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

and less as it retreated back to its resting place.

 

Rev

Why did Razor do that?

 

Stike

One of the factory workers lived there. He must have missed work for a day. I’ve seen it several times before.

 

Rev

Has Razor ever killed anyone?

 

Stike

Some people have disappeared. They never returned.

 

Chapter 12

 

 

They didn’t talk until they entered the forest. Rev broke the silence.

 

Rev

You know I noticed something strange back there when Brixwrecker was thumping around.

 

Stike

What was it?

 

Rev

All the other drokes just stood there and didn’t move when Brixwrecker was moving through the village.

 

Stike

Maybe they were ordered to.

 

Rev

Something like that. As if they were purposely frozen.

 

Stike

Yeah, now that I think of it, they never budged. I wish we could find our parents. They might know what’s happening.

 

They continued down a narrow path in the woods towards Prook’s home. Rev took a deep breath. The wind blowing the leaves and the scent of the forest was something she hadn’t experienced in years. The sunlight filtering through the trees and the birds singing took her away from all the angst she had been feeling the past few days.

Rev heard the rush of water ahead as they neared the river. She always remembered her father saying that rivers are the roads of the forest.

She turned to Stike.

 

Rev

I’ll race you to the bridge.

 

As kids, Rev and Stike always raced each other to the bridge. They loved to swim in the river and see who could catch the biggest fish.

But Rev didn’t see the downward look on Stike’s face as she sprinted ahead down the forest path. When Stike caught up to Rev she was standing frozen on the bridge staring down at the black toxic water flowing beneath her. She covered her face with her sleeve.

Stike put his arm around her shoulder but Rev flinched it off and ran to the other side of the bridge and up the path until she could no longer see the river. When Stike caught up to her she was sitting on a tree stump with her head down.

It all made sense to Rev now. This was the river that flowed past Razor’s factories. This was the river that emptied into the sea. This was the river that was destroying Genus.

 

Chapter 13

 

 

Rev and Stike climbed the path, out of the woods to the top of a cliff, overlooking the sea. They walked a short distance. Ahead they spotted a point that jutted out to the sea. Perched on it was a distinct structure. As soon as Rev spotted Prook’s house in the distance her spirits lifted. She raced towards the big seashell cottage as Prook stood in the doorway.

Her home was in the shape of a giant nautilus seashell resting on its side. It was sculpted of smooth clay painted white. The familiar brown stripes were painted in a wavy pattern, curving from top to bottom. On the left side of the nautilus stood a tall brown and white marbled cone shell. Attached to the right of the nautilus was a large urchin shell painted light green with all its ridges and nodes. A row of big white riveted scallops, on each side of a path, formed the entrance walkway. Everything was detailed in structure and color, replicated to appear like giant, natural seashells.

Prook smiled as Rev leapt into her arms. Prook took hold of Stike’s hand and led them into her home. The huge nautilus doorway opened into a vast winding hallway leading off to various rooms. Underwater painted scenes of fish and coral enriched the walls. Hundreds of different natural seashells were on display throughout her home.

Prook guided them up a staircase into a room with a huge window overlooking the sea. They all sat down on comfortable chairs. Prook fixed them a refreshing drink.

 

Rev

I always love coming to your home, Prook. It reminds me of Genus.

 

Prook

It reminds me of you. I missed you so much, Rev. How is Kosni holding up?

 

Rev

He’s worried like all of us. But he hides it well.

 

Prook

And you, Stike. Is there any news of professor Mars?

 

Stike

He and aunt Cyna seemed to have just vanished. Do you have any idea what happened to them?

 

Prook

Not exactly but I have my suspicions.

 

Stike

Is Razor involved?

 

Prook

I don’t think she is holding them captive or I would have heard something. I know they went looking for information about Razor’s past history. They just haven’t returned yet.

 

 

Rev

Where did they go looking? Where is Razor from?

 

Prook got up from her chair, walked over to the window and stared at the sea. She was an older woman with beautiful long silver hair. A gentle soul who enjoyed her solitude. Someone who had been raised in Brix and knew its history. She had worked at the university library for many years and had been good friends with Rev’s parents and Stike’s father long before Stike and Rev were born. Now she felt it was time to tell them what must be told.

 

Prook

I’m afraid your parents have gone through the Lux.

 

Rev and Stike looked stunned.

 

Rev

What?

 

Prook

Legends say that the Lux is a gateway to another planet called Earth. This is where Razor came from. My sources told me that your parents were last seen at Lux Crag. The Lux is on top of this cliff, the highest in the entire canyon. It’s impossible to climb or cross over but somehow I believe Mars and Cyna made it across to this cliff island and through the Lux.

 

Stike

Why? What’s on this planet, Earth?

 

Prook

That’s where Razor grew up. We don’t know anything about her. Mars thought if they could find something about her past it could help him stop her from destroying Brix. He had been spying on her for years. He’s kept detailed records of Razor’s movements and all things pointed to Lux Crag. He told me one day he followed her there and saw some kind of bridge that appeared and disappeared over the canyon to Lux Crag. She didn’t return to Brix until a week later.

 

Rev remained frozen in her seat. She was overwhelmed by the last day’s events and tried to put everything in order. She wished it would all just go away. Maybe she would wake up tomorrow and none of this ever happened. But she needed to find out about her family history, now that she was here. She finally looked up at Prook.

 

Prook

There is someone that can possibly help you and Stike with more information with the Lux. He arrived in Brix the same time Razor and her son Vice did. He must have come through the Lux at the same time.

 

Rev

Who is he?

 

Prook

Wolfie.

 

Rev

Can we trust him?

 

Prook

He doesn’t appear to have contact with Razor or Vice. He keeps to himself in the hills surrounded by a pack of wolves. A strange fellow but he is kind and sincere. He donates his honey to the village people. He’s even opened a theatre in town and puts on plays there for free. Nobody knows much about him or what relationship he has with Razor. But the town folks feel he has a disdain for her. He might know something about the disappearance of your parents.

 

Rev looked eagerly at Stike.

 

Rev

What do you think, Stike? Should we go talk to this Wolfie?

 

Stike

For sure. But after the tournament.

 

Rev

Tournament?

 

Stike

Once every two weeks anyone in Brix can challenge Razor’s droke in a competition.

 

Prook

So you’re the chosen one this week?

 

Stike

You bet. I need to practice a bit before the match. We should be going soon if you don’t mind. I’ll explain the whole thing to you, Rev, on the way back.

 

Rev

Okay but just one thing before we go. I need to ask Prook something.

 

Prook

Anything, dear.

 

Rev

What happened between my father and uncle Mars?

 

Prook fixed her gaze at the distance sea for a few seconds and then looked back at Rev with a pleasant smile on her face.

 

Prook

All I know is that Kosni and Mars competed for Cyna’s love in some kind of competition. That’s all I can tell you, Rev. In all fairness only your mother should be allowed to tell you the whole story.

 

Rev

I understand.

 

Prook walked with them towards the big nautilus door. On the way Rev noticed Prook’s sewing room.

 

Rev

I forgot about how much you loved sewing.

 

Prook

Yes. I make the costumes for the actors in Wolfie’s plays. Be careful, Rev and say hello to your father. I love you both.

 

They all hugged and said their goodbyes. Rev and Stike walked a ways and Rev looked back and waved to Prook as she stood at the doorway. Prook waved back and blew a kiss. Rev wondered how long it would be before she would see her again. And how long before she would see her mother Cyna again, if ever.

 

Chapter 14

 

 

Rev was overwhelmed by the last day’s events and tried to put everything in order. She wished it would all just go away. Maybe she would wake up tomorrow and none of this ever happened. But she was committed . She had to talk to this man called Wolfie. But first Stike’s tournament against Razor, then the meeting with Wolfie. After that and her return to Genus. Her father would be excited to hear her progress.

They decided to take the long way back to Brix. Rev didn’t care to cross over the dirty river again. If they headed upriver through the forest and past the factories, the river would be clean and clear to cross over. From there they would make a complete circle and end up back in professor Mars’ shop just in time for Stike to practice for the big match.

 

Rev

So tell me about the droke tournament.

 

Stike

Okay. After work, once every two weeks the whole town fills the stadium. A yellow droke and a red droke face off. Since I’m the player for Brix I get to choose which droke is on my side. I also choose which control room I want in order to command my droke. The first player who scores three goals first through a small hole at the opponent’s end wins.

 

Rev

Is it difficult to beat Razor?

 

Stike

She’s never lost.

 

Rev

So if you win what do get?

 

Stike

Her pride.

 

Stike went on to explain how the whole town comes together to enjoy the entertainment. Razor realizes the importance of recreation for her workers. But more important to show her supremacy. And even though the people of Brix knew somehow it’s rigged in Razor’s favor it’s a chance to show support for the local hero. And of course there’s always hope that Razor might go down, even if it is a slim chance.

 

Stike

I’ll show you what the professor built to practice on back in his shop. We both studied every match and know all of Razor’s moves.

 

They kept following the river upstream along a path in the woods. The wind blew the soot from the