Hamish X and the Hollow Mountain by Sean Cullen Read Free Book Online Page B

Calm down. It’s me … Mrs. Francis.” She held out her hands to him. “It’s all right. You’re safe.”
    â€œDon’t listen to her. She means you harm. Come to me. Now!”
    â€œMOTHERRRRRRRRRRRR!” The howl ripped from his lungs again. He looked at her, his eyes like slits. The fear had been replaced by rage. “Did you do this to me?” He pointed at the boots. “DID YOU?”
    â€œSettle down, dear Hamish X,” Mrs. Francis soothed, a tremor of fear in her voice. “We’re your friends …”
    He seemed to hesitate, confusion twisting his face. “I HAVE NO FRIENDS!” He hooked his fingers aroundthe leather binding of the book. Squatting down on his haunches, he glared at Mrs. Francis. “I want my mother!”
    â€œCome then, Hamish X. I’m waiting.”
    Mr. Kipling interposed himself between Mrs. Francis and Hamish X. His hand strayed to the sword hilt at his hip. “Son. Settle down now. There’s a good lad. We’ll find her.”
    â€œThey mean you harm. COME!”
    Hamish X barked a savage laugh and snarled again. “You can’t hurt me any more! NO MORE!” He gathered himself and sprang like a cat, hands extended like claws.
    Mr. Kipling dove to the side, hauling Mrs. Francis along with him. Hamish X missed him by a hair, but the momentum carried him on to the bulkhead. He swung his boots towards the wooden barrier and it exploded outwards in a rain of sparks and singed splinters. He landed in a crouch and then hurled himself down the corridor towards the cargo ramp, howling at the top of his lungs. Mrs. Francis helped Mr. Kipling to his feet. Hamish X’s boots trailed wisps of blue fire.
    Inside Hamish X’s head, the woman’s voice was speaking. Her tone was calm but insistent. “These people mean you harm, Hamish X. You must escape. You must come to me. I am in Providence, Rhode Island. Come to me now.”
    Hamish X shouted, “Yes, Mother! I’m coming!” and ran as fast as he could down the corridor.
    Outside on the cargo ramp, Mimi and Parveen stood transfixed. “I think it was Hamish X,” Mimi said. “I think he’s coming this way!”
    Hamish X burst into the cargo hold and skidded to a stop on the steel plating of the floor. A shower of sparks sprayed where the soles of his boots struck the metal. He clutched the book tight as if it were the only thing ofimportance in the world. Casting his gaze wildly back and forth, he saw the cargo ramp with Mimi and Parveen standing gaping in surprise.
    Mimi’s surprise turned to delight as she saw her friend up and on his feet. “Hamish X!” She smiled and held out her arms. Then she saw there was something wrong. He was sweating profusely. His eyes darted from side to side. He stood at the top of the ramp, his chest heaving and his eyes filled with panic. When she said his name, he stared at her as if she were some sort of monster.
    â€œYOU! WHO ARE YOU? WHERE’S MY MOTHER?” His eyes narrowed. “Are you one of them?”
    â€œShe is an enemy, Hamish X,” the voice said.
    â€œYes!” Hamish X hissed. He lunged at her, swiping the heavy book like a club.
    Mimi reacted instinctively, diving to one side while grabbing Parveen’s shirttail and yanking him along with her. They fell off the ramp onto the wet grass. Parveen grunted as the air left his lungs.
    Hamish X leapt down the ramp and landed in the grass. His boots sizzled and steamed. “I WANT my MOTHER!” he roared and the boots flared, casting a blue light in a circle several metres across.
    The light revealed the meadow around the airship, the looming gasbag above, and a few terrified, vomiting rabbits. All to be expected. What wasn’t to be expected was a group of six figures dressed in dark, tight-fitting bodysuits, black goggles, and balaclavas. 21 They stoodfrozen in the glare, caught in stealthy poses