Irresistible Fear Read Online Free PDF

experience.”
    Emily put her camera away and picked up her book bag. This perfect afternoon suddenly ruined. “Well, I like taking pictures of nature. I find it really soothing and besides, isn’t this supposed to be my vision?” Emily couldn’t keep the defensiveness out of her voice.
    Mrs. Au placed a ring decked hand on top of hers'. “Emily I meant no disrespect. Like I said you are truly gifted. I just would like to see you try your hand at other types of photography; maybe you would find your vision there as well.” Emily pulled her hand away. “Hmm. Maybe.” Emily didn’t want to discuss her vision right now. She needed to get home and eat before her mother did. If she could avoid a scene then maybe she would actually be able to get her homework done for once.
    Mrs. Au saw Emily’s obvious attempt to leave. “I didn’t mean to upset you Emily and clearly I did. I apologize. Have you decided if you are going to come on the trip to Pinnacle Rock State Park? I think it would be a great opportunity for you to try some new techniques.” Emily shuffled her feet. She desperately wanted to go on the day trip to the park.
    She remembered going there once as a child with her dad and she remembered how amazing it was there. But she needed her mother’s signature to go and she needed $50 to cover the gas costs. There was just no way she could afford that while she was trying to save everything she earned. Plus, she didn’t like talking to her mother about anything, particularly if it dealt with something that was important to her.
    “Um, I really don’t think I’ll be able to go.” Emily could hear the longing in her voice and Mrs. Au caught it as well. Her kind face smiled. “Emily, if it’s the money you’re worried about, we can cover the cost.” Emily tightened. The last thing she wanted was to be some sort of charity case. She knew pride didn’t get you anywhere, but if she couldn’t pay for herself, she didn’t want to go at all. The last thing she wanted was to be like her mother, who thought nothing of doing god knows what to earn a few bucks. She didn’t expect Mrs. Au to understand that though and she had no desire to explain it either.
    “No, that’s not it. I just um…have to work that weekend.” Emily interjected quickly. “Oh.” Mrs. Au responded, clearly disappointed. “Well we’ll certainly miss you. But if you change your mind you have until the 14 th to hand in your permission slip and money.” Mrs. Au was being flagged down by two other students. Emily stood there for an endless minute, camera dangling from her hand, torn between staying and taking a few more shots or getting the hell out of there.
    Her need for flight won out in the end and she made her way across the courtyard, waving to her classmates as she left. Emily felt herself sweating despite the cool air. She was feeling really run down today.
    Her nightmares were so intense that they seemed to follow her all day long. It was like they were eating her alive and she was slowly losing all touch with reality. Her days were spent in a fog and she knew people were beginning to notice. Sasha’s looks were becoming more pointed and even Mr. Miller was giving her pitying glances during class. She knew she was bad if her hapless English teacher was feeling sorry for her.
    Emily was used to the pity, and she hated it. Her mom was pretty notorious around Black Briar and anyone that had lived there longer than a year became quickly familiar with her presence. Her mom was a frequent inhabitant of the local drunk tank and unfortunately several of the sheriff deputies had kids in her grade. Lucy Blankenship's father worked the 2 nd shift for the police department and was often on hand to haul her mother into jail for one of her many charges of Public Intoxication. Lucy was a junior and in the photography club with her, making avoiding her generally impossible. The sympathetic looks she would send her way after one of her