Part 12 (2/2)

”Do it.”

”What do you mean, where's Austin?” Sam rolled his eyes. ”I mean, he's not here.” Diana grabbed Claire's wrist as she reached for the door. ”Where are you going?”

”Back. He could be hurt.”

”He could be anywhere. Just because the possibilities didn't bring him through here doesn't mean they left him in the other mall.”

”There's only one way to find out.”

”And if he isn't there?”

Pulling free, Claire took a deep breath and looked her sister in the eye. ”Then I'll come right back.”

After a long moment, Diana nodded.

Claire closed her fingers around the latch, and froze.

Footsteps. Marching footsteps.

Distant, but coming closer.

Hard soles against concrete.

Hard something against concrete. Hooves, maybe? Impossible to tell.

The Keepers could feel the floor vibrate against their feet. Sam's tail puffed out to four times its usual sleek diameter.

Diana wound her fingers through Claire's pack straps and hauled her toward the other door. ”We've got to get out of here!”

Closer.

A pair of snowflake paperweights vibrated so violently they shattered, spilling out miniature Grendels chewing on the b.l.o.o.d.y ends of Viking arms.

”We don't know what's out in the store,” Claire protested, as Diana yanked the door open.

”It's got to be better than what's out there!”

Sam leaped off the milk crates and raced between their legs.

”Sam thinks it's safe! Move!”

They dove through the door after the cat. Diana slammed it behind them.

The sudden silence was almost overwhelming.

The hair lifting off his spine into an orange Mohawk, Sam moved out into the store. ”It's so thick, it's like walking through pudding.”

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