Light (Gone, #6)

by Michael Grant

There were other choice words, many, in fact, a long and erudite stream of them. Astrid had never been one for cursing, but she was very well-read and had obviously picked up a few phrases along the way.

“Ah,” the three said in unison. “Yeah, right.” “You know, it’s not a witty remark if I have to explain it,”

she grabbed for the big pistol beneath her pillow. She sat up and leveled the automatic, all in one easy motion. Sanjit Brattle-Chance dropped to his belly and, in a surprisingly reasonable tone of voice, considering his face was in the ragged carpet, said, “If you shoot me, I can’t tell you where I hid your cigarettes.” “You what?”

He wasn’t a henchman; he was an administrative assistant. Caine missed henchmen.

Caine was walking a little ahead of Sam. Was that because Caine trusted Sam at his back more than Sam trusted the reverse? Maybe. Or maybe, Sam thought, Caine had longer legs. One of those things was probably true.

“Now, hold her stump,” Lana said. Sanjit shuddered. “You know, Lana, that’s one of those phrases I could have gone my whole life without hearing.

She’s . . .” How to explain Gaia? “Well, not exactly what she looks like. Less girly. More Satan-like. What’s your name?”

“Just trying to get some cool video. You know. YouTubes.”

"Youtubes"

“Albert.” “Who sent you, Quinn?” He was not interested in small talk. Alicia had a gun, and so did Pug, who was standing a few dozen feet away, watchful, ready. “Yeah, good to see you, too, Albert,”

Generally when Quinn rowed, he slipped into a contemplative mood, often pondering the meaning of life, but also less overwhelming questions like Star Trek versus Star Wars, and why people would spend a fortune on some fancy car when any car would get you where you were going.

Albert knew two things at that moment. First, that his signs, and the image of him right now, standing as tall as he could and playing the role of arrogant businessman, would be on every newscast in the world. And second, he knew that from this moment forward his recent error would be forgotten and if he lived to get out of the FAYZ he would be a millionaire before he even went to college. “You did the right thing sending for me, Edilio,” Albert said. Edilio sighed.

I don’t suppose you have any idea how long we have to hold out?” Edilio blinked. “No, the gaiaphage has not given me the schedule either for how long until the barrier comes down or how long until she attacks again. Sorry.”

“No, damn it, that would not be irony, Sam. That would be throwing your life away. That would be suicide.” “I know you’re kind of over the religion thing, but what he did”—he nodded toward the cross—“that was still a big thing to do, wasn’t it? Was that suicide?”

“You want to know the truth, Sam?” She pulled his face to her. “No, it wasn’t suicide when Jesus did it. It was fake. If he really was the son of God, then he was risking nothing and he knew it. He knew he had a couple of bad hours but then it was going to be all over and he’d pop back into heaven and have a really amazing story to tell all his friends.”

But no, he couldn’t kill her. He had to keep her alive, which was better. Life meant pain.

Truth

“I haven’t been very good at keeping people safe,” Edilio said. “No, man, what happened to Roger is not your fault or your failing. The grief is enough. It’s enough. You don’t need guilt on top of it.”

It’s the beauty of light, don’t you see, Sam? It reveals, but it also distracts and blinds. It’s even better than darkness.”

I’m going to slice him apart, and his every scream will be your fault.” “You’re insane!” “Compared to what?” she asked. “I haven’t gotten out much.”

Edilio nodded like he understood, but he understood nothing

Ok me

He is scared of you. Peter is scared of you. But he likes you.” “I get that sometimes,” Astrid said.

Edilio spun around, stabbed a finger at Sam, and said, “I’ll kill. I’ll kill. That’s enough. It’s enough! I won’t murder!” “It’s all the same,” Sam muttered weakly,

“I used to sell rats to starving kids,” Albert said. Vicky looked alarmed. “I wouldn’t say that to the camera.”

Something about watching video of a murderous girl using lasers to slaughter children—and to kill three adults on the outside—had made people wonder whether the kids in the FAYZ deserved just a little slack. Prosecutors did not believe in slack.

“You’re not being serious with me. I’m trying to treat you like an adult.” Sam put the taco down. “Are you? You’re trying to treat me like an adult? Okay. Let’s have an adult conversation, Mom. Tell me how I had a brother, but you kind of forgot to mention it. Tell me how that happened. A lot of bad things happened because of that.”

Full of food and hollowed out. That’s how he felt.

Connie left after telling Sam all he had asked her to tell him. Not what he had wanted to know, but that’s what happened when you got answers.

He had left a note on his bed. The note said, Poof! He hoped the police guards would find it funny.

Lana went to Las Vegas to live with her parents. They refused to let her carry a gun. She eventually got used to it.

Dekka could no longer control gravity, except by virtue of being the most impressive person in any room she entered.

“Are you going to play yourself in the movie?” “The director considered it,” Astrid said. “But it turns out I’m not quite the Astrid type. It was a somewhat surreal moment.

Koyaanisqatsi.” That earned her a collective sigh and many rolled eyes. “I’m not asking her,” Dekka said. “It means ‘life out of balance,’” Astrid explained. “Koyaanisqatsi.” “And yet no one asked,” Dekka pointed out.

“It’s over, Sam. Finally.” “Yeah,” he said. “I guess it is.” “Turn out the light, Sam.” Sam reached for the switch and turned out the light.

And thus, it all ends. What am i going to do with my life now?

We spent six books and three thousand pages together in the FAYZ. Kind of amazing, isn’t it? Worn out? I am.

I've been saying this the last 1k pgs haha

From me, from Sam and Astrid, Caine and Diana, Quinn, Edilio, Lana and Patrick, Dekka, Brianna, Albert, Computer Jack, Orc, Mary, Sanjit and Choo, Howard, Hunter, Little Pete, and all the rest (even Drake), thanks. You are now free to leave the FAYZ.

Ok I'm gonna cry. That last line especially. Damn.