Creatures of Snow Read Free Page B

something
he recognized as a CD player. Just below that was what might have
been a VCR, or a perhaps a toaster, but he really wasn’t sure on
that one.
    Al stopped mid step and
pointed at the music player. “Ohhh! I need that.”
    “Why in the worlds would
you need another one of those? You know that stuff from Haigon is
mostly junk. They don‘t even use half this stuff anymore.”
    “The last one I got broke,
because someone thought it was a toaster, in case you forgot.” Al raised an
accusing eyebrow in Sky’s direction.
    Sky shrugged. “All their stuff looks the
same; oversized with lots of buttons.”
    Al shook his head with
noticeable disapproval. “I mean really, Sky, who puts the butter
on before they
toast it anyway?”
    Sky started walking, hoping to get Al away
from the window, “At the time it seemed like a good idea. I
imagined some sort of awesome butter infusion action.”
    Al thankfully followed, “Hmm, that does
sound delicious, but that still doesn’t mean that you get out of
buying me a new one. I’ll let you off the hook today. I’m not
lugging that thing around while we’re…” Al tilted his head
curiously, “What are we doing anyway?”
    Sky pulled up his shoulders and pushed his
hands into his pockets, “Nice try. You’ll know when we’re
there.”
    “You’re up to something
diabolical aren’t you?”
    Sky let through a lazy smirk, “Diabolical?
So now I’m an evil mastermind?”
    “ I wouldn’t say
mastermind. Evil maybe, but never would I say your mind was the
master of anything.” Al scoffed.
    The buildings around them kept their height,
but the colorful displays and advertisements of the store fronts
were quickly replaced by neutral signs and open views of elaborate
lobbies as they entered the business district.
    They rounded yet another smooth corner, but
the road that greeted them was wide and open and gave a clear
vision of their true destination.
    Al’s shoulders dropped
along with his face as the gigantic structure of REALM loomed just
a few blocks ahead. “You’ve got to be kidding. REALM,
really?”
    Of course Al would have his hesitations, but
Sky knew it would only take a little push, “Oh, come on, I just
thought we should take a quick look! See what you’re in for.”
    “ Sneak into REALM? No
thanks.” But, despite his immediate protest Al kept his light pace
right along side Sky.
    “ I never said anything
about sneaking in.” Although it’s exactly what he had planned. “As
of tomorrow you are an official member of the Academy, what are you
afraid of?”
    “ Right, of the Academy in
Delphos. This is the HQ - the main research center, they don‘t let
just anybody walk on in.” Al shook his head.
    “ I didn’t say we were
going in did I.” But they totally were.
    “If we get in trouble you
know that it’s just me that has actual consequences, right?” Al
said, not losing a step.
    “ Relax, Al. We’re just
taking a look around. They don’t own the street. Besides, we’re
harmless adolescents - all we have to do is play dumb if they give
us trouble.”
    “That’s easy for you to
say, since you’re an idiot. I, on the other hand, will have a hard
time convincing anyone I’m anything other than a certified
genius.”
    The closer they got to the
building, the more drive he felt to go forward. Sky had never been
so close to the epic structure before, and he had to admit, it was
intimidating – it rose up from the flawless street like a giant
white wave that never crested.
    “ Holy Haven, look at all
those stairs.” Al’s mouth turned down as his face looked up at the
ridiculous incline to enter the building.
    “Impressive, isn’t it?” A
voice that rang with familiarity, said from behind them.
    Sky turned to see none
other than Zeph standing there with an entourage of academic
groupies. The glare of their glasses and pasty, sun-deprived
complexions nearly blinded him. “A little out of your territory, eh
kiddies?” Sky half joked,