21% Monster by P.J. Canning

Author:P.J. Canning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

With some difficulty, Darren pushed at the underside of a manhole cover to lift it and peered out into a deserted park. The night seemed light compared to the tunnel and Darren could see clearly to the park’s edge. He climbed out, pulled Marek after him and then replaced the cover.

“Any idea where this is?”

Marek checked his phone. “Caledonian Park. You were right. We went north.”

Darren looked around and saw an old clock tower. “Hop on.”

He waited for Marek to do as he asked. Then he lolloped across the open ground, leaped onto the tower wall and began to climb. Marek gave a yelp as Darren jumped but then gripped tighter and remained silent until they reached a balcony just below the clock bells.

Once they were safely behind the balcony railings, Marek scanned the sky. “Seems like the helicopter’s gone.” He looked south through his goggles. “I think I see St Pancras. Let me check the exact coordinates. Yes…we’re outside their security cordon.” He looked at Darren, his odd-shaped head framed by the Milky Way. “Well done. You escaped without the need for my technology, just as I trusted you would.”

Darren handed him back the SQUID. “Cheers.” He looked out over London and knew, deep down, that it was only a temporary escape.

Marek was now staring at him expectantly. He knew it was impossible to consider Marek’s offer of working together without also thinking about the consequences – if he didn’t agree – of trying to survive alone in London. In the end, it didn’t matter how well he hid, tunnelled and climbed, somebody – the police or Miss Inghart – would find him.

“I need time to think,” he said finally.

“I see.” Marek pulled what looked like a small torch on a key ring from a pocket. “In that case, please take this.”

“What is it?”

“A mini-SQUID. It doesn’t have much battery charge, so its range is very limited. It can only manage three short-range trips. I have programmed it with our DNA, so only you or I can use it.” Marek showed Darren the shaft. “See the red light? Activate by pressing the keychain end and the dimensional gateway will appear.”

“You mean the swirl of colours?”

“Yes. The light goes amber while the gateway stabilizes. Wait till the light goes green and you can go through. Turn as you enter so that the SQUID is the last thing to pass through on the other side. Then switch it off.”

“Um…how do I tell it where I need to go?”

“I’m afraid you can’t. That is immensely complicated. I’ll have to program in both your start and finish coordinates. You’ll only be able to use it to travel between two places. That’s all. One end will be my home. The other you can choose.”

“Anywhere I choose?”

“Anywhere within ten miles of here.”

Darren thought. “My archway then.”

“The archway it is.” Marek tapped his phone. “Programming complete. Here.” He handed Darren the mini-SQUID. “If you decide to come, use it to join me. If you decide not to, crush it.

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