It seemed to take forever for me to get to the corner. I kept my pace steady, the men behind me falling ever so slightly farther behind with every step. Maybe they realized they had scared me and were sorry, were sorry they'd ever thought of raping me. I saw two cars going north pass the intersection I was heading for, and I exhaled in relief. There would be more people around once I got off this deserted street. I skipped around the corner with a grateful sigh. And skidded to a stop.¹⁸⁴ The street was lined on both sides by blank, doorless, windowless walls. I could see in the distance, two intersections down, street lamps, cars, and more pedestrians, but they were all too far away. Because lounging against the western building, midway down the street, were the other two men from the group, both watching with excited smiles as I froze dead on the sidewalk. I realized then I wasn't being followed. I was being herded. I paused for only a second, but it felt like a very long time. I turned then and darted to the other side of the road. I had a sinking feeling that it was a wasted attempt. The foot steps behind me were louder now. "There you are!" The booming voice of the stocky, dark-haired, flannel-clad man shattered the intense quiet and made me jump out of my skin. In the gathering darkness, it seemed like he was looking past me. "Yeah," a voice called loudly from behind me, making me jump out of my skin again as I tried to hurry down the street. "We just took a little—whaddayacallit—detour." He sounded mentally retarded; it scared me.



184. Bella pulled the emergency brakes on her shoes.

161

Chapter 8

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