ThepMist Pagep1pofp89
The Mist p
I. ThepComingpofpthepStorm.
Thispispwhatphappened.pOnpthepnightpthatpthepworstpheatpwavepinpnorthernpNewpEnglandphistorypfinallypbroke-thepnightpofpJulyp19-
thepentirepwesternpMainepregionpwasplashedpwithpthepmostpviciouspthunderstormspIphavepeverpseen.
WeplivedponpLongpLake,pandpwepsawpthepfirstpofpthepstormspbeatingpitspwaypacrosspthepwaterptowardpuspjustpbeforepdark.pForpanphourpbef
ore,pthepairphadpbeenputterlypstill.pThepAmericanpflagpthatpmypfatherpputpupponpourpboathousepinp1936playplimppagainstpitsppole.pNotpeven
pitsphempfluttered.pThepheatpwasplikepapsolidpthing,pandpitpseemedpaspdeeppaspsullenpquarry-
water.pThatpafternoonpthepthreepofpusphadpgonepswimming,pbutpthepwaterpwaspnopreliefpunlesspyoupwentpoutpdeep.pNeitherpSteffypnorpIpw
antedptopgopdeeppbecausepBillypcouldn't.pBillypispfive.
Wepatepapcoldpsupperpatpfive-
thirty,ppickingplistlesslypatphampsandwichespandppotatopsaladpoutponpthepdeckpthatpfacesptheplake.pNobodypseemedptopwantpanythingpbutpP
epsi,pwhichpwaspinpapsteelpbucketpofpicepcubes.
AfterpsupperpBillypwentpoutpbackptopplayponphispmonkeypbarspforpapwhile.pSteffpandpIpsatpwithoutptalkingpmuch,psmokingpandplookingpac
rosspthepsullenpflatpmirrorpofptheplakeptopHarrisonponpthepfarpside.pApfewppowerboatspdronedpbackpandpforth.pThepevergreenspoverpthereplo
okedpdustypandpbeaten.pInpthepwest,pgreatppurplepthunderheadspwerepslowlypbuildingpup,pmassingplikepanparmy.pLightningpflashedpinside
pthem.pNextpdoor,pBrentpNorton'spradio,ptunedptopthatpclassical-
musicpstationpthatpbroadcastspfromptheptoppofpMountpWashington,psentpoutpaploudpbraypofpstaticpeachptimeptheplightningpflashed.pNortonp
waspaplawyerpfrom
NewpJerseypandphispplaceponpLongpLakepwasponlypapsummerpcottagepwithpnopfurnaceporpinsulation.pTwopyearspbefore,pwephadpapboundar
ypdisputepthatpfinallypwoundpuppinpcountypcourt.pIpwon.pNortonpclaimedpIpwonpbecausephepwaspanpout-of-
towner.pTherepwaspnoploveplostpbetweenpus.
Steffpsighedpandpfannedptheptoppofpherpbreastspwithpthepedgepofpherp-
halter.pIpdoubtedpifpitpcooledpherpoffpmuchpbutpitpimprovedpthepviewpaplot.
"pIpdon'tpwantptopscarepyou,"pIpsaid,p"butpthere'spapbadpstormponpthepway,pIpthink."
Sheplookedpatpmepdoubtfully.p"Therepwerepthunderheadsplastpnightpandpthepnightpbefore,pDavid.pTheypjustpbrokepup."p"
Theypwon'tpdopthatptonight."
"No?"
"Ifpitpgetspbadpenough,pwe'repgoingptopgopdownstairs."p"Ho
wpbadpdopyoupthinkpitpcanpget?"
Mypdadpwaspthepfirstptopbuildpapyear-
roundphomeponpthispsidepofptheplake.pWhenphepwasphardlypmorepthanpapkidphepandphispbrotherspputpuppapsummerpplacepwherepthephousep
nowpstood,pandpinp1938papsummerpstormpknockedpitpflat,pstonepwallspandpall.pOnlypthepboathousepescaped.pApyearplaterphepstartedpthepbi
gphouse.pit'sptheptreespthatpdopthepdamagepinpapbadpblow.pTheypgetpold,pandpthepwindpknockspthempover.pIt'spmotherpnature'spwaypofpclea
ningphousepperiodically.
"Ipdon'tpreallypknow,"pIpsaid,ptruthfullypenough.pIphadponlypheardpstoriespaboutpthepgreatpstormpofpthirty-
eight.p"Butpthepwindpcanpcomepoffptheplakeplikepanpexpressptrain."
Billypcamepbackpapwhileplater,pcomplainingpthatpthepmonkeypbarspwerepnopfunpbecausephepwasp"allpsweatedpup."pIpruffledphisphairpandpga
vephimpanotherpPepsi.pMorepworkpforpthepdentist.
Thepthunderheadspwerepgettingpcloser,ppushingpawaypthepblue.pTherepwaspnopdoubtpnowpthatpapstormpwaspcoming.pNortonphadpturnedpo
ffphispradio.pBillypsatpbetweenphispmotherpandpme,pwatchingpthepsky,pfascinated.pThunderpboomed,prollingpslowlypacrossptheplakepandpth
enpechoingpbackpagain.pThepcloudsptwistedpandprolled,pnowpblack,pnowppurple,pnowpveined,pnowpblackpagain.pTheypgraduallypoverspre
adptheplake,pandpIpcouldpseepapdelicatepcaulpofprainpextendingpdownpfrompthem.pItpwaspstillpapdistancepaway.pAspwepwatched,pitpwaspprob
ablyprainingponpBolster'spMills,porpmaybepevenpNorway.
file://C:\DocumentspandpSettings\Owner\MypDocuments\DOUGIE\StephenpKing\StephenpKingp-p... 7/22/2006
,ThepMist Pagep2pofp89
Thepairpbeganptopmove,pjerkilypatpfirst,pliftingpthepflagpandpthenpdroppingpitpagain.pitpbeganptopfreshenpandpgrewpsteady,pfirstpcoolingpthepp
erspirationponpourpbodiespandpthenpseemingptopfreezepit.
ThatpwaspwhenpIpsawpthepsilverpveilprollingpacrossptheplake.pitpblottedpoutpHarrisonpinpsecondspandpthenpcamepstraightpatpus.pTheppowerbo
atsphadpvacatedpthepscene.
Billypstoodpuppfromphispchair,pwhichpwaspapminiaturepreplicapofpourpdirector'spchairs,pcompletepwithphispnamepprintedponpthepback.p"Dad
dy!pLook!"
"Let'spgopin,"pIpsaid.pIpstoodpuppandpputpmyparmparoundphispshoulders.p"
Butpdopyoupseepit?pDad,pwhatpispit?"
"Apwater-cyclone.pLet'spgopin."
Steffpthrewpapquick,pstartledpglancepatpmypfacepandpthenpsaid,p"Comepon,pBilly.pDopwhatpyourpfatherpsays."
Wepwentpinpthroughpthepslidingpglasspdoorspthatpgiveponptheplivingproom.pIpslidpthepdoorpshutponpitsptrackpandppausedpforpanotherplookpou
t.pThepsilverpveilpwaspthree-
quarterspofpthepwaypacrossptheplake.pItphadpresolvedpitselfpintopapcrazilypspinningpteacuppbetweenptheploweringpblackpskypandpthepsurfacep
ofpthepwater,pwhichphadpgonepthepcolorpofpleadpstreakedpwithpwhitepchrome.pTheplakephadpbegunptoplookpeerilyplikepthepocean,pwithphighp
wavesprollingpinpandpsendingpspumepuppfrompthepdockspandpbreakwaters.pOutpinpthepmiddle,pbigpwhitecapspwereptossingptheirpheadspbac
kpandpforth.
Watchingpthepwater-
cyclonepwasphypnotic.pItpwaspnearlyponptoppofpuspwhenplightningpflashedpsopbrightlypthatpitpprintedpeverythingponpmypeyespinpnegativepfo
rpthirtypsecondspafterward.pTheptelephonepgavepoutpapstartledpting!pandpIpturnedptopseepmypwifepandpsonpstandingpdirectlypinpfrontpofpthepb
ig-picturepwindowpthatpgivespuspappanoramicpviewpofptheplakeptopthepnorthwest.
Onepofpthosepterriblepvisionspcameptopme-Ipthinkptheyparepreservedpexclusivelypforphusbandspandpfathers-
ofptheppicturepwindowpblowingpinpwithpaplowphardpcoughingpsoundpandpsendingpjaggedparrowspofpglasspintopmypwife'spbarepstomach,pint
opmypboy'spfacepandpneck.pThephorrorspofpthepInquisitionparepnothingpcomparedptopthepfatespyourpmindpcanpimaginepforpyourplovedpones.
Ipgrabbedpthempbothphardpandpjerkedpthempaway.p"Whatpthephellparepyoupdoing?pGetpawaypfrompthere!"
Steffpgavepmepapstartledpglance.pBillyponlyplookedpatpmepaspifphephadpbeenppartiallypawakenedpfrompapdeeppdream.pIpledpthempintopthepkit
chenpandphitptheplightpswitch.pThepphonepting-a-lingedpagain.
Thenpthepwindpcame.pItpwaspaspifpthephousephadptakenpoffplikepap747.pItpwaspaphigh,pbreathlesspwhistling,psometimespdeepeningptopapbassp
roarpbeforepglissadingpupptopapwhoopingpscream.
"Gopdownstairs,"pIptoldpSteff,pandpnowpIphadptopshoutptopmakepmyselfpheard.pDirectlypoverpthephousepthunderpwhackedpmammothpplank
sptogetherpandpBillypshrankpagainstpmypleg.
"Youpcomeptoo!"pSteffpyelledpback.
Ipnoddedpandpmadepshooingpgestures.pIphadptopprypBillypoffpmypleg.p"Gopwithpyourpmother.pIpwantptopgetpsomepcandlespinpcaseptheplightsp
gopoff."
Hepwentpwithpher,pandpIpstartedpopeningpcabinets.pCandlesparepfunnypthings,pyoupknow.pYouplaypthempbypeverypspring,pknowingpthatpaps
ummerpstormpmaypknockpoutptheppower.pAndpwhenptheptimeptomes,ptheyphide.
Ipwasppawingpthroughpthepfourthpcabinet,ppastpthephalf-
ouncepofpgrasspthatpSteffpandpIpboughtpfourpyearspagopandphadpstillpnotpsmokedpmuchpof,ppastpBilly'spwind-
uppsetpofpchatteringpteethpfrompthepAuburnpNoveltypShop,ppastpthepdriftspofpphotospSteffypkeptpforgettingptopgluepinpourpalbum.pIplookedp
underpapSearspcataloguepandpbehindpapKewpiepdollpfrompTaiwanpthatpIphadpwonpatpthepFryeburgpFairpknockingpoverpwoodenpmilkpbottle
spwithptennispballs.
IpfoundpthepcandlespbehindpthepKewpiepdollpwithpitspglazedpdeadpman'speyes.pTheypwerepstillpwrappedpinptheirpcellophane.pAspmyphand
pclosedparoundpthemptheplightspwentpoutpandptheponlypelectricitypwaspthepstuffpinpthepsky.pThepdiningproompwasplitpinpapseriespofpshutter-
pflashespthatpwerepwhitepandppurple.pDownstairspIpheardpBillypstartptopcrypandptheplowpmurmurpofpSteffpsoothingphim.
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,ThepMist Pagep3pofp89
Iphadptophaveponepmoreplookpatpthepstorm.
Thepwater-
cyclonephadpeitherppassedpusporpbrokenpuppwhenpitpreachedpthepshoreline,pbutpIpstillpcouldn'tpseeptwentypyardspoutpontoptheplake.pThepwat
erpwaspinpcompletepturmoil.pIpsawpsomeone'spdock-thepJassers',pmaybe-
hurrypbypwithpitspmainpsupportspalternatelypturnedpupptopthepskypandpburiedpinpthepchurningpwater.
Ipwentpdownstairs.pBillypranptopmepandpclungptopmyplegs.pIpliftedphimpuppandpgavephimpaphug.pThenpIplitpthepcandies.pWepsatpinpthepguestpr
oompdownpthephallpfrompmyplittlepstudiopandplookedpatpeachpother'spfacespinpthepflickeringpyellowpglowpandplistenedptopthepstormproarpan
dpbashpatpourphouse.pAboutptwentypminutesplaterpwepheardpapripping,prendingpcrashpasponepofpthepbigppinespwentpdownpnearby.pThenpther
epwaspaplull.
"Ispitpover?"pSteffpasked.
"Maybe,"pIpsaid.p"Maybeponlypforpapwhile.
Wepwentpupstairs,peachpofpuspcarryingpapcandle,plikepmonkspgoingptopvespers.pBillypcarriedphispproudlypandpcarefully.pCarryingpapcan
dle,pcarryingpthepfire,pwaspapverypbigpdealpforphim.pitphelpedphimpforgetpaboutpbeingpafraid.
Itpwasptoopdarkptopseepwhatpdamagephadpbeenpdoneparoundpthephouse.pItpwasppastpBilly'spbedtime,pbutpneitherpofpuspsuggestedpputtingphi
mpin.pWepsatpinptheplivingproom,plistenedptopthepwind,pandplookedpatptheplightning.
Aboutpanphourplaterpitpbeganptopcrankpuppagain.pForpthreepweeksptheptemperaturephadpbeenpoverpninety,pandponpsixpofpthoseptwenty-
onepdayspthepNationalpWeatherpServicepstationpatpthepPortlandpJetportphadpreportedptemperaturespofpoverponephundredpdegrees.pQueerp
weather.pCoupledpwithpthepgruelingpwinterpwephadpcomepthroughpandptheplatepspring,psomeppeoplephadpdraggedpoutpthatpoldpchestnutpa
boutptheplong-rangepresultspofpthepfiftiespA-
bombptestspagain.pThat,pandpofpcourse,pthependpofpthepworld.pThepoldestpchestnutpofpthempall.
Thepsecondpsquallpwasn'tpsophard,pbutpwepheardpthepcrashpofpseveralptreespweakenedpbypthepfirstponslaught.pAspthepwindpbeganptopdiepdo
wnpagain,ponepthuddedpheavilyponptheproof,plikepapfistpdroppedponpapcoffinplid.pBillypjumpedpandplookedpapprehensivelypupward.
"It'llphold,pchamp,"pIpsaid.pBi
llypsmiledpnervously.
Aroundptenpo'clockptheplastpsquallpcame.pItpwaspbad.pThepwindphowledpalmostpasploudlypaspitphadpthepfirstptime,pandplightningpseemedptop
bepflashingpallparoundpus.pMoreptreespfell,pandptherepwaspapsplinteringpcrashpdownpbypthepwaterpthatpmadepSteffputterpaplowpcry.pBillypha
dpgoneptopsleepponpherplap.
"David,pwhatpwaspthat?"
"Ipthinkpitpwaspthepboathouse."p"O
h.pOh,pJesus."
"Steffy,pIpwantpusptopgopdownstairspagain."pIptookpBillypinpmyparmspandpstoodpuppwithphim.pSteffspeyespwerepbigpandpfrightened.p"Dav
id,parepwepgoingptopbepallpright
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Wepwentpdownstairs.pTenpminutesplater,paspthepfinalpsquallppeaked,ptherepwaspapsplinteringpcrashpfrompupstairs-
theppicturepwindow.pSopmaybepmypvisionpearlierphadn'tpbeenpsopcrazypafterpall.pSteff,pwhophadpbeenpdozing,pwokepuppwithpaplittlepshriek,
pandpBillypstirredpuneasilypinpthepguestpbed.
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, ThepMist Pagep4pofp89
"Theprainpwillpcomepin,"pshepsaid.p"It'llpruinpthepfurniture."p
"Ifpitpdoes,pitpdoes.pIt'spinsured."
"Thatpdoesn'tpmakepitpanypbetter,"pshepsaidpinpanpupset,pscoldingpvoice.p"Yourpmother'spdresserp...pourpnewpsofa....pthepcolourpTV..."p"Shh
h,"pIpsaid.p"Goptopsleep."
"Ipcan't,"pshepsaid,pandpfivepminutesplaterpshephad.
Ipstayedpawakepforpanotherphalfphourpwithponeplitpcandlepforpcompany,plisteningptopthepthunderpwalkpandptalkpoutside.pIphadpapfeelingpt
hatptherepwerepgoingptopbepaplotpofppeoplepfromptheplakefrontpcommunitiespcallingptheirpinsurancepagentspinpthepmorning,paplotpofpchai
nsawspburringpaspcottagepownerspcutpupptheptreespthatphadpfallenponptheirproofspandpbatteredpthroughptheirpwindows,pandpaplotpofporan
gepCMPptrucksponptheproad.
Thepstormpwaspfadingpnow,pwithpnopsignpofpapnewpsquallpcomingpin.pIpwentpbackpupstairs,pleavingpSteffpandpBillyponpthepbed,pandplooke
dpintoptheplivingproom.pThepslidingpglasspdoorphadpheld.pButpwhereptheppicturepwindowphadpbeenptherepwaspnowpapjaggedpholepstuffedp
withpbirchpleaves.pItpwasptheptoppofpthepoldptreepthatphadpstoodpbypourpoutsidepbasementpaccesspforpasplongpaspIpcouldpremember.pLookin
gpatpitsptop,pnowpvisitingpinpourplivingproom,pIpcouldpunderstandpwhatpSteffphadpmeantpbypsayingpinsurancepdidn'tpmakepitpanypbetter.pIph
adplovedpthatptree.pItphadpbeenpaphardpcampaignerpofpmanypwinters,ptheponeptreeponptheplakesidepofpthephousepthatpwaspexemptpfrompmyp
ownpchainsaw.pBigpchunkspofpglassponptheprugpreflectedpmypcandle-
flamepoverpandpover.pIpremindedpmyselfptopwarnpSteffpandpBilly.pTheypwouldpwantptopwearptheirpslipperspinphere.pBothpofpthemplikedptop
slopparoundpbarefootpinpthepmorning.
Ipwentpdownstairspagain.pAllpthreepofpuspsleptptogetherpinpthepguestpbed,pBillypbetweenpSteffpandpme.pIphadpapdreampthatpIpsawpGodpwalk
ingpacrosspHarrisonponpthepfarpsidepofptheplake,papGodpsopgiganticpthatpabovephispwaistpHepwasplostpinpapclearpbluepsky.pInpthepdreampIpco
uldphearptheprendingpcrackpandpsplinterpofpbreakingptreespaspGodpstampedpthepwoodspintopthepshapepofpHispfootsteps.pHepwasp circlingpth
eplake,pcomingptowardpthepBridgtonpside,ptowardpus,pandpallpthephousespandpcottagespandpsummerpplacespwerepburstingpintoppurple-
whitepflameplikeplightning,pandpsoonpthepsmokepcoveredpeverything.pThepsmokepcoveredpeverythingplikepapMist.
II. AfterpthepStorm.pNorton.pApTripptopTown.
"Jeee-pers,"pBillypsaid.
HepwaspstandingpbypthepfencepthatpseparatespourppropertypfrompNorton'spandplookingpdownpourpdriveway.pThepdrivewayprunspapquarterp
ofpapmileptopapcampproadpwhich,pinpitspturn,prunspaboutpthree-quarterspofpmileptopapstretchpofptwo-lanepblacktop,pcalledpKansaspRoad.
FrompKansaspRoadpyoupcanpgopanywherepyoupwant,pasplongpaspit'spBridgton.
I sawpwhatpBillypwasplookingpatpandpmypheartpwentpcold.
p p
"Don'tpgopanypcloser,pchamp.pRightptherepispclosepenough."pBi
llypdidn'tpargue.
Thepmorningpwaspbrightpandpaspclearpaspapbell.pThepsky,pwhichphadpbeenpapmushy,phazypcolorpduringpthepheatpwave,phadpregainedpapdee
p,pcrisppbluepthatpwaspnearlypautumnal.pTherepwaspaplightpbreeze,pmakingpcheerfulpsun-
dapplespmovepbackpandpforthpinpthepdriveway.pNotpfarpfrompwherepBillypwaspstandingptherepwaspapsteadyphissingpnoise,pandpinpthepgrass
ptherepwaspwhatpyoupmightpatpfirstphaveptakenpforpapwrithingpbundlepofpsnakes.pTheppowerplinespleadingptopourphousephadpfallenpinpanpunt
idyptanglepaboutptwentypfeetpawaypandplaypinpapburnedppatchpofpgrass.pTheypwereptwistingplazilypandpspitting.pifptheptreespandpgrassphadn
'tpbeenpsopcompletelypdampedpdownpbyptheptorrentialprains,pthephousepmightphavepgonepup.pAspitpwas,ptherepwasponlypthatpblackppatchpw
herepthepwiresphadptouchedpdirectly.
"Couldpthatplectercutepapperson,pDaddy?"p"
Yeah.pitpcould."
"Whatparepwepgoingptopdopaboutpit?"
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The Mist p
I. ThepComingpofpthepStorm.
Thispispwhatphappened.pOnpthepnightpthatpthepworstpheatpwavepinpnorthernpNewpEnglandphistorypfinallypbroke-thepnightpofpJulyp19-
thepentirepwesternpMainepregionpwasplashedpwithpthepmostpviciouspthunderstormspIphavepeverpseen.
WeplivedponpLongpLake,pandpwepsawpthepfirstpofpthepstormspbeatingpitspwaypacrosspthepwaterptowardpuspjustpbeforepdark.pForpanphourpbef
ore,pthepairphadpbeenputterlypstill.pThepAmericanpflagpthatpmypfatherpputpupponpourpboathousepinp1936playplimppagainstpitsppole.pNotpeven
pitsphempfluttered.pThepheatpwasplikepapsolidpthing,pandpitpseemedpaspdeeppaspsullenpquarry-
water.pThatpafternoonpthepthreepofpusphadpgonepswimming,pbutpthepwaterpwaspnopreliefpunlesspyoupwentpoutpdeep.pNeitherpSteffypnorpIpw
antedptopgopdeeppbecausepBillypcouldn't.pBillypispfive.
Wepatepapcoldpsupperpatpfive-
thirty,ppickingplistlesslypatphampsandwichespandppotatopsaladpoutponpthepdeckpthatpfacesptheplake.pNobodypseemedptopwantpanythingpbutpP
epsi,pwhichpwaspinpapsteelpbucketpofpicepcubes.
AfterpsupperpBillypwentpoutpbackptopplayponphispmonkeypbarspforpapwhile.pSteffpandpIpsatpwithoutptalkingpmuch,psmokingpandplookingpac
rosspthepsullenpflatpmirrorpofptheplakeptopHarrisonponpthepfarpside.pApfewppowerboatspdronedpbackpandpforth.pThepevergreenspoverpthereplo
okedpdustypandpbeaten.pInpthepwest,pgreatppurplepthunderheadspwerepslowlypbuildingpup,pmassingplikepanparmy.pLightningpflashedpinside
pthem.pNextpdoor,pBrentpNorton'spradio,ptunedptopthatpclassical-
musicpstationpthatpbroadcastspfromptheptoppofpMountpWashington,psentpoutpaploudpbraypofpstaticpeachptimeptheplightningpflashed.pNortonp
waspaplawyerpfrom
NewpJerseypandphispplaceponpLongpLakepwasponlypapsummerpcottagepwithpnopfurnaceporpinsulation.pTwopyearspbefore,pwephadpapboundar
ypdisputepthatpfinallypwoundpuppinpcountypcourt.pIpwon.pNortonpclaimedpIpwonpbecausephepwaspanpout-of-
towner.pTherepwaspnoploveplostpbetweenpus.
Steffpsighedpandpfannedptheptoppofpherpbreastspwithpthepedgepofpherp-
halter.pIpdoubtedpifpitpcooledpherpoffpmuchpbutpitpimprovedpthepviewpaplot.
"pIpdon'tpwantptopscarepyou,"pIpsaid,p"butpthere'spapbadpstormponpthepway,pIpthink."
Sheplookedpatpmepdoubtfully.p"Therepwerepthunderheadsplastpnightpandpthepnightpbefore,pDavid.pTheypjustpbrokepup."p"
Theypwon'tpdopthatptonight."
"No?"
"Ifpitpgetspbadpenough,pwe'repgoingptopgopdownstairs."p"Ho
wpbadpdopyoupthinkpitpcanpget?"
Mypdadpwaspthepfirstptopbuildpapyear-
roundphomeponpthispsidepofptheplake.pWhenphepwasphardlypmorepthanpapkidphepandphispbrotherspputpuppapsummerpplacepwherepthephousep
nowpstood,pandpinp1938papsummerpstormpknockedpitpflat,pstonepwallspandpall.pOnlypthepboathousepescaped.pApyearplaterphepstartedpthepbi
gphouse.pit'sptheptreespthatpdopthepdamagepinpapbadpblow.pTheypgetpold,pandpthepwindpknockspthempover.pIt'spmotherpnature'spwaypofpclea
ningphousepperiodically.
"Ipdon'tpreallypknow,"pIpsaid,ptruthfullypenough.pIphadponlypheardpstoriespaboutpthepgreatpstormpofpthirty-
eight.p"Butpthepwindpcanpcomepoffptheplakeplikepanpexpressptrain."
Billypcamepbackpapwhileplater,pcomplainingpthatpthepmonkeypbarspwerepnopfunpbecausephepwasp"allpsweatedpup."pIpruffledphisphairpandpga
vephimpanotherpPepsi.pMorepworkpforpthepdentist.
Thepthunderheadspwerepgettingpcloser,ppushingpawaypthepblue.pTherepwaspnopdoubtpnowpthatpapstormpwaspcoming.pNortonphadpturnedpo
ffphispradio.pBillypsatpbetweenphispmotherpandpme,pwatchingpthepsky,pfascinated.pThunderpboomed,prollingpslowlypacrossptheplakepandpth
enpechoingpbackpagain.pThepcloudsptwistedpandprolled,pnowpblack,pnowppurple,pnowpveined,pnowpblackpagain.pTheypgraduallypoverspre
adptheplake,pandpIpcouldpseepapdelicatepcaulpofprainpextendingpdownpfrompthem.pItpwaspstillpapdistancepaway.pAspwepwatched,pitpwaspprob
ablyprainingponpBolster'spMills,porpmaybepevenpNorway.
file://C:\DocumentspandpSettings\Owner\MypDocuments\DOUGIE\StephenpKing\StephenpKingp-p... 7/22/2006
,ThepMist Pagep2pofp89
Thepairpbeganptopmove,pjerkilypatpfirst,pliftingpthepflagpandpthenpdroppingpitpagain.pitpbeganptopfreshenpandpgrewpsteady,pfirstpcoolingpthepp
erspirationponpourpbodiespandpthenpseemingptopfreezepit.
ThatpwaspwhenpIpsawpthepsilverpveilprollingpacrossptheplake.pitpblottedpoutpHarrisonpinpsecondspandpthenpcamepstraightpatpus.pTheppowerbo
atsphadpvacatedpthepscene.
Billypstoodpuppfromphispchair,pwhichpwaspapminiaturepreplicapofpourpdirector'spchairs,pcompletepwithphispnamepprintedponpthepback.p"Dad
dy!pLook!"
"Let'spgopin,"pIpsaid.pIpstoodpuppandpputpmyparmparoundphispshoulders.p"
Butpdopyoupseepit?pDad,pwhatpispit?"
"Apwater-cyclone.pLet'spgopin."
Steffpthrewpapquick,pstartledpglancepatpmypfacepandpthenpsaid,p"Comepon,pBilly.pDopwhatpyourpfatherpsays."
Wepwentpinpthroughpthepslidingpglasspdoorspthatpgiveponptheplivingproom.pIpslidpthepdoorpshutponpitsptrackpandppausedpforpanotherplookpou
t.pThepsilverpveilpwaspthree-
quarterspofpthepwaypacrossptheplake.pItphadpresolvedpitselfpintopapcrazilypspinningpteacuppbetweenptheploweringpblackpskypandpthepsurfacep
ofpthepwater,pwhichphadpgonepthepcolorpofpleadpstreakedpwithpwhitepchrome.pTheplakephadpbegunptoplookpeerilyplikepthepocean,pwithphighp
wavesprollingpinpandpsendingpspumepuppfrompthepdockspandpbreakwaters.pOutpinpthepmiddle,pbigpwhitecapspwereptossingptheirpheadspbac
kpandpforth.
Watchingpthepwater-
cyclonepwasphypnotic.pItpwaspnearlyponptoppofpuspwhenplightningpflashedpsopbrightlypthatpitpprintedpeverythingponpmypeyespinpnegativepfo
rpthirtypsecondspafterward.pTheptelephonepgavepoutpapstartledpting!pandpIpturnedptopseepmypwifepandpsonpstandingpdirectlypinpfrontpofpthepb
ig-picturepwindowpthatpgivespuspappanoramicpviewpofptheplakeptopthepnorthwest.
Onepofpthosepterriblepvisionspcameptopme-Ipthinkptheyparepreservedpexclusivelypforphusbandspandpfathers-
ofptheppicturepwindowpblowingpinpwithpaplowphardpcoughingpsoundpandpsendingpjaggedparrowspofpglasspintopmypwife'spbarepstomach,pint
opmypboy'spfacepandpneck.pThephorrorspofpthepInquisitionparepnothingpcomparedptopthepfatespyourpmindpcanpimaginepforpyourplovedpones.
Ipgrabbedpthempbothphardpandpjerkedpthempaway.p"Whatpthephellparepyoupdoing?pGetpawaypfrompthere!"
Steffpgavepmepapstartledpglance.pBillyponlyplookedpatpmepaspifphephadpbeenppartiallypawakenedpfrompapdeeppdream.pIpledpthempintopthepkit
chenpandphitptheplightpswitch.pThepphonepting-a-lingedpagain.
Thenpthepwindpcame.pItpwaspaspifpthephousephadptakenpoffplikepap747.pItpwaspaphigh,pbreathlesspwhistling,psometimespdeepeningptopapbassp
roarpbeforepglissadingpupptopapwhoopingpscream.
"Gopdownstairs,"pIptoldpSteff,pandpnowpIphadptopshoutptopmakepmyselfpheard.pDirectlypoverpthephousepthunderpwhackedpmammothpplank
sptogetherpandpBillypshrankpagainstpmypleg.
"Youpcomeptoo!"pSteffpyelledpback.
Ipnoddedpandpmadepshooingpgestures.pIphadptopprypBillypoffpmypleg.p"Gopwithpyourpmother.pIpwantptopgetpsomepcandlespinpcaseptheplightsp
gopoff."
Hepwentpwithpher,pandpIpstartedpopeningpcabinets.pCandlesparepfunnypthings,pyoupknow.pYouplaypthempbypeverypspring,pknowingpthatpaps
ummerpstormpmaypknockpoutptheppower.pAndpwhenptheptimeptomes,ptheyphide.
Ipwasppawingpthroughpthepfourthpcabinet,ppastpthephalf-
ouncepofpgrasspthatpSteffpandpIpboughtpfourpyearspagopandphadpstillpnotpsmokedpmuchpof,ppastpBilly'spwind-
uppsetpofpchatteringpteethpfrompthepAuburnpNoveltypShop,ppastpthepdriftspofpphotospSteffypkeptpforgettingptopgluepinpourpalbum.pIplookedp
underpapSearspcataloguepandpbehindpapKewpiepdollpfrompTaiwanpthatpIphadpwonpatpthepFryeburgpFairpknockingpoverpwoodenpmilkpbottle
spwithptennispballs.
IpfoundpthepcandlespbehindpthepKewpiepdollpwithpitspglazedpdeadpman'speyes.pTheypwerepstillpwrappedpinptheirpcellophane.pAspmyphand
pclosedparoundpthemptheplightspwentpoutpandptheponlypelectricitypwaspthepstuffpinpthepsky.pThepdiningproompwasplitpinpapseriespofpshutter-
pflashespthatpwerepwhitepandppurple.pDownstairspIpheardpBillypstartptopcrypandptheplowpmurmurpofpSteffpsoothingphim.
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,ThepMist Pagep3pofp89
Iphadptophaveponepmoreplookpatpthepstorm.
Thepwater-
cyclonephadpeitherppassedpusporpbrokenpuppwhenpitpreachedpthepshoreline,pbutpIpstillpcouldn'tpseeptwentypyardspoutpontoptheplake.pThepwat
erpwaspinpcompletepturmoil.pIpsawpsomeone'spdock-thepJassers',pmaybe-
hurrypbypwithpitspmainpsupportspalternatelypturnedpupptopthepskypandpburiedpinpthepchurningpwater.
Ipwentpdownstairs.pBillypranptopmepandpclungptopmyplegs.pIpliftedphimpuppandpgavephimpaphug.pThenpIplitpthepcandies.pWepsatpinpthepguestpr
oompdownpthephallpfrompmyplittlepstudiopandplookedpatpeachpother'spfacespinpthepflickeringpyellowpglowpandplistenedptopthepstormproarpan
dpbashpatpourphouse.pAboutptwentypminutesplaterpwepheardpapripping,prendingpcrashpasponepofpthepbigppinespwentpdownpnearby.pThenpther
epwaspaplull.
"Ispitpover?"pSteffpasked.
"Maybe,"pIpsaid.p"Maybeponlypforpapwhile.
Wepwentpupstairs,peachpofpuspcarryingpapcandle,plikepmonkspgoingptopvespers.pBillypcarriedphispproudlypandpcarefully.pCarryingpapcan
dle,pcarryingpthepfire,pwaspapverypbigpdealpforphim.pitphelpedphimpforgetpaboutpbeingpafraid.
Itpwasptoopdarkptopseepwhatpdamagephadpbeenpdoneparoundpthephouse.pItpwasppastpBilly'spbedtime,pbutpneitherpofpuspsuggestedpputtingphi
mpin.pWepsatpinptheplivingproom,plistenedptopthepwind,pandplookedpatptheplightning.
Aboutpanphourplaterpitpbeganptopcrankpuppagain.pForpthreepweeksptheptemperaturephadpbeenpoverpninety,pandponpsixpofpthoseptwenty-
onepdayspthepNationalpWeatherpServicepstationpatpthepPortlandpJetportphadpreportedptemperaturespofpoverponephundredpdegrees.pQueerp
weather.pCoupledpwithpthepgruelingpwinterpwephadpcomepthroughpandptheplatepspring,psomeppeoplephadpdraggedpoutpthatpoldpchestnutpa
boutptheplong-rangepresultspofpthepfiftiespA-
bombptestspagain.pThat,pandpofpcourse,pthependpofpthepworld.pThepoldestpchestnutpofpthempall.
Thepsecondpsquallpwasn'tpsophard,pbutpwepheardpthepcrashpofpseveralptreespweakenedpbypthepfirstponslaught.pAspthepwindpbeganptopdiepdo
wnpagain,ponepthuddedpheavilyponptheproof,plikepapfistpdroppedponpapcoffinplid.pBillypjumpedpandplookedpapprehensivelypupward.
"It'llphold,pchamp,"pIpsaid.pBi
llypsmiledpnervously.
Aroundptenpo'clockptheplastpsquallpcame.pItpwaspbad.pThepwindphowledpalmostpasploudlypaspitphadpthepfirstptime,pandplightningpseemedptop
bepflashingpallparoundpus.pMoreptreespfell,pandptherepwaspapsplinteringpcrashpdownpbypthepwaterpthatpmadepSteffputterpaplowpcry.pBillypha
dpgoneptopsleepponpherplap.
"David,pwhatpwaspthat?"
"Ipthinkpitpwaspthepboathouse."p"O
h.pOh,pJesus."
"Steffy,pIpwantpusptopgopdownstairspagain."pIptookpBillypinpmyparmspandpstoodpuppwithphim.pSteffspeyespwerepbigpandpfrightened.p"Dav
id,parepwepgoingptopbepallpright
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Wepwentpdownstairs.pTenpminutesplater,paspthepfinalpsquallppeaked,ptherepwaspapsplinteringpcrashpfrompupstairs-
theppicturepwindow.pSopmaybepmypvisionpearlierphadn'tpbeenpsopcrazypafterpall.pSteff,pwhophadpbeenpdozing,pwokepuppwithpaplittlepshriek,
pandpBillypstirredpuneasilypinpthepguestpbed.
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, ThepMist Pagep4pofp89
"Theprainpwillpcomepin,"pshepsaid.p"It'llpruinpthepfurniture."p
"Ifpitpdoes,pitpdoes.pIt'spinsured."
"Thatpdoesn'tpmakepitpanypbetter,"pshepsaidpinpanpupset,pscoldingpvoice.p"Yourpmother'spdresserp...pourpnewpsofa....pthepcolourpTV..."p"Shh
h,"pIpsaid.p"Goptopsleep."
"Ipcan't,"pshepsaid,pandpfivepminutesplaterpshephad.
Ipstayedpawakepforpanotherphalfphourpwithponeplitpcandlepforpcompany,plisteningptopthepthunderpwalkpandptalkpoutside.pIphadpapfeelingpt
hatptherepwerepgoingptopbepaplotpofppeoplepfromptheplakefrontpcommunitiespcallingptheirpinsurancepagentspinpthepmorning,paplotpofpchai
nsawspburringpaspcottagepownerspcutpupptheptreespthatphadpfallenponptheirproofspandpbatteredpthroughptheirpwindows,pandpaplotpofporan
gepCMPptrucksponptheproad.
Thepstormpwaspfadingpnow,pwithpnopsignpofpapnewpsquallpcomingpin.pIpwentpbackpupstairs,pleavingpSteffpandpBillyponpthepbed,pandplooke
dpintoptheplivingproom.pThepslidingpglasspdoorphadpheld.pButpwhereptheppicturepwindowphadpbeenptherepwaspnowpapjaggedpholepstuffedp
withpbirchpleaves.pItpwasptheptoppofpthepoldptreepthatphadpstoodpbypourpoutsidepbasementpaccesspforpasplongpaspIpcouldpremember.pLookin
gpatpitsptop,pnowpvisitingpinpourplivingproom,pIpcouldpunderstandpwhatpSteffphadpmeantpbypsayingpinsurancepdidn'tpmakepitpanypbetter.pIph
adplovedpthatptree.pItphadpbeenpaphardpcampaignerpofpmanypwinters,ptheponeptreeponptheplakesidepofpthephousepthatpwaspexemptpfrompmyp
ownpchainsaw.pBigpchunkspofpglassponptheprugpreflectedpmypcandle-
flamepoverpandpover.pIpremindedpmyselfptopwarnpSteffpandpBilly.pTheypwouldpwantptopwearptheirpslipperspinphere.pBothpofpthemplikedptop
slopparoundpbarefootpinpthepmorning.
Ipwentpdownstairspagain.pAllpthreepofpuspsleptptogetherpinpthepguestpbed,pBillypbetweenpSteffpandpme.pIphadpapdreampthatpIpsawpGodpwalk
ingpacrosspHarrisonponpthepfarpsidepofptheplake,papGodpsopgiganticpthatpabovephispwaistpHepwasplostpinpapclearpbluepsky.pInpthepdreampIpco
uldphearptheprendingpcrackpandpsplinterpofpbreakingptreespaspGodpstampedpthepwoodspintopthepshapepofpHispfootsteps.pHepwasp circlingpth
eplake,pcomingptowardpthepBridgtonpside,ptowardpus,pandpallpthephousespandpcottagespandpsummerpplacespwerepburstingpintoppurple-
whitepflameplikeplightning,pandpsoonpthepsmokepcoveredpeverything.pThepsmokepcoveredpeverythingplikepapMist.
II. AfterpthepStorm.pNorton.pApTripptopTown.
"Jeee-pers,"pBillypsaid.
HepwaspstandingpbypthepfencepthatpseparatespourppropertypfrompNorton'spandplookingpdownpourpdriveway.pThepdrivewayprunspapquarterp
ofpapmileptopapcampproadpwhich,pinpitspturn,prunspaboutpthree-quarterspofpmileptopapstretchpofptwo-lanepblacktop,pcalledpKansaspRoad.
FrompKansaspRoadpyoupcanpgopanywherepyoupwant,pasplongpaspit'spBridgton.
I sawpwhatpBillypwasplookingpatpandpmypheartpwentpcold.
p p
"Don'tpgopanypcloser,pchamp.pRightptherepispclosepenough."pBi
llypdidn'tpargue.
Thepmorningpwaspbrightpandpaspclearpaspapbell.pThepsky,pwhichphadpbeenpapmushy,phazypcolorpduringpthepheatpwave,phadpregainedpapdee
p,pcrisppbluepthatpwaspnearlypautumnal.pTherepwaspaplightpbreeze,pmakingpcheerfulpsun-
dapplespmovepbackpandpforthpinpthepdriveway.pNotpfarpfrompwherepBillypwaspstandingptherepwaspapsteadyphissingpnoise,pandpinpthepgrass
ptherepwaspwhatpyoupmightpatpfirstphaveptakenpforpapwrithingpbundlepofpsnakes.pTheppowerplinespleadingptopourphousephadpfallenpinpanpunt
idyptanglepaboutptwentypfeetpawaypandplaypinpapburnedppatchpofpgrass.pTheypwereptwistingplazilypandpspitting.pifptheptreespandpgrassphadn
'tpbeenpsopcompletelypdampedpdownpbyptheptorrentialprains,pthephousepmightphavepgonepup.pAspitpwas,ptherepwasponlypthatpblackppatchpw
herepthepwiresphadptouchedpdirectly.
"Couldpthatplectercutepapperson,pDaddy?"p"
Yeah.pitpcould."
"Whatparepwepgoingptopdopaboutpit?"
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