Нейромант

           Heduckedlowandwasthrough,inside,inthreesteps.

           Agirlwascrouchedbesiderustedsteel,asortoffireplace,wheredriftwoodburned,thewindsuckingsmokeupadentedchimney.Thefirewastheonlylight,andashisgazemetthewide,startledeyes,herecognizedherheadband,arolledscarf,printedwithapatternlikemagnifiedcircuitry.

           Herefusedherarms,thatnight,refusedthefoodsheofferedhim,theplacebesideherinthenestofblanketsandshreddedfoam.Hecrouchedbesidethedoor,finally,andwatchedhersleep,listeningtothewindscourthestructure’swalls.Everyhourorso,heroseandcrossedtothemakeshiftstove,addingfreshdriftwoodfromthepilebesideit.Noneofthiswasreal,butcoldwascold.

           Shewasn’treal,curledthereonhersideinthefirelight.Hewatchedhermouth,thelipspartedslightly.ShewasthegirlherememberedfromtheirtripacrosstheBay,andthatwascruel.

           `Mean,motherfucker,’hewhisperedtothewind.`Don’ttakeachance,doyou?Wouldn’tgivemeanyjunkie,huh?Iknowwhatthisis...’Hetriedtokeepthedesperationfromhisvoice.`Iknow,see?Iknowwhoyouare.You’retheotherone.3JanetoldMolly.Burningbush.Thatwasn’tWintermute,itwasyou.HetriedtowarnmeoffwiththeBraun.Nowyougotmeflatlined,yougotmehere.Nowhere.Withaghost.LikeIrememberherbefore...