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           Shuffle-foothadnotstoppedwithusthistime.Histrousersswishedsoftlyandsteadily.Thentheystopped.Hewasrunning,runningtowarduswithnochild’ssteps.

           "Run,Scout!Run!Run!"Jemscreamed.

           Itookonegiantstepandfoundmyselfreeling:myarmsuseless,inthedark,Icouldnotkeepmybalance.

           "Jem,Jem,helpme,Jem!"

           Somethingcrushedthechickenwirearoundme.MetalrippedonmetalandIfelltothegroundandrolledasfarasIcould,flounderingtoescapemywireprison.Fromsomewherenearbycamescuffling,kickingsounds,soundsofshoesandfleshscrapingdirtandroots.SomeonerolledagainstmeandIfeltJem.Hewasuplikelightningandpullingmewithhimbut,thoughmyheadandshoulderswerefree,Iwassoentangledwedidn’tgetveryfar.

           WewerenearlytotheroadwhenIfeltJem’shandleaveme,felthimjerkbackwardstotheground.Morescuffling,andtherecameadullcrunchingsoundandJemscreamed.

           IraninthedirectionofJem’sscreamandsankintoaflabbymalestomach.Itsownersaid,"Uff!"andtriedtocatchmyarms,buttheyweretightlypinioned.Hisstomachwassoftbuthisarmswerelikesteel.Heslowlysqueezedthebreathoutofme.Icouldnotmove.Suddenlyhewasjerkedbackwardsandflungontheground,almostcarryingmewithhim.Ithought,Jem’sup.

           One’smindworksveryslowlyattimes.Stunned,Istoodtheredumbly.Thescufflingnoisesweredying;someonewheezedandthenightwasstillagain.

           Stillbutforamanbreathingheavily,breathingheavilyandstaggering.