Read Online Beckoners by Carrie Mac - Free Book Online Page A

her as Simon pulled her down the trail.
    â€œI’ve been instructed to keep watch for the Beckoners,” Teo said.
    Zoe let Simon drag her all the way down to the bottom of the ravine. It wasn’t likely that the Beckoners would surface any time soon. They’d gone in Janika’s sister’s car to hotbox at Mill Lake. As far as Zoe knew, they weren’t going to be back all afternoon. Zoe had managed to get out of that little escapade. There was no way she could miss her lab quiz that afternoon. She was sure that at some point, probably pretty soon, Beck would stop buying the excuses Zoe made up to get out of going with them.
    Simon led Zoe to the little clearing where he and Teo hung out when they skipped class.
    â€œSit.” He pointed to one of the lawn chairs drawn up to an old cable spool table. Zoe sat. Simon paced.
    â€œAm I in for a ‘Simon Says’ moment?” From her sitting postition, Zoe thought Simon looked even taller than he really was. Zoe grinned. “Bring it on. I can take it.”
    Simon stopped. “This isn’t funny.”
    Zoe removed her grin. “Sorry.”
    â€œThis is not some joke, Zoe.” Simon sat in the other chair. “I’ve been thinking really hard about whether or not to tell you this.”
    Zoe’s heart started pounding in anticipation. “Tell me what?”
    â€œYou know my verbal seizures, as Teo puts them, what I call essential thoughts and information on important subjects?”
    Zoe nodded.
    â€œI had to think about whether or not what I’m about to tell you falls in that category. I always kept it a secret. When I promise to keep a secret, I keep it.”
    â€œThen don’t tell me.” Zoe was pretty sure she didn’t want to know, judging by Simon’s conflicted expression.
    â€œI’ve decided I’m going to.”
    â€œMaybe you shouldn’t?”
    â€œI am.” Simon placed his hands on his knees. “I am going to tell you.”
    â€œWhose secret is it?”
    â€œBeck’s!” Simon rolled his eyes. “Of course it’s about Beck. Isn’t everything about Beck?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell, this is.” He put a hand to his stomach. “Feels weird breaking a promise.”
    â€œThen don’t tell me!”
    â€œIt’s not about not telling you anymore.” Simon placed his other hand on his stomach too. “It’s about me feeling guilty that I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t know they were going to initiate you. If I had known, I would’ve told you. I know I would’ve.”
    â€œNow you have to tell me because you’re scaring me.”
    Simon took a deep breath.
    â€œWe were eleven. Beginning of grade six. Beck was making scrambled eggs in one of those iron skillets. You know those really heavy ones?”
    Zoe nodded.
    â€œShe was making her dad breakfast. She always made his breakfast. He worked nights and was just coming home. So I guess it wouldn’t really be his breakfast, because he went to bedright after. I remember going over there to play and we had to talk in whispers because her dad was sleeping. He was always really grumpy—” Simon stopped talking as Zoe cocked her head at him, a gesture to stick to the topic.
    â€œAnyway, the phone rang and she answered it and it was Heather and they started talking and the eggs started burning. Mr. Wilson came in just as the smoke alarm went off. He went off too. He grabbed her and he grabbed the fork she’d left in the hot pan and he burnt her with it.” Simon pointed on his own arm, the same spot Zoe had her scar. “Branded her.”
    Zoe swallowed. “How do you know that’s what happened?”
    â€œWe used to walk to school together. I came to the door just after. The smoke alarm was still screaming. So was Beck. I ran home and told my mom. She phoned the police. I remember she let me stay home from