Unravelled Read Free

insane appetite is one of the many not-quite-normal things about him. One of the things I admire most about him is the fact that he flies his freak flag high. I’m not quite there yet, but I think his confidence is rubbing off on me a little.
    “I know I’m pretty,” he says suddenly, “but that doesn’t mean you should stare.”
    I roll my eyes and shove him. Confidence? I meant conceit. His laughter tapers off, and again I notice that there’s an anxious edge to him today.
    “You OK?”
    “Sure.” He flashes me a big smile. “What’s new? Any gossip? Meet any new people?”
    “Where would I meet new people?” I counter. “I go to the same places all the time.”
    His shrug is nonchalant, but that anxiety has crept into his voice. “You know how you attract trouble.”
    “Me?”
    “Yes, you. So, nothing? Business as usual?”
    “Business as usual.” I study him through narrowed eyes. “What’s your story? You seem nervous.”
    “Of course I’m nervous,” he replies, a little brusquely. “I’m going to university and leaving you alone with all those idiots at Syringa. I’m allowed to be worried.”
    Ah. I can only assume that by “idiots” he’s referring to one idiot in particular. Thuli Baleseng was my crush for all of three dazed years before he finally deigned to notice me last year. I was thrilled that my perseverance had paid off, until he lured me into his room during a party and tried to have his way with me. It turned out that the brilliant, somewhat seedy Thuli was only after one thing – my gift. As soon as Rakwena and I became friends, Thuli realised I had to be different from other girls, because Rakwena wasn’t exactly Mr Friendly.
    Thuli is a freak hunter, an ungifted obsessed with discovering the magical secrets of the gifted and using them for himself. Whether this is possible is debatable, but it didn’t stop the psycho from trying to get into my pants in the hope that my powers were contagious.
    It was Rakwena who found me running madly through that huge house, and took me home. Ever since he has kept a special place for Thuli in his dark dungeon of hatred, and Thuli is too clever to risk life and limb by coming near me again.
    “Thuli isn’t a threat anymore,” I assure him.
    “Maybe, but who knows? There could be others out there like him, others that just want to manipulate you, and I won’t be able to protect you as easily as before.” He looks at me, his brow creased in concern. “Maybe I should cut down on my classes.”
    I gape at him. “Are you crazy? I don’t need a babysitter! I was fine all year while you were working!”
    “Yes, but it’s different now.”
    “Why?”
    He purses his lips and slumps against the cushions.
    “You’re overreacting,” I tell him gently. “I’m fine. And Lebz and Wiki are there to keep an eye on me.”
    “Right.” His smile is strained. “Just stay out of trouble, OK? Promise me.”
    “It’s been really quiet over the last few months; I really doubt – ”
    “Promise!”
    I sigh. “Fine. I’ll stay out of trouble. I promise.”
    He pulls me close, squeezing me a little tighter than necessary, and I frown against his chest. Usually I’m the one who has premonitions, but suddenly I’m getting the feeling that Rakwena smells trouble.
    **
    It’s still dark outside. I’m sitting at my desk in my room, freshly showered and dressed for school. I couldn’t sleep after seeing Rakwena. His worries infected me, and I kept having funny dreams about alien sock puppets and evil garage bands. Finally I decided to get up and get some work done. Not schoolwork, though. The other kind.
    The File lies open in front of me. It’s an ordinary yellow file, the type a lot of students use to keep their notes in order, but it’s filled with research on the supernatural, myths and folklore and any magical snippets that might come in handy. The File was my friend Wiki’s idea, inspired by the onset of my telepathic powers, and