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The Cull
Jon Jacks
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Other New Adult and Childrens books by Jon Jacks
The Caught The Rules Chapter One The Changes Sleeping Ugly
The Barking Detective Agency The Healing The Lost Fairy Tale
A Horse or a !ing"o# Charity The $ost Beautiul Things The Last TrainThe Drea# S%allo%ers &y'( )ran""aughter o the &ight *onah an" the Alligator
)laston+ury Sirens Dr *ekyll,s $ai" The -../0ear Circus
1 The 2n"less )a#e Doria& A 3yr" )irlHeartache High 45ol 67 Heartache High8 The 1ri#er 45ol 667 Heartache High8 The 3akening 45ol 6667
$iss Terry Char#9 $erry !ris $ouse : The Silver 2gg Seecrets The 3icker Slippers
Text copyright20! Jon Jacks
All rights reser"ed
#$ashwords %dition& 'icense Notes
Thank you (or downloading this (ree ebook) Although this is a (ree book& it re$ains
the copyrighted property o( the author& and $ay not be reproduced& copied and
distributed (or co$$ercial or non*co$$ercial purposes) +( you en,oyed this book&
please encourage your (riends to download their own copy at #$ashwords)co$&
where they can also disco"er other works by this author)
Thank you (or your support)
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-lessed are the (irst one*hundred and (i(ty*three) .or they are the "ery (irst
Jas$ines& who will spread their branches& take root& and su((use the world in the
glorious scent o( Truth)
The Book O *as#ine
Chapter
/#ure + said + hoped shed die -ut that didnt $ean + actually %ante"her to die
+ couldnt belie"e it)
Nobody could belie"e it)
1ary #al(ord was dead)
And so$ehow her (riends see$ to think +$ so$ehow responsible) And all
because wed had an argu$ent yesterday)ey& i( ha"ing an argu$ent with 1ary $ade $e a possible suspect (or $urder& that
$ade hal( the school potential suspects
/+ts a (igure o( speech& 'i3& thats all) 4ou know what a (igure o( speech is& right5
'ike& 67et out o( $y (ace8
Jee3
a"ent these girls got anything better to do than pester $e about this5
+ $ean& were all shocked& right5
%"en + didnt hate 1ary that $uch that + wanted her dead
4ou dont& do you5 9hen you say& 6+ hope you die8& youre ,ust angry: thats all
4oure not really conte$plating $urder
-esides& ,ust how do these nu$bskulls (igure + $anaged to get 1ary to step outinto the road in (ront o( an onco$ing car5
/#he was upset 'i3 screa$s back in $y (ace)
Ob"iously& 'i3 doesnt understand e"eryday expressions like /7et out o( $y (ace)
/1ary wasnt thinking straight Thats why she wandered out into the road
9ow& so that,sit5
That,show 1arys (riends think +$ responsible (or her death5
Not because they think + so$ehow pushed her out into the road)
Not because they think + was secretly dri"ing the car that sent her (lying back onto
her own lawn)
No no: they think +$ responsible because +d upsether so $uch she was walking
around in a da3e/#ince when was 1ary upset by what anyone said to her& 'i35 And i( being upset
was a reason to wander out in (ront o( a passing car& + think 1ary would ha"e an
aw(ul lot o( deaths on herhands& wouldnt she5
1ary was 1iss #arcas$par e'cellence;
#he could hit you bang centre where it hurt $ost) it you with a co$$ent dripping
with acid) One that would burn away at your "ery core (or days a(terwards)
'ike& /ey& Ja3: is that your idea o( $akeup) Or ha"e you ,ust taken up
pro(essional boxing5
4eah& thats what our argu$ent had been about)
#o& ;est +n
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=
ow did + get into an argu$ent about $akeup5
+t sounds like +"e got one heck o( a short (use& right5-ut look& 1ary had been ribbing $e (or ages about a nu$ber o( things& right5
Thats how she does > well& how she use"to do it)
#he had that knack o( knowing ,ust which parts o( you to tweak) And shed know it
no $atter who she was talking to)
A tweak here) A tweak there)
A push o( this button) Then that button)
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?oes stating the ob"ious $ake $e a bad person5
+n $any peoples eyes& it probably does)
+n #yeyes it $akes $e a bad person)
There are intelligent kids out there who su((er heartache and worse si$ply because
o( their looks)
Then there are others who ,ust bree3e through li(e purely because they"e got greatbone structure)
Course& +$ not saying this is an i"ealstate o( a((airs
+ts ridiculous)
+ts un(air)
-ut thats how it is)
#o get o"er it)
+t isnt helping anyoneto try and pretend it isnt really like that)
-ecause it $eans no ones (acing up to the (acts)
1e& +ll ad$it right up (ront that $ost o( $y own personal su((ering co$es (ro$
lusting a(ter guys who& to be honest& are %ayout o( $y league)
And& o( course& they %oul"n,tbe out o( $y league i( + was e"en hal(*decentlooking)
#o (or $e& when it co$es to light reading& its the $aga3ine articles on cle"er
$akeup shading) -rightening up your hair with tints) 7etting the dress that $akes the
$ost o( so$e cur"es and hides the others)
All in"aluable stu(()
Then again& it was thanks to one o( these articles that + ended up with a (ace way
too hea"y on the blue eye*shadow and yellow blusher)
4eah& what was + thinking& right5
1ary& youd got $e dead to rights on that one)
Oops& sorry: its ,ust a (igure o( speech& okay5
=
/Ja3 Ja3
+ts one o( the kids (ro$ the lower years: Josie& Jolie& or so$ething like that)
9hats she want5
/4eah5
/4oure wanted in the head$istresss o((ice) + think the police are there
The police54oure kidding $e
Crap
#urely thepolicedont think + had anything to do with 1arys death5
9hat the hecks 'i3 been telling the$5
=
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Chapter 2
/Now Jas$ine& + need you to be per(ectly honest with $e on this: did you ha"e anargu$ent with 'i3 and her (riends when classes ended (or the lunch break5
1iss
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/9here were you this $orning5 Can you pro"e you were in class all $orning5
The policewo$an hadnt bothered with any o( 1iss the police $ight as well go whistling up the wall be(ore expecting any
help (ro$ $e)
=
/+$ going to ha"e to take you down the station& 1iss
The "oice behind $e is gru((& authoritati"e)
+ whirl around& shocked and angry)
/9hat5 Are you kiddi >
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/9ow 4our (ace& Ja3 +$ glad +$ nota cop) 4oud probably ha"e taken $y
head o(( ,ust with that e"il glare o( yours
/2vilglare5 + glare e"illy at hi$)
e raises his hands in $ock surrender)
/Okay& okay: angryglare then) + bet that really $ade your day& didnt it5 -eing
called to the head$istresss o((ice& an"the police are waiting there (or you + bet you,ust couldnt wait to gi"e the$ whate"er help they wanted& right5
/9ord gets around @uick in this school& doesnt it5 +n this case&
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Chapter !
Next $orning& the schools going all out to $ake sure no ones going to (orgetwere talking about the deaths o( three innocent kids and a $u$ here)
And were not going to be allowed to (orget that laughing and ha"ing (un doesnt
(it in with $ourning their passing)
1orning asse$bly is all tear(ul speeches& re$inding us how wonder(ul 'i3& Boe
and #arah were) And how were all going to really $iss the$)
The audience& too& is all tear(ul kids)
4ou wouldnt belie"e how $any o( the$ are suddenly $aking out they were the
"ery "ery "ery best (riend o( 'i3& Boe or #arah)
#o they,reparticularly a((ected by their sad loss)
9ow& the a$ount o( (riends you suddenly gain when youre dead is truly a$a3ing
1e& +$ ,ust the opposite&
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+ say /sliding in& but
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/7et out o( the way you idiot the dri"er (uriously yells out) /9hat the hell do you
think youre doing5
es standing up in his seat& leaning o"er his steering wheel) es wildly wa"ing
his (ists at so$eone + cant see lying beyond the buss large glass (ront)
e turns back to us to explain the delay)
/Theres an idiot blocking our path e swung right out in (ront o( $e as we werecrossing the tracks
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Chapter E
/7et out o( the way 7et out o( the wayThe dri"er screa$s uselessly at the car blocking our path) e presses his horn
again and again)
The teacher& 1iss ?ruen& is standing close to hi$) #he looks (lustered& (rightened)
/-ack up
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Outside the coach& a (ew bra"e adults ha"e rushed onto the railway line) Theyre
reaching up to help the (irst o( the kids cla$ber out o( the exit windows)
The door at the (ront has also been opened at last& the kids hurriedly (iling out)
As soon as theyre outside the bus& the kids dash (or the sa(ety o( the other side o(
the gates)
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Chapter F
One $inute > no& onesecon"> +$ at the back o( a $ass o( kids& all trying to getthrough a window exit that only lets two through at any one ti$e)
The next& theres a blinding (lash)
The sound o( two planets colliding)
The (orce o( a hurricane*like gust o( wind)
+$ suddenly (lung upwards& spinning& tu$bling)
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Chapter G
This ti$e& the loss o( li(e is so great that the school is shut down (or a (ew days)1iss ?ruen died too) The dri"er was a$ongst the se"erely in,ured)
.ortunately& the train in"ol"ed in the accident had been a goods train) The engine
dri"er had died so @uickly he wouldnt ha"e su((ered& were all assured)
The press and news channels ha"e descend on the area& seeking to inter"iew
anyone they can)
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9hy would an angel bother rescuing $e5 9hy would he let all those other poor
kids die so horribly5
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+t was all so chaotic: people shouting e"erywhere)
The di"er #ightha"e been paying attention to
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Chapter L
%ither $u$ or dad will send the policewo$an o(( with a (lea in her ear)As they always do)
/+( you get any proble$s (ro$ her& let $e know& dad had said to $e a(ter she
called round the (irst ti$e& ,ust a(ter the accident)
Now she co$es round at least once a day) #o$eti$es e"en twice)
/+( + could ,ust ha"e a word with Ja3& then>
Thats usually about as (ar as she gets be(ore either $u$ or dad cuts her o(()
Theyll cite whate"er law or restriction they can thats basically telling her to go
take a hike& unless shes here to $ake an o((icial charge)
#hes persistent& +ll gi"e her that)
9e cant keep turning her away (or e"er& can we5
#ure we can)+ ha"ent been able to (ollow the con"ersation taking place downstairs)
-ut + hear the door being sla$$ed shut)
+ watch as she languidly $akes her way back to the car& ignoring the hailstor$ o(
@uestions thrown her way by the ,ournalists ca$ped outside)
#uddenly& she glances back and up& catching $e at the window)
Theres a sour& deter$ined look on her (ace)
A look that says& +$ going to get you one day)
=
Today& the school is opening its doors once $ore)
The ,ournalists are out in (orce) Theyre hanging outside both the school gates)
Theyre hanging outside the ho$es o( each kid who sur"i"ed the accident)
The police are also out in (orce) Theyre there to keep the news crews (ro$
pestering any o( the school kids& their parents& or the sta(()
#ur"i"ors like $e ha"e been o((ered a police escort into school) Not wishing to
(ace any @uestioning (ro$ the waiting papara33i& +"e accepted the o((er)
-ut i( + so $uch as catch a gli$pse o( that bloody policewo$an waiting outside& +
wont be going anywhere)
Thank(ully& when the cops arri"e shes nowhere in sight) +ts two police$en +"e
ne"er seen be(ore)
%"en so& + use a pair o( binoculars +"e borrowed o(( dad to peer through the
upstairs window) + 3oo$ into the car they"e parked at the kerb& $aking sure that
shes not waiting (or $e in there)
The cops stand either side o( $e as we $ake our way to the car) They aggressi"ely
(end o(( any ,ournalist $o"ing too close to us)
They open the cars rear door& helping $e slip into the back seat) Just to gain the
space we need& they ha"e to threaten so$e o( the ,ournalists with arrest)
The cops @uickly cla$ber into their own seats up (ront)
The dri"er starts up the car) e begins to pull away (ro$ the kerb)
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#uddenly& be(ore the car has picked up any real speed& the rear door on the other
side to $e is wrenched open)
#o$eone wearing an old ,acket and ,eans slips in beside $e)
+ts her)
+ts the policewo$an)
=
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Chapter M
The cars now going too (ast (or $e to open the door and ,u$p out)+ $ight as well (ace up to whate"er it is she wants to say to $e)
9hat can she really do a(ter all5
Tricking $e like this breaks 7od*knows how $any laws and legal rights) Anyone
e$ployed to de(end $e would easily ha"e any charges against $e thrown out o(
court)
/+ ,ust want a @uick& (riendly word& the cop says& s$iling like shes here to bring
,oy to the world)
/#ee$s like youre already ha"ing one) 9hether + want to or not)
/9hy did you re(use counselling& Ja35 +t could help you& you know5
/+ts ,ust indoctrination: the authorities catching you at a weak point in your li(e)
Dsing it to instil their own ideas o( whats right and wrong)/Thats one heck o( a hard*headed attitude (or a girl like you to take& isnt it5 +t
$ight ha"e actually helped you channel all that anger and aggression youre (eeling
into so$ething $ore positi"e and worthwhile) + can see that you (latter yoursel(
youre tough enough to handle all that shock: but + reckon youre in $ore danger than
anyone else that its going to a((ect you badly) And you probably wont e"en
recognise the e((ect its ha"ing on you)
/#ee what + $ean about authority5 4oure already using it as an excuse to change
$e) To $ake $e co$e round to your way o( seeing things)
/4ou $ight not realise it Ja3& but + really a$ trying to help you here) #ee& +"e seen
whats happening to you happen so $any ti$es to other kids) -right kids& (ull o(
potential& going astray because schools no longer gi"ing the$ the sti$ulation theyneed) %"erythings too easy& right5 1eanwhile& you ha"e to hang around waiting (or
the du$ber kids to catch up)
Not a word + expected: du$ber) Not
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+( + hadnt $anaged to (igure out (or $ysel( how (ortunate + a$& +d sure as heck
know it by now) + couldnt count how $any ti$es +"e been told that +"e been
blessed with opportunities denied $ost other kids)
+ts ,ust about the (irst thing a teacher brings up whene"er + $ake the $istake o(
co$plaining that +$ being gi"en tasks +"e already learnt in lower school)
+ was being sel(ish& wasnt +& thinking + had a right to lessons $atched to $yability5
9hat about all those other& $ore un(ortunate& $ore vulnera+lekids who were
already struggling to keep up5
ow $uch harder would it be (or the$& eh& i( + insisted on e"eryone being taught
the sa$e as $e5
?idnt they deser"e the chance in li(e +d been lucky enough to ha"e been gi"en5
?idnt they deser"e $ore attention than $e5
+ was the bright kid& a(ter all) + didnt need the attention they needed)
?id + really want all the attention to be (ocused on $e5 To soar while they all (ell
(urther behind5
%@ual opportunities (or all& see5And how can we pro"e we"e pro"ided that unless it results in e@ual outco$es5
#trange thing is& theres a part o( $e saying these teachers $ight ha"e a point: that
yeah& these poor kids do need $ore o( a helping hand than + do)
#o + end up hating the other part o( $ysel( that says it cant be right that +$ being
held back at school& si$ply because +$ lucky enough to ha"e good parents)
+ $ean& what next5 9ill the good parents ha"e to swap their kids (or $ore
un(ortunate ones to $ake things (air5
Then again& do you reckon the kids o( the politicians who"e (orced all this on us
are held back like this5
No chance&
#ee& its all to the rich kids ad"antage& isnt it5 No $atter how du$b they are&
theres no bright kids co$ing up (ro$ below to threaten their positions& are there5
=
/ow co$e you know all this5 + say to the cop)
/'ike + said& +"e been there $ysel(: seen other intelligent kids going through the
sa$e thing youre going through) 4oure bored by school& e"en though you used to
en,oy it) 4ou see kids getting praise e"en though theyre getting it all wrong) #eethe$ getting lenient treat$ent when theyre $essing round) 4ou& though& you get told
o(( (or e"en $inor in(ringe$ents) All that intelligence in that head o( yours is ,ust
churning away with nothing to (ocus on) #o you start looking (or other(or$s o(
sti$ulation)
#he says otherlike it could $ean anything (ro$ drug running to $aster$inding a
$ultibillion heist on a city bank)
#he s$iles) #he knows shes got $e down to a T)
/#o you no longer think + had anything to do with 'i3 and her $u$s death& right5
+ gi"e $y @uestion hints o( both doubt and hope)
#he chuckles& shakes her head)
/+"e got to ad$it& at (irst + was a bit suspicious) + thought& $aybe& that it $ightha"e been a prank that had gone horribly wrong) #o$ething that was supposed to do
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nothing $ore than scratch the car) Or shake e"eryone up a bit) +"e seen the kids +"e
$entioned do worse& belie"e $e) -ut when it ca$e to thewell)
+ can tell shes wanting to a"oid $entioning the accident) Just in case it reawakens
bad $e$ories +"e $anaged to keep in check so (ar)
/The bus& + say to help her out)
/4eah& the +us: well& it was pretty ob"ious you had nothing to do with that) #o it$ade $e start to think& well& $aybe + ha"got you wrong)
/Are you any closer to catching the wo$an who caused it5
+d seen on the news how the dri"er whod held up the bus hadnt been a $an& like
wed all (irst assu$ed) #hed escaped by re"ersing back through the people trying to
block her way) #hed abandoned the car only a (ew $iles away)
/9e traced her through her car>
/-ut shed "anished& right5 Along with her husband& her kids) er parents and his
parents too& according to so$e o( the sites +"e read) ow can they all ,ust disappear
like that5
/Truth is& they cant) They $ight be hiding out so$ewhere& but her youngest is
ter$inally ill) #he needs a regular supply o( drugs ,ust to keep going) Theyre going toha"e to gi"e the$sel"es up soon)
/4oure going the wrong way -rian)
The cop in the passenger seat is pointing back the way we"e co$e)
The dri"ers turned o(( the $ain road into a @uiet side street) es slowing down&
s@uir$ing in his seat& unclipping his seat belt like hes unco$(ortable)
/+ ,ust need to>
-e(ore the di"ers (inished speaking& theres a loud yet $u((led bang)
The cop in the passenger seat "iolently ,erks to one side) e strikes the door with a
dull thu$p)
-lood spurts e"erywhere& spreading in a sudden thick splurge across the door
window)
/7erry the policewo$an shrieks& leaping (orward in her seat to try and help her
in,ured (riend) /-rian& whats happened to 7erry5
The dri"er whirls around& bringing up a gun and resting it on the seatback)
/#orry Jane)
The gun goes o(( again& this ti$e with a dea(ening bang)
Janes thrown back& the side o( her body erupting) A (ountain o( (lesh and blood
splatters against the seat and rear window)
-rian swings the gun& ai$ing it at $e)
/Out Out now& or +ll shoot
Neither Jane nor 7erry are $o"ing)Theyre both dead)
1y (u$bling (ingers slip on the handle& but + $anage to wrench open the door)
+ hal( cla$ber& hal( throw $ysel( out) #o$ething dull and hea"y strikes $e across
$y back) .or a $o$ent& + wonder i( +"e been shot)
Then +$ tu$bling pain(ully across the ground)
The dri"er roars o((& the open door swinging shut with a sharp clang)
=
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Chapter
+ pick $ysel( up)+$ shaking) 9ringing $y hands)
9hatwhat ,ust happened there5
ow do + explain this to anyone5
9hat do + say5
+ look about $e& seeing people standing at the windows o( their ho$es) Theyre
staring out blankly& like theyre trying to (igure out what all the noise was about)
9here do + go5
To school5
#hould + start walking to school5
#hould + cry out (or help5
ow canthey help $e5+$ not in any danger any $ore)
9ait5 9asnt + hit5
+ (eel $y back& where +d (elt so$ething hit $e as +d (allen (ro$ the car)
+$ hal(*expecting it to be wet with $y blood) -ut its dry) And theres no pain&
e"en when + press hard against it)
-ut + could ha"e sworn +d been hit there by so$ething) 'ike the dri"er had thrown
so$ething at $e)
'ooking back to where +d (allen (ro$ the car be(ore tu$bling across the grass& +
see so$ething by the kerb edge)
A book) A large& black book)
?rawing closer& + realise its a -ible) The pages are creased and s@uashed whereits (allen open on the ground)
9hat would the dri"er want to throw a -ible at $e (or5
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+ take out $y $obile)
/
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Chapter 0
4ahweh& the ebrew na$e (or 7od& occurs one*hundred and (ty*three ti$es inthe book o( 7enesis)
Archi$edes re(erred to the nu$ber one*hundred and (ty*three as being /The
1easure o( the .ish)
+ts a$a3ing how @uickly you can (inds things out ,ust by googling it)
%ach $onth& the a"erage A$erican watches one*hundred and (ty*three hours o(
tele"ision)
Oh& and the chances o( a ?NA $olecule (or$ing by chance5 Ten to the power o(
one*hundred and (ty*three)
?espite the $ention o( (ish& the piece on Archi$edes doesnt really see$ to ha"e
anything to do with the -iblical passage)
+ts one o( his $athe$atical principles& in this case regarding the al$ond shape youget when two circles intersect) According to Archi$edes& its shaped like /the bladder
o( a (ish& or /"esica piscis)
The ratio o( the height to the width is one*hundred and (ty*three to two*hundred
and sixty*(i"e& or the s@uare root o( three)
4eah& + was getting a bit lost at this point too)
9heres it all leading $e5
Nowhere& (ar as + can see)
=
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/9ell you could do what $ost girls would do& + suppose: get your hair done&
wander around > ouch
+ gi"e hi$ a play(ul nudge to his gut)
/#exist Are you saying $y hair needs doing5
/Course not + like it)
is eyes wander o"er $y hair& like he really does appreciate the way it looks)/Co$e on ouch
+ scowl) e laughs& letting $e know he was winding $e up)
/4ou"e changed& changed a lot since then Ja3
/9hat& $e a swan5 Oh& go on
4eah& like /go on with all this (lattery please
#ure& +$ acting all nonchalant& all coy) -ut hell yes +$ pleased)
Any guy says that to you& its the sa$e e((ect as a couple o(
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+$ not allowed to be)
+$ still regarded as being so$ehow responsible (or their deaths)
'ike + led the$ out there that day on purpose) 'ike + arranged the stalling o( the
bus& the arri"al o( the goods train)
'ike + knew what was co$ing) And thats how + $anaged to be sa"ed)
+t hurts& hurts to be thought o( in this way) urts to be excluded (ro$ the sharing o(su((ering and the re$e$bering o( better ti$es)
+ $iss those kids too)
+$ horri(ied by the way they lost their li"es)
-ut i( + ha"e to deal with this hurt without the help o( the other kids& then + will)
1y $u$ and dad and
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9ow) #traight o"er $y head that one) And + (latter $ysel( that +$ intelligent5
9hat was this doing in the back o( her car5 .ro$ what +d read o( her so (ar& she
didnt ha"e any scienti(ic background) And neither did her husband)
#he was a social worker) e& ironically& was a teacher) -ut hed taught art)
9ait
One/hun"re" an" ity/three;+ts right there& in the (or$ula>-?%u!)
-ut what does it $ean5
?oes it help $e5
No)
+$ ,ust $ore con(used than e"er)
=
9hile +$ trying to work all this out& alar$ bells ring)
No& + $ean they really "oring)
The (ire alar$)
1iss .urrier re$ains cal$)
/Now& + want you all to lea"e your things and
+$ not sure anyone is listening)
Theyre all looking at $e)
%"en 1iss .urrier is looking at $e)
%"eryone is looking at $e with (ear and hatred in their eyes)
=
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Chapter
ow can + be held responsible (or a (ire5+ didnt start it)
+"e been here all along)
?o all these people really think +$ so$ehow bringing all this bad luck down on
the$5
Theyre not saying) Theyre all (iling out in good order) Joining the other
s$oothly& swi(tly $o"ing colu$ns out in the corridor)
+ts all well organised) Theres hardly any panic) 9hat there is co$es (ro$
indi"iduals who are soon cal$ed or taken under the wing o( a teacher)
1at@
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+ both ,u$p and instincti"ely duck as so$ething nearby cracks loudly) Thick& black
clouds o( s$oke rush towards us& like they"e ,ust been released (ro$ con(ine$ent)
/O"er there 'ook
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Chapter 2
The s$oke swells and undulates around us as i( its ali"e)+ts hard to see where were heading) The s$oke $akes e"erything indistinct) Our
eyes are weeping& stinging)
9ere choking& gasping (or air) %"en though we"e got our (aces co"ered with our
hands)
9e know were supposed to get to the (loor& where the air will be clearer& $ore
breathable) -ut i( we did& wed be dead anyway) The (la$es are $o"ing rapidly&
rushing towards us like were in a race)
A race to the death)
-ehind us& e"erything the (la$es touch cracks& explodes) -eco$es yet another part
o( the hungry& e"er*growing (ire)
9e can (eel the heat on our backs) Our necks burn hotter and hotter as the (la$esad"ance)
/9here are we5 + cant see where were going any$ore
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=
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Chapter !
+$ no longer choking& gasping (or air)+$ breathing naturally& easily)
A$ + dead5
+ touch $y chest& al$ost expecting $y hand to pass through it as i( +$ already a
ghost)
+ look about $e)
The (ire is still raging around us& still (eeding hungrily o(( the cellar and its
contents)
-ut + cant (eel its heat)
The boo$ing and cracking is subdued& like +$ hearing it through water)
As + rise to $y knees& +$ al$ost expecting to see $ysel( lea"ing $y body behind&
$y soul (loating upwards to ho"er abo"e it)+ look down at
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Chapter E
The angel s$iles)#$iles as youd expect an angel to s$ile: beati(ically)
/9howho are you5
/4ou would ha"e died) + had no choice but to re"eal $ysel()
/?ied5
/#o it is written in this world)
/And twice)
/-ut not the others)
/No other children ha"e been har$ed today)
/-ut what about the bus5 9hy didnt you help the$5
/+ cannot help e"eryone) That is not the task set $e)
/Task5
/To help bring the Truth to those who li"e in lies) -ut + ha"e told you enough& +belie"e)
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9e"e already passed into the corridors lying beyond the doors at the top o( the
stairs)
The (ire still rages here& but not as strongly as it does downstairs) %"en so& it would
be i$possible to walk through this spitting& snarling in(erno i( it werent (or the
protecti"e ball o( light)
/ow a$ + a part o( your task5 And
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=
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Chapter F
The da$age to the school wasnt anywhere near as bad as e"eryone had originally(eared it would be)
+t was thank(ully con(ined to a relati"ely s$all section too)
And& o( course& there wasnt a single loss o( li(e)
No one knows how the (ire was started yet)
No one suspects $e)
9ell& no one suspects that +physicallystarted the (ire) + was in class when the
alar$ was raised)
%"en so& e"ery pupil& e"ery teacher& eyes $e suspiciously)
'ike +$ working in collusion with ?eath hi$sel()
'ike + brought all this bad luck down on the$ all)
#ure& + was the one that al$ost died this ti$e)4et +d sur"i"ed& hadnt +5
1iraculously too)
The way the (ire had oh*so con"eniently blasted a hole in an otherwise solid wall&
enabling $e to escape)
The way +d $anaged to drag an unconscious a sudden surge o( oxygen causing the (la$es to explode in an
al$ost sun*like intensity > were& as a (ire o((icer put it& /beyond all reasonable belie()
+( it hadnt been (or that incredible stroke o( luck& hed added& wed probably both
be dead)
Only
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=
%"en though we hadnt co*ordinated our stories& both
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9hat %asall that about5
'ooking at the rough notes +"e $ade on the passage containing the scienti(ic
(or$ulae& one*hundred and (i(ty*three could ha"e anything to do with (re@uency&
$e$ory or @uantu$ $echanics)
Or perhaps none o( the$ at all)
There doesnt see$ to be any ob"ious links to the notes + $ade a(ter (inding thehighlighted -iblical passage: the 1easure o( the .ish& the /"esica piscis& the ratio o(
one*hundred and (ty*three to two*hundred and sixty*(i"e)
The thing is& no $atter how weird the angels answer was& at least it de$onstrated
a connection between hi$ and the nu$ber one*hundred and (ty*three)
There was also that strange& 7regorian*chant like hu$$ing& which + suppose also
gi"es us a link tore=uency)
And a ratiois linked to har$onies& right5
+ts not $uch to go on: but its all +"e got)
.re@uency is $easured in ert3s& so + google /F!h3)
Nothing)
9ell& nothing that see$s i$$ediately rele"ant to whate"er it is +$ searching (oranyway)
Though as + dont really know what +$ searching (or& that $akes it pretty di((icult
to know what + should be looking (or& doesnt it5
#o& what about the second part o( that ratio& F!H 2GF5
+ google /2GFh3)
Ah Theres so$ething about /1usic o( the #pheres: and didnt
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?a$n)
9ait: how about /angelic$usic scale5
+s there such a thing5
well& whaddya know5
#econd down on the list: /#ol(eggio #yste$ > #ounds o( 9onder) And in the
passage ,ust beneath& theres a listing o( (re@uencies)+ click through)
Oh no
+ts ,ust another list o( links
'ots o( the$
+t could be any one o( the$ that + need
Or none o( the$
-ut wait a $inuteH /?NA and #ol(eggio)
?idnt the nu$ber one*hundred and (ty*three ha"e a connection with ?NA5
Oh yeah: it was the chances o( a ?NA $olecule (or$ing) Ten to the power o( one*
hundred and (ty*three)
Co$e to think o( it& ?NA is also the per(ect (or$ o( #e#orystorage& isnt it59hat the heck: + click on the link)
A pd( starts loading up)
Oh oh: too$uch in(o
9here do +start5
+ start by @uickly scrolling through it& hoping so$ething catches $y eye > and yes&
thank(ully it does
A chart o( so$e kind& containing (re@uency (igures)
Across the top& theres a nu$ber o( di((erent $usic scales once again)
?own the side& theres a list o( a "ariety o( things linked to or a((ected by the
scales and their (re@uencies)
One o( these is ?NA) + run $y (inger along the row)
Two (re@uencies i$$ediately next to each other grab $y eye: F2M 3 and F! 3)
Thats ,ust either side o( F!0 3)
+ run $y (inger up the colu$ns to the scales listed abo"e)
F2M 3 is in the2arthly#cale) F! 3 is in theDivine#cale)
Thats it
F!0 3 lies between the intersecting physical and spiritual worlds& the earthly and
the di"ine
9hich $eans
Nothing& actually)
-ut its the nearest +"e got to an answer so (ar)Okay& one last try)
#o& i( were talking o( an2arthly#cale& what happens i( + google /?na F2Mh35
Oh $y
/Can F2M 3 (re@uency heal your ?NA5
And its ,ust about a whole page o( links like that
%"en $ore a$a3ingly& were talking real scientists here too& rather than pseudo*
scientists and crackpots)
Thats got to be it& the link +"e been searching (or& hasnt it5
Or has it5
9asnt + really trying to (ind out how one*hundred and (ty*three was connected to
the "eaths& the #ur"ers5ow is healthy ?NA connected to so$eone being killed5
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%radicatingaulty?NA5
=
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Chapter G
As a reason (or $urdering so$eone& eradicating(aulty ?NA doesnt really $ake$uch sense)
%"en so& + try and (ind what + can about each police o((icers $edical history)
#ure& + realise +$ not going to co$e across their $edical records) -ut + $ight be
able to (ind the odd re(erence to any illness they $ight ha"e su((ered in the "arious
newspaper articles (eaturing inter"iews with their relati"es)
Theres a surprising a$ount o( in(or$ation about the$
Jane in particular co$es across as a really genuine& take*$e*as*you*(ind*$e*
because*+$*great sort o( person)
'ike she hinted to $e& she was the bright kid at school who went o(( the rails (or a
while) -ecause she didnt (eel she was being challenged)
#he got hersel( back in order) #aw it as her purpose in li(e to help other kids who$ight per$anently go astray i( theres no one around to put the$ straight)
+( Jane were still around& you know what5 + could ha"e really liked her)
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=
/4ou $ight be on to so$ething)
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=
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Chapter L
+$ shrouded in $ottled light)A $ix o( wa"ering& inter$ingling dark shade and bright light)
A$ + dead5
No: +$ standing in the thick co"er o( a copse o( large bushes and s$all trees o(( to
the side o( the road)
Through the o"erhanging branches and lea"es& + can see the bus continuing on its
way)
-ut + can s$ell the burning rubber o( urgently braked tyres)
orns are blaring) ?ri"ers are shouting angrily) 'ike they cant understand why the
bus suddenly screeched to a halt like that)
9hats going through the bus dri"ers $ind5 ?id + suddenly "anish5
?oes hewonder why he suddenly braked like that59hate"er hes thinking& hes $o"ing again)
/Thank(ully& e"en those who saw anything are con(used: theyre telling the$sel"es
they $ust ha"e i$agined that a stupid girl was standing out in the road)
+ts the angel) es alongside $e)
/Ja3& Ja3 9hats happening5 + heard a horn& a screech
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=
/a"e you e"er thought o( writing a book5
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Chapter M
/4ou"e $et hi$5 4ou"e $et the angel5/e sa"ed $y li(e: like he sa"ed yours)
/9hen5 9hen did he sa"e your li(e5
/9hen 1ary died) + would ha"e died too& i( 7ariel hadnt sa"ed $e)
/ow do you know his na$es 7ariel5 9hat do you $ean& when 1ary died5
This is cra3y + dont know which o( the @uestions +"e got (lowing around $y
head to ask her (irst)
/9hy did he sa"e you5 No& no sorry: +$ asking you too $any @uestions arent +5
#he giggles)
+ still ha"ent asked her (or herna$e
That will ha"e to wait)
/Okay& okay& + say& trying to slow $y own whirling $ind down) /1ary (irst& right5?o you $ean you were there when 1ary died5
#he nods)
/#he was pulling $e) Thats why we both ended up out in the road)
/9hat was she pulling you (or5
/-ecause she was 1ary) #he was always hitting $e& teasing $e) #he said she was
going to throw $e in (ront o( the next car) 'aughing& like it was a ,oke) 9hen the car
ca$e& + didnt think she really $eant to do it: but she did)
/-ut she stu$bled& ending up (alling in (ront o( it instead o( you5 and that you would let $e
know $ore about that when the ti$e was right
=
Jolie hadnt $entioned to anyone that she had been present at 1arys death)
/9hod belie"e $e5 4ou know& when + said + would"e died too i( an angel hadnt
rescued $e5 + knew +d ,ust get into trouble) #o$eone would start saying + $ust"e
so$ehow $ade 1ary end up in the road)
/9hy didnt he sa"e 1ary i( he was there5 +t wouldnt ha"e been too hard& would
it5
+ say it out loud& but +$ not really expecting Jolie to ha"e an answer)
/+ asked hi$ that) e said it was her ti$e)
/er ti$e5
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/+ asked hi$& she says innocently)
+ ne"er thought o( asking hi$ his na$e) +t see$ed a bit i$polite so$ehow& a bit
silly& asking an angel i( he has a na$e)
/?id he tell you anything else be(ore he le(t you5
/+ would let you know& right5
#he nods (erociously& her eyes sparkling with eagerness)
/Thing is Jolie& +$ a(raid + ha"ent got the (aintest idea what +$ supposed to be
doing) #o + dont know how youre supposed to help $e
Jolie looks a little hurt by $y (rustrated outburst)/#orry Jolie& sorry +$ not angry at you& honest +$ ,ust,ust so exasperated
because + dont know what the heck +$ supposed to do (or hi$ + dont e"en know
what these -lessed Jas$ines are that he says youre going to be
/One o( the (irst one*hundred and (i(ty*three& 7ariel said
er whole (ace lights up)
/4ousureyou didnt askthe angel what he $eant5 + say)
/Angel& Jolie giggles) /+ thought he was an angel too
/Thoughthe was an angel5 1eaning what exactly5 That he isn,tan angel5
#he both nods and shakes her head& like shes unsure what the correct response to
$y "arious @uestions should be) #he laughs)
/ow do you know hes not an angel5 + say)
/+ asked hi$)
/.igures) And he said > what5
/e laughed) e said he wouldnt want $e thinking that he was an angel: he said it
$ight cause co$plications)
/Co$plications5 ow would thinking hes an angel cause co$plications5
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Chapter
/No& no: it still doesnt $ake sense& ra gestoru$: thats 'atin (or #iracle)
e calls up another page& this ti$e one o( an intense close up o( what looks like
hexagonal crystals)
/The clustered water $olecules (or$ing the supporti"e $atrix o( healthy ?NA&
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Chapter 20
9ithin the con(ines o( what are you5 4oure notan angel& right5
e bows his head slightly& de$urely)
/+ a$ a
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/#o this book youre expecting $e to produce: is it the -ook o( Jas$ine5
e laughs again)
/#o $uch #oreis expected o( you& Jas$ine 4es& the -ook o( Jas$ine is regarded
by $any as an ad$irable work: but it is not the-ook
/#o thats at least two books expected o( $e) And + ha"ent written either one o(
the$ yet/#hould we say& you arepre"icte"to write it5
e grins wryly at his own ,oke)
/Are you saying the (uture canbe predicted5
/.or the $any& yes: their (uture is already written) -ut you are not o( the $any) #o
you $ay alter it& and alter it too (or the $any) 4our in(luence will be ti$eless& as $y
own presence de$onstrates)
/-ut all this is cra3y 4oure $aking $e sound like so$e kind o( god
/No no: not at all) -ut you showed us that we are all7od& in our way)
/4oure ,ust $aking $e $ore con(used with all these riddles
/These are truths)
e s$iles)e shi$$ers& "ibrates)
e "anishes)
=
/+snt all this so$ething like that paradox you $entioned5 Jolie says be(ore + can
gi"e
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/;ight& + say)
%"ery ti$e a choice is o((ered to so$eone& e"ery possible outco$e takes place&
each outco$e creating a whole new& parallel world) #o$e o( these worlds are al$ost
like our own) 1any di"erged long ago& so that we would (ind the$ unrecognisable)
/9ow 7ot it straight away you know& words like 6the8 as opposed to words
like 63ebra8 > e"ery language co$es out looking the sa$e& (ollowing whats called
Bip(s 'aw) And so do the alkalines o( our ?NA)
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parallel world& how would anything+ co$e up with a((ect hi$5 +d be a((ecting this
world& not his)
/Can + s$ell burning5 #uddenly& the whole roo$ shudders "iolently)
The chairs ,u$p)
The table rattles)
The co$puter leaps& slides across the table& goes blank)
9ere bounced into the air& sent stu$bling ungainly)
9ere all shocked& clinging on to whate"er we can grab nearest to us)
/?id so$ething ,ust hit the house5
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Chapter 2
ow can we be (alling so (ar59heres the earth gone5
9heres 7ariel5
+snt he going to sa"e us this ti$e5
=
+ts true: ti$e slows down as you rush to $eet your death)
#o$ething to do with your $ind working at super(ast speed)
+ can hear that relaxing& $elodious note: 1+& the $iracle tone)Then + realise its Jolie) Jolies hit the note per(ectly)
And suddenly 7ariels there) is glow su((using e"erything)
#lowing e"erything)
#lowing e"erythingphysically& not ,ust #entally)
Our (all is languid now) As is the (alling o( the re$ains o( the house raining down
around us)
+ts probably $y i$agination& but at last& the ground > sooner than we do) +ts hard
enough to knock the breath out o( hi$ too)
+ (loat down to a so(t landing& closely (ollowed by Jolie)
The re$ains o( the house land around us ,ust as unhurriedly) 9hether huge chunksor s$all& shattered sections& they touch the rock o( the ground with a dull cru$p)
They slowly topple& slowly settle& like e"erything is taking place at the botto$ o( a
deep lake)
+ glance o"er at
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Chapter 22
/No'eaping to $y (eet& + throw $ysel( at
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/is role in your de"elop$ent is o"er) is presence (ro$ now on would only
de(lect you (ro$ your task) +t is not only the di((erence between the success or (ailure
o( the $ission& but the di((erence between billions sa"ed and billions lost)
/ow can you (ail5 Jolie asks worriedly) /4ou wouldnt be who you are& a
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/+ explained the i$portance o( our $ission) They were eager to aid its co$pletion)
/9hy Jane5 ow was that supposed to put $e on the right path& or whate"er all
these deaths were supposed to do5
/+ a$ not responsible (or all the deaths surrounding you that were necessary (or
your de"elop$ent) +n this world& 1arys death was a natural accident) +n the case o(
her (riends& their bullying would ha"e been a distraction) As (or the police wo$an& inso$e worlds she persecutes you relentlessly (or their deaths: in others& she belie"es
she is helping you& but is actually drawing you away (ro$ the righteous path)
/Oh $y 7od: its all been so$e sort o( culling& gasps
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Chapter 2!
+t was a sinkhole)Caused& we were told as we were (inally li(ted out& by an old coal $ine running
deep beneath the house)
+ was worried that the newspapers would co"er the accident under banners along
the lines o( /The unluckiest girl in the world)
.ortunately& o( course& $y na$e hadnt been re"ealed in relation to $ost o( the
other e"ents) This ti$e& too& $y na$e is withheld& /(or essential reasons o( pri"acy
and to allow the "icti$s space to reco"er (ro$ their indi"idual trau$as)
+ was o((ered e"en $ore ti$e o(( school)
+ took the o((er up)
+ cant (ace going in and being deliberately a"oided by e"eryone)
And& lets (ace it& they ha"e e"ery reason to a"oid $e& dont they5
=
/?o you think hes planning on causing a #assiveloss o( li(e next5
Jolies eyes are wide& like the horror o( so$e great cala$ity is already opening up
be(ore her)
/+ $ean& the way he said so$e people only turn to 7od when they su((er so$e
$assi"e tragedy5
/4eah& adding that it helps i( it in"ol"es so$eone close to you&
/The (re@uencies Jolie al$ost ,u$ps up into the air in her excite$ent) Those eyes
are wider& $ore sparkling than e"er) /%"ery ti$e& we co$e back to the i$portance o(there=uencies
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/#ure& but what about the$5
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Chapter 2E
+ wouldnt ha"e been able to get any o( the other kids to help $e& but so$ehow
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+ts hard to see where the road ends& where e"en the houses let alone the kerb
starts)
The rain blends e"erything into an indistinct grey $ass)
/ow can we ha"e a party in this5 the kids wail)
Their enthusias$s waning)
Theyre soaked& $ud*splattered& weary)/+ts like e"en the weathers against us&
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Chapter 2F
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At (irst& + think yes& there it is& see5
Now theres ,ust the one line& registering a regular tone)
/That shouldnt be there& he says)
e glances up at the surrounding hills)
/7ariels causing all this all right: and hes controlling the "ery ground were
standing on)
=
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Chapter 2G
Dndulating like languorously exercised $uscles& the stor$ clouds rolling abo"e usare so dark it could be late e"ening (or all the little light we ha"e)
9ere heading up into the hills) Dp to where the s$all ri"er that runs through the
town splits o(( as an o((shoot (ro$ the larger ri"er Ner)
The Ner continues down another& $ore or less uninhabited "alley& a $uch gentler
slope to the $ore precipitous route our own ri"er A(on takes be(ore it (lattens out and
passes through town)
That $eans a tiring walk (or us) Although the A(on "alley is the easiest way (ro$
town up into the hills& its still steep enough to re@uire a winding road)
/?o you know what $ost ri"ers are called5
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And once this ri"er bank goes& its not ,ust the whole school thats gonna disappear
o(( the $ap)
+ts the entire town)
=
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Chapter 2L
9e $o"e away (ro$ the work party& partially heading back down the hill so thatwere out o( their sight)
/9e ha"ent got any choice& + say to
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/9hate"er it is5 4ou see5 4oustilldo not understand: you cannot acco$plish
when you do not understand)
/Then tell $e Tell $e what it is& and +ll do it
/+ cannot tell you) +t has to co$e (ro$ within you to be genuine& to be The
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$ore disco"ery (or you to $ake& so that you $ay realise that which you already
know) + a$ so close: + cannotgi"e up now
is body @ui"ers& the light rippling like its ali"e)
Then hes gone)
=
The earth itsel( ru$bles o$inously& like a waking dragon)
The ground beneath our (eet shakes) There isnt one o( us who isnt suddenly
unsteady on their (eet)
9e all swap anxious& (rightened glances)
O"er the hills& a lightning (lash brie(ly illu$inates the peaks)
The crack o( burning air and the $enacingly ru$bling thunder $akes us ,u$p) 9e
instincti"ely yet (oolishly duck)
The rain beco$es an e"en $ore aggressi"e downpour& striking us& pu$$elling theground& like each drop is a steel ball bearing)
/9hat now5
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Chapter 2M
+ can hear the speakers hu$$ing in the town below us)+ts like +$ looking down on a huge hi"e o( excited& e"en angry bees)
/Turn the "olu$e up As high as it will go + shriek at
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/9here did you get it (ro$5 + ask Jolie) /This ?e"ils +nter"al5 9here did you
hear o( it5
/+"e been looking at that #ol(eggio scale: you know& the one that ga"e us 1+5
+ nod)
A$ + i$agining it& or are we not shaking so $uch5
/9ell& there was an inter"al between 1+ and .A& Jolie continues& /one sodiscordant they actually called it the ?e"ils +nter"al: and + thought that sounds
pro$ising)
/+ dont think its raining so hard any$ore& one o( the other kids cries out
excitedly)
#o$e o( us look up& like were so stupid we think thats the only way to check i(
the rains slowing down)
/The clouds& + screa$ out to e"eryone& /+ think theyre dispersing: + think theyre
breaking up
=
+ gi"e Jolie the tightest& $ost ecstatic hug +"e e"er gi"en anyone)
9ow& what a pri3e this little girl is
#he giggles happily)
The rains easing) The thunder still rolls& but its passed o"er us now) +ts weakly
ru$bling in the distance)
/?id %edo it5 one o( the kids wonders out loud) /Or was it ,ust a natural stor$5
%"eryone laughs& like hes cra3y& like were all a bit cra3ed a(ter our experience)
/-ut has hegone5 so$eone else wonders)
/Only one way to (ind out: Jolie& try and call hi$)
er beauti(ul eyes sparkling with ,oy& Jolie begins to hu$)
#o$e o( the other kids $ust be $usically inclined too: they see$ to recognise the
note& ,oin in)
They all grin ecstatically& like theyre going to break into laughter any $o$ent)
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Chapter 2
/4es5 7ariel says proudly)/9ill you stop your attack5 + ask) /Or should we continue to (ight5
/+t isnt an attack: it is the bringing o( Truth)
/+t would cost too $any li"es: no truth is worth that)
/The Truth protects us& de(ends the $any) %"en though we bene(it (ro$ the
glorious presence o( 7od within us& the ?e"il $ay enter and set up ho$e in the
unwary lest we take care)
is body o( rippling light is now like the wa"es o( a sea dashing itsel( against
rocks) The wa"es rush back on other wa"es& breaking the$ up& scattering the$ in
glistening (oa$)
Theres strain on his (ace& like hes struggling to hold e"erything together)
/
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-ut this ti$e when he dissol"es away into nothing& + dont think hes still in
control)
=
The rain is now only a light dri33le)
The skys still an o(( grey& but sheets o( brightness are (lapping across the
upper$ost edges o( the clouds) The sun is breaking out at last)
A gloriously bright triple rainbow arches across the (ar side o( the "alley) +t could
be taken as a sign& i( you want it to be)
.or $e& the best sign that things are all right once $ore is that +$ holding
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Chapter !0
As we approach Jolies house& her dad opens the door and stands on the doorstep&like hes been looking out (or her&
es gri$ing like hes won a (ew $illion on the lottery)
+ cant re$e$ber e"er seeing hi$ look pleased& let alone happy)
-ehind hi$& a wo$an appears in the doorway)
#hes s$iling too) 'ike shes a ,oint winner)
/1u$ Jolie screa$s ,oyously)
#he rushes (orward)
All three o( the$ throw their ar$s around each other) They hug each other like&
yeah& theyre nevergonna let go)
/?id it work5 Are you cured5 Jolie asks)
/4es& yes + didnt think what they could do would everbe possibleJolie and her parents only partially let go o( each other when
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=
The a+ove is a aithully ren"ere" transcript o events as relate" to The Blesse"
*as#ine *olie +y The First Blesse" *as#ine;6t +eca#e the inspiration an" oun"ation or the First )o"spel O *olie;
End
2'tra $aterial8
The Divinatory Book O *as#ine
and copy or copy& paste and print o(( the hexagra$s at the (ront o( this book)
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+llu$ination& knowledge and truth) 1odesty and discretion) 1oody and aloo()
%$inently (e$inine& $ysterious& secreti"e and intuiti"e)
#urprising and unexpected re"elations $ay be co$ing) A power(ul ad"isor)
Pnowing all& but expressing secrets by $easure& or through sy$bolis$) A well o(
knowledge& but only a cup at a ti$e is dispensed)
1ay o(ten represent the sub,ect& i( (e$ale& or the ob,ect o( the sub,ects desire& i($ale) Also& perhaps a suggestion (or introspection or $editation)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
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1erci(ul& (orgi"ing& kind& respectable& duti(ul) A teacher and a counsellor)
A good and bene"olent in(luence helping the sub,ect understand the correct path) A
priest& rabbi& or perhaps a guru) One who enlightens) 'earning and li"ing by the rules
o( society and o( spirituality)
+n so$e contexts& howe"er& in(lexible and unyielding) Dnwilling to accept
de"iation (ro$ the con"entional)Also represents ,oining and accepting) #o$eti$es interpreted to suggest $arriage)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
;e,ection o( traditional $orals) A renegade) Anti*establish$ent) -reaking the
rules) Con"ersely& could represent excessi"e stubbornness& stodginess& in(lexibility or
con(or$ity) +n certain contexts& could suggest di"orce) Also& perhaps a warning o(
respiratory in(ections such as cold and (lu)
G
.ollowing the heart) Trust) ;elationship) ;esponsibility) Co$$it$ent) Also
partnership and cooperation)
1ay be an indicator o( a lo"e a((air& but has $ore to do with $aking good choices)
;ecognise the di((erence between lo"e and in(atuation)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
;elationship proble$s)
+t could be passionate lo"ers kept apart by their (euding (a$ilies) +t could be
discontent resulting (ro$ a poorly considered $arriage) The unhappy conse@uences o(
bad choices) +n so$e contexts the harbinger o( breakups or di"orce)
L
O"erco$ing obstacles) Con@uest& control) %xploration& ,ourneys)
Triu$ph and $astery& not easy and swi(t but achie"ed through care(ul planning&
hard work& (orce o( will and (ore$ost by harnessing disparate (orces to work in
unison) #el(*control& con(idence& co$$it$ent& e((ort and (ocus that produce success)
Also& o(ten relates to tra"el) A trip or a $o"e $ay be co$ing soon)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
;ashness) +ndecision) Accidents& de(eats& delays)
?i((iculty or (ailure coordinating disparate (orces) 'ack o( control) 'ashing out)
1o"ing in circles)
#o$eti$es interpreted as a warning o( stress related illness& such as ulcers) Also
possibly "ehicle or tra"el proble$s)
M
.ortitude& patience& perse"erance& endurance) 1astery& (ocused inward) .orce o(
will) #el(*control)
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The courage& con(idence and persistence to (ollow through to the success(ul
conclusion& in spite o( di((iculties) arnessing ones own talents and strengths)
1ay represent pro"iding a cal$ing in(luence on others) #o$eti$es& lo"e o(
ani$als& particularly cats)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
Anger& tyranny& weakness& cruelty& i$patience) A"oidance) Cowardice)
Not in control) Dnable to harness inner (orces) %xtre$es o( anger or ti$idity)
Dnable to break bad habits or o"erco$e addictions)
#o$eti$es a warning o( health proble$s related to anger and agitation& such as
high blood pressure
+ntrospection) #pirituality) 9isdo$& reser"e& $editation& secrecy)
'ooking ob,ecti"ely at the world around) 'earning (or the sake o( learning)+ncreasing knowledge (or the sake o( doing so) #tepping back (ro$ the (ast pace o(
li(e (or a while to take stock o( where you are)
+t $ay be ti$e to consider the lessons o( the past) A need (or space and ti$e alone)
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#o$eti$es representing courts and the legal syste$& it could indicate winning a
court case)
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1erging apparently opposite ele$ents to create a whole greater than the parts)
Adapting to the en"iron$ent)
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?isruption& oppression& sub,ugation& persecution)
+llusions o( sol"ing the proble$ without really doing it) 4ou $ay think you ha"e
s$oothed things o"er& but catastrophe and tur$oil are waiting (or you around the
corner because you ha"e not really addressed the underlying proble$s)
L
ope& inspiration& (aith& pro$ise)
ope (or the (uture) ;e,u"enation will co$e& although perhaps not ,ust yet) Though
doors ha"e closed& windows will surely open as ti$e passes)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents inclu"e an Ovule8
?isappoint$ent& instability& poor choices)
A lack o( hope& at least (or the present) Opportunities are absent& and troubles
persist)
M
1ystery) Night$ares) ?rea$s) #ecrets) idden ene$ies& deception& illusion&
danger& terror& lunacy& plots)
The (ears that grow in the dark) The gateway between the physical and
$etaphysical& the conscious and subconscious real$s) %ntering this world is
(rightening& but can also be re"ealing and inspirational)
#uggests creati"ity and intuition)
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But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
'esser happiness& passion& pride& $isunderstanding)
An obscuring o( clarity) ;e(usal to open ones eyes to the possibilities) The
enthusias$ and abilities are there& but the (ocus is clouded) 1ost likely this will be ate$porary delay) Dlti$ately& the clouds should clear up)
The pri3e is right there& but to attain it& cynicis$ $ust be o"erco$e
20
;esurrection) ;enewal& awakenings& repentance& change)
Accepting the past and throwing o(( its burdens) .orgi"eness& especially o( ones
sel(& but also o( others) 1a,or decisions which $ay result in $a,or li(estyle changes)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents are t%o Locules8
+nability to change or progress) ?elay& stagnation& postpone$ent& indecision)
Troubled or a((ected by the past)
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.earlessly taking risks& not o( bra"ery but o( nai"etV) A new start& and a blank
page) An open $ind& and an ad"enturous heart) A child sa$pling li(e) %xploring
where your whi$s take you)
Anything is possible) -ut you $ay be studying the stars when you should be
looking where your next step will land)
1ay be a likely "icti$ o( trickery and deception) An easy target (or bullying orusury)
But i Regulatory 2le#ents inclu"e an Ovule8
.ore$ost& the "icti$ o( recklessness) %xcesses or irresponsibility) .oolish choices)
A(ter a pain(ul landing& you $ay shy away (ro$ risk taking& beco$e suspicious& or
(ear(ul) +n so$e contexts& $ay be seen as a call to accept responsibility and @uit acting
the (ool)
2!
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-ut o"ersensiti"ity $ay result in e$otional withdrawal due to (eeling
underappreciated)
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A $essage) News o( the new and exciting) #uggests enthusias$ and 3eal)
#urprising& consistent& (aith(ul and help(ul)
A youth with "igour and a$bition& working hard to achie"e a goal) %xcite$ent and
dedication (or pro,ects or hobbies)
-ut could also be bad news) 'ack o( interest or re,ection o( new pro,ects)
Dnwilling to help others)
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A $essage about health& business or (inance& $ost likely good news) Analytical)