`` a hole that 's healed oddly rapidly , do n't you think ? '' deep in the ground the earth was alive . did you check the mail yesterday ? her life was already so complicated . the light came from the glass panel across the room . it could do no harm to cast a line and see if the fish might bite . cassie felt her relief tiptoe away , replaced by a tightening , choking fear . so he was still all right . come down from there , sweetheart , doc yelled . 