Cloud Riders by Cook Nick

Author:Cook, Nick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Three Hares Publishing
Published: 2014-04-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THE NET CLOSES

I’d sat with Jules under the tree telling her about the dark memories swirling around my mind: the arrow burying into the man’s throat, the rattle of the death breath, his rolling red eyes... And now how another man had crumbled to dust in front of us, smiling as he’d died. All I’d wanted to do was escape the dark thoughts crowding my head, curl into a ball, and sleep.

But she’d kept me talking and the more I’d talked, the easier it had become. The weight I’d been carrying about lying to everyone, even if I thought it had been for their own good, had lifted off me bit by bit as I shared with her. But the mood had lightened as I’d told her about the parallel worlds. I could see my own sense of wonder about it all reflected in her eyes.

Jules leant back against the trunk after I’d finally fallen silent. ‘And you’re seriously considering joining them?’

‘They need my Navigator ability, Jules. If I can help swing things against Hades, then surely I have to go – right?’

She let out a long sigh. ‘Maybe. But you really need to think hard about this. What happened with that scout, that spy, is the war that Angelique and Bella are caught up in. Death is always hanging over them. Is that something you could cope with? Really?’

It was good question. A very good question. Whether to stay or go looped through my head for the thousandth time.

‘What would you do in my situation?’ I asked.

‘Oh, no way. This has to be your choice. I’m not having you hold this against me for the rest of your life.’

‘But every time I try to think about what to do my thoughts get all stirred up like a hornets’ nest. I don’t want to leave Mom alone, but…’ I shrugged and gazed at the sky. Already, the whole experience of glimpsing the other worlds seemed like a dream. ‘It would be so much easier if I stayed.’

‘Then if that’s what your instinct is telling you then maybe you should.’

I thought of the way Angelique had killed the scout. Did I really want to be like her? Beyond caring if another person died for the cause, even if she was trying to stop a ruthless enemy.

Jules twirled a piece of dry grass between her fingers. ‘Look, I just want to say this. If you do want to go, I wouldn’t stop you.’

‘Okay…’ But Mom needed my help. My internal question looped back to the start.

Mom appeared from the house, carrying her jewellery box. She spotted us under the tree and headed in our direction.

‘I’m sorry, Jules, for not telling you the truth before.’

She held up her hand. ‘Dom, seriously, you keep underestimating me. You’re my best friend. I needed to know what you’ve been going through.’

I gave her a small smile. ‘Thanks, I don’t deserve you.’

She nudged my shoulder. ‘Maybe you don’t.’

Roddy’s pickup approached and pulled up into our lot. Bella got out and headed towards the hangar, whilst Roddy strolled into the diner.

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