Juniper Berry by Kozlowsky M. P

Author:Kozlowsky, M. P. [Kozlowsky, M. P.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2011-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

WHEN JUNIPER AND GILES returned to the cavernous room, two chairs were added to the table and, like the table, they were made from hand-hewn tree limbs. On the table surface were four shrunken balloons neatly aligned in a short row. Neptune, perched upon his master’s chair, gave careful watch over the deflated latex.

Skeksyl walked eagerly to his chair, his staff thumping the ground with each slinky stride, and took his seat on the far side of the table. With a wave of a gaunt hand, he suggested Juniper and Giles join him, which, after only slight hesitation, they did.

When all were seated as comfortably as the chairs would allow, Skeksyl began in that grating fey voice of his. “What did you think of the experience? Thrilling, no?”

“Unbelievable!” Giles shouted.

Like a pendulum, Skeksyl’s bony finger swayed, negating the jubilant comment. “No, no, no. Very believable. As believable as anything else you’ve ever seen. It sits waiting for you, Giles; it sits on the very edge of your reality. Now all you have to do is give it a push. Send it on over. Make it so.”

Neptune, now on Skeksyl’s shoulder, squawked and fluttered his wings without taking flight, a mad mascot. The gesture made it seem as if he were applauding Giles.

“How?” Giles asked. He inched to the edge of his seat.

“First, you choose who you want to be. You have seen but a glimpse of what I can offer you. One aspect of millions. So easily the two of you can possess such gifts for yourselves.” He turned to Giles, fingernails digging into the table hard enough to leave marks. The wood came up in curls as he dragged his hand back. “Giles, you were satisfied with what you saw, were you not?”

Giles nodded.

“Well, what would you like? Who do you want to be?”

“I want to be an astronaut.” Giles made a quick glance toward Juniper. “I want to leave Earth behind and see space. Like in that room.”

Instantly, Juniper saw all the pain Giles suffered, all the taunts at school, the bullying, the isolation, the desertion of his parents. He really did plan on leaving everything behind.

“Of course. And you will. Boy, I can guarantee it. You will discover worlds others have never dreamed of. There are places that will see you as their king, places with populations you can crush beneath your feet. There are planets so mesmerizing you will completely forget about this insignificant one. No longer will you be neglected and ignored. You, Giles, are destined for far greater things.”

Skeksyl giggled wildly, and the shadows flickered as if joining him.

“Oh, I can give it to you. All that and more. But an astronaut? Now? At your age? That particular gift would be of no use to you. You are still far too young to be allowed such privileges in that world of yours. A shame, really. The imagination of the young is nothing to be dismissed—if only I could get my hands on those in charge.

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