The moment Daria and Noah were safely alone, Noah clutched Cassandra to him and he stared at Daria with wide, frightened eyes. No one was coming after them, but he had heard the breaking of bones and all he could think of now was how it had felt when Pat had slammed the fire poker into his leg and his bones had shattered.

He felt physically ill.

"I think I might throw up that chicken," Noah said, turning slightly green.