Final Storm

by Deborah Abela

  Jeremiah crouched down and tied Raffy’s scarf. ‘It won’t be for long, I promise.’

  ‘Why can’t you come with us?’

  ‘It’ll be better if we stay apart, only for a little while.’

  ‘Are you in danger?’ Bea asked.

  ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Please, Jeremiah.’ Raffy’s eyes glistened. ‘You said you and I were in this for keeps.’

  Jeremiah looked stung. ‘We are … I …’

  ‘It’s temporary.’ Isabella drew Raffy close. ‘We’ll be together again soon.’

  ‘It’s time.’ The guard’s voice was cold and officious.

  Bea and Raffy stole one last hug from Jeremiah before Griffin and Xavier helped them into the Armavan. Isabella waited until they were strapped in before whispering through her own hug. ‘It won’t be long, will it?’

  Jeremiah held her tight. ‘Not if I can help it, but first we need to find out who did this and make sure it’s safe for you to be here.’

  ‘Where will you go? Can we visit?’

  ‘The government has arranged a safe house in the city. As it appears I am the target, it’ll be best if we don’t see each other for the time being.’

  ‘But I –’

  ‘We need to go.’ The guard’s voice had a chiselled edge, the kind you didn’t mess with.

  Isabella climbed into the van and the door closed. As they drove away, they watched Jeremiah grow smaller and smaller before he disappeared into the blackness of the night.

  Aleksander’s home wasn’t quite what they expected. At two towering iron gates, security guards checked the van before they drove up a long driveway into a vast estate.

  ‘This is where Wonder Boy lives?’ Lights along the drive lit up Xavier’s unimpressed face. ‘You never told us he was rich.’

  ‘He never said.’ Isabella seemed just as surprised.

  ‘How can he have this much money and not brag about it?’ Xavier muttered. ‘There is definitely something wrong with him.’

  The Armavan stopped before a stone building that looked like an oversized gingerbread house with peaked roofs and snow gathered like thick layers of icing. They stepped out of the van into an icy breeze sweeping across the yard.

  ‘Welcome.’ Aleksander was waiting for them on the front steps.

  Behind him was a man in a grey suit and waistcoat and a woman wearing a uniform and apron.

  ‘This is Maxwell and Cora. If you need anything, just ask. Maxwell also makes the best hot chocolates you’ll ever taste.’

  ‘We’re not staying long.’ Raffy stood his ground.

  ‘However long you need is fine by me,’ Aleksander said. ‘But hopefully you’ll have time to try out the waterslide in the indoor pool.’

  ‘A waterslide?’

  ‘Yep. You’re also welcome to try out the Armapod in the shed.’

  ‘You have your own Armapod?’

  ‘Purely for research purposes,’ Aleksander said with a smirk.

  Raffy softened a little. ‘Okay, but after that we go home. Jeremiah and Snowy need us.’

  ‘Deal.’ Aleksander rubbed his hands. ‘How about those hot chocolates?’

  The house was even more impressive inside. The foyer looked like a hotel and was bigger than their whole home. It was dominated by a winding marble staircase and lit by shimmering lamps.

  ‘Downstairs you’ll find the cinema, activities room and library. Upstairs are the bedrooms and study. On this level we have the dining, lounge and kitchen.’ He focused on Raffy. ‘The pool and slides are in the west wing, next to the indoor ski field.’

  ‘You have an indoor ski field?’ Raffy’s eyes widened.

  ‘Which you can use anytime you like.’

  Aleksander led them into the kitchen, where Cora was stoking a fire and Maxwell poured hot chocolates.

  ‘Are Cora and Maxwell your parents?’ Raffy asked. Aleksander cradled his mug. ‘No, they’re my guardians.’

  ‘Where are your mum and dad?’

  ‘Raffy!’ Bea lowered her voice and said, ‘Maybe he doesn’t want to say.’

  ‘It’s okay. I lost them to the floods.’ Aleksander saw Raffy frown. ‘So why do I have such a big house?’

  The twins nodded.

  ‘I have a sponsor. Some of the students in New City are looked after by wealthy benefactors and mine has been extremely generous.’

  Xavier wasn’t buying it. ‘I’ve never heard of kids being sponsored.’

  ‘There are a few of us.’ Aleksander sipped his drink, holding Xavier’s gaze.

  ‘And you’re the only kid who lives here?’ Raffy was still taking it all in.

  ‘Yes, but I’d give it all away if I could have my family back again.’

  The room fell quiet and it seemed as if he might cry.

  Xavier slurped his hot chocolate noisily.

  ‘But most of you know what that’s like.’ Aleksander looked around the table, saving a last pointed glare for Xavier.

  ‘It’s late, Master Larsen.’ Maxwell stepped forward, hovering behind Xavier. ‘Shall I show everyone to their rooms?’

  ‘Yes,’ Aleksander said before finishing his drink. ‘Thank you.’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  A Puzzling Find

  Outside, snow fell in gentle waves, silently smothering everything as a quiet calm settled on the house.

  Xavier lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The ticking of a hall clock counted each second he couldn’t sleep. The longer he lay there the louder it became.

  Aleksander was a fraud, he knew it. There was something fake about his sad parent act. Something that didn’t ring true. And now they were stuck in his mansion and who knows when they’d be able to go home.

  He rolled over and noticed a soft glow of light beneath his door. He slipped out of bed and poked his head outside. The light came from a room at the end of the hall, along with a murmured voice. His feet sank into the carpet as he crept past the other bedrooms.

  As he drew closer, he heard the unmistakable voice of Aleksander Larsen.

  ‘All of them except the one with the bird.’

  Xavier stood as close as he dared.

  ‘That will be much easier now they’re here.’ After a brief pause Aleksander added, ‘Thank you.’

  Nothing more was said. The light switched off and Xavier heard the soft fall of footsteps. He dashed into the shadows and ducked behind a side table.

  Aleksander closed the door and returned to his room.

  Xavier didn’t move. Not until he was sure Aleksander wouldn’t come back.

  He rose slowly, scanned the hall, and slipped into the room. Bookcases rose to the ceiling and on a long desk in the centre, a bank of computers threw out an eerie, blue light. The screens were alive with 3D animating robots and reams of complicated coding.

  Schoolbooks sat open in piles alongside notepads scribbled with ideas and plans. There were models of flying machines and hoverboards, wires and cables, motherboards and, somewhat unnervingly, robotic heads and hands.

  Xavier tried to open the drawers but they were locked. He pushed aside the books and found a carved, wooden box. Inside, was a set of keys.

  ‘You need to be more careful, Wonder Boy.’

  He searched through each one, careful not to disturb anything, when he opened the bottom drawer.

  He saw a folder. On the front, in careful handwriting, was one word: Grimsdon.

  There were newspaper articles, photos and pages of handwritten notes. He felt a stab of unease.

  He flicked through reports about the barrier and the floods. He read about Jeremiah. His time as a Physical Oceanographer and his work trying to convince the government about the floods. And about throwing the shoe. A photo showed Jeremiah’s face twisted in anger as he was being dragged from the parliament.

  There were interviews about their life in Grimsdon and how it changed after they were rescued. There were photos of them all, some from what looked like security cameras.

&nbs
p; It felt as if every recorded moment of their lives over the last year had been gathered in one place.

  But there was something else.

  In the articles, Isabella’s words were highlighted or underlined. What she thought about her time in Grimsdon, the rescue, how she felt arriving in New City. A photo of her was circled multiple times in thick red ink.

  Xavier placed the folder on the desk.

  Also in the drawer was a black book marked private. He reached down and opened it. It was Aleksander’s. He began reading when he heard a voice behind him.

  ‘What are you doing in Master Larsen’s study?’

  Cora stood in the doorway. Even though it was well after midnight, she was still wearing her uniform and apron.

  ‘Just out for a midnight stroll.’ Xavier gave her his most charming smile.

  ‘You should not be here.’

  Charm didn’t work on Cora so he tried sympathy. ‘I couldn’t sleep. Not with the attack on the house and –’

  ‘You are not to be here.’

  ‘I thought if I read it might help me sleep.’

  Cora took slow deliberate steps towards him. She took the book from his fingers and replaced it and the folder before turning the key. ‘You should leave.’

  Xavier glanced at the locked drawer. He hated not knowing what was in that book. He pointed to the shelves. ‘Would it be okay if I read here for a while and –’

  ‘Now.’

  Xavier left the room and as he walked down the hall, he heard the unmistakable click of a door being locked behind him.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  An Unforeseen Turn of Events

  ‘You don’t think it’s weird that he has a folder all about us?’

  It was the next morning and Xavier was trying to get Griffin’s attention as the others taught Raffy how to ride a hoverboard in the activities room.

  ‘Sorry?’ Griffin kept an eye on Raffy as he flew higher and an even closer eye on Isabella and Aleksander, who gave each other a high five.

  ‘The folder,’ Xavier insisted. ‘With all that information about us.’

  ‘I think it’s weird you were searching through someone’s house,’ Griffin answered.

  Bea cheered as she ran beside her brother. ‘Go, Raffy!’

  This was the happiest he’d been in weeks. As if the old Raffy was finally back.

  Xavier, however, wasn’t quite so happy. ‘Okay, but apart from that. It’s weird, right?’

  ‘I think it’s flattering he wants to know more about us. After all, he is the smartest –’

  ‘Kid at the Academy,’ Xavier said with a groan. ‘So everyone keeps saying.’

  Isabella and Aleksander gave Raffy instructions as he flew into a series of smooth turns before making a perfect landing. Bea jumped up and down and smothered him in a hug.

  Aleksander cheered and swung Isabella into the air, making Griffin’s heart jolt as if he’d tripped up a step.

  Xavier moved in front of him. ‘But what about the book marked private?’

  Griffin craned his neck and saw Aleksander whisper to Isabella. ‘The one you never read?’

  ‘Yes. Don’t you think it’s suspicious?’

  ‘Maybe it’s full of his private thoughts,’ Griffin snapped. ‘He’s allowed to have them.’

  ‘Or maybe he’s up to something.’

  ‘Or maybe he’s just a nice guy you don’t like.’

  ‘What about the phone call? What’s going to be much easier now we’re here? What’s he up to?’

  ‘Griffin!’ Aleksander cried. ‘Want to try?’

  ‘No,’ he answered before adding, ‘Thanks.’

  ‘You have to!’ Bea hurried over.

  ‘You’ll love it!’ Raffy’s cheeks glowed.

  ‘I’m not sure I –’

  ‘I think you should,’ Isabella said, joining them. ‘It might be your ideal sport.’

  ‘Because flying comes so easily to me?’

  Isabella wore an expression Griffin had seen before. The one where she meant business. ‘Remember when I taught you how to skateboard?’

  ‘I remember falling down a lot.’

  ‘Yeah, but you thought you’d never do it and then you rode all the way down our street.’

  ‘That was a fluke.’

  ‘It wasn’t!’ Isabella wouldn’t let him play it down. ‘You just had to find your balance.’

  Aleksander held out the hoverboard. ‘It’s all yours.’

  Griffin stared at the determined faces of his friends and sighed. ‘Okay, but if I die it’ll be your fault.’

  As he clipped on a helmet and Isabella explained the basics, Aleksander sidled up to Xavier.

  ‘Cora said she found you in my study last night.’

  Xavier felt his skin bristle. ‘I couldn’t sleep.’

  ‘I don’t blame you. Not after everything that’s happened. Did you find anything interesting?’

  ‘I wasn’t there long.’

  ‘I’m sorry Cora asked you to leave. Sometimes she and Maxwell can be a little over-protective. You’re welcome to use the study anytime you like.’

  Something about his offer made Xavier feel as if he’d been invited to hold a snake.

  ‘Go Griffin!’

  Xavier turned around to see Griffin flying. It wasn’t the smoothest of flights, but he was doing it. And Griffin seemed more shocked than anyone.

  Making a welcome escape from Aleksander, Xavier hurried to the others. ‘Go, Griffman!’

  Griffin kept close to the ground, but he’d found his balance just like Isabella had promised. He even started to enjoy it. When he tried to land, he hit the ground with a thud and crumpled to his knees. Bea and Raffy flung themselves at him in a scramble of arms and cheers.

  Isabella simply stood, arms crossed with a look that said I told you so. And Griffin’s heart tripped again.

  A chime sounded from Isabella’s phone. She reached into her pocket and stared at the screen.

  Griffin saw her face pale. ‘Is everything okay?’

  Bea and Raffy saw it too. ‘Izzy?’

  Isabella wasn’t sure what to say. ‘I … I …’

  Griffin unclipped himself from the hoverboard and stumbled to his feet.

  Isabella handed him the phone.

  ‘Oh,’ was all he said, as if wondering if it was true. But there it was, right in front of him.

  Xavier stepped closer. ‘What does it say?’

  ‘Is it bad news?’ Bea asked.

  Finally, he said, ‘They’ve found Isabella’s mum.’

  Hearing it out loud, made Isabella flinch. She squeezed her hands to make sure she was awake. That it wasn’t another dream.

  Griffin read on. ‘They’ve found a DNA match. In Switzerland. She’s on her way to New City now.’

  When her mum had first left, Isabella would lay awake every night, convinced that she’d sneak into her room and say sorry for having disappeared and everything would go back to the way it had been. As the months passed and they heard nothing, she was angry with herself for being so ridiculous.

  But now it really was happening.

  ‘How do you feel?’ Griffin worried Isabella looked as if she was about to be sick.

  ‘Good. Fine. A bit weird.’

  ‘What was she like?’ Bea asked.

  ‘She was funny.’ Isabella felt like she was describing a character from a book. ‘And she had this big laugh that filled the whole house. She liked dancing and would often drag my dad to his feet after dinner and dance him around the kitchen.’

  ‘Even though he was a terrible dancer,’ Griffin said.

  ‘But he’d dance anyway,’ Isabella remembered. ‘To make her happy. She was brave and smart and I wanted to be just like her.’

  ‘Well, you’re lucky there,’ Aleksander declared.

  ‘Because you are!’ Bea and Raffy cried.

  ‘It’s true.’ Xavier shrugged.

  The others waited for him to say more, but he seemed as overwhelmed by
the news as all of them.

  ‘She’s coming back, Griffin.’ Isabella’s eyes sparkled with tears.

  A lopsided smile spread to the corners of Griffin’s face. ‘And she’ll see you’re braver and smarter than anyone we know.’

  That night, Isabella couldn’t sleep. The harder she tried, the more awake she felt. She switched on her lamp and slipped the photo of her family from beneath her pillow. Her head filled with a wild buzzing of questions.

  What would her mum look like now? Would she recognise her? And what if Griffin was wrong? What if her mum didn’t think she was brave and smart?

  Griffin poked his head around the door. ‘Can’t sleep?’

  ‘Not even close.’

  She shuffled over and he sat beside her. The bedside light spilled over her worried face.

  ‘What if she’s disappointed, Griffin? What if I’m not the kind of daughter she wants?’

  ‘Are you serious? You’re the kind of daughter every parent would want.’

  ‘But what if she left because of me?’

  ‘We don’t know why she left.’

  ‘We know I wasn’t enough to make her stay.’

  Griffin saw the sadness of this one thought sink into her shoulders. ‘She’s going to love you.’

  ‘How can you be sure?’

  He pointed a finger in the air. ‘Scientific deduction.’

  Isabella frowned. ‘Based on what?’

  ‘Based on years of being your best friend and I can’t come up with one reason why she wouldn’t.’

  ‘That only proves you’re biased.’

  ‘I prefer to say an expert. Plus, I bet she’s just as worried and excited about seeing you.’

  ‘You think so?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ he said.

  Isabella relaxed a little. ‘Can you be there with me when we meet her?’

  ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else.’

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  A Long Overdue Reunion

  ‘How do I look?’

  It was a question Isabella rarely asked, and Griffin gave the same answer he’d given five times already. ‘You look perfect.’