i take a look around the living room but do n't see any deliveries . finally , he rose from his chair , like rising from a bed of ashes . those students would have all moved on to the nearby middle school . he brought the rock down with a mighty blow . `` do n't get your back up , girl . you didnt know me at all . as if in a waking nightmare , she suddenly spotted ben in the rushing creek , clinging to the rope bridge below the tree house platform . 