hisfaceappearedinfrontofmiinchesfrommynose.Ireizedhimatonce,forhelookedexactlyasIhadasayoungboy.Myrefleinanoldmirror.Hiseyesunmaskedhim,allsoulbutnosubstandhedidnotmovebutstaredbacksilentlywithoutblinking,hisbreathminglingwithmine.Heexpressedion,asifhe,too,hadbeenwaitingforthismomentandforitalltobeover.

    ThischildandIwereboundtogether.Asboysdreamofgrowingintomen,andmendreamoftheboystheyoncewere,weeaeasureoftheotherhalf.HeremindedmeofthatnightmarelongagowhenIwastaken,andallatoncemylong-heldfearsandangerbrokethroughthesurface.Thelanternringbitintomyfingers,andmylefteyetwitchedwithtension.Theboyreadmyfadflinched.Hewasafraidofme,andforthefirsttimeIregrettedwhatIhadtakenfromhimandrealizedthat,infeelingsorryforhim,Igrievedformyownstolenlife.Fustav.FortherealHenryDay.Hisunknowablelife.ForallIcouldhavewithTessandwithEdward.MydreamofmusidwhowasIinthisequationbuttheproduyowndivision?Whataterriblethingtohavehappeosuchaboy.

    "Imsorry,"Isaid,andhevanished.YearsofangerdissipatedasIstaredatthespacewhereheusedtobe.Hewasgointhatbriefmomentwe’dfaeanother,mypasthadunspooleddeepinsidemymind,andIgo.Akindofeuphoriaracedthroughmyblood,andItookadeepbreathamyselfagain.

    "Wait,"Icalledouttohim,andwithoutthinkingIturnedandslidfeetfirstthroughtheopening,andlahedust.Thespacebelowthelibrarywassmallerthananticipated,andIbumpedmyheadontheceiliood.Theirgrottowasbutamurkyshadow,soIreachedupforthelaobettersee.Hunchedover,Isearchedwiththefirelightfortheboy,hopinghemightansw