Hungry Moon by Ramsey Campbell

stone, on the heather and the grass. Then the flames reddened and leaped higher, and Craig was shoving himself away from the window to raise the alarm when he heard a fire engine heading for the moor. He watched until the edge of the moor was still again, not even a hint of smoke under the remains of the moon, and then he went back to bed.
    In the morning he learned that someone unknown had started a fire up there. The fire had driven a flock of sheep through the tents, injuring two of Mann's followers. Several of the animals had plunged straight into the unwalled cave above which Mann had held his rally. Benedict recounted all this in a tone that seemed almost to imply that Craig and Vera were somehow culpable. Apart from that, he said very little as he drove them back to Sheffield, and Craig had nothing to distract him from feeling that he shouldn't have let himself be forced out of Moonwell, though it was certainly too late now. He kept remembering that first sight of flames that had looked white as ash - white as the moon.

    TWELVE
     
    The PTA meeting seemed more than ever like a class for adults, but they weren't treated as such. As Diana followed Sally's father into the assembly hall, Mrs Scragg remarked, 'Now we can start, I suppose,' as if Diana should have spent less time in discussing children with their parents. Diana took her place at the trestle table on the stage, and Mrs Scragg slapped the table with the heel of her hand, sending a dull echo across the crowded hall. 'I hope you all know what happened by the cave,' she thundered.
    Perhaps she didn't mean to sound accusing, but quite a few people looked away from her. 'I don't know who the terrorists and vandals are who'd stoop to cruelty to dumb animals, but they'd better stay away from my husband and I if they know what's good for them. And they'd better realize it'll take more than them setting fire to the moor to drive Godwin Mann out of our lives.'
    She grabbed the edge of the table with both red-knuckled hands and hitched herself forward at the parents. 'Now I'll tell you what me and my husband have done to help our new friends - we've invited two of them to stay in our house for as long as they're in Moonwell. Let the cowards try to harm them now. I hope every one of you will do the same, at least all of you that own your own homes.'
    If that was intended to exclude Diana, that was fine by her. Mrs Scragg sat back, snorting for emphasis, and Mr Scragg cleared his throat minutely. 'Before we move on to the rest of the business, are there any comments?' he said.
    A hand waved toward the back of the hall. 'Mr Milman,' Mr Scragg acknowledged.
    'I appreciate the points you were making, Mrs Scragg, but-'
    Mrs Scragg frowned at him as if she'd never seen him before. 'Stand up now or we'll not be able to hear you.'
    He stood up awkwardly, leaning on the folding seat in front of him. 'I was saying that of course I don't approve of trying to drive people out that way, but I do think it's understandable if there's a bit of resentment about. I mean, nobody asked for the town to be changed overnight. My family and I go to church every Sunday, and we don't need to be made to feel that isn't enough.'
    Several people were nodding agreement, even murmuring. Perhaps this time, Diana thought, they'd speak up for themselves. 'Nobody asked Mary and Joseph if they wanted to have the Christ child,' Mrs Scragg said.
    'If all you're wanting is to cry over the spilt milk, Mr Milman, I think we'll be getting on with the business of the meeting.'
    'It isn't all, as a matter of fact.' Mr Milman stood up straighter. 'I was saying to Miss Kramer that some of your new pupils have been giving our Kirsty nightmares.'
    Mr Scragg sat up on the two cushions that added height to his chair. 'And what did Miss Kramer say to you?'
    'She said I ought to raise the question here.'
    'Did she now. I hope so,' Mrs Scragg said tightly. 'And how are our new friends supposed to be giving the girl