|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Some kind of retard or something," Muzzy said. "Or one of those artistics. I saw a thing on TV 'bout these kids who don't talk for years, in their own world, or something. 'Cept this one's part gorilla with a King-Kong swantz." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry moved to a utility table with a video camera and opened a drawer. "He drinks about two gallons a day." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How come you keep him naked?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Tears clothes to shreds." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"He's got some kinda thing around his neck." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Just a pendant on a chain," Jerry said. He came back with a thick pistol in his hand, opened the side chamber and slipped in a tranquilizer dart. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"It's how we keep things reasonable." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry unlocked the door. When Matty spotted the gun, he let out a deep rumble and slunk back into his corner. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry waved the gun at him as he entered the cage, picked up the bucket and slipped out of the cage. He then filled the bucket from the hose but, instead of placing it near Matty, he set it against the bars next to where Muzzy was standing. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He locked the door and picked up a small wall mirror from the utility table. He held it by his side and waited. Matty came over to the bucket, dropped on his knees and began slurping the water. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry squatted until he was head-high with Matty through the cage. "Hey, kid." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matty looked up and Jerry pressed the mirror against the bars at eye level. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Mirror, mirror on the wall." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For a blank moment Matty glared at his reflection. Slowly he raised his hand to finger the mat of long hair at the side of his head and the thick black beard. When it sank in that it was his own face, he raised himself up and let out a howl neither human nor animala hybrid noise that filled the air with its anguish. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Muzzy jumped back to the wall as Matty punched his hand through the cage to get at the mirror. Jerry pulled back just in time and tossed the mirror onto the table. From nowhere he produced a metal pan and noisily rapped the bars. Matty pulled back into his corner, cradling a bloodied hand. |
|
|
|
|
|