Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Sheremembereditnow.Shewasgoodatremembering.Shetwistedashardasshecould.Nothinghappened.Shetookthescrewdriverawayfromtheslot,grippeditinbothhandsandputthebladebackin.Thenshehunchedhershoulderstogetherandtwisteduntilherhandsfeltsharppainsinthem.Andsuddenlysomethingsqueaked,andthescrewloosened.Shekepttwistinguntilshecouldtakeitouttherestofthewaywithherfingerandputitinherblousepocket.Thenshewenttoworkontheotherscrew.Thepartofthehaspshewasworkingonwassupposedtobeheldbyfourscrews—oneateachcorner—butonlytwohadbeenputin.Shehadnoticedthisduringthepastseveraldays,justasshehadcheckedeverydayatVitaminTimetoseeifthegreenpillswerestillthereinthebigjar.
Sheputtheotherscrewinherpocket,andtheendofthehaspcameloosebyitself,withthebigpadlockstillhangingthere,theotherendsupportedbythescrewsthatheldittothewindowframe.Ithadnottakenherlongtounderstandthatyouwouldhavetoremoveonlyhalfahasp,notbothhalves,thewayithadlookedatfirst.
Shepulledopenthewindow,leaningbacksoitcouldgobyher,andputherheadinside.Thelightbulbwasoff,butshecouldseetheoutlineofthebigjar.Sheputherarmsinsidetheopening,andstandingontiptoe,pushedherselfasfarforwardasshecould.Thatputherbellyonthesillofthewindow.Shebegantowriggle,andherfeetcameawayfromthestool.Therewasaslightlysharpedgealongthewindowsill,anditfeltasthoughitwerecuttingher.
