Touched by Darkness (Young Creator Trilogy) by Christiane Shoenhair

if our talk doesn’t go well. Do you three
understand the plan?” Aunt Tisi and I nod our heads, but Keagan mutters to himself, not looking
at his mother.
“Excuse me, young man,did you have some sort of concern?” I have never seen
Keagan’s mom look displeased with him, so seeing her be stern with him surprises me. Not only
that, but it also seems as if she is a lot more confident and walks around with an air of authority.
I remember at Haven, Helen and I spent a wonderful day together, which ended when Keagan
overheard me talking crap about him and getting his feelings hurt. He threw his mother out of the
house, leaving me with him to bear whatever punishment he had decided on this time. Which
was Porsche of all people. Ugh, Porsche! Skanky, self-centered witch of a horrible person. Why
does she always have to pop into my head?
Keagan glances at his mom, seeming as shocked as I am at her tone and confrontational
stance. Then, right before my eyes, Keagan—like a five year old scolded by his mom—shuffles
his feet and glances at the ground, murmuring a barely audible,“No, ma’am.”
Helen glances my way and winks. I return her gesture with a hundred-watt smile,
cheering on the inside for her. The role of authority that she has taken on really fits her well, and
I’m very happy to see Helen so buoyant. Especially putting Keagan in his place like she did.
“All right then, go ahead and get ready you two. You know the drill, make sure to wear
all black to blend with the night.”
I start heading in the direction of the tent, and to my surprise Keagan falls into step with
me. I watch him out of the corner of my eye. He still makes the butterflies in my stomach do
summersaults every timeI’m around him. Being this close is not helping; I wish I could get over
my attraction to this arrogant jerk. The problem is I have all of these great memories of Keagan,
and it is making it really hard to let go. It would be so much easier if it was just a little crush and
I didn’t know how it felt to be held in his strong arms and have his lips pressed to mine.
However, I think that I miss his smile directed at me the most. Keagan and I used to go running
together at Dalton Academy every morning, and on those runs we really developed a great
friendship. Thinking back just makes me sad to realize what I have lost. I come back to the
present when Keagan stops. Scanning my surroundings to quickly gain my bearing, I realize that
we are in front of my tent. I turn to Keagan, not knowing what to do or say.
“Go throw your clothes on and wait for me in your tent. I have some stuff to take care of,
and then I will be back to come get you,” he tells me as he turns to leave.
“I’m not going to be waiting for you, I’m planning on getting some food before tonight.
If you want to meet up at a certain time I can work with that.” I don’t care that Keagan is now
glaring at me. I want him to realize that hecan’t just tell me what to do.
“Fine.” He glances at the black watch on his left wrist. “Let’s meet back here in one
hour.” He is clearly annoyed,but I don’t let it bother me.
“Fine,” I snap.
“Fine,” h
e replies.
I head off in search of something to eat, and find Sam and Chelsey eating dinner together.
As soon as they see me, they wave me over. After grabbing my food, I join them.
“So how is everything going with Keagan?” Chelsey wants to know.
“It’s not. He seems to have completely forgotten me.It’s likehe’s a different person than
the one that I knew.”
“I really do think this proves that he didn’t know that you were a Young Creator, based
onhow he treats you now versus when he got to know you as a normal girl.”
“Chelsey, you’re right. I guess him caring about me really influenced his beliefs as far as
the Guardian ways went. But what does that mean as far as how he is now? Should we be
worried?” I ask her.
“I think that you need to keep an eye on him,” Sam cuts in. I look at