Read Online Delta-Victor by Clare Revell - Free Book Online Page B

decorated from top to bottom with tinsel and ceiling decorations. Dad would hang lights outside. Mum would have lit candles everywhere. I just wish I knew where they are and whether they’re all right.” He broke off as his voice wavered.
    Lou crossed over to him and sitting next to him, put her arms around him as he finally gave in to his emotions. Lou held him as he sobbed. She looked across at Ailsa. “It had to come,” she said. “He’s been strong for both of them for so long now.”
    A few minutes later, Jim pulled away. “I’m sorry,” he said.
    “For what? Being human?”
    “For making such a fuss.”
    “Jim, real men cry. You’re allowed to miss them. Grief is the price you pay for love, as someone once told me. You can’t keep it locked up forever.”
    Ailsa sat up suddenly. She sniffed the air and looked at the others. “Can you smell something?”
    The others both sniffed. Smoke drifted over the trees.
    “Burning,” Jim said.
    Terror shot through Lou. “The forest is on fire. The lava flow must have hit something combustible and started a fire.”

9
    “Which way did Staci go?” Jim asked leaping to his feet.
    “That way,” Lou pointed.
    “No. That’s where the fire is,” Jim groaned. “We’d better go find her.” He set off into the forest calling his sister’s name.
    The others followed. After a bit, the smoke got thicker.
    Ailsa coughed. “Jim. This is getting us nowhere fast.”
    “We have to find her. Staci!” Jim yelled.
    Ailsa grabbed hold of him. “We need to tackle this fire, Jim. Staci has Deefer with her. She’ll be fine.”
    Jim looked wildly at her. “Tackle this? How?”
    “We have no choice. We have to.”
    “Other than hoping the wind changes?” Jim growled.
    “And praying for rain,” Lou muttered.
    Ailsa rapidly improvised some fire beaters and then they proceeded into the dense smoke.
    By the time they reached the actual fire, the smoke was almost like smog, the sun blotted out by the thick blackness.
    Ailsa and Jim began to beat at the flames.
    Lou leant on one crutch and did the best she could one handed. It was useless.
    The fire was winning.
    They could hear tree after tree come crashing down and being devoured by this monster that raged unheeded through the forest. They heard the animals that screamed in fear as they fled. Worse still, were the screams of pain as the fire claimed another victim. Rabbits, monkeys and the bigger predators, all fled from a common enemy, running for their lives.
    Somewhere in that burning inferno was Staci.
    Jim didn’t know if it was that which gave them strength or the constant stream of telegram prayers. He knew the fire was gaining. If only the wind would change or it would rain, but it was for his sister that he prayed the hardest.
    Suddenly Lou keeled over right in the path of the fire.
    Jim pulled her to safety. He shouted over the roar of the flames to Ailsa. “How far is that village?”
    “Not far. It’s behind the fire line.”
    “Let’s take Lou there. Join forces with the natives. This front will hit the river soon.”
    Jim picked Lou up and he and Ailsa, who carried the crutches, made their way the short distance to the village.
    Behind the fire, it was a place of relative safety.
    Ailsa spoke to one of the women who agreed to look after Lou, while the others fought the fire.
    The woman pointed out which way to go.
    Jim and Ailsa went out to join the villagers. It was exhausting, back breaking work. For well over an hour they worked without a rest. They kept at it—they had to.
    Ailsa explained to Jim, using sign language, as ordinary speech was now impossible over the roar of the flames, that she needed to rest for a few minutes.
    Jim nodded and Ailsa sank to the ground.
    Several of the natives sat and rested too.
    A tree crashed to the ground nearby.
    Jim was engrossed in his work and didn’t turn a hair.
    Ailsa pulled his arm to get his attention. “Rest.”
    He shook his head.
    Ailsa tugged at