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file:///E|/Funny%20&%20Weird%20Shit/75%20-%20Stephen%20King%20Books/Stephen%20King%20-%20Pet%20Sematary.htmHe started to move then, trotting up the path toward the woods, leaving the fire behind him. He hadworked up a good sweat by the time he reached the edge of the woods, and the shade felt cool and good.There was the sweet aroma of pine and spruce, bark and sap.Once into the woods he broke into an all-out run, not sure why he was running, not sure why his heartwas beating double time. His breath whistled in and out. He was able to lengthen his run to a sprintgoing downhill—the path was admirably clear—but he reached the arch that marked the entrance to thePet Sematary at little more than a fast walk. There was a hot stitch high in his right side, just under thearmpit.His eyes barely registered the circles of graves—the beaten tin squares, the bits of board and slate. Hisgaze was fixed on the bizarre sight at the far side of the circular clearing. It was fixed on Louis, who wasclimbing a deadfall, seemingly in outright defiance of gravity. He mounted the steep fall step by step, hiseyes straight ahead, like a man who has been mesmerized or who is sleepwalking. In his arms was thewhite thing that Steve had seen from the tail of his eye. This close, its configuration was undeniable—itwas a body. One foot, clad in a black shoe with a low heel, protruded. And Steve knew with a suddenand sickening certainty that Louis was carrying Rachel’s body.Louis’s hair had gone white.“Louis!” Steve screamed.Louis didn’t hesitate, didn’t pause. He reached the top of the deadfall and began down the far side.He’ll fall, Steve thought incoherently. He’s been damned lucky, incredibly lucky, but pretty soon he’sgoing to fall and if his leg’s the only thing he breaks— But Louis did not fall. He reached the other sideof the deadfall, was temporarily out of Steve’s sight, and then reappeared as he walked toward thewoods again.“Louis!” Steve yelled again.This time Louis stopped and turned back.Steve was struck dumb by what he saw. Besides the white hair, Louis’s face was that of an old, old man.At first there was no recognition at all in Louis’s face. It dawned little by little, as if someone wasturning a rheostat up in his brain. Louis’s mouth was twitching. After a while Steve realized that Louiswas trying to smile.“Steve,” he said in a cracked, uncertain voice. “Hello, Steve. I’m going to bury her. Have to do it withmy bare hands, I guess. It may take until dark. The soil up there is very stony. I don’t suppose you’dwant to give me a hand?”file:///E|/Funny%20&%20Weird%20Shit/75%20-%20St...20Books/Stephen%20King%20-%20Pet%20Sematary.htm (329 of 333)7/28/2005 9:21:50 PM