Part 218 (2/2)

She turned and turned and turned it, but the light didn't s.h.i.+ne, didn't

fill the room and chase the shadows.

As the music grew louder, she put her hands over her ears. But she

could still hear it, throbbing, pulsing until her screams drowned it

out.

”There, Emma. There now.” Drew was beside her, stroking her hair.

”Another nightmare? You should have outgrown them by now, shouldn't

you?”

”The music.” She could only gasp and cling. He was her lifeline, the

only solid line that could pull her out of the sea of fear and madness.

”It wasn't a dream, I heard it. The song-I told you-the song that was

playing when Darren was killed.”

”There isn't any music.” Quietly, he set the remote for the stereo

aside. It was a good lesson, he thought, as she trembled against him. A

good way to keep her dependent and manageable.

”I heard it.” She was sobbing now between chattering teeth. ”And the

light, the lights won't go on.”

”You're too old to be afraid of the dark,” he said gently. Reaching

down, he plugged in the lamp and turned the switch. ”Better?”

She nodded, her face buried against his shoulder. ”Thank you.”

Grat.i.tude rushed through and overwhelmed her. With the light she went

limp in his arms. ”Don't leave me alone, Drew. Please, don't leave me

alone.”

”I told you I'd take care of you.” He smiled and continued to stroke her

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