the number `` 4 '' was lit- abruptly the wind shifted direction , hitting her in the face even harder than it had up top-as if that figure , racing for her , coming at a dead run , was a menace from the old testament , its presence marshalling the elements , and sucking the illumination from the fluorescent lamps that glowed on the columns- the lights flickered over her head , strobing everything as the parking lot ahead of her abruptly went dark .