Shiver Read Online Free Page B

blood—”
    “Just remember, you have a choice. Don’t let the hunger dictate who you are. Remain who you always were, Eniell Knox.” Her dark eyes flickered to amber again. The wig-thing sitting on her head opened its eye, scrutinizing him as much as the old woman. “You don’t have to become a coldblooded parasite.”
    Unable to bear this bizarre situation, Knox pushed the rickety, wooden chair back and stood. They hadn’t exchanged names, so how the hell did she know who he was? Actually, the only name mentioned during their conversation was the dog’s.
    “Remember who you are.” Her words chased him up the aisle as he made his way from stall to stall, close to collapse. “You have a good heart, Knox. Let yourself find passion or you will be lost to the bloodlust.” Her voice sounded as if it were inside his ears.
    He peered over his shoulder and saw her sitting at the creepy, colorful stall staring at him. But when he turned back and took a step, he stopped suddenly. She stood directly in his path, the top of her wig at eye level. How the hell could she be in two places at once? He checked again and found her sitting at her stall, while simultaneously standing in front of him.
    What the hell did she put in that drink?
    “Don’t lose yourself, Knox,” she whispered, touching the back of his hand.
    Knox’s skin crawled as he jerked back his hand and walked right through her. He didn’t look back this time, determined to get out of this mess and hitch a ride off this rock as soon as possible.
    At least he’d managed to ditch the dog.
    After several hours of asking around the main part of the market, he still hadn’t found a space port or docking station anywhere.
    He wasn’t going to give up and decided to try again when he spotted a man with a beaming, golden-toothed smile. This stall was covered with electronic devices, and the curtain behind was constantly changing color. “Excuse me. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction…”
    “I’ll try.”
    “I’m looking for the closest port. I need to get—”
    “We don’t have one of those around here,” the man said with a shake of his head. This seemed to be the most common response.
    Knox nodded and was about to move on when the man grabbed a hold of his forearm. He turned to look him in the eye.
    “There have been whispers during the last few days,” the man said, pausing long enough to peer over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “They say that since the arena went down, we are free to not only leave Clash, but can actually leave Fray. It’s a good turn of events, being able to leave the planet after so many Maine-forced restrictions.” He smiled. “Anyway, if you go to the town of Grit, you might find someone who can help you.”
    “How do I get there?”
    “Just leave the market and keep walking northwest. It’s not too far from here. You can’t miss it. Visit Mike’s .He’ll be able to help you find your way.”
    “Thank you, mate. I appreciate it.”
    The man smiled, almost blinding him with all that toothy gold. “I’m sorry about what happened to you.”
    Knox rolled his shoulders, nodded, and walked away. Just how many people had been watching the live streaming of his fight with the bloodsucker? It could be paranoia, but it seemed as if everyone knew what had happened and kept giving him strange, pitying glances. He turned his back on the market and avoided making eye contact with anyone. Instead, he found himself concentrating on trivial details, like wondering where the man had gotten so much gold that he could wear it on his teeth.
    The gold-toothed man’s vague directions helped and it didn’t take Knox long to reach the small town of Grit. There were no signs to mark the spot but after the miles of desolation he’d traversed, this had to be it.
    The town turned out to be nothing more than a handful of buildings dominated by a bar that was buzzing with activity. He could hear a