Prometheus Road by Bruce Balfour Read Free Book Online Page B

they did it to other big cities all over the world.”
    “How do you know all this?”
    “I get around.”
    Tom rubbed his eyes. There was a lot going on here that he didn’t understand, and he didn’t want to get himself into more trouble by spending time with a crazy old fugitive full of wild stories. On the other hand, if Magnus was telling the truth, Tom’s family might actually be in danger. He had to warn them and find out if they were safe. “I should be getting back. What’s the fastest way for me to get home?”
    Magnus gave him a strange smile. “Depends. Fastest way would be the Road—the Prometheus Road—except you don’t know what that is yet, and I don’t have time to test you or teach you right now.”
    “Prometheus Road? What—”
    Magnus held up one hand to interrupt Tom, then jerked his thumb toward the car. “There’s always the Buick, of course; I could drop you off at the Sausalito terminal.” His smile vanished as his gaze bored into Tom’s head. “But there’s one thing you need to consider—for some people, there is no going home. Speaking from past experience, my boy, I’d say you’re in the last category.”
    Tom shuddered as he saw the truth in those old gray eyes, but he couldn’t let that get to him. “I’d appreciate a ride in your car, but I’ll walk if there’s going to be any delay. I’m concerned about my family.”
    Magnus nodded. “I’m not surprised. You seem like a good lad. Your parents must have raised you right.” He hopped down from the crate and started toward the car while Tom followed. “I’ll tell you what; you go visit the old homestead and see that everyone is safe. Don’t talk to anyone. Try to limit how many people see you along the way. I think you’ll find that old Hermes or one of his kind has been around looking for you, and that’s when you’ll realize I’ve been telling you the truth. When that happens, you won’t have anyplace to hide for very long, and you won’t be able to contact your family without endangering them. Everyone in town is scared of the siliboys, so you won’t have any friends when they find out that Hermes is looking for you. When you’re ready for my help, you go on up to the old cemetery outside of Marinwood, and I’ll meet you there.”
    Tom hesitated, wondering if he should believe him, hoping it was all just a crazy old man’s fantasy story. “How will you know I’m there?”
    Magnus held the door open for him on the passenger side of the Buick and gave Tom that strange, knowing smile that made his skin crawl. “I’ll know.”
     
    THE electric lock on the front door popped open. Gasping for breath, a red-faced Ukiah threw the door open and burst into the sunken family room, startling Luna and Zeke from their card game. The scent of vegetable stew permeated the air of the house, along with the sweet fragrance of freshly baked ginger cookies and roasted cornfruit, but Ukiah didn’t seem to notice. Ukiah’s hat was in his hand, and his shirt was soaked with sweat under his open black coat. He steadied himself, then bent over with his hands on his knees, catching his breath. “Is everyone all right?”
    Luna frowned and walked over beside her husband. “We’re fine. What’s wrong?”
    “Oracle warned me,” he said, pausing for another breath. “She said a storm is coming, and it threatens all of us. Where’s Tom?”
    “He hasn’t come home yet.”
    Ukiah’s face looked grim as he nodded. “And Weed? Where’s my Weed?”
    Zeke stood up. “She went out to play in the barn, Father. What kind of a storm was the Oracle talking about? Do we need to raise the flood shields?”
    Ukiah shook his head. “I don’t think she meant a real, physical storm. It was something else, something bad, but you can never get a straight answer out of her. I have to go and find Tom. I’m sure he’s the key to all this, and I have to warn him. Maybe we can hide him.”
    “I’ll look for Tom,” Luna said,