Four sits down on the edge of the carousel, leaning against a plastic horse's foot. His eyes lift to the sky, where there are no stars, only a round moon peking through a thin layer of clouds. The muscles in his arms are relaxed; his hand rests on the back of his neck. He looks almost comfortable, holding that gun to his shoulder. I close my eyes briefly. Why does he distract me so easily? I need to focus.

Now she looks pale and small, but her eyes make me think of wide- open skies that I have never actually seen, only dreamed of.

Fine," he says. "Then I love you.

At first Eric stares at Four in silence. Four stares back.

I suppose a fire that burns that bright is not meant to last.

I am still the person who would have died rather than kill you

No matter how long you train someone to be brave, you never know if they are or not until something real happens.