Touched by Darkness (Young Creator Trilogy) by Christiane Shoenhair Page B

along the sharp
contours of the rock face. I watch him, not knowing what is going on, when all at once a large
area of the rock wall opens a doorway the size of a three car garage door. I walk over and notice
that it is a huge cave filled with a few all-terrain vehicles and a couple of four wheelers. Keagan
heads in the direction of a black four wheeler, but then decides to grab the handle-bars of a dirt
bike instead. It is a Honda CRV125F; beautiful and sleek. Keagan jumps on it, revving up the
engine, and it purrs to life. He glances my way with a happy smile on his face and motions for
me to get on the bike. Climbing on behind him, I try holding onto the back of the bike, not
wanting to make him uncomfortable by having our bodies press together.
“You better hold on tight or else you might fly off the back,” he yells as he slowly eases
out of the garage. I press my body flush up against him and tightly wrap my arms around his
waist. My head rests against his shoulder blade and I can smell that wonderful Keagan scent. I
breathe him in and close my eyes, enjoying the feel of him so close to me, knowing that this may
be the last time .
The next thing I know, we are flying through trees and over rocks. The bike handles
everything with ease, and when Keagan glances over his shoulder and notices the huge smile on
my face, he decides to have a little fun and do a few small jumps. I laugh and scream my
enjoyment. I have never been on a dirt bike, but I think I might have to get one. All too soon we
are at the location Helen pointed out on her dry-erase board. Keagan and I sit down, waiting for
the sign. The view from up here is incredible. Since we are high up, I can oversee all of Haven,
which is surrounded by a thick forest and mountains making a beautiful backdrop. The sun is
starting to set and it illuminates everything in a soft red glow.It’s breathtaking. Keagan and I sit
side by side, watching the sun go down and waiting. We don’t talk to each other, not one word.
The silence is comforting.
I watch as Helen, my mom, and Maximus enter Haven. I’m surprised to see them when I
haven’t seen any of the other groups get into place. I glance at Keagan, but notice that he doesn’t
seem worried. Instead, he is watching as the three make their way to the main building. I
remember that place with the incredible carvings depicting the history of my family and all of the
bad things that they have chosen to do. It was where I first met Brother Lorrus, who I believe is
the leader of Haven. He kinda looks like Maximus, but is bald and bulging with muscle. He has
the shape of a body builder while Maximus has more of a lean runner’s look. My stomach gets
upset when I think of the rules that were given to me by him. All so cruel, and as if they were
meant to break someone’s will. I got to feel first-hand how much pain and humiliation is
administered when you break one of their rules.
As soon as they step into Haven and people notice them, everyone stares, watching them
walk toward the Center. I watch a boy run into the Center, and a moment later Brother Lorrus
exits, arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He is definitely not happy. I guess he knows that
they have come to challenge him and Haven’s ways. I wonder what they are going to be
discussing. Why not find out.
Chapter 6
     
Touched by Magic
     
“Keagan, I think I’m going to go check on things.” I get up and look down the side of the cliff.
    It’s
pretty steep;I’m gonna have to figure something out if I want to hear their conversation.
“What are you talking about,Trish?”
“Exactly like what it sounded like, what’s so hard to understand? I’m going to go listen to
    how things go when your mom makes the proposal to Lorrus. Any other stupid questions?
” I
can’t help but laugh at the look on his face. “You don’t like it when people are rude to you, do
you? Well maybe you should remember that when you’re talking to others. My mom always said
to