beth tried to force her way past clayton, but he reached for her arm again. "we're not done yet," he growled. he wasn't going to let her leave without making sure she understood. "he ran outside!" "he'll be fine. i want to make sure you're clear on how things are going to go with us." beth didn't hesitate, slapping him across the face with her free hand, and he recoiled. when he let go, she pushed him backward with all her might, sensing that he was still off balance. "get the hell out!" she screamed. as soon as he steadied his feet, she slammed him in the chest again. "i am so sick of you and your family telling me what i can and can't do, and i'm not going to put up with it anymore!" "too bad," he shot back, the words coming naturally. "you don't have a choice. i'm not going to let ben anywhere near that friend of yours." instead of answering, as if tired of listening to him, she pushed away and strode past him. where are you going?" he demanded. "we're not finished." pounded through the living room. "i'm going to find ben." "it's just rain!" "it's flooding, in case you haven't noticed." he watched her run out onto the porch, expecting her to find ben there, but for some reason, she looked both ways and vanished from view. lightning flashed, thunder echoing a moment later. close. too close. clayton moved to the door and noticed that.she'd headed to the far edge and was scanning the yard. just then, he saw nana approaching with an umbrella. "have you seen ben?" beth suddenly called out. "no," nana answered, looking confused, rain pouring around her. "i just got here. what's going on?" she stopped short at the sight of clayton. "what's he doing here?" she demanded. "he didn't go past you?" beth asked, suddenly jogging toward the steps. "it's no big deal," clayton said, knowing he had to finish things with beth. "he'll be back…" beth stopped suddenly and faced him. all at once, clayton noticed her anger had been replaced by something close to terror. the noise of the storm seemed to be suddenly very far away. "what is it?" he asked. "the tree house …" it took only a moment to process the words, and then clayton felt his chest constrict. a moment later, they were both charging for the woods.