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For a moment I don’t move I listen No one comes I walk toward the box The drawer is open I reach into it and take out the small, folded docuht of the torch

For a led with hi breath The way Blake had felt deep inside me Then I remember—that was not him That was some other randoet that

This, this tiny piece of paper in ton, you’re about to get the shock of your life You shouldn’t have double-crossedthe end of the second act, when the Prince sings to Turandot, ‘You do not know my name Tell me my name before sunrise, and at dawn, I will die’

I turn away froe and look at Blake His phonethe lighted screen He smiles at me and leaves the box to take the call It could have been anyone, calling about any nuent matters, but it is as if my heart already knows: the unthinkable has happened For a , simply sit terrified where I am, and listen to the cruel Turandot accept the Prince’s challenge

By dawn he will be dead

Then I stand and follow Blake out As I open the door I see hi his call His body is stiff and tense When he looks up at me he looks ashen I see his hands trehast I was right The unthinkable has happened

‘What’s happened? What is it?’ My voice sounds hollow and scared

He starts walking toward o home now’

Fear Fear Fear like I have never known coils aroundme so hard, I can hardly taketo say I know exactly what he is going to say I realize I don’t want hi

‘No, no,’ I whisper, and start backing away from him

The second act is over, and all around us people in their finery are strea toward the restrooms and the bars I take another backward step and collide with a man in a black suit He steadies me with his hands He has dirty blond eyebrows and concerned, aze stupidly at hihtened brain can even formulate a reply, Blake appears at my side and takes my arm The other man drops his hands He smiles oddly at me and with a nod to Blake leads the woruously notes that her velvet dress has a tiny stain on the right sleeve And yet she see for her at hoers shake as they rush to cover my mouth