Сумерки

           Ithoughtofjumpingoutinfrontofit,butIhesitated,inhibited,unsurethatIwasreallybeingpursued,andthenitwastoolate.

           Ireachedthecorner,butaswiftglancerevealedthatitwasonlyablinddrivetothebackofanotherbuilding.Iwashalf-turnedinanticipation;Ihadtohurriedlycorrectanddashacrossthenarrowdrive,backtothesidewalk.Thestreetendedatthenextcorner,wheretherewasastopsign.Iconcentratedonthefaintfootstepsbehindme,decidingwhetherornottorun.Theysoundedfartherback,though,andIknewtheycouldoutrunmeinanycase.IwassuretotripandgosprawlingifItriedtogoanyfaster.Thefootfallsweredefinitelyfartherback.Iriskedaquickglanceovermyshoulder,andtheyweremaybefortyfeetbacknow,Isawwithrelief.Buttheywerebothstaringatme.

           Itseemedtotakeforeverformetogettothecorner.Ikeptmypacesteady,themenbehindmefallingeversoslightlyfartherbehindwitheverystep.Maybetheyrealizedtheyhadscaredmeandweresorry.IsawtwocarsgoingnorthpasstheintersectionIwasheadingfor,andIexhaledinrelief.TherewouldbemorepeoplearoundonceIgotoffthisdesertedstreet.Iskippedaroundthecornerwithagratefulsigh.

           Andskiddedtoastop.

           Thestreetwaslinedonbothsidesbyblank,doorless,windowlesswalls.Icouldseeinthedistance,twointersectionsdown,streetlamps,cars,andmorepedestrians,buttheywerealltoofaraway.