Free Button Hill by Michael Bradford Page A

with air, then letting the air escape slowly. “Both players have to take a turn. It’s your turn to be the finder.”
    â€œNo! The game’s over.”
    Riley crossed her arms. “He’s right. That’s the rule. Otherwise it’s not fair.”
    Cobb’s marbles spun in their sockets. He looked at the mark on his palm; it was almost a perfect half-skull too. “Fine. We’ll play your game, and then I’m out of here. I know every inch of the borderland. What do you want me to find?”
    Dekker looked into the marble eyes. “I want you to find Captain Tom.”
    â€œForget it! The dog’s not of the borderlands. That’s not fair.”
    â€œYes it is,” Riley said. “He’s here somewhere, so he still counts.”
    Dekker nodded. “That’s always the way we’ve played it. And try to find him soon, or you’re out of the game.”
    â€œOh, I’ll find him, and then he’ll pay too.” He turned to the two girls. “Get moving. I haven’t got all night.”
    â€œYou promised to leave Riley out of it,” said Dekker.
    Cobb laughed, and it sounded like gears grinding together in an old machine. “Take her. Now that I have the heart, I don’t need her anyway.”
    â€œDid you really make him promise to leave me alone if you found me?” Riley asked Dekker.
    â€œYes,” said Dekker.
    â€œGood,” she said, and she kicked Cobb in the shin as hard as she could. He yowled, and she ran to stand beside her brother.
    Cobb turned to Harper. “Come on. If you want your precious music box, stay close to me.” He limped out of the room. Harper turned to follow.
    â€œHarper, why? I would’ve helped you get it back,” Dekker said.
    She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “You would have tried, but he’s too strong here. This was my only chance.”
    â€œIs he going to let you go back to your dad?”
    â€œHe’s taking me to the station. If I want the music box, I have to get on the next train. I need it, or I can’t get back to Dayside. Without it I’ll be stuck here, wandering. If it means returning to the realms below to get it—well then, that’s where I have to go. Maybe once I have it, I can come back. I don’t know. I’m sorry, Dekker. Sorry for everything.” One of the sharpened soldiers shoved her forward, and Harper stumbled out of the room after Cobb.
    Dekker staggered back to the bed. “Thanks, Riley. I couldn’t have gotten Cobb to keep playing without you.” She looked at him and tried to smile, but her eyes filled with tears. “Be honest. How bad do I look?”
    â€œYour skin is the color of Aunt Primrose’s mystery casserole.”
    â€œThat bad, hey?”
    She pulled up the front of his shirt with two fingers, then held her breath and peeked quickly at his chest. “I don’t get it. You’re not bleeding or anything. There’s just a hole where your heart was. Shouldn’t you have died when Cobb got your heart?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe dead means something different here. I’m cold right to the bone, and I’m getting colder. My body feels so heavy; I just want to close my eyes and sleep. But I’m afraid if I do, I’ll be gone for good.” With an effort, he lifted his hand to rest it on Riley’s arm. “I’ll need your help if we’re going to escape.”
    â€œI can do it.”
    â€œI know you can.”

Nine
    Dekker leaned on Riley as they descended the stairs. The house was quiet as they passed through the living room and the kitchen. “Looks like Cobb sent all his troops to search for Captain Tom,” Dekker said.
    â€œWho’s Captain Tom?”
    Dekker sat down at the kitchen table. His arms and legs were already weak. “It’s Ranger. But he says to call him Captain Tom. At least, that’s what he told me. He