i shook my head in disbelief as i quickly and quietly followed after . this monster scares me to death . `` this way , '' i said , and i led them to the cellar door and down the creaky steps . i could hear the rain pounding the roof , but it was nearly drowned out by the sound of my heart beating and my teeth chattering . she would have to learn to time it so that it would not fall . now , without sharing a word , he and i understood we would do it after all . 