Night Things (10) (The Underground Kingdom) by Elliott Steve

Author:Elliott, Steve [Elliott, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2013-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

We climbed up the cliff face to our original starting point and met up with Liz, then made our way back along the tunnel, hoping to find Thorn and Quina.

"I hope nothing's happened to them," Trix said worriedly after about a half hour’s walk. "I would have thought they’d have found us by now."

"I'm becoming a little concerned myself," I replied. "And we still have all those Night Things that chased them roaming around as well. They could be a problem if we ran into them unexpectedly." I shouldn't have said that. Saying those sorts of things out loud is always tempting Fate. It really is because, around the very next corner, we ran into remnants of the Night Things that had pursued our missing companions.

"Bloody hell!" Nix swore. "Where the blazes did they come from?" We hugged the tunnel wall in desperation as the Night Things stumbled past, apparently oblivious to our presence.

"They don't even notice us!" Trix exclaimed in wonder.

"I think they’re in shock," I surmised, staring at procession of blank faces as they passed. "The removal of the machine’s influence must have had some effect after all."

"A fairly major effect, I'd say," Balis remarked. "They don't look capable of attacking anyone."

"However, just to be on the safe side, I think we’d better move along," Nix proposed. "We still have to find Thorn and Quina, remember?"

"Yes, we'd better keep going," I agreed. "They can't be too far ahead."

Once again, my words proved to be prophetic, because we found our friends after a few more minutes of walking. They were sitting on the ground, with Thorn cradling an injured Quina.

"What happened?" I asked, rushing over to them. "How badly is she hurt?"

"They were throwing rocks," Thorn explained, as I sank down beside her, "and Quina wasn't quick enough. One of them hit her on the head. She lost consciousness for awhile there but she's okay now. She’s awake and everything but I didn't want her to move, just in case."

"How are you, sweetie?" I asked Quina, observing a noticeable lump on her temple.

"I'm fine," she answered, grimacing as she moved her head. "Just a massive headache, is all. My vision is normal, so my eyes aren't affected. How was your end of the operation?"

"A complete success!" Trix announced proudly, bouncing up and down in glee. "Balis smashed it good!"

"We met the Night Things that were chasing you," Nix stated, "and they were stumbling around like sleepwalkers. I can't see them being the same aggressive race they used to be. Maybe we have fixed the whole thing."

"Thank heavens for that," Thorn murmured. "Let's go home. I'm tired, and I want a bath."

"I can help you with that," Nix leered. "Do you want me to scrub your back or something?"

"Ugh! I should think not!" Thorn protested. "Not on a full stomach anyway. Or an empty one, for that matter. In fact, not on any stomach at all. When I want to be nauseated, I'll let you know."

"Don't be like that!" Nix protested.

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