Here；　Missus　Torrance；　wrap　these　around　you。　I'll　help。　You　too；

Danny。　Get　yourself　looking　like　an　Arab。〃

He　swirled　two　of　the　blankets　around　Wendy；　fashioning　one　of　them　into　a

hood　to　cover　her　head；　and　helped　Danny　tie　his　so　they　wouldn't　fall　off。

〃Now　hold　on　for　dear　life；〃　he　said。　〃We　got　a　long　way　to　go；　but　the　worst

is　behind　us　now。〃

He　circled　the　equipment　shed　and　then　pointed　the　snowmobile　back　along　their

trail。　The　Overlook　was　a　torch　now；　flaming　at　the　sky。　Great　holes　had　been

eaten　into　its　sides；　and　there　was　a　red　hell　inside；　waxing　and　waning。

Snowmelt　ran　down　the　charred　gutters　in　steaming　waterfalls。

They　purred　down　the　front　lawns　their　way　well　lit。　The　snowdunes　glowed

scarlet。

〃Look！〃　Danny　shouted　as　Hallorann　slowed　for　the　front　gate。　He　was　pointing

toward　the　playground。

The　hedge　creatures　were　all　in　their　original　positions；　but　they　were

denuded；　blackened；　seared。　Their　dead　branches　were　a　stark　interlacing　network

in　the　fireglow；　their　small　leaves　scattered　around　their　feet　like　fallen

petals。

〃They're　dead！〃　Danny　screamed　in　hysterical　triumph。

〃Dead！　They're　dead！〃

〃Shhh；〃　Wendy　said。　〃All　right；　honey。　It's　all　right。〃

〃Hey；　doc；〃　Hallorann　said。　〃Let's　get　to　someplace　warm。　You　ready？〃

〃Yes；〃　Danny　whispered。　〃I've　been　ready　for　so　long　—　〃

Hallorann　edged　through　the　gap　between　gate　and　post。　A　moment　later　they

were　on　the　road；　pointed　back　toward　Sidewinder。　The　sound　of　the　snowmobile's

engine　dwindled　until　it　was　lost　in　the　ceaseless　roar　of　the　wind。　It　rattled

through　the　denuded　branches　of　the　hedge　animals　wi