Chapter 741

• I was still 17, and it was about three months after I got struck by lightning. Most people still stared at me or whispered behind my back, and I just didn’t feel up to going through all the motions again. After the second period, I ditched school and went home.
• I opened the kitchen door and looked at the man leaning against the counter, clearly waiting for the kettle to boil. I had no idea who he was but he was comfortable enough in my house to help himself.
• “Hello, Alex,” he said.