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Authors: A C Gogolski
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some of the cuttings were already taking root again where he set them. “Both of you, go back inside. I have to get to my shop, and your mother is going to the castle by herself today. I want you to act like sisters while we’re gone.”
Lexi wore a mean grin as soon as they were alone.
Nell was carrying a steaming pot of water to wash clothes when her sister’s anger flared. She came upon Nell suddenly, yanking at her hair, “D’you make a deal with the trolls? Hmm?” She ripped downward again. Nell winced as hot water spilling from under the lid scalded her hands. Despite the rough shaking, she managed to keep her grip on the heavy pot. “No one will buy from father if they think we’re cursed!” Lexi shouted.
“It’s not my fault!” Nell shot back. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her arms were shaking from the strain of the pot.
Rawley sprang forward, giving a warning nip at the older girl’s skirt. Faced with a growling dog, Lexi pushed Nell away and kicked at him. “I’ll get you too, you stupid mutt!”
At that moment the weight of the pot became too much for Nell. With her last bit of strength she heaved it away from her, directly at the fire. It hit the hearth with a dull thud and then a POUUF!, as water splattered over the flames. In an instant, smoke assailed the kitchen, while ashy rivulets ran amuck over the floor.
“Arrgh!” Lexi shrieked. “You’re in trouble now!” But the sight of charcoal rivers flowing across the floor – and the best pot of the house charring in the fire – was enough to divert her rage. She barreled past Nell and dove for the mop. “Get a broom!” she cried. Nell choked back her sobs and ran to obey. The rest of the day they spent cleaning in tense silence.
A week passed, and people all over the village were talking about the family who lived beneath the “witch oaks.” It seemed Lexi was right: no one came near Chase’s shop. Nell’s father hadn’t sold a single boot or made any repairs – not since the trees began leaning so ominously over his home. And the more her parents worried about money, the more Lexi tried to hurt Nell when they were alone. Hair-pulling, tripping, and pushing her into the mud were her favorite punishments. She didn’t forget Rawley nipping at her either. The older girl found an opportunity to smack him any time she held a broom – which was often.
People now avoided Nell when she walked to the castle. Some of the younger children would bump her when they ran past, or throw dried leaves in her hair, and her friends pretended not to see her. Nell knew now how the old hermit felt when he came to town. As word of her “curse” spread, urchins about the village began shouting names at her like troll-girl, hobblespook, and Hexi. The latter was only used when she was with her sister: “Oi, here come Lexi and Hexi!” they taunted. And of course, any teasing by association made Lexi even more determined to punish Nell at home.
It only got worse when, during a wicked spring storm, the wind blew down one of the oaks leaning over the cottage. In the middle of the night a gnarled branch split the roof open with a creak and a crash, and there was no way to stop the rain from pouring in until morning. Her father had to work for two days clearing the huge tree, with no one but his daughters to help him. Nell could see him frownwhen he looked at her now. He had a roof to repair, a family to feed, and still no business at the cobbler’s shop.
After another long day left to the mercy of her sister, Nell climbed into bed. She tried to find consolation in her pets. “Maybe I should just leave,” she said, but the cat and dog simply looked at her. She had been speaking with them less and less since the parade. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time they talked. Were they were speaking to her now? She didn’t know.
C HAPTER 8
T HE G RAY B EAST
Running away was much easier than Nell expected. It was spring, the days were warm,
Lexi wore a mean grin as soon as they were alone.
Nell was carrying a steaming pot of water to wash clothes when her sister’s anger flared. She came upon Nell suddenly, yanking at her hair, “D’you make a deal with the trolls? Hmm?” She ripped downward again. Nell winced as hot water spilling from under the lid scalded her hands. Despite the rough shaking, she managed to keep her grip on the heavy pot. “No one will buy from father if they think we’re cursed!” Lexi shouted.
“It’s not my fault!” Nell shot back. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her arms were shaking from the strain of the pot.
Rawley sprang forward, giving a warning nip at the older girl’s skirt. Faced with a growling dog, Lexi pushed Nell away and kicked at him. “I’ll get you too, you stupid mutt!”
At that moment the weight of the pot became too much for Nell. With her last bit of strength she heaved it away from her, directly at the fire. It hit the hearth with a dull thud and then a POUUF!, as water splattered over the flames. In an instant, smoke assailed the kitchen, while ashy rivulets ran amuck over the floor.
“Arrgh!” Lexi shrieked. “You’re in trouble now!” But the sight of charcoal rivers flowing across the floor – and the best pot of the house charring in the fire – was enough to divert her rage. She barreled past Nell and dove for the mop. “Get a broom!” she cried. Nell choked back her sobs and ran to obey. The rest of the day they spent cleaning in tense silence.
A week passed, and people all over the village were talking about the family who lived beneath the “witch oaks.” It seemed Lexi was right: no one came near Chase’s shop. Nell’s father hadn’t sold a single boot or made any repairs – not since the trees began leaning so ominously over his home. And the more her parents worried about money, the more Lexi tried to hurt Nell when they were alone. Hair-pulling, tripping, and pushing her into the mud were her favorite punishments. She didn’t forget Rawley nipping at her either. The older girl found an opportunity to smack him any time she held a broom – which was often.
People now avoided Nell when she walked to the castle. Some of the younger children would bump her when they ran past, or throw dried leaves in her hair, and her friends pretended not to see her. Nell knew now how the old hermit felt when he came to town. As word of her “curse” spread, urchins about the village began shouting names at her like troll-girl, hobblespook, and Hexi. The latter was only used when she was with her sister: “Oi, here come Lexi and Hexi!” they taunted. And of course, any teasing by association made Lexi even more determined to punish Nell at home.
It only got worse when, during a wicked spring storm, the wind blew down one of the oaks leaning over the cottage. In the middle of the night a gnarled branch split the roof open with a creak and a crash, and there was no way to stop the rain from pouring in until morning. Her father had to work for two days clearing the huge tree, with no one but his daughters to help him. Nell could see him frownwhen he looked at her now. He had a roof to repair, a family to feed, and still no business at the cobbler’s shop.
After another long day left to the mercy of her sister, Nell climbed into bed. She tried to find consolation in her pets. “Maybe I should just leave,” she said, but the cat and dog simply looked at her. She had been speaking with them less and less since the parade. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time they talked. Were they were speaking to her now? She didn’t know.
C HAPTER 8
T HE G RAY B EAST
Running away was much easier than Nell expected. It was spring, the days were warm,
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