"Are you quite comfortable, sir?" Micky said. "Let me adjust your pillows."
"Please don't trouble, they're all right," said Seth, but Micky reached behind him and pulled out a big feather pillow.
Micky looked at the old man and hesitated.
Fear flashed in Seth's eyes and he opened his mouth to call out.
Before he could make a sound Micky smothered his face with the pillow and pushed his head back down.
Unfortunately, Seth's arms were outside the bedclothes, and now his hands grasped Micky's forearms with surprising strength. Micky stared in horror at the aged talons clamped to his coat sleeves, but he held on with all his might. Seth clawed desperately at Micky's arms but the younger man was stronger.
When that failed Seth began to kick his legs and squirm. He could not escape from Micky's grasp, but Hugh's old bed squeaked, and Micky was terrified that the nurse might hear and come in to investigate. The only way he could think of to keep the old man still was to lie on top of him. Still holding the pillow over Seth's face, Micky got on the bed and lay on the writhing body. It was grotesquely reminiscent of sex with an unwilling woman, Micky thought crazily, and he suppressed the hysterical laughter that bubbled to his lips. Seth continued to struggle but his movements were restrained by Micky's weight and the bed ceased to squeak. Micky held on grimly.
At last all movement ceased. Micky remained in place as long as he dared, to make sure; then he cautiously removed the pillow and stared at the white, still face. The eyes were closed but the features were still. The old man looked dead. Micky had to check for a heartbeat. Slowly and fearfully, he lowered his head to Seth's chest.
Suddenly the old man's eyes opened wide and he took a huge, dragging breath.
Micky almost cried aloud with horror. A moment later he regained his wits and shoved the pillow over Seth's face again. He felt himself shaking weakly with fear and disgust as he held it down; but there was no more resistance.
