Dont, Shane panted. Dont, Dad. Please dont.
His father lowered the fist hed raised for a second blow, looked down at his son, and turned away. Shane stood there, shaking, eyes cast down, until his fathers footsteps moved away, toward the kitchen.
Then Shane spun around, lunged forward, and grabbed Claire and Eve by the arms. Come on! he hissed, and towed them both stumbling toward the stairs. Move!
But, Claire protested. She looked over her shoulder. Shanes father had gone to look out the window, presumably at whatever they were doing in the backyard (oh God) to Michaels body. Shane
Upstairs, he said. He didnt leave them much choice; Shane was a big guy, and this time he was using his muscle. By the time Claire got herself together, they were upstairs, in the hallway, and Shane was shoving open the door to Eves room. Inside, girls. Lock the door. I mean it. Dont open it for anybody but me.
ButShane!
He turned to Claire, took hold of both of her shoulders in those big hands, and leaned forward to plant a warm kiss on her forehead. You dont know these guys, he said. Youre not safe. Juststay in there until I get back.
Eve, looking dazed, murmured, You have to stop them. You cant let them hurt Michael!
Shane locked eyes with Claire, and she saw the grim sadness. Yeah, he said. Well, thats pretty much done. JustI have to look out for you now. Its what Michael wants.
Before Claire could summon up anything else in protest, he pushed her back over the threshold and slammed the door. He banged on it once with his fist. Lock it!
She reached up and flipped the dead bolt, then turned the old-fashioned key, as well. She stayed where she was, because she could feel, somehow, that Shane hadnt moved away.
Shane? Claire pressed herself against the door, listening. She thought she could hear his uneven breathing. Shane, dont let him hurt you again. Dont.
She heard a breathless sound that was more like a sob than a laugh. Yeah, Shane agreed faintly. Right.
And then she heard his footsteps moving away, down the hall to the stairs.
Eve was sitting on her bed, staring into space. The room smelled like a fireplace, thanks to the fire that had raged next door, in Claires room, but there was only some smoke damage, nothing really serious. And besides, with all the black Goth stuff everywhere, you couldnt even really tell.