Сумерки

           Ibracedmyself,feetapart,tryingtorememberthroughmypanicwhatlittleself-defenseIknew.Heelofthehandthrustupward,hopefullybreakingthenoseorshovingitintothebrain.Fingerthroughtheeyesocket-trytohookaroundandpoptheeyeout.Andthestandardkneetothegroin,ofcourse.Thatsamepessimisticvoiceinmymindspokeupthen,remindingmethatIprobablywouldn’thaveachanceagainstoneofthem,andtherewerefour.Shutup!Icommandedthevoicebeforeterrorcouldincapacitateme.Iwasn’tgoingoutwithouttakingsomeonewithme.ItriedtoswallowsoIcouldbuildupadecentscream.

           Headlightssuddenlyflewaroundthecorner,thecaralmosthittingthestockyone,forcinghimtojumpbacktowardthesidewalk.Idoveintotheroad-thiscarwasgoingtostop,orhavetohitme.Butthesilvercarunexpectedlyfishtailedaround,skiddingtoastopwiththepassengerdooropenjustafewfeetfromme.

           "Getin,"afuriousvoicecommanded.

           Itwasamazinghowinstantaneouslythechokingfearvanished,amazinghowsuddenlythefeelingofsecuritywashedoverme-evenbeforeIwasoffthestreet-assoonasIheardhisvoice.Ijumpedintotheseat,slammingthedoorshutbehindme.

           Itwasdarkinthecar,nolighthadcomeonwiththeopeningofthedoor,andIcouldbarelyseehisfaceintheglowfromthedashboard.Thetiressquealedashespunaroundtofacenorth,acceleratingtooquickly,

           swervingtowardthestunnedmenonthestreet.