Climbing up to the second floor, I discovered that the balcony could get into the next corridor. Walking along it, and looking into all the rooms, I found on the road, empty and dark, I went back to the stairs, this time wooden. Rising already in mid-flight, I suddenly heard above his head barely audible murmur, then stihshy. Instantly covered with an icy sweat, I froze. Rustling repeated, then heard slow shuffling steps.
Steps slowly approaching from somewhere to the right and from the top, a few seconds later I saw them add a thin, barely noticeable creak. Shuffling and creaking unknown approached, he stopped, and I heard a distinct sigh resounded seemed right over my head. Muscles involuntarily tighten, I already prepared to take off down the stairs, as the top came another short breath, and steps along the creaking began deleted.
On tiptoe, barely breathing, I went upstairs. A few meters away from me, slowly, swaying heavily, rolled a cart full, according to the gait, quite an elderly woman in a dress maid. Yeah, one more. And judging by the aroma of coffee and a muffin, which resounded from covered with crisp white linen trolley, it could lead me to the goal.
Having waited until the woman hidden behind the corner, I followed her.
We walked for a long time, it seemed to me. Maybe I just difficult given expectation and attempts to overcome the stronger rises impatience? But after a couple of minutes, I felt an almost physical pain, listening to the slow, shuffling steps, and feeling, as time goes.
At that moment, when I was about ready to spit, and again to look for yourself, a woman stopped in front of a massive door with bronze plates and knocked.
- Yes! - a voice that came from behind the door left no doubt in the fact that I finally arrived at its final destination. The head immediately came all the images that have been used by poets of antiquity - and the murmur of a spring stream, and crystal bells, etc., etc., etc.
- Your coffee, madam.
The woman opened the door and stepped inside. she left after a few seconds, and shuffled toward me. I darted down the corridor. There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to run. Well I'm an idiot, I could not assume that the maid will come and will be back! It was not necessary because approaching!
Cursing himself last words, I tried to escape in the only refuge similarity that I found - in a wall niche, in which there was a huge, painted Chinese vase. Huddled in a knot, trying to become as inconspicuous as possible, I stood there and realized that the maid should just translate to the left eye and a bit of peer as my mission will be failed. For a moment, wondered that if there is no maid, and will not be a threat, but I immediately dismissed. What I shall be better than usual killer?
Shuffling and sighing, the woman approached. Step, another step. For she came from my refuge. Come on, pass by! But, no ... Apparently, I still too stuck because of a vase that it may not be visible. The maid turned her head and looked straight into my eyes. I have somehow instinctively pointed out that it really is not young, gray hair pinned up in a high bun, lip corners sadly omitted, dark eyes, not meaningless, but watchful and attentive.
The woman stopped, still looking straight at me, then he looked at the bow, gripped in his right hand. I noticed that her eyes narrowed. She understood perfectly what I was holding in his hand and may have guessed, for whom it is intended.
I closed my eyes, so I found it easier to deal with them, with his dark part, which is now twitching and howling inside me like a wild beast, "Kill Kill her she will give you, and you can not save anyone KILL!!!!".
I gritted my teeth and heard them creak. No! No one I will not kill.
- The next room adjacent to the library, the door is not locked.
Quiet, smooth, calm voice. What? What did she just say? I opened my eyes. Mature maid took me to look and continued on her way, as if nothing had happened. Shark, Shark, Shark. Creak.
Chapter 22.
The room was something of a cross between the boudoir and the office. Crowded with elegant furniture, it provides many opportunities to hide. In any case, I immediately targeted a line of retreat. In case of danger, such as hanging curtains on the windows in their folds and festoons can not hide one for me. Or here's low sofas with curved backs, standing along the walls - it is quite possible for them to hide, squatting.
Making sure that if the mistress of the room suddenly comes back, she will not catch me without shelter, I relaxed a little and began to look around. What living room and apparently constantly in use, said at least the fact that standing in the corner of the desk was littered with papers, on top of which lay unfinished letter, standing next to an open inkwell.
I must say that this room was not just adjacent to the library, but also to pass. In addition to the door that led into the hall, there were two more are located opposite each other. I cautiously crept to the door and left, without opening it, looked through the keyhole. A bed with a silk canopy, mirrors ... Bedroom. Eyes fell on the ladies' table, laden with some bottles and boxes. I mentally shook - really is a monster that lives more than one hundred years, eating life, youth and beauty of others, considers himself an ordinary woman? Apparently, yes ...
Moving away from the bedroom door, I went to the other, one of which is heard muffled voices. For calls, the bubbling female, mingled with a strange, deep male tone. Leaning his ear to the door, I listened.
- No, Robert, I'm not ready to marry you.
- But why, Lizzie? We love each other! Or do you care about me? - in the tone of a man it was so tragic that it sounded ridiculous. I had to restrain myself, so as not to laugh out loud.
- Oh, Robert, of course, I love you, how could you think otherwise? But I understand, since my husband's death less than a year, I can not do it now, it's just not right. We must wait a little longer.
- Oh my god! What we care about all these conventions! Especially since it's even been in another country, and now your husband, no one knew. And I! I'll throw at your feet the whole world! You will have everything that you want!
- Robert, my love, and so I have everything. I have you. You just need to wait a little longer, just a couple of months. And then, I promise you, I will marry you, definitely.
- Oh, my queen! - I heard a muffled murmur, kissing sounds, female laughter.
- Robert, do not lose your head and do not call me the queen, you know, I do not like.
- But why, dear? You can quite become her. Her Majesty's health seriously deteriorated after the death of her husband, children - are too small. Who, if not for me to inherit the throne, in which case? You, in this case, will be the most beautiful queen of all time!
- Oh, you're my favorite dreamer! Stop it, Robert, do not make my poor heart to suffer, you yourself know that this will never happen. Queen live a long time, in extreme cases, to inherit the throne of her son. And you, as a last resort, when the heir will be a regent.
- Lizzie, my love ... For the sake of your happiness, I will go to all! I'll think of something, you can always hurry as her brainless son.
Hmm. And ladies the far-reaching plans, ish, in the Queen marks. I wonder who it is she coos? That from the very top, of course, but who is it? Although, this is not important, I think, it's easy to find, not so much near the Queen of people claiming the throne.
Doves, meanwhile, began to say goodbye. Minute farewell hugs and kisses, and a fan is exposed over the threshold. Hearing the sound of slamming doors, I took a chance to look through the keyhole.
For me it was no surprise to her face, I saw him before, but yet again felt the destructive force - mad, maddening, make you forget about all the beauty. But this time, clouding lasted only a few seconds, and then dissipated almost effortlessly.
But even without this hypnotic flair, appearance Lady Elizabeth was definitely perfect. And it's not the perfect outline, though they were such, as in the case of some unconditional purity and innocence that I just breathed her image. It seemed some magic fairy, an angel descended from heaven, airy and beautiful. Looking at this flawless beauty, it was impossible to assume that it can kil
l even a fly.
Returning to the sofa, she sat down again, thoughtfully looked up from the table, a cup, took a sip, grimaced.
- That is damn old. What kind of shit is cooked? It is impossible to drink.
She put the cup back on the table, stood up, pulled the hanging at the front door braided lace. There was a faint bell in the distance.
Less than a minute later, a knock on the door respectfully.
- Yes, yes, come in!
- Madam? - appeared in the doorway of one of daveshny male assistants, one that seemed more restrained second.
- What's the mutt, gone?
- Yes, ma'am, it Magda spent.
- Oh, Magda still this. She was suddenly forgotten how to make coffee? Brought some poison, quite insolent!
- Shall I punish her?
- Leave now not these trifles. With it, I'll take care of later. Tell me, what news? What is the boy?
- All right, lady, we Dzhorri caught him, he did not hide, so hurry to get back to his shelter.
- Well. Are you sure that nobody saw him? After the ritual I will not be long forces, and do not want to spend it on sanitized tails.
- Sure, ma'am, - man nodded curtly. - Do not you worry.
- Well, well at least you can rely on. And what about the altar?
- Everything is ready, Madame. We have done everything exactly according to your instructions.
- Great! Then I can relax a bit. Forces need a lot, so that the rest will not hurt. Okay, you're free, two hours later we start.
- Yes, Madam, - man bowed again and left.
Once again, having walked around the room, Lady Elizabeth thoughtfully again reached for the coffee, instinctively took a few sips, staring at nothing. Then, her face contorted grimace, and she abruptly put the cup back on the table.
- Yes, what kind of stuff it! No, it is simply impossible, this thing still need to be punished!
The woman stopped, questioned appeared on her face. About half a minute she struggled with herself, and then, apparently having come to some decision, smiled triumphantly.
- In the end, the forces I have now is enough, I can afford to spend a little bit. Mmm, what did come up with? Suppose Magda was cutting meat, and accidentally cut his arm! Not a bad option, what do you think? - she suddenly laughed merrily its charming, ringing laugh, and began to sing a song in an unknown language to me. After a few seconds she was spinning around the room in a strange dance.
I'm fascinated watching the scene, trying to understand anything. Who is she talking to? Suddenly, the Lady Elizabeth stopped, and her face had a strange expression. Some waiting, joyful anticipation ... So the child begins to unwrap a gift - he knows that there is something good, interesting, and looks forward to the moment when he finally sees what.
- Yeah, sure, I come up! She obolet boiling water! It hurts a lot more painful than just a cut, and the kitchen not to stain with blood! Oh, yes, we like it!
A lady is not just a villain, but she's crazy as March Rabbit! I must admit I was expecting to see a man who just does not stop at nothing on the way to his goal, and met absolutely crazy, which not only kills but also frankly enjoy the process! And besides, it is also a split personality, apparently ...
The woman, meanwhile, stuck, frowned slightly, sending a focused look somewhere in the wall, as though something thinking hard.
With my eyes slept veil. Yes, it is she takes control of the poor maid, not otherwise. In a split second before his eyes flashed a picture of how the poor woman tearfully removes slabs fun gurgling and hissing kettle and pour boiling water on his hand, quietly watching the red and swells the skin blisters.
Not thinking about anything else, I yanked open the door while lifting a loaded crossbow. Time seemed to immediately slowed down.
Here - the door open, outstretched hand went half way to the goal, and suddenly I seemed to sink up to their necks in some viscous jelly. Seconds stretched into years, arms raised slowly by centimeters. Detached, as if everything is not with me, I look like just slowly turned toward me face Elizabeth, like changing his expression. She looks up, obviously not knowing what was happening.
Trigger suddenly became so tight, push it simply does not have any power! I'm doing just incredible effort, crush! And then sharply returns to its normal course! Woman, suddenly realizing that she faces, takes a step to the left, trying to get away from the firing line, and my javelin, which was originally aimed at the chest, shoulder stitches. She grabs him in amazement, on the fingers of blood! It is as if seeing it for the first time, puts a hand to his face, then looks up at me.
I, meanwhile reload the crossbow, knowing that time is missed, it is now likely, I just raise it to his temple and broke through its head through.
- DIE ... DIE! - her desperate cry seemed heavy pressure, which in a split second, forced out of his chest all the air. How hard is it to stand ... The heart, the beat that I never paid attention, suddenly turning over in my chest, as if fallen into the trap close. Crossbow became unbearably heavy, that the muzzle of his more and more inclined to the ground, his hands grow weak, my head is spinning.
Darkening eyes I noticed the triumph of evil in the eyes of Elizabeth, but not only that. Some confusion and surprise them. After all, I, despite its direct order, still standing on their feet, and not die. Moreover, the pressure seemed even a little subsided, and I again began to raise his weapon.
Slowly, it seems to me, just terribly slow, I took aim again, and happy to see that as a surprise to the woman's face is replaced by horror. Once again press the trigger, and the same second flying head over heels to the floor after a crushing blow to the head. At the same moment my resistance is shattered, and my heart, obeying the order, he begins to stop. Knock Knock...
The last thing I heard before falling into oblivion, was the voice of a detective Marcha:
- Kirk, grab the boy!
***
Darkness.
Silence.
Rest.
I died? There is no body, there's no traffic around, as if I was floating in the absolute darkness. Really, it is death, and now I will spend eternity so? For some reason it's not scary. Emotions have died with me ...
- Why did you want to kill her?
A voice suddenly resounded in the emptiness would obviously scared me under other circumstances. Now it seems to me my own, it comes from everywhere and nowhere, he whispers and roars, it inside and out.
- She killed people, I had to stop it - do not try to speak, just think and then hear your voice. That's funny.
- You say that as if it's really real people of flesh and blood.
- For me, there is no difference.
Surprisingly, but the lack of a body, its impact on my thoughts of their biochemistry, this cocktail of hormones, makes crystal clear mind. I give the answers and I am sure that they are not under the influence of an impulse or emotion, it's really my beliefs.
- No difference? Why? After all, they are just programs, unlike you, real people.
- They feel they love to hate. They are alive.
- You risked their lives for the program. What are you hoping? Its resurrection as a player? For immortality?
- No. I admit that I could die at all, but he hoped that this will not happen. Though he was ready. - I say, and I understand that is really not a bit do not sin against the truth. Yes, I, like everyone else, want to live. But, even knowing that there is risk of dying ultimate death, I would not give up its plans.
- You're a strange man.
- You, too strange. Who are you? This is because you created this world?
I was not entirely sure, but the other options I had not. And the voice said, not "we" and "you, real people", as it were, in opposition to - us.
The silence was my answer.
How it lasted, I could not understand, it may take a few seconds and can - hours. The very notion of time was absent in this nothingness. And I decided to have one more question ...
- Tell me, why do you
kill people? And you need to do this to stop?
I was not ready to answer, and did not expect it, but it sounded.
- Go away. I have to think it over and decide.
Leave? How can I get out of here? I'm dead.
No sooner had my head fully formed this thought, as empty a moment ago, the space suddenly flashed a bright, sparkling point to which I suddenly rapidly caused. Closer, closer, closer, and, behold, I immerse myself in the cold, not the scorching sea of fire and light. Somewhere on the edge of the universe I can hear beautiful music, and at the same moment I covers blinding wave of consciousness goes out again.
***
- Well, what is it?
- Oh, nothing, all the same. He is not worse, but ... not better.
- I'll come tomorrow.
- Good detective.
Detective? What familiar word ... There is something important, associated with it. I can not remember. What is? Trying to remember is the feeling of the discharge current in the head, and I again somewhere swam.
I do not know how much time had passed, when I opened my eyes. According to my subjective feelings - instantly.
I lay in a tiny, unfamiliar room. In a small, barred window the sun was shining. Judging by the shadows on the floor, it was about noon. Trying not to much strain, I carefully looked around. The room was almost empty. All its furnishings was a metal bed on which I am currently lying in the corner of the screen strips and white fabric, bedside table with some bubbles and a chair at the head of the bed.
It felt like a hospital room, but the lattice? Where in the hospital bars on the windows? But from there. No wonder if this hospital - prison.
Well, of course, it's simple! Detective, he was there, now I remember. It was his voice I heard before being shut down, it was his fault, I now do not know if I hit the second time killer!
What am I an idiot! I told myself all the detective, and then alternates in this house. Well, really, I could not imagine that the killer will be protected, or at least warn. Surely the detective did not believe my fake game, when I assured him that I have a lot of their own concerns, and I'm not going to go into this business. Still, with his experience and the insight. He read me like an open book!
Named Sherlock Page 59