A.E.van Vogt - Supermintea - Punctul Omega v0.9

8/13/2019 A.E.van Vogt - Supermintea - Punctul Omega v0.9

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ANTETsummaampjyHHBM

A. E. VAN VOGTSUPERMINTEA PUNCTUL OMEGA

Traducere: O aa Ne!ureau

ANTET" Ne# E!$%s& L%'rary


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" A(e( pe(ru pre)e(a *ers%ue + $%m'a r,m-Redac(,r Tur(ure$ Ns(ase. C,per(a: I, Ns(aseTe&,redac(are c,mpu(er%)a(a: /%aa GradISBN: 0123456435531Pr,$,!

Sa $um , G%7 +)es(ra(a cu ra7%ue 3S(e*e Haardy s3ar p,(r%*% 8% e$ aces(e% descr%er%. S(e*e e u 'r'a(

scud9 dar r,'us(9 cu aeru$ cu%*a a$a( ,ar(e apr,ape de s(a!%u$ a%ma$%c.O'%8u%e8(e s38% 7% mereu ,c&%% m%j%7%9 de parc ar % deraja( +permae7 de , $um% pu(er%c. Are u c&%p cu (rs(ur% !r,s,$ae9ep$cu(e. /ar es(e ,m. P,a(e !+d% 8% ac7%,a 8% e mereu !a(a s $ase de$a e$ dec+( s pr,%(e.3 S puem aceas( pers,a +)es(ra( cu ra7%ue +(r3u s%s(em s,$ar+c,jura( de u ,cea de *%d de d,u m%$%,ae de a% $um% + spa(e$ecru%a9 apare(9 se a$ u a$( pus(%u $a e$ de *as(3

Haardy9 uu$ d%(re pr,duse$e m%!ra7%e% pm+(e%$,r pe $u%$e 8%p$ae(e$e s%s(emu$u% s,$ar9 se scuse pe Eur,pa9 ua d%(re $u%$e $u%;up%(er9 +a%(e ca s%s(emu$ educa7%,a$ s % ajus 8% $a c,$,%8(%. Crescuser 'ee%c%u$ ue% educa7%%9 drep( care9 $a ma(ur%(a(e9 ajusese %c,ere(+ !+d%re9 dar ,ar(e 'u ca s muceasc pe a*e$e de mrur% 8% pe ce$ede pasa!er% care (receau !r'%(e pr% %mesa !rmad de res(ur% 3 de $a$u% ma% m%c%9 $a me(e,r%7% $,cu%'%$% 3 care +c,jurau mas%*u$ ;up%(er.

Cum ),a era ',!a( 8% ,r,(ea de e'ra e!,7u$u%9 c&%ar 8% Haardy9ce$ $%ps%( de %ma!%a7%e sau %(e$%!e7a9 ajusese s a%' , a* de mrur%d,ar a $u%. C&%ar de $a +cepu(9 ce$e ma% pr,%(a'%$e (rasp,r(ur% useserce$e ,ca)%,a$e9 spre me(e,r%(u$ pe care $,cu%au u ,m de 8(%%7a9

pr,es,ru$ U!ara9 $a,$a$( cu %%ca sa9 Pa(r%c%a. Vreme de a% de )%$e9pe(ru e$ aces(a a ,s( u arajame( eAm +cepu( s +ce(%%m9 Mer$a.?N%c% u rspus9 %c% , m%8care9 %c% cea ma% m%c !r%mas pe c&%pu$

a,rma$ de a$'. /,ar r%$e %e se d%$a(au u8,r + r%(mu$ resp%ra7%e% +ce(e.

As(a era (,(/ree!u$ +% r%d%c u 'ra7 8% ap,% +% ddu drumu$. Bra7u$ c)u + p,a$a

eme%% ca , 'uca( de $em. Br'a(u$ +% r%d%c cu !r%j p$e,apa 8% pr%*% cua(e7%e. Pup%$a era a7%(%(a asupra $u%9 dar u3= *edea9 %ar %r%su$ era de ua$'as(ru (u$'ure.

Br'a(u$ se +drep( de spa(e. A8a cum s((ea pe pu(ea (cu( aa*e%9 prea muc%( de ca$cu$e rec%9 ep$cu(e. T,cma% cu!e(a cuamrc%ue: >/ac , rea%me) acum9 *a a*ea ma% mu$( *reme $ad%sp,)%7%e ca s m a(ace 8%9 des%!ur9 ma% mu$( pu(ere. /aca ma% a8(ep(pu7%9 , s %e ma% s$'%(?.


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+ce(9 +cepu s se re$aGradu$ (re%@? r,s(% +ce(%8,r9 pe u (,m%ra( >Numa% de !radu$ (re%. Mer$a9 +7% da% seama ce +seam Es(e 8asa

ue% +(re!% ep,c%. Am de !+d s3% au7 pe ce% d% (r%'u$ dree!. /ac u


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pu(em $ua de a%c% c+(e*a c%s(ere de s+!e 8% , 'a(er%e p$% de D*%a7 umer%(m s %m emur%(,r%.?

Se +(,arse spre c,mu%ca(,r9 8%9 pe(ru u s%!ur m,me( de eO s37% rup ,ase$e@? ur$.

R+su$ e%9 ep$cu( d% cau)a ur%e% +de$u! re7%u(e9 ajuse p+ $a e$d% $,cu$ + care , arucase9 +(r3u c,$7 a$ ca'%e% dec,mad. eme%a3% )%se cu c%ud: >/ed a*ea% , pr,*%)%e secre( de D*%a79uma% pe(ru (%e. M%c%,s aur%s%( ce e8(%@?

+7epeea$a care3= cupr%sese +$ cu pe 'r'a( s38% dea seama cur%a era cu (,(u$ %u(%$. +c,rda( d% cau)a s$'%c%u%% care deja +cepuses3% apese mu8c&%%9 se rsuc% spre pa,u$ de c,(r,$ 8% +cepu s ac e'r%$(,a(e ajus(r%$e care a*eau s aduc a*a + spa7%u$ 8% (%mpu$ ,rma$.

Ne*,%a (rupu$u% era d% ce + ce ma% acu(. /e d,u ,r% se +mp$e(%c% sprepa(u$ d% c,$79 c,p$e8%( de !rea7. /ar de %ecare da( re*e% $a c,me)%9de8% s%m7ea r%!%d%(a(ea cum +% cupr%dea (,( ma% mu$( (rupu$. C,duceaa*a prea repede. Aceas(a de*e% u e$ de $acr a$' a(uc% c+d + %e%(r + a(m,sera ce$e% de3a (re%a p$ae(e. /ar me(a$e$e d% care erac,s(ru%( c,(%uau s38% ps(re)e ,rmaF *%(e)a (er%'%$ ceda (,( ma% mu$(+ a7a pu(er%% em%$,ase a re*ers,are$,r 8% a pres%u%% aeru$u%9 care de*e3ea (,( ma% !r,s cu %ecare m%$ parcurs.

eme%a u aceea care3= aju( s urce cu mare !reu(a(e + m%cu7aa*e( de cerce(are. E$ rmase em%8ca(9 +cerc+d s38% adue pu(er%$e9pr%*%d er'd(,r + j,s $a marea de $um%% s(r$uc%(,are care repre)e(apr%mu$ ,ra8 de pe par(ea +(ueca( a ace$e% $um% c%uda(e. Pr%*% p$%c(%s%(cum eme%a a(er%) cu a*e(a m%cu7 + spa(e$e uu% dep,)%( de pe , a$ee+(ueca(. % pe(ru c sa$*area prea a8a de apr,ape9 reu8% c&%ar smear! a$(ur% de ea spre s(rada re)%de7%a$ apr,p%a(9 des(u$ de pr,s($um%a(.

E$ ar % $ua(3, c&%ar pr% m%j$,cu$ s(r)%%9 dar eme%a3= pr%se d% spa(e 8%3= (rase +ap,% pe a$eea +(ueca(. >E8(% e'u? 8,p(% ea. >I(%de3(e. Os s(m a%c% p+ c+d , s *% c%e*a.?

Be(,u$ era (are su' c,rpu$ $u%9 dar dup c+(e*a c$%pe de ,d%&c&%u%(,are9 a*u des(u$ eer!%e ca s dea !$as !+du$u% amar care3='+(u%a: >/ac u a% % ura( cea ma% mare par(e a D*%e7%% pe care ,ec,,m%s%sem cu !reu9 3am % acum + asemeea p,)%7%e d%spera(. (%a%,ar(e '%e c era %mp,r(a( ca eu s %u + dep$%(a(ea pu(er%$,r?.

I +(uer%cu$ de $+! e$9 eme%a ramase (cu( c+(e*a c$%pe. Ap,% 8,p(%s%d(,r >Am+d,% a*em e*,%e de , sc&%m'are a s+3 !e$u% 8% s e+crcm cu D*%a7. P,a(e c am $ua( cam mu$(%8,r de $a (%e9 dar as(auma% d% cau) c a (re'u%( s ur. Nu m%3a% % da( (u s%!ur9 de 'u *,%e98(%% ,ar(e '%e?.

O *reme9 %u(%$%(a(ea ace$e% d%scu7%% / cu pe 'r'a( s (ac9 dar +(%mp ce m%u(e$e se scur!eau9 acea e*,%e %)%ca cump$%( +% %$ue7 %ar


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!+dur%$e. +% )%se cu ,'%d: >Cred c37% da% seama c pre)e7a ,as(r a ,s(desc,per%(. Nu eNu +cerca s m ma% sper%%. M%3a% spus deu 8(%u c+(e ,r% c...?

>B%e9 '%e@? r,s(% e$ m,r,c,s9 ,',s%(. >T%mpu$ e3a d,*e d%( c ec,s%der mu$( prea edem% de a(e7%a $,r pers,a$. % 3 + p,%das$'%c%u%%9 'r'a(u$ u se a'7%u s u r,s(easc cu ru(a(e 3 preer s$ase ,r%ce a$( e$ de a!e( pe care3= au pe aces(e p$ae(e +ap,%a(e s+cerce s e ,preasc.?

>88(@? se au)% 8,ap(a e% +c,rda(. >Pa8%@ Repede9 r%d%c3(e + p%c%,are@?E$ +% *edea deja s%$ue(a cum se +$7a a$(ur%. Ap,% +% s%m7% m+%3 %$e pe

umer%9 cum +$ (r!eau r m%$. Se r%d%c ame7%(>Nu cred?9 +cepu e$ c&%u%(9 >c p,( s...?;ee$@? ,ap(a e% +% '%c%u% au)u$9 + *reme ce m+%%$e +$ scu(urau

e+dur(,are. >Vd u 'r'a( 8% , eme%e. E% s+( D*%a79 ;ee$9 D*%a7@?V%a7a@Br'a(u$ se +drep( de spa(e. O sc+(e%e d% acea d,r%7 de *%a7

care3= cuse s s(r'a( m%$e$e +(ueca(e a$e spa7%u$u% *reme de a% de

)%$e se apr%se %ar + e$. U8,r9 cu !ra7%e9 , p,r% dup Mer$a9 %e8%d +s(rad. V)u %med%a( s%$ue(e$e ce$,r d,%9 u 'r'a( 8% , eme%e. + $um%as$a' de su' c,pac%% de pe s(rad cup$u$ *eea c&%ar spre e%9 (r!+du3se+(r3, par(e ca s $e ac $,c s (reac. La +cepu( *e% eme%a9 ap,%'r'a(u$ 3 8% (,(u$ era a8a de s%mp$u9 de parc mu8c&%% $u% 8%3ar % recp(a(de,da( (,a( pu(erea.

O *)u pe Mer$a aruc+du3se asupra 'r'a(u$u%F , pr%se 8% e$ peeme%e9 8%38% $s capu$ + j,s pe(ru sru(u$ ace$a care e% a*ea s3% aducm,ar(ea 8% $u% pu(erea.

/up aceea 3 dup ce $uar 8% s+!e$e 3 'r'a(u$ rede*e% p,sac9 +m%(ea $u% 7es+du3se (,( e$u$ de !+dur%9 care +ce(u$ cu +ce(u$ se

+c&e!ar +(r3u p$a. R,s(% cu !ra*%(a(e: >V,m $sa c,rpur%$e a%c%?.Mer$a +$ pr%*% u$u%( 8% ddu s pr,(es(e)e9 c-d e$ , +(rerupse

e+dur(,r: >Las-3m pe m%e s araje) (,(u$ + a*,area ,as(r.Cada*re$e as(ea *,r a(ra!e a(e7%a cu$e!(,r%$,r de 8(%r%9 sau a rep,r(er%$,r9sau cum , ma% um% pe a%c% + spec%a $,r. Iar ,% a*em e*,%e e/ar acum am ace '%e s e


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e ump$em re)er*,are$e *%(a$e 8% s cap(urm rep,r(eru$. Iar dup ce *,%(erm%a cu e$ 3 !$asu$ % se +m'$+)% de,da( 3 +7% *a ,er%9 r +d,%a$9 acead%*ers%ue %)%c dup care se pare c (+je8(% cu a(+(a ,c dup ce a% pr%m%(a8a de mu$(e c&%m%ca$e.?

;ee$ r%se mu$7um%( a(uc% c+d s%m7% cum de!e(e$e e% +$ s(r+3 !eau u8,r

de 'ra7 +(r3u !es( de (adre7e. >Mu$7umesc9 ;ee$?9 rspuse ea. >C&%ar+7e$e!% ce se pe(rece cu m%e9 u?+cepe rea'%$%(area c,e%c%e(u$u% de %(e$%!e7

I spa(e$e $u% Le%!& se desc&%se , u8. Imed%a(9 $arma !$asur%$,r d%+cpere sc)u $a %*e$u$ uu% murmur. Le%!& se +(,arse 8% aruc 7%!arape p,deaua de marmur9 pu+d p%c%,ru$ pe ea a(uc% c+d se rsuc% cu(,(u$.

/easupra cape(e$,r $um%%$e crescur + %(es%(a(e9 sc,7+d + re$%e%ecare de(a$%u + par(e. + s(r$uc%rea aceea *)u 8% e$ ceea ce de*e%sece(ru$ a(e7%e% (u(ur,r ce$,r$a$7%: ce$e d,u cada*re9 a$ eme%% 8% a$'r'a(u$u%9 +(%se uu$ $+! ce$$a$( pe supraa7a $uc%,as a (r!%%. C,rpur%$e erau r%!%de9 %ar ,c&%% +c&%8%. Se *edea'%e c erau e+su$e7%(e 8% + %c% u ca)9 cu!e( Le%!&9 u preau s %ed,% ,ame% ad,rm%7%.

+8% ,( aceas( ,'ser*a7%e + m%(e 8% ap,% se s%m7% 8,ca( de ceea cecuse. Aceea era pr%ma cr%m de pe c,(%e(u$ ,rd3 amer%ca +d,u)ec% 8% 8ap(e de a%. Iar pe(ru e$ u era dec+( , a$( m%s%ue.C,s(a( c era ma% dur dec+( +8% %ma!%ase *re,da(.

I juru$ $u% murmuru$ !$asur%$,r +ce(ase. S%!uru$ sue( care se ma%au)ea era resp%ra7%a )!,m,(,as a 'r'a(u$u% de a$(ur%9 ap,% sc+r7+%(u$

pr,pr%%$,r pa(,% a(uc% c+d se apr,p%e de (ar!. M%8carea $u% se(ras,rm +(r3u e$ de sema$ pe(ru (,7% ce% adua7% ac,$,. T,a( $umeapr%se s +a%(e)e. Le%!& a*u u m,me( de a


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>E$ec(r%c%(a(ea s(a(%c es(e de ap( , ,r7 a *%e7%% care se scur!e d%(r3ucada*ru + rs(%mp de , $u. N,% u cu,a8(em %c% u pr,cedeu pe(ru a!r'% aceas( scur!ere9 dar *+(a%$e de pe 'u)e ara( %8(e arsur%d%s(%c(e9 care s+( eEu am cre)u(?9 %(er*e% Le%!&9 >c u ma% a*em per*er8% de c+dpr,es,ru$ U!ara a c,*%s !u*eru$ s %s(a$e)e pr,(,(%pu$ ps%&,$,!u$u%meca%c + (,a(e 8c,$%$e9 pu+d as(e$ cap( cr%me$,r9 ur(ur%$,r9r)',a%e$,r 8% (u(ur,r per*ers%u%$,r a(%s,c%a$e.?

Omu$ + u%,rm ea!r e)%( , c$%p9 ap,% rspuse: >Se pare c uasemeea per*ers9 uu$ ,ar(e ru9 a scpa( de aces( apara(?. +c&e%ec,er%7a de pres cu 'rusc&e7e. >As(a a ,s( (,(9 d,m%$,r. N%c% u e$ de%d%c%%9 %c% , pr,m%s%ue c *,m cap(ura c+( ma% rap%d cr%m%a$u$. Nupu(em spue dec+( c am +cerca( s $um $e!(ura cu pr,es,ru$ U!arapr% rad%,. /% er%c%re $3am pr%s (,cma% + drum spre Pm+( Na*a $u% *aa(er%)a pu7% dup $sarea +(uer%cu$u%9 dec% pes(e c+(e*a ceasur%.?

I(es%(a(ea $um%%% +cepu s scad. I *reme ce Le%!& rmsese$,cu$u% +cru(a( 8% cada*re$e erau sc,ase d% sa$9 pes(e )um)e(u$ *,c%$,rse au)% u !$as ma% pu(er%c spu+d:

>Sru(u$ m,r7%%...?>V spu eu?9 se au)% u a$( !$as9 >cp%(au$ de pe a*a de $%%e jur c

a8a s3a +(+mp$a( 3 a*a spa7%a$ a (recu( pe $+! e$ cu c+(e*a m%$%,ae dem%$e $a ,r9 8% era + p$% pr,ces de r+are9 u u%(a7%9 de r+are9 de *re,

d,u )%$e.?9Aacerea *amp%ru$@ Eu a8a am s3, umesc...?A8a , um% 8% Le%!& a(uc% c+d +cepu s dea rap,r(u$ cu aju(,ru$

c,mu%ca(,ru$u% de $a +c&e%e(ura m+%%%.>Acum m duc s c%e)9 ;%m?9 +c&e%e e$ eS u u%( s (e

au7 8% pe (%e. N,u m%% de )%are au pre$ua( p,*es(ea as(a de $a Ser*%c%u$P$ae(ar9 + c,mpara7%e cu ce$e pa(ru m%% 8ap(e su(e care au ape$a( $aU%*ersa$9 care es(e a$ d,%$ea ca umr de )%are 8% c%(%(,r%. Cred c a% pr%sp,*es(ea d% u!&%u$ ce$ ma% 'u pe )%ua de a)%. S,7 8% s,7%e9 u cup$u(+r a's,$u( ,'%8u%(9 care au %e8%( seara $a , p$%m'are. Am+d,% au ,s(

a(aca7% de u e$ de d%a*,$ care $e3a $ua( s+!e$e 8% =3a '!a( +(r3u e$ dem%%3c%s(er 8% $e3a sup( dup aceea eer!%a *%e7%% cu aju(,ru$ uu% ca'$u 3cred c ,ame%% *,r +!&%7% (rea'a as(a. Or%cum9 (u a% su!era( c s3ar ma%pu(ea +(+mp$a 3 dec% a(e7%e mr%(9 ,ame% 'u%. % ma% pre3*%% pe (,a( $umea c9 + aces(e )%$e a$e *%(e)e$,r supra3a(m,ser%3 ce9 +seara as(a ar pu(ea % a's,$u( ,r%ude9 !a(a s ,m,are %ar. Cum am spus 8%+a%(e9 'u (rea'. Ce$ pu7% + seara as(a *a me7%e (rea) a(e7%ac%(%(,r%$,r ,8(r%. A&a9 da9 s u u%(..?

>Spue@?>Cu *re, jum(a(e de ceas +a%(e a sua( u pu8(%9 )%cea c *rea s (e

*ad. Spuea c3= a8(ep7%.?>U pu8(%? +(re' Le%!&9 +cru(a(


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>%cea c3= c&eam Pa(r%cJ. Sema cu u $%cea9 cam de *re,8a%spre)ece a%. Ba u9 dac m !+desc ma% '%e9 as(a a ,s( uma%pr%ma %mpres%e. Nu9 cred c are *re, ,p(spre)ece9 dac u c&%ar d,u)ec%9,ar(e %s(e79 s%!ur pe e$9 m+dru.?

>/a9 m%3am adus am%(e?9 rspuse Le%!&. >S(ude( Vrea s3m% %a u

%(er*%u pe(ru )%aru$ c,$e!%u$u%. M3a cu(a( + dup3 am%a)a as(a. Uu$d%(re ,ame%% %a care (e c,*%! s ac% ce *,r e%. +a%(e s 8(%u ce m3a$,*%(9 m3am (re)%( c am accep(a( , +(+$%re cu e$ $a c%9 $a C,s(a(%eKs.?

>/a9 asa e. Eu (re'u%a s3(% am%(esc. E3 re!u$ cu (rea'a as(a?Le%!& r%d%c d% umer%. >Am pr,m%s?9 rspuse.A(uc% c+d %e8% + $um%a pu(er%c a s,are$u% dup3am%e)%% pe s(rada

d% a7a c$d%r%% p,$%7%e%9 Le%!& u se !+dea $a %m%c %mp,r(a( Nu a*ea %c%u e$ de pres%m7%re.

+ juru$ $u%9 a!$,mera7%a uma prea s se +deseasc (,( ma% mu$( /%c$d%r%$e mar% %e8ea pr%mu$ *a$ de ,me%re care38% (erm%ase pr,!ramu$ de$ucru $a ,ra c%c%. Le%!& s%m7% c c%e*a +$ (r!ea de m+ec9 u , da(9 c%de d,u ,r%9 +a%(e s38% dea seama c era ce*a %(e7%,a(9 u u s%mp$uacc%de(

Se +(,arse 8% se (re)% pr%*%d +(r3, perec&e de ,c&% e$%%8(%7%9 a8e)a7%pe u c&%p mar,%u9 marca( de *reme. Omu$e7u$ +% $u(ur pr% a7a asu$u%u (eac de ,% de &+r(%e. Le%!& ,'ser* scr%su$ de m+ eer!%c de pe uad%(re e$e. Ap,% %d%*%du$ pr%se s se '$'+%e: >/,mu$e Le%!&9 , su( ded,$ar% pe(ru e$e... cea ma% mare p,*es(e...?

>O&?9 m,rm% Le%!&. I(eresu$ +% p%er%se. R,s(% p,$%(%c,s: >/e ce u $educ% $a '%r,u$ de $a P$ae(ar ;%m Br%a , s37% dea pe e$e eS(a%@? r,s(% ,mu$e7u$. >s(a3% d% jura$u$ pr,es,ru$u%U!ar. T,(u$ despre , a* care a *e%( d% s(e$e. Cu d%a*,$% + ea care'eau s+!e 8% ,m,ar ,ame%% cu sru(u$ $,r.?

>Ce3ar % sa m scu(e8(%@? +cepu Le%!& %r%(a(9 dar se ,pr% de,da(. us(r'(u( de u %,r rece9 ep$cu( Rmase $,cu$u%9 c$3 (%+du3se u8,r d%cau)a !+du$u% care3% ardea cre%eru$: %are$e9 cu de(a$%%$e despre s+!e 8%sru( u apruser +c $a *+)are pe s(rad9 ed%7%%$e de3a'%a se+c&%seser 8% $%*rr%$e spre ce(re$e de pres u +cepuser.

Omu$e7u$ ce$ %s%s(e( c,(%u: >U%(e9 are ume$e pr,es,ru$u% (%pr%(

cu aur%u $a +cepu(u$ %ecre% pa!%%9 8% a% a%c% (,(u$9 cum a desc,per%( $a+cepu( a*a9 $a , depr(are de ,p(%8pe a% $um% 8% cum a s(r'(u(d%s(a7a as(a + uma% c+(e*a ,re... 8% ma% 8(%e ude aume se a$ acum8%...?

Cre%eru$ de rep,r(er a$ $u% Le%!&9 sau ace$ depar(ame( spec%a$ d% e$9rem(a de (,( e$u$ de !+dur% care se arajar de,da( +(r3u m,de$ c$ar8% $um%,s. Le%!& +8% ddu seama c u era %c% , c,%c%de7 ap(u$ c,mu$e7u$ *e%se !$,7 $a e$ pe s(rada aceea a!$,mera(.

H,(r+(9 r,s(% cu dur%(a(e: >S *d &+r(%%$e a$ea@? Se +(%se dup e$ec&%ar + *reme ce *,r'ea.

H+r(%%$e (recur d% m+a ,mu$e7u$u% + m+a sa r %c% u e$ dere)%s(e79 dar Le%!& %c% mcar u se u%(a spre e$e. M%(ea +% era $%mpede


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8% ,c&%% +% de*e%ser ,ar(e rec%. I)'uc%: >Nu 8(%u ce e$ de j,c ac% acum.+s *reau s a$u (re% $ucrur%9 a8a c '%e 8% rspude c+( ma% repedep,s%'%$@ Uu: Cum de m3a% desc,per%(9 8(%%du3m% %$me$e 8% ce uc7%e am9pe , s(rad a!$,mera( pe care m a$u prac(%c d% +(+mp$are?

Omu$e7u$ +cepu s se '$'+%e e$%%8(%(9 dar Le%!& u3% ac,rd %c% ,

a(e7%e. Nem%$,s9 c,(%u %(er,!a(,r%u$: >/,%: Pr,es,ru$ U!ar *aaju!e a%c%9 de pe ;up%(er9 de3a'%a pes(e *re, (re% ,re. Cum ecred c m3a% pr%cepu(aap,da...?

>% acum a (re%a +(re'are?9 c,(%u Le%!& ame%7(,r. >Cum *e%pu(ea eHa@? Oc&%% ,mu$e7u$u% de*e%ser s(%c$,8% d% cau)a r%c%% a'jec(e. Lu%Le%!& % se cu m%$ de e$. A8a c3% spuse pe u (, ce*a ma% '$%d: >Ire!u$9 am%ce. Acum d drumu$ $a rspusur%?.

Cu*%(e$e pr%ser s %as cu rap%d%(a(e d% !ura $u%9 %8(e sue(e dee+7e$es. Numa% dup aceea +cepu s apar 8% c,ere7a. 9 A8a c as(a a,s( (,(9 8e%%K. Eu s((eam $%%8(%( ac,$, 8%3m% *edeam de a$e me$e c+d a*e%( pus(%uK s(a $a m%e 8% m% (e3a ar(a( /up a%a m%3a da( c%c% d,$ar% 8%,%$e pe care $e a% deja9 8% m%3a )%s ce (re'u%e s +dru! 8%...?

>Pu8(%@? %)'uc% Le%!&9 s%m7%d de,da( u 8,c ep$cu(.>&+9 u pu8(a de *re, 8a%8pe a%9 'a u9 ma% de!ra' de *re, ,p8pe3

d,u)ec%... 8% m%3a da( &+r(%%$e as(ea 8%...?>Pu8(%u$ s(a?9 +$ +(rerupse Le%!&9 >cre)% ca era de *+rs(a c,$e!%u$u%?>As(a3%9 8euK9 (e3a% pr%s. ES(a%@? s(r%! Le%!& dup e$. /ar ,mu$e7u$ rea$%)ase de,da( c u!a era

,ar(e s(,as. /%spru pe dup u c,$7 8% se p%erdu %ar + a,%ma(9pe(ru (,(deaua.

Le%!& rmase $,cu$u%9 +cru(a( + *reme ce c%(ea ,%$e pr%m%(e. Nu era%m%c + p$us a7 de ceea ce deja +% spusese ,mu$e7u$ + e$u$ $u% %c,ere(.Erau d,ar c+(e*a +semr% *a!% pe %8(e ,% ce preau smu$se d%(r3ucare(. Trecu( pe &+r(%e9 p,*es(ea despre a*a spa7%a$ 8% ,cupa7%% s% ua*ea de$,c pr,u)%me 8% prea (,( ma% ec,*%!(,are cu %ecare secu3d care (recea. Ade*ra( era u s%!ur cu*+( >U!ara?9 (recu( cu $%(ere

aur%% $a +cepu(u$ %ecre% pa!%%9 dar...G+du$ ue% arse pr,s(e8(% de*e% a8a de pu(er%c +c+( Le%!& ajuse s

cu!e(e cu ur%e: >/ac pu8(%u$ $a de $a c,$e!%u m%3a cu( , asemeea!$um9 , s a%' par(e de u %(er*%u ,ar(e scur(?. G+du$ d%spru. Or%cumera $a e$ de $%ps%( de ses ca de a$(e$ (,( ceea ce se +(+mp$ase p+a(uc%.

Cu (,a(e as(ea9 u pres%m7ea %m%c. (%a c mer!ea uma% $a ures(aura( %m%c e,'%8u%( a%c%.

I(r + ,a%eru$ sp$ed%d a$ *as(e% c$d%r% care adp,s(ea a%m,su$C,s(a(%eKs. C+d ajuse + pra!u$ %(rr%% seme7e9 se ,pr% ca s

pr%*easc sa$a de mese care s(r$ucea de ar!%(r%e 8% !rd%%$esuspeda(e ude se pu(ea $ua cea%u$. Super'u$ C,


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s(a(%eKs9 a%m,s + +(rea!a $ume9 u se sc&%m'ase prea mu$( de $au$(%ma $u% *%)%( ac,$,.

Le%!& se pre)e( 8% +cepu: >Am +7e$es c re)er*area a cu(3, uaume d,m Pa(r%cJ?.

a(a de $a recep7%e +% rspuse: >O&9 des%!ur9 d,mu$e Le%!&. /,mu$

Pa(r%cJ a re)er*a( Separeu$ Tre%. T,cma% a sua( ca s e au7e c *a s,s%+ uma% c+(e*a m%u(e. C%e*a * *a c,duce p+ ac,$,?.

Le%!& +(,arse capu$ s se u%(e ma% '%e $a a(9 pe(ru c u3% p$cusee$u$ + care c&%c,(%se $a %a$.

>Numa% , c$%p9 r,s(% de,da(. A7% spus cum*a Separeu$ Tre% C%e , sp$(easc pe(ru (,a(e as(ea?

>P$a(a s3a cu( pr% (e$e,?9 rspuse a(a. >Pa(ru m%% c%c% su(e ded,$ar%@?

Le%!& rmase em%8ca( C&%ar dup ceea ce se pe(recuse pe s(rad9+(+$%rea aceea % se prea uma% ce*a %r%(a( pes(e care (re'u%a s (reac.Acum9 de,da(9 +(rea!a aacere $uase , (urur a(as(%c9 cu (,(u$a,rma$. Pa(ru m%% 3 c%c% su(e 3 de d,$ar%@ Oare era p,s%'%$ s % ,s( *,r'auma% de u pu8(a de 'a% !a(a care *,%a s3= %mpres%,e)e

Cu , $,!%c rece resp%se aceas( s,$u7%e. Uma%(a(ea pr,ducea e!,%8(%$a , scar de3a drep(u$ e$ea(esc9 dar u 8% u spec%me !a(a sc,made u asemeea es(% uma% ca s %mpres%,e)e u rep,r(er. Oc&%%% se +!us(ar d% cau)a aces(u% !+d. >Ude es(e (e$e,u$ eu p$a(?+(re' p,$%(%c,s.

U m%u( ma% (+r)%u r,s(ea + recep(,r: .Aces(a es(e secre(ar%a(u$U%*ers%(7%$,r Ama$!ama(e Vreau s a$u dac eSpre Separeu$ Tre%9 * r,!.?

C+d ajuse9 se apuca s e


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%mpres%,a(9 cu su(e de s(%c$e de $%c&%,rur% %e. Mrc%$e erau ecu,scu(epe(ru e$9 u ,m cu !us(ur% s%mp$e9 dar 'uc&e(u$ $%c&%de$,r d% ce$e c+7e*as(%c$e pe care $e desc&%se era ame7%(,r9 eM 'ucur c d% puc( de *edere %)%c e8(% a8a de mare?9 se au)% u!$as d% spa(e$e $u%. >Maj,r%(a(ea rep,r(er%$,r s+( s$'u7% 8% p%rp%r%%9 3aude$,c *%!,are.?

T,u$ ace$u% !$as era su'(%$ d%er%( de ce$ pe care3= au)%se + dup3am%a)a ace$e%a8% )%$e. V,%( a$(e$. Iar d%ere7a9 ,'ser* e$ a(uc% c+d se+(,arse9 era c$ar 8% + ,rme$e (rupu$u% de eme%e9 '%e9 dar u perec(ascuse pe su' c,s(umu$ 'r'(esc eC,s%der3m u rep,r(er +ce( $a m%(e care (re'u%e s 8(%e prec%s desprece es(e *,r'a. /e ce a(+(a &,3 cus3p,cus pre$%m%ar?

N%c%,da( + *%a7a de adu$( u perm%sese cu%*a s3= ),reasc. Nu a*eade !+d s +ceap (,cma% acum.2

V)u dup c+(e*a m,me(e c a(a era m%c de s(a(ur. Ceea ce erac%uda(9 dec%se cu !r%j. Pe(ru c pr%ma $u% %mpres%e usese cea a ue%+$7%m% c,s%dera'%$e. Sau p,a(e 3 e*a$u e$ +ce( acea p,s%'%$%(a(e 3 aces(eec( secudar se da(,ra de!&%)r%% e% + 'r'a(

A$u! acea pr,'$em ca %%d %s,$u'%$ pe m,me(. /e ap(9 +$7%meae(e% u a*ea %c% , %mp,r(a7. Ma% %(eresa(e erau !ee$e $u!% 8% e!re8% ,c&%% +(ueca7% care s(r$uceau spre e$ de pe u c&%p m+dru9 % c%)e$a(As(a era. Aceea era ese7a pers,a$%(7%% e%. Se *edea '%e m+dr%a uma%

dup e$u$ + care38% 7%ea capu$. % + u8ur%7a %ecre% m%8cr%9 + !ra7%aa(ura$ pe care , a*ea + *reme ce se apr,p%a de e$. Nu era , m+3 dr%ec,8(%e(9 ma% de!ra' u e$ de recu,a8(ere a super%,r%(7%% sa$e careaec(a %ecare m%8care pe care , ceau mu8c&%% 8% care se au)ea *%'ra( +(,u$ ,$,s%( a(uc% c+d r,s(% cu aec(are: >Te3am a$es pe (%e pe(ru c +%ecare )%ar pe care $3am c%(%( pe )%ua de a)% am *)u( rap,r(u$ (u cupr%*%re $a cr%me 8% pe(ru c m% s3a pru( c c%e*a %mp$%ca( ac(%* + aces(ca) *a pr%de re),a'%$ de repede ese7%a$u$. C+( despre pre!(%readrama(%c de d%a%(e9 am cre)u( c a ,s( mu$( ma% c,*%!(,are dec+(,r%ce e$ de e


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,$,se8(e !$,a7e9 dar are u (r!ac% 8% (re'u%e s 7%(e8(% cu ea + ma%era,'%8u%(. I e*e(ua$%(a(ea + care %)'u(e8(% s ac% r,s( de ce*a curaj9urmea)3m pr% (ue$9 c+( ma% repede cu pu(%79 dar s u (e apr,p%%prea mu$( de m%e sau de ,ame%% cu care s3ar pu(ea s s(au de *,r'.Rm+% ascus@ Ac7%,ea) uma% dac s+( + per%c,$?.

Tue$9 cu!e( Le%!& cu %r,%e 8% e+credere a(uc% c+d a(a prs%+cperea cu u pas $ejer. U (ue$ a%c%9 + apar(ame(9 + Separeu$ Tre%.Or% e$ , $uase ra)a de%%(%*9 ,r% ea era e'u.

+(r3u (+r)%u +8% ddu seama c ar % (re'u%( s se s%m( ,esa( d%cau)a m,du$u% + care +% *,r'%se. Ma% mu$(9 acum era supra( de3a '%e$eape(ru c +$ $sase s%!ur 8% mc%a( de cur%,)%(a(e. +m'% cu rac&%u./ac u ar % ,s( rep,r(er9 a(uc% %3ar % ar(a( c ps%&,$,!%a e% de d,% 'a%u ar % a*u( %c% u re)u$(a( p,)%(%* asupra $u%. Ir%(a(9 se r%d%c + p%c%,are9$u arma9 dar se ,pr% , secud a(uc% c+d $a urec&% +% ajuse sue(u$ sc,sde , u8 care se desc&%dea sc+r7+%d.

K O desc,per% + d,rm%(,ru$ care se a$a + s(+!a sura!er%e%. S%m7%uma% , *a! m%rare c+d *)u c a(a ru$ase c,*,ru$ *erde 8% !r,s 8% c9+ p,dea9 c&%ar $a p%c%,are$e e%9 se desc&%dea , !aur. P(ra(u$ de p,deacare ac,perea !ura (ue$u$u% era $sa( +(r3, par(e9 pr%s de u e$ de'a$ama c,mp$%ca(.

Pr%*%rea $u% Le%!& (recu de $a desc&%)(ura d% p,dea $a a(. Im,me(u$ ace$a9 +a%(e ca ea s3% % s%m7%( pre)e7a9 Le%!& ,'ser* u$%cr de es%!ura7 + +(rea!a e% +7%8are. Pr,%$u$ rum,s9 *%)%'%$ pe(rue$ d,ar pe jum(a(e9 ar(a 'u)e$e s(r%se 8% c&%pu$ a$'9 +c,rda( Impres%ape care %3, $sa era de e&,(r+3 re. Nu(rea se(%me(u$ c + c$%pa aceeaa*ea + a7a ,c&%$,r , (+r eme%e care +8% p%erduse +crederea super'

de d%a%(e. /ar ap,% ea3= *)u 8% +(rea!a a(%(ud%e % se sc&%m'.Nu se +(,arse spre e$. /e ap(9 se precu a u3% ac,rda %c% u e$ dea(e7%e a(uc% c+d p8% pe pr%ma (reap( a scr%% m%cu7e care ducea +!r,ap9 8% +cepu s c,',are r %c% u e$ de e)%(r%. C,*%!erea $u%Le%!& c a(a u era (,cma% s%!ur pe ce a*ea de !+d s ac +$ duseapr,ape de desc&%)(ur9 pe care , s(ud%e cu ,c&%% +!us(a7%. /e,da(9%mpres%a c e(e% +% usese r%c pe(ru u m,me( (ras,rm (,a( aceae'u%e + ce*a rea$. Nu ma% e)%( 8% +cepu 8% e$ s c,',are !r'%( scaracu (rep(e a'rup(e. Se ,pr% 8% cu u pas + spa(e uma% a(uc% c+d ,'ser3* c se a$a +(r3ade*r +(r3u (ue$ s$a' $um%a( 8% c a(a era + a7a $u%9pr%*%du3=9 cu u de!e( r%d%ca( $a 'u)e.

>888(@? , au)% 8u8,(%d. >U8a de $a a* s3ar pu(ea s %e desc&%s.?As(a3= +ur%e cump$%( pe Le%!&9 care u a*ea , %re prea r'd(,are.

Pe(ru c (,( se ames(ecase + aacere9 s%m7ea c ar %,s( ,rma$ ca e$ s %e capu$ ace$e% eIa s u ma% 8+8+% $a m%e@? 8,p(% ur%,s. >Spue3m% ma% '%e ce e decu( 8% m descurc eu s%!ur.?

Se ,pr% de,da(. A'%a a(uc% pr%se +7e$esu$ cu*%(e$,r e%. M+%a +%d%spru ca pr% armec. >Na*@? r,s(% r a3% *e% s cread. >+cerc% s3m%spu% c a%c%9 su' C,s(a(%eKs9 c&%ar es(e +!r,pa( , a* spa7%a$?

a(a u prea s3= % au)%(. Le%!& c,s(a( c se apr,p%au de cap(u$uu% e$ de c,r%d,r. + a7a $,r se *edea $uc%rea ma( a me(a$u$u%. /e3a'%a


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a(uc% a(a +cepu s *,r'easc %a 9 A%c% es(e u8a. Nu u%(a9 (u +m% aper%spa(e$e. Ascude3(e 8% %% !a(a s (ra!%. Iar a(uc% c+d , s s(r%!: D(ra!e9s ac7%,e)% %med%a(@?

a(a se ap$ec pu7% + a7a u8%%. Se )r% , sc+(e%ere purpur%e. U8a sedesc&%se9 de)*$u%d , a$(a9 c&%ar + spa(e. /% ,u9 , c$%p dup aceea9 se

,'ser* , $acr purpur%e %(es 8% cea$a$( u8 ced 8% se desc&%se.T,(u$ se pe(recuse repede9 parc mu$( prea repede. +a%(e ca Le%!& s

apuce s !+deasc m%ra( c se a$a c&%ar + pra!u$ cr%)e%9 a(a p8% s%!urpe s%e + +cperea s(r$uc%(,r $um%a( d% spa(e$e ce$e% de3a d,ua u8%.

Le%!& rmsese e&,(r+( + um'r9 e*e%du3% a crede ce %)'u(%sea(a s ac. L+! pere(e$e de me(a$ um'ra era ma% deas9 a8a c9 d%(r3,s%!ur m%8care %s(%c(%*9 Le%!& se $%p% de e$. Ap,% +!&e7 $,cu$u%. Seapuc s3, '$es(eme + !+d pe a(a cea pr,as( care %(rase de uas%!ur +3!ura $upu$u%9 r s 8(%e cu c+7% %am%c% a*ea de3a ace 8% r up$a c,cre( de sa$*are. Sau p,a(e c 8(%a c+7% erau % c%e erau

T,a(e ace$e +(re'r% r rspus u3= $sau s se ca$me)e9 + ce$e d%urm9 c,c&%se cu amrc%ue c a(a u era c&%ar cu (,(u$ $%ps%( depr,(ec7%e. E$ era aar9 e,'ser*a(9 8% a*ea asupra $u% , arm.

C,(%u s a8(pp(e +c,rda( U8a rmsese desc&%s 8% u se !&%cea%c% , m%8care + apr,p%erea e%. Le%!& +8% perm%se s se re$aMer$a9 care cre)% (u c es(e ps%&,$,!%a care se ascude + spa(e$e ac7%u%%

(%ere% d,ame Bu%esc c a% ,'ser*a( c es(e *,r'a despre , (+rd,am9 8% u u '%a(?.

U !$as p$cu( de eme%e rspuse:>A ,s( adus + aces( s%s(em s,$ar$a scur( *reme dup ce s3a scu(9 ;ee$. Nu are %c% ua d%(recarac(er%s(%c%$e ,rma$e a$e uu% J$u!!9 dar es(e , !a$ac(%c9 de8% + m,dc$ar u ,'ser*a(,ru$. Pr,'a'%$ %c% u es(e s%!ur. S m apuc s cau(?

>Nu@? Br'a(u$ prea %d%ere( >Nu (re'u%e s e acem !r%j% d% pr%c%aas%s(e(u$u% uu% J$u!!.?

Le%!& se re$a


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ce era9 + p,%da de!&%)r%% e% mascu$%e9 eec(e$e pers,a$%(7%% e%m%ua(e preau r +sem(a(e9 c,p$e8%(e de , pu(ere mu$( ma% mare.

Rep,r(eru$ +cerc s38% a$u!e !r,a)a d% su$e( a(uc% c+d a(a +cepus *,r'easc. +8% ,r7 curaju$ s creasc cu %ecare cu*+( pe care3=spuea ea9 &r%du3= cu +crederea pe care , s%m7ea + (,u$ e%. Nu ma%

c,(a dac ea +$ s(%mu$a sau u9 pe(ru c erau am+d,% *+r+7% + aacereaas(a9 $a e$ de ad+c. Numa% cu cea ma% e'ueasc cu(e)a7 ma% pu(eauspera s ,'7% , *%c(,r%e d% +r+!erea care3% ame%7a.

O'ser* cu adm%ra7%e %(es%(a(ea d% !$asu$ e% a(uc% c+d spuse:>Tcerea mea se da(,rea) ap(u$u% c *,% s+(e7% pr%m%%dree!% pe cre% *d. Era ,rma$ s * s(ud%e) cu cea ma% mare cur%,)%(a(e./ar * p,( as%!ura de pe acum c u s+( de$,c %mpres%,a(a. Or%cum9 cupr%*%re $a ,p%%%$e *,as(re eM% s %e...? 'r'a(u$ +cepu s r+d %r,%c9 >u d%scurs ,ar(e rum,s9r,s(%( cu c,*%!ere9 dar e+sema( pe(ru ,%9 care +% pu(em aa$%)a(,u$.?

>Ce a% de !+d s ac% cu ea9 ;ee$?S%!ura7a rece a 'r'a(u$u% prea m,r(a$. >Nu *d %c% u m,(%*

pe(ru care am $sa3, s scape. Are des(u$ s+!e 8% , D*%a7 ma% mu$(dec+( ,rma$. As(a +% *a da de +7e$es O'ser*a(,ru$u% ce mare es(ed%spre7u$ ,s(ru a7 de u$(%ma(umu$ $u%.? +c&e%e cu u &,&,( de r+ssurpr%)(,r de *ese$: >Acum *,m pue + sce , m%c dram. T+rad,am *a +cerca s r%d%ce arma 8% s m +mpu8(e cu ea. +a%(e s%)'u(easc9 eu *,% a*ea deja arma sc,as 8% *,% (ra!e cu ea T,a( (rea'a9dup cum *a desc,per%9 es(e , s%mp$ c&es(%ue de c,,rd,are er*,as.Iar ce% d% spec%a J$u!! s+( + m,d cr,%c9 apr,ape $a e$ de +ce7% ca 8% p3m+(e%%?.

G$asu$ se +(rerupse. La e$ 8% &,&,(u$ de r+s care3= +s,7%se. Tcere.N%c%,da( p+ a(uc% u se ma% s%m7%se Le%!& a8a de e&,(r+(

Em,7%%$e +% spueau 3 acumF s%!ur ea +$ *a s(r%!a + cur+d. % c&%ar dac3, cea9 (re'u%a s ac7%,e)e pe c,( pr,pr%u. S %(re pes(e e%. S (ra!@

/ar m%(ea +% era apr,ape para$%)a( de , !r,a) rece. G$asu$ ace$u%'r'a( %d%ca , pu(ere e


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m%u(e +a%(e. + ce$e d% urm9 a(a , curm9 cu u !$as u8,r +(re(%a(dar $a e$ de pu(er%c 8% de +cre)(,r9 + care u se s%m7ea p%c de (eam:9Am *e%( a%c% ca s * pre*%9 u s * ,r7e)9 %ar dac u e8(% +crca( cueer!%a *%(a$ a c%c%spre)ece ,ame%9 u (e3a8 s(u% s +cerc% ce*a. +,d9 8(%am c%e s+(e7% c+d am pr%m%( m%s%uea?.

>E%9 Mer$a9 ce prere a% Pu(em s %m s%!ur% c es(e J$u!! Ar % p,s%'%$s %e de u %*e$ ce*a ma% +a$( de (%pu$ $ee$? V,r'%se 'r'a(u$9 care+c$%a s , ascu$(e9 de8% %r,%a u d%spruse de$,c d% !$asu$ $u%9 a8a cumu d%spruse %c% dur%(a(ea sau +crederea + s%e. >Pe , p$ae( de !radu$(re% (re'u%e s e/a9 u are r,s( s ma% a8(ep(m?9 r,s(% 'r'a(u$. >/ec%...? Nu ma% era%c% , c$%p de p%erdu( Le%!& se a*+( spre u8a desc&%s. O'ser* + !ra'

u 'r'a( 8% , eme%e + &a%e de sear9 e$ + p%c%,are9 %ar ea a8e)a(. Erac,8(%e( de uda$u$ me(a$%c9 s(r$uc%(,r. Pa,u$ de c,(r,$9 d% care deja*)use , par(e9 era mas%*9 d,(a( cu (,( e$u$ de %s(rume(e s(r$uc%(,are9dar (,(u$ +8% p%erdu %mp,r(a7a a(uc% c+d rc%: >/es(u$@ M+%%$e sus?.

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Spue3% s p$ece de a%c% +a%(e s p7easc ce*a?.a(a r,s(% cu , urm de re!re( >Le%!&9 +m% pare ru c (e3am *+r+( + a8a

ce*a. C+d a% %(ra( s3a au)%( %ecare m%8care pe care a% cu(3,9 a ,s(,'ser*a( 8% ca(a$,!a( drep( %u(%$ c&%ar +a%(e ca m%(ea (a s % apuca(s 'a!e de seam +(rea!a sce?.

>Nume$e $u% es(e Le%!& M% s3a pru( c $3am recu,scu( a(uc% c+d a%(ra( /a9 seam '%e cu ,(,!ra%a care apare deasupra ru'r%c%% $u%.?G$asu$ Mer$e% de*e% de,da( c%uda( de +c,rda( >;ee$9 u )%ar%s(@?

>Nu ma% a*em e*,%e de e$?9 rspuse 'r'a(u$. >(%m c%e es(eO'ser*a(,ru$ Ga$ac(%c.?

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.Aceas( %,rma7%e?9 rspuse eme%a9 pe u (, care prea s3%eNu cred c ma% es(ee*,%e s spu c s+(em depar(e de pr%mejd%a cump$%( care e ame%7acu c+(e*a m%u(e +a%(e. % de3a'%a acum am ,'ser*a( m,(%*u$. Ma%de*reme $3am au)%( pe am%cu$ ;ee$ cum , pr,*,ca pe m%cu7a mea pr%e(es r%d%ce arma. C,s(a( c a r%d%ca(3,. /ec% apar%7%a mea (,( a a*u( u,arecare eec(?. Se +(,arse 8% se adres d%rec( e(e%: >Ce acem9 (ra!emsau e re(ra!em?

+ $,cu$ e(e% rspuse 'r'a(u$: >Eu *3a8 s(u% s * re(ra3 !e7%. +c a8ma% pu(ea c+8(%!a9 da%K u s+( !eu$ de er,u care38% asum r%scur% %u(%$e+(r3, c,ru(are care ar pu(ea % a(a$ pe(ru e$?. Adu! ap,% +'ee%c%u$ eme%%: >Mer$a9 pu(em s3= pr%dem ,r%c+d pe aces( ,m9 Le%!&9ma% a$es c 8(%m c%e e?.

a(a u ma% p%erdu *remea 8% r,s(%: >/up (%e9 d,mu$e Le%!&?. N%c% e$u p%erdu *remea ca s3, c,(ra)%c.

U8%$e me(a$%ce se (r%(%r + urma $u% + *reme ce u!ea pr% (ue$. /up, c$%p , s%m7% 8% pe a( a$er!+d cu u8ur%7 c&%ar a$(ur% de e$.

/rama %rea$9 c%uda( 8% apr,ape a(a$ se +c&e%ase9 $a e$ de a(as(%c

precum +cepuse.Aar9 + a7a ce$e'ru$u% res(aura(9 se (re)%r +c,jura7% de $um%a !r% a

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Q 9 Am *e%( pre!(%( 8% pe(ru a8a ce*a@? +% au)% !$asu$ *%'ra( M+a e%se r%d%c de,da( spre a7a $u%. Le%!& se er% c+( pu(u9 dar era prea (+r)%u.

Lum%a se apr%se c&%ar + a7a $u% cu , ,r7 ame7%(,are9 ,r'%(,are9 careeO s37% re*%%?9 se au)% rspusu$ rece. >/ar *e% desc,per% c ps%&,$,!u$

meca%c *a aa$%)a ceea ce3% spu% 8% *a c,s%dera (,(u$ , s%mp$ a(e)%e.Am ,s( e*,%( s ac as(a dup ce (u a% ame%7a( c *e% pu'$%ca (,(u$.Bu9 acum d3m% arma.?

Vederea +cepuse s3% re*%. Le%!& pu(ea s3% des$u8easc c,rpu$9 ,s%$ue( ce7,as + ,ap(e. + p,%da durer%% care u3= s$'ea9 )+m'% cuamrc%ue. G$asu$ +% de*e% '$%d a(uc% c+d +% spuse: >T,cma% m%3amam%(%( c a% )%s c p%s(,$u$ s(a u (ra!e cu !$,a7e. Numa% dup e$u$ +care3= s%m7% + m+ *a ace d% e$ , d,*ad c$ar a spuse$,r me$e. Caa(are...?

+m'e(u$ % se ,%$% pe $,c a(uc% c+d a(a se apr,p%e de e$. ea*a deme(a$ +% usese *+r+( +(re c,as(e cu , asemeea ,r7 +c+( !emu dedurere.

>/3m% arma a%a@?>Pe a%'a 7%3, dau?9 %)'uc% Le%!&. >S,a' m%c 8% erecu,sc(,are

ce e8(%9 cum de +dr)e8(% s m (ra(e)% + e$u$ s(a dup ce (,cma% 7%3amsa$*a( *%a7a Ar (re'u% s37% dau ua + 'ar' de s u (e *e)%.?

Se ,pr% d% *,r'. T,cma% +8% dduse seama c a(a u !$umea de$,c.Nu a*ea + a7 , e(%7 crescu( pe $a 8c,$% ra%a(e care u ar % a*u(curaju$ s (ra!9 c% , crea(ur cu s+!e rece care d,*ed%se ce &,(r+re a*ea+ a7a uu% ,p,e( cu mu$( ma% per%cu$,s dec+( e$.

N%c%,da( u a*usese prejudec7% cu pr%*%re $a e!a$%(a(ea d%(re 'r'a7%8% eme%9 ma% a$es c + c$%pa aceea u se s%m7ea s%!ur c ar % pu(u( s3,+*%! pe a(a care3= ame%7a. Gr'%(9 +% ddu arma. a(a , $u 8% +% )%secu rcea$: >Se pare c +c ma% e8(% su' %mpres%a c %(rarea (a + a*aspa7%a$ m%3a perm%s s r%d%c arma. A%c% (e +8e$%. Nu a% cu( a$(ce*a dec+(s3m% ,er% ,ca)%a s $e d,*edesc care era s%(ua7%a 8% c e% , d,m%au. /ar(e as%!ur c s(a a ,s( (,( aju(,ru$ (u. Apr,ape $%ps%( de *a$,are?.

Le%!& +cepu s r+d cu m%$ 8% %r,%e. >I *%a7a mea des(u$ de scur(?9r,s(%9 >am +*7a( s recu,sc $a , %%7 uma ca$%(a(ea pers,a$%(7%%9 ama!e(%smu$u% pe care3= are. % (u e8(% +)es(ra( cu a8a ce*a9 d% p$%9dar a7 de ce% d,%9 u repre)%( mare $ucru9 + spec%a$ a7 de 'r'a( U%d%*%d (er%'%$. Cred c es(e %%7a uma cu ce$ ma% e%resc ma!e(%sm pecare am +(Ur%%(3, *re,da(. /,am9 u p,( dec+( s !&%cesc despre ce e*,r'a a%c%9 dar d3m% *,%e s37% dau u sa( pr%e(eesc 3 Le%!& se ,pr% ,c$%p +a%(e s c,(%ue (%,s 3: (u 8% ce%$a$7% J$u!!% s(a7% c+( ma% depar(e decup$u$ ace$a. Eu pers,a$ am de !+d s pu p,$%7%a pe urme$e $,r 8% *aa*ea $,c u ra%d pe c%s(e $a Separeu$ Tre%. Nu m%3a p$cu( de$,c

ame%7area aceea9 c m p,( cap(ura ,r%c+d au c&e. /e ce (,cma% pem%e? Se +(rerupse !r'%( >He%9 ude cre)% c (e duc% Vreau s 8(%u cum


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(e c&eam. Vreau s 8(%u ce (e3a cu( s cre)% c p,7% s $e p,ruce8(%ce$,r d,% ce s ac. C%e a%'a cre)% ca e8(% ?

Nu ma% spuse 8% a$(ce*a O p,r% $a u! dup ea9 a(e( $a %e care paspe care$ acea. O *)u pe(ru , c$%p9 , s%$ue( '%e7easc ede%%( +$um%a uu% e$%ar d% c,$7u$ s(r)%%. Ap,% a(a d%spru dup pr%mu$ c,$(

Le%!& (,cma% se !+dea c ea era s%!uru$ $u% puc( de c,(ac( cu (,( ceeace se pe(recuse. Iar dac a(a scpa...

Asuda( ddu 8% e$ c,$7u$F %med%a( ce , *)u9 c,s(a( c s(rada era+(ueca( 8% $%ps%(a de *%a7. Ap,% ,'ser* , ma8%. O ma8% ,rma$9cu cap,( +a$( 8% cu car,ser%e $u! 8% j,as9 care +cepuse s se m%8(e,rma$9 r )!,m,( /ar dup aceea scea d% a7a $u% de*e% %rea$.Ma8%a p,r% s se r%d%ce. U%m%(,r9 dar se r%d%case de $a s,$. Ma% ,'ser* +u! cum r,7%$e de cauc%uc a$' se p$%au 8% d%spreau d% *edere. Cu , ,rmpur9 ca de (ra'uc9 a*a spa7%a$ care ma% +a%(e usese ma8% se r%d%ca+(r3u u!&% ascu7%( spre cer.

/%spru d% *edere cu mare repe)%c%ue./easupra $u% Le%!& se $sase ,ap(ea de u a$'as(ru c%uda( de $um%,s.

+ p,%da $um%%$,r ,ra8u$u% care se re$ec(au + +(uer%c9 pe cer se pu(eau)r% $%cr%d 8% c+(e*a s(e$e. Le%!& rmase s pr%*easc spre e$e9 s%m7%du3se !,$%( pe d%u(ru 8% !+d%d: >E +(,cma% ca u *%s. Ace% 3 dree!% 3 careau *e%( d% spa7%u 3 care se &resc cu s+!e9 %8(e *amp%r%?.

S%m7%du3se +,me(a(9 +8% cumpr , c%,c,$a( de $a u c&%,8c de pes(rad 8% rmase a$(ur% ca s3, m+ce. +cepu s se s%m( ce*a ma% '%e.Se apr,p%e de pr%ma pr%) de pere(e 8% +8% c,ec( $a ea c,mu%ca(,ru$ dem+.

9;%m?9 r,s(%9 >am u ma(er%a$ pe(ru care am e*,%e de aju(,rF u e +c

'u de pu'$%ca(9 dar (re'u%e s s(au de *,r' cu ua d%(re ec&%pe$e decerce(are + care s+( repre)e(a(e (,a(e d%sc%p$%e$e. Cre)% c p,(%c,*%!e '%r,u$ s au(,r%)e)e c&e$(u%e$%$e?

>Es(e ce*a $e!a( de aacerea cu *amp%r%?>/a.?>+ (recu( am ,$,s%( , ec&%p de cerce(are de $a c,mp$eB%e.? T,u$ +% era ca$m. Se(%me(u$ de e%resc d%spruse. Rep,r(eru$ Le%!&

rede*e%se e$ +su8%.6

P+ 8% ce$ ma% 'u ec&%pame( de de(ec(are are $%m%(e$e sa$e.Vers%uea dree! ar(a cu acura(e7e spre %$$%am Le%!&. Se ,pr%se asupra$u% cu , %


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/es%!ur9 ;ee$ +cercase s (r%m%( , ra) sp%, asupra c,mp$eCe 8(%m despre $e!(ur%$e sa$e cu eme%$e?>La *remea $a care s3a pr,dus acc%de(u$9 era $,!,d%( 8% se pre!(ea de

cs(,r%e?9 rspuse eme%a. >/up ce a %e8%( d% sp%(a$ a rup( $,!,da 8%de a(uc% a a*u( uma% m%c% $e!(ur% pasa!ere9 s%mp$e a*e(ur%. Vre% sascu$7% +re!%s(rarea +(+$%r%% $u% cu ec&%pa ,as(r 8(%%7%%c?

/%rec(,ru$ e3m% uma% u re)uma(?

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*amp%r%% au *e%( d% spa7%u 8% c pr,es,ru$ U!ar 8% %%ca sa s+( deasemeea e


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scep(%c%sm 8% $a %a$ a su!era( ca uu$ d% ps%&,$,!%% meca%c% s%!%$a7% s %e(r%m%s + camera $u% de $a &,(e$. Ceea ce s3a 8% cu( Ma8%r%a +$ *a aa$%)a+ *reme ce d,arme?.

>Cre)% c *a acred%(a p,*es(ea $u%?>M +d,%esc. Cred c a(a 3 Pa(r%c%a U!ar 3 a 8(ers cu succes ,r%ce

d,*ad.?/up u scur( m,me( de (cere9 eme%a c,(%u: >Nu cre)% c3ar

(re'u% s c&emm + s%s(emu$ s,$ar ua d%(re a*e$e de pa(ru$are?Hamm,d scu(ur d% cap. >Cu , c$%p +a%(e am rmas (cu( pe(ru

c m +(re'am ce s37% de)*$u% 8% ce u. S+( pu7% u%m%( s c,s(a( c+(*reme a (recu( de c+d eu 8% cu S$,a am d%scu(a( pe mar!%ea aces(e%pr,'$eme 3 parc pr% K61. S$,a era pre8ed%(e$e de $a Cerce(r% A$p&a.A(uc% de3a'%a pr%m%se , c,mu%care c + (re% a% *a aprea , s,$u7%e de'a).?

He$e +(,arse capu$ 8%3= pr%*% cu u%m%re. >Te !+de8(% $a ce*a Dde 'a)+(r3u aume ses?

Hamm,d +cu*%%7 d% cap9 r s ma% adau!e 8% *re, e/ume)eu$e@? su$ eme%a +sp%m+(a(. .A(uc% rep,r(eru$ s(a 3

%$$%am Le%!& 3 es(e (,(a$ epre!(%( pe(ru ceea ce3= a8(eap(.?Pe 'u)e$e $u% Hamm,d apru u )+m'e( amar. >E% '%e9 dra!a mea9

c+d pr%*e8(% pr,'$ema d% aces( u!&%9 u37% p,( spue dec+( DC%e de pe$umea as(a es(e cu ade*ra( pre!(%(?

>Bu%esc c a% drep(a(e.?>Va (re'u% s %m eN%c% ua.?>Cum rm+e a(uc% cu %%7e$e umae d% ,r!a%)a7%e cu care Le%!& a

%(ra( + c,(ac(?

>/3m% $%s(a.?L%s(a u adus %med%a( $a masa de $ucru. Era c,mpus uma% d% (re%

ume: dr. Hery G$,!e9 Bar'ara E$$%!(, 8% V%ce S(ra3 (&er. >Mda9 'u. PeG$,!e +$ 8(%u. C%e s+( ce%$a$7%?

>Bar'ara es(e , dac(%$,!raa d% sec7%a de s(e,!ra%e de $a par(er9 %arV$ce9 ,(,(e&%c%a c$asa a d,ua9 $ucrea) + uu$ d%(re $a',ra(,are.?

Hamm,d ddu d% cap &,(r+( >Pe(ru c+( *reme , s dure)e cr%)a9!se8(e c+(e , m%s%ue pe(ru %ecare d%(re e%9 $a ua d%(re sucursa$e$e,as(re as%a(%ce sau eur,pee.?

>Cred?9 r,s(% He$e cu +d,%a$9 >c %3a8 pu(ea c,*%!e pe Bar'ara 8% pe

V%ce c s+( de ap( pr,m,*a7%.?


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>E , ea(a a cu( , (rea' 'u a(uc% c+d 7%3a 8(ers am%(%r%$e d%

su'c,8(%e( Nu eu a8a9 d,mu$e Le%!&?9 +% ajuse $a urec&% *,cea eme%%9 >cred c deacum e cu,8(% des(u$ de '%e ca s u ma% % %sp%(%( s ac% *re, pr,s(%e.C&%ar u37% da% seama c dac a8 % a*u( de !+d s (e ,m,r9 a8 % cu(3,

mu$( ma% u8,r a(uc% c+d d,rmea%?Le%!& rmase em%8ca(. +cerc s38% $%mpe)easc m%(ea + *reme ce3

8% ume)ea de ),r 'u)e$e usca(e. Cu*%(e$e e% u3= $%%8(%ser de$,c.>Ce 3 *re% 3 de 3 $a 3 m%e? %)'u(% s r,s(easc cu !reu(a(e.>I,rma7%%@? *e% rspusu$ $ac,%c. >Ce era cu a(a a%a?3 >Nu 8(%u.? Le%!& pr%*% spre um'ra + care era ascus c&%pu$ e%. Cum

,c&%% % se adap(aser $a sem%,'scur%(a(ea d% jur9 pu(ea ,'ser*a des(u$ de'%e s(r$uc%rea aur%e a pru$u% Mer$e%. >Eu am cre)u( c 8(%7% *,%.? C,(%upe u (, !r'%( >Am cre)u( c s(%(% deja c%e3% O'ser*a(,ru$ Ga$ac(%c9 ceeace +seam c 8% pe a(a , pu(e7% %de(%%ca ,r%c+d?.

Le%!& a*u %mpres%a c eme%a3% )+m'ea. Ap,% +% au)% %ar !$asu$: >Ceea ceam dec$ara( cu pr%*%re $a %de(%(a(ea O'ser*a(,ru$u% u a a*u( a$( sc,p


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dec+( %ducerea *,as(r + er,are. Nu u%(a c ajusesem cu (,7%% +(r3,s%(ua7%e %mp,s%'%$?.

Le%!& a*ea + !ur !us(u$ amar a$ r%c%%. /ar (eama d%spera( de ma%+a%(e +cepu s p$easc a(uc% c+d +8% ddu seama c eme%a (,cma%mr(ur%s%se c 8% e% a*useser m,me(u$ $,r de s$'%c%ue. Ceea ce

+sema c spec%a dree! u era ,rma( d% supra,ame%9 a8a cumcre)use e$. U8urarea u urma( %med%a( de e*,%a de precau7%e. .A(e7%e?9+8% spuse s%!ur9 >u e ca)u$ s +cep s3% su'es(%me).? /ar (,( u se pu(ure7%e s u spu: >A8 *rea s su'$%%e) ap(u$ c3 a8a3um%(a V,as(r*%c(,r%e u a ,s( +cuua( cu u mare succes. e$u$ + care m3aame%7a( s,7u$ (u9 c m pu(e7% pr%de ,r%c+d9 ar % pu(u( s * s(r%ce(,a(e p$aur%$e.?

G$asu$ eme%% cp( , ua7 de d%spre7 >/ac a% a*ea ce*a &a'ar deps%&,$,!%e9 a(uc% 7%3a% da seama c (,cma% ame%7area $u%9 + (erme%des(u$ de *a!%9 (e3a m,m%( s u ac% %m%c 8% as(e$ s (e $a8% pr%s + ce$ed% urm. Es(e c$ar c u a% cu( %c% ce$ ma% m%c e,r( ca s37% aper%spa(e$e $a e*,%e. Iar a(a 3a sc&%7a( %c% u !es( ca s (e apere?.

Is%uarea e*,a$a( cu pr%*%re $a ,$,s%rea u,r asemeea (ac(%c%su'(%$e a*u daru$ s3= sper%e %ar pe Le%!&. + s(rudu$ m%7%% se 8% +(re'a:>Ce %a$ a p$u%( eme%a dree! pe(ru aceas( +(+$%re a(as(%c?

>S+( s%!ur c37% da% seama?9 c,(%u eme%a apr,ape cu '$+3 de7e9>c pe(ru ,% e8(% $a e$ de *a$,r,s 8% dac e8(% + *%a7 3 8% dac , s m,r%.Nu eBu%esc c ,%$e

d% m+a (a repre)%( rap,r(u$ ps%&,!rau$u%. Ce scr%e?>M s%m( s%cer de)am!%(.? G$asu$ e% prea s *% de ,ar(e depar(e.

>Am !s%( u e$ de a*er(%sme( cu pr%*%re $a d%e(a (a. Se pare c u a%,'%ce%u$ s m+c% re!u$a(?

Se apucase s se j,ace cu e$. e$u$ + care +cercase s !$umeasc ,cuse s par de3a drep(u$ %uma. P,a(e d% cau) c *,r'e$e e% u sep,(r%*eau cu rea$%(a(ea9 $e $,*eau de %mes%(a(ea ea!r a spa7%u$u% d%care *e%se9 de e*,%a ea(ura$ care +% +mp%sese9 pe ea 8% pe 'r'a(u$

care , +s,7ea9 s %*ade)e (,cma% Pm%(u$ eaju(,ra( Le%!& secu(remur. Ap,% +8% spuse s%!ur9 cu aspr%me: >La a%'a9 am ajus s m


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sper%% de uu$ s%!ur. C+( *reme u se m%8c d% scauu$ $a9 u are cums3, ac pe *amp%r,a%ca cu m%e.? Imed%a( dup aceea r,s(% cu !$as (are:>/ac u ma% apare 8% a$(ce*a + rap,r( (are m%3e (eam c u am cum s(e aju( /e aceea9 cred c ar % '%e s p$ec%. N3a8 pu(ea spue c pre)e7a(a m ace prea er%c%(?.

I m,d per*ers9 Le%!& se a8(ep(ase ca ea s r+d-. /ar 3a ,s( a8a.eme%a rmase ma% depar(e ec$%(%( pe scauu$ e% 8% d,ar ,c&%% % se*edeau s(r$uc%d *a! + um'r. + ce$e d% urm +% )%se: >V,m (rece+mpreu pr% rap,r(. Cred c am pu(ea s ,m%(em r pr,'$eme de(a$%%$ereer%(,are $a s(a(ea (a pe(ruc s+( a's,$u( %re$e*a(e. /ar am desc,per%( c+7%*a ac(,r% pe care as *reas3% aa$%)e) ma% '%e. C%e es(e pr,es,ru$ U!ar?

>U ,m de 8(%%7?9 rspuse Le%!& cu s%cer%(a(e. >E$ a %*e(a(s%s(emu$ de &%p,) meca%c. /up ce s3au desc,per%( ce$e d,u cr%me9care au ,s( puse %med%a( + seama u,r per*er8%9 a ,s( c&ema( a%c% deur!e7.?

>(%% cum*a cum ara( pr,es,ru$?>Nu $3am *)u( %c%,da(?9 r,s(% Le%!& r !ra'. >Nu ac,rd %c%,da(

%(er*%ur% 8% ,(,!ra%a $u% u ma% es(e d%sp,%'%$. Am au)%( (,( e$u$ de%s(,r%% despre e$9 dar... E)%(a , c$%p. Nu3% dduse dec+( %,rma7%% !eera$e9dar dac 8% aces(ea erau per%cu$,ase?

>Is(,r%%$e pe care $e3a% au)%(?9 +$ +m',$d% eme%a9 >7%3au $sa( cum*a%mpres%a c ar % *,r'a de u ,m cu u ma!e(%sm cu (,(u$ %e8%( d%c,mu Sau c pe c&%pu$ $u% se p,( ,'ser*a cu u8ur%7 $%%% ad+c% desuer%7 m%(a$ C are u aer de resemare?

>Resemare a7 de ce? %)'uc% Le%!& eHa'ar u am despre

ce *,r'e8(%. Nu am *)u( dec+( %8(e ,(,!ra%% care ar(au c&%pu$ ses%'%$ 8%,',s%( a$ uu% 'r'a( d%s(%s.?eme%a u3= s$'%9 c% c,(%u cu %(er,!a(,r%u$: >Cre)% c a8 pu(ea !s%

ma% mu$(e %,rma7%% pr% '%'$%,(ec%?>Sau $a m,r!a Ser*%c%u$u% P$ae(ar?9 rspuse Le%!& r s se

!+deasc9 de8% dup aceea 8%3ar % d,r%( s38% % (%a( $%m'a dec+( s % ,er%(!ra(u%( , asemeea %,rma7%e.

>M,r!a? se m%r eme%a.Le%!& se apuc s3% e


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%ru$ ace$u% !+d se rupse a(uc% c+d eme%a +(re': >Cre)% c ce% de $a'%r,u ar pu(ea (rasm%(e %,rma7%%$e +re!%s(ra(,ru$u% pe care3= a% a%c%?

>/3da.? ,*%a$a $u% era a8a de c$ar +c+( eme%a se ap$ec pu7% +cercu$ de $um%. Pe(ru , c$%p pru$ aur%u $uc% 8% ,c&%% a$'a8(r% 5 %A&a@? r,s(% ea. >/ec% a8a cre)%9 u?eme%a +cepu s r+d9 cu &,&,(e p$cu(e9 mu)%ca$e. /ar r%su$ se ,pr%

de,da(9 ea(ura$9 pe , ,( +a$(. /up care 3 de8% Le%!& u , *)usec+d %c% , m%8care 3 + m+ +% apru , arm cu aspec( me(a$%c9+drep(a( asupra $u%. La urec&% +% ajuse !$asu$ e%9 p,ruc%(,r 8% aspru:>Acum , s (e da% j,s d% pa(9 , s37% p,re8(% +re!%s(ra(,ru$ 8% 3, s ac%%c% u !es( de pr%s,s9 3, s spu% %c% u cu*+( + p$us dec+( s(r%c(u$ecesar?.

Le%!& pr%se s se m%8(e +ce( ascu$(+d de p,ruca e%. A(uc% c+d ser%d%c + p%c%,are9 +cperea +cepu s se $e!ee. Se !+d% +!re7,8a( c u$e8% ar % ,s( ,ar(e %mer%( + s%(ua7%a $u%. /ar 8(%a c era ce*a pes(epu(erea (rupu$u% su e%$$%am Le%!& (e derajea)./3m% (,a( mara despre pr,es,ru$ Garre(( U!ar?.

Urmar c+(e*a m,me(e de $%%8(e9 ap,%9 d% apara( rsu u !$asp$%c(%s%( >S3a cu( Semea) ,rmu$aru$?.

Le%!& se supuse 8% ap,% pr%*% cum sem(ura % se d%),$*a + ma8%r%e.A(uc%9 pe c+d se +drep(a de spa(e9 , au)% pe eme%e spu+d: >Ce )%c%9;ee$9 c%(%m a%c% sau ma% '%e $um apara(u$ cu ,%?

Le%!&9 c$%p%d edumer%( se rsuc%9 %ar ceea ce *)u +$ cu s se a8e)epe '+j'+%(e pe mar!%ea pa(u$u%. ;ee$9 dree!u$9 era spr%j%%( e!$%je( decaa(u$ u8%% de $a 'a%eF u 'r'a( +(ueca( de , rumuse7e ma$%!9 cu u)+m'e( ep$cu( pe 'u)e. + spa(e$e $u% 3 de8% prea %cred%'%$9 + spa(e$e$u%9 pr% u8a desc&%s a '%%9 u se ma% *edea cada s(r$uc%(,are 8% %c%a%a7a a$'9 c% uma% , a$( u8 +dr(u$ cre%a ma% era ua9 desc&%s9pr% care se !&%cea (,cma% camera de c,(r,$ a a*e% spa7%a$e dree!@

Nu a*ea &a$uc%a7%%9 era c&%ar ac,$,9 a8a cum , *)use + s,$u$ (are desu' C,s(a(%eKs. Vedea ,ar(e c$ar ace$a8% c,$7 a$ pa(u$u% s,mp(u,s9sec7%uea %mp,)a(a cu %s(rume(e$e de ',rd s% p,deaua ac,per%(a dem,c&e( !r,as9 e$e!a(. I 'a%a $u%@

W%S% eu +m% 7% a*a spa7%a$ + 'a%e@? cu!e( Le%!& + pra!u$ e'u%e%.V,cea s,,r a 'r'a(u$u% +$ sc,ase d% (rasa + care se audase9

a(uc% c+d r,s(%: >Cred c3ar % ma% '%e s p$ecm. M%3e des(u$ de !reu sme7% a*a + p$au$ spa7%,3(%mpu$u% a$(era(%*. Ia apara(u$ 8% pe %d%*%d8%...?

Le%!& u ma% +re!%s(ra u$(%me$e cu*%(e. T,cma% se c&%u%a s38%+(,arc m%(ea de $a e%!ma a*e% d% 'a%e.

>M X$ua7% 3 8% 3 pe 3 m%e?9./es%!ur9 +% rspuse eme%a. M%3a% ,s( pr,m%s 8%9 + aar de as(a9 *,m

a*ea e*,%e de aju(,ru$ (u ca s desc,per%m me(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ara.?

Le%!&9 redus $a (cere9 c,s(a( c era %capa'%$ s ma% judece c$ar./up , c$%p se u%( pe !eam 8% *)u c p$,a%a c,(%ua s cad cu


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aceea8% ur%e9 cu p%c(ur% mar%9 $uc%(,are9 care ap,% se scur!eau +(ueca(e.N,ap(e rece9 p$,a%e +(ueca(9 u des(% e!ru 3 (,a(e se p,(r%*eau cu!+dur%$e $u% amare. cu u e,r( 8% +8% ,r7 m%(ea 8% c,rpu$ s sere$aIar dac * +c&%pu%7% c am de !+d s * aju( s3= d%s(ru!e7% pe O'ser3*a(,r9 a(uc% s+(e7% e'u% de $e!a(?

eme%a +% rspuse pe u (, %d%ere( >+ rap,r(u$ ps%&,3 !rau$u% am!s%( , m%c reer%7 cu pr%*%re $a , aume d,am ;a Le%!&9 care$,cu%e8(e +(r3u ,r8e$ um%( Re$(,9 de pe c,as(a Pac%%cu$u%. Am pu(eaaju!e ac,$, +(r3, jum(a(e de ,r9 %ar , c$%p dup aceea am pu(ea s3,d%s(ru!em r e,r( pe mama (a 8% casa + care s(. Sau am pu(ea adu!as+!e$e e% $a re)er*a ,as(r?.

92a u9 e prea '(r+?9 se ,puse 'r'a(u$9 pe u (, rece ca !&ea7a.>Nu a*em e*,%e de s+!e$e '(r+%$,r.?

O'%ec7%a $u% ;ee$ +$ +!r,)% pe Le%!&. Parc *edea deja a*a %mes9s%$e7%,as9 cum )'ura cu , *%(e) %cred%'%$ pe ceru$ es(%c9 pe deasupraa8e)r%$,r pa8%ce. Ra)a de eer!%e d%s(ru!(,are ar m(ura u +(re! ,r8e$ +a%(e ca a*a s d%spar cu aceea8%*%(e) de ecre)u( deasupra ,ceau$u% +(ueca(

Ima!%ea cump$%( d%spru. eme%a (,cma% +% mr(ur%sea pe u (, ce*ama% '$+d: ;ee$ 8% cu m%e am pus $a puc( u s%s(em ,ar(e %(eresa( deac&e(are a rase$,r %er%,are. /%(r3u m,(%* ,'scur9 am c,s(a(a( cuma% s%mp$a $u% pre)e7 are daru$ s3% +!r,)easc pe ,ame%. /easemeea9 am ,'ser*a( c ,ame%% au aceea8% reac7%e 8% a7 de m%e9

a(uc% c+d m *d $a $um% pu(er%c. /% cau)a as(a am araja( mereuca (,a(e +(+$%r%$e s a%' $,c a(uc% c+d eu s+( + sem%,'scur%(a(e9 %ar;ee$ se a$ e*)u(9 pe ude*a pe apr,ape. S3a d,*ed%( a % , (ac(%ce%c%e(?.

Mer$a se r%d%c de pe scau9 ar(+du38% s%$ue(a +a$(9 drapa( +(r3,us( s(r%m( 8% , '$u) e$e!a(9 +c&%s $a cu$,are. >Mer!em? c,(%uea. >S u u%(% s %e% s% apara(u$ cu (%e9 d,mu$e Le%!&.?

>Ma% '%e %au eu apara(u$?9 %(er*e% dree!u$.Le%!& se +(,arse ca mu8ca( de 8arpe ca s pr%*easc $a c&%pu$ rum,s9

dar eCum uc7%,ea)? +$ au)% +(re'+d.Le%!& se apr,p%e de e$. +c ma% u(rea spera7a c *a %)'u(% s ac

ceea ce38% pr,pusese9 r *reu per%c,$ ad%7%,a$ pe(ru c%e*a. /ac se!+dea ma% '%e9 %c% pe(ru e% 3ar % ,s( mare pa!u'9 dec+( dac seapucau s cau(e me(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ar 8% a*eau de !+d s p,reasc%med%a( + spa7%u. /ac p$ecau %med%a( a(uc% a*ea ,ca)%a s3% ma% +(+r)%epu7%. Se &,(r+ de,da( cum s ac7%,e)e 8% rspuse:

9Apas pe (as(a pe care scr%e DT%($ur%9 %ar pe ecrau$ apara(u$u% *,r

+cepe s apar (,a(e (%($ur%$e pr%c%pa$e.?


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>Mda9 pare re),a'%$?9 rspuse dree!u$9 +cu*%%7+d d% cap9 +a%(es +(%d m+a ca s apese pe 'u(,u$ %d%ca( +re!%s(ra(,ru$ +cepu s)um)%e u8,r 8% pe ecrau$ m%c 8% (raspare( +cepur s apar (%($ur%$e.Nu erau ,ar(e mu$(e. >Me(e,r%(u$ pe care $,cu%e8(e?9 c%(% dree!u$. >As(a3%ce cu(am. Care3% urm(,ru$ pas?

9 Apas pe (as(a cu marcaju$ DSu'(%($ur%.?Le%!& se s%m7ea scu(ura( de %,r% rec% de r%c. Gemu + s%ea sa. Era cu

pu(%7 ca acea crea(ur s ,'7% p+ $a urm ceea ce d,rea Era s%!urc c%e*a +)es(ra( cu , asemeea %(e$%!e( ma!%%c u a*ea s se$ase a'(u( de $a sec*e7a $,!%c pe care , urmase p+ a(uc%. Se ,r7 srm+ $a e$ de %d%ere( s% de p,sac. /% pca(e9 3a*ea de a$es9 (re'u%as38% asume r%scu$.

>Su'(%($u$ pe care3= d,resc9 r,s(% dree!u$9 a apru( su' ume$eDL,ca7%e. I a7a $u% es(e u umr9 uu. Ce (re'u%e s ac ma% depar(e?

9Apas pe (as(a cu umru$ =?9 rspuse Le%!&9 >ap,% pe cea pe carescr%e DAc,per%re !eera$.?

+ c$%pa + care pr,u7ase ace$e cu*%(e9 c,%pu$ % se +c,rdase r*,%e. /ac 8mec&er%a $u% 7%ea9 8% u *edea m,(%*u$ pe(ru care 3ar %pr%s9 a(uc% (as(a umru$ = a*ea s de)*$u%e %,rma7%%$e de su' (%($u$ace$a. Ma% mu$( ca s%!ur dree!u$ %c% u ar % *ru( 8% a$(ce*a pe m,me( +,d9 era ma% de!ra' u (es( Iar ce% d,% preau s se !r'easc. Ce*ama% (+r)%u9 c+d crea(ura a*ea s desc,pere c (as(a DAc,per%re Geera$d%),$*ase (,a(e ce$e$a$(e %,rma7%%9 a*ea s %e mu$( prea (+r)%u.

G+du$ ace$a p$cu( d%spru. Le%!& (resr%. /ree!u$ +$ pr%*ea ecru7(,r.Iar ap,% +% 8% )%se: >V,cea (a a ,s( ca , ,r!F %ecare cu*+( +crca( desu!es(%% su'(%$e9 care +seam mu$( pe(ru , urec&e e


27/135

dree!%9 perm%7+du3% e(e% pr,es,ru$u% U!ar 3 + c%uda pr,(es(e$,r e% 3 sr%d%ce arma + p,)%7%e de (ra!ere.

O'ser* c 'r'a(u$ u se ma% u%(a $a apara(9 c% se +(,rsese9 cu ,eE% '%e?Br'a(u$ se +cru(. >C,,rd,a(e$e e*e7% desc,per% c u (,a(e %%7e$eumae se $as c,*%se de *,%. Cu ce3= *e7% 8a(aja pe ,mu$ s(a /acu are , mam?

9 Are + sc&%m' 3 *%a7a@? r,s(% +ce( eme%a.>E des(u$ s se u%(e '%e $a *,% 8% , s38% dea seama c , *a p%erde

,r%cum?9 %)'uc% Le%!&.C+( *,r'%se9 %)'u(%se s ac u pas spre s(+!a9 de aceea se s%m7%se

+m',$d%( s spu ce*a9 ,r%ce9 ca s38% ac,pere m%8carea. /ar !$asu$ +$(rdase d% ,u. N%c% u era de m%rare. C&%pu$ rece a$ 'r'a(u$u% upre*es(ea %m%c 'u.

>Am pu(ea?9 r,s(% eme%a de,da(9 >s3= ,$,s%m pe %$$%am Le%!& ca s3= c,*%!em.?

/e8% cu*%(e$e useser r,s(%(e cu ca$m9 a*ur daru$ s3= 8,c&e)e peLe%!&. Pe(ru c3% ,er%ser , m%c ra) de spera7. Ceea ce3% aec(aseser%,s d,r%7a de a ma% ac7%,a e$u$ de d%a%(e se d%),$*ase. Rep,r(eru$se c&%u% s readuc $a supraa7a m%(%% &,(r+rea dur care3= a%mase cuc+(e*a c$%pe +a%(e. +8% %Es(e u sc$a* prea *a$,r,s ca s3= d%s(ru!em. Pu(em s3% $um ,r%c+d

s+!e$e 8% eer!%a9 dar acum (re'u%e s3= (r%m%(em pe Eur,pa9 ca s3=!seasc pe p%$,(u$ care ace cursa spre me(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ar 8% care s3=duc p+ ac,$,. /ac am pu(ea %*es(%!a %(er%,ru$9 a(uc% a(acu$ ,s(ruar % c,s%dera'%$ ma% s%mp$u9 ude ma% pu% c e


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rap,r(u$ ps%&,!rau$u%. M+%e d%m%ea7 se *a (re)% + pa(u$ $u% cu u ,u7e$9 'a)a( pe u s%mp$u %mpu$s uma9 cum ar % dra!,s(ea pe(ru , a(.?

Pe(ru c ;ee$ , $sa pe eme%e c c,(%ue9 r s3, +(rerup9 cu$,areareapru + ,'raj%% $u% Le%!&. Ap,% r,8ea7a de*e% ma% %(es c+d se !+d%c eme%a se a8(ep(a ,r%cum $a (rdare d% par(ea $u%. +s a8a de s$a' +%

era re)%s(e7a $a !+du$ c a*ea s ma% (r%asc , *reme9 +c+( de3a'%areu8% s pr,(es(e)e r *$a!: >/ac * %ma!%a7% c3, s m +dr!,s(escde , (%p care are de d,u ,r% c,e%c%e(u$ meu de %(e$%!e79 a(uc%...?

eme%a3= +(rerupse supra(: >Tac% d% !ur9 %d%,( ce e8(%@ C&%ar u *e)%c 7%3am sa$*a( *%a7a?

Br'a(u$ r,s(% 8% e$ pe u (, de !&ea7: >/a9 e *,m ,$,s% de e$9 upe(ru c ar % ese7%a$9 c% pe(ru c a*em (%mp $a d%spOF )%7%e ca scu(m s ,'7%em *%c(,r%% c+( ma% ?u8,are. Pr%m%% mem'r% a% (r%'u$u% dree!u *,r aju!e a%c% dec+( pes(e , $u 8% jum(a(e9 %ar d,mu$u% Le%!& +% *a %ecesar cam , $u ca s aju! pe Eur,pa cu ua d% a*e$e pm+(e8(%de pasa!er%9 care s+( ,ar(e +ce(e. /% er%c%re9 cea ma% apr,p%a( 'a)m%$%(ar !a$ac(%c se a$ $a pes(e (re% $u% $um% 3 m reer $a *%(e)a !a$ac(%c. Iar +%a$9 ma% )%se dree!u$9 +(,rc+du3se cu %u7ea$ spre Le%!& 8% a7%(%du3= cu,c&%% ace%a e!r% care semau cu d,u ca)ae cu sm,a$ + c$,c,( ca umeme(, pe(ru +cercarea (a de a e (ra!e pe s,ar 8% drep( pedeapspe(ru (,a(e ,ese$e aduse9 acum sup,r(@?

Le%!& +cerc d%spera( s se ereasc de 7ea*a scur( de me(a$ care3=ame%7a. Mu8c&%% +cercar + )adar s3= +depr(e)e de pr%mejd%e. Se+(%se spre +re!%s(ra(,r 3 dar ce*a +% pr%se c,rpu$. Ce*a ce u era dea(ur %)%c.

/urerea care3= s(r'(u prea m,r(a$. Nu se *)use %c% , $am deeer!%e9 d,ar s(r$uc%rea pa$ a me(a$u$u%. /ar er*%% % se c,(,rs%,au d%cau)a durer%%F , ,r7 e,rm +% c,(rac(ase mu8c&%% !+(u$u%9 +!&e7+dur$e(u$ care se p$md%se + p%ep(9 +(rea!a $u% %%7 +(+mp% cu 'ucur%e+(uer%cu$ care es(,mpa durerea cump$%(.1

A(uc% c+d scea se +c&e%e9 Hamm,d se +(,arse cu spa(e$e $a p$acade *%)%,are 8% +% )+m'% $u% He$e ede$$. >/ec% s(a es(e a%m,su$ *amp%rdree!9 r,s(% e$. V%a7a es(e p$% de surpr%)e9 u cre)%?

eme%a +cu*%%7 d% cap cu ser%,)%(a(e. >T,a( *%a7a am 8(%u( deeeme%a es(e +!r,)%(,are. Cre)% c au 'u%( c e3am,$,s%( de ps%&,$,!u$ meca%c ca %(ermed%ar pe(ru a3% ,'ser*a? +(re'+!+dura(.

;ee$ a cu(a( ,r%ce surs de pr%mejd%e?9 *e% rspusu$. >Cum 3a !s%(%m%c de !eu$ s(a9 s+( s%!ur c u %3a ma% psa( de a$(ce*a.?

Hamm,d se r%d%c de pe caapeaua d% a7a %s(rume(u$u% de*%)%,are 8% se +drep( spre masa de $ucru. Se a8e) c+( ma% c,m,d pescauu$ d% spa(e$e e%. He$e +% urm e


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>/e,camda( %m%c. S u u%(m c *,m pu(ea urmr% , ac7%uep,$%7%eeasc %%7%a( de uu$ d% Ce% Mar% cu ma% '%e de (re% a%pm-(e8(% + urm.? Hamm,d prea c%uda( de +c+(a( de ace$ !+d. >+7%da% seama?9 c,(%u e$9 >c s3ar pu(ea s a*em9 mare$e pr%*%$e!%u de a,'ser*a , ,pera7%ue c,dus de ua d% aces(e super3%%(e Ar pu(ea % ,

,ca)%e u%c + *%a(a ,as(r.?>Mda.?C&%pu$ rum,s a$ $u% Hamm,d (rda u%m%rea >E ,ar(e %(eresa( ap(u$

c u Mare Ga$ac(%c a ,'ser*a( + %e s%(ua7%a dree!. S+( a8a de mu$(ecr%me 8% r)',a%e pr%(re rase$e %er%,are d% aceas(a par(e a u%*ersu$u%+c+(9 pr%*%( (,(u$ + asam'$u9 (re'u%e s semee cu u mce$ r r,s(?

>Tre'u%e s adm%( c9 ue,r%9 8% m%e m% se pare $a e$?9 mr(ur%s% He$eede$$.

Hamm,d se +cru(. >Ce*a +m% spue c 8% ,% *,m % d%rec( %mp$%ca7%+ ce$e d% urm9 ma% a$es c pre8ed%(e$e ,s(ru a ,s( pre*e%( d%a%(ede aceas( cr%).?

>/ume)eu$e@? !emu eme%a.>Spue3m%9 (e r,!9 ude s+( ce% (re% ,ame% de pe $%s(a pe care m%3a%

acu(3, Bar'ara E$$%!(,9 V%ce S(ra(&er 8% dr. G$,!e. Au ,s( sc,8% cusucces d% 7ar?

>Nu e3a ,s( de$,c u8,r s3= ur%m pe dr. G$,!e. /up cum 8(%%9 e$ se,cup de Pr,%ec(u$ Ome!a. N,r,c c am a$a( de eO'ser* c u 7%3a% p%erdu( +dem+area?9 , $ud Hamm,d.>I %e?9 re$u He$e9 >e$ 8% cu Bar'ara se a$ $a sucursa$a ,as(r

'r%(a%c. Tre'u%e s adm%( c a8 pu(ea +7e$e!e de ce dree!%% ar %,arecum %(eresa7% de dr. G$,!e9 u ,m de 8(%%7 eCum rm+e cu ec&%pa 8(%%7%%c %mp$%ca( + %*es(%!area $u% Le%!&?>M3am !+d%( 8% $a e%. %ecare mem'ru a ,s( a$es a$ea(,r%u. /ec% j%u es(e

ace$a8% $ucru.?>+ ca) c (e %(eresea)9 am cu( deja $%s(a cu ume$e $,r.?>,ar(e '%e.? Hamm,d se r%d%c de $a masa de $ucru cu u )+m'e( pe

'u)e. 9Acum &a% s mer!em +ap,% + pa(?Ie8%r am+d,% d% '%r,u.

4

I cea dea (re%a )% de $a p$ecarea de pe Eur,pa9 +cepu s se +(re*ad8% , par(e d% ',$(a ascus de mas%*u$ ;up%(er. M,(,are$e9 care dea'%a


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%)'u(eau s (ras,rme ,r7a ma!e(%c + eer!%e de pr,pu$s%e9pr%seser deja s uc7%,e)e ma% '%e de c+d re$a7%a c,mp$%ca( d%(rea(rac7%a !ra*%(a7%,a$ 8% resp%!erea e% rmsese ude*a + depr(are.M%cu7a a* de (rasp,r(9 *ec&e 8% +cea(9 reu8%se s %as cu '%e +spa7%u. La ',rdu$ e% )%$e$e se scur!eau cu repe)%c%ue9 de*e%d sp(m+%9

care $a r+du$ $,r +sumar , $u. I cea dea (re%)ec% 8% 8ap(ea )%9 a*a+cepu s +ce(%easc s%m7%(,r9 c+du3= pe Le%!& s c,',are d% pa( 8%s m,rm%e: >Ma% a*em mu$(?

P%$,(u$ a*e% +(,arse spre e$ c&%pu$ cu (rs(ur% !re,a%e 8%3% )+m'%.Nume$e $u% era Haardy. +% rspuse $u% Le%!& + e$u$ $u% (r!a( >T,cma%e pre!(%m de a(er%)are. Ve)% puc(uK $a de $um% d% s(%! Se m%8c+c,ace?. +c&e%e pe u (, de s%mpa(%e ca$d: 9A ,s( u drum !reu9 e&Ma% !reu dec+( a% cre)u( a(uc% c+d (ea% ,er%( s +scr%% m%ca mea ru(pe(ru s%d%ca(uK $a mare a$ (u?.

Le%!& u3= ma% ascu$(a. Se $sase + j,s + a7a &u'$,u$u% 8% se c&%u%as *ad ce*a + +(uer%cu$ spa7%u$u%. C$%p% de c+(e*a ,r%9 da%3u ,'ser*%m%c. /es%!ur9 se *edeau pu)der%e de s(e$e9 dar a*u e*,%e de c+(e*asecude 'ue ca ,c&%% s% +ce7,8a7% s *ad $um%%$e m%8c(,are. Leumr cu , u%m%re (,( ma% mare.

>Ua9 d,u9 (re%... 8ap(e?9 r,s(% +curca(. >% (,a(e s+( s(r+se c%,rc&%e.?9 Cum? Haardy se ap$ec a$(ur% de e$. >ap(e?I(re e% se a8(eru (cerea9 + *reme ce $um%%$e de*eeau (,( ma%

s$a'e d% cau)a depr(r%% 8% + ce$e d% urm d%sprur cu (,(u$.>Pca( c3= a*em pe ;up%(er +ap,%a ,as(r?9 se a*e(ur Le%!&. >/ac

u era p$ae(a u a*eau cum s d%spar + e$u$ s(a d% *edere. Care erame(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ar?

Haardy se r%d%c +cru(a( R,s(% +ce( >A$ea erau a*e. % 3am ma%*)u( p+ acum a*e a8a de rap%de. Ne3au p%er%( d% *edere + ma% pu7%de u m%u(?. a7a aceea !re,a%e se +se% de,da(. Omu$ r%d%c d%umer%. >P,a(e c erau ,%$e a*e a$e p,$%7%e%. Iar ,% $e3am *)u( d%(r3uu!&% ep,(r%*%( de3au d%spru( a8a de repede.?

Le%!& +!&e7ase + p,)%7%a + care se a$a9 pe jum(a(e a8e)a(9 pejum(a(e +!euc&ea( /up ce r%sc , pr%*%re spre p%$,(9 +8% er% a7a.Pe(ru , c$%p se (emu ca u cum*a (,a(e !+dur%$e ace$ea %e'ue8(% care3% asa$(aser m%(ea s % se c%(easc 8% + ,c&%.

/ree!%%@ Trecuser d,u $u% 8% jum(a(e de $a pr%me$e cr%medesc,per%(e. E$ a*usese e*,%e de ma% '%e de , $u ca s aju! de pe

Pm+( p+ pe Eur,pa9 dup care urmase c$(,r%a cu Haardy9 ,mu$ carecea (rasp,r(ur%$e pe(ru U!ar. I %ecare )% de c+d p$ecase 8(%use cus%!ura7 c per%c,$u$ u se d%m%uase cu %m%c9Q dar (,( cre)use c a*eas +m'race , ,rm mu$( ma% d%scre(. I (,a( aacerea aceea s%!uru$m,me( p$cu( usese a(uc% c+d se (re)%se + d%m%ea7a de dup (es(u$cu ps%&,$,!u$ meca%c9 dup u s,m r *%se9 8% c%(%se + rap,r(u$ps%&,!rau$u% c3= %de(%%case pe pr,es,r drep( O'ser*a(,ru$ Ga$ac(%c 8%dec$ara7%a9 scu( d%(r3, s(are de (es%ue pe care , cu,8(ea prea '%e9c se +dr!,s(%se de a(a aces(u%a.

Iar acum p$ea8ca as(a@ Se cu(remur de !r,a). ap(e a*e dree!.

As(a +sema c pr%ma pr%m%se +(r%r% ser%,ase. Ma% mu$( ca s%!ur c ce$e8ap(e repre)e(au uma% u m%c !rup de recu,a8(ere9 care se re(rsese


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a(uc% c+d desc,per%ser a*a $u% Haardy care se apr,p%a. Sau p,a(e cace% cr%m%a$% cu pu(er% supra,mee8(% a(acaser deja 'a)aO'ser*a(,ru$u%. P,a(e c a(a era acum m,ar(.

Pr%*% a!%(a( cum me(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ar ,rma + spa7%u u e$ de p,(ecde u e!ru s(r$uc%(,r. Ce$e d,u ,'%ec(e9 a*a 8% me(e,r%(u$ de ,rm

ere!u$a(9 )'urau $a,$a$( pr% 'e)9 cu a*a pu7% + urma $u%. + r,cadur se desc&%se de,da( , p,ar( %mes de ,7e$. Na*a se s(recur cua'%$%(a(e + (ue$u$ desc&%s. Ap,% se au)% u c$%c&e( )!,m,(,s. Haardy%e8% d% camera de c,(r,$ cu c&%pu$ +(ueca( de e$%%8(e.

.Aur%s%(e$e a$ea de a*e s+( %ar aar?9 +% )%se rep,r(eru$u%. >Am +c&%sp,ar(a (ue$u$u%9 dar ma% '%e s3% )%c 8% pr,es,ru$u% +a%(e s...?

Buuuum Y M%cu7u$ me(e,r%( se )!udu% *%,$e( su' ,r7a eHaardy@? /% d%u),are$e mar% se au)% u !$as em%%9 *%'ra(P%$,(u$9 care a(er%)ase apr,ape de Le%!&9 se r%d%c cu !reu + p%c%,are.

>/a9 d,m%8,ar Pa(r%c%a.?>Cum de a% +dr)%( s aduc% cu (%e u s(r%?>Nu e dec+( u rep,r(er9 d,m%8,ar. Vrea s3m% +scr%e ru(a $a s%d%ca(?>Id%,( credu$ ce e8(%@ s(a3% %$$%am Le%!&. Es(e sp%,u$ &%p,(%)a( a$

d%a*,$%$,r care e a(ac. Adu3= %med%a( + apar(ame(u$ meu. Tre'u%e,m,r+( pe $,c.?

92a@? %c% Le%!& s(upe%a( +a%(e s se +c,rde)e d% (,( c,rpu$. P%$,(u$ +$

pr%*ea cu ,c&%% m%j%7% ame%7(,r9 %ar ,r%ce urm de am%c%7%e d%spruse depe c&%pu$ $u% !r,s,$a. Le%!& +cerc s !$umeasc. >Nu e ca)u$ s (e $a8%pc$%( de ea9 Haardy. Eu am cu( !re8ea$a as(a c+d am sa$*a( *%a7a(%ere% d,ame 8% de a(uc% am a(ras asupra mea ura e% em%$,as.?

P%$,(u$ ce$ +desa( +$ pr%*ea +cru(a(>/ec% , cu,8(%9 u % m%e de ce um%3a% spus %m%c Ma% '%e mer!em $a ea +a%(e s %u ,'$%!a( s37% ardua + sc%r$%e.?

Haardy sc,ase cu s(+!c%e re*,$*eru$ pe care3= pur(a + (,cu$ $a(era$8%3= a7%(% asupra $u% Le%!&. >Ha%de@? se rs(%...

Haardy +(%se m+a spre pa,u$ cu $um%%7e de $+! u8aapar(ame(u$u% Pa(r%c%e% U!ar 3 + ace$ m,me( Le%!& cu u sa$( 8%3=

$,*% , s%!ur da(9 cu se(e. Pr%se d% )',r c,rpu$ !re,% 8% $u arma d%m+a m,a$e9 +a%(e s3= +(%d pe p,deaua c,r%d,ru$u%9 dup carermase $a p+d ca u a%ma$ mare9 cu urec&%$e c%u$%(e.

$%%8(e@ S(ud%e cu a(e7%e $emu$ aur%u a$ u8%% de $a apar(ame(9 deparc9 dac s3ar % c,ce(ra( des(u$9 %3ar % pu(u( s(rpu!e ,pac%(a(ea.Ceea ce$ edumerea era $%%8(ea 8% c,r%d,are$e pus(%%. Se !+d% cu u%m%re:Oare c&%ar era p,s%'%$ ca (a($ 8% %%ca s $,cu%asc s%!ur% ac,$,9 r+s,7%(,r% uma%9 r ser*%(,r% C&%ar credeau c ar % pu(u( 7%e p%ep( uu%a(ac a$ dree!%$,r9 crea(ur%$e ace$ea (er%'%$e9 cu , pu(ere %cred%'%$

/es%!ur9 a*eau mu$( eer!%e. Era e*,%e de , ca(%(a(e %mes uma%

pe(ru a me7%e !ra*%(a7%a $a %*e$u$ ce$e% pm+(e8(%. Ma% '%e s38% *adde drum +a%(e ca a(a s se p$%c(%seasc s ma% a8(ep(e 8% s %as cu ua


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d% arme$e e%. Ceea ce a*ea de cu( era ed,mu$ Pa(r%cJ? u!%se dup ce sc3paser de $a C,s(a(%eKs. Cu a*a aceea m%uscu$ (re'u%a s +cerce se*ade)e de pe me(e,r%(u$ $u% U!ar9 s se ur%8e)e pr%(re a*e$e dree! 8%

s se +drep(e spre Pm+(Ce e'u usese9 , %%7 uma a's,$u( med%,cr9 c se ames(ecase

cu 'u 8(%%7 cu asemeea crea(ur%. Lumea era p$% de e(e ,rma$e 8%cu u c,e%c%e( de %(e$%!e7 e!a$ cu a$ $u%. /e ce u era +sura( 8% +s%!ura7 cu ua d% e$e C,(%3 u+d s se !+deasc $a (rea'a as(a9 seapuc s3= (+r+%e pe Haardy pes(e p,deaua $uc%,as. La jum(a(eadrumu$u% spre pr%mu$ c,$79 p%$,(u$ pr%se s se (re)easc. r s e)%(e9Le%!& +$ p,c% )dra* cu pa(u$ re*,$*eru$u%. Nu a*ea *reme s se p,ar(ecu de$%ca(e7e.

Haardy se $s %ar m,a$e. Le%!& ascuse cu !r%j c,rpu$ p%$,(u$u% dupc,$7 8% ap,% +cepu s a$er!e pe c,r%d,r9 +cerc+d u8%$e. Pr%me$e pa(ru erau+cu%a(e. % a c%cea prea $a e$9 dar de aceas( da( IQe%!& se ,pr% s se!+deasc.

I se prea %cred%'%$ ca (,(u$ s %e +cu%a( /,% ,ame%9 pe u me(e,r%(%),$a( u a*eau e*,%e s p%ard *remea ca s +cu%e 8% s descu%e (,a(eu8%$e. Se apuc s , e


33/135

a8(ep(+du3se s se $,*easc de u pere(e sau de *reu ,'%ec( s,$%d. C+dm+a %(r + ),a de 'e)9 d%spru d% *edere. O (rase +ap,% 8% se &,$'$a Da. M+a +% s(r$ucea de , $um% pr,pr%e9 %ar ,ase$e erau perec( *%)%'%$e.

Lum%a aceea e%reasc d%spru apr,ape %med%a(9 %ar p%e$ea +8%recp(a ,pac%(a(ea ,'%8u%(F d,ar 'ra7u$ +% ma% pu$sa de durere. Pr,s(u$e9

+8% )%se s%!ur. R+se cu amrc%ue 8% +cerc s38% a$u!e spa%ma. A(uc%se +(+mp$@

/% 'e) %e8% u e$ de u$!er. Era ce*a ma(er%a$9 cu , s(r$uc%re *%e9care3% a(%se ru(ea 8% ap,% se a's,r'% + %(er%,ru$ capu$u% $u%. Iar dupaceea...

Nu se ma% a$a + $%( O'ser* c era ude*a pe u c,r%d,r $u!. A$(ur%de e$9 Haardy ce$ +desa( +(%dea de!e(u$ ca s apese pe ua d%$um%%7e$e de pe pa,u$ de $+! u8a apar(ame(u$u% Pa(r%c%e% U!ar.Lum%%7a a(%s de de!e(u$ $u% !r,s se s(%se. U8a se desc&%se s%$e7%,as.+ pra!u$ e% se a$a , eme%e (+r9 cu ,c&% m+dr%9 %s,$e7% 8% cu ,a(%(ud%e re!easc.

>Ta(a *rea s (e duc% $a %*e$u$ pa(ru?9 +% )%se %med%a( $u% Haardy. >Separe c am p%erdu( u pa,u eer!e(%c. Vrea s3% repar% ma% +(+%!eera(,ru$9 +a%(e s %s(a$e)e u a$( pa,u.? Se +(,arse ap,% 8% spreLe%!&. G$asu$ +% de*e% apr,ape me(a$%c a(uc% c+d +% )%se: >/,mu$e Le%!&9(e r,! s %(r%@?0

Le%!& %(r9 apr,ape r (eam. O 'r%) rc,r,as +% m+!+%e ,'raj%%Fpu(ea au)% (r%$ur%$e p$cu(e a$e psr%$,r ce c+(au + depr(are. Se ,pr%a(uc% c+d *)u !rd%a +s,r%(a d% spa(e$e eres(re$,r ra7u)e8(%. /up, c$%p c&%ar se !+d%: >Ce s3a +(+mp$a( cu m%e?

+8% duse m+%%$e $a cap9 +8% p%p% ru(ea9 ap,% 8% res(u$ cra%u$u%. /ar (,(u$prea + re!u$9 u se s%m7ea %c% u cucu%9 %c% , durere. O'ser* c a(a +$pr%*ea 8%38% ddu seama c +(rea!a $u% c,mp,r(are +% prea %cred%'%$ des(ra%e.

>Ce3% cu (%e? 5 +(re'.Le%!& , pr%*% cu susp%c%ue. % +% rspuse cu aspr%me: >N3, ma% ace pe

%,ce(a cu m%e. T,cma% am ,s( sus9 + camera 'e)e%9 8% u p,( dec+(s37% spu c9 dac a% de !+d s m ,m,r%9 mcar u (e ascude +spa(e$e ,p7%% ar(%%c%a$e 8% u ma% um'$a cu a$(e 8mec&er%%?.

Oc&%% e(e% se +!us(aser 8% de*e%ser ep$cu( de rec%. >Nu 8(%u ce+cerc% s %s%ue)%?9 +% rspuse ea. >/ar (e p,( as%!ura c + %c% u ca)

u37% *a am+a e%% a(e(@? +cepu Le%!&. Ap,% se ,pr%. Pe(ru c Haardy A%sese ac,$,a(uc% c+d se desc&%sese u8a@ % cu (,a(e as(ea9 ce*a ma% de*reme...


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C+dSper%a( Le%!& c,(%u %ru$ !+du$u%: ma% de*reme +$ a(acase pe

Haardy. Iar ap,% e$ 3 Le%!& 3 urcase cu $%(u$F ap,% re*e%se cum*a +ap,%.S%m7% cum +8% p%erde m%7%$e. +8% p%p% %ar capu$ cu de!e(e (remur(,are. /arera a's,$u( ,rma$. Numa% c9 cu!e( ma% depar(e9 a*ea +u(ru ce*a ce

s(r$ucea 8%3= !+d%$a.O'ser* (resr%d c a(a sc,sese d% 'u)uaru$ r,c&%e% a$'e9 s%mp$e9 ,

arm. Pr%*% %< $a 7ea*a e% 8% se !+d% c (re'u%a s ma% (ra! cum*a de(%mp. R,s(% cu e'r%$%(a(e: >Am de !+d s presupu c e8(% +c edumer%(d% cau)a a ceea ce 7%3am spus. /ar &a% s3, $um de $a +cepu( ETe r,!?9 +% )%se a(a p$%c(%s%(. >Nu e ca)u$ s3m% ac% , dem,s(ra7%e de$,!%c pm+(ea. C,e%c%e(u$ meu de %(e$%!e7 es(e 29 %ar a$ (u=2. Ca a(are (re'u%e s (e c,*%! cum*a c s+( capa'%$ s ra7%,e) ma%'%e ca (%e.? C,(%u pe u (, ce*a ma% p,$%(%c,s: >Nu eNu ma%a*em *reme. /%(r3u m,(%* ecu,scu(9 dree!%% 7%3au cu( ce*a. /e ceCe a% *)u( + camere$e a$ea?

+ *reme ce eNu + e$u$ s(a?9 r,s(% ea +ce( >Pe(ru, c$%p9 apr,ape c m%3am d,r%( s a% curaju$ s +cerc%. /ar pe(ru m%e ar% u sem de s$'%c%ue.? Oc&%% +% s(r$uceau de m+dr%e. >+ ,d9 8%+a%(e am ma% uc%s de e*,%e9 dar u m%3a p$cu( de$,c. Nu se p,a(e su37% da% seama c9 d% cau)a a ceea ce 7%3au cu( dree!%%9 es(e a's,$u(

ecesar s % e$%m%a( S e +(,arcem $a m%e. Am ac,$, u sas pr% carem p,( desc,(,r,s% de cada*ru$ (u. M%8c@?


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Le%!& +8% s%m7ea er*%% )!+r%a7% de pus(%e(a(ea c,r%d,ru$u%9 de $%%8(eaaps(,are de ac,$,9 +(rerup( d,ar de sue(u$ pa8%$,r $,r. Se s%m7ea cu(,(u$ $%ps%( de spera7 + *reme ce se +drep(a a'(u( spre apar(ame(u$e%. usese pr%s + curs + me(e,r%(u$ care p$u(ea pr% +(uer%cu$ *as( a$s%s(emu$u% s,$ar. T,cma% ac,$,9 + acea +c&%s,are9 urmr%( 8% a(aca( de

a*e$e cump$%(e *e%(e d% s(e$e9 usese c,dama( $a m,ar(e9 %ar c$u$era , a(. Par(ea as(a % se prea cea ma% +!r,)%(,are. Nu a*ea r,s( s+cerce s se ma% c,(ra)%c cu a(a de $+! e$. %ecare *,r' pe care ar %spus3, ar % sema( cu , ru!m%(e 8% parc u se cea s se +j,seasca8a de mu$(

C+d %(r %ar + apar(ame( c+(ecu$ psr%$,r +$ ma% sc,ase pu7% d%depr%mare. Se apr,p%e de eres(re$e ra7u)e8(% 8% pr%*% $a rum,asa !rd%de aar. Ce$ pu7% c+(e*a su(e de me(r% de$,r% 8% de c,pac% care se +(%deau +a%(ea $u%. La m%j$,c se *edea u 'a)%ad+c9 p$% cu ap de u *erde ca de smara$d. Pes(e (,( se *edeau )'ur+dpsr% c,$,ra(e care c%r%peau *ese$e9 %ar deasupra s(r$ucea s,are$e.

T,cma% acea s(r$uc%re a s,are$u% +% re7%u a(e7%a $u% Le%!&. /up cepr%*% a(e( c+(e*a c$%pe $a !rd%9 a*u %mpres%a c desc,per%se m%s(eru$.Su$ r!u8%( r s se +(,arcF .Ac,per%8u$ 3 es(e u arajame( 3 ca ,$upa ace s,are$e s par $a e$ de mare ca pe Pm+( As(a3% ceea ce...?

9A% ace '%e s (e +(,rc%?9 *e% d% spa(e$e $u% !$asu$ *%'ra( a$ e(e%9+crca( de ,s(%$%(a(e. >Nu am ,'%ce%u$ s +mpu8c ,ame%% pe $a spa(e. %*reau s (erm% ma% repede cu (%e.?

Le%!& se s%m7% de,da( m+%a( pes(e msur de ar,!a7a m,ra$%s( a*,r'e$,r e%. Se rsuc% d%(r3, da(.9 Aur%s%( s %%9 (u 8% (,( eamu$ (uJ$u!!. Nu p,7% s m +mpu8(% pe $a spa(e9 e& O&,9 u@ A8a cum u a% %

pu(u( s m +mpu8(% %c% dac (e3a8 % a(aca( pe(ru c ar % ,s( prea u8,r.Tre'u%e s ac% (,(u$ cum se cu*%e9 u cum*a s rm+% cu c,8(%%7a+crca(.?

Se ,pr% a8a de a'rup( +c+( dac + $,c s *,r'easc ar % a$er!a( ma%mu$( ca s%!ur s3ar % +mp%ed%ca( /e c+d s,s%se9 % se prea c a(uc% , *edeape(ru pr%ma da( pe Pa(r%c%a U!ar. M%(ea +% usese a8a de c,ce(ra(9de a's,r'%( de per%c,$u$ %m%e(..

...+c+( de3a'%a acum , *edea pe(ru pr%ma da( ca pe , eme%e.Le%!& (rase aer + p%ep( 8%3= eS u cum*a s ma% +dr)e8(% s pr,u7%cu*+(u$ s(a + a7a mea@?

Era c$ar c (+ra de3a'%a +8% ma% pu(ea re7%e ur%a. Le%!& (resr%surpr%s. Rea$%) de,da( ce 8as % se ,er%se. >$u!!@ r,s(% rsp%ca($u!!9 J$u!!9 J$u!!. Cred c37% da% seama c dree!%%

%a (e3au m%r,s%( %med%a(9 au 8(%u( c (,a( a(%(ud%ea (a ar,!a( u ceadec+( s e


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as(a s%!ura(%c9 cu (,(u$ %er%,ar. A% ,s( e*,%( s +7% +c&%pu% c e8(%c%e*a9 de8% a% 8(%u( prec%s c Ce% Mar% u ar (r%m%(e pe asemeea p,s(ur%dec+( repre)e(a7% a% rase$,r %er%,are d% e8a$,u$ !a$ac(%c. /a9 e8(%J$u!!9 %c% mcar $ee$F eme%a dree! %c% 3a *ru( s37% ac,rde s(a(u(u$ de$ee$9 ,r%ce , ma% % 8% s(a. Iar ea 8(%a '%e despre ce *,r'ea. Iar dac (u

a% u c,e%c%e( de %(e$%!e7 de 29 a(uc% ce$ a$ dree!%$,r sare pr,'a'%$de 55. %3a% da( 8% (u seama9 u?

>Tac%@ /ac u +ce(e)% , s (e !uresc 'uca( cu 'uca(a@? +% s(r%!Pa(r%c%a U!ar.

Le%!& c,s(a( cu u%m%re c pe su' 'r,)u$ s(,s9 a(a se a$'%se $aa7. % rea$%)9 cu , u%m%re cresc+d9 c $,*%se u d,ar u e$ de ca$c+% a$$u% A&%$e em,7%,a$9 c% c&%ar + rdc%%$e *%(a$e a$e eIa (e u%(?9 r,s(% e$ de$%'era(9 >marea m,ra$%(a(e cu care (e $uda%+a%(e a +cepu( s p$easc@ Acum e8(% !a(a s m (,r(ure)% p+ $am,ar(e r s c$%pe8(%. % c+d (e !+de8(% c am '(u( (,( drumu$ p+ a%c%uma% ca s +7% cer s (e mr%7% cu m%e9 pe(ru c am cre)u( c , J$u!! 8%, %%7 uma de pe +ap,%a(u$ P3 m+( s3ar pu(ea +7e$e!e@?

>Ce spu%? %)'uc% a(a9 +a%(e s m+r+%e: >/ec% a8a (e3au &%p,(%)a(Mda9 era perec( ,rma$ s se ,$,seasc de u %mpu$s s%mp$u pe(ru ,m%(e s%mp$ de ,m. Se +(rerupse9 +cerc+d s38% recape(e c,(r,$u$. Credc am sup,r(a( des(u$e d% par(ea (a. Cu,sc ,ar(e '%e ce e$ de !+dur%%*adea) m%(ea uu% mascu$ uma +dr!,s(%( C&%ar dac 8(%u c u (ue8(% resp,sa'%$ pe(ru (rea'a as(a9 %deea u m% se pare cu %m%c ma% u8,rde sup,r(a( Nu s%m( dec+( s%$ + a7a aces(e% %su$(e. Iar dac (e %3(eresea)9 a(uc% a$ c *%%(,ru$ meu s,7 *a *e% a%c% + (re% sp3 (m+% 8%aduce cu e$ +(r%r%. A ,s( deja spec%a$%)a( ca s pre%a +da(,r%r%$e (a($u%

meu...?>U a$( J$u!!?9 r,s(% Le%!&9 %ar a(a p$% 8% ma% (are.Le%!& era de3a drep(u$ s(upe%a( N%c%,da( u ma% *)use pe c%e*a

care s se ara(e ma% !ra* aec(a( de pr,*e%e7a sa9 a8a cum , cea a(a.Masca %(e$ec(ua$ c)use9 %ar +dr(u$ e%9 *a$u$ em,7%%$,r a*ea ,amrc%ue !reu de eA8 *rea s37%pu , +(re'are. Cum a% a$a( care es(e *a$,area c,e%c%e(u$u% meu de%(e$%!e7 Ce %(eres spec%a$ (e3a +mp%s s3= a$% Es(e ,are p,s%'%$ ca 8%(u9 s(+d s%!ur a%c%9 s % a*u( u aume !e de !+dur%9 8% ca9 de8% %(e3$ec(u$ (u resp%!e cu (r%e , asemeea dra!,s(e +j,s%(,are9 e/es(u$?9 +$ +(rerupse Pa(r%c%a U!ar.

Lu% Le%!& +% (re'u% , c$%p ca s38% dea seama c9 + (%mp ce e$ *,r'%se9a(a %)'u(%se s38% recape(e cump(u$. O pr%*% +c,rda( cum +% cea sem


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cu arma spre , u8 pe care 3, remarcase +a%(e. Ap,% , au)% spu+du3%,ar(e ca$m:

>Bu%esc c ma% eEs(e ac,$,9 + sas. Se p%$,(ea)

eMu$7umesc.?Le%!& u38% perm%se s spu ma% mu$( de a(%( Reu8%se s de(,e)e +

su$e(u$ e(e% , m% em,7%,a$ 8% de acum u ma% +dr)ea s um'$e $aea I me(e,r%(u$ ace$a e/,mu$e Le%!&9 (e r,! s %(r%@?=5

/e8% prea , e'u%e9 Le%!& %(r r p%c de (eam. O ad%e rerc,r,as +% m+!+%e ,'raj%%. % ma% era 8% (r%$u$ du$ce a$ psr%$,r care c+(auude*a + depr(are. Le%!& se ,pr%9 es%!ur. Pr% pu(erea *,%7e% se scu(urde cea7a cre% +*$u%se m%(ea9 ap,% se p$ec + a7a *+r(eju$u% mem,r%e%res(a'%$%(e. +8% am%(% de,da( (,( ce se +(+mp$ase9 cum *e%ser +apar(ame(u$ $u% de $a &,(e$ ce% d,% dree!% 8% cum9 e+dur(,r%9 +$supuseser *,%7e% $,r9 cum +$ aec(ase ap,% camera D'e)e% 8% + %a$e$u$ + care a(a +% cru7ase *%a7a.

Se prea +s c9 d%(r3u m,(%* ,'scur9 (,a( scea cu a(a u % sepruse sa(%sc(,are $u%... ;ee$9 %ar acum9 de8% prea %mp,s%'%$9 (re'u%are$ua( de $a cap(

G+du$ se curm. T,a( rea$%(a(ea a ceea ce se pe(recuse9 a8a u%m%(,arecum era9 p$ea + a7a uu% $ucru cu mu$( ma% sem%%ca(%*: e


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/e8% prea , e'u%e9 Le%!& +8% ddu seama ce aume era ace$ ce*a. Oa$( m%(e. Se +depr( de ace$ !+d de parc $3ar % ars. +8% +c,rdcre%eru$. Pe(ru u m,me( ree)%a u a8a de mare9 +c+( a7a % se s(r+m'd% cau)a e,r(u$u% pe care3= cea. T,(u$ de*e% ec$ar + jur.

I ce$e d% urm9 e


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Urm ap,% c%(%rea cu acura(e7e a ps%&,$,!%e% e(e% 8% adm%ra7%a ,'%ec(%*pe(ru s%s(emu$ care cerea de)*,$(area + %),$are9 care $e cea pe e(e$eJ$u!! %8(e s,7%% a8a de 'ue9 %ar dup aceea...

Sc,pu$@Adus $a +dep$%%re %s(a(aeu. Le%!& cu (re% pa8% rap%)% spre a(. Era

c,8(%e( c era !a(a s sc,a( arma d% 'u)uar. O'ser* u$u%rea de pec&%pu$ e%. Puse m+a pe ea Mu8c&%% e% se +c,rdar ca %8(e +8%% de ,7e$. /arerau %capa'%$% s ac a7 superpu(er%% $u%9 super*%(e)e% pe care , a*ea. O$e! cu , s+rm pe care , ,'ser*ase + (reac( %e8%d d% de'ara.

/up ce (erm%9 cu u pas + spa(e9 %ar Le%!& a*u *reme s cu!e(ecu m%rare $a (,( ceea ce se pe(recuse. +7e$ese ap,% c ceea ce cu , c$%p+a%(e pruse ce*a a's,$u( ,rma$9 era de ap( de*as(a(,r de suprauma9a(%( de %u(e +c+( de3a'%a dac se scurseser c+(e*a secude de c+d %(rase+ camer.

G+du$ $u% pers,a$ se +c&e%e ac,$,. /e*e% c,8(%e( de m%(ea%*ada(,are care9 dup ce c,(emp$ase mu$7um%( ceea ce cuse9 se!+dea + c,(%uare $a ce ma% a*ea de +dep$%%( +a%(e s a%'me(e,r%(u$ su' c,(r,$u$ su.

V%c(,r%a *amp%r%$,r era apr,ape.Urm ap,% , a) + care Le%!& c,s(a( c s(r'(ea cu *%(e)

c,r%d,are$e pus(%% 8% c ap,% c,',ra9 cu aceea8% rap%d%(a(e9 c+(e*a r+dur% descr%. Le%!& cu!e( cu de(a8are9 8% aces( !+d +% apar7%ea9 ca dree!%%preau s cu,asc ,ar(e '%e %(er%,ru$ me(e,r%(u$u%. I(r3u e$ sau a$(u$9+ per%,ade$e de (ra)%7%e9 c+d ma%pu$aser (%mpu$9 m%(ea %*ada(,arese ,$,s%se pr,'a'%$ de c,rpu$ $u% cap(%* ca s e


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cur%,as. Asem(,are resemr%%. I ,ap(ea aceea de p,m%9pe(recu( cu ma% '%e de d,u $u% + urm9 +8% am%(ea c3, +(re'ase peMer$a: resemare a7 de ce Acum a*ea rspusu$ +scr%s $%mpede pe a7a'$aj%: resemare % a7a %adu$u%.

I m,d c%uda(9 pr%m% 8% u a$ d,%$ea rspus9 de aceas( da( me(a$9

s(recura( d%rec( + c,8(%e(u$ su: S+( uma% %8(e %d%,7%9 re(arda7%%!a$ac(%c%. T,a( rasa J$u!!. /e8% !+%du$ s(r% u prea s a%' , aumesurs9 de*eea d% ce + ce ma% pu(er%c. Pr,es,ru$ U!ar 8% %%ca sa erauam+d,% J$u!!9 %d%,7% + ses !a$ac(%c9 a8a cum ar % ,s( !reu de cre)u(/ec% u era de$,c de m%rare c a(a reac7%,ase ca , %s(er%c. Ma% mu$( cas%!ur9 scu( ac,$,9 '%a(a de ea a$ase ade*ru$ cu uma% d,u $u% +urm.

C,e%c%e(u$ de %(e$%!e7 a$ %d%,7%$,r uma% se a$a ude*a +(re8ap(e)ec% 8% c%c% 8% ,u)ec%9 %ar pr% c,mpara7%e9 ce$ a$ %d%,3(%$,r J$u!! *ar%a pr,'a'%$ +(re d,u su(e d,u)ec% 8% c%c% 8% ce$ mu$( d,usu(e pa(ru)ec% 8% (re%. /ar care era a(ura c%*%$%)a7%e% !a$ac(%ce9 dacdree!%% a*eau u c,e%c%e( de pa(ru su(e9 %ar rasa J$u!! se s%(ua pe(reap(a cea ma% de j,s a scr%% %(e$%!e7e%9 de8% erau cu mu$( deasupra%*e$u$u% !e%%$,r de pe Pm+( /es%!ur9 c%e*a (re'u%a s se ,cupe demuca p$%c(%s%(,are de urmr%re a ue% c%*%$%)a7%% mu$( %er%,are9 ce*a,',s%(,r9 + care ru(%a +8% spuea cu*+(u$. A8a c erau a$e8% repre)e(a7%d% rase$e J$u!! 8% $ee$ 8% a$(e$e asemeea $,r. Nu era de$,c de m%rare cpreau a8a de ,',s%7%9 dac pur(au pe umer% p,*ara %er%,r%(7%% $,r9 ceeace $e %$ue7a %ecare er* 8% (,a(e s(ruc(ur%$e muscu$are. Era de +7e$es dece p$ae(e +(re!% c,(%uau s %e me7%u(e + %!,ra7a.

Le%!& +$ $s pe pr,es,r $e!a( ede$e8 8% se apuc s ,preasc

!eera(,are$e. C+d %e8% de ac,$,9 m,(,are$e pu(er%ce a$e !eera(,are$,r+cepuser sa se ,preasc. /udu%(u$ $,r sc)use drama(%c + %(es%(a(e.+(,rs + camera e(e%9 %(r + sas9 urc + au(,m,'%$u$Ya* spa7%a$ 8%

se $as + ,ap(e. Masa $uc%(,are a me(e,r%(u$u% rmase %med%a( ude*a+ +(uer%cu$ d% spa(e$e $u%. S%m7% de,da( cum m%ca $u% a* u pr%s dera)e$e (rac(,are de ,r7a ma!e(%c9 care3= aduceau r m%$ spre a*ade ,rma uu% (ra'uc9 $u! de , su( c%c%)ec% de me(r%9 care apruseparc de %c%er%. S%m7% de asemeea 8% ra)e$e3sp%, care3= cerce(au cu!r%j +a%(e s se re(ra!. /ec% usese recu,scu( I apr,p%ere apru ,a$( a*9 cu %(e7%a de a3= pre$ua. U sas se desc&%se s%$e7%,s 8% ap,% se+c&%se $a $,c. Le%!& pr%*% cu s%$ $a ce% d,% dree!%9 'r'a(u$ ce$ +a$( 8%

eme%a )*e$(. Se apuc s $e e


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/e,da(9 (,a(a eAm %mpres%a c a (recu( ma% mu$( (%mp de a(uc%. Tre'u%e s %(recu( ma% mu$( Am p%erdu( 8%ru$ a%$,r.?

/up , c$%p de (cere9 eme%a c,(%u cu , amrc%ue c%uda( +

!$as9 de parc ceea ce38% am%(ea9 ap(u$ c +mpr(8ea 8% cu a$(c%e*aceea ce , mc%ase sec,$e de3a r+du$9 readusese $a supraa7 8% (er,area


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s%m7%( a(uc%. >Eram pr%(re ce$e c+(e*a m%% de seme% a$a7% + *aca79c+d a*e$e ,as(re au ,s( pr%se de ,r7a !ra*%(a7%,a$ a uu% s,arecare9 de a(uc%9 a ,s( ',(e)a( s,are$e /ree!. Ra)e$e $u%9 ,ar(epr%mejd%,ase pe(ru *%a7a uma9 e3au %ec(a( pe (,7%. /up aceea amdesc,per%( c uma% (rasu)%%$e c,(%ue de s+!e 8% ,r7a *%(a$ a a$(,r

,ame% e ma% pu(eau sa$*a. O *reme am pr%m%( d,a7%%9 dar dup aceea!u*eru$ a dec%s c9 %%d %cura'%$%9 pu(eam % eVreau s m sru7%9 r (eam. O s (e 7% + *%a7 )%$e +

8%r9 dar (re'u%e s3m% rspu)%9 u am e*,%e de pas%*%(a(e. Nu par% s a%ma% mu$( de (re%)ec% de a% 8% e8(% 'ur$ac. Ca a(are9 u a% de ce s (e ,pu%9(,( a8a cum u am %c% eu. /ar (re'u%e s37% $a8% (,( c,rpu$ s se re$aM 'a)e) pe pr,m%s%uea (a9 pe(ru c u cred c p,( s re)%s(+ a7a ue% asemeea %sp%(e. P,7% s m sru7% c+( *re%. Cred c p,( sre)%s(..?

Le%!& percepu u e$ de u$!erare a$'s(ru%e 8% %med%a( s%m7% , se)a7%ede arsur9 care se +(%se ca u *a$ spre %ecare er* d% (rup. Va$u$ ace$ase (ras,rm +(r3, ser%e de +7ep(ur% dure9 de parc m%% de ace %3ar %s(rpus carea + ace$a8% (%mp. C+d se)a7%a (recu9 se m%8c u8,r9 u%m%(s c,s(a(e c era +c + *%a7. Le%!& desc&%se ,c&%%.

u %uda( de,da( de u $u< de u%m%re pur pers,a$a eme%a )ceapr*$%( pes(e p%ep(u$ $u%. Bu)e$e e%9 +(redesc&%se9 se a$au $a c+7%*a

ce(%me(r% de !ura sa. Iar m%(ea9 m%(ea aceea p(ru)(,are9 *e!&ea


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a(e(9 ,'ser*+d %(rarea ur(u,as a dree!u$u% ce$ +a$(9 care se ,pr% cau$!era( , c$%p9 ap,% se repe)% spre eme%e.

;ee$ r%d%c + 'ra7e (rupu$ m,a$e a$ Mer$e%. Se *)u , secud ma% (+r)%uace$a8% !e de descrcare cu ua7e a$'as(re a(uc% c+d'u)e$e $u% $e a(%ser pe a$e e%9 de aceas( da( d%spre e$ spre ea Mer$a se

m%8c 8% !emu. E$ +cepu s3, scu(ure cu 'ru(a$%(a(e.>Id%,a( m%c ce e8(%@? ur$ ;ee$ $a ea. >Cum de a% $sa( s se +(+mp$e

ua ca as(a /ac ma% +(+r)%am u m%u( a% % mur%(.?>Nu 3 8(%u.? G$asu$ eme%% era 8,*%e$%c9 ca a$ ue% '(r+e. Mer$a9

s$'%(9 se $s s cad pe p,dea9 $a p%c%,are$e $u%9 8% rmase ac,$,9%s(,*%(. Pru$ e% aur%u +8% p%erduse s(r$uc%rea 8% e$as(%c%(a(ea. >Nu 8(%u9;ee$. Am +cerca( uma% s %au ,r7a $u% *%(a$9 dar a $ua(3, e$ pe a mea.E$...?

Mer$a se ,pr% de,da(. Oc&%% a$'a8(r% 8% %c8% se desc&%ser $ar!. Sec&%u% s se r%d%ce + p%c%,are.

9;ee$9 (re'u%e s %e u sp%,. N%c% u pm+(ea u m%3ar % pu(u( acea8a ce*a. ;ee$@ G$asu$ +% (rda (er,area. ;ee$9 u!% de a%c%. C&%ar u37% da%seama Are + e$ (,a( eer!%a mea. C&%ar dac e $e!a( ac,$,9 ceea ce3=c,(r,$ea) are acum $a d%sp,)%7%e (,a( eer!%a mea...?

>Ga(a9 !a(a?9 rspuse ;ee$9 m+!+%du3% m+a cu '$+de7e. >P,( s (eas%!ur c u e dec+( , %%7 uma.U s%mp$u pm+(ea. %9 da9 a8a es(e97%3a $ua( eer!%a. A% cu( , !re8ea$ 8% $uNu +7e$e!%@? G$asu$ Mer$e% +cepu s (remure. 9;ee$9 (u u 8(%%9 dar am(r%8a( Nu 8(%u ce m3a apuca( dar (,( a*eam %mpres%a c u3m% aju!ea

eer!%a *%(a$. /e %ecare da( c+d a ,s( p,s%'%$9 + (%mpu$ ce$,r pa(ruper%,ade + care am ,s( pe Pm+( m3am ur%8a( aar d% a*. Am pr%s'r'a7% pe s(rad. Nu ma% 8(%u e/ra!a mea@? ;ee$ +cepu s3, scu(ure cu *%,$e79 a8a cum ar %pr,ceda( 8% u med%c cu , eme%e + p$% cr%) de %s(er%e. >Ce% Mar% e3au%!,ra( ma% '%e de , m%e de a% 8%...?

Se +(rerupse. a7a pre$u! % se +(ueca de,da(. Se rsuc% precumu (%!ru9 sc,7+d arma d% (,c c&%ar + ace$a8% m,me( + care Le%!& se

r%d%ca.Omu$ Le%!& u ma% s%m7ea de$,c m%rarea9 ma% a$es dup (,( ce se

+(+mp$ase. Nu era de$,c u%m%( de e$u$ + care c,r)%$e durecu care +% useser $e!a(e m+%%$e 8% p%c%,are$e c)user de parc ar % ,s(arse. A8a cum u3= ma% m%ra de$,c e$u$ + care dree!u$ prac(%c +!&e7asedup ce3= pr%*%se drep( + ,c&%. Nu3= ma% u$u%a %m%c d% (,a(e as(ea9pe(ru c pr,'a'%$ deja as%m%$ase pr%mu$ 8,c a$ ade*ru$u% de d%mes%u%c,sm%ce.

>E


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re%ese c u s+( ma% mu$( de , du)% 3 $e pu(em $sa r !r%j% + seamapa(ru$e$,r de p,$%7%e.?

Mare$e Ga$ac(%c care usese %$$%am Le%!& )+m'% +(ueca( 8% se +drep(spre cap(%*%% s%.

>M% s3a pru( u eRe*e%7% $a e


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O pu$sa7%e m%(a$ a$%(,are ajuse p+ + $,cu$ +(ueca( + careusese +c,$7%( 8%e$e su: >Nu e , m%c%u9 e d,ar m%ua(u$ ade*r. Tuu a% de ude s 8(%% ce au *)u( 8% au s%m7%( dree!%% ace%a9 pe(ru c (e a$%+ %(er%,ru$ aces(u% c,rp9 8% d% aceas( cau) u a% cum s37% da% seamac+( *%(a$%(a(e are9 ma% presus de ce$e ma% rum,ase *%se pe care $e3a% %

pu(u( u(r% *re,da( pe Pm+( Tre'u%e s37% accep7% des(%u$ mre7 pe(ruc a$(e$9 c&%ar 8% s%mp$a *edere a pr,pr%u$u% c,rp *a % pe(ru (%e ce*a(er%'%$. Ps(rea)37% ca$mu$ 8% %% ma% curaj,s dec+( a% ,s( *re,da(9 %ardurerea se *a presc&%m'a + 'ucur%e?.

Lu% Le%!& +% era %mp,s%'%$ s38% ps(re)e ca$mu$. M%(ea +% (remurasper%a( + c,$7u$ e% +(ueca(9 superc,8(%e( de %m',$dur%$e c%uda(e care(r!eau de ea precum *+(u$ ue% ur(u% + m%e)de ,ap(e. Pe(ru u m,me( de spa%m +%,r(,are9 se $s pr%s +acea ur(u9 ap,% re*e% +ce( d% pra!u$ e'u%e% 8% em%se u a$( !+d9 a$e%9 de , pr,u)%me amar: I(rusu$ ce$ *%c$ea +cerca s3= c,*%! cu'%%8,ru$. Oare as(a pu(ea +sema 3 m%(ea % se $um% de , ra) despera7 3 c ,r%ce +cercare de c,,rd,are de*eea %mp,s%'%$ dac e$ use supuea de 'u*,%e persuas%u%$,r

Nu se *a supue %c%,da(.>G+de8(e3(e?9 +% 8,p(% m%(ea s(r%9 >!+de8(e3(e c *e% de*e% ,

a7e( de *a$,are a uu% %(e$ec( cu u c,e%c%e( care dep8e8(e = 5559+7e$e!e c pers,a$%(a(ea (a 3a cu( a$(ce*a dec+( s j,ace u r,$. /aracum (re'u%e s re*% $a ,rma$%(a(e9 $a rea$%(a(ea ue% pu(er% apr,apee$%m%(a(e. A% ,s( ca u ac(,r a's,r'%( cu (,(u$ de r,$u$ $u%9 dar p%esa s3a(erm%a( Acum (e a$% s%!ur + ca'%a (a 8% (re'u%e s37% sc,7% mac&%aju$./%sp,)%7%a sce%c d%spare (,( ma% mu$( p$e8(e...?

>/u3(e a%'%%?9 r,s(% %$$%am Le%!& cu !$as (are. >Eu s+( %$$%am Le%!&9cu u c,e%c%e( de %(e$%!e7 de =259 ,ar(e mu$7um%( de ceea ce s+( Nu3m% pas dac am ,s( c,s(ru%( d% c,mp,e(e$e cre%eru$u% (u sau dacm3am scu( ,rma$. +m% dau seama ce +cerc% s ac% cu su!es(%%$e (a$e&%p,(%ce9 dar u 7%e. S+( a%c%. S+( eu +sum%. % a8a *,% rm+e. /ace8(% a8a de %s(e7 a(uc% p$eac s37% cau7% u a$( c,rp.?

/% $,cu$ de ude *e%se !$asu$ u se ma% au)ea %m%c. Acea $%%8(e9acea (cere a's,$u( +$ cu s s%m( , ud de (er,are ma% pu(er%cdec+( cea de d%a%(e.

usese a8a de a's,r'%( de acea $up( %(er%,ar9 +c+( u ma% dduse%c% , a(e7%e m%8cr%$,r e


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P%erdu(/a9 p%erdu( *e% u !+d de depar(e9 *e% % p%erdu( + a7a ue% e/ac , s

reu8esc s m de)$e!9 m cr'esc de a%c% cu (,a( *%(e)a@?+cerc r+!&%a cu care era $e!a( 8% !emu c+d c,s(a( c+( de dur era.

5 *reme +ce( s se ma% )'a(9 accep(+d s%(ua7%a + care se !sea9 de8%9su' acea resemare c$,c,(ea , ja$e ad+c 8% , spa%m pe msur.

Bu%a c 8% pr,es,ru$ U!ar9 ca 8% %%ca $u%9 erau $a e$ de eaju(,ra7%9pe(ru c a$(e$9 + decursu$ ceasu$u% care (recuse9 ar % +cerca( s a$e ce

era cu e$.


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A.E.van Vogt - Supermintea - Punctul Omega v0.9