Talisman of El (5 page)

‘Leaving so soon?’ Jacob asked.

‘I wish I had more time, but I’m afraid I must go,’ Ms. Trent said with an expression of utter disappointment. ‘It was good seeing you again, Charlie. Look after yourself. I’ll see you soon.’ She shook hands with him across the table and then followed Jacob out of the room.

After Ms. Trent left, Jacob called to Charlie, who got up and went into the hallway. ‘I’m just going to pop out,’ said Jacob, grabbing his coat off the hook. ‘I won’t be long.’

As soon as Jacob left, Charlie ran up to his room and pulled his suitcase out from under his bed. After he emptied it, he carried it downstairs, opened the door to the hallway cupboard, and flicked the light switch on. Entering the small storage area, he moved around a stack of boxes on his left and found a tight space in the corner. As he wedged his suitcase in, a few boxes fell on top of him, and he stumbled back, his foot hitting the wall behind him.

Hearing a soft clicking sound as he straightened up, he looked behind him and saw a small, square gap where the wall had sunk in.

It was a door.

He crouched down, braced his hands against the wall, and slid the door open. Inside, he saw a cardboard box with iridescent lights pulsating out of it. He pulled it out and drew a sharp breath, staring in shock at a cluster of sparkling jewels.

Whoa!

One jewel in particular caught his attention: a green diamond with a triangular symbol engraved in it. It shone brighter than the others did, and he felt something warm flow through his veins as he gazed at it.

A loud hissing noise erupted inside the cupboard, and Charlie dropped the box, which landed upright on the floor, the jewels still secured inside it. The green diamond shimmered in and out, and he heard strange yet familiar whisperings coming from it, like the kind he had heard a few weeks ago.

Then the voices stopped. As he reached for the diamond, the sound of a door slamming made him jump. Panicked, he picked the box up, shoved it back inside the wall, and closed the secret door. He started to replace the boxes he had knocked over when he heard the front door open.

‘I forgot something!’ he heard Jacob shout.

Charlie stepped out of the cupboard and saw him standing in the doorway, his expression alarmed. Charlie gulped and closed the cupboard door.

‘Everything all right?’ Jacob asked, as he closed the front door.

‘Yeah. I was just putting my suitcase away.’

‘I hope it wasn’t any trouble.’ Jacob’s eyes stayed on Charlie the whole time.

‘I knocked over a few boxes, but no damage done.’ ‘Good. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.’

Charlie felt his blood rushing through his veins as Jacob’s intense gaze bored into him. ‘I should go do some work.’

‘It’s half term,’ Jacob reminded him.

‘Yeah, but I’m a little behind.’

Jacob smiled. ‘That enthusiasm is going to take you far, kid. Is there anything you want while I’m out.’

‘No, I’m okay.’ Charlie had a feeling Jacob was still watching him, so he acted casual as he headed upstairs. Once in his room, he sat on the bed, shaking. He hadn’t realised he’d been holding his breath until he needed air. He didn’t know what shocked him more: the secret stash of jewels or the whisperings from the diamond. It was only moments ago that he thought of Capeton as home. Now, as he looked around his room, that feeling was starting to change.

Where There’s A Will There’s Danger

‘COME ON, JUST ONE jewel,’ Alex pleaded. She and Charlie were sitting on a two-tier bench inside the gym. It had been almost three weeks since he had found the stash of jewels, and ever since he had told her about it, she hadn’t stopped accusing Jacob of being a jewel thief. ‘We’d be doing the community a great service. It’s not as if he’s going to miss
one
jewel.’

‘No.’ Charlie’s voice was firm. ‘Just forget I ever mentioned it.’

‘I could try. I mean, it’s going to be hard, and I can’t guarantee the information won’t accidentally slip out, what with my mouth.’ She leaned closer to him. ‘As a loyal friend, though, I’ll forget everything you’ve said. But, I’m going to need something in return.’

Charlie looked at her, stunned. ‘Are you seriously blackmailing –?’

A whistle blew. ‘Blake. Dench.’ It was Coach Finley, standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed, surrounded by students. ‘Shall I make you two a cup of tea while I wait?’

Some of the students sniggered.

Charlie and Alex got up and joined the group.

P.E. had become a daunting lesson for Charlie. Playing a contact sport was the only time Josh could torture him and get away with it. Today, they were playing a game of dodge ball. It didn’t help, either, that muscle-bound Coach Finley thought getting a good bashing taught kids to be strong. Charlie figured his body-hugging t-shirt, red jack-ups and black headband was cutting off the circulation to his brain, clearly.

Coach Finley split the class into two teams. Charlie and Alex were on the same team, Josh and Damzel on the rival team. Just as Charlie had expected, several balls headed for him at the same time, and had it not been for his quick steps and the help from his teammates, he would have had bruises tattooed all over his body.

It came down to six players, three on each team. Charlie, Alex, and Josh were still in the game. Charlie and Josh went for each other, and their balls collided with a bang. Josh lost a player, and Charlie lost Alex. When Josh regained a ball, Charlie expected to be his main target, but to his surprise, Josh threw the ball at Alex. It hit her hard in the stomach, and she collapsed onto her knees.

‘Stop the game,’ demanded Coach Finley.

Charlie hurried over to Alex. ‘Are you okay?’

Alex nodded, unable to speak. Josh had knocked the air out of her.

‘You’ll be all right, Dench,’ Coach Finley said. ‘Walk it off.’

‘Yes, Coach,’ Alex managed to choke out, as her teammates helped her over to the bench.

Seeing the triumphant expression on Josh’s face, Charlie marched over to him. ‘You did that on purpose.’

‘What if I did?’ Josh said. ‘What’cha gonna do about it?’

‘Hartley, you either play fair or you’re outta the game,’ said Coach Finley.

Josh shrugged. ‘I didn’t know she was out, Coach.’

It was now two against two, and Charlie had one goal in mind: ‘I’ll take Hartley,’ he whispered to his teammate. Charlie and Josh dodged each other’s balls, but they lost their teammates.

Alex cheered. ‘Come on, Charlie.’

Charlie’s eyes fixed on Josh’s hands. He waited for him to make his move, and as though he was commanding him, Josh took the first shot. He placed the ball in front of his chest, and Josh’s ball rammed into his. As soon as it bounced away, he threw his ball hard at Josh.

Bullseye!

Josh went down, clutching his stomach. Charlie’s teammates cheered, and Alex was the first to run over and throw her arms around him.

Charlie leaned against the wall outside the girls’ changing room where he had been standing for the last few minutes. The door opened, and three girls walked out. As they approached him, one of the girls greeted him.

‘Hey,’ he replied. He wasn’t sure of their names, but he recognised their faces.

‘You wanna walk with us?’ the girl who had called to him asked.

‘Thanks, but I’m waiting for someone.’

They smiled and walked off. A minute later, Alex came out of the changing room.

‘I was just about to send out a search party,’ Charlie joked.

Alex made a face at him. Linking her arm in his, they headed down the hall. ‘I’m starving. I bet the food’s all gone by now.’

‘And whose fault is that?’

‘What can I say? Girls are more particular about personal hygiene.’

They stopped by their lockers.

‘So was Josh still sulking?’ Alex asked.

Charlie was standing four lockers away from her. ‘You should have heard him. He swears he didn’t throw the ball. He said it just flew out of his hands.’

‘He’s such a sore loser. He probably hates us more than anyone else now – well, you, anyway.’

Charlie closed his locker door and strolled towards her. ‘He doesn’t scare me.’ He crossed his arms and leaned his shoulder against the locker next to hers.

‘So, it’s Carla’s party next weekend,’ Alex said after a short pause. She didn’t look at him when she spoke. ‘Bet it’s going to be fun, fun, fun.’

Charlie smiled. ‘That’s a lot of fun. Pity I won’t be there.’

Alex’s eyes flashed to his face. ‘You won’t?’ Although her expression was casual, it was evident from her high-pitched tone that she was happy about the news. ‘Why not?’

‘If you’re not going, I don’t see the point. I mean, who else am I going to make fun of ?’

Alex smiled and elbowed him playfully.

‘Hey, Romeo,’ a familiar voice yelled behind them. Charlie rolled his eyes, but he didn’t turn round.

Alex closed her locker. ‘Come on,’ she said, pulling Charlie by the arm.

As soon as they headed off, Charlie felt a thump on his back that made him stumble forward, but he kept his balance. He spun around. ‘What is your problem?’ he snapped.

Josh edged closer to him. ‘I’m looking at it. You think you’re a big shot standing up to me in the bus, eh. No one embarrasses me and gets away with it.’

‘Oh please,’ Alex said. ‘This isn’t about what happened in the bus – not that anything did. Besides, that was ages ago. Admit it. This is about dodge ball. You’re upset he beat you.’

Josh fixed her with a hostile glare.

If looks could kill
, Charlie thought. ‘You tripped me up in front of the entire school. I’d say we’re about even.’

Josh shifted his attention back to him. ‘I decide when we’re even.’

Hearing the shuffling of feet, Charlie’s gaze darted to the students who were gathering around them. Looking back at Josh, he said, ‘Just leave me alone.’ He turned to walk away, but Josh grabbed his shoulder and swung him back around so they were once again face-to-face. ‘Get off.’ Charlie swung his arm in an attempt to break free and clocked Josh upside the head by mistake.

Josh looked at him with a mixture of shock and rage. Then his fist rose and –

Charlie felt himself falling backwards, and he hit the ground with a hard thud. A sharp pain shot through his right temple and cheek, and he groaned.

‘What’d you do that for?’ Alex retorted.

‘What,’ Josh said. ‘He threw the first punch.’

Alex helped Charlie up. ‘That wasn’t deliberate, you moron.’

‘Just leave it,’ Charlie said to her. He turned round and pushed his way through the crowd.

A short while after, Alex caught up with him. ‘Are you all right?’ she asked.

‘I’m fine.’

She grabbed his arm, and he stopped. Lifting a hand to his face, she stroked his cheek. Charlie’s body tensed. Her fingers felt cool against his skin.

‘You’re hot,’ said Alex. Their eyes met, and she dropped her hand. ‘I mean your body temperature.’

After a moment of awkward silence, they continued down the hall.

‘You need to go see the nurse,’ Alex insisted. ‘He hit you pretty hard. You have to report him.’

‘No, I just want to forget it happened.’ Charlie stopped in front of the boys’ toilet and turned to her. ‘You won’t report it, will you?’

‘He should be expelled.’

Charlie glanced left and right down the hall and then inched closer to her, lowering his voice. ‘If my social worker finds out, she’ll freak. She already thinks I’m prone to trouble.’

Alex crossed her arms, pouting. ‘Fine. I won’t say anything.’

‘And you won’t do anything?’

Alex’s eyes shifted to the side. ‘I might have to check my locker door. Make sure it’s not faulty.’ She sounded amused. Her gaze locked on Charlie, and he noticed the twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Pressing his lips into a tight line in an effort to keep a straight face, he raised his eyebrows at her. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I won’t do anything. Promise.’ Her expression turned to concern. ‘How’s your face?’

Charlie massaged his right cheek, feeling a slight sting. ‘It doesn’t hurt much. I don’t know how it looks’ – he lowered his hand and turned his face to the side – ‘but it can’t be that bad. What do you think? You’d date me, right?’

Alex pushed him away, grinning. ‘You’re an idiot.’

Charlie smiled, which was short lived as he spotted Josh at the other end of the hall. He looked back at Alex. ‘Um, I need to’ – he pointed at the toilet door behind him – ‘I’ll meet you in the canteen.’ Before she could respond, he darted through the door, letting it swing shut behind him.

He headed over to the sink and looked at his pale reflection in the mirror. He splashed cold water on his flustered face, walked over to the window, which overlooked the sports field at the rear of the building, and opened it. When he saw the droplets of white flakes falling from the sky, he smiled.

It was an unusual beginning to March. He all but forgot his distress until he heard the click of the door and turned round. He started to panic, wondering if Josh had come to finish off what he’d started. When he saw Alex, he rolled his eyes. ‘Does any rule apply to you?’