her life falling apart piece by piece . `` it 's in my blood , '' i said , giving him a true answer , though not the real one . `` someone else is going to die . '' once i was back , he smiled and released james . i leaned forward , pressing my palms into the damp earth , and followed him . replacing the receiver he said to it , thanks , thanks for nothing . the seed had been gathering energy . the red tip of the cigarette bloomed bright . 