Darren Wearmouth - Critical Path

The two aliens stopped in a small clearing. Charlie, Denver, and Layla crouched next to a small pink shrub.

“What do we do now?” Denver said.

“God knows,” Charlie said. They were way out of their depth and now faced a new enemy. “Hagellan, any bright ideas?”

A whining sound grew louder. A small black craft, sleek and fast, roared overhead. An explosion boomed on the other side of the undergrowth, and fire shot into the sky.

“Quick, before it returns” Hagellan said. “We must find Tredeyan underground system.”

Charlie’s instinct told him that if he couldn’t fight an alien, then running was the only course of action. As he and the others sprinted after Hagelllan, pushing through the alien flora, a sickly dread weighed heavily in his stomach.

Earth was safe—for now, but they now faced a new enemy.

The shadow-black prism hung in the air like a malevolent icon, promising a dire future for Charlie, Denver, and Layla. Charlie gritted his teeth, pulled Denver and Layla further into the alien landscape.

If he had to fight again to get home, he couldn’t have wished for anyone more loyal and capable as Denver. Charlie looked into his son’s eyes.

“We’ll win,” Denver said. “We always win.”

We would like to thank our cover designer, Jason Gurley, and our editors, Aaron Sikes and Pauline Nolet. Also, as ever, thank you to everyone who agreed to read an early copy and give us your thoughts. Collectively, you’ve all helped make this a better book.

Thank you!

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This edition published in 2014 by WBP

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this work are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. The rights of the authors of this work has been asserted by him/her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Website: http://www.wearmouthbarnes.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/UtlZD

Email: wearmouthbarnes@gmail.com