Read Darkmoor for Free Online Page B

brown eyes looked up towards Nathan, he couldn’t resist bending down and hugging her. Isabella chuckled even more, which soon became an infectious laugh around the camp.
    “Oh you are a cutie Issy busy!” Nathan gave her a final squeeze then, as he walked past Thomas, ruffled his hair which caused Matthew to reminisce.
    “It’s ok” Dad said as he ruffled his fingers through my hair, “lots of girls giggle at our Matty, don’t they son!”
    “Give over Dad!” I said shoving my Dad’s hand away...
    “Matthew! Matthew! Are you ok?” Catherine’s faded voice brought Matthew round from his daydream.
    “Yeah, yeah I’m fine,” Matthew whispered as he brought his attention back to Nathan.
    Thomas grinned. Placing his tongue between the gap, where two front teeth were missing, Thomas wiggled his tongue towards Nathan.
    “Oh you cheeky monkey, I’ll have that Tommy tongue next time,” Nathan said snipping his fingers like pincers towards Thomas.
    Next to Thomas was another young man, probably in his late twenties.
    “Hi I’m Andrew,” Andrew stood up and walked over to shake Matthew and Catherine’s hand. Then he returned to sit back on his stump.
    Next to Andrew was Claire and Jasmine. Nathan smoothly kissed the back of their hands whilst introducing them.
    “Oh Nathan! Get off,” Jasmine said wiping the back of her hand down her pants.
    Claire didn’t seem to mind his affection. Her eyes lit up to his tender touch. Winking towards her, Nathan then carried on around the circle.
    The three soldiers had now taken to their stumps.
    “And these three,” Nathan said as he pointed towards the three African boys, “are Olli, Claude and Reuben.”
    “Hi I’m Reuben,” the oldest of the three said and lent over to greet Matthew and Catherine, “this is my brother, Olli-”
    “Hi,” Olli said and waved towards them.
    “And this is my other brother, Claude.”
    “Hi,” Matthew and Catherine said in unison.
    Catherine asked, “Are you triplets?”
    “No!” Claude said abruptly.
    “Oh I’m sorry, it’s just you all look so alike.”
    “It’s ok, Catherine,” Reuben said, “I am the oldest, then Claude, then our Olli.”
    Catherine couldn’t help but stare at their amazing hair styles. They all had the biggest Afros she had ever seen.
    “Our hair wasn’t like this when we arrived,” Reuben commented.
    “I didn’t mean to stare,” Catherine quickly spoke.
    “Ha, don’t worry about it. Being in here you forget about looking good and of course, there are no hairdressers!” Reuben smiled at Catherine.
    “Right then, I think that’s everyone,” Nathan said.
    At that moment, a booming knock at the wooden doors silenced them all. The fire flickered frantically as the atmosphere chilled around the camp.
    Crash, boom, bang, the sound once more echoed throughout.
    “Darkmoor,” Matthew whispered under his breath. Matthew’s heart began thumping hard, as the knocking became more persistent.
    Matthew could feel himself becoming increasingly agitated. Catherine fixed her eyes upon him and both Nathan and Andrew gave the order for Jasmine and Claire to take everyone into their shelters.
    “Quickly, to the shelters now,” Jasmine said calmly, not wanting to frighten Isabella and Thomas, who were innocently watching everyone rushing around. Catherine picked Thomas up and Claude quickly scooped Isabella up into his arms.
    “Matthew! Matthew! Come on!” Catherine called down to Matthew, who was transfixed with the dancing flames of the fire.
    Darkmoor’s eyes burnt into mine, as across the white misty river, we faced each other. His deep grinding voice shouted, “Matthew! Catherine! I look forward to seeing you both again soon!”
    “Matthew…”Jasmine crouched down at his side. Placing her arms around his shoulders, she softly spoke, “Look at me, Matthew.”
    Vacantly, Matthew looked up into Jasmine’s eyes.
    “Come on, come with me,” Jasmine said gently easing Matthew to his