The Lamplighters Read Online Free PDF

toiletries against her.
    “I’m afraid we’ll have to confiscate these for the duration of your stay, Miss,” snapped Anders, “The rules state that no liquids, gels, or other cosmetic items are allowed onto the island.”
    “But—how will I wash? What about my make-up?”
    “Toiletries will be provided from the island’s stores. You will have no need for make-up,” said Anders, “In addition no personal electronic device is to be taken onto the island by any employee, no matter how innocuous.”
    “I thought the rule only applied to phones, laptops, that kind of thing.”
    “That’s fine. Your belongings will be returned to you on completion of your contract.”
    That’s fine. Easy for you to say when you don’t use eyeliner . One thing was certain—she’d be going on a spending spree as soon as she got paid. She watched Anders take her music player and little toilet bag, separating them out and placing them into a plastic storage box a little further along the bench. She was going to miss her music almost as much as make-up. Thank God I didn’t pack an electric razor, all Hell would break loose.
    Anders dropped suddenly into a squatting position, again looking like he might launch into an impromptu workout. He rooted beneath the bench and pulled out a cylindrical container, like a fire extinguisher but smaller. Returning his attention to the bag’s contents, he pointed the nozzle of the cylinder at Marla’s clothes and began to spray them with a fine white mist.
    “Hey! What the hell?”
    The mist smelled awful, like neat bleach. Marla had no desire for her clothes to smell of bleach. Anders continued spraying, like an automaton in a factory.
    “What are you doing to my clothes? That stuff smells horrible!”
    Only when he had sprayed every single garment, did Anders put down the cylinder and turn to address Marla.
    “Apologies—strict regulations.”
    “Regulations about what?”
    “Meditrine Island is home to more than just human beings. Dozens of rare species live there too. Plants, insects, birds. You’ve traveled from an overpopulated city, rife with contaminants. We have to disinfect everything you bring with you to the island to safeguard the island’s natural resources. I’m afraid I’ll have to treat your shoes.”
    Marla climbed out of her shoes. As he got to work spraying them, she took in what Anders was saying. The environmental message sounded rather strange coming from such a militaristic man. I’m being lectured on ecology by an armed policeman. Better listen up or he might shoot me.
    “Someone could have explained…”
    “It’s done now, miss. Just the clothes you’re wearing to do now.”
    “The clothes I’m wearing ?”
    He gestured at another door.
    “Showers are through there. Please use the disinfectant gel provided. Leave your clothes on the bench just outside the door and I’ll process them while you shower.”
    Marla scowled at him.
    “The smell fades eventually,” said Anders brightly.
    Marla turned and headed for the showers before she could say something she might regret.
     
    A faint odor of bleach trailing behind her, Marla lugged her rucksack up the ramp and onto the deck of the sleek black vessel under the watchful eyes of Anders’ deckhands.
    “Welcome aboard the Sentry Maiden ,” saluted Anders.
    Anders’ men retracted the ramp and hauled in the docking ropes. The boat’s engine started up in an excitement of white foam and, drifting forward and to one side, the craft began to pick up speed. Marla was on the final leg of her journey to Meditrine Island. She felt clean.

Stratum corneum
    The huge man looked at Vera’s lifeless body, coldly. Now the kill was over, his real work could begin. He always preferred them when they lay like this—silent and still, not raving and wriggling.
    Selecting his finest scalpel from the workbench, he pressed a restraining hand down firmly on the girl’s chest and cut into her, just below the neck. His hand as