Тень над Иннсмутом

           Butduringthedreamstheydidnothorrifymeatall—Iwasonewiththem;wearingtheirunhumantrappings,treadingtheiraqueousways,andprayingmonstrouslyattheirevilsea-bottomtemples.

           TherewasmuchmorethanIcouldremember,butevenwhatIdidremembereachmorningwouldbeenoughtostampmeasamadmanorageniusifeverIdaredwriteitdown.Somefrightfulinfluence,Ifelt,wasseekinggraduallytodragmeoutofthesaneworldofwholesomelifeintounnamableabyssesofblacknessandalienage;andtheprocesstoldheavilyonme.Myhealthandappearancegrewsteadilyworse,tillfinallyIwasforcedtogiveupmypositionandadoptthestatic,secludedlifeofaninvalid.Someoddnervousafflictionhadmeinitsgrip,andIfoundmyselfattimesalmostunabletoshutmyeyes.

           ItwasthenthatIbegantostudythemirrorwithmountingalarm.Theslowravagesofdiseasearenotpleasanttowatch,butinmycasetherewassomethingsubtlerandmorepuzzlinginthebackground.Myfatherseemedtonoticeit,too,forhebeganlookingatmecuriouslyandalmostaffrightedly.Whatwastakingplaceinme?CoulditbethatIwascomingtoresemblemygrandmotheranduncleDouglas?

           OnenightIhadafrightfuldreaminwhichImetmygrandmotherunderthesea.Shelivedinaphosphorescentpalaceofmanyterraces,withgardensofstrangeleprouscoralsandgrotesquebrachiateefflorescences,andwelcomedmewithawarmththatmayhavebeensardonic.Shehadchanged—asthosewhotaketothewaterchange—andtoldmeshehadneverdied.