Вино из одуванчиков

           Blackturnedperfectlysohefellwithhisbacktowardthefloorandtookwhatseemedathousandyearstostrike,hisflashlightflungfromhisrighthand,theknifescuttlingawaylikeasilverfishfromtheleft.

           Tommovedslowlyintolookatthelong-strewnfigureinthedark."Doug,ishedead?"

           "No,justtheshockofMme.Tarot’spredictions.Boy,he’sgotascaldedlook.Horrible,that’swhatthecardsmusthavebeen."

           Themansleptnoisilyonthefloor.

           Douglaspickedupthestrewntarotcards,putthem,trembling,inhispocket."Comeon,Tom,let’sgetheroutofherebeforeit’stoolate."

           "Kidnapher?You’recrazy!"

           "Youwannabeguiltyofaidingandabettinganevenworsecrime?Murder,forinstance?"

           "Forgoshsakes,youcan’tkilladamolddummy!"

           ButDougwasnotlistening.Hehadreachedthroughtheopencaseandnow,asifshehadwaitedfortoomanyyears,thewaxTarotWitchwitharustlingsigh,leanedforwardandfellslowlyslowlydownintohisarms.

           Thetownclockstrucknineforty-five.Themoonwashighandfilledalltheskywithawarmbutwintrylight.Thesidewalkwassolidsilveronwhichblackshadowsmoved.Douglasmovedwiththethingofvelvetandfairywaxinhisarms,stoppingtohideinpoolsofshadowundertremblingtrees,alone.Helistened,lookingback.Asoundofrunningmice.Tomburstaroundthecornerandpulledupbesidehim.

           "Doug,Istayedbehind.IwasafraidMr.Blackwas,well...thenhebegantocomealive...swearing...