gasped Candy, jumping off the bed. “Get in the bathroom.” “Maybe it’s not Iggy?” I said. “Maybe it’s—” “It’s Iggy. I know what he sounds like.” “But I thought you said—” “Just move,” she said urgently. “He’ll be here any second.” She took me by the arm and pulled me off the bed and started leading me toward the bathroom. “Stay in there and keep quiet,” she whispered. “And whatever happens, don’t come out. For my sake. Whatever happens…OK? Now go.” She gave me another shove toward the bathroom. My legs felt numb as I crossed the room, like lumps of wood with shoes on. I wasn’t sure what I was doing. My head was empty—too shocked to feel anything. No fear, not yet. Just killing numbness. I paused at the beaded doorway, listening to the sound of approaching footsteps—boom, boom, boom…top of the stairs…boom, boom, boom…along the hallway… “Joe!” Candy hissed. I looked at her—eyes wide, face rigid, teeth bared, hands waving, imploring me to go…What else could I do?
