Sally reached the balloons first, of course, and began to loosen the ropes that would allow them to take off.

“Hurry!” Sally screamed. “Adam!”

Cindy arrived next, followed by Bum carrying Watch. But Adam was now tripping every other step. As he climbed back up, he saw that he was already too late. One of the Cold People had moved between him and the balloons. He was trapped, in a cemetery more dangerous than a snake pit. Adam froze as the cold person fixed him with its gaze and slowly began to approach.

“Get away!” he called to the others. “Save yourselves!”

“Drop that hero garbage!” Sally called back, climbing out of her balloon with her flamethrower ready. So intent was the creature on Adam that it hardly seemed to notice Sally.

Until Sally torched it from behind.

Like the one in the surplus store, the creature did not burn. It was more like it melted into a pile of blue fluid. Sally kept the flame blazing until there was nothing left except a smelly puddle sitting atop a grave. Sally grabbed Adam by the arm and pulled him toward one of the balloons.

“I just hope I never have to do that to Watch,” she said, adding, “or to you.”

9

They floated up and out of the cemetery before any more Cold People could get them. Adam was with Sally and Watch. Their friend lay sprawled on his back on the floor of the gondola. Sally knelt at Watch’s feet, tying his ankles together. Adam sat on the floor of the gondola as well. He didn’t know if he could stand without support. The exercise in the cemetery had done nothing to drive away the numbness.

“I wish you didn’t have to do that,” Adam said to Sally.

She began to knot the rope. “Just wait till he wakes up and we’ll see what you wish.”

Adam put his hand on top of Watch’s head.

It was like touching a block of ice.

“It’s like he’s dead,” Adam said.

“Maybe it would be better if he were.”

Adam was shocked. “How can you say that?”

Sally lowered her head. “I just have to look at him. He’s not Watch anymore.”

“But you saw him just before he attacked. For a second he recognized me.”

Sally nodded sadly. “I saw it. I hope it means something.” She sighed and stood and looked out over the city. “We’re drifting toward the center of town. I think I see more Cold People below us.”

Adam clawed his way up and leaned against the side. He was stunned to see three Cold People run into a house directly below them and drag a man and woman out onto the lawn. The Cold People pinned the couple to the grass. Adam had to look away. He could not bear to see how the monsters made more of themselves.