I wonder how much- or how little- they remember. I am somehow convinced that they don't remember any of it, because they don't need to remember. I'm the only one that hears the voice of the Turtle, the only one who remembers, because I'm the only one who stayed here in Derry. And because they're scattered to the four winds, they have no way of knowing the identical patterns their lives have taken. To bring them back, to show them that pattern....yes, it might kill some of them. It might kill all of them.

I promise I don__ bite._ He winked at her.That earned him another throaty laugh. Then she bent over him, hands braced on his thighs, her luscious mouth inches from his. The heat of her palms singed his skin even through his jeans. Her warm breaths puffed against his lips as she stared him dead in the eye. __hat if I do?

Unable to help himself, he offered her a smile and stared into those eyes as he tapped his mouth. __ think you missed.

Doubt filled her eyes. __hat are we betting for, anyway?__e hadn__ thought about that, but it took his brain all of three seconds to come up with an answer. He knew damn well what he wanted from her. Had for years.__ kiss._ The words slipped from his lips before he could stop them, but once out, he didn__ want to take them back. __ne kiss after you come back and see she__ all right.

You__e my best friend__ kid sister, Ang. I__e known you since you were eight._ He ducked his head, dragged his hands through his hair with all the frustration winding through him. __hrist, if your brother finds out, he__l have my hide.

Happy is the soul that has a friend. Happier is the soul that trusts in the truth of the heart of a friend. Happiest is the soul that knows the solemnity of friendship and honours its laws.