Artwork for podcast The Voice of Dog
“The Stars in Your Dreams Are the Eyes of What Hunts You” by James Stone (read by Dirt Coyote)
31st October 2024 • The Voice of Dog • Rob MacWolf and guests
00:00:00 00:41:53

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Shownotes

You know those dreams that feel like real life but something is a little off? Or been so tired that you don’t know when you fell into that 30 minute cat nap? That’s Will’s life recently, and it’s only getting worse…

Tonight’s story is “The Stars in Your Dreams Are the Eyes of What Hunts You” by James Stone, whose story “Cat Problems” closed our Ghost of Dog 2022. He has stories in Bleak Horizons by Furplanet and in A Swordmaster’s Tale by Armoured Fox Publishing.

Read by Dirt Coyote, whom it’ll take more than that to stop.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/the-stars-in-your-dreams-are-the-eyes-of-what-hunts-you-by-james-stone

Transcripts

Speaker:

You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Ghost

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

The

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Voice

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of

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Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Tonight’s

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

is “The

Speaker:

Stars

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

Your

Speaker:

Dreams

Speaker:

Are

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Eyes

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

What

Speaker:

Hunts

Speaker:

You”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

James

Speaker:

Stone,

Speaker:

whose

Speaker:

story “Cat

Speaker:

Problems”

Speaker:

closed our

Speaker:

Ghost of Dog in 2022. He has stories

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

Bleak

Speaker:

Horizons

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Furplanet

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

A

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Swordmaster’s

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Tale

Speaker:

by

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Armoured

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Fox

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Publishing.

Read

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by

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Dirt

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stop.

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me

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a

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smile.”
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bright

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enough.
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Moonlight

specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

it

specifics:

the

specifics:

next

specifics:

time

specifics:

they

specifics:

talked.
- - -
The

specifics:

next

specifics:

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weeks

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busy

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at

specifics:

Will’s

specifics:

office.

specifics:

The

specifics:

corporate

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auditors

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were

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going

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over

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the

specifics:

financial

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records.

specifics:

Will

specifics:

was

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working

specifics:

late

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every

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day.

specifics:

He

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skipped

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lunches,

specifics:

as

specifics:

did

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everyone

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specifics:

his

specifics:

group,

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and

specifics:

all

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were

specifics:

feeling

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stressed.

specifics:

He’d

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get

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and

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so

specifics:

he

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could

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and

specifics:

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specifics:

when

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

called.

specifics:

The

specifics:

minute

specifics:

he’d

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get

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off

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the

specifics:

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specifics:

Caer, he’d

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and

specifics:

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It

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have

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bad

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dreams.
This

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one

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started

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out

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like

specifics:

the ‘pleasant

specifics:

life’

specifics:

dream

specifics:

he

specifics:

had

specifics:

previously.

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

returned

specifics:

from

specifics:

Alberta.

specifics:

Home

specifics:

in

specifics:

the

specifics:

suburbs.

specifics:

Vacations

specifics:

and

specifics:

yard

specifics:

work.

specifics:

Amber

specifics:

tinted

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memories

specifics:

that

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soon

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darkened.

specifics:

Caer

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was

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some

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of

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and

specifics:

the

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hot.

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He

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said

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get

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Work

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and

specifics:

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specifics:

Caer

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got

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his

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appointment.

specifics:

By

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that

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time,

specifics:

the

specifics:

cancer

specifics:

had

specifics:

infiltrated

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both

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kidneys

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and

specifics:

was

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to

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his

specifics:

spine.

specifics:

The

specifics:

doctors

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told

specifics:

him

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was

specifics:

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with

specifics:

it

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this

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but

specifics:

with

specifics:

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specifics:

and

specifics:

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specifics:

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specifics:

spirit

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he

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pull

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through.
Will

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took

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a

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leave

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from

specifics:

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specifics:

bank.

specifics:

He

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weeks

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side

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as

specifics:

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specifics:

husband

specifics:

underwent

specifics:

chemotherapy

specifics:

and

specifics:

radiation.

specifics:

He

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most

specifics:

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fur

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specifics:

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specifics:

his

specifics:

handsomeness. Caer

specifics:

went

specifics:

from

specifics:

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to

specifics:

where

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he

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specifics:

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specifics:

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made

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bones

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specifics:

In

specifics:

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specifics:

end,

specifics:

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specifics:

was

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confined

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sedated

specifics:

and

specifics:

when

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it

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relief

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specifics:

know

specifics:

he

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didn’t

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anymore.

specifics:

That

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he

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wouldn’t

specifics:

hurt

specifics:

ever

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again.
Will

specifics:

sat bolt

specifics:

upright

specifics:

in

specifics:

bed,

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sweating,

specifics:

his

specifics:

heart

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and

specifics:

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for

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breath.

specifics:

He

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fumbled

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on

specifics:

the

specifics:

nightstand

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and

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managed

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to

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find

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phone.

specifics:

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to

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up

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from

specifics:

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specifics:

he

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hit

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specifics:

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button.

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

picked

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up

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and

specifics:

Will

specifics:

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sigh

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relief

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into

specifics:

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specifics:

phone.
“Will?

specifics:

What’s

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up?”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

asked.
“Ugh,

specifics:

I

specifics:

just

specifics:

had

specifics:

the

specifics:

most

specifics:

horrible

specifics:

dream.

specifics:

It

specifics:

was

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so

specifics:

real,

specifics:

Caer,

specifics:

I

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had

specifics:

to

specifics:

call.

specifics:

God,

specifics:

I

specifics:

thought

specifics:

I

specifics:

had

specifics:

lost

specifics:

you.

specifics:

You

specifics:

were

specifics:

so

specifics:

sick

specifics:

and

specifics:

it

specifics:

felt

specifics:

so

specifics:

real.”
“Hush,

specifics:

Chief.

specifics:

I’m

specifics:

here.

specifics:

I’m

specifics:

not

specifics:

going

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anywhere.

specifics:

It

specifics:

was

specifics:

just

specifics:

a

specifics:

bad

specifics:

dream.”
“Caer,

specifics:

you’re

specifics:

sure

specifics:

you’re

specifics:

ok?

specifics:

No

specifics:

missing

specifics:

fur

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anywhere

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on

specifics:

your

specifics:

back?”
“Well

specifics:

I

specifics:

can’t

specifics:

say

specifics:

I

specifics:

look

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at

specifics:

it

specifics:

all

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that

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often,

specifics:

Will,”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

replied. “I

specifics:

mean,

specifics:

it’s…”
“Caer,

specifics:

please

specifics:

go

specifics:

look

specifics:

at

specifics:

your

specifics:

back.

specifics:

Please,”

specifics:

Will

specifics:

interrupted. “This

specifics:

was

specifics:

so

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real.

specifics:

I

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just

specifics:

want

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to

specifics:

be

specifics:

sure.”
“Ok,

specifics:

Chief.

specifics:

Anything

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for

specifics:

you,”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

said.

specifics:

Will

specifics:

heard his

specifics:

husband’s

specifics:

bare footpads

specifics:

on

specifics:

the

specifics:

floor

specifics:

and

specifics:

a

specifics:

light

specifics:

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specifics:

on,

specifics:

and

specifics:

his

specifics:

phone

specifics:

beeped

specifics:

as

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

sent

specifics:

a

specifics:

photo

specifics:

of his

specifics:

back. The resolution wasn’t the greatest,

specifics:

but

specifics:

there

specifics:

was

specifics:

no

specifics:

sign

specifics:

of

specifics:

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specifics:

cancer

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from

specifics:

the

specifics:

dream.

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

came

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back

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on

specifics:

the

specifics:

phone. “There

specifics:

we

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go.

specifics:

Nothing

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to

specifics:

worry

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about.

specifics:

Work’s

specifics:

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for

specifics:

you.

specifics:

It

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was

specifics:

just

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specifics:

dream,

specifics:

and

specifics:

you

specifics:

can

specifics:

go

specifics:

back

specifics:

to

specifics:

sleep.”
“Caer… Ok, I’ll

specifics:

try.

specifics:

Sorry to bug

specifics:

you.

specifics:

Love you.”
“Love you

specifics:

too,”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

replied. “Sleep

specifics:

tight.

specifics:

I’m

specifics:

not

specifics:

going

specifics:

anywhere.”
Will

specifics:

laid

specifics:

his

specifics:

head

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back

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down

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on

specifics:

the

specifics:

pillow

specifics:

and

specifics:

looked

specifics:

at

specifics:

the

specifics:

clock.

specifics:

It was 4:30am, and he

specifics:

was

specifics:

wide

specifics:

awake.

specifics:

He

specifics:

groaned

specifics:

and

specifics:

rolled

specifics:

over,

specifics:

and

specifics:

eventually

specifics:

drifted

specifics:

off

specifics:

for

specifics:

some

specifics:

fitful

specifics:

sleep

specifics:

before

specifics:

he

specifics:

needed

specifics:

to

specifics:

wake

specifics:

up

specifics:

for

specifics:

work.
- - -
Life

specifics:

was

specifics:

back

specifics:

to

specifics:

normal

specifics:

the

specifics:

next

specifics:

day,

specifics:

and

specifics:

the

specifics:

next,

specifics:

and

specifics:

the

specifics:

next.

specifics:

The

specifics:

auditors

specifics:

were

specifics:

satisfied

specifics:

and

specifics:

work

specifics:

settled

specifics:

down

specifics:

again.

specifics:

Almost

specifics:

two

specifics:

weeks

specifics:

passed.

specifics:

Will

specifics:

got

specifics:

up

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and

specifics:

went

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to

specifics:

work. He’d

specifics:

eat

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his

specifics:

lunch

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with

specifics:

his

specifics:

nondescript

specifics:

coworkers.

specifics:

He’d

specifics:

sit

specifics:

in

specifics:

traffic. He’d

specifics:

warm

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up

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his

specifics:

microwave

specifics:

dinner

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and

specifics:

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specifics:

the

specifics:

time

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he

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on

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with

specifics:

Caer.

specifics:

It

specifics:

was

specifics:

still

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hard

specifics:

every

specifics:

time that

specifics:

he

specifics:

had

specifics:

to

specifics:

say

specifics:

goodnight.

specifics:

He

specifics:

was

specifics:

taking

specifics:

fewer

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antacids,

specifics:

but

specifics:

not

specifics:

many.

specifics:

After

specifics:

two more

specifics:

weeks

specifics:

of

specifics:

lonely

specifics:

repetition,

specifics:

he

specifics:

knew

specifics:

he

specifics:

had

specifics:

to do

specifics:

something.
Will

specifics:

arranged

specifics:

for

specifics:

another

specifics:

hiking

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trip.

specifics:

He

specifics:

flew

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out

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to

specifics:

Alberta,

specifics:

met

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up

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with

specifics:

Caer,

specifics:

and

specifics:

they

specifics:

drove

specifics:

into

specifics:

British

specifics:

Columbia.

specifics:

Their

specifics:

campsite

specifics:

was

specifics:

on

specifics:

a

specifics:

hill,

specifics:

dotted

specifics:

with

specifics:

cedars

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and

specifics:

firs,

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overlooking

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a

specifics:

gorge

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with

specifics:

some

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rapids.

specifics:

The

specifics:

first

specifics:

day

specifics:

there

specifics:

they

specifics:

got

specifics:

reacquainted

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with

specifics:

each

specifics:

other

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face-to-face;

specifics:

hiking,

specifics:

talking,

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just

specifics:

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and

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holding

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each

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other.

specifics:

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was

specifics:

during

specifics:

one

specifics:

of

specifics:

these

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sessions

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where

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they

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were

specifics:

laying

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in

specifics:

their

specifics:

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specifics:

bag

specifics:

that

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

said “Hey,

specifics:

Chief.

specifics:

I

specifics:

got

specifics:

a

specifics:

great

specifics:

idea.

specifics:

I

specifics:

can

specifics:

show

specifics:

you

specifics:

something

specifics:

that

specifics:

will

specifics:

leave

specifics:

you

specifics:

breathless.”

specifics:

He

specifics:

stood

specifics:

up

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and

specifics:

held

specifics:

a

specifics:

paw

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out

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for

specifics:

his

specifics:

husband,

specifics:

his

specifics:

tail

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from

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side

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to

specifics:

side.

specifics:

Will

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stood

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with

specifics:

Caer’s

specifics:

help,

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and

specifics:

they

specifics:

stepped

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out

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of

specifics:

the

specifics:

tent

specifics:

and

specifics:

set

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off

specifics:

on

specifics:

the

specifics:

trail.
Caer

specifics:

lead

specifics:

Will along,

specifics:

always

specifics:

staying

specifics:

a

specifics:

bit

specifics:

ahead.

specifics:

They

specifics:

were

specifics:

climbing

specifics:

in

specifics:

elevation

specifics:

quickly

specifics:

and

specifics:

Will

specifics:

was

specifics:

sweating

specifics:

with

specifics:

the

specifics:

effort.

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

seemed

specifics:

to

specifics:

be

specifics:

perfectly

specifics:

at

specifics:

ease,

specifics:

eager

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to

specifics:

climb

specifics:

and

specifics:

not

specifics:

even

specifics:

breathing

specifics:

hard.

specifics:

Before

specifics:

too

specifics:

long,

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

had

specifics:

a

specifics:

good

specifics:

lead

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on

specifics:

Will

specifics:

and

specifics:

would

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get

specifics:

out

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of

specifics:

sight.

specifics:

A

specifics:

few

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more

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turns

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of

specifics:

the

specifics:

trail

specifics:

and

specifics:

Will

specifics:

could

specifics:

see

specifics:

Caer’s

specifics:

back,

specifics:

his

specifics:

handsome

specifics:

brown

specifics:

and

specifics:

black

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tail

specifics:

swaying

specifics:

to

specifics:

balance

specifics:

him

specifics:

as

specifics:

he

specifics:

walked.

specifics:

Another

specifics:

moment

specifics:

and

specifics:

Will’s

specifics:

husband

specifics:

was

specifics:

gone

specifics:

again,

specifics:

lost

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to

specifics:

the

specifics:

curve

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of

specifics:

the

specifics:

trail

specifics:

and

specifics:

the

specifics:

ferns

specifics:

and

specifics:

huckleberry.
As

specifics:

Will

specifics:

emerged

specifics:

from

specifics:

the

specifics:

treeline,

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

stood

specifics:

at

specifics:

the

specifics:

peak

specifics:

of

specifics:

the

specifics:

gorge,

specifics:

the

specifics:

sun

specifics:

setting

specifics:

at

specifics:

his

specifics:

back. “You

specifics:

ready,

specifics:

Will?

specifics:

Moment

specifics:

that

specifics:

you’ll

specifics:

never

specifics:

forget,”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

said,

specifics:

a

specifics:

warm,

specifics:

toothy

specifics:

grin

specifics:

splitting

specifics:

his

specifics:

muzzle.

specifics:

As

specifics:

Will

specifics:

watched,

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

looked

specifics:

him

specifics:

in

specifics:

the

specifics:

eye

specifics:

and

specifics:

stepped

specifics:

back

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over

specifics:

the

specifics:

edge,

specifics:

disappearing

specifics:

from

specifics:

sight.

specifics:

Will’s stomach

specifics:

fell

specifics:

and

specifics:

he

specifics:

rushed

specifics:

to

specifics:

the

specifics:

edge,

specifics:

expecting

specifics:

to

specifics:

find

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

holding

specifics:

on

specifics:

just

specifics:

below

specifics:

the

specifics:

ledge

specifics:

and

specifics:

laughing

specifics:

at

specifics:

his

specifics:

morbid

specifics:

joke.

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

wasn’t

specifics:

there;

specifics:

there

specifics:

was

specifics:

nothing

specifics:

for

specifics:

him

specifics:

to

specifics:

have

specifics:

held

specifics:

onto

specifics:

or

specifics:

landed

specifics:

upon,

specifics:

just

specifics:

cold,

specifics:

empty

specifics:

air.

specifics:

Instead

specifics:

he

specifics:

could

specifics:

clearly

specifics:

see

specifics:

Caer’s

specifics:

body

specifics:

on

specifics:

the

specifics:

rocks

specifics:

far

specifics:

below,

specifics:

blood

specifics:

bright

specifics:

on

specifics:

his

specifics:

fur.

specifics:

Will

specifics:

sank

specifics:

to

specifics:

his

specifics:

knees

specifics:

at

specifics:

the

specifics:

edge,

specifics:

unable

specifics:

to

specifics:

process

specifics:

what

specifics:

he

specifics:

had

specifics:

seen.

specifics:

Why

specifics:

had

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

jumped?

specifics:

He

specifics:

didn’t

specifics:

seem

specifics:

depressed;

specifics:

quite

specifics:

the

specifics:

opposite.

specifics:

Despair

specifics:

and

specifics:

confusion

specifics:

welled

specifics:

up

specifics:

inside

specifics:

him,

specifics:

and

specifics:

he

specifics:

rolled

specifics:

onto

specifics:

his

specifics:

side

specifics:

and

specifics:

cried

specifics:

out

specifics:

in

specifics:

anguish.
“Will,

specifics:

wake

specifics:

up.

specifics:

It’s

specifics:

just

specifics:

a

specifics:

dream,”

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

was

specifics:

saying,

specifics:

shaking

specifics:

his

specifics:

husband

specifics:

awake.

specifics:

Will

specifics:

foggily

specifics:

struggled

specifics:

with

specifics:

the

specifics:

incongruity

specifics:

of

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

being

specifics:

alive

specifics:

after

specifics:

seeing

specifics:

him

specifics:

fall.

specifics:

He

specifics:

gripped

specifics:

Caer’s

specifics:

wrists

specifics:

with

specifics:

his

specifics:

own

specifics:

paws

specifics:

just

specifics:

to

specifics:

prove

specifics:

that

specifics:

he

specifics:

was

specifics:

there;

specifics:

that

specifics:

this

specifics:

Caer

specifics:

wasn’t

specifics:

just

specifics:

a

specifics:

dream.

specifics:

There

specifics:

was

specifics:

still

specifics:

something

specifics:

wrong

though:

though:

Caer’s

though:

fur

though:

was

though:

wet

though:

and

though:

matted

though:

under

though:

Will’s

though:

paws.

though:

At

though:

Will’s

though:

gasp

though:

of

though:

shock,

though:

Caer

though:

croaked

though:

with

though:

a

though:

muzzle

though:

full

though:

of

though:

broken

though:

teeth, “Just

though:

a

though:

dream!”
Will’s

though:

eyes

though:

opened

though:

and

though:

he

though:

gulped

though:

air.

though:

He

though:

was

though:

sitting

though:

at

though:

his

though:

desk

though:

at

though:

work.

though:

The

though:

travel

though:

agency

though:

page

though:

was

though:

open

though:

and

though:

he

though:

was

though:

in

though:

the

though:

process

though:

of

though:

booking

though:

the

though:

trip.

though:

His

though:

stomach

though:

did

though:

a

though:

flip

though:

and

though:

he

though:

scrambled

though:

to

though:

get

though:

over

though:

his

though:

garbage

though:

bin

though:

as

though:

he

though:

vomited.

though:

When

though:

Will

though:

managed

though:

to

though:

get

though:

himself

though:

back

though:

under

though:

control

though:

again,

though:

he

though:

looked

though:

around

though:

to

though:

see

though:

a

though:

few

though:

of

though:

his

though:

co-workers

though:

looking

though:

concernedly

though:

at

though:

him.

though:

Embarrassed,

though:

Will

though:

picked

though:

up

though:

his

though:

cellphone

though:

and

though:

fled

though:

to

though:

the

though:

washroom.
The

though:

bright,

though:

neatly

though:

antiseptic

though:

room

though:

was

though:

empty.

though:

The

though:

clean

though:

ammonia

though:

and

though:

soap

though:

scents

though:

helped

though:

a

though:

bit

though:

with

though:

the

though:

nausea

though:

and

though:

the

though:

fogginess

though:

in

though:

his

though:

head.

though:

He

though:

washed

though:

his

though:

face

though:

with

though:

cold

though:

water

though:

and

though:

locked

though:

himself

though:

in

though:

the

though:

last

though:

stall.

though:

He

though:

dialed

though:

and

though:

listened

though:

to

though:

several

though:

ringtones

though:

before

though:

his

though:

husband

though:

picked

though:

up.
“Will?

though:

Hey,

though:

what’s

though:

up?

though:

I’m

though:

in

though:

the

though:

middle

though:

of

though:

my

though:

shift…”
“Caer,

though:

it

though:

happened

though:

again.

though:

I

though:

had

though:

another

though:

nightmare.

though:

You

though:

jumped

though:

into

though:

a

though:

gorge.

though:

You

though:

killed

though:

yourself

though:

and

though:

seemed

though:

happy

though:

to

though:

do

though:

it!”

though:

Will

though:

said,

though:

accusingly.
“What?

though:

It’s

though:

ok,

though:

Chief,

though:

I’m right

though:

here. You

though:

know

though:

I

though:

wouldn’t

though:

do

though:

something

though:

like

though:

that.

though:

I’m

though:

a

though:

little

though:

depressed

though:

out

though:

here

though:

working

though:

my

though:

tail

though:

off,

though:

but

though:

sounds

though:

like

though:

I’m

though:

handling

though:

it

though:

better

though:

than

though:

you

though:

are.

though:

Why

though:

were

though:

you

though:

sleeping

though:

in

though:

the

though:

middle

though:

of the

though:

day?”
“I’m at

though:

work.

though:

Caer,”

though:

Will

though:

said,

though:

shakily,

though:

his

though:

voice

though:

breaking. “I

though:

don’t

though:

remember

though:

falling

though:

asleep.

though:

I

though:

don’t

though:

even

though:

remember

though:

being

though:

sleepy.

though:

Just

though:

one

though:

moment

though:

I

though:

was

though:

thinking

though:

about

though:

a

though:

hiking

though:

trip

though:

with

though:

you

though:

and

though:

the

though:

next

though:

all

though:

my

though:

fur

though:

was

though:

standing

though:

on

though:

end

though:

and

though:

I

though:

couldn’t

though:

breathe.

though:

I

though:

think

though:

I’m

though:

cracking.

though:

What’s

though:

wrong

though:

with

though:

me?

though:

This

though:

isn’t

though:

normal!”
“Have

though:

you

though:

seen

though:

anybody

though:

about

though:

this,

though:

Chief,

though:

maybe

though:

some

though:

kind

though:

of

though:

sleep

though:

doctor?

though:

I

though:

agree it

though:

doesn’t

though:

sound

though:

right

though:

that

though:

you

though:

fell

though:

asleep

though:

in

though:

the

though:

middle

though:

of the

though:

day

though:

like

though:

that,

though:

much

though:

less

though:

dreaming

though:

about

though:

me

though:

dying

though:

in

though:

various

though:

ways.

though:

Maybe

though:

you

though:

should

though:

see

though:

a

though:

shrink.”
Will’s

though:

eyes

though:

teared

though:

up. “I

though:

don’t

though:

understand

though:

what’s

though:

happening,

though:

Caer. I’m

though:

scared. I’m sorry.”
“Shh. I’m

though:

still

though:

here.

though:

Love

though:

you,

though:

Will.

though:

We’ll

though:

get

though:

through

though:

this.

though:

Only

though:

four

though:

more

though:

months

though:

and

though:

I’ll

though:

be

though:

in

though:

your

though:

arms.

though:

Are

though:

you

though:

going

though:

to

though:

be

though:

ok?”
“Yeah,”

though:

Will

though:

said, “I’ll

though:

be

though:

ok,

though:

I

though:

have

though:

to

though:

be.

though:

I’ll

though:

make

though:

an

though:

appointment

though:

and

though:

see

though:

where

though:

that

though:

goes.

though:

Love

though:

you

though:

too, Caer.

though:

Talk

though:

to

though:

you later.”
“Ok,

though:

Chief.

though:

Talk

though:

to you

though:

soon.”
Will

though:

hit

though:

end

though:

on

though:

his

though:

phone,

though:

left

though:

the

though:

stall

though:

and

though:

exited

though:

the

though:

washroom.

though:

Walking

though:

back

though:

to

though:

his

though:

desk,

though:

he

though:

kept

though:

feeling

though:

the

though:

eyes

though:

of

though:

his

though:

coworkers

though:

on

though:

him.

though:

They

though:

must

though:

know

though:

he

though:

was

though:

cracking

though:

up.

though:

When

though:

he’d

though:

catch

though:

one

though:

of

though:

his

though:

coworker’s gazes

though:

they

though:

looked

though:

away

though:

quickly.

though:

He

though:

felt

though:

depression

though:

creep

though:

up,

though:

and

though:

sighed.

though:

Yep,

though:

he

though:

needed

though:

a

doctor:

doctor:

either

doctor:

a

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

doctor

doctor:

or a

doctor:

mental

doctor:

health

doctor:

professional.

doctor:

At

doctor:

the

doctor:

very

doctor:

least

doctor:

his

doctor:

continued

doctor:

career

doctor:

at

doctor:

the

doctor:

bank

doctor:

depended

doctor:

on

doctor:

it.
He

doctor:

sat

doctor:

back

doctor:

down

doctor:

at

doctor:

his

doctor:

computer,

doctor:

sliding

doctor:

the

doctor:

garbage

doctor:

further

doctor:

back

doctor:

under

doctor:

his

doctor:

desk

doctor:

for

doctor:

now.

doctor:

Will

doctor:

closed

doctor:

his

doctor:

browser

doctor:

and

doctor:

tried

doctor:

to

doctor:

concentrate

doctor:

on

doctor:

his account

doctor:

spreadsheet,

doctor:

but

doctor:

memories

doctor:

of

doctor:

the

doctor:

dream

doctor:

kept

doctor:

distracting

doctor:

him.

doctor:

It

doctor:

wasn’t

doctor:

long

doctor:

before

doctor:

his

doctor:

supervisor

doctor:

approached

doctor:

Will’s

doctor:

desk

doctor:

and

doctor:

asked

doctor:

if

doctor:

there

doctor:

was

doctor:

anything

doctor:

wrong.
“No,

doctor:

sir.

doctor:

Sorry,

doctor:

just

doctor:

think

doctor:

I’m

doctor:

coming

doctor:

down

doctor:

with

doctor:

a

doctor:

stomach

doctor:

bug,”

doctor:

Will

doctor:

said.
“Well,

doctor:

why

doctor:

don’t

doctor:

you

doctor:

take

doctor:

the

doctor:

rest

doctor:

of

doctor:

the

doctor:

afternoon

doctor:

off

doctor:

before

doctor:

you

doctor:

make

doctor:

anyone

doctor:

else

doctor:

sick,”

doctor:

his

doctor:

supervisor

doctor:

replied. “Go

doctor:

on,

doctor:

and

doctor:

drop

doctor:

your

doctor:

garbage

doctor:

can

doctor:

off

doctor:

by

doctor:

the

doctor:

janitor’s

doctor:

closet.

doctor:

Take

doctor:

care

doctor:

of

doctor:

yourself,

doctor:

Will.”
Will

doctor:

gathered

doctor:

his

doctor:

things

doctor:

and

doctor:

wondered

doctor:

how

doctor:

his

doctor:

keepsake

doctor:

bone

doctor:

from

doctor:

their

doctor:

honeymoon

doctor:

was

doctor:

among

doctor:

them.

doctor:

Why

doctor:

would

doctor:

he

doctor:

have

doctor:

brought

doctor:

it

doctor:

to

doctor:

work?

doctor:

It

doctor:

had

doctor:

been

doctor:

on

doctor:

his

doctor:

nightstand

doctor:

ever

doctor:

since

doctor:

they

doctor:

got

doctor:

back.

doctor:

He

doctor:

must

doctor:

have

doctor:

been

doctor:

playing

doctor:

with

doctor:

it

doctor:

when

doctor:

he

doctor:

got

doctor:

ready

doctor:

that

doctor:

morning

doctor:

and

doctor:

picked

doctor:

it

doctor:

up

doctor:

along

doctor:

with

doctor:

his

doctor:

keys.

doctor:

He

doctor:

locked

doctor:

his

doctor:

computer

doctor:

screen,

doctor:

carefully

doctor:

carried

doctor:

his

doctor:

garbage

doctor:

can

doctor:

to

doctor:

the

doctor:

janitor’s

doctor:

closet,

doctor:

and

doctor:

stopped

doctor:

by

doctor:

the

doctor:

lobby

doctor:

shop

doctor:

for

doctor:

a

doctor:

couple

doctor:

cups

doctor:

of

doctor:

coffee

doctor:

to

doctor:

last

doctor:

him

doctor:

the

doctor:

ride

doctor:

home.

doctor:

He

doctor:

wasn’t

doctor:

in

doctor:

any

doctor:

condition

doctor:

to

doctor:

fall

doctor:

asleep

doctor:

on

doctor:

the

doctor:

bus.

doctor:

Will

doctor:

arrived

doctor:

home

doctor:

without

doctor:

incident

doctor:

other

doctor:

than

doctor:

replaying

doctor:

the

doctor:

nightmare

doctor:

in

doctor:

his

doctor:

mind,

doctor:

reliving

doctor:

those

doctor:

moments

doctor:

of

doctor:

loss

doctor:

and

doctor:

horror.

doctor:

He

doctor:

sat

doctor:

up

doctor:

in

doctor:

his

doctor:

chair

doctor:

in

doctor:

the

doctor:

living

doctor:

room

doctor:

most

doctor:

of

doctor:

the

doctor:

night,

doctor:

buzzing

doctor:

from

doctor:

the

doctor:

caffeine

doctor:

and

doctor:

afraid

doctor:

to

doctor:

sleep.

doctor:

When

doctor:

he

doctor:

finally

doctor:

dropped

doctor:

off,

doctor:

it

doctor:

was

doctor:

to

doctor:

an

doctor:

uneventful

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

and

doctor:

dreams

doctor:

he

doctor:

didn’t

doctor:

remember.
- - -
Over

doctor:

the

doctor:

next

doctor:

several

doctor:

days

doctor:

Will

doctor:

didn’t

doctor:

have

doctor:

any more

doctor:

nightmares,

doctor:

possibly

doctor:

from

doctor:

his

doctor:

prophylactic

doctor:

use

doctor:

of

doctor:

a

doctor:

shot

doctor:

of

doctor:

whisky

doctor:

before

doctor:

bed,

doctor:

and

doctor:

he

doctor:

was

doctor:

able

doctor:

to

doctor:

see

doctor:

the

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

specialist

doctor:

on

doctor:

a

doctor:

Friday

doctor:

afternoon.

doctor:

The

doctor:

doctor,

doctor:

a

doctor:

shabby-looking

doctor:

pelican

doctor:

named

doctor:

Croaker,

doctor:

escorted

doctor:

Will

doctor:

into

doctor:

his

doctor:

office. “So

doctor:

what’s

doctor:

the

doctor:

reason

doctor:

for

doctor:

your

doctor:

visit

doctor:

today?”
“Well,

doctor:

doctor,

doctor:

I’ve

doctor:

been

doctor:

having

doctor:

pretty

doctor:

bad

doctor:

nightmares

doctor:

over

doctor:

the

doctor:

past

doctor:

few

doctor:

weeks.”
“I

doctor:

see.

doctor:

Are

doctor:

they

doctor:

more

doctor:

frequent

doctor:

than

doctor:

in

doctor:

the

doctor:

past?”

doctor:

Croaker

doctor:

asked.

doctor:

The

doctor:

doctor’s

doctor:

grey-tipped

doctor:

feathers

doctor:

filled

doctor:

Will’s

doctor:

vision

doctor:

as

doctor:

he

doctor:

leaned

doctor:

in

doctor:

close

doctor:

to

doctor:

check

doctor:

the

doctor:

weasel’s

doctor:

blood

doctor:

pressure

doctor:

and

doctor:

pulse.
“Both

doctor:

more

doctor:

frequent

doctor:

and,

doctor:

um,

doctor:

more

doctor:

disturbing.”
“Do you have any

doctor:

new

doctor:

stress

doctor:

in

doctor:

your

doctor:

life?”

doctor:

Croaker

doctor:

asked

doctor:

as

doctor:

he

doctor:

continued

doctor:

to

doctor:

examine

doctor:

his

doctor:

patient.
“My

doctor:

husband is

doctor:

off

doctor:

on

doctor:

business

doctor:

in

doctor:

Alberta

doctor:

and

doctor:

I

doctor:

miss

doctor:

him,”

doctor:

Will

doctor:

said,

doctor:

kicking

doctor:

his

doctor:

heels

doctor:

under

doctor:

his

doctor:

chair,

doctor:

staring

doctor:

at

doctor:

the

doctor:

floor.

doctor:

Sitting

doctor:

here and

doctor:

talking

doctor:

about

doctor:

the

doctor:

nightmares

doctor:

seemed

doctor:

so

doctor:

childish.

doctor:

They

doctor:

were

doctor:

just

doctor:

dreams.

doctor:

Nothing

doctor:

more.

doctor:

He

doctor:

was

doctor:

wasting

doctor:

the

doctor:

doctor’s

doctor:

time.
“Any

doctor:

other

doctor:

symptoms?

doctor:

Do

doctor:

you

doctor:

wake

doctor:

up

doctor:

with

doctor:

headaches?

doctor:

Are

doctor:

you

doctor:

sleeping

doctor:

restlessly?

doctor:

Taking

doctor:

a

doctor:

long

doctor:

time

doctor:

to

doctor:

fall

doctor:

asleep?

doctor:

Falling

doctor:

asleep

doctor:

during

doctor:

the

doctor:

day?

doctor:

Wake

doctor:

up

doctor:

and

doctor:

feel

doctor:

like

doctor:

you

doctor:

are

doctor:

suffocating?”
“Wait!

doctor:

Yes.

doctor:

Those

doctor:

last

doctor:

two,”

doctor:

Will

doctor:

said,

doctor:

looking

doctor:

up

doctor:

to

doctor:

the

doctor:

doctor

doctor:

hopefully.
“Ah!”

doctor:

Croaker

doctor:

said,

doctor:

seeming

doctor:

pleased.

doctor:

He

doctor:

smoothed

doctor:

out

doctor:

the

doctor:

feathers

doctor:

of

doctor:

his

doctor:

arms

doctor:

and

doctor:

continued, “There’s

doctor:

a

doctor:

condition

doctor:

called ‘sleep

doctor:

apnea’

doctor:

that

doctor:

causes

doctor:

those

doctor:

symptoms.

doctor:

Your

doctor:

body

doctor:

stops

doctor:

breathing

doctor:

during

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

for

doctor:

brief

doctor:

periods.

doctor:

When

doctor:

it

doctor:

realizes

doctor:

it’s not

doctor:

breathing,

doctor:

it

doctor:

takes

doctor:

a

doctor:

breath

doctor:

and

doctor:

knocks

doctor:

you

doctor:

to

doctor:

a

doctor:

lighter

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

state.

doctor:

The

doctor:

disrupted

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

cycle

doctor:

is

doctor:

what

doctor:

causes

doctor:

you

doctor:

to

doctor:

feel

doctor:

tired

doctor:

and

doctor:

fall

doctor:

asleep

doctor:

at

doctor:

your

doctor:

desk.

doctor:

We’d

doctor:

have

doctor:

to

doctor:

schedule

doctor:

a

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

study

doctor:

to

doctor:

be

doctor:

sure.”
“Really?

doctor:

Isn’t

doctor:

that

doctor:

something

doctor:

that

doctor:

overweight

doctor:

people

doctor:

get?

doctor:

I’ve

doctor:

never

doctor:

had

doctor:

a

doctor:

problem

doctor:

sleeping

doctor:

before.”
“We

doctor:

have

doctor:

to

doctor:

investigate

doctor:

since

doctor:

you

doctor:

do

doctor:

have

doctor:

some

doctor:

of

doctor:

the

doctor:

symptoms,

doctor:

even

doctor:

just

doctor:

to rule

doctor:

it

doctor:

out,”

doctor:

Croaker

doctor:

said

doctor:

cooly,

doctor:

his

doctor:

big

doctor:

beak

doctor:

clacking.

doctor:

Will

doctor:

cringed,

doctor:

feeling

doctor:

all

doctor:

the

doctor:

more

doctor:

that

doctor:

this

doctor:

was

doctor:

a

doctor:

waste

doctor:

of

doctor:

the

doctor:

doctor’s

doctor:

time.
“Ok,

doctor:

I

doctor:

guess.

doctor:

How

doctor:

soon could

doctor:

we

doctor:

do

doctor:

that,

doctor:

doc?”
Croaker

doctor:

turned

doctor:

to

doctor:

his

doctor:

laptop

doctor:

and

doctor:

brought

doctor:

up

doctor:

the

doctor:

schedule

doctor:

for

doctor:

the

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

lab. “Well,

doctor:

it

doctor:

looks

doctor:

like

doctor:

we

doctor:

could

doctor:

set

doctor:

an

doctor:

appointment

doctor:

for

doctor:

a

doctor:

week

doctor:

from

doctor:

Tuesday.

doctor:

We’ll

doctor:

have

doctor:

you

doctor:

come

doctor:

in,

doctor:

and

doctor:

we’ll

doctor:

hook

doctor:

up

doctor:

some

doctor:

monitors

doctor:

to

doctor:

you,

doctor:

and

doctor:

observe

doctor:

you

doctor:

as

doctor:

you

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

through

doctor:

the

doctor:

night.

doctor:

In

doctor:

the

doctor:

meantime,

doctor:

we

doctor:

can

doctor:

get

doctor:

some

doctor:

background

doctor:

data

doctor:

if

doctor:

you’d

doctor:

be

doctor:

willing

doctor:

to

doctor:

wear

doctor:

a

doctor:

monitor

doctor:

each

doctor:

night

doctor:

until

doctor:

then.

doctor:

It

doctor:

has

doctor:

a

doctor:

video

doctor:

logging

doctor:

function

doctor:

to

doctor:

capture your

doctor:

movement

doctor:

as

doctor:

you

doctor:

sleep.

doctor:

Don’t

doctor:

worry.

doctor:

You

doctor:

only

doctor:

need

doctor:

to

doctor:

turn

doctor:

that

doctor:

on

doctor:

when

doctor:

you

doctor:

want.

doctor:

We’re

doctor:

not

doctor:

interested

doctor:

in

doctor:

embarrassing

doctor:

you,”

doctor:

Croaker

doctor:

added,

doctor:

softening

doctor:

his

doctor:

demeanor

doctor:

a

doctor:

bit

doctor:

when

doctor:

he

doctor:

noticed

doctor:

Will’s

doctor:

nervousness.
Will

doctor:

agreed

doctor:

to

doctor:

the

doctor:

appointment,

doctor:

and

doctor:

when

doctor:

the

doctor:

doctor

doctor:

showed

doctor:

him

doctor:

out

doctor:

he

doctor:

handed

doctor:

the

doctor:

weasel

doctor:

the

doctor:

monitor

doctor:

and

doctor:

video

doctor:

logger.

doctor:

He

doctor:

paid

doctor:

for

doctor:

the

doctor:

visit,

doctor:

thanked

doctor:

the

doctor:

doctor

doctor:

and

doctor:

left

doctor:

the

doctor:

office.

doctor:

The

doctor:

white-walled

doctor:

hallway

doctor:

was

doctor:

quiet

doctor:

as

doctor:

Will

doctor:

waited

doctor:

for

doctor:

the

doctor:

elevator.

doctor:

Tapping

doctor:

his

doctor:

paw

doctor:

on

doctor:

the dingy grey linoleum,

doctor:

watching

doctor:

the

doctor:

numbers

doctor:

slowly

doctor:

change as

doctor:

the

doctor:

elevator

doctor:

crept

doctor:

ever

doctor:

closer,

doctor:

he

doctor:

daydreamed

doctor:

a

doctor:

bit,

doctor:

thinking

doctor:

that

doctor:

really

doctor:

all

doctor:

he

doctor:

probably

doctor:

needed

doctor:

to

doctor:

get

doctor:

these

doctor:

dreams

doctor:

to

doctor:

stop

doctor:

was

doctor:

to

doctor:

have

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

back

doctor:

home

doctor:

again.

doctor:

Will

doctor:

drove

doctor:

home,

doctor:

fixed

doctor:

dinner

doctor:

and

doctor:

had

doctor:

his

doctor:

nightly

doctor:

chat

doctor:

with

doctor:

Caer.
When

doctor:

he

doctor:

was

doctor:

done

doctor:

he

doctor:

got

doctor:

ready

doctor:

for

doctor:

bed

doctor:

and

doctor:

set

doctor:

up

doctor:

the

doctor:

video

doctor:

recorder,

doctor:

and

doctor:

attached

doctor:

the

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

monitor

doctor:

to

doctor:

his

doctor:

wrist.

doctor:

He

doctor:

started

doctor:

sleeping

doctor:

almost

doctor:

the

doctor:

second

doctor:

he

doctor:

got

doctor:

into

doctor:

bed,

doctor:

and

doctor:

the

doctor:

dream

doctor:

started

doctor:

soon

doctor:

after.
- - -
“Hey

doctor:

Will!

doctor:

It’s

doctor:

kind

doctor:

of

doctor:

drizzly

doctor:

out.

doctor:

You

doctor:

want

doctor:

to

doctor:

go

doctor:

shopping

doctor:

downtown?”

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

asked

doctor:

from

doctor:

the

doctor:

couch.
“What?

doctor:

What

doctor:

sense

doctor:

does

doctor:

that

doctor:

make?

doctor:

It’s

doctor:

raining

doctor:

and

doctor:

you

doctor:

want

doctor:

to

doctor:

shop?”

doctor:

Will

doctor:

asked.

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

had

doctor:

been

doctor:

back

doctor:

home

doctor:

for

doctor:

almost

doctor:

a

doctor:

year.

doctor:

Will’s

doctor:

nightmares

doctor:

had

doctor:

settled

doctor:

down

doctor:

when

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

returned

doctor:

home,

doctor:

just

doctor:

like

doctor:

he

doctor:

expected

doctor:

they

doctor:

would.

doctor:

That

doctor:

sleep

doctor:

study

doctor:

was

doctor:

just

doctor:

a

doctor:

waste

doctor:

of

doctor:

time

doctor:

and

doctor:

money.
“I

doctor:

like

doctor:

walking

doctor:

in

doctor:

the

doctor:

rain.

doctor:

I

doctor:

like

doctor:

how

doctor:

it

doctor:

feels

doctor:

on

doctor:

my

doctor:

fur;

doctor:

how

doctor:

it

doctor:

feels

doctor:

falling

doctor:

past

doctor:

my

doctor:

whiskers.”
“Fine.

doctor:

Anything

doctor:

for

doctor:

you,

doctor:

Caer,

doctor:

just

doctor:

let

doctor:

me

doctor:

get

doctor:

my

doctor:

jacket and

doctor:

umbrella.

doctor:

You

doctor:

may

doctor:

like

doctor:

the

doctor:

rain,

doctor:

but

doctor:

I

doctor:

don’t

doctor:

want

doctor:

to

doctor:

get

doctor:

soaked.”
Will

doctor:

got his

doctor:

bright

doctor:

green

doctor:

rain

doctor:

jacket

doctor:

and

doctor:

hat

doctor:

from

doctor:

the

doctor:

closet

doctor:

and

doctor:

met

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

at

doctor:

the

doctor:

door.

doctor:

A

doctor:

quick

doctor:

kiss

doctor:

that

doctor:

threatened

doctor:

to

doctor:

become

doctor:

longer,

doctor:

and

doctor:

they

doctor:

were

doctor:

out

doctor:

into

doctor:

the

doctor:

rainy

doctor:

afternoon.

doctor:

Down

doctor:

the

doctor:

street,

doctor:

arms

doctor:

linked.

doctor:

They’d

doctor:

point

doctor:

out

doctor:

things

doctor:

in

doctor:

the

doctor:

store

doctor:

windows

doctor:

to

doctor:

each

doctor:

other.

doctor:

Will

doctor:

had

doctor:

to

doctor:

admit

doctor:

that

doctor:

Caer

doctor:

standing

doctor:

with

doctor:

drops

doctor:

of

doctor:

rain

doctor:

coming

doctor:

off

doctor:

his

doctor:

whiskers

doctor:

was

doctor:

rather

doctor:

adorable.
The

doctor:

two

doctor:

weasels

doctor:

walked

doctor:

for

doctor:

several

doctor:

blocks.

doctor:

The

doctor:

buildings

doctor:

were

doctor:

getting

doctor:

denser.

doctor:

More

doctor:

and

doctor:

more

doctor:

folks

doctor:

walking

doctor:

on

doctor:

the

doctor:

sidewalk;

doctor:

enough

doctor:

people

doctor:

that

doctor:

the

doctor:

couple

doctor:

had

doctor:

to

doctor:

stop

doctor:

holding

doctor:

hands.

doctor:

At

doctor:

times

doctor:

they

doctor:

would

doctor:

be

doctor:

forced

doctor:

apart

doctor:

from

doctor:

each

doctor:

other

doctor:

by

doctor:

others

doctor:

hurrying

doctor:

down

doctor:

the

doctor:

path,

doctor:

and

doctor:

never

doctor:

managed

doctor:

to

doctor:

get

doctor:

back

doctor:

together

doctor:

before

doctor:

someone

doctor:

else

doctor:

pushed

doctor:

past.

doctor:

What

doctor:

had

doctor:

begun

doctor:

as

doctor:

a

doctor:

slow

doctor:

stream

doctor:

of

doctor:

people

doctor:

had

doctor:

become

doctor:

a

doctor:

river,

doctor:

steady

doctor:

and

doctor:

unrelenting.
When

doctor:

it

doctor:

happened,

doctor:

it

doctor:

was

sudden:

sudden:

a

sudden:

bike

sudden:

messenger

sudden:

was

sudden:

riding

sudden:

down

sudden:

the

sudden:

sidewalk.

sudden:

He

sudden:

was

sudden:

yelling “coming

sudden:

through

sudden:

on

sudden:

your

sudden:

left!”

sudden:

but

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

got

sudden:

confused

sudden:

and

sudden:

moved

sudden:

into

sudden:

his

sudden:

path.

sudden:

The

sudden:

cyclist collided

sudden:

with

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

weasel

sudden:

got

sudden:

knocked

sudden:

into

sudden:

the

sudden:

street.

sudden:

There

sudden:

was

sudden:

a

sudden:

big

sudden:

truck

sudden:

driving

sudden:

in

sudden:

the

sudden:

road,

sudden:

and

sudden:

had

sudden:

the

sudden:

pavement

sudden:

been

sudden:

dry

sudden:

it

sudden:

would

sudden:

have

sudden:

been

sudden:

able

sudden:

to

sudden:

stop.

sudden:

On

sudden:

the

sudden:

wet,

sudden:

there

sudden:

was

sudden:

no

sudden:

chance.

sudden:

It

sudden:

hit

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

with

sudden:

a

sudden:

glancing

sudden:

blow,

sudden:

but

sudden:

hard

sudden:

enough

sudden:

to

sudden:

spin

sudden:

him

sudden:

around

sudden:

like

sudden:

a

sudden:

ragdoll.

sudden:

That

sudden:

pushed

sudden:

him

sudden:

into

sudden:

the

sudden:

next

sudden:

lane

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

car

sudden:

traveling

sudden:

there

sudden:

made

sudden:

a

sudden:

more

sudden:

solid

sudden:

hit.

sudden:

Will

sudden:

felt

sudden:

the

sudden:

sound

sudden:

of

sudden:

the

sudden:

impact in

sudden:

his

sudden:

chest,

sudden:

and

sudden:

his

sudden:

vision

sudden:

tunneled.
He

sudden:

saw

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

fold

sudden:

over

sudden:

the

sudden:

hood

sudden:

of

sudden:

that

sudden:

car,

sudden:

and

sudden:

when

sudden:

it

sudden:

came

sudden:

to

sudden:

a

sudden:

stop

sudden:

he

sudden:

rolled

sudden:

off

sudden:

into

sudden:

the

sudden:

street

sudden:

limply.

sudden:

Will

sudden:

shouted

sudden:

and

sudden:

ran

sudden:

to

sudden:

the

sudden:

road,

sudden:

but

sudden:

it

sudden:

seemed

sudden:

as

sudden:

if

sudden:

everybody

sudden:

in

sudden:

Toronto

sudden:

was

sudden:

in

sudden:

his

sudden:

way.

sudden:

He

sudden:

was

sudden:

pushing

sudden:

and

sudden:

being

sudden:

pushed

sudden:

and

sudden:

being

sudden:

turned

sudden:

around,

sudden:

and

sudden:

every

sudden:

time

sudden:

he

sudden:

looked

sudden:

back

sudden:

to

sudden:

where

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

lay

sudden:

in

sudden:

the

sudden:

street

sudden:

the

sudden:

stricken

sudden:

weasel

sudden:

had

sudden:

moved

sudden:

a

sudden:

little

sudden:

further

sudden:

out

sudden:

of

sudden:

traffic.

sudden:

The

sudden:

people

sudden:

who

sudden:

had

sudden:

hit

sudden:

him

sudden:

had

sudden:

stopped,

sudden:

but

sudden:

were

sudden:

just

sudden:

standing

sudden:

and

sudden:

staring

sudden:

instead

sudden:

of

sudden:

making

sudden:

any

sudden:

attempt

sudden:

to

sudden:

help.

sudden:

People

sudden:

were

sudden:

carrying

sudden:

on

sudden:

with

sudden:

their

sudden:

business

sudden:

on

sudden:

the

sudden:

sidewalks.

sudden:

It

sudden:

was

sudden:

as

sudden:

if

sudden:

no

sudden:

one,

sudden:

other

sudden:

than

sudden:

Will,

sudden:

cared

sudden:

that

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

was

sudden:

badly

sudden:

injured

sudden:

in

sudden:

the

sudden:

road.
Will

sudden:

finally

sudden:

made

sudden:

it

sudden:

through

sudden:

the

sudden:

maddeningly

sudden:

slow

sudden:

crowd,

sudden:

pushing

sudden:

his

sudden:

way

sudden:

to

sudden:

his

sudden:

husband’s

sudden:

side.

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

looked

sudden:

bad.

sudden:

Both

sudden:

legs

sudden:

were

sudden:

visibly

sudden:

broken,

sudden:

as

sudden:

was

sudden:

his

sudden:

left

sudden:

arm.

sudden:

There

sudden:

was

sudden:

blood

sudden:

all

sudden:

over

sudden:

the

sudden:

pavement,

sudden:

and

sudden:

it

sudden:

was

sudden:

dripping

sudden:

from

sudden:

Caer’s

sudden:

nose

sudden:

and

sudden:

mouth.

sudden:

Large

sudden:

patches

sudden:

of

sudden:

fur

sudden:

had

sudden:

been

sudden:

torn

sudden:

from

sudden:

his

sudden:

body

sudden:

in

sudden:

various

sudden:

places.

sudden:

Will

sudden:

held

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

to

sudden:

his

sudden:

chest,

sudden:

ignoring

sudden:

the

sudden:

intake

sudden:

of

sudden:

breath

sudden:

that

sudden:

the

sudden:

injured

sudden:

weasel

sudden:

made

sudden:

when

sudden:

his

sudden:

body

sudden:

shifted. “Has

sudden:

someone called 911?”

sudden:

Will shouted

sudden:

to

sudden:

the

sudden:

crowd.

sudden:

Nobody

sudden:

moved

sudden:

or

sudden:

acknowledged

sudden:

him.

sudden:

With

sudden:

one

sudden:

paw

sudden:

he

sudden:

started

sudden:

searching

sudden:

his

sudden:

pockets

sudden:

for

sudden:

his

sudden:

phone

sudden:

but

sudden:

couldn’t

sudden:

find

sudden:

it.
“Will.

sudden:

Sorry.

sudden:

Be

sudden:

ok,” Caer

sudden:

mumbled

sudden:

between

sudden:

gasps.
“Nothing

sudden:

to

sudden:

be

sudden:

sorry

sudden:

about,

sudden:

Caer.

sudden:

Hold

sudden:

on.

sudden:

Help

sudden:

will

sudden:

be

sudden:

here

sudden:

soon,”

sudden:

Will

sudden:

said.

sudden:

He

sudden:

was

sudden:

still

sudden:

checking

sudden:

his

sudden:

pockets

sudden:

and

sudden:

couldn’t

sudden:

figure

sudden:

out

sudden:

why

sudden:

he

sudden:

would

sudden:

have

sudden:

left

sudden:

the

sudden:

phone

sudden:

at

sudden:

home. “Someone fucking call 911!”
“Hurts.

sudden:

Tired.

sudden:

Thirsty.”
“Shh

sudden:

I

sudden:

know.

sudden:

Hold

sudden:

on.

sudden:

I’ve

sudden:

got

sudden:

you. You’re

sudden:

going

sudden:

to

sudden:

be

sudden:

fine.”
“Want

sudden:

to

sudden:

go,”

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

said,

sudden:

his

sudden:

breath

sudden:

coming

sudden:

harder.

sudden:

The rain

sudden:

was

sudden:

still

sudden:

misting

sudden:

down,

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

drops

sudden:

that

sudden:

collected

sudden:

on

sudden:

Caer’s

sudden:

whiskers

sudden:

seemed

sudden:

to

sudden:

mock

sudden:

Will

sudden:

for

sudden:

finding

sudden:

them

sudden:

adorable

sudden:

earlier. “Cold.

sudden:

Hurts…

sudden:

Alone.”
“You’re

sudden:

not

sudden:

alone.

sudden:

I’m

sudden:

here.

sudden:

It’s

sudden:

Will,

sudden:

I’m

sudden:

right

sudden:

here,”

sudden:

Will

sudden:

said,

sudden:

struggling

sudden:

to

sudden:

keep

sudden:

his

sudden:

voice

sudden:

calm.
“You.

sudden:

Alone.

sudden:

Soon.”
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sudden:

you

sudden:

aren’t

sudden:

going

sudden:

anywhere.

sudden:

The

sudden:

emergency

sudden:

services

sudden:

are

sudden:

coming,”

sudden:

Will

sudden:

said,

sudden:

though

sudden:

he

sudden:

didn’t

sudden:

believe

sudden:

it.

sudden:

Caer was

sudden:

badly

sudden:

hurt,

sudden:

and

sudden:

it

sudden:

seemed

sudden:

that

sudden:

there

sudden:

were

sudden:

no

sudden:

other

sudden:

sounds

sudden:

in

sudden:

the

sudden:

world

sudden:

than the

sudden:

just

sudden:

two

sudden:

weasels

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

rain

sudden:

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sudden:

down.

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The

sudden:

crowd

sudden:

even

sudden:

seemed

sudden:

faceless.

sudden:

Why had

sudden:

nobody

sudden:

called

sudden:

the

sudden:

ambulance?

sudden:

Will

sudden:

would

sudden:

have

sudden:

gone

sudden:

and

sudden:

started

sudden:

checking

sudden:

people

sudden:

for

sudden:

phones

sudden:

if

sudden:

it

sudden:

wouldn’t

sudden:

have

sudden:

meant

sudden:

leaving

sudden:

Caer’s

sudden:

side.
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sudden:

want

sudden:

to

sudden:

sleep.

sudden:

To

sudden:

go.”

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

closed his

sudden:

eyes.
Caer’s

sudden:

pawpads

sudden:

were

sudden:

pale

sudden:

where

sudden:

Will

sudden:

clasped

sudden:

them

sudden:

with

sudden:

his

sudden:

own.

sudden:

His

sudden:

husband’s

sudden:

breathing

sudden:

was

sudden:

shallow.

sudden:

He

sudden:

leaned

sudden:

over

sudden:

and

sudden:

kissed

sudden:

Caer. “I

sudden:

wish

sudden:

you

sudden:

wouldn’t

sudden:

go,

sudden:

Caer,” he

sudden:

said. “You’re

sudden:

all

sudden:

I

sudden:

wanted.

sudden:

You

sudden:

can

sudden:

hang

sudden:

on

sudden:

for

sudden:

a

sudden:

bit.

sudden:

Hang

sudden:

on

sudden:

for

sudden:

me?”

sudden:

Will

sudden:

said,

sudden:

his

sudden:

voice

sudden:

was

sudden:

catching

sudden:

in

sudden:

his

sudden:

throat.
When

sudden:

Will

sudden:

pulled

sudden:

back,

sudden:

he

sudden:

no

sudden:

longer

sudden:

heard

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

breathing.

sudden:

His

sudden:

chest

sudden:

wasn’t

sudden:

moving

sudden:

anymore.

sudden:

Will

sudden:

just

sudden:

sat

sudden:

there,

sudden:

a

sudden:

numbness

sudden:

creeping

sudden:

through

sudden:

him.

sudden:

All

sudden:

of

sudden:

his

sudden:

vision,

sudden:

other

sudden:

than

sudden:

Caer’s

sudden:

broken

sudden:

body,

sudden:

was

sudden:

fading

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to

sudden:

black.

sudden:

All

sudden:

their

sudden:

future

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taken

sudden:

away

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by a

sudden:

stupid

sudden:

accident;

sudden:

a

sudden:

simple

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twist

sudden:

of

sudden:

chance

sudden:

and

sudden:

now

sudden:

Caer

sudden:

was

sudden:

dead.

sudden:

Only

sudden:

now

sudden:

could

sudden:

Will

sudden:

hear

sudden:

the

sudden:

ambulance

sudden:

siren.

sudden:

Why

sudden:

didn’t

sudden:

they

sudden:

come

sudden:

sooner?

sudden:

Just

sudden:

another

sudden:

fucked

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up

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mistake

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on

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this

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fucked

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up

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day.

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The

sudden:

siren

sudden:

was

sudden:

louder

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tones

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back

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and

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forth

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just

sudden:

ringing

sudden:

in

sudden:

Will’s

sudden:

numb

sudden:

ears

sudden:

like

sudden:

an

sudden:

alarm.

sudden:

It

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seemed

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to

sudden:

speed

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up

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as

sudden:

it

sudden:

got

sudden:

louder,

sudden:

nearer.

sudden:

Will’s

sudden:

numbness

sudden:

became

sudden:

complete,

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

only

sudden:

thing

sudden:

in

sudden:

his

sudden:

world

sudden:

was

sudden:

Caer’s

sudden:

bloody

sudden:

face

sudden:

and

sudden:

the

sudden:

now

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far

sudden:

too

sudden:

fast

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siren

sudden:

of

sudden:

the

sudden:

louder

sudden:

and

sudden:

louder

sudden:

ambulance.
Will

sudden:

woke

sudden:

laying

sudden:

on

sudden:

his

sudden:

back,

sudden:

his

sudden:

alarm

sudden:

ringing

sudden:

loudly.

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His

sudden:

chest

sudden:

felt

sudden:

tight.

sudden:

He

sudden:

was

sudden:

covered

sudden:

in

sudden:

sweat,

sudden:

but

sudden:

felt

sudden:

ice

sudden:

cold

sudden:

like

sudden:

from

sudden:

the

sudden:

rain

sudden:

in

sudden:

the

sudden:

dream.

sudden:

For

sudden:

a

sudden:

moment

sudden:

his

sudden:

body

sudden:

wouldn’t

sudden:

obey

sudden:

as

sudden:

he

sudden:

struggled

sudden:

his

sudden:

way

sudden:

out

sudden:

of

sudden:

sleep.

sudden:

When

sudden:

he

sudden:

did

sudden:

get

sudden:

a

sudden:

breath

sudden:

his

sudden:

lungs

sudden:

burned.

sudden:

He

sudden:

groaned

sudden:

and

sudden:

turned

sudden:

on

sudden:

his

sudden:

side,

sudden:

sobbing

sudden:

into

sudden:

his

sudden:

pillow

sudden:

in

reaction:

reaction:

another

reaction:

nightmare

reaction:

of

reaction:

losing

reaction:

Caer. The apnea

reaction:

was

reaction:

out

reaction:

of

reaction:

control.

reaction:

How

reaction:

long

reaction:

had

reaction:

he

reaction:

stopped

reaction:

breathing

reaction:

this

reaction:

time?
When

reaction:

his

reaction:

crying

reaction:

subsided,

reaction:

Will

reaction:

rolled

reaction:

out

reaction:

of

reaction:

bed.

reaction:

His

reaction:

body

reaction:

felt

reaction:

weak,

reaction:

as

reaction:

if

reaction:

he

reaction:

suffered

reaction:

from

reaction:

a

reaction:

flu,

reaction:

as

reaction:

he

reaction:

crept

reaction:

toward

reaction:

the

reaction:

bathroom

reaction:

to

reaction:

wash

reaction:

his face.

reaction:

He unclipped

reaction:

the

reaction:

monitor

reaction:

and

reaction:

set

reaction:

it

reaction:

next

reaction:

to

reaction:

the

reaction:

video

reaction:

recorder

reaction:

on

reaction:

the

reaction:

dresser.

reaction:

Fat

reaction:

lot

reaction:

of

reaction:

good

reaction:

this

reaction:

was

reaction:

going

reaction:

to

reaction:

do.

reaction:

He

reaction:

could

reaction:

barely

reaction:

make

reaction:

it

reaction:

through

reaction:

a

reaction:

single

reaction:

night,

reaction:

and

reaction:

they

reaction:

wanted

reaction:

ten

reaction:

days?

reaction:

He

reaction:

would

reaction:

be

reaction:

suicidal

reaction:

or insane

reaction:

before

reaction:

then.

reaction:

Will

reaction:

turned

reaction:

on

reaction:

the

reaction:

bathroom

reaction:

light

reaction:

and

reaction:

looked

reaction:

at

reaction:

the

reaction:

haggard,

reaction:

stoop-shouldered

reaction:

weasel

reaction:

in

reaction:

the

reaction:

mirror.

reaction:

His

reaction:

fur

reaction:

was

reaction:

matted

reaction:

from

reaction:

crying;

reaction:

his

reaction:

dark

reaction:

eyes

reaction:

were

reaction:

dull.
He

reaction:

wasn’t

reaction:

going

reaction:

to

reaction:

tell

reaction:

Caer

reaction:

anything

reaction:

about

reaction:

these

reaction:

dreams

reaction:

anymore.

reaction:

Will

reaction:

shook

reaction:

his

reaction:

head.

reaction:

Bad

reaction:

enough

reaction:

they

reaction:

had

reaction:

the

reaction:

distance to

reaction:

keep

reaction:

them

reaction:

apart

reaction:

without

reaction:

letting

reaction:

his

reaction:

husband

reaction:

know

reaction:

Will

reaction:

was

reaction:

a

reaction:

lunatic

reaction:

who

reaction:

kept

reaction:

dreaming

reaction:

of

reaction:

death.

reaction:

That

reaction:

would

reaction:

be

reaction:

the

reaction:

end

reaction:

of

reaction:

their

reaction:

relationship.

reaction:

Will

reaction:

just

reaction:

knew

reaction:

it.
After

reaction:

washing

reaction:

his

reaction:

face

reaction:

a

reaction:

bit,

reaction:

Will

reaction:

stumbled

reaction:

back

reaction:

to

reaction:

bed;

reaction:

his

reaction:

shuffling

reaction:

toes

reaction:

kicking

reaction:

the

reaction:

fallen

reaction:

bleached

reaction:

rib

reaction:

far

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reaction:

the

reaction:

bed.

reaction:

He

reaction:

tried

reaction:

unsuccessfully

reaction:

to

reaction:

go

reaction:

back

reaction:

to

reaction:

sleep.

reaction:

Every

reaction:

time

reaction:

he

reaction:

started

reaction:

drifting

reaction:

off,

reaction:

Caer’s

reaction:

voice

reaction:

would

reaction:

sigh “Want

reaction:

to

reaction:

go”

reaction:

and

reaction:

Will

reaction:

would

reaction:

smell

reaction:

the

reaction:

blood

reaction:

and

reaction:

the

reaction:

exhaust

reaction:

and

reaction:

rain

reaction:

as

reaction:

the

reaction:

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reaction:

world

reaction:

returned.

reaction:

He’d

reaction:

have

reaction:

to

reaction:

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reaction:

and

reaction:

go

reaction:

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reaction:

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reaction:

As

reaction:

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reaction:

as

reaction:

being

reaction:

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reaction:

was,

reaction:

at

reaction:

least

reaction:

in

reaction:

this

reaction:

world

reaction:

Caer

reaction:

was

reaction:

alive

reaction:

and

reaction:

unhurt.

reaction:

He

reaction:

wrapped

reaction:

his

reaction:

head

reaction:

in

reaction:

his

reaction:

pillow

reaction:

and

reaction:

waited

reaction:

for

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the

reaction:

sun

reaction:

to

reaction:

finish

reaction:

coming

reaction:

up.

reaction:

Eventually,

reaction:

sleep

reaction:

stole

reaction:

him

reaction:

away.
- - -
When

reaction:

he

reaction:

arrived

reaction:

home

reaction:

from

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work

reaction:

that

reaction:

evening,

reaction:

he

reaction:

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that

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the

reaction:

front

reaction:

door

reaction:

was

reaction:

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reaction:

Will

reaction:

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to

reaction:

remember

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if

reaction:

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reaction:

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reaction:

it

reaction:

when

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he

reaction:

left

reaction:

in

reaction:

the

reaction:

morning,

reaction:

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reaction:

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reaction:

memory

reaction:

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reaction:

him. “Hello?”

reaction:

he

reaction:

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reaction:

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reaction:

as

reaction:

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reaction:

it

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open.

reaction:

He

reaction:

cautiously

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reaction:

in

reaction:

and

reaction:

shut

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it

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reaction:

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reaction:

Will

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reaction:

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reaction:

hall

reaction:

closet

reaction:

and

reaction:

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reaction:

the

reaction:

lockbox

reaction:

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reaction:

knife

reaction:

was

reaction:

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reaction:

and

reaction:

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it

reaction:

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in

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house

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looking

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reaction:

He

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more

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his

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heart

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his

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reaction:

and

reaction:

his

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mind

reaction:

sharper

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than

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it

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all

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day.

reaction:

Every

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room

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reaction:

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reaction:

changes

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that

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remember:

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corner

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up,

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a

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cabinet

remember:

door

remember:

open.
Will

remember:

passed

remember:

through

remember:

the

remember:

bedroom

remember:

and

remember:

noticed

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that

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the

remember:

light

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on

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the

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video

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recorder

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on.

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he

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rooms,

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if

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at

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would

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remember:

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it

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computer interface.

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laptop,

remember:

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the

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and

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files.

remember:

They

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in 12-hour

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beside

segments:

his

segments:

coffee

segments:

next to the

segments:

laptop,

segments:

and

segments:

he

segments:

started

segments:

watching

segments:

the

segments:

second

segments:

file.
Will’s

segments:

big

segments:

hurdle

segments:

in

segments:

this

segments:

task

segments:

was

segments:

how

segments:

uninteresting

segments:

it

segments:

was.

segments:

All

segments:

the

segments:

time

segments:

from 10

segments:

am

segments:

to

segments:

now,

segments:

and

segments:

at

segments:

most

segments:

he

segments:

could

segments:

only

segments:

fast

segments:

forward 8x

segments:

speed

segments:

for

segments:

fear

segments:

of

segments:

missing

segments:

the

segments:

intruder

segments:

when

segments:

they

segments:

passed

segments:

through

segments:

the

segments:

bedroom.

segments:

He

segments:

sipped

segments:

his

segments:

coffee

segments:

and

segments:

peered

segments:

at

segments:

the

segments:

screen,

segments:

yawning

segments:

heavily.

segments:

He

segments:

had

segments:

just

segments:

about

segments:

given

segments:

up

segments:

when

segments:

he

segments:

saw

segments:

a

segments:

shadow

segments:

slip

segments:

through

segments:

the

segments:

frame.

segments:

He

segments:

squeaked

segments:

and

segments:

paused

segments:

the

segments:

video

segments:

playback,

segments:

his

segments:

swinging

segments:

paw

segments:

knocking

segments:

his

segments:

coffee

segments:

off

segments:

the

segments:

table

segments:

onto

segments:

the

segments:

floor.

segments:

Will

segments:

cursed

segments:

and

segments:

went

segments:

to

segments:

the

segments:

kitchen

segments:

to

segments:

get

segments:

a

segments:

towel

segments:

to

segments:

clean

segments:

up

segments:

the

segments:

spill.

segments:

Upon

segments:

returning,

segments:

Will

segments:

stood

segments:

frozen.

segments:

On

segments:

the

segments:

screen

segments:

was

segments:

a

segments:

shadowed

figure:

figure:

short,

figure:

with

figure:

broad

figure:

shoulders

figure:

and

figure:

a

figure:

long

figure:

tapering

figure:

nose

figure:

that

figure:

dangled

figure:

in

figure:

front

figure:

of

figure:

its

figure:

mouth.

figure:

The

figure:

eyes

figure:

seemed

figure:

to

figure:

burn

figure:

with

figure:

a

figure:

sulfur

figure:

glow

figure:

in

figure:

the

figure:

dimness

figure:

of

figure:

the

figure:

bedroom.

figure:

What

figure:

in

figure:

hell

figure:

was

figure:

it?

figure:

How

figure:

did

figure:

it

figure:

get

figure:

in?

figure:

He

figure:

sat

figure:

again,

figure:

the

figure:

coffee

figure:

forgotten,

figure:

and

figure:

rewound

figure:

slowly

figure:

to

figure:

a

figure:

few

figure:

minutes

figure:

prior.

figure:

Will

figure:

stared

figure:

in

figure:

surprise

figure:

as

figure:

it

figure:

emerged

figure:

from

figure:

beneath

figure:

the

figure:

bed.

figure:

Was

figure:

it

figure:

there

figure:

all

figure:

night

figure:

with

figure:

him

figure:

sleeping

figure:

above

figure:

it,

figure:

and

figure:

was

figure:

the

figure:

open

figure:

door a

figure:

sign

figure:

that it

figure:

had

figure:

left?
To

figure:

check the

figure:

second,

figure:

Will

figure:

fast

figure:

forwarded

figure:

the

figure:

rest

figure:

of

figure:

the

figure:

recording

figure:

until

figure:

he

figure:

saw

figure:

himself

figure:

moving

figure:

through

figure:

the

figure:

scene.

figure:

He

figure:

never

figure:

saw

figure:

it

figure:

again,

figure:

and

figure:

breathed

figure:

a

figure:

sigh

figure:

of

figure:

relief.

figure:

His

figure:

right

figure:

paw

figure:

unclenched

figure:

on

figure:

the

figure:

damp,

figure:

and

figure:

now

figure:

cool,

figure:

rag

figure:

and

figure:

dropped

figure:

it

figure:

on

figure:

the

figure:

coffee

figure:

spill.

figure:

He

figure:

wondered

figure:

how

figure:

long

figure:

he

figure:

had

figure:

been

figure:

staring

figure:

at

figure:

the

figure:

video

figure:

for

figure:

the

figure:

rag

figure:

to

figure:

have

figure:

gone

figure:

cold.

figure:

Had

figure:

he

figure:

fallen

figure:

asleep?
The

figure:

rag

figure:

and

figure:

the

figure:

coffee

figure:

weren’t

figure:

the

figure:

only

figure:

things

cold:

cold:

Will

cold:

himself

cold:

was

cold:

chilled. His

cold:

fur

cold:

was

cold:

fluffed

cold:

out

cold:

trying

cold:

to

cold:

capture

cold:

what

cold:

heat

cold:

from

cold:

his

cold:

body

cold:

it

cold:

could,

cold:

but

cold:

he

cold:

really

cold:

needed

cold:

a

cold:

sweater.

cold:

He

cold:

yawned

cold:

hugely

cold:

and

cold:

went

cold:

to

cold:

the

cold:

bedroom

cold:

closet

cold:

for

cold:

one.

cold:

When

cold:

he

cold:

emerged

cold:

he

cold:

stared

cold:

at

cold:

the

cold:

shadows

cold:

under

cold:

the

cold:

bed

cold:

and

cold:

chuckled

cold:

to

cold:

himself. “Really,

cold:

a

cold:

monster

cold:

under

cold:

the

cold:

bed?”

cold:

he

cold:

thought.

cold:

Still,

cold:

he

cold:

recalled

cold:

that

cold:

he

cold:

hadn’t

cold:

checked

cold:

under

cold:

the

cold:

bed

cold:

in

cold:

his

cold:

search

cold:

for

cold:

the

intruder:

intruder:

the

intruder:

space

intruder:

was

intruder:

too

intruder:

narrow

intruder:

to

intruder:

accommodate

intruder:

even

intruder:

the

intruder:

weasel’s

intruder:

slim

intruder:

form.

intruder:

He

intruder:

knelt

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

floor

intruder:

and

intruder:

crawled

intruder:

over

intruder:

to

intruder:

the

intruder:

bed.

intruder:

He

intruder:

put

intruder:

his

intruder:

head

intruder:

to

intruder:

the

intruder:

floor

intruder:

and,

intruder:

tensing,

intruder:

flipped

intruder:

up

intruder:

the

intruder:

bedskirt.

intruder:

Sulfur

intruder:

eyes

intruder:

kindled

intruder:

in

intruder:

the

intruder:

darkness

intruder:

and

intruder:

grew

intruder:

as

intruder:

Will

intruder:

shrieked

intruder:

and

intruder:

scrambled away

intruder:

against

intruder:

the

intruder:

wall. “No

intruder:

no

intruder:

no.

intruder:

No

intruder:

no

intruder:

no,”

intruder:

Will

intruder:

said,

intruder:

a

intruder:

mantra

intruder:

against

intruder:

the

intruder:

shape

intruder:

emerging

intruder:

from

intruder:

beneath

intruder:

the

intruder:

bed.
He

intruder:

had

intruder:

nothing

intruder:

at

intruder:

hand

intruder:

to

intruder:

fight

intruder:

with;

intruder:

his

intruder:

knife

intruder:

was

intruder:

out

intruder:

by

intruder:

his

intruder:

computer.

intruder:

He

intruder:

stood

intruder:

and

intruder:

fled

intruder:

out

intruder:

the

intruder:

door,

intruder:

down

intruder:

the

intruder:

hall

intruder:

to

intruder:

the

intruder:

computer.

intruder:

He

intruder:

snatched

intruder:

up

intruder:

the

intruder:

blade

intruder:

and

intruder:

turned,

intruder:

crouching

intruder:

to

intruder:

spring,

intruder:

his

intruder:

tail

intruder:

flicking

intruder:

side

intruder:

to side.

intruder:

Whatever

intruder:

it

intruder:

was,

intruder:

it

intruder:

wasn’t

intruder:

in

intruder:

a

intruder:

hurry.

intruder:

It

intruder:

slowly

intruder:

flowed

intruder:

down

intruder:

the

intruder:

hall,

intruder:

coming

intruder:

towards

intruder:

the

intruder:

weasel

intruder:

with

intruder:

tapir-like

intruder:

nose

intruder:

raised

intruder:

up

intruder:

like

intruder:

it

intruder:

was

intruder:

scenting

intruder:

for

intruder:

Will.
He

intruder:

didn’t

intruder:

even

intruder:

consider

intruder:

further

intruder:

flight.

intruder:

He

intruder:

leapt

intruder:

at

intruder:

it

intruder:

and

intruder:

started

intruder:

stabbing,

intruder:

deep

intruder:

into

intruder:

its

intruder:

chest

intruder:

and

intruder:

abdomen.

intruder:

It

intruder:

cried

intruder:

out

intruder:

and

intruder:

sank

intruder:

to

intruder:

the

intruder:

floor,

intruder:

the

intruder:

weasel

intruder:

riding

intruder:

it

intruder:

down while

intruder:

still

intruder:

attacking.

intruder:

Its

intruder:

nose

intruder:

swung

intruder:

feebly

intruder:

towards

intruder:

Will’s

intruder:

mouth,

intruder:

but

intruder:

by

intruder:

now

intruder:

it

intruder:

was

intruder:

bleeding

intruder:

from

intruder:

a

intruder:

dozen

intruder:

wounds.

intruder:

As

intruder:

Will

intruder:

stabbed,

intruder:

it

intruder:

was

intruder:

trying

intruder:

to

intruder:

speak,

intruder:

eventually

intruder:

getting

intruder:

the

intruder:

words “Will,

intruder:

stop.”

intruder:

out.

intruder:

The

intruder:

dark

intruder:

form’s

intruder:

features

intruder:

fogged,

intruder:

and

intruder:

resolved

intruder:

into

intruder:

a

intruder:

badly

intruder:

injured

intruder:

Caer.

intruder:

He

intruder:

was

intruder:

shaking

intruder:

with

intruder:

shock

intruder:

from

intruder:

blood

intruder:

loss

intruder:

and

intruder:

betrayal

intruder:

at

intruder:

Will’s

intruder:

attack.

intruder:

He

intruder:

looked

intruder:

Will

intruder:

in

intruder:

the

intruder:

eyes

intruder:

and

intruder:

whispered, “Why?”
Will

intruder:

awoke

intruder:

with

intruder:

a

intruder:

deep

intruder:

breath,

intruder:

the

intruder:

laptop

intruder:

keyboard

intruder:

pressing

intruder:

into

intruder:

his

intruder:

cheek.

intruder:

He heard a

intruder:

key

intruder:

in

intruder:

the

intruder:

lock

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

front

intruder:

door

intruder:

and

intruder:

blearily

intruder:

stared

intruder:

as

intruder:

it

intruder:

opened

intruder:

and

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

walked

intruder:

through

intruder:

it

intruder:

carrying

intruder:

his

intruder:

suitcase.
Will

intruder:

shook

intruder:

his

intruder:

head

intruder:

and

intruder:

asked, “Caer?

intruder:

Is

intruder:

it

intruder:

really

intruder:

you?”
“Hey

intruder:

Chief, it’s really me. Who else did you think it’d be?”
“Caer,

intruder:

I

intruder:

don’t

intruder:

know

intruder:

anymore.

intruder:

I

intruder:

just…

intruder:

Why

intruder:

are

intruder:

you

intruder:

here?”

intruder:

Will

intruder:

asked,

intruder:

confused.
“Didn’t

intruder:

you

intruder:

get

intruder:

my

intruder:

voicemail? I

intruder:

was

intruder:

worried

intruder:

about

intruder:

you,

intruder:

so

intruder:

I

intruder:

got

intruder:

a flight

intruder:

out and came home.

intruder:

What’s with

intruder:

the

intruder:

knife?”
Will

intruder:

sighed

intruder:

wearily. “Please

intruder:

don’t

intruder:

ask.

intruder:

Just

intruder:

hold me.”
Caer tossed his

intruder:

keys

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

table

intruder:

by

intruder:

the

intruder:

door

intruder:

and

intruder:

crossed

intruder:

the

intruder:

room

intruder:

to

intruder:

his

intruder:

husband,

intruder:

taking

intruder:

him

intruder:

into

intruder:

his

intruder:

arms. “You

intruder:

look

intruder:

terrible

intruder:

Will,

intruder:

like

intruder:

you

intruder:

haven’t

intruder:

slept

intruder:

for

intruder:

days.

intruder:

We

intruder:

should

intruder:

get

intruder:

you

intruder:

to

intruder:

bed.”
Will

intruder:

held

intruder:

his

intruder:

husband

intruder:

close,

intruder:

trying

intruder:

not

intruder:

to

intruder:

look

intruder:

at

intruder:

the

intruder:

shadows

intruder:

beneath

intruder:

the

intruder:

furniture.

intruder:

He

intruder:

noticed

intruder:

that

intruder:

his

intruder:

left

intruder:

paw

intruder:

was

intruder:

holding

intruder:

the

intruder:

rib

intruder:

bone

intruder:

again,

intruder:

and

intruder:

he

intruder:

wondered

intruder:

if

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

could

intruder:

see

intruder:

the

intruder:

peering

intruder:

eyes

intruder:

as

intruder:

well.
“No.

intruder:

No

intruder:

sleep,”

intruder:

Will

intruder:

said,

intruder:

yawning

intruder:

wide. “I

intruder:

don’t

intruder:

want

intruder:

to

intruder:

hurt

intruder:

you.”
“What?

intruder:

Hurt

intruder:

me?

intruder:

What

intruder:

are

intruder:

you

intruder:

talking

intruder:

about,

intruder:

Chief?”
“Caer,”

intruder:

Will

intruder:

said, “My

intruder:

nightmares

intruder:

have

intruder:

gotten

intruder:

worse.

intruder:

Just

intruder:

before

intruder:

you

intruder:

came

intruder:

in

intruder:

I

intruder:

dreamed

intruder:

something

intruder:

attacked

intruder:

me.

intruder:

I

intruder:

was

intruder:

stabbing

intruder:

it

intruder:

and

intruder:

it

intruder:

became

intruder:

you.”
“Will,

intruder:

you’re irrational.

intruder:

They’re

intruder:

dreams.

intruder:

They

intruder:

don’t

intruder:

mean

intruder:

anything.

intruder:

You

intruder:

dreamed

intruder:

that

intruder:

we’d

intruder:

grow old

intruder:

together.

intruder:

If

intruder:

you’re

intruder:

dreaming

intruder:

of

intruder:

things

intruder:

that

intruder:

will

intruder:

happen,

intruder:

what

intruder:

makes

intruder:

that

intruder:

less

intruder:

likely

intruder:

a

intruder:

prediction

intruder:

than

intruder:

you

intruder:

stabbing

intruder:

me?

intruder:

They

intruder:

can’t

intruder:

all

intruder:

come

intruder:

about,”

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

said,

intruder:

leading

intruder:

Will

intruder:

down

intruder:

the

intruder:

hall

intruder:

into

intruder:

the

intruder:

bedroom.
“I’m

intruder:

so

intruder:

tired

intruder:

Caer.

intruder:

What

intruder:

if

intruder:

the

intruder:

thing

intruder:

comes

intruder:

back

intruder:

while

intruder:

I’m

intruder:

asleep?”
Caer

intruder:

undressed

intruder:

his

intruder:

husband,

intruder:

pulled

intruder:

back

intruder:

the

intruder:

covers

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

bed,

intruder:

and

intruder:

ushered

intruder:

him

intruder:

into

intruder:

it. “Will,

intruder:

really.

intruder:

If

intruder:

it

intruder:

comes

intruder:

back?

intruder:

It

intruder:

was

intruder:

just

intruder:

a dream too. I’m here and I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You’re just

intruder:

sick.

intruder:

We’ll

intruder:

get

intruder:

you

intruder:

help,”

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

said,

intruder:

tucking the

intruder:

covers

intruder:

around

intruder:

his

intruder:

exhausted

intruder:

husband.

intruder:

He

intruder:

clasped

intruder:

Will’s paw

intruder:

in

intruder:

his

intruder:

own,

intruder:

the

intruder:

bone

intruder:

from

intruder:

their

intruder:

hike

intruder:

held

intruder:

between

intruder:

them. “Here,

intruder:

give

intruder:

me

intruder:

that

intruder:

morbid

intruder:

thing,”

intruder:

he

intruder:

said,

intruder:

taking

intruder:

it

intruder:

with

intruder:

his

intruder:

other

intruder:

paw

intruder:

and

intruder:

placing

intruder:

it

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

nightstand.
Will

intruder:

was

intruder:

dropping

intruder:

off

intruder:

in

intruder:

spite

intruder:

of

intruder:

himself,

intruder:

starting

intruder:

to

intruder:

trust

intruder:

that

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

was

intruder:

right.

intruder:

Caer

intruder:

leaned

intruder:

in

intruder:

close

intruder:

and

intruder:

kissed

intruder:

him,

intruder:

a

intruder:

yellow

intruder:

gleam

intruder:

in

intruder:

his

intruder:

eye,

intruder:

and

intruder:

murmured “Sweet

intruder:

dreams,

intruder:

Chief”

intruder:

as

intruder:

Will

intruder:

drifted

intruder:

away.
- - -
Croaker

intruder:

checked

intruder:

with

intruder:

the

intruder:

night

intruder:

nurse.

intruder:

He

intruder:

pulled

intruder:

up

intruder:

the

intruder:

charts

intruder:

for

intruder:

the

intruder:

weasel

intruder:

that

intruder:

had

intruder:

seen

intruder:

him

intruder:

the

intruder:

previous

intruder:

afternoon

intruder:

about

intruder:

the

intruder:

nightmares.

intruder:

The

intruder:

poor

intruder:

guy

intruder:

had

intruder:

been

intruder:

found

intruder:

unresponsive,

intruder:

but

intruder:

breathing,

intruder:

on

intruder:

the

intruder:

floor

intruder:

of

intruder:

his

intruder:

bedroom

intruder:

by

intruder:

his

intruder:

husband.

intruder:

His

intruder:

condition

intruder:

was

unchanged:

unchanged:

still

unchanged:

in

unchanged:

heavy

unchanged:

REM

unchanged:

sleep,

unchanged:

no

unchanged:

matter

unchanged:

what

unchanged:

they

unchanged:

tried.

unchanged:

The

unchanged:

pelican

unchanged:

made

unchanged:

some

unchanged:

notes

unchanged:

on

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

computer,

unchanged:

and

unchanged:

entered

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

room.

unchanged:

The

unchanged:

weasel’s

unchanged:

husband,

unchanged:

Caer,

unchanged:

was

unchanged:

sitting

unchanged:

beside

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

patient’s

unchanged:

bed

unchanged:

turning

unchanged:

something

unchanged:

over

unchanged:

in

unchanged:

his

unchanged:

paws.
Croaker crossed

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

room

unchanged:

and

unchanged:

checked

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

bedside

unchanged:

monitors,

unchanged:

and

unchanged:

said “You

unchanged:

know

unchanged:

you

unchanged:

don’t

unchanged:

have

unchanged:

to

unchanged:

stay.

unchanged:

We

unchanged:

will

unchanged:

let

unchanged:

you

unchanged:

know

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

moment

unchanged:

we

unchanged:

find

unchanged:

anything.”
“I

unchanged:

know,”

unchanged:

Caer

unchanged:

replied, “but

unchanged:

I’ve

unchanged:

been

unchanged:

away

unchanged:

from

unchanged:

him

unchanged:

long

unchanged:

enough.

unchanged:

He’d

unchanged:

want

unchanged:

me

unchanged:

here.”
“I

unchanged:

think

unchanged:

what

unchanged:

he’d

unchanged:

want

unchanged:

is

unchanged:

for

unchanged:

you

unchanged:

to

unchanged:

save

unchanged:

your

unchanged:

strength,”

unchanged:

Croaker

unchanged:

said,

unchanged:

placing

unchanged:

a

unchanged:

feathery

unchanged:

hand

unchanged:

on

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

weasel’s

unchanged:

shoulder.

unchanged:

He

unchanged:

saw

unchanged:

what

unchanged:

the

unchanged:

weasel

unchanged:

was

fingering:

fingering:

a

fingering:

worn

fingering:

scrap of

fingering:

bone. “You

fingering:

look

fingering:

like

fingering:

you

fingering:

could

fingering:

use

fingering:

some

fingering:

sleep,

fingering:

yourself.”
Caer

fingering:

nodded

fingering:

and

fingering:

rubbed

fingering:

his

fingering:

eyes. “I’ll

fingering:

try.

fingering:

I

fingering:

nodded

fingering:

off

fingering:

here

fingering:

for

fingering:

a

fingering:

bit

fingering:

already,

fingering:

and

fingering:

had

fingering:

the

fingering:

strangest

fingering:

dream…”


This

fingering:

was “The

fingering:

Stars

fingering:

in

fingering:

Your

fingering:

Dreams

fingering:

Are

fingering:

the

fingering:

Eyes

fingering:

of

fingering:

What

fingering:

Hunts

fingering:

You”

fingering:

by

fingering:

James

fingering:

Stone,

fingering:

read

fingering:

for you

fingering:

by

fingering:

Dirt

fingering:

Coyote,

fingering:

whom

fingering:

it’ll

fingering:

take

fingering:

more

fingering:

than

fingering:

that

fingering:

to

fingering:

stop.

fingering:

You

fingering:

can

fingering:

find

fingering:

more

fingering:

stories

fingering:

on

fingering:

the

fingering:

web

fingering:

at

fingering:

thevoice.dog,

fingering:

or

fingering:

find

fingering:

the

fingering:

show

fingering:

wherever

fingering:

you

fingering:

get

fingering:

your

fingering:

podcasts.

fingering:

Thank

fingering:

you

fingering:

for

fingering:

listening

fingering:

to

fingering:

The

fingering:

Ghost

fingering:

of

fingering:

Dog.

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