`` the last time it was five thousand dollars . anybody could have taken those off by mistake . i reached down and took a handful of his hair in my fist . the siren burst to life with the engine , but a flick of the driver 's finger choked it off in mid cry . she fastened her dress and picked up her shoes . `` all of you need to see this . '' `` which attacked me in the middle of the swamp in an unmarked stream ! '' 