The Twelve Stones Read Online Free Page A

us today can be dangerous in the real world if people found out about it.”
    Ted pulled out the ottoman and sat down on it , drawing his son closer. “You know that stone you found? Whatever it is, I think it’s better if an adult h a ng s onto it for now.”
    Alex’s eyes grew wide in protest as he clutched his prize in his fist even tighter. Ted held up his hand to prevent the inevitable temper tantrum.
    “This isn’t negotiable , Alex. This stone is dangerous , and I don’t want you to touching it until I tell you it’s OK.”
    “But it’s mine! I found it fair and square; it’s not yours to take!” Alex screamed violently.
    “I know , buckaroo, I know it. And I promise it will be yours again when you’re ready for it. Whatever that stone is, and until I know more about it, I’m not letting you get anywhere near it, all right?”
    Alex lost it. “Mom wouldn’t have taken my stuff!” h e shouted , running away as he threw the stone at his father’s feet. Alex retreated, running back up to the guest room and slamming the door hard.
    Ted swallowed, picking up the black stone off the floor and wrapp ed it in one of the makeshift rags he had used for Scott’s injuries. Ted turned and glanced at the family photo on the piano taken only a few short weeks before the tragic accident that took his wife – Alex’s mother. It had been taken during a family trip to San Francisco. They were having a picnic in Battery Park, with Ted laying on his back with his arms around the two most important people in the world to him: his wife and his son.
    “I’m doing the right thing , aren’t I , Helen?” Ted asked the photo. “Whatever this is, he can’t possibly be ready for whatever power that’s in there.” He paused, and thoughtfully placed the wrapped stone into his pocket. “I don’t think anyone’s ready for it yet.”
    Ted retreated downstairs to his workshop/basement. Opening his desk drawer, Ted opened the small safe contained within, turning the combination dial a few times. Dropping the rag inside, Ted closed the door, hoping he could forget about it for now.
    Ted retreated back up to his guest room , knocking softly on the door before he entered. Alex sat in the chair opposite next to his friend, the two of them sullenly playing video games together. Alex’s ten year old face was fixed in a scowl.
    “Hey , Alex,” Ted began awkwardly, “I know it’s rough and hard to understand right now. But honestly, this is the best thing for you.”
    “But that’s mine , D ad!” Alex whined . “I found it. I t’s mine . I healed Scott with it.”
    Ted entered the room, and approached his son clasping his hand on his shoulder.
    “What if we made it a trade?”
    Alex perked up at this. Scott looked up as well. With Alex’s generosity, that usually meant that whatever Alex received, Scott would probably have free reign on it too.
    “What do you mean?” Alex asked.
    “Well, that Super Nintendo thing just came out a little while ago, didn’t it?” Ted asked, knowing full well he was getting it for his son’s birthday anyway.
    Alex began to get excited. “Yeah, so?”
    “So, what if we go to the mall tomorrow, pick up that Super Nintendo plus whatever games you want , and I get to keep the stone for awhile.” Ted went around the chair, winking at his son. “I promise, fair trade value . W hattaya say?”
    Alex thought about it for a moment until Scott, who had remained silent until now , hissed, “Get Street Fighter ! It’s the best game out there!”
    Ted laughed, “Yes, we'll even get Street Fighter . ”
    Alex wiped away the tears in his eyes, and for the first time that afternoon looked at his father with a smile. “Deal.”
    Ted grasped his son’s hand and shook on it.
    It was then that a screech of tires interrupted their father-son handshake. A heavy four-by- four truck barreled down the quiet neighborhood street, the engine groaning as the driver urged the aging vehicle to move faster.