<P>It was the excruciating silence one experiences when hoping not to get caught commiting some unapproved act, or when one is listening for a noise that one hopes will not occur. The kind of silence that becomes so intense it grows to a dreadful ringing of the ears, that fake, self-contained ring, that sweat-bringing ring.
<P>
<P>There was the pattering of small feet. Very soft, quick feet. Where had it come from? Dominic scanned the - blackness. He could see nothing. He was blinded. He wished for a light, or-
<P>
<P>He suddenly experienced the greatest feeling of utter, undescribable dread he'd ever experienced in his life.
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<P>He felt it now. There was a weight on the sheets that covered him.
<P>
<P>It moved slowly. Up, towards him...
<P>
<P>There was the snuffling noise, unbearably close.
<P>
<P>Dominic's eyes began to water.
<P>
<P>Oh, my God. 
<P>
<P>There was the angered hiss of an animal. A very fierce animal, ready to slaughter its prey, ready to gnash at the throat of its enemy and suck the marrow from its victim. Silence broke. Skin crawled.
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<P><JC>--- --- --- ---
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<P>The heavy door rumbled open behind Gordon Quick. He turned and looked. Dominic stood there, pale-skinned, frantic, appearing as though he'd seen the most disgusting of atrocities just moments before.
<P>
<P>"Where are you going?" Gordon asked with puzzlement.
<P>
<P>"I have to leave," Dominic yelled, his voice quavering with absolute terror. "I have to-... There's something-..."
<P>
<P>He had to go kill Maggie Chow.
<P>
<P>He had to go retrieve the Dragon's Tooth.
<P>
<P>His muscles burned as light exploded and he was gone.