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Charlie's passions were momentarily numbed, muted by his fears. He began to whimper, cringing as horrifying images danced eerily around him, mocking his nakedness, laughing at his humaness. Jubell Caron's lovely face was rapidly transforming from one ghostly image to another, creating a kaleidoscoping nightmare of hate and anger and revenge. |
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She covered him as though she would devour him. He could hear words, but he could not understand them. |
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"This is the day of settlement," she breathed. "I have pleased you, and now, you will stay with me always." |
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He was imprisoned in her lust, and Jubell cried out in her passions. |
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The word was ringing in his head like a distant, mind-numbing echo; always . . . always . . . always. |
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Then it happened. There was one fleeting, terrible moment when everything crystalized. They were all there, intertwined in one maddening montageRuthie, Cappy, Kristen, Betty Elizabethlaughing at him, becoming one with the woman called Jubell. |
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He knew it was too late. Charlie Frazier had forfeited his right to escape, and to live. |
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When she plunged the blade into his still heaving chest, he made no sound. The day of settlement had come. |
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