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Okay, Richard. Geez. You're not getting your leg bit— that's the whole point of you running, not getting your leg bit. And so far it's un-bit, so he doesn't need to get all persnickety. Ahead of you is more hallways. The floor here is slanted slightly downhill, which is weird. Only slightly. Alligators are clattering behind you. Wouldn't it be great if Gil were here? You wish Gil were here.
«If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, Charlie. I recommend you stay focused.»
What? That saying makes no sense. If wishes were horses, beggars would all get eaten. Also, you're fine. Running away from alligators doesn't take much thinking. If Gil were here, he could go all beetly to distract them. You hope he's okay.
«I would imagine he's better off than you are right now.»
Would he? What if he got kidnapped? Kidnapped-tortured? Well, Ellery would be freeing him, you guess. So maybe he is better off. You're going to hope he is. Positive thinking.
«Less positive thinking and more focus, please.»
So grouchy. Fine. You squint down the dim hall ahead. It's hard to see much with the stupid lighting everywhere, but you don't need light to see strings, and there's definitely strings down there. People-strings. One knot, all frayed on the side, and one geometric web-thing. Wait. No way! No way. You don't know that that's— there's no way. No way. Don't get your hopes up, Lottie, it's probably a freaky Headspace guy, one of those unpeople, or Friends, or whatever, and you'll be sprinting right into their arms. And look! Now that you're close enough to see for real, it's two people in creepy lime-green suits, their faces all hooded. One of them's got a weird device.
Fine. Richard can't even say you got distracted. You'll sprint past them too and see how they like it. You lower your head, redouble and angle your shoulder— for battering, in case they try to stop you. Richard can't stop you, Ellery can't stop you, Casey can't stop you, and two shmucks are certainly not going to—
"Wait," says one of the shmucks. "No way. Lot— <span class="mu-i">Lottie?!</span>"
You screech to a complete halt. It's him. Of course! You never thought otherwise! "Well, of course, my fair retainer. Ahem." You cough. You've been running a lot. "Who else would it—"
"Are those GATORS?" It's the other schmuck, the one with the device. It's a woman's voice.
"Oh. Um—" You whip your head back. Yes, those are alligators. Noticeably fewer, to be sure, but still more alligators than any one person would want to be dealing with. "Yes? I think they're mad that I stepped on their—"
(2/3)
