Adeline yelled and dropped the lighter . She threw the old woman to the floor among the paper and scratched at her face . She raked at the old woman ’ s sagging cheeks , trying to peel back the wrinkled skin , trying to get at the larvae .
Mrs Bunson howled and twisted underneath Adeline like a wounded snake . She didn ’ t know that Adeline was doing her a favour , trying to free her from the —
Something stung Adeline ’ s hand . Had one of the larvae bit her ?
No . The lighter , falling from her hand , had set a pile of sheets on fire . The pile was burning next to them , the flames reaching for them , nipping at Adeline ’ s hand .
Adeline scrambled off of Mrs Bunson , who was holding her bleeding face and yelping like a dog , and snatched up the lighter . “ You ’ ll see , Mrs Bunson . It ’ ll make him go away .”
When Adeline left the room , the flames had crawled up the bookshelves , scorched paper soaring through the room . And Mrs Bunson in the middle , the hem of her nightgown already on fire , trying to get to her feet .
Not long and the larvae would be gone from her . Not long and at least for Mrs Bunson , Edward ’ s voice would be silent .
Adeline locked the door behind her . As she went down the hallway to the living room , Mrs Bunson ’ s screams followed her , interrupted only by fitful coughing . By the time Adeline had reached the living room and
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