by Mikey Brooks
“Uh—nothing,” Ethan stammered.
“Just trying to find a Halloween costume,” Jax added.
Emmy giggled. “Really? You’re acting a little suspicious for just looking at Halloween costumes.”
Ethan rolled his eyes at his sister.
Emmy shook her head and sat down in the recliner next to the window. She leaned back and propped her legs up. “So, did you find out anything else? You know, about the witches?”
How long has she been standing in the doorway? Ethan knew that neither he nor Jax had told her about what happened with Robbie Maser in the hallway. She couldn’t know that the witches were planning something at the Halloween party. “What do you know?”
Emmy sighed. “I know enough to know you two are up to something. You’re still going to go after the witches, aren’t you?”
“We never said we were going after the witches,” Ethan argued.
“You didn’t have to. I figured it out for myself. Why else would you be reading that handbook all the time? You’re trying to figure out how to get rid of them.”
“The proper term is break,” Jax corrected. “Hunters find and break witches.”
“You guys, you’re not real witch hunters. If all this mumbo jumbo is real, then you should be careful. Remember that there are a lot of people missing all of a sudden, and those people are supposed to be the experts.”
“That could all just be a misunderstanding,” Ethan said. He didn’t believe it himself, but it could be a possibility. “Maybe Mom and Dad just lost their cell phones—or they don’t have good service? Maybe they can’t find a place with Wi-Fi?”
Emmy shook her head. “Ethan, I know you want to believe that everything is going to be okay—”
“What? You don’t think it’s going to be okay? Emmy, how can you think that?”
“That’s not what I meant. You didn’t let me finish. I know we are going to find Mom and Dad. I feel that. If something really bad—”
“Like they’re dead?”
“Don’t you think we’d know?” Emmy sat forward, her feet dropping to the floor. “Look, Ethan, last night when you two were in danger, I knew something was happening. I think that’s why I woke up. I had a feeling.”
“We really weren’t in danger,” Jax said.
Emmy shot him a glare. “That’s not it. I just think if something bad had happened to Mom and Dad, we’d feel it. We’d know.”
Ethan nodded. He felt the same way. There had been times in the past when he’d known something was wrong. Like the time in first grade when Emmy broke her arm on the playground at school. He’d just known something had happened to her. Why would it be any different with Mom and Dad?
“So if Mom and Dad are okay, you think we shouldn’t worry and focus on what’s going on here, right?”
“If the lunch ladies really are witches, then I think we should prove to Mom and Dad and Jax’s parents that we are capable of keeping this whole family secret a secret. We need to take these witches down.”
Ethan was beaming. “So, you’re in?”
“Of course I’m in. You’re not the only one who wants to prove something.”
Ethan laughed. This was great. The worst thing in the world was keeping secrets from Emmy. Having her involved made everything seem a little better. They were back to being the three amigos.
“We’re going to have to tell my mom eventually,” Jax said.
Ethan scowled. “Are you kidding? She won’t let us break the witches.”
“Don’t you remember? My mom is a warden. We have to have a warden.”
“We’ll tell her when we need her, but not before,” Emmy said. “That way she can’t say no.”
“Good idea,” Ethan agreed. Jax gave a shrug and a slight nod of his head.
Emmy leaned forward again and Ethan could see the excitement building in her eyes. “So, tell me why you were researching stuff about Halloween and witches.”
***
“So you think they turned Robbie into something?” Emmy had always hated Robbie Maser. He was nothing but a bully and an irritating one at that, but he was also a kid. She couldn’t imagine anyone, even Robbie, having to live out their life as a reptile of some kind. If Robbie Maser has been turned into a frog, there is no way I’m kissing him to bring him back.
“We’re not sure,” Ethan said. “We checked and there was no sign of him except a shoelace.”
“It could have been anyone’s shoelace though,” Jax offered. “For all we know, they brought Robbie into the kitchen with them. Either that or—”
Emmy put up a hand. “Let’s not worry about Robbie right now. You said you heard them planning something for the Halloween party?”
“Yeah, but we don’t know exactly what.” Ethan nodded toward the computer. “We did find something on Samhain, a witch holiday that also falls on Halloween. It says it’s a night of power, and that magic is at its strongest then.”
“So we need to make sure we’re at the party,” Emmy said. “We’ll need to keep a close eye on the witches until then.”
“Dad said to stay away from the cafeteria,” Jax said.
Emmy shook her head. “He’s more concerned with us eating their food. If he’s still allowing us to go to school, the witches can’t offer that big of a threat. You said all we have to do is get the witches’ wands and break them in half?”
Ethan and Jax nodded. Emmy leaned back in her chair and tried to think about how to get close enough to the witches to steal their wands. If her teacher was still the Barf Bag, she might have been able to trick him into making her wash lunch trays as a punishment. Miss LeBeau would never fall for something like that, though. Miss LeBeau might not—but Mrs. Burton might.
“Can you two find a way to get in trouble tomorrow? At school, I mean.”
“Get in trouble?” Jax gasped.
“What are you thinking, Em?” Ethan said.
“If you can get Mrs. Burton to somehow make you help out in the kitchen, maybe during first recess, you can get close to the witches. I don’t think Miss LeBeau would go for something like that.”
“Why not?” Ethan asked. “She sent Robbie to the lunch ladies for punishment.”
“Yeah, but that was Robbie. Believe me, guys, Miss LeBeau is super-cool and I don’t see her punishing anyone in our class. She loves us. Mrs. Burton, on the other hand—well, she has more of a temper. But you’ll have to make her think she is sending you there and not think that you volunteered.”
“Why don’t we just volunteer?” Jax asked.
Emmy shook her head. “Because the lunch ladies wouldn’t believe it. What kid would purposely go ask to help scrub lunch trays?”
“She has a point,” Ethan said. “But I’m not very good at manipulating people. You’re better at that, Em.”
“You’re going to have to start trying. I won’t be able to do it for you. You’ll think of something. Okay, so we have a plan. You two will get into the kitchen because you’re in trouble. I’ll sneak in during recess. If I get caught, I’ll just say I was coming to check on my brother.”
Ethan nodded. “What do we do if we get close enough to them? Break their wands then?”
“I think you should try to find out where they keep them first. I’m sure they just don’t carry them around all the time. Plus you can see what they’re planning for the party.”
“How do we find that out?” Jax asked.
Emmy rolled her eyes. Seriously, sometimes boys are so dumb. “You talk to them.”
“Talk to the witches?” Jax looked petrified.
“They aren’t going to bite you.”
Jax huffed. “How do you know? For all you know, we’ll go in there to wash lunch trays and come out transformed into bullfrogs.”
“They are not going to turn you into bullfrogs.” Emmy’s voice came out sounding a little insecure but she hoped the boys didn’t catch on. For all she knew, she was sending the
m into a death trap. But then again, she had to remember that these women were nothing like the hags she’d seen in movies and read about in books. Pretty ladies who spend more time in front of the mirror might like the attention of two young boys. “You two just have to make it seem like you’re interested in them.”
“We are interested in them,” Jax said. “But we can’t just start talking about the potion and their wands.”
“No, you need to make it seem like you are interested in them. You know—how pretty they are.”
Ethan’s eyebrows went up. “Emmy, we’re eleven years old. We’re not even supposed to be interested in girls right now.”
“It’s never too early to start. Besides, I’ve caught you sneaking glances at Hannah. Tell me that’s not being interested in girls.”
“Whatever.” Ethan’s face turned red and Emmy gave a little smile.
“Speaking of Hannah, I’ve got to call her.”
“Emmy,” Ethan said. “You can’t tell your friends what we’re up to. They’ll blow our cover.”
“I’m not going to tell them anything about the witches. But I am going to talk about the Halloween party. My girls and I need to find costumes ASAP.”
Chapter Nineteen: The Zombie Dishwasher
It was easier getting sent to the cafeteria for kitchen duty than either Ethan or Jax had expected. They didn’t even have to get into trouble. Mrs. Burton asked if anyone wanted some extra credit, and of course, half the class raised their hands. When she explained the extra credit would be given to any volunteers willing to help in the cafeteria in preparation for the Halloween party, only two hands remained.
Ethan entered the cafeteria with a mixture of bizarre feelings. He didn’t know whether to feel sick or elated. Papa Washington had basically forbidden them from going into the lunchroom, and they were doing just that. But it was also a chance for Ethan and Jax to get close to the witches. If all turned out as planned, Ethan just might get his chance to break a witch. That’ll show Mom and Dad I’m a valuable member of the family.
“Oh, you two must be here to help,” sang the lunch lady with the striking red hair. She waltzed across the linoleum, her ruby high heels clicking as she came closer. Ethan could smell her perfume. The intoxicating aroma made him think of flowers and vanilla ice cream. She looked down through her long black lashes and Ethan recognized her as the witch he’d seen through the window—the one potioning the cinnamon rolls. He also remembered seeing her mug shot on the W.H.O. computer. Only bad people had mug shots.
Her eyebrows lifted. “Haven’t I seen you before?”
Ethan felt his stomach tighten. Did she remember me from the other day? What if she does? What do I do? “Umm . . . I think I’ve seen you serving food.” Ethan gave a halfhearted smile and the lunch lady beamed back. He could almost see his reflection in her glossy red lipstick.
“I remember,” she said, pointing an immaculately polished fingernail. “You were that boy I saw peeking in the window.”
Ethan stepped back. His heart began to pound. He shot a glance toward Jax, but his best friend looked like a spell had come over him. Jax just stared at the witch.
“Oh, don’t feel bad,” she said in her sing song voice. “I have several admirers. It wouldn’t be the first time I caught a gentleman looking.” She winked. “It will be our little secret. Although I will have to tell you that I never date anyone who doesn’t have a secure job—or a driver’s license.”
Ethan felt his stomach relax, although he wasn’t too sure he wanted her thinking he had some sort of crush on her. He shrugged.
“You need help with the food then?” Jax asked.
“Oh, I have several things you can help us with. With all the work the school has asked us to do for the Halloween party, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to get the lunch out on time.” She beamed at them both. “Silly me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hazel. Now, I didn’t catch your names.”
“Ethan and Jax,” they said.
Hazel giggled. “Those are perfect names. Follow me back to the kitchen and I’ll introduce you to the other staff.” Hazel turned on her heels and began clicking her way back toward the double doors. Ethan gave Jax a slight shrug and they followed behind. “You’ll have to wear these when you’re back here.” She handed them both a ball of mushy strings.
“What is it?” Ethan asked, eyeing the stringy mess.
Hazel giggled again. “Silly, those are hairnets. We don’t want anything contaminating the food. We have to work extra clean when we’re back here. Hurry and put them on.”
Ethan obeyed, unfolding the mess and wrapping it over his head. He stifled a laugh. The hairnet made Jax look like his hair was turning gray.
“Don’t laugh,” Jax said. “You look just as funny.”
“Boys, these are the other wonderful ladies who work here.” Hazel gestured toward three beautiful women standing next to a large stainless steel counter. Each wore a white uniform and red high heels. Each looked like they’d just stepped out of a movie. “This is Griselda; she’s in charge of the kitchen.”
The lunch lady with the ebony hair and emerald eyes smiled at them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I may be in charge, but here we work as a team.” She gave another wide smile. Ethan smiled back.
Hazel motioned to the next lunch lady, a tall platinum blonde with bright blue eyes. Ethan recognized her as the one who served them their cinnamon rolls—practically shoved them down our throats. “This is Luna. Her specialty is the desserts. And last but certainly not least is Belladonna.”
Ethan smiled at the brunette lunch lady with the beaming, bubble-gum-pink lips. “It will be so nice to have a little help around here,” Belladonna said in a deep southern drawl. “We’ve been workin’ so hard on gettin’ the treats ready for Halloween. I could really use some help peelin’ potatoes. We’re having my specialty—Texas barbeque and French fries.”
“So, you want us to peel potatoes?” Ethan asked. He wasn’t sure he knew how. He’d never touched raw potato in his life.
“Oh, my, no,” Belladonna giggled. “Unfortunately the food preparation laws only allow those with Food Handlers Permits to actually touch the food. If you two can help with some of the cleanin’ and other tasks, it would allow Hazel and Luna to help with the potatoes. You won’t have to worry about the dishes. We have a dishwasher for that.”
The lunch ladies all giggled and Ethan silently gave a prayer of thanks. He hated washing dishes more than he hated eating Brussels sprouts. “That doesn’t sound too bad. It already looks really clean in here.”
“A clean kitchen is a healthy kitchen,” Griselda said. “It will get messy enough with these three cooking. I could use some of your strong muscles to bring in some supplies off the truck.”
Ethan and Jax followed Griselda back to the loading dock just outside the kitchen. She hit a button on the wall and the metal door rolled up, exposing a truck full of boxes and baskets of fruits and vegetables. Ethan felt a cold breeze blow out from the truck. “We get our loads on Wednesdays. It would really be wonderful if you can put these away. All the boxes and perishables go in the walk-in—it’s just over there.” She pointed to a large silver door at the end of the wide hall. “All the others you can put in the pantry right next to the dishwasher.”
“That doesn’t sound very hard,” Jax said.
“Oh, it’s not hard, just time consuming—time we don’t have with trying to get everything ready for Halloween.”
“What are you planning for the party?” Ethan asked. He caught the quick look of shock that came over Jax’s face. Griselda didn’t seem to notice.
“We want most of it to be a surprise, but since you’re our little helpers I’ll let you in on a secret.” She leaned in close, her voice soft. “All the ingredients for the treats we are making are on this truck. You might guess the dessert menu by piecing the items together. For example, right there is a box labeled dark chocolate, and there
is a basket full of fresh strawberries. You might guess that those two ingredients go together. We have thirteen desserts total. Good luck!”
Griselda turned and joined the other lunch ladies in the kitchen. Ethan glanced at Jax, who wore a funny expression. Ethan leaned in and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
“They don’t seem like witches at all. In fact, they seem really nice.”
Jax was right. Ethan was a little taken aback by the polite manners and cleanliness of the lunch ladies. They seemed to like what they were doing and they worked well as a team. They were also sticklers for keeping to the rules. No one would know if they made Ethan and Jax peel potatoes.
“They don’t seem like lunch ladies either,” Ethan concluded. Jax nodded in agreement. “Come on, let’s get this stuff put away. Keep an eye out for their wands.”
They started in on the perishables first. Ethan lugged three baskets of berries and a bunch of vegetables to the walk-in fridge. He didn’t know what kind of dessert required zucchinis, but the lunch ladies seemed to make anything they cooked taste like a dessert.
“They sure do use a lot of eggs,” Ethan said as he put away another crate full of eggs.
“Eggs go in just about everything,” Jax said.
“How do you know?”
“Mom lets me help out in the kitchen sometimes. She uses a lot of eggs.”
Ethan nodded and bent down to pick up a box labeled “canned pumpkin.”
“Does this go in the walk-in or the pantry?”
“It’s canned so probably the pantry.”
“Grab that one, will you? They’re too heavy to get both.”
Ethan walked down the hall toward the pantry. The small room was piled with plastic containers of salt, pepper, and other seasonings. There were several boxes labeled “flour” and “sugar,” and a bunch of bottles of cooking oil. Nothing looked like it didn’t belong. Ethan kept wondering where the containers full of newt eyes and bat wings were kept. He stacked his box of canned pumpkin against the wall, unsure of where to put it. Jax plopped his down on top of it.