On a hairpin turn, above the dead forest, on no day in particular, a white Toyota crashed into a black Mercedes, for a moment blending into a blur of gray.

Hey," says Hayden, "I'm Switzerland; neutral as can be, and also with great chocolate." "Get lost," Roland tells him. "Already am." And Hayden strolls away.

Tranq'd by your own gun,"Lev says."How pathetic.

If your heart tells you something but your mind tells you something else, which do you believe? Both are just as apt to lie. In fact, they play at deceit all the time. Mostly they balance each other, giving us that crucial reality check. But what happens on the rare occasions when they conspire together?

Well...you're a martyr and I'm a patron saint-I can't think of anyone better!

There's a quickening of her heart when she sees him. She tells herself it's anger.

He's become like that briefcase in the ground-full of gems yet void of light, so nothing sparkles, nothing shines.