Portal Combat Read Online Free PDF Page A

storm. The wind and rain beat against his face so hard, he could hardly feel it anymore. He was about to ask for the other flare when a giant gust of wind picked up his body and sent it flying. In his effort to regain control, he lost the protection around the bubble, though the group remained steady in the air.
    Ted watched as the patients' paper gowns became drenched and the wind pushed the medical equipment every which way. He shuddered.
    "Flare. Now!"
    Ted thought the wind might rip the clothes from his body before Vott could comply. Thankfully, the red flare shot into the sky and Ted used all his energy to push the group to the rooftop as fast as possible. In the distance, Ted could barely see as they moved into position above the roof.
    "Are they directly above?"
    "Yes. Lower them. I'll let you know when to let go."
    As Ted agreed, he heard something in his mind. Thoughts of fear and pain wafted through that he hadn't noticed before. He was reading the mind of a little girl – a girl who was still inside the hospital.
    "Alright, you can let them go. Get out of there, Ted. The worst of the storm is coming your way."
    Ted looked up at the clouds and saw a tint of orange begin to paint the sky. He shook his head. "Can't do it. There's someone still inside."
    Ted zipped back down to ground level and went back in through the front. The rising water level on the ground had doubled through the almost deserted building.
    "Ted, this is an order. Get out of there now!"
    With his first step, Ted felt the liquid sloshing over the top of his waterproof boots. His socks were soaked.  
    "Are you gonna help me, or do I have to take out my earpiece like they do in the movies?"
    Vott mumbled something to himself. "I'll help, but act quick."
    The shuddering of the hospital had grown louder and Ted watched as several ceiling tiles and beams dropped to the ground. He searched his mind to find the girl. By pinpointing her thoughts, he detected her on the opposite side of the building. Ted's powers were somewhat weakened by his bubble rescue, but he used every last reserve to push himself to go faster. The girl's thoughts grew louder and louder until he walked into a room with several beds. There she was, standing on top of a pile of sheets in an effort to get away from the water.
    A loud beam crashing down in the hallway caused her to squeal. Ted fought an urge to do the same and spoke like a parent.
    "Hey, honey. I'm Ted."
    The girl shivered and stared. "I'm Sophie."
    "Good to meet you. Can I get you out of here, Sophie?"
    The girl breathed so hard and fast, Ted feared she might hyperventilate. But through all that, the girl nodded her assent.
    Ted wrapped his arm around her waist and flew the two of them out of the room. As he did, he heard a pipe burst in the distance and a flood of new water came pouring in. The water level was now up to Ted's knees. Sophie cried out and buried her head in Ted's chest.
    "It's ok. We'll get out of–"
    A beam came crashing down from the ceiling and hit Ted right in the back of the skull. He lost his hold of the girl and they both tumbled into the water. Ted's face made impact with the flood first. His eyes stung with whatever was floating around in the water. When he came back up for air, Sophie was nowhere to be seen. Ted felt his pulse race.
    "Sophie?!"
    He dove under the water. Ted looked in every direction but he couldn't see the girl. He felt his breath grow heavy. As Ted left the water, he saw something he never would've expected. In the middle of the crumbling building and the water, there was a blue portal hovering a few inches off the ground. Amidst the chaos, the shimmering light from whatever it was remained calm and steady. Sophie was right beside it, and though the water was up to her midsection, she waded toward the gateway.
    "Sophie, no!"
    Before Ted could stop her, the girl had disappeared through the blue portal. Ted ran toward the phenomenon, but it closed with a sound that reminded him