—And your wife and son? Do they understand the nature of isolation?

Jack kept smiling, though he wanted to throw the inkwell in Ullman’s face. The man didn’t want him there. It was obvious in his eyes. But Al Shockley had influence and had gotten him the job.

—My wife Wendy loves the idea —he lied. —And Danny is fascinated by large spaces.

Danny.

Jack felt a brief chill. His five-year-old son had something… special. He didn’t know what to call it, but sometimes Danny looked beyond things, as if he could see a world no one else could.

The contract was signed. Fate was sealed.

The Overlook They arrived in late October, as the last guests were leaving and the snow began to consume the mountain road. The hotel was a sleeping giant, with its red-carpeted hallways and chandeliers frozen in dim light.

Danny ran through the lobby with childish joy that lasted exactly until he stopped abruptly in front of one of the long corridors. Jack saw him frown, his eyes fixed on something that wasn’t there.

—Everything okay, Doc? —Jack asked, using the nickname he often gave him.

Danny blinked and smiled.

—Yes, Daddy.