Nyteria Rising (The Thirteenth Series Book 3) Read Free Page A

but Alsom escaped into the distance. “Val this is The Space.” She peered into the distant expanse. To her earthly knowledge, doors usually led to rooms. Big metal doors led to bigger rooms. But as she looked around her, nothing could have prepared her for what she was seeing.
    “He has wheels! This is another civilization. Where is this? What are they? How did they…”
    She was still looking around in awe, hanging tightly to Sam’s arm as Alsom returned, now accompanied by another boy. Alsom took great pride in skidding to a halt. The other one was clearly not as confident in his skills and stopped gently next to Val.
    This boy was different, he had one leg and one wheel, there was a bar jutting out of the side of his wheel on which, he now rested his foot. Although he was on what she would describe as a unicycle, and stationary, he was completely balanced.
    “Welcome,” he greeted her, face beaming, taking her hand. Val realised that wheel or no wheel this was a child. “Can you move a little faster?” He pulled her with all his strength. Val glanced at Sam who nodded, so she finally let go of his arm and followed her new found acquaintance.
    They were still inside a cave, but there were people of all ages, shapes, sizes and colours living there. There were blankets made of a thick dark cloth hanging over various sized openings in the cave walls. Steps carved into the walls allowed access, even at the highest points.
    “This is mine.” the young boy stopped in front of one of these openings and pulled aside the cloth.
    Val peeked in. So these openings were where the people lived! There was a bed carved out of the cave wall and a simple stool and table. On his table he had paper which surprised Val. “Come in.” he beckoned her.
    Once she was inside she had no choice but to sit on the bed as there wasn’t enough standing room for someone of her height. The stone was cold on her bottom and it made her catch her breath. The boy giggled at her reaction. As her eyes grew accustomed to the lack of light, she started to see pictures all over the walls. “Wow, your drawings are amazing.”
    “Yes, I love to draw.” His face beamed. “Do you draw?”
    “Well I can do stick people, but that’s about it I’m afraid. How do you make the colours?” Each picture was a rainbow of different shades. Yet the cave was extremely grey.
    “These.” He wheeled over to her, nudging her gently to move to one side. He lifted a simple grey piece of material to reveal a box of crayons and several copies of the National Geographic magazine.
    “You have… crayons and magazines?” Now she was confused. Unless UPS delivered across the galaxy, how did he get them?
    “Yes, Shane gave them to me.” the boy said.
    A voice called her from the doorway, “Val, come on.” Sam had caught up.
    “Coming. Thank you for inviting me in,” she said as she made her way out of the boy’s cave.
    “Will you come back?” the boy stood in the entrance, his voice was inquisitive, as if testing her.
    “Absolutely,” she replied waving goodbye.
    She and Sam made their way through the crowds that were assembled in the main area, who were busychatting, sharing food and checking out pieces of equipment. A variety of metal tools and what looked to her like the boys’ wheels, were being handed out. Val observed that the people here greeted Sam in a completely different manner than those at the Prison. There was warmth and gratitude from everyone. They all made Val feel welcome.
    “You need to tell me about this place, Sam. Where are we? Why has that little boy got crayons and magazines from Shane, and a wheel for a leg? What’s going on?” She knew Sam and Shane had a history, but Shane had been extremely cagey about discussing his past, saying it was safer to keep it a secret. ‘Blooming big secret,’ she thought to herself.
    Sam smiled acknowledging her, but didn’t respond until they had made their way to what seemed to be the largest