Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

"Young man, I don't have all day to spend

explaining medical procedures to you. It's time for

Annie's therapy session, anyway, and she can't have

visitors during that time."

"All right, I'll wait out here."

"You are stubborn."

I was only a foot or so from the windowsill. I

pressed down to lift my body and reached up as

quickly as I could to take hold of it, but I missed and

fell forward, smacking my head against the wall. For a

moment I was too stunned to do anything but lay

there.

"All right, leave, but will you t

ell her I came?" Resignation sounded in his voice.

"Of course."

"No," I muttered. "No . . . no . ."

I reached up again, this time getting hold of the

sill, and pulled myself toward the open window. "Thank you."

I heard the front door close. He was leaving;

Luke was leaving! Tony had driven him away! My

hope! Luke . . I was on my knees, and using both

hands, pulled myself up until my face was level with

the window.

"LUKE!" I screamed with all my might.

"LUKE! DON'T GO. LUKE, COME UP AND GET

ME. LUKE . . ." I screamed and screamed until my

face felt it would burst from the effort and my arms

weakened too much to hold me up. Just before I fell

back to the floor, I thought I caught a glimpse of Troy

standing at the edge of the maze, looking up. But