Сумерки

           Itwasquietexceptforthewhirringofthemachines,thebeeping,thedripping,thetickingofthebigclockonthewall.Finally,hisexpressionsoftened.

           "Sowheredoesthatleaveus?"Iwondered.

           Hechuckledhumorlessly."Ibelieveit’scalledanimpasse."

           Isighed."Ouch,"Imuttered.

           "Howareyoufeeling?"heasked,eyeingthebuttonforthenurse.

           "I’mfine,"Ilied.

           "Idon’tbelieveyou,"hesaidgently.

           "I’mnotgoingbacktosleep."

           "Youneedrest.Allthisarguingisn’tgoodforyou."

           "Sogivein,"Ihinted.

           "Nicetry."Hereachedforthebutton.

           "No!"

           Heignoredme.

           "Yes?"thespeakeronthewallsquawked.

           "Ithinkwe’rereadyformorepainmedication,"hesaidcalmly,ignoringmyfuriousexpression.

           "I’llsendinthenurse."Thevoicesoundedverybored.

           "Iwon’ttakeit,"Ipromised.

           Helookedtowardthesackoffluidshangingbesidemybed."Idon’tthinkthey’regoingtoaskyoutoswallowanything."

           Myheartratestartedtoclimb.Hereadthefearinmyeyes,andsighedinfrustration.

           "Bella,you’reinpain.Youneedtorelaxsoyoucanheal.Whyareyoubeingsodifficult?They’renotgoingtoputanymoreneedlesinyounow."

           "I’mnotafraidoftheneedles,"Imumbled."I’mafraidtoclosemyeyes."

           Thenhesmiledhiscrookedsmile,andtookmyfacebetweenhishands."ItoldyouI’mnotgoinganywhere.Don’tbeafraid.Aslongasitmakesyouhappy,I’llbehere."

           Ismiledback,ignoringtheacheinmycheeks."You’retalkingaboutforever,youknow."

           "Oh,you’llgetoverit-it’sjustacrush."