fear of hurting sensitive eyes. Christopher had learnt to navigate a world of skeletons, none of whom eyes anymore, and many of whom had long since forgotten about the squishy living had and their need for constant illumination. Jack could see by the light of a single storm. Only Kade stumbled, managing not to fall as the group made their way to the base of the stairs. you hold her up without me for a second?” asked Jack. should turn the lights on “Can “I before one of you buffoons trips and damages something valuable.” that’s the reason no one talks to you,” said Christopher. sort of mean “See, “You’re like, all the time. Even when you don’t have any real reason to be. You could just say ‘please.’” can you hold her up without me for a second, so that we don’t knock over the jug “Please of acid I was planning to use to dissolve her flesh,” said Jack. enjoy having non-skeletal feet. “I Perhaps you do as well.” now,” said Christopher. He shifted his grip around Loriel’s torso, getting his arms “For locked. right, I think I have her.” “All I’ll be back.” The body seemed to grow heavier in Nancy and “Excellent. Christopher’s arms as Jack let go. They heard her moving away, steps light on the concrete floor of the basement. Then, calmly, she said, may want to close your eyes.” “You They tensed, expecting a blazing surgical light. Instead, when she flipped the switch, a soft orange glow bathed the room, revealing metal racks filled with jars and lab equipment, dressers bulging with wispy lace and ribbons, and a stainless steel autopsy table. There was only one bed. Nancy made a small sound of dismay as she realized what this meant. sleep on the “You autopsy table?” she asked. Jack touched the smooth metal with one hand. much call for pillows or blankets in “Not
fear of hurting sensitive eyes. Christopher had learnt to navigate a world of skeletons, none of whom had eyes anymore, and many of whom had long since forgotten about the squishy living and their need for constant illumination. Jack could see by the light of a single storm. Only Kade stumbled, managing not to fall as the group made their way to the base of the stairs. “Can you hold her up without me for a second?” asked Jack. “I should turn the lights on before one of you buffoons trips and damages something valuable.” “See, that’s the reason no one talks to you,” said Christopher. “You’re sort of mean like, all the time. Even when you don’t have any real reason to be. You could just say ‘please.’” “Please can you hold her up without me for a second, so that we don’t knock over the jug of acid I was planning to use to dissolve her flesh,” said Jack. “I enjoy having non-skeletal feet. Perhaps you do as well.” “For now,” said Christopher. He shifted his grip around Loriel’s torso, getting his arms locked. “All right, I think I have her.” “Excellent. I’ll be back.” The body seemed to grow heavier in Nancy and Christopher’s arms as Jack let go. They heard her moving away, steps light on the concrete floor of the basement. Then, calmly, she said, “You may want to close your eyes.” They tensed, expecting a blazing surgical light. Instead, when she flipped the switch, a soft orange glow bathed the room, revealing metal racks filled with jars and lab equipment, dressers bulging with wispy lace and ribbons, and a stainless steel autopsy table. There was only one bed. Nancy made a small sound of dismay as she realized what this meant. “You sleep on the autopsy table?” she asked. Jack touched the smooth metal with one hand. “Not much call for pillows or blankets in