Grim Hill: Forest of Secrets Read online

  I sighed. I would have to tell them all sooner or later. “They’re going to make me write an exam to take the advanced science course here,” I confessed. “I might have to miss soccer camp.” I had to bite my lip, but at least I wasn’t sniveling anymore.

  “That’s not fair! Your project on wolves got the highest mark in Ms. Dreeble’s class. You even won the school’s science medal.”

  I was grateful that Amarjeet was outraged on my behalf. But I couldn’t explain the rest of the bad notes in my file. She had no memory of our witch and fairy encounters – they would seem like a muddled dream to her. Only Jasper and my little sister, Sookie, would remember. Only the three of us held the white feathers that alerted us to magic. But that didn’t mean they’d sympathize with me. Jasper was a straight-A student, so he’d just shrug and advise me to hit the books. As for Sookie – well, she was sort of in a world of her own.

  “Check out your visitors, Cat,” Amanda said loudly. She was another friend I’d lost since Zach and I started hanging out, especially when Zach would make room for me at their lunch table if one of the people in the popular group didn’t show up. Not that I sat there the whole hour. My friends Mia and Amarjeet would have my head for dumping them. Besides, it was always awkward anyway because Clive would be glaring at me nonstop.

  “Cat, I said you’ve got company,” Amanda said even louder so I couldn’t ignore her.

  I looked at where she was pointing.

  My mother and little sister were standing outside the main office, though I had no idea what they were doing here. Nobody’s family came to Orientation Day.

  Mom was beaming, while Sookie bounced with excitement. My sister’s blond hair bobbed when she said, “Cat, how was your first day at the teenagers’ school? Did everyone think your new outfit was cool like you’d hoped?”

  A bunch of people snickered.

  This morning I’d thought my new purple tunic and denim tights made me seem older – especially when I’d pulled my brown hair into a knot to show off the dangly earrings Mom had finally allowed me to wear. Well, they weren’t that dangly – each earring only had two beads on a wire.

  Sophisticated – yeah, right. Now I just wanted to crawl into one of those tall lockers and disappear.

  CHAPTER 3 - A Bad Omen

  “YOUR SISTER WANTS to know if your outfit made you look cool,” said Clive. His lips twisted into a wicked smile. “Don’t you think you should tell her?”

  My face heated up. Zach had taken a small step away from me, while Amanda and Emily snickered.

  I just kept standing there, unable to say anything that could help me recover. I could see from the look on Mom’s face that she knew I was upset. She hustled Sookie down the hall, toward the main doors. But she was too late to save my dignity. Why had Mom even come?

  “Skeeter,” Mom called. “It’s time to go.”

  Skeeter?

  “Hey Clive!” Clive’s little brother, Skeeter, burst into the hall and came racing down, slamming into a few unwary students and sending their papers flying. Skeeter didn’t stop until he practically crashed into us. He caught the look on his brother’s face. “What’s the matter?” he asked. Skeeter glanced at me and then at Clive again. “Are you mad at Cat again? Even though you used to like her a lot?”

  Clive’s expression darkened and he stormed away, which was better than what I was doing – standing around, staring helplessly at everyone’s amused looks.

  Mia and Amarjeet looked mortified, which made me feel even worse. I stayed frozen while my group wandered off to their next stop, until Mom came back for Skeeter.

  “Sorry, Cat.” Mom looked apologetic. “The younger kids have a day off, so I thought it might be fun to come into the city and take you and Mia for burgers and a movie. I brought Skeeter to keep Sookie out of your hair.”

  I balked. What was Mom thinking? Mia and I wouldn’t want to see some stupid cartoon movie, which is the only thing Sookie and Skeeter would be allowed to watch! I replied quietly, fighting to keep the frustration out of my voice. “We’re all going back to Darkmont to play some basketball. Then a bunch of girls are headed to Mia’s for the sleepover.”

  “Right,” Mom answered, just as quietly. “I see. I also brought you the backpack you’d packed for your sleepover. You forgot it this morning.”

  That would have taken me five extra minutes to fetch after we left the gym. I took my pack without saying thank you. Instead, I stared at my sneakers and tried to ignore the giggles that Amanda made sure I could hear even though she was halfway down the hall.

  “Right,” Mom said again. “I’m guessing you don’t want a ride home.”

  I nodded. Maybe a few months ago it would have been fun to hang out in the city with my mom and sister, but there was no way I wanted to do that anymore. Kid stuff bored me – why couldn’t she see that?

  By the time Mom left, everyone had gone to visit their homeroom class, which was the last stop of the day. But I didn’t feel like seeing anyone right now. I headed for the parking lot instead.

  I looked for our school bus, but the lot was empty except for a super fancy bus.

  “Deluxe, isn’t it? It’s for cross-country tours,” the bus driver said as he opened the door. The smell of a brand-new car drifted out in a whoosh. “It’s your lucky day.”

  “What do you mean?” I shook my head. Lucky day – not so much.

  “This bus just rolled off the assembly line – it hasn’t even been delivered officially,” said the driver. “The school bus broke down, and the only thing they had available was this bus. I get to give this a test run. Hop aboard.”

  I stepped inside and despite my dark mood, couldn’t help admiring the decor. “Cool,” I said. A person could get used to traveling like this – fancy upholstery, thick carpets, televisions, reclining seats, and a washroom.

  I slumped into a plush chair that even had a footstool. “Cool,” I said again. I pulled on my headphones, tilted my seat back, and tuned out the world. Just as I was relaxing to the music, I heard a pounding on my window. I looked outside. Mom, Sookie, and Skeeter were staring up at me.

  Mom walked to the bus door and knocked on the glass. The bus driver opened the door and let her in.

  I pulled my headphones off as Mom walked down the aisle toward me. “Cat, my car engine died.” She looked out the window at Skeeter and Sookie, who were chasing each other in circles. I didn’t like where this was going.

  “I need you to take those two back with you. There’s no way they’ll last the hours it’s going to take to wait for a tow truck and then wait again at the garage.”

  “What?” I’ll admit that came out kind of harsh.

  Mom pursed her lips. “You heard me.”

  “No,” I sputtered. “I mean, can’t you drop them off at the movies or something?” I looked outside again: now Sookie and Skeeter were chasing a bunch of crows around the parking lot.

  “You know I can’t do that,” Mom replied. “I’m sorry, Cat. I’ll try and make it back before the sleepover.”

  “It’s not fair,” I complained.

  Mom sighed and I felt guilty because I knew she counted on me to help her out with my sister. Besides, I knew our budget was tight and Mom would have enough to worry about with the mechanic’s bills. But it wasn’t fair. “Why do I always have to be the one who has to give up on fun?”

  “You’re the oldest,” Mom explained. “And there are times when it’s not about fair – sometimes there’s no other choice.” She left me sitting there fuming as she herded Sookie and Skeeter onto the bus.

  “Oh, Clive, I didn’t see you there!” Mom said, her eyes focusing somewhere behind me.

  Clive was on the bus? I hadn’t even noticed him. I looked over my shoulder, and sure enough, I spotted Clive’s dark curly hair several rows back.

  “This is perfect,” Mom said. “Skeeter can sit with his brother. The bus driver has asked that both of you keep a close eye on them – this bus is supposed to stay in
mint condition.” Mom winked at Clive. “You know, no chewing gum under the seats, that sort of thing.”

  Skeeter bounced down the aisle as if his shoes had springs and he climbed into the seat beside Clive. Clive smiled at my mom, but as soon as she left, he leaned into the aisle and glared at me. If he had laser vision, this time I would’ve turned into a haze of smoke.

  “Look, Mom bought us snacks,” chirped Sookie. As usual, she was completely oblivious to my bad mood. “We’ve got peanut butter crackers and trail mix with raisins and juice boxes and …”

  “No eating on the bus!” the driver cut in.

  Sookie got that look on her face, the kind of fierce expression that meant my ride back to town would feel a whole lot longer than an hour and a half. I snatched the bags of snacks out of her hand and stuffed them into my pack.

  “Hey! But Mom said …”

  “Mom says a lot of things,” I said. “It’s about time you learned to suffer a little as well.”

  Sookie looked surprised. I wasn’t usually so mean, and as her eyes teared up, I almost regretted my harshness. Almost. But something cruel had dug its claws into me. “It’s about time you made a few sacrifices,” I said.

  Those words felt all wrong as soon as they were out of my mouth. Then one of the crows that had been in the parking lot, the largest, blackest of them all, flew through the open bus door. Sookie shrieked as the bird flew down the aisle and headed straight for us.

  It zoomed over our heads and I felt its sharp talons skim my hair. I covered Sookie’s face with one arm and waved it away with the other. The bus driver scrambled out of his seat and Clive rushed toward us.

  The crazed bird beat its inky wings against the inside of our window. Feathers flew and its wild caws screeched in our ears. My heart beat wildly as I leaped up to help Clive and the bus driver usher the bird outside.

  Once outside, the huge black bird flew back again and banged against our window, wings flapping madly, beady eyes focused on us. Its talons scratched against the glass as if it were aiming for our faces until, finally, it flew away.

  A few seconds passed while we all caught our breath. Sookie broke the silence in a hushed voice. “Isn’t a bird flying into a window supposed to be bad luck?”

  CHAPTER 4 - A Dire Departure

  WE HELPED THE bus driver pick up the feathers that had scattered on the ground and over the seats. “It’s a good thing the upholstery’s not torn up,” he said. “I need some coffee. Tell anyone who comes on board to keep everything very tidy. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  “Wouldn’t want to make a mess,” said Sookie, mimicking his voice. “Why does he get to drink something?”

  I put on my headphones and turned the music louder. But even that couldn’t drown out my sister’s complaints. “He’s probably not bringing his coffee on the bus,” I said.

  “Why do we even have to stay in this stupid bus?”

  “It’s a cool bus,” I said, raising the volume even more.

  “Let’s just go and wait for Mom.” Sookie pulled off one of my earpieces. “There’s something about this bus that doesn’t feel right. Something uncanny …”

  That got my attention. My little sister was sensitive to anything strange and if she felt uneasy it was good to listen. I turned off the music just as a few students stumbled onto the bus.

  “Whose bright idea was it to throw an apple halfway across the room?” Amarjeet complained.

  “Mitch said he was hungry and I was passing him an apple from my lunch.” Mia shrugged. “I didn’t know the guys would turn it into a volleyball game.”

  “Now we all have to sit on the bus.” Amarjeet threw herself down on a seat. “We’re going to miss getting the school supply lists. And I wanted to sign up early for Art Club.”

  “Could be worse,” Zach pointed out. “If Mr. Morrows hadn’t already left for Darkmont, we’d all be getting detentions.”

  “There’s no tomfoolery in high school,” Mitch said in perfect imitation of our teacher. We all laughed, including Amarjeet. Then Mitch rubbed a small bruise below his eye. “Ow, Jasper, you really let that apple fly.”

  “Sorry,” said Jasper, looking bashful.

  The mention of Mr. Morrows made me realize our teachers would soon be part of the distant past. We would move on to a new school, where my group of friends might never have a chance to hang out like we used to. Everyone was comparing their schedule and no one had classes together. That is, everyone but me. My schedule wouldn’t be decided until I wrote that stupid exam. This was definitely one of those days where I woke up thinking everything would go my way, and instead …

  “You were right, Cat. The bus driver isn’t bringing his coffee to the bus. Looks like he spilled it all over his uniform,” Sookie observed coolly. “His bag is filthy – won’t that leave a stain on his new carpet?”

  I ignored my sister and headed toward Jasper.

  “Hey Jasper,” I said, keeping my voice steady with my hard-fought resolve. “Would you be willing to help me out with a little extra test cramming? I have to take an exam to get into the advanced science program.”

  Jasper closed the paperback he was reading and grinned. “Sure, no problem. How much prep do you want to do – the thorough version or the abridged?”

  “Full steam ahead,” I said with determination. If I was going to do this, I was going to give it my all. Besides, I liked imagining the expression on Ms. Needlemeyer’s face when she saw my dazzling test score.

  “I can help you study.” Zach craned his neck and turned to face me.

  Clive snorted. “I don’t think there will be any questions on baseball,” he muttered, too softly for Zach to hear. I ignored Clive and said, “Any help would be appreciated.” A few months ago, I would have found Zach and his shining golden hair distracting. Lately, though, I was able to think perfectly clearly when he was around.

  All of a sudden the bus engine started and the driver released the brake. I had to grab the corner of Jasper’s seat to keep my balance.

  “Hey! Emily and the rest of the group aren’t back yet.” Zach jumped up and ran to the front of the bus. “I’ll get them.” Emily was Zach’s ex. I told myself he was just being kind and making sure no one got left behind.

  “The bus driver won’t leave without them,” Amanda answered petulantly. “Besides, Emily is talking to some older boys out in the parking lot.”

  But Zach was already out the door. Amanda left her seat to follow him, but as soon as she was about to jump off the bus, the driver slammed the door shut and narrowly missed squishing her.

  “Hey,” she said in surprise. “Could you please open the door?”

  “Get back in your seat,” the driver growled. Amanda opened her mouth to protest, but the bus had already lurched forward. She quickly scrambled back to her seat.

  Mitch shook his head. “What’s up with him?”

  The bus catapulted out of the parking lot. I went flying backward, right into Clive’s lap.

  “Whoa,” said Skeeter.

  “Do you mind?” Clive grumbled.

  “Quite a bit, actually.” My face burned as I jumped up and into the aisle. The bus swayed as it careened down the highway. Holding on to the seats, I maneuvered my way back to Sookie.

  “What about the other students?” Mia called out nervously.

  The bus driver didn’t answer. Mitch scratched his head “I … I guess he’s behind schedule. There ah, must be another bus for everyone else?”

  I sat back down in my seat and watched telephone poles speed by in a blur. My friends chattered in the background, but Mia was still worrying that the others wouldn’t have a ride home.

  “If there isn’t another bus, maybe my Mom can help,” I said. I wasn’t really sure Mom could help – she hadn’t parked in the school lot and no one would know she was waiting on the next street for a tow truck. Still, it didn’t hurt to mention that.

  “The school won’t leave students stranded,” Amarjeet added. “Not on
Orientation Day.”

  “Are you sure?” asked Clive. “This is senior high now and we’re supposed to take care of ourselves. My guess is that they’re pooling their money to pay for a bus back to town.”

  “Shut up back there!” The bus driver yelled. Wow, caffeine sure didn’t agree with him. We all quieted down, even Clive, out of surprise as much as to avoid annoying the driver.

  “Cat, do you notice something peculiar about the bus driver?” Sookie whispered into my ear. “I don’t remember his hat being so big.”

  The driver’s hat did seem to sit farther down on his head and it was totally lopsided.

  “And he’s wearing jeans instead of gray pants,” observed my little sister. “And dirty sneakers. He was wearing shiny black shoes before.”

  “Are you sure?” I thought I remembered seeing him in a spotless uniform and I hadn’t notice sneakers earlier. I stood up to take a closer look.

  But as soon as I did, the driver reacted. “Sit down!” he shouted.

  The tone of his voice made me move back into my seat double time. That was when the bus left the city limits and turned north, away from the direction of our town.

  CHAPTER 5 - A Wicked Illusion

  “HEY, I THINK you missed our turn,” Mitch called out as we headed the wrong way.

  “Detour,” the driver snarled.

  It must have been some detour because a half hour later we were still heading in the wrong direction. Something didn’t feel right. I stared numbly out the window. My body felt frozen, but my mind was racing. There was some kind of mistake – either in my memory or with the bus driver. Sookie was right – he looked different.

  I wanted to check with the others if they thought something was wrong too.

  Then Skeeter shouted out, “Hey you, we’re still going the wrong way!”