Sally could feel her heart hammering fast. She didn't want to go to his car. She didn't want to go anywhere with him. She could feel his dirty eyes creeping down the front of her gown and wished she'd picked out a formal that was not quite so low-cut in front.

She tried to pull his wrist from his hand but he held her easily.

"Now don't be in such a hurry," Duke said. "Just relax. You act like you're scared of me. Why, I wouldn't hurt you. I'll just give you a lift up to the road."

"Please," Sally said, "let me go."

She had not said please to anyone since she was ten years old, but she was really getting scared. His strong, masculine odor was making her uneasy. This was not a boy that she could order around. This was a man who would have his own way. She wanted to get away from him.

"Now you're coming with me," he said. "I'll take you up to the highway."

She saw that there was not much use in trying to get away from him. Maybe if she acted like she was relaxing he would just give her a lift to the highway and that was all. Maybe that was all he really did have in mind.

"Okay," she said. "Just up to the highway."

He released her. She followed him up the bank to his car. She had expected his car to be something old and junky but it wasn't. He had a plush new Cadillac parked in a grove of trees not far from where Bill had parked earlier. He opened the door for her and allowed his hand to brush against her shoulder suggestively. She decided to say nothing about it for fear of making him angry.

The seats were soft and cushiony and the front seat had plenty of room. It was a welcome change from Bill's cramped car.

Duke got in but he made no move to start the car. He simply sat and stared at her.

"You sure are a pretty girl," he said.