Free Grasping at Eternity (The Kindrily) by Karen Amanda Hooper Page B

parents and brother were, but talking required so much effort that I couldn’t seem to muster.
    “Does it hurt?” I whispered. That one question took every ounce of energy I had.
    He winced then glanced around the room. “Does what hurt?”
    Dying . I thought, but I couldn’t say it out loud.
    “Do you know who I am?” he asked.
    I tried nodding, but my head only nestled further into my pillow. My eyelids were heavy and my muscles had melted away. He got up and walked down the bedroom hallway. I wanted to follow him, but I couldn’t. So much for talking to angels.
    I woke up, startled by a bang. The television flashed like a strobe light as a late night infomercial played.
    “Maryah.” Carson poked my shoulder. “Wake up.”
    I rubbed my eyes. “What time is it?”
    “Two a.m.”
    “What are you doing up?”
    “Apparently, I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to get a drink and the TV was on.” His words sounded forced like he was reciting a speech.
    I stood, but had to steady myself on the end table while a wicked headrush flowed through me.
    “Any weird dreams?”
    My jaw almost dropped, stunned that he was concerned if I was okay, and that he asked about my dreams. Yes Carson, I had a tea party with my angel of death . He’d believe that—if we lived in the Twilight Zone.
    “None that I remember,” I lied.
    Carson hit the off button on the remote.
    “Thanks for checking on me,” I whispered, walking close behind him down the hallway.
    He raised his hand in an almost-wave as he closed his bedroom door.
    Krista was still awake and reading when I went to our room. On the nightstand, she had set out a framed photo of my parents, Mikey, and me. I slumped onto the floor, hugging their picture to my chest.
    “You okay, Pudding?”
    I looked at the ceiling, fighting back tears, but something new hung beside the dream catcher.
    “What’s that?” I asked her.
    She slid down onto the floor and leaned against me. “It’s a little narcissistic, but I hung up a photo of me. I figure that way, I’ll still be here watching over you.”
    And then I did cry. How could I be mad at her after doing something so sweet? More importantly, how was I going to survive living so far away from her?
    She hugged me and I sobbed into her shoulder. “What will happen to us, Kris?”
    “Nothing,” she whispered. “Miles can’t separate hearts and souls. We’ll be apart less than a year. Then we’ll graduate and I’ll move here too.”
    I pulled back, shocked. “You will?”
    She smiled and wiped my cheeks. “Absolutely. I love this place, and all these people. I know staying here is what’s best for you, but you’re my best friend. I’ll miss you more than chocolate.”
    Our private saying should’ve made me smile, but my lips—and heart—felt like quicksand. I hugged her with all the strength I had, which wasn’t much due to the tea. “Saying goodbye to you tomorrow is going to shatter my heart to pieces.”
    “Mine too. But I’ve got enough miracle glue to put us back together again.”

CHASING THE TRUTH
     
    Nathaniel
     
    Bloody hell, I had become a stalker.
    I paced my room, debating whether or not to traverse back to Colorado. Anthony and Louise wouldn’t let anything happen to Maryah. I didn’t need to stand guard over her like an overprotective Neanderthal.
    Or did I?
      Dedrick had gone to great lengths to find Maryah and kill anyone who got in his way. I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. I’d be damned if I’d let those fiends get to Maryah—or any member of our kindrily.
    My door opened and Carson stepped inside.
    “She’s in her room. She didn’t remember dreaming anything. I’m going to bed.”
    “Wait,” I grabbed his arm. “She didn’t mention seeing me at all? Maybe she knew I was real.”
    He sighed heavily. “Look, the girl doesn’t seem too bright, but don’t you think she would’ve said something if she saw a stranger in our house—especially in the middle of the