The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer Read Free Book Online

second-generation Satellite City native, of Russian descent. I am Lucien Bonn, also known as Ditto, due to my annoying habit of repeating whatever people say. And Mona Vasquez I believe you already know.’
    ‘So we know each other’s names. But what do you do?’
    Ditto spread his arms wide. ‘We, Cosmo Hill, are the world’s only Supernaturalists.’
    Cosmo grinned weakly. ‘What? You don’t like clothes?’
    Stefan couldn’t help smiling. ‘That’s naturists, Cosmo. And nobody does that any more, not with the ozone layer spread thinner than cling film. We call ourselves Supernaturalists because we hunt supernatural creatures.’
    ‘Not me,’ interrupted Ditto. ‘I’m a medic. I try to heal people, that’s all. I leave the hunting to Stefan. He’s the one with police academy training.’
    Cosmo glanced at the sleeping girl. ‘What about Mona? She’s not police. Not with that tattoo.’
    ‘No,’ agreed Stefan. ‘Mona takes care of transport. She’s had some… eh… training in that area.’
    Cosmo nodded. So far everything had been straightforward enough, but he felt that his next question would open up an entirely new world.
    ‘These supernatural creatures. What are they? I suppose you mean the blue ones on the rooftop.’
    A frown cut a slash between Stefan’s eyes. ‘Exactly. The Parasites have been preying on us since God knows when. Sucking the very life from our bodies. You know, you’ve seen it. Not everyone does.’
    ‘You called me a Spotter.’
    Stefan took a seat opposite Cosmo. He was a charismatic figure. About eighteen with haunted features. His jet-black hair stood in unruly spikes and a pink scar stretched from the corner of his mouth, giving the impression of an impish grin. An impression that did not match the pain in his eyes. Eyes which were probably blue, but to Cosmo, they seemed blacker than outer space. It was obvious that Stefan was the leader of this little group. It was in his nature. The way he slouched in his chair, the way Ditto automatically turned to him, even though the Bartoli Baby was several years older.
    ‘There aren’t many of us,’ said Stefan, looking Cosmo straight in the eyes. It was an effort not to look away. ‘Not enough to be believed. It doesn’t help that most Spotters are kids; maybe our minds are more open. Ditto is the only adult Spotter I’ve come across, if you can count Ditto as an adult.’
    ‘Oh? Did Stefan make an actual joke?’ said Ditto,reaching up to punch Stefan in the side. ‘Not actually funny, but not bad for a first attempt.’
    Stefan grasped his side in mock agony. ‘You’d never seen the creatures before that night on the rooftop, had you, Cosmo?’
    Cosmo shook his head. He’d remember.
    ‘The sight usually comes after a near-death experience and I think what happened to you qualifies as a near-death experience.’
    ‘About as near as you can get,’ added Ditto, rapping the plate in Cosmo’s head.
    ‘Usually the sight goes again just as quickly,’ continued Stefan. ‘But sometimes, when the new spectrum is opened, it stays open. Sometimes for a week, sometimes for good. You could lose the sight tomorrow, or in ten years, or never. You’re a rarity, Cosmo. Your choice is to be a rarity with us, where it will do some good, or go back to Clarissa Frayne.’
    What choice? Cosmo would take his chances with a thousand Parasites before returning to the orphanage. A person can only take so many medical experiments.
    ‘I’d like to stay.’
    ‘Good,’ said Stefan. ‘You’ll need courage and determination to be part of this little family.’
    Family
, thought Cosmo, I’
m part of a family
. Stefan used the word lightly, but to Cosmo this was a very big deal.
    ‘We’re a family?’
    Stefan hoisted Ditto off the ground. ‘Yes, this grumpy little man is Grandad. And Mona is our kid sister. It’s a dysfunctional group, but we’re all we have. We’re all anybody has. Sometimes it seems that we can never win, but