“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
