Сумерки

           Ihesitated,torn,butthenthefirstbellsentmehurryingoutthedoor-withalastglanceconfirmingthathehadn’tmovedacentimeter.

           AsIhalf-rantoclass,myheadwasspinningfasterthanthebottlecap.Sofewquestionshadbeenansweredincomparisontohowmanynewquestionshadbeenraised.Atleasttherainhadstopped.

           Iwaslucky;Mr.Bannerwasn’tintheroomyetwhenIarrived.Isettledquicklyintomyseat,awarethatbothMikeandAngelawerestaringatme.Mikelookedresentful;Angelalookedsurprised,andslightlyawed.

           Mr.Bannercameintheroomthen,callingtheclasstoorder.Hewasjugglingafewsmallcardboardboxesinhisarms.HeputthemdownonMike’stable,tellinghimtostartpassingthemaroundtheclass.

           "Okay,guys,Iwantyoualltotakeonepiecefromeachbox,"hesaidasheproducedapairofrubberglovesfromthepocketofhislabjacketandpulledthemon.Thesharpsoundastheglovessnappedintoplaceagainsthiswristsseemedominoustome."Thefirstshouldbeanindicatorcard,"hewenton,grabbingawhitecardwithfoursquaresmarkedonitanddisplayingit."Thesecondisafour-prongedapplicator-"heheldupsomethingthatlookedlikeanearlytoothlesshairpick"-andthethirdisasterilemicro-lancet."Heheldupasmallpieceofblueplasticandsplititopen.Thebarbwasinvisiblefromthisdistance,butmystomachflipped.

           "I’llbecomingaroundwithadropperofwatertoprepareyourcards,sopleasedon’tstartuntilIgettoyou.