Time Snatchers Read Online Free PDF Page B

that’s actually pretty rare. If Uncle’s anything like he was with us at that age, they probably all adore him.
    As for us senior time snatchers, the fear of what Uncle would do to us once he found us is enough to keep us from bolting.
    This isn’t just paranoia; this is fear based on the real facts. And the facts can be boiled down to two words:
memory wipe
.
    All you remember wiped away in minutes. It’s a brutal and unforgiving weapon, and I have no doubt that Uncle would use it like he did with Vlad, who tried to make a break for it in thirteenth-century Morocco.
    The way I heard it, Uncle sent Nassim after him. Nassim found Vlad, crushed up a couple of memory-wipe pills and poured them into a drink. Soon after Vlad drained the glass, all his memories also drained away. But it didn’t end there. Nassim brought him back to Timeless Treasures and planted new, false memories where the old ones used to be. I guess that’s why Uncle didn’t kill him right off. No point wasting a fully trained time snatcher if you can reprogram him. Poor old Vlad. Two weeks later, he was killed on mission to 1983 Pamplona, Spain—gored at the running of the bulls.
    “I hope he isn’t a biter like the one last week,” says Frank, with as much emotion as if he’s talking about the weather. “That was a bit awkward. I really wanted to teach the kid some manners, but Uncle doesn’t like it when they show up at the Compound without any teeth. What do you say, Caleb? Care to join me for a little fun?”
    I shake my head. Inside I feel like I’m going to explode. I’m done waiting for Nassim. I stand up and head toward the door.
    Frank takes a quick step to block me. Although we’re boththirteen, he’s got four inches of height on me, and right now he’s making a point of using each one of them.
    Just then Nassim appears by the doorway. “Caleb, I’ve finished the report. You can go now. Please pick up your clothes for your next mission on your way out. Oh, and by the way, Abbie’s back from London. Frank, kindly move so that Caleb can pass.”
    So she
is
here. I glare at Frank but he doesn’t meet my eyes. He’s too busy trying to stare down Nassim. After about five seconds, he gives up and steps to the side.
    Personally, I like Nassim, but Frank can’t get over the fact that Nassim has better access to Uncle than he does. The only thing that stops him from trying to order Nassim around is that Uncle might not like it. That and the thirty pounds more muscle that Nassim has over him.
    On my way out of the lounge, I reach into my cubbyhole and grab the clothes Nassim has chosen for my next mission—a fine white linen shirt, burgundy waistcoat, a pair of black breeches and sturdy Wellington boots. As I change in the boys’ washroom, I stand in front of the mirror and practice facial expressions. Apart from the thrill of the snatch itself, one of the things I like about a lot of snatches is the chance to be an actor—someone totally different than my day-to-day self. Snatches can be like performances. Any common thief can steal something, but I like to think that, through creativity, I’ve raised my snatches to a whole new level.
    Or rather, Abbie and I have raised
our
snatches to a whole new level. Uncle adopted Abbie a few months after me, and we did everything together growing up. So when it came time for Uncle to put together teams of time snatchers, it was natural for us to be paired up. Which is a good thing, because I wouldn’t want to be with anyoneelse. Not only is Abbie the best natural thief I’ve ever seen, but she can also size up a situation in an instant; that can sometimes mean the difference between life and death in this business. She’s saved my hide more than once over the years. Also, we know each other so well that sometimes I only have to think about asking her something before the answer’s already halfway out of her mouth.
    I spend a few minutes on surprise and disgust and then switch to anger.