supernatural stuff. You knowâvampires, werewolvesâ¦witches. That sort of thing. Was that what you and your friends liked to read?â
âI read some books like that.â Mrs. Quinlan was now scrutinizing Graceâs rapidly reddening face with suspicion.
âThatâs cool,â Grace replied, avoiding her gaze. âWe like that stuff too. And about witches, in particular. And witchcraft. You know, spells and stuff.â
âUh-huh.â
âAnd sometimes we think, wouldnât it be fun to, you know, do spells. And stuff.â
â Do spells?â the woman said.
âYeah. Did you ever think it might be fun to do spells?â
Mrs. Quinlanâs brow furrowed as she sat in silence. Grace, feeling sweat break out at the back of her neck, raised her eyes to look directly at the woman in front of her.
âDid you ever do spells?â she said quietly.
Mrs. Quinlan paused, slowly stroking the sleeping kitten in her arms.
âDid I ever do spells?â
Grace looked helplessly at the woman and nodded slowly.
âWhat class was this for again?â Mrs. Quinlan looked at each of them calmly.
âItâs not for a class,â Grace said. âWe need to ask if youâre aâ¦if youâre aâ¦a witch.â
Mrs. Quinlanâs eyebrows shot up toward her graying hair and her mouth went into a hard line.
âWell, my, my, my,â she whispered. âIâve had some brats come to my door in the past, but none as sneaky as you all.â
She stood up slowly, tipping the kitten onto the floor, and loomed over the girls, her eyes narrowed to slits. Her voice was low and menacing.
âOut you go, now,â she said.
âLetâs get out of here, Grace,â Adie whispered urgently, tugging at her friendâs sweater.
âPlease, Mrs. Quinlan! We need help,â Grace said. âWe donât know who else to turn to.â
âOut. Now.â The womanâs voice was still frighteningly quiet. She began to inch around the table toward them.
â Now , Grace!â Adieâs voice became frantic. âJenny? Rachel? Sheâll curse us. Sheâllâ¦â
She stepped backward, tripping over a large tabby cat, and squealed with fright. The cat made a horrible screeching sound, catapulting Mrs. Quinlan into action.
âOUT!â she screamed, grabbing Grace by the collar and dragging her toward the front door. The others followed close behind, yelling at the woman and trying to loosen her grip on Graceâs collar.
âPlease!â Grace shouted desperately. âOur friendâs possessed! We donât know how to help herâ¦â
âLittle brats!â Mrs. Quinlan shrieked, still holding fast to Graceâs collar. âHorrible little brats!â
âPlease!â Grace begged again as she began to cry. âThe spells are all happening. We did the Ouija boardâouch!âin school! Now somethingâs making all our spells happenâ¦andâ¦â
Mrs. Quinlan stopped suddenly. She pulled Grace toward her and looked directly into her eyes.
âWhat did you say?â
âWe did the Ouija board,â Grace sobbed. âAnd now all our spells are working.â
âWhere?â the woman snapped, showering Grace with spit. âWhere did you do the Ouija board?â
âIn the P block,â Grace said.
Mrs. Quinlan dropped her suddenly and rushed back into the kitchen. The girls could hear her rummaging loudly through cupboards, swearing. Then there was a loud smack on the kitchen table.
âWhere?!â she yelled again.
âLetâs get out of here,â Adie said, pulling the others to the front door. âWhile we still can! Sheâs crazy !â
âGet in here and show me exactly where!â the woman shouted from the kitchen.
âNo,â Grace said to Adie, taking her hand and nodding to the others. âCome on, letâs go
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