The Spaces in Between Read Online Free Page B

intact, but had been blown off the hinges. A good portion of the wall went with it. Tsuen sidestepped the door and charged across the gap. Cameron traced the Talisman in the air; Ryoma leapt through it, and grabbed the sword. I couldn’t help but be reminded of you in the morning – spritzing perfume in the air and then jumping trough it.
    Ryoma brought himself low to the ground and using the base of his sword deflected the point of Tsuen’s. He hooked his foot behind Tsuen and turned on his heel. He spun behind Tsuen and brought down the blade. I jumped when the top half of Ryoma’s sword embedded itself in the wall beside my head. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was those swords that were able to cut just Tsuen or me.
    The air cracked.
    A fracture ran down the front of Tsuen’s barrier. Ryoma leapt back and drew his antique Colt .45 from his sleeve. There was a report from his gun and then the sound of glass shattering. He fired again, but Tsuen deflected the bullet off his sword. Cameron felt blood trickling down his cheek.
    Cameron ran his index finger over the cut and it vanished. He snapped open his flintlock pistol and tossed the spent casing. He dropped the new shell in and slammed the gun shut. Tsuen used his great length to strike at Ryoma. He stuck out his tongue and rolled backwards – Tsuen only succeeded in slicing through the Talisman imprinted on his clothes.
    Ryoma flew into Cameron’s chest and his posture changed. Cameron dropped the gun into his left hand, stepped back, mounted the gun’s barrel on his hip, and pulled the hammer back with his thumb. Tsuen took a defensive stance - the air crackled with power as his barrier re-grew. The sound of ice rapidly freezing struck my nerves.
    The trigger snapped, the hammer struck, and it was like watching a nuclear blast being funneled into a Christmas tree ornament.
    Cameron shoved the gun into his coat and approached Tsuen’s smoldering torso. He placed his palm on Tsuen’s forehead.
    “You’ll have to endure for a little while. I can’t let you heal and follow us. Just be fortunate that I’m not interested in doing anything drastic like making your heart explode when you use spiritual powers.”
    Tsuen screamed wildly and tried to focus on Cameron with his bare eye sockets. “I will hunt you down to the ends of the galaxy and feast on your entrails! I will not rest until I’ve killed you, you monster! God will choose me!”
    “If that’s your wish,” Cameron said, “But I bare no grudge.”
    He tugged at my chain – indicating we should leave. Ryoma jumped out of Cameron and floated beside him. “Now that we have this Talisman, you know where we should go? The whore nebula.”
    “Out of the question.” I stopped following.
    “What?” Cameron didn’t bother to turn around – he just stopped in his tracks.
    “I want to leave,” I said.
    “We’re not off the ship yet,” Cameron said, “I can just drag you.”
    “You know this is over. You know that there is nothing on this ship that can actually stop you now. Let me go!”
    “That’s not a good idea. Stay on my ship for a while. You won’t even have to do anything. Just let that arm grow back first.”
    “I want to leave. I’m not going with you.”
    “Fine, I gave you my word.” Cameron glanced at me. I could see the guilt in his eye. I heard Tsuen scream again. “Your body has been looking for you for awhile. So when I cut the chain you’ll be catapulted back. If you want to remember any of this I’d suggest writing it down. I hope you at least take that advice to heart.”
    Cameron hooked his thumb under the chain and snapped it clean in two.
     
    5
     
    “And that’s when I woke up,” Warren finished.
    Janet was sobbing profusely. Warren leaned in and shut off the tape recorder. “It’s ok. Just a dream. I’m fine now. I’m here.” Warren kissed her on the cheek. “What’s wrong?” Warren tried to embrace her, but found his left arm uncooperative.
    “Your