雨中等待：隐秘与无声猎杀.pdfVIP

JACQUELYNHOOPER

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Inthesecondhourofwaitingintherainforsomethingtohappen,Chris

Havenportmovedhisleg.

Bestill,Paladinsaid.

Chrisstaredathim.WaterdrippedfromPaladinswide-brimmedhat,andrandown

hisarms.Hishandswereclaspedaroundthetriggerofthenet,readyto

fire.

Hestaredstraightahead,throughabreakinthetrees,attheclearing.

Ihavetotakeapiss,Chrissaid.

Holdit.

Nothinsoutthere.

Paladinremainedrigid.Chriscarefullyreturnedhislegtoitsprevious

position,cursingPaladininhishead.Waitingwasnottheworstpartof

extermination,butitwasaclosesecond.Paladinblackenedhiseyeoncefor

coughinginastillglen,buteventhenChrisdidnotseethepoint.They

werentafterquailorhare.

Therewasnonameyetforwhattheywereafter.Paladincalledthemhellionand

butchers;Chrishadlikedthesoundofnatives.Eitherway,whoknewifthey

couldseethemhidinginthebushes?

Paladinmovedhishead,alertingChristosomethingtohisright.Chrissaw

nothingbutleaves,andtheblinkingredlightoftheatmostatintheclearing.

Buthefeltashiftintheweather.Thunderdrummedabovehim,andtheair,once

filledwiththesharpsmellofleavesandhisownmustywetness,wasariver,

floodinghisnoseandears.Hesuppressedtheurgetocough,becausePaladinwas

notmoving.Hestood,seeminglyrooted,hisdarkeyespiercingthroughthe

curtainofwaterbeforethem.

Intheclearing,awomanappeared.Shewasnaked,herskinthecolorofteak.

Shespunaround,ablissfulexpressiononherwidefaceasthestormswirled

withher.Sheslowed,andtherainseemedtoslow.

Chriswatchedherdance,followingthewayherblackhairropedandswungacross

herfaceandshoulders.