Коллекционер

           Shedidn’tmove.

           Isaid,I’llmakeabargain.I’lltellyouwhenyoucangoaway,butonlyoncertainconditions.

           Idon’tknowwhyIsaidit.IknewreallyIcouldneverlethergoaway.Itwasn’tjustabarefacedlie,though.OftenIdidthinkshewouldgoawaywhenweagreed,apromisewasapromise,etcetera.OthertimesIknewIcouldn’tletherdoit.

           Sheturnedthenandstaredatme.Itwasthefirstsignoflifeshe’dshownforthreedays.

           Isaid,myconditionsarethatyoueatfoodandyoutalktomelikeyoudidatthebeginninganddon’ttrytoescapelikethat.

           "Icanneveragreetothelast."

           Whataboutthefirsttwo,Isaid.(Ithoughtevenifshedidpromisenottoescape,I’dstillhavetotakeprecautions,soitwaspointless,thatcondition.)

           "Youhaven’tsaidwhen,"shesaid.

           Insixweeks,Isaid.

           Shejustturnedawayagain.

           Fiveweeksthen,Isaidafterabit.

           "I’llstayhereaweekandnotadaymore."

           Well,IsaidIcouldn’tagreetothatandsheturnedawayagain.Thenshewascrying.Icouldseehershouldersmoving,Iwantedtogouptoher,IdidnearthebedbutsheturnedsosharpIthinkshethoughtIwasgoingtoattackher.