Flight of Life (Essence Series #1) Read Online Free Page B

be,” she said.
    “ Well, you’re our only
option—please.”
    Easton sighed. “What is this
regarding?”
    Calloway leaned forward. “We found the
Kirin Book in the Grandiose Historian Library.”
    Her eyes widened. “There are only two
books in the known world—how did you find it? And how do you know
if it’s authentic? What are the odds that it would be in
Fresno?”
    “ I’ll show it to you after
school,” Calloway said. “That will prove it’s the real
thing.”
    “ And what do you need me
for?” she asked.
    “ We can’t read it—we need
you to translate it.”
    Easton nodded. “I know a lot of the
symbols but not all. My sister is better at this than I am. Should
I ask for her assistance?”
    “ No,” Breccan said
quickly. “You better keep your mouth shut.”
    Calloway glared at Breccan before he
turned back to Easton. “What he meant to say was, this needs to be
confidential. The fewer people that know, the better. I can’t even
begin to think about what would happen if the news got
out.”
    “ I agree,” she said. “If
the Hara Kirs know you have it, they’ll come after
you—forever.”
    Calloway sighed. “They know I possess
the book—at least two of them do.”
    “ How?” she asked with a
frightened voice.
    “ When I was in the library
last night I wasn’t alone—a Hara-Kir was there. He chased me from
the building and I barely escaped with my life and essence. I think
my identity is a secret and so is my address, but I suspect they’ll
find me eventually. I need to decipher this book before that time
comes.”
    Easton sighed. “Yes,” she said. “This
has become a state of urgency. We can meet after school. Where do
you want to go?”
    “ How about here?” Breccan
asked.
    “ No,” she said. “It isn’t
safe. What about the Grandiose Historian Library—I know it’s
abandoned.”
    “ No,” Calloway said. “They
may anticipate my return.”
    “ I think that’s unlikely,”
she said. “You already have the book. You have no reason to return.
We can go to my sister’s place. She lives by the
college.”
    “ Isn’t she going to wonder
what we’re doing?” Breccan asked.
    “ She’s my sister—not my
mom,” she said sarcastically.
    “ We don’t have a ride,”
Calloway said.
    “ I have a car,” Easton
said. “I’ll drive us and take you home.”
    “ Thanks,” Calloway
said.
    She nodded. “I’ll see you after
school.”
    The bell rang and announced the end of
lunch period. Calloway didn’t eat the meal his aunt packed for him,
but if he found his appetite, he would eat during his math class.
Easton grabbed her bag and left the library without saying goodbye
to them. She had two different shoes on.
    “ That girl is weird,”
Breccan said.
    “ Well, when you think
about it, we’re just as weird as she is.”

And The Hero Will
Drown
    Calloway left his math class and walked
across campus to the Delfer’s Art Building, where Breccan and he
both had their elective course, photography. The door was locked
when he twisted the handle, so he waited with the other students
for their instructor, Mrs. Ezquibel, to arrive.
    Breccan walked to Calloway and stood
beside him. “Could you concentrate last period?” he
asked.
    “ No.” He shook his head.
“I haven’t listened to a lecture in over a year. The teachers don’t
even bother with me anymore. I feel like Mr. Avey is the only one
that cares somewhat.”
    “ At least we’re passing
photography,” he mumbled.
    “ But that would be pretty
hard to fail,” Calloway said sarcastically.
    Calloway noticed Beatrice walk to the
classroom with her friend Maddie, and she was holding her binder to
her chest. It was decorated with various pictures on the front, and
unlike most students, she didn’t have pictures of herself or her
friends, but photos she’d taken with her own camera. There were
flowers, old men sitting at bus stations, and children playing on
the playground—they were all beautiful.