Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

catch the license plate?” Cole cut in.
    “No, it happened too fast. But don’t worry, I’ll be all right. I just need to rest up here...” her voice failed her and she cleared her throat “...for a while. Until then I want you to stay with Aunt Beth.”
    Cole couldn’t speak. I’ll never lose again. I swear to you.
    “Cole? Don’t give this a second thought. I’ll be up and going before you know it.”
    “Okay, just get better soon,” Cole said.
    “I will.” She choked up and had to swallow hard to continue. “But right now I need some sleep.”
    She turned away from them and Cole left her to sleep, fighting to keep his anger and desperation inside. He would not make a scene here; he was above childish outbursts.
    “You'll be all right, Mere,” Beth said quietly.
    Kick the floor and shrug, then grunt.
    No! I’m not in the mood. Dammit. I’m getting sick of this, you know that? This is for you, Mom.
    Meredith turned back at the noise. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah, just tripped. Sorry to disturb you.”
    Beth gave him an odd look but said nothing. Meredith rolled back over and Cole, kicking himself for how ridiculous he was at the most inappropriate times and feeling like an idiot for bothering his mother now, snuck out of the room.
    Once they were back in the hall, Beth grunted and shook her head. “Looks like I'm stuck with you. Should've seen that one coming.” She turned and strode out of the hospital, with Cole trailing behind a few steps, the automatic doors whining shut behind them. Beth shielded her eyes from the blinding, afternoon light and looked back to Cole. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”
    “I left in the middle to come here. It’s almost over by now.”
    “So I can’t take you back there, then, huh? Fine. We'll go pack up your stuff and then I’ll take you back to my place.” As abruptly as she had turned around she turned back and continued on her way. When they reached her minivan she unlocked the manual lock with her key, reaching across the passenger seat to unlock the other door. Cole swung the door open as Beth leaned back to her side. “Get in. Hurry,” she said gruffly.
    Cole knew she had nowhere to be, but did not say a word as he climbed into the car. They drove in silence the fifteen minutes to his house. She handed him the spare key and waited in the car while he packed up some clothing. The drive to her house was silent as well and, as they got out, Cole made sure to lock his own door.
    “Remember, don’t touch anything,” Beth said, opening the front door. “And find an out of the way place to sleep. Is there a bus near here that you can take to school?”
    “No, I think you’re going to have to drive me.” Cole turned away to hide his spreading smile from the look on Beth’s face. I wonder why you never married . Beth was harmless, but still difficult to deal with for even the most tolerant of people. Fortunately, Cole hardly ever saw her except for holidays, when he found amusement in discovering new ways to irk her. In contrast to his usual behavior, however, since he was staying at her place, he decided to stay out of her hair. He ducked his head and disappeared through the door before she had a chance to react.

4
     
    The few times he had seen Aunt Beth’s house, it had always fascinated him. He had an overall distaste for the house , but its uniqueness offered a never-ending supply of odd decorations to discover and investigate. The house was filled with strange masks and paintings on the walls, glass sculptures in cases like a museum, and a myriad assortment of unidentifiable knickknacks cluttering every surface; everything from old dolls, to snow globes, to wood carvings. His most memorable experience had happened two years ago when he was exploring a side room in the far reaches of the house while Beth was distracted with the rest of the family in the dining room. He was looking inside a drawer in an old decrepit desk and, at the very