Read This Changes Everything for Free Online Page A

out of this.”
    A long shadow
moved on the wall in the hallway, visible through the open door.
    Ellie pressed
harder against the closet wall, her upright knees banging together as she
shook. They were coming for her.
    The tall shadow faltered
as another shorter one rushed toward it. Her mother cried out, “ No! Don’t hurt her!” The two shadows blended into a shaky blob before she heard a
man cry out in pain. The tall shadow separated from the shorter one and a loud
piercing scream filled Ellie’s ears.
    She scrunched her
eyes shut as she released a helpless sob. “ Momma .”
    “ Ellie ! ”
Her mother’s voice sent a flood of terror down her back.
    Momma needed her.
Her heart pounding against her chest, a deep fury erupted and Ellie fought
against the force that held her tight, crying in frustration. “Let me go! Let
me go!”
    The taller shadow
jumped the shorter one, grunting and releasing a growl. It lifted its arm and
swung toward the smaller shadow, over and over, as Ellie’s mother screamed.
    “ What are you
doing ? ” the bad man shouted, sounding furious.
“ Stop ! ”
    Ellie kicked and
tried to scream, but it lodged in her throat as the smaller shadow fell to the
floor with a loud thump.
    Momma .
    A fresh burst of
anger rushed through her and she pushed against the bond holding her in place,
but the warmth held her still and the voice murmured softly, “Not yet, Ellie.”
    She clenched her
fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her breaths came in quick pants
as she rested the back of her head against the wall, waiting for the voice to
let her go.
    “Keep looking.”
The bad man didn’t sound happy. A new shadow on the wall squatted next to the
smaller one. “Where’s the ring, Amanda?”
    Ellie heard a
wheezing-coughing sound.
    The bad man swore
a string of bad words, then the shadow rose. “Why can’t you keep your goddamned
temper in check just one fucking time ? She’s useless
now! Damn
it ! ” Ellie heard a banging noise and the
wall shook. “I’m searching downstairs. You look up here and bring the brat down
when you find her.” His feet clomped on the stairs as he left.
    Momma .
    The only shadow
left was the one close to the floor, and it began to crawl in a slow, jerky
movement toward Ellie’s room. Her anger dissolved into pure panic. A monster
was coming to get her.
    Her eyes were
riveted on the floor, so the sudden movement in her doorway startled her. Her
breath sucked in as her gaze rose to the dark figure filling the doorframe, his
head covered with a hood. His right hand gripped a large knife, the metal gleaming
in the flashing lightning outside her window. The wind gusted, knocking a tree
branch into the glass with a loud, repetitive thump.
    He jiggled the
blade in his hand as he slowly entered her room. Ellie’s chest constricted, her
lungs burning as he walked around her bed and squatted to look underneath.
    Wide-eyed, she
forced her body to remain still, afraid he might see or hear her. He stood and
moved back toward the bedroom door. Abruptly, he stopped and pivoted on his
feet until he faced the closet door, hunching down in a slow movement. His
stubble-covered chin lowered and the hood on his forehead rose, exposing his
dark, glaring eyes that focused on hers. His right hand rested on his knee,
blood dripping from the knife into a pool on the wood floor.
    A scream bubbled
in Ellie’s throat as he reached for her with his free hand, but a bright white
light filled the room, partially blinding her. The hooded man lifted his arm to
shield his face.
    “ I claim her as
my own , Curse Keeper. You will not harm
her .” Although the voice coming from the light was the same
one that had comforted her, now it sounded angry.
    The man bolted
upright, his hand shaking as he held out the knife. “What is this? Who are
you?”
    “ You know who I
am ,” the voice boomed, shaking the floor beneath Ellie’s
bottom. “I know the foolish quest you seek. But where you