The Secret Sea by Barry Lyga

Author:Barry Lyga
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250086808
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

THIRTY-NINE

Zak’s legs had gone leaden and numb. He walked like a zombie, shuffling his feet along the sidewalk. Banners that hung from the lampposts read KERMIS PARADE! with an August date that was only a few days away. Zak stumbled along, not sure what “Kermis” was and doubly unsure as to why he couldn’t stop thinking the word: kermis kermis kermis kermis. He thought of the Muppets and giggled uncontrollably.

Pedestrians pulled away. Some even crossed the street as he neared them.

He was sure he looked terrible. He felt terrible. His legs were the least of his troubles. A constant sheet of sweat spilled down his forehead, and he’d given up wiping at it—lifting his hand took too much energy. His shirt clung to him like a desperate child. His heart flapped and fluttered like a caged bat spooked by sudden light.

He stumbled forward two more steps and bit back a muffled cry. Deep in his chest, something was powerfully wrong. He gagged on his own spit.

“Help…” He tried to scream the word but could only whisper it as he dropped to his knees.

Zak.

He hadn’t the strength to look up. His neck muscles had gone loose and slack, and all he could see was the pavement and his own abraded knees, crisscrossed with bloody etchings and peeled-back scabs.

Zak, I know it’s tough. You have to get up. You’re almost there.

Tommy? Is that you again?

Zak, please! It’s important! Move! Now!

He forced himself to look and realized it wasn’t Tommy—it was Godfrey. Leaning toward him, emerging as from a dense, ever-shifting fog. Zak was finally face-to-face with him. After the dreams and visions he’d experienced from Godfrey’s point of view, it was strange to see him from the outside for once.

He was white, or at least mostly white. Other details began to filter in through the fog, but then a sharp pain burst like lightning in Zak’s chest, drawing a hiss of agony.

I know it hurts. I know you’re in pain. Trust me, though—I’m trying to help you.

I thought you were Tommy at first. You sounded like him.

Just keep moving. It’s only another block. One more block and you can close your eyes—I promise.

Zak tried to draw in a deep breath, but the sharp, stabbing pain from his heart forced the air out in a harsh gasp. I can’t. I can’t make it. I’m dying. I’ll be like you soon.

No. If you die, it’s over for you. Tommy and I aren’t truly dead. We’re trapped in a limbo world. In the no-space. Suspended above the Secret Sea but still linked to it. Me, because of the spell I cast. Your brother because of his connection to you, Zak.

Zak coughed, the motion causing his chest to contract painfully.

“Tommy’s not dead?” he muttered.

One more block. That’s all.

Crazy. Godfrey sounded so much like Tommy.…

Do it, Zak! Come on!

“We’re trapped in a limbo world.”

“Limbo…”

Zak spit something thick and whitish onto the sidewalk.

“Me, because of the spell I cast. Your brother because…”

Get up!

Zak’s arms trembled as he pressed his palms against the ground.

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