KrNews #07 15 января 1999

Самиздат

EHOX - Short Story "ENOX".

_


            Story 'Enoch'
_


                             Robert Bloch

                      (C) the text of the Nik-O


   Usually it always starts the same way.

   Appears unclear oschushenie.

   Have you ever chuvstvoaval as
inside your skull cross the tiny legs? They trample on temechku 
incessantly. 

   Here's how it starts.

   But you can not see how this
there walking, because it is in
your skull. Sometimes it is chosen to
surface, and even if sharply to
hand through his hair, all one can not catch him. This trick 
does not work with him. Even when his head in his hands, he 
necessarily contrived and escape. 

   He is damn clever, this Enoch. And then
so it can not be helped. You can not ignore it, but then he
prosemenit on the head and begins to whisper in his ear.

   And you clearly feel like a tiny cold body pressed tightly 
to the base of the skull. In his claws, apparently there is 
something anesthetizing - they does not cause pain, although 
later and you find a lot of scratches on his neck,

of which continued to ooze blood.

   But at the moment you are busy just
this little cold little body and tried to resist, not to hear
haunting whisper. If you listen to it
words, that all count, you're caught! Like it or not, and will 
then submit. 

   Oh, Enoch, cunning and diabolically clever!

   So he knows something, than to threaten and intimidate as if 
a little dare oppose him. 

   However, I do it rarely.

   When I did not resist, everything goes
not too bad, because he so convincingly
can explain what's what and make sure their views. And the fact 
that he promises that schelestyaschim whisper sounds

oh how tempting ...

   It should be noted that the promises of their own, Enoch
strictly adhered to.

   Local consider me a miserable pauper,
because I have absolutely no money, and
I live in an old barn on the edge of the swamp.

   But he gave me this treasure!

   Once I fulfill his desire, he takes me away from my body
a few days in other worlds, where
I'm getting a real king.

   People scoff nodo me, make fun, I have no friends, and all 
the girls from our village called me "scarecrow garden." But I 
need only comply with the wishes of Enoch, as he gives me all 
the treasures of the world. 

   Think it's normal dreams? Not at all. Likely that other life
- A nightmare. One in which a shack on the
edge of the marsh.

   Take at least these murders ...

   Similarly, I kill people. But
wants to Enoch, he whispers all the time
about this, so I killed for him.

   Yes, I do not work for everyone. Once I resisted this, but 
now do not even try. It requires, and I kill for this creature, 
living on my head. I can neither see it nor

catch. I just feel it, hear and
obey.


   Sometimes he leaves me alone. But
then suddenly taken mess and
scratch under the skull. And then
I'm starting to hear the familiar whisper
which tells me that someone has wandered
in my swamp.

   How did he know it? See
he never could, but it is always described precisely and 
accurately. 

   - By Eylsorsi Road moves some
vagabond. He is not tall, rather
fatness shaved bald. Task is made easier!

It's a pretty giggles and again continues:

   - His name is Mike. He is dressed in blue
overalls and a brown sweater. The swamp, he will turn to dusk, 
approximately ten minutes. Stop urinate under

large tree, tyadom from the landfill. Hide there and wait until 
he decides to collect firewood. What to do next - you know. Do 
not forget to grab an ax. Go! ... 

   From time to time I ask Enoch
it seems to me this time, but usually to rely on his 
discretion. Of course, I am anyway, but one will fulfill his

will. Therefore, it is better to take up
case, Enoch never mistaken in such
affairs and always depart from me into trouble.

   In truth, the way it was before
the latter case.

   One evening I decided to bite in
his barn, when Enoch told me about
this girl.

   - Soon he will visit you, - whispered
he's hot. - Beauty, dressed in all
black. She has one delightful dignity is an elegant structure 
of the skull. Simply elegant!


   I was rashil he lopochet about one
in my awards, but it turned out that Enoch
talked about a living person.

   - It will come to the door and ask about
aid: to fix her car. Maid went on a country road, hoping to get 
into town by the shortest route. Machine mired in a swamp and 
you want to replace one of the wheels. 

   That's it. Enoch knows everything!

   - You go with her, but do not take with
is nothing superfluous. In her car
there is a big wrench, and they vospolzueshsya.

   At this time I decided to rebel,
pleading whining and refusing. Then
He laughed bitterly, and I talked to him
popular that it would do if I
I will continue obstinate. Then repeated
his threat twice.

   - And in general will be much better if
I'll do it with her than with you - whispering Enoch. - Or do 
you still prefer ... 

   - No! What! I'll do as you
want.

   - You must understand, because I can not help
do about it. I need it for
sustain life and maintain forces to
to help you. And also to give the few joys. But for this you 
owe me obeyed, or else I'll

forced to stay here and ...

   - Enough! I said that everything had come.

   And I obeyed.

   She knocked on the door pretty soon,
and further there was, as predicted by Enoch. The girl was cute
blonde chic with her hair. When
we reached the place her accident, I hit
girl key under the skull base,
not to damage such wonderful strands
hair.

   Next Enoch explained to me that I should
do.

   Having worked with an ax, I dragged the body into
floaters. Enoch warned about the signs,
I quickly destroyed them. The machine has caused a vague fear, 
but he suggested I like to take a log and easily

push it. Full confidence in
that the car will sink, I was not,
but she disappeared from view so quickly that
I just gaped.

   Then I felt better, and I tossed back
same wrench. Enoch allowed to go home.

   For the girl he promised me something
special, and I soon fell asleep, having had time to note that 
my head was incredibly easy, because Enoch went to the swamp to 
the final production. 

   I know not how long I dreamed of. Must
be decently. I remember only that when
began to recover, then felt the presence of Enoch, and felt 
that there was something wrong. I woke up finally, when they 
heard persistent knocking at the door.


   For a moment I was expecting that Enoch
whisper to me what to do, but now he was asleep, because
As always rested after that procedure.
Some days it nothing can
wake up, and at such time, I fully
'm free. Usually, it pleases me
but just do not seychas when I desperately
need his help.

   A knock on the door grew louder. More hope was not on that, 
so I got up and unlocked the door. Stepped over the threshold 
Our sheriff, old Shelby, who I said:


   - Get ready-ka, Seth. I will deliver thee
in the area.

   What can you do? He looked
examined the contents of my pimped
and stared at me with his gimlet-eyed. I was so scared that he 
was ready to hide in some dark nook, not to see those eyes.


   Of course, he could not see Enoch.
Like no other. But Enoch was in my
place: I felt like he quietly
nap on the crown, covered with hair
blanket, snuggling up to me and sniffing like a lamb of God.

   - Parents of Emily Robbins stated that
she was going to go through the swamp,
to reduce the distance in a way - said the sheriff. - We 
followed the footprints tires up to Plavunov ...


   Enoch forgotten traces of wheels!

   - Be aware! Everything that you would now either said could 
be used against you - reminded of my rights old Shelby. - Now 
we can go, Seth.


   And we went to the site. When we
came to the village, the police car is literally stuck to a 
crowd of onlookers. Vociferous women began to incite the "real 
men "immediately" SPLIT "to me. But the sheriff managed to 
drive away, and I finally found myself in a local jail, in the 
silence and complete safety. I was placed in

Average camera. The two sides were
free, so I stayed in the usual solitude. Of course, not counting
Enoch.

   Early in the morning, Shelby, along with their
assistants somewhere evaporated. Apparently,
They decided to try to retrieve the body of the blonde. I did 
not say a single speech and question and this fact I was very

disturbed.

   Shelby left here host Charlie
Potter, who brought me breakfast and
began rattling off questions.

   I remain silent. That
sense to talk to such a jerk,
Charlie Potter? And besides, he thought I was crazy, like a 
crowd outside. 

   Judge for yourself, I could tell
him? He's all the same for anything I do not
believed it, I tell him the truth about
Enoch.

   So I kept silent so listened to him rant.

   Charlie solemnly told me about
search for Emily Robbins and that the sheriff
already very long ago drew attention to the disappearance of 
different people. Charlie said that to be a major process and 
from the district already left for the prosecutor. And yet he 
had heard that if they invited some doctors for my health.


   And what do you think? Just me
ate, how came the same doctor.
Charlie saw that he approached the council,
and escorted him inside the building, barely having time to
shut the door in a couple of stubborn inhabitants. So took it 
into his head to lynch me. No, you just think! 

Doc was Shorty with idiotic beard. His name was Silversmit. He 
busily sent Charlie to the office entrance, and himself to get 
comfortable before the camera and started a conversation with 
me on the souls. 

   Until this moment I do not particularly
feeling, believe me. Everything happened so
rapidly that I really have not had time
realize what is happening. Cool looks like
on the passage from sleep: the sheriff, the crowd, talking 
about some kind of process, threats of lynching ... 

   But with the advent of Dr. Silversmita
something fell into place. He was very present reality. Talking
quietly, like a good doctor with a sick patient. Looks like he 
was going to throw me in a psychiatric hospital as soon as 
found my Mom. The fact that it happened, he

asked almost the first moment of our conversation. From such 
attention to my modest person, I felt a

it is easy and free.

   Soon, I already told him that
as we have with mama lived in an abandoned
barn, as she was making The Love Potion
on sale, on a big pot and night
collection of herbs. He told me about those nights
when she went somewhere alone and
As I listened to the strange sounds of the night,
drifting from somewhere far away.

   Then I got tired of talking, but
Doc and he knew something, and went on to
informing me that my mom all called "witch" and that once in 
the evening to us tumbled Santo Dinorelli and stabbed her

because it sold The Love
potion of his daughter, and she ran off with kakimto hunter. 
Silversmit knew about that since I lived in a shed all alone.


   But he knew nothing about Enoch!

   The thing that dryh me on top, niskolechko not worrying 
about what to me going on here ...


   I do not know why, but I spoke to the dock of Enoch, trying 
to tell him that that blonde was not killed me, because

I had to mention Enoch and tell you how my mother has concluded 
that memorable transaction in the woods. I, as always, did not 
take with him - I was barely twelve - but take away from me a 
little blood pricks his finger with a needle and Having filled 
a small bottle. I can not say what she did all night, but, back 
in the morning, Enoch has been with her. See, of course, I 
could not have it, but Mother told her all about it, and then I

first felt, as he climbed to the
on my head.

   - He will be with you always, - said
woman. - Will take care of you and
in every way to help.

   That's all I have laid out the doctor, explaining why 
compelled to obey Enoch, after the irretrievable loss of mama. 
Enoch protected me, knowing that I will not survive alone. I 
tried to explain it Silversmitu because it seemed

I intelligent and kind person.

   How wrong I was!

   I immediately realized this as soon as I saw
his piercing eyes, stroking
beard and permanent prigovarivanie:
"Yes, yes, of course."

   His eyes were a hair's breadth, as in
Sheriff of Shelby. Gimlets. Attentive.
Tracking. And peeper eyes.

   Then he started asking all sorts of
question for fun. Strange, because it
should ask about Enoch, but instead
This Silversmit longed to know whether I can not hear some more 
otherworldly voice or whether I had seen something of what he

obviously knew that it was sheer chepuhovina and fiction.

   He then asked about my feelings after the murder of Emily 
Robbins, saying, Do I not like her ... No such

repeat language does not turn! Honestly, he is now talking with
I like this crazy!

   But I just laughed in response and decided to
continue to keep mum in a rag. Then he
noticeably lost heart and departed, sadly
shaking his head. Once again, I laughed
after him, knowing that he did not
raznyuhal that he so wanted.

   And he wanted to extort the secrets of mother's and Enoch, 
that's for sure. 

   But the number is not passed, so I'm so amused. Laughed 
heartily, I lay down to sleep, and lain in such a way almost 
until the evening. 

   And waking, I saw right in front of the camera grid stranger 
with a chubby face and kind eyes. 

   - Hey, Seth - smiled fat. -
How did you sleep?

   I scratched on the top. Enoch, of course, is not found, but 
I firmly knew he was on the ground and continues to press the 
weight. He knows how to deftly dodge, even when he sleeps. 

   - You just do not worry, I'm not
going to hurt - the stranger.

   - Sent you a doctor?

   - Well, why need a doctor -
he laughed. - My name is Kesidi. Edwin Kesidi, the District 
Attorney. Here everywhere I manage, my son. Will not

mind if I go to you?

   - But I'm here locked up.

   - I can find and keys.

   He unlocked the cell, went in and sat down
on the bench.

   - Are not you afraid of me, sir? I
everyone thinks the murderer.

   - No, Seth, - again he laughed. -
Not afraid. I know that you did not think
to kill anyone.

   He knowingly put my hand on
shoulder, and I did not dump her. Palm
was such a friendly, soft and hot.
On one of his fingers glittered massive diamond ring.

   - How is Enoch? - Suddenly
asked Kesidi.

   I involuntarily shuddered.

   - Above all, do not worry. This flapper-doctor told me about 
it when met with me on the street. But

He did not understand nothing at all, what is
Enoch, is not it, buddy? But we are with
you perfectly understand everything.

   - Doc decided that I was crazy - I muttered.

   - Honestly, Seth - conspiratorially
said the prosecutor - it is really
hard to believe. I myself have just returned from the swamp. 
Shelby with her kids there shuruet swing. Already removed the 
body of Emily Robbins and more fat, a small boys and Indians.


   I carefully watched his smiling eyes and came to the 
conclusion that this man you can trust.


   - How do you think they will and others will continue if the 
search in the swamp? 

   I just nodded in response.

   - You know, I did not wait there. Dai,
I think, talks with Seth. I see that you
told the real truth. It's Enoch blame for everything, is not it?

   I nodded again.

   - Remarkable - Kesidi lightly pressed
my shoulder. - We miraculously understand each
other. Therefore, my son, can I still
about something to tell.

   - What do you want to hear, sir?

   - I'm more interested in this, Enoch.
How many people he has ordered you to kill?

   - Nine.

   - And they are all buried in the swamp?

   - Yes, sir.

   - Do you know their names?

   - Only a few.

   I've listed what he knew.

   - Enoch simply tells them the signs, well,
I met people on them.

   The prosecutor is uncertain chuckled and reached for a 
cigarette. I frowned with displeasure. 

   - Do you mind?

   - Please do not smoke. Mama did not like it and I was not 
allowed. 

   Kesidi snorted loudly, but a cigar
removed and confidently leaned over to my
ear.

   - You can help cool me, Seth.
You know what the District
Attorney?

   - Well, he's a lawyer sitting in court and
Other ...

   - Exactly. I'll be on your
process, Seth. Answer me, my boy,
could you tell everything that happened to you?

   - No, Mr. Kesidi. In the village of evil
languages. I have nobody here likes.

   I suddenly longed to
Enoch finally woke up and helped me advice, but he continued to 
sleep as if nothing did not happen. Then I looked at the 
prosecutor and gasped:


   - Okay. Tell it like it is.

   And I began to tell in order.

   He stopped to chuckle at once, apparently interested.

   - The question can be? In the swamp found
several bodies. We can determine the identity of Emily Robbins 
and some more, but You see, Seth ... Could you answer me, where 
are all the heads podevalis these people?


   I stood up and stared into one
point.

   - No. I myself do not really know.

   - How so?

   - Yes, sir! I left them to Enoch
understand? Because of them I had to go
for murder. Head he needs to chegoto ...

   This fact is clearly puzzled Kesidi.

   - Enoch always requires that I cut off the head and the body 
preserved in a bog. When I get home, it lulls me and rewards, 
and after that sent to the head.


   - But why? Why?

   - And you know what, sir? You do not even
worth their search. It is useless
occupation, Mr. Prosecutor.

   Kesidi muffled said:

   - Why did you let Enoch to do all this?

   - And what am I to do? In the case of my refusal, he will do 
it with me. And this is his favorite threat, among other things 
... Therefore it is necessary to comply. 

   The prosecutor said nothing. He began to follow closely, as 
I paced the cell. Even then suddenly jumped back to the side 
when I approached the bunk. 

   - After you explain all this in court,
true, sir? About the antics of Enoch, and so on?

   He shook his head:

   - You know, now I'm not going to mention the process of 
Enoch, and you do not advise. Nobody should know about him.


   - Why?

   - I'm trying to help you, son. But
there is one, zakavyrka, you know. That
tell jurors and witnesses, if you
begin to spin about Enoch? They will say,
what do you - natural nut and your place in the
nuthouse! And you and me it does neither
Why, smekaesh?

   - Yeah. But how do you help me then, sir?

   - You, Seth, Enoch afraid, is not it?
- Kesidi smiled slyly. - Do you give
it to me, boy, and no problems.

   I already opened his eyes to such a proposal.

   - No, you just imagine! Will you give
it now, what time to pull,
true? And I really take care of him at the trial. Thus, you 
give him a completely no podchinyaeschsya, and hence can

about it does not mention it. However, he did
does not want publicity about his own person.

   - True. Enoch was very angry, he
terribly secretive. He is sleeping now, and I, well,
I can not give it without proper authorization.

   - Oh, so he sleeps?

   - Yes, and on my head. But you, sir,
of course, will not be able to see it.

   Kesidi zyrknul on my hair and smiled and said:

   - Oh, when he wakes up, I'll be able to
him to agree. He understands that this
only for the better, and will be very happy.

   - Then, come on. But you promised me
that he will not disappoint Enoch?

   - How can you, Seth?

   - And give him what you want? You
agree?

   - Sure.

   - And will not open a single living soul?

   - Not one.

   - But remember that if you refuse to give Enoch what he 
wants, then he will take it from you by force!


   - Do not worry, kid.

   Then I stopped, catching the slight movement in the
hair. Enoch woke up!

   - He woke up - I whispered. - Now
You can tell him how we decided to do.

   Honest to God, he woke up: I felt
like Enoch carefully mince on the skin under
hair closer to the ear.

   - Can you hear me? - I whispered to Enoch.

   He confirmed.

   I described the situation. And what about sending it to Mr. 
Kesidi. 

   Enoch was silent.

   The prosecutor did not speak and somehow smiling. 
Apparently, from my conversation with "unknown person" looked 
unconvincing and strange. 

   - Enoch, you must go to Mr Kesidi. And - immediately!

   And Enoch walked away.

   I just felt a certain lightness to the
head, no more, but I was firmly convinced that he had gone away.

   - Do you feel it, sir?

   - What? A. .. Well, of course, Seth! -
the prosecutor stood up.

   - Absolutely!

   - And do not wear a hat. Enoch
scary does not like it, sir.

   - Sorry, not taken into account. Well, Seth, it's
Time to say goodbye. You give me great help and
from then on you can forget about Enoch, and told him not to 
talk about. Okay? Later We'll talk with you about the process. 
Dock Silversmit after going to assure all

and everyone that you clear a psychopath. I think you would be 
better to abandon what did you tell him naboltal, and Enoch 
something now I have!


   Excellent idea! Oh, I just realized that the prosecutor - 
the guy we need. 

   - As you say, sir. Once you really
Be polaskovey with Enoch, and he will answer
do the same.

   The prosecutor solemnly shook hands with me
and went along with Enoch. And for me
suddenly swooped down some kind of fatigue -
maybe from stress, maybe because
that somehow it was not unusual to Enoch. AND
I fell asleep.

   I just woke up late at night,
blockhead Charlie when Potter began banging his foot on the 
grid, holding a tray with meal. He turned pale and recoiled 
when he heard my greeting.


   - A dirty murderer! They found a
swamp nine corpses. Thick-headed bastard!

   - Hey, Charlie. And I thought we
friends.

   - Nerd! Personally, I rolled the now
home and shut everything here. Sheriff, of course, you should 
look to the crowd not broke here and were not satisfied with 
lynching. Only seems to me that this is a vain idea ...


   Charlie extinguishes the light and walks away.
Audible, as he is busy on the porch, locking the door with a 
padlock. 

   Alone, all alone! As it is unusual
and unusual: to be completely alone without Enoch. I ran a hand 
through his hair: a strange, lost feeling. 

   The view from the window represents the illuminated
Moon deserted street. Enoch Tal loved
Moon, she fired the it, making it restless and greedy. 
Interestingly, as there is to it live with Mr. Kesidi?


   I must have stayed long enough in one position and when 
turned to rustle at the door of the site, I realized how

zanemeli feet. Lock clanged, and the camera
literally flew Attorney Kesidi.

   - Take it from me! Immediately, you hear! he yelled, panting 
and glaring nail on the head.


   - What happened, sir?

   - Yes, this Enoch, your gift! I am a
thought you were crazy idiot, but
Now, it seems crazy, I became myself ...
But I beg you, beg, put it away
from me!

   - Sir! I warned you about
Enoch.

   - He crawls on me, I feel it.
Hear him whispering!

   - Okay. Remember, I have something to explain
on this occasion. Enoch something Requests
guessed? You'll have to give it to him. You
promised.

   - No, no! I will not kill, it does not
can make me ...

   - And how can! And make.

   Attorney-squeezed door bars.

   - Seth, help me out. Respond Enoch, take
it begged to come back to you. Hurry!

   - I'll try, Mr. Kesidi.

   I asked Enoch. He did not answer. I
again called for - silent.

   - Hmmm, did not work - I became sad. -
He did not return to me. Liked you.

   The prosecutor began to sob. This so startled
me that the caused of pity and compassion.
It turns out he did not understand.
Oh I know what I was capable of
Enoch, when he begins to whisper its
desires: first, to persuade, then begs, and then - at risk.

   - You should submit to the prosecutor.
He said someone should be killed for this
time?

   Kesidi crying, oblivious to me
attention. And then suddenly pulled out a bunch of
keys, unlocked the next cell, ran
inside and locked the door behind him.

   - No, - he murmured, - I will not do ...

   - What is it about you?

   - I'm not going to kill Dr. Silversmita in the hotel and cut 
for Enoch's head. I'll sit in the chamber and Nowhere here do 
not go out. Scum such yahoo invisible ...


   He slowly rolled over on its side, and I
through the separating chamber lattice seen
as he put his head crouched with his hands.

   - Hey, hurry up! - I called him. -
Otherwise, Enoch to do something. Please
Mr. Kesidi!

   Then the prosecutor cried piteously, and
likely to have lost consciousness because
that did not respond and stop pulling your
hair. I called again, but to no avail.

   What can you do? I sat on
bunk and began to watch the moon
spots of light, which act on Enoch in unanticipated ways.

   And at this moment Kesidi screamed wildly.
I know that now Enoch takes what
would, at the very prosecutor.

   What to watch this? Enoch did not stop, Mr Kesidi I honestly 
warned ... 

   I sat there turning away and pinched his ears with his 
hands, until everything is over. When I dare turn around, I 
discovered that Kesidi sitting, leaning against the bars of the 
camera. A deathly silence. 

   Shh, here it is! Purr. Quiet,
barely perceptible. So purrs Enoch, being
full. Now distributed easily scratched
it sounds claws Enoch joyfully danced after the hunt for prey.

   Purring and scratching hear from
Kesidi head!

   Enoch is clearly happy, and that means happy I am.

   Putting his hand through the bars, I picked up a bunch of 
keys prosecutor opened his the camera and once again became 
free as before. 

   Why hang around here for nothing? Kesidi not
resurrect, and then Enoch did not wish to
remain.

   - To me, Enoch! - I called softly.

   It was then that I was almost the first time not
I saw it: something whitish lightning flashed out of the big 
horrible hole proedenoy at the nape of the prosecutor. And I 
immediately felt light, cool and soft body,

fallen on temechko, and realized that
Enoch returned home.

   Passing through the corridor, I opened the outer
door of my prison.

   Tiny legs habitually trampled
on the skull.

   Together we went into the night. Moon
was shining brightly, it was immersed in silence and 
tranquility, and only a quiet, happy Enoch laughter rustled in 
my ear. 



              THE GATES OF TIME