The Wishing Stone by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

Collector specified that.”
    â€œThen they probably would have come here. But . . .” Hironee hesitated.
    â€œWhat?” Cindy asked.
    â€œIf they resisted transportation they might have been killed back on Earth.”
    Cindy’s lower lip quivered. “Oh no. That’s probably what happened.”
    â€œNonsense,” Sally said impatiently. “A single Collector couldn’t take out Adam and Watch. I’m sure Watch was able to shoot him with his laser. Then they probably took the transporter device. I bet they’re on their way here now.”
    Hironee stopped welding and glanced up. “I told you, this place is shielded. They couldn’t transport here. They’d have to come in on a ship, a powerful ship.”
    â€œBut if we escape this camp,” Sally said, “they would be able to pick us up in the desert.”
    â€œIf you can escape here,” Hironee said. “If they are coming to your rescue. But those are two big ifs. You can’t risk your life on them.”
    â€œI would rather die than be a slave the rest of my life,” Sally said proudly.
    â€œI would rather be home watching TV,” Cindy said.
    Hironee cautioned them to be silent. “Teeh is coming,” she said.
    The Raster boss was as ugly as his reputation.He looked like a crocodile that had decided to stand upright. His thick tail flapped all over as he strode into the warehouse. He had a long snout and large teeth dripping saliva. He wore silver-colored armor over his chest. But the worst thing about him was that he sported his sunglasses at the end of his snout. For some reason they disturbed the girls more than anything else, possibly because they were so cheap and tacky. He waddled over to them.
    â€œAre you the new slaves?” he asked in a slobbery voice.
    â€œYes, sir,” Cindy said, standing stiffly, no doubt worried about having her skin peeled off and eaten in front of her.
    â€œWe are Sally and Cindy,” Sally said. “I am Sally.”
    â€œI am Cindy,” Cindy said.
    â€œHow come you’re not working?” he demanded.
    â€œI was just showing them how to use the welding gun, sir,” Hironee said.
    Teeh was annoyed. “Did I ask you? Was I talking to you?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Hironee said, lowering her head.
    â€œWe just got here,” Sally said.
    â€œI know that,” Teeh said. “What do you think? I’m blind? I know everybody here.” He leaned closer and studied Sally. “Where are the other two?”
    â€œWhich other two?” Cindy asked.
    â€œYour friends,” Teeh said. “Adam Freeman and Watch. They made wishes as well. I sent the Collector to fetch all four of you. Where are they?”
    Cindy shrugged. “We don’t know.”
    â€œI know,” Sally said suddenly.
    â€œWhere?” Teeh asked, losing his patience.
    Sally looked around as if they were being spied on. “I can’t tell you here. We better talk in your office.” She added, “It’s a long story and the information could put you and your position in danger.”
    Teeh frowned, as best a standing crocodile could. “How can I be in danger?”
    Sally leaned closer and spoke in his ear. “Only I can tell you. I am here to help you.”
    â€œWhy should you, a human, help me?”
    â€œBecause I want to get ahead here,” Sally said. “I don’t mind stabbing my own people in the back.”
    Teeh stepped back and looked around as well. She had sized him up correctly; he was very paranoid and understood greed and ambition.
    â€œCome with me to my office,” he ordered and turned away.
    Hironee looked at Sally with worried eyes as she was led away. “Be careful, Sally.”
    â€œI know what I’m doing,” Sally whispered in reply. But she looked scared.

8
    T hey were in deep space, a few hours off Globar 92, with so many stars that Adam felt as