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Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the mangled boy slump to the floor. Gregory was shoving people aside, trying to give Ferris and his tragic charge more space. Doc was on the floor beside the youth. A pool of blood bridged the distance between them, and the boy began to scream. Suddenly there was a violent convulsion, and just that quickly, it was over. The crowd was suddenly quiet. Ferris sagged to his knees, head forward; he too began to sob. |
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It was Madden who had the presence of mind to guide the hysterical youngster away from his companion. Jake's muted voice was working in a strange way, trying on one hand to comfort the youngster and at the same time probing, still trying to discover what had happened. |
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"Benny, listen to me, you've got to get hold of yourself. I've got to know what happened." |
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The redhead looked up from the protective crook of Jake's huge arm with fear-ridden eyes. The words were being blocked out by desperate gulps of air. Ferris moved in and took the boy by the shoulder, shaking him. "Answer the Constable, Benny. You have to answer him. We've got to know." |
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"How many of them were there?" Jake kept digging. |
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The youngster hunched his trembling |
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