all our lives are at risk . roared a voice from the corner of the room . and if he does n't , what 's it matter ? the words were ancient , or alien , or simply incomprehensible . he tried to follow his own suggestion and keep his breathing even . he blinked , wondering for a moment if he 'd imagined her . he knew what he wanted to do but he did n't want to lose contact . she was walking down to the town square to buy a book of stamps when a patrol car pulled up alongside her . 