CHAPTER NINE

ABBY

 Bright sunlight awoke Alexander from his nightmare. O’Toole told him not to sleep for more than twenty minutes, but he couldn’t help it. He fell into a deep slumber despite pinching himself. The sun hung over his head, which meant it was now noon. O’Toole and Malley were nowhere around. He stretched, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, happy his horrendous dream was just that—a dream.

He shook off the nightmare with a slight jerk of his head.

“Come out; come out, wherever you are.”

Alexander almost jumped out of his skin at the sound of a girl’s voice behind him.

“They’re not here,” she informed, “and neither is the promised food. Malley and the other one will be back by nightfall.”

He whirled around to find the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Until now, Alexander thought girls were gross… but this girl seemed different. She appeared to be his age, maybe a year or two older, and wore red shorts and a solid black hoody. A blonde curl poked out from the hood. Her blue eyes accented the freckles around her nose.

Alexander gawked at her.

The girl untied her hood, unfurling wavy blonde hair that fell to her waist as she approached. His face reddened, and he lost the ability to speak. She didn’t seem to care.

Once she was about eight inches from him, the girl offered Alexander her hand. His only previous contact was with girls was his demented sister and a few mean girls at his school. Normally, he’d react as if cooties were about to attack him. The girl’s smile grew broader, and her eyes twinkled, mesmerizing poor Alexander.

After a few seconds, she grabbed his hand and shook it. In a reflex he couldn’t quite control, Alexander jerked his hand away and wiped it on his shirt. Of course, he was embarrassed by his own actions. The girl laughed at the gesture, and then from out of nowhere grabbed Alex, wrapping her arms around him and giving him the biggest hug. She even kissed him on the cheek.

He melted.

Suddenly she shoved him away, knocking him on his behind. She stood with her hands on her hips, smiling her hypnotic smile, as Alex sat on the ground wondering what happened.

“Why did you do that?”

The girl sat next to him on his blanket without being asked, her legs crossed as her hair danced in the wind.

 “Because I could, and as a reminder. You might be the boss on this little adventure, but I can defeat you anytime I feel like it.” A saucy smile crept across her face.

“What adventure? Who are you?” Alexander inched away from the cute confrontational girl.

She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. “I’m Abby. I’m thirteen, so don’t tease me. I know all about your adventure, and I’m going with you.”

Shocked, Alex crawled to a huge elm tree and sat back against its trunk. “I don’t know what  you’re talking about. I don’t need any help from a girl. You’ll only slow us down.”

She simply smirked.

“Who are you, again? Where are my friends? How do you know them?”

“Slow down. All questions will be answered by O’Toole or Malley.” Abby smiled and crawled over to the elm tree. Alex tried to avoid her eyes, but they captivated him. “I’m going, and that’s that.” She sat next to him and placed her arm around his neck as if they were the best of friends.

“But…”

She shushed him with a finger to his lips. “There are no buts in adventures. Are you hungry?”

Alex managed a weak nod.

“Good.” Abby stood and offered pull him up, but Alexander swatted her hand away. He assumed she’d withdraw it at the last minute and send him hurtling onto his backside. “Get used to it, Alex. We’re going to be the besties.” Abby smiled her signature smile and slapped Alex on the back.

“If you say so,” Alex replied with a mix of reluctance and curiosity.

“There’s a café across from the park. Let’s eat. And then we need to get you something new to wear.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing now?” Alex demanded.

“Nothing, other than they’re rags, and you never visit the King wearing rags. He might kill you or something worse.” Abby ran to a nearby tree and picked up her backpack. “Are you coming? Or do I have to hug you again?”

Alexander wasn’t sure whether to nod or shake his head. He wasn’t that fond of hugs, but hers weren’t so bad.

As if she read his mind, she said, “Too bad, I’m a hugger,” and wrapped her arms around his neck again. Then she laughed and slugged him in the arm. “Let’s go eat.”

He kept a watchful eye on Abby and took one-step away every time he thought she was walking too close. They reached the end the park, and he pointed at a café directly across the street. “That looks okay to me.”

Abby glanced at the door with suspicion before she grabbed Alexander’s hand and held it like a vice grip. “I think we should find another place.”

Alexander, however, was starving and feeling cranky due to the lack of a breakfast. Still… the place had a large grease stain on the door. It looked foreboding. A still small voice within him screamed at the top of its voice, DON’T GO INSIDE THAT PLACE.

Being a teenage boy, his hunger overcame his good sense. He looked both ways and waited for a few horse-drawn carriages to pass by before crossing the street. Over the café door hung a square yellow Do Drop Inn sign with faded blue letters.

Alexander smiled and pointed. “See? Nothing to worry about.” He walked into the café.

Abby sighed and followed him.

It was their first mistake of the day.