Cirlce of Fire by Heather Parsons (graded readers TXT) 📖

sounds stupid but it feels like she's still here.” He said in whispers.
She watched him with questions in her eyes. His mother? Her mother? Were they the same person? Does this mean, they're.....siblings? The thought of this possibly being true ripped her heart to shreds.
“I sorry.” Sierra cried. I know how you feel. Both my mother and father were killed years ago and then my brother only recently. God, I am truly alone.

The intensity of his stare said he heard every unspoken word as well.
“Do you still want to go to the lake or would you rather stay here? I'm sure we could find something interesting to do.” His voice was hoarse but he tried smiling to cheer them up.
“I'd like to see the lake while the sun's are up. That is if you still want to go with me.” Sierra's voice was growing with strength.
“If you”ll have me.” He said.
“You'll do.” Sierra said biting her lip. She wanted to believe that what she was feeling was right but she wasn't sure. And his stare was reeking havoc on her heart, causing all thoughts to flee. She knew better but felt herself leaning in closer, almost touching his lips against her own when the door opened making her jump back.
“I thought I'd find you up here again. Patrick your going to have to leave so she can get dressed. Since she can't seem to think straight with you in the room. Come on, man. Let's go.” Caedman smiled to himself then laughed the whole way out of the room.
“I won't be far.” Patrick whispered as he straightened himself out. Again here we go again, watching his every move as he walks away.
This time around Sierra managed to pick out something with her eyes closed because she couldn't face seeing the clothes in the closet at this moment without feeling the pain. Closing it securely, she opened her eyes again and saw the sun dress in all it's brilliance. It was shockingly similar to the one she had at home but with the colors were brighter.
Quickly stripping off her clothes she pulled the sun dress over her head and felt the fabric mold itself to her. When it was completely on Sierra stepped into some sandals that happened to have appeared out of nowhere and left the room. Walking down the stairs, Sierra looked around her to see where she'd been brought. Glancing inside rooms quickly and then darting back out made her feel like a thief but the last room stilled her. There were hundreds maybe thousands of books stacked neatly on the shelves. The very next thought that crossed her mind was later she'd have to come back to this room and spend some extra time here. Reading has always been her favorite past time, taking her away from everything and into favorite fantasy worlds.
Taking a deep breath Sierra stepped back closer to the stairs and started her decent. Taking in everything that she could see around her. The house alone – from the inside – was beautifully designed. All the furniture looked like it belonged right where it was. Like the house itself had put it there. And the spaces were breathtaking.
She could hear the guys talking but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. With the open spacing of the living room the voices seemed to echo. Looking here and there she decided that standing where she was was probably the wisest decision she's made.
“Patrick I know how you feel about her but listen, she just had her heart broken. I don't think it's wise for you to be around her right now. I know she thinks she needs you but she really doesn't need anyone. She's a lot stronger than the last one I had but she hasn't realized it yet. When she does, that's when she'll need support. That's when you can come to her but not now.” Caedman said. His voice was very stern.
“I'm not going to just leave her. If she wants me to stay then I will. You're not going to tell me otherwise. I feel the need to protect her. And I know I've said it before but with her it's different. I can't explain why I feel this way. I just do.” Patrick said.
Sierra couldn't figure out what either of them was talking about but she'd had enough of just standing there listening. Wanting to be apart of the conversation because hearing her name she already was, she rounded the corner to where they sat comfortably and let her voice be heard, “please let's not start this again. I don't want either of you to leave me.”
“Well that settles that.” Patrick said smiling across the room to her.
“We should be going.” Caedman smirked and turned his back on them. Before he'd completely turned around Sierra had caught the pain in his eyes. Why couldn't she make both of them happy at the same time?
Both Patrick and Sierra turned and followed Caedman out the door and down the pathway to the lake. The house sat a mile from the shoreline and where they were headed, it seemed. There were a few others there that could be heard laughing the closer they got.
There was no need for a swimsuit since Sierra wasn't getting close to the water she headed to the group that was sitting in the sand and sat down with them.
“Sierra, Patrick and

Caedman. Surprise, surprise! I knew the two of you would be coming but bringing him along, it just makes it that much more fun. Do you want to get in the water?” Casey asked all three of them. And since Caedman was the spokes person Sierra waited for him to answer. Because thinking up an excuse to why she couldn't get near the water, well lets just say nothing brilliant has come to mind.
“Not at this moment but maybe later.” Caedman stopped to say this then walked past them to where everyone else was. Catching glimpses of his face through her hand as I shielded her eyes from the sun's, Sierra saw a rare smile light his face but somewhere deep inside she knew it was false. Because it was worse than the fake one she'd worn all those times.
“Okay then you have to at least come and meet everyone else.” Casey said cheerfully and held her hand out for Sierra to grab. Reluctant at first to meet so many people, Sierra stood up and walked with her to where they all were. “Everyone this is Sierra. Sierra this is Calvin, Gage and Christina.” Sierra nodded to all of them then took a step back, feeling overwhelmed all the sudden. Out of the blue fear slipped in and took precedence over everything else. Sierra searched the surrounding area, looking for whatever was making her tremble inside but saw nothing.
“Hey what's going on with them?” Calvin asked, shaking Sierra out of her state. All eyes followed to see Caedman and Patrick deep in conversation, sitting far away from everyone else.
“My guess is their fighting over Sierra.” Casey laughed out.
“Why would you say that?” Sierra asked. I'm not that much of a prize.

“Like I was telling you yesterday. I've never seen Patrick show any kind of interest towards any other female before and to what I'm seeing now it looks like Caedman has that same interest for you as well.” Casey smiled hugely. “Anyway let the boys fight among themselves while us girls have fun.” She grabbed Sierra's hand before she could stop her and pulled to the water's edge. Sierra's mind froze, afraid of what Caedman had said would happen to her if she so much as touched the water itself.
A scream escaped her lips when the water lapped across her skin. It was so cold it numbed her entirely and left her shaking were she stood. Seeing the world tilt to one side, Sierra closed her eyes and let go.
Then next thing she knew she was waist deep in the water and what had felt cold before now burned. Her skin was on fire and she screamed again. Water was everywhere, making her limbs crawl with scorching flames. Blackness edged it's way in and enveloped her completely.

Imprint

Publication Date: 08-08-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To my boys, Daniel, Gabriel and Jeremiah who's imagination of how the world should be has helped me create this one.