Jamie raises the rifle, takes a breath and squeezes the trigger. Time seems to stretch and slow for a moment for him as the bullet flies towards the clown's head. Jamie's aim was good, but was it good enough?

The clown continues in its deadly charge, and Jamie feels like he's pushing through mud as he goes to discard the rifle and pull his knife. Then, abruptly, the clown drops in its tracks. Time resumes its normal pace. The body of the nightmare lies there, a hole drilled neatly through its head.

Jamie looks over at Billy, and swallows. That was closer than he would have liked. "I think I can see why." He lets out his breath in a sudden rush. "Is it dead, ye think?"