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“Abstinence” by Anhedral
A civil servant in a dead-end job has an exciting second life of wings and scales. Can he keep both? And will his wife ever understand?
Today’s story is “Abstinence” by Anhedral. Most of his stories, including this one, can be found at furaffinity.net/user/anhedral/
Read for you by Khaki, your faithful fireside companion.
Transcript
2 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:01,825: You're
Speaker:listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
Speaker:I'm
Speaker:Kaki,
Speaker:your
Speaker:faithful
Speaker:fireside
Speaker:companion,
Speaker:and
Speaker:today's
Speaker:story
Speaker:is
Speaker:Abstinence
Speaker:by
Speaker:Anhedral.
Speaker:Most
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:stories,
Speaker:including
Speaker:this
Speaker:one,
Speaker:can
Speaker:be
Speaker:found
Speaker:at
Speaker:fur
Speaker:affinity.
Speaker:net
Speaker:slash
Speaker:user
Speaker:slash
Speaker:anhe
Speaker:dral.
Speaker:Please
Speaker:enjoy
Speaker:Abstinence
Speaker:by
Speaker:Anh
Speaker:edral.
Speaker:John
Speaker:rubs
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:and
Speaker:squints
Speaker:blurrily
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:clock.
Speaker:It's 2
Speaker:am.
Speaker:He
Speaker:sighs,
Speaker:reaching
Speaker:for
Speaker:the
Speaker:well-watered
Speaker:glass
Speaker:of
Speaker:whisky
Speaker:just
Speaker:by
Speaker:the
Speaker:laptop'
Speaker:s side.
Speaker:But
Speaker:then
Speaker:he
Speaker:stops
Speaker:to
Speaker:think
Speaker:about
Speaker:it
Speaker:and
Speaker:pushes
Speaker:the
Speaker:liquor
Speaker:away.
Speaker:It
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:help
Speaker:the
Speaker:writing,
Speaker:not
Speaker:one
Speaker:bit,
Speaker:and
Speaker:he
Speaker:really
Speaker:wants
Speaker:to
Speaker:finish
Speaker:this
Speaker:chapter
Speaker:tonight.
Speaker:He's
Speaker:not
Speaker:even
Speaker:sure
Speaker:why
Speaker:he poured
Speaker:himself
Speaker:that
Speaker:drink
Speaker:at
Speaker:all.
Speaker:Just
Speaker:a
Speaker:few
Speaker:more
Speaker:paragraphs,
Speaker:we'll
Speaker:see
Speaker:it
Speaker:done.
Speaker:Then,
Speaker:tomorrow to
Speaker:night,
Speaker:the
Speaker:final
Speaker:edits.
Speaker:He'll
Speaker:get
Speaker:the
Speaker:story
Speaker:finished
Speaker:then
Speaker:for
Speaker:sure.
Speaker:His
Speaker:characters
Speaker:beckon
Speaker:once
Speaker:again,
Speaker:their
Speaker:clamour
Speaker:altogether
Speaker:more
Speaker:plausible
Speaker:and
Speaker:addictive
Speaker:than
Speaker:any
Speaker:alcohol.
Speaker:They're
Speaker:as
Speaker:impossible
Speaker:to
Speaker:resist
Speaker:the night
Speaker:as
Speaker:when
Speaker:he
Speaker:first
Speaker:heard
Speaker:them
Speaker:calling
Speaker:to
Speaker:him
Speaker:all
Speaker:those
Speaker:months
Speaker:ago.
Speaker:John
Speaker:hunches
Speaker:over
Speaker:the
Speaker:keyboard
Speaker:and
Speaker:conjures
Speaker:them
Speaker:anew
Speaker:with
Speaker:febrile
Speaker:trembling
Speaker:fingers.
Speaker:Eventually,
Speaker:thirty
Speaker:minutes
Speaker:later,
Speaker:he's
Speaker:there.
Speaker:The
Speaker:heating
Speaker:switched
Speaker:off
Speaker:hours
Speaker:before
Speaker:and
Speaker:the
Speaker:house
Speaker:is as
Speaker:cold
Speaker:and
Speaker:dark
Speaker:as
Speaker:a
Speaker:tomb.
Speaker:John
Speaker:creeps
Speaker:back
Speaker:down
Speaker:the
Speaker:stairs
Speaker:and
Speaker:into
Speaker:bed,
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:of
Speaker:course is
Speaker:sound
Speaker:asleep.
Speaker:He
Speaker:endeavours
Speaker:not
Speaker:to
Speaker:wake
Speaker:her,
Speaker:but
Speaker:in
Speaker:this
Speaker:he
Speaker:fails,
Speaker:for
Speaker:she
Speaker:curses
Speaker:him
Speaker:and
Speaker:mutters,
Speaker:rolling
Speaker:away.
Speaker:He
Speaker:curls
Speaker:his
Speaker:shivering
Speaker:body
Speaker:up
Speaker:into
Speaker:a
Speaker:ball
Speaker:and
Speaker:pleads
Speaker:with
Speaker:urgent
Speaker:supplication
Speaker:that
Speaker:the
Speaker:coming
Speaker:hours
Speaker:will
Speaker:be
Speaker:kind.
Speaker:Have
Speaker:you
Speaker:ever
Speaker:tried,
Speaker:you
Speaker:know,
Speaker:have
Speaker:you
Speaker:ever
Speaker:tried,
Speaker:well,
Speaker:not
Speaker:being
Speaker:a
Speaker:writer?
Speaker:He
Speaker:blinks
Speaker:at
Speaker:her
Speaker:across
Speaker:the
Speaker:breakfast
Speaker:table,
Speaker:spoonful
Speaker:of
Speaker:cereal
Speaker:halted
Speaker:in
Speaker:mid-
Speaker:air.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:killing
Speaker:us,
Speaker:John,
Speaker:you
Speaker:know
Speaker:that,
Speaker:right?
Speaker:The
Speaker:words
Speaker:come
Speaker:tumbling
Speaker:out,
Speaker:each
Speaker:etched
Speaker:with
Speaker:an
Speaker:acid
Speaker:bite.
Speaker:He
Speaker:wonders,
Speaker:absently,
Speaker:how
Speaker:long
Speaker:she's
Speaker:been
Speaker:holding
Speaker:them
Speaker:in.
Speaker:You're
Speaker:up
Speaker:in
Speaker:that
Speaker:study
Speaker:every
Speaker:damn
Speaker:night,
Speaker:silly,
Speaker:fuzzy
Speaker:stories
Speaker:tap,
Speaker:tap,
Speaker:tap,
Speaker:right
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:small
Speaker:hours.
Speaker:I
Speaker:hardly
Speaker:see
Speaker:you
Speaker:any more.
Speaker:Furry.
Speaker:What?
Speaker:They'r
Speaker:e furry stories.
Speaker:She slaps the table, eyes aflame. Don't you dare honey
Speaker:me.
Speaker:Fuzzy,
Speaker:furry,
Speaker:I
Speaker:don't
Speaker:care.
Speaker:And
Speaker:don't
Speaker:you
Speaker:dare
Speaker:expect
Speaker:me
Speaker:to
Speaker:believe
Speaker:that
Speaker:bullshit
Speaker:about
Speaker:the
Speaker:stories
Speaker:helping
Speaker:with
Speaker:the
Speaker:nightmares,
Speaker:because
Speaker:that
Speaker:makes
Speaker:absolutely
Speaker:no
Speaker:sense
Speaker:at
Speaker:all.
Speaker:Nightmares.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:what
Speaker:you
Speaker:choose
Speaker:to
Speaker:call
Speaker:them.
Speaker:Oh,
Speaker:if
Speaker:she
Speaker:could
Speaker:only
Speaker:know.
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:sighs,
Speaker:shuts
Speaker:her
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:and
Speaker:props
Speaker:her
Speaker:head
Speaker:with
Speaker:one
Speaker:hand,
Speaker:elbow
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:table.
Speaker:You're
Speaker:always
Speaker:tired
Speaker:every
Speaker:morning
Speaker:and
Speaker:after
Speaker:work
Speaker:each
Speaker:day,
Speaker:it's
Speaker:like I'm
Speaker:losing
Speaker:you
Speaker:and
Speaker:there's
Speaker:not
Speaker:a
Speaker:single
Speaker:thing
Speaker:that
Speaker:I
Speaker:can
Speaker:do.
Speaker:A
Speaker:deep
Speaker:breath
Speaker:and
Speaker:a
Speaker:sigh
Speaker:then,
Speaker:frayed
Speaker:and
Speaker:edgy.
Speaker:Say I'm
Speaker:stupid
Speaker:if
Speaker:you
Speaker:want,
Speaker:but
Speaker:sometimes
Speaker:I
Speaker:think
Speaker:those
Speaker:stories
Speaker:are
Speaker:your
Speaker:children
Speaker:now,
Speaker:the
Speaker:kids
Speaker:we
Speaker:never had. Oh, oh, oh, that's new. He
Speaker:stares
Speaker:at
Speaker:her
Speaker:aghast,
Speaker:but
Speaker:before
Speaker:he
Speaker:can
Speaker:draw
Speaker:breath
Speaker:to
Speaker:answer,
Speaker:she
Speaker:cuts
Speaker:him
Speaker:off
Speaker:once
Speaker:more.
Speaker:There's
Speaker:something
Speaker:else.
Speaker:Richard
Speaker:phoned
Speaker:last
Speaker:night.
Speaker:Wai
Speaker:t, what?
Speaker:Rich
Speaker:from
Speaker:work?
Speaker:He
Speaker:phoned
Speaker:here.
Speaker:That's
Speaker:right,
Speaker:John.
Speaker:Rich
Speaker:from
Speaker:work.
Speaker:He's
Speaker:worried
Speaker:about
Speaker:you.
Speaker:She
Speaker:meets
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:again,
Speaker:says
Speaker:your
Speaker:creative
Speaker:writing
Speaker:is
Speaker:affecting
Speaker:your
Speaker:performance.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:infecting
Speaker:your
Speaker:advice
Speaker:to
Speaker:government.
Speaker:He
Speaker:gasps
Speaker:and
Speaker:she
Speaker:wags
Speaker:a
Speaker:single
Speaker:finger
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:face.
Speaker:His
Speaker:words,
Speaker:not
Speaker:mine.
Speaker:What
Speaker:else
Speaker:did
Speaker:he
Speaker:say
Speaker:now?
Speaker:She
Speaker:frowns
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:moment.
Speaker:Oh,
Speaker:yes,
Speaker:I
Speaker:don't
Speaker:care
Speaker:what
Speaker:he
Speaker:does
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:own
Speaker:time,
Speaker:but
Speaker:there's
Speaker:no
Speaker:place
Speaker:for
Speaker:alliteration
Speaker:and
Speaker:metaphor
Speaker:in
Speaker:official
Speaker:memoranda.
Speaker:She
Speaker:flings
Speaker:up
Speaker:her
Speaker:hands,
Speaker:words
Speaker:failing,
Speaker:then
Speaker:grabs
Speaker:her
Speaker:plate
Speaker:and
Speaker:bowls
Speaker:strides
Speaker:over
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:sink
Speaker:and
Speaker:tosses
Speaker:the
Speaker:dirties
Speaker:in.
Speaker:There's a
Speaker:splash
Speaker:and
Speaker:a
Speaker:sharp
Speaker:crack
Speaker:and
Speaker:he
Speaker:winces.
Speaker:Enough.
Speaker:He
Speaker:cares
Speaker:very
Speaker:little
Speaker:about
Speaker:his
Speaker:work
Speaker:anymore,
Speaker:but
Speaker:he
Speaker:can't
Speaker:bear
Speaker:to
Speaker:see
Speaker:her
Speaker:like
Speaker:this.
Speaker:He'll
Speaker:find
Speaker:some
Speaker:other
Speaker:way
Speaker:to
Speaker:deal. All
Speaker:right,
Speaker:no
Speaker:more
Speaker:stories.
Speaker:I'll
Speaker:stop
Speaker:right
Speaker:now
Speaker:today.
Speaker:She
Speaker:cranes
Speaker:her
Speaker:head
Speaker:round
Speaker:slowly
Speaker:and
Speaker:sees
Speaker:that
Speaker:he's
Speaker:for
Speaker:real,
Speaker:hand
Speaker:sudsy
Speaker:and
Speaker:dripping.
Speaker:She
Speaker:steps
Speaker:quickly
Speaker:up
Speaker:to
Speaker:him,
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:wide.
Speaker:She
Speaker:flings
Speaker:her
Speaker:arms
Speaker:around
Speaker:and
Speaker:kisses
Speaker:him,
Speaker:violent,
Speaker:despairing,
Speaker:still
Speaker:daring
Speaker:to
Speaker:help.
Speaker:I
Speaker:miss
Speaker:your
Speaker:stories.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:been
Speaker:what,
Speaker:two
Speaker:weeks
Speaker:now?
Speaker:They've
Speaker:been
Speaker:practicing
Speaker:low
Speaker:level
Speaker:flights
Speaker:all
Speaker:afternoon,
Speaker:flexing
Speaker:wings
Speaker:just
Speaker:so
Speaker:to
Speaker:ride
Speaker:the
Speaker:boundary
Speaker:layer
Speaker:six
Speaker:inches
Speaker:from
Speaker:the
Speaker:ocean's
Speaker:face.
Speaker:As
Speaker:always,
Speaker:John's
Speaker:instructor
Speaker:has
Speaker:been
Speaker:patient
Speaker:itself.
Speaker:Now,
Speaker:however,
Speaker:he
Speaker:simply
Speaker:sounds
Speaker:determined.
Speaker:This
Speaker:abstinence,
Speaker:I can't
Speaker:help
Speaker:but
Speaker:feel
Speaker:that
Speaker:you're
Speaker:missing
Speaker:the
Speaker:bigger
Speaker:picture.
Speaker:Your
Speaker:stories
Speaker:helped
Speaker:you
Speaker:live
Speaker:in
Speaker:this
Speaker:world
Speaker:and
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:other,
Speaker:too.
Speaker:Understand
Speaker:that.
Speaker:And
Speaker:for
Speaker:her
Speaker:sake,
Speaker:you've
Speaker:stopped
Speaker:riding
Speaker:them.
Speaker:I
Speaker:get
Speaker:that
Speaker:as
Speaker:well.
Speaker:His
Speaker:friend's
Speaker:head
Speaker:turns
Speaker:to
Speaker:catch
Speaker:his
Speaker:eye.
Speaker:John
Speaker:feels
Speaker:a
Speaker:small
Speaker:chill
Speaker:settle
Speaker:on
Speaker:him,
Speaker:though
Speaker:the
Speaker:sun's
Speaker:as
Speaker:bright
Speaker:as
Speaker:ever
Speaker:on
Speaker:his
Speaker:skin.
Speaker:But
Speaker:whether
Speaker:you
Speaker:write
Speaker:or
Speaker:know,
Speaker:it
Speaker:can
Speaker:not
Speaker:make
Speaker:a
Speaker:difference,
Speaker:not
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:end.
Speaker:Sometimes
Speaker:soon,
Speaker:you'
Speaker:ll
Speaker:have
Speaker:to
Speaker:make
Speaker:a
Speaker:choice.
Speaker:No
Speaker:one
Speaker:can
Speaker:remain
Speaker:split
Speaker:as
Speaker:you
Speaker:are,
Speaker:not
Speaker:for
Speaker:very
Speaker:long.
Speaker:John
Speaker:sighs,
Speaker:losing
Speaker:focus.
Speaker:His
Speaker:wingtip
Speaker:dips
Speaker:and
Speaker:clips
Speaker:a wave
Speaker:and
Speaker:spray
Speaker:flies
Speaker:up
Speaker:in a
Speaker:rainbow
Speaker:gleam.
Speaker:I
Speaker:love
Speaker:my
Speaker:time
Speaker:here,
Speaker:you
Speaker:know
Speaker:that.
Speaker:He
Speaker:blinks
Speaker:out
Speaker:the
Speaker:sea salt,
Speaker:caking
Speaker:the
Speaker:edges
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes.
Speaker:I
Speaker:wouldn't
Speaker:give
Speaker:it
Speaker:up
Speaker:now,
Speaker:not
Speaker:for
Speaker:anything.
Speaker:But
Speaker:I
Speaker:love
Speaker:her,
Speaker:too.
Speaker:I
Speaker:will
Speaker:not
Speaker:see
Speaker:her
Speaker:hurt.
Speaker:That
Speaker:earns
Speaker:a
Speaker:gruff
Speaker:grunt
Speaker:in
Speaker:reply.
Speaker:And
Speaker:how'
Speaker:s
Speaker:she
Speaker:going
Speaker:to
Speaker:feel
Speaker:when
Speaker:the
Speaker:medicine
Speaker:isn't
Speaker:working
Speaker:for
Speaker:you
Speaker:anymore
Speaker:and
Speaker:you
Speaker:really
Speaker:do
Speaker:some
Speaker:serious
Speaker:damage
Speaker:to
Speaker:yourself?
Speaker:Trust
Speaker:a
Speaker:friend
Speaker:to nail
Speaker:it
Speaker:with
Speaker:that
Speaker:question.
Speaker:Does
Speaker:she
Speaker:show
Speaker:any
Speaker:inclination
Speaker:to
Speaker:understand
Speaker:this?
Speaker:The
Speaker:question's
Speaker:gentle.
Speaker:A lo
Speaker:t of th
Speaker:ink-worry,
Speaker:no
Speaker:edge
Speaker:at
Speaker:all.
Speaker:Any
Speaker:sensitivity
Speaker:that
Speaker:you
Speaker:can
Speaker:see?
Speaker:John
Speaker:sighs,
Speaker:no. I
Speaker:'ve
Speaker:tried,
Speaker:my
Speaker:friend.
Speaker:Goodness
Speaker:knows
Speaker:I've
Speaker:tried.
Speaker:The
Speaker:memories
Speaker:flood
Speaker:back.
Speaker:So
Speaker:many
Speaker:reasoned
Speaker:discussions
Speaker:dissolving
Speaker:into
Speaker:tears.
Speaker:So
Speaker:many
Speaker:shouting
Speaker:matches
Speaker:and
Speaker:afterwards
Speaker:when
Speaker:the
Speaker:words
Speaker:don't
Speaker:work
Speaker:anymore,
Speaker:the
Speaker:tension
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:silent
Speaker:air
Speaker:between
Speaker:them,
Speaker:deadly
Speaker:tight.
Speaker:They
Speaker:fly
Speaker:on
Speaker:then
Speaker:in quiet
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:spell.
Speaker:Wingtip
Speaker:to
Speaker:wingtip.
Speaker:The
Speaker:only
Speaker:sound,
Speaker:the
Speaker:whisper
Speaker:of
Speaker:wind
Speaker:on
Speaker:scale
Speaker:and
Speaker:skin
Speaker:and
Speaker:the
Speaker:distant
Speaker:mocking
Speaker:cackles
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:gulls.
Speaker:I'm
Speaker:sorry,
Speaker:John.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:never
Speaker:easy,
Speaker:not
Speaker:at
Speaker:first.
Speaker:But
Speaker:I
Speaker:don't
Speaker:think
Speaker:it's
Speaker:the
Speaker:stories
Speaker:that
Speaker:you
Speaker:need
Speaker:to
Speaker:give
Speaker:up.
Speaker:John
Speaker:glances
Speaker:over
Speaker:to
Speaker:catch
Speaker:his
Speaker:companion'
Speaker:s ey
Speaker:e. It's
Speaker:this
Speaker:whole
Speaker:life
Speaker:that
Speaker:you
Speaker:need
Speaker:to
Speaker:leave
Speaker:behind.
Speaker:Either
Speaker:this
Speaker:one
Speaker:or
Speaker:the
Speaker:other.
Speaker:The way
Speaker:I
Speaker:see
Speaker:it,
Speaker:you
Speaker:really
Speaker:can't
Speaker:have
Speaker:both.
Speaker:John
Speaker:takes
Speaker:a
Speaker:big
Speaker:breath,
Speaker:deliberate
Speaker:and
Speaker:slow.
Speaker:Deep
Speaker:down
Speaker:he
Speaker:already
Speaker:knows
Speaker:his
Speaker:friend's
Speaker:words
Speaker:to
Speaker:be
Speaker:true.
Speaker:This
Speaker:impossible
Speaker:choice
Speaker:has
Speaker:in
Speaker:fact
Speaker:been
Speaker:clawing
Speaker:at
Speaker:him
Speaker:for
Speaker:some
Speaker:time,
Speaker:deep-rooted,
Speaker:unspoken
Speaker:and
Speaker:appalling.
Speaker:How
Speaker:can
Speaker:he
Speaker:possibly
Speaker:choose
Speaker:between
Speaker:two
Speaker:halves
Speaker:of
Speaker:himself?
Speaker:He
Speaker:shuts
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:and
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:moment,
Speaker:just
Speaker:a
Speaker:moment,
Speaker:he
Speaker:can
Speaker:put
Speaker:the
Speaker:choice
Speaker:aside.
Speaker:For
Speaker:after
Speaker:all,
Speaker:when
Speaker:he
Speaker:looks
Speaker:within,
Speaker:all
Speaker:he
Speaker:can
Speaker:see
Speaker:is
Speaker:the
Speaker:same
Speaker:old
Speaker:John.
Speaker:The
Speaker:same
Speaker:faithful,
Speaker:loving
Speaker:husband.
Speaker:The
Speaker:minor
Speaker:civil
Speaker:servant,
Speaker:Mr.
Speaker:Average
Speaker:of
Speaker:suburbia.
Speaker:The
Speaker:same
Speaker:perfect
Speaker:incarnation
Speaker:of
Speaker:flight
Speaker:itself,
Speaker:with a
Speaker:soul
Speaker:sparked
Speaker:into
Speaker:being
Speaker:at
Speaker:merest
Speaker:touch
Speaker:of
Speaker:cumulus
Speaker:and
Speaker:thermal.
Speaker:John?
Speaker:Please
Speaker:no,
Speaker:please
Speaker:just
Speaker:a
Speaker:few
Speaker:minutes
Speaker:longer.
Speaker:He's
Speaker:not
Speaker:ready
Speaker:to
Speaker:choose,
Speaker:not
Speaker:right
Speaker:now.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:time
Speaker:for
Speaker:you
Speaker:to
Speaker:go,
Speaker:my
Speaker:friend.
Speaker:He
Speaker:snaps
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:open.
Speaker:Only
Speaker:the
Speaker:mist
Speaker:is
Speaker:rising
Speaker:quickly
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:west,
Speaker:the
Speaker:same
Speaker:dread
Speaker:pattern
Speaker:as
Speaker:every
Speaker:time
Speaker:before.
Speaker:No,
Speaker:too
Speaker:soon.
Speaker:I
Speaker:don't
Speaker:want
Speaker:to
Speaker:leave
Speaker:right
Speaker:now.
Speaker:But
Speaker:his
Speaker:friend
Speaker:has
Speaker:already
Speaker:flicked
Speaker:his
Speaker:wing,
Speaker:arcing
Speaker:up
Speaker:and
Speaker:round
Speaker:in
Speaker:a
Speaker:graceful
Speaker:climbing
Speaker:turn
Speaker:and
Speaker:pulling
Speaker:back.
Speaker:I'll
Speaker:see
Speaker:you
Speaker:again
Speaker:soon.
Speaker:The
Speaker:voice
Speaker:is
Speaker:faint
Speaker:and
Speaker:distant
Speaker:now.
Speaker:Promise
Speaker:me
Speaker:you'll
Speaker:think
Speaker:about
Speaker:it.
Speaker:Please?
Speaker:All
Speaker:right,
Speaker:all
Speaker:right,
Speaker:John
Speaker:cries.
Speaker:I
Speaker:will.
Speaker:The
Speaker:mist's
Speaker:a
Speaker:solid
Speaker:wall
Speaker:before
Speaker:him.
Speaker:Deep
Speaker:breath
Speaker:now,
Speaker:before
Speaker:he
Speaker:hits.
Speaker:A
Speaker:good
Speaker:deep
Speaker:breath and... Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rubbish. Jonathan? It's
Speaker:the
Speaker:middle
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:night
Speaker:and
Speaker:someone
Speaker:is
Speaker:shaking
Speaker:his
Speaker:arm.
Speaker:His
Speaker:wife?
Speaker:Yes,
Speaker:that's
Speaker:distinctly
Speaker:a
Speaker:hand
Speaker:with
Speaker:fingers.
Speaker:His
Speaker:wife
Speaker:is
Speaker:shaking
Speaker:his
Speaker:arm.
Speaker:John,
Speaker:love.
Speaker:He
Speaker:shudders
Speaker:and
Speaker:blinks
Speaker:and
Speaker:rolls
Speaker:over
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:sweat-
Speaker:drenched
Speaker:sheet,
Speaker:groaning
Speaker:as
Speaker:the
Speaker:waves
Speaker:of
Speaker:nausea
Speaker:crash
Speaker:through
Speaker:him.
Speaker:His
Speaker:heart's
Speaker:an
Speaker:offbeat
Speaker:jackhammer
Speaker:pounding
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:chest.
Speaker:He
Speaker:can
Speaker:hear
Speaker:as
Speaker:well
Speaker:as
Speaker:feel
Speaker:it,
Speaker:for
Speaker:his
Speaker:ears
Speaker:still
Speaker:roar
Speaker:and
Speaker:sing
Speaker:in
Speaker:time.
Speaker:Or
Speaker:perhaps
Speaker:it's
Speaker:just
Speaker:the
Speaker:memory
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:tumbling
Speaker:waves.
Speaker:A
Speaker:bad
Speaker:one,
Speaker:this.
Speaker:Probably h
Speaker:is
Speaker:worst
Speaker:one
Speaker:yet.
Speaker:On
Speaker:a
Speaker:scale
Speaker:of
Speaker:foul
Speaker:awakenings,
Speaker:he'd
Speaker:give
Speaker:it
Speaker:a
Speaker:solid
Speaker:ten.
Speaker:His
Speaker:vision
Speaker:swims.
Speaker:Thumbling,
Speaker:he
Speaker:yanks
Speaker:the
Speaker:bedclothes
Speaker:aside.
Speaker:The
Speaker:cool
Speaker:air
Speaker:is
Speaker:a
Speaker:balm
Speaker:upon
Speaker:his
Speaker:clammy
Speaker:thighs.
Speaker:As
Speaker:the
Speaker:shocks
Speaker:that
Speaker:rack
Speaker:him
Speaker:slowly
Speaker:subside,
Speaker:he
Speaker:heaves
Speaker:himself
Speaker:into
Speaker:an
Speaker:awkward
Speaker:semi-
Speaker:squat
Speaker:and
Speaker:becomes
Speaker:aware,
Speaker:dimly,
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:once
Speaker:mate
Speaker:perched
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:mattress
Speaker:edge,
Speaker:her
Speaker:form of
Speaker:petite
Speaker:tense
Speaker:shadow
Speaker:wound
Speaker:mainspring-
Speaker:tight.
Speaker:Here,
Speaker:she
Speaker:presses
Speaker:two
Speaker:small
Speaker:pills
Speaker:into
Speaker:his
Speaker:palm,
Speaker:sets
Speaker:the
Speaker:glass
Speaker:of
Speaker:water
Speaker:down
Speaker:close
Speaker:by.
Speaker:Heard you
Speaker:crying
Speaker:out
Speaker:in
Speaker:here,
Speaker:she
Speaker:rubs
Speaker:her
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:and
Speaker:sighs.
Speaker:Actually,
Speaker:I
Speaker:think
Speaker:the
Speaker:neighbours
Speaker:probably
Speaker:heard
Speaker:you
Speaker:this
Speaker:time
Speaker:too.
Speaker:He
Speaker:can't
Speaker:bring
Speaker:himself
Speaker:to
Speaker:care
Speaker:about
Speaker:the
Speaker:neighbours
Speaker:and
Speaker:makes
Speaker:a
Speaker:desperate
Speaker:stab
Speaker:at
Speaker:humour.
Speaker:Whatever
Speaker:must
Speaker:they
Speaker:think
Speaker:we're
Speaker:up
Speaker:to,
Speaker:do
Speaker:you
Speaker:think?
Speaker:As
Speaker:soon
Speaker:as
Speaker:the
Speaker:words
Speaker:are
Speaker:out,
Speaker:he
Speaker:knows
Speaker:they're
Speaker:wrong
Speaker:and
Speaker:he
Speaker:curses
Speaker:himself
Speaker:inwardly.
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:gasps
Speaker:but
Speaker:lets
Speaker:it
Speaker:slide,
Speaker:instead
Speaker:drawing
Speaker:a
Speaker:stronger
Speaker:breath.
Speaker:They're
Speaker:getting
Speaker:worse,
Speaker:aren't
Speaker:they?
Speaker:The
Speaker:nightmares?
Speaker:He no longer has
Speaker:the
Speaker:strength
Speaker:left
Speaker:to
Speaker:correct
Speaker:her,
Speaker:and
Speaker:she
Speaker:takes
Speaker:his
Speaker:silence
Speaker:as
Speaker:acknowledgement
Speaker:enough.
Speaker:She
Speaker:stands
Speaker:abruptly,
Speaker:turns
Speaker:back
Speaker:to
Speaker:her
Speaker:own
Speaker:room,
Speaker:but
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:door
Speaker:she
Speaker:pauses,
Speaker:hangs
Speaker:her
Speaker:head
Speaker:and
Speaker:faces
Speaker:him
Speaker:once
Speaker:more.
Speaker:John,
Speaker:I
Speaker:think
Speaker:you'd
Speaker:better
Speaker:start
Speaker:writing
Speaker:your
Speaker:stories
Speaker:again.
Speaker:The
Speaker:breeze
Speaker:is
Speaker:a
Speaker:quirky,
Speaker:gusting
Speaker:nor
Speaker:westerly,
Speaker:and
Speaker:with
Speaker:wind
Speaker:against
Speaker:tide
Speaker:the
Speaker:waves
Speaker:are
Speaker:choppy
Speaker:and
Speaker:confused.
Speaker:Cloud
Speaker:shadows
Speaker:and
Speaker:shafts
Speaker:of
Speaker:sunlight
Speaker:dance
Speaker:across
Speaker:the
Speaker:sea,
Speaker:a
Speaker:stage
Speaker:set
Speaker:five
Speaker:miles
Speaker:wide,
Speaker:its
Speaker:curtains
Speaker:are
Speaker:the
Speaker:rain
Speaker:squalls
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:far
Speaker:horizon.
Speaker:Three
Speaker:circuits
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:stacks
Speaker:without
Speaker:a
Speaker:single
Speaker:wing
Speaker:beat
Speaker:is
Speaker:his
Speaker:goal
Speaker:today.
Speaker:It
Speaker:seems
Speaker:impossible,
Speaker:but
Speaker:of
Speaker:course
Speaker:he
Speaker:will
Speaker:attempt
Speaker:it.
Speaker:His
Speaker:body
Speaker:cries
Speaker:out
Speaker:to
Speaker:him
Speaker:to
Speaker:fly,
Speaker:and
Speaker:it's
Speaker:a
Speaker:call
Speaker:that
Speaker:cannot
Speaker:be
Speaker:denied.
Speaker:He
Speaker:loves
Speaker:this
Speaker:body.
Speaker:When
Speaker:he
Speaker:thinks
Speaker:of
Speaker:himself,
Speaker:he
Speaker:pictures
Speaker:mostly
Speaker:wing,
Speaker:two
Speaker:wings,
Speaker:in
Speaker:fact,
Speaker:twenty
Speaker:feet
Speaker:in
Speaker:span
Speaker:all
Speaker:told.
Speaker:When
Speaker:he's
Speaker:grounded,
Speaker:they
Speaker:fold
Speaker:awkwardly,
Speaker:twin
Speaker:fleshy
Speaker:sails
Speaker:arcing
Speaker:up
Speaker:and
Speaker:over
Speaker:an
Speaker:ungainly
Speaker:body
Speaker:that's
Speaker:never
Speaker:quite
Speaker:at
Speaker:ease
Speaker:upon
Speaker:the
Speaker:ground.
Speaker:Avofte.
Speaker:Well,
Speaker:that's
Speaker:quite
Speaker:another
Speaker:thing
Speaker:entirely.
Speaker:Paired
Speaker:curving
Speaker:swords
Speaker:is
Speaker:how
Speaker:they
Speaker:seem.
Speaker:Long
Speaker:and
Speaker:narrow,
Speaker:potent
Speaker:blades
Speaker:of
Speaker:bone
Speaker:and
Speaker:skin
Speaker:and
Speaker:sinew.
Speaker:They
Speaker:speak
Speaker:to
Speaker:him
Speaker:constantly
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:eloquent
Speaker:and
Speaker:universal
Speaker:tongue
Speaker:of
Speaker:lift
Speaker:and
Speaker:drag
Speaker:of
Speaker:turbulence
Speaker:and
Speaker:angle
Speaker:of
Speaker:attack.
Speaker:When
Speaker:he
Speaker:beats
Speaker:to
Speaker:windward,
Speaker:his
Speaker:tendons
Speaker:tense
Speaker:and
Speaker:strum.
Speaker:When
Speaker:he
Speaker:turns
Speaker:down
Speaker:wind,
Speaker:the
Speaker:air
Speaker:strokes
Speaker:him
Speaker:like
Speaker:a
Speaker:lover's
Speaker:dear
Speaker:caress.
Speaker:His
Speaker:wings
Speaker:will
Speaker:serve
Speaker:him
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:while
Speaker:if
Speaker:he
Speaker:asks
Speaker:politely.
Speaker:They
Speaker:will
Speaker:mate
Speaker:him
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:very
Speaker:skies,
Speaker:bring
Speaker:him
Speaker:from
Speaker:the
Speaker:tumbling
Speaker:surf
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:realms
Speaker:of
Speaker:all
Speaker:the
Speaker:gods.
Speaker:In
Speaker:return,
Speaker:they
Speaker:ask
Speaker:only
Speaker:that
Speaker:he
Speaker:is
Speaker:respectful
Speaker:and
Speaker:shows
Speaker:the
Speaker:proper
Speaker:skill.
Speaker:It
Speaker:seems
Speaker:to
Speaker:him
Speaker:a
Speaker:grossly
Speaker:unfair
Speaker:trade.
Speaker:The
Speaker:rest
Speaker:of
Speaker:him
Speaker:is
Speaker:there
Speaker:to
Speaker:serve
Speaker:the
Speaker:wings
Speaker:as
Speaker:powerhouse
Speaker:or
Speaker:control
Speaker:service
Speaker:and
Speaker:not
Speaker:get
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:way.
Speaker:A
Speaker:barrelled
Speaker:torso,
Speaker:muscle
Speaker:packed,
Speaker:long
Speaker:streamlined
Speaker:neck,
Speaker:skull
Speaker:and
Speaker:muzzle
Speaker:elongate.
Speaker:His
Speaker:redundant
Speaker:legs
Speaker:trail out
Speaker:behind.
Speaker:After
Speaker:them,
Speaker:the
Speaker:tail.
Speaker:Concentrate,
Speaker:John.
Speaker:Dreaming
Speaker:will
Speaker:not
Speaker:get
Speaker:it
Speaker:done.
Speaker:Oh
Speaker:yeah,
Speaker:he's
Speaker:forgotten
Speaker:his
Speaker:instructor,
Speaker:perched
Speaker:upon
Speaker:the
Speaker:outmost
Speaker:stack.
Speaker:It
Speaker:takes him
Speaker:most
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:day
Speaker:to
Speaker:accomplish
Speaker:the
Speaker:flight as
Speaker:tasked,
Speaker:but
Speaker:he
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:count
Speaker:the
Speaker:hours.
Speaker:Afterwards,
Speaker:he
Speaker:dozes
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:strand
Speaker:in
Speaker:what
Speaker:little
Speaker:remains
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:light,
Speaker:his
Speaker:muscles
Speaker:tired
Speaker:and
Speaker:aching
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:best
Speaker:of
Speaker:all
Speaker:possible
Speaker:ways.
Speaker:Eventually,
Speaker:his
Speaker:friend's
Speaker:voice
Speaker:comes
Speaker:to
Speaker:him,
Speaker:but
Speaker:softly,
Speaker:dreamlike,
Speaker:a seeming
Speaker:monologue.
Speaker:I
Speaker:haven't
Speaker:been
Speaker:very
Speaker:fair
Speaker:to
Speaker:you.
Speaker:Hmm?
Speaker:He
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:really
Speaker:process
Speaker:the
Speaker:words
Speaker:at
Speaker:first,
Speaker:head
Speaker:still
Speaker:up
Speaker:somewhere
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:clouds.
Speaker:We
Speaker:can't
Speaker:fight
Speaker:all
Speaker:our
Speaker:battles
Speaker:on
Speaker:our
Speaker:own.
Speaker:You
Speaker:shouldn't
Speaker:have
Speaker:to
Speaker:face
Speaker:this
Speaker:choice
Speaker:alone.
Speaker:Don't
Speaker:really
Speaker:see
Speaker:I
Speaker:have
Speaker:much
Speaker:option
Speaker:here.
Speaker:John
Speaker:stifles
Speaker:a
Speaker:huge
Speaker:yawn.
Speaker:This
Speaker:is
Speaker:your
Speaker:world
Speaker:after
Speaker:all.
Speaker:When
Speaker:I
Speaker:leave,
Speaker:you
Speaker:cannot
Speaker:follow.
Speaker:The
Speaker:other
Speaker:turns
Speaker:to
Speaker:face
Speaker:him,
Speaker:their
Speaker:muscles
Speaker:briefly
Speaker:touch.
Speaker:There
Speaker:are
Speaker:always
Speaker:choices,
Speaker:his
Speaker:friend
Speaker:murmurs
Speaker:softly.
Speaker:And
Speaker:then,
Speaker:brightening,
Speaker:come
Speaker:on,
Speaker:there's
Speaker:time
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:little
Speaker:flying
Speaker:yet.
Speaker:John
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:understand,
Speaker:but
Speaker:he
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:think
Speaker:to
Speaker:query.
Speaker:The
Speaker:two
Speaker:rise
Speaker:up
Speaker:together
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:evening
Speaker:sky.
Speaker:Thirty
Speaker:minutes
Speaker:later,
Speaker:when
Speaker:his
Speaker:friend
Speaker:ignores
Speaker:all
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:imploring
Speaker:and
Speaker:drives
Speaker:his
Speaker:wings
Speaker:to
Speaker:fly
Speaker:with
Speaker:him
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:mist,
Speaker:John
Speaker:understands.
Speaker:But
Speaker:by
Speaker:then
Speaker:it
Speaker:is,
Speaker:of
Speaker:course,
Speaker:already
Speaker:far
Speaker:too
Speaker:late.
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:snaps
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:light
Speaker:and
Speaker:screams.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:the
Speaker:middle
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:night,
Speaker:and
Speaker:there's
Speaker:a
Speaker:monster
Speaker:in
Speaker:her
Speaker:husband's
Speaker:bed.
Speaker:It
Speaker:shrieks
Speaker:out
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:darkness
Speaker:in
Speaker:a
Speaker:voice
Speaker:that's
Speaker:prehistoric
Speaker:and
Speaker:utterly
Speaker:inhuman.
Speaker:The
Speaker:demon
Speaker:scrabbles
Speaker:and
Speaker:it
Speaker:scratches
Speaker:its
Speaker:long
Speaker:wings
Speaker:thrash.
Speaker:Pictures
Speaker:fly
Speaker:from
Speaker:off
Speaker:the
Speaker:walls.
Speaker:The
Speaker:ceiling
Speaker:lamp
Speaker:tears
Speaker:free and
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:crazy
Speaker:arcs
Speaker:of
Speaker:brightness
Speaker:long
Speaker:claws
Speaker:grope
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:hold.
Speaker:Sheets
Speaker:turn
Speaker:instantly
Speaker:to
Speaker:ribbon.
Speaker:Pillows
Speaker:burst
Speaker:and
Speaker:clouds are
Speaker:feather
Speaker:down.
Speaker:The
Speaker:crisis
Speaker:subsides.
Speaker:The
Speaker:creature
Speaker:draws
Speaker:breath,
Speaker:panting.
Speaker:It
Speaker:fixes
Speaker:her
Speaker:with
Speaker:a
Speaker:binocular
Speaker:stare
Speaker:from
Speaker:its
Speaker:toothed
Speaker:and
Speaker:snout-
Speaker:like
Speaker:muzzle.
Speaker:Then
Speaker:blinks.
Speaker:Then
Speaker:croons.
Speaker:And
Speaker:then,
Speaker:oh
Speaker:gods,
Speaker:there's
Speaker:another
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:beasts,
Speaker:beating
Speaker:frantically
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:closed
Speaker:window
Speaker:from
Speaker:outside.
Speaker:Instantly
Speaker:the
Speaker:creature
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:bed
Speaker:cries
Speaker:out
Speaker:a
Speaker:new,
Speaker:spins
Speaker:round,
Speaker:leaps
Speaker:for
Speaker:the
Speaker:window
Speaker:ledge.
Speaker:It
Speaker:claws,
Speaker:a
Speaker:desperate
Speaker:purchase
Speaker:with
Speaker:one
Speaker:foot,
Speaker:rakes
Speaker:frantically
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:latch
Speaker:with
Speaker:the
Speaker:other.
Speaker:In
Speaker:another
Speaker:moment
Speaker:the
Speaker:sash is
Speaker:thrown
Speaker:up
Speaker:all
Speaker:the
Speaker:way,
Speaker:hard
Speaker:enough
Speaker:to
Speaker:smash
Speaker:the
Speaker:panes.
Speaker:Full
Speaker:night
Speaker:air
Speaker:gusts in
Speaker:upon
Speaker:the
Speaker:ruined
Speaker:room.
Speaker:The
Speaker:impossible
Speaker:body
Speaker:somehow
Speaker:folds
Speaker:itself
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:gap,
Speaker:first
Speaker:one
Speaker:wing
Speaker:and
Speaker:then
Speaker:the
Speaker:other.
Speaker:It
Speaker:glances
Speaker:at
Speaker:her
Speaker:one
Speaker:more
Speaker:time,
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:like
Speaker:moons,
Speaker:before
Speaker:launching
Speaker:with
Speaker:its
Speaker:partner
Speaker:back
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:night.
Speaker:After
Speaker:a
Speaker:month,
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:stops
Speaker:crying
Speaker:herself
Speaker:to
Speaker:sleep
Speaker:each
Speaker:night.
Speaker:She
Speaker:counts it
Speaker:as
Speaker:a
Speaker:forward
Speaker:step.
Speaker:She
Speaker:hasn't
Speaker:told
Speaker:a
Speaker:soul
Speaker:about
Speaker:the
Speaker:strange
Speaker:happenings of
Speaker:four
Speaker:weeks
Speaker:ago
Speaker:for
Speaker:after
Speaker:all,
Speaker:who
Speaker:would
Speaker:ever
Speaker:believe
Speaker:her?
Speaker:She
Speaker:reported
Speaker:John
Speaker:as
Speaker:missing
Speaker:two
Speaker:days
Speaker:after
Speaker:his
Speaker:departure,
Speaker:as
Speaker:soon
Speaker:as
Speaker:it
Speaker:became
Speaker:apparent
Speaker:he
Speaker:wasn't
Speaker:coming
Speaker:back.
Speaker:By
Speaker:then
Speaker:she'd
Speaker:swept
Speaker:up
Speaker:all
Speaker:the
Speaker:scales,
Speaker:binned
Speaker:the
Speaker:ruined
Speaker:bedclothes,
Speaker:fixed
Speaker:the
Speaker:window
Speaker:frame
Speaker:and
Speaker:glass.
Speaker:She
Speaker:is
Speaker:certain
Speaker:now
Speaker:that
Speaker:it
Speaker:was
Speaker:John
Speaker:that
Speaker:night.
Speaker:On
Speaker:calmer
Speaker:reflection,
Speaker:and
Speaker:once
Speaker:the
Speaker:daylight
Speaker:came,
Speaker:she
Speaker:recognized
Speaker:the
Speaker:creature
Speaker:clearly
Speaker:from
Speaker:his
Speaker:tails.
Speaker:She
Speaker:still
Speaker:has
Speaker:days
Speaker:when
Speaker:she
Speaker:barely
Speaker:trusts
Speaker:her
Speaker:own
Speaker:memory,
Speaker:but
Speaker:then
Speaker:she
Speaker:only
Speaker:has
Speaker:to
Speaker:run
Speaker:her
Speaker:fingers
Speaker:over
Speaker:the
Speaker:window
Speaker:ledge
Speaker:to
Speaker:feel,
Speaker:just
Speaker:beneath
Speaker:the
Speaker:new
Speaker:paint
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:filler,
Speaker:the
Speaker:outlines
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:triple
Speaker:gouges
Speaker:ripped
Speaker:deep
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:wood.
Speaker:Tonight,
Speaker:however,
Speaker:she
Speaker:would
Speaker:discover
Speaker:that
Speaker:not
Speaker:everything
Speaker:can
Speaker:be
Speaker:so
Speaker:quickly
Speaker:painted
Speaker:over.
Speaker:She's
Speaker:flying
Speaker:with
Speaker:her
Speaker:mates
Speaker:low
Speaker:over
Speaker:the
Speaker:waves
Speaker:this
Speaker:fine
Speaker:midsummer
Speaker:evening,
Speaker:the
Speaker:last
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:warmth-
Speaker:lending
Speaker:lift
Speaker:beneath
Speaker:her
Speaker:wings.
Speaker:John
Speaker:still
Speaker:gets
Speaker:upset
Speaker:if
Speaker:she
Speaker:strays
Speaker:far
Speaker:from
Speaker:his
Speaker:side,
Speaker:or
Speaker:for
Speaker:that
Speaker:matter,
Speaker:very
Speaker:far
Speaker:from
Speaker:her.
Speaker:He
Speaker:frets
Speaker:so
Speaker:adorably
Speaker:that
Speaker:her
Speaker:flight
Speaker:skills
Speaker:need
Speaker:more
Speaker:work,
Speaker:but
Speaker:she
Speaker:knows
Speaker:better.
Speaker:She'll
Speaker:be
Speaker:flying
Speaker:circles
Speaker:all
Speaker:around
Speaker:him
Speaker:before
Speaker:long.
Speaker:They're
Speaker:prospecting
Speaker:nesting
Speaker:caves.
Speaker:She's
Speaker:delighted
Speaker:with
Speaker:the
Speaker:one
Speaker:John's
Speaker:chosen
Speaker:as
Speaker:his
Speaker:favorite,
Speaker:but s
Speaker:he
Speaker:hasn't
Speaker:told
Speaker:him
Speaker:yet.
Speaker:It's
Speaker:fun
Speaker:to
Speaker:watch
Speaker:him
Speaker:squirm
Speaker:and
Speaker:guess,
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:little
Speaker:while
Speaker:at
Speaker:least.
Speaker:And
Speaker:she
Speaker:doesn't
Speaker:mind
Speaker:one
Speaker:bit,
Speaker:as
Speaker:he
Speaker:tells
Speaker:her
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:stories
Speaker:he's
Speaker:already
Speaker:hatching,
Speaker:strong
Speaker:heroic
Speaker:tales
Speaker:most
Speaker:fitting
Speaker:for a
Speaker:fledgling's
Speaker:ears.
Speaker:Chloe
Speaker:blinks
Speaker:awake
Speaker:in
Speaker:her
Speaker:lonely
Speaker:bed,
Speaker:heart pounding
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:darkness,
Speaker:with
Speaker:half-
Speaker:details
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:strangest
Speaker:dreams
Speaker:still
Speaker:swirling
Speaker:in
Speaker:her
Speaker:mind.
Speaker:Her
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:sting,
Speaker:and
Speaker:there's
Speaker:crusty
Speaker:glaze
Speaker:upon
Speaker:her
Speaker:lips.
Speaker:Curious,
Speaker:she
Speaker:puts
Speaker:out
Speaker:her
Speaker:tongue
Speaker:and
Speaker:tastes
Speaker:the
Speaker:sea.
Speaker:This
Speaker:was
Speaker:Abstinence
Speaker:by
Speaker:Ann
Speaker:e Hedrell,
Speaker:read
Speaker:for
Speaker:you
Speaker:by
Speaker:Kaki,
Speaker:your
Speaker:faithful
Speaker:fireside
Speaker:companion.
Speaker:You
Speaker:can
Speaker:find
Speaker:more
Speaker:stories
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:web at
Speaker:thev
Speaker:oice.do
Speaker:g,
Speaker:or
Speaker:find the
Speaker:show
Speaker:wherever
Speaker:you
Speaker:get
Speaker:your
Speaker:podcasts.
Speaker:Thank
Speaker:you
Speaker:for
Speaker:listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
