The Man Who Melted Read Online Free Page A

grinned at him, just as Josiane used to do.

    The streets were empty—not a shadow moving, not a sound. It was dark, but the crooked, and usually deadly, intersecting streets were well lit, for anyone caught trying to break one of the kliegs would be torn limb from limb. The common folk had their own notions of law. However, enough lamps were broken to create a patchwork effect of white, black, and gray.
    They were almost out of Spacca. Victoria seemed suddenly alert, her head cocked, as if listening to someone who was talking too low.
    â€œI don't like this,” Mantle said. His chest was aching, but he ignored it.
    â€œIt is very bad,” Melzi agreed. “It's going to be a big one this time. I didn't expect anything like this to happen again so soon. I didn't think there were enough Screamers to do it. But you never know. All we can do is hurry. There's nothing to stop us, at least.”
    Mantle repressed an urge to slow down. He was curious, not really afraid. That , he knew, was dangerous. If Mantle was caught in a crowd of Screamers, he might not be able to resist becoming like them—very few could.
    â€œThe girl is slowing us down,” Melzi said, grasping her arm and dragging her forward. “We don't have much time. The farther we are from Spacca, the safer.”
    â€œI don't see anything yet,” Mantle said.
    â€œ Jesù , can't you feel it? Come on, hurry.”
    Mantle took her other arm. “Don't hurt her, Melzi,” Mantle said. “You're hurting her, let go of her arm.”
    â€œShe may look like your wife, Signore , but she's still a grido . She feels nothing. She's not in this world. I can smell that.”
    Victoria suddenly started dragging her feet. She shook her head back and forth, her eyes closed, face placid, as if listening to music.
    â€œWe can't drag her like this,” Melzi said. “Come on, little bird, wake up.” He slapped her back and forth on the face.
    â€œLeave her alone!” Mantle said, bracing her arms as she fell to her knees. Her head was cocked, and she began to smile.
    â€œI'm leaving, and so are you,” Melzi said. “I contracted to bring you home, and so I shall.” He pointed his heat weapon at Mantle. “Please forgive me, Signore , but if you do not come along, I will have to kill her. The smellof grido is so strong all around us that I can hardly breathe. We've no time to waste. Now leave her be.”
    Mantle felt something in the air, electricity, as if a powerful storm were about to break, only its potential energy seemed sentient. Suddenly Victoria began to scream. Long, cold streamers of sound. Melzi—who was sweating profusely and looking around in nervous, darting movements as if he were about to be attacked from every side—shot Victoria in the throat, just as he had shot the other woman. Mantle shouted, but it was too late. He was overcome with hatred and disgust and sorrow. For that instant, it was Josiane whom Melzi had shot.
    In return, Mantle shot Melzi, twice in the chest and once in the groin. It was as if Mantle's hand had a will of its own.
    â€œBut she will attract the others,” Melzi whispered, referring to the Screamers. He looked nothing but surprised for a second, and then collapsed.
    Mantle heard a distant roaring like faraway breakers. For an instant he was a child again, listening to the ocean calling his name. Then he saw the first Screamers running toward him, heads thrown back as they howled at the heavens like wolves. Thousands of them crowded the streets and alleyways, turning Spacca into commotion. Melzi had been right. The mob would converge upon them. It was a many-headed beast screaming for blood and Mantle, as if in response to Victoria's call.
    Mantle had enough time to turn and run, but when he tried, Victoria rose before him like a ghost. She called to him, promised that she was Josiane. Her skin was translucent, her rags diaphanous, and her voice was