Повелитель мух
Castle Rock
Silenceagain.
Yetnotentirelyso.Theywerewhisperingoutthere;andsuddenlythebrancheswereshakenfuriouslyattwoplacesonhisright.Thepointedendofastickappeared.Inpanic,Ralphthrusthisownstickthroughthecrackandstruckwithallhismight.
"Aaa-ah!"
Hisspeartwistedalittleinhishandsandthenhewithdrewitagain.
"Ooh-ooh—"
Someonewasmoaningoutsideandababbleofvoicesrose.Afierceargumentwasgoingonandthewoundedsavagekeptgroaning.Thenwhentherewassilence,asinglevoicespokeandRalphdecidedthatitwasnotJack’s.
"See?Itoldyou—he’sdangerous."
Thewoundedsavagemoanedagain.
Whatelse?Whatnext?
Ralphfastenedhishandsroundthechewedspearandhishairfell.Someonewasmuttering,onlyafewyardsawaytowardtheCastleRock.Heheardasavagesay"No!"inashockedvoice;andthentherewassuppressedlaughter.Hesquattedbackonhisheelsandshowedhisteethatthewallofbranches.Heraisehisspear,snarledalittle,andwaited.
Oncemoretheinvisiblegroupsniggered.Heheardacurioustricklingsoundandthenaloudercrepitationasifsomeonewereunwrappinggreatsheetsofcellophane.
