Free Freak of Nature (The Lost Witch Trilogy #1) by Katie Lee O'Guinn Page A

room upstairs. It’s got a small kitchenette and a tiny bathroom. It has hot water and it’s safe. What do you say?”
    Sarah’s face lit up and she smiled at Gretchen. “I’d have to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This could make my last year of school bearable.”
    Gretchen reached over the counter and patted her hand. “My pleasure. I’m going to keep my eye on you. You’re something special Sarah and I think one of the reasons Zane and I were meant to move here was because of you.”
    Zane nodded his head in agreement. “Remember your dream mom? The one about the lost girl? It has to be Sarah.”
    Gretchen paused and stared at Zane for a moment caught in her thoughts and then turned and studied Sarah closely. She reached out and touched the back of Sarah’s hand lightly, closing her eyes for a moment. She opened them slowly looking pensive and serious. “I don’t know Zane. It’s not clear yet.”
    Sarah was curious about the dream but didn’t know if she was ready for any more problems. If Gretchen was having dreams about her, it couldn’t be anything good.
    Gretchen patted her hand comfortingly. “Let’s not worry about that just yet. Right now let’s teach you how to stock shelves if you’re up to it.”
    Sarah nodded her head, eager to earn her keep and spent the rest of the afternoon stocking the new children’s section.
    That night after locking up the store and saying good night to Zane and Gretchen she made a quick phone call to her aunt. She told her that she had decided to move out and that she would come home later in the week to collect her things. She hung up the phone sadly as her aunt started screeching at her hysterically.
    She turned the power off on her cell phone and walked into the small bedroom. She glanced over the window seat and the cheerful quilt Gretchen had just barely laid on the bed and sighed all the way from the bottom of her feet to her heart. She closed her eyes and sent her energy out of herself bringing it slowly back a moment later. The room was clean just like the bookstore. No evil lurked here, waiting to stare at her from the corners of the room. She was safe. She smiled as she felt hints of Agnes Adams. Agnes had always had such a comforting, peaceful feel to her and she could still sense that in the room.
    After washing her face and brushing her teeth with the toothbrush Gretchen had given her, she turned off the light and got into bed. She usually stayed awake as long as possible to keep the dark things back, but she knew this night there was no need.

Chapter 8 - Talents
    Sarah woke up the next day feeling more refreshed and peaceful than she had in years. She stood up and walked to the window, raising the blinds and staring out at the cool September morning. For the first time in a long time she realized how beautiful her town was and that she was grateful to be there.
    She took a quick shower but then had no choice but to wear the same jeans she had worn yesterday. She slipped the t-shirt Gretchen had given to her last night over her head and grinned, enjoying the picture of the wizard on the front and the words , Release the Wizard Within . It was obviously a well-beloved t-shirt left over from The Lord of the Rings craze.
    She glanced at her face critically, wishing for some cover up and lip gloss but knew there was nothing she could do about it. She ran down the staircase and opened the door to the bookstore. She walked into the well lit room and over to the front counter where Gretchen was already hard at work going over the receipts.
    “Hey there. Wow, a good night’s rest has done wonders for you. And wait just a second,” she said, walking around the counter and coming within two feet of her. She held a cautious hand out, reaching very slowly out to touch her arm. “It’s softer,” she said wonderingly.
    Sarah looked at her curiously. “What?”
    Gretchen smiled and tapped her chin. “Your power slap. I’ve been