Riser (Teen Horror/Science Fiction) (Book #1 in The Riser Saga) ((Volume 1)) by Becca C. Smith Page B

suddenly thought of the perfect place, just outside of the trailer park, where no one ever went, where I could just be by myself and concentrate on the report.
I was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday and I seriously debated on not changing. I wouldn’t see anyone from school anyway. “Is it hot outside?” I called to my mother.
“It’s already eighty-five degrees,” she called back.
Shorts it is.
Grabbing a pair of cargo shorts from the floor, I quickly changed into them and replaced the tank top I was wearing for a sleeveless fitted top. I slipped on a pair of flip-flops, headed toward the kitchen, blanket and reader in hand.
Mom was arranging her bucket full of gardening supplies, about to head out front. “You going somewhere?” she asked thoughtfully.
“Just over to my tree to read.”
Mom knew the spot I was talking about.
She smiled, “Well, have fun. You should take some toast or an apple with you. Lunch won’t be for another few hours and you’ll be starving.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I grabbed an apple and left the trailer.
Walking through the trailer park, I felt a rush of contentment. This truly was my home and everyone in it felt like family.
A black swirling hole came running toward me as I recognized Buster, a golden retriever that belonged to a little girl named Katie. This was the dog that was killed by a hover-car. The driver was drunk and swerved down too low to the ground, clipping Buster’s head, killing him instantly. I knelt down and scratched behind Buster’s ears. I made sure that he acted like he was enjoying it thoroughly.
Katie ran up to us slightly out of breath. “Buster! No more running away! You almost died last time!” Katie’s long blond locks were tied in a neat ponytail. She had no idea he had actually died that day. When he was killed, everyone in the park came running out of their trailers from the screams of anguish flooding out of Katie. I just couldn’t bear to see her giant brown eyes filled with such sadness and despair, so I kept Buster on my own leash and Katie had been happy ever since.
“Hi Katie, Buster looks good.” I made Buster turn and lick Katie’s face until she giggled and fell to the ground from his onslaught of affection.
After I was sure she’d had enough attention, I had Buster stop so she could regain her composure. She was still laughing when she said, “We’re going to play Frisbee today.”
“You guys have fun. I’m off to go read,” I said and scratched Buster’s head for emphasis. Waving at Katie I walked to the outskirts of the park, a smile still on my face.
It took a while to get to my favorite spot. It was a field of rolling hills smattered with wild flowers and a large willow tree resting on top of the highest peak. The tree was a haven of shade on a particularly hot day. The only thing that could possibly break up the heat wave were the darkened clouds I could see on the horizon. Unfortunately, the clouds were making the air thick with humidity, but at least my willow tree would give me some comfort.
I walked up the incline of the color-filled hill leading to my tree. The flowers were gorgeous this time of year. Every color imaginable covered the landscape making me feel like I had stepped into a painting. Most people steered clear of this area because with flowers came bees, and lots of them. There was even a hive in my lovely willow tree. Thousands of these fields existed all over the world, another part of keeping the planet green and well oxygenated. I never minded the bees; they pretty much kept to themselves and if they buzzed around me, it was only out of curiosity, not the malice that most people assigned to the poor species. Even if you were stung, it’s not like it was a life or death situation, unless you were allergic or something. But as many times as I’d frequented this spot not once had any bee killed itself by stinging me.
I pulled back the long hangings of leaf-covered branches that draped to the ground