Nightmare Read online

  The short girl rolled her eyes again and nudged Emily. “Can you believe that hair?” she whispered. “She is a decided hazard to what’s left of the world’s ozone layer.”

  “Haley Griffin,” Coach Jinks called.

  “That’s me,” the short girl said. She smiled at Emily. “See you later.”

  It took a few minutes to get to the last letters of the alphabet, but Emily waited patiently. She had nothing else to do. In a way it was satisfying to just stand back against the wall, unnoticed, and watch the others.

  She jumped when she heard Coach loudly call, “Emily Wood.”

  Stumbling, she hurried to where he was stationed and waited while he checked off her name on his clipboard and handed her a plastic card. A hole was punched in one end, a cord through the hole. “You’re in room 101,” he said, studying Emily’s face as if he were trying to memorize it. “Hang your key around your neck. That way you won’t lose it.”

  He abruptly turned back to the clipboard and shouted, “Arthur Zimmerman!”

  Emily hurried down one of the paths that led to the other building. She walked inside and followed the wall sign that listed the room numbers. Doors were open, talk and laughter pouring out, but Emily kept her head down, scurrying all the way to room 101, hoping no one would stop her or speak to her.

  It didn’t occur to Emily that she wouldn’t have a room of her own until she stepped inside the open door of room 101 and saw a heap of clothes on one of the matching twin beds.

  “This closet is definitely not big enough,” a muffled voice complained just before Haley Griffin poked her head around the edge of the door.

  “Hi,” she said to Emily. “I guess we’re going to be roommates. Your name’s Emily Wood. Am I right?”

  “Uh, r-right,” Emily stammered, taken by surprise.

  “Well, hang on until I get all my stuff into the closet,” Haley said. She disappeared for a moment, then leaned back to look pleadingly at Emily. “I hope you don’t need too much space. My mother got me all this stuff she claimed were the proper clothes for camp, but I brought some of the things I like to wear, too, like for when I meditate. You know.”

  Emily shook her head. “That’s all right. I brought mostly T-shirts, shorts, and jeans. I can keep them in the chest of drawers.”

  “Actually, I think I filled up most of the drawers,” Haley said. “You can have the bottom two. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Emily said quietly. She had never met anyone like Haley, but since she had to share a room with her for the next six weeks, she’d search for some quiet places around this camp where she could get away by herself.

  Haley grinned at her. “There’s just one more thing I have to do before we settle in.”

  “What’s that?” Emily asked.

  “Find out if there’s anything interesting about you, Em,” Haley answered.

  Emily winced. “My name’s Emily. Nobody’s ever called me Em. And there’s nothing interesting about me to tell.”

  “I’ll decide that,” Haley said. “Your father’s a doctor, and your mother’s a successful attorney.”

  “Wait a minute,” Emily said. “How did you find—”

  “Enrollment cards. In plain sight on Dr. Anderson’s desk. But if they weren’t, I’d find out anyway. I find out everything I need to know, and I’m going to find out all about you. And lucky you, you’ll get to hear all about me.”

  “There’s really nothing—,” Emily tried again, but Haley interrupted.

  “You probably want to be here just as much as I do, so lighten up. They may think they’re going to get us to conform and study, study, study, but I have news for them. We’re going to get together with some of the other kids and have fun.”

  Haley swung the door shut, then flopped cross-legged onto the nearest bed. A wooden box, almost the size of a shoe box, slid out from under what was left of the pile of clothes next to her. Something inside it rattled.

  “What’s that?” Emily asked.

  Haley’s smile was smug as she motioned to Emily to join her on the bed. “My runes,” she said, and hugged the box to her chest. “I wouldn’t go anywhere without my runes.”

  Emily perched gingerly on the edge of the bed, fighting the urge to run from the room. She didn’t want Haley for a roommate. She didn’t want anyone for a roommate. She didn’t want to be here in the first place. But, as her father had declared, she didn’t have a choice.

  “You didn’t ask,” Haley said.

  “Ask what?”

  “About my runes. Do you know what they are?”

  Emily sighed. “No, I don’t. Okay. What are runes?”

  “They’re my guide. My truth seeker. My power.” Haley, still clinging to the box, slowly closed her eyes.

  “You haven’t really told me anything,” Emily complained. “I still don’t know what they are.”

  Leaning forward, Haley held out the pendant she was wearing. “This is a rune charm,” she said. “It’s not made out of rock, like the real rune stones. It’s pewter, but it’s enchanted for empowerment. The symbol on it is Feoh, which stands for wealth and good fortune.”

  To Emily the black symbol drawn on the charm looked like nothing more than a lopsided tree, bare of leaves, but she silently watched as Haley carefully laid the box between them and slowly opened the lid. Inside the box were small stones—about three dozen, Emily guessed. On each stone strange-looking symbols had been artistically drawn with black paint.

  “Runes are part of a primitive alphabet that was developed by the Vikings well over two thousand years ago,” Haley explained. “Somebody, I don’t know who, found these alphabet symbols in caves throughout Scandinavia and discovered they had magic insight into the future.” She leaned forward, her voice dropping as though she were imparting secret information. “Runes are probably the most powerful way of all to foretell the future.”

  Emily reached out to pick up one of the stones, wanting to examine it, but Haley gasped and pushed her hand away. “Not yet,” she said. “We have to meditate.”

  “I just wanted to—”

  Haley shook her head. “If you want to do this right, you have to meditate cross-legged for at least three minutes. You absolutely must sit cross-legged.”

  “But I—”

  “Go on. Cross your legs,” Haley insisted.

  Emily sighed and did what she had been told.

  “Now, close your eyes. Meditate.”

  “About what?”

  Haley sighed impatiently. “About whatever people meditate about. Life, your aspirations, your hopes, your childhood. Okay?”

  “I’ve never meditated before,” Emily said. “I don’t even know what meditation is all about.” She knew it would be easier to just go along with whatever Haley said, but she was beginning to balk at being constantly told what to do.

  Haley rolled her eyes again, then slipped on a look of exaggerated patience. “Meditation helps us withdraw from the stress around us and frees the brain to fully use its energy potential. Now, close your eyes.”

  “Tell me first, what has meditation got to do with your runes?”

  Haley thought a moment, frowning and twisting her lips. Suddenly she sighed again. “Don’t make this so difficult. It’s just what I said. Meditation frees your brain so the runes can pick up the messages they need. Okay?”

  Emily decided to give up, since it was clear that Haley never would. “Okay,” Emily said, and closed her eyes. She decided to meditate on the subject of why some people thought a bunch of little stones with drawings on them could possibly foretell the future. She wished she were home. She wished she were lying on the floor, one arm wrapped around her cat, Twizzles, as afternoon sun spilled through the window, creating a deep yellow patch across the floor. Twizzles purring in the soft silence, drowsy, sleepy …

  “Time’s up,” Haley said, startling Emily so much that she jumped. “I’ll go first so you’ll see how to do it. With all the last-minute rush to get here I didn’t have a ch
ance to draw my rune for today.”

  Emily watched as Haley held the box high with her left arm, then reached in with her right hand and drew out a stone. She glanced at the design, which was like a Y with its stem twisted. “Yggdrasil,” Haley said, looking pleased. “It represents a sacred tree from which all life springs and stands for new beginnings.” She replaced the stone inside the box and laid the box on the bed in front of Emily.

  “Obviously, I’m supposed to be where I am at this time and place,” Haley explained smugly. “No matter that I didn’t want to come. According to the runes, today is a day of new beginnings for me, which you can see is certainly true. Maybe things aren’t going to be so bad here after all.”

  She replaced the stone, stirred all the stones with her fingertips, then again held up the box. “Go ahead, Em. Your turn.”

  “No, thanks,” Emily said. “I really don’t believe in all that—”

  “If you don’t, you should,” Haley insisted. “Come on. We’re going to be roommates, so in a way our fortunes are tied together. I’m curious about what the runes will tell you, even if you’re not.” She held up the box, moving it close to Emily’s face. “Pick one.”

  It was easier to do what Haley wanted than argue about it, Emily decided. She reached into the box, fingering the stones. One had a tiny rough spot at one end. She closed her fingers around it and pulled it out. On one side of the little stone were three black dots, forming a triangle. With the symbol side up on the palm of her hand, she held out the stone to Haley, who made no move to take it.

  Her eyes wide, Haley said, “I can’t believe you drew that rune.”

  “Why?” Emily asked.

  “It’s the Loki rune.” Haley took a deep breath and explained, “He’s the Norse god of evil and treachery.”

  Emily wanted to laugh. “Don’t look so worried. I’m not planning to do anything either evil or treacherous.”

  Haley just held out the box. The moment Emily dropped in the stone, Haley snapped the lid shut and fastened it. “I know you’re not,” she told Emily. “Drawing the Loki rune doesn’t mean you’re going to do evil. It means … well … it’s a serious warning that forces of evil are working against you.”

  Emily couldn’t help shivering. But she insisted, “What you’ve told me doesn’t make any sense. A little stone can’t tell my future.”

  Haley clutched the box again and looked to each side, as though she expected someone, or something, to be listening. “It’s not the stone, silly. It’s the power behind the symbol. It’s the power of the runes. Don’t ask me to explain how it works. It just does. It warned that you’re in danger, Em. Believe it.”

  Emily gulped. “I don’t,” she said. “I won’t.” In the silence she studied Haley’s worried expression. “Anyhow, what could I do about it?”

  “I don’t know,” Haley answered, her voice barely a whisper. “But I’ll stick right by your side the rest of today. Tomorrow—” She broke off and suddenly smiled. “Tomorrow, of course, you’ll draw again, and I’m sure you’ll get a much better message.”

  “The warning’s only good for today?”

  Haley jumped off the bed and put the box on the shelf in her closet. “We don’t know yet. But if you get a new message tomorrow, it means the warning is over.”

  Emily wished Haley had never opened her box of runes. Were there really forces of evil working against her? Had she sensed this herself when she’d been afraid? When she’d had the nightmares? Don’t be stupid, she scolded herself. You can’t take a box of little painted stones seriously. Forget all about this dumb warning.

  Emily sighed, wishing that forgetting weren’t so hard to do.

  CHAPTER 2

  At last! It’s taken long enough. But now, after all these years, just as I had given up, I have a name to go with the face. Emily Wood. I’d almost stopped hoping to find her.

  Emily Wood. Yes. She exists.

  It was a shock to meet her, even more than I had imagined it would be. Oh, yes. I’d imagined it over and over again during the time in which I tried so hard to discover her identity.

  Then suddenly, there she was, standing in front of me.

  I covered my feelings well when we met. I didn’t show how it had unnerved me. With all the activity and bustle of people arriving at the camp, I doubt anyone would have noticed anyway.

  Did she recognize me? I don’t think so. I’ve never been sure that she actually saw my face that day. I checked the position of those curved marble stairs over and over again. Not until I was at her level could I have been seen, and then the flash from my camera must have blinded her. She may have heard my words, but voices can easily be forgotten. And, after all, it was eight years ago. If she had seen anything, surely she would have spoken up at the time, and she didn’t. She’s hardly likely to speak up now.

  I had no trouble recognizing her. Maybe it’s because of that cloud of pale blond, almost white hair. It’s certainly unusual enough to remember. At the time it reminded me of the puffball on a dandelion gone to seed.

  It helped that her face has changed very little from childhood into the teen years. It’s one I’d remember easily even without the photograph to assist me.

  I’ll phone Alice at the center and tell her to send the Carter file by express delivery. Alice won’t ask why, and she won’t snoop to see what’s in the file. Alice never snoops. She is a highly professional secretary. I think she’s simply lacking in basic curiosity. No matter. The photo of Emily Wood as a child is hidden in that file. I’m the only one who has ever seen that photograph.

  If I can help it, I’m the only one who ever will.

  CHAPTER 3

  At the light tap on the door, Emily, who stood close by, opened it.

  Before her stood the tall guy with the weird wool cap. It had been pulled even farther down over his ears than before. His nose was a little too long and his face too thin. His oversized, faded T-shirt and jeans hung on him as though he were nothing more than a stretched-out coat hanger. If he had a nickname, Emily thought, it would have to be Bony or Skinny.

  His voice wobbled from high to low and back again as he said, “Hi. Maxwell McLaren here. I’m knocking on doors, getting acquainted.”

  “I’m Emily Wood,” Emily said.

  Maxwell nodded. “Any other mislabeled underachieves around here? Speak up now or suffer the consequences,” he said.

  Emily blinked. “Other mislabeled underachieves?”

  “That’s correct,” Maxwell said. “I, for one, have definitely been mislabeled. I am not an underachiever. I simply refuse to waste my time on subjects which will be of no use to me in my future, such as math and science.”

  Emily couldn’t help giggling. Then, embarrassed, she quickly said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. It’s just that …”

  Maxwell didn’t look hurt. He looked pleased. “Any response is better than no response,” he said. “And since you seem to be vitally interested in why I’m not an underachiever, I’ll tell you that I plan to become a highly respected, award-winning, very rich playwright someday. Are you going to dinner?”

  Emily blinked, trying to follow the conversation. “Am I what?” she asked.

  “Going to dinner,” Maxwell said. “You’ll meet your parents in the dining room. I saw you with them earlier. If you’re ready, I’ll walk over there with you now.”

  “I—uh—” Emily threw a quick glance toward Haley, hoping for help, but Haley, grinning wickedly, disappeared into the closet with her last armful of clothing.

  Emily took a deep breath as she turned back to Maxwell. “How old are you?” she asked.

  “My birth certificate would lead you to believe that I’m fifteen,” Maxwell said. “But my true age is light-years beyond that.”

  “Look, Max—”

  “Maxwell,” he interrupted. “Never Max. Maxwell is an old family name, and it’s perfect for a playwright. Max is not.”

  “Okay, Maxwell, then,” Emily said. “You wou
ldn’t want me to walk to the dining room with you because then you wouldn’t be able to find what you’re looking for.”

  For an instant Maxwell seemed puzzled. “What am I looking for?” he asked.

  “What you said—other mislabeled underachievers.”

  “Oh, that,” he answered with a shrug. “I’ve decided to end my quest and concentrate on you. You’re not exactly the most beautiful girl in the world, but your frizzy hair reminds me of cotton candy. I like it.”

  Emily kept herself from groaning aloud. Her mother was always complaining that her hair was frizzy and wanting her to do something about it, but Emily liked her hair the way it was. She could duck her head, letting a curtain of hair fall around her face, and when she wanted to she could hide behind it. Emily wished she could do that now. She didn’t want to make friends with Maxwell or Haley or anyone else. She wanted to be left alone.

  “It’s time to go over to the dining hall,” Maxwell said. “Some people have already left the dorm.”

  Emily tried again. “Thanks anyway, Max—uh, Maxwell, but I’m going to dinner with my roommate, Haley.”

  Maxwell brightened. “Fine. I’ll walk with both of you.”

  Haley appeared at Emily’s side. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Haley Griffin. I heard you say you weren’t really an underachiever.”

  “That’s right,” Maxwell said, and he repeated what he had told Emily.

  As they walked down the hall, Emily envied Haley’s ability to talk with a guy she had just met. Emily found it hard to make conversation with any of the guys at school, including those she’d known since kindergarten. But when they met up with some of the others who were staying in their dorm, Haley stopped to talk to them, and Emily was forced to talk to Maxwell.

  “So, are you writing a play now?” she asked him.

  “Not right now,” Maxwell answered. “At the moment I’m walking with you to the dining hall.”

  Emily rolled her eyes. “You know what I meant.”

  “How can I know what you meant when you didn’t even know what you meant?”