New Horizons Read Online Free Page A

you have to admit, plot is fun to read. Especially when you’re bored. And isn’t that the basic point of reading? To enjoy yourself?”
    "You know what?” He stood up. “I don't think you’re ready for this program.”
    “No?” I stood up too. “I think we can agree on that. It’s been nice meeting you…is it Harry? Sorry, I’m the worst with names.”
    “Valerie, you’re not going to be like that while you’re here.”
    “Be like what?”
    “Until we can have a civilized conversation, you will be in solitary confinement."
    “Excuse me?”
    He pointed toward the door. The man by the door grabbed me by the shoulders before I could make a move. He dragged me out of the office and back into the mess hall. I tried to run, and the other teenagers just watched me from their spots. It was like they already had the life sucked out of them, or maybe they had seen it all before, and I was nothing new.
    The man had a firm grip on me while he walked us outside. He dragged me down the stairs and I was back to being limp.
    "I just want to make the most out of this stay,” I said. “So hopefully I didn’t blow my first impression back there. I think having my hands duct-taped threw him off. You know, it gives the criminal a bad rep in front of the jury. I never had a chance.”
    After a couple minutes of my feet scrapping across the ground, the sheds that I had thought were outhouses came into view. I finally put two-and-two together.
    “Those aren’t sheds, are they?”
    “That’s where you’re going to be staying for a bit.”
    “What's your name?” I tried to drag my feet to slow him down. I didn’t want to go into one of those buildings. “I don't remember you introducing yourself."
    He continued to pull me along without an answer.
    "Come on. I need a name. Jerry just gave me his!" I laid on the ground with my hands taped in front of me while he opened the door.
    “Are you going in on your own or do I have to throw you in there?”
    “What’s your name?”
    “It’s Guy.”
    “Guy?”
    He lifted me by my arm and shoved me into the room. When he shut the door I couldn’t see a thing. It was completely black except for a crack in the corner that let in a little light from the setting sun.
    I was tired. I was hungry. I was upset. And for whatever reason, I began to laugh. I couldn’t stop. Because the man’s name was Guy.
     
    I couldn't breathe in the small building anymore. The heat was so bad that sweat was beading off my body. I was completely soaked and it felt like I had run a marathon. In reality, I had done nothing but sit still the entire night in that shed.
    I thought about what I’d be doing if I were at home. Probably the same thing—lying on the floor. Or eating takeout. There was nothing in the world that pizza couldn’t solve. Or ice cream—that would be perfect. My mouth watered thinking about eating something cold.
    Instead of sitting still for any longer, I banged my feet against the walls. It was just something to do. After twenty-seconds of banging there was a spot of light in the corner. I wasn’t sure if I had done the damage or it already there. Either way, the wall was weak and crumbling. I banged even harder, excited by the prospects of finding a way out. Maybe someone before me had been driven to insanity by the heat, and I was picking up where they left off.
    "You should let her out now—she’s been in there all night!”
    Larry’s voice was recognizable even from far away. Already we were on bad terms and I had only been there for half a day. His voice reminded me of my dad’s Uncle Bruce, who died of diabetes. Not the kind you’re born with, the kind from not eating well. I used to hate when he’d come over to the house because he liked grabbing my head and pushing in on both sides as a joke. He said it was to keep my brains together.
    I banged my feet even harder on the walls. The wooden boards were weak and were bending. I knew if I kept kicking that I could