Read Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) for Free Online Page B

lisp.
    “Is everything alright? I heard you screaming. Did you have another bad dream?” Rachel asked through the door.
    “Yeah, Mom, I did,” Cat called out. She had reverted back to calling Rachel “Mom,” after a long discussion with her parents upon returning from the beach the previous night. On the ride home, Cat realized Taylor was right, that her mom and dad were suffering just as much as she was.
    “Could you open the door, please? I want to see if you’re okay.”
    “Actually, Mom, right now is probably not the best time,” Cat replied nervously at the thought of her mom seeing her like this.
    “Young lady, humor your mother and open the door.” Cat tried to figure out what to do, but couldn’t think of one good idea. Walking to the door, she kept her mouth covered as she opened it. Rachel looked at her confused with one eyebrow raised.
    “See, everything’s fine,” Cat lisped through her hand.
    “Why are you covering your mouth?”
    “Severe case of halitosis,” she joked, laughing hollowly.
    “Oh, I see. Well, as long as you’re fine.”
    “Yeah, I’m heading back to bed now. I think I’ve met my nightmare quota for the night.” Rachel scanned the room making sure everything was in place, and then kissed Cat on the forehead. Cat closed the door and leaned up against it, breathing a sigh of relief. She felt her mouth and groaned, realizing her fangs were still very much there. Great, how will I explain these in public ? She thought as she climbed into bed.
         
    Along with dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, Cat’s fangs were still there the next morning. “OMG! It’s Saturday and everyone’s home! What am I going to do? I can’t walk around like this!” Even though her family knew she was a Childe , Cat didn’t feel comfortable showcasing that fact in front of them, proving she truly was different.
    She stood in front of her bathroom mirror and squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating, trying to make her fangs disappear. “Cat, honey, it’s trash day! Could you take the garbage from the kitchen out to the curb?” Rachel called from downstairs. Cat moaned and tried once more to make her fangs retract with no success. With no other recourse, she covered her mouth and made her way downstairs. Hearing Taylor’s bedroom door open, she let out a tiny squeal and rushed passed him.
    What’s up with her this morning? Taylor asked himself.
    Cat grabbed the trash, and peeked around the kitchen door to see Taylor leaving the house. She waited until she heard the revving of his Mustang, and then slowly crept her way to the front door. Sprinting to the trash can at the end of the drive way, she quickly took the top off the can and threw the bag inside.
    “Yoo-hoo, Catherine! You’re starting the day late I see. And still in your pajamas, huh?” Maude, Cat’s nosey next door neighbor, asked smugly. “You know when I was your age, I wasn’t allowed out of the house looking like you currently do. You should always try to look your best in the presence of others, dear,” she continued lecturing Cat.
    Cat wished she could bare her fangs and growl at Maude just to see her either die of fright or run away screaming, tearing at her hair. Ugh, but knowing her, she’d just say that I’m being weird or eccentric, Cat thought as she grinned at Maude from behind her hand.
    “You silly girl. What on earth are you doing, covering your mouth like that?” Maude asked, peering through her thick coke-bottle glasses.
    “Sorry, Mrs. Roberts, I’ve got to go,” Cat said muffled through her hand as she ran for the front door.
    “Well I never. That girl is so strange. Runs in the family I guess,” Maude muttered under her breath as she waved to Sam, who was in his pajamas mowing the tall, soggy grass that was currently their lawn.  
         
    Later that night, standing on the roof of their two story Victorian house, Cat swayed back and forth on the edge looking out onto Nehalem