Page 86 (1/2)

The bastard slitfelt it happen

Flat on his back, Bill stared at the ceiling Panic, new and unreal, washed through him in tian to falter

Michael stood griht as the rifle exploded again and again The scent of gunpowder threatened to h, and the cries of his h it all, Michael fired with an ease that belied his pale face

Godda up my entire house

And then it was silent except for Bill’s pained gasps He jerked when a heavy hand gripped his throat, stopping the outflow His sight grayed when Michael leaned over him, his eyes hard "Now, old man," Michael breathed heavily, "tellcretin was insane But he’d known that "I-I did," he rasped, sucking in air as if he were drowning

"Are you sure?"

Bill spasrip and a soft warmth flooded over their hands pressed to his neck "Draft!" he choked out

An ugly s the flow "The truth"

He wouldn’t re when the draft ended, but if Michael wasn’t satisfied, he wouldn’t draft at all "I have," Bill said "She’s trying to kill you!"

Michael leaned back and the light struck hi to kill you," he said With a sideways s for air as his body thought he was drowning He killed ht, and then the pain vanished with a sideways twist of déjà vu

Michael had drafted, and Bill’s oxygen-starved brain floundered as it tried to cope until, with the sensation of breaking ice, everything flooded back with a crystalline certainty

Bill groaned as tiain behind the counter His pistol was before him His hand flashed to his neck, not the weapon, and his attention jerked to the door "Don’t shoot!" he bellowed before his men could come in, his arms raised "Goddaet my foot up their ass! Get out Get out!" he shouted, and Michael, ould remember both ti with the fear from his narrow miss, Bill held a hand over his neck Michael had drafted over his ninety-second ceiling Twice as far as Peri had everhave you been able to do this?" he whispered, still shaking