The Nines (The Nines #1) Read Online Free Page A

the right house. The upkeep on the front yard gardens would require a lot of attention and for someone to spend quite a bit of time outdoors to achieve.
    “You look disappointed,” Hector comments.
    “It just looks so…I don’t know…normal. More like someone’s grandmother lives here rather than a mysterious masked man.”
    “Did you expect to see blood dripping from the doorframe? Or maybe hear the muffled screams of his latest victim as he sliced off skin for his new human hide suit?”
    “I haven’t learned anything more about him,” I say as I start for the small set of stairs leading up to the front porch. “Just that he likes to garden.”
    He grabs my elbow. “What are you doing?”
    “I want to see if the door is unlocked.”
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” His voice sounds strained.
    We both stare at each other for a long moment. Then he finally releases me from his grasp. “I doubt you’re going to find anything. Who leaves their door unlocked in the twenty-first century?”
    “Where I’m from no one locks their doors at night.”
    “And where is this magical place where no one locks their doors?”
    “Just a small town,” I say vaguely, and then chastise myself for my slip up.
    “A small town where?” he pushes.
    “Aren’t you just full of questions?”
    “That’s what people do when they’re on a date. They ask each other questions. And some people actually give answers too. It’s how people get to know each other.”
    “This isn’t a date,” I remind him.
    Hector eyes me. “I think this became a date when you manipulated me into bringing you here.”
    “Manipulate?” I place my hand on my chest and feign shock. “Me? Never.”
    He nods. “And you’re very good at it, by the way. You look so cute and innocent with those big, brown eyes of yours. But you’re a master manipulator.”
    “I didn’t mean to manipulate you, Hector. I just really wanted to know more about the masked man.”
    He points to one of the numerous planter boxes lining the front porch. “Well you learned he likes petunias.”
    When the front porch light snaps on Hector and I freeze.
    “He knows we’re here,” I whisper.
    “We need to go,” Hector whispers back.
    “Are you scared?” I tease. “Worried about him making a suit out of your skin?”
    Hector rolls his eyes at me. “That was Julio not me.”
    “That’s enough for tonight.” As I take one last look around I try to commit my surroundings to memory. I’ll definitely be back tomorrow when it’s daylight.
    “You’re already thinking about coming back, aren’t you?”
    “Thinking about it? No. Definitely not.”
    Hector narrows his gaze at me. “You’ve already decided?”
    I raise a hand as if swearing an oath. “I promise it will be daylight.”
    “Just be careful, okay?” He actually sounds concerned and I feel guilty.
    “So why are you so worried about my safety?”
    “Maybe because I want to take you out again.”
    “This isn’t a date,” I remind him.
    “On another non-date.”
    Hector looks at me expectantly, but I don’t reply. When he licks his bottom lip I think he might kiss me so I quickly turn away.
    “Are you ready to go back?” Hector asks. “I don’t want you to get too cold.”
    I nod. “Let’s go.”
    Once we arrive back at the front entrance to my dorm we both wait for a few moments, staring at each other. The awkward silence between us is a bit unnerving. 
    “I really want to see you again,” he says finally.
    “Sure.” I know my response sounds half-hearted, but all I can think about is getting up to my room and seeing if any of my pals in the psychology student cyber café know anything about the masked man.
    Hector is now grinning from ear to ear. “Can I get your number?”
    “I don’t use my cell very much,” I admit. What I don’t want to admit is that it’s because I don’t have any friends to actually text or call. My parents share one disposable cell phone that