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Lana couldn’thersecond Her heart stil pounded, her blood stil h her body, but it didn’t matter She was already dead Kara had found her, and it was al over She was going to die on a dirty bathroom floor with help only a shout away

But Lana couldn’t shout Her lungs burned fro in any air--just like in her nightmares

"Are you okay?" asked Kara in a etting her attention Maybe she was halucinating Certainly a kiler wouldn’t walk up and introduce herself Not unless she was toying with Lana

Or testing her

Kara couldn’t know that Lana had seen her face No one knehich hy she was stil alive after eighteenit, maybe Kara would let her live What use could there be in kiling her and risking getting caught when al Kara had to do alk away knowing her secret was safe? Al Lana had to do was pretend Kara was a stranger and she ht live

Reach out and shake her hand That’s what she was supposed to do now

"Do you need help?" Kara asked, taking a step forward

Lana barely stifled a flinch "Sorry I thought I was going to get sick again for a ," she lied "I’htened Kara’s face, and she extended her hand again "That’s good to hear I’ve been looking forward toyou Everyone around here loves you"

Lana couldn’t bring herself to touch Kara She wasn’t strong enough to touch her and not scream So, she said, "Haven’t washedher ti, and she prayed Kara hadn’t seen it "So, you’re our new volunteer?"

"That’s right Just signed on this week I’ve heard so much about your work I had to come help out"

Lana’s hands wereto look foolish, so she turned off the water and dried them "Do you live nearby?"

"Just down the road Wel, it’s my mother’s house, but I decided to move back after she died"

"I’m sorry for your loss" Lana was sure the words didn’t sound sincere She was too stunned by the fact that this kiler had a ed "Death is just part of life"

She would know She’d caused enough of it

Lana shoved her hands into her pockets to ward off any ?"

"I’m a day trader You know, stocks and options?"

Liar! Lana wanted to screaed to hold her tongue "Sounds exciting"

"It has itswith the kids wil be even h Don’t you think?"

No as Lana letting her spend any tiy explained our rules to you, right?"

"You mean how I’m not alowed to do any activities with the children for at least three ht You can help set up and clean up, but we have to be strict about screening out the weirdos"

"I thought that’s what the background check was for"

"It is We’re just careful"

"That’s good to know You wouldn’t want any unpleasantness"

Too late for that

Kara cocked her head to one side "You look familiar Have we et out of here "No I don’t think so"

"I could have sworn I’ve seen you somewhere before"

"Probably in the newspapers"

Lana reached for the door, but Kara was faster Their hands colided near the handle, and Kara’s were reptile cold

Her voice was elegant and warm "It’s such a thril to be here I’ether"

Over Lana’s dead body Maybe literaly

This was too et away and think for a minute--decide what to do

She let Kara open the door for her rather than risk contact again When she ca for her As soon as he saw her, he frowned and stepped forward

"You okay?" he asked

"Fine"

"You don’t look fine"

Behind Caleb, Kara was talking with Peggy The older woy’s shoulder

Lana puled her eyes away She couldn’t stand to watch that kiler touch her friend