Awake Read Online Free PDF Page A

predicament. You
completely messed up our plans.” She examined her claws, licking
each one carefully. “Now tell me, rat, how can you make up for the
damage you’ve done?”
    Arms and legs fanned out against the wall,
the rat squeaked, “I know it’s my fault, but what can I do? Please,
please forgive me. Let me go and I promise I’ll never do anything
bad again!”
    Luna smiled. “I find it interesting to see
you rats on the move. You’re already invading the humans’ territory
openly. Do you know about the problem the humans are facing?”
    “You mean the sleeping?”
    Luna nodded.
    “Well, everyone knows that. Even—” The rat
shut up, clasping a paw over his mouth.
    Luna drew closer, her fishy breath flowing
into the rat’s face. “Even what?”
    The rat suddenly looked guilty of something.
“Listen, there is something I can do, I think. If it’s information
you want, I can take the kids down. But only if you promise not to
hurt me.”
    “Down?” His eyes widening, Genesis also drew
near and said, “You mean—”
    “Yes,” said the rat, “I can bring the kids
to see the Nexus.”

- The Nexus -
     
    The Nexus. Kevin wasn’t sure what a Nexus
was. Genesis simply explained that, at least for the rats, it was a
meeting place. A meeting place of rats. A place stuffed with lots
and lots of rats. If anything, it sounded more disgusting than
useful.
    Everyone stood over the manhole in the
street, looking down into the darkness below. All they could see
was the faint image of flowing sewage. A variety of strange odors
rose up from the depths, unpleasantly tickling their noses. Only
the rat seemed to find pleasure in such nefarious stenches.
    “Did you find a source of light?” Genesis
asked.
    Holding up a flashlight, Kevin replied,
“Yeah. Found one in the glove compartment.”
    Andrew adjusted his glasses. “So you’re sure
Genesis and Luna can’t come?”
    The rat sat up and put its paws on its hips,
acting rather strict. “Absolutely not. They are enemies. Humans are
the enemy too. But since you are kids, they will be more
lenient.”
    Genesis added, “It’s too difficult for us to
go up and down ladders anyway.” He paused. “I don’t like this idea
of sending you kids alone, but we don’t have a choice. We have to
abide by their rules. And the Nexus is the only resource we can
turn to right now.”
    Kevin took out his cell phone and gave it to
Genesis. “Here, you can keep my cell. Andrew’s got the number.
We’ll contact you if things get out of hand.”
    Genesis nodded, holding the cell phone in
his mouth.
    The two boys descended down the ladder. The
sewer was spacious and there was a place for them to walk.
    “Come, come,” said the rat, gesturing with a
paw, “this way.”
    They headed through the tunnel, watching
their step. Kevin waved the flashlight around and was surprised to
see that this particular sewer system did have some dim
square-shaped lights built along the walls. His flashlight was
fairly weak, so it was a welcome surprise.
    After they walked for nearly ten minutes,
the rat came to a stop, its whiskers twitching. There were no more
lights. It was utter darkness. Extending his hand, Kevin shone his
flashlight ahead. The light reflected off little glowing dots,
which were strewn across the walkway. They were eyes—hundreds of
tiny eyes. They had reached a gathering of rodents.
    “Halt! Who goes there?”
    The gray rat said, “It’s me, Norman. I just
brought a couple of kids from the surface.”
    A large rat stepped into the light. It was
almost a foot long. Kevin supposed it was a guard rat.
    The guard said, “Norman, why’d you bring
these humans down here?”
    “They helped me. To repay the favor, I want
to take them to the Nexus. It’ll be quick and I promise they won’t
cause trouble.”
    “Helped you?” Sounding skeptical, the guard
said, “Some of my men have informed me that a rat has been seen in
the company of the accursed human pets. Were you