Fantasy of Fear
The satyr beside pat was leaning toward her; the arm about her was
tightening with a brutal ruthlessness, and while still staring in
fascination at the incredible eyes, she realized that another arm and
a white hand was moving relentlessly, exploratively, toward her body.
It was the cold touch of this hand as it slipped over her silk-sheathed
legs that broke the chilling spell of her fascination.
"Nick!" she screamed. "Nick!" She had a curious sensation of calling
him back from far distances, the while she strove with both hands and
all her strength to press him back from her. But the ruthless force of
his arms was overcoming her resistance; she saw the red eyes a hand's
breadth from her own.
"Nick!" she sobbed in terror.
There was a change. Abruptly, she was looking into Nick's eyes,
blood-shot, frightened, puzzled, but indubitably Nick's eyes. The
flaming orbs of the demon were no more; it was as if they had receded
into Nick's head. The arm about her body relaxed, and they were staring
at each other in a medley of consternation, amazement and unbelief. The
youth drew back, huddled in his corner of the car, and Pat, breathing
in sobs, smoothed out her rumpled apparel with a convulsive movement.
"Pat!" he gasped. "Oh, my God! He couldn't have--" He paused abruptly.
The girl gazed at him without reply.
"Pat, Dear," he spoke in a low, tense murmur, "I'm--sorry. I don't
know--I don't understand how--"
"Never mind," she said, regaining a vestige of her customary composure.
"It's--all right, Nick.""But--oh, Pat--!"

"It was that near accident," she said. "That upset you--both of us, I mean."

"Yes!" he said eagerly. "That's what it was, Pat. It must have been that, but Dear, can you forgive? Do you want to forgive me?"

"It's all right," she repeated. "After all, you just complimented my legs, and I guess I can stand that. It's happened before, only not quite so--convincingly!"

"You're sweet, Pat!"

"No; I just love you Nick." She felt a sudden pity for the misery in his face. "Kiss me, Nick--only gently."

He pressed his lips to hers, very lightly, almost timidly. She lay back against the seat for a moment, her eyes closed.

"That's you again," she murmured. "This 

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