Phantoms

by Dean Koontz

“Odds and ends.” “I need a screwdriver.” “Can do.” She was already running. Harker screamed. Jesus, what a terrible cry it was. Out of a nightmare. Out of a lunatic asylum. Out of Hell. Just listening to it caused Bryce to break out in a cold sweat. Copperfield. reached the locker. “Let me at that handle.” “It’s no use.” “Let me at it!” Bryce got out of the way. The general was a big brawny man—the biggest man here, in fact. He looked strong enough to uproot century-old oaks. Straining, cursing, he moved the door handle no farther than Bryce had done. “The goddamned latch must be broken or bent,” Copperfield said, panting. Harker screamed and screamed. Bryce thought of Liebermann’s Bakery. The rolling pin on the table. The hands. The severed hands. This was the way a man might scream while he watched his hands being cut off at the wrists. Copperfield pounded on the door in rage and frustration. Bryce glanced at Tal. This was a first: Talbert Whitman visibly frightened. Calling to Bryce, Jenny came through the gate. She had three screwdrivers, each of them sealed in a brightly colored cardboard and plastic package. “Didn’t know which size you needed,” she said. “Okay,” Bryce said, reaching for the tools, “now get out of here fast. Go back with the others.” Ignoring his command, she gave him two of the screwdrivers, but she held on to the third. Harker’s screams had become so shrill, so awful, that they no longer sounded human. As Bryce ripped open one package, Jenny tore th...