Christine pulled her face away, staring down at him with her crystal eyes1aflame. She put both of her hands around his neck, squeezing. Panic flared1inside Tom. He kicked out with his legs, beat on her arms with his fists, but1she didn't budge.
"Let go of me!" he tried to yell, a guttural croak that barely came out.
Christine squeezed tighter. "Look at me, Tomikins!" she bellowed out, lunacy1glazing her eyes. "I obeyed! I will be your apprentice!"
As pain enveloped him, as his breath left his body—squeezed from him—Tom thought distantly that he couldn't tell her intentions. Is she really1going to kill me? Is she acting? Would she really kill me?
Her fingers closed tighter, gripping his skin, pinching the tendons and1nerves. Tighter still. Tom struggled, kicking, beating her arms, thrashing1beneath her. She squeezed even harder. Tom couldn't breathe, couldn't find1air.
"He's almost dead!" Christine yelled. "Tomikins! I've won your test!"