Epoch by Timothy Carter Read Free Book Online Page A

some very hard feelings, but didn’t think he should push his luck. It had been stupid to pick a fight with these creatures, and the last thing he needed were more fantastical enemies.
    “Sure,” he said. “And I can understand you two being upset when I called you devil creatures.”
    “Yeah, what was that all about?” Clara asked, landing next to Nod.
    “I had to tell my brother something,” Vincent said. “And I couldn’t tell him about the creatures who really did attack me,” he tapped his nose, “so I used you guys. How was I to know you would follow me home?”
    “He’s got an obyon,” Clara said to Nod. “That’s not good.”
    “They never are,” Nod replied, then turned back to Vincent. “Had a run-in with the elves, did you? Nasty bunch, they are. Not as bad as centaurs, but still bad news. No wonder you ran from us. Things haven’t been going your way, have they?”
    “No,” Vincent agreed. “Look, before we talk further, can you two help me out? I’d really rather my dad and brother didn’t wake up in here and freak out all over again. Help me get them upstairs, then we can talk all you want.”
    The small creatures continued to surprise and amaze Vincent with their strength. Nod carried Mr. Drear back upstairs without any help at all, and Clara was just fine carrying Max. While the tiny ones laid his family back in their beds, Vincent grabbed some snacks from the kitchen and returned to the Chapel.
    They talked, and they ate chips and drank caffeine-free diet cola. Vincent learned that Clara and Nod were pixies, who, like the elves, had recently settled in the neighborhood. Vincent also learned that there were many fantasy-type creatures now living within the city’s limits.
    “It’s a regular fantasapalooza out there,” Nod said. “And more come in every day.”
    “How come?” Vincent asked, taking a big gulp from his bottle of cola. His parents insisted he and Max only enjoy soft drinks when entertaining guests. Well, the pixies were guests, weren’t they?
    “You don’t know?” Nod said.
    “Of course he doesn’t know,” Clara said. “He only started seeing our kind today. But I’m sure he knows about the Portal Site.”
    “The what?” Vincent asked, shoveling chips into his mouth. The chips were also strictly for guests, but Vincent had missed his supper.
    “You know, Portal Sites,” Clara said.
    “No, I don’t,” Vincent replied.
    Clara stared at him in open-mouthed shock for what felt like a full minute. Nod sighed and shook his head.
    “You really don’t know?” Clara asked.
    “No,” Vincent replied. “I don’t. And you are starting to seriously annoy me. What is a Portal Site?”
    The two pixies turned and looked at each other.
    “Should we tell him?” Clara asked. “I mean, if he doesn’t know … ”
    “None of them know,” Nod said. “It’s like I’ve been telling you, something is messed up this time around. None of the humans know.”
    “But they must know,” Clara said. “It’s nearly time, and … ”
    “Do you see anyone preparing?” Nod said. “Do you see the humans in a mass exodus to the Sites? No, you don’t. They don’t know. It’s like what happened to us, but worse because they don’t know.”
    “Will one of you please tell me what you are talking about!” Vincent said, raising his voice as loud as he dared.
    “Vincent,” Nod said, “what I’m about to tell you is big. Bigger than anything you’ve ever heard before.”
    “I’ve heard a lot,” Vincent said, trying to put on a brave front. Inside, the suspense was eating him alive.
    “You haven’t heard this,” Nod said. “Kid, the world’s about to end.”
    Vincent blinked. His mind absorbed the information, and he was more than a little disappointed.
    “That’s it?” Vincent asked.
    “What do you mean, that’s it?” Nod said, kicking a potato chip at him. “The world’s going to end. Soon! Doesn’t that bother you?”
    “I just presented a