She was their sacrifice. Just as she'd always suspected she might be.

Her blood-pink smile shone in the headlights. Vindication swelled within her, making her strong. No one had believed her. Her mangled body would be the proof she'd always hoped for. Her death would be a harbinger to the few people she trusted enough to confide in.

The evil is real. I told you. I told you all.

She laughed, pain wracking through every nerve of her body until her laughter ebbed away along with her life.

Then the big buck wrenched its head, flinging her ragged corpse into the woods.

Derry's All-Night Car Wash stood silent and bright against the surrounding trees as Mavis Lynch pulled her pink Caddie into the lot.

The wash was automated and required no attendant. Since there was very little crime in Barrows Bay it had no security cameras. No one would see her wheel the Caddie into the tunnel and onto the track.

Mavis loved going through the car wash. It reminded her of her father, who used to let her sit in the back of the family Studebaker with her dolls while he washed it down with soapy water and a sponge and the garden hose. It was a pleasant memory of an innocent, long-gone time, before decadence and debauchery replaced respect, common courtesy, a hard day's work and the sanctity of family.

Though she wasn't a fan of most technological advances proceeding the television and microwave oven, the car wash was something she could see the value in. It wasn't like she was spry enough to wash the blessed thing by hand, and she sure as sugar wouldn't let the slouchy little Neanderthal neighbor boy get his mitts on it.

The Caddie lurched forward on the track and a gush of hot water pounded the chassis, blasting away Nadine Hinkley's blood from the hood and headlamps. That had been quite the glammer. Mavis was pleased to see her dark magic work without her sisters. She feared she may be required to use it against them someday, perhaps soon.

Sooner by the moment, she thought darkly.

It was wise to keep such thoughts to herself. To prevent them from rising to a conscious level, where the others might eavesdrop. Their minds were linked, like a telephone on a party line, where voices—inner voices—would drift in and out of clarity.

Geraldine MacKenna seemed to possess this sense the strongest, aside from the Mother. Geraldine was Mother's right-hand woman.

While water pounded on the rooftop and the spinning, foamy brushes slapped the chassis and windows, it seemed for a time the party line was vacant. Mavis heard her own thoughts and hers alone. She could think freely, without fear of someone overhearing. Particularly Mother.

Mavis had grown powerful while Mother had been "indisposed." While Mother weakened it behooved Mavis and the others to foster their own powers. Barrows Bay needed them. Without their influence, her people would suffer. The town itself would wither into chaos and decay.