Read Online Gravity by Amanda Miga - Free Book Online Page A

falcon. Its beak is open; the huge
wingspan takes up my entire vision and its talons just inches from
my neck. Perhaps this is one of the labs or science rooms. I slip
by the still-life. There's cluttered things unrelated to school
piled everywhere like a storage unit.
    I follow a narrow and dimly lit path beyond a
stack of chairs. I hear the type of bell that chimes when one
enters a store. I proceed out of the strange packed room and it
open to the outside. It should be the school hall but what I see is
an empty town street and lamp posts. Outside of the door is a sign: Antiques . I'm in a store. There's no doubt this is a dream;
the ugly sweater, Hunter's crew, Pete's death can't be real. I
chuckle to myself—thank God.
    Out of the shadows, across the street, Hunter
and his crew appear. I back away into the shop and shut the door. I
peep out of the window and watch the gang search the street. I have
no choice but to stay in this smelly place.
    I would
never make the choice to enter an antique shop. Who in their right
mind would go voluntarily and buy useless shit. The only thing I'd
consider is vinyl; music and films are timeless, but who the hell
needs a stuffed bird—really? The smell reminds me of Grandma
Aisling's house where everything is old; stinks of dead flowers and
mothballs. This place sucks.
    Walking up the aisle I hear I'm not alone. A
young scrawny boy with glasses and dark brown hair writes on a
black board 'I will follow the leader' repeatedly . A
man too young to run an old shop stands behind the counter. He
clearly looks out of place with his trendy style jeans, simple
black t-shirt, and a wicked looking belt buckle. He could model
definitely. I can picture him at a hardcore rock concert not an
old-hole-in-the-wall antique shop. The man's hair is incredibly
black which reminds me of pen ink that once exploded, ruining a
pair of my favorite jeans.
    “What’s that kid doing?” I approach the
counter.
    The attractive guy's smile is incredible.
“Carver, you may go."
    The boy pushes his glasses up and the man
behind the counter hands him a photo of a girl. "Don't forget your
homework.” The boy nods and leaves without a glance in my
direction. I try to listen to their thoughts, but I can't pick up
anything. This is definitely a dream.
    Hello Alex. The man's soothing voice
calls to me like a lullaby. Like a mood ring his eyes change too
quickly to recall the colors. I stare into the rotating color
wheels for eyes. The man's smile is just as impressive. He's
handsome enough to be a celebrity. I like him instantly.
    Alex, you can hear me and I can hear
you.
    I'm confused. How did he know my name? Is he
a telepath?
    Yes I am. The man smile widens. Let's converse this way .
    That's easy. Talk without talking. What
did that kid do?
    His path is none of your concern. I'm Red
by the way. He holds out his hand. I take it. A strange current
like a magnet clamps our hands together. It startles me so much, I
let go.
    Sorry about that. But Red doesn't look
sorry at all. The glint in his eyes looks more like he's testing
me.
    What was that? I massage my palm.
    I suspected you to be a certain way and now
I know that you are.
    I'm what.
    Able.
    That word means a lot; able to do; able to
be; But I'm not able. I'm not anything. I find the word comforting
for some reason. Perhaps is the messenger not the message that
makes me feel this way. I'm not sure.
    There is nothing in your life you don't have
influence over, Alex. You've made plenty of choices where you reign
supreme, but your burdens are yours to bear. It's the only thing
you haven't chosen to master.
    If you're like me, then maybe you'd
understand how overwhelming it could be. All the lies, so many lies
my head feels like it's gonna explode. I rub my head. Finally
talking about myself to someone feels liberating but it's also
makes me want to cry. I'm not sure why. Maybe I've held it in for
too long.
    I watch his eye color stop changing, rest on
an ocean