Meteorite Strike by A. G. Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

the boy’s pulse. His face looked like he was in the most peaceful sleep imaginable, breathing deeply.
    Daniel looked round at the door to check that he could still hear Barker, who was clearing plates in the kitchen in an attempt to keep busy, before putting his hands on the boy’s shoulder and shaking him violently.
    â€œDon’t do that!” Sarah hissed, stepping into the room.
    Daniel let the boy go and looked round, picking up a glass of water from the table next to the bed. Before Sarah could stop him, he threw the contents in the sleeper’s face. The boy didn’t flinch and certainly didn’t stir.
    â€œWhat are you thinking?” Sarah demanded, taking the glass from his hand and putting it back on the table. Daniel looked at her as if surprised by her annoyance.
    â€œWe have to find out. We have to find out how deep the sleep is.”
    â€œWell, how do you think the man with the gun will feel when he sees you throwing water on his son?” she whispered, taking a seat beside him. “What do you think it is?”
    Daniel shrugged. “Seems to be some kind of coma. Perhaps virus related. I’m not a doctor.”
    â€œAre we safe being this close to him? I thought you said it’s infectious.”
    â€œYes, but I think we’re too late to avoid exposure now,” Daniel answered. “It only seems to affect some people, anyway. Remember the passengers who were still awake at the plane? Perhaps the three of us share some kind of immunity. Like a genetic inheritance.”
    Sarah laughed humourlessly. “I knew there would have to be some benefit to being related to you, Daniel.”
    â€œHa, ha.”
    Robert appeared in the door, hugging his arms across his chest.
    â€œI don’t like this house,” he said. “That guy downstairs gives me the creeps.”
    â€œKeep your voice down if you don’t want to be thrown out,” Sarah whispered, pointing up at the roof and the incessant drumming of the rain.
    â€œIt’s okay, Bobbie,” Daniel said, getting up from the bed, “as soon as the rain stops we’re out of here. Right?”
    â€œWhatever you say,” said Sarah.
    Daniel smiled. “That was a brave thing you did, Bobbie. I think Mr. Barker’s a little paranoid. I don’t know what would have happened if I’d been alone.”
    Even in the dimness of the room, Sarah could see Robert blush with pride.
    â€œBut from now on we have to be more careful,” Daniel continued. “Who knows who we’ll run into on the road to Melbourne.”
    Robert looked at him quizzically. “What do you mean?”
    Daniel leaned against the wall.
    â€œThere’s been a disaster in this country. People can get kind of desperate. It’s not nice, but it’s true. At least that truck out front should speed up our progress. If it works, that is.”
    They fell silent for a moment. Sarah thought about the long road ahead before they reached the city. The sound of the rain battering the roof sounded more threatening than ever.
    â€œWhat makes you think he’s going to give us his truck?” Sarah asked finally.
    â€œOh, he’s got to give it to us,” Daniel replied, not looking round. “I think I’ll be able to persuade him.”
    Sarah didn’t ask any more questions.
    The rain lasted for another hour and Barker said he hadn’t known such a downpour in years. Daniel suggested it could be something to do with the amount of dust that had settled in the atmosphere.
    When it finally stopped they walked outside. The clouds still covered the sky above, but they seemed a lighter shade than before. The air had a strange metallic smell to it following the rain and the colours of the desert seemed brighter, more vivid.
    While Barker was still in the house, Daniel led them to the utility truck and walked around it, inspecting the tyres and the interior through the dirt-smeared