Rev's Odyssey by R. R. Kaufman (the reading list .txt) 📕

the cliff. It overlooked the bay. In the distance the Vulgaris gave it’s last gasp, as it capsized and vanished.

Inside the cave, Cyna noticed a wooden box in the shadows. She opened it and took out the contents.

 

Cyna

Look Rev, fresh clothes, food, water and other supplies. What is this?

 

Rev

I think it’s called a backpack. You can put lots of things in them and strap it to your back.

 

Cyna

And look here, a medical kit.

 

Rev

Hiro thought of everything. I’m worried about him.

 

Cyna

Me too. We’ll wait until he shows up. Now let me attend to your cuts. You’re lucky you have a doctor in the house.

 

Rev and her mother laughed and then cried and hugged each other. Cyna mended and bandaged her wounds. Then, they changed into dry clothes from the box, ate some of the food and relaxed looking out at Okay Bay. Shipping containers were drifting to shore, the rain had stopped and a heavy fog was moving inland.

They dare not light a fire, as that might disclose their whereabouts.

Rev told her mother everything that happened to her since she left Genus. Her mother looked worried and then smiled at her daughter.

 

Cyna

We are together now, Rev, that’s all that counts. Even if it is on a strange planet.

 

They shared a blanket and drifted off to sleep. They had to leave before dawn. It would be a long and dangerous journey to Eagle Bluff.

 

Chapter 56

 

 

Razor reached shore looking like a drowned rat. Vice came down from the main house to greet her.

 

Vice

What happened?

 

Razor

Take a wild guess.

 

Vice

Not Rev? I thought we were done with her.

 

Razor

You thought wrong and so did I. Why doesn’t she just join me if she’s going to be this destructive? I care about her, not like her parents, who let her roam around on a strange planet all by herself.

 

Vice

She’s relentless, I’ll give her that.

 

Razor

Shut up with your stupid comments before I drown you. Now round up my men. I want her squashed. No more blunders. This girl is possessed by some evil force. She’s heading to Eagle Bluff where all those tech geeks hangout. Before long they’ll figure out the chip’s importance. Once they learn the secrets of the gold chip, thousands will come through the Lux and ruin my conquest of planet Radium. They want a war with me so I’ll give them a war. One they will never forget.

 

Vice came closer to his mother and noticed her swollen eye.

 

Vice

What happened to your eye? Do you need a patch? I’ve got plenty.

 

Razor pulled some seaweed out of her hair and splattered Vice’s face with it.

 

Razor

Now fix me my usual drink.

 

Vice

I can’t. All your special bottles were on board the Vulgaris.

 

Razor’s face contorted into multiple expressions of disbelief and rage. Her mouth tried to form the perfect formation, until at last it stretched out as far as possible, providing the perfect outlet to release a long, vile, ear-piercing scream that could scare away an invading swarm of rattlesnakes.

In the distance, Stango replied with a loud roar.

 

Chapter 57

 

 

Rev and Cyna woke up at the same time.

 

Cyna

What was that?

 

Rev

Sounded like a scream for help. Maybe someone’s in trouble. Anyways, we better prepare to leave.

Just then Rev jumped up as she heard Stango roar.

 

Rev

Stango. He’s close by. I have to see him before we leave.

 

Cyna

Rev, that’s not a smart decision.

 

Rev

I know, mother. Emotional decisions usually aren’t. But I have to let him know that Wolfie still cares for him. I’m sorry. I need to see Stango one more time.

 

Cyna

What about Hiro?

 

Rev

If he makes it back, he’ll see that we were here and set out to follow us. Otherwise I … I don’t know, mother. I just hope he survived.

 

They gathered everything they would need for the trip in their backpacks. Climbing the remaining winding steps, they squeezed through the opening at the top of the cliff and stepped outside. The fog would provide cover for their escape.

Rev walked silently towards where she had heard Stango. In the distance, she could see a small light flicker below the cliff. The rocks were slippery as they scaled down the cliff. Crouching down behind some foliage, Rev studied the surroundings. A soft light lit up a fenced in confinement. Through the fog, Rev could barely see Stango. Nobody was guarding Stango. The metal wire enclosure at the top prevented Stango from ever escaping.

Cyna and Rev approached the wire fence.

 

Cyna

I can’t see him. Is he …

 

Cyna fell flat on her bottom when the wire fence bent out towards her, and a thundering roar blasted her eardrums.

As Rev stuck her hand through the narrow fence opening, she softly stroked Stango’s nose and whispered in his ear.

 

Rev

I love you Stango. Wolfie loves you very much.

 

Cyna

We have to get out of here.

 

Rev

Not before I let Stango loose.

 

Cyna

What! I know you’re bold, but this is crazy. Come on Rev, I can hear some men talking over by the house.

 

Rev

Exactly why I want to free Stango. Razor’s men believe Stango is a man-eater even though he would rather lick your face off. It’s the perfect cover. While everybody is running indoors we can get a clean getaway. Besides I want to give Stango a big hug.

 

Cyna

Rev! Rev! Rev!

 

Rev

I need to find the door to this cage. Keep a lookout, mom.

 

Rev moved stealthy around the perimeter of the enclosure. Cyna followed behind, keeping a close watch. They moved closer to Razor’s house. A light came on in the back entrance. They held their breath. A few seconds later the light went out as they reached the entrance gate.

Rev pulled out her pocketknife and jiggled the lock. Nothing happened. Stango was looking up at Rev waiting impatiently for the door to swing open.

Rev became just as impatient and frustrated. Voices coming from the house grew louder.

Cyna noticed some wire cuttings on the ground by the gate. She picked a long piece of wire up and motioned to Rev.

 

Cyna

Let me try.

 

She inserted the wire into the lock and it snapped open with that pleasing sound of a click that they were hoping to hear.

 

Rev

You’re amazing, mom.

 

Cyna

Never fear when Cyna is here.

 

They both chuckled as the gate swung open and Stango pounced out. Cyna was still scared but Rev gave Stango a big hug and kissed him on his furry head. She whispered something in his ear. Cyna stroked him gently. Within seconds Stango bolted to his freedom as he let out a low, rumbling roar of appreciation.

It wasn’t long before they could hear distant screams as they climbed back up the cliff and headed towards Eagle Bluff.

 

Chapter 58

 

 

It was still dark when the fog lifted. They had a good two hours of darkness before sunrise. They left the open space of the mountain terrain behind as they entered a vast forest. Thick green groundcover blanketed the forest. Only a few rays of sunshine infiltrated the large canopy of leaves.

The woods were alive with the singing of birds. As Rev and Cyna breathed in the assortment of fresh odors from the recent rainfall, they felt like they had come through a doorway into a peaceful world of wonder.

Stepping over small streams, a pool of water appeared before them. The morning mist evaporated from a small calm lake. The sound of fish jumping and bullfrogs croaking on lily pads couldn’t be more surreal from their previous chaos.

They stood by the shore enjoying the moment. For a brief sustained second they forgot who they were or why they were here.

Continuing on through the forest Rev broke the silence.

 

Rev

I’d love to see the look on Razor’s face when she found out Stango was gone.

 

Cyna

You almost gave me a heart attack.

 

Rev let out a hearty laugh.

 

Rev

Hey, mom. How many people get to pet a tiger?

 

Cyna

Are you kidding?

I’ve never even seen one until last night. Next time it’s my turn to scare the …

 

Before Cyna could finish speaking she was shockingly swept off her feet, hanging by one foot tied to a tree limb and staring upside-down at Rev, some distance below her.

 

Rev

I know this sounds crazy, mom, but don’t move.

 

Cyna could barely speak.

 

Cyna

What just happened?

 

Rev

You triggered a snare. I’m coming to get you out. It seems like I’m always rescuing you. You’ve got to stop getting yourself into these jams.

 

They both laughed as Rev climbed the big tree. She figured there was no way she could lift her mother up without injuring her leg. She only had a few minutes before muscle and joint damage would set in.

She climbed to a branch that was slightly higher than the tree limb supporting Cyna.

Balancing on her mother’s branch and the one above, she lifted her feet and swung down heavily on the upper branch. It bent down enough for Cyna to grab hold of it.

 

Rev

Okay, mom, keep a firm grip on it. I’m going to ease this branch higher and it will lift you up to the branch that you’re tied to.

 

Cyna followed her daughter’s instructions and grasped the branch and climbed on top.

 

Rev

Now I’m going to shimmy out and cut the rope mom and give you a hand getting back to safety. Okay?

 

Cyna

I’m not going anywhere Rev.

 

Rev cautiously held on to the upper branch and slid her feet on the bottom branch towards her mother. She bent down and cut her mother’s rope and helped her to her feet.

Rev and Cyna stopped breathing. Three of Razor’s men could be heard yelling and joking as they came sauntering down the path and stood directly below them.

Rev thought why do things always seem to get worse when you’re in enough trouble as it is?

That’s when the branch made a loud slow cracking sound. The men looked up and Rev and Cyna rode the big branch down smashing all three men in the head. It was enough to break their fall as the three men folded like an accordion while Rev and Cyna rolled to the ground.

 

Chapter 59

 

 

Rev tried to catch her breath as she stood up. She helped her mother to her feet. Stunned, all three men lay on the ground, buried under the large branch. They were about to run when one of Razor’s men grabbed Rev by her ankles, twisted it, and brought her to the ground.

Rev grabbed her flexion and thrust it down hard on the man’s shoulder.

He picked up a stick and slashed it hard at Rev’s legs as she got up.

Rev replied with a quick blow to his throat. He fell back on his knees and collapsed.

 

Rev

Quick mom, let’s go.

 

Both limping slightly, they ran through the thick foliage and disappeared deep into the forest. Some time later they stopped for a breather.

 

Cyna

Where do we