Envy (Fury) by Elizabeth Miles Read Free Book Online Page B

about Gabby—how friendly she was, how popular she seemed to be, how effortlesslyshe’d beckoned to Pierce. Her tiny frame and her bouncy blond hair. It was impossible not to be reminded of Lucy: the unforced social ease, the cute laugh, and the smile that made people feel warm from the inside out, like hot chocolate or a good night’s sleep. The way Pierce had simply jumped when Gabby called . . .
    Skylar felt a familiar pang, one that spasmed just below her stomach.
    “It’s just . . . have you ever noticed how it’s so easy for some people?” She pushed away the ice cream bowl and practically forgot that she was speaking out loud. “Sometimes I feel like I’d do anything to be one of them.” She pulled the red flower from the bowl, wiped the dripping ice cream off it, and twirled the stem in her hands.
    She was so lost in her own thoughts that it was a bit of a surprise when Meg responded warmly, “Anything, huh?” Then Meg grinned, her teeth glinting in the fluorescent lights. “I couldn’t agree more.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    “We’ll spend this class period in the library,” said Mrs. Haynes, the substitute who was filling in for the mysteriously absent Mr. Landon, “but you’ll need to do independent research on your own time as well.”
    The assignment of the research project was the single piece of good news Em had gotten that week. Maybe now she wouldn’t fail out of school. Em had been unable to focus on schoolwork for the past few weeks, but now she perked up.
    “You have until Friday to come up with a research proposal,” Mrs. Haynes continued. But as soon as everyone dispersed into the stacks and to the bay of computers to search for topics, Em approached her with purpose.
    “I know what I want to write about,” Em said firmly.
    “Already?” Mrs. Haynes pushed her glasses up her nose.
    “Yes.” Em nodded. “Greek drama. And myth.”
    “Oh, really?” Mrs. Haynes looked intrigued. “That sounds interesting. Although, that’s a very expansive topic. Do you think you could narrow it down?”
    Em picked at the cuff of her deep blue sweater, suddenly feeling nervous. “Well, I’ve heard of this . . . type of creature? They’re called the Furies?” She left the word hanging as a question between them, hoping she wouldn’t have to explain much more.
    “Of course! The Furies. Female spirits who appear in most stories in a set of three, right?” Mrs. Haynes tapped her lip with her finger, trying to remember something. “Alecto, Megaera, and . . . oh, what was that third one’s name?”
    “Ty,” Em said automatically, and she couldn’t stop Chase’s face from flashing before her eyes. Chase’s sad, tortured face. So scared. So defiant.
    “Tisiphone, yes!” Mrs. Haynes was thrilled.
    Yeah, they’re pretty great until they start tormenting you , Em thought.
    “From what I recall—and forgive me, it’s been years since I’ve really delved into the lesser Greek myths—the Furies were vengeful, correct? Inherently evil?”
    “Yes.” Em didn’t even hesitate. “Evil.”
    “They exist to drive people mad,” Mrs. Haynes said, noddingbriskly. “This sounds like an ideal topic, Emily. May I suggest investigating how and where they have been depicted by different authors? I can’t wait to see what else you come up with.”
    Me neither , Em thought dryly. And as she walked toward the computers, Mrs. Haynes’s words rang in her head: They exist to drive people mad. Was that what was happening to her? Her stomach turned as she remembered the five red seeds she’d swallowed at the mall that night. Could that be their effect? Craziness? Were the Furies going to make her insane?
    Em took a deep breath and sat down heavily in front of a computer. She made a conscious effort to calm down. She had a chance here—some momentum. She could learn more about the Furies and maybe get a decent English grade. At this point she needed all the help she could get, on both fronts.