Chapter 35 Chapter 23 Out of the Darkness

At 19:10 Derry had a wind speed of 55 mph with gusts of 70 mph. At 9:00, the Delhi Water Department declares the impossible not only possible, but critical: For the first time since 1958, Delhi faces the threat of flooding. At 10:15, serious-looking people began to transport sandbags to both sides of the canal. The section of the underground canal that runs through the center of Derry is nearly filled to the brim.The people who rushed to fill the sandbags felt the violent vibration under their feet.The canal level is now less than 3 inches from the top of the embankment.The Kentucky River overflows in the Benron Lowlands.At noon, there was already a vast ocean. At 10:10 people were stunned by a loud bang.Derry's water tower sinks into the ground.Floodwaters have rushed to the streets and are spreading rapidly.Several homes at the end of Kansas Avenue were uprooted from their foundations by floodwater and swept into Banron.Derry has become a hell on earth.

1 Bill and Ricky watched it turn, its jaws open and close, its one eye glaring at them.Bill realized that its body was glowing like a scary firefly.But the light seemed doomed and wobbly; it was badly wounded.Bill heard it begging in his consciousness: (Let me go! Let me go, and you can get anything you want-money, honor, wealth, power-I can give you all) Bill walked forward with his bare hands, staring into its single blood-red eye. He felt power build up inside him.Richie walked beside him, biting his lip. (I can give you back your wife - only I can - she will forget everything that happened just like the 7 of you)

They are very close.Bill smelled the stench from it and was startled to realize that it was Ben Lun, they took it for granted that it was the smell of sewers, polluted streams and burning garbage...but they really believed it was Lower Ben Lun Taste it? That's what it smells like.Perhaps the smell was strongest in Banron, but in fact it was always floating over Derry.It's just that people don't smell it.It's like a zoo keeper who can't smell the animals after a period of time, and wonders why people always cover their noses when watching animals. "The two of us," he whispered to Richie.Rich nodded, watching the spider slowly back away without taking his eyes off it.Horrible, barbed legs beat the ground, already cornered.

(I can't make you immortal, but I just touch you and you'll live a long time - 200, 300, maybe 500 years - and I can make you gods on earth - if you let me go , if you let me go, if you let me-) "Bill?" Richie asked hoarsely. Hearing the ear-piercing scream in his consciousness, Bill rushed up.Richie charged forward shoulder to shoulder with him.Together they punched hard, but Bill knew they weren't fighting with their fists, but with their collective strength, with the help of The Other.That is the power of memory and longing, the power of love that transcends all, the power of that unforgettable childhood.

He heard the spider's horrific scream, which gave him a splitting headache.Bill felt his fist hit the writhing, wet mass and thrust his entire arm inside.He jerked his arm back, smeared with the spider's blood.Pus gurgled from the hole. He saw Ricky standing just under its bloated body, bloody and bloody, punching like a boxer.The spider lashed at them with its thick, long legs.Bill felt a sharp pain in his lower back.Its giant palate hangs powerlessly on the ground, and it pounces on him with difficulty, trying to bite him to death.Instead of retreating, Bill rushed forward with his whole body, rushing into its chest like a defender running at full speed.He rammed hard, kicked desperately, and tore its rotten flesh with his hands, hot pus splashed on his face.

It was dark again, and Bill was still rushing in its violently shaking body.Boom—boom—boom—boom—the sound of the drum came faintly to the ear drum. The sound of a heartbeat. Suddenly there was Richie crying.The cry quickly turned into a moan of pain, and then died away.Bill hit hard with both hands.Almost suffocated in its body. Boom—boom—boom—boom—he inserted his hands into its body and tore it hard, looking for the source of the sound.There were ruptured organs everywhere.With no fresh air to breathe, his chest seemed to burst. Boom—boom—boom—boom—suddenly the heart was in his hand, beating in his palm.

(no no no no no no no) That's right!exclaimed Bill excitedly.That's right!Try this bitch!Try this!Like it?Like it?ah? He held its heart with his fingers, slightly separated his palms, and then closed them tightly. The moment its heart shattered in his palm and ran down his fingers, Bill heard a final scream of pain and terror. The cry stopped and died away, and Bill felt its heavy body suddenly weigh down from all sides.Then relax again.He knew its body had fallen to the ground.Bill ran out in a hurry. The spider collapsed to the ground, its long legs still trembling, beating the ground in its last desperate struggle.

Bill staggered back a few steps, took a deep breath, and spat out the horrible smell.He couldn't stand upright for a while, and knelt on the ground. "Son, you're awesome." That voice disappeared.All the strength in his body also drifted away with that voice.He felt limp, nauseous, and dizzy all over.He turned his head and saw the dying spider still struggling there. "Ricky!" he yelled hoarsely. "Ricky, where are you, buddy?" no answer. The last light went out with the death of the spider.He reached for the last box of matches left in his pocket.The matchhead was soaked in blood and would not light.

"Ricky!" he yelled, unable to hold back his tears.Step by step he crawled forward, groping eagerly in the dark.Finally, he touched something soft—Riki's face. "Ricky! Richie!" Still no answer.In the dark, Bill struggled to pick up Richie, and walked back with difficulty along the way they had come. At 310 o'clock, the vibrations in the streets and alleys of central Delhi became more and more intense, accompanied by bursts of rumbling noises.According to the "Delhi News" report, it was due to the violent erosion of the flood, which caused the underground wall of the canal to collapse.But many are skeptical. "I'm on the scene, I know that," Harold said.Gardner later told his wife, "It wasn't the collapse of the canal walls at all. It was an earthquake. It was a terrible earthquake."

At 10:02, Derry town center was completely paralyzed.Water from a burst water tower flooded Kansas Avenue.The torrent rushed down from Mount Apzil, and the entire business district was soaked in a vast ocean.Everything started to shake. People are still fighting on both sides of the canal.Sandbags can't stop the fierce flood at all. Some people dropped their sandbags and withdrew, thus surviving.Others are still pouring asphalt, cement, bricks, plastic, and glass into the canal.The water from the canal burst out, taking people and sandbags away. The center of Derry continues to fall.It sounded like rumbling artillery fire.

2 "Beverly!" he yelled.His back and arms throbbed.Richie in his arms seemed to weigh 500 pounds.Let him go then, he thought.He died and you clearly died.So why not let him go? But he wouldn't, couldn't—do that. "Beverly!" he called again. "Bane!" He thought to himself: It threw me—and Ricky here—only he threw us far away—too far away.That is how the matter?I can't remember, forgot... "Bill?" It was Ben's voice.It sounds jittery and exhausted.As if standing by. "Where are you?" "Here, man. I'm holding Richie. He-he's hurt." "Speak." Ben's voice came closer. "Go on, Bill." "We killed it," Bill said, following Ben's voice. "We killed that bitch. If Richie dies—" "Dead?" Ben exclaimed.He was there, reaching out and touching the tip of Bill's nose lightly. "What are you talking about, dead?" "I...he..." Together they supported Rich's body. "I can't see him." Bill said. "The problem is I see, see, no, no, don't know him!" "Rich!" Ben shook him, calling his name loudly. "Rich, wake up! Wake up, damn it!" Ben's voice was muffled and trembling. "Ricky, can you fucking open your eyes?" Richie's weak, slightly annoyed voice came from the darkness. "Come on, haystacks. Come on, no need to scream..." "That bitch threw me down hard." Richie's voice was tired, like he was still in a dream. "I hit something hard. That's all I remember... so much. where is beverly " "Go back this way." Bane told them the story of the eggs. "I stomped over a hundred. I think I killed them all." "I hope so," Richie said, sounding better. "Put me down, boss. I can still go... Is the water loud?" "Yes," Bill said. Three people held hands in the dark. "How's your head?" "It hurts. What happened after I fell?" Bill told them all the details he could remember. "It's dead," Richie marveled. "Are you sure, Bill?" "Sure," Bill said, "this time I'm absolutely sure." "Thank goodness," Richie said with a sigh of relief, "help me, Bill, I want to throw up." Bill held him up, and when he recovered for a while, they walked on.There was a creaking sound from time to time.It's an eggshell that Ben stepped on to pieces, he thought, shivering.But he was relieved to know they were on the right track.Even so, he was glad he hadn't seen those corpses with his own eyes. "Beverly!" Ben yelled. "Beverly!" "here--" Her voice was very weak, almost drowned in the sound of rushing water.They groped forward in the dark, calling her name repeatedly to get directions. When they finally got to her, Bill asked if she had any matches left.She thrust half a box of matches into his hand.He lights a match, and everyone's faces look horrific—Ban holds Rich by the arm.Rich stood there limp, bleeding from his right temple.Beverly puts Eddie on her lap.He turned his head and saw Audra lying on the cold stone floor with his limbs stretched out and his head tilted to one side.The cobwebs melted on her. The match burned his fingers.He dropped the match and ran over.Stumbled on her body in the dark, almost lying on the ground. "Audra! Audra, can you hear, hear, hear me. Me?" He lifted Audra, brushed her hair, and put his fingers on her neck.She still has a pulse: slow, but steady.She is still alive, but there is no response.God, he knew it was worse than that.She is catatonic. "Bill, I don't like the sound of the water," Ben said. "I think we should try to get out." "How do we get out without Eddie?" Richie whispered. "We can do it," Beverly said. "Ben's right, Bill. We've got to get out." "I'm taking her with me." "Of course. But we should go now." "Where are you going?" "You know," Beverly said softly, "you killed it. You should know, Bill." He picked up Audra and walked to them.The feeling of holding her in his arms was apprehensive, frightening.She is like a breathing wax figure. "Where are you going, Bill?" "I don't, don't, don't—" (you know, you killed it, you should know) "Oh, come with me," Bill said, "see if we can find our way out. Beverly, take, take, this." He handed her the match. "What about Eddie?" she asked. "We should take him with us." "How can I, can we?" Bill asked. "Then... Beverly, this place is about to collapse." "We should carry him out, man," Richie said, "Come on, Ben." They helped Eddie up and were sandwiched between them.Beverly lit a match and led them to the little door.Bill hugged Audra and went through the little door.Richie and Ben take Eddie. "Put him down," Beverly said, "he can stay here." "It's too dark in here," Richie's voice choked. "You know...it's too dark in here. Ezz...he..." "No, it's all right," Ben said. "Maybe he should stay here. I think maybe." They put Eddie on the ground.Richie kisses Eddie on the cheek and looks at Ben blankly. "Are you sure?" "Yes. Come on, Richie." Rich stood up and turned to face the door. "Go to hell!" He suddenly yelled and kicked hard.The door slammed shut. "Why that?" Beverly asked. "I don't know." Richie replied.But he knew why.Just as the match in Beverly's hand was about to go out, he glanced back. "Bill—the sign on the door?" "What's wrong?" Bill gasped. Richie said, "No more." 3 The glass corridor connecting the adult hall and the children's hall suddenly exploded, and the flames illuminated half of the sky.Shards of glass flew into the sky and flew across the green space around the library.Fortunately, the library was closed that day, otherwise, such a violent explosion would have caused serious casualties.The glass corridor that so fascinated young Bane was never restored.With Derry having lost so much, it seemed logical to keep the two libraries separate and unconnected.Here it is: The glass gallery exploded for no reason, but there were no casualties (a stroke of luck; at least 67 people died and more than 320 were injured after the morning's storm), and it was never repaired. 4 "Wait," Bill gasped, "let me take a breath... rest." "I'll help you carry her." Richie said it for the second time.They had left Eddie in the spider's crypt. No one wants to mention it again.But Eddie is dead, and Audra is alive—at least from a scientific point of view. "I can do it," Bill gasped. "Fart. You're going to tire yourself out of a heart attack. Let me help you, Bill." "How's your—head?" "Still hurts," Richie said. "Don't interrupt." Bill reluctantly asked Richie to carry Audra.Audra is tall, with a normal build of 140 pounds.But because of a recent filming, she has been on a diet and lost 20 pounds.Still, 120 pounds felt like 200 pounds after stumbling on her back in the dark for a few hundred meters (maybe a thousand, who knows). "Thanks, thanks, man, man, man," he said. "You're welcome. It's your turn next, Haystack." "Beep beep, Richie." Bill laughed when Ben booed him again.The smile looked tired and fleeting, but it was better than nothing. "Where are you going, Bill?" Beverly asked. "The sound of the water seems to be getting louder. I don't want to drown here." "Go straight ahead and turn left," Bill replied. "We'd better go fast." Under Bill's guidance, they turned left and right and walked for another half an hour.The sound of the water was louder, as if the roar of the water flowed all around, creating a terrible stereo effect in the dark.Bill felt the dripping bricks and turned a corner.Suddenly water poured into the shoes.The current is shallow but fast. "Give me Audra," he said to a panting Ben. "Now go upriver." Ben carefully returned Audra to him, and Bill carried Audra on his shoulders. "Any more matches, Beverly?" "Not much more. Maybe only a few left. Bill... do you know where you're going?" "I think I know, know, know," he said, "Come on." They followed him around the corner.The water splashed over Bill's ankles, down his calves, and up to thigh-deep.The roar of the water sounded like a bass drum, and the pipe vibrated slightly.At that time, Bill felt that the current became more turbulent and he couldn't walk through it. But at that moment they passed a drain.Although the water level is getting deeper and deeper, the current is slightly more stable.Here—I see water coming out of the spout!Saw! "Hi-hi-hi!" he exclaimed happily. "You, you, can you see things around you?" "It started getting brighter 15 minutes ago!" Beverly yelled back. "Where are we, Bill? Do you know?" I think I know, the words are almost on the verge of saying it. "No! Let's go!" He had thought they were heading for the underground canal.But there is light, light, and of course there will be no light in that stretch of canal beneath the city.But the light is getting brighter here. Bill ran into a problem with Audra on his shoulders.It's not the current—the current has calmed down.It is the depth of water.Before long I'll have to float her, he thought.He saw Ben and Beverly on his left and right; Richie followed Ben.Walking is more difficult now.There was a lot of rubble at the bottom of the pipe - it felt like bricks.Ahead, something like a sunken ship emerged from the water. Ben shivered in the cold water as he struggled toward the thing.A cigarette pack floats in his face.He pushed aside the cigarette case and grabbed the thing sticking out of the water.There was a look of joy in the eyes.Seems like a big signboard.Seeing the letters AL printed on it and the letters FUT below, he immediately understood. "Bill! Rich! Beverly!" He laughed in surprise. "What is it, Ben?" Beverly asked loudly. Ben lifted the sign with both hands.Now they can all see it: Aladdin. A line of words printed below reads: Back to the Future. "It's the canopy in front of the Aladdin Theater," Richie said, "how—" "The street is caved in," Bill interrupted.He opened his eyes wide, looking at the pipes overhead. The front light is brighter. "What's the matter, Bill?" "What happened?" "Bill? Bill? How—" "It's all the sewers!" Bill said excitedly. "These old sewers! Flooding again! I think this time—" He walked forward with difficulty, holding Audra high above his head.Ben, Beverly and Richie lag behind. Five minutes later, Bill looked up and saw a blue sky. Now it's almost impossible to walk - the bottom of the pipe is littered with rocks and could break an ankle at any moment.The water was up to their armpits. The water is calming down, Bill thought.But if we got here two hours early, or even an hour, we'd all be dead. "What the hell's going on here, Bill?" Richie asked.Standing to Bill's left, he stared in amazement at the crack in the pipe overhead—it wasn't a pipe at all, Bill thought.It's Main Street.At least it used to be. "I think most of central Derry is now swept up in the canal and washed away by the Kentucky River. Soon to be in the Penobsco River and out into the Atlantic Ocean. Can help me carry Audra, Richie? I don't think I—” "Of course," Richie said. "Sure, Bill. No problem." He took Audra from Bill.Under the bright light, Bill could see Audra more clearly—her pale complexion was covered up by the dirt sticking to her forehead and cheeks.She still had her eyes wide open... wide open, but oblivious to everything around her.Drenched hair hangs down the back of his head.She looked like a blow-up doll in the store, except that she still had some faint breath... maybe it was just because it was wound up. "How do we get up from here?" he asked Richie. "Let Ben lift you up, and you can lift Beverly up, and you two can put your wife up. Benth can lift me up, and we can lift Ben up." "Beep beep, Richie." "Beep beep, Stupid Bill." Bill felt terribly tired.His eyes met Beverly's, and they looked at each other for a moment.She nodded slightly at him, and Bill smiled. "Come on, give me a push, Ben, Ben, Ben?" Ben looked exhausted, too.He nodded and rubbed his face vigorously. "I think it's all right." He bent slightly, clasping his hands tightly together.Bill stepped on his hand and jumped up hard.Not strong enough.Ben supported him hard, and Bill grabbed the edge of the crack in the pipe and climbed up with all his strength.The first thing he saw was the white and bright orange segregated road block, and then he saw a group of men and women milling about on the other side of the road block.Then I saw Frisch's toy store jutting out strangely, as if it was shorter.It took him a long time to realize that almost half of Frisch's toy store had sunk into the canal below the street.The part exposed above is also crumbling. "Look! Look! There are people in the street!" A woman exclaimed, pointing to the place Bill had come out of. "Thank God there are people!" The old lady with the scarf wrapped around her head like a peasant woman came towards them.A policeman stopped her. "Leave it alone, Mrs. Nelson. You know this street could be swept away by the flood at any moment." Mrs. Nelson, Bill thought.I remember you.Your sister comes to look after me and George sometimes.He raised his hand and told her he was fine.The moment she waved, Bill suddenly felt a good feeling.That is hope. He turned, lay cautiously on the collapsed sidewalk, and reached out to pull Beverly up.The sun, which had disappeared for a long time, emerged from behind the dark clouds like fish scales, and sprinkled a ray of warm sunshine.Beverly raised her head in surprise, looked at Bill, and smiled happily. "I love you, Bill," she said, "and I really do hope she's okay." "Thank you, Beverly." His kind smile made her cry.He hugged her, and the crowd behind the barrier pier cheered. A photojournalist for The Delhi News captured the touching scene.The photo was published in the newspaper on June 1.The following line is so succinct and so true.Bill cut out that picture and kept it in his wallet.The photo was captioned: Survivor. It was 11:06. 5 At 10:30 in the morning, an explosion occurred in the glass corridor connecting the adult hall and the children's hall. At 10:33 the heavy rain stopped.The rain did not stop gradually, but suddenly.It was as if someone in the sky had closed the floodgates.The wind has also weakened, so suddenly, people's eyes are a little uneasy. At 10:47 the sun cast its first ray of sunshine.By about 3 p.m., the clouds had cleared and the sky was clear.At 3:30 p.m. the temperature climbed back to 83 degrees Fahrenheit—the highest temperature of that spring.People walked the streets silently like eccentrics.In the evening, reporters from major media outlets issued the most authentic reports about the disaster.But before the journalists arrived in Derry, there were only Derry residents.They walked through muddy, rubble-ridden streets with expressions of shock and disbelief on their faces.Only the residents of Derry watched everything in front of them silently, occasionally picked up something and threw it on the ground, recalling everything that happened in the past seven or eight hours.People stood on Kansas Avenue, looking at the houses that had fallen upside down in the Benron Lowlands.Others stood behind the isolation pier looking at the deep hole in the street that was busy until one o'clock that morning.The headlines in the papers that Sunday read: Derry Mayor Vows to Rebuild Derry.But in the weeks that followed, as councils squabbled over how to rebuild, several buildings sank again.Accidents of clogged sewers happen from time to time.The situation in the old part of the Cape was terrible, and people gradually started to move out. Derry was almost on the brink of collapse. 6 Richie risked his life to stop the ambulance, and persuaded the driver to stop the car, and finally put Audra inside.They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the door of the ambulance closed. "What now?" Ben asked.The circles under his eyes were black, and there was a circle of dirty dirt on his neck. "I'm going back, back to the Derry Hotel," Bill said, "and get some sleep." "I agree," Richie said, looking at Beverly hopefully. "Have any cigarettes, my dear lady?" "No," Beverly said, "I think I'm going to quit smoking again." "good idea." They walked slowly down the hill side by side. "It's over, over, over," Bill said. Ben nodded. "We made it. To your credit, boss." "To all of us," Beverly said. "I wish we could bring Eddie back." They came to the corner of North Main Street and Point Street.A child in a red raincoat and green overshoes was following a paper boat in a puddle by the side of the road.He looked up, noticed that they were looking at him, and waved timidly.Bill recognized the kid with the skateboard.He smiled and walked over. "Now, now, it's over," he said. The child looked at him seriously and smiled happily.That smile was so bright and full of hope. "Yes," he said, "I think so." The boy laughed. "Did you be careful when you skateboarded?" "No." said the child.This time Bill smiled and walked back. "Who is it?" Ricky asked. "A friend." Bill put his hands in his pockets. "Do you remember? The last time we came out?" Beverly nodded. "Eddie took us to Banron. Somehow we ended up on the other side of the Kentucky River. Old Cape." "You and Haystack push the lid off a pumping station," Richie said to Bill, "because you two are the biggest." "Yeah," said Ben, "that's right. The sun's still out, but it's going down." "Yeah," Bill said, "we were all there then." "But nothing lasts forever," Rich said.He looked back at the hill they had just climbed and sighed. "For example, this." He stretched out his hands, and the faint scars on his palms had disappeared.Beverly, Ben, and Bill also held out their hands.It's all dirty, but there are no scars. "Nothing lasts forever," Richie repeated.He looked up at Bill, and Bill saw two tear streaks running down Rich's dusty cheeks. "Except love," Ben said. "There is still desire." Beverly took his words. "Where's your friend?" Bill asked with a smile. "What do you think, Mr. Mouth?" "Oh." Richie wiped his eyes and said with a smile. "Thank God, boy; oh, say, say you thank God." They held hands tightly and stood there for a long time. 7 became 4, but still able to form a whole.They looked at each other for a long time.Ben cried, tears welling in his eyes, but he still had a happy smile on his face. "I love you all so much." He said, tightly holding Beverly's hand and holding Rich's hand, unwilling to let go for a long time. "Let's go see if this place sells breakfast? We should give Mike a call.Tell him we're all fine. " "Good idea, sir," Richie said. "I think you've always survived. What do you say, Boss?" They walked into the Derry Hotel laughing.The moment Bill pushed open the glass door, Beverly saw a sight she never talked about, but one she would never forget.She saw their reflections in the glass—six, not four.Eddie stood behind Ricky, and Stanley stood behind Bill, with the half-smile on his face. 7 The sun set on the horizon, and the red oval slanted on Ban Lun, casting a warm afterglow.An iron cover on top of a pumping station lifted, dropped, lifted again, shifted a little. "Push, push, push, Ben, Ben. My shoulder's going to break, break." The iron cover moved a little more and fell into the grass around the concrete column. The seven children climbed out one by one, looked around, and blinked in amazement, like children who had never seen sunlight. "So quiet." Beverly said softly. The only sounds are the running water and the singing of insects.The storm passed, and the Kentucky River swelled high.Not far from the town, bound in concrete channels, sections known as canals have overflowed their banks.The damage wasn't too serious, though—only the cellar was flooded. Stanley left them blankly.Bill looked around and thought he saw flames on the bank of the river.At first Bill thought it was flames, so red that it hurt your eyes.But when Stanley picked up the fire, the light was bent in another direction.Only then did he realize that it was a Coke bottle thrown on the river bank.He saw Stanley turn the bottle upside down, grab it by the neck, and smash it against a rock on the river bank.The bottle is broken.They all watched as Stanley rummaged through a pile of broken glass.He checked out a thin triangular piece of glass with a serious and serious face. persistent. Stanley looked up at him, and Bill suddenly understood.He held out his hands, palms up, and walked up to Stanley.Stanley stepped back and stood in the water.The sound of frogs croaking in the distance reached my ears.Stanley took his left hand, drawing a thin gash on his palm, oozing blood.Bill suddenly felt a burst of ecstasy: there is such a strong life here. "Bill?" "Of course, two hands." Stanley made another stroke on his other hand.a little hurt.In the distance the night camp was singing, a quiet, peaceful sound.He watched blood flow from his hands.The others surrounded him. us.We are all here. He looked at them one last time, because his instinct told him that they would never be together again, seven of them—no.No one spoke.Beverly holds out her hands, then Rich, Ben, Mike, Eddie.As the sun dipped below the horizon, and the fiery sunset glow turned to a hazy rose, Stanley slit their palms one by one.In the distance came the singing of nightingales again.Bill saw a thin layer of mist rising from the river, and felt that he was part of this peaceful nature. A gentle breeze blows through the treetops.He was lost in reverie; it was a beautiful place and I will never forget it.The place is so beautiful, and they are so lovely; each of them is so lawful.In the distance came the melodious and sweet singing of the nightingale.At that moment he felt that he was going to become the night battalion, singing into the twilight—as if he was flying, soaring in the sky. He looked at Beverly, who was smiling at him.She closed her eyes and held out her hands. Bill holds her left hand, Ben holds her right.Bill could feel her warm blood merging with his.Everyone formed a circle, held hands, and stood together intimately. Stanley looked at Bill eagerly, with a hint of fear in his eyes. "Swear to me, I swear you'll be back, back, back, back," Bill said. "Swear to me that if it, it, it didn't die, die, die, you would come back." "I swear," Ben said. "I swear," Richie said. "Yes—I swear it," Beverly said. "I swear." Mike whispered. "Yes. I swear." Eddie whispered weakly. "I swear too." Stanley's voice trembled, and he lowered his head. "I, I swear, swear, swear." In this way, all people made a promise.They stood there, feeling the power passing through them.The last faint rosy clouds reflected on their faces, and the sun set.Night fell over Ben Lun, flooding the path they walked through every day this summer, the clearing where they played, and the secret place by the river bank.They used to sit there, smoking the cigarettes Beverly brought, discussing childhood issues; or sitting there quietly, looking at the reflection of the clouds in the water.them…… Finally Ben put down his hand, wanted to say something, shook his head again, turned and left.Richie followed him.Beverly and Mike walked side by side.No one spoke; they climbed the embankment to Kansas Avenue and parted. When Bill recalled this scene 27 years later, he realized that the seven of them never got together again.Often 4 people, sometimes 5, once or twice 6 people.But the 7 people never met together at the same time. Bill was the last to get out of there.Holding the white railing with both hands, he stood there for a long time, staring at Ban Lun.The first stars are already hanging in the summer night sky.Standing under the blue night sky, he watched the darkness envelop Ban Lun bit by bit. I never want to play here again, he thought suddenly.And he was surprised to find that the thought didn't scare him or make him sad, but it made him feel extremely relieved. He stood there a little longer, then turned and went home.With his hands in his pockets, he walked on the dark street, admiring the lights of Delhi. After walking a block or two, he quickened his pace, thinking about a steaming dinner... After another block or two, he whistled with delight. June 4, 1985 20分钟后比尔给我送来了这本书——卡萝尔在图书馆的一张桌子上发现了它。他的口吃慢慢好了，但是这个可怜的人在最后这4天里像是老了4岁。他说明天他想把奥德拉从德里家庭医院接出去，送到北部的班戈精神病康复医院去进行治疗。她的身体已经复原了——轻微的外伤和瘀肿已经痊愈。但是精神上…… “把她的手举起来，她就会一直抬着。”比尔坐在窗边，手里摆弄着一罐汽水。“就那么是在空中，直到有人帮她把手放下来。她还有反应，但是很慢。她是个紧、紧、紧张性精神病患者，麦克。” 我说：“我有一个想法。可能不怎么好。假如你不同意，但说无妨。” "what?" “我还要在这里再往一个星期。”我说。“与其把奥德拉送到班戈，不如把她带到我那里。与她共度一星期的时间，不断地跟她说话，即使她不回答。她……她善于控制情感吗？” “不。”比尔凄凉地说。 “你能——我的意思是，你愿意——” “愿意改变她吗？”比尔笑了，笑得那么凄惨。我不忍心面对，于是转而着向别的地方。“是的。我想我可以试试。” “看你现在的情况，我也就用不着再劝你了，”我说，“但是你必须记住你自己也承认所发生的一切都是上苍注定的。这也许包括奥德拉在内。” “我本、本应该对我的去向保密。” “有时保持沉默比开口讲话要好——我就是这样做的。” “好吧。”过了好一会儿，比尔终于开口了。“如果你真的——” “我是认真的。我的钥匙就放在病人服务台。冰箱里还有几块牛排。也许那也是注定的。” “她吃的主要是流食。” “哦，”我笑着说，“餐具室架子的最顶层还有一瓶上好的葡萄酒。” 他走过来，紧紧地握住我的手。“谢谢你，麦克。” “别客气了，比尔。” 他松开我的手，说：“理奇今天早晨就飞回加州了。” I nod. “我想你们会保持联系吧？” “也、也许吧，”他说，“会保持一段时间。但……”他看着我。 “我想，又会发生同样的事。” “遗忘？” “是的。事实上，我觉得已经开始了。现在还只忘了一点点。 但是我想很快就会全都忘记了。 " “也许那最好不过。” “也许吧。”他望着窗外，还在摆弄着手中的汽水瓶，大概想起了他的妻子：明亮的大眼睛、温柔沉静的性格、迷人的笑容、紧张症患者？远处传来砰砰的开门关门的声音。 “班恩和贝弗莉怎么样了？” 他转过头，微微地笑了。“班思邀请贝弗莉跟他一起去内布拉斯加。她同意了，至少会待上一段时间。你知道她芝加哥的那个朋友吗？” I nod.昨天贝弗莉告诉了班思，班恩又告诉了我。不论在感情上、精神上还是肉体上，贝弗莉的丈夫汤姆都把她盯着紧紧的，不让她有一点自由。她告诉我下周她要回芝加哥报案，说他失踪了。我是指汤姆。 " “好主意，”我说，“在那里谁也找不到他。”也找不到艾迪。我心里这么想，却没有说出来。 “我，我不这样认为，”比尔说，“我敢打赌，她回去的时候，班恩一定会跟着回去。你知道吗？真正令人难以置信的事情？” "what?" “我想她已经不记得汤姆遇到了什么事情。” 我吃惊地看着他。 “她已经忘了，或者正在忘记，”比尔说，“我也是再也记不清那个门口的样子了。通往它的巢穴的那条通道，我努力回想却总是想到一群山羊在过桥。很奇怪，是吧？” “他们最后会追踪汤姆到德里，”我说，“他留下了许多线索。租来的车，机票。” “我不能肯定。”比尔说着点燃一支香烟。“我想他或许用现金买了机票，留下的是假名字。也许在这里买了一部便宜的车，或者干脆偷了一部。” "why?" “哦，你想想，”比尔说，“你认为他这么大老远地赶到这里是为了好好地接她一顿吗？”我们互相看着对方，好一阵不说话。后来比尔站起来说：“听着，麦克……” “等一下，”我说，“我明白了。” 他大笑起来，控制不住自己。等他平静下来，才说：“谢谢你给奥德拉提供的一切。” “我不敢保证那会有什么效果。我想象不出那会有什么治疗作用。” “哦……我会再来看望你。”这时他做了一件很奇怪的事情，很奇怪但是很温馨。他亲了亲我的脸颊。“上帝保佑你，麦克。我就在你身边。” “也许一切都会好起来的，比尔，”我说，“不要放弃任何希望。 everything will get better. " 他笑着点点头，但是我想我们的脑子里可能想着一个同样的词：紧张症。 1985年6月5日 今天，班恩和贝弗莉来跟我道别。他们不是乘飞机走——班恩租了一辆卡迪拉克，他们可以从从容容地开车回去。他们互相凝视的眼神中蕴藏着某种非同寻常的东西。贝弗莉拥抱我，并且祝我早日康复，然后就哭了起来。班恩也过来拥抱我，又问我是否还要继续写作。我说会的，我一定……至少还要写一段时间。因为这一次事情也发生在我的身上了。 我正在忘记许多事情。 正如比尔说的那样，现在忘掉的只是一些细小琐碎的事情。但是慢慢就会忘记发生过的一切。也许一个月后或者一年之后，只能靠这个笔记本来回想曾经在德里发生的一切。我想就连这些文字本身也会变得越来越模糊，最后就完全消失，成为一片空白。这个想法很可怕，在白天听来有些危言耸听，但是在那些不眠之夜你就会完全相信这些是多么可能发生的事情。 遗忘……我对未来充满了恐惧，但同时又获得了某种依稀可辨的信念。它暗示我们真的已将它杀死了。再无须派人去搜查，再无须等待时机重新来过。我将坚守这个信念。不管它是飘忽不定的还是清晰的，我都将坚守这个信念。 比尔打电话来说他和奥德拉已经搬过去了。情况还是没有什么好转。 “我会时常想起你的。”这是贝弗莉和班恩离开之前对我说的最后一句话。 我想我在她的眼中看到了不同的事实。 1985年6月6日 今天《德里新闻》头版头条发布了一则非常有趣的报道。故事的标题是：《风暴使亨利的礼堂扩建计划流产》。这里所说的亨利是“迪姆·亨利”，60年代末像旋风一样来到德里的资产万贯的开发商——就是他和另外一位开发商共同修建了德里商业中心。迪姆。亨利决心要使德里快速发展起来。德里当然是有潜力可挖的，但事实并非一帆风顺。礼堂计划的泡汤就足以说明问题了。我想商业中心被毁会使亨利更加束手无策。 但是报纸上也提到了打算放弃德里的商人并非只有亨利一人。 其他的许多投资商和准备来德里投资的那些人可能会重新考虑他们的选择。他们现在面临的一个难题是——怎能重新振兴一个至少有一半的面积被淹在水下的城市？ 我想在经过很长一段艰难的挣扎之后，德里也许就会销声匿迹了……昙花一现，彻底消失了。 傍晚的时候我给比尔打了电话。奥德拉的情况还是一如既往。 一小时前我又给回到加州的理奇打了电话。他的录音电话告诉我他不在家。我留下姓名和电话；犹豫了一下又告诉他我希望他重新戴上隐形眼镜。正当我要挂断的时候，理奇拿起了电话。“麦克，你怎么样了？”他的声音热情、兴高采烈……但是很明显也有一种迷惑。 “你好，理奇，”我说，“我很好。” “那太好了。你的伤口还疼吗？” “还有点。快好了。痒得要命。等他们把身上的绷带拆掉，我就高兴死了。” “比尔怎么样？” “他和奥德拉在替我看家。” “好极了。”他顿了顿。“你想知道一件怪事吗，老麦克？” "Of course." I said.我有强烈的预感他要说什么。 “是不是你在听着电话录音，根本想不到是我？” “对极了。你怎么知道？” “因为我们又在遗忘。我们大家无一例外。” “麦克，你肯定吗？” “斯坦利姓什么？”我问他。 电话那端是一阵长长的沉默。过了好一会儿理奇才迟疑地说：“我想是安德伍德。但是那不像是犹太人的姓，是吗？” “姓尤里斯。” “尤里斯！”理奇的声音听起来松了口气，同时又有些颤抖。 “但是你却记得，像从前一样。” “不，我是在通讯录上查到的。” There was another silence. “那么，你也不记得了？” "yes." "Aren't you joking?" "no." “那这次彻底结束了。”他的声音带着毫无疑问的解脱。 那长长的沉默又连接着电话两端——连接着相距千里的缅因州和加利福尼亚。我相信我们都在思考着同一个问题：完了。在6个星期或6个月之后，我们就将彼此忘得干干净净了。我们之间深厚的友谊，斯坦利和艾迪的生命全都白白葬送了。我已经快把斯坦利和艾迪忘记了。我害怕却又无力阻止。 “好吧，代我问候比尔和他那漂亮的妻子。”理奇的声音里带着几分轻松的快乐。 “我会的，理奇。”我闭上眼睛，用手擦擦额头。他知道比尔的妻子在德里，却想不起她的名字了，更不知道她出了什么事。 “如果你们来加州的话，别忘了打电话。我们可以聚在一起，好好聊聊。” “一定。”我感到热泪在我的眼眶里打转。“如果你来这里，也别忘了打电话给我。” “麦克？” "I'm listening." “我爱你，亲爱的。” "I love you too." “好了，别忘了。” “哔哔，理奇。” 理奇大笑起来。“对，对，对。别忘了，麦克。” 我们挂断了电话。 我躺在枕头上，闭着眼睛，久久没有睁开。 1985年6月7日 安德鲁。理德马赫警长死了。60年代末他接替了波顿警长的职务。那是一次非常奇怪的事件，让我不禁与发生在德里的事情联系在一起——那事才刚刚结束。 警局——法院合二为一的那个建筑就造在运河边上。 虽然这座建筑没有被洪水卷走，但是肯定已经造成了人们没有意识到的损害。 昨晚安德鲁在办公室工作——洪水过后，他通常都是这样。办公室从3层移到5层，正在一个存放各种杂物的阁楼下。在各种“古董”中有一把铁椅子，重达400多磅。 当安德鲁警长正在办公桌旁阅读事故报告时，那把椅子从阁楼上掉下来，正砸在他头上。他立时毙命。 布鲁斯警官冲进来，看见他躺在桌椅的碎片中，一只手还握着笔。 又跟比尔通过电话。他说奥德拉可以吃些硬一点的食物了，但是还没有本质的变化。 我问他艾迪得的是哮喘还是偏头疼。 “哮喘，”他立刻说，“你忘了他的哮喘喷雾剂了？” “当然没有。”我说。事实上当比尔提起来的时候，我才想起来。 “麦克？” "what?" “艾迪姓什么？” 我看了一眼放在床头柜上的通讯录，但没去翻看。 "Can not remember." “好像是科考林，”比尔说，听起来有些沮丧，“可好像不太对。你已经把一切都记下来了，是吗？” "Yes." I said. "Thank goodness." “你准备把奥德拉怎么办？” “我有一个想法，”他说，“但是太不切实际。我不愿提了。” "Are you sure?" "yes." “麦克，这很可怕，是吗？这样一点一点地遗忘？” "Yes." I said.indeed so. 1985年6月8日 我想我知道比尔的想法是什么。他想尽快行动起来，如果一切都还不算太迟的话。我想，我先前的想法并不是毫无根据的臆想。 笔记本上的地址和人名正在褪色，看起来就像是五六十年前的。这种变化四五天前就开始了。我确信到9月份的时候它们就会完全消失了。 我多想留住他们，哪怕是一份复印件也好。但是，我又知道，不管保留多少复印件，他们都会依次消失在我的面前。 去吧，去吧。 bill.快行动起来。但是，千万小心！ 1985年6月9日 半夜里我从噩梦中惊醒。我已经记不清楚见的是什么，只是感到慌乱、惊恐，几乎透不过气来。摸到按钮却不会用。脑海中纠缠着一些可怖的情景。 我抓过通讯录，给班恩打个电话。虽然那上面的名字和号码已变得模糊不清，所幸的是还能辨认出来。可是，电话公司告诉我那个号码已经取消了。 班恩变胖了吗？ 我睁着眼睛，一直躺到天亮。 1985年6月10日 他们通知我明天我可以出院了。 我告诉比尔这个消息——我想我是想提醒他时间不多了。比尔是惟—一个我还能清楚地记着的人，我想我也是推—一个他还能记得起来的人。因为我们都还留在德里。我想是这样。 "Okay," he said. “明天我们就离开这里。” “你还有那个想法吗？” “是的。是试一试的时候了。” “千万小心。” 他笑了，说了些我似懂非懂的话：“玩滑——板怎么能小、小、小心呢，伙计。” “我怎么能知道事情的结果，比尔？” “你会知道的。”说完，他挂上了电话。 不管结果如何，我的心永远和你在一起，比尔。我想，我的心会永远和他们在一起，即使我们会忘掉彼此。我会把你们永远留在我的梦中。 现在，我的日记就快写完了。我想明天当我离开这里的时候，我需要寻找一种新的生活方式——尽管对此我至今仍然没有清楚的认识。 I love you. 我深深地爱着你们。