Mr. Patton laughed. “People always say those kind of things until real trouble shows up. You try stopping a bear with a white flag and it will just have you for lunch. It’s a jungle out there, I tell you.” He gestured toward the rear of the store. “Your friends are in the back. I’m sure they agree with me. I think they’re juicing up a couple of flamethrowers.”

“I’m sure Sally would agree with you,” Adam said, stepping toward the back of the store.

“But she’s crazy,” Cindy added.

They did find Sally and Bum in the back. Adam was surprised to see the store had its own supply of gasoline. Sally and Bum were fueling a couple of flamethrowers, and filling a couple of spare tanks of fuel. The hand-held weapons looked like rocket launchers, except they spouted fire rather than explosives. Sally already had one going, but with the power down low. The orange flame danced like a hyperactive lighter. Sally’s eyes gleamed as she stared at the burning tip.

“Let them try to grab one of us now,” she said.

“Don’t forget how fast they move,” Adam warned.

“They?” Cindy said. “There’s only one that’s thawed out.”

“We have to figure they’re all up and running around by now,” Bum said.

“Oh, no,” Cindy moaned.

Adam was grim. “I had figured as much myself.”

Sally smiled. “How was the police station? Did you get lots of help?”

Adam shrugged. “You were right. Don’t rub it in.” He gestured to the flamethrowers. “Does Mr. Patton have only two of them?”

“He has three but he’s keeping one for himself,” Sally said. “We can’t complain. He gave us the easy payment plan on these two.”

“He actually believed the story about the Cold People?” Cindy asked.

“He’ll believe any story about any kind of secret attack,” Bum said. “It’s what he lives for.”

Cindy checked her watch and grimaced. “It’s already two o’clock. Watch was taken at noon. I hope he’s all right.”

“You heard what Bum said,” Sally snapped. “We can’t keep hoping he’s fine. If we see him, we can’t trust him. He’s the enemy now.”

Cindy was shocked. “How can you talk that way about our friend? I still have hope, and I will keep hoping until this is all over. I don’t care what anyone says.”

Sally started to snap back, then paused and drew in a deep breath. She momentarily closed her eyes. A spasm of pain crossed her face.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I have hope too.”

Adam had never heard Sally say she was sorry before.

He wasn’t given a chance to think about the apology, though.

They heard a loud shout from the front of the store.

“They’re coming!” Mr. Patton cried. “I see them down the road!”