She tried to call Joe’s name, but it was muffled by the massive palm that covered her mouth and nose, and made it almost impossible to breathe. She tried to think. There had been a wall behind her just seconds ago, and now there was just emptiness as she was pulled inexorably into even deeper darkness. Suddenly, she was thrust away and she staggered, disoriented in the dark. “Miss. Miss.” An urgent whisper. Deanna blinked and still couldn’t see anything. She stretched her hand out, and it was grabbed but this time by a small, cold hand she knew well. “Elspeth?” “Yes, but shh.” “Where are we?” “The coal-delivery door. This is the chute to the basement.” First rain, then coal dust? Her clothes would be ruined. How would she ever to get back in the house without being found out?
