فصل 84

CHAPTER 84

THE LAST SOUND

NEREZZA AND CHEEKY O’NEAL had decided to wait until dark before landing on the island. Hiding in the floating jumble of wood and canvas, They had managed to avoid the mermaids. They had seen the Nimbus steam away; seen the starstuff chest fall from the strange sailing ship; seen the Mollusk canoes pick it up and take it back to the island.

And then they, too, had paddled toward the island. They had hugged the coast, following it in the direction away from the Mollusk village, toward Pirate Cove. As they paddled, they talked in low voices, assessing their situation, forming a plan. Neither man was about to run from a treasure as valuable as the starstuff. If it was on the island, they would find a way to get it. They were both competent, ruthless men. They had no doubt that they would succeed against the primitive Mollusks. Especially since the Mollusks didn’t know they were there.

Their first task was to find a place to hide. As night fell, they paddled toward shore, landing on a small curved beach. It felt good to have their weary legs on land again. They grabbed the planks and the canvas and started dragging them up the beach, planning to hide them in the dark jungle looming ahead.

They heard a crashing sound.

“What was that?” said Nerezza.

“I don’t know,” said O’Neal.

Another crashing sound, this one closer. They peered ahead, seeing only blackness.

Then a figure burst from the jungle, sprinting toward them. A man.

Right behind him was a second man.

The two men were running straight for them. As they came close, Nerezza and O’Neal saw that they were Mollusk warriors. Nerezza and O’Neal raised their hands, ready to fend off an attack.

The men ran right past them, one on each side. O’Neal and Nerezza turned and watched, stunned, as the men ran straight into the water and began swimming out to sea as fast as they could.

“What …” began Nerezza, but he was halted by the awful roar from the jungle behind them.

That was the last sound either man ever heard. EPILOGUE

THREE MONTHS LATER

TONIGHT’S STORY,” said Wendy, “is why the moon changes its shape.”

“You already told us that one,” said John.

“Because the elephant eats it,” said Michael.

“Which is stupid,” said John.

“Well, if that’s going to be your attitude,” said Wendy, “perhaps there won’t be a story tonight.”

“Why are you so moody lately?” said John.

“I’m not moody,” said Wendy.

“You are too,” said John.

“I am not.”

“Mum says she was moodly, too,” said Michael.

“It’s not moodly, you ninny,” said John. “It’s moody.”

“That’s what I said!” said Michael.

“When did Mum say she was moodly…I mean, moody?” Wendy asked Michael.

“When Peter left,” said Michael.

“That’s not why I’m moody!” said Wendy.

“So you are moody!” said John.

“Mum says he’ll come back,” said Michael. “She says he always does.”

“Yes,” said Wendy. “But not for years”

“How long is years?” said Michael.

“A long time,” sighed Wendy. She was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “Well, do you want the story, or don’t you?”

“Does it have to be the elephant one?” said John.

“Yes.”

“Can it be a giraffe instead?” said Michael.

“Oh, I suppose so,” said Wendy.

“All right, then,” said Michael.

“All right,” said John, a bit more reluctantly.

“Once upon a time,” began Wendy, “there was a very hungry giraffe, who—”

“Wait!” said Michael.

“What now?” said Wendy, exasperated.

“Can’t you hear it?” said Michael.

“Hear what?” said both Wendy and John.

“Listen!” said Michael.

So they listened, and this time they heard it.

Someone was tapping on the window.