Two for tragedy. Volume 1 - стр. 38

Cedric didn't answer, and I thought I had offended him, but when I saw the good-natured expression on his face, I knew I was wrong. I wanted to leave; there was an awkward tension between us, and silence made it worse.

– Well… I'll be going," I said, tucking my hands into my pockets. – Good night.

– Good night," Cedric said indifferently.

I forced a smile out of myself and hurried away.

"Thank God he didn't ask to see me off!" – I thought with relief, imagining what would have been going through my mind if Cedric Morgan had been walking beside me. Even silently.

With a firm and fairly quick step I headed home, overjoyed at my unexpected reprieve. Now I had five days to think and try to understand Cedric. Though I don't think I could ever understand him.

I reached the edge of the bridge, but I heard footsteps behind me. A chill ran down my spine. The footsteps were getting closer, and as they got closer, my brain filled with stories of maniacs. Horrific gory scenes. After all, it couldn't be Cedric: he'd stayed standing on the bridge and couldn't have caught up with me so quickly.

Footsteps sounded just behind me. I took my hands out of my pockets, clenched my fists, and turned around.

– Shit! You scared me! – I exclaimed: it was Cedric.

I couldn't stop shaking with excitement and fear.

– I'm sorry, but I can't let you go alone," Cedric said with a slight smile. – By the way, you're holding your fist wrong: your thumb should always be up. – He grabbed my left hand, and I flinched a little; his palm was ice cold. – Relax your palm. That's it. Now make a fist properly. That's it. I'll walk you out.

I could tell by his tone that it wasn't a question or a suggestion. And I was getting cold feet. I hastily released my palm from Cedric's hand and tucked it into my pocket.

– But you have to go back to the bridge! To the car! – I said, not wanting him to see me off. No! That's the last thing I need!

– Evening air never hurt anyone. There's nothing better than a walk before bed," Cedric said in a flat tone.

I didn't know what to say, so I nodded silently.

We walked slowly down the road.

"He's a gentleman, isn't he?" I wondered, walking beside him. – I wondered, walking beside Cedric and staring at the pavement. After all, I was definitely safe now. With Cedric.

We were silent for a moment. Cedric walked on without looking at me, and I felt a sudden resentment that he'd chosen to walk me out of obligation.

– You know, I'm almost there; it's only a hundred metres," I lied, to spare Cedric my company and let him leave without remorse. – I'm almost home, so thank you for walking me home.

I stopped. He did too.

Cedric looked at me with an indifferent stare, and I waited silently for him to leave.

– Do you live here? – He asked.

– Yes," I lied confidently.

– Must be in that green house?

I turned round to look at the green house, but it was far away in the shadows, and I couldn't see it in the dark.

– Can you see it? – I asked, glancing at Cedric again.

– Yes. It's a beautiful building.

– Well, now that you're sure I'm there, you can go back to the bridge," I lied to convince him that I didn't need protection anymore.

Cedric smiled.

– I think it's really expensive to rent a flat there," he said suddenly.