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But that wasn’t the case Instead it was even blacker up here than below, soe She clambered up quickly, her heart in her throat despite her head start

Once on seround, on the boards that ran across the tops of the rafters, she tried toherself how precarious this was, that these planks could be rotting or cracked or just plain weak, like the ones on the outside of the barn Everyhe couldn’t hear which direction she went Hoping he was too preoccupied with his futile task to notice her At least for the moment

Violet heard a violent crash froht against one of the walls His rage was palpable, and she huddled farther into the corner, hugging herself as tightly as she could

If he was desperate before, noas infuriated Of the two, she preferred desperation

She held her breath, listening as he grappled with the steps He was larger than she was, and his weight roan She silently prayed they would snap beneath the pressure, even if it meant she’d be trapped up here, all by herself

But they didn’t, and she heard him reach the top at the same time her skin prickled painfully, like a coat of needles

Unlike her, he stood upright She knew because when he spoke his voice came from above her "Coed her knees tighter, hoping he couldn’t see her nightgown--or her--pressed into the darkest corner of the grimy loft "I promise not to hurt you I pro"

She cringed, shaking all over Adrenaline tore through her as she concentrated on one thing Him She tracked him by the imprints he bore

She calculated his position as he walked three steps away from her, and then he turned and walked two more directly toward her Her heart failed to beat for several immeasurable seconds Her eyes widened as she felt the tre squarely in front of her and she could smell every inch of him, basted in burnt rubber Awash in death

When he turned the other way, Violet’s blood began to pu it threatened to engulf her This , she realized as with each step he took, the distance between therew

She hesitated, unsure that her plan--her only hope--ise, but recognizing she had no other options And then, because it was the only thing she could do, she fled,that he could hear her now Not caring that she was reckless and clumsy