The Year of the Lumin Read Free Page B

Aimee.  That place has been stuck in my mind ever since the accident.  Plus, I have to see my name to believe it.  I would like for you to come, but I....”
    She cut him off, “No!  I already have enough nightmares about that place.  I don't need any more.  You are just going to make things worse.  That place has driven me insane and nearly killed you.  I just want my normal life back.  I want to go to school, see my friends, and not have dreams about that place every night.”  She folded her arms.  “You and dad have fun by yourselves.  I'll be happy right here.”
    “Alright.  I'm going to bed.  Remember that you can come if you want.”  She didn't answer so Noir stood up to leave.  “Good night, Aimee.  It's good to see you again.”  She still didn't answer and started playing her game again.
     

 
    Chapter 3
    Three destinies entwined
     
                  Noir woke up to a hand gently pushing on his shoulder.  “Wake up kiddo.  You overslept.  It’ll just get hotter the farther into the day we go.  Come on.”  Steven shook Noir one last time then left the room. 
                  Noir sighed and reluctantly opened his eyes.  “He seems awfully excited about this,” Noir thought.  He sat up in bed, gave a huge stretch, and massaged his tender leg.
                  Noir threw off the blankets and swung his feet off the edge of the bed.  As always, his leg felt stiff when he first woke up.  He stepped down gently, limped over to his suitcase in the corner of the guest room, pulled out his toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and soap, and headed for the bathroom.
                  After Noir was all ready, he headed downstairs.  All of the adults and little Casey were cleaning up a nice egg, sausage, and pancake breakfast.  They all greeted him and called him “lazy head” and other playful names.  Then Cindy handed him a plate of food.  “It may be a little cold, but feel free to put it in the microwave if you want.”  Noir didn't really care that much, so he sat down, poured an abundance of syrup on his pancakes, and dug in.  He had, of course, noticed the absence of Aimee.
                  “So I hear you and your uncle are going fishing after breakfast,” Noir's mom said.  “You be careful.  Don't go hiking near the mountains.  We don't want anything to happen like last time.”
                  Noir did not meet her gaze.  “Yeah, sure mom.”
                  “Okay.  I just worry about you.  Have fun!  Catch a big one!”
                  Noir turned to Uncle Steven who was washing dishes.  He gave Noir a grin and a wink, then turned back to what he was doing.  “He's really acting weirdly excited about this,” Noir thought again.  “Knowing Uncle Steven, he probably wants to study it and stuff for hours.  But I guess I'm just as drawn to it as he is.”
                  Noir finished up his breakfast and put the plates into the sink.  He then went and gave a hug and said goodbye to everyone.  Aimee was still nowhere to be found.  He opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch.  It was a bright, clear day and Spring was returning warmth to the mornings.  Uncle Steven came out of the door behind him and picked up two fishing poles that were propped on the wall beside the door.  “These,” he motioned to the rods, “are just to keep our story believable.”  He grinned.  “You ready, kiddo?”
                  “Yeah.”  They both stepped down off of the porch and headed for the back of the house where Steven's jeep was parked.  “I am excited to see what you think about the cave.”
                  “So you and Aimee are the only ones that know about what's in it?”
                  “Yeah, as far as I know.”
                  Just as they were about to come around the back corner of