Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky Read Free Book Online Page A

this tree. I’ve never seen him like that. Since then I’ve learned not to interfere, as much as I would like to. Some lessons have to be learned on one’s own.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Dmitri opened his mouth, then closed it quite suddenly. His eyes went to the part of the sky in which the raven had fled as he pondered something for a few moments—for some reason people always seem to believe the answers are right there above them. No doubt, Dmitri was debating something. Finally, he shook his head and, with his hand, retraced the mark his ax made in the tree. “This one’s ready to come down. This is the sweet spot right here. Just a few solid downward strikes and a ratty old tree like this will tip. I won’t be sorry to see it go, that’s for sure.” He pulled back his hand and wiped it clean on his pants. Juniper did not fail to notice his arm was covered with goose bumps.
    Dmitri retrieved his ax from Giles and threw it down into a stump, where it lodged. “This is where she sleeps; don’t wake her up now.” He smiled without showing any teeth. “I’ll be on my break. Try not to get into any trouble, you two.”
    He walked away and Juniper and Giles could only stare at each other. Dmitri’s words seemed to linger in the air, even the ones he didn’t say.
    Juniper ran her finger across the mark once more. Her father stopped him from chopping it down. Why?
    The search for explanations continued a while longer—Juniper setting up a tight perimeter to explore—but nothing was discovered, no revelations of any kind. What was the connection between her parents and Giles’s? What was the meaning of the scrawled ramblings and symbols, the clearing, the tree? They had to be missing something, but what?
    After nearly an hour more, that missing something still wasn’t found. Exhausted and out of ideas, Juniper decided they should break for the day. However, at this point, neither she nor Giles wished to part company.
    â€œI don’t have to be home yet,” Giles said. “Doesn’t seem like I have much of a curfew anymore.”
    â€œWell, there’s still plenty of day left,” Juniper pointed out. “What would you like to do?”
    â€œWhat do you usually do?”
    â€œI’m usually alone,” she admitted.
    â€œWhat about all those people outside your gates? You never made friends with any of them? They must be dying to meet you.”
    â€œHa! My parents would never go for that. I’m not allowed anywhere near them. My dad says they’re crazy, but I think he’s more concerned with lawsuits and bad press.”
    â€œNo, he’s probably right,” Giles said. “But I’m sure they’d like you. You’re smart and pretty.” He turned away. “They’d just mock me.”
    â€œThat’s not true. Why would you think that?”
    â€œIt’s okay. I’m used to it. Look at me, all scrawny and weak. There’s a reason why those people wait outside for a glimpse of your parents. They all want to be just like them. Nobody wants to be like me, and you know what, I want nothing to do with them. I wish I could just leave, just get out of here and never come back. I never need to see anyone ever again. I mean it.”
    This hurt Juniper. She wanted to ask if he meant this about her, too, but kept quiet.
    â€œI can live by myself,” Giles went on. “I know I can. Only problem is, in this world, people are everywhere.”
    Except here , Juniper thought.
    â€œWe can have our own little world, Giles. Right here.”
    He laughed at this. “Sounds good. Our own planet. Until I have to go to school again.”
    And so, for the rest of the day, living in their own world, each had a friend in the other.
    Even without much experience in friendships, the lonely girl and the castaway boy filled the time as two friends should. In fact, it so