Death of a Cheerleader by Micol Ostow

Author:Micol Ostow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Up close, the euphemistically termed “Welcome Office” was drearier than it had appeared from beneath the entry archway. I personally wouldn’t have thought it possible, and yet.

Strangely, though, for how abandoned and empty it seemed, it also didn’t feel like we were the first people to cross its mold-infested threshold that day; a trail of soggy footprints crisscrossed the floor as we stepped cautiously inside.

“Hello?” Toni called as we moved into the space. “Guys,” she said, turning back to us, “there’s no one in here.” A wave of must and mildew gusted toward us as she did.

“Okay, well, we didn’t really think there would be anyone here,” Betty said, sounding skeptical. “Right? Coach Grappler pulled strings to get us in, but the place isn’t technically open.”

“True enough, dear cousin,” I replied. “But nonetheless”—I gestured, wrinkling my nose against the fusty scent—“these footprints suggest that we do, in fact, have company. Somewhere on-site, if not right here, right now.” It wasn’t an appealing thought. The last thing I needed was a retreat weekend spent rubbing elbows with the proletariat.

“Maybe maintenance crew? The owners must have sent someone to open this place up, right?” Betty said.

“That’s certainly the most positive spin one could give it. I’ll take it. I do so love that Pollyanna spirit, Betts! Hey—what’s that?” Just to the left, clinging limply to a dented file cabinet, a Post-it note was waving our way. “Pardon,” I said to Toni, giving her shoulder a squeeze as I sashayed past to have a closer look.

“Is it for us?” Veronica asked, craning her neck with curiosity.

“Maybe,” I said, plucking it—and a nasty thicket of spiderwebs—from the file cabinet. “ ‘For all cheer squads checking into Sweetwater Pines fall cheer retreat, please report to the rec hall down the path.’ ” I looked up. “Well, I guess you were right about someone opening this place up for us. Good to know we’re not totally left to our own devices out here in the wilds, in any case.”

I turned to Ginger. “I sincerely hope you’ve found your bug spray,” I said. “Because it looks like we’re not done trekking just yet.”

“Wait,” Betty said, a spark lighting up her eyes. “All cheer squads. So then …”

She trailed off, perturbed.

Veronica made a face. “I see where you’re going with this, B. So then we’re definitely sharing this camp with someone.”

“Yes, and with the way the note is worded, I have to wonder,” Betty said, calm and logical, “exactly how many other squads are here with us for the weekend?”

What? My eyes narrowed. Other squads?

“Oh, hell no,” I said. “Over my dead—and immaculately preserved—body are we sharing this space with rando farm team–level cheer squads for the weekend.” Not a threat, a promise.

“To the rec hall, minions,” I said, game face ready. “Let’s get to the bottom of this mysterious screed.”

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