The Chosen Ones Read Free Page A

a
huge ball!”
    I shook my head; it was utterly
ridiculous and insane. “We live on a ball?”
    He nodded. “I swear, it’s true! And
these…” He pointed to a variety of shapes. “Are different countries.”
    “Countries?”
    He nodded, but didn’t explain.
“And this is the ocean.”
    He pointed toward the blue area
surrounding the countries. I’d read about the ocean, although never seen it.
Could it possibly be truth and not myth? A body of water so large that you
couldn’t see land? Where fish bigger than humans swam? If vampires were real,
maybe the ocean was as well.
    “We live here. Somewhere.” He
pointed toward a large shape of land. “And somewhere out there is more land
like ours. Other countries with other types of animals and people.”
    “You’re positive?”
    He shrugged, looking hesitant.
“I think so. Will thinks so. We all think so.”
    The thought sent my heart
hammering. “Can I read your book?”
    “Sure. Just don’t lose it. It’s
my favorite.”
    I nodded, taking the small
novel. How I understood. At one time I had also kept my prized books safe, when
things like that mattered. “And there are other groups out there, in this
world? Groups like us?”
    He nodded, scooting closer so his
warm body pressed into mine. He smelled like dirt and rabbit stew, but I didn’t
mind. The pressure of his form seemed to wake something deep within me,
cracking the ice that had frozen around my heart.  
    Slowly, I flipped through the
book of maps. All these years I’d been right. Although it was almost unbelievable,
I knew in my gut it was true. There was more to this world, so much more than
our fenced-in compounds. So much more than I’d ever dreamt. The realization made
me forget the darkness constantly tugging at the hem of my shirt, begging for
attention like some crying child. I wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or
terrified. I settled on bemused.
    I took in a deep trembling
breath and glanced around me, truly seeing the hall, the building, Jim for the
first time. The corridor ran into a large, open room that was just visible in
the distance, aglow with lantern light and crowded with people. We were in the
bottom of the building, hidden deep within. No windows. To escape we’d have to
go upstairs and back into that abandoned city. An entire world was out
there…waiting to be discovered, yet we hid in the dark like worms.
    “So,” Jim said, drawing his
fingers down the greasy pan and licking off the drops. “You okay now?”
    “Maybe.” As I responded, my mind
betrayed and mocked me. The images from the castle came whispering back,
taunting. Sally…blood. So much blood. I could feel it coming…the horror washing
over me, sucking me down into the darkness. No. No, I wouldn’t let it.
    “Jane?” the boy called out,
leaning close.
    If I didn’t stop the darkness, soon
I’d be there again…drowning…drowning. I pressed my palms to my temples, trying
to stop the enveloping numbness from sweeping over me.
    “Jane?” Jim called out again, a
lifeline pulling me toward the light. “Are you okay?”
    His sticky fingers touched my
arm, jerking me back into reality. For a moment I merely sat there taking in
shallow breaths, trying to control the fear, trying to focus on Jim and his worried
gaze. I was alive. I would be healthy again. At the moment, there was nothing
to fear.
    Slowly, I gave him a trembling
smile. The numbness faded, the world coming sharply back into focus. I’d won this
time, but I could feel it there, lurking in the shadows, just waiting for that
moment of weakness. “I’m okay.”
    He grinned. “Good, because I
have more books and—”
    A bell clanged from somewhere in
the main room, the sound echoing obtrusively down the hall. Jarred, I
stiffened, my heart slamming wildly against my ribs. “What is that?”
    Jim scrambled to his feet,
accidentally kicking the pan across the floor, his movements frantic and
hurried.
    “Jim,” I reached out, grasping