When you visit our website, if you give your consent, we will use cookies to allow us to collect data for aggregated statistics to improve our service and remember your choice for future visits. Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
Dear Reader, we use the permissions associated with cookies to keep our website running smoothly and to provide you with personalized content that better meets your needs and ensure the best reading experience. At any time, you can change your permissions for the cookie settings below.
If you would like to learn more about our Cookie, you can click on Privacy Policy.
Chapter 2 Pill Hill—Portland OR, July 2005 “Which floor, bud?” Mason couldn’t move or speak. “Buddy? You okay?” Parker moved toward Mason’s wheelchair. “NO!” Mason put up a hand to fend Parker away. “Uh, sorry, guy. Um, look, I’ll uh, just press the button for the eighth floor, which is mine. Then you press your own, okay?” The expression on Parker’s face was a mixture of surprise and slight amusement. Mason could feel his heart pumping rapidly in his chest. He’d also broken out in a cold sweat. In a disconnected, far away sense, Mason knew his actions must seem very strange. Obviously Parker didn’t recognize him. The elevator began to move upward. Just hold it together, not long now, Mason told himself, though he remembered Parker was getting out at his floor, too. Mason