“But—” Adam said.
“I think you must realize I’m telling the truth,” Simon interrupted. “You saw those memorial stones in the graveyard. And the platform. And the stake.”
He paused for a moment, then added grimly, “After tomorrow, there’s going to be another stone in the graveyard.”
Hallie’s lips were so stiff with horror, she could scarcely force the next words out. “One with . . . Becky’s name on it?”
“Yes.” Simon’s voice was low. “They’re going to kill Becky.”
Adam’s face twisted in agony. “This can’t be happening. I must be having a nightmare!”
“I wish you were,” Simon told him. “But you’re not. Surely you’ve suspected that there’s something terribly wrong with this town and its people.”
He turned to Hallie. “You knew there was something funny going on with the phones—you even caught me using one. You could have called out that first night. But now the lines are truly disconnected, so you can’t get help from the outside world.”
Adam was obviously still in shock. “And Miss Netty?” His voice was flat. Emotionless. “The one who was supposed to call our teacher. That was all a lie, too?”
“Yes,” Simon said. “Norman pulled a fast one about getting in touch with your people, just as he did about fixing the van. He could have repaired it right away, and you could have been out of here. But then he saw Becky. The whole village did.”
“But why Becky?” Hallie asked.
“Because physically she’s the perfect traditional Fire Maiden,” Simon explained. “Hair the color of flame. That’s the main requirement. The Fire Maidens all had red hair, and that’s a pretty rare color hereabouts. But Reverend Thoreson sent out scouts, and one of them, Brother William, met up with you on the road and sent you here.”
“You mean it was a setup?” Adam asked brokenly. “We thought everybody was helping us. Becky thought they were all so wonderful.” He passed a hand over his eyes. “And all along they’ve been planning to . . .”
“Yes. The villagers took your arrival as an answer to their prayers. They thought The Goddess had personally sent Becky to be their Beltane sacrifice.”
“The Goddess?” Hallie asked.
“My ancestors have been worshiping her since the beginning of time,” Simon explained. “But that’s not important. What matters is that you’ve got to get out of here before tomorrow morning, when the festival begins.”
The thought of positive action, something they could do to save Becky, put the fighting spirit back in Hallie. Adam, too, from what she could see.
Adam sat upright and rubbed his hands together. “If the van’s okay, then all we have to do is sneak over there and—”
“Forget that,” Simon told him. “Norman’s scrapped the insides. And the few cars we have in Holyoake are under lock and key. Besides Norman, only the vicar and the elders are allowed to own cars.”
He leaned forward, his eyes dark and intense. “This village is like a prison. To try to leave, or to betray our secrets, brings an automatic death sentence. You’re going to have to escape on foot, over the mountain. It’s a risk, but there’s no other way.”
“Wait a minute,” Hallie said suspiciously. “Why are you doing this? How do we know you’re not putting us on, the way everyone else has ever since we came to this godforsaken hole?”
“Because I’m not one of them,” Simon explained.
He stood up and moved restlessly about the room, keeping his distance from the windows.
“The last sacrifice of a Fire Maiden was ten years ago,” he said. “My parents had begun to disapprove of the old ways. My mother was an Outsider, and the village religion horrified her.”
Simon’s eyes grew distant as he spoke.
“I was only seven years old. I didn’t see the sacrifice. My parents made me stay in my room. And later that night I heard them talking. They wanted to get away from Holyoake and start again. So the three of us attempted to escape. We were supposed to go over the mountains, the same route you’ll be taking tonight.”
“If you and your folks didn’t make it, what makes you think we will?” Adam asked.
Simon’s face twisted. “We might have made it, but we were betrayed . . . by Aunt Phoebe. She inherited the house when my parents were executed.”
“Executed!” Hallie gasped.
“Yes. Stoned to death, just like in olden times. And by my parents’ neighbors and supposed friends.”
“How could they? How could anyone do that?” Hallie asked.
“Because my parents were traitors by Holyoake standards. And I would have been executed, too, if Reverend Thoreson hadn’t stepped in. He gave me to Aunt Phoebe to raise—against her will, of course. She, as well as everyone else in the village, has always held my parents’ ‘treachery’ against me.”
“I didn’t realize Reverend Thoreson was so generous,” Hallie said sourly. “I mean, to save your life like that.”
“He had some idea he could bring me back into the fold,” Simon said. “And when you three wandered in, and they saw Becky, the vicar thought this was a good chance for me to prove my loyalty.”
“What made you change your mind about letting Becky die?” Hallie put in.
“I never intended to let her die,” Simon said. “I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how.”
“Well, you could have fooled me,” Hallie said, “especially that first night, when you kept me from going into the church. And that business about the phone. You acted like one of them.”
“I had to act that way. I wanted them to think I was eager to do my duty to Holyoake. Besides, Hallie, I wanted to see what you were like before I told you anything.”
Simon turned to Adam. “And you, Adam—I didn’t know how reliable you were, either. I had to wait and see what you were like.”
“You’ve never told us what’s supposed to be done with Hallie and me if they . . . you know . . . to Becky,” Adam said slowly.
Simon looked down at his hands.
“I’m supposed to kill Hallie,” he said. “And one of the elders will dispose of you, Adam.”
He cleared his throat, still looking down.
“And it’s supposed to happen tomorrow afternoon, right after the festival. After Becky’s been burned at the stake.”
Chapter SIXTEEN
After Becky is burned at the stake.
Putting it into words—burned at the stake—made it seem so real. So final.
No, not final. Hallie would not allow these insane people, locked in their brutal time warp, to do this terrible thing to her friend. Becky, tied to a stake and . . . No. Never!
Adam stood up. His face was pale, but his jaw was set.
“Nobody’s going to do that to Becky,” he told Simon. “We’ll leave as soon as we can by that mountain road. Holyoake’s not going to have its Fire Maiden this year. Tell us what we should do to get out of here, Simon.”
“Okay,” said Simon. “I’ve given it a lot of thought, and here’s my plan.”
The three teens leaned closer toward one another, their heads nearly touching.
“When Aunt Phoebe comes back from church, I’ll suggest she check on you, to make sure you’re all in bed and asleep,” Simon told them. “Then I’ll go off to my room. This will put me in the clear and give me an alibi when you turn up missing.”
He looked at Hallie and smiled. It was the first time she’d seen him smile, and a small corner of her mind registered the fact that he looked pretty cute when he did.
“As you’ve noticed, Hallie,” he said, “I’ve taken a lot of pains to make people, including you, think I dislike the three of you intensely. And I’ve convinced the vicar and the elders that I’m eager to perform my duties in the sacrifice so that I can finally be worthy of a position of honor and authority in the community.”
“By killing me?” Hallie murmured incredulously. “That’s honor?”
“Around here it is,” Simon said.
“You mean you aren’t coming with us?” Adam asked. “You’ve got to get out of this place, too.”
“No. It’s better I stay here and try to cover your escape. But if—when—you make it, go to the police, the FBI, the newspapers, whatever, and tell them what’s going on here. I’ll be waiting. And I’ve got plenty to tell them.”
“Why haven’t you ever tried to escape, Simon?” Hallie asked.
“Who would believe a runaway teen with a crazy story like this? I’m underage. They’d probably only return me to my devoted aunt. But now I’ve got three witnesses to back me up. They’re bound to believe me now.”
Simon pulled a small notebook and a pencil from his back pocket.
“Now here’s the route,” he said, sketching. “The worst part is getting past the Green and Norman’s store. Once you’re beyond that, though, you go off the road right here—” he indicated a spot on the map “—and go into the woods.”
He looked up and added, “Those woods are thick and full of brambles and fallen tree limbs. Even with a full moon, you won’t be able to see much. Your flashlight will be a little help, but you’ll have to go slowly and watch where you put your feet.”
Simon returned to the map. “Now right about here is a stream. You’ll probably hear it before you see it. Follow it upstream, and it will curve around and cross the road you entered Holyoake on, but to the west of the mountain road. It’s safer if you avoid that intersection anyway.”
“Okay. I know what you mean. Then what?” Adam asked tensely.
“Once you cross the road, you’ll keep following the stream until you get to this trail.” Again he indicated the spot on his map. “The trail goes up over the mountains. It will be a long walk, but you’ll eventually come to a town. A safe one, with a police station.”
“So when do you think we should leave?” Adam asked. He sounded a bit breathless. Hallie knew he was as nervous as she was.
“Wait until after midnight,” Simon replied. “After Aunt Phoebe looks in on you, she’ll go to bed. She sleeps like a log, and she’s a little deaf, although she won’t admit it, so she won’t hear you as long as you’re quiet in the hall and on the stairs. Now, as you know, the front door bolts from within, so you won’t need a key to open it. I oiled the bolt this afternoon, so it will slide easily and quietly.”
Hallie marveled at the way Simon had thought of everything.
“Keep to the right side when you go down the outside steps. There’s a bush on that side, so stay in its shadows. And do the same when you’re out on the street. There are plenty of trees and bushes to hide you as you head out of town.”
He looked at his watch. “We’d better break up now. The church meeting will be ending soon.”
“Then I—we—won’t be seeing you until this is all over,” Hallie said, her voice breaking.
She reached over and took his hand. It was warm and steady. “Thank you, Simon. For everything.”
He laid his other hand over hers. “I’ll be waiting for you to return with the law. Don’t forget me, Hallie.”
“I couldn’t forget you,” she said. “Ever.”
Hallie went to bed fully clothed, including her sneakers. She would have liked to get Becky dressed, too, but that would involve waking her, and Hallie wanted to be sure Becky was asleep when Mrs. Grigsby did her bed check.
When she heard Mrs. Grigsby coming down the hall, Hallie pulled the covers up under her chin and closed her eyes.
The door creaked open, and Hallie could hear Mrs. Grigsby’s heavy breathing as she stood there, peering in. Finally the door closed, and after a moment she heard Adam’s door being opened. Another moment passed. Then the sound of Adam’s door closing and Mrs. Grigsby’s footsteps receding down the hall in the direction of her room.
Hallie was trembling when the old clock on the landing struck midnight. She’d never been so frightened in her life.
I’ve got to think positively, Hallie told herself fiercely. We’re going to make it. Were all in good shape. We’ll be miles away, over the mountains and safe in some police station, before anybody here even realizes we’re gone.
Getting Becky roused and dressed was a problem.
“Geez, Becky, haven’t you slept off any of whatever it was Mrs. Grigsby gave you?” she muttered as she pulled a sweatshirt over Becky’s head and forced her limp arms into the sleeves.
Becky only smiled cheerfully.
“Good morning, Hallie,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”
When Becky was dressed, Hallie pulled her to her feet, fearful that Becky would fall down. The thought of her and Adam having to carry Becky out of town and over the mountain trail made her weak with fear. This was something they hadn’t considered. They might not make it if Becky couldn’t walk.
But once on her feet, Becky seemed steady and willing to walk. The only problem was making her keep her mouth shut. For some reason Becky wanted to sing the theme song from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
“Listen, Becky,” Hallie said, clapping her hand over Becky’s mouth. “We’ve got to be quiet. Really quiet. Mrs. Grigsby isn’t . . . uh . . . feeling well, and we don’t want to wake her up. Okay?”
Becky nodded, her eyes huge as they peered over the edge of Hallie’s hand. When Hallie released her, Becky whispered, “I’ll be as quiet as a mouse. We mustn’t wake up Aunt Phoebe.”
Adam tapped gently at their door. “Are you ready?”
“Remember, Becky,” Hallie cautioned, “be very quiet.”
Becky smiled and put her finger to her lips.
The three crept cautiously down the hall. Hallie’s heart was beating so loudly that she was sure she’d be the one to wake up Mrs. Grigsby.
They turned on the landing and were preparing to go down the stairs when Becky stopped.
“Wait,” she said in a stage whisper. “I forgot something.”
Hallie stifled a groan. “What?”
“My pretty necklace. Mrs. Grigsby said I was supposed to wear it everywhere.”
“We’ll get it later,” Hallie told her.
“Is Becky okay?” Adam asked in a voice that was barely audible.
Hallie knew Adam was trembling. She could hear it in his uneven breathing.
“Yes. She’s fine,” Hallie assured him in a voice as low as his own.
Simon had done a good job oiling the large brass bolt on the front door. It opened smoothly and silently.
Following his instructions, the teens kept to the right on the porch stairs, then clung to the shadows of the trees and hedges that bordered the street as they headed back the way they’d come yesterday afternoon. Hallie couldn’t believe it had been only yesterday. It seemed as if years had passed since they’d limped into town, pushing that treacherous, broken-down van.
They walked in single file, with Hallie leading, Becky in the middle, and Adam bringing up the rear. They were reaching the far end of the Green now. Norman’s store and garage lay just ahead. A feeble light burned over the main counter. Hallie could see the jars of candy and the old-fashioned cash register, even from this distance. How innocent and charming it looked, she noted bitterly. The pleasant little village store by moonlight.
Now they’d reached the little road that dead-ended into Holyoake. They had to turn left here to head out of town. Hallie wondered if Norman lived over his store. And if he did, could he see them? She looked up. Sure enough, there were curtained windows on the second floor. She noted with relief that the curtains were closed, though, and nothing was moving behind them.
Again she told herself that they would come out of this okay. Before they knew it, they’d be on that mountain trail Simon had told them about, and they’d be safe from all the wild-eyed Holyoake crazies with their disgusting sacrifices.
And then it happened.
Adam was in the lead as they headed out of town. They’d gone about a quarter of a mile when he stopped so abruptly that the three of them collided into one another.
“Quic
k, over here,” Adam whispered, pulling them behind a clump of trees that bordered the roadside.
Hallie drew Becky to her and peered out around the tree. “What is it?” she asked Adam.
“Up there, see?” he whispered.
A short distance ahead, in the center of the road, was a crude barricade. Two men carrying shotguns stood beside it. Fortunately they were facing the other way.
Hallie leaned close to Adam and said in a low voice, “Do you think they’re trying to keep people out or in?”
“Probably both,” Adam responded grimly. “They don’t want Outsiders seeing what they’re planning to do tomorrow. And they might be making sure we don’t make a run for it, too.”
“So what are we going to do?” Hallie asked desperately. “How are we going to get around them?”
“We’ll have to leave the road sooner than the map indicates,” Adam said. “We’ll go through the woods, trying to keep as close as we can to the road, until we come to the place where we’re supposed to run into the stream. We can’t use the flashlight, though, and we’re going to have to walk quietly.”
Just then, one of the men turned, struck a match on the sole of his shoe, and lit his pipe. As the match flamed next to his face, they could see him perfectly. It was Elder Sidlaw.
“Oh, look!” Becky said in the clear, high-pitched robot’s voice that Hallie had come to hate. “It’s Mrs. Grigsby’s friend, that nice Elder Sidlaw. I wonder what he’s doing out there on the road.”
Before either Hallie or Adam could grab her, Becky had stepped out from behind the cover of the trees.
“Good evening, Elder Sidlaw!” she called pleasantly, and waved to him.
Chapter SEVENTEEN
“Becky!” Hallie hissed, but it was too late. The men were looking their way.
“Oh, God, Becky!” Adam moaned. “You’ve done it. We’re dead!”
Becky didn’t seem to hear him. Avoiding his grasp, she moved forward a few paces into a patch of moonlight. Its rays haloed her hair, turning it to burnished copper.
“It’s me—Becky!” she called out politely, waving again. “My friends and I are taking a nice walk.”
Class Trip II Page 8