teps on
the carpeting down the hall--soft, but unmistakably footsteps. He
called, "Wilson--Wilson--that you?"

The creature outside threw caution to the winds, Frank sensed rather
than heard a body hurtling toward the door. A shrill, mad laughter raked
his ears and the weight of a body hit the door.

Frank drew strength from pure panic as he threw his weight against the
panel, but perhaps an inch or two from the latch the door wavered from
opposing strength. Through the narrow opening he could feel the hoarse
breath of exertion in his face. Insane giggles and curses sounded
through the black stillness.

Frank had the wild conviction he was losing the battle, and added
strength came from somewhere. He heaved and there was a scream and he
knew he had at least one finger caught between the door and the jamb. He
threw his weight against the door with frenzied effort and heard the
squash of the finger. The voice kited up to a shriek of agony, like that
of a wounded animal.

Even with his life at stake, and the life of Nora, Frank could not
deliberately slice the man's fingers off. Even as he fought the urge,
and called himself a fool, he allowed the door to give slightly inward.
The hand was jerked to safety.

At that moment another door opened close by and Jim Wilson's voice
boomed: "What the hell's going on out here?"

Simultaneous with this, racing footsteps receded down the hall and from
the well of the stairway came a whining cry of pain.

"Jumping jees!" Wilson bellowed. "We got company. We ain't alone!"

"He tried to get into my room."

"You shouldn't have opened the door. Nora okay?"

"Yeah. She's all right."

"Tell her to stay in her room. And you do the same. We'd be crazy to go
after that coot in the dark. He'll keep 'til morning."

Frank closed the door, double-locked it and went back to Nora's bed. He
could hear a soft sobbing. He reached down and pulled back the covers
and the sobbing came louder. Then he was down on the bed and she was in
his arms.

She cried until the panic subsided, while he held her and said nothing.
After a while she got control of herself. "Don't leave me, Frank," she
begged. "Please don't leave me."

He stroked her shoulder. "I won't," he whispered.

They lay for a long time in utter silence, each seeking strength in the
other's closeness. The silence was finally broken by Nora.

"Frank?"

"Yes."

"Do you want me?"

He did not answer.

"If you want me you can