Chapter 100: Prey, Part 2

Thirteen Years Ago.

Jenny stands in line with the others, Mr Klempner looking them over. Lips pursed, he casts a toxic glance at Supervisor Jenkins, who straightens up in a poor copy of attention.

Mr Klempner passes to the end of the line first. The boy there is small, blond and blue-eyed, pretty enough to be a girl. Far prettier than Jenny.

Mr Klempner hunkers down to the boy's level, hitching up his trousers at the knee. "And what's your name?"

"Pieter, sir." The voice is piping, an accent edging through the words.

Mr Klempner Hmmms in satisfaction. "You have a nice voice, Pieter. A nice face too. I know someone who will like you."

Then he moves to the next in line: a girl. She's older, with a round face and blotchy skin. He tips up her chin to get a better look. "Mmmm... Can't say the same about you, can we? Face like a potato. You're never going to be pretty."