The Moon Stealers and The Children of the Light by Tim Flanagan Read Free Book Online Page B

negotiate the island by foot, but using a
car would provide them speed as well as protection.
    Everywhere was quiet. Only the hum of tyres against
the tarmac broke the oppressive silence. In the distance an occasional movement
in the sky caught his attention, the last of the creatures hunting before
resting during the brightest of the daylight hours.
    Apart from the other Range Rover that drove directly
behind him, there were no other vehicles on the road, and no sign of any other
humans. At least, not ones that were alive. Occasionally they would see cars
abandoned by the road side, but nothing slowed their progress. Coldred’s convoy
had already come this way, clearing a path as it went. Some cars showed signs
of being struck and shunted to the side of the motorway. On the horizon he
could see the silhouettes of houses and trees, the outline of a busy city. A
few thin black wisps of smoke drifted in a gentle line towards the sky,
evidence of either life, or, more likely, evidence of destruction and chaos.
Most of the humans they had already met had quickly learnt that hiding from the
creatures was the easiest way to survive, and smoke would only generate
unwanted attention from the creatures.
    In the passenger seat beside Steven sat Georgia , curled up in the foetal position, resting her head
on a rolled up blanket that was wedged against the window. Steven enjoyed
having Georgia around him. He felt an overwhelming feeling to
protect her. He smiled to himself, enjoying the warmth inside his chest that
was created every time he looked at her, despite the looming problem they were
driving towards.
    At Lyndhurst they turned off and took a different road to the
south west side of the New
Forest , safely avoiding
Lymington. The road towards Christchurch was slower to navigate around, a clear sign that
Coldred’s convoy had not gone that way. Cars were littered at the sides of the
road like discarded sweet wrappers. Others were abandoned and wedged amongst
trees. The wild horses that had once roamed the forest had long since abandoned
their home, either eaten by the creatures, or moved on to safer, denser areas
of the countryside. In the thicker covered areas of the forest where the trees
cast a dark shadow over the road, Steven noticed large bat-like shadows perched
on some of the higher branches, their heads wrapped beneath their thick
leathery wings whilst they slept.
    At Christchurch they turned left and took a road back east along the
coast as they tried to keep out of view of any potential guards posted at
Lymington or at Yarmouth on the opposite side of the Solent . In a
world where nothing moved and everything was silent, two cars driving in convoy
would easily be spotted.
    At Milford-on-Sea the two Range Rovers pulled into a car park that
looked out over the big expanse of water: the Solent .
    Once he had turned the engine off, Steven sat quietly
and looked out of the front window. The waves gliding in to crash onto the bank
of shingle below whilst to the right, a neat row of beach huts stood
overlooking the sea, only made different by the distinctive and bold colours
they were painted. On any other occasion, this would have been a peaceful place
to sit and enjoy watching the sea, but today was not that day.
    Steven glanced to his left and saw the tip of the Isle of Wight .
    ‘Wake up,’ Steven said gently to Georgia . He carefully placed a hand on her arm, being careful
not to touch her wound.
    Georgia opened her eyes, blinking as the light reflected off
the sea.
    ‘Are they The Needles?’ asked Georgia , recognising the three formations of rock that stuck
out from the sea at the side of the island.
    ‘Yes. We’re here,’ replied Steven with a hint of
dread.
    There was a tap on the window pane that made them both
jump. Tracker’s face peered in through the glass. He held onto the peak of his
cap against the breeze that blew off the sea.
    Steven and Georgia got out and stood in the car park.
It seemed strangely