Part 72 (2/2)

”You brought me in here.”

The man finally turned.”You were hurt and G.o.d requires mercy of us.”

Finn nodded.”Thank you,” he said.

The man nodded but said nothing.

Finn touched his chest.”Do you know what this is?”

The man looked away.

”Look, I don't know what happened to me. I don't know how I got this. I was attacked and I've been out of my head for days. If you know something, then you have to tell me.”

It took the old man a long time to answer. Finally he said, ”There are things in the desert older even than Islam. Older than Christianity. Older than the Jews.”The man made a sign against evil.”There are things older than the world.These things are evil.They are demons who trick and seduce. But . . . no man's heart is ever corrupted by them if his faith is strong, if his faith is real.” He shook his head.”I will pray for you.”

And that was all he would say.

10.

echo teAm ”Jesus H.T. Christ, Esquire,” muttered Top as he rolled Finn onto his back. He pushed two fingers against the side of the man's throat. ”He's got a pulse. Don't seem to be hurt. Got a weird burn on his chest, but it's a coupla days old. Nothing else. Been in the sun too d.a.m.n long.”

”The f.u.c.k did he come from?” asked Bunny, glancing around. Finn slowly opened his eyes and blinked up at us, and it was clear that he didn't see us. Or at least didn't quite understand who-or perhaps what-we were.

”Finn,” I said again, then repeated it more firmly. He blinked again.

Finn's eyes locked on mine and I could see them gradually

begin to clear. He tried to speak; his lips formed my name, but all that came out was an inarticulate croak. He licked his lips, swallowed, winced at the pain in his dry throat, and tried again, forcing it.

”Joe . . . ?” I slung my rifle and knelt in front of him.

”Jesus, Finn,” I said, ”where are you hurt? How bad is it?” ”Hurt?” he asked as if he didn't understand the word. I

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