Mirror, Mirror (Book 2)

Chapter 42: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

After eradicating the white flames from his hand, Oliver and Amelia rushed to free Ms. Fern of her restraints, pulled her away from the satanic circle and checked if she was okay.

A wide gash smeared across her wrinkled forehead, Ms. Fern's red hair was coated in asphalt, and her brown eyes tiredly focused on Oliver's face.

And as for her clothes, her pink blouse was ripped, her khaki pants have dirt and blood seeped into the fabric, and the only thing Ms. Fern is missing is her left sneaker.

But regardless, she was okay.

Reaching into his backpack, Oliver gave her his water bottle.

"Here," he insisted. "you need it more than I do." 

Fixated on the beverage, Ms. Fern yanked the bottle from his hands, unscrew the cap, and drank until there wasn't any drop of water left.

"Thank you," she said, swallowing her last tablespoon of water. "Thank you so much."

Oliver smiled. "it was Amelia's bravery that inspired me."

Flattered, Amelia ruffled his dark brown hair. 

"How did you know where to find me?" Ms. Fern asked.

"Mama Marie helped us," Oliver explained. "She's the cook who prepared us meals at the Banquet Hall."

Ms. Fern's eyes grew big. "Really? How did she find me?"

Oliver scratched his head nervously. "It's complicated."

The teacher was about to ask more questions when she thought of the students resting in their cabins.

"Oh my goodness, the children!" Ms. Fern scrambled up to her feet.

Her tired eyes became wide as a ventriloquist's face; she started to hyperventilate, craning her neck to find the cave's exit, but it was too dark.

The only light they had was a shimmery puddle whose bright blue ripples reflected the cave walls, almost like a mirror.

"Don't worry, Ms. Fern," Amelia says calmly. "We told Mama Marie and Jake to take them home. Right now, it's just me, Olly, Mr. Hamwood, and my lousy ex-boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend?" Ms. Fern raised her eyebrow. "You mean. .Jonah Cross?"

"Yeah," Amelia sighed loudly. "We used to date until I got tired of his lies." 

Ms. Fern places her hand on Amelia's shoulder, but later jerks it away when she realizes Amelia was cold.

"My goodness!" she cried. "You're freezing!"

Amelia nodded silently.

"Don't you want a warm jacket?"

"No, I'm used to cold weather," Amelia replied.

Putting his hands on Ms. Fern's ghastly cheeks, Oliver said softly, "I know this is very confusing for you, but we would like to know where Mr. Hamwood is."

"The bus driver?" Ms. Fern asked. "Why do you want to look for him?"

"Because Carl is a total psychopath," Amelia responded coldly. "He painted a satanic circle in the boy's bathroom, abducted you, and he might have killed those girls in '87."

Oliver shoots her one of his scowling looks.

"Mr. Hamwood murdered four girls?" Ms. Fern's voice rose in an octave. "How? Do you have proof?"

Blushing, Oliver responded, "we're not so sure—we are trying to connect the crimes to Mr. Hamwood."

"Really? Well, I had no idea he could be so. .violent."