When Dogs Cry by Markus Zusak Page B

hurts, and that’s what I feel in me every day of my life. I’m so hungry to be somethin’—to be
somebody.
You hear me?’ He did. ‘I’m not lyin’ down ever. Not for you. Not for anyone.’ I ended it. ‘I’m hungry, Steve.’
    Sometimes I think they’re the best words I’ve ever said.
    â€˜I’m hungry.’
    And after that, I shut the door.
    I didn’t slam it.
    You don’t shoot a dog when it’s already dead.

    Â 
    when dogs cry
    We’re in the deepest part of the city now, and when the dog stops and turns around to face me his eyes are hungrier than ever.
    Hungry proud.
    Hungry to keep his desire.
    If affects me, making my heart reach further inside me, beating harder, prouder, bigger.
    He’s chosen this moment to show me what I am.
    The wind starts to push through again and a storm stirs itself amongst the sky.
    Lightning roars and thunder cracks above us.
    And the dog begins.
    He reaches deep, and his fur stands on end, climbing ferociously to the sky. From his heart, from his spirit, from the everything in his instinct, he begins to howl.
    He howls over the top of howling thunder.
    He howls above the howling lightning, and beyond a howling wind.
    With his head claiming the endless sky, he howls hunger and I feel it rage through me.
    It’s
my
hunger.
    My
pride.
    And I smile.
    I smile and feel it in my eyes, because hunger’s a powerful thing.

13
    T HE PHONE WAS RINGING . W EDNESDAY NIGHT. J UST PAST seven o’clock.
    â€˜Hello.’
    â€˜Ruben Wolfe?’
    â€˜No, it’s Cameron here.’
    â€˜Tell you what,’ the voice went on, laced with friendly malice. ‘Could you get him for me?’
    â€˜Yeah, who’s callin’?’
    â€˜No-one.’
    â€˜No-one?’
    â€˜Listen mate. Just get y’ brother on the phone or we’ll beat the crap out of you as well.’
    I was taken aback. I pulled the phone away, then back to my ear. ‘I’ll get him. Hang on a minute.’
    Rube was in our room with Julia the Scrubber. I knocked on the door and went in, saying, ‘Rube—someone on the phone.’
    â€˜Who is it?’
    â€˜They wouldn’t say.’
    â€˜Go ask ’em.’
    â€˜Do I look like y’ secretary? Just get up and get the phone.’
    He looked strangely at me, got up and left, which left me in the room with Julia the Scrubber, alone.
    Julia the Scrubber: ‘Hi Cam.’
    Me: ‘Hi Julia.’
    Julia the Scrubber, smiling and moving closer: ‘Rube’s been tellin’ me you’re not too much in love with me.’
    Me, inching away: ‘Well I guess he can tell you whatever he wants.’
    Julia the Scrubber, sensing my complete lack of interest: ‘Is it true?’
    Me: ‘Well, I don’t know, to be honest. It isn’t really any of my business what Rube does . . . but I know for sure that whoever’s on that phone wants to kill him, and I’ve got some idea it’s because of you.’
    Julia the Scrubber, laughing: ‘Rube’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.’
    Me: ‘That’s true, but he’s also my brother, and there’s no way I’d let him bleed alone.’
    Julia the Scrubber: ‘How very noble of you.’
    Rube came back in, saying, ‘I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about Cam. There’s no-one on the phone.’
    â€˜I’m telling you,’ I said on my way out. ‘There was a guy there Rube, and he sounded like he wanted to kill you. So when the phone rings again, get up and answer it.’
    The phone did ring again and this time Rube camerunning out of the room and got it. Again, they hung up on him. By the third time, Rube barked into the phone. ‘How ‘bout you start talkin’. If you want Ruben Wolfe, you’ve got him. So talk!’
    There was no response from the other end, and the phone