Sigmund Shaw: A Steampunk Adventure Read Free Page B

most of all, reading. She had read and reread most all of the great writers, but she truly loved the adventures and inventions of some of the more modern authors. Jules Verne and H.G. Wells were her favorite, their stories taking her far away from her condition.
     
    Sigmund leaned close and they hugged again. “So, I was only partly teasing about you not being old enough. I have read this story and it has some scary moments. I don’t want you to have nightmares.”
     
    “Uncle, I have read about bloody revolutions, undersea monsters, dinosaur attacks –”
     
    “Sarah!” her mother cried from the doorway where she had been watching the gift opening. “Let’s remember that you are a young lady. I know what is in your books, and I have allowed it, but let’s keep those things in the books and not in conversation.”
     
    “Yes, mother.”
     
    Sigmund winked at her and Sarah gave a knowing smile which turned into the two of them laughing. After a moment, Alexis was laughing too. How Sigmund loved his family.
     
    Jamison walked into the kitchen with a questioning, though lighthearted, look on his face. “What is so funny?”
     
    Sigmund answered, “The usual; bloody revolutions and dinosaurs.”
     
    Jamison considered the response and replied, “Well, carry on then. But don’t let it disturb our dinner, it smells absolutely wonderful.”
     
    “Don’t worry, dear,” said Alexis, “It still has some twenty minutes, plus cooling time.”
     
    “Uncle!” cried Sarah, “we have time for a walk! Can we please? I have reread Mysterious Island and have some thoughts on the pirate attack.”
     
    A ‘walk’ consisted of Sarah sitting in a wheeled chair while being pushed by someone, usually through the nearby Regents Park. She loved being outside and the park was her favorite place. “Of course,” responded Sigmund brightly, as if it was the greatest idea ever – which in his mind, it was.
     
    Jamison carried the wheeled chair outside while Sigmund carried Sarah. He placed her gently in the chair, took up position behind it, and began their walk. As they toured the park, Sarah animatedly discussed how Cyrus Harding and his men could have been better prepared to repel the pirates when they invaded Lincoln Island. She talked of battle strategies that they could have employed and defenses that she would have set up had she been stuck on that island with them. Not a conversation that you would hear from too many young women, but Sigmund couldn’t be happier to be able to discuss such topics with her. Mysterious Island was a particular favorite of Sigmund’s so he had much to contribute to the conversation. After about thirty minutes of walking and discussing, they returned home, just in time for dinner to be served.
     
    It was chicken pot pie and Sigmund gushed about how delicious it was – cooking for himself left much to be desired. After the early dinner they enjoyed a pleasant evening talking and laughing.
     
    Despite the wonderful day, and the best company Sigmund could wish for, something felt wrong. His sister and her husband seemed nervous or on edge somehow – not congruent with the weather, and certainly not the norm. As the sun set, the strangeness was soon revealed.
     
    Sigmund carried his niece to bed and tucked her in. “Goodnight Sarah,” he said, “I will see you soon. I want to hear all about how you enjoy the book.”
     
    “Of course, Uncle. Thank you very much for the gift. I love you, goodnight, goodnight, I love you.”
     
    “Goodnight, I love you, I love you, goodnight.” Their little nighttime routine.
     
    Sigmund closed her door as she closed her eyes. When he went back to the living room, Alexis and Jamison were standing hand in hand waiting for him. The look on their faces was concerning. Sigmund paused, then asked, “What is wrong? I’ve had a strange feeling all day. Are you two alright?”
     
    Jamison stepped forward, struggled to talk for a moment, then