Cha

pte
r1856

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hatc
omma
nd,
theduoc
oul
donl
yex
cha
ngeg
lanc
es.

Knowi
ngt
hatitwoul
dn’
tdot
hema
nyg
oodt
oca
useas
cene
,bot
hoft
hems
impl
yfol
l
owedt
he
phant
omsol
di
ers’l
ead…

E
vent
ual
l
y,t
heya
rri
veda
twha
tappea
redt
obeapa
lac
eofs
ort
swi
thi
nthec
it
y…

Af
terbei
ngl
edi
n,t
het
wos
oons
awa
nar
mor
-cl
adg
hos
tsi
tt
inga
topat
hrone
,look
inga
llhi
gha
nd
mi
g ht
y…

Unbek
nowns
ttot
hem,
theg
hos
twe
ntbyt
hena
meofY
ohrGod,
andhewa
sther
ule
rofPha
ntomCi
ty.

“
Yourhig
hness
!Wec a
ptur
edthes
et wofore
igne
rsi
nourc
it
y’st
own!
”repor
tedoneoft
hepha
ntom
s
oldi
ersast
woothe
rsledGer
aldandReyforwar
d.

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Yohrg
ott
ohi
sfee
tbef
ores
qui
nti
nghi
sey
esa
tGer
ald…

Af
terawhi
l
e,Y
ohrwa
spr
ompt
edt
osa
y,“
…You’
requi
tet
hes
pec
ial
one!
”

“
Tha
nky
ou,
thoug
h…Whoa
rey
oua
gai
n…?
”as
kedGer
aldi
nac
ompos
edt
one.

Boomi
ngwit
hlaug
hter
,Yohrthenrepl
i
ed,
“You…don’
tev
enk
nowwhoI
am?Y
out
rul
yha
ves
omener
ve
comi
ngher
eify
oudon’tevenrecog
niz
eme!”
“
He’
sourc
it
y’sma
gni
fi
centk
ing
,YohrGod!
”sna
ppe
doneoft
hepha
ntoms
oldi
erss
tandi
nga
tthes
ide.

Hea
ringt
hat
,Ger
aldandRe
ycoul
dn’
thel
pbutf
eel
sli
ght
lys
urpr
is
ed.
Tot
hinkt
hatt
her
ewoul
dac
tua
ll
y
beaghos
tki
nghere!

Wha tev
ert
hecasewas
,Geral
dfelttha
titwasbes
tnott
oimmedi
atel
yof
fendthes
epe ople.I
twas
honestl
yamusi
nghowGera
ldwa stheonetr
yingt
obereas
ona
blewit
hactua
lghost
sinsteadoft
he
otherwayar
ound.

Rega
r dl
ess
,Ge
ral
dthe
nsai
d,“
Justs
oyouknow,
we’
renother
etoc
aus
eanyt
roubl
e!We
’res
impl
y
pas
singthr
oug
hthemostf
emi
ninepl
ace!
”

“
Pas
singt
hroug
h?Whe
reex
act
lya
rey
ouhe
adedt
o?”a
skedY
ohri
namuc
hst
erne
rvoi
cenow.

“
I’
mof
ftos
eekt
hePha
ngr
ott
omCl
an!
”de
cla
redGer
ald,
seei
ngnor
eas
ont
oli
e.

Evenso,uponhear
ingGeral
d’sans
wer,Yohr
’sexpres
sioni
nst
ant
lygr
ewg loomyashesai
d,“Youcan’
t
beseri
ous.Inca
seyoudidn’
tknow,any
onewhoba rg
esint
othei
rter
ri
torywil
ldef
ini
tel
ysuf
feraterr
ibl
e
fa
te!Doy ouhones
tlyt
hinkyoucanmakeitbackinonepie
cewit
hjustthetwoofyou?Howut t
erl
y
ri
dic
ulous!”

Wa t
chi
ngasY
ohrthensnort
eddi
sda
inf
ull
ywhi
l
egl
ari
ngatt
hem,Ger
alds
implyc
huc
kledbef
ores
mil
i
ng
asherepl
i
ed,
“Butofcours
eI’ms
eri
ous
.Whywoul
dn’
tIhea
dthe
rewhene v
enyoucal
ledmea‘s
pec
ial
one’
?”

“
Arey
out
alk
ingba
ckt
ome?Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ocour
tdea
thors
ome
thi
ng?
!”g
rowl
edY
ohra
shei
nst
ant
ly
t
rans
for
medi
ntoada
rkf
ogt
hatbol
tedt
owa
rdGer
ald!

I
nbarelyaspl
its
econd,Yohrwa
sal
rea
dys
tandi
ngi
nche
sawa
yfr
omGer
ald’
sfee
t,hi
sey
esg
lar
ing
s
tra
ightint
otheyouth’
s.

“
Aren’
tyoua
fra
idofdea
tha
tal
l
?”s
cof
fedY
ohra
shec
ont
inueds
tar
inga
tGe
ral
d.

“
Hah!Asi
fI’
dcomehereint
hefi
rs
tpl
aceifIwasa
frai
dofdyi
ng!Regar
dle
ss,
pe r
hapsthi
swi
l
lans
wer
y
ourques
ti
on!”r
etor
tedGer
aldwi
thasnorta
shesepara
tedhi
sspir
itf
romhisbody!

St
ari
nga
tGeral
d’sg
hos
tfor
m,t
hesur
pri
sedYohrcoul
dn’
thel
pbute
xcl
ai
m,“
…Soy
ou’
reac
ult
iva
tor
who’
shal
fhumanandg
host
?Col
ormesurpr
is
ed!”

Whi l
eY ohrwaswel
lawa
rethatt
her
eexi
st
edotherha
lfhumanandghos
tcul
ti
vat
orsl
i
k eGeral
d,heals
o
knewt hatthe
sehybr
idc
ult
iva
tor
swereg
ener
all
ymuchs t
rong
erandhadwaymorecapabi
li
ti
esthan
f
ullyhuma nones.

Wi
tht
hati
nmi
nd,
Yohrt
hent
urne
dtof
acehi
spha
ntoms
oldi
ersbef
oreor
der
ing
,“…Unt
iet
hem!
”

Af
terwa
tchi
ngt
hes
oldi
ersdoY
ohr
’sbi
ddi
ng,
Ger
aldt
henr
etur
nedt
ohi
sbody
.

Reyhimsel
fhadbeens hocke
ds i
lentt
hisentir
eti
me .Bas
edonwha thehadjustwit
nessed,
henow
knewhowt ha
tinnkeeperhade ndedupg ett
ingal
lti
eduptheotherday.
Afteral
l,
justl
ik
ewha thad
happenedmome nt
sa go,Geral
d’sphys
icalbodyhadgoneunconsci
ouswhil
ehewa sinhi
sg hos
tfor
m.I
f
Reyrememberedcorrectl
y,t
hiswa ss
imil
a rt
ohavinganout
-of-
bodyexperi
ence!

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r
Cha
pte
r1857

“
…Leav
eusbe!Al
lofy
ou!
”or
der
edY
ohra
thi
ssol
di
ers
,pr
ompt
ingt
hepha
ntoms
oldi
erst
oqui
ckl
y
l
eav
ether
oom…

Onc
et heywer
egone,Y
ohri
mmedi
ate
lygest
uredforGer
aldandReyt
otakeas
eatbef
orel
ook
inga
t
Ger
aldandask
ing
,“Nowthe
n…I
wonde rhowIshoulda
ddres
s ,
goods
ir?
”

“
IgobyGe
ral
dCr
awf
ord!
”

Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,Y
ohrt
hent
urnedt
olooka
tRe
y,c
uei
ngt
heboyt
oadd,
“Youc
anj
ustc
all
meRey
!”

“Is
ee,Ise
e…Apl e
asuretomeetbot
hofyou,Ger
aldandRey
.Iadmitt
hatImayhav
ebeenabi
t
off
ens
iveea r
li
er…Withthati
nmind,Idohopet
hatyoudon’
tta
kethattohea
rt!
”sa
idY
ohri
na
res
pect
fultoneashesmileds
ubtl
y.

Uponhear
ingt
hat
,Geral
dandRe ywer
eri
ght
ful
l
yconf
used.
Aft
era
ll
,Yohr
’sa
tti
tudet
owa
rdt
hemha
d
j
ustt
akenacompl
eteone-e
ight
y!

“…Wedon’ t.Rega
rdl
ess
,wer e
a l
lya
rejus
thopingtopas
sthroug
hPha ntomCityt
oaccompl
ish
somethingimport
antel
sewhere!Wit
hthati
nmi nd,I
hopeyou’l
ljustl
etusgo!”r
epl
i
edGe r
ald,not
wanti
ngt owa s
teanymoreti
met hanheneededtohere
.Everysecondcounte
dwhenitcameto
obta
iningthePhangr
ott
omT al
isman…

“
Ofc
our
se,
ofc
our
se…Butbe
for
etha
t,I
doha
veaf
avorI
’dl
i
ket
oas
kfr
omy
ou!
”sa
idY
ohr
.
“
…Af
avor
?”a
skedGer
aldi
nre
tur
n.

“I
ndeed!Es
sent
ial
l
y,Ihopet
hatyou’
l
lbri
ngaPhangr
ott
omJadebackoncey
ou’redonewi
thyour
miss
ion!
”sai
dYohrasheret
ri
eve
das he
etofpaperf
romunderhi
sarmorbef
orehandi
ngi
ttoGeral
d.

Aft
erta
kingt
hepaperandlooki
ngatt
hes
ket
choft
hePha
ngr
ott
omJ
ade,
Ger
aldc
oul
dn’
the
lpbuta
sk,
“…Andwhydoyoune edt
hisja
de?”

“
That
…I’mafr
aidIc
an’ttel
lyouaboutthatf
orthet
imebeing…However
,I’
l
ldef
ini
tel
ytel
lyoumor
e
a
bouti
tonc
ey oubr
ingitback!
”repl
iedYohri
na na
lmostplea
dingt
one.

“
…Fi
ne.
Cons
ideri
tdone
!”s
aidGer
alds
inc
ehej
ustwa
ntedt
ole
avet
hispl
acea
lre
ady
.

“I
appre
c i
atei
t,Ger
aldandRey!I’
l
lgetmyme nt
oescortyououtri
ghtt
hisi
nst
ant
!”dec
lar
edY
ohrwi
th
awidesmil
eonhisfaceasheorder
edforhi
ssol
di
erstore-ent
ert
heroom.

E
scor
tedbyt
hepha
ntomsol
di
ers
,Ge
ral
dandRe
ythe
nlef
tPha
ntomCi
tyr
athe
rea
sil
y…a
nds
oona
fte
r,
t
heygott
oQuayWaves
.

QuayWa vesit
sel
fwasalar
geoce
a nthatsepar
ate
dt hePha
ntomCityf
romthet
erri
tor
yofthe
Phangr
ottomClan.Wit
hthati
nmind,theduowouldha vet
oscal
etheocea
ninordert
ogettothei
r
des
tina
tion.However
,howweretheygoingtodoit?

“
…Arether
enoboa
tst
ori
det
ocr
osst
hisoc
ean?
”as
kedGe
ral
dashel
ook
eda
toneoft
hepha
ntom
s
oldi
ers
.

“
Neg
ati
ve.
We’
vene
verbee
nthe
reei
the
r,s
oev
eni
fweha
dboa
ts,
wewoul
dn’
tknowhowt
ogett
her
e.
Reg
ardl
ess
,thi
siswhereouresc
ortends
.Theres
tisupt
oyou,
”re
pli
edt
hepha
ntoms
oldi
era
sther
est
oft
hemnoddedbeforequi
cklyr
idi
ngbacktot
hecity
…

Wa
tchi
nga
sthes
oldi
ersl
eft
,Ger
alda
ndReyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbutf
eel
tha
ttheyha
djus
tbee
ndes
ert
ed.

“
…We
ll
…Wha
tshoul
dwedonow,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…?
”as
kedRey
.

Ger
a l
dhi
msel
fappe
aredr
athe
rpe
rpl
exe
d.T
othi
nkt
hatt
hisoc
eanwoul
dbet
hel
arg
esthur
dleoft
hei
r
j
ourneyy
et!

L
ooki
ngaround,
Geral
dsawtha
tther
ereal
l
ywe r
en’
tanyboat
sar
ound.
Didt
heyac
tua
llyha
vetores
ort
t
oswimming…?The
na ga
in,
Geral
dknewbett
ert
hantoact
ual
lya
tte
mpttos
cal
eanoceanj
ustby
s
wimming
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1858

“…I
’ms
urether
e’sawaya
cros
s!Itj
usthasn’
tshownit
sel
fye
t!”dec
lar
edGer
alda
shei
mmedi
ate
ly
beg
ans
earc
hingforwa
ystocr
ossthelar
geoceans.

S
eei
ngt
hat
,Reybega
ndoingt
hesame.However
,ev
ena
fterqui
teawhi
l
eha
dpa
sse
d,t
heywer
euna
ble
t
ofi
nda
nysui
tabl
emodesoft
rans
port
ati
on.

Wi
tht
hat
,theduoc
oul
donl
ysi
tbyt
hebe
ach,
hopi
ngf
orami
rac
let
oappe
ar…

“
…Say
, Mr.Cr
awfor
d…?Doy
our
eal
l
ythi
nkt
hatas
hipwi
l
lcomei
fwej
ustwa
ita
round…?
”mut
ter
edRe
y
a
shelook
eda tt
hesky
.
“
Ibel
i
evei
nmi
rac
les
,soy
es.
Yes
,Ido,
”repl
i
edGe
ral
dinac
onf
ide
ntt
one
.

T
hes
econdhi
ssent
enc
eended,
alowr
umbl
ecoul
dsuddenl
ybehe
ardc
omi
ngf
romt
heoc
ean…

Gett
ingtothei
rfeet,t
heduowatchedwi
de-
eye
da st
heoceanbeg
anbubbl
inga
ndt hewavesbe
ganto
par
t…!Wi t
hinseconds,wha
tappeare
dtobeasol
i
dif
iedwa
terypa
thappea
redri
ghtatopt
heocean’
s
sur
face!

E
xchangi
ngg
lanc
eswi
thea
chot
her
,thedel
i
ght
edGer
aldc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuts
ay,
“Se
e?Mi
rac
lesdo
e
xis
t!”

Bef
oreReycouldevenrepl
y,Ge
ral
dwasalr
eadyr
ushi
ngovert
othewa t
erypath…anduponsteppi
ngon
i
t,Ger
aldfel
tthatt
hepa t
h—thatwasf
ormedbysea
water
—wa ssof
ttowalkon,al
mostasthoughhe
waswalki
ngona nairc
ushi
on…

See
ingt
hati
twa ss
afet
owalkon,Reyqui
ckl
yranaf
terGer
ald…Andaft
err
eali
zi
ngthathetooc
oul
d
wal
konwa t
er,
Reycoul
dn’
thelpbutexc
lai
m,“How…Howt r
ulymagi
cal
,Mr.Cr
awford…!”

T
hiswasnatural
l
yafi
rstf
orRe
y,whic
hexplai
nedwhyhewassos
hock
e d.
Sti
ll
,tot
hinkt
hathewoul
dbe
a
bletoact
ua l
l
yexper
ienc
ewalki
ngonwa
t eri
nhisl
i
fet
ime!S
uchsc
eneswereusua
ll
yreser
vedf
or
t
elev
isi
ondramas!

Whatev
erthecasewas
,bot
hofthe
mquic
k l
ybeganproc
eedi
ngac
ros
sthewater
ypa
th…andaft
er
wal
ki
ngforaboutte
nminut
es,
theduowasfi
nal
l
ya bl
etoseet
hesol
epiec
eofla
ndatt
heendofQua
y
Wa
ves
…

T
heland,ofc
ourse,
wa st
heterr
it
oryoft
hePha
ngrot
tomClan,anda
sidef
romGe
ral
dandRey
,onl
y
s
eve
not hers
pir
itexpl
ore
rshadevermanag
edtoc
omet hi
sfar
…

E
itherwa
y,t
hes
econdt
heys
teppe
donl
and,
thewa
ter
ypa
thbe
hindt
hemqui
ckl
ydi
sappea
red…

Noti
ci
ngthepresenceofast
onet a
blettothei
rlef
t,t
heduowa lk
e dov
erandsawthatthewords
,
‘
Phangrot
tomClan’hadbeencar
v edint
oit.Besi
dethetabl
et,
wa sagi
gant
icst
onestatuet
hatwas
modele
da ft
eroneofthepastr
ulersofthePhangrot
tomClan.Fr
omhowg randi
tlooked,i
twasevi
dent
tha
tthestat
uesymboliz
edhows upremetherulerwas…

Rega
rdl
ess
,uponconf
ir
mingthatt
heywer
ea tt
heri
ghtpl
ace,
Reyc
oul
dn’
thel
pbute
xcl
ai
m,“
We’
re
fi
nal
l
yhere,Mr.
Crawf
ord!Tothi
nktha
twe’dmakei
therei
nonepi
ece
!”

Noddinginre
sponse,
Geral
dt henret
ri
evedt
hek
eytothela
rgeent
ranceofthePha
ngr
ott
omCl
an’
s
te
rri
tory—thathehadobt
ainedfromT or
me—be
for
einser
ti
ngiti
ntothedoor…

Af
tertur
ningi
t,aloudr
umblecoul
dbehea
rdast
helar
geentra
ncebeg
anshaki
ngr
athe
rvi
ol
ent
ly…a
nd
wi
thinsec
onds,theent
ranc
etothePha
ngr
ott
omCla
n’ster
ri
torywa
sopened.

T
hefi
rs
tsighttha
tgree
tedt
hemwassev
e r
alst
atuesthatappe
aredtobemodel
edaf
teri
ndi
vi
dua
lsf
rom
t
hePhang
rottomCla
n.Fors
omere
ason,Gera
ldfel
tthatthest
atuesha
dbeenpl
ace
dtheref
ora
r
eas
on…

Ei
therway,
tha
nk st
ohowperc
ept
iveGeral
dwas
,hewa
sabl
etor
eal
i
zei
nti
met
hatav
oll
eyofa
rrows
hadjus
tbeenshott
owar
dthemfr
omi ns
ide!
“
Duc
k!”y
ell
edGe
ral
dashei
mme
dia
tel
ypus
hedReyt
othes
ideoft
heent
ranc
e.

Gera
ldhi
mselfwasj
ustint
imet
oha
vehi
sba
cka
gai
nstt
heoppos
it
esi
deoft
heent
ranc
eashundr
edsof
ar
rowsbega
ns hoot
ingout
!

HadGera
ldr
eac
teda
nys
lower
,bot
hoft
hemwoul
d’v
esur
elyende
dupbe
comi
nga
rrow-
fi
ll
edc
orps
es
bynow…!

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1859

Asi
ttur
nedout
,the
rewer
etr
apsl
i
tte
reda
llov
ert
hepl
aceher
etopr
eve
nti
ntr
uder
sfr
ome
nte
ring
…

E
itherwa
y,i
twa
sonl
yaf
ewmi
nut
esl
ate
rbef
orea
rrowsf
ina
ll
yst
oppeds
hoot
ingout
…

Onc
ethe
ywer
esur
etha
tthec
oas
twa
scl
ear
,theduot
henc
aut
ious
lypee
kedbe
yondt
hedoora
gai
n…

Turni
ngtolookatt
hecountl
essar
rowsl
itt
eredont
heground,Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbutgul
pashe
mut t
ere
d,“…Thankgodyoureac
tedsoqui
ckly
,Mr.
Cra
wf ord…Othe
rwi
se,
wewould’
vesur
elybe
en
pie
rcedtohighheav
en!”

“
Inde
ed…I’mas
sumi
ngevenmoretr
apsawai
tusins
ide
.Witht
ha ti
nmi
nd,
dobec
are
ful
ands
ti
ckc
los
e
t
ome !Ne
verwal
kar
oundrandoml
y,unde
rst
and?
”repl
iedGer
ald.
“
Youdon’
tha
vet
ote
llmet
wic
e,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…!
”re
pli
edt
hes
ti
ll
sli
ght
lyr
att
ledRey
.

E
veni
fGer
aldha
dn’
tsai
dthat
,Reywould’
ves
ti
ll
donet
hes
ame.
Asi
fhe
’dda
ret
oev
enmov
efi
vef
eet
a
wayf
romGeral
daf
terwit
nes
singa
llt
hat!

Reg
ardl
ess
,theduot
henc
aut
ious
lybe
gane
nte
ringt
hea
rea
…

Meanwhile,
backinther
ealwor
ld,
Junoa
ndYrs
awe r
esi
mplywai
ti
ngfort
heduo’
sret
urna
tMr.Ba
te’
s
pl
ace.Si
ncetheyhadnoide
awhenGeral
dandReywoul
dre
turn,
all
theyc
oul
ddoa tt
hemome
ntwa s
wai
tthere.

“
Howmuc
hlong
erwi
l
ltheyr
ema
ini
nthe
re,
Mr.
Bat
es…?
”as
kedJ
uno.

“
Iwis
hIcoul
da ns
wertha
t…Afte
ral
l,ev
enIdon’
tknowwhatc
oul
dha
ppe
nther
e…Wec
anonl
yhope
t
hatt
hei
rfor
tuneprot
ect
sthemthe
re…”re
pli
edMr.Bat
es.

Whil
ehi
srepl
ywasva
gue,J
unore
all
ycoul
dn’tbebot
her
eda
bouti
t.Af
tera
ll
,i
nhermi
nd,
sheonl
y
hope
dthatt
hetwowoul
dma k
easaferet
urn…

I
twasattha
tmome
ntwhena
llt
hre
eoft
hems
uddenl
yhe
ardwhi
spe
rsc
omi
ngf
romwi
thi
nthene
arby
f
ores
ts…

Rai
s i
ngabrow,Junot ur
nedtolookatt
hesourceofthevoi
ces…andt
ohershoc
k,t
hespeake
rs
appearedt
obet heS oulHunt
ersfr
ombe f
ore!Tothi
nkthatthe
yhadmanag
e dt
osurv
ivet
heinc
ide
nt
thathadbefa
ll
ent hemba cka
tthewoodenbr i
dge!
“
Mr.
Bat
es!I
t’
stheS
oul
Hunt
ers
!”s
aidJ
uno.

S
nor
ti
ngi
nres
pons
e,Mr
.Ba
test
henr
epl
i
ed,
“The
yjus
tdon’
tknowwhe
ntog
iveup,
dot
hey
?”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Junoa
ndY
rsawe
remome
nta
ril
yst
unne
d.T
othi
nkt
hatMr
.Ba
tesk
newa
bout
the
m…

“
Lea
vefr
omt hebac
kandfi
ndsomepl
acet
ohide.
I’
ll
bedea
li
ngwi
tht
hem,
andunt
ilI
sayi
t’
ssa
fet
o
c
omeout,r
ema i
nhi
dden!
”order
edMr.Ba
tes
.

“
Goti
t!Becaref
ul,
Mr.
Bat
es!
”repl
i
edJ
unoa
sshequi
ckl
yhel
dont
oYr
sa’
sha
ndbef
orel
eadi
nghe
rout
t
heba
c kdoor
…

Ba
rel
yevensec
ondsaf
terthe
ylef
t,t
hec
loa
kedma
ncoul
dbes
eenba
rgi
ngi
ntoMr
.Ba
te’
scour
tya
rd
wi
thsev
eral
SoulHunt
ers
.

S
eei
ngt
hat
,Mr
.Ba
teswa
lke
douta
nds
impl
yst
areda
tthec
loa
kedma
nri
ghti
nthee
ye…

Smi
li
ngsubt
ly,
thec
loa
kedma
nthe
nst
are
dba
cka
tMr
.Ba
tesbef
ores
ayi
ng,
“Bee
nqui
teawhi
l
e,Mr
.
Bat
es!
”

“
Howha
vey
ous
ti
ll
notg
ivenup,
Lea
ndr
o?”r
epl
i
edMr
.Ba
teswi
thoutbe
ati
nga
roundt
hebus
h.

ThemanMr
.Ba
teswa
ssqui
nti
nga
twentbyL
eandr
oZa
bor
ows
ki,
andhewa
sthel
eade
roft
heS
oul
Hunt
ers
…
Laughi
ngaloudaf
terhear
ingMr.Bate’
sstate
me nt,L
eandr
othenshame
les
slydecl
ared,
“Butofc
ours
eI
haven’
t!I
won’ ts
topunti
lI’
veobt
ainedthePha ng
rott
omT al
i
sman!Onc
eIfi
na l
l
yha vei
t,I
’l
lbea
blet
o
rul
eovertheghostworl
da ndmakeeveryonethereobeyme!”

“
Hah!Andt
hat
’se
xac
tl
ywhyy
ou’
l
lnev
erbea
blet
oobt
aini
t,L
eandr
o!”s
nee
redMr
.Ba
tes
.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1860

Uponhear
ingtha
t,murder
ousint
enti
nst
antl
yfl
ashedacr
ossLea
ndr
o’se
yes
!Wi
thi
nas
pli
tsec
ond,
Lea
ndro’
spalmwa sa
lre
adyinc
hesawayfr
omMr .Bate
’sches
t!

However
,Mr.Bateshadanti
ci
patedt
heat
tac
k!Withthat
,thei
rtwopa
lmsc
las
hed,
sendi
ngpowe
rful
shoc
kwavesf
ly
inga l
lov
erthepla
ce!Howabs
olut
elypowerful
…!

Na
tur
all
y,t
het
wower
en’
taboutt
ost
opt
her
e,a
ndt
heduoc
ont
inue
dex
cha
ngi
ngbl
owa
fte
rbl
ow!

Wit
ness
ingal
lthi
sfr
oma f
ar,
JunoandYrs
ac oul
dn’
thelpbutf
eels
tunned.T
othi
nkthatMr.Bate
s
pos
ses
sedsuchpowerf
ulmart
ial
art
sski
ll
s!Afte
ral
l,hewasabl
etobeonpa rwi
thL
e a
ndro’
sstreng
th!
Wit
hhowt hi
ngsweregoi
ng,
however,
itwashonest
lyqui
tehardt
os eewhowasmorepowe r
ful
…

Notl
onga
fte
rJunohadt
hatt
hought,
Mr.Ba
tesfa
il
edtor
eacti
nti
metooneofL
eandr
o’sa
tta
cks
,
ca
usi
nghi
seyestowi
denasL
eandro’
spa
lmhithi
msquar
einthec
hes
t!

S
nor
ti
ngcont
empt
uousl
yashewat
chedMr.Ba
tesspur
tbl
oodouthi
smouth,L
eandr
othe
nsnee
red,
“
Bol
dofy
outothi
nktha
tyouca
nsti
llha
ndl
eyoungpeopl
e,y
ouoldb*s
tar
d!”
Foll
owi
ngthat
,Leandr
oki
cke
dMr.Ba
tesri
ghti
nhi
sst
omac
h,s
endingt
heoldma
nflyi
ngbac
kward!
Landi
ngqui
teadist
ancea
way,Mr
.Bat
es—whowasnowl
yi
ngonthegr
ound—wasunabl
etoev
enc r
awl
backupanymore
…

S
adly
,hi
sagewa
st hef
act
orthatdi
sal
l
owedtheoldmanfr
omwi
nni
nga
gai
nstL
eandr
o.T
her
ewa
s
s
impl
ynocompet
ingagai
nstay
oungerpe
rson’
sspeed…

Rega
rdles
s,J
uno’sfur
yins
tant
lyflar
edupwhenshesawwhatha
djus
thappened.Whi
leshewantedto
gosavehi
m,shek newtha
tifsherevea
ledhe
rse
lf,
notonl
ywoul
dsheex
poseY r
saandhers
elft
oda ng
er,
buts
hewoulda l
soletMr.Bat
e sdown.

Bi
ti
ngherl
owerl
ip,
alls
heandYr
sac
oul
ddowa
scont
inuet
ohe
lpl
ess
lywa
tcha
sMr
.Ba
tesc
ont
inued
ge
tti
ngbea
tenupbyLeandr
o…

However,shor
tl
yaft
er,
aSoulHunterdonningpurpleatt
ir
ecamer
unni
ngov
ert
orepor
t,“
Lea
der
!
We’v
ef oundquit
eanumberoffootst
epsintheforestnear
by!
”

“
Oh?
”re
pli
edL
eandr
oashei
mme
dia
tel
ydr
agg
edMr
.Ba
test
ohi
sfee
t.

“Tel
lme…Didfourindi
vi
dualscomelooki
ngforyou?Didyouopent
hepor
tal
fort
hem,
youol
d
b*st
ard?
”int
errog
atedLeandroasheg l
aredatMr.Bat
es.

I
nre
sponse,
howe
ver
,thei
nfur
iat
edMr
.Ba
tess
impl
yspa
tatL
eandr
o’sf
acebef
orey
ell
i
ng,
“Li
keI
’dt
ell
y
outhat
!”

“
Youmot
her
*ck
er…!J
ustper
is
hthe
n!”r
oar
edL
eandr
obef
orei
nst
ant
lys
nappi
ngMr
.Ba
tes
’sne
ck!
Witnes
singt
hat,
JunoandY
rsacoul
donl
yclos
ethe
irey
esa
stea
rsbeg
anr
oll
i
ngdownt
hei
rche
eks
…To
t
hinkthatMr.Bat
esha
ddiedjus
ttopr
ote
ctthem…

“
Leadmetot hefoots
tepsandwe’ll
fol
l
owt hemwherev
erthe
ylea
d!Also,
bri
ngthi
sb*s
tar
d’sc
orps
e
a
long!
”ins
truct
edL eandr
oa shi
ssubor
dina
tesi
mme di
atel
ydi
dastheyweret
old.

Fol
lowingthat
,itwasn’
tlongaf
terbef
oretheg
roupar
ri
vedatt
heSt
one
hengel
ookal
i
ke…Uponsee
ing
tha
t,Leandrocoul
dinst
antlyt
ellt
hatt
hiswaswher
ethepor
tal
tot
hemostf
emini
nepla
cec
ouldbe
opened.

Takingaclos
erlooka tt
hestonepi
l
lari
nthecenterofthes
truct
ure,Leandr
ofoundthatther
ewere
bloodst
ainsl
eftbehind.Put
ti
ngtwoandtwotogether,het
henr et
urnedtoMr.Bates
’scorps
eandl
if
ted
theoldma n’
sha nd…Andt r
ueenough,
ther
ewa sar at
herrece
ntcutma rkt
here…

Whil
eal
lthi
swa
sha
ppe
ning
,unbek
nowns
ttoL
eandr
oandhi
smen,
Junoa
ndY
rsaha
dse
cre
tlybe
en
t
ail
i
ngthem…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
rLi
st

Cha
pte
r1861
Reg
ardl
ess,
Leandr
othenor
der
edhi
sme
ntos
li
tMr
.Ba
tes
’sne
ck.
Wit
hhowf
res
hthec
orps
ewa
s,bl
ood
i
mme di
atel
ybeganfl
owi
ngout
…

Asi
ttur
nedout,
theywereunwi
l
li
ngt
ole
tMr
.Ba
tesr
esti
npe
acee
vena
fte
rme
rci
l
ess
lyk
il
li
nghi
m…
Howabsol
ute
lyi
nhumane…

E
venso,t
hisper
fectl
ye x
pla
inedwhyMr.
Ba t
eshadbeens
orel
uct
anttohelpLe
androandhis
s
ubor
dina
tes.Withthati
nmi nd,
itma
desensewhytheol
dmanhadchosentodier
athert
han
c
ompromis
ewi t
hs uchaperson.

T
houghLeandr
othoughthewassma
rtbyobta
ini
ngMr.Ba
tes
’sbloodt
oac
ti
vat
etheS
tone
heng
e
l
ook
ali
ke,
hequickl
yfoundoutt
hati
twasn’
taseas
yasheimagi
ned.

Af
tera
ll
,evena
fte
rheor
der
edhi
ssubor
dina
test
opourMr
.Ba
tes
’sbl
oodont
othes
tonepi
l
lar
,not
hing
ha
ppened.

“
D*mni
t!
”sc
owl
edt
hea
ngr
yLea
ndr
oashi
sfur
yra
ise
dev
enf
urt
her
.

Unabl
etocont
ainhi
sang
er,heretr
iev
edakni
febef
ores
lowl
ywalk
ingovertoMr
.Ba
tes
’sc
orps
e…a
nd
tor
eli
evehi
swrath,
hebega
ns l
i
cingthec
orps
eup!Howunbear
abl
ycruel!

EventheotherS
oul
Hunter
scouldonl
yqui
veri
nfearast
heywatc
hedthe
irl
eadercommitt
hose
heinousac
ts.
Noneoft
hemev e
nda re
dtomakeasoundforf
eart
hathewoul
dv enthi
sang
erouton
themne x
t.

Onc
ehecal
meddownal
it
tl
e,Lea
ndr
ogl
are
dathi
ssubor
dina
tesbe
for
eor
der
ing
,“S
etupc
ampher
e!
We’
rewa
iti
ngf
orthe
mtoret
urn!
”
S
incehewa
sn’
tgoi
ngt
obea
blet
oent
ert
hatpl
ace
,al
lhec
oul
ddowa
swa
itf
orGer
alda
ndhi
spa
rtyt
o
r
eturn…

Whatevert
hecasewa s
,theotherSoulHunt
ersi
mmedi ate
lygottowork,notdar
ingtowast
ea nyti
me
f
orfeartha
tLeandr
o’sangerwouldsparkag
ain.
F earwasappar
entlyagr
e atmot
ivat
orsi
ncetheme n
wer
ea blet
osetupat emporaryencampmentaroundtheStonehengel
ooka l
i
kei
nnot i
mea tal
l…

L
eandr
o’spl
anwa
stoa
mbus
hGer
alda
ndhi
spa
rtyt
hes
econdt
heyr
etur
ned.
Wha
tat
rul
ywi
ckedpl
ot…

Meanwhil
e,Ger
aldandReythemsel
veswerequiet
lyexpl
oringt
hePhang
rott
omCl
an’
ster
ri
tor
y,c
are
ful
wi
theachsteps
ot ha
ttheywouldn’
tacc
ide
ntal
lytr
igge
ra nothe
rdeat
htrap.

Natural
ly
, t
heyhadnowa yofknowingthatMr.Bate
swasnowdead.S
til
l
,onceGeral
devent
ual
lyfound
outthatnotonlyhadMr.Batesbeenki
ll
ed,buthi
sbodyhadbeendes
ecrat
edsovil
el
yaswell
,hewould
sur
e l
yfl
yintoar a
ge.L
eandroa ndhi
ssubordi
nate
sweredef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngtohavehel
ltopayoncehe
fi
nall
yreturne
d…

The
ysti
ll
didnotknowwhatha
dhappenedoutther
e,a
ndtheywer
eal
souna
war
eoft
her
esul
tinwhi
ch
Mr.Ba
tes’
scor
psewasbei
ngdis
membe r
edjus
ttoprot
ectt
hem.

I
fGeral
dlear
nedaboutthat,
hewoul
ddef
ini
tel
ybedeepl
yfur
ious.Hewouldcer
tai
nl
ynotl
etLe
andro
andhi
ssubordi
nat
esoff
. Hewoul
dal
sog
ainj
usti
cef
orMr.Bates,
ma ki
ngLeandr
oandhiss
ubor
dina
tes
payaheavyandhor
ri
blepric
e.

Butt
hos
ethi
ngswoul
donl
yha
ppena
fte
rGe
ral
dga
inedt
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
n.
Ge
ral
dbr
oug
htRe
yal
onga
ndwa
lkedi
ntot
het
err
it
oryoft
hePha
ngr
ott
omCl
an.

Rega
rdles
s,astheduomadethe
irwayt
othecent
ermostpar
toft
het
err
it
ory
,theyi
nst
ant
lybec
ame
vi
gi
lantwhenthetorc
hesar
oundthe
ms t
art
edli
ght
ingup!

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,adee
pands
pine
-chi
l
li
ngv
oic
eca
ll
edout
,“Whog
oest
her
e?”

F
org
etRe
y,e
venGe
ral
dcoul
dn’
the
lpf
eel
i
nga
fra
idwhe
nhehe
ardt
hatv
oic
e!

Bei
ngas
car
edy-
cat
,thepal
e-f
ace
dReywa
sal
rea
dyhy
per
vent
il
ati
nga
sGe
ral
dre
pli
ed,
“I’
mac
ult
iva
tor
!
Ig
obyGera
ldCr
awford!
”

S
econdsa
fte
rhes
hout
edt
hat
,bot
hGer
alda
ndRe
y’si
mme
nsef
earf
ina
ll
ydi
eddown.

Nowthathecoul
dbreat
hepr
oper
lyaga
in,t
hesti
l
lfea
rful
Reycoul
dn’
thel
pbutl
ooka
tGer
alda
she
exc
lai
med,“W-whatt
hehel
lwasa
llt
hatabout
,Mr.Crawf
ord…?!
”

“
Cani
t!
”sna
ppedGer
ald.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
rLi
st
Cha
pte
r1862
Uponhear
ingt
hat,
Reywentsi
lent
,notev
e nda
ringt
obr
eat
het
ool
oudl
y…Andas
pli
tsec
ondl
ater
,a
bl
ackf
igur
esudde
nlyappe
aredbef
orethem!

Wiel
dingasce
pte
r,thei
ndiv
idual
hadacr
ownmadeofbonesat
ophi
shea
d,a
ndhi
sma
skbor
etwo
s
ha r
pfangs
…Inotherwords
,theper
sonl
ook
edut
ter
lyter
ri
fyi
ng…

Sta
ringatthet
wo, t
hei
ndi
vi
dual
thenre
pli
ed,
“…AndI
gobyt
heGr
imPha
ntom.
I’
mther
ule
roft
he
Phangrot
tomClan!Whyha
veyoucome?”

Ea
chwordtheGr
imPha ntomsai
dfe
ltdomi ne er
ingandpres
sur
ingatthesamet
ime,andwi
thhow
i
mmensel
yimpos
ingtheGr i
mPhant
om’sa ur awa sal
one
,Geral
dcouldalr
eadyt
ell
tha
tther
ewasno
wayi
nhel
lhewouldbea blet
owinagai
nstt heGr i
mPhantominbattl
e.

TheGri
mPhant
om’spowerwaspr
obabl
ywaypa
stt
heT
housa
ndS
oul
sRe
alm…!Ge
ral
dcoul
dn’
tev
en
begi
nfat
homi
nghowtrul
ypowerf
ult
heGri
mPhant
omwas
!

Aft
erdoinghisbesttos hak
es omeofthefearoff
,Geral
dcl
e a
redhisthr
oa tbefor
erespect
ful
lys
ayi
ng,
“…Goodda y,si
r.Yous e
e,I’
maha l
fhuma nandhalfg
hostcul
ti
v a
torwho’scomet oborrowthe
Phangr
ottomT al
isma ninordertosav
ea l
lthesoul
sintheworld…Theana condahasdied,y
ousee,
whichmea nsthatthelarg
eent r
anceoftheghostworl
disnowopen…”

“Hah!Ever
ythingissimpl
yg oi
ngaccordingtodest
iny!Withthatinmi nd,nothi
ngwi l
lcha
ngeev eni
fyou
dotakemys cepter!Regar
dles
s,si
ncet heentra
nceoftheg hos
twor l
di snowope n,
I’msurethatva
st
changeshavea l
readytak
enplaceinthewor ld.
Perhapsyou’l
levenfindev er
y t
hingtobeforei
gnonce
youretur
n!”sne er
edGr i
mPha nt
oma shelookedstr
a i
ghti
ntoGe ra
ld’sey es
.

“Ev
e nift
hat
’st
hecas
e,I
’ds t
il
ll
ik
et ot
ry!Atthev
eryle
ast
,knowt ha
tI’l
lst
ri
vet
oma k
etheresi
dent
sof
bot
ht hehumanandt
heg hostworl
dli
veharmoni
ousl
y!Af
terall
,I
’ms ur
enoneofuswis
hformass
suf
feri
ngandpai
ntoocc
ur !
”repl
iedGeral
dinadete
rmine
dt one.
Heari
ngthat
,theGrimPha
ntomcoul
dn’thelpbuts
e eGer
aldi
nane
wli
ght
.Asi
ttur
nedout
,Ger
ald
tr
ulywasthi
nkingoft
hebenef
itf
ora
llt
hes oul
sintheworl
d.

Under
sta
ndi
ngt
hat
,theGr
imPha
ntomc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuts
igha
shedec
lar
ed,
“…F
ine,
then!T
akei
t!
”

Whilethi
sdefi
ni
tel
ysur
pri
sedGe
r a
ldandRey,
theywer
eequal
l
ydeli
ght
edtohea
rthat
.Af
teral
l,
ne
itherofthemhadant
ici
pat
edthatt
heGrimPhant
omwouldhandt
hetal
i
smanovert
hateas
il
y!

Regar
dles
s,ev
enaftertheGr
imPhantomha
dha
ndedt
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
ntoGer
ald,
they
out
h
hones
tlyf
oundal
lthishardt
obel
ie
v e…

E
vens
o,hef
orc
edhi
mse
lft
osna
poutofi
tbef
ores
ayi
ng,
“Tha
nky
ou,
Gri
mPha
ntom…!
”

“
You’
rev
erywel
come.Keeptoyourwor
danddon’
tmakemereg
retha
ndingthet
ali
smantoyou!Ma
ke
s
uret
osavea
llt
hesoul
sintheworl
d!”r
epl
i
edtheGri
mPhant
ominasli
ghtl
ymorecasua
ltone.

“
Def
ini
tel
y!”r
epl
i
edGer
alda
shenodde
d.

Geral
dk newthattheGr imPhantomtruste
dhimgre
atly.
Otherwise,
whyel
sewouldhehandthe
tal
i
sma ntothemtha te as
il
y?Wha t
evertheca
sewas,si
ncetheGrimPhant
omwa spl
aci
ngtha
tmuch
tr
ustinhim,ther
ewa snowa yGeral
dwa sgoi
ngt
owi l
l
ingl
ydisappoi
ntt
hegrea
tindi
vi
dual
.Hewoul
d
defi
ni
telysav
ea l
lthes oul
sintheworld!

E
itherwa
y,j
usta
sGe
ral
dwa
saboutt
olea
vewi
thRe
y,t
heduohe
ardt
heGr
imPha
ntoms
hout
,“Hol
d
i
t!
”
T
urni
nga
round,
Ger
aldc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuta
sk,
“…I
s…s
ome
thi
ngt
hema
tte
r,s
ir
…?”

Whi
leGe r
aldwondere
diftheGri
mPha nt
omwa sabouttogobackonhiswor
d,heimmedi
atel
yshook
t
hethoughtof
f.Ther
ewa snowaysuchasupe
riori
ndivi
dua
l woul
devergobackonhi
sword!Then…
Whywa shest
oppingthe
m…? Chapt
er1863

“
Youcan’
tle
avet
hewa
yyoucamein.
I’
llbef
ranka
ndsayt
hatt
her
ear
epeopl
ewa
iti
ngt
oambus
hyou
i
fyour
etur
nthes
ameway
!”ex
plai
nedtheGri
mPhant
om.

F
eel
i
ngs
li
ght
lys
tar
tl
edbyt
hatc
lai
m,Ger
aldt
hena
ske
d,“
Are
…yous
ure
,si
r…?
”

Be
foreReycoul
dc hi
mei
n,t
heGr
imPha
ntoms
impl
ywa
vedhi
sha
nd,
summoni
ngwha
tappe
are
dtobe
avi
ewingport
al…

Star
ingwide-ey
eda tit
, Ge
ral
da ndReyre
alizedthattheareashownint
heporta
lwa snoneothert
ha n
theStonehengelookal
iketha
ttheyhadusedt oenterthi
splace!Ev
enmoreshocki
ngwa st
hef a
ctthat
notonlywe r
esev er
altent
snowpi t
chedaroundt ha
ta r
ea,butther
ewereal
somulti
pleSoulHunte
r s
patr
olli
ngthegrounds!

Asi
ttur
nedout
,Gri
mPhant
omhadbeentel
l
ingthet
rut
h!T
othi
nkt
hatt
heS
oul
Hunt
erswoul
dsi
mpl
y
wai
tthe
retoambus
hthemass
oonasthe
yretur
ned!

“
…Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…Doy
out
hinkt
hatMr
.Ba
tes
,Mi
ssZ
orn,
andY
rsaa
re…?
”mut
ter
edt
hes
tunnedRe
y.

“…Don’
tworr
y,theydon’
tappea
rtobeanywher
eint
hea
rea
.Wi
tht
hati
nmi
nd,
I’
msur
etheyha
ven’
t
beenca
ptur
ed!”re
pli
edGe r
aldi
nacal
mt one
.
E
vens
o,hi
sdeduc
ti
onwa
sonl
ypa
rti
al
lyc
orr
ect
,thoug
hGer
alddi
dn’
tknowa
boutt
hat
…

Whateverthecas
ewa s
,Geral
dthentur
nedt
olooka
ttheGr
imPha
ntombe
for
eas
king
,“Doy
ouk
now
anyotherwaysoutoft
hispl
ace,
sir
?”

Noddi
ngs
li
ght
ly,t
heGrimPha
ntomt
henwav
edhisha
ndaga
in…andj
ustli
ket
hat,
anot
her
por
tal
—si
mil
artotheonet
heduoha
dusedt
ocomehere—a
ppea
redbefor
ethem…

“
Youcanus
ethi
sex
it.
Call
itas
ecr
ete
xitoft
hePha
ngr
ott
omCl
an,
ify
ous
owi
sh.
Nowhur
rya
ndl
eav
e!”
r
epl
iedt
heGri
mPhantom.

“
Tha
nky
ou,
Gri
mPha
ntom!
”ye
ll
edGe
ral
dashei
mme
dia
tel
yle
dReyi
ntot
hepor
tal
…

T
hes
econdt
heduower
eont
heot
hers
ide
,thepor
tal
ins
tant
lyc
los
edbehi
ndt
hem!

S
tumbl
ingtoga
thert
hei
rbea
ring
s,Ger
alda
ndRe
ybe
ganl
ook
inga
round…onl
ytor
eal
i
zet
hatt
heywe
re
i
nafor
e s
tofs
orts
.

Be
for
ethe
m,wa
sar
atherf
ami
l
iar
-l
ook
inghous
e…

“
…Sa
y…I
sn’
ttha
thous
e…?
”as
kedRey
.

“
Iti
s!I
t’
sMr
.Ba
tes
’shous
e!”ex
cla
imedGer
aldwi
thanod.

T
othi
nkt
hatt
hes
ecr
etex
itoft
hePha
ngr
ott
omCl
anwoul
dle
ads
tra
ightbe
hindMr
.Ba
tes
’shome!
“…Youknow,
Ifeel
tha
tMr .Ba
testr
ulyha
sanex
tra
ordi
nar
yident
it
y…He
’sde
fini
tel
yre
lat
edt
othe
Pha
ng r
ott
omClan!
”decl
are
dRey .

Aft
era
ll
,notonl
ydi
dthesecr
etex i
tlea
dstra
ightt
othebackofhishome,
butaport
all
eadi
ngtothe
mostf
emini
nepl
acecoul
dbeope nedbyme rel
yusi
nghi
sblood!Therewass
impl
ynodoubti
ngthef
act
tha
tMr.Bat
eshadadeeprel
ati
onshipwit
hthePhangr
ott
omCl an!

“What
evert
hec
asei
s,l
et’
sgoc
hec
kont
hem!
”repl
i
edGe
ral
dast
heduoqui
ckl
yhea
dedi
ntohi
s
home…

However
,uponente
ring
,theysoonrea
li
zedt
hatMr.Bates,
Juno,andYrsawer
enowheretobeseen.
Themoreworr
yingt
hing,however
,wasthef
actt
hattheinsi
desofthehousel
ook
edall
topsy-
tur
vy!

Wit
hsuchahugemessbeforet
hem,Gera
ldandRe
yins
tant
lyr
eve
aleds
ole
mne
xpr
ess
ions
…Asi
t
t
urnedout
,theSoul
Huntersha
dalr
eadybee
nhere!

Att
hatmome
nt,
sev
era
lsoul
hunt
ersdonni
ngpur
plec
lot
hess
uddenl
ybol
tedoutf
romnowher
e!

Aft
ersucc
ess
full
ysurr
oundi
ngtheduo,t
heleaderoftha
tgroup—whowastheonl
yonewear
inggre
y
cl
othes
,evi
dentl
ysig
nif
yi
ngthathewasthest
rongestamongthem—snee
red,“
We’vebee
nwa i
ti
ngfor
youtwoforages
,youknow?”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r
Cha
pte
rLi
st

Cha
pte
r1864

Real
iz
ingthatt
heSoul
Hunte
rshadbeenl
yi
nginwai
tforthe
me ve
ninMr.Ba
tes
’shome,Ger
ald
coul
dn’thel
pbutf
rownashesnee
red,
“YouSoul
Hunter
sjustdon’
tknowwhentoqui
t,doy
ou?”

“Quitt
hecr*pandhandoverthePhangrott
omT al
is
ma nal
ready!Y
ouronlyot
heropt
ionist
ore
cei
vea
one-wayt
ic
k ett
ohel
l!”war
nedt heg
r e
yS oulHunt
erinafr
igi
dtone.Onceheret
ri
evedthe
Phangr
ott
omT a
li
sma
n, t
hentheirmi
ssionwouldsurel
yendinsucces
s!

“
Hah!Dr
eamon!
”sc
off
edt
hef
ear
les
sGer
alda
sheex
udeda
nimpos
inga
ura
.

F
uri
oustohe
art
hat
,thegre
ys oul
hunt
ert
heny
ell
ed,
“Youonl
yha
vey
our
sel
ftobl
amef
orwha
tI’
m
a
bouttodot
oyout
he n!Men!Aft
ert
hem!
”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,theot
herS
oul
Hunt
ersi
mme
dia
tel
ybe
ganbol
ti
ngt
owa
rdGer
alda
ndRe
y!

Att
hatmoment
,agl
i
ntofmur
der
ousi
nte
ntf
las
heda
cros
sGer
ald’
sey
esa
sthey
out
hre
tri
eve
dthe
Pha
ngrot
tomTa
li
sman!

Onceitwasinhisgr
asp,
thet a
li
smanimmediatel
ybeganemit
tingadarkpurpl
elig
ht…t
hats
oon
re
leas
e danimme ns
ewa veofener
g y
!Thenextthi
nganyoneknew,countl
essghost
s—whoappea
redt
o
bewarrior
softhePhangr
ottomClan—suddenl
yma ni
fest
ed!

T
heS oulHunter
sdidn’
tev
enhaveti
metoregi
sterwhatwashappe
ningbef
oretheyweremerc
il
ess
ly
a
tta
ck edbytheghosts
…!Wit
hins
econds
,theonlyt
hingtha
tre
ma i
nedoftheSoulHunt
erswer
epools
ofbl
ood…

“
H-Hol
ysh*t
…!”ex
cla
ime
dthes
hoc
kedRe
yashei
mmedi
atel
ybeg
anr
ubbi
nghi
sey
esi
ndi
sbe
li
ef.

“
T-t
othi
nkthatt
hePhangr
ott
omT al
is
manwa
sthi
spower
ful
…Howa
bsol
utel
yte
rri
fy
ing
…!”a
dde
dRey
,
a
nincr
edul
ousexpr
ess
iononhisf
ace.

Gera
ldhimsel
fsi
mpl
ysmil
edsubt
lya
shehi
dhi
sta
li
sma
nag
ainbef
orec
alml
ysa
ying
,“T
hat
’st
het
rue
powerofthePha
ngr
ott
omT a
li
sman!
”

S
incethePhangr
ottomTa
lis
mancoul
dbeus
edtocont
rol
all
thes
pir
it
sint
hewor
ld,
itwa
sn’
tre
all
yal
l
t
hatshocki
ngtoknowthati
the
ldsuc
himmens
epower.

“Re
gardl
ess
,le
t’shur
rya
ndl
eav
ethi
spl
acea
lre
ady
!Wes
ti
ll
nee
dtol
oca
teMi
ssZ
orna
ndY
rsa
!”a
dde
d
Gera
ld.

F
oll
owi
ngt ha
t,t
heduolef
tMr.Bates’
shous
eandbeganwa
lki
ngi
ntot
hef
ores
tdept
hs…a
ndi
twa
sn’
t
l
ongaf
terbef
oreaf
aintc
ryca
ug htbotht
hei
rat
tent
ion.

T
heyr
ecog
niz
edt
hatv
oic
eany
whe
re…I
twa
sde
fini
tel
yJuno!

S
wift
lymak
ingthe
irwaytothes
ourceoft
hesound,t
heduosoonf
oundt
hetwogi
rl
s—whoha
dsl
i
ght
ly
s
tre
tche
dthei
rheadsoutt
oma kef
indi
ngthemeasi
er—hi
di
ngbehi
ndala
rgest
one
.

“
Juno!
”ye
ll
edGe
ral
dthes
econdher
euni
tedwi
tht
het
wog
irl
s.
I
mme di
ate
lythr
owinghe
rsel
fi
ntoGer
ald’
sembrac
e,J
unoc
oul
donl
yba
wlherey
esouta
sshec
rie
dout
,
“
I-
I’
ms or
ry,Ger
ald…Mr.Ba
tes…He’
s…He’sdea
d…!”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Ger
alda
ndRe
yins
tant
lywe
ntpa
lef
roms
hoc
k.

However
,Gera
ldquic
klys
nappedoutofi
tbef
oreg
entl
ypat
ti
ngJ
uno’sbac
kashec
ons
ole
d,“
…Don’
t
worr
y,we’r
ebacknow…Nothingel
sewil
lha
ppennowtha
tI’
mhere…!”

Aft
ercal
mingdownali
ttl
e,J
unothent
oldGer
aldev
erythi
ngt
hathadhappened…andbyt
heendofi
t,
Geral
dwassofur
ioust
hathecoul
dbar
elyhol
dhimsel
fbackf
romroar
inginange
r…!

L
eandroa
ndhiss
ubor
dina
tes
…The
ywer
edef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngt
opa
yahea
vypr
icef
orwha
ttheyha
ddone
t
oMr .
Bates
…!

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1865

HadMr.Bat
esnothel
pedt
hem,
Ger
aldwoul
d’v
ebee
nuna
blet
oobt
aint
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
nin
thef
ir
stpl
ace…

Wi
tht
hati
nmind,s
inc
eMr.Ba
tesha
ddieds
oval
iant
lyf
ort
hem,Gera
ldde
fini
tel
yha
dtoa
veng
etheol
d
ma
n!Notdoi
ngsowoul
dsi
mplymeanhewa
sle
tti
ngMr.Ba
tesdown!

“
Wede
fini
tel
yha
vet
oav
eng
eMr
.Ba
tes
…!”g
rowl
edReyi
nindi
gna
tion.
“
Iag
reewit
hRey…!Mr
.Bat
es…Hediedtoprot
ectJunoandI
…Wec
an’
tle
tthev
il
la
insdoa
stheypl
eas
e
a
nyfur
the
r…!”a
ddedt
heuncha
rac
teri
st
ica
ll
yangryYrsa
.

“
Wor
rynow,
I’
mdef
ini
tel
ynotl
ett
ingt
hos
esc
oundr
elsg
o…!
”de
cla
redGe
ral
dinaf
ri
gi
dtone.

F
ollowi
ngthat
,Ge
ral
dgott
ohi
sfe
etbef
ores
ayi
ng,
“Al
lofy
ou,
sta
yher
e.I
’mde
ali
ngwi
tht
hemr
ight
t
hisins
tant
!”

“
Alr
ight
!Al
so,
plea
se,
bec
are
ful
!”r
epl
i
edt
hec
onc
erne
dJunowhowa
sn’
taboutt
ost
opGer
ald.

Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,Geral
dthenturne
da r
oundands
wif
tl
ybe
ganma
kinghi
swa
ytot
heS
tone
heng
e
l
ookal
i
kewher
etheSoul
Huntershadsetupcamp…

Ger
aldwasdet
erminedt
ocomplet
elyobl
i
ter
atet
heS oulHunt
ersofft
hef
aceoft
hepla
netont
hatv
ery
da
y.All
ofthemneededtopa
yforthei
rsi
ns,
espe
cia
ll
yt hei
rb*st
ardofal
eade
r,L
eandr
o…!

S
inceLeandr
oha ddefi
l
e dMr.Bat
es’
scor
psesomuch,Ge
ral
dwa sn’
taboutt
oholdany
thi
ngba ck
a
gainstt
hatscoundr
el.HewantedLea
ndrot
obeutter
lyt
err
if
iedofhi
mbyt heendofal
lthi
s,a
ndeven
t
hen,Geral
dwa ssti
l
lgoingt
oma kehi
msuff
erapunis
hmentwaywor s
ethanwhathi
sme nwereabout
t
oface.

T
otopi
tal
lof
f,Ge
ral
dwa
sn’
tgoi
ngt
oal
l
owL
eandr
otor
einc
arna
teei
the
r…

Regar
dle
ss,
upona rr
ivi
nga
ttheenc
ampment’
sent
ranc
e,t
woS
oul
Hunt
ers
—whower
est
andi
ngg
uar
d
ther
e—imme di
atel
yfi
xedt
heirg
aze
sonGera
ld.
Howev er
,bef
oretheycoul
devensayawor d,t
he i
reyeswi
denedast
heyfel
tasuddenacut
epai
non
boththei
rnecks
.Looki
ngdown, t
helastt
hingtheysa
wwer ehugega
shesonthei
rneck
s…befor
ethey
event
ua l
l
yfl
oppedli
fel
essl
ytotheground…

Wi
tht
hos
etwooutoft
hewa
y,Ger
aldt
henc
asua
ll
ycont
inuedwa
lki
ngi
ntot
hec
amps
it
e…

Attha
tmoment
,Ger
aldappea
redver
ymuchli
ket
hemanif
est
ati
onoft
heg
odofde
athhi
mse
lf…Af
ter
al
l,
every
whe
rehepas
sedbyendeduppool
i
ngupwit
hblood…

Noneoft
heS
oul
Hunt
erswe
reg
oingt
oma
kei
touta
li
vet
oda
y…!

Reachi
ngt hecenteroft
heenc
ampment,Gera
lddrewhi
sAs
tra
byssS
wordoutwhenhes
awovert
en
SoulHuntersrushi
ngtowar
dhim…Ofcours
e,Gera
ldmades
hortwor
kofthe
m. T
heywer
ebar
elyeven
note
wor t
hyt ohim.

Ri
ghtnow,
Ger
aldwa
snol
ong
eramer
ecul
ti
vat
or…Hewa
sat
rueS
oul
Hunt
er.

Bytha
tpoint
,Leandrohadrea
li
zedt
hats
omet
hingwa
swr ong,
soheimmedia
tel
yrus
hedoutofhi
s
te
nt…OnlytoseethatGera
ldhadki
l
leds
omanyofhi
ssubordi
nat
es…!Whi
leLea
ndrowasshoc
ked,he
wasal
sofumingwithang
er!

“
Leandr
o!Ihe
a r
dyoume r
cil
ess
lyk
il
ledMr
.Ba
tes
!Fort
hat
,I’
mma
kingy
oupa
ytheul
ti
mat
epr
ice
!”
y
ell
edGera
ldinafur
iousv
oice.

I
gnor
inghi
sst
ate
ment
,Lea
ndr
othenor
der
ed,
“Me
n!Gethi
m!”
Uponhearingt
hat
,al
ltherema
ini
ngSoulHunt
ersimmedi
atel
yda
shedt
owardGera
ld…Butofc
ourse,
theywerenowher
enea rhi
smat
ch.Asi
fsuchminorc
hara
cter
swoul
devers
tandachanc
eagai
nsta
prota
gonis
t!

Wi
thas
ing
les
las
hoft
heAs
tra
bys
sSwor
d,a
lloft
hea
ssa
ult
ingmens
impl
ytoppl
edt
otheg
round,
dea
d!

See
inghowst
rongGeral
dtrul
ywas,Le
andr
ocoul
dn’the
lpbutwi
denhi
seye
s.Whil
ehewa snowsl
ight
ly
worr
ied,
hewasn’
tabouttoret
rea
t.Af
tera
ll
,hewasmuchstr
ong
ertha
ntheres
tofhi
ssubordi
nat
es!

Wit
hthatinmi
nd,here
tri
evedhisownswordandbe
ganc
har
gingt
owa
rdGer
ald…!Wi
thami
ght
ylea
p,
L
eandr
ot hena
tte
mptedtodecapit
ateGer
ald!

Ofc
our
se,
Ger
aldwa
sn’
taboutt
olethi
mdot
hat
.

T
aki
ngastepbackt
oav
oidt
heat
tac
k,Ger
aldthenscof
fed,
“Givei
tup,
Lea
ndr
o,y
ou’
renoma
tch
a
gai
nstme!Ki
ll
i
ngyouwoul
dbeaseas
yassl
aughte
ringachi
cken!
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1866

Glar
ingatL
e a
ndroal
lthewhi
l
ehesai
dthat,
Geral
dthensheat
hedtheAstr
abyssS
word…Befor
efi
shi
ng
outthePhangr
ott
omT al
is
manands
howingitt
oLeandr
oa sheadded,
“I’
ma s
sumingyouk
nowwha t
thi
sis?
”

E
yesnowwide
ne d,
Leandroc
oul
dn’
thel
pbute
xcl
ai
m,“
The…T
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
n!Y
ou’
ve
a
ctua
ll
ymanagedtoobtai
nit
…!”

Nowtha
theknewthatt
hetal
is
manwaswithGera
ld,
Leandr
owasmor
edet
ermi
nedt
hane
vert
oki
l
l
hi
m!Oncet
hatwasdone,hewoul
dsur
elyobt
aint
hetal
i
sman!
Hise
xpres
sionnowtwi
stedwi
thg
reed,
Lea
ndr
ogl
areda
tGer
aldbe
for
eye
ll
ing
,“Onc
eIf
ini
shy
ouof
f,
thet
ali
smanwillbemi
ne!”

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,hebe
gans
wing
inghi
slong
swor
dtowa
rdGer
ald…!

Ofc
ours
e,Ger
aldwas
n’ta
boutt
olett
hevil
l
ainha
v ehisway.Bef
oreL
eandr
owa
sev
ena
blet
ohi
thi
m,
Ger
alds
impl
ywa v
edhi
shand…andouts
hotapurplebla
stofener
gy!

Una
blet
ododg
ethea
tta
ck,L
eandr
oe ndedupbei
ngf
lungt
otheg
round!Asi
ftha
twa
sn’
tenoug
h,hi
s
l
ongs
words
hat
ter
edt
opiec
esuponimpact!

Notgiv
ingLea
ndroac ha ncetorec
over,Ger
aldbol
tedf
orwardbef
orest
eppi
ngri
ghtonLea
ndro’
sba
ck
whil
eshout
ing,“
You’l
l pa ytheul
ti
ma t
epric
etoday
,Leandr
o!Forki
l
li
nganddef
il
i
ngMr .
Bates
,I’
m
ta
kingawayyourri
ghtt ober ei
ncar
nated!
”

Wa
tchi
nga
sGer
aldt
hena
ime
dthet
ali
sma
nathi
m,L
eandr
ocoul
donl
yyel
l
,“No…!
”

Wha
tfol
l
owe
dwer
esc
rea
msofa
gonya
sLea
ndr
o’sbodyi
nst
ant
lyg
ote
ngul
fedi
nda
rkpur
plef
lames
…!

Ba
cki
ngawayf
romtheburni
ngbody,Gera
ldwatc
hedast
hef
lame
scomplet
elyengul
fedt
hes
inf
ul
man…andbyt
heendofital
l
,al
ltha
tr emai
nedofLe
andr
ower
esmokeandashes…

Natur
all
y,af
terwi
tnes
singa
llt
hat,t
heotherS
oulHunter
swereter
ri
fi
edbey
ondwor
ds.
Droppi
nga
ll
the
irweaponsandequi
pment,al
lofthemimmedi
atel
ybega
nf l
eei
ng!
T
houghGer
alds
awt
his
,helef
tthemal
one.
Aft
erall
,si
nceheha
doff
ic
ial
l
ya v
eng
edMr.Ba
tesa
nd
L
eandr
owasnowde
ad,theS
oulHunt
erOrg
ani
zat
ionwa ss
uret
ocr
umblesoonany
way
.

Wha
tev
ert
hec
asewa
s,Ger
aldqui
ckl
yca
ll
edt
her
estofhi
spa
rtyov
ers
inc
eal
lthi
swa
sfi
nal
l
yov
er.

Af
ters
ear
chi
nga
roundf
orabi
t,Ge
ral
dev
ent
ual
l
yfoundMr
.Ba
tes
’sdi
sme
mber
edbody
…

UponseeingwhatL
eandr
ohaddonetohim,
Geral
d’sf
uryi
nst
ant
lyf
lar
edupa
gai
n.Nowt
hathet
houg
ht
abouti
t,perha
pshehadl
etL
eandroof
ftooeas
il
y…

Allofasudde
n, Gera
lds
uddenl
ythoug
htofs
ome
thi
ng.
Tak
ingt
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
nout
,Ge
ral
d
thensta
redatitforawhi
le…

TheTali
smanwa sext
remel
ypowerf
ul,
right?Sinc
ethatwa st
heca
se,
ma ybehecoul
dusei
ttorepai
rMr.
Bates
’sbody…Whi l
eheknewhecoul
dn’tresurre
ctMr. Ba
tes
,att
hever
yleast
,hewant
edMr .
Ba t
es’
s
bodytobeinta
ctsothatt
heoldmancouldr e
stinpea
c e…

Aft
ert
hinki
ngabouti
tforqui
teawhi
le,
Geral
dthenai
medthet
ali
smanatMr.Ba
tes
’sbody
,ma
king
sur
etoconcent
rat
ehisthoug
htsont
herec
onstr
uct
ionoft
heol
dma n’
sbody
…

Surpr
is
ing
ly,
theta
li
smanre
acte
dtoGer
ald’
sthoug
hts
,anda
fteremi
tt
ingabr
ightl
i
ght
,Mr
.Ba
tes
’s
bodypart
sbeganmerg
ingt
oget
hera
gai
n!

Ofcours
e,thi
smadeGer
aldv
eryha
ppy
.Tot
hinkt
hatt
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
nwa
sev
enc
apa
bleof
res
tori
ngbodi
es!
E
itherwa
y,a
fterconnect
ingMr
.Ba
tes
’sbodya
gai
n,Ger
alda
ndhi
spa
rtyev
ent
ual
l
yfoundapr
ope
rspot
t
og i
vehi
mag oodburia
l…

St
andi
ngbefor
eMr .
Bates
’snewgrav
est
one,Ger
aldt
hensol
emnlybowedashesai
d,“
Thankyoufor
ev
eryt
hingt
hatyou’
vedoneforus
,Mr.Bat
es…!I
’vea
veng
edy ousoyouca
nresti
npeacenow…!”

“
Plea
ser
esti
npea
ce,
Mr.
Bat
es…!
”addedJ
unoa
shere
yesbe
gant
ear
ingupa
gai
n.

Hadi
tnotbeenf
orhi
mtryi
ngt
oprote
ctthe
m, hecoul
dhaveprobabl
ysur
viv
ed…E
vens
o,dea
th
ev
ent
uall
ycametoal
l
,andmaybehi
sfat
ewa ssi
mplypr
edet
ermined…

Reg
ardl
ess
,af
terbi
ddi
ngt
hei
rfi
nal
far
ewel
l
s,Ger
alda
ndt
het
hreet
hens
etof
ftor
etur
ntot
hec
it
y…

Aft
era
ll
,thoug
hGer al
dhadfi
nal
lyobt
ainedt
hePhangr
ott
omTal
i
sman,therewa
sst
il
lmuc
htodo.
To
thi
nkt
hatexper
ienc
ingal
ltha
tonlymarkedt
hebeg
inni
ngofs
omethi
ngelse…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1867

Af
terf
ly
ingf
ora
nent
ir
eda
yandni
ght
,Ge
ral
dandhi
spa
rtyf
ina
ll
yar
ri
veda
tthei
rci
ty.

T
hroughoutt
hef
li
ght
,thefourha
dsl
epts
oundl
y.Af
tera
ll
,i
tha
dbee
nag
ess
inc
etheyha
dla
stbe
en
a
bletosl
eepsoc
omforta
bly.

Reg
ardl
ess
,af
terdi
semba
rki
ng,
thef
ourt
ookac
abba
ckt
otheS
acr
asol
i
sPa
lac
e.
Oncetheyarr
ive
dha l
fanhourl
ate
r,Reyimmedi
ate
lys
ighedashest
ret
che
dwhi
l
esa
ying
,“We’
ref
ina
ll
y
bac
k,brothe
rGe r
ald…!I
tfe
elsg
reattof
inal
l
ybebacki
nt hec
it
y!”

Rey,
forone
,wassi
mplypl
eas
edthathedi
dn’
tha
vet
osl
eepi
ntheope
nag
ain.
Tha
twa
senoug
hli
vi
ng
outi
nthewil
der
nessf
orawhil
enow…

“
Spe
aki
ngofwhi
ch…Doy
ouha
vea
nypl
acet
ost
ay,
Rey
?”a
skedGer
ald.

Heari
ngthat,
Reyfr
owne ds
li
ght
lya
sher
epl
i
ed,
“I…don’
t,a
ctua
ll
y.Af
tera
ll
,Is
etof
fwi
thy
oui
nahur
ry
af
tercomingher
elastt
ime…”

“Is
ee.We l
l,howaboutthi
s?Whydon’ tyouli
vetoget
herwit
hJunoa ndI
?AndI’
ms ur
eYrs
awould
pr
efertoli
vewithustoo.Don’tworryabouts
pace,t
here’
salotofemptyr
oomsatourpl
ace.What
more,i
t’l
lal
sobemor econvenientf
orustotakeca
reofeachotheri
fweli
vetog
ether
,”s
uggest
ed
Geral
d.

“
Iacce
pt!
”exc
lai
medbothReya
ndYrs
aatt
hes
amet
ime
.Af
tera
ll
,i
twa
sgoode
noug
hfort
hema
slong
a
stheyhadar
oofov
erthei
rhea
ds.

“
Theni
t’ss
ett
led!I
guesswe’
l
lbeta
kingy
outoyournewhomenow!Al
so,
dor
estupt
oda
y.We
’re
g
oingt
og e
tbusyagai
nwhentomor
rowcomes!
”repl
ie
dGe r
ald.

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,Ge
ral
dandJ
unol
edt
hemt
othe
irhome
…

Ge
ral
d’shomewa
sal
uxur
iousv
il
lat
hatwa
sn’
tal
ltha
tfa
rfr
omt
heS
acr
asol
i
sPa
lac
e.Na
tur
all
y,t
his
s
hoc
kedbot
hReya
ndY
rsat
hes
econdt
heya
rri
veda
tthev
il
la
.

“H-
hol
yc r*
p!I di
dn’
tknowyouli
vedins
uchamagni
fi
centvi
ll
a,br
othe
rGe r
ald!
”excl
ai
medReywho
hadneverevenstay
edinavi
ll
abefor
e.Wit
htha
tinmind,k
nowingthathewouldbest
ayi
nghe
renow
nat
ura
ll
yma dehi
mv er
yplea
sed.

S
hak
inghi
shea
dinr
esi
gna
tion,
Ger
alda
ndJ
unot
henl
edt
heduot
othe
irr
espec
ti
venewr
ooms
…

Uponenteri
ng,ReyandYr
sawer
eimmedi
ate
lyatalos
sforwor
ds.Af
tera
ll,
thei
rroomsweres
impl
y
wonder
ful!Happycoul
dn’
tev
enbegi
ndes
cri
bingt
heemotiont
heywerecurr
ent
lyfeel
i
ng.

“
Alr
ight
,res
twell
,yout
wo. Youdes
erv
ethi
sres
taf
terwor
kingsohardthepastf
ewdays.
Also,
once
y
ou’v
eunpa c
kedyourt
hing
s, c
omedownandwe’l
lhav
eanicedinne
rtogethe
rtoni
ght
!”sai
dGe r
ald.

Af
ters
eei
ngt
hemnodi
nag
ree
ment
,ev
ery
onet
hendi
spe
rsedt
oge
tthei
rownt
hing
sdone
.

Ge
ral
dhi
msel
fsi
mpl
yre
tur
nedt
ohi
sroom.

Howev
er,
itwa
sn’
tlonga
fterbe
for
ehi
sphonebe
ganr
ing
ing
…

Checkingtoseewhowascal
li
ng,
Ge r
aldreal
izedthati
twa sanunf
amil
ia
rnumber
.Whil
eGe r
aldcould
cert
ainlyt
ell
thati
twasaloc
alcal
l,
theinit
ial
unitsofthephonenumberwer
equi
tespe
cia
l,tosa
yt he
l
e a
st.Thatal
onewasenoughtotel
lGeral
dthatthec a
lle
rwa s
n’ta
nordi
nar
yper
son.

Aft
erbr
ief
lyhesi
tat
ing
,Ger
alde
vent
ual
l
yde
cidedt
opi
ckt
hec
all
upa
shec
alml
yas
ked,
“Hel
l
o?Ma
yI
knowwho’sspea
king?
”
“
Befor
etha
t,i
sthi
sMr
.Ger
aldCr
awf
ordI
’
mspe
aki
ngt
o?”a
skedama
lev
oic
efr
omt
heot
here
ndoft
he
c
all
.

“
Tha
twoul
dbeme
,ye
s.Whoi
sthi
s?”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d,f
eel
i
ngss
li
ght
lymor
ecur
iousnow.

“Ah,apl
easur
etofi
na ll
ygettospeakwit
hyou,Mr .
Ge r
aldCra
wf or
d.MynameisHar
oldLee
,andI
’m
theoneinc
hargeoftheGr ea
tCouncil
ofJha
ng l
umCi t
yinDragenott
.I’
mcur
rent
lyi
nves
ti
gati
ngar
ather
perpl
exi
ngpsyc
hicca
s e,yousee,a
ndI’mhopingtoseekyourhelp!
”sai
dHar
old.

Asi
ttur
nedout
,thec
all
erwa
ssomeonef
romt
heGr
eatCounc
ilofJ
hang
lumCi
ty…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1868

Nowthatheknewthatthecal
l
erwastheonei
ncha
rgeoft
heGr
eatCounc
ilt
her
e,Ge
ral
dknewi
twa
s
bes
tifhegav
eHaroldfa
c ea
ndhelpe
dhimout.

“
…Al
ri
ght
,I’
l
lbea
tyourof
fi
cet
omor
rowmor
ning
!”r
epl
i
edGer
ald.

“
Gladt
oheari
t.I
trul
yappr
eci
atey
ourhel
p,Mr
.Cr
awfor
d.I
’l
lbewa
iti
ngf
ory
oura
rri
val
tomor
row!
”
s
aidHa
rol
dinarespe
ctf
ult
onebef
oref
ina
ll
yha
ngi
ngup.

Gerald’sSacr
asoli
sPala
cehadal
way sbeenreputabl
e,ev
enwhe nitwasf
irstf
ounded.Whatbet
ter
proofoft ha
tstatementtha
nthefa
c tthatGer
aldwasthefir
stper
sonHaroldhadcont
act
edinordert
o
solv
et hispsyc
hiccase.I
twasev
identthatGeral
d’sc
apabil
i
tieswerewel
lknownfarandwide…

Wha
tev
ert
hec
asewa
s,r
estc
amef
ir
st,
andt
hef
ouroft
hemenj
oye
dawel
l
-de
ser
veds
lee
p…
E
arl
ythene
xtmor
ning
,Ge
ral
dwok
eRe
yupa
ndt
oldhi
mtha
tthe
ywe
rehe
adi
ngt
otheGr
eatCounc
il
.

I
twasonlyoncetheywereinthecarwhe
nReyc
uri
ous
lya
sked,
“Whye
xac
tl
yar
ewehe
adi
ngt
othe
Gr
eatCounci
ltoday
, br
otherGera
ld?”

“
You’l
lf
indoutonc
eweg etthe
re!
”repli
edGera
ld,pr
ompti
ngReytor
ema i
nsil
ent
.Wha
tev
ert
he
r
easonwas,att
hever
yleast
,Reywassuret
hatsomethi
ngmustha
vehappened…

I
twa
saboutt
went
ymi
nut
esl
ate
rwhe
nthe
yar
ri
veda
ttheGr
eatCounc
ilbui
l
ding
.

Uponge
tti
ngoutofthecar
,thetwowereimmedi
ate
lyg
ree
tedbyt
hes
ightofMr
.Ha
rol
dwhoha
d
al
rea
dybeenwait
ingfort
hema tthee
ntra
nce.

S
eei
ngthet
wo, Har
oldqui
ckl
ywalk
edtowar
dthembef
orewel
comi
ngt
hemwi
thawa
rms
mil
eand
s
ayi
ng,
“Aplea
suretomeetyou,
Mr .Cr
awf
ord!
”

“L
ikewis
e,Mr.
Lee.I
’v
ebroug
hta l
ongmydis
cipl
e,Re
y,i
fyouwe
rewonde
ringwhot
hisi
s,
”repl
i
ed
Geral
dinapol
it
etoneasheshookhandswi
ththeman.

Hea
ringhi
sna
mebei
ngc
all
edout
,Reyqui
ckl
yadde
d,“
It’
sanhonort
ome
ety
ou,
Mr.
Lee
.Ig
obyRe
y!”

“T
hesa
meg oesf
orme !Rega
rdles
s,l
et’
shea
dinbeforeweconti
nuet
alk
ing
, s
ha l
lwe?”r
epl
i
edHa
rol
d
whowass
ti
lls
mil
ing
.Itappeare
dt ha
thetr
ulyf
eltr
eli
evedwit
htheduo’
spresence…
Reg
ardl
ess
,af
tert
heye
nte
redt
heGr
eatCounc
ilbui
l
ding
,thet
wower
eledt
oabi
gme
eti
ngr
oom…

I
nsi
de,ma
nys ubor
dinat
escoul
dbeseenwork
inghardt
oc r
ackt
hec
ase.
Howe
ver
,thes
econdt
hey
not
ic
edHarol
d,Geral
d,andRey,t
heyi
mme di
atel
yfe
lls
il
ent.

Cl
eari
nghist
hroat
,Ha
r ol
dthenyel
le
d,“Alr
ight
,li
st
enup,ev
eryone!Al
lowmetointr
oduceal
lofy
out
o
Mr.Gera
ldCrawf
ordandhisdi
sci
pl
e,Rey!They’
reher
etohelpussol
vethec
ase,
s ol
et’
sgiv
ethema
warmwelcome!”

Uponhear
ingtha
t,a
llthesubordinat
esimme di
atel
ygottothei
rfe
etandbeg
ancl
appi
ngexc
it
edl
yto
welc
ometheduo.Natural
l
y, a
llofthemha dhear
da boutGera
ldbefor
e,a
ndnowt
hatther
ealde
alwas
bef
oret
hem, t
heywerede f
ini
telyoverj
oyed!

Nowthatt
hatwasoutoftheway,
Har
oldt
henges
turedforGer
aldandRe
ytot
aket
hei
rsea
tsbef
ore
sa
ying
,“Nowthen…Withoutf
urt
hera
do,l
ett
heme et
ingcomme nc
e!”

Wi
tht
hats
aid,
hiss
ubor
dina
tesi
nst
ant
lyr
esume
ddi
scus
singt
hec
ase.

Af
teroneoft
hemca
mef orwardwithaf
ilea
ndpla
ceditont
het a
blebeforeGe
ral
d,Ha
rol
dsmi
l
eda
she
sa
id,“
Plea
sehav
ealookattheinf
ormat
ionwe’
vegat
he r
edabouttheca
s e.
”

Noddi
nga
sher
etur
nedas
ubt
les
mil
e,Ge
ral
dthenbe
ganr
eadi
ngt
hroug
hthedoc
ume
nts
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1869

Aft
err
eadi
ngthr
oug
hit
,Ge
ral
dcoul
dn’
the
lpbutr
ais
eas
li
ghtbr
owa
shea
ske
d,“
Whoex
act
lyi
sthi
s,
Lor
dVanTage…?
”
“Ah,he’sapersonwhoc l
a i
mst obea bl
etoseethepa
st,
anda l
sopredi
c tapers
on’sfutur
e.Quit
ea
numbe rofpeoplebeli
evethathetrulyhast
hepowertoreadthes
et i
me- ba
sedevents,soit
’sno
wonde rwhyhe’sbecomequi tepopularofl
ate
.I’
mhonestl
ysurpr
is
edt hatyouhaven’thear
dofhim
befor
e, Mr.Cr
awf or
d,”repl
iedHarold.

Wi
thhowbus
yheha
dbee
n,i
tre
all
ywa
snowonde
rwhyGer
aldha
dn’
thea
rda
boutt
hatma
nbef
ore.

Lea
ningc
losertoGera
ld,
Re yt
henwhi
spered,
“Ik
nowa bouthi
m, br
otherGer
ald…I
’ver
eadthr
oug
h
manyofhisart
ic
lesa
nde v
enseenvi
deosofhi
mbe f
ore.Thetr
uthis
,Ithi
nkhe’
sjus
taphony
…”

“
Phonyornot
,we
’l
lbea
blet
otel
lonc
ewe’
ret
her
e!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
dinac
almt
one
.

Si
nceGer
aldwas
n’tr
eal
l
yabletoga
the
rmuchfr
omt heinf
orma
tioni
nthef
il
e,hek
newt
hatt
hei
rne
xt
bes
tbetwoul
dbetoheads
trai
ghtf
ort
hec
rimesce
ne …

Af
teras
li
ghtpa
use,
Ger
aldt
henc
los
edt
hef
il
ebe
for
eas
king
,“Ca
nwehea
dtot
hec
rimes
cenenow,
Mr.
Le
e?”

“
Ofc
our
se!
”repl
i
edHa
rol
dwi
thoutt
hes
li
ght
esthes
it
ati
on.

Wi
tht
hat
,Ha
rol
dimme
dia
tel
y—a
ndper
sona
ll
y—l
edt
heduot
othec
rimes
cene
…

Thec
rimesc
e nei
tsel
fwasast
udi
oapart
me ntl
oca
tedi
nJha
nglumCi
ty’
sLot
usBa
y.T
hev
ict
imwa
sa
womaninherlat
etwent
ieswhowentbythenameofF
ayWe s
t.
S
hehadappa
rent
lydi
edinhers
leepthenig
htbefore
, a
ndwhilet
hatwasal
readyconc
erni
nge
noug
h,
t
her
eals
hockerc
amefromtwoblackhandpri
ntsonthecei
l
ingri
ghta
topherhead!

I
tdidn’
thel
pt hatasi
defromF a
yherse
lf,
nobodyel
sehadenter
edherhomethatni
ght,
asprovedby
hersur
vei
ll
ancec a
mera ’
sfoot
age.
Whi l
ethei
nvest
iga
torsdi
dgothr
oughthef
ootag
eoft hecamera
acr
ossherapart
mentf orext
rameasur
e,theendre
sultwass
implyt
hesame…Onlysheha de
ntere
dher
homebeforeherdeath.

Whatmore
,afterdoi
nganaut
opsyonF
ay’sbody,nosi
gnsofwha
thadki
ll
edherwer
efound!Nota
n
i
nj
uryonherbody,norwer
ether
eanytr
acesofpois
on.Itt
rul
ywaspe
rpl
exi
ng…

Aft
eranenti
redayofi
nves
ti
gat
ingandgai
ni
ngnonewinf
ormat
ionaboutt
heunusual
death,
Har
old
fi
nal
lyde
cidedtobr
ingi
nthebi
gg uns
,whi
chpr
omptedhi
mt ocal
lGera
ldt
henightbef
ore
…

Si
nceGera
ldwasqui
tef
amousf
ordea
li
ngwi
tht
hepa
ranor
mal
,Ha
rol
dbel
i
eve
dtha
thewa
stheper
fec
t
per
sontohel
pthemcra
ckt
hecase
…

Reg
ardl
ess
,thet
ri
osoonf
oundt
hems
elv
ess
teppi
ngf
ooti
ntoF
ay’
sst
udi
oapa
rtment
.

Uponsl
owlyente
ring
,Gera
ld’
sexpr
essi
onins
tantl
ywents
our
.Anov
erwhel
mingf
emi
ni
nea
uraha
d
compl
etel
yenvel
opedthei
nsi
desofthest
udi
oa par
tment
…

S
inc
ethehumanbodyna
tural
lycons
ist
edofma
scul
i
nea
ura
,imme
nsef
emi
ni
nea
ura
sli
ket
hiswoul
d
s
urel
ytr
igg
erare
pell
i
ngfeel
i
ng …

Noti
ci
ngthechang
einGeral
d’se
xpr
ess
ion,
Har
oldi
mmedi
ate
lya
ske
d,“
…Di
dyouma
nag
etof
ind
somethi
ng,
Mr .
Crawf
ord?
”
Shak
inghi
shea
d, Ger
aldt
henmonot
onous
lyr
epl
i
ed,
“Noty
et,
thoug
hImus
tsa
y,t
hispl
aceha
san
over
whelmi
ngfemini
neaura
…”

Fol
lowi
ngthat,
Geraldheadedt
oFey
’sbedbe
for
ely
ingdown…T
rueenoug
h,t
her
ewer
etwodi
st
inc
t,
bla
ckhandpr
intsr
ightabovehi
m…

Na
tur
all
y,t
hiss
urpr
is
edHa
rol
dandhi
sme
n,t
houg
hGe
ral
dpa
idt
hemnohe
ed.

I
nst
ead,
hes
impl
ycl
ose
dhi
sey
es…a
ndwhe
nher
eope
nedt
hem,
awoma
nwa
sly
ingr
ightnex
ttohi
m…

Ofc
our
se,
shewa
snoneot
hert
hanF
ayWes
ther
sel
f.

“
Finda
nyt
hing
?”a
ske
dFa
yinac
uri
oust
one
.

T
urni
ngt
olooka
the
r,Ger
aldt
hena
ske
d,“
…Whydi
dyouc
hoos
etobe
li
evei
nLor
dVa
nTa
ge?
”

S
impl
ygi
ggl
i
ngi
nre
spons
e,F
ayt
hent
urnedt
olooka
tthebl
ackha
ndpr
int
sont
hec
eil
i
ng…

J
ustasGer
alddi
dthesa
me,hewassudde
nlyj
ol
teda
wayf
romt
hes
cenewhenRe
y’sv
oic
eca
ll
edout
,“B
-
brot
herGeral
d!Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?!”

Openi
nghi
sey
es,
hec
oul
dn’
the
lpbutr
ais
eas
li
ghtbr
owa
shel
ook
eda
tRe
ywhi
l
eas
king
,“Wha
t’s
wrong
?”
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1870

“W-wet
houghty
ouwerepos
sess
ed!Af
tera
ll
,youdi
dn’
tres
pondtousnomat
terhowmuc
hwec
all
ed
outt
oyou!Y
ouscar
edushal
ftodea
th,
youknow?”r
epl
iedthes
tunnedRe
y.

Choos
ingtoi
gnor
eRe y
’ss
tat
ement
,Ge
ral
dthe
nhoppe
dof
fthebedbe
for
esa
ying
,“Re
gar
dle
ss,
I’
vej
ust
di
scov
eredsomet
hingi
mport
ant
!”

I
mmedi
atel
ydra
wingever
yone’
satt
ent
ioni
nther
oom,
Har
oldt
henqui
ckl
ywa
lkedov
erbe
for
eas
king
,
“
Wha
te x
actl
yhaveyoudi
scov
ered?
”

Poi
nti
ngatthehandpr
int
sont
hec
eil
i
ng,
Ger
aldt
henr
epl
i
ed,
“The
re’
ssomet
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hos
e
bl
ackhandpri
nts
!”

Conf
use
d,Ha
rol
dthena
ske
d,“
…I’
mnotqui
tes
urei
fIf
oll
ow…”

“
Thi
nka
bouti
t.Whywoul
dak
il
le
rlea
ves
uchobv
iousha
ndpr
int
saf
terdoi
ngt
hedee
d?”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d.

Uponhear
ingtha
t,Har
oldfoundhi
mselff
rowni
ng.
Aft
ert
hink
ingf
orawhi
l
e,het
henr
epl
i
ed,
“…Ar
eyou
sa
yingt
hattheki
ll
eri
stry
ingtomis
lea
dus ?”

Noddi
nginrespons
e,Gera
ldthenrepl
ied,“
Bing
o.Reg
ardl
ess
,br
ingL
ordVa
nTa
gei
nforques
ti
oni
ng.
I
haveasnea
kingsuspi
ci
ontha
tF ay
’sdeathi
srel
ate
dtohim!”

Notev
enquesti
oni
nganyf
urt
her
,Ha
rol
dthent
urnedt
olookathi
ssubor
dinat
esbef
oreor
der
ing
,“S
end
someofourmenoutt
obri
ngLor
dVanTag
einf
orquest
ioni
ngri
ghtt
hisi
nsta
nt!”
Watc
hingasHa
rol
d’ss
ubordi
natesr
anofftodoastheywereins
truct
e d,Reytheninche
dclos
ert
o
Ger
aldbef
ores
ayi
ng,“…Don’
tyoufeel
thatal
lthi
siss
implytoobiza
rre,brotherGera
ld…?”

“
Iti
s.Aft
erall
,Ibel
iev
ethati
nst
eadofhumans
,ghos
tsa
rethet
rueperpet
rat
orsofthi
scr
ime
!I’m
a
ctual
lytel
l
ingthe
mt obri
ngLordVa
nT ag
ebacktot
heoff
ic
etoprot
ecthi
m!”whisper
edGeral
din
r
esponse
.

Af
terhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Re
yfi
nal
l
ysa
wthebi
gge
rpi
ct
ure
.

Si
ncenot
hingel
secoul
dbedonehe
rea
tthemome
nt,
Ger
aldt
hens
aid,
“Al
ri
ght
,le
t’shea
dba
ckt
othe
Grea
tCounci
lbui
ldi
ngf
ornow!”

Wi
tht
hat
,ev
ery
onedi
dasGer
aldt
old…

Ont
hei
rwa
yba
ckt
othebui
l
ding
,howe
ver
,Ha
rol
d’sphonebe
ganr
ing
ing
.

Ans
wer
ingt
hec
all
wit
hhi
sot
herha
nd,
Har
oldt
hens
aid,
“Ye
s?”

“
Badnews
,si
r!L
ordVa
nTa
gei
sdea
d…!
”re
pli
edhi
ssubor
dina
te.

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,thes
cre
echi
ngoft
ir
esc
oul
dins
tant
lybehea
rda
sHa
rol
dsl
amme
dont
hebr
ake
s.

“
Wha
t?De
ad?
!”e
xcl
ai
medt
hes
hoc
kedHa
rol
d.
F
romHa
rol
d’sr
eac
ti
ona
lone
,Ge
ral
dcoul
dal
rea
dyt
ell
tha
ttheywe
ret
ool
ate
.

“
So…I’mas
sumi
ngt
hatt
hedea
dma
nisL
ordVa
nTa
ge?
”sa
idGer
aldwi
thas
ighj
usta
sHa
rol
dwa
s
t
urni
ngtol
ooka
thi
m.

S
urpr
is
edt
hatGer
aldc
oul
drea
dhi
smi
nd,
Har
oldqui
ckl
ysna
ppedoutofi
tbe
for
enoddi
ng.

“
Ise
e…T
henl
et’
shea
dtot
hec
rimes
cenei
mmedi
ate
ly!
”de
cla
redGe
ral
d.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
rLi
stCha
pte
r1871

Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,Ha
rol
dthenhungupbef
ores
teppi
ngont
heg
asa
stheys
pedt
othec
rimes
cene
.

AsGer
aldha
dear
li
ert
oldRey,i
nst
eadofbei
ngtheperpetr
ator
,LordVanTagewassi
mplya
nother
vi
ct
im.Fr
omwhathecoul
dcurr
entl
ydeduce
,LordVanTagemus thaveenc
ounter
edsomet
hingt
err
ibl
e
wit
hFaywhi
chl
edtobothoft
hembeingtar
gete
da ndeventua
ll
yk i
l
led…

Whil
eGer
aldha
ds ucc
essf
ull
ypr
edi
cte
dthatLor
dVa
nTa
gewoul
dendupdy
ingnex
t,hewa
s
unf
ort
una
tel
yabittoola
tetopr
eve
nthisdea
th…

Reg
ardl
ess
,thet
ri
osoona
rri
veda
tLor
dVa
nTa
ge’
shome
…TheE
lys
ianL
aby
rint
h.
Si
nceitwaswell
knownthatt
hiswasL
ordVa nTa
ge’shomea ndhealre
a dyhadac
ultf
oll
owi
ng,
itwas
nosurpr
is
ethatsev
era
lpeopl
ewe r
ealre
a dyt
her
e,looki
ngimme ns
elyshocke
d.Af
teral
l
,hov
eri
ngri
ght
underoneoft
hehouse’
sbeams,wasLordVanTage
’sli
fel
essbody!

Forabitofback
story,
aftergraduat
ingf
romuniver
sit
y,Lor
dVanTageha
ddedi
catedhi
slif
eto
res
earchi
ngthefiel
dofps yc
hology.Whil
ehisr
is
etof a
mewa ss
impl
ybycha
nce,oncepeoplest
arte
d
comingtohimforconsulta
tionsandtes
ts,t
heyneverst
oppeds
eeki
nghi
shel
p.Andjustl
ik
et ha
t,he
becameac el
ebri
tyons oci
almedia.

Af
terg
ett
ingsous
edtohi
spresenc
e,i
ttr
ulywa
sshoc
kingt
ofi
ndoutt
hatL
ordVa
nTa
gewoul
dendup
dy
ingi
nhisownhomeofal
lpla
ces…

Movi
ngbacktoGe
ral
dandhi
spart
y,a
fte
rapproa
chi
ngthecr
imesc
ene,
Harol
dturnedtol
ookathi
s
s
ubor
dina
te—whohadjus
twalk
eduptothetr
io—bef
oreas
kingwi
thas
eri
oustone,“
What’
sthe
s
it
uat
ionl
ike?
”

“Well
,acc
ordi
ngtothewitne
ss’de
scri
pti
ons
,L ordVanTag
eha ds i
mplybeenc
onduc t
inganotherofhi
s
manyconsul
tat
ionsear
li
erwhenall
ofasudden, hebeg
anfloa
ting!Thewit
nes
s esc
ouldonlystarei
n
hor
rorashesqueeze
dhisownnecktil
lheeventuall
ydi
edofstr
a ngul
ati
on!
”report
edt hesubordi
nat
e.

Haroldwasri
ght
ful
l
yst
unne
daf
terhe
ari
ngt
hat
.Tot
hinkt
hats
ome
thi
ngt
hatt
err
if
yi
ngc
oul
dha
ppeni
n
therealwor
ld…!

AsforGera
ld,
hewe nta
heada
nds t
oodrig
htbeneat
hthehov
eri
ngc
orps
ebe
for
elook
inga
round…E
ven
so,
hes i
mplycoul
dn’
tseea
nyt
hingoutoftheor
dina
ry.
“
Finda
nyt
hing
,br
othe
rGe
ral
d…?
”as
kedt
hec
onf
use
dRe
y.

“…We l
l
, f
orst
art
ers,
thi
splac
eisbr
immingwit
hfemini
neaura,j
ustl
i
keF
ay’
spl
ace.
Inot
herwor
ds,
I’
m
pre
ttysuret
heculpr
iti
sthesamei
ndi
vi
dual,
”repl
i
edGe r
ald.

“
Isee…St
il
l,
don’
tyoufi
ndal
lthisabi
ttoobiz
arr
e,brot
herGera
ld…?Whoi
nther
ightmi
ndwoul
d
s
tra
nglet
hemsel
vest
odeat
h…? ”mutt
eredthebewil
deredRe
y.

Fr
owni
ngs l
i
ght
lya
shenarrowedhiseyes
, Ger
aldthenr
epli
ed,“
Nothi
m,tha
t’sf
orsur
e.I
’l
lbef
rankand
sa
ytha
tfromwhatIcang
athe r
,aghos
tmus thaveposs
essedhi
m!Howandwhye l
sewoul
dhestra
ngle
hi
msel
ftodeat
h!St
il
l,
noordinaryg
hostcoul
d’vedonethi
s!
”

F
eel
i
ngac hi
ll
rundownhisspi
ne,Reyt
henqui
ckl
yhel
dont
ohisne
ckbefor
efe
arf
ull
yst
utt
eri
ng,
“A-
are
y
ousay
ingthatt
hatver
yghostcoul
dbeobs
erv
ingusa
tthi
smoment…?
”

“Negat
ive.Ic
an’
tsenseit
spresenc
e,”c
omf or
tedGera
ld,
prompti
ngReytobr
eat
heasig
hofrel
i
ef.S
til
l
,
Reycouldn’
thel
pbutfeelgoos
ebumpsa l
loverwhenhethoug
htabouthowg
host
scoul
dsec
ret
lybe
obser
vinghi
ma tal
lti
me s
…

Short
lyaf
ter
,Ha
rol
dwa
lke
dov
ert
otheduobe
for
eas
king
,“F
inda
nyt
hingoutoft
heor
dina
ry,
Mr.
Crawfor
d?”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1872

“
FromwhatI
’v
ema na
gedt
oga
therupt
il
lthi
spoi
nt,
thek
il
lerwa
sne
verahuma
n,buti
nst
ead,
a
g
rudge
ful
ghos
t!”

“
…Comea
gai
n?Ag
rudg
eful
ghos
t?Ar
eyoua
bsol
ute
lys
ure
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord?T
hisi
sn’
tex
act
lyami
nor
c
ase,
”re
pli
edHa
rol
dinas
li
ght
lydoubt
ful
tone.

Tr
uthbetol
d,Harol
ddi
dn’tr
eal
lybel
iev
einghos
ts.Howeve
r,withs
omanys
uper
nat
ura
loc
cur
renc
es
happeni
ngbef
orehi
sver
yeyes,
wha tot
herc
hoicedidhehavebutt
obel
i
eve
?

“
Sinc
ey ou’
vehir
edmet osol
vethec ase
, y
ou’l
lj
usthavet
otrustme, Mr.
Lee.Regardl
ess,Ipr
omiseyou
t
hatI,
Ger a
ldCra
wfor
d, nev
erli
ea boutthi
ngsli
kethi
s!I
fyousti
ll
refuset
obelie
v eme ,
howev er
,then
l
et’
snotconti
nuewas
tingeachother’st
ime,”r
epli
edGeral
da sheimmediat
elyturnedaroundtoleav
e.

I
fhi
sjudg
mentwa
sn’
tgoi
ngt
obet
rus
ted,
thenhema
yaswe
llj
ustl
eav
e.

Qui
ckl
ys t
oppi
ngGeral
dfromleav
ing,Harol
dthensig
hedbefores
ayi
ng,“
Youmi s
unders
tandme,Mr .
Cr
awford!I
’mnotdoubt
ingyourcapabi
l
iti
esatal
l!Howev
er,dokeepi
nmi ndtha
tthi
scaseisg
ett
inga
bi
toutofhandnow.Ineedsomethi
ngalitt
lemore…Convi
ncingt
ocal
mev ery
one,i
fyouknowwha tI
mean…”

“
Mr .L
ee,Iassureyouonehundr
edperc
enttha
tg host
sa r
ea mongus.Reg
ardl
ess
, i
fI’
mstay
ingthen
l
et’
snotwa s
tea nyti
meargui
ngaboutt
hei
rexi
stence.Thema i
nfocusnowshoul
dbet oc
apturethe
g
rudgeful
ghos tbef
orei
tcaus
esanymoretr
ouble!”decl
aredGeral
dinaseri
oustone.

“
…Yes,y
es…You’
rea
bsolut
elyr
ight
!Fi
nethen,
Ipl
acemyt
rus
tiny
ou,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d!Wi
tht
hats
aid…
Whats
houl
dwedone x
t?”aske
dHa r
old.

“Fornow,Isugges
tthatyouandyourmenheadbackf
ir
stwhi
l
eIremai
nherewithmydi
sci
pl
e.Cal
li
ta
hunch,butIbel
ievetha
tthegrudgef
ulg
hostst
il
lha
ssomeunf
ini
she
dbusi
nesshere
.Wit
hthati
nmind,
i
twi l
lsur
elyret
urntoni
ght!
”repli
edGera
ld.

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Ha
rol
dsi
mpl
yag
ree
d.S
inc
eheha
dchos
ent
otr
ustGer
ald,
hebe
li
eve
dtha
tGe
ral
d
ha
dapl a
n.Bes
ide
s,Ge
ral
dwa
sthee
xpe
rti
nthes
uper
nat
ura
lhe
re,
sowhowa
shet
oque
sti
onhi
s
de
cis
ions?

Wi
tht
hat
,Ha
rol
dandhi
smens
oonl
eftt
hebui
l
ding
…

Bythatpoi
nt,
thecr
owdfr
ombefor
eha ddi
spers
e d—si
ncei
twas
n’tl
ik
etherewasa
nyonet
ogi
vet
hem
adv
iceanymoreany
way—,andt
heEly
sianL
a by
rinthwaspr
ompt
lycor
donedoff
…

T
opa
sst
het
ime
,Ger
alda
ndRe
ysi
mpl
yrema
inedi
nthei
rca
rout
si
det
hedea
dma
n’shome
.

Oncenig
htcame,Re
ycoul
dn’
thel
pbuta
sk,
“…Ar
eyour
eal
l
ysur
etha
twe
’l
lseet
heg
hos
ttoni
ght
,
br
otherGer
ald…?
”

“
Putt
ingitsi
mply,a
llg
hostsi
nsti
nct
uall
yfe
elt
heneedtoret
urntocr
imes
cenesi
nvol
vi
ngthe
m. Addi
ng
t
hattothefactt
hatni
ghti
susuall
ythemosta
cti
veti
meforghos
ts,
I’
mprett
ysur
ethatt
hegrudgef
ul
g
hostwillmakearet
urn!
”repl
iedGeral
d.

Wi
thhowc
onf
identGe
ral
dsounded,
Reywa
sinc
li
nedt
obel
i
evet
hatGer
aldmus
tber
ight
.

S
eei
ngt
hatReyha
das
ked,
Ger
aldt
ookhi
sphoneoutt
oche
ckt
het
ime
…Appa
rent
ly,
itwa
sal
rea
dyt
en.

Noddi
nga
shes
li
dhi
sphoneba
cki
ntohi
spoc
ket
,Ge
ral
dthe
nsa
id,
“Al
ri
ght
,let
’sma
keourmov
e!”

Fol
l
owingt
hat
,theduol
eftt
hec
arbef
ores
tea
lthi
l
yma
kingt
hei
rwa
ytot
heE
lys
ianL
aby
rint
h’s
ent
ranc
e…
J
usta
sReywa
saboutt
oope
nthedoor
,howe
ver
,Ger
alds
udde
nlyc
all
edouti
nahus
hedt
one,
“Hol
d
i
t!
”

AsRe
ytur
nedaroundtol
ookatGer
ald,wonderi
ngwha
twa
swr
ong
,hec
oul
dn’
thel
pbutf
urr
owhi
s
br
owsasGer
aldpla
cedhi
shandonRe y
’sf
orehead.

T
het
rut
hwa
s,Ge
ral
dwa
scur
rent
lyt
rans
mit
ti
ngs
omepowe
rint
oRey
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
rLi
st

Cha
pte
r1873

“
…Wha
t…ex
act
lya
rey
oudoi
ng,
brot
herGe
ral
d…?
”as
kedt
hec
onf
use
dRey
.

“I
’mtrans
ferr
ingsomepowerint
oy ousothatyou’l
lbea
bletose eghos
tsl
i
kemef romnowon.
However,bewa r
nedtha
ttheseevi
lspi
ri
tsca
nbemuc hsca
rierandmorevi
cioust
ha ny
oucoul
dev
er
i
ma g
ine.Withthati
nmind,I
advis
ey outost
e ely
ourwil
l!
”ex pl
aine
dGeral
d.

Si
ncet
hiswa sg
oingtobeRe y
’sfi
rs
ttimeseei
ngareale
vil
spiri
t,Ger
aldknewtha
ttheexperi
enc
ec oul
d
bequi
teunnervi
ng.Withthat
,hema desur
etotel
lReytopreparehi
ms e
lfi
nhopestha
thisdi
sci
ple
woul
dn’tendupjustwett
inghispant
sandfai
nti
ngonthespot…

“
Goti
t,br
otherGer
ald!I
’l
lbes
uret
oke
epmy
sel
fi
nche
ck!
”re
pli
edRey
,de
ter
mina
tioni
nhi
sey
es.
Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,Ger
aldt
henl
edt
hewa
yint
otheE
lys
ianL
aby
rint
h…

Onc
eins
ide
,Ger
aldqui
ckl
ysummonedt
heAs
tra
bys
sSwor
dbe
for
esa
ying
,“S
pir
itS
ummoni
ngS
pel
l
!”

Fol
l
owingthat,
hebega
nc ha
ngi
nganincanta
tionofsor
tst
osummona nyne
a r
byghost
s.Oncet
hespel
l
wassuc
cessf
ull
ycompl
ete
d,anyspi
ri
tsl
i
ng er
ingaroundwoul
dins
tant
lybecompe
lledt
ohe a
dtothe
El
ysi
anLabyr
inth…

Thi
swa sal
sot
herea
sonwhyGeral
dhademphasi
zeds
omuchonRe
yst
eel
i
nghi
sspi
ri
tea
rli
er.
Aft
era
ll
,
nei
theroft
hemknewwhatki
ndsofghos
tswoul
dshowup.

Reg
ardl
ess
,wi
tht
hec
ompl
eti
onoft
hes
pel
l
,Ge
ral
dandReyt
henwa
itedt
her
eins
il
enc
e…

However,
itwasn’
tlongbe
for
eac
hil
l
ingbr
eez
ebl
ewont
heba
ckofRe
y’snec
k,c
aus
ings
hiv
erst
orun
downhisent
ir
ebody !

“
B-br
othe
rGe
ral
d…”whi
mpe
redRe
y.

Uponheari
ngt
hat
,Ger
aldi
nst
ant
lys
wungt
heAs
tra
bys
sSwor
datt
hee
vil
spi
ri
ttha
tha
dma
nif
est
ed
ri
ghtbe
hindRe
y!

Reyhims
elfqui
ckl
ytur
nedbackt
olooka
twhatGe
ral
dwasa
tta
cki
ng…onl
ytof
indhi
seyeswi
deni
ngin
shoc
kwhenhes awanevi
lspi
ri
twit
hati
nyf
acegl
ari
nga
thi
m!Whil
ethet
inyf
acegl
owedadarkbl
ue,
t
hes
pir
it
’se
yeswer
eabl
oodyr
ed,
mak
ingt
hee
vil
spi
ri
tal
lthemor
eter
ri
fy
ingt
olooka
t!

Real
i
zingt
hatReywassosca
redthathec
oul
dn’te
ve nbrea
ther
ight
,Ger
aldqui
ckl
yya
nkedhi
sdi
sci
pl
e
tohi
sbackbef
oreyel
l
ing,
“Staybehi
ndme!I
’l
ldealwit
hit!
”

Nowt
hatReywa
sinas
afepos
it
ion,
Ger
aldl
eapedf
orwa
rdt
ost
ri
kea
tthes
pir
ita
gai
n!

Ev
ens o,
theevi
lspi
ritwasn’
tabouttoal
lowit
sel
ftog
ethi
ttha
tea
sil
y.Qui
ckl
ymor
phi
ngi
ntoabl
ack
mias
ma ,i
timmedia
telybegantr
yingtoe
s c
ape!

Ofcour
se,
Ger
aldwa
sn’
taboutt
ogi
vei
ttha
tcha
nce
.Ex
tendi
nghi
sar
m,Ger
aldt
heny
ell
ed,
“Soul
Cha
in!”

Andj
ustl
i
ket
hat
,hi
sSoul
Cha
inwa
ssummoneda
ndi
tqui
ckl
ywr
appeda
roundt
hee
vil
spi
ri
t!

“
Pull!
”inst
ruc
tedGer
ald,
res
ult
ingi
nthec
hai
nfor
cef
ull
ydr
agg
ingt
henowa
nge
reda
ndr
oar
ings
pir
it
r
ightbefor
eGeral
d…

“Di
dyouhone
stl
ythi
nkyouwe
reg
oingt
obea
blet
oes
capeac
ult
iva
tor
’sg
ras
p,e
vil
spi
ri
t?”moc
ked
Ger
aldi
nadis
dai
nfult
one.

Uponr eal
izi
ngtha
tthespi
ri
thadbeencapt
ured,
Rey—whohadj
ustc
almeddown—quic
klywal
kedov
er
toGera l
d’ss
ide…onl
ytofeel
hishear
tsk
ipabeatonc
emorewhenhesawhowtrul
yhorr
if
yi
ngtheev
il
spi
ri
tlookedup-cl
ose!

“
Don’tworr
y,itc
an’
tat
tacky
ounowt ha
tI’v
eboundit
!Speak
ingofwhic
h,ify
ou’
rest
il
lfe
eli
ng
i
nti
midat
ed,don’
tworr
ytoomuchaboutit
.Aft
eral
l
,thi
sisj
ustt
hefi
rstofmany,
andthemorespi
ri
ts
y
ousee
,theles
sthrea
teni
ngt
hey
’l
lev
ent
ual
l
ysee
m!”c
omf
ort
edGe
ral
d,k
nowi
ngt
hatRe
ywa
sfi
ndi
ng
i
tha
rdtoacc
eptall
this
.

Geral
dk newforafactt
hatma nypeopl
ewoul d’
vealreadywe tthemselv
esupons eei
ngthisevi
lspi
ri
tfor
thef
irs
tt i
me .
WhileReywasinit
ial
l
ys c
ared,heeventuall
ybec a
met oughe noug
ht ohandlethi
smuch,
andthatma deGeral
dfeelr
athersat
isf
ied.Af
teral
l,heofa l
lpeopleknewt hata
da pt
ingtosuch
horr
if
yingspir
it
stookti
me,soGe ra
ldwa sn’
tabouttoforceReyt oadapttothemt ha
tquickl
y.

Regar
dle
ss,
aft
ernoddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,Reyt
henmut
ter
ed,
“Um…Br
othe
rGe
ral
d…a
boutt
hate
vil
spi
ri
t…”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1874

Real
iz
ingt
hatRe
ywaslook
inga
ttheev
ils
pir
it
,Ge
ral
dthe
nrepl
i
ed,
“I’
l
lbee
xter
mina
tingi
tsot
hati
t
can’
tcaus
eanyf
urt
herhar
m!”

F
oll
owi
ngthat,
Gera
ldtookt
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
nout
…anduponwa
vingi
tbe
for
etheev
ils
pir
it
,it
i
nst
ant
lyl
etoutamight
yroa
r!

Howev
er,
thelonge
ritr
oar
ed,thef
eeble
rits
ounded,unt
ilev
ent
ual
l
y,i
twa
sreduc
edi
ntonot
hingbut
as
h…Andjus
tliket
hat,
Ger
aldhaddefea
tedtheev
ils
piri
t!

T
hank
stot
hePha
ngr
ott
omT
ali
sma
n,de
ali
ngwi
ths
pir
it
swa
snol
ong
erama
jori
ssuef
orGe
ral
d.

Reyhi
mselfcouldonl
yst
aredumbf
oundedbyhowe a
sil
yGe
ral
dha
dex
orc
ise
dthee
vil
spi
ri
t.T
othi
nk
tha
tthePhangrott
omT a
li
smanwastha
tpowerf
ul!
“
Thet
ali
sma
nist
rul
yinc
redi
bl
e,br
otherGe
ral
d!”ex
cla
imedRe
y.

“
Inde
ed.
Whye
lsedoy
out
hinkt
hePha
ngr
ott
omCl
ans
eei
tasawor
thyt
rea
sur
e?”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d.

I
feventhePhang
rott
omCl a
ntreas
uredit
,itwasundoubte
dlyapower
ful
item…Itcer
tai
nl
yexpl
ai
ned
whypeopleev
enris
kedthei
rli
vesj
usttoobtai
nthetal
isman.E
venso,
intheend,t
hetal
is
mancoul
d
onl
yeverbel
ongtoGera
ld….

Reg
ardle
ss,nowt
hatt
hei
ssuehadbeende
altwi
th,
Ger
aldwa
spr
ompt
edt
osa
y,“
Alr
ight
,we
’redone
her
e!Let’
sheadt
otheGr
eatCounc
il
!”

Wi
ththat,
theduolef
ttheE
lys
ianL
aby
rint
h,a
ndnott
ool
onga
fte
r,t
hei
rca
rca
met
oaha
ltbef
oret
he
Gr
eatCounci
lbui
l
ding…

Despi
tethefactt
hatitwasalr
eadymi
dni
ghtt
her
e,t
heent
irebui
l
dingwass
ti
ll
bri
ght
lyl
ita
ndthe
at
mos pheret
herewa saste
nseaseve
r…Aft
eral
l
,Har
olda
ndhisme nha
danxi
ous
lybee
nwa i
ti
ngfor
Ger
a l
da ndReytoreportba
ck.

Rega
rdl
ess,
upons eei
ngGeral
da ndRe yste
pout ,oneofHarol
d’ss
ubordi
nat
es—whoha
dbe en
st
ati
onedi
nfrontofthebuil
di
ngt oreporttheduo’sre
turn—immediat
elyr
antowa
rdHar
old’
soff
ic
e
bef
oreexc
it
edlyreport
ing
,“S-s
ir
!T hey’
reba c
k!”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,thede
li
ght
edHa
rol
dins
tant
lyg
ott
ohi
sfe
eta
ndr
ushedoutofhi
sof
fi
ce.

S
eei
ngGeral
da ndReyther
e,hequi
ckl
ygr
eet
edt
hembe
for
eas
kingwi
tha
nex
pec
tantl
ookonhi
sfa
ce,
“
What’
sthesi
tuati
onli
ke,Mr.Cr
awfor
d?”
L
ook
ingatHarol
d,Gera
ldthenc
alml
yre
pli
ed,
“I’
vea
lrea
dyex
orc
isedt
heev
ils
pir
it
,Mr
.Le
e.
E
ver
ythi
ng’
ssett
lednow!”

Hea
ringthat
,Mr.L
eei
mmedi
ate
lyhe
avedas
ighofr
eli
efbe
for
enoddi
ng.
Byt
hispoi
nt,
hef
ull
ybe
li
eve
d
i
nGer a
ld’
swords
.

“
Nowt
hen,
ift
her
e’snot
hinge
lse
,we’
l
lbet
aki
ngourl
eav
e!”a
dde
dGe
ral
d.

“Ofcour
se!Aga
in,we
’reext
remelyg
rat
eful
fora
lly
ourhe
lp,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d!”r
epl
i
edHa
rol
dashe
pers
onal
lysawthemofft
il
ltheyg
otthe
irca
r…

I
twa
sonl
yaf
tert
heduol
eftwhenHa
rol
dfi
nal
l
yre
tur
nedi
ntot
hebui
l
ding
…

“
…Um…S i
r?Doyoureall
ythi
nkt
hec a
sehasbee
ns ol
ved…?J
us tl
i
ket ha
t…?Imea
n,nottoberude,
but
t
hei
deaofghos
tsex
ist
ing…”mutt
eredoneofHar
old’
ssubor
dinatesnowtha
tGeral
dandReyhadlef
t.

I
twa
snatur
alf
ort
hemt
ofe
eldoubt
ful
.Af
tera
ll
,any
onewoul
dfe
els
kept
ic
alov
ert
hee
xis
tenc
eof
g
hos
ts.

E
venso,t
hehar
shr
eal
it
ywasthatg
host
str
ulydi
dex
isti
nthes
amepl
anea
sthe
ydi
d.J
ustbec
aus
ethey
c
oul
dn’ts
eethe
m,di
dn’
tmeantheywer
en’
treal
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1875

Nowt
hatt
hecasewasdoneandtheywe
res
ti
ll
awa
kea
nywa
y,Ge
ral
dandReyr
etur
nedhomet
oget
J
unoa
ndYrsaoutt
ohavesupper
.
Hea
dingt
owa
rdal
oca
lni
ghtma
rket
,thef
ourf
oundani
ces
tal
landt
ookt
hei
rse
atst
her
e.

Uponsi
tt
ingdown,
Reyc
oul
dn’
thel
pbute
xcl
ai
m,“
Wow!T
othi
nkt
hatt
her
e’dbes
uchapl
acei
nthe
ci
ty!
”

Rey,f
orone,hadnev
ercometopl
ace
sli
ket
hisbef
ore,
sohepr
ett
ymuc
hha
dnoi
deat
hatl
oca
tionsl
i
ke
thes
eexi
stedinthef
ir
stpl
ace
.

“
…Wha t?Di
dn’
tyoustudyher
e?Howc oul
dyouha
v es
pental
lyouryea
rsinthi
suni
vers
it
ywit
hout
f
indi
ngouta
boutthi
splace
?Youruni
versi
tyl
i
fewasacompl
etewa s
te!
”jokedGer
aldbef
ores
nic
ker
ing
.

Chuckl
ings
heepishl
y,Reyt
henscr
atc
hedthebac
kofhishe
adi
nsl
i
ghtemba
rra
ssme
ntbef
orer
epl
yi
ng,
“St
il
l,
thatj
ustshowsthatIwor
kmoreandplayl
ess
!”

T
houghRe
yuncons
cious
lypr
ais
edhi
msel
f,t
hetri
osi
mpl
yrol
l
edt
hei
rey
esi
nre
spons
e.Noneoft
hem
c
oul
dwinaga
ins
tReywhe ni
tcamet
onarc
iss
ism!

Att
hatmoment
,thes
tall
’
sownerwal
kedov
erwi
thamenu,
as mi
leonherfa
cea
sshesai
d,“Wel
come,
wel
come!T
here
’sadi
scountone
ver
ythi
ngt
oday
,somak
esureyouchoos
ewhat
every
oulik
e!”

Uponhea
ringt
hat
,Reyi
nsta
ntlyex
cla
imed,
“Re
all
y?T
henI
’mor
der
ingl
otst
hen,
brot
herGe
ral
d!Af
ter
al
l,
Iwon’
tbetheonepa
yingthebi
ll
!”

Watchinga
sRe
ythenl
aug
hedbe
for
egr
abbi
ngt
hemenu,
Ger
alds
impl
yshookhi
shea
dathi
schi
l
dis
h
di
sci
ple.
Nottha
tGeral
drea
ll
yminde
dit
.Af
tera
ll
,heha
dpl
ent
yofc
asht
ospa
re,
sot
rea
tinghi
spa
rtywa
sn’
t
rea
ll
yabigdeal
tohim.

Whil
ethatwa
sthec
a s
e,byt
heti
methefood—t
hatReyor
der
ed—a
rri
vedt
enmi
nut
esl
ater
,the
amountwass
tag
ger
ing,t
osayt
hele
ast
!

“
…You…or
der
edqui
teabi
t,Rey
!Ca
nweev
enf
ini
sha
llt
his
?”a
ske
dJunoa
sshel
ook
eda
ttheboy
.

“
Don’
tunder
est
ima
temya
ppet
it
e,Mi
ssZ
orn!
”repl
i
edRe
yashepa
tte
dhi
sche
st.

Unsur
eofhowt
oev
enr
espondt
otha
t,J
unos
impl
yshookhe
rhea
d,hopi
ngt
hatheme
antwha
theha
d
j
ustsai
d.

Wi
tht
hat
,al
lf
ouroft
hembe
gane
ati
ngt
hei
rme
al.

See
inghowr a
pidl
yReywa sgobbl
i
ngdownhi
sfood,
Geral
dcouldn’
thel
pbutl
aug
ha shes
aid,“Re
y,t
he
f
ood’snotgoi
nganywhere!Whyareyoue
ati
ngli
keyouhav
en’thadameali
nahundredy
ea r
s?Arey
ou
ahungryghos
torsomething
?”

L
ooki
ngupatGer
aldwit
hhische
ekssti
l
lst
uffedwit
hfood,
Reythe
nchewedal
i
ttl
ebe
for
erepl
yi
ng,
“I
c
an’
thel
pit
,brot
herGera
ld!Wehaven’
teatentheent
ir
eday,
youknow?”

S
ighi
nga
shes
hookhi
shea
d,Ger
aldt
hens
aid,
“Youba
rel
yca
rea
bouty
ouri
mag
eata
ll
,doy
ou,
Rey
?”
Whi
les
omema yc
onsidert
hattobea ni
nsul
t,i
twasacompl
imenti
nGera
ld’sbook.
Esse
nti
al
ly
,hewa
s
s
ayi
ngtha
tRe
ywa s
n’taprete
ntiousper
son,
andsuchpeopl
ewerever
yeasytogetal
ongwi
th.

Wha
tevertheca
sewas,
aftere
ati
ngawhi
l
elong
er,
Junoc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuta
sk,
“Spe
aki
ngofwhi
ch…
Wha
t’sournex
tpla
n,Gera
ld?”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1876

Nowt
hatt
her
ewerenofur
the
rdis
tra
cti
onsa
ndt
heywe
remos
tl
ydonewi
tht
hei
rmea
lsa
nywa
y,i
twa
s
hi
ght
imet
odis
cus
sthi
ngsmores
eri
ousl
y.

“
We ll
,I
’mt hi
nkingofst
a r
ti
nganewof f
ic
ei nanewplac
e.Ift
hingsworkout
,we’
ll
hav
eourown
e
stabl
ishedcompa nyt
ha tdea
lswit
hpsychicmatt
ers
.Thatway,peopl
ewill
knowwher
etof
indusi
f
t
heyha vei
ssuesregar
dingsuchthi
ngs
,”repli
edGera
ld.

Aft
ersol
vi
ngtoday’
smystery,
Ge r
aldhadthoughtabouthowt heGreatCounci
lonlydeal
twi
thmat
ter
s
bet
weenhuma nsupti
l
lthispoint
.Ifhees
tabli
shedacompa nythatspeci
al
iz
edinde al
i
ngwit
hthe
par
anormal
,thoses
eeki
nghe l
pwoul dbeabletogetactua
lresul
tsinst
eadofhavingcl
uel
ess
i
nvest
iga
tor
s.

Whatmore,
wi t
hthegat
est
otheghostworl
dnowopen,moreinc
ide
ntsl
i
ket
hiswoul
dsur
elyha
ppe
n,
whi
chfur
therprompt
edGer
aldt
og i
veser
ioust
houg
htaboutthei
dea.

Ei
therwa y
,af
terl
i
ste
ningt
oGe
ral
d’ss
ugg
est
ion,
thet
ri
oimme
dia
tel
ynodde
dwi
thoutt
hes
li
ght
est
hesi
tat
ion.

“
Ithi
nkt
hat
’sa
nex
cel
l
enti
dea
,Ge
ral
d!”s
aidJ
unoa
sshel
ook
eda
thi
m.
“
I’
mg ladyouthi
nkso.S
peakingofwhich,
Rey,Yr
s a
.Bot
hofy ouwill
ha v
et osta
rtyourfor
ma lt
rai
ni
ng
s
oon!JunoandI wi
l
lbetra
iningyousepar
ate
ly,andonc
ey ou’r
eready,we ’
ll
star
tsendi
ngy ououtto
f
ightr
ealbat
tl
e s
.Witht
hatinmind,bothofyouhadbestmentall
yprepareyourse
lves
!”decla
redGeral
d.

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,thet
wodi
sci
pl
esex
cha
ngedg
lanc
esbef
orenoddi
ngs
li
ght
ly.

Reyhi
msel
fha
dade
ter
minedex
pres
siononhi
sfa
cea
sher
epl
i
ed,
“Goti
t,br
othe
rGe
ral
d!Wewon’
tlet
youdown!
”

T
ruthbet
old,Reyha
dbeenwai
ti
ngfort
hismomentf
orqui
teawhi
l
enow.
Aft
era
ll
,hewa
sra
therk
een
t
olear
naboutthemanyway
sofpr
operl
ydeal
ingwi
thghos
ts.

Whil
eitwast
ruetha
theendedupget
ti
ngs
li
g ht
lyfr
ight
enede ar
li
er—duet
oitbei
nghisf
ir
stt
ime
pr
operl
yseei
nganevi
lspi
ri
t—heha
dtoadmitthatt
heex per
iencewasava
lua
bleone
.

Reg
a r
dles
s,a
sthef
ourcont
inuedcha
tti
nga
stheyfi
nis
hedt
hei
rme
als
,loudc
ras
hingnoi
ses
—tha
twer
e
qui
teclos
eby—immedi
atel
ycaughtt
hei
rat
tent
ion.

Turni
ngtofacethesour
ceofthesound,thegroupsawaratheri
nti
mida
ting-
look
inggangarmedwi
th
woodenba t
sslowlymaki
ngthei
rwa ytowardthem.Astheysl
owlymadetheirwayfor
wa r
d,the
hooli
gansmades ur
etovandal
iz
ea l
lthestal
l
sa r
oundthemwi t
hthei
rbats!

Nat
ural
ly
,thesc
eneinst
ant
lycaus
edGe
ral
dandhi
spa
rtyme
mbe
rst
ofr
own.
Tot
hinkt
heywoul
dbump
i
ntosuc
has i
tua
tionwhi
leeat
ing!

T
hes
tal
lownerhe
rsel
fwa
sal
rea
dypa
cki
nghe
rwa
resup,
look
inge
xtr
emel
yanx
ious
.
“Huh?Arey
ouc l
osi
ngal
rea
dy?Butweha
ven’
tev
enf
ini
shede
ati
ngy
et!
”as
kedReya
shel
ook
eda
tthe
pani
cki
ngst
all
owne r
.

“L
ook,j
ustl
eav
ewhil
eyoucan!Don’
tworrya
boutpay
ing!Consi
deri
ttobemyt
rea
t!”r
epl
i
edt
hes
tal
l
owneri
nahastyt
oneasf
ini
shedpac
kingupandpr
epar
edt opus
hhercarta
way
.

“
Whoex
act
lya
ret
hos
epeopl
e…?Andwhya
rey
ous
oter
ri
fi
edoft
hem?
”as
kedGer
aldne
xt.

Whi
l
eheobv
ious
lyk
newt
hatt
heywer
ega
ngme
mber
s,hewa
nte
dmor
edet
ail
saboutt
hem.

Si
ghi
nginresponse,
thestal
lownerqui
ckl
yrepl
i
ed,“
They’
ref
romtheHokl
uxgang
,andtheyr
unil
leg
al
pr
otec
ti
onr a
c ket
saroundhere!I
can’
tsayanymor
ethantha
t,s
oplea
se,
justl
etmeandmyda ug
hter
l
eaveal
rea
dy !”

Jus
tass
hewa
saboutt
ocont
inuepus
hingherc
arta
way
,ana
ngr
yye
llc
oul
dbehe
ards
ayi
ng,
“St
op
her!
”

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,sev
era
lme
mbe
rsoft
heg
angqui
ckl
yrus
hedf
orwa
rdt
obl
ockhe
rpa
th.

S
urrounde
dbyt
heba
t-wi
el
di
ngmen,
thes
tal
lownera
ndherda
ught
erc
oul
dn’
tev
ent
akea
not
hers
tep
f
urt
her!

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r
Cha
pte
rLi
st
Cha
pte
r1877

Shor
tl
yaf
ter
,as
car
-f
ace
dma
nwa
lke
dupt
othewoma
nbe
for
esc
off
ing
,“Pl
anni
ngong
oings
ome
whe
re,
boss
?”

“
…Bi
gBrot
her,wejus
trunas
mall
bus
ine
ss…!Wer
eal
l
ydon’
tha
vea
nymone
ytog
ivey
ou…!
”re
pli
ed
t
hes
tal
lownerinare
sig
nedt
one.

“
Cutt
hec
r*p!
”sne
eredt
hes
car
redma
nbef
ores
lappi
ngherr
ighti
nthec
heek
!

Duetohowhardhehadhither
,thewoma
nende
dups
tag
ger
ingt
wos
tepsba
ckbef
oreha
vingt
olea
n
aga
ins
therc
arttosuppor
thers
elf…

“
Mot
her
!”y
ell
edt
hewoma
n’sda
ught
era
sshei
mmedi
ate
lyr
anov
ert
ohe
rtohel
pherup.

Fol
l
owingtha
t,s
hegl
areda
tthes
car
redma
nbe
for
eshout
ing
,“Y
ouut
terb*s
tar
d…!T
othi
nkt
haty
ou’
d
dar
etohitawoman!
”

“Hmm?T hi
syourdaug
hter
,boss?She’squi
teal
ooker
!”sneeredthesca
rredman,amal
i
ciouss
mil
eon
hisf
acea
shewa lk
edovertothest
a l
lowner’
sdaug
hterbefor
ey a
nkingherove
rtohi
ssi
de!

“
L-l
etg
oofme ,y
oub*sta
rd…!Whatar
ey oupl
anni
ngt
odo? !
”shout
edthepoorgi
rla
sshea
tte
mpt
ed
t
obreakhe
rse
lff
reeofhi
sgri
p.S
adl
y,shewasfart
oof
rai
ltoevengar
nerares
ponsefr
omhim…

Rega
rdl
ess
,uponseei
ngt
hathewasn’
tpl
anni
ngonr
elea
singherda
ught
er,
thenowt
ear
y-e
yeds
tal
l
ownerqui
ckl
ypul
l
edherdaught
erbac
k!
Oncethegi
rlwasbehi
ndher,
thes
tal
lownert
urnedt
ofacet
hes
car
redma
nbef
orepl
eadi
ng,
“Pl
eas
e,
Bi
gBrother
…!Justl
eavehe
rbe…!I
’l
lgi
veyouthemoney
…!”

Smi
li
ngevenmoresi
nis
terl
yaft
erhear
ingthat
, t
hescar
redmanthenre
pli
ed,“Ha
h!I
don’twanty
our
moneyanymor
e!Ins
tead,whydon’
tyoua ndyourda
ughterj
ustf
oll
owmea ndbemyse
rvant
s?I’
ll
make
s
ureyouhaveacomfor
tablel
if
e!Howa bouti
t?”

I
twa
sevide
ntthatt
hisdespi
cabl
ema
npr
efer
redwomenov
ermoney
,andhenowha
dhi
sey
esonbot
h
t
hes
tal
lownerandherdaughter
…

Under
sta
ndabl
yfr
ight
ene
daf
terhe
ari
ngt
hat
,theduok
newt
hatt
heywe
ren’
tgoi
ngt
obea
blet
oav
oid
tr
oubl
etoni
ght
…

Notwanti
nghervi
rgi
ndaught
er’
sfut
uret
obedes
troye
dbyhim,
thest
all
ownerevent
ual
l
ypr
opos
ed,
“…Bi
gBrothe
r,howaboutt
his
…L eav
emydaug
hterbeandI
’l
lwi
l
li
ngl
yfol
lowyou…!”

“Wha
t?Youda r
eba r
gai
nwithme ?!S
inc
eyou’
ret
hatf
ooli
sh,
men!Gett
hem!”y
ell
edthesca
rre
dma n
i
narage.S
incethe
yda r
edt
or esi
sthi
m—despi
tet
hefactt
hatheha
dbeen‘c
our
teous
’enoughtoa
sk—,
hewasnolonge
ragains
tus
ingforce!

What
everthec
asewas,uponhear
inghi
sor
der,
hisunder
li
ngsi
mme
dia
tel
yrus
hedf
orwa
rda
ndbe
gan
dr
agg
ingbotht
hest
all
owne randherda
ught
eraway!

Whi
lether
eweresti
l
lpeopl
ear
ound,
noneoft
hemda
redt
ost
epi
n.Af
tera
ll
,nobodywa
nte
dtr
oubl
e
wi
ththes
ehool
i
g a
ns…
Al
lofas
udde
n,ama
scul
i
nev
oic
eye
ll
edout
,“S
topr
ightt
her
e!”

S
urpri
sed,
e v
ery
oneturnedt
olooka
tthes
our
ceoft
hev
oic
e…Ands
tandi
ngt
her
ewhi
l
epoi
nti
nga
tthe
s
carr
edma n,wasRey
!

Glar
inga
ttheyouth,thes
car
redmanthe
nsnee
red,
“Huh?Whot
hehe
llev
ena
rey
ou?L
ook
,jus
tfi
ni
sh
yourmealanddon’tbeabus
ybody
,ki
d!”

“I
’dr
atherbeabusy
bodythanbeab*s
tar
dli
keyou!T
othinkther
e’dbeama nont
hispl
ane
twho
woul
dda r
ebull
ytwoinnoc
entwomenwit
hhisg
roupofhooli
gans
!”scof
fedRey
.

Atthatmoment,Ger
ald,Rey,a
ndJunocoul
donl
yst
arewi
de-ey
eda tRey
.Af
tera
ll
,noneoft
hemha
d
expec
tedhi
m, ofal
lpeople,
toconf
rontt
hosega
ngs
ter
s…Cha
pter1878

“
Youti
redofl
iv
ingorsomet
hing
,ki
d?Areyouser
iousl
ymeddli
nginmyaf
fai
rs
?Doy
ouev
enk
nowwhoI
a
m?!”growl
edthesca
rredmanashecont
inuedg
lari
ngfi
erc
elyatRe
y.

“Don’
tknow,don’
tcare!Re
ga r
dle
ss,l
ett
hemg oal
readyorI
’l
lca
llt
heGr
eatCounc
ilov
er!
”ret
ort
edRey
befor
efi
shi
nghisphoneoutinhopesoft
hrea
teni
ngthegangs
ter
.

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,thes
car
redma
nandhi
sunder
li
ngsi
nst
ant
lybe
ganl
aug
hingmoc
king
ly.

Oncehewasdonel
aughing,
thescar
redmanthe
njeer
ed,
“Doyouhones
tl
ythi
nkthey
’l
lcomeov
er
whenthe
yknowwe’reinvol
ved!Goaheada
ndcall
the
mthen!Seewha
thappens
!”

Heari
ngthat
,Re
ywa
ssl
i
ght
lyt
ake
naba
ck.
Tot
hinkt
hatt
hes
ehool
i
ganswer
en’
taf
rai
doft
heGr
eat
Counci
l’
spower
!
S
hakinghi
shead,
thesca
rredma
nthens
igna
ledf
orhi
sme
ntog
oaf
terRe
y,pr
ompt
ingReyt
o
i
nst
inct
ual
lyt
akeaste
pba ck
…

Howev
er,
bef
orehec
oul
dta
kea
not
her
,hes
uddenl
yfel
taf
ir
mpa
tonhi
sshoul
der
.

T
urni
nga
rounda
nds
eei
ngt
hati
twa
sGe
ral
d,Re
ythe
nwhi
spe
red,
“…Br
othe
rGe
ral
d…”

S
impl
ypus
hingRe
yba
cki
ntohi
sse
at,
Ger
aldt
henc
alml
yrepl
i
ed,
“Jus
tre
laxa
ndl
eav
ether
estt
ome
!”

Underst
andi
ngt
hate
ver
ythi
ngwa
sgoi
ngt
obef
inenowt
hatGe
ral
dwa
sst
eppi
ngi
n,Reyc
hos
enott
o
sa
ya not
herwor
d.

Quit
efra
nkly
,Geral
dwould’veev
ent
ual
l
yst
eppe
di neveni
fReyha
dn’t
.Sti
l
l,Re
ydi
dsi
mpli
fyt
hingsf
or
him.Nowhecouldski
ptal
kingwi
tht
hos
enumbskul
lsi
nthefi
rs
tpl
aceandsi
mplyg
ost
rai
ghtt
ot e
achi
ng
themawe l
l
-des
ervedles
son.

Wi
tht
hat
,Ge
ral
dtookas
tepf
orwa
rd…bef
orev
ani
shi
ngi
ntot
hina
ir!

Asever
yone’
seyeswi
dened,
wonderi
ngwherehehadgoneto,the
irques
ti
onwa
spr
ompt
lya
nswer
ed
whensever
aloft
hesc
arre
dma n’
sunder
li
ngsfe
llt
otheground!

Sta
ringattheyout
h—whowa ssomehowalr
eadys
tandi
ngc
los
etohi
m—,
thes
car
redma
nnowr
eal
i
zed
howf ea
rful
lyf
astandpowe
rful
Geral
dtrul
ywas.
Notwa nt
ingthi
ngst
oj us
tendli
kethi
s,thesca
rredmanqui
ckl
ysna
ppedoutofhi
sshoc
keds
tat
ebef
ore
tur
ningtolookathi
sremaini
ngsubor
dinatesa
ndorde
ring
,“D*mnita
ll
!At
tack!
”

Tohi
shor
ror,
befor
ehisr
ema i
ni
ngmenc
ouldev
enr ea
ct,
Ger
aldha
dal
rea
dyt
ake
nal
loft
hemout
!The
onl
yonel
efts
tandi
ngwasthesca
rre
dmanhi
mself
!

Real
izi
ngtha
thecoul
dn’
tevenseeGer
ald’
saf
ter
imag
ebe f
orehi
smenwe
ntdown,
thenowt
err
if
ied
sca
rredhool
iga
nknewthathes
toodnochanc
eagai
nstt
hisyout
h…

Feel
i
ngabreez
ebefor
ehi
m,t
hes
car
redma
nthe
nqui
ver
eda
sher
eal
i
zedt
hatGer
aldwa
snows
tar
ing
himri
ghti
ntheey
e…!

S
neeri
ng,
Geral
dthendec
lar
ed,
“Getoutofmysi
ght
!Ine
verwantt
oseeyouory
ourmenhe
rea
gai
n!
I
gnor
ethata
nda l
lofy
oucanex
pec
ttorecei
veone-
wayti
cke
tst
ohell
!”

Gulpi
ngasheimme di
atel
ynoddedinf
ear
,thes
car
redma
nthe
nqui
ckl
ysc
urr
ieda
waywi
thhi
s
underl
i
ngsli
kethepit
if
ulrat
stheywer
e…

Witht
hatdeal
twit
h,Geraldt
henwa
lkedov
ert
othes
tal
lownera
ndhe
rda
ught
erbe
for
esmi
l
inga
she
s
aid,“
Ever
ythi
ng’
salr
ightnow.
”

“
T-t
hanky
ou…T
hanky
ous
omuc
h…!
”cr
iedoutt
her
eli
eve
dst
all
owne
r.

“
Don’
twor
rya
bouti
t.I
’monl
ydoi
ngwha
t’sr
ight
!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
dinahumbl
etone
.
S
til
l
,tot
hinkt
hatRe
ywoul
dbef
ast
ert
hanhi
mwheni
tca
met
ose
eki
ngj
ust
ic
eforot
her
s…

Gera
ldwa sthankf
ull
yaroundwhenal
lthi
sha
ppened,ot
herwi
sewhokne
wwhatki
ndoftr
oubl
eRey
wouldgetinto…WhileRey’
sri
ghte
ous
ne s
swasdef
ini
tel
yappl
auda
ble
,hewa
sst
il
labi
ttooweakt
obe
ta
untingothers
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1879

“S
peaki
ngofwhi
ch,
we’
renotf
ull
yet
,bos
s!Wi
tht
hats
aid,
whydon’
tyour
esumebus
ine
ss?
”sa
id
Gera
ld.

“
Oh!Justg
ivemeaminut
eandI’
l
lmakemoref
ora
llofy
out
oea
tthe
n!”r
epl
i
edt
hes
tal
lownera
lmos
t
i
nst
anta
neousl
y,awi
desmil
eonherf
ace.

Si
ncetheyhadjus
tsavedher,i
twasonlynatur
althatshefel
ttheneedtore
pa yt
hei
rki
ndnes
swit
h
hos
pit
a l
i
ty.Wit
hthat,
s hequi
ckl
ybegansett
inguphe rst
all
againbe
f or
egett
ingt
owork…andnotl
ong
af
ter
,ama ssi
vepl
ateoffoodwasser
veda tGeral
d’stabl
e.

“
I’
mtr
ulyg
rat
eful
fory
ourhe
lpt
oda
y,s
oal
lthi
sisonme!
”dec
lar
edt
hes
tal
lowne
r.

Be
foreGer
aldorthegi
rl
scoul
dev
enr
epl
y,Reywa
sal
rea
dys
ayi
ng,
“You’
rebe
ingwa
ytoopol
i
te,
bos
s!I
t
wasonl
yasma l
lmatt
ertous!
”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,thet
ri
ocoul
dhel
pbuts
tar
eatReywi
thr
ais
edbr
ows
,thi
nki
nghows
hamel
esshe
was.
“
Wel
l,s
ma l
lornot
,itwa
ss t
il
lagre
a thel
ptous
!Nowe
atupa
nddot
ell
mei
fyounee
dmor
e!”r
epl
i
ed
t
hes
tal
lownerbef
orehappi
lyre
turningt
owork.

Onceshel
eft
,Junoc
oul
dn’
thel
pbutg
lar
eatRe
yass
hes
aid,
“He
y,don’
tgoa
cti
ngs
oimpul
si
vel
yne
xt
ti
me,Rey!
”

Scr
atc
hingt
hebackofhishe
adinr
espons
e,t
hesli
ght
lye
mba
rra
sse
dyout
hthe
nchuc
kleds
heepi
shl
y
bef
orerepl
yi
ng,
“Iwasjustt
ryi
ngt
ohelp,
MissZ
orn!”

“Igett
hat
,butyouhavet
ocons
idery
ourownca
pabi
li
ti
esbef
orepi
cki
ngafi
ghtl
iket
hat
!Ha
dGe
ral
d
notbeenpr
esenttoda
y,y
ou’
dsure
lyhav
ebeenbeat
enint
oapulp!
”ret
ort
edJuno.

Jus
taboutanyonewould’v
es t
eppeduptode alwi
ththosehool
igansi
ftheyhadthecapa
bili
tyt
o.
However,t
hefa c
tthatnoonedidmeantthattheyal
lunders
toodthattheywerenev
ergoingtobea
ble
totak
eont hosebat-
wiel
dinggang
ste
rswithoutget
ti
ngintoseri
oustr
ouble.

Wha
tevert
hecas
ewa s
,Reyt
hengr
innedcheek
il
ybef
orere
ply
ing
,“Iknow,
Iknow,
Iwon’
tdo
s
omethi
ngli
ket
hisa
gai
n,Mis
sZor
n…I ’
l
ljus
tlea
veitt
obrot
herGera
ld!”

Hear
inghisname,Gera
ldthenc
lea
redhisthr
oatbef
oresa
ying
,“Whi
leit
’st
ruetha
tyourr
ight
eous
beha
v i
ordese
rvespra
ise,
evenIi
mplor
ey ounottobesoi
mpulsi
vei
nfutur
e!”

Compl
i
ment
sas
ide
,Ge
ral
dha
dtoma
kes
uret
opr
ope
rlys
har
ehowhef
elta
boutt
oda
y’sev
ent
s.

“Goti
t,br
otherGer
ald!I
’l
lkeepthati
nmind!
”repl
i
edRe
yashenodded,
compl
etel
yunde
rst
andi
ng
whereJ
unoa ndGeral
dwe r
ec omingf
rom.
Es
sent
ial
l
y,Ger
aldwastel
l
inghimnottobeoverl
yrig
hteouswhentheoddswerest
acke
da gai
nsthi
m.
Af
tera
ll
,hewassti
l
lnowherenearasst
rongasGeral
dy e
t.St
il
l,
Reycoul
dn’thel
pbutwonderhowgrea
t
i
twoul
dbeifhecoulddea
lwithfoe
sthewa yGer
alddid…

Reg
ardl
ess
,itwa
saboutha
lfa
nhourl
aterwhent
hef
ourf
ina
ll
yfi
ni
she
dthei
rme
ala
ndbeg
ant
olea
ve.

Natural
l
y,Ger
aldins
ist
edonpayi
ngthest
all
owner,a
ndi ntheend,s
hewa sf
orcedt
oac
ceptthe
payment.Ger
ald,
forone,k
newthatl
if
ewa s
n’te
asyforherandherdaug
hter,
sohewoul
d’vepai
dhe
r
re
ga r
dles
sofhowmuc hsheobj
ect
ed.

E
itherway,
uponret
urni
nghome,t
hef
ourt
henheadedt
othei
rres
pecti
veroomstog
etwe
ll
-des
erv
ed
r
est.Af
tert
hatbus
yday,al
loft
hemwer
eri
ght
ful
lyex
haust
ed…We l
l,
mos toft
hem.

Gera
ld,forone
,kne wthathecouldn’
tjus
tsi
tthereanddonothingnowt ha
thek newthatt
hesca
rre
d
mana ndtheHokluxGange x
ist
ed.Theywerealr
eadycaus
ingtroublea
ndf eart
ome mbersofs
oci
ety
,
andtheywouldsurel
yg etmoreandmor edar
ingint
hefutur
eifs omet
hingwa s
n’tdonenow.

Wit
ht ha
tinmind,Gera
ldl
ai
ddownonhisbed…andbef
orel
ong
,hi
sghos
tfor
mfl
ewoutbe
for
equi
ckl
y
he
adingtowar
dt heHokl
uxGang
’shea
dquar
ter
s…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1880

T
oni
ght
,somepe
opl
ewer
esi
mpl
yfa
tedt
omy
ste
rious
lydi
sappe
arof
fthef
aceoft
hepl
anet
…
S
oone
noug
h,Ger
aldf
oundhi
mse
lfhov
eri
ngov
ert
heHok
luxGa
ng’
she
adqua
rter
s…

Aspr
evi
ousl
yseen,
theHokluxGangwa sabunchofhool
ig
ans
,andtheheadoft
hegr
oupwasavic
ious
manknownsi
mplyasRoger.Fr
omt herumorsGeral
dhadmanage
dtogather
,hewa
sfre
quent
ly
summonedt
otheGreatCounci
lfor‘c
offe
etalk
s’.

Uponphasi
ngthrought
hehe a
dquart
ers’c
eil
i
ng,Ger
aldwasimmedia
tel
ygre
etedbyt
hesi
ghtoft
he
scar
redmankneeli
ngbef
oreas ea
tedpers
on—whomGe r
aldas
sumedtobeRoger
—whil
esayi
ng,
“I
apol
ogiz
e,mast
er…!Wet r
ulyareusel
essf
orbei
ngdefea
tedbyothe
rs…!
”

“
Tha
tyouall
are
!Rubbi
sh!Tot
hinkt
hatal
lofy
ouwe r
en’
tamatchforas
ing
lema n!Y
ou’vet
rul
y
e
mbarr
ass
edtheHokl
uxGangt
histi
me!”r
etor
tedRog
erasheg
lare
da tt
hesca
rredma n.

Heari
ngt
hat,
thes
car
redma
nandhi
ssubor
dina
tess
impl
ylower
edt
hei
rhea
ds,
notha
vingt
heg
utst
o
eve
nlookup.

“Y
-youdon’tunder
sta
nd, ma
ster
…!T
hatpe
rsonwa
ssopower
ful
wedi
dn’
tev
enha
veac
hanc
etof
ight
back
…!”repli
edthescar
redman.

“
Excuses
!Justadmitt
hatyou’r
ewe aka
lready!Wha tareyoue v
enher eforify
ou’r
ethatpathet
ic
!”
s
coff
edRog erwit
hasnort,c
lear
lyunwi
ll
ingtobe l
ievehissubor
dinate.Ofcours
e,hadRogerbeenatt
he
s
cenewhileGeral
ddidthedeed,hewould’
v ethoughtmuc hdif
fere
nt l
y.

“
Regar
dles
s,ourganghasl
ostf
acetodaybec
auseofthi
s!Weca
nonlyre
gai
nourpri
debydeal
ingwi
th
t
hatper
son!Tothi
nkhehasthenervetogoagai
nstus…Hemustc
rav
edeat
h!Golookf
orhim
i
mmediat
ely!
”orderedRog
erinafuri
ousvoi
ce.

“
R-r
ighta
way
,ma
ster
…!”r
epl
i
edt
hes
car
redma
ninar
espec
tful
tone.
“T
her
e’snoneedfort
hat
!I’
mrighther
e!”y
ell
eda
nunf
ami
l
iarv
oic
eatt
hatmoment
,ca
usi
ngRog
era
nd
hi
smentoins
tant
lyfe
elas
toni
shed.

Aft
err
eali
zi
ngthatthe
ycoul
dn’te
vendete
ctt
hes
our
ceoft
hev
oic
e,Rog
ers
toodupbe
for
eroa
ring
,
“Whothehel
lareyou?Showyours
elf
!”

However
,theonl
yres
ponseRogerg
otwa sat
ights
lapac
ros
shi
sfa
ce!Thes
lapi
tsel
fwa
ssoha
rdt
hat
Roge
rfoundhims
elfl
andi
ngagooddis
tancef
romwhe r
ehehadi
nit
ial
l
ybeenst
andi
ng!

Uponsee
ingt
hat,
eve
ryonewa
srig
htf
ull
ydumbfounded.
The
rewa
snobodyev
enr
emot
elyc
los
e
enoug
htoRogert
ocaus
ehimtobefl
ungli
ket
hat…!

Asthehorri
fi
eds c
arredmantookast
e pba
ck —uns
ur eofwhatwase
venhappe
ningany
more—,a
suddengustofwindblewpas
thim…a ndsecondsl
ater,hewa
spromptedt
oholdont
ohisnowbl
eedi
ng
neckashiseyesbulg
e df
romhissk
ull
!

Noteve
nk nowi
nghowt
hatg
ashha
dsuddenl
yappe
aredonhi
sne
ck,
thes
car
redma
nsoonf
loppe
dto
theg
round,dea
d…

Rog
erhimsel
fha
djustgot
tent
ohi
sfe
eta
gai
natt
hatpoi
nt,
onl
ytoe
ndupg
ett
ings
tunne
dag
ainwhen
hesawhisde
adsubor
dina
te.

Bef
orehecoul
deve
nr e
act
,hi
seyeswidenedasbl
oodsuddenl
ybega
ng us
hingoutofhi
sownneck!And
j
ustl
iket
hat,t
hedy
ingRog
erdroppe
dt ohisk
neesbef
orespl
ashi
ngi
ntohisownpuddleofbl
ood…

S
eei
nghowunus
ual
thei
rlea
der
s’dea
thswe
re,
thes
ubor
dina
tesi
nst
ant
lybeg
ans
cre
ami
nga
sthe
y
a
tte
mpt
edt
oes
capet
hes
cene
…

Gera
ldhims
elf
—whowa
sst
il
li
nvi
si
bl
e—s
impl
ygl
areda
tthet
wof
res
hcor
pse
swi
thoutt
hes
li
ght
est
re
mor s
e…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1881

T
oGe
ral
d,t
heydes
erv
edt
odi
e.

I
nst
eadofl
ett
ingt
hemcomeandca
usetroubl
e,Ger
aldwoul
dra
therg
etr
idoft
hemi
nadv
anc
e.T
hat
way
,hewouldbeabl
etoav
oidg
ett
ingi
ntobig
gertr
oubl
e.

Af
ters
tar
inga
tthemf
oraf
ews
econds
,Ge
ral
dtookoutt
hePha
ngr
ott
omRune.

Wi
thaf
ir
mwa
veoft
hePha
ngr
ott
omRune
,Ge
ral
dex
ter
mina
tedt
hes
oul
soft
hos
etwo.

Pe
opl
eli
ket
hemdi
dn’
tqua
li
fyt
ober
einc
arna
ted.
The
yshoul
djus
ttur
nint
onot
hing
nes
s.

Af
terde
ali
ngwi
tht
hema
tter
,Ge
ral
dlef
tri
ghta
way
.
Ger
aldkne
wt hatthenex
tmorning
,thedeat
hoftheheadoft
heHokl
uxGangwoul
dber
epor
tedon
ev
erynewschannel,a
ndthenewswoulddef
ini
tel
yshoc
kthewhol
eci
ty.

However
,mostoft
hepeopl
ewoul
donl
yfe
elg
lads
eei
nga
stheg
ang
’she
adha
dfi
nal
l
ybee
npuni
she
d
f
orhisev
ildee
ds.

Af
terg
oingba
ckt
ohi
spl
ace
,Ge
ral
dret
urnedt
ohi
sbodya
ndf
ell
asl
eep.

T
hene
xtmor
ning
,aphonec
all
wok
eGer
aldup.

WhenGer
aldwa
sawa
kene
d,het
ookhi
sphonea
nds
awt
hati
twa
sfr
omHa
rol
d.

Ger
a l
dcoul
droughl
yguesswhatHarol
dwascal
l
inghi
mfor
.Heha
dtobec
all
i
ngf
orhe
lpt
osol
vet
he
murdercas
eoftheheadoftheHok
luxGang.

Af
terhe
sit
ati
ngf
oraf
ews
econds
,Ge
ral
dans
wer
edt
hec
all
.

“
Hel
l
o,Mr
.Lee
.”

Ge
ral
dgr
eet
edHa
rol
dwi
thawea
ryv
oic
e.

Haroldseemedtobea bletosenseGe r
ald’
stone,s
ohei mmedi a
tel
yapol
ogiz
edpolite
ly,“Mr.Ger
ald,
I
’ms orr
ytocally
out hisear
lyi
nt hemorning.However,
some thi
ngstr
ang
eha ppenedinthe
headquart
ersoftheHok l
uxGa nglas
tnight.
Theheadoft hegangandoneofhissubordi
natesdi
ed.
Theirdeat
hswerev erystr
ange,andtheotherunderl
ing
ss ai
dthatt
heydidn’
tseeanyonewheni t
happened.”
Asex
pec
ted,
Har
oldwa
sindee
dca
ll
ingGe
ral
dre
gar
dingt
hatv
eryc
ase.

“
Oh,
rea
ll
y?Ok
ay,
Iwi
l
lgot
her
eri
ghta
way
!”

Ge
ral
dpr
ete
ndedt
obes
urpr
is
edbef
orea
gree
ingt
ohel
p.

Af
terha
ngi
ngup,
Ger
aldg
otoutofhi
sbe
d.

Whenhewentoutofhi
sroom,Re
ya ndthegir
lswer
eal
rea
dywatc
hingt
hetel
evi
si
onint
heli
vi
ngr
oom.
Thene
wsaboutthedea
thofthel
eaderoftheHokl
uxGa
ngwasbei
ngrepor
tedi
nthenews.

WhenGer
aldc
ameout
,thet
hreeoft
heml
ook
eda
thi
msi
mul
taneous
ly.

“
Whya
rey
oul
ook
inga
tme
?”

Ge
ral
das
kedi
nsur
pri
se.

“
Ger
ald,
doe
sthema
tte
roft
heHok
luxGa
ngha
ves
omet
hingt
odowi
thy
ou?
”

J
unos
eemedt
oha
ves
ens
eds
ome
thi
ng,
ands
heque
sti
one
dhi
mimme
dia
tel
y.

“
Tha
t’sr
ight
.Itwa
sme
.”
Whenbe
inga
sked,
Ger
alddi
dnotha
vea
nyt
hinge
lset
osa
y,a
nds
o,hec
hos
etoa
dmi
tit
.

“
Wha
t?Br
otherGe
ral
d,wa
sitt
rul
yyouwhodi
dit
?”

Hea
ringhi
swor
ds,
Reys
hout
edi
nsur
pri
se.

“I
fIdidn’
tgotot
hem,t
heywoul
dha
vec
omea
ndt
roubl
edus
.Ihe
ardt
hemt
alk
inga
boutf
ini
shi
ngus
of
f,soI t
ooka
cti
onf
ir
st!
”

Ge
ral
dex
pla
ine
dinanor
mal
tone.

J
unoa
ndt
het
wounder
stooda
fterhe
ari
nghi
swor
ds.

“
Rig
ht,Rey,
let
’sg
otot
hehea
dqua
rte
rsoft
heHok
luxGa
ngnow.
Mr.
Leec
all
edj
ustnowa
nda
ske
dus
t
ogothere!
”

L
ate
r,Ger
aldt
oldRey
.

“
Wha
t?Hea
skedust
ogot
her
e?Br
othe
rGe
ral
d,di
dtheyf
indouti
twa
syoua
lre
ady
?”

Reywa
sst
art
leda
ndl
ook
eda
tGer
alddoubt
ful
l
y.

“Don’tworry.
Theywon’
tknowitwasme.The
yjus
twantustohel
psol
vethec
ase
.It
’sbe
ttert
hiswa
y.I
canjustthi
nkofara
ndomreasonandt
ell
themthat
.Any
wa y
,the
ydon’tk
nowhowwedoour
busi
ne s
s.”

Ge
ral
dtol
dRe
y.
E
ver
ythi
ngwa
sunde
rGe
ral
d’sc
ont
rol
.Hewoul
dne
verl
eav
eanyev
idenc
ebehi
nd.

Be
sides
,onl
yGer
aldc
oul
dha
ndl
esuc
hthi
ngsf
lawl
ess
ly.

Ha
vings
aidt
hat
,Ge
ral
dandRe
ylef
tthehous
eandhe
ade
dtot
hehe
adqua
rte
rsoft
heHok
luxGa
ng.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1882

“
Brot
herGer
ald,
yous
houl
dbeus
ingt
hatout
-of
-bodyex
per
ienc
etec
hni
que
,ri
ght
?Whenwi
l
lIbea
ble
t
olea
rntha
t?”

I
nthec
ar,
Reya
ske
dGe
ral
dcur
ious
ly.
Hea
lsowa
nte
dtol
ear
ntha
tsk
il
l.

“
Don’
trus
h.Y
ouwi
l
llea
rni
toneda
y,buty
ous
houl
dfoc
usont
heba
sic
sfi
rs
t!”

Ge
ral
dtur
nedhi
she
ada
ndl
ook
eda
tRe
y.

S
omes
kil
l
swer
enott
hatea
syt
oma
ster
.Onec
oul
dnotl
ear
ntor
unbe
for
ehec
oul
dwa
lk.

T
heya
rri
veda
tthehe
adqua
rter
soft
heHok
luxGa
nga
sthe
ywer
econv
ers
ing
.
T
hepl
acewa
ssur
rounde
dbyma
nype
opl
eins
idea
ndout
si
de.
Itwa
sre
all
ycr
owde
d.

The
rewerea
lrea
dyaf ewc
arsoft
heGrea
tCounc
ili
nfr
ontoft
hebui
l
ding
,andt
hei
nspec
tor
swer
e
worki
ngt
omaintai
ntheor
deratt
hesc
ene.

Ge
ral
dwa
lke
dov
erwi
thRe
y.

“
Rey
,don’
tsa
yany
thi
ngonc
eweg
eti
nsi
de.
I’
ll
handl
eev
ery
thi
ng!
”

Ge
ral
dremi
nde
dReys
oft
lya
stheywa
lkedi
n.

Reynoddedi
nunder
sta
ndi
ng.

“
Iunder
sta
nd,
Brot
herGer
ald!
”

Reyk
newwha
tGe
ral
dme
ant
.

Whent
heya
rri
veda
ttheent
ranc
e,t
hei
nspec
tor
soft
heGr
eatCounc
ils
toppe
dthe
m.

“
Wher
eisMr
.Lee
?Hewa
slook
ingf
orus
.Ia
mGe
ral
dCr
awf
ord!
”

Ger
a l
dgl
ancedatt
hei
nspe
ctorwhodi
dn’
tal
l
owt
hemt
ogoi
nanda
sked,
att
hes
amet
imet
ell
i
nghi
m
hi
sident
it
yandname.
Whenhehe
ardGe
ral
d’sna
me,
thei
nspe
ctors
howe
das
urpr
is
edex
pres
siononhi
sfa
ce.

“
I’
msor
ry,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d.Mr
.Le
eha
sbe
enwa
iti
ngf
ory
ouf
oral
ongt
ime!
”

T
hei
nspe
ctorqui
ckl
ylett
hemi
nashes
pok
e.

Alt
houghhehadnevers
e enGera
ld,hehadhear
dofhisname.Hedi
dn’texpec
tthatthepers
onbef
ore
hi
se y
eswouldbeGeral
dCrawford,
a nds
o,hequi
ckl
yma dewayandle
tt hemin.Hedidn’
twantt
o
del
aytheinv
est
iga
tionashecoul
dnota f
for
dtobebl
amedf ort
hat.

Ge
ral
dbr
oug
htRe
yins
ide
.

Onc
eins
ide
,Ha
rol
dqui
ckl
yca
mef
orwa
rdt
ogr
eett
hem.

“
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d,Y
ou’
ref
ina
ll
yhe
re!
”

Ha
rol
dgr
eet
edGe
ral
dbr
ief
lya
ndbr
oug
htt
hemt
othes
cene.

Ge
ral
dpr
ete
ndedt
oknownot
hing
.Hepr
etende
dnott
oknowt
hewa
yandl
etHa
rol
dle
adt
hemi
n.

I
ntheha
ll
,i
tcoul
dbes
eent
hatRog
era
ndt
hes
car
redma
nwe
rel
yi
ngi
nthepool
oft
hei
rownbl
ood.

“
Wha
tha
ppe
ned?
”
Ge
ral
das
keds
uspi
ci
ous
ly.

“T
heywereki
ll
edinonestr
ike.
Ac c
ordi
ngtotheunde
rli
ngs,Rogerandthesca
rredmanwereli
ft
edoff
t
hegroundbyanunsee
nforce.Then,t
hei
rthroa
tsweresuddenlys
las
he d,
andtheydi
edonthespot
.It
wasr
atherbi
zar
rewhentheydied.
”

Ha
rol
dsha
rede
ver
ypi
eceofi
nfor
mat
ionheha
dwi
thGe
ral
d

Af
terGer
aldhea
rdi
t,hedi
dn’
tfi
ndi
tsur
pri
si
nga
tal
l
.

“
Any
thi
ngel
sea
par
tfr
omt
his
?”

Af
terapa
use,
Ger
alda
skedHa
rol
dag
ain.

Ha
rol
dshookhi
she
ad.

“
Apa
rtf
romt
his
,ther
e’snot
hingel
se.
”

Ha
rol
dre
pli
edhe
lpl
ess
ly.

Ge
ral
dtookRe
yal
onga
ndl
ook
eda
round.

E
veni
fi
twa
sGer
aldwhoha
ddonei
t,hes
ti
ll
hadt
opr
ete
ndt
hathewa
str
yingt
osol
vet
hec
ase.

“
Wha
tas
tronga
uraofr
ese
ntment
!”
S
udde
nly
,Ge
ral
dfel
tav
erys
tronga
uraofr
ese
ntme
nt,
andheex
cla
imed.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1883

“
Aur
aofr
esent
ment
?Whydi
dn’
tIf
eel
it?
”

Ha
rol
das
kedi
nconf
usi
on.

Ge
ral
dgl
anc
eda
tHa
rol
d.

“
Youa
rea
nor
dina
ryma
n,s
oyouc
an’
tfe
eli
t.
”

Ge
ral
dga
veas
impl
eans
wer
.

Heari
ngt
his
,Har
oldfel
tali
ttl
ehel
pl
ess
,thi
nki
ngt
hati
twoul
dha
vebe
enbe
tte
rifGer
aldc
oul
dha
ve
tol
dhimthi
smoreimpl
ici
tl
y.

Rey
,whowa
sst
andi
nga
tthes
ide
,foundi
tra
the
rfunny
.

Howev
er,
onl
yGe
ral
dcoul
dseee
ver
ythi
ng.

Reyt
houg
htt
hatGer
aldwa
sjus
tpr
etendi
ngwhenhes
aidt
hat
.Howe
ver
,itwa
sac
tua
ll
ytr
ue.
Ger
alddi
d
i
nde
edf
eel
ast
ronga
uraofr
esent
ment
.

Ge
ral
dha
dn’
tsens
edt
hisa
ural
astni
ght
,butt
oda
y,i
tsudde
nlya
ppea
red.

T
hisg
enuine
lysur
pri
sedGer
alda
shewa
ssur
etha
tthea
urawa
sn’
tcomi
ngf
romt
hes
oul
sofRog
era
nd
t
hescar
redman.

T
hiswa
sbe
caus
ethe
irs
oul
sha
dbe
enel
i
mina
tedbyGe
ral
dus
ingt
hePha
ngr
ott
omRunee
arl
i
er.

I
tlook
edlik
ether
ewassomethi
ngwr
ongwi
tht
hispl
ace.
Someonemus
tha
vedi
edher
e,a
ndt
hebody
mustst
il
lbeher
esomewher
e.

“Mr.Lee,Isug
ge s
tyousearc
htheplac
eupanddown.Apa
rtf
romthebodi
esofRogera
ndthesc
arr
ed
man,theremus tst
il
lbeacorpsehi
ddens
omewherei
nthi
spl
ace.
Otherwi
se,
therewoul
dn’
tbesuc
ha
s
tronga ur
aofresentmenthere
!”

Af
terapa
use,
Ger
aldi
nst
ruc
tedHa
rol
d.

Harolddi
dn’
thes
ita
teandtooka
cti
onuponhe
ari
ngGe
ral
d’swor
ds.
Hes
tar
tedor
der
inghi
sment
o
che
c kthepl
acet
horoug
hly
.

Asf
orGe
ral
dandRe
y,t
heybeg
ans
ear
chi
nga
not
herpl
ace.

Whenthe
rewasnoonea
round,
onl
ythendi
dReya
skGe
ral
d,“
Brot
herGe
ral
d,wha
tyous
aidj
ustnow
i
sal
lfa
ke,ri
ght
?”
Reya
ske
dsus
pic
ious
ly.

“
Whotol
dyout
hat
?Whe nI
cameherel
astni
ght
,Ididn’
tfee
ls uc
has t
ronga
uraofr
esent
ment
.It
s
eemst
hatt
heHok
luxGa
ngmustha
vedonetooma nybadthingsint
hepast
.”

Ge
ral
dlook
edv
erys
eri
ouswhenhes
aidt
hatt
oRey
.Hewa
snotj
oki
ng.

Aft
erhe
aringt
hat,
Reyreal
i
zedthatwhatGera
ldha
dsa
idj
ustnowwa
str
ue.
Heha
dini
ti
al
lyt
houg
ht
tha
tGeral
dwasjusta
cti
nginf
rontofHa
r ol
d.

“
Arg
h!”

Af
terawhi
l
e,al
ouds
cre
amwa
she
ard.

I
mme
dia
tel
y,e
ver
yoner
ani
nthedi
rec
ti
onwhe
ret
hes
oundha
dcomef
rom.

T
heyc
amet
oawa
lla
nds
awas
kul
lst
ic
kingoutf
romahol
eint
hewa
ll
.

S
eei
ngt
his
,Re
ylook
eda
tGer
ald.

I
twa
sindee
dtr
ue.
Henowbe
li
evedi
nGe
ral
d’swor
ds.

Ha
rol
dfr
owne
d,a
ndhi
sfa
cet
urnedg
loomy
.
Now,
Har
oldbe
li
evedi
nGer
ald’
sabi
l
itye
venmor
e,be
caus
eev
ery
thi
ngwa
sjus
tasGe
ral
dha
dtol
dhi
m.

“
Sma
sht
hewa
lla
nddi
goutt
hec
orps
e!”

Ha
rol
dor
der
edhi
ssubor
dina
tess
ole
mnl
y.

T
hen,
the
yst
art
edwor
king
,sma
shi
ngt
hewa
ll
.

F
ina
ll
y,t
hes
kel
etonsi
nthewa
llf
ell
outonebyone
.

Ast
hes
kel
etonsf
ell
out
,ev
ery
onewa
sta
kena
bac
k.

T
her
ewa
sn’
tjus
tones
etofs
kel
etons
,butaf
ew.

“
Oh,
myGod!T
her
ear
esoma
nys
etsofs
kel
etons
!”

WhenRe
ysa
wthi
s,heex
cla
imed.

“
The
remus
tbemor
etha
nonec
orps
eher
e!”

Ge
ral
dremi
nde
dHa
rol
d.

Asanins
pec
tor,Ha
rol
dwoul dnatural
lybea bl
etoseet
hat.
Hewasequa
ll
yshoc
ked.
Hedidn’
texpect
tha
tther
eweresti
l
lsoma nycorpseshiddenins
idet
heHokl
uxGang.
NowonderGer
aldha
dsaidtha
t
the
rewasastr
ongauraofresentmenthere.Its
eemedtobetr
ue.
“
Qui
ck.
Gets
omeonet
oputt
hes
ebone
stog
ethe
r!”

Af
tert
hat
,Ha
rol
dor
der
edhi
smenonc
emor
e.

Rumbl
e!

S
udde
nly
,thes
kyt
urne
dda
rk,
andt
het
hunde
rrumbl
ed.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1884

“
Oh,
no!T
hea
urai
sge
tti
ngs
trong
er!
”

Ge
ral
dwa
sal
arme
d.

“Quic
k,Mr.
Lee,g
ety
ourmenoutofher
e.Getoutnow!T
hema
scul
i
nea
urai
nyourbodi
esi
sthet
arg
et
ofthegr
udgef
ulg
hos
ts!
”

I
mme
dia
tel
y,Ge
ral
dshout
eda
tHa
rol
d.

“
Ret
rea
t!”

Ha
rol
dshout
edr
ighta
waywi
thoutas
econdt
houg
ht.
Hea
ringthi
s,a
llt
hei
nspe
ctor
sret
rea
tedf
romt
heha
llwi
thHa
rol
dands
toodbyt
her
oads
ide
i
mmedi a
tel
y.

Onc
eout
si
de,
Har
olda
ndhi
smens
awt
hebl
ackf
ogr
ushi
ntot
heha
lloft
heHok
luxGa
ngf
romt
hes
ky.

See
ingthi
s,ev
ery
onea tt
hescenewa ster
ri
fi
ed.
Theyt
houg
htt
hati
twa
sver
yfr
ight
eni
nga
sthe
yha
d
nevers
eensuchathi
nghappeningbefor
e.

Att
hatmome
nt,
onl
yGe
ral
dandRe
ywe
rel
efti
nsi
det
heha
ll
.

Ge
ral
dgl
anc
eda
tRe
y,whowa
sbehi
ndhi
m.

“
Wha
tar
eyoudoi
nghe
re?
!Ge
toutnow!
”

Ge
ral
dshout
ed.

“
Brot
herGe
ral
d,I
wantt
ost
ayt
ohel
pyou!
”

Reyr
epl
i
ed.

“Whatc
any ouhel
pmewi
th?
!Youha
ven’
tle
arne
dany
thi
ngy
et.
Ica
nha
ndl
ethi
sal
one
!Getoutqui
ckl
y
bef
orei
t’
stoolat
e!”

Ge
ral
dcha
sedRe
youtoft
heha
ll
.
I
twasnol
aughi
ngmat
terasReywasanor
dina
rypersonj
ustl
i
keHa
rol
dLee
.So,
thema
scul
i
nea
urai
n
t
hei
rbodi
eswasve
rya
llur
ingf
ortheg
rudg
efulghos
ts.

“
Brot
herGe
ral
d…”

“
Go!Ar
eyounotl
i
steni
ngt
ome?
”

Reywa
ntedt
osa
ysome
thi
ng,
buthewa
simme
dia
tel
ysc
oldedbyGer
ald.

WhenReyhea
rdtha
t,hek
newt
hatheha
dnoc
hoi
cebutt
oobe
yGer
ald.
So,
het
urneda
rounda
ndr
an
t
owardt
hedoor.

Ba
ng!

Howev
er,
itwa
stool
ate.
Thedoors
wungs
huta
ndbl
ock
edt
heent
ranc
e.

S
eei
ngt
his
,Ger
aldk
newi
twa
stool
ate.

“
Youc
an’
tgooutnow.
Comeba
ckhe
re!
”

Knowi
ngt
hatRe
ywa
suna
blet
oge
tout
,hei
nst
ruc
tedReyr
ighta
way
.

Reywa
lke
dtoGer
aldobedi
ent
ly,
gra
bbi
ngac
orne
rofhi
sshi
rt
.
S
wis
h!

T
hene
xts
econd,
abl
ackf
oga
ppe
are
dinf
rontoft
hem.

T
hebl
ackf
ogc
irc
leda
roundt
hemc
ont
inuous
ly,
almos
tasi
fi
twa
swa
iti
ngf
ors
ome
thi
ng.

Reydi
dn’
tda
ret
oma
keas
oundnorbr
eat
he.

“
Wha
tki
ndofg
hos
tar
eyou?S
howy
our
sel
f!
”

Ge
ral
dst
areda
tthebl
ackf
oga
nds
hout
eda
ngr
il
y.

Ha
vings
aidt
hat
,Ge
ral
dsummonedhi
sAs
tra
bys
sSwor
dands
wunghi
sswor
d.

T
hebl
ackf
ogf
eltt
hepowe
rfr
omt
hes
wor
dandr
etr
eat
edf
urt
hera
wayf
romt
hem.

T
hen,
thebl
ackf
ogmor
phedi
ntoahuma
nfor
mands
toodi
nfr
ontoft
hem.

I
twa
sag
rudg
eful
fema
leg
hos
twi
thapa
lef
ace,
redl
i
ps,
andbl
ood-
redey
es.

T
hisf
ema
leg
hos
twa
sfor
medbyt
hef
usi
onofaf
ewf
ema
lec
orps
es,
soi
twa
sav
erypower
ful
grudg
eful
g
host
.

“Ik
nowyouwe
rek
il
le
dbyt
heHok
luxGa
ng.
Howe
ver
,Rog
eri
sal
rea
dydea
d,s
oyouc
anr
esti
npe
ace
now!”
Ge
ral
dsa
idt
othef
ema
leg
hos
t.

T
hef
ema
leg
hos
tst
are
datGe
ral
dandr
elea
sedar
edr
ibbont
owa
rdGe
ral
dwi
thouts
ayi
nga
nyt
hing
.

Ge
ral
dswunghi
sAs
tra
bys
sSwor
dimme
dia
tel
yands
tar
tedba
ttl
i
ngwi
tht
hef
ema
leg
hos
t.

Rey,
whowashi
dingbehi
ndGeral
d,movedhe
reandt
here.
Hedi
dn’
tda
ret
oope
nhi
sey
est
olooka
t
thef
emal
egr
udgeful
ghost
,thi
nki
ngtha
titwast
oosc
ary
.

Att
henex
tse
cond,
thef
ema
leg
hos
trel
eas
eda
not
herr
edr
ibbonf
romhe
rot
herha
nd.

T
hist
ime,
ther
edr
ibbonf
lewt
owa
rdRe
y.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1885

“
Rey
,bec
are
ful
!”

Ge
ral
dshout
eda
tRe
ytoa
ler
thi
m.

WhenRe
yhea
rdGer
ald’
swa
rni
ng,
hei
mmedi
ate
lyopenedhi
sey
es.

T
hene
xtmome
nt,
Rey
’swa
istwa
sal
rea
dyt
iedbyt
her
edr
ibbon.
S
wis
h!

Reywa
sdr
agg
edf
orwa
rd.

S
eei
ngt
his
,Ger
aldr
eac
tedqui
ckl
yandc
utt
her
edr
ibbonwi
thhi
sswor
d.

S
nap!

F
ort
una
tel
y,Ge
ral
dwa
sfa
ste
noug
h.Hec
utt
her
edr
ibbona
nds
avedRe
y.

“
Soul
Cha
in!
”

Af
ters
avi
ngRey
,Ge
ral
dthr
ewhi
sSoul
Cha
int
owa
rdt
heg
hos
t.

T
heS
oul
Cha
inf
lewt
owa
rdt
hef
ema
leg
hos
t.

Howev
er,
thef
ema
leg
hos
twa
snota
nea
syt
arg
et.
Shewa
vedhe
rre
dri
bbont
obl
ockt
heS
oul
Cha
in.

Notg
ivi
nghera
nyc
hanc
e,Ge
ral
dle
apedf
orwa
rda
ndr
ushe
dtowa
rdt
hef
ema
leg
hos
t.

Ge
ral
d’ss
peedwa
ssof
astt
hatt
hef
ema
leg
hos
tdi
dn’
tha
vea
nyt
imet
orea
ct.
T
hen,
Ger
alds
tabbedt
hef
ema
leg
hos
twi
thhi
sAs
tra
bys
sSwor
d.

“
Ext
ermi
nat
e!”

Ge
ral
dshout
eda
ngr
il
yinadee
pvoi
ce.

Wi
tht
hat
,theAs
tra
bys
sSwor
demi
tt
edada
rkbl
uef
lamea
nde
ngul
fedt
hef
ema
leg
hos
t.

T
hen,
usi
ngt
hepowe
roft
hes
wor
dag
ain,
Ger
alda
bsor
beda
nda
nni
hi
la
tedt
hef
ema
leg
hos
t.

Aft
erf
ini
shingof
fthefemaleg
hos
t,Ge
raldf
ell
tohisknees.
Hisbodys
tar
tede
mit
ti
ngabl
ueda
rkf
lame.
Thi
shappenedwhe nGera
ldwasa
bsor
bingt
heg hos
tintohi
sbody.

Howev
er,
Ger
aldha
dnoc
hoi
cebutt
odot
his
.Thi
swa
stheonl
ywa
yhec
oul
dde
fea
tthef
ema
leg
hos
t.

“
Arey
oua
lri
ght
,Br
otherGer
ald?
”

S
eei
ngt
hisRe
yimme
dia
tel
yrus
hedf
orwa
rda
nda
ske
dGe
ral
dinc
onc
ern.

“
Don’
tcomeher
e.Don’
ttouc
hme
!”

Ge
ral
dremi
nde
dRey
.
Reys
toppedmov
inga
tonc
e.

Af
terawhi
l
e,t
heda
rkbl
uef
lamea
roundGer
aldf
ina
ll
ydi
sappe
ared,
andher
etur
nedt
onor
mal
.

Ge
ral
dst
ooduponc
eag
aina
ndl
ook
eda
tRey
.

“
Ifyouhadtouchedmejustnow,
youwoul
dha
vebe
enc
ons
umedbyt
hea
uraa
ndbee
ntur
nedi
ntoa
g
rudgef
ulghostri
ghta
wa y
!”

Ge
ral
dut
ter
edwor
dbywor
d.

Hea
ringt
his
,Reywa
sshoc
ked.
Hedi
dn’
tknowt
hec
ons
eque
nce
swoul
dbes
ohor
ri
bl
e.

Atthesameti
me,
thes
kyha
dret
urnedt
onor
mal
.Thebl
ackc
loudsi
nthes
kyha
ddi
sappe
ared
complet
ely
.

S
eei
ngt
his
,Ha
rol
dknewt
hatt
hec
ris
isi
nsi
demus
tha
vebe
enl
i
fted.

Boom!

T
hedoorbl
ock
ingt
heent
ranc
eoft
heha
llwa
ssma
shed,
andGe
ral
dandReywa
lkedoutt
oge
the
r.

S
eei
ngt
hemc
omeout
,Ha
rol
dbr
eat
hedas
ighofr
eli
ef.

Ha
rol
dqui
ckl
yappr
oac
hedt
hem.
“
Arey
oua
lri
ght
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord?
”

Ha
rol
dwa
sconc
erneda
bouthi
ssa
fet
y.

“I
’mfi
ne,Mr
.Lee
. T
hegrudgef
ulg
hos
tha
sbee
ndea
ltwi
th.
It’
sal
ri
ghtnow.
Rog
era
ndt
hes
car
redma
n
werek
il
le
dbythatghos
t!”

Ge
ral
dsa
idt
oHa
rol
d.

“
Tha
nky
ou,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d.Y
oua
res
oinc
redi
bl
e!”

Harol
dthankedGer
alde
xci
tedl
y.Now,
hebel
i
eve
dinGe
ral
d’spowe
rcompl
etel
y,a
ndhewoul
dnot
doubthi
ma nymore
.

“
It’
snot
hing
,Mr
.Lee
.Youa
rebe
ingt
oopol
i
te.
Thi
sisourobl
i
gat
ion!
”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
edhumbl
y.

T
hen,Ger
alds
aidt
oHa
rol
d,“
Mr.
Lee
,si
ncei
t’
ssa
fenow,
Isha
llha
ndi
tov
ert
oyou.
Wes
hal
lta
keour
l
eav
e!”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1886

“
Ofc
our
se.
Tak
eca
re,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d!”
Ha
rol
dsa
idg
oodby
etoGer
aldr
espec
tful
l
y.

Af
tert
hat
,Ger
alda
ndRe
ylef
ttheHok
luxGa
ngbyc
ar.

“
Brot
herGe
ral
d,i
tlook
sli
ket
het
rut
haboutt
hisma
tte
rwi
l
lnotbedi
scov
ere
d!”

I
nthec
ar,
Reys
pok
e,f
eel
i
ngv
eryl
uck
y.

“
Hehe,Idi
dn’tex
pec
ttha
ttherewoul
dbeag
rudg
eful
ghos
tint
heha
ll
.So,
Ijus
tbl
amedev
ery
thi
ngon
i
t.Any
wa y
,thos
etwodeser
vedtodi
e.
”

Ge
ral
dsa
idwi
thaf
aints
mil
e.

I
ntrut
h,evenwit
houtt
hegrudg
eful
ghos
t,nobodywoul
dha
vef
oundoutt
hati
twa
sGe
ral
dwhoha
d
k
il
ledRogerandt
hesca
rre
dma n.

I
twa
sjus
tac
oinc
idenc
e,s
oGe
ral
dsi
mpl
yputa
llt
hebl
ameont
hisg
rudg
eful
ghos
t.

“Rey,
nextti
mewhe nIte
llyout
oleav
e,don’the
sit
ate.
Fort
unat
ely
, t
hegrudg
eful
ghos
tthi
sti
mewa
s
notpart
ic
ula
rlys
trong
.Otherwi
se,
Iwoul
dn’thavebeenabl
etosaveyou!
”

Ge
ral
dremi
nde
dRey
.
“
Oka
y,I
unde
rst
and,
Brot
herGe
ral
d.”

Reynoddedobe
dient
ly.

Whathappene
dt odaywastoof
ri
ght
eni
ngforhi
me spe
cia
ll
ywhe
nther
edr
ibbonha
dbee
nti
eda
round
hi
swais
t.Hesti
ll
felthor
ri
fi
edwhenhet
houghtabouti
t.

L
uck
il
y,heha
dGe
ral
d.Ot
her
wis
e,hewoul
dha
vebe
endoome
d.

“
Sta
rti
ngf
romtomorr
ow,Iwil
lte
achy
ous
omeba
sics
kil
l
s.Af
tery
ouma
ste
rthef
ounda
tion,
Iwi
l
ltea
ch
y
ouhowtoprot
ecty
ours
elf
!”

Af
tert
hat
,Ger
alds
ugg
est
ed.

“
Rea
ll
y?T
hat
’ss
ogr
eat
,Br
otherGe
ral
d!I
canf
ina
ll
yst
artl
ear
ningt
hes
kil
l
s!”

Reys
hout
edi
nex
cit
eme
ntwhenhehe
ardt
hat
.

T
het
woa
rri
veda
ttheof
fi
cei
nthemi
ddl
eoft
hei
rconv
ers
ati
on.

Uponret
urni
ngtothei
roff
ic
e,the
ysawJ
unoandY r
sawat
chi
ngthene
wsaboutt
heHokl
uxGang
.The
newswasbroadc
asti
ngthesc
enewhent
hesk
ya bovet
heHokl
uxGang’
spl
aceha
dtur
neddar
k.

“
Hey
,you’
reba
ck!
”
S
eei
ngt
het
wooft
hem,
Junos
toodupa
ndg
ree
tedt
hem.

“
Yea
h!”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
edwi
thas
mil
e.

“
Howwa
sit
?Ic
ans
eet
hats
ome
thi
ngha
ppenedf
romt
het
elev
isi
on.
”

J
unoa
ske
dinc
onc
ern.

Ge
ral
dsmi
l
eda
nda
nswer
ed.

“
It’
snot
hing
.The
rewa
sjus
tag
rudg
eful
ghos
thi
di
ngi
nthehe
adqua
rter
soft
heHok
luxGa
ng!
”

Hea
ringhi
sde
scr
ipt
ion,
Junounde
rst
oodi
tri
ghta
way
.

“
Soy
oubl
ame
dev
ery
thi
ngont
hatg
rudg
eful
ghos
t?”

J
unowa
squi
ck-
wit
ted,
ands
heg
ues
sedi
tri
ghta
way
.

“
Yes
.Its
avesmeal
otoft
roubl
etha
twa
y!”

Ge
ral
dshr
ugg
edhi
sshoul
der
sands
aid.

“
Gre
at,
then!
”
J
unowa
sas
sur
eda
fterhe
ari
ngi
t.

“
Byt
hewa
y,Ge
ral
d,Y
annc
all
edj
ustnow.
He’
slook
ingf
ory
ou.
Yous
houl
dgoa
ndmee
thi
mla
ter
!”

J
ustt
hen,
Junor
eme
mbe
reda
boutt
hephonec
all
andt
oldGe
ral
d.

“
Yann?Whyi
shel
ook
ingf
orme
?”

Ge
ral
dwa
sdoubt
ful
.

Y
annWi
l
li
amswa
sag
oodf
ri
endofGe
ral
d’s
.

Howev
er,
Yannwa sapl
ayf
ulma
nwhoj
ustl
ove
dtoea
t,dr
ink
,andpl
ay.
Hea
lwa
yss
tay
edout
,soGe
ral
d
kne
wwhatkindofper
sonhewas
.

Nowt
hathewa
slook
ingf
orhi
m,t
her
emus
tbes
ome
thi
ng.

“
Alr
ight
.I’
l
lgoa
ndme
ethi
mla
ter
!”

Ge
ral
ddi
dn’
tsa
yany
thi
ngmor
eanda
gre
edt
oJuno’
ssug
ges
ti
on.

“
Juno,youca
nst
artt
eac
hingReya
ndY
rsas
omet
heor
eti
cal
knowl
edg
eaboutc
ult
iva
tioni
nthe
e
vening
! ”

T
hen,
Ger
aldt
oldJ
uno.
“
Oka
y,I
knowwha
ttodo.
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1887

“
Rig
ht.
Then,
Isha
llg
oandf
indY
annnow.
Cal
lmei
fther
e’sa
nyt
hing
!”

Ge
ral
dremi
nde
dJunoonc
emor
eandl
eftt
heof
fi
ce.

Af
terheha
dlef
ttheof
fi
ce,
hedr
ovet
oYa
nn’
spl
ace
.

Ont
hewa
y,hedi
dn’
tfor
gett
oca
llY
ann.

T
hec
all
wasa
nswe
redi
nas
hor
tti
me.

“
Hel
l
o,Y
ann.
Whya
rey
oul
ook
ingf
orme?
”

Ge
ral
das
kedY
ann,
whowa
sont
heot
here
ndoft
hephonec
uri
ous
ly.

“
Ger
ald,
I’
veg
otag
oodt
hingf
ory
ou!
”
Y
anns
aidt
oGe
ral
dex
cit
edl
y.

“
Goodt
hing
?Wha
tgoodt
hing
?”

Ge
ral
dwa
sst
il
ldoubt
ful
.

“
Ha!Ha
!Ha
!I’
l
ltel
lyoul
ate
r!”

Y
annk
eptGer
aldi
nsus
pens
e.

Hea
ringt
his
,Ge
ral
dcoul
dn’
the
lpbutr
oll
hise
yes
.Thi
sla
dwa
sac
ti
ngmy
ster
ious
lya
gai
n.

Reg
ardl
ess
,Ge
ral
ddi
dn’
tsa
yany
thi
nga
shek
newwha
tki
ndofaper
sonY
annwa
s.

“
Alr
ight
.Ar
eyoua
thomenow?I
’mont
hewa
ythe
re.
I’
ll
gett
her
eina
boutt
enmi
nut
es!
”

Ge
ral
das
kedY
anni
nadv
anc
eandt
oldhi
mtha
thewa
she
adi
ngt
her
e.

“
Sos
oon?Y
es,
I’
mathome
.”

Y
annwa
ssur
pri
sed,
buther
epl
i
edi
mmedi
ate
ly.
“
Oka
y.T
hat
’sf
ine.
Seey
oul
ate
r.”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
eda
ndhungup.

Aric
hki
dlik
eY a
nnwasalwa
ysl
i
ket
hat
.Fr
omhi
stone
,Ge
ral
dkne
wtha
theha
dtobemes
singa
round
athomeatthemoment
.

Howev
er,
Ger
alddi
dn’
twa
ntt
obot
hera
boutt
hat
.Itwa
sYa
nn’
sper
sona
lma
tte
raf
tera
ll
.

E
ver
yoneha
dadi
ff
erentl
i
fe.

Af
tert
enmi
nut
es,
Ger
alda
rri
veda
tYa
nn’
spl
ace
,al
uxur
iousv
il
la
.

Ge
ral
dpar
kedhi
scara
ndwa l
kedt
othedoor
.Jus
tint
ime
,hes
awY
annc
omi
ngoutt
hroug
hthedoor
wi
thawomanar
oundhisa
rm.

S
eei
ngt
his
,Ger
alds
mil
edhel
pl
ess
ly.
Jus
tasheha
dex
pec
ted,
Yannwa
sindee
ddoi
ngt
hat
.

Af
ters
eei
ngt
hewoma
nof
f,Y
annl
ook
eda
tGe
ral
d.

“
Hey
,br
othe
r!Y
ou’
rehe
re!
”

Y
annwa
sve
rye
xci
teda
tthes
ightofGe
ral
d.Hec
amef
orwa
rda
ndope
nedhi
sar
ms.

Ge
ral
dandY
annhug
gedea
chot
her
.
“
Youdon’
tev
ens
topf
orada
y.Bec
aref
ulory
ourbodywon’
tbea
blet
ota
kei
t!
”

Ge
ral
dtea
sedhi
m.

“
Tha
t’snotpos
sibl
e.I
’mi
ngr
eats
hape
!I’
mnota
fra
idofpl
ayi
ngwi
tht
wot
oget
her
!”

Y
anns
aidc
onf
ident
ly.

Ge
ral
dsmi
l
edi
nhi
she
art
.Ya
nnwa
sst
il
lhi
sol
dse
lf.
Henev
erc
hang
ed.

L
ate
r,t
het
wowe
ntt
othel
i
vingr
ooma
nds
atdown.

Y
annpour
edag
las
sofwi
nef
orGer
ald,
andt
heys
tar
tedt
alk
ingwhi
l
edr
ink
ing
.

“
Tel
lme,
Yann.
Whya
rey
oul
ook
ingf
orme?Wha
tisi
ttha
tiss
omy
ste
rious
?”

Ge
ral
dwe
nts
tra
ightt
othepoi
nta
nda
ske
dYa
nndi
rec
tl
y.

Hi
srela
tionshi
pwithY
annwa
sve
ryc
los
e,s
othe
rewa
snonee
dtohi
dea
nyt
hing
.Hec
oul
dsi
mpl
ysa
y
whathewa nted.

“
Ger
ald,
it’
sli
ket
his
.Idis
cover
edapl
ace,
anditi
srumor
edthatt
herear
ema
nyt
rea
sur
est
her
e.I
hope
y
oucanjoi
nmetoexplor
ethepla
ce.
Wemi g
htfi
ndsomegoodstuf
f.
”

Y
anndi
dn’
thes
it
atea
ndt
oldhi
mst
rai
ght
for
war
dly
.
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1888

WhenGer
aldhea
rdhi
m,hedoubt
edf
orawhi
l
e,t
hink
ingwha
tgoodpl
acei
twa
stha
tYa
nnwa
s
r
efer
ri
ngt
o.

“
Wher
eisi
t?”Ge
ral
das
kedi
mme
dia
tel
y.

“
Hehe.
Ger
ald,
hav
eyouhea
rdofMountDa
kri
ont
?”

Y
annt
ri
edt
okee
pGe
ral
dins
uspe
nsea
nda
skedhi
mpl
ayf
ull
y.

Ge
ral
dhe
sit
ate
dforawhi
l
eandnodde
d.

“
Iknow.
Isn’
titat
our
is
tat
tra
cti
on?Whya
rey
oua
ski
ngmet
hat
?”

Gera
ldl
ook
eda
tY a
nninsuspic
iona
sher
esponded.
Hedi
dn’
tunde
rst
andwhyY
annwoul
dbe
i
nter
est
edi
natour
ista
ttr
act
ion.

“
We l
l,
ther
eiss
omethi
ngyoudon’
tknow,Ger
ald.
Alt
houghthatpl
acei
satour
ista
ttr
act
ion,t
her
eis
a
ctua
ll
yadeepcav
ehiddeni
nthemounta
in,a
ndtherear
elotsoft
reas
ure
sins
idetheca
v e.
”

Y
annt
oldGer
aldwi
thav
eryex
cit
edex
pre
ssi
ononhi
sfa
ce.
“
Rea
ll
y?But
,Ya
nn,
fromwhomdi
dyouhe
ara
boutt
his
?”

Ge
ral
dwa
sabi
tsur
pri
sed,
sohequi
ckl
yas
kedY
ann.

ForYanntok
nowabouts
uchas
ecr
et,
the
reha
dtobes
omeonet
ell
i
nghi
mtha
t.Andt
her
eha
dtobea
plotbehi
ndt
his
.

“
Um…”

Y
annhes
it
ateda
nddi
dnota
nswe
r.

“
Ger
ald,
jus
tte
llmei
fyoua
rewi
l
li
ngt
ojoi
nmeornot
.Ify
oua
re,
Iwi
l
lte
lly
ouev
ery
thi
ng!
”

Af
terapa
use,
Yanns
ugg
est
ed.

Hea
ringt
hisma
deGe
ral
dev
enmor
esus
pic
ious
.Hef
eltt
hatt
her
ewa
ssome
thi
ngf
is
hyg
oingon.

I
thadbeenaver
ylongt
imetha
tY a
nndidn’
tlookf
orhim.Andnowwhenhec
amelooki
ngforhi
ma l
lof
asudden,
hehe
ldsomeinf
ormat
iontha
twass ose
cre
tive
.Hemustha
vesomemot
ivesbehi
ndthi
s.

“
Ify
oudon’
ttel
lmet
het
rut
h,I
wil
lnotpr
omi
sey
oua
nyt
hing
!”
Ge
ral
dsa
idf
rank
ly.

Alt
houghGeral
dwasclos
etoY
ann,
hewoul
dnots
impl
yma
keapr
omi
ser
ega
rdi
nga
nyt
hing
.Heha
dto
thi
nkitt
hroug
hfir
st.

“
Um…”

“
Yann,
doyoust
ill
seemeasyourbr
other?I
fyoudo,
thent
ell
met
het
rut
h.Whe
redi
dyouhe
art
his
f
rom?Whoareyouwork
ingwit
hact
ua l
l
y?”

Ge
ral
dut
ter
edwor
dbywor
d.

Ge
ral
dkne
wYa
nnwoul
dn’
tdos
uchat
hinga
lone.
Heha
dtobewor
kingwi
ths
ome
one
.

Howev
er,
Ger
aldwa
sst
il
luns
urei
fthec
oll
abor
ati
onwa
sag
oodoneornot
.Tha
twa
sthepr
obl
em.

Di
ngdong
!

Be
for
eYa
ncoul
dope
nhi
smout
htoa
nswe
rGe
ral
d’sques
ti
on,
thedoor
bel
lra
ng.

Y
anng
otupt
oans
wert
hedoori
mmedi
ate
ly.

Whenheopenedthedoor,t
heysawamiddl
e-a
gedmancomeinwit
hawal
ki
ngst
ic
k .
Awomanina
l
eat
herj
acke
twa l
kedins
idetoget
herwi
thhi
m.Behi
ndthe
m,ther
eweret
wobodyguar
ds.
The
yseemed
t
oberat
herhigh-
prof
il
epeople.
“
Geral
d,l
etmeint
roduc
eyoutot
hechai
rmanoft
heS
unGroup,
Mr .T
yeL
ama
no,
andt
hisi
shi
s
s
ecr
etar
y,Mis
sHail
eyHank
s.T
heyar
etheonesIa
mwork
ingwit
h.”

Y
anns
aidt
oGe
ral
d.

Ge
ral
dshoweddoubtonhi
sfa
cei
nst
ant
ly.

Ge
ral
dmor
eorl
essk
newa
boutt
hisS
unGr
oup.
Thec
ompa
nys
pec
ial
i
zedi
noi
ldr
il
li
nga
ndi
ronmi
ni
ng.

However,t
hatwasonl
ysuperf
ic
ial
l
y.I
ntr
uth,
Ger
aldk
newt
hatt
heS
unGr
oupa
lsor
anas
ecr
etbus
ine
ss,
andt
ha twastr
eas
urehunti
ng.

I
t’
sjus
ttha
tGer
aldnev
erex
pec
tedY
annt
owor
kwi
thpe
opl
efr
omt
heS
unGr
oup.

“
I’
velonghea
rdabouty
ou,
Mr.
Ger
aldCr
awf
ord.
Nowt
hatI
’v
esee
nyoui
nper
son,
youa
rei
nde
eda
n
i
ncr
edibl
epers
on!
”

T
yeL
ama
nog
ree
tedGe
ral
dwi
thas
mil
e.

“
Hehe,y
ouar
ebe
ingt
oopol
i
te,
Mr.
Lama
no.
I’
vel
onghea
rda
boutt
hepowerofy
oua
ndy
our
c
ompany.
”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
edpol
i
tel
y.

“
Ge r
ald,
Mr .L
amanoispay
ingusthi
rt
ymi
l
li
ondol
l
arst
oex
plor
eMountDa
kri
onta
ndt
hes
ecr
etc
ave
t
histi
me.It
’sagr
eatoppor
tuni
ty!
”
Y
anwa
lkedov
ert
oGer
alda
ndt
ri
edt
ope
rsua
dehi
monc
emor
e.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1889

Y
anwa
lkedov
ert
oGer
alda
ndt
ri
edt
ope
rsua
dehi
monc
emor
e.

Ge
ral
dgl
anc
eda
tYa
nna
ndl
ook
eda
tTy
eLa
mano.

“
Mr.L
amano,howdi
dyouknowaboutt
hehidde
nc a
vei
nMountDa
kri
ont
?Andhowdi
dyouc
omet
o
k
nowtha
tthe
rearet
rea
sur
esins
ide?
”askedGer
ald.

“Aboutthi
s,Ica
nnotansweryou.Icansi
mpl yt
elly
outha te
v er
ythi
ngIknowappeare
dont hemaptha
t
mya ncest
orspass
eddown.Ionlyneedy outwotoma keatriptothemountai
nforme.Ik
nowMr .
Crawfordi
sverycapa
bleofpsychi
cthing
sa ndexpl
ora
tion.That’
swhyIaskedMr.Will
i
amst ol
ookf
or
you.Ihopeyoucanhelpus!
”

T
yeL
ama
nos
aidi
nas
eri
oust
one.

Ofc
our
seGer
aldk
newwha
tTy
eLa
manowa
sthi
nki
ngi
nhi
smi
nd.
Hewa
ntedt
het
rea
sur
es.

“
Mr.Cr
awfor
d,Ik
nowyouar
elook
ingforsomethi
ng,
andaccor
dingtothere
cordsfr
ommya nces
tor
s,
t
hei
temyouarel
ook
ingf
ori
smostprobablyi
nMountDak
riont
.I hopeyoucanthi
nkabouti
t!
”
S
eei
ngGer
alds
hownor
espons
e,T
yeL
ama
nos
ugg
est
edonc
emor
e.

Ge
ral
dwa
sst
art
ledwhe
nhehe
ardt
hat
.Hef
rowne
dandl
ook
eda
tYa
nn.

T
her
eweren’
tmanypeopl
ewhoknewaboutt
heit
emhewasl
ook
ingfor.
HebetY
annmus
tha
vet
old
T
yeLama
noabouti
t.Othe
rwi
se,
thel
att
erwoul
dnotha
vek
nowna bouti
t.

WhenYannsawGer
ald’
sfa
ce,
hel
owe
redhi
she
ada
ndda
rednotl
ooki
ntoGe
ral
d’sey
es.
Hek
new
Ger
aldwoul
dbeangr
ywithhi
m.

Af
terawhi
l
e,Ge
ral
dspok
e.

“Oka
y .
Ica
npromis
ethatI
’l
lj
oi
nthee
xpl
ora
tion.
Howev
er,
onc
ewea
ret
her
e,ev
ery
thi
ngs
houl
dbe
undermycommand!”

Ge
ral
dpr
opos
ed.

Hea
ringGe
ral
d’spr
opos
al,
Tyedi
dnotha
veas
econdopi
ni
on.

“
Ofc
our
se,
nopr
obl
em!
”

T
yea
gre
edt
oitpr
ompt
ly.

T
ohim,i
twasf
ineasl
onga
sGe
ral
dwa
swi
l
li
ngt
ogowi
tht
hem.
Asf
ort
her
estoft
het
hing
s,he
c
oul
dn’
tbebot
hered.
“
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d,l
et’
swi
shf
oraha
ppyc
oll
abor
ati
on!
”

T
yes
mil
eda
nds
aidt
oGe
ral
d.

“
Sur
e!”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
edi
ndi
ff
ere
ntl
y.

Ha
vings
aidt
hat
,Ty
eandhi
ssec
ret
aryl
eftt
hehous
e.

Af
tert
heyha
dle
ft,
onl
yGer
alda
ndY
annwer
ele
fti
nthehous
e.

“
Ger
ald,
I…”

Y
annlook
edatGera
ldandlower
edhi
shea
d,notk
nowi
nghowt
oex
pla
int
his
.Hef
eltg
uil
tyf
ort
ell
i
ng
T
yeaboutGe
ral
d’smat
ter.

“
Sig
h.Yann,doyouk
nowwha
tki
ndofbus
ine
sst
heS
unGr
oupr
unst
haty
ouev
enda
ret
owor
kwi
th
t
hesepe
ople?”

Ge
ral
das
kedY
annhel
pl
ess
ly.

Ge
ral
dwa
swel
lawa
reoft
hebus
ines
soft
heS
unGr
oup.
Tha
twa
swha
thef
oundmos
twor
ryi
ng.
Hea
ringhi
sque
sti
on,
Yanndi
dn’
tknowhowt
orepl
y.

“
I’
msor
ry,
Ger
ald.
”

Y
annc
oul
donl
yapol
ogi
zes
oft
ly.

“
Forg
etit.I
t’
suse
lesst
osaya
ny t
hingnow.
SinceI’
vepromi
sedtot
aket
hej
ob,Iwi
lldoitpr
oper
ly.
But
Y
ann,Ihopeyoucanreme
mbe rthaty
oumus tdi
scus
sever
ythi
ngwi
thmef
ir
stnex
tt i
me.”

Gera
lddi
dn’twanttot
alka
bouti
tany
mor
enordi
dhewa
ntt
obl
ameY
annf
ora
nyt
hing
.So,
hes
impl
y
re
mindedthela
tter
.

Af
tera
ll
,the
ywer
egoodf
ri
ends
.

Morei
mport
ant
ly,
itwasnotadi
ff
ic
ultt
hingf
orGer
aldtohandl
e,andt
hemosti
mpor
tantt
hingwa
s
t
hathewant
edtogetwhathewasl
ooki
ngfor.
Tha
twa stherea
sonhehadt
akent
hej
ob.

“
Oka
y.I
wil
l
,Ger
ald!
”

Y
annqui
ckl
ynoddedi
nres
pons
e.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1890

Y
annf
eltg
ladt
hatGe
ral
ddi
dn’
tbl
amehi
mmuc
h.Heha
dbe
ens
hoc
kedj
ustnow,
thi
nki
ngt
hatGe
ral
d
woul
dbev
erya
ngr
ywi
thhi
m.

“
Alr
ight
,Iwil
lhe
adhomefi
rs
t.Youk
eepint
ouchwi
thT
yeL
ama
no.
Inf
ormmeoft
het
imeofde
par
tur
e
i
nadvance
.Iwil
lgoba
cka
ndg e
trea
dyfori
t!
”

Af
tert
hat
,Ger
aldr
emi
nde
dYa
nn.

“
Oka
y,s
ure
,Ger
ald.
”

Y
annnodde
dandr
espondedobe
dient
ly.

Ha
vings
aidt
hat
,Ge
ral
dlef
tthehous
eandr
etur
nedt
ohi
sof
fi
ce.

S
oon,
hewa
sba
cki
nhi
sof
fi
ce.

Whenhewal
kedi
nsi
de,
Reya
ndY
rsawe
res
tudy
inga
tthet
abl
e,a
ndJ
unowa
spl
ayi
ngwi
thhe
rphone
be
sidet
hem.

“
Howi
sit
?Howi
syourpr
ogr
ess
?”

Ge
ral
das
kedt
hema
shewa
lke
din.

“
Brot
herGe
ral
d,y
ou’
reba
ck!
”
WhenRe
ysa
wGer
ald,
hes
toodupa
nds
mil
eda
thi
m.

“
Brot
herGe
rald,MissZor
nt a
ughtuss
omebasi
cknowledg
eaboutt
hes
pir
it
ual
wor
ld.
Ilea
rne
d
e
very
thi
ngaboutthespir
it
ualworl
d,s
oul
s,a
ndghost
s.
”

Reyr
epor
tedhi
spr
ogr
esst
oGer
aldi
mme
dia
tel
y.

Af
terGer
aldhea
rdt
hat
,henoddedi
nsa
tis
fac
ti
on.

“
Gre
at.
Notba
d.Wel
l
,le
t’sha
veame
eti
ng!
”

Ge
ral
drepl
i
edt
oReya
nds
ugg
est
edamee
tingt
oal
loft
hem.

T
hef
ours
ata
roundt
het
abl
e.

“T
here’ss
omethi
ngIneedt
ote
lly
ou.
Iwa
satY
ann’
spl
acej
ustnow,
andI
amg
oingonat
ri
ptoMount
Dakr
iontwit
hhimsoon.
”

Ge
ral
dtol
dthet
hre
e.

“
MountDa
kri
ont
?Whya
rey
oug
oingt
her
eal
lofas
udde
n?I
sn’
ttha
tjus
tat
our
is
tat
tra
cti
on?
”
J
unowa
ssur
pri
sedwhens
hehe
ardhi
m.S
o,s
hea
ske
dhi
mimme
dia
tel
yinc
onf
usi
on.

“
Y es
,you’
reri
ght.I
tisinde
edatour
ista
ttr
act
ion.
Butt
hist
ime
,wea
rewor
kingwi
tht
heS
unGr
oupt
o
f
indahiddencav
eint hemount
ain!
”

Ge
ral
ddi
dn’
thi
dei
tfr
omt
hema
ndex
pla
inedt
hes
it
uat
ionc
lea
rly
.

Nowt
hatReya
ndY
rsawer
eint
het
eam,
theyne
ededt
oknowa
boutev
ery
thi
ng.

“
TheS
unGr
oup?Howdi
dYa
nng
eti
nvol
vedwi
tht
hem?
!”

J
unowa
sta
kena
bac
konc
emor
e.S
hedi
dn’
tex
pec
ttha
tYa
nnwoul
dber
ela
tedt
otheS
unGr
oup.

Reg
ardi
ngt
heS
unGr
oup,
Junowa
sal
sov
erywe
lla
war
eoft
hei
rbus
ine
ss.

“
Brot
herGer
ald,t
hisSunGroupi
snotapr
operc
ompa
ny.
Theyr
unapr
ope
rbus
ines
ssupe
rfi
ci
al
ly
,but
t
heyaree
ngagedwithothe
rbusi
ness
esi
nsec
ret
.”

Reyr
emi
ndedGe
ral
daboutt
hat
.

“
Huh?Y
ouk
nowa
boutt
his
?”

Heari
ngRey’
stone
, Ger
aldas
kedi
nsus
pic
ion.
Hedi
dn’
tknowt
hatRe
yal
sok
newa
boutt
her
eal
bus
iness
esoftheSunGroup.

“Ofcour
seIdo.
There’
snobodywhodoes
n’tk
nowa
boutt
heS
unGr
oup.
It’
sjus
ttha
ttheya
renot
wil
li
ngtore
veali
t!
”
Reynoddeda
nds
aid.

“
We l
l
,you’
rer
ight
.Butt
hist
ime
,Iha
venoc
hoi
ce.
Ine
edt
olookf
ors
omet
hingv
eryi
mpor
tantt
her
e,s
o
I
canonl
yworkwitht
hem!”

Ge
ral
dex
pla
ine
dhel
pl
ess
ly.

“
Brot
herGe
ral
d,I
’mg
oingwi
thy
ou,
the
n!”

Reypr
opos
edi
mmedi
atel
y.

Ge
ral
dgl
anc
eda
tRe
ybutdi
dnota
gre
etoi
tri
ghta
way
.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1891

“
Neg
ati
ve,
youj
usts
tayhe
ret
hist
ime.
I’
ll
behea
dingt
her
ewi
thY
ann!
”repl
i
edGer
alda
shel
ook
eda
t
t
het
ri
o.

“
But
…Mr
.Cr
awf
ord-
”

“L
ook,Iknowyouwanttocomewi t
hmet oseeandle
arnmoreoft
heworl
d,Rey,
butnotthi
stime.
Af
teral
l,
noneofusknowwha tdangersawa i
tusatMountDa
kri
ont
.The
rearesi
mplytoomanyr i
sks
i
nvol
ved!Withtha
tinmind,pl
eas
ejuststayhe r
eandtra
inwi
thMis
sZor
nforthemome nt
!”repl
ied
Gera
ldbefor
eReycoul
dev e
nfini
shhissentence.
I
ntheend,
Re ywass
ti
lla
nordi
naryper
son,whic
hme a
nttha
thi
scapabi
li
ti
eswerev
ast
lydi
ff
erent
c
omparedtoGera
ld’
s.Wit
htha
tinmind,Gera
ldhadonl
ysai
dal
lthatea
rli
ers
inc
ehetr
ulywasworri
ed
f
orRey
’ssake.

Besi
des,s
tayinghe
retotra
inwit
hJ unowouldundoubtedlybemorebenefi
ci
alt
oRey.Byta
kingt
he
ti
met oproperl
ytr
ainandl
earnaboutbeingacul
tiv
ator
, Reywoul
ddefini
tel
ybeabl
etosol
veprobl
ems
toge
therwithGeral
d—inst
eadofsi
mpl ybei
ngasideki
ck—i nt
hefut
ure.

Regar
dle
ss,
unde
rst
andi
ngwhe
reGer
aldwa
scomi
ngf
rom,
Reyk
newt
hati
twa
sbe
stf
orhi
mtos
impl
y
agr
ee.

Ei
therway,onc
eRe yag
reed,Gera
ldt
urnedtofac
eJunobef
oreaddi
ng,“
Asy oumayalr
eadyhave
guess
ed,I
’l
lbelea
vingever
ythi
ngint
heoffi
cetoyou,
Juno.
Ift
here’
sanyt
hingyou’
reunsur
eabout
whil
eI’mgone,wecandisc
ussi
tonceIret
urn!
”

Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,J
unot
henr
epl
i
ed,
“Rog
ert
hat
!Don’
twor
rya
boutme!
”

J
uno,f
orone
,di
dn’
tmi
ndGer
ald’
sdel
ega
tionoft
ask
s.Af
tera
ll
,i
twa
stheonl
ywa
yshewoul
dbea
ble
t
osuppor
thi
m.

“I
’l
lta
key ourwor
dfori
t!Nowthe
n…bothofyou!Cont
inueyourt
raini
ng!Asf
orJuno…I
’dl
i
ketos
peak
toyouinpriv
atef
orabi
t…”sai
dGera
ld,
prompti
ngReya ndY
rsatoresumetra
ini
ngandJ
unotowa
lk
overt
ot hesi
dewit
htheyout
h.

Oncet
heywer
eoutofea
rshot,J
unocoul
dn’thel
pbutask,
“…Gera
ld…a r
eyoureal
l
ysur
ethaty
ou’
re
goi
ngt
ocoope
rat
ewitht
heS unGroup…?Ipers
onal
lydon’
tthi
nkthey
’real
ltha
tre
li
abl
e…!
”
Smili
ngsubtl
yinrespons e,Geral
dknewwhe reJuno’
sworrie
swe r
ecomingfr om.Evenso,hesi
mpl y
shookhisheadbeforer epl
ying,“
Don’tworry,t
hosefr
omt heSunGroupwon’ tbeabletoeventouchme.
Regardl
ess,
I’mhea di
ngt hereinthefi
rstpl
acetosear
chforanimport
antthing…Re membe rt
hatpict
ure
ofaladythatwe’vebe entryingt
ot r
ackdowna l
lthi
sti
me ?Ihav
eahunc htha ti
t’
sgoingt
oa ppearat
MountDa kri
ont!Wi t
ht hatinmind,Ineedtoheadther
etos eef
ormy s
elf
!”

“
…Isee…St
il
l,
dobec
aref
ul…T
hos
efr
omt
heS
unGr
oupde
fini
tel
yha
vehi
ddena
genda
s…”mut
ter
edt
he
c
onc
e r
nedJ
uno.

S
impl
ynoddi
ngi
nres
pons
e,Ge
ral
dthe
nsmi
l
eda
sheg
ent
lypa
tte
dhe
ront
heba
ck…

Att
hatmome
nt,
Ger
ald’
sphonebe
ganr
ing
ing
.Itwa
sac
all
fromY
ann…

Alr
eadyhavi
ngaprett
ygoodgues
sthatYa
nnwa scal
l
ingtotell
himtha
tt hedepa
rturet
imehadbe
en
deci
ded,Geral
dsi
mplyst
aredatt
hephoneforafe
ws econdsbefor
eeventua
ll
ypicki
ngi
tupandsa
ying
,
“Hel
lo?Yes,
Yann?”

“
Ah,t
hereyouare
,Ger
ald.
Tye’
supdatedmeonthedepa
rtur
eti
me.
Weha
vet
obea
tthehi
ghwa
y
e
ntr
ancebyninet
omorr
owmor ni
ng!
”r epl
i
edY
ann.

“
Goti
t.S
eey
out
her
ebe
for
eni
ne,
the
n!”s
aidGer
aldbef
oreha
ngi
ngup.

“
Tomor
rowmor
ning
?You’
rehe
adi
ngof
fsos
oon,
Ger
ald…?
”as
kedt
hes
urpr
is
edJ
uno.

“
Inde
ed.
Fromt
hel
ook
sofi
t,t
hos
efr
omt
heS
unGr
oups
impl
yca
n’twa
ita
nyl
ong
er!
”re
pli
edGe
ral
d.
“…Well
,Isuppos
ethat
’sthat
.Reg
ardl
ess
,ag
ain,
plea
sebec
are
ful
outt
her
e…!
”sa
idJ
unowi
thas
igh,
not
want
ingtonaganyfur
ther…

Soonenough,
nightf
ell
a ndbythen,Ger
aldhadpr
ett
ymuc hpa
c k
edever
ythi
ngtha
theneeded.
Whil
e
hehadonlypack
edfours e
tsofcl
othes
,there
stofhi
slug
gageconsi
st
edofequi
pmentt
hathewoul
d
poss
ibl
yuseduri
ngthejourney.

Af
teral
l
,nobodyknewwha thur
dlestheywoul
dencount
erduri
ngt
hej
ourne
y,soall
Gera
ldcoul
ddo
waspr
epareever
y t
hingr
ele
vantt
ha thecoul
dthi
nkofsotha
thewoul
dn’
tregr
etbei
ngunder
prepa
red
ha
lfwa
ythroughthejour
ney…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1892

Reg
ardl
ess
,si
ncehema desur
etopackear
ly,
Ger
aldwasabl
etotur
ninea
rli
ert
hatni
ght
.Af
tera
ll
,the
morere
sthegot,
thebett
ershapehewoul
dbeoncehegotup…

I
twasear
lymorni
ngbytheti
mehefi
nal
lyg
otupag
ain,a
nda
fteras
impl
ebr
eak
fas
t,Ger
aldt
henpa
tte
d
hi
sbac
kpackbe
foredr
ivi
ngof
ftot
hehig
hway’
sent
ranc
e…

I
twasnineshar
pwhenGera
ldf
inall
ymetupwithY
ann,Ty
e,a
ndt
heother
s.J
ustast
heywerea
boutt
o
g
reeteachothe
r,al
oud‘
bump’coul
dsuddenl
ybehear
dcomi
ngf
romGeral
d’sc
artr
unk,
fol
l
owedbya
l
oud,“
F*ck!”

Rai
si
ngas l
i
ghtbrow,Gera
ld—alongwithsever
alothe
rs—i
mmedia
telywentov
ertoi
nve
stig
ate
…And
uponopeni
ngthetrunk
,Geral
dwa sshock
e dtoseeReyl
yi
ngi
nsi
de,hisa
rmswrappe
daroundalug
gag
e
bag!
“
…Wha
tar
eyoudoi
nghe
re,
Rey
?”a
skedt
her
ight
ful
l
yst
unne
dGe
ral
d.

Chuckl
i
ngawk
wardl
yinrespons
e, Re
ythe
nsheepi
shl
ygr
inneda
shes
aid,
“I…we
ll
,Ij
ustr
eal
l
ywa
nte
d
tocomeal
ong
!Sopl
easeletmec omewit
hyou…!”

“
Whatmonk
eybus
ines
sist
his
?Ret
urnt
oJuno’
ssi
de!
”sc
owl
edGer
ald,
caus
ingRe
ytomoment
ari
l
yfa
ll
s
il
ent
.

Howev
er,
aft
eras
hor
twhi
l
e,Re
yst
are
datGer
aldwi
thpuppydogey
esbef
orepl
eadi
ng,
“…Pl
eas
e…?
”

Uponsee
inghowpi
ti
ful
l
yReywasbeggi
ng,Ge
ral
dcoul
donl
yface
pal
mashes
ighedbef
ores
ayi
ng,
“…Oh,
wha tt
hehel
l
…S i
ncey
ou’
realr
eadyher
eanyway
…F i
ne,
youcanc
omeal
ong!”

“
T-t
hanky
ou,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d!”ex
cla
ime
dthee
xci
tedRey
.

“
Whoex
act
lyi
sthi
s,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
”as
kedT
yei
nac
uri
oust
one
.

“
Ah,
he’
smydi
sci
pl
e,Cha
irma
nLa
mano…Heg
oesbyRey
!”i
ntr
oduc
edGer
ald.

Uponheari
ngthat,
Tyeins
tant
lyf
oundhimsel
ffeel
i
ngmorecomf
ortabl
easherepl
ie
dwithas
mile,
“Yourdi
sci
pl
e,yousay
?We ll
,l
et’
sgotog
ether
,then!Whoknows
,yourbondcoul
dma k
eyoust
ronger
!”

Hea
ringt
hat
,Ger
aldc
oul
dn’
thel
pbutg
lar
eatRe
yag
ainbe
for
esi
gna
li
ngf
orReyt
ofol
l
owhi
mint
o
Y
ann’
sca
r.

Onl
ythreec
arsweregoi
ngtobedri
venfort
hisj
our
ney
,andGe
ral
d’swa
sn’
toneoft
hem.
Ins
tea
d,i
t
wassi
mplyl
eftbe
hindinapar
kingl
ot.

Rega
rdl
ess,
onlyt
hre
epeoplewerei
nYann’
scar
,wit
hY annna
tur
all
ybeingt
hedr
iver
.Si
tt
ingbe
sidehi
m
wasGer
ald,whi
chmeantt
hatReywast
heonlyonesi
tt
ingint
heback…

Noneofthe
ms ai
daworddur
ingthefi
rsthal
foft
hejourney
.Ev
ent
uall
y,however
,thener
vousRey
muste
redupthecour
aget
omutter,“
P-plea
sedon’
tstaymadatme,Mr.Crawf
ord…IknowI’
vedone
wrong…!
”

Uponhear
ingtha
t,Ger
ald—whoha
dhi
sey
esc
lot
hesupt
il
lthi
spoi
nt—r
eope
nedhi
sey
esbef
oref
is
hing
hi
sphoneout…

“
Hell
o?Wha t
’swr
ong,
Geral
d?”a
sk e
dJunoont
heot
here
ndoft
hel
i
ne,
soundi
ngr
ela
tiv
elys
urpr
is
ed
t
hatGer
aldhadca
ll
edoutoft
heblue.

Reyhi
msel
fgr
ewi
ncr
eas
ing
lywor
ri
edwhe
nher
eal
i
zedt
hatGe
ral
dha
djus
tca
ll
edJ
uno…

“
Not
hingmuc
h,I
jus
twa
ntedt
oinf
ormy
out
hati
nthee
nd,
I’
vedec
ide
dtobr
ingRe
yal
ong
!”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1893
Natur
all
y,t
hatstat
ementma
debot
hJunoa
ndRe
yra
thers
urpr
is
ed.
Eve
nso,
Junowa
squi
ckt
ore
cov
er
andsi
mplywe ntwit
hit
.

Reyhi
msel
fha
dn’
tex
pec
tedGe
ral
dtot
akehi
ssi
dei
nst
eadofr
att
inghi
mout
.

Wit
htha
t,a
fte
rGeraldendedt
hec
all
,Re
ycoul
dn’
thel
pbutl
ooka
tGe
ral
dforawhi
l
ebe
for
emut
ter
ing
,
“
…Um…Mr .Crawf
ord-”

“T
here’
snoneedtosa
ya nything.Y
ou’
real
rea
dyhe r
eanywaysole
t ’
sjustma kethemos
tofit
.
Rega
rdl
ess
,ple
asehol
dy ourtongueasmuchasposs
ibl
eonceweg etthere
. Andplea
sel
ist
entomy
or
dersi
fIgi
veanytoyou!”repli
edGera
ld,
notevenwait
ingf
orRey’ssentencetofi
ni
sh.

“
G-g
oti
t,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord!Don’
twor
ry,
I’
ll
bee
xtr
eme
lyobedi
ent
!”de
cla
redReya
shenodde
dra
pidl
y.

Atthatmoment
,Yann—whowasst
il
ldr
ivi
ng—coul
dn’
thel
pbuts
mil
eashesa
id,
“Youk
now,
youha
vea
ra
therfi
nedi
sci
pl
e,Gera
ld.
Aft
era
ll
,he’
sworri
edenougha
bouty
outosne
akove
r!”

“
Hah!He
’sj
usts
ome
onewhoma
kesmewor
rya
llt
het
ime
!”s
cowl
edGer
aldi
napl
ayf
ult
one
.

Real
i
zingtha
tGeral
dwa sgr
inning,Rey
—a tt
hev e
ryl
eas
t—knewthatGer
aldwasn’
tang
rywithhi
m
any
mor e.
Wi t
hthat
,Reycouldn’thel
pbutbrea
theasi
ghofr
eli
efasheembarr
asse
dlys
cra
tchedt
he
bac
kofhishead.

Truthbetol
d,Reyv erymuchpr
efe
rredgai
ni
ngknowl
e dg
eofthewor ldbypart
ici
pati
nginadvent
ures
withGera
ldratherthansi
mplyt
rai
ningi
ndoors
.Whil
eitwastruet
ha tdange
rwa sapl
e nt
youtinthe
openworld,Reytrulybel
i
evedt
hatadve
nturi
ngwasthebestwayforhimtog a
inmor eexper
ienc
e .
Whatev
erthec
asewa
s,s
inc
eev
enY
annwa
snowt
alk
ing
,Ger
aldf
igur
edt
hati
twa
sasg
oodat
imea
s
anyt
ointr
oduc
eReyt
ohim.

“S
peaki
ngofwhi
ch,t
hismang
oesbyY
ann,
Rey
.Youc
anc
hoos
etoa
ddr
esshi
masMr
.Wi
l
li
amsor
Br
othe
rY a
nn,
”sai
dGeral
d.

“
Apl
eas
uret
ome
ety
ou,
Brot
herY
ann!Myna
mei
sRey
!”r
epl
i
edReywi
thas
mil
e.

“
Goti
t!
”sa
idY
annbef
orec
huc
kli
ngi
nres
pons
e.

“Nowthatt
hat
’soutoft
heway…Bye s
ti
ma t
ion,
howl
ongs
houl
ditt
akef
orust
ogett
oMount
Dakr
iont
…?”as
kedGe r
alda
shelook
eda tY
ann.

Be
foreYa
nnc oul
dev
e nr
epl
y,Reybea
thimtoitbysa
ying
,“I’
vealr
eadycheckedtherout
eina
dvanc
e,
Mr.Cr
awfor
d!F r
omthehi
ghwayent
ranc
e,i
tshouldt
akeapprox
imatel
ysixhoursbef
orewegett
here!
”

Foll
owi
ngtha
t,Reyshowe
dhisphonetoGer
ald,
anddi s
play
edonit
,wasanav
igat
ions
ystem.
Rey
himsel
fha
dkeyedinMountDakr
ionta
sthei
rdest
ina
tionthese
condthe
ygoti
ntotheca
r.

Noddi
ngi
nresponse,Gera
ldt
henmut
ter
ed,
“Si
xhour
s,huh…T
hat
’sg
oingt
ota
kequi
teawhi
l
e…Gue
ss
I
’l
ltak
eashor
tna pfi
rst
.”

T
her
erea
ll
ywa
sn’
tmuc
hel
set
odoi
nthec
arf
ors
ixhour
s,s
ohema
yaswe
llg
ets
omes
hut
-ey
e.

Watchi
ngasGeral
dleanedaga
insthisse
a tbef
oreloweri
ngitsl
ig
htl
yandprompt
lyf
all
i
ngasl
eep,Re
y
dec
idedtodothesame.Aft
erall
,inordertohi
deint het
runk,hehadwokenupmuchear
li
ertha
n
Ger
a l
d,whi
chexpl
aine
dwhyheha dbeens l
eepyforawhilenow.
Regardles
s,uponr ea
liz
ingtha
tthetwohaddozedoffsoqui
ckl
y,Ya
nncoul
donlychuc
klei
nasli
ghtl
y
bi
ttertone.Aft
e ral
l,bei
ngthedri
ver,
hecoul
dn’
te x
a c
tlyr
estl
i
ketheduo.
Thankf
ull
y,hewasus
e dto
dri
vingformuc hlonger,s
ohek ne
whec oul
dhandl
es i
xhoursj
ustfi
ne…

I
twa
sar
oundt
hre
ewhenGe
ral
dandt
heot
her
sfi
nal
l
ylef
tthehi
ghwa
yanda
rri
veda
tMountDa
kri
ont
.

MountDakri
notit
sel
fwasas c
eni
ctravel
ingspott
hatdidn’
thaveit
sowncit
y.As
idefromi
tsuni
que
geogr
aphi
call
ocat
ion,MountDak
riontwa sa
lsofamousforhowspaci
ousi
twas.
T hi
swasmadeevi
dent
bythefa
ctthata
tag l
ance,
MountDa kr
iontdidn’
tevenseemtohaveanend…

E
itherway,f
orthosewhocameallt
hewa yupherefort
ri
ps,f
iv
edayswasus
ual
l
yt hemini
mum. Af
ter
a
ll
, i
twasawell
-knownfac
tthatnobodywouldbeablet
otrul
yenj
oythe
irex
per
ienceherei
fthe
yonly
s
tayedforasi
ngleday.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1894

Wha t
evert
hecasewas,
a f
terpar
kingthecar
,Ger
aldandtheother
simmedia
telyheadedt
ot het
ic
ket
count
ertooff
ic
ial
l
yenterMountDa kr
iont
.Whil
eas i
ngl
etic
ketcos
tsix
tydol
lar
s,Ty
ewa stheone
payi
ng,soGer
aldandhi
spartydi
dn’thavetoworr
yabouttheentr
yfee.

Uponenter
ing
, r
atherthananx
ious
lyg
ett
ings
tra
ightt
obus
ines
s,t
hef
ir
stt
hingt
heg
roupdi
dwa
sto
f
indaspottorel
axininst
ead.

Af
terea
tings
omeoft
her
ati
onst
heybr
oug
hta
long
—tor
epl
eni
sht
hei
rene
rgy
—Ty
ecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
befor
esa
ying
,“Al
right
,li
st
enup,
ever
yone
.We’
l
lbes
tay
ingt
heni
ghther
e,butwes
etof
fatt
hebr
eak
ofdawn,
unders
tand?”

Heari
ngthat,
every
ones i
mplynodde
dinagr
eement.Af
tera
ll
, i
twouldn’tbelongbeforenig
htc ame,
andtra
veli
ngindark
nesswasneveragoodi
dea
. As
idef
romobv i
ouslybeingmoreda nger
ous,onec oul
d
eas
il
ylosethei
rbeari
ngsaswell
.Wit
hthati
nmind,i
twasobject
ivel
yabe tt
erchoic
et osetoffonce
morni
ngc a
me .

Withthatoutofthewa y
,T y
ethe norderedoneofhi
sment obookac a
binfort
hemt ost
a ythenig
htin.
Natur
a l
l
y ,
lodgi
ngwa snevergoi
ngt obec heapi
nthi
spla
ce.Addingtha
ttothefac
tthatthewoode n
ca
bin—t hatthegroupeventual
l
ys ett
ledwith—l
ookedext
remelyexqui
sit
e,asi
ngl
enighttherecosta
whoppinghundreda ndf
ift
ydollars!

Regar
dles
s,Ya
nn,Geral
d,andReyweregr
oupedt
og e
t hertost
ayinoneoft
hecabi
n’srooms.
Upon
enter
ingt
hatroom,Reyi
mmediatel
ysug
gest
ed,“
Alri
g ht,Mr.
Crawfor
dandBrot
herYann,howabout
thi
s?Youtwotaket
hebe dwhil
eI’
l
lsl
eeponthecouch!”

“
The
re’
snone
edf
ort
hat
.Youc
ant
aket
hebe
d!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d.

“
But
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord-
”

“Noar
gui
ng.Y
oug ett
hebed,
”sai
dGeral
d,notev
enwai
ti
ngforReytofi
ni
shhissentenc
e.Hea
ringtha
t,
Reyk
newheha dnochoi
cebutt
ogiv
ein.Whil
ehedi
dn’
tsayit
,Reyhonest
lyf
elttouche
d.Ger
aldreal
ly
wast
oonic
etohim…

Whi
lei
twasr
athe
rla
tewhenthetri
ofi
nal
lydec
idedt
ohitt
heha
y,t
heyr
ecei
veds
uff
ic
ientr
esta
nd
wer
eawok
enbythechi
rpi
ngofbi
rdsatt
hestar
tofdawn…
BythetimeGera
ldandhispart
ywe ntdowns
tai
rs
—al
lpa
cke
dupa
ndr
eady
—,t
heys
awt
hatT
yea
nd
theotherswe
realr
eadywait
ingforthem.

“
The
rey
oua
lla
re!Ha
dag
oods
lee
p?”a
skedT
yewi
thas
mil
e.

“Howki
ndofy
outoas
k,Cha
irma
nL ama
no!Weha dapr
ett
ygoods
lee
p,a
tlea
stI
did,
”re
pli
edGe
ral
din
apol
it
emannera
sTy
enoddedbefor
efi
shi
ngoutamap…

Poi
nti
ngataspotont
hemap,Ty
ethensa
id,“Al
ri
ght
,we
’rec
urr
ent
lyhe
r e.
Ourfi
rs
tstopwil
lbet
he
Off
ic
erVi
ewingDeckwhi
chi
saboutf
iv
emile
sf r
omwher
ewea r
e.I
sanyoneag
ains
tthat?
”

Natur
all
y,nobodyhada
nyobje
cti
ons
.Af
terall
,Tyewast
heownerofthemap.Ger
aldhi
msel
fcoul
donl
y
hopethattheywoul
dbeabl
etodeal
wit
ha nyis
suest
hatar
osedur
ingthe
irj
ourne
y.

Wit
hthat
,theg
roupt
hendi
donef
ina
ldoubl
echec
k—t
ose
eift
heyha
dev
ery
thi
ngwi
tht
hem—be
for
e
s
ett
ingof
f…

Astheytra
ve l
edon,Geral
dandY a
nncoul
donlyst
ares
peechl
ess
lyatReywhos
eemedt
obe
photogr
aphingjus
taboutever
ythi
ng.
Wa st
hatboyher
eforanadve
ntureorat
ri
p…?

E
ventual
l
ygett
ingra
thera
nnoyedbya
llt
he‘
sna
pshot
’sounds
,Ger
aldc
oul
dn’
thel
pbutmut
ter
,“Rey
,
c
ouldyouqui
titf
orawhil
e…?”

Chuck
li
nginrespons
e,Re
ysimpl
yrepl
ie
d, “
Buti
twasn’
tea
syforust
oge
tac
hanc
etoc
omehe
re,
Mr.
Crawf
ord!Thes
ephotogr
aphswi
llpr
ovethatwe
’vebee
nhere
!”
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1895

“J
ustl
ettheboybe,Ge
rald.
I,f
orone
,apprec
iat
ehi
sli
vel
i
nes
ssi
ncea
llt
her
eisouther
eismi
l
esupon
mil
esofbori
ngsce
nicvi
ews…”sai
dYann.

Uponhe aringthat,Geral
dc ouldonl
ysi
ghi
nagr
eement.Af
terall
,itwases
ti
ma t
edthata
tleastt
wo
hourswer enee de
dbef or
et heg r
oupwoul
dbeabl
etocoverfi
vemi l
esandfi
nal
lyar
ri
veattheOffi
cer
Vie
wi ngDe ck.
Wi ththati
nmi nd,Ge
ral
dha
dtoadmitt
hatRey’schil
di
shnes
swould—atthevery
l
east—k eepthet r
eka musing…

Reg
ardl
ess
,itwa
sal
mos
tnoonbyt
het
imet
heg
roupa
rri
veda
ttheOf
fi
cerVi
ewi
ngDec
k.

TheOffic
erViewi
ngDe ckwaslocat
edquit
ehighonMountDa kr
iont,anditall
egedlygoti
tsnamedueto
thefa
cttha ta
noffi
cerusedtocomeupher etoenj
oythevi
ew,ma nyc entur
iesago.Whil
ethatwasthe
for
ma lnameoftheviewingdeck,
itwasals
ocoll
oqui
al
lyknowna sthec l
oudviewingplat
for
m. Ast
he
names uggest
ed,a
llsor
tsofcl
oudscouldbeseenfr
omupher easwell.

Whatev
erthecasewas,upona rr
ivi
ng,Tyetur
nedtol
ookatt
heother
sbefor
esay
ing
,“Alr
ightev
eryone
,
we’
vearri
ved!L
et’st
akeas hortbrea
ka ndhavesome
thi
ngtoea
tfir
st!Be
arinmi
ndthatwe’l
lst
art
t
aki
ngtheroughmountainpa t
ha f
terthi
s!”

Whil
etheothe
rsse
emedtoag
ree,Ger
ald,
ontheot
herha
nd,
wal
kedt
owa
rdT
yebe
for
eas
king
,“Coul
dI
pl
eas
eha v
ealookatt
hemap,Cha
irmanLama
no?”
T
houg
hhewa
ssur
pri
sedt
ohe
art
hatr
eque
st,
Tyeha
ndedt
hema
ptoGer
ald.

“
Tha
nky
ou!
”repl
i
edGer
aldbef
orei
mmedi
ate
lyi
nspec
ti
ngt
hema
p.

“
Iss
omet
hingt
hema
tte
r,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
”as
kedt
hec
uri
ousT
ye.

As hortwhil
elat
er,Ger
aldthenpoint
eda tt
hema pbefores
ayi
ng,“Well
,aft
erl
ooki
ngthr
oughthema p,
Ifeelthatwecould’
vearr
ivedatourdest
inat
ionsooneri
fwedidn’
ttakethepat
htotheOff
ic
erViewing
De ck.
Afteral
l,
fromthi
spointon,allt
hatawait
susareroughmounta
inroads,
andIcanas
sureyouthat
that’
llhi
nderourprogr
essquit
eabi t
!”

Uponhear
ingthat
,Tyetookac
los
erlookatthemap…Andtr
uet
owhatGe
raldha
dsa
id,
theycoul
d’ve
ar
ri
vedatthei
rdest
inat
ionmuchsooneri
ftheys
impl
ytooka
nal
ter
nat
epat
h.Whyha
dn’thenoti
cedi
t
bef
ore?

“…Is
ee…Corr
ectmeifI
’mwrong
,Mr.Cr
awf
ord,
buta
rey
ous
ugg
est
ingt
hatweg
oal
lthewa
yba
ckt
o
wherewes
tart
edfr
om?”ask
e dT
ye.

“I
ndeed,thoughjus
ttoclar
if
y,i
tismere
lyasugge
stion.
Nat
urall
y,you’
ret
heonewhowil
lmaket
he
f
inal
call
.T ha
t’sa
llIwant
edt os
ay,nowify
ou’l
lexcuseme,
”repl
iedGeral
dbef
orewal
ki
ngov
erto
whereYanna ndReywe r
e.

Ge
ral
dwa s
n’tpart
ic
ularl
ykeenonhel
pingthe
m, t
obequi
tef
rank.
Haditnotbe
enforthefa
ctt
hatY
ann
wasc
ooperat
ingwit
ht hem,Ger
aldwould’
vesi
mplybr
oug
htYannandReyal
ong,maki
ngita
mana
geabl
epa r
tyofthree.

Rega
rdles
s,a
sTyewatc
hedGera
ldre
unit
ewithhi
spart
y,Tyehi
msel
fbega
nponder
ingwhatGer
aldha
d
j
ustsai
d.Whil
eitwa
struet
hatt
heycoul
dtec
hnic
all
yarr
iveatt
hei
rdes
ti
nati
onf
ast
e ri
fthe
y
ba
ckt
rac
ked,
Tyec
onc
ludedt
hatba
ckt
rac
kinga
tthi
spoi
ntwoul
dsi
mpl
ywa
steev
enmor
eti
me.

Wi
tht
hat,T
y emadeuphi
smindtosi
mplycont
inuegoi
ngdownt
hepat
hhehadpic
ked.Sowha
tifi
t
wa
sali
tt
lefurt
herawa
y?Theimpor
tantt
hingwasfort
hemtoar
ri
vea
tthe
irde
sti
nati
on….

S
hort
lyaf
ter
,thepar
tyres
ume dthe
irj
our
ney
.Howev
er,
itwa
sn’
ttool
ongl
ate
rwhe
nthewe
ather
s
uddenl
ybegancha
ngingra
pidl
y…

S
eei
nghowdra
sti
cthechang
eswere,
Reycoul
dn’
thel
pbutmutter
,“I
sn’
tthewea
the
rcha
ngi
ngabi
t
t
ooqui
ckl
y…?I
twouldn’
tsur
pri
semeifwegothi
tbyasudde
nthunde
rst
orm!”

T
hes ec
ondRey’ssent
enc
ee nded,
alowr
umbl
ecoul
dbehea
rdema
nat
ingf
romt
hes
ky,
prompt
ingt
he
r
estofthepa
rtytosta
reatRey…

Uponr
eali
zi
ngtha
thes
houl
dn’
tha
vej
i
nxedi
t,Re
ysi
mpl
ylower
edhi
shea
d,f
eel
i
ngr
ight
ful
l
y
embar
ras
sed…

Evens
o,Geral
dwasusedt
oRe ysay
ingt
hingsli
kethi
s.Witht
hat
,hedi
ver
tedever
yone’
sat
tent
ionf
rom
Reybysa
ying
,“Re
gardl
ess
,le
t’sf
ocusonfi
ndingsomepla
cetoesc
apet
herai
n!”

Af
tera
ll
,wal
ki
ngarounds
omanytr
eesinat
hunder
stor
mwa
sar
eci
pef
ordi
sas
ter
…Tha
nkf
ull
y,t
he
gr
oupsoonf
oundacavet
ota
kecoveri
n.

Uponent
eri
ng,
Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbutex
cla
im,
“Hol
y!T
hispl
acei
shug
e!”

T
ruet
oRey
’swor
ds,
afewhundr
edpe
opl
ecoul
dpr
oba
blyf
iti
nthi
spl
ace
…
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1896

“
…Hey,c
omeover
!Hur
rya
ndha
veal
ooka
tal
lthi
s!
”ca
ll
edoutoneofT
ye’
smenwhoha
dea
rli
er
s
cout
edahe
ad.

Uponhea
ringt
hat
,ev
ery
onef
oll
owedt
hes
our
ceoft
hev
oic
e…a
nds
oonenoug
h,t
heya
llwi
denedt
hei
r
eyesi
nut
teramaz
ement
.

Ali
ttl
edeepe
rintothecav
e,abri
ghtli
ghtofsor
tscoul
dbeseengl
immer
ingbe
aut
if
ull
y…Wha
tmor
e,a
ll
s
ortsofna
tural
jadesandj
adei
tescoul
dbes e
eng r
owingal
lovert
hepl
ace!

“
Holycr
*p…”mutt
eredReyasherubbedhi
sey
esi
ndi
sbe
li
ef.
Heha
dnev
ers
eens
uchpur
eandna
tur
al-
l
ook
ingjade
sandj
adei
tesi
nhisl
if
e!

Thesent
imentwas
,ofcour
se,
sha
redbyever
yoneel
set
her
e.T
othi
nkt
hats
uchawondr
ouspl
ace
exi
st
edhe r
eofal
lpl
aces…Howtr
ulymagi
cal
!

Qui
ckl
ysna
ppi
ngoutofi
t,e
ver
yonei
mme
dia
tel
ybe
ganl
ook
inga
roundt
hemy
sti
fy
ingc
ave…

S
hor
tl
yaf
ter
,Ger
aldwa
sjus
tint
imet
onot
ic
etha
toneofT
ye’
smenha
dta
kenoutaha
mmer
!

Knowi
ngf
ull
wel
lwher
ethi
swa
sgoi
ng,
Ger
aldi
mme
dia
tel
yyel
l
ed,
“St
op!
”
Heari
ngGer
ald’
svoi
ce—andrea
li
zi
ngt
hatt
hecommandwasdi
rect
edtowardhim—,
thema
nthe
n
ra
isedabr
owa shegl
areda
tGeral
dwhi
lea
ski
ng,“
…What?Gogetyourown!”

“
Nobodys
houl
dta
kea
nyoft
hes
eja
desorj
adei
tes
!The
ybel
ongt
ona
tur
e!”r
etor
tedGer
ald.

“
Bah!Mi
ndy
ourownbus
ines
s!”s
cowl
edt
hema
nbef
orea
imi
nghi
sha
mme
ratoneoft
hej
ade
s!

Rea
liz
ingt
hathi
sadv
icewa
sn’
tget
ti
ngthroug
h, Ge
ral
dimmedi
atel
ybol
tedtowa
rdt
hema
n,hopi
ngt
hat
hecoulds
tophi
minti
me!Unf
ort
unat
ely,
Geraldwasj
ustas
econdtool
ate.

T
hesecondthej
adedis
lodgedfromtheeart
h,alowrumblecoul
dinst
a ntl
ybehear
d…a ndf
oll
owing
t
hat
,theent
irec
avebeganquiveri
ng!Gera
ldhadhadagutfeeli
ngthatsomethi
ngbadwoul
dha ppe
nif
s
omeonetri
edtotak
ea nyofthepreci
ousst
ones,a
ndunfort
unatel
y,hewa sdeadr
ight
.

Wi
thhowmuc
hthec
avewa
ssha
king
,ev
ery
onebe
camei
ncr
eas
ing
lya
nxi
ous
.

J
usta
stheywereaboutt
ostartl
eavi
ngt
hec
ave,
ama
ssi
ves
tones
uddenl
yca
mec
ras
hingdown,
c
omplet
elybl
ocki
ngtheent
rance!

We
ll
…thi
swa
sswe
ll
.Ev
ery
onewa
snowt
rappe
dinhe
re!

Unabl
etoconta
inhisa
nge
r,Geral
dimmedi
ate
lys
tompedhi
swayovert
othema ntha
tha
dca
use
dal
l
thi
sbef
orepunchi
nghimr
ighti
nthenos
ewhil
eyel
li
ng,“
Yougoddmnedbst
ard…!”

T
hes
econdt
hema
nfe
llt
otheg
round,
ther
estofT
ye’
smeni
nst
ant
lya
imedt
hei
rwe
aponsa
tGe
ral
d!
“
Stop!E
ver
yone,
cal
mdown!
”ye
ll
edT
yea
shet
ri
edt
oma
int
ainpe
acebe
twee
nthet
wopa
rti
es.

Aft
erafewsec
onds,Ger
aldt
ookadeepbrea
thbe f
orenar
rowinghi
seye
satT
yewhil
eas
king
,“…Cor
rec
t
meifI’
mwrong,Cha
irmanLa
ma no,
butIs
pecif
ic
all
yreca
llt
hatmycondi
ti
onf
orl
eadi
ngyouher
eist
hat
youli
st
entoever
ywordIsay
!”

Whil
eTyewasmoment
ari
l
yst
unnedt
ohea
rtha
toutoft
hebl
ue,
heha
dtoa
dmi
ttha
ther
eal
l
yha
d
madetha
tpr
omise
.

Under
sta
ndi
ngt
hathewa
stheonei
nthewr
ong
,Ty
equi
ckl
yye
ll
ed,
“Men!Puty
ourwe
aponsa
way
!”

OnceTy
e’sme nrel
uct
a ntl
yk eptt
heirweaponsagai
n,Tyesmil
edsubt
lyt
owardGer
aldwhi
l
esayi
ng,“
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…I t
rul
yhopet hatwec ancooper
atenic
ely…Wi t
hthati
nmind,s
inc
emyme nhaver
etr
act
ed
the
irweapons,c
oul
dy oua voidpushi
nganyfurt
herint
othismatt
er…?”

Whi
leGera
ldk
newwher
eTy
ewa
scomi
ngf
rom,
wha
twa
sthepoi
ntofonl
ysa
yinga
llt
hisnowt
hatt
hey
wer
etra
pped?

Wha
tev
ert
hec
asewa
s,t
heyne
ede
dtof
indawa
ytol
eav
ethec
avea
ssoona
spos
sibl
e…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1897

Af
teras
li
ghtpa
use,
Ger
aldt
henl
ook
eda
tTy
ebe
for
erepl
yi
ng,
“…F
ine
.Reg
ardl
ess
,ify
ouwi
sht
olea
ve
t
hispl
aces
afel
y,Iimpl
orey
outotel
lyoursubordi
nat
est
obemoreobe
dient
.Nomoret
ouc
hingt
hing
s
a
trandom!Tri
ggeronemoret
rapandwe ’
l
l pr
obabl
yendups
tuc
kinher
eforev
er!
”

Knowi
ngtha
theha
dma dehims
elfe
xtr
emel
ycl
eart
histi
me,Ge
ral
dthe
ntur
neda
roundwi
thouts
ayi
ng
anot
herwor
d.Whet
herornotT
yedeci
dedt
oli
st
enwa supt
ohim…

Mome nta
ril
ysta
ringatGe
ral
d’sba
ck—astheyout
hwa l
kedofft
ofi
ndanotherexi
t—,Ty
ecoul
dn’
the
lp
butgl
areatthema nwhohadcaus
edal
lthi
s.Hadhenotbeensogr
eedy,noneofthe
mwouldbe
tr
appedhere!

T
hema
nhi
mse
lfqui
ckl
ylower
edhi
shea
dtoa
ver
thi
sga
ze,
note
venda
ringt
olookT
yei
ntheey
e…

Huff
ingi
nres
pons
e,T
y et
henlook
edatal
lhi
ssubor
dinat
esbefor
edecl
ari
ng,
“ Al
ri
ght,
li
st
enup!Ifa
nyof
youevendar
etot
ouchanyt
hinga
tra
ndoma g
ain,I
’l
lpe
rsona
ll
yc hopy
ourhandsoff
!Gottha
t?”

Wit
hhows t
ernTye
’scommandwas,
hissubordi
nat
esk
newhemea
ntbus
ine
ss,
prompt
inge
acha
nd
ev
eryoneofthe
mt oqui
ckl
ynodi
nresponse…

Whil
ethiswashappeni
ng,Ger
ald,
Rey,a
ndY a
nnwerea
lrea
dys
cout
inga
hea
d,hopi
ngt
ofi
ndot
her
pa
ssagewaystha
ttheycoul
dusetole
avethecav
e.

Unfort
unat
ely,
evenafterl
ooki
ngaroundf
orqui
teawhi
le,
noneofthemwerea
bletofi
ndanotherex
it
pat
h!F r
omthelooksofit,
thi
spl
aceseemedtobemost
lys
eal
edofffr
omtheworl
d,sa
vefortheone
exi
tthatwasnowblocked…

“
…Nottobeadownerbut…theredoes
n’tseemtobea
nyot
here
xit
sher
e…”mut
ter
edRey
,cl
ear
ly
g
ett
ingmor
eandmorea nx
iousbytheminute.
“
…Asmuc hasI
hat
etoa
dmi
tit
,Rey
’sr
ight
!Wet
rul
yar
etr
appe
dinher
e!”a
ddedY
annbe
for
esi
ghi
ngi
n
f
rus
tra
tion.

Bythi
spoint,Y
annwa
sa l
readys
tar
ti
ngtoregr
etwor
kingwi
thTy
etoge
there.
Hadheknownthatone
ofTye
’sme nwoul
dbri
ngthemsomuc ht
roubl
e,t
her
ewa snowayi
nhel
lhewoul
d’v
eevencons
idere
d
Tye
’sass
ista
nce!

“Well
,si
ncenoothe
rpathsex
ist
,let
’st
akesomet i
metothi
nkaboutthemechani
smtha
tcaus
edthe
st
onetosealt
hemouthofthecaveint
hefir
stpla
ce!Af
teral
l
,ther
e’snowaythecav
ecoul
d’v
eended
upthi
sperf
ectl
ysea
ledbynat
uralmeans!
”repl
iedGera
ldinacal
mt one.

“Agre
ed. Af
teral
l,
don’tyoufi
ndi
tst
rangethatnobody’sdi
scov
ere
dt hi
scavebe f
oredespi
tet
he
abundanceofja
desandjadeit
esi
nhere?Honestl
y,thestr
anges
tpartaboutal
lthi
sisthefa
ctt
hat
nobody’sex
cavatedt
hispla
ceyet
!”s
aidRaywi t
has li
ghtfr
own.

Hadthi
sbeena
nyothe
rcav
e,sev
eralpe
oplewoul
d’veal
rea
dyflock
edherea
gesag
oa f
terf
indi
ngout
abouta
llt
hepr
eci
ousst
one
sinhere.
Ift
hathadhappene
d,thenthi
spl
acewoul
dhavesure
lybeenl
eft
barr
enbynow!

Chuc
kli
ngi
nrespons
e,Ger
aldt
henrepl
i
ed,“
Thefac
tthatthepr
eci
ousstone
sinher
eha
vel
arg
ely
remai
nedunt
ouchedmakesi
tobv
ioust
hatt
her
e’ssomethi
ngoddaboutthi
spl
ace
.”

T
hes
econdhi
ssent
enc
eended,
thec
ornerofGer
ald’
sey
esudde
nlynot
ic
eds
ome
thi
ngdi
st
urbi
ng.

Rai
si
ngabrow,hebega
nwa lk
ingtowa
rdaspotwher
emult
ipl
eja
desandja
dei
teswer
egr
owi
ng…a
nd
uponcl
ose
rins
pect
ion,i
tappear
edthathi
seye
shadn’
tbe
enplayi
ngt
ric
ksonhi
m.
T
her
ewe
rehi
ntsofhuma
nbone
sins
idet
hej
adesa
ndj
adei
tes
!

Wal
kingc
los
ertose
ewhatGeral
dwassoi
nteres
tedi
n,Rey
’seyesins
tantl
ywi
dene
dwhe
nhepa
id
c
los
eratt
ent
iontot
he‘
prec
iousst
one
s’Ger
a l
dwa sc
urr
ent
lyst
a r
ingat.

“
M- Mr.
Crawford…Those…arehumanbones
,ri
ght
…?!Whya
ret
heyenv
elopedbyt
hej
ade
sand
j
adei
tes
?!”ex
c l
aimedtheri
ght
ful
lys
hocke
dRey.

“Myg ues
sisthataf
terbei
ngtr
appedher
elik
eus,t
hispe
rsone
ventual
lydi
ed.Oncehewasnothi
ngbut
bones,al
li
ttookwa safewye
arsfort
heja
desandja
deit
estos
tar
tg r
owingonthe
m! ”r
epl
iedGeral
d,
proposi
nghistheor
y.

However,i
fGera
ld’
stheor
ywa sc
orr
ect
…thentha
tde f
ini
tel
yme antt
ha tthe
ywe ren’
tthefi
rstgr
oupt
o
gett
rappedinher
e.Aft
eral
l,
thatwast
heonl
yplaus
ibl
ee x
plana
tionforthesebonesbeinghere!

S
til
l
,tot
hinkt
hatt
hej
ade
sandj
ade
itesher
egr
ewwi
tht
hehel
pofhuma
nbone
s…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1898

Reg
ardl
ess
,af
terhe
ari
ngwha
tGe
ral
dha
dtos
ay,
bot
hRe
yandY
anni
nst
ant
lydr
ewi
ncol
dbr
eat
hs.

“…A-ar
eyousa
yingthatwe’l
lendupl
ik
ethem,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…?Ar
eweg
oingt
odi
ehe
re…?
”mut
ter
ed
Rey,
looki
ngi
ncredi
blyanx
iousnow.
“Heynow,don’
tgoji
nxi
ngusagai
n!Ha
veabi
tmor
efa
ithi
nGer
ald!I
’ms
urehe
’l
lthi
nkofawa
ytog
et
usoutofher
e!”r
etor
tedYann.

“
Iwondera
boutt
hat
…Ba s
edonwha
twe ’
veg
a t
her
eda f
terl
ook
ingar
ound,i
tpai
nsmet
osa
ytha
t
t
her
e’sapr
ett
yhi
ghcha
ncetha
twerea
ll
ywil
ldi
etrappe
dhere!
”repl
iedGer
ald.

Heari
ngt
hat
,ReyandYann’
seyesins
tant
lywi
de ne
d.Whi
l
eitwa
sex
pec
tedf
orRe
ytos
ayt
hing
sli
ke
tha
t,whe
nGe r
alds
aidi
t,i
twassimplyde
pres
sing…

Reg
ardle
ss,a
fters
ayi
ngthat
,Ger
aldthe
nconti
nuedwalk
ingdeeperi
ntot
hecave.Af
teral
l,
wit
hhow
massi
vethecavewas
,ther
ewassti
ll
achanc
ethatthe
reexis
tedanot
herexi
tattheend…

Natur
all
y,ReyandYannfol
l
owedhim,anditwas
n’tt
oolongaft
erwhent
het
ri
obe
ganhea
ringt
hec
ris
p
andplea
santsoundsofwat
erdr
ippi
ngdeeperi
nsi
dethecave
…

The
rewa sjus
tsomet
hingex
tremel
yca
lminga
boutt
hos
ebe
aut
if
uldr
ippi
ngs
ounds
…The
ycer
tai
nl
y
weren’
tsoundsonec
ouldheari
nthec
it
y.

“
Youhea
rtha
t,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord?Wha
tbe
aut
if
uls
ounds
!”s
aidRe
yina
nal
mos
tdr
eamyt
one.

“
Iknow,ri
ght
?Thedri
ppi
ngsoundsal
onemakesmef
eel
li
keI
’mdr
unki
nthemi
ddl
eofa
nenc
hant
ed
f
ores
t!”a
ddedYann,
alet
har
g i
cgri
nonhisf
ace.

Uponheari
ngthat
,Ger
aldcoul
dn’
thel
pbutr
ais
eabr
owa
shet
urne
dar
oundt
olooka
thi
stwo
i
ntox
ica
ted-l
ooki
ngal
li
es…
Whi
leGera
ldpe
rsonal
l
yfel
tthatt
hedri
ppi
ngsounde
dnor
mal
,hec
oul
dins
tant
lyt
ell
tha
tthes
ounds
wer
eaff
ecti
ngt
heothert
wo, a
lmosthy
pnot
ic
all
y…

Withtha
tinmind,hequi
ckl
ybe
gans
ha k
ingt
heduobythei
rshoul
der
swhil
eye
ll
ing
,“He
y,s
napoutofi
t!
There
’ssome
thingwrongwi
tht
hedr
ippi
ngsounds
!Rey
, Y
ann!Wakeup!
”

Howev
er,
itwa
sus
ele
ss.
Bot
hoft
hemwe
rec
ompl
etel
yunr
espons
ive…

S
ighi
nginr
esi
gna
tion,
Ger
alddeci
dedtoret
urntowhe
reT
yea
ndhi
smenwe
re.
Att
hev
eryl
eas
t,t
hey
c
ouldhel
phimcar
ryReya
ndY anntoasa
ferspot
…

ToGeral
d’sdis
ma y,Ty
ea ndhismenhadapparent
lyalre
adyfa
llenundert
hesamehypnot
ics
pel
lasRey
andYann!Si
mplys t
andingi
npl a
cewit
hgoofyexpress
ionsonthei
rface
s,noneoft
hemseemedcapa
ble
ofev
enr egi
st
eringwhateverGeral
dsa
idordidtothem…

Fr
omthelook
sofi
t,asl
ongasthedri
ppingsoundsper
sis
ted,noneoft
hemwouldeve
rs na
poutofit
.
Wit
hthati
nmind,
Geral
dk ne
wt hatt
heonlywa ytobr
ingthe
mba c
ktothe
irs
ense
swa sbylook
ingf
or
t
hesour
ceofthes
oundsandeli
minat
ingit
.

St
il
l,t
othi
nkthatever
yoneel
se—whoha
dpr
evi
ous
lybee
ntr
appe
dinher
e—ha
dfa
ll
env
ict
imt
othe
dr
ippi
ngsoundsaswell
…

Wit
hhows heepis
hlyeve
ryonewasgri
nni
ng,Ger
aldcoul
dgue
ssthatt
hehypnoti
ceff
ect
swere
s
ome wha
te uphori
c.T
obef i
ll
edwit
hbli
ssti
l
lthesec
ondonedied…Whatacruelmurde
rta
cti
c…

S
hak
inghi
shea
d,Ge
ral
dthenqui
ckl
ybe
ganhea
dingt
owa
rdt
hedee
pes
tpa
rtoft
hec
avewher
ethe
dr
ippi
ngs
oundss
eemedt
oema
nat
efr
om…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1899

I
twa
saboutt
enmi
nut
esl
ate
rwhe
nGe
ral
dca
mea
cros
sapondi
nthede
epes
tpa
rtoft
hec
ave
…

T
hereappear
edtobeastonepi
erofs
ort
sint
hemi
ddl
eoft
hebodyofwa
ter
,andont
hatpi
er,
laya
j
adeboardmadeofj
adei
te…

Rai
si
ngasl
ightbrow,Ger
aldt
henwatc
hedasadropofwate
rfe
llf
romas
tal
act
it
e…a ndr
ightont
othe
j
adeboar
d,produci
ngasoundtha
tfel
toddl
yeuphor
ic…T
henanothe
r…a
ndanother
….

Wit
hhowec
hoeyt
hec
ave
’swa
ll
swer
e,i
twa
snowonde
rwhyt
heywe
rea
blet
ohe
art
hes
oundf
roms
o
f
araway
…

Squi
nti
nghise
yesatthejadeboar
d,Geral
dhadafeel
ingtha
tdest
roy
ingitwoul
donl
ytri
gge
ranot
her
tr
ap.Witht
hatinmind,a
ftersomethoug
ht,hee
ventual
lyset
tl
edontaki
ngoutashi
rtf
romhis
back
pack.

Fol
l
owingt
hat
,hec
aref
ull
yai
meda
tthej
adeboa
rd…a
ndwi
that
oss
,Ger
ald’
sshi
rtc
ompl
etel
ydr
aped
ove
rit
!

Whil
ehecoul
dn’
tsafel
ydes
troyi
t,i
tdi
dn’
tme
ant
hathec
oul
dn’
tst
opt
hedr
ippi
ngs
ounds
…ora
tlea
st,
t
hatwaswhathehoped.
Sta
ringanxi
ous
lya
sthene
xtdr
opofwat
erfel
lfr
omthest
alac
ti
teandr
api
dlydes
cendedt
owardthe
nowc over
edja
deboar
d…Gera
ldev
ent
uall
yfoundhi
msel
fheavi
ngasi
ghofre
li
efwhennosoundwas
made .

Nowt
hatt
hatwa
sdone
,Ge
ral
dqui
ckl
yrus
hedba
ckt
owhe
reRe
yandY
annwe
ret
oche
cki
nont
hem…

Uponrea
li
zingtha
tthetwowe r
esti
ll
inada
ze,
Ger
aldqui
ckl
ybe
gans
hak
ingt
hembyt
hei
rshoul
der
s
whil
eyel
li
ng,“Hey,s
napoutofi
t!”

T
hankf
ull
y,t
hatsee
medt
owork.Recov
eri
ngs
hort
lyaf
ter,Reys
hookhi
she
adbe
for
eas
kingi
nas
li
ght
ly
s
lug
gis
htone,“
…Huh…?Mr.
Cra
wf or
d…?I…Whathappened…?”

“Inde
ed,Geral
d…Wha tonea
rthhappenedbackt
here…?Thel
astt
hingI
rememberishea
ringa
pleas
antdr
ippi
ngs ound…Ever
ythi
ngaftert
hati
sfog
gyatbest
…”addedYann,
groa
ningashesl
owl
y
regai
nedhi
sbe ar
ings.

“Wel
l,
ess
enti
al
ly,bot
hofyoube
cameunres
ponsi
veaft
erhear
ingthes
oundsofdr
ippi
ngwa
ter
!Fr
om
wha
tIcante
ll
,thesoundst
hems
elv
eshadhypnot
icef
fec
ts!
”repl
ie
dGeral
d.

Nowg
ett
ingt
heg
istofwha
twa
sha
ppe
ning
,Re
ywa
spr
ompt
edt
oas
k,“
The
n,t
hes
ound…”

“
Don’tworry,
youwon’ tbehear
inganymoreoft
hatdr
ippi
ngforal
ongwhile!Rega
rdles
s,Ihavea
f
eeli
ngthatal
lthosepeopl
ewhopr evi
ousl
ydi
edher
epa s
sedoneuphor
ica
ll
y …Atleas
t,t
hat’swha
tI’
d
a
ssumes i
nceallofyouhadgoof
yg r
inswhi
ley
ouwereentra
ncedear
li
er…”expla
inedGeral
d.

“
…C-
comea
gai
n?E
uphor
ica
ll
y…?T
othi
nkt
hatwec
oul
d’v
edi
edl
i
ket
hata
swel
l
!”ex
cla
imedRe
yina
n
i
ncr
edul
oust
one
.

“
Indeed.Whatev
ert
hecas
eis,
wes houl
dresumefocusonfi
ndingtheex
it!
”repl
i
edGe
ral
d,notwa
nti
ng
t
os t
ayinthi
spla
cef
ora
nylongerf
orfeart
ha tmor
eda ng
ersawait
edthem.

Hear
ingthat,
thetwomennoddedbef
orecont
inui
ngt
osc
outt
hec
avet
oget
herwi
thGe
ral
d…
Tha
nk f
ull
y,Gera
ldwasa
blet
ofindanexi
tthi
sti
me!

“
Rey
,Ya
nn!Ov
erhe
re!
”ye
ll
edGe
ral
dast
heduoi
mme
dia
tel
yra
nov
ert
ose
ewha
twa
sup.

Upons
eei
ngt
hel
i
ghtc
omi
ngf
romt
heex
it
,Re
yandY
annwer
eri
ght
ful
l
yex
cit
ed.

“
Tha
nkgod!L
ooksli
kethe
r ereal
l
yisanotherex
it,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d!”e
xcl
ai
medRe
y,nowf
eel
i
ngl
i
kehe
c
oul
dtr
ustGer
aldwit
hjustaboutever
ything
.

Af
tera
ll
,bothReyandYannha
dpret
tymuc
hlos
thopeoff
indi
nga
nex
ite
arl
i
er.
Tha
nkst
oGer
ald,
they
werea
bletoseethel
ig
htofdaya
gai
n…!

Yannhimse
lfcoul
dn’
thelpbutprai
se,
“ Ama
zing
!Ihav
etos
ay,
not
hingi
simpos
sibl
ewi
thy
oua
round,
Geral
d!Regar
dles
s,l
et’
sgetoutofherewhi
lewecan!
”

“
Hol
dit
!”s
aidGer
aldt
hes
econdY
anns
ugg
est
edt
hat
.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r
Cha
pte
r1900

T
urni
ngt
olooka
tGe
ral
dins
urpr
is
e,Y
annc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuta
sk,
“Is
…somet
hingwr
ong
,Ger
ald?
”

“
Yea
h,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord!S
houl
dn’
twehur
rya
ndl
eav
eal
rea
dy?
”adde
dReyi
nac
onf
usedt
one
.

“
Hus
h.Ha
ndmeas
mal
lkni
fe,
Rey
!”or
der
edGer
ald.

Obey
ingGe
ral
d’swor
ds,
Reyr
etr
iev
edas
mal
lkni
fef
romhi
sbe
ltbe
for
eha
ndi
ngi
ttoGer
ald…

T
hes mal
lkni
fenowinhi
shand,
Geral
dthenwal
kedt
owardac
rys
tal
-c
lea
r,eme
ral
d-g
reenj
ade
—the
s
izeofachi
ckeneg
g—thatwasembeddedi
ntot
hewal
l…

F
oll
owingt
hat,Re
ya ndY
annwi
denedt
hei
rey
esa
sthe
ywa
tche
dGer
alds
kil
l
ful
l
yus
edt
hek
nif
etopr
y
t
hejadeof
fthewall
!

“
…H-
huh?Didn’
tyous
ayt
hatwes
houl
dn’
ttouc
hanyoft
hej
adesi
nhe
re,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d?!
”ex
cla
ime
d
t
hes
urpr
is
edRey.

Af
terpl
oppi
ngthej
adei
ntohispoc
ket
,Ger
alds
impl
yre
pli
ed,
“Tr
ue,
butbe
ari
nmi
ndt
hatt
her
eus
ual
l
y
ar
en’ta
nytr
apsnea
ranexit
!”

Wit
hthat,
Ge r
aldcont
inuedwa
lki
ngoutoft
hec
ave
,ca
usi
ngt
het
wos
tunnedme
ntoqui
ckl
ysna
pout
ofi
tbef
orerunningaf
terhi
m.
Thesecondal
lthr
eeoft
hemwer
eout
,Reyi
mmedi
ate
lyl
ook
eda
tthes
kybef
oret
aki
ngi
nade
epbr
eat
h
off
reshair
.

“T
hankg
odwe’
ref
ina
ll
youtoft
hatpl
ace!T
hea
irs
mel
l
ssomuc
hbe
tte
routhe
re!
”ex
cla
imedt
hej
ovi
al
Rey.

Whi
leYa
nnwasfee
li
ngjus
tasplea
s e
d,hecouldn’
thel
pbutf
aceGer
alda
shea
ske
d,“
Spe
aki
ngof
whi
ch…Whata
boutTyeandtheothers
,Ger
ald…?”

Ra
isi
ngas
li
ghtbr
ow,
Ger
alds
impl
yre
pli
ed,
“Wha
t?Doy
ous
ti
ll
expec
ttoobt
aina
llt
hatmone
yfr
om
hi
m?”

Uponhea
ringtha
t ,
Yannf
ell
sil
entf
oramomentbef
oresay
ing
,“…T
hat’
snotwhatImeant
…Essent
ial
l
y,
I
’mjus
twor r
iedandTyea
ndhismenwon’tl
etusof
ftha
teasi
l
yoncet
heyrea
li
zethatwe’
reg
one!”

“Hah!Wha tmakesyous
osuret
hatthey
’l
lf
indt
heexi
tanyt
imes
oon?I
assur
eyouthatbyt
het
imethey
f
inal
lygetout,
we’ll
bemile
sawayfr
omt hem!T
hey
’l
lneve
rbeabl
etocat
chuptous!
”repl
i
edGer
ald
wit
hac huckl
e.

Rea
li
zi
ngt
hatGe
ral
dha
dapoi
nt,
Yanns
impl
ynodded.

“
Nowt
hen…I
fther
e’snot
hingel
se,
let
’sg
etmov
inga
lrea
dy!
”adde
dGe
ral
d.

“
Butwhi
chdi
rec
ti
ons
houl
dwehe
adt
o,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?Af
tera
ll
,wedon’
tex
act
lyha
vet
hema
p!”
a
skedRe
y.

S
mil
i
ngs
mug
lyi
nres
pons
e,Ger
aldt
henr
epl
i
ed,
“Andwhowa
sitwhot
oldy
ouwedon’
tha
vet
hema
p?”
Unders
tandabl
ystunnedt
ohea
rthat,
ReyandY
annc
oul
donl
yst
arei
ncr
edul
ous
lya
tGer
alda
sthe
yout
hfis
he doutt
hema pfr
omhispoc
ket
!

“
…Wait,
didn’
tTy
eha
vet
hema
p?Howdi
dyoug
ety
ourha
ndsoni
t,Ge
ral
d?”a
ske
dthebewi
l
der
ed
Y
ann.

“Ha
h!Ig
otitwhi
letheywer
esti
ll
ent
ranc
ed!
”repl
i
edGeral
dwi
thas
mil
e,pr
ompt
ingY
annt
o
moment
ari
l
yfree
z ebef
oregi
vi
ngGer
aldt
wothumbsup!

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1901

“
Mygod!Yout
rul
yares
omethi
ngel
se,
Geral
d!”exc
lai
medYannina
we .
TothinkthatGer
aldha
dbee
n
a
blet
oremembert
oste
alT
ye’smapear
li
erdes
pit
ebeingi
nsuchast
res
sful
situa
tion!

Regardl
ess
,howspl
endi
d!Nowt
hatT
yea
ndt
heot
her
sdi
dn’
tha
vet
hema
p,t
hey
’ds
urel
ybeuna
blet
o
cont
inuethei
rse
arc
h!

“Wha t
everthec a
seis
,Tyeandhi
smenma yhavec
omehereforthetrea
sure,butwe’redif
fer
ent
.Wha t
wefindvaluabl
eisdif
fer
entfr
omthem.Witht
hati
nmind,
Iwa ntbothofyoutolist
enc a
reful
l
ytome .
Onceweg e tt
oourde s
ti
nati
on,y
oucan’
ttouc
hortak
eanyt
hingwithoutfi
rstask
ingformypermiss
ion!
DoIha v
emy s
elfcl
ear
?”sai
dGeral
d.

“
Goti
t,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord!
”repl
i
edRe
y.
“But…ifwedon’
ttakea
nythi
ngba
ck,t
henthi
stri
pwi l
lbeabi
tofawa
ste,
don’
tyout
hink
,Mr
.
Crawford…?
”mutte
redYanninas
li
ght
lyr
eluc
tanttone.

“Whil
eIwon’tr
epeatmysel
f,I
hopey
ouunder
sta
ndt
hatg
ree
donl
ylea
dst
orui
n,Y
ann,
”re
pli
edGe
ral
d,
prompti
ngY
annt of
all
sil
ent
.

Y
ann, f
orone,wa
sn’
taboutt
odi
sobe
yGe
ral
d’swor
ds.
Aft
era
ll
,hewa
swel
lawa
reofhowc
apa
blea
nd
s
trongGeral
dwas.

E
venso,g
ree
dwa
sdi
ff
ere
ntf
orev
ery
one
.Whi
l
esomema
ynotha
vei
tata
ll
,ot
her
ssi
mpl
yha
dendl
ess
g
reed…

E
itherwa
y,wi
tht
hats
aid,
thet
ri
othenr
esume
dthei
rjour
ney
…

I
twa
squi
teawhi
l
ela
terbe
for
eTy
eandhi
smenwoul
dfi
nal
l
ysna
poutf
romt
hei
rda
zes
.

S
oonrea
li
zi
ngthatGer
aldandhi
spart
ywere
n’tar
ound,
Tyer
ubbe
dhi
sgr
ogg
yfor
ehe
adbe
for
eas
king
,
“
Hey,
haveanyofyouseenGer
alda
ndhispar
ty…?”

Wat
chi
ngashiss
ubordi
nat
esshookthei
rheads
,area
li
zat
ions
uddenl
ycameac
ros
sTye,
prompti
ngthe
ma
ntofee
lhispock
et…anditwasatthatmomentwhenhenoti
cedt
hathi
smaphadbe
enstol
en!

“
Thatb*
star
d…!”scowledTy
e,c
aus
ingal
lofhi
sment
oimme
dia
tel
ybe
gine
xcha
ngi
ngg
lanc
es,
note
ven
s
urewhathadhappenedtomak
eTyethi
sangr
y.
Hai
l
ey—T y
e’ss
ecret
ary
—hers
elfqui
ckl
ywa
lke
dupt
othea
ngr
yma
nbe
for
eas
kingi
nac
onc
ernedt
one
,
“What
’swrong
,Chai
rmanL
ama no…?”

“
Ever
ythi
ng!T
othi
nkthatt
hosethr
eeb*s
tar
dswoul
dac
tua
ll
yda
ret
ost
eal
myma
p!”r
oar
edT
ye,
his
e
nti
refac
enowreddenedi
nfury
.

Thoughs
hewa smomenta
ril
yst
unned,Hai
leyquic
klysnappedoutofi
tbefor
erepl
yi
ng,
“Coul
d…the
y
perha
pshavetak
enthemaptoeasethei
rsearc
hfortheex i
t…?Aft
eral
l,
thelas
tIsa
wthem,the
ywere
headi
ngdeeperi
ntot
hecave…Maybethey’v
ea l
readyfoundtheexi
t!
”

Uponhea
ringt
hat
,Tyereali
zedthats
hema
des
ens
e.Wi
tht
hat
,hei
mme
dia
tel
yor
der
edhi
sment
o
begi
ngoi
ngdeepe
rint
ot hecave…

Shor
tl
yaf
ter
,thegroupgott
othedeepestpar
tofthec
avea
ndwe
repr
ompt
lyg
ree
tedbyt
hes
ightofa
boar
dofs
ortstha
twa sc
overedbyadrenche
ds hi
rt
…

BeforeTyecoul
dev
enbe g
inwonderi
ngwhatt
heshi
rtwasdoi
ngt
herefor
,oneofhi
ssc
outi
ng
subordi
nate
sc a
merus
hingbac
ka shere
por
ted,“
C-c
hair
manLamano!We’vef
oundanexi
tont
heot
her
si
de !
”

“
Sot
heyrea
ll
ydidst
eal
myma pandf
lee
!T hos
emotherf
*ck
ers
…!Pur
suet
hemi
mme
dia
tel
y!”r
oar
ed
t
hef
uri
ousTyea
sthegr
oupqui
ckl
yle
ftthecave…

Unf
ortuna
tel
yforTye
,Ge
ral
dandhi
spa
rtywer
enowher
ere
mot
elyc
los
etot
hec
avea
nymor
e,j
usta
s
Ger
aldhadpredi
ct
ed…
Regar
dle
ss,t
hetri
ohadjus
tcomeacr
ossast
reamwhenReys
ugges
ted,“
Say,whydon’
twetakeashor
t
res
there,Mr.Cr
awfor
d…?Aft
eral
l
,witht
hedis
tanc
ewe’v
ecove
red,i
t’
spret
tymuchimpos
sibl
efor
themtocatc
hupt ous
!”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1902

Heari
ngtha
t,Y
annt
henc
himedi
n,“
Indee
d!We
’vea
lre
adywa
lke
dfort
wohour
sany
way
.Let
’st
akea
shor
tres
t!”

Under
standingt
hatt
heduodi
dn’
thav
ehisst
ami
naa ndendur
anc
e,Ger
aldc
oul
donl
yag
reewi
tht
hem.
Af
teral
l,
ex haus
ti
ondur
ingaj
our
neywasbes
tav
oided…

Noddi
ng,
Ger
aldr
epl
i
ed,
“Sur
e,whynot
.Let
’st
akeas
hor
tbr
eak
!”

Wi
tht
hat
,thet
ri
osa
tbyt
hes
tre
amt
oenj
oyawel
l
-des
erv
edr
est
…

Whi
leGera
lddidn’
tdoanyt
hingi
npa
rti
cul
ar,
Reya
ndY
annbeg
anwa
shi
ngt
hei
rfa
ceswi
tht
hes
tre
am’
s
wat
erandevenbegandr
ink
ingit
.

However
,shor
tl
yaftert
heduoque
nchedt
heirt
hirs
t,Re
yhappenedtose
esomethi
ngstucka
tthe
bott
omofthecry
stal
-cl
ears
tre
am…Squi
nti
ngattheobj
ect
,hi
sey esi
mmedi
atel
ywidenedwhenhe
rea
li
zedwhati
twa s
.

S
tar
tl
edt
ohea
rReys
crea
mingoutoft
hebl
ue,
Ger
aldwa
simme
dia
tel
ypr
ompt
edt
oas
k,“
Wha
tisi
t?!
”
“M-Mr.
Cra
wford…!Lookther
e…!I
t…I
t’
sahuma
nbone
…!”r
epl
i
edt
hequi
ver
ingRe
yashei
mmedi
ate
ly
bac
kedawayf
romt hest
ream.

Uponhea
ringthat
,Yannqui
ckl
yranovert
ohavealook
…andoncehes
awt
hatReywasn’
tfi
bbi
ng,
Yann
andReyi
mme dia
telybeg
anvomit
ing.
Afte
ral
l
,theyhaddr
unkt
hesamewa
terwher
ethebonehad
beeni
n!

Ge
ral
dhi
msel
fca
lml
ywa
lkedt
owa
rdt
hes
trea
mbef
orepul
l
ingt
heboneout
…

I
nspe
c t
ingi
t,Ger
aldc
ouldn’
thel
pbuts
ay,
“Howodd…Ar
andomhuma
nbonei
nthewa
ter
…?Coul
d
s
ome onehavedi
edhere…?”

Af
terl
ook
inga
titf
orawhi
l
elong
er,
Ger
aldr
eal
i
zeds
ome
thi
nguns
ett
li
ng.

“…Hey,c
omel ookatthi
s!Thewaythebonesnappedcoul
dn’tha
vebeendonebyanotherpers
on…
Aft
eral
l,i
tlooksl
ikei
twa sdamage
dbys ome
t hi
ngfer
alonthehunt
…”mut t
eredGer
ald,prompti
ngRe
y
toqui
ckl
ybe gi
nlooki
ngaround.

“
…A-
arey
ous
ugg
est
ingt
hatt
her
e’saf
ier
cebea
stl
urk
inga
round,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…?
”st
utt
eredRe
y.

“
Mostli
kely
!”repli
edGe
ral
dwi
thanodashegotupfromhi
ssqua
tti
ngpos
it
ionbe
for
etos
singt
hebone
a
way
. Natural
l
y,thi
squi
ckl
yma
deReyandYannnerv
ous.

“
T-t
henlet
’shur
ryandl
eav
ethi
spl
ace
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…!
”sa
idRe
y,notwa
nti
ngt
hef
ier
cebea
stt
o
s
uddenl
yambushthem.
Noddi
ngi
nre
sponse,Ger
aldwa
sjus
taboutt
obeg
inl
eav
ingt
hea
reawi
thhi
spa
rty
…whena
llofa
sudde
n,t
het
ri
ofroze.

Aft
eral
l
,al
lthr
eeoft
hemha
dnot
ic
edt
hataf
ang
edmons
terwa
sgl
ari
ngs
tra
ighta
tthemnott
oof
ar
away…!

Whi
lenei
the
rofthemmadeas
oundi
nthefi
rstf
ews
econds
,ev
ent
ual
l
y,Re
ywa
sn’
tabl
etohol
dba
ck
f
romwhis
peri
ng,
“ M-Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…Whatnow-”

“
Hus
h!”whi
spe
redGe
ral
dinr
etur
nashepl
acedhi
spa
lmov
erRe
y’smout
h.

Fol
l
owi
ngthat
,Ger
aldgestur
edfort
heduot os
lowlyi
nchthei
rwaytothes
ide
,notwant
ingtoa
lar
m
t
hebeas
t.Whi
lemakingt
heirmove,al
lthr
eeofthemkeptaneyeonthemonst
er,
notwanti
ngi
ttoget
afr
eec
hancetoa
mbus hthem…

Howev
er,
the
yha
donl
yta
kenaf
ews
tepswhe
nthemons
ters
udde
nlyl
etouta
nea
r-pi
erc
ingr
oar
!

“
Godd*mni
t!I
tsoundsa
ngr
ytoo!Run!
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1903

Hea
ringGe
ral
d’sor
der
,Reya
ndY
anni
mme
dia
tel
ybeg
anbol
ti
nga
wayf
romt
hes
cene
.
Unf
ort
una
tel
yfort
hem,
the
irs
udde
nmov
ementonl
yse
rvedt
oma
ket
hemons
tere
venmor
eex
cit
ed!

Real
i
zingt
hatt
hemonst
erha
dit
sey
esonhi
m,Reybe
ganr
unni
nge
venf
ast
era
shey
ell
ed,
“P-
ple
ase
st
opchasi
ngaf
terme…!
”

Asexpect
ed,al
ltha
tshout
ings
impl
yca
use
dthebea
stt
oinc
rea
sei
tss
peeda
sitc
ont
inue
dbol
ti
ng
towa
r dRey!

Real
i
zingt
hatt
hemonsterwa
snowinchesa
wayf
romRe
y,Ger
aldqui
ckl
ysummonedt
heAs
tra
bys
s
Swordbef
oret
oss
ingi
ttowar
dthebea
s t
!

T
hes
econdt
hes
wor
dsuc
ces
sful
l
ycutt
hroug
hthemons
ter
’sf
les
h,i
tletoutami
ght
yroa
rofpa
in!

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,itt
urne
dtog
lar
eatGer
aldbef
orec
har
gingf
orhi
mnex
t!

Des
pit
ehowi
nti
mida
tingi
twa
s,Ger
aldk
epthi
scool
andr
esummone
dthebl
adei
ntohi
sha
nd.

Oncet
hemonst
erwasonl
yafews
tepsa
wayf
romhi
m,Ge
ral
d—whoha
dpos
it
ione
dhi
mse
lft
ost
ri
keby
now—bol
tedt
owardi
taswel
l
!

Duck
inge xact
lyi
nf r
ontofthemonst
er,
Geral
dma nag
e dt
ogetri
ghtunder
neathi
t…a nds
eei
ngthe
per
fectchance,Geral
dthenrai
sedhi
sswor
d,caus
ingthemonst
ertoli
ter
all
yguti
ts
elfasi
tss
li
cedope
n
bel
l
yr anthroughtheblade!

Withbl
oodgus
hingal
lovert
hepl
ace
,themons
terr
ele
ase
donef
ina
lroa
rbef
oref
loppi
nghe
avi
l
yint
oa
puddl
eofi
tsownblood…
S
eei
ngt
hatGe
ral
dha
dma
nag
edt
ota
kei
tdown,
Reya
ndY
anni
mmedi
ate
lybr
eat
heds
ighsofr
eli
ef.

Qui
ckl
yret
urni
ngt
oGer
ald’
ssi
de,
Reyi
nst
ant
lya
ske
dinac
onc
ernedt
one
,“A-
arey
oua
lri
ght
,Mr
.
Cr
awfor
d…?”

Put
ti
nga
wayt
hes
wor
d,Ge
ral
dthe
ntur
nedt
ofa
ceRe
ybef
orer
epl
yi
ng,
“I’
mfi
ne!
”

T
houghneit
herofthemsai
dit
,the
ywerebothr
eli
evedt
hatt
heyha
dGe ra
ldwit
hthem.Other
wis
e,
t
heywoul
d’vesurel
yendedupasmons
terf
ood!Thi
nki
ngbac
k,t
hei
rboneswoul
dproba
blyendupin
t
heri
veraswell
…

S
ha k
ingt
heter
ri
fy
ingthoughtof
f,Reyt
henstar
edati
tsc
a r
cas
sbefor
emut
ter
ing
,“…Wha
tthehe
llev
en
i
sthatbe
ast
…?Whi l
eIwa ntt
ocalli
tat
iger
,iti
sn’
tex
act
lyoneei
ther
!”

Af
tergi
vi
ngthemonsterabett
erl
ook,
thetr
iosa
wthatthehi
deousbeas
thadtwol
ongandt
hinf
ang
s
i
nitsmout
h.Whil
eitdidsl
ig
htl
yres
embleati
ger
,ev
eryoneknewthatt
hatwas
n’tt
heca
se.

“…Youknow,i
tsor
tofl
ooksli
keTaot
ie…don’tyouthi
nk?Thatmythol
ogi
cal
monste
r?Butthat
’sj
ust
nonsens
e…There’
snowayitcoul
dexis
t,r
ight
…? ”s
aidYanna
fterobse
rvi
ngitf
oral
it
tl
elonger
.

Uponhear
ingt
hat
,Reyl
ookedl
i
kehewante
dtosays
omething
.Howev
er,Ger
aldbe
athi
mtoi
tand
re
pli
ed,
“Andwhycoul
dn’
tit
?Aft
era
ll
,i
fghost
sca
nexis
t,whynotT
aot
ies
?”
Heari
ngGera
ld’
ssta
tement
,Re
ycoul
dn’
thel
pbutnod.
Aft
era
ll
,si
nceg
hos
tsex
ist
ed,
pre
ttymuc
h
eve
rythi
ngel
secoul
dexi
st.

Atthatmome
nt,
agr
oupofpl
ai
nl
ydr
ess
edpe
opl
esuddenl
yrus
hedoutf
romt
hef
ore
sta
nds
urr
ounded
thetr
io!

Whil
etheyini
ti
al
lyke
ptfir
mgazesonGeral
dandhi
spar
ty,
uponsee
ingt
hedea
dTaot
ieont
heground,
t
heyins
tantl
yappear
e ds
hock
edbefor
elooki
ngbac
katt
hethreemenwi
thf
ear
ful
eye
s…Itwasa
lmos t
ast
houghtheywerelook
inga
tstr
angeani
ma l
s…

Reg
ardl
ess
,theg
roupofpe
opl
ewer
en’
ttheonl
yoness
hoc
ked.

T
hetri
ofoundthemsel
vessur
pri
sedaswel
lwhentheyr
eali
zedt
hata
llt
hepeopl
ewe
rewe
ari
ng
t
radi
ti
onal
garments
.Infac
t,‘
anc
ient
’wasproba
blyabet
terwor
d…

T
houghthe
rewa
sabr
iefs
il
enc
e,a
nol
dma
n—hol
di
ngont
oawa
lki
ngs
ti
ck—s
oonwa
lkedoutf
romt
he
c
rowd…

Moment
ari
lyl
ook
inga
tthef
res
hca
rca
ss,
theol
dma
nthe
nas
ked,
“…I
fIma
y,wher
edi
dyouc
omef
rom,
ge
ntl
emen…?”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1904

S
nappi
ngoutofi
twhenhehear
dthec
onfus
edel
der
lyman’squest
ion,Ger
aldthenr
epl
ied,
“…Wel
l
…we
c
amefromtheot
hersi
deoft
hemountai
n…Bef
orea
nythi
nge l
se,
couldyoupleas
etel
luswher
ewear
e
a
ndwha
tthi
smons
teri
s…?
”

“…Ah,
I…see…Wel
l
,thatmons
terthe
reiscal
l
edaTaoti
e…Befor
eyouki
l
ledi
t,i
tli
veddee
pint
he
mount
ainsa
ndwa
sk nownf
orbeingext
remel
yfe
roc
ious!
”re
plie
dtheol
dman.

Uponhear
ingthat
,Ger
alda
ndhispa
rtyex
chang
edg
lanc
eswi
the
achot
her
.AsY
annha
dea
rli
erg
ues
sed,
thec
rea
tureturne
douttor
eal
l
ybeaT aot
ie…

“
MaybeI
mis
hear
d,butyousa
idt
het
hreeofyouc
omef
romt
heot
hers
ideoft
hemount
ain…?
”added
t
heol
dman,
hist
onehint
inga
thi
sdi
sbel
i
ef.

Asa
llt
hre
eoft
hemnodde
dinr
espons
e,Ge
ral
dre
pli
ed,
“Youhea
rdr
ight
!”

S
eeingt
hatt
hos
efr
omthec
rowdimme
dia
t el
ybeg
andi
scussi
ngt
hatf
act
,Reyc
oul
dn’
thel
pbutr
ais
ea
s
li
ghtbr
owasheas
ked,
“…I
s…the
rear
easonwhyyoua
llsounds
oshock
ed…?”

Heari
ngt
hatque
stion,theol
dma nquick
lyexplained,
“Well…yousee,
nobody’severbeenabletoc
ome
overt
othi
ssi
deoft hemountai
n…Af t
erall
,there’satr
a pt
her
ethathypnoti
cal
lyensna
resanyonewho
tr
iest
ocomeover!Wi t
hthatsa
id,howonea rthdidallofy
ouevenma naget
oma k
eitacros
sinone
pi
ece…?”

I
twa
scl
eart
hatt
heol
dma
nwa
sref
err
ingt
othej
adeboa
rdi
nthehy
pnot
icc
avef
romea
rli
er…

Wha t
everthecasewa s
,Ger
aldsi
mpl
ysmi
l
eds
ubt
lybef
orer
epl
yi
ng,
“Le
t’sj
usts
aywea
ren’
ttoos
ure
abouttha
te i
the
rr i
ghtnow,s
ir.
”

“
Wel
l
,ify
ouma
nag
edt
oac
hie
ves
uchama
gni
fi
centf
eatwi
thoute
venpa
yinga
tte
nti
ont
oit
,itwoul
dn’
t
beas t
ret
chtocal
lall
thr
eeofy
ouwis
emen!Si
nceyou’
real
rea
dyher
eanyway,
comeal
ongtoour
vi
ll
age!All
owustoindul
gey
ouforma
nag
ingt
og e
ttothi
ssi
deoft
hemounta
in!
”dec
lar
edtheol
dman
i
naj ovi
alt
one.

Seei
ngnoha
rminthat
,Gera
lda
ndhi
spa
rtyt
henf
oll
owe
dtheol
dma
n—a
ndt
hec
rowdof
peopl
e—bac
ktothei
rvi
ll
age
…

Uponarr
iving,t
hetri
osawthatt
hevil
l
agelooke dexac
tlylik
eone sthatc
ouldbefoundinhis
tor
ybook
s.
Theya
lsoc ametolea
rntha
tthepeopl
ehe r
el edli
veswher etheywokeea rl
ytoworkandturne
dinas
soona
ss unsetcame.Fr
omthosetwofac
tsalone,i
tbeca mee vi
dentthatthepeopl
eherehadli
ved
compl
etelysepar
atefr
omtheoutsi
deworldforma ny,ma nyyears…

“
…S a
y…do…y outhi
nkwecoul
d’v
etime-t
rav
eled,Mr.
Cra
wford…?”whi
sper
edRe
yal
ongt
hewa
y,
f
indi
ngev
ery
thingher
etobetoobiz
arr
etobelongtot
hepre
sent.

“
Nega
tiv
e.I
’msur
ethatthi
spla
c ei
sjus
tautopi
atha
tca
met
obes
inc
eitwa
scutof
ffr
omt
her
estof
t
heworl
dqui
teear
lyon…”repl
iedGeral
d.

Aft
era
ll
,ift
heytr
ulyha
dtime-
tra
v e
led,t
hent
heirphoneswoul
dn’
tst
il
lha
ves
igna
ls!T
hatwa
shones
tl
y
themai
nreasonwhyGera
ldwassuretha
tRey
’shypothe
siswaswr
ong.

Reg
ardl
ess
,af
terhe
ari
ngwha
tGe
ral
dha
dtos
ay,
Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbuta
gre
e…

Bytheti
metheygottot
heoldman’
shous
e,t
heenti
revi
ll
agewasa
lrea
dya buz
zwit
hnewsa bout
out
side
rs’a
rri
val
.Af
tera
ll
,noneoft
hemhadevermetpe
oplefr
omtheothersi
deofthemountai
n
bef
ore!

Onc
ethe
ywer
eins
ide,
Ger
aldi
mme
dia
tel
yas
ked,
“Spea
kingofwhi
ch…Hows
houl
dwea
ddr
essy
ou,
s
ir
…?”

“Ah,wel
l
,IgobySt
antonL
inga
rd,
andI’
mthechie
fofthi
svi
ll
age!I
ncas
ey ouwerewonder
ing,t
his
pla
ceisc
all
edMoonbeamVil
l
age!
”repl
i
edSt
antonasGeral
d,Rey,
andYannnoddedunder
sta
ndingl
y.

“
Apl
eas
uret
ome
ety
ou,
Chi
efL
ing
ard!T
houg
h…whyMoonbe
am…?
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1905

Uponhea
ringRe
y’sque
sti
on,
Sta
ntoni
mme
dia
tel
ychuc
kle
dbef
orer
epl
yi
ng,
“You’
l
lfi
ndoutonc
eni
ght
comes
!”

Hea
ringt
hat
,Re
ycoul
donl
yshr
ugi
nre
spons
e.

Rega
rdl
ess
,itwa
sn’
tlongbef
oret
hev
il
la
ger
sbr
oug
hta
llk
indsoff
ooda
nddr
ink
sov
ert
oSt
ant
on’
s
home.

Aftert
heypla
cedal
ltheg
oodie
sinf
rontofGer
aldandhi
spar
ty,
Stant
onsmil
edbef
oredec
lar
ing
,
“Come,havesomef
ood!All
ofyoumustbefa
mishedandex
haust
edafte
rtr
avel
i
ngsuchal
ongwa y
!”

Be
for
eGer
aldc
oul
dev
ens
ayawor
d,Re
yimme
dia
tel
yre
pli
ed,
“Wel
lyea
h,I
’ms
tar
ving
!Tha
nky
ouf
or
ha
vingus
,chi
ef!
”

Bytheti
meGer al
dturnedt osta
rehe l
ples
slya
tRey, Re
ywa salr
eadybusyst
uff
inghismouthwithfood.
Aft
erall
,thetr
iohadn’teatenanyt
hingformostoftheda y
,andbeingayoungma n,Rey
‘sappeti
tewa s
nothi
ngshortofvor
acious.St
il
l,
withhowqui c
klyhewa seati
ng,Gera
ldfel
ttha
tithonest
lywasn’ta
st
retc
htha thi
shungercouldri
valt
ha tofahungryghostwhohadn’teat
enforacentur
y…Wha twashe
goi
ngtodowi ththi
sboy …

S
hak
inghi
shea
d,Ge
ral
dthenbe
gane
ati
nga
swe
ll
,fol
l
owe
dbyY
anns
hor
tl
yaf
ter
.

S
tant
onhi
mse
lfwa
ssmi
l
inga
thowqui
ckl
yReywa
smunc
hingdownont
hef
ood…

Aft
ereat
ingf
orawhile,Ge
raldcl
earedhi
sthr
oatbef
orea
ski
ng,
“Spe
aki
ngofwhi
ch,
chi
ef…Doy
ou
knowofanyotherc
avesonthismountai
n…?”

S
urpri
sedbyt
heoddque
sti
on,
Sta
ntonr
epl
i
ed,
“A…c
ave?Whywoul
dyoubel
ook
ingf
orac
aveofa
ll
t
hing
s…?”

“
We l
l,
thethr
eeofushaveact
uall
ybeentr
yingtolookforsomet
hingi
mport
ant…Fromwhatwe’
ve
g
ather
ed,t
hatthi
ngcanmostprobabl
ybefoundinac a
v eonthi
smounta
in!
”repl
i
edGeral
d,mak
ing
s
urenott
og i
vetoomuchinf
ormati
onaway.

“
Oh?Ise
e!We l
l
,ra
thert
han‘
a’c
ave,wehavequi
teaf
ewoft
hemhere!Unf
ort
unat
ely
,tha
tal
somea
ns
t
hatI
don’tk
nowwhic
honeyou’
reref
err
ingt
o!”r
epl
ie
dSt
ant
oninanapol
oget
ict
one.
“
Ise
e…t
hen…a
mongt
hem,
aret
her
eanyt
hata
repa
rti
cul
arl
yspe
cia
l…?
”as
kedGe
ral
d.

“
Speci
alyousay
…Wel l
…onec avecomestomind…IfIr
ecal
lcor
rect
ly,t
hecav
ehadala
rgewal
lofs
tone
c
overi
ngitsmas
siv
eentr
ance…Howe ver,
Idi
dn’tr
eall
ypryi
ntoits
incenig
htwass
oontocomeatt
he
t
ime…”repli
edSt
antonaf
tert
hinki
ngforawhi
le.

“
Hmm…Doy
ous
ti
ll
remembe
rwhe
ret
hatc
avei
sloc
ated?
”sa
idGe
ral
d,hi
sint
eres
tcl
ear
lypi
que
d.

“
Giv
emeamomentt
othi
nk…”r
epl
i
edS
tant
ona
shebe
ganr
ack
inghi
smemor
y…

Qui
teawhil
elat
er,
Stent
onsuddenl
yra
isedhishe
adbeforedec
lar
ing,
“Whil
eIca
n’tr
eme mberwher
e
i
tsex
actl
ocat
ioni
s,Idor
eca
llthatt
woma ss
ivepi
ll
arss
tandbef
oretheca
ve’
sentr
ance!Y
ouc an’
tmi
ss
t
hem!”

Whi
let
hatst
ate
mentonl
ydesc
ribedwha
tthec
ave
’sent
ranc
elook
edl
i
ke,
Ger
aldwa
sjus
tpl
eas
edt
hat
her
ece
ivedacl
uei
nthef
irs
tpl
ac e.

“
Gotit
!Tha
nkyou,
chi
ef!We
’l
lst
artl
ook
ingf
ori
tfi
rs
tthi
ngi
nthemor
ning
!”r
epl
i
edGer
aldi
na
g
rat
uit
oust
one.

Chuc
kli
ngi
nrepl
y,S
tant
ont
hens
aid,
“You’
remos
twe
lcome
!”

Fol
l
owingtha
tconv
ers
ati
on,
itwa
sn’
tlongbe
for
eni
ghtf
ell
andabr
ightc
res
centmoone
nvel
ope
d
MoonbeamVil
la
geinaca
lmi
nggl
ow…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r
Cha
pte
r1906

Contr
arytothehust
leandbustl
eofaty
picalc
it
y’sni
ghtl
i
fe,theseconddar knessfel
l
,theenti
revi
ll
age
wentdeads i
l
ent.E
veryonesi
mplyrema
inedinthei
rhomesa ndturnedtheirlights
ourcesout
,noteve
n
bothe
ringtogoagai
nstthenorm.T
heytrul
ywereliv
ingl
ikepeoplefroma ncientti
me s
…

Someti
meduri
ngthenig
ht,Reycoul
dn’
the
lpbutwhi
sper
,“…S
ay…Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?Doy
our
eal
l
ythi
nk
we’l
lbeabl
etof
indthecav
e …?”

“
Wel
l
,ba
sedont
hec
hie
f’sde
scr
ipt
ion,
its
houl
dn’
tbet
ooha
rdt
ofi
nd!
”repl
i
edGer
ald.

“I
gues
s…I wonde
rifT
yea
ndhi
smenha
vel
eftt
hec
avebyt
hispoi
nt…”mut
ter
edRe
y,ahi
ntofwor
ryi
n
hi
svoi
ce.

“
Theypr
oba
blyha
ve.
Aft
era
ll
,ev
enwewe
rea
blet
oloc
atet
hee
xitr
athe
rea
sil
y!”s
aidGe
ral
dinac
alm
t
one
.

Geral
d,f
orone,was
n’tworr
iedaboutTy
eatal
l.Sowhati
fthe
ymana
gedtog
etout?Ger
alda
ndhis
par
tywerepret
tymuchalwaysgoi
ngtobeaste
pa he
adofthema
nyway
.Wit
hthatinmi
nd,t
hem
ca
tchi
nguptothetr
iowasimprobabl
eatbes
t.

T
henaga
in,
eve
nift
heydi
dma
nag
etoc
atc
hupt
othem,
itwa
sn’
tast
houg
hGe
ral
dcoul
dn’
tta
keon
t
hem.

Wha
tev
ert
hec
asewa
s,a
fte
rcha
tti
ngabi
tlong
er,
thet
wof
ina
ll
ydec
ide
dtohi
ttheha
y…
Notl
ongaft
ert
hesunbega
nt or
is
e,knoc
kingcoul
dbehea
rdont
het
ri
o’sdoora
sthec
hief
’sf
ami
l
iar
voi
ceca
ll
edout
,“Morni
ng,ge
ntl
emen!Areyoua l
lup?
”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Ger
aldi
nst
ant
lyg
otoutofbe
dbef
orewa
lki
ngov
ert
othedoor
.

Openi
ngi
t,Ge
ral
dthe
nsmi
l
eds
ubt
lya
sher
epl
i
ed,
“Wel
lyou’
reea
rly
,chi
ef!
”

Chuckl
i
nginres
ponse,St
ant
onthe
ns ai
d,“Al
lofusher
ear
ejustear
lyr
ise
rs!Reg
ardl
ess
,I’
mheret
ote
ll
youthatwe’
reent
eringt
hemountai
nlat
er.Wit
hthati
nmind,
I wonde
rifyou’
dli
ketocomea
longwi
th
us!
”

“Oh?Butofcourse!Ple
asegi
veusamoment
,chief
!We’l
lbepac
kedupandr
eadyi
nnoti
me!
”repl
ie
d
Geral
d,nowlookingmuc hmor
epumpedup.
Afteral
l,
they’
dsur
elyha
veamuchea
sie
rti
mef
indi
ngtha
t
cavewit
hSta
nt on’shel
p.

“Ther
e’snorush!Al
so,I
’v
eal
readyhadsomeonepr
epa
rebr
eak
fas
tfory
ou,
sowe’
l
lonl
ybes
ett
ingof
f
onceyou’v
ea l
lhadyourmea
ls!
”sai
dS t
anton.

“Isee
!I fIhav
en’ts
aidita
lrea
dy ,
wereal
lyappreci
atebei
nginy
ourcar
e!”repl
i
edGera
ldinagra
tui
tous
tone.Afteral
l
,notonlyhadStant
onpers
onall
yc omeovertowaket
hem,buthehadevengotot
her
sto
preparebreakf
astf
orthem!Itwouldberudeifhedidn’
tshowappr
eci
ati
ontowar
dStant
on’s
thoughtful
ness!

Reg
ardl
ess
,wi
tht
hats
aid,
Ger
aldqui
ckl
ywok
etheot
her
sup…

Onc
ethe
ywer
edonepa
cki
ng,
theyhe
adedov
ert
othev
il
la
gec
hie
f’shous
eandha
dal
avi
shbr
eak
fas
t…
Thi
sdi
dn’
tta
kel
ong
,ands
oonenoug
h,t
hepa
rtyoft
hre
ese
tof
ffort
hemount
ainswi
thS
tant
ona
ndhi
s
men…

Bei
ngaboutthr
eethousandfeetabovese
alevel
,themount
ainwasc
onsi
dera
blyhi
gha
ndwa sr
ather
di
ff
ic
ulttohi
ke.HadSta
nt onnotbeenther
etoleadtheway
,Gera
ldandhi
spart
ywoul
d’v
esure
lyhada
muchroughe
rtimenavi
ga ti
ngthemountai
n…

Ev
enso,t
hatdi
dn’
tmeanthatt
hehi
kewasea
sy.Reyhi
mse
lf—whowas
n’tus
edt
ohi
ki
ng—c
oul
dn’
t
hel
pbutc
omplai
n,“
T-t
hishi
kei
sabi
ttoor
ough,
isn’
tit
,Mr
.Cra
wfor
d…?”

“
Itcoul
d’v
ebeenmuc
hroug
heri
fwedi
dn’
tha
vet
hec
hief
’sg
uida
nce
!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d,c
aus
ingRe
yto
i
nst
a nt
lys
hutup…

Cha
pte
r1907

“Hah!Justs
oyouk now, t
he redi
dn’
tevenusetobearoadonthi
smountai
n!Thi
sfoot
pathhe
reist
he
produc
tofusma ppingoutt hemountai
nforyear
s!T
hispat
hiscons
ider
abl
yeasy
,youknow?Someof
themor edi
ff
ic
ultt
er r
ainsrequir
eustocl
imb!”sc
owledSta
nton—whowa st
aki
ngthelea
d—inajoki
ng
tone.

Whil
ethetri
oa ppre
c i
ate
dt heol
dma n’sl
ight
-he
a r
tednes
s,i
tdidn’
tcha
ngethefa
ctt
hatal
lthi
shi
king
wasachal
l
eng eforthem. E
v e
nso,theywerewellawaretha
tthiswast
heonlywayt
heyweregoi
ngto
beabl
etolocatethatcave…Astheysaid,
‘Nopain,nogai
n…’

Regardl
ess,a
fteraboutanhouroft
rekki
ng,t
hegroupfi
nall
yarr
ivedata
na reawit
hr el
ati
vel
yfla
tland.
Judgi
ngfromhowhi ghupt
hemount a
inthe
ywere, t
heywerepossi
bl
yhalfwayupthemount ai
na swel
l.
Wi t
hthatinmind,looki
ngdownatthedeepval
l
ey —thatwasnowhundredsoffeetbel
owt hem—would
ma keanyonefeel
g iddy
…
Jus
tasal
lthr
eeoft
hemweretry
inghar
dnottothi
nkabouthowhightheywer
e,t
heyqui
ckl
ysna
ppe
d
outofi
twhenSt
antonc
all
edout
,“Gent
lemen!T
hat’
sthecaver
ightther
e!”

Turni
ngtolookatwher
eSt
ant
onwaspoi
nti
ng,
thet
hre
emencoul
dimmedi
ate
lyseethet
wos tone
pil
l
a r
sst
andingbef
oret
hebl
ock
edc
a v
eentr
ance…I
twasex
act
lyl
i
kehowSt
antonhaddesc
ribe
dt he
nig
htbefor
e…

S
eeingthatt
hiswast
hei
rst
op,Gera
ldthennoddedbef
ores
ayi
ng,“
Soitwoul
dsee
m!T
hanky
ouf
or
g
uidingusupti
ll
thi
spoi
nt,
chi
ef!We’l
lbeheadi
ngthe
reonourownnow!”

“Goti
t!Spea
kingofwhi
ch,dobecar
efuli
nther
e…Oncey
ou’
vel
oca
tedwha
tev
eri
tisy
ou’
rel
ook
ingf
or,
doret
urntothevil
l
age!
”repl
iedS
tantoni
nak i
ndv
oic
e.

“L
oudandcle
ar!Weappreci
ateal
lthehos
pit
ali
ty,
chi
ef!
”de
cla
redGe
ral
dandhi
spa
rtyi
nuni
sonbef
ore
bi
ddi
nggoodbyeandhe
adingtowardthec
ave…

St
anton—andt
heot
herv
il
la
ger
s—t
hems
elv
esc
ont
inuedont
hei
rownj
our
neyf
urt
herupt
he
mountai
n…

Rega
rdles
s,uponst
andi
ngbeforethemouthoft
hesea
led-upca
ve,
Reycouldn’
thel
pbuts
ay ,
“That
’s
onema s
siv
estonewal
lblocki
ngtheent
ranc
e…Sti
ll
…Doy outhi
nkt
her
e’ssomek i
ndofmechani
smto
geti
ttoopen,Mr.Cr
awford…?”

“
Ido,
andI
’mpr
ett
ysur
eit
’sa
roundhe
res
omewher
e,”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d.
“
The
nwha
tar
ewewa
iti
ngf
or?L
et’
shur
rya
ndf
indi
t!
”de
cla
redY
anni
nane
nthus
ias
ti
ctone.

Al
lnoddi
ngi
nagr
eement,
thet
hreet
henbeg
ans
ear
chi
ngt
hea
rea
…ands
oone
noug
h,t
heyf
oundt
he
mechani
smt
heywerel
ooki
ngf
or…

“…Say
…does n’
ttheme c
hani
smre
sembleTheEi
ghtDiag
rams…?T heonef
romF
engS
hui
…?Ha
vey
ou
hea
rda bouti
t,Mr.Cr
awfor
d…?”a
skedReyashelook
eda tGer
ald.

Noddings
li
ght
lyinr
esponse,
Geral
dthenrepl
i
ed,“Iha
ve.Whi
leI
’mnotpa
r t
ic
ular
lyk
nowledge
abl
ein
thear
tofFengShui
,IdoknowthatTheEi
ghtDia
gra
msa r
eals
oknownastheeig
htdoor
s,andeac
h
doorbear
sdif
fer
entmeaning
s!”

Fr
omthel
ooksofi
t,t
heonl
ywa
ythe
ywer
egoi
ngt
ogett
hec
avet
oope
nwa
sbys
olv
ingt
hisF
engS
hui
-
bas
edpuz
zle…

“I
se e
…but …ife
venyoudon’
tknowmuchaboutFe
ngShui
,thendoe
sn’
ttha
tme
ant
hatwe
’vehi
ta
dead-end…?
”mut t
ere
dYanni
nas l
i
ght
lyde
featedt
one.

“I
t’
sst
illt
ooea r
lytogi
veup!Whil
eit’st
ruethatIdon’tknowmuc haboutFengS hui,I
beli
evethat
whoeverma dethi
scont
rapt
ionwouldn’
thavema deent r
yintothec
a v
ea l
lthatdiff
ic
ult.
Afte
ra l
l
,the
har
dpa r
tisusuall
yget
ti
ngoutofsuchareas
.Wi t
htha ti
nmi nd,
I’msurewec a
na tl
eastmakeiti
nsidei
f
wejus
tus eourheads!
”repl
i
edGe ra
ldashelookeda tthetwo.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1908
Wi
tht
hats
aid,
Ger
aldt
henbe
gang
ivi
ngT
heE
ightDi
agr
amsac
los
erl
ook
…

Af
tert
hink
ingf
orawhil
e,heevent
uall
yexcl
ai
me d,
“It
hinkIg
etitnow!TheEig
htDiag
ramsis
n’tt
he
mecha
nismatal
l!F
romwha tI
’v
egathere
d,i
t’sacl
uet
ha twi
l
lleadust
ot hemecha
nismins
tead!
”

Bef
oretheot
hert
wocoul
dev
enreply
,Gera
ldwasa
lre
adyl
ook
ingf
ort
hemec
hani
sma
ccor
dingt
othe
pos
it
ionsoft
heel
ement
sonTheE
ightDi
agrams
…

“
Thel
efta
ndr i
ghts
idess
ymbol
iz
ewate
r ,
wher
east
hef
ronta
ndbacksymbol
izef
ir
e…”mut
ter
edGer
ald
a
shecont
inuedkee
pinganey
eoutonthemec
hani
sm…andeve
ntual
l
y,hefoundi
t.

T
ha nk
ful
ly
,Ge r
aldhadmi
nork
nowledgeaboutFengShui
.Otherwi
se,t
heywould’
veneverbee
na bl
eto
f
indit
!Sti
l
l,Geral
dknewhewasa
lsocons
iderabl
yluc
kythatthepuz
zletoope
ningtheentr
ancewasthi
s
s
imple…

Rega
rdl
ess
, nowt
hatt
hemechani
smwasinsi
ght
,Ge
ral
dqui
ckl
ytwi
st
edi
t…a
ndmome
ntsa
fte
rhedi
d,
thel
arg
estonewal
lbeg
ans
ha k
ingvi
gor
ousl
y…!

S
hor
tl
yaf
ter
,thewa
llpa
rtedi
nthemi
ddl
e,a
ndi
tswungope
nli
ket
woma
ssi
vedoor
s…

St
ari
ngwide
-eyeda
tthedar
kpa s
sagewa
ybef
oret
hem,
forabr
iefmome
nt,
all
thet
ri
ocoul
ddowa
s
ex
chang
eg l
anc
eswithea
chother…

Y
annwa
sthef
ir
stt
obr
eakt
hes
il
enc
eashee
xci
tedl
yex
cla
ime
d,“
Y-y
oudi
dit
,Ger
ald…!
”

Whi
lethi
swa sc
ert
ainl
ysomet
hingt
ocel
ebr
ate,t
hethr
eekne
wt hatt
hei
rjour
neywa
sfa
rfr
omov
er.
Wi
ththat
,theyimmedia
tel
ybeganmak
ingt
heirwayi
ntot
hecav
e …
Thes
econdtheyenter
ed,howeve
r,t
hela
rgedoor
soft
hecaveins
tant
lybeg
anc
los
inga
gai
n…AsGer
ald
hadex
pect
ed, l
eav
ingwasdefi
ni
tel
ygoi
ngtobemuchhar
derthanent
eri
ng…

S
til
l
,theyknewtheyhadtot
aket
her
oug
hwi
tht
hes
moot
h,s
othet
ri
osi
mpl
ygr
it
tedt
hei
rtee
tha
sthey
c
ontinuedf
urt
herint
otheca
ve…

Wit
hhowdar
kitwa
sget
ti
ng,
Reyt
ooks
omet
orc
hli
ght
soutf
romhi
sba
ckpa
ckbe
for
eha
ndi
ngt
hemt
o
Ger
alda
ndY
ann.

Quit
ehonestl
y,thi
spl
acewa
spract
ica
llyani
ghtmarefora
nyonewhowasaf
rai
dofbe
ingalonei
nthe
dar
k…T ha
nkfull
y,t
hetri
owast
ogetherandwit
hthreebeamsofl
ig
htl
ig
hti
ngthei
rway,
theywereabl
e
toproc
eedforwardwi
thmorecomf
orta nds
ecuri
ty…

Aboutthr
eehundredfee
tlater
,thetr
iof
ina
ll
yar
ri
veda
tthee
ndoft
hepa
ssa
gewa
y…onl
ytof
indi
t
bl
ockedbyyetanothe
rstonewa l
l!

I
nawa
y,t
hiswa
stheper
fec
tembodi
mentoft
hes
ayi
ng,
‘Outoft
hef
ryi
ngpa
nandi
ntot
hef
ir
e…’

“
D*mni
t,a
not
herwa
ll
…?”mut
ter
edRe
yashet
urne
dtol
ooka
tGe
ral
d.

Ger
aldhimsel
fsi
mpl
ystar
eda
tthewall
forawhi
l
ebe
for
ege
ntl
ypl
aci
nghi
sha
ndoni
t…a
ndt
hes
econd
hedi
d,theenti
rewa
llbe
gant
oshake
!

Soonenough,t
hestonewal
lsl
owl
ysli
dtothes
ide…reveal
ingj
aw-droppi
ngamountsoft
reasur
e !
Gli
tt
eri
nggoldcoi
nswerese
emingl
yever
ywher
e ,
withsomeevenpiledupsohi
ghtheyresembled
mountai
ns…!Asift
hesig
htwasn’
tgr
andenoughalr
eady,
thecandle
sinsi
deevenbeganli
ghti
ngupon
t
hei
rown!

“
H-hol
ycr
*p!
”ex
cla
ime
dbot
hRe
yandY
anns
imul
taneous
ly,
utt
erl
yama
zedbya
llt
heywer
ese
eing
.

“
T-t
here’
ssoma
nyg
oldc
oins
…!We
’rer
ich!We
’ref
il
thyr
ic
h!”y
ell
edY
annex
cit
edl
yashebol
tedi
nto
t
heroom!

Whi
l
eGe
ral
dwa
ntedt
ost
ophi
m,hi
sat
tent
ionwa
ssuddenl
yca
ughtbys
ome
thi
ngel
se…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1909

Atoponeofthemanypi
l
esoftr
easur
e,l
ayatreasur
eches
t…a
ndupons
eei
ngi
t,Ger
aldi
mme
dia
tel
y
knewthatwhathewasl
ook
ingforwasi
nther
e .

Ashehadpredi
cted,i
ttr
ulywasher
e!Nowtha
titwa
ssoc
los
etohi
m,t
her
ewa
snowa
yhewa
sgoi
ng
tobeabl
etoholdhimsel
fbackfr
omobtai
ni
ngit
!

Wit
hthat
, Ge
ral
dpa
idl
i
ttl
eat
tent
iont
owha
tReya
ndY
annwe
redoi
nga
nds
impl
ywa
lkedt
owa
rdt
he
t
reas
ureches
t…

Watchi
ngass
eemingl
yendl
essa
mountsofg
oldcoi
nssl
i
ddownf
romthemount
ainoft
rea
sur
est
hat
Ger
aldwassl
owl
yc l
i
mbing,
Yanncoul
dn’
thel
pbutgetev
enmor
eexc
ite
d.
Ta
k i
nghisbac
kpac
kof
f,hei
mme diat
elybeganf
il
l
ingi
twithpi
lesuponpi
lesoft
reasur
es!Af
teral
l,
he
hadneversee
nthi
smanygol
dcoinsinasing
lepl
acebef
ore,s
ohes i
mplycoul
dn’thel
phimsel
f…

Whil
eRey—whoha
dbeenst
andi
ngatt
hes
ide
—wa
sequa
ll
yasex
cit
edt
ose
eal
ltha
tgol
d,hek
new
be
ttert
hant
odowhatY
annwasdoi
ng.

Af
tera
ll
,Ger
aldha
dtol
dhi
mnott
otouc
hthi
ngsa
tra
ndom,
andhewa
sn’
taboutt
odi
sobeyhi
m.

Reg
ardl
ess
,Ge
ral
dfi
nal
l
yma
dei
ttot
het
opoft
hemount
ainofc
oinsa
ttha
tmome
nt…

Uponope
ningt
hetr
eas
ureche
st,
hewa sg
ree
tedbyt
hes
ightofac
rys
tal
cle
ar,
eme
ral
d-g
reenj
ade
penda
ntt
hatwass
hapedl
ik
eabutter
fl
y…

T
hiswa
sit
…heha
dfi
nal
l
yfoundi
t!

Geral
dwa stheonl
yonewhok ne
wwha tthependa
ntwasus
edfor
,sohewas
n’tt
oowor r
iedabout
Yannwantingtotak
eit
.St
il
l,
itwasbet
tertobesaf
etha
nsor
ry,
soGeral
dqui
ckl
yhidi
tinhisc
lothe
s.
Nobodycouldeverl
ear
nthathehadobtai
nedthei
tem…

Wha t
evert
hec
asewas,
nowt
hathehadobt
ainedthependant
,hesl
i
ddownthemount
ainofgol
dcoins
,
ful
l
yprepar
edt
oleav
eashec
all
edout
,“Al
ri
ght,we’v
efoundwhatwewer
elooki
ngf
or,
nowl et
’she
ad
back!
”

“
Wha
t?Ar
eyous
eri
ous
lyt
ell
i
ngmet
haty
ouwi
sht
ole
avej
ustl
i
ket
hat
?”r
etor
tedY
ann.
S
toppi
nginhistr
acks,
Gera
ldr
aise
das l
ig
htbrowashetur
nedtolookatYannbef
oresa
ying
,“I
fIr
eca
ll
c
orrec
tl
y,Is
pe c
if
ica
ll
yremembertel
l
ingyounott
otouc
ha nyoft
hetre
a s
uresher
e!”

“
Iknow,Iknow,but…all
thi
str
eas
ure,Ger
ald…!I
fwegeta
llt
hisoutofher
e,we’
l
lbea
blet
oli
vet
he
r
estofourl
iveswi
thoutwor
ry!
”repl
i
edY a
nninanent
husi
ast
ictone.

S
ens
ingthegl
intofava
riceinY
ann’
sey
es,
Ger
aldc
oul
dal
rea
dyt
ell
tha
tYa
nnwa
sda
nger
ous
lyc
los
eto
c
omplet
elyl
osinghi
mselftogr
eed.

“I
’l
lonl
ysa
yitonemoreti
me.We’r
ele
avi
ngnow,
andwe’
renott
aki
nga
nyt
hingel
seba
ckwi
thus
!”
decl
are
dGeral
dinasol
emntone.

“
Iref
use!Af
tera
ll
,Is
awy
out
akes
ome
thi
ngf
ory
our
sel
f!I
fyouc
andoi
t,whyc
an’
tI?
”sc
owl
edY
ann.

Real
i
zingt
hatYa
nnhadnoti
cedhimtak
ingt
hejade,Ger
aldwassl
i
ghtl
ytongue-t
ied.Howwa
shee
ven
goi
ngtoexpl
ai
ntha
tthependantha
damuc hg
re a
terva
luetha
nallt
hosetr
e a
sures…?

S
eei
ngtha
tGer
aldwashavi
ngt
rouble,
Reythenyel
led,“
Brot
herYa
nn,pl
eas
ejus
tli
st
ent
oMr
.Cr
awf
ord!
I
’ms
ureheha
shisrea
sonsf
ordi
sal
lowingy
out ot
ak ea
nyofthembac
k!”

Unf
ort
una
tel
y,Y
annwa
sal
rea
dyc
ompl
ete
lyc
ons
ume
dbyg
reedbyt
hispoi
nt.

“Overmydea
dbody !Si
nceyoudon’
twantt
he msomuch,f
ine!Theyal
lbel
ongt
omenow!Markmy
words,
I’
mdefini
tel
yget
tingal
loft
hemouttodayi
fi
t’
sthel
a stt
hingI
do!”howl
edY
annast
houghhe
hadgonei
nsane.
“
You…!
”gr
owledReya
shet
urnedt
olooka
tGer
ald,
under
sta
ndi
ngt
hatY
annwoul
dnol
ong
ert
ake
a
dvi
cef
romanyone
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
rCha
pte
r1910

“
…Wha
tshoul
dwedonow,
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…?
”as
kedRe
y.

S
tari
ngstr
aig
hta
tYann,
Geral
dsi
mpl
ynar
rowedhi
sey
esbefor
eshak
inghi
she
ad.
Hek
newf
oraf
act
t
hatYannwasal
rea
dyalos
tcaus
e…Gr
eedtr
ulywa
safri
ght
eni
ngthi
ng…

E
venso,
hewa nt
edtotryonela
stti
me.Gl
ari
ngatY
a nn,
Gera
ld’
stones
ounde
dmuc
hang
riera
she
g
rowl
ed,“…Onefi
nal
time.Areyoul
eav
ingwit
hus,orar
en’
tyou?”

“
I’
mnotl
eav
ingy
et!
”roa
redY
ann,
ins
tant
lyc
aus
ingGe
ral
d’sa
nge
rtopea
k.

Tha
twast
hel
astst
raw.
Notwa
nti
nga
nyt
hingt
odowi
thY
anna
nymor
e,Ger
aldt
henbe
ganwa
lki
ngout
oft
het
rea
sur
eroom…

However
,thes
econdGer
aldst
eppedout,
allt
hecandl
esi
nther
oomi
mme
dia
tel
ywentout
.Fol
l
owi
ng
tha
t,t
heroombegangl
owingi
nane er
iegr
eenli
ght!

‘
Thi
sis
n’tgood!
’Geral
dthoughtt
ohims
elfa
shequi
ckl
ygotoutoft
her
oom—a
longwi
thRey
—be
for
e
y
ell
i
ng,“Ya
nn!Ge tov
erhere!Qui
ck!
”

Ofc
our
se,
Yann’
sfa
teha
dbee
nse
ale
dthes
econdhec
hos
etodi
sobeyGe
ral
d…
Unabl
etoreacti
nt i
me,Yann’
seyesc
oul
donl
ywide
nashewat
cheda
llt
heg
oldaroundhimtra
nsfor
m
i
ntogr
eeng oothatqui
ckl
yenvel
opedhi
m!Hedi
dn’
tev
enhav
etheti
metos
crea
mbef orethegoo
compl
ete
lyme lt
edhimdownt ot
hebone…

Ger
aldandReywer
eunder
standa
blys
tunnedtowi
tne
s sa
llt
his
.Tot
hinkt
hats
uchapuni
shmentha
d
bee
ns e
tupfort
hosewhohadbeenover
takenbyg
reed…

Reg
ardl
ess
,Ya
nnwa
snowde
ada
ndt
her
ewa
snot
hingGe
ral
dcoul
ddoa
bouti
t.

Wit
htha
tinmind—andthefa
ctthatt
hegoowassl
owl
ycomingthe
irwa
y—,
Ger
aldqui
ckl
ygr
abbe
d
ont
oRey’
sar
mbef or
eyell
i
ng,“Comeon,
let
’sl
eav
ethi
spla
ce!”

Reywa
sn’
taboutt
osa
ynot
otha
t,a
ndt
heduobol
tedba
cki
ntot
hepa
ssa
gewa
yfr
ombe
for
e…

Shor
tlyaf
ter
,theyheardthefa
mil
iars
cra
pingofstoneondi
rtc
omingfr
ombehi
ndthem,a
nditwa
s
pret
tyobvi
ousthatthedoorhadc
lose
ditsel
faga
in…T ha
nkgodtheyha
dle
ftt
heroomqui
ckl
y…

T
akingamoment
aryrestbysi
tt
ingi
nthepa
s s
ageway,Re
ycoul
dn’
thel
pbutl
ooka
tGer
aldwi
thg
rie
f-
f
il
l
edeyesashes
aid,
“ …Mr.Cr
awfor
d…BrotherY
a nn,
he…”

Whil
eheknewtha
tReywasfr
ight
enedsi
ncet
hiswaspr
obabl
ythefi
rs
ttimehehads
eens
omeonedi
e
i
nsuchat
e r
ri
bl
ewa y
,Ger
alds
implyopt
edtorepl
yinacal
mtone,“
He’sdead…”

Nat
ural
l
y,ev
enGera
ldwass
adaboutY
ann’
sdeat
h,butha
dthemannotbeenconsumedbyava
ric
e,he
woul
dn’
thaveha
dtodi
esohor
ri
bly…Wit
htha
tinmind,Y
ann’
sendwashones
tlydese
rved…

Af
terc
almi
ngdownabi
tmor
e,Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbuta
sk,
“Wha
tev
enwa
stha
tgr
eeng
oo…”
“I
’mnots
ure,buti
tprobabl
yresemblessul
phur
icaci
dsinc
eitc
ouldcor
rodes
owe
ll
…”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d
whocoul
dn’
thelpbutsi
gh,st
il
lsli
ght
lybumme douttha
tYannhadtodi
e.

Af
tera
ll
,hes
awt
hema
nasag
oodf
ri
end.
Sti
l
l,Ger
alddi
dfi
nds
ola
cei
nthef
actt
hatReywa
sn’
tli
ke
Ya
nn.

Wit
hthati
nmind,Ger
aldthe
npatt
edReyont
heshoul
derbef
orepr
ais
ing
,“…Reg
ardl
ess
,I’
mgl
ady
ou
wer
en’tc
onsumedbygree
da swe
ll
,Rey
.I’
mproudofy
ou!”

Despi
tet
hec
ompli
ment
,Re
ywa
ssi
mpl
ytoos
adt
oev
enf
eel
ple
ase
dabouti
t.Af
tera
ll
,theyha
djus
t
l
ostatea
mmate
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1911

Unders
tandi
ngt
hatst
ayi
ngher
ef ora
nylongerwoul
donlyspe
llmor
etroubl
e,a
fte
rre
sti
ngf
orabi
t,
Geral
dgottohi
sfe
etbef
ores
aying,“
Alr
ight
,let
’sl
eav
ethispl
acewhi
lewecan!
”

Wi
tht
hat
,theduoma
det
hei
rwa
yba
ckt
othes
eal
edma
inent
ranc
e…

Onc
etheywer
ethere,
the
yquic
klyr
eal
i
zedtha
ttherewasn’tamecha
nismtoopenthedoor
sata
ll
,at
l
eas
tnotonet
heycoul
deasi
l
ysee…Thepi
tc
hda r
knessofthepl
acecer
tai
nl
ydidn’
thelp…

Under
sta
ndi
ngt
hef
actt
hatt
heydi
dn’
tev
enk
nowwher
etos
tar
tlook
ingf
ort
heme
cha
nis
m,Rey
coul
dn’
thel
pbutsta
reatt
hema s
siv
est
onewal
l
—bl ock
ingthec
ave’
sent
ranc
e—bef
orel
ook
inga
t
Gera
ldandas
king
,“…How…shoul
dweleav
e,Mr.Cr
a wf
ord…?”

“…We ll
,si
ncetherewasame chanismoutsi
dethatall
owedustoenter,
I’
ms urethere
’sanotheronei
n
herethatwil
lall
owust olea
ve!S i
ncetheYi
nandY angsi
des—basedonthelayoutofTheEight
Diagr
ams —wast hekeytoopeningthedoorfr
omt heouts
ide,I
’massumingthatthemechanis
mi nhe
re
canbefoundoppos i
teofthat!
”repli
edGeral
da f
terthi
nki
ngforabit
.

Fol
l
owingt
hat
,Ger
aldbega
nsear
chi
ngt
heoppos
it
ear
eas
…anda
fterf
eel
i
nga
roundt
hes
tonewa
ll
,he
manag
edtofi
ndame c
hani
sm!

I
mmedia
tel
ytwis
ti
ngit,
Ger
aldandRey
’sey
esqui
ckl
ywide
neda
sthef
loorbenea
tht
hembeg
ant
o
c
rumbl
e!Tothi
nktha
tthemechani
smwoul
dcaus
ethis
!

Reg
ardl
ess
,una
blet
ore
acti
nti
me,
bot
hoft
hems
oonf
oundt
hems
elv
ess
li
di
ngdowna
ninc
li
nedpa
th!

Whi
leReys
creamedall
thewaydown,
Geraldhi
msel
fcoul
donlythi
nkabouthowba
dlyheha
dme
ssed
upt
hist
ime.Asi
ttur
nedout,
thi
ngswere
n’tase
asyashehadexpect
ed…

What
evertheca
sewas,i
twa
squit
eawhilebef
oret
hes
lopes
uddenl
yended,
sendi
ngbot
hoft
hem
s
hoot
ingoutandla
ndi
ngonasof
tpil
eofdir
t.

Groani
ngasthe
yg otup,thetwoqui
ckl
yreali
zedthatt
heyseemedt
ohaveente
redanot
hercav
e…
Asi
defromthefac
tthattherewasapondinthecave—thathadwat
ers
ocleart
hatonecoul
deasi
l
ysee
i
tsbott
om—t her
ewa snotmuc hel
setonoteatfi
rstgl
anc
e…
“
Hol
ycr
*p…Wher
eev
ena
rewe
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
”as
kedReya
shedus
tedt
hedi
rtof
fhi
scl
othes
.

Natural
ly
,Gera
ldhadnocl
ueofwheret
heywereei
ther
.Ev
ens
o,t
othi
nkt
hatt
her
ewoul
dac
tua
ll
ybe
anothercav
eundertha
tca
ve…Wha tas
peci
alpl
ace
…

Si
mplyshak
inghi
sheadinrespons
e,Gera
ldandRe
ythenbega
ninvesti
gat
ingthes
urr
oundingar
ea,
hopi
ngtofi
ndanexi
t.Unfort
unatel
yfort
hem,nomatt
erhowhardtheysear
ched,
ther
edidn’ts
eemto
beone.
T he
yweretra
ppe donceagai
n…

“
Wel
ltha
t’sj
ustg
rea
t!I
gues
swe’
res
tuc
khe
re!
”sa
idReya
shes
atdownwhi
l
ehe
avi
ngahe
avys
igh.

Fr
owningsl
ig
htly
, Ge
ral
dt he
nt ookTy
e’smapoutbef
oreg
ivi
ngi
tag
oodl
ook
.Some
thi
ngha
dtobe
wrongher
e…T hankf
ull
y,Geral
dwa sr
ight
.

Nowt
hatheha
dma
nag
edt
ofi
nds
omet
hings
igni
fi
cant
,Ge
ral
dqui
ckl
yca
ll
edout
,“Rey
!”

Hur
rie
dlygett
ingtohi
sfeet
,Reyt
henrai
sedas
li
ghtbr
owa
shel
ook
eda
tthema
pwhi
l
eas
king
,“…Y
es,
Mr.Cr
awford?Didyoufi
ndsomet
hing
?”

“I
ndeed!SeetheOffi
cerVi
ewi
ngDec kwherewes t
art
edfrom?Whilewe
’vecha
ngedcoursesev
eral
ti
mes,Iret
rac
e dourst
eps…andhere!Seethatot
hercav
eont hemap?Ihav
eafeel
ingthatwe’
re
cur
rentl
yhere!Andthatca
vecl
earl
ys howsanentr
ance!
”e x
cla
imedGer
ald,
poi
nti
nga tt
hema pthe
enti
reti
me.

Whil
eReydefi
nit
elyf
eltt
hatGera
ld’
swordsmadesens
e,hecoul
dn’
thelpbuts
ay,“T
hat’
sfi
neandal
l…
Butwe’
veal
readymadeat hor
oughsea
rchoft
hispl
ace
!Forg
etanexi
t,wehaven’
tevenmanag
e dt
o
l
oca
tea
nyt
hingr
ese
mbl
i
ngadoorope
ningmec
hani
sm!
”

Thoug
hGeral
dsa
wwhereReywascomingf
rom,
hewassur
et ha
ttheredef
ini
tel
yha dt
obeawa
yout
.
Aft
eral
l,
the
rewasahi
ghc
hancet
ha tt
heys
impl
yha
dn’tl
ookedintheri
ghtdi
rect
ion.

Witht
hati
nmind,Gera
lds
impl
yrepl
i
ed,
“I’
msur
ethee
xitwi
l
lappea
rsoon!Kee
pca
lm,
we’
l
ldef
ini
tel
y
f
indawaytol
eave
! ”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1912

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,Ge
ral
dgotupa
ndbeg
anf
eel
i
nga
roundt
hewa
ll
sag
ain…

Si
ncet
hest
onewal
lswer
equit
eune
ven,
itma
def
indi
ngme
cha
nis
ms—t
opot
ent
ial
l
ylea
dtoawa
y
out
—evenhar
dert
hanusua
l…

Reg
ardl
ess
,aft
erhea
ringwhatGera
ldhadtosa
y ,
Reywa smot
iva
tedtogiv
eitanot
hershot
.Wi
tht
hat
,
hebega
ndoingthes
amea sGera
ld,hopi
ngtof
inal
lyf
indawaytogetoutoft
hispl
ace…

Whi
lecont
inui
ngt
ofeelt
hewall
s,Ge
r a
ld’
sea
rsper
kedwhe
nac ri
sp‘c
li
ck’wa
she a
rd.
Eyesqui
ckl
y
wi
deni
ng,Gera
ldc
ouldonl
yst
areasthest
onesl
ab—tha
thi
sfootwascur
rent
lyon—bega
ns i
nki
ngin…

L
if
tinghi
sfoot
,hewat
chedast
heslabcont
inue
dsi
nki
ngdee
pera
nddee
per
…Andbyt
het
imei
t
s
topped,apar
toft
hestonewa
llha
ds hi
ft
edopen!
Boths
urpri
seda
nddel
i
ght
ed,
Reyc
oul
dn’
thel
pbutt
urnt
olooka
tGe
ral
dwhi
l
eca
ll
ingout
,“M-
Mr.
Cra
wford…!”

ThoughGera
ldhi
msel
fwass
urpr
is
edbya
llt
his
,hequi
ckl
ysna
ppe
doutofi
tandwa
lkedt
hroug
hthe
newlyfor
medent
ranc
e…

T
otheduo’
sdi
smay
,theyqui
ckl
yre
a l
iz
edthatal
ltheentr
anc
eledtowasafl
i
ghtofdesc
endi
ngst
air
s
t
hata
ppear
edal
mostbott
omles
s!Thefac
tthati
twa spi
tc
hdarkdownt
herecer
tai
nlydi
dn’
thel
p…

“
…Wher
edoy
out
hinkt
hisl
eadst
o,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
”mut
ter
edReya
shet
urnedt
olooka
tGer
ald.

“
Onl
yonewa
ytof
indout
!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
d,pr
ompt
ingt
heduot
obeg
indes
cendi
ngt
hes
tai
rs
…

Ast
heywa
lke
don,
asor
tofmi
stbe
gana
ppea
ringa
ndt
hel
owe
rtheywent
,thedens
eri
tbec
ame
…

I
twasaboutha
lfa
nhourlat
erwhenReycoul
dn’
thel
pbutcr
yout
,“…The
re’
sjus
tnoendtot
hesest
air
s,
Mr.
Cra
wf or
d!We’vebee
nwa l
ki
ngfora
lmostt
hir
tymi
nute
snowyett
heendisnowher
eins
ight
!”

Ge
ral
dhi
msel
fwa
sst
art
ingt
ofi
nda
llt
hiswei
rd.
Thi
spl
acer
eal
l
ywa
stoomy
sti
fy
ing
…

Af
tert
hink
ingforawhil
e,Gera
ldev
ent
ual
l
ysi
ghe
dbef
ores
ayi
ng,
“…Al
ri
ght
,si
ncewedon’
tse
emt
obe
ge
tti
nganywhere,l
et’
sjus
tret
urnt
owher
ewecamef
rom!
”

Wit
ht hat
,theduobeg anasce
ndingthes
tai
rs
…Howev er,a
not
herha
lf-
hourl
ater,
thet
woy outhsfi
nal
l
y
r
eali
zedhows er
ioustheirc
urrentdi
l
emmawa s.
Aft
era l
l
,nomatt
erhowlongtheywal
ked,
t hearea
wheretheyst
artedfr
omwa ssi
mplynowher
etobefound!
“
Seri
ousl
y?!Weshoul
dhaver
eac
hedt
heent
rypoi
ntbynow!Whe
ret
hehe
lli
sit
?!”c
rie
doutt
he
i
ncr
easi
ngl
ydis
tre
ssedRe
y.

T
othi
nkt
hate
vent
hei
rret
urnr
out
ewoul
dendupc
hang
ing
!

“I
t’
simport
antt
os t
aycalmduri
ngsuc
hsi
tua
tions
!Wi
tht
hats
aid,
let
’st
hinka
bouti
tfi
rs
t!”r
epl
i
ed
Gera
ldashebeganrac
kinghi
sbrai
n…

Look
ingcl
ose
ratthest
airs
,Ger
aldnot
ic
edt
hatt
hes
tepsa
ppe
aredt
obenumbe
red…Wer
ethe
numberst
heref
orareason…?

Af
tert
hink
inga
bouti
tforawhi
l
e,Ge
ral
d’sey
ess
udde
nlywi
deneda
shee
xcl
ai
med,
“Ig
oti
t!
”

S
ur pr
isedbyGer
ald’
ssuddenshout
ing,Reyqui
ckl
yshookhi
she
adbe
for
eas
king
,“G-
goti
t?Y
ou’
ve
f
iguredouthowwec angetoutoft
hisplac
e,Mr.Cr
awford?
”

“I
ndeed!Ess
enti
all
y,we ’
vebeentrappedbya nEi
ghtDiagramspuzz
leev ersi
ncewesetf
ootintothi
s
pl
ace!Ifmyguessi
sc or
rect,i
norde
rt ogetoutofthi
sloop,we’l
lneedtos ol
veTheEi
ghtDia
g r
ams
puzz
leofthest
airs
!Ifyoulookcl
oser,youcanseenumbe rsontheste
ps ,ri
ght
?I’
ma s
sumingthatby
uti
l
izi
ngTheEig
htDi agr
amsc har
tont hem,we’l
lbeabletofina
ll
yescape!”expl
ai
nedGeral
d.

Despit
etheexpl
ana
tion,Reywas
n’tt
oof
ami
l
iarwi
thT
heE
ightDi
agr
ams
,sov
eryl
i
ttl
eofwha
tGer
ald
hadjusts
aidmadesensetohi
m…

S
eei
ngt
hathi
spoi
ntwa
sn’
tge
tti
nga
cros
s,Ger
alddec
ide
dtoj
ustt
ryhi
stheor
youti
nst
ead…
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1913

“I
t’
sfi
neifyoudon’
tgeti
t.What
evert
hecasei
s,I
’mgoi
ngtobehav
inganout-
of-
bodyexper
ienc
enow
tochecki
fmytheor
yiscor
rec
t!Wit
hthats
aid,
besur
etoguardmybodywell
inthemeanti
me!”sai
d
Geral
d.

“
Goti
t,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord!Dobec
aref
ul!
”repl
i
edRe
yasGer
aldnoddedbef
orel
yi
ngdown…

S
hor
tl
yaf
ter
,hi
sghos
tfor
mshotoutf
romhi
sbodybe
for
edi
vi
ngdownwa
rd!

Conti
nui
ngtodivedeepera
nddeeper
, Ger
aldeve
ntual
lyca
mea c
ros
sthesour
ceoftheduo’
spl
i
ght
…
TruetoGer
ald’
sguess
, t
her
ere
all
ywa sagiantmecha
nismunde
rnea
ththe
mt hise
ntir
eti
me!

Withtha
tmy s
ter
ysolve
d,Geral
dknewt hatinorde
rforthemt
oesca
pet
hishel
l
ishloop,t
heywould
needtotak
ealit
eral
leapoff
ait
hafterf
indingaspeci
fi
cnumberont
hes
tai
rs…Ift
he ydi
dn’t
,the
ycoul
d
ve
r ywel
lendupli
vi
ngtheres
toftheirl
i
v esonthesest
airs
…

Reg
ardl
ess
,nowthatheha
dl ea
r nedal
lthi
s,Ger
aldbol
tedba
ckt
ohi
sphy
sic
albody
…anduponr
e-
ent
eri
ngit
,hei
nst
antl
yyel
led,“Bingo!
”

S
inc
eGer
aldha
dma
des
ucha
nabr
uptr
etur
n,i
tsc
aredt
hel
i
vingda
yli
ght
soutofRe
y!

Oncethey out
hfi
nal
l
ycal
meddown,hec
oul
donl
ylookhe
lpl
ess
lyatGera
ldashemutte
redbet
wee
n
pants,
“D-d*mnit
,Mr.Cr
awf
ord…!Y
oual
mostg
avemeaheartatt
ack…!Don’
tgoshout
ings
o
abrupt
ly…!”
T
obef
air
,bei
nga
lla
lonei
nsuc
hda
rkne
sswoul
dma
kea
nyonef
eel
utt
erl
yte
rri
fi
ed…

Whi
leeve
nGer
a l
dwasmomentari
l
ys t
unnedbyRey
’sr
eact
ion,hequi
ckl
ysnappedoutofi
tbef
ore
s
ayi
ng,
“…Goti
t!Any
way,l
i
sten,
IthinkI
’vef
oundawaytogetoutoft
hispl
ace!”

“…H-huh?Re al
ly?Thenwhatar
ewewa i
ti
ngfor,
Mr .
Crawf
ord?Lea
dthewa y!”r
epl
iedRey,i
nst
ant
ly
for
getti
nga boutbei
ngscar
edhalft
ode a
thjusts
econdsea
rli
er.
Aft
eral
l,Rey’
spri
ori
tywastole
avethi
s
pla
cea ssoona sposs
ibl
esi
ncehefel
tthathewouldgomadfromanxi
etyifhehadtost
ayinthi
spl
ace
anylonger…

Noddi
nginagre
ement,Ge
ral
dthe
nbega
nle
adi
ngReydownt
hes
tai
rsa
gai
n…a
nde
vent
ual
l
y,hef
ound
theex
actspott
heynee
dedtobeat.

S
eei
ngtha
ttheyhadstoppe
d,t
heconf
use
dReycoul
dn’
thel
pbutask,“
…Um…Mr.Cr
awf
ord…?Di
dn’
t
y
ousaywewerelea
ving…?We’v
ebeendesc
endi
ngt
hesta
irsf
orqui
teawhi
l
enow…”

Hea
ringt
hat
,Ger
aldt
urnedt
ofa
ceRe
ybef
ores
ayi
ng,
“Thi
sisi
t.We
’rej
umpi
ngdownf
romher
e!”

“
…H-
huh?
!”r
epl
i
edRe
yashi
sja
wins
tant
lydr
oppe
d,uns
ureofwhe
the
rheha
dhe
ardr
ight
.

Uponseeinghowdeter
minedGera
ld’
sfoll
owi
ngnodwas,t
hewor
rie
dReyi
mmedia
tel
yre
pli
edi
na
f
earf
ultone,“P-
plea
sedon’
tjok
eaboutthi
s,Mr.
Crawf
ord…Wecan’
tev
enseet
hebot
tomfr
omher
e!
We’l
lsurel
ydie!
”

Af
ters
ayi
ngthat
,Reycoul
dn’
thel
pbutg
ulpa
shes
tar
eddown…T
hel
ong
erhes
tar
eda
tthea
bys
s,t
he
moret
err
if
iedhegot
…
Gera
ldhi
msel
fsi
mpl
yra
ise
dabr
owa
shes
aid,
“…Rey
,doy
ouhones
tl
ythi
nkI
’dj
okea
bouts
ome
thi
ng
l
ik
ethis
?”

Whil
eReywa
ssur
etha
tGe
ral
dwoul
dn’
t,hi
sma
ster
’sor
dert
olea
pint
othea
bys
swa
ssi
mpl
ymi
nd
bog
gli
ng…

S
eeinghowhesi
tantReywasbei
ng,
Geral
dcoul
dn’thel
pbutsi
ghasheadded,“…F
ine,
I’
ll
bej
umpi
ng
f
ir
stthen.
However,i
fIdoe
ndupdy i
ng,
goodluc
kt hi
nki
ngofot
herway
st ole
ave!
”

Moment
ari
l
yle
ftst
upe
fiedbyGeral
d’sabs
urdsugges
ti
on,
Reyc
oul
donl
yst
arewi
de-
eye
dasGe
ral
d
l
eape
dofft
hest
air
swi
thoutevenwaiti
ngforhi
srepl
y!

Whi
l
eReywa
slef
tpa
nic
king
,Ger
aldhi
mse
lfha
dma
deas
afel
andi
nga
topa
not
hers
etofs
tai
rs
…

Jus
tasheha
dthoug
ht,
thet
ri
ckt
oes
capi
ngt
hatl
oopwa
sbyhoppi
ngof
fthes
tepwi
tht
hats
pec
if
ic
number!

However
,Re
ywa sn’
tawar
etha
tGera
ldwasst
il
lal
i
ve.
Wit
htha
tinmi
nd,
itwa
sn’
tas
urpr
is
etha
the
soonbeg
ancal
l
ingout,
“M-Mr.
Cra
wford…!
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1914

Hea
ringhowwor
ri
edt
heboywa
sforhi
ssa
fet
y,Ge
ral
dcoul
dn’
the
lpbuts
mil
esubt
lya
shel
ook
edup
whi
l
eshout
ing
,“Wha
tar
eyouwa
iti
ngf
or,
Rey
?Jumpa
lrea
dy!
”

Uponhear
ingGera
ld’
sres
ponse,
Reywasins
tant
lyover
joy
e d.Aft
eral
l
,notonl
ywa
sGer
alds
ti
ll
ali
ve,
butheha
da ppa
rentl
ysuc
cess
ful
lyf
oundawa yt
oe s
capethishel
li
shl
oop!

Nowthathek
newt
his
,Reymus
ter
eduphi
scour
age…be
for
elea
pinga
ndpl
ung
ings
tra
ighti
ntot
he
aby
ss!

I
mme dia
tel
ysc
reamingashepl
ummeted,
hisutt
erter
rorsoontur
nedint
oconfus
ionwhe
nher
eal
i
zed
t
hathisf
eetwer
ea l
readyont
hegr
ound.Thefa
llha
dba r
elyeventak
enasecond!

“…Wast
her
ereal
lyaneedt
osc
rea
mtha
tloudl
y…”g
rumbl
edGer
aldwhos
eea
rswer
enowt
hrobbi
ng
duet
ohowloudReyhadbe
en.

Whil
eGeral
dwasleftannoyed,
Reyhimsel
fwassooverj
oyed—t
hathewass
ti
ll
a l
i
v e
—thathe
i
mme di
ate
lyex
clai
me d,“I
-I
’mali
ve!Andtot
hinkt
hatthejumpwasn’
tev
enal
lthatl
ong!W-we’
re
f
ina
ll
yfr
eefromthosestai
rs,Mr.Cr
awfor
d…!”

Sha
kinghi
shea
dinre
sig
nati
onathowchi
ldi
shhisdi
sci
plewa
sbe
ing
,Ger
alds
impl
ypa
ttedhi
mont
he
bac
kbefor
esta
rti
ngt
owa l
ktowar
dtheli
ghtbe
forethem…

Nowreal
iz
ingt
hattheex
ithadbe
ent
hisc
los
ethi
sent
ir
eti
me,
Rey
’se
yeswi
dene
dashec
all
edout
,“W-
wai
tforme,Mr.Cr
awfor
d!”

Qui
ckl
ycatchi
nguptoGera
ld,t
heduos
oonwe
ntpa
stt
hes
hini
ngex
it
…Howev
er,
wha
tawa
itedt
hem
wasnot
hingshor
tofsur
pri
si
ng.
Be
yondt
hee
xit
,la
yawor
n-downpl
acet
hatl
ook
edut
ter
lyr
ava
ged…

S
tari
ngatthenea
r -
endl
esst
oweri
ngpil
l
arsa
roundthe
m, Reycoul
dn’
thel
pbutexc
lai
mina
we,
“H-
hol
y
c
r*p!Tothi
nkthatsuc
haplaceex
ist
eddownhere…!Ev
erythi
ngher
elook
sanci
ent
!”

T
houghGer
alds
aidnothi
ng,hesha
redthesa
mes
ent
iment
s.Af
tera
ll
,whowoul
dn’
tbea
maz
eda
nd
s
hock
edtofi
ndanci
entrui
nsoutofthebl
ue…

Reg
ardl
ess
,Ge
ral
dwa
sfi
rs
ttobr
eakt
hes
il
enc
ebys
ayi
ng,
“…Comeon,
let
’sha
veal
ooka
round!
”

Noddi
ngi
nag
ree
ment
,Reyt
henbeg
ane
xpl
ori
ngt
hewondr
ouspl
acewi
thGe
ral
d…

Howev
er,
the
yha
donl
yta
kenaf
ews
tepsf
orwa
rdwhe
nbot
hoft
hems
toppedde
adi
nthe
irt
rac
ks.

S
tra
nges ki
tt
eri
ngs
oundsseemedtobequi
ckl
yappr
oac
hingt
hem,
andt
heyc
oul
dimmedi
ate
lyt
ell
tha
t
s
ome t
hingwasami
ss.Wasitda
nger…?

“
…Wha
t…i
stha
t,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
”whi
sper
edRe
yashel
eanedi
ncl
osert
oGe
ral
d.

I
nst
eadofre
plyi
ngwit
hag ues
s,Ge
ralds
implyc
hos
etoslowl
yturna
round,
promptingReyt
odot
he
s
ame…a ndthes
econdtheysa
wwha twascomi
ngf
orthem,Rey’
seyesi
mmediat
elywide
ned.

Asi
ttur
nedout
,thes
oundswer
ecomi
ngf
romahoa
rdofg
iants
cor
pions
!
“
H-hol
ycr
*p!Whyt
hehe
lla
ret
hos
esc
orpi
onss
oma
ssi
ve?
!”s
tut
ter
edt
hequi
ver
ingRey
.

“
Shuti
t!Ands
topmov
inga
rounds
omuc
h!”or
der
edGer
aldi
nac
almt
one.

Whil
eitwashisf
ir
stt
imeseei
ngsuchmass
ivescor
pionsa
swe l
l
,hewasn’
ta f
rai
dofthemata
ll
.Af
tera
ll
,
hehadal
readyseena
llk
indsofhor
ri
fy
ingghos
ts,s
ohows ca
rycoul
dsc
orpionsbeforhi
m?

T
houghGeral
dwa s
n’ti
nti
midat
edbyt hegi
antscorpi
ons,
thatwas
n’tt
hecas
eforRey.Hewa s
c
omplet
elyf
rozeni
nfearashewa t
chedthescor
pionsqui
c k
lye
nci
rcl
ethem,s
wa y
ingt
heirpoi
nty
s
ti
nger
sfromti
met oti
me,seemingl
yprepar
edtoa tt
ackthematanymoment…

Smal
lsc
orpionsti
ngswerealr
eadyquit
evenomous,s
oReydi
dn’
tevenwa
nttobeg
ini
magini
nghow
pot
entthes
el a
rgescor
pions’
sti
nger
swere…Infac
t,f
romhowla
rgeands
har
pthoses
ti
ngersl
ooke
d,
onewouldprobabl
ydiefromthest
aba l
one…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1915

“
W-wha ts
houldwedonow,Mr
.Crawfor
d…?”whi
spe
redRey
,gulpi
ngashes
tar
edatal
lthegi
ant
s
cor
pionsaroundt
hem.Nomat
terhowhardhet
ri
ed,hec
oul
dn’tseea
nopeni
ngfort
hemt oes
capea
t
a
ll
!

“St
ayca
lm!I’
mthinki
ng!
”re
pli
edGer
alda
shec
ont
inuedl
ook
inga
round,
hopi
ngt
hati
twoul
dhel
phi
m
devi
seanes
capepla
n.

T
hank
ful
l
y,i
twa
sn’
tlonga
fte
rbe
for
eGe
ral
dspot
tedal
arg
edoorl
eadi
ngoutoft
hisa
rea
.
Wit
hthei
resc
aper
out
einhi
ssi
ght
,Ger
aldqui
ckl
ywhi
sper
ed,
“Rey
,doy
ous
eet
hatl
arg
edoora
tyour
t
welveo’
cl
ock?
”

T
urni
ngt
olooki
ntha
tdi
rec
ti
on,
Reyt
hennodde
dbe
for
ere
ply
ing
,“I
do!
”

“Good,nowl
ist
enup.
Thepla
niss
impl
e.Y
our
ushov
ert
oopent
hatdoorwhi
l
eIdi
st
rac
tthes
cor
pions
!
Gotit
?”expl
ai
nedGer
ald.

“
L-l
ouda
ndc
lea
r!”r
epl
i
edRey
,knowi
ngt
hatt
hatwa
sthei
rbes
tbetofs
urv
ivi
ngt
hise
ncount
er.

Heari
ngtha
t,Ger
aldt
hendr
ewhi
sAs
tra
bys
sSwor
dbe
for
epus
hingRe
ywi
thhi
sot
herha
ndwhi
l
eyel
l
ing
,
“Good!Nowgo!”

AsReynoddedbef
orebolt
ingt
owardt
helar
gedoor,
Gera
ldhi
mse
lfbe
ganc
hanne
li
nghi
sener
gyi
nto
theAs
traby
ssSwor
d,all
owingi
ttoemi
tit
sspi
ri
tbl
ade.

Watchi
ngast
hescorpi
onsbacke
doffabi
t—af
tert
heysawt
hespi
ri
tbla
de—, Ger
aldt
ooktha
tchanceto
ge
tabitcl
ose
rtoRey .
Hema desur
etost
ic
kcl
oseenoug
htoReyt
oe nsur
ethatReywoul
dn’
tgetsnea
k
at
tac
k e
dbyanyhi
dingscor
pions
…

T
hank
stot
heduo’
stea
mwor
k,t
heywer
eabl
etog
etRe
ytot
hel
arg
edoor
…

ToRe y’
sdismay,
however
,noma tt
erhowhardhepushed,thedoorwoul
dn’
tbudge
!T henagai
n,i
t
wasn’treal
lya
llt
hats
urpr
isi
ng.Af
teral
l,
thedoorwasma deofstonea
ndits
toodoverthi
rt
yfeett
all
.
Therewa snowayReywasevergoi
ngtobeabletoopenit!
Under
sta
ndi
ngt
hat
,Reyy
ell
ed,
“Um…!T
hedoor
’st
oohea
vyf
ormet
oope
n…!
”

“Ag
a i
n,s
tayc
alm.I
’msuret
her
e’same
chanis
mt oopeni
t!
”repl
i
edGer
aldwhoc
urr
ent
lyha
dhi
sey
es
onthegi
ants
corpi
onst
hatwer
enowchar
gingtowar
dhim!

See
ingthat
,Reyk
ne wthatitwasal
lupt
ohimnow.I
fhefa
il
edt
ofi
ndt
heme
cha
nis
m,t
hent
hiswoul
d
bethei
rend…Becauseofthat
,fai
l
urewas
n’ta
nopt
ion!

Wit
hthati
nmi
nd,Re
yqui
ckl
yca
lmedhi
mse
lfbe
for
est
art
ingt
osea
rchf
ort
heme
cha
nis
m…a
ndnot
l
ongaf
ter,
hef
oundi
t!

Themecha
nismit
sel
fres
embl
edac
irc
ula
rdoorha
ndl
e,a
nda
fte
rRe
ypul
l
edi
t,t
hel
arg
edoori
nst
ant
ly
bega
nshaki
ng!

T
ak i
ngaf
ews
tepsba
ck,
Reyc
oul
donl
yst
arewi
de-
eye
dast
hedoorf
ina
ll
yswungope
naf
ews
econds
l
ater
.

Del
i
ght
ed,
Reyt
heny
ell
ed,
“M-
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d,c
omequi
ck!T
hedoor
’sope
n!”

Heari
ngthat
,Geral
dinst
antl
ytur
nedtoc
har
gefortheex
it
…a ndmomentsl
ater,
bothoft
hemfound
themsel
vesst
ari
ngatthela
rgesc
orpi
ons
—thathadnowstoppedi
nthe
irt
rac
k s
—f r
omtheot
hersi
deof
thegi
antdoor…

S
hor
tlya
fter
,thes
cor
pionsbeg
anr
etr
eat
ing
,pr
ompt
ingt
hec
onf
use
dReyt
oas
k,“
…Huh?T
hey
’re…not
c
has
ingaf
terus…?
”
S
tar
ingastheys
cutt
ledof
f,Ge
ral
dsi
mpl
yre
pli
ed,
“Inde
ed…I
’ma
ssumi
ngt
hatt
hey
’rea
fra
idof
s
ome t
hingi
nhere!
”

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1916

Af
ters
ayi
ngt
hat
,Ge
ral
dtur
neda
rounda
ndbeg
anex
plor
ingt
hisne
wpl
acewi
thRe
y…

Short
lya
fter
,the
yca
mea
cros
sas
pri
ngofs
ort
stha
tha
dcr
yst
alc
lea
rwa
tert
hats
pla
sheda
llov
ert
he
pla
ce…

Na
tur
all
y,t
hiss
urpr
is
edt
heduo.
Tot
hinkt
hatt
her
ewoul
dbeas
pri
ngher
eofa
llpl
aces
…

“Howoddt of
indaspri
ngoutoft
heblue
!”ex
cla
imedRe
yashewa
lke
dov
ert
othebodyoff
lowi
ng
waterbef
orescoopi
ngsomeuptodr
ink…

E
yes
-wi
deni
ngt
hesecondheg
ulpe
ddown,
Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbutt
urnt
ofa
ceGer
alda
shea
dded,
“Hol
y!
T
hewat
er’
ssweet
!”

Reyha
dne
vert
ast
eds
uchs
wee
tandr
efr
eshi
ngs
pri
ngwa
teri
nhi
sent
ir
eli
fe!

Hear
ingtha
t,Ger
aldwa
lke
dov
era
swel
ltot
ast
ethewa
ter
…andt
ruet
oRe
y’swor
ds,
thewa
tert
rul
y
wasrat
hersweet
.
T
hef
actt
hatas
pri
ngwi
ths
uchs
weetwa
terwa
sdownhe
rei
nthi
shor
ri
bl
epl
acet
rul
ywa
smy
sti
fy
ing
…

Bef
oreReyc
oul
dta
kea
not
hers
coop,
thewa
ters
uddenl
ybe
ganbubbl
i
ng,
caus
ingt
hey
out
htof
reez
ein
sur
pri
se.

I
twas
n’tl
ongaf
terbe
for
etheent
ir
espr
ingwa
sfi
l
ledwi
thbubbl
es,
andwi
thi
nse
conds
,al
lthewa
ter
s
udde
nlyeva
porat
ed!

“
…H-
huh?T
hehe
ll
?Howdi
dal
lthewa
ters
udde
nlydi
sappe
ar!
”ex
cla
ime
dReyi
nani
ncr
edul
oust
one.

Befor
eGeraldc
oul
dev
ent
heor
iz
e,howe
ver
,ac
ris
p‘c
rac
k’c
oul
dbehe
ardf
romt
hemi
ddl
eoft
hedr
ied-
outspri
ng…

F
ixi
ngt
heirg
azesonthes
our
ceofthes
ound,theduos
impl
ywa
tcheda
sas
labofs
tones
uddenl
ybeg
an
r
is
ingf
romthecent
eroft
hedri
ed-
outspr
ing
…

E
x c
hang
inggl
ance
swithea
chothe
r,Ge
ral
dandReysl
owlywal
kedovera
sthestones
labs
hif
tedt
othe
s
ide…reve
ali
ngwhata
ppeare
dtobeadar
kenedent
ranc
etha
tleddownward!

Whil
eRey’
sfi
rs
trea
cti
onwastos
tar
ea tGer
aldi
ndi
sbe
li
ef,
Ger
aldhi
mse
lfwa
sal
rea
dys
hini
nghi
s
f
las
hli
ghtt
oil
l
uminat
ethebot
tomofthehol
e…

Awhilel
ater
,Geral
dwor
dle
ssl
ybe
gande
sce
ndi
ngt
hehol
e…Ofc
our
se,
upons
eei
ngt
hat
,Re
yha
dno
choi
cebuttofol
l
owhimdown…

T
hehol
eit
sel
fl
edt
oaf
latpa
th,
andt
heduowa
lkedonunt
ilt
heye
vent
ual
l
yca
mea
cros
sahug
e
c
hambe
r…
S
ee i
ngtha
ttherewasagol
dencask
etinthemi
ddl
eofthecha
mbe
r,Reyc
oul
dn’
the
lpbutex
cla
im,
“…I
-
i
sthatwhatIt
hinki
tis
…?Myg od!Thi
schambe
r…it
’satomb!
”

AsReywonder
edhowthehel
lthei
rex
pedi
ti
one
ndedupbec
omi
ngat
ombex
plor
ati
on,
Ger
aldhi
msel
f
bega
nwa l
ki
ngdeepe
rint
othetomb…

I
twasonl
yafews
tepsl
aterwhent
hec
andl
esi
nthec
hambe
rsudde
nlyl
etup,
ins
tant
lybr
ight
eni
ngt
he
e
nti
retomb…

Nowt
hate
ver
ythi
ngwa
swel
ll
it
,Ge
ral
dnot
ic
edt
hatt
her
ewa
sat
ombs
tonewi
thi
nthec
hambe
r.

Wa l
ki
ngovera
nds ee
ingt
hatanci
ents
cri
pthadbee
nca
rvedont
othet
ombs
tone
,Ge
ral
dtur
nedt
olook
atReybef
oreask
ing,“
Say
,canyourea
dthis
?”

Gera
ldkne
wtha
tRe
ywa
sat
ops
tude
nt,
whi
chwa
swhyhef
eltt
hatReyha
dac
hanc
eofde
cipher
ing
thet
ext
.

Reg
ardl
ess
,Re
yqui
ckl
yjog
gedov
erbef
oreha
vingal
ooka
tthet
ombs
tone…

I
ttookhimawhi l
e,butevent
uall
y,Reyrepl
ied,
“We l
l
…I tcont
ainsinf
ormati
onaboutthi
stomb’
sowner,
Mr.Crawf
ord!Fromwha tI
’vegat
he r
ed,theownerofthetombg oesbyTali
asYah,
andhewa sagener
al
i
na nanci
entcount
rycall
edZanekh…T othi
nkthatt
het ombofs uc
hag re
atgenera
lcoul
dbefound
wi
thinMountDa kr
iont
…Hows t
upefyi
ng!”

Uponhear
ingtha
t,Ger
aldi
mmedia
tel
yknewtha
ttheyc
ouldn’
ttouchany
thi
ngi
nhe
re.
Aft
era
ll
,
tr
igg
eri
ngatra
pinsuchahi
gh-
prof
il
etombwoulds
urel
yspel
lthei
rdoom…
Ashewasthi
nki
ngoft
hat,
thec
ornerofGer
ald’
seyess
udde
nlyc
aug
htag
li
mps
eofaf
ami
l
iars
ymbol
on
theg
olde
nc a
sket
…Whe r
ehadheseentha
tbe f
ore
…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1917

Look
ingatGe
ral
d’sr
ais
edeyebr
ow,
Reyc
oul
dn’
thel
pbuta
sk,
“Is
…somet
hingwr
ong
,Mr
.Cr
awf
ord…?
Didyouf
inds
omethi
ng…?”

“
…S eethatsymbolt
her
e?I
feell
i
keI
’v
ese
eni
tsome
wher
ebef
ore
…”mut
ter
edGe
ral
dashec
ont
inue
d
f
li
ppingthroughhi
smemor
ies
…

S
ome
timel
ater
,hes
uddenl
yye
ll
ed,
“Ir
eme
mbernow!
”

F
oll
owi
ngt
hat
,Ge
ral
dfi
she
dthema
poutbef
orequi
ckl
ysc
anni
ngt
hroug
hit
.

Rai
s i
ngas l
i
ghtbrow,Reyt
heninc
hedc l
ose
rtolookatt
hema paswel l
…a ndwhenhef i
nal
lyreal
ize
d
thattheexacts
ymbol—onthecas
ket—couldbefoundonthema p,
Re yimme di
atel
yexcl
ai
me d,“…Hol
y,
i
stha t…Then…Inst
eadofgoi
ngaft
erthetr
easure,
Tyewastry
ingtolocatethi
stombthi
se nt
ire
ti
me …? !
”

“
I’
mgues
sings
o!”r
epl
i
edGe
ral
dwi
thanod,
fina
ll
yahundr
edper
cents
uret
hatT
yewa
supt
onog
ood.
Butwha
twa
shes
chemi
ng…?

AsGer
aldwa
swonde
ringa
boutt
hat
,Ty
eandhi
sme
nfi
nal
l
yma
dei
ttoMoonbea
mVi
l
lag
e…

Despi
teGeral
dtak
ingpi
tyont
hemandal
lowingt
hemtoli
ve,Ty
ewa sn’
taboutt
ogiveuponhisgoal
s
thateas
il
y.S
til
l
,wi
thoutt
hemap,T
yeandhismenhadr
ema i
nedlos
tinthemounta
in’sf
ores
tsfor
ages…

Regar
dle
ss,
uponatt
empti
ngt
ostepfooti
ntothevi
l
lag
e,S
tanton—whojus
tsoha
ppe
nedt
ose
e
the
m—i mmedi
ate
lyrus
hedov
erbeforeas
king
, “
Andwhomightal
lofy
oube?”

Asmoreoft
hevi
l
lag
e r
sranovertost
andbehi
ndSta
nton,
the
yknewwhyhewa
sbe
ings
ovi
gi
la
nt.
Aft
er
al
l,
Tyeandhi
smenlookedi
ncredi
bl
ysuspi
ci
ous…

Rai
si
ngasl
ightbrow,Tyet
hengl
aredattheol
dmanbeforer
epl
yi
ngi
na nannoy
edtone,“T
hati
sn’
t
i
mporta
nt.
Reg ar
dles
s,hav
eyourecent
lycomeac
ros
sthreei
ndi
vi
dua
lsdre
ssedli
keus?”

St
antonwa snoidi
ot.
F r
omT y
e’sex
pressi
onal
one,hecoul
dalr
eadytel
lthatt
hema nwa sn’tagood
pers
on.Withthat,
hes i
mplys
hookhisheadasher
e pl
i
ed,“…I
’ma f
rai
dnot!It
’sbe
ena gess i
nceanyone
fr
omt heoutsi
deworldcametoourvi
ll
age!S
peaki
ngoftheouts
ideworl
d,howdida l
lofy ougethere?
”

Uponhe
ari
ngt
hat
,Ty
esqui
nte
dhi
sey
esa
tthec
hief
,wonder
ingi
ftheol
dma
nwa
stel
l
ingt
het
rut
h…

Unf
ortuna
tel
y,att
ha tv
erymome nt
,ayoungwomanca
mej og
gingt
owa
rdS
tant
onwhi
l
eye
ll
ing
,“T
he
meal
’srea
dy,chi
ef!Havethet
hreewis
eme nre
tur
nedyet
?”

Whi
l
eSt
ant
onwa
ssur
pri
sedt
ohe
art
hats
tat
eme
nt,
Tyea
ndhi
smeni
mmedi
ate
lyf
rowne
d.
Nowf
ull
yawa
ret
hatS
tant
onha
dli
edt
othe
m,T
yet
heny
ell
ed,
“Howda
rey
oul
i
etome
,ol
dma
n!”

S
tant
onhi
mse
lfwa
satal
ossf
orwor
ds.
Tha
tyoungwoma
ntr
ulyha
dar
ri
veda
tthewor
stpos
sibl
e
t
ime…

S
eei
ngtha
tSt
antonwas
n’tk
eenonrepl
ying,
T y
ethe
ngr
abbe
dtheol
dma
nbyhi
scol
l
arbef
orer
oar
ing
,
“
Enoug
hgames!Wher
ethehel
lar
ethosethree!
”

I
twasc
lea
rbynowt
hatTye’
shatre
dforGeral
dwasbey
ondwor
ds…T
yehi
msel
fha
dev
ens
wor
nto
s
howGeral
dnomer
cythenextt
imetheybumpedi
ntohi
m.

What
evertheca
sewa s
,Stant
onhar
dlyevenf
li
nchedatTy
e’sat
temptati
ntimi
dat
inghi
m.Ins
tea
d,t
he
ol
dmans i
mplyr
epl
ied,“Howshoul
dIknow?Theysi
mplylef
twit
houtt
e l
l
inguswheret
heywere
he
adedto!”

“Areyouhones
tl
ysti
lll
yi
ngtome?Don’tbla
memeforbeingr
uthl
esst
hen!”sc
owledTyewi
thasnor
t,
hisgutt
ell
i
nghimthatGera
ldandhispa
rtywer
ewe
llacquai
ntedwi
thSta
nton.Af
tera
ll
,whyel
sewould
theoldmanli
eaboutsomethi
ngli
kethi
s?

F
oll
owi
ngtha
t,Tyeor
deredhi
sme nt
ogathe
rallt
hevi
ll
age
rs.
Onc
etha
twa
sdone
,Ty
eal
soi
nst
ruc
ted
t
hemtoti
eStant
ontothepi
ll
ara
tthevi
l
lage’
sentr
anc
e…

“I
’mgoi
ngt
oaskonefi
nalt
ime…Tel
lmewhe
ret
heywe
nt!
”shout
edT
ye,
bel
i
evi
ngt
hatt
heol
dma
n
woul
dfi
nal
l
yspi
ll
thebeansnow.

“
I’
vea
lre
adyt
oldy
ou,
Idon’
tknow!
”
Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1918

Des
pit
ehows
eri
ousS
tant
onl
ook
eda
shes
cowl
edba
ck,
Tyewa
sn’
tbuy
ingi
t.

Nowf
ull
yenr
aged,
Tyeg
lar
eda
thi
sme
nbef
oreor
der
ing
,“Men!Bea
tthi
sol
db*s
tar
dupt
il
lhet
alk
s!”

Hea
ringthat
,twoofTy
e’smenthenst
eppedfor
war
dwi
thwhi
psi
nha
nd…a
ndwi
thoutt
hes
li
ght
est
merc
y ,
theybeganwhi
ppingt
hepoorol
dma n!

Nat
ura
ll
y,t
heotherv
il
lag
ersi
nst
antl
ybec
amee
nra
ged,
ands
omeoft
hebol
deronese
venr
ushe
d
f
orwar
dtores
cuethei
rpoorc
hief
!

S
eei
ngtha
t,T
yesi
mpl
yshookhi
shea
d,g
lar
inga
tthos
ewhoda
redoppos
ehi
mashi
sha
ndqui
ckl
y
r
eac
hedoutf
orhi
spi
st
ol…

Andwi
thadea
feni
ng‘
bang
’,oneoft
hec
our
ageousv
il
la
ger
sfl
oppe
dtot
heg
round,
dea
d…

Uponwi
tnes
singt
hathor
ri
fy
ings
cene
,noneoft
heot
herv
il
la
ger
sda
redt
ota
kea
not
hers
tepf
orwa
rd…

T
yehimsel
fsi
mplysneered,
“ L
ist
en,ever
ytimeyouref
usetote
llmewher etheya
re,
I’
ll
justk
il
lanot
her
v
il
la
ger!Wit
hthatinmind,you’
dbetterst
artf
essi
ngupalr
eady!St
ill
,I
’mgla
dnobodyevenknows
a
boutyourvi
ll
age
!Becauseofthat,
I c
andowha te
verIwantwithyou!”
“
Chi
ef,
justgi
vethemthei
nfor
ma t
ion!
”call
edoutoneofthevi
l
lag
ers
,notwa
nti
ngt
hee
nti
rev
il
la
get
o
g
etmassa
c r
edjustf
ort
hesakeofprot
ect
ingthos
ethreewis
emen.

“
Yea
h,c
hie
f!Oure
nti
rev
il
la
gei
sats
tak
eher
e!”

“
Plea
se,
jus
ttel
lthe
m,c
hie
f…!
”

Oneaft
eranother
,thevi
l
lag
ersconti
nue
dpleadi
ngSt
a nt
ontoshareGer
ald’
sloc
ati
onwit
ht he
m…a nd
eve
ntual
ly
,thechi
efknewhedidn’tr
eal
lyha
veanyotherchoi
ce.
Aftera
ll
,heneededt
opriori
ti
zehi
s
vi
l
lage’
ssaf
ety
.

Wit
htha
t,St
antons
ighedbef
oredec
lar
ing
,“…F
ine.
I’
ll
tel
lyouononec
ondi
ti
on!Y
ouha
vet
olea
veus
onc
eyougett
heinf
ormati
on!Deal
?”

“
Dea
l!”r
epl
i
edT
yewi
thoutt
hes
li
ght
esthes
it
ati
on.

“T
hey’v
eg onede
eperint
othemount
ain!T
obemor
espe
cif
ic
,theyent
eredac
avewi
tht
wos
tonepi
l
lar
s
bef
oreit
!”sai
dStant
on.

Heari
ngt
hat
,Tye’
se x
pres
sioni
nst
ant
lys
our
ed.
Tot
hinkt
hatGe
ral
dwa
sabl
etol
oca
tet
heex
actc
ave
Tyehi
msel
fwastr
yingtol
ookfor!

“
Hah!Notba
d…”repl
i
edTyewit
hanod,asi
ni
sters
mileonhisf
aceashes
lowl
yaimedhisg
una
t
S
tant
on’
schest
…andwit
hthepul
lofat
ri
gger
,abull
etshott
hroug
htheol
dma n’
sches
t.
“
C-c
hief
…!”cr
iedoutt
hevi
lla
ger
sasSt
ant
ons
patoutamout
hful
ofbl
ood…bef
orehi
she
addr
ooped
a
ndhisl
imbswentcompl
etel
yli
mp…

Aft
erstar
ingf
orawhi
l
ea tt
hei
rchi
ef’
sfr
eshcor
pse,se
ver
aloft
hev
il
la
ger
stur
nedt
ogl
area
tTy
ewhi
l
e
roa
ring
,“How…Howinhumane…!Youut
terb*s
tard…!
”

“
Youpr
omi
sedy
ou’
dle
aveusbe
!Whydi
dyouha
vet
oki
l
lourc
hie
f?!Y
oudemon!
”

Uponhea
ringal
lthosec
urs
es,Ty
e’sfr
ownonl
ywor s
enedashea
ime
dhi
spi
st
ola
tthev
il
la
ger
s…a
nd
j
ustl
ik
ethat,s
everal
morevi
ll
agersf
ell
tot
heground,dea
d.

Eachbul
l
e tha
dhi ti
tsma
rk,
anda
sTy
ere
loa
dedhi
sgun,
hey
ell
edout
,“Ki
l
lthema
ll
!Ma
kes
urey
ou
don’tmi
ssanyone!”

Noddi
ngi
nre
spons
e,T
ye’
sme
nthe
nre
tri
eve
dthei
rkni
ves
…andt
hema
ssa
cres
oonbe
gan.

Bythet
imeTyeandhi
smenwer
edone,
theent
ir
evi
l
lag
epopul
ati
onha
dbee
nwi
pedout
.Moonbea
m
vi
ll
agewasnomore…

Howa
bsol
utel
yvi
l
e…

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r

Cha
pte
r1919
Movi
ngbacktoGe r
aldandRey,
theyhadnowayofknowi
ngaboutt
hema s
sac
rethathadtak
enplac
eat
MoonbeamVil
lage.Evens
o,i
twa spr
ett
ymuchguar
antee
dthatGer
aldwoul
dn’tl
etTyeandhismenof
f
t
hesecondhefoundoutaboutwhatthe
yhaddone…

Reg
ardl
ess,
sincet
heywer
ebot
hst
andi
ngbef
oret
hecas
ketnow,
Reywa
spr
ompt
edt
oas
k,“
Shoul
d…
weopenthec a
ske
tandhav
eal
ooki
nsi
de,Mr
.Cra
wfor
d…?”

“Neg
ati
ve.It
rul
ybeli
evet
hats
ome
thi
ngt
err
ibl
ewi
l
lha
ppe
nifwedo,
”repl
i
edGer
ald,
ins
tant
lyc
aus
ing
Reyt
ogiveuponhisi
dea.

Eve
nso,hec
oul
dn’thel
pbutr
emai
ncur
iousaboutthecont
ent
softhegol
denc
ask
et.
Aft
era
ll
,Ty
eha
d
beent
ryi
ngs
ohardtosear
chf
ori
t.Wha
tk i
ndoftre
a s
uresl
aywit
hin…?

“
…Say
,Mr.Cr
awf
ord?Whatki
ndsoft
rea
sur
esdoy
out
hinka
rei
nthi
stombf
orT
yet
otr
avel
sof
arj
ust
t
oobt
aint
hem…?”as
kedRey
.

Shak
inghi
sheadi
nres
pons
e,Ger
aldt
hens
aid,
“Iha
venoi
dea
,thoug
hIbe
li
evet
het
hing
she
’sa
fte
rli
es
wit
hintha
tcas
ket
!”

T
houg
hGeral
dknewthatt
hecas
ketwasbadne
ws,heals
ohadapr
ett
ygoodi
deat
hati
tcont
ained
s
omet
hinge
xtr
emel
yv a
lua
ble
.Aft
eral
l
, T
yewastr
yings
ohar
dtogeti
t.

What
evertheca
sewas,
Geral
dthenbega
nse
arc
hinghi
gha
ndl
owa
roundt
hec
hamber
.Af
tera
ll
,he
wass
ickofre
maini
ngt
rappe
dinhere.

Reysta
rte
ddoi
ngt
hes
ame,
andwi
tht
hei
rcombi
nede
ffor
ts,
theduoe
vent
ual
l
yma
nag
edt
ofi
ndawa
y
out!
Qui
ckl
yma
kingt
hei
rwa
yout
,thet
wos
oonf
oundt
hems
elv
ess
teppi
ngi
ntoaf
ore
stofs
ort
s…

St
il
l,
Ge r
aldandReyweremuchtoog
ladtofi
nal
l
ybeabl
etoseet
heskyag
aintobebot
heredbytha
t.
Wit
hhows t
alet
heairi
ntheca
vehadbeen,t
hetwomencoul
dn’
the
lpbutfee
lext
remel
yrela
xednow
t
hattheycouldf
ina
ll
ytakewhi
ff
soff
reshai
r…

Ex
hali
ngl
oudl
y,Reyt
hens
atont
heg
roundbef
oreex
cla
imi
ng,
“Tha
nkg
odwe
’ref
ina
ll
youtoft
hatpl
ace
,
Mr.Cr
awf
ord…!”

“
Inde
ed!L
et’
she
adba
cknow!
”re
pli
edGe
ral
d.

Att
hatv
erymome
nt,
bot
hoft
hei
rea
rspe
rke
dass
ever
alr
ust
li
ngs
oundsc
oul
dbehe
ardi
nthedi
st
anc
e!

I
mme di
atel
ygett
ingvi
gi
la
nt,t
heduothenhi
dthemselv
eswe l
lbe
forepe
eki
ngoutt
oseewhowas
mak
ingall
thatnois
e…andthesec
ondtheys
awt hecul
pri
ts
,Geral
dandReywer
eri
ght
ful
l
ysur
pri
sed.

“
Mr.
Cra
wfor
d…!I
t’
sTy
eandhi
sme
n!”whi
sper
edRey
.

Ge
ral
dhi
msel
fwa
smuc
htoobus
ywonde
ringhowt
heyha
dfoundt
hei
rwa
yher
esoqui
ckl
ywi
thoutt
he
map.

Wha
tevertheca
sewas,T
yeandhismenappear
edtobef
ull
yfoc
usedong
ett
ingt
othec
ave.
Wit
htha
t
i
nmind,t
he ywer
euna
bletodet
ectGer
aldandRey
…

Reme
mber
ingt
hatt
hec
avewa
sn’
ttoof
arof
ffr
omhe
re,
Ger
aldha
dahunc
htha
ttheg
roupwoul
dsoon
c
omea
cros
sit
…

E
vens
o,Ge
ral
dcoul
dn’
the
lpbutwonde
rift
heywoul
dbea
blet
oge
tint
othec
avei
nthef
ir
stpl
ace.

Vi
si
tcha
pte
rli
stf
ornex
tcha
pte
r