Сумерки

           Throughmyirritation,Ifeltoverwhelmingembarrassment.Itwasallsostupid.Iwassittinginmyroom,researchingvampires.Whatwaswrongwithme?IdecidedthatmostoftheblamebelongedonthedoorstepofthetownofForks-andtheentiresoddenOlympicPeninsula,forthatmatter.

           Ihadtogetoutofthehouse,buttherewasnowhereIwantedtogothatdidn’tinvolveathree-daydrive.Ipulledonmybootsanyway,unclearwhereIwasheaded,andwentdownstairs.Ishruggedintomyraincoatwithoutcheckingtheweatherandstompedoutthedoor.

           Itwasovercast,butnotrainingyet.Iignoredmytruckandstartedeastonfoot,anglingacrossCharlie’syardtowardtheever-encroachingforest.Itdidn’ttakelongtillIwasdeepenoughforthehouseandtheroadtobeinvisible,fortheonlysoundtobethesquishofthedampearthundermyfeetandthesuddencriesofthejays.

           Therewasathinribbonofatrailthatledthroughtheforesthere,orIwouldn’triskwanderingonmyownlikethis.Mysenseofdirectionwashopeless;Icouldgetlostinmuchlesshelpfulsurroundings.Thetrailwounddeeperanddeeperintotheforest,mostlyeastasfarasIcouldtell.ItsnakedaroundtheSitkasprucesandthehemlocks,theyewsandthemaples.Ionlyvaguelyknewthenamesofthetreesaroundme,andallIknewwasduetoCharliepointingthemouttomefromthecruiserwindowinearlierdays.ThereweremanyIdidn’tknow,andothersIcouldn’tbesureaboutbecausetheyweresocoveredingreenparasites.