrj fuhh klc pdlb. Yajl saj spnbj tn ad`, saj hnnbjc cdrjothy dltn ads jyjs ulfhdloadlihy.

_aj wks fnrtardiat klc lnt kfrkdc tn klswjr qujstdnls, wadoa khsn d`prjssjc ad`.

Ydta taj onèdlktdnl nf dltjhhdijloj klc strklijhy krrjstdli hnnbs, Sn` adrjc

Klijhk. Aj wksl't snrry, eut fnulc ajr cdffdouht tn ijt ohnsj tn. _aj wks bjjl tn ej sjjl ks k

prnfjssdnlkh, khtanuia saj wks frdjlchy wdta taj stkff. _aj tjksjc Sn` nl nooksdnl ks sajejok`j `nrj on`fnrtkehj wdta ad`, eut tajrj sjj`jc tn ej k pkrt nf ajr saj bjpt tn

ajrsjhf, ljvjr hjttdli klynlj tnn ohnsj. Sakt dltrdiujc ad`, yjt aj akc ln dcjk anw tn in

kenut pjljtrktdli ajr suiijstdvj yjt jvjr prjsjlt ekrrdjr.

Sn` ok`j nut nf ads rjvjrdj ks _jta @krbak` sanutjc nut7 "@r. Od`krjhhd>"

"Tjs>"

"Yj'rj kenut tarjj `dlutjs frn` Hkrbdl," _jta kllnulojc. "Tnu `diat wklt tn ijt

rjkcy. D nlhy stnp tajrj fnr k qudob rjfujhdli."

"Nbky," Sn` sanutjc ekob kenvj taj phklj's jlidlj. "D'hh ej rjkcy. Saklbs."

"Ajrj wj in," Sn` tanuiat ihjjfuhhy. "Klidj okl bjjp ajr cdstkloj dl taj nffdoj, eut D'hh

ejt saj hjts ajr akdr cnwl kt an`j wdta ajr fk`dhy. Klc D'hh ej tajrj tn nesjrvj."

Aj irdppjc taj kr` rjsts nf ads oakdr ks _jta tnnb taj phklj dl k swdft lnsjcdvj,tnwkrc dts cjsojlt dltn Hkrbdl Odty.

* * *

KLIDJ YK_ YKDSDLI FNU Sn` kt taj kdrpnrt tjr`dlkh dl Hkrbdl. _aj skw ad` fdrst

ks aj wkhbjc dl frn` taj tkr`ko. Aj wks crjssjc oksukhhy dl bakbd pklts klc k hdiat ehuj

spnrts sadrt. Aj wks okrrydli nlj sudtoksj klc k erdjf oksj. _aj wks struob ey anw

rjfrjsajc klc aklcsn`j aj hnnbjc dl on`fnrtkehj ohntajs. Aj kppjkrjc shdiathy sultklljc

- anw saj cdcl't blnw, aj wks khwkys dl taj nffdoj - klc ads akdr wks onèjc ekob frn` ads

fkoj, taj shdiathy ourhy jlcs tnuoadli taj onhhkr nf ads sadrt. Ydta ads ckrbjljc sbdl, taj ehuj

nf ads jyjs sjj`jc tn hjkp frn` ads fkoj. "Inc, D ljvjr rjkhdzjcads jyjs wjrj sn sby ehuj,"Klidj fnulc ajrsjhf tadlbdli. "Aj's lnt akhf ekc nut nf tajnffdoj."

_aj rnsj frn` k oakdr dl taj wkdtdli krjk, wkhbdli tnwkrc ajr enss. Fdlkhhy, aj

lntdojc ajr. Aj hdftjc ads aklc klc wkvjc. _aj wkvjc ekob klc s`dhjc. Ydtadl k fjw

`n`jlts tajy `jt dl frnlt nf taj oajob-dl cjsb.

Sn` sjt cnwl ads sudtoksj, s`dhdli kt Klidj klc sakbdli ajr aklc.

"Anw wks taj fhdiat>" saj ksbjc ad`.

"Tnu `jkl fhdiats," aj onrrjotjc ajr. "Saj nlj frn` Ljw Tnrb tn Eklinr wks k


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4

erjjzj. Yakt cn ynu okhh takt hdtthj prnp gne frn` Eklinr tn Hkrbdl> Cjktawdsa Jxprjss>"

_aj hkuiajc. "Ln enss, taj on`pkly ds okhhjc Koj Kvdktdnl. Sajy cnl't lnr`khhy stnp

dl Hkrbdl Odty, eut _jta @krbak` wdhh cn taj s`khh cjtnur nl rjqujst."

Sn` rkdsjc kl jyjernw, hnnbdli ksbkloj kt ajr. "_n ynu blnw nhc _jta, cn ynu> Aj's

bdlc nf eurhy, hnnbs hdbj aj onuhc bdhh sn`jnlj gust fnr taj ajhh nf dt>"

Klidj hkuiajc jvjl akrcjr, wdpdli k tjkr frn` ajr jyj. "Innc irdjf. D tanuiat ynuwjrj frn` @klakttkl, taj odty nf edi ord`j> _jta ds k ijlthj idklt. Aj's ejjl fhydli tads krjk

fnr yjkrs. D okhhjc klc ksbjc ad` tn crnp ynu dl Hkrbdl Odty ejfnrj indli nl tn Ydsokssjt."

"Tnu blnw _jta pjrsnlkhhy>" Sn` ksbjc cuednushy.

"Gust kenut khh `y hdfj. Aj's frn` _tnobtnl _prdlis."

"Yaktjvjr," Sn` skdc, sakbdli ads ajkc. Aj hnnbjc krnulc taj tjr`dlkh. "Sads dsl't

sn ekc, s`khh eut ldoj. Ds ynur okr nutsdcj>"

"Tjs. Df wj aurry, wj'hh `kbj dt ekob tn taj anusj fnr kftjrlnnl tjk."

Sn` pdobjc up ads sudtoksj. Sajy stkrtjc wkhbdli tnwkrc taj frnlt jltrkloj nf taj

kdrpnrt tjr`dlkh. "]kij, krj ynu sjrdnus>" Aj skdc ks tajy wkhbjc khnli. "Tnu'rj fk`dhy aks

kftjrlnnl tjk>"

"Lkturkhhy," saj rjphdjc, ihklodli kt ad`. "Jvjry sdlihj cky nl taj cnt nf fnur-tadrty.Dt's k trkcdtdnl takt injs ekob tn `y irjkt-irklc`ntajr, Onhhjjl Hkrbdl. Dt's k fuhh ehnwl tjk

sjrvdoj, tnn, sn ej prjpkrjc. Sajl, kt sdx-tadrty, wj khh `jjt kikdl dl taj crkwdli rnn` fnr

crdlbs. Sakt hksts kenut kl anur nr sn, klc tajl wj akvj cdlljr dl taj cdldli rnn`. D anpj

ynu ernuiat sn`j crjss ohntajs, ejokusj wj'rj jxpjotjc tn fkloy-up fnr cdlljr."

"Cnl't wnrry, ]kij. D'hh cn `y ejst lnt tn j`ekrrkss ynu."

Sn` klc Klidj hjft taj tjr`dlkh klc wkhbjc dltn taj pkrbdli hnt. _aj hjc ad` tn ajr

rjltjc Fnrc Skurus klc npjljc taj trulb. Sn` shdc ads sudtoksj klc erdjf oksj dlsdcj, klc

saj saut taj hdc. Sajy int dltn taj okr klc saj stkrtjc taj jlidlj.

"Anw fkr tn ynur anusj>" Sn` ksbjc ajr.

"Lnt fkr. Gust rjhkx klc jlgny taj vdjw."

Nloj tajy hjft taj pkrbdli hnt nf taj kdrpnrt, Klidj turljc nltn k twn-hklj adiawky.K `dhj cnwl taj rnkc k irjjl sdil dlcdoktjc tajy wjrj nl Hkrbdl Adiawky _nuta.

"Saj rnkc ds lk`jc kftjr ynur fk`dhy, tnn>"

"Tjs. Hnnb, enss, D okl't ajhp dt. @y fk`dhy fnulcjc taj tnwl, sn k hnt nf tadlis krj

lk`jc kftjr taj`." _aj pkusjc. "Yj akvjl't jvjl inttjl stkrtjc yjt. Sajrj's Hkrbdl

Hu`ejr & Akrcwkrj, Hkrbdl @dljs, taj Hkrbdl Irnojry & @jrokltdhj . . . wnuhc ynu hdbj `j

tn in nl>"

"Inc ln," aj rjtnrtjc. "D'` surj D'hh sjj dt khh ejfnrj wj'rj cnlj ajrj."

"Yj cnl't rjkhhy akvj k edi sanppdli `khh nr k eusdljss cdstrdot," Klidj dlfnr`jc

ad` ks saj crnvj khnli. "Eut wj akvj khh taj eksdos."

"Yajrj's taj ejkoa>" Sn` wnlcjrjc.

_aj hnnbjc sajjpdsa. "_nrry tn sky, taj nojkl vdjws krj prd`krdhy hnoktjc nl tajHkrbdl prnpjrty. Tnu blnw, prdvktj. Tnu'hh akvj k irjkt vdjw nf taj Kthkltdo Nojkl frn`

ynur ejcrnn` nl taj sjonlc fhnnr."

"Yajrj's ynur rnn`>" aj qujrdjc.

"Nl taj tadrc fhnnr."

"Cnjsl't ynu `ntajr trust us>" aj ksbjc tjksdlihy.

_aj ihklojc dl surprdsj kt Sn`. Yks aj kotukhhy fhdrtdli wdta ajr> Aj wksl't hnnbdli

kt ajr, eut akc k shdiat s`dhj nl ads fkoj. Ajr enss wks tjstdli ajr. _aj wksl't kenut tn fkhh


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;=

dltn takttrkp. _aj cjodcjc tn phky dllnojlt.

"Srust us wdta wakt>" saj fdlkhhy skdc.

Aj ohjkrjc ads tarnkt. ]hkydli dt skfj, aj rjphdjc7 "Yay, wdta taj fdlj oadlk wj'hh ej

usdli fnr tjk. D d`kidlj dt's qudtj vkhukehj df dt injs ekob tn ynur irjkt-irklc`ntajr's td`j."

"Na dt ds," Klidj skdc, kwkrj aj wks cdvjrtdli taj suegjot. "[udtj nhc, D `jkl. Saj

wanhj anusj ds qudtj . . . nhc. Tnu'hh sjj. Yj'rj kh`nst tn taj jltrkloj nf taj Hkrbdl jstktj.Yj stdhh akvj kenut k `dhj tn in, eut ynu `diat wklt tn pky kttjltdnl tn taj hklcsokpj. Dt's

khh taj cndli nf `y Zlohj _jkl. Aj's `kcj tkbdli okrj nf taj irnulcs k fuhh td`j gne sdloj aj

wks sdxtjjl."

"Zlohj _jkl>"

"@y @u`'s twdl erntajr. Aj hdvjs ajrj, tnn, wdta ads wdfj klc bdcs. Cnl't wnrry,

ynu'hh `jjt khh nf taj` kt tjk."

Sn` qudjtjc ks tajy turljc nltn k pkvjc crdvjwky. Saj jltrkloj wks fhklbjc ey

hkrij stnlj `krbdlis takt kppjkrjc tn ej dl taj vkrdnus sakpjs nf pdlj trjjs. Sajrj wks k

edi, sdhvjr `kdhenx tn taj rdiat, wdta taj kccrjss pkdltjc dl irjjl7 31=9 Hkrbdl Adiawky

_nuta. Klidj puhhjc taj okr pkst taj `kdhenx, klc tajy ejikl tajdr shdiat ksojlt nltn taj

irnulcs nf taj jstktj.Fnr nloj Sn` wks spjjoahjss. Dt wks `kildfdojlt. Ks fkr ks taj jyj onuhc sjj wks k

trd`, husa irjjl hkwl. ]dlj trjjs cnttjc taj irkss kenut fdfty fjjt kpkrt, wdta taj ncc hdhko

eusa klc fjrl sokttjrjc ulcjrljkta. Sajrj wjrj sjvjrkh nuteudhcdlis, sn`j `kcj nf stnlj.

Jvjry sn nftjl tajy pkssjc ey stnlj-`kcj ejloajs nff tn taj sdcj nf taj rnkc. Furtajr khnli

wks k ekrejquj pdt klc wktjr wajjh, klc k strjk` wdta k s`khh rjc erdcij. Saj fnhdkij

krnulc taj erdcij wks ajcijc dl ljkthy-ohdppjc Gkpkljsj Enlskd fksadnl, wadoa dlohucjc

orjpj `yrthj, cwkrf hnehnhhy pdljs, hkoj-hjkf `kphj, cwkrf Adlnbd oyprjss klc fdhdirjj-hjkf

ek`enn.

"Tnu irjw up ajrj>" Sn` ksbjc, fhkeejrikstjc. "Dt's hdbj k lktdnlkh pkrb."

"D blnw, dt's irjkt," Klidj kirjjc. "@y erntajr klc D spjlt `kly su``jrs

wklcjrdli taj irnulcs, eut wj ljvjr int enrjc. Yj usjc tn phky dl taj hdiatanusj ey tajejkoa qudtj k edt, tnn, klc dl taj fk`dhy oj`jtjry."

"Saj Hkrbdl's akvj tajdr nwl irkvjykrc>" Sn` wks dlorjcuhnus. Dt wks `nrj takl aj

jxpjotjc.

"Nur fnulcjr Gnal Hkrbdl eudht taj oj`jtjry wajl ads ckuiatjr @nhhy cdjc dl ;116.

_dloj tajl, khh taj Hkrbdl's akvj ejjl eurdjc tajrj."

"D'` vjry d`prjssjc," aj skdc. "D akc ln dcjk ynur fk`dhy an`j wks sn jxtrknrcdlkry.

Yakt ntajr wnrc okl cjsordej tads>"

"An`j," Klidj klswjrjc sd`phy. Ks tajy ok`j upnl taj K-frk`j onttkij, saj

pndltjc dt nut tn ad`. "@y @u` klc Ckc eudht taj onttkij sn tajy onuhc akvj tajdr nwl

phkoj. Gk`dj klc D wjrj rkdsjc tajrj. @y pkrjlts `nvjc ekob dltn taj edi anusj dl ;419,

klc lnw `y erntajr Gk`dj hdvjs dl taj onttkij.""Saj edi anusj>"

"_urjhy ynu cnl't tadlb wj hdvj dl k sakob k`dcst khh tads prnpjrty>"

"Crdvj nl, bdc. Crdvj nl."

Klidj fnhhnwjc taj stjjp dlohdlj nf taj crdvjwky, wajrj Sn` onuhc sjj wakt hky

kajkc nf taj`. Dt wks nlj nf taj ediijst an`js aj akc jvjr sjjl. Saj jstktj rjstjc nl k adhh,

surrnulcjc ey taj ejkutdfuh irjjl hkwl klc cnzjls nf pdlj trjjs. Saj anusj wks kh`nst

squkrj dl sakpj, cjfdldtjhy dl taj Sucnr styhj, wdta rjc klc irky-erdob jxtjrdnrs, ckrb irjjl


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;;

dvy klc `nss ohdlidli tn taj nutjr wkhhs klc tkhh, wdcj wdlcnws wadoa akc ehkob `nhcdlis

nuthdldli taj pkljs. Saj crdvjwky vjjrjc tn taj hjft, tnwkrc klntajr irnup nf eudhcdlis,

wadoa kppjkrjc tn ej ikrkijs. Klidj turljc shdiathy tn taj rdiat, klc tajy crnvj ulcjr k

`kssdvj kwldli onvjrjc dl dvy. Sajy pkrbjc cdrjothy dl frnlt nf taj cnuehj frnlt cnnrs,

wadoa wjrj `kcj nf ckrb wnnc klc spklljc kt hjkst tjl fjjt jkoa.

"Yj okl ijt nut ajrj," Klidj skdc. "D'hh tkbj taj okr cnwl tn taj ikrkijs hktjr. Hjt'sijt ynu sjtthjc dl ynur rnn`." _aj ihklojc kt ajr wrdstwktoa. "Dt's fnur n'ohnob lnw, sn wj

akvj k akhf-anur ejfnrj tjktd`j."

Sn` khdiatjc frn` taj okr, stdhh stkrdli krnulc ad` dl wnlcjr. Klidj npjljc taj

trulb klc wkdtjc fnr ad`. _aj s`dhjc ks saj lntdojc ads cdstrkotdnl, kh`nst ks df aj wjrj dl

kwj. "Krj ynu rjkcy>" saj ksbjc ad`.

Aj stkrtjc, hnnbdli ekob kt ajr. "_nrry, eut D gust okl't ejhdjvj tads phkoj. Dt's truhy

k`kzdli. D okl akrchy wkdt tn sjj taj dlsdcj."

"Df ynu ijt ynur huiikij, ynu okl sjj dt k hnt snnljr," saj tjksjc ad`.

Aj wkhbjc tn taj ekob nf taj okr, rjkoadli dltn taj trulb fnr ads sudtoksj. "Jvjl kt

an`j ynu akvj k s`krt `nuta," aj qudppjc. "Ds dt k fk`dhy trkdt>"

"Tnu'hh sjj snnl jlnuia."Sajy wkhbjc tn taj frnlt cnnrs. Zlcjr ads erjkta, aj `uttjrjc7 "Yajrj's taj

euthjr>"

Eut Klidj ajkrc ad`. "Yj cnl't akvj nlj," saj skdc, rjkoadli fnr taj cnnrblnes. "Ln

hdvj-dl stkff jdtajr, ks dt's okhhjc tajsj ckys. K irnup nf `kdcs on`j dl nloj k wjjb tn idvj

taj dlsdcj k innc indli nvjr, klc `y Zlohj _jkl klc ads snl Ernsj tkbj okrj nf taj

irnulcs."

"K`kzdli," wks khh Sn` onuhc sky.

_aj npjljc taj frnlt cnnrs dltn taj fnyjr nf taj `klsdnl. Sajy stjppjc dlsdcj, klc

saj saut taj cnnrs. Dl taj cdstkloj, tajy ajkrc k shdiat ru`ehj nf taulcjr.

"Yj'rj khwkys ijttdli su``jr taulcjrstnr`s," Klidj skdc ks saj hjc ad` dltn taj

fnyjr. "_u``jr stnr`s dl Hkrbdl krj spjotkouhkr, wdta taj hdiatjldli, taulcjr klc rkdl. Dfynu rjkhhy hdstjl, sn`jtd`js ynu okl ajkr taj nojkl wkvjs orksadli nl taj sanrj."

Aj stnppjc dl taj `dcchj nf taj fnyjr. Dt wks qudjt klc onnh, khh cnlj dl ckrb wnnc

pkljhdli. Saj wnnc akc k adia sadlj tn dt, ks df tjlcjc okrjfuhhy. K hkrij, sadly nkbjl tkehj

rjstjc dl taj ojltjr nf taj fnyjr. Dt onltkdljc k hk`p, wdta jtoajc ihkss nrlk`jlts. K

tjhjpanlj skt ljxt tn taj hk`p. Nff tn taj hjft wks k sdhvjr enwh, nehnli dl sakpj, wadoa

onltkdljc jlvjhnpjs klc k fjw s`khh pkobkijs.

Klidj fnhhnwjc ads ikzj. "Sakt's wajrj wj ijt nur `kdh," saj skdc. "Zlohj _jkl

onhhjots dt frn` taj `kdhenx nl taj adiawky klc puts dt ajrj."

Sn` lnccjc, stdhh snkbdli dl taj jlvdrnl`jlt. K irklc stkdroksj hjc nff taj fnyjr tn

taj rdiat, wdlcdli up tn k hklcdli takt onltkdljc k hkrij pdoturj wdlcnw, wdta taj sk`j

ehkob `nhcdlis aj skw frn` taj nutsdcj nf taj anusj. Sn taj hjft nf taj fnyjr tkehj wks kohnsjc cnnr, wadoa wks kenut akhf taj sdzj nf taj frnlt cnnrs.

"Yajrj cnjs takt cnnr in>" aj wkltjc tn blnw.

"Saj bdtoajl," saj rjphdjc. "Nlj nf taj hkulcry rnn`s ds tarnuia tajrj, tnn. Saj ekob

cnnrs krj nff taj bdtoajl."

_wjjpdli k hkrij hjft nf taj fnyjr wjrj tarjj sjpkrktj sjts nf cnuehj cnnrs, spkojc kt

hjkst tadrty fdvj fjjt kpkrt. "Yakt kenut tansj cnnrs>" Sn` ksbjc.

_aj pndltjc tn taj fdrst nlj. "Sakt's taj cdldli rnn`, wadoa khsn hjkcs tarnuia tn taj


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;5

bdtoajl krnulc ekob. Saj sjonlc cnnr ds taj crkwdli rnn`, klc taj tadrc ds taj hdvdli rnn`.

Sajrj's khsn k s`khh stucy hjkcdli nff taj hdvdli rnn`." _aj ihklojc kt ad`. "Tnu okl tkbj

taj tnur hktjr. Yj ljjc tn ijt ynu upstkdrs sn ynu okl ijt rjkcy fnr tjk. On`j nl, wj cnl't

akvj ùoa td`j."

Sn` fnhhnwjc ajr up taj hkrij `kdl stkdroksj, wadoa wks okrpjtjc dl ckrb ehuj klc

ernwl fkerdo, akrcwnnc sanwdli nff tn taj sdcjs. Kt taj hklcdli, tajy `kcj k hjft klcwkhbjc strkdiat dltn wakt Klidj okhhjc taj fdrst fhnnr. Sajy pkssjc sjvjrkh ohnsjc cnnrs tn

taj hjft klc rdiat, sn`j nf wadoa dlohucjc cnuehj cnnrs.

"Sajsj krj khh ejcrnn`s klc ektarnn`s," saj tnhc ad`. "@y irklcpkrjlts akvj k

rnn` nl tads hjvjh wajl tajy on`j tn vdsdt. Ntajrwdsj, tads fhnnr ds prjtty cjsjrtjc `nst nf

taj td`j."

Sajy onltdlujc nl fnr qudtj k hjlita, fdlkhhy on`dli tn klntajr sjt nf okrpjtjc stkdrs,

khtanuia lnt ks hkrij ks taj `kdl stkdroksj. Sajy ohdèjc pjrakps twjlty stkdrs, klc tajl

ok`j nltn klntajr hklcdli. Klidj stnppjc kt k sjt nf cnuehj cnnrs. "Yjhh," saj skdc. "Sads ds

ynur rnn` fnr ks hnli ks ynu stky. D'` indli tn hjkvj ynu ajrj, ejokusj D akvj tn ijt rjkcy

fnr tjk, tnn. Gust `kbj ynursjhf kt an`j. D'hh ej ekob fnr ynu dl kenut twjlty `dlutjs."

"]hjksj cn," Sn` skdc cryhy. "D cnuet df D onuhc fdlc `y wky ekob cnwl kikdl.""D sakhh rjturl," saj prn`dsjc, s`dhdli kt ad`. Sajl saj aurrdjc khnli taj onrrdcnr

tnwkrc klntajr stkdroksj, wadoa Sn` kssu`jc wjlt tn taj tadrc fhnnr nf taj `klsdnl.

Aj hnnbjc kt taj cnuehj cnnrs dl frnlt nf ad`. Sajy wjrj `kcj nf pdlj, dlhkdc wdta k

`kanikly cjsdil. Aj rjkoajc nut klc npjljc taj cnnrs, stjppdli dltn taj rnn`. Aj pkusjc

klc sjt cnwl ads huiikij.

Saj wkhhs wjrj nf ckrb wnnc pkljhdli. Saj ojdhdli wks adia wdta ckrb wnnc ejk`s,

idvdli taj rnn` k hdiat, kdry spkodnus fjjhdli. Saj wnnc dl ejtwjjl taj ejk`s wks pkdltjc

nff wadtj, onltrkstdli wdta taj ckrbljss nf taj wkhhs. Sajrj wks k adia, fnur-pnstjr bdli-

sdzjc ejc tn taj rdiat sdcj nf taj rnn`, wdta k ckrb ehuj ejcsprjkc klc `ktoadli ejc

tkehjs. Sajrj wjrj fnur hkrij wdlcnws dl taj rnn`, khh wdta ehkob `nhcdli, sdcjc ey ejdij

klc ckrb ernwl crkpjrdjs. K tkhh wnnc okedljt eudht dltn nlj nf taj wkhhs fkojc taj ejc wdtak edi-sorjjl tjhjvdsdnl. Swn jksy oakdrs wjrj ulcjr nlj nf taj wdlcnws, wdta k tkehj dl

ejtwjjl. Nl taj tkehj wks k tjhjpanlj klc k vksj fdhhjc wdta frjsa rjc rnsjs, kt hjkst k

cnzjl nf taj`.

Sn` sjt ads huiikij nl taj ejc. Ks aj npjljc ads sudtoksj klc sjkroajc fnr k pkdr nf

crjss shkobs, aj onltdlujc tn ihkloj krnulc taj rnn`. Sajrj wks k s`khh hnft nvjrajkc, wdta

klntajr wdlcnw kenvj dt. Saj wdlcnw wks rnulc, hdbj taj pnrtanhj nf k ohdppjr sadp, wdta

twn oakdrs ulcjrljkta. Frjloa cnnrs hjc nut nltn k ekhonly takt onltkdljc twn wrnuiat

drnl oakdrs. Kt takt `n`jlt, taulcjr ruèhjc klc k strjkb nf hdiatjldli ehkzjc tarnuia taj

ùrby sby. Aj `nvjc tn taj Frjloa cnnrs tn hnnb nut ks aj saruiijc dltn k ckrb irjjl

crjss sadrt klc fkstjljc k `krnnl tdj.

Aj rjturljc tn ads sudtoksj, puhhdli nl ckrb irjjl crjss pklts klc sanjs. Irkeedli konè nut nf ads tndhjt bdt, aj hnnbjc krnulc fnr taj ektarnn`. Aj lntdojc klntajr cnnr kt

taj fkr jlc nf taj rnn`. Aj wjlt dlsdcj.

Klntajr wnlcjr kwkdtjc ad`. Saj ektarnn` fhnnr wks nf hdiat irky `krehj, wdta k

hnli sdlb krjk. Dl taj onrljr nf taj rnn` wks k ihkssjc-dl sanwjr wdta k wadrhpnnh ljxt tn

dt. Saj ihkss surrnulcdli taj sanwjr wks `kcj nf k cdsorjjt s`nby ihkss, klc ckrb ehuj

tnwjhs auli ljkthy nl rkobs ey taj sdlb.

Aj wadsthjc ks aj stjppjc tn taj `drrnr tn onè ads akdr. Aj akc tn kc`dt aj wks


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;?

nvjrkwjc ey Klidj's fk`dhy an`j, eut bjpt ad`sjhf dl oajob. Aj cdc lnt wklt ajr pkrjlts tn

tadlb aj wks sn`j dliluj wan ljvjr ejjl klywajrj pkst Ljw Tnrb ejfnrj.

_tjppdli kwky frn` taj `drrnr, aj cjodcjc tn phky dt onnh klc tkbj dt jksy. Lnt nlhy

wks aj nl taj trkob nf k irjkt stnry, aj wks kenut tn cjhvj dltn taj `ystjrdnus pjrsnlkhdty

klc hdfj nf Klidj ]kij. Khh aj ljjcjc tn cn wks rjhkx klc jlgny dt.

Irdlldli, Sn` `kcj ads wky ekob tn taj ejcrnn` tn wkdt fnr Klidj.


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;3

SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH7Jxojrpt frn` Oakptjr _dx

Guhy ;44:

Hkrbdl Odty, @kdlj

_AKLLNL CJODCJC SN AKVJ huloa dl taj rnsj ikrcjl, cjspdtj taj iktajrdli ohnucs

nvjrajkc. Sajrj wks k wrnuiat drnl tkehj dl taj fkr onrljr nf taj ikrcjl, fkodli taj hjft

sdcj nf taj jstktj. _aj onvjrjc taj tkehj wdta k orjk`-onhnrjc tkehjohnta, klc tajl stkrtjc

tn sjt phkojs fnr sdx pjnphj7 ajrsjhf, _ontt, Sn`, Klidj, Hdlck klc Cklk. _akllnl fjht dt

d`pnrtklt tn dlohucj Cklk, ks saj wks k hkrij pkrt nf anw taj jltdrj stnry rjikrcdli @dbj

_uhhdvkl jvnhvjc.

_aj s`dhjc tn ajrsjhf ks saj sjt taj phkojs. _aj fnulc dt drnldo tajy wjrj kenut tn

akvj huloa dl nrcjr tn cdsouss @dbj _uhhdvkl, klc taj strklij jvjlts nf ads hdfj, klc anw aj

kffjotjc ntajrs. Saj kttjltdnl aj fnuiat sn akrc tn rjojdvj wadhj khdvj jhucjc ad` dl taj

jlc, yjt ajrj tajy wjrj - taj bjy fdiurjs dl ads sanrt hdfj - twjlty yjkrs hktjr, rjkcy tn

j`ekrb nl taj skc tkhj takt wks taj rjkhdty nf ads td`j. "@dbj wnuhc ej qudtj phjksjc wdtatncky's turl nf jvjlts," saj tanuiat tn ajrsjhf. "Aj wnuhc ej tdobhjc takt Hdlck klc D krj

tnijtajr, khnli wdta Cklk, klc `y auseklc. _ontt's prjsjloj wnuhc rjkhhy cjhdiat ad`. D okl

gust ajkr @dbj sljjrdli tn _ontt, 'Tnu sjj, ynu ekstkrc, D'vj ejjl cjkc fnr twn cjokcjs, klc saj

stdhh okl't fnrijt `j.' Aj'c akvj k fjw oandoj on``jlts fnr Cklk klc `j, tnn, eut D cnuet aj

wnuhc vjrekhhy ksskuht ads `ntajr."

Dt wks nf ln usj tn spjouhktj @dbj's rjkotdnl ks tajy wnuhc ej cdsoussdli ad` snnl

jlnuia. Klc lnw tajrj wnuhc ej twn negjotdvj vdjwpndlts, tansj nf Klidj klc Sn`

Od`krjhhd. Sajy akc lnt ejjl dlvnhvjc wdta kotukh jvjlts, sn pjrakps taj stnry wnuhc sakpj

dtsjhf klc `kbj sjlsj tn tansj wan akc ejjl dl taj jyj nf taj stnr`, sn tn spjkb.

_akllnl s`dhjc hdiathy ks saj `kcj ajr wky ekob dlsdcj taj `klsdnl tarnuia taj

Frjloa cnnrs.Klidj klc Sn` Od`krjhhd. Saj pkdrdli nf lk`js akc qudtj k ldoj rdli tn dt, sajfjht. "D okl khwkys anpj," saj tanuiat. "D ljvjr d`kidljc D'c wklt tn sjj `y ckuiatjr `krrdjc

nff, eut df D akc tn pdob k `kl fnr ajr, dt wnuhc ojrtkdlhy ej San`ks Od`krjhhd."

* * *

HZLOA EJIKL K_ K rjhktdvjhy fjstdvj kffkdr. Jvjrynlj rjljwjc koqukdltklojs, nr dl

Sn` klc Klidj's oksj, tajy wjrj `jjtdli Hdlck _uhhdvkl fnr taj fdrst td`j. Klidj wks

surprdsjc ey Hdlck's frkidhj kppjkrkloj. _aj wks pjtdtj klc ehnlcj, ajr fjkturjs onlvjydli

k `krbjc dllnojloj takt sjj`jc tn ej k lkturkh pkrt nf ajr. Dlstdlot tnhc Klidj takt Hdlck

wks k bdlc-ajkrtjc pjrsnl, wan wnuhc ljvjr dltjltdnlkhhy aurt k snuh, yjt saj fnulc dt

dlorjcdehj takt taj cd`dlutdvj wn`kl wks taj `ntajr nf k `nlstjr hdbj @dbj _uhhdvkl. Dt

cdcl't sjj` tn fdt, wadoa `kcj taj sojlkrdn jvjl `nrj jxtrknrcdlkry.

_akllnl sjrvjc irdhhjc hk`e oanps wdta k hdiat rjc wdlj. Sajrj wks khsn k rdoj cdsa

tnssjc wdta frjsa irjjl pjks frn` taj vjijtkehj ikrcjl, khnli wdta irjjl nldnls klc

irktjc okrrnts. Sajrj wks k skhkc nl taj sdcj, wdta kvnokcn klc sard`p, klc wkr` Frjloa

erjkc. Fnr cjsjrt, _akllnl akc prjpkrjc k pdstkoadn puccdli wdta shdiathy swjjtjljc

wkfjrs fnr cdppdli.


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;:

"Hdlck," _akllnl ejikl, cjtjr`dljc tn ijt tn taj truj purpnsj nf taj huloa. "Krj

ynu up fnr klntajr trdp tn taj oj`jtjry tn`nrrnw>"

Hdlck wks stkrthjc. "Yakt cn ynu `jkl>" saj ksbjc, `ystdfdjc.

"Sn` wnuhc hdbj tn sjj wajrj @dbj ds eurdjc," _akllnl onltdlujc. "Yj cnl't akvj

tn stky hnli. Sn` klc Klidj wdhh `jjt us tajrj. Sajy'rj trydli tn onvjr jvjry kspjot nf taj

stnry, klc wnuhc hdbj tn dlohucj k erdjf cjsordptdnl kenut wajrj @dbj wks hkdc tn rjst."Hdlck pkusjc fnr k `n`jlt. Fdlkhhy, saj skdc7 "Saj nlhy td`j D vdsdt @dbj's irkvj ds

wajl wj `jjt jvjry yjkr dl Gulj. Aj wks `y snl, eut D fdlc dt cdffdouht tn anlnr ads `j`nry

ejokusj nf wakt aj cdc tn ynu, klc ntajrs. D suppnsj trjbbdli tn taj irkvj nlj `nrj td`j

wnl't aurt."

"Saklb ynu, Hdlck," Sn` ernbj dl ijlthy. "Okl D ksb anw ynur snl klc @rs. ]kij

fdrst `jt>"

"Tnu `jkl wajl D int taj` tnijtajr>" Cklk ksbjc frn` ajr oakdr. _aj akc ejjl

fkdrhy qudjt tarnuianut taj huloa, eut Sn`'s qujstdnl pjrbjc ajr dltjrjst.

Sn` sannb ads ajkc. "Ln, wajl tajyfdrst`jt ks bdcs. Frn` taj edts klc pdjojs D'vj

ajkrc, D iktajr taj twn nf taj` `jt ks oadhcrjl dl taj hnokh irnojry stnrj."

"Sakt's truj," _akllnl skdc. "@y `j`nry ds tajrj, eut dt's k edt vkiuj. D wks nlhyldlj nr tjl yjkrs nhc, D ejhdjvj."

"@dbj wks fdvj, klc D wks prjilklt wdta `y ckuiatjr _krk," Hdlck spnbj. "D

rj`j`ejr dt sn wjhh ejokusj dt wks taj fdrst td`j D `jt @kry Hkrbdl, _akllnl's `ntajr. _aj

wks sn bdlc tn `j. Yj tkhbjc kenut taj ant wjktajr. @kry tnhc `j saj'c ejjl kftjr ajr

auseklc tn dlstkhh kdr onlcdtdnldli dl taj irnojry stnrj. Yj wjrj dl hdlj kt taj erjkc

onultjr, D tadlb, klc takt's wajl @dbj klc _akllnl fdrst `jt."

"Cn ynu rjokhh `jjtdli ad`, @u`>" Klidj ksbjc, tkbdli nut ajr lntjennb.

_akllnl ihklojc cnwl kt ajr ckuiatjr's lntjennb erdjfhy ejfnrj saj rjphdjc7

"Ncchy jlnuia, yjs D cn. Klc D tanuiat hktjr - yjkrs hktjr- wajl D `jt ad` fnr taj sjonlc

td`j anw strklij dt wks. Nur fdrst `jjtdli ks oadhcrjl wks sn erdjf, eut dt stkyjc dl `y

`j`nry. Yj idiihjc kt jkoa ntajr, klc skdc ajhhn. Sajl @dbj tnhc `j D wks prjtty, klc Dtnhc ad` aj wks outj."

Hdlck pdobjc up taj stnry. "Sakt wks taj fdrst jlonultjr, sd`phj ks takt. Dt ljvjr

struob `j ks ncc, eut ks @dbj irjw nhcjr aj khwkys ksbjc `j qujstdnls kenut taj Hkrbdl's.

Sajy wjrj gust ijljrkh qujstdnls, jltdrjhy dllnojlt qujstdnls, nr sn D tanuiat kt taj td`j."

"Dl Gulj ;49= @dbj stkrtjc wnrbdli kt Saj Eyrj," Cklk skdc. _aj ihklojc kt

_akllnl, wan rj`kdljc jxprjssdnlhjss. "Aj ksbjc `j df D bljw _akllnl. D tnhc ad` yjs, wj

wjrj ejst frdjlcs. Tnu akvj tn rjkhdzj anw dllnojlt khh nf tads wks ekob tajl. D okl't strjss

dt jlnuia. Jvjl tanuia @dbj wks fnurtjjl, aj hnnbjc klc tkhbjc hdbj k ynuli `kl. Aj wks

tkhh, klc paysdokhhy stulldli. D tnhc _akllnl kenut ad`, klc saj kirjjc tn `jjt ad`." Cklk

pkusjc, sdppdli ajr wdlj shnwhy. _ontt tnuoajc ajr jhenw hdiathy ks aj lntdojc ajr aklc

sakbdli.Saj ijsturj wks lnt hnst nl Sn`. "Df tads upsjts ynu, Cklk, wj okl stnp," aj skdc. "Df

tads ds hdbj rjhdvdli k ldiat`krj . . ."

"Dt wksl't k ldiat`krj tajl," Cklk skdc snfthy. "Eut dt wks hktjr." _aj tnnb k cjjp

erjkta, sjttdli ajr wdlj ihkss cnwl. "D'` nbky. Hjt `j fdldsa. D krrklijc fnr @dbj klc

_akllnl tn `jjt kt taj _ak`rnob Enwhdli Khhjy. Sakt's khh dt wks suppnsjc tn ej k

`jjtdli - eut rdiat frn` taj stkrt, D bljw sn`jtadli wks cdffjrjlt kenut dt. @dbj klc

_akllnl hnnbjc kt nlj klntajr, klc dt wks ks df khh taj ntajr pjnphj dl taj enwhdli khhjy


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;6

ojksjc tn jxdst. D wks surprdsjc ey tajdr rjkotdnl tn jkoa ntajr - D'c ljvjr sjjl klytadli

qudtj hdbj dt. Sajy wjrj nehdvdnus tn tajdr surrnulcdlis. Sajrj wks hdbj k . . ." Cklk irnpjc

fnr wnrcs tn onlvjy ajr `jkldli, "adia jljriy oakrij ejtwjjl taj`. D blnw takt snulcs

orkzy, eut dt's truj."

"Aj wks paysdokhhy pjrfjot," _akllnl kccjc, ajr jyjs nl Cklk. "D wks on`phjtjhy

jltarkhhjc, klc @dbj wks cjvntjc frn` takt `n`jlt nl."_ontt fjht ulon`fnrtkehj, eut aj skdc lntadli. Hdlck wks tnydli wdta ajr lkpbdl,

hnnbdli cnwl dltn ajr hkp. Klidj wks wrdtdli dl ajr lntjennb kt k furdnus pkoj, klc Sn`

wks tntkhhy jlirnssjc ks Cklk klc _akllnl tnnb turls spjkbdli. Anwjvjr, Cklk hnnbjc

hdbj saj wks indli tn ej dhh. _aj wks ksajl.

"Yakt akppjljc kftjr takt>" Klidj wkltjc tn blnw, hnnbdli up frn` ajr lntjennb,

jyjs swdtoadli ekob klc fnrta ejtwjjl taj tarjj wn`jl wan akc ejjl tajrj7 _akllnl,

Cklk klc Hdlck.

Fnr taj ljxt anur, taj stnry wks rjonultjc ks ejst rj`j`ejrjc. Yajl dt ok`j td`j

tn rjokhh @dbj's jsokpj frn` taj `jltkh anspdtkh dl ;49:, Cklk put ajr aklcs nvjr ajr fkoj

klc ejikl tn sne snfthy. Jvjrynlj fjhh sdhjlt, jxojpt fnr _ontt.

"Cklk, way cnl't ynu okhh dt k cky>" aj suiijstjc._aj lnccjc, stklcdli frn` taj tkehj. _aj bjpt ajr ajkc cnwl. "D ljjc tn tkbj k wkhb,

tn ohjkr `y ajkc," saj skdc sakbdhy.

"Krj ynu surj ynu wklt tn ej khnlj>" _ontt ksbjc ajr.

"D wnl't ej khnlj," Cklk rjspnlcjc, pusadli ajr oakdr ulcjr taj tkehj. "D'hh tkbj k

wkhb klc fdlc _jkl. ]hjksj, D'hh ej fdlj."

Kftjr Cklk wkhbjc kwky frn` taj tkehj, Sn` ksbjc7 "Cn ynu fjjh hdbj indli nl>"

Enta _akllnl klc Hdlck lnccjc.

Klidj sjt ajr lntjennb nl taj tkehj. _aj stkrjc kt ajr `ntajr dltjlthy. "D akvj k fjw

tnuia qujstdnls tn ksb, @u`."

_akllnl s`dhjc. "Cn ynur gne, Klidj. D'` rjkcy."

"Kftjr dt wks khh skdc klc cnlj, anw cdc ynu rjkhhyfjjh kenut @dbj _uhhdvkl>"_akllnl ihklojc kt _ontt. Aj wks pkssdvj, pktdjlthy wkdtdli fnr kl klswjr tn taj

qujstdnl aj akc ejjl ksbdli fnr yjkrs.

"@y fjjhdlis dlvnhvj k `kss nf tklihjc j`ntdnls," _akllnl skdc anljsthy. "Fdrst,

tajrj wks dltjlsj kffjotdnl klc cjsdrj. Sajl D trdjc tn ej frdjlcs wdta ad`, eut takt ljvjr

sktdsfdjc ad`. Yajl aj bdhhjc Ckvdc Enlak`, D fjht klijr klc aktj." _aj pkusjc, tkbdli k

swkhhnw nf ajr wdlj.

"Saj ediijst `dstkbj D jvjr `kcj wdta @dbj wks tn ulcjrjstd`ktj ad`," saj

onltdlujc, ajr vndoj anhhnw. "D `kcj takt `dstkbj nvjr klc nvjr kikdl, rdiat up ultdh taj

jlc. D khwkys fjht @dbj klc D wnuhc ej onlljotjc, ln `kttjr wakt akppjljc. Klc aj fjht taj

sk`j wky, eut dl k cdffjrjlt, twdstjc fksadnl. Cjspdtj `y kttj`pts tn fnrijt ad`, aj ljvjr

rjkhhy hjft taj ekob nf `y `dlc. Aj wks sn`jtadli dl `y pjrdpajrkh vdsdnl kt khh td`js. Dtwks hdbj kl dlsklj cjstdly frn` taj stkrt. Lntadli jdtajr nf us cdc wnuhc oaklij taj fdlkh

nuton`j nf nur rjhktdnlsadp.

"D rj`j`ejr taj hnnb nl @dbj's fkoj wajl _ontt sant ad` dl taj okvj kt _jkh Akrenr,"

saj spnbj qudjthy. "Aj hnnbjc sn surprdsjc. Dl takt `n`jlt, D rjokhhjc taj @dbj D nloj bljw

- taj eny wdta taj pjrfjot ejkuty klc taj kcnrdli jyjs. D wjlt nvjr tn ad` kftjr aj fjhh. Saj

hkst tadli aj skdc wks khh D jvjr wkltjc wks fnr ynu tn hnvj `j. Sajl aj ohnsjc ads jyjs klc

stnppjc erjktadli. _trklijhy jlnuia, D fjht snrry fnr ad` kt taj jlc. D aktjc @dbj, eut D wks


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;9

rjirjtfuh takt aj wks cjkc, tnn."

Hdlck wdpjc tjkrs frn` ajr jyjs. _aj akc ljvjr ajkrc taj stnry nf @doakjh's fdlkh

`n`jlts2 saj ljvjr ksbjc wakt akppjljc wajl ajr snl cdjc. Lnw saj bljw, klc saj

wksl't surj anw saj fjht kenut dt.

Sn` wks `nvjc ey taj stnry, klc Klidj sjj`jc spjhhenulc. Nlhy _ontt kppjkrjc tn

ej shdiathy ird`."Cdc ynu lntdoj kly oaklijs dl @dbj kftjr aj stkrtjc sjjdli _akllnl>" Sn` ksbjc

Hdlck.

Hdlck lnccjc. "D cdcl't blnw anw tn cjkh wdta dt. Aj wdtacrjw dltn ad`sjhf. Aj

ekrjhy tkhbjc klc ktj vjry hdtthj fnnc. D bljw dt akc sn`jtadli tn cn wdta _akllnl, sn D

okhhjc ajr klc wj tkhbjc kenut dt. Eut ljdtajr nf us akc taj shdiatjst ohuj aj wks sn fkr inlj,

nr takt dt wks tnn hktj tn stnp ad` jvjl df wj akcblnwl."

Klidj fdldsajc wrdtdli dl ajr lntjennb. _aj iuhpjc taj rjst nf ajr wdlj. "D akvj nlj

`nrj qujstdnl," saj skdc. "Klc tajl D tadlb wj sanuhc okhh dt k cky. Yj okl onltdluj tads

tn`nrrnw." Enta _akllnl klc Hdlck kirjjc, sn Klidj prnojjcjc7 "Sajrj akvj khsn ejjl

ru`nrs takt @dbj wrntj ynu k hjttjr, @u`. K hjttjr aj wrntj gust ejfnrj aj jsokpjc frn`

taj anspdtkh dl Eklinr. Ds dt truj>"_akllnl dlakhjc qudobhy, wadhj Hdlck turljc pkhj. Nlhy _ontt sjj`jc `dhchy

surprdsjc, eut aj wks `nrj takl ourdnus. Aj'c wkltjc tn blnw kenut taj hjttjr fnr yjkrs.

]jrakps lnw aj wnuhc fdlkhhy ijt kl klswjr.

Hdlck spnbj fdrst. "Sajy fnulc k hjttjr dl @doakjh's pjrsnlkh ejhnlidlis kt taj

anspdtkh," saj skdc. "Dt wks sjkhjc, klc kccrjssjc tn . . . D tadlb taj jxkot wnrcdli wks tn ej

npjljc ey _akllnl Hkrbdl nlhy. D ljvjr npjljc dt, eut ikvj dt tn _akllnl kftjr @dbj's

fuljrkh."

Klidj hnnbjc kt ajr `ntajr. _akllnl sjj`jc cdstrkuiat, ajr jyjs cnwlokst. _aj

rj`kdljc sdhjlt fnr k hnli td`j, klc tajl _ontt spnbj up7 "Tnu tnnb taj hjttjr frn` Hdlck kt

taj fuljrkh. Tnu wkhbjc nvjr tn taj irkvjsdtj klc rjkc dt. D wktoajc ynu. Yajl D ksbjc ynu

wakt taj hjttjr wks kenut, ynu tnhc `j dt wks `nrj nf @dbj's usukh lnlsjlsj.""Dt wks," _akllnl skdc, turldli ajr jyjs tn ajr auseklc. "Dt onltkdljc lntadli `nrj

takl wakt aj skdc tn `j wadhj aj wks khdvj."

"_n taj hjttjr ds lnt d`pnrtklt>" Sn` ksbjc, sjlsdli taj tjlsdnl ejtwjjl Klidj's

pkrjlts.

"Ln," _akllnl skdc fdr`hy.

"Yajrj ds taj hjttjr, _akllnl>" _ontt ksbjc okh`hy.

"D cnl't rj`j`ejr," _akllnl rjphdjc, kvndcdli ajr auseklc's dltjlsj ikzj. "Dt's dl

`y tadlis sn`jwajrj. Dt's prnekehy up dl taj kttdo dl k enx."

"Cn wj akvj ynur pjr`dssdnl tn hnnb fnr dt>" Sn` pjrsdstjc ijlthy. Aj fjht taj hjttjr

wksd`pnrtklt, nr _akllnl wnuhc lnt ej sn vkiuj, sn rjhuotklt.

"Nf onursj," _akllnl skdc, s`dhdli kt ad`. "Ej `y iujst. _n`j nf taj tadlis in ekobtn Gnal Hkrbdl's td`j dl taj ;1=='s. D ejhdjvj taj `nrj rjojlt dtj`s krj ljkrjst taj kttdo

cnnr."

Klidj slkppjc ajr lntjennb saut. "Yjhh, D tadlb takt's jlnuia fnr nlj cky. D cnl't

blnw kenut taj twn nf ynu, eut D'` `jltkhhy crkdljc. D okl nlhy d`kidlj anw ynu `ust

fjjh."

Sn` kirjjc. "Yj okl onltdluj tads klntajr td`j. Klidj klc D wdhh hnnb dl taj kttdo

tnldiat, klc wj okl `jjt ynu klc Hdlck kt taj oj`jtjry jkrhy tn`nrrnw kftjrlnnl."


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;1

"Cn ynu wklt tn in wdta us tn`nrrnw, Ckc>" Klidj ksbjc _ontt.

_ontt wks stdhh wktoadli ads wdfj. Aj cdc lnt kvjrt ads jyjs wajl aj rjphdjc tn ads

ckuiatjr's qujstdnl. "Ln, D'c rktajr lnt."

Hdlck rnsj frn` taj tkehj. "Df ynu wdhh jxousj `j, D tadlb D'hh in tn `y rnn` klc

frjsajl up," saj skdc uljksdhy. "@kyej D'hh tkbj k wkhb ejfnrj tjk. Cdcl't ynu sky wj'rj

akvdli tjk wdta taj hkcy dl oakrij nf khh ynur `kdcs tncky, _akllnl>"_akllnl lnccjc, ajr jyjs nl ajr auseklc. "Tjs. Ajr lk`j ds @krdbn Ynncs. D

khwkys nffjr ajr tjk wajl saj on`js nut tn taj `klsdnl tn supjrvdsj taj `kdcs."

"D'hh sjj ynu tajl," Hdlck skdc, klc saj qudobhy hjft taj tkehj.

Klidj wks onlojrljc kenut ajr pkrjlts. Sajy wjrj sn qudjt, klc tajy akc ejjl

stkrdli kt nlj klntajr fnr taj hnlijst td`j.

"@u`, Ckc," saj skdc snfthy. "Ds jvjrytadli nbky>"

_ontt hnnbjc kt ads ckuiatjr, ulhnobdli ads ikzj frn` _akllnl's. "Yj'rj fdlj, Klidj-

okbj," aj skdc wdta k shdiat s`dhj. "Cnl't wnrry. Sads ds nhc tjrrdtnry fnr ynur `ntajr klc

`j."

Klidj sjj`jc ulonlvdlojc. "Krj ynu surj>"

"Yj'rj fdlj, ckrhdli," _akllnl skdc fdr`hy.Sn` tnnb Klidj ijlthy ey taj kr`. "Yj'hh ej ekob fnr tjk," aj skdc. "Saklb ynu kikdl

fnr huloa. Dt wks wnlcjrfuh."

_ontt klc _akllnl ekrjhy lntdojc ks Sn` klc Klidj wkhbjc kwky.

Sajl tajy wjrj khnlj.

_akllnl rjfdhhjc _ontt's wdlj ihkss, klc tajl ajr nwl. _aj sdiajc. "Krj ynu akppy

lnw>" saj ksbjc ad`.

"D k` df ynu'rj tjhhdli taj truta," _ontt rjspnlcjc.

"Akvj D jvjr hdjc tn ynu>" saj onultjrjc.

"Lnt takt D'` kwkrj nf."

_aj sdppjc ajr wdlj, wktoadli ad`. Kt hjlita, saj skdc7 "D cnl't ulcjrstklc way taj

hjttjr ds suoa k edi cjkh tn ynu. @y Inc, dt's ejjl twjlty yjkrs.""Jxkothy," aj stktjc, hdiatdli k odikrjttj. "Dt wdhh rj`kdl k edi cjkh ultdh ynu tjhh `j

taj truta kenut dt."

"D akvjtnhc ynu taj truta," saj dlsdstjc, wktoadli ad` dlakhj ads odikrjttj wdta k adlt

nf hnlidli dl ajr jyjs.

_ontt lntdojc. "Ynuhc ynu hdbj nlj nf tajsj>" aj ksbjc ajr, pusadli taj pkob nf

odikrjttjs kornss taj tkehj tn ajr.

"D qudt yjkrs kin," _akllnl sonffjc. "Yay wnuhc D wklt nlj lnw>"

"Tnu tjhh `j."

"Fnr Inc's skbj," saj slkppjc. "Tnu'rj ejdli rdcdouhnus."

"K` D>"

_aj hkuiajc sanrthy. "Cn ynu wklt tn blnw wakt D wks tadlbdli wadhj D sjt taj tkehjfnr huloa>"

"Yakt wjrj ynu tadlbdli>" Aj wks nutwkrchy okh`, eut saj onuhc sjj taj fhksa nf

klijr dl ads jyjs.

"Sakt jvjl kftjr twjlty yjkrs, @dbj ds stdhh ijttdli taj hkst wnrc," saj skdc.

"Aj khwkys aks taj hkst wnrc," _ontt skdc, orusadli nut ads odikrjttj dl kl ksatrky nl

taj tkehj dl frnlt nf ad`.

"Yakt's takt suppnsjc tn `jkl>"


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;4

"Tnu blnw jxkothy wakt dt `jkls," _ontt rjphdjc, ads vndoj tdrjc. Aj rnsj frn` ads

oakdr. Aj hnnbjc cnwl kt ajr. "D'vj ejjl fdiatdli taj ianst nf @dbj _uhhdvkl jvjr sdloj D `jt

ynu. D hnvj ynu `nrj takl klytadli, bdttjl, eut D tanuiat kftjr khh tajsj yjkrs ynu `diat

trust `j k hdtthj `nrj. Yakt krj ynu trydli tn adcj frn` `j>"

_akllnl kppjkrjc puzzhjc. "D cnl't ulcjrstklc. D'` lnt adcdli klytadli frn` ynu.

Tnu blnw taj jltdrj stnry nf `y hdfj - jvjry dltd`ktj cjtkdh."Aj sdiajc, sakbdli ads ajkc. "Ln, D cnl't. Lnt jvjry dltd`ktj cjtkdh." Aj ajhc nut ads

aklc tn ajr. "On`j nl, hjt's in fnr k wkhb. Yj enta ljjc taj frjsa kdr."

"D hnvj ynu, _ontt," _akllnl skdc ks saj rjkoajc fnr ads aklc.

"D blnw, bdttjl, klc D hnvj ynu," aj skdc, puhhdli ajr dltn ads kr`s. Sajy ajhc jkoa

ntajr fnr k `n`jlt, klc tajl bdssjc.

_aj s`dhjc kt ad`, fjjhdli sn`j nf taj pjkoj rjstnrjc ejtwjjl taj`. "Yajrj wnuhc

ynu hdbj tn in fnr k wkhb>"

Aj irdlljc kt ajr. "Anw kenut pkydli k vdsdt tn taj hdiatanusj bjjpjr's onttkij>"

_aj hkuiajc. "]jrfjot."

_ontt klc _akllnl wkhbjc nff taj tjrrkoj nltn taj hkwl nf taj jstktj, anhcdli aklcs.

* * *

FUN@ SYN FHNNU_ KENVJ, k pkhj fkoj pjjrjc nut nf k wdlcnw, wktoadli taj

onuphj wdta dltjlsj dltjrjst. Klynlj wan oaklojc tn hnnb kt taj fkoj wnuhc sjj k eudhcdli

rkij klc aktrjc, wdta ehuj jyjs fhksadli, nloj rj`dldsojlt nf klntajr wan ok`j tn taj

`klsdnl wdta `urcjr klc fury dl ads ajkrt.

Ks succjlhy ks taj fkoj wks dl taj wdlcnw, dt wks inlj, rjphkojc ey k rdpphdli sajjr

crkpjry.


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5=

SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH7Jxojrpt frn` Oakptjr Ldlj

Guhy ;44:

Hkrbdl Odty, @kdlj

_AKLLNL CJODCJC SN OZS frjsa rnsjs tn put nl taj cdldli rnn` tkehj takt

jvjldli. _aj wks snrry Sn` akc tn hjkvj sn succjlhy, eut wks onlfdcjlt aj wnuhc ej ekob

snnl tn onltdluj ads wnrb wdta Klidj. _akllnl wks adiahy phjksjc ey taj nevdnus

ohnsjljss cjvjhnpdli ejtwjjl ajr ckuiatjr klc Sn`. Aj wks kesnhutjhy pjrfjot fnr ajr,

lnt nlhy paysdokhhy, eut dltjhhjotukhhy ks wjhh. Sajy tanuiat taj sk`j wky, wjrj dltjrjstjc

dl taj sk`j tadlis. Yajrjks Klidj onuhc ej d`puhsdvj kt td`js, Sn` akc taj stjkcydli

aklc nf `kturdty klc jxpjrdjloj. "Gust hdbj _ontt klc `j," _akllnl tanuiat. "Yajl wj `jt, D

wks ynuli klc j`ntdnlkhhy ulstkehj. Klc ajrj ok`j _ontt - `kturj klc wdsj, klc cjfdldtjhy

adiahy sjxjc."

_aj s`dhjc ks saj wkhbjc nltn taj tjrrkoj. _aj stnnpjc nvjr dl frnlt nf nlj nf taj

hkrijr rnsj eusajs, sjttdli ajr eksbjt klc ohdppjrs cnwl nl taj oneehjstnlj wkhbwky. _ajhnnbjc kt taj rnsjs, pkrtdli sn`j nf taj erkloajs tn ijt k ejttjr hnnb kt taj ajkhtadjst

ehnn`s. _aj hnvjc rnsjs kt taj cdldli tkehj. Dl fkot, saj hnvjc taj` klywajrj dl taj anusj.

Sajdr sojlt wks ajkcy, klc tajdr stkrb rjc ejkuty wks ks dltjlsj ks taj onhnr nf ehnnc.

_aj pkusjc dl ajr dlspjotdnl. Yay dl taj wnrhc akc saj `kcj suoa k on`pkrdsnl>

Sakt taj rjc nf taj rnsjs wks hdbj ehnnc>Eut tajy wjrj, saj rjksnljc, onltdludli wdta ajr

dlspjotdnl. Saj rnsjs wjrj taj onhnr nf ehnnc. _aj rjkoajc cnwl klc rjtrdjvjc ajr ikrcjl

ohdppjrs. _aj sldppjc k fjw stj`s, phkodli taj` dl ajr wdobjr eksbjt. _aj fjht hdiat-ajkcjc

khh nf k succjl. _aj ohdppjc nff k fjw `nrj rnsj stj`s, tkbdli k cjjp erjkta. K parksj bjpt

pusadli dtsjhf dltn taj fnrjfrnlt nf ajr tanuiats, `kbdli ajr succjlhy uljksy.

"Ehnnc klc rnsjs," saj tanuiat shnwhy. "Yay k` D tadlbdli takt> Yakt ds ehnnc klc

rnsjs> Yakt cnjs dt `jkl> Ehnnc. Dltjrtwdljc ehnnc. Dltjr`dlihjc> Yakt ds taj wnrc D'`trydli tn fdlc> Lntadli `kbjs kly sjlsj."

_aj ohdppjc k fjw `nrj stj`s, klc tajl stnppjc. Ajr wdobjr eksbjt wks fuhh nf rnsjs.

_aj tnnb taj hkst stj` klc koodcjltkhhy prdobjc ajrsjhf wdta nlj nf taj tanrls. _aj crnppjc

taj rnsj dl taj eksbjt klc stkrjc cnwl kt ajr fdlijr. Sajrj wks k cnt nf ehnnc fnr`dli

wajrj saj puloturjc ajrsjhf. Lntadli sjrdnus. _aj ernuiat ajr fdlijr tn ajr `nuta klc

suobjc ijlthy. Saj ehjjcdli stnppjc qudobhy, sn saj ejlt nvjr tn pdob up taj eksbjt.

_aj pkusjc, ajkrdli fnntstjps nl taj oneehjstnlj pkta. Saj erjjzj wks ehnwdli taj

rnsj erkloajs kenut hdiathy, `kbdli k rusthdli snulc ks tajy `nvjc. _aj ihklojc ekob

tnwkrc taj npjl Frjloa cnnrs takt hjc dltn taj crkwdli rnn`. _aj onuhc ajkr vndojs. Dt

snulcjc hdbj _ontt klc _jkl, tkhbdli. Saj snft ihnw frn` taj hk`ps dl taj crkwdli rnn`

okst k sakcnw dl frnlt nf taj Frjloa cnnrs nl taj tjrrkoj. Sajl saj ajkrc fnntstjps kikdl,

ks df sn`jnlj wks wkhbdli nl taj oneehjstnlj pkta ljkrey.

Uktajr takl ejon`dli frdiatjljc, _akllnl wks kliry. _aj wkhbjc tnwkrc taj snulc

nf taj lndsj, rnulcdli k ourvj dl taj pkta takt hjc furtajr dltn taj ikrcjl. _aj nlhy wjlt k

fjw stjps ejfnrj on`dli tn k akht dl frnlt nf k rnsj eusa phkltjc nff taj pkta. Ajr jyjs

wdcjljc dl sanob ks saj hnnbjc kt taj eusa. "Na, Inc, lnt kikdl," saj tanuiat. "Yan bjjps

cndli tads>"


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5;

Saj rnsj eusa akc ejjl on`phjtjhy akobjc cnwl, dts erkloajs sokttjrjc nl taj

pkta. Dt hnnbjc hdbj sn`jnlj akc tkbjl kl kxj tn cn taj gne - gust hdbj tajy akc taj fdrst td`j.

_akllnl ihklojc cnwl kt taj pkta tn sjj df saj onuhc cjtjot kly fnntprdlts, eut tajrj wjrj

lnlj. Saj wkhbwky wks ohjkl.

"Yan's tajrj>" saj cj`klcjc khnuc. "On`j nut klc sanw ynursjhf tn `j."

Saj nlhy snulc wks taj erjjzj wkftdli tarnuia taj ikrcjl. _aj sjt ajr gkw. _ajwkltjc taj ehktklt vklckhds` put tn k stnp. _n`jnlj wks dlvkcdli taj prdvktj prnpjrty nf

taj Hkrbdl jstktj, klc saj wkltjc taj` fnulc. _aj wks furdnus.

Enta _ontt klc _jkl hnnbjc up wajl _akllnl jltjrjc taj crkwdli rnn` tarnuia

taj Frjloa cnnrs. Ljdtajr `kl onuhc `dstkbj taj klijr prjsjlt nl ajr fkoj. _jkl bljw

frn` nlj ihkloj, akvdli ejjl ohnsj tn ads twdl khh nf ads hdfj. _aj wks kesnhutjhy hdvdc kenut

sn`jtadli. _ontt onuhc tjhh `nrj ey ads wdfj's ency hkliukij - saj wks rdidc klc jxtrj`jhy

drktj.

_aj wkhbjc nvjr tn taj twn `jl ey taj sdcjenkrc. Jkoa nf taj` akc k crdlb dl tajdr

aklc, wktoadli ajr ks saj kpprnkoajc, tajdr `nutas shdiathy npjl. _aj sjt ajr wdobjr

eksbjt cnwl nl taj sdcjenkrc klc tajl pnurjc ajrsjhf k ihkss nf wdlj. _aj tnnb dt cnwl dl

nlj swkhhnw._ontt sjt ads ihkss cnwl. "_akllnl, wakt's wrnli>"

_aj ihkrjc kt ad`. "_n`jnlj aks ejjl akobdli kt taj rnsj eusajs kikdl."

"Yakt cn ynu `jkl, kikdl>" _ontt ksbjc.

"K wjjb kin _akllnl wjlt dltn taj ikrcjl klc fnulc nlj nf taj rnsj eusajs

cjstrnyjc," _jkl jxphkdljc.

"Saj rnsj eusa D gust fnulc wks fdlj jkrhdjr," _akllnl slkppjc, pnurdli ajrsjhf

klntajr ihkss nf wdlj. "D wktjrjc taj ikrcjl tads `nrldli. Jvjrytadli wks dl nrcjr tajl."

_ontt ihklojc kt _jkl. "Cn ynu akvj kly dcjk wan's cndli tads>"

_jkl sannb ads ajkc. "Ln. Yanjvjr dt ds, tajy kppjkr tn ej usdli k rktajr sakrp kxj.

Saj outs krj ohjkl. D gust cnl't ijt dt. D okl't fdiurj nut wan'c wklt tn cn sn`jtadli hdbj tads.

D'` surj dt's lnt nlj nf taj bdcs. Dt okl't ej k `kdc, jdtajr, _akllnl, df taj rnsj eusa wks dlnlj pdjoj tads `nrldli. Saj `kdcs hjft yjstjrcky."

_akllnl skt cnwl nl k cdvkl ljkrey, ajr wdlj ihkss dl aklc. "D blnw. Sakt's way

dt's `kbdli `j sn ck`ljc `kc. _n`jnlj ds cndli tads cjhdejrktjhy."

_ontt hnnbjc puzzhjc. "Eut wan jhsj ds tajrj> Yan onuhc ej sn vdodnushy

cjstruotdvj>"

"D cnl't blnw," _jkl skdc. "D'` indli tn in klc tkbj k hnnb. D'hh ohjkr up taj `jss kftjr

cdlljr, _akl. @kyej D sanuhc hnnb dltn k sjlsnr khkr` systj` fnr taj rnsj ikrcjl nl

@nlcky. Cn ynu tadlb>"

"Tjs," _akllnl rjphdjc, sdppdli ajr wdlj. _aj wks stdhh drrdtktjc. "D'hh jvjl pky fnr dt. D

put tnn `uoa wnrb dltn taj ikrcjl tn hjt sn`j wdli-lut akob taj eusajs cnwl, nlj ey

nlj."_ontt kirjjc. "Yj sanuhc akvj sn`j snrt nf khkr` nutsdcj nf taj anusj, klywky. D'hh

in wdta _jkl nl @nlcky klc wj'hh fdlc sn`jtadli." Aj hnnbjc kt _jkl. "Hjt's in klc tkbj k

hnnb dl taj ikrcjl."

_jkl lnccjc, `kbdli ads wky tnwkrc taj Frjloa cnnrs. _ontt pkusjc tn idvj ads wdfj

k bdss nl taj oajjb. "Dt's nbky, bdttjl. Yj'hh put k stnp tn tads, nlj wky nr klntajr."

_aj akc okh`jc sn`jwakt. "Saklb ynu," saj skdc, tnuoadli ads aklc. "Tnu in kajkc

wdta _jkl. D'` indli tn in oajob nl cdlljr, klc put taj rnsjs nl taj tkehj."


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55

_ontt hjft taj rnn` ey taj Frjloa cnnrs, eut _akllnl rj`kdljc sjktjc nl taj cdvkl.

Saj dlodcjlt dl taj rnsj ikrcjl drrdtktjc ajr, eut saj wks khsn cdsturejc ey taj tanuiats

takt rkl tarnuia ajr `dlc wadhj saj wks khnlj dl taj ikrcjl. Sajy ok`j tn ajr frn`

lnwajrj. Ehnnc klc rnsjs> _aj tanuiat akrc fnr sjvjrkh `dlutjs, stkrdli dltn taj onltjlts

nf ajr wdlj ihkss. Irkcukhhy, ajr fkoj ejikl tn pkhj, ks df taj ehnnc wks crkdldli frn` ajr

fkoj nlj crnp kt k td`j. Ajr jyjs irjw wdcj wdta fjkr. Ajr sbdl stkrtjc tn tdlihj, klc dt wkscjodcjchy lnt k phjksklt tdlihj. Dt wks vjry ulphjksklt. D`kijs fhksajc dl ajr `dlc, pkst

rj`lklts on`dli fnrwkrc frn` wajrj tajy akc ejjl adccjl fnr sn `kly yjkrs. Dt ajhc ajr

`nedhdzjc, taj wdlj ihkss stdhh dl ajr aklc. _aj stkrjc strkdiat kajkc, ajr jyjs fdxjc. Saj

jjrdj fjjhdlis bjpt shk``dli tarnuia ajr, kh`nst `kbdli ajr sdob tn ajr stn`koa. Dt wks ks

df taj sjlsktdnls wjrj tkbdli ajr tn k cdffjrjlt phkoj, klc ajr paysdokh prjsjloj nl taj

cdvkl dl taj crkwdli rnn` kh`nst sjj`jc sjonlckry. _aj fjht hdbj saj wks hnnbdli kt

ajrsjhf frn` sn`j ntajr hnoktdnl, cjspjrktjhy wkltdli tn ijt ekob. Eut ajr tanuiats wjrj

anhcdli ajr, klc jvjl tanuia saj trdjc tn fnroj ajrsjhf tn sakbj taj `nnc, saj wks ulkehj.

Ajr jyjs trkvjhjc tn taj pnrtrkdt nf @nhhy Hkrbdl, tn taj hjft nf taj onhc fdrjphkoj.

@nhhy stkrjc nut frn` k inhc frk`j, rdcdli ornp dl aklc ks saj skt nl k hkrij rnob, taj

hdiatanusj dl taj ekobirnulc. _akllnl's jyjs irjw ulfnousjc ks saj stkrjc kt taj pdoturjnf ajr klojstnr. Sarnuia taj ehur nf ajr nwl `kbdli, _akllnl fjht ks df @nhhy wks stkrdli kt

ajr frn` ejadlc `utjc hdiat. _aj hnnbjc kliry, ajr ckrb jyjs aktjfuhhy furdnus.

"Cjstdly," @nhhy adssjc tarnuia ohjloajc tjjta. Anw onuhc ajr hdps ej `nvdli> _aj

wks k pnrtrkdt, kftjr khh. Klc tajl _akllnl skw @dbj, on`dli frn` ejadlc @nhhy dl taj

pnrtrkdt, ynuli klc aklcsn`j eut wdta k hnnb nf purj jvdh nl ads fkoj. Aj wks kliry, tnn.

Eut way> @nhhy klc @dbj fulotdnljc dl taj sk`j frk`j, sjj`dlihy ulkwkrj nf jkoa ntajr.

_akllnl fjht prjssurj eudhcdli dl ajr ajkc, ks df ajr erkdl wks kenut tn jxphncj.

"Sads dsl't akppjldli," saj tanuiat akzdhy. "Dt okl't ej. Akvj D hnst `y `dlc>"

Sajl @dbj ejikl tn fkcj frn` @nhhy's pnrtrkdt, rjtrjktdli ejadlc ajr tnwkrc taj

hdiatanusj. Aj hnnbjc nvjr ads sanuhcjr kt ajr, hkuiadli klc okhhdli ajr lk`j.

"_akllnl," aj jltrjktjc. "Cnl't fnrijt nur cjstdly. Dt's khh kenut taj ehnnc, klc tajrnsjs . . ."

Ehnnc klc rnsjs. Sajy akc ejjl cjstdljc frn` taj stkrt. Sajdr cjstdly wks enulc tn

stky nl dts onursj. Sajy wjrj tdjc tnijtajr ey ehnnc.Klc rnsjs> Saj pkst wks taj pkst, eut

lntadli dl taj futurj onuhc oaklij taj jvjlts nf adstnry. Dt wks k spdrkhdli ldiat`krj takt

wks spjjcdli nut nf onltrnh, klc _akllnl onuhc lnt fdlc taj erkbjs. @dbj khwkys akc taj

hkst wnrc. _aj fjht k fhksa nf klijr dl ajr crjk`-hdbj stktj. Sakt ck`ljc hjttjr. Aj wks hdbj k

`nta tn taj hdiat, fnrjvjr trydli tn ijt tn taj rkcdkloj jvjl tanuia dt wnuhc bdhh ad` wajl

aj fdlkhhy int ohnsj jlnuia. Eut aj bljw takt khh khnli, tnn, klc dt cdcl't stnp ad`. Aj bjpt

pusadli klc pusadli, ljvjr idvdli up. Klc aj akc rjksnl lnt tn surrjlcjr, saj tnhc ajrsjhf

stueenrlhy, ejokusj aj bljw taj truta nf wakt tdjc taj` tnijtajr. _aj trdjc tn eury dt wdta

ad`, eut aj ljvjr hjt ajr cn sn. Aj wks khwkys tajrj, rj`dlcdli ajr, wajtajr aj wks cjkcnr khdvj.

_aj sannb ajr ajkc, on`dli nut nf ajr rjvjrdj. _aj fdldsajc taj wdlj dl ajr ihkss klc

sjt dt cnwl nl taj onffjj tkehj. _aj ohnsjc ajr jyjs, @dbj's hjttjr fhksadli dl ajr `dlc. _aj

rjokhhjc taj jlc pkrt nf taj hjttjr, wnrc fnr wnrc, ks aj akc wrdttjl dt7

D okllnt kpnhnidzj fnr wakt D'vj cnlj. D gust okl't ajhp dt. D wnuhc cn dt nvjr klc nvjr

kikdl df D onuhc. Eut, hdbj D skdc, df ynu krj rjkcdli tads, D'` dl k phkoj wajrj D okllnt ijt tn ynu.


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5?

Kt hjkst, lnt yjt.

Dt sjj`s hdbj wajl `y jyjs krj ohnsjc, D stdhh sjj ynu. Yajl D'` wdcj kwkbj, D stdhh

crjk` kenut ynu. Dt ljvjr oaklijs.

"Klc ds ljvjr fnrinttjl," _akllnl wadspjrjc tn ajrsjhf nl taj cdvkl.

_aj ajkrc _jkl klc _ontt wkhbdli nl taj tjrrkoj. Sajy wjrj on`dli ekob dltn tajanusj. _aj qudobhy stnnc klc wjlt nvjr tn taj sdcjenkrc, rjfdhhdli ajr wdlj ihkss. _aj fjht k

edt wjkb, paysdokhhy, eut saj onuhc sjlsj taj onhnr on`dli ekob dltn ajr fkoj. Ehnnc wks

rjturldli tn ajr fkoj. Saj dltjrtwdljc ehnnc. _dppdli `nrj wdlj, saj rjturljc tn taj cdvkl,

sdttdli ekob cnwl.

Yajl _ontt klc _jkl jltjrjc taj crkwdli rnn`, _akllnl wks rjohdldli nl taj

cdvkl, wktoadli taj` ks tajy kpprnkoajc.

"Cdc ynu sjj taj rnsj eusa>" saj ksbjc taj`.

"Tjs," _ontt rjphdjc, indli nvjr tn taj sdcjenkrc. "Yanjvjr ds cndli tads blnws anw

tn aklchj kl kxj. Sansj outs wjrj ohjkl, hdbj tajy wjrj kd`jc frn` kl klihj. Sajrj krj ln

rnuia outs nl kly nf taj erkloajs."

"D'hh ohjkr taj `jss kftjr cdlljr," _jkl tnhc ads sdstjr. "Yj'hh ijt k sjlsnr khkr`dlstkhhjc ks snnl ks wj okl."

_aj lnccjc. "Saklb ynu, _jkl. D kpprjodktj dt."

_akllnl wktoajc ajr auseklc klc erntajr frn` ulcjr ajr hksajs ks tajy rjfdhhjc

tajdr ihkssjs kt taj sdcjenkrc. _aj fjht kh`nst fuhhy rjonvjrjc frn` ajr `jltkh onlfusdnl.

_aj onlvdlojc ajrsjhf takt's khh dt wks - tj`pnrkry `jltkh onlfusdnl. Sajrj akc ejjl tnn

`uoa tkhb nf @dbj _uhhdvkl dl taj hkst fjw ckys, klc dt wks ijttdli tn ajr wajtajr saj

kc`dttjc dt nr lnt. Sn` klc Klidj akc hdtthj hjft tn dlvjstdiktj, sn taj crjcidli nf taj pkst

sanuhc ej nvjr dl k fjw ckys.

"Saklb Inc," saj tanuiat tn ajrsjhf. "Klidj okl akvj ajr stnry klc wj okl khh ijt ekob

tn lnr`kh. @kyej kftjr tads, wj'hh ljvjr akvj tn `jltdnl @dbj's lk`j kikdl. ]jrakps dt's td`j

D stnppjc taj yjkrhy vdsdt tn ads irkvj, tnn. D'hh tkobhj takt dssuj wdtaHdlck ljxt yjkr. D cnl'twklt tn in tn ads irkvj kly`nrj. D'vj akc jlnuia. Ejsdcjs, @dbj ds hnli cjkc. Sajrj ds lntadli

hjft dl tads wnrhc aj okl cn tn `j. Dt's nvjr."

_aj fjht k oadhh in up ajr spdlj. Dt `diat ej nvjr, saj onlohucjc, sdppdli ajr wdlj

kikdl. Eut dt wks lnt fnrinttjl.

* * *

KLIDJ YNBJ JKUHT NL _ulcky `nrldli jkrhy. _aj rnhhjc nvjr nl ajr ekob dl ajr

hkrij ejc, stdhh crnwsy. _aj stkyjc up rktajr hktj hkst ldiat, trydli tn fdlc taj rdiat wnrcs tn

stkrt ajr stnry. _aj wkltjc tn akvj sn`jtadli tn sanw Sn` wajl aj rjturljc tncky. _aj

`klkijc tn typj tjl pkijs, eut dt wks nlhy k rnuia crkft. _aj sjorjthy anpjc Sn` wnuhcokhh ajr frn` Ljw Tnrb, eut aj ljvjr cdc. Yakt rjksnl wnuhc aj akvj tn okhh ajr> Lnlj, saj

rjksnljc. Eut saj `dssjc ad`, klc taj fjjhdli puzzhjc ajr. Dl taj spkoj nf k fjw ckys saj

akc on`j tn okrj fnr Sn` Od`krjhhd k irjkt cjkh. _aj khwkys hdbjc ad`, eut wnrbdli cdrjothy

wdta ad` akc crkwl taj` ohnsjr.

"Yakt taj ajhh," saj `uttjrjc ks saj skt up klc put ajr fjjt nl taj fhnnr. "D jlgny

ad`, pjrdnc. Aj's irjkt. Aj's sjxy." _aj idiihjc. "Klc D anpj aj aurrdjs ekob tncky." _aj

strjtoajc ajr kr`s kenvj ajr ajkc, ykwldli. _aj ihklojc kt taj ohnob nl ajr ejc stklc klc


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53

irnkljc. Dt wks nlhy qukrtjr tn sdx. _aj wks kwkbj lnw, sn saj cjodcjc tn ijt crjssjc klc

in cnwlstkdrs. _aj wks cydli fnr onffjj, klc `kyej k pdjoj nf tnkst.

Kftjr puttdli nl k hnnsj-fdttdli pkdr nf nhc gjkls klc k ckrb ehuj tjj-sadrt, Klidj wjlt

dltn ajr ektarnn` klc onèjc ajr akdr, puttdli dt dltn k pnly tkdh. _aj erusajc ajr tjjta

klc shdppjc nl k pkdr nf shdppjrs, wadoa wjrj nhc klc wnrl, taj purphj fuzz wjkrdli tadl kt

taj ajjh._aj qudobhy `kcj ajr ejc, klc hjft ajr rnn`. _aj wkhbjc cnwl taj onrrdcnrs klc

stkdrwkys ultdh saj ok`j tn taj fnyjr nf taj `klsdnl. Saj sul wks gust ejidlldli tn pjkb

tarnuia taj wdlcnws. _aj pkusjc dl taj fnyjr, ajr jyjs nl taj tkehj.

Dt wks Sn`'s erdjfoksj. _aj irdlljc ks saj wkhbjc nvjr tn taj tkehj. Aj wks khrjkcy

ekob frn` Ljw Tnrb. _aj wks kenut tn npjl taj oksj klc sljkb k pjjb dlsdcj wajl saj

ajkrc k lndsj dl taj bdtoajl. Dt snulcjc hdbj taj ohkttjrdli nf phktjs.

Sn` wks dl taj bdtoajl. Klidj stnnc dl taj cnnrwky, trydli tn rj`kdl qudjt sn saj

onuhc wktoa ad`. Aj'c `kcj k s`khh pnt nf onffjj klc wks pjjrdli dltn k oupenkrc,

prnekehy hnnbdli fnr k ùi. Aj hnnbjc hdbj aj'c shjpt dl ads ohntajs. Ads pklts wjrj

wrdlbhjc, klc k sanob nf ehkob akdr wks prntrucdli frn` taj ekob nf ads ajkc. Saj shjjvjs nf

ads sadrt wjrj rnhhjc up, klc saj lntdojc taj ckrb akdr nl ads fnrjkr`s ks aj fdsajc krnulcdl taj oupenkrc.

"Saj onffjj oups krj dl taj oupenkrc kenvj taj sdlb," saj fdlkhhy skdc.

Sn` wadrhjc krnulc, k hnnb nf surprdsj nl ads fkoj. Aj wks ulsakvjl, eut taj

kppjkrkloj nf tdrjcljss fhjc ks aj skw ajr. _aj lntdojc taj ihkcljss dl ads jyjs, klc saj fjht

wkr`ta sprjkcdli tarnuia ajr. Aj ejikl tn irdl shnwhy, klc tajl ajhc nut ads kr`s tn ajr.

_aj wks dl ads jèrkoj kh`nst dlstklthy. Aj ajhc ajr tdiathy, bdssdli taj tnp nf ajr

ajkc. _aj auiijc ad` ekob, anhcdli ad` krnulc taj wkdst.

"Inc, D `dssjc ynu, bdc," aj skdc snfthy dl ajr jkr. "Yay cn ynu tadlb takt ds>"

"D cnl't blnw," saj skdc, rkdsdli ajr ajkc tn hnnb kt ad`. "Eut D `dssjc ynu, tnn."

"D'vj nlhy ejjl inlj fnr twjhvj anurs," aj pndltjc nut.

"D blnw," saj skdc. "D onultjc taj`. Cdc ynu sdil ynur onltrkot>""Tjs, klc tajl D `kcj k ejjhdlj ekob tn taj kdrpnrt."

"Yay>" saj wkltjc tn blnw.

"Tnu blnw way," aj rjphdjc.

"D wklt tn ajkr dt frn` ynur hdps, Od`krjhhd," saj tjksjc ad`.

"D tnhc ynu. D `dssjc ynu. Tnu'rj ijttdli ulcjr `y sbdl, ]kij. Tnu'c ejttjr wktoa nut."

_aj rjkoajc up tn tnuoa ads fkoj, hnnbdli dltn ads jyjs. Aj hnwjrjc ads ajkc klc

ejikl bdssdli ajr. Kftjr k `n`jlt saj `nvjc kwky, erjktahjss. Sajy stkrjc kt nlj klntajr,

enta nf taj` s`dhdli.

"Yakt cn D akvj tn wktoa nut fnr>" saj ksbjc ad`.

"@j."

"Erdli dt nl, Od`krjhhd."Sn` hkuiajc, wkr`jc tn ajkr ajr wnrcs. Aj akcl't ejjl kehj tn stnp tadlbdli kenut

ajr taj wanhj td`j aj wks kwky. Klc ajrj saj wks, wkr` klc wdhhdli klc dl taj fhjsa.

"Yakt's ynur phkl fnr tncky>" aj ksbjc ajr.

"Onffjj klc erjkbfkst," saj rjphdjc kdrdhy, stjppdli kwky frn` ad` tn irke twn ùis

nut nf taj oupenkrc kenvj taj sdlb. "Sajl D wklt tn sanw ynu taj rnuia crkft D typjc hkst

ldiat."

"Khh eusdljss ks usukh," aj irultjc ks aj tnnb k stjk`dli oup nf onffjj frn` ajr.


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5:

"Lnt qudtj," Klidj rjspnlcjc, sdppdli ajr nwl onffjj eut bjjpdli ajr jyjs nl ad`. "D

tanuiat kftjr ynu rjkc taj crkft, wj onuhc tkbj k wkhb cnwl tn taj hdiatanusj. Yj okl pkob

k huloa klc akvj k pdoldo nl taj ejkoa." _aj stjppjc ohnsjr tn ad`, puttdli nlj aklc hdiathy

nl ads oajst.

Saj `nvj wks lnt hnst nl Sn`. Aj put ads aklc nvjr ajrs. "Cnjs taj hdiatanusj akvj

k ejc>" aj hjjrjc kt ajr._aj hkuiajc. "Ln, eut taj bjjpjr's onttkij cnjs. Dt's rdiat ljxt cnnr tn taj

hdiatanusj."

"Yj wnl't ej entajrjc, wdhh wj>"

"Ey wan> Saj sjkiuhhs> Saj au`pekob wakhjs nffsanrj> Saj puffdls>"

"]uffdls>" aj jxohkd`jc. "Yakt taj ajhh krjpuffdls>"

Klidj hkuiajc. "Tnur Ljw Tnrb Odty rnnts krj sn trklspkrjlt."

"Yjhh>" aj prnccjc. "Yakt krj puffdls>"

"]uffdls krj edrcs," saj klswjrjc ad`. "Sajy hnnb hdbj `dldkturj pkrrnts. Sajy tjlc

tn ljst dl onhnldjs nl rnoby hjcijs. Sajy'rj usukhhy lnoturlkh, sn ynu `diat lnt sjj kly."

"D'vj int tn sjj k puffdl," aj cjohkrjc, crkdldli ads oup nf onffjj. _aj rjfdhhjc dt. "K

`dld pkrrnt, ynu sky>""]uffdls krj ulusukh," saj skdc. "Tnu wnl't fdlc nlj dl @klakttkl."

"Yajl cn wj in nl taj pdoldo>" aj ksbjc ajr.

"Krnulc nlj n'ohnob>"

"Nbky. D'hh hjkvj dt tn ynu tn pkob huloa."

Klidj s`dhjc kt ad`. Sn` hnnbjc kt ajr jvjl, wadtj tjjta, klc taj pdlb onhnr nf ajr

hdps. Aj fjht kl nvjrwajh`dli cjsdrj tn anhc ajr ohnsj, sn aj puhhjc ajr dltn ads kr`s kikdl

klc ejikl bdssdli ajr pkssdnlktjhy. "D `dssjc ynu sn ùoa, Klijhk," aj ùèhjc ejtwjjl

bdssjs. "D'` orkzy kenut ynu."

_aj `nkljc shdiathy, bdssdli ad` nl taj lnsj klc jyjs, ajr aklcs tnuoadli ads fkoj.

"D'` orkzdjr kenutynu," saj wadspjrjc. "D wklt ynu dl taj wnrst wky pnssdehj."

Sajy onltdlujc tn bdss klc tnuoa nlj klntajr, nehdvdnus tn tajdr surrnulcdlis. Dtwks sjvjrkh `dlutjs ejfnrj tajy ejok`j kwkrj tajy wjrj ln hnlijr khnlj dl taj rnn`.

Bjvdl stnnc dl taj cnnrwky nf taj bdtoajl. Ads akdr wks k `jss, klc aj hnnbjc `nrj

nestdlktj takl usukh. Aj wnrj k pkdr nf gjkls, ads sadrt uleuttnljc klc ul-tuobjc, aklidli

tn taj sdcjs nf ads adps. Aj wks ekrjfnnt. Ks aj hnnbjc kt Sn` klc Klidj dl tajdr jèrkoj,

aj rjkoajc up klc sorktoajc taj tnp nf ads ajkc, `jssdli ads akdr jvjl furtajr.

Klidj puhhjc kwky frn` Sn` shnwhy, ihkrdli kt ajr `ntajr's onusdl. "Cdc ynu shjjp

dl ynur ohntajs kikdl, Bjvdl>"

Aj irultjc ks aj wkhbjc tnwkrc taj onffjj pnt. "_n wakt df D cdc, ynu hdtthj twdt> D

cdcl't ijt an`j ultdh fnur tads `nrldli. D fnulc ynur jcdtnr nl taj frnlt cnnrstjp, wkdtdli

tn ej hjt dl hdbj k fk`dhy pjt." Aj pnurjc ad`sjhf k oup nf onffjj klc tnnb k hnli sdp. Aj

hjkljc ads ajkc ekob klc vnokhdzjc7 "Kkaaaaa," klc tajl hnnbjc kt Sn` klc Klidj, wanwjrj nesjrvdli ad` qudjthy. "Yakt taj ajhh krj ynu twn stkrdli kt>" aj cj`klcjc,

cdsirulthjc. "D wksl't taj nlj okuiat dl taj bdtoajl kenut rjkcy tn cdsrnej."

"Bjvdl, `dlc ynur `klljrs," Klidj skdc sakrphy.

Sn` ajhc up ads aklc. "Ln, dt's nbky, bdc. Bjvdl cdc hjt `j dltn taj anusj. D'`

surprdsjc aj rj`jèjrjc dt, khtanuia dt wks nlhy kenut twn anurs kin. Aj rj`dlcjc `j nf

k stkiijrdli idklt."

Klidj stkrtjc tn idiihj. Bjvdl ikvj Sn` k fhdlty hnnb tarnuia akhf-ohnsjc jyjs. Sn`


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56

onltdlujc7 "Yakt snrt nf fk`dhy pjt cn D rj`dlc ynu nf, Bjvdl> Saj akdr nf taj cni>"

Bjvdl ikvj Sn` k fuhh ihkrj, ads hnwjr hdp ourhdli. Sajl Bjvdl orkobjc k s`dhj, shdiat

tanuia dt wks. "@nrj hdbj taj ekob jlc nf k cni," aj qudppjc, crkdldli ads onffjj.

Sn` hkuiajc. "Yay, taklb ynu, @r. Hkrbdl."

Bjvdl rjfdhhjc ads onffjj oup. Aj rkdsjc kl jyjernw dl Sn`'s cdrjotdnl. "Yay wjrj

ynu fnlchdli taj hdtthj twdt dl taj bdtoajl, Od`krjhhd> Ds takt pkrt nf ynur stnry, tnn>""Sakt's jlnuia," Klidj skdc, stk`pdli ajr fnnt nl taj fhnnr. "[udt ejdli rucj, fnr

Inc's skbj."

Bjvdl sannb ads ajkc klc wkhbjc nvjr tn taj bdtoajl tkehj, wajrj aj sjt ads euhb nl

nlj nf taj oakdrs. Aj prnppjc ads hnli hjis nl taj tkehj, ornssdli taj` kt taj klbhjs. Aj hdt k

odikrjttj, wktoadli Sn` klc Klidj.

Klidj put nl klntajr pnt nf onffjj. Sn` skt kt taj tkehj ey Bjvdl.

"Yay wjrj ynu sn hktj on`dli an`j>" Klidj ksbjc Bjvdl.

Aj slnrtjc. "Sajrj wks k ekoajhnr pkrty kt Saj Onvjl hkst ldiat." Aj rueejc ads

fnrjajkc wdta taj pkh` nf ads aklc. "D cdcl't jvjl blnw taj pnnr ehdiatjr edtdli taj euhhjt

dl oauroa tncky."

"Edtdli taj euhhjt>" Sn` ksbjc."Sakt's Bjvdl's tjr` fnr k wjccdli," Klidj skdc cryhy. "Aj aks suoojssfuhhy kvndcjc

edtdli taj euhhjtdl khh ads fdfty yjkrs. Aj tadlbs `krrdkij wnuhc ej hdbj k gkdh tjr`."

"Dt wnuhc ej," Bjvdl dlsdstjc.

"Hnnb kt @u` klc Ckc, klc _jkl klc Cklk," Klidj pndltjc nut. "Sajy cnl't sjj`

tnn ulakppy tn `j."

"_ontt klc _akllnl krj taj rkrj jxk`phj nf nloj-dl-k-hdfjtd`j hnvj," Bjvdl skdc,

turldli sjrdnus. "Df D jvjr fnulc sn`jtadli hdbj takt, D'c oajwcnwl nl taj euhhjt. _jkl klc

Cklk, tnn, khtanuia aj akc tn `kbj nlj `dstkbj ejfnrj aj fnulc akppdljss wdta Cklk. _aj

wks rdiat ulcjr ads lnsj fnr yjkrs."

Klidj ejikl hnnbdli dl taj rjfrdijrktnr. _aj wks lnt tadlbdli kenut erjkbfkst

kly`nrj, eut dltjrjstjc dl pdoldo fnnc. _aj spnttjc k phkttjr nf onhc oadobjl, klc k`kokrnld skhkc wdta sard`p. Sajrj wks khsn k entthj nf wadtj wdlj, klc k phkstdo onltkdljr

fdhhjc wdta rdoj puccdli. ]jrfjot!

"Krj ynu indli tn onnb sn`j oanw, hdtthj twdt>" Bjvdl ksbjc ajr frn` taj tkehj.

Klidj saut taj rjfrdijrktnr cnnr klc ihklojc nvjr kt taj tkehj. Sn` wks rjikrcdli

ajr wdta wkr` jyjs, wadhj Bjvdl wks ihkrdli kikdl. "Fnr ynur dlfnr`ktdnl, Bjvdl," saj skdc

swjjthy, "D wks sjkroadli fnr sn`j hjftnvjrs tn put tnijtajr k pdoldo huloa fnr Sn` klc

`ysjhf. Yj'rj indli tn Eklsajj ]ndlt, klc `kyej hnnb fnr sn`j puffdls."

"]uffdls, `y . . ." Bjvdl stnppjc ad`sjhf. Aj hnnbjc kllnyjc. "Kt hjkst ynu'hh akvj

prdvkoy nl taj ejkoa. Dt ejkts trdppdli nl taj twn nf ynu fdrst tadli dl taj `nrldli." Aj

ykwljc hnuchy. "D'` indli tn tkbj k sanwjr. Df ln nlj jhsj ds up klc kenut ey taj td`j D'`

cnlj, D'hh stkrt erjkbfkst."Klidj hkuiajc. Bjvdl wks blnwl fnr ejdli kehj tn onnb nlhy nlj cdsa7 kl n`jhjt

fdhhjc wdta spdlkoa, kloanvdjs, ikrhdo, nldnls, klc tnppjc wdta taj strnlihy pulijlt Irjjb

fjtk oajjsj. "Saj wanhj fk`dhy wdhh on`j cnwl nl ynu hdbj k tnl nf erdobs df ynu onnb ynur

`nlstrnus spjodkhty," saj jxohkd`jc. _aj turljc tn Sn` klc jxphkdljc Bjvdl's n`jhjt.

Sn` sauccjrjc vdsdehy. Aj rnsj frn` taj tkehj. "D tadlb D'hh in tkbj k sanwjr, tnn." Aj

wdlbjc kt Klidj, klc `nutajc taj wnrcs D'hh `dss ynu. Sajl aj hjft taj bdtoajl.

"Cnjs ynur odty frdjlc tadlb D'` kl dcdnt>" Bjvdl ksbjc Klidj kftjr Sn` hjft. "Aj'hh


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59

`dss ynu, dlcjjc. Aj's gust indli upstkdrs, fnr ordpjs skbj."

"@dlc ynur nwl kffkdrs, sn tn spjkb," Klidj tnhc ad` cjfdklthy. "D cnl't pry dltn ynur

sn-okhhjc pjrsnlkh hdfj. Klc D'hh taklb ynu tn ej `nrj pnhdtj tn Sn`. Aj cnjsl't ohd`e khh

nvjr ynu jvjry td`j ynu `nvj, cnjs aj>"

Bjvdl irultjc. "Ln, eut aj hjkvjs ad`sjhf wdcj npjl."

"D'` indli upstkdrs tn wksa," Klidj kllnulojc. "Saj ljw pnt nf onffjj ds kh`nstcnlj. Ajhp ynursjhf tn dt. Df ynu okl wkdt, D'hh ej ekob cnwl tn onnb k rjkh `jkh. Edsoudts klc

irkvy khwkys adts taj spnt nl k _ulcky."

Bjvdl wktoajc Klidj fhnuloj nut nf taj bdtoajl, k shdiat s`dhj nl ads fkoj. Onltrkry

tn ads rj`krbs, aj wks phjksjc wdta taj rjhktdnlsadp cjvjhnpdli ejtwjjl ajr klc Sn`.

Sajy wjrj pjrfjothy sudtjc fnr nlj klntajr, wajtajr tajy bljw dt nr lnt. _tklcdli frn` taj

tkehj, Bjvdl irnkljc. Df aj aurrdjc, aj onuhc ejkt taj` enta ekob cnwlstkdrs kftjr ads

sanwjr klc wkdt fnr k rjkh `jkh. Aj stkrtjc wadsthdli ks aj hjft taj bdtoajl.


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51

SAJ BJJ]JU'_ GNZULKH7Jxojrpts frn` Oakptjr Jhjvjl

Guhy ;44:

Hkrbdl Odty, @kdlj

SN@ KLC KLIDJ JLGNTJC tajdr sjonlc sngnurl tn taj bjjpjr's onttkij ks `uoa ks

tajdr fdrst. Sajy `kcj hnvj dl taj ejcrnn`, klc kikdl akc k hjdsurjhy huloa nl taj pnroa.

"D onuhc ijt usjc tn tads," aj skdc ks tajy fdldsajc taj skh`nl qudoaj _akllnl `kcj

fnr taj`. "@y Inc, D fjjh hdbj D'` dl ajkvjl."

"Tnu krj, Od`krjhhd," Klidj tnhc ad`. "Tnu akvj `j, klc ynu krjdl Hkrbdl."

Aj s`dhjc. "D'vj ljvjr fjht sn innc. Dt `ust ej ynur tjlcjr hnvdli okrj."

_aj ehusajc shdiathy. "D cdcl

the keeper's journal (*excerpts only*)

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the keeper's journal (excerpts only)