The Inner Kingdom: Quest One (Dragon Quest Book 1) Read Free Page B

Ashley and Miranda could hear.
    Classes seemed to take forever to end as I sat in my science class, watching the arms of the clock slowly tick.  April and I both have this class scheduled as our last class of the day, but today April’s desk was empty, making me wonder if she was seriously injured.
    When I went to visit her during lunch, after changing back into my regular clothes, the nurse, claiming that April needed to rest a little more, sent me away.
    Immediately, following the bell I was already out the door heading toward the nurse’s office; almost crashing into the nurse as she was leaving her station.
    “Is April Anderson still here?” I asked, while glancing behind her, only to find the office empty.
    “Oh, I’m sorry she was released to go to her last period. She said she was feeling a lot better.”
    “Thank you,” I replied, turning around before the nurse could say anything else.
    Checking April’s favorite places to hide at school, I found out no one had seen her; it was as if she had vanished. I began to worry a little as I retraced my steps, which led me right into Ashley and Brandon. I pretended I did not see them as I walked by, determined to find April.
    “Excuse Me?” Asked a tall, gangly girl with thick glasses and pigtails, I instantly recognized the chess club president from the flyers posted all around the school.
    “I’m sorry; I can’t talk right now. Actually, I am trying to find April Anderson. Have you seen her by any chance?”
    “Yes, I heard you were. I saw her heading towards the woods in the back of the school, about five minutes ago.”
    “Thank you,” I replied already heading toward the exit down the hall. Before I could get to it, Ashley moved in front of the door blocking my way.
    “Did you find April?” Ashley whispered with what sounded like concern in her voice.
    “Why would you care about that dork?”  Brandon asked as he walked toward us.
    “I don’t have time for this,” I exclaimed as I looked directly at Ashley. “I am going to find my sister; if you want to join me, I will be in the back of the school by the woods.”
    As I was leaving, I could hear Ashley trying to explain herself to her dumb boyfriend.
    The winter air hit me hard as I opened the door leading to the back of the school grounds. April, you better have an awesome explanation for going out in this weather, I thought as I begin to pull my heavy coat out my book bag.
    Pulling the hood up on my fur-lined winter coat, and tightening the straps on my backpack, I mentally prepared myself for the cold snow as I headed toward the trees.
    “April! Where are you?” I screamed as the snowstorm appeared to have increased since I stepped into the woods.
    The howling of the wind was all I heard in reply as I stood listening for anything that might sound like April. 
    In hearing something coming up behind me, I turned to find Ashley slowly trailing after me with her jacket zipped up so far, it looked impossible for her to see where she was going.
    “What are you doing?” I asked as I went to help her as she stumbled through the snow.
    “I am here to find our sister,” Ashley replied as she righted herself.
    “Oh, so what happened with your boyfriend? Are you ready to tell everyone the truth?” I questioned her as she looked anywhere but at me.
    “I thought we came out here to find April,” Ashley pointed out dodging my questions.
    “You win this time, but after we find April, there will be a discussion.”
    After walking in about two feet of snow for ten minutes, I was beginning to fear the worst, until I saw something twinkling off in the distance.
    “Do you see that light up ahead?” I asked.
    “Yes, April may be up there.”
    We started running as fast as we could through the snow until I finally saw April standing in front of a tree.
    “April!” We called out in unison once we became closer to where she was. She was standing silently still in one spot, focusing on something I could