New Pompeii by Daniel Godfrey

Author:Daniel Godfrey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

33

KIRSTEN DIDN’T SCREAM. She knew what was happening. Her brain registered the fall, and she braced for impact. After hitting the floor she immediately rolled on to her side and pushed herself up on to her feet. Ready for whoever was waiting for her.

But there was no one. Not a soul.

She was quite alone. And she wasn’t in the pit. No spotlights. No men with guns. No men with swords.

The relief was overwhelming. Her shoulders heaved, and the tears started to well up. But she didn’t let them run down her cheeks. There would be time for that later. First, she had to find out where she’d landed. Because although she wasn’t in the pit, it didn’t look like she would be going very far.

Stone walls surrounded her. She was in a small vault, perhaps a basement. Just a few metres square, with only one way out: a solid wooden door.

So where was the light coming from?

Kirsten looked up. The ceiling was way out of reach and didn’t quite fit with the stone walls. It looked modern, plastered and painted a simple cream. The light shone from a small window at its centre, revealing her only companions: a collection of toys lying on the floor. Dolls, action figures and a small set of cars.

Letting out a shallow breath, Kirsten crossed to the nearest wall and lifted her hand. She had to test something. She reached out, and touched the stone.

The tips of her fingers brushed against the rough-cut granite. She pushed. The stone resisted. Her hand didn’t pass through. She pushed harder still. The stone didn’t give way. She was back in the real world.

There would be no more second chances.

* * *

She woke to the sound of approaching footsteps. Next came a rattle of keys. The door swung open.

The man who had opened it was small and scrawny, something not even his heavy canvas coat could hide. He stepped into the room and looked directly at her. He looked more annoyed than anything. Irritated.

Kirsten got to her feet. She didn’t say anything. Should she tell him her name?

No. The man was fumbling in his coat. For a second Kirsten felt like running but instead she froze. He’s reaching for a weapon. It was enough to stop her muscles from responding. She wouldn’t be able to get away this time.

Instead the man pulled out a small walkie-talkie. “Yeah,” he said. He spoke out of the side of his mouth. “I’m down in the basement. Another paradox just landed.”

There was a screech of feedback, and the echo in the basement made it hard to understand what was being said in return. Kirsten waited.

“I’m telling you we’ve got another one,” continued the man. “No,” he said, letting his eyes pass over her. “No. Not a child.” The man paused as another screech of noise filled the room. “I’m telling you, she ain’t a kid.” Another pause, another screech. “Just tell Mr McMahon he needs to get down here and sort out his mess.

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