Darkmoor by Victoria Barry Read Free Book Online

feet.
    “It’s me he wants, Jasmine,” Matthew blurted out.
    Jasmine quizzed “Who?”
    “Darkmoor!”
    Just saying his name drained Matthew’s body of colour and energy. His eyes rolled back in his head and his heavy body flopped lifelessly into Jasmine’s arms.
    “No!” Jasmine called, “Reuben help!!”

Chapter Seven
    The Forgotten – Part 2
    Together, Reuben and Jasmine carried Matthew’s limp body into one of the shelters. Placing him slowly onto the floor, Reuben whispered, “Poor kid.”
    “I know,” agreed Jasmine, “but you know Reuben, he spoke of Darkmoor.”
    “So,” Reuben murmured as he stood peering through the tiny gaps.
    “So, how does he know about him?” Jasmine asked.
    “I don’t know,” shrugged Reuben.
    “Look,” Jasmine started, “when we arrived here we didn’t know where we were, or who Darkmoor was, right?”
    “Right,” Reuben said in agreement.
    “So....”Jasmine held her arms open, anxiously waiting for Reuben to answer. “Come on Reuben!” Jasmine shouted impatiently, “how does he know!?”
    Reuben looked sharply at Jasmine, “You think he’s actually met Darkmoor?”
    Clapping sarcastically Jasmine grinned, “Yes, finally, flipping heck Reuben.”
    “Alright,” Reuben accepted, with a somewhat vacant look.
    Squatting down in a separate mud hut, Catherine and Claude clung tightly to Thomas and Isabella. Catherine didn’t know what to say, without Matthew she felt vulnerable and alone.
    “So, you and Matthew,” Claude started, “are you brother and sister?”
    “No, we hardly know each other,” Catherine smiled nervously, “we are sort of, well you know.”
    “Friends?” Claude asked.
    “Yeah I suppose so,” Catherine swallowed hard. “You see he moved in across the road and I had to go and see, even though my Mum didn’t want me too, but the crow. Well I had to know if he was ok,” Catherine paused for breath, not making sense as she spoke, “and anyway here we are.”
    Claude shuffled closer to Catherine. Isabella was fast asleep in Claude’s arms, Thomas tried his hardest to stay awake, but finally gave into temptation.
    Claude gently placed Isabella into one of the handmade beds. Each one consisting of green vines interwoven together and tree stumps were used to elevate the beds up, out of the mud. Isabella opened her eyes as Claude covered her little body with a smelly old blanket.
    “Goodnight little cutie,” Claude whispered gently.
    “Goodnight Claude,” Isabella responded in her angelic voice.
    Then bending down, Claude kissed her forehead. Isabella closed her eyes once more and fell fast asleep.
    “Here, give me Thomas,” Claude whispered taking Thomas’ sleepy body from Catherine. Thomas flopped effortlessly into Claude’s arms, then just had he had done with Isabella, Claude covered Thomas’ sleeping body. Catherine smiled.
    Suddenly, Nathan’s voiced echoed throughout the mud huts, “It’s ok, it’s only Sam.”
    “Who’s Sam?” Catherine asked Claude.
    “She’s in charge.”
    “Oh,” Catherine said puzzled, “I thought Nathan was.”
    “Yeah, that’s what Nathan thinks too!” Claude laughed as he strolled back out towards the fire.
    Everyone huddled around Sam, but Catherine stayed well back. The sound of chattering filtered up through the night sky.
    “So, where are the new comers?” Sam’s Scottish voice boomed.
    Catherine watched and waited for Matthew to step forward, but nothing.
    The crowd in front of Catherine parted, as she walked uneasily through the camp towards Sam.
    “I’m here Miss,” Catherine bowed her head. ‘Where was Matthew?’ she thought.
    “You must be Catherine?” Sam asked.
    Slowly Catherine lifted her head. Standing straight in front of her was a small stocky woman, whose hair was braided and pulled back from her face allowing her emerald eyes to shine.
    Handing her bow and arrow to Nathan, Sam introduced herself, “I’m Sam, you didn’t come alone did you,