Коллекционер

           Thatfirstnightitsuddenlydawnedonmethattheywerethereforme.ThatIwasn’tahaphazardvictimafterall.

           Thentherewerethedrawersfullofclothes—shirts,skirts,dresses,colouredstockings,anextraordinaryselectionofweek-end-in-Parisunderwear,night-dresses.Icouldseetheywereaboutmysize.They’retoolarge,buthesayshe’sseenmewearthecolours.

           Everythinginmylifeseemedfine.TherewasG.P.Buteventhatwasstrange.Exciting.Exciting.

           Thenthis.

           Isleptalittlewiththelighton,ontopofthebed.Iwouldhavelovedadrink,butIthoughtitmightbedrugged.Istillhalfexpectthefoodtobedoped.

           Sevendaysago.Itseemslikesevenweeks.

           Helookedsoinnocentandworriedwhenhestoppedme.Hesaidhe’drunoveradog.IthoughtitmightbeMisty.Exactlythesortofmanyouwouldnotsuspect.Themostunwolflike.

           Likefallingofftheedgeoftheworld.Theresuddenlybeinganedge.

           EverynightIdosomethingIhaven’tdoneforyears.Ilieandpray.Idon’tkneel,IknowGoddespiseskneelers.IlieandaskhimtocomfortMandDandMinny,andCarolinewhomustfeelsoguiltyandeveryoneelse,eventheonesitwoulddogoodtosufferforme(orforanyoneelse).LikePiersandAntoinette.Iaskhimtohelpthismiserywhohasmeunderhispower.Iaskhimtohelpme.Nottoletmeberapedorabusedandmurdered.Iaskhimforlight.

           Literally.Daylight.

           Ican’tstandtheabsolutedarkness.He’sboughtmenight-lights.