The Sign of Fear Read Free Page A

while, she thought. I have to rest.
    The shadows in the woods grew thick and heavy all around her. The memory of Aunt Jane’s face flashed through Christina’s mind. Eyes filled with fury. Lips twisted in disgust.
    She hates me, Christina thought. I knew she disliked me. I knew she resented opening her home to me. But I never realized she hated me. And wanted me dead.
    Snap.
    What was that? It sounded like someone stepping on a twig. Christina stopped and listened. She heard a faint rustling sound. It could be the wind in the trees, she decided. Or a small animal.
    She felt cold suddenly. Her sweaty clothes chilly against her skin. She rubbed her arms, trying to get warm. Then she continued making her way through the woods.
    Snap.
    There it is again. Is someone following me? Christina turned and peered into the shadows behind her.
    Nothing.
    Your imagination is running away with you, Christina scolded herself. She turned back around and began to walk. Then she began to trot.
    Snap! Snap! Snap!
    Christina didn’t stop to look behind her. She forced herself to pick up her pace. She ran through the forest. Tree branches slapping at her face.
    Her toe caught on a root—and she flew into the air. She landed hard. Pain speared through her right foot.
    Christina sat up and cradled her foot in her hand. She could feel her ankle swelling already.
    SNAP!
    I can’t run. What am I going to do?
    The bush nearest Christina rustled—and a fawn burst out. It bounded past, leaving Christina all alone.
    A deer, Christina thought. A little deer almost scared me to death. She started to push herself to her feet. A jolt of pain shot through her ankle.
    Christina collapsed back on the ground. She wished she could curl up and go to sleep. Forget about Aunt Jane. Forget about her father’s funeral. Forget about the pain in her ankle. Forget about everything.
    Maybe some sprite or elf will find me and care for me, she thought. Christina loved stories of these magical creatures when she was a little girl.
    Christina shook her head. No time for daydreaming, she told herself. You are still in danger. You have to get farther away from Aunt Jane.
    Besides, the air smells like rain. It is going to storm tonight. You need to find some kind of shelter. She struggled to her feet, wincing when she put pressure on her ankle.
    At least it’s not broken, Christina thought. Shelimped through the forest, watching the uneven ground. She didn’t want to fall again.
    It grew harder and harder to see the forest floor. The sun is almost set, she realized. It will be dark soon. A lump formed in Christina’s throat. What am I going to do? she thought.
    If Papa were here, what would he advise? she asked herself.
    Something practical, Christina thought. Papa was that kind of man. She could almost hear her father’s voice:
    â€œIt is too dark and dangerous to keep going in the forest, Christina, my sweet girl.”
    I’m going to have to walk along the road, Christina thought. The last rays of the sun were dying as she reached the roadway. She noticed the thick, black clouds gathering. I was right, she thought. It’s going to pour.
    The road led up a hill. Christina gritted her teeth and began to climb.
    When she reached the top, she had to stop and rest. Her ankle throbbed. Her arms and legs felt so heavy. She didn’t know how much farther she could go.
    Christina stared down at the tiny valley spread out before her. A few lights burned through the darkness, clear and strong. Lights. It’s a farm, she realized.
    That meant people—and a place to stay. She could spend the night in a warm, safe place. She felt sure the people who owned the farm would allow her to sleep in their barn.
    Christina spotted a flash of lightning in the distance. A roll of thunder sounded.
    Better hurry, she thought. She started down. Big raindrops began to fall. Icy water quickly soaked herhair. Her drenched skirts felt thick and