Eight of Hearts: The Rift Blade - Book 1

Chapter 25

Jonas groaned in frustration as Isaac began singing Old McDonald at the top of his lungs, dashing his hopes of peace and quiet to pieces. Because he was still cuffed, he had to get creative to block both of his ears. He lay on his bed, using his pillow to block one ear, and a hand to block the other, to dampen the annoyance.

Isaac was on his thirty-fifth verse--singing about Farmer McDonald's ownership of coyotes--when he suddenly stopped.

"Well, of course he had coyotes! Do you think I'm just making things up? I saw them for myself!" Isaac was rather proudly saying.

"I was just wondering how much longer this song goes on..." came a quiet voice in response.

Jonas quickly got to his feet and moved to the door, trying to hear better. There was somebody else in Isaac's cell. Whoever it was might prove useful if they were ever given the chance to escape.

"Isaac, who's in there with you?" he called.

There was a pause, then the voice answered. "I'm...P-Pahana," the voice said. He sounded young, probably not even old enough to have hit puberty.

Jonas sagged against the door, knowing that this Pahana would be more of a hindrance than a help if they tried to take him with them when they escaped. Not that he had a plan yet. Thanks a lot for that, Isaac.

James and Tobias stepped out of the portal, looking around cautiously for any sign of danger.

"Whoa," James said, his voice tinged with awe.

"What is it?"

"Completely different place."

They were in an underground room, cut out of the natural rock. Three different hallways branched off away from them. But the whole place was cluttered with furniture, all with signs of people living here. Trash and personal belongings were scattered about haphazardly, and fluorescent lights were set in the ceiling at regular intervals.

"Any enemies?" Tobias asked, trying to peek over James's shoulder.

"Not that I can see."

"Finally!" Tobias exclaimed, allowing his collection of weapons to fall to the ground. "I really needed a break before I passed out." He shook the ache from his arms as he allowed himself to relax. As he turned to watch the portal close, he froze in place: there was a man with a rifle standing just a bit past where the portal had been.

Tobias scrambled to pick up one of his weapons, but the man was faster, striking him square on the chin with his rifle and knocking him flat on his back.

James turned as Tobias fell, but the man already had him at gunpoint.

"Oh. Hi." James smiled disarmingly at the man, but he wasn't so easily placated.

"Drop your weapon!" The man must have still been in shock from their sudden appearance as his hands shook dangerously as he kept his rifle trained on James.

James did as he was told, though he continued to smile amicably at the scared man. He was forced against the wall, with his hands on his head as the man checked him over for more weapons. He was definitely not a military man, despite his weapon; he looked like he had just woken up from a nap, if anything. He had to be nearing forty years old, and looked like he didn't see the outdoors much. Though given that they were underground, that might just be the way things were.

"So, what's going on?" James asked, keeping his voice casual.

"I'll be asking the questions!" the man snapped. He was harsh, but in a way that sounded forced, like he wasn't used to intimidating people. "How did you find this place?" he asked in an even gruffer voice.