Сумерки

           "Hervoicewascertain.

           "Let’sgo."Carlislebegantowalktowardthekitchen.

           ButEdwardwasatmysideatonce.Hecaughtmeupinhisirongrip,crushingmetohim.Heseemedunawareofhiswatchingfamilyashepulledmyfacetohis,liftingmyfeetoffthefloor.Fortheshortestsecond,hislipswereicyandhardagainstmine.Thenitwasover.Hesetmedown,stillholdingmyface,hisgloriouseyesburningintomine.

           Hiseyeswentblank,curiouslydead,asheturnedaway.

           Andtheyweregone.

           Westoodthere,theotherslookingawayfrommeasthetearsstreakednoiselesslydownmyface.

           Thesilentmomentdraggedon,andthenEsme’sphonevibratedinherhand.Itflashedtoherear.

           "Now,"shesaid.Rosaliestalkedoutthefrontdoorwithoutanotherglanceinmydirection,butEsmetouchedmycheekasshepassed.

           "Besafe."Herwhisperlingeredbehindthemastheyslippedoutthedoor.Iheardmytruckstartthunderously,andthenfadeaway.

           JasperandAlicewaited.Alice’sphoneseemedtobeatherearbeforeitbuzzed.

           "EdwardsaysthewomanisonEsme’strail.I’llgetthecar."ShevanishedintotheshadowsthewayEdwardhadgone.

           JasperandIlookedateachother.Hestoodacrossthelengthoftheentrywayfromme...beingcareful.

           "You’rewrong,youknow,"hesaidquietly.

           "What?"Igasped.

           "Icanfeelwhatyou’refeelingnow-andyouareworthit."

           "I’mnot,"Imumbled."Ifanythinghappenstothem,itwillbefornothing."

           "You’rewrong,"herepeated,smilingkindlyatme