Call Spirits in Your Past **Book Two**

Chapter 43 (Saturday)

Beneath a bushy tree, its long leaves hanging in draping curtains, Dryda squatted in the dirt. And sometimes sat cross-legged, remaining utterly quiet.

She held back a sigh, leaning against a rough branch. She nearly regretted volunteering to be the scout. But it was either her or Kwayo, since no one else could communicate quickly, and Kwayo was the better fighter--assuming he had time to turn into a bear.

Once, in weapons class, she'd beaten him in a dual-saber duel. Dryda could also probably beat him in an archery contest...she frowned. They'd never done an archery contest. Or any other contest, really. She and Kwayo had hardly ever been sparring partners. Not in weapons, gym class, or martial arts. Would that be different now?

Dryda peered through the fronds at the building, an imposing thing of dark brown bricks, a single door, and tiny windows dotting lines across each of the three stories. Treble said this was where the man "worked," although what "work" meant for a guy who dressed in a camouflage suit and punched windows with his fist was anyone's guess. Did capturing kids from their dorms count as his work? She shivered, imagining...well, it wasn't hard to imagine. Cassy had done the same thing to her. Or maybe Coach Blanco. She hadn't been awake when it happened. She'd only been awake in the empty, dark room of the basement. She shuddered.

Dryda?

She jumped. Verspri! You scared me.

Sorry, he sent. You were sending...sadness I think?

She analyzed herself and decided she'd name the feeling melancholy instead. And slight terror. I'm okay, she sent. I'm just hiding in a bush waiting for Kwayo.

I'm going to not ask what's going on with that... Verspri trailed off. Kwayo? Hello?

Kwayo didn't reply. Dryda's heart gave out for a breath.

Uh, Dryda? Verspri asked.

Maybe he's really busy. Or not paying attention.

Or maybe, Verspri sent slowly, he's dying.

Dryda winced. But I'm trying not to be irrational! What if he's fine, and I run inside, and then somebody comes in a few minutes later?

Okay, maybe do explain what's going on. Why are you hiding in a bush?

Because the building is supposed to be empty on Saturdays, so everyone else is inside, and I'm supposed to warn them if anyone we don't know goes inside.

Ah. Okay.

Dryda waited. ...is that it? "Okay?"

Yes. Maybe. Do you think Ana and Teremki are alright?

Dryda shifted positions, resting on her woody knees in the dry dirt. I really hope so. All they'd gotten was a panicked Teremki falling from the sky and then Ana...closed herself off. Or went inside the ghost town's barrier.

But we saw the barriers falling, Verspri reminded her. So unless they went back up...

Dryda shook her head. Something was happening at the ghost town, and none of them knew what. Should I go in and help Kwayo?

At this point, is there any reason for you to be where you are? Even if somebody walks in, Kwayo apparently isn't going to hear you.

But what if he would? Dryda fidgeted, glancing between the door and the length of sidewalk extending slightly downhill until it curved behind a stand of trees. Kwayo? She asked. I'm going to go inside. Since you're not saying anything.