Читать книгу Battle of the Beasts - Ned Vizzini - Страница 20

Will filled Brendan in as they walked, including the details of Cordelia’s icy skin.

“Sort of sounds like how she’s been acting lately,” mused Brendan.

“What do you mean?”

“Cordelia hasn’t been herself. I mean, she could always be annoying, but now it’s like she doesn’t even care enough to annoy us. All she cares about is this tutoring programme she’s doing at school. Have you tried calling her mobile?”

Will stopped walking. “I’ve been eating out of garbage cans for the last few weeks. How could I possibly afford a mobile phone?”

“I actually see a lot of homeless people with phones,” said Brendan, “but I get your point.” He called Cordelia and waited through four rings. Her voicemail answered. He tried again. Still nothing. But the third time—

“Bren! Bren, I can’t talk right now—”

“Deal, what’s going on?”

“I can’t – I left Will – left the house – not in control—” Her voice was strangely gulped, as if she were speaking while someone tried to drown her.

“Deal, slow down—”

“I can feel it, Bren, it’s inside me—”

“Where are you, Cordelia?!”

“I’m at” – her voice cracked – “where it all happens, Brendan. Where weaving spiders do not come—”

The phone cut off. Brendan tried calling back. It went straight to voicemail. He tried again – same thing. He looked to Will.

“We need to head downtown.”