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He had everyone’s attention alry, desperate, and very irab soht froroup of kids he’d enlisted as bodyguards

“The food is ready,” Zil announced to loud cheers

“But we have so more important to do, first, before we can eat”

Groans

“We have to carry out some justice”

That earned a silent stare until Turk and Hank started raising their hands and yelling, showing the cro to act

“This mutant, this nonhuman scum here, this freak Hunter…” Zil pointed, arm stretched out, at his captive “This chud deliberately murdered my best friend, Harry”

“Na troo,” Hunter said His e, Zil supposed, from the little knock on his head Half of Hunter’s face drooped like it wasn’t quite attached right It made it easier for the crowd of kids to sneer at hi retard voice, wasn’t helping his case

“He’s a killer!” Zil cried suddenly, s his fist into his palm

“A freak! A ht? They always have enough food They run everything They’re in charge and we’re all starving Is that some kind of coincidence? No way”

“Na troo,” Hunter ain

“Take hi mutant scum!”

They seized Hunter by the ar They half carried, half ed him up the church steps

“Now,” Zil said, “here is hoe’re going to do this” He waved his hand toward the rope that Lance was unspooling back through the plaza

An expectant pause A dangerous, giddy feeling The smell of the meat had them all crazy Zil could feel it