Page 23 (2/2)

"All right Aedan, what are we going to do?"

"We’ll think on it for the next few days"

"Baltis has irl’s chip to Hilbah "Did you realize how close his Destroyers ht in that area Yes, I felt the Destroyers as soon as they attacked, but my vision came much too late" Hilbah wanted to cower before Friesianna, but forced hiht

"Call Diamond and his brothers You will accompany Diamond and another ofchildren to me"

"As you wish it,away frolare

"Dude, ere you thinking?" Sali stared at Ashe during lunch the following Monday "You get even more punishment?"

"Mom and Dad won’t even say what it is They’ll tellis over" Ashe pushed meatloaf around his lunch tray

"This is the worst," Sali mumbled hopelessly "You knohat Friday is, too--last day of school Awards Asseet a cell phone" The winner of the essay contest was always announced at the end of the asseht was guarded by olves who had no children attending school At least until the Awards Asseladly accepted it and dug in

Throughout the last week of school, a, ruht win the essay contest Many students argued that Rowdy Hankins would win Ashe knew Cori had started that rus’ office Ashe sluh his exams Elizabeth Frasier’s death and Jane Scott’s kidnapping weighed on his shoulders more than additional punishment He’d asked about Jane Scott’s condition, but his parents refused to tell hi No information could be found on the Internet, either, so he hoped she was still alive Ren had also failed to appear during the week, one for good Despite Ren’s attitude toward e Larentii youth

"It’s over" Sali heaved a grateful sigh as they handed in History papers and textbooks on Friday, May twenty-second

"Until next fall," Ashe pointed out

"You had to point that out, didn’t you? What do they say about the bearer of bad news?" Sali poked at Ashe

"Are you referring to killing theahen Ashe atteht it up"

"Sure--ridicule thepunishment, don’t you think?"

"Depends on the level of ridicule Insulting your shoes isn’t as bad as trashing your er at Sali

"See?" Sali said "Definite levels of ridicule You don’t care if I say your shoes suck The bat would fly into my oatmeal and do a little bat dance if I insulted your mom"

"Or worse I could put little bat prints on your underwear and pole"

"You’re not out the door, yet," Principal Billings’ voice growled behind theaped at Sali while Sali turned a shocked stare toward Ashe Both boys walked toward Cloud Chief Combined’s double-doored entrance as quickly as possible

Ashe spared a glance for Sali as he, Aedan and Adele found seats across the temporary aisle in the school cafeteria Tables had been cleared away and folding chairs had been lined up in neat rows to accoh class awards went to ninth graders, while the advanced awards were handed to senior students And then it was time to announce the winners of the essay contest An expectant hush fell as Principal Billings strode stiffly and purposely to the podiuainst the oak surface of the podius scanned the crowd If Ashe hadn’t known better, he’d have said the sturdily built as furious<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>