Никогде
Four
Arustling,asquirming.Richardblinked,blindedbythenight.Thesoundswerenastier,hungrier.Richardimaginedhecouldhearvoices:ahordeofhuge,misshapentrolls,beneaththebridge...
Somethingslitheredpasttheminthedark."What’sthat?"squeakedAnaesthesia.Herhandwasshakinginhis.
"Hush,"whisperedthewoman."Don’tattractitsattention."
"What’shappening?"whisperedRichard.
"Darknessishappening,"saidtheleatherwoman,veryquietly."Nightishappening.Allthenightmaresthathavecomeoutwhenthesungoesdown,sincethecavetimes,whenwehuddledtogetherinfearforsafetyandforwarmth,arehappening.Now,"shetoldthem,"nowisthetimetobeafraidofthedark."Richardknewthatsomethingwasabouttocreepoverhisface.Heclosedhiseyes:itmadenodifferencetowhathesaworfelt.Thenightwascomplete.Itwasthenthatthehallucinationsstarted.
Hesawafigurefallingtowardhimthroughthenight,burning,itswingsandhaironfire.
Hethrewuphishands:therewasnothingthere.
Jessicalookedathim,withcontemptinhereyes.Hewantedtoshouttoher,tellherhewassorry.
Placeonefootafteranother.
Hewasasmallchild,walkinghomefromschool,atnight,downtheoneroadwithnostreetlights.
