Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 7
Igaveoverandlayquietforalongtime—aneternityitseemedthen,thoughnowIamconfidentthatitcouldhavebeennolongerthanaquarterofanhour.Igrewdizzywithsemi-asphyxiation,andmyheartthumpeduntilitseemedsurelyitwouldburstthecanvasthatboundme.AgainIlostcontrolofmyselfandsetupamadhowlingforhelp.
InthemidstofthisIheardavoicefromthenextdungeon.
“Shutup,”itshouted,thoughonlyfaintlyitpercolatedtome.“Shutup.Youmakemetired.”
“I’mdying,”Icriedout.
“Poundyourearandforgetit,”wasthereply.
“ButIamdying,”Iinsisted.
“Thenwhyworry?”camethevoice.“You’llbedeadprettyquickan’outofit.Goaheadandcroak,butdon’tmakesomuchnoiseaboutit.You’reinterruptin’mybeautysleep.”
SoangeredwasIbythiscallousindifferencethatIrecoveredself-controlandwasguiltyofnomorethansmotheredgroans.Thisenduredanendlesstime—possiblytenminutes;andthenatinglingnumbnesssetupinallmybody.Itwaslikepinsandneedles,andforaslongasithurtlikepinsandneedlesIkeptmyhead.
