Shane didn't dare strike.

What could he do?

His eyes darted to the little boy beside him, and an idea struck. Acting on instinct, he lunged forward and snatched the child up, hands tightening around the boy's neck. He shouted, "Don't come any closer, or I'll kill him!"

That finally made Catherine's face drain of color.

"Let him go!" she screamed.

"Drop the knife!" Shane bellowed. This was his only lifeline now.

Catherine could hardly believe it. "Are you even human? That's your son!"

"So