The Regulators - Stephen King [131]
Gary Soderson became distantly aware of a rotten breeze blowing into his face. He tried to wave it away, but it only grew stronger. He raised one hand, touched something that felt like an alligator shoe — a very large alligator shoe — and opened his eyes. What he saw leaning over him at kissing distance, staring at him with a curiosity which was almost human, was so grotesque that he could not even scream. The lizard-thing's eyes were bright orange.
Here it is, Gary thought, my first major attack of the dt's. Ahoy, mateys, A.A. dead ahead.
He closed his eyes. He tried to tell himself that he didn't smell swamp-breath or hear the toneless clickety-click of a tail dragging across kitchen linoleum. He held his dead wife's cold hand. He said, 'Nothing there. Nothing there. Noth — '
Before he could finish the third repetition (and everyone knows the third time's the charm), the monster had plunged its teeth into his throat and torn it open.
3
Johnny saw small feet through the open pantry door and looked in. Ellie and Ralphie were lying in there on what looked like a futon, holding each other. They were fast asleep, gunshots from out back notwithstanding, but even in slumber they had not entirely escaped what was happening; their faces were white and strained, their breathing had a watery sound that made him think of stifled sobs, and Ralphie's feet twitched, as if he dreamed of running.
Johnny guessed that Ellen must have found the futon and brought it into the pantry for herself and her little brother to lie on; certainly Kim Geller hadn't done it. Kim and her daughter had resumed their former places by the wall, only now sitting in kitchen chairs instead of on the floor.
'Is Jim really dead?' Susi asked, looking at Johnny with wet, shiny eyes as Johnny came in behind Brad and Belinda. 'I just can't believe it, we were playing Frisbee like we always do, and we were going out to the movies tonight — '
Johnny was completely out of patience with her. 'Why don't you go out on the back porch and have a look for yourself?'
'Why are you being such a bastard?' Kim asked angrily. 'My daughter may never get over serious trauma like this. She's had a profound shock!'
'She's not the only one,' Johnny said. 'And while we're at it — '
'Quit it, man, we don't need to get fighting,' Steve Ames said.
Undoubtedly true, but Johnny no longer cared. He pointed a finger at Kim, who stared back at him along its length with hot, resentful eyes. 'And while we're at it, the next time you call Belinda Josephson a black bitch, I'll knock your teeth down your throat.'
'Oh, gosh, don't you think your shit comes out smoking,' Kim said, and rolled her eyes theatrically.
'Stop it, John,' Belinda said, and took his arm. 'Right now. We've got more important things to — '
'Fat black bitch,' Kim Geller said. She didn't look at Belinda as she said it but at Johnny. Her eyes were still burning, but now she was smiling. He thought it was the most poisonous smile he had ever seen in his life. 'Fat black nigger bitch.' That said, she pointed her own finger at her mouth and visible teeth, like a woman trying to get suicide across in a game of charades. Her daughter was looking at her with a stunned expression. 'Okay? Did you hear it? So come on. Knock my teeth down my throat. Let's see you try.'
Johnny started forward, meaning to do just that. Brad grabbed one of his arms. Steve grabbed the other one.
'Get out of here, you idiot,' Old Doc said. His voice was harsh and dry. It got through to Kim, somehow, and she gave him a startled, considering look. 'Get out of here right now.'
Kim rose from her chair, pulling Susi out of hers. For a moment it seemed they would go into the living room together, but then Susi pulled away. Kim reached for her, but Susi continued to back off.
What do you think you're doing?' Kim asked. 'We're going into the living room! We're going to get away from these — '
'Not me,' Susi said, shaking her head quickly. Tou, maybe. Not me. Uh-uh.'
Kim stared at her, then looked