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

>Wolfie

I’ve have something safer for you to keep that in, Rev.

 

He went over to a drawer, placed something in his hand and closed the drawer. He opened his hand and showed Rev. The locket was a little bigger than the gold chip. Engraved on the shiny silver encasing was the head of a tiger.

 

Rev

It’s beautiful.

 

Wolfie

I want you to have it. My gift to you. The previous owner didn’t appreciate it and returned it in a most unpleasant manner.

 

Rev

Who wouldn’t want such an amazing work of art?

 

Wolfie

Razor.

 

Rev

What!

 

Wolfie

If you don’t want it knowing she once wore it I’ll understand. I designed it when I was much younger. It was a hobby I took up. You see my father was a watchmaker and I acquired his skill for meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.

 

Rev

I’m impressed. Thank you very much. One more possession of Razor’s feels like another victory.

Wolfie

Maybe the locket rejected her and has now found the rightful owner. I hope it protects you, Rev. Let me show you how it works.

 

He pressed down on the front locket four times in various spots and it sprung open. Wolfie showed Rev the nine pressure points on the tiger’s face that matched the numbers from one to nine. He instructed her to put a four number passcode in by pressing four of the nine pressure points. Each time the locket opened a new password could be set or if left alone and closed the same passcode would remain in effect.

Rev pressed her four numbers on four different positions on the tiger’s face and then closed it. She pressed the same four numbers again and it opened.

 

Rev

Amazing. I’ll keep it forever.

 

Wolfie

Make sure you always remember your four numbers otherwise this locket is bulletproof. It’s almost impossible to physically open.

 

Rev took a deep breath and nodded off when Wolfie said something to her. To Rev it sounded like a low voice echoing in the background making no sense to her. Wolfie repeated his words and Rev bounced awake. Wolfie pointed to a guest room and she stumbled to the bed and fell face forward on to the soft pillow.

 

Chapter 23

 

 

The fresh air blowing through the bedroom curtains woke Rev to a new day. She wandered into the kitchen where she saw Wolfie preparing breakfast. After breakfast Wolfie and Rev stepped out into his backyard and sat down on a bench overlooking his garden and orchard.

Rev took a deep breath. The scent was rejuvenating. Cherry and peach trees were in full bloom. Wolfie’s vineyard and his garden of greenery were beginning to crop up. The red, yellow and purple flowers highlighted the stone path that wound around the giant trees. A large fountain shot water out to a lofty distance.

 

Rev

I feel like I’m in another world. I didn’t know this place existed. You can’t see it form below.

 

Wolfie

Yes. The top peaks of the cliff hide it.

 

Rev felt the tiger locket on her chest that Wolfie had given her. Her coveralls concealed the necklace and locket. The gold chip definitely held some secret and importance. She didn’t want to lose it. She felt it was much safer now.

 

Rev

Why did you choose a tiger for the locket?

 

Wolfie

It’s a tribute to Stango. He’s a tiger I rescued when I was younger while I was making a movie in a distant land on my planet. He was a baby tiger that was injured. The local people wanted to put him down but I had the means to give him a good home. I took him back to my country and gave him a huge place to roam. He recovered and we bonded. I knew he could never be released into the wild and I gave him the best care. I was married to Razor at that time and when we divorced she wanted Stango. We argued, but she was tenacious and possessive. When Razor gets her claws on something it automatically becomes hers. The only way I figured was to let Stango decide who he wanted to live with. So Razor and I stood a fair distance from each other outside and Stango was brought out to the middle area between us. We both called Stango and eventually he stood in front of Razor. I hated her. I can still see that malicious grin on her face as she hugged Stango. After our divorce I found out she stuck a fat piece of meat under her jacket. It was too late. Once she has something she never lets go. Someday I hope to recover Stango. That’s why I built this beautiful sanctuary for him.

 

Wolfie waved to his grounds. Rev could see his eyes getting misty and remained silent. Finally she spoke.

 

Rev

Where is Stango now?

 

Wolfie

Razor has her confined on Tailbone Island back on Earth. She has a base their with a number of supporters. She mines for gold there.

 

Rev

You mean like the stuff her chip is made of?

 

Wolfie

Yes. She’s obsessed with getting her hands on as much as she can. She uses it in her drokes. I’m sorry to say it doesn’t look good for Brix whatever her future plans are.

 

Rev

Stike said she’s building some kind of ship in the harbor at Bluster Harbor.

 

Wolfie

I believe it’s a submarine.

 

Rev

What is that?

 

Wolfie

It’s like a ship but it can travel underwater.

 

Rev

No way! But that means she might be leaving Brix for good.

 

Wolfie

Possibly, but when will that be? It might be another year. By then she will have devastated this part of your planet. And besides she will probably leave her drokes here to maintain control of Brix in case she returns.

 

Rev and Wolfie took a stroll down the garden path. It helped focus Rev’s thoughts. She needed direction. What was her next plan? She must consult with Stike on what she had learned from Wolfie. And what about her father? She felt anxious about how he must be worried crazy over her. And Faze. She might know where the bridge is that crosses over to Lux Crag. There were more questions that needed answers.

They passed the fountain and a slight shower sprayed over Rev. They continued to walk past the vineyards and into a forest. Perched in the center of a grassy area a thick tree trunk stood out. A few bulky branches spread out on both sides.

Wolfie looked up. In the distant clouds a large white bird slowly descended. It was the largest bird Rev had ever seen. As it approached she could feel the wind from its massive wings blow her hair. Every sound in the forest grew silent. Gracefully it grabbed hold of the branch and regrouped its feathers.

Rev was speechless. She slowly walked closer to this giant bird. Wolfie came up from behind her and placed some food in her hand.

 

Rev

You’re home is sure full of wonder and surprises.

 

Wolfie

Hold your hand out and feed her.

 

Rev moved under the branch. She felt at one with the bird. Gently it reached down and took the food from her hand. Rev bounced with joy and laughed. She smiled at Wolfie.

 

Rev

You and your animal friends. I so envy you. What’s its name?

 

Wolfie

Her name is Kleng.

 

Rev

Where did it come from? I’ve never seen it before in Brix. At least not before Razor appeared. Do you think it came through the Lux?

 

Wolfie

No. I think it originated on this planet. Maybe from a distant community. She comes for a visit every day for some love and food.

 

Rev marveled at the big white bird. It seemed so serene and gentle but she loved nature for all its hidden qualities. And this bird had strength and power beneath its feathers. Suddenly Kleng propelled from the tree and shook the ground below it as it swooshed upwards towards the high cliffs. Within seconds a puffy white cloud swallowed it up.

 

Chapter 24

 

 

Wolfie and Rev returned to the cabin for a sandwich and tea. They went out again. This time they took a small path in the other direction towards an extensive stretch of cliffs overlooking a steep canyon. On the other side stood Lux Crag. The escarpment on Wolfie’s side ran closely parallel to Lux Crag for a short distance. Wolfie and Rev sat on a fallen log taking in the immense and majestic landscape before them.

Wolfie pointed to the narrow distance between Lux Crag and a lower cliff to the right of them.

 

Wolfie

It’s possible that a bridge could traverse somewhere along there. But I’ve searched and couldn’t find any trace. I did see professor Mars exploring along there several times. I asked him once what he was looking for. He didn’t say. Maybe he didn’t trust me or was too wrapped up in his hunt. Obviously Razor knows the way over. She’s returned to Earth a number of times since she’s been here.

 

Rev noticed a telescope mounted on a wooden structure pointed directly at Lux Crag.

 

Rev

May I look?

 

Wolfie

Yes, indeed.

 

Rev squinted her left eye shut and focused the lens with her right eye. Lux Crag looked so close that she could reach out and grab it. Then she moved the telescope up a little higher and that’s when she noticed a massive glowing light coming from the top of the island pinnacle.

 

Rev

What is that giant ball of light?

 

Wolfie

That’s the Lux.

 

Rev

Wow! That’s amazing. So is it possible that my mother and my uncle Mars found the bridge and crossed over to Lux Crag?

 

Wolfie

I believe so. But I don’t like where this is leading, Rev. It’s way too dangerous for you or Stike to go through the Lux. I’m sure your parents will return within the next day or two. Please be patient.

 

Rev took a deep breath. They returned to Wolfie’s cabin. He asked Rev to say hello to Faze from him. They hugged and said their farewells.

At the bottom of the cliff stairs Rev turned around.

 

Rev

Thank you so much for everything Wolfie.

 

At the top, Wolfie smiled and waved goodbye.

 

Chapter 25

 

 

The sun was high as Rev made her way down to the river path. It wouldn’t take her long to reach Faze’s cottage. The river rushed by her. It was clean and clear. The factories were downstream. The combination of land and water invigorated Rev. Over three years confined to Genus had taken its toll on her.

She felt relaxed and let her mind wander. Maybe she was overreacting, she thought. Her mother and uncle would most certainly return and they would find a means to chase Razor out of Brix. She would talk with Faze, find Stike and then return to Genus. The adults will find the solution to this crisis. She must put her trust in them.

A rustling in the bushes above the path brought her back to the present moment. She picked up her pace and remained on high alert. The wind died down and so did the sounds of the surrounding forest.

Without warning Rev caught a flash of a moving object out of the corner of her eye. Somebody was about to collide with her. Automatically she rotated her body back and