Timescape Read Free Page B

broken buildings, into cubbyholes.
    â€œThe pull’s strong now,” Dad said. “The portal must be just ahead.”
    Keal slid up onto the hood of a rusted, crumpled car, pulling David with him. He dropped down on the other side. The train followed.
    Only one creature remained. Another gunshot sent it scrambling between two huge sections of what looked to David like a street, only standing on end.
    Yeah, he thought. We’re doing it.
    The four of them scrambled over larger and larger clumps of debris. Finally, they jumped down onto a flat area, cleared of trash. A big circle of rocks in the middle marked a fire pit. Only gray and black ashes filled the space inside.
    â€œOver here,” Keal said, tugging David—and, in turn, Xander and Dad—across the open area.
    A movement caught David’s eye. He turned in time to see the bold creature lurch into the clearing from the other side. The thing held a spear over his head, aiming it—and wild, fiery eyes—directly at David.

CHAPTER

six
    The creature hoisted the long weapon back over his shoulder.
    â€œKeal!” Xander yelled. “Shoot him!”
    Keal swung the pistol around and pulled the trigger. Click. Click. Click.
    â€œAahh!” he said. “I took out a bullet for safety!” He jabbed his fingers into his shirt pocket. “It’s not here. I lost it.”
    David watched the creature shuffle forward. He kept shifting his aim to each of them in turn, as if deciding which to kill.
    Who? David thought. Who’s going to get it?
    â€œMove!” Keal yelled. He leaped.
    Xander went the other direction. Connected to both of them, David jerked sideways, right, then left. And the four of them didn’t go either way; their evasive maneuvers canceled each other out.
    David let go of Keal’s belt and dropped straight down.
    A flash of white shot out from the rubble at the perimeter and crashed into the man with the spear. A second creature was on top of the spearman, bringing him down. Their rescuer ended up on top. He slashed his hands at Spear-man and looked up. Scar tissue ran from his hairline, skipped over his eye, and continued down his cheek. It was the creature David had saved from Keal’s first shot. Its eyes locked on David’s.
    David nodded. He scrambled up, grabbing Keal’s pants. “Go! Go!”
    They ran across the clearing.
    Tugging along behind Keal, David looked back at the creatures. The bold one slammed the side of the spear into the other’s head. The one who’d saved them went down, appearing to be out cold. Spear-man turned toward them again.
    â€œFaster,” David said. “Keal, run!”
    Spear-man stepped forward and almost fell. The other creature had a grip on his ankle. Spear-man spun and thrust the weapon down, nicking the downed man’s calf. He howled, baring a mouth of bent and missing teeth. He grabbed the javelin. Spear-man tugged but couldn’t free it. He let it go and ran for them.
    â€œLet go of me, David,” Keal said, handing him the blanket.
    â€œBut, why—?”
    Keal charged toward their attacker.
    David let his fingers slip off the belt. He said, “Dad?”
    His father held up his hand, telling him to hold on.
    Before Keal and the creature met, Keal ducked low. He seized the man by the knees, rose, and flipped him over his head. The creature landed on his back, hitting so hard David winced. Keal leaped backward, planting one foot on either side of his opponent. He dropped, aiming his knee at the man’s chest. The creature rolled against Keal’s leg, surprisingly fast. As Keal’s knee struck the ground, the creature slid out from under him and sprang from the ground, wrapping his arms and legs around Keal’s head and chest.
    Dad hurried past Xander and David. “Let’s go. This way.” He pointed. The edges of the blanket in David’s hands stretched and flapped in the same