Arena One: Slaverunners Read Online Free PDF Page B

conceivably find such a thing.
    I smile down at her. “Santa gave it to me, for you. It’s an early Christmas present.”
    She wrinkles her brows. “No, really ,” she insists.
    I take a deep breath, realizing it’s time to tell her about our new home, about leaving here tomorrow. I try to figure the best way to phrase it. I hope she will be as excited as I am—but with kids, you never know. A part of me worries she might be attached to this place, and not want to leave.
    “Bree, I have some big news,” I say, as I lean down and hold her shoulders. “I discovered the most amazing place today, high up. It’s a small, stone cottage, and it’s perfect for us. It’s cozy, and warm, and safe, and it has the most beautiful fireplace, which we can light every night. And best of all, it has all kinds of food right there. Like this chocolate.”
    Bree looks back down at the chocolate, studying it, and her eyes open twice as wide as she realizes it’s real. She gently pulls back the wrapper, and smells it. She closes her eyes and smiles, then leans in to take a bite—but suddenly stops herself. She looks up at me in concern.
    “What about you?” she asks. “Is there only one bar?”
    That’s Bree, always so considerate, even if she’s starving. “You go first,” I say. “It’s okay.”
    She pulls the wrapper back, and takes a big bite. Her face, hollowed-out from hunger, crumbles in ecstasy.
    “Chew slowly,” I warn. “You don’t want to get a stomach ache.”
    She slows down, savoring each bite. She breaks off a big piece and puts it in my palm. “Your turn,” she says.
    I slowly put it into my mouth, taking a small bite, letting it sit on the tip of my tongue. I suck on it, then chew it slowly, savoring every moment. The taste and smell of chocolate fills my senses. It is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever had.
    Sasha whines, pushing her nose close to the chocolate, and Bree breaks off a chunk and gives it to her. Sasha snaps it out of her fingers and swallows it in a single gulp. Bree laughs, delighted by her, as always. Then, in an impressive show of self-restraint, Bree wraps up the remaining half of the bar, rationing it. She reaches up and wisely places it way up high on the dresser, out of Sasha’s reach. She still looks weak, but I can see her spirits starting to return.
    “What’s that?” she asks, pointing at my waist.
    For a moment I don’t realize what she’s talking about, then I look down and see the teddy bear. In all the excitement, I’d almost forgotten. I reach down and hand it to her.
    “I found it in our new home,” I say. “It’s for you.”
    Bree’s eyes open wide in excitement as she clutches the bear, wrapping it to her chest and rocking it back and forth.
    “I love it!” Bree exclaims, her eyes shining. “When can we move? I can’t wait!”
    I am relieved. Before I can respond, Sasha leans in and sticks her nose in Bree’s new teddy bear, sniffing it; Bree rubs it playfully in Sasha’s face, and Sasha snatches it and runs out the room.
    “Hey!” Bree yells, erupting in hysterical laughter as she chases after her.
    They both run into the living room, already immersed in a tug-of-war over the bear. I’m not sure who enjoys it more.
    I follow them in, cupping the candle carefully so that it doesn’t blow out, and bring it right to my pile of kindling. I grab a few of the smaller twigs, place them in the fireplace, then grab a handful of dry leaves from a basket beside the fireplace. I’m glad I collected these last Fall and stored them here, knowing they would serve as great fire-starters. They work like a charm. I place the dry leaves beneath the twigs, light them, and the flame soon reaches up and licks the wood. I keep feeding leaves into the fireplace, until eventually, the twigs are fully caught. I blow out the candle, saving it for another time.
    “We’re having a fire?” Bree yells excitedly.
    “Yes,” I say. “Tonight’s a celebration.