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Christopher Kloeble
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“You can hug my leg, too, if
you want. The leather came
from Hunter Josfer.”
“Where did you find them?”
“They’re mine.”
“What will you trade
for them?” Anni spread
some of her Most Beloved
Possessions before them.
“You can take whatever you
want.”
“Whatever I want?” Mina’s
eyesglittered, shebentdown,
biting her lip and reaching
for the dagger—then drew
back, folded her arms.
“No. These are my favorite
boots.”
“Please, let’s trade.”
“No.”
“I’ll tell you something.”
“What?”
“My secret.”
“Like Farmer Egler’s?” said
Mina.
“Then I don’t want to know
it.”
“No. A real secret.”
“Maybe I already know it.
You have to tell me first.”
A moment ago Mina’s hair
had been gray, but now it
shimmered blond, as if the
sun shone on it.
“But you can’t tell anyone
else,”
whispered
Anni,
glancing back at the door to
make sure they were alone.
“Nobody!” Mina nodded
eagerly.
Anni held one hand in front of
her lips and leaned forward:
“Sometimes I wake up. Late
at night. And then I have this
feeling, as if . . .”
“What?”
“As if Julius is thinking about
me.”
“Julius Habom!” gaspedMina.