Battle of Bones (Anomaly Saga #5)

55

"Eglantine," said River, "why do you think they needed me to open that door to the Mega-Gorblus?"

Eglantine shrugged. "No clue. It is pretty strange." But then she made it to the door in front of her and froze. She waited and stared.

"Take your time," said River, patting Eglantine's shoulder.

"What if he's angry?" Eglantine asked. "I abandoned him for years."

River shook her head. "Not on purpose!"

Eglantine hesitated. She took a deep breath, and then she knocked three times.

After a moment, a guy with messy hair answered the door, and River recognized him instantly as Percy.

Percy froze. "Wait. Eglantine?!"

Eglantine laughed nervously. "It's me. I got a little held up, but I'm so sorry and I-"

Percy pulled her into a hug. "I'm just glad you're back," he said. "Dad and I were sure you'd died."

Eglantine's eyes glistened. "Guess I'm a survivor, eh?"

Percy let her out of the hug. "Yes, you are. My little sister is back! You're actually back!" For the first time, he noticed River. "And who's this?"

Eglantine looked back at River. "That's River," she said. "She's the reason I survived so long, honestly. We both got stuck in the door in the woods, and she helped me get out."

Percy smiled. "Oh, that's awesome. That's amazing. Both of you should come inside, then. I'll make all of us some dinner. You deserve rest."

Eglantine hesitated. "What about Dad? What will he think?"

"Oh, don't worry about that," said Percy. "Just yesterday he was telling me how much he missed you. We'll give him a call."

Eglantine sighed with relief. "Maybe things will be okay after all," she thought, and she and River went inside the house.