Мор - ученик смерти

           ’Isupposethere’snochancethatIcould—?’

           NONE,saidDeath.

           ’Onlyshe’sgoingtobequeen,andifIcouldonlylether—’

           SORRY.

           ThegirllookedupandthroughMort.Hewatchedthedukewalkupbehindherandlayacomfortinghandonhershoulder.Afaultsmilehoveredaroundtheman’slips.Itwasthesortofsmilethatliesonsandbankswaitingforincautiousswimmers.

           Ican’tmakeyouhearme,Mortsaid.Don’ttrusthim!

           ShepeeredatMort,screwinguphereyes.Hereachedout,andwatchedhishandpassstraightthroughhers.

           COMEALONG,BOY.NOLALLYGAGGING.

           MortfeltDeath’shandtightenonhisshoulder,notinanunfriendlyfashion.Heturnedawayreluctantly,followingDeathandtheking.

           Theywalkedoutthroughthewall.Hewashalfwayafterthembeforeherealisedthatwalkingthroughwallswasimpossible.

           Thesuicidallogicofthisnearlykilledhim.Hefeltthechillofthestonearoundhislimbsbeforeavoiceinhisearsaid:

           LOOKATITTHISWAY.THEWALLCANTBETHERE.OTHERWISEYOUWOULDN’TBEWALKINGTHROUGHIT.WOULDYOU,BOY?

           ’Mort,’saidMort.