An Easy Death

Chapter One CHAPTER ONE
In the morning I got Chrissie to cut off all my hair. Tarken and Martin would be tinkering with the truck, which was our livelihood. Galilee would be watching Martin, because they had started seeing each other before and after work. Or she would be cleaning her little house, or washing her clothes. I never saw Galilee bored or idle.

But I didn't have to be at Martin's until late that afternoon, so I was doing whatever I pleased. That morning I was pleased to get rid of my hair.

My neighbor Chrissie was not too bright, but I'd watched her trim her husband's hair and beard as he sat on a stool outside their cabin. She'd done a good job. She sang as she worked, in her sweet, high voice, and she told me about her youngest one's adventures with a frog in the creek.

When she was halfway done, she said, "Why you want to cut all this off? It's so pretty."

"It gets all sweaty and sticks to my neck," I said. Which was true. It was only spring now, but it would be the hot season soon.

"You better wear you a hat so your head won't get all red and tender," Chrissie said. "You want it so short I think the sun might get your scalp."

"I'll take care," I said, holding up the only little mirror Chrissie had. I could see part of my head at a time. She'd washed it, so my hair was wet. I thought it was about an inch long. Looked like the curl was gone, but I wouldn't know until it dried.

"You heading out soon? I saw them farmers at Martin's place, when I was coming back from the store." Chrissie's trousers had long tendrils of dark hair all over 'em now. She'd have to brush 'em.

"Yeah, we're leaving as soon as it's near dark."

"Ain't you scared?"

Sure, I was. "Of course not, the only ones should be scared are anyone who tries to get in our way." I smiled.

"You'll kill 'em dead, bang, bang," Chrissie said in a singsong voice.

"Yep. Bang, bang," I agreed.

"Why are they going to New America?"

"The farmers?

Harris, Charlaine Charlaine Harris is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing for over thirty years. She was born and raised in the Mississippi River Delta area. She has written four series, and two stand-alone novels, in addition to numerous short stories, novellas, and graphic novels (cowritten with Christopher Golden). Her Sookie Stackhouse books have appeared in twenty-five different languages and on many bestseller lists. They're also the basis of the HBO series True Blood. Harris now lives in Texas, and when she is not writing her own books, she reads omnivorously. Her house is full of rescue dogs.

"Immersive, involving, suspenseful and intriguing, with a main character you'll love. Think you know Charlaine Harris? Think again!" - Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher novels