Page 178 (1/2)

“Nohat?” Lisa wondered “He’s hurt Maybe we should let hio”

Zil was about to agree His rage against Hunter was mostly burned out, the fla a full belly

“Going soft on a freak, Lisa?” Hank taunted

“No,” Lisa said quickly

Hank looked hard at her “You think if we let hiether with the other freaks and coentle with us?”

Zil looked at Lance “What do you think, big guy?”

“Me?” Lance looked troubled “Hey, I do what you say, Zil”

So, Zil realized, it was on hiht soured the happy buzz Up until now he had known he could more or less justify his actions He could say, ‘Look, Hunter killed Harry I was bringing hiht not accept it, but he probably would have no choice but to let it go

But if they actually executed Hunter, like Hank obviously wanted, then Sam and all his kids would come after Zil And the reality was, the five of theht with Sam

If they killed Hunter, it would be open ith Sam Sam would win

Zil could not adh It would make him look pathetic

He was trapped If he looked soft, Hank would turn against hio But killing Hunter would doom Zil

“We need more kids than just us five,” Zil said “I mean, we need other kids to be in on this”

Hank looked wary

But Zil had an idea now It was blooht the five of us, but he can’t take on the whole town, right? Who is he going to boss around if the whole town is against him?”