Read Girl Possessed (Book 1 of The Girl Trilogy) for Free Online Page B

the highway
were dead and blackened from the fires spread by The Great Sun
Scorch.
    I noticed we passed some desolate
country towns. Most I couldn’t see the names because we were moving
at high speed, but I did notice a town called Pine Valley. The pine
trees there looked like long black sticks with barren branches
where the greenery had burned away. Billboards on the sides of the
highway had fallen onto the pass, but we flew right over
them.
    Awhile later, my mother had fallen
asleep between us. Shaul turned off the highway and flew the speed
wave up a long winding road. To my surprise, the trees there were
so green and lush.
    The music intensified even greater in
my mind. “Hurry, Shaul,” I demanded, feeling utterly anxious to get
there.
    He ignored me, as he grasped onto the
steering wheel with all his might. His desires seemed to rise up
within him as well and he kept his gaze away from me. His body was
subtlety moving to the beat of our song.
    In my confusion, the road leveled and
then descended into a colorful, floral valley. The musty scents of
nature filled the speed wave. I tried to control myself and talk
myself out of my consuming yearnings, but they intensified further.
In my inner turmoil, I turned away from Shaul and stared out the
window at its loveliness, digging my fingernails into the
armrest.
    In a fury, Shaul parked the car at the
edge of a green lush mountain. “Let’s hurry,” he commanded with
subdued desperation in his voice.
     
    7
    Shaul retrieved our bags from the
speed wave while I woke up my mother.
    “ We’re here,” I said trying
to act as calm and normal as possible.
    She stretched and gazed out the window
groggily. “Wow!” Her eyes widened. “What a beautiful
place.”
    “ Ok, let’s go,” I motioned
her out of the car and got out.
    Shaul was already trekking up the
mountain with all three of our bags slung over his
shoulder.
    “ Hurry up, Mom,” I gasped.
“Shaul’s already left.”
    She looked at me surprised.
    “ Come on!” I said, my voice
edged with angst.
    We jogged up the lush, woodsy hill
trying to catch up to Shaul. He was fast and although he always
remained in sight, motioning us onward, he kept a considerable
distance.
    I wondered if he yearned for the lake
too. I assumed he did by the way he was acting, but his mind was a
vast mystery to me.
    The heavenly songs lured me on. We
passed a lovely waterbed with waterfalls. As we kept on the narrow
dirt trail, I noticed a charming stream flowing downwards beside
us. Fresh water was scarce these days with the effects of The Great
Sun Scorch, so my mother and I were more than pleased to see such
plentiful sources of irrigation.
    Once deep within the woods, we came
upon a small community of log cabins. We caught up to Shaul as he
knocked at the headquarter cabin.
    A muscular, tall man with a shaved
head answered the door. “How can I help you?” he asked with
suspicious eyes.
    “ We’ve come to inquire
about joining your community. Katanel Jerosavabel sent us,” Shaul
said confidently.
    “ One moment,” the large man
said in a low, gruff voice.
    We stood there waiting silently until
a short man of medium build with silver hair came to the
door.
    “ Welcome, welcome.” He
smiled cheerily. “I’m Mazen Tratzel, the community president. You
must be Shaul Hainsworth.” We’ve been expecting you.”
    Shaul shook hands with President
Tratzel. “These are my friends Patravia and Cordellia
Dressemme.”
    “ Oh, yes. Katanel spoke
highly of you both. We need strong women like you.” I guess Shaul
told his friend about us when we were separated.
    My mother looked at me and smiled.
Then we shook hands with the president.
    Wardo will show you to your cabins. He
will assign you your job positions. As long as you work hard and
follow the rules, you will advance to higher and higher positions
within the community and be very happy here.”
    “ Great,” my mother said,
smiling. “Thank you.”
    “ You’re