rick sat next to me on the sofa as i told him about everything that happened . she shifted the box in her hand . could he distract them , somehow , and let the other two flee ? the knot in her stomach had twisted tighter . the flame had suddenly roared , nearly scoring the ceiling . said an interested voice behind me . i thought , perhaps , one or two of you might like to accompany me . '' he closed his eyes and sought a sense of coolness in the dark . 