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Fantasy Fiction
Near Death
Near Death
Chapter 1:
Proem
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last.
Page 1:
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the e..."
Page 2: "Pietre grunted agreement. "Especially when they h..."
Page 3: "Recensio shrugged. "It went not at all well, but ..."
Page 4: ""Hmm?" his friend appeared to recover from a deep ..."
Page 5: ""I should not say this, and ordinarily would not s..."
Page 6: ""Ahhh," gloated Pietre, "Now I understand why you ..."
Page 7: ""Silvio of Venice."
"Silvio?" Pietre remem..."
Page 8: "Disbelieving, Pietre next asked, "How many have di..."
Page 9: ""As I said, two or three without question. Anothe..."
Page 10: ""Fifteen? It is an indecent sum for so slight a s..."
Page 11: "Recensio sighed and forced the purse into his frie..."
Page 12: "Recensio smiled broadly, and closed his eyes to sa..."
Page 13: ""Endril you may count upon for his stiff tongue, b..."
Page 14: ""This visit was too brief, Recensio. I often long..."
Page 15: ""Fare well, Pietre. And thank you. Thank you wit..."
Page 16: "He ducked inside a cobbler's den. Together, he an..."
Page 17: "The cobbler's son stepped back from the door and r..."
Page 18: ""Alive and breathing, as far as I can tell." The ..."
Page 19: "Just as he started along the muddy avenue again, h..."
Page 20: "-|-
Recensio's train was encamped near the ..."
Page 21: "The other, an eastern slave named Chu-Chi, added, ..."
Page 22: ""I? Sir, I am fit as a drum and ready to strike! ..."
Page 23: ""I am here, friend."
"Good friend. Here, I..."
Page 24: "He returned his attention to them, and watched how..."
Page 25: "Recensio nodded, and let the curtain fall. Return..."
Page 26: ""Stand fast, there!" called the man on the left si..."
Page 27: ""I must speak with Marcus."
"Marcus speaks ..."
Page 28: "The two men glared and relented unhappily. The fi..."
Page 29: ""What has happened to our contract? This train is..."
Page 30: ""Conduct your business and perish just the same, t..."
Page 31: ""What of Venice is new?"
"The churches are ..."
Page 32: "Fear soured the back of Recensio's tongue and boil..."
Page 33: ""I had intended to do so, Marcus, but with this tr..."
Page 34: "Recensio resigned himself to this truth with a ste..."
Page 35: ""You are deaf or slow witted, Recensio, though I n..."
Page 36: "As he darted past, Recensio gripped the boy's thin..."
Page 37: ""Half the camps are empty. Nobody answers when I ..."
Page 38: "Recensio sent the runner on his way, and watched h..."
Page 39: ""We'll be robbed!" gasped Orgelle, his best animal..."
Page 40: "Recensio shrugged, and began bundling his goods fo..."
Page 41: ""Yes, sir!" and the boy trotted away at once.
<..."
Page 42: "Vincente grimaced foully, and punched the younger ..."
Page 43: "He shuddered, and longed to be free of Genoa's cur..."
Page 44: "At any rate, they could not stay here. All the in..."
Page 45: ""You are come too late. This gate is closed."
..."
Page 46: "As Recensio turned his mount to follow, movement c..."
Page 47: ""We are- we are bound north to Cologne."
Th..."
Page 48: ""My friend, Silvio of Venice, has expired. I will..."
Page 49: "The captain returned his attention to Recensio, on..."
Page 50: "Recensio shrugged. "What choice do I have? Our t..."
Page 51: "The captain moved along the porch to find steps do..."
Page 52: ""By the time you attempt those high, snowy passes,..."
Page 53: "Though he could not understand why at the moment, ..."
Page 54: "So he and Vole left Chu-Chi and Carlo all but dead..."
Page 55: ""Bury me, boy, when I am dead. Bury me deep. But..."
Page 56: ""Where liberty dwells there is my country," repeat..."
Page 57: "If it is a fathomless sea, then this Earth is a gr..."
Page 58: "Rather, it scented the delicate currents that stir..."
Page 59: "It continued its forced search until it came acros..."
Page 60: "Before it could return to its earthly shelter, the..."
Page 61: "Many long minutes passed, and him stifled, cooling..."
Page 62: "She lay him down and would cover him, but he shout..."
Page 63: ""And have we no money to by more food?"
"Ye..."
Page 64: "Pausing there, he turned the tiny hovel to search ..."
Page 65: "Ariel was confused, and could not be certain what ..."
Page 66: ""I- I know not," he returned uncertainly. "Yet I ..."
Page 67: "She laughed playfully. "And I will be crowned for..."
Page 68: "Ariel stopped. For a time, he stood there, his bl..."
Page 69: "To which Ariel replied, "Where liberty dwells ther..."
Page 70: ""Because, master," returned the boy seriously, "I,..."
Page 71: ""Over here," enthused the youth, pulling them furt..."
Page 72: ""This turn in the climate may work to our favor," ..."
Page 73: "So this is where they went, all thought of Recensi..."
Page 74: "A large, heavily armed and armored man had entered..."
Page 75: ""Where is the trader?"
Ariel and Marie and ..."
Page 76: ""As is my own."
"Then it is you!" hissed th..."
Page 77: ""You know bloody well who I am," gushed the man bl..."
Page 78: ""No, Light, not lost. Wandering. Searching." Ze..."
Page 79: ""And you have doubtless learned nothing relevant."..."
Page 80: "Now his opposite fell into a sullen silence and mu..."
Page 81: ""What should I have learned, then, Wise Mentor? I..."
Page 82: ""More so than you could possibly imagine, teacher...."
Page 83: ""You? Saving lives?" doubted Ariel.
"To be..."
Page 84: "The captain grimaced and rolled his eyes, prepared..."
Page 85: ""I illustrate the folly of vanity. What has your ..."
Page 86: ""The things you have done are a lie, prospered onl..."
Page 87: "The Benighted One sneered through its human mask. ..."
Page 88: "Rather than accepting this as an insult, Zebulun g..."
Page 89: ""Better, why not? Fifty years or so past, I found..."
Page 90: ""As you may guess, I eventually grew bored with th..."
Page 91: ""To be sure, teacher," returned the Benighted One,..."
Page 92: ""This will not be, Shadow. You know better."
<..."
Page 93: ""Indeed, I will. I have. This fellow, this Zebul..."
Page 94: "Though Ariel longed to react violently, he relaxed..."
Page 95: ""While you are action before talk, executions unpl..."
Page 96: ""Madness? Nay, I am rationality! Your way is mad..."
Page 97: "Ariel shrugged, his confident smile fixed into pla..."
Page 98: "Ariel would not take the knife. Shaking his head,..."
Page 99: "The boy sat stirring coals in his fire pit, when a..."
Page 100: "Vole smiled and relaxed. "Master!" he gasped, ris..."
Page 101: ""We should be quick," returned the hulk, rubbing h..."
Page 102: ""Except, I could not keep your animals, master. T..."
Page 103: ""No, indeed, for it was quick thinking. It was th..."
Page 104: "Vole's face fell. "What do you mean, master?"
..."
Page 105: "Seven smiled and hugged Vole as a brother. "As yo..."
Page 106: ""He, sir?"
"The Venetian captain. Zebulun...."
Page 107: "October gave way to November, while they waited. ..."
Page 108: "Seven watched them pass, his eyes cautious on ever..."
Page 109: ""Dimitri will not hear of it!" whispered another w..."
Page 110: "Next came the dying woman. Even as Seven watched,..."
Page 111: ""I am called Gafri. What are you called?"
..."
Page 112: ""I am not a slave."
"Well and good, for nei..."
Page 113: ""Don't be so quick, Seven! Has this affliction no..."
Page 114: ""If you live that long."
The old man chuckl..."
Page 115: "Gafri shook his head and examined the records for ..."
Page 116: "Seven ignored the sarcasm. Since the old man woul..."
Page 117: ""Green on crimson, you say?" the old man's eyes br..."
Page 118: "Seven nodded, "Necessarily so, Vole. I would rath..."
Page 119: ""If something should happen to me, I will find you..."
Page 120: "Now the former slave turned his attention on the n..."
Page 121: "Mile upon mile of misery were devoured by his feet..."
Page 122: ""Yes, you! Hold, I say! The Lord of Turin comman..."
Page 123: "Seven shuddered at the black gape of their mouths ..."
Page 124: "He followed Vole's trail of rags for three days an..."
Page 125: "The world burned…
..."
Page 2: "Pietre grunted agreement. "Especially when they h..."
Page 3: "Recensio shrugged. "It went not at all well, but ..."
Page 4: ""Hmm?" his friend appeared to recover from a deep ..."
Page 5: ""I should not say this, and ordinarily would not s..."
Page 6: ""Ahhh," gloated Pietre, "Now I understand why you ..."
Page 7: ""Silvio of Venice."
"Silvio?" Pietre remem..."
Page 8: "Disbelieving, Pietre next asked, "How many have di..."
Page 9: ""As I said, two or three without question. Anothe..."
Page 10: ""Fifteen? It is an indecent sum for so slight a s..."
Page 11: "Recensio sighed and forced the purse into his frie..."
Page 12: "Recensio smiled broadly, and closed his eyes to sa..."
Page 13: ""Endril you may count upon for his stiff tongue, b..."
Page 14: ""This visit was too brief, Recensio. I often long..."
Page 15: ""Fare well, Pietre. And thank you. Thank you wit..."
Page 16: "He ducked inside a cobbler's den. Together, he an..."
Page 17: "The cobbler's son stepped back from the door and r..."
Page 18: ""Alive and breathing, as far as I can tell." The ..."
Page 19: "Just as he started along the muddy avenue again, h..."
Page 20: "-|-
Recensio's train was encamped near the ..."
Page 21: "The other, an eastern slave named Chu-Chi, added, ..."
Page 22: ""I? Sir, I am fit as a drum and ready to strike! ..."
Page 23: ""I am here, friend."
"Good friend. Here, I..."
Page 24: "He returned his attention to them, and watched how..."
Page 25: "Recensio nodded, and let the curtain fall. Return..."
Page 26: ""Stand fast, there!" called the man on the left si..."
Page 27: ""I must speak with Marcus."
"Marcus speaks ..."
Page 28: "The two men glared and relented unhappily. The fi..."
Page 29: ""What has happened to our contract? This train is..."
Page 30: ""Conduct your business and perish just the same, t..."
Page 31: ""What of Venice is new?"
"The churches are ..."
Page 32: "Fear soured the back of Recensio's tongue and boil..."
Page 33: ""I had intended to do so, Marcus, but with this tr..."
Page 34: "Recensio resigned himself to this truth with a ste..."
Page 35: ""You are deaf or slow witted, Recensio, though I n..."
Page 36: "As he darted past, Recensio gripped the boy's thin..."
Page 37: ""Half the camps are empty. Nobody answers when I ..."
Page 38: "Recensio sent the runner on his way, and watched h..."
Page 39: ""We'll be robbed!" gasped Orgelle, his best animal..."
Page 40: "Recensio shrugged, and began bundling his goods fo..."
Page 41: ""Yes, sir!" and the boy trotted away at once.
<..."
Page 42: "Vincente grimaced foully, and punched the younger ..."
Page 43: "He shuddered, and longed to be free of Genoa's cur..."
Page 44: "At any rate, they could not stay here. All the in..."
Page 45: ""You are come too late. This gate is closed."
..."
Page 46: "As Recensio turned his mount to follow, movement c..."
Page 47: ""We are- we are bound north to Cologne."
Th..."
Page 48: ""My friend, Silvio of Venice, has expired. I will..."
Page 49: "The captain returned his attention to Recensio, on..."
Page 50: "Recensio shrugged. "What choice do I have? Our t..."
Page 51: "The captain moved along the porch to find steps do..."
Page 52: ""By the time you attempt those high, snowy passes,..."
Page 53: "Though he could not understand why at the moment, ..."
Page 54: "So he and Vole left Chu-Chi and Carlo all but dead..."
Page 55: ""Bury me, boy, when I am dead. Bury me deep. But..."
Page 56: ""Where liberty dwells there is my country," repeat..."
Page 57: "If it is a fathomless sea, then this Earth is a gr..."
Page 58: "Rather, it scented the delicate currents that stir..."
Page 59: "It continued its forced search until it came acros..."
Page 60: "Before it could return to its earthly shelter, the..."
Page 61: "Many long minutes passed, and him stifled, cooling..."
Page 62: "She lay him down and would cover him, but he shout..."
Page 63: ""And have we no money to by more food?"
"Ye..."
Page 64: "Pausing there, he turned the tiny hovel to search ..."
Page 65: "Ariel was confused, and could not be certain what ..."
Page 66: ""I- I know not," he returned uncertainly. "Yet I ..."
Page 67: "She laughed playfully. "And I will be crowned for..."
Page 68: "Ariel stopped. For a time, he stood there, his bl..."
Page 69: "To which Ariel replied, "Where liberty dwells ther..."
Page 70: ""Because, master," returned the boy seriously, "I,..."
Page 71: ""Over here," enthused the youth, pulling them furt..."
Page 72: ""This turn in the climate may work to our favor," ..."
Page 73: "So this is where they went, all thought of Recensi..."
Page 74: "A large, heavily armed and armored man had entered..."
Page 75: ""Where is the trader?"
Ariel and Marie and ..."
Page 76: ""As is my own."
"Then it is you!" hissed th..."
Page 77: ""You know bloody well who I am," gushed the man bl..."
Page 78: ""No, Light, not lost. Wandering. Searching." Ze..."
Page 79: ""And you have doubtless learned nothing relevant."..."
Page 80: "Now his opposite fell into a sullen silence and mu..."
Page 81: ""What should I have learned, then, Wise Mentor? I..."
Page 82: ""More so than you could possibly imagine, teacher...."
Page 83: ""You? Saving lives?" doubted Ariel.
"To be..."
Page 84: "The captain grimaced and rolled his eyes, prepared..."
Page 85: ""I illustrate the folly of vanity. What has your ..."
Page 86: ""The things you have done are a lie, prospered onl..."
Page 87: "The Benighted One sneered through its human mask. ..."
Page 88: "Rather than accepting this as an insult, Zebulun g..."
Page 89: ""Better, why not? Fifty years or so past, I found..."
Page 90: ""As you may guess, I eventually grew bored with th..."
Page 91: ""To be sure, teacher," returned the Benighted One,..."
Page 92: ""This will not be, Shadow. You know better."
<..."
Page 93: ""Indeed, I will. I have. This fellow, this Zebul..."
Page 94: "Though Ariel longed to react violently, he relaxed..."
Page 95: ""While you are action before talk, executions unpl..."
Page 96: ""Madness? Nay, I am rationality! Your way is mad..."
Page 97: "Ariel shrugged, his confident smile fixed into pla..."
Page 98: "Ariel would not take the knife. Shaking his head,..."
Page 99: "The boy sat stirring coals in his fire pit, when a..."
Page 100: "Vole smiled and relaxed. "Master!" he gasped, ris..."
Page 101: ""We should be quick," returned the hulk, rubbing h..."
Page 102: ""Except, I could not keep your animals, master. T..."
Page 103: ""No, indeed, for it was quick thinking. It was th..."
Page 104: "Vole's face fell. "What do you mean, master?"
..."
Page 105: "Seven smiled and hugged Vole as a brother. "As yo..."
Page 106: ""He, sir?"
"The Venetian captain. Zebulun...."
Page 107: "October gave way to November, while they waited. ..."
Page 108: "Seven watched them pass, his eyes cautious on ever..."
Page 109: ""Dimitri will not hear of it!" whispered another w..."
Page 110: "Next came the dying woman. Even as Seven watched,..."
Page 111: ""I am called Gafri. What are you called?"
..."
Page 112: ""I am not a slave."
"Well and good, for nei..."
Page 113: ""Don't be so quick, Seven! Has this affliction no..."
Page 114: ""If you live that long."
The old man chuckl..."
Page 115: "Gafri shook his head and examined the records for ..."
Page 116: "Seven ignored the sarcasm. Since the old man woul..."
Page 117: ""Green on crimson, you say?" the old man's eyes br..."
Page 118: "Seven nodded, "Necessarily so, Vole. I would rath..."
Page 119: ""If something should happen to me, I will find you..."
Page 120: "Now the former slave turned his attention on the n..."
Page 121: "Mile upon mile of misery were devoured by his feet..."
Page 122: ""Yes, you! Hold, I say! The Lord of Turin comman..."
Page 123: "Seven shuddered at the black gape of their mouths ..."
Page 124: "He followed Vole's trail of rags for three days an..."
Page 125: "The world burned…
..."
Chapter 5:
Deaf Man Dumb Man
Light pursues the darkness it would fill.
Page 1:
"Day 3
Graham Nichols' body lay on the bank ..."
Page 2: ""Grandpa?" he wondered, all his fears calmed to no..."
Page 3: ""I am your grandfather."
"You look like him..."
Page 4: ""Better how?" wondered the boy. "For how long?"
Page 5: ""I have to… run an errand. A very important erran..."
Page 6: ""Why?" asked Mikey, his lower lip trembling, tears..."
Page 7: "Graham shrugged. "I can't be sure, Mikey. It's o..."
Page 8: ""We were supposed to go to see the ocean this summ..."
Page 9: "An inner, most private part of the man heaved sick..."
Page 10: ""Well said, boy. Nobody, not even God, could ask ..."
Page 11: ""I'm sorry."
"Don't be, son, it wasn't your..."
Page 12: ""When a man's heart won't work, nothing else will,..."
Page 13: ""Where did he go?" It was a question born of curi..."
Page 14: "The old man sighed wistfully. "Never, Mikey, exce..."
Page 15: "Graham forced a strained smile, and replied, "I- I..."
Page 16: "Though Light loathed a lie, it fabricated one hurr..."
Page 17: "He shut the door, then rolled down the window to s..."
Page 18: "-|-
Shadow opened its human eyes to the bro..."
Page 19: "Despite its mortality, the web loomed close to its..."
Page 20: "While they worked to spray Roach's prized automobi..."
Page 21: "Nevertheless, Roach turned east, and began walking..."
Page 22: "Roach hurried across the distance, and bent his he..."
Page 23: ""That must have hurt, dude. Lemme see!" and he ex..."
Page 24: "With a stony face and stiff stride, Roach turned t..."
Page 25: "Though Shadow had never been here, before now, Roa..."
Page 26: "A middle-aged Latino answered. "Roach. What do y..."
Page 27: "Arturo had already disappeared into the kitchen. ..."
Page 28: "Roach felt through his makeshift bandage to the de..."
Page 29: "Arturo smiled uncertainly. "Hey, sure, Roach, sur..."
Page 30: ""It ain't gonna help the headache, but it's gonna ..."
Page 31: "He blubbered around the butt. "You're just a kid,..."
Page 32: "Roach exhaled a plume of blue smoke. "Alright, bu..."
Page 33: "Roach shook his head amid a halo of smoke. "Load ..."
Page 34: ""I bet you do."
"I do, Joe-Joe. I bet you ..."
Page 35: "Tremulously, he started for the door, once Roach h..."
Page 36: ""Good, 'cause I ain't askin' you to kill nobody. ..."
Page 37: "Arturo licked his lips and surrendered himself to ..."
Page 38: ""Maybe. What of it?"
The older man winced,..."
Page 39: ""I think so, Joe-Joe. You're goin' to see Chopper..."
Page 40: ""What happened to 'em?" Joe's smile remained sly ..."
Page 41: "Another shrug. Another change of lanes, this time..."
Page 42: ""Hey, c'mon, Joe-Joe. Nothing's this bad. Nothin..."
Page 43: "It was a quiet little niche of aging suburbia, fil..."
Page 44: "Joe-Joe licked his lips eagerly. At the proper mo..."
Page 45: "Instead, he would bide apocalypse. Anxiously, int..."
Page 46: "Then the stereo's speakers caught his attention. ..."
Page 47: ""Quite right, thank you," returned the bass voice ..."
Page 48: ""That's right. They told us to get out, just like..."
Page 49: ""We will have to confirm the extents of the quaran..."
Page 50: "The trick, it knew, was to find the next hand befo..."
Page 51: "He listened to reports of mayhem that had occurred..."
Page 52: "The shadowy figure straightened and dropped its bu..."
Page 53: "Since its chosen vehicle was much heavier and less..."
Page 54: ""Whee-hoo!" he shouted, a child on a roller coaste..."
Page 55: "Saved from this violent fate by mere inches, Roach..."
Page 56: "A large yard was kept within, which was strewn wit..."
Page 57: "The old man cursed from long habit, and groaned, "..."
Page 58: "Shocked and fearful voices rose up around them. S..."
Graham Nichols' body lay on the bank ..."
Page 2: ""Grandpa?" he wondered, all his fears calmed to no..."
Page 3: ""I am your grandfather."
"You look like him..."
Page 4: ""Better how?" wondered the boy. "For how long?"
Page 5: ""I have to… run an errand. A very important erran..."
Page 6: ""Why?" asked Mikey, his lower lip trembling, tears..."
Page 7: "Graham shrugged. "I can't be sure, Mikey. It's o..."
Page 8: ""We were supposed to go to see the ocean this summ..."
Page 9: "An inner, most private part of the man heaved sick..."
Page 10: ""Well said, boy. Nobody, not even God, could ask ..."
Page 11: ""I'm sorry."
"Don't be, son, it wasn't your..."
Page 12: ""When a man's heart won't work, nothing else will,..."
Page 13: ""Where did he go?" It was a question born of curi..."
Page 14: "The old man sighed wistfully. "Never, Mikey, exce..."
Page 15: "Graham forced a strained smile, and replied, "I- I..."
Page 16: "Though Light loathed a lie, it fabricated one hurr..."
Page 17: "He shut the door, then rolled down the window to s..."
Page 18: "-|-
Shadow opened its human eyes to the bro..."
Page 19: "Despite its mortality, the web loomed close to its..."
Page 20: "While they worked to spray Roach's prized automobi..."
Page 21: "Nevertheless, Roach turned east, and began walking..."
Page 22: "Roach hurried across the distance, and bent his he..."
Page 23: ""That must have hurt, dude. Lemme see!" and he ex..."
Page 24: "With a stony face and stiff stride, Roach turned t..."
Page 25: "Though Shadow had never been here, before now, Roa..."
Page 26: "A middle-aged Latino answered. "Roach. What do y..."
Page 27: "Arturo had already disappeared into the kitchen. ..."
Page 28: "Roach felt through his makeshift bandage to the de..."
Page 29: "Arturo smiled uncertainly. "Hey, sure, Roach, sur..."
Page 30: ""It ain't gonna help the headache, but it's gonna ..."
Page 31: "He blubbered around the butt. "You're just a kid,..."
Page 32: "Roach exhaled a plume of blue smoke. "Alright, bu..."
Page 33: "Roach shook his head amid a halo of smoke. "Load ..."
Page 34: ""I bet you do."
"I do, Joe-Joe. I bet you ..."
Page 35: "Tremulously, he started for the door, once Roach h..."
Page 36: ""Good, 'cause I ain't askin' you to kill nobody. ..."
Page 37: "Arturo licked his lips and surrendered himself to ..."
Page 38: ""Maybe. What of it?"
The older man winced,..."
Page 39: ""I think so, Joe-Joe. You're goin' to see Chopper..."
Page 40: ""What happened to 'em?" Joe's smile remained sly ..."
Page 41: "Another shrug. Another change of lanes, this time..."
Page 42: ""Hey, c'mon, Joe-Joe. Nothing's this bad. Nothin..."
Page 43: "It was a quiet little niche of aging suburbia, fil..."
Page 44: "Joe-Joe licked his lips eagerly. At the proper mo..."
Page 45: "Instead, he would bide apocalypse. Anxiously, int..."
Page 46: "Then the stereo's speakers caught his attention. ..."
Page 47: ""Quite right, thank you," returned the bass voice ..."
Page 48: ""That's right. They told us to get out, just like..."
Page 49: ""We will have to confirm the extents of the quaran..."
Page 50: "The trick, it knew, was to find the next hand befo..."
Page 51: "He listened to reports of mayhem that had occurred..."
Page 52: "The shadowy figure straightened and dropped its bu..."
Page 53: "Since its chosen vehicle was much heavier and less..."
Page 54: ""Whee-hoo!" he shouted, a child on a roller coaste..."
Page 55: "Saved from this violent fate by mere inches, Roach..."
Page 56: "A large yard was kept within, which was strewn wit..."
Page 57: "The old man cursed from long habit, and groaned, "..."
Page 58: "Shocked and fearful voices rose up around them. S..."
Chapter 9:
Cold Harbor
Searching for sanctuary.
Page 1:
"Day 10
The old man turned out to be a knowl..."
Page 2: "-|-
Day 11
Kansas City was an awful ..."
Page 3: "He unfastened his seatbelt, and, grunting, coughin..."
Page 4: "Sniffling and trembling, the old man's back hunche..."
Page 5: "Sobbing heavily, he fumbled for the door, and seem..."
Page 6: "His eyes wide and frightened to hear such a small ..."
Page 7: "The old man stared blankly for a time, his eyes wi..."
Page 8: ""But you will go!" growled the devilish little gir..."
Page 9: ""You," choked Mr. Pine eventually, "You're the dev..."
Page 10: "Nikki rode beside him, her expression bunched and ..."
Page 11: ""Please, let me go."
"No, I can't. I won't..."
Page 12: ""To do God's work."
The old man grimaced, b..."
Page 13: "Yet, stranger still, he felt the presence of an Ot..."
Page 14: "Desmond could not understand, so he would not try...."
Page 15: "The Other remained silent for a time. 'While it i..."
Page 16: "When he refused to answer, he felt his brain crush..."
Page 17: "Nikki listened, but could not hear. "What? What ..."
Page 18: "Nikki was instantly at the windshield, her head cr..."
Page 19: ""How?"
The old man was silent for many seco..."
Page 20: "From the floorboard, Nikki wiped a trace of blood ..."
Page 21: "With bleary and feverish eyes, he searched the par..."
Page 22: "The old man drove and pondered this strange contes..."
Page 23: ""No, I will it alive, moment by moment."
"W..."
Page 24: "The old man's eyes rolled to their whites, once mo..."
Page 25: "Once the smashed auto passed beneath the tractor, ..."
Page 26: ""Indeed," came the forceful, all too near response..."
Page 27: "Light refused its every effort. "I cannot let you..."
Page 28: "When Shadow's coiled form burst into action at las..."
Page 29: "It tested the web with a renewed sensitivity to se..."
Page 30: "While she tottered on the edge, her family perishe..."
Page 31: "She steeled herself to take the terminal step of h..."
Page 32: "Revolted, she recoiled from this intruding presenc..."
Page 33: "Shadow sniggered sadistically, and returned a lie...."
Page 34: "Ann's wretched soul trembled sadly. 'Truly?'
<..."
Page 35: "As it slithered away, Ann pursued, however, and st..."
The old man turned out to be a knowl..."
Page 2: "-|-
Day 11
Kansas City was an awful ..."
Page 3: "He unfastened his seatbelt, and, grunting, coughin..."
Page 4: "Sniffling and trembling, the old man's back hunche..."
Page 5: "Sobbing heavily, he fumbled for the door, and seem..."
Page 6: "His eyes wide and frightened to hear such a small ..."
Page 7: "The old man stared blankly for a time, his eyes wi..."
Page 8: ""But you will go!" growled the devilish little gir..."
Page 9: ""You," choked Mr. Pine eventually, "You're the dev..."
Page 10: "Nikki rode beside him, her expression bunched and ..."
Page 11: ""Please, let me go."
"No, I can't. I won't..."
Page 12: ""To do God's work."
The old man grimaced, b..."
Page 13: "Yet, stranger still, he felt the presence of an Ot..."
Page 14: "Desmond could not understand, so he would not try...."
Page 15: "The Other remained silent for a time. 'While it i..."
Page 16: "When he refused to answer, he felt his brain crush..."
Page 17: "Nikki listened, but could not hear. "What? What ..."
Page 18: "Nikki was instantly at the windshield, her head cr..."
Page 19: ""How?"
The old man was silent for many seco..."
Page 20: "From the floorboard, Nikki wiped a trace of blood ..."
Page 21: "With bleary and feverish eyes, he searched the par..."
Page 22: "The old man drove and pondered this strange contes..."
Page 23: ""No, I will it alive, moment by moment."
"W..."
Page 24: "The old man's eyes rolled to their whites, once mo..."
Page 25: "Once the smashed auto passed beneath the tractor, ..."
Page 26: ""Indeed," came the forceful, all too near response..."
Page 27: "Light refused its every effort. "I cannot let you..."
Page 28: "When Shadow's coiled form burst into action at las..."
Page 29: "It tested the web with a renewed sensitivity to se..."
Page 30: "While she tottered on the edge, her family perishe..."
Page 31: "She steeled herself to take the terminal step of h..."
Page 32: "Revolted, she recoiled from this intruding presenc..."
Page 33: "Shadow sniggered sadistically, and returned a lie...."
Page 34: "Ann's wretched soul trembled sadly. 'Truly?'
<..."
Page 35: "As it slithered away, Ann pursued, however, and st..."
Chapter 2:
The Near Dead
Introducing the near dead - all vessels that will play a pivotal role in this story.
Page 1:
"…When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the..."
Page 2: "He blinked his eyes and wondered who? Know what m..."
Page 3: "Strangely, the light began to fail. A great circl..."
Page 4: "Another blinding burst of lightning flashed the ni..."
Page 5: "The closest bird was Junior. He was a frightful m..."
Page 6: "Lightning ravaged the earth. Thunder chased after..."
Page 7: "It seemed to her an eternity passed while she lay ..."
Page 8: "Grandpa winked, as he reeled the line to the prope..."
Page 9: ""Hold up there, boy, let a man tell his tale in it..."
Page 10: "Mikey smiled and knew this was the truth. "Is it ..."
Page 11: ""What it WAS, boy, was the shit awful-est fight of..."
Page 12: "Before the boy could open his mouth to prompt him ..."
Page 13: "Gimpy chimed, "Yeah. You said you could hack it."..."
Page 14: ""Who's waitin' on a guy."
"That's right. Y..."
Page 15: ""Hey, guys, c'mon…" hedged Roach. "It's just a co..."
Page 16: ""We AIN'T brothers no more, Roach. You done been ..."
Page 17: "They all chuckled wickedly, a grim chorus of devil..."
Page 18: "Trailing blood, he rolled away. Only when he was ..."
Page 19: ""Yeah?"
"Marshall? Where have you been? W..."
Page 20: ""No!" he asserted immediately. "Don't. I'm okay...."
Page 21: ""Are you drunk?"
"You're damned straight! ..."
Page 22: ""Good! You deserve to be scared. Because in the ..."
Page 23: "Now he heard, far off and away, the wail of a sire..."
Page 24: "With a slight turn of his head, he faced his futur..."
Page 25: "The sidewalk lay long and straight. Traffic was l..."
Page 26: "For a time, perhaps half a mile, he focused on the..."
Page 27: "It was an old question. Which came first? The ch..."
Page 28: "Wow. What a ride, he gushed, returning his attent..."
Page 29: "His left fell into the street with a slight drop. ..."
Page 30: "She wanted to say, "I don't feel so good." If she..."
Page 31: "Something tickled at her face. Her eyes fluttered..."
Page 32: "She might have sobbed forlornly, had she been able..."
Page 33: "The first order of business, she realized dully, w..."
Page 34: "EIGHT
"…Led Zeppelin."
"Yeah?"
Page 35: ""Okay. Okay. I was just wonderin', that's all. ..."
Page 36: ""Yeah."
Troy smiled stiffly and fetched a w..."
Page 37: ""If you don't forget."
"Yeah. If I don't f..."
Page 38: ""I bet a lot of people do, huh? Like retard? Dum..."
Page 39: "They jammed together across a mile or two. Then t..."
Page 40: "Troy snorted. "Not when they got you cuffed in th..."
Page 41: ""Mostly? You never killed nobody?"
"Naw," ..."
Page 42: "The kid was silent for a time. Troy drove erratic..."
Page 43: ""Any what?"
Troy smirked and steered and fi..."
Page 44: ""Sure. I need somebody to make fun of when I get ..."
Page 45: ""Then I can ride with you, sometimes?"
"Sur..."
Page 46: ""We could help each other out. I'll make sure you..."
Page 47: "After all, this was the best part about playing wi..."
Page 48: "Her mother saw her and waved and blew a kiss. Nik..."
Page 49: "She was quickly learning that her best kicks were ..."
Page 50: "Just as she stooped to retrieve it, she heard some..."
Page 51: "He wept at her side. He didn't want to burden her..."
Page 52: "Regardless, she knew she was not prepared to die. ..."
Page 53: "The light that marked her breathing flashed more a..."
Page 54: ""Yeah!" from Ram, the football star. "You're goin..."
Page 55: "He drank long and deep. Too long and deep. The c..."
Page 56: "Somebody wailed, "Close the fucking door!"
..."
Page 57: "In fact, the fraternity watched from the windows f..."
Page 58: "Relentless, his pace did not falter, though his fe..."
Page 59: "So he pressed on down the long, tree lined drive t..."
Page 60: "He pounded on the glass and screamed for someone, ..."
Page 61: "With the last of his strength, he turned off the s..."
Page 62: "TWELVE
He had been trained well at the acad..."
Page 63: "So he called it in as such, which meant nobody wou..."
Page 64: "Holding his hands palm out near his waist, the big..."
Page 65: "Roman moved to the edge of his door to see around ..."
Page 66: ""Hey, that's his business. I don't give a shit wh..."
Page 67: "Alternating his attention between the driver and t..."
Page 68: ""No way, man. I'm clean."
Roman grunted der..."
Page 69: ""Seven-one-nine, four-seventeen. Mile marker thre..."
Page 70: "Roman put his microphone away and shined his light..."
Page 71: ""Back pocket of my jeans."
Roman spun the m..."
Page 72: ""No it ain't. We just come from there."
"Y..."
Page 73: "The deputy glared. "When I catch him, I will. An..."
Page 74: "The con understood this, as well. He growled, "Ye..."
Page 75: "Hairy raged maniacally, thrilled by the strangling..."
Page 2: "He blinked his eyes and wondered who? Know what m..."
Page 3: "Strangely, the light began to fail. A great circl..."
Page 4: "Another blinding burst of lightning flashed the ni..."
Page 5: "The closest bird was Junior. He was a frightful m..."
Page 6: "Lightning ravaged the earth. Thunder chased after..."
Page 7: "It seemed to her an eternity passed while she lay ..."
Page 8: "Grandpa winked, as he reeled the line to the prope..."
Page 9: ""Hold up there, boy, let a man tell his tale in it..."
Page 10: "Mikey smiled and knew this was the truth. "Is it ..."
Page 11: ""What it WAS, boy, was the shit awful-est fight of..."
Page 12: "Before the boy could open his mouth to prompt him ..."
Page 13: "Gimpy chimed, "Yeah. You said you could hack it."..."
Page 14: ""Who's waitin' on a guy."
"That's right. Y..."
Page 15: ""Hey, guys, c'mon…" hedged Roach. "It's just a co..."
Page 16: ""We AIN'T brothers no more, Roach. You done been ..."
Page 17: "They all chuckled wickedly, a grim chorus of devil..."
Page 18: "Trailing blood, he rolled away. Only when he was ..."
Page 19: ""Yeah?"
"Marshall? Where have you been? W..."
Page 20: ""No!" he asserted immediately. "Don't. I'm okay...."
Page 21: ""Are you drunk?"
"You're damned straight! ..."
Page 22: ""Good! You deserve to be scared. Because in the ..."
Page 23: "Now he heard, far off and away, the wail of a sire..."
Page 24: "With a slight turn of his head, he faced his futur..."
Page 25: "The sidewalk lay long and straight. Traffic was l..."
Page 26: "For a time, perhaps half a mile, he focused on the..."
Page 27: "It was an old question. Which came first? The ch..."
Page 28: "Wow. What a ride, he gushed, returning his attent..."
Page 29: "His left fell into the street with a slight drop. ..."
Page 30: "She wanted to say, "I don't feel so good." If she..."
Page 31: "Something tickled at her face. Her eyes fluttered..."
Page 32: "She might have sobbed forlornly, had she been able..."
Page 33: "The first order of business, she realized dully, w..."
Page 34: "EIGHT
"…Led Zeppelin."
"Yeah?"
Page 35: ""Okay. Okay. I was just wonderin', that's all. ..."
Page 36: ""Yeah."
Troy smiled stiffly and fetched a w..."
Page 37: ""If you don't forget."
"Yeah. If I don't f..."
Page 38: ""I bet a lot of people do, huh? Like retard? Dum..."
Page 39: "They jammed together across a mile or two. Then t..."
Page 40: "Troy snorted. "Not when they got you cuffed in th..."
Page 41: ""Mostly? You never killed nobody?"
"Naw," ..."
Page 42: "The kid was silent for a time. Troy drove erratic..."
Page 43: ""Any what?"
Troy smirked and steered and fi..."
Page 44: ""Sure. I need somebody to make fun of when I get ..."
Page 45: ""Then I can ride with you, sometimes?"
"Sur..."
Page 46: ""We could help each other out. I'll make sure you..."
Page 47: "After all, this was the best part about playing wi..."
Page 48: "Her mother saw her and waved and blew a kiss. Nik..."
Page 49: "She was quickly learning that her best kicks were ..."
Page 50: "Just as she stooped to retrieve it, she heard some..."
Page 51: "He wept at her side. He didn't want to burden her..."
Page 52: "Regardless, she knew she was not prepared to die. ..."
Page 53: "The light that marked her breathing flashed more a..."
Page 54: ""Yeah!" from Ram, the football star. "You're goin..."
Page 55: "He drank long and deep. Too long and deep. The c..."
Page 56: "Somebody wailed, "Close the fucking door!"
..."
Page 57: "In fact, the fraternity watched from the windows f..."
Page 58: "Relentless, his pace did not falter, though his fe..."
Page 59: "So he pressed on down the long, tree lined drive t..."
Page 60: "He pounded on the glass and screamed for someone, ..."
Page 61: "With the last of his strength, he turned off the s..."
Page 62: "TWELVE
He had been trained well at the acad..."
Page 63: "So he called it in as such, which meant nobody wou..."
Page 64: "Holding his hands palm out near his waist, the big..."
Page 65: "Roman moved to the edge of his door to see around ..."
Page 66: ""Hey, that's his business. I don't give a shit wh..."
Page 67: "Alternating his attention between the driver and t..."
Page 68: ""No way, man. I'm clean."
Roman grunted der..."
Page 69: ""Seven-one-nine, four-seventeen. Mile marker thre..."
Page 70: "Roman put his microphone away and shined his light..."
Page 71: ""Back pocket of my jeans."
Roman spun the m..."
Page 72: ""No it ain't. We just come from there."
"Y..."
Page 73: "The deputy glared. "When I catch him, I will. An..."
Page 74: "The con understood this, as well. He growled, "Ye..."
Page 75: "Hairy raged maniacally, thrilled by the strangling..."
Chapter 6:
Once Dreamed the Dreamer
From soul to soul.
Page 1:
"Day 4
None can say what dreams the comatose..."
Page 2: "Dispelled was the myth of his flesh. Remained the..."
Page 3: "Without remark or concern, he noted that it seemed..."
Page 4: "His was a roughly fashioned sort of shelter, as it..."
Page 5: "Light must wait patiently for its pupil's next lea..."
Page 6: "When Shadow was at last set free from Roach's wast..."
Page 7: "Long it worked at this abominable task, but Shadow..."
Page 8: "Most, if not all, these poor souls were doomed to ..."
Page 9: "Light said, 'God is all. God is every.'
'A..."
Page 10: "'I am afraid.'
'Yet you have nothing to fea..."
Page 11: "'Then, will you go, though it is not your time?'
Page 12: "Shawn reached out with vaporous, otherworldly arms..."
Page 13: "'I am always afraid,' replied the Light. Then it ..."
Page 14: "Now his father's voice echoed within his ears. "S..."
Page 15: "Weeping so forcefully that her words jumbled in a ..."
Page 16: ""I- I can't help myself! I had all but… all but g..."
Page 17: ""Most of your injuries healed while you slept, son..."
Page 18: "Shawn tried to nod. His head scarcely moved.
<..."
Page 19: ""My name is Latasha Williams. I work for Tarrant ..."
Page 20: "Searching behind her with a quick turn of her head..."
Page 21: "Finally, she asked the important questions. "I as..."
Page 22: ""To get the fuck out of here."
That same pr..."
Page 23: ""It's not that easy, Mr. Pollard."
"No?"
Page 24: ""Just give me the fuckin' papers, bitch," he growl..."
Page 25: ""You should get some help. I think you really nee..."
Page 26: ""All you have to do now, sport," she stated flatly..."
Page 27: "He asked for and received the remote control for a..."
Page 28: ""I'm glad to hear it," returned the man genuinely...."
Page 29: ""It's getting worse, I hear. You're going to need..."
Page 30: ""Body bags, Mr. Pollard. They're going to need hu..."
Page 31: "It waited until the twelve o'clock rounds were com..."
Page 32: "At its center stood a nurse's station bathed in li..."
Page 33: "The hallway was long and wound tortuously past man..."
Page 34: "-|-
"Father?" croaked Shawn, upon waking to..."
Page 35: ""Lie back and go to sleep, son. You'll be dischar..."
Page 36: ""No! No nurses. I need you to help me out of bed..."
Page 37: ""God? What do you mean?" His voice broke, becaus..."
Page 38: "The wasted, broken man on the bed shook his head s..."
Page 39: ""Why are you saying these things, if you aren't de..."
Page 40: ""First, help me up. Help me to dress. Help me do..."
Page 41: ""So fundamentally, Mr. Castor? So basically? Can..."
Page 42: ""But- but-" stammered the man, stricken, because h..."
Page 43: ""Then we do that which must be done, sir, unpleasa..."
Page 44: ""They generally place the morgue there. Do they n..."
Page 45: "They had paused in a tiny alcove to catch their br..."
Page 46: ""What a mess," agreed the first voice, a woman's. ..."
Page 47: ""Good," joked the male, as they stalked past Shawn..."
Page 48: "Then they were gone. Shawn shared a secret sigh w..."
Page 49: "Shawn shook his head sadly. "Shadow has done this..."
Page 50: "-WHAM! Diamond stars and sable darkness filled th..."
Page 51: ""There!" enthused the blooded killer, his throat e..."
Page 52: ""Look at you," he snarled, "The Great One. The En..."
Page 53: ""Decency is proper. Stillness is the way. Stop. ..."
Page 54: ""Hear? Hear what? What can you say of any signif..."
Page 55: ""Perhaps not," returned Shawn hastily. "Perhaps w..."
Page 56: ""God?" scoffed the Benighted One. "What is God? ..."
Page 57: "Shawn groaned, "Perhaps you are past forgiveness o..."
Page 58: ""Death? For such as us?"
"Yes, Shadow, eve..."
Page 59: ""Yet, it is inevitable. I have often thought," gr..."
Page 60: "Inside, Roach's corpse lay ravaged by a harsh trea..."
Page 61: "Laughing gleefully, he sat up and slid behind the ..."
Page 62: "Yet, this mystery was deep and murky water. To st..."
Page 63: "For the first time in the course of eons of crysta..."
Page 64: "Her flesh remained pliable and usable, though only..."
None can say what dreams the comatose..."
Page 2: "Dispelled was the myth of his flesh. Remained the..."
Page 3: "Without remark or concern, he noted that it seemed..."
Page 4: "His was a roughly fashioned sort of shelter, as it..."
Page 5: "Light must wait patiently for its pupil's next lea..."
Page 6: "When Shadow was at last set free from Roach's wast..."
Page 7: "Long it worked at this abominable task, but Shadow..."
Page 8: "Most, if not all, these poor souls were doomed to ..."
Page 9: "Light said, 'God is all. God is every.'
'A..."
Page 10: "'I am afraid.'
'Yet you have nothing to fea..."
Page 11: "'Then, will you go, though it is not your time?'
Page 12: "Shawn reached out with vaporous, otherworldly arms..."
Page 13: "'I am always afraid,' replied the Light. Then it ..."
Page 14: "Now his father's voice echoed within his ears. "S..."
Page 15: "Weeping so forcefully that her words jumbled in a ..."
Page 16: ""I- I can't help myself! I had all but… all but g..."
Page 17: ""Most of your injuries healed while you slept, son..."
Page 18: "Shawn tried to nod. His head scarcely moved.
<..."
Page 19: ""My name is Latasha Williams. I work for Tarrant ..."
Page 20: "Searching behind her with a quick turn of her head..."
Page 21: "Finally, she asked the important questions. "I as..."
Page 22: ""To get the fuck out of here."
That same pr..."
Page 23: ""It's not that easy, Mr. Pollard."
"No?"
Page 24: ""Just give me the fuckin' papers, bitch," he growl..."
Page 25: ""You should get some help. I think you really nee..."
Page 26: ""All you have to do now, sport," she stated flatly..."
Page 27: "He asked for and received the remote control for a..."
Page 28: ""I'm glad to hear it," returned the man genuinely...."
Page 29: ""It's getting worse, I hear. You're going to need..."
Page 30: ""Body bags, Mr. Pollard. They're going to need hu..."
Page 31: "It waited until the twelve o'clock rounds were com..."
Page 32: "At its center stood a nurse's station bathed in li..."
Page 33: "The hallway was long and wound tortuously past man..."
Page 34: "-|-
"Father?" croaked Shawn, upon waking to..."
Page 35: ""Lie back and go to sleep, son. You'll be dischar..."
Page 36: ""No! No nurses. I need you to help me out of bed..."
Page 37: ""God? What do you mean?" His voice broke, becaus..."
Page 38: "The wasted, broken man on the bed shook his head s..."
Page 39: ""Why are you saying these things, if you aren't de..."
Page 40: ""First, help me up. Help me to dress. Help me do..."
Page 41: ""So fundamentally, Mr. Castor? So basically? Can..."
Page 42: ""But- but-" stammered the man, stricken, because h..."
Page 43: ""Then we do that which must be done, sir, unpleasa..."
Page 44: ""They generally place the morgue there. Do they n..."
Page 45: "They had paused in a tiny alcove to catch their br..."
Page 46: ""What a mess," agreed the first voice, a woman's. ..."
Page 47: ""Good," joked the male, as they stalked past Shawn..."
Page 48: "Then they were gone. Shawn shared a secret sigh w..."
Page 49: "Shawn shook his head sadly. "Shadow has done this..."
Page 50: "-WHAM! Diamond stars and sable darkness filled th..."
Page 51: ""There!" enthused the blooded killer, his throat e..."
Page 52: ""Look at you," he snarled, "The Great One. The En..."
Page 53: ""Decency is proper. Stillness is the way. Stop. ..."
Page 54: ""Hear? Hear what? What can you say of any signif..."
Page 55: ""Perhaps not," returned Shawn hastily. "Perhaps w..."
Page 56: ""God?" scoffed the Benighted One. "What is God? ..."
Page 57: "Shawn groaned, "Perhaps you are past forgiveness o..."
Page 58: ""Death? For such as us?"
"Yes, Shadow, eve..."
Page 59: ""Yet, it is inevitable. I have often thought," gr..."
Page 60: "Inside, Roach's corpse lay ravaged by a harsh trea..."
Page 61: "Laughing gleefully, he sat up and slid behind the ..."
Page 62: "Yet, this mystery was deep and murky water. To st..."
Page 63: "For the first time in the course of eons of crysta..."
Page 64: "Her flesh remained pliable and usable, though only..."
Chapter 10:
Sanction
The cold, deep side of the end.
Page 1:
"Day 12
Shadow found Wendell near death, whe..."
Page 2: "Somehow, Shadow thought itself silly for thinking ..."
Page 3: "He realized he could not take the time or the spen..."
Page 4: "He found himself standing in the foyer of a spacio..."
Page 5: "-|-
"Those bastards! Quarantine busting sc..."
Page 6: ""What do you mean," he wondered at length?
..."
Page 7: ""Certainly, you may. Perhaps you should."
..."
Page 8: "Growing impatient, he growled, "What, already?"
Page 9: ""Will you surrender your physical form to me?" Li..."
Page 10: ""So," he wondered vaguely, moving nearer and neare..."
Page 11: ""And something more."
"Again, what?" He gr..."
Page 12: "Roman struggled against the weighty, inexorable cu..."
Page 13: ""Yes?"
"Maybe you can tell me… why did this..."
Page 14: "Roman's intellect choked, yet a dim glimmer of com..."
Page 15: "Light was amused to hear irony in the man's words...."
Page 16: "His radio crackled, startling his eyes open in a s..."
Page 17: ""I'm fine," he croaked. "Really. I'm okay."
<..."
Page 18: ""No, Roman," she gasped, "I'm not. I'm coughing u..."
Page 19: "Light urged its man-thing to drive along the Inter..."
Page 20: "Presently, as he nosed past the campus of the Univ..."
Page 21: "The music played from the gaping front door of a b..."
Page 22: "Roman stopped to read the cheery red display. The..."
Page 23: "When he came to the shattered side door, he listen..."
Page 24: "He stepped through, his snowy shoes rapping too lo..."
Page 25: "Wendell jumped at the sound. "Teacher? It is you..."
Page 26: "Jerking his head to catch the sound, Wendell blink..."
Page 27: "More physically capable, Roman followed, leaving h..."
Page 28: "Extricating himself from the icicled foliage, he f..."
Page 29: "Seeing he had made some progress, Wendell redouble..."
Page 30: "He dragged Wendell around the house and tossed him..."
Page 31: "Roman shrugged. "In time, I will kill your human ..."
Page 32: "Despite his black inner resolve, Wendell swallowed..."
Page 33: ""No, but your words hint at the core of your distu..."
Page 34: ""My truth is the only reality."
"How can th..."
Page 35: ""Fool," scoffed Roman, his head craning now to sea..."
Page 36: "His voice came in a hot muffle. "What is this? W..."
Page 37: ""Why do you need another anchor," wondered the you..."
Page 38: "He returned to Wendell's side, and found the youth..."
Page 39: ""Now, Shadow, be calm," soothed Light through Roma..."
Page 40: "Wendell waxed reasonable, now. "Yes! Yes, I can ..."
Page 41: "He went to the rail to peer out over the whitecaps..."
Page 42: "Roman grunted and strained to lift the generator, ..."
Page 43: "Wendell was gone with a splash. Roman went to the..."
Shadow found Wendell near death, whe..."
Page 2: "Somehow, Shadow thought itself silly for thinking ..."
Page 3: "He realized he could not take the time or the spen..."
Page 4: "He found himself standing in the foyer of a spacio..."
Page 5: "-|-
"Those bastards! Quarantine busting sc..."
Page 6: ""What do you mean," he wondered at length?
..."
Page 7: ""Certainly, you may. Perhaps you should."
..."
Page 8: "Growing impatient, he growled, "What, already?"
Page 9: ""Will you surrender your physical form to me?" Li..."
Page 10: ""So," he wondered vaguely, moving nearer and neare..."
Page 11: ""And something more."
"Again, what?" He gr..."
Page 12: "Roman struggled against the weighty, inexorable cu..."
Page 13: ""Yes?"
"Maybe you can tell me… why did this..."
Page 14: "Roman's intellect choked, yet a dim glimmer of com..."
Page 15: "Light was amused to hear irony in the man's words...."
Page 16: "His radio crackled, startling his eyes open in a s..."
Page 17: ""I'm fine," he croaked. "Really. I'm okay."
<..."
Page 18: ""No, Roman," she gasped, "I'm not. I'm coughing u..."
Page 19: "Light urged its man-thing to drive along the Inter..."
Page 20: "Presently, as he nosed past the campus of the Univ..."
Page 21: "The music played from the gaping front door of a b..."
Page 22: "Roman stopped to read the cheery red display. The..."
Page 23: "When he came to the shattered side door, he listen..."
Page 24: "He stepped through, his snowy shoes rapping too lo..."
Page 25: "Wendell jumped at the sound. "Teacher? It is you..."
Page 26: "Jerking his head to catch the sound, Wendell blink..."
Page 27: "More physically capable, Roman followed, leaving h..."
Page 28: "Extricating himself from the icicled foliage, he f..."
Page 29: "Seeing he had made some progress, Wendell redouble..."
Page 30: "He dragged Wendell around the house and tossed him..."
Page 31: "Roman shrugged. "In time, I will kill your human ..."
Page 32: "Despite his black inner resolve, Wendell swallowed..."
Page 33: ""No, but your words hint at the core of your distu..."
Page 34: ""My truth is the only reality."
"How can th..."
Page 35: ""Fool," scoffed Roman, his head craning now to sea..."
Page 36: "His voice came in a hot muffle. "What is this? W..."
Page 37: ""Why do you need another anchor," wondered the you..."
Page 38: "He returned to Wendell's side, and found the youth..."
Page 39: ""Now, Shadow, be calm," soothed Light through Roma..."
Page 40: "Wendell waxed reasonable, now. "Yes! Yes, I can ..."
Page 41: "He went to the rail to peer out over the whitecaps..."
Page 42: "Roman grunted and strained to lift the generator, ..."
Page 43: "Wendell was gone with a splash. Roman went to the..."
Chapter 3:
Small Things Mortal
The beginning of the end of the world.
Page 1:
"Day 0
…William Rendquist's spirituous esse..."
Page 2: "Strangely, Bill felt it electric through the fiber..."
Page 3: "If it is a fathomless sea, then this Earth is a gr..."
Page 4: "The Benighted One lingered on the tangle of God's ..."
Page 5: "Another voice shouted a response from the cab of t..."
Page 6: "His eyelids fluttered delicately, and he fought to..."
Page 7: ""That's good to know, but they'll want that at the..."
Page 8: ""Yeah," Bill sighed, smiling. "They're okay. If ..."
Page 9: "The driver asked for his destination. Without thi..."
Page 10: ""Yeah, it's nasty, alright. A mishap at a pool pa..."
Page 11: ""That happened to my sister, once. She had a hear..."
Page 12: ""And what?"
"And was it God, or what?"
<..."
Page 13: "The driver slouched, disappointed. "Maybe it was ..."
Page 14: "Bill made his way inside, his slipper shod feet wh..."
Page 15: ""Forty Sagewood, right?"
"Right. It's a si..."
Page 16: ""No," returned Bill with a contrite grin. "No wif..."
Page 17: "He realized the animal was still a puppy, of perha..."
Page 18: "With a slow, cruel stifle, he choked the little an..."
Page 19: "He sought out and discovered a nearby extension, a..."
Page 20: ""Yeah, well, we hope you're okay, no lawsuits amon..."
Page 21: ""I'm sure. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, doctor." ..."
Page 22: "After a final examination of the undercarriage, wh..."
Page 23: ""Well enough, I suppose, Mr. Forestall. Better, i..."
Page 24: ""A swimming accident. It's no big deal."
"..."
Page 25: "Agent Forestall chuckled apologetically, "I'll wor..."
Page 26: "Bill went to a heavily paneled book case, and tugg..."
Page 27: ""Were you drunk?"
"No. I slipped, that's a..."
Page 28: ""They also say your heart stopped."
"I gues..."
Page 29: ""Were you delirious?"
"How the hell should ..."
Page 30: ""We shouldn't assume anything at all, for that mat..."
Page 31: ""Now?" Bill smiled broadly. "I feel great."
Page 32: ""Still, it worked out for you, didn't it? Most pe..."
Page 33: "Forestall smiled obtusely, his lips pressed tightl..."
Page 34: ""I'm sure you will. You can show yourself out, no..."
Page 35: "For an instance, a thick book sat upon a turntable..."
Page 36: "He pulled the final door wide, and was sucked alon..."
Page 37: ""Why not? The F.M. refused to say on the phone."<..."
Page 38: ""I know the dangers, Katrin, but we have no other ..."
Page 39: "He could not see their faces for the glare of thei..."
Page 40: "She backed down a bit. Hesitantly, she returned, ..."
Page 41: ""But- but-" sputtered Owen. "It's a potentially l..."
Page 42: "The others were instantly suspicious, though not f..."
Page 43: ""What if you don't find anything, save for a quick..."
Page 44: ""It's not a fiasco, yet, Owen."
The others ..."
Page 45: ""The detox report is always cursory. You know tha..."
Page 46: "Without further ceremony, Bill strode across the l..."
Page 47: "Bill supplied the required codes to access the rec..."
Page 48: "Bill removed the vial's cap to expose yet another ..."
Page 49: "-|-
Sample 718-SJZ was, quite simply, the s..."
Page 50: "Save for Shadow's timely intervention. Bill sat i..."
Page 51: "The same security guard who had admitted him that ..."
Page 52: "The guard exchanged a glance with his partner, who..."
Page 53: "Behind him, he heard a distant whine of sirens, bu..."
Page 54: "Alone inside, he hoped the house was genuinely emp..."
Page 55: "From time to time, he stifled a morbid coughing. ..."
Page 56: "As she complied, Shadow eased back into the rear s..."
…William Rendquist's spirituous esse..."
Page 2: "Strangely, Bill felt it electric through the fiber..."
Page 3: "If it is a fathomless sea, then this Earth is a gr..."
Page 4: "The Benighted One lingered on the tangle of God's ..."
Page 5: "Another voice shouted a response from the cab of t..."
Page 6: "His eyelids fluttered delicately, and he fought to..."
Page 7: ""That's good to know, but they'll want that at the..."
Page 8: ""Yeah," Bill sighed, smiling. "They're okay. If ..."
Page 9: "The driver asked for his destination. Without thi..."
Page 10: ""Yeah, it's nasty, alright. A mishap at a pool pa..."
Page 11: ""That happened to my sister, once. She had a hear..."
Page 12: ""And what?"
"And was it God, or what?"
<..."
Page 13: "The driver slouched, disappointed. "Maybe it was ..."
Page 14: "Bill made his way inside, his slipper shod feet wh..."
Page 15: ""Forty Sagewood, right?"
"Right. It's a si..."
Page 16: ""No," returned Bill with a contrite grin. "No wif..."
Page 17: "He realized the animal was still a puppy, of perha..."
Page 18: "With a slow, cruel stifle, he choked the little an..."
Page 19: "He sought out and discovered a nearby extension, a..."
Page 20: ""Yeah, well, we hope you're okay, no lawsuits amon..."
Page 21: ""I'm sure. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, doctor." ..."
Page 22: "After a final examination of the undercarriage, wh..."
Page 23: ""Well enough, I suppose, Mr. Forestall. Better, i..."
Page 24: ""A swimming accident. It's no big deal."
"..."
Page 25: "Agent Forestall chuckled apologetically, "I'll wor..."
Page 26: "Bill went to a heavily paneled book case, and tugg..."
Page 27: ""Were you drunk?"
"No. I slipped, that's a..."
Page 28: ""They also say your heart stopped."
"I gues..."
Page 29: ""Were you delirious?"
"How the hell should ..."
Page 30: ""We shouldn't assume anything at all, for that mat..."
Page 31: ""Now?" Bill smiled broadly. "I feel great."
Page 32: ""Still, it worked out for you, didn't it? Most pe..."
Page 33: "Forestall smiled obtusely, his lips pressed tightl..."
Page 34: ""I'm sure you will. You can show yourself out, no..."
Page 35: "For an instance, a thick book sat upon a turntable..."
Page 36: "He pulled the final door wide, and was sucked alon..."
Page 37: ""Why not? The F.M. refused to say on the phone."<..."
Page 38: ""I know the dangers, Katrin, but we have no other ..."
Page 39: "He could not see their faces for the glare of thei..."
Page 40: "She backed down a bit. Hesitantly, she returned, ..."
Page 41: ""But- but-" sputtered Owen. "It's a potentially l..."
Page 42: "The others were instantly suspicious, though not f..."
Page 43: ""What if you don't find anything, save for a quick..."
Page 44: ""It's not a fiasco, yet, Owen."
The others ..."
Page 45: ""The detox report is always cursory. You know tha..."
Page 46: "Without further ceremony, Bill strode across the l..."
Page 47: "Bill supplied the required codes to access the rec..."
Page 48: "Bill removed the vial's cap to expose yet another ..."
Page 49: "-|-
Sample 718-SJZ was, quite simply, the s..."
Page 50: "Save for Shadow's timely intervention. Bill sat i..."
Page 51: "The same security guard who had admitted him that ..."
Page 52: "The guard exchanged a glance with his partner, who..."
Page 53: "Behind him, he heard a distant whine of sirens, bu..."
Page 54: "Alone inside, he hoped the house was genuinely emp..."
Page 55: "From time to time, he stifled a morbid coughing. ..."
Page 56: "As she complied, Shadow eased back into the rear s..."
Chapter 7:
Wicked Is the Way to Burn
The chase narrows.
Page 1:
"Within the tough plastic shroud of the body bag, h..."
Page 2: "She rolled off the bed to stand, only to discover ..."
Page 3: "She moaned and rolled her eyes and longed for an e..."
Page 4: "Darkness saw her approach. The brake lights of it..."
Page 5: "Thelma obliged with another rear impact that sent ..."
Page 6: "Thelma continued rolling her steering wheel, until..."
Page 7: "The hearse rolled nearer and nearer to the interst..."
Page 8: "Marshall drifted farther and farther away, and the..."
Page 9: "She could see Marshall's hearse, again! There! I..."
Page 10: "Brilliant flashing lights caught Thelma's attentio..."
Page 11: "Marshall was right there beside her. Glancing at ..."
Page 12: "When the two-lane road came to an abrupt end at an..."
Page 13: "Presently, Marshall abandoned his vain efforts to ..."
Page 14: "Wearily, he eased into the seat and reached for th..."
Page 15: ""A surgeon has no malice for the cancer to be cut ..."
Page 16: "Her words struck a cord. The other remained silen..."
Page 17: ""Yes. I will punish you."
Now he burst int..."
Page 18: ""No," he gasped, sucking wind and blowing it hot, ..."
Page 19: "Thelma said nothing. Light could think of nothing..."
Page 20: "Thelma's gaze flared fiercely. Her lips cracked t..."
Page 21: "His human eyes went wide, while the eyes behind th..."
Page 22: "-|-
"Have no fear, child," whispered Light ..."
Page 23: ""You are?"
"Naturally." Light waved a wisp..."
Page 24: ""Indeed. But listen softly, Johnny… do you hear?"..."
Page 25: ""What do you hear?"
"I hear a thousand hamm..."
Page 26: ""Am I dead?"
Light felt the other reach out..."
Page 27: "Apparently sensing its own spiritual presence, tha..."
Page 28: ""But, I could go back," returned Johnny, "If I wan..."
Page 29: ""What will you do, if you go back?"
"I will..."
Page 30: "Light was warmly amused. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. ..."
Page 31: ""What's wrong with my arm?"
"It appears to ..."
Page 32: ""Why must we live? These are not two things, but ..."
Page 33: ""No."
"You are eons of death, and but momen..."
Page 34: ""You will remain you, Johnny, and be that which yo..."
Page 35: ""But help me up, mister! Help me up!" the man-thi..."
Page 36: ""I sure hope so," murmured Johnny, his awed attent..."
Page 37: "His limbs trembling, threatening failure, he rolle..."
Page 38: ""But, no. Impossible. I do not believe Teacher's..."
Page 39: "He wept, softly and wearily. As always, no one li..."
Page 40: "Casting a furtive glance over his shoulder, he tho..."
Page 41: "After an eternity of nightmare marching, Marshall ..."
Page 42: "Stifling a hacking cough, he lurched across the dr..."
Page 43: "Marshall paused to select a particularly long, bro..."
Page 44: "Marshall pushed its door wide. He saw a pair of b..."
Page 45: "When he rose to the top bed, its occupant was awak..."
Page 46: "Only silence answered. Gasping and coughing, Mars..."
Page 47: "The car started easily, but Shadow cursed to see t..."
Page 48: "He thumbed up the volume on the truck's stereo unt..."
Page 49: "A stark figure stood in the way! Marshall reacted..."
Page 50: "As soon as he stood over the ruined machine, he kn..."
Page 51: "Grasping this by its blade, he drew it forth, and ..."
Page 52: "Shadow screamed! It would never have believed its..."
Page 53: "This time, Shadowed heeded its command. It fell s..."
Page 54: ""I cannot. You must be healed. You must be punis..."
Page 55: "Shadow squirmed and would not be held, though Teac..."
Page 56: "Shadow fell silent and still to face its mentor de..."
Page 57: "Light gloated, and pulled itself further free of J..."
Page 58: ""I have never seen it."
"You have never loo..."
Page 59: "Now its pupil was asking the appropriate question...."
Page 60: ""Perhaps not. Perhaps, I am merely an imbecile."<..."
Page 61: ""I will not!" and it began to struggle again, more..."
Page 62: "Laughing, Shadow struck out and struggled desperat..."
Page 63: ""Wicked is the way to burn, though wicked is not t..."
Page 64: ""Now, Teacher," it gloated, drawing away from Ligh..."
Page 65: "Now Light was anxious to return to the shelter of ..."
Page 66: "The ambulance started forward at once. Before its..."
Page 2: "She rolled off the bed to stand, only to discover ..."
Page 3: "She moaned and rolled her eyes and longed for an e..."
Page 4: "Darkness saw her approach. The brake lights of it..."
Page 5: "Thelma obliged with another rear impact that sent ..."
Page 6: "Thelma continued rolling her steering wheel, until..."
Page 7: "The hearse rolled nearer and nearer to the interst..."
Page 8: "Marshall drifted farther and farther away, and the..."
Page 9: "She could see Marshall's hearse, again! There! I..."
Page 10: "Brilliant flashing lights caught Thelma's attentio..."
Page 11: "Marshall was right there beside her. Glancing at ..."
Page 12: "When the two-lane road came to an abrupt end at an..."
Page 13: "Presently, Marshall abandoned his vain efforts to ..."
Page 14: "Wearily, he eased into the seat and reached for th..."
Page 15: ""A surgeon has no malice for the cancer to be cut ..."
Page 16: "Her words struck a cord. The other remained silen..."
Page 17: ""Yes. I will punish you."
Now he burst int..."
Page 18: ""No," he gasped, sucking wind and blowing it hot, ..."
Page 19: "Thelma said nothing. Light could think of nothing..."
Page 20: "Thelma's gaze flared fiercely. Her lips cracked t..."
Page 21: "His human eyes went wide, while the eyes behind th..."
Page 22: "-|-
"Have no fear, child," whispered Light ..."
Page 23: ""You are?"
"Naturally." Light waved a wisp..."
Page 24: ""Indeed. But listen softly, Johnny… do you hear?"..."
Page 25: ""What do you hear?"
"I hear a thousand hamm..."
Page 26: ""Am I dead?"
Light felt the other reach out..."
Page 27: "Apparently sensing its own spiritual presence, tha..."
Page 28: ""But, I could go back," returned Johnny, "If I wan..."
Page 29: ""What will you do, if you go back?"
"I will..."
Page 30: "Light was warmly amused. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. ..."
Page 31: ""What's wrong with my arm?"
"It appears to ..."
Page 32: ""Why must we live? These are not two things, but ..."
Page 33: ""No."
"You are eons of death, and but momen..."
Page 34: ""You will remain you, Johnny, and be that which yo..."
Page 35: ""But help me up, mister! Help me up!" the man-thi..."
Page 36: ""I sure hope so," murmured Johnny, his awed attent..."
Page 37: "His limbs trembling, threatening failure, he rolle..."
Page 38: ""But, no. Impossible. I do not believe Teacher's..."
Page 39: "He wept, softly and wearily. As always, no one li..."
Page 40: "Casting a furtive glance over his shoulder, he tho..."
Page 41: "After an eternity of nightmare marching, Marshall ..."
Page 42: "Stifling a hacking cough, he lurched across the dr..."
Page 43: "Marshall paused to select a particularly long, bro..."
Page 44: "Marshall pushed its door wide. He saw a pair of b..."
Page 45: "When he rose to the top bed, its occupant was awak..."
Page 46: "Only silence answered. Gasping and coughing, Mars..."
Page 47: "The car started easily, but Shadow cursed to see t..."
Page 48: "He thumbed up the volume on the truck's stereo unt..."
Page 49: "A stark figure stood in the way! Marshall reacted..."
Page 50: "As soon as he stood over the ruined machine, he kn..."
Page 51: "Grasping this by its blade, he drew it forth, and ..."
Page 52: "Shadow screamed! It would never have believed its..."
Page 53: "This time, Shadowed heeded its command. It fell s..."
Page 54: ""I cannot. You must be healed. You must be punis..."
Page 55: "Shadow squirmed and would not be held, though Teac..."
Page 56: "Shadow fell silent and still to face its mentor de..."
Page 57: "Light gloated, and pulled itself further free of J..."
Page 58: ""I have never seen it."
"You have never loo..."
Page 59: "Now its pupil was asking the appropriate question...."
Page 60: ""Perhaps not. Perhaps, I am merely an imbecile."<..."
Page 61: ""I will not!" and it began to struggle again, more..."
Page 62: "Laughing, Shadow struck out and struggled desperat..."
Page 63: ""Wicked is the way to burn, though wicked is not t..."
Page 64: ""Now, Teacher," it gloated, drawing away from Ligh..."
Page 65: "Now Light was anxious to return to the shelter of ..."
Page 66: "The ambulance started forward at once. Before its..."
Chapter 4:
A Pale Horse
Death comes in all shapes and sizes. No one is immune.
Page 1:
"…Shadow was relieved to encounter her, so fresh fr..."
Page 2: "Shadow licked its secret wounds and reordered itse..."
Page 3: "She coughed and felt along her body with numbed, t..."
Page 4: ""I'm okay!" she shouted to be heard above the wail..."
Page 5: ""Peter!" she squeaked without stopping.
"Co..."
Page 6: ""Are you sure? Still, maybe I should come inside ..."
Page 7: "Giggling, she carried the cage into her kitchen, w..."
Page 8: "Locating a remote control, Liza raised the overhea..."
Page 9: "This, she pressed into first her left then her rig..."
Page 10: "Presently, a young boy sat next to her, and proppe..."
Page 11: ""I'm going to Dallas to be with my dad. I hope we..."
Page 12: "Liza smiled painfully, and wished the little boy a..."
Page 13: ""Shut the fuck up, okay?" she whispered fiercely, ..."
Page 14: "Shadow was vaguely alarmed by this. A flush of fe..."
Page 15: "As a dark, winged angel, it came down from the hig..."
Page 16: ""Me, too," he returned, shuffling forward, once th..."
Page 17: "Taking a deep, calming breath past cracked and bli..."
Page 18: ""What?" she grunted, distracted. "Oh, nothing… so..."
Page 19: "When the big Texan leaned in heavily, the other re..."
Page 20: ""Sorry," she apologized without any real convictio..."
Page 21: "She struggled to breathe, and rolled her own windo..."
Page 22: ""Nothing. Nothing," mumbled Liza. Like something..."
Page 23: "Ultimately, she arrived at a small grove of trees,..."
Page 24: "'Indeed,' it replied eventually, coming to rest am..."
Page 25: "'Yet you, as all God's creatures, must age. How h..."
Page 26: "Shadow brooded unpleasantly, and was disgusted wit..."
Page 27: "'Ever the response I expect from impotence.'
Page 28: "'Today we wrestle with our own awful natures, indi..."
Page 29: "'All living things are born of a primitive past, f..."
Page 30: "'I have not understood a word of it, regardless. ..."
Page 31: "Light admonished, 'Each step of your labor must st..."
Page 32: "Shadow kept its tongue and was still, though it se..."
Page 33: "The Lighted One laughed long, deep and hard, which..."
Page 34: "'Freedom from what? What binds you, here?'
Page 35: "'Except I do not wish it.'
'Often, the chil..."
Page 36: "'As ever, Benighted One, I will endeavor to teach ..."
Page 37: "'It is your job to ensure that I choose the proper..."
Page 38: "'Perhaps. Only long stretches of time could deter..."
Page 39: "'I could slay you now, then, could I not?'
..."
Page 40: "'No, child, I cannot. We are all bound by the sam..."
Page 41: "'As I have said, I have come to point out the prop..."
Page 42: "Shadow was not eager to heed its master's advice. ..."
Page 43: "'These people do not fear you. They do not know y..."
Page 44: "Dismayed, though it struggled to conceal its conce..."
Page 45: "'Then I fail.'
'No. Not yet. Not nearly.'..."
Page 46: "The Enlightened One followed closely behind its er..."
Page 47: "-|-
As a small, frightened, damaged thing t..."
Page 48: "When it was able to conquer its own impotent self-..."
Page 49: "It knew of no other way to know than to learn. So..."
Page 2: "Shadow licked its secret wounds and reordered itse..."
Page 3: "She coughed and felt along her body with numbed, t..."
Page 4: ""I'm okay!" she shouted to be heard above the wail..."
Page 5: ""Peter!" she squeaked without stopping.
"Co..."
Page 6: ""Are you sure? Still, maybe I should come inside ..."
Page 7: "Giggling, she carried the cage into her kitchen, w..."
Page 8: "Locating a remote control, Liza raised the overhea..."
Page 9: "This, she pressed into first her left then her rig..."
Page 10: "Presently, a young boy sat next to her, and proppe..."
Page 11: ""I'm going to Dallas to be with my dad. I hope we..."
Page 12: "Liza smiled painfully, and wished the little boy a..."
Page 13: ""Shut the fuck up, okay?" she whispered fiercely, ..."
Page 14: "Shadow was vaguely alarmed by this. A flush of fe..."
Page 15: "As a dark, winged angel, it came down from the hig..."
Page 16: ""Me, too," he returned, shuffling forward, once th..."
Page 17: "Taking a deep, calming breath past cracked and bli..."
Page 18: ""What?" she grunted, distracted. "Oh, nothing… so..."
Page 19: "When the big Texan leaned in heavily, the other re..."
Page 20: ""Sorry," she apologized without any real convictio..."
Page 21: "She struggled to breathe, and rolled her own windo..."
Page 22: ""Nothing. Nothing," mumbled Liza. Like something..."
Page 23: "Ultimately, she arrived at a small grove of trees,..."
Page 24: "'Indeed,' it replied eventually, coming to rest am..."
Page 25: "'Yet you, as all God's creatures, must age. How h..."
Page 26: "Shadow brooded unpleasantly, and was disgusted wit..."
Page 27: "'Ever the response I expect from impotence.'
Page 28: "'Today we wrestle with our own awful natures, indi..."
Page 29: "'All living things are born of a primitive past, f..."
Page 30: "'I have not understood a word of it, regardless. ..."
Page 31: "Light admonished, 'Each step of your labor must st..."
Page 32: "Shadow kept its tongue and was still, though it se..."
Page 33: "The Lighted One laughed long, deep and hard, which..."
Page 34: "'Freedom from what? What binds you, here?'
Page 35: "'Except I do not wish it.'
'Often, the chil..."
Page 36: "'As ever, Benighted One, I will endeavor to teach ..."
Page 37: "'It is your job to ensure that I choose the proper..."
Page 38: "'Perhaps. Only long stretches of time could deter..."
Page 39: "'I could slay you now, then, could I not?'
..."
Page 40: "'No, child, I cannot. We are all bound by the sam..."
Page 41: "'As I have said, I have come to point out the prop..."
Page 42: "Shadow was not eager to heed its master's advice. ..."
Page 43: "'These people do not fear you. They do not know y..."
Page 44: "Dismayed, though it struggled to conceal its conce..."
Page 45: "'Then I fail.'
'No. Not yet. Not nearly.'..."
Page 46: "The Enlightened One followed closely behind its er..."
Page 47: "-|-
As a small, frightened, damaged thing t..."
Page 48: "When it was able to conquer its own impotent self-..."
Page 49: "It knew of no other way to know than to learn. So..."
Chapter 8:
Concertina
Inside the wire, the fate of the world decides.
Page 1:
"Day 7
Shortly after Johnny regained conscio..."
Page 2: ""Yes, you could."
"Why would you say that?"..."
Page 3: "The fat paramedic was perplexed. He fidgeted in h..."
Page 4: "Johnny let his eyes flutter shut again, when he re..."
Page 5: "Light knew it. Shadow knew it. Humanity knew it...."
Page 6: "He struggled against his bonds without effect. He..."
Page 7: "Though the motion of his head was strictly limited..."
Page 8: "She remained silent, but took a step forward and t..."
Page 9: ""What's wrong?" he mumbled, his eyes rolling to th..."
Page 10: ""Indeed."
"Wh- What have you done?"
..."
Page 11: "Now she giggled lightly, brightly. She was a litt..."
Page 12: "Johnny lay back now, and let his eyelids slide shu..."
Page 13: ""What is that?" wondered Johnny dully. "What are ..."
Page 14: "The effect of the drug was almost instantaneous. ..."
Page 15: "Johnny dragged himself down the aisle. For the fi..."
Page 16: "Weeping silently, shoulders heaving, he hobbled th..."
Page 17: "Beyond the shattered windows, he saw more glass, m..."
Page 18: "Breathing easier now, he stumbled out of the bathr..."
Page 19: "Next, Johnny was horrified to see something Light ..."
Page 20: "As though he had pulled a terrible curtain wide, m..."
Page 21: "Nearer and nearer he hobbled. Twenty yards. Ten...."
Page 22: ""First, you rid yourself of the one legged old wom..."
Page 23: "Nikki's response was immediate and pointed. "Look..."
Page 24: "His man-thing chuckled reflexively. "I will offer..."
Page 25: "His silence only served to anger Nikki. She follo..."
Page 26: ""I pray I shall soon slay you, Teacher!" She turn..."
Page 27: "As far as he could see, the city beyond appeared t..."
Page 28: "Despite his greatest endurance, however, Johnny qu..."
Page 29: "Grating and grinding, he forced the vehicle throug..."
Page 30: "Nikki giggled and dashed across the street, betwee..."
Page 31: "Even as she found what she was looking for, Johnny..."
Page 32: "Before Johnny could recover and renew his assault,..."
Page 33: "Repeatedly, she cleverly evaded him, experienced a..."
Page 34: "As he shifted back to drive, Johnny watched her di..."
Page 35: "He backed down the Interstate a few hundred yards,..."
Page 36: "When the big, heavy door flew wide, Nikki saw a gr..."
Page 37: ""Can you help me?" repeated Nikki, tears streaking..."
Page 38: "Samantha reached for Nikki compassionately to pull..."
Page 39: ""What's this all about, now?" gloomed the old man...."
Page 40: "He turned to address Nikki. "Girl, you best get i..."
Page 41: "Incredibly, though horribly abused, Light's physic..."
Shortly after Johnny regained conscio..."
Page 2: ""Yes, you could."
"Why would you say that?"..."
Page 3: "The fat paramedic was perplexed. He fidgeted in h..."
Page 4: "Johnny let his eyes flutter shut again, when he re..."
Page 5: "Light knew it. Shadow knew it. Humanity knew it...."
Page 6: "He struggled against his bonds without effect. He..."
Page 7: "Though the motion of his head was strictly limited..."
Page 8: "She remained silent, but took a step forward and t..."
Page 9: ""What's wrong?" he mumbled, his eyes rolling to th..."
Page 10: ""Indeed."
"Wh- What have you done?"
..."
Page 11: "Now she giggled lightly, brightly. She was a litt..."
Page 12: "Johnny lay back now, and let his eyelids slide shu..."
Page 13: ""What is that?" wondered Johnny dully. "What are ..."
Page 14: "The effect of the drug was almost instantaneous. ..."
Page 15: "Johnny dragged himself down the aisle. For the fi..."
Page 16: "Weeping silently, shoulders heaving, he hobbled th..."
Page 17: "Beyond the shattered windows, he saw more glass, m..."
Page 18: "Breathing easier now, he stumbled out of the bathr..."
Page 19: "Next, Johnny was horrified to see something Light ..."
Page 20: "As though he had pulled a terrible curtain wide, m..."
Page 21: "Nearer and nearer he hobbled. Twenty yards. Ten...."
Page 22: ""First, you rid yourself of the one legged old wom..."
Page 23: "Nikki's response was immediate and pointed. "Look..."
Page 24: "His man-thing chuckled reflexively. "I will offer..."
Page 25: "His silence only served to anger Nikki. She follo..."
Page 26: ""I pray I shall soon slay you, Teacher!" She turn..."
Page 27: "As far as he could see, the city beyond appeared t..."
Page 28: "Despite his greatest endurance, however, Johnny qu..."
Page 29: "Grating and grinding, he forced the vehicle throug..."
Page 30: "Nikki giggled and dashed across the street, betwee..."
Page 31: "Even as she found what she was looking for, Johnny..."
Page 32: "Before Johnny could recover and renew his assault,..."
Page 33: "Repeatedly, she cleverly evaded him, experienced a..."
Page 34: "As he shifted back to drive, Johnny watched her di..."
Page 35: "He backed down the Interstate a few hundred yards,..."
Page 36: "When the big, heavy door flew wide, Nikki saw a gr..."
Page 37: ""Can you help me?" repeated Nikki, tears streaking..."
Page 38: "Samantha reached for Nikki compassionately to pull..."
Page 39: ""What's this all about, now?" gloomed the old man...."
Page 40: "He turned to address Nikki. "Girl, you best get i..."
Page 41: "Incredibly, though horribly abused, Light's physic..."
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