|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He released her ankle. The spikes were yanked from her rump. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She climbed onto the sofa's back. Straddling it, she saw Buddy down on the floor. Tom, over by the wall, was on his knees, both arms over his head to protect it as Kara struck downward again with her poker. It whapped his arms and he cried out. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy sat up. Denise threw herself off the sofa. She dropped both knees onto him, smashing him flat. His arm hooked around her back. He rolled, hurling her to the floor beside him. 'What're ya . . . tryin' to do to me?' he gasped. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Tom?' She ran her hands over his chest. Felt a sweatshirt. A dry sweatshirt. 'Oh God.' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That was Buddy who'd had the spear? And Tom on the floor about to be stabbed when Kara came along? Didn't seem right. But this was Tom on the floor beside her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denise rolled away from him as Kara yelped. Looked up. Saw Kara spin away. Her hands looked empty. Buddythe real Buddyhad the poker. He swung it at her. Denise heard the rod hiss through the air. It missed the girl. Buddy staggered, fell to his knees. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Then hands dug into Denise's armpits and pulled her up. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Your room, Kara!' Tom shouted. 'Run to your room.' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The girl glanced back, then ran for the front of the house. |
|
|
|
|
|