Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           SomeofthestaffwhohadbecomeclosetoBillynoticedthatwhenhewasDannyorDavid,hehadaspecialempathyforotherpatients.Heknewwhentheywereupset,hurtingorfeelingfear.Whenoneoftheyoungwomenwouldleavetheopenwardinastateofpanicorhysteria,Billycouldoftentellthestaffwheretofindher.

           "DavidandDannyarethepartsofmethathaveempathy,"theTeacherexplainedtothewriter."Theycanfeelwherethehurtiscomingfrom.Whensomeoneleavesandisupset,it’slikeabeaconaroundwheretheyare,andDannyorDavidwilljustpointintherightdirection."

           Oneeveningafterdinner,Davidwassittinginthelivingroomwhensuddenlyheimaginedoneofthefemalepatientsrushingtowardthestairwayrailingoutsidethewarddoor—asteepthree-floordropdownthecenterstaircase.Ragen,whoalwaysthoughtDavidwasweirdforthinkingthesekindsofthings,realizedthatwhatDavidwasseeingwasprobablyhappening.Hetookthespot,dashingdownthecorridorandupthesteps,slammingopenthedoorandrunningoutintothehallway.

           KatherineGillott,thementalhealthtechnicianwhohadbeensittingintheofficeneartheexit,jumpedupfromherdeskandranafterhim.Shereachedthecorridorintimetoseehimgrabthegirl,whohadalreadygoneovertherailing.Heheldonandpulledherup.WhenGillottbroughtherbackinside,Ragenslippedaway...

           Davidfeltthepaininhisarms.