Max Part 23

In fact, as the countdown ticker flashes on the JumboTron displays at either end of the stadium, it's looking like this will be our last last day. day.

It's a point driven home by the very tall, bald man up in the tower they've erected midfield - he looks like a cross between a Supreme Court chief justice and Ming the Merciless. I know who he is. I've actually met him. He's The One Who Is The One.

Directly behind his Oneness is a huge N.O. banner - the New Order. the New Order.

And then the crowd begins to chant, almost sing, "The One Who Is The One! The One Who Is The One!"

Imperiously, The One raises his hand, and his hooded lackeys on the stage push us forward, at least as far as the ropes around our necks will allow.

I see my brother, Whit, handsome and brave, looking down at the platform mechanism. Calculating if there's any way to jam it, some way to keep it from unlatching and dropping us to our neck-snapping deaths. Wondering if there's some last-minute way out of this.

I see my mother crying quietly. Not for herself, of course, but for Whit and me.

I see my father, his tall frame stooped with resignation, but smiling at me and my brother - trying to keep our spirits up, reminding us that there's no point in being miserable in our last moments on Earth.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm supposed to be providing an introduction introduction here, not the details of our public here, not the details of our public execution. execution.

So let's go back a bit....

Also by James Patterson:

Available in eBook*

The Thomas Berryman Number

Season of the Machete

See How They Run

The Midnight Club

Along Came a Spider*

Kiss the Girls*

Hide & Seek

Jack & Jill*

Miracle on the 17th Green

(with Peter de Jonge)

Cat & Mouse*

When the Wind Blows*

Pop Goes the Weasel*

Black Friday

Cradle and All

Roses Are Red*

1st to Die*

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas*

Violets Are Blue*

2nd Chance*

The Beach House

The Jester*

The Lake House*