The Sinister Secrets of the Fabulous Nothings by Sean Ferrell

Author:Sean Ferrell [Ferrell, Sean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 2024-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

The response to Winona’s news was unsettling. There was gasping and sobbing and the lapping of the ocean against the ship’s hull. Noah held the rail as Winona finished explaining to her shipmates. He looked across the water, focused on the island. Smoke rolled from the volcano, obscuring the beach. Somewhere Elijah had planned a safe spot to hide from both the volcano and the Homeland Empire.

Lady Byrne came alongside Noah and gripped the rail beside his hand. “No good can come of this terrible place. Nothing should come here. Nothing and no one. Not even your robot friend. It’s cursed.”

Noah sighed. “I don’t know if it’s cursed, but coming here hasn’t been good.” He pulled the collection of pages from his shirt. They were slightly more worn than before, but somehow had managed to stay mostly intact.

“What’s that?” Lady Byrne asked.

“Something I hope was worth the effort.” He clutched at the papers as a scrap tore free and blew out over the ocean. Lady Byrne took hold of the bundle and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“I’ll keep them safe in a locker until you need them.”

Noah released his grip and turned to join the others in an uneasy circle on the main deck.

“What are we to do now?” Gentleman Nest twisted his cap in his hands as if wringing it dry. “Our captain and our first mate are both gone, the Homeland Empire is anchored in nearby waters, and Liberty is sinking under mysteries we can’t solve. We’re not safe, and we have no leader.”

“We should run!” someone shouted. A murmur of agreement rippled through the crew.

“We should head to the Forgotten Islands!”

Another ripple of ayes.

Noah searched the throng trying to find Winona. She stood with her back against the bulkhead beneath the pilothouse. Her head was down, and she looked like she was going to burst into tears.

“You have a leader,” Noah said, his voice coming out stronger than he’d expected. Sullen faces turned toward him.

Lady Byrne put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “They respect you, boy. Remind them who they are.”

Noah wasn’t sure why anyone should listen to him, but he cleared his throat and continued. “The captain said Winona’s in charge.”

More murmurs sprang up, these ones harsher. Beyond the rail the volcano rumbled and then roared and the dark clouds surrounding it turned a deep red. Whatever the Homeland Empire’s cannons had done to the mountain, the volcano was now doing worse to itself. “We have to leave, and we have to follow Captain Moor’s last orders. Winona is in charge.”

“No,” came a call from the back of the crowd. “She’s just a girl!”

“We have no safe harbor!”

“And that island is filled with monsters!”

The sailors near Winona backed away, and the gap forming around her seemed to fill with a darkness. She’s going to let them take over, Noah thought. His stomach lurched as the engines started up. No one was in charge, yet the mob was reaching for control.

“True words!” thundered a voice from just beside Noah.

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