Lorraine felt anger rising in her, anger enough to conjure up an imaginary demon. It was so strong that even without words Steven and Julie both picked up on it.
No, Lorraine! Steven called. Don’t do it!
But they’re going to do an examination on me! I don’t want that!
Lorraine, even if you get out of that room, Steven said, we don’t know enough about this building to make an escape. You might not get away.
Yes, and then they’d know what you can do, Julie added.
I don’t want anyone touching me!
Steven and Julie were silent. For the moment they did not know how to change Lorraine’s fate. Then Steven had an idea.
Do you remember how Marty influenced all those people during our different journeys?
Like the train clerks and shopkeepers? Lorraine asked.
Maybe we can do the same. Julie, Lorraine, listen to me. We have to work together. Lorraine, you tell us when the others are there. Then we’ll help you stop them.
I don’t know if I can do that, Julie said. I can’t even make monsters.
But Marty said we were strongest together, Steven said again. We have to try.
Here they come! Here they come! The big fat man is angry because I didn’t get undressed.
Stare at him, Lorraine. Stare into his eyes.
Okay, Steven.
Julie, Lorraine, think this with me: Leave her alone. Leave her alone.
They repeated the command over and over. Dr. Blanely reached for Lorraine’s chin, shining a light into her eyes. She stared at him, and tried with all her might to make him stop. But he worked on, silently and efficiently, as if their thoughts were having no effect on him at all. He poked the speculum of an otoscope into her ear, not too gently.
It isn’t working!
Keep trying!
Blanely did a few more basic tests, then turned to LaBerge.
“So far, I see no resemblance between her and the other subject. But of course these are only preliminary findings. I suggest several scans, as well as a sonogram and blood tests.”
Lorraine glowered at the men, but they acted as if they weren’t aware of her.
“Get her to room C-6,” Blanely said. “The equipment is already set up for a sono. It’s a logical place to start.”
“Fine,” LaBerge said.
The two men left the room.
They didn’t even flinch! Lorraine reported. I guess we can’t do that, and Marty can. We need Marty!
What’s happening now, Lorraine? Julie asked.
They left the room. They’re going to do a sonogram. I’m not afraid of that. I know it won’t hurt. But I don’t want them sticking me with needles or anything!
We have to stop them before they get that far, Steven said. And I think the only way to do it is with Marty’s help. So here’s what we have to do. We have to concentrate on calling him. He’s here somewhere, I’m sure of it. I don’t know why he’s not calling us, but maybe if he knows how close we are, he’ll respond.
The three children, each locked in a different room, closed their eyes in unison and began to call to Marty. But their friend could not answer them at that moment. He was far too weak.
Alone in his own secret chamber, Marty was dying.
49
IT WAS WELL after midnight when Rachel directed Eric to turn off the highway and enter the town of Shoaling. The ocean mist hovered like softly glowing clouds under the streetlamps. Most of the beach houses, as yet unoccupied, were dark.
“Are you sure this is the place you want to be?” Eric asked, driving slowly through the quiet streets.
Two glowing orbs gazed up at the car, then disappeared into the overgrown grass of a forgotten bungalow.
“I can feel Steven,” Rachel said. “He’s stronger here than anywhere else. I know he’s somewhere very near.”
A well-lit sign caught Eric’s attention, and he turned the car down a side street. A few moments later he was on another of the town’s main roads, pulling into the parking lot of Shoaling’s single motel.
“I believe you,” he said. “But we aren’t going to do anything at this hour. Let’s get a room and rest for the night.”
“Eric, what if he’s in danger right now?” Rachel asked.
Eric parked the car and turned off the engine. He turned and looked directly into her eyes.
“Do you sense that he’s in danger?”
“No, not right now.”
“Then that settles it,” Eric said, opening his door to get out.
Although he and Rachel had taken turns behind the wheel, Eric himself had been driving for the past two hours. It felt good to stretch his legs. He breathed in the invigorating ocean air.
Rachel came out of her own door. The ocean air was not invigorating for her, but made her yawn widely.
“We both need a rest,” Eric said, putting his arms around her. She felt small in his embrace.