i felt like i had walked through it , wading through blood and dragging a giant rock behind me . jazz stared at the envelope , frowning . he managed to block all except one that hit his arm . she does the same , an unconscious mimic , and i slip out the door . i grew up believing that life was really like that , that the boys in the white hats always won . '' tiny loved teasing his woman about her father . i was ready to run into his arms , but the room was empty-and filthy . 