Коллекционер

           "HowlongshallIbehere?"

           Idon’tknow,Isaid.Itdepends.

           "Onwhat?"

           Ididn’tsayanything.Icouldn’t.

           "Onmyfallinginlovewithyou?"

           Itwaslikenagging.

           "Becauseifitdoes,IshallbehereuntilIdie."

           Ididn’tanswerthat.

           "Goaway,"shesaid."Goawayandthinkitover."

           Thenextmorningshemadethefirstattempttoescape.Shedidn’tcatchmeoffguard,exactly,butittaughtmealesson.Shehadherbreakfastandthenshetoldmeherbedwasloose,itwasthefarbackleg,rightupinthecorner.Ithoughtitwasgoingtocollapse,shesaid,there’sanutloose.LikeamuttIwenttohelpherholditandsuddenlyshegavemeaheavypush,justasIwasoffbalance,andranpastme.Shewasatthestepsandupthemlikelightning.Ihadallowedforit,therewasasafetyhookholdingthedoorbackopenandawedgeshewastryingtokickawaywhenIcameafterher.Well,sheturnedandran,screaminghelp,help,help,andupthestepstotheouterdoor,whichwasofcourselocked.Shepulledatitandbangeditandwentscreamingon,butIgotherthen.Ihateddoingit,butactionwasnecessary.Igotherroundthewaistandonehandoverhermouthanddraggedherdownback.Sheluckedandstruggled,butofcourseshewastoosmallandImaynotbeMr.AtlasbutIamnotaweaklingeither.