Chapter 21

“Well, yeah. I figured money was no good, which meant threats of violence or contraband. It’s clear he’s in prison, so…” Lily pulled out a pack of cigarettes, twinkies, and a small bag of dum-dums. “Any of these float your boat, bugman? I’ve got some beef jerky in my prison wallet.”

The Oracle’s eyes blazed with light, and suddenly Dana was looking into a mouth full of tiny orbs that looked like distant stars. Lily’s eyes rolled back in her head and she went silent, her mouth hanging open in wonder.

“What did you do to her?” Dana nudged her friend, but Lily didn’t respond.

“She is a distraction. You are the star of the show, didn’t you know? Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.” The Oracle extended long hairy fingers and splayed them against the glass. “Tell me more about how you came to be, Sparks.”

The use of her old nickname startled her. “How do you know that name?” she whispered.

“I’m the Oracle. I have seen much of what was, what is, and what is to come.