the company would have closed down," the man said, "But since you have chosen to exercise your choice, the company may now give one biscuit to someone else."

"Someone else?" I asked.

"That's right," the man said, "We only make them one at a time." Then he smiled at me with his thin, mean mouth and looked me right in the eyes.

"Got any enemies?" he asked, "Got anyone who really hates you?"

That's why I have run away from home, Mum and Dad. I don't want you to see me losing my arms and legs. I realized today that I really love you. Up till now I never cared, as long as I got what I wanted out of you. But now I'm scared about how you would feel if you saw me dying, in hospital, like Cynthia did.

The only hope I have is that whoever gets the biscuit next will be kind-hearted and forgiving.

Like Cynthia.