Engulf [New World Book 5] Read Online Free

in the sky, the two suns began to set. Soon enough, she would see millions of stars dancing across the heavens. A tuneless melody would play in her mind if she watched the stars long enough. A mind trick. She wasn’t in the mood for it tonight.
    The water was tepid as it danced through her fingers. Abri spent a lot of time touching the water—the trees, everything. It was as though the entire planet was a living breathing entity. Or perhaps it was just Abri trying to hear through contact. In the distance, she could see the moon creatures picking through her offering. Maybe it was just her imagination, but Abri thought her sight had improved over the last year. Or perhaps her concentration was more thoughtful.
    A small gust of wind fluttered her hair to tickle her cheeks. It made Abri smile—something she rarely did anymore. A school of the silver fish came curiously close to the water’s surface and then just as quickly vanished together. They only flew into the air when the suns were at their peak. Abri wondered if they did it to warm themselves or even regenerate their glowing silver physique.
    Giving one last look to her surroundings, Abri went to the make-shift home they had built and strengthened throughout the year. It was made mostly of long, thick grass woven together to keep out rain. The mats were slung over a large bush that poofed up at the top like a massive umbrella, leaving a shelter beneath. The woven grass hung down the sides for walls. A few strategic rocks gave them a solid base to keep the mats from moving.
    Oddly enough, no wind ever whipped about, even when it rained. There was the occasional light breeze. There was no thunder or lightning, not that she could hear thunder; Abri felt she might be able to make out the vibration if it occurred. Abri would stand sometimes as the rain poured down on her, feeling it, if not hearing it. In her mind, the sound could be whatever she wanted, anything to match her mood. From a tap, tap to a splash, splash. Tasting its coolness as the deluge floated across her tongue. If it rained during the day, the suns still shone brightly. The planet was a contrast to Earth in that it was a bundle of energy. It appeared to Abri that this planet’s Mother Nature was even-tempered and calm, whereas Earth’s was given a bad dose of PMS times ten thousand.
    As Abri settled herself onto her mat, the others began piling in. With the flap open, an orbiting planet, not unlike Earth’s moon, shined brightly enough for her to see everyone. Try as she might, Abri had not mastered the art of lip reading beyond one or two words. Longer sentences were too complex. It was a source of amusement at times, frustrating more often than not.
    Tasha was mouthing words at her. Abri scratched her head when she thought Tasha asked her if she wanted something to do with bacon. Tasha was such a bundle of energy all the time. Everything she did was fast—including talking. Abri couldn’t help the blank stare she gave her. Frustrated, Tasha moved her with a shove and sat the rock behind her more firmly over the mat beside Abri.
    Once more Abri settled back. She had grown used to the shoving and pushing and hand tugging to get her in motion when words didn’t work. She realized she wasn’t the only one to grow frustrated with her loss of hearing. The women were well-meaning. It was never done in anger. Tasha just wanted to make certain Abri’s sleeping area was secure. If it did rain, no one wanted the water seeping in. They made a point of caring for each other. There were no doctors. Since there were only six of them, the women wanted no more loss to make their lives that much drearier.
    Abri sighed. Her hands crept up behind her head to cushion it. The grass wall beside her ruffled then settled. She could feel each soft blade of grass tickle her arms and legs. It wasn’t unpleasant. Abri searched for the feeling. The hut grew darker. It was not unlike the suns’ closing sleepy eyes. She could