“I’m sorry. It’s been a bad night.”
“Nights always end.”
AS IT HAPPENED, BRUNO almost wished his nights didn’t end. Each morning brought school. Celia was kind, even tender to him, but on the first day back, he felt the boundaries separating them set in stone.
And Gwendolyn was there, staring hopefully at him. Rather than her usual colorful outfit, she wore a simple black dress. She appeared by his side with a flimsy excuse to talk to him. Later that day she hung back, seeming to hope he would be the one to close the distance between them. Every time he looked at her, she was looking at him.
Sylvio and Regine continued to find amusement in his love triangle. Knowing how each girl felt didn’t make it any easier for Bruno, who couldn’t think of how to change any of it.
“It’s not like you’re ever the bubbliest person, and believe me, I have no problem with that, but you look unhappy,” Marco said to him as they walked down the hall in the middle of December.
“I guess I am,” Bruno admitted.
“What’s going on? I mean, I get that you don’t like the one who likes you, and the one you like doesn’t like you, but is that it?”
“That’s a big part of it.”
“Well, at least you know how the other two feel, right? Doesn’t that help a little?”
“Not really,” Bruno said. “Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m not, I swear. I just want to give you a hug, is all. You look so forlorn!” Marco pulled Bruno into a headlock. Bruno struggled a little, but he liked knowing exactly where he stood with Marco.
Much to Bruno’s surprise, Van was back in school. He had figured Van had met some kind of terrible end at the hands of his powerful abductor. He had envisioned him being dropped over a rock quarry from half a mile up. It had been a horrible feeling.
Instead, he was back, behaving exactly like the brutish jock everyone expected, though now he seemed to have lost interest in Bruno completely. What Celia had started with Van’s memory, the figure in the sky had completed.
What to make of it all? With everything that had happened, Bruno knew only a little more than he had before. He had fulfilled his admonition and could expect new powers on New Year’s Eve. Suburban had been freed from the threat of one Unkind—by either a powerful Kind who had stepped in to help or a powerful Unkind who wanted to protect the secrets Van was going to reveal. Meanwhile, the presence of the Ebentwine in the back of the library and its debilitating effects meant plenty of dangers remained.
Ms. Moreletii had made another play to get Bruno out of her class, since he hadn’t had the software to do any of the assignments during his extended absence. She had gone as far as to notify the office that he had dropped the class, and it had taken a phone call from his father to have him readmitted. Bruno wasn’t even that interested in website design, but he wasn’t about to let someone bully him out of a race before he was done running it.
Mr. Williams welcomed Bruno back with an assignment to reproduce the plans of the Hoover Dam, thinking its balance between geography and engineering would interest Bruno. But Bruno was more interested in the drawings in the Piranesi book. He pored over it at home. The spaces in the drawings were so real—even the imaginary ones—they had personalities. Bruno wanted to visit a space like that, not a dam.
“IT’S CELIA.”
Bruno took the phone from Sylvio, ignoring his mocking expression, and returned to his bedroom, where he closed the door.
“Hello?”
“Are you busy? Can you come over?”
“Now? Um, sure.”
“The backyard?”
“I’ll be there in three minutes.”
Making sure no one was watching, Bruno went through the grassy alley and into the Ebentwine.
“Evening,” Gardner greeted him. “Celia’s?” Bruno nodded and went on his way.
“That is an awesome power,” Celia said when he arrived. Then she got right to the point. “When you went to the bookstore, the night you saw Van there, you went inside, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you met Lippa, and Alice and Gertrude?”
“Yes. Well, Alice and Gertrude are my neighbors, but I didn’t know they knew Lippa. Or you.”
“And Van was inside the bookstore?”
“Yes. Then we went outside to talk.”
“What did Van say to you while you were still inside?”
“He asked me if I was an Ambassador. I told him to keep it down, and we went outside.”
“Well, apparently he wasn’t quiet enough. The women heard him.”
“Oh. Did they tell you that?”
“Lippa did. She definitely heard him say Ambassador.”
“So what, does she think I’m a diplomat or something?”
“I need to explain the Troika to you,” Celia said. “Lippa, Alice, and Gertrude. They call themselves the Troika, and they are Kind and Unkind conspiracy theorists. They love the myths and urban legends. Most of the monster legends—vampires, werewolves, ghosts—grew out of someone getting a confusing glimpse of the Kind or Unkind. Someone witnesses a member of the Kind who has the ability to communicate with wolves, then next thing you know, the werewolf legend is started. That sort of thing.
“The Troika can’t get enough of these stories, and they’re always on the lookout for new information. They’re particularly interested in the Unkind, but I think that’s because monsters are usually bad, so most of the stories skew to the Unkind side. They’ve heard about Ambassadors, and they actually have a pretty good understanding of what that is—a person who is neither a citizen nor a Kind but who has one foot in both worlds. They don’t suspect I’m one—at least, I don’t think they do. Last year, when I didn’t understand what was going on and my life was in danger, I actually tried to tell Lippa I thought I was Kind, but fortunately she thought I was an impressionable teenager who had heard too many of her stories.
“But whatever Van said—whatever they thought he said—it definitely got their attention. When I went to work tonight, Lippa interrogated me about you. And she remembered all the things I had told her last spring. I had to play dumb; I told them I didn’t know you very well at all.”
“Wow,” Bruno said. “So this is bad.”
“I’m not sure how bad it is. Those ladies are complete sweethearts, and they definitely prefer to read about their conspiracy theories in books and online, rather than going out in the real world where there might be real danger. I just wanted you to know, so the next time you’re in the bookstore you’ll understand if they ask you any questions. And you’ll know how to answer them.”
“Got it. I’m sorry—I had no idea.”
“No, it’s fine. Just wanted to let you know.”
“I took him outside the moment he started talking.”
“It’s okay. How could you have known? I have to get back inside. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure. Good night.” Bruno watched her go inside, then pushed through the hedge. The Ebentwine clearing always disarmed him. It was tranquil, its flower beds and fountain untroubled by the outside world, its light seeming to arrive from a different sun, different stars.
“Have you ever just put yourself out there, told her how you feel?” Gardner asked him.
“I didn’t have to. She knows.”
“I just think if you want her, you should fight for her.”
“You mean fight Tomasi for her? Have you seen him? Anyway, I told you I’m not going to do that.”
“But where does that leave you? Alone.”
“I’m okay with that. I can sleep at night. Why do you even care?”
Gardner said nothing, and Bruno stormed off to his house.
13
faît accompli
ON THE LAST DAY of school before winter break, Bruno read Marco’s acceptance letter from Metropolitan. Regine had been accepted, too. “I remember this day last year,” Marco said. “I was miserable because it was the first time it re
ally sank in that Brenden and I were going to be separated. Celia had to mop me up in the library.”
“Well, it’s awesome. Congratulations!” Bruno said.
“Thanks! It is kind of a bummer, since we’ve just become friends, and it’s not like you’ll be following me next year. I hope we’ll stay in touch,” Marco said seriously.
“I hope so, too. I still need advice on what to wear,” Bruno said.
“No, you don’t!” Marco laughed. “You figured that out very quickly. But you may get a new shirt in the mail now and then.”
“When you’re famous, I’ll have the second-best collection of your clothes after Brenden,” Bruno said. “You still haven’t made anything to sell at Chris and Cosey’s. Why won’t you?”
“I know . . . There’s just something so real about putting a price tag on something I’ve made. I’ve never had to deal with rejection.”
“Maybe it would be good to try it before you get to college,” Bruno said. “I really think you should.”
“You’re right. I will. I will!” Marco laughed at Bruno’s incredulous look.
Later, Bruno and Celia went to the cafeteria instead of the library during their free period. “It’s strange being down here,” she said. “I wonder where Regine and Silver are. Are you excited about the power you’re going to gain on New Year’s Eve?”
“I guess so. It’s like knowing you’re going to receive an awesome present, but not having a clue what it will be.”
“I’m sure it will be good. I guess you’ll know by the time of the party at Ivo and Liz’s. You have to tell me as soon as you figure it out! Is that the librarian?” Celia looked over Bruno’s shoulder. “I’ve never seen her down here before.” Lois headed their way. “She’s looking for you, isn’t she?” Celia said.
Sure enough, Lois stopped at their table. “Hi, Bruno. Hi, Celia. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m hoping Bruno can come back with me to the library. There’s a problem.” Lois gave Celia an uncomfortable sidelong glance.
“What’s wrong?” Bruno asked, gathering up his things.
“Someone is . . . lost.”
“Lost? In the library?”
“Would you mind coming?” Lois looked pointedly at Bruno.
Celia gave him an encouraging look, and he told her, “I don’t know if I’ll be back right away.”
“That’s okay. Good luck.”
As they walked away, Lois said quietly, “A girl is lost in the stacks. I can hear her, but she can’t figure out how to get out, and I can’t get to her. You’re the only person I could think of.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Bruno?” He turned back and saw Celia following them. He met her halfway.
“Put this on,” she said, removing the chain with the amulet from her neck. “It was Mariette’s. She made it to ward off evil.”
“Thank you.” Bruno ducked his head to let her reach around his neck with the chain.
“She knows about you, doesn’t she?” Celia’s soft voice, her head near his, her arms around his neck, almost made Bruno swoon. He held his breath. “She’s one of the Kind.” She studied Bruno’s face while he tried to come up with something to say. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Just be careful, okay?”
“She thinks Ambassadors take power from the Kind. She wouldn’t let me tell you.”
“She what?”
“I know it’s not true. I just haven’t been able to convince her.”
“It’s okay. We’ll deal with that later.” Celia stepped back, and Bruno reluctantly returned to Lois, putting the chain inside his sweater.
“What are you wearing?” Lois asked.
“It’s a charm Mariette made last year. Celia thought it might help me.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“She really is an Ambassador. I’m sure of it. When I was sick, she healed me by drawing me.”
Lois didn’t say anything. When they got to the library, she locked the door behind them. “She’s over here. Hopefully she hasn’t gone farther in.” Bruno followed Lois to the stacks, nervous about entering them again. Lois called, “Gwendolyn, can you hear me?”
“It’s Gwendolyn?”
He heard her voice from what sounded like a few aisles back. “I’m here! How do I get out?”
“Stay where you are,” Lois called. “I have someone here who can help. He’s going to come get you.” She looked expectantly at Bruno.
He went into the stacks, heading in the direction of Gwendolyn’s voice, but this time he had no doubt: The configuration of shelves had changed. He kept calling to her, and she responded, but the closest he could get was the opposite side of a row. On either side, the shelves turned at right angles, with no opening to the area where Gwendolyn stood.
He pulled a handful of books off the shelf at eye level, and on her side she did the same. “Bruno!”
“Hey. If we cleared off a shelf, could you fit through?” he asked.
“I don’t think so.” They sized up the gap between the shelves, which couldn’t have been more than ten inches.
“I’ll be right back,” Bruno said, and returned to the reading area. “I wish we still had the You Are Here book,” he told Lois. “Those maps would really come in handy.”
“Do you think there’s any point in checking my office again?” They went to look. “Wait—what is that? Did something fall behind the shelf?” Lois crouched down and pulled some books out. “How did that get back there?”
Bruno got down beside her. “It looks like it.”
“Let’s get it out.” They stood up, and Bruno pressed his side against the bookshelf, intending to push it away from the wall. Lois put her hand on his shoulder. “Let me.” He stood back, confused. Then the volume was sliding up the wall behind the books, rising from behind the shelf. It was covered in dust motes, but a small cyclone whisked them away from the book and carried them in a funnel-shaped cloud into the wastebasket.
“You Are Here,” he read when Lois floated the book into his hands. “It would be great if there’s a chapter called ‘Where She Is.’” He opened the first page and found the expected illustration of his head, seen from the ceiling. Lois’s head was next to his, with the office furniture behind them. He turned the pages. The rest of the book contained the same floor plan of Suburban High School, over and over.
Lois pointed to a small but unmistakable skull, the only bit of ink that didn’t represent an architectural detail. “That’s what I saw before,” Lois said.
“That’s the technology wing.”
“What does that mean?”
“I have no idea.” Another mystery to be solved, but for now, Gwendolyn was waiting. He went back into the stacks and turned to the first page. Now the illustration showed the aisles where they both stood, with Gwendolyn’s head on one side and Bruno’s on the other. But the detail wasn’t large enough to show a path to her. Bruno remembered the larger detail drawing that was the first thing he had found in the volume, before it directed him back to the first page. He flipped carefully through the pages of maps and skulls and was relieved to find the larger detail drawing that showed the map of the library.
“Are you coming?” Gwendolyn called.
“I’m on my way!” He went to the main aisle, heading deeper into the library, doing his best to ignore the nervous rocks in his stomach. He kept looking in the corners of his vision, but so far there were no flickering sparks, and he didn’t feel any of the side effects of the Ebentwine. He followed the maze of shelves on the page, navigating the aisles to find Gwendolyn. A few times he closed and reopened the book to update his place on the page, but eventually he just kept his finger on the page, moving it through the drawing to keep track of where he was walking.
It felt like longer, but in a few minutes Bruno turned a corner and found Gwendolyn sitting on the floor. Her gray skirt flared around her legs, and she hugged herself across the front of her black twinset. “You found me!” She scrambled up and ran to him, her
hug pinning his arms to his side. “How did you find me? How do we get out?”
“It’s this way. What were you doing?”
“I was looking for some books to take home for the break. I swear I had only turned, like, two corners, but when I tried to go back, it wasn’t the same. I must be crazy, but I swear the shelves moved.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bruno said. “It happens a lot.” Now that he had navigated it, the way back wasn’t all that complicated. He led her down another row and then turned into the main aisle. Gwendolyn shook her head at the sight of the reading area at the end.
“Why couldn’t I do that?”
Lois was pacing by the tables. “There you are! This is insane.” Gwendolyn sank into a chair. “I’m going to have to close the stacks, if people are going to get lost in there.”
“I’m sorry!” Gwendolyn said.
“Oh, honey, it’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Lois said comfortingly. “Are you late for a class? Do you need me to write you a note?” Gwendolyn nodded, and the two of them headed over to the desk.
“Am I crazy? It was like the shelves turned into a maze.”
“It’s a confusing place,” Lois said brightly, and Bruno could read her mind. Please don’t ask questions I can’t answer.
He went to the table by his things and sat down, putting You Are Here to one side. He gave Gwendolyn his best reassuring smile. He could tell she wanted him to go with her, but when he didn’t get up, she reluctantly left. Lois came and sat down across from him. “Were you disoriented again? I’m sorry I asked you to do that.”
“No—I didn’t have to go that far in. It was fine.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you think she’ll say?”
“Probably not much. What could she say that wouldn’t make her sound insane? ‘I got lost in the library’?”
Pull Down the Night (The Suburban Strange) Page 18