Page 48 - The Grotesque Children's Book

up. Or...is she? Why would she say anything at all to him unless it were true?
It they were suspicious of him, all they needed to do was wait for him to bolt,
and then chase him down, and Helios would see to the rest. Why would they
need to taunt him beforehand with thoughts of paradise and night pastures? So
surely it -- must be true. They’d come with me. We’d form a herd --”

“Hup! Huuup!” shouted Mostro. “Faster steeds, a day in February, a
night of eternal rest! Let’s get there before the sun! H’gyahh!”

Bartolomeo thought, We would form a stupid herd.
“Hsst!” said Colpevole.
“The Apex is approaching. It’s now or never, Bartolomeo.”
“Are you ready, Mostro?” whispered Allevatore.
“Ready!” Then a brief pause, followed by, “Ready for what?”
“Ready to bolt. Apex straight ahead.”
“Bolting straight for the Apex, y’hah!” said Mostro.
“No, no,” said Allevatore to Mostro. “We’re going to break loose, and
follow Bartolomeo back the other way.”
“We are?”
“Mostro!” snorted Allevatore, “we talked about this. You agreed.”
“I’m beginning to think this isn’t going to work,” whinnied Colpevole
softly. “If Mostro doesn’t remember the plan and -- “
“No, no!” said Allevatore, “You can’t back out now. Bolt or burn. Don’t
be afraid, Bartolomeo. We’re --”

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