Freewalker by Dennis Foon Read Free Book Online

in her voice. This is an ability well worth perfecting! And she’ll need to perfect it. If Willum can push her, Kordan would probably crush her. Never mind what Darius could do. She must get stronger. Much stronger.
    Feeling her cuspid with her tongue, she realizes it’s loose. Another baby tooth is about to come out.

WETLANDS
    DID THE LAKE TRULY SWALLOW HIM?
HOW COULD IT BE?
TO BELIEVE THAT DENIES THE PROPHECY.
A NEW WORLD WAS PROMISED
SO
IT WOULD SEEM THAT OUR ROAN HAS A LONG WAY TO GO.
    â€”LORE OF THE STORYTELLERS
    R OAN AND L UMPY WALK THE LAKESHORE under the waxing crescent moon. Their steps are silent on the rocky beach, and they do not need to speak for they know each other’s movements all too well. Once again they are journeying together on an unknown, probably dangerous road, but this time it’s not their lives that are at stake—it’s the lives of fourteen children, and the weight of it is with them every step.
    Just as the trees across the lake glow with the first light of day, Lumpy points out the rivulet that Bildt described when she and the tradespeople first arrived.
    â€œShe said they followed this stream all the way from Oasis.”
    Roan kneels down and stares at the water slipping through the small pebbles at the bottom of the brook.
    Lumpy peers curiously over Roan’s shoulder. “See something?”
    Roan shakes his head. “The pebbles, this stream, they’re familiar.”
    â€œFrom the dream?”
    â€œNot exactly. I just feel like this is the way we should go. But, if it’s the way to Oasis...”
    â€œAre you worried the Dirt Eaters sent you the dream?”
    Roan stares at the rippling water, trying to sort through his feelings. “No. It’s not them, I’m positive. We’re going the right way... for now.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me you changed your mind about trusting the Dirt Eaters?”
    Roan grips a handful of pebbles, worrying the smooth stones in his palm. “Because I felt stupid. How could I trust a man I’d barely met more than a group of people who’d been real friends to us.”
    â€œYou mean that Storyteller... Kamyar? The one who warned you about the Dirt Eaters.”
    â€œYou remember that?”
    â€œIt’s not the kind of thing you forget.”
    â€œNo, it’s not,” Roan sighs, relieved that Kamyar’s warning stayed with Lumpy, too. He wishes he’d talked to Lumpy sooner... he’s felt so alone with his suspicions. “Anyway, I couldn’t let it go. It got me worried that the Dirt Eaters had hidden plans for me and the children. It was true we needed the help of Bildt and the others from Oasis, but in my gut I knew it was an easy way for the Dirt Eaters to keep us under their control. And now the children are sick. I should have listened to my instincts, done something, said something, sooner.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œI don’t know. Something.”
    â€œWe couldn’t have done it without them.”
    Though Roan recognizes the truth of Lumpy’s words, it doesn’t lessen his feelings of responsibility. He presses the stones back into the streambed, as if he could, by correctly placing each one, bring the children back, and undo the damage that’s been done.
    â€œSo...” Lumpy shuffles uncomfortably, obviously anxious for them to be on their way, “... based on this vision of yours, you’re sure this is the right direction?”
    â€œYes. Definitely... I think.”
    â€œNow that’s a comfort.”
    â€œI mean we’re going toward whatever it is that’s drawing me.”
    â€œAnimal or vegetable?”
    â€œA person. I think.”
    â€œThis possible person you’re seeing—its intentions couldn’t possibly be bad, could they?”
    â€œIt doesn’t feel like it.”
    Lumpy shakes his head. “So let me see if I understand. We’re being drawn away