Re-Runners First Life: A Time Travel Suspense Series Read Free

for you?’
    Chuck faltered for a second. He was used to a different response from his victims; more fear. He mentally shook himself and came back with, ‘Yea freak, you can get out of my space. You annoy me.’
    Christian tipped his head to one side, never breaking the chilly contact of those ice blue eyes. ‘I believe it is you who has entered my space.’
    ‘Huh?’ the larger boy frowned. ‘You got a death wish or somethin’?’
    ‘Do you ?’ Christian answered. ‘Remember, there are worse things than a dead cat.’ With that, he turned his back on Chuck and continued along the sidewalk.
    A cold shiver hit the footballer. What did the freak know about their family cat? It had been found dead and dissected on the front door mat of their home only this morning. His mother had been hysterical and his father furious. The police were called. It had been a circus.
    He watched Christian’s relaxed stride as he walked away. The freak? No way. Not a wimp like him .
    The things that had been done to his childhood pet had been revolting. Innards displayed in gross patterns and limbs severed and rearranged. No, not even the freak could do that. It was a real sicko, someone demented. The freak might be weird, but he was smart.
    It was why Chuck targeted him. A part of him recognized Christian’s intellectual superiority and he was intimidated. He fought back the only way he knew how - bullying.
    No, the freak couldn’t do the things that were done to that cat. But just in case, Chuck decided to steer clear of him in future. There were plenty of other weaklings to torment.
    ooooo
    Christian entered the house, went upstairs to his bedroom and shut the door. His mother Doris heard him come in, but she knew better than to disturb Christian when his door was closed.
    Doris and Albert Turner had adopted Christian as a two year old. He’d always been distant and unresponsive to their efforts to nurture and care for him. They had waited so long for a child and they loved him the best they could, but Christian was a hard child to love. They tried everything to break through his shell; spoiled him with toys and holidays, arranged parties he refused to attend. He had no need of friends and as he grew older, he appeared to have no need of parents.
    Albert had given up on the child years ago and barely spoke to him. That suited Christian just fine. Doris still tried, every day she tried; but she saw the contempt he had for them shining from those pale blue eyes. And she had to admit, he frightened her. Not because of his occasional bouts of rage. They were short lived. It was his silent scrutiny that scared her the most.
    At least he’d grown out of hurting things. The dead birds and rodents she found when he was still a small child had signs of torture. She had hidden them from Albert and hoped Christian would stop. Eventually he did, or perhaps he just got better at hiding them. Doris didn’t want to think about that.
    ooooo
    Christian stood at his bedroom window and looked out over the spacious front lawn of their suburban house. It was a nice house. It would be a shame to lose it, but it had to be so. He glanced at the calendar above the study desk. Only five days until his eighteenth birthday.
    His plans were in place. How wonderful it will be to be free. He had thoroughly researched everything he needed. He knew his rights and entitlements and looked forward to a bright future.

Chapter 2

Christian -Age 18
    1976
    The flashing lights of the fire department trucks and paramedic van cast a surreal glow over the faces of neighbors in night gowns and track pants, who lined the opposite path behind the police tape. The fire-fighters continued to douse the dying embers of the fire that had destroyed the Turner home.
    The fire chief squatted down beside Christian as he sat at the rear of the rescue services truck with a blanket over his shoulders. The paramedic continued to wind gauze around his burnt hands.
    The chief lightly touched