Chapter 16

Disclaimer: Didn't invent the original idea etc. All new characters are my own. Please note i have only read the first book so this is based after that.

...

Iggy cooed softly from near the top of a silver fir. He had really messed that creep up.

"Icarus listen." Iggy stopped, all humour quickly evaporating. There was a voice inside his head and not just any voice. This one he never thought he'd hear again.

"Sam? Where are you?"

"In a cell somewhere. I think I'm asleep so this is kinda weird. I knew I could speak to you. Iggy, I'm meant to something big, something scary, I'm meant to save us all but I can't even wake up. I'm relying on you now Iggy. Stop him doing anything while we aren't protected. The flock is weak but I can do one thing for you. Maybe."

Iggy waited patiently for a few seconds. He noticed no signs. More seconds, nothing. His faith began to falter. It was renewed soon however as light began to filter through the trees nearby him. This, on its own was not particularly significant, the astonishing part was that Iggy was aware of it happening. His heartbeat raced as he began to make out shapes, colours and the light became clearer and clearer. Tears flowed from his newly sighted eyes.

"Sam?" he asked quietly, trying to stop his voice from quavering.

"Did it work?"

"How did you do that?"

"To tell the truth I'm not even sure. But I'm finding it increasingly difficult to think. Something's dragging me down Igg. Look after Tania. Keep her safe!"

"Sam?! What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I don't feel right."

"Sam?" Iggy repeated.

There was no reply.

Tania nestled next to Sam. She had surprised them all when the biggest eraser they'd ever seen roughly dumped her in beside them. Having been rather roughly handled she was glad to be with him again. Even if he was unnervingly still.

Max awoke with Fang once again feeling no better for her sleep. Their supposed saviour was laying a metre or two away on a damp mattress barely breathing. The little girl she'd loved all her life was now the enemy. A whine from across the room caught her attention and Max scrambled to her feet in response. She hurried over to Sam and knelt down by his side. Tania glanced at her briefly before turning her worried gaze back on her brother. His breathing was as weak as ever and he started muttering incoherently. One strong word could be made out in between the bouts of nonsense.

"Iggy"

"Sam" Max said softly into his ear. "What's wrong? Where's Iggy?" Max had to resist the urge to jump back as Sam's eyes opened abruptly. He stared at Max, his gaze penetrating her own before gulping down a deep breath and closing them again. Max stared in awe as slowly he sat up, Sam leant himself against the cold wall with his eyes still shut. He raised his head and looked at Max who felt joy swell up in her heart at the site of his smile. Sam turned his head slowly to the door; Max followed his gaze and saw nothing special.

Then there was a knock.