Into the Forest Shadows Read Online Free Page A

for moral support. So, like usual,
she would take care of things herself.
    She would let Mom return the pills to Uncle
Travis or to the Doctor. A few extra study periods at school to
stay out of the way until she plotted out and executed her revenge,
and all would be good. Uncle Travis wouldn't see her vengeance
coming.
    The thought filled her with perverse
pleasure. Oh, she was going to enjoy taking him down. She just had
to come up with the right way to do it. Maybe something to do with
the Oburos Directory? A short time ago they'd been rather angry at
him. Maybe she could find out what that was all about and use
it.
    "Besides, I can't leave my experiments. I
have sick trees to tend to. Dear, drink up before your tea goes
cold." Grandma turned to add a little more hot tea to her cup.
"I'll have to show you what I'm up to in the lab. I think I'm on
the brink of a breakthrough."
    Kate lifted the tea and blew on it. It
smelled okay, with an underlaying aroma of spice and mint. Grandma
liked things to taste good. The off-world spices were the few food
items she brought in from outside the forest. She tipped the cup
and took a deep swallow.
    Bitterness flooded her mouth. Kate's eyes
went wide.
    Where was the spice and mint? Kate forced
herself to swallow, just to get rid of it. She glared down at the
cup. Grandma thought this tasted good?
    "Drink up, it's good for you. Now, tell me
about school. How have your classes been going?" Grandma asked.
    "Uh, going okay. No big problems. Nothing
like at home," Kate said, considering the dark liquid. She wanted
to throw it out. She doubted even the bunts would like something
like this, and they ate almost anything plant-based.
    Kate took a deep breath, held it and gulped
it down. The vile taste ran over her tongue, making her want to
gag.
    Nope, doing it that way didn't help. Now she
had it all over in her mouth. Kate set the cup on the table on the
other side of her chair where Grandma wouldn't be able to refill
it.
    Kate rattled on about school. Not that she
had much to say as school usually bored her. Two more years of it
and she would be done and could go do something she wanted.
    Kate realized she'd stopped talking. Her head
felt funny. She peered at Grandma, "What was I saying?"
    "Book reports? School?" Grandma sipped at the
tea, settled comfortably in her chair. "By the way, have you ever
read "Flight of the Monarch Butterfly"?"
    A wave of dizziness flooded her. The image of
two bunts rubbing noses under the dining room table spun and waved
in her vision. Kate squeezed shut her eyes as the sensation grew
worse.
    She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
The bunts had moved to sit under the couch. The vile taste of tea
lingered on her tongue. She should get some water to get rid of it,
but she wasn't sure she trusted her feet yet.
    "Done with that cup, dear? My, you were
thirsty. We've nearly finished the second pot," Grandma said. "Oh
yes, I remember what I was saying. School on the colony ship. Yes,
that was interesting. Still had a great education, but I definitely
missed working with students and teachers long distance. But the
communications system was completely destroyed in a hyperspace
radiation burst. That's why I'm so careful to keep in touch with
people, even though I live somewhat isolated."
    Kate looked down at her lap to realize she
had the dreaded teacup back in her hand. When did that
happened?
    "Grandma, I really don't like the taste of
the new tea," Kate finally said.
    Grandma looked down at her cup, "Hmm, maybe
more of an acquired taste? I can see about flavorings. Or maybe you
would enjoy one of the teas with the new edible berry we found. You
like the sweeter tastes."
    "I vote sweet," Kate said, carefully setting
the tea cup back on the table.
    "I do have a sweeter mix you can take home
with you. Let's see, when should you come back? In three weeks or
so?"
    "I have no problem with that. I doubt Mom
would, either. Although, Uncle Travis will certainly