Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
We headed for the woods.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
We're going to a poor village.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Is it safe to go there in the morning?
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
That thought occurred to me.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
We went straight into the forest.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
It was a little eerie. I feel creepier in the morning than at night.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
The dimness gives off a bad vibe.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Alicia! You're barefoot!"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I was a little further into the forest when I noticed it.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
The soles of Alicia's feet were black.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"I'm fine. Did you notice anything unusual?
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia didn't seem at all concerned about the dirt on her feet.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"......I knew it, Alicia, you've changed the way you talk, haven't you?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I looked into Alicia's face as if to probe.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia's brow wrinkled a little as she thought.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Is it because I didn't have anyone to talk to? What's wrong?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Your tone is kind of light."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
When I said this, Alicia gave me a small smile.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
...... beautiful.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She didn't seem to be trying to give off any of the bad aura she had before.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I could see intelligence and decency in her smile.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"You're right, I've changed."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"You really haven't talked to anyone in two years?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia looked a little troubled.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She usually didn't have this kind of expression on her face.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She seemed less like a bad girl.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Did you think I looked less like a bad girl?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"How did you know?
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I froze in shock at the impact of Alicia's words.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I never thought I'd see the day when my mind would be read.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Was she using magic?
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"It's not magic."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia's mouth turned up slightly as she said this.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Oh, this is Alicia, with a little nasty smile .......
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Then how did you know?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Isn't it because Jill's expression is so easy to recognize?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
You're lying. I've gotten much better at hiding my mind over the past two years. .......
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
And I can make a lot of different faces now.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"That's a lie."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia laughed, wrinkling the corners of her eyes.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
For a moment, I felt a thrill.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She didn't seem like the Alicia I knew.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Nothing's changed, I'm still the same.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
...... read my mind again.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I rolled my eyes and suddenly Alicia started laughing.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"I'm sorry, Jill. I was just teasing her because her reaction was so funny."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"What do you mean?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Don't look so bad."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Then explain it to me.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"I've been trying to figure out how Grandpa Will could read people's minds so well when he was blind for the past two years."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"So, have you found the answer?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Well, I haven't found the answer. But I do know a few things."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia said it with great enthusiasm.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She seemed somehow more alive than before.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"It's just me in the cabin, but there are a lot of people outside, aren't there? Of course."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Yes."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I nodded and nodded.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"You mean you've become more sensitive to the changes outside?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I continued.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"That's my assistant, isn't it?"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia stroked my head.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia's approval is perhaps my greatest pleasure.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"I've learned once again how difficult it is to read a person's mind just by the tone of their voice, their facial expressions, their demeanor, their air ...... and their sounds. I'm still not as good as Grandpa Will."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"That's great, Alicia."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"There's nothing great about it."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia said it matter-of-factly.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She didn't mean it in a sarcastic way, but seemed to really believe it.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I can't make that kind of effort.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Effort? I didn't do it, I... I may have patience, but I just want to be a bad girl and I'm doing what it takes to get there."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"But you looked more like a bad girl before. But you looked more like a bad girl before... like that troubled expression you had earlier. ......"
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Oh, you know, I didn't ...... know what to say."
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia looked troubled again as she said this.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia's face turned serious and she fell silent.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
She is not sure whether to say something to me or not.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
I would never tell anyone, but it wouldn't make any sense for me to do so.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
It's up to Alicia to decide whether or not to tell me.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Alicia meditates lightly and takes a small breath.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Then she slowly opened her eyes and looked at me.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
"Your mother came to see me once," she said.
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com
Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com