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Page 359
the wall. The wall that stood between her and the dining room.
She got to her hands and knees. The chair blocked her view of the dining room entrance, but she could see the area through which the boys would have to pass when they went for Tom and Kara.
She waited. She held her breath until her lungs burned and she feared her head might explode. Then she let her air out slowly and inhaled. Sweat stung her eyes. The handle of her knife felt oily.
Come on, she thought. Let's get it over with.
She wondered if this was the dumbest thing she'd ever done. Probably was.
Putting herself out here alone.
Seemed like a good idea at the time.
It is a good idea. I can't let those bastards get Kara. Or Tom, for that matter.
Off beyond the chair, something moved. A low, bulky shape that was darker than the darkness. Like a black animal creeping forward.
One of the guys. Crawling.
Denise stared at his head. She couldn't make out who he was. Probably Buddy. He was the worst of the three (if it's them at all), and he would be in the lead.
She suddenly feared that he might sense he was being stared at. She tried to force herself to look away, but her eyes refused to leave him. So far, he seemed to be watching the area in front.
At last, his head disappeared behind the sofa.
Denise saw another crawling shape behind him. This one had a faint sheen on its back. Whatever light

 
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