Сумерки

           Butthecompanionshiphecravedevadedhim;hecouldn’triskfamiliarity.

           "Whentheinfluenzaepidemichit,hewasworkingnightsinahospitalinChicago.He’dbeenturningoveranideainhismindforseveralyears,andhehadalmostdecidedtoact-sincehecouldn’tfindacompanion,hewouldcreateone.Hewasn’tabsolutelysurehowhisowntransformationhadoccurred,sohewashesitant.Andhewasloathtostealanyone’slifethewayhishadbeenstolen.Itwasinthatframeofmindthathefoundme.Therewasnohopeforme;Iwasleftinawardwiththedying.Hehadnursedmyparents,andknewIwasalone.Hedecidedtotry..."

           Hisvoice,nearlyawhispernow,trailedoff.Hestaredunseeinglythroughthewestwindows.Iwonderedwhichimagesfilledhismindnow,Carlisle’smemoriesorhisown.Iwaitedquietly.

           Whenheturnedbacktome,agentleangel’ssmilelithisexpression.

           "Andsowe’vecomefullcircle,"heconcluded.

           "HaveyoualwaysstayedwithCarlisle,then?"Iwondered.

           "Almostalways."Heputhishandlightlyonmywaistandpulledmewithhimashewalkedthroughthedoor.Istaredbackatthewallofpictures,wonderingifIwouldevergettoheartheotherstories.

           Edwarddidn’tsayanymoreaswewalkeddownthehall,soIasked,"Almost?"

           Hesighed,seemingreluctanttoanswer."Well,Ihadatypicalboutofrebelliousadolescence-abouttenyearsafterIwas...born...created,whateveryouwanttocallit.Iwasn’tsoldonhislifeofabstinence,andIresentedhimforcurbingmyappetite.