Candy Shop War (27 page)

Nate had written to Trevor about how his parents seemed oblivious to his disappearance, and had detailed the clues the teleidoscope had revealed, along with the plans he and Mr. Stott were hatching. Trevor often seemed bored, but his spirits remained fairly buoyant, considering the circumstances. Nate made sure the bathroom light stayed on all night.

Snapping the cell phone closed, Nate pocketed it. The lunch bell was about to ring. Miss Doulin sat at her desk, watching the clock as eagerly as her students, the thin red second hand ticking up toward twelve. Nate wondered how many pieces of fudge she would be eating. If she was anything like his parents and sister, it would be a lot.

The second hand went vertical and the bell rang.

*****

Summer sat down across from Pigeon and opened her lunch sack. She glanced at Nate, sitting alone at the far side of the lunch area, pulling a pear from his lunch bag. He still wanted to sit apart, in hopes that Mrs. White would hold him and Trevor solely responsible for stealing the teleidoscope. It was a nice thought, but Summer doubted whether they were fooling anyone.

She was still struggling to absorb what had happened to Trevor. It was nightmarish to think of him roaming from mirror to mirror, unable to sleep, no heartbeat, surrounded by darkness and silent windows to the world he had left behind. Summer had worried that Mrs. White might be dangerous, but Trevor’s fate surpassed her worst expectations. What if they never got him out?

Summer unwrapped her turkey sandwich and took a bite. It tasted dry. Not enough meat, not enough mayo, the bread getting stale. Her dad used to make such good sandwiches! The white fudge was even ruining her lunchtime!

On her second bite, she paused mid-chew, watching Denny, Kyle, and Eric saunter over to stand behind Pigeon. Denny slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, Pigeon, what’s for lunch?”

Pigeon looked at Summer, eyes wide. These were the first words Denny had spoken to him since the incident with the trick candy.

“You better take off,” Summer said.

“You’ve got us all wrong,” Denny said, acting wounded. “We’re here to give Pigeon a treat. Sort of a payback for everything he’s done for us.”

Kyle set a waxy pink cube in front of Pigeon. “Yeah, Pigeon, this one is on us.”

“Eat up,” Eric said.

Summer slid a hand into her pocket.

“What is it?” Pigeon asked. “Laxatives?”

“Pigeon!” Denny said. “We’re not going to poison you. We got this at the best candy store in town, the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe. You really should have a taste.”

“Why don’t you guys take a hike?” Nate said, stalking toward them, hands clenched into fists.

“Dirt Face!” Denny said, spreading his arms. “I was wondering when you’d turn up. We have a present for you as well.”

“Leave my friend alone,” Nate said.

“We brought treats for all you guys,” Denny said, grinning like a shark. “Where’s Trevor?”

Nate lowered his shoulder and charged Denny. Eric reached out a hand, grazing Nate’s shoulder, and a flash of electricity sent Nate twirling through the air. He landed on top of a lunch table a few yards away, his foot thumping the head of a Latino girl. Eric looked surprised at how effective the jolt had been.

“Whoa, Dirt Face!” Denny laughed. “Those were some smooth moves!”

Summer slapped her hand to her mouth, jumped over the lunch table, and swatted Denny on the back of his neck as he was still laughing. A sizzling flash sent him soaring forward in a flying somersault. He landed on his back on the concrete.

Pigeon also had Shock Bits in his hand now, Summer was reaching for another handful, and Kyle was digging in his pocket as well. Eric rushed over and crouched beside Denny. A short, pudgy yard duty, Ms. Figgoria, hustled over to them.

“Absolutely no fireworks at school!” the furious woman huffed. “Who set those off! I want names!”

Nate rolled off the table. He had warm lasagna mashed against his shirt and jeans from the pair of trays he had landed on. The girl he had accidentally kicked glared at him. Eric helped Denny to his feet.

“We don’t have fireworks,” Kyle said. “Ask my mom!”

“I saw a bright flash,” Ms. Figgoria said. “Empty your pockets!”

Kyle, Summer, and Pigeon showed the yard duty their candy. She checked Eric and Denny as well. Apparently she had missed Nate’s flight, because she paid him no heed. She studied the ground, hunting for remnants of fireworks. Ms. Figgoria got huffier as it became clear that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

“You haven’t tried the white fudge from Sweet Tooth, have you?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t eat sugar,” Ms. Figgoria replied. “And I don’t tolerate nonsense. You kids better get your acts together.”

“Later,” Denny promised, patting Pigeon on the shoulder before strolling off with Eric and Kyle to eat lunch.

“Are you okay?” Summer asked Nate.

“I’ve been zapped by those Shock Bits more times than I’d like,” Nate grumbled. “It’s like getting kicked from every direction all at once.”

“Summer shocked Denny back,” Pigeon said.

“I sort of saw,” Nate said. “What are they doing with Shock Bits?”

“Looks like they picked up our old after-school job,” Summer said.

“As if things weren’t bad enough,” Nate moaned. “You guys have many Shock Bits left?”

“A decent amount,” Pigeon said.

“I need to go to the rest room and wash up,” Nate said. “Can I borrow a dose for safety?”

“Of course,” Pigeon said. “How about two mouthfuls?”

“While you’re handing out candy, do you have an extra Sweet Tooth I could borrow?” Summer asked.

“Sure,” Pigeon said. “I’ve only used one so far.”

“Let’s hope they don’t know about these yet,” Summer said, placing the candy on her tongue.

She walked over to the table where Denny, Eric, and Kyle were sitting. Eric nudged Denny, who turned to confront Summer. “Touch me again and you’ll regret it,” he threatened.

“Don’t mess with my friends. I just came over to warn you guys about Mrs. White. She’s dangerous. Did you hear what she did to Trevor?”

“She told us how you guys betrayed her,” Eric said. “Man, you morons spoiled a good thing.”

“Our gain,” Kyle said.

“She trapped Trevor as a reflection in a mirror,” Summer said. “Maybe forever. Worse will happen to you guys. Count on it. You should quit taking candy from her.”

They were all listening attentively. Eric even nodded. Denny suddenly shook his head. “She warned us about the Sweet Tooth junk, if that’s what you’re trying.” The other two boys snapped out of the trance. “You almost had me going for a second.”

“I’m just giving you fair warning,” Summer said. “You’re walking into a very messy situation.”

“Only because you losers made the mess,” Denny said. “Stop trying to warn us. Stop trying to talk to us. I understand you’re jealous that we’re getting all your candy. Tough luck. Stay out of our way, or you really will get hurt.”

“I can’t believe how much Mandy Meyers keeps staring at you,” Summer said, changing the subject abruptly and making her tone much more conversational.

“Yeah?” Denny said, checking over his shoulder. Mandy Meyers was the sixth-grade girl who enjoyed the celebrity status of most desirable female at Mt. Diablo Elementary. Mandy was seated one table over. Summer had noticed that she was sort of facing Denny.

“That kind of window of opportunity closes fast,” Summer said. “If you like Mandy, you should make a move.” Summer deliberately said Mandy’s name loudly, earning a glance from her, which Denny noticed.

“You think?” he asked, sitting up a little straighter.

“Girls like Mandy want a guy who knows how to take control of a situation. She doesn’t want to play games. She wants a guy bold enough to fearlessly share his feelings.”

“Lame as you are, you may be right,” Denny said.

“Go for it,” Kyle encouraged.

“You’re the man,” Eric said.

Denny got up and started walking around the lunch table. Summer could not believe he was falling for it. What a difference between proposing something he wanted to hear versus suggesting an idea he didn’t want to believe! She would have to keep that in mind. She moved close enough to eavesdrop.

“I noticed you looking at me,” Denny said to Mandy.

She stared up at him uncertainly. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t be shy. I think you’re a hottie too. Want to go out with me?”

Mandy looked befuddled. “No, I don’t even know you.”

“That’s the idea, we’ll get to know each other,” Denny said, throwing in a wink.

“I think you need mental help,” Mandy said, turning her back on him. Her friends snickered.

Denny retreated, face reddening. He glared at Summer, awareness registering in his eyes.

“You don’t believe me when I tell the truth,” Summer said. “But you totally gobble up the lie!”

“Don’t worry,” Denny replied. “You’ll get yours.”

*****

The faded blue ice cream truck rolled forward, leaving behind a pair of young teenagers holding chocolate-dipped ice cream bars. Electronic music chimed, sounding like an amplified demo song from a cheap keyboard. Nate, Summer, and Pigeon did their best to look casual as the truck squeaked to a stop in front of them.

“Here are some familiar faces,” Mr. Stott blustered. “How about some candy on the house?”

“Sure,” Nate said.

“All of this candy is extremely difficult to make. Feel free to use it, but please do not waste it. Pigeon, this sack is full of Brain Feed. You will not eat this yourself. Brain Feed grants animals temporary human intelligence and communication skills. Most birds, mammals, and reptiles find it delicious. The effect should last about ten minutes. Brain Feed does not guarantee friendship, but you’ll find that many animals will be cooperative. A big helping lasts no longer than a small one, so portion it sparingly. Pretend to give me money for it.”

Pigeon acted like he was handing Mr. Stott money and accepted the bag.

“Summer, I call this gum Peak Performance. You get six sticks in a pack. While chewing it, you’ll find yourself performing at the absolute limits of your physical capacity for as long as the flavor lasts. Not only will you sprint faster than you ever have, you will be able to continue at top speed without tiring. You’ll find yourself almost perfect at dodging, aiming, balancing, and a wide array of acrobatic feats. A serious athlete would trade anything for a substance like this.”

Summer pretended to pay and accepted the package of gum.

“Nate, these jawbreakers are Ironhides. Four in a bag. While they last, your body will have a durability that surpasses tempered steel. You’ll be no heavier or faster or stronger, but you’ll be very difficult to hurt. As with all enchanted consumables, don’t mix any of these treats with other magical edibles. Use one type at a time.”

“What are we supposed to do?” Nate asked, pretending to pay and accepting the four jawbreakers bundled in yellow plastic netting.

“Ever since William P. Colson founded this town, the Colson family has maintained a weighty presence here. They have amassed a fortune through mining and real estate. Their donations keep the town museum afloat and account for our fine public library. The Colson clan has provided the town with five mayors, including Todd Colson, who currently holds the office. His wife, Victoria, inherited a model clipper ship in a bottle called the USS
Stargazer.
We need that ship. Hanaver Mills hid the map to the treasure inside.”

“Where do they keep the boat?” Summer asked.

“I don’t know,” Mr. Stott said. “Two of Hanaver’s model ships are on display in the town museum, but neither one is the
Stargazer.
Todd and Victoria Colson live in the North Ridge area on 14 Sunset Lane. Handsome house, big gate out front. Their two children are grown, so they live alone, along with whatever staff they retain. Victoria holds no day job; you should be able to find her at home.”

“Do you think it’s in their house?” Pigeon asked.

Mr. Stott’s eyebrows jumped. “Very likely. Of all his models, Hanaver was fondest of the
Stargazer.
The ship probably resides in a place of honor.”

“Should we break in?” Nate asked.

“You should perform reconnaissance first,” Mr. Stott said. “But be quick about it.”

“North Ridge is far,” Pigeon said.

“You’ll figure something out,” Mr. Stott said. “Did Belinda give you a Sweet Tooth or two? Might be an opportune time to use one. We’ve already been talking too long. Bring the ship to me once you have it. I’ll keep investigating the Haags. Call if you need me.”

The Candy Wagon pulled away, music bleeping.

Nate looked at Pigeon. “This sounds like a job for Sweet Teeth and Brain Feed.”

Pigeon folded his arms and shuffled his feet. “Both of my candies are good for reconnaissance.”

“Think you could pose as an overeager student?” Nate asked. “Go bug the mayor?”