The Talents Read Online Free PDF Page B

ran.
    Maybe things would be different at Delcroix, just like Cam said. Maybe I wouldn’t feel threatened. Maybe I wouldn’t have to try so hard to make myself invisible. Danville Middle School wasn’t exactly a good place to stand out, but with all the amazing kids at Delcroix, no one would be paying the least bit of attention to me, right?
    Even though I hated the idea of leaving Grandma alone, I had to admit that living at Delcroix sounded pretty amazing. No doctor appointments, no cooking or cleaning, a computer, a library I could use whenever I wanted.…And then there was Cam. Living at Delcroix meant I’d get to see Cam every day .
    Images of Cam seemed to block out all rational thought, so I didn’t see the kid running toward me until we were about to collide. He was looking over his shoulder and scowling at the road behind him, eyebrows knit together like a dark smear across his forehead. He had long legs and arms, black hair, and pale skin. I thought I saw the scrawl of a tattoo across one bicep.
    â€œHey!” I yelled, ducking out of the way just in time to avoid being flattened.
    He stopped and spun around. His gaze darted wildly from my face to the road and back. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He brushed it off with an impatient, trembling hand.
    I saw panic in his eyes, and fear in the rigid, jerky way he kept moving, as if he couldn’t afford to stand still.
    â€œAre you okay?” I asked.
    He looked over his shoulder again, and then took a step closer to me. Grabbing my shoulders, he peered right into my face. “If a man asks if you’ve seen me, say no, okay?”
    Beautiful silvery-gray eyes stared out from spiky black eyelashes. I froze, unable to tear my gaze from his.
    â€œOkay?” he repeated, shaking my shoulders. His voice cracked.
    I gulped, my heart pounding in my chest. Suddenly I had a taste of the fear that seemed to consume him. “Should I call the police?”
    â€œNo!” His voice cracked again. “No,” he repeated. “Just say you haven’t seen me.”
    He let me go and started running down the block. When he got to the corner, he took a right and headed in the direction of the open space on the edge of town.
    Just as the boy disappeared from view, a beige sedan appeared at the head of the street, several blocks away. It moved slowly, deliberately.
    As the car approached, I could see the driver looking carefully from side to side. He was blond and clean shaven, and mirrored sunglasses covered half his face. When he saw me, he pulled over and rolled down the passenger-side window, the seat belt pulling tight against his shoulder as he leaned to the side.
    He pushed up the sunglasses and arranged his face in a semblance of concern. “Excuse me, miss, but did you see a boy run by here? He would have been about your age, tall, with a tattoo around his arm.”
    My heart thumped hard, paused, and thumped again. The whoosh of a windstorm filled my ears. “No,” I said, trying to sound calm. “I haven’t seen anyone.”
    His mouth tightened, and then he manufactured a worried grimace. “Are you sure? See, my son and I had a fight, and he stormed off. I’m really worried about him. You’re absolutely sure you didn’t see him?”
    Now I knew something was up. Unless this guy fathered that kid when he was in elementary school, he was lying. And the kid had looked terrified. Why?
    â€œLook, I already told you no. Now, I’m right in the middle of a workout, so if you don’t mind…” With an annoyed look, I backed away and started running again. It took all my willpower to set a steady rhythm and keep my shoulders loose, as if I had no idea something unusual was going on. Behind me, I heard the car engine rev and the tires squeal. I shot a glance over my shoulder just in time to see the car turn in the direction of the open space.
    The same direction the kid had run, just a