Up to No Goode

Chapter Eight

The next day as we were leaving COW and heading to C&A something about Cammie seemed... off. She was constantly looking over her shoulder, she didn't make any snappy comebacks or remarks. She didn't even glare at me out of the corner of her eye.

"What's the matter Gallagher girl?" I asked " you seem... jumpy."

She looked around her once more, as if she expected attackers to jump in from the stained glass windows. She merely looked at me and shrugged without saying a word.

We walked down the foyer in silence and plopped ourselves down on the intricately carved chairs of the C&A classroom. There was something strange going on. For starters, noone was talking. Not even Tina Walters! Then, madame Dabney came floating in the room.

Her voice had taken on a dreamy quality. "oooh ladies" she said "... and gentlemen. In all my years of teaching I have never had the opportunity to organize such an exciting co-educational experience!"

Every persons eyes went to madame Dabney as she went on " This Friday evening, all students in grades eight through twelve will be invited to a formal examination." She looked at all of us, waiting for us to understand. "A ball, ladies and gentlemen, there's going to be a ball!"

Everyone in the room was shocked. I heard Tina Walters gasp. Liz's eyes went wide and she clutched the desk. Jonas turned a deep shade of scarlet.

I turned towards Cammie, but she was looking out the window deep in thought. She must have been either a really good operative or just have a really good poker face because she didn't seem surprised by the news at all.

"Tommorow" Said Madame Dabney "you will each be fitted for a gown. And tuxedos" she added looking at the boys. "On Friday night you will be asked to participate in a cumulative examination- a night that will encompass everything we teach. And you will be expected to dance."

Every girl in the room looked excited. Jonas looked nervous. Grant couldn't have been more in his element. Me? I just stayed in my seat. Watching. Listening.

I took one more glance at Cammie and hoped she'd save me a dance.

"OUCH" Yelled Grant for the 17th time.

"mhmm dear." Said Madame Dabney. We were being fitted for our tuxes, and tiny as they are, sewing needles could be deadly in the wrong hands. I didn't doubt Madame Dabney could do some serious damage with those things.

"Okay you're done, Zachary please step up to the podium." Said Madame Dabney. I stepped up onto the podium and looked at myself in the mirror. For a second, I could forget that I was my mother's son. But then I looked into the reflection of my eyes and for a second I see my mother. I can almost hear her cold, menacing laugh, see the hate in her eyes.

I remember her singing.

Above the plains up on the hill there stood a castle bold

A gleaming palace made of white, a pillar to behold

The horsemen lived in service to the castle and the crown

But the knights rose up and killed the kings

And it all burned down."

And suddenly, I'm angry. I think back to that night in Rome, the agent I saw.

We were walking past the American embassy in Italy. My G.I Joe doll was in my hands as I walked, one foot in front of the other singing the song my mom always sang to me at bedtime. I was twelve, too old to be playing with toys, but holding it always gave me comfort. My mom hugged me close and asked me "what do you see?"

I thought of Joe's games, and thought maybe he might have been there too. I looked around and saw a dark figure ducking into an alleyway. I pointed to him. "There's a guy there" I said.

My mom looked back at the two guys who had been following us. She nodded towards the alleyway and the two men ran towards it. I knew it was a dead end.

My mom and I waited for them to come out, and when they did they dragged a dark mass behind them. I started to scream but my mom clamped a hand over my mouth. "Zach, don't make this harder than it needs to be."

I looked at the figure one more time.

It wasn't Joe.

I snapped out of the trance I was in, and looked around. No one had noticed.

"Thank you, Zach dear, that will be all." Said Madame Dabney. I picked up my coat and ran out the door.

Why did that memory choose to surface itself tonight?

I had no idea who that agent was, or what was bothering me so much about him, but I knew it was bad.

Joe was right... there were just somethings you didn't want to remember.