Forgotten Self (Forgotten Self #1) Read Online Free PDF

lean back against the window and breathe in the new car smell. “So, cowboy, where we off to?”
    He doesn't look at me but I can tell he's amused. “I thought I'd show you a really great place in the mountains. You can see the whole city from there.”
    My eyebrows furrow and there's a little twist inside my stomach. I hope he's not going where I think he's going. “Hmmm,” is all I say.
    The rest of the drive is quiet, but as soon as he makes the turnoff onto Ridgeland Drive I know exactly where we're going. I'm going to have to do everything I can to not make this weird. No need for creepy boy to know anythin g about Kelly.
    We reach the spot in no time and when we step out of the car, the sun is setting. The clouds have cleared for the moment, allowing us to take in the scene. Without prompting, I sit on his car's hood. I say nothing. This is so weird: the plac e, the timing, not to mention the entire drive I'd felt the discomfort I got from being around Lucas. He feels familiar and wrong. I don't know what it is.
    Lucas sits next to me and stretches his arms. “What do you think?”
    Before I answer, I happen to loo k down at the rocks below us and it triggers something I don't understand. Flashes of pain and blood, a loud noise. My breathing tightens and I force myself to look back up into the sky. “It's nice.” I realize I'm rubbing my arm roughly. Something was in h ere, something – but what? I've never hurt my arm before. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
    Soon I notice that Lucas is watching me, not the sunset. I stare right back. “What?” I challenge. It's almost like I felt some sort of hostility towards him, like...
    Lucas responds,“You love coming to this spot.” It's not a question.
    I'm confused. “What do you mean?”
    “ I mean, you come here a lot. Alone now.”
    Apprehension begins to flow through me. “I – I've never even been here.” So much for playing it co ol. But I couldn't play it cool because I suddenly knew he knew something.
    He shakes his head slowly. “No, you've been here many times, Abigail.”
    I'm sure my whole face is a frown at the moment. “What are you talking about?” This is getting weird, fast.
    H e reaches a hand out as if to touch me but pulls it back at the last second. “You shouldn't go to see her alone anymore. It's not safe.”
    I jump off the car. “What the -? Are you stalking me or something?” My feet step backwards. How could he know?
    He stan ds, hands up and open in a placating gesture. “No, it's not like that.”
    My anxiety is on overdrive. Nobody knows about our place. How does he know Kelly? The cemetery? And beyond that, something about this place doesn't feel right. I'm forgetting somethin g. I back up a few more steps.
    “ I think you should go,” I tell him, pulling out my cell phone.
    He drops his hands. “I can't just leave you here.”
    Just as quickly as my anxiety came, it's replaced with frustration. “What, you think I can't handle myself? T hat I won't be able to find my way back? I'd rather walk the ten miles home than get back in that car with you, the new guy who knows way too much about me.”
    Lucas' face is apologetic. “It'll be safer if you just let me take you home.” The way he says 'hom e' makes my stomach drop. I shake my head but he tries again. “I won't say anything at all. And I'm sorry that I've frightened you. Believe me, it wasn't what I intended.”
    “ So what were you intending then, genius?”
    He says nothing.
    “ Fine, go. I'm not gett ing in that car unless you tell me why you know something you shouldn't.”
    Lucas rubs his hands over his face. “I'm not used to the way things work here.” He looks back at me. “Abigail, I -”
    Suddenly, I gasp. The sun has completely disappeared now. Faintly, but clearly, I can see a shimmer. It's a glow just like Kelly's, but brighter. And it's around Lucas.
    I turn and run down the mountain.
     
    The rocks are slippery and I've fallen