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window, turned it on, and rested it on the sill so its beam was aimed at the door. Back at the sink, she pointed toward the bathtub. Then she puffed out her candle. |
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Tom hit the door again, pounding agony through Denise. |
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Kara climbed into the tub. It had sliding shower doors of clear glass. In the dim glow from the flashlight, Denise saw her crouch down at the back of the tub and beckon to her with the hammer. |
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It'll never work, Denise thought. |
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Neat idea, but it'll never work. |
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She let the door ram her one more time, then thrust herself away from it and raced for the tub. She stepped over the side. She brought her other leg in. She eased the shower door shut, stepped backward, and raised the knife from her side. She pressed its pommel hard against her belly, blade straight out. |
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Fall for it, Tom. Please. I don't want to stab you. |
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She flinched when the bathroom door burst open. |
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Tom lurched into view, stumbling. He almost fell, but got his balance and hurried alongside the tub. He still had the fireplace poker. He went straight for the window, leaned over the counter, reached to the sill and picked up the flashlight. |
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Then he turned away from the window. |
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He played the beam across the shower doors. |
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Denise squinted when its glare jabbed her eyes. |
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'I seeeee youuuu,' he said in a mad, cheery voice. |
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He strode toward the tub. Toward Kara's end of the tub. He shined his light down at the crouched girl. |
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'Leave us alone!' Kara blurted. |
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