Miyezi ingapo yapitayo, akugwira ntchito ndi wolemba mantha a Rob E. Boley, iHorror adathamanga mpikisano. Wopambana mpikisanowo alandila nkhani yowopsa yomwe idzafalitsidwe pano patsamba lathu. Nthawi yatha tsopano! Wopambana pa mpikisano wathu, Ian Murphy, adayankha mafunso angapo okhudzana ndi moyo wake komanso malingaliro ake pazowopsa, ndipo Boley adapanga nkhani kuti igwirizane ndi mayankho ake. Ndine wokondwa kufotokoza nkhani iyi ya Lovecraftian kwa owerenga athu onse! Zabwino zonse, Ian!

Dzuwa Lopepuka

ndi,

Rob E. Boley

Mdima wamadzulo ukulowa mkati pomwe Wokhulupirika amabwera kudzapha munthu yemwe kale ankatchedwa Murphy. Wayimirira pafupi kumapeto kwa tikiti lalitali lomwe likuyambira ku New Theatre mpaka m'mphepete mwa Lunar Acres - linga loyandama lomwe limakhala ndi zidutswa zomaliza za chitukuko cha anthu. Amayang'anitsitsa m'madzi, ndikulowetsedwa ndi magazi owala kwambiri ndikuganizira za kale komanso zamtsogolo.

Mapazi awo a squishy amalembetsa mochedwa kwambiri. Akamatambasula ndi kuponya chigongono, tsamba lakuda limalowera paphewa pake. Zowawa zakuthwa zimang'ambika mkati mwa chilondacho. Akung'ung'uza ndikutambasulira chikhatho chake kumaso kwa womugwirirayo. Mutu wake wonyezimirawo ukugwera chammbuyo.

Kuwala kobiriwira kobiriwira kumawala pankhope pake. Goggles amaphimba maso ake. Amakweza payipi yomwe imathamanga kuchokera m'mphuno mwake mpaka m'miyendo ya m'khosi. Magazi abuluu obiriwira kudzera mumlengalenga. Amamasula lupanga lake ndipo amagwiritsa ntchito womenyera ngati chishango. Monga amayembekezera, osachepera awiri kupititsa patsogolo. Chitsulo chimamangirira pazitsulo.

Chotupa chake chimagwera chammbuyo, kuwulula tsaya lake lakumanja ndi zipsera ndi zingwe zazitali zazingwe za ndevu zokutira kumanzere kwa nkhope yake.

“Ndi Halfbeard!” mnyamata amakalipira.

Ambiri mwa anthu omwe anasonkhanawo amawombera m'manja. Ochepa amayesa kuyimba, koma ngati lawi lamakani lomwe likutafuna nkhuni yonyowa sizitenga. Anawo amayang'ana ntchito yake modetsa nkhawa, maso ali ndi chidwi. Makolo awo amatenga matumba achikopa okhala ndi sikelo.

Manja ake ndi mapazi ake zikufwilira mokwiya. Amabaya ndi kudula anthu omwe amamuukira. Lupanga lake limatulutsa pakhosi Wokhulupirika. Ikugwedezeka ndi kumveka. Paphewa pake amafuula pamene akumenyetsa ndikuthyola wina. Akuthyola khosi la womenyayo woyamba-tsopano akutuluka m'magazi angapo obaya-koma salola kuti thupi ligwe. Nthawi yoti apatse unyinji zomwe akufuna-ndikudzipatsa chododometsa. Amasuntha kumbuyo kwa wovulalayo, wamkazi. Osatengera. Mabere ake amachititsa kuti zikhale zosavuta kugwira. Amalimbitsa tsamba lake m'mimba mwake. Chitsulocho chimayandikira pafupi ndi mlonda, ndipo amachipukusa m'mwamba.

Masikelo ofiira amatuluka m'mimba mwa kanyama kameneka, kuwulula mnofu wotumbululuka pansi. Mambawo amakankhana padoko lamatabwa, ndipo gululo limapumira patsogolo likusangalala ndikutemberera zonse nthawi imodzi. Amakanda zina ziwiri asanalole kuti mtembo wovulidwawo ugwere pansi. Posintha chikhomo chake ndikudula lupanga lake, akuchoka pagulu lonselo.

Kupweteka kwakuthwa m'chifuwa mwake.

Ndipo kenanso.

Akuyang'ana pansi.

Ma tepi awiri okhwima tsopano atuluka m'minyewa yake yam'mimba. Winawake adamuwombera kumbuyo. Okhulupirika anali chododometsa pakuukira kwenikweni, njira yomuthamangitsa.

"Mayi," akutero, mawu omwe anali atathiriridwa kale ndi magazi.

Patadutsa masitepe atatu, amapunthwa pa doko ndikubwerera kunyanja. Pamene akumira m'munsimu, akuwerenga chikwangwani chojambulidwa chomwe chidafalikira panjira yomaliza pomaliza. Usikuuno: World Premier wa Nthano ya Halfbeard!

Mabuzi akumuzungulira. Amawira pamadzi ndikuthyola mikondo yomwe idatuluka pachifuwa pake, osapita patsogolo pang'ono. Nyanja yowonongeka imamukoka iye pansi.

***

Zaka zoposa zapitazo, Murphy adadzuka ndi chinthu choterera komanso chokhuthala m'matumbo mwake. Mlengalenga munali mchere pa lilime lake loyipa. Sanakumbukire kumwa kwambiri, komabe pano anali pakama osati bedi lake atangovala chovala chothimbirira momwe ma tattoo angapo adatulukira modabwitsa patsiku latsopanoli. Anadzuka ndi miyendo yosakhazikika, ndipo pansi pake panali pansi pake. Mapazi ake anali kuwawa ngati kuti adutsa phula lotentha. Gahena?

Anayenda movutikira motsetsereka. Chitseko cha chipinda chake — moyang'anizana ndi bafa — chinaima chotseguka. Malangizo a usiku watha kuchokera ku bar anali atagundana ndikubalalika pansi pafupi ndi chikwama chake cha gitala. Matumba a jinzi lake adatembenuzidwira mkati ngati kuti denim ikunyoza "whatchagonnado." Anapukusa mutu. Ngongole ndi ndalama zija ziyenera kuti zinkaswana kubanki m'malo mongodutsa zala zake. Iye sakanakhala konse wabwino ndi ndalama. Mumamwa mopitirira muyeso ndikusunga pang'ono, ndi zomwe adanena asananyamuke komaliza. Tsopano anali kuno ku California ndipo mwina ayenera kuti anali kutali. Izi zinali zaka zapitazo, ndipo mawu ake adamulowabe.

Khomo limodzi lokha munjiramo lidatsekedwa, lomwe iye ndi mnzake wapakhomo Keith adapereka kwa mnyamata yemwe adamutcha kuti Shut-In. Iye anakumbukirabe mosadabwitsa kuti anali wodabwitsidwa kupeza chitseko chotseguka pamene iye amabwera kunyumba usiku watha.

Pogonjetsedwa, adasunthira kubafa ndikuyesera kuyang'ana pachikhalidwe cham'mawa chomwe chimayang'ana The Daily Show, kudya mbale ya Special K, ndikuwerenga zolemba dzulo. Anamva kukhala pafupi ndi seweroli. Izi zitha kukhala kuti pomalizira pake alipire — yomwe imamupangitsa kukhala wolemera komanso wotchuka ndikumupezera nyumba panyanja. Zomwe amafunitsitsa ndikuti awone nkhani yake imodzi pazenera lalikulu. Ndalamazo sizikanapweteka, mwina. Nyumba ya m'mphepete mwa nyanja. Ankafuna kudzuka ndi nyanja pakhomo pano.

Pansi panasunthanso. Anagwira khoma. Zowawa zopweteka sizzled m'manja mwake.

"Motherfucker," iye anati, kudabwa ndi grit mawu ake.

Anatembenuza dzanja lake. Nsagwada zake zinatseguka. Kugunda kwake kwamtima kunatenga nyimbo ya punk. Mnofu wofewa wamanjenje ake onse unakweza m'mwamba ngati kuti walandila mphini watsopano, kupatula kuti kunalibe inki - kutentha ndi kumva kuwawa. Anapendeketsa manja ake onse ndikugwira mwina pang'ono kuwona kwa chizindikiro chosavuta koma chachilendo. X yolembedwa kapena nyenyezi yolakwika. Atatsamira khoma, adayang'ana m'munsi mwa mapazi ake. Iwonso anali ndi chikondi chofananira chofananacho ndipo adakula thupi. Mimba yake idabuula. Gahena?

Amayimilira mchimbudzi ndikuthira, amangogwira ndi zala zake mwina matendawa atapatsira. Atatha kusefukira, adapita pakalirole, mwamantha kuti akawona thupi litakwezedwa pankhope pake. Mwamwayi, masiku ochepa okha a chiputu adasokoneza mawonekedwe ake.

Chilichonse chomwe chidachitika ndi manja ake ndi mapazi ake, chikufunika kuti chiyeretsedwe. Adayatsa shawa. Madziwo anali onunkhira pang'ono ndipo sanali otentha konse, koma amayenera kuchita. Adakwera mkati ndikusamba dzulo kuchokera kwa iye, kutsamira nthawi yonseyo pa tile. Vertigo yake sinali bwino koma kukumbukira usiku watha kunali kubwerera.

Amabwera kunyumba osakwiya ndipo a Shut-In adamupatsa moni ndi botolo lagalasi lokongoletsa - osalemba. The Shut-In adamuumiriza kuti amwe mfuti iliyonse mofananamo, akugwada patebulo ndikugwira chikwama chamatabwa pakati pa mano ake - manja atatambasula - kenako ndikudumpha mmwamba kotero kuti mapazi ake adachoka pansi. Pakati pa mpweya, chakumwa chidafinya pakhosi pake. Anamaliza kuwombera mowongoka, mikono itatambasukira kumwamba, ndikuthira galasi lamatabwa.

"Ahoy," adatero, malinga ndi malangizo a The Shut-In.

Adakumbukira kuwombera kambiri kotere, komanso chidwi chake chodabwitsa chokhudza mafunde omwe akukwera komanso kuwerengera kwapadziko lonse lapansi komanso chuma chobisika ndi kuwuka koyipa.

"Ahoy," adatero tsopano. "Zowonongeka."

Atatsamira pa tile, adanyamula chidole chometa kirimu kumbuyo kwake ndikuchiyika pamacheke ndi m'khosi. Anapukusa mzere wozungulira patsaya lake lakumanja. Patapita nthawi, nyumbayo idasochera chammbali.

Anatsala pang'ono kugwa kupatula atagwira ndodo yotchinga, yomwe idatuluka pakhoma ndipo adagwa, atamangirizidwa mu nsalu yotchinga. Pansi adamumenya paphewa.

“Ndi helo?” adatero.

Anaganiza kuti ndi chivomerezi ngakhale kuti mayendedwe ake amadzimva kuti ndi achidule komanso osalala. Ma boardboard apansi adayambitsa nyimbo yachisoni ya chinsomba. Adadzuka, maliseche ndikudontha madzi. Nyumbayo idagwedezeka kachiwiri, kovuta nthawi ino. China chake chinadutsa padenga. Anamangirira mkanjo wake ndikupukuta zonona zometera kumanzere kwa kumaso kwake.

Atatsegula chitseko, nyumbayo inabweranso nkumugogoda chammbuyo. Alumali mu chipinda cha banja linagwera. Galasi owazidwa pansi. M'malo mwake adadzaza nkhanu. Chipinda cha Shut-In chinali ndi zenera loyang'ana kumbuyo kwa nyumba. Anakanda chambuyo pamiyendo ndi mapazi opweteka mpaka mapewa ake atakankha chitseko chotsekacho.

Anakwawira mkati ndikununkhiza. Chipinda chanunkha thukuta labwino kwambiri ndi sera ya makandulo ndipo pansi pake panali fungo loterera la china chakufa. Dzuwa lokwanira linadutsa m'maso mwawo kuti amuwonetse mamapu angapo apanyanja, zojambula, ndi ndakatulo zolembedwa pamanja zokutira pafupifupi khoma lililonse. Mapini ofiira adalemba malo pagombe la nyanja pamapu. Zojambulazo zinawonetsa nyama zodabwitsa zomwe zimatuluka munyanjayi-nyama zazikulu zomwe zimakhala ndi zotchinga komanso maso ambiri opindika komanso mamba onunkhira komanso matumba otupa. Ena adalavula moto. Ena anali ndi zikwapu zazitali. Zolemba pamakalata ochezera zimapereka malangizo amaphikidwe achilendo komanso miyambo yachilendo.

Atakhosomola mphuno, adakwera pakama kuti atsegule zenera. Matiresiwo anabuula. Atakoka khungu, mtima wake udagwedezeka.

Ubongo wake unayenderera m'mutu mwake.

Palibe malo. Palibe nyumba. Palibe magalimoto. Palibe oyandikana nawo.

Nyumba yake inayandama momasuka panyanja. Kumwamba, mitambo yozungulira yamkuntho idawopseza kuti idzameza dzuwa lomwe silinali lowongoka.

Kodi dziko linali litapita kuti?

Anagwa chammbali, ndikumenya chinthu cholimba chophimbidwa ndi bulangeti. Zinkawoneka ngati chopepuka mwendo.

Mtima wake unalimba kwambiri, zomwe zimawoneka ngati zosatheka. Dzanja lake lonjenjemera lidabweza bulangeti lakuda. Kununkha kwa imfa kunakulirakulira. Nkhope ya Keith inayang'ana kumwamba ndi maso akhungu kumwamba. Adagwira phewa la mnzake ndi matumbo ake owonekera atanyinyirika ndikutsetsereka pansipa. Anagwa pakama ndikudziponyera pansi.

Nthawi yomweyo, china chake chinagwa pabalaza, ndikutsatira mapazi anzeru. Anayang'ana pansi m'nyumbayo moyenera kuti awone mawonekedwe abwinowa. Mawu achilendo anasinthanitsa masilabo omwe ankamveka ngati nyimbo za whale wambiri. Mutu utazungulira, adaweramira kumbuyo pansi pa bedi.

Mapazi adatsika mwachangu mnyumbamo. Mapazi awiri achilendo adasunthira kuwona - timapiko tating'onoting'ono tomwe tidayikamo timapepala tamatabwa. Zomwe zili pashelefu zidagwera pansi. Nyimbo yowonjezera ya anamgumi oledzera.

Maso a Murphy adatuluka. Anayesetsa kupuma pang'ono, koma mapapu ake anali ma pistoni oyaka moto. Iye anafinya manja ake m'zibakera. Chithunzithunzi chachinyontho cha mtembo wa Keith chimakhala chikuwala kumbuyo kwake.

Dzanja lozizira linapuma kumbuyo kwa khosi lake. Anatsala pang'ono kufuula.

Mawu kumbuyo kwake anati, "Palibe vuto. Iwo sangakumve iwe. Ndi ogontha kwambiri kumtunda kwa nyanja. ”

Adachita mantha ndi liwu lirilonse, akuyembekeza kuti mizambuyi ikweza bedi mmwamba ndikumudula ngati nsomba. Monga Keith. Koma ngati zolengedwa zimamva mawu, sizimawonetsa.

"Kodi ndinu?" adatero, akuvutika kukumbukira dzina la Shut-In.

"Chomwe chatsalira kwa ine."

“Chachitika ndi chiyani ndi Keith? Zinthu zake ndi ziti? Kodi chikuchitika ndi chiyani? ”

“Ndidapereka Keith kwa Gwanvobitha. Zinali zofunikira kumaliza kuitanako. Undying Lord adadalitsa dziko lathu lapansi ndi mawonekedwe ake. Tsoka ilo, mulungu wathu ali nawo omutsutsa. Yathu sinali mayitanidwe okha. Nkhondo yatha. Tsopano tikuyembekezera kuti milungu iwukenso, chifukwa palibe mulungu amene amafa moona. Chimene chingabereke sichingakhale ndi imfa yeniyeni. ”

Pomwe a Shut-In adachita phokoso, Murphy adatembenuza mutu wake - mutu ndi nsagwada zopingika pakati pa kasupe ndi pansi. Anangotsala pang’ono kupumira pansi ataona mnzake wakunyumba. Mtundu wonse anali utachotsedwa pankhope pake, womwe tsopano unamuyang'ana iye ndi maso olowerera mkati mwa chigaza. Akamalankhula, mano ankatuluka mkamwa mwake n'kuwaza pansi.

“Kodi chachitika ndi chiyani kwa iwe?”

“Ndikufuna kudzakonzedwa m'chifaniziro cha Undying Lord wathu, koma tsopano chithunzicho chaola. Ndakhala bwinja, koma inu mudzayenda bwino m'dziko latsopano. ”

"Unandichita chiyani usiku watha?"

“Tsala bwino.”

“Wachita chiyani Keith?”

"Tsalani bwino," a Shut-In adafuula.

"Khala chete," adanong'oneza.

Wobowoleza yemwe adasokonezeka uja adakankha pansi pabedi mmwamba kuti igwere pansi. Milomo yake yotuwa idabwerera ndikumwetulira kwa rictus. Chovuta chinawonekera mwaulere. Mapazi oyenda pansi amapindika.

"Tsala bwino," mnzake wapakhomoyo adanenanso.

Tenti yoterera yokhazikika pamiyendo ya Murphy. Mantha adaphika pachifuwa pake. Anayesa kumenya koma adakankhidwa chakumbuyo. Tsopano anali atatsika pang'ono kuchokera pansi pa kama. Nthawi iliyonse, amayembekeza kuti miyendo yake yowonekera ibayidwa, kupunthidwa, kapena kuphwanyidwa. Mantha adadzaza chigaza chake. Adagwira dzanja la Shut-In. Mafupa omwe anali mkati mwa thupi lotentha adalumikizana ndi a Murphy.

Kumwetulira kwa Shut-In kudagwa ndikumwetulira. Adasekerera kapena mwina analira, osatheka kunena kuti ndi ndani.

“Tsala bwino.”

"Khalani inu," adatero Murphy. "Ndithandizeni."

"Ndili nazo kale."

Murphy anafinya kwambiri. Chojambula china chimagwira bondo lake lina. Zamoyozo zidakoka. Chinachake chinamubaya mu nthiti zake, ndipo kupweteka kunayambika mkati mwake. Dzanja la Shut-In lidagwa, tsopano osaposa nthambi. Kugwira kwake kudatsikira pansi ndikudutsa dzanja mpaka dzanja, momwe mafupa osalimba adaduka ndikutuluka.

“Tsala bwino.”

Zamoyozo zinafuula kachiwiri. Anataya mphamvu yake. Anakweza Murphy m'mwamba. Iye anaphwanyaphwanya ndi kumayaka, tsopano akuyang'anizana ndi chimodzi mwa zolengedwa. Nkhope yake inali yopyapyala yopangidwa ndi zipolopolo zazitali zokhala mkati mwa mbale yolemera yofanana ndi mpira yodzaza madzi a m'nyanja. Zingwe za m'nyanja zimayandama mbali zonse ziwiri za nkhope yake. Zipolopolo ndi minyewa yowala idapanga mutu wake, womwe umakhala pamwamba pa zomwe zimawoneka ngati michira ikuluikulu ya nkhanu. Mikono isanu ndi umodzi yamphamvu idatuluka m'mbali mwake, iliyonse ili ndi timabowo tothina tomwe tinkapangidwa kuchokera ku mitsempha yayitali ndikumangirira olondera opangidwa ndi miyala yamchere ndi zipolopolo. Kununkha nsomba ndi zimbudzi.

Anamukankhira kunja kukhomo lakumaso, pomwe chombo chodabwitsa chinali chomangidwa. Masiteti angapo amatuluka ngati minga kuchokera m'mipando yake yambiri, yomwe imawoneka kuti ili ndi mafupa ndi nkhuni komanso mchenga wachisanu. Zoyenda zachikopa zonyowoka kuchokera pamatope.

Sankawonanso dzuwa kwa nthawi yayitali.

***

M'matumbo a sitimayo, zolengedwa zidam'mangirira patebulo ndikukanikiza chitsulo chotentha chofiyira mbali yakumanja kwa nkhope yake.

Kutentha kotentha kunaphulika patsaya lake, kotchulidwa ndi ma tattoo osawoneka akumveka m'manja ndi m'mapazi mwake. Anapulumuka ndikufuula. Pamene Wokhulupirika adachotsa chitsulo chija, zidutswa za mnofu zouma zidakanirira. Fungo la khungu lowotcha lidamubaya m'mphuno.

Anamuyendetsa pamimba pake, ndikukakamiza thumba lachikopa pamutu pake, ndikumanga manja ake kumbuyo. China chake chonyowa komanso choterera chidadutsa pinky wake wamanzere, ndipo adawopa kuti uwu ndi mtundu wina wamtsogolo. Anachotsa chinyonthocho, ndikung'amba msomali wake wa pinki ndikusiya kanyumba kakang'ono kokhomedwa ndikumva kuwawa. Anakuwa m thumba lake.

Phokoso laphokoso lomwe amadzazindikira ngati kuseka limamveka mumdima.

Kutsetsereka kunadutsa chala chake chakumanzere chakumanzere.

"Chonde," adatero. “Osatero.”

Mmodzi ndi mmodzi, iwo anang'amba misomali ku zala zake ndi zala zake. Atamaliza, mahema ndi ziphuphu zinamukweza mumlengalenga. Wood ndi chitsulo zinabuula ndikudina momuzungulira. Sanamve mphepo ndipo amadziyesa kuti ali m'mimba mwa sitima yowopsayi.

Nyamazo zinamuponyera pachabe. Mutu wake udapota. Mimba yake inagwedezeka. Adagwera chammbali china chake molimba komanso chofewa. Winawake adatsegula pansi pake. Adagwera pamulu wa matupi, ena amoyo pomwe ena alibe moyo ngati matumba ampunga. Kubuula kwa m'mimba komwe kumachokera kwa munthu yemwe adafikirako. Adagwira ndi manja ake omangika, atagwira kaye mimba yofewa kenako bere lofewa. Mkazi. Iye adangonjenjemera nadzipotokola.

"Pepani," adatero.

Anangoyankha monyinyirika ndikulira. Mantha amatuluka m'mitsempha mwake momwe amaganizira zomwe adamuchitira. Wathyoka nsagwada zake? Kudula lilime lake? Kubuwula kwina ndikulira kunadetsa mdima. Mantha ndi mseru zidadzikanika mmimba mwake ndikutulutsa pakhosi pake. Adawumitsa thumba ndikuphimba kumutu kwake.

***

Sitimayo idapita.

Maminiti amatenga maola mpaka masiku, opumira pokhapo chitseko chikatseguka. Nthawi zina, owagwirawo ankamubaya pamsana ndi chinthu chakuthwa ndi chotentha. Zikuwoneka ngati kuzunzika koyambirira koma pambuyo pake adaganiza kuti ziyenera kukhala mtundu wina wazakudya. Nthawi zina, zilombazi zimaponyera akapolo atsopano pamuluwo. Ena ankalankhulabe.

"Zinayamba ndi kuwombera kunyumba ya ana amasiye ku Seattle," kampani ya inshuwaransi yaku Kansas City idatero, "ndipo pomwepo kunamveka nkhani zakupha kofananirana ku Japan. Chotsatira chinali Portugal. Atolankhani adazitcha izi zauchifwamba poyamba. ”

"Ndidachedwa kusewera Mortal Kombat pa intaneti," anatero mphunzitsi wamkazi wogwirizira ku Denver, "mwadzidzidzi mdani wanga atasowa pakati pamasewera. Ndidadzuka kuti ndikamwe zakumwa ndipo ndidapezeka kuti ndimayang'ana nkhani. Mafoni am'manja anali atatuluka pamalo opalamula ku Charleston. Zithunzi zonyansa zama pentagalamu agazi ndi zizindikilo zina. ”

Wogwira ntchito yodyera ku Hickam Air Force Base ku Honolulu adadzutsidwa ndi foni kuchokera kwa bwenzi lake. "Anatinso malo onse anali tcheru, kuti chisokonezo chinawoneka mu Pacific ndi Pacific Ocean. Nditataya foni, ndidatsegula tv ndikuwona za kuphana konse. Kenako panali zojambula zomwe zidatengedwa kunyanja ya Atlantic. Chinsalu chachikulu chinakwera m'mwamba. Panali machenjezo a tsunami. Ndipo nyumba yanga imayandama m'madzi. Matsenga aliwonse oletsa kuti isamire imathandizanso kuti madzi aziyenda. ”

Tsiku ndi tsiku, akaidiwo anali mumdima wandiweyani. Njala idaluma pamimba pa Murphy. Akaidiwo ankasinthana akugona pamwamba pa bowo laling'ono lija. Sikuti onse anapulumuka ulendowu. Mitembo idapanga mabedi abwino mokwanira ngati mutathyola mafupawo molondola.

***

Patapita milungu ingapo, kunjenjemera kwadzidzidzi kunakwinya chombo chonsecho. Chitseko chapamwamba chidatseguka, ndipo adakonzekereranso wamndende wina yemwe adagwa kapena kuwombera msana. M'malo mwake, china chake chaching'ono komanso chachitali chomukulunga ndikumukweza kumtunda.

"Chikuchitikandi chiyani?" adatero. “Chonde imani.”

Akaidi anzake anapempha chimodzimodzi ndi mafunso komanso mapemphero. Anamunyamula mopitirira, choyamba kudzera m'nyengo yozizira — mpweya wabwino — kenaka n'kumutentha kwambiri.

Manja ang'ono akumangirira manja ake ndikutambasula manja ake. Minofu yake inafuula. Omugwirawo adamupachika-mphungu pakhoma loyipa. Pomalizira pake, thumba linachotsedwa pamutu pake.

Maso ake osowa chakudya adatsala pang'ono kutsinzina pakudikako. Anayang'ana nkhope ya chilombo, kupatula uyu amavala zikopa osati mbale yagalasi. Machubu akuda amayenda kuchokera m'mphuno mwake mpaka m'miyendo pakhosi pake. Mamba onyezimira anali kuphimba m'mimba mwake womira.

Anali atavalabe chovala chake chotsala, ndipo amamumangirira kukhoma lamkati la shaft lozungulira. Chilombocho chinali patsogolo pake chinayima pamsewu wopapatiza wamatabwa womwe unkazungulira mulitali mwake. Zingwe zina zamatchire zinali zomangiriridwa pansi ndi pamwamba, ndipo anthu opitilira khumi ndi awiri-ena amaliseche, ena ovala-anapachikidwa pamakoma mulingo uliwonse. Zomata zazithunzizi zinali zopangidwa ndi matabwa ndi zitsulo, koma khoma la shaft limamveka lofewa komanso lolimba ngati lilime la paka.

Zilombozo zinamangirira anthu ena kukhoma lopindika mbali zonse za iye. Zolengedwa zambiri zinali ndimagalasi agalasi pamutu pawo, koma zina zidavala zikopa zamagalimoto ndi machubu. Atamanga womangidwa womaliza, zilombazi aliyense adatulutsa payipi lakuda pakhoma ndikuyankhula nawo, mawu awo aterera ndikutuluka ndikukula mchipinda.

“Takulandirani ku Injini Yopweteka. Inu omwe simuli m'gulu la Okhulupirika tsopano mudzamve kuwawa chifukwa cha Lord Glandrictial. Mudzaukitsa zomwe sizingaphedwe, zomwe sizingabadwe ndipo pamapeto pake ndizamuyaya. ”

"Dikirani," adatero. "Chonde."

Wokhulupirika adanyalanyaza. Linkagwira payipi patsogolo pake. Chingwe chakuthwa chinatuluka kumapeto kwake, ngati zingwe zitatu zosodza zomwe zimagwidwa ndi dzimbiri.

"Uku ndikulumikizana kwanu ndi Mulungu wanu watsopano," adatero. "Tsopano mupembedza pa guwa la masautso."

Inamugunda m'matumbo ndipo anapumira. Wokhulupirika adaponya chubu pakati pamano ake. Adayesa kuluma, koma idafalikira pakhosi pake ngati nyongolotsi yayikulu. Adatsamwa ndikudumphadumpha ndikuthira madzi m'mene adatsikira mkati mwake ndikupindika m'matumbo mwake. Ponse pozungulira iye, andende anzake anali akung'ung'udza ndikumang'ung'udza ndikuthyola milomo.

Kuyenda kwa chubu kunatha. Anapachikika ndi thukuta pakhoma. Oyandikana nawo pamapeto pake amapitilizabe, nawonso. Phokoso lokha linali losamveka bwino lomwe likungoyenda mumdima pamwambapa ndi pansipa.

"Kuchokera phulusa lamadzi ladziko lanu, mulungu wanu watsopanoyo adzakhala ndi moyo ndipo azikhalabe ndipo azikhalabe nthawi zonse," Wokhulupirika adatero. Dziperekeni kwathunthu ku mdalitso wopatulikawu. ” Atawamenya anati, "Ameni."

Mkuntho wankhanza unamgwera nthawi yomweyo mkati mwake, blender akumenyetsa mkatimo ndikutafuna malo ake obisika. Adakuwa mozungulira chubu. Onse adatero, ndipo machubu adakweza kufuula mu shaft kuti phokoso lidule muubongo wake. Magazi amatuluka m'makutu mwake.

***

Kupwetekako kunapitilira tsiku ndi tsiku. Ankangodziwa nthawi ndikumalira kwa ndevu zake, zomwe zimamera pang'onopang'ono kuyambira theka losamveka la nkhope yake.

Thupi lodana naye m'matumbo mwake liyenera kuti limamupatsa chakudya, chifukwa sanafe chifukwa cha kuchepa kwa madzi m'thupi, ngakhale njala imabisalira pansi pa zowawa zakuthwa mkati mwake. Nthawi zambiri Ululu - womwe ndi womwe adadzatcha payipi - umakhala m'matumbo mwake. Nthawi zina, imalowa m'miyendo mwake kapena kutsamwa m'mapapo mwake kapena kumufufuza. Zinali ngati wogwira m'migodi kufunafuna mosalekeza matumba azovuta omwe sanadziwike.

Pamene a Hurt adamugwira mwanjira yatsopano, msana wake udachita mantha ndipo adakuwa mozungulira chubu ndipo makutu ake adaphulika ndipo chikhodzodzo chake chidatsitsa pang'ono. Wokhumudwitsidwayo samamupatsa nthawi yogona, kumusunga kumapeto kwazisangalalo. Anacheza ndi ziweto zomwe zidamwalira kalekale. Anawona mvula pomwe kunalibe — mabulogu amafuta ofiira amadzimadzi owala.

Pomwe ndevu zake zam'munsi zimamuyakira pachifuwa, Wokhulupirika adamuchotsa Mkwiyo pankhope pake. Adayesa kutemberera omwe amamuzunza koma adangolemekeza masilabo ochepa.

Omugwirawo adamukoka ndi akaidi ena kukhoma. Enawo adagwera pa catwalk ngati nsanza. Mwanjira ina anali ndi mphamvu zoyimirira koma adadzilola kuti agwetsedwe. Okhulupirika adawanyamula pangolo ndipo pomwe amayenda, mawondo ena adatsitsa khoma lomwe linali lopanda kanthu.

Anaponyera akaidiwo m'ngalande yakuya, yotsekedwa yomwe inali yowola. Anakwawa ndikuthyola mafupa ndi mafupa ofooka, zigongono zopanda pake komanso mafupa opanda pake.

"Umumalize," adatero mphunzitsi wachikazi wogwirizira wochokera ku Denver, liwu lake tsopano lidachita mantha. "Kuwonongeka." Iye adamuwona akuthyola dzanja la mnansi wake wakufa - chotupa chaziphuphu chomwe adagwiritsa ntchito pobowola zipsera pakhosi pake.

Pambuyo pake, adagwiritsa ntchito mimba yake ngati mtsamiro ndipo adagona tulo tofa nato kufikira pomwe chihema chidamudzutsa. Okhulupirikawo adagawa akaidiwo kukhala milu iwiri - amoyo ndi akufa. Zikuwoneka kuti anali m'gulu la amoyo, ndipo adaponyedwa pagaleta lomwe mawilo ake amafufuma ngati mbewa.

Wokhulupirika uja adamubweza kukhoma limodzi ndi anzawo omwe adapulumuka komanso gulu lina la omwe adalembedwa.

"Takulandirani ku Injini Yopweteka," adatero Wokhulupirika.

***

Nthawi idapita patsogolo. Ndevu zake zinkadutsa minofu yake yam'mimba yomwe imakulirakulira. Zinali ngati Kupwetekako kumamupatsa iye, koma zikhatho ndi mapazi ake omwe anali ndi tattoo anali kuponyanso mphamvu kuchokera pamenepo.

Pakuchezera ngalandezi zatsopano, amadzipeza atazunguliridwa ndi matupi onyentchera komabe amalimba, mikono tsopano yamangidwa komanso yolimba ngati chingwe chonyowa. Akaidi omwe adafika nawo poyamba anali atamwalira onse.

M'mayenje, adalawa kaye mnofu wa munthu. Ndicho chisangalalo choyamba chomwe adadziwa kuyambira kalekale, ndipo adameza ntchafu mpaka m'mimba mwake kupweteka. Pambuyo pake, adatenganso zosangalatsa zina kwa akaidi anzawo. Amayi ena amawoneka kuti akusangalala nawo, ngakhale adakonda pomwe amakana. Adawakola ndimikhatho yolira ndipo pambuyo pake adalira chifukwa cha umunthu wake wotayika.

Ankawopa kuti Wokhulupirika azindikira kutalika kwa kupirira kwake ndi momwe angakhalire wamphamvu, koma posakhalitsa adazindikira kuti adangokhala ng'ombe kwa iwo - chinthu china chopanda mawonekedwe pamakina awo opanga milungu.

Ndevu zake theka zitadutsa pamimba pake potuwa, adaganiza zopusa. Sanasake nyama kapena chiwerewere. Ayi, tsopano amafunikira matumbo.

Anang'amba matumbo mwa mwamuna yemwe anali ndi mbendera ya boma la Ohio wolemba mphini padzanja pake. Anawatambasula pazitsulo zokutira zokutira phala ngalande ndikusiya m'matumbo omangirizidwa mu ngalande.

Njira ina idadutsa.

Adapotokola zingwe zamatumbo kuti apange zingwe zazitali zisanu ndi chimodzi ndikuzipukuta ndi mtima wamunthu.

Njira ina idadutsa.

Anapanga chida chaching'ono pogwiritsa ntchito chiuno ndi msana. Anasanthula m'mafupa ambiri a dzanja la mkazi kuti apeze choyenera.

Injini ya Zowawa inali ndi zitseko ziwiri — chimodzi cholowera ngalandezo ndi china cholowera akaidi atsopano. Khomo limenelo linakhala lotseguka kwa nthawi yokwanira kuti ng'ombe zonyamula katundu azilowa — mwayi wochepa chabe.

Zitseko ziwirizo zinayimirira mbali ina moyang'anizana ndi tsinde. Amayenera kumenya nkhondo mozungulira, ndipo kunalibe Okhulupirika khumi ndi awiri omwe anali pafupi.

Chifukwa chake, gitala ya Gore.

***

Nthawi yomaliza yomwe Wokhulupirika adamuchotsa paming'oma, adalumikiza zidutswa zamalilime mu khutu lililonse ndikulowetsa gitala mkati mwinjiro wake wong'ambika. Iwo anamuponyera iye pa ngolo. Mawilo anali kulira pansi pake pamene anali kunjenjemera pansi pamphangayo. Khomo la Pain Engine lidatseguka. Ngoloyo inadutsa. Oposa khumi ndi awiri okhulupirika adadikirira kukweza nyama zawo pakhoma.

Nthawi yogwedeza amayi awa.

Anagwira gitala ya Gore ndikudumpha m'galimoto. Alonda adafuula. Adakankha wamndende woyipa ku Faithful wapafupi. Iwo adagwa mulu. Adatulutsa zowawa pakhoma ndikukankhira chubu pazingwe za gitala.

Mfupa itatenga dzanja, inalemba manotsi angapo — mawu okwezeka amene anapangitsa kuti makoma agwedezeke. Ngakhale ndimakutu ake opumira, nyimbo yoboola ija idakalowabe muubongo wake. Akaidiwo adakuwa. Alonda atavala zikopa za nsomba adagwa m'manja ndi mawondo. Omwe anali ndi magalasi agwedeza mitu yawo.

Anapitilizabe kuponda. Manja ake anali kuwawa. Manja ake adatentha. Posakhalitsa magazi adapangitsa zingwe za gitala kuterera.

Alondawo adayandikira pafupi, asakatuli atachita mantha.

Anagwa pa bondo limodzi ndikuwombera ndi mphamvu zake zonse. Thukuta linatuluka pankhope pake. Mlonda wapafupi kwambiri adasula lupanga lothwanima. Inayandikira, mthunzi wake tsopano ukuyenda pamwamba pake. Chonde. Chonde. Dzanja lake lamanja silikuwona bwino. Zala zake zakumanzere zidasanthula ndikusindikiza zingwe, ndikuyembekeza kupeza cholembera chomwe chingamupulumutse.

Mlondayo adakweza lupanga. Murphy anapitilizabe kulimbana.

Nthawi yomweyo, ma globlo ophimba mitu ya alonda ambiri adasweka. Galasi ndi madzi onunkhira amapopera mbali zonse, kumayimba pamapewa ake ndikuluma kumbuyo kwa khosi lake. Mlondayo adaponya lupanga lake pansi, koma adazungulira cham'mbali ndikukweza Gore Guitar kumtunda. Chida choipacho chidaduka ndi zingwe. Woyang'anira uja adatsikira m'mbuyo kwinaku akuyenda koma Murphy asanamutulutse lupanga.

Ambiri mwa alondawo tsopano anali atagona pamakwalalawo akumwa mopanda phindu pouma. Amayi anayi okha omwe anali ndi magalasi oyimilira omwe anali owongoka, ndipo m'modzi adayima pafupi ndi khomo lotuluka, momwe mulonda wopupuluma tsopano anali atagwedezeka ndikupumira.

Ndi mkokomo, Murphy adalimbana ndi njira yopita kutuluka, akumabaya ndi kumenya. Anagwetsa mlonda woyamba. Akaidi atsopano omwe anali m'galimotoyo adagundika ndikulimbana, koma anali omangidwa komanso osathandiza kwenikweni. Mlonda wachiwiri adakweza mkondo wachidule. Murphy adaimba mlandu, akumenyetsa cholembacho kukhoma, ndikumubaya m'matumbo ndikumulanda chida chake. Anayendetsa ndikuponyera mkondowo kwa mlonda yemwe anali pakhomo. Inamugunda pakati pa masamba. Adagwa pansi, ndikufuula nyimbo yachisoni.

Mlonda wachinayi anaphulitsa chigoba chaching'ono, chomwe chimapereka chidziwitso chakuya. Murphy adabaya mlonda kukhosi, koma mochedwa kwambiri. Kalata yochenjeza idamveka kale mu Injini Yopweteka. Alonda ambiri amabwera.

Anamasula akaidi omwe anali mgalimoto, gulu la amuna anayi ndi akazi awiri onse okhala ndi tsitsi lonyansa, maso opunduka, mnofu wa sunburnt, ndi zipsera zambiri.

"Tengani zida," adatero. "Tiyenera kupita tsopano."

Anawatsogolera kutsika ndi mseuwo, lupanga logundika mmanja monse mozungulira. Ulendo woyamba wa alonda udamuukira, ndipo adasambira pakati pawo ngati munthu wogwidwa, yemwe kwenikweni amaganiza kuti anali, chifukwa mapazi ndi manja ake adachita ziphuphu ndi kubwezera komwe kunayambitsidwa ndi ma eon ndikufalikira m'maiko mazana, ndipo adadzizindikira yekha kuti ndi pawn mu nkhondo yakale koma ngakhale khola lingakhale kusiyana pakati pa kupambana ndi kugonjetsedwa. Anadula chimodzi mwa zolengedwazo ndi chidutswa chowopsya cha tsamba lake ndipo - atagwira timabowo tawo tomwe timaphethirabe — adagwiritsa ntchito chigaza chake ngati mphete mpaka sichinangokhala china chilichonse koma zidutswa za ubongo ndi mafupa.

Nkhondo yoyamba itachitika, atatu okha mwa othawa kwawo adakhalabe okwanira kuyimirira. M'modzi mwa azimayiwa adadulidwa ntchafu ndikugona pansi. Anamubaya m'diso — diso lake lotsala likumangoyang'ana paliponse ndikuyang'ana mopusa pa tsamba — ndikulamula enawo kuti amutsatire.

***

Alonda ankawoneka kuti alibe zida zothanirana nawo, chifukwa nthawi iliyonse Murphy anali kulandiridwa ndi mawonekedwe owopsa komanso odabwitsa. Adapunthwa posachedwa pomwe adakonza malo pomwe anthu omwe angofika kumene anali kupatsidwa ma brand ndikunyamulidwa ndikumangidwa ndikumasula zikhadabo. Anawamasula ndi kutumiza ozunza awo.

"Idzani, dammit," iye anatero, kudana ndi grit mu khosi lake lowonongeka.

Mapeto ake, adatsogolera gulu la othawa kwawo mwina makumi awiri kudzera pa chubu chopapatiza pamwamba pa ndende yawo. Amayembekezera kupumira mpweya wabwino koma kunjako kununkha nsomba zowola ndi mvula yowawitsa. Amayembekezera kuwala kwa dzuwa ndi thambo lamtambo koma m'malo mwake adapeza theka la mwezi utapachikidwa pakati pa nyenyezi zowala zobiriwira. Chifunga chachilendo chidapachikika kumwamba, osadabwitsa nyenyezi koma ndikuwapaka mtundu wa msuzi wa nsawawa. Ndende yawo, adazindikira, inali mtembo woyandama wa mulungu aliyense yemwe azitsiru aja adasankha kuti azimulambira. Chinthu chakufa chidafalikira kwambiri kotero kuti samatha kuwona kukula kwake konse. Ngati angaganize, angaganize kuti ndi yayikulu kuposa Manhattan.

Pambuyo pake amaphunzira kuti mulunguyu anali m'modzi mwa angapo omwe adadzuka kuchokera kunyanja ina yapansi panyanja. Matupi awo akuluakulu anali atasefukira padziko lapansi — monga munthu wonenepa waponyera m'bafa — ndipo mitembo yawo, pamodzi ndi kuwonongeka kwa chitukuko cha anthu, zidadetsa nyanja yopanda mafunde.

Zithunzi za mulungu zomwe zidalakwitsa zidazungulira panja ma miles. Mapaleletti okhala ndi zida zokwanira kukula kwa nyumba zazitali kwambiri amene amira mu thupi lake lomwe likufota.

Nyumba zingapo komanso nyumba zosanja ngakhalenso nkhokwe inayandama mosadziwika bwino m'madzi, zonse zidalumikizidwa ndi chingwe chakuda ndikufika pafupi ndi mtembo wa mulunguyo. Nyumba yake yomwe idayenda pakati pawo. Sitima yachilendo yomweyi yomwe idakocheza kunyumba kwake idayandama m'mphepete mwa msonkhano wachilendowu.

Masukulu a nsomba zakufa adalowera m'madzi, maso adafota ndipo mkamwa munagwedezeka. Mbalame zambirimbiri zosathawa zinayandama pakati pawo, mapiko atambasula ndikung'ambika ngati angelo osathawa.

"Tikubwerera kwa enawo," adatero.

Mwamuna woonda wokhala ndi ndevu zowuma anapukusa mutu. "Sindingabwererenso kumeneko."

Enawo adang'ung'udza za mgwirizano. Mkwiyo unazungulira mkati mwa Murphy. Zowona, sanasamale za mizimu yozunzika mkati mwa Pain Injini, koma amafunikira gulu lalikulu ndipo samatha kuwasonkhanitsa okha. Chifukwa chake, adachita zomwe amachita bwino kwambiri - adalemba yekha zolemba.

"Anthu atha kutha," adatero. “Abale ndi alongo athu omwe ali mndende iyi ndi omwe atsala. Ngati titawatembenukira, tikhoza kukhala osakhulupirika kwa anthu onse. Uwu ungakhale mwayi wathu wokhawo wowapulumutsira kumoyo wamavuto kuti tidyetse mulungu yemwe Wokhulupirika watenga kale zochuluka kuchokera kwa ife. Ine, sindingakhale ndi moyo wolemetsa womwewu pa moyo wanga. ”

Adatsala pang'ono kuseka ndi mawu omalizawa, chifukwa amadziwa kuti mzimuwo udaphwanyidwa kalekale kukhala wotsalira.

"Mutha kunyamula chikepe ndi padding kuti mukhale ndi ufulu kapena mutha kutenga lupanga ndikumenyera nkhondo kuti anthu apulumuke." Anakweza lupanga lake lamagazi. Khamu la anthulo linasokonezeka. Amayenera kutseka mwamphamvu. Anayika dzanja lake pachifuwa. “Gwira chisankho icho mu mtima mwako. Yankho likhale m'mitsempha mwanu. ”

Khamu la anthu okhetsa magazi komanso lofooka linamuyang'anitsitsa, likugwedeza mtembo waukuluwo. Mafunde omwe anali ndi matenda anawomba thupi la mulungu lomwe likugwedezeka. Nyanja ina inawulukira kuchokera kunyanja yopanda malire ndipo inakagwera pagombe lowonongeka. Idapukutika ndikubuka musanapeze mtendere.

***

Pamalo owala bwino a New Theatre, nkhunda —osakhala mbalame yonyansidwa ndi chipale — ikuuluka pamwamba pa anthu amene anasonkhana. Sichigwa koma m'malo mwake chimakwera pamwamba pa gulu lachimwemwe. Wosewera yemwe akuwonetsa Halfbeard akuyika dzanja lake - Lonjezo Lodzipereka - pachifuwa chake ndipo akuti, "Khalani ndi chisankho mumtima mwanu, abale ndi alongo, ndipo lolani yankho likhale m'mitsempha mwanu."

Mawuwa ndi omwe amapangidwa ndi akatswiri achinyengo omwe amapangidwa kuchokera ku chitsulo ndi matabwa obowoloka-omwe tsopano ndi malo ogulitsira motley olimbirana milungu, ana, asodzi, olowa m'mizinda, ndi alimi aumulungu.

Halfbeard iyemwini akukhala pansi mwa omvera. Chovala chake chong'ambalala chimalendewera kwambiri ndi madzi amchere komanso kuposa magazi pang'ono. Mabala ake pachifuwa amaphulika mokwiya. Manja ndi mapazi ake otayidwa amatafuna ululu, ndikumamupatsanso.

Amasekerera pamasewera ndikusekerera pa mulungu wamulungu. Wosewera yemwe amamuwonetsa amachita ntchito yabwino ndipo zovala zake ndizofanana ndi zomwe zidachitikazo. Panthawi ina yankhondo, ndevu zake zapakati zimadzimasulira kumaso, koma omvera akuwoneka kuti atengeka kwambiri ndi nthano kuti asamalire.

Olemba za farce iyi amupatsa chidwi - mayi wamantha wakuda yemwe amakhala ngati mkazi woyamba m'masewera ake ambiri achifwamba. Pamodzi, iwo ndi gulu lake lokhulupirika apitiliza kupha ambiri Okhulupirika ndikupulumutsa miyoyo yambiri ya anthu. Mkwatibwi wake amaphedwa kumapeto kwa koyamba koyamba ndi Nemesis, General Wokhulupirika yemwe amakhala pafupi kupha Halfbeard ndi msampha woopsa wokhudza sitima zapamadzi ndi ma dolphin.

Mu moyo weniweni, analibe mkwatibwi. Adatenga okonda ambiri pamaulendo ake - ena ofunitsitsa pomwe ena samatero - koma palibe amene adakhala motalika. Sanakhale naye wokwatirana naye woyamba, ndipo anthu omwe amadziwika kuti anali okhulupirika anali ndi magulu ankhondo komanso zigawenga komanso akapolo.

Komanso analibe nemesis.

Adapulumuka zoyesayesa zakupha, kuphatikiza kuwukira usikuuno. Ndipo akadali ndi chidaliro chachikulu cha ma dolphin. Iye anapha mazana a Okhulupirika, komanso anapha anthu osawerengeka ndipo anangotsala mitembo yawo kuti iwuze nthanoyo kupha nsomba.

Pakadutsa gawo lachiwiri, malingaliro ake amasintha. Wosewera pamalopo akuwoneka kuti akunyoza kukhalapo kwake kowopsa. Kusangalala kwa omvera omwe amasonkhana kumangopangitsa kuti amukwiyitse komanso kukulitsa kudzidana kwake. Popanda kudya, amapatsa mulungu wake womaliza kwa mwana yemwe wakhala pafupi naye, akusisita mutu wa mtsikanayo, kenako akupita kulowera ku Lunar Acres.

“Ukupita?” akuti wogwira ntchito ku zisudzo akuyang'anira kotulukira kumbuyo, wachinyamata wowoneka bwino wokhala ndi mphini zapakhosi komanso mphuno yolumikizidwa. “Koma chimaliziro chisanafike.”

Halfbeard akugwedeza mutu wake. “Ndikuopa kuti mapeto sadzafika.”

“Ndi nkhani yosangalatsa, eti?” wantchito akuti. "Ndikudziwa kuti ndizosatheka, koma ndimaganiza kuti Halfbeard akadali panopo - akuyendabe panyanja ndikuvutitsa Okhulupirika ndikutiyang'anira tonsefe."

"Chifukwa chiyani ndizosatheka?"

"Akadakhala wazaka zana pofika pano, sadzakhala pachiwopsezo chilichonse kuti apweteke aliyense."

“Ungaganize choncho, sichoncho?” Halfbeard akuti. “Nanga bwanji zomwe zachitika kale usiku walero? Ndidamva Wokhulupirika akumenya munthu yemwe amaoneka ngati Halfbeard. "

Akukweza. “Zovuta kunena. Akadatha kukhala ochita zisewero. Akadakhala m'modzi wonyenga wa Halfbeard. Ndawona magulu achifwamba awo, ana osalankhula atavala nkhope ndi ma tattoo ndi opunduka aluka theka-ndevu. Ayi, wamwalira. Amangokhala mumtima mwathu basi. ”

"Ndiuze mwana wanga, unganene chiyani kwa Halfbeard ngati ungakumane naye m'misewu momwemo usiku womwewu?"

“Ndimangomugwiragwira ndikumuthokoza kwambiri chifukwa chodzipereka kwambiri.”

“Ndipo mungamupatse chiyani?”

Wogwira ntchito amatulutsa milomo yake yovundikira. "Chilichonse chomwe amafuna, ndikuganiza."

"Poyeneradi."

Halfbeard amamenya bamboyo pakhosi, ndikuphwanya mabatani ocheperako omwe amatha kulira kufuulira thandizo. Amakokera wovulalayo mumsewu wamdima. Mithunzi imanunkha ndi piss ndi kuvunda. Amakulunga manja ake opunduka pakhosi la wogwira ntchito ndikufinya. Nkhope yopusa ya wopusa imachita mdima. Maso ake atuluka.

Nthawi yonseyi, mnofu wa zikhatho ndi mapazi a Halfbeard umakoma mokoma. Adaphunzira pazaka zambiri kuti asadye chakudya ngati nkhandwe yanjala, m'malo momangomva zowawa ndi mantha. Potero, akusintha moyo wa munthuyu kuchoka pachakudya n'kukhala phwando. Monga munthu wotukuka, amagwiritsa ntchito mpeni ndi foloko.

Momwe Halfbeard amafufuzira matumbo ndi timbewu tating'onoting'ono, wovutitsidwayo amapindika ndikugundika. Chakutali, omvera akusangalala ndi kuwomba m'manja ndi kusindikiza mapazi awo. Mutu wake umazunguzika. Kuwombera kumakulirakulira. Amaganiza kuti ochita sewerowo akuyenera kuti akutenga mauta awo. Mwinanso wotsogola ampsompsona mkwatibwi wake wophedwa kapena amangoyerekeza ngati jab yomaliza pamizere yake.

"Zinthu ngati ngwazi komanso anthu wamba ndi nthano chabe," akutero Halfbeard kwa magazi omwe ali pansi pake. “Zoipa zenizeni zimabisala mkati mwathu. Timanong'oneza pansi pa kama wathu ndipo timayabwa m'manja mwathu ndi kuvina pansi pa mapazi athu. ”

Nyansiyo imangoyankha poyankha.

“Osadandaula. Tatsala pang'ono kumaliza. ”

Posakhalitsa khamulo lidutsa. Anyamata ndi atsikana amabayilana ndi malupanga opangidwa mwaluso osagulitsidwa ndi bwaloli. Amuna ndi akazi amayenda manja ndi manja, akuyankhula momwetulira. Otsirizawo akamadutsa ndipo magetsi a New Theatre akuwala, agwira mtima wamwamuna, ndikumenya kumenyedwa komaliza.

“Kodi kuno ndi kumene ndimakhala?” akutero. “Kodi mumtima mwanu?”

Munthuyo ananjenjemera komaliza. Amaponya zomwe zatsala kuti azilowa munyanja yadyera, ndikunyamula sikelo ya wovutitsidwayo.

Amayenda m'misewu yakuda kupita kunyumba yake yakale, yomwe ili pamphepete mwa Lunar Acres. Nsapato zake zimakwera padenga, kutsika makwerero, ndikulowera pakhonde. Kuchokera pamenepo, nyanjayi imayenda kosatha posaka mlengalenga. Awiriwo amakumanizana m'maloto.

Nyumba imanunkha ndi imfa, ngakhale atayeretsa zochuluka motani. Zili ngati kuti danga ladzaza ndi kununkha kwa zochita zake. Iye akanakhoza kusunthira kalekale. Ambuye akudziwa kuti angakwanitse, koma zikuwoneka ngati zoyenera kukhala pano. Nthawi zina akugona pakama, amatha kukumbukira munthu yemwe adalipo dziko lapansi lisanatengeke ndi kulimbana ndi milungu yachilendo. Amavula zovala ndikupita ndi sikelo yopita nayo kuchipinda chakale cha Keith. Amawaika m'thumba lachikopa ndipo amasintha buku lake. Chuma chake ndi chonyansa, chodzaza zipinda zomwe kale anali a Keith komanso a Shut-In.

Pamapeto pake, anayamba kugona pabedi lake. Chovala chake chakale —chakalekale chinasandulika kukhala lamba wa akuba komanso wokutidwa ndi timitengo tosalala ndi timatumba tosasunthika — tapachikika pakhoma.

Kugona kumamutcha mwachangu.

Amadzuka kamodzi kokha usiku akumva mtundu wamanyazi wosunthika mumdima. Maso ake otopa amafufuza mithunzi. Pakati pa holoyo, chidutswa cha nyama chonyezimira mwawala wowala wobiriwira. Ikuyandikira pafupi. Mantha agwira msana wake.

Chinthucho chikung'ung'udza ndikunong'oneza, "Gona tulo. Iwalani. ”

Amatanthawuza kuti agwire lupanga lake, koma manja ndi manja ake afooka, akumupereka ndikumunyamula pabedi. Masomphenya ake akuda. Amamva chilombocho chikuyandikira pafupi, tsopano akung'ung'uza nyimbo zoseketsa. Mnofu wake umamugwera, kuzizira komanso wamafuta. Iye sangakhoze kufuula. Zimamunong'oneza usiku wonse popeza zimagwira ntchito yake yoopsa.

Muyaya pambuyo pake, mbandakucha umadzichotsa wekha m'mbali zam'madzi zadziko lapansi. Halfbeard akukhala pansi ndikupumira. Akudzandimira kulowa pabalaza ndikutsegula chitseko. Nyanja yapadziko lonse imanyambita pakhonde pake. Monga nthawi zonse, kukumbukira kuchezera usiku watha kumatha. Dzuwa lotsika lokhalokha likukwawa pankhope pake, pomwe misozi yokhayokha imafota ndikumauma patsaya lake. Amasiya njira yamchere.