Мгла
The Expedition to the pharmacy.
Thethreadstuckfast,andIheardahigh-pitchedtwing!twing!twing!asthecorrosiveatethroughtheracket’sstringsandsnappedthem.Itsoundedlikesomeonerapidlypluckingthestringsofaviolin.Amomentlaterathreadwrappedaroundtheupperhandleoftheracketanditwasjerkedintothemist.
"Getback!"Olliescreamed.
Wegotmoving.OlliehadanarmaroundBuddy.DanMillerandMikeHatlenwereoneachsideofMrs.Reppler.Thewhitestrandsofwebcontinuedtodriftoutofthefog,impossibletoseeunlessyoureyecouldpickthemoutagainsttheredcinderblockbackground.
OneofthemwrappedaroundMikeHatlen’sleftarm.Anotherwhippedaroundhisneckinaseriesofquickwinding-upsnaps.Hisjugularwentinajetting,jumpingexplosionandhewasdraggedaway,headlolling.OneofhisBassloafersfelloffandlaythereonitsside.
Buddysuddenlyslumpedforward,almostdraggingOllietohisknees."He’spassedout,David.Helpme."
IgrabbedBuddyaroundthewaistandwe-pulledhimalonginaclumsy,stumblingfashion.Eveninunconsciousness,Buddykepthisgriponhissteelpinchbar.Thelegthatthestrandofwebhadwrappedaroundhungawayfromhisbodyataterribleangle.
Mrs.Repplerhadturnedaround."Ware!"shescreamedinherrustyvoice."Warebehindyou!"
AsIstartedtoturn,oneoftheweb-strandsfloateddownontopofDanMiller’shead.Hishandsbeatatit,toreatit.
Oneofthespidershadcomeoutofthemistfrombehindus.Itwasthesizeofabigdog.Itwasblackwithyellowpiping.
