Читать книгу Ann Alma Children's Library 2-Book Bundle - Ann Alma - Страница 10

The eagle screeched overhead and dipped temporarily before climbing higher into the trees.

“There it is.” Lee put aside the tube of sun block and, barefooted, walked slowly in the direction of the cedar tree. The bird perched on a high branch, his head swiveling this way and that.

Alex squinted behind wire-rimmed glasses. “I see it. It’s gonky.”

Lee nodded. Alex always had a favorite word. His latest was “gonky.” Lee didn’t know what it meant, or if it was even a real word.

The eagle spread its powerful wings, soared up from the branch over the trees and disappeared out of sight.

Two recreational vehicles were parked side by side at the edge of the tall trees just above a stretch of beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Lee and her mother slept in an old Volkswagen van. Alex, Uncle

Brooke and Pat stayed in their big, new motorhome. They were the only ones on that stretch of beach. Not many people knew about the narrow dirt road leading to this spot.

Climbing rocks, hiking, swimming in the cove and canoeing kept everyone happy for days. A long smooth rock formed a slide that shot them into the water when the tide was in. This morning the tide wasn’t far enough in yet, but Alex had already put the tubes by the rocks in anticipation.

Lee sat down on a big boulder. From here she could see the beginning of the trail that led to the old homestead on the forested hillside. The homestead, set in a clearing, had two old, tumble-down shacks made of logs and rough planks. The walls had partly collapsed. Branches and creepers grew through holes, open doorways and an empty window frame. Lee and Alex had taken the fifteen minute hike there many times. They had told each other ghost stories, climbed the old apple trees and had used the unripe fruit for target practice.

Lee wanted to go up there now, to check it out, perhaps find a hiding place, but usually an adult came along.

Uncle Brooke sat on the edge of his lawn chair. He wore white shorts and a bright orange short-sleeved shirt. On his dark, curly hair sat his favorite cap, the lavender one with the rainbow flag. His arm rested on Mom’s shoulder. He, Pat and Mom were talking in low voices. Lee kicked some pebbles, jumped up and moved farther away from the fire.

Walking over to Alex, Lee threw a pebble against a big rock.

“Let’s split,” she mumbled. “Go to the homestead.”

“Sure, you ask. Your mom might let us.” Alex grinned, but looked embarrassed. Uncle Brooke always wanted to be sure things were totally safe before he let them do anything.

When Lee announced that she and Alex were going for a walk, Uncle Brooke asked predictably, “Where are you going?”

Alex sighed.

At least his dad cares, Lee thought. “Up the hill. We won’t be long,” she said encouragingly.

“I don’t know if….” Uncle Brooke started, taking his cap off and rubbing his forehead.

“They’re both eleven now. They’ll be fine,” Lee’s mother interrupted.

“Well…don’t stay too long,” Uncle Brooke said. “Put on some sun block and bug spray.”

“I already did,” Alex yelled. He ran along the beach to the trail head, his blond curls bouncing with each step.

“Lee, wear your shoes,” Mom said.

“Wait,” Lee called after Alex. She slipped her socks and shoes on, rubbed bug repellent on her face, legs and arms and hurried after Alex. He was way ahead and not slowing down at all.

Lee ran up the first part of the old trail. It was steep, overgrown with branches and roots, and had many wide switchbacks. Alex had disappeared around a bend.

Lee stopped, and with her hands cupped around her mouth she yelled, “Wait for me.” No answer. She ran on, out of breath. Jumping over a big root, Lee’s left foot caught and she pitched forward, her hands spread in front of her. “Ah-h-h-h,” she cried as her head hit a rock. Soon all she saw before her eyes were blue and black swirls, the tree tops and dark skies….

Slowly light broke through the blackness and she began to see cloudy swirls, brighter swirls, sapphire blue curls and circles. Sound returned. Then light. Feelings came back. There was a tingling behind her eyes. A headache. It felt as if her temples were being squeezed between two giant logs.

She opened her eyes a little, but the sun shone so brightly, she briefly closed them again. Moving her hand to her forehead, she felt a lump forming above her eyebrow.

She slowly opened her eyes again. The bright swirls got bigger. The forest light blended the greens together into trees, swaying against the blue sky. Lee sat up. Alex wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He must still be running up the hill. Fine. Let him go on alone, she thought. She didn’t even want to call out to him.

After a while the pain became less intense. She felt the lump again, but didn’t think it was bleeding. No blood showed on her fingertips or in her brown hair, draped in front of her eyes.

When Alex didn’t come back, Lee slowly stood up and started down the hill. By the time she reached the beach, her head had cleared. But what was this?

The camp was at the edge of the trees. In front of it was a dim fire. Or…was it a fire? Lee saw smoke. She rubbed her eyes. Instead of two campers she saw only one, but it was a trailer, a strange contraption, unlike any trailer Lee had ever seen.