6 the short second life of bree tanner布里·坦纳第二次短暂生命-第7部分

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ating　Riley。　I　didn’t　have　the　same　faith　in　him　Diego　did。　　“Ninja　attack　at　dawn！”　I　said　to　make　him　laugh。　It　worked。　We　started　joking　again　as　we　tracked　our　herd　of　vampires；　but　I　could　tell　he　was　thinking　serious　stuff　under　the　teasing；　just　like　I　was。　　And　I　only　got　more　anxious　as　we　ran。　Because　we　were　running　fast；　and　there　was　no　way　we　had　the　wrong　trail；　but　it　
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was　taking　too　long。　We　were　really　getting　away　from　the　coast；　up　and　over　the　closest　mountains；　off　into　new　territory。　This　wasn’t　the　normal　pattern。　　Every　house　we’d　borrowed；　whether　it　was　up　a　mountain　or　on　an　island　or　hidden　on　a　big　farm；　had　a　few　things　in　mon。　The　dead　owners；　the　remote　locale；　and　one　other　thing。　They　all　were　sort　of　focused　on　Seattle。　Oriented　around　the　big　city　like　orbiting　moons。　Seattle　was　always　the　hub；　always　the　target。　　We　were　out　of　orbit　now；　and　it　felt　wrong。　Maybe　it　meant　nothing；　maybe　it　was　just　that　so　many　things　were　changing　today。　All　the　truths　I’d　accepted　had　been　turned　upside　down　and　I　wasn’t　in　the　mood　for　any　other　upheavals。　Why　couldn’t　Riley　have　just　picked　someplace　normal？　　“Funny　they’re　this　far　out；”　Diego　murmured；　and　I　could　hear　the　edge　in　his　voice。　　“Or　scary；”　I　muttered。　　He　squeezed　my　hand。　“It’s　cool。　The　ninja　club　can　handle　anything。”　　“You　got　a　secret　handshake　yet？”　　“Working　on　it；”　he　promised。　　Something　started　to　bug　me。　It　was　like　I　could　feel　this　strange　blind　spot　　　I　knew　there　was　something　I　wasn’t　seeing；　but　I　couldn’t　put　my　finger　on　it。　Something　obvious…　　And　then；　about　sixty　miles　farther　west　than　our　usual　perimeter；　we　found　the　house。　It　was　impossible　to　mistake　the　noise。　The　boom　boom　boom　of　the　bass；　the　videogame　soundtrack；　the　snarling。　Totally　our　crowd。　
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　I　pulled　my　hand　free；　and　Diego　looked　at　me。　　“Hey；　I　don’t　even　know　you；”　I　said　in　a　joking　tone。　“I　haven’t　had　one　conversation　with　you；　what　with　all　that　water　we　sat　in　all　day。　You　could　be　a　ninja　or　a　vampire　for　all　I　know。”　　He　grinned。　“Same　goes　for　you；　stranger。”　Then　low　and　fast；　“Just　do　the　same　things　you　did　yesterday。　Tomorrow　night　we’ll　get　out　together。　Maybe　do　some　reconnaissance；　figure　out　more　of　what’s　going　on。”　　“Sounds　like　a　plan。　Mum’s　the　word。”　　He　ducked　close　and　kissed　me　just　a　peck；　but　right　on　the　lips。　The　shock　of　it　zinged　through　my　whole　body。　Then　he　said；　“Let’s　do　this；”　and　headed　down　the　side　of　the　mountain　toward　the　source　of　the　raucous　noise　without　looking　back。　Already　playing　the　part。　　A　little　stunned；　I　followed　from　a　few　yards　behind；　remembering　to　put　the　distance　between　us　that　I　would　put　between　myself　and　anyone　else。　　The　house　was　a　big；　log　cabin–style　affair；　tucked　into　a　hollow　in　the　pines　with　no　sign　of　any　neighbors　for　miles　around。　All　the　windows　were　black；　as　if　the　place　were　empty；　but　the　whole　frame　was　trembling　from　the　heavy　bass　in　the　basement。　　Diego　went　in　first；　and　I　tried　to　move　behind　him　like　he　was　Kevin　or　Raoul。　Hesitant；　protecting　my　space。　He　found　the　stairs　and　charged　down　with　a　confident　tread。　　“Trying　to　lose　me；　losers？”　he　asked。　　“Oh；　hey；　Diego’s　alive；”　I　heard　Kevin　answer　with　a　distinct　
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lack　of　enthusiasm。　　“No　thanks　to　you；”　Diego　said　as　I　slipped　into　the　dark　basement。　The　only　light　came　from　the　various　TV　screens；　but　it　was　way　more　than　any　of　us　needed。　I　hurried　back　to　where　Fred　had　a　whole　couch　to　himself；　glad　that　it　was　right　for　me　to　look　anxious　because　there　was　no　way　to　hide　it。　I　swallowed　hard　as　the　revulsion　hit；　and　curled　up　in　my　usual　spot　on　the　floor　behind　the　couch。　Once　I　was　down；　Fred’s　repellent　power　seemed　to　ease　up。　Or　maybe　I　was　just　getting　used　to　it。　　The　basement　was　more　than　half　empty　since　it　was　the　middle　of　the　night。　All　the　kids　in　here　had　eyes　the　same　as　mine　bright；　recently　fed　red。　　“Took　me　a　while　to　clean　up　your　stupid　mess；”　Diego　told　Kevin。　“It　was　almost　dawn　by　the　time　I　got　to　what　was　left　of　the　house。　Had　to　sit　in　a　cave　filled　with　water　all　day。”　　“Go　tattle　to　Riley。　Whatever。”　　“I　see　the　little　girl　made　it；　too；”　said　a　new　voice；　and　I　shuddered　because　it　was　Raoul。　I　felt　a　little　bit　of　relief　that　he　didn’t　know　my　name；　but　mostly　I　just　felt　horrified　that　he’d　noticed　me　at　all。　　“Yeah；　she　followed　me。”　I　couldn’t　see　Diego；　but　I　knew　he　was　shrugging。　　“Aren’t　you　the　savior　of　the　hour？”　Raoul　said　snidely。　　“We　don’t　get　extra　points　for　being　morons。”　　I　wished　Diego　wouldn’t　taunt　Raoul。　I　hoped　Riley　would　e　back　soon。　Only　Riley　could　curb　Raoul　even　the　littlest　bit。　
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　But　Riley　was　probably　out　hunting　dregs　kids　to　bring　to　her。　Or　doing　whatever　else　he　did　while　he　was　away。　　“Interesting　attitude　you　got；　Diego。　You　think　that　Riley　likes　you　so　much　he’s　gonna　care　if　I　kill　you。　I　think　you’re　wrong。　But　either　way；　for　tonight；　he　already　thinks　you’re　dead。”　　I　could　hear　the　others　moving。　Some　probably　to　back　Raoul　up；　others　just　getting　out　of　the　way。　I　hesitated　in　my　hiding　spot；　knowing　I　wasn’t　going　to　let　Diego　fight　them　alone；　but　worried　about　blowing　our　cover　if　it　didn’t　e　to　that。　I　hoped　Diego　had　survived　this　long　because　he　had　some　crazy　bat　skills。　I　wasn’t　going　to　have　much　to　offer　in　that　department。　There　were　three　members　of　Raoul’s　gang　here；　and　some　others　that　might　help　out　just　to　get　on　his　good　side。　Would　Riley　get　home　before　they　had　time　to　burn　us？　　Diego’s　voice　was　calm　when　he　answered。　“You’re　really　that　afraid　to　take　me　on　alone？　Typical。”　　Raoul　snorted。　“Does　that　ever　work？　I　mean；　besides　in　movies。　Why　should　I　take　you　on　alone？　I　don’t　care　about　beating　you。　I　just　want　to　end　you。”　　I　rolled　into　a　crouch；　tensed　to　spring。　　Raoul　kept　talking。　He　liked　the　sound　of　his　own　voice　a　lot。　　“But　it’s　not　gonna　take　all　of　us　to　deal　with　you。　These　two　will　take　care　of　the　other　evidence　of　your　unfortunate　survival。　Little　what’shername。”　　My　body　felt　icy；　frozen　solid。　I　tried　to　shake　it　off　so　I　could　fight　my　best。　Not　that　it　would　have　made　a　difference。　　And　then　I　felt　something　else；　something　totally　unexpected　
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　　　a　wave　of　revulsion　so　overpowering　that　I　couldn’t　hold　my　crouch。　I　crumpled　to　the　floor；　gasping　with　horror。　　I　was　not　the　only　one　to　react。　I　heard　disgusted　snarls　and　retching　sounds　from　every　corner　of　the　basement。　A　few　people　retreated　to　the　edges　of　the　room；　where　I　could　see　them。　They　strained　against　the　wall；　stretching　their　necks　away　as　if　they　could　escape　the　horrible　feeling。　At　least　one　of　these　was　a　member　of　Raoul’s　gang。　　I　heard　Raoul’s　distinctive　growl；　and　then　heard　it　fade　as　he　took　off　up　the　stairs。　He　wasn’t　the　only　one　to　make　a　break　for　it。　About　half　of　the　vampires　in　the　basement　cleared　out。　　I　didn’t　have　that　choice。　I　could　barely　move。　And　then　I　realized　this　had　to　be　because　I　was　so　close　to　Freaky　Fred。　He　was　responsible　for　what　was　happening。　And　as　horrible　as　I　felt；　I　was　still　able　to　realize　that　he’d　probably　just　saved　my　life。　　Why？　　The　sensation　of　disgust　faded　slowly。　As　soon　as　I　could；　I　crept　to　the　edge　of　the　couch　and　took　in　the　aftermath。　All　of　Raoul’s　gang　was　gone；　but　Diego　was　still　there；　on　the　far　end　of　the　big　room　by　the　TVs。　The　vampires　who　remained　were　slowly　relaxing；　though　everybody　looked　a　little　shaken。　Most　of　them　were　shooting　cautious　glances　in　Fred’s　direction。　I　peeked　at　the　back　of　his　head；　too；　though　I　couldn’t　see　anything。　I　looked　away　quickly。　Looking　at　Fred　brought　back　some　of　the　nausea。　　“Keep　it　down。”　
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　The　deep　voice　came　from　Fred。　I’d　never　heard　him　speak　before。　Everyone　stared　and　then　looked　away　immediately　as　the　revulsion　returned。　　So　Fred　just　wanted　his　peace　and　quiet。　Well；　whatever。　I　was　alive　because　of　it。　Most　likely　Raoul　would　get　distracted　by　some　other　irritant　before　dawn　and　take　out　his　anger　on　somebody　close　by。　And　Riley　always　came　back　at　the　end　of　the　night。　He　would　hear　that　Diego　had　been　in　his　cave　rather　than　outside　and　destroyed　by　the　sun；　and　Raoul　wouldn’t　have　an　excuse　to　attack　him　or　me。　　At　least；　that　was　the　bestcase　scenario。　In　the　meantime；　maybe　Diego　and　I　could　e　up　with　some　plan　to　steer　clear　of　Raoul。　　Again；　I　had　a　fleeting　sense　that　I　was　missing　an　obvious　solution。　Before　I　could　figure　it　out；　my　thoughts　were　interrupted。　　“Sorry。”　　The　deep；　almost　silent　mutter　could　only　have　e　from　Fred。　It　looked　like　I　was　the　only　one　close　enough　to　really　hear。　Was　he　talking　to　me？　　I　looked　at　him　again　and　felt　nothing。　I　couldn’t　see　his　facehe　had　his　back　to　me　still。　He　had　thick；　wavy　blond　hair。　I’d　never　noticed　that　before；　not　with　all　the　days　I’d　sat　hiding　in　his　shadow。　Riley　wasn’t　kidding　when　he’d　said　that　Fred　was　special。　Gross；　but　really　special。　Did　Riley　have　any　idea　that　Fred　was　so…　so　powerful？　He　was　able　to　overwhelm　a　whole　room　of　us　in　a　second。　　Though　I　couldn’t　see　his　expression；　I　had　the　sense　that　
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Fred　was　waiting　for　an　answer。　　“Um；　don’t　apologize；”　I　breathed　almost　silently。　“Thank　you。　”　　Fred　shrugged。　　And　then　I　found　I　couldn’t　look　at　him　anymore。　　The　hours　passed　slower　than　usual　as　I　waited　for　Raoul　to　e　back。　From　time　to　time　I　tried　to　look　at　Fred　again　　　to　see　past　the　protection　he’d　created　for　himself　but　I　always　found　myself　repelled。　If　I　tried　too　hard；　I　ended　up　gagging。　　Thinking　about　Fred　was　a　good　distraction　from　thinking　about　Diego。　I　tried　to　pretend　I　didn’t　care　where　he　was　in　the　room。　I　didn’t　look　at　him　but　focused　on　the　sound　of　his　breathing　　his　distinct　rhythm　to　keep　tabs。　He　sat　on　the　other　side　of　the　room　from　me；　listening　to　his　CDs　on　a　laptop。　Or　maybe　pretending　to　listen；　the　way　I　was　pretending　to　read　the　books　from　the　damp　backpack　on　my　shoulders。　I　flipped　pages　at　my　usual　rate；　but　I　didn’t　take　anything　in。　I　was　waiting　for　Raoul。　　Luckily；　Riley　came　first。　Raoul　and　his　cohorts　were　right　behind　him；　but　not　as　loud　and　obnoxious　as　usual。　Maybe　Fred　had　taught　them　a　little　respect。　　Probably　not；　though。　More　likely　Fred　had　just　angered　them。　I　really　hoped　Fred　never　let　his　guard　slip。　　Riley　went　to　Diego　right　away；　I　listened　with　my　back　to　them；　eyes　on　my　book。　In　my　peripheral　vision；　I　saw　some　of　Raoul’s　idiots　wandering；　looking　for　their　favorite　games　or　whatever　they’d　been　doing　before　Fred　had　driven　them　out。　Kevin　was　one　of　them；　but　he　seemed　to　be　looking　for　
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something　more　specific　than　entertainment。　Several　times　his　eyes　tried　to　focus　on　where　I　was　sitting；　but　Fred’s　aura　kept　him　at　bay。　He　gave　up　after　a　few　minutes；　looking　a　little　sick。　　“I　heard　you　made　it　back；”　Riley　said；　sounding　genuinely　pleased。　“I　can　always　count　on　you；　Diego。”　　“No　problem；”　Diego　said　in　a　relaxed　voice。　“Unless　you　count　holding　my　breath　all　day　as　a　negative。”　　Riley　laughed。　“Don’t　cut　it　so　close　next　time。　Set　a　better　example　for　the　babies。”　　Diego　just　laughed　with　him。　From　the　corner　o