ng crunched！ I heard it！ So you can just………！〃
〃Shut up。〃
He stared at me； his eyes wide。 〃What？ What did you say to me？〃
I took a step closer to him。 I could feel a vein throbbing in the middle of my forehead。 I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt so angry。 〃Aren't you glad Mr。 Jingles is okay？ After all the talks we've had about how our job is to keep the prisoners calm； especially when it gets near the end for them； I thought you'd be glad。 Relieved。 With Del having to take the walk tomorrow； and all。〃
Percy looked from me to Brutal； his studied calmness dissolving into uncertainty。 〃What the hell game do you boys think you're playing？〃 he asked。
〃None of this is a game； my friend；〃 Brutal said。 〃You thinking it is 。。。 well； that's just one of the reasons you can't be trusted。 You want to know the absolute truth？ I think you're a pretty sad case。〃
〃You want to watch it；〃 Percy said。 Now there was a rawness in his voice。 Fear creeping back in； after all … fear of what we might want with him； fear of what we might be up to。 I was glad to hear it。 It would make him easier to deal with。 〃I know people。 Important people。〃
〃So you say； but you're such a dreamer；〃 Brutal said。 He sounded as if he was on the verge of laughter。
Percy dropped the polishing rag onto the seat of the chair with the clamps attached to the arms and legs。 〃I killed that mouse；〃 he said in a voice that was not quite steady。
〃Go on and check