gaucho
What’s inside
The conclusion of Stage 1: The Station.
the station
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It’s gonna burn
My eyes sting so bad I think they’re burning out. “Relax, William,” Rogger says. Subscribe I feel her sturdy arms around me, her coarse beard brushing against my face. “We’re going to wash them out, all right?” “What?” I ask. “In the ocean?” “Yes, that’s the idea,
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Threes
The water’s lapping at my feet, soggy in my shoes. I take my loafers off and roll up my pants. The water’s cool at my ankles, the sand soft and sucking on my toes. “Look at all the fish!” Pem shouts. “Look at all the birds! Man, I
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The beach
We walk along the river, and I am very distracted by the pain in my arm. It makes my skin sing songs of hatred. “What is happening to me, Rogger?” Subscribe She puffs her pipe and strokes her beard. “You’re healing, William. And healing hurts.” “I suppose. Why do
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Water of life
Rogger leads us to a deep and dark part of the river. I look further down, my hand up like a visor. “Is that a beach?” Subscribe “Yeah,” Rogger says. “Down a bit. But this is where Boggy Nic lives.” Pem stares down into the water, her tail swaying in
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A little rescue
My arm is burning from the bite. “Pem, help!” I shout. Rogger’s face is contorted, her eyes red as she chews on my arm. “We’re coming, William! Hold on!” Pem shouts. “We?” “Me and Rogger!” I look over my shoulder and see Pem and Rogger running toward me.
gaucho
I’m one too
“Pem,” I say, “I wish we could talk about this.” I can’t stop thinking about the woman and who she might be. Subscribe “No!” Pem says. “I don’t want to!” Pem races ahead, down the river’s edge. “Pem!” I run after her, but she’s a cat,
gaucho
Take only what you need
I look at the knife, at the facón, in my hands. “This feels familiar …” “That’s quite a fancy-looking knife you have there, William,” Pem says. “It’s a facón,” I say. “What’s that?” “I’m … not sure.” “Oh. Okay.” Pem washes her face with her paw in small
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Destronizar
The light has all but left us, and I can barely see a thing. “I can’t see, William!” Pem cries. “Where are you?” I cannot feel her close to me. “Pem!” “Taste your own wrath, villain.” The Maiden’s voice is calm like steel. My eyes are without sight,
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Things that can’t live in the light
I watch Rogger get smaller and smaller. “Rogger!” Pem cries. There’s a splash, and I can’t see Rogger anymore. “Oh, no! William! What are we gonna do?” Pem asks. I’m panicky and don’t know. The earth’s still shifting and the column of rock we’re
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Darkness comes
Rogger looks at the sky. “Getting dark, friends.” Pem looks. “I can see fine.” “Me too, kitty. But William can’t.” It’s true. It’s getting harder to see. “Should we stop?” I ask. Rogger looks ahead. “I think there’s a break in the woods up there. Let’
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About a girl
Pem and I walk with Rogger, and I ask, “So who is the Maiden in Black Mail?” Rogger pulls a pipe and packs it. “Don’t know, Will.” “But she’s hunting you?” Rogger nods. “Yes, she is. Has been for a few moons now.” Pem says, “She’s the