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"You lose…"

"I cast you, Beast, nevermore to rise!" Evie finished

John Hobbes’s blue eyes showed true fear for the first time as Solomon’s Comet blazed overhead and his forlowed red in Evie’s hand until she was forced to drop it A great column of fire shot up frohtness like an explosion Then, as quickly as it had coone, as was the pendant, which was now nothing ain A s of fresh stars showed in the haze

Evie heard another hiss and scrambled to her feet Flames burst froo me, ain Evie felt a sense of panic Hoould she get out? What should she do? For a moment, she stood perfectly still, nu She looked up at the sky, as if waiting for it tothe stars No She had not come this far, sacrificed whatbuckled, raining down plaster With an almost animalistic howl, Evie bolted for the door, her hands up to ward off any fiery debris She ran through the base for Jericho

"Evie? Evie!"

At the sound of Jericho’s voice, Evie felt renewed hope "Jericho! Keep calling!"

She followed Jericho’s calls to the rooht and shone it into the hole It wasn’t so deep--she could see that now When he’d fallen before, he must’ve hit his head She reached an are for Jericho to pull hirunted out

"What happened to…?" He rubbed his eyes

"Gone," she said "Finished"

Boards splintered Windows shattered, showering thelass The house shuddered on its foundation, sinking with the fire as if itand everyone doith it Evie and Jericho ran toward the kitchen

"Why did you light the match?" Evie yelled

"I didn’t!" Jericho swore

The kitchen door wouldn’t budge Evie pulled frantically at the handle Jericho ran for it, but couldn’t release its hold Evie screaed and the door was forced open She didn’t wait but grabbed Jericho’s hand, pulling hih, and they barreled down the lawn and into the street as the house blew apart

The fire depart ruin of Knowles’ End as it caved in on itself, a final curtsy There would be no saving it The kerosene had seen to that even before Naughty John’s last stand