Final Storm

by Deborah Abela

  That’s when she saw it. Among the puddles and rusted air-conditioning units was Xavier’s Aerotrope.

  The knot in Isabella’s throat hardened. Her whole body ached with disappointment. She knew, of course, what she would find, but that didn’t stop her hoping it would be different.

  The flying machine’s strong bat-like wings were now mangled, rusty frames, the material long torn away. The wheels were deflated, the cargo box destroyed and the cover had snapped off and dangled like a broken mast. It looked more like a dying praying mantis than a once elegant invention.

  She’d never told Xavier but the machine had been sheer brilliance. He’d built it from scraps and based it on plans drawn by Leonardo da Vinci.

  And now it was a useless relic.

  Isabella sat cross-legged on the ground and looked over the city. The floodwaters were still littered with upturned cars and buses and the sunken Grimsdon Eye, which poked out of the water like a giant bicycle wheel. But there were more trees and creepers than when they left, as if nature was slowly overtaking what humans had abandoned.

  From this height she could see the silver peaks of the Flood Barrier, like half-submerged knights ready for battle. For years it had protected the city while she and Griffin went to school, rode bikes, played soccer and never dreamed life would ever change.

  And within one day, it was all gone. Everything and everyone she’d ever known was taken from her. Except Griffin.

  The Aerotrope creaked in the breeze.

  It had been her last hope of returning to New City.

  She wouldn’t panic. She wouldn’t cry. She refused.

  Instead, she got to her feet and tightened the belt on her coat. There had to be another way.

  Back in the Haggle, she hunted through the rooms and the piles of machinery parts, bicycles and skateboards.

  Which is when she heard it.

  The familiar sound of water gathering speed in the distance.

  A sneaker wave.

  Isabella raced to the window and saw it careering towards her, crashing into buildings, growing with each second into a monstrous tsunami. It stormed around her, murmuring and rolling, cracking like thunder.

  It was much bigger than any she’d seen before and it was only seconds away.

  She turned and ran.

  The wave hit and began pouring through the windows. Groaning and roaring, it felt as if the building had suddenly come to life.

  Isabella headed for the stairs, pushing herself to run faster, but she was too late. The freezing wave pounded into her, sweeping her off her feet, tossing her like a ragdoll, before it slammed her into a wall.

  The pain tore through her body as the water washed into the Haggle, gathering everything into a giant whirlpool. Her lungs ached and the salt burned her throat. She forced herself to swim upwards through the churning flood until she thrust her head high enough to take a deep breath. Relief filled her whole body and she greedily took another gulp of air, when the wave started to fall away.

  Water began emptying from the building. Spilling out the broken windows and doors – and taking Isabella with it.

  Desperate to get hold of something, anything, she struggled against the speed of the floodwater. She was swept onto a broken balcony and only just managed to grip the doorway, saving her from plunging into the turbulent waves below.

  Isabella held on tight as the water crashed over her. A bitter cold sank into her skin. Her hands were raw and her eyes stung. As the last of the water rushed past, she loosened her fingers and collapsed to the balcony floor.

  She’d been caught in a sneaker wave and survived.

  Lying face down, her boots dangled over the edge where the railing had long rusted away. She turned on her side, drew her knees to her chest and curled into a ball.

  Isabella tried to catch her breath, while every part of her ached. She closed her eyes against the pain and cold, when she felt the balcony shift beneath her. It was a tiny movement, but she knew, in only seconds it would break away.

  In one quick move she got to her feet, but it was too late. The balcony splintered from the wall. Isabella reached for the building but she missed and fell, tumbling through the icy air into the churning Grimsdon Harbour.

  The slap of the river hit Isabella hard. Her breath was snatched from her as she plunged beneath the waves. She tumbled over and over in the pitch black. Desperate to take a breath, she fought against the swirling current, trying to find her way out, but, dizzy and with little energy left, her body went limp and she was pulled into the darkness.

  She had one thought.

  Griffin.

  Again and again as she drifted down.

  I’m sorry.

  The waves calmed. It was quiet.

  In slow motion, her body floated until it came to rest.

  When the ground began to move.

  Water rushed by, faster and faster, as if she was flying. Maybe it was another sneaker wave, lifting her up before it dumped her in one colossal crash. Curled up tight, she prepared for the impact, when she realised she’d breached the surface. Drawing in a deep gulp of air, coughing and spluttering, she was floating on the waves. She hadn’t drowned.

  Her thoughts scrambled and her head spun. But how?

  Looking down, she knew …

  The emerald fur, the cosy nook and the gentle groaning that vibrated through her bones. A long, shimmering neck rose into the air, dripping great streams of water from a thick black mane.

  ‘Herman?’ Isabella’s spirits lifted as the head of the sea monster swung round to face her. His long lashes fluttered around deep black eyes rimmed with red. He nudged her gently, pushing his snout softly into her. She patted his face. ‘It’s good to see you.’

  He let out a low groan.

  ‘We’ve all missed you, especially Fly.’

  Herman used his nose to push her higher up his back. He swung his head forward, raised his two glistening wings and brought them down in one majestic sweep. Isabella gripped Herman’s fur as his powerful body glided through the river and, in mere seconds, he began to fly.

  Isabella nestled close, snuggling into his back as they climbed higher. The warmth of his body helped drive away the cold. Grimsdon sailed beneath them with its snaking river, swirling around buildings and palaces, spilling into churches and cathedrals.

  And Isabella was safely above it all.

  She laughed and lay there, catching her breath, soothed by the sea monster’s rhythmic breathing and the rise and fall of his wings. Herman flew on, riding the bursts of wind, then turned into a steep dive. Isabella clung on tighter as he sailed downwards, drew back his wings and landed with barely a jolt.

  Isabella raised her head to see the statues of horses, knights and a water dragon. They were on the rooftop of the Palace.

  Herman brought his face close to hers.

  ‘You remembered?’ She patted his cheek. ‘You knew I was back, didn’t you? You’ve probably known ever since I arrived. Fly always said you were smart.’

  He purred, which sent vibrations through his body, tickling into Isabella.

  ‘Thank you.’ She threw her arms as far around his neck as she could. ‘I don’t know if you can understand me but I’m in trouble, Herman. I need to get to New City. Sneddon’s back and he’s going to cause trouble. I just know it.’

  Herman lifted his chin to the sky and growled.

  ‘What if I draw a map? Fly drew all the time, maybe that will make more sense.’

  Isabella slid down Herman’s back and raced downstairs for one of Fly’s sketchbooks and pencils. She changed into dry clothes, buckled her sword around her waist and slipped the spear gun holster over her head, before climbing back to the roof.

  ‘This is where we are now, in Grimsdon.’

  She drew the Palace and the buildings nearby. She sketched Parliament House, the Grimsdon Eye, all the way to the flooded edges of the city, into the muddied wastelands and all the way to New City.

  ‘This is where we
live.’ She pointed at the map. ‘I need to go home to Fly and the others. Can you take me?’

  Herman sniffed and cocked his head. He released a soft growl as he raised his wing and tucked it around her to block the cold wind.

  ‘It’s okay,’ she said and rubbed his snout. ‘If Fly was here you’d understand. I’ll find a way.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  A Wretched Betrayal

  ‘There he is.’ Xavier and Griffin snuck back into school, trying to avoid any questioning teachers, and found Aleksander huddled over books in the library. Xavier was ready to march over when Griffin grabbed his sleeve. ‘We’re here to get information, but he won’t say anything if you annoy him.’

  ‘When have I ever annoyed anyone?’ Xavier pulled away, and despite Griffin’s warning, he sat beside Aleksander and immediately annoyed him. ‘What do you know about the demonstration Ariella spoke about?’

  Aleksander’s face creased in anger. ‘What do you know about my Armapod being stolen?’

  ‘It’s not stolen, it’s in the vehicle bay where you left it.’ Xavier took a phone from his pocket. ‘But we did find this.’

  Aleksander snatched his phone. ‘You have a really bad attitude sometimes.’

  ‘Sometimes? I was aiming for all the time.’

  Griffin sat on the other side of Aleksander to take his focus off Xavier. ‘We think Future World Solutions caused the recent ice storms and we’re worried they’re planning something even more dangerous.’

  Aleksander turned back to his books. ‘Why are you telling me?’

  Griffin was about to answer but Xavier got in first. ‘Because you’re the genius who worked with them on your special project.’

  Griffin glared, warning him to stop talking. ‘We thought you might have seen or heard something while you were there.’

  He turned a page, trying to look disinterested. ‘What makes you think they’re planning something dangerous?’

  Xavier scowled. ‘Because it’s run by a lying madman who destroyed our home.’

  Aleksander pointed his pen dagger-like at Xavier’s face. ‘Mr Snowden is working hard to save the planet.’

  ‘He’s working hard to make himself rich and is destroying the planet in the process.’

  ‘You don’t even know him,’ Aleksander hissed through clenched teeth.

  Students nearby began to stare.

  Griffin leaned in, lowering his voice. ‘We know him really well. Phineas Snowden isn’t who you think he is. His name is Byron Sneddon. He forced us to steal for him in Grimsdon and when we refused, he had Fly kidnapped and he tried to kill Isabella.’

  Aleksander’s confidence seemed to fade. ‘Mr Snowden?’

  ‘Sneddon,’ Xavier said. ‘And yeah, he’s a real charmer.’

  ‘We need proof that he created the recent ice storms and to find out what he’s up to before he does something worse.’

  ‘I can’t help you,’ Aleksander snapped, turning away. ‘I’ve never even met him.’

  Griffin saw his fingers whiten as he gripped his pen.

  Xavier stood to leave but Griffin hesitated. ‘Have you heard from Isabella?’

  He didn’t look up. ‘Not since the note.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Griffin said quietly. ‘You were right. I should have been more supportive. Isabella and I have known each other since we were kids and this is the longest we haven’t spoken. She’s angry with me, I know, but it’s strange she hasn’t called. Could you tell me if you hear from her?’

  ‘Sure,’ Aleksander muttered. He kept his eyes focused on his books, but snuck a surreptitious look over his shoulder as Griffin and Xavier left.

  The pounding on the door was met by Ariella.

  ‘Aleksander, what a lovely surprise.’

  ‘I need to see my father.’

  ‘Of course.’

  On a long dining table set for one was a grand feast. Roast turkey, a generous tray of baked potatoes, mushy peas and a steaming dish of broccoli dripping with cheese sauce and sprinkled with bacon. And a jug of gravy, of course. All for one man.

  ‘Ah, Aleksander.’ Sneddon held up a turkey leg. ‘Ariella, please set another place.’

  ‘I’m not hungry. What are your plans for the demonstration?’

  Aleksander’s curt reply did nothing to dampen his father’s mood. ‘You seem a little on edge.’

  ‘I need to know what you’re planning.’

  Sneddon took one more bite of his turkey before laying it on his plate and dabbing his mouth with his napkin. ‘We’re going to prove to the world that we have the technology to control the most severe weather.’ His eyes flooded with excitement. ‘So I am going to create an ice storm and tame it while broadcasting it to the entire world.’

  He sat back in his chair, delighting in his plan. ‘There’s a simple beauty to ice and snow but its power to destroy is remarkable.’

  Aleksander felt a tremor of dread. ‘The storm at school when the roof collapsed. Did you do that?’

  ‘I needed the city to pay attention, and what better way than a direct threat against their best and brightest.’ He held out an inviting hand. ‘You really should join me, the food is delicious.’

  Aleksander wouldn’t budge. ‘That’s why you wanted to see me that day.’

  Sneddon swiped his fork through the mushy peas. ‘I couldn’t have my own son hurt.’

  ‘But you were happy to hurt others.’

  He gulped down the peas. ‘Not happy, no, but if there were injuries, that’s an unfortunate side effect …’

  ‘Side effect?’ Aleksander shouted.

  ‘I don’t understand why you are so angry.’

  ‘Because you lied to me.’

  ‘I never lied,’ Sneddon blustered.

  ‘You said you wanted to save the planet and instead you’re helping destroy it.’

  Sneddon’s fork clanged against his plate. ‘I don’t want to destroy the planet, just mess with it a bit so we can make our fortune.’ Sneddon closed his eyes briefly and took a calming breath. ‘I needed to create extreme conditions to make people realise how much they need us. And when I begin my demonstration, I’d like you by my side so I can finally introduce the world to my son and heir.’

  There was a time when this would have been Aleksander’s greatest wish, but now all it did was make him feel sick. ‘You really believe I’d go with you? After everything you’ve said?’

  ‘We’re a team, Aleksander. Now is the time for us to be strong.’

  ‘You think this is being strong? You think you’re the kind of human this planet needs?’

  Sneddon sprang from his chair. ‘I am exactly the kind of human we need. Look around, Aleksander, the world is over. We have at best only decades before the whole thing collapses. Before the polar icecaps melt, the world’s reefs are destroyed and animals wiped out by extreme heat or cold.’

  ‘The world is over only if we give up.’

  ‘Oh, my son. You’re a bright boy, you must be able to see the facts.’ Sneddon stepped towards him and took him by the shoulders. Aleksander stared back, resolute.

  ‘The world is in a terrible state and much of it is lost. The brightest of us need to look after ourselves.’

  Aleksander felt as if he was seeing his father for the first time. ‘I should never have agreed to spy on Isabella.’

  Sneddon spun away in fury. ‘She attacked me. She sent those monsters to sink my ship. She tried to kill me!’ He slammed the table, sending his plate crashing to the floor and splashing peas and gravy on his face and suit.

  ‘You tried to kill her! You kidnapped Fly and ordered thugs to threaten them for years.’

  Despite his efforts to stay calm, Sneddon couldn’t hide his contempt. ‘So you will believe a liar over your own father?’

  ‘I’ll believe a friend over a crook.’ Aleksander threw it out like a challenge, holding his father’s stare. ‘Isabella is loyal and stands up for her friends. Everything you’ve done is for yourself.’

>   ‘And you,’ Sneddon insisted.

  Aleksander lowered his head, as if he was suddenly tired. ‘At school, I used to tell kids you were too busy to visit because you were working for the government. When we had to write essays about our hero, I’d write that you’d died trying to make the world a better place –’

  He took a breath and asked the question he feared the most. ‘Isabella’s not on holidays, is she?’

  ‘Now you’re getting it.’

  ‘And that woman isn’t her mother.’

  ‘She’s an actress who, it turns out, did a very fine job.’

  ‘But the photos of her family and the note?’

  ‘It’s amazing what technology can do if you know how.’

  ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Somewhere far away.’ There was venom in Sneddon’s voice. ‘Where she can’t get in the way of our plans.’

  His ruffled hair fell in his eyes, which were bloodshot and wild. Aleksander turned away.

  ‘If you walk out of this room, you will lose everything,’ Sneddon yelled. ‘Do you hear me? Everything!’

  Aleksander clenched his jaw and kept walking.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  An Uneasy Farewell

  ‘Isabella isn’t on holiday with her mother.’

  Aleksander whispered urgently to Griffin and Xavier in the activities room, while Fly and the twins were training Charlie.

  ‘How do you know?’ Griffin snuck a quick glance at the others, making sure they couldn’t hear.

  ‘I have contacts inside the government.’

  Xavier was already suspicious of Wonder Boy and this didn’t help. ‘Why would the government know about Isabella?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Aleksander said, looking away.

  ‘What about the note she left?’ Griffin asked. ‘It was in her handwriting.’

  ‘It’s a clever copy.’

  Xavier was confused. ‘She sent Jeremiah a photo and a message saying she was in the mountains. Her weather detector confirmed it.’

  Aleksander winced. ‘The message and photo are fake and her detector must have been hacked.’