I looked about me. Next to the bones I noticed half a dozen empty wine bottles. They could be improvised as weapons, but I would have to move quickly. My joints might be stiff and slow to respond after my time lying unconscious on the floor. Moreover, I reflected, even blows directed at the creature’s head might not be enough to incapacitate it.

Whatever the risks, I had to try. Surely Jenny could not endure what was being done to her for very much longer. Soon, as a result of the blood loss, her heart would weaken and cease beating altogether.

Just as I’d made up my mind to act, the decision was taken away from me. The creature slowly drew the transparent pipe out of Jenny’s neck and rose to its feet.

Was she dead . . . ? I studied her anxiously and was relieved to see that she was still breathing. Once more her eyes opened wide, and she mouthed the words: Help me, please.

Without even a glance in my direction, the beast crossed the room, pushed open the door, and left. Presumably it thought I was still unconscious. I could hear the wind sighing through the trees. It must have left through an outer door in the trunk, one at ground level.

Now was my chance to free Jenny and make our escape before the monster returned. There was a possibility that it was playing some sort of game with me. Perhaps it had realized that I could move and was waiting to ambush me outside, ready to take pleasure in ending my hopes of escape.

But I had to take a chance. I started to get to my feet. I would release Jenny and escape! I could do it.

However, I barely had time to move before that hope was dashed. The door opened again and the beast came in—leaving it slightly ajar. I could see a jagged vertical line of pale yellow light. The moon must have risen.

The beast went over to Jenny and sat down beside her, ready to insert the pipe into her neck once more.

I racked my brain, desperately considering every possible course of action, then rejecting them one by one. I realized that there was only one thing I could do now; I had just one chance to save Jenny. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. How could I let her die?

I scrambled to my feet and lurched toward the door. I pushed it open and ran out into the night air. I glanced back once and saw Jenny staring out at me with a pleading look on her face, thinking that I had abandoned her.

I steeled myself and ran on, glancing back once or twice. To my relief, the creature had not followed me.

This was fortunate: I staggered as I ran, and the breath rasped painfully in my throat. The beast’s magic had sapped my strength, and I would have been easy to catch.