Марсианские хроники
April 2026: The Long Years
"Noneofyourbusiness."
Wilderstrodeuptowardthehutthroughthedarkeningwind.Themenintherocketsawhisshadowlingeringinthestone-hutdoorway.Theysawawoman’sshadow.Theysawthecaptainshakeherhand.
Momentslaterhecamerunningbacktotherocket.
Onnightswhenthewindcomesoverthedeadseabottomsandthroughthehexagonalgraveyard,overfouroldcrossesandonenewone,thereisalightburninginthelowstonehut,andinthathut,asthewindroarsbyandthedustwhirlsandthecoldstarsburn,arefourfigures,awoman,twodaughters,ason,tendingalowfirefornoreasonandtalkingandlaughing.
Nightafternightforeveryyearandeveryyear,fornoreasonatall,thewomancomesoutandlooksatthesky,herhandsup,foralongmoment,lookingatthegreenburningofEarth,notknowingwhyshelooks,andthenshegoesbackandthrowsastickonthefire,andthewindcomesupandthedeadseagoesonbeingdead.
