Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny Read Free Page A

get back home. My brother will be expecting his dinner.” Agnes raised an eyebrow at her husband but said nothing.
    “Good ‘nuff then,” Mr. Hassel said. “We’ll finish this tomorrow. What time can you be here?”
    “What time do you want me here, sir?” Delmar asked back as he climbed down from the loft.
    “Soon as you finish your chores?” Robert asked, suspecting that there was more to this than feeding a few animals.
    “I think I can be here by ten, sir,” Delmar answered. “But I’ll have to clear it with my brother.”
    “I’ll take care of that.” Delmar’s face blanched but he said nothing. “You go clean up and I’ll give you a ride home. No need for you to be late.”
    “I’ll be fine, sir.”
    Before either Robert or Agnes could say more, the youth scooted off to the mudroom to clean up. The couple looked at each other knowingly. Agnes headed back to the farmhouse while Robert started buttoning things up for the night. Before he got back, Robert saw Delmar heading up the country road toward the Eagleman farm further up the valley. I better go make that call, Robert thought as he headed for the house. To Delmar’s surprise, Dorn was in a halfway good mood when he got home.
    Almost as soon as he stepped through the door, Dorn spoke up. “I got a call from that old farmer down the road.”
    Delmar tried to hold his fear in check but it must have shown on his face. Dorn roared in laughter. Delmar tried to ignore him and started for the kitchen to make dinner. “Forget that! I’m going out. I ain’t puttin’ up with your slop tonight!”
    Delmar felt relief. When Dorn got up to leave, he yelled back over his shoulder, “I want you up early tomorrow so you can get your chores done. That old fool wants you down there by nine so you better not be late!”
    Dorn sped out of the driveway for another night of drinking and mischief with his friends. In the meantime, Delmar went through the motions of making himself something to eat. Maybe I can get some study time in, he thought while he warmed a can of soup. He had already fallen terribly behind and the hope of earning a graduation certificate seemed more elusive than ever. But before he’d even finished eating, Delmar slipped into an exhausted sleep. The last thought he had was wondering what new trouble this change in Dorn could mean.
     

Chapter Two
    Dawn arrived much too soon at the Eagleman farm. Delmar pried himself up from the table where he had fallen asleep the night before and managed to drag himself to his room. Even the noisy arrival of Dorn from wherever he’d gone had not penetrated his exhaustion.
    The house was still dark. Quietly dressing, Delmar slipped back down to the kitchen where he whipped up some hash for Dorn. He left it covered in the heavy pan so it would retain its heat until his passed-out brother could arouse from his drunken slumber. Taking his portion, Delmar slipped out the back door and ambled slowly to the barn. At least here, he could eat in peace. It also gave him time to think.
    Delmar regretted that he hadn’t managed to get any of his correspondence work done. He knew that if completed materials weren’t submitted in a timely manner, the school would eventually terminate his enrollment. He knew this could seriously limit any hope he had of getting out of here. Resolving to try harder, Delmar finished his plate of hash and washed it down with a dipper of cool water.
    Further thought was interrupted by a roar and crash from the house. He’s up, Delmar thought. Irreverently, he hoped his brother would start drinking again so he would pass out. Then he would have some peace while he got the necessary chores out of the way.
    Evidently, his prayers were heard as the noise soon ceased. I wish he’d stay that way! Delmar thought uncharitably. As quickly as he could, he turned the animals out and put what feed they had left out as well. He hoped the money earned from his new job with the Hassels would go to