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" Where’s Lardo?” asked Charlie. Alice had just pointed under the bed, when they heard a branch snap outside. Alice and Charlie looked at each other. Another snap sent Charlie skittering across the room into the closet to hide. Alice turned off the light and lay back down in her bed to wait. A few minutes later, a shadowy figure slipped through the window, crossed quickly to the bed, and hesitated slightly before slowly sliding a hand under Alice’s pillow. That’s when Lardo made his surprise attack. Charging out from under the bed, fangs bared and back arched, he leapt at the intruder with a terrifying hiss. Alice turned on the light, and Charlie came busting out of the closet screaming bloody murder. In a flash the woman, dark haired and dressed head to toe in black, was out the window again, but Charlie grabbed her by the legs and hung on for dear life. Alice’s parents came running when they heard the commotion. “What’s going on?” her mother cried. “Who’s that hanging out the window?” “It’s the person who stole your pie, Mom. The same person who broke into the pie shop and catnapped Lardo and stole Aunt Polly’s key and —” “Can you hurry it up?” said Charlie. “I don’t think I can "
― Sarah Weeks , Pie
