her hand dropped , as if she were too weary to hold it up . `` i have n't been able to get you out of my mind since i first saw you-in the woods , covered in blood . the curse book thumped down and , still not looking up from the pages , i crossed my ankles and leaned over the book , using the end of a pencil to turn the page . `` come sit down next to me , cassie . `` and you think that man ought to be francis ? '' the boy wanted to do better . 