Hamish X Goes to Providence Rhode Island by Sean Cullen

understand,” Mimi said. “Sorry. I guess I was a little pushy, but I hope you see that we ain’t got nowhere else to go. We don’t wanna bring the ODA down on y’all. We know how bad that can be.” She looked at Cara. “If you can just tell us how we can git outta here, we’ll be on our way.”

    Xnasha’s eyes went wide. She blurted, “Oh, no! You don’t understand. What my brother is trying to say is that we will honour the agreement we made with King Gertomund. You are welcome in Atlantis for as long as you wish to stay!”
    Xnasos stamped his foot. “Xnasha, really! I wanted to tell them. I’m the spokesman! Why can’t you ever let me have any of the fun?”
    â€œSorry,” Xnasha said sheepishly, sending a sneaky wink Mimi’s way. “After all, it’s only right we should hide you from the ODA. It’s our fault they entered this world in the first place.”
    â€œXnasha! Silence!” Xnasos barked. Xnasha immediately obeyed her brother.
    â€œWhat did she mean by that? You’re the reason the Grey Agents are here?” Mimi demanded.
    â€œMy sister cannot control her tongue.” Xnasos aimed another pointed glare at Xnasha, who reddened and remained silent. “We will explain everything to you later. Right now, we offer our official welcome to the city of Atlantis. You are welcome to stay as long as you need to.”
    Mimi wondered what Xnasha had meant by her strange comment. She was about to demand an explanation, but Cara cut her off.
    â€œMimi,” Cara said meaningfully, “we need a place to rest and regroup. Let’s just get ourselves settled, and then we can ask our questions later.”
    Mimi glowered at Cara, about to shoot back an angry response, but she looked around at the state of their little company of refugees, the exhausted faces of the Guards, Mrs. Francis, and Mr. Kipling. The tall old sailor was practically asleep on his feet. Seeing that they were indesperate need of a safe haven to lick their wounds and make plans, she conceded.
    â€œAll right,” Mimi nodded. “We accept yer invitation. But I wants some answers … soon!” She turned to the waiting throng of Hollow Mountain refugees and shouted, “Hey, everybody! We got a place to stay!”
    The children sent up a deafening cheer of joy that echoed around the stone chamber. Xnasos’s face fell. “Oh, dear,” he said softly. “I hope we haven’t made a terrible mistake.”
    â€œDoing the right thing is never a mistake.” Xnasha smiled and clapped him on the back. “Let’s get underway.”

Chapter 9
    After the children had gathered up their meagre possessions, Mrs. Francis herded them into rows, with each older child holding hands with a younger one. The Guards took up positions along the line, forming a protective escort with Mimi, Cara, and Mr. Kipling in the lead. When the chaotic mass of children was finally in a rough semblance of order, Mimi signalled to Xnasos and Xnasha that they were ready. The babble of excited conversation died down to an expectant hush as the Hollow Mountain refugees turned their attention to their hosts.
    The Atlanteans faced the glowing dome, its surface smooth and glassy. It was closed and had been since just after the Atlanteans had departed from it. Now Xnasos approached the dome, moving across the metal gangplank until he stood directly in front of the weird object. He reached out, laid a hand on its surface, and uttered a series of words in his own language. The dome responded. The light pulsed brighter and the dome shuddered. A deep thrumming vibration filled the chamber so strongly that Mimi could feel it resonating in her chest. The children sighed in wonder as a section of the dome slid back with a smooth hiss until there was a slice out of the sphere. Golden light spilled over the faces of the spectators. Mimi had to admit it was pretty