please excuse me , i really need to get out of here . '' besides , you have n't been out since spring break . she did not want to get any closer to him , she was terrified of him , and the strange way that he made her feel so frightened , and yet so nervous and strangely excited . this is ... old , but it 's not ancient '' ruth swallowed . from the looks of the lights in the distance , it was a small town with only a half dozen hotels at best . 