we found it minutes later and we entered . i had no idea how a man could be so strong , so powerful , and yet so tender . brad was there already and dan saw the grader parked there as he came south on highway 1 from the quarry access road . just as he was about to release the stone , i squeezed my eyes shut , and when i opened them , a small , white , stick-like object shot across the air from me to him . i felt the urge to nibble my thumb , so i did . 