Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield Read Free Book Online Page A

almost fighting over me. This kind of stuff only happens in movies, not in real life. At least not in my life. Part of me 57
    Cheryl Rainfield
    wants to bask in the moment, but maybe I’m reading it wrong. Besides, I can’t let Alex get too close.
    “I want to look around. Don’t you?” I say to Rachel.
    She nods. We take off our shoes and socks, then walk out onto the shiny gray tiles, Alex close beside me. My feet slap the floor, splashing through the shallow puddles of water, my soles automatically finding traction.
    The pool is fifty meters long, just right for smooth, un-interrupted laps. I can almost feel the cool water caressing my skin, the peace-bliss of silence.
    And then I sense another Para. A telepath.
    Of course. She’d be drawn to the water, like I am.
    I turn my head casually, and see a broad-shouldered girl in a dark blue swimsuit coming through the doorway opposite us. Our gazes lock.
    “Stay strong,” I send.
    The girl stumbles. “It’s not safe here!” She disconnects abruptly.
    I rub the back of my neck. I’m used to Paras being cautious, but not so cautious that they won’t even connect. . . .
    She darts a glance at the wall behind me. I turn to look.
    A huge ParaWatch banner is draped over the entranceway, warning us all to be on the lookout for deviant Paras. This school has more anti-Para propaganda than I’ve ever seen.
    “Coach opens the pool for a free swim at four-thirty, when practice is over,” Alex says, looking at me. “You could stay and swim then, if you like.” I shake my head regretfully. “Not today.”
    “Tomorrow then.” Alex flashes his smile at me, bright as sun glinting off glass.
    58
    HUNTED
    I feel dizzy, short of breath.
    I grit my teeth. This can’t go anywhere. But I know that I want it to, even as I’m telling myself that it can’t.
    I turn to Rachel—but her gaze is on a slim boy with a white swimming cap, poised on the diving board. He springs, the board braying, and makes a near-perfect dive.
    Rachel nods her chin at him. “My brother.” Across the pool, the coach blows a whistle, piercingly loud. I wince as it echoes through the pool area. “Swimmers in the pool!” the man yells. “Visitors on the bleach-ers—or out.” He looks meaningfully at us.
    Alex rubs his arm. “You staying to watch?” . . . Say yes . . . no, don’t . . .
    I shake my head. “Can’t.” Though I want to, just to be near him.
    “Sorry you didn’t get to see more of the pool,” Alex says.
    “Mr. Carter!” the coach bellows.
    Alex waves. “I gotta go. See you tomorrow?”
    “Yeah,” I say, even as I shake my head no.
    Rachel grabs my arm as we leave. “Somebody likes you!” she says in a singsong voice.
    I laugh and swat at her, my breathing shallow. I do not care if some Normal likes me.
    e
    I catch the motel owner staring at me out of the grimy window as I approach the motel, but when I look at her, she moves away.
    59
    Cheryl Rainfield
    I reach after her. Nosiness, a wandering thought about whether my mom and I are Paras or are here to see a Para—
    but mostly I feel her desperation for money and to be loved.
    She’s thinking about fingering me and my mom, but she’s not sure yet. She doesn’t want another black mark on her record, but oh, she could use the money.
    I walk into the lobby, smile at the owner like I can’t hear her thoughts. “Nice day out.”
    She squints at me suspiciously; no one’s ever that friendly with her. The kid must want something from her.
    But what? “Nice day if you like sweating,” she says. She flicks her lighter, lights a cigarette, and inhales deeply.
    “That’s why I’m so glad you’ve got a pool,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, the smile on my face. I wave at her as I walk to the elevators. I feel her gaze on my back.
    Will I end up like her one day—desperate and alone? Alex flashes through my mind and I push the thought away. Upstairs, I force myself to get through my homework. Then I log onto my