Then Merry turned and motioned for Zaria to join her. Zaria closed her book with trepidation. What was going on? Her mom gathered her into a hug and pulled her forward.
Mrs. Johansen stood there, with a very serious expression on her face, beside a stroller with one of Christoffer’s twin sisters inside. Her dark eyes were worried. She crouched low to be at Zaria’s height and grabbed her hands with an urgency that made Zaria’s heart thump painfully in her chest.
“Zaria, honey, have you seen Christoffer? Was he here yesterday?” Her voice trembled with barely contained emotion.
Zaria shook her head. “I haven’t seen him since school on Friday. Why? What’s going on?”
Mrs. Johansen stood up. She looked so bone weary even her thick dark ponytail drooped. “He said he was going out to play with one of his friends. He hasn’t returned. The police only now began to look for him. They think he’s run away. Did he mention anything to you that would make you think he would run off? Was he mad about the after-school detention on Monday?”
“No. We laughed it off. He seemed fine on Friday, when we parted after school. I haven’t heard from him. Did you check with Filip or Aleks? Geirr?”
“Yes, I called them all last night. Zhuang is speaking with them now. But I thought that perhaps Christoffer might have come to you. Boys are funny about who they might speak to if there were problems. You’re his only friend who is a girl. I was hoping…” Mrs. Johansen trailed off, inhaled deeply and fumbled for her purse on the back of the stroller. “I don’t know why he would do this. Or, God forbid, if something happened to him.” She pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose.
Zaria felt hopeless. She didn’t know anything that might be of help for Mrs. Johansen. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, looking down at her bare feet.
Merry briefly hugged her tighter and pushed her away. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Why don’t you go back to your room? I’m going to make me and Emma some tea.”
***
Going to school Monday was awful. Zaria dragged her feet all the way. She missed Christoffer terribly and wished she knew what to do – how she could help. She kept her head down and her hands tucked into her pockets. Merry walked beside her in silence, equally lost in her own thoughts. They crossed the bridge and reached the school shortly thereafter.
Merry crouched and pulled Zaria into a fierce hug. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. Christoffer will be found, and it will okay.”
Zaria’s eyes watered and she hid her face in Merry’s neck, returning the hug equally fiercely. “I hope so, Mom.”
Merry leaned back and wiped at Zaria’s tears with her soft fuzzy gloves. “If you need to, call me and I’ll come get you. We’ll play hooky and go to a museum.”
Zaria nodded and rushed off, just as the bell rang in the courtyard. Mrs. Johansen wasn’t in the history classroom. A substitute stood at the board and introduced himself as Mr. Magnusdotter. He was tall, thin, and a few years past middle age. He had a large nose and wire rim glasses. His voice was kind, as he spoke with the children, explaining Mrs. Johansen’s and Christoffer’s absence.
He told them, if they remembered anything unusual or anything Mr. Johansen might have said to indicate where he was, to share it immediately. The school counselor was also mentioned in case any of the children felt anxious or needed to talk about their feelings.
The day went by interminably. The students were all hushed during classes and gossiping in whispers in the corridors. Filip – blond and green-eyed – and Aleks – a brown-eyed redhead with freckles – met Zaria at lunch. She’d never really spoken to them before today, but they were instantly bonded in the crisis over Christoffer. Together they solemnly went through the cafeteria line, saving their talking until they reached a back table.
Their black friend Geirr had gone home with a stomachache, which Zaria knew had nothing to do with what he ate for breakfast and everything to do with the lugubrious (but still expectant) atmosphere at school. All the children were watching them, waiting to see if they knew anything, and gossiping in whispers.
Aleks hunched his shoulders and glanced around at the faces watching them. He leaned in and whispered, “He didn’t say anything to me. I wish he had. He could have spent the night. Mom and dad wouldn’t have minded.”
“Yeah,” said Filip. “I don’t know what he was thinking. Or not thinking. I know he didn’t come to see me, we didn’t have any plans.”
“We didn’t have plans either,” Zaria said, poking at her meal. She really wasn’t all that hungry.
“Same,” Aleks said. He too was picking at his food, but he was making a better effort at eating it than Zaria. “You need to eat,” he told her. “It doesn’t do anyone any good if you make yourself sick.”
She nodded and shoveled food into her mouth. It tasted like sawdust, and stuck in her throat. She hastily swallowed her milk. The next bite was better. And the next. Eventually, all three finished their meal and gathered their trash to toss in the bins by the cafeteria doors.
Aleks scratched the back of his neck. “Do you want to get together after school to look for him?”
Filip broke out into a smile. “That’s a great idea! I bet we can think of loads of places where he might have gone.”
“We should tell somebody before we go out though,” Zaria fretted. “No point to making all of our parents anxious.”
Aleks nodded. “Agreed. Let’s meet up at my house and start from there.”
They all agreed and arranged their plans for the afternoon before splitting off to their classes. Zaria was eager now for school to be over, not to escape the depressing atmosphere, but because she was keen to start the search for Christoffer.
***
Mr. Mickelsen, Aleks’ dad, went with them on their search, which made Zaria’s mother happy. Filip had told Geirr of the plans and the suddenly well boy joined them as they looked for Christoffer. Of them all, Geirr was the most optimistic. He was usually very reserved and straitlaced.
They searched their favorite hangouts around town and especially in the neighborhoods where they all lived. Christoffer wasn’t to be found anywhere. Aleks’ dad talked and tried to keep everyone’s spirits up, but as the afternoon wore on, it became clear to the children that they weren’t going to find their friend. Worse still was that there weren’t any clues about where he might have gone. Nothing to give them hope.
When they got back to Aleks’ place, his father clapped him and Filip on the shoulder and gripped them tight for a moment. “Something will come up, boys,” he said and headed inside.
“This sucks,” Geirr said, kicking at the pavement. “What now?”
Aleks scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I really don’t. Why would Christoffer do this?”
“I think something has happened to him,” Filip said, his expression grim. “Because that’s the point, isn’t it? Christoffer wouldn’t do this. He wasn’t depressed or bullied or angry. He was fine.”
Zaria looked hopelessly at the group. “So we give up?” she asked, her voice high and thin. “We can’t give up!”
“There’s nothing more we can do,” Aleks said. “Even if we wanted to help, what could we do? The adults have more resources.”
Zaria shook her head, tears welling up in her violet eyes. “He’s our friend.”
“Come on, Zar-Zar, Geirr and I will walk you home,” Filip said. He waved glumly to Aleks, who nodded.
Zaria went with the boys reluctantly. All three mulled over their thoughts, the silence thick. Nobody was willing to disturb it. As they crossed the scrollwork bridge, Zaria looked to the water. There were no swans tonight. The street noises of cars passing were faded in the distance. The quiet hum of insects drifted in the air.
“So the princess returns,” a cold voice sneered, stopping Zaria in her tracks.
“Who the hell are you?” Filip demanded, edging himself in front of Zaria. He stood tall and square, feet planted firmly on the bridge, prepared to fight
the creepy old man before him.
Olaf chuckled, hidden in the shadows. “You be her bodyguard, eh?” he said to Filip before turning his gaze to Zaria. “It’s too late, Princess. You be breaking your promise, and I collected my fee.”
“Wh-what?” Zaria asked, gripping the back of Filip’s jacket.
“You’ll not touch her,” Filip stated coldly, clenching his fists. “Don’t come any closer.”
“Yeah,” Geirr said, trying to look menacing in preppy clothes. “Don’t come any closer or we’ll fight you.”
“Princess not be having manners and neither be her guards,” Olaf said. He emerged from the shadows and laughed again, when Geirr’s dark skin paled. Filip’s face turned stony. “You be no match for me youngsters. I may be old, but don’t be deceived. I be very, very strong.”
Geirr looked at Zaria and Filip, before returning to Olaf. His blue eyes were nervously darting all over the creature in front of them. “What are you? Who are you?”
“He’s Olaf, the river’s guardian. He’s a troll,” Zaria answered, her heart hammering in her throat. “And he’s real.”
“A troll!” Geirr cried out, his big blue eyes widening in disbelief. “No way.”
“He’s not human,” Filip replied. “Or homeless.”
She looked over Filip’s shoulder and glared at the troll. “Did you eat Christoffer?”
Olaf cracked a wide toothy grin, as if he’d been expecting that question. “Nothing you could do, Princess, if I did. But no, your loyal subject be safe for now. I know how much he means to you.”
“What are you going to do to him?”
“Sell him to the highest bidder at the market. He will be enslaved and worked to death in the caves most likely. Very grueling work. Boy probably won’t last long. They never do. You humans be so frail.”
“You can’t do that!” Zaria shouted, upset and trying to get around Filip. He held his arms out, blocking her path. Geirr grabbed her shoulder and held her in place.
“I can, and I will Princess –” Olaf said, “– unless you be getting me something.”
“Yes, yes,” Zaria said. “Enough food for you to feast on for a year.”
“No!” Olaf shouted. “I not be wanting that. No. I want you to retrieve something for me.”
“Steal?” Zaria squeaked, her bluster fading. “Steal what?”
Olaf’s dark black eyes glowed faintly in the settling dusk. “The Hart of Gloomwood Forest.”
“A heart? What heart? Where is Gloomwood Forest?” Geirr asked, biting his lower lip, crossing and uncrossing his arms.
“Gloomwood Forest is north. If you be following my river, you be reaching it. I be giving you five days. You must retrieve the Hart and bring it to my waters. If you do, I spare your friend and free him.”
“And honor our first agreement,” Zaria added, her lips pressed firmly together. She wasn’t going to let Olaf trick her again.
“Why be I to honor it when you did not?”
“Because,” Zaria said, crossing her arms, suddenly sure of one thing. “You never wanted to eat me or him in the first place. You always wanted this heart thing.”
Olaf’s eyes narrowed. “Clever, clever, clever Princess. Figured me out did you?”
“How far north?” Filip asked.
“Two days travel by river travel.”
“I want your word,” Zaria insisted, firmly. “We get you the heart. You let Christoffer go free. Honor our first agreement about crossing the river unharmed – for me and my friends. And… and…”
“And?” Olaf prompted.
“And you will provide us a boat,” she finished, thrusting her chin out.
Olaf barked a laugh. “A boat?” He laughed some more and sobered when he noticed Zaria staring him down. “Fine, a boat and yes, I promise. My word be my honor, unlike you Princess. I be not breaking it.”
“Good,” she breathed. “Five days, Gloomwood Forest, the heart, and we’re done with our dealings.”
“Good luck, Princess,” Olaf taunted, climbing to the top of the rails. “You be needing it.”
And with that parting shot he slipped off the side. The boys ran over to get a look, but Zaria knew Olaf wouldn’t be there or in the water. There had been no splash. Olaf had simply disappeared.
* * *
Chapter Three: Evading Parental Supervision
Geirr took out his mobile phone and quickly called Aleks to fill him in on this new development. While he was doing that, Filip watched Zaria.
“So, you met this troll before?” he asked, keeping his voice low. There was an edge to it.
Zaria nodded miserably. “Yes. I even told Christoffer and my parents about Olaf. Nobody believed me. And then I didn’t believe myself. I thought perhaps I misremembered or – or dreamt it. After a while it didn’t seem real.”
“And when Christoffer went missing you didn’t think of it then?” His eyebrows scrunched together in disapproval.
Zaria shook her head. “I should have. I’m so stupid. Why didn’t I connect the dots sooner?”
Filip muttered an oath. “So what was this first deal you made with the troll?”
Zaria bit her lip. “He wanted to eat me and obviously that would be bad, so I convinced him not to eat me.”
“Like in Three Billy Goats Gruff?” Geirr asked, stuffing his phone into his back pocket. He whistled. “That’s gutsy. Don’t you know anything about trolls?”
“Well, Scandinavian folklore says they’re easily tricked due to pride –”
“Wrong!” Geirr cut-in. “According to Alek’s gran’s stories, they are very cunning. Trolls know exactly what to say to you to get what they want from you.”
“How was I to know? All the books said differently.”
“Do you always believe what you read?” Geirr asked. “This troll let you think you duped him, but instead you stepped neatly into his trap. We need to get a move on it. Let’s go.”
“Olaf,” Zaria whispered as they finished crossing the bridge. “The troll’s name is Olaf.”
Geirr shook his head, looking over his shoulder to ensure they were well away from the water. “His name is not important right now. We need a plan to find Christoffer. We can’t give the troll what it wants. If we do it’ll be worse for us I’m sure.”
Filip glared at Geirr. “How do you suggest we do that? The only way to rescue him is to retrieve the heart of Gloomwood Forest. I never heard of Gloomwood Forest. Our only direction to it is north of here. That’s not very helpful.”
“But we’ll have a boat,” Zaria said.
“And unless it’s magical, we’re going to have to navigate it by ourselves.”
Zaria worried her lower lip. “I have old maps of Europe at my place. I got them for my last birthday.”
“You got maps for your birthday?” Geirr said, laughing. “Your parents must not love you to get you maps.”
“They’re vintage, and I asked for them when we heard that dad would be transferring to Europe,” Zaria said hotly, upset that Geirr would think her parents didn’t love her. She knew they did. “They’re hanging on my walls.”
“Stop picking on her, Geirr,” Filip said, quickening his pace. “Wasn’t it you who said we needed to hurry? Let’s get to Zaria’s. She’ll get her maps, stuff her backpack with clothes, food, and items for the next five days. We’ll tell your mother that you’re coming over for a sleepover.”
“But it’s Monday,” Zaria said. “I don’t think she’d go for it.”
“Tell her school was awful and that we’re all taking the day off tomorrow to get our heads on straight and maybe search again for Christoffer.”
Zaria nodded and scurried up the stairs to her apartment. The boys followed and kept her parents busy. The Colonel didn’t really approve of a mixed sleepover, but Merry was delighted to see the children embrace Zaria into their group. She also felt that it would do Zaria some good to avoid school for the next day or two. It was really too soon to be back around the prob
ing stares of the other students. When Zaria came back down, jumping the stairs two at a time, the Colonel halted her with a hand on her shoulder. He stared down at the boys.
“I want the phone numbers for both of your parents,” he said in his sternest voice and continued in a tone that brooked no discussion. “I will also drive you to the next house and take you to the last. I want to know it’s approved by your parents and I want to know that they are paying attention. No funny business, do you understand me?”
“Papa,” Zaria hissed. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Merry gave Zaria a hug and a kiss. “Call me if you change your mind for any reason, okay, sweetheart? It doesn’t matter how late. Your father or I will pick you up.” Zaria nodded, the red in her cheeks deepening. “Be careful driving tonight,” she told her husband.
He nodded, slung Zaria’s backpack over his shoulder and bussed his wife on the cheek, before escorting the children outside and down to the carport.
***
Geirr’s parents didn’t have a problem with him sleeping over and Filip had texted his mother to forewarn her of the planned sleepover. She was the most reluctant, but Filip knew how to charm his mother and by the time the three children arrived with the Colonel everything was approved, including an order for pizza to be delivered.
The Colonel clasped hands with Mrs. Storstrand and introduced himself, when she answered the door. The children not wanting to be a part of the conversation sneaked around them to Filip’s room.
“Filip, dear,” Mrs. Storstrand called out as they hurried down the hallway, “– your friend Aleks is already in your room. Go ahead and call for pizza, when you and your friends are hungry.”
“Thanks, Mum!” he called back and shut the door quickly. He turned around and nodded to Aleks. “I think it’s time to tell her.”
“Tell me what?” Zaria asked, confused. She looked between the boys and saw them nod together.
Aleks drew in a deep breath and let it out gustily. He lifted his closed fists up and slowly revealed what was inside. Zaria didn’t know what she was looking at – the object was shaped like an egg and shiny, but it had an odd hue which changed in the light between blue and purple. The whole surface of the object was perforated in several places with stars.
Secret of Gloomwood Forest Page 2