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"He's getting worse," Jerry said. |
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"Getting more like an animal by the day. A week ago there wasn't a hair on his face. He's changing and he can't believe it." |
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Jerry didn't answer. "But the thing is, the mirror's like priming the pump. Might come in handy at a conference." |
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"Where you get that thing?" |
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"That's the third time you asked me." |
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"And you still haven't answered me." |
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"But you owe me, for locating that Perry guy." |
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"True," Jerry said. "But this isn't a need to know." |
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Muzzy conceded with a shrug. "You fight him yet?" |
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"No. But you should see him spar." |
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Jerry left the room and came back carrying a stray mutt he had picked up a few streets away. It was a good size, looking as if it might contain some Lab. Jerry had fitted it with leg tethers and a muzzle. As soon as it entered the room, it began to kick and yowl through its clenched teeth. Jerry untied its legs and whipped off the muzzle, then threw it into the cage through the trap. |
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The dog slammed itself into the corner opposite Matty, crouching in on itself. When it saw Matty rise at him, he tried to ward him off with confused gestures of aggression and submission. It scraped itself along the floor, rolling on its back. But as Matty closed in, the dog shot to its feet, baring its teeth in a last-ditch effort. When it leapt for his face, Matty caught it by the head and slammed it down. The first blow knocked the wind out of the animal. The second ruptured its insides. While Matty ripped at its innards, Jerry grinned like a proud father. "'What doesn't kill us makes us strong,'" he said quietly. |
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"Enough," said Muzzy, heading up the stairs. "I seen enough. The fucking thing's from hell, is all." |
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"That's what you said about the jackals." |
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"Yeah, but this is real," Muzzy said with his hand on the doorknob. "I mean, the Fig's gonna cream when he sees it." |
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As Muzzy opened the door to the kitchen, Rufus dashed by him, |
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