After tapping the cane against her I drew it back, before delivering the first stroke squarely and firmly across the very buttocks that so captured my...imagination. “Ouch, God, that stung,” her response.Once more I squared the cane to its target and as it bit into Debbie’s flesh for the second time, she yelled, “OW-AH-OW.” I recalled using this same cane a few weeks before and after administering ‘six of the best’ to the usually resilient recipient, I suggested, “I bet you hardly felt that.” Her. . willful, aren’t you?”It rubbed its cheek against his, nuzzling like a house cat, the scales that looked as if they should be rough to the touch from a distance were revealed to be smooth and soft like skin. It was cool, its body temperature lower than his, and it placed its palm on his face as if trying to sap his heat.Sousa didn’t know what to do, should he push the alien away? Scold it? They might have no concept of personal space judging by the way they piled on top of eachother while. Let me be frank, Maya. She is 15. You can see how hotly she is developed. She needs attention, Maya." What kind of attention, ji?" Physical attention, Maya. She needs some excitement." It's wrong for you to give her such attention, ji. You are her father." I know. But if I don't do it, there is the danger that she might seek thrill outside the house. Secretly she might get involved with some man. That can spell trouble, Maya." But..." We must respect her need for thrill. She is at that. “Why aren’t you somewhere safe?” I snapped.“I’m OK,” she told me. I lifted my head and saw the area was awash in the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.“How’s Brian?” I asked.“Are you OK?” Liz asked.I nodded.“I’m good,” I said.“You’re scaring me,” Liz said. “I’m going to get an EMT over here.”“I’m OK,” I said. “Help the others.”I knew Brian needed medical attention. I saw bone sticking through the fabric of his lower pant leg. Ryan had been clubbed in the head, appendages and torso any.