Page 144 (1/2)

PART ONE

THE HINGES OF DESTINY

Changing is what people do when they have no options left

—HOLLY BLACK, RED GLOVE

1

BENNY IMURA SAT IN THE dark and spoke with monsters

It was like that every day

It had become the pattern of his life Shadows and blood And monsters

Everywhere

Monsters

2

THE THING CROUCHED IN THE darkness

It stank of raw meat and decay A metal collar was bolted around its neck and a steel chain lay coiled on the bottoreat snake