Watcher in the Woods Read Online Free PDF Page A

world.
    Dad had taken a step back. He had his arms crossed in front of him and was scowling at his younger son.
    â€œI’m sorry,” David said. “I thought . . . I thought I saw Mom.” “ Did you?”
    David bowed his head, thinking of his encounter with the woman in the room full of scared people. “No . . . it wasn’t her.”
    â€œAnd you almost died, too, didn’t you?” Dad snapped. His voice was hard, angry.
    â€œDad!” Xander said.
    â€œHe did! He almost died! David, am I wrong?”
    David nodded his head. “You’re right,” he said weakly. “There was this battle . . . I was in some French town, I think. The Nazis were invading. I . . . I . . .” He shook his head.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Xander said. He was kneeling in front of David, still holding him, rubbing his back through the leather jacket.
    David looked up at his father: Is it okay?
    Dad held his stern composition, then softened under David’s gaze. He skewed his mouth into a semi-smile. He stepped forward, knelt beside Xander, and leaned in to be close to David. His big hand engulfed David’s shoulder.
    â€œYou scared me,” he whispered. He blinked slowly, seeming to reselect his words. “I mean . . . I was scared for you.”
    David threw his arms around his father’s neck. He thought he was going to cry again, but the tears didn’t come. Instead, he felt Dad’s warmth, his heart beating against his chest. He felt stronger, as though drawing energy from his father.
    Dad said, “When I was a kid, I crossed over a few times without permission.” He looked intently at David. “Twice I thought I saw my mother and, well . . . I did what you did. I just went.”
    David was grateful for Dad’s telling him that. He knew how stupid he had been to just go. It was the kind of thing that would make his father take them all away from the house, regardless of Xander’s determination to stay. It helped to know that Dad understood.
    Then Dad pointed a stiff forefinger at David. “That doesn’t mean what you did is okay. It jeopardizes everything we’re trying to do. If this is how it’s going to be—”
    â€œIt’s not!” David said. “I won’t do that again. I promise.”
    Dad looked at Xander, who nodded. “Well,” Dad said, “I think I’m going to put some locks on these doors, just in case.”
    â€œHow are we going to find Mom?” Xander asked.
    â€œThat’s the question, isn’t it?” Dad said.
    â€œWe are going to find her,” Xander said.
    Dad squeezed his knee. “I said we would.”
    Xander stood. He slapped David on the leg. “Come on,” he said. “We’ve got other rooms to check.”
    David’s mouth dropped open. Did his brother really believe he was up to doing anything other than collapsing in a heap? Trying not to whine, he started, “Xan—”
    â€œThey can wait, Xander,” Dad said. “Look at Dae. He’s ready to fall over. We were up all night—Toria screaming about seeing the man in her room, then . . . Mom. And none of us has slept since then.”
    Xander said, “You crash. I’m going to find Mom.”
    Dad stepped close to him. “Xander, I know how you feel. But you have to bring it down a few notches. Your heart’s probably beating a thousand times a minute. Your mind’s racing. I know, I can see it in your eyes, in the way you’re acting. Keep it up, and you won’t be around long enough to find your mother.”
    Xander made an exasperated noise and started to turn away, but Dad grabbed his arm.
    â€œI mean it,” Dad said. “This isn’t a sprint, Xander. It’s a marathon. If we use up all our energy at the beginning, we won’t cross the finish line. Pace yourself, son.”
    Xander looked ready to fight. Then David saw the wisdom of