The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead Read Free Book Online

“Hurry!”
    Stretching out across the broad upland expanse, Kit saw a thin trail worn in the grass. He set his feet to it and started running.
    “Stay right where you are!” shouted one of the men behind them.
    “You know what we want,” came the voice beyond the flashlight.
    “Give it to us,” added the voice at the end of the chained cat. “You can walk free—you and your little friend there. No harm done.”
    “I don’t have it,” shouted Cosimo, frantically gesturing for Kit to keep moving. “Now leave us alone. We don’t want any trouble.”
    “It’s time to pay the piper, old man,” said the one restraining the chained beast.
    “I may be forced to use violence,” Cosimo called. “I’m warning you.”
    A dry laugh was the only reply he received.
    Cosimo moved on down the path with Kit right behind.
    “You can’t get away!” shouted the man holding the chain. “Stop, or we’ll let Baby gnaw on your leg bones.”
    “One last chance,” called the man with the torch. “Give us the map—and you’ll walk away in one piece.”
    “I’ll count to three,” said his companion, “and then I’m going to release Baby.”
    “You’re making a big mistake,” called Cosimo over his shoulder. “I don’t have it.”
    “One . . .”
    “A very big mistake, indeed.”
    “Two . . .”
    “Grab my hand, Kit,” urged Cosimo, his voice a tense whisper. “Whatever happens, don’t let go.”
    “Three!”
    There was a rattle of chain, and the brute shouted, “Feed, Baby! Kill!”
    The huge cat seemed to gather itself, then gave out an ear-shattering roar as it launched itself at them.
    Kit, grasping the old man’s hand, felt himself pulled along with such force it nearly wrenched his arm from the socket. The creature bounded effortlessly up the hill and onto the trail, dragging its oversized keeper with it. If not for the man hanging onto the end of the chain, the beast would have been on them in an instant. As it was, the human slowed the animal enough for them to stay a step or two ahead of it—until Kit stepped in a hole, stumbled, and went down—inadvertently releasing his grip.
    He squirmed on the ground and caught a glimpse of a curved tooth and the evil glint of a golden eye. He felt the air vibrate with the creature’s roar as it bounded nearer. Hauling himself up, he lurched into flight once more and heard the clatter of the chain and the dreadful rush of great clawed feet slicing through the grass. Somehow, Kit snagged the old man’s hand once more and, holding on like grim death, was yanked farther along the track. The next thing he knew they were running hard into a rising headwind. He felt drizzle on his face, and he could hear cursing and shouting behind them.
    “Don’t stop!” cried the old man. “Keep running.”
    Their pursuers’ voices seemed to dwindle behind them, growing smaller and farther away.
    “Hold on!” cried Cosimo. “Here we go!”
    The wild howl of the enraged cat was suddenly swallowed by the shriek of the wind as Kit sprawled headlong into the unknown.

CHAPTER 5

In Which Kit Attends a Lecture at the Royal Society for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge
    T he next moment was filled with the scream of the wind and blinding rain. It lasted only a second or two, and when he could see again Kit found himself on his hands and knees in yet another coal-dark alley—this one stinking of urine and slops. But the storm that had brought them was quickly vanishing. “Are we . . . ?” he gasped.
    “Safe now,” Cosimo reassured him. “We gave them the slip. As soon as you’re ready, we should be getting along.”
    Kit spat and raised his head. They were in a space between two clapboard buildings—so narrow, he could have touched either wall with outstretched hands. The passageway was sunk in the deep gloom of night. He dragged himself together and stood, wiping something unpleasant from his hands onto his trousers. “Who were those guys?”
    “All will be