Mundahlia (The Mundahlian Era, #1) Read Free Page B

said before disappearing into the room.
    A small fire flickered in the fireplace by the living room where I’d chosen to set my luggage. I had taken the lazy route and carried all three of my jam packed suitcases to avoid going back out by myself.
    Pictures rested on tables and shelves all around the area. I picked one up from a shelf above the mantel of the lit fireplace and stared at the captured moment of my past. I was still an infant, and Celeste was about seven years old. We were nestled next to mommy Gloria on a maroon colored couch smiling at each other. I don’t even remember this. When Celeste moved away four years ago we ended up losing touch over time. It’s great that now I get a chance to reconnect with my “sister” for these next few months.
    After scanning a few more pictures, it dawned on me. I remembered that I had left a box behind in her car. I put the photo of Celeste’s deceased Chihuahua, Manny, down—probably facing backwards, and scoured her purse for the keys. The inside of her bag smelled like a heavy floral scented perfume and spearmint gum as I searched each of the many zipped up compartments. When I finally found them, I swung them around my finger and stepped out into the enveloping darkness, perfectly fit for a horror movie. Why would Celeste live way out here in the boondocks? I thought. The beginning brisk wind made me shiver, so I wrapped my arms in my chest for a smidgen of warmth.
    Upon arriving, I pulled open the handle on the door and searched for the box of books and movies I had set in the backseat.
    I guess on the way to Austin, the box seemed to have shifted and gotten jammed in the space between the front and back seat, making it almost immobile. “Yeah, that’s freaking fair!” I said to myself. Who was going to hear me way out here in the middle of nowhere anyway? I positioned a foot on the edge of the car for extra leverage, and with a mighty jerk, the box slipped from between the seats and flew out of the car—with me alongside it. My torso twisted in the air and I crashed onto the cold, hard, and wet cement—stomach first. The air was instantly knocked out of me in one forceful rush. A sharp pain and wanting-to-hurl stinging in the back of my throat.
    I got up quickly and wiped some mud and gravel away from my knees and hands. Even though it was too dark and secluded for anyone to notice, I still felt embarrassed. Both pain and fear lingered over me as I shuddered the thought of being far away from help if I were to ever need it. I slammed the vehicle door shut, blaming it as an accomplice to my injury—even though it was really my fault, and got to my knees with my now empty box, picking up my four month supply of packed books and movies that were now sprawled across the lawn.
    “Need help?” an inscrutable male voice sounded.
    I flinched as a pair of dark brown boots came into view in front of me, stepping into a small puddle. I craned my neck to the all too-dark figure, who’s face remained hidden within the shadows. At first, I thought it was George. But the brawny body shape was unfamiliar, taller, and somewhat younger. “Oh, no thank you. I can do it on my own.” I tried not to stare as I imagined all the horrific things this shadow figure could do to me. “Really it’s just a few things. No big deal.” In other words, I really don’t need your help, please get away from me creepy guy!
    “Then can I help you with that cut you have on your knee?” He pointed. “That fall must have hurt. Sounded like it did at least. You sure hit the floor hard.”
    My face grew hot and the embarrassment persisted. He was watching me? “Oh,” I said slowly, my voice uneasy. “You saw that?”
    “Yup, I saw that ,” he held back a laugh. It was soft, nice even. “Just let me see your cut.” He reached his hand out farther to my leg.
    “I don’t have one.” I leant to the side, dodging his grasp, and covered my knee before his fingers could reach my skin. My