when i reached for the drawer , with my other hand this time , it slid easily open . i was just about to scoop the entire pile of junk from the top of the desk into the drawer when i realized what had hit me . about two-thirds of the way back , not hidden in any way , lay a gun . it was a black shadow of a thing , and had it not been for the damage to my finger , i would have believed it to be a
toy

without stopping , he raised the pitch of his whistle a full octave and held it there for a time . as the whistle ended , the sound seemed to carry on the wind and out into the desert . on the horizon , the suon came lumbering back together . their long black tongues flicked the air as sand slid down their scales . as they came close to the trail , each broke off from the group and lined up in front of their
wagons

but you 'll never hear me call them home . the apartment in new york is jaw-dropping , i know . i have great parties there , and i actually live in about one-fifth of it , which includes the kitchen , bedroom , and media center . but ... '' he shook his head . '' nope , not my idea of a
home