Марсианские хроники
December 2005: The Silent Towns
Thecarwhirledawaydownthesilentstreet,regardlessofherstompingsandshriekings.Theexhaustfromitflutteredthewhitedressshecrumpledinherplumphands,andthestarsshonebright,andthecarvanishedoutontothedesertandawayintoblackness.
Hedroveallnightandalldayforthreenightsanddays.Oncehethoughthesawacarfollowing,andhebrokeintoashiveringsweatandtookanotherhighway,cuttingoffacrossthelonelyMartianworld,pastlittledeadcities,andhedroveanddroveforaweekandaday,untilhehadputtenthousandmilesbetweenhimselfandMarlinVillage.ThenhepulledintoasmalltownnamedHoltvilleSprings,wherethereweresometinystoreshecouldlightupatnightandrestaurantstositin,orderingmeals.Andhe’slivedthereeversince,withtwodeepfreezespackedwithfoodtolasthimonehundredyears,andenoughcigarstolasttenthousanddays,andagoodbedwithasoftmattress.
Andwhenonceinawhileoverthelongyearsthephonerings—hedoesn’tanswer.
