Tales from Dargo Island: The Complete Trilogy by Jerry Hart Page B

you have going on for the rest of the day?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Want to check
out my theater system?”
    “Hell yeah.”
    We watched an
action movie with the sound turned way up. The subwoofer almost made my heart
explode. After the movie, I returned to Dallas. I did feel a little better
after my talk with Victor, and decided to trust in Rockne. I slept with my
necklace on and made sure to keep it on at all times until this war was over. I
didn’t want Nalke putting more doubts into my head.
    I wondered if
quitting the job would save me from any more dreams. If I never returned to
Dargo, there would be no reason for Nalke to contact me again. I didn’t want
any part in this supposed war. I just hoped the good guys won.

Chapter 19: The Giants Choose
     
     
    I was extremely
uneasy during my first shift of the week. The sky was red and cloudy, bright
enough so that I could actually see the clouds. I sat at the desk, staring at
the monitors and out the windows, looking for anyone trying to sneak in. I
couldn’t concentrate enough to attempt reading or watching TV.
    A knock on the
door to my left scared the hell out of me. It was Astrid, and she looked
worried. I slid the door open and let her in.
    “I have to see
Cormac,” she said.
    “I can’t let
you leave the Village; you know that.”
    “I know. I was
hoping you’d go with me, though.”
    “I can’t do
that. Rockne would kill me.” I hadn’t seen him since talking with Victor two
days ago.
    “He doesn’t
have to know.”
    “I think
someone would notice if I left the gatehouse.”
    “Not at this
hour,” she pleaded.
    “I can’t leave,”
I said again, thinking of the barrier I powered with my presence.
    “Fine! I’m
going, though.” She left the gatehouse and headed toward the mountains.
    “Wait!” I
yelled. I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed the phone and automatically called
Rockne, but there was no answer at the house. I called Ernie next and told him
what was happening. He told me to go after her, and that he was on his way. I
knew it wouldn’t take him long to get here.
    I ran after
Astrid, hoping to catch her before she got too far away from the Village. She
was fifty feet ahead of me, and I was exhausted by the time I finally caught
her. She was perfectly composed.
    “Please come
back with me,” I panted.
    “No,” she said,
and started jogging ahead. I did the same, reaching for her arm. She dodged it,
and I almost fell.
    “Why do you
need to see Cormac so badly?”
    “Because I
heard about what his dad said. Cormac isn’t a spy, and he doesn’t want to hurt
me.”
    “And?”
    “And what?” She
finally looked at me.
    We walked
between two huge hills, down a trail. The trail wounded around a really dark
corner. “And what are you going to do when you see Cormac?”
    “I’m going to
talk to him and the other giants. I heard Rockne and Victor talking yesterday.
They said Nalke is preparing to strike soon and I need to see if I can convince
the giants to join us now—tonight.”
    “How do Victor
and Rockne know your dad’s about to attack?”
    “Nalke!” she
screamed. “Don’t call him my dad!”
    “Sorry.” She
was scary when she was mad.
    “Rockne has his
own spies. I heard him say he’s planning to make an announcement to the rest of
the Village soon, but I can’t wait.”
    Before I knew
it, we were in a snow-covered valley. There was a frozen lake in the center,
with frozen cherry-blossom trees surrounding it.
    “I did not see
this coming,” I said, astounded. “Is it always snowing here?”
    “Sometimes. The
weather is crazy in this area.” She walked down the trail, toward the lake. I
followed, of course.
    “I can’t stay
away from the gatehouse much longer. Victor told me humans reinforce the magic
around the Village. I’m putting everyone in danger by not being there.”
    “Then go back,”
she said. “I’ll be fine.”
    “Please just
come back with me.”
    She kept
walking, and so did I. Before