Chapter 1
the church closed. Let’s check downstairs. Some old churches use curtains as classroom dividers.” We made our way to the stairs. “Don’t be afraid if you see a mouse, or a rat,” I cautioned. “I heard noises down there.” Reece turned to Mei and whispered, “Mice, maybe. Daijoubu.” “It is all right,” Mei said. She and Reece often swapped words. Reece would say it in Japanese, then Mei would say it in English, or vice versa, to learn each other’s language. It’s amazing how quick it gets dark, once the sun drops into the woods. I helped Reece down to the basement where there was nothing more than three squares of gray light coming through the windows—one minus all its glass—and Robbie’s flashlight. “Hold it steady,” I told him. “You’re going to rattle all the life out of it.” Something scratched at the floor behind us. Reece and Mei sucked in air. Robbie whispered, “Let’s go.” “Why are you whispering, silly?” I asked loudly, kicking at a piece of trash on the floor. “Let’s show those rats we’re here.” I was talking and kicking my way into being the brave one. My mind knew there was nothing to be afraid of, but my heart was thumping. “This was your idea anyway, Robbie. We’ll have one quick look around and be done.” In a minute we were stuck together like one person with eight shuffling feet and four heads. Four pairs of eyes bugged 11
55811-rk.indd 11
3/10/05 9:53:41 AM