by Ally Condie
It had come to finish them.
“Oh man, we’re so screwed,” Tyler whispered. Freezing black rain continued to fall around them. Emma and Logan backed against the wall.
Nico heard Death’s scythe hit the basement floor, trapping them in the chamber.
Opal planted herself before the Reaper.
“I get it now,” she said in a shaky voice. “It’s not enough to face you. I have to accept you, too.” She lifted Roman Hale’s dagger. “Accept to Overcome. I have to accept my fear, because it’s real, even if you’re not.”
The Reaper raised its scythe. Brought it crashing to the floorboards.
I am the end of everything.
Opal cringed, almost fled. But this time she stood tall.
“No,” she whispered. “You’re not.” Her voice slowly gained strength. “I’ll die one day, but that’s okay. Everyone does. I still have today. I have my friends. I’m not alone.”
The Reaper pulled back its scythe, but Opal was quicker. She stepped close and gently brushed its sleeve.
The moment she made contact, Death disappeared. Opal shuddered once, then smiled.
A shriek thundered from the Darkdeep. The column of black water expanded, doubling in size. The wraithlike face reappeared and pushed against the surface. Nico saw the outline of huge hands. The water bulged outward, taking shape.
“It’s trying to come out!” Emma cried. “Run!”
“No!” Nico shouted. This had to stop. It had to end.
“Fear, Nico!” Opal darted to his side. “The Darkdeep feeds on fear! We can’t let it win.”
Nico realized he was still holding his dagger. He flung it into the water column, but the knife passed straight through and bounced off the far wall. The creature seeped forward, revealing a humanlike form, except for its ghastly head and gigantic hands. It was nearly out, rounding into a liquid nightmare above the well.
Nico thought furiously. He had to find some way to fight it.
The Darkdeep feeds off fear.
Fear. Inside us.
The creature stepped over the lip of the pool, a wicked snarl curling its lips.
Fear connects us. Binds us.
I’m bound to the Darkdeep.
Nico’s eyes popped. He met the creature’s empty gaze.
I have to sever the binding.
Nico grabbed Opal’s hand. “Are you with me?”
She stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened.
Nico squeezed. Opal squeezed back.
“Yes,” she whispered.
A heart-stopping scream split the air.
Together they faced the Darkdeep as it fought to escape the water.
Together, they dove in.
Dark.
Wet.
Cold.
Nico floated in space, paralyzed by dread.
Darkness was all around him. Suffocating him. Stealing his spirit in tiny, greedy bites.
The Darkdeep slunk from the black. It reached for Nico’s throat, but something jerked him away.
A hand.
I have hands, and someone is holding mine.
Opal. He thought of her, and she appeared beside him. The water was everywhere, but also nowhere, as if they drifted in a void. Are we still in the pond? Is this a real place?
The creature regarded them with unmistakable malice. Figments appeared in the void.
The cockroach. The Beast. Death and its scythe.
Nico’s fingers tightened around Opal’s. He remembered them riding bikes, inventing new worlds. It made him stronger. More grounded in whatever emptiness they occupied. They faced the nightmares together.
We don’t fear you. Opal thought rather than spoke. Not anymore.
This ends now. Nico closed his eyes, concentrating. It’s time for the figments to go.
One by one, the imaginary creatures winked out. The Darkdeep howled.
Nico felt a sliver of hope, like a window opening to let in fresh air.
You don’t belong here. Opal pointed at the Darkdeep. This isn’t your place.
It screamed. The creature stretched larger, its face a mask of naked fury.
Chains, Opal thought. Clinking iron links materialized around the Darkdeep’s wrists. It bellowed in rage, fighting to get free. But Opal had solved the riddle. Nico knew what to do.
Dagger, Nico thought, and a weapon appeared in his hand.
The Darkdeep’s roar now carried a note of fear. Opal held a dagger, too.
Go, Opal sent. Or we’ll finish you.
The Darkdeep squealed like a cornered weasel. As Nico watched it attack the chains, he spied a thrumming black line shooting from its back. The cord was both there and not there, extending high overhead.
Nico looked up. Saw the bottom of the houseboat.
The connection to our world.
Nico zoomed close to the monster. Opal appeared next to him instantly.
The Darkdeep’s hollow eyes widened. Its mouth opened.
Nico and Opal thought as one.
Time to go.
Two daggers sliced through the pulsing black cord.
The line snapped.
The Darkdeep wailed as it was sucked backward into the endless void.
Black flipped to white. Up became down.
Nico’s eyes rolled up and he remembered nothing more.
32
OPAL
“You look amazing.”
Opal was hiding a grin.
“Shut up.” Nico blushed the color of his radish outfit. He couldn’t sit properly because the body was too round, so he lolled uncomfortably to one side. A lounging vegetable. “Why couldn’t I just show you a photo of the costume or something?”
“We needed to see it in person,” Tyler said. “Definitely. Couldn’t get the full effect otherwise.”
“Wait till you see Opal’s dance,” Emma said.
Opal shook her head ruefully. “I thought you had my back.”
“I do.” Emma schooled her face to absolute seriousness. “Your routine is a masterpiece.”
“I’m excited to watch the movie,” Opal said. “And to see how many radishes Tyler can eat.”
“Which reminds me—I brought a radish pie.” Tyler placed it on the showroom floor, in the middle of their lopsided circle. “It’s actually supposed to taste good. I think there’s a whole bag of sugar in it.”
Nico made another attempt to get upright. “Why am I wearing this nightmare again?”
“We need a ceremony to formally make us Torchbearers, but I didn’t want some creepy ancient ritual.” Tyler set a bowl of raw radishes next to the pie. “No robes, no chanting or dagger kissing, no group haircuts. I’ve had enough weird for a while.”
“Well I hope ridiculous is okay.” Opal adjusted the cuffs on her outfit—a red tracksuit covered in glitter glue. They’d agreed to perform their individual festival obligations as part of the ceremony, since none of them actually got to participate. They’d all been grounded for going missing after town square got trashed.
Nico grinned. “I can’t believe my dad thought that not being a radish was punishment.”
Opal grinned back at him. There was still no official word on whether Nico’s father was getting transferred, but Nico wasn’t letting that get him down. Opal knew he was determined to enjoy every moment he had in Timbers. She said another silent prayer that the Hollands stayed put.
“It was punishment for me,” Emma grumbled. “I was ready to slay that movie.”
Opal snorted. “So now we’re punishing ourselves.”
Tyler was staring at the radish bowl. “Can’t believe I’m going to eat these things.”
“I wish Logan had come,” Emma said. They all went quiet.
Logan had been distant since the Darkdeep battle, after Opal and Nico were spit out into the pond. It seemed like he wanted to forget the whole thing. Opal was disappointed, but not totally surprised. At least he didn’t hassle Nico anymore. He said he was sorry. That’s something.
“Yeah.” Opal shrugged. “He wasn’t a jerk about it or anything. But he said he had something else to do.” It wouldn’t be riding his four-wheelers. Those had been mangled by a giant cockroach.
Nico glanced at his watch. “Let’s get started. If I come home late again, I’m toast.”
“Right. Okay.” Tyler cleared his throat. “And thus we begin our sacred ceremony on this hallowed Saturday afternoon.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “Can I take this stupid costume off yet?”
“You have to parade first,” Emma scolded. “And wear the hat, please.”
“Gah. Help me up, then.” Nico held out his arms like a baby. Laughing, the girls hoisted him to his feet. He strutted back and forth along the center aisle. “I’m a little radish, walking down the street. Got a stem on my head and roots for my feet.” He tried to do a spin but toppled over. Everyone cracked up, including Nico.
Opal laughed with the others, but something tugged at her. She glanced at the smashed wall panel, courtesy of three deadly orc figments. They’d hung a sheet across the opening, but Opal knew that a dark pool lurked underneath them, its black surface still as glass.
For now.
“You next, Ty.” Nico removed his radish cap and swatted his friend with it. “Let’s see how many you can eat.”
Emma pulled up her phone timer. “Three minutes to glory. Go!”
“I’m not going to survive this.” Tyler picked up a radish and popped it into his mouth. He made a gagging face. “Ack. Blech. Help me, I’m dying.” It turned out he could only eat two.
“And you thought you’d win.” Nico wagged his head in mock disgust.
“These things are rough.” Tyler spat into a plastic bag. “The pie better be good.”
“Okay, Opal, you’re up,” Nico said. They’d already decided Emma’s movie would be last. They’d watch together and cheer for the killer radish-tomatoes.
Opal rose primly to her feet. “I need you all to be respectful. This is art. I am an artist.”
Emma began playing soft classical music on her phone.
Opal wilted to the floor. “I am a seed. A tiny seed, full of radish potential.”
Tyler snorted. “Are you seriously going to narrate?”
“Shhh. Listen carefully.” Opal lofted an arm. “I am a seed, growing.” It was a struggle to keep a straight face. “Soon, I shall emerge from the earth.” She popped to her feet in a toe-point.
“That was fast,” Nico cracked.
“I’m not done,” Opal admonished. “I’m still emerging.” She stretched her arms up high, then yanked them down to her sides and started doing the running man.
“Killing it,” Emma said appreciatively.
“For the finale, you all must emerge with me.” Opal beckoned them up off the floor.
Tyler groaned, but Emma switched the music to a pop song. Opal hoisted Nico to his feet and he started doing an awkward radish-robot move. They were all dancing like fools when they heard the front door open.
Everyone froze, eyes widening.
Logan Nantes walked into the room.
The group gasped in relief. Opal felt her cheeks flame. They were acting like dorks and she was wearing a homemade vegetable outfit. This was the exact kind of thing bullies crushed people for.
“So.” Logan’s voice was awkward. “Is this, like, a radish … dance party?”
“Yes,” Opal said. “It, uh … yes. Yes it is.” The music played on.
To Opal’s surprise, Logan dropped to the carpet and started doing the worm.
Everyone stared.
“What?” Logan popped back up and shrugged. “Worms help radishes grow.”
Nico snorted. He held out a fist, and Logan bumped it.
“That was the least cool thing I’ve ever seen,” Tyler said. “I’m impressed.”
Opal laughed, and Emma cranked the volume. Soon everyone was cutting up and bouncing to the beat.
When the song ended, Logan signaled for Emma to pause the music. “Sorry I’m late. I wanted to bring something, but it took longer than I thought to make these.” He pulled five black cords from his pocket, each strung with a tiny, hand-carved wooden torch.
Opal glanced at the faces framed on the wall. It was the Torchbearers’ symbol, made new.
“It’s like you guys said.” Logan cleared his throat, handing the necklaces out one by one. “We’re Torchbearers now. We should look the part.”
Opal rotated the carving in her hand. Held upside down, the blazing fire looked like a whirling well. Beautiful.
“Did you make these yourself?” Emma asked in astonishment.
“Yeah. I hope it counts as my festival entry. I hate radishes.”
“Hey!” Tyler barked. “Radishes are hot right now. Get on board.”
Emma put her necklace on. “Oh, this counts just fine. They’re amazing.”
“Thanks, man.” Tyler wrapped his around his wrist like a bracelet.
Opal did the same.
“So what’s next?” Logan asked. “Do we swear an oath or something?”
“We were going to listen to Emma butcher a classic movie.” Opal arched an eyebrow. “But an oath sounds good.” She put her hand out, and the others stacked theirs on top. Everyone inhaled, but no one said anything.
“Still got nothing,” Tyler said.
“One for all, and all for one?” Emma suggested.
Logan squinted. “I think that’s backward.”
Nico spoke in a quiet voice. “How about: We watch the Darkdeep, and watch out for each other.” When the others looked at him, he ducked his head. “Lame. Never mind.”
“No.” Opal smiled. “It’s great, Nico. Super lame, but also kind of perfect.”
They all said the words. Lifted their hands together.
“Okay,” Emma announced. “Movie time!”
She started fiddling with the portable projector she’d brought. The movie flickered to life on a wall panel near the smashed one. Opal shivered again. We really have to fix that.
Emma began her dramatic voiceover. Tyler and Logan started mocking the horrible special effects. Opal noticed Nico was sitting close enough for their shoulders to touch. Was it on purpose? She couldn’t tell.
A glint of light caught her attention—the projector’s beam reflecting off the weird green jar on its pedestal. Opal glanced at the creature inside. It stared back with vacant, open eyes. So strange, Opal thought. I wonder what it was.
The creature blinked.
Opal gasped.
The Thing in a Jar smiled.
Come, Opal.
Come and see what I have for you.
BLOOMSBURY CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Bloomsbury Publishing Inc., part of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
1385 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
BLOOMSBURY, BLOOMSBURY CHILDREN’S BOOKS, and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
This electronic edition first published in the United States of America in October 2018 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Text copyright © 2018 by Allyson Braithwaite Condie and Brendan C. Reichs
Illustrations copyright © 2018 by Antonio Javier Caparo
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
Bloomsbury books may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at [email protected]
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Condie, Allyson Braithwaite, author. | Reichs, Brendan, author.
Title: The Darkdeep / by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs.
Description: New York : Bloomsbury, 2018.
Summary: Middle-
schoolers Nico, Tyler, Emma, and Opal discover a hidden island in a forbidden cove that appears uninhabited, but something ancient has awakened knowing their wishes, dreams, and darkest secrets.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018024232 (print) | LCCN 2018030596 (e-book)
ISBN 978-1-5476-0046-5 (hardcover) • ISBN 978-1-5476-0047-2 (e-book)
Subjects: | CYAC: Supernatural—Fiction. | Houseboats—Fiction. | Islands—Fiction. | Friendship—Fiction. | Northwest, Pacific—Fiction. | Horror stories.
Classification: LCC PZ7.C7586 Dar 2018 (print) | LCC PZ7.C7586 (e-book) | DDC[Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018024232
ISBN 978-1-5476-0215-5 (special edition)
eBook: 978-1-5476-0047-2
To find out more about our authors and books visit www.bloomsbury.com and sign up for our newsletters.