Read Mammon for Free Online Page B

thunderstorm.
    In the afternoon light, the sphere seemed even more surreal. He gazed at it, well aware that thing was in there.
    â€˜Let’s give it something to eat.’
    Quickly, he raked up a clump of leaves and shunted them inside the sphere. Shovel after shovel went inside until his arms ached.
    â€˜Wait a minute . . . why am I working so hard?’ Extending a forefinger, Joe pulled on the bottom edge of the cloud; obligingly, the sphere expanded, nearly touching his feet.
    Joe grinned. ‘Much better.’ He held the shovel close to the edge, watching leaves pick up and fly into the hole like a sharp wind had got behind them.
    Laughing maniacally – the situation was crazy, after all – too late he noticed the sudden pressure on his neck. With a pop, his chain was gone – Celtic cross and all.
    â€˜Crap!’ Throwing down the shovel, Joe gazed into the hole. Within the hovering, wispy leaves he saw the silver links and cross also floating. But too far to reach in . . .
    He couldn’t lose it. Mum would kill him.
    But that thing was in there.
    Too bad. Steeling himself with a deep, calming breath, he stepped inside.
    As he took tiny steps forward, he struggled to adjust to the sensation. Sure, he was walking on something, but it didn’t feel as though there was anything there.
    He glanced back. Thankfully, he could still see the windswept yard. ‘Okay.’ Joe reached forward and snatched the chain, taking its links tightly between his fingers.
    The skin on his neck began to prickle: a warning.
    He froze.
    The bone creature hovered, staring at him just like it had at the camera, claws outstretched evenly on each side.
    Joe closed his eyes, breath trapped in his throat, heart hammering. Well, I guess this is it , he thought to himself.
    But silence followed. He slowly opened his eyes. Pure darkness lay ahead, punctuated, of course, by the flashes of lightning – but no more leaves, no monster.
    With a light feeling in his limbs and nerves pooling in his gut, Joe turned and walked quickly back out of the sphere’s entrance. His feet touched the grass. He heard a car pull up in the distance.
    Again, the sphere appeared to be resting, waiting.
    He scratched his neck. A tunnel on the inside, but a sphere on the outside. He shook his head. Too weird.
    Grace’s voice broke the silence. ‘Joe! Dad’s back!’
    He stared at the sphere. Go away, now , he willed.The clouds subsided into nothing. He ran his chain links through trembling fingers.
    â€˜It’s mine to control.’
    * * *
    â€˜ HI, DAD.’ GRACE let her father pull her into a tight hug. He smelled of aftershave with a hint of motor oil. Like Joe, he needed a trim – his dark fringe bounced into his eyes. Grace smiled. ‘You look as if you’ve been living wild for six months.’
    Her father pulled a mock expression of hurt. ‘Wow, thanks a lot, honey. Anyway, how are you?’
    Grace pulled back, avoiding his eyes. ‘I’m fine, Dad.’ She felt the burn of her mother’s stare. ‘I’ve already told Mum that.’
    â€˜Mmm,’ her father said, narrowing his eyes. ‘Some- thing’s up.’
    â€˜Honestly, Dad. I’m fine.’ What else could she say? ‘Stop going on about it.’
    Stretching his arms out, her father yawned. ‘Okay, okay!’ He gave her a curious glance as he headed towards the kitchen.
    Grace flopped on to the couch and pressed a button on the remote control. From the kitchen, the sound of cups and saucers clacking against each other nearly drowned out the TV. Her mother pressed a teabag to her nose, inhaling appreciatively. Mum’s happiness was like a vapour, thick in the air. Dad was home. It was good for everybody.
    Joe wandered in.
    â€˜Hey, buddy!’ Dad looked up and grinned. ‘Got some sun, I see!’
    â€˜Hi, Dad.’ Joe leaned down and embraced his father briefly. ‘Want