\u00cenc\u0103 nu se z\u0103rea nimeni. C\u00e2teva felinare n\u0103\u015fteau raze galbene, ce\u0163oase, iar zidurile deschideau ochi de geam afumat spre mormanele de gunoaie, spre ruine, gropi \u015fi cazanele sparte printre care treceam cu capul v\u00e2r\u00e2t \u00eentre umeri, aproape \u00een fug\u0103. \u00cemi era fric\u0103. La fel ca prima oar\u0103, la fel ca de fiecare dat\u0103. \u015ei, cur\u00e2nd, lumea aceea mohor\u00e2t\u0103 avea s\u0103 prind\u0103 via\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u2026Chem\u0103ri, strig\u0103te, c\u00e2ntece de be\u0163ivi. Str\u0103zile se umpluser\u0103. Marinari, v\u00e2nz\u0103tori de pe\u015fte \u015fi de turte \u00eencovoia\u0163i sub povara co\u015furilor, cer\u015fetori, telali, copii fug\u0103rind javre; o b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 cu \u015fal verde mi-a \u00eentins un m\u0103r, un fla\u015fnetar m-a \u00eembiat cu petecul de h\u00e2rtie tras de papagalul jumulit, o feti\u0163\u0103 m\u0103 privea curioas\u0103, peste pl\u0103cinta \u00een care \u00ee\u015fi v\u00e2r\u00e2se fe\u0163i\u015foara murdar\u0103.<\/p>\n
L\u00e2ng\u0103 un felinar a\u015ftepta o femeie cu umerii goi sub valul de c\u00e2rlion\u0163i soio\u015fi. Am \u00eencetinit f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vreau, buzele ca ni\u015fte petale s\u00e2ngerii s-au \u00eentredeschis, dar, \u00een clipa aceea, un vaiet \u015fi o tuse au spart bezna undeva, aproape. Am tres\u0103rit, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-mi de drum \u2013 \u00een urma mea, femeia \u00eel potopea cu blesteme pe vagabondul zdren\u0163\u0103ros, pr\u0103v\u0103lit la poalele zidului. Pretutindeni, printre tarabele cu vechituri, printre butoaiele cu bere scoase de-a dreptul din beciuri, pe maidanele pline de b\u0103l\u0103rii \u015fi fier\u0103rie ruginit\u0103, perechile intrau \u015fi ie\u015feau din \u00eentunericul complice. Un zumzet de vorbe \u015fi murmure amestecate se ridica spre cerul nop\u0163ii, odat\u0103 cu fumul \u00een\u0163ep\u0103tor al focurilor de mangal, ce lungeau nefiresc umbrele m\u00e2inilor \u00eentinse deasupra. Nimeni nu se sinchisea de mine; doar uneori, \u00een \u00eembulzeala de gur\u0103-casc\u0103 holb\u00e2ndu-se la vreo maimu\u0163ic\u0103 sau la gr\u0103tarul cu fripturi m\u0103 alegeam cu un ghiont, o sudalm\u0103 aruncat\u0103 la \u00eent\u00e2mplare.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd am ajuns la menajerie, mul\u0163imea luase \u00een st\u0103p\u00e2nire b\u00e2lciul \u015fi se t\u0103l\u0103zuia de la o tarab\u0103 la alta, de la un cort la altul, \u00eentr-un tumult de sunete, culori \u015fi mirosuri. Leag\u0103nele se av\u00e2ntau spre cer smulg\u00e2nd \u0163ipete de spaim\u0103 pref\u0103cut\u0103, noduri de oameni se str\u00e2ngeau \u015fi se desf\u0103ceau \u00eenaintea panoramelor sau a cu\u015ftilor pe roate, \u00een care dormitau jivinele circului. Nici unul nu-\u015fi a\u015ftepta r\u00e2ndul, nici unul nu se tr\u0103gea \u00een l\u0103turi. Lampioane ro\u015fii, albe, albastre se cl\u0103tinau ca \u00eentr-un vifor, luminile r\u0103s\u0103reau, disp\u0103reau, umbrele cre\u015fteau doar ca s\u0103 piar\u0103 din nou. Ni\u015fte copii \u015fterpeliser\u0103 turt\u0103 dulce, doi marinari tr\u0103geau \u00een coco\u015feii de tabl\u0103, un pitic se d\u0103dea peste cap, femeile r\u00e2deau prelung, a\u0163\u00e2\u0163at. Imagini fugare, caleidoscop f\u0103cut din cioburi ce se lipeau mereu, obsedant.<\/p>\n
Cu\u015fca ei z\u0103cea \u00eentr-o fund\u0103tur\u0103, printre gunoaie. Ca \u00eentotdeauna, nimeni nu era prin preajm\u0103. Am f\u0103cut un pas, am \u00eentins m\u00e2na \u015fi am l\u0103sat-o jos, de-ndat\u0103. Nu cutezam\u2026 Ghemuit\u0103 \u00een \u00eentuneric, Kara p\u00e2ndea. Nu-i auzeam r\u0103suflarea, nici m\u0103car fo\u015fnetul paielor \u00eempu\u0163ite din care-\u015fi \u00eencropise culcu\u015f. Dar ochii \u00eei str\u0103luceau ca un jeratic verde, viu, urm\u0103rindu-mi fiece mi\u015fcare.<\/p>\n
Kara\u2026 R\u0103pit\u0103 din mun\u0163ii \u00eendep\u0103rtatei Serbii, v\u00e2ndut\u0103 unui marinar, trec\u00e2nd din m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi din lan\u0163 \u00een lan\u0163, sf\u00e2r\u015fise aici cu trei ani \u00eenainte \u015fi ziarele i-au d\u0103ruit faima de o zi. M\u0103 nimerisem printre cei gr\u0103bi\u0163i s\u0103 se minuneze \u2013 dar \u00een fa\u0163a f\u0103pturii chircite sub arsura privirilor, a exclama\u0163iilor neghioabe, mi s-a f\u0103cut ru\u015fine. F\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vreau, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftiu de ce. \u015ei, de-atunci, sear\u0103 de sear\u0103 \u00eei strecuram printre gratii un ou, o bucat\u0103 de carne \u015fi \u00eei vorbeam. Iar ea m\u0103 l\u0103sa s\u0103-i povestesc despre m\u0103tu\u015file care m\u0103 crescuser\u0103, despre casa b\u00e2ntuit\u0103 de molii \u015fi amintiri, despre lumea de marionete m\u00e2nuite de P\u0103pu\u015farul Nev\u0103zut, lumea \u00eenveli\u015furilor goale \u015fi a vorbelor ce nu spuneau nimic. Aveam optsprezece ani \u015fi voiam s\u0103 v\u0103d Lumea, cea mare \u015fi adev\u0103rat\u0103, nu s\u0103 v\u00e2nez vulpi \u00een Sussex, la mo\u015fie ori s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 polca de la feti\u015fcanele \u00een dantele, s\u0103-mi irosesc via\u0163a sporov\u0103ind proste\u015fte, un oarecare printre at\u00e2\u0163ia al\u0163ii\u2026 Uneori, m\u0103 g\u0103seau zorii l\u00e2ng\u0103 gratiile ce ne desp\u0103r\u0163eau. Kara m\u0103 a\u0163intea cu luare-aminte \u015fi eram gata s\u0103 cred c\u0103 pricepuse. \u00cen clipele acelea a\u015f fi putut s-o ating \u2013 dar plecam furios, \u015fi-n vreme ce gr\u0103beam spre cas\u0103 arunc\u00e2nd priviri furi\u015fe \u00eemprejur, tres\u0103rind la fiecare chip ivit din cea\u0163\u0103, \u015ftiam c\u0103 voi veni iar\u0103\u015fi\u2026<\/p>\n
M-a dezmeticit o \u00eenjur\u0103tur\u0103, izbindu-m\u0103 \u00eenaintea pumnului ce m-a m\u0103turat din calea b\u0103rba\u0163ilor \u00eentrupa\u0163i de nic\u0103ieri. Ochi tulburi, r\u0103sufl\u0103ri iu\u0163ite, \u015fuier\u0103toare, drugi de fier \u015fi lan\u0163uri \u2013 mai mult n-am putut s\u0103 v\u0103d de cei care se-nghesuiau \u00een jurul cu\u015ftii. Z\u0103voarele scr\u00e2\u015fneau, u\u015fa a sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2it, am \u00eencercat s\u0103-mi fac loc, dar gloata se \u015fi pusese \u00een mi\u015fcare. Tor\u0163e, felinare, sticle golindu-se \u00een g\u00e2tlejuri tot mai \u00eensetate, prundi\u015ful ce trosnea sub ghetele butuc\u0103noase; l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, un munte de om g\u00e2f\u00e2ind asmatic, o femeie r\u00e2njindu-\u015fi din\u0163ii \u00eennegri\u0163i, copii cu urechi cl\u0103p\u0103uge\u2026 \u015ei noaptea din spate n\u0103\u015ftea mereu al\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
Ce c\u0103utam acolo, eu, cel crescut \u00een ora\u015ful de o \u00eempietrit\u0103 demnitate, pentru care bar\u0103cile b\u00e2lciului, magherni\u0163ele erau tot at\u00e2tea buboaie ru\u015finoase?<\/p>\n
Un marinar a r\u00e2g\u00e2it, apoi a scuipat pe cizma mea. Am auzit vuietul fluviului umflat, v\u0103zduhul era mai rece, mergeam printre mormane de lemn\u0103rie putrezit\u0103 \u2013 de ce nu plecam, de ce\u2026 \u2013 \u015fi cea\u0163a urzit\u0103 de ape mi se lipea de haine, de obraji, ca o brum\u0103. \u201e\u00centoarce-te<\/em>\u201c, \u00eemi strigau g\u00e2ndurile, inima bubuind \u00een piept, dar ei<\/em> deschiseser\u0103 cu\u015fca \u015fi trebuia s\u0103 v\u0103d\u2026 P\u00e2n\u0103 ce, \u00eentre butoaie, l\u0103zi \u015fi copastii f\u0103r\u00e2mate, mul\u0163imea s-a oprit.<\/p>\n De o parte valuri vine\u0163ii, de cealalt\u0103 semicercul de fl\u0103c\u0103ri, de chipuri. Iar \u00een mijloc, f\u0103r\u0103 sc\u0103pare, Kara. Goal\u0103, p\u0103rea \u00eenve\u015fm\u00e2ntat\u0103 \u00een catifea cu dungi \u00eentunecate ce porneau de la \u015fira spin\u0103rii, unindu-se pe p\u00e2ntece, pe piept, pe coapse \u2013 un p\u0103r scurt \u00eei vr\u00e2sta tot trupul \u00een ro\u015fu \u015fi negru, preschimb\u00e2ndu-se pe cre\u015ftet \u00eentr-o coam\u0103 deas\u0103, aspr\u0103.<\/p>\n Mu\u015fc\u00e2ndu-mi buzele, m-am strecurat, am \u00eempins, am \u00eembr\u00e2ncit. Nu m\u0103 luau \u00een seam\u0103, c\u0103ci pe maidanul-aren\u0103 p\u0103\u015fiser\u0103 un hamal cu burdihanul imens \u015fi-un coco\u015fat cu bra\u0163e lungi, ca ni\u015fte vrejuri \u00eempletite. Pomenindu-se \u00eenaintea celei \u00eencol\u0163ite, gr\u0103sanul a \u00eenceput s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103; \u00eens\u0103 ochii st\u00e2rpiturii s-au aprins de o brusc\u0103 l\u0103comie.<\/p>\n Un timp, cei doi s-au mul\u0163umit s\u0103-i dea t\u00e2rcoale. Kara nu se clintea. Pleoapele i se cobor\u00e2ser\u0103 pe jum\u0103tate, ascunz\u00e2nd sclipirile verzi\u2026 c\u00e2nd, deodat\u0103, a \u0163\u00e2\u015fnit. At\u00e2t de nea\u015fteptat, c\u0103 prea pu\u0163ini au putut deslu\u015fi c\u0103lc\u00e2iul \u00eenfig\u00e2ndu-se \u00een coastele coco\u015fatului, capul n\u0103pustit \u00een b\u0103rbia celui ce \u00eenc\u0103 mai r\u00e2dea. Prin mul\u0163ime a trecut un murmur: Tigroaica<\/em>. A\u015fa o \u015ftiau to\u0163i \u015fi veneau s-o vad\u0103 repezindu-se la gratii, zg\u00e2l\u0163\u00e2indu-le cu urlete \u015fi h\u00e2r\u00e2ituri cumplite, nedomolit\u0103 de bici, de foame, de \u0163epu\u015fele ce-i sf\u00e2rtecau carnea. \u015ei nu le p\u0103sa de turbarea, nici de spaima celei pe care c\u0103utau s-o preschimbe-n fiar\u0103\u2026 Mai apoi, sila, neputin\u0163a de a pricepe ce n-avea \u00een\u0163eles o sleiser\u0103, topindu-i \u00eempotrivirea, iar mul\u0163imea a uitat-o. De ce re\u00eencepuser\u0103, acum, jocul de-a supunerea? \u015ei ce voiau s\u0103 afle? Kara era n\u0103scut\u0103 s\u0103 v\u00e2neze \u015fi nu lor<\/em> avea s\u0103 le fie prad\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n Gloata frem\u0103ta de o bucurie s\u0103lbatic\u0103, dorin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi a\u015fteptare \u00eenfrigurat\u0103. Femeia-tigru \u00eel pisa cu picioarele pe gr\u0103sanul pr\u0103v\u0103lit la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u2013 ochii, boabe purpurii, aproape \u00eei ie\u015fiser\u0103 din orbite, la col\u0163urile buzelor avea spum\u0103, un m\u00e2r\u00e2it gros \u00eei urca din\u0103untrul pieptului \u015fi dezl\u0103n\u0163uirea aceea chemase o t\u0103cere nou\u0103, altfel dec\u00e2t altele, pe malul n\u0103p\u0103dit de oameni. B\u00e2lciul r\u0103m\u0103sese pustiu, tot mai mul\u0163i \u00eengro\u015fau turma \u00eengrozit\u0103 de Fiar\u0103 \u015fi un oftat a str\u0103b\u0103tut v\u0103zduhul c\u00e2nd st\u00e2rpitura diform\u0103 i-a s\u0103rit \u00een spinare, cuprinz\u00e2ndu-i g\u00e2tul ca \u00eentr-un cle\u015fte.<\/p>\n O clip\u0103, doar una, nebunia a p\u0103rut s\u0103 se curme.\u00a0 Pe urm\u0103 Kara a prins s\u0103 se zbat\u0103, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd s\u0103-l apuce, s\u0103 zg\u00e2rie \u2013 gheare lungi, negre i se iviser\u0103 din v\u00e2rful degetelor-teci \u2013, s\u0103 mu\u015fte. Trupul \u00eentreg i se contorsiona, s\u00e2nii \u00eei \u00eempietriser\u0103 \u015fi m-am pomenit \u0163in\u00e2ndu-mi r\u0103suflarea: nu v\u0103zusem vreodat\u0103 o femeie goal\u0103, cea din cu\u015fc\u0103, z\u0103c\u00e2nd ori \u00eenv\u00e2rtindu-se \u00eentre gratii era altceva<\/em>, a\u015fa crezusem ori m\u0103 pref\u0103ceam c\u0103 o cred. \u00cens\u0103 aici, pe prundi\u015ful lunecos, Kara nu mai era doar Fiara. O sim\u0163eau \u015fi ceilal\u0163i, b\u0103rba\u0163i, femei, pe c\u00e2nd coco\u015fatul o arcuia \u00eencet, prea \u00eencet, iar hamalul se apropia scuip\u00e2nd s\u00e2nge \u015fi din\u0163i.<\/p>\n \u2013 Kara!<\/p>\n Strig\u0103tul mi-a murit, nevolnic; oricum era prea t\u00e2rziu. M\u00e2na femeii s-a ab\u0103tut asupra chipului pe care \u00eencremenise un r\u00e2njet t\u00e2mp, ghearele au br\u0103zdat, scobind \u015fi ochiul a \u0163\u00e2\u015fnit odat\u0103 cu r\u0103cnetul omului r\u0103mas cu orbita goal\u0103.<\/p>\n Mul\u0163imea t\u0103cuse iar\u0103\u015fi. C\u00e2nd o s\u0103 \u00eenceteze, cine \u00eei va opri? Poate c\u0103 totul era doar un co\u015fmar, o r\u0103zbunare a nop\u0163ii ce-mi trimisese vestitorii ei de spaim\u0103\u2026 Nu visam. Cu s\u00e2ngele \u015firoind din ran\u0103, hamalul o t\u00e2ra pe Kara spre o butie spart\u0103. A fr\u00e2nt-o peste doage, \u015fi-a \u00eencle\u015ftat pumnii \u00eentr-un baros de carne, de oase \u015fi toate au p\u0103rut s\u0103 \u00eencetineasc\u0103 \u2013 apele curg\u00e2nd tulburi, bra\u0163ele ce se \u00een\u0103l\u0163au spre cerul \u00eendep\u0103rtat. Apoi, lovitura a c\u0103zut, nimicitoare: o bufnitur\u0103, femeia a urlat \u015fi s\u00e2nii i s-au l\u0103\u0163it brusc, spre coaste. \u00cenc\u0103 o ridicare, pumnii au izbit din nou, coco\u015fatul abia st\u0103p\u00e2nea zv\u00e2rcolirile turbate, gloata delira.<\/p>\n Strig\u0103te, \u00eendemnuri, felinare zbucium\u00e2ndu-se cu talazul de oameni. Urlam \u015fi eu, s\u0103 se sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103, oricum, numai s\u0103 vin\u0103 uitarea, vinovat\u0103, \u00eendur\u0103toare. \u00cens\u0103 uria\u015ful nu vedea, n-auzea nimic. Nu \u015ftia dec\u00e2t c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 loveasc\u0103, turtind, st\u00e2lcind, cu plesc\u0103ituri hidoase. A cincea oar\u0103, a zecea\u2026<\/p>\n \u201eNu vreau<\/em>!!\u201c G\u00e2ndul-\u0163ip\u0103t, implorator, dement, mi se zb\u0103tea \u00een craniu ca o pas\u0103re muribund\u0103. Trecuse prea mult de c\u00e2nd r\u0103bdam, grea\u0163a, spaima trupului nu mai erau \u015fi ale min\u0163ii. \u201eNu trebuie s\u0103-i las, nu sunt dec\u00e2t ni\u015fte javre jegoase<\/em>\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n Din c\u00e2teva salturi am fost l\u00e2ng\u0103 ei: cizma proptit\u0103 \u00een chipul schimonosit al coco\u015fatului, oasele nasului, ale pome\u0163ilor explod\u00e2nd, c\u0103p\u0103\u0163\u00e2na smucit\u0103 din r\u0103sputeri \u015fi sunetul sec, sinistru. Le\u015ful s-a desprins, lunec\u00e2nd spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt, gr\u0103sanul a izbit \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 \u2013 ultima, c\u0103ci i-am secerat picioarele, zdrobindu-i ceafa c\u00e2nd \u00eenc\u0103 se mai n\u0103ruia, greoi.<\/p>\n Cercuri argintii mi se roteau pe dinaintea ochilor, \u00eenghi\u0163eam aerul cu noduri, iar mul\u0163imea se fr\u0103m\u00e2nta, nehot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103. Am f\u0103cut un pas \u015fi abia atunci le-am v\u0103zut teama, supunerea. Nici unul nu cuteza s\u0103 rup\u0103 t\u0103cerea, s\u0103 m\u0103 priveasc\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163\u0103\u2026 Dup\u0103 o ve\u015fnicie, ghemul de trupuri, de ur\u0103 s-a desf\u0103cut, \u00eencep\u00e2nd s\u0103 se risipeasc\u0103. Am a\u015fteptat p\u00e2n\u0103 ce malul a r\u0103mas pustiu, apoi m-am r\u0103sucit spre Kara: cu ochii \u00eenchi\u015fi, r\u0103stignit\u0103 pe oribilul altar, p\u0103rea f\u0103r\u0103 via\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00cen b\u00e2lci, printre magherni\u0163e \u015fi corturi, gloata se v\u00e2nzolea zgomotos \u2013 dar uitaser\u0103 cu adev\u0103rat?\u2026 M\u00e2ine ori peste un an se vor \u00eentoarce s-o r\u0103pun\u0103. \u201eFemeia s\u0103lbatic\u0103 din Serbia\u201c era scris pe cu\u015fc\u0103, \u015fi asta le-ajungea, le \u00eeng\u0103duia totul. Acum \u00eens\u0103, Kara era a mea! Mi-am scos raglanul \u015fi am s\u0103ltat-o, v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-i m\u00e2inile \u00een m\u00e2neci. Nu se \u00eempotrivea, m-a l\u0103sat s\u0103-i \u00eenf\u0103\u015for fularul peste cap, s\u0103 \u00eenchei ve\u015fm\u00e2ntul\u2026 O clip\u0103 de sl\u0103biciune, de \u00eendoial\u0103. Apoi i-am \u00eencle\u015ftat degetele \u015fi am pornit al\u0103turi, spre b\u00e2lci.<\/p>\n Mergeam repede, printre umbrele ce nu mai erau nimic pentru noi. Str\u0103du\u0163\u0103 dup\u0103 str\u0103du\u0163\u0103, maidan dup\u0103 maidan, mahalaua mirosurilor grele r\u0103m\u00e2nea tot mai \u00een urm\u0103, mai departe. Londra se deschidea \u00eenaintea noastr\u0103, str\u0103zile deveniser\u0103 largi, pietruite, casele de c\u0103r\u0103mid\u0103 ro\u015fie se aliniau \u00een \u015firuri impun\u0103toare. Dar aici str\u0103zile erau pustii, rareori c\u00e2te un poli\u0163ist a\u0163intea \u00eendelung gentlemanul \u00een costum elegant \u015fi f\u0103ptura cu pulpe v\u0103rgate ie\u015findu-i de sub raglanul mototolit. Ne privea \u015fi at\u00e2t \u2013 nu era treaba lui, \u00een lumea aparen\u0163elor respectabile viciul devenea virtute dac\u0103 \u00eel \u00eembr\u0103ca un croitor la mod\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n O pia\u0163et\u0103 rotund\u0103 \u015fi, dup\u0103 catedral\u0103, familiara fa\u0163ad\u0103 baroc\u0103 \u2013 extravagan\u0163a unui str\u0103bun cartofor \u2013 cufundat\u0103 \u00eentr-un somn ad\u00e2nc. Am deschis u\u015fa, iar clopotul de aram\u0103 a r\u0103sunat aidoma unui strig\u0103t. Nu-mi p\u0103sa; \u00eens\u0103 m\u00e2inile \u00eemi tremurau \u015fi abia c\u00e2nd femeia a fost \u00een cas\u0103 am sim\u0163it imensa, nea\u015fteptata u\u015furare.<\/p>\n Lumin\u0103, trop\u0103it de pa\u015fi, o exclama\u0163ie, un \u0163ip\u0103t: \u00een capul sc\u0103rii, m\u0103tu\u015file mele, buc\u0103t\u0103reasa, menajera, \u00eenghesuite una \u00eentr-alta ca ni\u015fte g\u0103ini \u00eenfoiate se holbau la chipul pe care \u00eel dezveleam. Sfe\u015fnicele li se b\u00e2\u0163\u00e2iau la fel ca bonetele de noapte, dar a fost de ajuns s\u0103 m\u0103 uit \u00eentr-acolo \u015fi potopul \u00eentreb\u0103rilor n-a mai apucat s\u0103 se reverse. T\u0103cerea de cavou a p\u0103rut s\u0103 se umfle, s\u0103 vuiasc\u0103 \u00eentr-un v\u00e2nt de nebunie. M\u00e2ine, lumea ce fusese \u015fi a mea o s\u0103 capete iar\u0103\u015fi glas; \u00een noaptea asta \u00eens\u0103, nu m-a\u015f fi dat la o parte nici din fa\u0163a Reginei\u2026 Lini\u015ftit, f\u0103r\u0103 grab\u0103 am trecut pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ele, \u015fi \u00een urm\u0103 a r\u0103sunat lip\u0103itul t\u0103lpilor goale pe treptele de marmur\u0103, pe mozaicul coridorului.<\/p>\n M-am oprit \u00een bibliotec\u0103. Focul ardea \u00een cele dou\u0103 c\u0103mine, draperii de brocart ascundeau ferestrele cu vitralii heraldice \u015fi era cald, prea cald \u00een penumbra \u0163esut\u0103 de fl\u0103c\u0103rile crepusculare. Mi-am scos haina, vesta, am turnat Porto, am sorbit pe ner\u0103suflate. C\u00e2nd m-am \u00eentors, era s\u0103 scap paharul din m\u00e2n\u0103: Kara \u00ee\u015fi aruncase ve\u015fm\u00e2ntul \u015fi se apleca spre foc arcuindu-\u015fi spinarea asemeni unei pisici mole\u015fite. Mi s-a \u00een\u0163epenit un ghem de spini \u00een g\u00e2tlej. Trupul acela r\u0103sp\u00e2ndea un miros greu, st\u0103ruitor, nu cel de sudoare \u015fi sc\u00e2rn\u0103 din cu\u015ftile menajeriei, ci izul de fiar\u0103 st\u00e2rnit\u0103. Un pas, \u00eenc\u0103 unul, inima a \u00eenceput s\u0103-mi bat\u0103 mai repede, s\u00e2ngele \u00eemi fierbea \u00een vine. \u00cen marea sal\u0103-sanctuar, printre statui, tablouri \u015fi miile de c\u0103r\u0163i cu scoar\u0163e de piele ruginie, f\u0103ptura abia smuls\u0103 mocirlei era ciudat de la locul ei. Sau poate c\u0103 locul ei era l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine\u2026<\/p>\n Femeia se l\u0103sase pe o parte, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-se, ghemuindu-se la nesf\u00e2r\u015fit, foc ce ardea, ro\u015fu \u015fi negru, pe podeaua de mahon \u015flefuit\u0103 ca oglinda. M-am apropiat cu mi\u015fc\u0103ri de somnambul \u015fi i-am atins t\u00e2mpla \u00eentr-o m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere st\u00e2ngace. S-a \u00eencordat toat\u0103, ghearele i-au \u0163\u00e2\u015fnit din tecile degetelor, buzele i s-au r\u0103sfr\u00e2nt dezvelind din\u0163ii. Un m\u00e2r\u00e2it \u00eei urca din\u0103untrul pieptului\u2026 dar s-a curmat pe dat\u0103. Ochii i s-au m\u0103rit, rictusul s-a preschimbat \u00een sur\u00e2s \u015fi bra\u0163ele i s-au \u00eencol\u0103cit dup\u0103 g\u00e2tul meu, tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, topindu-mi \u00eempotrivirea.<\/p>\n R\u0103suflarea-i fierbinte, gura care o astupa lacom\u0103 pe a mea, lumini violete explod\u00e2ndu-mi sub pleoape; apoi m-am pomenit dedesubt \u015fi Kara a prins s\u0103 unduiasc\u0103, rotindu-\u015fi ap\u0103sat \u015falele. Cur\u00e2nd, g\u00e2f\u00e2iam am\u00e2ndoi. V\u00e2rful de smoal\u0103 al unui s\u00e2n mi s-a lipit de buze, o lacrim\u0103 i-a br\u0103zdat obrazul, fiorii o scuturau, ceva s-a rupt \u00een mine, am gemut \u015fi atunci i-am auzit \u015foapta r\u0103gu\u015fit\u0103:<\/p>\n \u2013 Pentru totdeauna\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n Am deschis ochii brusc, clipind \u00een lumina crud\u0103, s\u00e2ngerie. Kara dormea cu capul pe pieptul meu. I-am dat la o parte \u015fuvi\u0163ele care-i ascundeau chipul, mi-am trecut degetele peste puful moale de pe obraji, am s\u0103rutat-o.<\/p>\n P\u0103rea at\u00e2t de neajutorat\u0103 \u00een somn, at\u00e2t de cuminte, o mare juc\u0103rie de plu\u015f, a\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-\u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2nul\u2026 \u00cen clipa aceea s-a r\u0103sucit fulger\u0103tor pe spate \u015fi, printre pleoapele mijite, jarul verde a sclipit, diabolic. Kara veghea.<\/p>\n Ca \u00een prima noapte, dup\u0103 ce ne desprinsesem sc\u0103lda\u0163i \u00een sudoare, abia mai sufl\u00e2nd, cu trupurile vibr\u00e2nd \u00eenc\u0103. Ne uitam unul la altul de parc\u0103 atunci ne vedeam cu adev\u0103rat \u2013 \u015fi chiar a\u015fa era. Kara s-a ridicat pe jum\u0103tate, s\u00e2nii i-au tres\u0103rit, tari, ascu\u0163i\u0163i, am vrut s\u0103-i apuc, dar urletul izbucnit \u00een lini\u015ftea nop\u0163ii ne-a f\u0103cut s\u0103 \u0163\u00e2\u015fnim \u00een picioare, uit\u00e2nd de toate.<\/p>\n Nu era un urlet: cineva, ceva<\/em>, un glas de tunet ne striga vorbe nedeslu\u015fite, poruncitoare, ce ne spulberau min\u0163ile \u00een mii de f\u0103r\u00e2me, chem\u00e2ndu-ne \u2013 unde? de ce? \u2013 \u015fi mi-am tras \u00een grab\u0103 pantalonii, c\u0103ma\u015fa, cizmele, \u00een vreme ce s\u00e2rboaica alerga ca \u00eentr-o cu\u015fc\u0103, pip\u0103ind, lovind pere\u0163ii, c\u0103r\u0163ile, statuile.<\/p>\n Deodat\u0103, zidul dintre c\u0103mine s-a desf\u0103cut, enorm\u0103 poart\u0103 cu canaturi crenelate. Dinapoia lui au r\u0103bufnit lumina \u015fi v\u00e2ntul, v\u00e2rtejuri dup\u0103 v\u00e2rtejuri r\u0103sucindu-se, tr\u0103g\u00e2nd totul \u00een m\u0103runtaie clocotinde. Volumele au zburat din rafturi, draperiile, covoarele, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi fotoliile s-au r\u0103sucit, r\u0103sturnat, sf\u00e2rtecat sub mu\u015fc\u0103turile coloanelor rotitoare.<\/p>\n Un \u0163ip\u0103t: Kara fusese smuls\u0103 de un v\u00e2rtej \u015fi am mai apucat s-o z\u0103resc disp\u0103r\u00e2nd \u00eentre canaturile de granit care \u00eencepeau s\u0103 se \u00eenchid\u0103. M-am n\u0103pustit \u00eentr-acolo, dar v\u00e2ntul se \u00eentorsese \u00eempotriv\u0103-mi \u015fi, \u00eencovoiat, izbit din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, scr\u00e2\u015fnind, blestem\u00e2nd, c\u0103z\u00e2nd \u015fi ridic\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi, am p\u0103\u015fit spre asfin\u0163itul ce se \u00eengusta. C\u00e2nd nu mai era dec\u00e2t o dung\u0103, o cr\u0103p\u0103tur\u0103 plin\u0103 de raze v\u00e2scoase, m-am strecurat \u00een\u0103untru odat\u0103 cu ultima coloan\u0103, ca s\u0103 cad \u00eentr-un h\u0103u la cap\u0103tul c\u0103ruia, scuturat\u0103 de m\u00e2ini nev\u0103zute, Kara se zbuciuma cumplit\u2026<\/p>\n A\u015fa ajunsesem aici. \u00cen lumea apusului ve\u015fnic, f\u0103r\u0103 noapte \u015fi zi, f\u0103r\u0103 soare \u015fi nori, f\u0103r\u0103 nimic firesc \u00een ea. Doar c\u00e2mpii sterpe \u015fi dealuri de piatr\u0103 asemeni unor cet\u0103\u0163i p\u0103r\u0103site, cu turnuri, bastioane \u015fi portale f\u0103urite de v\u00e2nt. Uneori, un lac, un r\u00e2u cu ape calde \u015fi amare ne ast\u00e2mp\u0103rau setea. O toropeal\u0103 ciudat\u0103 plutea \u00een v\u0103zduh, ne \u00eendemna s\u0103 dormim, s\u0103 dormim\u2026 Dar mersesem, zile sau poate s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni la r\u00e2nd, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd ora\u015fe, oameni, p\u0103duri, orice \u00een locul pustiului care n\u0103\u015ftea numai t\u0103cere.<\/p>\n Kara adormise din nou, ascunz\u00e2ndu-\u015fi chipul cu bra\u0163ele, str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-\u015fi genunchii spre piept. Mi s-au umezit ochii \u015fi, ridic\u00e2nd privirea spre cer am murmurat:<\/p>\n \u2013 Pentru ce?<\/p>\n Atunci, cineva a rostit, limpede, r\u0103spicat:<\/p>\n \u2013 Poc\u0103in\u0163\u0103 \u015fi-nchinare\u2026<\/p>\n Am privit \u00een jur: c\u00e2mpia goal\u0103, c\u00e2teva ro\u0163i de ciulini. Nu era nimeni.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n A\u015fteptam cu m\u00e2na cufundat\u0103 \u00een ap\u0103, ca pe\u015ftele s\u0103 se apropie, s\u0103 cuteze\u2026 Dar se ferea de fiecare dat\u0103, iute, lunecos, \u015fi eu, \u00eempro\u015fcat de stropi, lungit pe nisipul ca o zgur\u0103 de aram\u0103, v\u00e2ram iar\u0103\u015fi m\u00e2na, doar va veni\u2026 Kara plecase de mult s\u0103 p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 p\u0103s\u0103rile f\u0103r\u0103 aripi care alergau printre uria\u015fele tufe de aloe. Uneori avea noroc; adesea fl\u0103m\u00e2nzeam. \u015ei, roz\u00e2nd oasele r\u0103mase de la v\u00e2n\u0103toarea dinainte, r\u00e2deam, iar s\u00e2rboaica m\u0103 privea uimit\u0103. Ce s\u0103-i spun? C\u0103 visasem at\u00e2ta vreme via\u0163a adev\u0103rat\u0103, intens\u0103, care-\u0163i f\u0103cea s\u00e2ngele s\u0103 clocoteasc\u0103 \u00een vine, iar acum\u2026<\/p>\n \u2013 Ai ceea ce mi-ai cerut!<\/p>\n Iar\u0103\u015fi Glasul. Mereu mai sarcastic, mai aproape:<\/p>\n \u2013 Ai avut lumea ta, soarta pe care \u0163i-o h\u0103r\u0103zisem. La fel \u015fi ea, s\u0103lb\u0103ticiunea cu care te-mpreuni \u00eempotriva firii. Nu le-a\u0163i vrut. Cei asemeni vou\u0103 tulbur\u0103 ce cu trud\u0103 am Creat\u2026<\/p>\n \u2013 Cine e\u015fti? i-am retezat-o.<\/p>\n Eram s\u0103tul s\u0103 vorbesc cu Nimeni.<\/p>\n \u2013 Sunt Totul \u015fi Neantul, D\u0103t\u0103torul-de-Via\u0163\u0103 \u015fi Moartea-celor-O-Mie-de-Sori.<\/p>\n \u2013 Unde e\u015fti?<\/p>\n \u2013 Pretutindeni \u015fi Nic\u0103ieri.<\/p>\n Apoi, lini\u015fte.<\/p>\n \u015ei clipocitul. R\u0103sucindu-m\u0103, am \u00eencremenit: \u00een ap\u0103, nu departe, o femeie. Mantie neagr\u0103, glug\u0103 umbrindu-i ochii, m\u00e2nerul de filde\u015f al unei s\u0103bii ridic\u00e2ndu-se peste um\u0103rul drept. \u00cens\u0103 eu m\u0103 uitam la altceva: mantia se desf\u0103cuse \u015fi, dedesubt, trupul cafeniu era \u00eencorsetat doar \u00eentr-o ciudat\u0103 armur\u0103 de oase. Era frumoas\u0103 femeia aceea; prea frumoas\u0103. Mi se uscaser\u0103 buzele a\u0163intind s\u00e2nii sc\u0103pa\u0163i din plasa alb\u0103, iar ea se apropia lin, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 tulbure oglinda de ap\u0103. Am \u00eentins m\u00e2na, am b\u00e2iguit:<\/p>\n \u2013 Cine\u2026<\/p>\n \u201ePentru totdeauna\u2026<\/em>\u201c \u2013 \u015foapta Karei a r\u0103sunat numai \u00een mintea mea, dar str\u0103ina s-a oprit. \u201eEste doar o jivin\u0103\u2026 gheare \u015fi col\u0163i\u2026 nu se poate\u2026 nu sunte\u0163i una, tu \u015fi ea\u2026<\/em>\u201c. Glasurile m\u0103 \u00eennebuneau, mi se ciocneau \u00een \u0163east\u0103, vedeam lumina de pe chipul Karei, \u00eei sim\u0163eam inima zb\u0103t\u00e2ndu-se c\u00e2nd se lipea de mine, dogoarea p\u00e2ntecelui catifelat\u2026 M-am tras \u00eenapoi \u015fi femeia a z\u00e2mbit rece, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-\u015fi gluga pe spate. Avea ochii ca ni\u015fte rubine \u00eentunecate, f\u0103r\u0103 pupile \u015fi \u2013 \u00eenainte chiar de a-\u015fi ridica sabia lung\u0103, cu o semilun\u0103 pornind de la mijlocul lamei, aidoma unei coase \u2013 am priceput cine este \u015fi c\u0103 venise s\u0103 m\u0103 ia.<\/p>\n Dar eu nu voiam s\u0103 mor. C\u00e2nd arma a \u015fuierat prin v\u0103zduh m-am rostogolit \u00een ultima clip\u0103 \u015fi col\u0163ul de o\u0163el s-a \u00eenfipt \u00eentr-un stei. Ea a scos un \u0163ip\u0103t m\u00e2nios, a tras, a smucit, a strigat iar\u0103\u015fi; atunci m-am aruncat asupr\u0103-i, pr\u0103v\u0103lind-o, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd trupul care se zv\u00e2rcolea s\u0103lbatic, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 iau seama la armura ce plesnea, desc\u0103tu\u015f\u00e2nd carnea, dorin\u0163a de via\u0163\u0103, de moarte.<\/p>\n \u00cei \u00eencle\u015ftasem g\u00e2tul cu puterea spaimei \u015fi jerbele de ap\u0103 st\u00e2rnite, m\u00e2inile r\u0103scolind nisipul albiei, \u015falele ce se fr\u0103m\u00e2ntau sub mine erau doar n\u0103luciri, nimic nu r\u0103m\u0103sese adev\u0103rat dec\u00e2t la\u0163ul care str\u00e2ngea, str\u00e2ngea, v\u0103zduhul care \u00eenghe\u0163ase \u00een juru-mi, zbaterea tot mai slab\u0103 a celei ce nu cunoscuse \u00eenfr\u00e2ngerea\u2026<\/p>\n T\u00e2rziu, m-am ridicat, am p\u0103\u015fit pe mal, am smuls arma \u015fi m-am \u00eentors s\u0103 mai v\u0103d o dat\u0103 le\u015ful care plutea \u00eenf\u0103\u015furat \u00een mantia-lin\u0163oliu.<\/p>\n \u2013 Foarte bine, pumn de lut! Ai mai c\u00e2\u015ftigat o Clip\u0103 \u2013 dar Eternitatea e a Mea!<\/p>\n Eram prea istovit ca s\u0103-i r\u0103spund. \u015ei-apoi, ce era Glasul dac\u0103 nu vestitorul nebuniei mele?!<\/p>\n Dar, c\u00e2nd am vrut s\u0103 urc faleza, Kara era sus, privindu-m\u0103 cu ochi r\u0103t\u0103ci\u0163i. \u015ei am \u015ftiut c\u0103 auzise<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n Am pus \u0163epu\u015fa cu ciosv\u00e2rte peste foc \u015fi m-am a\u015fezat l\u00e2ng\u0103 Kara. Ne oprisem sub un enorm portal, intrare \u00eentr-unul din d\u00e2mburile sculptate de vreme. \u00cen\u0103untru, labirint de coloane \u015fi pere\u0163i pe care se deslu\u015feau capete, torsuri c\u0103znindu-se s\u0103 ias\u0103 din piatr\u0103, n\u0103zuind spre cupola-fagure. Toate erau at\u00e2t de \u00eengrijit lucrate, \u00eenc\u00e2t\u2026 Dar aveau contururi incerte, parc\u0103 scurse \u015fi, \u00een lumea Glasului, chiar v\u00e2ntul, apa le-ar fi putut ciopli. Oricum, dac\u0103 truda unei mul\u0163imi le dezghiocase din munte, oamenii aceia nu mai erau de mult.<\/p>\n \u2013 N-au fost m\u00e2ini de muritor. Noi le-am ridicat, \u00eentru slava Celui-ce-P\u0103ze\u015fte-Cerul.<\/p>\n Am s\u0103rit \u00een fa\u0163a Karei, apuc\u00e2nd arma. Nu-l auzisem venind pe b\u0103rbatul \u00eenalt, cu zale lucitoare, ca ni\u015fte solzi. \u015ei nu \u015ftiam c\u00e2\u0163i mai erau acolo, afar\u0103, gata s\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n \u2013 Port g\u00e2nduri de pace. C\u0103ci El s-a \u00eendurat de tine. Dar s\u0103 nu ui\u0163i: tuturor v-a d\u0103ruit ceva din El \u015fi sunte\u0163i ai Lui, numai ai Lui. Supunere \u015fi ascultare \u2013 crede-L, nu-L \u00eentreba \u015fi te va izb\u0103vi, c\u0103l\u0103uzindu-te spre ce \u0163i-a menit.<\/p>\n M-am uitat lung la heruvimul cu p\u0103r de aur, cu chip senin, nesim\u0163itor.<\/p>\n \u2013 \u015ei ea? am ar\u0103tat spre Kara.<\/p>\n \u2013 Jivinele n-au c\u0103utare dinaintea Lui.<\/p>\n Simplu, f\u0103r\u0103 nici o \u015fov\u0103ial\u0103. M\u0103car nu min\u0163ea.<\/p>\n \u2013 \u015ei dac\u0103 este mai bun\u0103 dec\u00e2t mine, dec\u00e2t tine?\u2026<\/p>\n Cel\u0103lalt a dat din umeri. Nu pricepuse.<\/p>\n \u2013 El vegheaz\u0103. Nu poate gre\u015fi.<\/p>\n \u2013 N-am cerut s\u0103 vin pe lume\u2026 Cineva m-a adus\u2026 A\u015fa cum sunt! \u015ei de-atunci\u2026 cei puternici m\u0103 h\u0103ituiesc\u2026 pentru ce vor s\u0103 vad\u0103 \u00een mine\u2026 nu pentru ce sunt\u2026 Cu ce I-am gre\u015fit?<\/p>\n Vorbele femeii, joase, fr\u00e2nte m-au cutremurat. Nu era furie, nu era dezn\u0103dejde, revolt\u0103 \u00een ele \u2013 doar o nesf\u00e2r\u015fit\u0103 osteneal\u0103.<\/p>\n Heruvimul s-a uitat la ea cu un dezgust nepref\u0103cut:<\/p>\n \u2013 Tu\u2026 \u00cendr\u0103zne\u015fti s\u0103 mai \u00eentrebi? I-ai nesocotit vrerea! \u015ei dac\u0103 fiecare ar face-o, cum ar fi \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Lui?! Sc\u00e2rbavnic\u0103 f\u0103ptur\u0103, p\u00e2ntec ce cheam\u0103 nes\u0103\u0163ios s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163a, crezi c\u0103 \u00ee\u0163i va fi \u00eeng\u0103duit s\u0103 puie\u015fti al\u0163i c\u00e2rtitori \u00eempotriva P\u0103zitorului? Ui\u0163i c\u0103 TOTUL este Facerea Lui?<\/p>\n \u00a0De la un timp m\u0103 apropiam \u00eencet, ca din \u00eent\u00e2mplare. N-a fost nevoie dec\u00e2t de o singur\u0103 lovitur\u0103. C\u00e2nd sabia-coas\u0103 i-a despicat pieptul, c\u00e2nd a r\u0103bufnit valul de s\u00e2nge negru, am rostit doar at\u00e2t:<\/p>\n \u2013 \u015ei asta?<\/p>\n Nimeni nu mi-a r\u0103spuns. Heruvimul c\u0103zuse, cu chipul umbrit de \u00eent\u00e2ia \u015fi cea din urm\u0103 uluire, iar Glasul t\u0103cea.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n \u2013 \u00cen genunchi! Pleca\u0163i-v\u0103 capetele, ucide\u0163i g\u00e2ndurile! Nimicnicie \u015fi orbire \u2013 a\u015fa v-am vrut, a\u015fa s\u0103 fi\u0163i! \u00cenapoi! OPRI\u0162I-V\u0102!!<\/p>\n Glasul se \u00eeneca de furie. Urlase de prea mult\u0103 vreme \u015fi acum, c\u00e2nd eram la jum\u0103tatea pov\u00e2rni\u015fului, toat\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nirea de sine I se topise. C\u0103ci \u00een vale se \u00een\u0103l\u0163a Catedrala. Mai mare dec\u00e2t muntele de care trecusem, cu mii de turle cresc\u00e2nd una dintr-alta, cu statui enorme pe corni\u015fe, cu ferestre-firid\u0103, ale c\u0103ror vitralii erau tot at\u00e2tea cronici mincinoase despre miracole, pilde \u015fi \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103turi. \u015ei cu mul\u0163imea crucifixelor \u00eencrustate \u00een ziduri.<\/p>\n Era ceva \u00een crucifixele acelea, ceva care zb\u00e2rlise p\u0103rul de pe spinarea Karei \u015fi m\u0103 \u00eenfrico\u015fa mai mult dec\u00e2t monstruoasa vanitate ce cl\u0103dise un asemenea Leviathan de piatr\u0103 \u015fi nebunie. Cu c\u00e2t ne apropiam, trupurile r\u0103stignite se deslu\u015feau mai limpede. \u015ei nu erau cei care I se crezuser\u0103 Fii, emacia\u0163i de posturi \u015fi smerenie, sur\u00e2z\u00e2nd \u00een beatitudinea unei sinucideri f\u0103r\u0103 rost. \u015ei nu erau de marmur\u0103, filde\u015f ori abanos. Tr\u0103iau, zv\u00e2rcolindu-se \u00een piroanele ce le str\u0103punseser\u0103 m\u00e2ini, picioare \u015fi r\u00e2uri de s\u00e2nge le izvorau din r\u0103ni, scurg\u00e2ndu-se pe zidurile ro\u015fii, r\u0103sp\u00e2ndind lumina pe care Glasul o h\u0103r\u0103zise celorlal\u0163i<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mai aproape, mereu mai aproape! Acum \u00eei z\u0103ream. B\u0103rba\u0163i, femei, goi sau \u00een zdren\u0163e; heruvimi cu ochii ar\u015fi pentru c\u0103 v\u0103zuser\u0103; elfi \u015fi satiri care nu voiau ne\u0163\u0103rmurita Lui Iubire; nimfe, ondine, bacante mutilate pentru p\u0103catul frumuse\u0163ii; f\u0103pturi de care nu auzisem, cu aripi, cu pielea albastr\u0103 sau verde, cu creste sau cozi\u2026 \u015ei Glasul, f\u0103g\u0103duindu-ne c\u0103 vom at\u00e2rna cur\u00e2nd acolo, printre r\u0103zvr\u0103ti\u0163ii ce nu-I aduseser\u0103 prinos voin\u0163a, visurile, sim\u0163irile lor.<\/p>\n Apoi, cu un vuiet, por\u0163i-f\u0103lci s-au c\u0103scat ca s\u0103 scuipe armate dup\u0103 armate, m\u0103r\u015f\u0103luind \u00een \u0163ip\u0103tul metalic al tr\u00e2mbi\u0163elor, ce amu\u0163ea, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, Glasul. Tauri cu capete de om, grifoni, legiuni de heruvimi cu zale, scuturi \u015fi l\u0103nci aurite, femei cu s\u0103bii-coase ce aduceau Uitarea, schelete c\u0103lare pe broa\u015fte, c\u0103lug\u0103ri cu bice \u015fi Legi, sfin\u0163i, profe\u0163i, mucenici cu fanatic\u0103 \u00eencr\u00e2ncenare, dervi\u015fi, mullahi, rabini, predicatori, \u00eenfr\u0103\u0163i\u0163i \u00eentr-aceea\u015fi ur\u0103, \u00eentru aceea\u015fi spaim\u0103 de robii cei mul\u0163i, cei pro\u015fti, cei slabi.<\/p>\n M-am \u00eentors spre Kara. Nu c\u0103utasem dec\u00e2t un strop de tihn\u0103, de fericire\u2026<\/p>\n \u2013 Pentru totdeauna? am rostit.<\/p>\n M-a s\u0103rutat lung, mi-a pus m\u00e2na pe s\u00e2nul ei, s\u0103-i mai simt o dat\u0103 inima ce b\u0103tea pentru mine, pentru ceilal\u0163i<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u015ei am pornit, \u00eent\u00e2i cu pa\u015fi m\u0103sura\u0163i, r\u0103sufl\u00e2nd ad\u00e2nc, pe urm\u0103 tot mai repede, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ne-am pomenit alerg\u00e2nd. Coama Karei flutura \u00een v\u00e2nt ca un stindard negru \u015fi ro\u015fu, \u00ee\u015fi scosese ghearele, eu am ridicat arma cea grea \u015fi, \u00een vreme ce P\u0103zitorul Cerului se r\u0103stea la o\u015ftile-I f\u0103r\u0103 num\u0103r, r\u0103stigni\u0163ii au \u00eenceput s\u0103 c\u00e2nte. Treptat, vocile s-au contopit \u00eentr-una, maiestuoas\u0103, vibrant\u0103, strivind Glasul, tr\u00e2mbi\u0163ele, urc\u00e2nd spre bolta s\u00e2ngerie, despic\u00e2nd-o, l\u0103s\u00e2nd s\u0103 se \u00eentrez\u0103reasc\u0103 necuprinsul azurului sufocat de lumina Lui.<\/p>\n Dar n-a fost dec\u00e2t o clip\u0103. Dup\u0103 care asfin\u0163itul a c\u0103zut din nou peste lume, cei de pe cruci au t\u0103cut \u015fi ne-am n\u0103pustit asupra primelor r\u00e2nduri, deschiz\u00e2nd brazde largi, umplute pe dat\u0103 \u00een urma noastr\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" de Dan Apostol \u00a0Un r\u00e2s gros, bufnitura unei u\u015fi, sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2itul firmei ce at\u00e2rna \u00eentr-o singur\u0103 balama. Pere\u0163ii, cenu\u015fii \u00een lumina \u00eenser\u0103rii, r\u0103sp\u00e2ndeau un iz de mucegai \u015fi pe\u015fte, st\u0103ruitor ca pulberea pe care o ridicam la fiece pas. Aici, spre Tamisa, str\u0103zile nu erau dec\u00e2t c\u0103r\u0103ri menite s\u0103 despart\u0103 \u015firurile de case l\u0103sate \u00eentr-o parte, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1224,125],"tags":[1232,1225,1129],"class_list":["post-11343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-47","category-invitat","tag-dan-apostol","tag-egophobia-47","tag-invitat"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-2WX","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11343"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11345,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11343\/revisions\/11345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}