Roads of Madness (Island of Fog Book 5) by Keith Robinson

Author:Keith Robinson [Robinson, Keith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unearthly Tales
Published: 2012-08-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Midnight Dash

“Wake up,” Ryan whispered again. He shook Hal’s shoulder. “Or I’ll leave you here for the Swarm to find.”

Hal jerked upright, trying to figure out where he was. It was dark, the middle of the night in the woods, and the fire was nearly out. It was bitterly cold despite the blanket that had miraculously appeared during his slumber. When everything came back to him, he rubbed his eyes and crawled off his bed of leaves, intensely aware of the rustling noise he was making.

The sound of humming made his skin prickle. It was still distant yet managed to tie his stomach up in knots. “Are you sure it’s the Swarm?” he whispered to Ryan, knowing very well it was.

Ryan was busy waking Abigail. He reached out and put a finger to her lips as her eyes snapped open. “Shh.”

Robbie was already awake and alert, pushing off his blanket and climbing to his feet. His bed of leaves made even more noise than Hal’s.

Ryan ushered everyone around Emily. “They’re looking for us. I can feel it in my bones. The Swarm never sniffs around the woods. They must be rattled about our escape. Queen Bee can’t afford to let a couple of weasels get away.”

“Weasels?” Abigail repeated.

“People who weaseled out of being infected by the virus—as if being immune is some kind of cowardly choice we made.” Hal could see the exasperated look on Ryan’s face even in the darkness. “Never mind. We need to leave. The Swarm’s tracking us. They’ll find us if we stay here.”

“Why are they announcing their presence?” Abigail asked. “Why are they humming like that?”

“It’s the way they do things. There’s nothing like the hunt. They want to let us know they’re coming so it’s not too easy for ’em. But they’ll go into stealth mode when they get tired of playing.” Ryan bent to scoop Emily up in his arms. He made sure to scoop up her blanket at the same time, and waited while Abigail tucked it in around her. While she was doing that, he nodded to Hal. “You boys—grab my knife, and be ready to use it.”

Robbie looked so mortified that Hal sighed and lifted it from Ryan’s belt. He stared at the long blade, knowing there was no way he would ever be able to stick anyone with it—not even an attacking scrag.

“Let’s move,” Ryan whispered.

“But the fire,” Robbie said, pointing at the faintly glowing embers. “And all your stuff!”

Ryan turned away. “All worthless to me. The only thing in the world I care about is my life. And yours too, now. Let’s go.”

They hurried from the clearing and ducked between the trees, treading as lightly as possible, not uttering a word for at least five minutes. Then Hal slapped his pockets and let out a cry of alarm. “My rock! I need to go back and—”

“I’ve got it,” Ryan said shortly. “Stay with me.” He pushed through a thicket and disappeared, leaving Hal with a dilemma. Was

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