ntthistohappen."

    "Weresorry,too,"Smaolachsaid."Butthelawhasaruthlesslogic."

    ChavisorypokedoutherheadfrombehindSpecksshoulder."Itooknopartinit."

    "Youshouldnothaveleftme,Aniday.Youshouldhavetrustedme."

    Isatupslowlyandfacedmytormentors."Whydidyouletthem?"

    "Itooknopart,"Chavisorysaid.

    LuchógkbesideSpedspokeforall."Wehadtodoit,sothatyouwillnoteverfet.Youspoketothehuman,andifhecaughtyou,youwouldbegoneforever."

    "SupposeIwanttogoback."

    Noonelookedmeintheeye.Chavisoryhummedtoherselfwhiletheotherskeptsilent.

    "Ithinkthatmighthavebeenmyrealfather,Speck.Fromtheotherworld.Ormaybeitwasamonsterandadream.Butitwaoeintothehouse.Ihavebeentherebefore."

    "Doesntmatterwhohewas,"saidSmaolach."Father,mother,sister,brother,yourAuntFannysunohatmatters.Wereyourfamily."

    Ispatoutamouthfulofdirtandblood."Afamilydoesuposowheyhaveagoodreason."

    Chavisoryshoutedinmyear,"Ididouchyou!"Shedancedspiralsarouhers.

    "Wewerefollowingrules,"saidSpeck.

    "Idontwanttostayhere.Iwanttogobayrealfamily."

    "Aniday,yout,"Specksaid."Theythinkyohesepasttenyears.Youmaylooklikeyht,butyouarealmosteighteen.Wearestutime."

    Luchógadded,"Youdbeaghosttothem."

    "Iwanttogohome."

    Spefrontedme."Listen,thereareonlythreepossiblec