Мгла
An Argument with Norton. A Discussion Near the Beer Cooler. Verification.
Wepushedthroughthedoubledoorsintothedarkness.
Thesoundwasunpleasant-perhapsevil.
Brownfeltit,too,forallhishardheadedYankeemanner;hishandclutchedmyarmimmediately,hisbreathcaughtforamomentandthenresumedmoreharshly.
Itwasalowwhisperingsoundfromthedirectionoftheloadingdoor-analmostcaressingsound.Isweptaroundgentlywithonefootandfinallystruckoneoftheflashlights.Ibentdown,gotit,andturnediton.Brown’sfacewastightlydrawn,andhehadn’tevenseenthem-hewasonlyhearingthem.ButIhadseen,andIcouldimaginethemtwistingandclimbingoverthecorrugatedsteelsurfaceofthedoorlikelivingvines.
"Whatdoyouthinknow?Totallybeyondbelief?"
Brownlickedhislipsandlookedatthelitteredconfusionofboxesandbags."Theydidthis?"
"Someofit.Mostofit.Comeoverhere."
Hecame-reluctantly.Ispottedtheflashlightontheshriveledandcurledsectionoftentacle,stilllyingbythepushbroom.Brownbenttowardit.
"Don’ttouchthat,"Isaid."Itmaystillbealive."
Hestraightenedupquickly.Ipickedupthebroombythebristlesandproddedthetentacle.Thethirdorfourthpokecausedittounclenchsluggishlyandrevealtwowholesuckersandaraggedsegmentofathird.Thenthefragmentcoiledagainwithmuscularspeedandlaystill.Brownmadeagagging,disgustedsound.
"Seenenough?"
"Yes,"hesaid."Let’sgetoutofhere."
Wefollowedthebobbinglightbacktothedoubledoorsandpushedthroughthem.Allthefacesturnedtowardus,andthehumofconversationdied
