Read Red Dawn for Free Online

body bounces savagely in the drivers’ seat. My tailbone is screaming in protest. I hold tightly to the steering wheel, trying to regain control of the vehicle. My knuckles are bone white from the effort.
    “Picture a great and impenetrable wall. There’s only one door. A very small door. It’s locked and only you hold the key. Only you can open the door,” Anya reminds me. “You’re in control of when the door opens and how wide. Just as you are the only one who can close it.”
    We hit a rock and I bash my head on the roof of the car. It hurts like hell. Should’ve worn my seatbelt. I try stomping on the brakes, but it’s useless. The car is moving too fast. They’re not responding. Why aren’t they working? In a panic, I pull the emergency brake, but the hill is steep and the car just spins out. I’m afraid it’s going to roll, but it doesn’t.
    “Katia, you can control what comes through that door. You can filter those memories. You can choose.”
    The car slams into a tree and I’m thrown forward. My face shatters the glass as my body sails through the windshield. The jagged glass tears at my skin, ripping it from my face and arms. I’m flying now, like Superman, only it’s terrifying, not at all how I thought it would be. My broken body crashes to the ground and I pray for unconsciousness. It doesn’t come.
    “Push the emotions from your mind. You must separate yourself from the vision,” Anya coaches dutifully. “It’s no different than a movie. You are only there to watch, to observe, to direct.”
    Unable to move, I lay in the damp grass. At first I think it’s the morning dew, but then a sickening realization hits me.  The grass is slick with blood; my blood. My heart is pumping it out at an alarming pace. The morning breeze is ripe with my scent. Searing pains shoot through my body and I think I must have broken a bone. Or twenty. I’m helpless. All I can do is lie here and bleed. All I can do is lie here and die. Dark clouds roll in overhead and a slow drizzle begins to fall. Drops of rain pelt me in the face and I black out.
    “Katia?” Anya’s come around the desk. She touches my arm tentatively as the vision fades. Her face is even paler than usual. Understandable. I’m pretty freaked out myself as I look at the scrap of leather in my clenched fist.
    “Sorry about your chair,” I mutter holding up the torn piece of fabric. It’s a shame, really. This was one comfy chair.
    “No worries,” she tells, me waving off the damage. “It can be repaired. What did you see?”
    “Car accident.” I don’t have the heart to yell at Anya for putting me through that. It might be a first, but I’m too tired to fight. Judging by the wrecked chair, I took a complete nutty. These lessons are chipping away at my sanity.
    “That’s it?” She sounds surprised. “Just one memory?”
    “Yeah. I think that was more than enough, don’t you?” I ask, eyeing the torn arm of the chair.
    “I know you’re upset Katia, but that’s progress.”
    “So you say,” I respond wearily. “Can I go now?”
     

 
    Chapter Six
     
    When Anya finally releases me, I head straight for my dorm and the comfort of my bed. I need a nap in the worst way. And something pleasant to take my mind off the hell they call Talent Development. With visions of Nik dancing in my head, I don’t even notice Pratt making his way toward me. By the time I see him it’s too late to make a detour. He’s blocking my path. Not a good sign. Hell’s bells!
    “Miss Lescinka.” He says my name like he’s just swallowed a mouth full of poison. His mouth is pinched and his tone is anything but friendly. Just what I need right now.
    “Headmaster.”
    “Is it possible you are the only student in this school who didn’t receive a copy of the new student handbook?” he asks, waving a worn copy in my face. His copy has had quite the workout and I know I’m in trouble. For what, I’m not sure though.
    “No,” I respond,