Page 63 of Ward D
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Hours Until Morning: 4
When I open my eyes, somebody is standing over me.
It’s a silhouette of a man. His outline is visible in the moonlight coming through the window. I clutch the quilt to my chest, almost too terrified to scream.
And then I realize who it is.
“Mr. Ludwig?” I say.
Spider-Dan is standing over me, apparently watching me sleep. This man is the craziest person on Ward D, with the possible exception of Damon Sawyer. I squirm on the couch, my fingers feeling around for the knitting needle that is still lodged in my pocket.
“Don’t worry,” Spider-Dan says in his monotone. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
That’s when I realize that Spider-Dan is perched in a superhero pose, his fists punched into his hips, and his legs spread apart. He has a determined expression on his face.
“What are you talking about?” I yawn. I can’t believe I managed to fall asleep. “Won’t let who hurt me?”
Spider-Dan does not budge from his pose. “Damon Sawyer. I won’t let him get to you.”
“Um,” I say. “Thank you. But I think I’m okay. I don’t think he wants to hurt me.”
I’m proud of myself for thinking logically. A few hours ago, a statement like that would have freaked me out. But now that I have a couple of hours of sleep under my belt, I can be more realistic. Damon Sawyer is locked in Seclusion One. He’s not going to hurt anyone.
“Yes, he does,” Spider-Dan insists.
I stretch on the sofa, and a joint cracks in my neck. “Why do you think that?”
“Because he told me so.”
“What?” Any good feelings I gained from my nap instantly disappear. Yes, this man is delusional. I mean, I can’t trust anyone who thinks he can shoot webs out of his wrists. But he’s being awfully specific. “What are you talking about?”
“He came to my room,” Spider-Dan explains. “He was looking for you, but I didn’t tell him where you are. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Wait.” Any possibility of ever falling back asleep has officially left the building. “He was specifically looking for me?”
“You’re Amy, aren’t you?”
Oh my God. I am officially creeped out. How could Damon Sawyer be looking forme? He doesn’t even know who I am! I just came here for the first time earlier in the evening! Why would he be looking for me?
And why isn’t he locked in Seclusion One?
“He’s locked up,” I tell Spider-Dan.
“No, he’s not.” He gives me a meaningful look. “He got out earlier tonight.”
Oh my God. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
I jump off the couch, tossing the quilt aside. Maybe I’m overreacting—certainly Spider-Dan is not a credible source. But I heard the same thing from Will. Not to mention all the blood on the floor, which I’m still not entirely convinced was strawberry jelly. And the noise inside Seclusion One has gone suspiciously silent.
But before I can think about it, an ear-piercing sound breaks into my thoughts.
It’s a woman screaming.
40
Ihave two choices when I hear the screams. Either I can hide or I can see what’s going on.
