The Marked Son (Keepers of Life) by Shea Berkley Read Free Book Online Page B

worry. There’s no one around for miles. You could strip naked and do yard work, and no one would be the wiser.”
    I can feel the forest and all its secrets looming close by. Apparently Grandma doesn’t know about the ghost.
    She hangs the towel on the railing. “When you’re done, put your dirty clothes on the chair,” she says, pointing to an old rocker moving back and forth in the wind. At least I hope it’s the wind. My imagination is caught, and I can’t seem to look away.
    “Dylan!” Grandma calls, snapping my attention from the rocker back to her. She looks me up and down and shakes her head. “What’s wrong with you?”
    “N-nothing. I’m just c-cold.”
    She rolls her eyes and holds out her hand. “I’ll take your sneakers and clean them now, but I suggest you hurry up and develop better common sense, because this is the one and only time I’ll help you this late.”
    I nod, kick off my shoes, and hand them to her. She grimaces at the muck stuck on the soles and dripping from the laces, and goes inside.
    I turn around and peer into the darkness beyond the glow of the back porch lights. It’s kind of weird a ghost would show up before it was completely dark out. Then again, I’m no expert on the subject. Maybe ghosts can appear whenever and wherever they want.
    With that in mind, I quickly strip to my boxers, wrap the towel around my waist, and place my wet clothes over the rocker before going inside. I wish I could forget what I’ve seen, but I can’t. My insides are all jittery, and I still can’t think straight.
    I catch Grandpa’s eye as I make my way to my bedroom, and his gruff voice follows me. “Bet you won’t do that again anytime soon.”
    The crazy dog is sitting at his feet, and the light from the television washes Grandpa’s face in a strange, pale light. I’m reminded of the girl, and wonder how long she’s been haunting the woods. What if she was part of our family? Cursed to roam the land until someone frees her from this world? Maybe she’s been visiting my dreams because I’m the one who’s destined to free her.
    Maybe I’m not the only one who’s seen her.
    I step closer. “Hey, Grandpa?”
    He grunts, and continues to watch TV. The dog’s ears flatten, and he growls at me like he wants to rip out my throat.
    My nerves prickle, but I stand firm. It’s only a dog. Grandpa wouldn’t let it attack me. At least I hope not. He’s probably thinking I’m not the brightest kid after the stunt I just pulled, and if I get bit, I deserve it. “Do you have a computer?”
    He finally looks at me. “Whadaya want one of them for?”
    “I don’t know. I was just wondering.”
    “Your aunt Susie gave me satellite TV and a computer for Christmas. Told me getting on the internet would do wonders for the ranch, but I got all the business I need. If someone wants me, I got a phone.”
    I shake my head. Old people.
    Seeing my disbelief, he snuffles and turns back to the TV. “Anyway, when they installed the satellite, they set me up for internet service, but I haven’t dug the computer out of the box yet. Why bother? Hackers’ll just mess it up.”
    Everything is set up and the computer is still in the box? He had to be kidding. I clutch the towel tighter. “If I show you a few tricks and install a crap load of protection to keep hackers out of your hair, can I use it?”
    He stares at me for more than a few seconds, like he’s digging through my brain for information. “This isn’t about any of those porn sites, is it? That stuff will rot you to the bone.”
    My throat tightens, and a flash of heat burns my face. Talk about uncomfortable. “No, sir.”
    I don’t usually use formal address, but I’m hunting for some good luck.
    It doesn’t look like I’m going to find any, until he shrugs. “I guess so, but I’ll be watching you.”
    I exhale and turn away. A little research will do me good.
    After a quick shower and dry boxers, it’s late and everyone else is in