lp

of　these　evil　spirits。　But　for　seven　days　now　after　dusk；　since　I　murdered　that

disgrace；　I’m　no　longer　able　to　control　the　jinns　and　demons　within　me。　They

rage　with　such　violence　that　I　tell　myself　they　might　calm　down　if　I　go　out　for

a　while。

After saying so； as always without knowing how； I found myself roaming

through　the　night。　I　walked　briskly；　advancing　through　snowy　streets；　muddy

passages； icy slopes and deserted sidewalks as if I would never stop。 As I

walked； descending into the dark of night； into the most remote and

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abandoned　parts　of　the　city；　I’d　ever　so　gradually　leave　my　soul　behind；　and

walking　along　the　narrow　streets；　my　footsteps　echoing　off　the　walls　of　stone

inns；　schools　and　mosques；　my　fears　would　subside。

Of　their　own　accord；　my　feet　brought　me　to　the　abandoned　streets　of　this

neighborhood　on　the　outskirts　of　the　city；　where　I　came　each　night　and　where

even　specters　and　jinns　would　shudder　to　roam。　I　heard　tell　that　half　the　men

in this neighborhood had perished in the wars with Persia and that the rest

had fled； declaring it ill…omened； but I don’t believe such superstition。 The

only　tragedy　that　has　befallen　this　good　quarter　on　account　of　the　Safavid　wars

was　the　closing　of　the　Kalenderi　dervish　house　forty　years　ago　because　it　was

suspected　of