Сумерки

           Nowhehadunlimitedtimebeforehim.Hestudiedbynight,plannedbyday.HeswamtoFranceand-"

           "HeswamtoFrance?"

           "PeopleswimtheChannelallthetime,Bella,"heremindedmepatiently.

           "That’strue,Iguess.Itjustsoundedfunnyinthatcontext.Goon."

           "Swimmingiseasyforus-"

           "Everythingiseasyforyou,"Igriped.

           Hewaited,hisexpressionamused.

           "Iwon’tinterruptagain,Ipromise."

           Hechuckleddarkly,andfinishedhissentence."Because,technically,wedon’tneedtobreathe."

           "You-"

           "No,no,youpromised."Helaughed,puttinghiscoldfingerlightlytomylips."Doyouwanttohearthestoryornot?"

           "Youcan’tspringsomethinglikethatonme,andthenexpectmenottosayanything,"Imumbledagainsthisfinger.

           Heliftedhishand,movingittorestagainstmyneck.Thespeedofmyheartreactedtothat,butIpersisted.

           "Youdon’thavetobreathe?"Idemanded.

           "No,it’snotnecessary.Justahabit."Heshrugged.

           "Howlongcanyougo...withoutbreathing?"

           "Indefinitely,Isuppose;Idon’tknow.Itgetsabituncomfortable-beingwithoutasenseofsmell."

           "Abituncomfortable,"Iechoed.

           Iwasn’tpayingattentiontomyownexpression,butsomethinginitmadehimgrowsomber.Hishanddroppedtohissideandhestoodverystill,hiseyesintentonmyface.Thesilencelengthened.Hisfeatureswereimmobileasstone.

           "Whatisit?"Iwhispered,touchinghisfrozenface.

           Hisfacesoftenedundermyhand,andhesighed."Ikeepwaitingforittohappen."