C6

　　CHAPTER6

　　Ambush

　　Therestwaseasy.TheymadeaquickboattriptoSolomons,wherePamwasabletobuyafewsimplethings.Abeautyshoptrimmedherhair.BytheendofhersecondweekwithKelly,she‘dstartedtorunandhadgainedweight.Alreadyshecouldwearatwo-pieceswimsuitwithoutanovertdisplayofherribcage.Herlegmusclesweretoningup;whathadbeenslackwasnowtaut,asitoughttobeonagirlherage.Shestillhadherdemons.TwiceKellywoketofindhertrembling,sweating,andmurmuringsoundsthatneverquiteturnedintowordsbutwereeasilyunderstood.Bothtimeshistouchcalmedher,butnothim.SoonhewasteachinghertorunSpringer,andwhateverthedefectsinherschooling,shewassmartenough.Shequicklygraspedhowtodothethingsthatmostboatersneverlearned.Heeventookherswimming,surprisedsomehowthatshe‘dlearnedtheskillinthemiddleofTexas.

　　Mainlyhelovedher,thesight,thesound,thesmell,andmostofallthefeelofPamMadden.Kellyfoundhimselfslightlyanxiousifhefailedtoseehereveryfewminutes,asthoughshemightsomehowdisappear.Butshewasalwaysthere,catchinghiseye,smilingbackplayfully.Mostofthetime.Sometimeshe‘dcatchherwithadifferentexpression,allowingherselftolookbackintothedarknessofherpastorforwardintoanalternatefuturedifferentfromthatwhichhehadalreadyplanned.Hefoundhimselfwishingthathecouldreachintohermindandremovethebadparts,knowingthathewouldhavetotrustotherstodothat.Atthosetimes,andtheothers,forthemostpart,he‘dfindanexcusetoheadherway,andlethisfingertipsglideoverhershoulder,justtobesuresheknewthathewasthere.

　　TendaysafterSamandSarahhadleft,theyhadalittleceremony.Helethertaketheboatout,tiethebottleofphenobarbitaltoalargerock,anddumpitovertheside.Thesplashitmadeseemedafittingandfinalendtooneofherproblems.Kellystoodbehindher,hisstrongarmsaboutherwaist,watchingtheotherboatstravelingtheBay,andhelookedintoafuturebrightwithpromise.

　　‘Youwereright,‘shesaid,strokinghisforearms.

　　‘Thathappenssometimes,‘Kellyrepliedwithadistantsmile,onlytobestunnedbyhernextstatement.

　　‘Thereareothers,John,otherwomenHenryhaslikeHelen,theonehekilled.‘

　　‘Whatdoyoumean?‘

　　‘Ihavetogoback.IhavetohelpthembeforeHenry-beforehekillsmoreofthem.‘

　　‘There‘sdangerinvolved,Pammy,‘Kellysaidslowly.

　　‘Iknowbutwhataboutthem?‘

　　Itwasasymptomofherrecovery,Kellyknew.Shehadbecomeanormalpersonagain,andnormalpeopleworriedaboutothers.

　　‘Ican‘thideforever,canI?‘Kellycouldfeelherfear,butherwordsdefieditandheheldheralittletighter.

　　‘No,youcan‘t,notreally.That‘stheproblem.It‘stoohardtohide.‘

　　‘Areyousureyoucantrustyourfriendonthepolice?‘sheasked.

　　‘Yes:heknowsme.He‘salieutenantIdidajobforayearago.Agungottossed,andIhelpedfindit.Soheowesmeone.Besides,Iendeduphelpingtotraintheirdivers,andImadesomefriends.‘Kellypaused.‘Youdon‘thavetodoit,Pam.Ifyoujustwanttowalkawayfromit,that‘sokaywithme.Idon‘thavetogobacktoBaltimoreever,exceptforthedoctorstuff.‘

　　‘Allthethingstheydidtome,they‘redoingtotheothers.IfIdon‘tdosomething,thenit‘llneverreallybegone,willit?‘

　　Kellythoughtaboutthat,andhisowndemons.Yousimplycouldnotrunawayfromsomethings.Heknew.He‘dtried.Pam‘scollectionwasinitswaymorehorriblethanhisown,andiftheirrelationshipweretogofurther,thosedemonshadtofindtheirrestingplace.‘Letmemakeaphonecall.‘

　　‘LieutenantAllen,‘themansaidintohisphoneinWesternDistrict.Theairconditioningwasn‘tworkingwelltoday,andhisdeskwaspiledwithworkasyetundone.

　　‘Frank?JohnKelly,‘thedetectiveheard,bringingasmile.

　　‘How‘slifeinthemiddleoftheBay,fella?‘Wouldn‘tIliketobethere.

　　‘Quietandlazy.Howaboutyou?‘thevoiceasked.

　　‘Iwish,‘Allenanswered,leaningbackinhisswivelchair.Alargeman,andlikemostcopsofhisgeneration,aWorldWarIIVeteran-inhiscaseaMarineartilleryman-AllenhadrisenfromfootpatrolonEastMonumentStreettohomicide.Forallthat,theworkwasnotasdemandingasmostthought,thoughitdidcarrytheburdenassociatedwiththeuntimelyendofhumanlife.AllenimmediatelynotedthechangeinKelly‘svoice.‘WhatcanIdoforyou?‘

　　‘I,uh,metsomebodywhomightneedtotalkwithyou.‘

　　‘Howso?‘thecopasked,fishingaroundinhisshirtpocketforacigaretteandmatches.

　　‘It‘sbusiness,Frank.Informationregardingakilling.‘

　　Thecop‘seyesnarrowedabit,whilehisbrainchangedgears.‘Whenandwhere?‘

　　‘Idon‘tknowyet,andIdon‘tlikedoingthisoveraphoneline.‘

　　‘Howserious?‘

　　‘Justbetweenusfornow?‘

　　Allennodded,staringoutthewindow.‘That‘sfine,okay.‘

　　‘Drugpeople.‘

　　Allen‘smindwentclick.Kellyhadsaidhisinformantwas‘so

　　‘Myfrienddoesn‘twantmuchinvolvement.Justsomeinformationforyou,that‘sit,Frank.Ifitgoesfurther,wecanreevaluatethen.We‘retalkingsomescarypeopleifthisstoryistrue.‘

　　Allenconsideredthat.He‘dneverdweltuponKelly‘sbackground,butheknewenough.Kellywasatraineddiver,heknew,abosun‘smatewho‘dfoughtinthebrown-waterNavyintheMekongDelta,supportingthe9thInfantry;asquid,butaverycompetent,carefulsquidwhoseserviceshadcomehighlyrecommendedtotheforcefromsomebodyinthePentagonandwho‘ddoneanicejobretrainingtheforce‘sdivers,and,bytheway,earninganicecheckforit,Allenremindedhimself.The‘person‘hadtobefemale.Kellywouldneverworryaboutguardingamanthattightly.Menjustdidn‘tthinkthatwayaboutothermen.Ifnothingelse,itsuresoundedinteresting.

　　‘You‘renotscrewingmearound,areyou?‘hehadtoask.

　　‘That‘snotmyway,man,‘Kellyassuredhim.‘Myrules:it‘sforinformationpurposesonly,andit‘saquietmeet.Okay?‘

　　‘Youknow,anybodyelse,I‘dprobablysaycomerightinhereandthatwouldbeit,butI‘llplayalongwithyou.YoudidbreaktheGoodingcaseopenforme.Wegothim,youknow.Lifeplusthirty.Ioweyouforthat.Okay,I‘llplayalongfornow.Fairenough?‘

　　‘Thanks.What‘syourschedulelike?‘

　　‘Workinglateshiftthisweek.‘Itwasjustafterfourintheafternoon,andAllenhadjustcomeonduty.Hedidn‘tknowthatKellyhadcalledthreetimesthatdayalreadywithoutleavingamessage.‘Igetoffaroundmidnight,oneo‘clock,likethat.Itdependsonthenight,‘heexplained.‘Somearebusierthanothers.‘

　　‘Tomorrownight.I‘llpickyouupatthefrontdoor.Wecanhavealittlesuppertogether.‘

　　Allenfrowned.ThiswaslikeaJamesBondmovie,secretagentcrap.ButhedidknowKellytobeaseriousman,evenifhedidn‘tknowsquataboutpolicework.

　　‘Seeyouthen,sport.‘

　　&"Thanks,Frank.‘Bye.‘ThelineclickedoffandAllenwentbacktowork,makinganoteonhisdeskcalendar.

　　‘Areyouscared?‘heasked.

　　‘Alittle,‘sheadmitted.

　　Hesmiled.‘That‘snormal.ButyouheardwhatIsaid.Hedoesn‘tknowanythingaboutyou.Youcanalwaysbackoutifyouwant.I‘llbecarryingagunallthetime.Andit‘sjustatalk.Youcangetinandgetout.We‘lldoitinoneday-onenight,really.AndI‘llbewithyouallthetime.‘

　　‘Everyminute?‘

　　‘Exceptwhenyou‘reintheladies‘room,honey.Thereyouhavetolookoutforyourself.‘Shesmiledandrelaxed.

　　‘Ihavetofixdinner,‘shesaid,headingofftothekitchen.

　　Kellywentoutside.Somethinginhimcalledformoreweaponspractice,buthe‘ddonethatalready.Insteadhewalkedintotheequipmentbunkerandtookthe.45downfromtherack.Firsthedepressedthestudandactionspring.Nextheswiveledthebushing.Thatallowedthespringtogofree.Kellydismountedtheslideassembly,removingthebarrel,andnowthepistolwasfield-stripped.Heheldthebarreluptoalight,and,asexpected,itwasdirtyfromfiring.Hecleanedeverysurface,usingrags,Hoppe‘scleaningsolvent,andatoothbrushuntiltherewasnotraceofdirtonanymetalsurface.Nexthelightlyoiledtheweapon.Nottoomuchoil,forthatwouldattractdirtandgrit,whichcouldfoulandjamthepistolataninconvenientmoment.Finishedcleaning,hereassembledtheColtquicklyandexpertly-itwassomethinghecouldanddiddowithhiseyesclosed.Ithadanicefeelinhishandashejackedtheslidebackafewtimestomakesureitwasproperlyassembled.Afinalvisualinspectionconfirmedit.

　　Kellytooktwoloadedmagazinesfromadrawer,alongwithasinglelooseround.Heinsertedoneloadedclipintothepiece,workingtheslidetoloadthefirstroundinthechamber.Hecarefullyloweredthehammerbeforeejectingthemagazineandslidinganotherroundintoplace.Witheightcartridgesintheweapon,andabackupclip,henowhadatotaloffifteenroundswithwhichtofacedanger.NotnearlyenoughforawalkinthejunglesofVietnam,buthefigureditwasplentyforthedarkenvironsofacity.Hecouldhitahumanheadwithasingleaimedshotfromtenyards,dayornight.He‘dneveroncerattledunderfire,andhe‘dkilledmenbefore.Whateverthedangersmightbe,Kellywasreadyforthem.Besides,hewasn‘tgoingaftertheVietcong.Hewasgoinginatnight,andthenightwashisfriend.Therewouldbefewerpeoplearoundforhimtoworryabout,andunlesstheothersideknewhewasthere-whichtheywouldn‘t-hedidn‘thavetoworryaboutanambush.Hejusthadtostayalert,whichcameeasilytohim.

　　Dinnerwaschicken,somethingPamknewhowtofix.Kellyalmostgotoutabottleofwinebutthoughtbetterofit.Whytemptherwithalcohol?Maybehe‘dstopdrinkinghimself.Itwouldbenogreatloss,andthesacrificewouldvalidatehiscommitmenttoher.Theirconversationavoidedseriousmatters.He‘dalreadyshutthedangersfromhismind.Therewasnoneedtodwellonthem.Toomuchimaginationmadethingsworse,notbetter.

　　‘Youreallythinkweneednewcurtains?‘hesaid.

　　‘Theydon‘tmatchthefurnitureverywell.‘

　　Kellygrunted.‘Foraboat?‘

　　‘It‘skindadullthere,youknow?‘

　　‘Dull,‘heobserved,clearingthetable.‘Nextthing,you‘llsaythatmenareallalike-‘Kellystoppeddeadinhistracks.Itwasthefirsttimehe‘dslippedupthatway.‘Sorry‘

　　Shegavehimanimpishsmile.‘Well,insomewaysyouare.Andstopbeingsonervousabouttalkingtomeaboutthings,okay?‘

　　Kellyrelaxed.‘Okay.‘Hegrabbedherandpulledherclose.‘Ifthat‘sthewayyoufeelwell‘

　　‘Mmm.‘Shesmiledandacceptedhiskiss.Kelly‘shandswanderedacrossherback,andtherewasnofeelofabraunderthecottonblouse.Shegiggledathim.‘Iwonderedhowlongitwouldtakeyoutonotice.‘

　　‘Thecandleswereintheway,‘heexplained.

　　‘Thecandleswerenice,butsmelly.‘Andshewasright.Thebunkerwasnotwellventilated.Somethingelsetofix.Kellylookedforwardintoaverybusyfutureashemovedhishandstoanicerplace.

　　‘HaveIgainedenoughweight,?‘

　　‘Isitmyimagination,or?‘

　　‘Well,maybejustalittle,‘Pamadmitted,holdinghishandsonher.

　　‘Weneedtogetyousomenewclothes,‘hesaid,watchingherface,thenewconfidence.Hehadheronthewheel,steeringthepropercompasscoursepastSharp‘sIslandLight,welleastoftheshippingchannel,whichwasbusytoday.

　　‘Goodidea,‘sheagreed.‘ButIdon‘tknowanygoodplaces.‘Hecheckedthecompasslikeagoodhelmsman.

　　‘They‘reeasytofind.Youjustlookattheparkinglot.‘

　　‘Huh?‘

　　‘LincolnsandCaddys,honey.Alwaysmeansgoodclothes,‘Kellynoted.‘Neverfails.‘

　　Shelaughedasintended.Kellymarveledathowmuchmoreincontrolsheseemed,thoughtherewasstillalongwaystogo.

　　‘Wherewillwestaytonight?‘

　　‘Onboard,‘Kellyanswered.‘We‘llbesecurehere.‘Pammerelynodded,butheexplainedanyway.

　　‘Youlookdifferentnow,andtheydon‘tknowmefromAdam.Theydon‘tknowmycarormyboat.FrankAllendoesn‘tknowyournameoreventhatyou‘reagirl.That‘soperationalsecurity.Weoughttobesafe.‘

　　‘I‘msureyou‘reright,‘Pamsaid,turningtosmileathim.Theconfidenceinherfacewarmedhisbloodandfedhisalreadycapaciousego.

　　‘Goingtoraintonight,‘Kellynoted,pointingatdistantclouds.‘That‘sgood,too.Cutsdownvisibility.Weusedtodoalotofstuffintherain.Peoplejustaren‘talertwhenthey‘rewet.‘

　　‘Youreallyknowaboutthisstuff,don‘tyou?‘

　　Amanlysmile.‘Ilearnedinareallytoughschool,honey.‘

　　Theymadeportthreehourslater.Kellymadeagreatshowofbeingalert,checkingouttheparkinglot,notingthathisScoutwasinitsaccustomedplace.Hesentherbelowwhilehetiedup,thenlefthertherewhilehedrovethecarrighttothedock.Pam,asinstructed,walkedstraightfromtheboattotheScoutwithoutlookingleftorright,andhedroveoffthepropertyatonce.Itwasstillearlyintheday,andtheydroveimmediatelyoutofthecity,findingasuburbanshoppingcenterinTimonium,wherePamoveraperiodoftwo-toKelly,interminable-hoursselectedthreeniceoutfits,forwhichhepaidcash.Shedressedintheonehelikedbest,anunderstatedskirtandblousethatwentwellwithhisjacketandnotie.ForonceKellywasdressinginaccordancewithhisownnetworth,whichwascomfortable.

　　Dinnerwaseateninthesamearea,anupscalerestaurantwithadarkcornerbooth.Kellydidn‘tsayso,buthe‘dneededagoodmeal,andwhilePamwasokaywithchicken,shestillhadalottolearnaboutcooking.

　　‘Youlookprettygood-relaxed,Imean,‘hesaid,sippinghisafter-dinnercoffee.

　　‘IneverthoughtI‘dfeelthisway.Imean,it‘sonlybeennoteventhreeweeks?‘

　　&"That‘sright.‘Kellysethiscoffeedown.‘Tomorrowwe‘llseeSarahandherfriends.Inacoupleofmonthseverythingwillbedifferent,Pam.‘Hetookherlefthand,hopingthatitwouldsomedaybearagoldringonthethirdfinger.

　　‘Ibelievethatnow.Ireallydo.‘

　　‘Good.‘

　　‘Whatdowedonow?‘sheasked.DinnerwasoverandtherewerehoursuntiltheclandestinemeetingwithLieutenantAllen.

　　‘Justdrivearoundsome?‘Kellyleftcashonthetableandledherouttothecar.

　　Itwasdarknow.Thesunwasnearlyset,andrainwasstartingtofall.KellyheadedsouthonYorkRoadtowardsthecity,wellfedandrelaxedhimself,feelingconfidentandreadyforthenight‘stravail.EnteringTowson,hesawtherecentlyabandonedstreetcartracksthatannouncedhisproximitytothecityanditssupposeddangers.Hissensesperkedupatonce.Kelly‘seyesdartedleftandright,scanningthestreetsandsidewalks,checkinghisthreerearviewmirrorseveryfiveseconds.Ongettinginthecar,he‘dputhis.45Coltautomaticinitsaccustomedplace,aholsterjustunderthefrontseatthathecouldreachfasterthanoneinhisbelt-andbesides,itwasalotmorecomfortablethatway.

　　‘Pam?‘heasked,watchingtraffic,makingsurethedoorswerelocked-asafetyprovisionthatseemedoutrageouslyparanoidwhenhewassoalert.

　　‘Yes?‘

　　‘Howmuchdoyoutrustme?‘

　　‘Idotrustyou,John.‘

　　‘Wheredidyou-work,Imean?‘

　　‘Whatdoyoumean?‘

　　‘Imean,it‘sdarkandrainy,andI‘dliketoseewhatit‘slikedownthere.‘Withoutlooking,hecouldfeelherbodytense.‘Look,I‘llbecareful.Ifyouseeanythingthatworriesyou,I‘llmaketrackslikeyouwon‘tbelieve.‘

　　‘I‘mscaredofthat,‘Pamsaidimmediately,butthenshestoppedherself.Shewasconfidentinherman,wasn‘tshe?He‘ddonesomuchforher.He‘dsavedher.Shehadtotrusthim-no,hehadtoknowthatshedid.Shehadtoshowhimthatshedid.Andsosheasked:‘Youpromiseyou‘llbecareful?‘

　　‘Believeit,Pam,‘heassuredher.‘Youseeonesinglethingthatworriesyouandwe‘regone.‘

　　‘Okay,then.‘

　　Itwasamazing,Kellythought,fiftyminuteslater.Thethingsthataretherebutwhichyouneversee.Howmanytimeshadhedriventhroughthispartoftown,neverstopping,nevernoticing?Andforyearshissurvivalhaddependedonhisnotingeverything,everybentbranch,everysuddenbirdcall,everyfootprintinthedirt.Buthe‘ddriventhroughthisareaahundredtimesandnevernoticedwhatwashappeningbecauseitwasadifferentsortofjunglefilledwithverydifferentgame.Partofhimjustshruggedandsaid.Well,whatdidyouexpect?Anotherpartnotedthattherehadalwaysbeendangerhere,andhe‘dfailedtotakenoteofit,butthewarningwasnotasloudandclearasitshouldhavebeen.

　　Theenvironmentwasideal.Dark,underacloudy,moonlesssky.Theonlyilluminationcamefromsparsestreetlightsthatcreatedlonelyglobesoflightalongsidewalksbothdesertedandactive.Showerscameandwent,somefairlyheavy,mostlymoderate,enoughtokeepheadsdownandlimitvisibility,enoughtoreduceaperson‘snormalcuriosity.ThatsuitedKellyfine,sincehewascirculatingaroundandaroundtheblocks,notingchangesfromthesecondtothethirdpassbyaparticularspot.Henotedthatnotevenallthestreetlightswerefunctioning.Wasthatjusttheslothofcityworkersorcreativemaintenanceonthepartofthelocal‘businessmen‘?Perhapsalittleofboth,Kellythought.Theguyswhochangedthebulbscouldn‘tmakeallthatmuch,andatwenty-dollarbillwouldprobablypersuadethemtobealittleslow,ormaybenotscrewthebulbinalltheway.Inanycase,itsetthemood.Thestreetsweredark,andthedarkhadalwaysbeenKelly‘strustedfriend.

　　Theneighborhoodsweresosad,hethought.Shabbystorefrontsofwhathadbeenmom-and-popgrocerystores,probablyrunoutofbusinessbysupermarketswhichhadthemselvesbeenwreckedinthe‘68rioting,openingaholeintheeconomicfabricofthearea,butonenotyetfilled.Thecrackedcementofthesidewalkswaslitteredwithallmannerofdebris.Weretherepeoplewholivedhere?Whowerethey?Whatdidtheydo?Whatweretheirdreams?Surelynotallcouldbecriminals.Didtheyhideatnight?Andifthen,whataboutthedaylight?KellyhadlearneditinAsia:givetheenemyonepartofthedayandhewouldsecureitforhimself,andthenexpandit,forthedayhadtwenty-fourhours,andhewouldwantthemallforhimselfandhisactivities.No,youcouldn‘tgivetheothersideanything,notatime,notaplace,nothingthattheycouldreliablyuse.That‘showpeoplelostawar,andtherewasawargoingonhere.Andthewinnerswerenottheforcesofgood.Thatrealizationstruckhimhard.Kellyhadalreadyseenwhatheknewtobealosingwar.WwW.XiaoShuo530.com

　　Thedealerswereadiversegroup,Kellysawashecruisedpasttheirsalesarea.Theirposturetoldhimoftheirconfidence.Theyownedthestreetsatthishour.Theremightbecompetitionfromonetotheother,anastyDarwinianprocessthatdeterminedwhoownedwhatsegmentofwhatsidewalk,whohadterritorialrightsinfrontofthisorthatbrokenwindow,butaswithallsuchcompetition,thingswouldsoonattainsomesortofstability,andbusinesswouldbeconducted,becausethepurposeofthecompetitionwasbusiness,afterall.

　　Heturnedrightontoanewstreet.Thethoughtevokedagruntandathin,ironicsmile.Newstreet?No,thesestreetswereoldones,sooldthat‘good‘peoplehadleftthemyearsagotomoveoutofthecityintogreenerplaces,allowingotherpeople,deemedlessvaluablethanthemselves,tomovein,andthentheytoohadmovedaway,andthecyclehadcontinuedforanotherfewgenerationsuntilsomethinghadgoneverybadlywrongtocreatewhathesawnowinthisplace.Ithadtakenanhourorsoforhimtograspthefactthattherewerepeoplehere,notjusttrash-ladensidewalksandcriminals.Hesawawomanleadingachildbythehandawayfromabusstop.Hewonderedwheretheywerereturningfrom.Avisitwithanaunt?Thepubliclibrary?Someplacewhoseattractionswereworththeuncomfortablepassagebetweenthebusstopandhome,pastsightsandsoundsandpeoplewhoseveryexistencecoulddamagethatlittlechild.

　　Kelly‘sbackgotstraighterandhiseyesnarrower.He‘dseenthatbefore.EveninVietnam,acountryatwarsincebeforehisbirth,therewerestillparents,andchildren,and,eveninwar,adesperatequestforsomethinglikenormality.Childrenneededtoplaysomeofthetime,tobeheldandloved,protectedfromtheharsheraspectsofrealityforaslongasthecourageandtalentsoftheirparentscouldmakethatpossible.Anditwastruehere,too.Everywheretherewerevictims,allinnocenttosomegreaterorlesserdegree,andthechildrenthemostinnocentofall.Hecouldseeitthere,fiftyyardsaway,astheyoungmotherledherchildacrossthestreet,shortofthecornerwhereadealerstood,makingatransaction.Kellyslowedhiscartoallowhersafepassage,hopingthatthecareandlovesheshowedthatnightwouldmakeadifferencetoherchild.Didthedealersnoticeher?Weretheordinarycitizensworthyofnoteatall?Weretheycover?Potentialcustomers?Nuisances?Prey?Andwhatofthechild?Didtheycareatall?Probablynot.

　　‘Shit,‘hewhisperedquietlytohimself,toodetachedtoshowhisangeropenly.

　　‘What?‘Pamasked.Shewassittingquietly,leaningawayfromthewindow.

　　‘Nothing.Sorry.‘Kellyshookhisheadandcontinuedhisobservation.Hewasactuallybeginningtoenjoyhimself.Itwaslikeareconnaissancemission.Reconnaissancewaslearning,andlearninghadalwaysbeenapassionforKelly.Herewassomethingcompletelynew.Sure,itwasevil,destructive,ugly,butitwasalsodifferent,whichmadeitexciting.Hishandstingledonthewheel.

　　Thecustomerswerediverse,too.Somewereobviouslylocal,youcouldtellfromtheircolorandshabbyclothing.Someweremoreaddictedthanothers,andKellywonderedwhatthatmeant.Weretheapparentlyfunctionalonesthenewlyenslaved?Weretheshamblingonestheveteransofself-destruction,headingirrevocablytowardstheirowndeaths?Howcouldanormalpersonlookatthemandnotbefrightenedthatitwaspossibletodestroyyourselfonedoseatatime?Whatdrovepeopletodothis?Kellynearlystoppedthecarwiththatthought.Thatwassomethingbeyondhisexperience.

　　Thenthereweretheothers,theoneswithmedium-expensivecarssocleanthattheyhadtocomefromthesuburbs,wherestandardshadtobeobserved.Hepulledpastoneandgavethedriveraquicklook.Evenwearsatie!Looseinthecollartoallowforhisnervousnessinaneighborhoodsuchasthisone,usingonehandtorolldownthewindowwhiletheotherperchedatthetopofthewheel,hisrightfootdoubtlessrestinglightlyonthegaspedal,readytojoltthecarforwardifdangershouldthreaten.Thedriver‘snervesmustbeonedge,Kellythought,watchinghiminthemirror.Hecouldnotbecomfortablehere,buthehadcomeanyway.Yes,thereitwas.Moneywaspassedoutthewindow,andsomethingreceivedforit,andthecarmovedoffasquicklyasthetraffic-ladenstreetwouldallow.Onawhim,KellyfollowedtheBuickforafewblocks,turningright,thenleftontoamainartery,wherethecargotintotheleftlaneandstayedthere,drivingasrapidlyaswasprudenttogetthehelloutofthisdrearypartofthecity,butwithoutdrawingtheunwantedattentionofapoliceofficerwithacitationbook.

　　Yeah,thepolice,Kellythoughtashegaveupthepursuit.Wherethehellarethey?Thelawwasbeingviolatedwithalltheapparentdramaofablockparty,buttheywerenowheretobeseen.Heshookhisheadasheturnedbackintothetradingarea.ThedisconnectfromhisownneighborhoodinIndianapolis,merelytenyearsbefore,wasvast.Howhadthingschangedsorapidly?Howhadhemissedit?HistimeintheNavy,hislifeontheisland,hadinsulatedhimfromeverything.Hewasarube,aninnocent,atouristinhisowncountry.

　　HelookedoveratPam.Sheseemedallright,thoughalittletense.Thosepeopleweredangerous,butnottothetwoofthem.He‘dbeencarefultoremaininvisible,todrivelikeeveryoneelse,meanderingaroundthefewblocksofthe‘business‘areainanirregularpattern.Hewasnotblindtothedangers,Kellytoldhimself.Insearchingforpatternsofactivity,hehadn‘tmadeanyofhisown.Ifanyonehadeyeballedhimandhisvehicleespeciallyhard,hewouldhavenoticed.Andbesides,hestillhadhisColt.45betweenhislegs.Howeverformidablethesethugsmightappear,theywerenothingcomparedtotheNorthVeitnameseandVietconghe‘dfaced.They‘dbeengood.He‘dbeenbetter.Therewasdangeronthesestreets,butfarlessthanhehadsurvivedalready.

　　Fiftyyardsawaywasadealerdressedinasilkshirtthatmighthavebeenbrownormaroon.Itwashardtotellthecolorinthepoorillumination,butithadtobesilkfromthewayitreflectedlight.Probablyrealsilk,Kellywaswillingtobet.Therewasaflashinesstothesevermin.Itwasn‘tenoughforthemmerelytoviolatethelaw,wasit?Oh,no,theyhadtoletpeopleknowhowboldanddaringtheywere.

　　Dumb,Kellythought.Verydumbtodrawattentiontoyourselfthatway.Whenyoudodangerousthings,youconcealyouridentity,concealyourverypresence,andalwaysleaveyourselfwithatleastonerouteofescape.

　　‘It‘samazingtheycangetawaywiththis,‘Kellywhisperedtohimself.

　　‘Huh?‘Pam‘sheadturned.

　　‘They‘resostupid.‘Kellywavedatthedealernearthecorner.‘Evenifthecopsdon‘tdoanything,whatifsomebodydecidesto-Imean,he‘sholdingalotofmoney,right?‘

　　‘Probablyathousand,maybetwothousand,‘Pamreplied.

　　‘Sowhatifsomebodytriestorobhim?‘

　　‘Ithappens,buthe‘scarryingagun,too,andifanyonetries-‘

　　‘Oh-theguyinthedoorway?‘

　　‘He‘stherealdealer,Kelly.Didn‘tyouknowthat?Theyguyintheshirtishislieutenant.He‘stheguywhodoestheactual-whatdoyoucallit?‘

　　‘Transaction,‘Kellyreplieddryly,remindinghimselfthathe‘dfailedtospotsomething,knowingthathe‘dallowedhispridetoovercomehiscaution.Notagoodhabit,hetoldhimself.

　　Pamnodded.‘That‘sright.Watch-watchhimnow.‘

　　Sureenough,Kellysawwhathenowrealizedwasthefulltransaction.Someoneinacar-anothervisitorfromthesuburbs,Kellythought-handedoverhismoney(anassumption,sinceKellycouldn‘treallysee,butsurelyitwasn‘taBankAmericard).Thelieutenantreachedinsidetheshirtandhandedsomethingback.Asthecarpulledoff,theoneintheflamboyantshirtmovedacrossthesidewalk,andinshadowsthatKelly‘seyescouldnotquitepenetratetherewasanotherexchange.

　　‘Oh,Igetit.Thelieutenantholdsthedrugsandmakestheexchange,buthegivesthemoneytohisboss.Thebossholdstheearnings,buthealsohasaguntomakesurenothinggoeswrong.They‘renotasdumbasIthoughttheywere.‘

　　‘They‘resmartenough.‘

　　Kellynoddedandmadeamentalnote,chastisinghimselfforhavingmadeatleasttwowrongassumptions.Butthat‘swhyyoudidreconnaissance,afterall.

　　Let‘snotgettoocomfortable,Kelly,hetoldhimself.Nowyouknowthatthere‘stwobadguysupthere,onearmedandwellconcealedinthatdoorway.Hesettledinhisseatandlockedhiseyesonthepotentialthreat,watchingforpatternsofactivity.Theoneinthedoorwaywouldbetherealtarget.Themisnamed‘lieutenant‘wasjustahireling,maybeanapprentice,undoubtedlyexpendable,livingoncrumbsorcommission.Theonehecouldjustbarelyseewastherealenemy.Andthatfitthetime-honoredpattern,didn‘tit?Hesmiled,rememberingaregionalpoliticalofficerfortheNVA.Thatjobhadevencarriedacodename.ERMINECOAT.Fourdaysthey‘dstalkedthatbastard,afterthey‘dpositivelyidentifiedhim,justtomakesurehewastheone,thentolearnhishabits,anddeterminethebestpossiblewaytopunchhisticket.Kellywouldneverforgetthelookontheman‘sfacewhenthebulletenteredhischest.Thentheirthree-mileruntotheLZ,whiletheNVA‘sreactionteamheadedinthewrongdirectionbecauseofthemisleadingpyro-chargehe‘dsetup.

　　Whatifthatmanintheshadowswashistarget?Howwouldhedoit?Itwasaninterestingmentalgame.Thefeelingwassurprisinglygodlike.Hefeltlikeaneagle,watching,cataloging,butaboveitall,apredatoratthetopofthefoodchain,nothungrynow,ridingthethermalsoverthem.

　　Hesmiled,ignoringthewarningsthatthecombat-experiencedpartofhisbrainwasbeginningtogenerate.

　　Hmm.Hehadn‘tseenthatcarbefore.Itwasamusclecar,aPlymouthRoadrunner,redasacandyapple,halfablockaway.Therewassomethingoddaboutthewayit-

　　‘Kelly‘Pamsuddenlytensedinherseat.

　　‘Whatisit?‘Hishandfoundthe.45andlooseneditintheholsterjustamillimeterorso,takingcomfortfromthewornwoodengrips.Butthefactthathe‘dreachedforit,andthefactthathe‘dfeltasuddenneedforthatcomfort,wereamessagethathismindcouldnotignore.Thecautiouspartofhisbrainbegantoassertitself,hiscombatinstinctsbegantospeakmoreloudly.Eventhatbroughtasurgeofreflectivepride.It‘ssonice,hereflectedintheblinkofaneye,thatIstillhaveitwhenIneedit.

　　‘Iknowthatcar-it‘s-‘

　　Kelly‘svoicewascalm.‘Okay,I‘llgetusoutofhere.You‘reright,it‘stimetoleave.‘Heincreasedspeed,maneuveringlefttogetpasttheRoadrunner.HethoughttotellPamtogetdown,butthatreallywasn‘tnecessary.Inlessthanaminutehe‘dbegone,and-damn!

　　Itwasoneofthegentrycustomers,someoneinablackKarmann-Ghiaconvertiblewho‘djustmadehistransaction,and,eagertohavethisareabehindhim,shotleftfrombeyondtheRoadrunneronlytostopsuddenlyforyetanothercardoingmuchthesamething.Kellystoodonhisbrakestoavoidacollision,didn‘twantthattohappenrightnow,didhe?Butthetimingworkedoutbadly,andhestoppedalmostrightnexttotheRoadrunner,whosedriverpickedthatmomenttogetout.Insteadofgoingforward,heoptedtowalkaroundthebackofthecar,andinthecourseofturning,hiseyesendedupnotthreefeetfromPam‘scringingface.Kellywaslookingthatwayalso,knowingthatthemanwasapotentialdanger,andhesawthelookintheman‘seyes.HerecognizedPam.

　　‘Okay,Iseeit,‘hisvoiceannouncedwithaneeriecalm,hiscombatvoice.Heturnedthewheelfarthertotheleftandsteppedonthegas,bypassingthelittlesportscaranditsinvisibledriver.Kellyreachedthecornerafewsecondslater,andafterthebriefestpausetochecktraffic,executedahardleftturntoevacuatethearea.

　　‘Hesawme!‘Hervoicehoveredontheedgeofascream.

　　‘It‘sokay,Pam,‘Kellyreplied,watchingtheroadandhismirror.‘Weareleavingthearea.You‘rewithmeandyou‘resafe.‘

　　Idiot,hisinstinctssworeattherestofhisconsciousness.You‘dbetterhopetheydon‘tfollow.Thatcarhastripleyourhorsepowerand-

　　‘Okay.‘Bright,low-slungheadlightsmadethesameturnKelly‘dexecutedtwentysecondsearlier.Hesawthemwiggleleftandright.Thecarwasacceleratinghardandfishtailingonthewetasphalt.Doubleheadlights.Itwasn‘ttheKarmann-Ghia.

　　Youarenowindanger,hisinstinctstoldhimcalmly.Wedon‘tknowhowmuchyet,butit‘stimetowakeup.

　　Rogerthat.

　　Kellyputbothhandsonthewheel.Theguncouldwait.Hestartedevaluatingthesituation,andnotmuchofitwasgood.HisScoutwasnotmadeforthissortofthing.Itwasn‘tasportscar,wasn‘tamusclecar.Hehadfourpunycylindersunderthehood.ThePlymouthRoadrunnerhadeight,eachoneofthembiggerthanwhatKellywasnowcallingon.Evenworse,theRoadrunnerwasmadeforlow-endaccelerationandcornering,whiletheScouthadbeendesignedforploddingacrossunpavedgroundatahotfifteenmilesperhour.Thiswasnotgood.

　　Kelly‘seyesdividedtheirtimeequallybetweenthewindshieldandtherearviewmirror.Therewasn‘tmuchofagap,andtheRoadrunnerwasclosingitrapidly.

　　Assets,hisbrainstartedcataloging.Thecarisn‘tcompletelyuseless,she‘saruggedlittlebitch.Youhavebig,meanbumpers,andthathighground-clearancemeansyoucanrameffectively.Sowhataboutthecoachwork?ThatPlymouthmightbeastatussymbolforjerks,butthislittlebabycanbe–is–aweapon,andyouknowhowtouseweapons.Thecobwebsfellcompletelyfromhismind.

　　‘Pam,‘Kellysaidasquietlyashecouldmanage,‘youwanttogetdownonthefloor,honey?‘

　　‘Arethey-‘Shestartedtoturn,thefearstillmanifestinhervoice,butKelly‘srighthandpushedherdowntowardsthefloor.

　　‘Lookslikethey‘refollowingus,yes.Now,youletmehandlethis,okay?‘ThelastunengagedpartofhisconsciousnesswasproudofKelly‘scalmandconfidence.Yes,therewasdanger,butKellyknewaboutdanger,knewahellofalotmorethanthepeopleintheRoadrunner.Iftheywantedalessoninwhatdangerreallywas,they‘dcometotherightfuckingplace.

　　Kelly‘shandstingledonthewheelasheeasedleft,thenbrakedandturnedhardright.Hecouldn‘tcorneraswellastheRoadrunner,butthesestreetswerewide-andbeinginfrontgavehimthechoiceofpathandtiming.Losingthemwouldbehard,butheknewwherethepolicestationwas.Itwasjustamatterofleadingthemthere.They‘dbreakcontactatthatpoint.

　　Theymightshoot,mightfindawaytodisablethecar,butifthathappened,hehadthe.45,andaspareclip,andaboxofammointheglovecompartment.Theymightbearmed,buttheysureashellweren‘ttrained.He‘dletthemgetclosehowmany?Two?Maybethree?Heoughttohavechecked,Kellytoldhimself,rememberingthattherehadn‘tbeentime.

　　Kellylookedinthemirror.Amomentlaterhewasrewarded.Theheadlightsofanother,uninvolvedcarablockawayshonestraightthroughtheRoadrunner.Threeofthem.Hewonderedwhattheymightbearmedwith.Worst-casewasashotgun.Therealworst-casewasarapid-firerifle,butstreethoodsweren‘tsoldiers,andthatwasunlikely.

　　Probablynot,butlet‘snotmakeanyassumptions,hisbrainreplied.

　　His.45Colt,atcloserange,wasaslethalasarifle.Hequietlyblessedhisweeklypracticeasheturnedleft.Ifitcomestothat,letthemgetcloseandgoforaquickambush.Kellyknewalltherewastoknowaboutambushes.Suck‘eminandblow‘emaway.

　　TheRoadrunnerwastenyardsbehindnow,anditsdriverwaswonderingwhattodonext.

　　That‘sthehardpart.isn‘tit?Kellythoughtforhispursuer.Youcangetcloseasyouwant,buttheotherguyisstillsurroundedbyatonofmetal.Whatareyougoingtodonow?Ramme,maybe?

　　No,theotherdriverwasn‘tatotalfool.Sittingontherearbumperwasthetrailerhitch,andrammingwouldhavedrivenitrightthroughtheRoadrunner‘sradiator.Toobad.

　　TheRoadrunnermadeamovetotheright.KellysawitsheadlightsrockbackwardsasthedriverflooredhisbigV-8,butbeinginfronthelped.Kellysnappedthewheeltotherighttoblock.Heimmediatelylearnedthattheotherdriverdidn‘thavethestomachtohurthiscar.HeheardtiressquealastheRoadrunnerbrakeddowntoavoidacollision.Don‘twanttoscratchthatredpaint,dowe?Goodnewsforachange!ThentheRoadrunnersnappedleft,butKellycoveredthatmovealso.Itwaslikesailboatsinatackingduel,herealized.

　　‘Kelly,what‘shappening?‘Pamasked,hervoicecrackingoneveryword.

　　Hisreplywasinthesamecalmvoicehe‘dusedforthepastfewminutes.‘What‘shappenedisthatthey‘renotverysmart.‘

　　‘That‘sBilly‘scar-helovestorace.‘

　　‘Billy,eh?Well,Billylikeshiscaralittletoomuch.Ifyouwanttohurtsomebody,yououghttobewillingto-‘Justtosurprisethem,Kellystompedonhisbrakes.TheScoutnose-dived,givingBillyareallygoodlookatthechromedtrailerhitch.ThenKellyacceleratedagain,watchingtheRoadrunner‘sreaction.Yeah,hewantstofollowclose,butIcanintimidatehimrealeasy,andhewon‘tlikethat.He‘sprobablyaproudlittlefuck.

　　There,that‘showIdoit.

　　Kellydecidedtogoforasoftkill.Nosensegettingthingscomplicated.Still,heknewthathehadtoplaythisoneverycarefullyandverysmart.Hisbrainstartedmeasuringanglesanddistances.

　　Kellyhithisacceleratortoohardtakingacorner.Italmostmadehimspinout,buthe‘dplannedforthatandonlybotchedtherecoveryenoughtomakehisdrivinglooksloppytoBilly,whowasdoubtlessimpressedwithhisownabilities.TheRoadrunneruseditscorneringandwidetirestoclosethedistanceandholdformationonKelly‘sstarboard-quarter.AdeliberatecollisionnowcouldthrowtheScoutcompletelyoutofcontrol.TheRoadrunnerheldthebetterhandnow,orsoitsdriverthought.

　　Okay

　　Kellycouldn‘tturnrightnow.Billyhadblockedthat.Soheturnedhardleft,takingastreetthroughawidestripofvacantlots.Somehighwaywouldbebuilthere.Thehouseshadbeenclearedoff,andthebasementsfilledinwithdirt,andthenight‘srainhadturnedthattomud.

　　KellyturnedtolookattheRoadrunner.Uh-oh.Theright-sidepassengerwindowwascomingdown.Thatmeantagun,sureashell.Cuttingthisalittleclose,KellyButthat,herealizedinstantly,couldbemadetohelp.Heletthemseehisface,staringattheRoadrunner,mouthopennow,fearclearlyvisible.Hestoodonthebrakesandturnedhardright.TheScoutboundedoverthehalf-destroyedcurb,obviouslyamaneuverofpanic.Pamscreamedwiththesuddenjolt.

　　TheRoadrunnerhadbetterpower,itsdriverknew,bettertires,andbetterbrakes,andthedriverhadexcellentreflexes,allofwhichKellyhadnotedandwasnowcountingon.HisbrakingmaneuverwascoveredandnearlymatchedbytheRoadrunner,whichthenmimickedhisturn,alsobouncingoverthecrumblingcementofaneradicatedneighborhood,followingtheScoutacrosswhathadrecentlybeenablockofhomes,fallingrightintothetrapKellyhadsprung.TheRoadrunnermadeitaboutseventyfeet.

　　Kellyhadalreadydownshifted.Themudwasagoodeightinchesdeep,andtherewastheoff-chancethattheScoutmightgetstuckmomentarily,buttheoddswereheavilyagainstthat.Hefelthiscarslow,feltthetiressinkafewinchesintothegooeysurface,butthenthebig,coarselytreadedtiresbitandstartedpullingagain.Yeah.Onlythendidheturnaround.

　　Theheadlightstoldthestory.TheRoadrunner,alreadylow-slungforcorneringpavedcitystreets,yawedwildlytotheleftasitstiresspunonthegelatinoussurface,andwhenthevehicleslowed,theirspinningmerelydugwetholes.Theheadlightssankrapidlyasthecar‘spowerfulenginemerelyexcavateditsowngrave.Steamroseinstantlywhenthehotengineblockboiledoffsomestandingwater.

　　Theracewasover.

　　Threemengotoutofthecarandjuststoodthere,uncomfortabletohavemudontheirshinypunkshoes,lookingatthewaytheironce-cleancarsatinthemudlikeawearysowhog.Whatevernastyplansthey‘dhad,hadbeendoneinbyalittlerainanddirt.NicetoknowIhaven‘tlostityet,Kellythought.

　　Thentheylookeduptowherehewas,thirtyyardsaway.

　　‘Youdummies!‘hecalledthroughthelightrain.‘Seeya‘round,assholes!‘Hestartedmovingagain,careful,ofcourse,tokeephiseyesonthem.That‘swhathadwonhimtherace,Kellytoldhimself.Caution,brains,experience.Guts,too,butKellydismissedthatthoughtafterallowinghimselfjustthetiniestpeekatit.Justalittleone.HenursedtheScoutbackontoastripofpavement,upshifted,anddroveoff,listeningtothelittleclodsofmudthrownbyhistiresintothewheelwells.

　　‘Youcangetupnow,Pam.Wewon‘tbeseeingthemforawhile.‘

　　Pamdidthat,lookingbacktoseeBillyandhisRoadrunner.Thesightofhimsoclosemadeherfacegopaleagain.‘Whatdidyoudo?‘

　　‘IjustletthemchasemeintoaplacethatIselected,‘Kellyexplained.‘That‘sanicecarforrunningthestreet,butnotsogoodfordirt.‘

　　Pamsmiledforhim,showingbraveryshedidn‘tfeelatthemoment,butcompletingthestoryjustasKellywouldhavetoldittoafriend.Hecheckedhiswatch.Anotherhourorsountilshiftchangeatthepolicestation.Billyandhisfriendswouldbestuckthereforalongtime.Thesmartmovewastofindaquietplacetowait.Besides,Pamlookedlikesheneededalittlecalmingdown.Hedroveforalittlewhile,then,findinganareawithnomajorstreetactivity,heparked.

　　‘Howareyoufeeling?‘heasked.

　　‘Thatwasscary,‘shereplied,lookingdownandshakingbadly.

　　‘Look,wecangorightbacktotheboatand-‘

　　‘No!BillyrapedmeandkilledHelen.IfIdon‘tstophim,he‘lljustkeepdoingittopeopleIknow.‘Thewordswereasmuchtopersuadeherselfashim,Kellyknew.He‘dseenitbefore.Itwascourage,anditwentpartandparcelwithfear.Itwasthethingthatdrovepeopletoaccomplishmissions,andalsothethingthatselectedthosemissionsforthem.She‘dseenthedarkness,andfindingthelight,shehadtoextenditsglowtoothers.

　　‘Okay,butafterwetellFrankaboutit,wegetyouthehelloutofDodgeCity.‘

　　‘I‘mokay,‘Pamsaid,lying,knowinghesawthelie,andashamedofitbecauseshedidn‘tgrasphisintimateunderstandingforherfeelingsofthemoment.

　　Youreallyare,hewantedtotellher,butshehadn‘tlearnedaboutthosethingsyet.Andsoheaskedaquestion:‘Howmanyothergirls?‘

　　‘Doris,Xantha,Paula,Maria,andRobertathey‘realllikeme,John.AndHelenwhentheykilledher,theymadeuswatch.‘

　　‘Well,withalittleluckyoucandosomethingaboutthat,honey.‘Heputhisarmaroundher,andafteratimetheshakingstopped.

　　‘I‘mthirsty,‘shesaid.

　　‘There‘sacooleronthebackseat.‘

　　Pamsmiled.‘That‘sright.‘SheturnedintheseattoreachforaCoke-andherbodysuddenlywentrigid.Shegasped,andKelly‘sskingotthatall-too-familiarunwelcomefeeling,likeanelectricchargerunningalongitssurface.Thedangerfeeling.

　　‘Kelly!‘Pamscreamed.Shewaslookingtowardsthecar‘sleftrear.Kellywasalreadyreachingforhisgun,turninghisbodyashedidso,butitwastoolate,andpartofhimalreadyknewit.Theoutragedthoughtwentthroughhismindthathe‘derredbadly,fatally,buthedidn‘tknowhow,andtherewasnotimetofigureitoutbecausebeforehecouldreachhisgun,therewasaflashoflightandanimpactonhishead,followedbydarkness.</div> 有的人死了，但没有完全死……

　　无尽的昏迷过后，时宇猛地从床上起身。想要看最新章节内容，请下载爱阅小说app，无广告免费阅读最新章节内容。网站已经不更新最新章节内容，已经爱阅小说APP更新最新章节内容。

　　他大口的呼吸起新鲜的空气，胸口一颤一颤。

　　迷茫、不解，各种情绪涌上心头。

　　这是哪？

　　随后，时宇下意识观察四周，然后更茫然了。

　　一个单人宿舍？

　　就算他成功得到救援，现在也应该在病房才对。

　　还有自己的身体……怎么会一点伤也没有。

　　带着疑惑，时宇的视线快速从房间扫过，最终目光停留在了床头的一面镜子上。

　　镜子照出他现在的模样，大约十七八岁的年龄，外貌很帅。

　　可问题是，这不是他！下载爱阅小说app，阅读最新章节内容无广告免费

　　之前的自己，是一位二十多岁气宇不凡的帅气青年，工作有段时间了。

　　而现在，这相貌怎么看都只是高中生的年纪……

　　这个变化，让时宇发愣很久。

　　千万别告诉他，手术很成功……

　　身体、面貌都变了，这根本不是手术不手术的问题了，而是仙术。

　　他竟完全变成了另外一个人！

　　难道……是自己穿越了？

　　除了床头那摆放位置明显风水不好的镜子，时宇还在旁边发现了三本书。

　　时宇拿起一看，书名瞬间让他沉默。

　　《新手饲养员必备育兽手册》

　　《宠兽产后的护理》

　　《异种族兽耳娘评鉴指南》

　　时宇：？？？

　　前两本书的名字还算正常，最后一本你是怎么回事？

　　“咳。”

　　时宇目光一肃，伸出手来，不过很快手臂一僵。

　　就在他想翻开第三本书，看看这究竟是个什么东西时，他的大脑猛地一阵刺痛，大量的记忆如潮水般涌现。

　　冰原市。

　　宠兽饲养基地。

　　实习宠兽饲养员。网站即将关闭，下载爱阅app为您提供大神璇玑的璇玑之心刃·冷血悍将

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