a solid chunk , perhaps a foot square , its surface and edges rounded smooth . `` no one could be that dense , '' my mother says . holly 's scent was coming closer because the guard was coming closer . she was old , this little one . god knows what they 're here for . willie turned around and pushed her away . the chill which ran down my back was almost delicious . she puts her arms around me and drags me toward a heavy wooden door . his words came out in broken gasps , angry and terrified . 