Читать книгу Circle of Silence - Carol Tanzman M. - Страница 7

PROLOGUE

Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea…

The words keep time with my pounding heart. Dashing, darting…hurtling forward. It’s like a nightmare. Chasing after the school bus, the train, a minivan. No matter how fast I run, I can’t get there in time. I’m left stranded, alone, surrounded by abandoned warehouses, darkened streets and smelly drunks….

This isn’t a dream. I know where I’m going. I just can’t move fast enough.

Jagger. Jags! I asked you not to do this. Begged you…

My cheeks feel wet. How did I not see the approaching storm? But the streets aren’t slick and the pitter-patter of rain does not mingle with the sound of my feet slapping against rough cobblestones.

I touch my face. Taste the droplet. Salty…

That’s when I know I’ll be too late. Instinct, ESP or maybe just plain terror breaks through. Because it’s my fault. I pushed too hard; it went too far.

Whatever terrible thing I am about to see, I could have stopped. No matter what anyone tells me, no matter who insists, “You can’t blame yourself,” I will always know, deep down, that it’s a lie.