Read Online Unison (The Spheral) by Eleni Papanou - Free Book Online

beacons was hazardous. We had to climb down a treacherous escarpment to maneuver around the eroded rock that separated the two faces of the mountain. Once we made it over to the other side, we had to climb back up to continue along the trail. When we finally touched ground on the eastern side of the ridge, Wade’s enthusiasm was washed away by another mountain that loomed on the eastern side of the valley. Whatever lay beyond the peak was invisible to us. Wade picked up a stone and pelted it over the edge.
    “Master Franklin once told me that life is a perpetual test," I said. "When one obstacle ends, another one presents itself.”
    “Everything has an—”
    A wild boar charged ahead of us with an Outsider in pursuit. “I claim that boar!”
    The Outsider took aim with his longbow and shot the boar on its side. He laughed and ran over to his catch. “She’s a real beauty, isn’t she?” He clumped the boar’s legs together and tied them.
    Wade smiled and approached the Outsider. “She’s attractive…for a boar.”
    “Can’t wait to take her home and skin her.” The Outsider swept his tongue across his top lip.
    I stared at the boar and then at the Outsider in disgust.
    “Makes me feel like God peeking into His creation.” The Outsider stood and gazed at the carcass. “It’s the most purest gift of all—to witness your next meal in its rawest and most unspoiled form.”
    I was repulsed by his blasphemous words and rotting teeth even a purple sleeve dentist couldn’t hope to salvage.
    “You boys from Dome Dungeon?” he asked.
    Wade laughed. “I’ve called it similar names.”
    I slapped the side of Wade’s arm.
    “Loosen your sleeves. We never met an Outsider before,” Wade whispered. “This could be a lot of fun.”
    The Outsider flung the carcass over his shoulder. “Got nothing to say to you then.” He walked away.
    “Why not?” Wade asked.
    The Outsider turned to face us, probing us from top to bottom. “You all talk weird.”
    “In what way?” Wade asked.
    “Let him go,” I said.
    “You all sound the same. It’s creepy,” said the Outsider.
    “Creepy? What does that mean?” Wade asked.
    The Outsider shook his head. “Exactly what I mean. Normal folk don’t get confused so easy.” He walked off.
    “I’m not confused!” shouted Wade. “Just curious.”
    The Outsider stopped and hesitated for a moment. He then turned around to face us with a stare as deadly as the arrow that pierced the boar. He dropped the carcass, retrieved his bow and snatched an arrow from his quiver. “Curious, huh?” He pulled back the cable and aimed the arrow towards Wade. “Your…curiosity is rare to your kind. You don’t even know how things out here work.”
    “I’m willing to learn.” Wade crept closer to the Outsider.
    “Don’t go any further!” I whispered loudly. “He’s got the scourge!”
    Wade continued walking, and the Outsider kept his aim. Wade continued towards him, stopping inches away from the arrow’s tip. The Outsider retracted the drawstring further. I believed Wade was about to meet the same fate as the wild boar. After a few tense moments, the Outsider relaxed his aim and eased his bow. He laughed. “None of you ever came this close.” He picked up the boar and tossed  it over his shoulder. “You’re either brave or out of your mind. Either way’s okay with me.”
    “What now?” Wade asked in anticipation.
    The Outsider crinkled his forehead.
    “What do I do next?” Wade asked.
    The Outsider cleared his throat and spit. “Get it?” He smiled.
    Wade cleared his throat and spit. He squinted his eyes. “I’m not getting anything.”
    The Outsider chuckled and shook his head. “Leave Dome Dungeon. Being scared and curious is a hell of a lot more fun.” He walked off.
    If Wade yearned to die, I refused to watch him live out my vision. I headed back towards Unity.
    “Everything okay?” Wade asked when he caught up.
    “That diseased Outsider had his arrow