Мор - ученик смерти

           Theworldaroundherexploded....

           InthekitchenofHarga’sHouseofRibsthefryingpancrashedtothefloor,sendingthecatsscurryingoutofthedoor....

           InthegreathalloftheUnseenUniversityeverythinghappenedatonce.

           Thetremendousforcethewizardshadbeenexertingontheshadowrealmsuddenlyhadonefocus.Likeareluctantcorkfromabottle,likeadollopoffieryketchupfromtheupturnedsaucebottleofInfinity,Deathlandedintheoctogramandswore.

           Albertrealisedjusttoolatethathewasinsidethecharmedringandmadeadivefortheedge.Butskeletalfingerscaughthimbythehemofhisrobe.

           Thewizards,suchofthemwhowerestillontheirfeetandconscious,wererathersurprisedtoseethatDeathwaswearinganapronandholdingasmallkitten.

           ’Whydidyouhave’TOSPOILITALL?

           ’Spoilitall?Haveyouseenwhattheladhasdone?’snappedAlbert,stilltryingtoreachtheedgeofthering.

           Deathraisedhisskullandsniffedtheair.

           Thesoundcutthroughalltheothernoisesinthehallandforcedthemintosilence.

           Itwasthekindofnoisethatisheardonthetwilightedgesofdreams,thesortthatyouwakefrominacoldsweatofmortalhorror.Itwasthesnufflingunderthedoorofdread.Itwaslikethesnufflingofahedgehog,butifsothenitwasthekindofhedgehogthatcrashesoutofthevergesandflattenslorries.Itwasthekindofnoiseyouwouldn’twanttoheartwice;youwouldn’twanttohearitonce.

           Deathstraightenedupslowly.