分节阅读_147

  e pros and ew york, atlanta, chicago.
  places i'd never seen. and would never see.
  i waited for my opportunity, impatieop my toe from
  tappihe long rows of chairs by the metal detectors, jasper
  aendich but really watg me. every inch i
  shifted i was followed by a quice out of the er of
  their eyes. it eless. should i run? would they dare to stop me
  physi this public place? or would they simply follow?
  i pulled the unmarked e of my pod set it on top of
  alice's black leather bag. she looked at me.
  ”my letter,” i said. she ug it uop flap. he would
  find it soon enough.
  the minutes passed and edward's arrival grew closer. it was amazing how
  every my body seemed to know he was ing, to long for his
  ing. that made it very hard. i fourying to think of excuses
  to stay, to see him first and then make my escape. but i k was
  impossible if i was going to have a away.
  several times alice o get breakfast with me. later, i told
  her, .
  i stared at the arrival board, watg as flight after flight arrived on
  time. the flight from seattle crept closer to the top of the board.
  and then, when i had only thirty mio make my escape, the numbers
  ged. his plaes early. i had ime.
  ”i think i'll eat now,” i said quickly.
  alice stood. ”i'll e with you.”
  ”do you mind if jasper es instead?” i asked. ”i'm feeling a little…” i
  didn't fience. my eyes were wild enough to vey what i
  didn't say.
  jasper stood up. alice's eyes were fused, but — i saw to my relief—
  not suspiust be attributing the her vision to some
  mahe tracker's rather tharayal by me.
  jasper walked silently beside me, his hand on the small of my back, as if
  he were guidiended a laterest i few
  airport cafes, my head sg for what i really wahere it
  was, around the er, out of alice's sharp sight: the level-three
  ladies' room.
  ”do you mind?” i asked jasper as we passed. ”i'll just be a moment.”
  ”i'll be right here,” he said.
  as soon as the door shut behind me, i was runnihe time
  i had gotten lost from this bathroom, because it had two exits.
  outside the far door it riors, and if
  jasper stayed where he said he would, i'd never be i.
  i didn't look behind me as i ran. this was my only d even if he
  sa goiared, but i ighem. around
  the er the elevat, and i dashed forward, throwing my
  hahe g doors of a full elevator headed down. i squeezed
  ihe irritated passengers, ao make sure that the
  button for level one had bee was already lit, and the doors
  closed.
  as soon as the door opened i was off again, to the sound of annoyed
  murmurs behind me. i slowed myself as i passed the security guards by the
  luggage carousels, oai doors came
  into view. i had no way of knoer was looki.
  i would have only seds if he was followi. i jumped out the
  automatiearly smato the glass wheoo
  slowly.
  along the crowded curb there wasn't a sight.
  i had no time. alid jasper were either about to realize i was gone,
  or they already had. they would find me i.
  a shuttle to the hyatt was just g its doors a few feet behind me.
  ”wait!” i called, running, waving at the driver.
  ”this is the shuttle to the hyatt,” the driver said in as he
  opehe doors.
  ”yes,” i huffed, ”that's where i'm going.” i hurried up the steps.
  he looked aska my luggage-less state, but the g
  enough to ask.
  most of the seats were empty. i sat as far from the other travelers as
  possible, ahe window as first the sidewalk, ahe
  airport, drifted away. i 't help imagi