Read Spooksville 17: The Thing in the Closet Online

Authors: Christopher Pike

Spooksville 17: The Thing in the Closet (6 page)

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Bryce and Tira stood dazed.

George moaned and moved on the floor.

'They're gone,' Tira whispered.

It was true, there were only three of them in the room now.

Bryce nodded grimly. 'But where?' he said.

Seven

Cindy was already exhausted, following Zeta. The guy walked as fast uphill as he did downhill, and there were many hills in this strange land of Cetine. Overhead the dim sky did not change; it continued to shimmer with its faint green glow, painting the entire landscape in eerie tones. It was such a peculiar sky. Cindy remembered how Zeta had gestured to it when he had spoken about the Curtain of Dreams. Sometimes she felt as if she could reach up and touch it.

They stepped over a narrow stream.

The water gurgled in the night Zeta paused.

'You may stop and have a quick drink,' he said stiffly.

Cindy stopped and knelt beside the stream.

'Is this water good?' she asked.

'Water is water in Cetine. It is all good.'

'Why don't you have a drink then?'

'I am not thirsty.'

'But we have been walking for hours.'

'Humans are frail. They get tired and thirsty much more easily than the people of Cetine.'

Cindy brushed her blonde hair aside and leaned over and had a sip of the clear liquid. It was warmer than she expected, and had a faint sweet taste that reminded her of honey. On the whole it was delicious. She felt greatly refreshed as the liquid seemed to spread through her body.

'What is it that you have against humans?' she asked. It was only as she looked up at him that she noticed he had only four toes on each foot. One big one and three little ones. For that matter, he only had four fingers on each hand. It must be hard, she thought, to count in this place.

'I have nothing against humans. I am merely stating facts.'

'Have you ever met a human before? Before you met me?'

Zeta hesitated. 'Briefly.'

'Where are they now? In Centrae?'

'No.'

'Where?' she persisted.

'In the bellies of the Shadows.'

Cindy flinched. 'You saw these people get eaten?'

'Yes.'

Did you do anything to help them?

'No.'

Cindy was angry. 'Why not? And don't tell me it was not your concern.'

Zeta paused. 'There were too many Shadows. I was not able to help.'

There was a faint note of regret in his voice. Cindy stood up.

'Why does the Most High Furma allow these creatures to wander loose?' she asked.

Zeta gave her a sharp look, as if to snap at her. But then he turned away.

'I do not know,' he said quietly.

'Why are you hiking in this land? If it is so dangerous?'

'You ask many questions, Cindy Makey.'

'They are good questions. Why are you here?'

Zeta was thoughtful. 'This land is called the Forbidden Territories. Here I am studying the Shadows. I am trying to learn their ways.'

'Why?'

'To report to Furma.'

'So he sent you here personally?'

'No. I came of my own free will.'

'What do you hope to gain by reporting to Furma about the Shadows?'

'I wish to persuade him that they must be contained. I want him to send his army against the creatures.'

'Forgive me for saying this, but you don't look any older than myself. How do you happen to know Furma?'

'He is my uncle.'

'You are the King's nephew?'

'Yes.'

Cindy smiled. 'I'm impressed.'

'I did not tell you to impress you.'

'Are you sure? Are you sure you don't like human girls just a little bit?'

Zeta lowered his head. 'Have you finished your drink, Cindy Makey?'

'Just call me Cindy?'

'Have you finished?' he asked.

'Yes. But do you have to walk so fast? I am getting tired.'

'We must reach Centrae by nightfall.'

'What are you talking about? It is already night.'

Zeta shook his head. 'This is daytime in my realm. When night comes it is impossible to see anything. It is then that the Shadows are most dangerous.'

Cindy shuddered. 'Are there really that many in this area?'

Zeta paused to sniff the air. 'They are everywhere in these parts. We must keep moving.'

He turned to walk away from the stream, up another exhausting hill. Cindy hurried to follow.

'Can I keep talking?' she asked.

'It seems there is no stopping you from talking. Please speak quietly.'

'You said please, Zeta. I am impressed.'

'I tell you, I am not trying to impress you.'

'I believe you,' she said. 'When you spoke of the Shadows being contained, did you mean that their numbers have grown?'

'It would seem so.'

'What are they like. I mean, are they like big animals?'

'No.'

'Could you please elaborate?' she asked.

'You were attacked by one. You must have seen it.'

'Not very well. I think I fainted.'

Zeta sneered faintly. 'A typical human response to danger.'

'Where do they come from? Do they have little babies like other wild animals?'

Zeta paused, and then spoke seriously.

'It is a mystery. Many of the wise men and women of Centrae debate this point.' He paused and seemed to shudder. 'Some believe they come from the remains of our unconsumed fears.'

Cindy frowned. 'What do you mean? Do your people create them?'

Zeta shook his head and searched the forest.

'It is not wise to talk about such things in these parts,' he said.

Cindy hesitated. 'OK. I was just curious, that's all.'

'Curiosity about the Shadows is never healthy.'

'For a human?'

'For anyone,' he said darkly.

'What is Furma like?'

'He is the High Lord of all Cetine.'

'Yeah, I heard you the first time. But what is he like as a person?'

'Are you asking if he likes humans?'

'Yeah. Does he?'

'No.'

Cindy frowned. 'Oh. Do you think he will want to help me?'

'No.'

'Then why are you taking me to him?'

'You insisted on seeing him. I am not taking you anywhere.'

'But do you think he really does know how I can get back to Earth?'

Zeta was unsure. 'Furma knows many things. But most of what he knows, he does not speak of.'

There was a peculiar note in Zeta's voice when he spoke of Furma.

'You do not get along with your uncle, do you?'

'I never call him my uncle. He is the High Lord of all Cetine.'

'Do you get along with him?' Cindy persisted.

Zeta paused. 'I do not understand his mind. I do not understand why he does not declare war on the Shadows. I worry that . . .' Zeta did not finish.

'What do you worry?' Cindy asked.

But Zeta refused to answer.

They continued to hike. If anything, Zeta increased his pace. Cindy found herself growing hot and sweaty. There was not a clear path through the forest. She had to keep her arms out in front of her to keep branches from slapping her in the face. They passed numerous streams and Zeta let her pause to drink occasionally, but he did not really let her rest. The passing day concerned him greatly. Cindy could not imagine that it could get much darker, yet the sheer blackness that he spoke of drove her on.

They were cresting a particularly tall hill when Zeta suddenly stopped. He sniffed the air as Cindy came close to his side.

'What is it?' she whispered.

'They're close,' he said quietly.

'The Shadows?'

'Yes. They are tracking us.'

Cindy was terrified, 'Are you sure?'

'Yes.' He glanced around. 'We are exposed on this hill. We must get down.' He gestured to a narrow river at the centre of the gorge in front of them. 'There is a cave not far upstream.

If we can make it that far, we will have a chance of defending ourselves. It is our only hope.'

'How many Shadows follow us? Do you know?'

Zeta gripped the hilt of his silver sword. 'At least a dozen.'

Cindy felt she might faint again. 'How can we stop them? What are they afraid of?'

'Nothing,' Zeta said.

They ran down the hill, as best they could. But the foliage was so thick that Cindy stumbled several times. To her immense relief, Zeta did not leave her behind. Each time he halted to pick her up. But behind them was the sound of many scurrying feet. Cindy could hear the creatures but could not see them, which just intensified her fear.

Finally they reached the river.

Cindy was out of breath but she turned to run upstream.

Zeta stopped her.

'It is too late,' he said.

'What do you mean?' she gasped.

He sniffed the air. 'They know of the cave. They have cut off our escape.'

Cindy was a mass of nerves. 'But what are we going to do?'

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