Dan pointed at Dave. That rube there is the father of the girl you came to kidnap. Just in case youre wondering. Snake managed a painful grin. Her teeth were rimmed with blood. You think I give a tin shit? To me hes just another swinging dick. Even the Pope of Romes got one, and not one of you care where you put it. Fucking men. Have to win, dont you? Always have to w Wheres the other one? Wheres Crow? Andi coughed. Blood bubbled from the corners of her mouth. Once she had been lost, then she had been found. In a darkened movie theater she had been found, by a goddess with a thundercloud of dark hair. Now she was dying, and she wouldnt have changed a thing. The years between the exactor president and the black president had been good; that one magic night with Rose had been even better. She grinned brightly up at the tall goodlooking one. It hurt to grin, but she did it, anyway. Oh, him. Hes in Reno. Fucking rube showgirls. She began to disappear again. Dan heard John Dalton whisper, Oh my God, look at that. Brain bleed. I can actually see it. Dan waited to see if Tat Woman would come back. Eventually she did, with a long groan from between her clenched and bloody teeth. The cycling seemed to hurt even more than the blow that had caused it, but Dan thought he could remedy that. He pulled Tat Womans hand away from her shattered jaw and dug in with his fingers. He could feel her entire skull shift as he did; it was like pushing the side of a badly cracked vase held together by a few strips of tape. This time Tat Woman did more than groan. She howled and pawed weakly at Dan, who paid no attention. Wheres Crow? Anniston! Snake screamed. He got off in Anniston! Please dont hurt me anymore, Daddy! Please dont, Ill do whatever you want! Dan thought of what Abra said these monsters had done to Brad Trevor in Iowa, how they had tortured him and God only knew how many others, and felt an almost ungovernable urge to tear the lower half of this murdering bitchs face entirely off. To beat her bleeding, shattered skull with her own jawbone until both skull and bone disappeared. Thenabsurdly, given the circumstanceshe thought of the kid in the Braves tshirt reaching for the leftover coke piled on the shiny magazine cover. Canny, hed said. This woman was nothing like that kid, nothing, but telling himself so did no good. His anger was suddenly gone, leaving him feeling sick and weak and empty. Dont hurt me anymore, Daddy. He got up, wiping his hand on his shirt, and walked blindly toward the Riv. (Abra are you there) (yes) Not so panicky now, and that was good. (you need to have your friends mom call the police and tell them youre in danger Crows in Anniston) Bringing the police into a business that was, at bottom, supernatural was the last thing Dan wanted, but at this moment he saw no choice. (Im not) Before she could finish, her thought was blotted out by a powerful shriek of female rage. (YOU LITTLE BITCH) Suddenly the hat woman was in Dans head again, this time not as part of a dream but behind his waking eyes, her image burning a creature of terrible beauty who was now naked, her wet hair lying on her shoulders in Medusa coils. Then her mouth yawned open and the beauty was torn away. There was only a dark hole with one jutting, discolored tooth. Almost a tusk. (WHAT HAVE YOU DONE) Dan staggered and put a hand against the Rivs lead passenger car to hold himself up. The world inside his head was revolving. The hat woman disappeared and suddenly a crowd of concerned faces was gathered around him. They were asking if he was all right. He remembered Abra trying to explain how the world had revolved on the day she had discovered Brad Trevors picture in The Anniston Shopper; how all at once Abra had been looking out of the hat womans eyes and the hat woman had been looking out of hers. Now he understood. It was happening again, and this time he was along for the ride. Rose was on the ground. He could see a broad swatch of evening sky overhead. The people crowding around her were no doubt her tribe of childkillers. This was what Abra was seeing. The question was, what was Rose seeing? 16 Snake cycled, then came back. It burned. She looked at the man kneeling in front of her. Is there anything I can do for you? John asked. Im a doctor. In spite of the pain, Snake laughed. This doctor, who belonged to the men who had just shot the Trues doctor to death, was now offering to help. What would Hippocrates make of that one? Put a bullet in me, assface. Thats the only thing I can think of. The nerdy one, the bastard whod actually pulled the trigger on Walnut, joined the one who said he was a doctor. Youd deserve it, Dave said. Did you think I was just going to let you take my daughter? Torture and kill her like you did that poor little boy in Iowa? They knew about that? How could they? But it didnt matter now, at least not to Andi. Your people slaughter pigs and cows and sheep. Is what we do any different? In my humble opinion, killing human beings is a lot different, John said. Call me silly and sentimental. Snakes mouth was full of blood and some lumpy shit. Teeth, probably. That didnt matter, either. In the end, this might be more merciful than what Barry had gone through. It would certainly be quicker. But one thing needed straightening out. Just so theyd know. Were the human beings. Your kind . . . just rubes. Dave smiled, but his eyes were hard. And yet youre the one lying on the ground with dirt in your hair and blood all down the front of your shirt. I hope hells hot enough for you. Snake could feel the next cycle coming on. With luck it would be the last one, but for now she held tight to her physical form. You dont understand how it was with me. Before. Or how is with us. Were only a few, and were sick. Weve got I know what youve got, Dave said. Fucking measles. I hope they rot your whole miserable Knot from the inside out. Snake said, We didnt choose to be what we are any more than you did. In our shoes, youd do the same. John shook his head slowly from side to side. Never. Never. Snake began to cycle out. She managed four more words, however. Fucking men. A final gasp as she stared up at them from her disappearing face. Fucking rubes. Then she was gone. 17 Dan walked to John and Dave slowly and carefully, putting his hand on several of the picnic tables to keep his balance. He had picked up Abras stuffed rabbit without even realizing it. His head was clearing, but that was a decidedly mixed blessing. We have to go back to Anniston, and fast. I cant touch Billy. I could before, but now hes gone. Abra? Dave asked. What about Abra? Dan didnt want to look at himDaves face was naked with fearbut he made himself do it. Shes gone, too. Sos the woman in the hat. Theyve both dropped out of the mix. Meaning what? Dave grabbed Dans shirt in both hands. Meaning what? I dont know. This was the truth, but he was afraid. CHAPTER FOURTEEN CROW 1 Get with me, Daddy, Barry the Chink had said. Lean close. This was just after Snake had started the first of the porn DVDs. Crow got with Barry, even held his hand while the dying man struggled through his next cycle. And when he came back . . . Listen to me. Shes been watching, all right. Only when that porno started up . . . Explaining to someone who couldnt do the locator thing was hard, especially when the one doing the talking was mortally ill, but Crow got the gist of it. The fucksome frolickers by the pool had shocked the girl, just as Rose had hoped they might, but they had done more than make her quit spying and pull back. For a moment or two, Barrys sense of her location seemed to double. She was still on the midget train with her dad, riding to the place where they were going to have their picnic, but her shock had produced a ghost image that made no sense. In this she was in a bathroom, taking a leak. Maybe you were seeing a memory, Crow said. Could that be? Yeah, Barry said. Rubes think all kinds of crazy shit. Most likely its nothing. But for a minute it was like she was twins, you know? Crow didnt, exactly, but he nodded. Only if thats not it, she might be running some kind of game. Gimme the map. Jimmy Numbers had all of New Hampshire on his laptop. Crow held it up in front of Barry. Heres where she is, Barry said, tapping the screen. On her way to this Cloud Glen place with her dad. Gap, Crow said. Cloud Gap. Whatever the fuck. Barry moved his finger northeast. And this is where the ghostblip came from. Crow took the laptop and looked through the bead of no doubt infected sweat Barry had left on the screen. Anniston? Thats her hometown, Bar. Shes probably left psychic traces of herself all over it. Like dead skin. Sure. Memories. Daydreams. All kinds of crazy shit. What I said. And its gone now. Yeah, but . . . Barry grasped Crows wrist. If shes as strong as Rose says, its just possible that she really is gaming us. Throwing her voice, like. Have you ever run across a steamhead that could do that? No, but theres a first time for everything. Im almost positive shes with her father, but youre the one who has to decide if almost positive is good enough for . . . That was when Barry began cycling again, and all meaningful communication ceased. Crow was left with a difficult decision. It was his mission, and he was confident he could handle it, but it was Roses plan andmore importantRoses obsession. If he screwed up, there would be hell to pay. Crow glanced at his watch. Three p.m. here in New Hampshire, one oclock in Sidewinder. At the Bluebell Campground, lunch would just be finishing up, and Rose would be available. That decided him. He made the call. He almost expected her to laugh and call him an old woman, but she didnt. You know we cant entirely trust Barry anymore, she said, but I trust you. Whats your gut feeling? His gut felt nothing one way or the other; that was why he had made the call. He told her so, and waited. I leave it with you, she said. Just dont screw up. Thanks for nothing, Rosie darlin. He thought this . . . then hoped she hadnt caught it. He sat with the closed cell phone still in his hand, swaying from side to side with the motion of the RV, inhaling the smell of Barrys sickness, wondering how long it would be before the first spots started showing up on his own arms and legs and chest. At last he went forward and put his hand on Jimmys shoulder. When you get to Anniston, stop. Why? Because Im getting off. 2 Crow Daddy watched them pull away from the Gas n Go on Annistons lower Main Street, resisting an urge to send a shortrange thought (all the ESP of which he was capable) to Snake before they got out of range Come back and pick me up, this is a mistake. Only what if it wasnt? When they were gone, he looked briefly and longingly at the sad little line of used cars for sale at the car wash adjacent to the gas station. No matter what transpired in Anniston, he was going to need transpo out of town. He had more than enough cash in his wallet to buy something that would carry him to their agreedon rendezvous point near Albany on I87; the problem was time. It would take at least half an hour to transact a car deal, and that might be too long. Until he was sure this was a false alarm, he would just have to improvise and rely on his powers of persuasion. They had never let him down yet. Crow did take time enough to step into the Gas n Go, where he bought a Red Sox hat. When in Bosox country, dress as the Bosox fans do. He debated adding a pair of sunglasses and decided against them. Thanks to TV, a fit middleaged man in sunglasses always looked like a hit man to a certain part of the population. The hat would have to do. He walked up Main Street to the library where Abra and Dan had once held a council of war. He had to go no farther than the lobby to find what he was looking for. There, under the heading of TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TOWN, was a map of Anniston with every street and lane carefully marked. He refreshed himself on the location of the girls street. Great game last night, wasnt it? a man asked. He was carrying an armload of books. For a moment Crow had no idea what he was talking about, then remembered his new hat. It sure was, he agreed, still looking at the map. He gave the Sox fan time to depart before leaving the lobby. The hat was fine, but he had no desire to discuss baseball. He thought it was a stupid game. 3 Richland Court was a short street of pleasant New England saltboxes and Cape Cods ending in a circular turnaround. Crow had grabbed a free newspaper called The Anniston Shopper on his walk from the library and now stood at the corner, leaning against a handy oak tree and pretending to study it. The oak shielded him from the street, and maybe that was a good thing, because there was a red truck with a guy sitting behind the wheel parked about halfway down. The truck was an oldie, with some handtools and what looked like a Rototiller in the bed, so the guy could be a groundskeeperthis was the kind of street where people could afford thembut if so, why was he just sitting there? Babysitting, maybe? Crow was suddenly glad he had taken Barry seriously enough to jump ship. The question was, what to do now? He could call Rose, but their last conversation hadnt netted anything he couldnt have gotten from a Magic 8 Ball. He was still standing halfhidden behind the fine old oak and debating his next move when the providence that favored the True Knot above rubes stepped in. A door partway down the street opened, and two girls came out. Crows eyes were every bit as sharp as those of his namesake bird, and he IDd them at once as two of the three girls in Billys computer pix. The one in the brown skirt was Emma Deane. The one in the black pants was Abra Stone. He glanced back at the truck. The driver, also an oldie, had been slouched behind the wheel. Now he was sitting up. Brighteyed and bushytailed. On the alert. So she had been gaming them. Crow still didnt know for sure which of the two was the steamhead, but one thing he was sure of the men in the Winnebago were on a wild goosechase. Crow took out his cell but only held it in his hand for a moment, watching the girl in the black pants go down the walk to the street. The girl in the skirt watched her for a second, then went back inside. The girl in the pantsAbracrossed Richland Court, and as she did, the man in the truck raised his hands in a what gives gesture. She responded with a thumbsup Dont worry, everythings okay. Crow felt a surge of triumph as hot as a knock of whiskey. Question answered. Abra Stone was the steamhead. No question about it. She was being guarded, and the guard was an old geezer with a perfectly good pickup truck. Crow felt confident it would take him and a certain young passenger as far as Albany. He hit Snake on the speed dial, and wasnt surprised or uneasy when he got a CALL FAILED message. Cloud Gap was a local beauty spot, and God forbid there should be any cell phone towers to clutter up the tourists snapshots. But that was okay. If he couldnt take care of an old man and a young girl, it was time to turn in his badge. He considered his phone for a moment, then turned it off. For the next twenty minutes or so, there was no one he wanted to talk to, and that included Rose. His mission, his responsibility. He had four loaded syringes, two in the left pocket of his light jacket, two in the right. Putting his best Henry Rothman smile on his facethe one he wore when reserving campground space or fourwalling motels for the TrueCrow stepped from behind the tree and strolled down the street. In his left hand he still held his folded copy of The Anniston Shopper. His right hand was in his jacket pocket, easing the plastic cap off one of the needles. 4 Pardon me, sir, I seem to be a little lost. I wonder if you could give me some directions. Billy Freeman was nervous, on edge, filled with something that was not quite foreboding . . . and still that cheerful voice and bright youcantrustme smile took him in. Only for two seconds, but that was enough. As he reached toward the open glove compartment, he felt a small sting on the side of his neck. Bug bit me, he thought, and then slumped sideways, his eyes rolling up to the whites. Crow opened the door and shoved the driver across the seat. The old guys head bonked the passengerside window. Crow lifted limp legs over the transmission hump, batting the glove compartment closed to make a little more room, then slid behind the wheel and slammed the door. He took a deep breath and looked around, ready for anything, but there was nothing to be ready for. Richland Court was dozing the afternoon away, and that was lovely. The key was in the ignition. Crow started the engine and the radio came on in a yahoo roar of Toby Keith God bless America and pour the beer. As he reached to turn it off, a terrible white light momentarily washed out his vision. Crow had very little telepathic ability, but he was firmly linked to his tribe; in a way, the members were appendages of a single organism, and one of their number had just died. Cloud Gap hadnt been just misdirection, it had been a fucking ambush. Before he could decide what to do next, the white light came again, and, after a pause, yet again. All of them? Good Christ, all three? It wasnt possible . . . was it? He took a deep breath, then another. Forced himself to face the fact that yes, it could be. And if so, he knew who was to blame. Fucking steamhead girl. He looked at Abras house. All quiet there. Thank God for small favors. He had expected to drive the truck up the street and into her driveway, but all at once that seemed like a bad idea, at least for now. He got out, leaned back in, and grabbed the unconscious geezer by his shirt and belt. Crow yanked him back behind the wheel, pausing just long enough to give him a patdown. No gun. Too bad. He wouldnt have minded having one, at least for awhile. He fastened the geezers seatbelt so he couldnt tilt forward and blare the horn. Then he walked down the street to the girls house, not hurrying. If hed seen her face at one of the windowsor so much as a single twitch of a single curtainhe would have broken into a sprint, but nothing moved. It was possible he could still make this work, but that consideration had been rendered strictly secondary by those terrible white flashes. What he mostly wanted was to get his hands on the miserable bitch that had caused them so much trouble and shake her until she rattled. 5 Abra sleepwalked down the front hall. The Stones had a family room in the basement, but the kitchen was their comfort place, and she headed there without thinking about it. She stood with her hands splayed out on the table where she and her parents had eaten thousands of meals, staring at the window over the kitchen sink with wide blank eyes. She wasnt really here at all. She was in Cloud Gap, watching bad guys spill out of the Winnebago the Snake and the Nut and Jimmy Numbers. She knew their names from Barry. But something was wrong. One of them was missing. (WHERES THE CROW DAN I DONT SEE THE CROW!) No answer, because Dan and her father and Dr. John were busy. They took the bad guys down, one after the other the Walnut firstthat was her fathers work, and good for himthen Jimmy Numbers, then the Snake. She felt each mortal injury as a thudding deep in her head. Those thuds, like a heavy mallet repeatedly coming down on an oak plank, were terrible in their finality, but not entirely unpleasant. Because . . . Because they deserve it, they kill kids, and nothing else would have stopped them. Only (Dan wheres the Crow? WHERES THE CROW???) Now Dan heard her. Thank God. She saw the Winnebago. Dan thought the Crow was in there, and maybe he was right. Still She hurried back down the hall and peered out one of the windows beside the front door. The sidewalk was deserted, but Mr. Freemans truck was parked right where it belonged. She couldnt see his face because of the way the sun was shining on the windshield, but she could see him behind the wheel, and that meant everything was still okay. Probably okay. (Abra are you there) Dan. It was so great to hear him. She wished he was with her, but having him inside her head was almost as good. (yes) She took one more reassuring look at the empty sidewalk and Mr. Freemans truck, checked to make sure she had locked the door after coming in, and started back down to the kitchen. (you need to have your friends mom call the police and tell them youre in danger Crows in Anniston) She stopped halfway down the hall. Her comforthand came up and began to rub her mouth. Dan didnt know she had left the Deanes house. How could he? Hed been very busy. (Im not) Before she could finish, Rose the Hats mental voice blasted through her head, wiping away all thought. (YOU LITTLE BITCH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE) The familiar hallway between the front door and the kitchen began to sideslip. The last time this revolving thing happened, shed been prepared. This time she wasnt. Abra tried to stop it and couldnt. Her house was gone. Anniston was gone. She was lying on the ground and looking up at the sky. Abra realized the loss of those three in Cloud Gap had literally knocked Rose off her feet, and she had a moment to be savagely glad. She struggled for something to defend herself with. There wasnt much time. 6 Roses body lay sprawled halfway between the showers and the Overlook Lodge, but her mind was in New Hampshire, swarming through the girls head. There was no daydream horsewoman with a stallion and lance this time, oh no. This time it was just one surprised little chickadee and old Rosie, and Rosie wanted revenge. She would kill the girl only as a last resort, she was much too valuable for that, but Rose could give her a taste of what was coming. A taste of what Roses friends had already suffered. There were plenty of soft, vulnerable places in the minds of rubes, and she knew them all very w (GET AWAY YOU BITCH LEAVE ME ALONE OR ILL FUCKING KILL YOU!) It was like having a flashbang go off behind her eyes. Rose jerked and cried out. Big Mo, who had been reaching down to touch her, recoiled in surprise. Rose didnt notice, didnt even see her. She kept underestimating the girls power. She tried to keep her footing in the girls head, but the little bitch was actually pushing her out. It was incredible and infuriating and terrifying, but it was true. Worse, she could feel her physical hands rising toward her face. If Mo and Short Eddie hadnt restrained her, the little girl might have made Rose claw her own eyes out. For the time being, at least, she had to give up and leave. But before she did, she saw something through the girls eyes that flooded her with relief. It was Crow Daddy, and in one hand he was holding a needle. 7 Abra used all the psychic force she could muster, more than she had used on the day she had gone hunting for Brad Trevor, more than she had ever used in her life, and it was still barely enough. Just when she started to think she wouldnt be able to get the hat woman out of her head, the world began to revolve again. She was making it revolve, but it was so hardlike pushing a great stone wheel. The sky and the faces staring down at her slid away. There was a moment of darkness when she was (between) nowhere, and then her own front hall slid back into view. But she was no longer alone. A man was standing in the kitchen doorway. No, not a man. A Crow. Hello, Abra, he said, smiling, and leaped at her. Still mentally reeling from her encounter with Rose, Abra made no attempt to push him away with her mind. She simply turned and ran. 8 In their moments of highest stress, Dan Torrance and Crow Daddy were very much alike, although neither would ever know it. The same clarity came over Crows vision, the same sense that all of this was happening in beautiful slow motion. He saw the pink rubber bracelet on Abras left wrist and had time to think breast cancer awareness. He saw the girls backpack slew to the left as she whirled to her right and knew it was full of books. He even had time to admire her hair as it flew out behind her in a bright sheaf. He caught her at the door as she was trying to turn the thumb lock. When he put his left arm around her throat and yanked her back, he felt her first effortsconfused, weakto push him away with her mind. Not the whole hypo, it might kill her, she cant weigh more than a hundred and fifteen pounds max. Crow injected her just south of the collarbone as she twisted and struggled. He neednt have worried about losing control and shooting the whole dose into her, because her left arm came up and thumped against his right hand, knocking the hypo free. It fell to the floor and rolled. But providence favors True above rubes, it had always been that way and was now. He got just enough into her. He felt her little handhold on his mind first slip, then fall away. Her hands did the same. She stared at him with shocked, floating eyes. Crow patted her shoulder. Were going for a ride, Abra. Youre going to meet exciting new people. Incredibly, she managed a smile. A rather frightening one for a girl so young that with her hair piled up under a cap, she could still have passed for a boy. Those monsters you call your friends are all dead. Theyyy . . . The last word was only an unwinding slur as her eyes rolled up and her knees came unhinged. Crow was tempted to let her dropit would serve her too rightbut restrained the impulse and caught her under the arms instead. She was valuable property, after all. True property. 9 He had come in through the rear door, snapping back the nexttouseless spring lock with a single downward flick of Henry Rothmans American Express Platinum Card, but he had no intention of leaving that way. There was nothing but a high fence at the foot of the sloping backyard, and beyond that a river. Also, his transportation was in the other direction. He carried Abra through the kitchen and into the empty garage. Both parents at work, maybe . . . unless they were out at Cloud Gap, gloating over Andi, Billy, and Nut. For now he didnt give much of a shit about that end of things; whoever had been helping the girl could wait. Their time would come. He slid her limp body under a table holding her fathers few tools. Then he thumbed the button that opened the garage door and stepped out, being sure to slap on that big old Henry Rothman smile before he did. The key to survival in the world of rubes was to look as if you belonged, as if you were always on the goodfoot, and no one was better at it than Crow. He walked briskly down to the truck and moved the geezer again, this time to the middle of the bench seat. As Crow turned in to the Stone driveway, Billys head lolled against his shoulder. Gettin a little chummy there, arent you, oldtimer? Crow asked, and laughed as he drove the red truck into the garage. His friends were dead and this situation was horribly dangerous, but there was one big compensation he felt totally alive and aware for the first time in a great many years, the world bursting with color and humming like a powerline. He had her, by God. In spite of all her weird strength and nasty tricks, he had her. Now he would bring her to Rose. A love offering. Jackpot, he said, and gave the dashboard one hard, exultant hit. He stripped off Abras backpack, left it under the worktable, and lifted her into the truck on the passenger side. He seatbelted both of his snoozing passengers. It had certainly occurred to him to snap the geezers neck and leave his body in the garage, but the geezer might come in handy. If the drug didnt kill him, that was. Crow checked for a pulse on the side of the grizzled old neck and felt it, slow but strong. There was no question about the girl; she was leaning against the passenger window and he could see her breath fogging the glass. Excellent. Crow took a second to inventory his stock. No gunthe True Knot never traveled with firearmsbut he still had two full hypos of the noddytime nightnight stuff. He didnt know how far two would get him, but the girl was his priority. Crow had an idea that the geezers period of usefulness might prove to be extremely limited. Oh, well. Rubes came and rubes went. He took out his cell and this time it was Rose he hit on the speed dial. She answered just as he had resigned himself to leaving a message. Her voice was slow, her pronunciation slurry. It was a little like talking to a drunk. Rose? Whats up with you? The girl messed with me a trifle more than I expected, but Im all right. I dont hear her anymore. Tell me you have her. I do, and shes having a nice nap, but shes got friends. I dont want to meet them. Ill head west immediately, and Ive got no time to be fucking with maps. I need secondary roads thatll take me across Vermont and into New York. Ill put Toady Slim on it. You need to send someone east to meet me immediately, Rosie, and with whatever you can lay your hands on thatll keep Little Miss Nitro pacified, because I dont have much left. Look in Nuts supplies. He must have something Dont tell me my business, she snapped. Toady will coordinate everything. You know enough to get started? Yes. Rosie darlin, that picnic area was a trap. The little girl fucking deked us. What if her friends call the cops? Im riding in an old F150 with a couple of zombies next to me in the cab. I might as well have KIDNAPPER tattooed on my forehead. But he was grinning. Damned if he wasnt grinning. There was a pause at the other end. Crow sat behind the wheel in the Stones garage, waiting. At last Rose said, If you see blue lights behind you or a roadblock ahead of you, strangle the girl and suck out as much of her steam as you can while she goes. Then surrender. Well take care of you eventually, you know that. It was Crows turn to pause. At last he said, Are you sure thats the right way to go, darlin? I am. Her voice was stony. Shes responsible for the deaths of Jimmy, Nut, and Snakebite. I mourn them all, but its Andi I feel the worst about, because I Turned her myself and she only had a taste of the life. Then theres Sarey . . . She trailed off with a sigh. Crow said nothing. There was really nothing to say. Andi Steiner had been with a lot of women during her early years with the Truenot a surprise, steam always made newbies especially randybut she and Sarah Carter had been a couple for the last ten years, and devoted to each other. In some ways, Andi had seemed more like Silent Sareys daughter than her lover. Sareys inconsolable, Rose said, and BlackEyed Susies not much better about Nut. That little girl is going to answer for taking those three from us. One way or the other, her rube life is over. Any more questions? Crow had none. 10 No one paid any particular attention to Crow Daddy and his snoozing passengers as they left Anniston on the old Granite State Highway, headed west. With a few notable exceptions (sharpeyed old ladies and little kids were the worst), Rube America was staggeringly unobservant even twelve years into the Dark Age of Terrorism. If you see something, say something was a hell of a slogan, but first you had to see something. By the time they crossed into Vermont it was growing dark, and cars passing by in the other direction saw only Crows headlights, which he purposely left on hibeam. Toady Slim had called three times already, feeding him route information. Most were byroads, many unmarked. Toady had also told Crow that Diesel Doug, Dirty Phil, and Apron Annie were on their way. They were riding in an 06 Caprice that looked like a dog but had four hundred horses under the hood. Speeding would not be a problem; they were also carrying Homeland Security creds that would check out all the way up the line, thanks to the late Jimmy Numbers.


The Little twins, Pea and Pod, were using the Trues sophisticated satellite communications gear to monitor police chatter in the Northeast, and so far there had been nothing about the possible kidnapping of a young girl. This was good news, but not unexpected. Friends smart enough to set up an ambush were probably smart enough to know what could happen to their chickadee if they went public. Another phone rang, this one muffled. Without taking his eyes off the road, Crow leaned across his sleeping passengers, reached into the glove compartment, and found a cell. The geezers, no doubt. He held it up to his eyes. There was no name, so the caller wasnt in the phones memory, but the number had a New Hampshire area code. One of the ambushers, wanting to know if Billy and the girl were all right? Very likely. Crow considered answering it and decided not to. He would check later to see if the caller had left a message, though. Information was power. When he leaned over again to return the cell to the glove compartment, his fingers touched metal. He stowed the phone and brought out an automatic pistol. A nice bonus, and a lucky find. If the geezer had awakened a little sooner than expected, he might have gotten to it before Crow could read his intentions. Crow slid the Glock under his seat, then flipped the glove compartment closed. Guns were also power. 11 It was full dark and they were deep into the Green Mountains on Highway 108 when Abra began to stir. Crow, still feeling brilliantly alive and aware, wasnt sorry. For one thing, he was curious about her. For another, the old trucks gas gauge was touching empty, and someone was going to have to fill the tank. But it wouldnt do to take chances. With his right hand he removed one of the two remaining hypos from his pocket and held it on his thigh. He waited until the girls eyesstill soft and muzzyopened. Then he said, Good evening, little lady. Im Henry Rothman. Do you understand me? Youre . . . Abra cleared her throat, wet her lips, tried again. Youre not Henry anything. Youre the Crow. So you do understand. Thats good. You feel woollyheaded just now, I imagine, and youre going to stay that way, because thats just how I like you. But there will be no need to knock you all the way out again as long as you mind your Ps and Qs. Have you got that? Where are we going? Hogwarts, to watch the International Quidditch Tourney. Ill buy you a magic hotdog and a cone of magic cotton candy. Answer my question. Are you going to mind your Ps and Qs? Yes. Such instant agreement is pleasing to the ear, but youll have to pardon me if I dont completely trust it. I need to give you some vital information before you try something foolish that you might regret. Do you see the needle I have? Yes. Abras head was still resting against the window, but she looked down at the hypo. Her eyes drifted shut then opened again, very slowly. Im thirsty. From the drug, no doubt. I dont have anything to drink with me, we left in a bit of a hurry I think theres a juice box in my pack. Husky. Low and slow. The eyes still opening with great effort after every blink. Afraid thats back in your garage. You may get something to drink in the next town we come toif youre a good little Goldilocks. If youre a bad little Goldilocks, you can spend the night swallowing your own spit. Clear? Yes . . . If I feel you fiddling around inside my headyes, I know you can do itor if you try attracting attention when we stop, Ill inject this old gentleman. On top of what I already gave him, it will kill him as dead as Amy Winehouse. Are we clear on that, as well? Yes. She licked her lips again, then rubbed them with her hand. Dont hurt him. Thats up to you. Where are you taking me? Goldilocks? Dear? What? She blinked at him dazedly. Just shut up and enjoy the ride. Hogwarts, she said. Cotton . . . candy. This time when her eyes closed, the lids stayed down. She began to snore lightly. It was a breezy sound, sort of pleasant. Crow didnt think she was shamming, but he continued to hold the hypo next to the geezers leg just to be sure. As Gollum had once said about Frodo Baggins, it was tricksy, precious. It was very tricksy. 12 Abra didnt go under completely; she still heard the trucks motor, but it was far away. It seemed to be above her. It made her remember when she and her parents went to Lake Winnipesaukee on hot summer afternoons, and how you could hear the distant drone of the motorboats if you ducked your head underwater. She knew she was being kidnapped, and she knew this should concern her, but she felt serene, content to float between sleep and waking. The dryness in her mouth and throat was horrible, though. Her tongue felt like a strip of dusty carpet. I have to do something. Hes taking me to the hat woman and I have to do something. If I dont, theyll kill me like they killed the baseball boy. Or something even worse. She would do something. After she got something to drink. And after she slept a little more . . . The engine sound had faded from a drone to a distant hum when light penetrated her closed eyelids. Then the sound stopped completely and the Crow was poking her in the leg. Easy at first, then harder. Hard enough to hurt. Wake up, Goldilocks. You can go back to sleep later. She struggled her eyes open, wincing at the brightness. They were parked beside some gas pumps. There were fluorescents over them. She shielded her eyes from the glare. Now she had a headache to go with her thirst. It was like . . . Whats funny, Goldilocks? Huh? Youre smiling. I just figured out whats wrong with me. Im hungover. Crow considered this, and grinned. I suppose you are at that, and you didnt even get to prance around with a lampshade on your head. Are you awake enough to understand me? Yes. At least she thought she was. Oh, but the thudding in her head. Awful. Take this. He was holding something in front of her face, reaching across his body with his left hand to do it. His right one still held the hypodermic, the needle resting next to Mr. Freemans leg. She squinted. It was a credit card. She reached up with a hand that felt too heavy and took it. Her eyes started to close and he slapped her face. Her eyes flew open, wide and shocked. She had never been hit in her life, not by an adult, anyway. Of course she had never been kidnapped, either. Ow! Ow! Get out of the truck. Follow the instructions on the pumpyoure a bright kid, Im sure you can do thatand fill the tank. Then replace the nozzle and get back in. If you do all that like a good little Goldilocks, well drive over to yonder Coke machine. He pointed to the far corner of the store. You can get a nice big twentyounce soda. Or a water, if thats what you want; I spy with my little eye that they have Dasani. If youre a bad little Goldilocks, Ill kill the old man, then go into the store and kill the kid at the register. No problem there. Your friend had a gun, which is now in my possession. Ill take you with me and you can watch the kids head go splat. Its up to you, okay? You get it? Yes, Abra said. A little more awake now. Can I have a Coke and a water? His grin this time was high, wide, and handsome. In spite of her situation, in spite of the headache, even in spite of the slap hed administered, Abra found it charming. She guessed lots of people found it charming, especially women. A little greedy, but thats not always a bad thing. Lets see how you mind those Ps and Qs. She unbuckled her beltit took three tries, but she finally managedand grabbed the doorhandle. Before she got out, she said Stop calling me Goldilocks. You know my name, and I know yours. She slammed the door and headed for the gas island (weaving a little) before he could reply. She had spunk as well as steam. He could almost admire her. But, given what had happened to Snake, Nut, and Jimmy, almost was as far as it went. 13 At first Abra couldnt read the instructions because the words kept doubling and sliding around. She squinted and they came into focus. The Crow was watching her. She could feel his eyes like tiny warm weights on the back of her neck. (Dan?) Nothing, and she wasnt surprised. How could she hope to reach Dan when she could barely figure out how to run this stupid pump? She had never felt less shiny in her life. Eventually she managed to start the gas, although the first time she tried his credit card, she put it in upsidedown and had to begin all over again. The pumping seemed to go on forever, but there was a rubber sleeve over the nozzle to keep the stench of the fumes down, and the night air was clearing her head a little. There were billions of stars. Usually they awed her with their beauty and profusion, but tonight looking at them only made her feel scared. They were far away. They didnt see Abra Stone. When the tank was full, she squinted at the new message in the pumps window and turned to Crow. Do you want a receipt? I think we can crutch along without that, dont you? Again came his dazzling grin, the kind that made you happy if you were the one who caused it to break out. Abra bet he had lots of girlfriends. No. He just has one. The hat woman is his girlfriend. Rose. If he had another one, Rose would kill her. Probably with her teeth and fingernails. She trudged back to the truck and got in. That was very good, Crow said. You win the grand prizea Coke and a water. So . . . what do you say to your Daddy? Thank you, Abra said listlessly. But youre not my daddy. I could be, though. I can be a very good daddy to little girls who are good to me. The ones who mind their Ps and Qs. He drove to the machine and gave her a fivedollar bill. Get me a Fanta if they have it. A Coke if they dont. You drink sodas, like anyone else? He made a comical wounded face. If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? Shakespeare, right? She wiped her mouth again. Romeo and Juliet. Merchant of Venice, dummocks, Crow said . . . but with a smile. Dont know the rest of it, I bet. She shook her head. A mistake. It refreshed the throbbing, which had begun to diminish. If you poison us, do we not die? He tapped the needle against Mr. Freemans leg. Meditate on that while you get our drinks. 14 He watched closely as she operated the machine. This gas stop was on the wooded outskirts of some little town, and there was always a chance she might decide to hell with the geezer and run for the trees. He thought of the gun, but left it where it was. Chasing her down would be no great task, given her current soupy condition. But she didnt even look in that direction. She slid the fivespot into the machine and got the drinks, one after the other, pausing only to drink deeply from the water. She came back and gave him his Fanta, but didnt get in. Instead she pointed farther down the side of the building. I need to pee. Crow was flummoxed. This was something he hadnt foreseen, although he should have. She had been drugged, and her body needed to purge itself of toxins. Cant you hold it awhile? He was thinking that a few more miles down the road, he could find a turnout and pull in. Let her go behind a bush. As long as he could see the top of her head, theyd be fine. But she shook her head. Of course she did. He thought it over. Okay, listen up. You can use the ladies toilet if the doors unlocked. If its not, youll have to take your leak around back. Theres no way Im letting you go inside and ask the counterboy for the key. And if I have to go in back, youll watch me, I suppose. Pervo. Therell be a Dumpster or something you can squat behind. It would break my heart not to get a look at your precious little buns, but Id try to survive. Now get in the truck. But you said Get in, or Ill start calling you Goldilocks again. She got in, and he pulled the truck up next to the bathroom doors, not quite blocking them. Now hold out your hand. Why? Just do it. Very reluctantly, she held out her hand. He took it. When she saw the needle, she tried to pull back. Dont worry, just a drop. We cant have you thinking bad thoughts, now can we? Or broadcasting them. This is going to happen one way or the other, so why make a production of it? She stopped trying to pull away. It was easier just to let it happen. There was a brief sting on the back of her hand, then he released her. Go on, now. Make weewee and make it quick. As the old song says, sand is arunnin through the hourglass back home. I dont know any song like that. Not surprised. You dont even know The Merchant of Venice from Romeo and Juliet. Youre mean. I dont have to be, he said. She got out and just stood beside the truck for a moment, taking deep breaths. Abra? She looked at him. Dont try locking yourself in. You know whod pay for that, dont you? He patted Billy Freemans leg. She knew. Her head, which had begun to clear, was fogging in again. Horrible manhorrible thingbehind that charming grin. And smart. He thought of everything. She tried the bathroom door and it opened. At least she wouldnt have to whizz out back in the weeds, and that was something. She went inside, shut the door, and took care of her business. Then she simply sat there on the toilet with her swimming head hung down. She thought of being in the bathroom at Emmas house, when she had foolishly believed everything was going to turn out all right. How long ago that seemed. I have to do something. But she was doped up, woozy. (Dan) She sent this with all the force she could muster . . . which wasnt much. And how much time would the Crow give her? She felt despair wash over her, undermining what little will to resist was left. All she wanted to do was button her pants, get into the truck again, and go back to sleep. Yet she tried one more time. (Dan! Dan, please!) And waited for a miracle. What she got instead was a single brief tap of the pickup trucks horn. The message was clear times up. CHAPTER FIFTEEN SWAPSIES 1 You will remember what was forgotten. In the aftermath of the Pyrrhic victory at Cloud Gap, the phrase haunted Dan, like a snatch of irritating and nonsensical music that gets in your head and wont let go, the kind you find yourself humming even as you stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night. This one was plenty irritating, but not quite nonsensical. For some reason he associated it with Tony. You will remember what was forgotten. There was no question of taking the True Knots Winnebago back to their cars, which were parked at Teenytown Station on the Frazier town common. Even if they hadnt been afraid of being observed getting out of it or leaving forensic evidence inside it, they would have refused without needing to take a vote on the matter. It smelled of more than sickness and death; it smelled of evil. Dan had another reason. He didnt know if members of the True Knot came back as ghostie people or not, but he didnt want to find out. So they threw the abandoned clothes and the drug paraphernalia into the Saco, where the stuff that didnt sink would float downstream to Maine, and went back as they had come, in The Helen Rivington. David Stone dropped into the conductors seat, saw that Dan was still holding Abras stuffed rabbit, and held out his hand for it. Dan passed it over willingly enough, taking note of what Abras father held in his other hand his BlackBerry. What are you going to do with that? Dave looked at the woods flowing by on both sides of the narrowgauge tracks, then back at Dan. As soon as we get to where theres cell coverage, Im going to call the Deanes house. If theres no answer, Im going to call the police. If there is an answer, and either Emma or her mother tells me that Abras gone, Im going to call the police. Assuming they havent already. His gaze was cool and measuring and far from friendly, but at least he was keeping his fear for his daughterhis terror, more likelyat bay, and Dan respected him for that. Also, it would make him easier to reason with. I hold you responsible for this, Mr. Torrance. It was your plan. Your crazy plan. No use pointing out that they had all signed on to the crazy plan. Or that he and John were almost as sick about Abras continued silence as her father. Basically, the man was right. You will remember what was forgotten. Was that another Overlook memory? Dan thought it was. But why now? Why here? Dave, shes almost certainly been taken. That was John Dalton. He had moved up to the car just behind them. The last of the lowering sun came through the trees and flickered on his face. If thats the case and you tell the police, what do you think will happen to Abra? God bless you, Dan thought. If Id been the one to say it, I doubt if he would have listened. Because, at bottom, Im the stranger who was conspiring with his daughter. Hell never be completely convinced that Im not the one who got her into this mess. What else can we do? Dave asked, and then his fragile calm broke. He began to weep, and held Abras stuffed rabbit to his face. What am I going to tell my wife? That I was shooting people in Cloud Gap while some bogeyman was stealing our daughter? First things first, Dan said. He didnt think AA slogans like Let go and let God or Take it easy would fly with Abras dad right now. You should call the Deanes when you get cell coverage. I think youll reach them, and theyll be fine. You think this why? In my last communication with Abra, I told her to have her friends mom call the police. Dave blinked. You really did? Or are you just saying that now to cover your ass? I really did. Abra started to answer. She said Im not, and then I lost her. I think she was going to tell me she wasnt at the Deanes anymore. Is she alive? Dave grasped Dans elbow with a hand that was dead cold. Is my daughter still alive? I havent heard from her, but Im sure she is. Of course youd say that, Dave whispered. CYA, right? Dan bit back a retort. If they started squabbling, any thin chance of getting Abra back would become no chance. It makes sense, John said. Although he was still pale and his hands werent quite steady, he was using his calm bedside manner voice. Dead, shes no good to the one whos left. The one who grabbed her. Alive, shes a hostage. Also, they want her for . . . well . . . They want her for her essence, Dan said. The steam. Another thing, John said. What are you going to tell the cops about the men we killed? That they started cycling in and out of invisibility until they disappeared completely? And then we got rid of their . . . their leavings? I cant believe I let you get me into this. Dave was twisting the rabbit from side to side. Soon the old toy would split open and spill its stuffing. Dan wasnt sure he could bear to see that. John said, Listen, Dave. For your daughters sake, you have to clear your mind. Shes been in this ever since she saw that boys picture in the Shopper and tried to find out about him. As soon as the one Abra calls the hat woman was aware of her, she almost had to come after her. I dont know about steam, and I know very little about what Dan calls the shining, but I know people like the ones were dealing with dont leave witnesses. And when it comes to the Iowa boy, thats what your daughter was. Call the Deanes but keep it light, Dan said. Light? Light? He looked like a man trying out a word in Swedish. Say you want to ask Abra if theres anything you should pick up at the storebread or milk or something like that. If they say she went home, just say fine, youll reach her there. Then what? Dan didnt know. All he knew was that he needed to think. He needed to think about what was forgotten. John did know. Then you try to reach Billy Freeman. It was dusk, with the Rivs headlight cutting a visible cone up the aisle of the tracks, before Dave got bars on his phone. He called the Deanes, and although he was clutching the nowdeformed Hoppy in a mighty grip and large beads of sweat were trickling down his face, Dan thought he did a pretty good job. Could Abby come to the phone for a minute and tell him if they needed anything at the Stop  Shop? Oh? She did? Then hed try her at home. He listened a moment longer, said hed be sure to do that, and ended the call. He looked at Dan, his eyes whiterimmed holes in his face. Mrs. Deane wanted me to find out how Abras feeling. Apparently she went home complaining of menstrual cramps. He hung his head. I didnt even know shed started having periods. Lucy never said. There are things dads dont need to know, John said. Now try Billy. I dont have his number. He gave a single chop of a laughHA! Were one fuckedup posse. Dan recited it from memory. Up ahead the trees were thinning, and he could see the glow of the streetlights along Fraziers main drag. Dave punched in the number and listened. Listened some more, then killed the call. Voice mail. The three men were silent as the Riv broke out of the trees and rolled the last two miles toward Teenytown. Dan tried again to reach Abra, throwing his mental voice with all the energy he could muster, and got nothing back. The one she called the Crow had probably knocked her out somehow. The tattoo woman had been carrying a needle. Probably the Crow had another one. You will remember what was forgotten. The origin of that thought arose from the very back of his mind, where he kept the lockboxes containing all the terrible memories of the Overlook Hotel and the ghosts who had infested it. It was the boiler. In the conductors seat, Dave glanced at him. Huh? Nothing. The Overlooks heating system had been ancient. The steam pressure had to be dumped at regular intervals or it crept up and up to the point where the boiler could explode and send the whole hotel skyhigh. In his steepening descent into dementia, Jack Torrance had forgotten this, but his young son had been warned. By Tony. Was this another warning, or just a maddening mnemonic brought on by stress and guilt? Because he did feel guilty. John was right, Abra was going to be a True target no matter what, but feelings were invulnerable to rational thought. It had been his plan, the plan had gone wrong, and he was on the hook. You will remember what was forgotten. Was it the voice of his old friend, trying to tell him something about their current situation, or just the gramophone? 2 Dave and John went back to the Stone house together. Dan followed in his own car, delighted to be alone with his thoughts. Not that it seemed to help. He was almost positive there was something there, something real, but it wouldnt come. He even tried to summon Tony, a thing he hadnt attempted since his teenage years, and had no luck. Billys truck was no longer parked on Richland Court. To Dan, that made sense. The True Knot raiding party had come in the Winnebago. If they dropped the Crow off in Anniston, he would have been on foot and in need of a vehicle. The garage was open. Dave got out of Johns car before it pulled completely to a stop and ran inside, calling Abras name. Then, spotlighted in the headlights of Johns Suburban like an actor on a stage, he lifted something up and uttered a sound somewhere between a groan and a scream. As Dan pulled up next to the Suburban, he saw what it was Abras backpack. The urge to drink came on Dan then, even stronger than the night hed called John from the parking lot of the cowboyboogie bar, stronger than in all the years since hed picked up a white chip at his first meeting. The urge to simply reverse down the driveway, ignoring their shouts, and drive back to Frazier. There was a bar there called the Bull Moose. Hed been past it many times, always with the recovered drunks reflexive speculationswhat was it like inside? What was on draft? What kind of music was on the juke? What whiskey was on the shelf and what kind in the well? Were there any goodlooking ladies? And what would that first drink taste like? Would it taste like home? Like finally coming home? He could answer at least some of those questions before Dave Stone called the cops and the cops took him in for questioning in the matter of a certain little girls disappearance. A time will come, Casey had told him in those early whiteknuckle days, when your mental defenses will fail and the only thing left standing between you and a drink will be your Higher Power. Dan had no problem with the Higher Power thing, because he had a bit of inside information. God remained an unproven hypothesis, but he knew there really was another plane of existence. Like Abra, Dan had seen the ghostie people. So sure, God was possible. Given his glimpses of the world beyond the world, Dan thought it even likely . . . although what kind of God only sat by while shit like this played out? As if youre the first one to ask that question, he thought. Casey Kingsley had told him to get down on his knees twice a day, asking for help in the morning and saying thanks at night. Its the first three steps I cant, God can, I think Ill let Him. Dont think too much about it. To newcomers reluctant to take this advice, Casey was wont to offer a story about the film director John Waters. In one of his early movies, Pink Flamingos, Waterss dragqueen star, Divine, had eaten a bit of dog excrement off a suburban lawn. Years later, Waters was still being asked about that glorious moment of cinematic history. Finally he snapped. It was just a little piece of dogshit, he told a reporter, and it made her a star. So get down on your knees and ask for help even if you dont like it, Casey always finished. After all, its just a little piece of dogshit. Dan couldnt very well get on his knees behind the steering wheel of his car, but he assumed the automatic default position of his morning and nightly prayerseyes closed and one palm pressed against his lips, as if to keep out even a trickle of the seductive poison that had scarred twenty years of his life. God, help me not to dri He got that far and the light broke. It was what Dave had said on their way to Cloud Gap. It was Abras angry smile (Dan wondered if the Crow had seen that smile yet, and what he made of it, if so). Most of all, it was the feel of his own skin, pressing his lips back against his teeth. Oh my God, he whispered. He got out of the car and his legs gave way. He fell on his knees after all, but got up and ran into the garage, where the two men were standing and looking at Abras abandoned pack. He grabbed Dave Stones shoulder. Call your wife. Tell her youre coming to see her. Shell want to know what its about, Dave said. It was clear from his quivering mouth and downcast eyes how little he wanted to have that conversation. Shes staying at Chettas apartment. Ill tell her . . . Christ, I dont know what Ill tell her. Dan gripped tighter, increasing the pressure until the lowered eyes came up and met his. Were all going to Boston, but John and I have other business to take care of there. What other business? I dont understand. Dan did. Not everything, but a lot. 3 They took Johns Suburban. Dave rode shotgun. Dan lay in the back with his head on an armrest and his feet on the floor. Lucy kept trying to get me to tell her what it was about, Dave said. She told me I was scaring her. And of course she thought it was Abra, because shes got a little of what Abras got. Ive always known it. I told her Abby was staying the night at Emmas house. Do you know how many times Ive lied to my wife in the years weve been married? I could count them on one hand, and three of them would be about how much I lost in the Thursday night poker games the head of my department runs. Nothing like this. And in just three hours, Im going to have to eat it. Of course Dan and John knew what hed said about Abra, and how upset Lucy had been at her husbands continued insistence that the matter was too important and complex to go into on the telephone. They had both been in the kitchen when he made the call. But he needed to talk. To share, in AAspeak. John took care of any responses that needed to be made, saying uhhuh and I know and I understand. At some point, Dave broke off and looked into the backseat. Jesus God, are you sleeping? No, Dan said without opening his eyes. Im trying to get in touch with your daughter. That ended Daves monologue. Now there was only the hum of the tires as the Suburban ran south on Route 16 through a dozen little towns. Traffic was light and John kept the speedometer pegged at a steady sixty miles an hour once the two lanes broadened to four. Dan made no effort to call Abra; he wasnt sure that would work. Instead he tried to open his mind completely. To turn himself into a listening post. He had never attempted anything like this before, and the result was eerie. It was like wearing the worlds most powerful set of headphones. He seemed to hear a steady low rushing sound, and believed it was the hum of human thoughts. He held himself ready to hear her voice somewhere in that steady surf, not really expecting it, but what else could he do? It was shortly after they went through the first tolls on the Spaulding Turnpike, now only sixty miles from Boston, that he finally picked her up. (Dan) Low. Barely there. At first he thought it was just imaginationwish fulfillmentbut he turned in that direction anyway, trying to narrow his concentration down to a single searchlight beam. And it came again, a bit louder this time. It was real. It was her. (Dan, please!) She was drugged, all right, and hed never tried anything remotely like what had to be done next . . . but Abra had. She would have to show him the way, doped up or not. (Abra push you have to help me) (help what help how) (swapsies) (???) (help me turn the world) 4 Dave was in the passenger seat, going through the change in the cup holder for the next toll, when Dan spoke from behind him. Only it most certainly wasnt Dan. Just give me another minute, I have to change my tampon! The Suburban swerved as John sat up straight and jerked the wheel. What the hell? Dave unsnapped his seatbelt and got on his knees, twisting around to peer at the man lying on the backseat. Dans eyes were halflidded, but when Dave spoke Abras name, they opened. No, Daddy, not now, I have to help . . . I have to try . . . Dans body twisted. One hand came up, wiped his mouth in a gesture Dave had seen a thousand times, then fell away. Tell him I said not to call me that. Tell him Dans head cocked sideways until it was lying on his shoulder. He groaned. His hands twitched aimlessly. Whats going on? John shouted. What do I do? I dont know, Dave said. He reached between the seats, took one of the twitching hands, and held it tight. Drive, Dan said. Just drive. Then the body on the backseat began to buck and twist. Abra began to scream with Dans voice. 5 He found the conduit between them by following the sluggish current of her thoughts. He saw the stone wheel because Abra was visualizing it, but she was far too weak and disoriented to turn it. She was using all the mental force she could muster just to keep her end of the link open. So he could enter her mind and she could enter his. But he was still mostly in the Suburban, with the lights of the cars headed in the other direction running across the padded roof. Light . . . dark . . . light . . . dark. The wheel was so heavy. There was a sudden hammering from somewhere, and a voice. Come out, Abra. Times up. We have to roll. That frightened her, and she found a little extra strength. The wheel began to move, pulling him deeper into the umbilicus that connected them. It was the strangest sensation Dan had ever had in his life, exhilarating even in the horror of the situation. Somewhere, distant, he heard Abra say, Just give me another minute, I have to change my tampon! The roof of Johns Suburban was sliding away. Turning away. There was darkness, the sense of being in a tunnel, and he had time to think, If I get lost in here, Ill never be able to get back. Ill wind up in a mental hospital somewhere, labeled a hopeless catatonic.


But then the world was sliding back into place, only it wasnt the same place. The Suburban was gone. He was in a smelly bathroom with dingy blue tiles on the floor and a sign beside the washbasin reading SORRY COLD WATER ONLY. He was sitting on the toilet. Before he could even think about getting up, the door bammed open hard enough to crack some of the old tiles, and a man strode in. He looked about thirtyfive, his hair dead black and combed away from his forehead, his face angular but handsome in a roughhewn, bony way. In one hand he held a pistol. Change your tampon, sure, he said. Whered you have it, Goldilocks, in your pants pocket? Must have been, because your backpacks a long way from here. (tell him I said not to call me that) Dan said, I told you not to call me that. Crow paused, looking at the girl sitting on the toilet seat, swaying a little from side to side. Swaying because of the dope. Sure. But what about the way she sounded? Was that because of the dope? What happened to your voice? You dont sound like yourself. Dan tried to shrug the girls shoulders and only succeeded in twitching one of them. Crow grabbed Abras arm and yanked Dan to Abras feet. It hurt, and he cried out. Somewheremiles from herea faint voice shouted, Whats going on? What do I do? Drive, he told John as Crow pulled him out the door. Just drive. Oh, Ill drive, all right, Crow said, and muscled Abra into the truck next to the snoring Billy Freeman. Then he grabbed a sheaf of her hair, wound it in his fist, and pulled. Dan screamed with Abras voice, knowing it wasnt quite her voice. Almost, but not quite. Crow heard the difference, but didnt know what it was. The hat woman would have; it was the hat woman who had unwittingly shown Abra this mindswap trick. But before we get rolling, were going to have an understanding. No more lies, thats the understanding. The next time you lie to your Daddy, this old geezer snoring beside me is dead meat. I wont use the dope, either. Ill pull in at a camp road and put a bullet in his belly. That way it takes awhile. Youll get to listen to him scream. Do you understand? Yes, Dan whispered. Little girl, I fucking hope so, because I dont chew my cabbage twice. Crow slammed the door and walked quickly around to the drivers side. Dan closed Abras eyes. He was thinking about the spoons at the birthday party. About opening and shutting drawersthat, too. Abra was too physically weak to grapple with the man now getting behind the wheel and starting the engine, but part of her was strong. If he could find that part . . . the part that had moved the spoons and opened drawers and played airmusic . . . the part that had written on his blackboard from miles away . . . if he could find it and then take control of it . . . As Abra had visualized a female warriors lance and a stallion, Dan now visualized a bank of switches on a control room wall. Some worked her hands, some her legs, some the shrug of her shoulders. Others, though, were more important. He should be able to pull them; he had at least some of the same circuits. The truck was moving, first reversing, then turning. A moment later they were back on the road. Thats right, Crow said grimly. Go to sleep. What the hell did you think you were going to do back there? Jump in the toilet and flush yourself away to . . . His words faded, because here were the switches Dan was looking for. The special switches, the ones with the red handles. He didnt know if they were really there, and actually connected to Abras powers, or if this was just some mental game of solitaire he was playing. He only knew that he had to try. Shine on, he thought, and pulled them all. 6 Billy Freemans pickup was six or eight miles west of the gas station and rolling through rural Vermont darkness on 108 when Crow first felt the pain. It was like a small silver band circling his left eye. It was cold, pressing. He reached up to touch it, but before he could, it slithered right, freezing the bridge of his nose like a shot of novocaine. Then it circled his other eye as well. It was like wearing metal binoculars. Or eyecuffs. Now his left ear began to ring, and suddenly his left cheek was numb. He turned his head and saw the little girl looking at him. Her eyes were wide and unblinking. They didnt look doped in the slightest. For that matter, they didnt look like her eyes. They looked older. Wiser. And as cold as his face now felt. (stop the truck) Crow had capped the hypo and put it away, but he was still holding the gun hed taken from beneath the seat when he decided she was spending way too much time in the crapper. He raised it, meaning to threaten the geezer and make her stop whatever it was she was doing, but all at once his hand felt as if it had been plunged into freezing water. The gun put on weight five pounds, ten pounds, what felt like twentyfive. Twentyfive at least. And while he was struggling to raise it, his right foot came off the F150s gas pedal and his left hand turned the wheel so that the truck veered off the road and rolled along the soft shouldergently, slowingwith the rightside wheels tilting toward the ditch. What are you doing to me? What you deserve. Daddy. The truck bumped a downed birch tree, snapped it in two, and stopped. The girl and the geezer were seatbelted in, but Crow had forgotten his. He jolted forward into the steering wheel, honking the horn. When he looked down, he saw the geezers automatic turning in his fist. Very slowly turning toward him. This shouldnt be happening. The dope was supposed to stop it. Hell, the dope had stopped it. But something had changed in that bathroom. Whoever was behind those eyes now was cold fucking sober. And horribly strong. Rose! Rose, I need you! I dont think she can hear, the voice that wasnt Abras said. You may have some talents, you son of a bitch, but I dont think you have much in the way of telepathy. I think when you want to talk to your girlfriend, you use the phone. Exerting all his strength, Crow began to turn the Glock back toward the girl. Now it seemed to weigh fifty pounds. The tendons of his neck stood out like cables. Drops of perspiration beaded on his forehead. One ran into his eye, stinging, and Crow blinked it away. Ill . . . shoot . . . your friend, he said. No, the person inside Abra said. I wont let you. But Crow could see she was straining now, and that gave him hope. He put everything he had into pointing the muzzle at Rip Van Winkles midsection, and had almost gotten there when the gun started to rotate back again. Now he could hear the little bitch panting. Hell, he was, too. They sounded like marathoners approaching the end of a race side by side. A car went by, not slowing. Neither of them noticed. They were looking at each other. Crow brought his left hand down to join his right on the gun. Now it turned a little more easily. He was beating her, by God. But his eyes! Jesus! Billy! Abra shouted. Billy, little help here! Billy snorted. His eyes opened. Wha For a moment Crow was distracted. The force he was exerting slackened, and the gun immediately began to turn back toward him. His hands were cold, cold. Those metal rings were pressing into his eyes, threatening to turn them to jelly. The gun went off for the first time when it was between them, blowing a hole in the dashboard just above the radio. Billy jerked awake, arms flailing to either side like a man pulling himself out of a nightmare. One of them struck Abras temple, the other Crows chest. The cab of the truck was filled with blue haze and the smell of burnt gunpowder. What was that? What the hell was tha Crow snarled, No, you bitch! No! He swung the gun back toward Abra, and as he did it, he felt her control slip. It was the blow to the head. Crow could see dismay and terror in her eyes, and was savagely glad. Have to kill her. Cant give her another chance. But not a headshot. In the gut. Then Ill suck the stea Billy slammed his shoulder into Crows side. The gun jerked up and went off again, this time putting a hole in the roof just above Abras head. Before Crow could bring it down again, huge hands laid themselves over his. He had time to realize that his adversary had only been tapping a fraction of the force at its command. Panic had unlocked a great, perhaps even unknowable, reserve. This time when the gun turned toward him, Crows wrists snapped like bundles of twigs. For a moment he saw a single black eye staring up at him, and there was time for half a thought (Rose I love y) There was a brilliant flash of white, then darkness. Four seconds later, there was nothing left of Crow Daddy but his clothes. 7 Steamhead Steve, Baba the Red, Bent Dick, and Greedy G were playing a desultory game of canasta in the Bounder that Greedy and Dirty Phil shared when the shrieks began. All four of them had been on edgethe whole True was on edgeand they dropped their cards immediately and ran for the door. Everyone was emerging from their campers and RVs to see what the matter was, but they stopped when they saw Rose the Hat standing in the brilliant yellowwhite glare of the security lights surrounding the Overlook Lodge. Her eyes were wild. She was pulling at her hair like an Old Testament prophet in the throes of a violent vision. That fucking little bitch killed my Crow! she shrieked. Ill kill her! ILL KILL HER AND EAT HER HEART! At last she sank to her knees, sobbing into her hands. The True Knot stood, stunned. No one knew what to say or do. At last Silent Sarey went to her. Rose shoved her violently away. Sarey landed on her back, got up, and returned to Rose without hesitation. This time Rose looked up and saw her wouldbe comforter, a woman who had also lost someone dear on this unbelievable night. She embraced Sarey, hugging so hard that the watching True heard bones crack. But Sarey didnt struggle, and after a few moments, the two women helped each other to their feet. Rose looked from Silent Sarey to Big Mo, then to Heavy Mary and Token Charlie. It was as if she had never seen any of them. Come on, Rosie, Mo said. Youve had a shock. You need to lie d NO! She stepped away from Silent Sarey and clapped her hands to the sides of her face in a huge double slap that knocked off her hat. She bent down to pick it up, and when she looked around at the gathered True again, some sanity had come back into her eyes. She was thinking of Diesel Doug and the crew she had sent to meet Daddy and the girl. I need to get hold of Deez. Tell him and Phil and Annie to turn around. We need to be together. We need to take steam. A lot of it. Once were loaded, were going to get that bitch. They only looked at her, their faces worried and unsure. The sight of those frightened eyes and stupid gaping mouths infuriated her. Do you doubt me? Silent Sarey had crept back to her side. Rose pushed her away from her so hard Sarey almost fell down again. Whoever doubts me, let him step forward. No one doubts you, Rose, Steamhead Steve said, but maybe we ought to let her alone. He spoke carefully, and couldnt quite meet Roses eyes. If Crows really gone, thats five dead. Weve never lost five in one day. Weve never even lost t Rose stepped forward and Steve immediately stepped back, hunching his shoulders up around his ears like a child expecting a blow. You want to run away from one little steamhead girl? After all these years, you want to turn tail and run from a rube? No one answered her, least of all Steve, but Rose saw the truth in their eyes. They did. They actually did. Theyd had a lot of good years. Fat years. Easyhunting years. Now they had run across someone who not only had extraordinary steam but knew them for who they were and what they did. Instead of avenging Crow Daddywho had, along with Rose, seen them through good times and badthey wanted to put their tails between their legs and go yipping away. In that moment she wanted to kill them all. They felt it and shuffled further back, giving her room. All but Silent Sarey, who was staring at Rose as if hypnotized, her mouth hung on a hinge. Rose seized her by her scrawny shoulders. No, Rosie! Mo squealed. Dont hurt her! What about you, Sarey? That little girl was responsible for murdering the woman you loved. Do you want to run away? Nup, Sarey said. Her eyes looked up into Roses. Even now, with everyone looking at her, Sarey seemed little more than a shadow. Do you want payback? Lup, Sarey said. Then Levenge. She had a low voice (almost a novoice) and a speech impediment, but they all heard her, and they all knew what she was saying. Rose looked around at the others. For those of you who dont want what Sarey wants, who just want to get down on your bellies and squirm away . . . She turned to Big Mo and seized the womans flabby arm. Mo screeched in fear and surprise and tried to draw away. Rose held her in place and lifted her arm so the others could see it. It was covered with red spots. Can you squirm away from this? They muttered and took another step or two back. Rose said, Its in us. Most of us are fine! Sweet Terri Pickford shouted. Im fine! Not a mark on me! She held her smooth arms out for inspection. Rose turned her burning, tearfilled eyes on Terri. Now. But for how long? Sweet Terri made no reply, but turned her face away. Rose put her arm around Silent Sarey and surveyed the others. Nut said that girl may be our only chance of getting rid of the sickness before it infects us all. Does anyone here know better? If you do, speak up. No one did. Were going to wait until Deez, Annie, and Dirty Phil get back, then well take steam. Biggest steam ever. Were going to empty the canisters. Looks of surprise and more uneasy mutters greeted this. Did they think she was crazy? Let them. It wasnt just measles eating into the True Knot; it was terror, and that was far worse. When were all together, were going to circle. Were going to grow strong. Lodsam hanti, we are the chosen oneshave you forgotten that? Sabbatha hanti, we are the True Knot, and we endure. Say it with me. Her eyes raked them. Say it. They said it, joining hands, making a ring. We are the True Knot, and we endure. A little resolution came into their eyes. A little belief. Only half a dozen of them were showing the spots, after all; there was still time. Rose and Silent Sarey stepped to the circle. Terri and Baba let go of each other to make a place for them, but Rose escorted Sarey to the center. Under the security lights, the bodies of the two women radiated multiple shadows, like the spokes of a wheel. When were strongwhen were one againwere going to find her and take her. I tell you that as your leader. And even if her steam doesnt cure the sickness thats eating us, itll be the end of the rotten That was when the girl spoke inside her head. Rose could not see Abra Stones angry smile, but she could feel it. (dont bother coming to me, Rose) 8 In the back of John Daltons Suburban, Dan Torrance spoke four clear words in Abras voice. Ill come to you. 9 Billy? Billy! Billy Freeman looked at the girl who didnt exactly sound like a girl. She doubled, came together, and doubled again. He passed a hand over his face. His eyelids felt heavy and his thoughts seemed somehow glued together. He couldnt make sense of this. It wasnt daylight anymore, and they sure as hell werent on Abras street anymore. Whos shooting? And who took a shit in my mouth? Christ. Billy, you have to wake up. You have to . . . You have to drive was what Dan meant to say, but Billy Freeman wasnt going to be driving anywhere. Not for awhile. His eyes were drifting shut again, the lids out of sync. Dan threw one of Abras elbows into the old guys side and got his attention again. For the time being, at least. Headlights flooded the cab of the truck as another car approached. Dan held Abras breath, but this one also went by without slowing. Maybe a woman on her own, maybe a salesman in a hurry to get home. A bad Samaritan, whoever it was, and bad was good for them, but they might not be lucky a third time. Rural people tended to be neighborly. Not to mention nosy. Stay awake, he said. Who are you? Billy tried to focus on the kid, but it was impossible. Because you sure dont sound like Abra. Its complicated. For now, just concentrate on staying awake. Dan got out and walked around to the drivers side of the truck, stumbling several times. Her legs, which had seemed so long on the day he met her, were too damned short. He only hoped he wouldnt have enough time to get used to them. Crows clothes were lying on the seat. His canvas shoes were on the dirty floormat with the socks trailing out of them. The blood and brains that had splattered his shirt and jacket had cycled out of existence, but they had left damp spots. Dan gathered everything up and, after a moments consideration, added the gun. He didnt want to give it up, but if they were stopped . . . He took the bundle to the front of the truck and buried it beneath a drift of old leaves. Then he grabbed a piece of the downed birch the F150 had struck and dragged it over the burial site. It was hard work with Abras arms, but he managed. He found he couldnt just step into the cab; he had to pull himself up by the steering wheel. And once he was finally behind the wheel, her feet barely reached the pedals. Fuck. Billy gave a galumphing snore, and Dan threw another elbow. Billy opened his eyes and looked around. Where are we? Did that guy drug me? Then I think I have to go back to sleep. At some point during the final lifeordeath struggle for the gun, Crows unopened bottle of Fanta had fallen to the floor. Dan bent over, grabbed it, then paused with Abras hand on the cap, remembering what happens to soda when it takes a hard thump. From somewhere, Abra spoke to him (oh dear) and she was smiling, but it wasnt the angry smile. Dan thought that was good. 10 You cant let me go to sleep, the voice coming from Dans mouth said, so John took the Fox Run exit and parked in the lot farthest from Kohls. There he and Dave walked Dans body up and down, one on each side. He was like a drunk at the end of a hard nightevery now and then his head sagged to his chest before snapping back up again. Both men took a turn at asking what had happened, what was happening now, and where it was happening, but Abra only shook Dans head. The Crow shot me in my hand before he let me go in the bathroom. The rest is all fuzzy. Now shh, I have to concentrate. On the third wide circle of Johns Suburban, Dans mouth broke into a grin, and a very Abralike giggle issued from him. Dave looked a question at John across the body of their shambling, stumbling charge. John shrugged and shook his head. Oh, dear, Abra said. Soda. 11 Dan tilted the soda and removed the cap. A highpressure spray of orange pop hit Billy full in the face. He coughed and spluttered, for the time being wide awake. Jesus, kid! Whyd you do that? It worked, didnt it? Dan handed him the stillfizzing soda. Put the rest inside you. Im sorry, but you cant go back to sleep, no matter how much you want to. While Billy tilted the bottle and chugged soda, Dan leaned over and found the seat adjustment lever. He pulled it with one hand and yanked on the steering wheel with the other. The seat jolted forward. It caused Billy to spill Fanta down his chin (and to utter a phrase not generally used by adults around young girls from New Hampshire), but now Abras feet could reach the pedals. Barely. Dan put the truck in reverse and backed up slowly, angling toward the road as he went. When they were on the pavement, he breathed a sigh of relief. Getting stuck in a ditch beside a littleused Vermont highway would not have advanced their cause much. Do you know what youre doing? Billy asked. Yes. Been doing it for years . . . although there was a little lag time when the state of Florida took away my license. I was in another state at the time, but theres a little thing called reciprocity. The bane of traveling drunks all across this great country of ours. Youre Dan. Guilty as charged, he said, peering over the top of the steering wheel. He wished he had a book to sit on, but since he didnt, he would just have to do the best he could. He dropped the transmission into drive and got rolling. Howd you get inside her? Dont ask. The Crow had said something (or only thought it, Dan didnt know which) about camp roads, and about four miles up Route 108, they came to a lane with a rustic wooden sign nailed to a pine tree BOB AND DOTS HAPPY PLACE. If that wasnt a camp road, nothing was. Dan turned in, Abras arms glad for the power steering, and flicked on the high beams. A quarter of a mile up, the lane was barred by a heavy chain with another sign hanging from it, this one less rustic NO TRESPASSING. The chain was good. It meant Bob and Dot hadnt decided on a getaway weekend at their happy place, and a quarter of a mile from the highway was enough to assure them of some privacy. There was another bonus a culvert with water trickling out of it. He killed the lights and engine, then turned to Billy. See that culvert? Go wash the soda off your face. Splash up good. You need to be as wide awake as you can get. Im awake, Billy said. Not enough. Try to keep your shirt dry. And when youre done, comb your hair. Youre going to have to meet the public. Where are we? Vermont. Wheres the guy who hijacked me? Dead. Good goddam riddance! Billy exclaimed. Then, after a moments thought How about the body? Wheres that? An excellent question, but not one Dan wanted to answer. What he wanted was for this to be over. It was exhausting, and disorienting in a thousand ways. Gone. Thats really all you need to know. But Not now. Wash your face, then walk up and down this road a few times. Swing your arms, take deep breaths, and get as clear as you can. Ive got one bitch of a headache. Dan wasnt surprised. When you come back, the girl is probably going to be the girl again, which means youll have to drive. If you feel sober enough to be plausible, go to the next town that has a motel and check in. Youre traveling with your granddaughter, got it? Yeah, Billy said. My granddaughter. Abby Freeman. Once youre in, call me on my cell. Because youll be wherever . . . wherever the rest of you is. Right. This is fucked to the sky, buddy. Yes, Dan said. It certainly is. Our job now is to unfuck it. Okay. What is the next town? No idea. I dont want you having an accident, Billy. If you cant get clear enough to drive twenty or thirty miles and then check into a motel without having the guy on the counter call the cops, you and Abra will have to spend the night in the cab of this truck. It wont be comfortable, but it should be safe. Billy opened the passengerside door. Give me ten minutes. Ill be able to pass for sober. Done it before. He gave the girl behind the steering wheel a wink. I work for Casey Kingsley. Death on drinkin, remember? Dan watched him go to the culvert and kneel there, then closed Abras eyes. In a parking lot outside the Fox Run Mall, Abra closed Dans. (Abra) (Im here) (are you awake) (yes sort of) (we need to turn the wheel again can you help me) This time, she could. 12 Let go of me, you guys, Dan said. His voice was his own again. Im all right. I think. John and Dave let go, ready to grab him again if he staggered, but he didnt. What he did was touch himself hair, face, chest, legs. Then he nodded. Yeah, he said. Im here. He looked around. Which is where? Fox Run Mall, John said. Sixty miles or so from Boston. Okay, lets get back on the road. Abra, Dave said. What about Abra? Abras fine. Back where she belongs. She belongs at home, Dave said, and with more than a touch of resentment. In her room. IMing with her friends or listening to those stupid Round Here kids on her iPod. She is at home, Dan thought. If a persons body is their home, shes there. Shes with Billy. Billy will take care of her. What about the one who kidnapped her? This Crow? Dan paused beside the back door of Johns Suburban. You dont have to worry about him anymore. The one we have to worry about now is Rose. 13 The Crown Motel was actually over the state line, in Crownville, New York. It was a rattletrap place with a flickering sign out front reading VAC NCY and M NY CAB E CHAN ELS! Only four cars were parked in the thirty or so slots. The man behind the counter was a descending mountain of fat, with a ponytail that trickled to a stop halfway down his back. He ran Billys Visa and gave him the keys to two rooms without taking his eyes from the TV, where two women on a red velvet sofa were engaged in strenuous osculation. Do they connect? Billy asked. And, looking at the women The rooms, I mean. Yeah, yeah, they all connect, just open the doors. Thanks. He drove down the rank of units to twentythree and twentyfour, and parked the truck. Abra was curled up on the seat with her head pillowed on one arm, fast asleep. Billy unlocked the rooms, turned on the lights, and opened the connecting doors. He judged the accommodations shabby but not quite desperate. All he wanted now was to get the two of them inside and go to sleep himself. Preferably for about ten hours. He rarely felt old, but tonight he felt ancient. Abra woke up a little as he laid her on the bed. Where are we? Crownville, New York. Were safe. Ill be in the next room. I want my dad. And I want Dan. Soon. Hoping he was right about that. Her eyes closed, then slowly opened again. I talked to that woman. That bitch. Did you? Billy had no idea what she meant. She knows what we did. She felt it. And it hurt. A harsh light gleamed momentarily in Abras eyes. Billy thought it was like seeing a peek of sun at the end of a cold, overcast day in February. Im glad. Go to sleep, hon. That cold winter light still shone out of the pale and tired face. She knows Im coming for her. Billy thought of brushing her hair out of her eyes, but what if she bit? Probably that was silly, but . . . the light in her eyes. His mother had looked like that sometimes, just before she lost her temper and whopped one of the kids. Youll feel better in the morning. Id like it if we could go back tonightIm sure your dad feels that way, toobut Im in no shape to drive. I was lucky to get this far without running off the road. I wish I could talk to my mom and dad. Billys own mother and fathernever candidates for Parents of the Year, even at their bestwere long dead and he wished only for sleep. He looked longingly through the open door at the bed in the other room. Soon, but not quite yet. He took out his cell phone and flipped it open. It rang twice, and then he was talking to Dan. After a few moments, he handed the phone to Abra. Your father. Knock yourself out. Abra seized the phone. Dad? Dad? Tears began to fill her eyes. Yes, Im . . . stop, Dad, Im all right. Just so sleepy I can hardly Her eyes widened as a thought struck her. Are you okay? She listened. Billys eyes drifted shut and he snapped them open with an effort. The girl was crying hard now, and he was sort of glad. The tears had doused that light in her eyes. She handed the phone back. Its Dan. He wants to talk to you again. He took the phone and listened. Then he said, Abra, Dan wants to know if you think there are any other bad guys. Ones close enough to get here tonight. No. I think the Crow was going to meet some others, but theyre still a long way away. And they cant figure out where we areshe broke off for a huge yawnwithout him to tell them. Tell Dan were safe. And tell him to make sure my dad gets that. Billy relayed this message. When he ended the call, Abra was curled up on the bed, knees to chest, snoring softly. Billy covered her with a blanket from the closet, then went to the door and ran the chain. He considered, then propped the desk chair under the knob for good measure. Always safe, never sorry, his father had liked to say. 14 Rose opened the compartment under the floor and took out one of the canisters. Still on her knees between the EarthCruisers front seats, she cracked it and put her mouth over the hissing lid. Her jaw unhinged all the way to her chest, and the bottom of her head became a dark hole in which a single tooth jutted. Her eyes, ordinarily uptilted, bled downward and darkened. Her face became a doleful deathmask with the skull standing out clear beneath. She took steam. When she was done, she replaced the canister and sat behind the wheel of her RV, looking straight ahead. Dont bother coming to me, RoseIll come to you. That was what she had said. What she had dared to say to her, Rose OHara, Rose the Hat. Not just strong, then; strong and vengeful. Angry. Come ahead, darling, she said. And stay angry. The angrier you are, the more foolhardy youll be. Come and see your auntie Rose. There was a snap. She looked down and saw she had broken off the lower half of the EarthCruisers steering wheel. Steam conveyed strength. Her hands were bleeding. Rose threw the jagged arc of plastic aside, raised her palms to her face, and began to lick them. CHAPTER SIXTEEN THAT WHICH WAS FORGOTTEN 1 The moment Dan closed his phone, Dave said, Lets pick up Lucy and go get her. Dan shook his head. She says theyre okay, and I believe her. Shes been drugged, though, John said. Her judgment might not be the best right now. She was clear enough to help me take care of the one she calls the Crow, Dan said, and I trust her on this. Let them sleep off whatever the bastard drugged them with. We have other things to do. Important things. Youve got to trust me a little here. Youll be with your daughter soon enough, David. For the moment, though, listen to me carefully. Were going to drop you off at your grandmotherinlaws place. Youre going to bring your wife to the hospital. I dont know if shell believe me when I tell her what happened today. I dont know how convincing I can be when I hardly believe it myself. Tell her the story has to wait until were all together. And that includes Abras momo. I doubt if theyll let you in to see her. Dave glanced at his watch. Visiting hours are long over, and shes very ill. Floor staff doesnt pay much attention to the visiting rules when patients are near the end, Dan said. Dave looked at John, who shrugged. The man works in a hospice. I think you can trust him on that. She may not even be conscious, Dave said. Lets worry about one thing at a time. What does Chetta have to do with this, anyway? She doesnt know anything about it! Dan said, Im pretty sure she knows more than you think. 2 They dropped Dave off at the condo on Marlborough Street and watched from the curb as he mounted the steps and rang one of the bells. He looks like a little kid who knows hes going to the woodshed for a pantsdown butt whippin, John said. This is going to strain the hell out of his marriage, no matter how it turns out. When a natural disaster happens, no ones to blame. Try to make Lucy Stone see that. Shes going to think, You left your daughter alone and a crazy guy snatched her. On some level, shes always going to think it. Abra might change her mind about that. As for today, we did what we could, and so far were not doing too badly. But its not over. Not by a long shot. Dave was ringing the bell again and peering into the little lobby when the elevator opened and Lucy Stone came rushing out. Her face was strained and pale. Dave started to talk as soon as she opened the door. So did she. Lucy pulled him inyanked him inby both arms. Ah, man, John said softly. That reminds me of too many nights when I rolled in drunk at three in the morning. Either hell convince her or he wont, Dan said. Weve got other business. 3 Dan Torrance and John Dalton arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital shortly after ten thirty. It was slack tide on the intensive care floor. A deflating helium balloon with FEEL BETTER SOON printed on it in particolored letters drifted halfheartedly along the hallway ceiling, casting a jellyfish shadow.