with the wind again…there where the pulse beats…what is holding me back?…caution…caution, "I am
going to take his temperature"…that's it, careful, "I am going to take his temperature."…Now-one quick
spring, then into his throat where the pulse beats…"Not with that you don't!"…Who said that?…still
holding me…rage, consuming and ruthless blackness and the sound of a vast wind roaring away and
away…
I heard a voice: "Slap him again, Bill, but not so hard. He's coming around." I felt a stinging blow on my
face. The dancing mists cleared from before my eyes. I was standing halfway between the nurse's table
and Ricori's bed. The guard Jack held my arms pinioned to my sides. The guard Bill's hand was still
raised. There was something clenched tightly in my own hand. I looked down. It was a strong scalpel,
razor-edged!