Menu

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) - Page 32/34

Sara opened her eyes. "The oncologist said he'd try to get me into experimental trials, but ... he thinks it's too late." A sheen of tears filled Sara's eyes. "Mom says I'm doing it, but..." Sara swallowed. "I don't want to die." Her lips trembled. "But I can still hear my mom saying dozens of times that if she ever got cancer, she'd rather die than go through what they put her mama through. She said they butchered her mom. I don't want to deal with that. The one surgery was bad enough."

Kylie recalled the dreams of knives coming at her. She looked at Sara's abdomen. "When did you have surgery?"

"Last week," Sara answered. "I'd missed so many periods. The clinic doctor felt a mass when she was checking me. Two days later, I was in the hospital."

"Why didn't you call me?"

Sara bit down on her lip. "I did. I didn't tell you that I thought I had cancer, but..."

Guilt filled Kylie's chest. The ghost, Sara's grandmother, had been trying to get her to listen to the message. The same message she had played earlier.

"Couldn't they take it out?"

Sara shook her head. "There's too much. It's everywhere."

The ache in Kylie's heart doubled. She recalled Trey's message that had been sent to everyone at the B&B. Why had the ghost sent Trey's message? "Trey?"

Sara looked down at her hands. "I'm sorry. I swear I didn't mean it to happen. I'd drunk too much. He'd drunk too much."

"What?" Kylie asked.

Sara looked up. "Shit. He hasn't told you, has he?"

It took only a second to digest what Sara said-it took less time for Kylie to know it wasn't important.

"I asked him to tell you because I couldn't stand it. He promised he would."

"He tried. I didn't take his calls. But I don't care, Sara." She took Sara's hand in hers and squeezed. "Trey and I are ... so over. You're what's important."

Another tear crawled down Sara's pale cheek. "You're not just saying that because I'm dying, are you?" Sara tried to make it a joke. Kylie didn't laugh. "No."

Sara pulled her hand out of Kylie's. "You're hot."

"You can do it." The ghost's voice came right behind Kylie's ear. "It's your touch."

Kylie looked back at the spirit. "Do you mean ... like Helen?"

"What?" Sara asked.

Kylie continued to stare at the ghost.

"Do it," the ghost said. "Please. Heal her. Before it's too late."

"I don't know how," Kylie muttered.

"Am I hallucinating or are you talking to yourself?" Sara asked. "I mean, I am on some pretty good drugs right now."

Kylie looked back at Sara. "No." She felt the cold of the ghost inch closer.

"No, I'm not hallucinating or no, you're not talking to yourself?"

"No to both." Kylie tried to think. Could she really do this? She looked down at Sara's grandmother's picture. "What's her name?"

"Fanny Mildred Bogart." Sara laughed. "I'm glad Mama didn't name me after her." It obviously hurt Sara to laugh because she moaned and dropped back on the pillow. When she opened her eyes, she stared at the photograph. "Do you want to hear something crazy?"

"What?" Kylie asked, but she thought she already knew what Sara was going to say.

"Sometimes I think she's here."

"She is here." Kylie took Sara's hand again and struggled to know how much to tell Sara.

Sara chuckled. "Now you believe in ghosts, huh?"

"Yup." Kylie inhaled. "You'd be surprised what I believe in now."

"Like what?" Sara asked.

"Like miracles." Kylie looked at Fanny.

"I could use a miracle." Sara smiled and tried to pull her hand away. "Why is your hand so hot?"

"How do I do this?" Kylie asked the spirit, holding on to Sara's hand. "Do what?" Sara asked, her voice sounding as tired as her eyes looked. "I don't know how, I just know that you have the power."

"That's not helpful," Kylie responded.

"You're talking to yourself again," Sara said, but she'd stopped trying to pull her hand away.

"I know," Kylie told Sara. Then Kylie remembered how Helen, the fairy who had the ability to heal, had touched Kylie's head when she'd checked her for tumors. And Helen had said that's what she'd done when she had healed her sister's cancer.

Dropping Sara's hand, Kylie scooted up to the head of Sara's bed. She brushed Sara's bangs from her brow. Then she reached over with her other hand and touched both of Sara's temples.

"What are you doing?" Sara asked, looking at Kylie and making a funny face.

"Trying to help you relax," Kylie said, knowing it sounded lame. "Okay, this camp has turned you weird," Sara said, and started to reach up to move Kylie's hands.

"Tell her that your mom did this for you when you weren't feeling good," Fanny said.

Good idea. "My mom used to do this to me, and it really made me feel good."

Sara dropped her hands down. "Okay, but if you try to kiss me, I'm screaming for my mom." Sara giggled.

"What? I'm not your type?" Kylie asked, and giggled, and then she tried to concentrate on positive healing thoughts.

It was after nine that night when Kylie left Sara's house. When she'd been there for about an hour, Kylie had slipped into the bathroom and called her mom. She cried when she told her mom about Sara's cancer. Her mom said she'd call Mrs. Jetton tomorrow and that Kylie should stay with Sara as long as she wanted but to call before she started home. Kylie didn't leave until Sara went to sleep. She had forgotten to call her mom, but since she lived close, she didn't worry.

Her neighborhood was dark, no streetlights-no lights on in the houses, either. A power outage, Kylie told herself as she fought an urgent sense of unease.

And that's when it happened.

Something large hit the windshield of her car.



Category

Discovering the World of Free Online Novels

In an age where digital access is at our fingertips, the world of literature has evolved significantly. For book lovers and avid readers, the prospect of finding and reading novels for free online is not only exciting but also incredibly convenient. Whether you're looking for classic literature, contemporary fiction, or niche genres, there are countless resources available where you can indulge in your reading passion without spending a dime. Let's explore how you can dive into this literary treasure trove.

Why Read Novels Online for Free?

Reading novels online for free offers numerous advantages. For one, it eliminates the need to purchase physical books, saving you money and space. Additionally, with instant access, you can start reading as soon as you find a novel that piques your interest. Online platforms also allow for a vast selection of genres and authors, including rare or out-of-print titles that might be hard to find elsewhere.

Top Websites to Read Novels for Free

Several websites offer free access to novels, whether you're interested in classics, contemporary works, or indie publications. Here are a few reliable sites:

Legal Considerations

While the idea of free books is appealing, it's essential to ensure you're downloading or reading novels legally. Many websites, like those mentioned above, offer books that are in the public domain or have been released for free distribution by the authors. Always check the licensing terms of a book before downloading it to avoid any legal issues.

Genres to Explore

Whether you’re into romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, or historical fiction, there’s a wealth of free online novels available in every genre. Sites like Wattpad and ManyBooks categorize novels by genre, making it easy to find what you’re interested in. If you’re in the mood for something classic, Project Gutenberg has a treasure trove of time-honored works from authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain.

The Rise of Indie Authors

One of the most exciting aspects of reading novels online for free is discovering new voices. Many independent authors publish their work online for free to build an audience. Platforms like Wattpad have become launchpads for these writers, some of whom have gone on to publish bestsellers. By reading these novels, you’re supporting up-and-coming authors and getting in on the ground floor of potentially the next big literary sensation.

Community and Interaction

Reading novels online often comes with the added benefit of community interaction. Platforms like Wattpad allow readers to comment on chapters, interact with authors, and even contribute to the story's development in some cases. This level of engagement can enhance your reading experience, as you become part of a community of like-minded readers.

Accessibility and Convenience

With the ability to read on various devices—be it a smartphone, tablet, or computer—free online novels offer unparalleled convenience. You can carry an entire library in your pocket, ready to be accessed anytime, anywhere. This is particularly beneficial for those who travel frequently or have limited physical space for books.

Conclusion

The availability of free online novels has transformed the reading experience, making it more accessible and diverse than ever before. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or looking to discover new indie authors, there’s something out there for everyone. By exploring the many free resources available, you can immerse yourself in the world of literature without any cost, and enjoy the freedom to read whatever, whenever you want.

So why wait? Start your journey into the world of free online novels today and discover a universe of stories waiting to be explored.