Angel on the Edge by RJ Seymour Read Free Book Online Page B

he
felt the pulse of his heart slow.
    Moonlight streamed in through the open window of his
room, the thin curtains motionless in the night air. Small bits of
dust filtered through the rays as he turned and placed both of his
bare feet on the wood floor. The heat of the room felt stuffy as
his breaths finally returned to a slower pace.
    With a stiff push, he lifted himself off of his
straw bed and made his way to the window. Outside their home, the
night was silent and dead. The moon above moved across a sky bare
of clouds, and as dark and devoid of rain as the world around him
was of life. He could see the forest, a land of deceased memories
stretching toward the hills to the west. Darkness filled everything
that surrounded them, a blanket that they could not shake.
    "Find Me"
    Her words played in his mind. Soft and magical, the
voice was a song that could play forever, and he would never tire
of it. But, there was something there. It was hidden out in the
shadows that held them all to this small village. She needed him,
and he could feel it. It wasn't a dream, nor was it a fantasy of a
young man living with fairy tales he should have given up years
ago. No, this was real, and he could feel it in his heart, he could
sense it down to the deepest part of his soul.
    She needed him; she was in trouble, and he was the
only one who knew. No one else would help. With a quick turn to the
worn bunk seated at the end of his bed, Dale opened the lid and
cringed as the rusted hinges scratched into the night. No one made
a sound in the silent house as he waited. Once he was certain he
was still the only one awake, he grabbed his last remaining set of
decent clothes and closed the chest as quietly as he could.
    Switching from a colorless cotton shirt and pants,
gritting his teeth against the heat, he put on a thicker wool shirt
and the only denim pants he had left that wasn't torn up to his
knees. The rough material itched at his arms as he searched his
room. It was hidden, and this early in the morning he couldn't
remember where he put it. Working the memories through his clouded
mind, he walked himself through the last time he had seen it.
    With a sigh, he sat down on the bed. It had to be
somewhere here in this room. If his mother had discovered what he
hid, she would have beaten him red and turned it into the village
keeper. No, it was still here, he could feel it. Looking back at
the window, he wished he could see his angel again. The confidence
and peace he felt when she was near left him empty when he was
alone, and here within the village of survivors he always felt
alone.
    Reluctantly, he knew he could wait no longer. He
would have to venture out without it. Maybe he would get lucky and
find her without being seen. The shadows were thick, and silence
filled the evening air. Holding his breath, he didn't know if he
would be that lucky as he slowly bent to tie his boots. She needed
him, and his time was running out.
    Laces tied; he lifted his head from down at his feet
to look out the window one more time. There was a large world out
there, and he didn't even know where to start. For a moment, he
considered sneaking over to Kevin's but he knew better. His angel
was only a story to his best friend. He'd probably try to talk him
out of it, and he could not afford that.
    With a shake of his head, he placed his hands on his
knees and went to push himself off of the ground when his eye
caught a small scratching under the windowsill. As quiet as a
mouse, Dale made his way over. Running his fingertips under the
rough wood, he could feel the small markings that cut into its
surface. At the right edge, his index finger pushed through a false
board and with a gasp he caught the cover before it fell to the
ground. Reaching in, he felt for what he knew had to be there.
    His heart skipped a beat as the one and a half foot
long box slid out from behind the wall. The container was solid oak
that showed no signs of wear, only a thin layer of dust