The Glass Wall (Return of the Ancients Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jerry.
    Tears threatening, I turned to my foster family standing in the driveway, “What did you do with him? Why did you touch my stuff?”
    “I didn’t touch your things, honey,” Betty said, frowning. She looked at the box. “I just cleaned your room today and found that old box under the bed. I must have missed it before, looks like some mouse was trying to make a home there.”
    I choked.
    Jerry was gone.
    Heartbroken and angry, I shouted with a shaking voice, “Don’t touch my things!”
    They stared at me, obviously confused.
    I was faintly aware of Rafael standing across the street, watching with his Doberman, but I didn’t care. I continued to shout, “Just because you’re helping an unwanted foster kid, it doesn’t mean that I don’t count! You still can’t touch my things! I’m still just as valuable as other people are and my feelings count too!”
    I ran into the house, not even sure why I had said those things. I locked the door to my room and began a desperate search, but Jerry was long gone.
    Finally, I sat on the floor, clutched my knees, and let the tears loose.
    They knocked on my door, several times, but I ignored them.
    At one point, I heard someone pushing something under the door. It was a piece of paper with cheese and crackers on it. I guess Betty was worried that I hadn’t had dinner, but there was no way I could eat a thing. I’d just lost my only friend. No, Jerry wasn’t just a friend. He was my family.
    The thought of him being cold, hungry or eaten by a cat made me break down into a fresh bout of tears. I cried myself to sleep that night, crying harder for Jerry than I ever had for my mother.
    The next morning, I appeared at the breakfast table with puffy eyes. The conversation was polite. No one mentioned the box or the events of the night before.
    Later at school, as we walked up the sidewalk, Grace finally asked, “Are you okay?”
    I wondered why she even bothered to ask. I was sure she didn’t even like me. I didn’t want to think of Jerry. I was tired of crying. “No,” I said shortly.
    She just looked at me and shrugged.
    I walked past the priest who greeted me by name, but I just ducked my head. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone.
    Ellison met me at the entrance. I’m sure he noticed my swollen eyes, but he didn’t mention them. He took me to our mentor group meeting. It was strange. They didn’t do anything for half an hour other than talk to each other about their weekend plans. I didn’t understand the point of the meeting. I kept looking out the window, trying not to think of Jerry and his tiny paws.
    School dragged on forever that day. I couldn’t concentrate. Everyone left me alone, and for that, I was grateful.
    Finally, the last bell rang.
    I gathered my mound of books and walked down to the truck, not even caring to read the inspirational words anymore.
    No one spoke on the way home, and as soon as the engine stopped, I escaped to my room.
    I clicked the lock shut and dumped my books on the bed. There was nothing to do but study. It was just as well. It would keep my mind off Jerry.
    I had just opened my notebook when I heard a light tap on my bedroom window.
    The form of someone tall stood outlined against the glass.
    Startled, I leapt back, barely registering that it was Rafael. I almost screamed anyway.
    “Sydney!” I heard his muffled voice. He was looking at me through the glass.
    I stared in shock, wondering if Al knew he was there, but then I became distracted as I noticed Rafael was wearing blue eye shadow on his left eye. It wasn’t just a tiny touch of makeup; it was a bold artistic pattern that curved in a swirl around his eyebrow.
    I kept staring, recalling the creepiness of the greenbelt incident again, when I saw something round and furry sitting on his shoulder.
    It was Jerry, perched like a parakeet.
    My heart stopped.
    Rafael was saying something. I saw his lips moving, his expressive face frowning a little, and then he turned