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"He seeoing out last night He looked -?

"How did you see us?" I asked

"Through the ," she said "It’s not the first ti out after dark I never said anything about it before, because I thought you would have told me what you were up to if you’d wanted me to know"

"It’s not nice to spy on people," I snapped

"I wasn’t spying!" Debbie looked hurt by my accusation and tone "I just happened to see you And if that’s going to be your attitude, you can forget Christ her arrab too hard) "I’ood Maybe I’ve picked up soreed, her face softening

"As for where we go at night, it’s just to o out for so to eat, or to see a s stand with my dad"

"You should introduce us," Debbie said "I bet I’d be able to get hi again

"So, how about Christ down to dinner with Debbie and her parents was the last thing I wanted to think about "I’ll have to get back to you on that one" I said "I’ on"

"But Christmas Eve is tomorrow!" Debbie exclaimed "Your dad e," I said "He likes to leave things till the very last minute I could arrive back after this walk and find hio"

"He can’t leave if Evra’s sick," she said

"He can and will, if he wants," I told her

Debbie frowned and stopped walking There was a street vent a foot or so away, and war out of it She moved closer and stood on the bars "You won’t leave without telling me, will you?" she asked

"Of course not," I said

"I’d hate it if you disappeared into thin air without a word," she said, and I could see tears gathering in the corners of her eyes

"I pro, you’ll know, too Word of honor" I crossed ave

"What was that for?" I asked

"Does there have to be a reason?" she smiled, then pointed ahead "Let’s turn at the next corner That’ll lead us back to the square"

I took Debbie’s ared hotels If I returned to the square, she’d expect et suspicious if she spotted ," I said "I’ll call tonight or in theto let you knohether I can co his arested "I’d really love to have you over"

"I’ll try," I vowed, and watched through sad eyes as she walked to the corner and turned out of sight

It was then that I heard a soft chuckling noise beneath h the bars of the vent I saw nobody and thought I s But then a voice cairlfriend, Darren Shan," it said with a giggle, and I knew instantly as down there "A very tasty dish Good enough to eat, wouldn’t you say? Much tastier-looking than your other friend Much tastier than Evra"

It was Murlough- the mad vampaneze!