Epilogue

Paul sighed, throwing down the gun. It landed on the couch next to the dead boy. Peter stood up, licking his lips, wiping the blood off his arm with a gloved hand. "Let's take the car," Peter said. "I'm too tired to launch a boat."

"Don't fall asleep," Paul said.

Peter stretched, pushing a breath out of his nose while he reached up above his head. Readjusted his shirt.

They left, stepping over mother and daughter on the ground. Outside the sun was up and shining. The sky was blue and the clouds were white. Peter squinted against the light as they lowered themselves into the car. He sort of liked the time in between families, just the two of them. The short time.

Peter rolled down the window, letting in the wind that pushed against his eyes. "Anyway," he said quietly. "I was telling you about that book."