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“There is evil in the world,” Messenger said “It comes froested to us”

“Like Derek did with Charles?”

“And in another way as Derek and Charles did to Manolo That is the evil that calls for justice” He cast another longing look down at the darkening streets and said, “I can’t spend any more time here We have our duties”

“Who is Ariadne? Why would she be here?” I asked But I didn’t really expect an answer, and got none

With no sensation ofin a noisy, bright-lit gymnasium The bleachers were half-filled, but the kids and parents there were enthusiastic, shouting encourageanized but sincere way

Out on the polished wood floor two boys in spandex uniforh school wrestlers, circled each other, crouched, cautious One was Derek

Derek lunged, caught the other boy’s leg, pulled, and then fell atop the boy as he squirmed out of the hold, reversed with a smooth twist, and locked his arms around Derek’s shoulders

The cheering fell silent The referee’s whistle was stilled The boy on top went lie, swarrip, threw his opponent down onto the mat, and only after nearly a

Bewildered, he looked up He fixed his eyes on er

“Derek Grady,” Messenger said “You are called to account for your actions”

Derek looked left, right It would almost have been comical, had I not known some of what awaited him

“What’s going on?” Derek asked He disentangled himself from his limp, blank-faced opponent, and stood up He looked all around and yelled, “Hey! Hey, people! Hey! What the”

His words trailed away as he saw a yellow h the frozen crowd, along the raftered ceiling, across the polished wood floor

r />“What is this?” he de me, I supposed, as the one erence

I did not answer Neither did Messenger I had already begun to adopt Messenger’s soleh it had not been a conscious decision on my part