Сумерки

           "Hey,there!"oneofthemcalledastheypassed,andhehadtobetalkingtomesincenooneelsewasaround.Iglancedupautomatically.Twoofthemhadpaused,theothertwowereslowing.Theclosest,aheavyset,dark-hairedmaninhisearlytwenties,seemedtobetheonewhohadspoken.Hewaswearingaflannelshirtopenoveradirtyt-shirt,cut-offjeans,andsandals.Hetookhalfasteptowardme.

           "Hello,"Imumbled,aknee-jerkreaction.ThenIquicklylookedawayandwalkedfastertowardthecorner.Icouldhearthemlaughingatfullvolumebehindme.

           "Hey,wait!"oneofthemcalledaftermeagain,butIkeptmyheaddownandroundedthecornerwithasighofrelief.Icouldstillhearthemchortlingbehindme.

           Ifoundmyselfonasidewalkleadingpastthebacksofseveralsomber-coloredwarehouses,eachwithlargebaydoorsforunloadingtrucks,padlockedforthenight.Thesouthsideofthestreethadnosidewalk,onlyachain-linkfencetoppedwithbarbedwireprotectingsomekindofenginepartsstorageyard.I’dwanderedfarpastthepartofPortAngelesthatI,asaguest,wasintendedtosee.Itwasgettingdark,Irealized,thecloudsfinallyreturning,pilinguponthewesternhorizon,creatinganearlysunset.Theeasternskywasstillclear,butgraying,shotthroughwithstreaksofpinkandorange.I’dleftmyjacketinthecar,andasuddenshivermademecrossmyarmstightlyacrossmychest.Asinglevanpassedme,andthentheroadwasempty.