The Golden Space by Pamela Sargent

Author:Pamela Sargent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Roca Editorial/Open Road Español
Published: 1982-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Andrew was awake in the darkness. The knapsack under his head was bumpy, the floor hard. His muscles ached. He thought of his bed at home.

He supposed he must have slept a little. It had still been light outside when he had gone to sleep. He listened; Silas was breathing unevenly. He felt a movement near him and realized his friend was awake. He was about to speak when he heard a click.

The front door was opening. He stiffened and held his breath. The door creaked. He heard footsteps in the hall, and his ears began to pound.

He wanted to make for the window and get outside, but he could not move. Silas had stopped breathing. The footsteps were coming toward them. He tried to press his back against the floor, as if he could sink between the boards and hide.

A beam of light shot through the darkness, sweeping toward them in an arc. Andrew sat up. The light struck him, and he threw up an arm. He tried to cry out, but let out only a sigh. Silas shouted.

Someone laughed. Andrew blinked, blinded by the light. The footsteps came closer, and the light dimmed. The shadowy figure holding it leaned over, set the slender pocket light on the floor, and sat down.

The intruder’s face was now illuminated by the light. It was a girl with curly, shoulder-length hair. She said, “Who are you?”

Andrew glanced at Silas. “I’m Silas, this is Andrew. We aren’t doing anything.”

“I can see that. Hold out your arms.”

Andrew hesitated.

“Hold them out.” Her voice was hard. The boys extended their arms. “You’re not wearing Bonds. Good. I don’t want a signal going out.” She had one hand at her waist; Andrew wondered if she were hurt. Then she withdrew it, and he saw a metal wand. She was armed. He lowered his arms slowly and clutched his elbows.

“We’re exploring,” Silas said.

“You mean you’re running away. I’m running away, too. My name’s Thérèse. Who are you running away from?”

“Our parents.”

“Why?”

“I told you, we just want to look around.”

“Then they’re looking for you.”

Silas shook his head. “We threw them off the track. If they’re looking, they won’t look here.” Andrew was hoping that his friend was wrong. “Do your parents live around here?”

“I’m not running away from parents.” The girl brushed a few curls from her forehead. “Where are you from?”

“Oh, a long way from here,” Silas answered. “It took us all day to get here. There’s only three houses where we’re from. There’s just Andrew’s parents and my father and one woman who’s practically never there, so you don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not worried.” Thérèse reached for the light, then stood up. “I’m going to sleep in the hall. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

The boards groaned under her feet as she left; Andrew heard her close the door. He moved closer to Silas. “We can still go out the window,” he whispered.

“What if she comes after us?”

“We can wait until she’s asleep.”

Silas was silent for a few moments.

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