Chapter 27

           Theexplodedshellofmyburned-outcondoisouterspaceblackanddevastatedinthenightabovethelittlelightsofthecity. Withthewindowsgone,ayellowribbonofpolicecrimescenetapetwists andswingsattheedgeofthefifteen-storydrop. 

           Iwakeupontheconcretesubfloor. Therewasmapleflooringonce.Therewasartonthewallsbeforetheexplosion. TherewasSwedishfurniture.BeforeTyler. 

           I’mdressed.Iputmyhandinmypocketandfeel. 

           I’mwhole. 

           Scaredbutintact. 

           Gototheedgeofthefloor,fifteenstoriesabovetheparkinglot, andlookatthecitylightsandthestars,andyou’regone. 

           It’sallsobeyondus. 

           Uphere,inthemilesofnightbetweenthestarsandtheEarth, Ifeeljustlikeoneofthosespaceanimals. 

           Dogs. 

           Monkeys. 

           Men. 

           Youjustdoyourlittlejob.Pullalever. Pushabutton.Youdon’treallyunderstandanyofit. 

           Theworldisgoingcrazy.Mybossisdead. Myhomeisgone.Myjobisgone.AndI’mresponsibleforitall. 

           There’snothingleft. 

           I’moverdrawnatthebank. 

           Stepovertheedge. 

           Thepolicetapefluttersbetweenmeandoblivion. 

           Stepovertheedge. 

           Whatelseisthere? 

           Stepovertheedge. 

           There’sMarla.