Heaven (Halo (Feiwel & Friends Hardcover)) by Adornetto Alexandra

Author:Adornetto, Alexandra [Adornetto, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2012-08-21T04:00:00+00:00

“OPEN the basement!” Gabriel yelled once we were back inside the house. Ivy did as he asked and Gabriel and Xavier stumbled their way down the narrow concrete steps that led into the bowels of the house. I peered into the dark nervously. I didn’t like being belowground.

“Can’t we talk up here?” I asked.

“With the racket he’s causing?” Ivy shook her head. “We might as well broadcast it on the seven o’clock news.”

I trudged down the steps behind my brother, keeping a safe distance from Xavier’s thrashing legs. His attempts at a struggle had no effect on Gabriel, whose body it seemed had turned to stone.

I shivered. The basement was cold and had a dank smell. The whole place, with its stained floor and spiderwebs dangling from the rafters, was reminiscent of a tomb. There were no windows, only a small ventilation grate, too narrow to let in much more than a sliver of daylight. The basement walls and floor were reinforced concrete, typical of many in the area designed to withstand the force of a tornado. There were the usual items one might expect to find: storage boxes, a washer-dryer, and a freezer. But there was also an old iron bed with a moth-eaten striped mattress and springs protruding from the stuffing. Seeing the iron manacles hanging from its posts gave me a sick feeling right down to my bones.

It seemed Gabriel and Ivy had anticipated such an emergency because they knew exactly what to do. Gabriel struggled to hold Xavier down on the bed long enough for Ivy to bind his wrists and ankles. Xavier thrashed around and hissed like a wild animal. Finally they both stood back. Xavier must have exhausted himself because he was now lying spread-eagle on the bed, perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

“Ivy, can you go and deal with that?” I wondered what Gabriel was referring to until the sound of sirens reached us seconds later. Xavier laughed softly to himself, pleased to be causing trouble.

“You sure you’re okay here?” Ivy asked, and my brother nodded.

“Just make it quick.”

Ivy went silently but Xavier, alerted to the possibility of escape, began shouting so loudly that Gabriel had to clamp a hand over his mouth. We could hear car doors slamming and voices at the front door. I heard Ivy’s voice, deferential and apologetic. I caught fragments of her explanation of her young cousin’s relapse after a spell in rehab. She was a good liar, blaming the fact that he traveled in the wrong circles and promising to keep him under watch until he made a full recovery. The sheriff’s voice in turn was all sympathy. He was evidently charmed by her and made clucking sounds with his tongue, called her a “brave young lady,” and urged her to hang in there during tough times. He also reminded her to call him anytime she needed assistance. Ivy thanked him politely and shut the door firmly.

She came back stony-faced, carrying an armful of salt containers from the kitchen.

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