pzb.drawingblood-第26章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


tage；　and　took　his　leave　of　the　Sacred　Yew。　A　few　minutes　later　Zach　came　out　of　the　rest　room；　his　face　and　hands　freshly　scrubbed；　his　dark　eyelashes　still　beaded　with　water；　settling　his　glasses　on　the　narrow　bridge　of　his　nose。　〃It's　raining；〃　he　told　Kinsey。
　　〃I　heard。　How　could　you　tell？〃
　　〃The　ceiling's　leaking。　I　put　the　trash　can　under　it。〃
　　Kinsey　sighed；　pushed　his　feathered　hat　back　over　his　stringy　hair；　and　kept　tugging　at　the　duct　tape。
　　〃Did　Terry　leave？　I　was　going　to　ask　him　if　he　knew　a　place　I　could　crash。〃
　　〃He'll　let　you　have　his　spare　bedroom　if　R。J。　isn't　camped　there。　You　can　sleep　on　my　couch；　too；　if　you'll　do　me　a　favor。　I　was　going　to　do　it　myself；　but　I　need　to　stay　here　and　make　sure　the　place　doesn't　flood。　The　landlord　won't　fix　our　pipes　and　sometimes　a　heavy　rain　just　es　right　in。〃
　　Zach　had　an　open　Natty　Boho　in　his　hand…he'd　grabbed　it　out　of　the　cooler　and　slapped　two　dollars　on　the　counter　before　Kinsey　could　card　him…and　looked　in　no　great　hurry　to　go　anywhere；　but　he　agreed　readily　enough。　〃Sure；　I'll　do　you　a　favor。〃
　　〃There's　a　young　man　living　in　an　abandoned　house　out　on　the　other　side　of　town。〃　Kinsey　explained　briefly　about　Trevor；　giving　none　of　the　details　of　why　he　was　in　the　house。　〃He　has　no　electricity　or　running　water。　I　brought　in　a　few　things　for　him…blankets；　bottled　water；　some　food。　Think　you　could　take　it　out　to　him？〃
　　Zach　looked　dubious。　〃Okay。〃
　　〃He　doesn't　bite。〃
　　〃Oh；　well　then　forget　it。〃　Zach　saw　Kinsey's　blank　look。　〃Sorry。　What's　he　doing　in　this　abandoned　house？〃
　　〃I'll　let　him　tell　you　himself；　if　he　wants　to。　You'll　like　Trevor。　He's　lived　in　New　York…the　two　of　you　can　pare　notes　on　that　pestilent　hellhole。〃
　　Zach　followed　Kinsey　behind　the　bar　to　get　the　box　of　supplies。　Kinsey　noticed　that　Zach's　hands　were　restless；　nervous；　their　slender　spatulate　fingers　always　manipulating　something：　skating　over　the　keypad　of　the　adding　machine；　toying　with　the　phone。　Once　he　reached　for　the　keys　of　the　cash　register；　but　drew　back　as　if　realizing　that　would　be　impolite。　The　boy　seemed　to　have　a　fascination　for　switches　and　buttons。　He　refrained　from　actually　pushing　them；　but　stroked　and　tapped　them　gently　as　if　wishing　he　could。
　　Kinsey　gave　him　directions　to　the　house　and　let　him　out　the　back　door。　Zach　could　hardly　miss　the　place；　there　were　several　run…down　houses　on　Violin　Road；　but　only　one　that　was　barely　even　there。　Kinsey　went　back　into　the　club。　Now　a　thin　trickle　of　water　was　seeping　from　under　the　door　of　the　men's　room。　If　the　rain　kept　up；　he　could　spend　the　whole　afternoon　mopping　and　wringing；　mopping　and　wringing。　Damn　the　landlord。
　　He　wasn't　sure　he　had　done　right　by　sending　Zach　out　to　Violin　Road；　but　it　felt　right　somehow。　He　hated　the　thought　of　Trevor　staying　out　there　another　night　without　food　or　water。　Someone　should　at　least　make　sure　he　hadn't　fallen　through　a　rotten　floor　and　broken　his　neck。
　　Zach　was　an　all　right　sort；　if　a　little　shifty。　Kinsey　didn't　think　he　was　really　from　New　York；　or　anywhere　near　it。　There　was　a　type　of　New　York　accent　that　sounded　something　like　his　voice；　true。　But　Kinsey　had　heard　a　distinctive　one　from　New　Orleans…a　weird　blend　of　Italian；　Cajun；　and　deep…South…that　sounded　a　lot　closer。　And　Zach　had　perked　up　visibly　when　Terry　mentioned　that　the　name　of　his　band　was　Gumbo。
　　But　if　he　wanted　to　be　from　New　York；　then　he　was　from　New　York　as　far　as　anyone　around　here　was　concerned。　Kinsey　only　asked　questions　when　he　could　tell　a　kid　wanted　him　to。　Right　now　Zach；　no　last　name　offered；　looked　like　he　wanted　to　stay　as　far　away　from　questions　as　possible。
　　
　　Zach　swerved　to　avoid　the　swollen　carcass　of　a　possum　in　the　road；　slowed；　and　turned　into　a　likely…looking　driveway。　It　was　barely　more　than　a　rutted　track　losing　a　battle　to　tall　grasses　and　wildflowers；　the　house　itself　was　so　overgrown　that　it　was　invisible　from　the　road　unless　you　were　looking　for　it。　Zach　thought　it　looked　like　a　wonderful　place　to　live。
　　He　finished　his　beer；　got　out　of　the　car；　and　pulled　the　box　of　supplies　out　after　him。　Kinsey　had　put　a　six…pack　of　Coke　in　with　the　bottled　water；　blankets；　and　various　packaged　food。　There　was　even　a　pillow　in　a　flowered　case　at　the　bottom　of　the　box。　Whoever　this　Trevor　Black　was；　Kinsey　had　done　him　up　right。
　　The　rain　had　slacked　off　some；　but　it　was　still　drizzling　drearily；　beading　on　his　glasses；　making　his　hair　straggle　into　his　face。　The　day　had　taken　on　a　cool；　slightly　eerie　cast。　Zach　hoisted　the　box　and　lugged　it　up　the　steps　to　the　vine…draped　porch。
　　The　front　door　hung　askew　on　its　hinges；　half　open。　Zach　knocked；　waited；　knocked　again。　No　response。　He　squinted　into　the　damp　gloom　of　the　house；　then　shrugged　and　let　himself　in。
　　For　a　moment　he　stood　in　the　center　of　the　living　room　letting　his　eyes　adjust　to　the　absence　of　light。　Gradually　details　resolved　themselves　and　he　saw　the　holes　in　the　ceiling；　the　vines　twisting　in　the　windows；　the　rotting　hulks　of　furniture。　A　tendril　of　unease　touched　him。　He　cleared　his　throat。　〃Hello？〃
　　Nothing。　The　doorway　to　the　hall　was　a　black　rectangle；　the　wall　around　it　smeared　with　indistinct　dark　stains。　Zach　stared　at　it；　feeling　worse。　What　had　that　old　hippie　sent　him　into？
　　He　would　just　put　the　box　down　here　on　the　floor　and　turn　around　and　go。　Nothing　to　it。　He　lowered　it　halfway；　his　eyes　never　leaving　the　hall　door。
　　When　a　tall　pale　form　appeared　in　the　doorway；　Zach　stifled　a　scream　and　dropped　the　box。　It　hit　the　floor　and　tipped　over　on　its　side。　A　can　of　Chef　Boyardee　ravioli　rolled　across　the　floor；　disappeared　under　the　couch。　Absurdly；　Zach　wondered　if　Kinsey　had　remembered　a　can　opener。
　　The　pale　form　came　out　of　the　darkness　toward　him。　A　shiftless；　skinny；　ridiculously　beautiful　boy；　long　blond　hair　spilling　over　his　shoulders　and　dirt…smudged　chest；　eyes　wide　and　blazing　and　utterly　mad；　a　rusty　claw　hammer　clutched　in　his　upraised　hand。　He　looked　like　some　malevolent　avenging　angel；　like　a　pissed…off　Christ　e　down　off　the　cross　ready　to　pound　in　some　nails　of　his　own。
　　Zach　stood　paralyzed　as　the　hammer…wielding　angel；　presumably　Trevor；　descended　on　him。　He　could　not　seem　to　make　himself　speak。　He　did　not　want　to　die　like　a　character　in　a　splatter　movie；　did　not　want　to　die　quick　and　stupid　or　slow　and　mean；　with　a　chunk　of　metal　buried　in　his　frontal　lobes　and　syrupy　blood　gradually　obscuring　the　dumb；　startled　expression　frozen　on　his　face　for　all　eternity。　But　even　less　did　he　love　the　idea　of　turning　to　run　and　feeling　the　claw　end　of　the　hammer　take　a　divot　out　of　his　skull。
　　His　heart　caromed　crazily　off　the　walls　of　his　chest。　A　wire…thin　pain　shot　down　his　left　arm。　Maybe　he　would　just　have　a　heart　attack　and　avoid　the　whole　thing。
　　Trevor's　other　hand　snaked　out；　wrapped　long　fingers　round　Zach's　wrist。　His　touch　was　galvanizing；　akin　to　an　electric　shock　or　a　whole　pot　of　coffee。　Zach　thought　his　nerves　might　just　rip　out　of　his　skin　and　go　twining　up　Trevor's　arm　like　the　stinging　tentacles　of　jellyfish。
　　But　his　synapses　refused　to　save　him。　Think；　his　mind　yammered；　flex　your　brain　and　THINK　because　if　you　don't　it's　going　to　end　up　splattered　all　over　this　dirty　floor；　and　is　that　any　fate　for　this　rare　and　superior　organ　that　has　served　you　so　well　for　nineteen　years？　Wanna　go　for　twenty？　Then　HACK　THIS　SYSTEM；　D00D！　What's　the　first　thing　you　need？　THE　PASSWORD！
　　〃TREVOR！〃　he　hollered。　〃NO！！！〃
　　He　had　made　his　voice　as　loud　and　sharp　as　he　could。　He　saw　Trevor　hesitate；　but　his　grip　on　Zach's　wrist　didn't　loosen；　and　the　hammer　stayed　upraised；　ready　to　fall。
　　But　passwords　always　required　more　than　one　try。　〃Trevor！〃　he　shouted　again；　letting　an　extra　edge　of　fear　and　deference　creep　into　his　voice。　〃Kinsey　sent　me！　Please　don't　kill　me！　Please！〃
　　Zach　felt　a　tiny　bright　pain　deep　in　his　head；　wondered　if　that　was　the　spot　where　the　hammer　would　go　in　or　if　he　had　just　managed　to　have　an　aneurysm　instead　of　a　heart　attack。　It　seemed　the　body　always　had　some　time　bomb　lurking　in　its　depths。
　　But　some　of　the　madness　appeared　to　melt　off　Trevor。　His　eyes　met　Zach's；　really　saw　Zach；　and　a　glassy　film　cleared　from　them。　The　black…rimmed　irises　were　the　palest；　most　delicate　ice…blue；　moments　ago　they　had　been　muddy　with　killing　rage。　Now　Trevor　looked　horrified；　and　years　younger。　He　let　go　of　Zach's　wrist。　His　shoulders　sagged。　He　tried　to　swallow　but　could　not　seem　to　work　up　the　spit；　the　curve　of　his　throat　worked　convulsively。　The　skin　there　was　creased　with　sweat　and　grime；　as　if　he　had　not　shaved　or　bathed　in　days。
　　Okay。　You　found　a　crack　in　the　system；　that　doesn't　necessarily　mean　you're　in。　Verify　yourself。　Reassure　the　system　that　you　belong　here。
　　〃Trevor？　I　。。。　didn't　mean　to　scare　you。　My　name's　Zach　and　I'm　new　in　town　too　and　。　。　。　uh；　Kinsey　from　the　club　sent　me　out　to　bring　you　this　stuff。〃
　　The　quicksilver　eyes　flickered；　then　Trevor's　lips　moved。　His　voice　was　deeper　than　Zach　had　expected；　and　very　quiet。　〃You　must　think　I'm　crazy。〃
　　〃Well…〃　said　Zach；　and　stopped。　Trevor　tilted　his　head。　〃Well；　it　would　help　if　you　put　the　hammer　down。〃
　　Trevor　stared　at　the　grisly　tool　in　his　hand　as　if　he　had　no　idea　how　it　had　gotten　there。　Then；　very　slowly；　he　bent　and　placed　the　hammer　on　the　floor。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　muttered。　〃I'm　really；　really　sorry。〃
　　Bingo！　In　with　full　user　privileges！　Bells　and　whistles　should　have　been　going　off　in　Zach's　head。　But　he　didn't　feel　as　triumphant　as　he　usually　did　when　he　cracked　a　system。　He　was　starting　to　remember　that　Trevor　was　more　than　a　system；　he　was　a　person；　and　people　were　volatile　things；　and　that　hammer　was　still　within　easy　reach。
　　And　on　top　of　all　that；　the　stricken　look　on　Trevor's　face　and　the　jagged　catch　in　his　voice　were　so　genuine　that　Zach　actually　felt　a　little　sorry　for　him。　He　was　a　beautiful　boy　with　fierce　intelligence　behind　the　craziness　flickering　in　his　eyes。　Zach　wondered　what　had　brought　him　to　this　place；　to　this　extremity。
　　〃You're　the　only　person　who　ever　tried　to　kill　me　that　apologized　for　it　afterward；〃　he　said。　〃So　I　guess　I　accept。〃
　　A　trace　of　a　smile　might　have　crossed　Trevor's　face。　It　was　gone　before　Zach　could　be　sure。　〃How　many　other　people　have　tried　to　kill　you？〃
　　〃Two。〃
　　〃Who　were　they？〃
　　〃My　parents。〃
　　Trevor's　eyes　went　very　wide；　paler　still。　Then　suddenly　they　shimmered　with　tears。　A　couple　spilled　over　the　rims　of　his　eyelids　before　he　could　stop　them；　great　fat　crystal　drops　of　pain。
　　Once　in　a　while　you　happen　purely　at　random　upon　the　right　password　in　a　million；　the　unguessable　code　sequence；　the　needle　in　a　program's　haystack。　Once　in　a　while；　you　just　get　lucky。
　　〃I　can　explain　everything；〃　said　Trevor。
　　
　　The　thought　of　what　he　had　nearly　done　made　Trevor　feel　light…headed。　The　house　spun　around　him；　the　floor　threatened　to　tilt；　to　yawn　wide　open　beneath　his　feet。
　　He　couldn't　remember　what　he　had　been　thinking　as　he　grabbed　Zach's　wrist。　He　wasn't　sure　he　had　been　thinking；　his　mind　had　felt　as　empty　as　the　rooms　of　the　house；　and　that　scared　him　worse　than　anything。
　　〃I　can　explain　everything；〃　h