Eighth Grade Bites

History

It didn't take long to find the hidden door to the attic. Vlad grabbed the flashlight from his dresser and slid in first, with Henry following close behind him. Narrow stairs hugged the wall and curved upward.

Henry wrinkled his nose. "Dude, what smells like cat pee?"

"You mean besides your breath?"

"Don't make me get the holy water, Vlad."

Boxes lined the walls in various towering stacks. Vlad logged one of the boxes off a stack and placed it on the floor at Henrys feet. Henry asks "what exactly are you looking for."

"Photo albums and birth certificates. And if were lucky. A family tree." He tore the packing tape away from the seam and flipped open the flaps. The top was filled with nothing of interest. But towards the bottom Vlad found several shoe boxes overflowing with family photos. He set them to the side and reached for another box.

By the tenth box, they'd discovered several photo albums; two small velvet boxes containing his parents wedding bands; and a leather-bound book with a strange symbol on the front, held securely in place by thick leather straps and two brass locks. Exhausted from the search. Vlad brushed a thin coat of dust from his knees. "I guess these will have to do."

With a nod. Henry wiped a cobweb from his ear, picked up a stack of photo albums, and disappeared into the passage way.

Vlad was two steps behind his when he spotted a cylinder poking out of a small box atop one of the stacks. He picked it up and turned it over in his hand. It was small, no more then six inches long, smooth and completely black. Except for the strange gold symbol engraved at one end; three slanted lines slashed across the bottom. He slid the cylinder into his pocket before turning off the lights and heading downstairs.

Henry was waiting for him in the bedroom, but couldnt show off what he found. Aunt Nelly called up to them. "Im home. Who wants hamburgers?" They bolted down the stairs their stomachs growling.

Once the table was set and the fries had come out of the oven. She placed a bottle of ketchup on the table. When Henry reached for it, she stopped him and handed him another bottle. "Use this one, dear. That ones for Vlad."

Vlad proceeded to spuirt a healthy glob of blood onto his plate. Dipped a fry in it and bit off the end.

It was dark outside, but after their meal, the boys settled onto the porch with a drink and watched the stars.

They enjoyed theirs drinks and the lingering sounds of approaching night for several minutes before Vlad spoke. "I wonder who will sub for Mr Craig. We can't possibly get stuck with the principal for much longer." He certainly didn't want it to be Mrs Bell, with her blue hair, crooked teeth, and equally crooked painted on eyebrows. "Mrs Bell took over for two weeks when Mr Craigs brother died last year."

"Can't be her. She's teaching full-time at the high school now."

Vlad took the last sip from his drink and sent the container on the steps.

Remembering the cylindrical object he'd found upstairs , he slipped it from his pocket and held it our for Henrys eyes. "Check this out. Found it in the attic."

Henry slid the object out of Vlads palm. Vlad felt the urge to close his hand and pull the cylinder away. Henry turned it over in his hads . "what is it?"

Vlad reached out and plucked it from Henrys hands. "No clue." He slid it back in his pocket and felt an instant comfort surround him.

With a stretch, Vlad moved up the steps and into the house. The promise of sleep heavy on his weary eyelids.