按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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 nee