The Fire Starter Read Online Free Page A

small body, eager to get back to the comfort of my room. But that was when I felt something touch my back. Not a physical touch, but I looked around to check, scanning the darkened forest to see if someone was hiding and looking at me. I could feel goosebumps running down my arms and at the base of my neck. From somewhere in the distance, I heard a weird sound, somewhat similar to a howling. I gasped, practically scared. I could feel my own heartbeat quickening and my mind telling me to get to safety. But then again, there was another side of me that wanted to see what it was that had caused the sound. I gingerly took a step forward, looking all around me with extreme caution.
    There was another howl and I almost jumped from surprise. The feeling that someone was watching me from deep in the forest still hasn't abated. I felt more determined to know who it was. With another step, I noticed a dark shadow looming near me. I faced the source, but not in time.
    "What are you doing here?"
    I almost had a heart attack when I heard someone speak just before I could see the tall lean figure standing near me. It was already so dark that I had difficulty identifying his face, especially since his hair was dark and he was wearing only a black t-shirt despite the chill.
    "Blake. You scared me!" At first I thought it was Xander, but when I saw that there was a lopsided grin on his face and one of his eyebrows was raised in question, I dispelled that first guess. It was definitely Blake, and he was asking me a question.
    "What are you doing here?" he repeated, his voice grim.
    "I just wanted to look around. Did you hear the howl?" I asked back with one quick glance at the forest just in case I catch sight of something. The dreadful feeling of being watched closely had gone. I breathed deeply with relief.
    "What?" Blake's face broke into a full-on grin, his eyes twinkling maniacally. "What the hell are you talking about?"
    "Nothing," I dismissed the topic and headed back in front of the castle, Blake following closely behind, whistling a familiar tune. The last thing I wanted was for him to consider me a lunatic. But, seeing as my interest in the forest hasn't been satisfied yet, I asked instead. "Have you ever been to the forest?"
    We had crossed the bridge and opened the heavy door, the coldness from outside defeated by the warm temperature inside. Blake threw me a suspicious look, but shook his head. "Nobody goes in there," he replied, but I wasn't convinced.
    "I think there's a path there to the gate. An alternate path, that is, considering that it's easy to get out through the bushes," I observed.
    "Mm," he replied without any hint of interest, but I wasn't convinced no one has tried to explore that part yet. It was just so tempting and it was so open, easily accessible. I made a mental note to spend my weekend out there and find that path.
    I didn't realize that I had walked with him to the cafeteria near the mess hall, but it was too late to back out. Kyle and the others had seen me already.
    "Look who I found frolicking outside, looking at the forest," Blake whispered around the table with enough malice as though I had been caught making out with someone. It was weird, though, that he looked at Reid and Spencer slightly longer than everyone else.
    I sat down on one of the circular chairs, still thoughtful. "Has anyone of you ever been in the forest?"
    There was silence around the table, which was odd considering this bunch was usually the loudest wherever they went.
    I was about to apologize for bringing it up when Kyle spoke. "I did."
    "Really?" I asked with disbelief. I thought the guys would be the ones exploring all around.
    "Yeah. I got lost one day." She chuckled, downing her hot cocoa without wincing at its hot temperature.
    I decided I would drop the subject for now. I noticed that there were some books scattered on the table and they had their notebooks out, pens at the ready. "Oh. I'm sorry, were you having a study