A Whispered Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page A

for dinner, I hung back with Bryan, determined not to be rude, despite the apprehension fluttering in my stomach. I wasn’t attracted to him, though he was cute. I didn’t want to be close to him. He made me feel strangely dirty. I couldn’t really place the feeling or why it appeared.
    “So, are you registered for classes yet?”
    I shook my head. “It’s on the agenda for this week. I’ll probably be stuck in all freshman classes because we’re so late signing up.”
    Bryan patted my arm. “Maybe. But it’s a small school. It won’t be as bad as you think.”
    Nothing can be as bad as the place I left… Forcing a smile, I nodded and mumbled something appropriately non-committal.
    He seemed to sense my thoughts. “I think I owe you an apology.”
    I blinked. “What?”
    Bryan’s face flushed. “I know I come off a little intense. I apologize. I’m an impatient person on a good day, and new people our age in town almost never happens. So I’m sorry if I’m a little too enthusiastic.”
    “No, it’s nice to know someone is interested in being friends.”
    He laughed. “You don’t have to cover it up, I know what I’m like. But thanks for trying anyway.”
    I smiled, a little more genuinely this time. “No problem.”
    Finally, Grant pocketed the change and stepped between us. “Sorry to break this up, but I’m starved. We’ll see you around, Bryan.”
    He shook both our hands.
    “Thanks for the offer of help.” I forced the words out, wiping my hand over the back of my jeans and hoping he didn’t notice. His touch felt clammy, slightly off despite his friendliness.
    “No problem. Have a good night!”
    For once, I was glad to let Grant be rude and drag me away before our conversation descended into even more awkwardness.
    He clutched dinner to his chest as we jogged to the car.
    “Geez, we haven’t even been here twenty-four hours and you’re picking up boys already?”
    I slid into the driver’s seat with relief. “Oh, yeah, cause he totally wants this hot mess.” I shoved the keys in the ignition and spread my arms, raising an eyebrow at Grant.
    “There’s no accounting for taste.” Grant waited until I pulled out of the parking lot before adding, “He’s a weirdo, Claire. Please go for the blond one.”
    My lips lifted. “I’ll keep that in mind when I’m making up my list of possible dating candidates.”
    “They’re flocking to you like birds.” He dug in the brown paper bag and pulled out an eggroll. Stuffing a large portion in his mouth, he chewed and swallowed. “I’m pretty sure Hitchcock did a movie about that.”
     
    ***
     
    When we got home, lights shone from the second floor windows, and the bottom dropped out of my stomach. There was no escaping it—I’d have to go upstairs tonight.
    The Chinese food didn’t smell quite so appetizing anymore. Grant called out for Mom as we entered. Her response drifted down the stairwell, beckoning us upstairs like a whiff of perfume.
    Grant slid the Chinese food on the counter with a mournful look and we made our way down the hall to the staircase. Dark wooden banisters boasted finely carved leafy swirls and complicated patterns. If I hadn’t been dreading whatever lay up there, it would have been pretty.
    Grant bounded up, and I followed slowly, each step an act of will. He gave me a strange look as he stood at the top of the stairs. “Move it, sis. I’m starving, and you know she won’t come down until we see whatever it is she’s found.”
    I nodded and forced myself to take the stairs two at a time until I stood at the top, panting. Sweat beaded on my upper lip and I wiped it away, my eyes darting around. The presence in the house was stronger here, but different.
    There’s more than one presence here? Shit.
    “Come in here and see this, sweetie. It’s fantastic!” Mom waved at me from a lit room at the other end of the landing.
    I almost ran to Mom and Grant, sliding into the doorway and suppressing a shiver.