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So when the ht, with her Christht and crisp on the closet door and her stepfather bending over her, Brigid should have been horrified She should have cried out when the dark-hairedmotion She should have looked ahen the red-haired derabbed Richard Kelly by the throat and twisted his neck until she heard the quick pop and he cruid did none of those things Because she knew on that cold winter night, as the frost crunched beneath thecar, that appearances could be very deceiving

Her great-aunt’s waiting arms were soft and warm, and she was enveloped immediately in their embrace

"We didn’t know, child," the old woman whispered "As soon as your id? Don’t worry, darling, we’re away fro withDon’t worry--"

"I have id re sound outside the car Suddenly, a pair of blue eyes met hers over her Aunt Sinead’s shoulder It was the monster who had snapped her stepfather’s neck He stared at her for a one Seconds later, she heard the car door open, and her aunt reached out Sinead spread her Christid looked back over her shoulder

The red-hairedbreath puffed from his mouth He looked at her with solemn eyes Suddenly, a smile turned up the corner of his rand in it"

Brigid could only whisper "Thank you"

The car doors closed The dark-haired monster with the kind smile slipped into the front seat, and they sped away frohborhood in the suburbs of Dublin

But the red-haired monster stood in front of the house that had been her prison, alone in the freezing night

Gwynedd, Wales

Decerasped her cold hand "Don’t"

She only squeezed his fingers and turned back to the fire