The Dead Girls Dance Page 0,80

is like cancer to us. It rots our will to live.

Yeah? What do you think its like, being trapped here when people need me? Michael asked. His fists were clenched, his face tense and flushed. Ive watched my girlfriend nearly get killed five feet away from me, and I couldnt do anything because she was outside the house. Now its Shane, and hes all alone out there. It couldnt be worse than this, Amelie. Trust me. If youre not going to save Shane, then you have to do this for me. Please.

He was asking Amelie forwhat? Something she could do that would set him free? Claire eased down another step, and saw Sams eyes shift and lock on her. She expected him to say something, but he just gave her a very small shake of his head. Warning her.

She retreated back to the top of the stairs, hesitating. Maybe she should get Eve. No, the shower was still running. She should wait. Michael wouldnt do anything stupidwould he?

While she was hesitating, she heard Amelie say something that she couldnt quite understand, except for one word.

Vampire.

And she heard Michael say, Yes.

No! Claire jumped up and pelted down the steps, fast as she could, but before she could get to the bottom Sam was standing there, looking up at her. Blocking her path. She looked over the railing at Michael and Amelie, and saw Michael watching her.

He looked scared, but he gave her a smilebroken, like the one Shane had put on for her in the cage. Trying to show it didnt matter.

Its okay, Claire, he said. I know what Im doing. This is the way it has to be.

No, it doesnt! She edged down another step, clinging to the rail with both hands. She felt hot and disoriented again, but she figured if she was going to fall, at least Sam was there to cushion her. Michael, please. Dont do this!

Oliver tried to make me a vampire. He made me into Michael made a disgusted gesture at himself. Im half-alive, Claire, and theres no going back. I can only go forward.

She couldnt say anything to that, because he was right. Right at every point. He couldnt go back to being just a regular guy; he couldnt live with being stuck here, helpless. Maybe he could have, if Shane hadnt been taken, but now

Michael, please. Her eyes were filling up with tears. I dont want you to change.

Everybody changes.

Not as you will, Amelie said. She was standing there like the Snow Queen, all perfect and white and smooth, nothing really human about her at all. You will not be the man she knows, Michael. Or the one Eve loves. Will you risk that, too?

Michael took in a deep breath and turned back toward her. Yes, he said. I will.

Amelie stood in silence for a moment, then nodded. Sam, she said. Take the child away. This wants no witnesses.

Im not leaving! Claire said.

Yeah, good plan. Sam walked up three steps, scooped her into his arms, and carried her upstairs. Claire tried to grab for the railing, but her fingers slipped away. Michael! Michael, no! Dont do this!

Sam carried her to her room and dumped her on the bed, and before she could struggle up to a sitting position he was already outside, closing the door.

Later, thinking back on it, Claire couldnt say if she heard the scream or felt it; either way, it seemed to vibrate through the bones and boards of the Glass House, through her head, and she moaned and clapped her hands over her ears. That didnt stop it. The scream just went on and on, shrill and painful as a steam whistle, and Claire felt somethingpull at her, like she was made of cloth, and a gigantic, malicious kid was yanking at her loose threads.

And then it juststopped.

Chapter Twenty-nine

She slid off the bed, ran to the door, and opened it. Sam was nowhere to be seen. Eve was rushing out of the bathroom, clutching her bathrobe around her dripping body, her black hair plastered wet against her face. Whats happening? she yelled. Michael? Wheres Michael?

The two girls exchanged a desperate look, and then ran for the stairs.

Amelie was sitting in an armchair, the one Michael usually used; she looked drawn and tired, and her head was bent. Sam was crouched next to her, holding her hand, and he rose to his feet when Eve and Claire arrived breathlessly at the bottom of the stairs.

Shes resting, he said.