Алая чума

           Irememberonesuchcar. Amanandawomanlaybackdeadintheseats,andonthepavementnearitweretwomorewomenandachild. Strangeandterriblesightstherewereoneveryhand. Peopleslippedbysilently,furtively,likeghosts—white-facedwomencarryinginfantsintheirarms;fathersleadingchildrenbythehand;singly,andincouples,andinfamilies—allfleeingoutofthecityofdeath. Somecarriedsuppliesoffood,othersblanketsandvaluables,andthereweremanywhocarriednothing. 

           “Therewasagrocerystore—aplacewherefoodwassold. Themantowhomitbelonged—Iknewhimwell—aquiet,sober,butstupidandobstinatefellow,wasdefendingit. Thewindowsanddoorshadbeenbrokenin,buthe,inside,hidingbehindacounter,wasdischarginghispistolatanumberofmenonthesidewalkwhowerebreakingin. Intheentrancewereseveralbodies—ofmen,Idecided,whomhehadkilledearlierintheday. EvenasIlookedonfromadistance,Isawoneoftherobbersbreakthewindowsoftheadjoiningstore,aplacewhereshoesweresold,anddeliberatelysetfiretoit. Ididnotgotothegroceryman’sassistance. Thetimeforsuchactshadalreadypassed. Civilizationwascrumbling,anditwaseachforhimself.”