Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny Read Free

the truck. It was better to be alone on the road than trapped in a vehicle with his angry, drunken brother. Besides, the fuel in the tank had more important uses, such as driving Dorn to see his friends, or going to buy more supplies that he needed to quiet his inner demons.
    Arriving at the Hassel farm, Delmar stepped onto the porch and knocked on the front doorframe. He had no idea what the Hassels were like. He only knew of them in passing as a nice old couple with a farm down the valley. He did note with approval that the place was well maintained. Some heavier work obviously needed doing and Delmar suspected that was why he was here.
    The door opened to reveal a pleasant-faced elderly woman in work clothes. “You must be Delmar,” she said as she opened the screen door and invited the youth inside. As Delmar stepped into the simple but clean farmhouse, an older man appeared from beyond the front room. His face reflected both strength and humor. Delmar decided right then that he was going to like this job.
    “Glad to meet you, Delmar,” the man said, taking Delmar’s hand in his own. “I’m Robert Hassel and this is my wife, Agnes.”
    “I’m pleased to meet both of you,” Delmar said formally.
    “Come on back to the kitchen,” Agnes said as she led the way. “We’re about to sit down to lunch.”
    “Join us,” Robert said. He motioned for Delmar to go ahead of him.
    “I better not,” Delmar protested, remembering his brother. “If Dorn…”
    “We won’t tell if you won’t,” Robert said with a wink.
    “You look as if you could use some chow,” Agnes added from where she was setting the last of what appeared to be a feast on the table. Delmar looked up into Robert’s eyes and detected that the man probably suspected what kind of person Dorn was. More importantly, Delmar saw in that look that he was safe here.
    “I guess its ok,” Delmar said awkwardly. “If it doesn’t keep me from getting the job done.”
    “Don’t you worry about that,” Agnes said from where Robert helped her be seated. Following his hosts, Delmar waited until Robert was seated before taking the extra chair at the table. He could not remember the last time he had eaten a home cooked meal other than the hash he cooked for Dorn. Actually, he could, but he avoided thinking about his past that was gone forever.
    The mealtime flew by too fast for the youth who felt a bit awkward around this couple. He found himself feasting, not only on the good food but also on the good company of this gentle couple, which was quite a difference from what normally happened at the Eagleman house. Delmar relaxed and only occasionally detected that the couple was slowing feeling him out. Instinctively, he grew defensive and gave evasive answers to any queries about his home life.
    The meal finished, Robert led Delmar out to the barn. In contrast to the barn on the Eagleman farm, this one was well kept and neat. By comparison, the boy could not see anything in immediate need of repair. Mr. Hassel quickly disabused him of that notion. Together they started on what Mr. Hassel called preventative maintenance.
    By the time the afternoon light began to fail, Delmar had worked up a good sweat. It was obvious to Robert the boy was used to hard work, but it bothered him that Delmar showed a hidden fearfulness concerning any task they set out to do. Robert made a mental note to quietly check into what was going on down at the Eagleman farm.
    Agnes appeared at the barn door. “You two ever going to quit? I’ve almost got supper ready.”
    The mention of mealtime startled Delmar. He knew he had to prepare the evening meal for Dorn or he would receive a beating for his neglect.
    “Almost done, honey,” Robert said as he straightened up from where they had been working on the hay conveyor. “Ready, Delmar?” he up to where Delmar was greasing and tightening the top sprocket assembly.
    “Uh… I better not,” Delmar said defensively. “I’ve got to