by Wesley King
“I did,” I said, glancing down the hall at Shal and Mia. “I seem to have lost them again.”
“That was fast.”
“I have a way with people,” I muttered.
He shrugged. “You seem nice to me. That said, I was never a good judge of character. You could be an alien in disguise, for all I know.” He closed his locker. “Well, best of luck getting those friends back. You can always hang out with us at recess, though we do just play card games. You might want to try your other friends first, if you ever plan on being popular, that is. If not…then welcome to the team.”
I laughed. “Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“See ya, Laura,” he said, swinging his bag over his shoulder and starting down the hall.
I continued to my locker, trying to hold back a grin. My arms were tingling. Liam had talked to me, and this time I didn’t even need to run into him. He’d even said we could hang out at recess! It wasn’t exactly the “I have a huge crush on you, Laura Ledwick” that I’d been hoping for, but it was something.
I wish I could have told Mia and Shal.
I was just packing my books away when something caught my eye. I turned around and saw Mia scurrying down the hallway, looking terrified. Frowning, I glanced past Mia and saw Shal by her locker with Allison and two other girls standing in front of her. Shal was flushed bright red, and I could tell she was fighting back tears. Obviously Allison was teasing her again, probably about Tim or some other boy. I turned back to my locker. I didn’t stand up to bullies. Actually it was rule number one. And I had a pretty good thing going on here: I could go an entire day with just a few snickers and muted comments. But I thought back to what Shal had said: some friend you are.
I’d never had friends before, but I knew I wanted some. I guess it was time to abandon rule number one. Grimacing, I closed my locker and started for Shal.
As I closed in, I heard Allison saying, “So you do like him? I’ll tell him, don’t worry. I know Tim said you were gross, but he might come around. Or maybe you like Carl?” The other girls snickered. “Should I ask him out for you?”
“Hey,” I said, appearing behind them. I think my stomach had given up on backflips—it was too scared to move. But I’d gone this far. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” I paused and looked down at myself. “You know…figuratively.”
Allison turned to me, looking at her friends in disbelief. “Like you?”
“Yeah,” I said. “All three of you are about right.”
Allison smirked. “Why don’t you stay out of this? We were just talking to Michelle about some of her crushes. Maybe you know…does she have a thing for Carl?”
I rapidly thought back to every teen movie I’d ever seen. What was the cool thing to say here?
“She doesn’t waste her time with eighth graders,” I replied. “But if she did, she’d probably be dating Carl right now.” Ha. A classic zinger.
Shal looked at me with wide eyes.
Allison didn’t like that one. She suddenly scowled and looked me up and down.
“And what about you, tubby? You have a crush too?”
I smiled. “None of your business. Now why don’t you run along? Maybe you girls can buy new skirts and talk about eye shadow.”
Shal was slowly shaking her head in the background. Allison narrowed her eyes.
“All right,” she said softly. “I guess I’ll see you around. Come on, girls…let’s go buy some skirts. We should enjoy the fact that we can fit in them.”
With that she stalked down the hallway, the other two girls throwing me dirty looks and hurrying after her. When they were gone, Shal turned to me in disbelief.
“You just told off Allison Black,” she murmured.
“Yeah,” I said, not quite believing it myself.
“You’re going to regret that.”
“Probably.”
Shal looked away. “I’m sorry about what I said. I was just upset.”
I shrugged. “You were right. I’ll be a better friend from now on. You know…if you still want to be friends.”
She grinned and gave me a hug. “Definitely.”
—
Shal, Mia, and I decided to walk home that day to catch up on everything we’d missed in the last twenty-four hours, and so that Shal could tell Mia all about my confrontation. My mom hadn’t minded—actually she was beaming when I took off down the sidewalk.
“And then get this,” Shal said, coming to a stop, “Laura goes: why don’t you go buy some skirts and talk about eye shadow?” She grabbed her sides, giggling.
Mia looked at me, her eyes wide. “Are you serious?”
I shrugged. “It’s tough to think on the spot.”
Mia covered her mouth and giggled before suddenly turning serious. “She’s not going to ignore you anymore, you know that, right?”
“Oh, don’t bring down the moment,” Shal said.
“It’s all right,” I replied. “I’m used to it anyway.”
We were walking down the main part of town, which was just a bunch of old brick buildings that had been converted into nail salons and clothing stores and restaurants. The salon where my mom worked now was in one of these buildings—I decided I should probably drop by someday. Shal said she lived close to downtown, while Mia was about halfway between here and my house. That meant I had the longest walk, of course, but I figured I could use the exercise before training tonight. I was going to stay well clear of the woods, however.
It was a warm September afternoon, and there were quite a few people walking along the sidewalk. I decided I really liked Riverfield. You know—minus the monsters. I noticed a blond waitress serving two people in a café glance at me as we walked by. She gave me a strange look and turned away. I frowned, glancing back at her. That was weird.
“I have to ask,” I said, turning to Shal. “Why does Allison give you such a hard time? It seems like she goes after you more than anyone. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Shal immediately stopped laughing and looked away. “Long story.”
“Come on. Mia?”
Mia hesitated. “It happened in third grade.”
“Fourth,” Shal corrected.
“Right,” Mia said. “Back then Shal and Allison were best friends.”
“Best is a strong word.”
Mia glared at her. “Do you want to tell it?”
Shal paused. “Continue.”
We were out of the shops area now and into the residential section. Most of the houses here were very old-fashioned with original brick and dark windows. An elderly couple on a rickety front porch watched us walk by.
I felt their eyes following me.
“They were friends,” Mia went on, “and they used to dress up and do their hair and all that stuff. Back then, there used to be a boy named Aaron at the school.”
“He was the Carl of fourth grade,” Shal added.
“Right,” Mia said, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, they both liked him.”
“In fourth grade?” I asked, frowning.
Shal waved a hand. “You know how it is: kids think it’s funny to say that they’re dating someone but never even look at each other.”
“Not really,” I said.
Shal scowled. “Just continue.”
“Well, Allison apparently was dating this boy Aaron when he decided he liked Shal more. So Shal and Aaron started dating or whatever and Allison got mad. Oh, and Shal also beat her at a beauty pageant that year—”
“You said you would never mention that,” Shal snapped.
“And so Allison got jealous and turned people against Shal by calling her ugly and saying she had a thing for everyone and I guess also that she was a bad dresser—”
“We get it,” Shal muttered.
I rubbed my forehead. “So you’re saying Allison hates you because you stole her boyfriend in fourth grade and won a beauty pageant?”
Shal nodded. “Pretty much.”
I broke out laughing. �
�That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I know,” Shal said. “But she’s very sensitive to that stuff. Low self-esteem, I guess. I don’t know. Of course, she turned into the beauty queen and I turned into a freckled Irish terrier.”
“You should see her pageant pics—” Mia started.
“No!” Shal cut in. “Never. Anyway, that’s the story. I haven’t been popular since. Upsets my mom more than anyone, I think. She’s the pageant queen who got me into this mess in the first place.” She slowed down in front of a big, red-brick Victorian-style house with a white picket fence. “Well, girls,” she said, “it’s been a slice. I’d invite you in, but I have to go hide all the pictures first. Want to do something this weekend?”
“Sure,” I said. “But I do want to see those pictures.”
“Bye,” she snarled, heading inside.
Mia and I just laughed and continued on. It was another ten minutes to her house, and then we parted ways too. She was strangely quiet about her own family, but I did gather that she had two younger brothers and that her dad was very strict. She’d only moved here from the city two years ago herself and said it had taken her awhile to adjust.
I waved as she went inside and started for home. Leaving the main area of town, I was forced to walk on the shoulder of the road and turn south toward Raven’s End, the very last street in town. The forest hugged the road a little more closely here, though it was still interspersed with homes. I watched the trees warily as I walked.
I was just turning onto Raven’s End, when I saw something move in the woods. I slowed down, looking around. The street was empty.
I picked up my pace again, peering into the forest. The trees were densely packed and obscured by heavy brush, so it was very dark; all I could see were shadows.
And then one of them started to move.
I slowed down just a little, my skin prickling. The shadow slowed down with me. There was something there. I started walking faster, and the shadow followed.
Panicking, I looked ahead and saw the first house on my street, another ancient Victorian-style home. The woods wrapped tightly around their backyard, and as I walked by the house, momentarily blocking me from the woods, I broke into a jog.
I just wanted to get home.
But when the forest closed in again on the other side, I still saw the shadow. I ran faster and the shadow sped up. I was just about to break into a full sprint when I remembered what Eldon had said: the Swords were keeping watch. Maybe it was just one of their guards. I slowed down a little and glanced at the trees.
“Hello?” I said. “You don’t have to follow me everywhere. Just watching the house at nighttime would be nice. Hello?”
I stopped and peered into the woods.
“Are you there?”
Two large, pale-yellow eyes suddenly snapped open, less than three metres from where I was standing. In the shadows, I thought I saw sharp teeth catching the light.
I didn’t wait to see anymore. I broke into a full sprint, not even looking behind me. I ran all the way to my house, threw open the door, and slammed it shut behind me.
I stood there shaking for a moment, pressed against the door.
My mom poked her head out from the kitchen. “Did you enjoy your walk, dear?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “It was great.”
Chapter Thirteen
I spent the rest of the afternoon in my room, sneaking constant glances out my window. I was particularly hoping I would see one of the Swords so I would know that my house was being protected. Of course, I was also keeping a watch out for pale-yellow eyes and making sure none of my family members went outside.
This was not cool.
In between glances, I read more of the guide and learned all about the Iron Hammer—the massive weapon that every Monster Crusher used. It looked as big as I did. I read the note below the picture.
The Iron Hammers
Forged by the Brotherhood for the specific use of the Monster Crushers, the hammers are the most feared weapons in the Under Earth. Six diamond-shaped rubies are set into the sides of the hammers, and they glow red when used against our enemies, as if enjoying the battle. The hammers were forged with spells and magic, and they are capable of a great many things. They are light and swift, and when needed, they possess a strength that no weapon can match. But the spell seems to be fickle: it only reflects the spirit of the Monster Crusher who holds it.
The Hammer of Riverfield has killed Scarab, Ogg, and many other great foes, so handle it with care.
I frowned as I read the paragraph. Handle it with care? I sincerely doubted I could even lift the thing. Surely they would figure that out soon and realize it might be a good idea to find themselves another Monster Crusher. One other area caught my attention:
The Hammer is a weapon—it is not a victory. Daniel forgot this and he paid the price.
I was just getting up to check the yard when my mom called up for dinner. Sneaking a quick peek at the woods and seeing nothing, I headed downstairs, wondering if the yellow eyes were just beyond my sight in the shadows.
I joined Tom and Stache at the table—Stache had actually made it to the dinner table on time today, though that was probably just because my mom had yelled at him. As usual he was covered in dust and paint and dirt and who knows what else. Even his moustache had white paint in it. My mom plunked a big, steaming plate of chicken wings on the table. Despite the whole yellow-eyes incident, I was starving, so I immediately started to load up my plate.
Dinner at my house is like a police interrogation. My mom fires off a rapid stream of questions, and I do my best to give her the shortest answers possible so that I can avoid telling her the truth without actually lying. It’s an art form.
Tom was sitting across from me eating Brussels sprouts. He really loves Brussels sprouts. Like savours them. It’s weird.
“How was your day, Tom?” my mom asked, turning to him.
“Not bad,” Tom said, poking around for his Brussels sprouts. “I made a friend. Shannon.”
“Told you,” I said knowingly.
He frowned. “Not that kind of a friend. She’s just very nice. She told me she liked my shirt. I told her I liked her shoes. She thought it was funny. We laughed.”
“I see,” my mom said, frowning. “Laura?”
“Got an A on a math quiz,” I replied curtly.
My father looked up. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Stache,” I said. “Tom, you want my Brussels sprouts—”
“Hold on,” my mom cut in. “That’s very good, Laura. What else happened?”
Here we go. She wanted to know about bullying. It was nice of her to ask, I guess, but it’s not something I love talking about. Especially in front of my dad. He lives in his own little happy world where his daughter is a beautiful princess loved by all.
“That’s really it. Just fighting off the boys like usual.”
“What boys?” my dad asked with his mouth full.
My mom sighed. “I think she’s joking, dear.”
“Oh,” he said. “Good.”
“Who were the girls you walked home with?” my mom asked.
“Shal and Mia.”
She wiped her face with a napkin. “Were you fighting with them yesterday?”
Sigh. She was very perceptive, I had to give her that.
“Yeah, but we’re good again,” I said. “Just about a girl at school. No big deal.”
My mom hesitated. “Is she…picking on you?”
“Not yet,” I said calmly, taking a big bite of a chicken wing. “Probably tomorrow though. We had a bit of a showdown today.” I stopped and looked at the chicken wing. “I probably should eat something healthier in preparation, actually.”
“What for?” my dad asked, sounding indignant. I love Stache.
“I’m preparing for a marathon,” I said sarcastically. “But if we could just hide the snack food, that would be super. When ten o’clock hits, no bag of ch
ips is safe from my wrath.”
My mom nodded. “Of course. I could probably stand to lose a few pounds myself. I’ll start buying fresh fruit instead.”
“Great,” Tom muttered.
I smiled and tossed a Brussels sprout at him. It bounced off his forehead.
“Very nice,” my mom said.
Tom frowned. “I would have eaten that.”
—
As I lay in bed that night, the guide beside me, I realized I had to make a decision. The door would start rattling again soon, and Eldon would be waiting. Could I really go back in there after that disastrous training session yesterday? All the reading I had done had said the exact same thing: the Monster Crusher had to be a mighty warrior, protecting both worlds and keeping the tunnels secure. The only one who didn’t look that big in his picture was Paul the Imp Chaser, and apparently he’d been killed three weeks into the job. I clearly wasn’t the Monster Crusher. Maybe it was better if I just didn’t go back.
Of course, there was also the issue of the yellow eyes in the woods. If that was some sort of creature hunting me, it wouldn’t stop just because I decided not to be the Monster Crusher. Was I putting my family at risk? Did I even have a choice? What if they just came and took me back to Derwin to train against my will?
My mind was racing as I glanced over and saw 10:30 on my alarm clock. The door still wasn’t rattling. Maybe it wasn’t going to rattle tonight, and Eldon was giving me another day to think about it. If that was the case, I definitely appreciated it.
I placed the guide on my nightstand, put on some fluffy red-and-white pyjamas, and flicked off the bedroom light. But as I got into bed, I heard something strange. It wasn’t rattling. It was voices. I immediately stopped and listened.
The voices were coming from outside my window.
I slowly crept to the window and peeked through the curtains, but it was too dark to see anything. I stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to do. What if something was out there? What if it was coming into my house? Should I wake my parents? Would they think I was completely nuts?
I frowned and thought about something else. I was hearing voices. I sincerely doubted monsters could speak, and if they could, it definitely wouldn’t be English. It had to be the Swords. I decided to ignore it and go to bed.
