Page 10 (2/2)

"Seth?" I said, not too loud, but definitely assertive "What’s up, Bro? Are you sick?"

Chaz now stood and had taken a few steps toward rew louder Seth remained silent

"Hey," I said, and eased toward him "Want me to--"

"No," Seth finally said His voice soundeddifferent Strained Deeper

"Okay, okay," I said, forcing ht--"

"No!" Seth yelled, and lunged at ed at Seth, knocked him down, and latched onto his arrip loose "Get off me!" he cried, and shoved Chaz hard with his free hand The dog flew across the rooainst the ith a shrill yelp He ied Seth

"Chaz, no!" I yelled, and ran to grab his collar Seth slammed out of ainst the wall Yanking on the shorts I’d worn earlier, I slid intowith hi air thick and soupy as a mist rolled in from the river; I closed the back door and searched both sides of ns of Seth anywhere With ed up the cobbles, ducked into the narrow alley that led to River Street, and hurried to the line of storefronts facing the river I found"Seth?" I called out "Seth!" No answer I still found myself alone at the west end, past the Hyatt, then made my way up to Factor’s Walk and searched Bay Street The early-hour fog hung like a cloud, and it slipped in and out of the oaks like inching fingers The air was still; not even the slightest of breezes h theThere was absolutely no sign of my brother

It was at that point that I realized someone stood close by, and this ti that someone watched ed as aze roamed the area Shadows fell and stretched fro the curb, the storefront awnings, and trees; it was impossible to search every nook I turned and walked up the cobbles, and just as I ducked into the alley next to Inksoainst the wall; s With ainst my back, I hadn’t a clue who heldthat se of accent

"Do you have a death wish?" he said, his voice low and annoyed, hiscrazy?"

I tried to push against hi the side of my face into the brick, ass-hole Get offyou need to worry about" He eased up a fraction, enough for ainst my ear, and, swear to God, he sniffed et that," I said, trying to look behind ht "What’s your problem? Why are you onI found exciting about him I had no idea what it was--he’d threatened me twice now

"Get inside and stay there Understand?"

I did not like being bullied or told what to do "You don’t know rily "And I’in’ health, so why don’t you back off!" I growled, and shoved hard against hile inch budged