1

Chapter1
AsharppainshootsthroughmyarmasIclamberupthespiralingstairway,warmliquidtricklingdownmy
numbingarmfromadeepknifewound.Blooddripsoffmyfingertipsandmybreathisheavyandlabored.Myheart
beatdrumsinmyearsanditechosthroughoutmybody,blockingallmysensesofsound.Mymessy,blackhair
clingsontomyflushedfacewiththehelpofmystickysweat.Theguninmysmall,tremblinghandsseemstopullme
upthestairs,asifitwastheonewhocontrolledmybodyratherthanmyself.AsIlookuptotheskywithahand
clutchingmywoundedarm,Istartedtothink.Istillwonderhoweverythingcametothis.Butdeepdown,Iknow
howthisallhappened.IknowthatIchosethispathformyself.Iknewtheriskssevenyearsago.

Anexpressionofpurerapturegracedmyfaceasmyorderofsweetsandcoffeearrived.Mybestfriend,
Velica,chuckledandcontinuedtotalktomeabouthernewjob,whichshehadstartedonlyyesterdayafterher
resultsfromherParegoriaassessmentcamein.IlistenedtoherexcitedblurofwordswhileIsubmergeda
marshmallowintomyblackdrink.Placingthecoffeedippedsweetintomymouth,IglancedatthesmallTVinside
thecafeIsatin.
Now,inthe25thcentury,ourgovernmenthasdevelopedamuchmorereliablepublicsafetyteamthanwe
didcenturiesbefore.Mostofthepublicsafetyteamismadeupofpeoplewhohaveabnormalpowers.These
uniquepeoplehavebeentrainedbyourfinesttocontroltheirpowersandusethemtocatchlosecriminals,whoare
calledthe
strays
.Theirlargermissionisto

Velicasnappedherfingersinmyface,drawingmyattentionawayfromtheT.V.
AsIwasasking,shecontinuedwithanannoyedtone,areyouexcitedtostartyournewjobtoday?
Inodded,glancingoutsidethecafeatthebuildingIwouldsoonbeworkingat.Ittoweredovertheother

buildings,beingoneofthetallest,aswellaslargest,buildingswithinthecity.Anervousclenchshotsqueezedmy
stomachasIaskedmyselfaboutwhatIimaginedworkingatsuchademandinglineofworkwouldbelike.Velicas
eyesfollowedmygazeandshegavemeareassuringsmile.
ImstillshockedtheParegoriaSystemactuallygaveyouthetoprankSrankforthisjob.Youllbe
fine.Afterall,theParegoriaSystemwasmadetofindthejobthatwouldsuitusthemostfromthoroughlyscanning
ourbrains.
BeforeIcouldexpressmyopinionaboutthetopic,aloudshriekpiercedmyears.Amanwithafacefilled
withenmityglaredatanofficer,whoseemedtobeaninspectorbasedonthebadgehewasshowingtothestray.
Theofficerhadanindignantexpressionasheswiftlyputawayhisbadgeandpulledouthisgun,pointingitatthe
man.
JackCarter,yourdailybrainscansshowthatyourbrainiscurrentlyover50%identicaltoatypicalstrays.
Illhavetoaskyoutocomewithmetoanemergencytherapysession.Ifyoumakeanygesticulationthatexpresses
resistance,Iwillshoot,theinspectorstatedashisblueeyeslockedintoJackshystericalfigure.
IIdontknowwhatyouretalkingabout!Jackscreamed.Yourewrong!Imfine!
Jackseyesdartedaround,lookingforanymeansofprotection.Hepulledtheclosestcustomerayoung
womanintohisholdandplacedaknifeatherneck.Amaniacallaugheruptedfromcrazedtheman.
Iwillcutthisgirlsthroatifyoudontputthatgundown!Jackcriedout.

Theknifetightlygrippedinhishandsdugintotheirgirlsdelicateneck,drawingbloodontothemetal
blade.Rapidbreathsfromhersobsmadeherneckcontinuetobackawayandcomeforthintotheknifeoverand
overasthegirlbeggedformercyfromJack.Theinspectorreluctantlysethisgundownbeforekickingittowards
theman.Jackpickedthegunupandaimeditatthepolice.Shakily,hepulledthetrigger.Onlythesoundofa
lockedtriggerbeingpulledwasheard,alongwithcriesofconfusionfromJack.
WhWhyisntthisgunshooting,Jackcalledoutinpanic.
Theblueeyedpoliceofficershandstartedtobeengulfedinragingflamesbutbeforeanythingcouldbe
done,theofficerwasinterrupted.Jackshandwassuddenlypulledbackwards,theknifebeingpromptlytaken
away.Thecaptivefellontothefloor,herkneesweakfromfear,andscurriedawayfromthemadman.Jackangrily
spunaroundtofaceanotherpolicemanwhohadpiercingblackeyes.Thispolicemanwasmuchdifferentthanthe
inspector.Hehadmessy,black,unkempthairwithanunbuttoneddressshirtandcasuallyloosetie.Thesilver
badgeclippedontothecollarheworeonhisneckrevealedhimtobeaenforcer.Afterthecaptivewasawayfrom
thescene,theblackeyedenforcerthrewthemanontothefloor,stompinghisfootontothemansback.
Dontyouknow,theenforcergrowled,onlythosewiththeirfingerprintsandeyemakeupregistered
intothesafetybureausystemareabletounlockthoseguns.
Morepolicemenfloodedintothecafeandthestrugglingmanwasquicklytakenaway,leavingtheinspector
andenforcertogether.Thetwopolicemenstartedtalking,theinspectorshowingenmitythroughhisballedupfists
whiletheblackeyedenforcerhadatauntingsmirk.
Youshouldknow,Imnotaprofferousman,theenforcersaidwithateasingtone.
Theinspectorsolemnlyreplied,IdoknowandthatswhyIcanttrustyouanymore.
Theenforcerletoutabreathychucklebeforeleavingthecafe.Theremainingpoliceofficerglaredathis
companionsretreatingback.Hequicklyapologizedforcausingacommotioninthecafetothecustomersandthe
owner,effectivelyavoidingtumultfromthecustomersaboutnotbeingmorecautiousabouthandlingthesituation
withacaptive.
Isthatwhatyoureallywanttodoforaliving?Velicaaskedmeworriedly,jerkingmeoutofmydazed
state.
Inodded,staringattheretreatingbackoftheinspector.Notanyhumancouldcreateflamesontheirhands.
HesaApeironHolderjustlikeme.

Chapter2
Withadrenalinepumpingthroughmyveins,mylegscarrymefasterandfaster.Memoriesrushthroughmy
headwithoutrelent.AthumpingpainjoinsthesharppaininmyarmasIcontinuemyjourney.Throughthehazeof
myownmind,Itrytosortmythoughts,totrytothinkofanystrategy.Instead,morememoriesreplaythemselvesin
myhead.

AdeepsighescapedmylipsasItightlygrippedthesteeringwheelofmycar.Ilightlynippedatthe
cigarettebetweenmyteeth,tryingtocalmsomeofthebutterfliesinsidemystomach.Mycharcoaleyeswandered
awayfromthelaneofcarsmakingwayformycarduetothescreechingsoundofthesiren.Athickveilofclouds
cloakedthemoonandstarsfromsight.Lightdripsofrainfellontotheland,asifthecloudswerecryingforthe

peopleoftheworld.Alightclapofthunderrippledacrossthecityandflashesoflightningreplacedthegentleglow
ofthestars.
Turningmyattentionbacktowardstheroad,Inoticedablockadesetup.Iquicklyparkedmycar,and
draggedmyselfoutofthewarm,comfortablevehicle.Noticingmycigarettewasstillbetweenmylips,Iwastedno
timepullingitoutandstompingonitafterlettingitfalltotheground.Afewpolicemencameuptome,showingme
wheremysuperiorwas,whowassupposedtoshowmetheropesofthejob.Theyledmetotheinspectorfromthe
cafewhostoodunderacanopy,lookingatdataonhisphone.Iwalkeduptohimandcoughedintomyfisttogethis
attention.
ImInspectorCalypsoEurynome,Iintroducedmyself,bringmyrighthandupintoasolute.
Isee,henoddedinapproval.IamInspectorVincentDoukas.Sorry,butwedon'thavetheluxuryof
treatingyouasanewbie.Thetargetfledsomewhereinthisarea.Bystandershavealreadybeenevacuatedbutthe
targetdoeshaveahostage.Hewentberserkwhenhewastoldheneededtoattendanemergencytherapysessionby
anofficeronpatrol.Hiscurrentbrainscanshowshisbrainisalreadyover75%likeastrays.
Inodded,takingintheinformationhehadthrownatme.AsenseofreverencewashedovermeasIhad
listenedtothedetailedyetbriefsummaryofthetarget.Ipulledoutmycellphone,openingthetarget'sprofilethat
wassenttome.HenryGonzolaanunemployedthirtythreeyearoldmanwithnospouseorkids.BeforeIcould
askanyquestions,atruckpulledupinfrontofus.Thebackofthetruckopeneduptorevealthreemenandone
woman.Inoticedoneofthemenwastheblackeyedmanfromthecafe.Nexttohimwasaoldermanwholookedto
beinhisearlyforties.Thewomannexttohimhadlong,blondehairandcoldblueeyes,yetherfacelookedfamiliar
somehow.Theremainingmanwasagingerandwaswearingablindinglybrighttie.Theyallsteppedout,salutingto
InspectorVincentandme.
AreyouthenewInspector?thewomanasked,incredulitylacedinhertone.
Sheis,soshowhermorerespect,InspectorVincentspat,glaringatthegroup.
Venomcoatedhiswordsandaharshglaretookoverhisoncesmoothfacialexpressions.Thegroupdidn't
flinchandinsteadwatchedmyreaction.Myfacialmusclesdidn'tmove,butmymindwastryingtopiecetogether
thepuzzleofhishatredtowardsthem.
Theseareyourenforcersinotherwords,yourdogs.Astheyenforcers,theyfollowyourordersandtheir
actionswillbeyourresponsibility.Iftheystartgettingoutofhand,justshootthemwithyourgun.Theywereonce
strays
sothegun'ssecuritylockwillunlockwhenyoupointitatthem.

Iglancedatthetablewheresixgunswerelaidout.Althoughmyfacestayedpassive,Ifeltappalled.

Shootingotherswasalreadymindandheartstrainingbuttoshootacoworkerwasevenworse.Thefactthathe
couldcasuallytellmehowtokillanother,wasitfromhisexperienceasaninspector?Questionsracedacrossmy
mindbutIkeptmymouthshut.
JoshandAllisonwillcomewithme,InspectorVictorannounced.Followprocedureyoulearnedin
trainingfortracking.
ThegingerhairedmanandwomanfollowedInspectorVictorintotheevacuatedneighborhood,leavingme
withthetworemainingmen.
Well,weshouldprobablyintroduceourselvesthen,theolderofthepairgrinned.ImRichardLaskaris.
ThisguyisVeroArgyris.

Verosilentlyturnedtowardsme,handingmeagun.Ilightlytookit,andplacedmywirelessearbudinto
myear.Theweaponauthorizationsystemscannedmyeyeandfingerprintsbeforeunlockingthegun.Ipointeditat
oneoftheofficers,hearingtheroboticdevicegivemeaquickscan.
Brainis8%likeaaveragestraysbrain.Lockedmodeactivating.
Trypointingitatme,Verosaid,slightlysurprisingme.
Ididashesaid,andonceagain,theroboticvoiceofthegunrunginmyears.
Brainis74%likeanaverage
strays
brain.Paralyzermodeactivating.

Isharplypointedthegundown,awayfromVero.AghostofanamusedsmirkonVeroslipsflashedby.A
faintshivercrawledupmyback,whetherfromthefrostycoldorfromthefactthattheroboticvoicewasallowing
metoshootsomeonewhoIwillbeworkingwithIdontknow.Richardletoutaloudbellowofalaugh.
WerebothstrayssoyoucanshootuswheneveryouwantMissy.Richardstated.
Myeyebrowsknittedtogetherindispleasure.
Isthefactthatyoubeing
strays
supposetomeanthatyourlifeissoworthlessthatyoucanjustthrowit

awaylikethat?Iasked.

Veroletoutaloudlaugh,causingmetojump.
Suchaingnuelittlelady,Verogrinned.
Indeed,agreedRichard.
Whythankyou,Ismiled.Well,webettergetgoingbeforeVincentgetsmadatus.
Theynoddedinagreementandmotionedmetofollowthetwointothemazeofabandonedbuildingsand
shabbyapartments.MysenseswereallalertandmymindtriedtostayasattentiveasitcouldasIscannedthearea
withmyeyes.Aimpalpableshadowrandownanarrowpassagewaybetweenafewoldbuildings.Ifeltcompelled
tochaseitdownbutthesoundofInspectorVictorsvoiceappearedinmyear.
Thetargethasbeenlocatedinanoldapartment.Theexactlocationhasbeensenttoyourcellphone.He
isonthethirdfloorinroomC36.

Awomanwhohadbeenseverelychastisedlaid,sprawledoutontheground.Hertannedskinwascovered
inherpouringbloodandherbrownhairwasmattedwithsweat.Tearswerefallingfromhereyes,asshetriedto
crawlawayfromthemanwhotoweredoverher.
ContinuedancingformeorIllpunishyoumore!themanscreamed.
Thewomanwailedasshewasviolentlypulledupbytheman.Reluctantly,shestartedtostayher
tremblinghips,flappingherhandstoanunheardrhythm.Thewomandelicatelydancedherwayovertothehearth
withoutthemannoticingandlitthebunchofleavesandflowersonfire.
Iwillburnthisplacedownifyoudontletmego!sheshakilythreatened.
Themanlaughedatherthreat.Hesuddenlylungedatherandpulledoutapocketknife,causingthegirlto
screamanddroptheburningleaves.
Idratherusethoseflamestomeltoffyourmiserableface!heyelled,placinghisknifeatherneck.
Thewomanletoutainaudiblecryasthecoldbladetraversedfromhernecktoherchestwhereherheart
wasbeatingrapidly.Hertremuloushandsclenchedintosmallfistsasshelefttheknifepokeatherskin,readyto

tearthroughthelayers.Shefelttearsofcontemptstreamdownherred,puffycheeksasshewailedattheman,
suddenlyshowingafaceofbravado.
Whyareyoudoingthistome!
Themanlaughedwithinsanityasthewomanssobsbecamelouderandmoredesperate.
Why?Whyme?thewomansoftlywhisperedwithherchokedvoice.
Iwasntalwaysaloneyouknow,themansaidinasuddenlysolemnvoiceandhislaughterabruptly
ceased.Iwaswithabeautifulwomanbutshefurtivelyhadanothermaninherheart.Iwasuncompromisingabout
herwiththeothermanandsosheleftme...Sheleftmeforanotherman!Andyou,youhavethefaceofthat
backstabbingwoman!
Themancutintothewomanschest,protrudingthefirstlayersofherskin.Acryofpaincrawledoutthe
womansthroat.
Ivetrainedmyheartsincethen!Myhearthasaimpervioussteelwallandnoonenotevenshecanget
pastit!
Thisisntgoingtomakeyoufeelanybetter,thewomanwhimpered,hervoicecrackingfromfearandher
screams.
Andnothingwill!themanrebuked.Nothing!ButatleastIcansoothmyselffornowbymakingyou
sufferbecausethatwomanwasyoursister!
Thewomanpaledashescreamedather.Hismaniacallaughter,onceagain,boomedinthewomansears
butshecouldonlyhearhercaptorswordsrepeatedinherhead.Suddenlyallherthoughtsdisappearedfromher
mindashisknifedugdeeperintoherfleshcausinghertoscreaminagony.Thesearingpainbecamemore
prominentasthemanpulledthebloodiedknifeoutofherfleshbeforedippingitbackin,evendeeper.Herragged
breathsandrelentlessstringofscreamsechoedthroughthestormynight.

Chapter3
ItenselybitmybottomlipasIcrouchedunderawindowframeofroomC36.Theululationofthecaptured
womanpiercedthroughthewallsandechoedthroughouttheabandonedbuilding.Verikneeledbeforethedoor,
lookingatmeforanyindicationofpermissiontotakeaction.Hesitantly,InoddedandranafterVeroaftertelling
RichardtotellInspectorVincent.
Ienteredtheapartmentroomcautiously,carefullyholdingmygunuptothecrackedceiling.Ascreamled
metothelivingroomwhereVeropointedhisgunatthetarget.Thevictimscurriedtothecornerofroomandcurled
upintoaball.Ipointedmyowngunatthemanandthrewaviciousglareathim,myeyesburningintohisfearful
ones.
Idontwanttoshootyou,butIwillifnecessary,Isoftlyinformedtheman.Putyourhandsupand
freeze.
Themanslowlypulledhisarmsintotheair,keepingeyecontactwithme.Themanseemedtobereaching
towardshisbreastpocketbutbeforehecoulddoanything,Veroshothim.Hefelltothefloor,joltinginevery
directionbeforefallingunconscious.Iletoutawearysighandrelaxedmytensemuscles.Iwalkedslowlyoverto
thecaptive,whowassnifflingontheground.Iheldoutmyhandtowardsherwithagentlesmile.
Areyouokay?Iasked,examiningthevisiblewounds.

Thewomanshookherheadandgrippedmyhandtightly.MysmilebecameoneofpityasIhelpedherup.
Shestaggeredonherfeet,leaningonmeforsupport.Verowatchedmeandhelduphisguntowardsthewoman.The
womanquicklystartedtopanic,scaredofthegunbeingpointedather.
Thatwomansbrainscanisover70%rightnow,Verosnarledasheglaredatmetobackaway.
Stopit,Istronglyordered.
Shesastraynow.Youregoingagainstyourjobasainspectorifyoudontshoother,heprotested.
IshookmyheadasIsaid,Thatisnttrue.Ourjobistoprotectthelaw.Protectingthiswomanispartof
myjobassomeoneinthissociety.Shecanbesavedfromatleastthelethalmodeifyouallowhertorelax.
Verohadalookofsurprisebutquicklyhiditasheletoutaannoyedclickofatongue.
Dowhatyouwant.
Iletoutachucklebeforesmilingbrightlyatthewoman.
Iwontletyoudie.Imgoingtomakesureyoucangobackandeatdinnerwithyourlovedonessoon.
Thewomanseyesonceagainfilledupwithtears.Sheburiedherfaceintomyshoulderandthankedme
overandover.Ipattedherhairbutthemomentwasshortlived.Agunshotranginmyears.Ijerkedmybody
towardsthedoortoseeInspectorVincentholdinguphisgun.Thewomanfelltothefloorandtwitcheduntilshe
laidonthegroundunconsciousasthemanhad.
InspectorCalypso,Iexpectareportonthisfirstthinginthemorningtoexplainyourobscenebehavior,
InspectorVincentstrictlysaid.
Iclenchedmyjawandnodded,notbotheringtolookathimasIpassedthroughthedoorway.AsIdid,a
horrifyingstenchenteredmynose.Iwrinkledmyfaceisdetestandpausedtoscantheroomforthesourceofthe
smell.Dirtyplatespiledupinthesinkandclotheswerestrewneverywhere.Foodwasleftonthediningtablewith
atrailofantscrawlingalloverthetableandfliesflutteringaroundthewholehouse.
Atightlysealed,blacktrashbag,filledtothebrim.Fliessurroundeditwhileantsblanketedthebag,and
thestenchgrewstrongerasIapproachedthebag.MygagreflexpulledatmythroatbutIstifleditasapproached
theinauspiciousbag.Pullingonsomegloves,Iopenedthebag.AdecayingcorpsesmiledatmeasIfreeditfrom
itsplasticcoffin.Istifledascreamofterrorandswallowedthethicklumpinmythroat.Theeyesoftherotting
corpsestaredatmewithawhitehaze,blankandunmoving.Thelowerjawwasmissing,displayingthetop
yellowingteethforalltosee.Ignoringthesmelloftherottingbody,Ipulledthebodyoutofthebagandsetitonto
thefloortoexamineitbetter.Thebodyseemedtohavebelongedtoawoman,judgingbytheclotheswornandthe
remainingchunksofhaironthescalp.IcontinuedtoexaminethebodyandcalledInspectorVincentoversohe
couldcallitinforanautopsy.AgroupofpolicemencameoverandIassimilatedintothegroup,explaininghowI
founditandwhatIhaddonetothebody.AftersendingthemavoicerecordingofeverythingIhaddoneinvolving
thebody,theylefttobringthebodytotheautopsylab.
AsIexitedtheapartmentroom,Iletoutthethirdsighthatday.Myeyeswandereduptowardsthehidden
moon.Thecloudsweredarkerandthickerthanbeforeandtherainfellharderontotopavement.Ipulledouta
cigaretteandlitit,stilllookingupatthemurkysky.
Suchaboringskytonight.

Chapter4

AwearyyawnescapedmylipsasIreluctantlyenteredtheofficeIhadbeenworkinginforaboutaweek
now.InspectorVictorwassittingathisseat,typingrapidlyathisdesktop.Hestoppedtypingtogivemeafriendly
smilebeforeturningbacktohiswork.Itookmyseatatthedesknexttohisandturnedonmyowndesktop
computertogetstartedwiththereportIhadtowriteaboutthesmallcaseIwasputonlastnight.Myfingerswere
likespeedingbirdsflyingacrossthekeyboard,butmyconcentrationwassooninterruptedbyafilebeingsentover
bytheautopsylab.Iopenedthefile,whichbroughtoutawindowfullofimagesandafewreportsofthecorpseI
hadfoundonlyaweekago.Thereportswereexcessivelylong,buttheygavemeadetailedsummaryofwhatwas
foundandwhattheytheorizedhadhappened.
ThecorpsebelongedtoanenforcerknownasAmandaKit.AmandaKitwasayoungenforcerwhoworked
underoverfiveinspectors.Strangely,everyinspectorsheworkedunderhadbecomestrayswhenworkingwithher,
andeachoneofthemwerekilledinbrutal,horrificways.Onewasfoundforcefullycontortedintoademented
shapeandplasticized.Anotherwasfounddumpedinanalleyway,stressreliefdrugsandscalpelsdisplayedinher
cupopenstomach.Thethirdinspectorhadhisfingersburnedtogetherandwasbrandedbyhisowninspectorbadge.
Thefourthinspectorwasfoundwithhertonguecutopen,alongwithherarms,legsandstomach.Pokerchipswere
wedgedineachwound.Shewentmissingafterherfifthinspectorwasshotbyherownhandsonlytwomonthsago
whenshewasvisitingherparents.Therewasasmallsearchpartysentoutbutnothingwasfound.Thecasewas
leftunsolved.IsentacopyofthefiletoInspectorVincentbeforegettingoutofmyseattotalktohim.
Idliketotakeonthiscase.
InspectorVincentquicklyskimmedthroughthereportsbeforeturningtowardsme.
Why?Theresnopointintakingacasethatismerelyaboutthedeathofanenforcer.
Mynonchalantlookhardenedashesaidthis.
Althoughsheisanenforcer,shewasstillonceanormalcivilian.Idontseehowherrankingchanges
anythingaboutthiscase.
She
was
anormalcivilian.Shebecameastray.Shewasprobablymixedupwithsomeofherownkind

andgotkilledbecauseofthat.

Angerrippledthroughmeasifpeltingraindropsofvexationwerepouringdownonmyfeelings.I
slammedmyhandsontohisdesk.
Itdoesntmatterifsheisanormalcivilianorstray,shewashumanjustlikeallofus.Idontunderstand
whyyouwantedtojointhislineofwork,butIwantedtosavethelivesofothersnotonlybycapturingstraysbut
bysavingthemaswell.Theyarealsovictimsandyou,InspectorVincent,arebecomingadifferenttypeofstray.
InspectorVincentglaredatmebeforetiredlyshakinghisheadandsaying,Fine,dowhatyouwant,but
knowthatIdontsupportyourcompassionforthestrays.
Inoddedandexitedtheoffice,needingabreakfromthetensionbuiltbetweenmeandmyfellowinspector.
Verostoodoutsidewithacigaretteinhismouth,watchingmeasIpulledoutmyown.
Andyouonceagainprovetobesuchaingnuelittlelady.Imsurprisedyouwouldyellatyoursuperior
likethat.
AndImsurprisedsuchagentlemancanharborsuchahatetowardsstrays.
Veroletoutadeepchucklebeforesaying,Hethinkswereallvenalandhatesustoourcore.Itdbe
mercurialifanyonecouldchangehisopinion.

Suchasocietywehave,Imuttered.
OurconversationwascutshortasInspectorVincentburstoutoftheoffice.
Wewerejustputonacase.Illbriefyouaswego,comeon,InspectorVincentordered.
VeroandIranafterthespeedingmanintotheelevator.
InspectorKellywastrailingastraywhichbroughthertothepharmacywerecurrentlyheadingtowards.
Shewasinsidethebuildingwhenthebuildingsuddenlyenteredlockdownmode.Herenforcerswereorderedto
waitoutside.Theytriedtocontactherafterwaitingforherfor30minutesbutshedidntrespond.Theenforcers
grewworriedandbecausetheirinspectorwasnotthere,theyaskedustocomeforbackup.

Awhisperofabreezefloatedbyasthepolicemenclearedthenearbystreetsofcarsandpedestrians.
InspectorVincentworeastonhardexpressionashebarkedoutordersateveryone.HepositionedJoshandAllison
atoptheroofofthenextbuildingover,wheretheycouldpeerthroughthehigherwindowsofthepharmaceutical
building.Istoodnearthesteelblockeddoorsofthebuilding,steadilygrippingmygun.Myheadshotupasa
boominggunshotwasheard.Allisonhadshotthroughthewindow.Onlyafewminuteslater,thesteeldoorswere
pulledopen.Thecaptivesflockedoutoftheroom,bloodstainingsomeoftheirbodies.
Theyreallstraysnow!Shootthemall!InspectorVincentroared.
What?Iscreamedinprotest.
Droppingmygun,ItackledInspectorVincenttothecold,hardgroundlikeaferocioustigerjumpingatits
prey.TheinspectortriedtothrowmeoffbutIwouldntrelentaswestruggledontheroughfloor.
Dont!Pleasedont!Ibegged,rippingthegunfromhishands.
Ishakilypointedthegunathim,hopingtobeabletoparalyzeInspectorVincent.
Brainis11%likeaaveragestraysbrain.Lockedmodeactivating.
Icursedandharshlythrewthegunattheinspector,earningagruntofpain.
Doit!Theyrealltrashnow!Killthem!InspectorVincentscreamedinrage.
Withoutwastingasecond,IpushedmyselfoffInspectorVincentandrushedtostoptheothers.Evenwith
mestrugglingandpleading,Iwasignored.Icoveredayounggirlwithmyownbodyasmyfinalattempttostopthe
homicidehappeninginfrontofmyowneyes.Itwasntenough.Theykickedmeaside,heldmedownandshotthe
girl.Mylungsburnedasmysobbedandscreamed.
How?Howcouldyoudosomethinglikethis?Iwhimperedpitifully.
Myvoicewasleftunheardastheydraggedmetothecar.Iwearilyglancedbackatthebuilding,onlyto
feelbilefillmythroat.Somanybodiesinsuchpitifulpositionscoveredtheground.Inthemiddleofitall,
InspectorVincentstoodwithavictorious,wolfishgrin.Theagonyofseeingsomanykilledneedlesslyateatmy
mind.Theimagethatstoodbeforemeburnedintomybrain,hauntingmythoughts.Abeatupgirlwobbledoutthe
doors,looselycarryingagunwithher.HershakilywalkeduptoInspectorVincentandfrozeinfearashepointed
hisgunather.InspectorVincentloweredhisgunandsmiledwarmlyatthewoman.Tearsrolleddownherbruised
andbloodyfaceassheranintoahugwithInspectorVincent.Hersoftcriessoonbecameaearpiercingshriek.My
tiredeyeswentwideasIsawherarmsonfireasshesquirmedinInspectorVincentsgrip.Herscreamsabruptly
ceasedasJoshshother.HerbruntarmsslidoffInspectorVincentsstiffbody.Iwatchedhisfacetwistintoasick
grin.

Apity,InspectorKellywaspartofthepaucitypopulationofApeironHoldermuchlikeyouandInspector
Vincent.

Chapter5
Amansitsacrossfrommewithacraftysmilesitsonhislips.Achillofdissettlementpricksatmyspineas
Istareintohishazeleyes.Heworeadistractingly,eccentrictophatuponhisneat,ebonyhairandaluxurious
tailcoat.Themansatleaningforward,hischinplacedonhislacedfingersashegrinsatmewithamusement.Such
relaxedpostureunnervedmebutIcouldonlyputforthaweakglarewithmyeyesbrimming
withtears.
Goodafternoon,Ms.Calypso,themangreeted.
Whoareyou?Ibitback,ignoringhispleasantries.
Themanfrownedatmyquestion,asifhewasdisappointed.
Isee,soyouvereallyforgotten.themanmurmuredbeforeslappinghisconfidantsmilebackon.Dont
yourememberthatdaywhenIheldyouinmyarms?Youlookedlikesuchagossamergirlinmyarms,Iafraidyou
wouldbreakifIheldontoyoutightly.ItwasthedayFatherdied.
Ivenevermetyouinmylife,Igrowled,tryingtopiecetogetherhiswords.
Youllremembereventually.Lookslikeitstimeformetogo.Illseeyousoon.
BeforeIcouldrespond,therewasatappingonthewindow.Allisonwasstaringatmethroughthetinted
window,asmallpoutonherface.Beforepullingthewindowdown,Ishiftedmyeyestotheseatthemanhadsatin.
Ratherthanbeinggreetedbyaguilefulsmile,Iwasgracedbythepresenceofnothingness.Anotherroundof
tappingpulledmyattentionawayfromtheemptyseat.AsIpulledthewindowdown,Icouldhearhertappingher
heelsagainstthepavementinhurry.
Look,Idontcarehowmuchyouhateseeingpeoplegetkilledbutifyouregoingtobeintheway,you
shouldvetakenthisjob!Allisonscreamed.
Ididntbotheransweringtheragingenforcer,butratherexaminedInspectorVincent.Hiscrazedsmilewas
gonebutthelookinhiseyesremained.Myeyesweresnaredbytheasheshewassteppingon.Agustblewthrough
thecity,carryingtheasheswithit.IsilentlysaidmygoodbyetotheinspectorIneverknewbeforedoingthesame
tothemanywhowerekilledbymycoworkers.Hearingmyselfsaythismademechuckle.Allisonsilencedand
lookedatmewithaconfusedlook.IignoredheronceagainandmademywaytoVero.
Verowasstandinginsidethebuildingwithathoughtfulexpression.Lookingaround,Inoticedthe
medicinecounterwasbattenedandtherewasnumerousbottlesofpillsmissing.Kneelingdown,Iinspectedthe
bottlesofpillsandliquidsonthefloor.Strangely,allthestressreliefmedicinewasmissing.Makingnoteofthis,I
mademywaydeeperintothepharmaceuticalbuilding.
ItwasntlongbeforeadeadendwasplacedinfrontofmeasIexploredthehallways.Myhandshotoutto
touchthestrangelyplacedwall,butIwasinterruptedbyafamiliarvoice.
InspectorCalypso?Whatareyoudoing?
InspectorVincent,Igreeted,turningawayfromthewall.Ihappentobeexaminingthebuilding.
Isee.Sohaveyounoticedanything?
Therewasalargequantityofstressreliefmedicinemissingfromthecounters.
Stressrelief?Thatsstrange.

10

Inoddedinreply.InspectorVincentmotionedmetofollowhimandledmeoutsidewheredronesand
enforcerswereidentifyingthehostagesthroughbloodsamples.
Summoningmycourage,Iasked,Whydidyoudoit?
Shebecameastray.Itishermeteforbetrayinghissociety.
Withoutaresponse,Iwaitedhimtocontinue.
Iguessitshowsyouhoweventhemostsplendid
andpassionateinspectorscanturnbadsometimes,he
laughs.
Shecouldvebeensaved.Shecouldveflushthethoughtsofacriminalfromhermindifyouhadgiven
hertimetocalmdownfromherhysterica.
Shesbeendefiled.Shecantbecomeascleanasshewaseveragain.
Havingdirtonyouiswhatmakesyouhuman.
Thissocietydoesntneedsomethingthatcantstaycleanforever.
Thenwhatareyoudoinghere?
InspectorVincentturnedtolookatme.Withoutanexpression,hestaredintomyeyesandenthralled
them
intotheswirlsofemptiness.Timetickedbywithasilencesothick,abutterknifecouldslicethroughit.Witha
smileoflies,hebrokethesilence.
Haveyourreportdonebytomorrow.
Withthat,hebidmegoodbyeandleftmeinatrailofdustandsmoke.MytenseshouldersrelaxedasI
pulledoutacigaretteandlitit,breathinginthecalmingfumes.
Hisvoice,Imurmurtomyself,remindsmeofthissmoke.
AsIquicklyfinishedmycigarette,Iletoutonelastmutterbeforereturningtowork.
Idontlikeit.

Chapter6
Anotherdaycomesby,withmorepaperwork.AsItypeupanotherreporttoexplainwhathadhappenedat
asmallcaseIrecentlyfinished,Iwasdistractedbytheringofmyphone.Withoutspearingitmuchofasecond
glance,Iswipedtheanswerbutton.
InspectorCalypsospeaking,Ianswer,continuingtotypeawayatmydesk.
Youcancomeinandexaminethatbodyyoufoundnow.Istonightgood?
Anna,Ismiled,gladthatshewaswillingtohelpmecalmmynerves.Tonightsfine,thanksforhelping
mewiththis.
Justtreatmetosomegoodfoodsometimeandwellcalliteven,Annalaughed.Buthonestly,youre
gonnawanttoseethisinperson.Itsnotassimpleasitlooks.
Alright,IllbethereassoonasIcan.
Iendedthewallandleanedbackintomychair.Iletoutasighandstaredatmyhalffinishedreport.
MothsdancearoundtheflickeringstreetlampsasIhustlemywaydownthedimlyilluminatedstreets.The
coldnippedatmyhands,jammedinsidemycoatspockets.Thecrunchingofthesnowfilledthedesertedstreetsas
Isharplyturnedintoaalleyway.MyhastebecamedisheartenedasIwalkedpastmenandwomencurledupinthe
alleyway,huddlingforwarmthintheirshreddedclothes.IstoppedinmytracksassoonasIsawayoungchildwho

11

couldntbemorethanfouryearsold.Suchasmallbodyyethehasoilmattedhairclingingtohisdirtsmearedface
andpussfilledscratcheslitteringhisbodytrembling.Hisfrailbody,almosttranslucentandorgansarealmost
visabletothechillingwind.Hewasnestledbetweentwootherchildren,whobothseemedintheirearlyteens.One
wasagirl,herstateinsimilarconditionastheyoungerboy.Evenwithherbaggyclothing,Icouldseeherribs
throughherfluorescentskinthroughoneofthemanyripsinhershirt.Hercracked,besmirchednailswereclamped
betweenherstained,yellowteeth.Theotherteenwasaboy.Hehaddarkbagsunderhiseyes,andlongbonyarms
thatwerewrappedaroundtheothertwochildren.Hehadawearysmilelookingattheothertwobutwithhis
crackedteethandrippeduplips,onecouldonlyfeelhisdrainedsoul.Intheyoungerboystremblinghands,he
graspedatajadedpendentofglass.Thesmalljewelerywasscratched,wornandhadthelacklusterofarock,and
yetthechildclungtoitasifitwasadiamond.PitygrippedatmyheartasIlookedatthethreechildrenandinthe
momentofmadcapmyfeetstartedwalkingontheirown.
Istuckmyhandsintomypockets,pullingoutmyphonebeforeIshruggedmycoatoffmyshoulders.
Bendingdown,Idrapeditoverthethreeshiveringchildren.Twopairsofeyesshotuptome,staringatmewitha
dauntlessglare.Theirgreeneyeddistrustformeburnedthroughmyheart.Howmuchpainandsufferingthese
childrenmustvegonethroughtobeabletoglareatanotherlikethat.However,theyoungestchildlookedupatme
withdifferenteyes.Helookedatmewithcuriouseyesandsmiledthankfullyashesnuggleddeeperintothe
makeshiftblanketofmycoat.Ismiledback,silentlypointingthethepocket.Oneoftheotherchildrencautiously
reachedintoit,pullingoutabagofcookiesIhadbroughtasasnackforwork.Theircautiousglaresintolustrous
orbsofsavagehungry.
Theolderboyrushedtoshovedhisgrimyhandsintothebag,pullingoutoneforeachofthem.Theyall
shovedthecookiesintotheirmouthwiththeirfreehandplacedundertheirchinstocatchfallingcrumbs,carefulto
befrugalwiththelittlebitoffood.Theysafelytuckedawaytherestofthebagbehindthem.
Hey,Isoftlyspoke,
Thethreechildrenobsequiouslylookedatme,listeningwithintriguedgazes.
ThisisallIcandofornowbutImtryingsohangtightforjustawhilelonger.
Withthosewords,Icontinuedtowalkoutthealleyway.
Thankyou,asmallvoicecriedout.
Insteadofasmile,adiscontentfrownwasslappedontomylips.Frustrationbitdownonmybottomlip,as
Ithoughtofmyuselessness.Anyonecouldgivethemacoatandlittlefood,butwhataboutahome?Whatabout
foodforthenextday?Whataboutthewarmthandsecurityofafamily?Whydonttheydeserveachance?The
stormofquestionsswirlinginmyminddazedme,butIcontinuedtowalkforwardtomyhome.Iglancedup,
feelingwaterhitmycheeks,onlytoseeblurredwhitesparklesinthesky.Mycoldhandsshotuptofeeltheburning
tearsthatcontinuetoimpedemysight.Insteadofwipingawaymyoverflowingtears,Icontinuedtowalkblindly.
Suchpoorchildren,dontyouthink?afamiliarvoicecrossedmyears.
Jerkingtomyright,IsawthesamestrangemanIhadseeninthecar.Hisamusedsmirkwasstillonhis
faceasthelasttime.Thistime,hehadacanewithhim,whichhewasleaningonwithbothhandsclaspedaround.
Whatdoyouwant?Ihissed,hastilywipingawaymytearsfrommyeyes.
Ah,suchobscenewordsyouspitatmeevenwithmymonumentalstatus,themantaunted.

12

FurryclawedatmystomachbutIcontinuedtowalkawayfromtheman.Hechuckledatmyangerand
walkedalongnexttome.
Itwouldntkillyoutoacthobnobtowardsmesometimes,themangrins.
Withourcircumstantialmeeting,Idontthinkthatstrue,Isneerback.
Iwouldthinkthefatefuldaywemetisveryequivocal.
AndIwouldhavetoseeitthesideofregret.
Ah,buthowwouldonefromanimpartialpartyseeit?
Doyouplanonfollowingmehome?Ibarked,stompingmyfootbeforeturningtowardsthemysterious
man.
Themanbellowedoutalaugh,demeaningmyangerwithawave.Hepulledoutablankbusinesscardand
handedtome.Isnatchthecardaway,readytoripitupinfrontofhimbuthestopsme.
Thiscardholdssuchaspecialthing.ThiscardIwroteanodeforthelostandtheweary.Holdontoitand
youwillseethatitsmuchmorethanyouwouldthinkforyouandforme,thecrazedmansung.
Hismaniacallaughtermixedwiththenightcricketschirping,playedthesongofthelunatics.Icouldfeel
nonexistentfingersghostlydancingupmyarmuntiladrupdendlyfrozewithhisheadthrownbackandhiseartoear
smilestillonhislips.
Illbeonmywaynowbutdontbesadnow.Wellmeetagainsoon.Tatafornow!
Andwiththosenerverackingwords,themanpulledoutacurtainfromhispocket,holdingithightocover
himself.Thenwithaflickofhiswrist,thecurtainfelltothefloorwithnoonebehinditbutatrailofsmokeleading
upthestreetlamp.

Chapter7
Mufflednifflingaccompaniedbyfranticpoundingonmydoorawokemefrommydreamlessslumber.
Groggily,Istumbledaround,turningthelightsonlytobedazzlemyselfforafewseconds.Asmyvisioncameback,
Imademywaytomyfrontdoor,pullingitopentoseeafamiliarlittleboywithfreshbloodsmearinghisface.A
deepcutwasslashedacrosshisforeheadandhistearsweremixeditwiththetrailingredliquid.Heclungontomy
leg,grovelingandlettingoutaninaudibleblubberofwords.Hisstateofhysteriapulledmefrommydazedstate.I
pulledhimintomyhome,rushingtogettheemergencykitIhad.Myinstinctscausedmetoangrilyranttothechild
abouttakingcareofhimselfbutIhaltedselfasIfeltthechildgluehisfeettothefloor.
YouneedtohelpLinaandHenry!thesmallchildsobbed.Theyregoingtogetkilled!
Athisfranticwords,Ihastilyhandedthekittothechild,tellinghimtotrytodisinfecthiswoundandwait
patientlyuntilIcameback.Igrabbedmyphone,sendingoutanemergencycodetothepublicservicessystem
beforegrabbingmygunanddashingout.IsprintedwithouthesitationuntilIsawanalleywaywithnothingbut
bloodybodies.Limpbodieswithfacesfrozeninagonylitteredthealleyway.Lookingaround,Icouldseethetwo
childrenIhadspokentoearlierthatnight.BilerosetomythroatasIstaredatthemostgruesomesightmyeyeshad
everlaidon.
BothLeniaandHenrysfaceswerecontortedintoexpressionsofsuchanguishandsuffering.Theireyes
werewideopenandstreaksofdriedtearsstainedtheircheeks.Snotdrippedfromtheirnoses,leadingdowntotheir
gapingmouths.Theirdemented,served,gnarledhandswerewedgedinside,thefingersdrapedovertheirteethasif

13

thehandsweretryingtocrawlout.Underneaththehandsdrippedwaterybileintoanexpanseoforgansrippedout
fromtheiroriginalplace.
Thechildrenstorsoswereroughlytornopenwiththeirorgansspillingoutaroundthem.Candleswere
jammedintotheirintestinesinsidetheircarvedoutinsides,lightingupthedisturbinglyvacantstomachofthetwo
children.InthemiddleofLinasstomach,betweentheflickeringcandles,wasalittle,pink,inauspiciousbox,the
bottompaintedredwithblood.Ontopoftheboxwasastringy,goldenbowwithstrangeredandskincolored
clumps.Itonlytookamomenttorealizethebowwasmadefromherownhairrippedoffherhead.Henrys
stomachalsoheldthesameboxasLeniabuttheboxinsidehimwasblueandthepeachcoloredbowwasntmade
fromhishair.Itwasmadefromskinviolentlypeeledofffromhislegsandarms.
EverythingwasfrozeninthemomentIsawthetwochildren.Icouldonlythinkofthesavagerytheyfaced
tilltheybecamethismutilatedstatetheremorselesstorturetheyhadlivethroughtilltheirlastbreath.Icouldnt
feelanything.Icouldonlythinkandimagineabouttheirpainandhowtheyfeltastheyfellpreytosuchcastigation.
SuddenlyIcouldfeelalumpinmythroat.MorebileorascreamIcouldnttellbutIdidnthavethestrengthto
holdmymouthclosed.Iletoutasmallnoisebutitdidntstop,Icontinuedtoletoutsmallscreams,eachone
gettinglouderandeachpauseofairdwindlinguntilIwaslettingoutaneverending,earpiercingscream.Iceased
asIfeltasharpstingonmycheek.
Irealizedmyarmswerewrappedaroundmyselfwithmynailspainfullydiggingintothem.Tearswere
alreadydrippingdownmychin,sometrailingdownmyneck.Amultitudinousnumberofpolicemenfilledthe
alleyway,theirradiosbuzzingandaskingforupdatesonthesituation.InfrontofmewasVero.Histranquilfaceof
kindnessandcomforting,stronggriponmyshoulderssnappedmeoutofmymomentofzany.Iresistedtheurgeto
curlupinhisarmsandcrylikeasmallgirl,insteadtakingashakybreath.
IImokay,Istutter,givingVeroasmallsmiletoreassurehim.
Wasthatdirectedtowardsmeoryourself?Veroretorted,hisintensegazeneverfalteringfrommyown
eyes.
Imimickedhisgaze,glazingmyowneyesoverwithunreadableemotions.Unwillingtobreakawayfrom
hisgaze,wecontinuedtoblanklystareateachotheruntilInspectorVincentwalksbetweenus.
InspectorCalypso,Ineedyoutoreporttomeeverythingthathappened,InspectorVincenturged,before
finishingwithafirm,now.
Inodded,understandingly.FollowinghimtowardsLeniaandHenry,IwatchedVerowalknextto
InspectorVincentwithaswaggerIcouldntfindinmyselfinmystateofpanic.Nexttoasuperior,Veriwalkedas
anequalasifhedidntknowaboutanysocialstanding.Mymindwondered,wonderingiftheboostofself
confidence(althoughonecouldargueitwasmereaggnorance)camefromthemetamorphosisinbeinglabeleda
criminal.
AswestopbeforeLeniaandHenry,InoticesomethingIcouldntnoticefromwhereIstoodbefore.The
cookiesIhadgiventhethreechildrenweremixedwiththebileandbloodbeneaththeminacrumpledmess.My
breathhitchedasInspectorVincentbentdowntochildren.
Horribleisntit,hemurmured.
Horrible?Iaskedinahushedtoneofdisbelief.Howcanyougivesanctimoniousspeechnowwhen
youmassacredallthosepeople!Areyougoingtohaveapageantrynextforallthosepeopleyoumurderedwith

14

moreliesforotherstohear!InspectorVincent,Illtalktoyoulateraboutwhathadhappened.Fornow,Idliketo
inspectthesurroundingarea.
IgaveanotherharshglareatInspectorVincentbeforestormingofftoaclusterofpoliceofficers.They
noticedmeandgaveacurtsaluteasIenteredtheirlittlecircle.
Haveyoufoundanything?Iasked,lookingaroundattheothercorpses,nonenearlyastorturedatLenia
andHenry.
Wellobviously,itwasntjustascufflewithsomeofthehomeless,Joshpointedoutashewalkedover.
Perhapsitwasapander?oneoftheofficerschimedin.
Apanderwouldntkilleveryonehere.Rather,theywouldvetakenthewomenandsoldthemoff.Here
theykilledeveryonewomen,childrenandmenalike,Joshquicklyshotdown.
Inoddedinagreement,wonderingwhowouldtargettwochildren,lettinganothergetaway.Atthat
thought,IrememberedthelittleboyIhadleftinmyhouse.IturnedawayfromtheofficersandJoshtorunbackto
thechildbuttheportablelightstheofficershadbroughtenallsuddenlyshattered.

Chapter8
Hurry,Calypso.Hurrybeforeyouhavenothinglefttoprotect,amenacingvoiceringsout,beckoning
metodragmylegsfast.HislaughterishauntingmeasIstrumbleonmyownlegs.Itrytousetherailingfor
support,butthesweatonmyhandsmakeituseless.Despairembracesmecruelly.Feargrinsatmedevilishly.His
laughterbeckonsmedeeperintodesperation.Myhope,determinationandpleasaredyinginhisbitterlygentle
hands.
Please,Ichokeout.Pleasestoplaughing!

Howcanhebehere?Myonlythoughtrepeatedinmymindlikeabrokenplaylist.Aslysmileplayedon
hislips.Exactlyasithadtwoyearsago.Hiseyesboreholesintomine,almostasifhecouldseemyeverythought
andsecret.Exposed.Ifeltsoexposed.Mybodywasshaking.WitherduetoVeroshakingmybodyorfear,Id
neverknow.
Nowsister,whysocoldaftertwolongyears?hisamusedvoicechuckled,dragginghiswordstauntingly.
Angerbuiltupinmythroatbutitwasshortlivedasadarkhopetookitsplace.Iwantedtoscreamathim,
toaskhimhowhewasstandinginfrontofmebutmyvoicewascaughtinmythroat.MyshockwassothickI
couldntevenbreath,instead,Iwaslettingoutmorehorsepantsthanadog.MyhandshookmorethanaleafasI
reachedouttotouchhim,wonderingifthiswasadream.Ashiverrandownmyspineasmyfingertipsconnected
withwarmflesh,undoubtedlyalive.
No,Iwhimpered,shakingmyheadeversoslightly.Itcantbe.Jason?
Ah,hetauntinglygrinned.YES!hesuddenlybellowed.Imalive!Iopenedmymouthtoletoutan
excuseofascream,soundingmorelikeachokingrabbit.Helaughed.
How?YouIswallowed.Youdiedtwoyearsago.
Letsnottalkofsuchdepressingthingsduringsuchajubilationreunion!Jasoneccentricallyflailedhis
armabouttomakehispoint.Afterall,humanshavesuchatransientlifetobetalkingaboutsadthings,he
giggled.Iwouldknow.

15

IopenedmymouthtoaskJasonanotherquestionbutthesoundofaloadinggunfrozeme.Vincenttooka
heavystepforward,hisgunaimedatJasonwithadeadlierglarechallengingJason.
Freeze,hescowled.Myinstinctstoprotectmybrotherkickedin,mylegmovingtowardsthemwithout
myconsent,butbeforeIcouldtakeastep,JasonmerelylaughedatVincentsthreat.
Inspector,youdontneedtobesoprudent.Itspeoplelikeyouwhocreateperfidiousrelationshipswith
others.Well,itdoesntmatterifyoupointthatgunatmeanyway,thelockwontunlockonme.
Vincentseyessnappedwideassaucersasherealizeditwastrue.Hetriedpullingthetriggerbutmere
clickscameout.Whatisthis?heasked,snarlingviciously.
Suchdeleterioustoysshouldntbecarriedaroundbyquerulous,hotheadslikeyou,Jasontisked,waving
afingeratthefuriousinspector.
Now,Iwouldlovetocontinueplaying,butwemustgetdowntobusiness,hecontinued.See,themanI
workunderisalobbyist,althoughhecanbeabitofademagoguewhichearnshimquiteabitofcensurefromsome
ofthepublic.Hedoeshavesomepowerduetohissilvertongue,butitsnotenoughforhimandhehatestakingthe
circuitousroutewhenasimpleroneisrightinfrontofhim.Itwouldbeagreatservicetousifyouweretodrop
someadvicetoushereandthere,losesomeevidenceoncertaincases,turnablindeyeonsomecrimes,andignore
somespuriouslicenses.Ofcourse,myemployerisaverygeneroussolongthisstayssurreptitious.AsJasonsaid
hislastwords,hepulledoutawadofcash,causingjawstodropbehindus.Wewouldntevenaskyoutoimpute
anything.
Icouldseesomeoftheofficerscontemplatehisoffer,Theireyessuddenlylookingatanythingtoavoidmy
shockedgaze.Vexationchurnedinmystomach.Howcouldthey,astheprotectorsofthelaw,eventhinkofa
corruptoffer.Clenchingmyfistandoverpoweringmydesiretoaskquestions,Isaid,No.
No?heasked,lookinggenuinelytakenaback.Pleasedontgivemesomehackneyedtalkaboutdoing
therightthingasaninspector,Jasonhissed,hishappydemeanorvanishingwithoutatrace.Howcanyoudecline
anofferthatwillconvergepoliticsandthesafetybureauintoawellworkinggroup.
Iraisedyoubetterthanthis,Ibarkedback,diggingmynailsintomypalm.Imnotgoingtohelpsome
politicalleaderthatsdoingshadyactivitiesgetaway!
Notevenforme?Jasondared,askepticallooksettlingonhisfeatures.
Youshouldntevenbehere,Ispat,tryingtoacceptmyownwords.Hewasntsupposedtobehere.He
shouldbetenfeetundertheground.IwouldknowbetterthananyoneIamhismurdererafterall.