“Arson? That’s your answer to everything that happens in this world, Zooey!” Judas exclaimed in an irritated voice. “There are still noble people in the world.”
“I know,” said Zooey. “They’re the ones that put the fires out.” Judas glared at him.
“Clever.” She scowled. She sat on a rock on the riverside.
“Sooner or later,” Zooey said, sitting next to her. “Sooner or later, we’re gonna have to face that shadowy figure.”
“Later, Zoo. I’m tired.” Judas complained. “Can I ask you something?” Zooey shrugged. “Where’d you get your name?” His face broke into a grin.
“My parents were fond of using names from books. I had an older brother. His name’s ‘John Darling’. They promised if I was a boy, they’d name me ‘Zooey’, you know, like Salinger’s book, and my little sister, when she was born was named ‘Franny’. And you?”
“My father said sooner or later I’d betray him, so he named me Judas. Princess Judas Amudsen of Holland. And, he was… right. I betrayed him the moment I ran away with Prince Zooey of Prussia.”