‘You can do this, Griffin.’ This one sentence from Isabella made him feel calmer. He still wasn’t sure he could do it, but he’d at least try.
And if he was lucky, he might even survive.
‘Griffin Fletcher.’ Mr Mallet scoured the stands.
‘I’d better go.’
The walk down the steps to the harness area felt very, very long. Raffy helped him get ready. ‘You’ll be great, Griffin.’
‘If humans were meant to fly, we’d have been born with wings, not have them forced on us by sports teachers.’
Raffy tightened the strap on Griffin’s helmet. ‘Ready?’
Griffin felt a wave of sickness. ‘No.’
Raffy looked him square in the eye, like a coach sending his team out to win. ‘Focus on the ball and don’t look down.’
‘Anything else?’
‘Have fun?’
‘That’s definitely not going to happen, but thanks.’
Griffin flew upwards in jagged bursts, repeating Raffy’s advice. ‘Focus on the ball. Don’t look down. Focus on the ball, don’t look …’
Griffin looked down.
The little confidence his friends had given him blew away like dust.
His body tingled and his head felt light. Gripped by an overwhelming tiredness, his fingers loosened on the remote and the wings stalled.
Griffin’s body crumpled like a rag doll, tumbling and falling.
That’s all he remembered until he opened his eyes and saw Aleksander and Raffy’s anxious faces. ‘Let me guess, I fainted.’
‘Not straightaway,’ Raffy said, trying to lift his spirits.
‘You were doing fine up until then.’ Aleksander helped him sit up.
The others rushed to his side.
‘Are you okay?’ Fly asked.
‘You mean apart from the embarrassing falling from the sky part?’
‘No one is thinking about that.’ Bea waved a dismissive hand.
‘They’re mostly impressed by Aleksander’s quick rescue,’ Raffy added.
‘You caught me?’
‘Anyone would have done the same,’ Aleksander said.
‘Everyone okay here?’ Mr Mallet loomed over them.
‘Nothing a little coordination and bravery wouldn’t fix.’ Griffin stumbled as he tried to stand.
‘Sit this one out, Fletcher.’ Mr Mallet slapped a firm hand on his shoulder. ‘You can prove yourself another time.’
Griffin could have hugged him. ‘If you think so, sir.’
‘I know so.’ Mr Mallet fixed him with a stern gaze. ‘And I’ll look forward to it.’
While the others fussed over Griffin, the games continued with Aleksander easily winning, until Mr Mallet called the next competitor. ‘Xavier Stone.’
‘Finally.’ Xavier sprang to his feet. ‘A chance to show everyone how it’s done.’ He nudged Griffin. ‘You’ll want to take notes.’
‘Good luck.’ Bea crossed her fingers.
‘Thanks, Princess Bea.’ Xavier stretched his arms overhead. ‘But who needs luck when they have talent?’
As Raffy helped Xavier into his equipment, he said, ‘This is going to be tough.’
‘For him or me?’
Raffy thought about it. ‘Both.’
‘Thanks for the vote of confidence.’
Xavier was a natural at Aeroball. The flying part was easy and he was a keen soccer player, so the combination of the two meant he was hard to beat. Aleksander had more experience but what was that compared to raw talent?
When the two players were in position, Mr Mallet blew his whistle.
Xavier leapt forward, desperate to take possession, but Aleksander swivelled round, cradled the ball in his wing, and hurtled to the highest reaches of the dome. Xavier stayed close and was only centimetres behind when Aleksander tumbled backwards, swooped over Xavier’s head, and ferried the ball in a high-speed plunge.
The crowd loved it.
Xavier spun round just in time to see Aleksander pound the ball into the net. He clenched his fists, annoyed with himself for being outclassed so effortlessly. The next goal would be his.
Play began again and Aleksander had control of the ball. The two flew in quick, sharp bursts, turning and twisting, Xavier trying to tackle but each time, Aleksander snatched the ball away …
Until one tiny misstep and Xavier pounced. With the tip of his wing, he stole the ball and changed course, belting it into the field of play.
Xavier tore after the ball until he was just out of reach. He knew he could attempt a goal, but it was too risky with Aleksander close on his heels, so in one swift move, he tapped the ball sideways and arched away in a downward curve. As planned, Aleksander didn’t see this coming, giving Xavier precious seconds to steady himself and send the ball soaring into the net.
Xavier waved to the cheering crowd and offered a long, low bow.
Aleksander answered with another goal from halfway down the arena but Xavier scored just as fast.
The next goal would clinch it.
When play restarted, Xavier tapped the ball behind him and dived after it. Cupping it with his wing, he flew into a sharp turn towards goal, dribbling left and right, keeping Aleksander on the defensive.
He slammed the ball hard. It hurtled out of their reach and it became a game of speed.
Xavier pushed the ornithopter as fast as it could go and torpedoed towards the ball.
This was it. He could feel it. The game was his.
He felt a hard blow to the back of his helmet. He lurched forward and a loud ringing blasted his ears. His ornithopter teetered to the right and the world seemed to slow down.
He could just hear Mr Mallet’s whistle calling a foul and saw the apologetic look on Aleksander’s face.
But also a small, calculating grin.
Xavier signalled to Mr Mallet that he was fine, while trying to shake off the muddled feeling in his head.
It was Xavier’s possession, but only moments into play, Aleksander stole the ball in a clean tackle and in a stunning backwards loop, careered towards his goal.
Xavier tried to catch up, but it was no good. Aleksander pulled away, guiding the ball with his feet until he tapped it upwards, drew back his wing and scored a flawless goal.
Xavier hovered in the field of play, his wings slowly beating back and forth. He almost couldn’t hear the cheering crowd over the thudding of his heart and his crushing disappointment.
The final whistle blew.
Aleksander had beaten him.
What burned Xavier even more was the way he’d won.
The foul was deliberate, he knew it, he just didn’t know why. But what he did know was that Wonder Boy wasn’t so perfect after all.
CHAPTER SIX
A Small Gift
Jeremiah steered the Armavan through the snowy, lamplit streets of New City. A thick, choking fog swirled in the cold breeze. Mounds of snow clogged the gutters and lay against walls and doors like huddled groups of tired men.
Something about the night made Griffin feel as if he couldn’t breathe. He tugged at his tie. ‘Do we have to wear these?’
‘The invitation said to dress formally.’ Fly sat beside him in a yellow dress, orange coat and matching beanie. Her parents had been invited too but her baby sister had a cold and Jeremiah offered to take Fly so she wouldn’t miss out. ‘Plus, I think you’re handsome.’
‘Even when I pass out from being strangled by my own clothes?’
Fly laughed. ‘Even then.’
‘If you try hard enough,’ Xavier brushed back his fringe, ‘you could look as good as me.’ He wore a tight-fitting maroon suit, bright red shoes, and had spent hours in the bathroom getting his hair to look messier than when he’d begun.
Griffin looked up wistfully. ‘If only I could be so lucky.’
The others giggled.
‘I like dressing up.’ Bea tilted her white beret, which she wore over a silver coat and matching slippers. ‘It reminds me of being in
Grimsdon.’
‘Me too.’ Raffy seemed too small in his overcoat and thick woolly scarf. ‘Don’t you sometimes wish we could go back?’
Bea sent Isabella a pleading look.
‘It was getting too dangerous,’ Isabella said. ‘Remember the falling buildings and the sneaker waves?’
Griffin shivered. ‘And the giant sharks and oversized fish?’
‘And those bullies, Tyran and Mouse?’ Fly said. ‘I don’t miss them one bit.’
‘I remember,’ Raffy admitted. ‘But at least we all lived together.’
He turned away, a deep frown etched into his face.
The streets narrowed even more. The wheels of the Armavan clanked against the cobblestones as they climbed towards the Halls of Government.
Up ahead, standing beneath the eerie glow of streetlamps, an angry mob shouted and waved placards.
Down with the Government
Premier must go
Shut the Bureau now!
‘Who are they?’ Isabella placed a hand against the window.
Jeremiah’s brow creased, as if he had a toothache. ‘Protesters.’
‘Why are they so angry?’ Raffy asked.
‘They want the government to do more to protect the city from dangerous weather.’ He let out a deep, uneasy sigh. ‘And to shut down the Bureau.’
‘Shut it down?’ Bea cried. ‘That’s ridiculous. It’s the Bureau that warns us about the dangerous weather.’
‘Not well enough, according to some.’
A man lunged at the van and slammed a placard against the window. Isabella flinched as he glared at her with piercing blue eyes above a pencil-thin moustache and a hateful snarl.
Griffin touched her arm. She was shaking. ‘Are you okay?’
Isabella nodded. ‘Of course.’
He kept his hand on her arm, just to be sure.
The procession of Armavans trundled up the final stretch of road, when they turned a corner and the castle appeared before them.
It was by far the most impressive building in New City. It sparkled on the skyline like a floating chandelier.
At the gatehouse, Jeremiah showed his ID to the guards and was waved through heavy iron gates and the shouts of the protesters fell away.
The buildings were even more impressive up close. The towering stone walls were lit from below with purple floodlights and the rampart was lined with fiery torches, like candles on a giant birthday cake.
People streamed from Armavans, dressed in tuxedos and gowns, draped in scarves and snug winter coats. Laughter flittered in the air like fireflies.
Griffin buttoned his jacket against the cold. The castle had been their home when they arrived in New City. With Mayor Bog in control, it had felt more like a prison, and even though he and the Garrison were gone, Griffin shivered standing so close.
Fly snuck beside him and slipped her hand into his, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Professor Singh rushed towards them, her green hooded cloak billowing behind her. She cradled Mathilda, who wore a matching cloak. ‘Isabella, how are you? Is your hand okay?’ she puffed, trying to catch her breath.
‘Did something happen to your hand?’ Griffin turned to her, worried.
‘There was a minor mishap in the lab,’ the professor said, snuggling Mathilda closer.
‘What kind of mishap?’ Jeremiah grew serious.
‘Nothing to worry about, Mr Pain. A problem with one of the robots, but it’s fine.’
All eyes turned to Isabella who seemed keen to play it down. ‘One of them shook my hand and wouldn’t let go.’
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Griffin asked.
‘It was nothing.’
Jeremiah lifted Isabella’s hand and winced at the faint bruising. ‘A robot harming a human isn’t nothing.’
‘It was a mere blip. A coding error that interfered with her behaviour.’ Professor Singh frowned as if she deeply regretted starting the conversation. ‘She’s been sent back to the workshop. Nothing to worry about.’
‘There’s everything to worry about.’ Jeremiah held her nervous gaze. ‘What if we lose control of them? Or they malfunction?’
‘You humans needn’t worry.’ Professor Singh seemed not to include herself. ‘There are safeguards in place. Kill switches. Remotes. It’ll be a much more efficient world. You’ll see. I’m glad you’re okay, Isabella. Come on, Mathilda.’
She scarpered away like a frightened mouse, disappearing into the crowd.
Griffin was about to ask more when they heard a voice cry, ‘Isabella!’
‘Oh great.’ Xavier groaned as Aleksander walked towards them through the tide of guests. ‘It’s Wonder Boy.’
‘Who?’ Jeremiah asked.
‘A boy from school.’ Xavier couldn’t have looked more peeved. ‘He’s a genius, apparently. And a saint.’
‘He’s Aleksander Larsen,’ Griffin explained. ‘And Xavier lost against him at Aeroball, so he’s not a fan.’
‘The foul was deliberate,’ Xavier snapped.
‘He’s won best and fairest player three times. Why do you think it was deliberate?’
‘Because after he did it, he smiled, like he enjoyed it.’
Griffin wasn’t buying it. ‘Why can’t you just admit he won?’
‘I know what I saw.’
Looking elegant in a plum-coloured suit and hooded ice-blue coat, Aleksander headed straight for Isabella.
‘You look …’ he searched for the right word. ‘Amazing.’
Auburn curls dangled from her beanie. She blushed and sunk her hands into the pockets of her red coat. ‘Thank you.’
There was a long pause before Xavier piped up. ‘We didn’t meet properly before. I’m Xavier Stone, I built my own flying machine and organised our rescue from a flooded city.’
Xavier thought this would more than outclass anything Wonder Boy had done.
‘Nice to meet you. Sorry about bumping into you during Aeroball.’
And that was it. No mention of what he’d just said, only some fake apology.
‘I hope you don’t mind me barging in, but I’m a huge fan of you all.’ He held out his hand to Jeremiah. ‘Mr Pain, Chief Climatologist at the Bureau. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.’
Jeremiah shook his hand. ‘And you too.’
‘And Bea.’ He turned to the young girl. ‘You and Raffy are a crack team when it comes to defeating bullies.’
Bea dug her hands into her hips. ‘Taking care of bad guys is our specialty.’
‘And you’re Fly. You can communicate with animals and are a brilliant artist.’
‘She’s a regular Leonardo da Vinci,’ Griffin boasted.
‘And was the winner of all the design awards last term,’ Bea said.
‘She’s the best artist we know,’ Raffy added.
Xavier pouted. ‘If you want to know about the Aerotrope I can –’
Aleksander ignored him. ‘And, Griffin, if it wasn’t for your energy pack, it would have been almost impossible to survive in Grimsdon. I’d love to know how you did it.’
Griffin shrugged. ‘Sure. Anytime.’
Miffed at not being the centre of attention, Xavier said, ‘If that’s everything, we’d better go in.’
‘Actually,’ Aleksander said. ‘I wanted to show you something.’
‘All right.’ Xavier noticed the last of the crowd trickle into the castle. ‘But it has to be quick.’
‘Sorry, I meant Isabella. It’s about our project.’
‘Oh.’ Xavier didn’t even try to hide his annoyance.
Griffin studied his watch. ‘The ceremony starts soon.’
‘It won’t take long,’ Aleksander promised.
Isabella looked to Jeremiah, who said, ‘Be back in time for the premier’s welcome.’
‘Excellent! This way.’ Aleksander took off with Isabella close behind. He led her beneath the stone archway into the castle interior. He made a sharp left, ducking through a low wooden door
hidden in the shadows. ‘Watch your head.’
Their footsteps echoed off the walls of the cramped spiral staircase, which led them up to the castle rampart.
The city sparkled in a way Isabella had never seen before. Wisps of fog curled around streetlights like ghostly alley cats and blankets of snow made everything glisten. She knotted her scarf against the icy breeze.
‘I made this for you.’ Aleksander held out a small metal girl with wings and a red coat.
‘Is it for our project?’
‘No,’ he said sheepishly. ‘I lied about that. I made it for you. I’ve loved wind-up toys since I was a kid. Try it.’
Isabella wound the key on the toy’s back. When she let go, it flew over the castle wall.
She reached out to catch it, but Aleksander held her back. ‘She’ll be fine. Watch.’
The wings flapped furiously, sending the metallic girl into the night, until it turned and fluttered back into Isabella’s hands.
‘One wing beats faster, which makes her fly in a circle so she can always return home. I wanted to remind you of how brave you’ve been but that you don’t need to be anymore.’
Isabella raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Because there won’t be any more ice storms or floods?’
‘We can cope with all of that.’
‘What about the protesters?’
‘They’ll soon realise that New City has never been safer.’
The wintry air turned their breath into wafts of steam. ‘We’ve spent years watching out for bounty hunters and bullies, it’s hard not to worry.’
‘Yes, but with the Academy and companies like Future World Solutions we can make the world a better, safer place.’
‘You sound like Ariella Frost.’
‘Who happens to be right.’
A gust of wind blew Isabella’s curls from her eyes, revealing a faint crimson mark on her forehead.
‘What’s that?’
‘A birthmark. My dad said it looked like the mark Glenda the Good Witch gave Dorothy to protect her from harm in The Wizard of Oz.’
‘That proves my point! If your dad says you’re safe then it’s good enough for me.’
Isabella pulled her beanie lower.
‘I’m sorry,’ Aleksander said. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘My dad was Head Controller of the flood barriers in Grimsdon. He was there when the first wave hit. He rescued lots of people but he didn’t make it.’
Final Storm Page 4
