Caged in Darkness by J. D. Stroube Read Free Book Online Page A

Izzy bought the
right to tease us incessantly for the rest of our lives. Not
surprisingly, Izzy was the happiest.
    Izzy paced ahead to unlock the car, while
Willow and I were weighted down with bags that hindered our pace.
My neck began to tingle, and a cold draft of air trailed down the
curve of my spine. Hair flew into my face with an invisible force
and I began to sway dizzily. I had the intense feeling that I was
being watched. Not just that someone was staring at me; it was as
though someone were invading my body. I shook the feeling away and
sped towards the car.
    “S, are you okay?”
    I came to the front passenger side door and
lowered my hair so that it covered my face. There was no one
watching that I could see.
    “Savannah?” Willow pushed against my
shoulder, and I shook my hair behind my shoulders to face her. Her
brows were furrowed in concern.
    “I’m fine. I just thought I saw someone I
recognized.” I attempted a fake smile and slipped into the car.

 
     
    5: Hidden for a reason
     
    Fifth Entry: Day Terrors
     
    Shopping had been more enjoyable than
expected, but I wasn’t fooling myself that I would enjoy tomorrow.
Part of me resented Maye for putting me in a position that I would
need to go back to my parents’ house. However, she had given me so
much that I knew I would find the courage.
     
    Savannah
     
    Izzy dropped me home after a quick dinner
and I immediately took to my room. I could hear sounds coming from
Ash’s room, but his door was shut. Not wanting to disturb him, I
choose to closet myself in my bedroom.
    My bedroom was fairly bland for a teenage
girl. I didn’t see the point to decorating a room that was
literally just a cube I slept in. The headboard of my twin size bed
rested against the far wall. A nightstand stood to the left side of
the bed with a small lamp and alarm clock on top. A dresser hid
behind an overly large bookcase overflowing with books. To the
right of my bed was a small walk in closet that was mostly empty.
On the opposite side of the room was a large bay window that opened
up onto a miniature terrace. Not surprisingly, the terrace was my
favorite spot and housed some patio furniture and a tiny space
heater for brisk nights
    Maye and Ash thought that my room
represented my need to remain apart from the family and they
altered it slightly to make it seem more lived in . The
picture frames of my friends and family were placed on my dresser
by Ash and the flowery quilt with matching drapes had been Maye’s
addition. I came home one day from a hike through the woods to find
the surprises in my room. Each time I saw their personal
touches; I couldn’t help but think that they were symbols of love
and the only items I cherished.
    My bedspread was twisted, as I moved to the
Carrie Underwood song on my MP3 player. I was lying on my belly,
attempting to write a biography on Marie Antoinette. It would be
more interesting if it was a biography about Carrie, but I had a
feeling my history teacher wouldn’t be too happy with that.
    I looked up to find Maye peeking through the
doorway with a smile on her face; her wrinkles in stark contrast to
her emerald eyes. They were not to be outdone by the crease between
her eyebrows, which announced the impending serious
conversation.
    “How was your day, darling?” She moved
forward to sit on the edge of my bed, while I put my pen down.
    “Which part do you want to hear about first,
the part when I am fairly sure I flunked my calculus test, or when
Izzy brought us to a gothic clothing store to torture us, and we
ended up loving it?”
    Maye let loose a startling laugh, “Please
tell me, you are not going to begin coating your eyes in black coal
and walking around looking like a corpse.” When I didn’t say
anything she raised her eyes in a disbelieving stare.
    “Well, I did buy clothes, but they’re not
exactly the typical gothic look. I think you would approve and they
actually suit me.” I shrugged, as I pushed my