Chapter 8 Chapter 4 Ben Hansko: Escape from the Tiger's Mouth (1)

1 At about 11:45 p.m., on United Airlines flight 41 from Omaha to Chicago, the stewardess in charge of the first-class cabin was really frightened.She thought the passenger sitting in row one was dead. When he boarded the plane in Omaha, she smelled heavily of booze on him, and she was like, "Oh, God, there's going to be trouble. This man is so drunk." She was most afraid of being in first class. service, because in first class guests can drink.She was sure the man would order wine, and it would be double.Then she had to decide whether to give it to him or not.To make matters worse, it was rainy and windy along the way that night.She was sure the tall, lanky guy in the jeans and jersey was going to throw up at some point.

But after the plane took off, the tall lanky man only ordered a soda, and seemed polite, and then fell silent.There was so much chaos on the flight that night that the flight attendant quickly forgot about him.It was a trip that people will never want to remember again.There's only one question you'll be asking the entire voyage - given the chance - will you land alive? The plane was like a skier rushing down the slope, zigzag through the thunder and lightning. Looking at the dense black clouds on both sides of the cabin, the passengers laughed loudly to hide their uneasiness. "Mom, is God taking pictures of angels?" a little boy asked.His mother was pale and smiled, looking very nervous.First class was the busiest part of the flight that night.The indicator light stays on to remind passengers to fasten their seat belts.Call buttons came and went, and the stewardesses kept walking up and down the aisle, busy with all kinds of questions from passengers.

The plane lurched to one side suddenly, and some passengers screamed.The stewardess turned slightly and grabbed the back of the chair for balance.Turning around, she saw the passenger sitting in seat No. 1 in a row, staring at her intently with a pair of empty eyes. God, he died.The thought flitted through her mind quickly.Drunk before boarding...plus the bumps along the way...his heart...he was scared to death. The tall, thin man was staring at her, but not at her.His eyes were dull and he did not move.There is no doubt that these are the eyes of the dead. The stewardess turned around, not daring to look into those horrible eyes again.Her heart beat faster, her heart reached her throat, and she was at a loss.Fortunately, the seat next to the gentleman was vacant.Otherwise, if there is a scream, the whole cabin will be in chaos.She decided to notify the foreman first, and then called the male colleagues, covered the gentleman with a blanket, and closed his eyes.The pilot would keep the lights on so no one would use the front bathroom.When the other passengers got off the plane, it was only as if he was still fast asleep.

These thoughts raced rapidly through her mind.She turned around again, wanting to be sure.I saw those dead, empty eyes still staring at her... Suddenly the "corpse" picked up the soda water and took a sip. The plane staggered again, lurching sideways.The low cry of the stewardess was drowned in the panicked shouts.The man's eyes rolled—meaning he was alive and looking at her.When he first got on the plane, she thought, I thought he was in his fifties.Actually he wasn't that old at all, although his hair was already gray. She walked over, although the call button behind her kept calling one after another. "Are you all right, sir?" She smiled, even if it was a little artificial.

"Everything is fine," the tall man replied.She glanced at the card stuck in the back of the chair and knew his name was Ben.Hansko. "Very well. Not a smooth sailing tonight, though, is it? You've got a lot of work to do. Leave me alone, I—" He smiled horribly, a smile that reminded her of a scarecrow standing trembling in a lifeless winter field. "I'm very good." "You look (like a dead man)...with a bad face." "I think about the old days. I didn't realize there was a past until this evening. At least for me." Someone called again, sounding very nervous.

"Oh, are you sure you're all right?" "I think about building dams with my friends," Ben said. "I think they were my first friends. They were building dams, and I—" He paused, as if shocked, and laughed again. Yes, smiling so frankly, like an innocent child, it seems very discordant in the bumpy cabin. "That's when I came to them. I remember I ended up doing it all by myself. They made a mess of the dam." "Miss?" "I'm sorry, sir—I have to go and say hello." "Okay, let's go." She turned away, glad the sleepy, deathly eyes were gone.

Ben turned his head to look out the window.A thunderbolt exploded from the right wing of the plane, and the cloud was like a transparent skull filled with bad ideas. He reached into the pocket of his vest, but there was not a single silver coin.He wished he could find a silver piece, eh.It's good to park one.It will come in handy sooner or later.If it weren't for the turbulent flight at this altitude of 27,000 feet, you could go to any bank and exchange for a lot of silver coins.You can't buy anything these days with the kind of dirty copper coins that the government wants to abolish.Of all werewolves, vampires, and creatures wriggling under the stars, what you crave most is silver, pure and invisible silver.You need this color to fight monsters.you need to……

He closed his eyes.The plane rocked violently and pitched up and down.There was chaos all around. No... it's the bell. It's the bell, that's right.Less than a week into school, the novelty of the school has disappeared without a trace.So you waited for a whole year before you heard the bell that symbolized freedom again. Ben.Hansko sat in first class.Flying through wind, rain, thunder and lightning at an altitude of 27,000 feet, looking out the window.He felt that the barriers of the years were peeling off layer by layer.Horrible and good memories come together.He kept repeating in his mind: God, the memories of the past are eating me.

Inadvertently, another day passed.On this dark night, May 29, 1985 took the place of May 28, high above the stormy west of Illinois.The hard-working farmers under a thousand feet are sleeping soundly, dreaming of getting rich.On this night of thunder and lightning, who knows what is haunting their barn, cellar, and farmland.no one knows.They only knew that God had lost his temper that night, the wind was howling in the sky, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. But at 27,000 feet, as the plane moved smoothly into clear skies, it was the chime that Ben heard.Ben fell asleep.The wall between the present and the past is completely gone.Like a man falling into a deep well, he falls like a traveler through a time warp into past years.Down, down, through 1981, 1977, 1969, and finally to July 1958.There is bright sunshine everywhere.What he saw in his dream was not Illinois shrouded in darkness, but Derry, Maine, on a sunny July day 27 years ago.

the bell. School bells. School. 2 on vacation! Bells echoed over Derry Primary School.Hearing the bell, the children cheered in unison.Mrs. Douglas, always a strict teacher, did not stop them.She knew that was impossible. "Children!" she called after the children's cheers had died down. "Everyone be quiet for the last time!" There was a commotion among the children, mixed with a few complaints.Mrs. Douglas held their report card in her hand. "I hope I'm okay." Sally turned her head and said to Beverly who was sitting in the back with great interest.Sally is smart, beautiful, lively and lovely.Beverly was pretty too, but she couldn't be happy that afternoon no matter what.She looked down sullenly at her flats, and there was a yellowish scar on her cheek.

"I don't give a shit if I pass or fail," Beverly said. Sally looked contemptuous, as if to say that a well-bred girl would not say such a thing.Then he turned around and chatted with Greta.Ben thinks Sally is talking to Beverly because she is in such a good mood when she hears the bell announcing the end of the school year.Sally and Greta were born into wealthy families living on the West End of Broadway.And Beverly lived in the slums on Lower Street.Lower Street is a mile and a half from West Broadway, but even a child knows that it's like the distance between Earth and Pluto, and the difference between the two.Just look at Foley's cheap jumper, baggy skirt, and worn-out shoes to see the difference between the two.But Ben still prefers Beverly.Sally and Greta had nice clothes and maybe a monthly perm, but none of that changed his mind.Even if they had their hair permed every day, they were just a pair of arrogant and unreasonable fellows. " He thought Beverly was better than them...much better, though he would never dare to tell the sun in his life.But sometimes, as in the late winter twilight, when Mrs. Douglas was babbling on mathematical formulas, when the school days seemed endless, he would sneak a look at Beverly out of the corner of his eye.His heart was sometimes painful and desperate, and sometimes cheerful and bright.He guessed that he had a crush on her, or fell in love with her.So every time he heard "Angels on Earth" on the radio and heard "Honey, I will always love you", he couldn't help but think of Beverly.Oh, what a fool!But it didn't matter, he never said it anyway.He believes that fat boys can only love beautiful girls in their hearts.If he told others what he thought, they would laugh out loud.If he had told Beverly, she would have laughed at him and probably hated him. "Come here when your name is called. Paul... Carla... Greta... Calvin... Sissy..." When Mrs. Douglas called their names, the children stepped forward one by one, picked up their report cards, and walked slowly out of the classroom... across the hall, bouncing toward the open door.Some rode bicycles, some ran briskly, some pretended to be riding horses, and patted their thighs from time to time to make the sound of horseshoes. Some hooked their shoulders and sang as they walked: "I have seen the school burn The flames..." All the children ran into the scorching summer and disappeared without a trace. "Maxiji... Fleck... Ben..." He stood up, took one last furtive look at Foley, and walked over to Mrs. Douglas' desk.Although Ben was only 11 years old, he was a little too fat. When he walked, his thick legs made his pants rustle, his buttocks twisted and turned, and his belly trembled.Although it was very hot, he was wearing a fat and oversized sweater.He always wears a sweatshirt because he's embarrassed by his high breasts.He's been wearing the Ivy League jumper his mother gave him since school started past Christmas.Beltz in sixth grade.Hudgens teases him: "Damn, guys! Look at what Santa gave Ben. What a Hansko! A pair of big tits." Baeltz was rocked with laughter.There were others, including several female classmates.If there had been a crack in the ground, Ben would have jumped in without hesitation...without making a sound. From that day on, he wore nothing but sweatshirts—brown, green, blue, all fat.For the first time, the always conceited he felt humiliated.If Beverly had been there laughing at him that day, he thought he would have died. "I am very glad that you have studied in this class for a year." Mrs. Douglas said and handed him the report card. "Thank you, Mrs. Douglas." "Thank - thank you, Mrs. Douglas." Someone in the back of the classroom imitated him strangely. Definitely Henry.powers.Henry stayed through fifth grade.Ben thinks he'll have to repeat a grade. Mrs. Douglas never called his name when he handed out the report card.This shows that there is a problem.Thinking of this, Ben felt very uneasy.You must know that if Henry repeats the grade again this time, Ben will have to bear part of the responsibility. During final exams last week, Mrs. Douglas reassigned them by drawing lots.Ben happened to be next to Henry.During the exam, Ben covered the paper tightly with his arm, buried his head low, and lay down on the table to think about the questions seriously. Halfway through Tuesday's math test, Henry whispered across the aisle, "Let me copy some!" Ben turned his head and saw Henry staring at him fiercely with dark eyes.Henry is tall and big, because he has done farm work and has thick and well-developed limbs.It is said that he does at least 30 hours of farm work in the field every week, hoeing, planting, digging stones, chopping firewood, and harvesting crops. Henry was a bully at school.Was once suspended for two weeks for beating up a fourth grader.Ben really wanted Henry to be expelled from school then.But two weeks later, Henry swaggered back to school with the marks of the beating on his face.But since then no one dared to provoke him. As he threatened Bane in a low voice to help him cheat, three thoughts raced through Bane's mind.First, if Mrs. Douglas catches Henry plagiarizing his test paper, they both get zero marks.Secondly, if he doesn't let Henry copy, then Henry will definitely retaliate against him later and beat him up. Not surprisingly, these were the thoughts of a child, since he was still a child.This third one, however, is more complicated - almost adult thinking. "Yeah, he'll get back at me. But I can hide from him for the last week. If I figure it out, I can. He forgets after the summer. Yes, he's an idiot. If he fails this time, Maybe he will have to repeat the grade. Then I will be a grade above him, not in the same class as him... I will go to junior high before him. I... I may be free." "Let me copy some." Henry threatened him again.A pair of black eyes were burning and extremely dignified. Ben shook his head, bent his arms, and covered the roll more tightly. "I'll beat you, fat pig." Henry raised his voice slightly.His paper was blank except for his own name.He was going crazy.If he fails the exam this time and repeats the grade again, his father will beat him to death. "Let me copy, or I'll beat you up." Ben shook his head again, but his jaw kept shaking.He was terrified, but he was also determined.He realizes for the first time in his life that he dares to take responsibility for his actions.It frightened him.Although he doesn't understand why.It wasn't until many years later that he realized that it was imitating the psychology of adults, calculating ruthlessly, and estimating costs carefully and realistically.These frightened him more than Henry.He can escape Henry, but he cannot escape adulthood. The classroom was silent for the next 10 minutes.The students concentrate on the test papers. Henry's voice came from the other side of the aisle, low but very real, creepy: "You are dead, fat pig!" 3 Ben took his report card and fled the classroom.Thank goodness Henry's name wasn't next to him - so Henry couldn't get out of the classroom first and cut him off on the road. He wasn't running down the corridor like the other kids.He can run, and he runs very fast. But he knew he must be funny when he ran.So he walked out quickly, walked out of the cool hall filled with book fragrance, and walked into the scorching sun in June.He basked in the sun with his head up, thanking the sun for its warmth, and thanking him for being free again. September is still far away.This summer belongs to him. Suddenly someone hit him hard.This collision knocked all his good plans for the summer vacation out of the blue.Standing on the edge of the stone steps, he staggered a few steps and grabbed the iron railing so as not to fall. "Get out of the way, bastard." It was Victor.Chris.He combed his hair back, and his hair was polished and shiny.His hands were in his pockets, his collar was turned up, and his big leather shoes were studded with spikes, and they jingled as he walked. Ben's heart beat faster.He saw Beltz standing across the street smoking a cigarette.Victor walked over, the two of them said something, and went their separate ways.Ben felt his face heat up.They can always catch you.This seems to be fate. "You like this place so much, do you want to stand here for a day?" Ben turned, his face hotter.It's Beverly.Marsh.Her auburn hair hung like a cloud over her shoulders, and her gray-green eyes were charming.Her sweatshirt was baggy like Ben's, and the neckline was frayed.The clothes are too fat to reveal her figure.But Ben didn't care one bit.The youthful love came so strongly that no one could stop that pure impulse.Ben also never wanted to suppress his emotions.He felt stupid and excited, embarrassed and happy at the same time.The feeling of hopelessness was so strong it made him faint with joy. "No," he said hoarsely, "of course not." He grinned.He knew he must look silly, but he couldn't help himself. "Ah, because the school is out. Thank goodness." "Summer vacation..." His words froze.He had to clear his throat, blushing. "Have a nice summer, Beverly." "Happy summer to you too, Ben. See you next term." She walked quickly down the stairs.Ben looked at her affectionately: bright plaid jumper, flowing hair, fair skin, and a gold anklet gleaming on her right foot. A sound—a peculiar sound—was fading away.He walked down the stairs slowly like a frail old man, and stood there watching her disappear behind the tall hedge. 4 He stood there dumbfounded for a while.Groups of children ran past him noisily.He thought of Henry again.Bowles hurried around the teaching building, crossed the playground, exited the small gate towards Charter Street, and turned left.He put his report card in the back pocket of his trousers, whistled, and trotted through the eight blocks. School is over just after noon.Mom won't be back until six o'clock.She goes shopping every Friday after get off work.The rest of the day is his own. He sat in McCarran Park for a while.He sat idly under the big tree, occasionally whispering "I love Beverly" to himself.Every time he said it, he felt lighter and more romantic.He couldn't help saying "See Foley Hansko".After speaking, he buried his hot cheeks on the cool grass. After a while, he got up and walked towards Castro Avenue.Another five blocks to the public library.Just as he was about to walk out of the park, a sixth grade student called him. "Hey Fatty! Want to play ball? We need a right-field guard!" The children roared with laughter.Ben tucked his neck into his collar like a turtle, and fled away. Walking three blocks down Castro Avenue, Bens found a little surprise by the fence in front of a house.One corner of a torn paper bag was exposed, shining with the light of glass.He hooked out the paper bag with his foot.There are four beer bottles and four large drink bottles.A total of 28 cents. The man put the 28 cents by the fence, waiting for some kid to pick it up.One lucky kid. "That's me." Ben was very happy, and he didn't know what else he would encounter on this day. With paper bags in his hands, he walked the block to the Castro Market to sell bottles.He traded the bottle for money, which he used to buy candy. Ben walked out of the store with the remaining four cents in his pocket and candy in his hand.He looked at the brown paper bag full of candies in his hand, and suddenly a thought came to his mind: "If you continue to eat like this, Beverly won't even look at you." The thought was suppressed. If someone asked him, "Ben, don't you feel lonely?" he would look at the person in surprise.He never thought about it.He has no friends, but he has books, dreams, various models, and various houses.Mom used to say that the house he made out of Lincoln blocks was better than the real house he built from blueprints. For his birthday in October, he hopes to get the "super module" set.Then he could build a clock that actually told the time and a car with gears.Lonely?What is loneliness? Like a child born blind who doesn't know he's blind, Ben doesn't know what loneliness is.If he changed to a new environment and was more specific, he might understand.But loneliness has plagued his life and will haunt him in the future. Just like the small mouth on the front teeth, whenever he feels nervous, he can't help licking it. Beverly is a sweet dream, candy is a sweet reality.Candy is his best friend. To hell with that weird idea. Ben came to the intersection of Castro and Kansas Streets.Opposite is the public library.The library is actually two buildings, an old stone building at the front and a low, brand new building at the back, the children's library.The middle is connected by a glass corridor. It's very close to the city.Kansas Avenue was a one-way street, so Ben only looked to the right before crossing.If he had looked to the left, he would have been terrified.Beltz, Victor, and Henry are standing under an old oak tree near the Derry Community Services Centre. 5 "Let's go get him, Henry," said Victor breathlessly. Henry saw the little fat pig walking quickly across the street, his stomach quivering.He looked at the distance between him and Ben, between Ben and the library.Maybe they can catch the kid before he sneaks into the library.But Ben would yell.Then adults will intervene.He doesn't want anyone meddling in his business.Douglas' bitch had told him he had failed English and math.He also said that he made up 4 weeks of lessons during the vacation and let him pass.Henry would rather repeat the grade.If you repeat a grade, you will just be beaten.But now it is the busy farming season, and if he is asked to spend 4 hours a day at school to make up 4 weeks of lessons, his father must beat him to death.Anyway, he recognized everything.In the afternoon, he was going to give that fat boy a good lesson to relieve his anger first. "Yes, let's go there." Beltz fanned the flames from the side. "Let's wait for him to come out." Henry knew he would always come out.As soon as he comes out, give him some color to see. 6 Ben likes libraries.Even in the hot summer it is always so cool there.He likes the tranquility there: he likes to hear the librarian's stamping on books and cards; he likes to hear the rustling of pages.He likes the light here: in winter, when the cold wind blows outside the house, the afternoon sun slantly shines in through the high windows; when it gets dark, the chandelier casts beams of lazy light.He likes the smell of books.Every time he walks through the bookshelves of adults and looks at the vast volumes, he can't help but imagine the world in the books.He also likes the glass corridor connecting the old building with the children's hall.Except for cloudy days, it is always warm there even in winter.The person in charge of the children's house, Mrs. Starrett, said it was because of the greenhouse effect.Ben especially liked the new term.Years later, he was responsible for building the BBC Broadcasting Center in London, which sparked a lively debate.That argument will never come to fruition.Nobody but Ben himself would have known that the Broadcasting Center was nothing more than the erected glass gallery of the Derry Public Library. He also likes the children's hall, although it lacks the hazy and mysterious taste of the old hall.Colorful posters hang everywhere.One cartoon showed a nice kid brushing his teeth; another showed a bad kid smoking a cigarette.Beneath it was written: "When I grow up, I want to be as sick as my father." There was also a beautiful photo on the wall, dotted with lights on a dark background.Below is a famous quote: "A spark of thought can light a thousand candles." In this world of bright and peaceful colors, a dull and serious poster is pasted on the book return desk - no cartoons, no beautiful pictures, black and white, it is particularly eye-catching: Please bear in mind that the curfew time is 7:00 p.m. After one glance, Ben felt cold all over.It was so stressful just now: getting the report card, worrying about Henry's revenge, chatting with Beverly, starting to plan for the summer vacation, he had forgotten about the curfew and the murder. There are still different opinions on how many people were killed.But it is certain that at least four people have been killed since last winter—plus George.There are 5 Dunbangs in total (everyone thinks little Dengbang died very strangely). Sheriff Borton was overwhelmed by these murders.The next night an emergency meeting of the City Council was held, at which Sergeant Bolton suggested that a curfew be imposed at 7 o'clock every night, which was unanimously approved.The newspapers also suggested that a dedicated adult should be inseparable from the care of the child.A month earlier, Ben's school held an emergency meeting.Sergeant Borton stood on the stage with his thumb in his gun belt, reassuring the children not to be afraid, as long as they abide by these few rules: don't talk to strangers; don't ride in a stranger's car; friends"...strictly observe the curfew. One night Ben's mother called him into the living room to sit on the couch.His mother took his hand and stared at him.He looked at his mother, feeling a little uncomfortable. "Ben," said the mother after a pause, "are you stupid?" "No, Mom." Ben felt even more uneasy.He didn't understand at all what was happening in front of him.He had never seen his mother so serious. "No," repeated the mother, "I don't think you're stupid." She didn't speak for a while, looking out the window worriedly.For a moment Ben wondered if his mother had forgotten him.She's still young -- only 32 -- and the toil of raising a child alone has taken its toll on her.She worked 40 hours a week in the cotton yarn workshop of a textile mill in Newport.Sometimes there is too much dust in the workshop, and she keeps coughing after get off work.This worried Ben deeply.At night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, looking at the endless night, thinking about what would happen to him if his mother died.He thought he would be an orphan then.Became a "child of the country", he had to live in a peasant's house and was forced to work from morning till night. Or maybe end up in an orphanage in Bangor.He tried to tell himself that the idea was stupid, but it still didn't help.He was not only worried about himself, but also worried about his mother.She is a very demanding woman who always likes to do things her own way.But she is a good mother.He loves her very much. "You heard about the murders?" Mother looked back at him. He nodded. "At first people thought it was..." She hesitated.Never mentioned this to my son.But the situation forced her to say it. "...Love Killing. May or may not be. Maybe it's over, maybe it's still going on. No one can tell other than there's a desperado who keeps murdering kids in the streets. You see, Ben?" He nodded. "Do you understand what love killing means?" He didn't quite understand, but he nodded anyway.He thought he would die of shame if his mother told him the details. "I'm worried about you, Ben. I'm worried that something will happen to you while I'm not around." Ben twisted nervously, but said nothing. "You're always alone. Too..." "Mother--" "Keep quiet when I'm talking," she said.Ben was silent. "You have to be careful. Summer vacation is coming up. I don't want you to have a bad time. But you have to be careful. I want you to be home on time for dinner. What time do we have dinner?" "6 o'clock." "Go home on time! Let me tell you, if you don't come back after I set the table and chopsticks, I will call the police immediately, do you understand?" "Understood, mother." "You know I'm absolutely serious?" "yes." "Maybe it's just a false alarm. It's not like I don't know boys. Punching hives, hitting balls, kicking boxes. Whatever it is, it's fascinating. I know what you and your mates do." Ben nodded gravely, thinking that if his mother knew he didn't have a friend at all, she would understand that Ben's world was far from what she imagined.But it never occurred to him to tell his mother these things, never. She pulled a small plastic box out of her pocket.Ben opened the box, and when he saw what was inside, he couldn't help screaming. "Whoa!" Bane made no secret of his delight. "Thank you!" " It was a watch with a silver star and a faux leather strap.Mom had already tuned it, and he heard a "tick tick" sound. "Great!" He hugged his mother tightly and kept kissing her cheek. "Okay, now that you have a watch, there's no reason not to be back on time. Remember what I said: If you don't get home on time, the police will be looking for you everywhere. Don't be late until the police catch that bastard who murdered kids Go home for a minute. Or I'll call the police." "Okay, Mom." "One more thing. I don't want you to run around alone. Although you have grown up, you know how not to eat candy from strangers, and don't take a ride from strangers. But a grown-up, especially a desperado, is better than a child." It’s a lot of strength. When you go to the park or the library, go with your friends.” "I will, Mom." Mom looked out the window and sighed, still full of worry. "Once that happens, all sorts of weird things happen. I always thought there was something about this town that was really annoying." Mom looked back at him, frowning. "Ben, you're always running around. You must know a lot about the streets of Derry. At least that part of the city. Haven't you seen anything? Hmm... suspicious person or thing? Something out of the ordinary Is there anything that scares you?" He was about to speak when something - a strong intuition - stopped him. What is it?intuition.Definitely is.Even children intuitively know that love implies responsibility.In some cases it is better to remain silent.This is only part of the reason.There are other, less noble reasons as well.His mom can be demanding and likes to call the shots.But she never called him "fat".She just said he was "very big." Sometimes he was watching TV or doing homework, and his mother would bring him leftovers.He always eats it obediently, although he secretly hates himself for doing so.Perhaps in the deepest part of his mind he had doubted his mother's motives.is love?Or some other reason?surely not.But... he was skeptical.Crucially, Mom didn't know that he didn't have any friends.Because of this, he didn't trust her and wasn't sure how his mother would react if he told him about Hui Yueli. Nothing wrong with being home at 6.Anyway, he can read, watch TV, eat, and build blocks. But it would be bad if he was locked in the house all day... If he told her about January, she would definitely lock him in. So, for all considerations, Ben didn't tell that story. "No, Mom," so he replied. Ben couldn't sleep that night.He no longer worries about being abandoned and orphaned. Lying there, looking at the moonlight shining all over the ground, he felt surrounded by love and safe. He put the watch to his ear for a while and listened to the sound of tick-tick-tick; for a while he raised the watch to his eyes to see the beautiful surface. He finally fell asleep.I dreamed that I was playing baseball with other children.His beautiful home run won the applause of his teammates.They excitedly patted him on the shoulder and carried him on their shoulders.He felt immensely proud and happy... Suddenly he saw a man standing in the grass beyond the wire mesh fence, wearing white gloves, clutching a handful of balloons—red ones. Yellow, blue, green.The balloon swayed from side to side, and the man's face could not be seen.But he saw the baggy gown, with the big orange buttons on the chest, and the yellow bow tie hanging down. is a clown. "That's right." A ghostly voice. When he woke up the next morning, he had forgotten about last night's dream.But his pillow was wet a lot... as if he had cried in the night. 7 He shook his head, leaving all the memories of the curfew notice behind him, and walked towards the library desk. "Hello, Ben." Mrs. Starrett greeted him.Like Mrs. Douglas, she is also very fond of Bane.Adults, especially those who enjoy disciplining children, love Bane.He was polite, soft spoken, considerate, quiet and funny.It is precisely because of these that children of the same age hate him. "Is the summer vacation impatient?" Ben smiled.Mrs. Starrett is just so funny. "No," he said. "Summer vacation has just begun"—he looked at his watch, and continued, "1:17. I'll read for an hour." Mrs. Starrett laughed and covered her mouth hastily.She asked Ben if he would like to participate in the summer reading activity, and Ben said yes, so she gave him a map of the United States.Benth thanked her and went into the bookshelves to choose books. Ben looked at the book for a while, then raised his head, and a new decoration caught his eye.The poster shows a smiling postman delivering a letter to a happy child.There is a line on it that reads: "The library is also a place to write letters. Why don't you write a letter to your friend today? He will be very happy." 海报下面的箱子里放着已经盖好邮戳的明信片、信封，还有印有“德里公共图书馆”字样的信纸。 班恩摸摸兜里剩下的4分钱，回到借书台。“我能买张明信片吗？” “当然可以，班恩。”像往常一样，斯塔瑞特夫人为他的彬彬有礼而欢心，同时又为他过于肥胖的身材而难过。她递给他一张明信片，看着他走回座位。那张桌子可以坐6个人，但是只有班恩一个人坐那里。她从未见过班恩和别的孩子在一起。这太糟了，因为她相信班恩很有才华。只有一位善良、耐心的伯乐才能发掘他被埋没的才华…… 如果有这么一个人的话。 8 班恩掏出笔，在明信片上写下贝弗莉的地址。他并不知道贝弗莉家的详细地址，但是听妈妈说邮递员对自己的客户都很熟悉。要是负责洛尔大街的邮递员能把这张明信片送到贝弗莉手里，那就太好了。 如果不能也没什么。他只不过白花4分钱。明信片永远也不会再回到他的手里，因为他没打算在上面写上自己的姓名住址。 他把写有地址的那面扣在下面（他可不想冒险，尽管他没看到周围有熟人），揣着明信片，从目录箱旁边的一个木盒子里拿了几张纸条，回到座位上，开始在纸上写了擦，擦了又写。 考试前一周，老师教过一种叫“徘句”的日本诗体。并且说，这种诗歌通常描写一个意象来表达一种特殊的感情：忧伤、快乐、乡愁、幸福……爱。 他又想起她的秀发。她走下楼梯的时候，她的长发在肩头跳跃，在阳光的照耀下，仿佛一团燃烧的火焰。班恩写了足足20分钟，改了又改，终于写成了一首诗：你的秀发是冬天里的火焰，一月里的余火，我的心在那里燃烧。 他对这首诗并不满意，但是他已经尽力而为了。他怕自己带着明信片走来走去，时间越长，就越担心。最后紧张得把事情办得更糟，或者干脆放弃了。对班恩来说，贝弗莉跟他讲话的那一刻终生难忘。 他要把那一刻永远留在记忆里。或许贝弗莉喜欢哪个高年级的男孩，以为是那个男孩用作句为她写了这首情诗。她会很开心，那一天将永远留在她的记忆里。哪怕她永远都不知道班思。汉斯科为她做的一切，也没关系。反正他自己知道。 他工工整整地把那首诗抄在明信片的背面，把笔塞进口袋，告别斯塔瑞特夫人，走了出来。 “再见，班恩。”斯塔瑞特夫人向他告别。“暑假愉快。不过别忘了宵禁。” "Will not." 穿过连接两座建筑的玻璃长廊，感受阳光的温暖，又步人凉爽的成人图书馆，班恩推开图书馆的大门。 通道那边就有一个邮筒。班恩掏出明信片，投了进去。在他把明信片送进邮箱的那一瞬间，他感到自己心跳加速。万一她知道是我寄的明信片该怎么办呢？别傻了，他对自己说。同时又为这个想法带给他的兴奋感到诧异。 他沿着堪萨斯大街向前走着。他一边走着，脑子里浮想联翩：贝弗莉向他走来，淡绿色的大眼睛，红色的小辫。“班恩，我有话问你，”这个想象中的女孩对他说，“你发誓要说实话。”她举起那张明信片。“是你写的吗？” 这个幻想太可怕了，又太美妙了。他想忘掉它，却又不愿意忘掉。他的脸微微有些发烫。 班恩边走边想，手里的书从左手换到右手，嘴里吹着口哨。“你可能以为我疯了，”贝弗莉说，“但是我想亲亲你。”一她丹唇轻启。 班恩突然感到唇干舌燥，吹不出日哨来。 “我想让你……”他轻声说道。然后木讷地、令人眩晕地、灿烂地笑了。 那一刻，如果他向人行道另一端看一看，他就会看到那3个影子正朝他围拢过来；如果他用心听一听，他就会听到当那3个影于靠近的时候，维克多气喘的声音。但是他既没有听，也没有看。班恩正在遥远的想象中，感受员弗莉甜蜜的吻，怯怯地伸出手抚弄她那一头爱尔兰人所特有的，淡淡的火一样颜色的秀发。 9 像许多大大小小的城市，德里的发展没有任何规划，就那么顺其自然地发展起来。如果当初稍有计划的话，城市规划者无论如何也不会把德里建在今天这个位置。德里镇中心坐落在一个峡谷当中。肯塔斯基河由西南向东北穿过商业区。镇子的其他部分依山而建。 德里镇的先民选择定居的这个峡谷沼泽密布，杂草丛生。这里水网稠密，为商业的发展提供了便利条件。但是这里并不适合耕种土地。修建家园。特别是肯塔斯基河每隔四五年就泛滥一次。在过去的50年里，虽然小镇耗费巨资治理水利，仍然面临水患的威胁。 肯塔斯基河流经镇子中心的那一段河水被束缚在一条长两英里的运河里。在运河与梅恩大街交汇的地方，运河潜人地下，成为地下河。在地下流过大约半英里的距离，才在巴斯公园又露出地面。运河街上酒吧林立，顺着运河走向一直延伸到镇子外。每隔几个星期，警察就从河里打捞起醉汉的汽车，早已被污水和工厂废水弄得面目全非。有时运河里也能钓到鱼，不过都不能吃。 镇子的东北部——运河流经的地方——河水基本上得到控制。虽然不时有洪水泛滥，沿河贸易仍很繁忙。有时人们手挽手在运河边散步（那必须是风向有利的时候。否则，河水散发出的嗅味使这样的漫步毫无浪漫可言）。在巴斯公园里，不时有童子军在此宿营；有时还在这里烧烤。1969年，镇里的居民不无震惊地发现，嬉皮士在此干起吸毒贩毒的买卖。人们都说：“等着瞧吧。再这么下去，早晚有一天得闹出人命。”果然，一个17岁的吸毒少年死在运河边上。自此那些瘾君子再也不到巴斯公园来了。还有人谣传那个孩子的幽灵常出没于公园。这当然是无稽之谈，不过吓走了那些瘾君子，也算是一个有益的谣言吧。 镇子西南部的河水问题更棘手。由于冰川的作用，再加上肯塔斯基及其支流河水经年累月的侵蚀，许多地方岩床暴露。德里公共工程局富有经验的师傅说，秋后一场黑霜，他们就有一大堆修理的活干了。天气一冷，水泥遇冷收缩，岩床就会变得粉碎。 浅薄的土壤上只适合生长一些根系不深，但生命力顽强的植物——杂草和一些低贱的植物。粗壮低矮的灌木、剧毒的藤蔓和橡树恣意蔓延。这里地势陡然下降，进人德里人称做班伦的地区。班伦低地贫瘠荒凉——有1英里半宽，3英里长，到处凌乱不堪。一边临着堪萨斯大街的尽头，一边是开普老区。开普老区是为那些收人微薄的人而修建的房产。但是那里的排水设施大糟糕。据说那里的卫生设备和下水道常有破裂的现象。 肯塔斯基河穿过班伦地区。德里镇在西北部沿河两岸发展起来。 排污抽水站和垃圾站是这里留下的惟—一点小城的痕迹。从空中看，班伦就像一把绿色的匕首直刺德里镇中心。 这样的地形地貌使班恩隐隐约约感到他的右边荒无人烟；土地消失了。一排粉刷过的栅栏，齐腰高，摇摇晃晃地立在人行道边，只不过是个摆设。他迷迷糊糊地好像听到流水的声音。他停下脚步，眺望着班伦，还在想象着贝弗莉的眼睛和那散发着清新味道的头发。 肯塔斯基河在茂密的树林中蜿蜒前行。有些孩子说那里的蚊子有麻雀那么大。还有些孩子说靠近河边的地方有流沙。班恩不相信有那么大的坟子，但是想到流沙，他不禁有些害怕。 向左看去，一群鸥鸟在那里盘旋飞舞。在开普老区的右面，德里水塔像是短粗白胖的手指直指天空。他的脚下，一根锈迹斑斑的污水管露出地面，流出的污水汇成一条小溪，流向纠缠不清的树丛。 一个更可怕的念头驱散了班恩对贝弗莉的美好幻想：要是正在这个时候，污水管里伸出一只死人的手该怎么办？如果他转身找电话报警的时候，一个小丑正站在那里该怎么办？那个袍子上缀着硕大的橘黄色扣子的小丑？如果——一只手拍在班恩的肩膀上，他吓得尖叫起来。 There was a burst of laughter.他转过身，退了几步，靠在路边的栅栏L。亨利、贝尔茨还有维克多3人正站在他面前。 “嗨，肥猪。”亨利先开口。 “你们想干什么？”班思竭力掩饰自己的恐惧。 “我要揍扁你。”亨利说。他好像在极其冷静严肃地思考，然后他的眼睛一亮。“我要教训教训你，肥猪。你不会介意的。你不是喜欢学习新东西吗？” 他伸手抓班恩。班恩一闪身躲了过去。 “抓住他，弟兄们。” 贝尔茨和维克多抓住他的胳膊。班恩尖叫起来，像个胆小软弱的懦夫。可是他无法控制自己。“上帝，别让我哭出来，别让他们弄坏我的手表。”班恩在心里拼命地叫着。他不知道那样撕来扯去会不会弄坏他的手表，但是他肯定等他们收拾完他，他一定会哭。 “天啊，叫得像头猪。”维克多说着，把他的手腕扭到背后。 “像极了。”贝尔茨哈哈大笑起来。 班恩左冲右撞。贝尔茨和维克多由他撞来撞去，然后不费吹灰之力，一把把他拽回来。 亨利一把扯过班恩的前襟，撩起来，露出班恩高高凸起的肚子。 “看看他的肚子！”亨利高声叫道。“上帝！” 维克多和贝尔茨笑着更响了。班恩急切地扫视四周，寻求帮助。 但是附近没有一个人。身后的班伦低地只有蟋蟀和鸥鸟的鸣叫。 “你们最好住手！”他差不多是结结巴巴地说。“你们最好！” “不然怎样？”亨利问，似乎对他的话很感兴趣。“不然怎样，肥猪？不然怎样，嗯？” “哦，天啊，看这个活宝！”维克多得意洋洋地哈哈大笑。贝尔茨也跟着笑起来。亨利微微地笑了笑，还是很严肃，一副若有所思的样子，看起来有点忧伤。这使班恩感到恐惧——那表情说明亨利不会接他一顿就善罢甘休的。 果然，亨利伸手从兜里掏出一把刀来。 班恩恐惧到极点。他一直徒然地挣扎着。他左右冲撞，又向前猛冲，差点就挣脱了维克多和贝尔茨。再来一次——他又向前猛冲。这时亨利跨步上前，使劲推了一把。班恩向后跌去。栏杆嘎吱嘎吱响。班恩感到身下的栏杆向后倒去。贝尔茨和维克多又捉住了他。 “抓住他，”亨利说，“听见了吗？” “当然，亨利。”贝尔茨的声音透出些许不安。“他跑不了。放心吧。” 亨利向前迈了一步，几乎撞在班恩的肚子上。班恩惊恐地看着他，满脸无助的泪水。亨利抽出刀来，又长又宽，上面刻着他的名字。在阳光下闪闪发光。 “我现在要考考你，”亨利还是若有所思地说，“开考了，肥猪，准备好。” 班恩哭了。他的心在胸口剧烈地跳动，鼻涕也流出来了。从图书馆借来的书散落在脚下。亨利踩住那本书，瞟了一眼，飞起一脚把书踢进了臭水沟。 “第一个问题，肥猪。期末考试的时候，有人说'让我抄点儿'，你怎么回答？” “行！”班恩脱口而出。“我应该说行！当然！没问题！随便抄！” 冰凉的刀尖抵着班恩的肚子。班恩不由得憋回肚子。霎时间，整个世界一片灰暗。亨利的嘴在动，可是班恩什么也听不到，只觉得整个世界在游啊……游啊…… “不能昏倒！”一个声音惊慌失措地尖叫着。“如果晕过去了，他会杀了你的。” 世界在他面前又变得清晰了。他看到贝尔茨和维克多不笑了。看上去很紧张……吓坏了。见此情景，班恩一下子清醒过来。“突然之间他们拿不准亨利会闹出什么事，造成什么局面。事情正如你所想象的那么可怕……甚至更糟糕。你必须想办法。看他的眼神就知道他们为什么那么紧张。看他的眼神就知道他已经疯了。” “错了，蠢猪。”亨利凶巴巴地说。“要是有人说'让我抄点'，我他妈的才不让他抄。明白吗？” “明白，”班恩不停地抽泣，肚子一鼓一鼓的，“是的，我明白。” “好，那道答错了。不过你还会犯更大的错误的。准备好了吗？” “我……我准备好了。” 一辆车朝他们慢慢地驶过来。一对老夫妇笔直地坐在前排座位匕班恩看见那个老人回着看他。亨利靠近班恩，遮住那把刀。班恩感觉到刀顶在他的肚子上，还是那么冰凉。“快点儿，喊吧，”亨利说，“敢喊，我把你的肠子掏出来。” 车子开过去了，沿着堪萨斯大街慢慢地、平静地移动着。 “好，蠢猪，现在问第二个问题。要是期末考试的时候我说'让我抄点'，你怎么回答？” “行。我说不行。” 亨利笑了笑。“很好。这次算你答对了，肥猪。现在问第三个问题：我怎么能相信你永远都不会忘记？” “我……我不知道。”班恩的声音很低。 亨利笑了。他容光焕发，看起来很英俊。“我知道！”他说，好像发现了一个伟大的真理。“我知道，蠢猪！我要把我的名字刻在你的胖肚子上。” 贝尔茨和维克多突然又笑起来。班恩也松了口气，以为他们三个只不过吓唬吓唬他而已。可是亨利没有笑。班恩一下明白了贝尔茨和维克多之所以笑是因为他们也松了口气。在他们看来亨利不过是开个玩笑。然而亨利的确是认真的。 亨利的刀向上滑动。班恩的肚子上印出一道鲜红的血痕。 “嗨！”维克多发出一声惊叫。那声音好像闷住了。吃了一惊，猛地咽了回去。 “抓住他！”亨利吼道。“你们抓住他，听到没有？”那严肃、若有所思的神色从他脸L一扫而光，完全是一张狰狞的恶魔的脸孔。 “亨利不是真的想伤害他。”贝尔茨像女孩那样尖叫着。