Мгла

           Amanyelledandboltedthroughoneofthedesertedlanestowardthedoor.Ithinkthatwaswhatfinallystartedthestampede.Peoplerushedpell-mellintothefog.

           "Hey!"Brownroared.Idon’tknowifhewasangry,scared,orboth.Hisfacewasnearlypurple.Veinsstoodoutonhisneck,lookingalmostasthickasbatterycables."Heyyoupeople,youcan’ttakethatstuff!Getbackherewiththatstuff,you’reshoplifting!"

           Theykeptgoing,butsomeofthemtossedtheirstuffaside.Somewerelaughingandexcited,buttheywereaminority.Theypouredoutintothefog,andnoneofuswhostayedeversawthemagain.Therewasafaint,acridsmelldriftinginthroughtheopendoor.Peoplebegantojamupthere.Somepushingandshovingstarted.IwasgettinganacheinmyshouldersfromholdingBilly.Hewasgood-sized;Steffsometimescalledhimheryoungheifer.

           Nortonstartedtowanderoff,hisfacepreoccupiedandratherbemused.Hewasheadingforthedoor.

           IswitchedBillytotheotherarmsoIcouldgrabNorton’sarmbeforehedriftedoutofreach."No,man,Iwouldn’t,"Isaid.

           Heturnedback."What?"

           "Betterwaitandsee."

           "Seewhat?"

           "Idon’tknow,"Isaid.

           "Youdon’tthink-"hebegan,andashriekcameoutofthefog.

           Nortonshutup.ThetightjamattheOUTdoorloosenedandthenreverseditself.Thebabbleofexcitedconversation,shoutsandcalls,subsided.Thefacesofthepeoplebythedoorsuddenlylookedflatandpaleandtwodimensional.

           Theshriekwentonandon,competingwiththefirewhistle.