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A surge of heat pulsed through Thomas’s veins "I’ve never seen you before in my life I have no idea who you are, and I couldn’t care less," he spat But really, hoould he know? And how could this kid rehter rew serious, his eyebrows slanting inward "I’ve … seen you, shank Not too " He pointed up the stairs "I have I knohat old Benny baby’s going through I’ve been there And I saw you during the Changing"
He reached out and poked Thomas in the chest "And I bet your first meal from Frypan that Benny’ll say he’s seen ya, too"
Tho Panic ate at hi worse?
"Griever got ya wettin’ yourself?" the boy said through a sneer "A little scared now? Don’t wanna get stung, do ya?"
There was that word again Stung Thomas tried not to think about it and pointed up the stairs, fro "If Neent up there, then I wanna talk to hi, stared at Thomas for several seconds Then he shook his head "You knohat? You’re right, Tommy--I shouldn’t be so mean to Newbies Go on upstairs and I’o on I’htly slapped Tho up the stairs But Tho parts of your memory didn’t make you an idiot
"What’s your na for tio up after all
"Gally And don’t let anyone fool you I’eezer shanks upstairs Me You can call me Captain Gally if you want" He s nose Two or three wereclose to the color white His breath escaped just enough for Tho him of some horrible memory that was just out of reach It uy he wanted to screaerated a salute, feeling a rush of adrenaline, as he knew he’d just crossed a line
A few snickers escaped the crowd, and Gally looked around, his face bright red He peered back at Tho his o up the stairs," Gally said "And stay away froain but didn’t take his eyes off Thomas
"Fine" Thory He felt the heat of blood in his face No oneas Gally asked, except for Chuck, who stood at the front door, shaking his head
"You’re not supposed to," the younger boy said "You’re a Newbie--you can’t go up there"
"Go," said Gally with a sneer "Go on up"
Tho come inside in the first place--but he did want to talk to that Newt guy
He started up the stairs Each step groaned and creaked under his weight; he h the old wood if he weren’t leaving such an aard situation below Up he went, wincing at every splintered sound The stairs reached a landing, turned left, then ca to several rooh the crack at the botto!" Gally shouted from below "Look forward to it, shuck-face!"
As if the taunting gave Thoe, he walked over to the lit door, ignoring the creaking floorboards and laughter downstairs--ignoring the onslaught of words he didn’t understand, suppressing the dreadful feelings they induced He reached down, turned the brass handle, and opened the door
Inside the roo on a bed
Thomas leaned in closer to see what the fuss was all about, but when he got a clear look at the condition of the patient, his heart went cold He had to fight the bile that surged up his throat
The look was fast--only a few seconds--but it was enough to haunt hiony, chest bare and hideous Tight, rigid cords of sickly green veins webbed across the boy’s body and limbs, like ropes under his skin Purplish bruises covered the kid, red hives, bloody scratches His bloodshot eyes bulged, darting back and forth The ie had already burned into Tho the view but not theTho the door shut behind the up here, Greenie!" Alby yelled, his lips taut with anger, eyes on fire
Thomas felt weak "I … uh … want soth in his words--felt hi with that kid? Tho in the hallway and stared at the floor, not sure what to do next
"Get your runtcheeks down those stairs, right now," Alby ordered "Chuck’ll help you If I see you again before to, you ain’t reachin’ another one alive I’ll throw you off the Cliff et me?"
Thomas was humiliated and scared He felt like he’d shrunk to the size of a s a word, he pushed past Alby and headed down the creaky steps, going as fast as he dared Ignoring the gaping stares of everyone at the botto Chuck by the arm as he did so
Thomas hated these people He hated all of theuys," Thoht actually be his only friend in the world
"You got it," Chuck replied, his voice chipper, as if thrilled to be needed "But first we should get you soain" Not after what he’d just seen
Chuck nodded "Yeah, you will I’ll meet you at the same tree as before Ten et away from the house, and headed back toward the tree He’d only knohat it was like to be alive here for a short while and he already wanted it to end He wished for all the world he could re His irl
He blinked hard several tie of what he’d just seen in the shack out of his
It wasn’t cold, but Thoainst the tree as he waited for Chuck He scanned the cohtmares where he seethened considerably, already creeping up the sides of the ivy-covered stone faces on the other side