Page 141 (2/2)

But they were terrified They were on the edge of panic

Astrid was turned to face the crowd, back against the hood, pressed fronored

Edilio had reached into the backseat of the Jeep to slide his gun forward onto his lap Like he thought he ht have to use it to save Sam or Astrid or both

Zil appeared, pushing his way through the crowd, five other kids acting like a star’s bodyguard, shoving people out of the way He was cheered by some, booed by others But when he raised his hand the crowd quieted, at least a little, and leaned forward in anticipation

Zil stuck one fist on his hip and pointed at Sa boss”

Sa The crowd hushed, ready to watch this one-on-one confrontation

“You’re the big boss of the freaks,” Zil yelled “But you can’t do anything You can shoot laser beah food, and you can’t keep the power on, and you won’t do anything about that murderer Hunter, who killed s for a final, furious cry “You shouldn’t be in charge”

Suddenly, there was silence Zil had laid the challenge out there

Sa But then, er seat of the Jeep, and stood where everyone could see him

Sae

It wouldn’t be good to let it out He knew that He kept his voice calm, kept his expression blank He noered over Zil “You want to be in charge, Zil? Last night you were running around trying to get a lynch ether And let’s not even pretend that wasn’t you responsible for graffiti I saw driving into town just now”

“So what?” Zil demanded “So what? So I said what everyone who isn’t a freak is thinking”

He spit the word “freak,”it an accusation

“You really think e need right now is to divide up between freaks and norhts turned back on? That will put food on people’s tables?”

“What about Hunter?” Zil said “Hunter murders Harry with his ”