"Chronicles of Amber". Books in order
Fans of Roger Zelazny's work were seriously excited when their idol decided to take on writing this series, the work on which lasted for as many as 16 years. Thanks to these novels, the writer was able to find a new audience of readers who happily plunged into the world of the Amber Kingdom and its heroes...
Having regained consciousness in a hospital on Earth, the main character is unable to remember who he is and where he came from. Corwin was shocked when he suddenly realized that he was one of the sons of Oberon, King of Amber and the rightful heir to the throne, which was located in a parallel world. Exiled to Earth, he intends to return and restore his rights and justice, no matter what.
Guns of Avalon (1972)
Corwin manages to escape from the dungeon in which he was imprisoned by his treacherous brother Eric, who unfairly received the throne of Amber. The Corwin siblings are convinced that the use of weapons is impossible in the medieval world of Amber, since any gunpowder there is inert. But Corwin has secret knowledge. He heads to Avalon, where there are silver bullets and pink gunpowder, which works great even in Amber. Corwin plans to rebel against the usurper of the throne with a legion of shadow warriors, giving them first-class weapons from the shadow world of Earth. But the forces of evil do not intend to stop, and if the rightful heir does not hurry, the forces of Chaos will completely absorb his native and bright amber world.
Sign of the Unicorn (1975)
The Amber Kingdom is the only truly existing world. All other worlds, including the Earth, are only shadows of the real world. Crown Prince of the Amber Kingdom, Corwin is trying to solve the problems that arose as a result of his own brother's betrayal. He is forced to retreat into the world of shadows, in which an ominous prophecy predicts his certain death.
Possessing the Unicorn Mark, but unaware of its power, Corwin must take great risks. He tries to resist demons and is forced to go through serious trials for the sake of absolute knowledge and unexpected discoveries...
The Hand of Oberon (1976)
We present to your attention the 4th book of the popular series “The Chronicles of Amber”.
Corwin never tires of fighting against the forces of evil to save the Amber Kingdom. The Black Road that emerged from unknown sources opens the way for demons who can now easily enter the world. The ancient secret of the royal family's source of power has finally been revealed. The insidious alliance of the usurping prince with the forces of Chaos still threatens the existence of all current worlds. The hour of the terrible battle is constantly approaching. Now Corwin and his comrades, the princes of the amber kingdom, must do everything to stop their brother, who has become a traitor, before he manages to pass the magical Labyrinth, which was created in Amber, and irreversibly change the Universe.
Domains of Chaos (1978)
The Court of Chaos is the final novel that concludes the events of The Pentateuch of Corvinus in The Chronicles of Amber.
Corwin, according to his father Oberon, is the best and most worthy heir to the Amber Throne. But Corwin’s fate is completely different - to restore order in the world, regardless of how the war with Chaos ends.
Corwin creates a new labyrinth and heads to the Courts of Chaos with the Stone of Judgment. But Corwin's main goal is a strip of free land where no one can harm him. Numerous forces from different sides are trying to prevent him from achieving his goal, including his treacherous brother Brand, who is ready to do anything to steal the Ruby (Stone of Justice).
Cards of Fate (1985)
Merlin Corey is a talented young computer designer working in San Francisco. However, that's not all. Among other things, he is the son of Corwin, the missing prince of Amber. And now all the responsibility and obligations of his missing father fall on him.
Every year on April 30th someone tries to kill Merlin. He is constantly in suspense, but the killer comes up with more and more inventive and insidious methods. The murder attempt this time turned out to be so sophisticated, and the proximity of death so convincing, that Merlin is forced to flee into the shadow of the Earth. Go on the run - not only to hide from an unknown and sinister force that threatens his life, but also to protect an important secret that could destroy both worlds that have become family to Merlin...
Blood of Amber (1986)
Merlin is trying to escape endless persecution. Now he is imprisoned in a crystal cave, as if in captivity. No powers or magical abilities work here. This is all the result of the cunning of Jasra, who will not forgive Brand’s death and is ready to use not only her poisonous teeth to destroy Amber forever. Merlin will have to work hard to cope with this angry fury. But before Merlin, son of Corwin, can discover his true enemy, he must unravel a web of revenge and betrayal that is wider than even the San Francisco Bay...
Mark of Chaos (1987)
The throne of the mysterious Amber Kingdom is the prize that the winner will receive in a harsh game of reflections. Steel and fire, betrayal and cunning intrigues, lives and fates of residents - nothing and no one matters when a grandiose and great goal is at stake...
All nine contenders, the princes of Amber, will fight, but only one can win, who will ultimately take a place on the throne...Who will it be? Readers will learn about this on the pages of this series of books...
Knight of Shadows (1989)
Merlin becomes aware of the reasons and details of the events that happened earlier with him, with Luke (Rinaldo), with Julia, with Victor Melman. Jasra confesses that it was she who tried to kill Merlin on April 30th of every year.
Using Jasra and Mandor, Merlin wants to find Coral, who was sent to an unknown location by the Labyrinth. But the Phantom Wheel joins his search. Finding himself in an unusual world inhabited by ghosts created by the Labyrinth of Amber, Merlin becomes a participant in the long-standing struggle between the Labyrinth and Logrus. It turns out that he, having once passed through the Labyrinth and Logrus at the same time, destroyed the balance between the two superpowers, and now he needs to make a choice which side to take. The ghosts try to contact Merlin and beg him to take the side of the Labyrinth. Logrus, in turn, allows the magic rope Frakir to think and talk to Merlin. Thus, most of the novel is occupied by their conversations, filled with humor and irony.
Prince of Chaos (1991)
The novel “Prince of Chaos” is intended to clarify many secrets that intrigued readers in several previous novels in the series.
Merlin, the heir of Corwin, whose blood unites the royal house of the true world of amber and the Court of Chaos, heads to the Court of Chaos to participate in the coronation of the future leader. Being third in line to this throne, Merlin, unexpectedly for himself, is drawn into the epicenter of deadly intrigues that are in one way or another connected with succession. The main goal of Merlin's insidious mother is to ensure that he receives this throne. To get rid of such “concerns”, Merlin goes in search of his father, who has been considered dead for many years, but in fact he is in captivity...
Roger Zelazny
Chronicles of Amber. Volume 1
Nine Princes of Amber
It seemed like the end of what seemed like an eternity was coming.
I tried to move my toes. Successfully. I could feel my legs, even though they were in plaster. And I myself was lying prone on a hospital bed.
I closed my eyes, then opened my eyes again.
The walls of the room finally stopped shaking.
Where the hell am I?
The fog in my head was gradually clearing; in it, like islands in the ocean, fragments of what had once been my memory began to appear. I remembered endlessly long nights, countless nurses, injections, injections, injections... as soon as I came to my senses a little, someone would immediately appear and stick a syringe with some kind of rubbish into me. Yes, that's how it was. This is what I remembered. And even though I only half came to my senses, they will have to stop the injections.
But will they want to stop them?
For some reason I kept thinking: unlikely.
This thought awakened in my soul natural doubts regarding the purity of any, even the best human motives. I had been drugged for a long time, I suddenly realized. And for no particular reason, judging by how I feel. So if they are getting paid to do this, why on earth would they suddenly stop injecting? No, I need to act very carefully, my inner voice told me. We must continue to pretend that the dope is still working. The inner voice belonged to the worse, albeit wiser, half of my soul.
I followed his advice.
About ten minutes later the door opened slightly and a nurse appeared on the threshold. And I lay there and snored. The sister immediately left.
Now I have already managed to recall something in my memory.
I vaguely remembered being in some kind of accident or car accident; then - a solid black spot. I also had no idea what happened before the accident. But I remembered that first I ended up in the hospital, and only then here. For what? Unknown.
My legs were completely gone and clearly fit to stand on, although I had no idea when they were broken. And I knew for sure that they were broken.
I tried to sit up. It turned out to be difficult: the body was like jelly. It was a dark night outside the window - bright stars, shamelessly flaunting themselves in the sky, looked at me. I winked at them and lowered my feet to the floor.
Everything swam before my eyes, but soon my head became clearer, I stood up, holding the headboard of the bed, and took the first step.
Fine. Legs hold up. So, theoretically, I’m already able to get out of here.
I climbed back into bed, stretched out on my back and began to think. From the effort and weakness I was shivering, I was all sweaty, there was a nasty sweetish taste in my mouth, I felt nauseous, I imagined candied plums and the like.
Something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark...
Yes, it was definitely a car accident. God knows what...
The door opened slightly and a stream of light rushed into the room through the crack. I lowered my eyelids slightly and saw that it was the sister again with a syringe in her hand. A sort of powerful matron with broad shoulders.
When she came very close, I suddenly got up and sat up on the bed.
Good evening! - I said.
Oh! “Good evening,” she replied.
When will I be discharged? - I asked.
You should ask your doctor about this.
Well, find out.
Please lift up your sleeve.
No, thanks, no more.
But I need to give you an injection.
No, there is no need for this.
That's what the doctor ordered!
Let the doctor come and tell me about it himself. In the meantime, I am categorically against it.
But I was ordered...
Eichmann said so too, but where did he end up? - I shook my head reproachfully.
Okay,” the nurse sighed. - I'll have to report...
Please report,” I said. - At the same time, tell the doctor that I intend to be discharged in the morning.
No, It is Immpossible! You can't even walk yet! And you have serious damage to your internal organs...
Okay, let’s see,” I nodded. - Good night.
She flew out into the corridor without answering.
And I lay down again and began to think. Apparently, I am in some kind of private hospital. So someone is paying for me to stay here. I wonder who? I couldn't remember any relatives. Friends too. Who pays then? Enemies?
I thought a little more.
Nothing was invented. Not the slightest idea about the supposed benefactor.
Suddenly I remembered: my car was flying downhill on a mountain road and falling into the lake... Then - complete darkness.
From the tension I was covered in sweat again.
I didn't know who I was before.
To distract myself, I sat down and quickly unbandaged myself. Under the bandages everything has long since healed; Looks like they should have been removed a long time ago. Then I broke the cast on my right leg with a metal rod taken from the headboard. I was overcome by a strange feeling: it seemed that I needed to get away from here as soon as possible in order to have time to do something important.
I tried to stand on my right leg. Fine.
Then I broke the cast on my left leg, stood up and slowly walked to the closet.
Empty. There were no clothes there.
Footsteps were heard in the corridor. I lay down again, covering the removed bandages and pieces of plaster with a sheet.
The door opened slightly again.
A bright light flashed in the room; standing on the threshold was a huge fellow in a white robe who looked like a bull. It was he who turned on the light: his fingers were still on the switch.
What were you thinking here? “Your sister is complaining about you,” he said.
There was no point in pretending to be asleep anymore.
Really? - I asked. - And what does she say?
The fellow thought about my question for a while, wrinkling his brow, then said sternly:
It's time for you to get your injection.
What are you, a doctor?
No, but I have been instructed to give you an injection.
“And I don’t want to be given an injection,” I said. - And I have every right to do so. What do you say to this?
“That I’ll give you an injection anyway,” the big man answered and moved towards the bed. In his hand he held a syringe, which I had not noticed before.
It was an exceptionally mean blow, about four inches below the belt. The fellow fell to his knees.
He squeezed out some time later.
Try again, I said, and you will see what happens to you then.
It’s okay, we are accustomed to dealing with such patients! - he exhaled.
And I realized that it was time to act.
Where are my clothes? - I asked.
He repeated.
Then, perhaps, he will borrow yours. Take off your clothes!
After the third time I got tired of it. I threw a sheet over his head and hit him hard with the same iron rod I used to break the plaster.
A few minutes later I was already all in white. A sort of Moby Dick. Or an overgrown vanilla ice cream. Creepy.
I put this guy in the closet and looked out the window. The full moon was shining in the sky, illuminating a row of tall poplar trees. The grass in the moonlight seemed silvery and sparkling. The night was drawing to a close. Nothing told me where I might be. It looked like it was the fourth floor. From the window, I noticed a light below, to my left, on the second floor: someone was also awake.
I went out into the corridor and looked around. On the left, the corridor ended at a wall with a barred window. There were four more chambers, two on each side of the corridor. I reached the window and looked out. Nothing new: the same trees, the same grass, the same moonlit night. I turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
Doors, doors, doors, and not a ray of light from inside. And silence. Only the shuffling of my own steps: the borrowed boots were too big.
The clock, also borrowed, showed five fifty-four. I tucked the iron rod into my belt under my white robe; When I walked, the rod stuck into my thigh bone. Every five or six meters a dim light bulb burned under the ceiling - forty watts, no more.
So I got to the carpeted stairs and began to quietly go down.
The third floor looked exactly like my fourth, so I continued down. On the second floor I turned right along the corridor, trying to find the room where the light was on.
And I found her - by a thin strip of light under the door - almost at the very end of the corridor. I didn't knock.
In the room, a guy in a luxurious bathrobe was sitting at a huge polished table, writing something in a desk pad. This was clearly not a hospital room. The guy glared at me: an expression appeared on his face as if he was about to scream, his eyes widened wildly... But he didn’t scream - apparently, I looked quite determined - he just stood up quickly.
I closed the door behind me, came closer and said:
Good morning. You are in big trouble.
Here are the works for which Roger Zelazny became famous - “The Chronicles of Amber”. All books in order. A series that you will remember for a long time.
Nine Princes of Amber
One of the most interesting fantasy book series, which was produced in multi-million copies. The main one who lays claim to the royal crown of the eternal Amber City (Amber) is Prince Corwin of Amber. He lost his memory and found himself in a distant shadow in the Ocean of Chaos. Locals call the shadow "Earth". This is where Corwin ended up and this is where his adventures will begin. Further
Prince Corwin believes that it is better to act for sure - slowly, but verified. In the second part of The Chronicles of Amber, the prince returns to Amber, but this did not happen as expected for our hero, when he languished in a dark dungeon, hoping for the satisfaction of the usurper. Perhaps everything would have been successful, but the words of the curse were uttered... Continue
A week has passed since Eric's death. Corwin, having taken the place of regent, plunges headlong into the problems of his domains. The murder of Cain and Random's words about recent events forced the sisters and brothers to gather together. But soon everyone will understand that the obsession with power and the desire to take the throne can raise tension to the limit. We have to delve into the conflicts of the family and find out who is most involved in the intrigue. Further
Of the entire series, The Hand of Oberon is considered the most philosophical book. We return to the events that developed in the third part. Corwin, Random and Ganelon saw the Prototype and are now trying to find out who wanted to destroy it, and most importantly, why. Amber's fate is in jeopardy, and the future seems increasingly bleak. The siblings will finally show their true colors, but there's still someone else we'll get to know. Further
So, we find ourselves at the climax. Amber is about to be consumed by Chaos. Will anyone be able to stop the disappearance of the old world? Oberon has returned and now the Stone of Justice is rightfully kept in the hands of its rightful owner. If it were possible to restore the Image, it would change the situation, but what if the king could not cope with such an impossible task? Corwin has fallen into the clutches of monstrous fatigue, and the awareness of his true place in Amber does not support him. Further
In the sixth part of the series, we will look at the world of Amber from the point of view of Merlin - a young computer scientist and brilliant engineer - the son of Dara and Corwin, who inherited the powers of his father and mother. It seems that his career is going well, so it’s time to bring to life the idea of his project, on which Merlin has worked so long and hard. The guy goes into the Shadows and suddenly finds out that a hunt has begun for him. Further
It was the talented writer Roger Zelazny, “The Chronicles of Amber” - all the books in order. Share which part of the cycle is your favorite? 😉
Chronicles of Amber
Roger Zelazny
Nine Princes of Amber
CHAPTER FIRST
It seemed like the end of what seemed like an eternity was coming.
I tried to move my toes. Successfully. I could feel my legs, even though they were in plaster. And I myself was lying prone on a hospital bed.
I closed my eyes, then opened my eyes again.
The walls of the room finally stopped shaking.
Where the hell am I?
The fog in my head was gradually clearing; in it, like islands in the ocean, fragments of what had once been my memory began to appear. I remembered endlessly long nights, countless nurses, injections, injections, injections... as soon as I came to my senses a little, someone would immediately appear and stick a syringe with some kind of rubbish into me. Yes, that's how it was. This is what I remembered. And even though I only half came to my senses, they will have to stop the injections.
But will they want to stop them?
For some reason I kept thinking: unlikely.
This thought awakened in my soul natural doubts regarding the purity of any, even the best human motives. I had been drugged for a long time, I suddenly realized. And for no particular reason, judging by how I feel. So if they are getting paid to do this, why on earth would they suddenly stop injecting? No, I need to act very carefully, my inner voice told me. We must continue to pretend that the dope is still working. The inner voice belonged to the worse, albeit wiser, half of my soul.
I followed his advice.
About ten minutes later the door opened slightly and a nurse appeared on the threshold. And I lay there and snored. The sister immediately left.
Now I have already managed to recall something in my memory.
I vaguely remembered being in some kind of accident or car accident; then - a solid black spot. I also had no idea what happened before the accident. But I remembered that first I ended up in the hospital, and only then here. For what? Unknown.
My legs were completely gone and clearly fit to stand on, although I had no idea when they were broken. And I knew for sure that they were broken.
I tried to sit up. It turned out to be difficult: the body was like jelly. It was a dark night outside the window - bright stars, shamelessly flaunting themselves in the sky, looked at me. I winked at them and lowered my feet to the floor.
Everything swam before my eyes, but soon my head became clearer, I stood up, holding the headboard of the bed, and took the first step.
Fine. Legs hold up. So, theoretically, I’m already able to get out of here.
I climbed back into bed, stretched out on my back and began to think. From the effort and weakness I was shivering, I was all sweaty, there was a nasty sweetish taste in my mouth, I felt nauseous, I imagined candied plums and the like.
Something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark...
Yes, it was definitely a car accident. God knows what...
The door opened slightly and a stream of light rushed into the room through the crack. I lowered my eyelids slightly and saw that it was the sister again with a syringe in her hand. A sort of powerful matron with broad shoulders.
When she came very close, I suddenly got up and sat up on the bed.
Good evening! - I said.
Oh! “Good evening,” she replied.
When will I be discharged? - I asked.
You should ask your doctor about this.
Well, find out.
Please lift up your sleeve.
No, thanks, no more.
But I need to give you an injection.
No, there is no need for this.
That's what the doctor ordered!
Let the doctor come and tell me about it himself. In the meantime, I am categorically against it.
But I was ordered...
Eichmann said so too, but where did he end up? - I shook my head reproachfully.
Okay,” the nurse sighed. - I'll have to report...
Please report,” I said. - At the same time, tell the doctor that I intend to be discharged in the morning.
No, It is Immpossible! You can't even walk yet! And you have serious damage to your internal organs...
Okay, let’s see,” I nodded. - Good night.
She flew out into the corridor without answering.
And I lay down again and began to think. Apparently, I am in some kind of private hospital. So someone is paying for me to stay here. I wonder who? I couldn't remember any relatives. Friends too. Who pays then? Enemies?
I thought a little more.
Nothing was invented. Not the slightest idea about the supposed benefactor.
Suddenly I remembered: my car was flying downhill on a mountain road and falling into the lake... Then - complete darkness.
From the tension I was covered in sweat again.
I didn't know who I was before.
To distract myself, I sat down and quickly unbandaged myself. Under the bandages everything has long since healed; Looks like they should have been removed a long time ago. Then I broke the cast on my right leg with a metal rod taken from the headboard. I was overcome by a strange feeling: it seemed that I needed to get away from here as soon as possible in order to have time to do something important.
I tried to stand on my right leg. Fine.
Then I broke the cast on my left leg, stood up and slowly walked to the closet.
Empty. There were no clothes there.
Footsteps were heard in the corridor. I lay down again, covering the removed bandages and pieces of plaster with a sheet.
The door opened slightly again.
A bright light flashed in the room; standing on the threshold was a huge fellow in a white robe who looked like a bull. It was he who turned on the light: his fingers were still on the switch.
What were you thinking here? “Your sister is complaining about you,” he said.
There was no point in pretending to be asleep anymore.
Really? - I asked. - And what does she say?
The fellow thought about my question for a while, wrinkling his brow, then said sternly:
It's time for you to get your injection.
What are you, a doctor?
No, but I have been instructed to give you an injection.
“And I don’t want to be given an injection,” I said. - And I have every right to do so. What do you say to this?
“That I’ll give you an injection anyway,” the big man answered and moved towards the bed. In his hand he held a syringe, which I had not noticed before.
It was an exceptionally mean blow, about four inches below the belt. The fellow fell to his knees.
He squeezed out some time later.
Try again, I said, and you will see what happens to you then.
It’s okay, we are accustomed to dealing with such patients! - he exhaled.
And I realized that it was time to act.
Where are my clothes? - I asked.
He repeated.
Then, perhaps, he will borrow yours. Take off your clothes!
It seemed like the end of what seemed like an eternity was coming.
I tried to move my toes. Successfully. I could feel my legs, even though they were in plaster. And I myself was lying prone on a hospital bed.
I closed my eyes, then opened my eyes again.
The walls of the room finally stopped shaking.
Where the hell am I?
The fog in my head was gradually clearing; in it, like islands in the ocean, fragments of what had once been my memory began to appear. I remembered endlessly long nights, countless nurses, injections, injections, injections... as soon as I came to my senses a little, someone would immediately appear and stick a syringe with some kind of rubbish into me. Yes, that's how it was. This is what I remembered. And even though I only half came to my senses, they will have to stop the injections.
But will they want to stop them?
For some reason I kept thinking: unlikely.
This thought awakened in my soul natural doubts regarding the purity of any, even the best human motives. I had been drugged for a long time, I suddenly realized. And for no particular reason, judging by how I feel. So if they are getting paid to do this, why on earth would they suddenly stop injecting? No, I need to act very carefully, my inner voice told me. We must continue to pretend that the dope is still working. The inner voice belonged to the worse, albeit wiser, half of my soul.
I followed his advice.
About ten minutes later the door opened slightly and a nurse appeared on the threshold. And I lay there and snored. The sister immediately left.
Now I have already managed to recall something in my memory.
I vaguely remembered being in some kind of accident or car accident; then - a solid black spot. I also had no idea what happened before the accident. But I remembered that first I ended up in the hospital, and only then here. For what? Unknown.
My legs were completely gone and clearly fit to stand on, although I had no idea when they were broken. And I knew for sure that they were broken.
I tried to sit up. It turned out to be difficult: the body was like jelly. It was a dark night outside the window - bright stars, shamelessly flaunting themselves in the sky, looked at me. I winked at them and lowered my feet to the floor.
Everything swam before my eyes, but soon my head became clearer, I stood up, holding the headboard of the bed, and took the first step.
Fine. Legs hold up. So, theoretically, I’m already able to get out of here.
I climbed back into bed, stretched out on my back and began to think. From the effort and weakness I was shivering, I was all sweaty, there was a nasty sweetish taste in my mouth, I felt nauseous, I imagined candied plums and the like.
Something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark...
Yes, it was definitely a car accident. God knows what...
The door opened slightly and a stream of light rushed into the room through the crack. I lowered my eyelids slightly and saw that it was the sister again with a syringe in her hand. A sort of powerful matron with broad shoulders.
When she came very close, I suddenly got up and sat up on the bed.
Good evening! - I said.
Oh! “Good evening,” she replied.
When will I be discharged? - I asked.
You should ask your doctor about this.
Well, find out.
Please lift up your sleeve.
No, thanks, no more.
But I need to give you an injection.
No, there is no need for this.
That's what the doctor ordered!
Let the doctor come and tell me about it himself. In the meantime, I am categorically against it.
But I was ordered...
Eichmann said so too, but where did he end up? - I shook my head reproachfully.
Okay,” the nurse sighed. - I'll have to report...
Please report,” I said. - At the same time, tell the doctor that I intend to be discharged in the morning.
No, It is Immpossible! You can't even walk yet! And you have serious damage to your internal organs...
Okay, let’s see,” I nodded. - Good night.
She flew out into the corridor without answering.
And I lay down again and began to think. Apparently, I am in some kind of private hospital. So someone is paying for me to stay here. I wonder who? I couldn't remember any relatives. Friends too. Who pays then? Enemies?
I thought a little more.
Nothing was invented. Not the slightest idea about the supposed benefactor.
Suddenly I remembered: my car was flying downhill on a mountain road and falling into the lake... Then - complete darkness.
From the tension I was covered in sweat again.
I didn't know who I was before.
To distract myself, I sat down and quickly unbandaged myself. Under the bandages everything has long since healed; Looks like they should have been removed a long time ago. Then I broke the cast on my right leg with a metal rod taken from the headboard. I was overcome by a strange feeling: it seemed that I needed to get away from here as soon as possible in order to have time to do something important.
I tried to stand on my right leg. Fine.
Then I broke the cast on my left leg, stood up and slowly walked to the closet.
Empty. There were no clothes there.
Footsteps were heard in the corridor. I lay down again, covering the removed bandages and pieces of plaster with a sheet.
The door opened slightly again.
A bright light flashed in the room; standing on the threshold was a huge fellow in a white robe who looked like a bull. It was he who turned on the light: his fingers were still on the switch.
What were you thinking here? “Your sister is complaining about you,” he said.
There was no point in pretending to be asleep anymore.
Really? - I asked. - And what does she say?
The fellow thought about my question for a while, wrinkling his brow, then said sternly:
It's time for you to get your injection.
What are you, a doctor?
No, but I have been instructed to give you an injection.
“And I don’t want to be given an injection,” I said. - And I have every right to do so. What do you say to this?
“That I’ll give you an injection anyway,” the big man answered and moved towards the bed. In his hand he held a syringe, which I had not noticed before.
It was an exceptionally mean blow, about four inches below the belt. The fellow fell to his knees.
He squeezed out some time later.
Try again, I said, and you will see what happens to you then.
It’s okay, we are accustomed to dealing with such patients! - he exhaled.
And I realized that it was time to act.
Where are my clothes? - I asked.
He repeated.
Then, perhaps, he will borrow yours. Take off your clothes!
After the third time I got tired of it. I threw a sheet over his head and hit him hard with the same iron rod I used to break the plaster.
A few minutes later I was already all in white. A sort of Moby Dick. Or an overgrown vanilla ice cream. Creepy.
I put this guy in the closet and looked out the window. The full moon was shining in the sky, illuminating a row of tall poplar trees. The grass in the moonlight seemed silvery and sparkling. The night was drawing to a close. Nothing told me where I might be. It looked like it was the fourth floor. From the window, I noticed a light below, to my left, on the second floor: someone was also awake.
I went out into the corridor and looked around. On the left, the corridor ended at a wall with a barred window. There were four more chambers, two on each side of the corridor. I reached the window and looked out. Nothing new: the same trees, the same grass, the same moonlit night. I turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
Doors, doors, doors, and not a ray of light from inside. And silence. Only the shuffling of my own steps: the borrowed boots were too big.
The clock, also borrowed, showed five fifty-four. I tucked the iron rod into my belt under my white robe; When I walked, the rod stuck into my thigh bone. Every five or six meters a dim light bulb burned under the ceiling - forty watts, no more.
So I got to the carpeted stairs and began to quietly go down.
The third floor looked exactly like my fourth, so I continued down. On the second floor I turned right along the corridor, trying to find the room where the light was on.