Phoenix Child Read online

  * * *

  I slumped into the car, my stomach pooching out from the huge Mexican dinner we’d eaten.

  “Thanks for helping me finish my Christmas shopping,” I said.

  Melanie started the car and turned on the heater.

  “No problem, I had fun. The girls are going to love what you bought them.”

  “Thanks for dinner, it was so good.” I rubbed my tummy.

  Melanie shook her head. “I can’t believe you ate that much. Do you have everything you need for Christmas now?”

  I nodded. “I got Shante, Caitlin, Myra and Rhonda baby dolls, two CDs for Crystal, and a little something for you while you were looking at the DVDs.”

  Melanie pulled into the garage. “Okay, everyone should be asleep, so make sure to be quiet.”

  “Of course.” I didn’t want to deal with anyone anyway.

  After washing my hair three times and failing to get any of the black or red out I went to bed. Maybe I'll be back to normal in the morning. Laying my head on my pillow, I closed my eyes. Images from this morning flashed in my mind: the old building, my mom hiding something in the bathroom wall. Then new ones began: a dragon, a unicorn, and a bird on fire. I tried to open my eyes, to collect my thoughts.

  "No, my Jewel, you need to come to us," a man said, pulling me into sleep.

  Chapter Three

  "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."