Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight Read Online Free PDF Page A

done, walked away, you
wouldn't be in this position, would you?"
    "And what, be laughed at by everyone
else?"
    Mr. Ingram put both hands on the table and
met Danny's eyes in a tense stare. "It takes more courage to do
what's right than it does to try to look cool, Mr. Firoth."
    Danny looked away and focused on the center
of the table. "You don't know what it’s like," Danny said in a soft
voice. "Steven picks on everyone and if I don't stand up to him,
who will?"
    Mr. Ingram's voice grew softer, mimicking
Danny's low tone. "Are you going to fight the whole world, Danny?
Are you going to save everyone?"
    Danny felt confusion and frustration burning
within his stomach. The argument had taken a turn he hadn't
expected. He let his silence answer for him.
    Mr. Ingram sighed and pushed the paper toward
him. "Just work on the assignment, Danny." He turned and walked
toward a desk in the corner.
    "Yes," Danny said to his teacher’s back.
    "Yes, what, Danny?" turning around, looking
at his student with obvious curiosity.
    "I'll always fight for what's right. I'll
defend those who can't defend themselves, no matter what."
    "Then I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each
other." He turned back to his desk.
     
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Chapter 3 - A Date with the Dark

    early two hours had passed when Danny put the
final defining words on the four-page essay. Beyond the windows,
the sun was barely visible, sending the last, soft waves of light
streaking into the cafeteria. It would be dark soon.
    "I'm done," said Danny, holding the four
pieces of paper up for Mr. Ingram to see.
    Mr. Ingram moved toward Danny, retrieved the
white pieces of paper and began to read.
    Danny had been honest but, at the same time,
he'd written the essay in an attempt to play to his teacher's point
of view. He didn't want to have to write the paper over again.
    After reading the last page, Mr. Ingram
lowered the papers to his side and said, "Good, well-written,
Danny. So the next time you find yourself in this situation, what
are you going to do?"
    "Walk away," he lied .
    Danny had meant every word in their earlier
conversation. Steven was a menace to all the students in the
school, those who couldn't stick up for themselves, and Danny felt
good about what he'd done.
    "You're free to go," Mr. Ingram said,
gathering up the paper and pencils. "I'll see you tomorrow."
    Danny nodded. He slung his backpack over his
shoulder and ran out of the huge room before Mr. Ingram could
change his mind. He couldn't wait to get home, despite the scolding
he knew was waiting for him. Quickening his step to a jog, he moved
down the narrow hall, toward the entrance to the bottom half of the
school, where he knew his mother would probably be waiting for
him.
    The hall was oddly quiet, as opposed to the
usual collection of voices. The overwhelming silence was a little
disturbing. Danny picked up the pace some more, almost turning his
trot into an all-out sprint. He reached the glass doors faster than
he thought possible. Peering outside, he failed to see his mother's
car and sighed at the prospect of imprisonment within the deserted
halls of the school for much longer than he cared to be there.
    Time passed, with it so did the comforting
light of the sun. Danny slumped down against the brick wall next to
the glass doors. Boredom set in as he stared beyond, hoping with a
pleading desperation that his mother would show up any second.
    With time to kill, Danny retreated inward,
working through the events of the day. Everything seemed so normal
until... how could I have done what I did? Danny pondered
the question, seeing the fight in his mind, trying to discover how
he had bested the largest boy in his grade.
    Unable to unravel the riddle, Danny sighed,
resting the back of his head against the cool wall behind him.
Whatever had happened, whatever he'd done, whatever it meant was
lost to him. At the least, he would get the respect he deserved,
maybe Steven would leave him alone from now on. This