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Show 87. for the picture." At just that moment JD sat up in the chair, as if he could see something behind Chic somewhere. "What is it? What do you see?" "I can't go back. I'm running faster and faster and I can't stop. Stephanie's screaming and that thing, that thing is pulling me . . ." Without warning, JD was there again. He wasn't describing what had happened. It was happening. He slumped down into the chair, cowering from the light, drawing himself into a ball. "No, no . . . no!" the sounds came from his throat like animal yelps. At the same time, Stephanie cried out and moved quickly to JD, but Chic grabbed her arms and held her back. "He's all right," he whispered. "You can't stop him now!" She was strong and wild-eyed, but somehow he kept her from JD. "What is it?" Chic asked, fully as scared now as Stephanie, but unable to stop what they were doing. JD moaned and writhed in the chair. "What is it? Where are you?" "Don't!" he cried, seeming not to hear Chic's voice. "Don't take me. No, no. I can't! I can't walk!" His voice, shrill and high, didn't sound like JD's at all. "What's happening now?" Chic tried in vain to make contact with JD's subconscious. "JD! Answer me! Where are you?" JD's face and neck were wet with perspiration. He was crying and shaking violently. Chic looked at Stephanie. He didn't know what to do. "Count to three!" she said desperately. "Look at him, Chic. Get him out of it!" Then JD was calling out again, in a voice laced with sheer terror. "Let me go. Get away, get away! Stephanie!" he screamed, sending shock straight up Chic's spine. This time he couldn't keep Stephanie away. She had JD's head in her arms, holding him tight against her. "Damn it! Do something!" she yelled at Chic. He knew he had to get hold of himself. "On the count of three," he began, forcing a steady voice, "you'll be awake. Do you hear me, JD?" He was answered with a low moan. |