'In the meantime,' Smith continued, 'Try not to isolate
yourself so much. Loneliness will kill you by itself. Throw in
alienation and remorse, and it's no wonder you feel the way you
do.' He looked the man-child straight in the eye, and said sincerely.
'Be my friend, Kalus. The rest of us aren't so bad. But if you
have trouble being open with them, then start with me. I'm not
nearly as shallow and glib as I come across---a defense mechanism I
guess, to keep myself from being hurt. But I do care, and I'd be
honored.' And he gave Kalus his hand on it.
Kalus took it in his own, finding unexpected relief, as Sylviana watched
him, and listened to Dr. Welles, and felt her hard resolve begin to
waver.
And all might still have been well, but for the sinister and unknown
timing of the Stranger, who at that moment descended the rise at a cold
distance from the two men, and seeing the strange and alluring new
woman, devoted to her all his questionable attention.
Chapter 44
William, who admitted to having no last name, was of slightly less than
average height, with dark hair, a rough complexion, and a certain
quality of nondescriptness about his face and features.
Until one met the eyes. These were at once both black and pierced with
light, aloof and penetrating, as if possessed of some underworld
knowledge that rendered all waking truth both poignant and, in the end,
utterly meaningless.
Pages:
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334