Death of the Body (Crossing Death) Read Online Free PDF Page B

notice.
    His gaze softened and he let out a half-laugh, half-snort. “You must be from the orphanage. They said they were going to send someone over to take care of Max here,” he motioned toward the dog. “I didn’t expect them to be that quick, though. Why are you down in the cellar anyway?”
    He started to walk up the stairs, no doubt expecting me to follow. I shot a quick glance to where Ralph and Hailey were last hiding but I couldn’t make out their shapes in the swirling darkness.
    “Just exploring, sir,” I finally found my voice.
    “Well, don’t make a habit of it. If you are going to be working for me I can’t have you constantly running off.”
    Working for him? I didn’t think so, but I saw no choice but to pretend I was human until I had a chance to escape. I had visions of Joshua coming to my rescue and murdering these men, who no doubt had a hand in murdering my people.
    When we got back to the kitchen, the two men in the house continued to pry armor off their bodies.
    “We’ve a meeting in what’s left of that parliament building so that should afford you some time to satisfy that curiosity of yours.”
    How did they know about the parliament building and what it was called?
    “Take Max with you, though. He needs a long walk. Get to know your new town, but don’t be too late. I expect us to be a few hours. I’d like something to eat when we get back.”
    They were going to leave me alone? That would make my escape easy. And who exactly did this man think I was, a cook? First I was supposed to work for him and now he had the audacity to treat me like his servant?
    “Do you really think you should let him wander around alone?” the second man spoke for the first time. “Could be dangerous.”
    “The dangers have all been eliminated.”
    The inflection in his voice made me cringe.
    “Just…” he seemed to consider exactly what he was going to say before finally settling on “there is no need for you to go inside any of the buildings. Understand, boy?”
    I nodded.
    “What’s your name?”
    “Edmund,” I responded, instantly regretting giving my real name.
    “I’m Clayton. Don’t stay out too late.”
    Both men stood. They looked smaller without their armor, even thin, but they carried themselves with such a sense of pride that I still felt the need to fear them. Even after the door was latched behind them I refused to move.
    I wish I could say things were quiet once the men had gone, but the rumble of wagons and clump of horses’ hooves rattled my small house with a never-ending chorus of noise. I could hear people chattering and see the occasional lamplight swinging past my windows.
    The oddest noise, however, was my own breathing. It wasn’t frantic or ragged, but slow and calm. It sounded strange to me because I felt anything but calm. I realized how much control I had to exert over myself to keep my emotions in check. Control was something I had been taught all my life. Control ensured a complete openness to Mother Earth and all of her resources. She never lost control. She was never ruled by emotion.
    My meditation was cut short when something unexpected bumped into the back of my hand. My stomach lurched so high out of fright that the rest of my body followed. On the way back down I lost my balance and fell awkwardly to the floor. When I opened my eyes, Max was towering over me, his large tongue flopping around, threatening to drip drool onto my face. So much for emotional control , I thought.
    The dog stared at me. I need to pee, his expression said.
    “Now you decide to talk,” I snorted, pushing him aside to regain my footing.
    I’ve never known anyone to listen, he said, trotting by my side with childlike excitement.
    “Well don’t get used to it.” I opened the door so the dog could get outside. “Make it quick while I go find my friends, and wait for me at the door to let you back in.”
    Once the dog was outside I returned to the cellar. I cried out for Ralph