The Engineer's Apprentice by J. R. Martin

Author:J. R. Martin [J. R. Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Underdog Press, LLC

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ISSA STARED AT me from across the table covered in automaton blueprints. “So, Annie, how do you fight a ghost?”

I looked up from examining the blueprints. Without materials, there wasn’t much to be done on the design at this point. My distracted mind couldn’t focus on the diagrams anyway, not when shadowy people wished us harm. The thoughts came and went like wisps of smoke coalescing together as I tried to form them into something substantial.

“Annie?” Issa gently prodded.

I realized I’d not responded to him and had begun staring at the blueprints blankly again.

“I don’t know. Magic?” I replied.

“Well, neither of us uses runes, so we’ll have to figure out a different way to overcome this challenge.” Issa’s eyes closed as he massaged his temples.

I leaned back in the chair, contemplating the situation. “What if you make something and it breaks or gets taken, or it doesn’t work? Then what?”

“Then, Annie, it’ll be time for me to learn how to use runes. But steam wouldn’t fail me.”

“Sounds like you have more faith in steam than yourself, and steam is produced by people who can make mistakes.”

“I have faith in myself. That’s why I trust steam in my engineering.”

“If you have so much faith in yourself, you should be able to use runes.”

Issa’s eyes narrowed. “Having faith in runes is having faith in power I don’t understand. Those rocks came from above.” Issa pointed a finger at his head, “My strength comes from here.”

“Well,” I pointed at Issa’s heart, “Faith doesn’t always require understanding. You have to have faith in more than yourself. That’s what my mother says. Having faith in something or someone outside of yourself is a strength. It shows trust. Do you trust me, Issa? Do you have faith in me?”

Issa smirked. “I do. I’ll consider your words, young apprentice.”

I nodded. “Since we agree on that, maybe we can build a machine to hurt a ghost.”

I stood and rolled up the blueprints, placing them in the tube beside the table.

Issa stood then left through the kitchen’s door.

“Where are you going?” I called after him.

“To the lab.”

I jogged a little to catch up with him. “What do you think you’ll find in there?”

“An answer, I hope.”

We walked in to find Mrs. Miller cleaning and organizing the room. She wasn’t an engineer but had worked for Issa long enough to know where everything went. She hummed a tune to herself as she did so.

“Mrs. Miller.” Issa entered the room and walked to the bookshelf.

“Hello, ma’am. I walked over and hugged her.

“Whoa, love. Hello to you too,” She looked over at Issa. “And to you, Issa.”

Issa stopped searching through the books on the shelf, walked over to Mrs. Miller, and lifted her off the ground. He spun her around in a bear hug as she laughed.

“Hello, ma’am.”

“I needed a good hug, and now I got two.” She smiled from one to the other. “What are you needing loves?”

“We’re trying to figure out how to stop a ghost,” I said.

Mrs. Miller’s eyebrows narrowed.

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