Run To Earth (Power of Four) by S Mazhar Read Free Book Online Page B

behind them, acutely aware of Jason Burns’s eerie gaze on him the entire time.
    ***
    The cottage was small – tiny, in fact. The ceiling was so low, the top of Chris’s head brushed against it. It was dimly lit with lanterns hanging from the wall  and a few candles. They walked into the only room on the ground floor. Inside was a small three-piece sofa and a coffee table, which held a tray of dried fruit, some biscuits, a jug of water and a single glass.
    Aaron sat down on the threadbare sofa; Rose and Sam collapsed next to him. He was exceptionally tired, which was strange seeing as he hadn’t done anything besides sit in a car all day. He rubbed at his eyes, stifling a yawn.
    “It’s late,” Kate said. “You three should rest. It’s been a tiring day.”
    None of them moved.
    “What is this place?” Aaron asked.
    His parents shared a glance.
    “It’s the City of Salvador,” Chris said. “It’s a sanctuary. It gives protection to those who need it most.”
    Aaron already knew the answer to his next question, but he went ahead and asked anyway. “We’re not in our world any more, right?”
    “This is our realm. Well, a part of it, anyway,” Kate replied. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Tonight, I just want all of us to get some rest.” She gestured to the door. “The bedrooms are upstairs.”
    Sam and Rose took the first room they came across. They shut the door without so much as a glance in Aaron’s direction. Trying not to let it upset him, Aaron walked across the narrow landing and opened a second door. The room was small; a bed pushed against one wall and a worn-out bedside cabinet were the only pieces of furniture in the room. Aaron glanced at the peeling wallpaper and dust-flaked window.
    Aaron kicked off his shoes and pulled off his jacket. He climbed onto the bed, ignoring the musty smell that filled his nostrils. He used his jacket to cover the pillow, so that he wouldn’t be breathing in dust all night. He lay there, awake and painfully aware of every sob that came from the room next door.
    How he fell asleep, Aaron had no idea, but that night his dreams were plagued with replays of those men coming out of the mist, and imagining them attack the Masons. Screams he thought belonged to Mr and Mrs Mason rang in his head, turning his stomach even as he slept.
     

     
    4
    The City of Salvador
     
    When Aaron awoke, daylight had filtered in through the grimy window. He blinked sleepily, confused by the strange surroundings and mouldy stench. Then yesterday’s events flashed through his mind and his heart dropped. He got up and pulled on his shoes. He walked downstairs and into the living room to find both his parents sitting on the sofa. His mum had found clothes from somewhere and had changed into a plain top and trousers, with simple sandals on her feet. It seemed the conversation they were having was a tense and painful one, for when they looked up at him, Aaron could see the stress in their expressions. Both smiled, though, their tired eyes brightening a little.
    “Morning,” Chris greeted him.
    Aaron closed the door behind him. “Morning,” he replied.
    “How’d you sleep?” Kate asked.
    Aaron gave a one-shouldered shrug in response.
    “Samuel and Roslyn still asleep?” Chris asked.
    Aaron nodded.
    “Give them time, Aaron,” Kate said, her tone soft and kind. “They’re going through a terrible loss. They’ll want to be alone for a while. Give them that space.”
    “I didn’t think you cared,” Aaron couldn’t stop himself from replying.
    His mum looked taken aback. “I do care,” she said. “A lot, actually. That’s why I tried so hard to keep you away from them.”
    There it was again, that sharp jab that twisted his heart, like a knife in his chest. Aaron didn’t say anything, but his expression must have showed his guilt because his dad got to his feet and walked over to him.
    “You didn’t know,” he consoled, “but from now on, Aaron, you must always do as we