Повелитель мух
Gift for the Darkness
Thepileofgutswasablackbloboffliesthatbuzzedlikeasaw.AfterawhilethesefliesfoundSimon.Gorged,theyalightedbyhisrunnelsofsweatanddrank.Theytickledunderhisnostrilsandplayedleapfrogonhisthighs.Theywereblackandiridescentgreenandwithoutnumber;andinfrontofSimon,theLordoftheFlieshungonhisstickandgrinned.AtlastSimongaveupandlookedback;sawthewhiteteethanddimeyes,theblood—andhisgazewasheldbythatancient,inescapablerecognition.InSimon’srighttemple,apulsebegantobeatonthebrain.
RalphandPiggylayinthesand,gazingatthefireandidlyflickingpebblesintoitssmokelessheart.
"Thatbranchisgone."
"Where’sSamneric?"
"Weoughttogetsomemorewood.We’reoutofgreenbranches."
Ralphsighedandstoodup.Therewerenoshadowsunderthepalmsontheplatform;onlythisstrangelightthatseemedtocomefromeverywhereatonce.Highupamongthebulgingcloudsthunderwentofflikeagun.
"We’regoingtogetbucketsofrain."
"Whataboutthefire?"
Ralphtrottedintotheforestandreturnedwithawidesprayofgreenwhichhedumpedonthefire.Thebranchcrackled,theleavescurledandtheyellowsmokeexpanded.
Piggymadeanaimlesslittlepatterninthesandwithhisfingers.
