Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [158]
“Let’s get out of here!”
Now together, they ran as fast as possible. They didn’t have to look behind them to know that the ground just behind their feet was cracking and falling. Wataru ran holding Meena’s hand, with Kee Keema tugging on his elbow.
A short distance from the chapel ruins, they reached a small rocky outcrop, about shoulder height to Wataru. “There—that rock!” Trone shouted. “Jump on the other side!”
Meena yanked Wataru’s arm hard, and they jumped through the air so fast it startled him. Just before they hit the ground, she led them in a midair flip. They landed on their feet, knees bent. Touchdown.
All around, dust rose in a great cloud. But the sounds of rock and earth collapsing had stopped. They were safe behind the outcropping.
“Well now, that was a close one,” came Kutz’s voice through the dust. A sudden snort sounded in the whirling sand and grit to her side, and two holes appeared, floating in the air. They were Kee Keema’s nostrils. He and Kutz were both covered with so much dust they blended in perfectly with the debris behind them.
“You okay, Wataru?”
Wataru nodded. He was sitting on the ground, the strength gone out of his legs. He was still holding Meena’s hand.
“Meena?”
“I’m fine,” she said brightly. “But, aren’t we missing someone?”
“That’s right, where is Trone?” Kutz said, looking around. “Trone! Stop messing around and get over here!”
“If you’re that concerned about my well-being, you might try getting up,” said a muffled voice.
Kutz looked down. Everyone’s eyes followed her.
“Oh, my,” Kutz exclaimed. “Sorry about that…”
Kutz was sitting on the tiger-man’s head. She rolled to the side, and Trone rose, his whiskers twitching.
“I’ve never been so frightened in all my life.”
“Oh, really? There are lots of guys who would love to be sat on by me,” Kutz laughed. She stood up, wiped the layer of grit off her face, and put her hands on her hips. “That’s quite the sight.”
Right in front of them—stretching out for about half a mile—was a gaping sinkhole. The ruins of the chapel clung precariously to the edge, but all of the standing timbers had fallen. What once had been the skeleton of a building was now just a pile of rubble.
“Nice of you to drop in,” Kutz said gently, turning to Meena. “You saved our lives.”
Meena lowered her eyes, embarrassed. Her tail was quivering down to its very tip.
“You move light on your feet,” Trone said, impressed, “and you’re skilled with a rope.”
“How did you know we were here?” Kee Keema asked.
Meena flinched. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize about. There was such a commotion when we left, I’m sure you would have heard it all the way from the hospital,” Kutz offered. “And besides, who could blame you for wanting to come help rescue Wataru from certain danger.”
Chapter 10
The First Gemstone
What parts of Meena’s face weren’t covered with soft white fur were glowing a bright red. Wataru felt his own face redden. He realized he was still holding her hand, and quickly let go.
“Well, aren’t you two something,” Kutz said, throwing her head back with laughter. “You’re both red as beets!”
“Leave me alone!” Wataru retorted, when a sudden bright light filled his eyes, and he staggered back.
“What was that? Wataru, that came from your shirt!”
It was just like Kee Keema said. Wataru looked down to find his chest shining with a white light that radiated from inside his shirt.
Wataru gasped. The gemstone! He had tucked it inside his shirt so that it would be safe as he climbed up the cavern wall.
When he pulled it out, the gem glowed in his fingers with a soft, warm light. Then it drifted from Wataru’s hand, defying gravity to float up in the air. They all had to lift their gaze to see it.
Shining brighter than before, the light took the form of a woman wearing white robes. Everyone stood, eyes open wide, unable to speak.
She looked like a nun, or a saint. Except she was very young, and smiling ever so faintly. Her eyes moved, looking at Wataru.
Wataru heard a voice in his head. A young girl’s voice.
—You have freed