The light Thieves and the Terrifying Dawn by Helena Duggan

Author:Helena Duggan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

“Guys, I’m set up. I heard that man talking to you. Good work – brilliant news! The hospital is on the edge of the recreational zone – two stops from you by Hyperloop,” Mushka said over their EarPods as the three friends raced out the University doors. “The map should be on your Hansoms now. But be careful, hElexa’s gone up a threat level. I’m trying to find out why but the AGI’s system is pretty heavy going.”

“The university station’s approximately one minute and twenty-two seconds from here,” Jeffrey said, looking at his watch. “There’s a Hyperloop due in five minutes. We should make it.”

Grian glanced up at the hMuse towering over the city and to the large, red digital countdown clock.

“We’ve fourteen hours and twenty-three minutes to save the world. We better get going,” he said, sprinting ahead.

The threesome raced across the road and through the block of greenhouses before reaching a large cylindrical escalator leading up to the Hyperloop station.

“Welcome to the university stop, the next Hyperloop is in two minutes, forty-five seconds,” a voice said when they stepped onto the moving stairs.

The curved walls of the escalator changed through a series of colours in time with a deep meditative drumbeat while a soft voice spoke about the science of light. By the time they’d stepped off at the top, Grian’s heart rate had slowed significantly and he was in a slight daze.

“Snap out of it – we need to move fast!” Shelli grabbed his arm and yanked him towards the Hyperloop.

Grian was just sitting down on one of the hover train’s plush white seats when his watch buzzed and flashed red for a second.

“Something happened to my watch!” he gasped, his chest pounding again. “Mushka said hElexa’s gone up a threat level – maybe they’ve found the kids we kidnapped and she’s onto us?”

“Don’t panic. I’m checking it out,” Mushka reassured him over their EarPods.

Mushka’s tone didn’t settle Grian’s nerves and he fidgeted nervously with his nails as the Hyperloop took off.

“I knew Vermilion was bad but I didn’t think he was that bad,” Grian vented, distracting himself. “That was definitely him in the photo. I can’t believe he’s Howard Hansom’s brother! He must have been in on all this since the very start; he’s played us all – even the Council of Colour. How could we have been so stup—”

Grian stopped and swallowed hard. Two Proctors were waiting on the platform of the next station as the Hyperloop pulled up. The pair stepped onboard and eyed the carriage suspiciously.

Jeffrey pulled his cuffs down further over his gloved hands. Grian turned towards the window and pretended to be engrossed in the view.

The men sat down behind them.

“They’re looking for more backup in the exclusion zone now. I’m not volunteering. I don’t want to ever step outside this dome again,” one of the men fumed.

Grian swore he could feel the man’s eyes boring through the white leather seat. He was sweating heavily, sure the sheen on his brow had to be obvious.

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