"Al, can you detect anyone in there besides Ricky?" Caleb silently asked his secret weapon, the ethereal alien who had taken up residence in his head....I think there is one other person," Al replied, "But we're still too far away to know for sure. I can feel Ricky's rage, but I can also feel great fear. Based on what you learned about him, the boy could have a split personality. It is possible that he could feel both emotions at the same time. I don't think so, though. I think it is a second. Yes. If you think about it, this could be something we’d both enjoy. I know you liked that raw, hot sex with a stranger. It thrilled you. You got off like fireworks. I want that for you too. I just want to be there while you get it.”Cathy was no dummy. I could see the wheels turning in that lovely head. She’d processed this and seen the reality of her situation. She drooped a little in acceptance but then a thought bubbled up.“But if you just want to see me having sex, why even bring this up?. "I messed up once. I thank the river for what it hasgiven me, and for this constraint that will make me make use itwell."After this somewhat uncomfortable discussion, the three all walkedtowards Nick's car. He drove it towards his parents' home, locatednear the Stormcloud home. As they neared the house, a small, neatbungalow that was much nicer looking than many of the other reservehomes, River thought she saw a curtain at one of the windows move.Someone was awake, even at this early hour. A. My fingers were a ruined mess.It didn't hurt much anymore, being broken, being torn apart. It was just flesh and bone, weak and hollow, and soon parting. He got hold of the other hand. I didn't resist much. Slam, slam, slam.I didn't really need my hands anymore. How could they help me? That was the moment I began to cry, to sob, to feel it all escaping, my sweet little life.Slam, slam, slam. He broke more of me, this time my shoulder, the same one he had torn with the arm lock. I heard Sara.