Read Online Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky - Free Book Online Page B

the best position to get a glimpse of the tree but without wandering too far from the kitchen window. Hoping to find something, anything, she and Giles might have missed, she spent a full hour of her test time searching for a neglected clue. But, unfortunately, however long she looked, nothing came to her. All the books she read, all the adventuring and exploring she conducted, it all proved useless. She and Giles had searched nearly every inch of the tree and now it stood there silently, unwavering in the breeze, revealing nothing. There was just that same raven perched on that same branch.
    Juniper focused on the bird’s jet black frame. “You never go very far, do you?” she whispered. “What is it about that tree keeps you coming back?”
    Sometimes talking things out, even if only to oneself, can lead to astounding conclusions, as it did here for Juniper. Regarding the tree, she noticed, the raven was the only variable. She remembered it flying off when Dmitri approached, she recalled it seemingly greeting her parents the night before, and she was sure every creature in those woods avoided that tree, all but the raven. Suddenly she got the feeling that it had something to do with finding the entrance. It had to. What else was there? And, in a whisper, she said, “Show me.”
    Beyond the yard, on that certain branch, the raven’s head bobbed and turned, looking in several directions. At one point it seemed to glare directly at Juniper. Did it see me? she wondered. How?
    Shrieking, it fluttered its wings, arched its body, and pecked at the trunk. After a brief moment, it took flight, circled, and vanished behind the tree.
    â€œIt’s the raven,” Juniper said in disbelief. “That’s the key.” And with that, a chill crawled up her spine.
    Later that afternoon, with Mrs. Maybelline having just left minutes earlier, there was a knock at the back door, a very soft rattling of the screen. School would have let out about an hour ago , Juniper thought, checking the clock . It must be Giles , and she came charging down the stairs to greet him and inform him of her discovery. However, someone else reached the door before her.
    â€œWho are you? What is this?” Without waiting for a response, Mrs. Berry grabbed Giles by the arm and yanked him back into the yard, where she began to scream for all her employees to hear. “Who let this boy on my property? Does anybody care about my safety anymore? What do I pay you for!”
    Dmitri, halting his work as the other workers scattered, approached with his arms extended, palms up in a calming manner. “No, Mrs. Berry, you have it all wrong. He’s—”
    â€œI have it wrong? I have it wrong? How dare you! I’ll put you back on the street in no time!” She shook Giles by the arm, her nails puncturing the skin. “Do you have any idea how many people would love to gain notoriety through me and my family? Snapping photos, spreading lies! We are targets!”
    Knees weakening in pain, Giles cried out and pleaded for release. “Mrs. Berry, please . . .” but Juniper’s mother paid him no mind.
    â€œMom, wait!” Juniper called, running from the house. Her binoculars, hanging around her neck as usual, beat against her chest with each stride. She saw the tears welling up in her friend’s eyes. “You’re hurting him!”
    â€œGet back, Juniper. It’s not safe.” The good cheer of the early morning was long gone, a bright mirage against the darkening day.
    â€œMom, that’s Giles. He’s my friend.”
    â€œA friend? You of all people should know better.” Her head darted viciously from side to side. “He’s jealous of us.”
    â€œNo, Giles isn’t like that. I swear.”
    Mrs. Berry glared at him, licking her lips and snapping her pristine teeth. “Perhaps not yet. Give him time.” She patted Giles down for a camera and,