Read Online The Rat Collector: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 1) by Chris Yee - Free Book Online

picked up a rock. He squared up his feet, tightened his grip, and cocked his arm back, ready to throw. Then he paused, and a smile crept over his face.
    “Vince, what’s wrong?”
    “It’s working. I can feel the energy.”
    Saul clapped his hands together. “I told you. It feels good, huh? And look at your skin.”
    Vince lifted his hand and stared at the tiny hairs growing from his flesh. “This is crazy. The man was telling the truth. Why would he just give it to us? He didn’t ask for anything in return. We’re talking about immortality here. That’s not something you just hand out for free.”
    “I don’t have a clue, and I don’t care. Stop thinking about it and drain something already.”
    Vince walked up to another large tree and pressed his palm against the bark. He felt the tendril-like hairs latch onto the surface. He closed his eyes and steadied his breath, and in an instant, all of his doubts were gone. He felt the energy coursing through his veins. He was overwhelmed with warmth. With a tingling sensation that filled his heart with glee. The tingling transformed into a powerful force that he grasped with his soul and released through his body.
    When he opened his eyes, the tree had crumbled. He was surrounded by a circle of shriveled leaves. Chills ran through his body, from his fingertips to his toes. The feeling was euphoric; unlike anything he had ever felt. The boys exchanged smiles, both speechless.
    Saul walked over to the young sapling and wrapped his hand around the top.
    “Wait, Saul,” Vince said urgently. “Don’t drain something with so much energy. Not yet, at least. We’re new at this. Take it slow.”
    “Stop worrying so much. I’ll be fine.”
    As the tree withered and died, Vince saw the pleasure build in Saul’s face. The thin trunk of the infant tree snapped off, and Saul stumbled back, overwhelmed. “This sapling, it’s much stronger than the other one. Give it a try.” he pointed to another young tree. “That one over there?”
    Vince shook his head. “No, I’ve had enough for today. I’ll try it later. It’s getting dark anyway. We need to get home.”
    “Go without me. I’ll stay a bit longer.”
    “Okay. Be careful. Don’t overdo it.”
    Vince returned home, feeling better than he ever had. And Saul was left alone, in a forest of energy.

FIFTEEN
    ROGER CAME HOME after his first day of school. On his walk back, he dreaded seeing his parents. They were sure to bombard him with questions about his day. Is your teacher nice? Did you learn anything interesting? Did you make new friends? He did not want to deal with these questions. He just wanted to go to his room and read.
    But, just as he expected, when he walked through the front door, his mother was waiting. “Hello, sweetie,” she said with a cheery voice. “How was your first day of school?”
    “Good.”
    “That’s good. Did you make any new friends?”
    He lied. “Yes.”
    She fluttered her hands together in short claps. “That is great news, sweetie! I would love to meet them sometime. I’m sure your father would too.”
    “I absolutely would!” his father shouted from the opposite end of the room. He was hunched over an open box, rummaging through its contents. “You should invite them over.”
    “Okay,” Roger said.
    “How was your teacher?” his mother continued. “Was she nice?”
    “Yes.”
    “Did you learn anything interesting?”
    “No.”
    “Nothing at all? I know it was only your first day, but you must have learned something.”
    Roger sighed. “I don’t know, Mom. Can I just go to my room?”
    “Okay, sweetie. You’re off the hook for now.” Roger darted past her. “But I want to hear more at supper.”
    Roger shut his door and fell onto his bed. He finally had some alone time. He stared at the bare ceiling for a good while and then sat up to look at the stacked boxes in the far corner of his empty room. He had not unpacked yet, but he was not in the mood.
    Instead,