
Leave the nest alone, Green; the thorns are protecting birds, not challenging you. Mind your business, Convict, unless you want another thrashing. You step into this one-chapter preview with Bob Tomlins at the center, where choices turn on the people, promises, and pressure already in the room. The doctor turned toward the injured boy as Green prepared his version. The chapter closes on a continuation question rather than resolving the novel's larger arc.
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