Conflicted: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane Read Free Book Online

he
was deep in thought, intrigued by the new power she just revealed.
He came to a pause and shook his head at her, his hands clasped
behind his back. "Keegan, I'm not sure I can. Whatever dark magic
is in you is stronger than me. Not to brag or anything, but I'm
pretty damn powerful. I will look into it and see if there is
anything I can do. The easiest thing is to try to avoid situations
that make you angry."
    She wanted to cry. How could she have done this? "Can't you at least unfreeze them?"
    "Nope, that is on you. I was strong enough
to break myself free. You need to figure out how to set them
free."
    "Calvron, this is your made up world. You
fix it!" Keegan yelled. She watched in horror as the ice covered
him again. "No, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it. Please stop. I'm not
mad at you. You are one of my best friends. I know you would help
me if you could." The ice melted and Calvron was once again free,
though wet.
    Just then, Donald strolled up in tiger form,
his tail flicked behind him. "What happened to them?" His big head
jerked in the direction of the icy creatures.
    "Why is he not frozen?" Keegan’s voice
sounded panicked.
    "Hmm, if I had to guess it's because you
were not angry at him at the time." Calvron turned and explained to
Donald what had happened.
    Donald stared at her with intensity in his
eyes. "Keegan, this is not who you are. Do not let your anger turn
you into something you are not. You need to learn to control this.
Before, you told me when you started to get cold you would think
good thoughts to warm up. So think of something that warms your
heart."
    She was still so angry that they mocked and
laughed at her, but she took a deep breath and tried to think of
something that would make her happy. Why am I drawing a blank? It shouldn’t be so
hard.
    Donald sprawled out next to her, using his
back paw to scratch his ear. "I can still picture the first time I
saw you and it always makes me smile."
    Looking skeptical, Keegan responded, "You
do?"
    He laughed and replied, "It was the first
day of high school and I believe it was in Latin class. The teacher
was giving a long speech. She was going on and on about how we were
freshman and had no idea what we were going to do with our lives.
That we were scared and not sure of ourselves. Inside we all
mentally agreed. You raised your hand." The tiger laughed and shook
his head. "The teacher called on you, and clear as can be you said,
‘I'm going to be awesome.’ I looked over at this auburn haired
beauty and couldn't help but laugh. I knew in that moment that I
had to meet you. I needed to know who this girl with such unabashed
confidence was."
    Her face flushed and a smile crossed her
face. The loud sound of ice breaking startled her. Looking around
in relief, she saw all the creatures breaking free from the icy
prison she had put on them. She felt light and happy. How was he
able to have that effect on her so fast? She was able to laugh at
herself for getting angry over something as silly as a game of hide
and seek.
    “I do believe that’s enough for today,
everyone,” Calvron called out. Right before her eyes the magical
land was gone and they all stood at the bottom of the hill below
where their cars were parked. Donald and the other creatures were
back in their human forms.
    The door was gone.
    Calvron walked to his truck and yelled, "See
you guys next week."
    Keegan turned to Donald, "Thank you." She
paused, started to talk, and stopped again.
    "What is it Keegan? You can tell me."
    "It's just, I'm really scared, Donald. I'm
glad you were there to help me fight through the darkness." She
wrapped her arms tight around herself and stared into his cerulean
eyes.
    "You will figure this out. There is so much
good in you, the dark doesn't stand a chance. When you feel
yourself getting angry, try to focus on something or someone that
makes you smile."
    Keegan looked down at her shoes and then
back at Donald. "Thinking of you makes me smile."
    Donald grinned