Read Online Saving Sky by Diane Stanley - Free Book Online Page A

weren’t thick enough; they’d go right through. So he glued one-inch wood blocks to the inner sides of the panels and nailed everything to them. It worked perfectly. And with the molding reattached to the wall and the ceiling—though not actually nailed to the smaller panel—the result was completely convincing. No one would ever believe, walking into that room, that it held a secret compartment.
    â€œI want to try it!” Mouse said when they were finished.
    â€œIt’s way past your bedtime,” Ana said.
    Luke flashed a glance at her, then his eyes slid over in Kareem’s direction. If Mouse went first, it might take some of the fear out of it. Make it fun. Make it a game.
    â€œPlease, please, please!” Mouse begged.
    â€œOh, all right. But be quick.”
    Mouse pushed on the edge of the panel with both hands. It swung in only so far before it hit the other side of the wall.
    â€œHey, gently !” Luke said.
    But she was already inside, the panel closing after her.
    â€œWhere’s Mouse?” Sky said. “Omigosh, she’s completely disappeared!”
    â€œI’m in here!”
    â€œI can’t see her anywhere. She’s gone!”
    â€œI’m in here !”
    â€œOh, wow, I was really worried.”
    â€œDaddy?”
    â€œWhat, sweetie.”
    â€œIt’s really dark.”
    â€œNo kidding. Hold on a minute, Mouse. Listen, everybody; I want you to be very quiet for a minute. Mouse, move around a little. No, not that much. Just like your legs are tired and you’re getting restless. Shhhhh.”
    They all stood in silence, listening to the soft rustle inside the wall.
    â€œCan you hear me?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat did it sound like?”
    â€œLike a mouse in the house.” Luke pushed the door open. “Okay, come on out. Kareem needs to try it.”
    â€œThat’s all right,” he said, taking a step back.
    Mouse came scampering out, announcing that it was fun.
    â€œI’m sorry, Kareem,” Ana said “I know this is creepy, especially at night; but I think it’s better if you experience it now, when you know you’re safe and surrounded by friends. If, God forbid, you really do have to hide in there, it shouldn’t be for the first time. You’ll know what to expect. Okay?”
    â€œAll right.” His voice was expressionless. He went over to the panel, pushed it open, and stepped in as Mouse had done.
    â€œWait,” Ana said. “Come back out.”
    He did.
    â€œGo in the other way. You want to be facing the feed room. I doubt there’s enough space in there for you to turn around.”
    â€œWhy does it matter?” Sky asked.
    â€œIt’ll be easier for him to slide the bolt in. And it’s better psychologically. Whoever is searching—you don’t want them behind you, you know?”
    â€œIt didn’t bother me !”
    â€œWell, you’re extra brave, Mousie.”
    Kareem turned around and slipped in again.
    â€œTry locking it,” Luke said.
    They heard a scraping sound.
    â€œOkay. It’s locked.”
    â€œNow, Kareem,” Ana said, “try moving deeper into the space, till you come to a beam. That’ll give you something to lean against if you get tired. It’s probably not a good idea to lean on the panels.”
    â€œOkay,” he said again.
    â€œYou need to be very still in there. The space isn’t all that soundproof, as you just heard. So close your eyes and try to relax. Do you have a mantra?”
    â€œI don’t know what that is.”
    â€œMeditation?”
    Silence.
    â€œNever mind. Just concentrate on something—list the states in alphabetical order, or count backward from a hundred. Try to make the world go away. Take long, slow breaths. When you breathe out, let your body completely relax—”
    â€œI need to get out of here, Mrs. Brightman,” he said. “Now,