Nightshade by Anthony Horowitz

Author:Anthony Horowitz
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2020-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

LA MÁQUINA

IT COULD HAVE BEEN morning. It could have been the middle of the night. Alex hadn’t worn a watch in the prison, and without windows, there was no way of seeing if the sun had yet risen. All he knew was that he had a headache, his neck felt as if someone had tied a knot in it, and he was alone.

He had fallen asleep in the abandoned movie theater, lying on the floor with a seat cushion as a pillow. He opened his eyes to the sight of the stuffed monkey sitting on the edge of the stage, lit by the same dull green light, rows of empty chairs, and no sign of Freddy. Once again, Alex worried that he had been left behind, but even as he sat up and tried to get some feeling back into his arms and legs, he heard a door bang open and Freddy appeared, looking completely relaxed, carrying a plastic supermarket bag.

“Wake up, sleepyhead!” he announced cheerfully.

“Where have you been?” Alex asked.

“Shopping!” Freddy upturned the bag and a whole bunch of things fell out: two clean T-shirts, sandwiches, cookies, fruit, a six-pack of Coke, and an out-of-date copy of the Daily Mail.

“I thought you didn’t have any money,” Alex said.

“I didn’t.”

Alex thought about that. Freddy must have stolen it all. He just hoped nobody had been hurt.

“Don’t worry!” Freddy said. “Nobody saw me. I was very careful. I don’t want anyone to know we’re in town.” He picked up a package of sandwiches and threw it to Alex, who caught them. Ham and cheese. “I also talked to my family.”

“Brilliant. Did you get a phone?”

Freddy hesitated. “Yes.”

“Can I use it? There are people I’d love to call.”

“It was out of battery, Julius. I left it behind.” It was obvious Freddy was lying. He continued quickly. “It doesn’t matter. They’re on their way. They’re sending people to help us. We’re safe here. We’re just going to have to wait until it gets dark again.” He handed Alex the newspaper. “I got this for you.”

“Don’t you want it?”

“We’re not allowed to read newspapers.”

There were all sorts of questions going through Alex’s mind, but he didn’t want to sound too enthusiastic. There was still a chance he could get the information he needed without having to risk his life any further. He broke open the package and took out a sandwich. It was only when he began eating that he realized how hungry he was. He ate it in three mouthfuls, then drank half a can of Coke.

“So listen to me, Freddy . . . I mean, Number Nine. You’ve got to tell me a bit more about this family of yours. You said they’d look after me, which is great—but I’d like to know where I’m going.”

“We’ll start in Tangier,” Freddy replied. “That’s only nine miles across the Strait of Gibraltar.”

“And then?”

Freddy frowned. “I’m not allowed to tell you, Julius. You have to trust me. My family is very happy that you helped to get me out of prison, and they want to meet you.

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