Read The Predator for Free Online

truths. Just thousands of other kids wanting to be friends—begging, pleading, happy to be friends.
    With him.
    He’d thought he’d died and gone to heaven.
    Now, years later, with the nightmare of puberty and high school behind him, he was free to live his life the way he’d always wanted. His boring day job as a traveling IT salesman gave him the freedom to play on the Internet whenever the urge took him. It also provided the necessary funds to finance his life’s passion and if everything fell into place, soon he wouldn’t even need that.
    With a thrill of anticipation winging its way through his arteries, he unlocked the door to his grungy ground-floor apartment that boasted a spectacular view of the asphalt car park at the rear of his four-storey building.
    In stark contrast to the attention he paid to his appearance, the unit was filthy. Ignoring the stack of dirty plates and cups piled high in the sink and the stench of garbage left too long in the trash bin, he headed straight for his sanctuary.
    Leaving the light switch off, he made his way across the familiar dimness of his bedroom. The blinds were in their customary position, drawn tightly against prying eyes from the street outside. He cracked open his window. A gentle breeze seeped through, spreading the stench of unwashed clothes and bed linen throughout the room.
    With a sigh of contentment, he turned on his computer and waited for it to boot. Clicking onto the Internet connection, he typed in the address of his favorite chat room and let the anticipation build.
    His breath caught. She was already online. With his excitement growing, he reached for the zipper on his jeans. Life couldn’t get any better.
    * * *
    Cassie’s heart skipped a beat when Justin entered the chat room. She’d run all the way home from the bus stop and had gone straight up to her room. She hadn’t even stopped to investigate the smell of freshly baked muffins wafting from the kitchen. Her Mom must have left work early.
    She’d been daydreaming about Justin all day—during her dreary math class with Mr Purvis and in English with Mrs Pennant. She’d even missed the ball twice at netball practice.
    She giggled. Her friends were beginning to wonder what was wrong with her. She couldn’t bring herself to share him with them. Not yet. He was her secret. The feelings he evoked in her were too new, too exciting to share. He made her feel warm and wonderful all over. Like a woman.
    She ran her hands over the soft buds of her breasts loosely encased inside the satiny A-cup bra and sighed. So far, the bra was just for show, but in a few months, she’d turn thirteen.
    She thought of her upcoming birthday and sent a silent prayer that her body would take flight into puberty and she’d wake in the body of a real woman. A woman like her mother. With generous breasts that spilled out of the neckline of her dresses. And rounded hips and a butt. A real butt. One that was taut and curvy and moved with a sexy sway whenever she walked. Not the skinny, flat-assed one Cassie had carried around, to date.
    Focusing on the screen in front of her, she read Justin’s opening words. Her breath hitched.
    Hey there, gorgeous. Just thinking of you. What a coincidence. You and I are like the same person.
    Cassie blushed. Taking a deep breath, she tried to get her pulse rate back under control. Her fingers stumbled over the keys.
    I can’t stop thinking about you, either.
    His response was swift. I want to see you.
    Excitement surged through her. A grin stretched her mouth wide. She wanted to sing.
    You don’t even know what I look like!
    I already know you’re beautiful on the inside. That’s all that matters to me.
    Cassie’s heart melted. Could he be any more perfect? She shot off another reply.
    I want to send you a photo. Just so you know.
    Only if you want to.
    I want to.
    Then I’ll send one to you, too.
    Her heart filled with love. Nothing could change the way she felt about him, but she’d