She turned resolutely away.

The need to continue went beyond the need to find a way out of here.

She had something to prove, at least to herself.

She wouldn't allow herself be a coward.

When she reached the hallway, she took a great breath.

She was almost there, and yet it seemed as though the farther she came

on her journey, the harder it became for her to continue.

Inching toward the door, she moved with very little noise, save for her ragged breathing.

When she reached the office door, she clasped the doork.n.o.b as though it

was a lifeline and pushed the door open quickly, reaching for the light

switch at the same time.

Her body went limp, and her eyes closed in relief as light flooded the room.

She leaned heavily against the wall, her heart pounding as rapidly as

if she'd finished a marathon.

It was several moments before she opened her eyes again, and moments later before her adrenaline-loaded brain observed the other figure in the room, by the desk.

"Sarah!"

she gasped.

Sarah was staring at her, dismay written on her face.

"Raine! What... what are you doing here?"

Her pulse was just beginning to resume its regular beat as she

explained ruefully, "I was in the rest room and got locked in. I was just going to call Sheena's to tell someone to come get me."

She frowned quizzically at her friend.

"I thought everyone had left."

Sarah gave a shaky laugh."Were we born under the same star, or what? Would you believe that Icame back tonight because I thought I'd left my purse? I was in theoffice looking for it and never realized that everyone else hadgone."

Confusion warred in Raine's mind.

"But you weren't here before the lights went off. I looked around."

Noticing the vapor rising from a jar on the desk,-she frowned and took

a step closer.

"What's that?"

Sarah didn't answer.

Raine took a step closer and stopped.

"Itlooks like acid, Sarah. I know it wasn't here when I came in

earlier."

In the face of her friend's continuing silence, a feeling of dread

began to seep through Raine's system.

"Sarah?"

she whispered, her gaze rising to meet her friend's.

But Sarah's gaze was fixed on the wall beyond the desk.

The shade on the window was pressed inward, and someone was crawling

over the sill.

He jumped lightly to the floor and turned around, saying, "Sarah, you idiot. Turn off that d.a.m.n light before someone sees it."

Joe Jennings's voice stopped abruptly when he saw Raine.

Then a grim smile crossed his face, and he addressed his sister

again.

"Looks like things are going to turn out my way, after all."

"No, Joe,"

Sarah said sharply.

"Shut up!"

he ordered.

Sarah's mouth trembled, but she remained silent.

"Get over there and turn off the light. Come here, Raine."

Raine didn't move.

"I said get over here!"

Sarah moved to obey her brother and turned off the switch.

' Even forewarned, Raine couldn't stem her panic at the darkness.

As she stood immobile, even her mind seemed fro zero Then a hand yanked

her by the shoulder and pulled her off balance.

A hard arm crooked around her throat.

Raine's throat clutched and she went still.

This was a scene her ni a in back of her her, real element of evil

surrounding her.

Her frozen state lasted only for a moment, until reaction set in, and

she fought wildly to free herself.

"d.a.m.n you,"

Joe cursed, as one of her backward kicks made Contact with his leg.

She raked her fingernails over his arms, her actions fueled by panic

and renewed adrenaline.

"Stop!"