That Which Was Forgotten

           Wendycametoalittleatatime,thegraynessdrainingaway,painreplacingit:herback,herleg,herside…shedidn’tthinkshewouldbeabletomove.Evenherfingershurt,andatfirstshedidn’tknowwhy.

           (Therazorblade,that’swhy.)

           Herblondhair,nowdankandmatted,hunginhereyes.Shebrusheditawayandherribsstabbedinside,makinghergroan.Nowshesawafieldofblueandwhitemattress,spottedwithblood.Herblood,ormaybeJack’s.Eitherwayitwasstillfresh.Shehadn’tbeenoutlong.Andthatwasimportantbecause-

           (?Why?)

           Because-

           Itwastheinsectile,buzzingsoundofthemotorthatsherememberedfirst.Foramomentshefixedstupidlyonthememory,andtheninasinglevertiginousandnauseatingswoop,hermindseemedtopanback,showinghereverythingatonce.

           Hallorann.ItmusthavebeenHallorann.WhyelsewouldJackhaveleftsosuddenly,withoutfinishingit…,withoutfinishingher?

           Becausehewasnolongeratleisure.HehadtofindDannyquicklyand…anddoitbeforeHalloranncouldputastoptoit.

           Orhadithappenedalready?

           Shecouldhearthewhineoftheelevatorrisinguptheshaft.