Drizzle fell from the drab clouds, splashing into the roaring sea. A few cigarettes blew across the floor, before falling on the pier rocks and being snatched away by the waves. Cobwebs clung to slits in the rocks, feeble and dull.
Malo pulled his hood up, hoping that the foam would not reach out, and whisk him away. He saw the checkpoint in the distance, and his heart sank. Over the stretch of sea, he could already see the buildings coming into view. Small and fat streets of shops, and a few immense structures.
His backpack was heavy-it was specifically meant for carrying cakes. The flat bottom was uncomfortable, and Malo winced as it jolted against his back. Yet he was worried. The cake was magnificent, and the last one and that had the similar delicate sponge and decorations, had arrived as mush.
‘Whatcha doin’ girl?’ asked the guard, grumpily.
‘I’m delivering this cake!’ said Malo, as happily as he could muster, while seething at being a girl. It wasn’t his fault that he hadn’t had a haircut in three years.
‘Gimme that,’ the man said, frowning.
After a long inspection of the parcel and cake, he sniffed.
‘Name?’ he enquired.
‘Malo. Malo Paonne.’
‘Odd name for a girl, eh?’ he said gruffly. Again, Malo cursed his long, blonde hair. Finally, the guard beckoned him, and he stepped out of La Rochelle.
A few minute later, Malo had managed to stumble out of the neglected buildings and had reached the main part of town. Here, children his age were chatting, smiling, with their friends. Malo felt something shift in his heart, and jealousy seeped into him.
How dare they chat, and smile, when people on the other side wailed and cried in despair! How dare they have fun, and make friends! He wanted to scream, and shout. He wanted to yell to the world how unfair it really is. But his sister’s words echoed in his head. Don’t make any noise, keep your head down. Remember, never do what your brother did. You know what will happen.
Malo lowered his head, hiding his face in his hood once again. Suddenly, a hand swiftly plucked at the cake bag, then yanked his arm into an alleyway. ‘Gimme your stuff!’ A voice yelled by his ear.
‘Geroff!’ yelled Malo before falling over on flower petals. Dazed, he tried to get up – before tumbling down again. The sun bore on his face, and a woman’s voice sneered.
‘Wimp.’
Malo screeched and blindly punched the wall. He recoiled, gasping in pain. Laying on the floor, he wondered why the alleyway was so bright and eye-catching.
‘Carry on with the dirty work.’ the man who had shouted to him beforehand said, before disappearing behind him.
The woman released her grip. Malo struggled upwards, and was roughly pulled to the floor again. She took an old-fashioned machine out of her pocket. A gun. How was she supposed to hurt him with that machine? It wasn’t 2020, when guns actually were useful. Hope burst inside him. After all, if it did do something, she was just pointing it. Then the woman just got off, smiling maliciously. Behind Malo, there was a wide opening, obvious as anything. Picking up his bag, he ran. The woman stayed still. Were they letting him go? It sounded to good to be true. Was the man hiding in a corner? But freedom was all he could think about.
‘OOF!’
‘Newest tech,’ smiled the woman. ‘expo lodge.’ An invisible thin sheet was blocking his way. Then her expression changed. She looked like a maniac. Malo looked up. The Expo thing couldn’t go on forever. Hoisting himself onto the ivy, he tried to jump. He landed awkwardly, and the ivy started snapping. The couple started to advance. With a heave, he threw himself over Expo Lodge, just skimming the thin sheet. It ripped, and he ran.
‘Blasted clingfilm!’ yelled the man.
‘Well you were the one who came up with the idea!’
‘Maybe if you chose a different name for the damn thing!
‘We should at least chase him, using the you know.’
‘He’ll be long gone!’
Little did they know, Malo was about to reach a dead end, which would change his life.
CHAPTER 2
Outside, the sun blazed, and people’s sweat clung to the floor. Children’s’ laughter moulded into a long, high pitched scream. The sea crashed violently against boiling black rocks, and baked, dead animals could be seen in sunny corners. Malo rushed into the nearest building. Inside, he fearfully watched a spider clung to the wall, making eerie tip tap sounds. It was like someone had put a stopper on a steaming cup of tea. Grey stone walls felt icy to the touch, and a draught of cold air from below slipped through swiss cheese like cement. With a bang, the door behind him shut. Dead mice shifted, and the wall behind him crumpled. Another room was revealed, filled with trash. Mossy walls, rotting beams, and coal stacks. To his dismay, even in this room, there was nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape. Footsteps echoed behind him, and he took his bag off. It had a tracker device on it. He was doomed.
A man and woman stood by the rubble, eyes glinting maliciously. The man was holding a rifle. The newest version. The deadliest version. At that second, a whoosh of wings, and a piercing shriek tore the sky in two. Out of the darkness, a beak as sharp as the edge of a metal tin opened. A gold, freckled feather fluttered to the ground. Whatever the thing was, the blurry shape was coming for the thieves. It was terrifying. It was terrifying and a miracle. Malo realised that he was standing next to a golden eagle. It clawed its bony feet and screamed. In less than a second, the thieves were scrambling over each other, looking like maniacs. Malo stood still, wide eyed and petrified. Then the eagle turned around. One of its eyes was a black pit, and on her chest, a crimson river gushed to the floor. The eagle did not seem deterred.
She opened her beak, and Malo cowered, expecting another ear-splitting shriek. Instead, a small whisper came out. “I am Eagrele. Many beings find the pronunciation hard, so they call me Phantom. I need help, O mortal saviour.” Malo felt faint. The animal was speaking. No, Phantom was speaking! He stared at her, then slowly, he nodded his head.
“We do not have time to rest. We shall never be safe, until I escape from Mechant.”
Half an hour later, Malo and the eagle had flown/walked to a small nook in the rocks by the beach. No one knew there was a nook, not even the Inquisitors. They didn’t like the beach anyway, so the unusual pair were perfectly safe. The nook wasn’t really something to be proud of: with a small mossy carpet, log chairs, and a stash of biscuits to eat when hungry. With a sigh of relief, the eagle sank down to the floor, taking care not to touch the wound on her chest. Malo watched her, then went to sleep himself.
CHAPTER 3
The sea spat; the wind wailed; lightning lit the sky. Malo woke with a yelp; the wolf opened her eyes sleepily. From outside, gossiping voices talked. Peeking through a crack in the rocks, he could make out guards heading rapidly towards the nook, holding filling cement. Malo knew that from now on, it would become harder and harder to hide. Miss Lilly and Angela followed, clearly trying to flirt with the guards. Despite himself, Malo sighed. Then, he lightly prodded the eagle awake, who was muttering about ‘giza.’ Warm amber eyes opened begrudgingly, then widened when Malo pointed at the guards. High pitched voices persisted; the guard came closer; Malo’s heart joined his mouth.
Crawling across the wet sand, Malo beckoned to the eagle. As silent as death, she treaded towards the far end of the nook, where a boulder stood, covered by a blanket. Together, they took the blanket and rolled it up, then carried the boulder into the small opening in the ceiling. The guards came closer.
A few seconds later, footsteps stopped. An imposing shadow reflected on the boulder. A light pierced the air, bright and sharp, revealing a speckled golden feather. The eagle’s feather. Then, someone clambered inside the gap in the nook. Risking a daring glance, Malo glimpsed a shape picking up the golden plume. The world grinded to a halt. Lightening crackled. He felt like an icicle had stabbed him in the heart. The figure examined it carefully. Heart racing, he pressed into Phantom. She looked at him in the eyes and Malo could almost hear her warm feathers rustling fearfully. They would have to wait, and escape when they had the chance.
It felt like they had been holding their breath for hours. The sun was setting now, and the storm had passed. The gap the guard had climbed in before had been filled, and it took twenty minutes to even shift the boulder. Then, they sat down together, and Phantom cleared her throat.
“O saviour. O saviour. You are the only one who can help me. You have the power to open the gateway, the beautiful, golden gateway. Please, help me. Your world is in danger.”
Malo sat silently. His head was spinning, and he tried to digest the information. This was not his average week. He also knew his family would be worried.
“Me?”
“You are trusting me, so I am trusting you. The safety of the world is resting in your hands. And I know you can do this.”
And they kept on talking. About how if she didn’t get back to the immortal world, she would die, and if she was captured by her agents, she would be tortured. Not for a few years – for eternity. And the most recent gateways had been ancient things.
After the new information had been processed, Malo decided to check the statue of the woman and the fish. It was an odd statue, you couldn’t make out the woman or the fish, but it had been standing there for what seemed like forever. Perhaps for a few hundred years. It was right next to the pier, near the checkpoint. Although for Malo the walk wasn’t long at all, Phantom’s chest was still bleeding very slightly, and Malo noticed she was walking with a lot less pride. Her head kept on drooping, and her eyes were nearly always unfocused It wasn’t just that, though, it had turned dark, and there were no stars. No moon. It was the perfect weather for thieves to wait in dark, shadowy corners.
Malo knew that his sister would be fretting, but she was more at risk if he didn’t do this. He was doing this for his dead brother. His dead parents. And his sister. Taking a deep breath, he clambered out of the shelter. Phantom reluctantly followed. They slipped through the street like liquid, and there were times where Phantom would fly overhead, to see if there were any people. The moon was coming out, and the stars were glimmering brightly. It was the only light they had. It was the only light they needed. They made their way to the statue, creeping from street to street, through alleyways and behind house.
Chapter 4
The sun streaked path (which was sheltered by intricately weaved branches) ran through a deserted forest. There were 4 paths out of the city – pointing north, east, south and west. Over the years, the other gateways had been neglected, then crumbled into ash. That meant there was only one place where the gateway would open again. It was obvious where they had to go.
The eagle paused every so often. She was stooping lower and lower with each step; making small screeches of pain; and closing her eyes tight to try block out the throbbing. Even worse, her wounds were gushing blood. It was clear she could die soon.
As they neared the gateway, Malo heard distant screams of fury and thumping that shook the ground. Mechant was after them. Limping forwards, the majestic eagle whimpered, walking slowly towards the gateway. Finally, they reached a towering metal arch that rose up to the sky. Intricate carvings danced across the black paint. Malo, whose head was pounding with excitement, watched the eagle’s eyes widen. With trembling feathers, she reached out and touched the gate. Stars shot through the dark sky, as a galaxy opened in front of them. Electric clouds of all colours shimmered, and cracks of pure silver bore light onto a jewel. Further out; suns and moons glowed with a warm comforting shimmer; ribbons of stars streamed through the eternity darkness – behind surprises.
Then they came. Mechant’s guards had found them, and they were pointing lethal weapons. It was clear they would shoot. Without hesitation, a guard pulled the trigger. It missed them by a feather. The eagle, turning to face them, stood her ground. The guard frowned and pulled the trigger again. It shot past her again and again and again. Something was stopping them from getting a good shot. So they advanced. She blinked. Her golden eyes stared deep into every one of them, eyes deep pools of sorrow and remorse, making the guards falter.
“My time has come,” the eagle whispered, face harsh and still. Turning to Malo, she repeated the words. Malo’s heart fell apart, breaking in two, crumbling to dust. His body felt numb. She couldn’t go. However, the gateway was calling, golden rivers of light pulsing, stars erupting and turning into fireworks. Vibrations shook the ground. “Don’t forget me. I will come back when you are ready. Remember, follow your dreams and your hopes, live a lovely life.” With one step she flew…
…and plunged into the infinity, dancing through worlds and opened diamond doors, swimming through cold flames. Eventually, she was gone. There were no remainders. There was just the thought and the ache of his heart.
Malo turned, crying. The guards had gone. It was just him in this big, cruel world. As he trudged back home, through the blushing sun, he silently cried. He would give anything to be with her right now.
He knew that the eagle would always be watching him, above him, smiling. Soon, he felt lighter, ready to face the long days ahead. Strolling towards the checkpoint, he noticed that a lord looked at him. Then he did the most unexpected thing. He smiled. He was wearing gold, freckled trousers, and a crisp white top, with a pattern in the shape of two brown wings… In wonder, Malo smiled back. It was time to go back home.
Drizzle fell from the drab clouds, splashing into the roaring sea. A few cigarettes blew across the floor, before falling on the pier rocks and being snatched away by the waves. Cobwebs clung to slits in the rocks, feeble and dull.
Malo pulled his hood up, hoping that the foam would not reach out, and whisk him away. He saw the checkpoint in the distance, and his heart sank. Over the stretch of sea, he could already see the buildings coming into view. Small and fat streets of shops, and a few immense structures.
His backpack was heavy-it was specifically meant for carrying cakes. The flat bottom was uncomfortable, and Malo winced as it jolted against his back. Yet he was worried. The cake was magnificent, and the last one and that had the similar delicate sponge and decorations, had arrived as mush.
‘Whatcha doin’ girl?’ asked the guard, grumpily.
‘I’m delivering this cake!’ said Malo, as happily as he could muster, while seething at being a girl. It wasn’t his fault that he hadn’t had a haircut in three years.
‘Gimme that,’ the man said, frowning.
After a long inspection of the parcel and cake, he sniffed.
‘Name?’ he enquired.
‘Malo. Malo Paonne.’
‘Odd name for a girl, eh?’ he said gruffly. Again, Malo cursed his long, blonde hair. Finally, the guard beckoned him, and he stepped out of La Rochelle.
A few minute later, Malo had managed to stumble out of the neglected buildings and had reached the main part of town. Here, children his age were chatting, smiling, with their friends. Malo felt something shift in his heart, and jealousy seeped into him.
How dare they chat, and smile, when people on the other side wailed and cried in despair! How dare they have fun, and make friends! He wanted to scream, and shout. He wanted to yell to the world how unfair it really is. But his sister’s words echoed in his head. Don’t make any noise, keep your head down. Remember, never do what your brother did. You know what will happen.
Malo lowered his head, hiding his face in his hood once again. Suddenly, a hand swiftly plucked at the cake bag, then yanked his arm into an alleyway. ‘Gimme your stuff!’ A voice yelled by his ear.
‘Geroff!’ yelled Malo before falling over on flower petals. Dazed, he tried to get up – before tumbling down again. The sun bore on his face, and a woman’s voice sneered.
‘Wimp.’
Malo screeched and blindly punched the wall. He recoiled, gasping in pain. Laying on the floor, he wondered why the alleyway was so bright and eye-catching.
‘Carry on with the dirty work.’ the man who had shouted to him beforehand said, before disappearing behind him.
The woman released her grip. Malo struggled upwards, and was roughly pulled to the floor again. She took an old-fashioned machine out of her pocket. A gun. How was she supposed to hurt him with that machine? It wasn’t 2020, when guns actually were useful. Hope burst inside him. After all, if it did do something, she was just pointing it. Then the woman just got off, smiling maliciously. Behind Malo, there was a wide opening, obvious as anything. Picking up his bag, he ran. The woman stayed still. Were they letting him go? It sounded to good to be true. Was the man hiding in a corner? But freedom was all he could think about.
‘OOF!’
‘Newest tech,’ smiled the woman. ‘expo lodge.’ An invisible thin sheet was blocking his way. Then her expression changed. She looked like a maniac. Malo looked up. The Expo thing couldn’t go on forever. Hoisting himself onto the ivy, he tried to jump. He landed awkwardly, and the ivy started snapping. The couple started to advance. With a heave, he threw himself over Expo Lodge, just skimming the thin sheet. It ripped, and he ran.
‘Blasted clingfilm!’ yelled the man.
‘Well you were the one who came up with the idea!’
‘Maybe if you chose a different name for the damn thing!
‘We should at least chase him, using the you know.’
‘He’ll be long gone!’
Little did they know, Malo was about to reach a dead end, which would change his life.
CHAPTER 2
Outside, the sun blazed, and people’s sweat clung to the floor. Children’s’ laughter moulded into a long, high pitched scream. The sea crashed violently against boiling black rocks, and baked, dead animals could be seen in sunny corners. Malo rushed into the nearest building. Inside, he fearfully watched a spider clung to the wall, making eerie tip tap sounds. It was like someone had put a stopper on a steaming cup of tea. Grey stone walls felt icy to the touch, and a draught of cold air from below slipped through swiss cheese like cement. With a bang, the door behind him shut. Dead mice shifted, and the wall behind him crumpled. Another room was revealed, filled with trash. Mossy walls, rotting beams, and coal stacks. To his dismay, even in this room, there was nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape. Footsteps echoed behind him, and he took his bag off. It had a tracker device on it. He was doomed.
A man and woman stood by the rubble, eyes glinting maliciously. The man was holding a rifle. The newest version. The deadliest version. At that second, a whoosh of wings, and a piercing shriek tore the sky in two. Out of the darkness, a beak as sharp as the edge of a metal tin opened. A gold, freckled feather fluttered to the ground. Whatever the thing was, the blurry shape was coming for the thieves. It was terrifying. It was terrifying and a miracle. Malo realised that he was standing next to a golden eagle. It clawed its bony feet and screamed. In less than a second, the thieves were scrambling over each other, looking like maniacs. Malo stood still, wide eyed and petrified. Then the eagle turned around. One of its eyes was a black pit, and on her chest, a crimson river gushed to the floor. The eagle did not seem deterred.
She opened her beak, and Malo cowered, expecting another ear-splitting shriek. Instead, a small whisper came out. “I am Eagrele. Many beings find the pronunciation hard, so they call me Phantom. I need help, O mortal saviour.” Malo felt faint. The animal was speaking. No, Phantom was speaking! He stared at her, then slowly, he nodded his head.
“We do not have time to rest. We shall never be safe, until I escape from Mechant.”
Half an hour later, Malo and the eagle had flown/walked to a small nook in the rocks by the beach. No one knew there was a nook, not even the Inquisitors. They didn’t like the beach anyway, so the unusual pair were perfectly safe. The nook wasn’t really something to be proud of: with a small mossy carpet, log chairs, and a stash of biscuits to eat when hungry. With a sigh of relief, the eagle sank down to the floor, taking care not to touch the wound on her chest. Malo watched her, then went to sleep himself.
CHAPTER 3
The sea spat; the wind wailed; lightning lit the sky. Malo woke with a yelp; the wolf opened her eyes sleepily. From outside, gossiping voices talked. Peeking through a crack in the rocks, he could make out guards heading rapidly towards the nook, holding filling cement. Malo knew that from now on, it would become harder and harder to hide. Miss Lilly and Angela followed, clearly trying to flirt with the guards. Despite himself, Malo sighed. Then, he lightly prodded the eagle awake, who was muttering about ‘giza.’ Warm amber eyes opened begrudgingly, then widened when Malo pointed at the guards. High pitched voices persisted; the guard came closer; Malo’s heart joined his mouth.
Crawling across the wet sand, Malo beckoned to the eagle. As silent as death, she treaded towards the far end of the nook, where a boulder stood, covered by a blanket. Together, they took the blanket and rolled it up, then carried the boulder into the small opening in the ceiling. The guards came closer.
A few seconds later, footsteps stopped. An imposing shadow reflected on the boulder. A light pierced the air, bright and sharp, revealing a speckled golden feather. The eagle’s feather. Then, someone clambered inside the gap in the nook. Risking a daring glance, Malo glimpsed a shape picking up the golden plume. The world grinded to a halt. Lightening crackled. He felt like an icicle had stabbed him in the heart. The figure examined it carefully. Heart racing, he pressed into Phantom. She looked at him in the eyes and Malo could almost hear her warm feathers rustling fearfully. They would have to wait, and escape when they had the chance.
It felt like they had been holding their breath for hours. The sun was setting now, and the storm had passed. The gap the guard had climbed in before had been filled, and it took twenty minutes to even shift the boulder. Then, they sat down together, and Phantom cleared her throat.
“O saviour. O saviour. You are the only one who can help me. You have the power to open the gateway, the beautiful, golden gateway. Please, help me. Your world is in danger.”
Malo sat silently. His head was spinning, and he tried to digest the information. This was not his average week. He also knew his family would be worried.
“Me?”
“You are trusting me, so I am trusting you. The safety of the world is resting in your hands. And I know you can do this.”
And they kept on talking. About how if she didn’t get back to the immortal world, she would die, and if she was captured by her agents, she would be tortured. Not for a few years – for eternity. And the most recent gateways had been ancient things.
After the new information had been processed, Malo decided to check the statue of the woman and the fish. It was an odd statue, you couldn’t make out the woman or the fish, but it had been standing there for what seemed like forever. Perhaps for a few hundred years. It was right next to the pier, near the checkpoint. Although for Malo the walk wasn’t long at all, Phantom’s chest was still bleeding very slightly, and Malo noticed she was walking with a lot less pride. Her head kept on drooping, and her eyes were nearly always unfocused It wasn’t just that, though, it had turned dark, and there were no stars. No moon. It was the perfect weather for thieves to wait in dark, shadowy corners.
Malo knew that his sister would be fretting, but she was more at risk if he didn’t do this. He was doing this for his dead brother. His dead parents. And his sister. Taking a deep breath, he clambered out of the shelter. Phantom reluctantly followed. They slipped through the street like liquid, and there were times where Phantom would fly overhead, to see if there were any people. The moon was coming out, and the stars were glimmering brightly. It was the only light they had. It was the only light they needed. They made their way to the statue, creeping from street to street, through alleyways and behind house.
Chapter 4
The sun streaked path (which was sheltered by intricately weaved branches) ran through a deserted forest. There were 4 paths out of the city – pointing north, east, south and west. Over the years, the other gateways had been neglected, then crumbled into ash. That meant there was only one place where the gateway would open again. It was obvious where they had to go.
The eagle paused every so often. She was stooping lower and lower with each step; making small screeches of pain; and closing her eyes tight to try block out the throbbing. Even worse, her wounds were gushing blood. It was clear she could die soon.
As they neared the gateway, Malo heard distant screams of fury and thumping that shook the ground. Mechant was after them. Limping forwards, the majestic eagle whimpered, walking slowly towards the gateway. Finally, they reached a towering metal arch that rose up to the sky. Intricate carvings danced across the black paint. Malo, whose head was pounding with excitement, watched the eagle’s eyes widen. With trembling feathers, she reached out and touched the gate. Stars shot through the dark sky, as a galaxy opened in front of them. Electric clouds of all colours shimmered, and cracks of pure silver bore light onto a jewel. Further out; suns and moons glowed with a warm comforting shimmer; ribbons of stars streamed through the eternity darkness – behind surprises.
Then they came. Mechant’s guards had found them, and they were pointing lethal weapons. It was clear they would shoot. Without hesitation, a guard pulled the trigger. It missed them by a feather. The eagle, turning to face them, stood her ground. The guard frowned and pulled the trigger again. It shot past her again and again and again. Something was stopping them from getting a good shot. So they advanced. She blinked. Her golden eyes stared deep into every one of them, eyes deep pools of sorrow and remorse, making the guards falter.
“My time has come,” the eagle whispered, face harsh and still. Turning to Malo, she repeated the words. Malo’s heart fell apart, breaking in two, crumbling to dust. His body felt numb. She couldn’t go. However, the gateway was calling, golden rivers of light pulsing, stars erupting and turning into fireworks. Vibrations shook the ground. “Don’t forget me. I will come back when you are ready. Remember, follow your dreams and your hopes, live a lovely life.” With one step she flew…
…and plunged into the infinity, dancing through worlds and opened diamond doors, swimming through cold flames. Eventually, she was gone. There were no remainders. There was just the thought and the ache of his heart.
Malo turned, crying. The guards had gone. It was just him in this big, cruel world. As he trudged back home, through the blushing sun, he silently cried. He would give anything to be with her right now.
He knew that the eagle would always be watching him, above him, smiling. Soon, he felt lighter, ready to face the long days ahead. Strolling towards the checkpoint, he noticed that a lord looked at him. Then he did the most unexpected thing. He smiled. He was wearing gold, freckled trousers, and a crisp white top, with a pattern in the shape of two brown wings… In wonder, Malo smiled back. It was time to go back home.
Drizzle fell from the drab clouds, splashing into the roaring sea. A few cigarettes blew across the floor, before falling on the pier rocks and being snatched away by the waves. Cobwebs clung to slits in the rocks, feeble and dull.
Malo pulled his hood up, hoping that the foam would not reach out, and whisk him away. He saw the checkpoint in the distance, and his heart sank. Over the stretch of sea, he could already see the buildings coming into view. Small and fat streets of shops, and a few immense structures.
His backpack was heavy-it was specifically meant for carrying cakes. The flat bottom was uncomfortable, and Malo winced as it jolted against his back. Yet he was worried. The cake was magnificent, and the last one and that had the similar delicate sponge and decorations, had arrived as mush.
‘Whatcha doin’ girl?’ asked the guard, grumpily.
‘I’m delivering this cake!’ said Malo, as happily as he could muster, while seething at being a girl. It wasn’t his fault that he hadn’t had a haircut in three years.
‘Gimme that,’ the man said, frowning.
After a long inspection of the parcel and cake, he sniffed.
‘Name?’ he enquired.
‘Malo. Malo Paonne.’
‘Odd name for a girl, eh?’ he said gruffly. Again, Malo cursed his long, blonde hair. Finally, the guard beckoned him, and he stepped out of La Rochelle.
A few minute later, Malo had managed to stumble out of the neglected buildings and had reached the main part of town. Here, children his age were chatting, smiling, with their friends. Malo felt something shift in his heart, and jealousy seeped into him.
How dare they chat, and smile, when people on the other side wailed and cried in despair! How dare they have fun, and make friends! He wanted to scream, and shout. He wanted to yell to the world how unfair it really is. But his sister’s words echoed in his head. Don’t make any noise, keep your head down. Remember, never do what your brother did. You know what will happen.
Malo lowered his head, hiding his face in his hood once again. Suddenly, a hand swiftly plucked at the cake bag, then yanked his arm into an alleyway. ‘Gimme your stuff!’ A voice yelled by his ear.
‘Geroff!’ yelled Malo before falling over on flower petals. Dazed, he tried to get up – before tumbling down again. The sun bore on his face, and a woman’s voice sneered.
‘Wimp.’
Malo screeched and blindly punched the wall. He recoiled, gasping in pain. Laying on the floor, he wondered why the alleyway was so bright and eye-catching.
‘Carry on with the dirty work.’ the man who had shouted to him beforehand said, before disappearing behind him.
The woman released her grip. Malo struggled upwards, and was roughly pulled to the floor again. She took an old-fashioned machine out of her pocket. A gun. How was she supposed to hurt him with that machine? It wasn’t 2020, when guns actually were useful. Hope burst inside him. After all, if it did do something, she was just pointing it. Then the woman just got off, smiling maliciously. Behind Malo, there was a wide opening, obvious as anything. Picking up his bag, he ran. The woman stayed still. Were they letting him go? It sounded to good to be true. Was the man hiding in a corner? But freedom was all he could think about.
‘OOF!’
‘Newest tech,’ smiled the woman. ‘expo lodge.’ An invisible thin sheet was blocking his way. Then her expression changed. She looked like a maniac. Malo looked up. The Expo thing couldn’t go on forever. Hoisting himself onto the ivy, he tried to jump. He landed awkwardly, and the ivy started snapping. The couple started to advance. With a heave, he threw himself over Expo Lodge, just skimming the thin sheet. It ripped, and he ran.
‘Blasted clingfilm!’ yelled the man.
‘Well you were the one who came up with the idea!’
‘Maybe if you chose a different name for the damn thing!
‘We should at least chase him, using the you know.’
‘He’ll be long gone!’
Little did they know, Malo was about to reach a dead end, which would change his life.
CHAPTER 2
Outside, the sun blazed, and people’s sweat clung to the floor. Children’s’ laughter moulded into a long, high pitched scream. The sea crashed violently against boiling black rocks, and baked, dead animals could be seen in sunny corners. Malo rushed into the nearest building. Inside, he fearfully watched a spider clung to the wall, making eerie tip tap sounds. It was like someone had put a stopper on a steaming cup of tea. Grey stone walls felt icy to the touch, and a draught of cold air from below slipped through swiss cheese like cement. With a bang, the door behind him shut. Dead mice shifted, and the wall behind him crumpled. Another room was revealed, filled with trash. Mossy walls, rotting beams, and coal stacks. To his dismay, even in this room, there was nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape. Footsteps echoed behind him, and he took his bag off. It had a tracker device on it. He was doomed.
A man and woman stood by the rubble, eyes glinting maliciously. The man was holding a rifle. The newest version. The deadliest version. At that second, a whoosh of wings, and a piercing shriek tore the sky in two. Out of the darkness, a beak as sharp as the edge of a metal tin opened. A gold, freckled feather fluttered to the ground. Whatever the thing was, the blurry shape was coming for the thieves. It was terrifying. It was terrifying and a miracle. Malo realised that he was standing next to a golden eagle. It clawed its bony feet and screamed. In less than a second, the thieves were scrambling over each other, looking like maniacs. Malo stood still, wide eyed and petrified. Then the eagle turned around. One of its eyes was a black pit, and on her chest, a crimson river gushed to the floor. The eagle did not seem deterred.
She opened her beak, and Malo cowered, expecting another ear-splitting shriek. Instead, a small whisper came out. “I am Eagrele. Many beings find the pronunciation hard, so they call me Phantom. I need help, O mortal saviour.” Malo felt faint. The animal was speaking. No, Phantom was speaking! He stared at her, then slowly, he nodded his head.
“We do not have time to rest. We shall never be safe, until I escape from Mechant.”
Half an hour later, Malo and the eagle had flown/walked to a small nook in the rocks by the beach. No one knew there was a nook, not even the Inquisitors. They didn’t like the beach anyway, so the unusual pair were perfectly safe. The nook wasn’t really something to be proud of: with a small mossy carpet, log chairs, and a stash of biscuits to eat when hungry. With a sigh of relief, the eagle sank down to the floor, taking care not to touch the wound on her chest. Malo watched her, then went to sleep himself.
CHAPTER 3
The sea spat; the wind wailed; lightning lit the sky. Malo woke with a yelp; the wolf opened her eyes sleepily. From outside, gossiping voices talked. Peeking through a crack in the rocks, he could make out guards heading rapidly towards the nook, holding filling cement. Malo knew that from now on, it would become harder and harder to hide. Miss Lilly and Angela followed, clearly trying to flirt with the guards. Despite himself, Malo sighed. Then, he lightly prodded the eagle awake, who was muttering about ‘giza.’ Warm amber eyes opened begrudgingly, then widened when Malo pointed at the guards. High pitched voices persisted; the guard came closer; Malo’s heart joined his mouth.
Crawling across the wet sand, Malo beckoned to the eagle. As silent as death, she treaded towards the far end of the nook, where a boulder stood, covered by a blanket. Together, they took the blanket and rolled it up, then carried the boulder into the small opening in the ceiling. The guards came closer.
A few seconds later, footsteps stopped. An imposing shadow reflected on the boulder. A light pierced the air, bright and sharp, revealing a speckled golden feather. The eagle’s feather. Then, someone clambered inside the gap in the nook. Risking a daring glance, Malo glimpsed a shape picking up the golden plume. The world grinded to a halt. Lightening crackled. He felt like an icicle had stabbed him in the heart. The figure examined it carefully. Heart racing, he pressed into Phantom. She looked at him in the eyes and Malo could almost hear her warm feathers rustling fearfully. They would have to wait, and escape when they had the chance.
It felt like they had been holding their breath for hours. The sun was setting now, and the storm had passed. The gap the guard had climbed in before had been filled, and it took twenty minutes to even shift the boulder. Then, they sat down together, and Phantom cleared her throat.
“O saviour. O saviour. You are the only one who can help me. You have the power to open the gateway, the beautiful, golden gateway. Please, help me. Your world is in danger.”
Malo sat silently. His head was spinning, and he tried to digest the information. This was not his average week. He also knew his family would be worried.
“Me?”
“You are trusting me, so I am trusting you. The safety of the world is resting in your hands. And I know you can do this.”
And they kept on talking. About how if she didn’t get back to the immortal world, she would die, and if she was captured by her agents, she would be tortured. Not for a few years – for eternity. And the most recent gateways had been ancient things.
After the new information had been processed, Malo decided to check the statue of the woman and the fish. It was an odd statue, you couldn’t make out the woman or the fish, but it had been standing there for what seemed like forever. Perhaps for a few hundred years. It was right next to the pier, near the checkpoint. Although for Malo the walk wasn’t long at all, Phantom’s chest was still bleeding very slightly, and Malo noticed she was walking with a lot less pride. Her head kept on drooping, and her eyes were nearly always unfocused It wasn’t just that, though, it had turned dark, and there were no stars. No moon. It was the perfect weather for thieves to wait in dark, shadowy corners.
Malo knew that his sister would be fretting, but she was more at risk if he didn’t do this. He was doing this for his dead brother. His dead parents. And his sister. Taking a deep breath, he clambered out of the shelter. Phantom reluctantly followed. They slipped through the street like liquid, and there were times where Phantom would fly overhead, to see if there were any people. The moon was coming out, and the stars were glimmering brightly. It was the only light they had. It was the only light they needed. They made their way to the statue, creeping from street to street, through alleyways and behind house.
Chapter 4
The sun streaked path (which was sheltered by intricately weaved branches) ran through a deserted forest. There were 4 paths out of the city – pointing north, east, south and west. Over the years, the other gateways had been neglected, then crumbled into ash. That meant there was only one place where the gateway would open again. It was obvious where they had to go.
The eagle paused every so often. She was stooping lower and lower with each step; making small screeches of pain; and closing her eyes tight to try block out the throbbing. Even worse, her wounds were gushing blood. It was clear she could die soon.
As they neared the gateway, Malo heard distant screams of fury and thumping that shook the ground. Mechant was after them. Limping forwards, the majestic eagle whimpered, walking slowly towards the gateway. Finally, they reached a towering metal arch that rose up to the sky. Intricate carvings danced across the black paint. Malo, whose head was pounding with excitement, watched the eagle’s eyes widen. With trembling feathers, she reached out and touched the gate. Stars shot through the dark sky, as a galaxy opened in front of them. Electric clouds of all colours shimmered, and cracks of pure silver bore light onto a jewel. Further out; suns and moons glowed with a warm comforting shimmer; ribbons of stars streamed through the eternity darkness – behind surprises.
Then they came. Mechant’s guards had found them, and they were pointing lethal weapons. It was clear they would shoot. Without hesitation, a guard pulled the trigger. It missed them by a feather. The eagle, turning to face them, stood her ground. The guard frowned and pulled the trigger again. It shot past her again and again and again. Something was stopping them from getting a good shot. So they advanced. She blinked. Her golden eyes stared deep into every one of them, eyes deep pools of sorrow and remorse, making the guards falter.
“My time has come,” the eagle whispered, face harsh and still. Turning to Malo, she repeated the words. Malo’s heart fell apart, breaking in two, crumbling to dust. His body felt numb. She couldn’t go. However, the gateway was calling, golden rivers of light pulsing, stars erupting and turning into fireworks. Vibrations shook the ground. “Don’t forget me. I will come back when you are ready. Remember, follow your dreams and your hopes, live a lovely life.” With one step she flew…
…and plunged into the infinity, dancing through worlds and opened diamond doors, swimming through cold flames. Eventually, she was gone. There were no remainders. There was just the thought and the ache of his heart.
Malo turned, crying. The guards had gone. It was just him in this big, cruel world. As he trudged back home, through the blushing sun, he silently cried. He would give anything to be with her right now.
He knew that the eagle would always be watching him, above him, smiling. Soon, he felt lighter, ready to face the long days ahead. Strolling towards the checkpoint, he noticed that a lord looked at him. Then he did the most unexpected thing. He smiled. He was wearing gold, freckled trousers, and a crisp white top, with a pattern in the shape of two brown wings… In wonder, Malo smiled back. It was time to go back home.
Drizzle fell from the drab clouds, splashing into the roaring sea. A few cigarettes blew across the floor, before falling on the pier rocks and being snatched away by the waves. Cobwebs clung to slits in the rocks, feeble and dull.
Malo pulled his hood up, hoping that the foam would not reach out, and whisk him away. He saw the checkpoint in the distance, and his heart sank. Over the stretch of sea, he could already see the buildings coming into view. Small and fat streets of shops, and a few immense structures.
His backpack was heavy-it was specifically meant for carrying cakes. The flat bottom was uncomfortable, and Malo winced as it jolted against his back. Yet he was worried. The cake was magnificent, and the last one and that had the similar delicate sponge and decorations, had arrived as mush.
‘Whatcha doin’ girl?’ asked the guard, grumpily.
‘I’m delivering this cake!’ said Malo, as happily as he could muster, while seething at being a girl. It wasn’t his fault that he hadn’t had a haircut in three years.
‘Gimme that,’ the man said, frowning.
After a long inspection of the parcel and cake, he sniffed.
‘Name?’ he enquired.
‘Malo. Malo Paonne.’
‘Odd name for a girl, eh?’ he said gruffly. Again, Malo cursed his long, blonde hair. Finally, the guard beckoned him, and he stepped out of La Rochelle.
A few minute later, Malo had managed to stumble out of the neglected buildings and had reached the main part of town. Here, children his age were chatting, smiling, with their friends. Malo felt something shift in his heart, and jealousy seeped into him.
How dare they chat, and smile, when people on the other side wailed and cried in despair! How dare they have fun, and make friends! He wanted to scream, and shout. He wanted to yell to the world how unfair it really is. But his sister’s words echoed in his head. Don’t make any noise, keep your head down. Remember, never do what your brother did. You know what will happen.
Malo lowered his head, hiding his face in his hood once again. Suddenly, a hand swiftly plucked at the cake bag, then yanked his arm into an alleyway. ‘Gimme your stuff!’ A voice yelled by his ear.
‘Geroff!’ yelled Malo before falling over on flower petals. Dazed, he tried to get up – before tumbling down again. The sun bore on his face, and a woman’s voice sneered.
‘Wimp.’
Malo screeched and blindly punched the wall. He recoiled, gasping in pain. Laying on the floor, he wondered why the alleyway was so bright and eye-catching.
‘Carry on with the dirty work.’ the man who had shouted to him beforehand said, before disappearing behind him.
The woman released her grip. Malo struggled upwards, and was roughly pulled to the floor again. She took an old-fashioned machine out of her pocket. A gun. How was she supposed to hurt him with that machine? It wasn’t 2020, when guns actually were useful. Hope burst inside him. After all, if it did do something, she was just pointing it. Then the woman just got off, smiling maliciously. Behind Malo, there was a wide opening, obvious as anything. Picking up his bag, he ran. The woman stayed still. Were they letting him go? It sounded to good to be true. Was the man hiding in a corner? But freedom was all he could think about.
‘OOF!’
‘Newest tech,’ smiled the woman. ‘expo lodge.’ An invisible thin sheet was blocking his way. Then her expression changed. She looked like a maniac. Malo looked up. The Expo thing couldn’t go on forever. Hoisting himself onto the ivy, he tried to jump. He landed awkwardly, and the ivy started snapping. The couple started to advance. With a heave, he threw himself over Expo Lodge, just skimming the thin sheet. It ripped, and he ran.
‘Blasted clingfilm!’ yelled the man.
‘Well you were the one who came up with the idea!’
‘Maybe if you chose a different name for the damn thing!
‘We should at least chase him, using the you know.’
‘He’ll be long gone!’
Little did they know, Malo was about to reach a dead end, which would change his life.
CHAPTER 2
Outside, the sun blazed, and people’s sweat clung to the floor. Children’s’ laughter moulded into a long, high pitched scream. The sea crashed violently against boiling black rocks, and baked, dead animals could be seen in sunny corners. Malo rushed into the nearest building. Inside, he fearfully watched a spider clung to the wall, making eerie tip tap sounds. It was like someone had put a stopper on a steaming cup of tea. Grey stone walls felt icy to the touch, and a draught of cold air from below slipped through swiss cheese like cement. With a bang, the door behind him shut. Dead mice shifted, and the wall behind him crumpled. Another room was revealed, filled with trash. Mossy walls, rotting beams, and coal stacks. To his dismay, even in this room, there was nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape. Footsteps echoed behind him, and he took his bag off. It had a tracker device on it. He was doomed.
A man and woman stood by the rubble, eyes glinting maliciously. The man was holding a rifle. The newest version. The deadliest version. At that second, a whoosh of wings, and a piercing shriek tore the sky in two. Out of the darkness, a beak as sharp as the edge of a metal tin opened. A gold, freckled feather fluttered to the ground. Whatever the thing was, the blurry shape was coming for the thieves. It was terrifying. It was terrifying and a miracle. Malo realised that he was standing next to a golden eagle. It clawed its bony feet and screamed. In less than a second, the thieves were scrambling over each other, looking like maniacs. Malo stood still, wide eyed and petrified. Then the eagle turned around. One of its eyes was a black pit, and on her chest, a crimson river gushed to the floor. The eagle did not seem deterred.
She opened her beak, and Malo cowered, expecting another ear-splitting shriek. Instead, a small whisper came out. “I am Eagrele. Many beings find the pronunciation hard, so they call me Phantom. I need help, O mortal saviour.” Malo felt faint. The animal was speaking. No, Phantom was speaking! He stared at her, then slowly, he nodded his head.
“We do not have time to rest. We shall never be safe, until I escape from Mechant.”
Half an hour later, Malo and the eagle had flown/walked to a small nook in the rocks by the beach. No one knew there was a nook, not even the Inquisitors. They didn’t like the beach anyway, so the unusual pair were perfectly safe. The nook wasn’t really something to be proud of: with a small mossy carpet, log chairs, and a stash of biscuits to eat when hungry. With a sigh of relief, the eagle sank down to the floor, taking care not to touch the wound on her chest. Malo watched her, then went to sleep himself.
CHAPTER 3
The sea spat; the wind wailed; lightning lit the sky. Malo woke with a yelp; the wolf opened her eyes sleepily. From outside, gossiping voices talked. Peeking through a crack in the rocks, he could make out guards heading rapidly towards the nook, holding filling cement. Malo knew that from now on, it would become harder and harder to hide. Miss Lilly and Angela followed, clearly trying to flirt with the guards. Despite himself, Malo sighed. Then, he lightly prodded the eagle awake, who was muttering about ‘giza.’ Warm amber eyes opened begrudgingly, then widened when Malo pointed at the guards. High pitched voices persisted; the guard came closer; Malo’s heart joined his mouth.
Crawling across the wet sand, Malo beckoned to the eagle. As silent as death, she treaded towards the far end of the nook, where a boulder stood, covered by a blanket. Together, they took the blanket and rolled it up, then carried the boulder into the small opening in the ceiling. The guards came closer.
A few seconds later, footsteps stopped. An imposing shadow reflected on the boulder. A light pierced the air, bright and sharp, revealing a speckled golden feather. The eagle’s feather. Then, someone clambered inside the gap in the nook. Risking a daring glance, Malo glimpsed a shape picking up the golden plume. The world grinded to a halt. Lightening crackled. He felt like an icicle had stabbed him in the heart. The figure examined it carefully. Heart racing, he pressed into Phantom. She looked at him in the eyes and Malo could almost hear her warm feathers rustling fearfully. They would have to wait, and escape when they had the chance.
It felt like they had been holding their breath for hours. The sun was setting now, and the storm had passed. The gap the guard had climbed in before had been filled, and it took twenty minutes to even shift the boulder. Then, they sat down together, and Phantom cleared her throat.
“O saviour. O saviour. You are the only one who can help me. You have the power to open the gateway, the beautiful, golden gateway. Please, help me. Your world is in danger.”
Malo sat silently. His head was spinning, and he tried to digest the information. This was not his average week. He also knew his family would be worried.
“Me?”
“You are trusting me, so I am trusting you. The safety of the world is resting in your hands. And I know you can do this.”
And they kept on talking. About how if she didn’t get back to the immortal world, she would die, and if she was captured by her agents, she would be tortured. Not for a few years – for eternity. And the most recent gateways had been ancient things.
After the new information had been processed, Malo decided to check the statue of the woman and the fish. It was an odd statue, you couldn’t make out the woman or the fish, but it had been standing there for what seemed like forever. Perhaps for a few hundred years. It was right next to the pier, near the checkpoint. Although for Malo the walk wasn’t long at all, Phantom’s chest was still bleeding very slightly, and Malo noticed she was walking with a lot less pride. Her head kept on drooping, and her eyes were nearly always unfocused It wasn’t just that, though, it had turned dark, and there were no stars. No moon. It was the perfect weather for thieves to wait in dark, shadowy corners.
Malo knew that his sister would be fretting, but she was more at risk if he didn’t do this. He was doing this for his dead brother. His dead parents. And his sister. Taking a deep breath, he clambered out of the shelter. Phantom reluctantly followed. They slipped through the street like liquid, and there were times where Phantom would fly overhead, to see if there were any people. The moon was coming out, and the stars were glimmering brightly. It was the only light they had. It was the only light they needed. They made their way to the statue, creeping from street to street, through alleyways and behind house.
Chapter 4
The sun streaked path (which was sheltered by intricately weaved branches) ran through a deserted forest. There were 4 paths out of the city – pointing north, east, south and west. Over the years, the other gateways had been neglected, then crumbled into ash. That meant there was only one place where the gateway would open again. It was obvious where they had to go.
The eagle paused every so often. She was stooping lower and lower with each step; making small screeches of pain; and closing her eyes tight to try block out the throbbing. Even worse, her wounds were gushing blood. It was clear she could die soon.
As they neared the gateway, Malo heard distant screams of fury and thumping that shook the ground. Mechant was after them. Limping forwards, the majestic eagle whimpered, walking slowly towards the gateway. Finally, they reached a towering metal arch that rose up to the sky. Intricate carvings danced across the black paint. Malo, whose head was pounding with excitement, watched the eagle’s eyes widen. With trembling feathers, she reached out and touched the gate. Stars shot through the dark sky, as a galaxy opened in front of them. Electric clouds of all colours shimmered, and cracks of pure silver bore light onto a jewel. Further out; suns and moons glowed with a warm comforting shimmer; ribbons of stars streamed through the eternity darkness – behind surprises.
Then they came. Mechant’s guards had found them, and they were pointing lethal weapons. It was clear they would shoot. Without hesitation, a guard pulled the trigger. It missed them by a feather. The eagle, turning to face them, stood her ground. The guard frowned and pulled the trigger again. It shot past her again and again and again. Something was stopping them from getting a good shot. So they advanced. She blinked. Her golden eyes stared deep into every one of them, eyes deep pools of sorrow and remorse, making the guards falter.
“My time has come,” the eagle whispered, face harsh and still. Turning to Malo, she repeated the words. Malo’s heart fell apart, breaking in two, crumbling to dust. His body felt numb. She couldn’t go. However, the gateway was calling, golden rivers of light pulsing, stars erupting and turning into fireworks. Vibrations shook the ground. “Don’t forget me. I will come back when you are ready. Remember, follow your dreams and your hopes, live a lovely life.” With one step she flew…
…and plunged into the infinity, dancing through worlds and opened diamond doors, swimming through cold flames. Eventually, she was gone. There were no remainders. There was just the thought and the ache of his heart.
Malo turned, crying. The guards had gone. It was just him in this big, cruel world. As he trudged back home, through the blushing sun, he silently cried. He would give anything to be with her right now.
He knew that the eagle would always be watching him, above him, smiling. Soon, he felt lighter, ready to face the long days ahead. Strolling towards the checkpoint, he noticed that a lord looked at him. Then he did the most unexpected thing. He smiled. He was wearing gold, freckled trousers, and a crisp white top, with a pattern in the shape of two brown wings… In wonder, Malo smiled back. It was time to go back home.
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