Part 52 (1/2)

in case Emma had to use the bathroom during the night. She had a bad

moment at the doorway, imagining the things that lurked in the shadowy

corners. She wanted to stay in her room with the grinning Mickey.

Then Darren let out a yawling cry.

There was nothing in the corners, Emma told herself as she started down

the dark hallway. There was nothing there at all. No monsters, no

ghosts, no squishy or slithering things.

It was the Beatles playing now.

Emma wet her lips. Just the dark, just the dark, she told herself Her

eyes had adjusted to the dark by the time she'd reached Darren's door.

It was closed. That was wrong, too. His door was always left open so

he could be heard easily when awakened.

She reached out, then jumped as she thought she heard something move

behind her. Heart pumping, she turned to scan the dark hallway.

s.h.i.+fting shadows towered into nameless monsters, making sweat break out

on her brow and back.

Nothing there, nothing there, she told herself, and Darren was crying

his lungs out.

She turned the k.n.o.b and pushed the door open.

”Come together,” Lennon sang. ”Over me.”

There were two men in the room. One was holding Darren, struggling to

keep him still while the baby screamed in fear and anger. The other had

something in his hand, something that the light from the giraffe lamp on

the dresser caused to glint.

”What are you doing?”

The man whirled at her voice. He wasn't a doctor, Emma thought