The Rhythm of Rain Read Online Free

guy just got out of prison and wanted payback. Well, he'd stolen her parents. Rain grabbed his thumb and bent it back, forcing him to release her.
    Once loose, Rain fled into the downpour. She had the strength from hard years of dancing. Slim but muscular thighs churned down the street. It didn't take long to put distance between herself and the creep. Hill Crest was soon in view. Rain flew through the entryway door and rammed her finger against the buzzer. She saw Jaron racing toward her.
    "Hello?"
    "Trace, let me in," Rain yelled frantically.
    The door made a ringing sound, and Rain raced through it. She turned as the door closed and bolted in place, leaving a drenched Jaron on the other side of the glass having just missed out on entry. His chest was heaving. He rattled the door handle. Rain gave him an evil, smug look and strode backward, watching him, to the elevator. Her middle finger lifted in a salute as the elevator doors closed. Jaron smashed his open hands against the glass in fury while he bellowed her name.

Chapter Three
    "Are you all right?" Telor asked.
    "Fine," Rain said.
    Telor had picked her up after his class instead of spending the night with his buddies. Rain didn't want to remain in the city. When she had called him, there was something in the tone of her voice that bothered him. She sounded like she was under duress and he knew it had nothing to do with the storm. Thankfully the storm had died down. Pelts of water struck the windshield in the dark. It was well after midnight.
    "You look mad," Telor said.
    "I'm not mad." Her voice was quiet, tiny.
    Telor reached over and clasped her fingers. She jumped and snatched her hand away. "Rain…"
    "Do you remember when my family first came here?" she asked.
    "Sure. Why do you ask?"
    "I was weird."
    Telor chuckled. "You weren't weird, no weirder than any other four-year-old girl."
    "I used to run from you."
    "You were afraid I'd tell Grams you were out in the storm."
    "No." Rain turned, and even in the dark he could see the intensity in her gaze. "I was afraid of you."
    "I wouldn't have hurt you," he said, feeling baffled.
    "I didn't think you would hurt me. I was afraid you would disappear. I was afraid you would disappear and never come back and leave me alone in the dark, in the storm."
    "Huh?"
    Rain sat back and exhaled loudly. She ran her hands through her hair. "I don't know. Some guy came to the studio and said he knew me when I was little, before we came here. I know I should remember him, but I can't. There was something about him, though, something creepy and yet not. I know this sounds dumb, but he was safe—familiar and yet spooky creepy. He looked so angry."
    "Did he scare you?"
    "Not really. More like he confused me."
    "What did he say?"
    Rain turned sideways to look at him again. "He says he saved me. But, Telor, my parents were killed in a drive-by shooting. I was found all alone. But no one can tell me where I was found. Grams and Papa refuse to talk about that night. They refuse to talk about anything from the past. I don't blame them; their only child was murdered."
    "Why not look it up?" Telor suggested. "They must have some information on it. Maybe an old newspaper clipping."
    Rain shrugged and remained silent. There was noticeable tension in the air and Telor left her alone to brood over her thoughts. Half an hour later, Telor pulled into the long driveway and parked at the fork. Rain sat staring at her house. The porch light was on. Telor gathered her into his arms. He took a steadying breath.
    "Maybe it's time you find out what really happened that night. Face your demons. In some ways I think you remember yet you just don't want to. Or aren't willing to. Trauma will do that."
    "You already know, don't you?" Rain asked him.
    "I know why you're afraid of fire," he said. But he was worried. If the guy she saw said he was from her past, it did not bode well. Telor would need to keep his ears open and his eyes wide.
    Telor felt her tremble