Мгла
The First Night.
Sheutteredasnarlofangerthatwouldhavedonecredittoacavemansplittingtheskullofanenemy.Holdingthepressurecansoutatthefulllengthofeacharm,shepressedthebuttons.Athicksprayofinsect-killercoatedthething.Itwentintothroesofagony,twistingandturningcrazilyandatlastfallingfromthebags,bouncingoffthebodyofTomSmalley-whowasdeadbeyondanydoubtorquestion-andfinallylandingonthefloor.Itswingsbuzzedmadly,buttheyweren’ttakingitanywhere;theyweretooheavilycoatedwithRaid.Afewmomentslaterthewingsslowed,thenstopped.Itwasdead.
Youcouldhearpeoplecryingnow.Andmoaning.Theoldladywhohadbeentrampledwasmoaning.Andyoucouldhearlaughter.Thelaughterofthedamned.Mrs.Repplerstoodoverherkill,herthinchestrisingandfailingrapidly.
HatlenandMillerhadfoundoneofthosedolliesthatthestockboysusetotrundlecasesofthingsaroundthestore,andtogethertheyheaveditatopthelawn-foodbags,blockingoffthewedge-shapedholeintheglass.Asatemporarymeasure,itwasagoodone.
AmandaDumfriescameforwardlikeasleepwalker.Inonehandsheheldaplasticfloorbucket.Intheothersheheldawhiskbroom,stilldoneupinitssee-throughwrapping.Shebent,hereyesstillwideandblank,andsweptthedeadpinkthing-bug,slug,whateveritwas-intothebucket.Youcouldhearthecrackleofthewrappingonthewhiskbroomasitbrushedthefloor.ShewalkedovertotheOUTdoor.Therewerenoneofthebugsonit.
