His primitive instincts could feel the ozone crackling in the atmosphere as the storm ripped through the night. The rain started to fall on his arm an... Oog recoiled from the contact. ‘The water that falls from the sky will not harm you either.’ said Brin smiling. ‘Just believe in Me.’ Oog slowly came out of his cave and stood, trembling, next to Brin. The thunders continued to rumble and the lightnings flashed, though none so near as the one which Oog had felt sure was meant to punish Brin for. There was nothing more to be said. No last-minute delays left to use. Karen dared to hold his hand and stood at his side as their demon companion walked off toward the horizon carrying with her any hope of a life beyond bare survival. *** The cavern felt empty and cold without Beauty’s presence. Her absence hung in the air, unseen but inescapable. Anywhere Karen looked was a reminder.She will return. The thought was a cold comfort at best.That first day, a few attempts at idle conversation with. "Jeremy's here someplace. He's looking for you." Jen shot a catty smile at Amber. "Tiff's going out with my brother, you know." Really?" Amber shrugged and looked around like she was bored."No, I'm not," I sighed. "Who's in the dunk tank?"The gymnasium was pretty crowded and we stood near the main doors, but from somewhere on the other side I'd heard a metal clang sorta sound, a big splash, and a loud cheer."Monsignor Harden," Jen told me with a grin, forgetting about Amber for a second."Oh. At that moment, you realized that nearly everyone at the partywas aware of this conversation and the trip down the hall youwere about to take. A quick glance at their amused faces onlyserved to confirm this."Wood?" I inquired."Oak." she replied happily, her eyes fixed on yours."Very solid, should be perfect! Top middle drawer beneaththe sink."As I took your wrist and hauled you away from the others,you tried not to notice their giddy laughter and whispers."Someone's gonna get it!" a woman.