Then I broke out of the woods and began to run toward the Caine house. Suddenly I heard the General’s voice calling my name and heard his running feet behind me on the path. I didn’t look back but kept running, stumbling often on the uneven path.

At that moment the line on my right began to move ahead of me. By the graveyard gate the end of the line turned and blocked the path. I couldn’t continue toward the house. I could only go back or turn into the graveyard.

There was nowhere else to go. I ran toward the fence on the far side of the graveyard, hoping to be able to get over it, but I tripped on a headstone and he caught me and turned me around. He was like he had been the first time I saw him. His eyes were bloodshot, full of hate and not desire. He wanted to kill me now, I knew.

I screamed once, I remember, as his hand went to my throat. Then as I stumbled backward, I saw Jack standing behind him holding a flashlight, and behind Jack was Franny. In that instant the General fell on me, bearing me to the ground. I felt a crushing blow on the back of my head and then I remembered nothing.

22

Chapter Twenty-­Two

I don’t even remember dreaming. There was just nothing. When I regained consciousness I was lying in a bed and Father Jackson was bending over me. He was wearing his stole and he had his prayer book in hand. He was murmuring a prayer and making the sign of the cross over my lips.

“Is it the sacrament for the dying?” I asked weakly.

He nodded, startled. “It’s just a precaution, Maggie. Thank God, you’ve come around.”

“Stop it. I don’t want it. Where am I?”

“In Ashland Hospital. You’ve been unconscious for a long time.”

“How long?”

“Twelve hours or more. You had a concussion.”

I looked beyond him and saw Dr. Fowler at the door. He was wearing a white coat and he smiled at me and came forward, adjusting his stethoscope. Then I remembered that he had been the celebrant at the Black Mass.

“Get him out of here,” I screamed. “He’s one of them!” I suppose it was more of a croak than a scream, but it was the best I could manage and it made my head feel as though it had been hit by a sledge hammer.

Dr. Fowler continued to smile. “She’s hallucinating. It’s not abnormal under the circumstances.” He took my wrist firmly and checked my pulse. I struggled for a moment and then I thought, he can’t do anything to me with Father Jackson as a witness.