Beverly's hand in mine was warm and reassuring and I thought we were both trembling, but it didn't matter because it was the both of us. It was probably Eddie, too, though I felt like I couldn't reach Eddie or like he didn't want me to. I knew it was foolish to let that hurt me, especially at a time like this, but maybe it was because it was a time like this that it did.

So I squeezed Beverly's hand almost desperately and when it was gone I missed it.

"I'm sorry I didn't... I wasn't close enough," I said, although I didn't know what I could have done. I had seen the creatures now and they were different from the Many-Eyed. They looked stronger, harder to kill, and I had nearly died killing the Many-Eyed that had left my arm scarred with those circular burns. I didn't know what I thought I could have done.