Мгла

           Oneofitsgray,wrinkledlegssmasheddownrightbesidemywindow,andMrs.Repplersaidlatershecouldnotseetheundersideofitsbody,althoughshecranedherneckuptolook.ShesawonlytwoCyclopeanlegsgoingupandupintothemistlikelivingtowersuntiltheywerelosttosight.

           ForthemomentitwasovertheScoutIhadanimpressionofsomethingsobigthatitmighthavemadeabluewhalelookthesizeofatrout-inotherwords,somethingsobigthatitdefiedtheimagination.Thenitwasgone,sendingaseismologicalseriesofthudsback.Itlefttracksinthecementoftheinterstate,trackssodeepIcouldnotseethebottoms.EachsingletrackwasnearlybigenoughtodroptheScoutinto.

           Foramomentnoonespoke.TherewasnosoundbutourbreathingandthediminishingthudofthatgreatThing’spassage.

           ThenBillysaid,"Wasitadinosaur,Dad?Likethebirdthatgotintothemarket?"

           "Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tthinktherewaseverananimalthatbig,Billy.Atleastnotonearth."

           IthoughtoftheArrowheadProjectandwonderedagainwhatcrazydamnedthingtheycouldhavebeendoingupthere.

           "Canwegoon?"Amandaaskedtimidly."Itmightcomeback."

           Yes,andtheremightbemoreupahead.Buttherewasnopointinsayingso.Wehadtogosomewhere.Idroveon,weavinginandoutbetweenthoseterribletracksuntiltheyveeredofftheroad.

           Thatiswhathappened.Ornearlyall-thereisonefinalthingI’llgettoinamoment.Butyoumustn’texpectsome-neatconclusion.