Phantoms In Philadelphia Read Online Free Page B

moved around the front of the
staircase, slinking against the small portion of the wall between
the door and the staircase. Bess moved her head to take a peek into
the room. Suddenly her whole body jerked, and she was lifted into
the air.
    Sparks of terror tore through me as
Bess disappeared around the corner, her pistol falling to the floor
with a loud clang that ricocheted off my nerves. Darting around the corner, Bess
was extended in the air, her arms reaching for the giant’s neck.
His long arms held her away from him. I had only moments before
Bess would die; her air closed off by his massive hand around her
throat.
    My fear was threatening to break me, but I shoved it
away as I had many times during the war. Bess knew that we only had
one chance, for she pulled her knees up as high as she could. I
growled as I charged beneath Bess and struck the giant a solid blow
to the groin. As I jumped back, he cursed, releasing Bess and
clutching himself. Bess landed on her knees.
    While the giant was bent over in pain, I threw my
fist against his throat, not hard enough to kill him, but enough
that he would not be able to speak for some time. He started making
choking noises, but my attention was on Bess. She was trying to
inhale as much air as she could, but it was coming in gasps.
    A gold bag was tied to the giant’s waist, so I
pulled it, tearing the strings. I grabbed Bess by her collar and
pulled her to her feet. With my hand against her back, we stumbled
toward the front door. I wrenched the door open, and Bess was about
to run, but I grabbed her shoulder.
    Riding toward the house was a group of rough looking
men, but it was a woman in the center of the group that gave me
pause. She was dressed all in white with a white hood pulled over
her hair and white lace mask over her eyes.
    We stood there only seconds before I slammed the
door shut, throwing the bolt. Any person riding in the middle of a
group of rough men and wearing a mask in the middle of the day was
either a Phantom or up to no good.
    As Bess ran toward the back door, I grabbed her
pistol from the floor and followed her as if the devil was on my
heels. It was not fear that drove me from the house, but self
preservation.
    Bess flew through the back door, landing on the
grass in a half-crouched position. I came through the door behind
her, slamming it shut, but not before we heard shouts and the front
door burst open. We split up, Bess entering the house directly
behind the giant’s, while I ran down the lane to my horse. I could
only hope that she could get away, but she would not thank me for
dwelling on her safety instead of escaping with the box.
    I rode off down the road at a near gallop. I tried
to avoid the busiest streets, but as I turned onto Pennsylvania
Avenue it was rough going as I had to dodge carts, other riders,
people walking, and carriages, but Brutus made it through without
incident.
    Once the city streets were behind me, and I was
safely off the road, I pulled up and opened the bag.
    There was a box inside, but it was round, not what
Bess had described. A clever foe, the giant. Horse’s hooves coming
toward me at a clipping speed, drew my gaze.
    “Thunder an’ turf,” I exploded
as I snapped the reins of my horse,
allowing Brutus to gallop.
    The woman in white was pursuing me. She looked to be
alone, but it was a gun in her hand that set me searching for a
place to hide and take her unaware.
    I rode into the woods determined to lead her on a
merry chase. My heart was beating in quick, perfect rhythm with
Brutus’ hoofs against the ground. There was a clearing ahead that
would present the perfect opportunity for her to have a clear shot
at me.
    Only one thing to be done…give her what she wanted.
Part way across the clearing, I tossed the gold bag in the air
behind me and rode on into the cover of the trees.
    When I did not hear her pursuing me, I pulled Brutus
up and turned him. At the tree line, I watched as the woman in
white had one