Unveil by Amber Garza Read Free Book Online Page B

on the back of my neck stood at attention. An icy sweat slithered down my back.
    A haunting voice sang outside my window. It sounded like a child. The song was familiar. I honed in on it.
    “Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posy. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
    Trembling, I stood and made my way to the window. After peering outside, I gasped. In my front yard was the boy from next door. He was jumping rope and singing his song repeatedly.
    “Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posy.”
    Rain pelted his body and yet he didn’t seem to notice. His eyes were blazing in the darkness. He craned his neck and looked at me, his mouth curving in a crooked smile.
    “Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
    I moved away from the window. My heart hammered in my ears. My breath came out in shallow puffs. I covered my ears with my hands in order to block out the song, but still I heard it.
    “Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
     
    That night the strange boy filled my dreams. He chased me through the neighborhood, singing his haunting song. His eyes burned like fire. His teeth were razor sharp like Wesley’s when he transformed into a dragon. The boy was lightening fast and his reflexes were sharp. No matter how hard I ran, he always caught up to me. And even when I found the best hiding place he always found me. A few times I thought I’d lost him but then he’d reappear, a song still on his lips. He’d smile at the sight of me as if he enjoyed our sadistic game.
    I wondered how long I could endure it.
    I wondered if it would ever end.
    When morning finally came, I was still exhausted from my fitful sleep. However, I was grateful that the night was over. I was happy to abandon my bed and leave the nightmare behind. I trudged through my morning rituals, feeling like I moved through water. My head swam and my eyes burned.
    “Are you sick?” Mom asked over breakfast. We sat across from each other at the small table in the middle of the kitchen.
    “No, just tired.” I spooned a bite of sugary cereal into my mouth and forced myself to chew.
    “Me, too.” Mom yawned behind her hand before picking up her coffee mug and taking a sip.
    “Late night, huh?”
    She chuckled as if I’d just told a joke.
    “Did you meet anyone?”
    “Nah, it was just the same old losers.” Reaching her hand up, she patted the hot rollers that covered her head.
    I shoved another spoonful of cereal into my mouth in an attempt to mask how relieved I was by the news.
    After breakfast I brushed my teeth and laced up my boots. The rain had started up again, so I threw on my hooded jacket and hollered goodbye to Mom who was in the bathroom fixing her hair.
    When I stepped outside, I tightened the hood around my face. Rain splattered onto my face and streaked down my clothes. Just when I was about to run toward my car, a splash of red in the green grass caught my attention. On closer examination I saw that it was a white jump rope with red handles. A chill skittered down my spine. I shivered. Stepping into the wet grass, I picked it up and held it between my fingers.
    The door to the house next door swung open and Mrs. Kelley walked outside. She wore a black business suit and held an umbrella over her head. Holding the jump rope in my hand, I raced over to her.
    “Mrs. Kelley!” I shouted to be heard above the thunderous chorus of rain and wind.
    She turned and smiled at me. I got soaked, while she stayed dry under her massive umbrella. I proffered the jump rope.
    “Here. This belongs to the little boy who’s been staying with you.”
    She recoiled as if I’d slapped her. “There’s no boy staying with us.”
    “Oh. Well…it’s just….I saw a little boy with you the other day when you were gardening.”
    Her eyes widened, her face paled. She shook her head. “No. You’re mistaken.” Ducking her head, she hurried off. Her heels tapped on the concrete as she fled down the walkway to her car.
    Fear gripped me as I watched her drive