Truehearts & The Escape From Pirate Moon by Jake Macklem (ebook audio reader TXT) 📕

She struggled to put on her boots; neither the straps nor her fingers cooperated. Standing, she slipped on the plastic-lined backpack. Picking up the sun-dried Tree-knocker hide, she tossed it over her backpack and shoulders, making a long cloak. Flipping part over her head, she created a hood, keeping everything in place with the loop of cable and a Tree-knocker tooth. Is that everything? She was not sure.

Ace moved one of the metal sheets she used to reinforce the entrance, creating a gap just big enough for her to squeeze through, then got on her hands and knees and crawled out.

Looking up at the pink sky, and the heavy layer of thick yellow clouds, she squinted and blocked the light with her hand as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. A new forest had grown around her hut while she worked on it; providing shade and protection. Sprouts had sprung up from the splintered stumps, and over the months had grown a foot or more a day. Like weeds.

Sliding the metal plate back into place, Ace felt a tug in her mind. Boots, Tree-knocker skin, backpack. What am I forgetting? I’m usually holding something. Oh… the spear. Sighing, her shoulders slumped. I don’t want to go back. Shank it. Ace started walking. I haven’t needed it.

Rambling through the woods, sweat dripped into her eyes as she took deep breaths. After what felt like miles, she stopped and leaned against a tree. The heat must be getting to me. Maybe the river moved. No… Silly. Rivers don’t move… They run! Chuckling aloud, her eyes went wide at the sound of her voice. She covered her mouth and dropped to a knee, peering around the woods. The branches swayed in the hot breeze, dappling the shadows that flickered and waved. Something heard me. Stupid! Why’d you make noise?

She dashed to the next tree, staying low to the ground. Moving between trees and examining every shape in the distance slowed her, and her heightened awareness took a physical toll on her by the time she reached the edge of the forest. Under the light green sky, through the waves of heat, she saw the river cutting through the red-grassed plain a hundred meters away. Ace stayed crouched and swept her gaze across the open plain, her eyes darting to the elusive shadows that prowled through the grass. There’s something out there. She could not get a clear look at the mystery shadows. They’re too fast.

Patting the ground, not wanting to take her eyes from the danger in the grass, she could not find what she looked for. Risking attack, Ace glanced around. Where is it? Where’s my spear! Her brow furled. They took it!

A snap rang out and she spun toward the threat. They’re flanking me! Reaching up she grabbed onto a branch and pulled, it snapped and bent down, but the fibers stayed firmly connected to the tree. She hung from the branch, jerking and twisting it; after great effort, she finally broke it free. Gripping the flexible stick in one hand, Ace swung around violently, the branch whistled as it cut through the air. Overextending, she lost her balance, stumbled, and fell to the ground.

This is it! Curling into a ball she waited for the pain—tooth, claw, something, anything—but nothing came. Glancing around, nothing but the shadows moved. She slowly stood. What are they waiting for? Ace shrugged and walked out into the field, the sharp blades of red grass coming up to her waist. The grass had made quick work of her uniform, but the Tree-knocker’s scaled-hide protected her from the fine cuts the blades caused. The yellow clouds thinned, and the setting sun bled its rusty hue into the pale sky, spreading from the horizon like a bruise. It got late fast today. At least it’s cooling off.

Undoing the tooth and cable, Ace slipped the leather off but kept her boots on as she walked into the slow-moving, yellowish water. It was warm, but cooler than the air. She waded out to the lily pads with the red and black flowers and pulled off her backpack. The empty pack was buoyant, so she reached both hands into it and pushed the bottom down into the river, letting the water wash in to fill it. She squatted until she could feel the mucky bed through the pack. Staying submerged to her neck, she slid the pack on and stepped to the nearest pad. She grasped the stem of the lily and slid her hands downward, following the stem to its slimy root, she pulled it up and moved to the next. When she held a half dozen she stood up, moving carefully to avoid spilling the water filled pack.

The droplets falling onto her head felt refreshing as she lifted the lily plants overhead and with practiced hands, lowered them into her backpack of water. Walking back to the shore was slow, checking her footing before committing to each step. Don’t fall again. The warm breeze caressed her skin as she emerged from the water, her boots squishing with each step. She knelt next to the Tree-knocker hide, and scooped it up, keeping her back straight. She searched the ground, Where’s the spear? Where the spear should have been, there was only a useless broken branch.

Eyes wide, Ace spun around, checking in all directions sloshing water from the backpack. It was right here. Scanning the horizon, there was nothing but the swaying grass and fading light. Just think, did I leave it in the water? Glancing at the water, she shook her head. “I wouldn’t have done that.”

Ace wiped her hands over her face in frustration and regretted it as the stinging secretion filled her eyes. The slime! “Shank!” Ace wiped her hands on the ‘knocker hide, scraping off as much of the slick