theres a shout , a scream and we turn , simon is next to simmons now and they are fighting , simons trying to wrestle the dagger away from him , hes struggling , simmons is pushing him back , forcing the dagger closer to his throat , their heads are so close , they are snarling at each other like animals , ruths hand tightens around mine as we watch , motionless , until with a huge cry simmons pushes simon back , he staggers and slips in the blood and falls , inches from us .