Toymaker: Return of the Lost Toys (A Science Fiction Adventure) (Claus Universe Book 9) by Tony Bertauski

Author:Tony Bertauski [Bertauski, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: DeadPixel Publications
Published: 2021-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

15

He was dressed the same. The glasses, the stocking cap. No smile this time. There were so many things she wanted to say, but he kept her quiet with his finger to his lips. And then she heard it.

The stairs creaked.

She slid across the room, careful not to bump anything along the way. Jenks was still under the tree, watching, as she quietly left the room. She made it to the top of the spiral staircase as someone made the last turn.

Bradley paused. Then smiled.

“Dad said you were napping.” He climbed the remaining steps, glanced at the closed door, then at the hiwires. “Have you been reading books?”

“What does that mean?”

“You promised, Av. You promised you wouldn’t go down there.”

“You figured out how to open the door.” She shook the hiwires at him. “What books did you read? Did you find the Toymaker?”

“Av, we talked about this.” He reached for her. She pulled away. “The Toymaker’s not real.”

“I know where he is.”

She shouldn’t have said that. It just spilled out, like an animal escaping its cage. At least, she thought, I didn’t say who he is.

His smile faded. He looked around, thinking. She felt a little uneasy, being alone with him. She didn’t know why. He was her brother. He just didn’t feel like her brother. She wanted her grumpy brother to call her skunk. Jenks was in Nana’s room, though. Suspicion hopped through her like a timid bunny as Bradley stepped closer.

“You know where the Toymaker is?” he said.

“I figured out the clues.”

“What clues?”

Doesn’t he know where I got the clues? “When you were seven, what did you dream of getting for Christmas?”

“Is this a test?”

“It’s a question. What did you want for Christmas more than anything else?”

He climbed the last step, brushed past. Staring at the closed door. She heard his teeth tap in an unsettling way. He stood completely still for several seconds. Nervousness drilled through Avery and shook her. She was about to call his name when he turned around and smiled.

“Drums,” he said. “I wanted a drum kit. Did I pass?”

She nearly wilted with relief. She didn’t know why she asked that question or what she would’ve done if he couldn’t remember. “Are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“You seem… different.”

“Different?” What was she going to say? He was nicer? Happier? “Can I see those?” He held out his hand. “I’ll give them back.”

Reluctantly, she gave him the hiwires. He turned them over, like seeing them for the first time. He took them to the door, opened it. Looked inside. Avery held her breath. She was trying not to shiver. The feeling still hadn’t returned to her fingers and toes. He closed it, turning the hiwires over again.

“You’re right.” He handed them back. “They do open the door.”

“You already knew that.”

“Listen, I think it’d be best if you kept your promise. Don’t go in Nana’s room. You’ll ruin things if you do.”

“I’ll keep my promise if you do.”

He held up his hands, surrendering. “Deal. So are you

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.