Темная башня: Стрелок

           Hebegantogobackandforthatafasterclip,pouringoverNort’sbodylikewaterpouredfromoneglasstoanotherglass.Theonlysoundintheroomwasthetearingraspofhisrespirationandtherisingpulseofthestorm.

           Nortdrewadeep,drybreath.Hishandsrattledandpoundedaimlesslyonthetable.Shebscreechedandexited.Oneofthewomenfollowedhim.

           Themaninblackwentacrossoncemore,twice,thrice.Thewholebodywasvibratingnow,tremblingandrappingandtwitching.Thesmellofrotandexcrementanddecaybillowedupinchokingwaves.Hiseyesopened.

           Alicefeltherfeetpropellingherbackward.Shestruckthemirror,makingitshiver,andblindpanictookover.Sheboltedlikeasteer.

           "I’vegivenintoyou,"themaninblackcalledafterher,panting."Nowyoucansleepeasy.Eventhatisn’tirreversible.Althoughit’s...so...goddamned...funny!"Andhebegantolaughagain,Thesoundfadedassheracedupthestairs,notstoppinguntilthedoortothethreeroomsabovethebarwasbolted.

           Shebegantogigglethen,rockingbackandforthonherhaunchesbythedoor.Thesoundrosetoakeeningwailthatmixedwiththewind.

           Downstairs,Nortwanderedabsentlyoutintothestormtopullsomeweed.Themaninblack,nowtheonlypatronofthebar,watchedhimgo,stillgrinning.

           Whensheforcedherselftogobackdownthatevening,carryingalampinonehandandaheavystickofstove-woodintheother,themaninblackwasgone,rigandall.ButNortwasthere,sittingatthetablebythedoorasifhehadneverbeenaway.