The Key Read Online Free

someone in the office must have already phoned for help.
    â€˜Look at that,’ Isabel says in a stunned tone.
    The whole sky from one end of the horizon to the other is lit with flashing streaks of falling stars. It’s a meteor shower, dazzling even in the bright morning sunlight. The sight is simply amazing. Everyone stares, mesmerised.
    Then one comes careering in our direction, and we start running for cover again. It explodes high enough in the atmosphere to burn up before hitting the ground, but creates a brilliant flash of light right over the top of us.
    The teachers have started organising students to go home. Some line up at the office to call their parents. Others pull out mobile phones. The first siren has arrived and it’s a fire truck. It’s then I realise that part of D Block is now burning away to the ground!
    Another flash and hiss overhead has everyone screaming. This is soon followed by a series of explosive burstsof hot gas. Mr Carter runs over to us, grabbing our arms and pushing us together. ‘Get to the mountain. Tell Arkarian what’s happened. He might have some answers.’
    â€˜I have to stay,’ Isabel says. ‘I can help if anyone is seriously injured.’
    â€˜No!’ Mr Carter yells. ‘You can’t risk exposing your powers, Isabel. It’s against the rules. I shouldn’t have to remind you about that. Besides, medical help is on its way. There are ambulances and rescue vehicles headed here right now.’
    â€˜Mr Carter, I can’t turn my back on someone who is injured if it’s in my power to help. The Tribunal will understand. I promise I’ll be careful not to reveal my identity.’
    Mr Carter looks at Matt, then Ethan. ‘Whatever you have to do, get Isabel out of here, even if you have to drag her screaming with her hands tied behind her back.’
    Ethan and Matt share a brief look of amusement.
    â€˜What about Neriah?’ Matt asks. ‘How much does she know? Should we take her with us?’
    Mr Carter frowns. ‘She needs to get home. By the time I call her guards to come back and collect her …’
    â€˜I’ll take care of her,’ I volunteer. ‘I’ll make sure she gets home all right.’
    Mr Carter stares at me for a second too long. I don’t even try to read his thoughts. He’s projecting his hostility for clear viewing anyway. ‘All right,’ he agrees reluctantly.
    With that decided we move off, when another hissing sound draws our attention back to the sky.
    â€˜Look!’ Matt calls out. This time a meteor hurtleswildly across the sky, leaving a trail of fire where it passes. ‘It’s headed for us!’
    Mr Carter screams in our ears, ‘Get out of here! Everybody run!’
    The meteor takes no more than a few seconds to descend thousands of metres. It seems impossibly close when it explodes, shattering right over our heads. Burning pieces of rock hit like cannonballs, wiping out anything in their path. Trees tumble, fences come down. Several cars in the carpark are annihilated. I look around for a safe space when I hear someone nearby scream out in agonising pain. I spin around and see Mr Carter, half buried in the ground, his legs crushed beneath a slab of misshapen and steaming rock.
    I run over to see what I can do. The rock isn’t on fire, but the heat radiating from it keeps me at a distance. Matt and Ethan run over and are also stopped by the pulsing heat. Both look shocked. Mr Carter is in big trouble.
    Ethan and Matt peel off their jackets. Together, with their clothes covering their hands, they attempt to shove the boulder off with their hands and feet. But the boulder is too heavy and the heat is still intense. How can Mr Carter stand it?
    â€˜We need a crane here!’ Ethan calls out.
    I can’t help thinking that by the time that sort of equipment arrives, it will be too late.
    Isabel and Neriah come running over, looking