The Cold People by Christopher Pike

Author:Christopher Pike
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2013-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

7

Adam ended up in the balloon with Sally. Cindy was with Bum. They floated off the roof and were dragged away from the surplus store by a gust of north wind. Their escape came none too soon. Two Cryo Creatures piled onto the roof. One leapt to catch Adam and Sally’s balloon, and barely missed. Sally hung over the side and shot at it with her flamethrower.

“Just so it doesn’t think of trying again,” she said. She had missed.

“They’re not safe on that roof,” Adam muttered.

“What do you mean?” Sally asked.

“Just watch,” Adam said.

The grand finale came quickly. The two monsters were trying to climb back down into the store when a river of flame shot up at them, and they were turned into melting torches. They staggered around the roof before toppling over the sides. There followed a series of crushing bangs and the entire rear of the store disintegrated. As one creature tried to run out the front door, there was a single massive explosion, and the store was engulfed in flame. Mr. Patton may not have sold too many exotic weapons in his day, but the weapons had done the job when they were needed.

“I think you got them all,” Sally said.

Adam shook his head and slumped to the floor of the balloon gondola. He rubbed his right ankle. The wound was superficial; the bleeding had stopped. But he didn’t seem to be able to get the circulation going in it.

“We got maybe eight of them,” he said. “I think there are dozens more.”

Sally noticed his bloody sock and knelt beside him. “Are you hurt? Are you in pain?”

“No. The creature barely dug his nails in. But—”

“What?” Sally asked.

“I don’t know. My foot’s numb. I can hardly stand on it.”

Sally drew back anxiously. “Maybe when it grabbed you it injected Cryo fluid into your system. Maybe it’s going to circulate throughout your body and transform you into one of those horrible monsters. Soon you will start frothing at the mouth and crave human blood.”

“Thank you, Sally,” Adam said flatly. “You have an amazing way of making a guy feel good when things are not going well. I suppose now you want to change places with Cindy in the other balloon?”

“Well,” Sally said.

“I’ll throw you overboard if you don’t stop,” Adam warned.

Sally moved to his side and squeezed the flesh above his ankle. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you. Can you feel that?”

“Yes. Sort of. I feel like . . .” Adam trailed off.

“The numb sensation is going up your leg?” Sally asked.

Adam hesitated. “Yes.”

Sally looked worried. “We need to get you to a doctor.”

“The only doctor who could help me lived back in Mu.” Adam paused and swallowed thickly. He had to face the reality of the situation. “I might need to have my lower leg amputated. Before it spreads all the way up my body.”

“In this town you don’t need a doctor for that. Just get down to the jetty and hang your leg in the water.

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