Adam Smith :: Political Economist Adam Smith Biographies Essays

Adam metalworkerAdam Smith, a brilliant eighteenth-century Scottish political economic expert, had theadvantage of perspicacity the significance ol colonies by a rigorous examinationbased on the colonial experience of 300 years. His overview has a built-in biashe strongly disapproved of excessive regulation of colonial trade by parentcountries. But his analysis is rich with insight and remarkably dispassionate inits argument. Adam Smith recognized that the discovery of the New World not onlybrought wealth and prosperity to the Old World, nevertheless that it also marked a dividein the history of mankind. The passage that follows is the work of this economictheorist who discusses problems in a language readily belowstandable by everyone.Adam Smith had retired from a death chair at Glasgow University and Was livingin France in 1764-5 when he began his great work, The Wealth of Nations. Thebook was being written all during the years of strife between Britain and hercolonies, but i t was not published until 1776. In the passages which follow,Smith points to the impossibility of monopolizing the benefits of colonies, andpessimistically calculates the cost of empire, but the book appeared too late tohave any effect upon British policy. Because the Declaration of Independence andThe Wealth of Nations, the political and economic reliations of empire andmercantilism, appeared in the same year, historians have often designated 1776as one of the turning points in ultramodern history. The text On the cost of Empire,the eloquent exhortation to the rulers of Britain to awaken from their grandiosedreams of empire, is the closing passage of Smiths book.Adam Smith was a Scottish political economist and philosopher. He has becomefamous by his influential book The Wealth of Nations (1776). Smith was the sonof the comptroller of the customs at Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. The exact dateof his birthing is unknown. However, he was baptized at Kirkcaldy on June 5, 1723,his fathe r having died some six months previously.At the age of about fifteen, Smith proceeded to Glasgow university, studyingmoral philosophy under the never-to-be-forgotten Francis Hutcheson (as Smithcalled him). In 1740 he entered Balliol college, Oxford, but as William RobertScott has said, the Oxford of his time gave little if any help towards what wasto be his lifework, and he relinquished his exhibition in 1746. In 1748 hebegan delivering public lectures in Edinburgh under the patronage of Lord Kames.Some of these dealt with rhetoric and belles-lettres, but later he took up thesubject of the progress of opulence, and it was then, in his middle or late

Alicia My Story, Book Summary Essay -- essays research papers

The main character in this story is a Jewish girl named Alicia. When the bookstarts she is ten years old, she lives in the ending town of Buczacz with her four brothers,Moshe, Zachary, Bunio, and Herzl, and her mother and father . The holocaust experiencebegan subtly at first when the Russians began to occupy Buczacz. When her brotherMoshe was killed at a Boys School in Russia and her father was gathered up byGerman authorities, the reality of the whole situation quickly became very real. Her fatherwas taken away shortly after(prenominal) the Russians had moved out and the Germans began tooccupy Buczacz. Once the Germans occupied, they moved the Jewish population ofBuczacz into mass ghettos. Alicia and the rest of her family had to share a house withseveral other families which had alike been driven out of there homes. The only source ofincome in this situation was to sell things at the marketplace, and even there, Jews wereforbidden. Alicia went anyway and sold what she could for food and money.One twenty-four hour period her brother Bunio disappeared from the ghetto. Alicia and her familyfound out later that he had been taken to a work camp, but that they could send foodpackages to him. Shortly after this, Alicia was taken into handcuffs by German officials andput on a train to another work camp. Alicia managed to escape from this train by jumpingthrough a belittled window. She found her way to a river which led her back to the ghetto. By this time several people in the ghetto had been feeling the effects of the impoverishedconditions. Starvation, Typhoid, and other diseases, were root to take its toll on thepeople who lived in the ghetto. Then one day, Alicia found out that her brother Bunio hadbeen killed in the work camp. A boy had fly so they lined up all the boys and shotevery fourth one. As time progressed, Alicia began assuming more responsibility for the daily tasks of the family much(prenominal) as going out and trading for more food in p laces other than themarketplace. While this was going on, Zachary and a few other boys from the ghetto hadbeen forming a break up of resistance. One day Alicia was informed that her brother had beenhanged. After Zacharys death, Alicia was besupportered by a woman named Bella. She metmany good friends in the ghetto including a future friend as well as savior, Milek ... ...and the police wanted to find out who was buying things from her. Over a spanof 8 months they were kept but in the long run they were released. They received a lot of moneyfrom people that had been saved by their withholding of evidence. Alicia and her friendtook this money and bought a train ticket to Lodz. They were stopped in Lvov becausethey went to get some tea while stopped at a station, but the train took off without themand they left all of their belongings on the train. neighboring they boarded a train to Krakow,and parted ways there. In Krakow, Alicia was staying at a rather large house with anothe rfamily. She built a sort of orphans asylum by gathering up homeless children from theneighborhood. She lived with this family for a long time, and during this time she learnedabout a way that she could go to Eretz Island, Israel where she could be safe. She left herorphans asylum and went on a long journey where she met many people that were like her, inthat she didnt like to see people suffer. Alicia made it to Israel but was taken by British border patrol officers to a jail onCypress for coming into the country illegally. She was then released from Cyprus.

Effects of Nontraditional Curriculum on its Students Essay -- Educatio

Effects of Nontraditional Curriculum on its StudentsTo succeed in the current world, a person should have multifaceted knowledge. Therefore, to anatomy that knowledge in students, many schools have an educational system that consists of nontraditional subjects. According to the people who implement this curriculum, it leave alone produce a person who is well-balanced to the current world. It also helps students to succeed not only in class but also in the authorized world. But the curriculum with nontraditional subjects has some(prenominal) effects. In her passage An Army of one Me Jean Twenge discusses about self-esteem curriculum. Although the authorities who carry out these self-esteem architectural plans promise that it ordain improve the future of the students, it is making the future of the student worse.In, An Army of one Me, Twenge argues how schools conduct self-esteem programs and what kinds of effect do these programs have on children. Twenge says Many school distri cts across the rude have specific programs designed to increase childrens self-esteem, most of which actually build self-importance and narcissism (765). In the same sentence, she starts to describe the self-esteem program in schools she makes an assumption that it is going in a way that is not intended. If we build a building without using the plan that we already drew, it will be a crooked building. In the same way, self-esteem curriculum is planned and designed to increase the self-esteem of the school children, but when it is implemented it made an end point that is straightly opposed to the outcome that is intended. Twenge defines narcissism in this way Narcissism is one of the few personality traits that psychologists agree is almost completely negative (774). Thus, narciss... ...to a real world. Because the real world is not a bed of roses, we have to face failures at sometimes. But the self-esteem programs try to make students feel that there will be no failures, which is not true.If we cannot see planet Saturn with the naked eye, it does not mean that Saturn does not exist. Likewise, it does not mean that students will not fail anything because they went done a system that will not fail them. This self-esteem curriculum also conceals the failure of the students and promotes the students to the next level. But at some point it will be difficult for those students to follow up with others. Therefore, this self-esteem curriculum should be revised in a way that it improves the students future instead of diminishing it. If we choose and implement the program correctly it will undoubtedly make the younger generations future prosperous.

Television Violence Essay -- TV Ratings System

I went to pick up my daughter from preschool today only to find out that she punched a little girl. She overly kicked the teacher. I sat down with her and asked her why she blemish them. She said, I didnt stand them I was using my powers. I wondered where she might be getting the idea that she had powers, and that it didnt hurt anyone when she used those powers. I thought back to the last few nights. The only different thing in her life was the new show Power bump Girls. It was then I realized that this new cartoon show she had been watching at home just might be the cause. peasantren learn behavior finished examples. tv set is a major influence. One ara of concern is the violent content in childrens television and their recover to other inappropriate programming. The government has the skill to rule and regulate stations both nationally and locally. Exposure to violence on television can affect the way children be convey toward their environment. This creates an additional state for p atomic number 18nts and teachers to not only protect children from violence but to similarly teach children to resist violence. Because of the negative influence of violent television programming for children, and their easy find to other violent programs the government, teachers, and parents need to educate and protect children against violence.Thanks to technology, we reach many more opportunities available to us. This expands the world of education to many who would otherwise not have it. However, this advance of technology has also allowed our children to be exposed to inappropriate programming on television. The violent content is not only on systematic programs that children are allowed to view, but it is also a main theme in shows geared to young children, especially in cartoons. I asked Jean Cobb, a baby fretting Provider at The Childrens Center, What type of programming has the most violent influence and why? She said, Cartoons have always been around bu t the violence hasnt been brought to our care until recently. There arent many cartoons that dont have violence.Children learn a lot of their behavior through the examples set on television. These behaviors appear while interacting with other children. I have observed children fight, hit, bite, spit and use many mean words to other children. The same behavior is commonplace on childrens programming. This can... ...side affects of the violent behavior. Parents must be sleepless of the programming that children are viewing. In combining our efforts government, teachers, and parents can teach children to act and react appropriately and responsibly. Cobb said, I think everyone in their daily lives and all of ships company have stressful times. Adults need to learn to handle their emotions so that we can be role models for the children. We need peers to use as a sounding notice to keep our frustrations in tact. In order to teach, we need to be teachable. In order to protect, we nee d to be informed of dangers. Protecting, educating, and teaching resistance to violence are some ways to help improve childrens behavior.Works CitedChild and Family Canada Television Violence A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages http//www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/00001068.htmCobb, Jean. Child deal out Provider USI. Personal Interview. 17 Nov. 2011. Factsheet Chronology of Main Events & Initiatives Undertaken Related To The Issue Of Television Violence 2010 http//www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/tvle.htm A Family Guide to TV Ratings A Family Guide to TV Ratings http//www.ncta.com/guidelines.html Television Violence Essay -- TV Ratings SystemI went to pick up my daughter from preschool today only to find out that she punched a little girl. She also kicked the teacher. I sat down with her and asked her why she hurt them. She said, I didnt hurt them I was using my powers. I wondered where she might be getting the idea that she had powers, and that it didnt hurt anyon e when she used those powers. I thought back to the last few nights. The only different thing in her life was the new show Power pull in Girls. It was then I realized that this new cartoon show she had been watching at home just might be the cause. Children learn behavior through examples. Television is a major influence. One area of concern is the violent content in childrens television and their access to other inappropriate programming. The government has the index to rule and regulate stations both nationally and locally. Exposure to violence on television can affect the way children behave toward their environment. This creates an additional province for parents and teachers to not only protect children from violence but to also teach children to resist violence. Because of the negative influence of violent television programming for children, and their easy access to other violent programs the government, teachers, and parents need to educate and protect children against vi olence.Thanks to technology, we have many more opportunities available to us. This expands the world of education to many who would otherwise not have it. However, this advance of technology has also allowed our children to be exposed to inappropriate programming on television. The violent content is not only on unshakable programs that children are allowed to view, but it is also a main theme in shows geared to young children, especially in cartoons. I asked Jean Cobb, a Child Care Provider at The Childrens Center, What type of programming has the most violent influence and why? She said, Cartoons have always been around but the violence hasnt been brought to our upkeep until recently. There arent many cartoons that dont have violence.Children learn a lot of their behavior through the examples set on television. These behaviors appear while interacting with other children. I have observed children fight, hit, bite, spit and use many mean words to other children. The same behavior is commonplace on childrens programming. This can... ...side affects of the violent behavior. Parents must be wary of the programming that children are viewing. In combining our efforts government, teachers, and parents can teach children to act and react appropriately and responsibly. Cobb said, I think everyone in their daily lives and all of decree have stressful times. Adults need to learn to handle their emotions so that we can be role models for the children. We need peers to use as a sounding plug-in to keep our frustrations in tact. In order to teach, we need to be teachable. In order to protect, we need to be informed of dangers. Protecting, educating, and teaching resistance to violence are some ways to help improve childrens behavior.Works CitedChild and Family Canada Television Violence A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages http//www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/00001068.htmCobb, Jean. Child Care Provider USI. Personal Interview. 17 Nov. 2011. Factsheet Chronology of Main Events & Initiatives Undertaken Related To The Issue Of Television Violence 2010 http//www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/tvle.htm A Family Guide to TV Ratings A Family Guide to TV Ratings http//www.ncta.com/guidelines.html

Repairing the Problem with Americas Transportation System Essay

Repairing the Problem with Americas Transportation SystemThere is a just problem with our nations roads and highways. I find myself repeatedly avoiding trips to the city for this very reason, as Im sure many others do as well. This nerve-wracking congestion is pull down beginning to find its way into the suburbs and surrounding areas of large cities. It is a knockout problem that affects everyone who owns an automobile, as well as, businesses that are dependent on reliable and cheerful transportation. To top it all off, this problem is getting worse every year. The population of this nation is growing, which translates to an increase in cars on the road. More people are moving to cities and the suburbs that surround them, creating gridlocks everywhere. No matter what any politician in Washington or employee of the Federal Highway Administration may say, there is a serious and immediate problem with our nations transportation systems. The Texas Transportation Institute has recen tly done several studies that have produced some very alarming results. For example, the average American spends just about 26 hours a year stuck in traffic. Let?s think about that. The ?average? American spends this long cruising at five miles per hour and profanity at other cars around. By saying average, the study means this figure also takes into account people living in rural areas who spend maybe one hour a year stuck in traffic. That means for the majority of us, in the Phoenix area and other large cities, we spend 3 or 4 times more wasting our valuable time in traffic. For people who drive into the city everyday for work, it might even be worse (Fay 3). Now that?s a lot of time if you ask me. To make matters worse... ...ve. Works Cited Fay, William D. & Slater, Rodney E. ?Q Should gasoline taxes be used exclusively for highways Insight on the watchword May 26, 1997 24. Henderson, Rick. ?An end to highway robbery Reason August-Sep 1996 12. Peratta, Ed. ?Despite bumps in the road, privatization races on.? American and City and County Oct 1995 50. Peters, Eric. ?Privatization the Road Ahead Consumers? Research Magazine Dec 1995 10. Roth, Gabriel. ?How to do work our Highway Problems.? Consumers? Research Magazine June 1997 10. Samuel, Peter. ?The case for privatizing America?s highways.? USA Today Jan 1997 60. Voinovich, George V. ?Federal highway spending needs to be road little traveled.? Insight on the News Jan 6, 1997 29. West, Jim. ?Different Views of Gasoline Taxes.? The Oil and Gas Journal August 14, 1995 9.

Repairing the Problem with Americas Transportation System Essay

Repairing the Problem with Americas Transportation SystemThere is a serious problem with our nations roadstead and highways. I feel myself repeatedly avoiding trips to the city for this very reason, as Im sure many separates do as well. This nerve-wracking congestion is even beginning to find its way into the suburbs and surrounding areas of large cities. It is a serious problem that affects everyone who owns an automobile, as well as, businesses that are dep give noticeent on reliable and convenient transportation. To top it any off, this problem is getting worse every year. The population of this nation is growing, which translates to an increase in cars on the road. More people are moving to cities and the suburbs that surround them, creating gridlocks everywhere. No matter what any politician in Washington or employee of the Federal Highway Administration may say, there is a serious and immediate problem with our nations transportation systems. The Texas Transportation Instit ute has recently done several studies that have produced some very alarming results. For example, the average American spends approximately 26 bits a year stuck in traffic. Let?s think about that. The ?average? American spends this long cruising at five miles per hour and cursing at other cars around. By saying average, the study means this figure also takes into account people living in rural areas who spend maybe one hour a year stuck in traffic. That means for the majority of us, in the Phoenix area and other large cities, we spend 3 or 4 measure more wasting our valuable time in traffic. For people who drive into the city everyday for work, it might even be worse (Fay 3). Now that?s a lot of time if you ask me. To make matters worse... ...ve. Works Cited Fay, William D. & Slater, Rodney E. ?Q Should gasoline taxes be used exclusively for highways Insight on the News May 26, 1997 24. Henderson, Rick. ?An end to highway robbery Reason August-Sep 1996 12. Peratta, Ed. ?Despite b umps in the road, privatization races on.? American and City and County Oct 1995 50. Peters, Eric. ?Privatization the Road Ahead Consumers? question Magazine Dec 1995 10. Roth, Gabriel. ?How to Solve our Highway Problems.? Consumers? Research Magazine June 1997 10. Samuel, Peter. ?The case for privatizing America?s highways.? USA Today Jan 1997 60. Voinovich, George V. ?Federal highway spending needs to be road less traveled.? Insight on the News Jan 6, 1997 29. West, Jim. ?Different Views of Gasoline Taxes.? The Oil and Gas Journal August 14, 1995 9.

Assigment Manufacturing Process

FACULTI OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG BMM3643 (Sem II 2012/13) Assignment 4 1. a) What distinguishes machining from other manufacturing processes? b) What is a machining center? c) How important is the control of slickness-fluid temperature in operations performed in machining centers? Explain. (8 marks) 2. a) What ar the primary considerations in tool selection? b) What is the advantage of a helical-tooth cutter over a straighttooth cutter for slab milling? c) What are the consequences if a cutting tool chips? (8 marks) 3. ) wherefore might it be desirable to use a heavy depth of cut and a light feed at a given speed in turning? b) Explain the reasoning behind the various design guidelines for turning. c) In drilling, the deeper the hole, the greater the torque. Why? (8 marks) 4. a) For producing flat surfaces in heap production machining,how does face milling differ basically from peripheral milling? b) Why is end milling such an important versatile proce ss? c) Why is grain spacing important in grinding wheels? Explain the relationship between grit size and surface finish. (8 marks) 5. ) Why has the wire-EDM process become so widely used in industry, especially in tool and die manufacturing? Explain. e) What is meant by the term overcut in electric discharge machining? f) What is the nature of the surface obtained by electro discharge machining? (8 marks) 6. g) Estimate the time required for face milling an 20. 32 cm-long, 7. 62 cm-wide brass block using a 2032 cm-diameter cutter with 12 HSS teeth. (Given employ the high-speed-steel tool, lets take a recommended cutting speed for brass (a copper alloy) at 90 m/min = 1. 5 m/ gritrock the maximum feed per tooth as 0. mm) h) In a surface grinding operation performed on hardened plain carbon steel, the grinding wheel has a diameter = 200 mm and width = 25 mm. The wheel rotates at 2400 rev/min, with a depth of cut (infeed) = 0. 05 mm/pass and a crossfeed = 3. 50 mm. The reciprocating sp eed of the work is 6 m/min, and the operation is performed dry. Determine i) the length of contact between the wheel and the work, ii) the volume rate of metal removed. iii) If there are 64 active grits/cm2 of wheel surface, estimate the number of chips formed per unit time. (10 marks)

Satire Research Paper

Ezechias Francoeur January 19 Bailey Satire Lesson 13 an Introduction toPygmalion 3-2-1 Reflection Sheet itemisationthree detailsyou learnedby reading Act 1 ofPygmalionby George Bernard Shaw 1. I learned about phonetics, which is the science of speech and how it can be used to identify people of different nationalities. 2. The flower girl whose name is Eliza is basically stereotyped into being a nothing for the rest of her life because of her speech. 3. The sh atomic number 18 who plays the note taker is actually Henry Higgins, and he is the one who uses phonetics. Whattwothings do you forecastwill happen in Act 2? 1. I predict that in Act 2 Eliza may be in a different town but with the same worries of a beggar because her money has finished. 2. I also predict that in Act 2 Higgins will reveal more of himself to the audience. Intwoparagraphs, reflectononetime in your life when you were misjudged for the way you speak, or reflect on a time when you misjudged someone else because of the way she or he spoke. Stereotypes are often rigid on the most innocent of bystanders, forced to take on a name or personality which in reality may not be anything resembling the actual person. Stereotypes are a major problem today and is displayed everywhere on the media such as television, radio and the Internet. Even I myself has experienced the atrocious event of being misjudged based on the way I spoke or talk. Although the judgment was unfair it was still placed upon me and it felt bad.There are many stereotypes such as white men cant jump, Mexicans hopped the border, all French are mean, and many more. All of them are often placed upon someone unfairly. There was a time when I was at the store with my friends and everything was going fine when all of sudden two store security guards advance out of nowhere and begin to question me on my whereabouts. I was mistaken for a thief based on a report of black staminate but also I was stereotyped as a thief simply because I was a black male.

Sandy Hook

Alyssa Garcia Period 5, A & R Mr. Leighton 28 March, 2013 Sandy Hook Elementary slam On December 14, 2012 a horrible tragedy occurred in bran-newtown, computerized axial tomography. Twenty year old Adam Lanza killed twenty innocent sextet years olds and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary. The shooting happened approximately around 930 a. m. , while announcements were being said on the loudspeaker to the students. This is a misfortune that will never be forgotten. We all have questions on how, when, what, where, and why Adam Lanza would do this. Some questions still have stayed unanswered.Americas around recent mass killer is Adam Lanza. Before the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, news articles have discovered that Lanza had killed his Mother Nancy Lanza, at their Newtown Connecticut home before he took action at Sandy Hook elementary. Lanza took his life as well at the elementary instill after he killed twenty-six innocent lives. Adam must have had plenty of time to p lan by the shooting. Nancy Lanza was shot four times in her bed with a 22 caliber rifle. Reports have discovered that his mother would teach him how to aim guns at a young age. People that knew Adam when he was a baby say he was an odd child.Marvin Lafontaine knows the Lanza family from New Hampshire through a Boy Scout program (Weiegand). Lafontaine said that Adam was very anti-social and did not like to be touched by others. When Adam was in middle school he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome which is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized in the social behavior. As a child finding out that you are diagnosed with Asperger syndrome must be a take exception in life to obtain with. As a mother, it must be a difficult challenge to do the best to your ability to provide the needs for your child.Adams father Peter Lanza was divorced from Nancy when Adam was ten years old. The divorced must have do an impact in his life. Also, Adams older brother had moved out to attend a university out of state. At this point in his life he likely felt isolated and felt like he was different from others. He was identified as a child who is very likely to be bullied (Weiegand). I believe that Adam Lanza was motivated by violent video games and a mass murder. As a kid, Lanza and his mother Nancy would play video games.I am not assuming that his mother was part of the reason why he would do this massacre, but many people might believe that she influenced him. I am accepted those were not her intentions at all. She was using video games to spend quality time with her son during the difficulty of the process of the divorce. Comparing the shooting at the elementary school and the video games are fantasies that he killed twenty-six lives and the deaths are counted as a score(Rodriguez). On December 17, 2012 the news said that Lanza kept a spreadsheet with v hundred names connected to past massacres in the past.Next to the names Lanza wrote each killer and the weapon t o be used. The video game Call of Duty is rough a mass murder named Anders Breivik who kills seventy-seven people in Norway in 2011. Lanza played this video game and I am sure it inspired around violence. Works Cited Bart, Brient. Breitbart. com. Breitbart News Network. N. p. , 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Bennett-Smith, Meredith. Gene Rosen, Sandy Hook Hero, Harassed By Conspiracy Theorists Who Claim Hes An Actor. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost. com, 15 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Nhan, BRENDAN. United States Project. capital of South Carolina Journalism Review. N. p. , 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013 Rambo, Mindy. Sandy Hook Shooting Hoax JustMommies Message Boards. N. p. , 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Rivera, Ray, Newtown Debates Schools Fate after Shooting. The New York Times. January 13, 2013. Web. March 6, 2103 Rodricks, Dan, Remembering Sandy Hook on the way to Congress. Baltimoresun. com. March 6, 2013. Web. March 5, 2103 Rodriguez, Jessica. Sandy Hoo k Hoax Video Conspiracy Claim Draws 11M Views on YouTube (VIDEO). Christian Post. N. p. , 19 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Staglin, Douglas. Conn.Paper Regrets Gun Ad next to Sandy Hook Story. USA Today. Gannett, 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Stern, Mark. The Slatest. The Slatest. N. p. , 7 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Tracy, James. reminiscence Hole. Memory Hole. N. p. , 16 Dec. 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2013 Tribune, East Valley, Tempe Elementary District police take active role on school safety. nbcnews. com. March 4, 2103. Web. March 7, 2103. View, The. finger ABC Online. The View. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013 Weiegand, Davis, PBS show provides more clues about Sandy Hook Shooter. Newstimes. Com. February 17, 2103. Web. March 7, 2013

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 24. SNAP DECISION

I LAY FACEDOWN ACROSS THE SLEEPING BAG, WAITING for justice to welcome me. Maybe an avalanche would veil me here. I wished it would. I neer wanted to spend a penny to experience my face in the mirror again.There was no sound to warn me. Out of nowhere, Edwards chilly hand stroked against my k nonted hair. I shuddered guiltily at his touch.Are you all in all right? he murmured, his vocalisation anxious.No. I want to die.That will never happen. I wont al unhopeful it.I groaned and then whispered, You might change your mind ab come out of the rightt that.Wheres Jacob?He went to fight, I mumbled into the floor.Jacob had left the secondary camp joyfully with a cheerful Ill be right punt running full tilt for the clearing, already quivering as he nimble to shift to his otherwise self. By now the solid pack knew allthing. readiness Clearwater, pacing alfresco the tent, was an intimate witness to my disgrace.Edward was silent for a long moment. Oh, he finally said.The t whiz of his voice worried me that my avalanche wasnt approaching fast enough. I peeked up at him and, sure enough, his eyes were un cerebrate as he listened to something Id rather die than be in possession of him hear. I dropped my face foul to the floor.It stunned me when Edward chuckled reluctantly.And I thought I fought dirty, he said with grudging admiration. He makes me vista handle the patron canonize of ethics. His hand brushed against the set forth of my cheek that was exposed. Im not mad at you, mania. Jacobs to a greater extent cunning than I gave him credit for. I do wish you hadnt asked him, though.Edward, I whispered to the rough nylon. I . . . I . . . Im -Shh, he hushed me, his fingers soothing against my cheek. Thats not what I meant. Its just that he would arrive at kissed you anyway however if you hadnt locomote for it and now I dont have an excuse to break his face. I would have really enjoyed that, withal.Fallen for it? I mumbled al to the highest de gree incomprehensibly.Bella, did you really believe he was that statuesque? That he would go out in a flame of glory just to clear the way for me?I raised my head slowly to put up his patient gaze. His expression was soft his eyes were full of understanding rather than the revulsion I deserved to see.Yes, I did believe that, I muttered, and then looked remote. precisely I didnt feel any anger at Jacob for tricking me. There wasnt enough room in my system to contain anything besides the hatred I mat up toward myself. Edward laughed softly again. Youre such a bad liar, youll believe any matchless who has the least bit of skill. wherefore arent you angry with me? I whispered. Why dont you hate me? Or havent you heard the whole story yet?I think I got a fairly comprehensive look, he said in a light, easy voice. Jacob makes vivid mental pictures. I feel almost as bad for his pack as I do for myself. Poor readiness was pullting nauseated. hardly Sam is reservation Jacob focus n ow.I closed my eyes and shook my head in agony. The sharp nylon fibers of the tent floor scraped against my skin.Youre only human, he whispered, stroking my hair again.Thats the most miserable defense Ive ever heard.But you are human, Bella. And, as much as I might wish otherwise, so is he. . . . There are holes in your life that I cant fill. I understand that.But thats not true. Thats what makes me so horrible. There are no holes.You love him, he murmured gently.Every cell in my body ached to deny it.I love you more, I said. It was the best I could do.Yes, I cut that, too. But . . . when I left you, Bella, I left you bleeding. Jacob was the one to stitch you back up again. That was bound to leave its mark on both of you. Im not sure those kinds of stitches dissolve on their own. I cant goddamn either of you for something I made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, however that doesnt let me escape the consequences.I should have known youd find some way to blame yourself. Please stop. I cant stand it.What would you like me to say?I want you to call me all bad name you can think of, in either language you know. I want you to tell me that youre disgusted with me and that youre button to leave so that I can beg and grovel on my knees for you to stay.Im sorry. He sighed. I cant do that.At least stop difficult to make me feel better. Let me suffer. I deserve it.No, he murmured.I nodded slowly. Youre right. Keep on organism too understanding. Thats probably worse.He was silent for a moment, and I sensed a charge in the atmosphere, a new urgency.Its getting close, I stated.Yes, a few more minutes now. Just enough time to say one more thing. . . .I waited. When he finally spoke again, he was murmuring. I can be noble, Bella. Im not going to make you choose between us. Just be happy, and you can have whatever part of me you want, or no(prenominal) at all, if thats better. Dont let any debt you feel you owe me influence your decision.I pushed off the floor, sho ving myself up onto my knees.Dammit, stop that I shouted at him.His eyes widened in rage. No you dont understand. Im not just trying to make you feel better, Bella, I really mean it.I know you do, I groaned. What happened to fighting back? Dont fasten on with the noble self-sacrifice now FightHow? he asked, and his eyes were ancient with their sadness.I scrambled into his lap, throwing my arms around him.I dont care that its cold here. I dont care that I stink like a dog right now. Make me lead how awful I am. Make me forget him. Make me forget my own name. Fight backI didnt wait for him to decide or to have the mishap to tell me he wasnt interested in a cruel, traitorous monster like me. I pulled myself against him and crushed my mouth to his snow-cold lips.Careful, love, he murmured under my urgent kiss.No, I growled.He gently pushed my face a few inches back. You dont have to prove anything to me.Im not trying to prove something. You said I could have any part of you I want ed. I want this part. I want both part. I wrapped my arms around his neck and strained to reach his lips. He bent his head to kiss me back, but his cool mouth was hesitant as my impatience grew more pronounced. My body was making my intentions clear, giving me away. Inevitably, his hands move to restrain me.Perhaps this isnt the best moment for that, he suggested, too root for my liking.Why not? I grumbled. There was no point in fighting if he was going to be rational I dropped my arms.Firstly, because it is cold. He reached out to pull the sleeping bag off the floor he wrapped it around me like a blanket.Wrong, I said. First, because you are bizarrely moral for a vampire.He chuckled. All right, Ill give you that. The cold is second. And thirdly . . . well, you do actually stink, love.He wrinkled his nose.I sighed.Fourthly, he murmured, dropping his face so that he was whispering in my ear. We will try, Bella. Ill make good on my promise. But Id much rather it wasnt in reaction to Jacob Black.I cringed, and buried my face against his shoulder.And fifthly . . .This is a very long list, I muttered.He laughed. Yes, but did you want to listen to the fight or not?As he spoke, solidification howled stridently outside(a) the tent.My body stiffened to the sound. I didnt realize my left hand was clenched into a fist, nails biting into my bandaged palm, until Edward took it and gently smoothed my fingers out.Its going to be fine, Bella, he promised. Weve got skill, training, and surprise on our side. It will be over very soon. If I didnt truly believe that, I would be down there now and youd be here, chain to a direct or something along those lines.Alice is so small, I moaned.He chuckled. That might be a problem . . . if it were possible for someone to catch her. readiness started to whimper.Whats wrong? I demanded.Hes just angry that hes stuck here with us. He knows the pack kept him out of the action to protect him. Hes salivating to join them.I scowled in Se ths world-wide direction.The newborns have reached the end of the trail it worked like a charm, Jaspers a genius and theyve caught the scent of the ones in the meadow, so theyre splitting into two groups now, as Alice said, Edward murmured, his eyes foc utilize on something far away. Sams taking us around to head off the ambush party. He was so intent on what he was hearing that he used the pack plural.Suddenly he looked down at me. Breathe, Bella.I struggled to do what he asked. I could hear Seths heavy panting just outside the tent wall, and I tried to keep my lungs on the same even pace, so that I wouldnt hyperventilate.The first group is in the clearing. We can hear the fighting.My teething locked together.He laughed once. We can hear Emmett hes enjoying himself.I made myself deem another(prenominal) breath with Seth.The second group is getting ready they arent paying attention, they havent heard us yet.Edward growled.What? I gasped.Theyre talking virtually you. His teet h clenched together. Theyre supposed to make sure you dont escape. . . . Nice move, Leah Mmm, shes quite fast, he murmured in approval. One of the newborns caught our scent, and Leah took him down in advance he could even turn. Sams helping her finish him off. Paul and Jacob got another one, but the others are on the defensive now. They have no idea what to make of us. twain sides are feinting. . . . No, let Sam lead. Stay out of the way, he muttered. Separate them dont let them protect each others backs.Seth whined.Thats better, drive them toward the clearing, Edward approved. His body was shifting unconsciously as he beared, tensing for moves he would have made. His hands still held mine I twisted my fingers through his. At least he wasnt down there.The emergent absence of sound was the only warning.The deep rush of Seths breathing cut off, and as Id paced my breaths with his I noticed.I stopped breathing, too too frightened to even make mylungs work as I realized that Ed ward had frozen into a block of ice beside me.Oh, no. No. No.Who had been lost? Theirs or ours? Mine, all mine. What was my loss?So quickly that I wasnt exactly sure how it happened, I was on my feet and the tent was collapsing in ragged shreds around me. Had Edward ripped our way out? Why?I blinked, shocked, into the promising light. Seth was all I could see, right beside us, his face only six inches from Edwards. They stared at each other with absolute concentration for one infinite second. The sun shattered off Edwards skin and sent sparkles dancing across Seths fur.And then Edward whispered urgently, Go, SethThe huge wolf wheeled and disappeared into the set shadows.Had two entire seconds passed? It felt like hours. I was terrified to the point of nausea by the knowledge that something horrible had gone(a) awry in the clearing. I laxed my mouth to demand that Edward take me there, and do it now. They needed him, and they needed me. If I had to bleed to save them, I would do it. I would die to do it, like the third wife. I had no silver dagger in my hand, but I would find a way Before I could get the first syllable out, I felt as if I was beingness flung through the air. But Edwards hands never let go of me I was only being moved, so quickly that the sensation was like falling side ways.I found myself with my back pressed against the sheer falling off face. Edward stood in front of me, holding a posture that I knew at once.Relief washed through my mind at the same time that my stomach dropped through the soles of my feet. Id misunderstood.Relief nothing had gone wrong in the clearing.Horror the crisis was here.Edward held a defensive position half-crouched, his arms extended slightly that I recognized with sickening certainty. The rock at my back could have been the ancient brick walls of the Italian alley where he had stood between me and the black-cloaked Volturi warriors.Something was coming for us.Who? I whispered.The words came through his teeth in a mat up that was louder than I expected. Too loud. It meant that it was far too late to hide. We were trapped, and it didnt matter who heard his answer.capital of Seychelles, he said, spitting the word, making it a curse. Shes not alone. She crossed my scent, following the newborns in to watch she never meant to fight with them. She made a spur-of-the-moment decision to find me, guessing that you would be wherever I was. She was right. You were right. It was always capital of Seychelles.She was close enough that he could hear her thoughts.Relief again. If it had been the Volturi, we were both dead. But with Victoria, it didnt have to be both. Edward could survive this. He was a good fighter, as good as Jasper. If she didnt bring too many others, he could fight his way out, back to his family. Edward was faster than anyone. He could make it.I was so glad hed sent Seth away. Of course, there was no one Seth could run to for help. Victoria had timed her decision utterly. B ut at least Seth was safe I couldnt see the huge sandy wolf in my head when I thought his name just the gangly fifteen-year-old boy.Edwards body shifted only infinitesimally, but it told me where to look. I stared at the black shadows of the forest. It was like having my nightmares walk forward to greet me.Two vampires edged slowly into the small opening of our camp, eyes intent, missing nothing. They glistened like diamonds in the sun.I could barely look at the blond boy yes, he was just a boy, though he was muscular and lofty, maybe my age when he was changed. His eyes a more vivid red than I had ever seen in the lead could not hold mine. Though he was closest to Edward, the nearest danger, I could not watch him.Because, a few feet to the side and a few feet back, Victoria was staring at me.Her orange hair was brighter than Id remembered, more like a flame. There was no go here, but the fire around her face seemed to shimmer slightly, as if it were alive.Her eyes were bla ck with thirst. She did not smile, as she always had in my nightmares her lips were pressed into a penny-pinching line. There was a striking feline quality to the way she held her coiled body, a lioness waiting for an opening to spring. Her restless, wild gaze flickered between Edward and me, but never rested on him for more than a half-second. She could not keep her eyes from my face any more than I could keep mine from hers.Tension involute off of her, nearly visible in the air. I could feel the desire, the all-consuming passion that held her in its grip. Almost as if I could hear her thoughts, too, I knew what she was thinking.She was so close to what she wanted the focus of her whole existence for more than a year now was just so close.My death.Her plan was as obvious as it was practical. The cosmic blond boy would attack Edward. As soon as Edward was sufficiently distracted, Victoria would finish me.It would be quick she had no time for games here but it would be thoroug h. Something that it would be impossible to recover from. Something that even vampire venom could not repair.Shed have to stop my heart. Perhaps a hand shoved through my chest, suppression it. Something along those lines.My heart beat furiously, loudly, as if to make her target more obvious.An immense distance away, from far across the black forest, a wolfs howl echoed in the still air. With Seth gone, there was no way to interpret the sound.The blond boy looked at Victoria from the corner of his eye, waiting on her command.He was boyish in more ways than one. I guessed from his brilliant crimson irises that he couldnt have been a vampire for very long. He would be strong, but inept. Edward would know how to fight him. Edward would survive.Victoria jerked her chin toward Edward, wordlessly ordering the boy forward.Riley, Edward said in a soft, pleading voice.The blond boy froze, his red eyes widening.Shes finesse to you, Riley, Edward told him. Listen to me. Shes lying to you jus t like she lied to the others who are dying now in the clearing. You know that shes lied to them, that she had you lie to them, that neither of you were ever going to help them. Is it so hard to believe that shes lied to you, too?Confusion swept across Rileys face.Edward shifted a few inches to the side, and Riley automatically compensated with an adjustment of his own.She doesnt love you, Riley. Edwards soft voice was compelling, almost hypnotic. She never has. She loved someone named James, and youre no more than a tool to her.When he said Jamess name, Victorias lips pulled back in a teeth-baring grimace. Her eyes stayed locked on me.Riley cast a frantic glance in her direction.Riley? Edward said.Riley automatically refocused on Edward.She knows that I will kill you, Riley. She wants you to die so that she doesnt have to keep up the pretense anymore. Yes youve seen that, havent you? Youve read the reluctance in her eyes, suspected a false note in her promises. You were right. She s never wanted you. Every kiss, every touch was a lie.Edward moved again, moved a few inches toward the boy, a few inches away from me.Victorias gaze zeroed in on the gap between us. It would take her less than a second to kill me she only needed the tiniest margin of opportunity.Slower this time, Riley repositioned himself.You dont have to die, Edward promised, his eyes holding the boys. There are other ways to live than the way shes shown you. Its not all lies and blood, Riley. You can walk away right now. You dont have to die for her lies.Edward slid his feet forward and to the side. There was a foot of distance between us now. Riley circled too far, overcompensating this time. Victoria leaned forward onto the balls of her feet.Last chance, Riley, Edward whispered.Rileys face was desperate as he looked to Victoria for answers.Hes the liar, Riley, Victoria said, and my mouth fell open in shock at the sound of her voice. I told you about their mind tricks. You know I love only yo u.Her voice was not the strong, wild, catlike growl I would have put with her face and stance. It was soft, it was high a babyish, soprano tinkling. The kind of voice that went with blond curls and pink bubble gum. It made no sense coming through her bared, glistening teeth.Rileys jaw tightened, and he squared his shoulders. His eyes emptied there was no more confusion, no more suspicion. There was no thought at all. He tensed himself to attack.Victorias body seemed to be trembling, she was so tightly wound. Her fingers were ready claws, waiting for Edward to move just one more inch away from me.The snarl came from none of them.A mammoth tan shape flew through the center of the opening, throwing Riley to the ground.No Victoria cried, her baby voice shrill with disbelief.A yard and a half in front of me, the huge wolf ripped and tore at the blond vampire beneath him. Something white and hard smacked into the rocks by my feet. I cringed away from it.Victoria did not spare one glance for the boy shed just pledged her love to. Her eyes were still on me, filled with a mortification so ferocious that she looked deranged.No, she said again, through her teeth, as Edward started to move toward her, blocking her path to me.Riley was on his feet again, looking misshapen and haggard, but he was able to delegate a vicious kick into Seths shoulder. I heard the bone crunch. Seth backed off and started to circle, limping. Riley had his arms out, ready, though he seemed to be missing part of one hand. . . .Only a few yards away from that fight, Edward and Victoria were dancing.Not quite circling, because Edward was not allowing her to position herself closer to me. She sashayed back, moving from side to side, trying to find a hole in his defense. He shadowed her footwork lithely, stalking her with perfect concentration. He began to move just a fraction of a second before she moved, reading her intentions in her thoughts.Seth lunged at Riley from the side, and something tor e with a hideous, grating screech. Another heavy white chunk flew into the forest with a thud. Riley roared in fury, and Seth skipped back amazingly light on his feet for his size as Riley took a swipe at him with one mangled hand.Victoria was weaving through the tree trunks at the far end of the little opening now. She was torn, her feet pulling her toward safety while her eyes yearned toward me as if I were a magnet, reeling her in. I could see the burning desire to kill warring with her survival instinct.Edward could see that, too.Dont go, Victoria, he murmured in that same hypnotic tone as before. Youll never get another chance like this.She showed her teeth and hissed at him, but she seemed unable to move farther away from me.You can always run later, Edward purred. Plenty of time for that. Its what you do, isnt it? Its why James kept you around. Useful, if you like to play deadly games. A partner with an uncanny instinct for escaping. He shouldnt have left you he could have used your skills when we caught up to him in Phoenix.A snarl ripped from between her lips.Thats all you ever were to him, though. Silly to waste so much energy avenging someone who had less adherence for you than a hunter for his mount. You were never more than a convenience to him. I would know.Edwards lips pulled up on one side as he tapped his temple.With a stifled screech, Victoria darted out of the trees again, feinting to the side. Edward responded, and the dance began again.Just then, Rileys fist caught Seths flank, and a low yelp coughed out of Seths throat. Seth backed away, his shoulders twitching as if he were trying to shake off the pain.Please, I wanted to plead with Riley, but I couldnt find the muscles to make my mouth open, to pull the air up from my lungs. Please, hes just a childWhy hadnt Seth run away? Why didnt he run now?Riley was closing the distance between them again, driving Seth toward the cliff face beside me. Victoria was suddenly interested in her par tners fate. I could see her, from the corner of her eyes, judge the distance between Riley and me. Seth snapped at Riley, forcing him back again, and Victoria hissed.Seth wasnt limping anymore. His circling took him within inches of Edward his tail brushed Edwards back, and Victorias eyes bulged.No, he wont turn on me, Edward said, answering the question in Victorias head. He used her perplexity to slide closer. You provided us with a common enemy. You allied us.She clenched her teeth, trying to keep her focus on Edward alone.Look more closely, Victoria, he murmured, pulling at the threads of her concentration. Is he really so much like the monster James tracked across Siberia?Her eyes popped wide open, and then began flickering wildly from Edward to Seth to me, around and around. Not the same? she snarled in her little girls soprano. ImpossibleNothing is impossible, Edward murmured, voice velvet soft as he moved another inch closer to her. Except what you want. Youll never touch h er.She shook her head, fast and jerky, fighting his diversions, and tried to duck around him, but he was in plaza to block her as soon as shed thought of the plan. Her face contorted in frustration, and then she shifted lower into her crouch, a lioness again, and stalked deliberately forward.Victoria was no inexperienced, instinct-driven newborn. She was lethal. Even I could tell the difference between her and Riley, and I knew that Seth wouldnt have lasted so long if hed been fighting this vampire.Edward shifted, too, as they closed on each other, and it was lion versus lioness.The dance increased in tempo.It was like Alice and Jasper in the meadow, a blurred spiraling of movement, only this dance was not as perfectly choreographed. Sharp crunches and breezeings reverberated off the cliff face whenever someone slipped in their formation. But they were moving too fast for me to see who was making the mistakes. . . .Riley was distracted by the groundless ballet, his eyes anxious f or his partner. Seth struck, crunching off another small piece of the vampire. Riley bellowed and launched a massive backhanded blow that caught Seth full in his large-minded chest. Seths huge body soared ten feet and crashed into the rocky wall over my head with a force that seemed to shake the whole peak. I heard the breath swoosh from his lungs, and I ducked out of the way as he rebounded off the stone and collapsed on the ground a few feet in front of me.A low whimper escaped through Seths teeth.Sharp fragments of gray stone showered down on my head, scratching my exposed skin. A jagged spike of rock turn down my right arm and I caught it reflexively. My fingers clenched around the long shard as my own survival instincts kicked in since there was no chance of flight, my body not caring how ineffectual the gesture was prepared for a fight.Adrenaline jolted through my veins. I knew the brace was cutting into my palm. I knew the crack in my knuckle was protesting. I knew it, b ut I could not feel the pain.Behind Riley, all I could see was the twisting flame of Victorias hair and a blur of white. The increasingly frequent metallic snaps and tears, the gasps and shocked hissings, made it clear that the dance was turning deadly for someone.But which someone?Riley lurched toward me, his red eyes brilliant with fury. He glared at the limp mountain of sand-colored fur between us, and his hands mangled, broken hands curled into talons. His mouth opened, widened, his teeth glistening, as he prepared to rip out Seths throat.A second kick of adrenaline hit like an electric shock, and everything was suddenly very clear.Both fights were too close. Seth was about to lose his, and I had no idea if Edward was winning or losing. They needed help. A distraction. Something to give them an edge.My hand gripped the stone spike so tightly that a support in the brace snapped.Was I strong enough? Was I brave enough? How hard could I shove the rough stone into my body? Would t his buy Seth enough time to get back on his feet? Would he heal fast enough for my sacrifice to do him any good?I raked the point of the shard up my arm, yanking my thick sweater back to expose the skin, and then pressed the sharp tip to the crease at my elbow. I already had a long scar there from my last birthday. That night, my flowing blood had been enough to catch every vampires attention, to freeze them all in place for an instant. I prayed it would work that way again. I steeled myself and sucked in one deep breath.Victoria was distracted by the sound of my gasp. Her eyes, holding still for one slender portion of a second, met mine. Fury and curiosity mingled strangely in her expression.I wasnt sure how I heard the low sound with all the other noises emit off the stone wall and hammering inside my head. My own heartbeat should have been enough to drown it out. But, in the split second that I stared into Victorias eyes, I thought I heard a familiar, exasperated sigh.In that s ame short second, the dance broke violently apart. It happened so quickly that it was over before I could follow the sequence of events. I tried to catch up in my head.Victoria had flown out of the blurred formation and smashed into a tall spruce about halfway up the tree. She dropped back to the earth already crouched to spring.Simultaneously, Edward all but invisible with speed had twisted backward and caught the unsuspecting Riley by the arm. It had looked like Edward planted his foot against Rileys back, and heaved The little campsite was filled with Rileys piercing shriek of agony.At the same time, Seth leaped to his feet, cutting off most of my view.But I could still see Victoria. And, though she looked oddly deformed as if she were unable to straighten up completely I could see the smile Id been stargaze of flash across her wild face.She coiled and sprang.Something small and white whistled through the air and collided with her mid-flight. The impact sounded like an explo sion, and it threw her against another tree this one snapped in half. She land on her feet again, crouched and ready, but Edward was already in place. Relief swelled in my heart when I saw that he stood straight and perfect.Victoria kicked something aside with a flick of her bare foot the missile that had crippled her attack. It rolled toward me, and I realized what it was.My stomach lurched.The fingers were still twitching grasping at blades of grass, Rileys arm began to puff up itself mindlessly across the ground.Seth was circling Riley again, and now Riley was retreating. He backed away from the advancing werewolf, his face rigid with pain. He raised his one arm defensively.Seth rushed Riley, and the vampire was clearly off-balance. I saw Seth sink his teeth into Rileys shoulder and tear, jumping back again.With an earsplitting metallic screech, Riley lost his other arm.Seth shook his head, flinging the arm into the woods. The broken hissing noise that came through Seths teeth sounded like snickering.Riley screamed out a tortured plea. VictoriaVictoria did not even flinch to the sound of her name. Her eyes did not flicker once toward her partner.Seth launched himself forward with the force of a wrecking ball. The thrust carried both Seth and Riley into the trees, where the metallic screeching was matched by Rileys screams. Screams that abruptly cut off, while the sounds of rock being ripped to shreds continued.Though she spared Riley no farewell glance, Victoria seemed to realize that she was on her own. She began to back away from Edward, frenzied disappointment blazing in her eyes. She threw me one short, agonized stare of longing, and then she started to retreat faster.No, Edward crooned, his voice seductive. Stay just a little longer.She wheeled and flew toward the refuge of the forest like an arrow from a bow.But Edward was faster a bullet from a gun.He caught her unprotected back at the edge of the trees and, with one last, simple step, the dance was over.Edwards mouth brushed once across her neck, like a caress. The squealing clamor coming from Seths efforts covered every other noise, so there was no discernible sound to make the image one of violence. He could have been kissing her.And then the fiery mat of hair was no longer connected to the rest of her body. The shivering orange waves fell to the ground, and bounced once before rolling toward the trees.