Chapter 20 Chapter Eighteen

When he finally came to the back of Cowley's house, he could barely move. He turned on another road behind the house and walked towards the gate of the park. It felt like the road was four times as long as this morning. Someone appeared in the darkness, walked beside him, grabbed Teddy's arm and said, we Still wondering when you'll show up. It's the warden. His skin was the white of a candle, as smooth as varnish, and somewhat translucent.Teddy also noticed that his nails were just like the skin, long and white, almost curly, and very finely trimmed.But his eyes are the most incompatible part of his body, a soft blue color, full of strange curiosity.like a baby's eyes.

Nice to finally meet you, Warden.Are you OK? Ah, said the man.I'm terribly fine.And you? No complaints. The warden squeezed his arm.That's great.Looks like you, like me, just got back from a walk? Well, now that the patient's been recovered, I've been wandering around the island. I believe it must be very pleasant. very happy. great.Have you ever met the aborigines on the island? Teddy froze for a moment.His head is buzzing constantly now, and his legs can barely hold on. Oh, those mice, he said. The warden patted him on the back.Rats, yes!There's a strange dignity about them, don't you think?

Teddy looked him in the eyes and said it was a mouse. Harmful animals, yes.I understand.But as soon as they feel like they're at a safe distance, the way they sit there looking at you; and the way they move, going in and out of holes in the blink of an eye. He looked up at the stars.Well, maybe dignified is the wrong word.How about being pragmatic?They are unusually pragmatic animals. They had come to the gate of the park, and the warden, still holding Teddy's arm, turned back on the spot, looking at Cowley's house and the sea beyond. Do you like God's newest gift? Teddy looked at him, feeling sick in those perfect eyes.What?

God's gift, said the warden, waving his hand toward the shattered ground.His violence.The first time I went downstairs and saw the tree in my living room at home, it was like looking at the hand of God.Not really, of course, but a metaphor, an exaggeration.God loves violence.You know that, right? No, said Teddy, I don't understand. The warden took a few steps forward and turned to face Teddy.Could there be any other reason for causing so much damage?It is in us, out of us.We do these things more naturally than breathing.We waged war, burned sacrifices, plundered and wounded our own brothers, and filled vast fields with stinking dead.for what?To show Him we have learned from His example.

Teddy watched the warden's hand slam the cover of the little book against his belly. He smiled, showing yellow teeth. God has given us earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.He has given mountains that will blow fire over our heads, and seas that will swallow ships.He gave us nature, and nature is a smile killer.He gave us sickness so that we could believe we were mortal.He gave us wounds just so we could feel our life draining from them.He gave us lust and rage and greed and evil hearts so that we could engage in acts of violence in honor of him.No moral order is as pure as this storm we have just witnessed.Absolutely not.Only this can my violence conquer yours?

Teddy said I'm not sure I can it?The warden approached him, and Teddy could smell his bad breath. can something Can my violence conquer yours? I'm not violent, Teddy said. The warden spat at his feet.When you become violent, you cannot control it.I know because I can't control my violence.Don't deny your bloodlust just because you're embarrassed, kid.Don't make me feel bad either.If the shackles of society were removed and you had to eat me to live, you would break my head with a stone and eat my flesh.He leaned forward.If I bite your eye now, will you stop me from blinding you in time?

Teddy watched the joy in his baby's eyes.Picture the man's heart, black, beating in his chest. I will try it out.He said. That's right.whispered the warden. Teddy steadied himself, feeling the blood rush in his arms. Yes, yes, whispered the Warden.The chains on my body have gradually become friends with me. What?Teddy found himself lowering his voice too, a strange tremor throbbing through his body. Byron's poem, said the warden.Do you remember this sentence? The warden took a step back, and Teddy looked at him and smiled.Warden, the storm really broke your mold, didn't it?

The warden smiled the same way. He thinks it's okay. what's ok? you.Your little epilogue, he thought, was actually harmless.But I don't think so. Yeah? That's right.The warden lowered his arms and took a few steps forward, clasping his hands behind his back, the little book resting on his tailbone, then turned, with his feet spread out in a soldier's relaxed position, and stared at Teddy .You said you just went for a walk, but I know it well.I know you, boy. We just met.Teddy said. The warden shook his head.People like us have known each other for centuries.I see you through.I miss you so sad, really.He pursed his lips and looked down at his feet.It's okay to be sad.Sad for a man, but I don't think it matters because I don't care.But I also think you are dangerous.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, Teddy said. The warden's face darkened.no, no.Humans are stupid.They ate and drank, they fornicated and had children, and having children was especially unfortunate, because the world would be a better place if the human race was reduced by more than half.Retarded and biracial and mentally ill and low moral people are what we make.Now in the South, they want to put a limit on those niggers.But I tell you, boy, I was in the South, and it was full of niggers.White niggas, black niggas, woman niggas.Niggers everywhere, no more useful than two-legged dogs.At least the dog still picks up a little smell now and then.Kid, you're a nigger.You are inferior, I can smell it in you.

His voice was surprisingly soft, almost feminine. Well, said Teddy, you won't have to worry about me after tomorrow morning, will you, Warden? The warden smiled.Yes, boy, that's right. At that time I will leave your island and will not bother you anymore. The warden took two steps towards him, the smile on his face disappeared.He raised his head and stared at Teddy, a pair of baby eyes fixed on Teddy. You're not going anywhere, kid. Sorry to disagree. Say what you want.The warden leaned forward, sniffed the air to the left of Teddy's face, then moved to the right to sniff.

smell something? Um.The warden's body returned to its original shape.Boy, I think I smell fear. Then you should probably take a shower, Teddy said.Wash those stinks away. They both didn't speak for a while, and then the warden said, remember those chains, nigger.That's your friend.And don't forget that I'm really looking forward to our last dance.Ah, said he, what carnage we have wrought. Then he turned and walked up the road to his house. The men's dormitory was empty. It was empty.Teddy came to his room and hung the raincoat in the closet, looking for any trace of Chuck's return, but found none. He thought about sitting on the bed, but he knew that if he touched the bed, he would immediately fall asleep and probably wouldn't wake up until tomorrow morning, so he went to the bathroom, splashed some cold water on his face, and brushed his hair with a wet comb. Comb back short hair.His bones ached, his blood was thick as malted milk, his eyes were heavy and red-rimmed, and his skin was ashen.He splashed a few more handfuls of cold water on his face, then dried himself off and came to the main park. Not a single person was there. The air unexpectedly warmed up, becoming more humid and sticky, and the crickets and cicadas began to sing again.Teddy was walking in the yard, hoping that Chuck would appear in front, wandering around the park like him, and then the two met. There was still the same guard by the gate, and Teddy could see that some of the rooms were lit.But other than that, the surrounding area was empty.He walked to the hospital, went up the stairs, pulled the door and found it locked.He heard the creak of hinges and looked back to see the guard had opened the gate and gone out to join his colleague.When the door closed again, Teddy also stepped back, hearing the sound of his shoes scraping against the top platform of the concrete steps. He sat on the steps for a while, and Noise's theory was put to the test.There was no question at this point that Teddy was completely alone.Stuck here, yes.But as far as he knew, no one was watching him. He walked around to the back of the hospital and saw an orderly sitting on the top of the steps behind, smoking a cigarette and feeling his chest swell. Teddy walked forward, and the tall, thin black boy looked up at him.Teddy took a cigarette from his pocket.Is there a fire? have. Teddy leaned forward and asked the young man to light his cigarette, and then smiled at him as he lifted his body to thank him, remembering that the woman told him not to smoke their cigarettes, so he exhaled the cigarette slowly without inhaling it into his lungs inside. how are you tonightHe said. Not bad, sir.and you? I am fine.Where did everyone go? The young man pointed his back with a thumbs up.They're all there, holding any big meetings.I don't know what it is. All physicians and nurses? The lad nodded.There are also some patients.Most of our handymen are also inside.I'm here because there's something wrong with the latch on that door.But yes, everyone was there except me. Teddy took another puff of his empty cigarette, hoping the lad didn't notice.He wondered if he should fool around up the stairs and let the kid think he was another handyman, maybe from Warden C. Then he looked in the window behind the boy and saw that the corridor was full of people, all heading for the front door. He thanked the boy for lighting his cigarette, went around to the front of the hospital, and met a group of people talking and lighting cigarettes crowded there.He saw Nurse Marino and Choi.Washington said something, putting his hands on his shoulders as he spoke, and Choi threw his head back and laughed. Teddy was about to walk towards them when Cowley called to him from the steps.Law enforcement officer! Teddy turned, and Cowley came down the steps toward him, and he touched Teddy's elbow and walked toward the fence. where have you beenCowley said. Walk around and see your island. Really? real. Found anything fun? mouse. Oh, of course, there are a lot of mice here. How is the roof?Teddy said. Cowley sighed.I keep a bunch of buckets in my house to catch leaks.The attic is finished, all ruined.The floor of the guest room is the same.My wife must be going crazy.Her wedding dress was in that attic. where is your wifeTeddy said. Boston, Cowley said.We have an apartment there.She and the baby had to get away from here to catch their breath, so they went to the city for a week's vacation.Sometimes you get that feeling that you have to leave. Doctor, I've only been here for three days, and I already feel that way. Cowley nodded with a gentle smile on his face.But you will. go? Go home, Marshal.Now Rachel has found it.The ferry usually arrives here at eleven o'clock in the morning.I think you'll be back in Boston by noon. That's great. Yeah, isn't it?Cowley put his hand over his head.there's something i want to tell you, marshal, and i don't mean to offend Ah, that's it again. Cowley held up a hand.No no no, I'm not trying to offer a personal opinion on your emotional state.No, I meant to say that your presence here caused mood swings for a lot of patients.You know Super Cop is coming.This made several patients a little nervous. terribly sorry. it's not your fault.This is what you stand for, not because of you personally. Ah, then it doesn't matter. Cowley was leaning against the wall with one foot on his head, and Teddy thought he looked as tired as his creased doctor's gown and baggy tie. This afternoon, there were rumors in Supervisor C that an unidentified man appeared on the first floor in a handyman's uniform. Really? Cowley looked at him.real. It's amazing. Cowley picked up some lint from his tie and flicked it with his fingertips.The stranger obviously had some experience in reassuring dangerous elements. No way. Ah, it's true. What else did the stranger do? this.Stretching his shoulders back, Cowley took off his doctor's gown and draped it over his arm.I'm glad you're interested. Hey, there's nothing funnier than gossip and gossip. I agree.The stranger purportedly reminds you, I can't confirm this, that I had a long conversation with a known paranoid schizophrenic named George.Noise. That's weird, Teddy said. indeed. and this, uh Noise.Cowley said. Noise, Teddy repeated.That's right, that guy is delusional, right? The worst kind, Cowley said.He'll keep telling weird or made-up stories to get everyone's mood swings That word again. sorry.You're right, in short, he's going to put everyone in a bad mood.In fact, two weeks ago, he was so aggressive that a patient beat him up. Enough to see. Cowley shrugged.This kind of thing is also inevitable. So, what kind of strange stories did he talk about?Teddy asked.What kind of story did you make up? Cowley waved his hand.Just normal paranoid delusions.The whole world is coming together against him or something.He looked up at Teddy as he lit his cigarette, his eyes glowing in the flames.So, you're about to leave. probably. Take the first ferry. Teddy gave him a stiff smile.As long as someone wakes us up. Cowley smiled back at him.We should be able to do this. very good. very good.Cowley said, want a cigarette? Teddy held up a hand to the pack of cigarettes that Cowley offered.no thanks. Do you want to quit smoking? Want to smoke less. Probably a good thing.I read in journals that tobacco can be associated with a bunch of horrible things. real? He nodded.Cancer, I heard, is one of them. In this day and age, there are so many causes of death. I agree.However, there are more and more treatment methods. you think so? Otherwise I wouldn't be doing this job.Cowley blew a puff of smoke over his head. Teddy said, you once had a man named Andrew.Radish's patient? Corleone lowered his raised head and returned to its original position.Not impressed. Yeah? Should I have heard it? Teddy shook his head.It's a guy I know, he what way? What's the meaning? How did you know him? During the war, Teddy said. ah. Anyway, I hear he's been sent here because of something wrong with his head. Cowley took a slow drag on his cigarette.You heard me wrong. obviously. Cowley said it was inevitable that such things would happen.I thought you mentioned us a minute ago. What? Us, Cowley said.First person plural. Teddy put one hand on his chest.When I mentioned myself? Cowley nodded.I thought you said, as long as someone calls us to get up.call us. Well, I was right in saying that.Of course.By the way, did you see him? Cowley raised his eyebrows at him. Teddy said.Please, is he here? Cowley smiled and looked at him. What's wrong?Teddy said. Cowley shrugged.I just don't get it. don't understand what? You, law enforcement officer.Is this some kind of your weird joke? What joke?Teddy said.I just wondered if he was here. who?Cowley said the voice sounded a little exasperated. Chuck. Chuck?Cowley said slowly. My partner, Teddy said.Chuck. Cowley, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up, the cigarette hanging between his fingers.You don't have a partner, you're here alone, Marshal.