“Catherine, come with me,” Mrs. Mason said, reaching for her. She paused, reacting to the sound of sirens in the distance. Mavis lunged for Mrs. Mason’s arm, grabbing it with both hands and biting down. Mrs. Mason screamed. “Stop! Stop!” Catherine yelled. I grabbed Mavis’s jaw and squeezed. She groaned, growled, and then whimpered, releasing Mrs. Mason’s arm and crawling away. She sat and then began to laugh uncontrollably, throwing her head back.

