1 twilight暮色-第23章

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The　sky　suddenly　darkened　further；　and；　as　I　looked　over　my　shoulder　to　
glare　at　the　offending　cloud；　I　realized　with　a　shock　that　two　men　were　
walking　quietly　twenty　feet　behind　me。　

They　were　from　the　same　group　I'd　passed　at　the　corner；　though　neither　
was　the　dark　one　who'd　spoken　to　me。　I　turned　my　head　forward　at　once；　
quickening　my　pace。　A　chill　that　had　nothing　to　do　with　the　weather　made　
me　shiver　again。　My　purse　was　on　a　shoulder　strap　and　I　had　it　slung　
across　my　body；　the　way　you　were　supposed　to　wear　it　so　it　wouldn't　get　
snatched。　I　knew　exactly　where　my　pepper　spray　was　—　still　in　my　duffle　
bag　under　the　bed；　never　unpacked。　I　didn't　have　much　money　with　me；　just　
a　twenty　and　some　ones；　and　I　thought　about　〃accidentally〃　dropping　my　
bag　and　walking　away。　But　a　small；　frightened　voice　in　the　back　of　my　
mind　warned　me　that　they　might　be　something　worse　than　thieves。　

I　listened　intently　to　their　quiet　footsteps；　which　were　much　too　quiet　
when　pared　to　the　boisterous　noise　they'd　been　making　earlier；　and　it　
didn't　sound　like　they　were　speeding　up；　or　getting　any　closer　to　me。　
Breathe；　I　had　to　remind　myself。　You　don't　know　they're　following　you。　I　
continued　to　walk　as　quickly　as　I　could　without　actually　running；　
focusing　on　the　righthand　turn　that　was　only　a　few　yards　away　from　me　
now。　I　could　hear　them；　staying　as　far　back　as　they'd　been　before。　A　blue　
car　turned　onto　the　street　from　the　south　and　drove　quickly　past　me。　I　
thought　of　jumping　out　in　front　of　it；　but　I　hesitated；　inhibited；　unsure　
that　I　was　really　being　pursued；　and　then　it　was　too　late。　

I　reached　the　corner；　but　a　swift　glance　revealed　that　it　was　only　a　
blind　drive　to　the　back　of　another　building。　I　was　halfturned　in　
anticipation；　I　had　to　hurriedly　correct　and　dash　across　the　narrow　
drive；　back　to　the　sidewalk。　The　street　ended　at　the　next　corner；　where　
there　was　a　stop　sign。　I　concentrated　on　the　faint　footsteps　behind　me；　
deciding　whether　or　not　to　run。　They　sounded　farther　back；　though；　and　I　
knew　they　could　outrun　me　in　any　case。　I　was　sure　to　trip　and　go　
sprawling　if　I　tried　to　go　any　faster。　The　footfalls　were　definitely　
farther　back。　I　risked　a　quick　glance　over　my　shoulder；　and　they　were　
maybe　forty　feet　back　now；　I　saw　with　relief。　But　they　were　both　staring　
at　me。　

It　seemed　to　take　forever　for　me　to　get　to　the　corner。　I　kept　my　pace　
steady；　the　men　behind　me　falling　ever　so　slightly　farther　behind　with　
every　step。　Maybe　they　realized　they　had　scared　me　and　were　sorry。　I　saw　
two　cars　going　north　pass　the　intersection　I　was　heading　for；　and　I　
exhaled　in　relief。　There　would　be　more　people　around　once　I　got　off　this　
deserted　street。　I　skipped　around　the　corner　with　a　grateful　sigh。　

And　skidded　to　a　stop。　

The　street　was　lined　on　both　sides　by　blank；　doorless；　windowless　walls。　
I　could　see　in　the　distance；　two　intersections　down；　streetlamps；　cars；　
and　more　pedestrians；　but　they　were　all　too　far　away。　Because　lounging　
against　the　western　building；　midway　down　the　street；　were　the　other　two　
men　from　the　group；　both　watching　with　excited　smiles　as　I　froze　dead　on　
the　sidewalk。　I　realized　then　that　I　wasn't　being　followed。　

I　was　being　herded。　

I　paused　for　only　a　second；　but　it　felt　like　a　very　long　time。　I　turned　
then　and　darted　to　the　other　side　of　the　road。　I　had　a　sinking　feeling　
that　it　was　a　wasted　attempt。　The　footsteps　behind　me　were　louder　now。　

〃There　you　are！〃　The　booming　voice　of　the　stocky；　darkhaired　man　
shattered　the　intense　quiet　and　made　me　jump。　In　the　gathering　darkness；　
it　seemed　like　he　was　looking　past　me。　

〃Yeah；〃　a　voice　called　loudly　from　behind　me；　making　me　jump　again　as　I　
tried　to　hurry　down　the　street。　〃We　just　took　a　little　detour。〃　

My　steps　had　to　slow　now。　I　was　closing　the　distance　between　myself　and　
the　lounging　pair　too　quickly。　I　had　a　good　loud　scream；　and　I　sucked　in　
air；　preparing　to　use　it；　but　my　throat　was　so　dry　I　wasn't　sure　how　much　
volume　I　could　manage。　With　a　quick　movement　I　slipped　my　purse　over　my　
head；　gripping　the　strap　with　one　hand；　ready　to　surrender　it　or　use　it　
as　weapon　as　need　demanded。　

The　thickset　man　shrugged　away　from　the　wall　as　I　warily　came　to　a　stop；　
and　walked　slowly　into　the　street。　

〃Stay　away　from　me；〃　I　warned　in　a　voice　that　was　supposed　to　sound　
strong　and　fearless。　But　I　was　right　about　the　dry　throat　—　no　volume。　

〃Don't　be　like　that；　sugar；〃　he　called；　and　the　raucous　laughter　started　
again　behind　me。　

I　braced　myself；　feet　apart；　trying　to　remember　through　my　panic　what　
little　selfdefense　I　knew。　Heel　of　the　hand　thrust　upward；　hopefully　
breaking　the　nose　or　shoving　it　into　the　brain。　Finger　through　the　eye　
socket　—　try　to　hook　around　and　pop　the　eye　out。　And　the　standard　knee　to　
the　groin；　of　course。　That　same　pessimistic　voice　in　my　mind　spoke　up　
then；　reminding　me　that　I　probably　wouldn't　have　a　chance　against　one　of　
them；　and　there　were　four。　Shut　up！　I　manded　the　voice　before　terror　
could　incapacitate　me。　I　wasn't　going　out　without　taking　someone　with　me。　
I　tried　to　swallow　so　I　could　build　up　a　decent　scream。　

Headlights　suddenly　flew　around　the　corner；　the　car　almost　hitting　the　
stocky　one；　forcing　him　to　jump　back　toward　the　sidewalk。　I　dove　into　the　
road　—　this　car　was　going　to　stop；　or　have　to　hit　me。　But　the　silver　car　
unexpectedly　fishtailed　around；　skidding　to　a　stop　with　the　passenger　
door　open　just　a　few　feet　from　me。　

〃Get　in；〃　a　furious　voice　manded。　

It　was　amazing　how　instantaneously　the　choking　fear　vanished；　amazing　how　
suddenly　the　feeling　of　security　washed　over　me　—　even　before　I　was　off　
the　street　—　as　soon　as　I　heard　his　voice。　I　jumped　into　the　seat；　
slamming　the　door　shut　behind　me。　

It　was　dark　in　the　car；　no　light　had　e　on　with　the　opening　of　the　
door；　and　I　could　barely　see　his　face　in　the　glow　from　the　dashboard。　The　
tires　squealed　as　he　spun　around　to　face　north；　accelerating　too　quickly；　

swerving　toward　the　stunned　men　on　the　street。　I　caught　a　glimpse　of　them　
diving　for　the　sidewalk　as　we　straightened　out　and　sped　toward　the　harbor。　

〃Put　on　your　seat　belt；〃　he　manded；　and　I　realized　I　was　clutching　the　
seat　with　both　hands。　I　quickly　obeyed；　the　snap　as　the　belt　connected　
was　loud　in　the　darkness。　He　took　a　sharp　left；　racing　forward；　blowing　
through　several　stop　signs　without　a　pause。　

But　I　felt　utterly　safe　and；　for　the　moment；　totally　unconcerned　about　
where　we　were　going。　I　stared　at　his　face　in　profound　relief；　relief　that　
went　beyond　my　sudden　deliverance。　I　studied　his　flawless　features　in　the　
limited　light；　waiting　for　my　breath　to　return　to　normal；　until　it　
occurred　to　me　that　his　expression　was　murderously　angry。　

〃Are　you　okay？〃　I　asked；　surprised　at　how　hoarse　my　voice　sounded。　

〃No；〃　he　said　curtly；　and　his　tone　was　livid。　

I　sat　in　silence；　watching　his　face　while　his　blazing　eyes　stared　
straight　ahead；　until　the　car　came　to　a　sudden　stop。　I　glanced　around；　
but　it　was　too　dark　to　see　anything　beside　the　vague　outline　of　dark　
trees　crowding　the　roadside。　We　weren't　in　town　anymore。　

〃Bella？〃　he　asked；　his　voice　tight；　controlled。　

〃Yes？〃　My　voice　was　still　rough。　I　tried　to　clear　my　throat　quietly。　

〃Are　you　all　right？〃　He　still　didn't　look　at　me；　but　the　fury　was　plain　
on　his　face。　

〃Yes；〃　I　croaked　softly。　

〃Distract　me；　please；〃　he　ordered。　

〃I'm　sorry；　what？〃　

He　exhaled　sharply。　

〃Just　prattle　about　something　unimportant　until　I　calm　down；〃　he　
clarified；　closing　his　eyes　and　pinching　the　bridge　of　his　nose　with　his　
thumb　and　forefinger。　

〃Um。〃　I　wracked　my　brain　for　something　trivial。　〃I'm　going　to　run　over　
Tyler　Crowley　tomorrow　before　school？〃　

He　was　still　squeezing　his　eyes　closed；　but　the　corner　of　his　mouth　
twitched。　

〃Why？〃　

〃He's　telling　everyone　that　he's　taking　me　to　prom　—　either　he's　insane　
or　he's　still　trying　to　make　up　for　almost　killing　me　last…　well；　you　
remember　it；　and　he　thinks　prom　is　somehow　the　correct　way　to　do　this。　So　
I　figure　if　I　endanger　his　life；　then　we're　even；　and　he　can't　keep　
trying　to　make　amends。　I　don't　need　enemies　and　maybe　Lauren　would　back　
off　if　he　left　me　alone。　I　might　have　to　total　his　Sentra；　though。　If　he　
doesn't　have　a　ride　he　can't　take　anyone　to　prom…〃　I　babbled　on。　

〃I　heard　about　that。〃　He　sounded　a　bit　more　posed。　

〃You　did？〃　I　asked　in　disbelief；　my　previous　irritation　flaring。　〃If　he's　
paralyzed　from　the　neck　down；　he　can't　go　to　the　prom；　either；〃　I　
muttered；　refining　my　plan。　

Edward　sighed；　and　finally　opened　his　eyes。　

〃Better？〃　

〃Not　really。〃　

I　waited；　but　he　didn't　speak　again。　He　leaned　his　head　back　against　the　
seat；　staring　at　the　ceiling　of　the　car。　His　face　was　rigid。　

〃What's　wrong？〃　My　voice　came　out　in　a　whisper。　

〃Sometimes　I　have　a　problem　with　my　temper；　Bella。〃　He　was　whispering；　
too；　and　as　he　stared　out　the　window；　his　eyes　narrowed　into　slits。　〃But　
it　wouldn't　be　helpful　for　me　to　turn　around　and　hunt　down　those…〃　He　
didn't　finish　his　sentence；　looking　away；　struggling　for　a　moment　to　
control　his　anger　again。　〃At　least；〃　he　continued；　〃that's　what　I'm　
trying　to　convince　myself。〃　

〃Oh。〃　The　word　seemed　inadequate；　but　I　couldn't　think　of　a　better　
response。　

We　sat　in　silence　again。　I　glanced　at　the　clock　on　the　dashboard。　It　was　
past　sixthirty。　

〃Jessica　and　Angela　will　be　worried；〃　I　murmured。　〃I　was　supposed　to　meet　
them。〃　

He　started　the　engine　without　another　word；　turning　around　smoothly　and　
speeding　back　toward　town。　We　were　under　the　streetlights　in　no　time　at　
all；　still　going　too　fast；　weaving　with　ease　through　the　cars　slowly　
cruising　the　boardwalk。　He　parallelparked　against　the　curb　in　a　space　I　
would　have　thought　much　too　small　for　the　Volvo；　but　he　slid　in　
effortlessly　in　one　try。　I　looked　out　the　window　to　see　the　lights　of　La　
Bella　Italia；　and　Jess　and　Angela　just　leaving；　pacing　anxiously　away　
from　us。　

〃How　did　you　know　where…　？〃　I　began；　but　then　I　just　shook　my　head。　I　
heard　the　door　open　and　turned　to　see　him　getting　out。　

〃What　are　you　doing？〃