Сумерки

           Becauseloungingagainstthewesternbuilding,midwaydownthestreet,weretheothertwomenfromthegroup,bothwatchingwithexcitedsmilesasIfrozedeadonthesidewalk.IrealizedthenthatIwasn’tbeingfollowed.

           Iwasbeingherded.

           Ipausedforonlyasecond,butitfeltlikeaverylongtime.Iturnedthenanddartedtotheothersideoftheroad.Ihadasinkingfeelingthatitwasawastedattempt.Thefootstepsbehindmewereloudernow.

           "Thereyouare!"Theboomingvoiceofthestocky,dark-hairedmanshatteredtheintensequietandmademejump.Inthegatheringdarkness,itseemedlikehewaslookingpastme.

           "Yeah,"avoicecalledloudlyfrombehindme,makingmejumpagainasItriedtohurrydownthestreet."Wejusttookalittledetour."

           Mystepshadtoslownow.Iwasclosingthedistancebetweenmyselfandtheloungingpairtooquickly.Ihadagoodloudscream,andIsuckedinair,preparingtouseit,butmythroatwassodryIwasn’tsurehowmuchvolumeIcouldmanage.WithaquickmovementIslippedmypurseovermyhead,grippingthestrapwithonehand,readytosurrenderitoruseitasweaponasneeddemanded.

           ThethicksetmanshruggedawayfromthewallasIwarilycametoastop,andwalkedslowlyintothestreet.

           "Stayawayfromme,"Iwarnedinavoicethatwassupposedtosoundstrongandfearless.ButIwasrightaboutthedrythroat-novolume.

           "Don’tbelikethat,sugar,"hecalled,andtheraucouslaughterstartedagainbehindme.