From the Shadows: The Complete Series by KB Shaw

Author:KB Shaw [kids] [Shaw, KB]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Children & Teens
Publisher: iPulpFiction.com
Published: 2014-03-07T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23:

The Remarkable Room

THE MAN sitting in the chair opened his eyes with a start as if awakening from a dream. It took a second to remember where he was. His eyes focused on the illuminated painting hanging on the dark-paneled wall in front of him. He smiled slightly. It was a thin smile of satisfaction.

The man lifted himself from the chair and approached the painting. His eyes narrowed as he contemplated the four people it depicted. He had known who the tall blond man and dark haired woman were for some time, and now the boy and girl had been revealed to him. He shook his head in wonder.

You have innocently traveled your separate paths to arrive at his point in time, he thought. Perhaps ignorance is bliss. How else could you have enjoyed this eventful time? If you had been aware of the trials you will soon face and have already endured, would you have embarked upon this journey?

The man extended his arm and gently placed the palm of his hand upon the picture. A shiver coursed through his body.

Would you retreat now if you knew that your destinies were about to converge? Would you run away if you knew about the warning?

The man withdrew his hand, stood silently for a moment, then his body seemed to droop as he surrendered the exhaustion he had been fighting off for days. Slowly, he turned to leave. He walked past the chair and faded into the deep recesses of the shadows beyond. There was a mechanical click and a soft whir as the hidden door swung open. A flood of cool moonlight washed through from the glass-domed hall that lay beyond.

As the man stepped into the circular hall, a sudden movement to one side startled him. Something had retreated into the shadows. He quickly secured the secret door.

“Hei?” He scanned the edges of the hall. “Noen der?”

He took a couple tentative steps forward, stopped, then scanned the room once more. He was about to continue when there was a flash of motion to his left. He swung about, poised to face his assailant – feet set apart at shoulder width, knees slightly bent, shoulders square over his hips, elbows close to his body, hands ready to strike or defend.

There was no assault.

The movement was now at the center of the hall.

The man spun around.

Nothing.

“Noen der?”

No response.

Then he noticed it. A small shadow on the floor shifted position, sprouted wings, and came rushing at him. The shadow veered off and circled the room.

The man looked up. A large hawk or falcon of some sort soared above the glass dome. The man relaxed his stance and smiled. He left the hall confidant that his remarkable room was still a secret.

• • •

THE BIRD perched atop the peak of the dome where it watched the man as he left the hall. It cocked its head and sat for some time as if lost in some deep thought. Then it stretched its wings, let out a shriek, and launched itself from its perch.

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