Lost in the Echo Read Online Free PDF Page A

be easy pickings for something that large.
    Frost hurried up beside him, her head still tilted back. She reached out blindly, grasped his arm, and whispered, “What do you think it is?”
    Dragon was the first thing that came to mind, but that was silly. Or was it? Was the existence of such a creature a stretch, after everything they had already seen? Whatever it was, it was huge.
    “We need to get everyone inside,” he said.
    “Do you think it sees us?”
    “Can a hawk see field mice?” Griffin’s only consolation was that a creature of such vast size most likely fed on far larger prey. This thing stopping to attack them would be like a lion not hunting zebra because it found an ant mound. Still, no reason to invite trouble.
    Frost looked at him, determination in her eyes, and then she nodded. She let go of his arm and started forward, clapping her hands quietly for attention. The murmuring had continued, its volume beginning to rise, just like Griffin had predicted, and Frost had to clap her hands even louder.
    “Hey,” she whisper-shouted. “Listen to me. Everyone get inside Soucey’s. Now!”
    By this point, the townspeople knew better than to question the new sheriff. Some had to be pulled away by their friends as they continued to stand there, gawking at the sky, but they didn’t put up a fight. Within seconds, everyone was headed toward the market—Avalon, Radar and Lisa included.
    Winslow and Kyle stood side by side, watching the creature slowly flap its massive wings.
    “Marvelous,” Winslow whispered. “Simply marvelous.”
    “Let’s save the awe-inspired appreciation for later,” Frost said, directing the two men inside.
    The place was packed. People were already talking over each other, asking the same questions, getting the same non-answers. If it continued, the panic would swell until there was no telling what might stop it.
    Frost spoke loudly this time.
    “I need everyone to settle down.” She held out her hands like Pastor Dodge did on Sunday mornings to quiet the congregation. “I know you’re all scared and confused, and that’s okay. I am, too. We don’t know yet what’s going on here, but we’re trying to figure it out. What I need the rest of you to do is stay calm.”
    Immediately, this started a bout of questions.
    “How can you expect us to stay calm?”
    “What was that thing?”
    “What’s happened to our town?”
    Griffin stepped forward, raising his voice. “Folks! Sheriff Frost is doing the best she can with the situation, but as you can tell, things are complicated. Her number one priority right now is keeping all of you safe. But to do that, she needs you to listen .”
    This seemed to have the desired effect. The townspeople quieted, many offering up consenting nods.
    Griffin glanced at Frost, hoping she didn’t mind he had just stepped on her toes, but she gave him a slight nod of thanks.
    “Right,” she said, “so here’s the deal. For now, I think it’s best everyone stays inside. If you want to move to your own house, that’s okay, but make it quick. We got lucky with the last…well, the last place we ended up. There didn’t seem to be any danger. Here, though, the danger is—” She shook her head, pointing her hand up toward the ceiling. “—you saw it there in the sky.”
    This started another round of verbal worry.
    “What was that thing?”
    “It looked like a dragon.”
    “I don’t understand why this is happening.”
    “Folks, please,” Frost held out her hands again, “let me finish. When I know more, you’ll know more. For the time being, I just want everyone to stay safe. So stay here or head back to your homes, whichever, but just don’t be too long outside. Does everyone understand?”
    An assortment of nods around the store.
    “Also…” Frost swallowed. “Those with weapons, feel free to carry them around for protection. But do not—I repeat, do not —use them unless it’s absolutely necessary. Gunfire can draw