Final Storm

by Deborah Abela

  It was Sneddon.

  He was alive and he was back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  A White Lie

  As Sneddon spoke, Griffin felt as if he was drowning.

  He talked about protecting the future and how all he wanted was to make the world safe again. ‘Especially for our children.’

  This infuriated Griffin the most.

  Sneddon stood before them as a hero, a saviour in times of trouble, when he was partly responsible for the trouble they were in.

  Gone was the coiling sweep of knotted black hair, the dirt creased into every wrinkle on his face and hands. He was clean, he was refined and looked every inch a respectable man.

  But Griffin had no doubt he was still the snake he was before.

  He seethed as Sneddon finished his speech. With his hand on his heart, he gave a modest bow, like a kindly, generous uncle.

  In the waves of cheering that followed, Fly noticed Griffin had paled. ‘Is everything okay?’

  He was too stunned to lie. ‘It’s … Sneddon.’

  Her head snapped back to the stage. ‘That’s Sneddon?’

  Because he was afraid of water and never left his ship, Bea, Fly and Raffy had only ever heard stories about him.

  ‘The one Jeremiah threw his shoe at?’ Bea scowled at the elegant man shaking hands and smiling for the cameras. He was nothing like the toothless monster she’d imagined.

  ‘And who tried to kill Isabella.’ Raffy shuddered.

  ‘Why is he here?’ Fly asked, bewildered.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Griffin saw the fear on their faces. ‘Maybe he’s changed.’

  None of them, including Griffin, believed that for a second.

  The bell echoed around the grounds. A much brightened Professor Galloway wished everyone a grand first day back and students began filing out of the hall in an excited babble.

  ‘I thought he went down with his ship.’ Bea stared as if she was seeing a ghost.

  ‘So did we,’ Xavier said.

  ‘Do you think he’s here because he’s mad at us?’

  There were times when Fly seemed able to read Griffin’s thoughts.

  ‘No.’ This time the lie came easily. ‘He’s probably forgotten all about us and is here to make his fortune.’

  ‘I bet that’s it,’ Xavier snarled. ‘He’s a thief, remember, his main aim in Grimsdon was to steal as much as he could.’

  ‘You mean make us steal for him.’ Bea shot Sneddon a cold stare.

  He was escorted from the stage by a parade of adoring adults.

  ‘We’d better go to class.’ Griffin ushered them away. ‘And don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.’

  He knew he had no right to promise this, especially now Sneddon was back.

  In the foyer, Bea and Raffy joined the line of students entering the glass walkways to class. Fly hung back. ‘You won’t do anything silly, will you?’

  ‘Me?’ Griffin jabbed a finger into his chest. ‘I’m the sensible one, remember? Now go on. We’ll meet you here after school.’

  Fly lingered a moment before heading to class.

  ‘How is he back?’ Griffin couldn’t move as students flooded by. ‘I thought he was gone forever.’

  ‘You and I saw him,’ Xavier said. ‘He was bitten by his own tiger snake before the ship was rolled by sea monsters.’

  Griffin flinched at the memory. The tossing of the boat, back and forth, until water spilled onto the deck and dragged it down. ‘There’s no way he could have survived.’

  As if to prove him wrong, Sneddon appeared in the foyer. He was flanked by fawning Academy staff and politicians, falling over themselves to praise him. And Ariella Frost was by his side, keeping perfect step.

  Griffin’s suspicions from the last few weeks had felt like a jumbled mess, until now.

  ‘It’s him. Everything that’s happened. The crash. The paint bombing. It all makes sense.’ He gripped Xavier’s sleeve. ‘Do you think he had anything to do with Isabella?’

  ‘How could he?’

  Griffin felt a surge of anger. ‘Because he’s Sneddon and he almost killed her once before.’

  Sneddon climbed into a waiting Armavan. Ariella was about to join him when she waved to someone in the distance. Griffin followed her line of sight to Aleksander.

  ‘He should be in prison for what he did, not welcomed back like a hero.’ The injustice of it engulfed Griffin like a wave. He’d hurt so many people. He’d had the chance to save their home and did nothing. ‘I’m going to see him.’

  ‘And do what?’

  ‘Ask what he’s up to. And what he knows about Isabella.’

  Xavier was wary. ‘You do remember he almost killed us too?’

  ‘I don’t care.’ Griffin’s mind was made up. ‘I’m going.’

  Xavier smiled. ‘Not without me you’re not. When should we leave?’

  ‘Now.’

  ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ The last of the students and teachers were disappearing into the maze of Academy buildings, including Aleksander. ‘And I know just how to get there.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  A Clever Escape

  ‘How did you convince Aleksander to lend you his Armapod?’

  Xavier and Griffin sat in the cabin of the self-drive vehicle, heading towards Future World Solutions.

  ‘He didn’t exactly lend it to me. I borrowed it.’

  ‘You stole it?’

  ‘No, I accidentally bumped into him, causing him to drop his bag, which I helped him pick up, when my hand accidentally slipped into his jacket pocket and took his phone, which has the app that operates the Armapod.’

  ‘So you stole his Armapod and his phone?’

  ‘Not stole, borrowed, like I said. I’ll give them back.’

  ‘How do you know how to operate it?’

  Xavier curled his lip. ‘Our first lesson in Vehicle Science was all about Wonder Boy and his genius machine, which annoyed me at the time but turns out, it was quite handy,’ Xavier said, pleased with himself, until he noticed Griffin’s hands twisting in his lap. ‘What are you going to say to Sneddon?’

  ‘I haven’t worked that out yet.’

  ‘When you do, I’ll be there.’

  ‘We need to see him now.’ Griffin glared at the receptionist in the foyer of Future World Solutions.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said in a pompous tone that must have taken years to perfect. ‘As I’ve explained, that won’t be possible. He can’t see just anyone, he is a very important man.’

  ‘And we are old friends.’ Xavier leaned closer, his voice low and threatening. ‘I wouldn’t like to be you when he finds out you kept us from seeing him.’

  ‘As true as that may be, I …’ A quiet beeping sounded and he jabbed a button. ‘Reception, how may I help you?’ His supercilious air withered and his head spun round to the security camera behind him. ‘Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Right away, sir.’

  He adjusted his headset. ‘Mr Snowden will see you now. He’s on the –’

  ‘Let me guess …’ Xavier tapped his chin, pretending to be puzzled. ‘The top floor?’

  Beside the lifts, two guards stood with their hands on their holsters. Griffin’s heart raced as their eyes burned into them, watching their every move.

  Once inside, Griffin slumped against the wall.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘I’m having trouble deciding whether to pass out or throw up.’

  Xavier laughed. ‘You’ll be fine.’

  ‘Will I? I’m about to meet a madman who once tried to kill my best friend.’

  ‘Until we saved her.’

  ‘This time we might not be so lucky.’

  ‘Remember when I taught you judo in Grimsdon? What did I tell you about being tough?’

  Griffin did remember. It was the nicest thing Xavier had ever done for him. ‘The most important thing about being tough is acting tough.’

  ‘That’s right. It’s fifty per cent bluff
.’ He threw out his chin. ‘Now let’s go show Sneddon just how tough we are.’

  Griffin felt a little better when the elevator came to a stop and they were greeted by a blissful Ariella Frost. ‘Xavier and Griffin, how lovely that you are here. Please come this way.’

  Her high heels snapped against the marble floor.

  Expensive works of art crowded the gold walls and ornate French cabinets were topped with statues and ancient Chinese vases. It was gaudy and tasteless and seemed to say, look how fantastically wealthy I am.

  Ariella stopped before a set of gold doors, which she opened with a flourish. ‘Please, enter.’

  Griffin tried to ignore the feeling of being invited into a lion’s cage.

  ‘Ah, I was wondering when I would see your smiling faces.’

  A jolt of panic surged through Griffin. It really was Sneddon. Framed against a large glass window that looked over the heart of New City, he held a teacup in his gloved hands.

  His superior grin spurred Griffin’s resolve. ‘Where’s Isabella?’

  ‘Isabella?’ Sneddon stroked his beard as if trying to remember. ‘Was she the feisty one who was good with swords but terrible at holding her temper?’

  ‘The one you made walk the plank,’ Xavier said before adding, ‘And survived.’

  Sneddon didn’t take the bait. ‘Has something happened to her?’

  ‘She’s missing,’ Griffin hissed.

  ‘Oh dear.’ Sneddon put his cup and saucer on the desk and sat in his oversized chair, feigning concern. ‘How awful. I do hope she’s okay.’

  ‘How are you even here?’ Xavier spoke through gritted teeth. ‘You were bitten by a tiger snake.’

  ‘And like naive children, you thought I was doomed, and yet –’ his face puffed up with pride ‘– here I am, the picture of perfect health.’

  ‘We saw the ship sink.’ Griffin stared at his unflinching black eyes.

  ‘That is sadly true. My home of three years was dragged to the bottom of the harbour by those hideous creatures. And when the vial of snake antivenene was broken in the chaos caused by your trespassing, I was indeed in trouble.’ He leaned forward like a sailor enjoying the thrill of an old tale. ‘Luckily, I was prepared. So prepared that I would have made quite the boy scout.’

  His chuckle made Xavier’s heart sink. ‘You had a second vial,’ he guessed.

  ‘Clever boy! No wonder you go to that fancy academy. I quickly administered the second vial, which counteracted the effect of the poison and saved me from what would have been an excruciating death.’

  ‘Which is why you didn’t drown.’ Griffin didn’t bother hiding his disappointment.

  ‘Not even close.’ Sneddon’s once yellowed teeth were now gleaming white and immaculately straight. ‘This is where it gets really exciting. With those monsters rocking the ship, I had time to reach for a life jacket, and in one particularly powerful push, the ship was tipped so far, I simply stepped over the side. As you know I am not a fan of water, but this was my chance to escape and I took it.’ Sneddon snatched at the air dramatically. ‘I looked back long enough to see the ship dragged under the waves before swimming away. Turns out I’m braver than I thought.’

  Sneddon gave Xavier a particularly mirthful look. ‘Do you remember my last words to you?’

  Xavier clenched his jaw, refusing to answer.

  ‘Shall I remind you?’ Sneddon savoured the moment. ‘I said, I am going to take my rightful place back in civilised society with the jewels you’ve been collecting for me over the years.’

  ‘The jewels,’ Griffin realised. ‘They would have gone down with the ship.’

  ‘Dear boy.’ Sneddon’s voice dripped with condescension. ‘The ship wasn’t the only place I stored my riches. That would have been foolish. What if something happened? What if sea monsters attacked my ship? You remember I had two associates.’

  Tyran and Mouse were thuggish buffoons, who’d forced them to steal for Sneddon, or face the consequences.

  ‘Not the brightest stars in the universe but very useful nonetheless. They made regular deposits to a bank vault I owned. What I lost on the ship was mere small change. Of course when I got there, I realised they’d been stealing from me all along. Humans,’ he sniffed in disgust. ‘So untrustworthy.’

  Griffin was still trying to piece it together. ‘But how did you leave Grimsdon?’

  Sneddon’s eyes shone with delight. ‘The bank was near the State Library. A grand and magnificent building, I really should have gone there more often, and you’ll never guess what I found inside.’

  Xavier felt winded. ‘The Submariner.’

  It was Jeremiah’s way of navigating Grimsdon.

  ‘Is that what you called it? Ingenious little vessel. Part boat, part submarine. I had a very pleasant view of Grimsdon as I sailed away. When I reached the edge of the floodwaters, I abandoned ship for the long and difficult walk to New City. Once I was there, I paid a few enterprising gentlemen in possession of all-terrain vehicles to take me back to Grimsdon to retrieve my vast wealth. And voila!’ He threw out his arms like he was on stage. ‘Here I am, one of the city’s greatest success stories.’

  Griffin’s stomach twisted at the sight of Sneddon’s glee.

  ‘Which is only fair, because I was on track to becoming this country’s Prime Minister before those wretched floods came.’

  ‘Which Jeremiah warned you about,’ Griffin snarled.

  ‘Jeremiah?’ A smile slithered into Sneddon’s lips. ‘The dotty old scientist who lost his mind and was sacked from the Bureau? Which, of course, had to happen. We can’t have a weatherman who can’t predict the weather. I mean, it is his main job.’

  Griffin felt sick. His suspicions were right. ‘It was you.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Sneddon sipped his tea, staring innocently over the rim of his dainty cup.

  ‘Your robotic eagles have been creating the snow and ice storms. You’re the reason Jeremiah’s modelling didn’t work. You destroyed his life once and now you’re doing it again.’

  ‘The weather has been erratic for quite some time.’

  ‘And has become worse.’

  ‘Because of me?’ Sneddon faked confusion. ‘Why would I do that?’

  Xavier shouted, ‘Because you’re a snake who’ll do anything to get what you want.’

  One of the guards moved towards Xavier, but Sneddon held up his hand and he stepped back.

  ‘I’d be very careful about saying things you can’t prove.’ He gestured towards Xavier’s broken arm ‘I wouldn’t want anything else to happen to you.’

  He lowered his cup. ‘How is Jeremiah? Is he okay after his crash and that terrible business with his house? Do give him my best.’

  Griffin burned with rage as Sneddon toyed with them.

  ‘The planet’s weather is broken and I have the technology to fix it. Countries all over the world are desperate to buy it, which will make me rich beyond my wildest dreams. And those dreams are wild, I can assure you.’

  ‘We’ll tell everyone about you,’ Xavier warned.

  ‘You can try, but I employed some very clever people to remove any unsavoury stories about Mr Sneddon, who died tragically in Grimsdon. Whereas Phineas Snowden is a humble innovator, who loves children and animals and wants to safeguard the future of our planet.’

  ‘Rather than a criminal who wants to destroy it.’ Griffin’s fingernails dug into his palms.

  ‘Ah, but you see, some say criminal, others say survivor. We’ve all done things that haven’t been completely honest. It’s nothing more than you did in Grimsdon.’

  ‘It’s nothing like what we did in Grimsdon.’ Griffin leapt forward but the guards seized his arms and dragged him away from the desk. ‘We were trying to survive.’ He wrestled in their vice-like grip. ‘To look after each other. You were looking after yourself. You still are!’

  The iron grip of the guards remained firm. Griffin refused to show how much it hurt. Sneddon gave a small nod and they let him go
.

  ‘Sorry about that, they can be a little over-protective.’

  Ariella knocked on the door. ‘Excuse me, Mr Snowden, it is time.’

  He rose to his feet with renewed gusto. ‘Sorry I can’t stay longer. There is much to do before tomorrow’s demonstration, which will be broadcast live, all over the world. Be sure to watch, won’t you?’

  He stared at his reflection in a mirror and smoothed his already perfect mane of silver hair. A frightful grin twisted his face. ‘It has been fun catching up on old times. We really must do it again. Now off you go, back to school so you can work hard on your little planet-saving projects.’

  Ariella helped him into his coat.

  ‘Oh, and I hope your friend is safe. Esmerelda, is it?’

  ‘Isabella.’ Griffin wanted to smash things. To leap across his desk and push Sneddon into his gold walls.

  ‘It would be a terrible shame if something happened to her. Or you.’

  His eyes lingered on them both. The threat that lay beneath his words was unmistakable.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  A Sneaky Plan

  ‘It’s true.’

  As Xavier sat in Aleksander’s Armapod, he scrolled through another story of Phineas Snowden’s brilliance. He read articles about his plans for creating a safer, greener world all for the sake of the children. ‘It’s like Sneddon barely existed, while this Snowden guy is a saint.’

  He looked up and saw Griffin staring at his phone. ‘Still nothing?’

  Griffin shook his head. He’d called Isabella again. Every time he heard her voice telling him to leave a message, his heart leapt. ‘We have to let the world know who Sneddon really is.’

  ‘How? He’s deleted everything bad ever written about him and made it clear he’s dead.’

  ‘He hasn’t deleted everything,’ Griffin said with a sly smile. ‘There’s the parliamentary papers Jeremiah brought from Grimsdon.’

  Xavier’s eyes lit up. ‘The ones he handed to the government when we first arrived?’

  ‘And prove he was to blame for the floods. Jeremiah will help us get them back.’