Read Online Elements (Tear of God Book 1) by Raymond Henri - Free Book Online Page B

appeared on Nyam’s face as she lost herself in thought, presumably reminding herself of how momentous this occassion was.
    “Yeah, it’s just… Never mind. I’ll feel stupid.” Mink flexed his knees, as it was becoming difficult to resist moving his feet. He didn’t dare shift his weight to his toes.
    “Okay. I’ll go beside you and work with you until you’re up to a good run. We need to make our way to that tree.” Nyam pointed down below to a specific location along the Great Barrier Range on the eastern horizon. Mink had no idea how he was supposed to find any kind of point on that wavy green line. “See the one tall tree with all its branches growing to the north?”
    Mink followed his mom’s line of sight. It took several seconds for the range line to even come into view. Amazingly, he could make out details as to which trees had needle like leaves, long, flat, and funnel shaped leaves, and which ones were broad leafed. He scanned the trees along the tops of the mountains. The sun was low enough behind Mink and his mother to bathe the green of the mountain in a purplish hue. He noticed a pergnut tree that fit his mother’s description, and focused on it. As his vision zoomed in, the tree appeared to be standing right in front of him. He noticed a broad yellow cut of sailcloth tied around its trunk. The knot of the sash, tails brushing the ground below, now looked like it was close enough for Mink to untie.
    “The one with the yellow belt wrapped around it?” Mink asked.
    “Yes. Very good. We’re going to walk toward that tree.”
    Juré had been maintaining a distance, but now came up to Mink and gave him a hug. “Be careful, buddy. I know you can do it.”
    “Thanks. Love ya, Dad.” Mink finger-combed his hair back, settling his nerves for the big step he was about to take.
    Juré moved out of Mink’s way. “I love you, too. God’s grace be your keep.”
    Mink drew in a deep breath. “Moment of truth, people. Let’s see if it worked.”
    When he stepped forward, his foot touched the ground so quickly it threw him off. His second step happened automatically, but never touched the ground. He slammed down hard in the dirt and skidded on his side for a couple feet with no lasting damage.
    His mother stepped up to meet him. “Remember. Tuck in your chin, do a sit up, and roll forward.”
    Mink tried to get up. As he moved one leg out, he slid on his back eight feet and then rolled. The random jabs, burns, and scrapes were punishment enough despite the brevity of their pain. “I know! I know. Get up from my stomach, head pointed at the tree. Got it.” Mink rolled to the proper position and pushed up, carefully setting one foot, then the other, underneath him. “No problem.”
    Nyam came beside him. “Just keep focused ahead of you. Don’t try to control your legs. You don’t think about them when you usually walk, do you? Just walk.”
    Mink set his gaze upon the pergnut tree, and had taken six steps before his first one truly registered. The mere effort of walking sent him sprinting down the slight grade that headed into the basin of the wilderness. This speed gave him an appreciation for how much the slope actually dipped. He kept going straight in the direction of the tree, feeling the moment his center of gravity caught up with his momentum. His movements grew more natural. Eventually, it no longer felt like he was going quite so fast.
    “You found your rhythm,” Nyam grinned, effortlessly walking backward in front of him. “When you’re ready, try walking a little faster.”
    Mink leaned forward and put just a bit more effort into stepping. This speed blew wind in his face. He guessed he was walking about twenty miles an hour. He felt encouraged. Without prompting from Nyam, Mink began to jog.
    “Be careful not to overdo it,” Nyam warned, matching his stride. “Small increments are going to be more productive than large ones.”
    Mink could tell the jog speed was much faster.