Black Tide Read Online Free Page A

you need to be a bit crazy to survive the mess this world is in?” the Captain spat in Toby’s face. Up close, Toby could see the madness in the man’s eyes. He was seriously scary.
    How worrying is that? If the Captain is this mad – how much madder must this General be?
    Just then another raider appeared at the door.
    “Boss?” the man called to the Captain. “There’s a message just come in from the General. Seems like there’s been more trouble at Fort William.” Forgetting Toby, the Captain wheeled about and, striding over to the door, struck the man hard across the face with his hand.
    “How many times have I told you to address me as ‘Captain’? Not ‘Boss’!” he screamed. The raider muttered some apology as the Captain pushed past him, leaving the two raiders holding Toby. They threw him roughly back onto the bed and then stormed off after their leader, only pausing to leer at the man in the doorway.
    “Yes, Jones, you moron – he’s called the Captain! Get it?” said Calvert with a sneer. “Now lock up our little friend here, and make sure you do it properly!”
    Seems like these guys are not all soldiers. Maybe I can use that to my advantage?
    “What you smiling about?” Jones asked Toby. “You think it’s funny? Wait ‘til you meet the General!”
    “So, have you got one of those tattoos? Are you one of the chosen few?” Toby asked him, thinking that itcould be a good idea to try and make Jones a friend. He remembered watching a film a long time ago, about a girl who was kidnapped. She had survived by being friendly with her captors who then saw her as a person and found it difficult to do her any harm.
    That feels like a good plan – it’s the only one I’ve got just now.
    “Mind your own business!” replied Jones, leaving the prison and slamming the door shut behind him. Toby listened as the locks were turned and bolts drawn.
    So much for that plan! Doesn’t sound like he’s forgotten to bolt the door, either. And he’s locked that weirdo in the corner in with me . He didn’t have much to say, did he?
    Toby glanced over at the motionless figure in the shadows, and then lay down on the prickly bed, clutching his sore stomach, which was now grumbling with hunger. Things couldn’t really get much worse – could they? All his plans now seemed totally useless, his energy was spent and his whole body ached.
    Where are Dad and Sylvie? They might be in the very next room… If I was to shout they would at least know I was still alive. They must be worried sick. I’ll just rest a little while and then try to let them know I’m here.
    Toby closed his eyes, tiredness overcame him, and he fell into an exhausted slumber. 

4. Wolf-Girl
    “Boy! Wake up, boy!” Someone was shaking him hard and hissing into his ear.
    “What? Am I dreaming?” Toby mumbled. The short rest had not cured his sore, heavy body.
    “Get up and hurry!” The hissing had become much more urgent and the shaking rougher. Toby sat bolt upright and stared at the figure sitting on his bed. The voice had definitely sounded like a girl, but the apparition on the bed looked more like a cross between a wolf and wild Mowgli-child.
    “What ARE you?” he asked, more than a little scared.
    “Shush! We’ve got to leave now, boy! Hurry!” The strange wolf-like creature pulled at his hand and turned to go.
    “What about him?” Toby hissed back, pointing at the striking figure stood by the window. The soldier was still standing stoically to attention.
    “That’s a dummy! He was there for the tourists who used to visit here. They had their photos taken with him.”
    “Of course, I knew it was a dummy. Course I did,” Toby said to her back as she scurried away to a far door. “What is this place anyway?”
    “This is the guardroom. You’d better move fast – they’re planning to come back for you soon.”
    The girl slowly swung the heavy wooden door of the guardroom open and peered out. She slipped through the