Redrum

           WendyTorrancestoodindecisiveinthemiddleofthebedroom,lookingatherson,whohadfallenfastasleep.

           Halfanhouragothesoundshadceased.Allofthem,allatonce.Theelevator,theparty,thesoundofroomdoorsopeningandclosing.Insteadofeasingherminditmadethetensionthathadbeenbuildinginherevenworse;itwaslikeamalefichushbeforethestorm’sfinalbrutalpush.ButDannyhaddozedoffalmostatonce;firstintoalight,twitchingdoze,andinthelasttenminutesorsoaheaviersleep.Evenlookingdirectlyathimshecouldbarelyseetheslowriseandfallofhisnarrowchest.

           Shewonderedwhenhehadlastgottenafullnight’ssleep,onewithouttormentingdreamsorlongperiodsofdarkwakefulness,listeningtorevelsthathadonlybecomeaudible-andvisible-toherinthelastcoupleofdays,astheOverlook’sgriponthethreeofthemtightened.

           (Realpsychicphenomenaorgrouphypnosis?)

           Shedidn’tknow,anddidn’tthinkitmattered.Whathadbeenhappeningwasjustasdeadlyeitherway.ShelookedatDannyandthought

           (Godgrantheliestill)

           thatifhewasundisturbed,hemightsleeptherestofthenightthrough.Whatevertalenthehad,hewasstillasmallboyandheneededhisrest.

           ItwasJackshehadbeguntoworryabout.,

           Shegrimacedwithsuddenpain,tookherhandawayfromhermouth,andsawshehadtornoffoneofherfingernails.