PART FIVE

We saw the heavens break and all the world go down to sleep

and rocks on mossy banks drip acid rain from craggy steeps

Saw fiery angels kiss the dawn

Wish you goodbye till further on

Will you still be there further on?

And further on – Jethro Tull

I will kill you if you don't stay back

Don't move a muscle or I will attack

I'm sick of your bickering and condescending ways

I'll be the one to get out of this maze

Give me the gun! Let's not dispute!

Give me the gun! I'm not a brute!

Give me the gun! Give me the gun!

I swear I'll shoot!

Give me the Gun – Maze of death

*

[The bath house is lovingly based on the one seen in the classic Anime film, 'Spirited Away'.]

Jayne stomped ahead of Hori through the semi-darkness. He was frowning to himself. Couldn't see why in the name of all gorram he'd spilled so much to the big Maori. Weren't his way, to do that. Still, the Maori was good people; he'd practically bet one of his knives or guns that Hori wouldn't tell. Was kinda like Shepherd Book that way; the sort of silence that practically *made a person share their innermost. Vera could do something similar too, but that was different. For some reason his woman trusted and loved him and in the same instant some inner part of him had risen to the challenge and loved and trusted right back. Still, Hori's words had been...enlightening, kinda. Put a whole slant on love and belief and faith that Jayne was still juggling with. Jayne gripped the metal version of Vera a bit tighter. Here was one of his firm, reliable raison d'etre. And if she jammed or ran out of ammo, there were plenty more strapped around his body he could call on, down to his two big knives and his very own hands and fists, if push came to shove. He was kinda hoping he'd get the chance to let some ammo fly before all this was done. The feel of rounds successfully hitting a target dead on; that was basic and visceral; he understood that. It had meant meat on the table and the difference between life and death more often than he cou