‘I get it,’ I said, nodding. ‘Just head in and I’ll be right behind you.’
Zoe said something else, but I missed it. I knew was that she was a little annoyed that I was being pushy, but I didn’t have any time to waste! The red ninjas were up to no good, and I had to check it out!
I glanced down the hallway on both sides of me to double-check I was really alone.
I reached into the hood of my sweatshirt for my ninja mask. Gripping it with my fingers, I pulled it down over my face.
It was go time.
At the end of the hall, I poked my head around the corner before diving out into the open. The coast was clear, which was kind of a bummer since I was trying to find someone. Just then I heard the sound of a girl calling for help again.
It came from one of the empty rooms down the hall.
Without waiting another second, I dashed to the room where the noise was coming from, but to my surprise, there was nobody there.
‘Uh, hello?’ I said, feeling like I might have just walked into a trap. By this point, it could’ve been anyone setting me up – the red ninja clan, the Scavengers, Jake and his wolf pack.
The voice came again from one of the rooms behind me. ‘Help me!’
I spun in a circle, confused because I swore I had heard the shout coming from the room I was looking in.
‘What’s going on?’ I asked aloud, carefully stepping across the hallway to the next open door.
Without warning, a girl jumped out of the dark room. I freaked, throwing my arms in the air to protect myself.
The girl smashed into me, sending us both to the floor tumbling. When the dust cleared, I looked at my attacker. It was Brayden’s friend Dani.
She stared at me, terrified, but then I remembered I was wearing a ninja mask.
‘What’s going on?’ I asked, my voice muffled from the black cloth over my face. ‘Are you okay?’
Dani’s hands were shaking as she looked past me. ‘Them!’
I didn’t need to turn around to know there was probably a boatload of red ninjas standing behind me. But I did anyway.
In the doorway were about ten red ninjas, arms folded, eyes piercing, and legs uh … standing.
The red ninja at the front of the group knocked his knuckles together. ‘Look what the cat dragged in.’
I jumped to my feet, helping Dani off the floor. ‘Run! I’ll take care of this!’
Through tears in her eyes, she looked at me nodding. Then she dashed down the hall without saying another word.
Placing my feet firmly on the carpeted floor, I clenched my fists, holding them at my side. Nodding my head once at the red ninjas, I growled. ‘Let’s dance.’
All ten of the red ninjas looked amongst themselves, confused.
Just so you know, that was all part of my plan – confuse the red ninjas by making them think I was up for a fight. In their confusion, I would take off like a bolt of lightning. Which is exactly what I did.
I was halfway down the hall before they noticed I had escaped.
‘Ha!’ I shouted. ‘Suckers!’
At that moment, a second group of red ninjas jumped out of another room in front of me.
‘Whoops,’ I muttered, skidding to a stop.
So there I was in the hallway, two herds of red ninjas wearing blue jeans on both sides of me. I kept whipping my head back and forth between the two herds, trying my best to come up with some kind of awesome ninja plan.
I ran to one of the empty classrooms nearby, twisting the door handle. Of course, it was locked – my luck wouldn’t have it any other way.
The ninjas were closing in on both sides of me. This was going to be bad. Like, bad. Like, worse than getting duct taped to the wall bad.
I leaned against the door, feeling dizzy. It felt like I was having a bad dream.
Wait. Maybe I was having a bad dream!
I shut my eyes and banged the back of my head against the classroom door. The thud travelled through my body and the red ninjas flinched when they saw me do it.
Okay, brain. Time to wake up … like, any second now.
The red ninjas continued their approach. Some of the fluorescent lights overhead had burned out, which cast eerie shadows of the ninjas along the floor and walls.
Man. I was about to get my butt handed to me, and I even gave them a head start by bruisin’ up my noggin.
I inhaled deeply, preparing for what was about to go down.
And then the door clicked.
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
I jumped forward as the door flew wide open. There, standing in the doorway, was the white ninja.
‘Come on!’ the white ninja said with a husky voice.
I did as the white ninja commanded and ran into the classroom.
The white ninja slammed the door shut, turning the lock.
‘Thanks,’ I said, looking for another way out. The only door in the room was the one we had just locked. Along the back of the classroom was a set of tall cupboards built into the wall. On the counters were mixing bowls and spatulas.
‘Don’t thank me yet,’ the white ninja said.
‘Wait, how’d you get in here if that’s the only way in?’ I asked.
‘I dove in here and locked the door when I saw you getting chased,’ the white ninja said. ‘Let’s just say it’s in my best interests to look after you.’
‘I totally know it’s you!’ I said with a huge smile under my mask. It had to be Faith, right? I mean, all signs pointed to yes, didn’t they? ‘You think you’re fooling me, but you’re not!’
The white ninja stepped further into the room, scanning the sides for an exit, ignoring me.
‘Don’t bother,’ I said. ‘There’s no other way out. We’re stuck.’
‘Not good,’ the white ninja growled. ‘Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid!’
‘Don’t be so hard on yourself!’ I said. ‘Those red ninjas can’t touch us as long as that door remains locked.’
As if the door had been waiting for its time to shine, the latch flipped, unlocking with a clunking sound.
‘Awesome,’ I said.
The door creaked open and I watched the red ninjas enter, blocking our only escape.
‘I’m not sure what you’re planning,’ I said. ‘But you’re going to be pretty disappointed if it’s a fight you’re looking for.’
The red ninjas parted, creating a path for someone. It was Wyatt. Of course it was Wyatt. It was always Wyatt.
‘Then it’s a good thing nobody’s looking for a fight,’ Wyatt sneered as he patted at all three of his first place ribbons pinned to his shirt. ‘Isn’t that right, Chase?’
In order to show Wyatt and the red ninjas that we weren’t looking for a fight, the white ninja and I sat on our knees, placing our hands on our thighs.
‘Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the last game?’ I asked.
‘I could ask you the same question,’ he replied. He turned quickly – probably on purpose so his ribbons would flourish a bit. He faced the white ninja. ‘And you … you’re something of a mystery, aren’t you?’
The white ninja said nothing, but I could tell they were getting nervous. Their chest was moving up and down quickly, taking rapid breaths.
Wyatt leaned closer to the white ninja’s mask. ‘Who are you?’
‘Leave her alone!’ I snapped. I hated that Faith had been caught up in this mess, and it was my fault. If it weren’t for me, she’d be in the gymnasium, safe and sound.
With a smile, Wyatt stood tall.
I exhaled slowly, relieved that he was going to leave her alone.
But instead, he clutched the top of her ninja mask and pulled it off her face.
In that moment, my brain completely fizzled out. I felt like maybe I was seeing things, because Faith was supposed to be under the mask … but it wasn’t Faith.
It was Zoe.
My cousin remained perfectly still, resting on her knees with her hands on her thighs. She stared at the floor, ang
ry, but unflinching.
‘No stinkin’ way,’ Wyatt whispered, holding back shocked laughter. I felt the exact same way.
Wyatt looked at me and said something, but I didn’t even hear him. All I could do was stare at Zoe, decked out in a white ninja costume. Somewhere in my brain, there was an error message flashing: not responding.
‘Wow,’ Wyatt said at last, tossing the white ninja mask at Zoe’s feet. ‘Ya think ya know a gal.’
‘You don’t know anything about me,’ Zoe whispered.
Wyatt laughed. ‘I know you’re the president! I know that if word gets out that you’re running around with your cousin dressed as ninjas, you’ll lose your position in office! Ya like apples? How ’bout them apples?’
Zoe didn’t say a word.
‘This is just too good,’ Wyatt said. ‘That’s fine. I’ll figure out how to deal with all this after I win the final game.’
‘The game won’t start unless Zoe’s there,’ I said with confidence.
Wyatt shook his head. ‘Not true,’ he said. ‘Principal Davis will take the lead when he sees that Zoe’s gone.’
Zoe looked at me. ‘He’s right. The game will still go on.’
‘It doesn’t really matter,’ Wyatt continued as he turned to me. ‘When Davis finds out that someone is missing from your team, you’ll forfeit.’
‘That’s why I’m down here,’ I said, understanding. ‘You never intended there to be a fight.’
‘Oh, of course not,’ Wyatt said. ‘I knew I could count on you to be honourable and take your place in the land of defeat. I knew you’d rather sit here and lose the game instead of throwing punches.’
I wasn’t sure if I hated that Wyatt was right, or if it was actually cool that he was.
‘Pretty brilliant plan, right?’ he gloated. ‘I mean, either way, you lose! If you decide to fight your way out of this, you get suspended, which is an automatic disqualification. And if you decide to be noble, you’ll just sit here until my red ninjas allow you to leave, which will be long after you’ve already been disqualified because of your absence. Man!’ Wyatt said triumphantly. ‘I. Am. Brilliant!’
‘Gross,’ Zoe whispered.
Wyatt laughed. ‘Get comfortable, sugar, because you’re gonna be in here until after the assembly.’ He looked at Zoe’s white ninja uniform. ‘Why white? You stick out like a … well, like a white ninja.’
‘Black isn’t my colour,’ Zoe replied coolly.
‘Red might suit you,’ Wyatt said.
‘Pfft!’ Zoe huffed. ‘Haven’t you heard? White is the new black.’
‘Sure,’ Wyatt chuckled quietly. ‘I’ll call you when there’s a snowstorm.’
‘Like red is better?’ Zoe asked, arching her brow.
‘Better than white,’ Wyatt said like a baby.
‘Is not.’
‘Is too.’
‘Nuh-uh.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Nuh-uh!’
‘Uh-huh!’
I seriously had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from laughing.
‘Whatever!’ Wyatt shouted. ‘I don’t have time for this!’
Zoe and I watched Wyatt cut a path through his red ninjas again. Before he stepped out the door, he turned. ‘You should’ve just given up, Chase.’
With that, Wyatt disappeared into the hallway.
Most of the red ninjas went with him. The leftovers stood with their arms folded right inside the entrance, poking their head out every few seconds to make sure no one was coming.
‘So …’ I sang, a little amused. ‘Look at you!’
‘Don’t even,’ Zoe said.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ I asked.
Zoe rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not the white ninja. You know I’m not interested in all this.’
I frowned. ‘Um, what?’
‘You heard me.’
‘Except that you’re right next to me wearing white ninja robes.’
‘Faith asked me to do this as a favour for her,’ Zoe said. ‘And since we’re besties, I couldn’t say no. That and the fact that you’re my cousin and needed my help.’
‘I knew it!’ I said through my mask. ‘Faith is the white ninja!’
Zoe made a ‘duh’ face. ‘She told me you already knew.’
‘Kind of,’ I said. ‘I mean, yeah, totally. I totes knew it was her, like, the whole time. Super totes.’
‘So …’ Zoe said. ‘What’s the plan, boss?’
I looked at the red ninjas at the door, and then back at Zoe. ‘I don’t have a plan this time,’ I admitted. ‘I think it’s over. All of it.’
Zoe’s face shifted from worried to angry. ‘Are you serious?’
I pulled my ninja mask off my face, feeling the cool air touch my cheeks. ‘These last couple of weeks have a been a nightmare.’
‘Well, I’m not gonna say I didn’t notice you acting all paranoid,’ Zoe said.
‘I don’t know how much longer I can keep going,’ I said honestly, only because she was family. ‘And now look at me. Held prisoner in an empty classroom by a gang of red ninjas so their leader can win the Spirit Week games and make his ninja clan an official school club. I’m probably the most horrible leader that ever existed.’
Zoe sighed, looking angrier. ‘Pretty sure there’s been worse.’
‘I don’t mean it like that,’ I said. ‘I mean, I’ve pretty much failed to be a good leader.’
Finally, Zoe’s face turned red. ‘Would you stop having a pity party for yourself?’
‘Huh?’ I grunted, confused.
Footsteps thumped down the hallway. There was a dark blur in front of the door, and then the sound of footsteps squeaking to a stop. Melvin’s face peeked around the corner.
Maybe the universe was cutting me a break! When Melvin saw Zoe and me, he’d go back and find help!
‘Dude!’ he said as he bounced through the door, holding a crinkly yellow envelope over his head. He wasn’t wearing his suit jacket, and his shirt was untucked and dishevelled like he had been working all night. ‘I’ve got brain-popping news!’
‘Melvin, wait!’ I shouted. ‘Don’t come in here!’
Melvin didn’t listen, taking quick steps to reach me. ‘I have proof that Wyatt cheated! He knew all the locations for the scavenger hunt and all the answers for the quiz show!’
The door to the classroom slammed shut.
Melvin spun around. ‘Uh-oh.’
My hope that he would save the day petered out.
‘Yep,’ one of the ninjas said with arms folded. I could tell it was a girl under the mask from her voice. She pointed at the spot between Zoe and me. ‘Sit.’
Melvin raised his hands as if he were surrendering. ‘Sure thing,’ he said, taking a knee. ‘Not a problem.’
I stared at the floor, not wanting to say a word. It was possible that the gymnasium was already celebrating Wyatt’s victory.
‘What were you doing down here anyway?’ Zoe asked. ‘Shouldn’t you be in the gym?’
‘Shouldn’t you?’ Melvin snipped. ‘You’re the gosh darn president!’ He turned his head to look at me. ‘And you’d best get down to the gym unless you’re planning to forfeit!’
I said nothing.
Melvin’s face softened. He understood. ‘So that’s that, huh?’
Again, I said nothing.
‘What kind of proof do you have that Wyatt cheated?’ Zoe asked.
Melvin tossed the wrinkled yellow envelope he was carrying onto the floor. ‘It’s all right there,’ he said.
Zoe’s eyes followed the envelope as it fell to the carpet. ‘What’s that?’
‘That,’ Melvin said, ‘was the thing that Wyatt threw into the bin yesterday.’
‘The bin?’ I repeated.
Melvin smiled. ‘Yep. Wyatt tossed it out just before I bumped into him. Remember that? And then he dumped all my books in with it. Well, when you grabbed my textbooks, you accidentally grabbed his envelope too.’
‘What�
��s in it?’
Melvin paused, his smile growing more satisfied. ‘Oh, nothin’ much, except for the exact locations of each token for the scavenger hunt plus all the answers to every question in the quiz yesterday.’
‘Are you kidding me?’ Zoe asked, her jaw dropping. ‘Where’d he get the envelope?’
My face warmed and I could feel my blood pumping faster. Wyatt had been cheating.
‘No idea,’ Melvin said. ‘He could’ve got it from anywhere. He might’ve stolen it from someone. What I’m still confused about is how his team won the race on Tuesday. How’d he get to the finish line before everyone else?’
Zoe shook her head. ‘His team hit the checkpoints. They got the apple from the baked beans and shaved the balloon!’
‘Funny thing is,’ Melvin said, ‘when I asked around, nobody actually saw Wyatt finish those challenges. And with a bunch of red ninjas on his team, it’s not impossible that the kids standing at those checkpoints just did them when no one was looking.’
‘That explains how Wyatt got to the finish line early,’ I said. ‘I mean, he had enough time to pour himself a bowl of cereal before I got there.’
‘What?’ Zoe asked, confused. ‘Cereal?’
‘That Cookie Dough Delight stuff,’ I said. ‘So gross, but it’s trending so everyone pretends to love it.’
‘No way …’ Zoe whispered, staring into space. ‘No way!’
Melvin snapped his fingers. ‘That’s the same cereal the student council room has, ain’t it?’
‘Ummm …’ I hummed, still confused.
‘Do you know where the student council room is?’ Zoe asked with a smirk. ‘Right around the corner from the finish line, down the narrow hall that everyone had to pass through at the end.’
‘Wyatt must’ve cut through that room as a shortcut!’ Melvin said. ‘He probably poured himself a bowl of cereal since he had plenty of time to kill!’
‘And he stole the envelope while he was in there?’ I asked.
Zoe shook her head. ‘No, besides staff, there are only a couple of kids who have a key to get into that locked room. And they’re both in student council.’
‘Whoa,’ I said, looking at Melvin. And then I whispered quietly while covering my mouth so Zoe couldn’t read my lips. ‘You think it was Zoe?’
Spirit Week Shenanigans Page 10
