Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

a wave of dizziness overcame her. “Why did you call me that?”
    “Catherine Ròsaline Aldridge is your full birth name. Given to you by your real parents,” Ròs explained.
    Shaking out of her dizzied state, Cat asked, “So…what you’re telling me is…that I’m like you…fangs and all?”
    “Well, in a manner of speaking, yes. But you’re special, Catherine,” Trevor replied. 
    “Why wasn’t I told this earlier when all of that weird stuff was happening to me? Instead, you let me believe I was sick or something.”
    “Cat,” Michael said, trying to put his arm around her again.
    “Don’t!” Cat said angrily, pushing away his arm. “Let me get this straight, you just told me that I’m adopted, and now I’m some freak of nature. Awesome,” she remarked sarcastically with a hollow laugh. As angry tears slid down her cheeks, “So, what next? Are you going to tell me people want to kill me?” Cat saw the shock registering on the faces before her. “People are out to kill me?  You’ve got to be kidding. Right?” No one answered.
    “Now, Catherine, calm down. That’s why we’re here. We’d like for you to come with us. We can protect you,” Ròs explained calmly with pleading eyes.
    “We can take care of her too,” Sam stated directly.
    “But you don’t know-”
    “Well, you don’t know either,” Rachel said, interrupting Ròs.
    “Stop! You’re sitting there arguing and acting like I’m not even here. This is my life we’re talking about,” Cat yelled. Holding her forehead, trying to ease the oncoming headache, “I need to think. I’m going up to my room, and I want to be left alone.” Throwing her hands down to her side and scowling at everyone, “Do you understand? Alone! I’ll let you know when I,” she said pointing to her chest, “am ready to talk. This will be my decision and no one else’s.” As she turned and made her way to the door, “I mean it, no one follow me!” she shouted, slamming the door behind her. Hurrying up the stairs, Cat met Taylor coming out of his room.
    “What’s up, Red Freak?”
    “Don’t start with me,” she growled, glaring at him, as she continued toward her bedroom.
    “What the hell was that all about?” he muttered to himself. As Taylor walked into the study he felt the tension was so thick he could cut it with a knife. “Okay, what’s up with Cat, and who pissed her off?” he asked jokingly. After a few minutes of the adults explaining what happened, Taylor rolled his eyes at the mess they had made with Cat, each one putting the blame on the other for her meltdown. As far as he was concerned, they were all responsible.
    Hearing the sound of an engine starting and then tires squealing, Rachel ran to the front door, and threw it open. “It’s Cat! She’s running away!” she cried down the hallway.
    “I’ll go after her. I think you guys have done enough damage tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll bring her home,” Taylor stated, grabbing his jacket and moving toward the front door.
    “I’d like to accompany you, if that’s okay?  I promise I’ll let you handle Catherine alone,” Ròs said.
    “Whatever, but you better let me do all the talking,” Taylor replied, taking his car keys from the rack.
         
    Ryan felt like a stalker. He had no reason to be on Nehalem Avenue at that time of night. He wondered what Cat would say if she saw him on her street. Suddenly an orange Jeep flew around the corner, and Ryan swerved to the right as it sped by. He caught a quick glance of the driver. Noticing Cat’s distinct fiery red hair, he pulled into the nearest driveway to turn around and follow her. Before he was done, another car sped by and Ryan recognized Taylor’s Mustang in hot pursuit.
    Cat threw open the door as she stopped the Jeep and ran down the steep path toward the desolate beach below. She headed for the trees that sheltered the barren clearing. She sat down heavily on the concrete foundation, visualizing how the