my two friends hug me quickly and disappear down the stairs . he stares at them , but his gaze is faraway . `` i will come by for him later tonight-or in the morning , if not . '' only a handful of these people returned after octopus , hopeful that the war was at an end . this book came to formation with the help of a few individuals . `` i would n't have done what i did in the theater , if ... well , i asked doris about you . '' the stairs i need to sneak onto . 