The food is ready,” Zil announced to loud cheers. “But we have something more important to do, first, before we can eat.” Groans. “We have to carry out some justice.” That earned a silent stare until Turk and Hank started raising their hands and yelling, showing the crowd how to act. “This mutant, this nonhuman scum here, this freak Hunter…” Zil pointed, arm stretched out, at his captive. “This chud deliberately murdered my best friend, Harry.” “Na troo,” Hunter said. His mouth still didn’t work right. Brain damage, Zil supposed, from the little knock on his head. Half of Hunter’s face drooped like it wasn’t quite attached right. It made it easier for the crowd of kids to sneer at him, and Hunter, yelling in his drooling retard voice, wasn’t helping his case. “He’s a killer!” Zil cried suddenly, smacking his fist into his palm. “A freak! A mutant!” he cried. “And we know what they’re like, right? They always have enough food. They run everything. They’re in charge and we’re all starving. Is that some kind of coincidence? No way.” “Na troo,” Hunter moaned again. “Take him!” Zil cried to Antoine and Hank. “Take him, the murdering mutant scum!” They seized Hunter by the arms. He could walk, but only by dragging one leg. They half carried, half marched him across the plaza. They dragged him up the church steps. “Now,” Zil said, “here is how we’re going to do this.” He waved his hand toward the rope that Lance was unspooling back through the plaza. An expectant pause. A dangerous, giddy feeling. The smell of the meat had them all crazy. Zil could feel it. “You all want some of this delicious venison?” They roared their assent. “Then you’ll all grab on to the rope.
Michael Grant
Related We’re here to execute a murderer,” Zil said, pointing at Hunter. “We are bringing justice in t... MICHAEL GRANT He’s a murdering chud,” Zil was yelling. “What do you want to do? Lynch him?” Astrid de... MICHAEL GRANT Hunter woke suddenly. A noise. It was a noise unlike anything he’d ever heard before. Close! ... MICHAEL GRANT You’re supposed to be the big boss.” Sam said nothing. The crowd hushed, ready to watch thi... MICHAEL GRANT The intruders spoke no words as they rushed in. Five boys carrying baseball bats and tire irons. The... MICHAEL GRANT We’re not going to give in. We’re going to fight.” “Got that right,” a voice cried ou... MICHAEL GRANT It's asking us our names," Falkor reported. "I'm Atreyu!" Atreyu cried. "I'm F... MICHAEL ENDE Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines he wrote a poem And he called it "Chops"... STEPHEN CHBOSKY Start by pulling him out of the fire and hoping that he will forget the smell. He was supp... CAITLYN SIEHL Tohrment spoke. "Bella's brother called. He's tabled the sehelusion request and asked that she stay ... J.R. WARD Demon pox, oh demon pox Just how is it acquired? One must go down to the bad part of town<... CASSANDRA CLARE You are real," she said to herself. "Aye." His voice was deep and resonant, a caress in h... J.R. WARD The only ghosts, I believe, who creep into this world, are dead young mothers, returned to see... J.M. BARRIE England once there lived a big And wonderfully clever pig. To everybody it was plain ... ROALD DAHL Buckley followed the three of them into the kitchen and asked, as he had at least once a day, “Whe... ALICE SEBOLD Tightened his bootlace Sharpened his blade The Hunter walked along and prayed For ton... 喬靖夫 After a while Mary said, “Zsadist?” “Yeah?” “What are those markings... J.R. WARD Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk? His whole abdomen ... WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS Hello? This is Clary Fairchild.” “Clary? It’s me, Emma.” “Oh, Emma, ... CASSANDRA CLARE Sam, I know you’re upset over what happened with you and Drake,” Astrid began. “Upset?”... MICHAEL GRANT She chuckled, leaned on him as they headed out of the park. “All in all, it was a hell of a party.... J.D. ROBB So are you going to tell me why Ronowski pulled you into the break room when we got back today?” G... A.E. VIA Do you mean to tell me’, he growled a the Dursleys, ‘that this boy- this boy! - knows nothin’ ... J.K. ROWLING Oof!" Adam caught me all right, with the side of his head. I could tell by the feel of his skull on ... JENNIFER ECHOLS Rankin put down his glass and stared at him coldly. “I beg your pardon?” he said. “I gather th... NAOMI NOVIK Maybe,' he said hesitantly, 'maybe there is a beast.' The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph... WILLIAM GOLDING And then that voice from behind her said her name again. "Celaena." They had d... SARAH J. MAAS According to the conventions of the genre, Augustus Waters kept his sense of humor till the end, did... JOHN GREEN He did not know or care whether they were wizards or Muggles, friends or foes; all he cared about wa... J.K. ROWLING Between what i see in a field and what I see in another field There passes for a moment the fig... ALBERTO CAEIRO Damen found himself alongside Jord. ‘If you want to live, ride fast.’ White-faced, J... C.S. PACAT The search began 10 years ago To find a nasty viscous foe They searched in caves and under... PAPA G. He trapped my hand against his chest and yanked my sleeve down past my wrist, covering my hand with ... BECCA FITZPATRICK I let my head fall forward into his shoulder, breathing in his scent. "Now what do we do?" JESSICA SORENSEN When you've lived as long as I have," he said, eyes heavy-lidded but definitely on her, "you learn t... NALINI SINGH Syn paid the bill and they headed to the door with lust so thick around them, Syn couldn’t help bu... A.E. VIA His noise is getting quieter, but I can still see it there still- See how he feels the skin of ... PATRICK NESS I am the slave of the Master of Prophets And my fealty to him has no beginning. I am... يوسف النبهاني He strained his ears, and the darkness felt heavier than before. Oppressive. “We’re hungry.... LAURA KREITZER What,” Mick said softly, “is Lad doin’ in me bed?” Hearing his name, Lad opened s... ELIZABETH HOYT There was a man whom Sorrow named his Friend, And he, of his high comrade Sorrow dreaming, W.B. YEATS He sipped again, more deeply. “Is this an interrogation, Lieutenant?” It was the smile in his vo... J.D. ROBB Once a hunter met a lion near the hungry critter's lair, and the way that lion mauled him was ... WALT MASON Angel clicked on a few more pictures on the screen, and Alex made small talk about the place. Then h... ELIZABETH REYES Across the Reich, the Gestapo recorded increased the activity of anti-state elements. It’s ki... ANTON SCHULZ So that's it?" Kenji says. "You just like him for his personality, huh?" "What?" TAHEREH MAFI And he could not tell why the struggle was worthwhile, why he had determined to use the utmost himse... F. SCOTT FITZGERALD Name one hero who was happy." I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lo... MADELINE MILLER Mom?” he whispered. “Dad?” They just looked at him, smiling. And slowly, Harry look... J.K. ROWLING She sucked in a shuddering breath, and he pulled back far enough for them to share breath. Her finge... SARAH J. MAAS And then to Leo’s surprise, Catherine smiled at him. A sweet, natural, brilliant smile, the first ... LISA KLEYPAS What. Are. You. Doing. Here?” Day snapped each word this time. "You’re not the only o... A.E. VIA You’ll have sweet dreams?” he asked quietly and sounding like he cared, a lot. God b... KRISTEN ASHLEY And he leans in, so carefully. Breathing and not breathing and hearts beating between us a... TAHEREH MAFI Bowed by the weight of centuries he leans Upon his hoe and gazes on the ground, The emptiness ... EDWIN MARKHAM Hardly had the light been extinguished, when a peculiar trembling began to affect the netting u... VICTOR HUGO Did you learn the rotation of the border patrols?’ said Laurent. ‘Yes, our scouts fou... C.S. PACAT This Stone He went looking for a road that doesn't lead to death. He went looki... URSULA K. LE GUIN Drake's whip hand spun Diana like a top. She cried out. That sound, her cry, pierced Caine like... MICHAEL GRANT WHAT DADDY WOULD HAVE DONE First he would have listened intently which one could always t... URSULA DENISE WALKER you are a horse running alone and he tries to tame you compares you to an impossible highw... WARSAN SHIRE One day he said, "I'll tell this town How it feels to be an unfunny clown." And he told th... SHEL SILVERSTEIN Had he and I but met By some old ancient inn, We should have sat us down to wet Right many ... THOMAS HARDY THIS IS WHY He will never be given to wonder much if he was the mouth for some cruel... MICHAEL RYAN Auburn Mason Reed,” I say out loud. What are the chances? I smile and run my... COLLEEN HOOVER Private Parts The first love of my life never saw me naked - there was always a parent co... SARAH KAY He was a strong and noble lord with piercing eyes of grey. He sat upon his noble throne shinin... LAUREL A. ROCKEFELLER Hello, freak,” Drake said. Lana backed away, but too late. Drake leveled his gun at her. MICHAEL GRANT Percy wakes me (fourteen) Percy wakes me and I am not ready. He has slept all night ... MARY OLIVER Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman--a rope over an abyss. A dan... FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE You adopted him," I said when Romeo sat on the coffee table in front of me. "You love him," he ... CAMBRIA HEBERT That dog is a wolf, is he not?' 'Aye, well, mostly.' A small flash of hazel to... DIANA GABALDON This is what it's all been about with you," he said in an even tone. "All the fear, all the run... KRESLEY COLE You let her get away?” Caine demanded, forgetting Sam for the moment. “I didn’t let her g... MICHAEL GRANT Casually, out of the view of Ronan, making sure Adam was still sleeping, Gansey dangled his hand bet... MAGGIE STIEFVATER So now George has arrived. He is not nervous in the least. As he gets out of his car, he ... CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD Shade caught my hand, slid his fingers through mine. The touch felt like lightning up my arm. <... ROSAMUND HODGE I want you,” she said. “Naked.” His nostrils flared as if he was soaking in the sc... NALINI SINGH The Chorus Line: The Birth of Telemachus, An Idyll Nine months he sailed the wine-red sea... MARGARET ATWOOD Can you sharpen this for me, please?” Logan leaned across the table and took the pencil... ELLA FRANK You have heard about the reindeer that pull old Santa's sled. But mostly I hate Rudolph and wi... MARK W. BOYER I have the reports from Gemson and Boyd,” Syn replied. His boots were up on the corner of his desk... A.E. VIA I doubt your Argonaut kin would approve of that,” she managed. “They didn’t much like me being... ELISABETH NAUGHTON Do me a favor, Ro,” Day said calmly. “What’s that?” Ronowski peeked around Johnso... A.E. VIA Portia followed after, a smirk on her face, and Syc hissed as he passed. Donegan waited till th... DEREK LANDY Um, people.” It wasn’t hard to get their attention. They gathered around. Even the littlest... MICHAEL GRANT He grasped her by the wrist , running a thumb along the sensitive skin underneath. "Then let me call... SARAH J. MAAS Without thinking, I moved again, reaching out and touching the hand resting near my thigh. Call... JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT The Doors The End This is the end, beautiful friend This is the end, my ... JIM MORRISON Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph sto... WILLIAM GOLDING Never give all the heart, for love Will hardly seem worth thinking of To passionate women ... W.B. YEATS Cool. I know an awesome spot called Henry’s. They have the absolute best beer selections and the w... A.E. VIA God saw Hansen tighten his chokehold on Day and he could see his lover fighting to breathe. Day’s ... A.E. VIA O Deep Thought computer," he said, "the task we have designed you to perform is this. We want you to... DOUGLAS ADAMS God walked in to the small corner office and dropped his heavy frame down in the hard wooden chair. ... A.E. VIA I looked at him and the other two people whose names I’d just learned. “So . . . so this is home... KIERA CASS My name...my name is Mary. I'm here with a friend.' Rhage stopped breathing. His heart skipped ... J.R. WARD He wanted you to be the small, quiet girl from Abnegation," Four says softly. "He hurt you because y... VERONICA ROTH God and religion before every thing!' Dante cried. 'God and religion before the world.' ... JAMES JOYCE Stop fighting me!" he said, trying to pull on the arm he held. He was in a precarious pos... RICHELLE MEAD
More Michael Grant
He’s a murdering chud,” Zil was yelling. “What do you want to do? Lynch him?” Astrid de... MICHAEL GRANT Scared people did scary things sometimes, MICHAEL GRANT He didn't mind if she hated him. They were never going to be a cute romantic couple like Sam and Ast... MICHAEL GRANT Sam was slow getting up. To Quinn he looked like an old man standing up after slipping on the ice. B... MICHAEL GRANT Did you throw a rock at my brother?” Astrid yelled, fearless in her outrage. She dropped to her kn... MICHAEL GRANT [Caine] "Interesting. Me, I've always wanted to know who my real parents were." [Sam] MICHAEL GRANT Brianna dropped the skateboard in front of Sam. "Don't worry: I won't let you fall off." "Yeah... MICHAEL GRANT Sam,” Astrid yelled. “Quick.” Sam thought he was too far gone to respond, but he somehow ... MICHAEL GRANT Where was Sam? It hit her full force then, the shocking realization. Was this how Sam felt? Was... MICHAEL GRANT Okay, look. I get it. You're one of those people who thinks they have to help screwed-up people. Or ... MICHAEL GRANT Sometimes I think He looks down and says, "Wow, look what those idiots are up to now. I guess I bett... MICHAEL GRANT So asking you to take a moonlit walk with me, that would totally not work?" "What?" Again that ... MICHAEL GRANT No," Lana said, "I'm not going to heal your scratch." "Good," Sanjit said. "Good? Why good... MICHAEL GRANT You're staring," Lana said. "Yes. I am. I'm a teenage boy. Beautiful girls in wet underwear hav... MICHAEL GRANT I like your boyfriend," Dahra said. "Not many guys volunteer to carry ten gallons of diarrhea and vo... MICHAEL GRANT No one vinces me, baby MICHAEL GRANT Caine met Diana's disbelieving gaze and laughed aloud. "Why so gloomy? Doesn't every little gir... MICHAEL GRANT If God gives you a Quiznos, can I have a bite? No way. You have to pray for your own food. MICHAEL GRANT It's Sanjit. It's a Hindu name. It means 'invincible.'" "That's great," Lana said. "Invinc... MICHAEL GRANT Sam, that's a great concept. And maybe you believe it. But I'm black and I'm a lesbian, so let me te... MICHAEL GRANT They said a lot of things to each other that night, but nothing that involved words. MICHAEL GRANT Astrid had gone to look at the burn zone. Doing the right thing. Kids had yelled at her. Demand... MICHAEL GRANT Too bad we don't have marshmallows. This is an amazing fire." Howard emerged through the smoke behin... MICHAEL GRANT He didn’t mind Drake so much. Drake was a creep. It was the girl who made Orc want to cry. MICHAEL GRANT Fear was about possibilities. Not things that happened. Things that might. MICHAEL GRANT Guilt was a fascinating thing: it seemed not to weaken over time. If anything it grew stronger as th... MICHAEL GRANT Sam’s probably out there somewhere being his usual heroic self,” Caine said. “I can’t let th... MICHAEL GRANT No, no, no, so not getting the point of fear. Because fear wasn't about what made sense. Fear was ab... MICHAEL GRANT Hey, thanks for stopping by," Howard said. "I'd offer you some tea and cookies, but all we have is b... MICHAEL GRANT Superpowers, don't always make you a superhero. - Duck MICHAEL GRANT Yeah. A feeling. Like the whole point of my life from the alleys in Bangkok to the yachts and privat... MICHAEL GRANT There’ll be guys who were in wars hearing what we did and thinking, ‘Whoa.’ You and me, we can... MICHAEL GRANT Why are we sneaking out in the night?” Jack repeated. “I already explained,” Sam snapped.... MICHAEL GRANT You let her get away?” Caine demanded, forgetting Sam for the moment. “I didn’t let her g... MICHAEL GRANT About time,” Brianna said. “Hey, sorry, we were kind of busy,” Quinn snapped. “And I di... MICHAEL GRANT Why do we have to do this in the middle of the night?” Taylor asked. “Because we don’t wa... MICHAEL GRANT Yeah, let’s get John here. That way we can stall for a while longer. We can keep on doing nothing ... MICHAEL GRANT He was still furious at Quinn, but they were—literally—all in the same boat now. MICHAEL GRANT People are idiots, Choo. Always remember that: people are faithless, backstabbing, weak, creepy, stu... MICHAEL GRANT Cabeza de turco. MICHAEL GRANT He's one kind of person, you're another. When life is going along normally, you're sort of the same.... MICHAEL GRANT The pain was her whole world now. Pain and fear. MICHAEL GRANT She placed her palm over his wound, pressing as hard as she dared. She would stop the blood. MICHAEL GRANT What’s happened so far? Coyotes evolved limited powers of speech. Worms developed teeth and became... MICHAEL GRANT I came up with myself. FAYZ. Spelled F-A-Y-Z. It stands for Fallout Alley Youth Zone. Fallout Alley,... MICHAEL GRANT He found a set of encyclopedias—like Wikipedia, but paper and very bulky. MICHAEL GRANT Man, don't ever be sorry you don't want to kill someone. MICHAEL GRANT The point is,” Caine continued, “you and I share something in common, Sam. We were born just thr... MICHAEL GRANT but I know you're the brightest shooting star in the sky - Astrid MICHAEL GRANT So many things I'm not, and so few things I am. MICHAEL GRANT You'll never have complete control, Caine. This world is changing all the time. Animals. People. Who... MICHAEL GRANT Ninth graders with machine guns: its hard to make that a happy story. MICHAEL GRANT Let me guess: you're secretly a wizard who was raised by muggles. MICHAEL GRANT welcome to the FAYZ. Wherever, whenever or whyever that is MICHAEL GRANT One minute the teacher was talking about the Civil War. And the next minute he was gone. There. Gone... MICHAEL GRANT It's not about who's got powers, morons. It's about who's not afraid. And who's going to do what has... MICHAEL GRANT I had a polynomial once. My doctor removed it. MICHAEL GRANT It's vital to keep a sense of humour when the world seems to have suddenly become a very strange pla... MICHAEL GRANT It couldn’t last. Everyone was just killing time. But if all they did was kill time, time would en... MICHAEL GRANT That's your solution? Have a cookie?' Astrid asked. 'No, my solution is to run down to the beach and... MICHAEL GRANT We didn't Make this World we're just the Poor Fools who are living in it. MICHAEL GRANT Welcome to Perdido beach, where our motto is: Radiation, what radiation? MICHAEL GRANT Astrid found the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. She unbuckled his belt and shove... MICHAEL GRANT We’ve searched all of the homes and carried the food to Ralph’s,” Sam continued. “The proble... MICHAEL GRANT Diana can read power levels,” Astrid said. “Did she ever…” Sam nodded. “She said the ... MICHAEL GRANT I’m mean? That’s the worst you can throw at me?” “Mean and self-pitying. Does that make... MICHAEL GRANT It’s time,” Jack said. “Breeze? Count the kids,” Sam said. Brianna was back in twe... MICHAEL GRANT I don’t guess you can outrun an explosion, right?” Sam asked doubtfully. Jack rolled his ey... MICHAEL GRANT The door exploded inward and a tangle of bug legs appeared. “I can hold them, but I can’t k... MICHAEL GRANT The only crime, if any, that may have been committed in these circumstances is the perpetration of a... MICHAEL GRANT Tino really battled inside. He battled against [Joe] Reitz, which was a really good battle all night... MICHAEL GRANT We can't afford to give away games by not executing and not knocking down our free throws. MICHAEL GRANT With five minutes left in the game and it's a seven point game, we had our chances to get back into ... MICHAEL GRANT We didn't take care of the basketball and we didn't concentrate on knocking down our free throws. I ... MICHAEL GRANT The question I have is what alternative does either the county or the state have? ... Does anybody h... MICHAEL GRANT I think it's going to be fairly difficult. MICHAEL GRANT The Tao of Natural Breathing by Dennis Lewis is filled with drawings, insights and guidance from an ... MICHAEL GRANT An enormous failure of the system has clearly been exposed, but this system failure is associated wi... MICHAEL GRANT You look okay,” Sam said with a certain desperate edge in his voice. “I mean good. You look good... MICHAEL GRANT Where’s Sam?” Brianna asked. “He’s out. So is Edilio,” Dekka said. “You going to te... MICHAEL GRANT He never should have left the island. He’d been there with Diana and Penny. He could have tossed P... MICHAEL GRANT Lunch had been at a McDonald’s in Santa Barbara. It had been so clean. It had smelled like food. I... MICHAEL GRANT Sam, I know you’re upset over what happened with you and Drake,” Astrid began. “Upset?”... MICHAEL GRANT If you do bad stuff and don't repent, you go to hell," Orc said, like he was begging for a refutatio... MICHAEL GRANT What do you think that fish is?' Sam asked Astrid. She peered closely at the alleged fish. 'I t... MICHAEL GRANT I want my mom,” a little boy cried out suddenly. Every voice fell silent. The boy had said wh... MICHAEL GRANT Hi, Albert,” Quinn called back. He seemed distracted. And Albert was sure that he’d seen Quinn m... MICHAEL GRANT We’re here to execute a murderer,” Zil said, pointing at Hunter. “We are bringing justice in t... MICHAEL GRANT I’ll tell you all about it, but let’s eat first. I’ve had nothing to eat. Although I was offer... MICHAEL GRANT God knew our lives would be really bad sometimes. Like maybe we'd be turned into a monster and then ... MICHAEL GRANT More than two dozen kids lined a low railing around the gazebo. They were all tied to it by a rope l... MICHAEL GRANT We were disturbed the president moved too slowly, that FEMA looked too disorganized. MICHAEL GRANT How has he moved so quickly from childlike naïvité to existential panic? MICHAEL GRANT Drake's whip hand spun Diana like a top. She cried out. That sound, her cry, pierced Caine like... MICHAEL GRANT Don’t want no more rock,” Orc repeated. The bleeding stopped almost immediately. “Do... MICHAEL GRANT Mr. Albert? Mr. Albert?” Harley said. “Just Albert’s fine,” Albert said tersely. �... MICHAEL GRANT The intruders spoke no words as they rushed in. Five boys carrying baseball bats and tire irons. The... MICHAEL GRANT Caine’s a guy who needs to win. He needs to win before he poofs. Or he needs to win before I poof.... MICHAEL GRANT Lana leveled the gun at Penny. “Stop,” Lana said. Penny’s reddened face grew pale. Whatev... MICHAEL GRANT You can't let him get away with this!" Penny shrieked. Caine wasn’t having it. “You stupid... MICHAEL GRANT Penny rolled over, got to her feet, trying to get control of her scattered mind, but Quinn was behin... MICHAEL GRANT Hello, freak,” Drake said. Lana backed away, but too late. Drake leveled his gun at her. MICHAEL GRANT Astrid and Taylor didn’t like each other much. But Taylor was an extremely valuable person to have... MICHAEL GRANT Sam, there comes a time when the world no longer needs heroes. And then the true hero knows to walk ... MICHAEL GRANT But when reality was hopeless, fantasy became more and more necessary. MICHAEL GRANT And yes, we do have some food. Maybe you'd like to join us? Unless you want to stick with your sheep... MICHAEL GRANT Hey, Sam,” Drake shouted. “I thought you’d like to know this isn’t my whole army.” Sa... MICHAEL GRANT Why, so we can look for some little kid who probably doesn’t even know he’s missing?” Aga... MICHAEL GRANT Sam, Edilio’s a good guy,” Albert said, breaking in on Sam’s gloomy thoughts. “But like I sa... MICHAEL GRANT You know what, Sam? We created the council to take pressure off of you. Because you were falling apa... MICHAEL GRANT Which was how Britteny ended up nestled next to Mickey, under the shelter of a painter's drop cloth.... MICHAEL GRANT Sam sent me to give you a message, Edilio. He said, ‘Tell Edilio I couldn’t kill the bugs.’”... MICHAEL GRANT ot everyone liked Albert. Not everyone was happy that he had become the most important person around... MICHAEL GRANT Leslie-Ann set down her own bucket and watched, marveling, as a quarter of an inch of water covered ... MICHAEL GRANT Stay in your boats,” Dahra said. “We’re still going to need food. Throw your fish onto the doc... MICHAEL GRANT Brianna’s looking for Drake,” Edilio said, thinking out loud. “You sent her out against D... MICHAEL GRANT Have either of you seen Sam? Brianna can’t find him.” Albert sighed. “He’s out of town.... MICHAEL GRANT Hey! One of Edilio’s soldiers just came staggering in from the gas station. He says someone attack... MICHAEL GRANT Albert, I don’t know how long we can keep Sam involved at all,” she said. “You’re upset... MICHAEL GRANT Sam always felt like a fool in this room. He sat in a too-big chair at one end of the table. Astrid ... MICHAEL GRANT Albert had created a currency based on gold bullets and McDonald’s game pieces. He’d wanted to c... MICHAEL GRANT I’m trying to make a profit. I’m using batteries, toilet paper, and paper towels as currency. Ea... MICHAEL GRANT Hey, brah,” Quinn said. “What is going on, do you know?” Sam asked. “It’s a club... MICHAEL GRANT Sorry, folks, but the maximum occupancy is seventy-five,” Albert said. Then he spotted Jack. “Ja... MICHAEL GRANT I’m trying to help,” Albert said. “By paying him with beer?” “I paid him what he... MICHAEL GRANT What’s up, Albert?” “Well, I’ve done inventory at Ralph’s, and I think if I had a lot... MICHAEL GRANT Um, people.” It wasn’t hard to get their attention. They gathered around. Even the littlest... MICHAEL GRANT What happened?” Albert asked. Taylor looked at Sam. Sam said nothing. He stared. First at his... MICHAEL GRANT Female say Pack Leader stop,” Pack Leader said angrily. “What?” Caine could make no sense... MICHAEL GRANT The light of day showed you the limits of possibility. But walk through the dark, the absolute, tota... MICHAEL GRANT What’s Albert going to do?” a boy named Jim demanded. “Where’s Albert?” Albert steppe... MICHAEL GRANT He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He woul... MICHAEL GRANT Hand me my pants, MICHAEL GRANT Hunter’s dead,” Taylor said without preamble. “It was these . . . these things. They came craw... MICHAEL GRANT She’s stronger than you are, Sam. It’s like fighting yourself and Caine and Jack and Dekka, all ... MICHAEL GRANT promise me, Sam: whatever it takes to win, whatever it takes to survive.” “Astrid—” MICHAEL GRANT He overheard the director talking to one of the cameramen. The cameraman was explaining that he coul... MICHAEL GRANT There were dozens of theories about what it was, that dome. Every scientist in the world, it seemed,... MICHAEL GRANT He’s becoming useless. Worse than useless,” Sam said. Then, relenting, he said, “We’ll get p... MICHAEL GRANT Man, sometimes you are clueless. You don’t even see what’s happening.” He perched himself on t... MICHAEL GRANT Human Crew had been a group formed to defend the rights of normals against freaks. At least that was... MICHAEL GRANT You’re supposed to be the big boss.” Sam said nothing. The crowd hushed, ready to watch thi... MICHAEL GRANT First there was Caine’s patently false “confession.” Then there was the fact that the FAYZ Leg... MICHAEL GRANT A man without pleasure is a man without any idea what life is about MICHAEL GRANT I’ve helped you when I could, Caine. I’ve done all of it. I kept you alive and changed your filt... MICHAEL GRANT Sam woke to a feeling of utter, profound, incredible relief. He closed his eyes as soon as he o... MICHAEL GRANT We’re not going to give in. We’re going to fight.” “Got that right,” a voice cried ou... MICHAEL GRANT Tell me something, Noah. Which is more important: freedom or happiness?' What was this, a... MICHAEL GRANT And death is better because death is the end of fear, isnt it? -Dekka MICHAEL GRANT (...) But Gaia had absorbed the new information. "I won't need to kill billions, Diana. When Nemesis... MICHAEL GRANT Still Caine hesitated. A big, warm bed. A beautiful girl to share it with. Food. Water. Everything h... MICHAEL GRANT No, I'm not a jerk, Astrid. You know what I am? I'm the guy getting people killed," Sam said quietly... MICHAEL GRANT Brittney, it was wrong to murder even before Moses brought down the commandments. Right and wrong do... MICHAEL GRANT Beautiful songs could sometimes take a person out of themselves and carry them away to a place of ma... MICHAEL GRANT It's over, Sam. Finally." "Yeah," he said. "I guess it is." "Turn out the light, Sam." MICHAEL GRANT Hello, Darkness," Caine said. Gaia's face fell. Her bloody, feral grin faded to be replaced by ... MICHAEL GRANT It takes me a while to figure things out, doesn't it?" Edilio grinned. "Do me a favor. When you find... MICHAEL GRANT Caine tried to roll to his feet, but something was jabbing him in the crouch. He shook off the stars... MICHAEL GRANT You're a big, lovable teddy bear. MICHAEL GRANT Come live with us, Diana. Don't argue. Just say yes." Diana looked at the ground to hide her em... MICHAEL GRANT Say it. But..." "But what?" he asked. She whispered it, sounding too vulnerable. "But only... MICHAEL GRANT It took Caine a few beats to get it. “No. Go kill yourself. Eat your own gun. No. No no no.” MICHAEL GRANT Find Sam Temple. Tell him you escaped.” Jack gulped and bobbed his head. “Better yet, ... MICHAEL GRANT Has Orc shown up here?” But neither Caine nor Diana answered. Both were staring at Drake, who saun... MICHAEL GRANT My little man,” she said. “No.” She stretched out her hand to him. “Come.” ... MICHAEL GRANT You saw the way everyone looked at him? And when I asked for nominations, his was the first name men... MICHAEL GRANT Now, who else speaks for Perdido Beach?” Bouncing Bette said, “Sam Temple here went into a ... MICHAEL GRANT A white van drove slowly—as slowly as only an inexperienced and frightened driver could go— MICHAEL GRANT Delay of pain: that was the meaning of life, wasn’t it? “I’ve made some bad decisions,”... MICHAEL GRANT But then had come the voice that said, "Come on, you little freak, wherever the hell you are, w... MICHAEL GRANT It’s not about the powers, man; it’s that we aren’t kids anymore. Look what we’ve been throu... MICHAEL GRANT Endgame,” Sam muttered, not really expecting Caine to hear. “Yep,” Caine said. “That’... MICHAEL GRANT But hey this was the FAYZ, where all you could really hope was to delay the pain. MICHAEL GRANT And now, at last, gaiaphage and Nemesis stood facing each other. “Why didn’t you just . . .... MICHAEL GRANT I’m sorry for hurting you. I know I did. I’m most likely dead now, and I guess if there’s any ... MICHAEL GRANT You need to think about all that, Sam,” Dekka said. “You’re the leader, after all.” “... MICHAEL GRANT Do you love me?” Diana asked. Caine’s eyes widened. She could actually see him twitch. Like... MICHAEL GRANT Hunter woke suddenly. A noise. It was a noise unlike anything he’d ever heard before. Close! ... MICHAEL GRANT He reached over and took Taylor’s hand. She did not pull her hand away. He moved his hand up ... MICHAEL GRANT Little Pete. He’s not exactly just Astrid’s autistic brother.” He explained briefly while Toto... MICHAEL GRANT Quinn came forward and Sam pulled him aside. His old friend looked tortured and sad. “What’... MICHAEL GRANT Have a seat with me,” Caine said, hopping down from the wall. “How have you been, Taylor?” MICHAEL GRANT And he thought of the two people who had held his job before him: Sam and Astrid. Both beaten into d... MICHAEL GRANT Today, each of you will make a decision,” Caine said. “To go with Sam, or to stay here. I won’... MICHAEL GRANT He’s not the first to say that. MICHAEL GRANT Like a bullet out of a gun. His big paws had caught the dog before the dog could even flinch. MICHAEL GRANT Sam was starting to feel anxious. Nutella and noodles were fine. Great in fact. Miraculous. But he'd... MICHAEL GRANT The gaiaphage. That's the other word they use. 'Gaia,' as in world. 'Phage,' as in a worm or somethi... MICHAEL GRANT Mother Mary wants to draft two more kids,” Astrid told Sam. “Okay. Approved.” “Dah... MICHAEL GRANT First off,” he said, “I want to say I’m sorry about E.Z. He was a good kid. He didn’t deserv... MICHAEL GRANT Its the fate of all creators: They fall in love with their creations. MICHAEL GRANT Have you seen Sam?” Mary asked. “What do you want with Sam?” “I can’t take care ... MICHAEL GRANT Sam Temple kept a lower profile. He stuck to jeans and understated T-shirts, nothing that drew atten... MICHAEL GRANT Sam walked cautiously around Pack Leader to see the other side. There were the insect jaws protrudin... MICHAEL GRANT Astrid felt a towering wave of disgust. She was furious with Sam. Furious with Little Pete. Mad at t... MICHAEL GRANT At night we cry sometimes, and if you think that just applies to the females then you have never bee... MICHAEL GRANT The Tao of Natural Breathing by Dennis Lewis is filled with drawings, insights and guidance from an ... MICHAEL GRANT Why are we doing this?" Caine asked him. "You know damned well why we're doing this. Because it's a ... MICHAEL GRANT I’m getting my stuff,” he said, and bolted for the steps. “You don’t have to move out,�... MICHAEL GRANT The warrior who had gone out from the lake to save his people by slaying the evil one was now just a... MICHAEL GRANT