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Authors: Brandon Mull
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zillionaire.”
“She probably wants to keep it a secret,” Trevor said. “Remember how she told us to try the candy when nobody was around?”
“We’ve finally uncovered a true mystery,” Summer said. “There’s really only one way to find out more about Mrs. White.”
*****
The bell jingled when Nate opened the door. A tall, plain woman was paying for a caramel apple at the register. A pair of teenagers slouched at a table eating ice-cream cones. A male dwarf with spiky blond hair shaved flat on top was balanced on a stool placing candy boxes on a high shelf. Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon entered the store after Nate. Pigeon waited to hold the door as the tall woman exited.
“How can I help you?” the middle-aged dwarf asked, hopping down from the stool and mostly vanishing behind the counter.
“These are friends,” Mrs. White said, raising the hinged countertop. “Mind the shop for a moment, Arnie?”
“You got it,” the dwarf said.
Nate and the others passed behind the counter and into the cluttered back room. “You hired a helper,” Nate said.
“I did,” Mrs. White replied. “And there will be more to come. I take it you tried the Moon Rocks.”
“They were incredible,” Summer raved.
“We seemed to jump a lot higher than we would on the moon,” Pigeon remarked.
“Very observant,” Mrs. White approved. “The Moon Rocks reduce the effect of gravity between ten and twelve times, thus imitating an environment of considerably less than lunar gravity. Did you have fun?”
“It was awesome,” Nate said. “It felt amazing jumping so high. We grabbed onto tree branches, and hopped over the creek, and we practiced pushing off stuff to leap sideways.”
“I’m so glad it was enjoyable,” Mrs. White said, her smile creating deep dimples in her cheeks.
“I fell in the creek,” Pigeon confessed.
“We were wondering if you might let us try some more,” Trevor said.
“Or some other magic candy,” Summer added.
“What use would a sample be if there were no more candy to be had?” Mrs. White said.
“Do you have lots of different kinds?” Pigeon asked.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Mrs. White said. She lowered her voice, and her demeanor grew more serious. “I have more magic candy, but we must reach an agreement before I can share it with you. As you might imagine, magic candy is most difficult to produce, and my supplies are limited.”
“I knew it,” Nate huffed. “It’s going to cost a fortune.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Mrs. White chided. “I know I’m dealing with children. I don’t expect you to pay for the candy in cash. Its monetary value far exceeds what even your parents could afford. I am willing to give you the opportunity to earn more candy by performing small services for me. And I expect you to keep the effects of the candy secret. Should you try to tell others what my candy can do, not only will I deny your story, I will never share magic candy with any of you again.” Her voice and expression softened. “I don’t mean to be stern, I just want to impress upon you how earnest I am about this. Can you keep my secret?”
The kids all nodded. “What do we have to do for more candy?” Nate asked.
“Your first task is easy,” Mrs. White said. “Since I’m starting up a new business, I recently whipped up a batch of one of my specialties—white fudge. I want you to distribute free samples to your family and friends. In return, I’ll give you a bag of Moon Rocks.”
“Can we try the fudge too?” Pigeon asked.
“There is a catch to eating the white fudge,” Mrs. White cautioned. “It tastes absolutely scrumptious. Once you taste one piece, your mouth will water for more. Which is why I give them away to drum up business. But the fudge has some side effects. It dulls the effectiveness of my magic candy. It also makes it
“She probably wants to keep it a secret,” Trevor said. “Remember how she told us to try the candy when nobody was around?”
“We’ve finally uncovered a true mystery,” Summer said. “There’s really only one way to find out more about Mrs. White.”
*****
The bell jingled when Nate opened the door. A tall, plain woman was paying for a caramel apple at the register. A pair of teenagers slouched at a table eating ice-cream cones. A male dwarf with spiky blond hair shaved flat on top was balanced on a stool placing candy boxes on a high shelf. Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon entered the store after Nate. Pigeon waited to hold the door as the tall woman exited.
“How can I help you?” the middle-aged dwarf asked, hopping down from the stool and mostly vanishing behind the counter.
“These are friends,” Mrs. White said, raising the hinged countertop. “Mind the shop for a moment, Arnie?”
“You got it,” the dwarf said.
Nate and the others passed behind the counter and into the cluttered back room. “You hired a helper,” Nate said.
“I did,” Mrs. White replied. “And there will be more to come. I take it you tried the Moon Rocks.”
“They were incredible,” Summer raved.
“We seemed to jump a lot higher than we would on the moon,” Pigeon remarked.
“Very observant,” Mrs. White approved. “The Moon Rocks reduce the effect of gravity between ten and twelve times, thus imitating an environment of considerably less than lunar gravity. Did you have fun?”
“It was awesome,” Nate said. “It felt amazing jumping so high. We grabbed onto tree branches, and hopped over the creek, and we practiced pushing off stuff to leap sideways.”
“I’m so glad it was enjoyable,” Mrs. White said, her smile creating deep dimples in her cheeks.
“I fell in the creek,” Pigeon confessed.
“We were wondering if you might let us try some more,” Trevor said.
“Or some other magic candy,” Summer added.
“What use would a sample be if there were no more candy to be had?” Mrs. White said.
“Do you have lots of different kinds?” Pigeon asked.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Mrs. White said. She lowered her voice, and her demeanor grew more serious. “I have more magic candy, but we must reach an agreement before I can share it with you. As you might imagine, magic candy is most difficult to produce, and my supplies are limited.”
“I knew it,” Nate huffed. “It’s going to cost a fortune.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Mrs. White chided. “I know I’m dealing with children. I don’t expect you to pay for the candy in cash. Its monetary value far exceeds what even your parents could afford. I am willing to give you the opportunity to earn more candy by performing small services for me. And I expect you to keep the effects of the candy secret. Should you try to tell others what my candy can do, not only will I deny your story, I will never share magic candy with any of you again.” Her voice and expression softened. “I don’t mean to be stern, I just want to impress upon you how earnest I am about this. Can you keep my secret?”
The kids all nodded. “What do we have to do for more candy?” Nate asked.
“Your first task is easy,” Mrs. White said. “Since I’m starting up a new business, I recently whipped up a batch of one of my specialties—white fudge. I want you to distribute free samples to your family and friends. In return, I’ll give you a bag of Moon Rocks.”
“Can we try the fudge too?” Pigeon asked.
“There is a catch to eating the white fudge,” Mrs. White cautioned. “It tastes absolutely scrumptious. Once you taste one piece, your mouth will water for more. Which is why I give them away to drum up business. But the fudge has some side effects. It dulls the effectiveness of my magic candy. It also makes it
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