Jack stood up.

And the Overlook applauded.

Wendy and Panic The door burst open.

Jack stood there, his gaze glassy, his mouth twisted in a grin that didn’t belong to him.

And in his hands, the roque mallet.

—Hello, Wendy.

Wendy froze.

Danny was asleep beside her, unaware of the danger.

—Jack… what are you doing with that?

Jack tilted his head.

—It’s my job, sweetheart. To take care of the hotel. And the hotel says there’s a problem.

He took a step forward.

Wendy lunged for Danny, clutching him tightly against her chest.

—Jack, don’t do this.

Jack looked at her with pity.

—Don’t make me do this, Wendy.

She saw his fingers tighten around the mallet. This wasn’t Jack. Not entirely.

She bolted for the door.

Jack roared, and the mallet came down.

It smashed into the wood just where Wendy had been a second ago.