BEYOND THE LOOKING-GLASS: Book One in the BEYOND Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

horse aside and took Aleeta by the arm. “We’d love stay and hear all your war stories, sir. But we have some kids to catch.”
     
    ~*~

SIX
     
    Anton and Nikki moved quickly along the Yellow Brick Road. Nikki looked at her tall, grim-faced superior. I am thrilled they picked me for this assignment. I know I shall learn a great deal from the Director.
    Anton noticed Nikki staring at him. “What is it, Rosetti?”
    Embarrassed, she mumbled, “Nothing, Director. My mind was simply wandering, I guess.”
    “Well, keep your mind on our mission.” He took a small black device from his tunic and tapped it.
    “What’s that?” Nikki inquired.
    “A tracker. It’ll pick up a signal from the ID chip implanted in Marlowe’s shoulder. We should catch up with them presently, Rosetti.”
    “My name is Nikki, Director. Would it be contrary to protocol for you to address me by my first name?”
    Anton smiled. He has a nice smile , she thought. Too bad he doesn’t do it more often. It makes him look so much younger.”
    “Very well,” he replied. “I suppose it’s foolish to adhere to strict regulations in this place.” He paused for a moment. “You may call me Anton, if you wish.”
    They began walking a little faster, but soon they had to push past dozens of chattering little children and bizarre animals. The frolicking youngsters kept blocking the way.
    “Get out of the way!” Nikki called out to the tykes. “Clear a path for Government agents on official business.” The kiddies giggled and paid no heed to her order.
    “Let me shoot a couple, Anton,” Nikki suggested. “That’ll scare them off to clear our path.”
    “No shooting, Nikki. Unless I give the order. Understand?”
    Nikki took her hand off her holstered weapon. She looked at the crowds of rowdy children. Who the hell are these little monsters?”
    “You don’t recognize any of them, do you?” Anton said.
    “No. Do you?”
    “Oh, I recall a few, I think. From stories my grandmother read to me as a boy.”
    Nikki kicked at a bunch of dirty-faced children coming at her from an old house shaped like a shoe. “Scat,” she demanded. “Make way for the law.”
    When several boisterous kids grabbed Nikki about her legs, she lost it. “Let go of me, you horrid little scum!” She pulled out her sidearm and fired a shot in the air.
    The children screamed and scattered in every direction.
    “Damn it, Nikki,” Anton bellowed. “I told you no shooting.”
    Nikki didn’t like the look in his eyes. She quickly holstered her weapon. “Sorry, sir. I thought they were attacking us. I merely meant to scare them off. I wasn’t going to kill any of them.”
    Anton’s demeanor softened. “A rookie mistake, Nikki. We’ve all panicked at one time or another. Just do as I say from now on, and we’ll get along famously.”
    The road was clear now. Not a pesky child in sight. So they proceeded once more along the Yellow Brick Road.
    After an hour or so, they approached a high stone wall. A large egg-shaped man sat atop the wall. At the base of the wall, three dejected figures huddled together. There was a man made of tin, another of straw, and a weeping lion mopping away tears with the end of its tail.
    The straw man wailed, “Oh, our beloved Dorothy is gone. She just clicked her slippers together and disappeared. Oh, woe is us.”
    The man of tin had tears rolling down his cheeks and appeared to have rusted in a strange posture.
    And the lion was crying louder than the rest.
    Anton ignored the crying trio and stared up at the wall.
    “You, up there on the wall,” Anton shouted to the egg-man. “Have you seen two children, or their parents, pass this way?”
    The fat egg in the sailor suit sniffed. “My name is Humpty-Dumpty, sir. I am not addressed simply as YOU . I’m growing weary of complete strangers invading my space and asking me stupid questions. Just toddle along. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Perfectly,” Anton replied. He reached up,