"Scott Westerfeld - Uglies 1 - Uglies" - читать интересную книгу автора (Westerfeld Scott)

The skin of his palm was smooth and unblemished. It was a hand that said:I donТt have to work very hard, and IТm too clever to have accidents.

The scar that they had made together was gone.

УThey took it away.Ф

УOf course they did, Squint. All my skinТs new.Ф

Tally blinked. She hadnТt thought of that.

He shook his head. УYouТre such a kid still.Ф

УElevator requested,Ф said the elevator. УUp or down?Ф

Tally jumped at the machine voice.

УHold, please,Ф Peris said calmly.

Tally swallowed and closed her hand into a fist. УBut they didnТt change your blood. We shared that, no matter what.Ф

Peris finally looked directly at her face, not flinching as she had feared he would. He smiled beautifully. УNo, they didnТt. New skin, big deal. And in three months we can laugh about this. UnlessЕФ

УUnless what?Ф She looked up into his big brown eyes, so full of concern.

УJust promise me that you wonТt do any more stupid tricks,Ф Peris said. УLike coming here. Something thatТll get you into trouble. I want to see you pretty.Ф

УOf course.Ф

УSo promise me.Ф

Peris was only three months older than Tally, but, dropping her eyes to the floor, she felt like a littlie again. УAll right, I promise. Nothing stupid. And they wonТt catch me tonight, either.Ф

УOkay, get your mask andЕФ His voice trailed off.

She turned her gaze to where it had fallen. Discarded, the plastic mask had recycled itself, turning into pink dust, which the carpet in the elevator was already filtering away.

The two stared at each other in silence.

УElevator requested,Ф the machine insisted. УUp or down?Ф

УPeris, I promise they wonТt catch me. No pretty can run as fast as me. Just take me down to theЧФ

Peris shook his head. УUp, please. Roof.Ф

The elevator moved.

УUp? Peris, how am I going toЧФ

УStraight out the door, in a big rackЧbungee jackets. ThereТs a whole bunch in case of a fire.Ф