The Rat Collector: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

giant tortoise sightings are very rare. The giant tortoise can live for over two hundred years.
     
    Again, this last sentence lingered in her mind. The giant tortoise can live for over two hundred years . Why did this fascinate her so much?
    A bell rang from outside, and a man walked past the window. “Attention everyone! There will be a town meeting held this evening in the auditorium! Attendance is mandatory! I repeat! Attendance is mandatory!” The announcement faded as the man carried the message along. Ella stuffed The Wonderful World of Animals in her bag, along with the other books, and headed out the door.

NINE
    THE AUDITORIUM WAS completely full. The seats were packed, and groups of people stood along the walls. Vince arrived early with Rupert and made his way up to the front row. His feet were better, if only slightly. There was still a stinging pain that would last for a while.
    In front of the audience was a small elevated stage with a tall podium. Casual conversation rumbled through the room as people waited for the meeting to start.
    The crowd died down as Rupert, with Fred perched on his shoulder, approached the podium. He placed both palms down on the wood surface and cleared his throat. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming to this meeting. I know these have been frequent, but this is important. I’m afraid I have some bad news. As you all know, Alan went missing yesterday morning.” People in the crowd nodded. “Well, I’m afraid it has happened again. This afternoon we discovered that Patrick is missing as well.”
    A collective gasp filled the room, followed by panic. They rose up in a concerned uproar, all asking the same questions to different people. What does this mean? Will this happen again? Who will be next?
    “Everyone!” Rupert yelled, “Please quiet down!” No one could hear him over the shouts of fear and frustration. Fred hopped onto the podium. She spread her wings out wide, opened her beak, and released a tremendous shriek. The chaos stopped in an instant. They all turned and looked to Rupert.
    “Thank you, girl.” The obedient falcon returned to her spot on his shoulder. “Now, obviously, this is a tragedy. We must support Martha in her time of need. That goes without saying. However, we must also prepare for the future. With Alan and Patrick’s disappearance, I see a pattern forming. I can only assume that the same thing will happen tonight. We must ensure that everyone is safe in their beds. I propose a night watch. A team of people that can patrol the roads. We are going to need volunteers. Ten people. Two shifts of five. Fred and I will take the northeast corner for the first shift. Is anyone else interested? Please stand.”
    A few whispers roamed the crowd. Fourteen people stood. Seven men, six women, and a little girl.
    Rupert smiled at the child. “Thank you, darling. You are very brave, but I would feel better with you safe inside your home tonight.” She sat back down. “The rest of you, come see me once we’re done here. We can sort out the details and assign shifts.” The rest of them sat down as well. “Next, we must gather a search party. There is already a group searching for Alan, but I’d like to double our efforts. I will lead this new group. We will leave in the morning at eight o’clock. Volunteers?”
    Five people stood, some of them the same as before.
    “Thank you, especially to those who volunteered twice. However, I think it is important that the search party is well-rested, so I ask that nobody participates in both. Again, see me after the meeting and we can sort out the details. Lastly, I am trying to gather as much information as I can. I know it’s unlikely, but did anyone see anything out of the ordin…?”
    The doors in the back burst open, and a screaming Horace stumbled in. He spouted out his usual gibberish.
    Rupert stepped down from the podium and spoke softly to two men in the front row. They both stood up and escorted