Read Online Endfall by Colin Ososki - Free Book Online Page A

gripped the discomfort in him and tried to kill it mercilessly. But when he looked at her, the discomfort fought back. Her scar and those wild, dark eyes –there was so many questions he had for her. But she won’t. Without much to think about left, Milo turned his back and began to step in the snow.
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    Milo ran as fast as his courage carried him, and did not halt for a second. He dashed through the trees of the forest, slipping and sloshing through the snow, which left him in an empty, windy, openness when he reached Salem. Trudging left, he took to the East side and ran further. Who could this friend be? It seemed as if Milo was nearly always asking questions, and the answers never got to him the way he wanted. But he was quick to decide that it didn’t matter –he was now a part of something that he couldn’t control.
    Salem’s sky was getting dark. Milo hopped a fence that lead into a rough area of the East side of town. He crawled around the side of a family’s home, which was splattered with dirt and torn flowers. He came around the front and spotted an old chariot, half-covered in dirt. Milo reached into the rebellious area of his mind and pulled out the guts to smash the chariot’s window, and jumped in the vehicle a moment later. He stopped to look back at the house; the lights had not come on, nor at any of the other houses. Nobody had noticed. Milo started the engine and pulled out into the street.
    He drove forward slowly, still keeping an eye on the house. Paranoia crept in. Milo neared the gate at the South end of Salem. Another chariot was on its way in. Milo did not look at the driver. Instead he remained focused on the land ahead of him, the Lazrai Plains out South. After a slow few minutes of passing through the gate, undoubtedly with eyes on him from the town, he made it through. About a mile outside Salem, Milo raised his head from its previously turtled pose, and he drove faster.
     
     
     
     
    SHADOWS
     
     
    Mr. Charlie stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the courtyard of the Minister Hall. Following him was a Parliament member. The courtyard was a massive dome of glass surrounded by gold, and inside was an angelic garden filled with flowers and trees. One tree, in the center of the courtyard, grew to be almost as tall as the glass would allow. Small animals roamed free inside the courtyard, bringing a warm comfort to the area.
                  “Are the shades ready?” Mr. Charlie asked the Parliament member, Edgar.
                  “Yes, they are ready,” he said.
                  “Which ones were selected, Edgar?” asked Mr. Charlie, keeping a strong gaze on a spider that was climbing the biggest tree in the courtyard.
                  “We selected the two that you had suggested. They were the most brutal during observations. They should get the job done quickly.” Edgar replied.
                  “Perfect. And the metal men?”
                  “We had some trouble with one in particular, but the rest of them are on their way to hangar 12, as instructed.” Edgar said.
                  “What kind of trouble?” Mr. Charlie asked, taking his gaze away from the courtyard to look at Edgar.
                  “It was fighting back. We had to put it into hibernation, and then we sent it off to Fort Goldiris.”
                  “The name?”
                  “93, he said.” Edgar replied.
                  “We will deal with it later then. Edgar, can you prepare a chariot?” Mr. Charlie still watched the spider. “Tell the shades to get going.”
                  “Right away, sir.” Edgar’s footsteps leaving the courtyard were heard before he finished speaking. Charlie’s spider climbed and climbed.
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                  Artimus heard the clash loud and clear. At this time of night, he had been writing in his