Read Ascent: (Book 1) The Ladder for Free Online Page B

he’s not entirely sure what. Tears start to form in his eyes.
                “Joe…” The young boy’s voice is quiet.
                Lauren tries to hide Marvin’s eyes but he moves her hand away.
                The Boss looks back over his shoulder at the teenager on the ground. Though he may be overbearing with them, the Boss does have the kids’ safety in mind. Still, if seeing violence is the only way to keep them protected and in line, then he will do what is necessary.
                “Fine.” The Boss steps aside for the kids to see the dead teenager in full. “Look. This is what happens when you don’t follow the rules. The most important rule of the Mines is no one climbs the Ladder. You’ve been told this since each of you were old enough to speak. It has been hammered into you all your lives. Yet some of you do not listen and you continue disobeying. Look at what that disobedience will bring you.” The Boss points at the teenager on the ground. “Look.”
                A few of the kids move to have a closer look. Joe walks to the body and stands over it. He shifts his eyes from the dead teenager up along the Ladder and to the tunnel above.
                “If it is not you, this will continue to happen.”
                Joe looks toward the sound of Scraggle’s voice. Scraggle stands on the other side of the teenager, looking up into the tunnel.
                “Only the Dreamer can lead us to the Surface. Only the Dreamer can climb the Ladder.”
                “I warned you to stop filling their heads with your fairy tales.” The Boss grabs Scraggle by the collar.
                “Do not forget,” Scraggle tells the Boss.
                “You’re lucky. If I had my way, you’d be in the Ban for life,” the Boss tells him.
                “All kings must have their advisors,” Scraggle reasons.
                “You’re no advisor, old man. You’re not even a fixer anymore.”
                “But I do know the prophecy.” Scraggle winks at the Boss. “And there is more than sick up there.”
                The Boss releases Scraggle’s collar. “Everyone get to your bunks. It’s lights out.” The Boss turns to the Guard and the Doctor. “Get him out of here.” They both lift the teenager from the ground and carry him to her office.
                Joe takes one more look up the Ladder but is distracted by Marvin’s small hand grasping his. Joe tries to put on a brave smile for Marvin as he walks with him to the Bunks.
                Lauren starts to catch up with them but takes one look up the Ladder. She can see just far enough to catch the darkness above the lighting at the mouth of the tunnel. She looks back at the Doctor’s office to see the Guard and the Doctor laying the teenager on the table. Lauren faces the front again to catch up with Joe and Marvin. Scraggle’s voice grabs her attention.
                “Convince him to lead us,” Scraggle calls to her.
                She looks back only to see him disappear as the crowd of kids file in behind her.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
                Many of the lights in the Bunks go off during lights out. A few are kept on in case anyone needs to walk to the latrines because climbing down the bunk ladders could be tricky without some lighting.
                A shadowed individual steps softly along the row of cut-outs. A wood or tile paneled floor would make walking quietly a challenging task but the dirt floor is easily walked upon without making any sound. Still the figure moves slowly, in case an errant rock gets kicked or the bottom of a bunk ladder trips them walking through the dimly lit space.
                The figure stops at Joe’s bunk. Joe stirs a little in the middle of sleep. A hand reaches down and covers