He'd thought it was a nightmare before. Neil slips away from his grasp before he even knows what's happening and the next instant it's just people, a seething mass of people, some of them trying to run now that the hideous thing is over. It would be too easy to be trampled. He gropes frantically for Tom, finding his hand and holding on, looking around wildly.

"I don't--" This is not real. This is not happening. "Neil! NEIL!"