He nodded。 〃I didn't really think so。〃
He started up the stairs without waiting for her。 She followed him； half…
running； but he was taking the risers two at a time。 She almost crashed into his
back when he came to a dead stop on the first…floor landing。 He was rooted
there； looking up； his eyes wide。
〃What — ？〃 she began； and followed his gaze。
Danny still stood there； his eyes blank； sucking his thumb。 The marks on his
throat were cruelly visible in the light of the hall's electric flambeaux。
〃Danny！〃 she shrieked。
It broke Jack's paralysis and they rushed up the stairs together to where he
stood。 Wendy fell on her knees beside him and swept the boy into her arms。 Danny
came pliantly enough； but he did not hug her back。 It was like hugging a padded
stick； and the sweet taste of horror flooded her mouth。 He only sucked his thumb
and stared with indifferent blankness out into the stairwell beyond both of
them。
〃Danny； what happened？〃 Jack asked。 He put out his hand to touch the puffy
side of Danny's neck。 〃Who did this to — 〃
〃Don't you touch him！〃 Wendy hissed。 She clutched Danny in her arms； lifted
him； and had retreated halfway down the stairs before Jack could do more than
stand up； confused。
〃What？ Wendy； what the hell are you t — 〃
〃Don't you touch him！ I'll kill you if you lay your hands on him again！〃
〃Wendy — 〃
〃You bastard！〃
She turned and ran down the rest of the stairs to the first floor。 Danny's
head jounced mildly up and down as she ran。 His thumb was lodged securely in his
mouth。 His eyes were soaped windows。 She turned right at the foot of the stairs；
and Jack h