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.Absently, he stroked the soft fur of the blue rabbit s foot and recalled thedays after his dad s funeral.He d been ten then.Each night that week, acouple of NCO wives would drop off a few dishes for dinner.Sometimes theywould bring along their children as well.Each bestowing their condolences,wishing his mother the best in the coming months, making his mother promise ifshe needed anything, anything at all, to please just call.They could neverstay long though, they had kids to take to soccer or to swim team, orgroceries to pick up.They d leave their Styrofoam takeout trays and head backto their homes, their lives, their husbands, leaving Nick and his mother alonein a room full of wilting flowers and sappy sympathy cards.It was then that it truly sank in that his father wouldn t be coming home.Would never again walk through the door, plop down on the stairs, and gripeabout his day while unlacing his boots.Would never again grab a beer out ofthe fridge, swat his wife on the butt, and ask what the heck was for supper.Never again jab Nick in the gut and ask him if he d beaten up any little girlsat school.From now on, it would be just Nick and Mom.Those first nights his mother had held him, rocking him gently as he criedhimself to sleep.But now, while sitting in this gloomy chamber of stone androots, he wondered just who had held her, who d rocked her, wiped away hertears, told her everything would be all right? What had that been like forher, suddenly facing life as a single mom? With no one to turn to but anailing mother in Brooklyn.Page 118ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlAnd there were other matters, things grieving widows should never have to dealwith.They could no longer stay on base, so she needed to find a place forthem to live.And to add to that, the accident that had killed his father wasunder investigation, the Army claiming negligence on his father s part.Nickunderstood little of the details, only that it had something to do with theirbenefits and meant his mother was suddenly desperate to find a job.And how had I helped? Nick asked himself.What did I do to make things easier?I argued, I complained, and I fought with her about everything.And worst ofall I blamed her for it all.He could hear his own whiny voice griping abouthis school, his room, his shoes, his stupid fucking shoes.God, how he hatedthe sound of it in his head.What had been wrong with him? Did he really believe he was the only onesuffering? The only one hurting? Had he truly been that blind? Nick rubbed hisforehead.Somehow everything had gotten jumbled up, twisted, that s all.Theloss, the hurt, the anger, all of it.Now it seemed so clear.So goddamnpainfully clear. I m gonna come back, Mom, he whispered. Gonna make up for it.I promise.Just hang on.Please hang on.Nick pressed his hands into his face and tried to rub away the strain, thegrief and regret.He heard a creak and looked up.Peter, Sekeu, and the trollwere coming down the stairs from the loft.All three of them were staring athim.Nick had the feeling that he was being scrutinized, almost examined.A smile lit Peter s face. Hey Nick.You doing okay?Nick stood up. Peter, we need to talk.Peter walked over and placed a hand on Nick s back. And we will, Nick.Mostcertainly.But not now.Too many things afoot. Peter s golden eyes gleamedwickedly. There s blood to be spilled and throats to slit. Peter threw hishead back and crowed like a rooster, crowed until everyone in the chamber wason their feet.KIDS LINED UP in front of the privy.Fires were set, torches lit, porridge putto boil; you could feel the excitement as the Devils rushed about getting theday going.Nick got his bowl and took a seat next to Cricket and Danny.Danny looked in his bowl and frowned. That s all we get? There s hardlyenough to fill the bottom of my bowl. What are you complaining for? Cricket asked. I thought you hated thisgunk. Wow, would you look at that! Danny said.He was holding his glasses awayfrom his face, pulling them off and on, and squinting.He looked straight up.Cricket and Nick looked up too. Danny? Cricket asked. What the hell are you doing? How& about& that, Danny said. I can see better without my glasses now.Thismagic porridge might taste like bark, but man, is it goood for you. He stoodup, turned sideways, and pulled his shirt up. Check this out. He patted hisstomach. My gut s almost gone. You re sucking in, Cricket said. Am not.I m turning into a lean mean killing machine. Puh lease! Cricket said, slapping the table and letting out a laugh. Y know, Danny continued,  if we could figure out the ingredients to thisslop, we could make like a couple million bucks back home. We re not ever going back home, Cricket said, and as the profoundness of herwords hit them, they all fell quiet. I am, Nick said. I m getting out of here.Cricket and Danny stared at him. What do you mean? Cricket asked. I mean, I m going home. He paused. I have to get back to my mom.One way oranother, I have to. How you gonna do that? Danny asked. I don t know yet.A sad smile crossed Cricket s lips.She reached out and clasped Nick s hand.Page 119ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html I m sure there s a way. DEVILS, Peter called. Gather round.There is a tale to tell!PETER TOOK A deep breath.The Devils clustered about him in a semicircle,sitting on the stone floor, atop their cages, or leaning against tree roots,goading and picking at one another.He looked from face to face: Cutter, who dwalked through the Mist without so much as a word; Huck, who d actuallylaughed at it; Dirk and Dash, who were always fighting with each other butwere never apart; Ivy, with her beautiful curly hair and one lazy eye fromwhere her mother had kicked her for wearing makeup; Amos, the Amish boy whowas banished for being too profane.How similar they were to the Devils fromthe first age, before the great battle, to those boys and girls who d died sovaliantly.Peter leaned over to Tanngnost. They re ready, as ready as they ll ever be.Are you?The old troll huffed and pushed himself to his feet. No, but I ll do mybest. He walked in front of the Devils, drew himself up to his full height,and stamped his staff once, hard, the sound reverberating about the chamber.The chattering died down [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]