Legend of the Book Keeper Read Online Free PDF Page B

stop himself, “You are most merciful my lord. Events have been . . . put into motion. The first casualty has been claimed. ‘That-which-arrives-in-the-dead-ofnight’ has awoken. The old man has fallen. The Book has been seized by a young boy. My men have just narrowed down his location. Are we to engage?”
    The phone was once again silent. The sound of puffing smoke was faintly audible. Just answer; is this all a game to you? The cold voice returned, “Yes, but with caution. The boy will be oblivious to the situation. Do not take unnecessary risk, CROSS must remain invisible. We do not exist. I will not accept otherwise.” The man shuttered; he had not the slimmest doubt that the caller was a man of his word.
    “I understand, my lord. The target is just a young boy; am I to assume that casualties should be avoided?” The unseen man’s chilling voice responded, “A young boy, a pregnant woman, a carefree child, a proud grandfather—a threat to the cause is intolerable regardless of which insufferable form it takes. If the boy will not cooperate—eliminate him without hesitation. I can assure you, if you fail, you will not receive the same hesitation from me.” The sound of dial tone once again filled the man’s ear.
    “Good-bye to you, too,” he muttered bitterly into the receiver. The moment he did, he instantly scanned the room. You fool, he could be watching you! His web is omnipresent. At last convinced that his imprudent jab had gone unnoticed, he exhaled and collapsed into a wooden chair. Every time he made contact with his master he felt as though he was playing a terrifying game of Russian roulette. He wiped the sweat from his brow— I’ve survived another round. He looked to the corner of the room where a swarm of flies buzzed around an unrecognizable object on the floor. The smell was vile. Charlie. His predecessor; at least what was left of him.
    Charlie had displeased the master. The consequence had been a well-placed bullet from behind. At the master’s request, Charlie had been left to rot. The man looked away; the sight of the decaying body was sickening.
    He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a metallic object; a shiny six-shooter revolver. He cocked it open and smiled. It was fully loaded. With a fluid movement he flicked it closed. It’s time to go to work.

The Intruder
     
    A n explosion of thunder ripped apart the night sky; causing the earth to tremble in solemn reverence. Jade yanked up her covers earnestly and watched the heavy rain wash down her bedroom window like a waterfall, blurring her vision to the outside world. She squeezed her eyes shut—it certainly wasn’t the first time she looked out into the world only to see haze and disorder.
    A loud crash resounded from the living room. Jade kept her eyes closed; the familiar smell of stale liquor informed her that her mother had returned from her nightly excursion to the bar. Slowly, and as delicately as she could manage, she rolled over to glance at her clock—1:15 a.m.
    There was another loud crash, followed by the cringing sound of shattering glass. “MARI!” screamed a husky voice, “Mari, you wretched, useless child! Get your ugly, flabby butt out here and help your mother! MARI!” Jade squeezed her eyes tighter. With a resonating thud she knew that her mother had just passed out on the floor, once again leaving Jade alone. The bitter taste of moist salty tears rolled over her tongue. She despised herself for her weakness, but allowed the tears to trickle gently over her small cheeks.
    Reaching over to her nightstand she twisted on her dusty radio. Soft, classical piano music began to seep gently through the speakers. She took a deep breath. I miss you dad she mouthed silently. It had been eight years since her world had come crashing down. Everything had been so perfect before. Her parents were in love and she had been happy. She clenched her fist. But that was another lifetime ago . At least I have Cody . .