Tag Against Time by Helen Hughes Vick Read Free Book Online Page A

“Wait Walker. I want to come with you!” He tripped over his feet, landing on his knees.
    The hollow echo of Great Owl’s voice drifted out of the doorway in a plume of white smoke. “Time for you to do that which you were sent to do.”
    â€œWhat am I suppose to do? Just tell me, Great Owl!” Tag crept toward the doorway.
    â€œNow is the time . . . Now . . .”
    Tag crawled into the doorway. Thick black smoke billowed into his face “Witch!” Gray Wolf’s thin high voice wailed. “Kill the witch!”
    Tag fell through the life-stealing smoke into Great Owl’s house. The air was sharp, clean.
    â€œWhat are you doing in my territory?” Horace’s ugly face pressed up against Tag’s nose, his breath worse than death.
    Kern’s crude face appeared next to Horace’s. “Stealing our stuff.” His oversized, dirt-encrusted hands reached towards Tag.
    â€œNo!” Tag scrambled back out the doorway into a thick black vapor. Rushing to his feet, he bumped into someone.
    â€œHere from Washington to inspect the ruins.”
    â€œDad?” Tag strained to see. His father’s square face stared back at him. “Dad!”
    â€œThere is too much damage, too much destruction.” He turned his back on Tag.
    â€œBut I tried to stop it. Wait Dad! I’ll do better. Dad don’t go!” Tag’s feet felt cemented. His father’s tall, thin shape faded away in the dark mist. “Please Dad. I’ll do better!”
    Tag fought the quilts binding his chest and arms and jerked straight up. “Dad I want to come home!” His ownscream brought his eyes open. Tag’s heart slammed against his chest. A lump in his throat blocked his air.
    â€œSon, are you all right?” a thick Irish brogue called through the darkness.
    Tag fought for breath.
Where am I?
Moonlight streamed through a small window above his head. Ghostly shapes loomed around him. Tag saw a flicker of light coming towards him. He gasped and tried to bolt to his feet. The quilts held him down.
    â€œIt’s all right, son.” Sean knelt beside him, holding a lantern. Its light cast dancing shadows around the room. “Tag, you were dreaming.” He put his arm around Tag’s shoulders. “Just a nightmare. Everything is going to be fine. You are safe here with me.”
    Tag fought to catch his breath. Everything was a blur of tears. He relaxed in the security of Sean’s arms. “I just want to go home,” Tag managed to say between sobs.
    â€œI know son.” Sean held him tighter. “And I’ll help any way I can.”

    The sun’s warmth filled the nippy early-morning air. Tag bumped up and down on the wooden seat in Sean’s wagon. Despite the brightness of the morning, the memory of his nightmare still tormented him. Homesickness ate at his heart.
    â€œI’d like to get camp set up before the others get to the canyon.” Sean straightened his hat. “I thought the spot where we had lunch would be a good campsite.” He looked over to Tag. “What do you think, son?”
    â€œIt is close to the trailhead; that makes it convenient.”
    Sean nodded. “That is a good thing to think about.”
    â€œEspecially since I am the gofer.”
    â€œThe what?”
    Tag squirmed. His face felt hot. “
Gofer
, it’s sort of a pun; I’ll go-for this and go-for that.”
    Sean laughed and shook his head. “You come up with the most peculiar things.” He started humming an Irish-sounding tune as he flicked O’Riley’s reins.
    Tag swallowed hard and turned to watch the scenery. He knew he was lucky that Sean didn’t believe in prying. Sean hadn’t questioned him this morning about his nightmare or the things he had said last night. He had fallen asleep with Sean sitting by his side. This morning, it was like it had never happened. Tag’s