"Gordon Eklund - Falling Toward Forever" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eklund Gordon)

"No." From her expression he could tell she wasn't about to be
shunted aside. "I'll tell you what. When I get tired, I'll wake you."

"Okay. But don't wait too long. All right?"

"Sure."

She began, after his suggestion, gathering leaves and pine
needles from which to make a bed. He watched in silence. After
lying down, she said, "Good night," and was asleep in an instant.

Throughout the long cold night, Waller stood a careful,
cautious watch. He left the woman's side only to step briefly into
the woods to gather additional firewood. He never moved to
wake her.

A vague glimmer of golden light pierced the eastern trees
when, past the crackling fire, Waller heard the patter of footsteps
approaching through the trees. They sounded closeтАФvery close.
This second intruder, whoever he might be, was far more
practiced at stealth than Sondra.

Hugging a big stick, Waller crept away from the fire and
slipped softly into the woods.

Then he stoppedтАФand waited.


CHAPTER FIVE
Waller stood poised behind the comforting shelter of a thick
tree trunk and watched the man with the rifle who was standing
above the sleeping Sondra. The man seemed more confused than
amazed at his discovery of the girl and, reaching forward with
the point of his weapon, prodded her awake.

Sondra, seeing the strange man looming above her,
immediately screamed in mortal fear.

The man backed coolly away, holding his rifle steady. "Shut
up!" he said, bluntly.

But Sondra kept screaming.

Waller decided it was time to show himself. With his hands
cautiously raised, he emerged from the forest. "Ahmad," he said
calmly, "it's good to see you again."

Ahmad spun around, gripping his gun. This time his dark,
smooth face did reflect his inner amazement. "Waller! Whatever
are you doing here?"