Конец вечности
Timer
Hewanted,helongedtotellher:There’snofuninEternity,lady.Wework!WeworktoplotoutallthedetailsofeverywhenfromthebeginningofEternitytowhereEarthisempty,andwetrytoplotoutalltheinfinitepossibilitiesofallthemight-have-beensandpickoutamight-have-beenthatisbetterthanwhatisanddecidewhereinTimewecanmakeatinylittlechangetotwisttheistothemight-beandwehaveanewisandlookforanewmight-be,forever,andforever,andthatishowithasbeensinceVikkorMallansohndiscoveredtheTemporalFieldinthe24th,waybackinthePrimitive24thandthenitwaspossibletostartEternityinthe27th,themysteriousMallansohnwhomnomanknowsandwhostartedEternity,really,andthenewmight-be,foreverandforeverandforeverand...
Heshookhishead,butthewhirligigofthoughtwentonandoninstrangerandmorejaggedbreaksandleapsuntilitjumpedintoasuddenflashofilluminationthatpersistedforabrilliantsecond,thendied.
Thatmomentsteadiedhim.Hegraspedforit,butitwasgone.
Thepeppermintdrink?
Noyswasstillcloser,herfacenotquiteclearinhisgaze.Hecouldfeelherhairagainsthischeek,thewarm,lightpressureofherbreath.Heoughttodrawaway,but-strangely,strangely-hefoundhedidnotwantto.
"IfIweremadeanEternal..."shebreathed,almostinhisear,thoughthewordswerescarcelyheardabovethebeatingofhisheart.Herlipsweremoistandparted."Wouldn’tyouliketo?"
Hedidnotknowwhatshemeant,butsuddenlyhedidn’tcare.Heseemedinflames.
