The Taste of Night Read Online Free PDF Page B

tugged him away from Ari. “Calm down. Don’t move. Just take a deep breath, okay?”
    Mikey tossed back his head and let out a hoarse, demonic laugh.
    Destiny kept a hand on his thick, coppery hair, holding him in place. Mikey was slender and light, small for eight, with arms and legs like sticks. He had dark, serious eyes that looked as if they belonged on an adult. His front teeth were crooked because he refused to wear his retainer.
    Groaning, Ari climbed to his feet. Ana-Li couldn’t take her eyes off the walls.
    â€œI can’t believe you did this,” Destiny said, shaking her head.
    â€œI told you I didn’t do it. The monster did it,” Mikey insisted, finally back in his normal, high-pitched voice.
    Destiny and Ana-Li exchanged glances. Ana-Li knew the problems they’d been having with Mikey. The poor kid had been acting out, severely troubled by the loss of his sister.
    He had nightmares that made him scream. He was afraid to stand near an open window. He’d been getting into fights at school. Sometimes he was afraid of the dark. But he kept his room dark as a cave and spent hour after hourin there with the door locked.
    Destiny never knew what to expect. Sometimes Mikey acted like a terrified victim, trembling, crying. And other times, he acted like a monster, striking out, screaming in a rage.
    She felt so bad for the little guy…and so totally helpless.
    Ari stepped up to the wall and examined the paintings. “I think the monster is in trouble big-time,” he said to Mikey. “How do you think the monster should be punished?”
    â€œHis head should be cut off with a machete,” Mikey answered. “And then they should turn him upside down and let all his blood drain out on the floor.”
    Ari turned to Destiny. “Big trouble,” he whispered.
    â€œWasn’t anyone here watching Mikey?” Ana-Li asked.
    Destiny sighed. She turned to Mikey. “Where is Mrs. Miller? She was supposed to watch you.”
    â€œShe had to go home to check something,” Mikey said. “She didn’t come back. I guess she got busy.”
    â€œMikey’s the one who got busy,” Ari said, gesturing to the wall.
    Mikey let out a roar. His eyes grew wide. “ The monster is coming back ,” he whispered.
    â€œWe should get him out in the sunshine for a while,” Ana-Li whispered to Destiny. “You know. Take his mind off this stuff.”
    Destiny nodded. “Hey, how about a soccer game?” sheasked Mikey. “You and me against Ari and Ana-Li.”
    Mikey reluctantly agreed. Destiny grabbed a soccer ball in the garage and led the way to the backyard, and the four of them started a game.
    The Wellers’ backyard was deep and wide, covered by a carpet of low grass and interrupted by only a few sycamore and birch trees. Almost perfect for soccer.
    The wind had picked up, but the sun blazed high in the sky, making the air warm as summer. Destiny passed the ball to Mikey, and they drove down the field toward Ana-Li and Ari. Mikey brought the ball close to the two slender saplings that formed the goal. Ari made an attempt to block his shot. But Mikey sent the ball flying through the trees. Goal!
    It was obvious to Destiny that her two friends were letting Mikey be a star. But Mikey didn’t notice. He jumped up and down cheering for himself.
    This was a good idea, Destiny thought. His mood has changed completely. A little sunshine and some physical exercise, and he’s acting like a normal kid again.
    The game went well for another ten minutes. Destiny loved the intense expression on her brother’s face as he moved the ball forward, dodged Ana-Li and Ari and their feeble attempts to block him, and kicked two more goals.
    Destiny began to feel hungry. Maybe it was time to stop the game and make lunch. She looked up in time to see Ari give the ball a hard kick that sent it flying toward the trees at the edge of the