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rammed Tom in the belly. Instead of knocking him down, the blow sent Kara stumbling backward. She landed on her rump. Denise leaped over the girl. Tom swung the poker. Its brass bar whapped against her side. She shoved the blazing shirt at his face. |
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Dropping the poker, he lurched to the side and slammed a wall as he flung up both arms to shield his face. Denise thrust the torch against his arms. She knew his midsection was unprotected, knew she could drive the knife straight into him with her left hand. But she refused. |
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'KARA!' she shouted. 'GO! GO!' |
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The flames flapped against her face, curled hot around her fist and forearm. But she didn't stab Tom. She just kept jamming the fireball against his crossed arms. |
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Made it into the bathroom. |
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Denise pumped her knee into Tom's groin. His breath exploded out. He spasmed against the wall. Denise lurched away from him, dashed to the bathroom, hurled the flaming remains of her shirt into the sink, swung around and drove her shoulder against the door, slamming it shut. Her thumb jabbed the lock button down. |
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She slumped back against the door. As she gasped, coughing on the smoky air, Kara turned on a faucet. Water splashed down. The burning shirt hissed. Its glow faded. In seconds, the bathroom was dark except for the beam of the flashlight. |
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