Rise of the Death Walkers (The Circle of Heritage Saga) by Lawrence Nason Jr. Page B

of knowing things about people." Dr. Grant chuckled, "He even called me on my own birthday and sent me best wishes. I have known Sam for thirty years now so nothing he does surprises me anymore."
    "That sounds very much like my grandfather." I smiled and continued. "He is like the wily old fox when it comes to other people."
    Dr. Grant stood back up. "Get some sleep Jason and if the evil temptress wanders back in remind her about the shotgun."
    I laughed. "I remind her every time she tries something new, sir. This time it was one of her bolder moves."
    "I know Jason. Shelly from the mall called me and warned me what Katie had purchased and I figured she would try something the first night you stayed here so I was prepared. I am just happy that her future husband has more control and honor than she appears to have." He paused at the door.
    "Maybe I have better control over my hormones than she does." I said seriously.
    "I doubt that Jason, But then again she has never been threatened about being pulled into the woods by her grandfather and knocked around with loose landscaping items like you have." He chuckled.
    "With my grandfather those landscaping items you refer to would not necessarily have to be loose. I can picture him ripping up a tree to bash me over the head with it." I laughed
    Dr. Grant joined me in laughter. "That defiantly sounds like Sam White. Get some sleep son and see you at breakfast."
    "Thanks, Dad" I said as he closed the door.
    I often wondered why life had fated me to have a father that was so different from Dr. Grant. Why had the spirits seen fit to place me in a situation where my days were so full of terror at the possible beatings I would get for no reason at all. I liked Katie's father a lot and envied her at times.
    My mind returned to thoughts about my siblings. My brothers were at my Aunt Susan's and they were having a much better time than they used to. They still went to the same school as they did before. The friends they made were the same. My Uncle Ned treated the boys as if they were his own and the other children there treated them as family.
    My sister was still in the sanatorium. She had not spoken a word since the day she killed Roger. She had already been cleared by the authorities of any blame. It had been a clear case of self defense and she was only thirteen at the time. I had gone there several times and spent hours trying to get her to draw out of the protective shell she was in. It tore the heart out of my chest every time I saw her and I would get such a feeling of guilt that several times my grandfather had to knock me over the head to get me to come out of the mood.
    When I had finally been released from the hospital, Dr. Grant and his wife had insisted I spend the first couple of weeks at their place and my grandfather had agreed. I think he had wanted more time to complete my room.
    When I first saw the room I had objected to how big it was. My room alone was bigger than the very house they lived in. My grandfather had told me that the spirits had willed this to be the case. He had said that once the spirits had been informed who it was for, the woods had given way to the encroachment gladly.
    After the first few times I had taken to connect with the spirits of the woods I somehow knew this was, in fact, the truth. It was hard to describe the feeling I received when I was in connection with nature. It felt like I was meant to be there with all the inhabitants of the forest. My grandfather explained this was the way with anyone who was gifted.
    After this, I was less reluctant to accept the gift that had been given to me. I let the forest into my room as much as I possibly could. I denied, during the spring, no creature access to my domicile. It was not unusual when Katie visited me that some of the creatures of the forest would visit me. One day when Katie was there a fawn strolled into the room to visit. Katie had gasped in surprise and I showed her how to feed the fawn the