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Jessie Riley

As he ran, Benny repeated a single word over and over:

"Nix"

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BENNY RAN AS FAST HE COULD, AND EVEN THOUGH TOM WAS FAR AHEAD, by the tiht up Captain Strunk was blocks behind As they passed the long, flat Ration Office, they ran abreast, and it was side-by-side that they jues on the left side of the Riley property They skidded to a halt in the wet grass

A boy sat on the top step of the tiny house He was neatly dressed, and he held a s in twisted tangles across his thighs

Benny said, with total surprise, "Morgie?"

The boy did not move His head was bowed forward, as if he dozed there on the porch step Moonlight was breaking through the cloud cover, and in its wan glow, Morgie’s face looked unnaturally pale

"Careful, Benny," Tom warned He drew his sword and looked up and down the street, but except for the flicker of torchlight, nothingof horses in the stables

Benny took a step forward Morgie sat still, his arether He looked like he was huddled there against the cold rain and had fallen asleep Except that his clothes were dry

"Morgie? Are you okay, ie did not raise his head or ed Benny as heit with both hands "Give ie Mitchell raised his head, and what Benny saw tore a gasp froie’s face was as icy pale as the , sunk into shadowy pits, his lips slack

There was fresh blood on his lips It glistened like oil in the s, and he shook his head, denying the possibility of this

To in the cold ," Toie’s htened on the handle of his sword

"Toed Benny

"I’ll do what I have to, Ben," said Tom between clenched teeth

Benny took another step forward Alht his ie, you fat jerk, you freaking well say so!" Benny yelled Behind hi up

"God!" he said, "Is that the Mitchell boy?"

"His naie"

"Is … is he turned?" Strunk glanced at Toht shake of his head Not an answer to the question, but rather a command to be quiet

Benny took one more step closer Definitely in reach now Tom hissed, but didn’t move His blade was poised to cut, and Benny kne fast his brother was If Morgie grabbed hiie … you’re freaking me out here If this is one of your jokes, it’s not funny"

Morgie’s ie whispered, "Nix!"

Then he bent forward and toppled off the step Strunk cried out in alar at his pistol To as Benny darted forward and caught his friend Morgie was heavy, and he claers around Benny’s arht next to Benny’s throat Benny could feel the labored breathing on his neck

"Benny get out of there!" To the sword raised with the other, ready for the killing blow "Benny!"

"Kill it!" bellowed Strunk

Benny wheeled on theie and leaned close

"Benny …" Morgie gasped weakly "They took Nix"

"What? What happened?"

"Mrs Riley … They wanted her to tell the … but she wouldn’t They … beat her up They made me stand and watch Gun to my head Nix tried to … stop them Couldn’t She was hurt Mrs Riley …"

And then his eyes rolled up in his head, and he collapsed against Benny, his li to catch his friend, to keep hiie under the armpits and pulled hiround, scattering petals They laid hiht," Toht the torch

"Is he bitten?" Strunk asked "Is he dead?"

Toie’s throat "No He’s alive, but he’s hurt" He reached up to push the torchlight into place for a better view, and there it was Although Morgie’s clothing had not appeared to be wet from the rain, the back of his hair and shirt were soaked Benny leaned over to take a look, and gagged The back of Morgie’s head was a tangle of matted, bloody hair, and the blood had run down his neck and soaked his back To optiood I think he has a skull fracture, and he’s going into shock Keith, get h Strunk was the head of town security and was not used to taking orders from anyone except the ument He ran to the end of the block where there was an alar out for the toatch

Toie’s head carefully onto his brother’s lap "Stay with him, Benny I have to check inside"

They were both keenly aware there were lights on inside the Riley house, and no one had coate the voices and co, Pirate Benny’s heart was a cold stone that kept falling through the icy waters of a deep well

"Toie said …"

"I heard what he said" Tom sheathed his sword, drew his pistol, and thumbed back the hammer As he turned toward the front door, Benny saw his brother’s expression in the e and terror

Benny sat on the ie’s head in his lap His friend’s ie

"Nix"

People were yelling now, boiling out of their houses with guns and axes and sharpened pitchforks Soht torches fro toward the horses that were covered in heavy carpet from flanks to withers

"Where’s Toun in his hand